Happy Thanksgiving Eve, dear friend. Welcome to This Day In The History Of Music. Enjoy the read. 1.) On this day in 1943, MGM released the last of nine Judy Garland -Mickey Rooney movies, "Girl Crazy," a film adaptation of George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin's stage musical. 2.) On this day in 1945, Charlie “Bird” Parker led a recording session for the Savoy label, marketed as the “greatest jazz session ever”. An influential jazz soloist and leader in the development of bebop, Parker was known for his ability to combine jazz with other musical genres, including blues, Latin, and classical. One of the most famous sessions from this time was led by Bird for Savoy Records and featured bop’s foundational figures, including trumpet players Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis, drummer Max Roach, and bassist Curley Russell. Known as The Greatest Jazz Session Ever, subsequent recordings from November 1945 included Parker originals such as Billie’s Bounce, Now’s the Time, and Ko-Ko. Other Savoy-era hits include Donna Lee, Parker’s Mood, and Cheryl, all of which appear in Ornithology. 3.) On this day in 1955, Sandy Wilson's musical "The Boy Friend", featuring the Broadway debut of Julie Andrews, closed at the Royale Theater, NYC, after 483 performances. The Boy Friend opened on Broadway at the Royale Theatre on 30 September 1954, and closed on 26 November 1955 after 485 performances. Starring was newcomer Julie Andrews in her Broadway debut as Polly. For her Broadway debut, Andrews received the Theatre World Award. My Fair Lady producers saw her in this piece, prompting her casting in the lead in that production, which led to her wider fame on Broadway and beyond in the following years. Jo Anne Bayless (known as Jean Bayless in London) played Polly for the final three months of the Broadway production and reprised the role on the subsequent US tour. 4.) On this day in 1958, Johnny Cash made his debut on the US country chart when ‘Cry! Cry! Cry!’ made it to number 14. His next seven singles would all make the country top 10, with ‘I Walk the Line’ and ‘There You Go’ both hitting number 1. 5.) On this day in 1967, this was the 10th date on a 16-date UK package tour that Pink Floyd played alongside The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Move, The Nice, The Eire Apparent, The Outer Limits, and Amen Corner. Tonight's date was at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, and as with all of the dates, there were two shows per night. 6.) On this day in 1968, Cream played their farewell concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Also on the bill were Yes and Taste. The concert was filmed and released as Cream's Farewell Concert, which has often been criticized for both its mediocre sound and visual effects: during Ginger Baker's drum solo, he seems to change clothes at lightning speed due to careless post-editing. 7.) On this day in 1973, John Rostill, former bassist with The Shadows, died after being electrocuted at his home recording studio. A local newspaper ran the headline, 'Pop musician dies, guitar apparent cause'. After the breakup of The Shadows, Rostill worked with Tom Jones and wrote songs covered by Elvis Presley and Olivia Newton-John. 8.) On this day in 1976, The Sex Pistols released the single 'Anarchy In The UK'. Originally issued in a plain black sleeve, the single was the only Sex Pistols recording released by EMI, and reached No.38 on the UK Singles Chart before EMI dropped the group on 6 January 1977. 9.) On this day in 1988, Russian cosmonauts aboard Soyuz 7 took into space a cassette copy (minus the cassette box for weight reasons) of the latest Pink Floyd album, Delicate Sound Of Thunder, and played it in orbit, making Pink Floyd the first rock band to be played in space. David Gilmour and Nick Mason both attended the launch of the spacecraft. 10.) On this day in 1991, US Country singer Garth Brooks asked fans to bring 10 cans of food to a grocery store in exchange for a lottery envelope, some of which contained tickets to see Garth at a forthcoming show. Over 10,000 cans were donated to charity. 11.) On this day in 1994, The Eagles started a two-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Hell Freezes Over.' The album name is in reference to a quote by Don Henley after the band's breakup in 1980; he commented that the band would play together again 12.) On this day in 1994, Boyz II Men started their 14th and final week at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'I'll Make Love To You', giving them the longest run in chart history along with 'I Will Always Love You' by Whitney Houston. 13.) On this day in 2000, The Beatles went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Beatles 1.' The album features virtually every number-one single released from 1962 to 1970. Issued on the 30th anniversary of the band's break-up, it was their first compilation available on one CD. The world's best-selling album of the 21st century, 1 has sold over 31 million copies. 14.) On this day in 2003, Rapper Soulja Slim was shot to death in front of his home in New Orleans, aged 25. The rapper was featured on Juvenile's 2004 US No.1 single 'Slow Motion.' 