BEHIND THE GROOVES: a music blog by Jeff Harris

On this day in music history: June 17, 1991 - “For...

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:59:40 -0700

On this day in music history: June 17, 1991 - “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge”, the ninth studio album by Van Halen is released. Produced by Andy Johns, Ted Templeman, and Van Halen, it is recorded at 5150 Studios in Hollywood, CA from March 1990 - April 1991. The albums’ title is inspired when Sammy Hagar, wanting to stir things up and make a statement against the tide of censorship sweeping the media at the time, suggests that the band title their latest album “F***”. Hagar’s friend, boxer Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini will tell him that the expletive “f***” is actually an acronym for the phrase “for unlawful carnal knowledge”. The album will also mark the return of the bands’ original producer Ted Templeman, whom the band had been estranged from for many years. In spite of mostly mixed reviews from critics upon its release, it will be warmly received by the bands’ loyal fans. It will spin off four singles including “Poundcake” (#1 Album Rock) and “Right Now” (#2 Album Rock, #55 Pop). The latter will be supported by a music video (directed by Mark Fenske) whose unique concept and graphic style will make it an instant staple on MTV, winning three Video Music Awards including Video Of The Year in 1992. The album will also win Van Halen their first (and so far only) Grammy Award for Best Hard Performance in 1992. “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge” will enter the Billboard Top 200 at #1, spending 3 weeks at the top and is certified 3x Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

On this day in music history: June 17, 1985 -...

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:59:22 -0700

On this day in music history: June 17, 1985 - “Crush”, the sixth studio album by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark is released. Produced by Stephen Hague and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, it is recorded at Amazon Studios in Liverpool, UK from Late 1984 - Spring 1985. It will mark the beginning of a new musical direction for the Liverpudlian synthpop band, moving away from their experimental electronic dance music on previous albums, towards a more accessible mainstream pop sound. It is the bands’ first album to be co-produced by Stephen Hague (The Pet Shop Boys, New Order, Erasure), and is aimed primarily at the US record market. It will grow their previously underground fanbase in the US giving them their first taste of mainstream success. The album will spin off two singles including “Secret” (#63 Pop) and their first US top 40 hit “So In Love” (#26 Pop). “Crush” will peak at #13 on the UK album chart and #38 on the Billboard Top 200.

On this day in music history: June 17, 1978 - “Shadow...

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:59:00 -0700

On this day in music history: June 17, 1978 - “Shadow Dancing” by Andy Gibb hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 7 weeks. Written by Barry, Robin, Maurice, and Andy Gibb, it is the third consecutive chart topper for the singer and songwriter from The Isle Of Man, UK. While his debut single “I Just Want To Be Your Everything” and the accompanying album “Flowing Rivers” are steadily climbing the charts in the US and abroad, singer Andy Gibb, with the assistance of his older brothers the Bee Gees will begin work on his second album. All four brothers will collaborate on “Shadow Dancing” while the Bee Gees are filming “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in L.A. in mid 1977. Recording will begin at Wally Heider Studios in Los Angeles, CA, with overdubs and final mixing completed at Criteria Studios in Miami, FL. Released as a single in April 1978, it will quickly become a smash. Entering the Hot 100 at #69 on April 15, 1978, it will rise to the top of the chart nine weeks later. Gibb at only twenty years old, will become the first solo artist in history to have his first three singles reach #1 in the US, achieving this feat in just 11 months. “Shadow Dancing” is certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA, selling over 2.5 million copies in the US alone, and will be ranked as the top single of 1978 by Billboard Magazine.

Born on this day: June 17, 1943 - Singer, songwriter, producer...

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:59:37 -0700

Born on this day: June 17, 1943 - Singer, songwriter, producer and musician Barry Manilow (born Barry Alan Pincus in Brooklyn, NY). Happy 70th Birthday, Barry!!

On this day in music history: June 17, 1978 - While on a...

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:02:00 -0700

On this day in music history: June 17, 1978 - While on a European Tour in support of their latest album “Earth”, Jefferson Starship will play the second of two concerts at The Freilichtbühne Loreley (Loreley Open-Air Theatre) in St. Goarhausen, West Germany. On the first night (June 16th), the band will fail to appear, causing angry fans to ransack the stage. The second night will be even more of a disaster, when lead singer Grace Slick shows up extremely drunk and beligerent. Slurring her words and singing off key throughout, she’ll begin to berate the audience calling them “Nazis” and taunting them with the phrase “who won the war?”. The incident will touch off a riot, with the enraged audience causing over a million dollars in damage to the venue (which ironically had been originally constructed just prior to World War II by The Third Reich for cultural events) and the band’s equipment. Highly embarrassed by her actions, Slick will voluntarily quit the band, not returning until early 1981 when Jefferson Starship records their album “Modern Times”.

