Music History - August 20

In 1882, in Moscow, Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" had its first public performance at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow.

In 1920, America's first commercial radio station began operations in Detroit, Michigan. They were assigned the call letters 8MK by the United States Department of Commerce Bureau of Navigation.

In 1947, Eddy Arnold recorded "Anytime." It climbed to #1 on the Most Played Juke Box Folk Records chart and to #17 on the pop chart in 1948.
In 1955, Bo Diddley appeared at the Apollo Theatre, Harlem, New York.

In 1960, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, singer Connie Francis began filming "Where the Boys Are," co-starring Dolores Hart, George Hamilton, and Yvette Mimieux.

In 1964, Shirley Bassey recorded "Goldfinger," with production handled by Beatles producer George Martin. Session guitarist Jimmy Page performed on the track.

In 1965, the Rolling Stones’ manager Andrew Loog Oldham and his partner Tony Calder launched Immediate records. Their first release was the McCoy’s “Hang On Sloopy,” and Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton and Nico (later to join Velvet Underground), all attended the launch party. The label became the home of Small Faces, Nice, Amen Corner and Chris Farlowe and a young producer - guitarist Jimmy Page.

In 1966, at the Forest Hills Music Festival in Queens, New York, 14,000 fans saw performances by the Supremes, Stevie Wonder and the Temptations.

In 1966, record producer Phil Spector took out an ad in Billboard magazine to honor his late friend, comedian Lenny Bruce. In the ad, Spector said Bruce had "died from an overdose of police."

In 1966, the Beatles, touring America for the last time, were forced to cancel and reschedule their performance in Cincinnati's open-air stadium, Crosley Field. Heavy rain (and no cover provided) made electrocution a virtual certainty if The Beatles had attempted to perform.

In 1967, the New York Times reported about a new noise reduction system for album and tape recording developed by technicians R. and D.W. Dolby. Elektra Record's new subsidiary, Checkmate Records, will be the first label to use the new Dolby process in its recordings.

In 1968, Bobby Darin, still reeling from the recent assassination of his friend, US Senator Robert F. Kennedy, sold off his music publishing and production company, Trinity Music, for $1.3 million.

In 1968, the director of the University of Tennessee's audio lab, Dr. David M. Lipscomb, reported a guinea pig subjected over a three month period to 88 hours of rock music recorded at a Knoxville disco at 120 decibels suffered acute damage to the inner ears. The New York Times was told by Steve Paul, owner of the New York disco, The Scene, "Should a major increase in guinea pig attendance occur at the Scene, we'll certainly bear their comfort in mind." 

In 1969, at the Columbia Recording Studio in Nashville, Johnny Cash and June Carter recorded "If I Were A Carpenter."

In 1969, after finishing “I Want You, (She’s So Heavy),” the Beatles worked on the running order for the Abbey Road album.  A preliminary master tape was compiled, the medley was originally slated for side one of the album, and the placement of “Octopus's Garden” and “Oh! Darling” was reversed from the final version. The album was to end with the slashed guitar chord that finishes “I Want You (She's So Heavy).” This was the last time all four Beatles were together in Abbey Road studios. (later three of the Beatles came together in the studio to overdub tracks from the 'Let It Be' sessions.) 

Also in 1969, Frank Zappa disbanded the Mothers of Invention right after an eight-day tour in Canada. Zappa said that he was "tired of playing for people who clap for all the wrong reasons."

In 1971, Led Zeppelin performed at the Seattle Centre Coliseum.

In 1972, the Eagles played the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis.

In 1973, in Boston, Bruce Springsteen played the first of seven nights at Oliver's, performing two 60-minute sets each night.

In 1973, the Rolling Stones released "Angie," a Mick Jagger composition that is rumored to be written about David Bowie's wife, Angela Barnett.   In fact, the song was written almost entirely by Keith Richards, whose daughter Dandelion Angela had just been born, and the name was one of Richards' contributions to the lyrics. Keith Richards has since written in his autobiography that Angie at the time was his nickname for heroin during his attempt to detox in Germany, to once and for all "say good by."

In 1976, Gordon Lightfoot released the single, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald."

In 1977, the Emotions started a five week run at #1 on the US singles chart with "Best Of My Love," it made #4 in the UK.

In 1979, Bob Dylan released "Slow Train Coming," his 19th studio and first religiously-themed album.  The album was generally well-reviewed in the secular press, and the single "Gotta Serve Somebody" became his first hit in three years, winning Dylan the Grammy for best rock vocal performance by a male in 1980. The album peaked at #2 on the charts in the UK and went platinum in the US, where it reached #3.

In 1980, Queen performed at the Civic Centre in Hartford, Connecticut.

In 1981, at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, Bruce Springsteen gave a benefit performance for the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation and Mental Health Association.

In 1983, the Police played Philadelphia's JFK Stadium with Joan Jett and R.E.M. as their opening acts.

In 1987, Lindsey Buckingham quit Fleetwood Mac after refusing to tour in support of the group's latest album, 'Tango In The Night.'

In 1988, western swing guitarist/composer Leon McAuliffe, a member of Bob Wills' Texas Playboys, died at age 71.

