This day in music history

1964, For the first time ever the UK Top Ten Singles Chart was composed entirely of British acts. Cilla Black held the No.1 position with 'Anyone Who Had A Heart.'

1966, Brian Wilson released 'Caroline No' the first solo single by a Beach Boy.

1966, Tina Turner recorded her vocal on the Phil Spector produced 'River Deep Mountain High'. It went on to make No.3 in the UK but only No.88 on the US chart.

1970, Simon and Garfunkels album 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' started a ten week run at No.1 on the US chart. The duo had split-up by the time of release.

1976, Elton John was immortalised in wax at Madame Tussauds in London. The first rock star to be so since The Beatles.

1987, The Beastie Boys became the first rap act to have a No.1 album in the US with their debut album, 'Licensed To Ill.'

1987, The first five Beatles albums, Please Please Me, With the Beatles, A Hard Day's Night, Beatles for Sale and Help! were released on Compact disc. Capitol Records decided to release the original UK mixes of the Beatles albums, which means that the first four CDs are released in mono. This marks the first time that many of these mono mixes were available in the US.

2001, The man who discovered Blur, David Balfe won a high court battle to earn £250,000 in back royalties. Balfe had waged a legal battle for over two years to regain the royalties after selling his Food Records label to EMI in 1994.

2004, The Smiths song 'I Know It's Over' topped a poll of tunes, which people turn to when they are miserable in 'The Songs That Saved Your Life' poll by BBC radio station 6 Music. REM's 'Everybody Hurts' and Radiohead's 'Fake Plastic Trees' also made the Top 10.

1946, Born on this day, Matthew Fisher, Procol Harum, (1967 UK No.1 & US No.5 single 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale').

1946, Born on this day, Peter Wolf, vocals, The J Geils Band, (1982 US No.1 & UK No.3 single 'Centrefold' and once married to actress Faye Dunaway).

1952, Born on this day, Ernie Isley, The Isley Brothers, (1968 UK No.3 single 'This Old Heart Of Mine', 1969 US No.2 single 'It's Your Thing').

Count Basie Orchestra- Swingin' the Blues

Count Basie (August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was among the most important bandleaders of the swing era. He helped define the words 'jazz' and 'swing.'

In 1936 he founded the Count Basie Orchestra. By the end of the 30s, the Basie band was one of the most popular in the world. Basie's orchestra was characterized by a light, swinging rhythm section that he led from the piano, lively ensemble work, and generous soloing. His style of piano playing was to-the-point and focused on the blues, relying on simple melodic phrases.

Basie led his jazz orchestra almost continuously for nearly 50 years. Many notable musicians came to prominence under his direction, including tenor saxophonists Lester Young and Herschel Evans, trumpeters Buck Clayton and Harry "Sweets" Edison and singers Jimmy Rushing and Joe Williams. Basie's theme songs were "One O'Clock Jump" and "April In Paris".

At the first Grammy Awards ceremony, Basie won the 1958 awards for Best Performance by a Dance Band and Best Jazz Performance, Group, for his Roulette Records LP Basie. Numerous nominations and awards followed.

Basie's health gradually deteriorated during the last eight years of his life. He suffered a heart attack in 1976 that put him out of commission for several months. He was back in the hospital in 1981, and when he returned to action, he was driving an electric wheel chair onto the stage. He died of cancer at 79.

Artie Shaw - Frenesi

Arthur Jacob Arshawsky (May 23, 1910 – December 30, 2004), better known as Artie Shaw, was an American jazz clarinetist, composer, and bandleader. One of jazz's finest clarinetists, Artie Shaw led five big bands, all of them distinctive and memorable.

At his peak in the 1930s and 40s, Shaw pulled in a five-figure salary per week and ranked with Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller as the bandleaders who made music swing. But he left the music world largely behind in the mid-50s and spent much of the second half of his life devoted to writing and other pursuits.

At age 21, he became the top lead-alto sax and clarinet player in the New York radio and recording studios. He made his first public appearance as a leader in 1936, in a Swing Concert (history's first) held at Broadway's Imperial Theatre.

Breaktthrough came with the surprise success of his 1938 recording of "Begin the Beguine" which made the clarinetist into a superstar dubbed as the new "King of Swing" and his orchestra into one of the most popular in the world.

Of particular interest to the gossip columnists of the day were Artie Shaw's wives. They included actresses Lana Turner (wife No. 3, 1940), Ava Gardner (No. 5, 1945), Evelyn Keyes (No. 8, 1957) and novelist Kathleen Winsor.

A volatile and superbly intelligent man, Shaw hated the loss of privacy that stardom brought,and by mid fifties he had very little to do with music or show business and he concentrated to his other major love of his life,writing. He was the author of both fiction and non-fiction writings. For the past two decades of his life had been working on the first volume of a fictional trilogy, dealing with the life of a young jazz musician of the 1920's and 30's whose story he hoped to take on up into the 1960's.

Artie Shaw died Thursday, December 30th, 2004. He was 94. He had been in declining health for some time and apparently died of natural causes.

"Frenesi" is a musical piece originally composed by Alberto Dominguez for the marimba, and adapted as a jazz standard. A hit version recorded by Artie Shaw (with an arrangement by William Grant Still) reached number one on the Billboard pop chart on December 21, 1940.

For this recording session, he used a large studio band with woodwinds, French horns, and a full string section along with the normal dance band instrumentation -another first in big band jazz history. The word "frenesi" is the Spanish equivalent of "frenzy".

Mary Lou Williams - Virgo (Zodiac Suite)

Mary Lou Williams (May 8, 1910 – May 28, 1981) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. She is often called jazz's greatest female musician as she wrote hundreds of compositions and arrangements, and recorded more than one hundred records (in 78, 45, and LP versions).

Williams wrote and arranged for such bandleaders as Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman, and she was friend, mentor, and teacher to Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie.

Her career spanned over a half-century, and she created music full of everlasting beauty, inspiration and surprise. Her achievements as a composer, arranger, and bandleader earned her respect of the highest level from her peers.

Mary Lou passed away in 1981 at the age of 71, leaving behind a pioneering legacy of jazz.

With just a casual interest in astrology, Mary Lou Williams created her 1945 Zodiac Suite as a series of character sketches, musical portraits of friends from each sign that she would debut on a weekly radio show.

"Aries" is for Ben Webster and Billie Holiday, "Taurus" for Duke Ellington, and "Libra" for Dizzy Gillespie, Art Tatum, Bud Powell, and Thelonious Monk.

The pieces include piano solos, duets with bassist Al Lucas, and trios with the addition of drummer Jack "The Bear" Parker. The suite is both a remarkable exercise in extended composition and an index of Williams's varied palette.

This day in music history

1951, Welsh composer, singer and actor Ivor Novello died aged 58. He first became known for the song ‘Keep the Home Fires Burning,’ which he composed during World War I. The annual British songwriter award is named after him.

1965, 'The Rolling Stones Number 2' album went back to No.1 on the UK charts for six weeks.

1965, The Temptations went to No.1 on the US singles chart with the Smokey Robinson penned song 'My Girl', making the group the first male act to have a No.1 for Motown, The single only reached No.43 in the UK but made No.2 when re-issued.

1966, The Rolling Stones started recording sessions for their tenth UK single ‘Paint It Black’ at RCA studios in Hollywood.

1967, The Beatles recorded sound effects onto the song ‘Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band’ at Abbey Road studios in London. The beginning audience murmurs and sounds of a band preparing for a performance are added, along with screams from a tape of the Beatles in concert at the Hollywood Bowl.

1973, An attempt to bring Elvis Presley to the UK for shows at London's Earl's Court failed. Promoters had hoped that Elvis would be available during the summer but were told that Elvis now had US tour and filming commitments.

1973, Slade scored their fourth UK No.1 single with 'Cum On Feel The Noize', the first single to enter the charts at No.1 since The Beatles 'Get Back' in 1969. Elton John had the No.1 album with 'Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player'.

