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I’m completely puzzled by the desire to have Jim Morrison pardoned. Who benefits from it and what are the motives behind those seeking it?

Let’s get the crazed conspiracy theorists ideas out of the way first. Some believe Jim Morrison never died in Paris. He faked his death to get out of the music business and escape his notoriety along with avoiding a jail term or a long drawn out appeal process. In the unlikely event that this is what happened, I can see that getting a pardon would be necessary if Jim wanted to return to the States without being incarcerated. He would be 67 this coming week and might well wish to return to the Land Of The Free.

Since the days of the Vietnam War, Paris has provided refuge to a variety of Americans seeking solace in its bohemian bliss. Unfortunately, some of those still there seem out of step with the society that once offered them so much. With old age looming, what better time to go ‘home’.

That’s the most outlandish reason for a pardon and it has to be discounted but if you have a dollar or a pound burning a hole in your pocket then go down to your local bookmaker on Monday morning and put a bet on Jim turning up again if the pardon is granted. Just remember who gave you the tip!

Reality, unfortunately, is far more complicated than that. If, as we have to assume, Jim cannot benefit from this then who can? My knowledge of US politics is poor at best but when one hears of an outgoing governor considering clemency there is a temptation to see it as a way of getting their name in the history books.

Society, like the times, has changed. Politics and music were at opposite ends of the social spectrum but that polarization doesn’t exist any more. Presidents and Prime Ministers want to be rock stars while the rock stars lecture the politicians about morality. What has happened?

When Jim Morrison appeared in court, it’s quite possible that the only knowledge (if any) the then governor had about him or The Doors was the cost of policing their concerts. The judge who sat on the case would probably have had no idea about rock or pop and merely saw Morrison as the antithesis of all he held dear. Now, of course, we know what governors, presidents and popes have on their iPods and even High Court judges admit in the middle of cases to owning such things.

The Doors are, as they always were, cool but now it’s with the law-makers and decision-takers not the kids who rebelled to the music in the sixties. Today, everything and anything is sold to a soundtrack of rock music. Cars, gadgets, even political parties. Rock has lost its power to corrupt, excite or change by itself being corrupted by power.

Jim Morrison, once the outlaw; the shaman; the court jester of rock is cast forever as THE bare chested rock God. Androgynous; asexual; unthreatening. His image is pretty and far from unsettling but above all, it’s caught in time. Like a specimen in a cabinet of something extinct which we can no longer comprehend. He was. He didn’t continue to grow with us like the myriad other musicians with whom we grew up.

Like Jagger; the malevolent magus who showed us the dark underbelly of rock. The Satanic majesty in front of whose performance, the audience brutally sacrificed one of their own is now a Knight of the realm. Morrison was also a middle-class boy but Mick went on to be part of the society he once shocked. That society was epitomised by The Times of London but even it realised that the old order was changing in the latter part of the 1960s.

On July 1st 1967, William Rees-Mogg, its editor, wrote an editorial entitled, “Who Breaks A Butterfly On A Wheel?” While many hold that the leader was a criticism of the law against cannabis in the U.K. at the time, it was, in fact, pointing to a miscarriage of Justice. Mick Jagger had been sentenced to 3 months in prison for possessing amphetamines which had been bought legally in Italy. The leader, and the fact that The Times had seen fit to concern itself with something which many saw as trivial, was a turning point.

Jagger was released on bail and went on to appeal the conviction but it is possible that neither would have happened had it not been for The Times. London in 1967 was a long way from Miami in 1969. Liberal attitudes were sadly lacking in the America of the late sixties. New York and San Francisco may have been hedonistic hotspots but the rest of the US languished in a dull conservatism, reminiscent of the dour Pilgrim Fathers. London had no such hang-ups.

Oddly when The Doors played there, in 1968, they were listened to and treated like artists with a message. Jim didn’t have to resort to the histrionics of Stateside performances to get attention. The audience sat and watched; and took it all in. Morrison was an unfettered talent, lost without any guidance and seeking excess. He wrote the book on the self-destruction of rock stars and sadly too many read it and took it to heart. There is of course another, underlying, question. Had Jim’s ambition run dry? Did he replace talent with excess in a confused effort to rekindle that which he had lost or had he come to the realisation that he had nothing left to say?

When you can no longer entertain or inspire, what are you left with? Is it just shock? On stages like Miami’s Dinner Key Auditorium, were we just seeing Morrison play out his own tortured loathing of himself and his audience? If only he had been able to truly grasp that and sell it back to the world, Jim’s legend would have continued to grow. Look at Roger Waters and “The Wall”.

Pink Floyd built a physical wall between themselves and their fans. The Doors had massed ranks of police. One wonders if he would have learnt anything from the Punk explosion where raw aggression and violence to and from the audience became itself the subtext of performance.

So where does this leave us? If Jim Morrison’s conviction is wiped from the record books does it change what he was? The answer, of course, is no. It certainly can’t build on his legend. If anything it may only tarnish it. Morrison, the king of shock-rock, sanitized and airbrushed into being the purveyor of pop ditties and adolescent angst-ridden poetry.

I’m astonished that The Doors are letting this happen. I’d like to see crowds outside the Governor’s office protesting at the fact he might grant this pardon. How many man-hours have been taken up by this and how much will it cost? And what does it matter?

Switch on the TV any evening after 9pm and you’ll hear far worse than Jim Morrison ever uttered. You’ll see real nudity and often explicit sexual acts. Every night, the News carries disturbing, sometimes harrowing and often shocking images right into our living rooms.

You cannot look back on past times and past convictions and re-write history. If you’re going to do it with Morrison then you have to continue back through the ages. Every black activist who was jailed on trumped-up charges in the Deep South, for trying to claim their basic human rights, must be pardoned. Anyone persecuted for their religious beliefs before these times of tolerance, or homosexual jailed before the laws were changed must also have their convictions quashed.

The problem is where do you stop? Let’s pardon all those involved in the Salem Witch Trials and bury their remains in consecrated ground. It all seems so easy and is such a simplistic concept but times will change again. Maybe not in ten or fifty years but if we ever return to a prudish society, will the lawmakers then have the right to re-establish Morrison’s conviction?

It will never matter whether or not Jim Morrison exposed himself. He didn’t need to. Mass hysteria probably meant the audience believed he did, regardless of the facts. Let him rest in peace and leave the myth and legend intact.

From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Thursday 30th October):

Birth

1943. Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship) born Grace Wing in Chicago, Illinois.

On Tour

1963. The Beatles, who’re still in Sweden following their tour there, tape a performance for the Swedish TV show, “Drop-In” at Narren-Teatern, Grona Lund, Stockholm. The show is taped in front of a live audience and although scheduled to perform only two songs, The Beatles end up doing four. Here’s their complete performance. It seems very intimate with the audience literally inches away from them and the boys are obviously enjoying themselves.

In Custody

1990. Axl Rose is arrested on a charge of assaulting his neighbour Gabriela Kantor with a bottle after she called police to complain about noise from his apartment. He’s released later in the day on bail of $ 5,000.

In Court

1969. In court:
Peter Hallett, 31, appears at Esher and Walton Court charged with stealing £ 1,400 from Engelbert Humperdinck, a £ 400 wrist watch from Mrs. Jessie Mills, wife of the singer’s manager and £ 500 from Mr. Gordon Jones, an assistant to Mr. Mills. Hallett is remanded on bail of £ 1,000 for seven days.

On Television

1965. Shindig! (ABC, U.S.A.) Hosted by Boris Karloff. Opening medley: Billy Preston, Bobby Sherman, The Wellingtons, Jackie and Gayle, Ted Cassidy (as Lurch), the Blossoms and the Spokesmen, Jim Doval and the Gauchos; Jackie and Gayle; Bobby Sherman; The Spokesmen; Boris Karloff recites; The Wellingtons; The Gauchos with Billy Preston; Bobby Sherman (finale)

Death

2007. Linda Stein, socialite, real estate agent to the stars and one-time manager of The Ramones, is found murdered in her Fifth Avenue apartment. She became an influential figure in the U.S. punk movement during the time she was married to Seymour Stein, owner of Sire Records. After the couple divorced, she turned to real estate finding properties for Billy Joel, Sting, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jann Wenner and Damon Dash amongst others.

Babble

Today’s blog has been a tricky one. What do I do with it? After all, anyone who has clicked on The Rockmine Almanac tab at the top of the front page will have seen today’s entry already. That said, one of the problems with that page is that it doesn’t carry tags and so a lot of people who search the blogosphere using them, miss out on it. 

So, I’ll ask you to pander to me, yet again while I put out the complete version of The Rockmine Almanac’s listing for today. A standard blog entry for today is included above but if you’ve got time, check out the full version and let me know what you think. Is it complete enough? What am I missing out? As you know, I can include music paper front pages and was intending expanding this with a “Front Page News” as there are way to many great front pages, especially in the U.K. tabloid press.

Seriously, I’d appreciate comments and suggestions for other elements I can include. Anyway, here it is:

 

The Rockmine Almanac for October 30th.


1939. Songwriter Eddie Holland (Holland-Dozier-Holland) born in Detroit.

 
1943. Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane/Starship) born Grace Wing in Chicago, Illinois.

 
1947. Timothy B. Schmidt (Poco/Eagles) born in Sacramento, California.

 
1951. Mrs. Nancy Sinatra is granted an interlocutory decree of divorce from husband, Frank Sinatra.

  
1952. Guitarist Arlen Roth born in New York City. Despite being a tour and session guitarist (Simon & Garfunkel, Phoebe Snow) and releasing several solo albums, Roth is best known as the founder of Hot Licks, the makers of guitar tuition videos.

