Musician Birthdays: Neal Schon (guitarist from Journey, famous for the hit, “Anyway You Want It”. Born in 1954), Adrian Smith (guitarist from Iron Maiden, famous for hit, “Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter”, “Fear of the Dark”, and more. Born in 1957), Josh Groban (US singer, born in 1981)

– In 1964: The Rolling Stones made their second appearance on BBC TV show Top Of The Pops performing ‘Not Fade Away’.

– In 1967: Pink Floyd recorded their first single ‘Arnold Layne’, with producer Joe Boyd at Sound Techniques studio in Chelsea, England.

– In 1971: Five months after her death, Janis Joplin started a nine-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Pearl.’

– In 1972: Led Zeppelin appeared at Sydney Showgrounds, Sydney in Australia.

– In 1974: Cher filed for divorce from Sonny Bono. Cher married Gregg Allman from The Allman Brothers band on 27th June 1975.

– In 1977: Keith Richards was arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at Toronto’s Harbour Castle Hotel, for possession of heroin and cocaine. Bail was set at $25,000 (£14,705).

– In 1980: Winners at the Grammy Awards included: song of the year, ‘What A Fool Believes’, The Doobie Brothers, album of the year, Billy Joel’s ’52nd St’, best new artist, Rickie Lee Jones, best disco record, ‘I Will Survive’ Gloria Gaynor.

– In 1991: James Brown was paroled after spending two years of a six-year prison sentence, imposed for resisting arrest after a car chase across two States.

– In 1993: After 14 weeks at No.1 on the US singles chart, ‘I Will Always Love You’, gave Whitney Houston the longest ever US chart topper, taking over from Boyz II Men’s hit ‘End Of The Road’, and became the second biggest selling single in the US.

– In 1999: Britney Spears started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘…Baby One More Time’. It became the biggest UK selling single of the year and also a No.1 in the US. It was originally written for TLC but the song was submitted after completion of their third record, FanMail.

– In 2007: Bobby Brown was sentenced to 30 days in jail over $19,000 (£9,670) in unpaid child support. An arrest warrant was issued in October 2006 after he failed to show up at a hearing on overdue child support for Kim Ward, the mother of two of his children.

– In 2010: U2 raked in more money than any other music act in the US in 2009 making $109m (£71m) from touring, record sales and other royalties, almost twice as much as the second best, Bruce Springsteen who took home $58m (£38m), followed by Madonna with $47m (£31m) and AC/DC with $44m (£29m). Coldplay were the most successful British group, at number eight, with takings of $27m (£18m).

Loren Weisman said:

This is a short piece from my college speakers segment videos. In this one, I go in to the importance about learning music theory. Regardless of what instrument you play, an understanding of theory will give you more opportunities, options and chances at numerous careers in music and having the chance to work in music full time over those that do no have theory well understood.

As a music consultant, I strongly urge everyone in a band to brush up on theory for writing, for creative ideas and for production. You do not have to be Mr. or Mrs. Classically trained, but the better the sense you have of theory, the more options you have to create, produce, react and resonate to the music around you.

No offense to the blogger, but for once I disagree with something he wrote!!! Oops, I said that out loud?

Even “music consultants” can say wrong things sometimes!

When you want to become a musician and become successful in the music industry, it is a choice if you want to learn music theory or not. You don’t need to know the name of the notes, all this, and that. You can just have a really good ear and improvise it all.

There are famous musicians of today that don’t even know shit about music theory. They just have a really good ear. Musicians like Dave Mustaine, Neil Young, Jeff Beck, B.B. King, Jimmy Page, etc. Those guys are really good guitarists. In interviews they have said they don’t know anything about music theory and they  just improvise well. Yet, those guys are still able to become guitar legends.

I know some music theory here and there, but I’m no expert at it. You can still get good opportunities in music even if you don’t know music theory. You don’t need to be a professionally trained musician to sound like a pro, just play whatever sounds good to you is all that matters.

