October 15, 1955 - IF you read last night's *MUSICBACKTRACK* you would know that Buddy Holly opened for Bill Haley and the Comets, and 56 years ago tonight Holly opened for Elvis Presley in Lubbock, TX. After a recording career of just 18 months, it is astounding that Holly remains one of rock's most influential artists. Accordingly, following piece of wild super 8mm film footage is an historical piece of film, showing Buddy Holly, backstage that night, with others on the bill, including a very young Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley, all hanging back stage waiting to do their bit in 1955.
1955 - THE American-famous country and western TV show, Grand Ole Opry premiered on the country's network, ABC-TV today. the following video is not quite the debut show, but it *is* the first appearance of country legend and Grand Old Opry regular, Patsy Cline introduced here by country legend Ernest Tubb...oh, and how excited is the host?
1965 - IT was today that Jimi Hendrix signed his first recording contract, which stated he would receive $1 and a 1% Royalty on all of his recordings. On money matters, this is the day a year later when Pink Floyd were paid just GBP£15 for the gig which was the launch for International Times at London's Roundhouse. Also on the bill were the Move, Denny Laine and Soft Machine, and you can see more videos and info on these acts by gping to our archives and search engine. Across the pond, Jefferson Airplane's original vocalist, Signe Anderson, her final gig with the Airplane taking place on this day at the Filmore West, 15 October 1966. She had given birth to her first child earlier in the year. Following night, her replacement Grace Slick made her first appearance. Slick was already known to the band, having attended Airplane's debut gig at the Matrix in 1965 and her previous group, The Great Society, had often supported the Airplane in concert. It was here that Kantner met Slick for the first time. But for today, folks, this is the final performance of Ms. Anderson.
1968 - WHEN Led Zeppelin made its debut performance on this date, British music was in the middle of a musical revolution, greatly influenced by American black music. So, for your edification, dear reader, here is a portion of a documentary, featuring a very, very young, 14-year-old Jimmy Page, and an inkling into the Zeppelin experience.
1973 - DRUG lyrics in pop songs had become a part of the rock experience by the seventies, had become an issue with governments all over the world, but this was the day when the American Supreme Court refused to review a 1971 Federal Communications directive that broadcasters censor from the airwaves songs with drug-oriented lyrics. One of the best-known musical drug offenders was Keith Richards, and this was the day in '73 when he was found guilty of trafficking cannabis by a Court in Nice, France. The Rolling Stone was given a one-year suspended sentence and a 5,000 franc fine. He was also banned from entering France for two years. And this is what he and his mates had been doing in France - recording what was probably their best ever album, which included this little ditty.
1976 - IKE and Tina Turner were one of the most exciting acts of their time, and of the moment, but this was the day they split as a musical act. it was not long afterwards that Australian manager, Roger Davies, became the integral force that encouraged Turner to begin her solo career, as Davies did with many other international acts through the years, including Olivia Newton-John and Janet Jackson and Mick Jagger - just to name a few. It's always a good thing to try and capture the nuance of a moment in time, but here are Ike and Tina Turner AND The Ikettes (featuring the great vocalist P.P.Arnold) doing the Phil Spector production of the song that he wrote, River Deep Mountain High. Is there anything more sexy onstage than an Ikette?
1977 - PAUL Simon always put his own personal stamp on music, and particularly so with the song Slip Slidin' Away when it was released on this day. Here's a later version of the song, filmed in 1986, with the Oak Ridge Boys, who had also provided the original backup vocals in the original recorded version.
1996 - BEST known for being married to Pamela Anderson, his tatts, physical abuse on his wife, and of course there were his porn films, Motley Crue drummer was charged today with attacking a cameraman that was trying to take pictures of him and his wife Pamela Anderson Lee, and same day a year later, Patricia Ann Richardson filed suit against Snoop Doggy Dogg and his former manager Sharita Knight, and Death Row Records, for allegedly tricking her into transporting packages of marijuana to a venue where Snoop Doggy Dogg was performing. Was it true? Do I care? Do you care? Not really, but it was also the year that Dogg starred in this short 15 minute movie, Da Game of Life - a direct-to-video short film starring the rapper. It was written and produced by Master P and distributed by No Limit Films.
