April 15
1956
Mitch Miller made it clear that he hated rock and roll. He carried a lot of weight in the business as music director at Columbia Records, but when it came to fifties rock and roll he said, “It’s not music. It’s a disease.” Miller faced off against Alan Freed on Eric Sevareid’s CBS-TV show, with additional commentary from two psychiatrists. Here’s Miller’s brand of music and Fred’s. You decide.
1967
Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra chart with “Somethin’ Stupid” and become the only father and daughter act ever to score a hit single. It’s since been done by UB40 singer Ali Campbell with his daughter Kibibi among others.
1971
Oooops! Sorry Ringo. The Beatles score Academy Awards for the Original Song Category for the movie Let it Be. Well, most of the Beatles. Ringo Starr’s writing credit for the song “Dig It” was mistakenly overlooked so only three statuettes are awarded to John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. They don’t even bother to attend the ceremony.
1992
A charity concert in memory of the late Freddie Mercury staged by the surviving members of Queen raises $15 million. Others joining them, on stage include David Bowie, Annie Lennox, Elton John, Guns N’ Roses, Roger Daltrey, Robert Plant, Paul Young and others.
