From the MCRFB music calendar:
Events on this date: MARCH 27
1955: In Memphis, Sam Phillips decides to form his own independent record label, known as Sun Records. This was due in part when Ike Turner could not find a record label to record the follow-up to his hit, Jackie Brenston’s “Rocket 88.” Within a matter of days, Sun will release it’s first single, Johnny London’s “Driving Slow” on Sun Records number 175.
1958: CBS Records announces it’s sound lab’s latest invention, stereophonic sound, which when played on a compatible phonograph will send sound through two channels instead of one.
1960:Representative Emanuel Celler (D-NY) introduces two bills designed to halt the practice of “Payola” — that is, deejays receiving cash or gifts to promote certain records. Celler, echoing the sentiments of his era, stated that “the cacophonous music called Rock and Roll” could not possibly have risen up the charts without the help of payola.
1965: P. J. Proby splits his tight pants while on stage in Hereford, England, a standard occurrence for the singer while on stage. On this occasion, as Proby donned more into the same ‘ole splits, the incident resulted in his concert being canceled.
1967: Fats Domino play his first UK gig at London’s Saville Theater, with a billing which included the Bee Gees and Gerry and the Pacemakers.
1972: Grand Funk Railroad fires producer/manager Terry Knight for alleged non-payment of royalties.
1973: Rolling Stone reports that Carlos Santana has become a devotee of Sri Chimnoy, and has therefore changed his name to “Devadip” which means “the lamp of the light of the Supreme” (or whatever).
1973: A routine speeding ticket for Grateful Dead band leader Jerry Garcia in New Jersey becomes more problematic when police search his car and find a significant quantity of LSD. Garcia is released on two-thousand dollar bail.
1979: Eric Clapton finally gets his “Layla” when he marries Pattie Boyd, the ex-wife of best friend George Harrison. Harrison attends the wedding in Tucson, Arizona, as do fellow Beatles Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney. Eric and Pattie would divorce in 1988.
1982: Ronnie Lane, former bassist for the (Small) Faces, is taken to the hospital for further treatment of Multiple Sclerosis. Lane dies from complications of the muscle-degenerating disease in 1997.
2003: The Rolling Stones postpone a planned series of concerts in Hong Kong, after the deadly SARS flu epidemic breaks out there. Ironically, the Stones would later perform a benefit concert at another date to show the city is safe to visit there.
2006: Victor Willis, the “policeman” in the Village People, is arrested in San Francisco for failing to appear at his trial for cocaine and gun possession. After agreeing to enter rehab his sentence is reduced to three years probation.
And that’s just a few of the events which took place in pop music history, on this day….
