On This Day (Nearly) – Billy Fury Dies
Jan 28, 2010 On This Day
This is one that got away from me….On this day (yesterday) in 1983 Billy Fury died from heart and kidney problems. He was 42.
Billy Fury was almost unknown in the States but in the UK he was huge in the early 60s. In fact he had 24 hits in the UK charts in the 60s, equalling the Beatles’ record in the 60s. He also spent 332 weeks in the UK charts during that period. He was part of the early Mersey Boom of the 60s. His early performances were controversial and he had to tone down his on stage gyrations…….
His later life was dogged with ill health (he suffered from rheumatic fever as a child which laid the foundations for his later illness). He had major heart surgery in 1976.
Such was his contribution to music in the UK that there is a statue of Billy at the Albert Dock in Liverpool showing him in a typical on stage pose.
If you like this blog please donate to support it.
On This Day – A Squid Eats Down Into a Polyethelene Bag
Jan 15, 2010 On This Day, arrivals
Yes, that’s right the Maskara Snake, on this day in 1941 the world of music saw the birth of a stone cold genius.
The ZigZag Wanderer himself, Don Van Vliet, made his appearance in Glendale California. The old fart was playing and the mothership was flying when, 28, years later the best album ever made hit our shelves (and has rarely been off my turntable or out of my CD player ever since).
Trout Mask Replica is unconditionaly guaranteed to amaze and delight you in your blue jeans under the moonbeams while the doc at the radar station watches a black bird eating ice cream and a man in a hat picks up his easel says goodbye and then walks down his yellow brick road. Its the same ol’ blues, again. Ella Guru sheds a tin teardrop and says that he was the one red rose that she meant.
Just Throwing This One In a Captain Tribute Band – And they ain’t Bad!
If you like this blog please donate to support it.
On This Day – Zeppelin’s Debut, Probably.
Oct 25, 2009 On This Day, rock and blues
On this day in 1968 led Zeppelin played their first gig, probably. There is some confusion due to the short time that the band called themselves ‘The New Yardbirds’. Also, some internet sources quote the 15th October 1968 as being the first Zepp gig, but that appears to be an error. Jimmy himself presented a plaque to the University of Surrey to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the first gig – on 25th October.
Having completed a short Scandinavian tour as the New Yardbirds the band played a gig at The Marquee in London on 18th October and at Liverpool University on the 19th.
On the 25th the Jimmy’s band, now called Led Zeppelin made their live debut at Surrey University. The admission was an amazing 37.5p. Details of the set list are a bit shakey but given previous gigs it is likely that the set list included some Yardbird favourites such as Train Kept a Rollin’, Dazed and Confused, White Summer and likely For Your Love. New Led Zepp tunes were also played and would probably included Communication Breakdown, I Can’t Quit You Baby, You Shook Me, Babe I’m Gonna Leave You, and How Many More Times.
dazed and confused from 1969 before they became the world devouring mega band that ruled the world………..
By the way, this is a rare recording of the Yardbirds (with Jimmy) playing the ’same’ song. I know which has my vote….
And finally, Zepp just a few months after the first clip. What a band! That voice, Jimmy doing his stuff perfectly complimented by that bass and drums. Perfect!
The first magnificent album.
And the ‘difficult’ second album….
Tags: jimmy page, led zepp, led zepplin, love rock music, On This Day, rock and blues, surrey university, zepplin
On This Day – What a Week For Elvis!
Oct 19, 2009 On This Day
On this day in 1956 Elvis was involved in a fist fight. He had stopped at a petrol station in Memphis to get some petrol and was mobbed by teenagers. The petrol station manager wanted him to go away so that he could start selling petrol again. Tempers became frayed and the owner, Ed Hopper, hit Elvis on the head (You should not mess with a rock star’s hair!). Elvis, in turn, hit him in the eye. Hopper’s assistant, Aubrey Brown, went to help his boss and got much the same.
