Musical Appreciation

Ian Whitcomb ► Monday Musical Appreciation

Born on this day in 1941: Ian Whitcomb, still performing to this very day. Ian Timothy Whitcomb was born in Woking, Surrey, England, to a family that already had show biz in its blood. His grandfather Jack founded British Screen Classics, an early entry in the motion picture business, which eventually bankrupt him. Before that, Ian’s father Pat worked there, and even co-starred in the 1929 flick, Mr. Nobody (not to be confused with the 2009 SciFi film), a movie ...

The Beatles Conquer The U.S. Charts ► Monday Musical Appreciation

Further reading at Not Now Silly: The Beatles’ Last Concert On this day in 1964 The Beatles had the top 5 tunes on the ‘Merkin Billboard charts, an amazing feat for a ...

(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay ► Monday Music Appreciation

On this day in 1968 “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” rose to the top of the charts, making Otis Redding the first recording artist to have a posthumous ...

Quincy Jones; A National Treasure ► Monday Musical Appreciation

On this day in 1980, which just so happened to be his 47th birthday, Quincy Delight Jones is honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Quincy Jones has ...

The Very First Jazz Record ► Monday Musical Appreciation

On this date 99 years ago the first Jass tune was made commercially available to the general public on Victor Records, 18255-A. While bands had been playing the new Jass ...

Was Elvis’ Manager A Murderer? ► Monday Musical Appreciation

It’s always been a curious thing. During the entirety of Elvis’ career, he only played overseas once and only performed in Canada only 3 times. Despite the proximity Colonel Tom ...

Peter Townshend, Meher Baba, and Me ► Throwback Thursday

Kathy Hahn took this pic around the time I met Pete Townshend When I first started my writing career, some 40+ years ago, it was to write about the music industry. ...

It’s Only A Northern Song ► Monday Musical Appreciation

On this day in 1963 The Beatles formed the music publishing company Northern Songs — with Dick James owning 51% — which is how Michael Jackson eventually came to own ...

Take the “A” Train ► Monday Musical Appreciation

On this day in 1941 the Duke Ellington Orchestra recorded the classic Billy Strayhorn tune “Take The ‘A’ Train.” It made the charts in July, and stayed there for 7 ...

Del Shannon & Me ► Monday Musical Appreciation

Del Shannon in Swinging London, 1963 While, I don’t usually commemorate the death of celebrities, I will make an exception for Del Shannon, the first superstar that I ever met. He ...

The 45 Is Introduced ► Monday Musical Appreciation

Hey Jude clocked in at 7:11, one of the longest singles to reach #1 It was 67 years ago today — in 1949 — that RCA Records introduced the 45, also ...

Paul McCartney Deported From Japan ► Monday Musical Appreciation

It was 36 years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to — OOPS! On this day in 1980, Paul McCartney was kicked out of Japan for trying to smuggle ...

The Danger of Speaking Truth to Power ► Monday Musical Appreciation

Forty-eight years ago today the blacklist of Eartha Kitt began. It was the day after her birthday in 1968 when Kitt was invited to a luncheon at the White House. While ...

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