Good Wednesday morning, dear friend, welcome to This Day In The History Of Music. Enjoy the facts and the read. 1.) On this day in 1908, Sir Edward Elgar's Symphony No. 1 in A♭ major, Op. 55 is one of his two completed symphonies. The first performance was given by the Hallé Orchestra, conducted by Hans Richter, in Manchester, England, on 3 December 1908. It was widely known that Elgar had been planning a symphony for more than ten years, and the announcement that he had finally completed it aroused enormous interest. The critical reception was enthusiastic, and the public response unprecedented. The symphony achieved what The Musical Times described as "immediate and phenomenal success", with a hundred performances in Britain, continental Europe, and America within just over a year of its première. 2.) On this day in 1943, Howard Hanson conducted the premiere of his 4th Symphony ("Requiem") with the Boston Symphony, and won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1944. 3.) On this day in 1953, Webb Pierce records the single "In the Jailhouse Now" (Billboard Song of the Year, 1955) 4.) On this day in 1955, Elvis Presley's first release on RCA Victor Records was announced. The first two songs, ‘Mystery Train’ and ‘I Forgot to Remember to Forget’, had been purchased from Sam Phillips of Sun Records. Elvis was described by his new record company as 'The most talked about personality in recorded music in the last 10 years.' 5.) On this day in 1956, Guy Mitchell was at No.1 on the US singles chart with his version of 'Singing The Blues', which spent nine weeks at the top of the charts. Two other charting versions of the song were released almost simultaneously with Mitchell's, one by UK singer Tommy Steele (with the Steelmen) and the other by US country singer Marty Robbins. 6.) On this day in 1960, Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's musical "Camelot", starring Richard Burton and Julie Andrews, and introducing Robert Goulet, opens at the Majestic Theater, NYC; runs for 873 performances, and the musical wins 4 Tony Awards. 7.) On this day in 1961, Brian Epstein invited The Beatles into his office to discuss the possibility of becoming their manager. John Lennon, George Harrison, and Pete Best arrived late for the 4 pm meeting (they had been drinking at the Grapes pub in Matthew Street), but Paul McCartney was not with them, because, as Harrison explained, he had just got up and was "taking a bath". 8.) On this day in 1964, TheRolling Stones had their second UK No.1 single with their version of 'Little Red Rooster'. The Stones had recorded the song at Chess Studios in Chicago, the same studios where Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Little Walter had recorded their blues classics. 9.) On this day in 1965, The Who released their debut studio album, My Generation, in the UK. In the United States, it was released by Decca Records as The Who Sings My Generation in April 1966, with a different cover and a slightly altered track listing. In 2003, it was named the second greatest guitar album of all time by Mojo magazine. 10.) On this day in 1965, Rolling Stone Keith Richards was knocked unconscious by an electric shock on stage at the Memorial Hall in Sacramento, California, when his guitar made contact with his microphone. 11.) On this day in 1966, British act The New Vaudeville Band started a three-week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Winchester Cathedral'. A No.4 hit in the UK. 12.) On this day in 1968, Elvis Presley's Comeback Special airs on NBC, his first live performance in seven years, relaunching his singing career. 13.) On this day in 1969, The Rolling Stones recorded 'Brown Sugar' at Muscle Shoals studios during three days of recording sessions. The song was written by Mick Jagger with Marsha Hunt in mind; Hunt was Jagger's secret girlfriend and mother of his first child, Karis. The song was not released until over a year later due to legal wranglings with the band's former label. It became a No.1 hit in both the United States and Canada. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, it charted at No.2. 14.) At 8:30 pm, on 3 December 1976, two days before the Smile Jamaica Concert, seven men armed with guns raided Marley's house at 56 Hope Road while Marley and his band were on break from rehearsal. Marley's wife, Rita, was shot in the head in her car in the driveway. The gunmen shot Marley in the chest and arm. His manager, Don Taylor, was shot in the legs and torso. Band employee Louis Griffiths took a bullet to his torso as well. There were no fatalities. (Side Note: On This Day records this event happening back on the 3rd of December in 1967. This Day In Music and Wikipedia agree this event took place on December 3rd, 1976.) 