On This Day

Hmmmmm ... My Top 5 guitar songs of all time :

5. I'm shaking - Jack White
4. All day and all of the night - Kinks
3. Lazy - Deep Purple
2. Mississippi Queen - Mountain
1. Brighton Rock - Queen

But the list will be different next week.   

"1969, British supergroup Blind Faith, featuring Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Rick Grech and Steve Winwood made their live debut at a free concert in London's Hyde Park. Their only album release provoked controversy because the cover featured a topless pubescent girl, holding a silver space ship which some perceived as a phallic symbol. ....Rumours about the girl's relationship to the band fuelled the controversy; among them were that she was a groupie kept as a slave by the band members.

Edited by Pogue Mahoney - 08-June-2018 at 19:09

June 7th: On this Day

1963, The Rolling Stones released their debut single, 'Come On'. Recorded the previous month, the track was originally written and released by Chuck Berry in 1961. The B-side was also a cover version, Willie Dixon’s 'I Want to Be Loved'. The single reached No.21 in the UK chart.

1964, During their first ever US tour The Rolling Stones were booed off stage at a gig in San Antonio, Texas. Some performing Monkeys who had been the act on before the Stones were brought back on stage for another performance.

1964, During a world tour, The Beatles flew from Amsterdam to Hong Kong. When the plane stopped to refuel in Beirut, police turned firefighting foam on hundreds of fans who had invaded the runway at the airport.

1969, British supergroup Blind Faith, featuring Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Rick Grech and Steve Winwood made their live debut at a free concert in London's Hyde Park. Their only album release provoked controversy because the cover featured a topless pubescent girl, holding a silver space ship which some perceived as a phallic symbol. The US record company issued it with an alternative cover which showed a photograph of the band on the front. Rumours about the girl's relationship to the band fuelled the controversy; among them were that she was a groupie kept as a slave by the band members.

1969, The Who's fourth album, 'Tommy' album entered the UK chart, peaking at No.2. One of two full-scale rock operas from The Who (the other being the 1973 'Quadrophenia'). The double album tell's a loose story about a "deaf, dumb and blind boy" who becomes the leader of a messianic movement, Tommy was the first musical work to be billed overtly as a rock opera.

1969, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell both appeared on the first ABC TV Johnny Cash Show from Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Dylan sang I Threw It All Away and Living The Blues and duetted with Johnny Cash on Girl From The North Country. Joni Mitchell performed 'Both Sides Now'.

1975, Elton John's ninth studio album 'Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboys', went to No.1 on the US album chart, the first album ever to enter the US chart at No.1. (where it stayed for seven weeks). Captain Fantastic' is a concept album that gives an autobiographical glimpse at the struggles John (Captain Fantastic) and Taupin (the Brown Dirt Cowboy) had in the early years of their musical careers in London.

1977, Led Zeppelin played the first of six sold out nights at Madison Square Garden, in New York City during their 11th and final North American tour. Playing a 3 hour set, tickets cost $8.50 - $10.50.

1987, David Bowie played a concert in West Berlin in front of the Reichstag with the speakers pointing towards the nearby Berlin Wall where thousands of young East Berliners stood and listened.

1995, Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood was admitted to hospital after his ear was leaking blood. The problem was diagnosed as his arm movement from continuous guitar playing.

1997, Hanson started a three-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'MMMbop'. Originally called The Hanson Brothers, lead singer Zak Hanson was just 13-years-old at the time of the hit. One of the biggest debut singles of all time; reaching No.1 in 27 countries.

1997, Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher played a five-song set at the Tibet Freedom Concert, Downing Stadium in New York City. U2, Patti Smith and Radiohead also appeared at the concert.

1998, Songwriter Wally Gold died in a New Jersey hospital aged 70. Wrote 'It's My Party' hit for Lesley Gore and 'It's Now or Never', hit for Elvis Presley. Member of late 50s group The Four Esquires, produced Kansas & Gene Pitney.

