ON THIS DAY IN MUSIC

Well you now it's too late to stop now . . . . . . . . . . . 

Happy Birthday Van Morrison!

August 31st

1963 - The Ronettes

The Ronettes first entered the US singles chart with 'Be My Baby' the girl group's only top 10 hit. Lead singer, Veronica Bennett who became Ronnie Spector, took producer and ex-husband Phil Spector to court in the late 1990s for unpaid royalties.I don't know any growing lad who could take their eyes off Ronnie . . . . . . .exotic and mysterious and smoking hot!

1968 - The Rolling Stones

Decca Records released what has been called The Rolling Stones most political song, 'Street Fighting Man', written after Mick Jagger attended a March 1968 anti-war rally at London's US embassy, during which mounted police attempted to control a crowd of 25,000. The single was kept out of the US Top 40 (reaching No.48) because many radio stations refused to play it based on what were perceived as subversive lyrics.

1968 - 1st Isle of Wight festival

The Move, The Pretty Things, The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown, Orange Bicycle, Jefferson Airplane, Fairport Convention and Tyrannosaurus Rex all appeared at the first Isle Of Wight Festival held over two days. Tickets, 25 shillings, ($3.00).

http://www.ukrockfestivals.com

1971 - Brian Jones' dad!

The Rolling Stones plus the father of Brian Jones filed a high court writ against ex managers Oldham and Easton. Claiming they made a secret deal with Decca Records in 1963 to deprive the group of royalties. 

1974 - READING Festival

Traffic made their last live performance at the annual UK Reading Festival. Other acts appearing included; Alex Harvey, 10cc, Focus, Steve Harley and Procol Harum. £5.50 for a weekend ticket.

Procol Harum at Reading '74

1976 - George Harrison

George Harrison was found guilty of 'subconscious plagiarism' of the Ronnie Mack song 'He's So Fine' when writing 'My Sweet Lord'. Earnings from the song were awarded to Mack's estate; The Chiffons then recorded their own version of 'My Sweet Lord'.

1984 - Prince

'Purple Rain' the movie-starring Prince opened at cinemas across the UK with special late night previews. The film grossed more than US $80 million at the box office and became a cult classic.

1985 - Dire Straits

'Brothers In Arms' by Dire Straits started a nine-week run at No.1 on the US album charts. The album also topped the charts in 25 other countries and went on to sell over 20 million worldwide.

1985 - Chrissie Hynde

UB40 with guest vocals from Chrissie Hynde had the UK No.1 single with their version of the Sonny Bono song 'I Got You Babe' a hit for Sonny & Cher in 1965.

1986 - Bob Geldof

After living together for 10 years Bob Geldof married TV presenter Paula Yates in Las Vegas with Duran Duran singer Simon Le Bon as the best man. Yates died of a drug overdose on 17th September 2000.

1990 - Stevie Ray Vaughan

Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt and Stevie Wonder sang 'Amazing Grace' at a memorial service held for guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan who had been killed in a helicopter crash 4 days earlier.

Young Stevie Ray

2003 - Elton John

Elton John went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Are You Ready For Love.' The song was recorded in 1977 and released in 1979, when it reached No.42. It was used by Sky TV for their Premiership football ads.

2004 - Carl Wayne

Carl Wayne the singer with The Move died from cancer. They had the 1969 UK No.1 single 'Blackberry Way.' Wayne also worked with The Hollies.

The Move

2006 - The Times on 'riders'

The Times ran a story on the demands of rock stars when on tour. Ozzy Osbourne insists on an eye, ear, nose and throat doctor at each venue. The Beach Boys require a licensed masseur, Meat Loaf a mask and one small tank of oxygen. David Bowie requests that the dressing room temperature is between 14c and 18c and Paul McCartney must have a large arrangement of white Casablanca lilies in his dressing room. Mick Jagger must have an onstage autocue with the lyrics to all the songs, it would also tell him the name of the city in which they were performing.

2007 - Hilly Kristal

Hilly Kristal, founder of the New York punk club CBGB died from complications arising from lung cancer at the age of 75. Kristal was credited with discovering Patti Smith and the Ramones and his club became a breeding ground for punk rock. The New York City venue, whose full title CBGB OMFUG stood for 'country, bluegrass, blues and other music for uplifting gourmandisers', was originally launched to showcase country music.

BIRTHDAYS

1957 - Glenn Tilbrook

singer and guitarist Glenn Tilbrook, who was a founding member of Squeeze. Some of their best-known songs are 'Tempted', 'Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)', 'Cool for Cats' and 'Up the Junction'.

Tilbrook and Difford from Squeeze

1945 - Van Morrison

Northern Irish singer, songwriter and musician Van Morrison. Who had with Them, the 1965 UK No.2 single 'Here Comes The Night', and the solo albums like the mesmeric Astral Weeks, Moondance, St Monics Preview and Veedon Fleece to name but a few of over 15 other UK Top 40 albums. He has received six Grammy Awards, the 1994 Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, and has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

One of the greatest albums ever committed to vinyl and usually in my top three of all time

This from the excellent Jeff Harris' Behind The Grooves

Born on this day: August 31, 1945 - Singer, songwriter and musician Van Morrison (born George Ivan Morrison in Belfast, Northern Ireland). Happy 74th Birthday, Van!!!

1944 - Roger Dean

Roger Dean, English artist. Designed album covers for Yes, Atomic Rooster, Uriah Heep, Gentle Giant, Greenslade, Steve Howe and Asia. Roger was booked for a signing at the shop I ran Blackwell's Art & Poster shop, and he was one of the nicest people we ever had sign. Fascinating and full of relaxed charm and tales of his art and industry and a really kind and generous celebrity and understandably tolerant of his somewhat 'eccentric' sci-fi fans. I had long been a fan from his album artwork for bands like Yes and Osibisa and his stand alone sci-fi poster art.