Today in Music History for Feb. 8:
In 1899, blues guitarist and singer Lonnie Johnson was born in New Orleans. More respected for his playing than his singing, Johnson developed his distinctive style as early as 1927 when he recorded with Louis Armstrong's "Hot Five." His 1948 recording of "Tomorrow Night" was very popular, spending seven weeks on Billboard's R&B chart, and even making the top-20 of the pop chart. From the mid-1960s, he spent much of his time in Toronto. He suffered a stroke after a serious accident in 1969, and died the following year.
In 1934, the Hart House Glee Club gave its first concert at the University of Toronto.
In 1948, Dan Seals, who was England Dan in the pop duo "England Dan and John Ford Coley" and later had a successful country career, was born in McCamey, Texas. With "England Dan and John Ford Coley," Seals had hits including "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" and "Nights Are Forever," both in 1976. His country hits in the '80s and '90s included "Bop," "You Still Move Me," "Love on Arrival," and a duet with Marie Osmond, "Meet Me in Montana." He died March 25, 2009.
In 1952, Webb Pierce entered the Billboard country chart for the first time with "Wondering." Pierce dominated the country charts in the 1950s with his pure honky-tonk sound.
In 1959, the Cantata Singers of Vancouver made their debut in Bach's "Mass in B-Minor" at Christ Church Cathedral.
In 1960, the U.S. Congress opened hearings on payola, whereby a radio station or its employees, usually a disc jockey, accept payment for broadcasting records. Among those accused were DJ's Dick Clark and Alan Freed. Clark was called the most influential person in the popular music industry because of his interests in music publishing and record companies. But he denied any wrongdoing and escaped the inquiry virtually unscathed. Alan Freed was not so fortunate. He had few friends in the music business because of his practice of playing records by black artists rather than white cover versions. When the investigation started, Freed was blackballed. And when he finally came to trial in 1962, he was a broken man. Freed pleaded guilty to two counts of commercial bribery, was fined $300 and received a suspended sentence. He never worked in radio again and died in January 1965. Congress eventually outlawed payola, and the offence was punishable by a maximum $10,000 fine. But the significance of payola was greatly diminished by this time because of the growth of top-40 radio. Disc jockeys were governed by a rigid playlist and were not allowed to choose their own music.
In 1964, "The Beatles" started their first U.S. tour.
In 1969, rock supergroup "Blind Faith" was formed by Steve Winwood of "Traffic," Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker of "Cream," and Rick Grech of "Family." They made their debut at a free concert in London's Hyde Park before 100,000 people. "Blind Faith" toured the U.S. and made only one album before breaking up.
In 1970, Canadian violinist Marta Hidy gave the premiere of "Suite for Violin Solo Number 4, Pacific" by Canadian composer S.C. Eckhardt-Gramatte during the inaugural concert in the Town Hall at Toronto's St. Lawrence Centre.
In 1971, "Eat the Document," a film starring and edited by Bob Dylan, was shown at the New York Academy of Music.
In 1973, Carly Simon received a gold record for her single "You're So Vain," which had reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 the previous year.
In 1973, New York dairy farmer Max Yasgur, whose 600-acre farm was the site of the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival in 1969, died of a heart attack in Florida.
In 1980, David and Angela Bowie were divorced.
In 1982, singer Olivia Newton-John was host for a one-hour ABC TV special, "Let's Get Physical," based on her hit record.
In 1986, the musical "Evita" ended its eight-year run in London. The show earned $32 million and was performed 2,913 times during its run at the Prince Edward Theatre.
In 1988, "The Who" reunited for a 25th anniversary performance at the British Record Industry Awards in London. Their five-song set ran overtime on the TV show, preventing Rick Astley from accepting his best single award for "Never Gonna Give You Up."
In 1990, 1960s rock 'n' roller Del Shannon killed himself at his home in Santa Clarita, Calif. He was 50. His body, a rifle nearby, was found by his wife. Shannon's first and biggest hit was "Runaway," which went to No. 1 in North America in 1961.
In 1990, Canada's Daniel Lanois capped a nine-country European tour with a concert before a star-studded audience at London's Royal Festival Hall. One of rock's leading record producers, Lanois was touring in support of his first album, "Acadie." In the London audience were some of his most famous associates, including singer Peter Gabriel, composer Brian Eno and "U2" guitarist Dave (The Edge) Evans.
In 1994, composer and bandleader Raymond Scott died in Van Nuys, Calif., at age 85. He was best known for his late-1930s, jazz-flavoured vignettes. Warner Brothers used many of Scott's tunes in the Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Roadrunner and Porky Pig cartoons.
In 1994, Barry Manilow sued Santa Ana, Calif., radio station KBIG for $28 million over the station's TV ad pledge not to play any of his songs.
In 1996, bandleader Mercer Ellington, the son of Duke Ellington, died of heart failure in Copenhagen. He was 76.
In 1998, Tom Cochrane, Lawrence Gowan, Valdy and Michelle Wright were among the performers at a benefit concert and telethon in Ottawa for victims of an ice storm in eastern Ontario and Quebec. Billed as "Power Aid Live," the event raised more than $5.8 million.
In 2004, at the Grammy Awards, rap funksters "OutKast" won Album of the Year for "Speakerboxxx-The Love Below"; Beyonce took home five trophies.
In 2006, "Sly and the Family Stone" reunited for a performance at the Grammys. Stone had not performed live in 19 years.
In 2009, the 51st Grammy Awards kicked off with a Canadian win, as director Jason Reitman picked up the trophy for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for the movie "Juno." Robert Plant and bluegrass singer Alison Krauss took five trophies including Album of the Year ("Raising Sand") and Record of the Year ("Please Read the Letter"). British pop-rockers "Coldplay" received trophies for Rock Album of the Year ("Viva La Vida") and Song of the Year for the title track.
In 2009, Chris Brown turned himself in to authorities for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend Rihanna the previous night. He was briefly held before posting $50,000 bail -- forcing him to miss his scheduled appearance at the Grammys. Rihanna also did not attend, prompting producers to do some fast reshuffling. On June 22, Brown pleaded guilty but avoided jail time. He was put on five years probation and had to perform six months of community service. They both had to stay at least 50 yards from each other, except at industry events when the distance was reduced to 10 yards.
In 2010, Dr. Conrad Murray, personal physician to Michael Jackson, was charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the pop star's death in June 2009. He was convicted in November 2011 and sentenced the maximum of four years in prison.
In 2010, bassist David Ellefson rejoined "Megadeth" after eight years.
In 2010, former "Beatle" Ringo Starr received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 2011, Robbie Robertson and Luc Plamondon were named as Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees along with Pierre Letourneau, Jack Scott, Romeo Beaudry and John Stromberg.
In 2013, Universal Music announced it was selling Parlophone - the label for "Coldplay," David Guetta and "Radiohead" - to Warner Music for C$765 million. It's the largest chunk of assets that European regulators demanded be sold when Universal purchased Britain's EMI in 2012 C$1.9 billion.
In 2013, Bruce Springsteen was honoured as MusiCare's Person of the Year, an award given to a performer who is notable both artistically and philanthropically.
In 2015, British singer Sam Smith took home three of the top four Grammy awards, including Song and Record of the Year for "Stay With Me (Darkchild Version)" and Best New Artist, while Beck won Album of the Year for his disc "Morning Phase." Smith also won Best Pop Vocal Album for "In the Lonely Hour."
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The Canadian Press
