Today in Music History for April 27:
In 1857, "The Septett Club," a string and wind ensemble formed by Antoine Dessane, gave its first concert in Quebec City. The club performed classical and romantic music which, until then, had been heard in Quebec only in arrangements for military bands. The club performed until 1871.
In 1892, composer and conductor Howard Fogg, a pioneer in the composition and synchronization of film soundtracks, was born in Lewiston, Me. He spent much of his life in Montreal. In 1934, he wrote what's considered to be the first original composition for a Canadian film -- the music for a documentary called "Rhapsody in Two Languages." He died in 1953.
In 1932, Maxine Brown of the country trio, "The Browns," was born in Samti, La. Their recordings of "The Three Bells," "Scarlet Ribbons" and "The Old Lamplighter" were big hits on both the country and pop charts in 1959 and '60.
In 1939, drummer Jerry Mercer of the Montreal-based rock group "April Wine" was born. Mercer replaced the band's original drummer, Richie Henman, in 1974. It was Canada's leading touring band of the '70s, with such hits as "You Could Have Been a Lady" and "Roller." But their biggest international success came in 1981, when "Just Between You and Me" made No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. The group also appeared with "The Rolling Stones" at a Toronto nightclub in 1977 and was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2010.
In 1947, Pete Ham of the group "Badfinger" was born in Swansea, England. Originally known as "The Iveys," they were signed to Apple Records by "The Beatles" in 1968. But despite a couple of sizeable hits with "Come and Get It" and "No Matter What," "Badfinger" couldn't escape the shadow of "The Beatles." Despondent over the group's declining fortunes, Pete Ham committed suicide in 1975.
In 1951, Ace Frehley, former lead guitarist with the theatrical rock group "KISS," was born in New York. "KISS," known for their painted faces and extravagant on-stage antics, was one of the biggest-selling acts of the '70s. Frehley was recruited for the band through an ad in the "Village Voice." The critics almost unanimously panned the band's heavy-metal thudding, but their albums sold in the millions. Frehley left "KISS" in 1983. But in 1996, the original lineup of "KISS" -- featuring Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Frehley and Peter Criss -- reunited for a successful international tour.
In 1963, "Martha and the Vandellas" had their first entry on the Billboard R&B chart, "Come and Get These Memories." Three months later, the Motown group would have its biggest hit, "Heat Wave."
In 1968, "Simon and Garfunkel's" "Mrs. Robinson" was released. The future million-seller was taken from the soundtrack of the movie "The Graduate." It hit No. 1 in the United States and earned the duo record of the year honours at the 1969 Grammys.
In 1972, Phil King of "Blue Oyster Cult" was shot to death during a gambling fight in New York City. His death came before the heavy metal group achieved major success.
In 1973, "The Diamonds," formed in Toronto in 1955, reunited for the first time in 14 years on a "Midnight Special" TV show. The vocal quartet had nine top-20 hits in the '50s, mainly cover versions of songs by black R&B groups.
In 1973, the Opryland amusement park, the home of the Grand Ole Opry, opened just outside Nashville.
In 1974, Waylon Jennings' first No.1 single, "This Time," entered the U.S. country charts.
In 1981, former "Beatle" Ringo Starr married actress Barbara Bach. It was Starr's second marriage, and again ended in divorce.
In 1992, Olivier Messiaen, considered the most renowned French composer since Maurice Ravel, died in Paris at age 83. He drew inspiration from Oriental music, birdcalls and his deep religious faith. He inspired some of the 20th century's leading musical figures, including two of his former students, Pierre Boulez and Karl Heinz Stockhausen.
In 1993, Prince announced he wouldn't make any more new recordings. He said he'd fulfill his Warner Brothers contract by delving into his stockpile of 500 unreleased recordings. There was speculation the announcement was related to disappointing sales of his previous album.
In 1993, Bonnie Raitt, Gloria Estefan, Smokey Robinson, Rod Stewart and Elton John performed duets with Aretha Franklin at an AIDS benefit concert in New York.
In 1999, trumpeter Al Hirt, who won a Grammy Award for his 1964 hit "Java," died of liver failure at his New Orleans home. He was 76. Hirt was at the peak of his popularity in 1964, when he had three top-40 hits -- "Java," "Cotton Candy" and "Sugar Lips." He also earned 21 Grammy nominations in his more than 50-year career and recorded more than 50 albums.
In 2009, "Pearl Jam" bassist Jeff Ament and band employee Mark Anthony Smith were mugged by three assailants as they approached the Southern Tracks recording studio in Atlanta. The assailants smashed three car windows, grabbed a BlackBerry and two computers and demanded money. Paramedics treated Ament for head injuries.
In 2009, "Creed" announced that all four of the original band members — Scott Stapp, Mark Tremonti, Scott Phillips and Brian Marshall — would reunite for a summer tour and new album ("Full Circle"). "Creed" had sold over 35 million CDs between 1997-2002. After their spilt in 2002, Tremonti, Phillips and Marshall launched "Alter Bridge" while Stapp persued a solo career.
In 2011, Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald and Max Martin, who were responsible for such hits as Miley Cyrus' "Party in the U.S.A." and Katy Perry's "California Gurls," took Songwriters of the Year honours at ASCAP's 28th annual Pop Music Awards. "Train" frontman Pat Monahan won Song of the Year for "Hey, Soul Sister." Randy Bachman ("BTO" and "The Guess Who") was honoured with the Global Impact Award in recognition of the enduring worldwide popularity of his music.
In 2015, Jack Ely of The Kingsmen died at his home in Redmond, Ore., after a long illness. He was 71. Ely's incoherent singing on the 1963 hit "Louie, Louie" prompted an FBI investigation into whether it was obscene.
In 2018, a country music benefit concert in Regina raised $428,000 for the 29 families affected by the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash on April 6.
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The Canadian Press
