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1857 – The electric fire alarm system was patented by William F. Channing and Moses G. Farmer. Good1911 – The first American criminal conviction that was based on fingerprint evidence occurred in New York City.  I wonder who had a hand in this?

1921 – The U.S. Congress passed the Emergency Quota Act, which established national quotas for immigrants. Makes sense

1926 – Benito Mussolini announced that democracy was deceased. Rome became a fascist state. Not good

1926 – In Damascus, Syria, French shells killed 600 people. Bad

1928 – The first frog-jumping jubilee held in Calaveras County, CA.  Why not in France?

1935 – T.E. Lawrence “Lawrence of Arabia” died from injuries in a motorcycle crash in England.  I heard he fell off a camel

1962 – Marilyn Monroe performed a sultry rendition of “Happy Birthday” for U.S. President John F. Kennedy. The event was a fund-raiser at New York’s Madison Square Garden. We’ve probably all heard the recording

1967 – The Soviet Union ratified a treaty with the United States and Britain that banned nuclear weapons from outer space. Good

1967 – U.S. planes bombed Hanoi for the first time.  Bad

1998 – In Russia, strikes broke out over unpaid wages.  You can’t blame people for this

1998 – Bandits stole three of Rome’s most important paintings from the National Gallery of Modern Art.

2000 – The bones of the most complete and best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton went on display in Chicago.   How do we know all the bits came from the same beasy?

2003 – Hundreds of Albert Einstein’s scientific papers, personal letters and humanist essays were make available on the Internet. Einstein had given the papers to the Hebrew Universtiy of Jerusalem in his will. An amazing brain

  

Music Events May 19th

1958, The soundtrack to South Pacific went to No.1 on the US album chart. Great music

1960, American DJ Alan Freed was indicted along with seven others for accepting $30,650 in payola from six record companies. Two years later, he was convicted and given a suspended sentence and a $300 fine.Weird

1961, The Everly Brothers launched their own record label, ‘Calliop’e’.Was this the extremely dark purple label?

1967, The Beatles held a press party at manager’s Brian Epstein’s house in London for the launch of the ‘Sgt Pepper’s’ album. Linda Eastman was hired as the press photographer.  I’ll bet Paul had a twinkle in his eye
1973, Stevie Wonder went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘You Are The Sunshine Of My Life’. His third US No.1, a No.7 hit in the UK. He is absolutely wonderful-what a talent

1973, Wizzard were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘See My Baby Jive,’ Roy Wood’s (from The Move), latest group spent four weeks at the top of the charts.Not one of my favourites

. 1974, The Rubettes were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Sugar Baby Love’, the group’s only UK No.1. Fabulous song and I also liked their Baby I’m Yours

1976, Rolling Stone Keith Richards crashed his car near Newport Pagnell, Bucks, after falling asleep at the wheel; marijuana and cocaine were found by the police resulting in another fine for the guitarist.  Keith was a real wild child
1978, Dire Straits released their first major label single ‘Sultans Of Swing’, recorded on a £120 budget.What a fabulous effort

1979, Abba started a four week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Voulez-Vous’ the group’s fourth No.1 LP. Quality
1979, Eric Clapton held a party at his Surrey house celebrating his recent marriage to Patti Boyd. Clapton had set-up a small stage in the garden and as the evening progressed Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr ended up jamming together along with Clapton, Ginger Baker and Mick Jagger. The all-star band ran through old Little Richard and Eddie Cochran songs. I could have joined in those songs. I would have loved to have been there

1979, Supertramp went to No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Breakfast In America’, the group’s only US No.1    I like most of their songs

1981, Sting was named songwriter of the year at the 26th Ivor Novello Awards.Well deserved

1984, Bob Marley and the Wailers started a 12-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with the compilation album ‘Legend’, released to commemorate the third anniversary of Marley’s death.  Great music-great memories
1988, James Brown was arrested for the fifth time in 12 months, following a car Chase near his home, he was charged with assault, resisting arrest and being in charge of illegal weapons, he was given a 6 year jail sentence.  I loved his music but he was a real wild child
1990, Madonna started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Vogue’. Originally planned as a B-side, it became the singers eighth US No.1 and seventh UK No.1 hit. Good track

2001, Mike Sammes founder of The Mike Sammes Singers died aged 73. He worked with Tom Jones, Cliff Richard and featured on The Beatles, ‘I Am The Walrus’ and ‘The Long And Winding Road.’  My parents listed to his singers

2007, Lawyers for Michael Jackson dropped an effort to block an auction of the star’s personal belongings and other Jackson family items. An agreement was reached with representatives of an auctioneer, who was the current owner of the materials, and a New Jersey man who claimed to own a warehouse full of Jackson memorabilia after a failed business venture wound up in bankruptcy court.This was sad

2010, ‘Stairway To Heaven’ was named the UK’s favourite rock song in a survey by listeners to radio station Absolute Classic Rock. The band had two other tracks in the top 10; ‘Whole Lotta Love’ was voted at No. 4 and ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll’, from the group’s fourth album, was at No. 7.  Superb track 

 Born on this Day

1932,  Alma Cogan, UK singer, (1955 UK No.1 single ‘Dreamboat’, plus 20 other UK Top 40 hits). Youngest female to top the charts during the 50′s. She died of stomach cancer on 26th October 1966.

1945,Pete Townshend, guitar, vocals, The Who, (1965 UK No.2 single ‘My Generation’ 1967 US No.9 single ‘I Can See For Miles’ plus over 20 other UK Top 40 hit singles, 16 US Top 40 singles and rock opera albums ‘Tommy’ & ‘Quadrophenia’).
1947, Greg Herbert, Blood Sweat & Tears, (1969 US No.2 single ‘Spinning Wheel’). Herbert died of a accidental drug overdose 31st January 1977.
947,  Jerry Hyman, trombone, Blood Sweat & Tears, (1969 US No.2 single ‘Spinning Wheel’).
85 UK No.16 single ‘Legs’).
1950,  Romeo Challenger, Showaddywaddy, (1976 UK No.1 single ‘Under The Moon Of Love’, plus over 20 other UK Top 40 singles).

1952, Grace Jones, singer, model, (1985 UK No.12 single ‘Slave To The Rhythm’).

1952, Jeffrey Hyman, (Joey Ramone), vocals, The Ramones, 1977 UK No.22 single ‘Sheena Is A Punk Rocker’. He died on 15th April 2001 after losing a long battle with lymphatic cancer aged 49.
1960, Yasmin Evans, (Yazz), singer, (1988 UK No.1 single ‘The Only Way Is Up’).

Music Source 1 music source 2

1642 – Montreal, Canada, was founded. Oui, monsieur

1643 – Queen Anne, the widow of Louis XIII, was granted sole and absolute power as regent by the Paris parliament, overriding the late king’s will. Come the revolution

1652 – In Rhode Island, a law was passed that made slavery illegal in North America. It was the first law of its kind. Good

1792 – Russian troops invaded Poland. It must be horrible being invaded 1802 – Great Britain declared war on Napoleon’s France. Lifelomg friends

1804 – Napoleon Bonaparte was proclaimed emperor by the French Senate. He worked for it

1897 – A public reading of Bram Stoker’s new novel, “Dracula, or, The Un-dead,” was performed in London. Good start 1953 – The first woman to fly faster than the speed of sound, Jacqueline Cochran, piloted an F-86 Sabrejet over California at an average speed of 652.337 miles-per-hour. Fast women?

1974 – India became the sixth nation to explode an atomic bomb. Ugh!

1980 – Mt. Saint Helens erupted in Washington state. 57 people were killed and 3 billion in damage was done.These events are always happening

1994 – Israel’s three decades of occupation in the Gaza Strip ended as Israeli troops completed their withdrawal and Palestinian authorities took over. Good

1998 – U.S. federal officials arrested more than 130 people and seized $35 million. This was the end to an investigation of money laundering being done by a dozen Mexican banks and two drug-smuggling cartels. Money is the root of all evil

 

Music Events May 18th

1964, A riot broke out in Hamilton, Scotland during a Rolling Stones UK tour when over 4,000 fans with forged tickets gatecrashed the bands gig at the Chantingall Hotel. I don’t remember this

1967, John Lennon and Paul McCartney sang backing vocals on The Rolling Stones track ‘We Love You’ during a session at Olympic Studios, London. I knew they were all good friends but the media tried to make it a competition

1967, The Beatles were selected to represent the UK for the first-ever global-wide satellite broadcast. The group agreed to be shown in the studio recording a song written especially for the occasion, scheduled for June 25. John Lennon wrote ’All You Need is Love’ which was thought to sum up the

1967 ‘summer of love’ and The Beatles’ sympathies. With the satellite broadcast being broadcast to many non-English-speaking countries, the BBC asked The Beatles to ‘keep it simple’.  They certainly kept it simple but very powerful.

