Today In Music, July 2nd

From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Wednesday 2nd July):

Birth

1942. Leapy Lee born Lee Graham in Eastbourne, Sussex.

On Tour

1991. 60 people are hurt in the ensuing melee when Axl Rose jumps from the stage during a Guns ‘N’ Roses concert and attacks a member of the audience he spots videotaping the show. The venue outside St. Louis, Missouri is badly damaged in the near-riot which follows. Axl is charged with third degree assault and property damage but isn’t arrested by police for one year.

In Court

1997. Rick Danko (The Band) tells a court in Chiba, Japan that his wife sent him a package of heroin from America when he asked her to send him the prescription drug codeine. He’s quoted as saying, “I’m just surprised that she did anything so stupid”. Danko was arrested in May during a tour of Japan. Police raided his hotel room and found 1.25 grammes of heroin in a magazine that had recently arrived by post from the U.S. If found guilty he faces a jail sentence of up to two and a half years.

In Business

1997. Berry Gordy sells a 50% interest in his Jobete Music group of companies to EMI for $ 132 million. He’s already sold Motown Records to Polygram but retained the music publishing company Jobete. The new agreement allows Gordy and his sister Esther Edwards to sell their remaining share in Jobete for up to $ 250 million within five years. The company owns the copyright to more than 15,000 songs including such classics as “I heard It Through The Grapevine” and “My Girl”.

On Television

1980. Sheena Easton gets her big break on the BBC TV series, “The Big Time”. Fronted by Esther Rantzen, the show gives ordinary people the chance to fulfill their dreams. In Sheena’s case, it’s to become a pop singer. We see her being groomed for stardom and recording her debut single (released in April). Her second single, “9 To 5” capitalises on the publicity from the show, hits number 3 in the U.K. chart – and a star is born.

Death

1969. Sometime between 11.30 p.m. and midnight, Brian Jones dies in the swimming pool of his 15th century home, Cotchford Farm near Hartfield, Sussex. He had spent the evening with his girlfriend, 22 year old Anna Vohlin, Frank Thorogood (a builder employed by The Rolling Stones to repair their homes) and his friend Janet lawson, a State Registered Nurse. Brian suggested they all go for a swim, complaining of the heat. After being in the pool a while, the two women returned to the house. Mr. Thorogood followed shortly after. When Jones didn’t join them after a short while, Lawson went to check on him. She found him lying on the bottom of the pool. She called the others to help. They dived in and pulled him out while she called an ambulance. While she was on the telephone, Anna tried the kiss of life and at one point felt Jones’ hand grip hers. When the ambulance crew arrived they tried for half an hour to revive him but he didn’t respond.

Rumours about his death abound. One suggests Brian was visited by two drug dealers wanting payment of outstanding debts. To frighten him they put his head in a bucket of water but Brian suffered an asthma attack and stopped breathing. In panic the body was thrown into the swimming pool where he drowned. It’s a great story – and one of many conspiracy theories – but it doesn’t tie in with any of the pathological evidence. Look in almost any book and they’ll list Brian’s date of death as tomorrow but we’ve taken the time of death from the notes of the Post-Mortem Examination seen here:

 

Go to Rockmine’s main site here.

© Copyright 1995 – 2008 Rockmine Archives. Use of this content is prohibited unless licensed by Rockmine Archives.

Today In Music, June 30th

From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Monday 30th June):

Birth

1951. Andy Scott (Sweet) born in Wrexham, Wales.

On Tour

1973. After two days of fans besieging the Holiday Inn in London’s Swiss Cottage, London, where Slade are staying, the manager orders the band to leave. They refuse to go. Word of the expulsion reaches the fans outside, who nearly riot at the news. Eventually the band are allowed to stay another two days and peace is restored.

In Custody

1976. Neil Diamond is bust for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana after police with a search warrant raid his California home.

In Hospital

1977. Dave Vanian (The Damned) needs hospital treatment after suffering a dislocated shoulder when he and the rest of the band are attacked by anti-punk yobs in the dressing room after their gig at The Garden in Penzance.

It’s not the only attack on a punk band tonight. Bob Geldof is attacked onstage during The Boomtown Rats gig at The Music Machine in London’s Camden. He was hit with such force that he was very nearly knocked off the stage which is 20 feet above the audience. He completed the gig with a swollen and bloody face but didn’t seek treatment. His attacker was caught but Geldof didn’t press charges.

Recent Punk gigs have been marred by violent attacks which some say are being stirred up by the press.

