Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Oct 18 - Today in Rock-n-Roll History...

1956, 21-year-old Elvis Presley pulled into a Memphis gas station where he started to attract a small crowd of autograph seekers. After repeatedly asking Elvis to move on so he could resume normal business, station manager Ed Hopper slapped Presley on the head and found himself on the receiving end of a punch in the face from Elvis. Station employee Aubrey Brown tried to help his boss, but was no match for Presley. After police are called, Hopper and Brown were charged with assault and were fined $25 and $15 respectively.

1957, Paul McCartney made his first appearance with The Quarry Men at New Clubmoor Hall, Norris Green, Liverpool. The line-up for The Quarry Men was John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Eric Griffiths, Colin Hanton, and Len Garry. Paul played John some songs that he has composed which Lennon contributes, marking the birth of the Lennon & McCartney songwriting partnership. 

1964, The Animals kicked off their first headlining UK tour at the ABC in Manchester with Carl Perkins, Gene Vincent and The Nashville Teens supporting.

1964, Taking a day off from their British tour The Beatles go into the studio and complete the recording of six album tracks and the A-side of their next single: ‘I Feel Fine’. They also complete ‘Eight Days a Week’, ‘Kansas City/Hey Hey Hey Hey’, ’Mr. Moonlight’, ‘I'll Follow the Sun’, ‘Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby’. ‘Rock and Roll Music’ and ‘Words of Love.’ 

1966, The Jimi Hendrix Experience played their first gig as a band supporting French pop star Johnny Hallyday at the Paris Olympia in France.

1967, ‘I Can See For Miles’ by The Who entered the UK singles chart, peaking at No.10. 

1968, The Jackson Five make their national TV debut on 'ABC TV's Hollywood Palace.

1975, John Denver started a two week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Windsong.'

1976, The Buzzcocks made their first recordings at Revolution Studios, Cheadle, Manchester, England.

1979, Buggles were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Video Killed The Radio Star.' A studio band featuring producer Trevor Horn. Famously, it was the first ever music video shown on MTV in North America.

1986, Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac married Portuguese composer Eduardo Quintela.

1986, Huey Lewis and the News went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Fore!'

1989, During a gig at The Los Angeles Coliseum, California, Guns N' Roses front man Axl Rose announced to the crowd that he was quitting the band.

1996, Joni Mitchell was interviewed by Morrissey for the promotional CD ‘Words and Music’ by Reprise Records to promote her new releases Hits and Misses. 

2000, American singer and actress Julie London died after suffering a stroke. Scored the 1956 US No.9 & UK No.22 single 'Cry Me A River', which was also featured in the 1956 film The Girl Can't Help It. She recorded 32 albums during her career, played the role of nurse Dixie McCall, in the television series Emergency! (1972–1979).

2002, After a 15 year court battle, New York State's highest court ruled that the Ronettes, did not have the right to share the money earned by their producer Phil Spector through the use of the group's songs in movies, television and advertising. Citing a 1963 contract signed by the group, the court also substantially reduced the amount they stood to gain from royalties on sales of records and compact discs. 

2005, An image of a naked John Lennon, taken on the last day of his life, was named the top US magazine cover of the past 40 years. The Rolling Stone front cover, taken by Annie Leibovitz and showing Lennon curled around Yoko Ono, was picked by editors, artists and designers.

Happy Rock-n-Roll Birthdays to...

1926, Chuck Berry

1938, Ronnie Bright, The Coasters

1949, Gary Richrath, REO Speedwagon

1949, Joe Egan, Stealers Wheel

1952, Keith Knudson, The Doobie Brothers

1974, Peter Svensson, The Cardigans

1977, Simon Rix, Kaiser Chiefs

1982, Ne-Yo

1987, Zachary Efron

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