1968, Grateful Dead, The Doors, The Steve Miller Band and Jefferson Airplane all appeared at The Northern California Rock Festival in Santa Clara.  Good gig

1974, Ray Stevens started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with the novelty song ‘The Streak’ which capitalized on the then popular craze of streaking. Also No.1 in the UK. This is a brilliant song and extreley funny

1975, Five times married US country singer, Tammy Wynette was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Stand By Your Man.’ Originally recorded by Tammy Wynette and released as a single in 1968 in the USA. It proved to be the most successful record of Wynette’s career and is one of the most covered songs in the history of country music. It`s a nice song and she sang it well

1980, Joy Division singer and guitarist Ian Curtis hanged himself in the kitchen of his house in Macclesfield, England at the age of 23. Curtis had the Iggy Pop album ‘The Idiot’, playing on his stereo and left a note that said, ‘At this very moment, I wish I were dead. I Just can’t cope anymore.’  I don’t remember this sad event. It’s just too sad for words

1984, Simple Minds were at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Don’t You Forget About Me’, (a No. 7 hit in the UK). Written by Keith Forsey (who won an Oscar for “Flashdance… What a Feeling”) and Steve Schiff (guitarist and songwriter from the Nina Hagen band, the track was featured in the

1985 American teen drama film The Breakfast Club. Great background 1988, Fleetwood Mac played the first of six sold out nights at Wembley Arena, London on their The Tango In The Night Tour.Big bucks

1993, Sister Lovers, 18 Wheeler, Boyfriend and Oasis appeared at King Tuts in Glasgow, Scotland. Creation Records boss Alan McGee who was in the audience declared after seeing Oasis, ‘I’ve found the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band since The Beatles.’ McGee had missed a train at nearby Queen Street station, and decided to head to Tuts to kill time before the next one. He signed Oasis to his Creation label. Good judge of talent

1997, Blur won pop music’s equivalent of the FA Cup, the Music Industry Soccer Six. The band’s win at Fulham’s FC’s ground Craven Cottage saw them beating off competition from Robbie Williams, My Life Story and The Prodigy. Well done

2003, The Isley Brothers were at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Body Kiss’ the group’s first US No.1 in over 30 years.Good moments are worth waiting for

2004, Clint Warwick the original bass player with The Moody Blues died from liver disease at the age of 63. Clint left the band in 1966 after playing on their only number one hit, ‘Go Now.’ One of the all-time great records

2008, Neil Diamond went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Home Before Dark’, also a US No.1. Great voice and always popular in UK

2008, Ting Tings scored their first UK No.1 single with ‘That’s Not My Name’. Taken from the Manchester duo’s debut studio album We Started Nothing. I like this!

 

 

 

Born on this day

1911, Joe Turner, US blues songwriter. Wrote ‘Shake Rattle and Roll’, ‘Sweet Sixteen’. He died on 23rd November 1985. I didn’t know the name

1912, Perry Como, American singer and TV presenter, (1957 US No.1 single ‘Round And Round’ and 15 US & over 25 UK chart hits, 1958 UK No.1 single ‘Magic Moments’). Como died on 12th May 2001.Great performer

1942, Albert Hammond, (1972 US No.5 single ‘It Never Rains In Southern California’, 1973 UK No.19 single ‘Free Electric Band’).

1949,  Rick Wakeman, keyboards, Strawbs, Yes, (’1974 UK No.1 album ‘Journey To The Centre Of The Earth’). 1949,  William Wallace, Guess Who, (1970 US No.1 & UK No.19 single ‘American Woman’).

1952,  George Strait, US country singer, songwriter, (1992 album ‘Pure Country’ spent 40 weeks on the US chart). He has the second most number one country hits among any artist in any musical genre in history, totaling 53 number one hit songs. Only Conway Twitty has more, with 55.

1953,  Butch Tavares, Tavares, (1976 UK No.4 and US No.15 single ‘Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel’). 1957,Michael Cretu, Enigma, (1991 UK No.1 & US No.5 single ‘Sadness Part 1).

1958, Victoria Wilcox, (Toyah) 1981 UK No.8 single ‘I Want To Be Free.’ 1969, Martika, US singer, (1989 US No.1 & UK No.5 single ‘Toy Soldiers’). Music Source 1 music source 2

 

 

 

 

Events 17th May

1433 – Sigismund was crowned emperor of Rome.  Is the Sigismund Fraud?

1859 – In London, Big Ben went into operation. The name Big Ben initially referred to the bell inside the tower but later came to the refer to the tower.I thought it was the name of the designer!

1870 – E.J. DeSemdt patented asphalt. Not Irish?

1879 – New York’s Madison Square Garden opened.  Seconds out!

1884 – Dr. John Harvey Kellogg patented “flaked cereal.”  Was it a bit each week?

1889 – In Johnstown,PA, more than 2,200 people died after the South Fork Dam collapsed.Dreadful

1900 – U.S. troops arrived in Peking to help put down the Boxer Rebellion.  The seconds needed more money for new towels

1902 – The Boer War ended between the Boers of South Africa and Great Britain with the Treaty of Vereeniging.  Good

1907 – The first taxis arrived in New York City. They were the first in the United States. Were they yellow?

1915 – A German zeppelin made an air raid on London.  Bad news

1927 – Ford Motor Company produced the last “Tin Lizzie” in order to begin production of the Model A.  The first on the production lines?

1929 – In Beverly, MA, the first U.S. born reindeer were born.  You’ll be telling us next Father Christmas doesn’t live at the North Pole

1947 – Communists seized control of Hungary. We were all on the side of the Magyars

1955 – The U.S. Supreme Court ordered that all states must end racial segregation “with all deliberate speed.”  Good

1961 – South Africa became an independent republic.  Good 

1962 – Adolf Eichmann was hanged in Israel. Eichmann was a Gestapo official and was executed for his actions in the Nazi Holocaust. He had to go

1970 – An earthquake in Peru killed tens of thousands of people.

1974 – Israel and Syria signed an agreement on the Golan Heights.  Good

1977 – The trans-Alaska oil pipeline was finished after 3 years of construction.  Now let’s have a few pipelines for water

1979 – Zimbabwe proclaimed its independence.  Good

1994 – The U.S. announced it was no longer aiming long-range nuclear missiles at targets in the former Soviet Union. Phew!

2003 – In North Carolina, Eric Robert Rudolph was captured. He had been on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list for five years for several bombings including the 1996 Olympic bombing.

 

Music Events May 17th

1962, During a UK tour Jerry Lee Lewis played at The Tower Ballroom,  tickets cost 5 shillings in advance.

1963, The first Monterey Folk Festival in California was held over three days and featured Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and Peter Paul and Mary.

1964, Bob Dylan made his first major concert UK appearance when he played at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

1966, During a UK tour, Bob Dylan appeared at The Free Trade Hall in Manchester. This was the concert where a member of the audience shouted out ‘Judas’ at Dylan unhappy with the singers move from acoustic to rock. Dylan replied with ‘You’re a liar’, the entire concert was eventually officially released in The Bootleg Series by Sony Music in 1999.
1967, The Tremeloes were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with their version of a Four Seasons song, (the B-side to Rag Doll), ‘Silence Is Golden’, the group’s only UK No.1.
1967, Working at Abbey Road studios The Beatles began recording a new John Lennon song ‘You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)’. The song was not finished until November 1969, and was not released until March 1970 (as the B-side of the ‘Let it Be’ single).
1968, The Monkees appeared at Valley Music Hall, Salt Lake City, Utah.
1969, It was reported that for the first time ever album sales had overtaken single sales in the UK. 49,184,000 albums were produced during 1968 compared with 49,161,000 singles.
1969, Joni Mitchell was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, on sale for 35 Cents, (2/6).

1971, Dawn were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Knock Three Times’, the group’s first of two UK No.1′s. Singer Tony Orlando had retired from singing when he was persuaded to front Dawn for studio recordings.
1975, Earth Wind and Fire started a three-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with the soundtrack to ‘That’s The Way Of The World.’
1975, Elton John was awarded a Platinum Record for sales of a million copies of the LP ‘Captain Fantastic and The Brown Dirt Cowboy’, the first album ever to be certified Platinum on the day of its release.
1975, Led Zeppelin played the first of five sold-out nights at Earls Court Arena, London, England. Tickets cost £1 ($1.70) – £2.50 ($4.25).
1979, The Police appeared at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California.
1980, Boney M scored their third UK No.1 album with ‘The Magic Of Boney M.’
1980, This years Eurovision song contest winner Johnny Logan was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘What’s Another Year.’ The second Eurovision winner for Ireland, Logan won it again in 1987 and wrote a further winner in 1992.
1986, Spitting Image started a three-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘The Chicken Song.’ Spitting Image had become the ‘must see’ Sunday night UK TV show, which mocked politicians and public figures.
1986, Whitney Houston started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Greatest Love Of All’, the singers third US No.1, a No.8 hit in the UK.