1976, Tina Charles was at No.1 in the UK with the single 'I Love to Love' (But My Baby Loves to Dance). The Miracles were at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Love Machine (part 1)' and Bob Dylan was at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Desire'.

1982, Tight Fit were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with their version of The Tokens hit 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight.' It was first recorded by its writer, Solomon Linda, and his group, The Evening Birds, in 1939. In 2004, the song became the subject of a lawsuit between the family of its writer Solomon Linda and Disney. The suit claimed that Disney owed $1.6 million in royalties for the use of 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' in the film and stage production of The Lion King. A settlement was reached for an undisclosed amount in 2006.

1982, The Go-Go's started a six-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Beauty And The Beast.'

1993, Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'A Whole New World' (Aladdin's Theme)'. The single ended Whitney Houston's 14-week run at the top of the charts.

2005, Stereophonics were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Dakota', the Welsh band's first No.1, eight years after their first hit.

1893, Born on this day, Memphis blues artist Walter “Furry” Lewis. He was the first guitarist to play with a bottleneck. He lost a leg in a railroad accident and once supported The Rolling Stones. Joni Mitchell wrote the song ‘Furry Sings The Blues’ after him. Lewis died on September 14th 1981, aged 88.

1944, Born on this day in 1944, David Gilmour, guitarist, singer, songwriter, joined Pink Floyd in 1968, 1973 US No.1 & UK No.2 album 'Dark Side Of The Moon', spent a record breaking 741 weeks on the US chart. Pink Floyd have sold over 200 million albums worldwide. 1979 UK and US No.1 single ‘Another Brick In The Wall, (part 2)’. Gilmour was appointed a CBE in 2003 for his charity work. Solo 2006 UK No.1 and US No.6 album On A Island.’

1944, Born on this day, Mary Wilson, vocals, The Supremes, (1964 UK & US No.1 single 'Baby Love' plus 11 other US No.1 singles).

1947, Born on this day, Kiki Dee, singer and actress, (1976 UK & US No.1 single with Elton John, 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart').

1964, Born on this day, Stephen Bier, (Wayne Gacy), keyboards, Marilyn Manson, (1998 US No.1 album, 'Mechanical Animals', UK No. 12 single, 'The Dope Show').

1974, Born on this day, Guy Garvey singer/guitarist with Manchester based group Elbow. Elbow won the Mercury Music Prize for their 2008 album ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’.

Ex Libras - Teenage Eyes

Ex Libras are Amit Sharma, Kieran Hagi, and Ross Kenning who bonded over "alternative music with groove" whilst working at Hounslow Borough Library

Utilising piano, guitar and drums, they create a unique blend of post-rock, noise and rhythm in a sophisticated, deep, dark, emotional way.

The band released a debut album back in late 2009 called Suite.
A number of selected tracks were reworked for the subsequent Cuts EP.

‘Teenage Eyes’ comes from that EP and was released in February 2011. A haunting piano sets the scene, with guitar , bass and minimalistic drums only adding to the sinister, cinematic feel.

The vocal sits perfectly, capturing the scene one can almost imagine a strange tale of beautiful tragedy unfolding before you. Ruth Kelly from Ariel Up provides the cello, cutting in almost unnoticed as it slowly builds.

To commemorate this release, Ex Libras have teamed up with KIFilms' very own Beau Fowler, who has produced and directed a visually stunning music video that compliments the bands eerily cinematic sound perfectly.
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Arctic Monkeys - Brick by Brick

Arctic Monkeys are heralded as one of the first acts to come to the public attention via the Internet (fan-based sites rather than from the band), with commentators suggesting they represented the possibility of a change in the way in which new bands are promoted and marketed.

Formed in 2002, they became one of the U.K.'s biggest bands of the new millennium. Their music style is a hybrid of swaggering indie rock and danceable neo-punk.

The band currently consists of Alex Turner on lead vocals and guitar, Jamie Cook on guitar, Matt Helders on drums and backing vocals, and Nick O'Malley on bass guitar and backing vocals, a position formerly held by Andy Nicholson.

Arctic Monkeys achieved chart success with their first single "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" which reached number one in the UK Singles Chart.

Their first album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, released on 23 January 2006, was at the time the fastest-selling debut album in British music history. It received critical acclaim, winning both the 2006 Mercury Prize and the 2007 BRIT Awards for Best British Album.

The band's second album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, was released on 23 April 2007, sold over 225,000 copies in its debut week, and was nominated for the 2007 Mercury Prize. The group also picked up the award for Best British Album and Best British Group at the BRIT Awards in 2008. Overall, the band has won five BRIT Awards, including "Best British Breakthrough Act" in 2006, "Best British Album" in 2007 for Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, and "Best British Group" in 2008.

At the NME Awards in 2006, they made history by becoming the first band to win both "Best New Band" and "Best British Band" in the same night. The band were also nominated for two Grammy awards in 2007. In total ,Arctic Monkeys have received 24 awards from 37 nominations.

Alex Turner briefly turned his attention to a side project, the Last Shadow Puppets, before the release of the their third studio album Humbug in 2009. This album also received major critical acclaim, with many praising the band's newfound maturity.

Brick by Brick is their new single released in 4th March of 2011 from their forthcoming album later this year

The Vaccines - Post Break-Up Sex

The Vaccines are a London-based indie rock band that formed in 2010. Members of the band are Justin Young (vocals, who previously worked under the name Jay Jay Pistolet, playing indie folk), Árni Hjörvar (bass), Freddie Cowan (guitar, younger brother of Tom from The Horrors) and Pete Robertson (drums).

They describe their influences as "'50s rock 'n' roll, '60s garage and girl groups, '70s punk, '80s American hardcore, C86 and good pop music".

The band released their debut single "Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra)" on 29 November 2010 in the UK where it reached number 157 in the UK Singles Chart. Only one minute and 24 seconds long, it was named "Track of the Day" by Q magazine.

On 5 January 2011, the band were placed third in the BBC's Sound of 2011 best new name poll. The Vaccines were also nominated for an MTV Award for "Best New Band of 2011".

Having been signed to Columbia Records, the band released their second single "Post Break-Up Sex" on 24 January 2011 where it debuted at number 32 in the UK.

The song's melody borrows heavily from The Ramones 1981 hit, The KKK Took My Baby Away.

The band are due to release their debut album What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? on 14 March 2011 through Columbia Records and will be preceeded by the official release of single "If You Wanna" on 14 March.

This day in music history

1955, Elvis Presley made his TV debut when he appeared on the weekend show 'Louisiana Hayride' on KWKH TV, broadcast from Shreveport Auditorium in Shreveport, Louisiana.

1965, The Mannish Boys released their debut single 'I Pity The Fool', featuring a young David Bowie.

1977, Barbra Streisand started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Love Theme From A Star Is Born’, her second US No.1. It made No.3 in the UK. The Eagles were at No.2 with ‘New Kid In Town’ and The Steve Miller Band was at No.3 with ‘Fly Like An Eagle’.

1979, Japan gave their first live concert in the land of the rising sun when they played the first of two nights at Tokyo's Budokan Hall.

1982, Actor and singer John Belushi died from an overdose of cocaine and heroin. Belushi was one of the original cast members on US TV's Saturday Night Live, played Joliet 'Jake' Blues in The Blues Brothers and also appeared in the film Animal House. His tombstone reads "I may be gone, but rock n roll lives on."

1983, Michael Jackson started a seven week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Billie Jean', his fourth solo US No.1, also No.1 in the UK. And on this day Jacksons album 'Thriller' went to No.1 for the first time on the UK album chart, it went on to become the biggest selling album of all time with sales over 50 million.

1992, R.E.M. cleaned up in The Rolling Stone Music Awards winning Album of the year, for 'Out Of Time', Artist of the year, Best single for 'Losing My Religion', Best video for 'Losing My Religion' and Best band, Best guitarist and Best songwriter awards.

2000, Former rap artist MC Hammer became a preacher at the Jubilee Christian Centre in San Jose. Hammer had been declared bankrupt in 1996 after squandering his $50 million (£29.4 million) fortune.

