T. Rex were a British rock band fronted by guitarist, singer and songwriter Marc Bolan. Formed as Tyrannosaurus Rex in 1960s London, the folk rock group's debut album My People Were Fair and Had Sky in Their Hair... But Now They're Content to Wear Stars on Their Brows (1968) reached number 15 in the UK.

In the 1970s, they achieved mainstream success as a glam rock band with the hits "Jeepster", "Get It On", "Ride a White Swan", "20th Century Boy", "Children of the Revolution", "Hot Love", "Telegram Sam" and "Metal Guru". After waning commercial success in the mid-70s, T. Rex ended in 1977 after Bolan was killed in a car accident.

T. Rex have vastly influenced the glam rock, punk rock and Britpop genres. Many modern indie bands play music heavily influenced by the glam scene. The Who specifically referenced T. Rex in the lyrics of their 1981 song You Better You Bet.

The early acoustic material was influential in helping to bring about progressive rock and 21st century folk music-influenced singers.
"Get It On" is a song featured on their 1971 album Electric Warrior. Written by Marc Bolan, "Get It On" was the second chart-topper for T. Rex on the UK Singles Chart.

In the United States, the song was retitled "Bang a Gong (Get It On)" to avoid confusion with a number of the same name by the group Chase. It is arguably T. Rex's best-known song.

While it only spent four weeks at the top in the UK, starting 24 July 1971 ("Hot Love" was number one for six weeks from March to May), it was the group's biggest hit overall, selling nearly a million copies in the UK.

It peaked on the U.S. Billboard Pop Singles chart at number ten in January 1972, becoming the band's only major U.S. hit. In March 2005, Q magazine placed "Get It On" at number 36 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks.

Isaac Lee Hayes - Theme from Shaft

Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. (August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008) was an American songwriter, musician, singer, and occasionally an actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the mid-1960s.

Hayes, Porter, Bill Withers, the Sherman Brothers, Steve Cropper, and John Fogerty were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 in recognition of writing scores of notable songs for themselves, the duo "Sam & Dave", Carla Thomas, and others.

The hit song "Soul Man", written by Hayes and Porter and first performed by "Sam & Dave", has been recognized as one of the most influential songs of the past 50 years by the Grammy Hall of Fame. It was also honored by The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, by Rolling Stone magazine, and by the RIAA as one of the Songs of the Century.

During the late 1960s, Isaac Hayes also began recording music and he had several successful soul albums such as Hot Buttered Soul (1969) and Black Moses (1971). In addition to his work in popular music, he worked as a composer of musical scores for motion pictures.

In 1992, in recognition of humanitarian work there, he was crowned the honorary king of the Ada, Ghana region.

He also acted in motion pictures and television, such as in the movie, I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, and as Gandolf "Gandy" Fitch in the TV series The Rockford Files (1974–1980). From 1997 to 2005, he lent his distinctive, deep voice to the character "Chef" on the animated TV series South Park.
Allmusic.com says that Isaac Hayes is responsible for the evolution of disco and rap.

As of 2008, his songs generated more than 12 million performances.
"Theme from Shaft", written and recorded by Isaac Hayes in 1971, is the soul and funk-styled theme song to the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, Shaft. The theme was released as a single (shortened and edited from the longer album
version) two months after the movie's soundtrack by Stax Records' Enterprise label (at the time owned by Paramount Pictures, which later released the 2000 version of Shaft).

"Theme from Shaft" went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States in November 1971. The song was also well-received by adult audiences, reaching number six on Billboard's Easy Listening (later Adult
Contemporary) chart.

The following year, "Theme from Shaft" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, with Hayes not only becoming the first African American to win that honor (or any Academy Award in a non-acting category) but also becoming the first recipient of the award to both write and perform the winning song. Since then, the song has appeared in numerous television shows, commercials, and other movies, including the 2000 remake of Shaft, for which Hayes re-recorded the song without making any changes to it.

Free - All Right Now

Free were an English rock band, formed in London in 1968, best known for their 1970 signature song "All Right Now". They disbanded in 1973 and lead singer Paul Rodgers went on to become a frontman of the band Bad Company along with Simon Kirke on drums; lead guitarist Paul Kossoff died from a drug-induced heart failure at the age of 25 in 1976, bassist Andy Fraser formed Sharks.

The band was famed for its sensational live shows and nonstop touring. However, early studio albums did not sell very well – until the release of Fire and Water which featured the massive hit "All Right Now". The song helped secure them a place at the huge Isle of Wight Festival 1970 where they played to 600,000 people.

By the early 1970s, Free was one of the biggest-selling British blues-rock groups; by the time the band dissolved in 1973, they had sold more than 20 million albums around the world and had played more than 700 arena and festival concerts. "All Right Now," remains a rock staple, and had been entered into ASCAP's "One Million" airplay singles club.