1987, A fire destroyed Tom Petty’s house in Los Angeles, the cost was estimated at $800,000.
1989, Former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman’s first Sticky Fingers restaurant opened in London.
1989, The first night of a 12-date UK tour for R.E.M. starting at Leicester De Montfort Hall. (Promoting the new single ‘Orange Crush’).

1996, US blues guitarist Johnny Guitar Watson died of a heart attack while on tour in Yokohama, Japan. According to eyewitness reports, he collapsed mid guitar solo. His last words were “ain’t that a bitch.”
1996, Kevin Gilbert, multi instrumentalist and songwriter, died of accidental asphyxiation. Member of Giraffe, worked with Sheryl Crow, co-wrote her 1994 UK No.4 hit ‘All I Want To Do.’

1998, Garth Brooks was at No.1 on the US album charts with ‘The Limited Series.’
2002, Sharon Sheeley, US songwriter, died aged 62. Hits include ‘Poor Little Fool’ US No.1 for Ricky Nelson in 1958 and 1959 hit for Eddie Cochran ‘Somethin’ Else’. Sheeley survived the car crash that killed Eddie Cochran during a 1960 UK tour.

2003, Singer with Stone Temple Pilots Scott Weiland, was arrested on suspicion of drug possession after being stopped during a routine traffic search in Los Angeles, He was released on $10,000 (£6,125) bail.
2005, Akon was at No.1 on the UK singles with ‘Lonely’, Gwen Stefani held the US No.1 spot with ‘Hollaback Girl’ and Snoop Dogg and Justin Timberlake were at No.1 on the Australian chart with ‘Signs.’

2006, Paul McCartney and his wife Heather Mills admitted that they had given up the fight to save their marriage, saying that after fours years together, they were going their separate ways.

2008, Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty posted a two-minute clip of themselves playing with newborn mice on Youtube. The video showed Doherty and Winehouse in a bare room, making rambling comments, picking up the mice and talking to them.
2008, Madonna was at No.1 on the US album chart with her eleventh studio album ‘Hard Candy’. The album reached number one in thirty-seven other countries.

2009, Black Eyed Peas went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Boom Boom Pow’, their second UK No.1 hit.
2009, Green Day went to No.1 on the UK album chart with their eighth studio album ’21st Century Breakdown’.

 

 

 

Born on this day

1941,, Malcolm Hale, Spanky And Our Gang, (1967 US No.9 single ‘Sunday Will Never Be The Same Again’). Hale died on 31st October 1968 of carbon monoxide poisoning due to a faulty heater.
1942,, Taj Mahal, US multi-instrumentalist, composer of film soundtracks, first band The Rising Sons with Ry Cooder.
.
1948, , Bill Bruford, drummer, King Crimson, Yes, U.K.
1953, , George Johnson, Brothers Johnson, (1980 US No.4 & UK No.6 single ‘Stomp’).

1959,, Paul Dianno, vocals, Iron Maiden, (1991 UK No.1 single ‘Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter’).
1960,  Simon Fuller, record and television producer, manager of the Spice Girls, S Club 7, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Fantasia, Will Young, Emma Bunton and Gareth Gates and the creator of the Idol series. First seen as Pop Idol and now with over 50 other versions including American Idol, Canadian Idol, and World Idol.
1961,  Enya Ni Bhraonain, Clannad, (1982 UK No.5 single ‘Harry’s Game’), solo, (1988 UK No.1 single ‘Orinoco Flow’, plus eight other UK Top 40 singles, 2001 US No.2 album ‘A Day Without Rain’).
1962, , Tracy Bryn, Voice Of The Beehive, (1988 UK No.15 single ‘Don’t Call Me Baby’).

1970, , Jordan Knight, singer, New Kids On The Block, (1989 UK No.1 single ‘You Got It, The Right Stuff’ 1990 US No.1 single ‘Step By Step’, solo, 1999 UK No.5 single ‘Give It To You’).
1971, Vernie Bennett, Eternal, (1997 UK No.1 single ‘I Wanna Be The Only One’, 1993 UK No.2 album ‘Always & Forever’).
1974,  Andrea Corr, vocals, tin whistle, The Corrs, (1998 UK No.3 single ‘What Can I Do’. ‘Talk On Corners’ was the best selling UK album of 1998 spending 142 weeks on the UK chart).

 

Music Source 1 music source 2

 

 

 

 

Events 16th May

1770 – Marie Antoinette, at age 14, married the future King Louis XVI of France, who was 15. They must have had really advanced learning in those days1879 – The Treaty of Gandamak between Russia and England set up the Afghan state. As I often comment we have been part of the muddy waters seemingly forever

1881 – In Germany the first electric tram for the public started service.Das is gud1888 – The first demonstration of recording on a flat disc was demonstrated by Emile Berliner. Clever stuff

1888 – The capitol of Texas was dedicated in Austin. Steve Austin -Bionic Man

1920 – Joan of Arc was canonized in Rome. I am surprised she was a saint1929 – The first Academy Awards were held in Hollywood.1946 – Jack Mullin showed the world the first magnetic tape recorder. I don’t know this name

 

1960 – A Big Four summit in Paris collapsed due to the American U-2 spy plane incident. Don’t blame Gary Powers- he was only the pilot

 

1960 – Theodore Maiman, at Hughes Research Laboratory in California, demonstrated the first working laser. Fantastic

 

1963 – After 22 Earth orbits Gordon Cooper returned to Earth, ending Project Mercury. Brave man

 

1975 – Japanese climber Junko Tabei became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Wonderful

 

1977 – Five people were killed when a New York Airways helicopter, idling on top of the Pan Am Building in Manhattan, toppled over, sending a huge rotor blade flying.There’s always been weird tragedies

 

1987 – The Bobro 400 set sail from New York Harbor with 3,200 tons of garbage. The barge travelled 6,000 miles in search of a place to dump its load. It returned to New York Harbor after 8 weeks with the same load. Rubbish is still a huge unsolved global problem

 

1988 – A report released by Surgeon General C. Everett Koop declared that nicotine was addictive in similar ways as heroin and cocaine. Did we need telling this?

 

1988 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that police do not have to have a search warrant to search discarded garbage.Fair enough

 

1996 – Admiral Jeremy “Mike” Boorda, the nation’s top Navy officer, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after some of his military awards were called into question. Sad

 

1997 – In Zaire, President Mobutu Sese Seko gave control of the country to rebel forces ending 32 years of autocratic rule. I’m remembering Johnny Wakelin’s song In Zaire

 

2000 – U.S. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton was nominated to run for U.S.Senator in New York. She was the first U.S. first lady to run for public office. She’s done well

 

 

Music Events May 16th

1962, B Bumble and the Stingers were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Nut Rocker.’ The instrumental was based on Tchaikovsky’s ‘Nutcracker Suite.’This was a fabulous take on the classic

1963, The Beatles appeared live on the national BBC TV children’s program ‘Pops and Lenny’, at Television Theatre, Shepherd’s Bush Green, London, in front of an live audience. The Beatles performed ‘From Me to You’ and a shortened version of ‘Please Please Me.’  I don’t remember this show

1964, Mary Wells started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘My Guy’, it made No.5 in the UK.I played this just yesterday

1965, Driving away from a gig at the Civic Hall, Long Beach, California, the limo taking the Rolling Stones back to their hotel was besieged by fans who caved in the roof by standing on it. The band attempted to hold the roof up while their chauffeur drove off with bodies falling onto the road.Fans or fiends?

