Tag: Elvis Presley

Happy Friday From The College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge: 12/11/2020

Greetings from the College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge, where we enrich your lives by making sure you have all the pertinent details required to win a musical trivia contest.

Little Richard performs during the halftime show on December 31, 2004, at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn. The pioneering musician died on Saturday, May 9, 2020; he was 87. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images/TNS)

Here’s today’s lesson!

December 11, 1960: Aretha Franklin gives her first live performance at the Village Vanguard in New York city.

December 11, 1961: Motown Records has it’s first #1 hit on the Top 100 with Please Mr. Postman by the Marvelettes.

Also on this day, Elvis Presley’s Blue Hawaii goes to #1.

December 11, 1965: The Velvet Underground plays its first live gig when they open for a group called The Myddle Class in the auditorium of Summit High School in New Jersey.

December 11, 1966: Elton John’s band, Bluesology, opens for Little Richard in London. Elton would later say: “When I saw Little Richard standing on top of the piano, all lights, sequins, and energy, I decided there and then that I was going to be a rock and roll piano player.”

December 11, 1968: The Rolling Stones record their Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus TV special, then proceed to bury it for nearly 30 years.

December 11, 1970: John Lennon releases his first solo album, titled John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.

December 11, 1972: Genesis plays its first US concert ever at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts.

December 11, 1988: Tom Petty, Bonnie Raitt, Graham Nash and Don Henley perform at a Roy Orbison tribute concert at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles.

December 11, 1990: Led Zeppelin IV is certified Diamond with sales of 10 million in the US.

Born On This Day

December 11, 1926: Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton was born in Anton, Alabama. Willie Mae was the first to record Hound Dog, the song that would later be made famous by Elvis Presley.

And that is just about it from the College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge for this fine day!

More Details From The College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge: 12/4/2020

Good Morning, Music Trivialists! We here at the College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge draw from our own archive of totally useless information and pour over various electronic sources to bring this to you every day. As you may expect, some sites differ from others about locations of events, timing, etc. Needless to say, research, critical thinking and weed is required to complete this task.

The Million Dollar Quartet: Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Here’s today’s lesson!

December 4, 1956: Elvis Presley stopped by Sun Studios unexpectedly to find Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash watching Carl Perkins in the studio. The four would tape several songs together on that day, but it would be 25 years before that day would be immortalized on vinyl as The Million Dollar Quartet.

December 4, 1964: The Beatles release their fourth album, Beatles For Sale, which spends 11 weeks as the #1 album in the UK.

December 4, 1965: Turn, Turn, Turn would give The Byrds their second consecutive #1 hit, following up Mr. Tambourine Man.

December 4, 1969: President Richard M. Nixon, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew and forty governors spend the day watching simulated acid trips and listening to rock music to help them understand the “generation gap.” We have been led by idiots for a very long fucking time.

December 4, 1971: Don MacLean’s eight-minute epic, American Pie, enters Billboard’s Hot 100. Before all is said and done, it will sell 3 million copies. To this day, it remains one of the most analyzed and debated songs in music history.

Also on this day, Sly & The Family Stone’s Family Affair begins a three-week run at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This will be their third and final #1 and their last song in the top 10 before the band implodes under the weight of personal issues, and falls apart. Too bad. They were a great band.

Led Zeppelin also began a two-week stint at the top of the UK Album chart with the Four Symbols album, which includes Stairway To Heaven. The album will eventually sell 11 million copies and remained on the US charts for nearly five years.

December 4, 1980: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones announce that Led Zeppelin will not continue on after the death of drummer John Bonham.

December 4, 1982: A retrospective album of John Lennon’s solo work called The John Lennon Collection, started a six-week run at #1 on he UK Album chart. The front and back covers were shot by Annie Liebovitz on December 8, 1980, just five hours before John Lennon’s murder.

December 4, 1987: Alison Krauss, just sixteen years old, releases her debut album, Too Late To Cry, with her backing band, Union Station.

December 4, 1988: Roy Orbison (aka, Lefty Wilbury) plays his final gig at The Front Row Theater in Akron, Ohio. Orbison dies of a heart attack two days later.

Born On This Day

December 4, 1942: Chris Hillman, of The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and the Desert Rose Band, was born in Los Angeles.

December 4, 1944: Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys was born in Inglewood, California.

And that, my friends, is as they say — all the news that’s fit to print because there are a lot of singers we simply don’t give a shit about here in The Mermaid Lounge.

Another Early Morning Lesson From The Mermaid Lounge: 12/3/2020

Good Morning, Students! Here we are again with a lesson in rock n’ roll history from the College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge. We’re not as active as some days today, but we do pick and choose our subjects here. There are a lot of people we don’t give a flying fuck about, like Madonna. JayZ. Lady GaGa. Kanye West, the waste of musical space, and so on.

Tom Petty’s final shows. Ever.