 
1954. Actor/country singer T. Graham Brown (Bailie And The Boys) born in Morristown, New Jersey.
 
1954. On Stage:
The Eagle’s Nest, Memphis, Tennessee: Elvis Presley.

 
1955. On television:
The Ed Sullivan Show (CBS, U.S.A.) including Liberace and David Whitfield, who sings  “Never Stop Loving You”. 

 
1958. On television:
American Bandstand (ABC, U.S.A.) with musical guest, Kathy Linden.  

 

1960. Byron Burke (Ten City) born.
 
1960. Elvis Presley is at RCA’s Studio B, in Nashville working on tracks for the “His Hand In Mine” gospel album. Recording starts at 6.30 pm and finishes at 8 am the following day. A total of 12 album tracks and 2 single A-sides (“Surrender” and “Crying In The Chapel”) are cut.
 
1960. Award:
Henry Mancini‘s album, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” is the only one to be certified “Gold” by the R.I.A.A. (Recording Industry Association of America) this month.
 
1960. On stage:
Kaiserkeller Club, Grosse Freiheit, Hamburg, West Germany: The Beatles.
 
1960. On television:
The Ed Sullivan Show (CBS, U.S.A.) including Lou Rawls performing “Love Is A Hurtin’ Thing” and ” In The Evenin'”; Nancy Ames performing “Be Ready” and “Time After Time”.
 
 
1961. On stage:
The Beatles play a lunch-time show at Liverpool’s Cavern Club.
 

1962. After three weeks promoting their single, “Love Me Do” in London and the North-West of England, The Beatles fly to Hamburg. They’ll start at two week engagement tomorrow at the Star Club, sharing the bill with Little Richard.
 
 
1963. Jerry De Borg (Jesus Jones) born in Kentish Town, London.
 
1963. The Beatles, who’re still in Sweden following their tour there, tape a performance for the Swedish TV show, “Drop-In” at Narren-Teatern, Grona Lund, Stockholm. The show is taped in front of a live audience and although scheduled to perform only two songs, The Beatles end up doing four.
 
 
1964. New release:
Alma Cogan‘s new single, “It’s You” is released in the U.K. The b-side, “I Knew Right Away” features Paul McCartney playing tambourine.
 
1964. Award:
The single, “Oh, Pretty Woman” by Roy Orbison is certified “Gold” by the R.I.A.A.
 
1964. On stage:
Marquee Club: The Yardbirds.
Gaumont Cinema, Bournemouth: The Beatles play two shows as part of their current U.K. tour.
 
1964. On television:
The Jack Paar Program (NBC, U.S.A.). Jack shows excerpts from Julius Monk’s Plaza 9 revue, “Bits and Pieces”.
  
 
1965. On stage:
Manchester University: The Who.
 
1965. On television:
American Bandstand (ABC, U.S.A.) 1694. Annual Halloween Party: The Mojo Men – “Dance with Me” and “Loneliest Guy in Town”; Barry Young – “One Has My Name”.
Beat Club (West Germany) featuring The Phantoms, Ian & The Zodiacs, The (German) Blue Flames and The Rolling Stones.
Shindig (ABC, U.S.A.) Hosted by Boris Karloff. Opening medley: Billy Preston – instrumental, Bobby Sherman – “Help”, Bobby Sherman with The Wellingtons – “I’m Down”, Jackie and Gayle, Ted Cassidy (as Lurch), The Blossoms, and The Spokesmen – “Get on the Right Track Bobby”; Commercial: Stri-Dex acne medication with Jimmy O’Neill; Jimmy O’Neill talks with guest host Boris Karloff; Jim Doval and the Gauchos – “Tell Me What You’re Gonna Do”; Jackie and Gayle – “Everyone’s Gone to the Moon”; Bobby Sherman – “Memphis”; The Spokesmen – “There But For Fortune”; Commercials: Arrid Deodorant & Almond Joy; Boris Karloff recites (then almost sings) the lyrics for “The Peppermint Twist”; The Wellingtons – “Some Enchanted Evening”; The Gauchos with Billy Preston – “Bony Moronie”; Jimmy O’Neill talks with Boris Karloff and Ted Cassidy. Cassidy appears without Lurch makeup; Boris Karloff announces next week’s guests; Bobby Sherman – “You Can’t Sit Down” (finale, closing credits)
“Missing” songs (possibly song excerpts, part of a medley): Boris Karloff – “Monster Mash”; Ted Cassidy – “The Addams Family” & “The Lurch”; Jim Doval and the Gauchos – “Out of Sight”; Jim Doval – “Bella’s Bash”; The Gauchos & Billy Preston – “Bony Moronie”; The Wellingtons – “Scully Gully”
 
1966. On Stage:
Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco – Captain Beefheart, The Chocolate Watch Band and The Great Pumpkin 

1966. The Who play the Sportspalast in Berlin, West Germany. After the show, Keith Moon spots some girls to chat-up. He’s doing fine, until their boyfriends find them. Needless to say, he does the chivalrous thing and asks manager Chris Stamp and road manager Neville Chester to calm things down, before running off. Chris and Neville don’t succeed and are both beaten up.
 
1966. On television:
Ed Sullivan Show (U.S.A.). Musical guests: James Brown and Nancy Sinatra.
 
 
1967. The Jimi Hendrix Experience is at Olympic Studios in London, working on the “Axis: Bold As Love” album. Noel Redding is adding some finishing touches to his track, “She’s So Fine” with Jimi Hendrix and Mitch Mitchell adding backing vocals. It’s likely that a number of other tracks will have had the same treatment as mixing the album begins tomorrow.
 
1967. Brian Jones is sentenced to nine months in prison at Inner London Sessions after pleading guilty to possession of cannabis at his flat. He is also ordered to pay £ 250 costs. Chairman of the magistrates, Mr. R.E. Smeaton, refused bail pending an appeal. Despite evidence given by psychiatrist, Dr Leonard Henry that Jones suffered a mental break-down after his arrest and is likely to injure himself if imprisoned, the guitarist is taken to Wormwood Scrubbs Prison.
 
1967. Paul McCartney and cameraman Aubrey Dewar film the dawn in the mountains around Nice in France. They had flown there from London yesterday with Mal Evans to gather some extra footage for “Magical Mystery Tour”.
 
1967. Robert Stigwood announces that he is to resign from his post as joint managing director of N.E.M.S. Enterprises Ltd. to create a new international entertainment company – The Robert Stigwood Organisation. A spokesman said the resignation will have no detrimental effect on The Beatles. Stigwood’s decision comes after the death of Brian Epstein. He said many of the things he had agreed with Epstein for the future were ‘not now practically possible” and he was leaving “on the most amicable basis”.
 
1967. On television:
The Monkees (U.S.A.) with a show entitled, “Monkees Marooned”, in which Peter Tork trades his guitar for a treasure map of Blackbeard’s long lost booty.
Pink Floyd appear on “The Pat Boone Show” whilst on their first U.S. tour. Pat interviews the band but Syd Barrett doesn’t respond when questioned.
Later, Pink Floyd play a benefit for radio station, KPFA, at The Fillmore. Also taking part are Sopwith Camel.
Three Of A Kind (BBC-2, U.K.) Co-starring Lulu
 
 
1968. The MC-5‘s gigs tonight and tomorrow at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit are recorded by Elektra for a live album. The performances of “Kick Out The Jams” and “Motor City Is Burning” are filmed on Super 8 by Leni Sinclair. The film will later surface at the Ann Arbor Film Festival in January, 1970.
 
1968. New release:
(U.S.) Jimi Hendrix‘s new single, “Crosstown Traffic”.
 
1968. On stage:
Eel Pie Island: The Who, East Of Eden, Proteus and David Booth.
Royal Albert Hall: Tiny Tim and Joe Cocker.
Kleinhan’s Music Hall, Buffalo, New York: Led Zeppelin.
 
1968. On television:
Little Big Time (U.K.) The first show of Freddie Garrity‘s new series (Southern-TV only).
The Johnathan Winters Show (CBS, U.S.A.) 23. Guests include The Craig Hundley Trio.  
 
1969. In court:
Peter Hallett, 31, appears at Esher and Walton Court charged with stealing £ 1,400 from Engelbert Humperdinck, a £ 400 wrist watch from Mrs. Jessie Mills, wife of the singer’s manager and £ 500 from Mr. Gordon Jones, an assistant to Mr. Mills. Hallett is remanded on bail of £ 1,000 for seven days.
 
1969. The Rolling Stones are recording at Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles.
 
1969. On stage:
Matrix Club, San Francisco: The Velvet Underground.
 
1969. On television:
Top Of The Pops, (U.K.) including studio performances by Clodagh Rodgers, Fleetwood Mac, Jimmy Cliff and Joe Dolan, along with film/video of Joe Cocker and Frank Sinatra.
 
 
1970. Michelle Phillips (The Mamas and the Papas), marries actor Dennis Hopper but their wedded bliss only lasts 8 days before they split up.
 
1970. The Rolling Stones sessions for their next album, “Sticky Fingers”, continue at Olympic Studios in London.
 
1970. New releases:
The Beach Boys‘ new single, “Tears In The Morning”.
The Equals‘ new single, “Black-Skinned Blue-Eyed Boy”. Highest U.K. chart position: 9.
Free’s new single “Stealer”.
McGuinness Flint‘s debut single, “When I’m Dead And Gone”. Highest U.K. chart position: 2.
The Nice‘s new single, “Country Pie”.
Quintessence‘s new single, “Dive Deep”.
Status Quo‘s new single, “In My Chair”.
Stevie Wonder‘s new single, “Heaven Help Us All”.
Neil Young‘s new single, “Only Love Can Break Your Heart”.
Chairmen Of The Board‘s new eponymous album.
Merry Clayton‘s new album, “Gimme Shelter”.
The Hollies‘ new album, “Confessions Of My Mind”.
Elton John‘s new album, “Tumbleweed Connection”. Highest U.K. chart position: 6.
Freda Payne‘s new album “Band Of Gold”.
Martha Reeves And The Vandellas‘s new album, “Natural Resources”.
Cliff Richard‘s new album, “Tracks ‘n’ Grooves”.
Jr. Walker And The All Stars‘ new album, “A Gas”.
 