1966, The Beach Boys released the album ‘Pet Sounds’ in the US. The album is now regarded as the masterpiece of composer-producer Brian Wilson, and is often hailed as one of the best and most influential albums in popular music. I bought it and hammered it!
1967, Jeff Beck appeared at the Corn Exchange in Bristol, Manfred Mann played at the Industrial Ballroom in Norwich and appearing on the ITV show ‘As You Like It’; Lulu, Cat Stevens, Herd, Georgie Fame and the Tremeloes.Happy Days

1969, Pete Townshend spent the night in a US jail for assaulting a man during a Who gig at The Fillmore East. What Townshend didn’t know was the man who jumped onto the stage was a plainclothes policeman trying to warn the audience that a fire had broken out. The Who guitarist was later fined $30 for the offence. It wasn’t the first time the who had battled on stage
. 1970, The England World Cup Squad were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Back Home.’ The track spent three weeks at the top of the charts.It was written by my good friend Tony Hiller

1972, Al Green, Etta James and Joe Simon with J.J. Malone, Little Denise, Harvey Mandel and Paul Lagos appeared at Oakland Coliseum, California. Billed as The Baddest Soul Show Of 1972. Looked a good show
1974, Brian May collapsed in New York while Queen were on a US tour and was flown back to England suffering from hepatitis.Great guitarist

1980, Former Buggles members Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes joined Yes, replacing Rick Wakeman and Jon Anderson. I love these bits of pop trivia 
1981, Former New Christy Minstrels member (with Kenny Rogers), Kim Carnes started a nine week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Bette Davis Eyes’, the singers only US No.1 and a No.10 hit in the UK.I loved this song and played it a lot on hospital radio

1984, Ozzy Osbourne was arrested in Memphis, Tennessee for ‘staggering drunk’ down Beale Street.A pop maverick
1986, Elvis Costello married The Pogues bass player Caitlin O’Riordan in Dublin. I seem to remember the event

1987, U2 started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart ‘With Or Without You’, the group’s first US No.1. Great song

1992, Kiss kicked of the European leg of their Revenge world tour at the SEC, Glasgow, Scotland.I didn’t know enough of their music til recently

1993, US soul singer Marv Johnson died of a stroke. He had the US Top 10 single ‘I Love The Way You Love’ and the 1969 UK No.10 single ‘I’ll Pick A Rose For My Rose’. Johnson’s recording of Berry Gordy’s song ‘Come To Me’ became Motown Records first ever-single release in May 1959. I met him in Liverpool around 1969 and took him to the Clubship Landfall moored on the Mersey

. 1998, Catatonia went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘International Velvet.’ 1998, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards fell while reaching for a book of nude art in his Connecticut home. The fall broke his ribs, causing the Stones to postpone many dates on their Bridges To Babylon tour. Wasn’t it Keith who fell out of a tree?

1999, Boyzone scored their 6th UK No.1 single with ‘You Needed Me’ making them the act with the most UK Top 5 hits of the 90′s. The song was originally a hit for Canadian, Anne Murray 1978. Good song

2009, Bob Dylan went to No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Together Through Life’, his 33rd studio album.Prolific or what?

 

 

 

Born on this day

1939, Pervis Jackson, vocals, The Detroit Spinners, (1980 UK No.1 & US No.2 single ‘Working My Way Back To You’). Died of cancer on 18th Aug 2008.

1944,  Billy Cobham, jazz drummer, worked with Miles Davis, Mahavishnu Orchestra, James Brown, Santana and Soundtrack to the film ‘Shaft’. 1946, Born on this day, Robert Fripp, King Crimson, (1969 UK No.5 album, ‘In The Court Of The Crimson King’).

1947,  Barbara Lee, singer, The Chiffons, (1963 US No.1 single ‘He’s So Fine’). Lee died on 15th May 1992.

1947  Darrell Sweet, Nazareth, (1973 UK No.9 single ‘Broken Down Angel’ 1976 US No. 8 single ‘Love Hurts’). Died on 30th April1999 after suffering a fatal heart attack before a show in New Albany, Indiana.

1951, Jonathan Richman, guitar, vocals, The Modern Lovers, (1977 UK No.5 single ‘Egyptian Reggae’ & 1977 UK No.11 ‘Roadrunner’). Appeared in the films Dumb & Dumber and There’s Something About Mary.

1953, Richard Page, Mr Mister, (1985 US No.1 & 1986 UK No.4 single ‘Broken Wings).

1955,  Hazel O’Conner, UK singer, (1980 UK No.5 single ‘Eighth Day’).

1958,  Glenn Gregory, Heaven 17, (1983 UK No.2 single ‘Temptation’).

1966,  Janet Jackson, singer, (1986 US No.1 & UK No.10 single ‘When I Think Of You’, plus 6 other US No.1′s & over 20 UK Top 40 singles).

Music Source 1 music source 2

 

 

 

 

Events 15th May

1602 – Cape Cod was discovered by Bartholomew Gosnold. He almost got battered finding the plaice!1768 – Under the Treaty of Versailles, France purchased Corsica from Genoa. How did the Corsicans feel about this?

1856 – Lyman Frank Baum, author of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” was born. Wasn’t the road where he lived yellow and brick?

1926 – Roald Amundsen and Lincoln Ellsworth were forced down in Alaska after a four-day flight over an icecap. Ice had begun to form on the dirigible Norge. I’d have wanted to land also1930 – Ellen Church became the first airline stewardess. Thank the Lord1940 – Nylon stockings went on sale for the first time in the U.S. Men were driven wild…1941 – Joe DiMaggio began his historic major league baseball hitting streak of 56 games. He had someone nice to go home to…

1948 – Israel was attacked by Transjordan, Egypt, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon only hours after declaring its independence. You’d wonder how Israel has survived

1957 – Britain dropped its first hydrogen bomb on Christmas Island in the Pacific Ocean. Ugh!

1958 – Sputnik III, the first space laboratory, was launched in the Soviet Union.Wow

1970 – U.S. President Nixon appointed America’s first two female generals. They were obviously good at what they did

1970 – Phillip Lafayette Gibbs and James Earl Green, two black students at Jackson State University in Mississippi, were killed when police opened fire during student protests.Very sad

1972 – Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace was shot by Arthur Bremer in Laurel, MDwhile campaigning for the U.S. presidency. Wallace was paralyzed by the shot.It certainly is a dangerous occupation

1988 – The Soviet Union began their withdrawal of its 115,000 troops from Afghanistan. Soviet forces had been there for more than eight years. Good -they could not afford to keep their troops in the country

1990 – Vincent Van Gogh’s “Portrait of Doctor Gachet” was sold for $82.5 million. The sale set a new world record.Pardon?

1997 – The Space shuttle Atlantis blasted off on a mission to deliver urgently needed repair equipment and a fresh American astronaut to Russia’s orbiting Mir station.Just another day at the office

 

Music Events May 15th

1959, Elvis Presley scored his fourth No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘A Fool Such As I / I Need Your Love Tonight.’ His first ballad to hit No.1. Not my favourites

1961, Floyd Cramer was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘On The Rebound.’ The US singers only UK No.1. The Nashville pianist played on many Elvis Presley hits.One of my favourite numbers

1967, The Jimi Hendrix Experience played two shows in Berlin, West Germany.It was a good place to get experience
1967, Paul McCartney met American photographer Linda Eastman for the first time, during a Georgie Fame concert at the Bag O’Nails nightclub in London, England. They married on March 12, 1969.Linda was a nice lady

1968, George Harrison and Ringo Starr attended the premiere of ‘Wonderwall’ at the Cannes Film Festival. An oasis link?

1969, John Lennon’s ‘Life With The Lions’ was released on Apple’s avant-garde imprint Zapple. One side of the album was recorded on a cassette player at London’s Queen Charlotte Hospital during Yoko Ono’s pregnancy which ended in a miscarriage. What a guy!
1971, Crosby Stills Nash & Young scored their second US No.1 album with ’4 Way Street.‘Good music

1973, Bob Marley and The Wailers played the first of four sold-out nights at the Speakeasy in London, England as part of their Catch A Fire Tour.I love their music

1976, The Rolling Stones went to No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Black And Blue’, the group’s sixth US No.1 album.
1977, Procol Harum played their last ever concert when they appeared at New York’s academy of music.Did they turn cartwheels in the air?

1981, Former Sex Pistol John Lydon’s band Public Image Ltd performed a show at New York’s Ritz Club posing behind a video screen while the music was played from tapes. They were showered with missiles and eventually booed off stage.I’m sorry but I hated their music and everything they stood for

1982, This years Eurovision Song Contest winner for Germany ‘A Little Peace’ by Nicole was at No.1 on the UK singles chart. Her only UK Top 40 hit.Nice song

1982, Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney started a seven week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Ebony And Ivory’. The song gave McCartney his 24th US No.1 as a songwriter. The title was inspired by McCartney hearing Spike Milligan say “black notes, white notes, and you need to play the two to make harmony folks!”. It was later named as the tenth worst song of all time by Blender magazine and in 2007 was named the worst duet in history by BBC 6 Music listeners.It just shows the difference between those buying music and those criticising

1991, Manic Street Preacher guitarist Richey Edwards carved ’4 real’ into his arm with a razor blade while being interviewed by music paper The NME.Idiot

1992, Barbara Lee of the Chiffons died from a heart attack the day before her 45th birthday. Had the 1963 US No.1 single ‘He’s So Fine.’ I loved that song

1993, Janet Jackson started a eight week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’, her sixth US No.1, a No.2 hit in the UK. I don’t remember the song

1993, New Order went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Republic’, featuring the singles ‘Regret’ and ‘World (The Price Of Love).I prefer Blue Monday

1994, Blur scored their first UK No.1 album with ‘Parklife’, which went on to spend over two years on the chart. The album featured four UK hit singles: ‘Girls & Boys’, ‘End of a Century’, ‘Parklife’ and ‘To the End’. Parklife is my favourite

1995, Supergrass released their debut studio album ‘I Should Coco’. The album which peaked at No.1 on the UK chart featured their No.2 hit single ‘Alright’. The album title is Cockney rhyming slang for “I should think so”. Does it rhyme?