Rolling Stone has referred to the band as "British hard rock pioneers". The magazine ranked Rodgers #55 in its list of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time", while Kossoff was ranked #51 in its list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".

"All Right Now" is a rock single by the English rock band Free. The song, released in mid-1970, hit #2 on the UK singles chart and #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. "All Right Now" originally appeared on the album Fire And Water, which Free recorded on the Island Records label, formed by Chris Blackwell. In 1991, the song was remixed and re-released, reaching #8 on the UK singles chart.

"All Right Now" was a #1 hit in over 20 territories and was recognised by ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) in 1990 for garnering 1,000,000 plus radio plays in the U.S. by late 1989. In 2006 the BMI London awards included a Million Air award for 3 million air plays of All Right Now in the USA.

According to drummer Simon Kirke, "All Right Now" was written by bassist Andy Fraser and singer Paul Rodgers in the Durham Students' Union building, Dunelm House. However, Paul Rodgers stated whilst performing with Queen that he wrote the lyric of "All Right Now". This remark can be heard on the Queen + Paul Rodgers CD, Return of the Champions, when "All Right Now" starts.

This Day In Music History

1963, 13-year old Stevie Wonder first entered the US singles chart as Little Stevie Wonder with 'Fingertips Parts One and Two.'

1968, Herb Alpert started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'This Guys In Love With You'. His first No.1 plus first No.1 for the A&M label and the writer's Bacharach and David's first chart topper. A No.3 hit in the UK.

1968, The Jeff Beck group featuring Rod Stewart made their US debut at the Fillmore East, New York.

1968, The Otis Redding album 'Dock Of The Bay' went to No.1 in the UK, (Redding was killed in a plane crash on Dec 10th 1967).

1969, American singer, actress, Judy Garland, died of a barbiturate overdose aged 47, she was found on the floor of her rented Chelsea home, in London, UK. Made more than two dozen films, played Dorothy in the 1939 film 'Wizard Of Oz', sang 'Over The Rainbow' in the film, (voted the 'Song Of The Century' in a 2001 poll published in America). 1961 US No.1 comeback album 'Judy At Carnegie Hall'.

1977, American guitarist, songwriter and singer Peter Laughner from US punk band Pere Ubu died aged 24.

1980, Don McLean had his second UK No.1 single with the Roy Orbison song 'Crying'. The song had been a No.2 US hit for Orbison in July 1961. In

1987, Orbison re-recorded the song as a duet with k.d. lang as part of the soundtrack for the motion picture, Hiding Out. Their collaboration won the Grammy Award.

1981, Mark Chapman pleaded guilty to the charge of murdering John Lennon in 1980. He was later sentenced to 20 years to life.

1985, Bryan Adams started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Heaven', his first No.1 single, it made No.35 in the UK. The song had been featured in the film 'Night In Heaven'.

1985, The soundtrack from the film 'Beverly Hills Cop' started a two-week run at No.1 on the US album chart.

1988, Dennis Lobban was convicted of the murder of reggae star Peter Tosh, and was sentenced to hang by a Jamaican court.

2000, After giving himself various new identities' during the 90's, The Artist Formally Known As Prince announced he wanted to be known as Prince again.

2003, Evanescence were at No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Fallen.’

2008, Coldplay went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Viva La Vida', their first UK No.1. History was made by this single, as it had no physical CD-single release in the UK, being available by internet download only. The song won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 2009.

1936, Born on this day, Kris Kristofferson, US singer, songwriter, actor, (wrote 'Me And Bobby McGee', 'Help Me Make It Through The Night.' Acting roles include 'Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid' and 'A Star Is Born' with Barbra Streisand.

1947, Born on this day, Howard Kaylan, The Turtles, (1967 US No.1 single 'Happy Together', 1967 UK No.4 single 'She'd Rather Be With Me'). Flo and Eddie, worked with Frank Zappa, T Rex, Bruce Springsteen.

1953, Born on this day, Cyndi Lauper, US singer, (1984 US No.1 single 'Time After Time', UK No.2 single 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun').

1956, Born on this day, Derek Forbes, bass, Simple Minds, (1985 US No.1 single 'Don't You, Forget About Me', 1989 UK No.1 single 'Belfast Child', plus over 20 other UK Top 40 singles).

1957, Born on this day, Gary Beers, bass, INXS, (1988 UK No.2 & US No.1 single 'Need You Tonight'). 1987 album 'Kick' has sold over 10m copies in the US alone and features four Top 10 singles; 'Need You Tonight,' 'Devil Inside', 'New Sensation,' and 'Never Tear Us Apart.'

