Today in Music History for June 20:
In 1779, Dorothy Ann Thrupp, English devotional writer and author of the hymn, "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us," was born.
In 1819, Jacques Offenbach, the most successful composer of French operettas, was born in Cologne. The most famous of his more than 100 operettas is "Orpheus in the Underworld." His one serious opera, "Tales of Hoffman," is perhaps his greatest achievement. The work was unfinished when he died in 1880, and was not premiered until the following year.
In 1942, Brian Wilson, lead singer and main songwriter for "The Beach Boys," was born in Hawthorne, Calif. Wilson's songs -- such as "Surfin' USA"” "I Get Around" and "Help Me, Rhonda" -- were all about being a teen in California in the early '60s -- about surfing, driving and dating. "The Beach Boys" have sold more than 65 million records and have survived mainly as a nostalgia act. Brian Wilson became a virtual recluse in 1970, when his neuroses and drug abuse got the better of him. But he eventually returned to solo recording and performing including an appearance at the Queen's Royal Jubilee concert in 2002. In 2012, the surviving members reunited for their 50th anniversary, album ("That's Why God Made the Radio") and world tour.
In 1945, Anne Murray, one of the most popular female singers in the world, was born in Springhill, N.S. In 1966, she became a member of the chorus of "Singalong Jubilee," a CBC TV show from Halifax. Murray continued as a featured performer on the show until 1970, the year the success of her recording of "Snowbird" caused a dramatic increase in her popularity. It was the first disc by a Canadian female vocalist to earn a gold record in the U.S. During the 1970s, Murray developed into Canada's most popular female singer. And she began enjoying great success with pop and country audiences in the U.S. and Britain. She began appearing frequently on "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour" on CBS TV. Her hits included "Talk It Over in the Morning," "What About Me" and "You Needed Me," a 1978 million-seller. In 1986, she opted for a new, more contemporary image, with the hit "Now and Forever," produced by David Foster. The winner of four Grammy Awards, Murray has also won multiple Juno Awards, American Music Awards, and country music awards in Canada, the U.S. and Britain. She's a Companion of the Order of Canada and has stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Canada's Walk of Fame.
In 1948, Ed Sullivan's TV variety show, called "Talk of the Town," premiered on CBS. Among the guests on the first show was the comedy team of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. "The Ed Sullivan Show," as the program was later known, was an important showcase for pop and rock musicians, among them Elvis Presley, "The Beatles" and "The Rolling Stones." It ran until 1971.
In 1965, country singer and mandolin player Ira Louvin of "The Louvin Brothers" was killed in a car accident in Williamsburg, Mo. He was 41. "The Louvin Brothers" joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1955 on the strength of their first big hit, "When I Stop Dreaming." They were the top brother act in country music until they broke up in 1962.
In 1965, "The Beatles" began a European tour in Paris.
In 1969, the three-day Newport Festival began in Northridge, Calif., featuring such performers as Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker and Ike and Tina Turner. Hendrix was paid a then-record $135,000.
In 1977, Steve Winwood, formerly with the "Spencer Davis Group" and "Traffic," released his first solo album, a self-titled effort on the Island label.
In 1980, Bob Dylan released his second religious-themed LP, "Saved." It won him the rock vocal Grammy Award.
In 1980, "It's Still Rock and Roll To Me" became Billy Joel's first No. 1 hit.
In 1986, Grand Ole Opry humourist Whitey Ford, known as the "Duke of Paducah," died in Nashville at age 85.
In 1986, the first Prince's Trust concert was held in London. Among the performers were Bryan Adams, Eric Clapton, Elton John and Tina Turner.
In 1987, R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass married former ballerina Karen Still at his home in Penn Valley, Pa.
In 1990, British synthesizer band "Depeche Mode" cancelled an Ottawa Civic Centre concert after asbestos fell from the ceiling while the group's crew was setting up equipment.
In 1992, members of the Irish rock band "U2" were among anti-nuclear protesters who used inflatable dinghies to land on a beach in northern England. Their protest against a nuclear reprocessing plant defied a court order.
In 1994, Geffen Records offered the estimated two million subscribers to the CompuServe computer bulletin board an opportunity to download a previously unreleased "Aerosmith" song, "Head First." The track was recorded during the band's sessions for the 1993 album "Get a Grip." It was one of the first times that subscribers to a bulletin board service could download an entire song over computer lines.
In 1995, a judge in Los Angeles took away ownership of "The Kingsmen's" recordings from Scepter-Wand Records and awarded it to the group. The judge said the company breached its contract by not giving "The Kingsmen" royalties. The band's big hit was the party classic "Louie, Louie," recorded in 1963.
In 1995, Michael Jackson's "HIStory -- Past, Present and Future -- Book One" was released. The double CD, Jackson's first album since child molestation allegations two years earlier, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard chart.
In 1996, Paul Anka ended a Las Vegas concert early after he spit the crown of his tooth into the audience. He later sued his dentist for malpractice.
In 1996, "Lynyrd Skynyrd" guitarist Ed King filed suit in Nashville against his bandmates and managers. King claimed they forced him off a 1995 tour after doctors told him he needed a heart transplant.
In 1996, the first Furthur Festival kicked off in Atlanta. It was the first time the members of the "Grateful Dead" toured together since the death of singer Jerry Garcia.
In 1997, Lawrence Payton of "The Four Tops" died of liver cancer at his home in Southfield, Mich. He was 59.
In 1998, the man known as "Canada's Pied Piper," Bobby Gimby, died in North Bay, Ont., at age 79. His 1967 hit "Ca-na-da" became an anthem for Canadian unity.
In 1998, "Green Day" bassist Mike Dirnt suffered a fractured skull in a backstage altercation involving Arion Salazar of "Third Eye Blind." The incident, at a concert near Los Angeles, occurred after Salazar rushed on stage and bear-hugged Dirnt at the end of "Green Day's" set. Salazar apologized for the incident, although he did not admit to injuring Dirnt.
In 2009, at a concert in Edmonton, legendary country singer Charlie Pride was given the key to the city of Leduc by its mayor. In April, Pride had stepped in after receiving word that fan Jaqueline Sharp of Leduc had purchased two tickets from an online resale site for $1,200 when they had a face value of $133 each. Pride reimbursed Sharp the $1,200 and gave her free front-row tickets to his Edmonton show.
In 2010, at the MuchMusic Video Awards, teen sensation Justin Bieber won the viewer's choice awards for best video and new artist as well as the prize for international video by a Canadian for his smash hit "Baby.". Pop-punkers "Hedley" tied Bieber with three trophies, winning video of the year and post-production of the year for "Perfect" and pop video of the year for "Cha-ching."
In 2011, Leslie West, guitarist for the rock group "Mountain," had his right leg amputated below the knee after complications related to his diabetes.
In 2013, singer-actress Jennifer Lopez unveiled her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 2017, rapper Prodigy, a member of the hardcore New York hip-hop duo Mobb Deep, died from complications from sickle cell anemia. He was 42. Mobb Deep earned a platinum plaque for the 1999 album, "Murda Muzik," and reached gold status with the albums "Infamy," "Hell on Earth" and "The Infamous." Prodigy released several solo albums, including the gold-selling "H.N.I.C."
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The Canadian Press