Kev

Musician Birthdays: Fats Dominoe (singer/songwriter, pianist, famous for the hit, “Blueberry Hill”, Johnny Cash (famous for hits, “Folsom Prison Blues”, “Walk the Line”, “Ring of Fire”, etc. Also famous for performing at Folsom Prison & San Quentin, he also had his own TV show and famous for his collaboration with wife June Carter, also known for working with Rick Rubin for the “American Records”, born in 1932), Erykah Badu, (US singer/songwriter, producer, poet, activist. Famous for the hit, “On & On”, born in 1971)

– In 1955: Billboard reported that for the first time since their introduction in 1949, 45rpm singles were outselling the old standard 78’s.

– In 1964: The Beatles worked on the final mixes for ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ and ‘You Can’t Do That’ tracks. The single, which was released the following month, topped the charts all over the world.

– In 1965: Guitarist Jimmy Page released a solo single called ‘She Just Satisfies’ in the UK. Page played all the instruments on it except for the drums, and produced the track, as well as singing lead vocals.

– In 1966: Nancy Sinatra went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘These Boots Are Made For Walking’, also a UK No.1.

– In 1966: The Beatles ‘Rubber Soul’ was at No.1 on the US album chart, the group’s seventh US album chart topper.

– In 1977: The Eagles went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘New Kid On Town’, the group’s third US No.1, a No.20 hit n the UK.

– In 1983: Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ went to No.1 on the US album chart. It went on to become the most successful album of all time with sales over 50 million copies.

– In 2001: The Darkness made their live debut when they played at Camden HQ. It was a tribute gig to raise money for the family of Ed’s band mate from his previous band Q-Sling who had committed suicide earlier that month.

– In 2009: A 10-minute version of The Beatles’ ‘Revolution 1’ was leaked onto the internet, giving fans a never-before-heard listen of what the White Album sessions must have been like. Only two copies of the take were made when the song was completed on June 4th, 1968. One copy left the studio with Lennon that day and the other remained behind. It was unclear which copy appeared on the bootleg, nor how anyone acquired it.

Musician Birthdays: George Harrison (guitarist, singer for the Beatles, also singer/songwriter for solo career. Famous for hits, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, “My Sweet Lord”, and “Got My Mind Set On You”, born in 1943)

– In 1956: Elvis Presley had his first national hit when ‘I Forgot To Remember To Forget’ went to No.1 on the Billboard Country & Western chart.

– In 1964: The Beatles finished recording their next single ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’, at Abbey Road studios, London, (they had first recorded the song on 29 January 1964 at Path Marconi Studios in Paris). They also recorded the B-side, ‘You Can’t Do That’ and another new song ‘I Should Have Known Better’.

– In 1972: Led Zeppelin appeared in front of over 25,000 fans at the Western Springs Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand, the group’s first ever gig in New Zealand, (and the largest crowd ever to attend a concert on the island). A special train was chartered from Wellington to bring fans to the concert. News reviews the next day reported the band could be heard over five miles from the Stadium.

– In 1984: ‘Jump’, by Van Halen started a five-week run at No.1 on the US singles chart, a No.7 hit in the UK.

– In 1985: U2 began their first full north American arena tour, starting at the Dallas Reunion Arena in Texas.

– In 1995: Madonna started a seven week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Take A Bow’, the track which was co-written with Babyface became a No.16 hit in the UK.

– In 1998: During Shawn Colvin’s acceptance speech at the Grammy Awards, Ol Dirty Bastard grabbed the microphone and made various observations such as “Puffy is good, but Wu-Tang is the best” and “Wu-Tang is for the children”. He was then escorted offstage.

– In 2001: Rapper Lil’ Kim said a shooting which happened after she left a New York radio station was unconnected to her. One man was wounded in the incident outside the radio station Hot 97 in New York when five men fired 22 bullets. The New York Daily News reported the incident was the result of a feud between Lil’ Kim and rival rappers, Capone-N-Noreaga.

– In 2004: The Rolling Stones topped a US Rich List of music£s biggest money makers. The list was based on earnings during 2003 when the band played their ‘Forty Licks’ tour, which made them $212 million, (£124.7m) in ticket, CD, DVD and merchandise sales. The three million fans who went to the shows spent an average of $11 (£6.47) each on merchandise. Bruce Springsteen was listed in second place and The Eagles in third.