1970. Award:
Bobby Sherman‘s album, “With Love, Bobby” is certified “Gold” by the R.I.A.A.
 
1970. On stage:
Albanay State University Gymnasium, Albany, New York: Derek And The Dominoes.
 
1970. On television:
The Mike Douglas Show (U.S.A.) with musical guests Joe Harnell Sextet and The O’Jays.
The Partridge Family (ABC, U.S.A.) with an episode entitled, “Love At First Slight”. 
 
1971. John Lennon‘s album, “Imagine” reaches number one in the US Top 40.
 
1971. On stage:
Liverpool University, Liverpool: The Velvet Undergound.
 
1971. On television:
American Bandstand (ABC, U.S.A.) Among the performances is Freda Payne – “You Brought the Joy”.
Beat Club (WDR, West Germany) 72: Champion Jack Dupree, Stoneground, T.Rex, Richie Havens, Passport, Alice Cooper, Procol Harum, Jethro Tull, Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan (on film).
Hee-Haw (Syndicated, U.S.A.) 58. Lynn Anderson – “Rose Garden”, “You’re My Man”; Roy Sanders – “I’m Gonna Walk All Over Georgia”; Buck Owens – “Mountain Dew”; Roy Clark – “My Goal for Today”.
Soul Train (U.S.A.) including Bill Withers, Al Green and Viola Wills.
 
 
1972. Elton John‘s appearance at tonight’s Royal Variety Show caused the re-arranging of several dates on his current U.S. tour, along with the cancellation of his Phoenix shows. In his own words it probably cost him £ 15,000. Arriving for sound-checks at 9.30 am, Elton found a small crowd of twenty or thirty people waiting. As he got out of his car, one stepped forward and said, “Michael, can I have your autograph?” Still suffering from jet-lag, Elton took several moments to realise the fan really thought he was Michael Jackson! The Jackson 5 won’t be so easy to approach as they’ve hired an armoured truck to ferry them to gigs during their U.K. tour. As for Elton, he’ll fly back to the States tomorrow to continue his tour.
 
1972. After an 18 month investigation, the results of police enquiries, into allegations that DJs and production staff at the B.B.C. accepted bribes from record company pluggers, has been sent to the Director Of Public Prosecutions.
 
1972. Awards:
The Spinners‘s single, “I’ll Be Around” is certified gold by the R.I.A.A. (Recording Industry Association of America). Highest chart position: 5.
Yes‘s album, “Close To The Edge” is certified gold by the R.I.A.A. highest chart position: 4.
 
1972. On stage:
Marquee Club: Colin Blunstone.
London Palladium: The Royal Variety Show with The Jackson 5, Elton John and Jack Jones.
Edinburgh Caley Theatre: Ten Years After.
 
1972. On television:
‘Sacha’s In Town’ (U.K.) Hosted by Sacha Distel with musical guests Dawn, Mirielle Mathieu and Labi Siffre.
 
 
1973. Pink Floyd continue their recording sessions for the “Household Objects” album.
 
1973. Award:
The album, “Jonathan Livingstone Seagull” by Neil Diamond is certified “Gold” by the R.I.A.A. Highest chart position: 3.
 
1973. On television:
The Mike Douglas Show (Syndicated, U.S.A.) 2562. Guests include singing group Creative Source
The Old Grey Whistle Test (BBC-2, U.K.) with a session by Kevin Coyne.
 
1973. On the radio:
Tonight’s “John Peel Show” on Radio One includes a four song session by Michael Chapman. It was recorded at the BBC’s Langham studios on October 16th.
 
1974. Gong‘s drummer, Laurie Allan, is arrested for possessing drugs as he crosses from Germany into France. His resulting ban fromm France will cause him problems for many years to come.
 
1974. Awards:
America‘s album, “Holiday” is certified gold by the R.I.A.A. Highest chart position: 5.
Neil Diamond‘s album, “Serenade” is certified gold by the R.I.A.A. Highest chart position: 4.
 
 
1975. Bob Dylan opens his Rolling Thunder Review tour at the War Memorial Auditorium in Plymouth, Massachusetts
 
1975. Award:
Elton John‘s album “Rock Of The Westies” is certified gold by the BPI. It was released on October 24th. Highest chart position: 5.
 
1975. On television:
Top Of The Pops (BBC-1, U.K.) Presented by Ed Stewart. Includes studio performances by George McCrae and Maxine Nightingale, along with videos of David Bowie, Deb Clarke, Art Garfunkel and Esther Phillips. There are also repeat (video performances) by Abba, Morris Albert, Justin Hayward & John Lodge and Hello. Pan’s People dance to The Chequers‘ “Rock On Brother”.
 
 
1976. Elvis Presley has a recording session in The Jungle Room at Graceland. Recording starts at 9 pm, with three three-hour sessions, finishing at 8 am the following day. One album track (“He’ll Have To Go”) is cut.
 
1976. On television:
American Bandstand (ABC, U.S.A.) 2248. Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. – “You Don’t Have to Be a Star, Baby”; Flash Cadillac and the Continental Kids – “Did You Boogie?”
Hee-Haw (Syndicated, U.S.A.) 188. C.W. McCall – “Convoy”, “Crispy Critters”; Crystal Gayle – “Somebody Loves You”; Brush Arbor (band) – “Long as You Still Love Me”; Buck Owens and the Buckaroos – “Act Naturally”; Roy Clark – “Have I Stayed Away Too Long?”; The Hagers – “Movin’ On”.
Saturday Night Live (U.S.A.) with musical guests The Band.
Soul Train (U.S.A.)  including The Undisputed Truth, Impact and Carl Douglas.
 
 
1977. The Rolling Stones sessions for their next album, “Some Girls”, continue at Pathe Marconi EMI’s studios in Paris.
 
1977. On stage:
Marquee Club: Grand Hotel and Smiler.
Rainbow Theatre: Roy Harper & Black Sheep.
Roundhouse: Dave Edmunds’ Rockpile, The Motors and Flying Aces.
Edinburgh Usher Hall: Alan Stivell.
Glasgow Apollo: The Jam and The Piranhas.
Manchester Apollo: Smokie.
 
 
1978. Awards:
Village People‘s single, “Macho Man” is certified gold by the R.I.A.A.
Ted Nugent‘s album, “Weekend Warriors” is certified gold by the R.I.A.A.
The Marshall Tucker Band‘s album, “Greatest Hits” is certified gold by the R.I.A.A.
 
1978. On stage:
Marquee Club: The Smirks.
Hammersmith Odeon: Steve Hackett.
Wembley Arena: Santana.
Manchester Apollo: Budgie.
 
1978. On television:
 Disco (ZDF, West Germany) 95.  Luv’ – You’re the greatest lover; Wolfgang Petry – Gianna (Liebe im Auto); Tom Paxton – The last thing on my mind; Rosetta Stone – Sheila; Luisa Fernandez – Give love a second chance; Gebrüder Blattschuß – Kreuzberger Nächte; Bino – Mama Leone; Boney M – Rasputin
 
1978. On the radio:
Tonight’s “John Peel Show” on Radio One includes a four song session by Angelic Upstarts, recorded at the BBC’s Maida Vale studios on October 24th and a four track session by Elvis Costello And The Attractions, recorded at the same studios on October 23rd.
 
 
1979. New release: Pink Floyd‘s album, “The Wall”.
 
1979. Awards:
Stevie Wonder‘s album “Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants” is certified gold by the BPI. It was released today and qualified for its award on pre-sales alone. Highest chart position: 8.
 L.T.D.‘s album, “Devotion” is certified gold by the R.I.A.A
 
1979. On stage:
Marquee Club: The Piranhas.
Wembley Stadium: Supertramp.
 
1979. On television:
The Old Grey Whistle Test (U.K.) with sessions by Landscape and Bruce Wooley & The Camera Club.
 
 
1980. Award:
Pat Benatar‘s album, “Crimes Of Passion” is certified platinum by the R.I.A.A
 
1980. The Rolling Stones are still recording at Pathe Marconi EMI’s studios in Paris, working on their next album, “Tattoo You”.
 
1980. The Specials open a series of charity gigs at Islington’s Hope And Anchor tonight. Called “Blanket Coverage” the gigs will pay for blankets and duvets to combat hypothermia amongst the elderly in the borough. It’s also hoped that some funds will be available to help with paying heating bills. Distribution and organisation is being arranged by the local Home Help department. Eleven other bands will be playing during the fourteen nights. They are The Skids, The Only Ones, Pauline Murray and John Cooper Clark, The Damned, Sector 27, Madness, Bad Manners, The Revillos, The Rumour, Selector and Ian Dury And The Blockheads.
 
1980. On stage:
Marquee Club: The Revillos.
100 Club: Pressure Shock (lunchtime); Local Heroes (evening).
Hammersmith Odeon: Ry Cooder.
Edinburgh Usher Hall: Elkie Brooks.
Glasgow Apollo: The Jam and The Piranhas.
Manchester Apollo: Captain Beefheart and Comsat Angels.
 
