Music History - June 25

In 1949, Billboard magazine changed the name of its country music hit parade from Hillbilly Music Chart to Country & Western.

In 1957, Egyptian government officials announce that Rock 'n' Roll music can no longer be played in public, calling it an "imperialist plot."

In 1961, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Elvis Presley recorded "Kiss Me Quick."

In 1966, Jackie Wilson was arrested for inciting a riot and refusing to obey a police order at a nightclub in Port Arthur, Texas. Wilson had a crowd of between 200 and 400 whipped into a frenzy and refused to stop singing when requested to do so by police. He was later convicted of drunkenness and fined $30. 

In 1966, the Beatles started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart with "Paperback Writer," the group's 12th US #1. The track is marked by the boosted bass guitar sound throughout, partly in response to John Lennon demanding to know why the bass on a certain Wilson Pickett record far exceeded the bass on any Beatles records. It was also cut louder than any other Beatles record, due to a new piece of equipment used in the mastering process.

In 1966, Neil Diamond made his national television debut, lip-syncing "Solitary Man" on ABC's "American Bandstand."

Also in 1966, the Beach Boys, the Byrds, Love, Captain Beefheart, the Lovin’ Spoonful and Percy Sledge all appeared at the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, California.

In 1967, during a North American tour, the Jimi Hendrix Experience gave a free afternoon concert in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. They then played another two shows that evening at the Fillmore West.

On June 25,1967, 150 million people in 26 countries saw the Beatles perform "All You Need is Love," live via satellite as part of the TV global link-up, Our World. The Beatles were asked to come up with a song containing a simple message to be understood by all nationalities. "It was an inspired song and they really wanted to give the world a message," said Brian Epstein. "It cannot be misinterpreted. It is a clear message saying that love is everything." The band was backed by members of the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Marianne Faithfull, Keith Moon and Graham Nash.

In 1969, the Guess Who's single "These Eyes" was certified Gold.

In 1969, Mick Taylor made his first concert appearance with the Rolling Stones after he had replaced Brian Jones.

In 1969, Sly And the Family Stone record "Hot Fun In The Summertime," which will reach #2 in the US next Fall.

In 1969, with Elton John on piano, the Hollies began recording "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" at EMI's Abbey Road Studios in London. They completed the track on August 7.

In 1970, the band Whole Oats, a duo consisting of Daryl Hall and John Oates, recorded their first demos.

In 1973, Chicago released the album 'Chicago VI,' their first album recorded at producer James William Guercio's Caribou Ranch studios in Nederland, Colorado.

In 1975, Farnk Zappa and The Mothers of Invention released the LP 'One Size Fits All.' The album features the final version of The Mothers of Invention, with George Duke, Chester Thompson, Ruth Underwood, Tom Fowler and Napoleon Murphy Brock.

In 1976, NBC-TV's "Midnight Special" featured guest host Natalie Cole and performances by the Captain & Tennille, the Electric Light Orchestra, Jethro Tull, Pratt & McClain, and Sonny James.

In 1976, Alice Cooper released his ninth studio album, 'Alice Cooper Goes to Hell.'

In 1976, lyricist Johnny Mercer died due to surgical complications at the age of 66.

In 1977, Marvin Gaye's last single for Motown Records, "Got To Give It Up" (pt 1) was #1 on Billboard Magazine's Pop chart. Marvin would later sign with Columbia and enjoy another string of hits.

In 1977, Bill Conti's "Gonna Fly Now," the theme from the motion picture Rocky, topped the Cashbox Best Sellers chart. Conti recorded the song and the rest of the film's score in just three hours for a total budget of $25,000, but the movie itself would go on to make over 177 million dollars in the US alone. 
 
In 1977, at Cleveland Stadium in Ohio, Pink Floyd's concert for an estimated 83,000 fans set a single-concert record for attendance.

In 1980, Huey Lewis & the News released their self-titled debut album. It went mostly unnoticed.

In 1980, Billy Joel performed in front of 100,000 fans at New York City's Madison Square Garden.

In 1983, for the first time in the history of the Billboard charts, there are more foreign acts in the top 100 than American artists.

Also in 1983, the film soundtrack to 'Flashdance' started a two-week run at #1 on the US album chart.

In 1984, the soundtrack 'Purple Rain' was released five weeks ahead of the film. The two main songs from Purple Rain, "When Doves Cry" and "Let's Go Crazy," would top the US singles charts and were hits around the world, while the title track would go to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it the second-best album of the 1980s and #72 on their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

In 1984, Patti Scialfa joined the E-Street Band.

In 1987, songwriter Boudleaux Bryant died. With his wife Felice, he wrote The Everly Brothers hits "Bye Bye Love,""All I Have to Do is Dream" and "Wake Up Little Susie" and "Raining in My Heart," a hit for Buddy Holly. Other acts to record their songs include Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Tony Bennett, Simon and Garfunkel, Sarah Vaughan, the Grateful Dead, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, Elvis Costello, Count Basie, Dean Martin, Ruth Brown, Cher, R.E.M. and Ray Charles. The team also composed "Rocky Top," which became an anthem for the state of Tennessee.