1959, Born on this day, Alan Anton, bass, Cowboy Junkies, (1989 album 'The Trinity Session').

1961, Born on this day, Jimmy Somerville, UK singer, Bronski Beat, (1984 UK No.3 single 'Smalltown Boy'). The Communards, (1986 UK No.1 single 'Don't Leave Me This Way').

1964, Born on this day, Bobby Gillespie, guitar, vocals, Primal Scream, (1994 UK No.7 single 'Rocks'. 1991 UK No. 8 album 'Screamadelica').

1981, Born on this day, Chris Urbanowicz, guitarist, Editors, (2007 UK No.1 album ‘An End Has a Start’).

The Beatles - P.S. I Love You

"P.S. I Love You" is a song composed principally by Paul McCartney (credited to Lennon/McCartney).It was released on 5 October 1962 as the B-side of their debut single "Love Me Do" and is also included on their 1963 album Please Please Me. It was later included on the Beatles compilation Love Songs.

The version featured on the single and album was recorded in ten takes on 11 September 1962 at EMIs Abbey Road Studios, London. Producer George Martin had booked session drummer Andy White as a replacement for Pete Best, whom he considered not technically good enough for recording purposes (Martin was unaware that Best had been fired and replaced by Ringo Starr who plays maracas on the song).

White was a freelance showband and session drummer, and gave the recording a lightweight cha cha treatment.

The Beatles (with Starr playing drums) also recorded this song at the BBC on 25 October 1962, 27 November 1962, and 17 June 1963 for subsequent broadcast on the BBC radio programs Here We Go, Talent Spot, and Pop Go The Beatles, respectively.

McCartney described "P.S. I Love You" as “ a theme song based on a letter... It was pretty much mine. I don't think John had much of a hand in it. There are certain themes that are easier than others to hang a song on, and a letter is one of them... It's not based in reality, nor did I write it to my girlfriend from Hamburg, which some people think. ”

John Lennon said about this song:
“ That's Paul's song. He was trying to write a "Soldier Boy" like The Shirelles. He wrote that in Germany, or when we were going to and from Hamburg. I might have contributed something. I can't remember anything in particular. It was mainly his song. ”

Lyrically constructed with their female audience in mind, the Beatles included it as part of their Cavern Club song set where it was a favourite of the fans.The Beatles admired Buddy Holly and the Crickets (best demonstrated by their cover of "Words of Love" on the Beatles for Sale album). Writer Jonathan Cott suggested that the "P.S." part of the song was a subtle reference to "Peggy Sue", from the lyric "I love you, Peggy Sue".

The Beatles - Please Please Me

"Please Please Me" is the second single released by The Beatles in the United Kingdom, and the first to be issued in the United States. It was also the title track of their first LP, which was recorded to capitalise on the success of the single.

It was originally a John Lennon composition, although its ultimate form was significantly influenced by George Martin.

It is a common belief that "Please Please Me" was never a Number 1 single in Britain but on 22 February 1963 the song reached number one on the singles charts compiled by the New Musical Express (the most recognised chart at the time) and the Melody Maker where it was Number 1 for two weeks. It only reached number two on the Record Retailer chart, which subsequently evolved into the UK Singles Chart and is the most widely quoted today.

The single, as initially released with "Ask Me Why" on the B-side, failed to make much impact in the US, but when re-released there on 3 January 1964 (this time with "From Me to You" on the B-side) it reached number three in the US Hot 100.

The Beatles had accomplished a modest debut success with "Love Me Do", but outside of Liverpool and Hamburg they were still practically unknown. Part of the problem was that the group were committed to begin what was to be their final Hamburg season just as "Love Me Do" entered the British charts, and so were unable to actively promote it on their home soil.

Nonetheless, their producer, George Martin, felt it was a promising start and decided to go ahead with a second single.
Lennon first conceived "Please Please Me" as a bluesy, slow tempo song. Lennon recalled: "I remember the day I wrote it, I heard Roy Orbison doing "Only the Lonely", or something. And I was also always intrigued by the words to a Bing Crosby song that went, 'Please lend a little ear to my pleas'. The double use of the word 'please'. So it was a combination of Roy Orbison and Bing Crosby".

McCartney and Lennon initially share the vocals with McCartney holding a high note while Lennon drops down through the scale, a ploy they learned from the Everly Brothers UK hit song "Cathy's Clown" (April 1960).
It was one of the songs that comprised the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 of 4 April,1964 when The Beatles held the top five spots.

Rolling Stone ranked the song at number 184 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

The Beatles - Ask me why

“Ask Me Why" is a song originally released in the United Kingdom as the B-side of their hit single "Please Please Me". It was also included on their first UK album, Please Please Me.

