Good Morning From The College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge: 12/13/2020

Yes, it’s another Sunday here in the College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge where we never really sleep. We just rest our eyes for a spell. We welcome you back!

Paul and George at The Cavern Club.

Here’s today’s lesson!

December 13, 1961: The Beatles signed Brian Epstein to manage them.

On the same day, Mike Smith of Decca Records arrived at the Cavern Club to see The Beatles perform. He determined after that the band had “no future in music.” Boy, did he fuck that one up, right?

December 13, 1962: Elvis Presley’s Return to Sender became his 13th #1 song in the US.

December 13, 1966: Jimi Hendrix recorded Foxy Lady. (It was misspelled on the US version of the album as Foxey Lady.) He also made his television debut on Ready Steady Go! on ITV in the UK.

December 13, 1967: The Grateful Dead perform the song Dark Star for the first time ever in concert at The Shrine Exhbition Hall in Los Angeles. It becomes a Deadhead favorite and is the conduit for some of their most fabled jams. The studio version, oddly enough, ran only 2:44.

December 13, 1969: Someday We’ll Be Together by the Supremes took over the #1 spot on the R & B chart.

Also on this day, Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head by B.J. Thomas shot up to #1 on the Adult chart, and moved into the Top 10 overall.

And speaking of the guys with no future in music, The Beatles’ Abbey Road made it seven weeks at #1 on the Album chart.

December 13, 1970: Dave Edmunds went to #1 on the UK chart with I Hear You Knocking.

December 13, 1986: Bruce Hornsby & The Range top the charts with The Way It Is, an excellent debut song from this band about the U.S. Civil Rights movement. Did you know that Bruce Hornsby was the keyboardist for The Grateful Dead for several years running?

Born On This Day

December 13, 1933: Lou Adler was born in Chicago. Adler has an amazing musical history. He was the founder of Dunhill Records, where he produced The Mamas & The Papas, Johnny Rivers, The Grass Roots, Carole King and Barry McGuire (Eve of Destruction). He was also the architect of 1967’s Monterey Pop Festival, and managed Jan & Dean. Whew.

December 13, 1948: Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, veteran of two great bands — Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers — was born in Washington, D.C.

School’s out for today, children! Have a wonderful day, and stick around for our line-up!

It’s An Easy Day in The College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge: 11/28/2020

Good Morning, Students! It’s an easy day at the College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge. I use about six different sources for my information and, in comparison to other days, November 28 was relatively quiet!

Elvis Presley in Tupelo, Mississippi Sept 26, 1956 © 1978 Roger Marshutz—MPTV

Pay attention. Here’s today’s lesson:

November 28, 1960: Elvis Presley had his 43rd hit and his 15th #1 hit in just four years with Are You Lonesome Tonight.

November 28, 1962: The Beatles performed at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, and then performed at a dance for the staff of Lewis Department Store at the 527 Club, also in Liverpool.

November 28, 1963: She Loves You by The Beatles returns to #1 in the UK.

November 28, 1964: Willie Nelson made his debut on the stage of The Grand Ole Opry when he opened for Roger Miller.

November 28, 1966: Paul Revere and The Raiders released their great single Good Thing.

November 28, 1968: Deep Purple played the first of four nights at the Fillmore West in San Francisco on their first tour of North America.

November 28, 1970: Bob Dylan owned the #1 album in the UK with New Morning.

Also on November 28, 1970, Dave Edmunds’ I Hear Your Knocking went to #1 in the UK.

Born On This Day

November 28, 1943: The great songwriter, Randy Newman, was born on this day.

And that’s all you need to know about today’s events in music history!