2000, Madonna went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with her version of the Don McLean 1972 hit 'American Pie'. It was her 50th UK hit and the singers ninth UK No.1 and taken from the soundtrack to the 2000 film The Next Best Thing.

2000, Oasis went to No.1 on the UK chart with their fourth album 'Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants.'

2004, UK guitarist John McGeoch died in his sleep aged 49, member of Magazine, (1978 UK No.41 single 'Shot By Both Sides'). Also worked with Siouxsie And The Banshees, Armoury Show and Public Image Ltd.

2007, Records by the Rolling Stones and Paul Simon were chosen for preservation by the US Library of Congress. The Stones' Satisfaction and Simon's Graceland album entered the National Recordings Registry, which preserves historic works for future generations. Other recordings chosen this year included Carl Perkins' Blue Suede Shoes, Be My Baby, The Ronettes, A Change Is Gonna Come, Sam Cooke and the album The Velvet Underground and Nico

1948, Born on this day, Eddy Grant, singer, The Equals, (1968 UK No.1 single 'Baby Come Back',) and solo (1982 UK No.1 single 'I Don't Wanna Dance').

1951, Born on this day, Elaine Page, singer, (1985 UK No.1 single 'I Know Him So Well').

1952, Born on this day, Alan Clark, keyboards, Dire Straits, (1985 US No.1 single 'Money For Nothing', 1986 UK No.2 single 'Walk Of Life').

1957, Born on this day, Mark E Smith, singer, The Fall, (1987 UK No.30 single 'There's A Ghost In My House').

1958, Born on this day, Andy Gibb, younger brother of The Bee Gees. He had a 1978 UK No.10 single with ‘An Everlasting Love’ and a 1978 US No.1 single with ‘Shadow Dancing’, which spent seven weeks at the top, plus two other US No.1 singles. Gibb died on March 10th 1988.

1962, Born on this day, Craig and Charlie Reid, The Proclaimers, (1987 UK No.3 single 'Letter From America', 1988 UK No.6 album 'Sunshine Over Leith', 2007 UK No.1 single with Comic Relief charity hit I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles).

1970, Born on this day, John Frusciante – guitarist with Red Hot Chili Peppers, (1992 UK No.26 single with ‘Under The Bridge’, 1991 US No.3 album Blood Sugar Sex Magik and a 2002 UK No.1 album 'By The Way').

1982, Born on this day, Russell Leetch, bass guitarist, Editors, (2007 UK No.1 album 'An End Has A Start').

Pulp - This Is Hardcore

Pulp are an English alternative rock band formed in Sheffield in 1978. Their lineup consists of Jarvis Cocker (vocals, guitar), Russell Senior (violin, guitar), Candida Doyle (keyboards), Mark Webber (guitar), Steve Mackey (bass), Nick Banks (drums) and Richard Hawley (guitar, backing vocals).

For the first 12 years of their existence, the band struggled to find success. At the turn of the decade, the group began to gain an audience, sparking a remarkable turn of events that made the band one of the most popular British groups of the '90s. By the time Pulp became famous, the band had gone through numerous different incarnations and changes in style, covering nearly every indie rock touchstone from post-punk to dance.

Their breakthrough came with the release of the single ‘Common People’ in May 1995 debuting at number two on the U.K. charts. The song was included in the album ‘Different Class ‘ which reached the number one spot in the UK Albums Chart. Three more Top 10 single came out of this album.

Pulp's signature sound is a fusion of David Bowie and Roxy Music's glam rock, disco, new wave, acid house, Europop, and British indie rock. The group's cheap synthesizers and sweeping melodies reflect the lyrical obsessions of lead vocalist Jarvis Cocker, who alternates between sex and sharp, funny portraits of working class misfits.

Jarvis Cocker and the band became major figures in the Britpop movement,winning the Mercury Music Prize in 1996 for Different Class. They also headlined the Pyramid Stage of the Glastonbury Festival twice.

Their next album, This is Hardcore, was not released for another three years in mixed reviews. After their last album We Love Life in 2001, the band entered an extended hiatus, with Cocker involving in a number of one-offs and side projects.

In January 2011, Cocker said that there is a possibility for the band's reunion.
As of October 2003, Pulp had sold over 10 million records.

"This Is Hardcore" was released on March 16, 1998 as the second single from their album This Is Hardcore. It charted at #12 in the UK Singles Chart. It uses a sample of "Bolero on the Moon Rocks" by the Peter Thomas Sound Orchestra.

Drum loops, lounge piano, cinematic strings, and a sharp lyric create a frightening monument to weary decadence. It's the centerpiece of the album, and the best moments follow its tone.

Massive Attack - Teardrop

Massive Attack were among the most innovative and influential groups of their generation. They considered to be the pioneering force behind the rise of trip-hop. Their hypnotic sound - a darkly sensual and cinematic fusion of hip-hop rhythms, soulful melodies, dub grooves, and choice samples -set the pace for much of the dance music to emerge throughout the 1990s.

Their history dates back to 1983 and the formation of the Wild Bunch, one of the earliest and most successful sound system/DJ collectives to arrive on the U.K. music scene; renowned for their seamless integration of a wide range of musical styles, from punk to reggae to R&B.

When the Wild Bunch folded during the mid-'80s, two of its members -- Andrew "Mushroom" Vowles and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall -- teamed with local graffiti artist 3D (born Robert del Naja) to form Massive Attack in 1987. The group's first single, "Daydreaming," appeared in 1990; it featured the sultry vocals of singer Shara Nelson and raps by Tricky, another onetime Wild Bunch collaborator.

In 1991 Massive Attack issued their debut LP, Blue Lines. Their latest album and fifth in total, Heligoland, was released in 2010.

The third full-length Massive Attack effort, Mezzanine, appeared in mid-1998 and became a cult hit among critics, clubs, and the college crowds, spinning successful singles such as "Teardrop" , sung by Cocteau Twin Elizabeth Fraser. The single was released on 27 April 1998 and became another UK hit for the group, peaking at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart.

The song was accompanied by a video directed by Walter Stern, of an animatronic singing fetus. An instrumental version of "Teardrop" is also the theme song for the hit TV show House M.D., making the track recognizable the world over. Robert Del Naja stated in a 2010 interview on The Hour that Elizabeth Fraser wrote the song about Jeff Buckley, of whom she had been a great friend.

Interpol - NYC

Interpol is one of the bands associated with the New York City indie music scene, and was one of several groups that emerged out of the post-punk revival of the 2000s.
Formed in 1997, the band's original line-up consisted of Paul Banks (vocals, guitar), Daniel Kessler (guitar, vocals), Carlos Dengler (bass guitar, keyboards) and Greg Drudy (drums, percussion).Drudy left the band in 2000 and was replaced by Sam Fogarino. In 2010, shortly after recording finished for the band's fourth album, Dengler left to pursue personal projects.

The band's sound is generally a mix of bass throb and rhythmic, harmonized guitar, with a snare heavy mix, drawing comparisons to post-punk bands such as Joy Division and The Chameleons.

Aside from the lyrics, their songwriting method includes all of the band members, rather than relying on any given chief songwriter. Interpol also had a striking visual presence marked by the members' fondness for suits, which only strengthened their stately, British-influenced appeal.

Interpol's debut album Turn on the Bright Lights was critically acclaimed, making it to tenth position on the NME's list of top albums in 2002 as well as #1 on Pitchfork Media's Top 50 Albums of 2002. Subsequent records Antics (2004) and Our Love to Admire (2007) have confirmed the band's initial success and turned them into a commercial and critical success. The band released its fourth, self-titled album on September 7, 2010.

"NYC" is taken from their debut album and was released as a single on April 14, 2003.The music video for was produced, directed by Doug Aitken.
As Joe Marvilli (consequenceofsound.com) states, "Interpol’s tribute to New York is a decidedly sad affair in which the protagonist only finds hope from the city itself. Despite the fact that the feeling doesn’t appear mutual (“The subway is a porno/The pavements they are a mess/I know you’ve supported me for a long time/Somehow I’m not impressed”), the city is still there for him, day in and day out. The sluggish guitar riff gives a feeling of wandering aimlessly through the city streets at night.

