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On This Day
Join Tony each morning around 10AM as he
tells us what happened "on this day" in history. Sometimes
a birthday, sometimes a passing or maybe an event of significance
from the past, but always with a musical connection. You never
know what we might discuss "On This Day". Here is a
look at what we covered so far:
November 12:
Neil Young. What can you
say? Buffalo Springfield. Raggged Glory. Crazy Horse.
Heart of Gold. Harvest. Living With War. Stephen Stills. The Godfather
of Grunge. CSN&Y. It's all Neil. A changeling, an
evolving master, backbone of our musical passion at WBKM. Part
of the reason why WBKM launched on November 12th. Decades and
boatloads of integrity. Neil, we honor you here each and every
day, but on this special day, a moment to say thanks and to honor
you all over again. Songs:
November 7:
Joni Mitchell. One of the
greatest exports from Canada, Joni made her way through the circuit
in New York folk clubs before moving on to California like so
many of her contemporaries. Introduced to the music world by David
Crosby. A songwriter of amazing integrity and strength,
and a voice unparalleled in rock and folk. Songs:
A Case of You, Woodstock,
November 6: Glen
Frey. Another Eagles birthday,
as Glen celebrates the big 60 on this day. A songwriter in a band
of great songwriters, yet still able to distinguish himself.
Songs:
November 5: Art
Garfunkel. Another strong
singer/songwriter team take the spotlight today. Born on this
day in 1941, Art Garfunkel partnered with Paul
Simon in the early 1960's to bring two potent talents
together to form one of America's greatest bands. Songs:
November 4: Chris
Difford. We love the stories
here at WBKM, and the storytellers. Half of the great songwriting
team of Difford and Tilbrook, together performing
as Squeeze, Chris Difford turns 54 today. A series
of great hits. Songs: Cool for Cats, Annie Get Your
Gun, If I Didn't Love You.
November 3:
Godzilla! Oh no,
Tokyo! On this day, movie history was made, as that carnivorous,
cantankerous T-Rex look alike, Godzilla,
made his movie debut in 1954. Songs: Tokyo, Dinosaur,
Godzilla!
October 31: Larry
Mullen, Jr. Quiet drummer
who shys away from interviews, he simply put up a sign looking
for bandmates at his Dublin school. In a few short years, the
band was down to four, called itself U2, and
was ready to take on the world. Let Bono give the interviews,
I guess. Born on this Hallows eve in 1961. Songs:
Sunday, Bloody Sunday, Bad, One Tree Hill, The Unforgettable Fire,
Two Hearts Beat as One.
October 30: Grace
Slick; Timothy B. Schmidt. One
front and center, the pivotal chakra focusing the dynamic energy
of The Jefferson Airplane, the other a quiet
bass player with a sweet California face and voice, stepping in
for Randy Meisner of The Eagles after
that beer-pouring incident with a bandmate, and
also taking over earlier in his caree for Randy
when he left Poco. Curious. . Grace
born on this day in 1939, Timothy B
in 1947. Songs: Volunteers, Somebody to Love, I Can't
Tell You Why, One of These Nights, Tequila Sunrise.
October 29: Denny
Laine. Born on this day,
with two great bands on his resume, guitarist and vocalist for
both The Moody Blues and Wings,
Denny has worked with the best. Songs: Junior's Farm,
Never Comes the Day, Listen to What the Man Said, The Story in
Your Eyes, Timothy Leary, With a Little Luck, Ride My See-saw,
Silly Love Songs.
October 21: Tetsu
Yamauchi, Elvin Bishop, Brent Mydland. A
name you might not know, but a great bassist who joined The
Faces after Ronnie Lane left, and added
to that groups string of great songs, Tetsu born
today in 1946. Blues man most notably part of Paul Butterfield
Blues Band, Elvin born today in 1942. And lastly, what
a loss of a fine keyboardist and singer with The Grateful
Dead, Brent Mydland came in late but ended up staying
on for 11 years, until his untimely death at the age of 37. He
was born on this day in 1952. Songs: Midnight Hour
Blues, Born in Chicago, Glad and Sorry, Ooh La La, Built to Last,
I Will Take You Home.
