FEBRUARY 28th SEES A GAGGLE OF SOON TO BE CLASSICS BEING RECORDED BY; EDDIE COCHRAN, ELVIS PRESLEY, BRENDA LEE, VAN MORRISON AND THE BEATLES…
ON THE LAST DAY OF FEBRUARY:
1958:
Eddie Cochran’s SUMMERTIME BLUES…
1960:
Brenda Lee’s I’M SORRY…
1967:
Van Morrison’s BROWN EYED GIRL…
The Beatles'
GOOD MORNING GOOD MORNING…
The Beatles’
FOR THE BENEFIT OF MR. KITE…
1972:
Elvis’ BURNING LOVE…
Not a bad day in
THE EVOLUTION OF ROCK ‘n ROLL…
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(sometimes spelled "Frankie and Johnnie"; also known as "Frankie and Albert" or just "Frankie") is a traditional American popular song. It tells the story of a woman, Frankie, who finds that her man Johnny was "making love to" another woman and shoots him… Actually, the song was inspired by a murder which took place in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 15, 1899, when Frankie Baker, a 22-year-old dancer
stabbed (or shot) her 17-year-old lover Allen "Al" Britt (who became Johnnie in the story), who was having a relationship with a woman named Alice Pryor (The name became Nellie Bly in the tune). Britt died of his wounds two days later. On trial, Baker claimed that Britt had attacked her with a knife and that she acted in self-defense; she was acquitted…
The first published version was in 1904 copyrighted by Hughie Cannon who wrote "Won't you come home Bill Bailey"…In 1908 a version was published by Frank and Bert Leighton and then again in 1912 with the words that appear in the modern versions and is recorded here on Melodee roll # 1153 with no "played by" credits…
One of the earliest recordings was by Frank Crumit in 1927…
1936: James Lee Land is born in Jasper, Texas, USA. He will grow up to become R&B guitarist/singer Buddy Ace, aka The Silver Fox Of The Blues. Buddy Ace was in gospel groups at first (one contained Joe Tex) before going R & B in the early 50s. He played in Bobby Bland and Junior Parker's bands before he finally got a record contract with Duke/Peacock in 1955. Buddy Ace live in Berlin/germany Franz-Club (early 90's)
On November 11, 1937 Sonny Boy Williamson (The First) recorded "Good Gal Blues" in a session at the Leland Hotel in Aurora, Illinois
During that same Leland Hotel session, Robert Lee McCoy (better known as Robert Nighthawk), with Sonny Boy Williamson I on harp, recorded "Mean Black Cat"
On November 11, 1955 The Clovers recorded their classic "Devil or Angel" at Capitol Studios in NYC. That session also produced "Hey Doll Baby"--the sax heavy flip side of that signature hit:
A year later (November 11, 1956) when Billboard Magazine published the results of its annual Disk Jockey poll:
Johnny Ace's "Pledging My Love" is named the most played R & B single
The most promising artist according to that DJ poll was Chuck Berry
The Billboard DJ poll named Fats Domino as the favorite R&B artist
And Elvis is named the most promising Country and Western artist
The same date (November 11, 1956) was the day that Billboard Magazine introduced "The Top 100" format, combining record sales with radio and jukebox play to arrive at the standings. The Four Aces has the distinction of having the first "Number One" with their tune "Love Is A Many Splendered Thing"
Buddy Holly's "Peggy Sue" was released in the U.S. on November 11, 1957 and made it to #3, remaining on the chart for 16 weeks! (The tune also reached #6 in the UK)
Hank Ballard released his new dance tune "The Twist" on November 11, 1958-- Of course he never recieved credit for inventing The Twist...
Ballard's (original) "The Twist" was issued as the B side of "Teardrops on Your Letter"
"Teardrops" did reach #16 on the R & B Chart, but "The Twist" by Ballard wouldn't appear on the Billboard Pop Chart for another two years (after Chubby Checker's "The Twist" was a hit)
With a #10 hit ("Brown Eye Girl"), Van Morrison was interviewed by Dick Clark on November 11, 1967:
Although a staple on American "Oldies" radio to this day, the tune never charted in the UK
Early in 1982, Brother Marvin Gaye (R.I.P.) left Motown Records. By November 11, 1982 he'd released his masterpiece "Sexual Healing" -- His 13th and final #1on the Billboard R & B Chart, reaching #3 on the Pop Chart and #4 in the UK by the next year...
Bob B Soxx lead male singer Bobby Sheen passed away on November 11, 2000. I'm not gonna post their hit (Zip-A-Dee Doo-Dah which did reach #8 in 1963) But I am going to post Michael Erlewine's video of THE RATIONALS doing the tune...
