Today in Music History for April 22:
In 1922, bassist Charles Mingus, a leader in modern jazz, was born in Arizona. He started with the traditional jazz outfits of Louis Armstrong, Kid Ory and Lionel Hampton. But by 1953, Mingus moved to the modern camp of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. He was also justly famous for leading his own groups, and for his compositions. Mingus died of Lou Gehrig's disease in 1979.
In 1936, country-pop singer Glen Campbell was born in Delight, Ark. At the age of 22, he moved to Los Angeles and began playing guitar on recording sessions. In 1965, Campbell replaced Brian Wilson on "The Beach Boys" tour. Two years later, he topped both the country and pop charts with "Gentle on My Mind" and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix." His other hits include "Wichita Lineman" and "Galveston." His television series, "The Glen Campbell Show," ran more than four years. In 2005, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He died on Aug. 8, 2017, from complications of Alzheimer's disease.
In 1950, rock star Peter Frampton was born in Beckenham, England. He helped form the group "Humble Pie" in 1968 before going solo in 1971. In 1976, Frampton released the phenomenally successful "Frampton Comes Alive" album, which sold 12 million copies. A starring role in the disastrous film "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and a 1978 auto accident put a dent in his career, from which he never recovered.
In 1961, the first annual Country Music Festival was held in Jacksonville, Fla. Performers included Webb Pierce, Porter Wagoner, Patsy Cline and Earl Scruggs.
In 1966, "Wild Thing" by "The Troggs" was released in the U.S.
In 1967, Reprise Records signed "The Jimi Hendrix Experience." Their first single was "Hey Joe."
In 1967, "Pink Floyd's" first single, "Arnold Layne," entered the British record charts. Its popularity was no doubt aided by a BBC ban on airplay.
In 1968, Steve Sholes, veteran artist and repertoire director for RCA, died in Nashville, one year after being elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Sholes was among the prime movers in developing Nashville as the centre of modern country music. He was also responsible for signing Elvis Presley to RCA in 1955, purchasing his contract from Sun Records for $35,000.
In 1969, John Lennon and Paul McCartney recorded "The Ballad of John and Yoko." It was released under "The Beatles" name, although neither George Harrison nor Ringo Starr appeared on the record.
In 1969, "The Who" premiered their 90-minute rock opera "Tommy" at a concert in Dolton, England. The unannounced debut was followed by an official premiere in London two weeks later.
In 1969, John Lennon changed his middle name from Winston to Ono.
In 1974, Tina Turner began filming her role as the "Acid Queen" in the film version of "Tommy."
In 1978, "The Blues Brothers" -- John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd -- made their network debut on "Saturday Night Live." On the same show, Steve Martin performed his novelty hit "King Tut."
In 1978, "Bob Marley and the Wailers" performed at the "One Love Peace Concert" near Kingston, Jamaica. It was Marley's first appearance in his homeland since being wounded in an assassination attempt in late 1976. After the concert, Marley persuaded Prime Minister Michael Manley and Opposition Leader Edward Seaga to come on stage and shake hands in a bid to quell political violence in the country.
In 1979, "The Rolling Stones" played two benefit concerts in Oshawa, Ont., for the CNIB, an organization for the blind. The shows were done in lieu of a jail sentence for Keith Richards, who'd been convicted two years earlier in Toronto of heroin possession. A legally blind fan from Quebec City, Rita Bedard, convinced the judge to allow the band to play the shows instead of jailing Richards. He referred to her as "my Blind Angel." Although he forgot her real name over the years, he had his staff track her down in 1994 to invite her to a "Stones" concert in Toronto.
In 1988, British pop star Sting cancelled a scheduled appearance at a Paris election rally for French President Francois Mitterand. Sting was said to be not feeling well, but a source with his record company said he cancelled when he discovered the rally was not in aid of human rights.
In 1989, Rod Stewart kicked several soccer balls from the stage during a concert in Lafayette, La. A 27-year-old man later filed suit, claiming he slipped and fractured his kneecap when the crowd went after the balls -- describing fans as "an uncontrollable herd of animals."
In 1998, at the Academy of Country Music Awards, power couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill won four awards for their duet "It's Your Love" -- Top Song, Single, Video and Vocal Event.
In 2009, Elton John played his 241st and final performance of "The Red Piano." The show, an offbeat production that blended the singer's top hits with elaborate video montages created by photographer and director David LaChappelle, made its debut in February 2004 at The Colosseum theatre at Caesars Palace. After initially signing on for 75 shows, John's engagement was extended.
In 2009, country music stars Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Big Kenny of "Big and Rich," Dierks Bentley, Martina McBride, and the African Children's Choir staged the benefit concert "Nashville 4 Africa." Proceeds went to help build schools and fund educational efforts in Africa.
In 2009, at the ASCAP Pop Music Awards, Ann and Nancy Wilson of "Heart" received the Founders Award, which is given to songwriters who've been pioneers in their field. Wyclef Jean received the Creative Voice Award, which is given to someone who's not only talented, but helps their community.
In 2010, former "Poison" frontman Bret Michaels was rushed to hospital with a severe headache and doctors discovered he suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage, which causes bleeding in the fluid-filled spaces around the base of the brain. He was moved to a physical therapy rehabilitation facility on April 30. Michaels, a lifelong diabetic, also had an emergency appendectomy on April 12. In May, he was readmitted to hospital with a "warning stroke" and was also diagnosed with a hole in his heart.
In 2010, accompanied by his proud mother and aunts, New Jersey rocker Bruce Springsteen received an Ellis Island Family Heritage Award. The award is presented to immigrants or their descendants "who have made a major contribution to the American experience." Springsteen's maternal great-grandmother, Raffaela Zerilli, arrived at Ellis Island from Vico Equense, Italy, on Oct. 3, 1900, with five kids in tow.
In 2011, country music star LeAnn Rimes married actor Eddie Cibrian in Los Angeles, a second marriage for both.
In 2013, folk singer Richie Havens, the first performer at the three-day 1969 Woodstock Festival, died of a heart attack at age 72. His performance of "Freedom" became an anthem. It was based from the spiritual "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child."
In 2015, Lois Lilienstein, of Sharon, Lois & Bram fame, died after a battle with a rare form of cancer. She was 78. Lilienstein and musical partners Sharon Hampson and Bram Morrison entrenched themselves as preschool stars with their CBC-TV series "The Elephant Show," which ran from 1984 to 1989. The three-time Juno Award-winning trio issued its debut "One Elephant, Deux Elephants" in 1978.
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The Canadian Press