Today in Music History for Aug. 16:
In 1935, Patsy Montana recorded "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart," which turned out be the first million-selling country record by a female singer.
In 1938, legendary bluesman Robert Johnson died in Greenwood, Miss., at age 27. He is said to have been murdered with a poisonous drink by a jealous husband. Johnson wrote such standards as "Dust My Broom," "Sweet Home Chicago" and "Crossroads." A CD box set of Johnson's recordings was a surprise hit in 1990.
In 1939, country singer-songwriter Billy Joe Shaver was born in Corsicana, Texas. He rose to country music stardom in the 1970s. He recorded more than 20 albums and wrote "Georgia on a Fast Train" and "I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal (But I'm Gonna Be a Diamond Someday)." He helped launch country's outlaw movement, which defined the careers of singers Willie Nelson and the late Waylon Jennings.
In 1942, Robert "Squirrel" Lester of "The Chi-Lites" was born in McComb, Miss. He earned the name "Squirrel" as a boy because he liked to climb trees. He joined a singing group in high school that merged with a rival group to become "The Hi-Lites." Another group already had that name, so they added a C to reflect their hometown and became The Chi-Lites. Their hits included "Oh Girl" and "Have You Seen Her." He died of cancer on Jan. 21, 2010.
In 1958, singer Madonna, whose full name is Madonna Louise Ciccone, was born in Bay City, Mich. Her stage act, sexy image and music combined to make her the top female performer of the decade following her 1983 debut album. That LP contained "Holiday," her first top-20 hit, produced by dance music expert John (Jellybean) Benitez, her boyfriend at the time. Madonna churned out hit after hit -- among them "Like a Virgin," "Papa Don't Preach," "Like a Prayer" and "This Used to Be My Playground." Much hype preceded the release of her 1992 erotic picture book "Sex." The book was followed by the album "Erotica," which contained two top-5 hits - the title track and "Deeper and Deeper." Madonna topped the singles chart in 1995 with "Take a Bow." She has also won several Grammy Awards, including three in 1999 - Best Pop Album ("Ray of Light"), Best Dance Recording, and Best Music Video, Short-Form ("Ray of Light"). Madonna's acting credits include "Desperately Seeking Susan," "A League of Their Own" and "Dick Tracy." She won the Golden Globe for Best Actress (Musical or Comedy) for her starring role in the film "Evita." She has sold more than 200 million albums worldwide. On March 10, 2008, Madonna was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 1962, "The Beatles" fired drummer Pete Best, then the group's leading personality, and hired Ringo Starr, who played with a popular Liverpool group, "Rory Storme and the Hurricanes." The change in drummers came less than a month before "The Beatles" first session for Parlophone Records when they recorded "Love Me Do" and "P.S., I Love You." The firing was said to have been instigated by "Beatles'" producer, George Martin. But 25 years later, during a U.S. tour to promote his book, "Beatles: The Pete Best Story," Best said he still had no idea which members of "The Beatles" wanted him dismissed.
In 1974, "The Ramones" played their first gig at CBGB's in New York.
In 1975, lead vocalist Peter Gabriel announced his departure from "Genesis." The group auditioned more than 400 singers during the next 18 months before deciding that Phil Collins, who'd been the drummer for the band since 1970, could front the band.
In 1976, British singer Cliff Richard began a 20-date tour of the Soviet Union with a concert in Leningrad.
In 1977, the King of Rock N' Roll, Elvis Presley was found dead at his Graceland mansion in Memphis. He was 42. Presley's body was discovered in his bathroom by his girlfriend, Ginger Alden. Doctors at first said Presley's death was due to congestive heart failure, but later investigation revealed that drug abuse may have been a contributing factor. The Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners alleged that Presley's personal physician indiscriminately provided the singer with 5,300 pills and vials in the seven months before his death. But Dr. George Nichopoulos was acquitted of the charges. Presley's body lay in state at Graceland, and was viewed by thousands, before being interred in a mausoleum at a Memphis cemetery. But after attempts were made to break into the building, Presley's remains were moved to the Meditation Garden behind Graceland. Presley starred in 33 films including "Jailhouse Rock" and "King Creole" and sold more than one billion records around the world. He won three Grammy Awards and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, had 40 top-10 singles and 18 No.1 songs. He left an estate valued at $4.9 million, which by 1993 had grown to between $50- and $100-million.
In 1983, singer Paul Simon and actress Carrie Fisher were married. They divorced in 1984.
In 1985, actor Sean Penn and pop star Madonna were married in Malibu, Calif., on the singer's 27th birthday. The singer filed for divorce in early 1989.
In 1986, MTV began airing the video for "Walk This Way" by "Run-D.M.C." featuring "Aerosmith."
In 1986, 26 surviving members of the "Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band" gathered at the U.S. Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio, to receive the force's commendation medal. The band entertained thousands of troops during the Second World War. Miller was declared dead after his plane disappeared over the English Channel in December 1944.
In 1989, on the 12th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, "WCVG" in Cincinnati dropped its all-Elvis format after slightly over a year. The station resumed broadcasting as an all-business news outlet.
In 1995, London newspapers reported that Microsoft had paid "The Rolling Stones" US$12 million for the right to use their hit "Start Me Up" in ads for Windows 95 computer software. It was the first time that Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, "The Stones'" songwriters, had allowed a song for which they owned the copyright to be used commercially.
In 1997, Donn Reynolds, who was once billed as "King of the Yodellers," died in Toronto at age 76 of complications from Alzheimer's disease. In 1976, he yodelled for seven hours and 29 minutes during an appearance at a carpet store in Mississauga, west of Toronto. It was a world record at the time, but was later broken.
In 1997, Pakistan's most popular singer, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, died of a heart attack in a London hospital at age 49. Khan recorded duets with Eddie Vedder of "Pearl Jam" for the film "Dead Man Walking." Khan's music also appeared on the soundtrack of Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers."
In 2011, Toronto rapper/actor Drake was named the recipient of the Allan Slaight Award for achievement by a young Canadian. He received the prize during the Canada's Walk of Fame Awards gala on Oct. 1. The former "Degrassi" star - born Aubrey Graham - racked up six Grammy nominations and 10 Juno nods, including two wins.
In 2014, Kansas lead singer Steve Walsh performed with the rock group for the last time, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Sioux City, Iowa. He joined Kansas in 1973 and first left in 1981. It disbanded a few years later and Walsh returned when the band re-formed in 1985. (Ronnie Platt took over vocals and keyboards.)
In 2016, hip-hop performer Shad hosted his final show on "q," CBC's prominent arts and culture radio program. His departure came after his turbulent start in April 2015 when he was parachuted into the job as a replacement for Jian Ghomeshi, who was fired in October 2014 over sexual assault allegations, but eventually acquitted. (CBC Radio 2 Morning host Tom Powers took the reins in October.)
In 2018, Aretha Franklin, the undisputed "Queen of Soul," died at age 76 from pancreatic cancer. Franklin had dozens of hit over a span of half a century, including "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," "Chain of Fools," "I Say a Little Prayer" and her signature song, "Respect." She also stood as a cultural icon around the globe.
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The Canadian Press