2002, Virgin Records announced they had dropped Victoria Beckham after her debut solo album, which cost over £3 million ($5.1 million) to make, had sold only 50,000 copies.

2007, The funeral of guitarist, singer Bo Diddley took place in Gainesville, Florida. Many in attendance chanted "Hey Bo Diddley" shortly after family members had passed by his coffin as a gospel band played Bo Diddley's music. At the service, they presented a floral tribute in form of his trademark square guitar.

2010, Former Stereophonics drummer and BBC Radio Wales presenter Stuart Cable, was found dead at him home near Aberdare in Wales aged 40. His new band Killing for Company had been due to appear at the Download rock festival at Donington Park in a few days time. Cable had also been presenting a Rock show on BBC Radio Wales.

2010, Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh was granted a restraining order against an elderly neighbor who allegedly threatened to kill him. The man was also ordered to pay more than $1,500 in legal fees.

2012, Bob Welch, an early member of Fleetwood Mac who enjoyed a successful solo career with hits such as 'Ebony Eyes,' was found dead after an apparent suicide at home in Nashville. He was 66. Police said Welch's body was found by his wife Wendy with a single gunshot wound to the chest, and he had left a suicide note. Welch was part of Fleetwood Mac in their early years from 1971 to 1974 and worked on such albums as Future Games and Bare Trees.

2015, Sir Elton John lost his cool during a performance at Gloucester's Kingsholm Stadium in England after he likened a steward to Hitler as she tried to stop crowds from surging forward during a gig. In an expletive-laden rant, John went on to say it was "not China" and he picked out a female steward, telling her: "You put a uniform on and you think you're Hitler - well you're not."

Lol ... Approved in full. Actually, scanning through it agai , I find it hard to believe that "Brown Sugar" was really an attempt to cover all the "forbidden" topics mentioned in the commentary - seems to me it was more an attempt to compose a damn good rockin song - and succeeded admirably in that...

More good stuff Frank, no particular comment on today's content.,,

May 29th: On this Day

1942, Bing Crosby recorded the Irving Berlin song 'White Christmas'. Crosby recorded the song with the John Scott Trotter Orchestra and the Ken Darby Singers in just 18 minutes. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the version sung by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single of all time, with estimated sales in excess of 50 million copies worldwide.

1961, Ricky Nelson started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Travellin' Man'. Sam Cooke turned the song down, the B-side was the Gene Pitney song 'Hello Mary Lou' which became a double A side UK No.1.

1962, Chubby Checker won a Grammy Award for Best Rock and Roll Recording for ‘Let's Twist Again’ and Ray Charles won Best Rhythm & Blues Recording for ‘Hit The Road Jack’.

1965, Bob Dylan's album Bringing It All Back Home was at No.1 on the UK charts, his second UK No.1 album. The black and white pamphlet lying across the Time magazine with President Lyndon B. Johnson on the cover is a publication of the Earth Society, who saw its mission as protecting earth from collisions with comets and planets.

1965, The Beach Boys started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Help Me Rhonda', the group's second US No.1. The recording session was interrupted by the Wilson brothers' drunken father, Murry, who arrived at the studio to criticize the Boys enthusiasm. The recording reel continued to record the confrontation, which still circulates among fans.

1967, The Move, Cream, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Pink Floyd, Zoot Money, Geno Washington and The Ram Jam Band all appeared at the Tulip Bulb Auction Hall in Spalding, Lincoln, England. Pink Floyd were only a support band and played in a corner of the shed with a white sheet behind them with the coloured oil shining onto it. Tickets cost £1 ($1.70). The poster advertising the show promised a 'Knockout Atmosphere'.

1969, Crosby, Stills & Nash released their self-titled debut on Atlantic Records label. It spawned two Top 40 hits: 'Marrakesh Express' and 'Suite: Judy Blue Eyes'.

