Today in Music History for May 19:
In 1866, "When You and I Were Young, Maggie," which became one of the most popular ballads in North America, was published in Indianapolis, Ind., by James A. Butterfield. The song was based on a poem written by G.W. Johnson in Hamilton, Ont., about 1864 as a tribute to his wife. Johnson was a schoolteacher who later taught at the University of Toronto. The most popular recorded version of the song was made in 1905 by Frank Stanley and Corrine Morgan for the Victor label.
In 1943, Canadian composer-musician John Mills-Cockell was born in Toronto. He was one of the first Canadian musicians to use the Arp and Moog synthesizers in concert. Mills-Cockell performed from 1969 to '72 with the Toronto rock bands "Kensington Market" and "Syrinx," and with Vancouver's "Hydro-Electric Streetcar." He later concentrated on composing and recording.
In 1945, guitarist and vocalist Pete Townshend, leader of "The Who," was born in London. "The Who" were one of the most widely respected rock groups of the 1960s and '70s, apparently winding up their career with a farewell tour in 1982. But there were to be a couple of reunions, including a world tour in 1989. Formed in 1963, their one personnel change came when Kenny Jones replaced original drummer Keith Moon, who died of a sedative overdose in 1978. The group's other two members were vocalist Roger Daltrey and guitarist John Entwistle (he died June 27, 2002). Townshend was the main songwriter, responsible for such hits as "My Generation" and "I Can See For Miles" and the rock operas "Tommy" and "Quadrophenia."
In 1951, Joey Ramone, leader of the punk rock group the "Ramones," was born Jeffrey Hyman in New York City. The "Ramones" had a great influence on the punk movement, beginning with their 1976 album, "Ramones." It contained such songs as "Beat on the Brat" and "Now I Want to Sniff Some Glue." The "Ramones" disbanded in 1996. Joey Ramone was 49 when he died of lymphoma on April 15, 2001.
In 1958, Ritchie Valens recorded "Come On, Let's Go," at his first recording session, in Los Angeles.
In 1958, Bobby Darin's recording of "Splish Splash" was released. It was the first recording made on an eight-track recorder at Atlantic Records. Darin is said to have written the song in 12 minutes.
In 1960, disc jockey Alan Freed was charged with accepting payola -- money for playing records. Freed, the deejay who did the most to spread rock 'n' roll, was a broken man by the time he came to trial in December 1962. He pleaded guilty to accepting bribes and received a suspended sentence and a $300 fine. Freed, facing new charges of tax evasion, died in January 1965 at age 42.
In 1960, "The Drifters" recorded "Save The Last Dance For Me" in New York.
In 1961, "The Everly Brothers" launched a new record label named Calliope.
In 1962, during a Democratic fundraiser at New York's Madison Square Garden, actress Marilyn Monroe sang "Happy Birthday to You" to the guest of honour, U.S. President John F. Kennedy.
In 1969, jazz saxophonist Coleman Hawkins died in New York City of bronchial pneumonia at age 69. A master of the tenor saxophone during his 40-year career, he is credited with bringing the saxophone into prominence as a solo instrument in jazz in the late 1920s. Hawkins will always be associated with the tune "Body and Soul," which he first recorded in 1939.
In 1976, Keith Richards of "The Rolling Stones" crashed his car into a highway divider about 80 kilometres north of London. He wasn't hurt, but police seized various substances from the vehicle. Three months later, Richards was charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana.
In 1986, Kenny Rogers, Bryan Adams, "Loverboy" and Sheena Easton performed at an Expo '86 gala concert in Vancouver. Guests of honour at the $86-a-seat event were Prince Charles and Diana, the Princess of Wales. Adams donated his $100,000 fee to charity.
In 1986, rockabilly singer Hasil Adkins, known to his fans as "The Haze," began serving a six-month jail sentence in West Virginia for illegal possession of a shotgun. In the 1950s, Adkins recorded such songs as "Chicken Walk" and "She Said," which now are considered rockabilly classics. "The Cramps'" 1980's remake of "She Said" revived Hasil Adkins' career.
In 1987, Rita Marley was ousted as executor of her late husband Bob Marley's will by a Jamaican court. The surviving members of Marley's band, "The Wailers," sought an investigation of the reggae star's estate.
In 1991, singer Odia Coates died of breast cancer at age 49. She's best known for duetting with Canadian-born Paul Anka on four of his hits in 1974 and '75, including the chart-topping "(You're) Having My Baby."
In 1994, an acoustic guitar previously owned by David Bowie, Paul McCartney and George Michael sold for a record US$300,000 at a charity auction in London.
In 1998, "U2's" Bono and The Edge appeared at a Belfast concert in support of a Northern Ireland peace accord. They joined the Northern Irish punk band "Ash" to perform several songs, including "The Beatles'" "Don't Let Me Down."
In 2001, jazz and cabaret singer Susannah McCorkle jumped to her death from her Manhattan apartment. McCorkle, who was 55, was considered one of the finest jazz-pop singers in the U.S. for her club and concert hall appearances.
In 2013, Taylor Swift dominated the Billboard Awards winning eight times, including Top Artist, Female Artist, Billboard 200 Artist, Country Artist, Country Album and Billboard 200 Album for "Red." Canadian Justin Bieber won Top Male Artist and Social Artist, while B.C.-native Carly Rae Jepsen took Top Pop Song for "Call Me Maybe."
In 2015, 16-year-old Sawyer Fredericks of Fultonville, N.Y., was crowned the champion of NBC's "The Voice" in the Season 8 finale.
In 2018, former Beatle George Harrison's first electric guitar, a Hofner Club 40, sold at auction in New York for US$430,000. A Bob Dylan/Robbie Robertson 1965 Fender Telecaster Guitar sold for $490,000.
In 2024, Sean "Diddy'' Combs admitted he beat his ex-girlfriend Cassie in a hotel hallway in 2016. In a video statement posted to Instagram and Facebook, Combs said he was "truly sorry'' and called his actions "inexcusable.'' The apology came after CNN released video of the attack in which Combs is seen punching, kicking and throwing a vase in his longtime girlfriend's direction. In the apology video, Combs said, "I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted then when I did it. (And) I'm disgusted now.''
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The Canadian Press