Music is common subject on Spicworks and always draws lots of attention and comments. Today’s Spark is dedicated to music and the artists that make the music.
1983, former singer with the Commodores, would release his second studio album. Selling over 20 million copies, Dancing on the Ceiling would launch the solo career of Lionel Ritchie and see him become a huge star in the 80s, selling over 100 million records.
October 11th, 1981, The Rolling Stones prepare for what will be their second concert in LA, the first happening on October 9th. For one of the opening acts, October 9th was a disaster. The audience pelted the artist with drinks, food and hurled nasty racial and homophobic insults. So traumatized by the situation the performer left LA. Only a long conversation with his manager convinced him that the second performance would be better received. So persuaded, Prince Rogers Nelson would go onstage before the Rolling Stones for the second time, and the results were nearly identical to the first appearance, with food, drink and garbage being thrown at the stage, along with more insults. Hard to believe that an artist who would go on to define music in the 80’s and 90’s would have such a reception. Perhaps Rolling Stones fans were just not ready Prince in 1981.
1978 would see a record released that would reward the artist with 3 Grammy Awards. Featuring such hits as “My Life” and “Big Shot”, 52nd Street would shoot Billy Joel to the top of the charts for 8 weeks. It is considered by Rolling Stone to be his 3rd best album. Unlike other artists, Billy Joel would stop making records in 1993, while he was still on top and avoid the fate of releasing crap in the later years of his career.
Billy Joel must have had a soft spot for October 11th because he also released his 3rd studio album on this day in 1974.
Born on this Day:
1788 - Simon Sechter, Austrian composer and music theorist, born in Frymburk, Bohemia.
1821 - George Williams, English philanthropist and founder of YMCA, born in Dulverton, West Somerset, England. He would inspire the Village People to write a song in his honor. (this may just be wild speculation on my part.)
1882 - R. Nathaniel Dett, Canadian-American pianist, organist, choral director, and composer (In The Bottoms), born in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
1894 - Albert Stoessel, American violinist, conductor, composer, and educator, born in St. Louis, Missouri
1919 Art Blakey, American drummer (Billy Eckstine Band; Jazz Messengers), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Internet Rabbit Hole:
From the first time I heard Richard Cheese doing his lounge stick, I have developed an unhealthy tolerance for modern songs that have been redone in old Jazz Club style. Often it is the only way I can understand the works. Well, thanks to AI, the choices have expanded, but I think the actual performances have more heart and soul than AI
Quote of the Day: “Success can also cause misery. The trick is not to be surprised when you discover it doesn’t bring you all the happiness and answers you thought it would.”
Prince
Song of the Day: To celebrate the birthday of R. Nathaneil Dett, here is one of his compositions played by Percy Grainger
Cartoon of the Day:
Inspirobot:
@jimender2 never bombs when it comes to Spark and if you missed it yesterday find it here Spark! Pro series - 10th October 2024 - #2 by Samael1