– In 2005: Whitney Houston was rushed to a hospital in Paris with suspected food poisoning after becoming ill during a flight from Los Angeles to Spain.

– In 2006: George Michael was found slumped over in a car in Hyde Park, London. A concerned person spotted the singer and called police who after being checked by paramedics was arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs and then released on bail. Michael made a public statement about the incident and said “I was in possession of class C drugs which is an offense and I have no complaints about the police who were professional throughout.” He also said that the event was “my own stupid fault, as usual.”

– In 2009: President Obama honoured Stevie Wonder, his musical hero, with America’s highest award for pop music, the Library of Congress’ Gershwin prize at a ceremony at the White House. The president said the Motown legend had been the soundtrack to his youth and he doubted that his wife would have married him if he hadn’t been a fan. Wonder’s song ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered’ had been the theme song during Obama’s presidential campaign.

– In 2010: Marie Osmond’s teenaged son, Michael Blosil, was found dead on the ground below an apartment balcony in Los Angeles, California.

– In 2011: Susan ‘Suze’ Rotolo, died from lung cancer. She was the one time girlfriend of Bob Dylan, and the inspiration of some of his early songs. Susan appeared in one of the decade’s signature images, walking with Dylan arm-in-arm for the cover photo of his breakthrough album Freewheelin Bob Dylan.

– In 1957: Buddy Holly recorded a new version of ‘That’ll Be The Day’, the title being taken from a phrase used by John Wayne in the film ‘The Searchers.’

– In 1965: The first full day of filming took place for The Beatles movie ‘Help!’ with the group riding bicycles on location near London Airport, England.

– In 1969: The Jimi Hendrix Experience played their last ever-British performance when they appeared at the Royal Albert Hall.

– In 1973: Roberta Flack had her second US No.1 when ‘Killing Me Softly With His Song’, started a five-week run at the top. The song was written about US singer songwriter Don McLean.

– In 1973: The Byrds made their final live appearance when they played at The Capitol Theatre in Passaic, New Jersey. (The then-current incarnation of the Byrds, which included Roger McGuinn, Clarence White, John York and Gene Parsons).

– In 1975:  Led Zeppelin released their sixth album Physical Graffiti in the UK. Recording sessions had been disrupted when bassist and keyboard player John Paul Jones had proposed quitting the band, supposedly to become choirmaster at Winchester Cathedral, England, although in reality he just needed time to rest after Zeppelin’s demanding tour schedule. The group decided on a double album so they could feature songs left over from their previous albums Led Zeppelin III, Led Zeppelin IV and Houses Of The Holy.

– In 1976: The Eagles ‘Greatest Hits’ became the first album to be certified platinum by the R.I.A.A. New certification’s represented sales of 1 million copies for albums and two million for singles.

– In 1982: Winners at the Grammy Awards included John & Yoko Album of the year with ‘Double Fantasy, Kim Carnes for Song of the year with ‘Bette Davis Eyes’, Quincy Jones won producer of the year and Sheena Easton best new act.

– In 1992: Kurt Cobain married Courtney Love in Waikiki, Hawaii. The press reported that the couple were expecting a baby on Sept 10th of this year.

– In 2000: Carlos Santana won eight awards at this year Grammy Awards. Before the ‘Supernatural’ album, the guitarist had not had a Top 10 album since 1981. Sting won two awards, one for best pop album and another for best male pop vocalist. Sir Elton John won the legend award and Phil Collins the best soundtrack award for ‘Tarzan’.

– In 2010: 50 Cent was being sued over claims he unlawfully distributed a homemade sex video. Lastonia Leviston filed legal action in Manhattan, saying she made the private video with a lover in 2008 and alleged that 50 Cent posted the video on his website last year after blurring out the lover’s face – and editing himself into it as narrator.

