Today in Music History for Jan. 17:
In 1927, sultry nightclub singer Eartha Kitt was born in Columbia, S.C. Her real birth date wasn't known until 1997, when students at Benedict College in Columbia tracked down her birth certificate. She had picked her own birth date, Jan. 26, because she was adopted at age six when her mother died and did not know her father. She began her professional career in the troupe of famed dancer Katherine Dunham, with whom Kitt toured Europe and Mexico. Within a year, she was headlining at top European clubs with her singing and dancing. She also starred in three films in France. She returned to the U.S. in the early 1950s, playing such famous nightspots as the Village Vanguard in New York and the Mocambo in Los Angeles. She is best known for her 1953 recordings of ``C'est Si Bon'' and ``Santa Baby.'' She died on Dec. 25, 2008.
In 1946, rock guitarist Domenic Troiano was born in Modugno, Italy, and became a naturalized Canadian in 1955. He catapulted to the top of the Canadian music scene in the 1960s, his impressive skill with the guitar landing him integral roles with bands such as ``The Mandala,'' ``Bush,'' ``The James Gang'' and ``The Guess Who.'' It was dedication to his craft that earned him a spot in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and inspired many of Canada's musicians. He died on May 25, 2005 after a 10-year battle with cancer.
In 1948, Mick Taylor, one of the great slide guitarists in rock music, was born in Welwyn Garden City, England. He left school at age 15 and taught himself guitar, playing in a local group called ``The Gods.'' Taylor sat in for Eric Clapton when Clapton missed a gig with ``John Mayall's Bluesbreakers.'' Taylor later joined Mayall's group when Clapton left permanently. Taylor's playing on John Mayall's ``Bare Wires'' album led to him being selected to replace the deceased Brian Jones in ``The Rolling Stones'' in 1969. His highlight with ``The Stones'' is the album ``Exile on Main Street.'' Mick Taylor left ``The Stones'' in 1974, played briefly with a band led by Jack Bruce, then began a solo career in '79.
In 1965, ``The Rolling Stones'' recorded ``The Last Time'' and ``Play With Fire'' in Los Angeles.
In 1966, Simon and Garfunkel released ``Sounds of Silence.''
In 1970, soul singer Billy Stewart and three members of his band died in a car accident in North Carolina. Stewart, who was only 32, had started as a member of ``The Rainbows,'' who had a hit in 1955 with ``Mary Lee.'' Also in the group with Stewart were future stars Marvin Gaye and Don Covay. Billy Stewart had 11 records that made the Billboard Hot 100 chart. His biggest hit was ``Summertime,'' which made the top-10 in 1966.
In 1972, Elvis Presley Boulevard was dedicated in Memphis, Tenn. It was formerly part of Highway 51 South. The boulevard runs in front of Graceland.
In 1974, Dean Martin's son Dino, of ``Dino, Desi and Billy,'' was arrested after police claimed he had attempted to sell a machinegun to an undercover agent. He was released on bail the next day.
In 1977, ``The Marshall Tucker Band'' and ``The Charlie Daniels Band'' headlined a benefit concert for Scooter Herring, an ex-roadie for ``The Allman Brothers Band.'' Herring was facing a cocaine trafficking conviction based, in part, on testimony from Greg Allman. It was Allman's move to give evidence that caused the break-up of ``The Allman Brothers Band.'' Herring was sentenced to 75 years in prison.
In 1979, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton announced they would record together. They didn't get around to it until 1986. The result was the best-selling ``Trio'' album.
In 1981, heavy metal rockers ``Motley Crue'' performed together for the first time.
In 1985, the groups ``Alabama'' and ``The Commodores'' received achievement awards from Alabama Governor George Wallace.
In 1986, Apple Computers made a $200,000 donation to charity as the price for getting ``Huey Lewis and the News'' to play at the company's 10th anniversary party.
In 1989, Chuck Berry sued ``High Society'' magazine for $10 million after it published nude photographs of him. Berry said the photos were stolen from his office in St. Louis. He told reporters he had taken photos of himself and his female companions over the past 30 years in case the women tried to defame him.