In 1988, Steve Winwood went to #1 on the US album chart with his fifth solo album 'Roll With It.' The title cut also topped the US singles charts.

In 1988, Iron Maiden, Kiss, David Lee Roth, Megadeth, Guns N' Roses and Helloween all appeared at this year's 'Monsters Of Rock' Festival, Castle Donington, England.  Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose told the audience to "try not to kill yourselves." Ironically, two people die in a crowd surge while the band plays.

In 1990, in London, Aerosmith performed at the Marquee Club. Guitarist Jimmy Page joined them on stage for a blues jam.

In 1990, Prince released his 12th studio album, the soundtrack for the Prince movie, 'Graffiti Bridge.' The album produced the hit singles "Thieves in the Temple" and "New Power Generation," an anthem in two parts celebrating Prince's newly created backing band, The New Power Generation. 

In 1991, Nirvana and Sonic Youth kicked off a joint European tour at Sir Henry's Pub, Cork, Ireland.

In 1992, a doctor filed a $35m lawsuit against the Southwest Bell phone company. He alleged that his wife died because he could not reach 911 due to all lines being jammed by demand of Garth Brooks concert tickets.

In 1993, Bob Dylan and Santana began their joint concert tour in Portland, Oregon.

In 1997, the State of Alabama dedicated a section of Interstate 65 as the Hank Williams Memorial Lost Highway, after one of his best-known songs. The 50-mile stretch goes from near Williams' hometown of Georgiana north to Montgomery where he is buried.

In 1999, bassist/songwriter Bobby Sheehan of Blues Traveler died of a drug overdose at the age of 31.

In 2000, the last show was played in London's original Wembley Stadium by Bon Jovi.

In 2000, five members of the audience are injured in a crush at a No Doubt concert.

In 2000, Janet Jackson went to #1 on the US singles chart with "Doesn't Really Matter." Nelly started a five week run at #1 on the US album chart with 'Country Grammar.'

In 2003, in Rhode Island, OSHA fined Derco LLC, which operated The Station club, $85,200 for one "willful" violation and six serious violations related to the February 20 fire that killed 100 and injured almost 200. Great White was fined $7,000 for failing to protect employees from fire hazards.

Also in 2003, Madame Tussauds in London opened an interactive Pop Idol display with a speaking waxwork of judge Simon Cowell. The waxwork made comments such as: “That was extraordinary. Unfortunately extraordinarily bad.” “Do you really think that you could become a Pop Idol? Well then you're deaf.” “Thank you. Goodbye and That was the worst performance I've ever seen.”

In 2004, a gent from Stoke-on-Trent, England, named Bryan Adams as the ‘other man’ in his divorce papers after years spent trying to cope with his wife’s obsession with the singer. Rob Tinsley said he had to live with a 6 ft cut-out of Adams which stood at the foot of the bed and posters on the bedroom walls.

In 2008, the daughter of late country star Johnny Cash called the use of her father's name to endorse a US presidential candidate ‘appalling’. Country star John Rich implied Mr Cash would have backed Republican hopeful John McCain while appearing at a rally in Florida, according to media reports. Writing on her website, Roseanne Cash called the remarks ‘presumptuous’. ‘Even I would not presume to say publicly what I 'know' he thought or felt,’ she added.

In 2009, keyboardist / guitarist Larry Knechtel, prolific studio musician and member of the 1970s group Bread, died following a heart attack at the age of 69.

In 2010, a New York judge has dismissed a $300 million lawsuit brought against Michael Jackson's estate by Allgood Entertainment, who accused Jackson and his agent Frank Dileo of pulling out of the company's planned Jackson 5 shows. The turning point it seems, was the fact that Michael and his brothers never signed the deal.

In 2011, singer Ross Barbour, the last of the founding members of the Four Freshmen, died of lung cancer at age 82.

In 2012, bassist John Stockfish, who backed Gordon Lightfoot and Jim Croce early in their careers, died at the age of 69.

In 2013, jazz pianist/composer Marian McPartland, host (1978-2011) of the National Public Radio show "Piano Jazz," died at age 95.

In 2013, Lady Gaga asked her fans to stop sending online threats to her critics. The singer said she would not condone "hateful or abusive language" directed towards others, adding "this is not a healthy way to handle your emotions". Some of her fans had tweeted death threats to dance producer Deadmau5, who criticised Gaga's video collaboration with artist Marina Abramovic.

In 2013, it was reported that Beyonce had spent almost £1,500 at an Essex branch of chicken chain Nando's following her performance at the V Festival in the UK. The headliner's receipt was posted on Twitter and Nando's Chelmsford manager confirmed a member of Beyonce's entourage called in with the order. The order included 48 whole chickens, 24 tubs of coleslaw, 58 chicken wing platters and 48 portions of chips. The receipt showed the meal was apparently paid for in cash.

birthdays today (among others) include:  John Lantree (Honeycombs) (74), Dave Brock (Hawkwind) (73), Jon Povey (Pretty Things) (70), Ralf Hütter (Kraftwerk) (68), James Pankow (Chicago) (67), John Hiatt (62), Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit) (44) and the immortal Robert Plant (66)