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June 22
This date in musical history
In 1987, Fred Astaire, America's greatest song and dance man, died in Los Angeles at the age of 88. Astaire's debonair style dominated movie musicals in the 1930's. In ten of his films, his co-star was Ginger Rogers. Astaire's other partners included Cyd Charisse, Rita Hayworth, Judy Garland and Audrey Hepburn.
Astaire was also a top recording artist in the '30s, putting on wax a number of songs from his musicals. Among Astaire's recordings to reach number one on the hit parade were "Night and Day" from "The Gay Divorcee," "Cheek to Cheek" from "Top Hat" and "The Way You Look Tonight" from "Swing Time." As well, Astaire's 1951 duet with Jane Powell, "The Liar's Song," is said to have sold a million copies over the years.
Other musical milestones on this date:
In 1846, Adolphe Sax patented his invention - the saxophone. He had invented the instrument early in the decade, and by the time the patent was granted there were 14 different saxophones - seven designed for orchestras and seven for bands. The saxophones designed for bands are the ones in common use today.
In 1968, the Jeff Beck Group, with Rod Stewart and Ron Wood, made its US debut at the Fillmore East in New York City. Stewart was said to have had such a severe case of stage fright that he hid behind the speakers for the first couple of songs. The band, which had a major influence on the heavy metal groups that followed, broke up after two LPs and several North American tours.
In 1969, singer and movie star Judy Garland died in London at the age of 47. Despite frequent reports of her ill health, drinking binges and drastic weight gains and losses, the public was shocked by news of her death. Garland's movie hits included "The Wizard of Oz," containing the classic song "Over the Rainbow," and "A Star is Born," in which she sang "The Man That Got Away."
Also on this date in 1969, 50,000 people showed up for Toronto's first rock festival, the Toronto Pop Festival, at Varsity Stadium. Headliners included The Band, Chuck Berry, Procul Harum and Blood, Sweat and Tears.
In 1981, Mark David Chapman, a 25 year-old drifter, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death of John Lennon. On December 8th, 1980, Chapman shot Lennon seven times in front of Lennon's New York apartment building just hours after the former Beatle had given him his autograph.
In 1984, the hard rock band Aerosmith launched its comeback effort with a tour beginning in New Hampshire.
In 1987, composer Joseph Meyer, who wrote the music for such standards as "Crazy Rhythm" and "If You Knew Susie (Like I Know Susie)," died in New York at the age of 93. Eddie Cantor made "Susie" a number-one hit in 1925. Meyer also co-wrote the words and music for "California, Here I Come" with Al Jolson and Buddy DeSylva. Jolson took that song to the top of the charts in 1924.
In 1990, Corinthian (Kripp) Johnson, a founding member of the Dell-Vikings, died in Pontiac, Michigan of cancer. He was 57. One of the first racially-integrated rock 'n' roll groups, the Dell-Vikings had two top 10 hits in 1957 - "Come Go With Me" and "Whispering Bells."
In 1992, rap star Hammer escaped injury in a shooting at a park in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that wounded three members of his touring crew. There were conflicting accounts of what happened, with police at first saying it was a drive-by shooting, then saying it appeared to be an "internal thing." A spokesman for Hammer claimed the wounded were "victims of an act of violence."
In 1995, Michael Jackson announced he would re-record a song from his "HIStory" album to remove lyrics condemned as anti-Semitic. The new version of "They Don't Care About Us" removed the lines "Jew me, sue me" and "kick me, kike me." Jackson said the song was intended to demonstrate the ugliness of racism. But Jewish groups said the message would be lost on young people hearing the offensive language. Two million copies of the album with the offending lyrics had already been shipped and they were not recalled.
Also on this date in 1995, the US-based Country Music Television video channel announced it was obtaining a 20 per cent interest in Canada's New Country Network. CMT said it would operate the service jointly with Rogers Communications and Rawlco Communications, the Canadian firms with an 80 per cent interest in NCN. The US service was removed from Canadian cable systems when the Canadian video channel began operations the previous January.
Born on this date:
In 1936, singer, songwriter and actor Kris Kristofferson was born in Brownsville, Texas. His first success as a songwriter came when Roger Miller recorded "Me and Bobby McGee." That song was turned into a million-seller by Janis Joplin in 1971. And Sammi Smith sold a million with "Help Me Make It Through the Night," another Kristofferson song. By this time, Kristofferson had begun his career as a singer, and in 1972, his single, "The Silver-Tongued Devil and I," was certified gold. His other successes have included the single, "Why Me," and the albums "The Silver-Tongued Devil and I" and "Jesus Was a Capricorn." In 1985, Kristofferson, along with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, recorded the hugely successful "Highwayman" single and album. There was a "Highwaymen Two" album in 1990 with the same cast.
In 1945, Howard Kaylan, one of the two lead singers of the Turtles, was born in New York City. The Turtles had hit singles with "It Ain't Me Babe" in 1965 and "Happy Together" and "She'd Rather Be With Me," both in 1967. Some members of the Turtles wanted the group to be more than a band that made hit singles. The resulting dissension led to the Turtles' breakup in 1968. Lead singers Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman joined the Mothers of Invention, and then embarked on a duo career as Flo and Eddie.
In 1948, rock musician Todd Rundgren was born in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. In 1967, he formed the now-legendary psychedelic band, the Nazz. They broke up in 1969, and Rundgren formed the studio band Runt, which had a hit single in 1971 with "We Gotta Get You a Woman." Rundgren also began producing albums by other artists, including Badfinger and Grand Funk Railroad. Rundgren's 1972 solo album, "Something-Anything," was eventually certified gold and yield a couple of hit singles. Later, he formed the progressive rock band, Utopia, which proved to be enormously popular.
In 1923, Franz-Paul Decker, conductor of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra from 1967 until 1975, in Cologne, Germany.
In 1930, country singer Roy Drusky.
In 1943, singer, songwriter and saxophonist Jimmy Castor.
In 1944, record producer and artist manager Peter Asher, formerly of the '60s singing duo of Peter and Gordon.
In 1949, Gary Moffat of the Canadian rock group April Wine; and Alan Osmond of the Osmond Brothers.
In 1957, Garry Beers, bassist with the Australian rock band INXS (IN-EX-ESS); and Green Gartside of the British trio Scritti Politti.
In 1959, Alan Anton, bassist with the Canadian band Cowboy Junkies, in Montreal.
In 1961, Jimmy Somerville, formerly of the British groups Bronski Beat and the Communards.
In 1964, Mike Edwards, vocalist and guitarist with the '90s British rock band Jesus Jones.
In 1970, Steven Page, lead singer of the Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies, in Toronto.
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Aerosmith.
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