Today in Music History for March 29:
In 1871, the Royal Albert Hall in London was opened by Queen Victoria.
In 1909, country singer and pianist Aubrey ``Moon'' Mullican was born in Polk County, Texas. His two-fingered piano style is said to have influenced Jerry Lee Lewis. Mullican's big hits were ``New Jole Blon'' in 1947 and ``I'll Sail My Ship Alone'' in 1950. Mullican died of a heart attack in 1967.
In 1918, singer, actress and comedienne Pearl Bailey was born in Newport News, Va. After her 1946 stage debut in ``St. Louis Woman,'' Bailey appeared in such movies as ``Carmen Jones,'' ``St. Louis Blues'' and ``Porgy and Bess.'' Her many 1950s records included comic or novelty tunes, such as ``Takes Two to Tango.'' She also won wide praise for her performance in the title role of an all-black version of ``Hello Dolly,'' which began a long Broadway run in 1967. She died of heart disease on Aug. 17, 1990.
In 1944, Canadian singer and songwriter Terry Jacks was born in Winnipeg. With his wife Susan, Jacks formed ``The Poppy Family'' in Vancouver in 1968. Their biggest hit, ``Which Way You Goin' Billy?'' sold two million copies and won two 1969 Juno awards. ``The Poppy Family'' broke up -- professionally and maritally -- in '73. Terry's recording that same year of ``Seasons in the Sun,'' an English version of a Jacques Brel song, sold 10 million copies worldwide and earned him three Junos.
In 1951, Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical ``The King and I'' opened at the St. James Theatre on Broadway. Yul Brynner and Gertrude Lawrence were the original stars of the show, which tells the story of a Victorian widow who becomes a teacher for the children of the king of Siam (now Thailand). It ran for 1,246 performances, providing Rodgers and Hammerstein with a triumphant followup to ``South Pacific.'' The soundtrack from the 1956 movie, starring Brynner and Deborah Kerr, sold one-million copies. Among the hit songs were ``Hello, Young Lovers,'' ``The March of the Siamese Children'' and ``Getting to Know You.''
In 1963, country music star Texas Ruby died at the age of 52 when a fire raged through her house trailer in Nashville. Ruby and her husband, Curly Fox, were one of the most popular acts on the Grand Ole Opry in the 1940s. Ruby's deep, sultry voice and Fox's trick fiddling proved a winning combination. Texas Ruby is immortalized in Waylon Jennings' hit, ``Ain't Living Long Like This.''
In 1971, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, with piano soloist Diedre Irons, made its first Toronto appearance at Massey Hall. Among the works performed were Mozart's ``Concerto in C Minor'' and Frank Martin's ``Petite Symphonie Concertante.''
In 1973, ``Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show'' made it onto the cover of ``Rolling Stone'' magazine. One of the band's big hits was ``The Cover of the Rolling Stone.''
In 1977, ``Evergreen,'' the love theme from ``A Star is Born,'' won the Oscar for Best Original Song.
In 1978, ``You Light Up My Life'' won the Oscar for Best Original Song.
In 1979, Eric Clapton married Patti Boyd, the ex-wife of his friend, George Harrison. They separated in 1986.
In 1980, songwriter Ronald Selle sued the ``Bee Gees'' for copyright infringement on ``How Deep is Your Love,'' a hit single from the ``Saturday Night Fever'' soundtrack. He lost on appeal in 1983.
In 1989, the Australian rock band ``Crowded House'' performed in Calgary for 80 people in the basement of Grant Harvey's home. The 23-year-old film student won the concert when his four-minute, $87 video production was judged the best of hundreds entered from across Canada in a MuchMusic contest. The video music channel asked contestants what their house would look like if ``Crowded House'' came over.
In 1995, Carl Jefferson, founder of Concord Jazz Records, died in Helena, Calif., at age 75. He produced over 600 recordings for more than 200 jazz artists, including Dave Brubeck, Stan Getz, Scott Hamilton, George Shearing and Mel Torme.
In 1999, jazz and blues singer Joe Williams died in Las Vegas of acute lung disease. He was 80. Williams collapsed and died in the street after leaving his hospital bed and walking about three kilometres in the direction of his home. Williams is best known for his association with ``The Count Basie Orchestra'' from 1954-61 but kept active until just weeks before his death. His most popular song was ``Everyday I Have the Blues,'' which he first recorded in 1951. Williams won a Grammy Award in 1985 for the album ``Nothin' But The Blues.''
In 2000, 'N Sync's album ``No Strings Attached'' sold 2.4 million copies its first week out setting a then-record for first-week sales. (In 2015, Adele's ``25'' sold 2.433 million albums.)
In 2009, Canadian country music star Johnny Reid and the Manitoba Lotteries Corp. teamed up to raise $32,000 for the Manitoba flood relief fund. Reid donated all proceeds from a sold-out show at Winnipeg's Club Regent Casino. The Lotteries Corp. matched it.
In 2009, Alberta rockers ``Nickelback'' stormed the Juno Awards in Vancouver, picking up statues in three of the top categories: Album of the Year (``Dark Horse''), Group of the Year, and the Fan Choice Award. Sam Roberts picked up Artist of the Year, Lights was named New Artist of the Year and Dallas Green was crowned Songwriter of the Year. Kardinal Offishall's ``Not 4 Sale'' won for Rap Recording. Vancouver rockers ``Loverboy'' were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
In 2010, singer Ricky Martin confirmed he was gay. In a statement posted on his Twitter page, in both Spanish and English, he wrote -- ``I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am.'' The ``Livin' La Vida Loca'' singer's sexuality had been speculated about for years, but he never directly addressed it and was usually seen with beautiful women.
In 2011, Robbie Robertson released his album ``How to Become Clairvoyant,'' his first record in 13 years. Guitar legend Eric Clapton performed on seven of the album's 12 tracks (and earned co-writing credits on three).
In 2014, at the Juno Awards gala dinner, Arcade Fire took Alternative Album of the Year, Drake won Rap Recording of the Year, twin pop duo Tegan and Sara won Pop Album of the Year while Serena Ryder triumphed as Artist of the Year.
In 2017, the U.S. Library of Congress announced it added 25 new recordings to its National Recording Registry. Among the entries: ``Over The Rainbow'' by Judy Garland, Don MacLean's ``American Pie,'' the Eagles ``Greatest Hits'' album and the N.W.A. album ``Straight Outta Compton.'' Other recordings added to the archives: ``We Are Family'' by Sister Sledge, ``People'' by Barbra Streisand, Wilson Pickett's ``In the Midnight Hour,'' and the late David Bowie's 1972 concept album ``The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.''
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The Canadian Press
