Music History Today: May 11, 2020

May 11, 1981: Bob Marley, the King Of Reggae, died of a brain tumor at 36. 

In 1976 Bob Marley survived an assassination attempt by three gunmen at his home in Hope Road in Jamaica; just five years later he was taken down by a malignant melanoma originating in his toe. 

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As with many music star deaths, Marley’s passing has been shrouded in mystery, unanswered questions and conspiracy theories, but what actually happened?   

Read more: NME blog

May 11, 1965: Roger Miller was Number 1 on the US Country charts with 'King Of The Road.' 

Roger Miller

Roger Miller was probably best known as a Country singer, although songs like “King Of The Road” and “England Swings” were big pop hits. Novelty hits, some might say, but some of the biggest selling records of the mid-60s nonetheless.

Read more: Medium

May 11, 1970: The soundtrack LP to the original Woodstock festival was released. 

Crosby, Stills Nash and Young were so new when they played Woodstock that Stephen Stills noted onstage, "This is only the second time we've performed in front of people. 

 

We're scared shitless." Three of their songs show up on the soundtrack: "Suite: Judy Blues Eyes," "Wooden Ships" and "Sea of Madness." 

Read more:  Ultimate Classic Rock

May 11, 1974: Steely Dan released "Rikki Don't Lose that Number." 

In classic Steely Dan fashion, the duo lifted a vamp from a classic Blue Note side – Horace Silver’s “Song for My Father” – to kick off this snide account of a college romance that never was. 

 

As Fagen told it, he took a shot at seducing the then–married and pregnant Bard schoolmate Rikki Ducornet, but she never called. 

Read more:  Rolling Stone

May 11, 1974: Three Dog Night's "The Show Must Go On" reached Number 4 on Billboard's Hot 100 and Number 1 on the Cashbox best sellers chart. 

"The Show Must Go On" is a song co-written by Leo Sayer and David Courtney and first recorded by Sayer.  Three Dog Night's cover of "The Show Must Go On" became their last Top 10 hit in the U.S.   

Read more: Wikipedia

Jamming 
Bob Marley & The Wailers