This Day on the Music Scene

 
Today in Music History: April 8

1942, No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: Glenn Miller Orchestra's "Moonlight Cocktail"Glenn Miller, King of Swing, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and was assigned to lead the Army Air Force Band. He boosted the morale of the troops with his many popular songs before mysteriously disappearing on a flight from England to Paris, France. Miller's original recordings continue to sell millions of copies.

1944, No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra's "Besame Mucho"

Jimmy Dorsey is considered one of the most important and influential alto saxophone players of the Big Band and Swing era. Dorsey had eleven number one hits with his orchestra in the 1930s and the 1940s.

 

 1964, The Supremes record "Where Did Our Love Go" at Motown Studios in Detroit. The song would become the first US No.1 single. Originally founded as the Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, the Supremes were the most commercially successful of Motown's acts, who for a time even rivaled the Beatles in terms of red-hot commercial appeal. They are, to date, America's most successful vocal group with 12 No.1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100.

1965, No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: Freddie & the Dreamers's "I’m Telling You Now"

Freddie & the Dreamers were the clowns of the British Invasion, playing their pop music for laughs while the other groups of the time were dead serious.

1967, John Lennon took his Rolls Royce to coachbuilders J.P. Fallon Ltd in Surrey to enquire if they could paint his car in psychedelic colours. This was based on an idea by Marijke Koger ("The Fool" who was a member of Dutch team of gypsy artists). J.P. Fallon commissioned Steve Weaver's pattern of scroll and flowers for the Phantom V. The cost for having the work done came in at £2,000. A custom interior/exterior sound system was also installed as well as a Sony television; telephone (WEYBRIDGE 46676) and a portable refrigerator. 

							1985, At 3:50pm GMT, over 5,000 radio stations worldwide aired the charity single by USA for Africa 'We Are The World'. The single went on to be a No.1 in the US & UK, and most Western territories. This was a benefit single for victims of famine in Africa. It raised over $60 Million, which was distributed to Ethiopia, Sudan, and other impoverished countries. The stars who sang solos were, in order, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, James Ingram, Billy Joel, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Willie Nelson, Al Jarreau, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Logins, Steve Perry, Daryl Hall, Michael Jackson (again), Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, and Kim Carnes. Bob Dylan and Ray Charles were also featured on the song and given close-ups in the video. Singers in the chorus who did not get solos include Belafonte, Bette Midler, Smokey Robinson, The Pointer Sisters, LaToya Jackson, Bob Geldof, Sheila E., and Waylon Jennings. Read MORE... (Some resources report the day as April 5.)

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...