Today in Music History for May 21:
In 1738, Charles Wesley was converted to evangelical Christianity, becoming a co-founder of Methodism. He wrote hundreds of hymns such as "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing."
In 1892, the opera "Pagliacci," by Ruggero Leoncavallo, was first performed, in Milan, Italy.
In 1904, pianist and songwriter Thomas (Fats) Waller, one of jazz's most colourful personalities, was born in New York City. More than 40 years after his death, he remains one of the most popular of all jazz musicians, admired even by those who say they don't like jazz. Many of his tunes, such as "Honeysuckle Rose," "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Blue Turning Grey Over You," are considered popular music standards. Waller began recording in 1922 but did not achieve commercial success and international fame until 1934, when he formed the first of the "Fats Waller and His Rhythm" bands. The five-piece group provided the setting for Waller's lighthearted and often humorous vocals, which by then overshadowed his piano playing. Waller died of natural causes on Dec. 15, 1943 while travelling aboard the Santa Fe Express train.
In 1941, Ronald Isley, lead vocalist of "The Isley Brothers," was born in Cincinnati. The group first hit the charts in 1959 with "Shout," which has since become a rhythm-and-blues standard recorded by such artists as Lulu, Tom Petty and "The Blues Brothers." "The Isley Brothers" were still on the charts in the early '80s, earning a gold album for 1981's "Grand Slam."
In 1955, Chuck Berry recorded his first hit "Maybellene" at the Chess Records studio in Chicago.
In 1957, Paul Anka recorded his first single, "Diana," in New York.
In 1959, "Gypsy," a musical based on the life of stripper Gypsy Rose Lee, opened on Broadway. Ethel Merman was the star, playing Gypsy's mother, Rose, who pushed her two daughters into burlesque.
In 1963, Little Stevie Wonder's "Fingertips-Part 2" was recorded live in Detroit. The single and the album from which it was taken, "The 12-Year-Old Genius," topped the Billboard charts simultaneously -- a first. "Fingertips" was also the first live recording to reach No. 1. Despite the album title, Wonder had turned 13 eight days before the concert was recorded.
In 1968, Pete Townshend of "The Who" married dress designer Karen Astley. She was responsible for some of Townshend's outfits worn during early "Who" concerts.
In 1969, "The Beatles" hired manager Allen Klein to try to sort out the tangled financial affairs of the group's Apple Corps Ltd. Paul McCartney was reported to have objected to the move.
In 1973, singer and bandleader Vaughn Monroe died in Stuart, Fla., at age 61. An immensely popular performer on radio and records, Monroe had more than 50 hits on the Billboard charts in the pre-rock 'n' roll era. Among his No. 1 records were 1945's "There I've Said It Again" -- revived by Bobby Vinton in 1963 -- and 1949's "Riders in the Sky."
In 1979, Elton John began a short tour of the Soviet Union with a sold-out concert at a 4,000-seat hall in Leningrad, now St. Petersburg. The tour was the first by a western rock star allowed by the Soviets. Tickets to the show were scalped for the equivalent of $150.
In 1985, Thailand's Mass Communications Organization banned Murray Head's hit "One Night in Bangkok," saying its lyrics "cause misunderstanding about Thai society and show disrespect towards Buddhism." The song came from the musical, "Chess."
In 1988, more than 150,000 people attended what was billed as the largest festival in country music history in Irwindale, Calif. More than 80 acts performed during the two-day event. Among the highlights was the pairing of Dwight Yoakam and California country pioneer Buck Owens.
In 1994, country singer Trisha Yearwood married Robert Reynolds of "The Mavericks." They later divorced and Yearwood married country music star Garth Brooks in 2005.
In 1995, the Recording Industry Association of America reported that Bruce Springsteen's 1984 album "Born in the U.S.A." had sold more than 15 million copies.
In 1997, Chuck D, leader of the rap group "Public Enemy," made his debut as a commentator for the Fox News Channel in the U.S.
In 1998, the Montreal-based Seagram Company announced it was buying the world's biggest music company, Polygram NV, in a deal worth US$10.6 billion. Seagram's Universal Music Group officially absorbed Polygram the following December. The merged company's artists included "U2," Luciano Pavarotti, Reba McEntire, Elton John and "Nine Inch Nails."
In 2003, Ruben Studdard barely beat out Clay Aiken to win Fox's second "American Idol" competition.
In 2006, Grand Ole Opry legend Billy Walker died in a traffic accident along an Alabama interstate highway. He was 77.
In 2008, David Cook won "American Idol" in a landslide over David Archuleta.
In 2009, Hisham Moustafa, an Egyptian real-estate mogul and a member of the ruling National Democratic Party, was sentenced to death for ordering the slaying of Lebanese pop star Suzanne Tamim. The married billionaire and Tamim were lovers before the relationship soured.
In 2010, "U2" frontman Bono underwent emergency back surgery in a Munich hospital after he was injured while preparing for the group's 360 Degree tour. Sixteen North American dates were postponed (including four Canadian dates) until the following year. ("U2" resumed the European part of the tour in Turin, Italy, on Aug. 6th.)
In 2010, singer Kelis Rogers and rapper Nas finalized their divorce in Los Angeles. Rogers, best known for her feisty tune "Milkshake," filed for divorce the previous May, citing "irreconcilable differences."
In 2010, a jury acquitted Aubrey Louis Berry of killing up-and-coming Atlanta rapper Dolla (born Roderick Anthony Burton II) during a shooting the previous May at a crowded, upscale Los Angeles mall.
In 2011, 13,000 fans packed Nashville's Bridgestone Arena as country music starlett Taylor Swift turned the final dress rehearsal for her upcoming North American leg of the "Speak Now" tour into a fundraiser for recent tornado victims in the U.S. southeast, raising over $750,000.
In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal from Joel Tenenbaum in a US$675,000 judgement in favour of four record labels who successfully sued the Boston University student in 2009 for illegally sharing 30 songs on peer-to-peer networks.
In 2012, Grammy Award-winning "Polka King" Eddie Blazonczyk died at age 70.
In 2013, country singer Kellie Pickler and her professional partner Derek Hough won ABC's dancing competition, "Dancing With the Stars."
In 2013, singer-songwriter Carole King was awarded the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, the first woman to win the U.S.'s highest prize for popular music since it was created in 2007 by the Library of Congress.
In 2016, Nick Menza, former drummer for the influential metal band Megadeth, died after collapsing on stage during a performance with his progressive jazz trio OHM in Southern California. He was 51. Menza was Megadeth's longest-serving drummer, performing on five records over nine years, including 1990's thrash metal landmark, "Rust in Peace."
In 2017, Canadian rapper Drake set a new record at the Billboard Music Awards by taking home 13 trophies, including top artist, top male artist and top Billboard 200 album for "View."
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The Canadian Press