1980. On television:
Rockpalast (West Germany) featuring Magazine and The Schroeder Roadshow live at the Metropol, Berlin.
Top Of The Pops (U.K.) presented by Peter Powell and Colin Berry. Includes a studio performance by Adam & The Ants, along with videos of Sheana Easton, Olivia Newton-John, Odyssey and Barbra Streisand. There are also repeat (video) performances by Bad Manners and Showaddywaddy. Pan’s People dance to David Bowie‘s “Fashion”.
 
1980. Awards:
Roxy Music‘s album “Flesh And Blood” is certified platinum by the BPI. It was released in May this year. Highest chart position: 1.
The Shadows‘ album “Change Of Address” is certified silver by the BPI. It was released on August 1st this year. Highest chart position: 17.
 
 
1981. Gary Numan is stuck in Frobisher Bay, on Baffin Island, only 200 miles from the Arctic Circle, with an oil leak on his Piper Navaho aircraft. This is the second time one of his round the world flights has run into problems. His mother, Mrs. Beryl Webb, announced today that two engineers had examined the plane and were awaiting the arrival of a third. If a new engine was needed, then one was ready and waiting. Meanwhile, a spokesman for one of Numan’s companies said the pop star’s father, Mr. Tony Webb, had arrived in Toronto to help arrange the repairs. Numan and his aircraft are some 1500 miles from there. It’s hoped that if the repairs can be carried out, then the flight will re-commence on Wednesday, November 4th.
 
1981. New releases:
George Benson‘s new single, “Turn Your Love Around”. Highest U.K. chart position: 29.
John Foxx‘s new single, “Dancing Like A Gun”.
The Kinks‘ new single, “Predictable”.
Ultravox’s new single, “The Voice”. Highest U.K. chart position: 16.
 
1981. Awards:
OMD‘s album “Architecture & Morality” is certified gold by the BPI. Highest chart position: 3.

1981. The Rolling Stones‘ album, “Tattoo You” is certified platinum by the R.I.A.A
 
1981. On stage:
Marquee Club: The Byron Band.
Hammersmith Odeon: Greg Lake Band and Voyager.
Glasgow Shawlands Academy: H2O.
Liverpool Royal Court Theatre: Bad Manners.
 
1981. On television:
American Bandstand (ABC, U.S.A.) American Bandstand’s 30th Anniversary Special. Kim Carnes – “Bette Davis Eyes”; Stevie Wonder – “Master Blaster”; The Beach Boys – medley of hits (“Good Vibrations”, “Help Me Rhonda”, “I Get Around,” etc.); Rod Stewart – “Young Turks” (performance videotaped on rooftop); Teddy Pendergrass – “Greatest Inspiration”; The Oak Ridge Boys – “Elvira”; Connie Francis – medley of hits (“Among My Souvenirs,” “Stupid Cupid,” “Lipstick on Your Collar,” “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool,” “Who’s Sorry Now” and “Where the Boys Are”); Barry Manilow – “The Old Songs”; Earth, Wind, and Fire – “Let’s Groove”; Frankie Laine – medley of hits including “Jezebel,” “High Noon”(“Do Not Forsake Me”), “Mule Train,” “I Believe”; The Righteous Brothers – “Rock and Roll Heaven” (Updated version of 1974 song); Finale: All-Star Supergroup performs “Rock Around the Clock”

1982. The Jam announce they have broken up.

1982. Mari Wilson insures her bee-hive hair-do for £ 100,000.
 
1982. On stage:
Marquee Club: Glitter Band.
Dundee Caird Hall: Duran Duran and The Church.
Glasgow Apollo: Diamond Head.
Manchester Apollo: Chris De Burgh and Dean Friedman.
 
1982. On television:
American Bandstand (ABC, U.S.A.) 2524. Janet Jackson “Young Love” and “Come Give Your Love To Me”; Laura Branigan – “Gloria”. Both listed artists are making their television debuts. 
Saturday Night Live (U.S.A.) with musical guests The New Joe Jackson Band.
Soul Train (U.S.A.) including A salute to Lionel Richie, Ozone and Hal Jackson’s Talented Teens.
 
 
1983. On stage:
Marquee Club: The Sinatras.
Hammersmith Odeon: Paul Young & The Royal Family.
Edinburgh Playhouse: Michael Schenker Group and Wildlife.
Manchester Jilly’s: Toy Dolls.
 
1983. On television:
Rockpalast (West Germany) featuring Telephone live at Zeche, Bochum.
 
 
1984. Awards:
AC/DC‘s albums, “For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)”, “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” and “Highway To Hell” are all certified 2 X platinum by the R.I.A.A. Their album, “Back In Black” also gets a certification for 5 X platinum.
The Blues Brothers‘ album, “Briefcase Full Of Blues” is certified 2 X platinum by the R.I.A.A.
The Cars‘ album, “Heartbeat City” is certified 2 X platinum by the R.I.A.A.
Foreigner‘s album, “Head Games” is certified 2 X platinum by the R.I.A.A. while their albums, “4” and “Double Vision” both get 5 X platinum.
The Jacksons‘ album, “Victory” is certified 2 X platinum by the R.I.A.A.
Michael Jackson‘s album, “Thriller” is certified 20 X platinum by the R.I.A.A.!
Led Zeppelin‘s album, “The Song Remains The Same” is certified 2 X platinum by the R.I.A.A while their album “In Through The Out Door” gets 3 X platinum.
Stevie Nicks‘ album, “Bella Donna” is certified 3 X platinum by the R.I.A.A.
The Rolling Stones‘ album, “Tattoo You” is certified 3 X platinum by the R.I.A.A.
Linda Ronstadt‘s album, “What’s New” is certified 2 X platinum by the R.I.A.A.
 
1984. On stage:
Marquee Club: Immaculate Fools.
100 Club: Broken Bones and The Accursed.
Wembley Conference Centre: Roberta Flack.
Glasgow Mayfair: Grand Slam (Phil Lynott‘s new band).
 
1984. On television:
Whistle Test (BBC-2, U.K.) with a session by Everything But The Girl plus a film report on Bruce Springsteen in Philadelphia.
 
 
1985. On stage:
Marquee Club: Screaming Blue Messiahs.
100 Club: Alan Gresty/Brian White All-Stars.
Wembley Arena: George Benson.
Liverpool University: Marc Almond & The Willing Sinners.
 
1985. Kate Bush‘s album “Hounds Of Love” is certified platinum by the BPI. It was released on September 16, this year. Highest chart position: 1.
 
1985. On television:
Soul Train (U.S.A.) featuring The Thompson Twins and The Jets.
 
1985. On the radio:
Today’s edition of Janice Long‘s “The Evening Show” on Radio One includes a four song session by Cactus World News. It was recorded at the BBC’s Maida Vale studios on October 16th.
 
 
1986. Craig Gannon plays his last gig with the The Smiths at Manchester Free Trade Hall: The Smiths. Gannon left the gig unaware that he was out of the band. Neither Morrissey nor Marr bothered to tell him. They merely passed a message to him via Gary Rostock of Easterhouse. Morrissey later said that Gannon had to be forced to turn up in the studio and “was lazy”. He also said that, “He had nothing to say and nothing to contribute”.
 
1986. Boston‘s album, “Don’t Look Back” is certified 4 X platinum by the R.I.A.A. Highest U.S. chart position: 2 (October 1978). Their album, “Boston” also gets a certification for 9 X platinum. Highest U.S. chart position: 3 (December 1976).
 
1986. On stage:
Marquee Club: Terraplane.
100 Club: The Kick, The Moment and The Reflections.
Wembley Arena: Joan Armatrading.
Edinburgh Playhouse: W.A.S.P. and Warlock.
 
1986. On television:
Top Of The Pops (BBC-1, U.K.), presented by Janice Long. Includes studio performances by Gwen Guthrie, Mel & Kim, Catherine Stock and Kim Wilde, along with videos of Berlin, Nick Berry and Status Quo.
Late Night With David Letterman (U.S.A.) with musical guest David Sanborn.
 
1986. On the radio:
Today’s edition of Janice Long‘s “The Evening Show” on Radio One includes a three song session by The Botany 500. It was recorded at the BBC’s Maida Vale studios on October 5th.
 
 
1987. Awards:
Sisters Of Mercy‘s album “First And Last And Always” is finally certified silver by the BPI. It was released on March 15 1985!
 
1987. On stage:
Marquee Club: Blues ‘N” Trouble.
100 Club: The Boogie Brothers.
Liverpool Empire: David Essex.
 
1987. On television:
Late Night With David Letterman (U.S.A.) with musical guests David Sanborn and Dave Mason.
The Last Resort with Jonathan Ross (Channel 4, U.K.) Musical Guest: Chris Isaak
 
 
1988. On stage:
Marquee Club: Something Happens! and The Milltown Brothers.
100 Club: Juice On The Loose and Jo-Jab.
Edinburgh Playhouse: Deacon Blue.
Glasgow Barrowlands: Uriah Heep and Excalibur.
 
