Musician Birthdays: Gene Vincent (US rock singer famous for the Blue Caps, famous for the hit, “Be Bop a Lula”, born in 1935), Bobby Boris Pickett (US singer/songwriter, famous for the hit, “The Monster Mash, born in 1938), Sheryl Crow (US singer/songwriter/guitarist, famous for hits, “All I Wanna Do”, “My Favorite Mistakes”, “Strong Enough”, and more. Born in 1962), Brandy (US R&B/soul singer, famous for hit, “The Boy Is Mine”, born in 1979)

– In 1956: Elvis Presley appeared on American TV’s ‘Stage Show’ and performed ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ and ‘Blue Suede Shoes.’

– In 1963: In less than ten hours, The Beatles record ten new songs for their first album plus four other tracks which would be the next two singles. John Lennon’s vocal on The Isley Brothers ‘Twist & Shout’ was recorded in one take to complete the album.

– In 1964: The Beatles made their live concert debut in the US at the Washington Coliseum. Over 350 police surrounded the stage to keep the 8,000 plus screaming fans in control. One police officer who found the noise so loud stuck a bullet in each ear as ear plugs. The Beatles had to stop three times and turn Ringo’s drum kit around and re-position their microphones so that they faced a different part of the audience. The set list: ‘Roll Over Beethoven’, ‘From Me to You’, ‘I Saw Her Standing There’, ‘This Boy’, ‘All My Loving’, ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’, ‘Please Please Me’, ‘Till There Was You’, ‘She Loves You’, ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’, ‘Twist and Shout’, and ‘Long Tall Sally’.

– In 1969: The Monkees set a new record when their second album, ‘More Of The Monkees’ jumped from No.122 to the top of the US chart. The album then stayed in pole position for eighteen weeks.

– In 1972: During their Dark Side Of The Moon tour, Pink Floyd appeared at the Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England. The show was abandoned after 25 minutes due to a power cut.

– In 1985: The Police won Outstanding Contribution to British music at the fourth annual Brit Awards held in London. Other winners included Prince for best International Act and Best Soundtrack for Purple Rain, British Single was Frankie Goes To Hollywood ‘Relax’, British Video was Duran Duran for ‘Wild Boys’, British Comedy Recording Neil ‘Hole In My Shoe’, British Album went to Sade for ‘Diamond Life’, British Male Solo Artist was won by Paul Young, British Female Solo Artist, Alison Moyet and Best British Group went to Wham!

– In 1989: Paula Abdul started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Straight Up’, the first of three No.1’s in 1989, a No.3 hit in the UK.

– In 1992: Motley Crue fired their singer Vince Neil when he turned up for rehearsals, claiming that he had lost his passion for the band and was now more involved with racing cars.

– In 2008: Heather Mills and Sir Paul McCartney appeared at the High Court in London for a hearing to reach a financial settlement for their divorce. The hearing in the Family Division, which was taking place in private, was expected to last five days. The couple, who had a four-year-old daughter, Beatrice, announced the end of their four-year marriage in 2006. There had been speculation among divorce experts, based on recent cases, that the settlement could reach £60m.

When I want to learn something new in guitar playing, sometimes I’ll start watching guitar instructional stuff in youtube. Sometimes there are really good guitar teachers in youtube and Andrew Watson is one of the best guitar instructors I’ve seen on the internet.

The secret to mastering the art of improv, is memorizing the sound of all 12 keys of music which is what I’m working on. He is so right, that this doesn’t happen over night. It takes a long time to memorize each key and get a good ear.

I want to be able to play good and tasteful lead guitar solos. Hopefully get better and play more professionally.

Kev

Musician Birthdays: Jerry Goldsmith (US film score composer, famous for composing film scores such as “Star Trek”, “Rambo”, born in 1929), Cliff Burton (bassist for Metallica, famous for the Metallica instrumental, “Orion”, born in 1962)

– In 1958: Frank Sinatra started a five week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Come Fly With Me.’

– In 1967: The Beatles recorded the orchestral build-up for the middle and end of ‘A Day in the Life’. At the Beatles’ request, the orchestra members arrived in full evening dress along with novelty items. One violinist wore a red clown’s nose, while another a fake gorilla’s paw on his bow hand. Others were wearing funny hats and other assorted novelties. The recording was filmed for a possible ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ television special which was ultimately abandoned. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Mike Nesmith from The Monkees and Donovan also attended the session.

– In 1974: Record producer Phil Spector was injured in a car crash. He needed extensive plastic surgery that dramatically altered his looks. Details of how the accident happened were kept secret.

– In 1974: Deep Purple kicked off a 28 date North American tour at the Los Angeles Forum, California.

– In 1975: Dave Alexander, the original bassist for The Stooges died from pneumonia aged 28. He was fired from the band in August 1970 after showing up at a gig too drunk to play.

– In 1976: Elvis Presley was made a police reserve for the Memphis police.

– In 1977: The Clash started recording their debut album at CBS studios in London, England.

– In 1979: Rod Stewart started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Da Ya Think I’m Sexy’, his third US No.1. (and a No.1 hit in the UK). Also today Rod started a three-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Blondes Have More Fun.’

– In 1990: Paula Abdul started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Opposites Attract’, her fourth US No.1, a No.2 hit in the UK.

– In 1993: On a special edition of the Oprah Winfrey show, Michael Jackson gave his first TV interview for 14 years, live from his Neverland Valley Ranch.

– In 1998: Axl Rose was charged with disorderly conduct following a row with a baggage handler at Arizona Airport, Rose was later released on bail.

– In 2004: Diana Ross was sentenced to two days in jail after pleading ‘no contest’ to a drink driving charge. She was allowed to enter her plea over the telephone from New York; her lawyer said the singer would serve her term at a prison near her Los Angeles home. Ross was arrested in December 2002 after tests indicated she was twice over the drink- drive limit.

– In 2005: Who singer Roger Daltrey was awarded the CBE by The Queen at Buckingham Palace for services to the music industry.

– In 2008: Amy Winehouse won five prizes at this year’s Grammy Awards, including song of the year and record of the year, both for her single ‘Rehab’, and best new artist. The UK singer was not at the Los Angeles ceremony to collect them due to visa problems. Instead, she made an acceptance speech by satellite, paying tribute to her husband, “my Blake incarcerated”, who was in custody awaiting trial on charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice and grievous bodily harm. Kanye West scooped four Grammy Awards, while Bruce Springsteen won three. The White Stripes, Justin Timberlake, Carrie Underwood and Mary J Blige all picked up two awards.