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June 27
This date in musical history
In 1980, "O Canada" was officially designated the country's national anthem. Parliament had approved the song as the national anthem 13 years earlier, but the National Anthem Act made it official. "O Canada" was written by Calixa Lavallee and Adolphe-Basile Routhier, and was first performed in Quebec City in 1880.
The anthem was originally known as "Chant nationale," and was not heard outside Quebec until the turn of the century. Toronto schoolteacher Robert Stanley Weir provided an English translation of the lyrics, which were changed somewhat after the parliamentary debate in 1980.
Other musical milestones on this date:
In 1964, Peter and Gordon's "World Without Love" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Paul McCartney wrote the song, but it was listed on the record under another name to see if a McCartney tune would be successful even if no one knew he had written it. At the time he composed "World Without Love," McCartney was courting Jane Asher, the sister of Peter Asher, one-half of Peter and Gordon.
In 1969, the Denver Pop Festival opened at the Mile High Stadium. Among the performers were Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter and Creedence Clearwater Revival. It was the last concert by the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Later that year, Hendrix formed the Band of Gypsies.
In 1971, the Fillmore East in New York closed after three years. Among those performing on the final night were the Allman Brothers and the J. Geils Band. The Fillmore West in San Francisco closed several days later. Run by Bill Graham, the Fillmores presented many of the top psychedelic bands of the 1960's, including the Grateful Dead, the Jefferson Airplane and Quicksilver Messenger Service.
In 1986, old-time country musician Joe Maphis died at the age of 65. Joe and his wife, Rose Lee, were among the most popular country performers in the years following the Second World War. Maphis played guitar on many early rock 'n' roll sessions in California, including Ricky Nelson's first recordings.
In 1987, former Guess Who bandmates Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings jammed with Neil Young at a Winnipeg nightclub. Joining the trio were Guess Who founder Chad Allan and Fred Turner, formerly of Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Ten of Winnipeg's early rock bands were featured in the concert organized by local rock historian John Einarson.
In 1989, the Who performed their complete rock opera "Tommy" for the first time in 17 years. It was one of two "Tommy" performances on the Who's reunion tour. More than 6,000 fans paid from $150 to $1,000 a ticket for the New York event, with more than $1 million being raised for a group that helps autistic children and for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Also on this date in 1989, the miliant black rap group Public Enemy disbanded following anti-Jewish remarks made by member Richard (Professor Grif) Griffin. Griffin, the group's so-called Minister of Information, had already been dismissed after he told a Washington newspaper that Jews were responsible for "the majority of wickedness that goes on across the globe." Public Enemy's record company said the decision to disband had nothing to do with reported pressure by the music industry. The group was back together within a matter of weeks.
In 1992, Michael Jackson kicked off his "Dangerous" world tour with a show before 70,000 fans in Munich. At the end of the show, Jackson wore a helmet and a fake rocket pack on his back and appeared to fly off stage.
Also on this date in 1992, a drunk Hank Williams Junior swore at the audience and walked off stage after stumbling through parts of four songs at the Sandstone Amphitheatre near Kansas City.
In 1993, singer Lyle Lovett wed actress Julia Roberts in a hastily arranged wedding in Marion, Indiana. Lovett's band performed "Angel Eyes" in honor of the bride. The two had met the previous year while filming Robert Altman's "The Player." The couple announced on March 28th, 1995, that they were separating.
In 1996, dozens of people were injured in a stampede after shots were fired near an outdoor rap concert in the Harlem district of New York City. A 19 year-old woman was shot in the leg. The incident occurred during a performance by Wu Tang Klan, the last of the half dozen acts at the show, which was intended to promote peace unity and voter registration.
Born on this date:
In 1924, cowgirl yodeler Rosalie Allen was born in Old Forge, Pennsylvania. Popular throughout the 1940's and '50s, Allen had hits with "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart" and "He Taught Me How to Yodel." She was often teamed with another legendary yodeler, Elton Britt. Their record hits together included "Quicksilver" and "The Yodel Blues."
In 1942, Canadian composer, arranger and pianist Frank Mills was born in Montreal. Mills first gained notice as the pianist for the pop group, the Bells, from 1969 to 1971. He wrote their hits "Stay Awhile" and "Fly, Little White Dove, Fly." Mills gained international stardom when his 1978 LP and single "Music Box Dancer" were awarded gold records in Canada and the US. As well, sheet music sales of "Music Box Dancer" approached one-million.
In 1934, opera singer Anna Moffo.
In 1941, Quebec singer and songwriter Jacques Michel, in Ste-Agnes de-Bellecombe.
In 1959, country singer Lorrie Morgan.
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