 
1989. Award:
Elton John‘s album, “Sleeping With The Past” is certified gold by the R.I.A.A.
 
1989. New releases:
Bad English‘s new single, “When I See You Smile”
The Beatles‘ single, “Something” on CD for the first time as well as being re-issued on vinyl and as a picture disc.
Indigo Girls‘ new single, “Closer To Fine”.
Killdozer re-issue their EP, “Intellectuals Are the Shoeshine Boys Of The Ruling Elite” and a new album “Twelve Point Buck”.
The Lightning Seeds‘ new single, “Joy”.
Richard Marx‘s new single, “Angelia”.
The Saints‘ new album, “Prodigal Son”.
Jimmy Somerville‘s debut solo single, “(Comment Te Dire) Adieu”. Highest U.K. chart position: 14.
David Sylvian‘s new single, “Pop Song”.
Thunder‘s new single “She’s So Fine”.
Wolfsbane‘ new single, “Shakin'”.
J.J. Cale‘s first new album for six years, “Travel-Log”.
Will Downing‘s new album, “Come Together As One”.
Gorky Park‘s debut UK album “Gorky Park”.
John Lee Hooker’s new album, “The Healer”.
Jermaine Jackson’s first album for three years, “Don’t Take It Personal”.
Cliff Richard‘s new album, “The Best Of Me”.
Wet Wet Wet‘s new album, “Holding Back The River”.
 
 
1989. On stage:
Marquee Club: The Bollock Brothers and The Chemistry Set.
Hammersmith Odeon: The Dogs D’Amour and Under Neath What.
Glasgow Barrowlands: Fish and The Flame.
 
 
1990. R.E.M. are on their last day of recording final overdubs and vocal tracks for “Out Of Time” at John Keane‘s Studio in Athens, Georgia.
 
1990. Axl Rose is arrested on a charge of assaulting his neighbour Gabriela Kantor with a bottle after she called police to complain about noise from his house. He’s released later in the day on bail of $ 5,000.
 
1990. New release:
The Traveling Wilburys‘ album, “The Traveling Wilburys Volume 3” is released in the U.S.A. Despite the title, it’s the band’s second album. No Volume 2 has ever been officially released. The group’s pseudonyms have all been changed for this release with Bob Dylan becoming Boo Wilbury; George Harrison is Spike; Jeff Lynne is Clayton and Tom Petty is now Muddy.
 
1990. Awards:
Maxi Priest‘s single, “Close To You” is certified gold by the R.I.A.A
Garth Brooks‘ album, “No Fences” is certified platinum by the R.I.A.A.
 
1990. On stage:
Marquee Club: Wendy Rage and Skin Games.
Wembley Arena: The Grateful Dead.
Edinburgh Playhouse: Hall And Oates.
Glasgow Barrowlands: The Charlatans and Easy.
Liverpool Polytcehnic: Blur.
 
1990. On television:
Late Night With David Letterman (U.S.A.) with musical guests The Neville Brothers.
 
 
1991. Tonight’s Bryan Adams‘ concert at Glasgow’s Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre sets the record for the largest all standing indoor concert ever held in Britain. The crowd of 12,000 was allowed after the venue applied for en extension to their licence after overwhelming demand for tickets.
 
1991. James have to cancel their appearance tonight at the University Of East Anglia in Norwich when singer Tim Booth is overcome by a throat problem. To avoid the show being cancelled Thousand Yard Stare, who have been supporting James, take over headlining duties for the night.
 
1991. Awards:
Kenny G‘s album, “G-Force” is certified gold by the R.I.A.A. (Recording Industry Association of America).
The Alan Parsons Project’s album, “Best Of The Alan Parsons Project” is certified gold by the R.I.A.A.
 
1991. On stage:
Marquee Club: Loves Young Nightmare and Flower Drum.
Glasgow Queen Margaret Union: Nirvana.
 
 
1992. On stage:
Marquee Club: Stereo MC’s and Blade.
Edinburgh College Of Art: Anti-Nazi League Benefit with One People, Fenn, Two Tone Committee and The Mutiny Strings.
Glasgow King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut: Gallon Drunk and Breed.
 
1992. On television:
Sounds Of The Sixties (U.K.). Another chance for BBC-2 to raid Auntie’s archives. Includes Joe Cocker, Jimi Hendrix, The Nice, Pink Floyd and The Who.
The Word (U.K.). First show of a new season. Includes Neneh Cherry, Vanessa Paradis and The Sandals.
Late Night With David Letterman (U.S.A.) Musical guest: Peter Frampton.
 
 
1993. Nirvana‘s concert at the Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio comes to an abrupt halt. Kurt Cobain, believing the band’s first drummer Chad Channing is in the hall, calls for him to join them onstage. He refuses to restart the gig until Channing appears but he’s not there. After ten minutes, Cobain is eventually persuaded that he’s not in the audience and gets on with the show. Channing, unaware of the chaos caused by his absence, hears a tape of the concert five years later and describes it as “pretty funny”.
 
1993. On stage:
Marquee Club: Neurosis, Pitchshifter and Grotus.
Glasgow King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut: Pele.
 
1993. On television:
Taratata (France 4, France). No. 31. Includes solo performances by Alain Chamfort, Faubert, Paul Young, The Pogues and Nina Moratto, along with duets by Alain Chamfort with Viktor Lazlo and Alain Chamfort with Richard Berry.
Soul Train (U.S.A.) including MC Lyte, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and Mica Paris.
 
 
1994. On television:
Good Morning America (ABC, U.S.A.) with They Might Be Giants
 
 
1995. The Shirelles are inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall Of Fame.
 
1995. New releases:
Goldie re-issues the single “Inner City Life” as a re-mix.
Oasis‘ new single, “Wonderwall”. Highest U.K. chart position: 2.
Saint Etienne‘s new single, “He’s On The Phone”. Highest U.K. chart position: 11.
Spiritualized‘s new single, “Lay Back In The Sun”.
Super Furry Animals‘ new EP, “Moog Droog”.
The Wannadies‘ new single, “Might Be Stars”.
Asian Dub Foundation‘s new album, “Facts And Fictions”.
Catherine Wheel‘s new album, “Happy Days”.
Happy Mondays‘ new album, “Loads And Loads More”.
Human League‘s best-of album, “The Greatest Hits”.
 
1995. On stage:
Bloomsbury Theatre: Ray Davies. An evening of acoustic songs, musical words and readings from “X-Ray”.
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall: Joan Baez.
Liverpool Casbah Club: The Pete Best Band.
 
 
1996. Awards:
Shania Twain‘s eponymous album is certified gold by the R.I.A.A. (Recording Industry Association of America).
Garth Brooks‘ album, “The Hits” is certified 9 X platinum by the R.I.A.A.
The Cranberries‘ album, “No Need To Argue” is certified 7 X platinum by the R.I.A.A.
Celine Dion‘s album, “The Colour Of My Love” is certified 4 X platinum by the R.I.A.A.
Melissa Etheridge‘s album, “Yes I Am” is certified 6 X platinum by the R.I.A.A.
Vanessa Williams‘ album, “The Comfort Zone” is certified 3 X platinum by the R.I.A.A.
 
1996. On television:
Later… With Jools Holland (BBC-2, U.K.) First show of series 8. Kula Shaker – “Govinda”, “Smart Dogs”; Joe Cocker – “Delta Lady”, “Drown In My Own Tears (+ Nu Colours)”, “Can’t Find My Way Home”; The Blue Nile – “Body and Soul”, “Tinseltown In The Rain”; Jackson Browne – “The Barricades Of Heaven”, “The Two Of Me, The Two Of You”; Orbital – “Satan”  
Soul Train (U.S.A.) featuring Take 6Alfonso Hunter and 112.
The Rosie O’Donnell Show (Syndicated, U.S.A.). Guests include RuPaul
 
1997. It’s announced today that Jewel has signed a $2 million deal with the publishers Harper Collins for two books. One will be a volume of poetry and the other will be her autobiography. Harper Collins beat seven other publishers in the competition to buy the rights.
 
1997. The Crystal Method‘s label, Outpost Recordings issue a statement regarding the arrest of the group yesterday on suspicion of possessing the drug GHB. The label says the duo of Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Outpost explained that the two were dropping off some vinyl copies of their new album, “Vegas” at the home af a Los Angeles DJ. Unfortunately the pair didn’t leave before the “whole house was over-run by police”. At the time of the statement being issued a spokesman for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office said no charges had been made against the duo. Police are investigating their story.
 
1997. Awards:
The Wallflowers‘ album, “Bringing Down The Horse” is certified 4 X platinum by the R.I.A.A. (Recording Industry Association of America).
 
 
1998. The Q Awards are presented at London’s Intercontinental Hotel. The winners are:
Best Single: “Road Rage” by Catatonia.
Best Live Act: Ronnie Size/Reprazent.
Classic Songwriter: Paul Weller.
Best New Act: Gomez.
Best Producer: Norman Cook.
Best Album: “Mezzanine” by Massive Attack.
Best Act In The World: Manic Street Preachers.
Lifetime Achievement Awards: R.E.M.
Inspiration Award: Blondie.
Stepping up to collect his award, Paul Weller offered his thanks for the “Lifetime Wanker Award”.
 
1998. Kiss stage a dress rehearsal for tomorrow’s Halloween concert in Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles.
 
1998. Awards:
Aerosmith‘s single, “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” is certified gold by the BPI. It was released on August 31 this year. Highest chart position: 4.
Cher‘s album, “Believe” is certified silver by the BPI. The single “Believe” is certified platinum. It was released on October 19 this year. Highest chart position: 1.
Julio Iglesias‘ album, “My Life” is certified gold by the BPI. It was released in May this year.
Natalie Imbruglia‘s album “Left Of The Middle” is certified 3 X platinum by the BPI. It was released on November 24 1997. Highest chart position: 5.
Alanis Morissette‘s album “Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie” is certified platinum by the BPI. It was released on October 26 this year. Highest chart position: 3.
Savage Garden‘s album “Savage Garden” is certified 2 X platinum by the BPI. It was released on March 2 this year. Highest chart position: 2.
Spacedust‘s single “Gym & Tonic” is certified silver by the BPI. It was released on October 12 this year. Highest chart position: 1.
Robbie Williams‘ album “Life Thru A Lens” is certified 5 X platinum by the BPI. It was released on September 29 1997. Highest chart position: 1.
 