Ed Hopper brought charges but they were thrown out of court 4 days later as all the fans confirmed that Elvis did not start the fight. Hopper and his 6′4″ assistant were fined, and promptly sacked by the petrol station owner.
Three days after the petrol station episode Elvis went to the movies. Surprise, surprise, he was mobbed, again. This time the only damage was to Elvis’ car.
Perhaps Elvis should have realised that he could not just go out in public without attracting a crowd…. Only a month later Elvis was attacked again. This time by Louis Balint. His beef with Elvis was that his wife carried a photo of Elvis in her purse. Balint was fined for assault but as he was destitute he was sent to jail instead.
All in all, quite an eventful week for Elvis. Towards the end of the week Elvis got a his first letter from the draft board……………
Tags: classic rock music, elvis fighting, elvis presley, love rock music, On This Day, rock and blues
On This day – Little Susie is Being Suggestive!
Oct 14, 2009 On This Day
On this day in 1957 The Everley Brothers reached the top of the charts in the USA with “Wake Up Little Susie”. That inspite of it being banned by some radio stations because of the suggestive lyrics.
I have always said that it is a dirty little song, a threat to the morals of our youth and quite capable of destroying society. (Sorry, I was having a irrational time warp back to the 50s moment). However, that is just what some people thought, otherwise sensible and responsible people. Mind you, most people thought that fighting a nuclear war, and surviving it, was entirely possible. Also remember that the FBI investigated a song (Louie, Louie) because of the filthy lyrics (the whole story here).
There have always been bans imposed on rock music. Given the origins I do not think that we should be surprised. Rock was born on the back of black ‘race’ music. Music made by and for black America. It was not heard or played by white people. When rock began it took the rhythms, feel and in some cases whole songs. That worried the white establishment. Sexual references was just one area that scared the hell out of them. Hence not showing Elvis’ hips when he was singing. That “Wake Up Little Susie” should fall foul of the censors is just a reflection of the paranoia of the time.
What the establishment wanted was more Rock Hudson and Doris Day films (sort of ironic of course).
One notable incident of banning music from being played that predates rock was the banning of Billie Holiday’s version of “Gloomy Sunday” by the BBC in 1941 (and that was the version with the rewritten happy ending!).
However, banning became far more common with the advent of rock. “such a Night” by Johnny Ray was banned by the BBC in 1954. The police in Memphis banned The Drifter’s “Honey Love”. Both banned because of the suggestive lyrics. There are many more examples in the late 50s and early 60s. But the practice went on, and on. In 1969 “Je T’aime… Moi Non Plus” was banned (again by the BBC) because of the sexual nature of the recording. Other, obvious examples are Hendrix “How Would You Feel”, Van Morrison’s “Gloria”, The Who’s “Pictures of Lily”. There are so many.
More worrying as far as I am concerned is the banning of songs because of political or social comment. The Byrds “8 Miles High” was banned by many US radio stations because of the drug reference, “Puff The Magic Dragon”, Janis Ian’s “Society’s Child” was banned because by many US radio stations because the interracial dating references. Sponsors of the Pet Clark Show got their nickers in a twist when she touched Harry Belafonte on the arm during a duet. etc etc.
Somehow I am not surprised that the Colonels in Argentina banned more than 200 songs because they threatened the regime. I am not worried that the Soviet state and its satellites banned hundreds and hundreds of rock music. I find it hard to see Elton John as being a threat to society but any society should be able to stand up to threats from the arts, and the arts should threaten society.
Luckily, the act of banning a record only helps to make it receive more attention than perhaps it otherwise would. Again there are many examples of that. Frankie goes to Hollywood’ “Relax”, The Pistol’s “God save The Queen”, “Je T’aime”. Just add your favourites to the list. The “explicit Lyrics” stickers were a joke, and a magnet to some record buyers. One Zappa album has an “explicit Lyrics” sticker, even though it is purely instrumental!
The censorship of album covers has also gone on as well. Here are a couple of examples;
There are other examples, of course, Blind Faith, Black Crows, Scorpions, the Beatles with the ‘Babies cover’ etc.