On Television

1965. Shindig (ABC, U.S.A.) The Blossoms, Glen Campbell, Chad & Jeremy, Jerry Lee Lewis, Donna Loren, The Righteous Brothers, Bobby Sherman, The Wellingtons, Jackie Wilson. Here’s the closing duet from Jerry Lee Lewis and Jackie Wilson with “Whole Lotta Shakin'”

Death

2002. Legendary Motown drummer, Howard Richard “Pistol” Allen dies after a long battle with cancer aged 69. Although working as a jazz drummer before he was hired by Berry Gordy in 1962, Allen seemed perfectly at home as a session player behind most of the label’s classic songs. They included “Baby Love” by The Supremes, “Heat Wave” by Martha Reeves and The Vandellas and “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” by Marvin Gaye.

 

Go to Rockmine’s main site here.

© Copyright 1995 – 2008 Rockmine Archives. Use of this content is prohibited unless licensed by Rockmine Archives.

Today In Music, June 23rd

From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Monday 23rd June):

Birth

1962. Richard Coles (The Communards) born in Northampton, England.

In Custody

2003. Norwegian rockers TurboNegro run into trouble at Stuttgart airport, when they’re stopped for Arms smuggling. On their way through security before flying home to Oslo, an 18-inch knife was spotted in their luggage. Despite saying it was a stage prop, security officials wouldn’t accept it. The police took over and as they refused to arrest the whole band, one of the crew, named only as Trond took responsibility and was taken to jail. He was released later in the day having paid a fine.

In Court

1997. The trial in Michigan resulting from the murder of Motown songwriter Arthur Ross (Diana’s brother) and his wife Patricia Ann Robinson-Ross collapses after a key prosecution witness disappears. The man charged with their murder, Ricky Vernon Brooks is aquitted. The bodies of Ross and his wife were found at Brooks’ house on the outskirts of Detroit. Brooks maintained that he was not involved in suffocating the couple who had borrowed the house for a drug deal. Ross was facing trial resulting from drugs charges at the time of his death.

On The Road

2000. Sir Paul McCartney drops his rock & roll lifestyle to become chauffeur for the day. He donned a grey suit to drive his second cousin, Sally Harris to her wedding at a civil ceremony in Wallasey, Merseyside.

On Television

1965. Shindig (ABC, U.S.A.) Opening medley (song excerpts): Willy Nelson – “Long Tall Sally”; David Crosby and Roger McGuinn (of The Byrds) – “Long Tall Sally”; Righteous Brothers – “Sticks and Stones”; The Kingsmen, Billy Preston – “Good Golly Miss Molly”; The Byrds – “Not Fade Away”; Willy Nelson – “Jump Back”; Micki Lynn – “Crazy ’bout My Baby”; The Stoneman Family – “Lost Ball in the High Weeds”; Melinda Marx – “Is That What I Get for Loving You?” (Groucho’s daughter); The Kingsmen – “Louie, Louie”; Billy Preston – “Hey Hey Hey Hey”; Willy Nelson – “Shout”; Micki Lynn – “Old Landmark”; Dave Berry – “The Crying Game”; Adam Faith – “Message to Martha”; Jody Miller – “Queen of the House”; The Righteous Brothers – “Burn On Love”; The Byrds – “Mr. Tambourine Man; The Stoneman Family – “Big Ball In Monterey”; Dave Berry – “One Heart Between Two”; The Righteous Brothers – “Poison Ivy”; Jody Miller – “Saved”; Jean King (one of the Blossoms) – “Why Did I Choose You?”; The Everly Brothers – “I’ll Never Get Over You”; Finale: The Kingsmen – “Do the Climb”. According to my records, this is show 42, not 41 as stated on YouTube but I’m not complaining. You’ll find the whole hour-long show here in ten minute sections. Take the time to watch it all, it’s a fascinating glimpse of one of the best 60’s pop shows.

Death

1997. Swedish pop star Ted Gardestad dies aged 41. He had represented the country in the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest. Despite having retired from the music biz in the ‘eighties, he made a successful comeback in 1995.

 

Go to Rockmine’s main site here.

© Copyright 1995 – 2008 Rockmine Archives. Use of this content is prohibited unless licensed by Rockmine Archives.

Today In Music, June 19th

From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Thursday 19th June):

Birth

1948. Nick Drake born in Rangoon, Burma.

On Politics

1984. Michael Jackson is denounced by the Kremlin for having sold out his black roots and being a puppet of the Reagan administration.