1997, Oasis became one of the first artists to attempt to exert censorship over the Internet. The group were working with Sony to put an end to unofficial websites carrying lyrics, sound files and photographs of the band. It’s quite funny to see rebels becoming establishment in their actions
1998, American singer and actor Frank Sinatra died at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles aged 82, after suffering a heart attack. Sinatra had his first hit in 1940, working in the Swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the 1953 film From Here to Eternity. He went on to score over 25 Top 40 singles including the 1966 No.1 ‘Strangers In The Night’. His 1969 single ‘My Way’, re-entered the UK charts eight times and spent a total of 165 weeks on the UK chart. The man was a legend and I was a big fan of his music

1999, Rob Gretton manager of Joy Division and New Order died aged 46. He was also a partner in Factory Records, proprietor of the Rob’s Records label and a co-founder along with Tony Wilson of The Hacienda nightclub in Manchester, England. A very influential man

2000, Songwriter Geoff Goddard died aged 62. Wrote ‘Johnny Remember Me’, and played keyboards on The Tornadoes.1962 No.1 hit ‘Telstar’. Wrote songs for Heinz, Mike Berry, The Outlaws, Freddie Starr and Screaming Lord Sutch.  This song was a great favourite of mine and John Leyton has been on my show
2000, It was reported that Britney Spears had been crowned the queen of America’s fastest growing youth movement, the teenage celibates. Spears told a German magazine that she intended to abstain from sex until her wedding night. OK. That’s her decision
2001, Brian Pendleton of The Pretty Things died of cancer aged 57, (1964 UK No.10 single ‘Don’t Bring Me Down’). The bands 1974 album Silk Torpedo was the first album release on Led Zeppelin’s own label Swan Song.Not my music but….

2003, Country singer June Carter Cash, the second wife of Johnny Cash died in Nashville, Tennessee, of complications following heart valve replacement surgery, aged 73. Member of the Carter Family, had hits with Johnny Cash, including Grammy Award winning song, ‘Jackson’, ‘Ring Of Fire’, (which she co-wrote about their courtship), and ‘If I Were A Carpenter.’  Good singer

2008, Neil Diamond reached the top of the US Billboard album chart for the first time in his career with ‘Home Before Dark’ the 67-year-old’s 29th studio album. His previous highest chart position was in 1973 when the soundtrack to the film Jonathan Livingston Seagull peaked at No.2. At the age of 67, Diamond became the oldest artist to have a US number one, the record was previously held by Bob Dylan in 2006 with ‘Modern Times’ released when he was 65.I do like his music

 

 

 

Born on this day

1918,  Eddy Arnold, US country singer, (1965 US No.6 single, ‘Make The World Go Away’).

1937,  Trini Lopez, singer, songwriter, (1963 US No.3 & UK No.4 single ‘If I Had A Hammer’).

1944, Ian Amey, (Tich), Dave Dee, Dozey, Beaky, Mick and Tich, (1968 UK No.1 single, ‘Legend Of Xanadu’).

1948, Brian Eno, synthesisers, Roxy Music, (1972 UK No.4 single ‘Virginia Plain’). Member of The Winkies, produced U2, Talking Heads, David Bowie, John Cale and released solo albums., 1975.

1951,  Dennis Fredericksen, vocals, Toto, (1983 US No.1 & UK No.3 single ‘Africa’).

1953,  Mike Oldfield, UK composer, multi-instrumentalist, ‘Tubular Bells’ was the first album released on the Virgin record label in 1973 and went on to sell over 10 million copies world-wide. 1976 UK No. 3 single ‘Portsmouth’ plus 20 other UK Top 40 albums.

Music Source 1 music source 2

 

 

 

 

Events 14th May

1264 – King Henry III was captured by his brother in law Simon deMontfort at the Battle of Lewes in France. Nice family1509 – In the Battle of Agnadello, French defeated Venitians in Northern Italy. Blinded?1610 – French King Henri IV (Henri de Navarre) was assassinated by a fanatical monk, François Ravillac. Friend of Rasputin1643 – Louis XIV became King of France at age 4 upon the death of his father, Louis XIII. He never signed any papers til he’d had his Farleys1727 – Thomas Gainsborough was born. He was an English painter. and a good one

 

1796 – The first smallpox vaccination was given by Edward Jenner. Wonderful

1811 – Paraguay gained independence from Spain. Muy bien

1853 – Gail Borden applied for a patent for condensed milk. I love this shaken in the can and poured on strawberries

1878 – The name Vaseline was registered by Robert A. Chesebrough. A fabulous product

1879 – Thomas Edison incorporated the Edison Telephone Company of Europe. That name rings a bell

1897 – “The Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Phillip Sousa was performed for the first time. It was at a ceremony where a statue of George Washington was unveiled.Been on the American charts ever since

1897 – Guglielmo Marconi made the first communication by wireless telegraph.Wonderful

1940 – The Netherlands surrendered to Nazi Germany. The Germans gained an army of sit up and beg bikes

1948 – Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the independent State of Israel as British rule in Palestine came to an end.

1973 – Skylab One was launched into orbit around Earth as the first U.S. manned space station. Wonderful…keeping an eye on us

1985 – The first McDonald’s restaurant became the first fast-food business museum. It is located in Des Plaines, Illinois. Didn’t they do well?

1988 – In the Andean village of Cayara, Peru’s military was involved in a massacre of at least 26 peasants. Horrible example of humanity-it’s everywhere

1992 – Former Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev addressed members of the U.S.Congress, appealing to them to pass a bill to aid the people of the former Soviet Union.Good

1996 – A tornado hit 80 villages in nothern Bangladesh. More than 440 people were killed. These events have always happened.

 

 

Music Events May 14th

1957, Elvis Presley was rushed to a Los Angles hospital after swallowing a porcelain cap from one of his front teeth, which then lodged its-self in one of his lungs.He must have been scared stiff

1960, The Silver Beats (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stu Sutcliffe, and Tommy Moore) performed at Lathom Hall, Seaforth, Liverpool. They played a few songs during the “interval” to audition for promoter Brian Kelly. Also appearing are Cliff Roberts & the Rockers, The Deltones, and Kingsize Taylor & the Dominoes. This is the only occasion on which the group uses the name “Silver Beats”, quickly changing it back to “Silver Beetles”. Kingsize Taylor has been on my show and we have a great podcast with him

1963, The Beatles appeared at The Rink Ballroom, Sunderland, England. 1967, gigs around the UK; Jimi Hendrix played at the Elizabethan Ballroom in Manchester, The Bee Gees appeared at The Beachcomber in Nottingham and Alan Price played at the Coatham Hotel in Redcar.   Nice background
1969, During a UK tour, Fairport Conventions van crashed on the M1 motorway on the way home from a gig in Birmingham killing the group’s 19 year-old drummer Martin Lamble and Richard Thompson’s girlfriend Jeannie Franklyn.Another very sad story from the world of pop

1976, 33 year old Keith Relf, former lead singer for The Yardbirds, was electrocuted while tuning a guitar which was not properly earthed. The accident happened in his West London home where he was found by his eight year old son, still holding the plugged-in electric guitar. The Yardbirds had the hits ‘For Your Love’, ‘Heart Full of Soul’, and ‘Shapes of Things’.  This was awful for everyone but especially for his poor son
1977, Leo Sayer went to No.1 on the US singles chart with the Albert Hammond and Carole Bayer Sager song ‘When I Need You’, the singers second US No.1, also No.1 in the UK.Lovely song and nice singer

1983, Spandau Ballet scored their first and only UK No.1 album with ‘True.’ The title track from the album spent four weeks at No.1 on the UK singles charts and reached No.2 in the US. Other singles from the album included ‘Gold’ (a No.2 UK hit and a Top 30 hit in the U.S.), ‘Lifeline’, and ‘Communication’.  Great song
1988, Led Zeppelin reunited for the Atlantic Records 40th anniversary party at Madison Square Garden, New York, appearing with Jason Bonham the son of John Bonham on drums. Other acts performing included Foreigner, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Genesis, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Wilson Pickett and Ben E. King. I’d love to have been at that gig
1993, During an auction at Christies in London the acoustic guitar that Elvis Presley used to make his first recordings in 1954, ‘That’s All Right Mama’ and ‘Blue Moon of Kentucky’ sold for £130,285, ($152,000). And four ‘Super Hero’, Costumes worn by the group Kiss sold for £20,000, ($35,385).There’s certainly good money in pop memorabilia

1994, Scottish band Stiltskin were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Inside’. The song had been used on a Levi’s TV Jeans commercial. The bands only No.1 and only Top 30 hit. Instantly forgetable

1998, George Michael was fined £500 after being convicted of a “lewd act” in a Los Angeles lavatory. The Los Angeles court also ordered him to undergo psychological counselling and carry out 80 hours community service. How weird that such a talent be in this situation
2000, Madison Avenue went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with, ‘Don’t Call Me Baby’. They were the first Australian group to have a UK No.1 since Men At Work in 1983. a very good, bouncy song

2000, Tom Jones was at No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Reload’ making the singer the oldest artist to score a UK No.1 album with new material. I saw him live in the Bullring at Benidorm and he was fantastic

2004, Phil Spector was arrested after getting into a scuffle with his chauffeur at his California mansion. The 64 year old record producer was taken into custody and later released after a court date was set. His has been an unusual ending to his career

2006, Red Hot Chili Peppers started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Stadium Arcadium’ the bands ninth studio album, also a US No.1.  Fair enough

 

 

 

Born on this day

1936, Bobby Darin, (1959 US & UK No.1 single ‘Mack The Knife’, plus 20 other US Top 40 hits). He died on 20th December 1973.