On this day in music history: June 16, 1997 - “OK...

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 18:12:57 -0700

On this day in music history: June 16, 1997 - “OK Computer”, the third studio album by Radiohead is released. Produced by Radiohead and Nigel Godrich, it is recorded at Canned Applause in Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK, and St. Catherine’s Court in Bath, UK. Following their highly acclaimed sophomore release “The Bends”, the band will shift musical directions yet again, producing a much more experimental, layered piano based sound than their first two albums. Initially, Radiohead’s US record label Capitol has low expectations for the albums’ commercial potential as it strays far from the bands’ trademark “Britpop” rock sound. The album will launched in the US with an unusual promotional campaign. 1,000 cassette review copies will be sent to the press and music industry tastemakers with the tape permanently glued inside the player. It will receive universal acclaim upon its release, frequently drawing comparisons to Pink Floyd’s classic “The Dark Side Of The Moon”, though the band themselves will disagree with the assessment. “Computer” will become Radiohead’s best selling album worldwide, spinning off three singles including “Paranoid Android” (#3 UK) and “Karma Police” (#8 UK, #14 US Modern Rock). The album will be nominated for three Grammy Awards in 1998 including Album Of The Year. They will win for Best Alternative Music Performance. “OK Computer” will hit #1 on the UK album chart, #21 on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified 2x Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

On this day in music history: June 16, 1995 - “HIStory:...

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 16:59:59 -0700

On this day in music history: June 16, 1995 - “HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I”, the ninth studio album by Michael Jackson is released. Produced by Michael Jackson, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Dallas Austin, David Foster, Bill Bottrell, and R Kelly, it is recorded at The Hit Factory Studios, and Sony Music Sudios, New York; Record One, Ocean Way Studios, Larrabee Sound Studios, Westlake Audio, Soundcastle Studios, Todd A.O. Scoring Stage, and Warner Brothers Scoring Stage in Los Angeles, CA, Flyte Tyme Studios in Minneapolis, MN and Chicago Recording Company in Chicago, IL from September 1994 – March 1995. The 30 song 2 CD set (also issued as a 3 LP vinyl box set) features one disc of 15 Michael Jackson classics and a second disc with 15 new songs. The album was originally intended to be a just a greatest hits compilation titled “Decade” which was to include a couple of new songs. Jackson will continue working on the project until he has acquired more than a dozen new songs, many of which will reflect his often tumultuous relationship with the media. The album will be backed by an unprecedented marketing and media campaign. The first single “Scream” (#5 Pop a duet with his sister Janet Jackson will be supported by a cutting edge video (directed by Mark Romanek) at a cost of over $7 million. The clip will win a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video in 1996. It will also spin off a #1 single with the follow up “You Are Not Alone” (written and produced by R. Kelly). “HIStory” will spin off several singles and will sell over 20 million units worldwide. However, still smarting from negative tabloid press (especially in the US), and with Sony Music in the US prematurely pulling the plug on its promotional efforts, will affect how the album is received there. Though it will immediately sell more than 2 million copies domestically, it will be looked upon as a commercial disappointment at the time. “HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I” will debut at #1 on the Billboard Top 200, spending 2 weeks at the top of the Top 200 and R&B album charts, and is certified 7x Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

On this day in music history: June 16, 1990 - “Tomorrow (A...

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 15:59:12 -0700

On this day in music history: June 16, 1990 - “Tomorrow (A Better You, Better Me)” by Quincy Jones Featuring Tevin Campbell hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 1 week, also peaking at #75 on the Hot 100 on the same date. Written by George Johnson, Louis Johnson, and Siedah Garrett, it is the fourth R&B chart topper for the legendary producer, composer and arranger born Quincy Delightt Jones, Jr.. The song was originally composed as an instrumental and included on The Brothers Johnson’s 1976 debut album “Look Out For #1”. During the recording of “Block”, Jones will discover a 12 year old singer from Waxahatchie, TX named Tevin Campbell. Impressed with the young singer’s vocal prowess, he will look for a song for him to record on the album. Jones will ask singer/songwriter Siedah Garrett (also one of his proteges) to write lyrics for the previously instrumental “Tomorrow”. The song also features jazz saxophonist Gerald Albright performing the sax solo. Issued as the third single from producer/arranger Quincy Jones’ album “Back On The Block”, in March of 1990, “Tomorrow (A Better You, Better Me)” will be the third consecutive R&B chart topper from “Back On The Block”.

