I think one reason why a lot of men and women out there are big fans of Adele is that not only her music is great. It’s just that her lyrics are pretty honest and real. She writes songs that everyone can relate to. Everyone went through the same experiences she went through. Pretty much every song on “21”, are about ending a bad relationship and suffering a broken heart.

I went through heart broken experiences myself. Believe it or not but it’s true. We all went through it. These songs helps people get over these bad experiences and helps make people feel better.

I probably going to want to cover a few of her songs. I might try, “Don’t You Remember” first. I believe I might be able to pull that one off. I’ll start learning it this week probably.

I don’t like most mainstream music, but there are very few of today’s artists that I like: Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and now Adele. Adele is a serious artist and I’ll be looking forward to whatever she comes out with now.

Kev

Musician Birthdays: Bobby Womack (soul singer, session guitarist. Famous for hit, “Looking For a Love”, born in 1944), Jason Newsted (former bassist of Metallica, born in 1963)

– In 1966: John Lennon’s statement that The Beatles were ‘more popular than Jesus Christ’ was published in The London Evening Standard. “Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. We’re more popular then Jesus now; I don’t know which will go first, rock ‘n’ roll or Christianity. Jesus was alright, but his disciples were thick and ordinary.” Christian group’s in the US were outraged resulting in some states burning Beatles records. Lennon later apologised.

– In 1967: The Rolling Stones went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Ruby Tuesday’, the group’s fourth US No.1 single. ‘Lets Spend The Night Together’ was the original A side but after radio stations banned the song ‘Tuesday’ became the A side.

– In 1973: Pink Floyd played the first night on a 19 date North American tour at the Dane County Memorial Coliseum in Madison.

– In 1977: CBS released The Clash’s self- titled first album in the UK. CBS in the U.S. refused to release it until 1979. Americans bought over 100,000 imported copies of the record making it one of the biggest- selling import records of all time.

– In 1978: The US internal Revenue Service carried out a dawn raid at the home of Jerry Lee Lewis and removed cars worth over £100,000 ($170,000) to pay off his tax debts.

– In 1979: Randy Jackson of The Jackson Five was seriously injured in a car crash breaking both legs and almost died in the emergency room when a nurse inadvertently injects him with methadone.

– In 1982: Frank Zappa’s son Dweezil and his daughter Moon Unit formed a band called Fred Zeppelin. Their first single was ‘My Mother is a Space Cadet’.

– In 1986: After just completing a two set show with The Band in Winter Park, Florida, 41 year old Richard Manuel of The Band hung himself from a shower curtain rod in a hotel room in Florida. His band mate, Robbie Robertson honored his friend with the song, ‘Fallen Angel’ in 1987.

– In 1993: Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown became parents when Whitney gave birth to a baby girl, Bobbi Kristina Houston Brown.

– In 1994: Kurt Cobain was rushed to hospital after overdosing on alcohol and drugs in a Rome hotel during a Nirvana European tour. Cobain had taken 50-60 pills of Rohypnol mixed with champagne; rumours on the internet claimed that Kurt was dead.

– In 2001: Village People singer Glenn Hughes died of lung cancer aged 50 in his Manhattan apartment in New York. He was the original “Biker” character in the disco group who scored the 1978 UK No.1 & US No.2 single Y.M.C.A.

– In 2009: Britney Spears kicked off a world tour in New Orleans, her first concert tour for five years. The 27-year-old who dressed as a ringmaster in the show, featured jugglers, acrobats and martial arts dancers.

– In 1963: The Beatles played the last show on a UK tour supporting Helen Shapiro at The Gaumont Cinema, Hanley, Stoke.

– In 1966: Neil Young, Stephen Stills and Richie Furay formed Buffalo Springfield in Los Angeles.

– In 1969:  Led Zeppelin recorded their first BBC Radio 1 ‘Top Gear’ session during the afternoon at the Playhouse Theatre in London, England. Songs recorded were ‘Dazed And Confused’, ‘Communication Breakdown’, ‘You Shook Me’ and ‘I Can’t Quit You Baby’. Free, The Moody Blues and Deep Purple were also in session on the show.

– In 1973: Winners at this years Grammy Awards included, Roberta Flack who won Song of the year and Record of the year with ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ and Harry Nilsson won Best pop vocal performance for ‘Without You.’

– In 1979: The Bee Gees scored their fourth UK No.1 single with ‘Tragedy.’ Also today The Bee Gees went to No.1 on the US album chat with ‘Spirits Having Flown’, the brothers second US No.1 album.

– In 1985: Michael Jackson visited Madame Tussauds Waxworks in London to unveil his waxwork look-alike.

