Today in Music History for Nov. 3:
In 1936, harpist Judy Loman was born in Goshen, Ind.. She moved to Toronto in 1957, and two years later became the principal harp of the Toronto Symphony orchestra. Her 1979 recording of Canadian composer Murray Schafer's "Crown of Ariadne" won the Juno for best classical recording.
In 1957, Jerry Lee Lewis' third record, "Great Balls of Fire," was released. The record made No. 1 on all three major Billboard charts -- pop, country and R&B -- selling more than five million copies. Also released on this date in 1957 was "Danny and the Juniors'" "At the Hop." The song was originally called "Do the Bop" until Dick Clark urged the group to change the lyrics and the title. "At the Hop" topped the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1961, Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams and Fred Rose became the first members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
In 1962, "The Crystals'" "He's a Rebel," produced by Phil Spector, reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The record was billed as by "The Crystals" -- it wasn't. It was actually recorded by a group of session singers known as "The Blossoms," led by Darlene Love. The original "Crystals" returned on such later hits as "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me."
In 1972, James Taylor and Carly Simon were married by a judge in Simon's New York apartment. Only the couple's mothers were present. Taylor and Simon announced their marriage that night at Taylor's concert at Radio City Music Hall. The couple were divorced in 1981.
In 1977, Elton John announced at a London concert that he was retiring from live performances. There was speculation his withdrawal from the public eye was prompted by adverse reaction to his announcement that he was bisexual. John did not peform in concert again until 1979.
In 1984, Willie Nelson's version of Steve Goodman's "City of New Orleans" hit No. 1 on the Billboard country chart, six weeks after Goodman's death. Arlo Guthrie had a pop hit with the song in 1972.
In 1986, jazz saxophonist Eddie (Lockjaw) Davis died of cancer at the age of 65. His rough-toned tenor was heard with such greats as Count Basie and Ella Fitzgerald. Davis also led his own small combos from time to time, most notably with organist Shirley Scott.
In 1990, Minnie Pearl celebrated her 50th anniversary with the Grand Ole Opry. She received a congratulatory telegram from the White House.
In 1991, "Crosby, Stills and Nash" reunited with Neil Young at a San Francisco tribute concert for promoter Bill Graham, who died nine days earlier in a helicopter crash. Also on the bill were the "Grateful Dead," Jackson Browne, "Journey" and Joan Baez. About 300,000 people turned out for the five-and-a-half-hour show at Golden Gate Park.
In 1992, the "Grateful Dead" announced they would break tradition and would not perform a New Year's Eve concert in the San Francisco Bay area.
In 1993, singer Mariah Carey opened her first concert tour in Miami -- to mostly negative reviews. One critic said Carey's rapport with her band was nonexistent. Another said her show was "peppered with nervous, trite patter."
Also in 1993, Leon Theremin, who invented the first instrument that used electronics to make music, died in Moscow at age 97. All modern electronic synthesizers are derived from Theremin's invention, which bore his name. He designed the instrument in the early 1920s, and it was used in such film classics as "The Bride of Frankenstein" and "The Day the Earth Stood Still." In rock music, the theremin is heard on "The Beach Boys'" "Good Vibrations" and "Led Zeppelin's" "Whole Lotta Love."
In 1997, a judge in Santa Monica, Calif., sentenced a weeping Billy Preston to three years in prison. Court was told Preston had tested positive for cocaine while on probation for possession of the drug.
In 1998, Platinum Entertainment, the largest independent record label in the U.S., announced it would offer songs for free on the Internet in the MP3 format that provides the high quality sound of a CD. The announcement came as the record industry in general had launched a campaign against the format because it allowed anyone to transfer CD recordings to the Internet for others to download freely -- in violation of copyright laws. In the first few weeks, Platinum Entertainment offered free downloads of songs by "The Band," Dionne Warwick and Taylor Dayne.
In 1998, "The John Lennon Anthology," a four-CD boxed set of Lennon's previously unreleased solo work from 1969-80 was released. His widow, Yoko Ono, chose all 94 of the tracks from live and home recordings, studio out-takes and TV.
In 1998, "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie," Alanis Morissette's follow-up to her 30-million-selling 1995 album "Jagged Little Pill," was released. It sold 469,000 copies the first week in the U.S. to top the chart. But in Canada, Morissette's album was outsold the first week by a newly-released "U2" greatest hits CD.
In 2002, Lonnie Donegan, the first British pop superstar and the musician who provided the original inspiration for John Lennon and Paul McCartney, died at age 71.
In 2008, country music star Merle Haggard underwent lung surgery. Doctors removed tissue affected with non-small cell lung cancer when they removed the upper lobe of his right lung.
In 2009, the "Bee Gees'" 50th anniversary was celebrated with a pair of retrospective packages. "Mythology" -- a four-disc box set curated and produced by surviving "Bee Gees" Barry and Robin Gibb (who died on May 20, 2012). It dedicated one disc each to the three brothers in the group, including the late Maurice Gibb, and one to their late younger brother Andy Gibb. The other, "The Ultimate Bee Gees: The 50th Anniversary Collection," was a more modest two-disc, 39-track set that closes with a live medley of songs the trio wrote for others.
In 2010, country music crossover sweetheart Taylor Swift's "Speak Now" easily debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart selling 1,047,000 copies in its first week. She also debuted 10 more tracks from the album onto the Hot 100, led by "Sparks Fly" at No. 17. With holdover "Mine" falling 13-21, she had a total of 11 titles on the list, the most ever at the time by a female artist. (In 2016, Beyonce charted all 12 songs from her album "Lemonade.")
In 2010, Jerry Bock, who composed the music to some of the most memorable shows in Broadway history, including the melodies for "Fiorello!" and "Fiddler on the Roof," died. He was 81.
In 2010, Ke$ha's "We R Who We R" became the 17th song to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2011, "Gwar" lead guitarist Flattus Maximus (born Cory Smoot) was found dead on the tour bus as it was about to cross the Canadian border after a show in Minneapolis. "Gwar" is known for its comically grotesque sci-fi/fantasy-based costumes, stage antics and vulgar lyrics. His age was unknown. (A medical examiner's report stated he died of a blood clot brought on by pre-existing coronary artery disease.)
In 2013, at the first YouTube Music Awards, rapper Eminem (Artist of the Year), country music crossover star Taylor Swift (YouTube Phenomenon) and hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (YouTube Breakthrough) were among the winners during the live webcast from New York.
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(The Canadian Press)
The Canadian Press
