Today in Music History for Oct. 11:
In 1882, composer and music educator Nathaniel Dett was born in Drummondville, now Niagara Falls, Ont. Dett, who spent most of his life in the U.S., was dedicated to the cause of black music in America. From 1924-26, he was president of the National Association of Negro Musicians. Prior to his death in 1943, he directed musical activities for the United Service Organization, which was designed to boost the morale of the U.S. Armed Forces.
In 1923, Canadian bass singer Yoland Guerard was born in Jolliete, Que. He participated in many opera telecasts in the early 1950s, when Canadian TV was in its infancy. Beginning in 1954, Guerard replaced Ezio Pinza in the role of Emile de Becque in "South Pacific" for a two-year U.S. tour. He died on Nov. 2, 1987.
In 1932, country singer Dottie West was born in McMinnville, Tenn. Her first big record was "Here Comes My Baby," a 1964 hit which she wrote. The song, covered for the pop market by Perry Como, earned West a Grammy Award. West also recorded successful duets with Jim Reeves and Kenny Rogers. She wrote more than 400 songs. One of them, the 1973 hit "Country Sunshine," was first recorded by West as a Coke commercial. West died in Nashville on Sept. 4, 1991 of injuries suffered in an car accident on Aug. 30.
In 1949, Daryl Hall of the duo "Hall and Oates" was born in Pottstown, Pa. Billboard magazine called "Hall and John Oates" the most successful duo in the history of its record charts. Their blend of rock and R&B kept them on the charts for nearly a decade, beginning with the 1976 hit "Sarah Smile." No. 1 hit singles include "Rich Girl," "Kiss on My List" and "Private Eyes."
In 1963, legendary French chanteuse Edith Piaf died at the age of 47. Nicknamed the "Little Sparrow," she was beloved by audiences in both Europe and North America. It was reported there were 40,000 mourners at her funeral. Piaf, who was born Edith Giovanna Gasson, began singing on Paris streets and in cafes at the age of 15. Appearances in nightclubs soon followed, and by 1940 she was a top music hall and cabaret star on both sides of the Atlantic. Piaf's best-known songs were "Milord" and "La Vie En Rose," which became a million-seller in 1950.
In 1969, Chicago bluesman Muddy Waters was seriously injured and three other people were killed in a car crash near the Windy City.
In 1975, NBC's "Saturday Night Live" was broadcast for the first time. Comedian George Carlin was the host and the musical guests were Billy Preston and Janis Ian.
In 1976, Kitty Wells and Paul Cohen were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
In 1982, Lefty Frizzell, Marty Robbins and Roy Horton were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
In 1985, singing cowboy Tex Williams died in Newhall, Calif., of lung cancer at age 68. His biggest hit - "Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)," was No. 1 on the country chart for 16 weeks in 1947. It was said to be the first million-seller for Capitol Records. Williams' other top-10 hits in the late '40s included "Never Trust a Woman," "Don't Telephone -- Don't Telegraph (Tell a Woman)" and "Banjo Polka."
In 1996, Michael Jackson took his "HIStory" tour to the South Korean capital of Seoul, but only 36,000 of the 60,000 tickets in the Olympic Stadium were sold. Christian, civic and consumer organizations had opposed the concert for months because of 1993 child molestation allegations against Jackson.
In 1998, former "Beach Boy" Brian Wilson made a rare live appearance, joining Jimmy Buffett and his Coral Reefer band on stage in Irvine, Calif. Wilson performed "Surfin' U.S.A." and "California Girls."
In 2007, Werner von Trapp, a member of the musical family made famous by the musical "The Sound of Music," died in Waitsfield, Vt., at age 91.
In 2008, Neal Hefti, the man who composed the themes for the "Batman" and "The Odd Couple" TV series, died. He was 85.
In 2008, William Claxton, a celebrated photographer who worked with such entertainers as Bob Dylan and Frank Sinatra and who helped establish the organization that runs the Grammy Awards, died. He was 80.
In 2008, after getting nearly 15,000 entries, "Canadian Gold" by Colin Oberst, an elementary school teacher from Beaumont, Alta., was voted as the new anthem for CBC's "Hockey Night in Canada." The song was announced on air as the winner of the $100,000 Anthem Challenge in the lead-up to the network's Saturday night NHL doubleheader.
In 2009, Herb Leblanc, a pioneer of Acadian music, died at his home in Lake Doucette, on the French shore of Nova Scotia. Leblanc, the front man for the now-disbanded Acadian folk band "Tymeux de la Baie," was 81.
In 2010, Dee Snider of "Twisted Sister" made his Broadway debut in the musical "Rock of Ages." He played the role of Dennis for an 11-week run. "Twisted Sister" songs "I Wanna Rock" and "We’re Not Gonna Take It" were featured in the production.
In 2011, country music starlett Taylor Swift was crowned "Woman of the Year" by Billboard magazine. The 21-year-old multiplatinum singer-songwriter became the youngest to receive the award. She had sold the most albums of any artist over the past year. The official ceremony took place in New York on Dec. 2. (She won again in 2014.)
In 2011, a collection of 110 American vintage guitars and amplifiers owned by actor Richard Gere fetched nearly $1 million at auction in New York City. The top sale was a 1960 solid-body Les Paul electric guitar by Gibson, which sold for more than $98,000. The money raised went to support global humanitarian causes.
In 2015, Rosanne Cash, Mark James, Even Stevens and Craig Wiseman were inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Cash is the daughter of Johnny Cash and known for songs like "I Don't Want To Spoil The Party" and "I Don't Know Why You Don't Want Me." James wrote "Suspicious Minds" for Elvis Presley and "Always On My Mind" for Willie Nelson. Stevens co-wrote several songs for Eddie Rabbitt, including "I Love A Rainy Night." Wiseman's songs include "Boys Round Here" by Blake Shelton, "She's Got It All" by Kenny Chesney and "Love Me If You Can" by Toby Keith.
In 2016, raspy-voiced rocker Rod Stewart was knighted by Prince William at Buckingham Palace "for services to music and charity."
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(The Canadian Press)
The Canadian Press