And now, today’s lesson:

December 3, 1955: Elvis Presley’s first release on RCA Victor Records was announced. The first two were purchased from Sam Phillips at Sun Records, Mystery Train and I Forgot To Remember To Forget.

December 3, 1961: Brian Epstein makes his first pitch to become The Beatles’ manager. Although the meeting goes well, there is no decision on this day.

December 3, 1965: Keith Richards cuts it close. He steps on a microphone cable and is electrocuted and knocked unconscious during a Stones concert in Sacramento. After a short break, Richards is able to come back and play.

Also on this day, The Beatles release the album Rubber Soul and the single Nowhere Man in the UK.

December 3, 1966: Paul Revere & The Raiders had their sixth Billboard Top 40 hit enter the Top 100. Good Thing will climb the charts and eventually reach #4, It stays on the charts for ten weeks.

December 3, 1968: It’s a Banner Day for Gold Records: The Grass Roots song Midnight Confessions is certified Gold on this day; and the albums Aretha Now by Aretha Franklin and Fresh Cream by Cream are certified Gold as well.

The Montreux Casino caught fire and burned during a show by Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention. The event is immortalized in the song Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple. Deep Purple was supposed to begin working on their Machine Head album the following day.

December 3, 1976: Bob Marley narrowly escapes an assassination attempt. Seven gunmen sprayed bullets into his Kingston, Jamaica, home where he and the Wailers were rehearsing. Marley had become unpopular in some circles due to his influence over some local politicians. He moved to Florida a short time after the incident.

December 3, 2003: The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) gave Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers a Diamond Award, markng the sale of 10 million copies of their Greatest Hits album in the U.S.

Born On This Day

There’s really only one person mentioned that we give a shit about here.

December 3, 1947: John Wilson, drummer for Them, was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Our New “Between Heaven & Hell” Playlist Debuts, We Hear From The Beatles, and Irma Thomas in In The Spotlight, Monday, November 30, 2020

Good Morning, Music Lovers. We’ve got some really good stuff going on today, particularly with our new playlist kicking it all off at noon.

This is what we’re taught. Personally, I think we’re already in hell.

Here’s today’s line-up!

12:00 p.m. Between Heaven & Hell: Various Artists NEW!

We’ve got some real interesting songs in this one. Some stuff I know I’ve never put in a playlist before. Includes songs from Led Zeppelin, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Bob Dylan, The Eagles, The Byrds, Emmylou Harris, Eddie Cochran, Elvis Presley, ZZ Top, Lucinda Williams, Roberta Flack, and others! it’s a good one.

Take this with a grain of salt, but the playlist should be up before the stream begins. Go to the Playlist tab and scroll to the bottom to see if I make good on my attempt.

4:00 p.m. The Beatles: The Early Years

We certainly don’t play enough of our co-House Band here. But all of this stuff I research has made me understand that sometimes we forget just how fucking good they were. But Bob Dylan? He knew:

“We were driving through Colorado, we had the radio on, and eight of the Top 10 songs were Beatles songs…’I Wanna Hold Your Hand,’ all those early ones. They were doing things nobody was doing. Their chords were outrageous, just outrageous, and their harmonies made it all valid… I knew they were pointing the direction of where music had to go.”

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Irma Thomas

Somehow, there are those great singers who fall through the cracks when they should be much bigger. Irma Thomas is such a singer. She is a contemporary of Aretha Franklin, and she is known as The Soul Queen of New Orleans.

It’s Monday. It’s going to be rainy here with 50-mph winds. I’m turning it up and hunkering down. You should too.

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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!

It’s Saturday at The College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge!

Yes, it’s Saturday here, but retail hell still exists and we are still cookin’ here at the College of Rock n’ Roll knowledge. Shit happens no matter what day of the week it is!

Diana Ross & The Supremes doing what they do best.

Today in rock music history:

November 14, 1960: It’s Now or Never by Elvis Presley becomes the fastest-selling single ever in the UK, selling 780,000 copies a week.

Also on this day, Ray Charles goes to #1 for the first time ever with Georgia On My Mind, his ninth hit.

November 14, 1962: The Beatles played the final show of a 14-night run at the Star Club in Hamburg, Germany. We will soon be featuring these performances here at $BecomeUngovernable Radio.

November 14, 1964: The Supremes reign at the top of the charts for the third week with their first hit, Baby Love.

November 14, 1967: Pink Floyd opens for The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and play the first show at Royal Albert Hall in London.

November 14, 1970: Gladys Knight & The Pips release If I Were Your Woman.

Also on this day, Santana releases their version of Black Magic Woman. Most people do not know that the song was originally written by Peter Green, and released by Fleetwood Mac in 1968, when they were a blues band.

November 14, 1971: Rod Stewart & Faces release Stay With Me.

That’s today’s lesson in a nutshell, Musicologists. Please sign on to follow the blog on the right sidebar and it will be delivered to your email daily. We will be back in a bit with today’s line-up!