1971, The Rolling Stones started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Brown Sugar', from Sticky Fingers. The first single released on Rolling Stones Records, it was the bands sixth US No.1, and a No.2 hit in the UK. The songs lyrics, which are essentially a pastiche of a number of taboo subjects, include: interracial sex, cunnilingus, slave rape, and less distinctly, sadomasochism, lost virginity, and heroin.

1971, Three dozen Grateful Dead fans were treated for hallucinations caused by LSD after they unwittingly drank spiked apple juice served at a gig at San Francisco's Winterland.

1977, Manchester band Warsaw, (later to become Joy Division) made their live debut supporting The Buzzcocks at The Electric Circus, Manchester, England.

1983, US school boy band (which included Bobby Brown), New Edition were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Candy Girl'. Songwriter & producer Maurice Starr discovered New Edition performing at a local talent show. Starr went on to produce and write for New Kids On The Block.

1991, After just completing the recording of the 'Nevermind' album, Nirvana played a last-minute show at the Jabberjaw in Los Angeles. In the audience was Iggy Pop, Dave Grohl's girlfriend and L7 bassist Jennifer Finch who brought along her best friend Courtney Love.

1992, Concerned that some pupils were overly identifying with Freddie Mercury, the sacred heart School in Clifton New Jersey decided not to sing the Queen song 'We Are The Champions', at their Graduation Ceremony.

1992, The FBI recovered 44 nude photographs of Madonna which had been stolen in America from fashion photographer Steven Meisel.

1997, Sharitha Knight filed a suit at LA, Superior Court claiming she was owed $1 million (£588,000) as Snoop Doggy Dogg's personal manger between 1993-6. The claim alleged that Snoop had withheld the 20 percent she was owed.

1997, Singer songwriter Jeff Buckley disappeared after talking a swim in the Mississippi River, his body was found on 4th June 1997 after being spotted by a passenger on a tourist riverboat.

1997, The Manic Street Preachers won the best song award for 'A Design For Life' at the 42nd Ivor Novello awards. Other winners included The Spice Girls for Hit of the year with 'Wannabe', Elvis Costello for Outstanding contribution to music, George Michael won Songwriter Of The Year and Most Performed work for 'Fastlove.'

1999, Skeletal remains were found by photographers looking for old car wrecks to shoot at the bottom of Decker Canyon near Malibu, California. Based on forensic evidence the remains were Philip Kramer former bassist with rock group Iron Butterfly, who had disappeared on his way home from work on February 12, 1995. His death was ruled as a probable suicide.

2001, The Eagles made their first ever visit to Russia when they appeared at SC Olymisky in Moscow.

2002, A 16ft by 6ft mosaic designed by John Lennon went on display at The Beatles Story museum in Liverpool. The mosaic had been built into Lennon's swimming pool at his Kenwood home in Surrey where he lived between 1964 and 1968.

2002, Australian actress and singer Natalie Imbruglia became the new face of L'Oreal when she signed a deal worth £100,000 ($170,000) with the French cosmetics manufacturer.

2005, Gorillaz scored their first UK No.1 album when 'Demon Days' went to the top of the charts.

2007, A piano used by John Lennon on the night he died was put up for sale for $375,000 (£189,000) on The Moments in Time memorabilia website. The upright grand piano was part of the Record Plant Recording Studios in New York where the former Beatle recorded his 1971 Imagine album. Lennon was said to be so fond of the instrument that he had it moved to whichever studio he was working in and had used the piano hours before being shot on 8 December 1980.

2009, Phil Spector was jailed for at least 19 years for murdering an actress in 2003. The producer, 69, famed for his Wall of Sound recording technique, was last month found guilty of shooting Lana Clarkson at his California home. Spector had pleaded not guilty to the second-degree murder during the five-month retrial in Los Angeles. His lawyers said he would appeal. Spector was given a sentence of 15 years to life for second-degree murder and an additional four years for personal use of a gun.

2010, Sabrosa Park (at the small town of Sabrosa, north of Portugal) was renamed B.B. King Park in honor of King and the free concert he had played before 20,000 people.

