Today in Music History for Oct. 24:
In 1911, blues singer and harmonica player Sonny Terry, best known for his more than 30-year partnership with Brownie McGhee, was born in Greensboro, N.C. He died in 1987.
In 1930, "The Big Bopper," whose real name was J.P. Richardson, was born in Sabine Pass, Texas. He was a longtime friend of Buddy Holly, and was killed in the same Feb. 3, 1959 plane crash that took the lives of Holly and Ritchie Valens.
In 1936, Bill Wyman, former bass guitarist with "The Rolling Stones," was born in London. He joined the band shortly after the group's debut concert in July, 1962. Wyman, who had previously played with a group called "The Cliftons," replaced Dick Taylor.
In 1939, Benny Goodman and his orchestra recorded their signature theme, "Let's Dance," for Columbia Records in New York.
In 1946, Jerry Edmonton, drummer with the hard rock band "Steppenwolf," was born in Oshawa, Ont. Steppenwolf, formed in Los Angeles in 1967, was an outgrowth of a Toronto-based band called "Sparrow," led by vocalist John Kay. Kay, Edmonton and other members of the group moved to California, where Kay organized "Steppenwolf." They were at the height of their fame in 1968, when they had two million-sellers -- "Born to Be Wild" and "Magic Carpet Ride." Two of "Steppenwolf's" songs were also included in the soundtrack of the film "Easy Rider." "Steppenwolf" broke up in 1972, but John Kay re-formed the band several times after that. Edmonton died Nov. 28, 1993.
In 1960, Neil Sedaka recorded the single "Calendar Girl."
In 1962, James Brown recorded his "Live at the Apollo" album at the famous theatre in Harlem. It would sell a million copies, an unprecedented feat for a black music album.
In 1969, Canadian pianist Antonin Kubalek made his North American debut at Walter Hall at the University of Toronto. He had moved to this country from his native Czechoslovakia the previous year.
In 1970, U.S. President Richard Nixon publicly asked record companies to reduce the number of songs containing lyrics about sex and drugs.
In 1973, Keith Richards of "The Rolling Stones" was fined $500 for four drug and three firearms charges in London. Nine days earlier, Richards and companion Anita Pallenberg were fined and given suspended sentences on drug charges in Nice, France.
In 1980, John Lennon released the single "(Just Like) Starting Over."
In 1980, Paul McCartney received a special disc from officials with the "Guinness Book of World Records" for being the best-selling songwriter and recording artist of all time.
In 1983, old-time country musician Kirk McGee died at the age of 83. Kirk and his brother, Sam, were both members of "Uncle Dave Macon's Fruit Jar Drinkers" on the Grand Ole Opry in the late 1920s. The McGee brothers played with various Opry groups over the years, and in the 1960s, became favourites at many folk festivals.
In 1986, Bob Ralston, a former organist for bandleader Lawrence Welk, was placed on five years' probation after pleading no contest to child molestation. Ralston was accused of molesting a 13-year-old runaway boy he brought to his Los Angeles home from New York City. Ralston played the organ on Welk's TV show for more than 20 years, and released several albums on the Ranwood label.
In 1991, Garth Brooks became the first country artist to top the five-million mark in U.S. sales with one album. Brooks achieved the feat with his 1990 album "No Fences."
In 1991, Bryan Adams kicked off his "Waking Up the Neighbours" world tour with a show in Belfast.
In 1995, "Smashing Pumpkins" released their double CD "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness." In 2012, it earned RIAA diamond status for sales of 10 million units in the U.S.
In 1995, the Leader Federal Bank in Memphis, Tenn., announced it would issue MasterCards bearing pictures of Elvis Presley. A portion of the proceeds from card purchases and annual fees were to go to the Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation, the charity branch of the singer's estate.
In 2000, "Linkin Park" released their debut album, "Hybrid Theory." (It went on to reach the 10-million plateau in the U.S. and 24 million worldwide.)
In 2008, award-winning singer/actress Jennifer Hudson's 57-year-old mother, Darnell Donerson, and 29-year-old brother, Jason Hudson, were found shot dead in the family's Chicago home and her seven-year-old nephew Julian was kidnapped. The boy was later found dead in the back of an SUV on Oct. 27. Her sister's estranged husband, William Balfour, was formally charged with three counts of first-degree murder on Dec. 1. (In 2012, he was found guilty and sentenced to three terms of life in prison.)
In 2008, country singer Lorrie Morgan filed for bankruptcy for primarily business related debts, listing her estimated liabilities between $1 million to $10 million U.S.
In 2009, former "Smiths" frontman Morrissey collapsed while performing at the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon, England. Two band members rushed to his side and dragged him offstage. He was admitted to hospital but released the next day.
In 2009, 68-year-old famed tenor Placido Domingo made his baritone debut as the Doge of Genoa in Giuseppe Verdi's "Simon Boccanegra" at Berlin's Staatsoper unter den Linden.
In 2010, Don Williams was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He was forced to miss the Nashville ceremony because of a case of bronchitis.
In 2010, Joseph Stein, the playwright who turned a classic Yiddish short story into the hit Broadway musical "Fiddler on the Roof" and later wrote the screenplay for the movie, died at a medical centre in New York City from complications of a fall. He was 98.
In 2012, songwriter Bill Dees, who co-wrote "Oh, Pretty Woman" and toured with Roy Orbison, died at age 73. Orbison and Dees had been inspired to write the song after seeing Orbison's wife, Claudette. It hit No. 1 in 1964.
In 2020, country singer and songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker, who wrote the pop song "Mr. Bojangles," died at 78. He had been battling throat cancer and other ailments for years.
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The Canadian Press