1998. On television:
Late Show with David Letterman (CBS, U.S.A.). Musical guests: Black Sabbath.
The Rosie O’Donnell Show (Syndicated, U.S.A.). Guests include Marin Mazzie
 
 
1999. Ex-Abba star, Annifrid Lyngstad‘s husband, Count Ruzzo Reuss von Plauen, dies of cancer at the couple’s Swedish home. The ex-singer had nursed Ruzzo through his last days and was holding his hands as he died. The couple met after Annifrid’s divorce from Benny Andersson in 1981.
 
1999. On television :
Soul Train (Syndicated, U.S.A.) including Chico DeBarge, 112 and Trin-I-Tee 5:7.
 
 
2000. Nora Garza, features editor of “The Monitor”, a daily paper in McAllen, Texas is fired today after running a photo of The Deftones on the cover of the paper’s entertainment section published on October 27th. In the picture, singer Chino Moreno is pictured wearing a sweatshirt bearing the word “FUCT”,the name of the clothing company whose products he’s been wearing for years.
 
2000. Patricia Glassop, the mother of dead rock star, Michael Hutchence tells ITV’s “This Morning” show that Paula Yates drove her son to suicide. Talking to the show’s hosts, Richard Madeley & Judy Finnigan, she said that she believed Paula ‘phoned Michael hours before his death and threatened to kill herself and their daughter, Tiger Lily.
 
2000. At the High Court in London, it’s revealed that Sir Elton John is so rich that it was several years before he realised that £ 20 million was missing from his accounts. The details came to light during opening arguements in the court action Sir Elton is taking against Andrew Haydon, ex-managing director of John Reid Enterprises Limited (JREL), his management company and the accountants, Price Waterhouse Coopers. The singer claims Haydon was negligent in allowing JREL to charge the singer for tour expenses which should have been borne by the management company. The accountants are accused of negligence in handling Sir Elton’s affairs. Mr Gordon Pollock, Q.C., acting on behalf of Sir Elton asked the judge, Mr. Justice Ferris, if details of his client’s financial affairs could be withheld from the press to avoid “a media frenzy, putting pressure on Sir Elton”. The hearing continues.
 
2000. Ex-Runrig front man, Donnie Munro fails in a bid to be selected as the Labour Party candidate for the Glasgow Anniesland seat in the Scottish Parliament. In a vote of local party officials, Munro was beaten by 96 votes to 22 by Glasgow City Councillor, Bill Butler.
 
2000. Awards:
Rare Earth‘s single, “Get Ready”, is certified gold by the R.I.A.A. (Recording Industry Association of America). Their albums, “Ecology” and “Rare Earth In Concert” both get a gold certification and the album, “Get Ready”, gets a platinum.
Aaron Carter‘s album, “Aaron’s Party (Come Get It)” is certified gold by the R.I.A.A.
Michael Jackson‘s album, “Blood On The Dancefloor: History In The Mix” is certified platinum by the R.I.A.A. and the album, “Thriller” gets upgraded to 26 X platinum.
Mystikal‘s album, “Let’s Get Ready” is certified platinum by the R.I.A.A.
 
2000. On television tonight: 
The Frank Skinner Show (ITV, U.K.) Guests include Fatboy Slim
 
 
2001. Snoop Dogg (real name Calvin Broadus) pleads not guilty through his lawyer, Jay Milano, to a charge of drug possession at a court in Oberlin, Ohio. A pre-trial hearing date is set for December 11th. The charges stem from October 17th, when Snoop Dogg’s bus was pulled over outside Cleveland for speeding. Police then searched the vehicle with sniffer dogs and found 200 grammes of marijuana in the cargo hold. While the marijuana only carries a fine of $ 100, the paraphenalia which was also found carries a maximum sentence of 30 days in prison.
 
2001. Awards:
The Charlie Daniels Band‘s album, “A Decade Of Hits” is certified 4 X platinum by the R.I.A.A. (Recording Industry Association of America).
Macy Gray‘s album, “The Id” is certified gold by the R.I.A.A.
 
2001. On television:
Late Show With David Letterman (CBS, U.S.A.). Musical guest: Laurie Anderson.
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC, U.S.A.) 2148. Musical guest: Lenny Kravitz
 
 
2002. Rapper MC Hammer, an ordained minister, officiates at the wedding of actor Corey Feldman to Susie Sprague. The ceremony takes place on the set of the TV show, “The Surreal Life” in which both Felman and Hammer are currently starring.
 
2002. Jam Master Jay (real name Jason Mizell), 37, DJ with Run-DMC is shot while sitting in a second-floor lounge at a recording studio in Jamaica, Queens, New York. Two men entered the lounge, they shot Mizell once in the head and another man once in the arm before making their escape. The DJ died at the scene. The other victim of the shootings, Urieco Rincon, 25, was taken to Mary Immaculate Hospital where he was described as being in a stable condition.
 
2002. Tommy Lee is heading home from meeting American troops in South Korea and then Pearl Harbour. While the trip isn’t unusual, Lee is keen that his nine days away should be counted towards the 450 hours community service he was sentenced to in 1998 for assaulting his wife of the time, Pamela Anderson. As he’s only completed 212 hours, in five years, he really needs to get the court to accept it.
 
2002. On television:
Late Show with David Letterman (CBS, U.S.A.) including Warren Zevon. The second half of the show is given over to a set by Zevon, an old friend of Letterman’s, who’s been recently diagnosed as having terminal cancer.
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC, U.S.A.) 2361. Musical guests: Marilyn Manson; Shaggy
 
 
2003 On television:
The Ellen DeGeneres Show (Syndicated, U.S.A.) 39. Guests include R.E.M. who perform their new single “Bad Day” and “Losing my Religion.”
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC, U.S.A.) 2584. Musical guest: Mandy Moore.

2004. On television:
Austin City Limits (PBS, U.S.A.) 398. Lyle Lovett followed by Jamie Cullum
Parkinson (ITV, U.K.) Featuring an interview with Sharon Osbourne and a performance from the Scissor Sisters.
Saturday Night Live (NBC,U.S.A.) 569. Musical guest: Eminem – “Mosh”, “Just Lose It”.
Soul Train (Syndicated, U.S.A.) 1081. O’Ryan – “Shorty”, “Take it Slow”; Silkk the Shocker – “We Like Them Girls”; Boyz II Men – “What You Won’t Do for Love” and “Sara Smile”.
 
 
2005. On stage:
London Royal Albert Hall: Simply Red, Amy Smith
Glasgow King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut: Longview, Fell City Girl, Nick Reilly
 
 
2006. On television:
The Ellen DeGeneres Show (Syndicated, U.S.A.) 556. Guests include Barry Manilow, who performs “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” from his hit CD “The Greatest Songs of the Sixties.”
 
 
2007. Linda Stein, socialite, real estate agent to the stars and one-time manager of The Ramones, is found murdered in her Fifth Avenue apartment. She became an influential figure in the U.S. punk movement during the time she was married to Seymour Stein, owner of Sire Records. After the couple divorced, she turned to real estate finding properties for Billy Joel, Sting, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jann Wenner and Damon Dash amongst others.
 
2007. On television:
Late Show with David Letterman (CBS, U.S.A.) Musical guests include Slash who pops by to give Dave the lowdown on his life with Axl Rose. Nicole Atkins performs “The Way It Is”.

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From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Tuesday 28th October):

Birth

1941. Hank B. Marvin (The Shadows) born Brian Rankin in Newcastle, Northumberland.

On Tour

1990. Six people are arrested and a number of fans injured when a riot breaks out after The High call a halt to their gig at Newcastle University. Singer John Matthews left the stage after almost collapsing during the second song. The rest of the band played a 15 minute instrumental version of “Bombay Mix” but Matthews wasn’t well enough to return and the crowd decided to make their own entertainment.

In Custody

1965. Eric Burdon (The Animals) is arrested by police at his Chelsea home for failing to appear in court to answer a summons elleging that he did not pay import duty on a camera. He is bailed to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on November 1st.

In Business

1997. David Bowie is named Britain’s richest rock star with a fortune of $ 917 million according to “Business Age”. A $ 55 million Wall Street bond issue secured on the star’s back catalogue helped push Bowie past Paul McCartney for the first time.

On Television

1972. Beat Club (WDR, West Germany) 81: Ike & Tina Turner, Everly Brothers, Grease Band, Byrds, Mick Abrahams, Manassas, Heads Hands & Feet, James Taylor, Three Dog Night. Here are Manassas with “Hide It So Deep”

Death

1991. R&B vocalist Billy Wright (“The Prince Of Blues”) dies from a pulmonary embolism in Atlanta, Georgia aged 73.

Babble

First of all, I have to point out that the Newcastle connection in three of today’s entries was totally unintentional. If you noticed it, I’m sorry, there are no prizes!

Having done a slightly longer rant than normal in babble I pressed the publish button about 20 minutes ago and lost everything. I have taken the added precaution of saving this one a couple of times. 

As if I haven’t got enough blogs, I am seriously considering another. This time concentrating on memorabilia; both my own and other interesting items I come across. Partly, it’s as a result of listing some new additions to Rockmine’s main site and still not finding them on the search engines. Whether this was down to the spiders giving up on me while I was having a major sulk and not posting remains to be seen. Anyway, those days are behind me and I’m full of positive thinking now!

One thing I am surprised by is the lack of interest in the Fillmore blog. I know I’ve only got one year up but it’s one of the most famous venues in the world with an array of astonishing bands. maybe that’s also down to the spiders.

