October 13, 1979 - THIS is the day when British chart collations were altered, causing two #1 hit albums in that country; Police's second album, Reggatta De Blanc', which cost just GBP£6,000 to produce, and Blondie's Eat To The Beat. And 31 years, Back in Black, the rock'n'roll album by Australian band AC/DC, went platinum today, just a few months after its release. It was the seventh Australian and sixth internationally released studio album by the band. Released on 25 July, 1980, Back in Black was the first AC/DC album recorded without former lead singer Bon Scott, who died just six months earlier on 19 February 1980, at the age of 33. The album was dedicated to him. Although Scott did not receive song writing credits on the album, his older brother, Derek, told me that the family has always received Scott's song writing royalties for the album, strongly suggesting that Scott indeed wrote most lyrics for the album. One listen from devoted AC/DC/Scott fans, along with anecdotal evidence, seems to confirm this. just for a change, here's a version from early last year, performed by prog rock band, Muse, with Jet's Nic Cester, and a credible version of the song at Australia's Big Day Out Sydney, 22nd January, first viewed on Channel V.
1903 - BABES in Toyland was an operetta composed by superstar songwriter of the day, Victor Herbert, and it opened today in New York City, for a total of 192 performances. The show was inspired by the 1900 fairytale novel The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz. Creators of Babes In Toyland produced the show with producer Fred R. Hamlin, and Julian P. Mitchell directed the project. Babes in Toyland featured some of Herbert's most famous songs, among them Toyland, March of the Toys, Go To Sleep, Slumber Deep, and I Can't Do The Sum. The theme song Toyland, and March of the Toys are sporadically included in Christmas music compilations. The original production opened at the Chicago Grand Opera house on June 17, 1903, then toured east coast American cities before opening in New York. Following is the original poster restoration process, plus a little piece of history of the show and of the man who wrote the music, Victor Herbert.
1957 - THIS is the real-time actual televised opening of the Ford Edsel Show, hosted by Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, and aired 54 years ago. It was an hour long television special performance, with guests Rosemary Clooney and Louis Armstrong. The opening here is followed by another portion of from the show - a total classic.
1963 - IT seems like a lifetime ago since the Beatles' debut appearance on a major TV show, British ITV's Sunday Night at the Palladium. for that appearance go to our archives or search engine. Meanwhile, here's a London spruker explaining the event to tourists. Funny!
1970 - Janis Joplin always said she wanted her ashes scattered off the coast of California, and 41 years ago on this day, that's exactly what happened. The ashes were scattered off Stinson Beach, California. Following is a precious interview with Janis, on the Dick Cavette Show, a day short of her sad death, preceded by a performance on the same show. Four decades on, one no longer has to imagine from where Axl Rose stole his dance moves. Also, we have Laura and Michael Joplin accepting Janis Joplin's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions in 1995.
1975 - EARLY in his career, 36 years ago today, rocker Neil Young had throat surgery in Los Angeles to remove a growth from his vocal cords, clearly shocking his fans. Just for a change, here is a mini-doco on Young.
1977 - ONE of rock's early sixties vocal groups was the fabulous Orlons, who scored five hits in their home country, USA, including South Street, Don't Hang Up, and the following fun party/dance song, Wah Watusi. Sadly, 32 year-old vocalist, Shirley Brickley, was shot and killed 34 years ago today, by an intruder in her Philadelphia home.
1992 - THIS is the day that claims of Ozzy Osbourne's music prompted the suicide of two teenagers, was thrown out of the U.S. Supreme Court, and on the same day three years later, Tupac Shakur was released from jail after spending 8 months in the brink for fondling a woman in a New York hotel room. On the same day in 1998, former heroin addict, guitar legend Eric Clapton, opened and underwrote The Crossroads Centre of Antigua. The centre came with the promise that no one would be turned away if they needed treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. Accordingly, here is the man with what could be the oldest known blues song.
2001 - AUSTRALIAN pioneer singer/songwriter, Peter Doyle, died of throat cancer aged 52. Doyle was a successful solo artist in Australia before joining The New Seekers, who scored a string of hits; What Have They Done To My Song, Never Ending Song of Love, I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing. But in between his solo career and his New Seekers fame, he was in a three-piece male vocal group, The Virgil brothers - heavily influenced by England's Walker Brothers. The Virgil Brothers were Peter Doyle, plus Rob Lovett, originally in the Wild Cherries then the legendary Loved Ones; Mal McGee, formerly lead singer of the massive Python Lee Jackson, with whom Rod Stewart sang as guest on one of their early hits. Following is one of Virgil Brothers' hits, a cover version of Temptation's 'Bout To Get Me. Producer of Doyle, Virgils and New Seekers, was one of Australia's most successful and prodigious producers, David McKay whose successful international and diverse career has been shamefully overlooked in his home country, but embraced and celebrated around the world, especially in the united Kingdom and Europe. Mckay has worked with acts such as Eric Clapton, Bee Gees, and Eric Clapton.
