TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 8/29

A Hard Day’s Night

Today in 1966 was the last live show the Beatles would ever play. San Francisco’s Candlestick Park (now 3Com Park) saw twenty four thousand fans screaming so loudly during the whole 33-minute set that the boys couldn’t hear themselves sing. Lukewarm ticket sales and other factors made the event a financial disaster for the promoters.

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 8/29

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 7/18

A King is born!  Well...musicially speaking...

Today, in 1953, Elvis Presley made his first recording ever.  The two songs he recorded were "My Happiness", and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin".  The recordings cost him $4 through a Memphis recording service.  He was working as a truck driver at the time. 

She Will Always Love You! ...or at least for a few years.

It was on this day in 1991 that Whitney Houston married Bobby Brown at her home in New Jersey.  Their ever-tender marriage resulted in a daughter, Bobbi (now 14), and many joyous arrests.  How shocking that the couple filed for divorce in 2007.  They always seemed so consumed by marital bliss.  (The photo on the right is a perfect example.  Look at that tender embrace!)

Happy Birthday to the eternal Virgin!

Virgin Records founder, Sir Richard Branson, celebrates his 58th birthday today!  

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 7/18

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 6/29

In 1985, David Bowie and Mick Jagger recorded their version of "Dancing In The Street" by Martha Reeves and The Vandellas!  The team up was for a 'Live Aid' fundraising event, and went to #1 in the UK!  We've posted this video once before, but I am very excited to be posting it again!  It's intense!

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 6/29

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 6/24

It was today, in 1965, that John Lennon published his second book, A Spaniard in the Works. Much like his 1964 book, In His Own Write, the book featured Lennon's seemingly nonsensical poetry and drawings. 

Here is a list of the books' contents:

1. A Spaniard in the Works
2. The Fat Budgie
3. Snore Wife and Some Several Dwarts
4. The Singularge Experience of Miss Anne Duffield
5. The Faulty Bagnose
6. We must Not Forget the General Erection
7. Benjaman Distasteful
8. The Wumberlog (or The Magic Dog)
9. Araminta Ditch
10. Cassandle
11. The National Health Cow
12. Readers Lettuce
13. Silly Norman
14. Mr. Boris Morris
15. Bernice's Sheep
16. Last Will and Testicle
17. Our Dad
18. I Believe, Boot...

These stories have been typed out for us on the internet, so you can explore them in their entirety by clicking here.

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 6/24

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 6/23

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to JASON MRAZ!!!

Our love for this man has already been showcased on several occasions, so on this most joyous of days, please fill your ears with the sweet freshness that is Mraz.

Here you can read our feature on Jason (in case you didn't notice, he responded to it, and sent us into the ultimate fit of joy!): click!

Also check out his MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/jasonmraz

And his fabulous BLOG!: http://freshnessfactorfivethousand.blogspot.com

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 6/23

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 6/18

HAPPY 66th BIRTHDAY to PAUL McCARTNEY!

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 6/18

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 6/15

How does it feel, Mr. Dylan?

To have recorded such a massive hit, on this very day?  

It was on this day, in 1965, that Bob Dylan recorded the phenomenon of "Like a Rolling Stone."  This cult classic made it to #2 on US charts, and #4 in the UK, and I'm sure it will be remembered by all for many decades to come.

Here is a live performance of the tune from 1966.  It's quite long, so take your bathroom break now.:

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 6/15

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 6/14

She's got a Ticket to Ride: as luggage

Today, in 1964, a group of railway workers stumbled upon something very curious on the station platform...

...a tea chest carrying more than the typical contents. Instead, a 12-year-old girl named Carol Dryden was crammed into the chest, which donned a label addressed to The Beatles.

Here's some live footage of The Beatles performing "Ticket to Ride."  You can get a fairly good idea of the hysteria they instilled in young girls, and maybe understand with greater ease why little Carol wedged herself into luggage to be with the icons. :

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 6/14

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 6/8

A DAY FOR QUITTERS...

It was this day in 1969 that Brian Jones said his goodbyes to the Rolling Stones. Jones was one of the founding members of the group, but claimed he had to leave because of artistic differences.  He did not agree with the direction many members were wanting to go.  (Good thing they never made it anywhere, or he would have been upset.  Oh wait...)

