Today in Music History for June 13:
In 1816, English church organist Edward Rimbault was born. He composed the hymn tune to which is sung "O Happy Day, That Fixed My Choice."
In 1940, William Hewlett, a founder of the "Toronto Mendelssohn Choir," died in Bronte, Ont., at age 67. He accompanied the choir on organ for the first three years of its existence -- from 1895-97. Hewlett was also principal of the Hamilton Conservatory from 1918-39.
In 1949, Dennis Locorriere, vocalist and guitarist with "Dr. Hook," was born in Union City, N.J. Their 1971 debut LP, which featured the hit "Sylvia's Mother," sold 3.5 million copies. Their rock 'n' roll parody continued on their second album, "Sloppy Seconds," which contained another top-10 hit, "The Cover of Rolling Stone." By 1974, the group was bankrupt, but a switch from Columbia to Capitol Records brought "Dr. Hook" a 1976 hit with an old Sam Cooke song, "Only Sixteen." Later releases were oriented towards a country audience.
In 1970, "The Long and Winding Road" by "The Beatles" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was never released as a single in Britain, and Paul McCartney disowned the record after producer Phil Spector added a background chorus of women's voices. Nonetheless, it was reported to have sold 1.2 million copies in its first two days of release.
In 1972, Clyde McPhatter, former lead singer with "The Drifters" and "Billy Ward and The Dominoes," died in New York at age 38 of complications from heart, liver and kidney disease. McPhatter joined "The Dominoes" in 1950 at the age of 17, and was featured on their hit recordings "Sixty-Minute Man" and "Have Mercy Baby." In 1953, McPhatter formed "The Drifters," but was with them for only six records -- all of which made the R&B top-10 -- before being drafted into the U.S. Army. McPhatter had a successful solo career after leaving the service, scoring million-sellers with 1956's "Treasure of Love" and 1958's "A Lover's Question."
In 1972, "The Rolling Stones" tour rolled into San Diego, Calif. Sixty people were arrested and 15 injured in rioting at the concert.
In 1986, bandleader and clarinetist Benny Goodman, known as the "King of Swing," died in New York at age 77. Of the big bands, none was bigger than Goodman's in the '30s and '40s. With the help of critic John Hammond, Goodman formed his first band in 1934. The following year, they created a sensation at the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles and began the swing era. In 1937, they were the first jazz band to play Carnegie Hall in New York. The Goodman orchestra's hits included his theme, "Let's Dance," "Stompin' at the Savoy" and "Sing, Sing, Sing."
In 1995, Seattle rockers "Pearl Jam" gave up their 18-month fight against Ticketmaster. The band said it was impossible to run a tour without the agency. "Pearl Jam" had claimed Ticketmaster was a monopoly with unreasonable service charges. The band complained to the U.S. Justice Department and testified before Congress.
In 1998, 11 people were hurt when lightning struck the Tibetan Freedom Concert at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Washington, D.C. About 50,000 people were in the stadium when the lightning hit, just after a set by Herbie Hancock. The rest of the evening's show was cancelled, but the second day went ahead.
In 2001, Los Angeles authorities received hundreds of frantic calls over false rumours of a fatal car crash involving singers Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake.
In 2005, singer Michael Jackson was found not guilty by a jury of child molestation, conspiracy and other criminal counts.
In 2007, Tracy Lawrence's "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Songs chart after 41 weeks, setting a record for longest uninterrupted rise to No. 1. (Chris Young's "Voices" took 51 weeks, but it was spread over its 2008 release and the re-release in 2010).
In 2008, R&B singer R. Kelly was acquitted of all charges of allegedly videotaping himself having sex with an underage girl.
In 2010, Jimmy Dean, a country music legend for his smash hit about a workingman hero, "Big Bad John," and an entrepreneur known for his sausage brand, died at his Henrico County, Va., home. He was 81.
In 2010, "Bon Jovi" keyboardist David Bryan missed his first show since the band formed in 1983 to attend the Tony Awards gala. His R&B musical "Memphis" was up for eight awards. (It won four Tonys, including Best Musical.)
In 2011, singer Stevie Wonder was inducted into the Apollo Theater Hall of Fame. He got his start at the Apollo in Harlem in 1962 when he was 12.
In 2011, two men were arrested near British soul singer Joss Stone's home on suspicion of conspiracy to rob and murder, after reportedly being found in a car with swords, rope, a body bag and the floorplans to her secluded house located in the town of Cullompton, 280 km southwest of London. (In April 2013, both men were convicted.)
In 2012, Mission, B.C.-native Carly Rae Jepsen's infectious "Call Me Maybe" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, ousting Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" after an eight-week run.
In 2012, "The Beach Boys" new album, "That's Why God Made The Radio," debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 Album chart, setting a record for a group with the longest span between top-10 albums - 49 years and one week. Their "Surfin' USA" album hit the top-10 in 1963. "The Beatles" held the previous record of 47 years, seven months ("Meet The Beatles" in 1964 and "One" in 2011.)
In 2013, Joe Perry and Steven Tyler of "Aerosmith" and Mick Jones and Lou Gramm of "Foreigner" were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Also inducted were: Holly Knight ("Love is a Battlefield" and "Invincible" for Pat Benetar and "The Warrior" for Patty Smyth) JD Souther (Eagles' "Heartache Tonight," ''New Kid in Town" and "Best of My Love") and Tony Hatch (Petula Clark's "Downtown" and "My Love"). Elton John and his longtime songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin, were honoured with the Johnny Mercer Award.
In 2018, Rock and Hall of Famer D.J. Fontana, Elvis Presley's first and longtime drummer, died at age 87. He had been suffering complications from breaking his hip in 2016. He was the last surviving member of Elvis' original core of musicians.
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The Canadian Press