Today in Music History for April 19:
In 1928, British bluesman Alexis Korner was born in Paris. In 1962, he founded "Blues Incorporated," a group which provided a stepping stone to fame for such musicians as "Cream's" Jack Bruce, "The Rolling Stones'" Charlie Watts and Mick Jagger, and "Led Zeppelin's" Robert Plant. Korner died of cancer on New Year's Day, 1984.
In 1942, Alan Price, founder of "The Animals," was born in Newcastle, England. The band was originally called "The Alan Price Combo," and played mostly R&B songs. They became "The Animals" after group members overheard some fans talking about those "wild animals" on stage. Price's organ work and Eric Burdon's vocals were the core of their early hits, such as 1964's "House of the Rising Sun," a Price adaptation of a black folk song. Price left "The Animals" in 1965 for a solo career, which included scoring the film "O! Lucky Man." He and Burdon returned for "Animals" reunions in 1977 and '83.
In 1944, Mark Volman, vocalist and sax player with "The Turtles," was born in Los Angeles. "The Turtles" had two No. 1 hits in 1967 -- "Happy Together" and "She'd Rather Be With Me." Mark Volman later formed a duo -- "Flo and Eddie" -- with another ex-"Turtle," Howard Kaylon. Both also performed with "The Mothers of Invention."
In 1945, the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Carousel" opened on Broadway, starring John Raitt. It was an adaptation of Ferenc Molnar's play "Liliom," with its setting transferred from Budapest to 1873 New England. Famed drama critic Brooks Atkinson called it "a masterpiece that grows in stature through the years," while Richard Rodgers considered "Carousel" the best score he wrote.
In 1968, George Harrison and John Lennon and their wives made a premature departure from an Indian religious retreat run by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr had already left. All four "Beatles" later denounced their association with the Maharishi.
In 1978, more than 40 musicians -- including James Taylor, Carly Simon, Bonnie Raitt and John Hall -- petitioned U.S. President Jimmy Carter to halt America's commitment to the use of nuclear power.
In 1982, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, following their successful reunion concert in New York's Central Park the previous September, announced they would stay together "as long as the fans want us." But by the time their album came out 18 months later, all traces of Garfunkel's contributions had been electronically removed.
In 1985, R&B singer Willie Mabon died in Paris at age 59. He's best known for his early '50s hits "I Don't Know," "I'm Mad" and "Poison Ivy." Mabon was a favourite of '60s British R&B performers like Georgie Fame.
In 1987, Ronnie Lane, a founding member of "Small Faces," played a comeback concert in London after being sidelined for a decade with multiple sclerosis. Lane died 10 years later at age 51.
In 1988, Sonny Bono was inaugurated as mayor of Palm Springs, Calif. He served four years.
In 1995, members of the British band "The Cult" called it quits due to tensions between founding members Billy Duffy and Hamilton, Ont.-native Ian Astbury. Their most popular album was 1986's "Love," which contained the hit "She Sells Sanctuary." In Canada, the song was used in a 1993 beer commercial. They have since reunited.
In 1996, guitars belonging to Darius Rucker and Dean Felber of "Hootie and the Blowfish" were stolen following an "MTV Unplugged" concert in their hometown of Columbia, S.C. Two University of South Carolina students were charged, and the guitars were recovered.
In 1998, singer-guitarist Earl Bolick, who performed with his brother Bill in a country duo known as "The Blue Sky Boys" in the 1930s and '40s, died of a heart attack at age 78. The duo was a popular radio act and recorded extensively for Victor. The brothers left music in the early '50s after refusing requests to add an electric guitar to their act. The '60s folk music revival briefly brought them out of retirement. Among the groups who acknowledge the influence of "The Blue Sky Boys" is "The Everly Brothers."
In 2002, singer Layne Staley of "Alice In Chains" was found dead in his apartment in Seattle. He was 34.
In 2009, Marty Stuart, Josh Turner and Curb Records founder Mike Curb were among the newest inductees into Nashville's Music City Walk of Fame.
In 2009, crooner Michael Buble was inducted into the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame. He had his name embedded in the sidewalk along Granville Street's Entertainment Row.
In 2010, "Brooks & Dunn," the best selling duo in the history of country music, were honoured with the Milestone Award from the Academy of Country Music. Stars like George Strait, Kenny Chesney and Carrie Underwood performed renditions of their favourite "Brooks & Dunn" hits. Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn announced earlier in the year that they were retiring as a duo after a summer farewell tour. (The pair reunited in 2015.)
In 2010, "Rolling Stone" magazine launched its new website, putting digital replicas of its 43-year archive online along with its latest editions, available to view for a fee.
In 2010, Guru, the influential rapper known for his intellectual themes, his monotone delivery and his combination of jazz sounds with hip-hop beats, died after battling cancer. He was 43. Guru, whose real name was Keith Elam, was born near Boston and later moved to New York. His first album as a member of "Gang Starr," "No More Mr. Nice Guy," was released in 1989. They released five more albums as a duo, including the gold-selling "Moment of Truth" in 1998.
In 2011, rocker Jon Bon Jovi helped open a Covenant House shelter in Philadelphia that would house 20 people ages 18 to 21, most of whom either used to live on the streets or who have aged out of the foster-care system. The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation contributed to the $3 million facility.
In 2011, Roy Edward Burris, who co-wrote "Okie from Muskogee," died of heart-related problems in Tulsa. He was 79. He was a drummer in Merle Haggard's band in the 1960s. When the band's tour bus passed a sign for Muskogee, it inspired Haggard to wake up Burris and write the song. They finished it in 10 minutes. Burris left the band in 1970 and worked as a truck driver and owned a bass fishing shop.
In 2012, Greg Ham, a musician with the iconic Australian band "Men at Work," was found dead in his Melbourne home. He was 58. He was perhaps best known for playing the famous flute riff in the band's smash 1980s hit "Down Under."
In 2012, Levon Helm, singer and drummer of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group "The Band," died of throat cancer. He was 71. Helm, the American linchpin to the otherwise Canadian group, brought an urgent beat and a genuine Arkansas twang to some of group's best-known songs. "The Weight," ''The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and "Up on Cripple Creek" have become rock standards.
In 2012, singer Jason Crabb won Artist and Male Vocalist of the Year awards at the 43rd Dove Awards for Christian and gospel music. Natalie Grant reclaimed Female Vocalist of the Year from Francesca Battistelli. Laura Story's Grammy-winning song, "Blessings," won her Song of the Year.
In 2013, Todd Harrell of "3 Doors Down" was charged with vehicular homicide by intoxication after a crash claimed the life of a Nashville man. He was also charged with allegedly trying to sneak prescription drugs into jail. (In 2015, he was sentenced to a two-year prison term.)
In 2014, Kevin Sharp, a country music singer who recorded multiple chart-topping songs and survived a well-publicized battle with a rare form of bone cancer, died of complications from past stomach surgeries and digestive issues. He was 43. He gained fame with "Nobody Knows," a single on his 1996 debut album "Measure of a Man." He became a motivational speaker, a spokesman for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and wrote "Tragedy's Gift," a 2004 book about fighting cancer.
In 2015, at the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards, Miranda Lambert won Album ("Platinum") and Song of the Year ("Automatic"), her sixth consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year as well as a milestone award but lost the night's top prize for Entertainer of the Year to the show's co-host Luke Bryan.
In 2017, former Spice Girl-turned fashion designer Victoria Beckham was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. Prince William presented the award at Buckingham Palace.
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The Canadian Press