Also on this day, but in 1974, Rick Wakeman announced that he was leaving YES. He was their keyboard player.  (I hope you're not as disturbed by the photo as I am.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to KANYE WEST!

This hip-hop mogul turns 31 today.

His MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kanyewest

Here is the video for Kanye West's "Stronger," featuring Daft Punk:

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 6/8

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 6/4

A MARKETING PHENOMENON WAS BORN!

It was 66 years ago (1942) that Glenn Wallichs created Capitol Records, a label which helped revolutionize the promotional process of records by having them sent out to disc jockeys to play on the air.  

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 6/4

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 6/3

Who Shot Andy Warhol?

It was Valerie Solanas, and it was 40 years ago today.  

Solanas was a feminist icon who was working as a prostitute to try and make a living in the city.  Like so many girls with abusive pasts (such as Edie Sedgwick), she was drawn to Warhol, but on June 3, 1968, Solanas shot both him, and curator Mario Amaya, in Warhol's New York City studio.  Warhol was severely wounded, and just barely made it through with his life.  She was ultimately driven to this extreme after Warhol lost a script she had given him to look over in 1967.  The script was for a play entitled Up Your Ass, and Warhol had dismissed it thinking it was a trap set up by police.  Warhol found it was too pornographic to think otherwise.  This is saying a lot, as his own films were commonly shut down for being so controversial.  I originally wanted to post a clip from one of them, but even clips are too inappropriate to show you.  Feel free to look them up on your own.  He's done some interesting work.  And yes, I am aware that this is not a piece of "music" history, but what a great bit of pop culture information it is!

Since I can't show you anything else, here is a 4 minute clip of Andy Warhol eating a hamburger.  Enjoy.

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 6/3

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 6/2

Can you hear me Major Tom?  Good...because Bowie's a flop!

Before I start getting hate mail from angry Bowie enthusiasts, know that I too, am a follower of David Bowie!  Unfortunately, back in 1967 the UK was not.  It was this day back in '67 when Bowie released his self-titled debut record, David Bowie, and it bombed terribly on the UK charts!  Don't worry, Bowie, I think you have more than redeemed yourself...I'm sure you were full of doubt.

I Spy, with my eye...a Spy.

This story is too good to be fabricated.  Today, in 2005, Alex Kapranos ran into some trouble with the law when trying to board a plane in Moscow.  The frontman for the indie supergroup, Franz Ferdinand, was traveling with his real last name of Huntley, which shot up red flags (no pun intended) to Russian police.  As it turned out, police had mistaken Kapranos for a spy by the same name.  Kapranos was finally released, but only after it was determined that the man they were pursuing was actually 13 years his senior.  The spy on the loose was an M16 agent, wanted for stealing weapon information from the Russians back in the early 90s.  I'd love to get ahold of those tour journals.

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 6/2

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 6/1

It's a nice day for a White wedding.

At this time back in 2005, there were wedding bells for Jack White (of the White Stripes) and his British model girlfriend, Karen Elson.  The pair got married in a canoe in Brazil, on the Amazon River.  White's ex-wife and band mate, Meg White, was Elson's maid of honour, and the band's manager, Ian Montone, was best man.  The couple has two children, Scarlett Theresa and Henry Lee.  Both children have the last name "White," which is slightly odd since the name was taken from Jack's ex-wife.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALANIS MORISSETTE!

This jagged little pill turns 34 today.

Her new record, Flavors of Entanglement, will be out tomorrow!

Check out her MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/alanismorissette

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 6/1

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/31

THE FALL OF GIRL POWER! 1998

It's been 10 years since Geri Halliwell confirmed she had quit the diva supergroup, the Spice Girls, saying it was because of differences between members.  She went on to work on her solo career.  The remaining four members, Victoria Adams (now Victoria Beckham), Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm, and Emma Bunton, went on to record a third album, Forever, before they began splitting off into solo projects of their own.  All of the girls were back together again this past winter when they kicked off their reunion tour.

