October 17, 1970 - JJ CALE wrote one of the great songs, After Midnight, in 1966, and was s dirt poor, struggling songwriter at the time. But on this day four years later, his fortunes changed when Eric Clapton released his own cover version of the song. How lucky are we today, dear reader, because here's a killer live version of the song with both Clapton and Cale on stage together.
1940 - HE played boogie woogie like nobody else, and today Will Bradley's Orchestra recorded Five O'Clock Whistle for Columbia Records. The American trombonist and bandleader was known for swing and sweet dance music, as well as his early style of boogie boogie. He and drummer, Ray McKinley, formed a big band in 1939 which became well known for boogie-woogie, particularly its hit record, Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar, with Freddie Slack on piano. Lost in transit, so howzabout this little ditty?
1960 - DION and the Belmonts were one of the big, big doo-wop bands of the fifties and had many hits until this day in 1960, when Billboard Magazine reported that Dion and the Belmonts were breaking up due to the fact that Dion DiMucci was going to start a solo career. After going solo DiMucci enjoyed a second successful career, but here's the original band in 1958 with their big worldwide hit.
1964 - THE Zombies were a credible sixties Brit band, with a credible debut hit song, She's Not There, which was released 47 years ago today. Rod Argent was the song writer, but alsop. One of the song's most distinctive features is Argent's electric piano sound; the instrument used was a Hohner Pianet. The backing vocals are in a folk-influenced close-harmony style. This minor key, jazz-tinged single was first aired in the United States during the first week in August 1964, on New York rock radio station WINS by Stan Z. Burns, who debuted the song on his daily noontime Hot Spot segment, during which new songs were played. Rolling Stone magazine ranked She's Not There #291 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. I loved this song when I first heard it, still do, one of my all-time favourites.
1964 - MANFRED Mann started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart today, and within a few weeks had hit the same position across Europe and Asia, including Australia. The song that did it was a song weith the nonsense title, Do Wah Diddy Diddy, which was originally done by American girl group, the Exciters. For your perusal, dear reader, here are both versions. Which one do you like best?
1967 - HARD to believe it's almost a half century since the musical Hair premiered at New York's Public Theatre on this day. The show ran for 1,758 performances in that theatre, and spread around the world like a fireball, with versions of the breakthrough story going into productions across the planet. Just to remind you what it was all about, here's 'that' song from the movie version...oh dear!
1968 - THIS is the day that Jose Feliciano caused a massive controversy that lasted a good part of his career, and then started a revolution of tradition. This is the story of the very 1st stylised version of the American National Anthem - before Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, or Ray Charles performed their personalised versions. The Puerto Rican blind singer/guitarist stunned the crowd at Tiger Stadium in Detroit, and the rest of America, today, when he strummed a slow, bluesy rendition of the National Anthem prior to Game Five of the World Series between Detroit and St. Louis. The 23-year-old's performance was the first non-traditional version seen by mainstream America, and it is generally considered the lexington and concord of Star-Spangled Banner controversies. Vietnam vets threw shows at their TV sets, and complained to local radio stations and newspapers, causing a fiery response. The reaction from Vietnam-weary America was not surprising, considering this was a tumultuous year for American patriotism. Regardless of this, however - and this is an oft repeated fact of hindsight - Feliciano's performance was seen as opening the door for the countless interpretations of the Star-Spangled Banner we hear today. I love this version and applaud him for breaking the barrier.
1977 - THIS was the year and the day that Street Survivors was released by Lynyrd Skynyrd, but just three days after its release disaster struck the group when Ronnie Van Zandt, guitarist Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines (Steve's sister) and road manager Dean Kilpatrick were killed as their plane crashed in Gillsburg, Missouri. The other four members of the band were seriously injured but survived the crash. In memory of yet another rock airplane disaster, here's a bootleg live version of What's Your Name, just three months before the crash. this is an authentic bootleg gem.
1979 - FLEETWOOD Mac's double album, Tusk, was released today by Warner Brothers Records, just as punk music was starting to infiltrate the world's music world. speaking of punk, on this day in 1986 the biographical movie Sid And Nancy opened in limited release across the UK and USA today, and later around the world. This was the day, too, when the Bee Gees have created many music records since their early days of working in RSL clubs across Australia, and this was the day when the three brothers became the only group to have a UK #1 hit single in each of the three decades - 60's, 70's & 80's - when You Win Again' went to top of world charts. This was the Bee Gees' fifth and most recent #1 song.
1995 - JUST a little pre-occupied with something - possibly himself - Sting learned that his former financial advisor had managed to rip-off the former Police bassist to the tune of $9.4 million. Problem I have with this is...just how much money does Sting have if he didn't notice a missing nine million? Anyway, the former advisor was sentenced to six years in prison after being convicted of stealing from the musician. For more Sting and Police videos and stories, go to our archive search engine. On this day in 2007, American prodigious singer Teresa Brewer died today aged 76. Ms. brewer was one of the most popular pop singers across the world during the 1950s scoring hits such as Gonna Get Along Without Ya Now, How Much Is That Doggy In The Window, and many more; she also sang with Tony Bennett, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie and Wynton Marsalis. This is one of her biggest hits.