Written in early 1962, "Ask Me Why" is principally a John Lennon composition, but was credited to Paul McCartney and John Lennon, as were all other Lennon/McCartney originals on the first pressings of Please Please Me album.

It was part of their live act prior to their recording contract, and was one of the songs performed at their Parlophone audition in Abbey Road's studio three on 6 June 1962.

The song emulates in style that of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, by whom Lennon was influenced, and draws its opening guitar phrase from the Miracles’ "What’s So Good About Goodbye" (1961).

"Ask Me Why" was originally recorded at Abbey Road studios on 6 June 1962 with an unknown number of takes as part of The Beatles' EMI audition.

This Day In Music History

1966, Jimmy Page made his live debut with The Yardbirds at the Marquee Club, London.

1966, Working at Abbey Road studios in London, The Beatles recorded from start to finish, a new John Lennon song ‘She Said She Said’. The song was reportedly based on a bizarre conversation that Lennon had with Peter Fonda while John and George Harrison were tripping on LSD.

1975, Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore quit Deep Purple to form his own group Rainbow.

1979, Angus MacLise, Velvet Underground's first drummer died of tuberculosis aged 34. He quit the band in 1965.

1980, German orchestra leader and songwriter Bert Kaempfert died aged 56. Both Frank Sinatra (Strangers In The Night) and Elvis Presley (Wooden Heart) covered his songs. Kaempfert released over 50 albums. In 1961, he hired The Beatles to back Tony Sheridan on recording sessions for Polydor, (these were the Beatles' first commercial recordings).

1986, Genesis scored their fourth UK No.1 album with 'Invisible Touch'.

1994, George Michael lost his lawsuit against Sony Records. Michael claimed that his 15-year contract with Sony was unfair because the company could refuse to release albums it thought wouldn't be commercially successful. Michael vowed he would never record for Sony again. He re-signed with the company in 2003.

2001, John Lee Hooker, American blues singer and guitarist died in his sleep aged 83. Had hits will 'Boom Boom', 'Dimples' and 'I'm In The Mood'. His songs have been covered by many artists including Cream, AC/DC, ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Van Morrison, The Yardbirds, The Doors and The White Stripes. He appeared and sang in the 1980 movie The Blues Brothers.

1932, Born on this day, Lalo Schifrin, composer and arranger of film soundtracks, (1976 UK No.14 single Jaws').

1944, Born on this day, Ray Davies, guitar, vocals, The Kinks, (1964 UK No.1 & US No.7 'You Really Got Me', 1967 UK No.2 single 'Waterloo Sunset' plus 19 other UK Top 40 singles. 1983 US No.6 single 'Come Dancing').

1944, Born on this day, Miguel Vicens, Los Bravos, (1966 UK No.2 & US No.4 single 'Black Is Black'). First Spanish rock band to have a UK & US hit single.

1945, Born on this day, Chris Britton, guitar, The Troggs, (1966 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Wild Thing').

1948, Born on this day, Joey Molland, guitar, vocals, Badfinger, (1970 UK No.4 and US No.7 single 'Come And Get It').

1950, Born on this day, Joey Kramer, drums, Aerosmith, (1989 UK No.13 single 'Love In An Elevator', 1989 album 'Pump' spent 53 weeks on the US charts, 1993 US No.1 & UK No.2 album 'Get A Grip', 1998 US No.1 & UK No.4 single 'I Don't Want To Miss A Thing').

1959, Born on this day, Marcella Detroit, vocals, Shakespear's Sister, (1992 UK No.1 single 'Stay').

1981, Born on this day, Brandon Flowers, vocals, keyboards, The Killers,
(2005 UK No.1 with their debut album 'Hot Fuss').

Elvis Presley - I don't care if the sun don't shine

"I Don't Care if the Sun Don't Shine" is a popular song, written by Mack David. The most popular version was done by Patti Page in 1950. The Page recording was issued by Mercury Records as catalog number 5396, and first reached the Billboard chart on May 20, 1950, lasting 9 weeks and peaking at #8. It was her first Top 10 hit.

The song was also one of the first recordings by Elvis Presley,released in 1954.

A Dean Martin version of the song was featured in the 1953 film Scared Stiff starring Martin and Jerry Lewis. The Patti Page recording is featured in the movie The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Actor Guy Pearce also briefly sings excerpts of this song in the film, as does Terrence Stamp. The first Spanish-language version was recorded by Marco Tulio Sanchez, the precursor of rockabilly in his country Colombia during the eighties

Elvis Presley - Milk Cow Blues & You're a Heartbreaker

Milk Cow Blues is a blues song written and originally recorded by Kokomo Arnold.