I think that censorship is rarely right (exceptions being child porn, coercion, exploitation). I also believe that it is largely ineffective.
Tags: censorhip, classic rock music, elvis presley, frank zappa, love rock music, On This Day, rock and blues, rock music, the who
On This Day – In Car Entertainment
Oct 12, 2009 On This Day
On this day in 1955 Chrysler introduces a high fidelity record player that was to be available in some of their 1956 Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge, and Plymouth models. The unit played 7 inch discs played at 45rpm as well as the relatively new 16 2/3 rpm. It was some 4 inches high and a foot wide and was slung under the dashboard. If you ordered this option with your new car you also received a set of 35 classical records.
You may be surprised to find out that there were problems with the needle skipping as the car went over bumps in the road (Who’d a thought it?) and so the units were discontinued. I have only a couple of thoughts ab out this;
One, how much would one of these units be worth now?
Two, if it is dangerous changing CDs while driving can you imagine the dangers involved in changing discs while driving? It just does not bear thinking about.
Amazingly, the disc player remained as an option until 1961.
Here is a copy of the press release;
HI-Fl RECORD PLAYER
26555
CHRYSLER CORPORATION
Press Information Service
Detroit 31, Michigan
Tulsa 3-4500
For Immediate Use
HI-Fl RECORD PLAYER AVAILABLE FOR
1956 CHRYSLER CORPORATION CARS
DETROIT – - Highway Hi-Fi, a record player that provides music and speech as you go, has been developed exclusively for the 1956 Chrysler Corporation cars.
This novel addition to the pleasures of highway travel, specially designed by CBS Laboratories as an accessory for Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto, Chrysler and Imperial, was introduced today at the press preview of Chrysler Corporation’s new cars at the company’s Engineering Proving Grounds.
For driver and passengers who prefer the lively scores of Broadway musicals, Highway Hi-Fi provides the lilting and memorable tunes from the hit show, “Pajama Game.”
And if the children are restless on a long ride, Davey Crockett and Gene Autry are ready at hand to help keep them quiet.
Highway Hi- Fi plays through the speaker of the car radio and uses the radio’s amplifier system. The turntable for playing records, built for Chrysler by CBS-Columbia, is located in a shock-proof case mounted just below the center of the instrument panel. A tone arm, including sapphire stylus and ceramic pick up, plus storage space for six long-play records make up the unit.
Using a new principle of design worked out by CBS Laboratories, the player and position of the stylus on a record are not affected by the angle of a car, its highway speed, or even severe cornering. Tests demonstrate it is extremely difficult to jar the arm off the record or even make the stylus jump a groove.
The special records also developed by CBS Laboratories, are seven inches in size, transcribed on both sides, and pressed especially for Chrysler by Columbia Records. They give up to 45 minutes of music and up to one full hour of speech per side, A collection of six disks will be presented to customers with each player.
Making up the collection are Tschaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony, Borodini’s Polovtsian Dances, Ippalitov-Ivanov’s Procession of the Sardar, the complete score of the Broadway musical show Pajama Game, Walt Disney’s Davey Crockett, Gene Autry and Champion, Romantic Moods by Percy Faith and his orchestra, quiet jazz by Paul Weston and his orchestra, Music of Cole Porter and Victor Herbert by Andre Kostelanetz and his orchestra, and dramatic readings from Bernard Shaw’s Don Juan in Hell by a cast of top Hollywood and Broadway artists.
Tags: chrysler cars, classic rock music, love rock music, On This Day, real rock and blues, rock and blues
On This Day – John Lennon Born
Oct 9, 2009 On This Day, arrivals
John Winston Lennon joined this world today in 1940. As part of the Beatles he helped shape modern music writing some iconic songs. He worked for peace and against the Vietnam War. He was threatened with deportation from the USA by the Nixon administration, investigated by the FBI. He was murdered on 8th December 1980 by Mark David Chapman.