October 20: Tom
Petty. An enormous American
talent, a voice still crying out for integrity and railing against
the darker side of the music business, Tom Petty born
on this day in 1950. Long may you run Tom. Songs:
A Face in the Crowd, Whole Lot Better, Last DJ, Face in the Crowd,
Cabin Down Below, Flirting with Time, You Wreck Me.
October 16: Bobby
Weir.A true California
hippie, born on this day in 1947, founding member and brilliant
guitarist for The Grateful Dead, Bobby has been
doing it for so long, a journeyman perfecting his craft. Time
has seasoned him well. Long may you run Bobbie. Songs:
Stella BLue, Corrina, Box of Rain, One More Saturday Night, October
Queen, Good Lovin'.
October 15: "Blue".
With that distinctive bass
vocal, and a love of all things the color blue, Melvin
Franklin, born on this day in 1942, brought his special
talent to the group started with his friend Otis Williams.
First called The Elgins, changed
in 1961 by Motown founder Berry Gordy
to The Temptations. Fourteen number singles,
but the numbers add up to nothing. It's the sound....thank you
Melvin. Rest in peace.Songs: Ain't too Proud to Beg,
Just My Imagination, Ball of Confusion, Get Ready, Since I Lost
My Baby, Cloud Nine, My Girl.
October 14:Justin
Hayward. Lead guitarist
and vocalist, one of the best voices of his day, The Moody
Blues singer still has a fine voice and an amazing catalogue
of great lyrics. Maybe you have not really looked into them, they
are so much more than Nights in White Satin.
Songs:
October 13:Paul
Simon.Singer, songwriter,
solo artist and partner of one of the '60's best teams, Simon
and Garfunkel, rhymin' Simon turns 67 today. Wow, hard
to believe, but the math is correct.Songs:
October 10: David
Lee Roth. Diamond Dave,
frontman number one from Van Halen, was born
on this day in 1954. Jumps, backflips and stares at all the girls,
the campy singer celebrates birthday number 54 today. Songs:
October 9:
John. Born on this day in
1940 in Oxford Street Hospital, Liverpool, England, John
Winston Lennon, of course. Beatle, musical
brother of Paul, George and Ringo, to bring us
some of the best loved songs of all time. Still missing you John.
Today he would be 68. Hard to Imagine. Songs: All
You Need is Love, #9 Dream, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Instant
Karma, Don't Let Me Down, It's Only Love, A Hard Day's Night,
Across the Universe, Dig a Pony, Strawberry Fields Forever, Norweigan
Wood, Love, Here Today.
October 8:
Johnny and CJ Ramone. Two
brothers, related musically though not by blood, born on this
day in 1948 and 1965, respectively. Guitarist and bassist for
The Ramones--one of the greatest rock and roll
bands ever, with intensity and passion that was non-stop. Johnny
was an original member (passing away in 2004) and CJ came
on later, after Dee Dee passed, to bring a youthful energy into
the band. God Bless the Ramones! Songs:We're
a Happy Family, KKK Took My Baby, We Want The Airways, I Just
Want to Have Something to Do, Rock and Roll High School, Blitzkreig
Bop.
October 7: John
Mellencamp. American songwriter,
from the heartland of America, and you know all the songs. Happy
Birthday to one of the founding members of Farm Aid. John
was born on this day in 1951. Songs: Authority Song,
Pink Houses, To The River, Rumbleseat, For the Children, You Got
to Stand for Somethin'.
October 6:
Matthew Sweet, David Hidalgo. Alone
or with the supergroup The Thorns, Matthew Sweet brings
"sweet" melodies and harmonies into his songs. Born
on this day in 1964. One of the great guitarists, David
Hidalgo, born on this day in 1954,
has played for dozens, most notably with his own group
Los Lobos. Songs: Your Sweet Voice, Don't
Go, I Can't Remember, Life is Good, Dream in Blue, Mas y Mas.
October 3: Lindsey
Buckingham, Chubby Checker. Lead
guitarist and one of the hit songwriters of Fleetwood
Mac, born today in 1949. He taught America how to do
The Twist, Chubby Checker born in 1941. Songs:
Under the Skin, Show You How, Big Love, Second Hand News, Go Your
Own Way.