1943,Jack Bruce, bass, vocals, Graham Bond Organization, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Manfred Mann, Cream, (1967 UK No.11 single ‘I Feel Free’, 1968 US No.5 single ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’). West, Bruce and Laing.
1946, Gene Cornish, The Young Rascals, (1967 US No.1 and UK No.8 single ‘Groovin’).

1946,  Lek LecKenby, guitar, Herman’s Hermits, (1964 UK No.1 single ‘I’m Into Something Good’, 1965 US No.1 single ‘Mrs Brown You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter’). He died on 4th June 1994.

1947, Al Ciner, American Breed, (1967 US No.5 & UK No. 24 single ‘Bend Me, Shape Me’). Three Dog Night, (1970 UK No.3 & US No.1 single ‘Mama Told Me Not To Come’).
No.19 single ‘Would’).

Music Source 1 music source 2

 

 

 

 

Events 13th May

1648 – Margaret Jones of Plymouth was found guilty of witchcraft and was sentenced to be hanged by the neck.They didn’t muck about in those days

1787 – Captain Arthur Phillip left Britain for Australia. He successfully landed eleven ships full of convicts on January 18, 1788, at Botany Bay. The group moved north eight days later and settled at Port Jackson.I’ll bet he was glad to see the back of his cargo1821 – The first practical printing press was patented in the U.S. by Samuel Rust. If he didn’t use it did he go rusty?

1846 – The U.S.declared that war already existed with Mexico.1861 – Britain declared its neutrality in the American Civil War. I’ll bet it wasn’t 100%

1865 – The last land engagement of the American Civil War was fought at the Battle of Palmito Ranch in far south Texas, more than a month after Gen. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, VA. A bit of afters?

1867 – Confederate President Jefferson Davis became a free man after spending two years in prison for his role in the American Civil War.

1888 – Slavery was abolished in Brazil. Good

1913 – Igor Sikorsky flew the first four engine aircraft.Great

1917 – Three peasant children near Fatima, Portugal, reported seeing a vision of the Virgin Mary. I want to visit Fatima

1940 – Winston Churchill made his first speech as the prime minister of Britain. Great man

1968 – Peace talks between the U.S. and North Vietnam began in Paris. Good

1981 – Pope John Paul II was shot and seriously wounded in St. Peter’s Square by Turkish assailant Mehmet Ali Agca. Bad news

1996 – In Bangladesh 600 people were killed by a tornado. Bad things have always happened

1998 – India did a second round of nuclear tests. The first round had been done 2 days earlier. Within hours the U.S. and Japan imposed tough economic sanctions. India claimed that the tests were necessary to maintain India’s national security.Ugh! 

 

 

Music Events May 13th

1957, Guy Mitchell was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Rock-A-Billy’, the singers fourth and final UK No.1. The Song gave its name to a music style – a mix of rock and country. There’s a huge fan base for Rockabilly music in Cornwall

1967, The Monkees second album ‘More Of The Monkees’, went to No.1 on the UK charts. In 1967 only four albums reached No.1; ‘The Sound Of Music’ which spent 17 weeks at No.1, The Beatles ‘Sgt Pepper’s’, 25 weeks at No.1 and The Monkees first and second albums spent 9 weeks at No.1. Were the Monkees really in such hallowed company?

1967, The Supremes scored their 10th US No.1 single with ‘The Happening’; it made No.6 in the UK. It was the last single to be released as the Supremes, from now on they were known as Diana Ross and the Supremes.I didn’t really get into this single

1970, The world premiere of The Beatles film ‘Let It Be’ took place in New York City.Hardly a classic
1971, On his twenty- first birthday Stevie Wonder received all his childhood earnings. Despite having earned $30 million so far, he received only $1 million. I may not be a mathmatician but……

1978, Boney M were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Rivers of Babylon’. The single stayed at the top of the charts for five weeks.Bit cheesey but a very popular song

1978, Yvonne Elliman went to No.1 on the US singles chart with the Gibb brothers song ‘If I Can’t Have You’. The song was featured in the film ‘Saturday Night Fever’; a No.4 hit in the UK. Great song
. 1988, Scottish band Fairground Attraction were at No.1 on the UK singles with ‘Perfect’. The group featured Eddi Reader who had previously worked as a backing singer with the Eurythmics and Sandie Shaw. ‘Perfect’ won the award for Best Single at the 1989 BRIT Awards.This was a cute little number

1989, Bon Jovi went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘I’ll Be There For You’, the group’s fourth US No.1, a No.18 hit in the UK. Good song

1989, Kylie Minogue was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with her second solo No.1 ‘Hand On Your Heart.’ The song was written and produced by Stock, Aitken & Waterman.Very contrived song

1989, Simple Minds went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Street Fighting Years’, their fourth No.1 album. The album featured ‘Mandela Day’, ‘Belfast Child’ and ‘Biko’.Superb music

1996, Oasis became the fastest selling group in UK history after all 330,000 tickets for their summer shows sold out in just nine hours, the tickets for shows at Knebworth and Loch Lomand were priced at £22.50. Good music but always a bit depressing to my ears

2000, Shaun Ryder’s Volkswagen Corrado was found abandoned after being used as the getaway car. The former Happy Mondays singer’s car was used in an armed robbery on Harry Ramsden’s fish and chip restaurant in Manchester. £7,000 cash was taken in the robbery.Harry Ramsden’s-sounds a bit fishy!

‘. 2002, Dionne Warwick was arrested at Miami International Airport for possession of marijuana after authorities found 11 joints in a lipstick case in the singer’s hand luggage. The charges were dropped after she completed a drug program and made a contribution to charity.This is so sad as she has a wonderful voice

2003, Michael Jackson launched a court case suing Motown Records. Jacko filed the lawsuit in LA, saying he hadn’t been paid royalties due for the music he did with the Jackson Five in the 60s and 70s. The singer also claimed his music has been used in TV ads without his permission.I’m afraid I ama Michael Jackson sympathiser.

2007, Brian May was under 24-hour security watch after a deranged man announced he was setting off to murder him – then disappeared. Police were hunting for a schizophrenic who left a letter behind at his home blaming the Queen guitarist for his illness. In it the man – said May was an “impostor” and that HE was the real rock star. He signed the letter “Brian May.” What a worry for him. He is a superb musician

2008, The US Postal Service issued a 42-cent postage stamp in honor of Frank Sinatra. The design showed a 1950s-vintage image of Sinatra, wearing a hat.I’m a Sinatra fan

 

 

 

Born on this day

1941,  Joe Brown, UK singer, actor, (1962 UK No.2 single ‘A Picture Of You’).

1941, Ritchie Valens, US singer, (1958 US No.2 and 1959 UK No.29 single ‘Donna’). Valens died on 3rd February 1959.

1943, Mary Wells, US singer, (1964 US No.1 & UK No.5 single ‘My Guy’, written by Smokey Robinson). Wells died of cancer on 26th July 1992. 1945,  Magic Dick, harmonica, The J Geils Band, (1982 US No.1 & UK No.3 single ‘Centerfold’).

1947, Overend Watts, bass, Mott The Hoople, (1972 UK No.3 and US No. 37 single ‘All The Young Dudes’).

1950, Danny Kirwan, Fleetwood Mac, (1969 UK No.1 single ‘Albatross’, left the band in 1972).

1950,Johnny Logan, Irish singer, (1980 UK No.1 single ‘What’s Another Year’).