Lennon was raised by his aunt Mimi although he did have regular contact with his birth mother Julia. She bought him a banjo when he was 11 and taught him to play “Aint That A Shame” by Fats Domino. She also bought him his first guitar in 1957. His aunt Mimi was not in favour of his infatuation with music and did not share his faith that he would be famous one day and make a living out of music. Julia died after being hit by a car driven by an off duty policeman in 1958.,
Lennon had co-founded a skiffle group in 1956 which had him on banjo. Originally called The Blackjacks they changed their name to The Quarrymen (after the school that they attended) as another local group was using that name. Their repertoire consisted of Lonnie Donegan songs which they aired at parties, school dances and the like.
The whole local music scene was very fluid at this time with various lineups and personnel sitting in with other groups but the Beatles began to come together. When Paul McCartney joined The Quarrymen he insisted that George Harrison also join over Lennon’s objections that Harrison was too young. Later Stu Suttcliffe (bass) joined and suggested that they change their name to The Beetles, later The Silver Beetles and then to The Beatles. Their first recording was “That Will Be The Day” with “In spite of All the Danger” (by McCartney and Harrison) on the other side. The recording cost 17/6 (£0.77) and the one disc produced was passed around the band. It resurfaced in 1981 when McCartney bought it for an undisclosed amount.
Against Mimi’s vehement objections Lennon went with the other Beetles to Hamburg in 1960. That residency at Bruno Koschmider’s Indra club did not last long. The Beatles were deported back to the UK after a minor arson incident and it was discovered that Harrison was under age.
The Beatles went on to be the biggest band in the world, of course, but why should we celebrate Lennon’s birth? He was voted the 8th greatest Briton by BBC viewers (but then Dianna came 3rd…..), he was awarded an MBE (or was that an OBE – don’t know and don’t care). Helped to shape popular music and wrote some great rock and pop songs. But, what made him so great?
I think he together with, but perhaps more than, the other Beatles showed what was possible. In those days you went to school and then left to find a job, got married, had children, and then died. There were no other options, until we were showed otherwise. He was an inspiration for others, and surely that is as good as anyone’s life can get, there is nothing better.
My favourite Lennon song, I even like the Tin machine version (yes, I was the one person who bought that god awful album).
You know, I am not terribly happy with this post. My heart is not really in it. I don’t think that I have done JL justice, so much more than a member of the Beatles.
Perhaps it is just because it is 5.00am…….
Tags: beatles, classic rock music, john lennon, love rock music, rock and blues
On This day – The Payola Scandal Made Public
Oct 6, 2009 On This Day
On This day in 1958 Billboard ran an article attacking the practice of accepting money to play certain records on the radio. The term used was ‘payola’ a combination of ‘pay’ and ‘victrola’ (Victrola was a line of phonographs originally introduced by RCA Victor in 1906 that continued until 1970).
The article went on to say “payola, that under-the-turntable device whereby record companies win plugs and influence disc jockeys, is fast growing into a monster that may yet destroy its creators. According to key record execs, jockey payola is so widespread that it’s no longer possible to measure its effectiveness.”
The scandal would grow and ultimately it would destroy the career of the most famous DJ of them all Alan Freed. Strangely, although the practice was rife Freed was the only high profile DJ that was prosecuted. In November 1959 he was served with a subpoena to appear in front of the New York DA.
He was asked by WABC, for whom he worked, to sign a statement that he had not been paid to play plug records. In response Freed said that he had only received money for acting as a consultant for various parties, not for pluging records. He was sacked both his radio and TV shows.
I have some sympathy for Freed. He was a scapegoat, especially when you remember that he was charged with something that was not illegal until 1960 although his offences happened in 1959. When the trial came to court Freed pleaded guilty to 26 charges and was fined $300 with a suspended sentence. Hardly a huge penalty but his career was ruined. He died in 1965 broke, unemployed and suffering from cirrhosis of the liver.
