This Day in Music History

May 8th in History

1967 - While filming of what would become the documentary Don't Look Back, Bob Dylan gets the idea to make a short film of his single "Subterranean Homesick Blues." It becomes one of the first "music videos" and was an iconic rock moment.


1972 - Billy Preston becomes the first rock star to headline at New York's Radio City Music Hall. Here's a great version of "Will it Go Round in Circles."

analoggal said:

The Eagles have always been a favorite of mine. We saw them Nov. '76 at the Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, MI. We were absolutely floored when we walked in and saw guitars lined across the full width of the stage! They used every guitar during the concert. What a fabulous concert it was - to this day, we fondly remember the event. The Eagles are going to be in KY and we're thinking about going to see them again.

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You are lucky, seeing them in their absolute Prime. They did tour here a few years ago for the first time I think, but would have to look it up to be sure.

I've always liked Billy Preston, his first couple of solo records were really good.

analoggal said:

The Eagles have always been a favorite of mine. We saw them Nov. '76 at the Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, MI. We were absolutely floored when we walked in and saw guitars lined across the full width of the stage! They used every guitar during the concert. What a fabulous concert it was - to this day, we fondly remember the event. The Eagles are going to be in KY and we're thinking about going to see them again.

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Would have loved to have been able to see The Eagles in their hey day. Hotel California is one of my favourite tunes because of that end solo section.

8 May
-1970 - The Beatles twelfth and final album, 'Let It Be' was released, (it was recorded before 'Abbey Road' and originally to be called 'Get Back'). The album came in a deluxe-boxed edition with a 'Get Back' book.

-1984, Roger Waters released his first solo album The Pros And Cons Of Hitch Hiking. The concept album, as originally envisioned by Waters in 1977, rotated around a man's thoughts during a midlife crisis, and featured guest musicians Eric Clapton on guitar, David Sanborn on saxophone and Michael Kamen on piano.

Born On This Day
-1911, Born on this day, Robert Johnson, blues singer, guitarist. Influenced Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Eric Clapton, (Cream covered 'Crossroads) The Rolling Stones, ('Love In Vain'). Johnson died on 16th August 1938.


- 1940, Born on this day, Ricky Nelson, US singer, (1958 US No.1 'Poor Little Fool', 1961 UK No.2 single 'Hello Mary Lou' plus over 30 US Top 40 hit singles). Played himself on his parent's US TV The Adventures Of Ozzie and Harriet.' Nelson died on 31st December 1985.

-1955, Born on this day, Alex Van Halen, Van Halen, drums, (1984 US No.1 & UK No.7 single 'Jump').

- 1977, Born on this day in New Hartford, New York, blues rock guitarist and singer Joe Bonamassa, who has released nine studio albums as well as being a member of Black Country Communion.

Happy Birthday Joe

HaH: Let's play Joe Bonamassa's "Stop." My husband and I saw him last year at a very small venue - that had great acoustics - in Springfield, MO. He gave us more than our money's worth!

Analoggal: didn't know it was his birthday yesterday. My girlfriend and me are big Bonamassa fans as wel. We saw him 2 years ago. Terrific musician!!

May 9th in History

1964 - Chuck Berry began his first UK tour at The Astoria Theatre, London supported by The Animals, The Swinging Blue Jeans, Karl Denver and the Nashville Teens. Since I couldn't decide on which Chuck Berry great to play, let's listen to both "Johnny B. Goode" and "Maybellene"


Oh heck, let's do one more... "No Particular Place to Go"


1970 - The Guess Who started a three-week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with "American Woman", it was the group's only chart topper. As fate would have it, the song was born when guitarist Randy Bachman played a heavy riff on stage with a broken string and the other members joined in on the jam. A fan in the audience had recorded the jam on tape and presented it to the group after the show which they developed into a full song.

May 10th in History

May 10th seemed to have been a very busy day in the rock world - since I decided to not go into the office today, we'll cover a little more than usual...

1963 - THE ROLLING STONES produced their very first recordings at Olympic Studios in London. Laughably, Decca Records rejected them all, calling the recordings 'dreadful'. Ironically, in 1969 Decca sees the light and signs The Rolling Stones on the advice of Beatle George Harrison. Their 1st international #1 hit was "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction."


1969 - LED ZEPPELIN made their first appearance on the UK album chart when the band's debut album - which was recorded in October 1968 reportedly in 36 hours - charted at #6 on the UK chart. It entered the US chart the next week at #10. Featuring contributions from each member, Led Zeppelin is considered one of the most important debuts in rock, creating an entirely new interpretation of the rock-n-roll genre, with groundbreaking musical styles and recording technique. From Led Zeppelin... "Good Times, Bad Times" and "Communication Breakdown."



1969 - The MOODY BLUES began their 2-week run at #1 on the UK album chart with On the Threshold of a Dream, which was their first #1 album. From their 1st British #1 album... "Lovely to See You."


1974 - ERIC CLAPTON recorded "I Shot The Sheriff."


And... what kind of Ozarker would I be if I didn't include...
1975 - Springfield, Missouri's OZARK MOUNTAIN DAREDEVILS topped the Cashbox Best Sellers chart with their biggest hit, "Jackie Blue."


Finally... these are just too juicy to leave out...
1968 - THE DOORS' Jim Morrison incited a riot at a concert in Chicago. True to his wild, charismatic, and unpredictable stage persona, Jim's writhing, jumping - and even sliding maracas into his pants - had the crowd so wound up that they rushed the stage, eventually destroying it. From '68's Waiting for the Sun, here's their 2nd US #1 single... "Hello, I Love You."


1969 - THE TURTLES gave a special performance at the White House as guests of Tricia Nixon. Stories circulated that members of the group allegedly snorted cocaine on Abraham Lincoln's desk. It was reported that Mark Volman (guitar, saxophone, vocals; 1965-1970) fell off the stage several times. Ouch, bet that hurt after he sobered up! Of course, we're going to play their only #1 single "Happy Together."

2013 ~ Vehicle finally gets off his @&& and listens to the latest entries in the CRF's Best Songs of 2012 Project