Amazing Grace

MORE Today in Music History: December 5, 1970

There are probably very few people who are not familiar with the song Amazing Grace. It has been sung by countless choirs, recorded by numerous artists in multiple languages, enjoyed by young and old, and dubbed the most popular song on earth.

Behind the song Amazing Grace is a lot of history. With the recordings of history comes different accounts, some true and some false. One thing for sure, it was penned by John Newton. A number of legends circulate worldwide why John Newton, a slave-trader-turned-minister, penned the hymn. Regardless of the exact reason, its message embodies hope, faith and courage, even in times of the bitterest despair. While Newton supplied the lyrics, the tune sung today arrived much later.

Welcome  into the spotlight...

 Judy Collins Bio

Judy Collins: singer & author who has inspired audiences with sublime vocals, boldly vulnerable songwriting, personal life triumphs, and a firm commitment to social activism 

Judy Collins is a folk-pop singer renown for her clear, crisp soprano voice who rose to fame in the 60s and 70s. Her musical talent began with classical piano at an early age with her first performance at the age of 13. In her teens, Collins' interest veered into folk music. She learned to play the guitar and began performing in local clubs in 1959. Her first commercial hit was in 1967 with 'Both Sides Now'. 

Today, Judy Collins in her seventies continues to be socially active, recording and performing. Her musical creativity voices music of hope and healing that lights up the world and speaks to the heart. 

1970 'Amazing Grace' by Judy Collins entered the UK singles chart for the first of eight times, it spent a total of 67 weeks on the chart, the longest run by a female artist. 'Amazing Grace' is a Christian hymn with lyrics written by the English poet and clergyman John Newton which was first published in 1779. "Amazing Grace" has been featured on more than 1,100 albums. Judy Collins' version reached the pop charts in the United Kingdom and the United States. This was during a time of turbulence as U.S. military forces were mired in an unpopular war in Vietnam.

"The song, Amazing Grace, has the power to transform and to heal." ~Judy Collins

 
No.1 singles on this day through the decades...

• 1971 Lorne Greene star of the NBC TV show 'Bonanza' was at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Ringo', making him the second Canadian (after Paul Anka) to have a US No.1 single. The song was a No.22 hit in the UK.

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  1981 Julio Iglesias was at No.1 in the UK singles chart with 'Begin The Beguine'. A Cole Porter song from 1935 with Spanish lyrics it was the singers only UK chart topper.

• 1987 Belinda Carlisle went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Heaven Is a Place on Earth', the ex Go-Go's member first solo No.1, also a No.1 hit in the UK. The promotional video was directed by Academy Award-winning actress Diane Keaton and features an appearance of Carlisle's husband Morgan Mason.

• 1992 Whitney Houston started a ten-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'I Will Always Love You'. The longest ever run at No.1 for a female artist the Dolly Parton penned song was taken from the Bodyguard soundtrack.

• 2004 Band Aid 20 started a four week at No.1 on the UK singles chart with a new version of 'Do They Know It’s Christmas' The third time the song had reached No.1. The new version featured, Joss Stone, Busted, Chris Martin, Bono, Justin Hawkins, Dizzee Rascal, Tom Chaplin, Ms Dynamite, Beverly Knight, Will Young, Jamelia, Fran Healy, Sugababes, Dido and Robbie Williams.

No.1 album chart toppers on this day...

1960 Elvis Presley started a ten-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'G.I. Blues'. His fifth US No.1 album. Music on this album comprised songs that had appeared in the film of the same name.

2004 U2 started a two week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb', the bands ninth UK No.1 album. The band also went to No.1 on the US album chart giving them their sixth US No.1 album.

2011 After spending 45 weeks at the top end of the UK charts, singer Adele’s second album ‘21’ become the biggest selling LP in Britain this century, surpassing the late Amy Winehouse’s 2006 LP ‘Back to Black’.

Yes, it really happened...

1960 Paul McCartney & Pete Best were arrested for pinning a condom to a brick wall and then igniting it. The two were told to leave Germany and The Beatles returned home, discouraged.

1968 The release of The Rolling Stones’ new album Beggar’s Banquet, was celebrated at a party in London. A food fight with custard pies was the highlight of the event that went on without an ill Keith Richards. The original cover for the LP was in the form of a plain white invitation, but was later changed.

2009 In an interview with the UK daily newspaper The Guardian, George Michael said he had cut back on his cannabis intake and now only smoked 'seven or eight' spliffs per day instead of the 25 he used to smoke.

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