To try and get a handle on what is happening with the spiders, I’m going to do another of my blatant plugs. If you don’t want to see it, look away now.

Here are three of the most interesting items for sale on Rockmine just now:

Kate Bush – Cathy. Privately published in 1986 by Kate’s brother John Carder Bush. This really is a beautiful book and almost impossible to find. Back in 2001, Future Publishing, the magazine group were keen to buy me and the archive. It even got to the point of me being flown down to meet the board and have a formal offer made but the day of the meeting their share price fell 25% and it never happened. I digress, as usual. Mick Wall, who was then editor of Classic Rock had come to see the archive. When he was browsing through it, he saw this book and was very keen that the magazine reprint some of it. Unfortunately, that never happened. It’s a pity as many fans will never get the chance to see these wonderful shots.

George Harrison – Konnichiwa. The rarest Beatle related book EVER made? George Harrison commissioned 30 to give as personal gifts on a concert tour of Japan.

Derek Taylor – Fifty Years Adrift. Probably the best Beatles-related book ever written. 23 years after it was published, normal copies of this are extremely hard to find and always very expensive. This is not part of the limited edition and is neither numbered nor signed. A real rarity!

For more on the collectable rock books available for sale on Rockmine, click here.
 
Finally, on the subject of collectable books, I’ll be adding a true gem to Rockmine in the next day or so. A copy of Pink Floyd‘s “Shine On” signed on the title page in three different pens by David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Rick Wright.

 

Go to Rockmine’s main site here.

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

From the Rockmine Almanac for today (October):

Birth

1948. Millie Small, of “My Boy Lollipop” fame, born in Clarendon, Jamaica.

In Custody

1967. After a night in police custody, “Mama” Cass Elliot, appears at West London Magistrate’s Court charged with larceny. When the case is called, the prosecution offers no evidence against her and the magistrate, Mr. Seymour Collins, dismisses the charges. A warrant still exists for another unamed person who is thought to have actually taken the items. This individual was also left to settle the bill which remained unpaid. When undertakings are given by Cass that she’ll see to things, the prosecution also ask for the outstanding warrant to be dismissed.

In Court

1999. Country singer Johnny Rodriguez (47) appears in court for the first day of his murder trial in Uvalde, Texas. During the opening statements, his attourney, Jay Norton, tells the jury that he shot and killed Israel “Bosco” Borrego (26), a drinking buddy, in an act of self-defence, thinking he was an intruder at his mother’s house in Sabinal, Texas on August 29th 1998. He tells how Rodriguez saw a shadowy figure in the house at 4 a.m., took a pistol from a cushion on the couch and fired one shot, hitting Borrego in the abdomen. The 26 year old died several hours later.

Tony Hackebell, attourney for the prosecution has a different story to tell, saying that Rodriguez had invited Borrego to a late-night drinking party at a house across the street from his mother’s. The shooting had occured some time later when Borrego was cooking breakfast for Rodriguez.

In Hospital

1994. Glen Frey undergoes surgery at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for diverticulitis. As a result of being hospitalised, the second half of The Eagles‘ “Hell Freezes Over” tour is postponed until the New Year.

On Television

1968. The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (ABC, U.S.A.) Guest stars: Harry Belafonte, Cass Elliot. Here’s “Mama” Cass with a great version of “Dream A Little Dream”. I know she’s already had a mention today but thought this was too good a clip to miss.

Death

1978. Australian pop star, Johnny O’Keefe dies in a Sydney hospital after a heart attack, aged 43. He is credited with being the first rock singer in Australia with a career that spanned performing and management over 26 years. He’s best remembered by the rest of the world as composer of “Real Wild Child” which has been covered by everyone from Buddy Holly to Iggy Pop.

Babble

My mood, which has been one of doom and gloom lately, has lifted a bit. My blog for the Two Red Shoes Ballroom has been linked to from the Northern Scot, the local newspaper for Elgin where the ballroom was. Add to that the fact that the daily paper for the area, the Press & Journal, has said they’ll cover the memorabilia exhibition that is meant to start this week in the Red Shoes Theatre – yes! it is the same building, which reopened last year – and you might see why I feel a bit happier.

After six months of being on, then off, then on again, it seems I will get to draw a line under this at long last. I know you can stage an exhibition of memorabilia anywhere but it seemed that such a famous venue was the ideal place to hold it. While I don’t have any memorabilia that links directly to the ballroom, I do have memorabilia for most of the bands that played there. 

The Animals hit, “House Of the Rising Sun”, entered the chart on the day the band played Elgin and I’ve got the gold disc presented to Hilton Valentine. Unlike modern awards discs which are just vinyl records plated (and often discs by other artists!) this is a gold plated pressing master for the single. A totally awesome piece of pop history. I’d love to have a handbill for Pink Floyd when they played to 12 people in the Two Red Shoes but I’ve got a flyer for the Love-In Festival just over a week later when they went out on stage in front of 10,000!

Anyway, I’ll be heading north tomorrow to hang the exhibition and will be putting a virtual version online at the same time. So, watch this space.

 

Go to Rockmine’s main site here.

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

I longed for another Pink Floyd album. I knew there was little likelihood of getting one but I nurtured a small hope that sometime in the future Dave, Nick and Rick as we used to refer to them would one again go into the studio and deliver a collection of songs. Maybe I’m being selfish but today’s a really bad day.

We’re all meant to know where we were when John Lennon was shot; remember how we heard the news. I do but neither The Beatles, nor John’s solo work is something that I listen to on a regular basis. That’s far from true with Pink Floyd.

As a kid, I got stoned to Echoes and fell deeply in love with a music that stays with me to this day. My best memory of ANY gig is Knebworth 1975 when the band, at the peak of its power played Dark Side Of The Moon and Animals and encored with Echoes. The Spitfire that flew overhead, the plane exploding into the stage and even “One Of Those days In England” that was warm and full of hope didn’t get close to the effect of the first few notes of Echoes drifting over a totally black night. Fires flickered around the edges of the festival field but all that could be seen were a few power lights on the amps on stage.

33 years on and I want to be back there. I know you can never go back but it doesn’t quell the desire. The soundtrack to my life went quiet today. A quiet unassuming man passed and with his passing took a bit of our lives away too.

Forget the fact that the financial markets are in turmoil; that today was the worst day since the Great Depression on the stock markets. A man who was loved by family, friends and fans died today and as a result we’re all poorer.

Overhead the albatross 
Hangs motionless upon the air 
And deep beneath the rolling waves 
In labyrinths of coral caves 
An echo of a distant time 
Comes willowing across the sand 
And everything is green and submarine.

From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Thursday 28th August):

Birth

1943. Honey Lantree (The Honeycombs) born Ann Lantree in Hayes, Middlesex.

On Stage

1999. During Blur‘s set at the Reading Festival tonight, Damon Albarn gets into a confessional mood and tells the audience (and the rest of the world) that he took ecstacy on “Top Of The Pops”. According to the singer, he and another, un-named, member of the band were given the drug by someone from their record label prior to the show in the early 1990’s. He does go on to say it was “a bit crap” to have taken the drug but the tabloid press just concentrate on the confession.

In Court

1978. Rick Wright (Pink Floyd) and his children’s tutor, Professor Michael Smith file lawsuits against the Chief Of Police on the Greek island of Lindos claiming ill-treatment. Wright and his family have been staying in a villa owned by Pink Floyd to which police were called following complaints from neighbours about noise. When they arrived an argument started and Michael Smith was arrested. Wright and his wife, Julia, went to the police station to establish why Smith was being held. There, they claim they were threatened with a revolver. The keyboard player also received bruised eyes and cut lips having been beaten about the face. The Chief Of Police has been recalled to Rhodes awaiting the outcome of an internal investigation.

In Hospital

1985. Mick Jagger‘s girlfiend Jerry Hall gives birth to a son, James Leroy Augustine Jagger at New York’s Lennox Hill Hospital.

On Television

1982. Rockpalast (WDR, West Germany) Frankie Miller & Band; The Eric Burdon Band; Bap; David Lindley’s El Rayo X; Rory Gallagher (Loreley, St. Goarshausen). Here’s David Lindley with his wonderful “Mercury Blues”. 4m 58s.

Death

2006. Drummer “Pip” (Philip) Pyle dies in Paris, France. He worked with Hatfield And The North, Robert Wyatt, National Health, Chicken Shack, Gong, The Paul Jones Group, The Hugh Hopper Band and many more.

Babble

Well, the week has been a bit of a disaster. Since Saturday, I haven’t been able to get this or my Ballerina Ballroom Blog online. Every day I’ve requested new passwords, I’ve reset my machine and been totally stumped by the fact that I couldn’t get in.

Somehow, I sussed it today. I’ve no idea how or why but Safari (the web browser I use) was set to “Private Browsing”. The moment I took that off, I got straight back in to my account. About time!

Anyway, I’d like to say the week’s been packed with excitement but there’s not much to report. I decided to go back to the garage sale and put some stuff on ebay. Most of it is cheap and cheerful but I did get carried away and put a copy of Derek Taylor’s “Fifty Years Adrift” up as an auction item. It was one of Genesis Publications’ first rock music limited edition books back in 1985. 2,000 hand-made, leather bound, gilt edged books packed with bits of memorabilia and the insight of one of rock’s true insiders. It’s even edited and annotated by George Harrison. No wonder that the edition sold out extremely quickly. Anyone who invested £ 185 in buying it twenty-three years ago is now looking at something valued up to £ 5,000! All 2,000 copies of the limited edition were signed by Derek and George but mine is rather unusual. It carries the disclaimer that it is neither signed nor numbered and is a review copy and therefore not part of the limited edition. Presumably, as one of only a few review copies, it’s even rarer! Time will tell.