– In 2011: Suze Rotolo, Bob Dylan’s girlfriend in the early-Sixties, who walked arm-in-arm with the songwriter on the iconic cover of ‘The Freehweelin’ Bob Dylan’, died aged 67 after a long illness. She inspired such Dylan songs as ‘Don’t Think Twice’, ‘It’s All Right’, ‘Boots Of Spanish Leather’ and ‘Tomorrow Is A Long Time’.

Musician Birthdays: Johnny Winter (legendary blues guitarist, born in 1944), Brad Whitford (guitarist for Aerosmith, born in 1952)

– In 1965: Filming began on The Beatles follow up to ‘A Hard Days Night’ on location in the Bahamas with the working title of ‘Eight Arms To Hold You.’

– In 1972: After nearly five years of marriage, Priscilla Presley moved out of Elvis’ California home and into a two bedroom apartment near the Pacific Ocean. Their divorce would be finalized on October 9, 1973, with Priscilla being awarded an outright cash payment of $725,000 as well as spousal support, child support, 5% of Elvis’ new publishing companies and half the income from the sale of their Beverly Hills home.

– In 1978: Sid Vicious of The Sex Pistols and Nancy Spungen were arrested in New York for possession of drugs.

– In 1979: Dire Straits played their first American show when they appeared in Boston.

– In 1985: Stevie Wonder was arrested during an antiapartheid demonstration outside the South African Embassy in Washington; he was released after being questioned by police.

– In 1989: Isaac Hayes was jailed by an Atlanta judge for owing $346,300 (£203,705) in child support and alimony.

– In 1991: Whitney Houston achieved her 9th US No.1 single in just over five years with her version of the Sister Sledge song ‘All The Man I Need.’

– In 1998: All members of Oasis were banned for life from flying Cathay Pacific Airlines after “abusive and disgusting behaviour” during a flight from Hong Kong to Perth, Australia.

– In 2003: The News Of The World reported that Michael Jackson had undergone scores of painful operations to strip his body of black skin until he appeared white. And that surgeons at a Santa Monica clinic eventually refused him any more treatment. An insider told the paper that Jackson had been anaesthetised on a weekly basis to have his skin peeled and bleached.

– In 2003: Norah Jones cleaned up at the 45th Grammy Awards, held at Madison Square Garden, New York. The singer, songwriter won, Album of the year and Record of the year, with ‘Don’t Know Why.’ Song of the year, Best new artist and Best female pop vocal for ‘Don’t Know Why’. Other winners included Best male pop vocal, John Mayer, ‘Our Body Is A Wonderland’. Best male rock vocal, Bruce Springsteen, ‘The Rising’, Best female rock vocal, Sheryl Crow, ‘Steve McQueen’, Best rock performance by group, Coldplay, ‘In My Place’, Best rap album, Eminem, ‘The Eminem Show’.

– In 2010: London’s Abbey Road studios was made a listed building, protecting it from plans to radically alter it. Culture Minister Margaret Hodge listed the studios on the advice of English Heritage saying it had “produced some of the very best music in the world”. The Beatles used Abbey Road for 90% of their recordings, naming an album after the studios in 1969.

I may talk a lot about music in this site and a lot of you should know by now that I am also a guitar player. Some of you may ask what are my biggest influences or inspirations in music. Who are the ones that made me want to pick up the guitar and become a musician myself.

I will name 5 of them:

• Led Zeppelin – They would have to be my no. 1. Most guitar players get inspired by the blues and other rock music, but Led Zep would be my no. 1 influence. It was Led Zeppelin IV that made me want to pick up the guitar. After hearing that album, I wanted to be like Jimmy Page. I started guitar playing at a late age at the age of 18.
• Neil Young – He was the one that made me want to start writing my own music. I wanted to write songs and sing like him. Neil is a hero of mine, always.
• David Bowie – Yeah, I talk a lot about David Bowie in this site, that’s because I’m a huge fan and admirer.
• Jimi Hendrix – You’re not a true guitar player if you have not been inspired by Hendrix. He’s been a major influence in me, in some way. I listened to a lot of Hendrix over the years, and he makes me want to get better at guitar solos and improvisation.
• Johnny Cash – I’m not into country music that much, but Johnny’s music meant something to me over the years. I’m planning on covering some of his stuff for my youtube channel as well.

