Today in Music History for June 11:
In 1864, German composer Richard Strauss was born. Strauss completed the development of the 19th-century symphonic poem and was a leading composer of romantic opera in the early 20th century. His better known operatic works include "Salome," "Electra" and "Der Rosenkavalier." His 1895 composition "Thus Spake Zarathustra," was used as part of the soundtrack for the movie "2001." Richard Strauss served briefly as head of musical affairs under the Nazis but was cleared of collaboration in 1948 -- the year before his death.
In 1934, James (Pookie) Hudson, lead singer of the 1950s doo-wop group, "The Spaniels," was born in Gary, Ind. The group hit No. 5 on the R&B chart in 1954 with "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight," which was covered for the pop market by "The McGuire Sisters." "The Spaniels'" version of the song was the closing theme for the 1973 film, "American Graffiti." He died Jan. 16, 2007.
In 1949, Hank Williams made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry. His performance, with the audience demanding several encores of "Lovesick Blues," is still considered one of the Opry's greatest moments. The success of his recording of that song had led to the Opry contract, and he remained with the show until August 1952, when he was fired for perpetual drunkeness. Williams died on New Year's Day in 1953 of a heart attack brought on by excessive drinking. He was 29.
In 1966, Janis Joplin performed for the first time with "Big Brother and the Holding Company" at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco.
In 1969, David Bowie released "Space Oddity" as a single, to coincide with the first lunar landing.
In 1970, a U.S. tour by "Ginger Baker's Air Force" was cancelled eight days before the first concert because of what was termed the "political situation in America." Not mentioned was that only 3,000 tickets were sold for the opening date. Baker, the former drummer for "Cream," later opened a recording studio in Nigeria.
In 1976, Wild Cherry released "Play That Funky Music." It had a three-week run as No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September.
In 1978, "The Rolling Stones" released the album "Some Girls," which caused controversy because of raunchy lyrics in the title song.
In 1979, Chuck Berry pleaded guilty in Los Angeles to income tax evasion. The charge stemmed from a 1973 debt of $110,000. Berry began serving a four-month prison term in August at a federal prison in Lompoc, Calif.
In 1986, "The Police" reunited at an Amnesty International show in Atlanta, performing five songs.
In 1988, a huge charity rock concert was staged at London's Wembley Stadium. Sting, Stevie Wonder, Bryan Adams and other singers gathered to denounce South African apartheid and honour jailed black leader Nelson Mandela. More than 70,000 fans paid US$45 each to attend the nearly 11-hour concert. An estimated 750 million others watched on television in 60 countries, including Canada. The more than US$3 million in proceeds went towards British anti-apartheid activities and children's charities in southern Africa.
In 1989, a who's who of Canadian folk music turned out on the banks of the Oldman River in Alberta to help protest construction of a dam. Ian and Sylvia Tyson, Gordon Lightfoot and Murray McLauchlan treated about 8,000 people to a free concert.
In 1992, Lulu's Roadhouse, a Kitchener, Ont., nightclub that billed itself as the world's largest bar, closed after declaring bankruptcy. The 3,000-seat club owed more than $3.5 million to its creditors. During its eight years, Lulu's hosted such legends as "The Everly Brothers," Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings. The club re-opened several weeks later under new owners.
In 1994, Frank Virtue, leader of the Philadelphia-based instrumental trio "The Virtues," died. He was 61. The combo's recording of "Guitar Boogie Shuffle," featuring the twin lead guitars of Virtue and Jimmy Bruno, was a top-five hit in 1959.
In 1995, "Hole" lead singer Courtney Love, widow of "Nirvana" star Kurt Cobain, was treated in a Seattle hospital for an apparent overdose of prescription drugs. Emergency workers were called to Love's home, where Cobain had shot himself the previous year.
In 1996, Garth Brooks signed autographs for 23 straight hours in Nashville. Some fans waited in line for up to 15 hours.
In 2002, Paul McCartney married Heather Mills at a castle in Ireland. They separated in 2006 and Mills was awarded over US$48 million in a divorce settlement in 2008.
In 2002, the very first episode of "American Idol" aired on Fox TV with hosts Ryan Seacrest and Brian Dunkleman and judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. (Kelly Clarkson was crowned the winner.)
In 2006, "The Drowsy Chaperone," a Canadian-born musical celebration of Broadway's past glories, won five Tony Awards, including book and score.
In 2009, the Jed Foundation honoured "Fall Out Boy" bassist Pete Wentz for his work to prevent suicide.
In 2010, R&B singer R. Kelly performed the official 2010 FIFA World Cup Anthem, "Sign of a Victory," at the opening ceremony in Johannesburg's Soccer City.
In 2010, to promote his new album "Scream" and raise money for cancer research, rocker Ozzy Osbourne led a crowd of more than 52,000 fans at L.A.'s Dodger Stadium in a 60-second scream that set a Guinness world record for longest and loudest scream by a crowd.
In 2011, 80-year-old saxophone colossus Sonny Rollins won Musician of the Year honours at the Jazz Awards. He was also named Best Tenor Saxophonist.
In 2013, "Black Sabbath's" long-awaited reunion album, "13," was released. It was the first album with Ozzy Osbourne singing since he was fired in 1979 after eight albums and 11 years together.
In 2015, jazz legend Ornette Coleman, the visionary saxophonist who pioneered "free jazz" and won a Pulitzer Prize in 2007 for his album "Sound Grammar," died at age 85.
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The Canadian Press