Today in Music History for Sept. 6:
In 1932, Canadian avant-garde composer Gilles Tremblay was born in Arvida (Joncquiere), Que. Tremblay is a sound specialist who uses instruments at the limits of their sound possibilities. His major works include "Kekoba," "Oralleluiants," and "Envoi." Tremblay also composed the soundtracks for the Quebec Pavilion at Expo 67.
In 1944, rock singer and bass guitarist Roger Waters, formerly with "Pink Floyd," was born in Surrey, England. "Pink Floyd" began in 1965 as a R&B band, but gradually evolved into a psychedelic group which used a slide and light show, one of the first in rock. Their commercial breakthrough came in 1973 with "Dark Side of the Moon," which holds the distinction of being the longest-charting LP in the history of the Billboard 200 Albums chart, listing for 741 consecutive weeks after its release, and as of mid-August 2017, a total of 932 weeks. Combined with the Top Pop Catalogue chart that began in 1991, the LP has been on Billboard charts for over 2,000 weeks. It has sold over 45 million copies worldwide. "Dark Side of the Moon" was followed by other best-selling albums -- "Wish You Were Here," "Animals" and "The Wall."
In 1944, the Ottawa Philharmonic Orchestra made its debut under the baton of Allard de Ridder. The orchestra performed regularly until 1959, but suspended operations the following year after a dispute with its musicians. When the National Arts Centre announced plans to form a full-time orchestra, the Ottawa Philharmonic dropped plans for a revival.
In 1961, Bob Dylan played his first gig at the Gaslight Cafe in New York City's Greenwich Village. The Gaslight, along with Gerde's Folk City, was one of Dylan's regular venues in his early days as a folk singer.
In 1967, "Don't Look Back," D.A. Pennebaker's documentary film of Bob Dylan's 1965 British tour, premiered in New York.
In 1969, James Brown said he'd retire from public performances after the next U.S. Independence Day, July 4th. Brown said he was tired and that his brain "seems to get much heavier." He did cut back on touring but didn't retire.
In 1974, George Harrison launched his own record label, Dark Horse, by producing an album by a group called Splinter. Harrison would not record for the label himself until two years later.
In 1984, Ernest Tubb, the country music giant known as "The Texas Troubador," died at the age of 70. He was one of country music's most enduring stars, beginning with his 1942 million-seller "Walking the Floor Over You." He continued to place hits on the country chart for more than 25 years.
In 1985, pop singer Johnny Desmond died in Los Angeles at age 64. After working with the bands of Bob Crosby, Glenn Miller and Gene Krupa in the 1940s, Desmond found solo stardom in the following decade with such hits as "Woman" and "Play Me Hearts and Flowers (I Wanna Cry)."
In 1986, Barbra Streisand gave her first concert in six years at a Democratic Party fundraiser at her home in Malibu, Calif.
In 1987, the surviving members of the southern rock band "Lynyrd Skynyrd" reunited for a performance at the "Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam" in Nashville. Augmented by other musicians and singers, the re-formed group then embarked on a 30-city tour. Ten years earlier, a plane crash had killed three members of the band, including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant.
In 1989, about 200 students from Carleton University in Ottawa marched on Parliament Hill demanding that British teen idol Rick Astley leave the country. Astley was in Ottawa for a concert. The protesters said his music was too much like disco, and they didn't like his haircut.
In 1989, Paula Abdul and Madonna dominated the sixth annual MTV Awards. After the show, MTV apologized to viewers because of a performance by Andrew Dice Clay, who made remarks about overweight women and sex.
In 1990, Tom Fogerty, rhythm guitarist for "Creedence Clearwater Revival," died in Scottsdale, Ariz., of tuberculosis. He was 48. Tom Fogerty was the older brother of CCR lead singer John Fogerty.
In 1990, Vancouver rocker Bryan Adams, Alberta country queen k.d. lang and Toronto rock band "Rush" were named Artists of the Decade by the Canadian Recording Industry Association.
In 1994, British session pianist Nicky Hopkins, who played on rock classics like "The Rolling Stones'" "Jumpin' Jack Flash," died in Nashville of complications from abdominal and heart ailments. He was 50. Hopkins was said to have turned down an invitation to join "The Stones" full-time, but played on several of their albums, including "Exile on Main Street."
In 1996, soul singer Wilson Pickett was sentenced in Hackensack, N.J., to a year in jail for violating his probation after testing positive for cocaine.
In 1997, Elton John performed an updated version of "Candle in the Wind" at the funeral for Princess Diana at Westminster Abbey. She had been killed in a car crash in Paris a week earlier at age 36. John went straight from the funeral to a studio to record "Candle in the Wind '97" with producer George Martin. John and his record company, Polygram, donated all proceeds from the single to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, which supported her favourite charities. "Candle in the Wind '97" went to the top of the best-seller charts all over the world. In Canada, it sold 277,000 copies in its first week -- the biggest one-week sales total of any single ever released in this country. The Guinness Book of Records later announced that "Candle in the Wind '97" had become the world's best-selling single with more than 31.8 million copies shipped to stores. (The previous record holder, Bing Crosby's 1942 recording of "White Christmas," later recaptured the honour and has sold an estimated 50 million copies.)
In 1997, "The Dance," a live album by the reunited "Fleetwood Mac," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard chart.
In 1998, a Toronto benefit concert by Celine Dion grossed more than $1 million for cystic fibrosis research. Dion's niece died of the disease in 1993 at age 16.
In 2000, U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff ruled that MP3.com had willfully violated copyrights and awarded Universal Music over $100 million in damages.
In 2007, Italian Opera legend Luciano Pavarotti died after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 71. The tenor first achieved stardom in the 1960s and '70s. He thrilled millions of fans with his performances of standards like "Nessun dorma" from Puccini's "Turandot."
In 2008, Madonna said during a concert in Rome, "I dedicate this song to the Pope, because we are all children of God." Then she played "Like a Virgin." Madonna has a history of pushing the buttons of the Roman Catholic Church. Vatican officials criticized her last tour for staging a mock crucifixion.
In 2008, pop star turned country singer Jessica Simpson made her Grand Ole Opry debut.
In 2008, Woody Allen made a successful debut as an opera director, creating a hilarious and memorable production of "Gianni Schicchi," the third of the one-act presentations in Puccini's "Il Trittico."
In 2011, PJ Harvey became the first musician to win a second Mercury Prize, the U.K. music industry's top honour for original music, thanks to her eighth studio album, "Let England Shake." She first won on Sept. 11, 2001, but could not attend the ceremony because she was grounded in Washington, D.C., by the terrorist attacks.
In 2012, Rihanna took the MTV Video Music Awards top honour, Video of the Year, for her steamy hit "We Found Love." British boy band "One Direction" took home the most Moonman trophies with three, including Best New Artist for "What Makes You Beautiful." Canadian rapper Drake won Best Hip-Hop Video for "HYFR" featuring Lil Wayne.
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The Canadian Press