Birthday Tribute

This day in music history:

• The Beatles recorded "I Want to Hold Your Hand" (1963), and finished guitar and vocal parts for their single ‘Hello Goodbye’ at Abbey Road studios. (1967)

• The soundtrack to The Sound Of Music was at No.1 on the UK album chart, spending its 132 week on the chart. The Beatles were at No.2 with 'Sgt Pepper's' and Scott Walker was at No.3 with 'Scott.' The Soundtrack to Dr. Zhivago, The Best of The Beach Boys volumes 1 & 2, 'Hipsters, Flipsters, Finger-Poppin' Daddies' by Geno Washington and Engelbert Humperdinck's 'Release Me' rounded out the rest of the top 10. (1967)

• "I Second That Emotion" by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles was released by Tamla-Motown. (1967)

• Elvis Presley's single "A Little Less Conversation" hit No. 69 in the U.S. (1968)

• Prince's second album "Prince" was released. (1979)

• The song "Take On Me" by A-Ha (the first band from Norway to reach No. 1 in the US) topped the Billboard Pop charts and stayed there for a week. (1985)

• Roxette releases "Roxette Look Sharp!" album (1988)

More importantly, 40 years ago on this day, a highly influential friend to The Bruce Grobbelaar Leisure Centre was born.

In 1967 The Boston Red Sox were, coincidentally, in the race, the 100th episode of Batman aired on ABC, and "Disco Diamond Dave the Rave" made his debut appearance.

He shares this day of birth with these other notable (and not so notable) folks in music history:

1944 - Peter Tosh, rocker
1945 - Keith Reid, rocker (Procol Harum)
1945 - Patrick Simmons, rocker (Doobie Brothers)
1947 - Wilbert Hart, US singer (Four Gents, Delfonics-Didn't I)
1948 - Chester Biscardi, composer
1956 - Nino DeFranco, rocker (DeFranco Family)
1957 - Karl Wallingher, Prestatyn Wales, rocker (The Waterboys & World Party)
1958 - Antoine Trousers, rock drummer/singer (Dike-Bleeding Heart)
1960 - Dan "Woody" Woodgate, London, rock drummer (Madness)

And (because he digs South Park)

1969 - Trey Parker

Were it not for our friend "DDDtheR", The BGLC would not have been possible. "DDDtheR" has educated, debated, introduced and critiqued us on literally thousands of bands and has shared in many great memories. With "DDDtheR" we've experienced dozens of music related events; some of which were historical:

• The Smiths (first west coast appearance in 85 and last west coast appearance in 86)
• X (original lineup)
• The Mission (infamous LA cancelled show and make up show the following night; AND, the night Billy Duffy made a guest appearance.)
• The Sugarcubes (first LA appearance)
• The Pretenders (sneaking into sound check; he and Kevin meeting Chrissie; AND seeing them open for U2 with Johnny Marr on guitar)
• The Beat Farmers (at the pinnacle of their carrier)
• The Alarm (great live show on our most memorable "Thanksgiving")
• Frankie Goes to Hollywood (they were incredible—for the time—but seem pretty gay today)
• Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (how many times did we see them?)
• Tears for Fears (the BGLC's first and only show "hook-up")
• Brendan Perry (a great night just hanging out)

So on this day, October 19, 2007, we salute "DDDtheR" and wish him a hearty birthday, CHEERS!