Elvis Presley, accompanied by Scotty Moore on guitar and Bill Black on bass, recorded a rockabilly version, retitled "Milk Cow Blues Boogie", at Sun Records in November of 1954. The arrangement was closer to Willis's version than to the Arnold original. The single was released in January 1955, but would not be released on LP until 1959, when it was included on the RCA LP A Date with Elvis.



You're a Heartbreaker, was written by Charles (Jack) Alvin Sallee. Elvis recorded it December 10, 1954 at Sun Records. The single release did not chart, but it was the first Elvis song for which sheet music was issued.

It was the B-side to Milkcow Blues Boogie. It is available on The Sun Sessions CD and The King of Rock 'n' Rock-The Complete 50s Masters, which is where this version is from.

Elvis Presley - Baby, Let's Play House

"Baby, Let's Play House", is a song written by Arthur Gunter and recorded by him in 1954 on the Excello Records label, and covered by Elvis Presley the following year on Sun Records. It was the fourth issue of a Presley record by Sun, and became the first song recorded by Elvis to appear on a national chart, when it made #5 on the Billboard Country Singles chart in July 1955.

Presley's version differed slightly from the original: Elvis started the song with the chorus, where Gunter began with the first verse, and he replaced Gunter's line "You may get religion" with the words "You may have a Pink Cadillac", referring to his custom-painted 1955 Cadillac auto that had been serving as the band's transportation at the time.

John Lennon used the line, "I'd rather see you dead, little girl, than to be with another man," from this song for the opening line of the Beatles song, "Run for Your Life."



Elvis Presley - I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone

Written by Stanley Kesler and Bill Taylor. Elvis recorded it December 18, 1954 at Sun Records. The Sun release didnt chart, nor did the RCA reissue in 1956. It was the B-side to Baby, Lets Play House. It is available on The Sun Sessions, For LP Fans Only, and The King of Rock n Roll-The Complete 50s Masters.

This Day In Music History

1948, Toast Of The Town, which would later be called The Ed Sullivan Show, premiered on CBS-TV. The first show was produced on a budget of $1,375. Only $375 was allocated for talent and $200 of that was shared by the young stars of that night's program, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.

1963, Gerry And The Pacemakers were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'I Like It', the group's second No.1.

1969, David Bowie recorded 'Space Oddity' at Trident Studios London. The track went on to become a UK No.1 when re-released in 1975.

1971, On this week's UK singles chart, No.5, Tammi Lynn, 'I'm Gonna Run Away From You', No.4, Blue Mink, 'The Banner Man', No.3, Tony Christie, 'I Did What I Did For Maria', No.2, Dawn, 'Knock Three Times', and at No.1, Middle Of The Road 'Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep', the Scottish group's only No.1 hit.

1973, Bruce Tate singer with US 50's Doo-Wop group The Penguins died. (1954 US No.8 single 'Earth Angel').

1981, Stars on 45 went to No.1 on the US singles chart, a medley of Beatles songs set to a disco beat. It was the start of a flood of 'Stars On' hits including Stars on Stevie Wonder, punk songs, Status Quo and Chas & Dave.

1992, Mariah Carey scored her sixth US No.1 single with 'I'll Be There', a No.2 hit in the UK. The song was also a US No.1 for The Jackson Five in 1970.

1997, Lawrence Payton of The Four Tops died from liver cancer aged 59. (1965 US No.1 single 'I Can't Help Myself', 1967 UK No.6 single 'Standing In The Shadows of Love').

1999, Jamiroquai went to No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Synkronized', the group's second No.1 album.

2004, Britney Spears went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Everytime', the singers fifth UK No.1. Velvet Revolver were at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Contraband.'

2004, Organisers at a Paul McCartney gig hired three jets to spray dry ice into the clouds so it wouldn’t rain during the concert. The gig in Petersburg, Russia, was McCartney’s 3,000 concert appearance. He had performed 2,535 gigs with the Quarrymen and the Beatles, 140 gigs with Wings and 325 solo shows.

2006, Claydes Charles Smith, co-founder and lead guitarist of Kool & the Gang died aged 57 after a long illness. They had the 1981 US No.1 & UK No.7 single 'Celebration' and 15 other Top 40 hits.

1924, Born on this day, Chet Atkins, guitarist, 1960 UK No.46 single 'Teensville'. Recorded over 100 albums during his career, major influence on George Harrison and Mark Knopfler. Atkins died on June 30th 2001, aged 77.

1936, Born on this day, Billy Guy, The Coasters, (1958 US No.1 single 'Yakety Yak', 1959 UK No.6 single 'Charlie Brown').

