ON THIS DAY IN MUSIC

August 24th

1966 - The Doors

The Doors started recording their first album at Sunset Sound Recording Studios, West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California. I think the opening bars of this classic Doors number and the guitar riff (bass on Ray's keyboards?) blew me away and I was hooked! A seminal moment in my musical history and knowledge  . . . . . how do you break on through? where WAS the other side? had I been there yet? . . . . . . . . close but soon!

1968 - The Roundhouse

The Incredible String Band, Traffic, Bonzo Dog Band, Family, Fairport Convention, Blossom Toes, Pretty things, Deviants, Blonde On Blonde and Free all appeared over two nights at The Roundhouse in London.

1975 - Queen

Queen started recording 'Bohemian Rhapsody' at Rockfield studio's in Monmouth, Wales, (the song was recorded over three weeks). Freddie Mercury had mentally prepared the song beforehand and directed the band throughout the sessions. May, Mercury, and Taylor sang their vocal parts continually for ten to twelve hours a day, resulting in 180 separate overdubs.

1977 - Waylon Jennings

Singer, songwriter Waylon Jennings was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine. Jennings had recently been named an honorary police chief.

1981 - Mark Chapman

Mark Chapman was given a 20 year jail sentence for the murder of John Lennon. The 25 year old had shot Lennon five times at close range on December 8th, 1980 in front of The Dakota apartment building in New York City. Over the next few months, Chapman would claim many times to have been beaten by fellow inmates, some of whom allegedly tried to kill him.

1983 - Jerry Lee Lewis

The fifth wife of Jerry Lee Lewis, Shawn Michelle Stevens was found dead at their Mississippi home of a methadone overdose. They had been married less than three months. Jerry Lee would marry again in 1984 to 22 year-old Kerrie McCarver, but divorce in 2004.

The Strange and Mysterious Death of Mrs Jerry Lee Lewis - Rolling Stone

1985 - Huey Lewis and the News

Huey Lewis and the News started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'The Power Of Love'. As featured in the movie 'Back To The Future'.

1989 - The Who

The Who performed Tommy at the Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles with special guests Steve Winwood, Elton John, Phil Collins, Patti LaBelle and Billy Idol.

1990 - Judas Priest

Judas Priest successfully defended themselves against a lawsuit, after two fans attempted suicide while listening to the Stained Class album. Both fans eventually died, one immediately from a shotgun blast, and the other on a second attempt three years later by a methadone overdose. The prosecution claimed that there were subliminal messages in the group’s music that caused the two seventeen year olds to carry out the suicide pact in 1985. The answer to such unfortunate grief of course is don't be so silly! Back masking (reverse tapes and hidden messages since the days of the Beatles) supposed use has been shown and proven to be complete hokum. Think about it . . . . . . . 

1991 - Lenny Kravitz

Lenny Kravitz was at No.2 in the US singles chart with 'It Ain't Over Till It's Over', held off the No.1 position by Bryan Adams'(Everything I Do), I Do It for You'.

1996 - Everything But The Girl

'Missing' by UK duo Everything But The Girl broke the all-time US chart stay record previously held by The Four Seasons' 'December, 1963 (Oh What A Night)', when it appeared on the Billboard chart for the 55th week.

1996 - Liam Gallagher

Oasis singer Liam Gallagher failed to turn up for the recording of the bands MTV unplugged session at London's Royal Festival Hall in front of 400 fans. He later sat in the audience and watched the show with his brother Noel taking over on vocals. Petulance and sour emotional unintelligence without equal!

2009 - Michael Jackson

The Los Angeles County Coroner ruled Michael Jackson's death a homicide caused by a mix of drugs meant to treat insomnia. On February 8, 2010, Dr. Conrad Murray was charged with involuntary manslaughter by prosecutors in Los Angeles. Dr. Murray pleaded not guilty and was released after posting $75,000 bail, but would be found guilty in November, 2011 and was sentenced to four years in a Los Angeles County jail.

2010 - George Michael

George Michael pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in London to driving under the influence of drugs. The singer had been arrested in July when he was returning home from the London Gay Pride parade and crashed his car into the front of a Snappy Snaps store in Hampstead, North London.

BIRTHDAYS

1954 - Steve Holley

Steve Holley with Ian Hunter's band

English rock music drummer Steve Holley. He was a member of Wings from August 1978 to April 1981. Holley has also worked with Elton John, Kiki Dee, Joe Cocker, Ian Hunter, Julian Lennon,Ben E. King and Chuck Berry.

with Wings

1948 - Jean-Michel Jarre

Jean-Michel Jarre, French instrumentalist, (1977 UK No.4 single 'Oxygene part IV') son of Francette Pejot, a French Resistance member and concentration camp survivor, and composer Maurice Jarre. Jean-Michel is a pioneer in the electronic, ambient and new-age genres, and known for organising outdoor spectacles featuring his music, vast laser displays and fireworks.

1943 - John Cipollina

John Cipollina, guitar, US acid rock band, Quicksilver Messenger Service, (1970 US album 'Fresh Air'). He died on 29th May 1989.

1905 - Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup

Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup blues artist. Wrote the universal hit 'That's All Right (Mama).' Died of a stroke on 28th March 1974 aged 69.

1938 - David Frieberg

David Frieberg, American musician best known for contributing vocals, keyboards, electric bass, rhythm guitar, viola and percussion as a member of Quicksilver Messenger Service, Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship.

with thanks to On This Day in Music