portrait of this blog's author - by Stephen Blackman 2008

Thursday, July 18, 2019

ON THIS DAY IN MUSIC



1960 - Brenda Lee
Brenda Lee went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'I'm Sorry' it made No.12 in the UK. Seeking publicity the 4' 11 tall singer was once billed as a 32-year- old midget and had the nickname Little Miss Dynamite. Such a great little song . . . . . 


1966 - Bobby Fuller
Bobby Fuller leader of The Bobby Fuller Four was found dead in his car in Los Angeles aged 23. Fuller died mysteriously from gasoline asphyxiation, while parked outside his apartment. Police labelled it a suicide, but the possibility of foul play has always been mentioned. Had the 1966 US No.9 single 'I Fought The Law' written by Sonny Curtis of Buddy Holly's Crickets and covered by The Clash.


1968 - The Beatles
Working at Abbey Road studios The Beatles recorded 'Cry Baby Cry' and 'Helter Skelter'. One take of 'Helter Skelter' lasted 27' 11'', the longest Beatle recording ever.

1969 - The Beatles 



During sessions at Abbey Road studios, London, Ringo Starrrecorded his vocal to 'Octopus's Garden', for the Abbey Road album. Starr had written the song when he 'quit' The Beatles the previous year and was staying on actor Peter Seller’s yacht in the Mediterranean.

1974 - John Lennon
The US Justice Department ordered John Lennon out of the country by September 10th. The Immigration and Naturalization Service denied him an extension of his non-immigrant visa because of his guilty plea in England to a 1968 marijuana possession charge. The US Court of Appeal would overturn the deportation order in 1975 and Lennon was granted permanent resident status the following year.

1982 - Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson was at No.1 on the country album chart with Always on My Mind, which became the Billboard No.1 country album of the year. The album spent 22 weeks at the top of the charts and stayed for a total of 253 weeks on the Billboard Country charts. The track 'Always on My Mind' was originally recorded by B.J. Thomas in 1970, and has since been recorded by dozens of performers including Elvis Presley, Brenda Lee, John Wesley Ryles and Pet Shop Boys.


1988 - Nico
Nico died after suffering a minor heart attack while riding a bicycle on holiday with her son in Ibiza Spain. The German born singer-songwriter and keyboard player with Velvet Underground, had also worked as a fashion model and actress.

2007 - Sting
Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler were ordered to pay their former chef compensation after losing a sexual discrimination case. Jane Martin, 41, was awarded £24,944 at an employment tribunal in Southampton, England after she was sacked by Miss Styler from the couple's estate in Wiltshire because she became pregnant. Tut tut Mr & Mrs Sting sexual discrimination and unfair dismissal, that's not very cool of you now is it?



2008 - The Rolling Stones
Rolling Stone guitarist Ronnie Wood was ‘seeking help’ with his battle with alcohol in a rehabilitation centre. The move followed tabloid speculation over the state of his 23-year marriage to former model Jo Wood. ‘Following Ronnie's continued battle with alcohol he has entered a period of rehab,’ his spokeswoman said.
Ronnie and his counsellor
2017 - R Kelly





R&B singer R Kelly denied allegations that he was holding several young women in an "abusive cult". The singer's lawyer said he would work "diligently and forcibly to pursue his accusers and clear his name". A report accused the singer of brainwashing women, who got closer to him in an effort to boost their musical careers.He had faced previous accusations of sexual misconduct, but was never found guilty. . . . . although you should watch this space most of the accounts of his alleged offences are now so detailed they are abridged!

1957 - Keith Levene
Keith Levene, guitar, Public Image Ltd, (1983 UK No.5 single 'This Is Not A Love Song').



1955 - Terry Chambers
Terry Chambers, drums, XTC, (1982 UK No.10 single 'Senses Working Over Time').
Simply one of my very favourite drummers. There are few signature drummers anymore and Terry is one of them.




1954 - Ricky Scaggs
Ricky Scaggs, country singer, 1982 Country Music Association singer of the year, (US country No.1 single 'Crying My Heart Out Over You').
as recently as three days ago Ricky is clearly still working hard and showed up to accompany Lyle Lovett on his recent tour
Lyle and Ricky Skaggs 15/07/2019 @lizkreutz 
Full set . . . . 
and for anyone just needing a taste
1941 - Martha Reeves
Martha Reeves, American R&B and pop singer and former politician, (1964 US No.2 & 1969 UK No.4 single with The Vandellas 'Dancing In The Street', plus ten US & six UK other top 40 singles).


1924 - Earl T. Beal
American singer Earl T. Beal from The Silhouettes. The doo wop/R&B groups single 'Get A Job' was a No.1 hit on the Billboard R&B singles chart and pop singles chart in 1958. The doo-wop revival group Sha Na Na derived their name from the song's lyrics. 'Get A Job' is included in the soundtracks of the film American Graffiti, Trading Places and Stand By Me. Beal died on 22 March 2001.




1929 - Screamin' Jay Hawkins
American singer, songwriter, musician Screamin' Jay Hawkins. A Golden Gloves boxing champion at 16, he was married nine times, fathered over 30 children, spent two years in jail and was temporary blinded by one of his flaming props on stage in 1976. He recorded 'I Put A Spell On You' in 1956, (which was covered by many acts including The Animals, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Nina Simone). He died on 12 February 2000 aged 70 after emergency surgery for an aneurysm.

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