– In 1986: Metallica released their third album, the highly influential album, Master of Puppets, considered by many in the metal community to be the best metal album of all time. This was the last Metallica album with bassist Cliff Burton who was killed when the group’s tour bus over-turned in southern Sweden while touring to promote the album.

– In 1990: Janet Jackson started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Escapade’, her third US No.1, a No.17 hit in the UK.

– In 1994: The Smashing Pumpkins were banned from appearing on BBC TV’s ‘Top Of The Pops’, due to the content of the songs lyrics. The bands single ‘Disarm’ was this weeks highest new entry.

– In 1995: Foo Fighters made their live debut during a benefit show at The Satyricon in Portland, Oregon.

– In 2002: Jennifer Lopez started a six week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Ain’t It Funny.’

– In 2008: The Beatles’ engineer Norman Smith died at the age of 85. Smith who worked on every studio recording the band made between 1962 and 1965 was nicknamed “Normal Norman” by John Lennon. As a producer in 1966, he signed Pink Floyd and produced their early albums including Saucerful of Secrets and as Hurricane Smith had the 1971 UK No.2 hit ‘Don’t Let It Die’.

– In 2009: To celebrate the release of U2’s twelfth studio album and their appearance every night for a week on The Late Show with David Letterman, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg temporarily renamed part of 53rd street in Midtown Manhattan U2 Way.

– In 2010:  A woman claiming to be the wife of Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs was freed on $5,000 (£3,326) bail after being arrested near the rappers home on Long Island, New York. Cemelia Green claimed to be married to the rapper and producer who is said to be worth around $350m (£233m). There was no official comment from Combs, who is unmarried.

Musician Birthdays: Lou Reed (famous for being frontman/guitarist for the Velvet Underground & solo career, also famous for hits, “I’ll Be Your Mirror”, “Walk On the Wildside”, “A Perfect Day”, etc. Born in 1943), Eddie Money (US singer, famous for hit, “Baby Hold On”. Born in 1949), Karen Carpenter (vocals, drummer of the Carpenters, famous for hit, “Please Mr. Postman”. Born in 1950), Jon Bon Jovi (actor, US singer. Famous for hits, “Wanted: Dead or Alive”, “Living on a Prayer”, “Blaze of Glory”, etc. Born in 1962), Chris Martin (singer/songwriter, pianist, guitarist of Coldplay. Famous for hits, “Yellow”, “Clocks”, “Viva La Vida”, etc. Born in 1977)

– In 1955: Elvis Presley appeared at Porky’s Rooftop Club in Newport, Arkansas. Constantly on the road, performing night after night this was the group’s 46th show this year, (Elvis along with Scotty Moore and Bill Black).

– In 1955: Bo Diddley has his first recording session at Universal Recording Studio in Chicago, where he layed down ‘Bo Diddley’, which went on the top the US R&B chart by the following June.

– In 1960: After completing his national service and flying back to America, Elvis Presley stepped on British soil for the first and only time in his life when the plane carrying him stopped for refuelling at Prestwick Airport, Scotland.

– In 1963:  The Four Seasons became the first group to have 3 consecutive No.1’s in the US when ‘Walk Like A man’, started a three week run at the top, a No.12 in hit the UK.

– In 1964: The Beatles began filming what would become their first feature film ‘A Hard Days Night’ at Marylebone train station in London.

– In 1974: At this year’s Grammys Stevie Wonder won four awards: Album of the year for ‘Innervisions’, Best R&B song and Best vocal for ‘Superstition’ and Pop vocal performance for ‘You Are The Sunshine Of My Life’.

– In 1977: The Jam played the first of a five-week Wednesday night run at The Red Cow, Hammersmith, London. The group had just signed a four-year recording contract with Polydor records.

– In 1985: The Smiths were at No.1 on the UK indie charts with ‘How Soon Is Now.’ Soho had a No.8 UK hit with ‘Hippy Chick.’ a song based on a guitar sample from the song.

– In 1985: Wham! started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Make It Big’, which eventually went on the sell over 5 million copies in the US.

– In 1991: 21 years after it’s first release ‘All Right Now’, by Free made No.2 in the UK singles chart after being re-issued to coincide with its use in a Wrigleys Chewing gum TV ad.

– In 1991: Madonna’s ‘Rescue Me’, entered the US hot 100 at No.15, making her the highest- debuting female artist in rock history. The record had been held by Joy Llayne whose 1957 single ‘Your Wild Heart’, entered the chart at No. 30.

– In 1991: Mariah Carey started an 11-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with her debut ‘Mariah Carey.’

– In 1997: LeAnn Rimes went to No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Unchained Melody, The Early Years.’

– In 2003: Norah Jones started a four week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with her debut album ‘Come Away With Me’. The album spent over a year on the chart and was also a US No.1.

