Thursday, April 1, 2021

Music History Today: April 2, 2021

April 2, 1942: Leon Russell is born Claude Russell Bridges in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Born Claude Russell Bridges, he changed his name to Leon Russell when he moved to Los Angeles from his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Leon Russell & Elton John
Leon Russell & Elton John

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His 60-year career embraced spells as a celebrated session musician and included writing some of rock’s most memorable songs, such as ‘A Song for You’ and ‘Delta Lady.’ Those that Leon worked with included George Harrison, Elton John, Joe Cocker, John Lennon, Bob Dylan and Ringo Starr. 
Read more: U Discover Music

April 2, 1941: Dr. Demento (real name Barret Eugene Hansen), radio personality and creator of the "Funny Five," was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Dr. Demento has been celebrating "mad music and crazy comedy" on the airwaves playing everything from Spike Jones to Frank Zappa for nearly five decades. He is responsible for introducing the world to the Dr. Demento Show's #1 most requested song of all time, "Fish Heads."  
Read more: Dr Demento

 

April 2, 1956: Johnny Cash records "I Walk The Line" at Sun Studio in Memphis. 

For a lot of people, there's one voice that defines American country music. That's the voice of Johnny Cash. Cash had his first big hit in 1956. "I Walk the Line" made the country and the pop charts, and pretty much set the sound for the man in black. It also influenced the course of some younger musicians' lives. 

Read more: NPR

April 2, 1969: Frank Sinatra's version of "My Way" entered the Billboard Hot 100, where it would rise to Number 27.

Frank Sinatra‘s recording of ”My Way” has spent longer on the UK singles chart than any other song – an amazing 124 weeks. 
Frank Sinatra

That’s almost twice as long as its nearest rival, which you might be surprised to know is “Amazing Grace” by Judy Collins. It’s a timeless anthem that, even in a digital world where songs can be streamed endlessly at the touch of a button, will never be superseded, no matter the prevailing trends. 
Read more: U Discover Music

April 2, 1977: Foreigner's first career single was hot. "Feels Like The First Time" moved from 89 to 70.

"Feels Like the First Time" is the debut single by British-American rock band Foreigner. It was written by Mick Jones and released in 1977 from the band's eponymous debut album. It reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100

Foreigner debut album

Jones said, "'Feels Like The First Time' was written about a bit of a change in my life. I was coming out of a previous marriage with somebody I'd met in France. I'd gone back to England and then finally made the journey to America while I was in the band Spooky Tooth. And to me it was this challenge of really going for a new start in my life. 

Read more: Wikipedia

 

Tight Rope
Leon Russell

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