Music History Today: July 3, 2023

July 3, 1986: Joe Cocker released a cover of Randy Newman's "You Can Leave Your Hat On" from his 1986 album, Cocker. It was featured in the film 9½ Weeks during the striptease scene. 

Music History Today: March 1, 2023

March 1, 1991: The Doors movie, a biographical film directed by Oliver Stone and starring Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison, opened in theaters. 

The Doors movie contains over two dozen of the Doors' songs, although only half of these appear on the accompanying soundtrack album.

Music History Today: December 30, 2022

December 30, 1942: Mike Nesmith of the Monkees was born in Houston, Texas.

For the American made-for-television group, The Monkees, the date of December 30 held significance. Michael Nesmith was born on this day in 1942.

Music History Today: July 17, 2022

July 17, 1967: Bobbie Gentry debuted on Billboard's Pop Singles chart with "Ode To Billie Joe." 

In July of 1967, Capitol Records released “Ode to Billie Joe,” a spooky wisp of a song by an unknown artist named Bobbie Gentry.

Bobby Gentry

 

Music History Today: May 4, 2022

May 4, 1985: "Obsession" by Animotion hit number six in the United States.

The vocalist on “Obsession” is a stalker. And the target is his “obsession”. It comes off a bit creepy. You get the impression the lady is not someone he knows. 

Animotion

Music History Today: January 4, 2022

January 4, 2014: Tessanne Chin, winner of NBC's Season show The Voice, entered the Billboard singles chart at Number 51 with her cover of "I Have Nothing." 

Tessanne Chin shot to fame after singing her way to victory on the fifth season of NBC's The Voice in 2013.

 

Music History Today: October 28, 2021

October 28, 1989: "When the Night Comes" by Joe Cocker, from his One Night of Sin album,  entered the Billboard Hot 100 single's chart.

One Night of Sin is the twelfth studio album by English singer Joe Cocker, released by Capitol Records in June 1989.

Music History Today: September 18, 2021

September 18, 1994: The United States Postal Service issued the Billie Holiday stamp to honor the singer.

Considered by many to be the greatest jazz vocalist of all time, Billie Holiday lived a tempestuous and difficult life.

 

Music History Today: July 13, 2021

July 13, 2002: "Hero" by Chad Kroeger from the Spiderman movie peaked at Number 3 in the US.

"Hero" is a song recorded by Chad Kroeger (lead vocalist of Nickelback) and Josey Scott (then lead vocalist of Saliva) for the soundtrack to the 2002 film Spider-Man. It was written by Kroeger and recorded specifically for the film.

Music History Today: January 4, 2021

January 4, 1960: REM front-man Michael Stipe was born in Decatur, Georgia

As the frontman for R.E.M., arguably the most important and influential American rock band of the post-punk era, Michael Stipe transformed himself from enigmatic cult hero into mainstream icon. 

Michael Stipe

Music History Today: December 8, 2020

December 8, 1980: John Lennon, 40 years old, was shot and killed outside his apartment in New York City.

Forty years ago today Annie Leibovitz photographed John Lennon and Yoko Ono at their apartment in New York City for a feature in Rolling Stone. Lennon autographed an album for a man in the morning.  

Music History Today: October 30, 2020

October 30, 1975: Bob Dylan performs the first show of his Rolling Thunder Revue at the War Memorial Auditorium in Plymouth, Massachusetts. 

In 1975, in an America defined by both the self-mythologizing pomp of the upcoming bicentennial and ongoing sociopolitical turmoil, Bob Dylan and a band of troubadours embarked on a now-legendary tour known as the Rolling Thunder Revue,. 

Music History Today: September 23, 2020

September 23, 1977: David Bowie released 'Heroes' as a single. 

Although David Bowie’s Berlin-period anthem Heroes was initially something of a commercial failure, it became his most life-changing single. 

Music History Today: September 18, 2020

September 18, 1970: Jimi Hendrix died in Kensington, London, England. He was in an ambulance after taking too many sleeping pills when he choked to death on his vomit. He was 27 years old.

Red wine is usually praised as an indulgence that is actually good for you. 

Music History Today: August 26, 2020

August 26, 1967: Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze" entered the US music chart.

When Jimi Hendrix first laid down the riff for his iconic song “Purple Haze” it changed rock music forever. To put it in true perspective, the first chord played in this song has been universally called “the Hendrix chord.” 

Music History Today: July 22, 2020

July 22, 1971: Thirteen days after lead singer Jim Morrison passed away, The Doors are awarded a Gold album for "L.A. Woman."

The Doors had crammed several lifetimes into just five years as band, and by late 1970, the psychic toll of Jim Morrison’s addiction and legal hassles threatened to overwhelm the group. 

The Doors

Music History Today: July 3, 2020

July 3, 1971: Jim Morrison of The Doors is found dead in a bathtub at age 27. 

On the morning of Saturday, July 3, 1971, Morrison died of a heart attack, brought on by drugs. So, the simple answer to how he died is a heart attack from using heroin. 

Music History Today: June 24, 2020

June 24, 1966:  Janis Joplin performed for the first time as lead singer for Big Brother & the Holding Company at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco, California.

Big Brother & The Holding Company – along with bands like The Grateful Dead,  Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service – is considered one of the original, first wave of great psychedelic bands that came out of San Francisco in the summer of 1965. 

Janis Joplin

Music History Today: June 3, 2020

June 3, 1967: The Doors released a truncated version of "Light My Fire" as a single. 

“Light My Fire” begins, like Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone,” with a single snare-drum shot.

Music History Today: May 10, 2020

May 10, 1970: David Bowie was awarded an Ivor Novello Award for Best Original Song 'Space Oddity.'

David Bowie is known to be one of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century. He was an English singer and songwriter who has also worked as an actor in Hollywood.