Today in Music History for Nov. 9:
In 1895, George D. Hay, the founder of the "Grand Ole Opry," was born in Attica, Ind. While he was an announcer at WLS in Chicago, Hay helped begin the "National Barn Dance" program. He then moved to WSM in Nashville where he started a similar barndance program in 1925. The "WSM Barn Dance" officially became known as the "Grand Ole Opry" two years later. Hay so named the program because it followed a broadcast by the NBC Symphony. He was largely responsible for developing the Opry into country music's premiere showcase. Hay was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame two years before his death in 1968.
In 1926, Canadian soprano Mary Morrison was born in Winnipeg. As a member of the Lyric Arts Trio with Robert Aitken and Marion Ross, Morrison has championed the work of contemporary Canadian composers.
In 1936, singer Mary Travers was born in Louisville, Ky. She joined forces with Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey in the early 1960s to form the hugely popular folk trio "Peter, Paul and Mary." They mingled their music with liberal politics, both onstage and off. Their version of "If I Had a Hammer" became an anthem for racial equality. Other hits included "Lemon Tree," "Leaving on a Jet Plane" and "Puff (The Magic Dragon.)" She died on Sept, 16, 2009 in Connecticut after battling leukemia for several years.
In 1941, Tom Fogerty, rhythm guitarist with "Creedence Clearwater Revival," was born in Berkeley, Calif. "CCR" had been together under various names since 1959, but didn't hit the big time until 1969 with their double-sided million-seller, "Proud Mary" and "Born on the Bayou." Creedence became the leading American singles' band on the strength of such hits as "Bad Moon Rising," "Green River" and "Travelin' Band." Tom Fogerty left "CCR" in 1971, and later recorded several solo albums. The group disbanded in 1972. Tom Fogerty died of respiratory failure on Sept. 6, 1990.
In 1948, Quebec rock singer, songwriter and record producer Michel Pagliaro was born in Montreal. Until 1970, Pagliaro performed exclusively in French. But when he turned to English in the early '70s, his recordings became popular across the country. Among Pagliaro's hit singles are "Give Us One More Chance," "What the Hell I Got" and a version of Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay."
In 1961, Brian Epstein, whose record store had been inundated with requests for records by a group that apparently made none, went to a lunchtime session at the Cavern in Liverpool to hear the band for himself. When he saw and heard "The Beatles," he decided he wanted to be their manager.
In 1962, Roy Acuff was installed as the first living member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
In 1962, Motown Records released "You've Really Got a Hold On Me" by "The Miracles."
In 1967, Roger McGuinn fired David Crosby from "The Byrds" following arguments over the group's musical direction. Crosby went on to stardom with "Stills, Nash and Young." Crosby's replacement was former "Byrd" Gene Clark, who lasted only three weeks this time. Clark was afraid of flying, making it difficult for him to tour with the group.
In 1967, "Rolling Stone" magazine began publication in San Francisco, giving away a free marijuana cigarette (roach) clip with the first issue. John Lennon was featured on the cover.
In 1976, "Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers" released their self-titled debut album.
In 1989, the three surviving "Beatles," their record company Apple, Yoko Ono and EMI Records announced the settlement of a nine-year legal battle over royalties. Terms were not disclosed. The lawsuit began in 1980 when Paul McCartney signed a contract with EMI, giving him a larger share of "The Beatles'" recording royalties than either George Harrison or Ringo Starr. The resolution of the suit prompted renewed speculation that the three would reunite.
In 1991, rock singer Richard Marx performed five concerts in five U.S. cities in a single day. Marx's blitz to promote his album "Rush Street" included shows at or near airports in Washington, D.C., New York, Cleveland, Chicago and Burbank, Calif. The publicity failed to boost sales of the album, which barely made the Billboard top-40.
In 1992, Elton John announced the formation of the Elton John Aids Foundation, to be funded by royalties from his singles releases, charity events and business donations.
In 1993, singer Whitney Houston told ABC interviewer Barbara Walters that she had a miscarriage during the filming of "The Bodyguard," in which she starred with Kevin Costner. Houston said she was back on the set the day after the miscarriage.
In 1996, "Oasis" lead singer Liam Gallagher was arrested in London on suspicion of possessing cocaine. He was stopped by police only hours after "Oasis" picked up an award from the British magazine "Q" as the Best Act in the World. Since it was his first offence, Gallagher received only a warning from police and was not prosecuted.
In 1998, funk musician and singer Rick James suffered a stroke at his home in Los Angeles. The stroke came three days after the 50-year-old performer popped a blood vessel in his neck during a concert in Denver. Doctors said James was the victim of "rock 'n' roll neck," caused by a repeated rhythmic whiplash motion of the head and neck.
In 1998, Grammy-winning musician Billy Preston was among seven people indicted in Los Angeles for fraudulent insurance claims. They were alleged to have set fire to their own homes and staged burglaries and car accidents. Preston was already in prison for violating probation for a cocaine possession conviction.
In 2003, Bernard Brightman, the founder of a small record label specializing in vintage jazz and blues recordings, died of complications from lung cancer in Manhattan. Brightman, president of Stash Records, was 82. His company released albums by new jazz artists, plus vintage material by Charlie Parker and others. But the first album from Stash Records combined drugs and R&B. "Reefer Songs" in 1976 was a collection from the '20s and '30s about drugs. That was followed by an album of songs about sex.
In 2008, Trace Adkins, Martina McBride, Randy Travis and Elvis Presley were honoured with stars on Nashville's Music City Walk of Fame.
In 2009, "Bon Jovi" was the only musical act to perform at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin during official ceremonies to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
In 2010, a warehouse near San Francisco that stored Canadian music legend Neil Young's music memorabilia and personal possessions caught fire. Fire crews were able to save about 70 per cent of the contents, but the fire caused an estimated $850,000 in damage to Young's possessions and another $250,000 in damage to the building.
In 2010, Taylor Swift was named Country Songwriter of the Year at the BMI Awards, and at 20, became the youngest person to win the award. Her "You Belong To Me" won for Country Song of the Year, making her the first songwriter to win it three years in a row.
In 2011, Taylor Swift won the CMA Entertainer of the Year award for a second time. "The Band Perry" won for New Artist and their crossover hit "If I Die Young" won Single of the Year and also earned lead singer Kimberly Perry Song of the Year honours for writing it. Miranda Lambert and her then-husband Blake Shelton repeated as Male and Female Vocalist of the Year.
In 2011, with "Four the Record" debuting atop Billboard's Top Country Albums Chart, Miranda Lambert became the first country artist in the 47-year history of the chart to have each of her first four albums debut at No. 1.
In 2012, Major Harris, best known for his romantic 1975 solo hit "Love Won't Let Me Wait," died in Richmond, Va., from congestive heart and lung failure. He was 65. He was also a member of several groups, including "The Delfonics," "Frankie Lymon's Teenagers" and others.
In 2015, Andy White, a top session drummer in England during the 1960s who played on songs by Tom Jones and Herman's Hermits among others and stepped in for newcomer Ringo Starr as The Beatles recorded their American debut single "Love Me Do," died several days after suffering a stroke. He was 85.
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(The Canadian Press)
The Canadian Press