– In 2004: Metallica kicked off the first North American leg of their 137 date Madly in Anger with the World Tour at the America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.

– In 2007: Jimi Hendrix was crowned the ‘wildest guitar hero’ of all-time in a poll of music fans for Classic Rock magazine. Hendrix beat Keith Richards into second place, with Stevie Ray Vaughan in third. Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page made it to number four, followed by Dimebag Darrell, who played for several heavy metal bands including Pantera and Damageplan.

– In 2008: Canadian guitarist, singer, Jeff Healey, died of cancer. Healey lost his sight to retinoblastoma, a rare cancer of the eyes when he was eight months old, resulting in his eyes being surgically removed. After living cancer-free for 38 years, he developed sarcoma in his legs. Despite surgery for this, the sarcoma spread to his lungs and ultimately was the cause of his death. Healey released over 12 albums, presented a long running radio show and worked with many artists including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, BB King, ZZ Top, Steve Lukather, Eric Clapton and Ian Gillan.

– In 2009: Liverpool University launched a Masters degree on The Beatles, popular music and society. Liverpool Hope University claimed the course which looked at the studio sound and compositions of The Beatles was the first of its kind in the UK and “probably the world”.

I had to listen to Adele’s “21” twice today, and I was pretty impressed with both listens. Now I get why she’s so popular and why she won “Album of the Year” at the Grammy’s. There’s some great songwriting on the disc. Plus, Adele’s voice sends chills. I’ll take back what I said that she’s overrated and I guess I’ll have a change of heart, and she just got herself a new fan. I’ll listen to the album more, and I’ll give it a more detailed review.

Kev

Musician Birthdays: Harry Belafonte (US Singer, famous for the the hit, “Banana Boat Song (Day-O”, born in 1927), Roger Daltrey (singer of the Who, famous for hits, “Baba O’ Reily”, “Pinball Wizard”, “Who Are You”, etc., born in 1944), Justin Bieber (Canadian singer, made famous as a youtube sensation and famous for the hit, “Baby”, born in 1994)

– In 1958: Buddy Holly played the first of 25 dates on his only UK tour at the Trocadero, Elephant & Castle, London. Also on the bill was Gary Miller, The Tanner Sisters, Des O’Conner, The Montanas, Ronnie Keene & His Orchestra.

– In 1961: Elvis Presley signed a five-year movie deal with producer Hal Wallis.

– In 1967: Working at Abbey Road studios, London, The Beatles started recording a new John Lennon song ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’. The song was inspired by a drawing his 3 year-old son Julian returned home from school with one day. The picture, which was of a little girl with lots of stars, was his classmate – Lucy O’Donnell, who also lived in Weybridge, and attended the same school as Julian.

– In 1968: Elton John’s first single ‘I’ve Been Loving You To Long’ was released on the Phillips label, it didn’t chart.

– In 1969: Jim Morrison of The Doors was charged with lewd and lascivious behaviour after showing his penis to the audience during a show in Miami. He was found guilty and sentenced to eight months hard labour. Morrison died in Paris while the sentence was on appeal.

– In 1975: The Eagles went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Best Of My Love’, the first of five US No.1’s for the band. The highest chart position in the UK for the group was No.8 with the 1977 single ‘Hotel California.’

– In 1975: Winners at this years Grammy Awards included; Paul McCartney for Best pop vocal on ‘Band On The Run’, Olivia Newton-John won Record Of The Year for ‘I Honestly Love You’ and Stevie Wonder won Album of the year for ‘Fulfilling- ness First Finale.’

– In 1980: Patti Smith married MC5 guitarist Fred ‘Sonic’ Smith. Smith died on November 4th 1994.

– In 1989: R.E.M. kicked off the US leg of the ‘Green World Tour’, in Louisville, Kentucky.

– In 1990: Janet Jackson played the first night on her 120-date Rhythm Nation 1814 World tour at the Miami Arena in Florida. As part of the show Jackson’s had a live panther on-stage, but after concerns were raised over safety of the crowds and several incidents of the panther urinating on the stage Jackson axed the cat from the show in the summer leg of the tour.

– In 1994: Nirvana played their final ever concert when they appeared at The Terminal Einz in Munich, Germany. The 3,000 capacity venue was a small Airport Hanger. The power went off during the show so they played an impromptu acoustic set including a version of The Cars ‘My Best Friend’s Girl.’

– In 1995: Bruce Springsteen’s Streets of Philadelphia won three Grammys for Song of the Year, Best Male Vocal Performance and Best Rock Song.

– In 1997: A Motley Crue fan who claimed his hearing had been irreparably damaged after a show in New Jersey had his lawsuit thrown out of court. The judge told Clifford Goldberg who had sat near the front of the stage, knew the risk he was taking.

