January 11, 1967: JIMI Hendrix recorded Purple Haze today, and to commemorate 45 years later, howzabout this live video recording from German TV show Beat, Beat, Beat - a rarely seen video of Hendrix and his band the Experience. On the very same day, 12 months later, it was reported that Hendrix had taken up residence in the London townhouse where classical composer George Handel had lived, and where he had composed his classic song, Messiah.
1928 - BING Crosby sang the lead vocal line on the classic song, Ol' Man River, which was recorded by Paul Whiteman and his orchestra 84 years ago today, music by Jerome Kern, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. The song is from the successful Broadway musical, Showboat. I doubt very much whether or not good old Bing would have lifted bales of cotton or gotten up a sweat in his entire life, but first up here is a later version he recorded. Following that, a 1936 version from Paul Robeson on vocals was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2006.
1962 - CLIFF Richard became the first UK artist to enter charts at #1 today, when his song The Young Ones went to the top of the charts. What were you doing in 1962, dear reader?
1964 - THE WHISKEY-Au-Go-Go nightclub opened in Los Angeles, California, 48 years ago today. The Whiskey is recognized as the first disco in the United States. Oddly enough, the club gained its best notoriety when it became the venue for the fame-launching of Johnny Rivers, one of the most unique acts in rock history. Rivers' became famous and rich after his album, Live At The Whiskey charted all over the world. Here's a little taste of both.
1964 - JOHNNY Cash's song Ring of Fire was the first time that most people around the world first heard of the man in black, as it hit #1 around the globe. And although country music fans knew of him in America, this song was probably the first time most folks in the rest of the world heard of him, too. The same-titled album from which this song came, was the first time in history that a country album also topped the pop charts, hence providing the commercial mainstream breakthrough for Cash. This video has been viewed by 12.5 million people.
1965 - WE look at the Beach Boys, live on the American TV rock show, Shindig, singing their big hit, Do You Wanna Dance, which became a number one hit for the legendary band, and was recorded on this very day way back then.
1977 - ROLLING Stone Keith Richards was tried in London, today, for possession of cocaine, found in his car after an accident, and subsequently fined GBP£750. And at this time he and his band were performing this little number from their hit album, Black and Blue.
1986 - THE PET Shop Boys scored their first UK #1 single with West End Girls. The first version of the song was released in April 1984, becoming a club hit in the United States. After the duo signed with EMI, the song was re-recorded with producer Stephen Hague, this version going to #1 today in their home country, and then around the world.
1987 - FRANKIE Goes to Hollywood was a short term phenomenon in England, initially through their huge hit single, Relax. On this day, the band began what would be its final tour in Manchester, England. And this is the banned version of the group's controversial hit song, Relax.
1992 - PAUL Simon began a concert tour in South Africa, today, Simon being the first international star to perform in South Africa following the end of the UN cultural boycott. And here's the title song from the historic album cut by Simon, and performed on that famous tour.
1928 - BING Crosby sang the lead vocal line on the classic song, Ol' Man River, which was recorded by Paul Whiteman and his orchestra 84 years ago today, music by Jerome Kern, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. The song is from the successful Broadway musical, Showboat. I doubt very much whether or not good old Bing would have lifted bales of cotton or gotten up a sweat in his entire life, but first up here is a later version he recorded. Following that, a 1936 version from Paul Robeson on vocals was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2006.
1962 - CLIFF Richard became the first UK artist to enter charts at #1 today, when his song The Young Ones went to the top of the charts. What were you doing in 1962, dear reader?
1964 - THE WHISKEY-Au-Go-Go nightclub opened in Los Angeles, California, 48 years ago today. The Whiskey is recognized as the first disco in the United States. Oddly enough, the club gained its best notoriety when it became the venue for the fame-launching of Johnny Rivers, one of the most unique acts in rock history. Rivers' became famous and rich after his album, Live At The Whiskey charted all over the world. Here's a little taste of both.
1964 - JOHNNY Cash's song Ring of Fire was the first time that most people around the world first heard of the man in black, as it hit #1 around the globe. And although country music fans knew of him in America, this song was probably the first time most folks in the rest of the world heard of him, too. The same-titled album from which this song came, was the first time in history that a country album also topped the pop charts, hence providing the commercial mainstream breakthrough for Cash. This video has been viewed by 12.5 million people.
1965 - WE look at the Beach Boys, live on the American TV rock show, Shindig, singing their big hit, Do You Wanna Dance, which became a number one hit for the legendary band, and was recorded on this very day way back then.
1977 - ROLLING Stone Keith Richards was tried in London, today, for possession of cocaine, found in his car after an accident, and subsequently fined GBP£750. And at this time he and his band were performing this little number from their hit album, Black and Blue.
1986 - THE PET Shop Boys scored their first UK #1 single with West End Girls. The first version of the song was released in April 1984, becoming a club hit in the United States. After the duo signed with EMI, the song was re-recorded with producer Stephen Hague, this version going to #1 today in their home country, and then around the world.
1987 - FRANKIE Goes to Hollywood was a short term phenomenon in England, initially through their huge hit single, Relax. On this day, the band began what would be its final tour in Manchester, England. And this is the banned version of the group's controversial hit song, Relax.
1992 - PAUL Simon began a concert tour in South Africa, today, Simon being the first international star to perform in South Africa following the end of the UN cultural boycott. And here's the title song from the historic album cut by Simon, and performed on that famous tour.