1942, Born on this day, Brian Wilson, singer, songwriter, The Beach Boys, (1966 UK & US No.1 single 'Good Vibrations', plus over 25 other UK Top 40 singles. 1966 classic album 'Pet Sounds'). Released and toured the 'lost' Beach Boys 'Smile' album in 2004.

1949, Born on this day, Lionel Richie, vocals, keyboards, The Commodores, (1978 UK & US No.1 single 'Three Times A Lady') solo, (1984 UK & US No.1 single 'Hello' plus over 10 other UK Top 40 hit singles).

1954, Born on this day, Michael Anthony, bass guitarist, Van Halen and other acts. Anthony markets a line of hot sauces and related products named Mad Anthony.

1960, Born on this day, John Taylor, bass, Duran Duran, (1983 UK No.1 single 'Is There Something I Should Know', plus 25 other UK Top 40 singles, 1984 US No.1 single 'The Reflex'), The Power Station, (1985 UK No.14 single 'Some Like It Hot')

1966, Born on this day, Stone Gossard, guitar, Pearl Jam, (1992 UK No.15 single 'Jeremy', 1993 US No.1 & UK No.2 album 'Vs', 1994 US No.1 & UK No.4 album Vitalogy' and 1996 US No.1 & UK No.3 album 'No Code') Also a member of Brad.

1979, Born on this day, Charlotte Hatherley, guitar, vocals, Ash, (1995 UK No.11 single 'Girl From Mars').

1941 In Music

1941 was the height of the Big Band Era. The bobby-soxers may have swooned over Frank Sinatra, but it was Tommy Dorsey's name on the record. Ditto Bob Eberle, whose silky smooth vocals with Helen O'Connell sold many a record for Jimmy Dorsey.

The musicians' union strike was only a year away, but for 1941 the dance halls ruled, ballroom tickets were affordable, the great Depression was quickly becoming a memory, and the war was something the Europeans would have to figure out.

Sinatra was Tommy Dorsey's lead vocalist, backed by the Pied Pipers on at least ten of his chart hits. The Pied Pipers were a quartet of three men and one woman, who happened to be Jo Stafford. Stafford's first hit came in 1941, a song called Yes Indeed that she sang solo. Tommy Dorsey allegedly fired one of the Pied Pipers in 1942, which led to the departure of the whole group in a show of team unity.

With the eventual departure of Sinatra in 1942, Tommy turned to Dick Haymes for vocal leadership. A bit of trivia: a certain trumpet player joined Dorsey after his discharge following World War II. The kid was young, and talent was still raw, but Dorsey saw something he liked. That trumpeter was Carl "Doc" Severinson.

Jimmy Dorsey ran something of a smoother ship in the early 1940s. He owned the #1 spot for 19 weeks out of 52 in 1941, a record that wouldn't stand long.

Glenn Miller eclipsed it just a year later. But don't let that minimize Jimmy's achievement in '41; each of the 5 songs listed above spent at least a week on top of the charts. Amapola spent 10 weeks at #1 and is therefore one of the all-time "monster" chart toppers. It would've topped Artie Shaw's Frenesi on this list, but for the fact that Shaw's number already had a few weeks at #1 in December of 1940.

Dorsey's hits featured a unique 3-part format. This "A-B-C" arrangement saw Bob Eberly lead the first third, the band - led by Jimmy's sax - took the second part, and Helen O'Connell would finish it out with a flourish.

As the average playing time of a commercial 78 RPM record was 3 minutes, each "section" lasted about a minute. It was an unstoppable formula in 1941.

August 18th,1941 : Swing Kids

On 18 August 1941, in a brutal police operation, over 300 Swing Kids were arrested. The measures against them ranged from cutting their hair and sending them back to school under close monitoring, to the deportation of the leaders to concentration camps. This mass arrest encouraged the youth to further their political consciousness and opposition to National Socialism.

They started to distribute anti-fascist propaganda. In January 1943, Günter Discher, as one of the ringleaders of the Swing Kids, was deported to the youth concentration camp of Moringen.

On 2 January 1942, Heinrich Himmler wrote to Reinhard Heydrich calling on him to clamp down on the ringleaders of the swing movement, recommending a few years in a concentration camp with beatings and forced labor. The crackdown soon followed: clubs were raided, and participants were hauled off to camps.
"My judgment is that the whole evil must be radically exterminated now. I cannot but see that we have taken only half measures. All ringleaders (...) are into a concentration camp to be re-educated (...) detention in concentration camp for these youths must be longer, 2-3 years (...) it is only through the utmost brutality that we will be able to avert the dangerous spread of anglophile tendencies, in these times where Germany fights for its survival."

