This Day in Music
December 22nd
A true classic of Christmas debuts, remembering two beloved performers, and Elvis is acting more than singing, on this day in music.
Releases
1965: Though the specific date is disputed, it was in December of 1965 that the Vince Guaraldi Trio released the seminal album, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” A companion to the classic children’s movie of the same name, it was an instant hit and went to No. 1 on the Billboard Soundtrack albums chart, and No. 2 on the Billboard Jazz albums chart.
Remembrances
2002: Legendary punk pioneer Joe Strummer dies in Broomfield (Somerset), England, from a heart attack resulting from a congenital defect. He was only 50 years old. Most famous as co-founder, vocalist, guitarist, and principal lyricist for punk-rock outfit, The Clash, Strummer’s career spanned 30 years with the band, and as a solo artist.
2014: British singer Joe Cocker dies of lung cancer at age 70 in Crawford, Colorado. With a distinctive gritty, yet soulful and bluesy voice, Cocker released 22 albums from 1969 to 2012, and charted over 50 singles, with 11 reaching No. 1, including the monster global hit, "Up Where We Belong," featuring Jennifer Warnes, from the movie, An Officer and a Gentleman.
The Daily Elvis
1960: The film Flaming Star opens across the country in the US. Starring Elvis Presley in a dramatic role with little singing, the movie placed No. 12 in box office receipts for the week.
Pictured: The Vince Guaraldi Trio, from L to R: Vince Guaraldi, Fred Marshall, and Jerry Granelli.
