December 20, 1973 - BOBBY Darin died 38 years ago today, aged just 37. He was one of the first post-bobby-soxer teen idols, sustaining his multi-faceted career by being a successful song writer, musician, entertainer, actor, entrepreneur and businessman. Darin had a 1959 #1 best-selling hit with Dream Lover, plus 20 other hits around the world during the 60s, including Mack the Knife, for which he received a Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1960. He was also a pro-active political campaigner with Robert Kennedy, and worked on the latter's 1968 presidential campaign. He was with Kennedy the day he traveled to Los Angeles on June 4, 1968, for the California Primary and at the Ambassador Hotel later that night when Kennedy was assassinated. This is Bobby Darin.
1932 - AL JOLSON, who recorded April Showers on this day, was dubbed 'the world's greatest entertainer' in his heyday. His performing style was brash and extroverted, and he popularized a large number of songs that benefitted from his 'shamelessly sentimental, melodramatic approach'. Numerous well-known singers since those days were influenced by his music, including Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, rock and country entertainer Jerry Lee Lewis, and Bob Dylan, who once referred to him as 'somebody whose life I can feel'. Broadway critic Gilbert Seldes claimed that Jolson represented "the concentration of our national health and gaiety." In the 1930s, he was America's most famous and highest paid entertainer, and between 1911 and 1928, Jolson had nine sell-out Winter Garden shows in a row, more than 80 hit records, and 16 national and international tours. Although he's best remembered today as the star in the first full length talking movie, The Jazz Singer, in 1927 he later starred in a series of successful musical films throughout the 1930s. After a period of inactivity, his stardom returned with the 1946 Oscar-winning biographical film, The Jolson Story. Here's one of his best known songs, recorded and released 10 years earlier, in 1922.
1957 - ELVIS Presley received his U.S. Army draft notice today, and at the time he was performing this hit record, along with so many more. Bet you aint seen this video of Elvis...and the audio is real, believe it or not.
1958 - JOHN Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison appeared as the Quarry Men at the wedding reception of George's older brother, Harry, today. A year later to the day & Emile Ford and the Checkmates were at #1 around the world, with What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For. Leap forward to 1967, the very day Jethro Tull was formed in 1967. The group's music is marked by the distinctive vocal style and lead flute work of front man Ian Anderson. Initially playing blues rock with an experimental flavour, over the years Jethro Tull have incorporated elements of classical, folk and 'ethnic' musics, jazz and art rock. Two years after the group formed, they scored a hit with this song.
1969 - PETER, Paul and Mary had a hit record around the world today with Leavin' On A Jet Plane, and on the same day in the UK, Rolf Harris was at #1 on the UK best-selling chart, with Two Little Boys, a song written in 1902 by American composer Theodore Morse and lyricist Edward Madden. The song became a popular music hall song of the time, made popular by Harry Lauder, describing the story of two boys who grow up to fight in the American Civil War. Harris' version was England's Christmas #1 of 1969, staying on top for six weeks.
1974 - RONNIE Wood followed Rod Stewart's departure from the Faces, and joined the Rolling Stones today. That gives us a perfect excuse to watch this video gem of Keith Richards playing piano and harmonising with Wood in The Faces…earlier that year.
1975 - JOE Walsh joined the Eagles, today, replacing original member Bernie Leadon, who left the band for a solo career. Not sure what happened to Mr. Leadon. Joe Walsh's presence in the Eagles no doubt boosted their credibility. Joe Walsh remains one of the great rock icons of the era.
1980 - TWELVE days after John Lennon was shot dead in New York City, the song (Just Like) Starting Over gave the former Beatle his first ever UK solo #1 hit, the tune taken from his Double Fantasy album. Ironic.
1932 - AL JOLSON, who recorded April Showers on this day, was dubbed 'the world's greatest entertainer' in his heyday. His performing style was brash and extroverted, and he popularized a large number of songs that benefitted from his 'shamelessly sentimental, melodramatic approach'. Numerous well-known singers since those days were influenced by his music, including Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, rock and country entertainer Jerry Lee Lewis, and Bob Dylan, who once referred to him as 'somebody whose life I can feel'. Broadway critic Gilbert Seldes claimed that Jolson represented "the concentration of our national health and gaiety." In the 1930s, he was America's most famous and highest paid entertainer, and between 1911 and 1928, Jolson had nine sell-out Winter Garden shows in a row, more than 80 hit records, and 16 national and international tours. Although he's best remembered today as the star in the first full length talking movie, The Jazz Singer, in 1927 he later starred in a series of successful musical films throughout the 1930s. After a period of inactivity, his stardom returned with the 1946 Oscar-winning biographical film, The Jolson Story. Here's one of his best known songs, recorded and released 10 years earlier, in 1922.
1957 - ELVIS Presley received his U.S. Army draft notice today, and at the time he was performing this hit record, along with so many more. Bet you aint seen this video of Elvis...and the audio is real, believe it or not.
1958 - JOHN Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison appeared as the Quarry Men at the wedding reception of George's older brother, Harry, today. A year later to the day & Emile Ford and the Checkmates were at #1 around the world, with What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For. Leap forward to 1967, the very day Jethro Tull was formed in 1967. The group's music is marked by the distinctive vocal style and lead flute work of front man Ian Anderson. Initially playing blues rock with an experimental flavour, over the years Jethro Tull have incorporated elements of classical, folk and 'ethnic' musics, jazz and art rock. Two years after the group formed, they scored a hit with this song.
1969 - PETER, Paul and Mary had a hit record around the world today with Leavin' On A Jet Plane, and on the same day in the UK, Rolf Harris was at #1 on the UK best-selling chart, with Two Little Boys, a song written in 1902 by American composer Theodore Morse and lyricist Edward Madden. The song became a popular music hall song of the time, made popular by Harry Lauder, describing the story of two boys who grow up to fight in the American Civil War. Harris' version was England's Christmas #1 of 1969, staying on top for six weeks.
1974 - RONNIE Wood followed Rod Stewart's departure from the Faces, and joined the Rolling Stones today. That gives us a perfect excuse to watch this video gem of Keith Richards playing piano and harmonising with Wood in The Faces…earlier that year.
1975 - JOE Walsh joined the Eagles, today, replacing original member Bernie Leadon, who left the band for a solo career. Not sure what happened to Mr. Leadon. Joe Walsh's presence in the Eagles no doubt boosted their credibility. Joe Walsh remains one of the great rock icons of the era.
1980 - TWELVE days after John Lennon was shot dead in New York City, the song (Just Like) Starting Over gave the former Beatle his first ever UK solo #1 hit, the tune taken from his Double Fantasy album. Ironic.