At the end of the song, the realization comes that New York’s done its part to support those who live there. Now it’s the inhabitant’s turn to make something of it (“It is up to me now, turn on the bright lights”)".

This day in music history

1955, Jazz great Charlie Bird Parker played at Birdland in what would be his last public performance.

1959, The winners of the first Grammy Awards were announced. Domenico Modugno's 'Volare' was Record of the Year; Henry Mancini's 'Peter Gunn' was Album of the Year and The Champs 'Tequila' won best R&B performance.

1966, John Lennon's statement that The Beatles were 'more popular than Jesus Christ' was published in The London Evening Standard. “Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. We’re more popular then Jesus now; I don’t know which will go first, rock ‘n’ roll or Christianity. Jesus was alright, but his disciples were thick and ordinary.” Christian group's in the US were outraged resulting in some states burning Beatles records. Lennon later apologised.

1967, The Rolling Stones went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Ruby Tuesday', the group's fourth US No.1 single. 'Lets Spend The Night Together' was the original A side but after radio stations banned the song 'Tuesday' became the A side.

1977, CBS released The Clash's self- titled first album in the UK. CBS in the U.S. refused to release it until 1979. Americans bought over 100,000 imported copies of the record making it one of the biggest- selling import records of all time.

1986, American songwriter Howard Greenfield died of a brain tumour aged 50. Working out of the famous Brill Building with Neil Sedaka he co-wrote many hits including 'Calendar Girl', 'Breaking Up Is Hard To Do', and 'Crying In The Rain' with Carole King. Also wrote TV theme songs including the theme to 'Bewitched.'

1994, Kurt Cobain was rushed to hospital after overdosing on alcohol and drugs in a Rome hotel during a Nirvana European tour. Cobain had taken 50-60 pills of Rohypnol mixed with champagne; rumours on the internet claimed that Kurt was dead.

2001, Village People singer Glenn Hughes died of lung cancer aged 50 in his Manhattan apartment in New York. He was the original "Biker" character in the disco group who scored the 1978 UK No.1 & US No.2 single ‘Y.M.C.A.

2002, Doreen Waddell, singer with Soul II Soul was killed after attempting to run across the A27 in Brighton, England after being caught shoplifting.

2007, Kaiser Chiefs started a two week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with their second album 'Yours Truly Angry Mob'.

1944, Born on this day, Bobby Womack, soul singer, session guitarist, (1974 US No.10 single 'Lookin' For A Love', 1993 UK No.27 single with Lulu 'I'm Back For More').

1948, Born on this day, Shakin' Stevens, singer, (1981 UK No.1 single 'This Old House' plus 30 other UK Top 40 singles).

1950, Born on this day, Emilio Estefan, Miami Sound Machine, (1984 UK No.6 single 'Dr Beat', 1989 US No.1 single 'Don't Wanna Loose You').

1951, Born on this day, Chris Rea, singer, songwriter, guitarist, (1989 UK No.10 single 'The Road To Hell', 1989 UK No.1 album 'Road To Hell' album spent 76 weeks on the chart).

1963, Born on this day, Jason Newsted, bass, Metallica, (1991 UK No.5 single 'Enter Sandman', 1991 US & UK No.1 album 'Metallica').

1968, Born on this day, Patsy Kensit, actress, appeared in the 1986 film 'Absolute Beginners' and singer with Eighth Wonder, (1988 UK No.7 single 'I'm Not Scared'). Once married to Simple Minds singer Jim Kerr and married Oasis singer Liam Gallagher in 1997. The couple split in 2000.

1971, Born on this day, Feargal Lawlor, drummer, The Cranberries, (1994 UK No.14 single 'Linger'). The bands 1993 album 'Everybody Else Is Doing It So Why Can’t We' spent 86 weeks on the UK chart.

The Style Council - Shout to the Top!

The Style Council were an English band, formed in 1983 by the ex-The Jam singer and guitarist Paul Weller, with keyboardist Mick Talbot. The permanent line-up grew to include drummer Steve White and Weller's then-wife, vocalist Dee C. Lee. Other artists such as Tracie Young and Tracey Thorn (Everything but the Girl) also collaborated with the group.

Weller broke up the Jam, the most popular British band of the early '80s, at the height of their success in 1982 because he was dissatisfied with their musical direction. Weller wanted to incorporate more elements of soul, R&B, and jazz into his songwriting, which is something he felt his punk-oriented bandmates were incapable of performing. In order to pursue this musical direction, he teamed up in 1983 with Talbot, a former member of the mod revival band the Merton Parkas.

With the Style Council, the underlying intellectual pretensions that ran throughout Weller's music came to the forefront. Although the music was rooted in American R&B, it was performed slickly -- complete with layers of synthesizers and drum machines -- and filtered through European styles and attitudes.

Weller's lyrics were typically earnest, yet his leftist political leanings became more pronounced. His scathing criticisms of racism, unemployment, Margaret Thatcher, and sexism sat uneasily beside his burgeoning obsession with high culture.

As his pretensions increased, the number of hits the Style Council had decreased; by the end of the decade, the group was barely able to crack the British Top 40 and
Weller had turned from a hero into a has-been. They have released 6 studio albums and several compilations.

Paul Weller and Mick Talbot officially broke up the Style Council in 1990. In 1991, Weller launched a solo career which would return him to popular and critical favor in the mid-'90s, while Talbot continued to play, both with Weller and as a solo musician.

"Shout to the Top!" is a single which featured on their 1985 album "Our Favourite Shop". It reached #7 in UK charts. This song is about the turmoil in England at the time. A big theme in Paul Weller's songs from this period is to talk about the labor movement and it being a front against Thatcherism.

Mano Negra - Mala Vida

Named in honor of an Andalucian anarchist group, Mano Negra emerged from the Parisian artists' scenes, drawing equal influence from the punk ethos of the Clash and the multitude of sounds and rhythms endemic to the global music community.

Formed in 1986, Mano Negra essentially consisted of vocalist Manu Chao, his trumpeter brother Tonio and drummer cousin Santiago Casiriego.

Spanish natives who fused a number of styles: punk rock, flamenco, ska, raï, salsa, reggae and African rhythms. Mano Negra's debut LP, appeared in 1988, scoring the French indie hit "Mala Vida".

The record's success led to a contract with Virgin, which in 1989 issued the group's sophomore effort Puta's Fever (Dominican slang for a sexually-transmitted disease caught from a prostitute), increasing the band's visibility abroad as well as establishing them as France's most popular alternative act.

While 1991's King of Bongo attempted to broaden their Anglo fanbase via the inclusion of several English-language tracks, but their focus quickly turned to South America when in 1992 they embarked on the "Cargo Tour," travelling to a series of port cities to perform on a stage built into their ship's hold.

Mano Negra returned the following year, this time journeying by rail from Colombia's Caribbean coast to the capital city of Bogotá, giving free concerts at stations en route.

Latin influences dominated 1994's Casa Babylon, which proved to be the group's final record;

After the split, Manu Chao who was the leader of the band went to a solo career earning more commercial success due to smoothing his former style into a more friendly and hip sound.

The Go-Betweens - Cattle and Cane

The Go-Betweens were an indie rock band formed in Brisbane, Australia in 1977 by singer-songwriters and guitarists, Robert Forster and Grant McLennan.
They began as a pair of teenagers obsessed with the earthy rock of Dylan, CCR, and the Velvet Underground and encouraged by the Australian punk of the Saints.

They were later joined by Lindy Morrison on drums, Robert Vickers on bass guitar and Amanda Brown on violin, oboe, guitar, and backing vocals, before disbanding in late 1989.

The focal point of The Go-Betweens was the song writing skills of Forster and McLennan, each developing a distinctive but complementary style, described by critics as one of the greatest songwriting partnership. Despite the critical acclaim they had minor success in an international basis.

Forster and McLennan reformed the band in 2000 with a new line-up and released three albums. The final end came on 6 May 2006, with McLennan’s death.

