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Today in rock history: on this date in 1913, the great Muddy Waters was born in Issaquena County, Mississippi. The influential artist, who was born McKinley Morganfield, was often referred to as the father of the blues and the king of Chicago blues. Waters left Mississippi for Chicago in the early 1940s and by the mid-40s, he cut his very first record. A huge influence on both American and British musical artists, Muddy was a major inspiration for artists like Johnny Winter, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Cream and so many others. Waters is often credited with incorporating the electric guitar with traditional blues which was also a major stepping stone in the formation of rock and roll music. Known for blues classics like “Mannish Boy,” “Got My Mojo Working,” “Hoochie Coochie Man” and plenty of others, Muddy Waters was, by far, one of the most important and integral blues artists of all time. A six-time Grammy Award winner and an inductee into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Blues Hall of Fame, the stature of Muddy Waters and his contributions to music cannot be understated. Waters passed away in 1983 at the age of 70, but will forever be known as one of the most distinguished and crucial musical artists of all time.
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Today in rock history: on this date in 2008, Shine A Light, the concert film/documentary capturing performances by The Rolling Stones at New York City’s Beacon Theatre was released. The major motion picture, directed by renowned film director Martin Scorsese, opened in movie theaters and was even released in IMAX format. Joining the Stones onstage for the performances that were included in the film were musical artists Jack White, Christina Aguilera and Buddy Guy. A companion soundtrack album was also released. Titled after a song from the band’s 1972 landmark album Exile on Main St., the film was a worldwide success and was lauded for capturing the band who is more accustomed to performing in arenas and stadiums in the small, intimate New York City theater.
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Today in rock history: on this date in 1964, as Beatlemania was sweeping the nation, The Beatles achieved the unthinkable by holding down the top five spots on Billboard’s pop singles charts in America. A feat that had never been achieved before, and has never occurred again since, The Fab Four claimed the five highest possible spots with ITS singles “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Twist and Shout,” “She Loves You,” “I Want To Hold Your Hand” and “Please Please Me.” If that wasn’t amazing enough, the band also had nine other singles scattered throughout the top 100 chart bringing its grand total to 14 hit singles lodged in the country’s most recognized sales chart at the exact same time.
TODAY IN ROCK HISTORY
A Phil Spector Christmas, two Beatles albums, R.I.P. Michael Hutchence and more
Today in rock history: on this date in 1997, enormously popular Australian rock band INXS released its 10th album, Elegantly Wasted. Sadly, the record would mark the final appearance of lead singer and founding member Michael Hutchence who passed away in November of 1997, only seven months after the album’s release. Although the album received mixed reviews upon its release, and didn’t achieve the strong sales numbers the band’s earlier releases had, it performed much better in other countries around the world than in America. Several singles were released from the album: the title track, “Everything” and “Don’t Lose Your Head.” The band embarked on a lengthy world tour in support of the album as well which, too, marked the last time INXS fans would have the chance to experience the charisma and the remarkable stage presence of Michael Hutchence.
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This article appears in Mar 29 – Apr 5, 2018.