On this day in music history: June 16, 1986 - “The Queen...

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 15:04:27 -0700

On this day in music history: June 16, 1986 - “The Queen Is Dead”, the third studio album by The Smiths is released. Produced by Morrissey and Johnny Marr, it is recorded at Jacobs Studios in Farnham, Surrey, UK, RAK Studios in London, and Clear Recordings in Manchester, UK between July - December 1985. Morrissey and Marr will write the majority of the songs for their third album during and between tours of Great Britain in 1985. Recording begins in the Summer with the song “Bigmouth Strikes Again” at Johnny Marr’s home studio. Originally intended to be just a demo, the band will like the original version so much that it is released as single in advance of the album in May 1986. The rest of the album will be completed later in the year in London and Surrey. When it debuts in the late Spring of 1986, it will receive universal praise from the press and fans alike upon its release, and will be regarded by many as The Smiths best album. “The Queen Is Dead” will peak at #2 on the UK album chart, #70 on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

Born on this day: June 16, 1971 - Rap music icon and actor 2Pac...

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 14:16:53 -0700

Born on this day: June 16, 1971 - Rap music icon and actor 2Pac (born Tupac Amaru Shakur in East Harlem, NY). Happy Birthday to Tupac on what would have been his 42nd Birthday.

Born on this day: June 16, 1942 - R&B vocal legend Eddie...

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 13:03:21 -0700

Born on this day: June 16, 1942 - R&B vocal legend Eddie Levert of The O’Jays (born Edward Levert in Bessemer, AL). Happy 71st Birthday, Eddie!! We ♥ you!!!

On this day in music history: June 16, 1979 - “Ring My Bell” by...

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 11:58:23 -0700

On this day in music history: June 16, 1979 - “Ring My Bell” by Anita Ward hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 5 weeks, also topping the Hot 100 for 2 weeks on June 30th. Written and produced by Frederick Knight, it is the biggest hit for the former school teacher turned singer from Memphis, TN. The song is originally written and intended for then 13 year old singer Stacy Lattisaw. When Lattisaw does not end up signing with Knight’s production company (signing with Atlantic Records instead), Knight will re-write the lyrics, originally about kids talking on the telephone, to something more suited for an adult singer. Anita Ward, a 22 year old former school teacher from Memphis, TN will be given the song for her debut album. The track is cut at Malaco Studios in Jackson, MS and released on Knight’s Juana Records (distributed by Miami, FL based TK Records). The record will be remixed by famed New York club DJ Richie Rivera, which will turn it into a worldwide hit. “Ring My Bell” will sell over 2.5 million copies in the US alone.

The King Of Pop, Michael Jackson

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 11:22:43 -0700

The King Of Pop, Michael Jackson

On this day in music history: June 15, 1989 -...

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 18:40:17 -0700

On this day in music history: June 15, 1989 - “Bleach”, the debut album by Nirvana is released. Produced by Jack Endino, it is recorded at Reciprocal Recording in Seattle, WA from December 1988 - January 1989. The first album by the Aberdeen, WA grunge rock band will be recorded in only 30 hours of studio time at a cost of only $606.17. Second guitarist Jason Everman will finance the recording of the album in spite of not playing a note on it. Guitarist/songwriter and lead singer Kurt Cobain will credit him anyway as a gesture of thanks. Issued on small Seattle indie rock label Sub Pop Records, the album will sell about 40,000 copies during its initial release, but will rise significantly in prominence following Nirvana’s hugely successful second album “Nevermind” in 1991. “Bleach” will finally chart on the Billboard Top 200 in 1992 peaking at #89. It will top the Catalog album sales chart on May 7, 1994 one month after Kurt Cobain’s death. “Bleach” is certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA in February 1995.

On this day in music history: June 15, 1982 -...

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 18:06:50 -0700

On this day in music history: June 15, 1982 - “Abracadabra”, the twelfth studio album by the Steve Miller Band is released. Produced by Steve Miller and Gary Mallaber, it is recorded at Capitol Studios in Hollywood, CA in Late 1981. Following the poorly received “Circle Of Love” album released in the Fall of 1981, the veteran guitarist will quickly rebound with his most successful album in five years. Returning to his more commercial, radio friendly pop/rock sound of the mid to late 70’s, the album will be rapturously received by fans and radio. The title track will become his third and final #1 single in the US topping the Hot 100 in September 1982, and will spin off two other singles including “Cool Magic” (#57 Pop) and “Give It Up” (#60 Pop). “Abracadabra” will peak #3 on the Billboard Top 200 and is certified Platinum by the RIAA.

