Time to take a look back into this day in rock history: March 1
Sun Records is open for business! Owner Sam Phillips was impressed by demos recorded at his Union Avenue studios by 16-year old saxophonist Johnny London and he decides the kid should be on record. Phillips has the song “Drivin’ Slow” pressed on a 78 RPM…and it pretty much flops. Even so, the first step on a long fascinating journey.
It was turned down by thirty different artists, but the Everly Brothers take a chance on “Bye Bye Love” and the song hits big. After cutting the record the brothers are told to get on a Greyhound bus to Cleveland to pitch the record to WERE’s Bill Randle.
1975
Akron fans get a close look up at sophisticated glam rock with Roxy Music.
Poster courtesy of Raw Sugar Studio
Cyndi Lauper gets the nod from Johnny Carson when she makes her TV debut on the Tonight show with “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”
David Bowie sells stock…in himself! (Well, sort of.) His Bowie Bonds are offered on the US Stock Exchange based on money earned from interest on 8% profit within ten years.
The BBC gives the nod to Engelbert Humperdinck to represent the UK at the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest the following May. Keep in mind that at this point he was 75-years old making him the oldest Eurovision contestant ever. Sadly, he finished in second place behind the Swedish entry.
The lead singer of the group called Smith, Gayle McCormick died following a lengthy battle with cancer. She was 67. Smith reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 with their remake of The Shirelles’ “Baby It’s You” in 1969.
2018
Livin’ is easy with Uriah Heep at the Kent Stage.
Poster courtesy of Raw Sugar Studio
