January 22, 1959 - BUDDY HOLLY recorded rough demos of six songs today, in his New York apartment, according to rocklore whispers. His final recordings were done on his own, with an acoustic guitar and tape recorder. The songs were released posthumously, with crass over-dubbing, cheap rock'n'roll band and chintzy backing vocals. Sad, really, because for many years, these were known only in adulterated versions. What is most interesting about Buddy Holly is that his professional career lasted less than two years, cut short by a plane crash in Iowa in February, 1959. Holly was of the same age, locale and musical background as Elvis. But as Lennon said, "Elvis died in the army." Holly has become a songwriter's songwriter. Keith Richards credits him with inspiring the Stones to create original material. Bruce Springsteen said, "I play Buddy Holly every night before I go on - it keeps me honest!" Paul McCartney made an excellent, adulatory documentary movie about him. All six songs display a sophistication of personal expression especially cynical resignation unheard of in a teenage context in 1959. Buddy Holly was 22 and a half when he recorded these songs, and when he died. At that age, John Lennon was recording Love Me, Do, and Dylan had recorded one album of original material. first of these songs follow with Learning The Game, followed by the version from Keith & Stones. Then, That's What They Say, Cryin' Waiting, Hopin'.
1960 - SAM COOKE signed a deal with RCA Records today, and you know I can still remember hearing this following song, so crystal clear, when I was just 13. He had the best voice, did Sam, and his songs were pure class. This is one of Cooke's biggest hits, and you can hear the crowd clapping on the beat, not the back beat...this is the man. For more Sam Cook, go to the *MUSICBACKTRACK* archives and slide through with the search engine.
1962 - GENE CHANDLER made his TV debut on American Bandstand, today, performing his biggest hit by far, Duke of Earl. He was a one-off, and though many have tried to emulate him in the following decades, none have succeeded. Brilliant singer, perfect showman - he WAS the Duke, as far as I'm concerned.
1963 - GERRY & the PACEMAKERS held their first recording session, today, producing Away from You and Pretend. Here then, is a little bit of a medley for you, dear reader, starting with Pretend, and then two of his biggest hits. For more videos of his biggest hits, to to the archives.
1963 - INSTRUMENTAL GROUP, THE SHADOWS, were at #1 on the UK singles chart, today, with their fourth #1 UK hit, Dance On. Here's a version of their song from 1989, and that's 26 years after it was originally a hit, making it almost a half century old.
1966 - IT WAS in 1966, the sixties music boom in full swing, and the Beach Boys went global with their song, Wouldn't It Be Nice. There's a great video of this on youtube, but it is not possible to copy and paste it as the Beach Boys won't allow it, so here's comedian Adam Sandler singing it in one of his recent movies. Which one? Don't know, but maybe someone would be kind enough to let me know?
1971 - JOE COCKER emerged as major talent, and potential future music superstar due in the main part, to some brilliant cover versions of classic songs - such as the one below, a cover of the Julie London classic, Cry Me A River, released today. But also, some original songs written by the amazing Leon Russell, without whom, this classic Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour would not have happened.
1981 - This was the day a picture of John Lennon naked appeared in his obituary issue of Rolling Stone. Shot by Annie Leibovitz, this photograph has stood the test of time, as has Leibovitz herself - now regarded as rock's premiere photographer. Here is a spotlight on her photography, including one shot of the naked sessions she did with Lennon and Yoko. This is, in my estimation, the absolute and complete reel of photos as taken by Annie Leibovitz on the morning of John's murder, December 8th, 1980. Following photos, Annie Lebowitz in question & answer in Seattle just five weeks ago.
1987 - ONE-HIT-WONDER Steve 'Silk' Hurley was on top of UK singles charts with Jack Your Body, the first so-called 'house' record to top the UK chart. Old visuals with new music, one of the best music videos ever.
2006 - Arctic Monkeys scored their second UK #1 single with When The Sun Goes Down, from their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not. The song contains the line, "and he told Roxanne to put on her red light," a reference to The Police song, Roxanne. From Jools Holland in 2005, this is the Arctic Monkeys playing Fluorescent Adolescent live on Friday Night With Jonathon Ross, then I Bet You Look Good on The Dance Floor from Glastonbury, 2007.
1960 - SAM COOKE signed a deal with RCA Records today, and you know I can still remember hearing this following song, so crystal clear, when I was just 13. He had the best voice, did Sam, and his songs were pure class. This is one of Cooke's biggest hits, and you can hear the crowd clapping on the beat, not the back beat...this is the man. For more Sam Cook, go to the *MUSICBACKTRACK* archives and slide through with the search engine.
1962 - GENE CHANDLER made his TV debut on American Bandstand, today, performing his biggest hit by far, Duke of Earl. He was a one-off, and though many have tried to emulate him in the following decades, none have succeeded. Brilliant singer, perfect showman - he WAS the Duke, as far as I'm concerned.
1963 - GERRY & the PACEMAKERS held their first recording session, today, producing Away from You and Pretend. Here then, is a little bit of a medley for you, dear reader, starting with Pretend, and then two of his biggest hits. For more videos of his biggest hits, to to the archives.
1963 - INSTRUMENTAL GROUP, THE SHADOWS, were at #1 on the UK singles chart, today, with their fourth #1 UK hit, Dance On. Here's a version of their song from 1989, and that's 26 years after it was originally a hit, making it almost a half century old.
1966 - IT WAS in 1966, the sixties music boom in full swing, and the Beach Boys went global with their song, Wouldn't It Be Nice. There's a great video of this on youtube, but it is not possible to copy and paste it as the Beach Boys won't allow it, so here's comedian Adam Sandler singing it in one of his recent movies. Which one? Don't know, but maybe someone would be kind enough to let me know?
1971 - JOE COCKER emerged as major talent, and potential future music superstar due in the main part, to some brilliant cover versions of classic songs - such as the one below, a cover of the Julie London classic, Cry Me A River, released today. But also, some original songs written by the amazing Leon Russell, without whom, this classic Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour would not have happened.
1981 - This was the day a picture of John Lennon naked appeared in his obituary issue of Rolling Stone. Shot by Annie Leibovitz, this photograph has stood the test of time, as has Leibovitz herself - now regarded as rock's premiere photographer. Here is a spotlight on her photography, including one shot of the naked sessions she did with Lennon and Yoko. This is, in my estimation, the absolute and complete reel of photos as taken by Annie Leibovitz on the morning of John's murder, December 8th, 1980. Following photos, Annie Lebowitz in question & answer in Seattle just five weeks ago.
1987 - ONE-HIT-WONDER Steve 'Silk' Hurley was on top of UK singles charts with Jack Your Body, the first so-called 'house' record to top the UK chart. Old visuals with new music, one of the best music videos ever.
2006 - Arctic Monkeys scored their second UK #1 single with When The Sun Goes Down, from their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not. The song contains the line, "and he told Roxanne to put on her red light," a reference to The Police song, Roxanne. From Jools Holland in 2005, this is the Arctic Monkeys playing Fluorescent Adolescent live on Friday Night With Jonathon Ross, then I Bet You Look Good on The Dance Floor from Glastonbury, 2007.
