Today in Music History for Oct. 29:
In 1787, Mozart's opera "Don Giovanni" premiered at the Tyl Theatre in Prague. A contemporary of Mozart's (Frantisek Nemecek) wrote that "right after the first chord, everybody felt that something out of the ordinary was taking place." The writer called "Don Giovanni," "the crown of all Mozart's masterpieces," a reputation it maintains to this day.
In 1926, Jon Vickers, one of the world's leading tenors for more than two decades, was born in Prince Albert, Sask. His international career began in 1957 with performances in New York and a three-year contract with the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. Vickers was soon in demand throughout the operatic world, and made many recordings and films, some with conductor Herbert von Karajan at the Salzburg Festival. Vickers was considered the world's greatest interpreter of the role of Siegmund in Wagner's "Die Walkure." He died on July 10, 2015.
In 1936, Nova Scotia-born country singer Hank Snow made his first recordings for the Victor label in Montreal. Put on wax were "Lonesome Blue Yodel," in the style of Snow's idol, Jimmie Rodgers, and "Prisoned Cowboy." Snow wrote both songs.
In 1944, rock guitarist and singer Denny Laine was born Brian Hines in Birmingham, England. Laine was with "The Moody Blues" for their first two albums and 1965 British hit single "Go Now," but left in 1967 before the group began recording the concept LPs that brought them stardom. Laine joined "Wings" when Paul McCartney formed that group in 1971. He remained with "Wings" for 10 years, departing because of McCartney's reluctance to tour in the wake of John Lennon's death.
In 1946, rock guitarist and singer Peter Green, who helped found "Fleetwood Mac" in 1967, was born in London. Green, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood had played together in "John Mayall's Bluebreakers" before they left to form "Fleetwood Mac" with Jeremy Spencer. The group's early albums relied heavily on blues classics, and on blues-styled originals written by Green. While they developed quite a following in Britain, "Fleetwood Mac" attracted almost no notice in North America. In May 1970, Green suddenly left "Fleetwood Mac" to join a religious cult. Green's departure marked the end of "Fleetwood Mac's" blues leanings, and the group began developing the melodic rock sound that would lead to commercial success.
In 1955, Kevin DuBrow, lead singer with the heavy-metal band "Quiet Riot," was born. "Quiet Riot" was perhaps best known for its 1983 cover of "Slade’s" "Cum on Feel the Noize." The song featured DuBrow's powerful, gravelly voice and appeared on the band's album "Metal Health" -- which was the first by a metal band to reach No. 1 on the Billboard chart. DuBrow was found dead in his Las Vegas home on Nov. 25, 2007. It was later determined he died of a cocaine overdose.
In 1967, the off-Broadway production of the rock musical "Hair" opened at the New York Shakespearean Festival Public Theatre. "Hair," with music by Montreal-born Galt MacDermot and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado, established a new style for musicals. It achieved notoriety almost immediately because of a nude scene. The musical moved to Broadway in 1968, running for more than four years. "Hair" was the first hit musical to use a rock score, and the Broadway cast album made No. 1 on the Billboard chart, selling five million copies. Among the hit songs from "Hair" were the title song, "Good Morning Starshine," "Aquarius" and "Let the Sunshine In." A movie version of "Hair" was made in 1979.
In 1969, "RAT" magazine began the Paul McCartney is dead hoax, which spread like wildfire. The story was based on supposed clues throughout "The Beatles'" songs. McCartney called in reporters several days later to say, "I am concerned about the rumours of my death."
In 1970, Neil Diamond received a gold record for "Cracklin' Rosie."
In 1971, Duane Allman, lead guitarist for "The Allman Brothers Band," died in a motorcycle crash in Macon, Ga. He was 24. At the time of Allman's death, the band was considered one of the best rock 'n' roll groups in the U.S., largely on the strength of Allman's blues-based guitar playing. "The Allman Brothers Band" decided not to replace Duane. Tragedy struck again a year later when the band's bass guitarist, Berry Oakley, was killed in another motorcycle crash less than three blocks from where Duane Allman died.
In 1983, "Pink Floyd's" "Dark Side of the Moon" became the longest-running album on the Billboard 200 album chart, with a total of 491 weeks. It dropped off the chart in Oct. 1988 after 741 consecutive weeks. (It has since reappeared on the chart and as of mid-October 2017, reached a total of 933 weeks.) The album resurfaced when Billboard created the Top Pop Catalog Album chart in March 1991 and has been a mainstay there ever since. Cumulatively, the album has been on Billboard charts for over 2,100 weeks.