In Custody

1990. Adam Franklin (Swervedriver) is arrested and charged with causing an affray after an incident with a bouncer after the band’s gig at London’s Borderline Club which leaves him with several broken teeth and facial bruising. He spends a night in police cells before being released in the morning. Due to his injuries he can barely speak. As a result the band cancel the rest of their U.K. tour.

In The Press

1976. Seventeen year old scribe, Steven Morrissey hits the big time when he gets a letter published in Melody Maker and New Musical Express about The Sex Pistols concert on June 4th in Manchester. Here’s the letter:

“I PEN this epistle after witnessing the infamous Sex Pistols ‘in concert’ at the Manchester Lesser Free Trade Hall. The bumptious Pistols in jumble sale attire had those few that attended dancing in the aisles despite their discordant music and barely audible audacious lyrics, and they were called back for two encores. The Pistols boast no inspiration from the New York / Manhattan rock scene, yet their set includes “I’m Not Your Steppin’ Stone” a number believed to be done almost to perfection by the Heartbreakers on any sleazy New York night, and the Pistols’ vocalist/exhibitionist Johnny Rotten‘s attitude and self-asserted “love us or leave us” approach can be compared to both Iggy Pop and David JoHansen in their heyday.

Not to mention the fact that the Pistol’s manager is the legendary Malcolm MacClaren who has had close connections with the New York Dolls. The Sex Pistols are very New York and it’s nice to see that the British have produced a band capable of producing atmosphere created by the N.Y. Dolls and their many imitators, even though it may be too late. I’d love to see the Pistols make it. Maybe then they will be able to afford some clothes which don’t look as though they’ve been slept in.” – STEVE MORRISEY, Stretford, Manchester

On Television

1980. Musikladen (ZDF, Germany) 54. A la Carte – Do wah diddy diddy; Gibson Brothers – Mariana; The Days – Teacher, teacher; Oscar Harris – Song for the children; Matchbox – Midnite dynamos; Jona Lewie – Kitchen at parties; Jimmy Ruffin – Hold on to my love; Paul McCartney – Coming up (Video); Pretenders – Brass in pocket; Marianne Faithful – Broken English; Roxy Music – Over you; Lipps Inc. – Funkytown; Johnny Cash – Sunday morning coming down (Oldie: 1972); Showaddywaddy – Always & ever. Here’s Marianne Faithful.

Death

2002. Frank “Skip” Candelon, ex-lead singer of Turning Point is found dead in his New Jersey home from a suspected drug overdose. The event is announced by the band’s web site which also says, “the family wishes the details of Skip’s death to remain private”.

Babble

I’ve finally got some of Rockmine’s music film posters up for sale on-line. They’ve been sitting in drawers and portfolios since they were last taken to a memorabilia/record fair in Paris back in 1995! They’re all originals, sent out to cinemas to promote the movie. Here are direct links to them:

Adam Ant/Toyah – Jubilee, rare U.K. poster.
Arlo Guthrie – Alice’s Restaurant, U.K. poster.
Barbra Streisand – Funny Girl, U.K. poster.
Barbra Streisand – The Way We Were, U.K. poster.
Cher – Mermaids, U.K. poster.
David Bowie – Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, U.K. poster.
Diana Ross – Mahogany, U.K. poster.
Madonna – Who’s That Girl, U.K. poster.
Elvis Presley – It Happened At The World’s Fair, ultra rare U.S. poster.
Elvis Presley – Show, set of four Italian posters.
Joe Cocker – Mad Dogs & Englishmen, rare Belgian poster.
Led Zeppelin – The Song Remains The Same, U.S. poster.
Olivia Newton-John, John Travolta – Grease, U.K. poster.
Olivia Newton-John, John Travolta – Grease, (rarer, different version) U.K. poster.
Paul McCartney & Wings – Rockshow, U.S. poster.
Pink Floyd – Live At Pompeii, ultra rare U.S. poster.
Prince – Purple Rain, U.K. poster.
Roy Orbison – The Fastest Guitar Alive, rare U.K. poster.
The Beatles – Let It Be, rare Belgian poster.
The Rolling Stones – Ladies & Gentlemen, rare U.S. poster.
Various Artists (Bruce Springsteen, etc.) – No Nukes, U.K. poster.
 

Go to Rockmine’s main site here.

© Copyright 1995 – 2008 Rockmine Archives. Use of this content is prohibited unless licensed by Rockmine Archives.