15.) On this day in 2007, "Like You'll Never See Me Again" single released by Alicia Keys (NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Music Video, Outstanding Song 2008, Billboard Song of the Year 2008) 16.) On this day in 2008, the parents of missing Manic Street Preachers guitarist and lyricist Richey Edwards were granted a court order for him to be declared presumed dead, after he disappeared nearly 14 years ago. Despite alleged sightings all over the world, many believed to be Edwards, whose car was found near the Severn Bridge, where he was thought to have taken his own life at the age of 27. 17.) On this day in 2010, Willie Nelson was arrested for possession of six ounces of marijuana found in his tour bus while traveling from Los Angeles to Texas. He was released after paying bail of $2,500. Prosecutor Kit Bramblett supported not sentencing Nelson to jail due to the amount of marijuana being small, but suggested a $100 fine instead told Nelson that he would have him sing 'Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain' for the court. 18.) On this day in 2017, Punk memorabilia said to be worth £5m ($6m) was set on fire in the middle of the River Thames in London, England. Joe Corre, the son of Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren and fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood, burnt the items on the 40th anniversary of the Sex Pistols' debut single. The 48-year-old told the crowd that "punk was never meant to be nostalgic". 19.) On this day in 2021, Adele was at No.1 on the UK chart with her fourth studio album, 30. Her first studio album in six years, following 25 (2015), the album was nominated for six Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, and won the Brit Award for British Album of the Year at the Brit Awards 2022, making Adele the first solo artist in history to win the award three times, having won previously for 21 and 25. 30 reached No.1 in twenty-five countries. Born On This Day In The Music World: 1.) Born on this day in 1640, Carl Rosier, Dutch baroque composer, born in the Prince-Bishopric of Liège, Holy Roman Empire (d. 1725) 2.) Born on this day in 1744, Karl Siegmund von Seckendorff, German composer, born in Erlangen, Electorate of Bavaria, Holy Roman Empire (d. 1785) 3.) Born on this day in 1865, Earl Ross Drake, American violinist and composer (The Mite and the Mighty), born in Aurora, Illinois (d. 1916) 4.) Born on this day in 1891, Scott Bradley, American pianist, composer, and arranger (MGM theatrical cartoon division, 1937-57), born in Russellville, Arkansas (d. 1977) 5.) Born on this day in 1907, Franklyn Taft Melrose was an American jazz and blues pianist who recorded as Kansas City Frank. He was born in Sumner, Illinois, and was the younger brother of Walter Melrose and Lester Melrose, who had set up the Melrose Brothers Music Company in Chicago in 1918. He became one of the leading figures in the Chicago blues and jazz scene of the 1920s and 1930s. Frank’s first instrument was a violin, but he later took up piano. He was strongly influenced by his brothers’ business partner, Jelly Roll Morton. In 1924, he left home and began drifting around, playing and settling for short periods in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Detroit. He also played occasionally in Chicago clubs with Morton. In 1929, his brother Lester recorded him performing piano solos, which were released under the pseudonym of "Broadway Rastus", and in 1930. Following another trip to Kansas City, he recorded "Jelly Roll Blues" and other tunes. These were issued in Brunswick Records’ “race” series under the pseudonym of "Kansas City Frank", and for some years were wrongly assumed to be the work of Morton. 6.) Born on this day in 1924, Irwin Hoffman, American conductor (Vancouver Symphony, 1952-64; Chicago Symphony, 1964-70; Costa Rica National Symphony, 1987-2001), born in New York City (d. 2018) 7.) Born on this day in 1925, British singer Michael Holliday, who had the 1958 UK No.1 'The Story Of My Life'. The song gave the writers Bacharach and David their first UK No.1 hit. According to Elvis Costello, while working as a seaman in the Merchant Navy, Holliday used to smuggle obscure US jazz records into the UK, where Costello's mother, Lilian Ablett, sold them. Holliday died on 29 October 1963 age of 38. 8.) Born on this day in 1933, Robert Goulet, American Tony and Grammy Award-winning singer, stage and screen actor. Robert Goulet took Broadway by storm as Sir Lancelot in Camelot (1960), in which he starred opposite titans Richard Burton and Julie Andrews. He achieved instant recognition with his performance and interpretation of the show-stopping song “If Ever I would Leave You”, which became his signature song. The dark, handsome, blue-eyed newcomer with a resonant, stirring baritone voice changed the sound on Broadway and redefined the interpretation of a romantic ballad. His Broadway debut won him “The Theater World” award and launched him internationally on an award-winning stage, screen, and recording career, which took him on a remarkable journey. He received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1975, and in 2006, forty-six years after leaving Canada, he was honored with the Canadian Walk of Fame Star. But his most cherished award was the one he received in 1993 from The Royal Conservatory of Music, University of Toronto, Canada, when they awarded him with their highest honor, a ‘Fellowship’. A Grammy, Tony, and Emmy winner, he was a legendary artist of striking power whose vocal talents illuminated every medium of the entertainment world, and his illustrious career spanned over six decades. He is considered one of the greatest baritones of our time and was undoubtedly one of the most prominent musical stars to grace the stages worldwide. 