In 1990, ``The Four Seasons,'' ``The Four Tops,'' ``The Kinks,'' ``The Platters,'' ``Simon and Garfunkel'' and ``The Who'' were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 1993, hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Washington for a free outdoor concert that was staged as part of the Presidential inaugural festivities. Performers included Michael Bolton and Aretha Franklin.
In 1994, two former child stars -- Donny Osmond and Danny Bonaduce of ``The Partridge Family'' -- slugged it out in a three-round charity boxing match in Chicago. The winner was Bonaduce, who bloodied Osmond's nose in the 2-1 decision. The match was set up after Osmond taunted Bonaduce at the gym where both men were working out.
In 1996, ``Pink Floyd,'' David Bowie, ``Gladys Knight and the Pips,'' ``Jefferson Airplane,'' ``The Shirelles,'' ``Little Willie John and the ''Velvet Underground`` were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 1997, Cliffie Stone, the country music executive credited with discovering Tennessee Ernie Ford, died at his home in Santa Clarita, Calif. He was 80. Stone was a pioneer in country music on the U.S. West Coast and his ``Hometown Jamboree'' radio and TV show was instrumental in developing the careers of Ford, Johnny Cash, Eddy Arnold, Jim Reeves and other country stars. From 1946 on, Stone was in charge of country music at Capitol Records and among those he signed to the label were Ford, Tex Williams, Hank Thompson and Merle Travis.
In 2001, ``Metallica'' announced bassist Jason Newsted had quit.
In 2011, Hamilton's Rita Chiarelli won the Blues With a Feeling Award for lifetime achievement at the Maple Blues Awards, while fellow Hamilton native Richard Newell _ a.k.a. King Biscuit Boy _ was recognized posthumously with a special lifetime achievement award as well. He died in 2003.
In 2011, rock promoter Don Kirshner, the man ``Time'' magazine once dubbed the ``Man With the Golden Ear,'' died of heart failure at a Florida hospital where he was being treated for an infection. He was 76. He was behind the TV show ``Don Kirshner's Rock Concert'' in 1972, and gave national exposure to musicians including Billy Joel and ``The Police.'' He also boosted the careers of comics, including Billy Crystal, Arsenio Hall and David Letterman.
In 2012, Johnny Otis, who made the 1958 R&B classic ``Willie and the Hand Jive'' and evangelized black music to white audiences as a bandleader and radio host, died in California at age 90. He also wrote ``Every Beat of My Heart,'' which was a hit for ``Gladys Knight and the Pips,'' and discovered such R&B artists such as Etta James and Big Mama Thornton.
In 2016, Dale Griffin, drummer for British glam-rock stalwarts Mott The Hoople, died at age 67. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease a decade earlier. Griffin was a founding member of the group, which scored its biggest hit with the David Bowie-penned and produced anthem ``All the Young Dudes.'' The group's songs also included ``All the Way From Memphis'' and ``Roll Away the Stone.''
In 2017, Ed Sheeran's song ``Shape of You'' premiered atop the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, while his ``Castle on the Hill'' debuted at No. 6, marking the first time an artist has debuted two singles in the top-10 at the same time.
In 2020, the mother of Canadian pop sensation Celine Dion died at the age of 92. Therese Dion, commonly known as ``Maman Dion,'' died at home surrounded by family. Therese Dion was a notable television personality in Quebec with her own cooking show, and also founded a children's education charity in 2006.
In 2021, Phil Spector, the eccentric and revolutionary music producer who later was convicted of murder, died. He was 81. Spector was convicted of murdering actress Lana Clarkson in 2003 at his castle-like mansion on the edge of Los Angeles. After a trial in 2009, he was sentenced to 19-years to life and spent his remaining years in a California prison hospital. Spector transformed rock music with his ``Wall of Sound'' method, producing such pop hits as ``Da Doo Ron Ron,'' ``Be My Baby'' and ``He's a Rebel.''
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The Canadian Press
