From the MCRFB music calendar:
Events on this date: DECEMBER 7
1956: Britain’s Tommy Steele makes his concert debut at Finsbury Park, Astoria, London. Reviews proclaim him “Britain’s answer to Elvis.”
1963: The Beatles appear as panelists on the BBC show Juke Box Jury to rate records. Elvis’ new single, “Kiss Me Quick,” is declared a “hit.”
1964: The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson suffers a nervous breakdown while on a flight from Los Angeles to Houston. He would stop touring with the group soon after.
1966: Nancy Sinatra guest-stars on the CBS TV special Frank Sinatra: A Man & His Music, Part II.
1967: In Britain’s New Musical Express magazine, the Hollies’ recently-departed Graham Nash announces the formation of Crosby, Stills, and Nash.
1967: The Beatles’ Apple Boutique officially opens its doors at 94 Baker Street in London.
1968: The Animals’ lead singer, Eric Burdon, announces that the group will officially disband after a December 22 concert at Newcastle City Hall. Eric would pursue an ill-fated acting career in California.
1973: Fleetwood Mac’s then-manager, Clifford Davis, claims ownership of the band’s name and assembles a fake version of the group for a national tour.
1984: In a $5 million plagiarism suit brought against him in Chicago, IL, Michael Jackson testifies that he did not steal his hit “The Girl Is Mine” from an Illinois man. He eventually wins the case.
1987: Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, and Judy Collins (among others) appear onstage at Carnegie Hall to pay tribute to Harry Chapin, who would have been celebrating his 45th birthday. That same day, Chapin received a posthumous Congressional Medal of Honor (#111) for his work in fighting hunger.
Birthdays: 1911: Louis Prima. 1924: Boyd Bennett, Bent Fabric. 1931: Bobby Osborne (The Osborne Brothers). 1940: Carole Simpson. 1942: Harry Chapin. 1947: Gregg Allman (The Allman Brothers). 1949: Tom Waits.
Releases: None
Recording: 1974: Linda Ronstadt, “You’re No Good.”
Certifications: None
Charts: 1957: Sam Cooke’s “You Send Me” hits No. 1 on the charts. 1963: The Singing Nun’s “Dominique” hits No. 1 on the charts. 1974: Carl Douglas’ “Kung Fu Fighting” hits No. 1 on the charts.
Deaths: 1990: Dee Clark.
And that’s just a few of the events which took place in pop music history, on this day . . . . D E C E M B E R 7
