1966 - Led by Frank Zappa, the Mothers of Invention release their debut album Freak Out! Critics and music fans alike are baffled by what they hear. Often cited as one of rock music's first concept albums, the album is a satirical expression of frontman Frank Zappa's perception of American pop culture and the nascent freak scene of Los Angeles. It was also one of the earliest double albums in rock music.
1970 - The newly formed Queen featuring Freddie Mercury (possibly still known as Freddie Bulsara) on vocals, guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor and Mike Grose on bass played their first gig at Truro City Hall, Cornwall, England. They were billed as Smile, Brian and Roger's previous band, for whom the booking had been made originally. Original material at this time included an early version of 'Stone Cold Crazy'.
1989 - The B-52s release Cosmic Thing, their first album following the death of guitarist and band co-founder Ricky Wilson.
Working with producers Don Was and Nile Rodgers, the B-52's updated their sound with shiny new surfaces and deep, funky grooves -- it was the same basic pattern as before, only refurbished and contemporized. Just as importantly, they had their best set of songs since at least Wild Planet, possibly since their debut.
"Roam" had a groovy beat blessed with a great Cindy Wilson vocal; and "Deadbeat Club" was one of their rare successful reflective numbers. Then there was "Love Shack," an irresistible dance number with delightfully silly lyrics and hooks as big as a whale that unbelievably gave the group a long-awaited Top Ten hit. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images)
Birthdays:
Bruce Johnston, vocals, guitar, The Beach Boys, is 81. In 1965, Johnston joined the band for live performances, filling in for the group's co-founder Brian Wilson. He wrote the No.1 Barry Manilow hit 'I Write the Songs' and also sang on the recordings for Elton John's 'Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me' (recorded at Caribou Ranch in Nederland) and several songs on Pink Floyd's album The Wall.
Doc Pomus was born on this day in 1935. He is best known as the lyricist of many rock and roll hits with Mort Shuman including, ‘Save The Last Dance For Me’, ‘Can't Get Used to Losing You’, ‘Little Sister’, ‘Suspicion’, ‘Surrender’ and ‘Viva Las Vegas.’
R.I.P.:
2002 - One day before the first show of The Who's 2002 US tour, bass player John Entwistle died in his hotel room at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. He was 57-years old. When The Who first arrived on the scene, Entwistle's style featured a then-unusual trebly sound (which he described as "full treble, full volume") which influenced many players, and in 2011, a Rolling Stone reader poll selected him as the Greatest Bassist of All Time. The Who's "My Generation," was a song containing one of the earliest bass solos (if not the first) captured on a rock record.
2014 - R&B/soul singer Bobby Womack dies at age 70. A veteran who paid his dues for over a decade before getting his shot at solo stardom, Bobby Womack persevered through tragedy and addiction to emerge as one of soul music's great survivors. Womack helped pioneer a lean, minimalist approach similar to that of Curtis Mayfield, and was an early influence on the young Jimi Hendrix. He contributed the ballad "Trust Me" to Janis Joplin's masterpiece Pearl, and the J. Geils Band revived "Lookin' for a Love" for their first hit.
The Rolling Stones covered "It's All Over Now" he co-wrote with his sister-in-law. He wasn't keen on letting them do it. He had told Mick Jagger to get his own song. Sam Cooke convinced him to let the Rolling Stones record the song. Six months later on, after receiving the royalty check for the song, Womack told Cooke that Mick Jagger could have any song he wanted.
2015 - Chris Squire, the bass guitarist and co-founder of 1970s British progressive rock band Yes, died at the age of 67 after battling leukemia. He was the only member to appear on each of their 21 studio albums, released from 1969 to 2014.
On This Day In Music History was sourced from This Day in Music, Allmusic, Song Facts and Wikipedia.
KBCO