Today in Music History for June 10:
In 1865, Richard Wagner's opera "Tristan and Isolde" premiered in Munich, Germany. The work was so different from other operas of its time that Wagner required the support of King Louis II of Bavaria to have it produced.
In 1910, Chester Arthur Burnett, the bluesman known as "Howlin' Wolf," was born in West Point, Miss. He was among the most influential musicians of the post-Second World War era, and his blues helped shape rock 'n' roll. "Howlin' Wolf" had his first rhythm-and-blues hit, "Moanin' at Midnight," in 1951. The next year, he moved to Chicago, where he recorded a string of classics for Chess Records. Among them were "Sitting on Top of the World," "Spoonful," "Smokestack Lightnin'," and "Little Red Rooster." His hits, many of them written by Willie Dixon, have been covered by "The Rolling Stones," "The Yardbirds," "Led Zeppelin" and countless other rock artists. Wolf appeared frequently at blues and rock festivals in the '60s and '70s. He died in 1976 of complications from kidney disease.
In 1922, actress-singer Judy Garland, was born Frances Gumm in Grand Rapids, Minn. Her greatest triumph came in 1939 with the film "The Wizard of Oz," which introduced the never-to-be forgotten song "Over the Rainbow." Garland's recording of the tune sold over a million copies. She also received a special Academy Award in 1939 for her outstanding performances as a screen juvenile. Her other big musical films included "Meet Me in St. Louis," "Easter Parade" and "A Star is Born." Garland suffered a nervous collapse in 1950, but was able to resume her career the following year. Plagued by health and drug problems, she died in London in 1969.
In 1931, two legendary country acts, Jimmie Rodgers and "The Carter Family," recorded together. The sides were cut in Camden, N.J., for the Victor Co.
In 1964, "The Rolling Stones" met two of their idols during a recording session, when they ran into bluesmen Willie Dixon and Muddy Waters at Chicago's Chess studios.
In 1964, "The Beatles" released "A Hard Day's Night," both the album and the single.
In 1966, "Rain," the flip side of "Paperback Writer," by "The Beatles" was released. It was the first record to use reverse tapes. John Lennon said he "just happened to have the tape on the wrong way 'round."
In 1967, Bob Dylan and "The Band" began recording sessions that remained unreleased for a long time but eventually surfaced as an album titled "The Basement Tapes."
In 1970, organist, pianist and singer Earl Grant died in an auto accident in Lordsburg, N.M. He was 39. Grant had a top-10 vocal hit in 1958 with "The End."
In 1971, the rock band "Jethro Tull" and the audience were tear-gassed by police at a concert in Denver. Twenty-eight people were treated in hospital but the show went on.
In 1981, the rock supergroup "Asia" was formed by Steve Howe and Geoff Downes from "Yes," Carl Palmer of "Emerson, Lake and Palmer" and John Wetton of "Uriah Heep."
In 1982, Micki Harris of the 1960s girl group, "The Shirelles," died in Los Angeles at age 42.
In 1986, more than 10,000 fans helped the "Nitty Gritty Dirt Band" celebrate their 20th anniversary at a Denver concert. The guest stars included Ricky Skaggs, Emmylou Harris and Nicolette Larson.
In 1986, Irish rocker Bob Geldof was awarded an honorary knighthood in recognition of the millions of dollars he had raised for the people starving in Africa.
In 1987, more than 30 people were hurt in clashes between police and fans locked out of an open-air concert by David Bowie in Milan.
In 1988, the "Vancouver Symphony Orchestra" was rescued by a $5 million financial aid package from the federal, provincial and municipal governments. The symphony had suspended operations six months earlier because of a $2.5 million debt.
In 1988, harmonica player Herman Crook, the last remaining charter member of the Grand Ole Opry, died in Nashville at age 89. Crook and his country string band began entertaining on the Opry in 1927. His last performance at the Opry was less than one week before his death.
In 1989, someone firebombed a McDonald's restaurant in London two days after Chrissie Hynde of "The Pretenders" advocated such action. Hynde told a news conference launching an all-star album in aid of Greenpeace that people "should petro-bomb McDonald's."
In 1991, James Brown performed in Los Angeles in his first concert since serving more than two years in a South Carolina prison. He had been convicted of aggravated assault stemming from a car chase with police. Brown's comeback "Living in America" show was broadcast live on pay-per-view TV in the U.S.
In 1991, "The Four Tops," Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin were among the mourners at the Detroit funeral for former "Temptation" David Ruffin. About 25,000 fans gathered outside the church. Ruffin had died nine days earlier of a drug overdose. Following the service, police arrested another former "Temptation," Eddie Kendricks, for not paying nearly $30,000 in alimony.
In 1992, a Texas law enforcement agency called for a national boycott of "Cop Killer" by rapper Ice-T. Sales of the song skyrocketed.
In 1993, singer Sinead O'Connor took out a full-page ad in the "Irish Times" asking the public to "stop hurting me please." She blamed her unhappiness on abuse she suffered as a child. O'Connor was still being rattled by the furor over her ripping up a picture of the Pope during an appearance on "Saturday Night Live" the previous October.
In 1998, Steve Sanders, a former singer with the country group "The Oak Ridge Boys," shot himself to death at his home in Cape Coral, Fla. He was 45.
In 2004, Ray Charles, master of almost all forms of popular music of his time, died of liver cancer at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif. He was 73. His hits included "What'd I Say," "Georgia on My Mind" and "I Can't Stop Loving You."
In 2009, the U.S. Library of Congress added "The Who's" "My Generation" to its National Recording Registry. Other songs added were "Rumble" by Link Wray, "He Stopped Loving Her Today" by George Jones, "At Last" by Etta James, "Boogie Chillen" by John Lee Hooker and "Tom Dooley" -- both the 1958 "Kingston Trio" version and the 1940 Frank Proffitt version.
In 2009, Grammy-award winning hip-hop and R&B singer Lauryn Hill cancelled all her summer tour dates in Europe citing health reasons but declined to give more details.
In 2009, acclaimed Fredericton-born soprano Measha Brueggergosman underwent successful open-heart surgery to repair a dissection in her aorta.
In 2010, Alicia Keys, Shakira, "The Black Eyed Peas," John Legend, and Somali-born Canadian rapper K'naan took part in the World Cup Kick-off Celebration Concert in Johannesburg to mark the start of soccer's biggest tournament.
In 2011, rocker Jack White and model Karen Elson threw a party to celebrate their divorce. They married in June 2005 and had two children together.
In 2013, Grammy Award-winning R&B singer Chaka Khan, known as the "Queen of Funk Soul," was inducted into the Apollo Theater's Hall of Fame at its New York gala.
In 2013, bassist Ted Dwane of the Grammy Award-winning folk rock group "Mumford & Sons" was admitted into hospital after doctors found a blood clot on his brain that required surgery.
In 2016, a gunman fatally shot former "The Voice" contestant Christina Grimmie, 22, as she signed autographs after a show in Orlando. She died overnight in hospital. Her assailant committed suicide after being tackled by Grimmie's brother.
In 2018, "The Band's Visit" won 10 statuettes at the Tony Awards, including best musical, best actor in a musical (Tony Shalhoub), best actress in a musical (Katrina Lenk) and best direction of a musical (David Cromer).
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The Canadian Press
