ON THIS DAY IN MUSIC

May 25th

1961 - The Temperance Seven

The Temperance Seven were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'You're Driving Me Crazy', their only UK No.1 single. The song gave producer George Martin his first No.1.I distinctly remember this song and had a penchant for that vaudeville sound throughout my childhood.  I would have been 8 when this was No.1.  I think largely the influence would have been my Mum's who had a penchant for dance band music of the early 20s and 30s, Bix Beiderbecke, Al Bowlly, Ambrose, Henry Hall, Ray Noble and the like, which has seeped into my consciousness and by the time 'Pennies From Heaven' the drama series from the wonderful Dennis Potter (I have most of his work on DVD) came out I was seriously hooked but generally didn't tell anyone including some of my best friends in case they put Iron Butterfly's "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida"!!?!!

1965 - Sonny Boy Williamson

Blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, Sonny Boy Williamson died in his sleep. Van Morrison, Aerosmith, The Who, The Animals, Yardbirds and Moody Blues all covered his songs. Allegedly Sonny Boy set his hotel room on fire while trying to cook a rabbit in a coffee percolator. I like him!

1967 - Procol Harum

Procol Harum's 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale' entered the UK chart for the first time, where it went on to become a No.1 hit. 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale' became the most played song in the last 75 years in public places in the UK (as of 2009). The first video for the song was shot in the ruins of Witley Court in Worcestershire, England. Directed by Peter Clifton whose insertion of Vietnam War newsreel footage caused it to be banned from airplay on the Top Of The Pops TV show. The band subsequently made another video.

1969 - Fairport Convention

A benefit concert was held for Fairport Convention at The Roundhouse, London to raise money for the families of the band's drummer Martin Lamble, Richard Thompson's girlfriend and clothes designer Jeannie Franklyn who were all killed in an accident driving back from a gig. Also on the bill, Family, Pretty Things, Soft Machine and John Peel.

1997 - Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan was diagnosed as suffering from histoplasmosis pericarditis, a fungal infection of the lung, and was admitted to hospital he stayed until June 2nd. Having just turned 56, Dylan later admitted: 'I really thought I'd be seeing Elvis soon'. Treated by drugs and rest, Bob was back on the road only 10 weeks later, for 22 American and Canadian shows. The never ending tour breaking from May 3rd and only reconvening on the 3rd of August by the following month he had released his 30th album 'Time Out of Mind' although the bilk of it was recorded before he fell ill. 
Bob said "It . . .  came from just accidentally inhaling a bunch of stuff that was out on one of the rivers by where I live, Maybe one month, or two to three days out of the year, the banks around the river get all mucky, and then the wind blows and a bunch of swirling mess is in the air. I happened to inhale a bunch of that. That's what made me sick. It went into my heart area, but it wasn't anything really attacking my heart," Dylan told Guitar World magazine

Bob - 18th April in New York 1997

Bob with Rick Danko - This Wheel's On Fire  Oakdale Theater Wallingford, CT August 18, 1997

2005 - The Rolling Stones

The Alameda County Sheriff's Office in California announced that it was officially closing the stabbing case of Meredith Hunter, the 18-year-old American who was killed at the 1969 Rolling Stones Altamont Free Concert. Investigators, concluding a renewed two-year investigation, dismissed the theory that a second Hell's Angel took part in the stabbing.

The death of Meredith Hunter - here seen in green suit and frilly shirt

Meredith Hunter struggling?

What is for sure is security was non-existent to shambolic 

Mick in the crowd . . . . . . 

BIRTHDAYS

1959 - Rick Smith

Rick Smith, keyboards, from British electronic music group Underworld who had the 1996 UK No.2 single 'Born Slippy'.

1958 - Paul Weller

English singer, songwriter, musician Paul Weller, who with The Jam had the 1980 UK No.1 single 'Going Underground' plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles. With The Style Council the 1983 UK No.3 single 'Long Hot Summer', plus 14 other UK Top 40 singles). As a solo artist the 1995 UK No.7 single 'The Changing Man' and four UK No.1 albums. Weller has received four Brit Awards, winning the award for Best British Male twice, and the 2006 Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.