8 April – Rest in Peace MALCOLM McLAREN
On this day in 2010, Malcolm McLaren died from peritoneal mesothelioma in hospital in Switzerland. McLaren’s last words were said to be “Free Leonard Peltier”.… [More...]
April 7 – The Tornados – Telstar
On this day in 2000, the bass player for The Tornados, Heinz passed away aged 57. The group had the Joe Meek produced 1962 UK & US No.1 single ‘Telstar’, making them the first UK group to score a US No.1 single. It was also No.1 in the UK.
The record was named after the AT&T communications satellite Telstar, which went into orbit in July 1962. The song was released five weeks later on 17 August 1962. It was written… [More...]
7 April – George Michael arrested / I’m Your Man
On this day in 1998, George Michael was arrested at The Will Rogers Memorial Park for committing a sex act in a public toilet. He was arrested by undercover Beverly Hills police officer Marcelo Rodriguez. Michael later said; “I was followed into the restroom and this cop – well, I didn’t know he was a cop at the time obviously started playing this game. I think it’s called – I’ll show you mine, you show me yours, and then when… [More...]
6 April – Wendy O Williams – PLASMATICS
On this day in 1998, Wendy O Williams, former singer of The Plasmatics died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Here’s their clip for Butcher Boy, their debt single from 1978
Williams was known for her wild stage theatrics which included blowing up equipment, near nudity and chain-sawing guitars. In January 1981 police in Milwaukee arrested her for simulating sex on stage, later that same year in Cleveland, Ohio Williams was acquitted of an obscenity charge for simulating sex on stage wearing… [More...]
6 April – Sounds Magazine publish “futurists” chart in 1981
Sounds magazine published The Futurist chart on this day in 1981.… [More...]
5 April – Kurt Cobain
On this day in 1994 Kurt Cobain committed suicide by shooting himself in the head at his home in Seattle. Cobain’s body wasn’t discovered until April 8, by an electrician who had arrived to install a security system, who initially believed that Cobain was asleep, until he saw the shotgun pointing at his chin. A suicide note was found that said, “I haven’t felt the excitement of listening to as well as creating music, along with really writing . .… [More...]
5 April – Minnie Ripperton
Minnie Ripperton’s Loving You, produced by Stevie Wonder went to number one in the USA on this day in 1975.… [More...]
14 March – Rest in Peace Linda Jones
Soul singer Linda Jones passed away on this day in 1972; she was only 26. She collapsed in a diabetic coma following a performance at Harlem’s Apollo Theatre in New York.
She started singing in her family’s gospel group the Jones Singers at the age of six. Her first recording was “Lonely Teardrops” under the name Linda Lane, on Cub Records in 1963, and she had unsuccessful singles on Atco Records in 1964 and Blue Cat Records the following year.… [More...]
March 11th – on this day 1993 – OASIS record first demos
On this day in 1993, Oasis record their first demos at The Real People’s studio in Liverpool. The set included ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Star’, ‘Columbia’ and ‘Fade Away.’… [More...]
March 9th – Rest in Peace Notorious B.I.G.
Christopher George Latore Wallace aka Notorious B.I.G. was gunned down and killed on March 9, 1997, by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles.… [More...]
MARCH 7 : Rest in Peace Divine
Harris Glenn Milstead, aka Divine, passed away in his sleep on this day in 1988. He died of heart failure aged 42.
Check out this live Australian performance of hit hit You Think You’re A Man
The Vaseline’s covered it in 1987…… [More...]
MARCH 5th – Patsy Cline killed on this day in 1963
Patsy Cline was killed on this day in 1963, along with her manager Randy Hughes and fellow country musicians Hawkshaw Hawkins and Cowboy Copas in a plane crash. The plane had flown into severe weather, and according to Cline’s wristwatch, recovered at the scene, crashed at approximately 6:20 pm in a forest outside of Camden, Tennessee, 140km from Nashville. Forensic examinations performed after the fact concluded that everyone aboard had been killed instantaneously.
Crazy, written by Willie nelson, has become… [More...]
MARCH 5th – The first song written by David Bowie released on record in 1965
On this day in 1965 The Manish Boys released their version Bobby Bland’s ”I Pity The Fool” – it featured a young Davie Jones on vocals. Davie Jones, now known as David Bowie, that is. The B-side, “Take My Tip” was the first song written by David Bowie to be released on record.
The recording was produced by Shel Talmy, who was also producing the early singles and albums by The Who and The Kinks. Jimmy Page was Talmy’s regular… [More...]
25 FEB – Led Zeppelin played Western Springs 1972
Led Zeppelin played Auckland’s Western Springs on this day in 1972. Tickets were $3.60.… [More...]
FEB 20 – Happy Birthday Kurt Cobain / Polyphonic Spree cover Lithium
Kurt Cobain would have turned 45 years old today had he not taken his own life in April 1994.
Here is The Polyphonic Spree’s 2008 cover of the Nirvana classic Lithium… [More...]
19 FEB – Falco
Johann (Hans) Hölzel aka FALCO was born on this day in 1957. He is the first and only artist to date whose principal language was German to score a number-one hit in the United States with “Rock Me Amadeus”. His estate (he died 6 Feb 1998) claims he has sold 20 million albums and 15 million singles to date, which makes him the best selling Austrian singer of all time.… [More...]
19 FEB – Kajagoogoo
On this day in 1983, Kajagoogoo were top of the UK charts with their hit Too Shy. The song als went to number in the Netherlands and in Germany. It hit number 2 in New Zealand and 4 in Australia.
Originally a four-piece avant-garde instrumental group, called Art Nouveau, with Nick Beggs on bass guitar, Steve Askew on lead guitar, Stuart Croxford Neale on keyboards, and Jeremy “Jez” Strode on drums. The band advertised for a singer and ultimately auditioned… [More...]