I’m inspired by most music, but those 5 above are my main heroes. Enjoy!

Kev

Musician Birthdays: James Blunt (UK singer/songwriter, famous for the hit, “You’re Beautiful”, born in 1974)

– In 1967: Pink Floyd continued working on their debut album The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn at Abbey Road Studios, London. The Beatles were also working at Abbey Road, recording the giant piano chord for the end of ‘A Day In The Life’ for their Sgt. Pepper’s album.

– In 1974: Former David Bowie guitarist Mick Ronson played the first of two nights at The Rainbow in London, England.

– In 1980: Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, featuring Roger Glover, Graham Bonnet and Cozy Powell appeared at The Royal Highland Exhibition Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland.

– In 1986: MTV dedicated a full 22 hours broadcast to The Monkees, showing all 45 episodes of the original Monkees TV series.

– In 1987: Andy Warhol, pop artist and producer died after a gall bladder operation. The founder of the Pop Art movement, produced and managed The Velvet Underground, designed the 1967 Velvet Underground And Nico ‘peeled banana’ album cover and The Rolling Stones ‘Sticky Fingers’ album cover.

– In 1988: Stevie Wonder was awarded the 1998 MusiCares Person Of The Year at a concert in Los Angeles.

– In 1989: A category for Heavy Metal was included at the Grammy Awards for the first time. Metallica performed on stage, but the award went to Jethro Tull. Many audience members booed. Meanwhile, Bobby McFerrin won Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year for ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’, Tracy Chapman is named Best New Artist and Tina Turner won Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for ‘Tina Live in Europe’.

– In 1997: No Doubt went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Don’t Speak.’ The third single from the band’s second album Tragic Kingdom was written by Eric Stefani and his sister Gwen Stefani.

– In 2004: Norah Jones started a six week run at No.1 on the US album chart with ‘Feels Like Home’, the singers second US No.1. Usher feat Lil Jon and Ludacris were at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Yeah.’

– In 2004: The Sex Pistols’ ‘Anarchy in the UK’ was named the most influential record of the 1970s in poll compiled by Q magazine. Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was voted into second place and Donna Summer’s ‘I Feel Love’ was third, T Rex’s ‘Get It On’ was fourth and Special AKA’s ‘Gangsters’ came fifth.

Musician Birthdays: David Geffen (Record label owner, responsible for signing the Eagles, CSNY, Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, etc., born in 1943)

– In 1961: The Beatles played three gigs in one day. The first was a lunchtime show at the Cavern Club, then at night they appeared at the Cassanova Club, Liverpool and at Litherland Town Hall, Liverpool.

– In 1964: New York band The Echoes recruited a new young unknown piano player, named Billy Joel.

– In 1967: Pink Floyd started their first sessions at the EMI Studios, St. John’s Wood, London on their debut album The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, working on the song ‘Matilda Mother’. While Pink Floyd were recording their album with former Beatles engineer Norman Smith, The Beatles themselves were working in the studio next door, recording ‘Fixing A Hole’ for their Sgt. Pepper’s album.

– In 1970: Simon and Garfunkel went to No.1 on the UK chart with ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’. The album went on to stay on the chart for over 300 weeks, returning to the top of the charts on eight separate occasions and spending a total of 41 weeks at No.1.

– In 1972: Led Zeppelin released ‘Rock And Roll / Four Sticks’ as a 7 inch single in the US, peaking at No.47 on the chart. The song was written as a spontaneous jam session, whilst the band were trying to finish ‘Four Sticks’. Drummer John Bonham played the introduction to Little Richard’s ‘You Keep A-Knockin’ and Page added a guitar riff; with the tapes rolling the basic song was finished fifteen minutes later.

– In 1977: Fleetwood Mac released ‘Rumours’. The album went on to sell more than 15 million copies world-wide and spent 31 weeks at No.1 on the US chart.

