Good Wednesday afternoon dear friend, welcome to This Day In The History Of Music. I hope you enjoy the read. 1). On this day in 1881 Hérodiade is an opera in four acts by Jules Massenet to a French libretto by Paul Milliet and Henri Grémont, based on the novella Hérodias (1877) by Gustave Flaubert. It was first performed at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels on 19 December 1881. The libretto is a retelling of the story of John the Baptist, Salome, Herod Antipas, and Herodias, but is strikingly less psychological and bloody than Richard Strauss's Salome, which is based on a text by Oscar Wilde. The opera premiered in Brussels because Auguste Vaucorbeil, Manager of the Paris Opera House refused to stage the work; "I do like your music," he had said to Massenet, "but as for the libretto, you badly need an author who knows how to build the skeleton of a play." 2). On this day in 1957 Elvis Presley had his draft notice served on him for the US Army. He went on to join the 32nd Tank Battalion Third Armor Corps based in Germany. 3). On this day in 1958 Conway Twitty was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'It's Only Make Believe'. The song became the first to reach the UK Top 10 in four different years by different artists: Billy Fury (1964), Glen Campbell (1970), and Child (1978). 4). On this day in 1964 The Supremes scored their third US No.1 single of the year when 'Come See About Me', went to the top of the charts. It made No.27 on the UK chart. 5). On this day in 1964 The Beatles' fourth album 'Beatles For Sale' started a seven-week run at No.1 on the UK album charts. Recorded when Beatlemania was just past its peak 'Beatles for Sale' was The Beatles' fourth album in just 21 months. 6). On this day in 1970 Elton John's first US hit, ‘Your Song’ entered the Billboard Hot 100, where it went on to reach number eight. The Hollies had been offered the song and Three Dog Night had already recorded a version which was included on their ‘It Ain't Easy’ album. 7). On this day in 1979 Elvis Presley's physician, George Nichopoulos, was charged with 'illegally and indiscriminately' prescribing over 12,000 tablets of uppers, downers, and painkillers for the star during the 20 months preceding his untimely death. Although he was acquitted this time, he was charged again in 1980 and again in 1992 and was stripped of his medical license in July 1995. 8). On this day in 1981 ABBA scored their seventh UK No.1 album with The Visitors, the Swedish pop group's eighth and final studio album. It was one of the first records to be recorded and mixed digitally and was the first in history to be manufactured on the new CD format in 1982 on Atlantic. 9). On this day in 1987 The Pet Shop Boys had their third UK No.1 single with their version of 'Always On My Mind. The duo had performed a version of 'Always on My Mind' on Love Me Tender, a TV special commemorating the tenth anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, their performance was so well-received that the group decided to record the song and release it as a single. 10). On this day in 1994 The Manic Street Preachers played the first of three nights at The Astoria, London, the last shows Richey Edwards made with the band before disappearing. Edwards vanished on February 1st, 1995 leaving no clues to his whereabouts, and has never been seen since. 11). On this day in 1999 Irish boyband Westlife started a four-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with their versions of the ABBA song 'I Have A Dream' and the Terry Jacks hit (written in French by Belgian, Jacques Brel and English lyrics by poet Rod McKuen), 'Seasons In The Sun'. It gave the group the Christmas No.1 and the last No.1 of the century. 12). On this day in 2012 Madonna's MDNA World Tour made more money than any other during 2012. The tour grossed $228m (£141m), after more than 1.6 million fans paid to see her perform in 65 cities worldwide since last June. She beat Bruce Springsteen into first place on the highest-grossing tour list and earned $198 million (£123 million). Also in the top 25 were Coldplay, who took fifth place, and Lady Gaga at number six, who attracted audiences reaching 1.1 million people in comparison. 13). On this day in 2015 Thirty-three years after it was released, Michael Jackson's classic album Thriller became the first to sell more than 30 million copies in the US. The Recording Industry Association of America reported the latest sales figures showing the Eagles' Greatest Hits 1971-75 had now sold 29 million and Billy Joel's Greatest Hits Volume I & Volume II, 23 million copies. Born On This Day In The Music World. 