1903 - BABES in Toyland was an operetta composed by superstar songwriter of the day, Victor Herbert, and it opened today in New York City, for a total of 192 performances. The show was inspired by the 1900 fairytale novel The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz. Creators of Babes In Toyland produced the show with producer Fred R. Hamlin, and Julian P. Mitchell directed the project. Babes in Toyland featured some of Herbert's most famous songs, among them Toyland, March of the Toys, Go To Sleep, Slumber Deep, and I Can't Do The Sum. The theme song Toyland, and March of the Toys are sporadically included in Christmas music compilations. The original production opened at the Chicago Grand Opera house on June 17, 1903, then toured east coast American cities before opening in New York. Following is the original poster restoration process, plus a little piece of history of the show and of the man who wrote the music, Victor Herbert.
1957 - THIS is the real-time actual televised opening of the Ford Edsel Show, hosted by Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, and aired 54 years ago. It was an hour long television special performance, with guests Rosemary Clooney and Louis Armstrong. The opening here is followed by another portion of from the show - a total classic.
1963 - IT seems like a lifetime ago since the Beatles' debut appearance on a major TV show, British ITV's Sunday Night at the Palladium. for that appearance go to our archives or search engine. Meanwhile, here's a London spruker explaining the event to tourists. Funny!
1970 - Janis Joplin always said she wanted her ashes scattered off the coast of California, and 41 years ago on this day, that's exactly what happened. The ashes were scattered off Stinson Beach, California. Following is a precious interview with Janis, on the Dick Cavette Show, a day short of her sad death, preceded by a performance on the same show. Four decades on, one no longer has to imagine from where Axl Rose stole his dance moves. Also, we have Laura and Michael Joplin accepting Janis Joplin's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions in 1995.
1975 - EARLY in his career, 36 years ago today, rocker Neil Young had throat surgery in Los Angeles to remove a growth from his vocal cords, clearly shocking his fans. Just for a change, here is a mini-doco on Young.
1977 - ONE of rock's early sixties vocal groups was the fabulous Orlons, who scored five hits in their home country, USA, including South Street, Don't Hang Up, and the following fun party/dance song, Wah Watusi. Sadly, 32 year-old vocalist, Shirley Brickley, was shot and killed 34 years ago today, by an intruder in her Philadelphia home.
1992 - THIS is the day that claims of Ozzy Osbourne's music prompted the suicide of two teenagers, was thrown out of the U.S. Supreme Court, and on the same day three years later, Tupac Shakur was released from jail after spending 8 months in the brink for fondling a woman in a New York hotel room. On the same day in 1998, former heroin addict, guitar legend Eric Clapton, opened and underwrote The Crossroads Centre of Antigua. The centre came with the promise that no one would be turned away if they needed treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. Accordingly, here is the man with what could be the oldest known blues song.
2001 - AUSTRALIAN pioneer singer/songwriter, Peter Doyle, died of throat cancer aged 52. Doyle was a successful solo artist in Australia before joining The New Seekers, who scored a string of hits; What Have They Done To My Song, Never Ending Song of Love, I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing. But in between his solo career and his New Seekers fame, he was in a three-piece male vocal group, The Virgil brothers - heavily influenced by England's Walker Brothers. The Virgil Brothers were Peter Doyle, plus Rob Lovett, originally in the Wild Cherries then the legendary Loved Ones; Mal McGee, formerly lead singer of the massive Python Lee Jackson, with whom Rod Stewart sang as guest on one of their early hits. Following is one of Virgil Brothers' hits, a cover version of Temptation's 'Bout To Get Me. Producer of Doyle, Virgils and New Seekers, was one of Australia's most successful and prodigious producers, David McKay whose successful international and diverse career has been shamefully overlooked in his home country, but embraced and celebrated around the world, especially in the united Kingdom and Europe. Mckay has worked with acts such as Eric Clapton, Bee Gees, and Eric Clapton.