The Swing Kids (German: Swingjugend) were a group of jazz and swing lovers in Germany in the 1930s, mainly in Hamburg (St. Pauli) and Berlin. They were composed of 14- to 18-year-old boys and girls in high school, most of them middle- or upper-class students, but some apprentice workers as well. They sought the British and American way of life, defining themselves in swing music and opposing the National-Socialist ideology, especially the Hitlerjugend.

In 1993, a film called Swing Kids examined this underground culture of rebellion during Nazi Germany in some detail. Directed by Thomas Carter and starring Robert Sean Leonard, Christian Bale, Frank Whaley, and Kenneth Branagh (uncredited), the picture was not a commercial success but sustains a large underground following and is nonetheless a moderately accurate history-based film.

Gene Krupa - Let me off uptown

Gene Krupa (January 15, 1909 – October 16, 1973) was an influential American jazz and big band drummer and composer, known for his highly energetic and flamboyant style.

Many consider Krupa to be one of the most influential drummers of the 20th century, particularly regarding the development of the drum kit. Many jazz historians believe he made history in 1927 as the first kit drummer ever to record using a bass drum pedal.

The 1937 recording of Louis Prima's "Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)" by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra featuring Gene Krupa on drums was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Anita O'Day (October 18, 1919 – November 23, 2006) was an American jazz singer.

Born Anita Belle Colton, O'Day was admired for her sense of rhythm and dynamics, and her early big band appearances shattered the traditional image of the "girl singer". Refusing to pander to any female stereotype, O'Day presented herself as a "hip" jazz musician, wearing a band jacket and skirt as opposed to an evening gown. She changed her surname from Colton to O'Day, pig Latin for "dough," slang for money.

The call from Krupa came in early 1941. Of the 34 sides she recorded with Krupa, it was "Let Me Off Uptown", a novelty duet with Roy Eldridge, that became her first big hit. That year, Down Beat named O'Day "New Star of the Year".

Roy David Eldridge (January 30, 1911 – February 26, 1989), nicknamed "Little Jazz" was an American jazz trumpet player. His sophisticated use of harmony, including the use of tritone substitutions, his virtuosic solos and his strong influence on Dizzy Gillespie mark him as one of the most exciting musicians of the swing era and a precursor of bebop.

This Day In Music History

1965, The Four Tops went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'I Can't Help Myself'. Lead singer Levi Stubbs had not been satisfied with the recording session and was promised that he could do it again the following day, but no other session ever took place. The track that became a hit was just the second take of the song.

1967, Having admitted to taking LSD four tines during an interview with Life Magazine, Beatle Paul McCartney told The Daily Mirror that he didn’t regret that he'd spoken out and hoped that his fans would understand.

1968, The Rolling Stones scored their seventh UK No.1 single when 'Jumpin Jack Flash' hit the top of the charts.

1971, Carole King started a five week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'It's Too Late / I Feel The Earth Move'. Both songs were from her 'Tapestry' album.

1974, The Delinquents a band featuring Mick Jones (later of The Clash) made their debut at the Students union bar, Queen Elizabeth College, Kensington.

1976, Future Smiths singer Steve Morrissey had a letter published in this weeks music magazine Record Mirror and Disc asking the editor why the paper had not included any stories on The Sex Pistols.

1980, US singer Donna Summer became the first act to be signed by David Geffen to his new Geffen record label.

1993, Tina Turner went to No.1 on the UK album chart with 'What's Love Got To Do With It'.

1936, Born on this day, Tommy Devito, The Four Seasons, (1976 UK & US No.1 single 'December 1963, Oh What A Night').

1951, Born on this day, Ann Wilson, vocals, Heart, (1987 US No.1 & UK No.3 single 'Alone').

1963, Born on this day, Paula Abdul, singer, dancer, (1990 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Opposites Attract' plus five other US No.1 singles. 1989 album 'Forever Your Girl' spent ten weeks as US No.1.). Judge on American Idol TV show.

1963, Born on this day, Simon Wright, drummer, AC/DC, joined in 1983. Joined Dio in 1989.

1970, Born on this day, Brian Welch, guitar, Korn, (1998 UK No.23 single 'Got The Life', 1998 US No.1 album 'Follow The Leader').

The Rolling Stones - Tell Me & I Just Want to Make Love to You

"Tell Me" is a song by English rock and roll band The Rolling Stones, featured on their 1964 self-titled album (US title: England's Newest Hit Makers).

It was later released as single A-side in the USA only, becoming the first Jagger/Richards song that the band released as a single A-side, and their first record to enter the US Top 40. The single reached #24 in the US and #1 in Sweden. It was not released as a single in the UK.

Written by singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards, "Tell Me" is a pop ballad. Jagger said in a 1995 interview with Rolling Stone magazine: "['Tell Me'] is very different from doing those R&B covers or Marvin Gaye covers and all that. There's a definite feel about it. It's a very pop song, as opposed to all the blues songs and the Motown covers, which everyone did at the time."