October 2: Groucho,
Bud Abbott, Gordon Sumner. Two
comedy giants born on this day, Groucho Marx, lead brother
of the film team, friend of Alice Cooper in his later years,
in 1890 and Bud Abbott, straight man to Costello's
improbable situations, in 1895. True comedy genius never gets
old. Go out and rent yourself a couple of dvd's today from The
Marx Brothers and Abbott and Costello. Gordon Sumner,
aka Sting, of the Police, born
today in 1951. Long may you run, Sting.
Songs: Who's On First, Lydia, Fields
of Gold, Bring on the Night, Shape of My Heart.
October 1:The
Iceman. Today we celebrate
the birth in 1932 of a blues legend, the great Albert
Collins. Songs:Too Tired, T-Bone Shuffle,
Stormy Monday, Collins Mix, Frosty, Honey Hush.
September 30: Trey
Anastasio, Dewey Martin, The Flintstones. Born
on this day in 1964, Trey and his band Phish
put Burlington in the music spotlight for years. Also born today,
in 1940, drummer for the amazing Buffalo Springfield,
Dewey Martin joined the likes of Neil
Young, Stephen Stills, Richie Furay, Jim Messina and Bruce Palmer
to form a supergroup before anyone defined the term.
Wow. Still such good music. Yaba Daba Doo.....on
this day in 1960 The Flintstones began running
its Friday night half hour show, and cartoons finally reached
prime time.
September 29: The
"Killer". Born on this day in Louisiana, standing at
the cradle ready to pinch the girl in the next crib, saying "Hey
Baaaaby....", today we celebrate Jerry Lee Lewis on his 73rd
birthday. Songs: Saw Her Standing There, Hadacohl Boogie,
Whole Lotta Shakin', Traveling Band, Great Balls of Fire!
September 24:
Linda McCartney. Born on
this day, in 1941, Linda Eastman McCartney. Photographer, and
probably the most famous wife of the last century. For Paul, the
love of his life. Linda, we remember your brave struggle, and
your passion for life. Your kindness and stoic resolve to keep
a rock and roll family together. Songs: My Love, Band
on the Run, Silly Love Songs, Junior's Farm, Another Day, True
Love Will Never Fail (Knopfler).
September 23: Ray
Charles; Bruce Springsteen. Born
in 1930, brother Ray Charles gave us class and
a voice that many consider the finest ever. Hard to argue. The
rock star that made New Jersey ok, The Boss was
born today in 1949.
September 22: Nolan
Ryan; Man from Uncle; First TV Boradcast. At
age 46, Texas pitching ace and an actual clean player, Nolan
Ryan pitches his last game in 1993. In 1949, CBS launches
the first commercial TV broadcast out of Greensboro,
NC. And in 1964, the first truly "cool" TV duo, Napolean
Solo and Illya Kuryakin made their debut. Songs:
Boys of Summer, 57 Channels and Nothin' On, Me and My Uncle.
September 19: Cass
Elliot; Brian Epstein; Adam West. Soulful
singer, living in a crazed period of musical magic, we remember
Mama Cass, born on this day in 1941. Where would
we be without the music men who did not play but made it all happen?
Only a few rise to the top of the list--and Brian Epstein
and his influence on the Beatles life and music
is beyond reproach. Rest in peace Brian. Born on this day in 1934.
Finally, Happy Birthday wishes go out to Adam West,
always to me and children of the '60's the best Batman,
forever, as he celebrates his 80th! Songs: California
Dremin', Dream a Little Dream of Me, Creeque Alley, Batman Theme
(by the Kinks), She Loves You, I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Hard Day's
Night, Yellow Submarine, All You Need is Love, The Long and Winding
Road.
September 18:
Eddie Anderson; Douglas Glen Colvin.
One of the best straight-men in the world of comedy, the great
Eddie Anderson, aka Rochester, born on this day
in 1905. Now, who is Douglas? Oh yeah, you know him as Dee
Dee Ramone, bassist for that dysfunctional family of
unrelated siblings, The Ramones, born today in
1952. God Bless the Ramones!
September 17:
Hank Williams. Such a short
life, such a remarkable influence. Country legend born on this
day in 1923. Songs: Kaw-liga, Hank to Hendrix, This
Old Guitar
September 16:
Riley B. King. What can
you say, it's BB's 83rd birthday! The King of the Blues.
