Eric Clapton Invited to North Korea

Posted on February 27, 2018 by Rick Watts

Feb 27: On This Day in Music

In 2008 – Eric Clapton is invited to play a landmark concert in communist North Korea, according to an official at the country’s embassy in London. The confirmation follows a report in today’s Financial Times which claimed that North Korea had invited Clapton to perform in the capital Pyongyang in 2009.

In 2004 – A worker in a supermarket in Aspen, Colorado alerted the police-after seeing a man shopping with his face covered by a mask. Police arrived on the scene and identified the man as Michael Jackson who was in town on holiday with his children.

In 1977 – Not a good day for Keith Richards. While sleeping at Toronto’s Harbour Castle Hotel, he’s awakened by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who search the suite. They find 22 grams of heroin, 5 grams of cocaine, and drug paraphernalia. The Rolling Stones guitarist is arrested and charged with possessing cocaine and heroin with intent to traffic. He’s released on $25,000 bail and trial is set for October.

And in 1967 – Pink Floyd record Arnold Layne, their first single.

Posted on February 21, 2018 by Rick Watts

February 21st: On This Day in Music

1961: Three gigs – One day. That was The Beatles m.o. on Feb. 21, 1961. The first show was a lunchtime exhibition at The Cavern Club, then at night they appeared at the Cassanova Club in Liverpool and then at Litherland Town Hall, also in Liverpool.

1964: At the time an unknown piano player, Billy Joel is recruited to join The Echoes, a band from New York.

1967: Pink Floyd starts their first sessions at the EMI Studios in London on their debut album.

1968: Otis Redding enters the UK singles chart for the first time with ‘(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay’. It goes on to be a No. 3 hit and the song became the first posthumous single to top the charts in the US.

1970: Simon and Garfunkel rockets to No. 1 on the UK chart with ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’.

1972: Led Zeppelin releases ‘Rock And Roll / Four Sticks’ as a 7 inch single in the US, peaking at No. 47 on the chart.

1986: Metallica releases their third and highly influential album, Master of Puppets. This was the last Metallica album with bassist Cliff Burton who was killed when the group’s tour bus overturned while touring to promote the album.

2004: Mud singer Les Gray dies of a heart attack while fighting throat cancer at the age of 57.

2008: A computer expert is jailed for two years for stalking Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington electronically. Devon Townsend worked at a US national security laboratory in New Mexico, where she allegedly used a computer to track Bennington. She admitted to obtaining family photos, accessing e-mail and voicemail, and threatening his wife.

2014: A statue of a weeping Kurt Cobain (of Nirvana fame) is unveiled in his hometown of Aberdeen, Washington.

Beatles Album Art Recovered in Raid

Posted on February 13, 2018February 13, 2018 by Rick Watts

This Day in Rock History (Feb. 13)

In 2007 – Rod Stewart was paid $1million when he performed at a billionaire’s birthday bash. Stewart was booked to play a one-hour gig to help Steve Schwarzman celebrate his 60th birthday held at New York’s Park Avenue Armory.

In 2003 – Australian police uncover Beatles album art and reel-to-reel tapes in a raid. All the material appeared to be from the White Album and Abbey Road sessions, which were stolen from the band’s London studio in 1969.

In 1980 – Police raided the home of former Sex Pistol John Lydon who greeted them waving a ceremonial sword, the only illegal item they found was a canister of tear gas, claimed to be for defence against intruders.

And in 1976 – Genesis released their first album since the departure of Peter Gabriel, ‘A Trick Of The Tail’ featuring eight new tracks with drummer Phil Collins taking on the role of lead vocalist.

For more music news, visit DJ Bob Allen’s Facebook Page.

Ritchie Valens Plays Last Show Before Death

Posted on February 2, 2018February 2, 2018 by Rick Watts

On this day in 2006 – Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora and Heather Locklear announce they are splitting after 11 years of marriage.

In 1992 – Todd Rundgren and his wife, singer Michele Gray, have a son in San Francisco. They name the child Rebop.

In 1973 – Keith Emerson’s hands are injured during a performance by Emerson, Lake & Palmer in San Francisco. His piano, rigged to explode as a stunt, detonates prematurely.

And in 1959 – Appearing at Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake, Iowa, Buddy Holly, Richard Valens (pictured) and The Big Bopper. This was all three acts last ever gig before being killed in a plane crash the following day.

Phil Collins is Born

Posted on January 30, 2018 by Rick Watts

This day in Rock History

In 1982 – Bluesman Sam “Lightnin”’ Hopkins dies. Age 69. The Grateful Dead, Fleetwood Mac and the Cowboy Junkies have covered his songs.

