Today in Music History for March 1:
In 1810, Polish composer Frederic Chopin, who brought romantic piano music to new heights, was born near Warsaw. He established the piano as a solo instrument, free from the influence of an orchestra or chorus. In 1830, Chopin settled in Paris, never returning to his homeland. Six years later, fellow composer Franz Liszt introduced him to Madame Dudevant, better known by her pen name, George Sand. His stormy affair with the novelist lasted until 1847. It was during this time that he wrote his 24 preludes, considered among his finest compositions. Chopin by now was seriously ill with tuberculosis. His last performance was a benefit concert for Polish refugees. At Chopin's funeral in Paris in 1849, Polish soil was strewn on his grave.
In 1904, Glenn Miller, the man whose name is synonymous with the big band era of the 1940s, was born in Clarinda, Iowa. After working as a trombonist and arranger for bandleaders such as Red Nichols and Ray Noble, he formed his own band in 1937. But the Miller orchestra wasn't immediately successful. It was not until an engagement at the Glen Island Casino in the summer of 1939 that the Miller band caught fire. The distinctive Miller sound of a clarinet on top of five saxes made the band the hottest in the U.S. by 1941. Hits by "The Glen Miller Orchestra" included "Little Brown Jug," "In the Mood," and the band's theme song, "Moonlight Serenade." In 1942, Miller gave up his civilian band to join the U.S. Army. By the following year, his "Army-Air Force Band" was entertaining the troops. In December 1944, Miller took off in a small plane for France to prepare for the band's arrival in that country. The plane disappeared over the English Channel and no trace of it was ever found. "The Glenn Miller Orchestra" continued after Miller's death under various leaders. In 1954, "The Glenn Miller Story," starring James Stewart, was a big movie hit.
In 1927, singer Harry Belafonte was born in New York City. He was called the "King of the Calypso" in the late 1950s when he had such hit recordings as "Banana Boat Song," "Mama Looka Boo Boo" and "Mary's Boy Child." Belafonte's debut album, "Calypso," released in 1957, is said to be the first LP by a solo artist to sell a million copies. It was the No. 1 album for 31 weeks on the Billboard chart.
In 1944, Roger Daltrey, lead vocalist of "The Who," was born in London. The band was first known as "The Detours," then the "High Numbers" and finally "The Who." The band became known for their violent stage shows in which they smashed and overturned their instruments. They were stars in Britain by 1965, but had to wait until 1967 for their U.S. breakthrough with the album "The Who Sell Out," which contained the hit single "I Can See For Miles." In 1969, came the rock opera "Tommy," which was later made into a movie starring Roger Daltrey. "Tommy" became a Broadway show in 1993. "The Who" stayed together for nearly 20 years. They played what was billed as their last concert in Toronto in December, 1982, but have undertook several tours since. Daltrey has released several solo albums, two of them produced by ex-British pop idol Adam Faith.
In 1957, Chuck Berry's "School Day" was released by Chess Records.
In 1968, Johnny Cash and June Carter were married in Franklin, Ky.
In 1969, country star Barbara Mandrell signed her first record contract with Columbia.
In 1969, "The Doors" lead singer Jim Morrison was charged with lewd and lascivious behaviour, indecent exposure, open profanity and public drunkenness as a result of actions on stage during a concert in Miami. He was found guilty of exposure and profanity charges in 1970. His sentence was on appeal when he died in 1971. In December 2010, he was pardoned of the conviction.
In 1972, country star Merle Haggard was pardoned by California Governor Ronald Reagan. Haggard had served time in San Quentin in the late 1950s for attempted burglary.
In 1973, New York's Joffrey Ballet gave its first performance of "Deuce Coupe Ballet," which was set entirely to "Beach Boys" music.
In 1975, Stevie Wonder won five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for "Fulfillingness' First Finale."
In 1977, Sara Lowndes Dylan filed for divorce from Bob Dylan. The divorce would be granted in June of that year.
In 1979, Elvis Costello began a tour in Birmingham, Ala., to support his "Armed Forces" LP. During a stop in Columbus, Ohio, Costello had a much-publicized confrontation with singers Bonnie Bramlett and Stephen Stills in a hotel bar after casting a racial slur against Ray Charles.
In 1980, punk rocker Patti Smith married Fred Smith, former leader of the hard rock band "MC5," in Detroit.
In 1985, singer Billy Ocean began his first U.S. tour in San Diego.
In 1987, rhythm guitarist Freddie Green, who played with "The Count Basie Orchestra" for 50 years, died in Los Angeles at the age of 75. He had played his last engagement the previous night in Las Vegas with singer Tony Bennett. Green's tenure with "The Count Basie Orchestra" is acknowledged as being the longest-held job in jazz history. Green almost never soloed, believing his role was to provide the steady pulse behind the band's soloists and ensembles.
In 1989, four members of the original "Jefferson Airplane" announced they were getting back together. The reunion of Grace Slick, Paul Kantner, Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady came 17 years after the psychedelic San Francisco band broke up.
In 1990, Janet Jackson began her first concert tour in Miami. She would perform the 90-minute show, a showcase for songs from her "Rhythm Nation 1814" album, more than 100 times over the next nine months.
In 1991, Gloria Estefan made a triumphant return to performing after a career-threatening back injury in a bus accident the previous March.
In 1995, Pete Townshend was on hand as the Canadian stage production of "The Who's" rock opera "Tommy" opened at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto.
In 1996, rapper Queen Latifah pleaded guilty to carrying a loaded gun in her car. She was fined and ordered to make a donation to a boys and girls club.
In 1997, British rock band "Oasis" warned a newspaper not to publicize any material from stolen rehearsal tapes of its not-yet-released third album.
In 2002, Doreen Waddell, a former vocalist with the British dance group "Soul II Soul," was killed in a traffic accident in Shoreham, England. Waddell, who was 36, was hit by three cars on a highway while apparently running from a store where she'd been accused of shoplifting.
In 2009, nearly 182 years after Beethoven's death, three musicians gave the first known performance of a lost piano trio by the immortal composer. The 12-minute piece of the trio in E flat was performed in Chicago along with the North American premieres of two other once-lost Beethoven pieces — piano trios in D major and a second in E flat trio, Opus 63.
In 2010, the Toronto-based alt-country-folk duo "Madison Violet" won a grand prize in the second round of the 2009 John Lennon Songwriting contest for their song "The Ransom." (It was later named Song of the Year.)
In 2011, Reba McEntire was announced as the newest inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame, along with songwriter Bobby Braddock and another pioneering female singer, Jean Shepard.
In 2011, "Billy Elliott, The Musical" made its Canadian debut at the Canon Theatre in Toronto, receiving rave reviews. Sir Elton John, who wrote the music, and his Toronto-born partner, executive producer David Furnish, attended the premiere.
In 2012, Lucio Dalla, one of Italy's most prolific singer-songwriters, died of a heart attack in a Switzerland hotel during a European concert tour. He was 68. His musical roots were in jazz, but his songs ranged from folk to pop to classical to opera, creating a soundtrack beloved by generations of Italians. His haunting melody "Caruso" sold nine million copies worldwide.
In 2013, Jewel Akens, a pop singer who had a 1965 hit with "The Birds and the Bees," died from back surgery complications. He was 79.
In 2018, The Recording Industry Association of America announced that Twenty One Pilots' 14-track album "Blurryface" became the first album since the advent of digital sales and streams to have every song certified at least gold. "Hometown" was the last song to cross over into gold territory.
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The Canadian Press
