Today in Music History for Sept. 10:
In 1819, Canadian hymnwriter Joseph Scriven was born. The accidental drowning of his bride-to-be the night before their wedding led to a life of depression; yet he also authored the hymn of comfort, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."
In 1925, blues shouter Roy Brown, whose singing, big band backings and stage shows helped shape rock 'n' roll, was born in New Orleans. One of his first hits was his 1947 recording of "Good Rocking Tonight," which was an even bigger success for Wynonie Harris and has since become something of a standard. Among those who recorded the song are Elvis Presley, Pat Boone, Ricky Nelson and James Brown. Roy Brown's biggest recording saleswise came with 1950's "Hard Luck Blues," which is said to have sold one-million copies over the years. Among those who have cited Roy Brown as a major influence are B.B. King and Bobby Bland. And his energetic stage shows gave an indication of the rock 'n' roll theatrics to come. Brown continued performing until his death on May 25, 1981, of a heart attack.
In 1945, singer Jose Feliciano was born in Lares, Puerto Rico. His flamenco-flavoured versions of rock hits such as "The Doors'" "Light My Fire," which made the top-five in 1968, and the much-recorded "Hi-Heel Sneakers" have given Feliciano worldwide popularity. His rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the fifth game of the 1968 World Series in Detroit caused quite a stir. Feliciano was one of the first Western singers to appear in Communist Bloc countries, and continues to perform all over the world.
In 1964, Rod Stewart recorded his first single, a version of bluesman Willie Dixon's "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl." The bass guitarist was John Paul Jones, later to gain fame with "Led Zeppelin."
In 1978, Canadian songwriter Ernest Seitz died in Toronto at age 86. His best-known song is "The World is Waiting for the Sunrise," which he composed in 1918 at a Toronto pub, the Bradgate Arms. The lyrics were written by London, Ont.-born actor Gene Lockhart. Les Paul and Mary Ford had a million-seller with the tune in 1951. Seitz, born in Hamilton, Ont., was also a renowned classical pianist and taught for 30 years at the Toronto Conservatory of Music.
In 1980, bassist Tom Petersson left "Cheap Trick" to form a group with his wife. They recorded an album in 1982 but Epic Records refused to release it. Petersson's replacement in "Cheap Trick" was Joe Comita, who stayed for less than a year.
In 1985, a New York radio station auctioned the black lace top that Madonna wore in the movie "Desperately Seeking Susan." The auction was held to raise money for a local musician injured in a firebombing.
In 1988, a dozen gang members held a man to the ground as he was stabbed to death during a rap concert at the Nassau Coliseum in Mineola, N.Y. At least 13 people were either knifed or beaten during the show by Eric B. and Rakim, Kool Moe Dee and Doug E. Fresh.
In 1991, Garth Brooks released his album "Ropin' the Wind." It made music history by becoming the first album to enter both the Billboard country and pop charts at No. 1. Overall, it has sold over 16 million copies worldwide.
In 1996, Wal-Mart Stores announced it wouldn't carry Sheryl Crow's self-titled album because the song "Love is a Good Thing" implied the retailer sold guns to children. The lyrics go - "Watch our children as they kill each other, with a gun they bought at the Wal-Mart discount stores."
In 1996, rock journalist Ray Coleman, who wrote the first detailed biography of John Lennon in 1984, died of cancer at his home near London. He was 59. Coleman, the former editor of the British pop music weekly "Melody Maker," obtained the trust of "The Beatles" early in their career. His Lennon biography had the co-operation of both Lennon's first wife, Cynthia Lennon, and his widow, Yoko Ono. Coleman also wrote biographies of Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton and collaborated with Bill Wyman on his autobiography, "Stone Alone."
In 1998, the "Star-Spangled Banner" was played in Iran at an international wrestling meet, the first time it had been publicly heard there since the Islamic revolution.
In 1998, country singer Mac Davis received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 1998, Madonna performed at the MTV Video Music Awards wearing a see-through shirt and a Hindu facial marking while performing "Ray of Light." A Hindu group later issued a statement condemning Madonna.
In 2005, Clarence (Gatemouth) Brown, the singer and guitarist who'd built a 50-year career playing blues, country, jazz and Cajun music, died in Orange, Texas, at age 81.
In 2008, Peter Gabriel received the "Ambassador of Conscience Award" from Amnesty International. The special award was given for his work campaigning for human rights around the world.
In 2008, Chubby Checker's "The Twist" was ranked as the most popular song of all the No. 1 songs in the 50 years of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Rounding out the top-10: 2. Santana's "Smooth," featuring Rob Thomas; 3. Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife" 4. Leann Rimes' "How Do I Live"; 5. "The Macarena" by Los Del Rio; 6. Olivia Newton-John's "Physical"; 7. Debby Boone's "You Light Up My Life"; 8. "Hey Jude" by The Beatles; 9. "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey; 10. Toni Braxton's "Un-break My Heart."
In 2008, Lethbridge, Alta.-native Theo Tams was crowned the Canadian Idol.
In 2009, "Nine Inch Nails" performed as a touring act for the last time at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles. Frontman Trent Reznor said he was retiring from touring. (The band began touring again in 2013.)
In 2010, rocker Jerry Lee Lewis performed one song in the finale of the Broadway musical "Million Dollar Quartet,” which tells the story of an actual impromptu jam session in 1956 with Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley.
In 2013, "Bon Jovi" drummer Tico Torres underwent an emergency appendectomy in Mexico City, forcing the band to postpone concert dates until Sept. 20.
In 2015, country music power couple Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood became the first husband-and-wife team to be inducted into Nashville's Music City Walk of Fame.
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The Canadian Press