– In 2001:  Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs became the star witness of his own defence in a New York court claiming he didn’t have a gun during a shooting in a New York club. The singer claimed he thought he was being shot at.

– In 2004: Michael Jackson unveiled a new website, http://www.mjjsource.com. The site featured a celebration of his music career plus news on his current criminal trial, including short biographies of his attorneys and a calendar listing upcoming court dates.

– In 1968: The Beatles ‘Sgt Pepper’ won album of the year, best cover and best-engineered and recorded album at this years Grammy Awards.

– In 1972: On the last date of an Australian tour Led Zeppelin played at the Festival Hall in Brisbane.

– In 1977: Two members of Lynyrd Skynyrd were knocked unconscious after a scuffle broke out- between the band and members of the metropolitan police boxing team, who were holding a dinner at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.

– In 1980: The glasses that Buddy Holly had been wearing when he died were discovered in a police file in Mason, Iowa after being there for over 21 years.

– In 1988: Robert Plant released his fourth solo album, Now And Zen. The album peaked at No. 10 on the UK chart. The tracks Heaven Knows and Tall Cool One featured guitarist Jimmy Page.

– In 2000: Eric Clapton was banned from driving for six months after speeding at 45mph in a 30mph zone near his UK home in Surrey.

– In 2000: Sir Elton John stormed out of the opening of his new Broadway musical show, ‘Aida’, after 15 minutes complaining that his songs had been ruined.

– In 1992: Mr Big started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘To Be With You’, a No.3 hit in the UK.

– In 2008: Mike Smith, the lead singer of 1960s British group The Dave Clark Five, died from pneumonia at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire, England at the age of 64. The Dave Clark Five had 19 UK Top 40 hits, including ‘Bits and Pieces’ and the number one single ‘Glad All Over’. The band, which broke up in the 1970s, sold more than 100 million records and recorded 23 albums.

Musician Birthdays: Brian Jones (Guitarist and founding member of the Rolling Stones, famous for the song, “Paint It Black” in which he played guitar on. Jones was found dead in a swimming pool on June 3rd, 1969)

– In 1964: The Yardbirds played at the Rhythm and Blues Festival at The Town Hall, Birmingham, England.

– In 1970: In an interview with the New Musical Express, Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green talked about his plans to give all his money away. The following year Green confronted his accountant with a gun after he sent him an unwanted royalty check. The guitarist went to jail briefly before being transferred to an asylum and was committed to a mental hospital in 1973. He re- launched his career in the 90’s.

– In 1970: Led Zeppelin played a gig in Copenhagen as The Nobs after Eva Von Zeppelin a relative of the airship designer threatened to sue if the family name was used in Denmark.

– In 1970: Simon and Garfunkel started a six week run at the top of the US singles chart with ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’, also No.1 in the UK in March the same year.

– In 1972: George and Patti Harrison were injured in a car crash; Patti was unconscious for several days.

– In 1977: Ray Charles was attacked by a member of his audience who tried to strangle him with a rope.

– In 1984: Michael Jackson won a record seven Grammy awards including: Album of the year for ‘Thriller’; Record of the year and Best rock vocal performance for ‘Beat It’; Best pop vocal performance, Best R&B performance and Best R&B song for ‘Billie Jean’, and Best Recording For Children for E.T The Extra Terrestrial.

– In 1989: Bob Dylan recorded the first sessions for the Oh Mercy album at The Studio, New Orleans, Louisiana. What became Dylan’s 26th studio album, released by Columbia Records in September 1989 was produced by Daniel Lanois.

– In 1996: Grammy award winners included Alanis Morissette who won album of the year for ‘Jagged Little Pill’ best female rock vocal & best song for ‘You Oughta Know’, Nirvana’s ‘Unplugged won best alternative album and Coolio best rap performance with ‘Gangsta’s Paradise.’

– In 1997: Death Row Records boss Marion ‘Suge’ Knight was sentenced to nine years in prison for violating his probation for a 1995 assault conviction. Under US law, Knight would not be allowed to run Death Row Records while in prison.

– In 2008: Drummer Buddy Miles, who played with Jimi Hendrix in his last regular group, Band of Gypsys, died aged 60 at his home in Austin, Texas after struggling with a long-term illness. Born George Allen Miles in Omaha, Nebraska, Buddy’s nickname was a tribute to his idol, jazz drummer Buddy Rich. Rich also played with The Delfonics, The Ink Spots, Wilson Pickett, Electric Flag, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, Muddy Waters and Barry White. In the 1980s, he achieved a certain amount of notoriety in the US as the vocalist on the celebrated claymation California Raisins commercials.