Today in Music History for Sept. 11:
In 1850, soprano Jenny Lind, dubbed "The Swedish Nightingale," gave her first concert in the U.S., at Castle Garden in New York. Her tour was organized by showman P.T. Barnum.
In 1899, country singer, songwriter and two-time Louisiana governor Jimmie Davis was born in Quitman, La. He is the author of the perennial favourite "You Are My Sunshine." Davis was elected governor of Louisiana in 1944 and 1960. Between terms he concentrated on recording gospel music. Davis was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1972. He died Nov. 5, 2000.
In 1925, Harry Somers, one of Canada's most important composers, was born in Toronto. He was one of the few Canadian composers to receive international recognition. Somers' works reveal his interest in the new vocal techniques and eastern music and philosophy. His compositions often employ dramatic silences and extreme changes in volume. Somers' opera "Louis Riel" was commissioned for Canada's Centennial in 1967 and was performed by the Canadian Opera Company. It was also performed in Washington during the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976. He died March 9, 1999.
In 1962, unsatisfied with the work by Ringo Starr a week earlier, Beatles producer George Martin had them re-record "Love Me Do" with session drummer Andy White and Starr playing the tambourine. They also remade "P.S. I Love You" with Starr playing the maracas. (These versions were released in the U.S. in 1964 with "Love Me Do" topping the Billboard Hot 100, and its B-Side "P.S. I Love You" reaching No. 10.)
In 1964, Beatle George Harrison formed a music publishing company, Harrissongs.
In 1967, Bobbie Gentry was awarded a gold record for "Ode to Billie Joe,"a song about a teenage suicide. Gentry cut the tune in half an hour at the Capitol Records studio in Los Angeles. Its success made her an instant star. "Ode to Billie Joe," a film based on the events in Gentry's song, was made in 1976.
In 1968, Larry Graham of "Sly and the Family Stone" was arrested for marijuana possession at Heathrow Airport in London. The incident caused the cancellation of the band's British tour.
In 1969, what is reputed to be the first bootleg record album, "Great White Wonder," appeared in record stores in Los Angeles. The two-record set of unreleased Bob Dylan material sold for $6.50. Other versions of the illegally-released album later turned up in New York and London.
In 1969, country singer Leon Payne died of a heart attack at age 52. He had only one chart record - "I Love You Because," which went to No. 1 in early 1950 and became a country classic. Al Martino had a top-five pop hit with the song in 1963.
In 1971, "The Jackson Five" animated television series premiered on ABC. The show used the voices of the five brothers: Michael, Marlon, Jackie, Tito and Jermaine.
In 1984, country singer Barbara Mandrell and two of her children were seriously injured in a two-car crash in Hendersonville, Tenn., that killed the other driver. Mandrell suffered a crushed ankle, and took two years to recover and return to performing.
In 1986, Graham (Suggs) McPherson announced the breakup of the British pop group "Madness" during an interview on BBC Radio. The band's biggest hit was "Our House," which went top-10 in 1983. They reunited in 1992.
In 1987, John Cougar Mellencamp became one of the first five inductees into the Small Town America Hall of Fame in Washington, D.C.
In 1987, reggae star Peter Tosh was shot to death in his home in Kingston, Jamaica. He was 43. Police say Tosh was shot in the head after he refused a demand for money from three robbers. A guest at Tosh's home also was killed and five others were wounded. One of the wounded, a Kingston disc jockey, died later in hospital. A cab driver was later sentenced to hang for the murders. In the 1960s, Tosh, Bob Marley and Bunny Livingstone formed "The Wailers," which became one of the first reggae bands to gain worldwide recognition. The group disbanded in the 1970s and Tosh launched a solo career. He gained notoriety for such songs as "Legalize It," which promoted the use of marijuana.
In 1988, nearly 3,400 people were hurt in a crush of fans at a Michael Jackson concert in Liverpool, England.
In 1993, conductor Erich Leinsdorf, known for reviving neglected music and exploring new works, died in Zurich, Switzerland, at age 81. Among the major works he introduced was British composer Benjamin Britten's "War Requiem." He also recorded the complete Mozart symphonies for RCA.
In 1994, former Stockbridge, Mass., police chief William Obanheim, Officer Obie in Arlo Guthrie's song "Alice's Restaurant," died at age 69. Obanheim arrested the 18-year-old Guthrie in 1965 for littering. The singer was deemed unsuitable for military service after he told his draft board of the arrest. Guthrie turned the experience into the 15-minute anti-war song "Alice's Restaurant," released in 1967.
In 1996, David Bowie's single "Telling Lies" debuted on the Internet months before it was released to radio stations and music stores. The song was downloaded more than 46,000 times in the first four days.
In 1996, the Recording Industry Association of America announced that Alanis Morissette’s "Jagged Little Pill" had tied Whitney Houston’s self-titled debut as the best-selling album by a female artist in the U.S. (Shania Twain's "Come on Over" currently has the honour).
In 2001, "Dream Theater" released their three-disc album "Live Scenes From New York." The cover artwork depicted the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center engulfed in flames. It was pulled from the shelves that same day and re-released a short time later with new artwork.
In 2008, rapper Kanye West was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on suspicion of vandalism after an altercation with a commercial photographer and a camera valued at more than $10,000 was broken. Police also arrested West's bodyguard.
In 2009, Pierre Cossette, the Canadian father of the modern Grammy Awards show, died in Montreal at age 85. The Valleyfield, Que.-native was an accomplished television and theatre producer who also managed some of American pop music's most influential early bands including "The Mamas and the Papas," "Steppenwolf," Johnny Rivers and "Three Dog Night."
In 2009, rapper Jay Z performed his "Answer to Call" concert at a sold out Madison Square Garden. All proceeds from the concert went to the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund. Special guests included Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, John Mayer, Diddy, Mary J. Blige and Rihanna, in her first performance since her February altercation with Chris Brown.
In 2010, "The Black Crowes" and India.Arie were inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
In 2010, Carlton (King) Coleman, a pioneer in American rhythm and blues, died from heart failure at a Miami hospice. He was 78. He was known for providing the lead vocals on the 1959 hit "(Do The) Mashed Potatoes," recorded with James Brown's band.
In 2011, singer Michelle Wright was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame during a private industry event during Country Music Week. Bill Langstroth, the host of one of Canada's first talent showcases, "Singalong Jubilee," was inducted into the builder's category.
In 2013, Rock 97.9 in Fort McMurray, Alta., pulled Neil Young's music for a day and then banned it indefinitely after he compared the oilsands city to Hiroshima after the atomic bomb.
In 2014, songwriter and producer Bob Crewe died age of 83. He’s probably most famous for co-writing songs for The Four Seasons, including "Big Girls Don’t Cry," ’’Walk Like A Man" and "Rag Doll." He also co-wrote "Can’t Take My Eyes Off You" for Frankie Valli’s solo career, "The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine (Anymore)" for The Walker Brothers and "Lady Marmalade" for Labelle.
In 2016, Alberta singer Brett Kissel won three CCMA Awards, including Fan Favourite and Male Artist of the Year. Dean Brody was named Songwriter of the Year for "Bring Down The House," which also earned him Single of the Year and CMT Video of the Year. Gord Bamford captured Album of the Year for "Tin Roof." Jess Moskaluke was named Female Artist of the Year for the third consecutive time.
----
The Canadian Press