1950,  Stevie Wonder, singer, songwriter, multi- instrumentalist, joined Motown in 61, 1963 US No.1 single, ‘Fingertips’, plus over 40 other US & UK Top 40 singles. 1976 US No.1 double album ‘Songs In The Key Of Life’.

1951,  Paul Thompson, drums, Roxy Music, (1972 UK No.4 single ‘Virginia Plain’ plus 15 other UK Top 40 singles).

 

Music Source 1 music source 2

 

 

 

 

Events 12th May

1847 – William Clayton invented the odometer. Was this anything to do with speed?1888 – Charles Sherrill of the Yale track team became the first runner to use the crouching start for a fast break in a foot race. On your marks, get set….

1926 – The airship Norge became the first vessel to fly over the North Pole. What about flying saucers?

1926 – In Britain, a general strike by trade unions ended. The strike began on May 3, 1926. It involved the coal miners, the dockers and the railways and lasted 9 days.

1937 – Britain’s King George VI was crowned at Westminster Abbey. I’ll bet it was a grand ceremony

1940 – The Nazi conquest of France began with the German army crossing Muese River.The Brits would stop them though…..1949 – The Soviet Union announced an end to the Berlin Blockade. Good. A bit of Glasnost never hurt anyone

1965 – West Germany and Israel exchanged letters establishing diplomatic relations. Blessed are the peacemakers

1978 – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that they would no longer exclusively name hurricanes after women.Hurricane Percy?

1982 – In Fatima, Portugal, security guards overpowered a Spanish priest armed with a bayonet who was trying to reach Pope John Paul II. Holy moley!

1982 – South Africa unveiled a plan that would give voting rights to citizens of Asian and mixed-race descent, but not to blacks. How pathetic

1984 – South African prisoner Nelson Mandela saw his wife for the first time in 22 years. A truly inspirational leader was to emerge

1992 – Four suspects were arrested in the beating of trucker Reginald Denny at the start of the Los Angeles riots. We saw this on TV

2002 – Former U.S. President Carter arrived in Cuba for a visit with Fidel Castro. It was the first time a U.S. head of state, in or out of office, had gone to the island since Castro’s 1959 revolution. Muy bien

2003 – In Texas, fifty-nine Democratic lawmakers went into hiding over a dispute with Republican’s over a congressional redistricting plan. We didn’t hear much about this 

 

 

Music Events May 12th

1958, The Everly Brothers started a four-week run at No.1 in the US with ‘All I Have To Do Is Dream’, (the song was written in 15 minutes).I liked it then and I still sing it now

1961, The Beatles, in Hamburg, West Germany, signed a recording contract with producer Bert Kaempfert. That evening they played at The Top Ten Club, Reeperbahn, Hamburg.I wonder how much German they learned?

1962, Billboard Magazine reported that last year’s most-played jukebox record was ‘Big Bad John’ by Jimmy Dean. The second most-played was Chubby Checker’s ‘The Twist’.I made a great podcast withChubby Checker-it’s available on my website

1963, Bob Dylan walked out of rehearsals for the US TV Ed Sullivan show after being told he couldn’t perform ‘Talking John Birch Society Blues’ due to it mocking the US military. How society has changed
1964, The Beach Boys started a four week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Beach Boys Concert’, the group’s first US No.1. I bought this…
1965, The Rolling Stones recorded ‘(I Can’t Get No), Satisfaction’ at RCA Hollywood studios. Keith Richards had come up with the guitar riff in the middle of the night a week earlier. It gave the band their first number 1 single in the US. Great guitar…but Mick does a great job witht the vocals

1967, ‘Are You Experienced’, the debut album by Jimi Hendrix was released in the UK. I didn’t buy it
1968, Jimi Hendrix was arrested by police on his way to Toronto for possession of hashish and heroin. Hendrix claimed the drugs had been planted on him.Oh really?
1968, Brian Jones made his final live appearance with The Rolling Stones when they appeared at the New Musical Express Poll Winners Concert at the Empire Pool, Wembley, England.I liked him

1969, Cliff Richard made a guest appearance on the UK children’s TV show, ‘Sooty’.I’ll bet Harry Corbett had a hand in the proceedings

1971, Rolling Stone Mick Jagger married Bianca Macias at St Tropez Town Hall. The guest list included the other members of the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton and Stephen Stills. The couple separated in 1977.I wonder why John Lennon and George Harrison didn’t attend?

1974, The Kinks appeared at the University of California in Santa Barbara. I’ll bet they enjoyed it

1977, After being dropped by both EMI and A&M records in less than 6 months, Virgin records announced they had signed The Sex Pistols.Obviously, a good business manager was involved
1977, Led Zeppelin received the outstanding contribution to British music at the second Ivor Novello Awards held at the Grosvenor Hotel, London. Great tunes
1981, Meat Loaf filed for bankruptcy with debts of over $1 million.Eh?

1984, Lionel Richie started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Hello’ his second US solo No.1, also a No.1 in the UK. Nice singer

1986, Joe Strummer of The Clash was banned from driving after being convicted of drink driving.Thoughtless whoever does it….

1990, Adamski started a four-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Killer’. The single featured Seal who remade the song under his own name, reaching the Top 10, the following year.Was Adamski Russian?

1996, 17-year-old Bernadette O’Brien died the day after being injured ‘body surfing’ at a Smashing Pumpkins gig at The Point, Dublin.Dreadful

2000, Thieves stole the gates to Strawberry Fields the Merseyside landmark immortalised by The Beatles song. The 10′ high iron gates were later found at local scrap metal dealers in Liverpool. I’ve stood next to those gates-they’d take some shifting!
2001, American singer and TV presenter Perry Como died aged 88. He scored fourteen US No.1 singles, from 150 US chart hits and over 25 UK chart hits, including the single ‘Magic Moments’ and ‘Catch A Falling Star.’ Como was once the highest-paid performer in the history of television.I liked his suave approach when I saw him during my formative years. I think my favourite song was Delaware

2001, Travis played a gig at singer’s Fran Healy’s local primary school at Weston Park, Crouch End, London. The 150 crowd paid a £1 entry fee to the summer fete.Nice

2002, Ronan Keating scored his third UK No.1 single with a song written by American country artist Garth Brooks ‘If Tomorrow Never Comes’. A fabulous song and well sung for the hit

2004, Barry and Robin Gibb were both presented with honorary degrees from Manchester University. They also picked up a posthumous award for their brother Barry. The brothers had once lived in Manchester, England. I don’t really like the honorary degree but I think the Bee Gees would be as deserving as anyone
2008, Singer-songwriter Neil Young had a spider named after him. US university biologist Jason Bond discovered a new species of trapdoor spider and decided to name it after his favourite musician. Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi was found in Jefferson County, Alabama, in 2007. Did it have a heart of gold?

 

 

 

Born on this day

1928, , Burt Bacharach, US songwriter, pianist and arranger. With Hal David wrote many classic songs including, ‘Close To You’, ’24 Hours From Tulsa’, ‘Make It Easy On Yourself’, ‘Magic Moments’, ‘I Say A Little Prayer’. Won two Oscars for film score ‘Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid’, for ‘Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head’.
1940,  Norman Whitfield, American songwriter and producer, best known for his work with Berry Gordy’s Motown. Collaborated with Barrett Strong on such hits as ‘I Heard It through the Grapevine’, ‘Ain’t Too Proud to Beg’, ‘(I Know) I’m Losing You’, ‘Cloud Nine’, ‘War’, ‘Papa Was a Rolling Stone’ and ‘Car Wash’.

1942, Ian Dury, singer, songwriter, poet, actor, (1977 UK No.5 album ‘New Boots And Panties!!’ spent 90 weeks on the UK chart,1979 UK No.1 single ‘Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick’). Dury died on 27th March 2000 aged 57.

1944,  Billy Swan, US singer, (1974 US No.1 & 1975 UK No.6 single ‘I Can Help’).

1944,  James Purify, (& Bobby), 1966 US No.6 and 1976 UK No.12 single ‘I’m Your Puppet’.

1946,  Ian McLagan, keyboards, Small Faces, (1967 UK No.3 & US No.17 single ‘Itchycoo Park’, & 1968 UK No.1 album ‘Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake’). The Faces, (1971 UK No.6 & US No.17 single ‘Stay With Me’). Also worked with The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Joe Cocker, Billy Bragg and Bruce Springsteen.
1948,  Steve Winwood, vocals, keyboards, Spencer Davis Group, (1966 UK No.1 single ‘Keep On Running’), Traffic, (1967 UK No.2 single ‘Hole In My Shoe’), Blind Faith, (1969 UK & US No.1 album), Solo (1986 US No.1 & UK No.1 single ‘Higher Love’).