Lucille. World-wide ambassador of good vibes. How many
kids have picked up a Les Paul custom and dreamed of BB? I can
think of at least a few. Thanks BB! Songs: Come Rain
or Come Shine, Everyday I Have the Blues, Lucille, When My Heart
Breaks Like a Hammer, When Love Comes to Town, There is Always
One More Time.
September 15:
Roy Acuff; Fay Wray; Farm Aid. Old-school
Country music superstar Acuff born on this day in 1903. World's
best known overgrown ape lover, the beautiful Fay Wray
born on this day in 1907. In 1985, coming out of a comment of
Bob Dylan's during Live Aid
in 1985, the first Farm Aid concert ushers in
a new awareness for the plight of the American farmer. Willie
Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp headline. Twenty-three
years later, we look forward to Farm Aid reaching New England
on September 20th. Songs: Wabash
Cannonball, Apeman, Scarecrow.
September 12:
Neil Pert. Drummer extroadinaire
and oft times lyricist for Canadian trio Rush, Neil
born on this day in Ontario, Canada. Songs: Red Barchetta,
The Trees, Dreamline, Ghost of a Chance, CLoser to the Heart.
September 11:
Two-thousand nine hundred and seventy four. On
this day, that number killed, gone in a moment, from New York
City and the Towers, to the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania.
Todd Beamer, David Angel, guys selling hot dogs, firemen, rescue,
police. Dogs. Kids. Songs: My City of Ruins, Let's
Roll, Walk On, Redemption Song, New York New York, America the
Beautiful.
September 10:
Danny Hutton; Joe Perry. Three
Dog Night, hailing from the Laurel Canyon area, celebrates the
birth of guitarist and lead vocalist Danny Hutton
born on this day in 1942. Lead guitarist of those bad boys from
Boston, Aerosmith's Joe Perry celebrates a birthday today.
Born on this day in 1950. One of the great comeback stories in
music. Songs: Joy to the World, Crazy, Mama Kin, Walkin'
the Dog, Amazing.
September 9:
Otis Redding; Billy Preston; Harland "Colonel"
Sanders. With us for only a short 26 years, Otis
Redding, born on this day in 1941,
left a mark on his craft, with his deep soulfull vocals. Keyboard
master, often called the Fifth Beatle, Billy
Preston was born on this day in 1946.The scourge of chickens
everywhere, "Colonel" Sanders, who
peddled his chicken seasoning and special cooking method door
to door after life handed him a tough blow at the age of 62, built
an empire on the "finger-licking good" chicken he learned
to cook as a boy in Kentucky, born today in 1890. Songs:
Runnin' Blue, Dock of the Bay (from In a Reggae Style), Here We
Go Again, Dig It, Let It Be, Get Back, Stealing Chickens, Kentucky
Moon.
September 8:
Patsy Cline;"Pigpen"; Richard I. Country
superstar just hitting her stride at the time of her death at
age 30, Patsy Cline born on this day in 1932.
Utters the ominous "When it's my time to go, it's my time",
then boarded a plane at 6:07PM, crashing at 6:20PM, leaving no
survivors. Ronald C."Pigpen" McKernan founding
member of The Grateful Dead, born in 1945, departing at the fateful
age for rock n' rollers of 27. Then we go way
back, born in 1157, Richard I, King of England,
known as Richard the Lionhearted. OK, see I grew
up on Errol Flynn's Robin Hood, so I had to honor
the King. And a call into Senator Bernie Sanders
office in DC yields the info that the Senator, born on this day
in 1941, loves Born in the USA, by the Boss.
Songs: Walkin' After Midnight, I Feel to Pieces, Crazy,
Uncle John's Band, Till the Morning Comes, Box of Rain, Let Me
Sing Your Blues Away, Born in the USA.
September 5:
Freddie Mercury; Buddy Miles; John Stewart. Frontman
bar none Freddie Mercury, of Queen, was born
on this day in 1946. Jimi Hendrix drummer from
Band of Gypsys, the great Buddy Miles
born on this day in 1947. Songwriter for several '60's groups,
John Stewart born in 1939. First birthday missed
for both Buddy and John. Rest in peace, to all three. Songs:
Killer Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody, Crazy LIttle Thing Called Love,
I Don't Live Today, Daydream Believer.
