November 30 – December 6th This Week in Rock
Answer To This Week’s Trivia Question: Taj Mahal performs a special show at Wilmington State Penitentiary for the prisoners on death row on December 2, 1971
November 30 – December 6th – BORN THIS WEEK:
Bob Moore – Nov. 30, 1932 (Moby Grape)
Robb Grill – Nov. 30, 1944 (The Grass Roots)
Roger Glover – Nov. 30, 1945 (Deep Purple)
Eric Bloom – Dec. 1, 1944 (Blue Oyster Cult)
John Densmore – Dec. 1, 1944 (The Doors)
Happy Birthday Jaco!
Jaco Pastorius – Dec. 1, 1951 (jazz bassist, Weather Report, Blood Sweat & Tears, Jaco Pastorius Big Band)
Tal Wilkenfeld – December 2, 1986 (bass, Jeff Beck)
Ozzy Osbourne – December 3, 1948
Duane Roland – December 3, 1953 (guitar, Molly Hatchet)
Jim Hall – December 4, 1930 (jazz guitarist)
Chris Hillman – December 4, 1944 (bass, The Byrds)
Dennis Wilson – December 4, 1944 (drums, The Beach Boys)
Happy Birthday Gary Rossington!
Gary Rossington – December 4, 1951 (guitar, Lynyrd Skynyrd)
Sonny Boy Williamson (II) – December 5, 1912 (blues musician, blues harp, and vocals)
Little Richard – December 5, 1935 (rock and roll pioneer, vocals, and piano)
Jim Messina – December 5, 1947 (guitar, Loggins and Messina)
Dave Brubeck – December 6, 1920 (pivotal jazz pianist)
Randy Rhodes – December 6, 1956 (guitar, Ozzy Osbourne)
DIED THIS WEEK IN ROCK HISTORY:
Tiny Tim – November 30, 1996 (singer, ukulele player, and musical archivist)
Ray Gillen – December 1, 1993 (singer-songwriter, Badlands, Black Sabbath)
Michael Hedges – December 2, 1997 (amazing guitarist)
Ian McLagan – December 3, 2014 (keyboards, the Small Faces)
Tommy Bolin – December 4, 1976 (guitar, Deep Purple)
Frank Zappa – December 4, 1993 (vocals and guitar, The Mothers of Invention)
Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter – December 6, 1949 (blues and folk musician, vocals, and guitar)
Roy Orbison – December 6, 1988 (rock and roll musician, vocals, and guitar)
MUSIC RELEASES AND TOP OF THE CHARTS…
“Love Child” by The Supremes hits #1 in America on November 30, 1968.
The Crests release “16 Candles.”
November 30, 1974 Elton John’s Greatest Hits album hits #1.
The Teddy Bears’ “To Know Him Is To Love Him” hits #1 for the first of three weeks on December 1, 1958.
The Mamas and The Papas’ Cass, John, Michelle, and Denny album are certified gold December 1, 1966.
John Lennon releases “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”
John Lennon releases “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” in the US December 1, 1971.
The Beatles releases “Rubber Soul” in the UK – December 3, 1965.
Cream’s album “Fresh Cream” is certified Gold – December 3, 1968.
Santana is certified gold – December 4, 1969.
The Byrds hits #1
The Byrds’ “Turn! Turn! Turn!” hits #1 – December 4, 1965.
Fleetwood Mac is certified Gold – December 5, 1975.
The Beatles releases Their First Christmas Record on December 6, 1963.
Steve Miller’s The Joker album is certified gold – December 6, 1973.
THIS WEEK IN ROCK HISTORY:
November 30, 1968. Glen Campbell starts a five-week run at No.1 on the US album charts with ‘Wichita Lineman. Meanwhile, Jimmy Webb’s inspiration for the lyrics comes while driving through Washita County in northern Oklahoma. Webb is driving through an endless litany of telephone poles, each looking exactly the same as the last. Then, in the distance, he notices the silhouette of a solitary lineman atop a pole. Webb “puts himself atop that pole and put that phone in his hand”. As he considers what the lineman is saying into the receiver.
November 30,1969, The Rolling Stones played the final night on a 17 date North American tour at the International Raceway Festival, West Palm Beach, Florida. Also appearing, The Moody Blues, Ten Years After, King Crimson, Janis Joplin, The Band, Steppenwolf, and Iron Butterfly.
Michael Jackson’s Thriller album releases. It spends 190 weeks on the UK album chart became the biggest selling pop album of all time. With sales over 66 million copies, and features seven singles from the album. Which Includes ‘Beat It’, and features guitarists Eddie Van Halen and Steve Lukather and ‘Billie Jean’. November 30, 1982,
December 1, 1966, Tom Jones is at No.1 on the UK singles chart with his version of ‘Green Green Grass Of Home.’ It stays at No.1 for seven weeks giving Decca records its first million selling single by a British artist. As well as chart hit at No.11 in the US.
December 1, 1973, The Carpenters went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Top Of The World’. While becoming the duo’s second of three No.1 singles, following ‘(They Long to Be) Close to You’. And preceding ‘Please Mr. Postman’. Country singer Lynn Anderson covers the song, and her version becomes her first hit. And reaches No.2 on the US country singles charts in mid-1973.
Geffen Sues Neil Young
Geffen Records is suing Neil Young because his new music for the label is ‘not commercial. Meaning, in nature and musically uncharacteristic of his previous albums’. His latest album Everybody’s Rockin’ features a selection of rockabilly songs which ran for just 25 minutes. Young’s shortest album. December 1, 1983, Neil Young
Radio station KEX fires Al Priddy, a DJ at the time, for playing the Elvis’s version of “White Christmas.” The station’s program manager bans the song, saying it “desecrates the Spirit of Christmas and transgresses the composer’s intent.” December 1, 1957.
Taj Mahal performs a special show at Wilmington State Penitentiary for the prisoners on death row on December 2, 1971
The Beatles meet their future manager, Brian Epstein for the very first time on December 3, 1961.
While shooting their album cover “Animals” Pink Floyd has a major mishap when a 40-foot inflatable pig gets loose. On December 3,1976.
Million Dollar Quartet Sessions!
Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash record the “Million Dollar Quartet” sessions. Which Legendary Sam Phillips produces on December 4, 1956. The songs, mostly spirituals, are releases in the early 1980’s.
Led Zeppelin disbands in the wake of John Bonham’s tragic death on December 4, 1980.
On December 4, 1987, 16-year-old Alison Krauss releases her debut album entitled “Too Late To Cry”.
Graham Nash quits The Hollies and soon after forms his new supergroup, Crosby, Stills and Nash on December 5, 1968.
The Altamont concert is happening at Altamont, California at a speedway on December 6, 1969. The headlining act The Rolling Stones organizes the event and includes Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Santana, and Jefferson Airplane. The conception of the show is a “Woodstock West.” Unfortunately, unlike Woodstock, the show is an unmitigated disaster. Part of the issue stems from the presence of Hell’s Angels, who are working security for the show. Four people in the crowd of 300,000 die, including Meredith Hunter who dies from stabbed wounds.
That’s all for This Week in Rock History! Furthermore, be sure to check back next week for the latest Rock history tidbits!