From the MCRFB music calendar:
Events on this date: DECEMBER 9
1955: Elvis Presley performs at the B&I Club in Swifton, Arkansas, and introduces his new song, “Heartbreak Hotel,” by claiming “It’s gonna be my first hit.”
1962: Bobby Darin appears as the “mystery guest” on CBS’ What’s My Line show.
1967: The Doors’ Jim Morrison is arrested at a New Haven, CT show for “breach of the peace” and a resultant “resisting arrest” charge. The singer had been mistaken for a fan backstage by a security guard, and in the resulting altercation, he was maced. Morrison went on about the incident onstage during a performance of “Back Door Man” and was arrested.
1968: NBC airs the joint Supremes and Temptations television TCB (Takin’ Care Of Business).
1972: An all-star orchestral version of The Who’s Tommy opened at London’s Rainbow Theatre. Advance tickets went for the then-princely sum of $50, but the show itself was a major disappointment, with most of the “actors” floundering (except Who singer Roger Daltrey and Steve Winwood as Tommy’s father). Narrator Pete Townshend, for his part, was observed to be drunk. None of this stopped the cast recording from being recorded and eventually becoming a hit in ’73.
1984: The Jacksons’ five-month Victory tour — Michael Jackson’s last group tour — ends after 55 performances in 19 cities.
1991: A long legal battle over the Bob Marley estate ends when the nearly $12 million estate is awarded to his widow, Rita, and her children. In honor of the verdict, son Ziggy names his daughter, who was born that day, Justice Marley.
1992: After more than thirty years, Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman quits the group.
Birthdays: 1906: Freddy Martin. 1934: Junior Wells. 1938: David Houston
1940: Sam Strain (Little Anthony and the Imperials, The O’Jays). 1941: Dan Hicks. 1943: Rick Danko (The Band). 1944: George Baker; Shirley Brickley (The Orlons); Neil Innes (The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, The Rutles). 1957: Donny Osmond.
Releases: 1963: The Supremes; ‘Meet The Supremes (LP).’ 1972: Elton John; “Crocodile Rock.” 1974: George Harrison, ‘Dark Horse’ (LP). 1978: The Blues Brothers; “Soul Man.”
Recording: 1953: Frank Sinatra; “Young at Heart.” 1966: The Beatles; “Strawberry Fields Forever.”
Certifications: 1974: The Who; ‘Odds and Sods’ album is certified gold by the RIAA.
Charts: 1967: Cream; ‘Disraeli Gears’ album enters the LP charts. 1972: Helen Reddy; “I Am Woman” hits No. 1 on the charts. 1972: The Moody Blues; ‘Seventh Sojourn’ album hits No. 1 on the LP charts. 1978: Steely Dan; ‘Greatest Hits’ album enters the LP charts. 1978: Chic; “Le Freak” hits No. 1 on the charts.
Deaths: 1981: Sonny Til; (The Orioles).
And that’s just a few of the events which took place in pop music history, on this day . . . . D E C E M B E R 9