15.) On this day in 1976, A giant 40-foot inflatable pig could be seen floating above London, England, after breaking free from its moorings. The pig, nicknamed Algie, was being photographed for the forthcoming Pink Floyd Animals album cover. The Civil Aviation Authority issued a warning to all pilots that a flying pig was on the run, and the pig eventually crashed into a barn in Godmersham, Kent, where the farmer complained of his cows being scared by the incident. 16.) On this day in 1977, Wings started a nine-week run at No.1 in the UK with 'Mull Of Kintyre'. The first single to sell over 2 million copies in the UK, (it was co-written by Denny Laine, who sold his rights to the song when he became bankrupt). 17.) On this day in 1979, A concert by The Who at The Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, turned to disaster when 11 members of the audience were trampled to death after a stampede to claim unreserved seats, and another 26 fans were injured. The concert was using 'festival seating' where seats are available on a first-come come-first served basis. When the waiting fans outside the Coliseum heard the band performing a late sound check, they thought that the concert was beginning and tried to rush into the still-closed doors. 18.) On this day in 1986, Judas Priest were sued by two families, alleging that the band was responsible for their son's forming a suicide pact and shooting themselves after listening to Judas Priest records. The parents and their legal team alleged that a subliminal message of 'do it' had been included in the Judas Priest song Better By You, Better Than Me from the Stained Class album, and alleged the command in the song triggered the suicide attempt. The trial lasted from 16 July to 24 August 1990, when the suit was dismissed. 19.) On this day in 1994, Boyz II Men knocked themselves off the No.1 position on the US singles chart when 'On Bended Knee' started a six-week run a No.1. The group's 'I'll Make Love To You' had been at No.1 for a record-breaking 14 weeks. 20.) On this day in 1999, U2 singer Bono had his missing laptop computer returned after losing it. A young man had bought it for £300 discovered he had the missing laptop, which contained tracks from the forthcoming U2 album. 21.) On this day in 2000, American composer Hoyt Curtin died of heart failure aged 78. He was the composer of many of the Hanna-Barbera cartoons' theme songs, including The Flintstones, Top Cat, Jonny Quest, Superfriends, The Jetsons, Josie and the Pussycats, and The New Scooby-Doo Movies. 22.) On this day in 2001, American session guitarist Grady Martin died aged 72. He was a member of the legendary Nashville A-Team, playing guitar on hits ranging from Roy Orbison 's ‘Oh, Pretty Woman’, Marty Robbins' ‘El Paso’, and Loretta Lynn's ‘Coal Miner's Daughter’. During a 50-year career, Martin backed such names as Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Woody Guthrie, Arlo Guthrie, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Joan Baez, and J. J. Cale. 23.) On this day in 2006, the reformed Take That topped the UK singles and album charts simultaneously for the first time in their career. The single ‘Patience’ remained at number one for the second week, and Beautiful World, the group’s new album, entered the chart at No.1. 24.) On this day in 2007, Diana Ross and the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson were both celebrated at the Kennedy Center Honors, attended by President Bush. Hootie and the Blowfish paid tribute to Brian Wilson with a medley of some of the Beach Boys' best-known songs. 25.) On this day in 2023, the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony was held for pop singer Dionne Warwick, singer-songwriter Barry Gibb, comic-actor Billy Crystal, operatic soprano Renée Fleming, and singer-actress Queen Latifah, in Washington, D.C. Born On This Day In The Music World: 1.) Born on this day in 1509, Kanaka Dasa, Indian musician and composer of Carnatic music, born in Baada, Vijayanagara Empire (now Karnataka, India) (d. 1609). 2.) Born on this day in 1898, Lev Knipper, Russian-Soviet composer (Poem of the Komsomol Fighter; Tales of a Plaster God), and secret agent, born in Tiflis, Russian Empire (now Tbilisi, Georgia) (d. 1974) 3.) Born on this day in 1907, Connee Boswell, American jazz singer (The Boswell Sisters; Pete Kelly's Blues), born in Kansas City, Missouri (d. 1976). 4.) Born on this day in 1909, Dana Suesse, American musician and songwriter (You Ought To Be In Pictures), born in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri (d. 1987). 