ON THIS DAY IN MUSIC

November 17th

1963 - The Beatles

John Weightman the Headmaster of a Surrey Grammar School, banned all pupils from having Beatle haircuts saying, "this ridiculous style brings out the worst in boys physically. It makes them look like morons." Oh dear poor Mr Weightman, try not to criticise what you can't understand. 

1966 - Beach Boys

The Beach Boys were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Good Vibrations.' As a child, Brian Wilson's mother told him that dogs could pick up "vibrations" from people, so that the dog would bark at "bad vibrations" Wilson turned this into the general idea for the song.

1971 - Slade

Slade were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Coz I Luv You', the group's first of six No.1's. The misspelt song titles became a trademark for Slade, causing a great furore among teachers up and down the country.


1973 - The Who

The Who's double album Quadrophenia entered the UK album chart peaking at No.2. One of two two full-scale rock operas from The Who (the other being the 1969 ‘Tommy’). The 1979 film based on the story stars Phil Daniels, Toyah Willcox, Ray Winstone, Michael Elphick and Sting.

1979 - John Glascock

Jethro Tull bass player John Glascock died at the age of 28, as a result of a congenital heart defect. Had also been a member of Chicken Shack. I loved Jethro Tull  . . . for a while. I enjoyed Chicken Shack and saw them live once and enjoyed their unfettered blues sound. 

Tull with John on the far left

1984 - Wham!
Wham! Were at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Make It Big' and No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Wake Me Up Before You Go Go'. Michael's inspiration for the song was a scribbled note left by his Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley for Andrew's parents, originally intended to read "wake me up before you go" but with "up" accidentally written twice, so Ridgeley wrote "go" twice on purpose.

1990 - David Crosby

David Crosby from Crosby Stills Nash & Young was admitted to hospital after breaking a leg, shoulder and ankle after crashing his Harley Davidson motorbike.

1995 - Alan Hull

English singer-songwriter and founding member of folk rock band, Lindisfarne Alan Hull died of a heart attack aged 50 whilst working on a new album, Statues & Liberties. After his death, Hull's ashes were scattered at the mouth of the River Tyne. Lindisfarne scored the 1972 UK No.3 single 'Lady Eleanor', 'Fog on the Tyne' and 'Run for Home'. On 19 July 2012, following a public campaign an Alan Hull memorial plaque was unveiled on the front of Newcastle City Hall, at a ceremony attended by hundreds of fans. Hull was an amiable and witty man and the very heart of the band. Sad he passed too young but enjoy his back catalogue it stands the test of time and they were a fine band. Saw them a couple of times at fessivals around and about. Always enjoyed them.




1996 - Spice Girls

The Spice Girls were at No.1 on the UK album chart with their debut release 'Spice Girls.' Five singles were released from the album: 'Wannabe', 'Say You'll Be There', '2 Become 1', 'Who Do You Think You Are' and 'Mama'. The first single, 'Wannabe', went to No.1 in 31 countries, and the next two singles, 'Say You'll Be There' and '2 Become 1', the top of the charts in 53 countries.

2000 - Andy White

It was reported that Andy White who played drums on The Beatles track 'Love Me Do' which was featured on the new Beatles Greatest Hits album would not earn enough from it to buy his own copy. White would get no more than his original session fee of £7.

2003 - Arthur Conley

American soul singer Arthur Conley died of intestinal cancer in Ruurlo, The Netherlands at the age of 57. Had the 1967 US No.2 & UK No.7 single 'Sweet Soul Music'. He first recorded in 1959 as the lead singer of Arthur & the Corvets. He featured on my favourite soul album of all time 'This is Soul' and was the voice of  certain aspects of soul music that we will not hear again. Superb singer! Up at youth club we all wanted to dance like this!


2003 - Don Gibson

American country music legend Don Gibson died of natural causes aged 75. Scored the 1958 US No.7 single 'Oh Lonesome Me', (covered by Neil Young on his After The Gold Rush album), 1961 UK No.14 single 'Sea Of Heartbreak'. His song ‘I Can't Stop Loving You’, has been recorded by over 700 artists, most notably by Ray Charles in 1962.


