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

Saturday, September 21, 2019

ON THIS DAY IN MUSIC

September 20th

1968 - Led Zeppelin
nothing like a good 'rehersal' I say

early early early

Led Zeppelin (recording under the name of The New Yardbirds) started recording their debut album at Olympic Studios, Barnes, London, England. The album took only about 36 hours of studio time to complete at a cost of around £1,782, with most of the tracks being recorded 'live' in the studio with very few overdubs. I have said before how much the first two albums affected us and I can still recall being blown away especially by that first album that sounded unbelievable, literally, the drumming was unique, the guitar riffs astonishing and Robert's voice beyond human reason and soaring stratospherically impossible IMHO 

From the opening chord slam we were gone! TURN IT UP!



1969 - Archies


Based on the comic-book TV series Archie and his friends The Archie's started a four-week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with Sugar Sugar. It became the longest running One Hit Wonder in the UK after spending eight weeks at the top of the charts. We danced to this pop nonsense in the charts because the girls loved it. Up the youth club at parties. We were still dancing later when we went on a cruise on HMS Nevassa sailing around the mediterranean. Pop pap maybe but we knew how to dance if girls were involved . . . . . . !

1969 - Eric Clapton
Blind Faith started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK chart with their self-titled debut album. The only release from the Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Ginger Baker & Rick Grech line-up also reached No.1 in the US. The only UK gig was in Hyde Park, London on 7th Jun 1969 which of course we went to and knew that something was happening . . . . . . couldn't find my way home for quite some time after this . . . . 


1969 - Bob Dylan
UK music paper Melody Maker readers poll results were published. Winners included Eric Clapton who won best musician, Bob Dylan best male singer and best album for 'Nashville Skyline'. Best group went to The Beatles, Best single went to Simon and Garfunkel for 'The Boxer' and Janis Joplin won Best female singer.

1969 - John Lennon
During a meeting in London between John LennonPaul McCartney and Ringo Starr, Lennon announced he was leaving The Beatles.

1970 - The Doors
Jim Morrison of The Doors was acquitted on charges of lewd and lascivious behavior, but was found guilty of exposing himself during a concert at The Dinner Key Auditorium in Coconut Grove a year and a half earlier. At his trial at the Dade County Courthouse in Miami, Judge Goodman sentenced Morrison to six months hard labor and a $500 (£270), fine for public exposure and sixty days hard labor for profanity. The sentence was appealed, but Morrison was never brought to trial, as he would die in Paris France on July 3, 1971 most probably mistaking his partner, Pam's stash of heroin for cocaine he was found by her in the bath that morning
Jim under arrest

Jim after sentencing
Jim with his lawyer Max Fink
1970 - The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones live album 'Get Your Ya-Yas Out' started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK chart. Recorded at New York's Madison Sq Gardens on 27th & 28th Nov 1969, featuring 'Jumpin Jack Flash', 'Honky Tonk Woman' and 'Midnight Rambler'. "Charlie's good tonight inne?"


"I think I bust a button on mah trousers. You wouldn't want me trousers to fall down now would you?"

1972 - Paul McCartney
Paul and Linda McCartney were arrested for the second time in four weeks for cultivation and possession of cannabis this time at their Scottish farmhouse in Campbeltown.
1975 - Melody Maker's Readers Poll 1975
Winners in this year’s Melody Makers Readers poll included, Robert Plant who won Best singer, Joni Mitchell, Best female singer, Yes won Best band, Genesis won Best live act, Best single, ‘I’m Not In Love, by 10cc, Best album Led Zeppelin, and Brightest hope went to Camel.

1975 - David Bowie
'Fame' gave David Bowie his first No.1 in the US. The song was co-written with John Lennon. Lennon's voice is heard towards the ending of the song repeating the words: "Fame, Fame, Fame" from a fast track, through a regular track, to a slow track, before Bowie finished the lyrics.


1976 - Sex Pistols
The first of the two night 100 Club Punk Festival, Oxford St, London, featuring the Sex PistolsThe Clash, SubWay Sect, Suzie (spelling on the poster), And The Banshees, The Buzzcocks, Vibrators and Stinky Toys. Admission £1.50.

1980 - Kate Bush
Kate Bush scored her first UK No.1 album with 'Never For Ever.' It was the first ever album by a British female solo artist to top the UK album chart as well as being the first album by any female solo artist to enter the chart at No.1.


1986 - Huey Lewis
Huey Lewis and the News started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Stuck With You', a No.12 hit in the UK.

1995 - Pulp
The Daily Mirror ran a front page story 'ban this sick stunt' referring to the new single from Pulp 'Sorted For E's & Wizz.' The artwork showed how to fold a 'speed' wrap, the sleeve was changed, the single entered the UK chart at No.8.



1997 - Elton John
Elton John started a six week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Something About The Way You Look Tonight', and 'Candle In The Wind 97.' A re-write of his 1974 hit about Marilyn Monroe. This version was raising funds for the Diana, Princess of Wales charity, following her death in Paris. It went on to become the biggest selling single in the world ever.

1997 - Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam's 'Jeremy' video was cited as one of the reasons American teenager Barry Loukaitis had snapped into a violent rage that left three people dead. Defence attorneys took the unprecedented step of playing the video in a Washington court. Based loosely on the suicide in class of Jeremy Delle a 16 year old who shot himself in from of his English class. 
2007 - Kelly Jones
expelled
fracas!
that's a really bad cut!
Stereophonics singer Kelly Jones was admitted to hospital when he was injured during an altercation with a member of a club's security team. The band had gone to the west London club Club Amika after appearing at the Vodafone Live Music Awards.

2012 - Pink Floyd
The former north London home of the original band members of Pink Floyd was bought by a Singaporean developer. Sham Masterman, who admitted not being a big fan of the rock band, bought the Highgate house and the one next door for £1.2m each. Roger Waters, Nick MasonRichard Wright and Syd Barrett had all lived in the house in the 1960s. The previous owner, lighting technician Mike Leonard, was landlord and friend to the band and even inspired their earliest name, Leonard's Lodgers.


BIRTHDAYS

1959 - Alannah Currie



Alannah Currie Vocals, sax, The Thompson Twins, (1984 UK No.2 single 'You Take Me Up', 1984 US No.3 single 'Hold Me Now').


Alannah then and now
thanks to This Day In Music

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