5.) Born on this day in 1911, Nino Rota [Giovanni Rota Rinaldi], Italian classical and film score composer (Il cappello di paglia di Firenze; The Godfather (I & II); 16 Federico Fellini films), born in Milan, Italy (d. 1979). 6.) Born on this day in 1925, Ferlin Husky, American country singer (Born to Lose; Gone), born in Desloge, Missouri (d. 2011). Husky was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 and was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010. 7.) Born on this day in 1928, American singer and TV host Andy Williams. He had the 1957 US & UK No.1 single 'Butterfly', the 1963 US & UK No.2 single 'Can't Get Used To Losing You', plus over 25 other US Top 40 singles. Williams presented the long-running Andy Williams TV show from 1962 to 1971 and sold more than 100 million records worldwide. He died on Sept 25th, 2012, at the age of 84, of bladder cancer. 8.) Born on this day in 1942, Ken Lewis, from the English vocal trio Ivy League, best known for their 1965 UK No.3 single 'Tossing and Turning'. They were first heard doing background vocals for The Who on their hit single 'I Can't Explain' in November 1964. 9.) Born on this day in 1946, Vic Malcolm, guitarist from British rock band Geordie, initially active in the 1970s with notable songs such as 'Don't Do That', 'All Because of You', 'Can You Do It', 'Electric Lady', and Goodbye Love'. Brian Johnson was the singer in the band, and after AC/DC's lead singer, Bon Scott, died in February 1980, AC/DC chose Brian Johnson to take over lead vocal duties. 10.) Born on this day in 1948, Ozzy Osbourne (John Michael Osbourne), singer and songwriter with English rock band Black Sabbath, who had the 1970 UK No.4 single 'Paranoid '. The band's self-titled 1970 album was voted as the best British rock album ever by Kerrang! in 2005. He performed on the band's first eight studio albums before he was fired in 1979 due to his problems with drugs and alcohol. He had the 1986 solo UK No.20 single 'Shot In The Dark' and became the star of The Osbournes MTV show, which first aired in 2002. Osbourne sold over 100 million albums, including his solo work and Black Sabbath releases. Osbourne courted controversy throughout his career. He adopted the title "Prince of Darkness", took on a demonic stage persona, and portrayed himself as the "Madman of Rock". He died on 22 July 2025 at the age of 76, just seventeen days after his final live performance with Black Sabbath at the Back to the Beginning farewell concert. 11.) Born on this day in 1949, American rock singer Mickey Thomas, best known as one of the lead vocalists of Jefferson Starship and Starship, who had the 1987 UK & US No.1 single 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us'. Before joining Jefferson Starship, he was a member of Elvin Bishop's band as a backing and occasional lead vocalist. He was the lead singer on Bishop's best-known song, 'Fooled Around And Fell In Love'. 12.) Born on this day in 1951, Kimberley Rew from British-American rock band Katrina And The Waves, best known for the 1985 hit 'Walking on Sunshine'. They also won the 1997 Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Love Shine a Light'. 13.) Born on this day in 1951, English singer Nicky Stevens from the pop group Brotherhood of Man. They had the 1976 hit 'Save Your Kisses for Me', which represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1976. The song became a worldwide hit, reaching No.1 in many countries, including the UK, where it became the biggest-selling song of the year. 14.) Born on this day in 1952, American rock vocalist and guitarist Don Barnes, one of the founding members of the Southern rock band 38 Special. 15.) Born on this day in 1952, Duane Roland, guitarist from American Southern rock/hard rock band Molly Hatchet, who had the 1980 album 'Beatin' The Odds' and their hit song 'Flirtin' with Disaster'. 16.) Born on this day in 1968, American R&B singer, songwriter, and producer Montell Jordan, who had the 1995 US No.1 & UK No.11 single 'This Is How We Do It'. 17.) Born on this day in 1979, New Zealand-British singer and songwriter Daniel Bedingfield. His debut studio album, Gotta Get Through This (2002), spawned three UK No.1s: 'Gotta Get Through This', 'If You're Not the One', and 'Never Gonna Leave Your Side'. 18.) Born on this day in 1981, Brian Bonsall, American rock musician (Sunset Silhouette; The Ataris, 2016-18), and child actor (Family Ties, 1986-89; Star Trek Next Generation, 1992-94), born in Torrance, California. 19.) Born on this day in 1994, Lil Baby, American rapper and singer-songwriter ("My Turn", "The Voice of the Heroes"), born in Atlanta, Georgia. Have a blessed day, take care, and GOD bless.
... View more