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Sargeant Pepper Pays a Visit, We Celebrate Elvis, and Our Summer of Love Playlist Returns, Monday, August 17, 2020

Happy Monday,, Ungovernables! We continue our Summer of Love programming this week, with a little bit of Elvis sprinkled in for good measure.

325773

11:00 a.m.   The Best of The Summer of Love! Sargeant Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band  by The Beatles

Probably the most iconic album released during the Summer of Love phase was this brilliant effort by The Beatles. They would follow this up later with Magical Mystery Tour, but this one was a tough act to follow.

3:00 p.m.     Elvis Presley: The Sun Sessions   NEW!

Elvis Aaron Presley, known simply as Elvis, passed away at Graceland 43 years ago yesterday. Elvis was the inspiration for many of the musicians we are celebrating on this radio station. And that’s why we celebrate him today.

7:00 p.m.     The Summer of Love Playlist, Volume 1

There were many players during the Summer of Love, and many may not make it to the spotlight. Nevertheless, they gave us some great music. Hear The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Cream, Scott McKenzie, The Strawberry Alarm Clock, The Association, Donovan, Marvin Gaye, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Paul Revere & The Raiders, The Electric Prunes, Procol Harum, and many more!

Come on, people. What are you waiting for? Tune us in today. It won’t cost you a penny, and we won’t smother you with advertising. 

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Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan & George Harrison, and Our Album of the Week, June 11, 2020

Good Morning, Ungovernables! Back on the chain gang today (figuratively speaking), with a pretty sweet line-up.

Stevie Wonder

Here’s today’s line-up:

11:00 a.m.   Album of the Week: Tapestry by Carole King

You can learn more about this great album by clicking on the album cover on the right side of the blog!

3:00 p.m.    In the Spotlight: The Music of Stevie Wonder    NEW!

Blind from birth and raised in inner-city Detroit, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Stevie Wonder was an accomplished musician by the age of eight, and recorded his first song at the age of 12. Today, we give him his due.

6:00 p.m.    Bob Dylan & George Harrison Almost Went to See Elvis (1997)

It’s a mystery, folks. According to Harrison, Elvis stood them up. But according Dylan, it was the other way around.

Tune us in: www.tinyurl.com/becomeungovernableradio

 

 

Elvis in Nashville in ’56, The Beatles in Transformation, and The Pretenders Return, on Thursday, June 4, 2020

Good Morning, Ungovernables! We have some sweet stuff in our musical bag of tricks today. You’re going to love it. But only if you tune us in!

Elvis Nashvlle Sessions 1956

Here’s your Thursday line-up!

12:00 p.m.  Elvis Presley: The 1956 Nashville Recordings    NEW!

The 1956 Nashville sessions resulted in the very first album ever released by Elvis Presley. The album spent ten weeks at number one, and became the first rock n’ roll album to hit the top of the charts. It was also the first million selling album of the genre. The album also spawned the number one hit single, Heartbreak Hotel, undoubtedly one of my favorite Elvis Presley songs of all time. They don’t call Elvis “the king” for nothing. He was the inspiration for many, including the Beatles and Tom Petty, who met him at the age of 11. The rest is history.

5:00 p.m.    The Beatles: The Transformative Years

We are replaying this great playlist today that made its debut on #BecomeUngovernable Radio on May 16. Tomorrow, we add the third playlist in our Beatles series.

All three playlists are now up and available in the Playlist section of the blog. Just scroll to the bottom!

9:00 p.m.    Album of the Week: Learning To Crawl by The Pretenders

We’re back with this great album from The Pretenders. If you haven’t heard it yet this week, you’ll only have Saturday. On Sunday a new album will be chosen.

Tune us in, people. You have no idea what you are missing!

www.tinyurl.com/becomeungovernableradio

Dylan and Harrison, New “Live” Bonnie Raitt, Paul Simon in the Spotlight, and Songs About My Favorite Color, Monday, March 2, 2020

Good Morning, Ungovernables! We are working on uploading lots of new stuff, some rare, some we simply didn’t know still existed. Today, we’ve got some new Bonnie Raitt.

Bonnie Raitt-2

Here’s Monday’s line-up:

11:00 a.m.     Bob Dylan & George Harrison Almost Went to See Elvis!

According to legend, Elvis stood them up. In fact, according to Dylan, they were supposed to record with Elvis and they stood him up. Nobody will ever know the truth. Maybe.

2:00 p.m.      Bonnie Raitt: Live at the Troubadour (1972)  NEW PLAYLIST!

One from the vault at the legendary Troubadour, where many of her compatriots also got their start.

5:00 p.m.      In the Spotlight: The Music of Paul Simon

9:00 p.m.      All About Blue: Various Artists

I never realized how many songs contained the  name of my favorite color until I got the idea for this playlist!

Tune in. Smoke a bone. Take the edge off. You won’t regret it.

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