In 1984, rock organist and singer Wells Kelly fatally choked on his own vomit on the steps of the London house where he was staying. Kelly was a founding member of the band "Orleans," who had hits in 1974 with "Dance With Me" and in 1976 with "Still the One." Kelly later played with Meat Loaf of "Bat Out of Hell" fame.
In 1986, Cy McLean, a hunchback jazz pianist who was Toronto's first -- and for many years only -- black bandleader, died in Port McNicoll, Ont. at the age of 70. McLean was born in Sydney, N.S., heading for Toronto to study music as a teenager. He formed Ontario's first black jazz band in the late 1930s. After big bands faded in the late '40s, McLean formed a quartet, which opened Toronto's Colonial Tavern, later to become the city's top jazz spot. But by the 1960s, McLean was reduced to playing behind strippers in the seedy Warwick Hotel. Many famous Canadian jazzmen -- including Moe Koffman, Sonny Greenwich and Jack Kane -- passed through his groups.
In 1987, big band leader and clarinetist Woody Herman, whose "Thundering Herds" entertained jazz fans for 50 years, died in Los Angeles at the age of 74. He had entered hospital in March, suffering from congestive heart failure. Herman formed his first band -- known as "The Band That Plays the Blues" -- in 1936, and had his first hit three years later with the song that became his trademark, "Woodchopper's Ball." Later editions of Herman's band were known as "Thundering Herds." Other hits by Herman's orchestra included "Blues in the Night," a No. 1 record in 1942, and "Caldonia." Such famous jazzmen as saxophonists Stan Getz and Zoot Sims, trumpeter Pete Candoli and arranger Neil Hefti were part of Herman's orchestra in the '40s. Beginning in the late 1960's, Herman turned his band in a jazz-rock direction, employing mainly younger musicians.
In 1992, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, principal choreographer of the Royal Ballet, died at age 62.
In 1998, three ex-members of the punk band "The Dead Kennedys" sued their former bandmate and record company owner Jello Biafra. The suit, filed in San Francisco, alleged that Biafra and his label, Alternative Tentacles, had shortchanged them on royalties.
In 2008, Blair MacLean, the last surviving half of the foul-mouthed musical comedy duo "MacLean & MacLean," died at age 65. He was best known for the comedy act he formed with his younger brother Gary in 1972. Gary, who became a radio personality in Winnipeg, died of throat cancer in 2001. As "MacLean & MacLean," the two produced seven albums -- none of which were deemed suitable for Canadian radio airwaves. In 1982, the pair were virtually banned from performing in Ontario because of their use of profanities. The two hired lawyer Clayton Ruby and fought the ban right up to the Supreme Court of Canada. They also helped create the popular character, "The Champ," an ex-boxer whose rants were syndicated and played on radio stations across Canada. After he stopped touring in 1998, Blair focused on his unique art which he called his "greatest passion."
In 2009, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame celebrated its 25th anniversary with a two-day celebration with performances from "Crosby, Stills and Nash," Aretha Franklin, "Metallica," "Simon and Garfunkel," "Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band," "U2" and Stevie Wonder, Jeff Beck, Chuck Berry, Jackson Browne, Dion, Jerry Lee Lewis, "Little Anthony and the Imperials," Little Richard, Van Morrison, Sting and James Taylor.
In 2010, former "Beatle" John Lennon was honoured with a commemorative coin struck by The Royal Mint. He had finished ahead of author Jane Austen and several other figures in public balloting.
In 2010, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt University named its pediatric surgery centre after country music trio "Rascal Flatts." The band, made up of Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney, had performed numerous times for the patients at the hospital and donated over $3 million.
In 2011, veteran British broadcaster Jimmy Savile, a famously eccentric culture figure, died at his home in northern England. He was 84. He was best known as the host of the BBC's "Top of the Pops" weekly television pop music show, launching the program in 1964 and returning to present its final edition in 2006. He also hosted the hugely popular series "Jim'll Fix It," in which the broadcaster responded to children's letters by arranging for their wishes to be realized. In 2012, claims of sexual abuse triggered a scandal in which he was a suspect in 199 crimes, including dozens of cases of rape. A broader police investigation spurred by the claims against Savile detained seven suspects for questioning, including former pop star Gary Glitter.
In 2013, The Jonas Brothers announced they were disbanding after their highly successful eight-year run. The news came after the brothers abruptly cancelled their tour over creative differences weeks earlier. Nick, Joe and Kevin formed the band in 2005 and built a fan base through their association with the Disney Channel.
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The Canadian Press