On this day in music history: June 15, 1981 - The self-titled...

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 16:59:25 -0700

On this day in music history: June 15, 1981 - The self-titled debut album by Duran Duran is released. Produced by Colin Thurston, it is recorded at Red Bus Studios, Abbey Road Studios, Utopia Studio in London, and Chipping Norton Recording Studios, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, UK from October - December 1980. The Birmingham, UK band will be at the forefront of the New Romantic movement sweeping England at the time of its release. Boasting a wide variety of musical influences including David Bowie, The Sex Pistols and American R&B/dance music pioneers Chic, Duran Duran will marry these musical genres together developing their own unique sound. The album will be a huge success in their native country spinning off three singles including “Planet Earth” (#12 UK) and “Girls On Film” (#5 UK). It will go largely unnoticed in the US on its initial release, until it is reissued in April 1983 following their breakthrough success with their second album “Rio”. The album is repackaged with redesigned cover art, removing the track “To The Shore” and replacing it with the then new single “Is There Something I Should Know?” (#1 UK, #4 US Pop). “Duran Duran” will peak at #3 on the UK album chart, #10 on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

Born on this day: June 15, 1941 - Singer, songwriter, and...

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 16:00:17 -0700

Born on this day: June 15, 1941 - Singer, songwriter, and musician Harry Nilsson (born Harry Edward Nilsson III in Brooklyn, NY). Happy Birthday to this brilliant and visionary artist on what would have been his 72nd Birthday. Miss and ♥ you, Harry!!

On this day in music history: June 15, 1974 - “Billy...

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 15:34:59 -0700

On this day in music history: June 15, 1974 - “Billy Don’t Be A Hero” by Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 2 weeks. Written by Mitch Murray (“How Do You Do It?”, “I’m Telling You Now”) and Peter Callander, it will be only major hit for the Cincinnati, OH based pop band. The song was originally recorded by UK band Paper Lace (“The Night Chicago Died”) who hit #1 in their native country with the song. Before their version can be issued in the US, Bo Donaldson’s version, produced by Steve Barri (The Grass Roots, Rhythm Heritage) will beat it to the punch. Paper Lace’s version will stall on the Hot 100 at #96 on May 4, 1974, while the Bo Donaldson version will streak to #1. Entering the Hot 100 at #90 on April 20, 1974, climbing to the top of the chart eight weeks later. “Billy Don’t Be A Hero” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

On this day in music history: June 15, 1974 -...

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 14:59:39 -0700

On this day in music history: June 15, 1974 - “Sideshow” by Blue Magic hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 1 week, also peaking at #8 on the Hot 100 on August 10th. Written by Vinnie Barrett (aka Gwendolyn H. Woolfolk) and Bobby Eli, it is the biggest hit and only million selling single for the Philadelphia, PA based R&B vocal quintet. Co-written by MFSB guitarist Bobby Eli and his writing partner Gwen Woolfolk (under the pseudonym “Vinnie Barrett”) are inspired to write the song after going to the circus and to an antiques museum with circus toys on display. After they compose the song, fellow MFSB guitarist Norman Harris will hear “Sideshow” when he visits Eli at his apartment. He’ll request the song for Blue Magic’s debut album which he is producing at the time. Issued as the fourth and final single from their self-titled debut, it will shoot to the top of the R&B singles chart, then crossing over to the pop charts. Nearly one year later, Eli and Woolfolk will have their second R&B chart topper as songwriters when Major Harris’ “Love Won’t Let Me Wait” will top the R&B singles chart one week shy of one year after Blue Magic reaches the summit. “Sideshow” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

On this day in music history: June 15, 1968 -...

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 13:35:54 -0700

On this day in music history: June 15, 1968 - “Think” by Aretha Franklin hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 3 weeks, also peaking at #7 on the Hot 100 on the same date. Written by Aretha Franklin and Ted White, it is the sixth R&B chart topper for “The Queen Of Soul” in only fifteen months. Recorded on April 15th at Atlantic Studios in New York City, it features members of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section including Spooner Oldham (organ), Roger Hawkins (drums), Jimmy Johnson, and Tommy Cogbill (guitar). Bassist Jerry Jemmott also plays on the track and features background vocals by The Sweet Inspirations. Released as the first single from Franklin’s third Atlantic album “Aretha Now!”, it will be an instant smash, racing up the R&B and pop charts simultaneously. Much like Franklin’s hit “Respect”, “Think” will be adopted as a pro civil rights and pro-feminist anthem. Aretha will record the song again for her appearance in the 1980 film “The Blues Brothers”. “Think” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.