1940 - HE played boogie woogie like nobody else, and today Will Bradley's Orchestra recorded Five O'Clock Whistle for Columbia Records. The American trombonist and bandleader was known for swing and sweet dance music, as well as his early style of boogie boogie. He and drummer, Ray McKinley, formed a big band in 1939 which became well known for boogie-woogie, particularly its hit record, Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar, with Freddie Slack on piano. Lost in transit, so howzabout this little ditty?
1960 - DION and the Belmonts were one of the big, big doo-wop bands of the fifties and had many hits until this day in 1960, when Billboard Magazine reported that Dion and the Belmonts were breaking up due to the fact that Dion DiMucci was going to start a solo career. After going solo DiMucci enjoyed a second successful career, but here's the original band in 1958 with their big worldwide hit.
1964 - THE Zombies were a credible sixties Brit band, with a credible debut hit song, She's Not There, which was released 47 years ago today. Rod Argent was the song writer, but alsop. One of the song's most distinctive features is Argent's electric piano sound; the instrument used was a Hohner Pianet. The backing vocals are in a folk-influenced close-harmony style. This minor key, jazz-tinged single was first aired in the United States during the first week in August 1964, on New York rock radio station WINS by Stan Z. Burns, who debuted the song on his daily noontime Hot Spot segment, during which new songs were played. Rolling Stone magazine ranked She's Not There #291 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. I loved this song when I first heard it, still do, one of my all-time favourites.
1964 - MANFRED Mann started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart today, and within a few weeks had hit the same position across Europe and Asia, including Australia. The song that did it was a song weith the nonsense title, Do Wah Diddy Diddy, which was originally done by American girl group, the Exciters. For your perusal, dear reader, here are both versions. Which one do you like best?
1967 - HARD to believe it's almost a half century since the musical Hair premiered at New York's Public Theatre on this day. The show ran for 1,758 performances in that theatre, and spread around the world like a fireball, with versions of the breakthrough story going into productions across the planet. Just to remind you what it was all about, here's 'that' song from the movie version...oh dear!
1968 - THIS is the day that Jose Feliciano caused a massive controversy that lasted a good part of his career, and then started a revolution of tradition. This is the story of the very 1st stylised version of the American National Anthem - before Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, or Ray Charles performed their personalised versions. The Puerto Rican blind singer/guitarist stunned the crowd at Tiger Stadium in Detroit, and the rest of America, today, when he strummed a slow, bluesy rendition of the National Anthem prior to Game Five of the World Series between Detroit and St. Louis. The 23-year-old's performance was the first non-traditional version seen by mainstream America, and it is generally considered the lexington and concord of Star-Spangled Banner controversies. Vietnam vets threw shows at their TV sets, and complained to local radio stations and newspapers, causing a fiery response. The reaction from Vietnam-weary America was not surprising, considering this was a tumultuous year for American patriotism. Regardless of this, however - and this is an oft repeated fact of hindsight - Feliciano's performance was seen as opening the door for the countless interpretations of the Star-Spangled Banner we hear today. I love this version and applaud him for breaking the barrier.
1977 - THIS was the year and the day that Street Survivors was released by Lynyrd Skynyrd, but just three days after its release disaster struck the group when Ronnie Van Zandt, guitarist Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines (Steve's sister) and road manager Dean Kilpatrick were killed as their plane crashed in Gillsburg, Missouri. The other four members of the band were seriously injured but survived the crash. In memory of yet another rock airplane disaster, here's a bootleg live version of What's Your Name, just three months before the crash. this is an authentic bootleg gem.
1979 - FLEETWOOD Mac's double album, Tusk, was released today by Warner Brothers Records, just as punk music was starting to infiltrate the world's music world. speaking of punk, on this day in 1986 the biographical movie Sid And Nancy opened in limited release across the UK and USA today, and later around the world. This was the day, too, when the Bee Gees have created many music records since their early days of working in RSL clubs across Australia, and this was the day when the three brothers became the only group to have a UK #1 hit single in each of the three decades - 60's, 70's & 80's - when You Win Again' went to top of world charts. This was the Bee Gees' fifth and most recent #1 song.
1995 - JUST a little pre-occupied with something - possibly himself - Sting learned that his former financial advisor had managed to rip-off the former Police bassist to the tune of $9.4 million. Problem I have with this is...just how much money does Sting have if he didn't notice a missing nine million? Anyway, the former advisor was sentenced to six years in prison after being convicted of stealing from the musician. For more Sting and Police videos and stories, go to our archive search engine. On this day in 2007, American prodigious singer Teresa Brewer died today aged 76. Ms. brewer was one of the most popular pop singers across the world during the 1950s scoring hits such as Gonna Get Along Without Ya Now, How Much Is That Doggy In The Window, and many more; she also sang with Tony Bennett, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie and Wynton Marsalis. This is one of her biggest hits.