September 4:
Quicksilver Messanger Service. Drummer
Greg Elmore and guitarist Gary Duncan both born on this day in
1946. Weird, eh? Members of the San Francisco psychedelic music
scene. Short lived but impressive catalogue with some great tunes.
Songs: Fresh Air, Shady Grove, Gypsy Lights, Flute
Song.
September 3:
Al Jardine. Beach Boy founder,
guitarist and occasional lead singer Al Jardine
born on this day in 1942. Songs: Surfin' USA, Sloop
John B, Help Me Rhonda, Breakaway.
September 2:
Alabama Schoolhouse blocked; Atmospheric test of H-Bomb; Rod Stewart
first #1. On this day 3
events occurred. In 1963 Alabama governor George Wallace
disgraced the good people of Alabama by barring entrance to one
of its schools to keep black kids out; in 1958 the British government
conducted an atmospheric nuclear test on Christmas Island--did
they complete the evacuation properly?; and in 1970, Rod
Stewart charted his firs number one single. Songs:
Alabama, Birthright; You Wear it Well.
August 29:
The Beatles. On this day in 1966 The
Beatles play their last concert to a paying public. (Only
the impromptu rooftop concert at Abbey Road Studio will come after
this, in 1969). Candlestick Park, Oakland, CA. We
played a partial setlist from that day. Songs:I Want
to Hold Your Hand, Yesterday, I Feel Fine, If I Needed Someone,
Paperback Writer, Nowhere Man.
August 28:
Danny Seraphine. Chicago Transit Authority drummer
born on this day in 1948. Songs: Does Anybody Know
What Time It Is, 25 or 6 to 4, Saturday in the Park.
August 27:
Alex Lifeson. Guitar great,
lyricist and one of the founding members of Canadian band Rush,
born on this day in 1953. Songs: Closer to the Heart,
Tom Sawyer, A Farewell to Kings, Limelight, Red Barchetta
August 26:
Branford Marsalis; Mother Theresa. Jazz
great Marsalis born on this day in 1960. An example of perservering
and service to those the world left behind, was the life and vocation
chosen by Mother Theresa. A shining example of
living your faith. Wow. Born on this day in 1910. Rest now good
Mother. Songs: Mr. Steepee, Spartacus, The Peacocks,
There is So Much More
August 25:
Elvis Costello. You have
a lot to live up to when you're named Elvis, don't you? The other
Elvis born on this day in 1954. Plus, I put in a call to my
son Daniel in Bangkok, Thailand to wish him a Happy 27th
Birthday as he was driving around in a cab on his way to dinner
with a friend. Technology, sometimes it works real well....
August 22:
John Lee Hooker. Delta blues legend born on this day,
in 1917. Songs: House Rent Boogie, I Got My Eye on
You, Standing at the Crossroads, I Don't Need No Steam Heat, GLoria
(w/Van Morrison).
August 21:
Count Basie; Connor Clapton; 1968 Democratic National Convention.
Big gand era band leader
Count Basie born on this day in 1904. Sadly,
Connor Clapton, son of Eric Clapton, would be
22 today. He passed away at the age of 4 in 1991. A real tragedy.
Chicago played host in 1968 to the Dem's at their convention.
Graham Nash wrote about it a year later. Songs:
Jumping at Woodside, April in Paris, Tears in Heaven, Chicago/We
Can Change the World.
August 20:
Robert Plant. Led Zepp frontman,
solo artist, now in tandem with Alison Krause, born on this day
in 1948.
August 19:
Ginger Baker. Rock and self-described jazz drummer born
on this day, in 1939.
August 18:
Woodstock Music and Arts Festival. Concludes
with performances by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (only their
second gig together) and the unforgettable, incendiary wake up
call of Jimi Hendrix playing the Star Spangled Banner.
August 15:
Oscar Peterson. Jazz keyboardist and innovator
born on this day in 1925; Huntz Hall. "Bowery
Boy" comedian from New York, bears strange resemblance to
Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Neilson, born on this day in 1919.
August 14:
David Crosby. Once a Byrd,always
a part of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, and a great part of
this fabric called rock. Born on this day in 1941.
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