This Day in Music
Michael Fitzgibbon
A former glam band sings of Arthurian legend, a former footballer sings stories, John and Yoko are minted, and Elvis buys a piano, on this day in music.
Avalon
1982: English former glam-rock, now smooth-rock band Roxy Music release their eighth and final studio album, “Avalon.” A strong finale to their studio career, the record reflects the adult-oriented sound that had been developing over their prior few albums, leading some writers to refer to it as “sophisti-pop.”
Highly-rated by critics, it earned an A- from The Village Voice, 8/10 from Spin magazine, and 5-Stars from AllMusic. It is the highest-ranking Roxy Music LP on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (c) 2003 at No. 307.
Commercially successful as well, it went to No. 1 in the U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, though it only peaked at No. 53 on the Billboard 200. It has been certified Platinum in all five countries, selling nearly two million units in total.
The album includes two of the band’s biggest hits, “More Than This” and “Avalon,” though the rest of the record is equally good, particularly the songs, “To Turn You On” and “Take a Chance With Me.”
Often cited by listeners as their favourite Roxy Music album, I rank it third. “For Your Pleasure” is my number one, followed by the debut, “Roxy Music.”
Every Picture Tells a Story
1971: “Every Picture Tells a Story,” the third studio album from former English high-school football captain and classic rocker Rod Stewart, is released to near-universal critical acclaim, including a grade of A+ from mercurial critic Robert Christgau of The Village Voice.
Featuring the title track, “Every Picture Tells a Story,” a cover of Bob Dylan's non-album single, “Tomorrow is a Long Time,” and a rocking version of an old Motown song by The Temptations, “(I Know) I’m Losing You,” the record was also a commercial success, going to No. 1 in the U.S., the U.K., and Canada, and earning Platinum certification for selling over 2.5 million copies.
My favourite part of this LP is ex-Faces and future The Who drummer Kenny Jones's performance on “(I Know) I’m Losing You,” which is even better played live with the Faces, and including his solo.
Birthdays
1947: American session bassist Leland Sklar is born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. You might not have heard his name, but you’ve heard him play. Here is a short list of artists he and his ZZ Top-length beard have recorded with during his long career, including on their most popular songs: Paul Anka, Ray Charles, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, CSN&Y, Jimmy Buffett, Alice Cooper, Cher, Phil Collins, Leonard Cohen, Carole King, Linda Ronstadt, Warren Zevon, and Toto, among literally hundreds of others. Happy 79th Birthday, Leland!!
1945: American singer-songwriter, guitarist, founder and songwriter for Creedence Clearwater Revival, John Fogerty, is born in Berkeley, California. Happy 81st to John!!
Some Music History
2019: The Royal Canadian Mint announces it will commemorate John & Yoko’s June 1, 1969 Bed-in for Peace with a 1-oz pure silver coin. Issued for legal tender of $20.00, the coin now retails for $99.99 when available. On the secondary market, it can fetch as high as $270.00. (all figures in Canadian dollars)
It is titled “Give Peace a Chance,” after the song the pair recorded with friends that day in Suite 1742 of the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montréal.
The Daily Elvis
1957: Graceland takes delivery of the first grand piano purchased by Elvis. It was a Wm. Knabe & Co. instrument, purchased from Jack Marshall Pianos-Organs in Memphis, that had been built in the 1920’s for the Ellis Auditorium, also in Memphis. Among the many musical icons who played the piano in concert was the legendary Duke Ellington. Elvis had it refurbished and refinished in white with gold trim. It was on prominent display in the mansion.