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—Aristotle

 

 

 

 

1. Law of Mechanical Repair – After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you’ll have to pee.

2. Law of Gravity - Any tool, nut, bolt, screw, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.

3. Law of Probability – The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.

4. Law of Random Numbers – If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers.

6. Variation Law – If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).

7. Law of the Bath – When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.

8. Law of Close Encounters – The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don’t want to be seen with.

9. Law of the Result - When you try to prove to someone that a machine won’t work, it will.

10. Law of Biomechanics – The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.

14. Law of Physical Surfaces – The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich landing face down on a floor, are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet or rug.

15. Law of Logical Argument – Anything is possible if you don’t know what you are talking about.

16. Brown’s Law of Physical Appearance – If the clothes fit, they’re ugly.

17. Oliver’s Law of Public Speaking – A closed mouth gathers no feet.

18. Wilson’s Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy – As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.

19. Doctors’ Law – If you don’t feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there you’ll feel better.. But don’t make an appointment, and you’ll stay sick.

Events 11th May

Constantinople, previously the town of Byzantium, was founded. The original name sounded like a stomach powder1573 – Henry of Anjou became the first elected king of Poland. I’ve no problem with that1647 – Peter Stuyvesant arrived in New Amsterdam to become governor.1689 – French and English naval battle takes place at Bantry Bay. as normal

1812 – British prime Minster Spencer Perceval was shot by a bankrupt banker in the lobby of the House of Commons. This was a fact that has never really been shouted loud1857 – Indian mutineers seized Delhi from the British. Rotters1860 – Giuseppe Garibaldi landed at Marsala, Sicily. He was about to invent his biscuits

1889 – Major Joseph Washington Wham takes charge of $28,000 in gold and silver to pay troops at various points in the Arizona Territory. The money was stolen in a train robbery. Wham bam thank you man!

1944 – A major offensive was launched by the allied forces in central Italy. Brave men

1947 – The creation of the tubeless tire was announced by the B.F. Goodrich Company.Good idea

1949 – Siam changed its name to Thailand. Yul Brunner decided that in the King and I

1960 – Israeli soldiers captured Adolf Eichmann in Buenos Aires. Good

1985 – More than 50 people died when a flash fire swept a soccer stadium in Bradford, England. Dreadful event that led to the upgrading of stadiums (stadia doesn’t sound right!) in the UK

1995 – The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty was extended indefinitely. The treaty limited the spread of nuclear material for military purposes.

1996 – An Atlanta-bound ValuJet DC-9 caught fire shortly after takeoff from Miami and crashed into the Florida Everglades. All 110 people on board were killed. These events put many of us off flying

1997 – Garry Kasparov, world chess champion, lost his first ever multi-game match. He lost to IBM’s chess computer Deep Blue. It was the first time a computer had beat a world-champion player.Kasparov might have been tired

1998 – India conducted its first underground nuclear tests, three of them, in 24 years. The tests were in violation of a global ban on nuclear testing. Ugh!

1998 – A French mint produced the first coins of Europe’s single currency. The coin is known as the euro. The plural is also Euro and this doesn’t sound right to me!

2001 – U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft announced his decision to approve a 30-day delay of the execution of convicted Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh. McVeigh had been scheduled to be executed on May 16, 2001. The delay was because the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had failed to disclose thousands of documents to McVeigh’s defence team. Not a good episode in US history

 

 

 

Music Events May 11th

1958, Connie Francis was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with a cover of the 1923 song ‘Who’s Sorry Now.’ Francis was the first female rock ‘n’ roll star to reach No.1.I hadn’t realised the song was so old

1963, The Beatles started a 30 week run at No.1 on the UK album charts with their debut album ‘Please Please Me’, making it the longest running No.1 album by a group ever. The bands follow up ‘With The Beatles’ replaced it at the top of the charts on 7th December 1963 and stayed there for 21 weeks. This was the phenomenon at work

1964, During a UK tour The Rolling Stones were refused lunch at The Grand Hotel, Bristol, where they were staying because they were not wearing jackets and ties. The following day the Daily Express ran the story with the headline, ‘The Rolling Stones gather no lunch.’ Standards have slipped somewhat since those days
1965, Roger Miller was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘King Of The Road.’ The singer’s only UK No.1. The Proclaimers had a UK No.9 hit with their version of the song in 1990. Strong song

1967, The Bee Gees made their Top Of The Pops debut performing ‘New York Mining Disaster’ on the UK TV show. This was another fine song
1972, John Lennon appeared on the US television ‘Dick Cavett Show’, claiming he was under surveillance from the FBI.I think he probably was

1973, Wings kicked off their first official tour at the Bristol Hippodrome, playing 15 UK shows. McCartney is a genius
1974, Led Zeppelin attended Elvis Presley show at the Los Angeles Forum in California. After a shaky start to the show, Elvis stopped the band and jokingly said: “Wait a minute…if we can start together fellas, because we’ve got Led Zeppelin out there, lets try to look like we know what were doing.” All four members of Zeppelin met with Elvis after the show, spending over 2 hours backstage. Elvis asked for all the group’s autographs for his daughter Lisa Marie. He obviously respected their work
1978, at the end of their News Of The World 46 date tour, Queen played three sold-out nights at Wembley Arena, London, England.Brilliant and mesmeric

1981, Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley died of lung cancer and a brain tumour aged 36. Had the 1981 single ‘No Woman No Cry’, plus over ten other UK Top 40 singles. In 1990, the 6th February was proclaimed a national holiday in Jamaica to commemorate his birth. The compilation album, Legend, released in 1984, is the best-selling reggae album ever with sales of more than 20 million copies. Time magazine chose Bob Marley & The Wailers’ Exodus as the greatest album of the 20th century. I don’t know anybody who hasn’t got a Bob Marley song they like
1985, Madonna went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Crazy For You’, a No.2 hit in the UK.  Not for me!
1985, UK producer and keyboard player Paul Hardcastle was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ’19′. The title referred to the average age of American soldiers in the Vietnam War and features dialogue by television narrator Peter Thomas, and a strong anti-war message. I’m all for anti-war songs but never forget the brave soldiers whilst we try to stop wars

1987, The UK indie chart had The Smiths at No.1 on with ‘Sheila Take A Bow’, No.2, The Cult, ‘Lil’ Devil’ No.3, The Pogues, ‘The Irish Rover. The CD chart, David Bowie No.1 ‘Never Let Me Down’, ‘Raindancing’ Alison Moyet at No.2 and Genesis ‘Invisible Touch’ at No.3. Fair enough. They were independent after all

1990, 31 years after his death, Ritchie Valens was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.Overdue

1991, Roxette scored their fourth US No.1 single with ‘Joyride.’ The song was inspired by an interview with Paul McCartney who said that writing songs with John Lennon had been ‘like a Joyride.’ That’s rock n roll
1996, Bill Graham the Irish journalist credited with discovering U2 died of a heart attack aged 44. He was also the co-founder of the Irish music paper Hot Press. Members from Clannad, U2, Hothouse Flowers and Gavin Friday all attended his funeral. I love U2 music

2002, Over 500 Michael Jackson fans held a demonstration outside the Sony records building in Berlin complaining that the label hadn’t promoted the singer’s latest album ‘Invincible.’ He had a worldwide following

2003, Jimi Hendrix Experience bassist Noel Redding died at his home in Ireland aged 57. Redding played on the classic Hendrix albums ‘Are You Experienced’, ‘Axis: Bold as Love’ and ‘Electric Ladyland,’ Right up until his death, Redding had been taking legal action against the Hendrix estate for payment estimated at £3.26 million for his part in recordings and for ongoing royalties. Had also been a member of Fat Mattress and formed The Noel Redding Band. More rock n roll intrigue

2004, US songwriter John Whitehead was killed by a gunman. He co-wrote ‘Back Stabbers’ for the O’Jays and as McFadden & Whitehead wrote and sang ‘Ain’t No Stopping Us Now’ which sold more than 8 million copies and was nominated for a Grammy Award. I loved both of these songs.

2006, George Michael was involved in his second minor car crash in a month after a tabloid photographer found Michael asleep in his parked car in central London. The singer crashed into a bollard after he woke up and was driving away. Obviously, he had problems…
2008, German techno band Scooter went to No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Jumping All Over The World’.

 

 

 

Born on this day

1888,  Irving Berlin, composer of many pop, stage show and film hits. He emigrated from Siberia to New York as a child. He was the composer of ‘White Christmas’ and ‘Let’s Face The Music and Dance’. He died on September 22nd 1989.
1941, Eric Burdon, vocals, The Animals, (1964 UK & US No.1 single ‘House Of The Rising Sun’).

1943,  Les Chadwick, Gerry And The Pacemakers, (1963 UK No.1 single ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, 1965 US No.6 single, ‘Ferry Across The Mersey’).

1983,  Holly Valance, singer, actress, (2002 UK and Australian No.1 single ‘Kiss Kiss’).

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