36 Grateful Dead fans got a bigger kick from their cider than they expected, when it was "secretly" laced with L.S.D. at a show back in 1971.  They received medical treatment, and no lasting effects have been cited.

Today in 1977, "God Save The Queen" by the Sex Pistols was banned by the BBC.  Apparently the single was in bad taste.  Despite warnings issued to radio stations, the single rose to #2 on the UK charts.

Here is a video this controversial tune during a recording session:

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/31

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/30

At this time in 1987, Beastie Boys member Adam Horovitz was arrested after a fan was hit in the face with a beer can during an uproar in Liverpool, England.  The band was on their "Licensed to Ill Tour" at the time, so it's hard to believe some chaos wasn't expected, if not welcomed, by fans.  A can in the face for one (un)lucky fan threw up the dividing line between excellence and emergency.

However, find me a person who doesn't like the Beastie Boys!  (My friend Colby doesn't count.  I think she suffered some type of trauma to the Intergalactic lobe, which obviously disqualifies her opinion.)  Ironically, while I was writing this blurb "No Sleep til Brooklyn" came on the page's last.fm (which is on the right, so turn it on and listen!).  I think it was a sign. 

Here's a flashback to 1986.  After watching, I guarantee you will have a better understanding of how a beer-to-face injury could have occurred just a year later.

DAVID BOWIE LAUNCHES "GLASS SPIDER" WORLD TOUR!

You can rest assured that we will definitely be dedicating a week to this fabulous man!  For now, please enjoy this amazing video that was thrown into my face whenever I visited a certain myspace for a long period of time.  Welcome David Bowie and Mick Jagger in the ultimate event that is "Dancing in the Streets," via 1985.

- Lindsay xx

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/30

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/29

R.I.P. JEFF BUCKLEY

11/17/1966 - 5/29/1997

Today marks the 11-year anniversary of Jeff Buckley's death.  Buckley went missing in Memphis, TN after going for a swim in the Mississippi River.  He was in the south working on recordings for a follow-up album to Grace.  The record was never finished.  Keith Foti, a friend of Buckley's, said he had unsuccessfully tried to persuade the singer against going into the water because of the extre

mely strong currents.  Buckley's body was found in the water on June 4th, 1997, when he was spotted near a boat by a tourist.

Our staff writer, Jenna, credits much of her musical drive to Buckley and his work.  She wrote a feature about her first experience with "So Real," which can be viewed by clicking here.

Here are two videos you MUST WATCH.  Before I watched these I did not know much about Jeff or his music, and within seconds I felt as though he had become a part of my life.  His words are sensational, his music is passionate, and his soul is naked...lying in the open for us to take.These are beautiful moments, so please enjoy.

"I'm dreaming of an eternal classic..."

It was 66 years ago (1942) today that Bing Crosby first recorded the infamous Irving Berlin tune, "White Christmas."  It lasted as the biggest selling single of all time, selling over 30 million copies, until the title was stolen by Elton John's, "Candle in the Wind," in 1997.  "White Christmas" went on to be the headlining track of the film by the same name.    

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SCARY SPICE!!!

Spice Girl Melanie Brown turns 33 today, and she's as fierce as ever!

- Lindsay x

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/29

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/28

"It's All Over Now, " for Rolling Stones frontman.

THE YEAR: 1969

THE OFFENSE:  Possession of Marijuana

THE OFFENDER:  Mick Jagger

The Rolling Stones singer insisted police tried to plant cocaine on him during a drug bust at his London home, in which cannabis was found.  His girlfriend, Marianne Faithful, was also at the house during the bust.  Jagger was found guilty of marijuana possesion, and was fined 200 pounds.  Police statements show a concern for the rocker's well-being, and his apparent ties to the drug world.

On a lighter note, if you haven't checked out the new Martin Scorsese film, Shine a Light, you should.  The film does a brilliant job of showcasing the bands talent on stage, while incorporating flashbacks of their growth through the years.

Here is the official trailer:

THE GREEN FAIRY IS GROWING UP:

KYLIE MINOGUE TURNS 40!

