Awakenings: Musique de la Vie

Friday, November 7, 2014

Musique de la Vie

Today in Music History: November 7

Ah-h-h! Music through the decades brings on so many memories. Musique de la vie! Some reflect moments of smiles and laughter while others bring on the tears.

Let's see...for me, today starts with middle school onward to high school and into college years. Marriage follows college graduation as I enter the working world as a teacher. Children enter the scene shortly afterward and a career change working for the railroad. Then, a return to high school when another move and job change placed me back in the classroom where this time I was no longer the student but the teacher. The 21st century finds me out of the classroom but still working in education. This time my students are teachers themselves some of whom were once my students in the classroom. C'est la vie! As the world turns...

Hope your stroll down memory lane brings on flashbacks of precious memories. Enjoy the music!

1958 Eddie Cochran made his UK chart debut with 'Summertime Blues'. It reached No.18 in the UK & No.8 in the US. The song has been covered by many artists, including being a No.1 hit for country music artist, Alan Jackson, and a notable hit for the English rock band, The Who.

1967 Are you familiar with Reginald Kenneth Dwight? Of course, as long as you know that is the birth name of ELTON JOHN! Reg Dwight and his song writing partner Bernie Taupin signed to DJM publishing, their signatures had to be witnessed by their parents because they were both under 21 years of age. Taupin answered an advertisement for a lyric writer placed in the New Musical Express, the pair have since collaborated on over 30 albums.
1975 A new world record was set for continuous guitar string plucking by Steve Anderson who played for 114 hours 17 minutes.

1975 Elton John started a three week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Rock Of The Westies', the singers tenth studio album and seventh US No.1 contained the US No.1 and No.14 UK single, 'Island Girl', which was released prior to the album.

1981 Hall and Oates started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Private Eyes', the duo's third US No.1, a No.32 hit in the UK.

1987 Bruce Springsteen went to No.1 on the US album chart with 'Tunnel Of Love'. His eighth studio album went triple platinum in the US, with 'Brilliant Disguise' being one of his biggest hit singles, peaking at No.5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

1987 Tiffany became the youngest act to score a US No.1 since Michael Jackson ('Ben', in 1972) with 'I Think we're Alone Now'. The song written by Ritchie Cordell was initially a 1967 hit for Tommy James & the Shondells.

1999 Geri Halliwell went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Lift Me Up', beating former colleague Emma Bunton's single which entered the chart at No.2. Sales of Geri's single were helped by front-page press reports about her dating Chris Evans.

2004 Eminem went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Just Lose It', his fourth UK No.1. The UK top five this week consisted of all American acts: No.2, Destinys Child - Lose My Breath, No.3, Britney Spears - My Prerogative, No.4, Christina Aguilera & Missy Elliott - Car Wash and No.5 Usher & Alicia Keys - My Boo.