"Cattle and Cane" was written by McLennan and Forster and is included in 1983's "Before Hollywood" album. It was selected by Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) as one of the Top 30 Australian songs of all time.

This day in music history

1966, Neil Young, Stephen Stills and Richie Furay formed Buffalo Springfield in Los Angeles.

1973, Slade's 'Com On Feel The Noize', entered the UK at No.1, making Slade the first act to achieve this since The Beatles.

1973, winners at this years Grammy Awards included, Roberta Flack who won Song of the year and Record of the year with 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' and Harry Nilsson won Best pop vocal performance for 'Without You.'

1979, The Bee Gees scored their fourth UK No.1 single with 'Tragedy.' Also today The Bee Gees went to No.1 on the US album chat with 'Spirits Having Flown', the brothers second US No.1 album.

1984, Nena started a three week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with '99 Red Balloons.' Originally sung in German, '99 Luftballons' was re-recorded in English as '99 Red Balloons'. The song was a No.2 hit in the US and the only UK hit for Nena making her a One-hit wonder.

1986, Metallica released their highly influential album, Master of Puppets, considered by many in the metal community to be the best metal album of all time.

1990, Lindy Layton and Beats International were at No.1 in the UK with the single 'Dub Be Good To Me.' Formed by ex-Housemartins Norman Cook, the song was based on the SOS Band's 1984 hit 'Just Be Good To Me' and The Clash's 'Guns of Brixton'.

1994, The Smashing Pumpkins were banned from appearing on BBC TV's 'Top Of The Pops', due to the content of the songs lyrics. The bands single 'Disarm' was this weeks highest new entry.

2000, Tom Jones won the Best male artist at this year's Brit Awards. Other winners included Travis for Best band and Best album 'The Man Who.' Best single went to Robbie Williams for 'She's The One', Five won Best pop act, TLC won Best International group, Beck won Best International Male, Macy Gray won Best newcomer and Outstanding Contribution went to The Spice Girls.

2002, TV show 'Pop Idol' winner Will Young scored his first UK No.1 single with 'Anything Is Possible / Evergreen.' Young set a new sales record for a debut artist with over 1 million in the first week. Biggest selling single of 2002.

2003, Ray Jackson who found fame with Lindisfarne took out legal action against Rod Stewart over his 1970s hit song ‘Maggie May.’ Jackson claimed he came up with the worldwide hit's classic mandolin melody and claimed he may have lost at least £1m because he was not credited for the track's distinctive "hook." Jackson was paid just £15 for the recording session by Stewart in 1971.

2005, 50 Cent released The Massacre, the follow-up to his 6x platinum debut 'Get Rich or Die Tryin'. The album sold over 1 million copies in its first week, going 4x platinum in two months. The success of the album gave 50 Cent five top-five singles in 2005.

2009, To celebrate the release of U2’s twelfth studio album and their appearance every night for a week on The Late Show with David Letterman, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg temporarily renamed part of 53rd street in Midtown Manhattan U2 Way.

1927, Born on this day, Junior Parker, US blues singer/songwriter who wrote ‘Mystery Train’, which was covered by Elvis Presley. He also worked with BB King and Howlin’ Wolf. Parker died on November 18th 1971.

1942, Born on this day, Mike Pender, The Searchers, (1964 UK No.1 & US No.13 single 'Needles And Pins').

1947, Born on this day, Dave Mount, Mud, (1974 UK No.1 single 'Tiger Feet' plus 14 other UK Top 40 singles). Mount died on 2nd December 2006.

1947, Born on this day, Jennifer Warnes, singer, (1982 US No.1 & UK No.7 single 'Up Where We Belong' with Joe Cocker).

1948, Born on this day, Snowy White, guitarist, Thin Lizzy, Pink Floyd, Roger Waters. 1983 UK Top 10 hit 'Bird Of Paradise'.

1954, Born on this day, Chris Hughes, Adam and the Ants, (1981 UK No.1 single 'Stand And Deliver' plus 15 other UK Top 40 singles).

1966, Born on this day, Tone- Loc, (Antony Smith), US rapper, (1989 UK No. 13 single,'Funky Cold Medina').

Wire - Mannequin

Wire is an English rock band, formed in London in October 1976 by Colin Newman (vocals, guitar), Graham Lewis (bass, vocals), Bruce Gilbert (guitar), and Robert Gotobed (drums). They were originally associated with the punk rock scene and were later central to the development of post-punk.

Inspired by the burgeoning UK punk scene, Wire is often cited as one of the more important rock groups of the 1970s and 1980s. Their influence has outshone their comparatively modest record sales. In the 1980s and 1990s, The Urinals, Manic Street Preachers, The Minutemen, R.E.M., and The Cure expressed a fondness for the group. R.E.M. covered "Strange" on their Document album, and "What's The Frequency, Kenneth?" emulates Wire's song "Feeling Called Love".

Wire is arguably a definitive art punk or post-punk ensemble, mostly due to their richly detailed and atmospheric sound, often obscure lyrical themes and, to a lesser extent, their Situationist political stance.

The group exhibited a steady development from an early raucous punk style (1977's Pink Flag) to a more complex, structured sound involving increased use of guitar effects and synthesizers (1978's Chairs Missing and 1979's 154).

The band gained a reputation for experimenting with song arrangements throughout its career. Between 1981-85 and 1991 -1998, Wire ceased recording and performing in favor of solo and non-Wire collaborative projects.

In January 2011 the band released their twelfth studio album, Red Barked Tree which was well received by critics, who found the record representing the "essence of their best work",covering "virtually all aspects of Wire’s varied history"

"Mannequin" is included in their first album "Pink Flag" that was released in 1977 and is considered to be one the most original debut albums to come out of the first wave of British punk. Although the album was released to critical acclaim, it was not a big seller.The songs are a collection of unforgettable tunes full of attitude and energy.

Today the album is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest albums of all-time and is listed at number 410 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time in 2003.

Rory Gallagher - Shadow Play

Rory Gallagher (2 March 1948 – 14 June 1995) was an Irish blues-rock multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and bandleader.

Born in 1948 in Ballyshannon and raised in Cork, Gallagher's rock 'n roll odyssey began at an early age when he saw Elvis Presley on TV and became inspired to get his first guitar. Rory would listen and learn from the likes of Lonnie Donegan, Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters and Jerry Lee Lewis, many of whom Rory went on to record with.

While still at school during his early teens, Rory began playing with various professional show bands throughout Ireland up to 1967 when Rory went on to form Taste, a band who soon met with wide acclaim, and subsequently headed for London where they were an immediate success at London's famed Marquee Club, counting among their fans John Lennon.

When Taste disbanded at the end of 1970, Gallagher went on to a successful solo career. From his first solo album in 1971 through to 1990's acclaimed "Fresh Evidence" and beyond, Rory Gallagher sold many millions of albums worldwide and toured the globe several times, mounting more than 25 tours in the US alone.

Gallagher received a liver transplant in 1995, but died of complications later that year in London, England aged 47.

In 2010, Gallagher was ranked #42 on Gibson.com’s List of their Top 50 Guitarists of All Time.

"Shadow Play" is a song from his seventh album Photo-Finish releazed in 1978.
The song starts with a pile-driving classic Gallagher guitar riff, this self doubting song gives us an insight to Rory's double life, on and off stage, poetically described in the line -'A little bit of Jekyll, a little bit of Hyde'.

Babe Ruth - The Mexican

Babe Ruth was a band that formed in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England, in 1971. Guitarist Alan Shacklock founded this progressive rock band. They had a rhythmic, bluesy, guitar orientated sound capped off by the blistering vocals of Jenny Hahn. Rounded out by Chris Holmes (keyboards and organ), Dave Punshon (piano), Dave Hewitt, (bass) and Dick Powell, (drums) this British band always put on a great live show.

Jennie Hahn's raw powerful vocals, and Alan Shacklock's magnificent guitar work made for a true signature sound. They enjoyed moderate commercial success in Britain, Canada, and the States, but were plagued by personnel problems, and lack of radio airplay. When vocalist Jennie Hahn left the band for parts unknown, the band lost direction and never regained its initial success.