– In 1981: Dolly Parton started a two week run at No.1 on the US charts with ‘9 to 5’, the singers first No.1, a No.47 hit in the UK.

– In 1987: Ben E King was at No.1 in the UK singles chart with ‘Stand By Me.’ The track was first released in 1961 and became a hit in 1987 after being featured in the film ‘Stand By Me.’

– In 1998: Celine Dion went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘My Heart Will Go On’. The song was the theme from the movie Titanic. The world’s best selling single of 1998.

– In 2002: Elton John accused the music industry of exploiting young singers and dumping talented artists for manufactured group’s. He said ‘There are too many average and mediocre acts; it damages real talent getting airplay. It’s just fodder.’

– In 2004: Simon Cowell was set to appear in a new episode of The Simpsons. The TV Pop Idol judge would play a nursery boss who gets punched by Homer Simpson.

– In 2008: Britney Spears failed in a court bid to regain visitation rights to her two children. Spears was banned from monitored visits in January of this year after refusing to hand the children back, resulting in a stand-off with police at her house. The singer’s ex-husband Kevin Federline was awarded primary custody of two-year-old Sean Preston and Jayden James, aged one, in October.

– In 2009: Rihanna issued a statement thanking fans for their support after an alleged assault by her R&B singer boyfriend Chris Brown, but the singer declined to comment on a leaked photograph which appeared to show her with facial injuries. The Los Angeles Police Department had launched an internal investigation and asked for the public’s help in finding the person who leaked the photograph.

Musician Birthdays: J. Geils (singer, guitarist for the J. Geils Band, famous for the hit, “Centerfold”, born in 1946), Kurt Cobain (singer, guitarist for Nirvana, famous for hits, “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, “Come As You Are”, “Heart Shaped Box”, “All Apologies”, and more, born in 1967), Rihanna (R&B soul, pop singer, famous for hit “Umbrella”, born in 1988)

– In 1958: Billed as ‘The Big Gold Record Stars’ Bill Haley and his Comets, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly & The Crickets, Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmie Rodgers all appeared on the first date of a six day tour of Florida.

– In 1960: Jimi Hendrix made his stage debut when he played a show at a High School in Seattle.

– In 1963: The Beatles drove through the night from Liverpool to London to appear on the live lunchtime BBC radio program “Parade of the Pops.” Performing ‘Love Me Do’ and ‘Please Please Me’, the appearance lasted just over 4 minutes. They then drove another 180 mile trip back north for their performance that night at the Swimming Baths, Doncaster, Yorkshire.

– In 1967: Gary Lewis and the Playboys started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘This Diamond Ring.’ Lewis is the son of actor Jerry Lewis.

– In 1971: The soundtrack to ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ went to No.1 on the US album chart. The album peaked at No.6 on the UK chart.

– In 1972: During a tour of Australia Led Zeppelin appeared at the Kooyong Tennis Courts, Melbourne in Australia.

– In 1976: All four members of Kiss had their footprints implanted on the pavement outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

– In 1977: Winners at this years Grammy Awards included Stevie Wonder for Best album with ‘Songs In The Key Of Life’, and Best Vocal performance for ‘I Wish.’ Best album went to Chicago for ‘Chicago X’ and Best new artist went to the Starland Vocal Band.

– In 1980: Bon Scott, singer from AC/DC was pronounced dead on arrival at a London hospital after a heavy night’s drinking. Scott was found in the passenger seat of a friend’s parked car. The official coroner’s report stated that he had “drunk himself to death”, after suffocating on his own vomit.

– In 1991: Bob Dylan was awarded a lifetime achievement award at the 33rd annual Grammy’ Awards.

– In 2003: 100 people died after pyrotechnics ignited a club during a gig by Great White in West Warwick, Rhode Island. Great White singer Ty Longley was also killed in the accident. Two brothers who owned the club were charged, along with the former tour manager with involuntary manslaughter. Foam soundproofing material at the edge of the stage set alight and the blaze spread quickly in the one-storey wooden building as fans all tried to escape through the same exit. Great White began a tour in July 2003 to raise money for the survivors and families of victims.