Today in Music History for Aug. 21:
In 1866, Civilla D. Martin, teacher and songwriter, was born in Nova Scotia. A pastor’s wife, she penned in 1904 the hymn, "Be Not Dismayed, Whate’er Betide" (a.k.a. "God Will Take Care of You"). She died in 1948.
In 1904, William "Count" Basie, who led one of the top big bands in the world for more than 45 years, was born in Red Bank, N.J. He became stranded in Kansas City while touring with a vaudeville show in 1927. There he joined "The Blue Devils" led by bassist Walter Page. Then came a stint with the band of Bennie Moten, and when Moten died in 1935, Basie took over. By 1937, when "The Count Basie Orchestra" made its New York debut, its personnel included such jazz stars as tenor saxophonists Lester Young and Herschel Evans, trumpeter Buck Clayton, Basie's former employer Walter Page on bass, drummer Joe Jones and singer Jimmy Rushing. Within a couple of years, "The Count Basie Orchestra" would be ranked just behind that of Duke Ellington as the leading jazz big band. Among the classic tunes recorded by Basie were "Jumpin' at the Woodside," "Swinging the Blues" and "One O'Clock Jump," the band's theme song. Basie led his band almost continuously until a few months before his death from cancer on April 26, 1984.
In 1935, "The Benny Goodman Orchestra" played an ecstatically received concert at the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles. Until then, the Goodman band had been playing the commercial sweet music of the day. But for the Palomar date, Goodman decided to go for broke, playing hot numbers like "Just You, Just Me" and "Air Mail Special." The concert is generally regarded as being the start of the "Swing Era," and by the end of the 1930s, Goodman was known as the "King of Swing."
In 1938, Kenny Rogers, one of the highest-paid entertainers in the world, was born in Houston. A 1980's tour with Dolly Parton netted him more than $200,000 a night and two of his palatial homes were valued at nearly $15 million. After singing folk with "The New Christy Minstrels" and rock with the "First Edition," Rogers began his solo career in 1975. His breakthrough came two years later with "Lucille," which sold millions to both pop and country music fans. Rogers continued to score million-sellers with his middle-of-the-road country style. His hits include "The Gambler," "Coward of the County" and "Islands in the Stream," a 1983 duet with Dolly Parton.
In 1944, singer-songwriter Jackie DeShannon was born in Hazel, Ky. Her 1965 recording of Burt Bacharach's "What the World Needs Now is Love" earned four Grammy nominations. And in 1969, "Put a Little Love in Your Heart," a song which DeShannon co-wrote, sold two million copies. Although her recording career was not successful after the early '70s, DeShannon continued to score as a songwriter. She is co-author of Kim Carnes' 1981 hit, "Bette Davis Eyes."
In 1962, Decca Recording Company rejected "The Beatles," saying "We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out."
In 1969, the last recording session featuring all four members of "The Beatles" wrapped up at the Abbey Road studios in London.
In 1972, Grace Slick was sprayed with mace and Paul Kantner had his head slammed to the floor by police following a chaotic "Jefferson Airplane" concert in Akron, Ohio. There was a telephoned bomb threat, fans tossed rocks at police cars and officers responded with tear gas.
In 1975, pioneer country musician Sam McGee was killed in a tractor accident on his farm in Franklin, Tenn. He was 81. McGee is credited with making the guitar a solo rather than a strictly rhythm instrument in early country music. McGee began playing with banjoist and singer Uncle Dave Macon in 1925, and was one of the first artists to perform on the Grand Ole Opry. Sam McGee later formed a duo with his brother, Kirk.
In 1980, Linda Ronstadt opened on Broadway in Gilbert and Sullivan's 19th-century light opera, "The Pirates of Penzance." Ronstadt also appeared in the later film version.
In 1986, jazz trumpeter Thad Jones, who led a big band with drummer Mel Lewis during the '60s and early '70s, died in Copenhagen of cancer. He was 63. Jones was with the "Count Basie Orchestra" from 1954-63, but it was his solo albums on the Blue Note label beginning in the late '50s which established his reputation. Jones turned over control of the "Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra" to Lewis in the late '70s, and moved to Denmark. Thad Jones was the brother of pianist Hank Jones and drummer Elvin Jones.
In 1986, Canadian opera star Teresa Stratas made her Broadway musical debut in "Rags," a story about Jewish immigrants who didn't find riches in the New World. The show, which cost $5-million to produce, closed after only four performances.
In 1987, the soundtrack to "Dirty Dancing" was released. It has sold 42 million copies worldwide.
In 1993, a car driven by Claude McKenzie of the Innu pop group "Kashtin" struck and seriously injured a 10-year-old girl on a native reserve near Sept-Iles, Que. McKenzie pleaded guilty to drunk driving causing bodily harm. He was sentenced to nine months in jail and ordered to undergo treatment for alcoholism.
In 1994, Bruce Springsteen was a surprise participant in a jam session at a 400-seat club in Long Branch, N.J. Dion showed up later in the evening to sing his hit "The Wanderer." Springsteen got his start in the early '70s by playing in bars along the Jersey shore.
In 1994, John Denver was charged with drunken driving after he crashed his Porsche into a tree.
In 1995, "R.E.M." sued Hershey Foods, claiming the company exploited its name when it ran a “Kit Kat R.E.M. concert” sweepstakes in Hershey candy bars. The suit was eventually dropped.
In 1996, singer Rick James was released from prison after serving two years for assaulting a woman. Two days earlier, the woman he was to marry was jailed for shoplifting a $39 pair of boots.
In 1996, David Byrne sued to prevent former members of "The Talking Heads" from billing themselves as "The Heads." Byrne claimed the move would cheapen the band's reputation. The suit was settled out of court.
In 1998, Celine Dion opened her world tour before a sellout crowd of 18,000 in Boston. The show included video duets with Barbra Streisand and the "Bee Gees." The encore was predictable -- "My Heart Will Go On" from "Titanic."
In 2005, Robert A. Moog, whose self-named electronic synthesizers revolutionized music in the 1960s, died in Asheville, N.C. at age 71.
In 2009, John E. Carter, the R&B lead tenor and two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with "The Flamingos" and "The Dells," died at age 75.
In 2010, country music legend George Jones was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.
In 2011, Grammy award-winning singer Sheryl Crow sold her 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster at auction in California and raised $130,000 for the Schools Recovery Fund in the tornado-ravaged city of Joplin, Mo. (The winning couple, who wanted to remain anonymous, later donated another $130,000 to the district's recovery fund.)
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The Canadian Press