In 1988, Hillel Slovak, original guitarist and founding member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers died from a heroin overdose shortly after the band returned from a European tour. Slovak recorded two albums with the band, 'Freaky Styley' and 'The Uplift Mofo Party Plan.'

Also in 1988, Jimmy Soul, who hit #1 in the US in 1963 with the novelty tune "If You Wanna Be Happy," died of a heart attack. He was 45.

In 1991, Antrhax released 'Attack of the Killer B's,' a compilation album of B-sides, covers and rarities.  In 1992 the album was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category Best Metal Performance.

In 1993, Bruce Springsteen was a surprise guest on David Letterman's final show as host of NBC's Late Night. After more than 11 years at NBC, Letterman began a similar show on CBS two months later.

In 1994, Stone Temple Pilots started a three-week run at #1 on the US album chart with 'Purple.'

In 1995, Pink Floyd were at #1 on the US album chart with 'Pulse' the bands fifth US #1.

In 1995, Pearl Jam cancelled their current tour, blaming their ongoing difficulties with Ticketmaster.

In 1996, Jay-z released his debut album 'Reasonable Doubt.' It features production by DJ Premier, Ski, Knobody and Clark Kent, and guest appearances from Memphis Bleek, Mary J. Blige, and The Notorious B.I.G., among others.  The album peaked at #23 on the US Billboard 200, on which it charted for 18 weeks.

In 1997, a concert was held at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville with over 70 artists performing for Chet Atkins Day.

In 1999, Santana, with Matchbox 20's Rob Thomas on lead vocals, perform "Smooth" on The Late Show With David Letterman. Santana had not had a Billboard hit since "Hold On" reached #15 in 1982, but "Smooth" would top the Hot 100 and climb to #3 in the UK.

In 2003, the RIAA announced that it would fight internet piracy by suing individual computer users who they found were downloading music.

In 2004, Eric Clapton raised about $7.5 million for a drug addiction center he set up in the Caribbean by auctioning off some more of his favorite guitars. The items that were sold were a 1964 cherry-red Gibson for $847,000 and a 1939 Martin acoustic that Clapton played on his "Unplugged" album went for $800,000.

In 2006, Turkish-American music producer and arranger Arif Mardin died at age 74 from pancreatic cancer. He worked at Atlantic Records for over 30 years, before moving to EMI. The winner of 11 Grammy Awards, he worked with Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler, Roberta Flack, Wilson Pickett, Average White Band, The Bee Gees, Barbra Streisand and Norah Jones.

In 2007, Hank Medress, best known as the voice behind The Tokens'"The Lion Sleeps Tonight," died of lung cancer at the age of 68

In 2009, a Sgt. Pepper souvenir poster bearing the signatures of all four Beatles sold for $52,500 at a Pop memorabilia auction in New York City.

In 2009, Sky Saxon, lead singer and founder of the 1960s band The Seeds, who had a Top 40 hit in 1967 with "Pushin' Too Hard", died unexpectedly in an Austin, Texas hospital. At the time of his death, he had been scheduled to begin a tour of the United States and Canada with a reformed versions of The Seeds.

On June 25, 2009, Michael Jackson died while in his bed at his rented mansion at 100 North Carolwood Drive in the Holmby Hills district of Los Angeles. Attempts at resuscitating him by Conrad Murray, his personal physician, were unsuccessful. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics received a 911 call at 12:22, arriving three minutes later at Jackson's location. He was reportedly not breathing and CPR was performed. Resuscitation efforts continued en route to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, and for an hour after arriving there at 1:13. He was pronounced dead at 2:26 local time. He earned the title of "The King Of Pop" by collecting 13 Grammy Awards and 13 US number one singles. Jackson's death triggered an outpouring of grief by music fans around the world, creating unprecedented surges of Internet traffic and causing sales of his music and that of the Jackson 5 to increase dramatically. Michael had been scheduled to perform his This Is It concert series to over one million people at London's O2 arena from July 13, 2009 to March 6, 2010. 

In 2011, songwriter/producer Jack Clement lost his Nashville home to a fire that authorities believe started in his recording studio in the attic. In the mid to late 1950s, Clement worked at Sun Records in Memphis where he discovered and was the first to record Jerry Lee Lewis. He also wrote two of Johnny Cash's late 1950s crossover hits, "Guess Things Happen That Way" and "Ballad Of A Teenage Queen."

In 2013, in Manchester, New Hampshire, Matchbox Twenty and the Goo Goo Dolls, with special guest Kate Earl, began a 41-city North American tour with a concert at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

birthday wishes to Carly Simon (69), Ian McDonald (King Crimson, Foreigner) (68), Allen Lanier (Blue Oyster Cult) (68), Tim Finn (Split Enz, Crowded House) (62) and George Michael (51), just to name a few