Category: Music

On This Day in 2004: The Funeral of DJ John Peel

DJ and radio host John Peel’s funeral was held on this day, November 12, 2004, at St Edmundsbury Cathedral in the town of Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, England. Among the 1000-plus attendees were many artists, including Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker, The White Stripes, and Undertones singer Feargal Sharkey. His brother Alan Ravenscroft read a eulogy …

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The Inspiration Behind “Hey Jude”

On this day September 18, 1996, Julian Lennon made the winning bid of just over $39,000 (£21,000) at Sotheby’s in London for the recording notes for the song “Hey Jude,” which Paul McCartney wrote for young Julian to comfort and encourage him during his parents’ divorce. Originally titled “Hey Jules,” Paul McCartney comments on the song’s …

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Robert Plant – “Ship of Fools”

Happy birthday to Robert Plant, born on this day August 20, 1948 in West Bromwich, England.

Kate Bush – “Suspended in Gaffa”

“Suspended in Gaffa” is from the 1982 Kate Bush album The Dreaming.

Remembering “Mayor of Macdougal Street” Dave Van Ronk

Folk singer & songwriter Dave Van Ronk was born on June 30, 1936, in Brooklyn, NY.  As a young boy enamored with the local jazz and folk music of his day, he learned to play the guitar, and when he was a little older, he played banjo in a group.  He also played piano, possibly inspired …

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Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – “Enola Gay”

Happy birthday to OMD frontman Andy McCluskey, born on this day June 24, 1959 in Heswall, England.

A Bob Dylan Birthday Celebration in 5 Songs

On May 24, 1941, American legend of song and 2016 Nobel Literature Prize winner Bob Dylan was born. With music of gold and his lyrics of pure poetry, Dylan has been an influence on artists of all walks of life and will continue to shine for a long, long time. Take Bringing It All Back …

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John Cale – “Paris 1919”

Here’s another John Cale song I love, the title track from his 1973 album Paris 1919.

Dave Van Ronk – “Mack The Knife”

Happy birthday Bertolt Brecht. RIP Dave Van Ronk.

David Bowie – “Drive In Saturday”

Often referred to as “The Greatest” as an artist who constantly pushed musical and cultural barriers, happy birthday to Ziggy Stardust aka The Man Who Fell to Earth aka David Bowie, born on this day January 8, 1947 in London. David Bowie died of cancer two days after his 69th birthday on January 10, 2016 in …

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