Today in Music History for May 18:
In 1911, Big Joe Turner, one of the forefathers of rock 'n' roll, was born in Kansas City. His 1950s recordings of such songs as "Shake, Rattle and Roll," "Honey Hush" and "Flip, Flop and Fly" are rock 'n' roll classics. But Turner had been singing for more than 20 years when these songs were recorded. In the 1930s, he teamed with boogie-woogie pianist Pete Johnson. Their appearance at John Hammond's famed "Spirituals to Swing" concert in 1938 helped spark the boogie-woogie craze of the time. In his later years, Turner switched to jazz singing and performed and recorded until his death on Nov. 24, 1985.
In 1911, composer Gustav Mahler died in Vienna. He was 50. His last word was, "Mozart."
In 1912, singer Perry Como was born Pierino Como in Canonsburg, Pa. He died May 12, 2001.
In 1952, country singer George Strait was born in Pearsall, Texas. Strait's traditional country sound -- influenced by Bob Wills, Merle Haggard, George Jones and Hank Williams -- began to find favour at the beginning of the 1980s. His rise was at least partly due to a reaction against the slicker "Urban Cowboy" sound. Strait's No. 1 hits include "Love Without End, Amen," "Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind," "All My Ex's Live in Texas" and "I've Come to Expect It From You." His 1985 "Greatest Hits" album spent more than five years on the charts. In April 2010, he set a Billboard record by becoming the first act on any Billboard chart to have a top-10 hit for 30 straight years. He has a record 60 No. 1 country songs to his credit.
In 1963, "The Beatles" kicked off their first British tour as a headline act with a concert in Slough, England.
In 1968, the Northern California Rock Festival, featuring "The Steve Miller Band," Janis Joplin and "The Doors," was disrupted by a couple calling themselves "Hog Man" and "Hog Woman." The two leaped on stage, yelling "we're all on hog," and distributed pills containing an unknown substance to the audience. Twenty-four people were taken to hospital after sampling the merchandise.
In 1975, 44 people were injured, four seriously enough to be taken to hospital, in a riot at a "Bay City Rollers" concert north of London. The performance was part of a "fun day" sponsored by the BBC.
In 1980, Ian Curtis, the lead singer of the British new wave band "Joy Division," hanged himself. He was 23. The group was named after Nazi military prostitutes. After Curtis' death, the band's remaining members called themselves "New Order."
In 1980, Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes, formerly of "The Buggles," joined the progressive rock band "Yes," replacing Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman. "Yes" stayed together for only one more album before breaking up. Wakeman rejoined "Yes" briefly in 1976 but split again in 1979. They reunited for tours in 2002, 2004 and 2008-09 with Canadian Benoit David on vocals.
In 1988, six weeks after being charged with assaulting his wife with intent to murder, James Brown spent the night in jail on charges of drug possession and fleeing from police. Officers were called to Brown's home in Aiken, S.C., after Brown's wife again complained he was abusing her.
In 1989, a judge in Tampa, Fla., gave permission to original "Byrds" drummer Michael Clarke to continue using the "Byrds'" name for another group he had formed. Clarke had been sued by three former "Byrd" members -- Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman and David Crosby -- alleging false advertising and unfair competition.
In 1993, Virgin Records released Janet Jackson's fourth album, titled simply "Janet." It sold more than six million copies, spawning the hit singles "That's the Way Love Goes," "Again" and "Any Time, Any Place."
In 1994, Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley were married in a private ceremony at a judge's home in the Dominican Republic. First word of the marriage came two months later, when the judge told a Dominican newspaper. The marriage came after Jackson reached an out-of-court settlement with a teen who accused the singer of seducing him. The couple divorced in 1996.
In 1995, Bryan Adams was the first artist to perform at the 16,000-seat Molson Amphitheatre on Toronto's waterfront.
In 1995, the manuscript of four Haydn string quartets sold at a London auction for more than US$1 million. The seller, an Australian woman, had kept the manuscript under her bed. One of her ancestors had bought it at an 1851 London auction.
In 1997, former "The Guess Who" bandmates Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman reunited for the first time in years at a flood relief concert in Winnipeg. About 40,000 people gathered for the outdoor event, which also featured Tom Cochrane. The CBC-sponsored fundraiser was broadcast across the country.
In 1997, a Red River Relief Concert, organized by singer Tom Jackson to aid Manitoba flood victims, raised $10 million.
In 2008, Kenny Chesney was named Entertainer of the Year by the Academy of Country Music for the fourth straight time.
In 2008, "Sugarland's" lead singer Jennifer Nettles made history at the Academy of Country Music Awards with her ballad "Stay." The duo's hit won Single and Song of the Year honours, making her the first female country artist to have ever solo-written an ACM Song of the Year.
In 2009, "Billy Elliot," the joyous story of a coal miner's son who dreams to dance, was the big winner at the Drama Desk Awards, picking up 10 prizes including Best Musical.
In 2009, rapper Dolla, born Roderick Anthony Burton II, was shot and killed at the Beverly Center in Los Angeles after a dispute with another man. Aubrey Louis Berry of Georgia was arrested, but was acquitted in a May 2010, trial.
In 2010, Taylor Swift won BMI's Song of the Year award for her hit "Love Story." At 20, she became the youngest songwriter ever to win the award. John Fogerty was named a BMI Icon. RedOne won his first Songwriter of the Year award for his work on four songs: Sean Kingston's "Fire Burning" and Lady Gaga's "Just Dance," ''LoveGame" and "Poker Face."
In 2012, Peter Jones, the British-born drummer of the band "Crowded House," died of brain cancer. He was 45. Jones replaced band member Paul Hester for two years after he left the group in 1994. Hester, who suffered from depression, committed suicide in 2005.
In 2014, Justin Timberlake won seven Billboard Music Awards, including Top Artist, Male Artist, R&B Artist, R&B Album and Billboard 200 Album. "Blurred Lines," by Robin Thicke (featuring T.I. & Pharrell) won the Top 100 Hot Song award.
In 2014, Jerry Vale, the beloved crooner known for his high-tenor voice and romantic songs in the 1950s and early 1960s, died at his California home. He was 83. Born Genaro Louis Vitaliano, Vale started performing in New York supper clubs as a teenager and went on to record more than 50 albums. His rendition of "Volare," ''Innamorata" and "Al Di La" became classic Italian-American songs. His biggest hit was "You Don't Know Me."
In 2017, rocker Chris Cornell, a leader of the grunge movement with Seattle-based Soundgarden, hanged himself in a Detroit hotel room hours after performing at a Soundgarden concert. He was 52. He also found success outside the band with other projects, including Temple of the Dog and supergroup Audioslave and as well as solo albums.
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The Canadian Press