"I Just Want to Make Love to You" is a 1954 blues song written by Willie Dixon and first recorded by Muddy Waters.The song was a major hit, reaching number four on Billboard magazine's Black Singles chart

The Rolling Stones recorded the song, with slightly modified lyrics, for their 1964 debut album The Rolling Stones (titled England's Newest Hit Makers in the US) and released the song as the B-side to "Tell Me" in America. A live version was later released on No Security.

The Rolling Stones - Carol

"Carol" is a song written by Chuck Berry, first released by Chuck Berry in 1958. It was later covered by The Beatles for a live BBC performance during 1963, this version was released on the 1994 compilation album Live at the BBC. It was also recorded by The Rolling Stones and released on their first album in 1964. A live version was released on their 1970 album Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!.

The Rolling Stones EP

The Rolling Stones is the debut EP released by The Rolling Stones in January 1964. It was released both to capitalise on their first Top 20 hit "I Wanna Be Your Man" and to test the commercial appeal of the band before their UK label Decca Records would commit to letting them record an album. The Rolling Stones includes four songs recorded at two separate sessions in August and November 1963.

The Rolling Stones features R&B covers of some of the band's favorite artists, and some recent American hits. Eric Easton is officially listed as the EP's producer. Andrew Loog Oldham produced the opening track "Bye Bye Johnny", a Chuck Berry original.




Despite the rawness of the production, the EP reached #1 in the UK EP charts. "Bye Bye Johnny" and "Money" would not see official US release until 1972's retrospective More Hot Rocks (Big Hits & Fazed Cookies); "Money (That's What I Want)" is a 1959 hit single by Barrett Strong for the Tamla label, distributed nationally on Anna Records. The song was written by Tamla founder Berry Gordy and Janie Bradford, and became the first hit record for Gordy's Motown enterprise.



"You Better Move On" is a song by Arthur Alexander from 1961 that reached #24 on the US charts in March 1962. Rolling Stones version of "You Better Move On" was first released on 17 January 1964, on the EP, The Rolling Stones (EP). It was also on the US album, December's Children (And Everybody's), released in 1965.



The EP was released in Canada in 1964 by London Records Canada. The release was identical the U.K. version lncluding the picture sleeve along with the British label number DFE 8560. The Canadian EP pressing also used British stampers.

Unavailable for decades, The Rolling Stones was reissued on Compact Disc in 2004 on the Singles 1963–1965 box set through ABKCO Records. In November 2010, it was also made available as part of a limited edition vinyl box set, titled "The Rolling Stones 1964-1969" and as a download on the iTunes Music Store.

Rolling Stones - Not Fade Away & Little by Little

"Not Fade Away" is a song credited to Buddy Holly and Norman Petty and first recorded by Holly's band The Crickets in Clovis, New Mexico, on May 27, 1957. The song's rhythm pattern is one of the classic examples of the Bo Diddley beat, which itself was an update of the so-called "hambone" rhythm, or "patted juba" from Western Africa.

In 2004, this song was ranked number 107 on Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". However, The Crickets' recording never charted as a single.

In 1964, The Rolling Stones' cover of "Not Fade Away", with its strong emphasis on the Bo Diddley beat, became a major hit in Britain and served as the A-side of the band's first US single.

The Rolling Stones version of "Not Fade Away" was one of their first classic hits. Recorded in late January 1964 and released by Decca on February 21, 1964, with "Little by Little" as the B-side, it was their first Top 5 hit in Great Britain, reaching #3. In March 1964 it was also the Rolling Stones' first single release in the United States, on the London Records label, with "I Wanna Be Your Man" as the B-side (briefly preceded by "Stoned", which had immediately been withdrawn). The single reached #48 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

"Not Fade Away" was not on the UK version of their debut album, The Rolling Stones, but was the opening track of the US version released a month later as England's Newest Hitmakers. It was a mainstay at Rolling Stones concerts in their early years, usually opening the shows. It was revived in that capacity for their 1994-95 Voodoo Lounge Tour.

Ironically the Stones' version, unlike the original, chooses to fade-out on the "not fade away" lyric.



"Little by Little" was released by The Rolling Stones on the Decca label on February 21, 1964, as the B-side to their version of "Not Fade Away". Also included on their debut album The Rolling Stones in April 1964.

Recorded in late January 1964, it was their first Top 5 hit in Great Britain, reaching #3. Phil Spector was in the studio, and was given co-credit with "Nanker Phelge" for writing this typical up-tempo Stones blues, a pastiche of "Shame, Shame, Shame" by Jimmy Reed.