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Monday, December 23, 2019

ON THIS DAY IN MUSIC

December 23rd

1959 - Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry was arrested after allegations that he had had sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old Apache waitress, Janice Norine Escalante, whom he had transported across state lines to work as a hatcheck girl at his club (who unbeknown to Berry was working as a prostitute. . . AHEM!). He was sentenced to 5 years jail but after racist comments by the judge, Berry was freed. Later a second trial was heard in May and June 1961, resulting in another conviction and a three-year prison sentence. After another final appeal failed, Berry served one and one-half years in prison, from February 1962 to October 1963
*The trial of Chuck Berry here

1962 - Bob Dylan
During his first visit to the UK Bob Dylan performed at the King and Queen pub in London’s West End, the singer songwriter’s third UK gig.
Dylan 1962 - The King and Queen
The King and Queen pub, Foley Street, Fitzrovia, London
1964 - Brian Wilson
Well the lights are on . . . . . 
During a US tour Beach Boy Brian Wilson had a nervous breakdown during a flight from Los Angeles to Houston. Wilson left the band to concentrate on writing and producing. Glen Campbell replaced Wilson for the bands live shows before Bruce Johnston replaced him.
Brian and the boys
Brian recovered. 
1966 - Ready, Steady Go!
ITV (Redifusion) broadcast Ready, Steady Go! for the last time, after the Musicians Union enforced a ban on miming. The special guests for the farewell show were Mick JaggerThe Who, Eric Burdon, The Spencer Davis Group, Donovan and Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich.
The Who
Donovan chats to Cathy McGowan
1985 - Judas Priest
Judas Priest fans Raymond Belknap and James Vance shot themselves after listening to the Judas Priest album ‘Stained Class.’ The two had drunk beer, smoked marijuana and then listened to hours of the album. Afterwards they took a shotgun to a nearby school playground where Belknap shot and killed himself. Vance then blew away his jaw, mouth and nose but lived for more than three years before dying of effects of the shooting. 

There are sensationalised pictures on the net of Vance post shooting which I won't post here. While I don't wish to speak ill of the dead both young men were driven to their actions by drink (alcohol is a depressant remember), smoking weed and being either incredibly bored or stupid. Music doesn't MAKE anyone DO anything! Except maybe dance!
1989 - Phil Collins
Phil Collins started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Another Day In Paradise', his 7th US solo No.1 Taken from his No.1 album ...But Seriously 'Another Day in Paradise' was written to bring attention to the problem of homelessness (otherwise I wouldn't have posted this here . . .  not a Collins fan but hey . . . . . .)


1996 - Nikki Sixx
Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx married TV's 'Baywatch' star and former Playboy Playmate of the Month, Donna D'errico.

1999 - George Harrison
George Harrison's home in Maui in the Hawaiian Islands was broken into by Cristin Keleher, who cooked a frozen pizza, drank beer from the fridge, started some laundry and phoned her mother in New Jersey. Keleher was later arrested and charged with burglary and theft.
2000 - Mick Hucknall
Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall was given a police caution for possessing cocaine and cannabis. Police found the Class A and Class B drugs at his Surrey home after a woman falsely accused him of rape in November. He has since gone on to apologise to the over thousands of sexual conquests. 
2002 - Paul McCartney
Sir Paul McCartney was granted his own coat of arms by the College of Arms, the English heraldic body formed in 1484. The crest featured a bird that appeared to be holding a guitar in its claw. The motto is "Ecce Cor Meum", Latin for 'Behold My Heart', which is the title of an oratorio he composed.

2007 - The Police
The Police were named as the highest earning touring group for the past year, bringing in nearly £66.5m, ($132m). The band's 54 date North American tour had generated almost double the total of the second-placed act, Country star Kenny Chesney.

2008 - Clint Ballard Jr
Clint Ballard Jr. died. He wrote ‘Game Of Love’ a hit for Wayne Fontana And The Mindbenders', and Linda Ronstadt's, ‘You're No Good’. His songs have been recorded by The Hollies, Frankie Avalon, Ricky Nelson, The Zombies and Jan And Dean.
Note the rhythm guitarist (Eric Stewart - 10cc)
2013 - George Harrison
The Mail On Sunday reported that documents they obtained from the Cabinet Office via the Freedom Of Information Act showed that George Harrison, who passed away in 2001, turned down the chance to be included in the New Year's Honours List in 2000. The OBE was recommended by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport who said that Harrison should be recognised for his contribution to the music industry. The citation read: "He was a member of a band that many people would say is the best thing that Britain has ever produced, and possibly the best in the world, The Beatles".
2018 - Honey Lantree 
Honey Lantree drummer with English beat, pop group The Honeycombs died aged 75. The Honeycombs scored the Joe Meek produced 1964 UK No.1 single 'Have I The Right', which featured Lantree who was one of the few female drummers in bands at that time. The song’s beat was enhanced by having the members of the group stamp their feet on the wooden stairs to the studio to add to the drum sound.


BIRTHDAYS

1949 - Adrian Belew
Adrian Belew, is an American musician, songwriter and record producer. A multi-instrumentalist primarily known as a guitarist and singer, Belew is noted for his unusual, impressionistic approach to guitar playing, which, rather than relying on standard instrumental tones, often resembles sound effects or noises made by animals and machines who worked with Frank Zappa, King Crimson, Talking Heads, Nine Inch Nails, Laurie Anderson and David Bowie.





1949 - Ariel Bender
Luther Grosvenor pseudonym Ariel Bender, guitarist with Mott The Hoople, who had the 1972 UK No.3 & US No.37 single 'All The Young Dudes' which was written for them by David Bowie. Other hits include, 'All the Way from Memphis' and 'Roll Away the Stone'. With one of the most extraordinary name switches in rock we have to wonder why on earth anyone would change their name to Ariel Bender! (sic) bloody funny though. Saw them with Mott the Hoople over in the Isle of Man Lido




1946 - Duster Bennett
Duster Bennett, singer, guitarist, harmonica player. Worked with Alexis Korner, John Mayall's BluesbreakersFleetwood Mac and B.B. King. Killed in a car crash on 26th March 1976 when he apparently fell asleep at the wheel. I was fascinated early on with Duster and followed him as much as one could at the time. Under appreciated and one of those extraordinary white afficianoados of the blues that transcends class race and origins. He simply excelled and was taken too early 



1941 - Tim Hardin
Tim Hardin, US singer, songwriter, (1967 UK No.50 single 'Hang On To A Dream'). Wrote 'Reason To Believe' and 'If I Were A Carpenter.' Died of a heroin overdose on 29th December 1980.  

1940 - Jorma Kaukonen
Jorma Ludwik Kaukonen, Jr. is an American blues, folk, and rock guitarist. Kaukonen performed with Jefferson Airplane and still performs regularly on tour with Hot Tuna, which started as a side project with bassist Jack Casady, and as of early 2019 has continued for 50 years

1939 - Johnny Kidd
Johnny Kidd, singer, Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, (1960 UK No.1 single 'Shakin' All Over'). Killed in a car crash while on tour in Manchester, England on 7th October 1966.

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