Between late 2005 and early 2006, Haan (now Janita Haan Morris), Shacklock, Punshon, and Hewitt recorded new material. The album, titled Que Pasa, was completed September 2006, and released in 2009. The band embarked on a highly successful reunion tour of Canada in July 2010, playing three concerts.

"The Mexican" is a song on the album First Base, recorded in 1972 and released in 1973. The album went gold in Canada, sold well in the US, but had disappointing sales by comparison in the UK.

The song is based on the whistling from the music soundtrack by Ennio Morricone for the film For a Few Dollars More. It has been compiled, covered and mixed many times

This day in music history

1955, Bo Diddley has his first recording session at Universal Recording Studio in Chicago, where he layed down ‘Bo Diddley’, which went on th top the US R&B chart by the following June.

1960, after completing his national service and flying back to America, Elvis Presley stepped on British soil for the first and only time in his life when the plane carrying him stopped for refuelling at Prestwick Airport, Scotland.

1961, The Everly Brothers had their third UK No.1 single with 'Walk Right Back' a song written by Sonny Curtis of The Crickets.

1963, The Four Seasons became the first group to have 3 consecutive No.1's in the US when 'Walk Like A man', started a three week run at the top, a No.12 in hit the UK.

1974, at this year’s Grammys Stevie Wonder won four awards: Album of the year for 'Innervisions', Best R&B song and Best vocal for ‘Superstition’ and Pop vocal performance for ‘You Are The Sunshine Of My Life’.

1974, Terry Jacks started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Seasons In The Sun', also No.1 in the UK. The song (written in French by Belgian, Jacques Brel), had English lyrics by poet Rod McKuen.

1977, The Jam played the first of a five-week Wednesday night run at The Red Cow, Hammersmith, London. The group had just signed a four-year recording contract with Polydor records.

1983, a new digital audio system, a five-inch compact disc containing up to 1 hour of music was launched by Sony, Philips and Polygram.

1985, The Smiths were at No.1 on the UK indie charts with 'How Soon Is Now.' Soho had a No.8 UK hit with 'Hippy Chick.' a song based on a guitar sample from the song.

1985, Wham! started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Make It Big', which eventually went on the sell over 5 million copies in the US.

1991, 21 years after it's first release 'All Right Now', by Free made No.2 in the UK singles chart after being re-issued to coincide with its use in a Wrigleys Chewing gum TV ad.

1991, French singer Serge Gainsbourg died of a heart attack. Famous for his 1969 UK No.1 duet with Jane Birkin on 'Je t'aime... Moi non plus.' During his career, he wrote the soundtracks for more than 40 films.

1991, Madonna's 'Rescue Me', entered the US hot 100 at No.15, making her the highest- debuting female artist in rock history. The record had been held by Joy Llayne whose 1957 single 'Your Wild Heart', entered the chart at No. 30.

1991, Mariah Carey started an 11-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with her debut 'Mariah Carey.'

1996, Oasis scored their second UK No.1 single when 'Don't Look Back In Anger' went to No.1. From the bands 'What's The Story Morning Glory' album it was the first Oasis single to feature Noel on lead vocals instead of his brother, Liam Gallagher.

1997, Mansun went to No.1 on the UK album chart with their debut album 'Attack Of The Grey Lantern.'

1999, Dusty Springfield died after a long battle against cancer, aged 59. The British singer had her first UK hit single in 1963 with ‘I Only Want To Be With You’, which reached No.4, the 1966 UK No.1 & US No.4 single with 'You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me’ plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles.

2002, the NME published the winners from this years Carling Awards: Band of the year went to The Strokes, Album of the year, The Strokes for 'Is This It', Best live act was U2, Single of the year went to Ash for 'Burn Baby Burn' and Best solo artist was won by Ian Brown.

2003, 50 Cent started a nine week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'In Da Club.'

2003, Norah Jones started a four week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with her debut album ‘Come Away With Me.’ The album spent over a year on the chart and was also a US No.1.

2003, singer, songwriter Hank Ballard died from throat cancer. Wrote and recorded ‘The Twist,’ but it was only released on the B-side of a record. One year later, Chubby Checker debuted his own version of ‘The Twist’ on Dick Clark's Philadelphia television show. It topped the charts and launched a dance craze that prompted the creation of other Twist songs, including ‘Twist and Shout’ by the Isley Brothers and ‘Twistin' the Night Away’ by Sam Cooke.

2007, Jimi Hendrix was crowned the 'wildest guitar hero' of all-time in a poll of music fans for Classic Rock magazine. Hendrix beat Keith Richards into second place, with Stevie Ray Vaughan in third. Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page made it to number four, followed by Dimebag Darrell, who played for several heavy metal bands including Pantera and Damageplan.

2008, Canadian guitarist, singer, Jeff Healey, died of cancer. Healey lost his sight to retinoblastoma, a rare cancer of the eyes when he was eight months old, resulting in his eyes being surgically removed. After living cancer-free for 38 years, he developed sarcoma in his legs. Despite surgery for this, the sarcoma spread to his lungs and ultimately was the cause of his death. Healey released over 12 albums, presented a long running radio show and worked with many artists including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, BB King, ZZ Top, Steve Lukather, Eric Clapton and Ian Gillan.

2008, Three months after its initial release, the deluxe edition of Amy Winehouse's Grammy Award-winning album 'Back to Black' went to No.1 on the UK album chart.

1938, Born on this day, Lawrence Payton, vocals, The Four Tops, (1965 US No.1 single with ‘I Can’t Help Myself’ and a 1967 UK No.6 single with ‘Standing In The Shadows of Love’). Payton died on June 20th 1997.

1943, Born on this day, Lou Reed, Velvet Underground, (1968 'White Light, White Heat'), solo, (1973 UK No.10 & US No.16 single 'Walk On The Wildside', 1997 UK No.1 charity single 'Perfect Day').

1943, Born on this day, Tony Meehan, drummer, The Shadows, (1963 UK No.1 single 'Foot Tapper' plus 28 other UK Top 40 singles). Meehan died on 28/11/05 aged 62 from head injuries sustained in a fall.

1948, Born on this day, Rory Gallagher, Irish blues guitarist, who had a 1970 UK No.18 album with 'On The Boards/Taste'. Gallagher died on June 14th 1995.

1950, Born on this day, Karen Carpenter, vocals, drums, The Carpenters. (1973 UK No.2 single 'Yesterday Once More' plus 3 US No.1's including 1975 US No.1single 'Please Mr Postman'. 1974 UK & US No.1 album 'The Singles 1969-1973 spent 125 weeks on the UK chart). She died on February 4th 1983 of anorexia nervosa.

1955, Born on this day, Jay Osmond, The Osmonds, (1971 US No.1 single 'One Bad Apple', 1974 UK No.1 single 'Love Me For A Reason' plus 9 other US & UK Top 40 singles).

1956, Born on this day, Mark Evans, bass, AC/DC. He quit in 1977 after becoming tired of touring.

1962, Born on this day, Jon Bon Jovi, vocals, solo, (1990 UK No.13 single 'Blaze Of Glory'), Bon Jovi, vocals, (1987 US No.1 & UK No.4 single 'Livin' On A Prayer',
1986 US & UK No.1 album 'Slippery When Wet', plus nine other UK Top 10 albums).

1977, Born on this day, Chris Martin, piano, guitar, vocals, Coldplay, (2000 UK No.4 single 'Yellow', 2000 UK No.1 album 'Parachutes' and the 2005 worldwide No.1 album ‘X&Y').

King Crimson - Epitaph

King Crimson is a rock band, originally founded in 1969 by guitarist Robert Fripp and drummer Michael Giles. Typically categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band has in fact incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during its long history, drawing from jazz, classical and experimental music to psychedelic rock, heavy metal, new wave, hard rock, gamelan, folk music, electronica and drum and bass.

The band name was coined by lyricist Peter Sinfield as a synonym for Beelzebub, prince of demons. According to Fripp, Beelzebub would be an anglicised form of the Arabic phrase "B'il Sabab", meaning "the man with an aim" – although it literally means "with a cause".