1). Born on this day in 1676 Louis-Nicholas Clerambault, French organist and composer, was born in Paris, France (d. 1749) Clérambault came from a musical family (his father and two of his sons were also musicians). While very young, he learned to play the violin and harpsichord and he studied the organ with André Raison. Clérambault also studied composition and voice with Jean-Baptiste Moreau . 2). Born on this day in 1879 Otto Olsson, a Swedish organist and a native of Stockholm, was one of the most renowned organ virtuos of his time. He studied organ with August Lagergren (1848−1908) and composition with Joseph Dente (1838−1905), both teachers having been employed at the Royal Swedish Academy of Music. 3). Born on this day in 1881 Joseph "King" Oliver was an American jazz cornet player and bandleader. He was particularly recognized for his playing style and his pioneering use of mutes in jazz. Also a notable composer, he wrote many tunes still played today, including "Dippermouth Blues", "Sweet Like This", "Canal Street Blues", and "Doctor Jazz ". He was the mentor and teacher of Louis Armstrong. His influence was such that Armstrong claimed, "if it had not been for Joe Oliver, Jazz would not be what it is today. 4). Born on this day in 1915 Édith Piaf, a French cabaret singer, songwriter, and actress and one of France's greatest international stars. Her well-known songs include, 'La Vie en rose' (1946), 'Non, je ne regrette rien' (1960), and 'Hymne à l'amour' (1949). After years of alcohol abuse, Piaf died on 10 October 1963. 5). Born on this day in 1918 Henry Roeland "Roy" Byrd better known as Professor Longhair or "Fess" for short. was an American singer and pianist who performed New Orleans blues. He was active in two distinct periods, first in the heyday of early rhythm and blues and later in the resurgence of interest in traditional jazz after the founding of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 1970. His piano style has been described as "instantly recognizable, combining rumba, mambo, and calypso ". Longhair died of a heart attack on 30th Jan 1980. 6). Born on this day in 1920 James Cecil Dickens better known by his stage name Little Jimmy Dickens, was an American country music singer and songwriter famous for his humorous novelty songs, his small size (4'11" [150 cm]), and his rhinestone-studded outfits (which he is given credit for introducing into live country music performances). He started as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1948 and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1983. Before his death, he was the oldest living member of the Grand Ole Opry. 7). Born on this day in 1941 Maurice White, American singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger, and bandleader with Earth, Wind & Fire, who had the 1975 US No.1 single 'Shining Star', and the 1981 UK No.3 single 'Let's Groove'. The band has received 20 Grammy nominations and was the first African-American act to sell out Madison Square Garden. White died on February 4, 2016. 8). Born on this day in 1945 John McEuen is an American folk musician and a founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. 9). Born on this day in 1947 Jane Marie Fricke, known professionally as Janie Fricke, is an American country music singer, songwriter, record producer, and clothing designer. She has placed seventeen singles in the top ten of the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Eight of these songs reached the number-one spot on the Country music chart. She has also won accolades from the Academy of Country Music, and Country Music Association and has been nominated four times for the Grammy Awards. 10). Born on this day in 1952 Walter Murphy, an American composer, arranger, pianist, musician, and songwriter is best known for the instrumental ‘A Fifth of Beethoven’, a disco adaptation of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony which topped the charts in 1976 and was featured on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. Murphy has written music for numerous films and TV shows, including The Tonight Show, Looney Tunes, Family Guy, American Dad!, Ted, and Ted 2. 11). Born on this day in 1991 Declan John Galbraith is a British musician. He is best known for his 2002 hit single, "Tell Me Why", which peaked at #29 in the UK Singles Chart. Have a great Tuesday, take care and GOD bless...
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