2015, Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch went up for sale with a price tag of $100m (£65m). Jackson bought the Santa Barbara development in 1987 for $19.5m but struggled to pay for it, until an investment company stepped in to help him save it from auction.

The "Led Zeppelin" story re Keith Moon was, as far as I remember, that he reckoned they (Led Zep) would flop and go down like a lead balloon, or something similar...

May 28th: Born on this day

1910, Born on this day, American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, T-Bone Walker who was a pioneer and innovator of the jump blues and electric blues sound. His most famous song, 'Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just as Bad)' was released in 1947. He died of bronchial pneumonia on 16 March 1975 at the age of 64.

1917, Born on this day, American blues violinist Papa John Creech, with Jefferson Airplane Jefferson Starship and Hot Tuna. He had also worked with Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Big Joe Turner, T-Bone Walker, Nat King Cole. He died in 1994 aged 76.

1943, Born on this day, Tony Mansfield, from Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas who had the 1964 UK No.1 & US N0.7 single 'Little Children'.

1944, Born on this day, American singer, songwriter Billy Vera, who had the 1987 US No.1 single with The Beaters, 'At This Moment' featured in the US TV show, 'Family Ties'.

1944, Born on this day, American singer, songwriter Gladys Knight, who had the 1973 US No.1 single 'Midnight Train To Georgia', and the 1975 UK No.4 single 'The Way We Were' plus 20 other UK Top 40 singles. Best known for her work with her group Gladys Knight & the Pips.

1945, Born on this day, American musician, singer, and songwriter John Fogerty from Creedence Clearwater Revival who had the 1969 UK No.1 and US No.2 single 'Bad Moon Rising', plus ten other US Top 30 hits and the 1970 US & UK No.1 album Cosmo's Factory. After CCR parted ways in 1972 Fogerty had a successful solo career.

1948, Born on this day, Ray Laidlan, from English group Lindisfarne who had the 1970s hit singles 'Meet Me on the Corner', 'Lady Eleanor and 'Run For Home'. Their album Fog on the Tyne became the biggest selling UK album in 1972.

1949, Born on this day, Wendy O. Williams singer with The Plasmatics, a New York punk band who had the 1980 UK No. 55 single ‘Butcher Baby’. She died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds on April 6th 1998.

1955, Born on this day, John McGeoch, Scottish guitarist, who was a member of Magazine, who had the 1978 UK hit single 'Shot By Both Sides'. Also worked with Siouxsie And The Banshees, Armoury Show, Public Image Ltd. McGeoch died in his sleep 5th March 2004 aged 49.

1959, Born on this day, Welsh singer Steve Strange from Visage who had the 1980 UK No.8 single, 'Fade To Grey'. Strange appeared in the video for David Bowie's No.1 hit ‘Ashes to Ashes’. He died on 12th Feb 2015 after suffering a heart attack in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

1962, Born on this day, British singer Roland Gift, who with the Fine Young Cannibals, had the 1989 US No.1 & UK No.5 single 'She Drives Me Crazy'.

1963, Born on this day, Gavin Harrison, English drummer and percussionist best known for playing with the British progressive rock bands Porcupine Tree and King Crimson.

1968, Born on this day, Australian-born singer, songwriter, and actress Kylie Minogue who scored the 1988 UK No.1 single 'I Should Be So Lucky' plus over 40 other UK Top 40 hit singles). She achieved recognition by starring in the Australian soap opera Neighbours, where she played tomboy mechanic Charlene Robinson and as of 2013, Minogue had worldwide record sales of more than 70 million.

1970, Born on this day, Mark Richardson, drummer with British rock band Skunk Anansie who had the 1996 UK No.20 single 'Weak'. The band have spent a total of 141 weeks on both the singles and album charts.