Originating in England, the band has had a mixture of English and American personnel since 1981.King Crimson's membership has fluctuated considerably throughout its existence, with eighteen musicians and two lyricists passing through the ranks as full band members.

The band developed a greater degree of stability later on in its history, with current (and fifth) frontman Adrian Belew having been a member of King Crimson since 1981 and drummer Bill Bruford staying with the band for nine years of active existence (1973-75, 1981-84 and 1994-97)

King Crimson has garnered little radio or music video airplay but gained a large cult following. The band's debut album, In the Court of the Crimson King, is widely regarded as a landmark in progressive rock, while later excursions into even more unconventional territory have been influential on many contemporary musical artists.

"Epitaph" (from the Greek word Epitaphios) is included in their debut album, one of the strongest of the progressive rock genre, where King Crimson largely stripped away the blues-based foundations of rock music and mixed together jazz and Classical symphonic elements.

The song makes heavy use of the mellotron, with Greg Lake singing Peter Sinfield's visionary lyrics.

Velvet Underground - Femme Fatale

The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City, being active from 1965 to 1973. Lou Reed, a native of New York songwriter, combined with John Cale, a Welshman classically trained musician, Sterling Morrisson, a friend of Reed's from university, on guitar, and Moe Tucker (a friend of Morrisson's kid sister) on drums, the group took their name from a pulp fiction book popular at that time.

In 1965 the band met up with Andy Warhol, the pop artist, after a performance at Cafe Bizarre. It was Warhol who introduced the band to the german vocalist Nico, and who encouraged them to join his "Exploding Plastic Inevitable", a group who produced films, theatre and music at the time.

The band produced it's debut album, famous almost as much for the cover which Warhol designed (he is indeed credited as the album's producer), "Andy Warhol" (also known fondly as The Banana Album).

It took a year to get the album released, since most record companies were rejecting the album fearful of it's controversial content and it's lengthy tracks, with Verve records finally taking it up and releasing it in 1965.

This powerful collection introduced Reed's decidedly urban infatuations, a fascination for street culture and amorality bordering on voyeurism. His finely honed understanding of R&B enhanced a graphic lyricism whereby songs about drugs ('I'm Waiting For The Man', 'Heroin'), sado-masochism ('Venus In Furs') or sublimation ('I'll Be Your Mirror') were not only memorable for their subjects, but also as vibrant pop compositions.

Nico continued her solo career and had no more to do with the group (beyond the rumour surrounding her relationship with both Reed and Cale) and the Velvets disassociated themselves with Andy Warhol in 1967.

The second album, "White Light White Heat" was infused by the internal conflicts within the band, and thus contains a kind of raging intensity.
The third album, entitled simply "The Velvet Underground" was a far more subtle, gentler affair, showing a softer side to the band, and also showing to extent to which Lou Reed now retained the control of the band.
In 1970, the band released an album full of commercial promise, "Loaded". Containing one of Reed's most popular compositions "Sweet Jane" , and in celebrating pop's rich heritage, offered an optimism rarely heard in previous work.

Paradoxically, by the time Loaded was issued, Lou Reed had abandoned the group he had created and Doug Yule, who had encouraged the commercial aspect of the album, now took control, leading several variations on the Velvet Underground name.
A poorly received album, Squeeze, confirmed that the definitive unit ended with Reed's departure, so much so that the album is not generally perceived to be part of the Velvets' discography.

Despite their brief lifespan, the Velvets have since become one of rock's most influential groups, especially after a new generation of bands from Bowie to Joy Division and REM, declared their indebtedness.
A series of archive releases, including 1969 - The Velvet Underground Live, VU and Another View, add further fuel to the talent and insight that lay within the Velvet Underground and enhance their legendary status.

All four of their albums were included in Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Their 1967 debut album, titled was named the 13th Greatest Album of All Time, and the "most prophetic rock album ever made" . They were ranked the 19th best artist by the same magazine and the 24th greatest artist in a poll by VH1. In 1996 they were inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

"Femme Fatale" is a song from their 1967 debut album The Velvet Underground & Nico. At producer Andy Warhol's request, band frontman Lou Reed wrote the song about Warhol superstar Edie Sedgwick.
Edith Minturn "Edie" Sedgwick, was an actress, socialite, model, and heiress. Her fame extended well beyond the (Warholian) proverbial fifteen minutes - her great-great-great grandfather, William Ellery, was a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence, and her family history blooms out from there touching almost every corner of United States history from the Massachusetts Bay Colony to the founding of New York's Central Park. In spite of this impressive family tree,

Sedgwick was to find only limited success outside of Andy Warhol's flock, struggle with substance abuse, and die from overdose of alcohol and barbiturate at the age of 28.

Leonard Cohen - Suzanne

Leonard Norman Cohen (born 21 September 1934) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist.

Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships.

Famously reclusive, having once spent several years in a Zen Buddhist monastery, and possessing a persona frequently associated with mystique, he is extremely well-regarded by critics for his literary accomplishments, for the richness of his lyrics, and for producing an output of work of high artistic quality over a five-decade career.

Musically, Cohen's earliest songs were rooted in European folk music.
In the 1970s, his material encompassed pop, cabaret and world music. Since the 1980s, his high baritone voice has evolved into lower registers (bass baritone and bass), with accompaniment from a wide variety of instruments and female backup singers.

Over 2,000 renditions of Cohen's songs have been recorded. Cohen has been inducted into both the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame and is also a Companion of the Order of Canada, the nation's highest civilian honour.

While giving the speech at Cohen's induction into the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on 10 March 2008, Lou Reed described Cohen as belonging to the "highest and most influential echelon of songwriters."

From May 2008 to December 2010 Leonard Cohen was on the major comeback world tour, the biggest in his musical career, giving 246 shows in Europe, Australia, Canada, Israel and United States. The highly successful tour was followed with two live albums, biographies and books reprints, and as well many international translations of his books and international awards and nominations (such as Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award).
Currently he is working on a new album which will possibly be released later this year .

"Suzanne" is one of the most-covered songs in Cohen's catalogue and is included in his debut album "Songs of Leonard Cohen". The lyrics are an ode to a "half-crazy" woman who lives near the St. Lawrence River in Montreal and who is capable of profound personal/spiritual connection with the song's narrator.

The song was ranked 41st on Pitchfork Media's 'Top 200 Songs of the 1960s'

This day in music history

1958, Buddy Holly played the first of 25 dates on his only UK tour at the Trocadero, Elephant & Castle, London.

1961, Elvis Presley signed a five-year movie deal with producer Hal Wallis.

1966, Gene Clark of The Byrds announced he was leaving the group due to his fear of flying.

1968, Elton John's first single 'I've Been Loving You To Long' was released on the Phillips label, it didn't chart.

1969, Jim Morrison of The Doors was charged with lewd and lascivious behaviour after showing his penis to the audience during a show in Miami. He was found guilty and sentenced to eight months hard labour. Morrison died in Paris while the sentence was on appeal.

1974, Queen began their first headlining UK tour at The Winter Garden's Blackpool.

1975, Status Quo started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'On The Level.'

1975, The Eagles went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Best Of My Love', the first of five US No.1's for the band. The highest chart position in the UK for the group was No.8 with the 1977 single 'Hotel California.'

1975, Winners at this years Grammy Awards included; Paul McCartney for Best pop vocal on 'Band On The Run', Olivia Newton-John won Record Of The Year for 'I Honestly Love You' and Stevie Wonder won Album of the year for 'Fulfilling- ness First Finale.'

1980, Blondie were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Atomic' the group's third UK No.1 single from their album 'Eat To The Beat'.

1986, Gary Glitter was admitted to hospital, suffering from an accidental overdose of sleeping pills.

1986, Mr Mister started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Kyrie', the group's second US No.1, a No.11 hit in the UK. Also the group's album 'Welcome To The Real World' went to No.1 on the US album chart.