2003 - Britney Spears

21 year-old Britney Spears became the youngest singer to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The only other performer to get a Hollywood star at her age was Little House on the Prairie actress Melissa Gilbert.

2003 - George Michael

George Michael signed a new contract with the record company he took to court in 1993. The singer re-signed to Sony in a deal that included his extensive back catalogue. Michael had failed in his court wrangle with Sony after accusing it of "professional slavery"; his contract was bought out by Virgin Records.

2010 - Patti Smith

Patti Smith won the National Book Award for her memoir 'Just Kids'. Smith is a superb writer and creative force on the page as she is lyrically and as a voice of post punk poetry. She simply a unique living force for good and all things creative. 'Just Kids is not of the best books on the product of the counter culture's chidden that has ever been written.

2011 - Bonnie Pointer

Bonnie under the influence

Sheriff's deputies in South Los Angeles charged 61-year-old Bonnie Pointer of The Pointer Sisters for possessing rock cocaine (crack?) after the car she was driving in was pulled over for a mechanical malfunction.

Bonnie in happier times

Back on form

2014 - Jimmy Ruffin

American soul singer Jimmy Ruffin died aged 78. Ruffin who was the elder brother of David Ruffin of the Temptations had the 1974 UK No.4 single 'What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted'. In 1980, Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees produced his album Sunrise and the hit single 'Hold On To My Love', reached No.10 in the US and No.7 in the UK.

BIRTHDAYS

1980 - Isaac Hanson

American musician Isaac Hanson, guitar, keyboards and vocals with Hanson who had the 1997 UK & US No.1 single 'MMMbop'. Hanson has sold over 16 million records worldwide and have had 8 top 40 albums and 6 top 40 singles in the US. A one hit wonder to me but an excuse to play their great little hit. MMMM Bop!

1966 - Jeff Buckley

American singer, songwriter and guitarist Jeff Buckley, his only studio album was the 1995  Grace. Buckley drowned on 29th May 1997 in Wolf River Harbor on the Mississippi River - during a spontaneous evening swim. Since his death, there have been many posthumous releases of his material including his cover of the Leonard Cohen's song 'Hallelujah' which became No.1 on Billboard's Hot Digital Songs in March 2008 and reached No.2 in the UK Singles Chart. His singer songwriter father Tim Buckley, died on 29th June 1975 of a heroin and morphine overdose.

1960 - RuPaul

RuPaul, US male drag queen, (1994 UK No.7 single with Elton John, 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart', 1998 UK No.21 single, 'It's Raining Men'). Very much part of the zeitgeist of drag and transvestitism. 

1947 - Rod Clements

Rod Clements from English group Lindisfarne who had the 1970s hit singles 'Meet Me on the Corner', 'Lady Eleanor and 'Run For Home'. Their album Fog on the Tyne became the biggest selling UK album in 1972. As we say further back on Alan Hull and fine fine band and very good music from a very special place in the country. Tynside is unique and they are the voice of an era and area!

1946 - Martin Barre

English rock musician Martin Barre best known for his work with progressive rock band Jethro Tull from their second album in 1969 to the band's initial dissolution in 2012. Also as we mentioned Jethro Tull earlier on on the sad loss of bass player John Glascock, I loved Jetro Tull for a while and always appreciated Ian Anderson's role in music and indeed production too (he was responsible for bringing us Mallerd's first album)

1938 - Gordon Lightfoot

Gordon Lightfoot, Canadian singer, (1971 UK No.30 single 'If You Could Read My Mind', 1974 US No.1 single 'Sundown').

1937 - Peter Cook

Peter Cook, British comedian who was the compere on the UK TV music show Revolver. With Dudley Moore he had the 1965 UK No.18 single 'Goodbye-ee'. With Moore he released a series of albums as Derek and Clive which were considered highly offensive by many at the time. Cook died on 9th January 1995 from the affects of alcohol addiction, he was 58