In 1973 – after recently changing their name from Wicked Lester, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss made their first appearance as Kiss at the Popcorn Club in Queens, New York.

In 1969 – The Beatles, with Billy Preston on organ, perform four songs on a London on Saville Road rooftop for the film “Let It Be.” Billy wrote and performed the Rhodes solo on “Get Back”. The set is halted after 42 minutes because an accountant at the nearby Royal Bank of Scotland complains about the noise.

And in 1951 – Phil Collins (pictured) is born in London. He will start his artistic career as a child actor, including a role as the Artful Dodger in an English production of “Oliver”, and an appearance in the Beatles’ “A Hard Day’s Night” film. He is the drummer of Genesis, and following the departure of Peter Gabriel becomes lead singer as well.

Phil not only was the drummer for Genesis and on numerous albums for other artists, but also formed the jazz fusion group “Brand X”.

Prince Makes Debut This Day in History

Posted on January 26, 2018January 26, 2018 by Rick Watts

This day in Rock History

In 1980 – Prince made his TV debut on the US show American Bandstand.

In 1977 – Patti Smith falls off stage whilst opening for Bob Seger in Tampa, Fla., injuring her vertebrae and requiring 22 stitches to her head.

In 1966 – The Animals’ Eric Burdon sings lead vocals for Manfred Mann at a London concert.

In 1977 – Peter Green, one of Fleetwood Mac’s founding guitarists, is committed to an English mental institution. Cause? He fired a pistol at a messenger who was trying to deliver a check for his portion of song royalties. In his heyday, Green was one of the all-time great guitarists of British blues, on par with (some would even say better than) Eric Clapton & Jeff Beck.

Pat Benatar is Born

Posted on January 10, 2018 by Rick Watts

This day in Rock History: In 1971 – The trial over Paul McCartney’s move to dissolve the Beatles partnership begins today in London’s High Court. Ringo testifies, “Paul behaved like a spoilt child.”

In 1956 – Elvis Presley starts his first recording session for RCA. The result includes “Heartbreak Hotel.”

In 1952 – Pat Benatar (Pat Andrzejewski) is born in Brooklyn, N.Y. Her first six albums all go platinum, selling more than 1 million copies.

In 1945 – Roderick (Rod) Stewart is born in London. His biggest hit, “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright),” is No. 1 on Chart Toppers’s Hot 100 for eight weeks.

And finally, in 1948 – Donald Fagen of Steely Dan is born in Passaic, N.J. The pop/jazz group has three top 10 albums, including “Aja,” which goes to No. 3 on Chart Toppers’s pop chart.

KISS Signs First Contract

Posted on January 8, 2018 by Rick Watts

On Jan. 8, 1974, the band KISS is signed to its first recording contract. Members manage to drum up some press by performing a “dress rehearsal” shortly after signing to Casablanca Records and honing their carnival-esque image. A reporter from Rolling Stone said, “The group plays very heavy, loud and ultimately monotonous rock in the Black Sabbath tradition. … A sure crowd-pleaser. The crowds of kiddies, that is.”

Sir George Martin is Born

Posted on January 3, 2018 by Rick Watts

On January 3, 1926, Sir George Martin, who produced most of the Beatles’ most memorable recordings, is born in London.

When he was six, Martin’s family acquired a piano that sparked his interest in music. Following his graduation from high school, he worked for the BBC’s classical music department, then joined EMI in 1950. He was mostly known for producing classical and comedy recordings until The Beatles auditioned for Martin on June 6 of 1962, in Studio Three at the Abbey Road studios.

From that point, Martin would go on to produce all of the Beatles recordings until their final album Let It Be, which Phil Spector produced.

In addition to The Beatles, Martin produced other hit records by Cheap Trick, the Little River Band, America, Jeff Beck, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, and Gerry & The Pacemakers.

Sir Martin passed away at the age of 90, on March 8, 2016.

Happy birthday to an iconic musical figure! Tune into KMZN 99.5FM or 740AM to hear more On This Day in Rock History with DJ Bob Allen on The Morning Brew.

On This Day: November 28th

Posted on November 28, 2017 by Rick Watts

On this day in 1929, founder of Detroit-based Motown Records, Berry Gordy Jr., is born in Detroit. Gordy is well known for his work as a record executive, record producer, songwriter, film producer, television producer, and boxer. He would later be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988; the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 1998; and would receive the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s Pioneer Award on June 13, 2013. He is the first living individual to receive the honor.

In 2016, Gordy received the National Medal of Arts from President Obama.

Happy birthday from all of us at KMZN, Berry!

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