Today in Music History for Dec. 7:
In 1877, the first successful gramophone was demonstrated. It was invented by Thomas Edison and built by his mechanic, John Kruesi.
In 1916, French-Canadian fiddler Ti-Jean Carignan was born in Levis, Que. He was a frequent performer at folk festivals throughout North America and Europe in the 1960s and ’70s, but increasing deafness forced Carignan to retire from music in 1978. His repertoire included more than 7,000 dance tunes. Carignan died on Feb. 16, 1988.
In 1931, Bobby Osborne of "The Osborne Brothers" bluegrass group was born in Hyden, Ky. "The Osborne Brothers" were one of the first bluegrass groups to use electric guitars and drums, a move that horrified bluegrass purists in the early 1960s.
In 1942, singer-songwriter Harry Chapin was born in New York City. He began his musical career in 1971, after a decade spent making documentary films, including the critically acclaimed "Legendary Champions," which was nominated for an Academy Award. His debut album in 1972, "Heads and Tales," yielded the top-20 single "Taxi." Two years later, Chapin reached the top of the singles chart with "Cat’s in the Cradle." His success with recordings was matched by his popularity as a concert performer. He regularly played more than 200 concerts a year, many of them for charity. He died of a heart attack after a car crash in Jericho, N.Y. on July 16, 1981.
In 1962, bassist Bill Wyman auditioned for "The Rolling Stones." He played his first gig with the band the following week.
In 1963, "The Beatles" acted as the panel on the BBC television show "Juke Box Jury."
In 1964, Brian and Marilyn Wilson were married. Brian, of course, was the creative force behind "The Beach Boys," and his bride was the lead singer of a group called "The Honeys."
In 1967, Otis Redding recorded "(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay."
In 1967, "The Beatles" opened their Apple boutique in London’s Baker Street.
In 1968, Eric Burdon announced that "The Animals" would break up later in the month. This was the second version of the group -- the original lineup of "The Animals," responsible for such hits as "House of the Rising Sun" and "We Gotta Get Out of This Place," split in 1966. "The New Animals," as the second group was known, had such psychedelic hits as "San Franciscan Nights," "Monterey" and "Sky Pilot."
In 1977, western bandleader, guitarist and singer Bill Boyd died at the age of 67. He recorded more than 300 sides, most of them traditional and cowboy songs, for RCA Victor from 1934-50. His most popular recording was "Under the Double Eagle," a fiddle and guitar version of the popular march tune, made in 1935.
In 1983, the Kenny Rogers-Dolly Parton duet "Islands in the Stream" was certified platinum, with one million copies sold in the U.S.
In 1987, Richard Taylor, a former member of "The Manhattans," died at age 47 following a lengthy illness. He had left the soul group 10 years earlier and converted to Islam. "The Manhattans" had a No. 1 hit in 1976 with "Kiss and Say Goodbye," while Taylor was a member.
In 1990, singer Dee Clark, whose "Raindrops" went to No. 2 on the Billboard chart in 1961, died in Smyrna, Ga., of a heart attack. He was 52.
In 1998, Canadians Celine Dion and Shania Twain were big winners at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas. Dion accepted six awards, including Album Artist and Adult Contemporary Artist, in a video hookup from the Molson Centre in Montreal where she was performing. Twain picked up three awards, including Female Artist of the Year.
In 2002, singer Marc Anthony renewed his wedding vows with his wife, Dayanara Torres, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. They had announced their break-up five months earlier but had never filed for legal separation. They later divorced in January 2004, and he went on to marry Jennifer Lopez in June of the same year. Anthony and Lopez, who later had twins, divorced in 2011.
In 2008, the Live Earth concert planned for Mumbai (India) was cancelled because of the unrest there. At least 172 people died after gunmen hit a number of sites in the city. "Bon Jovi," Roger Waters and will.i.am were scheduled to play.
In 2009, prominent Canadian music stars gathered in Toronto for a benefit concert for Haydain Neale, the former frontman for "Jacksoul," who died of cancer on Nov. 22. Nelly Furtado, Jim Cuddy of "Blue Rodeo," Ben Kowalewicz of "Billy Talent," k-os, Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida of "Our Lady Peace" were among the artists who performed. All proceeds from the concert and sales of "Jacksoul's" recently released record "SOULmate" went go to the Haydain Neale Family Trust.
In 2010, the Recording Academy announced Prince's "Purple Rain" album would be inducted into the 2011 Grammy Hall of Fame, which honours recordings of lasting quality or historic significance. Also named was Joan Baez's self-titled album as well as several singles: "Penny Lane" by "The Beatles," Fats Domino's "Walking to New Orleans," "We Gotta Get Out of This Place" by "The Animals," "Please Mr. Postman" by "The Marvelettes," "The Letter" by "The Box Tops," "I'll Be There" by the "Jackson 5," "Cat's in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin, and "On the Road Again" by Willie Nelson.
In 2010, former "KC and the Sunshine Band" bassist Richard Finch pleaded no contest to charges involving sex with teenage boys. He was sentenced to seven years in prison.
In 2011, rockers "Guns N' Roses" led the 2012 class of inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Also voted in were hip-hop trio "Beastie Boys," "Red Hot Chili Peppers," late singer/songwriter Laura Nyro, Donovan and influential British rock group "The Small Faces"/"The Faces," which included Rod Stewart and "Rolling Stones" guitarist Ronnie Wood.
In 2016, singer-guitarist Greg Lake, a prog-rock pioneer who co-founded King Crimson and Emerson, Lake and Palmer, died after a long battle with cancer. He was 69. ELP, with keyboardist Keith Emerson and drummer Carl Palmer, released six platinum-selling albums characterized by songs of epic length, classical influence and ornate imagery, and toured with elaborate light shows and theatrical staging.
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(The Canadian Press)
The Canadian Press
