This Day in Rock History: August 16th

Time to take a look back into this day in rock history: August 16

1938
For many, this is the guy who started it all. The singer who allegedly sold his soul at the crossroads died on this date, the victim of a poisoning by a jealous husband in Greenwood, Mississippi. Robert Johnson was the charter member of the “27 club”, the age that he died. He left behind a catalog of two albums and a later find of second takes in a recording career that spanned just two years, from 1936 to 37. Dozens of modern rock and blues artists…including the Stones, Zeppelin and, of course, Eric Clapton…have been touched by his music.

Johnson took on a mythical status based on the handful of recordings that survived. Here’s one that inspired Eric Clapton

A few years back there was some speculation that the recordings were actually sped up and we’d been listening to an altered history.

Here’s a version that was slowed down..
Yeah, it’s listenable but Johnson scholar Bruce Conforth emphatically denies the recordings were slowed down. They were recorded at two different locations and his research (and trained ear) makes the case that the recordings reissued in the sixties were the originals.

1962
He came that close! Pete Best gets the word that he’s being replaced by the former drummer for Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, Ringo Starr. Best was a Beatle for just over two years. Beatle manager Brian Epstein tells Best that producer George Martin wanted the change, though he does find him work with another band on his roster. Many fans are not happy with the move.

Best is still a celebrity for a time, even appearing on a US game show.

But this story still has a happy ending.

Anyone’s guess whether there was a conversation with Paul about the royalties. If not, the silence was golden. Best and his band also played several dates at the Kent Stage.

1977

The King is dead. Elvis Presley is found dead by his girlfriend Ginger Alden. He was found lying on his bathroom floor. Elvis was only 42 years old.