The on-off-and-on-again state of the memorabilia exhibition is still up in the air although there are moves afoot. Anyway, I got bored hanging around and decided to get on with Rockmine’s sales section. I’m not sure if I want to call it a mall or a gallery but that will no doubt work itself out. The first new page up is as yet very small but definitely of interest. It’s “Handbills and Flyers” and it’s already got several real gems on it. There are three Marquee Club handbills. Each features a festival on the front and Marquee listings for a month on the reverse. There’s one for the Sunbury Festival with August 1968, Plumpton Festival with August 1969 but the real oddity is for Stockley Festival with July 1969. Stockley, near West Drayton was the original site for 1969’s 9th National Jazz, Blues & Popular Music Festival which went on to take place at Plumpton. I know how difficult it is to change venues for a small gig, changing the site for a complete festival must have been a nightmare.  

One other item on the page is  a handbill for Pink Floyd at Liverpool Empire Theatre on 15th February 1970. It may be missing its corners but this really is a cracker! I suppose I better get back to it. There’s more to get online – including a handbill for Bob Dylan at the Isle Of Wight Festival in 1969. 

 

Go to Rockmine’s main site here.

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

From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Thursday 7th August):

Birth

1949. Tim Renwick (Quiver, Mike & The Mechanics) born in Cambridge, England.

On Tour

1984. Death threats have been received by The Knoxville News Sentinel against Michael Jackson who is performing the first of two shows in the city tonight. The threats are taken seriously enough that the F.B.I. are called in. The F.B.I. think the threats are unfounded but organisers step up security all the same. Both tonight’s concert and another on the 9th pass off without incident.

In Court

1998. Bernard Ortiz, a homeless man who has been stalking Linda Ronstadt for three years, is sentenced to ten months in jail. It was his second time in court over the singer. He had previously been given three years probation and ordered not to contact Ronstadt or her family. He violated the probation after only three months, sending his “victim” a watch, candles and a letter on her birthday.

In Hospital

1997. Richard Marsh (Bentley Rhythm Ace) breaks his back during a parachute jump at Langar Airfield, Nottinghamshire. The jump was being filmed for the video of the band’s next single, “Bentley’s Gonna Sort You Out” but Marsh was caught by a gust of wind during landing and thrown heavily onto his back. He was taken to Nottingham General Hospital where doctors said he would make a full recovery but need three months rest.

On Television

1957. American Bandstand (ABC, U.S.A.) 3. Paul Anka; The Tassels. This was Paul Anka’s first network TV appearance in the U.S.A. Aged only 16, he performed his soon to be massive international number 1 hit, “Diana”. While I can’t guarantee this is the correct clip, it is the correct period and I’m a bit short of time today. 2m 13s.

Death

1978. Les Perrin, publicist for The Rolling Stones and others, dies.

Babble

There’s not a huge amount to report since yesterday. I spent another three hours in the Heritage Centre in Elgin digging through microfiche copies of the Northern Scot newspaper. So far I’ve compiled a list from 1966 to 1970 of the bands that played the Ballerina Ballroom in Nairn. 

Here’s a sample from July – December 1967:

July 07 – Cream plus Newton’s Theory with its Go-Go Girls. The gig was cancelled when the van carrying the band’s equipment failed to turn up.

July 10 – Cream return to play their concert.

July 21 – Pink Floyd

July 28 – Gino Washington and The Ram Jam Band plus The Copy Cats

August 18 – The Small Faces – concert cancelled.

August 31 – Zoot Money and his new group Dantalion’s Chariot plus The T-Set

September 08 – The Freddie Mack Show

September 15 – The Throb plus The Life N’ Soul

September 22 – Tony Merrick plus The T-Set

October 06 – The Who plus Gideon’s Few

October 13 – The Beatstalkers plus The Rebel Sound

October 20 – The Four Shades Of Blue plus The T-Set

October 27 – The Tamala Express plus The Beatroute

November 03 – The Rhubarb plus The Barons

November 10 – Clock-work Orange plus Last Chapter

November 17 – Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich

December 01 – The Delroy Williams Show plus Keith Taylor

December 08 – The Troggs plus The Throb

December 15 – Symon Dupree

December 22 – Cash Boutique Queen For 1967. Grand Final

December 25 – Aberdeen Students’ Charities’ Campaign present Their Xmas Beatnik Ball with The Circle plus The T-Set

December 29 – The 1967 Last Fling with The Middle Earth plus The T-Set

I have to say it’s been a bit disappointing. While I wasn’t expecting a weekly or monthly catalogue of household names, they’ve so far been few and far between apart from the period above. That said, it paints an incredible picture of the constant touring of small to medium sized bands. The names that have stood out are the likes of Writing On The Wall, My Dear Watson, Spiggy Topes and Archemedes Principle. Now what i’m trying to do is find photos and adverts for some of them.

I went back to the Ballerina and found that John Byrne had more or less completed the area that will serve as exhibition space and festival cafe. I’ll get up some images either later today or tomorrow.

 

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

From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Wednesday 6th August):

Birth

1952. Pat MacDonald (Timbuk 3) born in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

On Tour

1970. The “Popanalia” Festival in Nice, France becomes the second one in a week to be abandoned. It should have lasted 36 hours and featured Derek & The Dominoes, Pink Floyd and Soft Machine as headliners but turned into a riot when fans discovered that Soft Machine were refusing to play after being told they wouldn’t get their agreed fee. Only Joan Baez, Country Joe and Rare Bird actually performed before disgruntled fans stormed the stage. As well as throwing a grand piano off the stage, the mob also set fire to two mobile recording studios belonging to the broadcaster RTL.

In Custody

1999. Following an incident at the city’s Music Hall on July 31st, misdemeanour assault charges are filed against Art Alexakis and Brian Lehfeldt of Everclear in Austin, Texas. Alexakis stormed off stage during the show after being hit by a plastic water cup. Security guards pulled a 17 year old girl to the front of the stage, claiming she was responsible. On his return, Alexakis is said to have thrown a plastic water bottle at the girl calling her, “a f***ing redneck bitch” while Lehfeldt kicked her.

In Court

1990. Kevin Rowland (Dexy’s Midnight Runners) is fined £ 50 and ordered to pay £ 25 costs at Marlborough Magistrates Court after admitting threatening behaviour. He was stopped by police in London’s Soho in the early hours of the morning with two others. Rowland and pal David Philips (Earth) had obviously been fighting as both had blood on their faces. Initially police just spoke to the men but shortly after being allowed to go, they started fighting again and were arrested. Another friend, Lawrence Coles was arrested for shouting and swearing.

On Television

1987. Late Night With Letterman (U.S.A.) Musical guest: Patty Smyth – “Isn’t It Enough” 4m 52s.

Death

1973. Chicago Blues singer Memphis Minnie dies in a nursing home in Memphis, Tennessee.

Babble

A trip back to the Ballerina Ballroom in Nairn gave me a pleasant surprise. I was taking some memorabilia up to let John Byrne see the sort of stuff I planned to hang and walked in to discover he’d painted one wall with the wording “Rock Dreams”. It’s reproduced below but he said it would be “Improved on”. I can’t wait to see how it develops.

Yesterday, I gave a link to the myspace site for the Ballerina Ballroom Cinema Of Dreams but the “official site” can be found here. As I said, I spent a few happy hours trawling through microfiche reels looking for a complete listing of gigs at the Ballerina. I got a couple of years done but one of the things confusing me is that it originally seems to have been in a different venue but I need to check that out. Needless to say, I’ll keep you posted with any developments.

 

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

From the Rockmine Almanac for today (Saturday 2nd August):

Birth

1941. Doris Coley Kenner (The Shirelles) born in Passaic, New Jersey.

In Politics

1963. Lord Sutch (real name David Edward Sutch) is officially nominated as a candidate for the Stratford-Upon-Avon bi-election on August 15th. The nomination wasn’t without problems. When he first arrived he had only £ 125 of the required £ 150 deposit. On his return it was discovered his proposer, a local taxi driver, wasn’t on the electoral roll. After his successful third trip with the correct money and a valid proposer, Sutch took sherry with the Town Clerk.

In Custody

1976. Keith Richards arrives at Newport Pagnell police station to be charged with possession of cannabis and cocaine. The charges date back to May when Keith drove his Bentley off the M1 motorway into a field. After the crash he was searched at Newport Pagnell police station where the drugs were found. At the time he asked for 10 weeks police bail so he could complete The Rolling Stones‘ tours of Europe and America. He is once again bailed and will appear in court next month.

In Court

1988. Nick Cave appears at Great Marlborough Street Magistrates Court in London charged with possession of heroin. Cave pleads guilty to possessing 884 milligrammes of the drug. Although it is his second offence he is given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay £ 15 court costs. The condition of his discharge is that Cave enters a rehabilitation clinic in two days time.

On Television

1969. Beat Club (WDR, West Germany) 45: Dave Clark Five, Steppenwolf, Marmalade, Rainbow People, Robin Gibb, Zager & Evans, Clodagh Rodgers, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Thunderclap Newman, Plastic Ono Band, Paul Revere & the Raiders. Here’s Thunderclap Newman with, “Something In The Air”.

Death

1976. Ex-Pink Floyd road manager, Peter “Puddy” Watts, dies of a heroin overdose in a house owned by the band in Notting Hill, London. He is one of the voices that can be heard on “Dark Side Of The Moon”. Although he was living in a house belonging to the group, he hadn’t worked for them for over a year following an argument.

 

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