9.) Born on this day in 1937, Hungarian-American bassist Bob Babbitt is most famous for his work as a member of Motown Records' studio band, the Funk Brothers, from 1966 to 1972. Babbitt's most notable bass performances include 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours' by Stevie Wonder, 'War' by Edwin Starr, 'The Tears of a Clown' by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, 'Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)' and 'Inner City Blues' by Marvin Gaye, 'Band Of Gold' by Freda Payne, 'Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)', and 'Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)' by The Temptations. Bob Babbitt died on July 16, 2012, aged 74, from brain cancer. 10.) Born on this day in 1939, American singer, songwriter Tina Turner, (Annie Mae Bullock), who with Ike & Tina Turner had the 1966 UK No.3 single 'River Deep Mountain High', 1971 US No.4 single 'Proud Mary', and 1973 'Nutbush City Limits and solo hits with the 1984 US No.1 single 'What's Love Got To Do With It', plus over 25 other Top 40 singles. Turner was one of the world's best-selling artists of all time. She has also been referred to as The Queen of Rock 'n' Roll and is one of the most successful female Rock 'n' Roll artists, having received 11 Grammy Awards. Turner died on 24 May 2023 following a long illness, including cancer, strokes, and kidney failure. 11.) Born on this day in 1939, David White, American singer-songwriter. He formed and was a founding member of the doo-wop quartet Danny & the Juniors, as well as of the pop trio The Spokesmen. He wrote the Rock and Roll anthem, 'Rock and Roll is Here to Stay,' and co-wrote several other hit songs, including 'At the Hop,' a hit for Danny & the Juniors. He died in Las Vegas on 16 March 2019 age of 79. 12.) Born on this day in 1944, American R&B and jazz singer Jean Terrell. She replaced Diana Ross as the lead singer of the Supremes in 1970. The group scored more chart success at the beginning of the new decade, including 'Up the Ladder to the Roof', 'Stoned Love', 'River Deep – Mountain High' (with the Four Tops), 'Nathan Jones', and 'Floy Joy'. 13.) Born on this day in 1945, American singer-songwriter, arranger, keyboardist, and music producer Michael Omartian. He produced No.1 records in three consecutive decades and has earned 11 Grammy Award nominations and won three (for 'Sailing' by Christopher Cross). Omartian has appeared or produced records for Rod Stewart, Steely Dan, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Dolly Parton, Donna Summer, and Billy Joel. 14.) Born on this day in 1945, British bass guitarist John McVie, who was a member of the John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and then Fleetwood Mac, who had the 1968 UK No.1 hit 'Albatross' and the hits 'Man of the World' and 'Oh Well. In 1977, they scored the US No.1 single 'Dreams' taken from their worldwide No.1 album Rumours, which spent 31 weeks on the US chart. In 1968, McVie married blues pianist and singer Christine Perfect, who became a member of Fleetwood Mac two years later. John and Christine McVie divorced in 1976, but continued working together professionally. 15.) Born on this day in 1946, American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer Raymond Louis Kennedy. He co-wrote 'Sail On, Sailor', one of The Beach Boys' mid-career hits, as well as two hits for The Babys: 'Everytime I Think of You' and 'Isn't It Time'. He also worked with Jeff Beck, Aerosmith, Willie Nelson, Sly and the Family Stone, and others. 16.) Born on this day in 1963, Adam Gaynor, American guitarist (Matchbox Twenty, 1995-2005 - "If You're Gone"), born in New York City. (Side Note: This Day In Music has Adam born in 1964, but On This Day and Wikipedia have Adam born on this day in 1963.) 17.) Born on this day in 1979, American songwriter, record producer Beau Dozier. He worked with chart-topping artists of many different genres, including Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, Priscilla Ahn, Boyz II Men, The Backstreet Boys, and Jennifer Lopez. His father, Lamont Dozier (1941 – 2022), was best known as a member of the Motown songwriting and production team, Holland–Dozier–Holland. He died on 8 March 2025, at the age of 45. 18.) Born on this day in 1981, British singer, songwriter, Natasha Bedingfield, who had the 2004 UK No.1 single 'These Words'. Bedingfield received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the track 'Unwritten, and at the 2005 and 2006 Brit Awards, she was nominated for Best British Female Artist. 19.) Born on this day in 1985, Lil' Fizz [Dreux Pierre Frédéric], American rapper and singer (B2K), born in New Orleans, Louisiana. 20.) Born on this day in 1990, British singer-songwriter and actress Rita Ora. Her debut studio album Ora (2012) debuted at No.1 in the UK, and spawned the No.1 singles 'R.I.P.' and 'How We Do (Party)'. 21.) Born on this day in 1999, American singer, songwriter, and actress Olivia O'Brien. She rose to fame in 2016 after collaborating with Gnash on the single 'I Hate U, I Love U', which peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and No. 1 in Australia. Have a very blessed and memorable Thanksgiving. Take care, and GOD bless.
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