1998 - JUST 12 years ago to the day, Puff Diddy Daddy Diddy Duddy Doddy played his first UK show, though we could not find anything on video. But what about this, from the same year, featuring Jimmy Page on ripping guitar, and at the start, the song Between The Sheets by the Isley Brothers.
1955 - THE American-famous country and western TV show, Grand Ole Opry premiered on the country's network, ABC-TV today. the following video is not quite the debut show, but it *is* the first appearance of country legend and Grand Old Opry regular, Patsy Cline introduced here by country legend Ernest Tubb...oh, and how excited is the host?
1965 - IT was today that Jimi Hendrix signed his first recording contract, which stated he would receive $1 and a 1% Royalty on all of his recordings. On money matters, this is the day a year later when Pink Floyd were paid just GBP£15 for the gig which was the launch for International Times at London's Roundhouse. Also on the bill were the Move, Denny Laine and Soft Machine, and you can see more videos and info on these acts by gping to our archives and search engine. Across the pond, Jefferson Airplane's original vocalist, Signe Anderson, her final gig with the Airplane taking place on this day at the Filmore West, 15 October 1966. She had given birth to her first child earlier in the year. Following night, her replacement Grace Slick made her first appearance. Slick was already known to the band, having attended Airplane's debut gig at the Matrix in 1965 and her previous group, The Great Society, had often supported the Airplane in concert. It was here that Kantner met Slick for the first time. But for today, folks, this is the final performance of Ms. Anderson.
1968 - WHEN Led Zeppelin made its debut performance on this date, British music was in the middle of a musical revolution, greatly influenced by American black music. So, for your edification, dear reader, here is a portion of a documentary, featuring a very, very young, 14-year-old Jimmy Page, and an inkling into the Zeppelin experience.
1973 - DRUG lyrics in pop songs had become a part of the rock experience by the seventies, had become an issue with governments all over the world, but this was the day when the American Supreme Court refused to review a 1971 Federal Communications directive that broadcasters censor from the airwaves songs with drug-oriented lyrics. One of the best-known musical drug offenders was Keith Richards, and this was the day in '73 when he was found guilty of trafficking cannabis by a Court in Nice, France. The Rolling Stone was given a one-year suspended sentence and a 5,000 franc fine. He was also banned from entering France for two years. And this is what he and his mates had been doing in France - recording what was probably their best ever album, which included this little ditty.
1976 - IKE and Tina Turner were one of the most exciting acts of their time, and of the moment, but this was the day they split as a musical act. it was not long afterwards that Australian manager, Roger Davies, became the integral force that encouraged Turner to begin her solo career, as Davies did with many other international acts through the years, including Olivia Newton-John and Janet Jackson and Mick Jagger - just to name a few. It's always a good thing to try and capture the nuance of a moment in time, but here are Ike and Tina Turner AND The Ikettes (featuring the great vocalist P.P.Arnold) doing the Phil Spector production of the song that he wrote, River Deep Mountain High. Is there anything more sexy onstage than an Ikette?
1977 - PAUL Simon always put his own personal stamp on music, and particularly so with the song Slip Slidin' Away when it was released on this day. Here's a later version of the song, filmed in 1986, with the Oak Ridge Boys, who had also provided the original backup vocals in the original recorded version.
1996 - BEST known for being married to Pamela Anderson, his tatts, physical abuse on his wife, and of course there were his porn films, Motley Crue drummer was charged today with attacking a cameraman that was trying to take pictures of him and his wife Pamela Anderson Lee, and same day a year later, Patricia Ann Richardson filed suit against Snoop Doggy Dogg and his former manager Sharita Knight, and Death Row Records, for allegedly tricking her into transporting packages of marijuana to a venue where Snoop Doggy Dogg was performing. Was it true? Do I care? Do you care? Not really, but it was also the year that Dogg starred in this short 15 minute movie, Da Game of Life - a direct-to-video short film starring the rapper. It was written and produced by Master P and distributed by No Limit Films.
1998 - JUST 12 years ago to the day, Puff Diddy Daddy Diddy Duddy Doddy played his first UK show, though we could not find anything on video. But what about this, from the same year, featuring Jimmy Page on ripping guitar, and at the start, the song Between The Sheets by the Isley Brothers.
