1961 - Bob Dylan appeared on Harry Belafonte's album The Midnight Special, playing harmonica on the title track. Dylan was paid a $50 session fee for this his first-ever recording.
1967 - The Doors release Light my Fire. Most of "Light My Fire" was written by Doors guitarist Robby Krieger, who wanted to write about one of the elements: fire, air, earth, and water. He recalled to Uncut: "I was living with my parents in Pacific Palisades – I had my amp and SG. I asked Jim, what should I write about? He said, 'Something universal, which won't disappear two years from now. Something that people can interpret themselves.' I said to myself I'd write about the four elements; earth, air, fire, water, I picked fire, as I loved the Stones song, 'Play With Fire,' and that's how that came about."
1968 - The Beatles' new company, Apple Records, turned down an offer to sign a new artist by the name of David Bowie. Apple later signed Mary Hopkin, James Taylor, Badfinger and Billy Preston.
1972 - Big Star release #1 Record. What was remarkable about #1 Record in 1972 was that nobody except Big Star (and maybe Badfinger and the Raspberries) wanted to sound like this -- simple, light pop with sweet harmonies and jangly guitars. Since then, dozens of bands have rediscovered those pleasures. Sturdy songs, feelingly performed, which would go on to influence, Tom Petty, R.E.M., The Replacements, and many more.
1976 - With rumors of a Beatles reunion swirling, Saturday Night Live executive producer Lorne Michaels went on camera to offer the guys $3,000 (union scale) to reunite on the show. It just so happened that Paul and Linda McCartney were spending the evening with John Lennon at his New York Dakota apartment and watched the offer. Lennon and McCartney thought about taking a cab to the studio, but decided they were too tired. This was the last time Lennon and McCartney were together.
1989 - Tom Petty released his solo debut, Full Moon Fever. Sure, it's a solo album, but most of the Heartbreakers are here. However, the album sounds different from any Heartbreakers record due to the presence of former Electric Light Orchestra leader Jeff Lynne, the record's main producer. In his hands, Petty's roots rock becomes clean and glossy, layered with shimmering vocal harmonies, keyboards, and acoustic guitars. But the real reason Full Moon Fever became Petty's biggest hit is that it boasted a selection of songs that rivaled Damn the Torpedoes, there's not a weak track on it.
A couple of interesting facts. the album was going to be called, Songs From the Garage, since it was mostly recorded in guitarist Mike Campbell's garage studio. But it was determined the title didn't live up to the quality of the music.
Also, it was originally turned down by the record company. They didn't hear any singles. Eventually, Petty added “Alright For Now” and a cover of “Feel a Whole Lot Better” to the set and, after a time, presented the LP to MCA once again – after a regime change had taken place. This time around, they loved it. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Birthdays:
Tony Visconti — producer for David Bowie, T. Rex, Sparks, Thin Lizzy, Iggy Pop, Adam Ant, and many more — is 80.
Doug Clifford, drummer with Creedence Clearwater Revival, is 79.
David J of Bauhaus and Love and Rockets is 67.
R.I.P.:
1975 - Pete Ham of Badfinger died at the age of 27. Ham co-wrote 'Without You', with band mate Tom Evans (who also later committed suicide). The song was a hit for Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey. Ham was a founder member of The Iveys, who became Badfinger, were signed to the Beatles' Apple label, their first hit 'Come And Get It' was written by Paul McCartney.
2016 - American soul singer Billy Paul died at his home in New Jersey, from pancreatic cancer at the age of 81. He was best known for his 1972 hit "Me and Mrs. Jones", which won a Grammy and reached No. 1 in the U.S.
2016 - Papa Wemba, the King of Rumba Rock, died at age 66 during a show. He was one of the most popular musicians of his time in Africa and played an important role in world music.
1970 - Chicago blues pianist Otis Spann dies at age 40. A core member of Muddy Waters' legendary bands of the 1950s and '60s, pianist, vocalist, and composer Otis Spann is widely considered the standard bearer for postwar blues pianists.
On This Day In Music History was sourced, curated, copied, pasted, edited, and occasionally woven together with my own crude prose from This Day in Music, Music this Day, Allmusic, Ultimate Classic Rock, Song Facts and Wikipedia.
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