May 2, 2003: Dixie Chicks appeared naked on the front cover of Entertainment Weekly, with slogans such as "Traitors," "Hero," "Boycott," "Saddam's Angels," and "Proud Americans" printed across their bodies.
It was on March 10 in 2003 that lead singer Natalie Maines made a comment, quickly heard around the world, that brought their skyrocketing career to a screeching halt.
(sign up to follow by email)
The Texas-based trio were performing at the Shepherd's Bush Empire theater in London, England, as the kickoff to their international Top of the World Tour, in support of 2002's multi-platinum selling album Home. As Maines was introducing the Chicks' then-latest single, "Travelin' Soldier," she said, "Just so you know, we're on the good side with y'all. We do not want this war, this violence, and we're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas."
Read more: The Boot
May 2, 1936: English pop singer Engelbert Humperdinck was born Arnold George Dorsey in Madras, British India (present-day Chennai, India).
A self-described dreamer and loner, Humperdinck dropped out of school at the age of 15. After a stint doing National Service in Germany, he began singing in men's clubs, but it was a hard way to make a living. Singing under the name Gerry Dorsey, Humperdinck scraped by financially.
Engelbert Humperdinck In attempt to reinvent himself, the performer followed the advice of his new manager, who also oversaw fellow singer Tom Jones. His manager changed his name to Engelbert Humperdinck, the same name as the late 19th century German composer and creator of the opera Hansel and Gretel. Without any protest, the singer bought into the idea.
Read more: Biography
May 2, 1966: Simon & Garfunkel released the single "I Am a Rock."
 |
| Simon & Garfunkel |
Although recorded a couple of years earlier for a Paul Simon solo album, “I Am A Rock” was included as the final track on Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sounds Of Silence” album. Given its provenance, “I Am A Rock” has Paul Simon on lead vocals instead of Art Garfunkel, although Art does his usual lovely job on the harmonies.
Read more: Medium
May 2, 1970: Norman Greenbaum's Gospel/Rock hit "Spirit In The Sky" topped the UK record chart and the Cash Box Best Sellers list.
“Spirit in the Sky” was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic and topped the charts in several countries. It also sold over two million copies just a year after its release. The song has plenty of references to Jesus even if Greenbaum himself is Jewish. From the get-go, some part of him knew it was gonna be a hit. In a new interview with the Rolling Stone magazine, Greenbaum discussed the track that catapulted him to greater stardom.
Read more: Society of Rock
May 2, 1981: "Morning Train (Nine to Five)" by Sheena Easton topped the US music chart.
In the first few months of 1981, two different women hit #1 in the US with big, brassy, cheery down-the-middle midtempo songs about the 40-hour workweek.
 |
| Sheena Easton |
In fact, the Scottish singer Sheena Easton’s “Morning Train (Nine To Five)” originally came out in the UK as “9 To 5.” For its American release, it had to get a new title so that nobody would confuse it with the Dolly Parton banger that had the exact same name. That’s a pretty weird coincidence! I have no idea how things like that happen!
Read more: Stereogum
Wide Open Spaces
Dixie Chicks
No comments:
Post a Comment