February 18, 1959 - RAY CHARLES recorded What'd I Say, in New York City today, the song having evolved in concert as a call-and-response between Charles and his female back-up singers. It became Charles' biggest hit to date, simultaneously reaching top spot on R&B and pop charts. What can we say about Ray Charles that hasn't been said? Was he part of the soundtrack of your life? The following video shows the master in full-tilt mode, rockin' it with the Raelettes, an immaculate horn section, a relentless rhythm section, and Charles on a singing groove. It was filmed in Sao Paulo, brazil in 1963. But first, dear reader, a little about this historic song, quite possibly the first ever soul record. What'd I Say is a song released by the genre-genius in 1959 as a single divided into two parts. It was improvised one evening late in 1958 when Charles, his orchestra, and backup singers had played their entire set list at a show and still had time left; the response from many audiences was so enthusiastic that Charles announced to his producer that he was going to record it. After his run of R&B hits, this song finally broke Charles into mainstream pop music and itself sparked a new sub-genre of R&B titled soul, finally putting together all the elements that Charles had been creating since he recorded I Got a Woman in 1954. The gospel influences combined with the sexual innuendo in the song made it not only widely popular but very controversial to both white and black audiences. It earned Ray Charles his first gold record and has been one of the most influential songs in R&B and rock and roll history. For the rest of his career, Charles closed every concert with the song. It was added to the National Recording Registry in 2002 and ranked at number 10 in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
1955 - THE PLATTERS' second song to be released on record, The Great Pretender, began world chart domination today as it topped the Billboard singles chart. Tony Williams took lead vocals, words and music were created by Buck Ram, the Platters' manager and producer who had been a successful songwriter before moving into producing and management. The beautiful song has been covered by many acts, viz. Dolly Parton, Gene Pitney, The Band, Roy Orbison, Sam Cooke and more.
1962 - ON WEEKEND LEAVE from marine training, The Everly Brothers appeared on the US Ed Sullivan show tonight, in full uniform and with regulation cropped hair. They sang their latest record releases, which was called Cryin' In The Rain. this gives a different feel to the ever;y Brothers, don't you think? This is a bit out of synch, dear reader. For more Everly Brothers go to this daily blog.
1965 - THE KINKS were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with Tired Of Waiting For You, the group's second UK #1, another sixties song covered by artists decades later; Acts to have done cover versions include Dwight Yoakam, Suzi Qatro, and Green Day. For much more Kinks facts and videos, go to this blog.
1959 - CALLING ALL ARMY-ERA ELVIS FANS, here's a montage of photos, many of which you may not have seen prior to this, all from his army years, including 1959 when he was often seen out on the town in Paris, at the Lido Club, which he went to for the first time on this date. Supposedly. According to rocklore. Great audio track here too, folks, just awesome.
1998 - EVEN IF YOU watch nothing else today, try and squeeze in this amazing video of South Park producers and writers as they explain the story behind the Cure's Robert Smith doing battle with the forces of musical evil, as represented by Barbara Streisand, just as it was broadcast 14 years ago today. Hilarious. Barbra Streisand fans beware.
2006 - ROLLING STONES gave this blistering performance, just six years ago today, in Rio De Janeiro, of the classic blues song, Night Time Is The Right Time. It was a free concert, the crowd was more than one million, and it was held at Capacabana Beach. Anyone who thinks Mick Jagger can't sing should watch this one. For more Stones stuff, just search this daily blog's archives. Yes, he prances about, but so what? And what about this kicking' band, horn section, keys and all. And howzabout Lisa. Oh mama.
1955 - THE PLATTERS' second song to be released on record, The Great Pretender, began world chart domination today as it topped the Billboard singles chart. Tony Williams took lead vocals, words and music were created by Buck Ram, the Platters' manager and producer who had been a successful songwriter before moving into producing and management. The beautiful song has been covered by many acts, viz. Dolly Parton, Gene Pitney, The Band, Roy Orbison, Sam Cooke and more.
1962 - ON WEEKEND LEAVE from marine training, The Everly Brothers appeared on the US Ed Sullivan show tonight, in full uniform and with regulation cropped hair. They sang their latest record releases, which was called Cryin' In The Rain. this gives a different feel to the ever;y Brothers, don't you think? This is a bit out of synch, dear reader. For more Everly Brothers go to this daily blog.
1965 - THE KINKS were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with Tired Of Waiting For You, the group's second UK #1, another sixties song covered by artists decades later; Acts to have done cover versions include Dwight Yoakam, Suzi Qatro, and Green Day. For much more Kinks facts and videos, go to this blog.
1959 - CALLING ALL ARMY-ERA ELVIS FANS, here's a montage of photos, many of which you may not have seen prior to this, all from his army years, including 1959 when he was often seen out on the town in Paris, at the Lido Club, which he went to for the first time on this date. Supposedly. According to rocklore. Great audio track here too, folks, just awesome.
1998 - EVEN IF YOU watch nothing else today, try and squeeze in this amazing video of South Park producers and writers as they explain the story behind the Cure's Robert Smith doing battle with the forces of musical evil, as represented by Barbara Streisand, just as it was broadcast 14 years ago today. Hilarious. Barbra Streisand fans beware.
2006 - ROLLING STONES gave this blistering performance, just six years ago today, in Rio De Janeiro, of the classic blues song, Night Time Is The Right Time. It was a free concert, the crowd was more than one million, and it was held at Capacabana Beach. Anyone who thinks Mick Jagger can't sing should watch this one. For more Stones stuff, just search this daily blog's archives. Yes, he prances about, but so what? And what about this kicking' band, horn section, keys and all. And howzabout Lisa. Oh mama.