1991, Frank Smith from Air Supply died of pneumonia in Melbourne, Australia. (1980 UK No.11 single 'All Out Of Love', 1981 US No.1 single 'The One That You Love').

1994, Nirvana played their final ever concert when they appeared at The Terminal Einz in Munich, Germany. The 3,000 capacity venue was a small Airport Hanger. The power went off during the show so they played an impromptu acoustic set including a version of The Cars 'My Best Friend's Girl.'

1995, Bruce Springsteen’s Streets of Philadelphia won three Grammys for Song of the Year, Best Male Vocal Performance and Best Rock Song.

1997, 'Bowie Bonds' were issued on the US Stock Exchange. Linked to David Bowie's back catalogue albums with money earned on the bonds via interest from royalties, investors could expect to make an 8% profit in about 10 years.

2009, Kelly Clarkson went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'My Life Would Suck Without You'. US singer Clarkson won American Idol in 2000 and became the only American Idol contestant to have topped the UK charts.

2009, The Prodigy went to No.1 on the UK album charts with their fifth studio album ‘Invaders Must Die’.

1927, Born on this day, Harry Belafonte, US singer,(1957 UK No.1 & US No.12 single with ‘Mary’s Boy Child’ and a 1957 UK No.2 & US No.5 with ‘Banana Boat Song’). He also scored over 15 US Top 40 albums, including the 1956 Calypso.

1942, Born on this day, Jerry Fisher, vocals, Blood Sweat & Tears, (1969 US No.12 & UK No.35 single 'You've Made Me So Very Happy').

1944, Born on this day, Mike D'Abo, singer, songwriter, Manfred Mann, (1968 UK No.1 & US No.10 single 'Mighty Quinn'). Wrote 'Handbags & Gladrags' covered by Rod Stewart and Stereophonics. Also wrote 'Build Me Up A Buttercup' a 1968 hit for The Foundations.

1944, Born on this day, Roger Daltrey, vocals, The Who, (1965 UK No.2 single 'My Generation' plus over 20 other UK hit singles, 16 US Top 40 singles, rock opera albums 'Tommy' & 'Quadrophenia'). Solo, (1973 UK No.5 single 'Giving It All Away').

1958, Born on this day, Nik Kershaw, singer, songwriter, producer, (1984 solo UK No.2 single 'I Won't Let The Sun Go Down On Me').

1973, Born on this day, Ryan Peake, guitar, Nickelback, (2002 US No.1 & UK No. 4 single 'How To Remind You', 2001 US No.2 & 2002 UK No.2 album 'Silver Side Up').

1994, Born on this day, Justin Bieber, Canadian singer. Bieber is the first artist to have seven songs from a debut album chart on the Billboard Hot 100. 2009 debut single 'One Time' was a Top 30 hit in over 10 countries.

Helen Merrill - Falling In Love With Love

Helen Merrill (born July 21, 1929) is an internationally known jazz vocalist.
She started her career at the 845 club in the Bronx, still in high school. The promoter at the club was noted for his ability to spot young future stars.

Among these appearing with Helen at the time were Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Oscar Pettiford, and numerous others. The name on the marquee was Helen Milcetic, her name which she later changed to Merrill.

She entered the world of music just as the big band era was ending and the much more challenging field of working with small groups had begun.

During these formative years she worked with Earl Hines, Charles Mingus, Thad Jones, Clifford Brown, Gil Evans, Charlie Byrd, Marian McPartland, Al Haig, Jim Hall, Elvin Jones, Ron Carter, Bill Evans, Stan Getz, and literally hundreds of other musicians.

In 1954, Merrill recorded her first (and to date most acclaimed) LP, an eponymous record featuring legendary jazz trumpet player Clifford Brown and bassist/cellist Oscar Pettiford, among others.It was to be one of Brown's last recordings, as he was killed in a car accident just two years later.The album was produced and arranged by Quincy Jones, who was then just twenty-one years old.

After recording sporadically through the late 1950s and 1960s, Merrill spent much of her time touring Europe, where she enjoyed more commercial success than she had in the United States.

Merrill returned to the U.S. in the 1960s, but moved to Japan in 1967 after touring there.Merrill's career has spanned six decades and she has recorded more then 40 albums.

Falling In Love With Love ,is a smokily sublime vocal jazz version of a show tune from the Rodgers and Hart musical The Boys from Syracuse (1938), and is included in her self titled album released in 1954.

Charles Mingus - Fables of Faubus

One of the most important figures in twentieth century American music, Charles Mingus (April 22, 1922 – January 5, 1979) was a virtuoso bass player, accomplished pianist, bandleader, composer and civil rights activist.

Mingus's compositions retained the hot and soulful feel of hard bop and drew heavily from black gospel music while sometimes drawing on elements of Third stream, free jazz, and classical music.

Yet Mingus avoided categorization, forging his own brand of music that fused tradition with unique and unexplored realms of jazz.

In creating his bands, Mingus looked not only at the skills of the available musicians, but also their personalities. Many musicians passed through his bands and later went on to impressive careers. He recruited talented and sometimes little-known artists whom he assembled into unconventional and revealing configurations.

As a performer, he was a pioneer in double bass technique.

As respected as Mingus was for his musical talents, he was sometimes feared for his fearsome temperament, which earned him the nickname "The Angry Man of Jazz."

"Fables of Faubus" is one of Mingus' most explicitly political works, the song was written as a direct protest against Arkansas governor Orval E. Faubus, who in 1957 sent out the National Guard to prevent the integration of Little Rock Central High School by nine African American teenagers.

The song was first recorded for Mingus' 1959 album, Mingus Ah Um. Columbia refused to allow the lyrics to the song to be included, and so the song was recorded as an instrumental on the album.
It was not until October 20, 1960 that the song was recorded with lyrics, for the
album Charles Mingus Presents Charles Mingus, which was released on the more independent Candid label.

Gene Vincent - Be-Bop-A-Lula

Vincent Eugene Craddock (February 11, 1935–October 12, 1971), better known as Gene Vincent, was an American musician who pioneered the styles of rock and roll and rockabilly.

The leather-clad, limping, greasy-haired singer was also one of rock's original bad boys, lionized by romanticists of past and present generations attracted to his primitive, sometimes savage style and indomitable spirit.

He dropped out of school at age 17 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1952. In July 1955 he was involved in a severe motorcycle accident that shattered his left leg. He refused to have it amputated. The leg was saved, but left him with a permanent limp and chronic pain for the rest of his life. He spent time in the Portsmouth Naval Hospital and was medically discharged from the Navy shortly thereafter.

He changed his name to Gene Vincent, and formed a rockabilly band called the Blue Caps (a term used in reference to enlisted sailors in the U.S. Navy).The band included Willie Williams on rhythm guitar, Jack Neal on upright bass, Dickie Harrell on drums, and the innovative and influential lead guitarist, Cliff Gallup.

In 1956 he wrote "Be-Bop-A-Lula", his only really big hit , which epitomized rockabilly at its prime in 1956 with its sharp guitar breaks, spare snare drums, fluttering echo, and Vincent's breathless, sexy vocals.

Brilliant follow-ups like "Lotta Lovin'," "Race With the Devil," "Bluejean Bop," and "B-I-Bickey, Bi, Bo-Bo-Go" failed to click in nearly as big a way, although these too are emblematic of rockabilly at its most exuberant and powerful

A 1960 tour of Britain, though, brought tragedy when his friend Eddie Cochran, who shared the bill on Vincent's U.K. shows, died in a car accident that he was also involved in, though Vincent survived. By the early '60s, his recordings had become much more sporadic and lower in quality, and his chief audience was in Europe, particularly in England (where he lived for a while) and France.

Vincent never stopped trying to resurrect his career, appearing at a 1969 Toronto rock festival on the same bill as John Lennon, though his medical, drinking, and marital problems were making his life a mess, and diminishing his stage presence as well. He died at the age of 36 from a ruptured stomach ulcer.

"Be-Bop-A-Lula" is at No. 102 on Rolling Stone magazine's "500 Greatest Rock and Roll Songs of All Time" list.