On the other hand, some of the practices at the time were very suspect. For example, Freed had co-writing credits on ‘Mayballene’ the Chuck Berry song, he never had a hand in writing it. The point is that as co-writer he received royalties from plays and sales. That gave rise to a conflict of interest for him. To play it (and others) on his very popular show or not?
Obviously, there is no questionable methods used to promote songs or artists these days……………..
Tags: alan freed, chuck berry, love rock music, On This Day, payola, real rock and blues, rock and blues
On This Day – EC Takes Over
Oct 5, 2009 On This Day
On this day in 1963 a promising young guitarist replaced Tony Topham in the Yardbirds. Of course that guitarist was Eric Clapton (Known as God to his graffiti writing friends). He was 17 when he left his first band The Roosters to join them.
Reassuringly for us mere mortals, EC found learning the guitar difficult but he stayed with it as fascinated with the blues. The blues was his first love and it was the reason he would leave The Yardbirds a couple of years later. The Yardbirds were moving in a pop direction that did not sit well with him.
From the Yardbirds EC joined John Mayall and released one of the seminal records of the 60s the so called Beano album. From there he formed Cream and then an amazing solo carer with amazing highs and incredible lows (I still have not forgiven him for 461 Ocean Boulevard….)
As a bit of a side note, the guitarist he recommended to the band to take over from him in the Yardbirds was Jimmy Page, but he did not want to stop his successful career as a session player. Later, of course Jimme was in the New Yardbirds a band that quickly changes their name to Led Zep.
This is EC playing second fiddle to one of the GREAT blues guitarists Buddy Guy.
And this is the last straw as far as EC was concerned, The Yardbirds with “For Your Love”. It’s jeff Beck in this performance as EC had already left the Building.
And THIS is EC with John Mayall in 1966. Boy, did he make the right decision!
And again.
Tags: classic rock music, eric clapton, jeff beck, jimmy page, john mayall, love rock music, On This Day, rock and blues, yardbirds
The Best Band You Never Heard 1
Oct 4, 2009 The Best Band You've Never Heard
Over the last couple of weeks I have been two stonkingly good gigs. Both by the same duo Akoustic Soul.
Now, I know them, but that does not mean that I am biased. I know some of the other local bands but they will not feature in this series. Akoustic Soul Are; Andrew Wilson (guitars) and Kimberly Hill (vocals).
I have known Andrew since he was about 12, he’s 22 now. When I first met him his father said that he was learning the guitar. Even then I was reluctant to show him a few licks – mainly ‘cos I did not have have any good ones (still don’t). He was gratifyingly impressed by my guitars however, a ‘76 Strat and ’80s Les Paul DeLux (Starburst, of course). I can’t play them but they look good……
I did not think anything more about this aspiring guitar hero until about 3 years later. It was his dad’s 40th birthday party. Andrew and his friends were to provide the music for the party. They played in the garage that had been turned into a makeshift bar.
I was prepared to make insincere “Oh, aren’t they good?” type comments. No need after 3 years of playing and learning it was obvious that Andrew was talented. I was really relieved that I had not shown him my handful of banal guitar licks.
A couple of years later, after his exams, Andrew went to Spain to find a bar to play in and to teach flamenco guitar. Quite a bold plan for an 18 year old.
That worked out well and Andrew stayed there fo a couple of years. When he returned he said that he was going to give music a go and that he had a singer who was going to come over to join him.
Kimberly is has a voice that is mature betyond her years. It is a great jazz voice that is perfectly suited for songs like “Summertim” as well as being able to interpret and deliver great versions of rockers like “Sweet Chil’ O’ Mine”.
How are they getting on? Put it this way, they were booked to play one night in a bar a few miles away where they are not known. At the end of the night the owner paid them MORE than was agreed and booked them there and then for several more dates! That shows how good they are live.
The scary thing? When I first heard them play they were pretty good, after a couple of months they released their self produced CD and were better. A couple of months later still I saw them live again and they were even better, tighter, better PA, more confident. Just how much better can they be? I have no idea, but I am looking forward to it.
Tags: akoustic soul, live music, love rock music, new bands, rock and blues