1970, Born on this day, Jimi Goodwin, vocals, bass, guitar with Sub Sub who had the 1993 UK No.3 single ‘Ain’t No Love, (Ain’t No Use'. And with Doves, the 2002 UK No.3 single ‘There Goes The Fear’ and 2002 UK No.1 album The Last Broadcast.

1981, Born on this day, Mark Feehily, from Irish pop vocal group Westlife who scored 14 UK No.1 singles, and have sold over 50 million records worldwide. Despite their success worldwide, Westlife never managed to break into the US market, achieving only one hit single in 2000, 'Swear It Again'.

1985, Born on this day, Colbie Caillat, American singer-songwriter. 2008 Australian No.1 single ‘Bubbly’. 2009 US No.1 album 'Breakthrough'. (Her father, Ken Caillat, co-produced Fleetwood Mac's Rumours and Tusk albums).

May 27th: Born on this day

1935, Born on this day, Ruby Lewis, from American doo-wop and R&B vocal group The Drifters who had the 1960 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Save The Last Dance For Me' and over 12 other chart hits. He died on May 10th 1964.

1935, Born on this day, Ramsey Lewis, American jazz composer, pianist and radio personality who had the 1965 US No.5 single 'The In Crowd', and the 1972 hit single 'Wade In The Water'.

1943, Born on this day, Priscilla White (Cilla Black), singer, TV presenter, 1964 UK No.1 single 'Anyone Who Had A Heart' plus 18 other UK Top 40 singles). Black died at her holiday home near Marbella, Spain, on 1 August 2015. She was 72.

1944, Born on this day, Billy Adamson, drummer with The Searchers from 1969 to 1998, (the longest serving drummer in the group). He died on 11 November 2013

1947, Born on this day, Marty Kristian, singer from The New Seekers who had the 1972 UK No.1 and US No.7 single 'I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing' and hits with 'You Won't Find Another Fool Like Me' and 'Beg, Steal or Borrow'.

1947, Born on this day, Peter Knight, violinist with English folk rock band Steeleye Span who formed in 1969. They had the 1975 UK No.5 single 'All Around My Hat' and a hit with 'Gaudete'.

1948, Born on this day, English rock musician Pete Sears, who has worked with many artists including Jefferson Starship, and Rod Stewart on his Every Picture Tells a Story including the hit singles 'Maggie May' and 'Reason To Believe'.

1956, Born on this day, Neil Finn, guitar, vocals, from New Zealand group Split Enz who had the 1980 UK No.12 single 'I Got You'. Split Enz had ten albums (including seven studio albums) reach the top ten of the Official New Zealand Music Chart. And with Crowded House had the 1992 UK No.7 single 'Weather With You' and a hit with 'It's Only Natural'.

1957, Born on this day, Eddie Harsch, keyboardist with The Black Crowes who had the 1991 hit single 'Hard To Handle' and the 1992 US No.1 & UK No.2 album The Southern Harmony And Musical Companion. The band have sold more than 30 million albums.

1957, Born on this day, Susan Janet Ballion, (Siouxsie Sioux), vocals, Siouxsie And The Banshees, 1983 UK No.3 single 'Dear Prudence', plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles). Also a member of The Creatures, (1983 UK No.14 single 'Right Now').

1966, Born on this day, Sean Kinney, American musician, best known for being the drummer and co-founder of the rock band Alice in Chains.

1971, Born on this day, Lisa Lopes, Left-Eye, singer with American girl group TLC. They scored nine top-ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including four No.1 singles, 'Creep', 'Waterfalls', 'No Scrubs', and 'Unpretty'. Their 1999 US No.1 album Fanmail spent 57 weeks on the UK chart. Having sold over 65 million records worldwide, TLC is the best-selling American girl group. Lopes was killed in a car accident on April 25th 2002 aged 30.

1975, Born on this day, Dre, (Andre Benjamin), American rapper, singer, songwriter who with Outkast had the 2001 US No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Ms Jackson.' In 2015, Billboard included Benjamin on its list of the 10 Greatest Rappers of All Time.