There is far too much to say about Kylie to be contained in a birthday blip, so we will save it for a later review, but this Australian diva deserves recognition on this special day.  Can you believe she is 40 years old?!  Her latest studio album, X, may be her fiercest one yet.  "Over the hill" is certainly not a saying that can be associated with Ms. Minogue; this superstar is just approaching her peak.

Check out her myspace:  http://www.myspace.com/kylieminogue

- Lindsay x

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/28

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/27

A very merry birthday to you, 

Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes!

During her lifetime, Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes collaborated with many well known artists such as Toni Braxton, former Spice Girl, Mel C, and NSync.  

Most widely know from her many years in the spot light with famed R&B group, TLC, Lopes later went on to record a solo album, Supernova, in 2001.  Her tragic death in 2002, while on a spiritual retreat in Honduras, was quite a blow to fans and the entire music community.  Today the lyrical visionary would have been celebrating her 37th birthday.

In honour of this diva, here is a flashback to the Left-Eye we all grew to love.  It is the official music video for the signature TLC hit, "Waterfalls", released in 1995.  Enjoy:

- Lindsay x

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/27

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/26

A SURPRISE CELEBRITY WEDDING!

Circa 1994.

Long before there was Mariah (Carey) and Nick (Cannon),  there was Michael and Lisa Marie.  It was 14 years ago, today, that Michael Jackson and the famous daughter of Elvis Presley joined the long list of celebrities to run off into marital bliss.  They were secretly married in the Dominican Republic.  Jackson, seen here clutching his bride, was delighted by the union.  (I just love her facial expression and the fact that her skin is darker than his.)  Unfortunately this hold must not have been strong enough, as the couple filed for divorce 20 months later.  The pair cited irreconcilable differences as their need to split.  Lisa Marie also claims she did not see her ex-husband for 6 months before they separated.  While it may have been a lot of pressure for Lisa Marie to be married to such a pop icon, we can't blame Michael entirely for this breakup.  She has been married 4 times (including a union with Nicholas Cage!) and announced in March that she is pregnant with a child to her fourth husband.  Also, did I mention she is the daughter of Elvis?  I think that alone guaranteed enough time in the spotlight to adapt to celebrity pressures.  

Here is a video I found on YouTube of the couple sharing a kiss onstage at the MTV Music Awards while they were still together. Note how comfortable LMP appears to be, and listen for what Michael says at the end.  Sorry MJ, but we were right!  So sad!

- Lindsay x

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/26

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/25

This year American Idol has become even more of a staple in the lives of Americans.  This past week has sent much of the country into an Idol frenzy, so today's moment in music history is quite appropriate.  It was 3 years ago today that country music diva Carrie Underwood swooped down and stole the title of American Idol from fellow finalist Bo Bice.  As Simon Cowell suggested, she has since gone on to sell more records than any other contestant in Idol history.  Looks like Simon really is always right.

HAPPY 82nd BIRTHDAY, MILES DAVIS!

On this day in 1926, a jazz legend was born in Alton, IL.  Miles Davis was one of the most influential minds ever to grace the world of music.  His primary instrument was the trumpet, and he had the writing and improvisational skills of a God.  During his lifetime he worked with such musical greats as Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Tony Williams, Michael Jackson, and many others.  Davis passed away in Santa Monica, CA on Septempber 28, 1991 due to respiratory failure.  He was 65.

For a more in depth look into Davis' life and an un-censored commentary on the unfolding development of jazz, I highly recommend you check out Davis' autobiography, Miles.  It is a very graphic account of all things Davis went through during his life, both in and out of the spotlight, and does not hold back any information about fellow musicians; no matter how vile.

For a longer list of today's events in music history, check out Billboard.com.

IN LOVING MEMORY: 

Justin Warfield

Today is also the birthday of our dear friend Justin Warfield.  When I met him I could immediately sense his talent, and his genuine nature was undeniable.  Though he was taken from us far too soon, he has left a lasting impact on everyone he came in contact with.  A brilliant musician and sincere individual, Justin is sadly missed. 

 

You can hear some of his compositions on myspace.  He had not yet begun to scratch the surface of his extreme talent.

Justin's MySpace

- Lindsay x

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 5/25