Today in Music History for Dec. 14:
In 1836, Frances Ridley Havergal, English devotional writer, was born. In frail health most of her life, Havergal nevertheless authored such hymns as "Take My Life" and "Let It Be" and "I Gave My Life for Thee."
In 1932, country singer Charlie Rich was born in Colt, Ark. He was the country-pop superstar of the '70s, mainly because of his 1973 hits "Behind Closed Doors" and "The Most Beautiful Girl." Like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, he began as a rockabilly singer for Sam Phillips' Sun label in Memphis, where he had a hit with "Lonely Weekends" in 1960. But during the next two decades, Rich gradually developed into a ballad singer whose records regularly crossed over to the pop music charts. He died of a blood clot in the lungs on July 25, 1995.
In 1961, Jimmy Dean's "Big Bad John" became the first country record to receive official gold-record certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. The association had been certifying gold records since 1958. Before that date, gold records were awarded on an informal basis.
In 1963, jazz and pop singer Dinah Washington died in Chicago of an accidental overdose of sleeping pills. Washington was the most popular black female vocalist of the 1950s and early '60s. Her biggest hit was a 1960 duet with Brook Benton, "Baby (You Got What It Takes)." On her own, Washington made the charts with "What a Difference a Day Makes" and "This Bitter Earth."
In 1969, "The Who" performed "Tommy" at the Colosseum Opera House in London. Excerpts from the rock opera had been performed earlier in the year by "The Who" on their North American tour, but this was the first complete performance. "Tommy" was performed as a ballet in the U.S. in 1972 and in 1975 was made into a film.
In 1974, guitarist Mick Taylor announced he was leaving "The Rolling Stones" after five years. Taylor had joined the group after the death of Brian Jones in July 1969. His replacement was Ron Wood, formerly with "Rod Stewart and Faces."
In 1977, the film "Saturday Night Fever," starring John Travolta, premiered in New York. The movie was largely responsible for the spread of the disco craze. Its soundtrack, featuring hits by the "Bee Gees," "Kool and the Gang" and "KC and the Sunshine Band," would become the best-selling LP of all time until Michael Jackson's "Thriller" was released in 1982.
In 1980, fans around the world paid tribute to John Lennon, six days after he was shot to death in New York City. A 10-minute silent vigil was held at the request of Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, beginning at 2 p.m. ET. Radio stations either observed the silence or played "Beatles" records.
In 1984, Madonna had her first No. 1 hit when "Like a Virgin" hit the top of the Billboard singles chart.
In 1985, singer James Taylor married actress Kathryn Walker. They divorced in 1995.
In 1991, the "Scorpions" rocked the Kremlin with a private performance of their hit song "Wind of Change." The German heavy metal band also presented Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev with $62,500 in humanitarian aid. The money came from sales of the Russian-language version of "Wind of Change." The song, originally with English lyrics, was written after the "Scorpions" played the Soviet Union in 1988 and '89.
In 1993, commissioners in Dade County, Fla., turned down rapper Luther Campbell's nomination as a member of the Miami-area county's cultural affairs council. Campbell, the leader of "2 Live Crew," was acquitted of giving an obscene performance at a Hollywood, Fla., nightclub in 1990 after a judge declared the group's "As Nasty As They Wanna Be" album obscene.
In 1997, former "Guess Who" guitarist Kurt Winter died in Winnipeg of complications from a bleeding ulcer. He was 51. Winter joined the band in 1970 when Randy Bachman left and stayed with "The Guess Who" for four years. Among the hit songs Winter helped write were "Share the Land" and "Clap for the Wolfman," a tribute to legendary DJ Wolfman Jack.
In 1998, Grammy-winning musician Billy Preston pleaded guilty in Los Angeles to insurance fraud and agreed to testify against six other defendants. They were alleged to have set fires, staged thefts and rigged auto crashes in 18 bogus insurance claims. Preston was already serving time for violating probation on a cocaine conviction.
In 1999, Sir Paul McCartney performed at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England, where "The Beatles" launched their rock-'n'-roll stardom. He had last appeared at the club 36 years earlier.
In 2001, innovative Saskatchewan-born jazz trumpeter Herbie Spanier died in Toronto at age 72. During his 50-year career, Spanier played with such jazz greats as Paul Bley, Cannonball Adderley, Jackie McLean, Ornette Coleman and Max Roach. He was also an important soloist in the "Nimmons 'n' Nine Plus Six" big band during the 1970s.
In 2009, Billboard magazine announced top decade achievements: Canadian rockers "Nickelback" was named Top Group and their hit "How You Remind Me" was named Top Rock Song. "'N Sync," the defunct boy band that was led by Justin Timberlake, had the Best-Selling Album with "No Strings Attached," which sold more than 10 million copies. The most popular song was Mariah Carey's ballad "We Belong Together." Rapper Eminem was named the Top Male Artist, while Beyonce took the female honours. For 2009, Taylor Swift had the best-selling album with "Fearless," and was also named Top Artist of the Year. "Boom Boom Pow" by "The Black Eyed Peas" was Top Song.
In 2009, Grammy Award-winner Brian Setzer was unable to complete a performance in Albuquerque and was briefly hospitalized because of dehydration, high altitude sickness and vertigo. He recovered quickly to perform the next night and continued his tour as planned.
In 2009, a thief stole over $1 million in jewelry, clothing, laptops, cameras and other belongings from R&B singer Usher's SUV while he stopped at an AT&T store in an upscale shopping area in the Buckhead neighbourhood of Atlanta.
In 2010, U.S. president Barack Obama named Jon Bon Jovi to the White House Council for Community Solutions. The rocker's Soul Foundation has built houses and playgrounds, donated money and supplies to shelters and funded health care and youth programs.
In 2010, Michael Jackson's posthumous CD, "Michael," was released. It sold three million units worldwide in the first week.
In 2010, Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Darlene Love, Dr. John and Tom Waits were selected to be enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 2011, RCMP confirmed award-winning Manitoba singer Errol Ranville was charged with careless driving in the 2010 fiery head-on crash near The Pas that killed his wife and the four teenagers in the other vehicle. (In November 2012, the charge was stayed.)
In 2011, Las Vegas guitar builder Ed Roman died at his home following an illness. He was 61. His guitars found their way into the hands of everyone from Ted Nugent to British rockers Eric Burdon of "The Animals" and John Entwistle of "The Who," as well as country musician Keith Urban.
In 2012, Billboard announced that Adele was Artist of the Year, Female Artist and her diamond "21," released in February 2011, Top Album. Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" was named Top Song. Canadian rapper Drake was Top Male Artist, "One Direction" was Top New Artist and "Maroon 5" Top Group.
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The Canadian Press