Jim Nelson (2025)

26/11/2025

ADVANCED MUSIC HISTORY // November 26

In 1962, The Beatles recorded their second single, “Please Please Me” (in 18 takes), and “Ask Me Why” for the flip side at EMI Studios in London. When released in the US on the Vee-Jay label, the first pressings featured a typo: The band’s name was misspelled as The “Beattles.”

In 1967, The promotional film of The Beatles’ “Hello, Goodbye” was aired on The Ed Sullivan Show in the US. It was never shown at the time in the UK due to a musician’s union ban on miming.

In 1968, Cream played their farewell concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Yes was also on the bill.

In 1973, John Rostill, former bassist with The Shadows, died after being electrocuted at his home recording studio. A local newspaper ran the headline, “Pop musician dies, guitar apparent cause.” Rostill had also worked with Tom Jones and he wrote songs covered by Elvis Presley and Olivia Newton-John.

In 1976, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme left 10cc to work as a duo and concentrate on other projects, including developing a device called The Gizmo for making neo-orchestral sounds on a guitar.

In 1976, The S*x Pistols released the single “Anarchy In The UK.” Originally issued in a plain black sleeve, the single was the only S*x Pistols recording released by EMI, and reached #38 on the UK singles chart before EMI dropped the group.

In 1988, Russian cosmonauts aboard Soyuz 7 took into space a cassette copy of the latest Pink Floyd album, Delicate Sound Of Thunder, and played it in orbit, making Pink Floyd the first rock band to be played in space. David Gilmour and Nick Mason both attended the launch of the spacecraft.

In 1994, Eagles started a two-week run at #1 on the US album chart with Hell Freezes Over. The album name is in reference to a quote by Don Henley after the band’s 1980 break-up; he commented that the band would play together again “when Hell freezes over.”

In 2000, The Beatles went to #1 on the US album chart with Beatles 1. The album features virtually every #1 single released from 1962 to 1970. Issued on the 30th anniversary of the band’s break-up, it was their first compilation available on one CD. The world’s best-selling album of the 21st century, Beatles 1 has sold more than 31 million copies.

In 2008, Despite alleged sightings all over the world, the parents of missing Manic Street Preachers guitarist and lyricist Richey Edwards were granted a court order for him to be declared presumed dead nearly 14 years after his disappearance. His car had been found near the Severn Bridge, where he was thought to have taken his own life at the age of 27.

In 2010, Willie Nelson was arrested for possession of six ounces of ma*****na found in his tour bus while traveling from Los Angeles to Texas. He was released after paying bail of $2,500. Prosecutor Kit Bramblett supported not sentencing Nelson to jail due to the amount of ma*****na being small; instead, he suggested a $100 fine and having Nelson sing “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” for the court.

26/11/2025

THESE PEOPLE WERE BORN ON // November 26

ADAM GAYNOR of Matchbox 20
ALAN HENDERSON of Them
BENJAMIN WYSOCKI of The Fray
BURT REITER of Focus
JEAN TERRELL of The Supremes
JOHN McVIE of Fleetwood Mac
JOHN STIRRATT of Wilco
MARTIN LEE of Brotherhood Of Man
RICH LITTLE
RON JONES of The Flaming Lips
TINA TURNER (born Anna Mae Bullock)

25/11/2025

ADVANCED MUSIC HISTORY // November 25

In 1961, The Everly Brothers started active service for the 8th Battalion Marine Corps Reserves, working as artillerymen.

In 1965, Harrods department store in London, England, closed to the public so The Beatles could do their Christmas shopping in private.

In 1966, The Jimi Hendrix Experience made their UK live debut at The Bag O’Nails Club in London, where they played using the club’s DJ booth. Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend, The Beatles, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, The Hollies, and the Small Faces all frequented The Bag O’Nails Club.

In 1968, The Beatles self-titled double-album (known as the White Album) was released in the US. Notable for the eclectic nature of its songs, the album has sold over 30 million copies worldwide and was listed at #10 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. The album spent 101 weeks on the US chart, peaking at #1.

In 1969, John Lennon returned his MBE to The Queen on the grounds of the UK’s involvement in the Nigerian Civil War, its support of America in Vietnam, and against his latest single “Cold Turkey” slipping down the charts.

In 1974, UK singer, songwriter Nick Drake died in his sleep at the age of 26; the official cause of death was su***de as a result of “acute amitriptyline poisoning — self-administered when suffering from a depressive illness.”

In 1976, The Band made their final performance, The Last Waltz, held on Thanksgiving Day at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. The show also featured Joni Mitchell, Dr John, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Neil Diamond, Eric Clapton, and others. The event was filmed by director Martin Scorsese and made into a documentary of the same name, released in 1978.

In 1984, The cream of the British pop world gathered at S.A.R.M. Studios in London to record “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” The single, which was written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, featured Paul Young, Bono, Boy George, Sting, and George Michael. It raised over $13.6 million worldwide.

In 1992, The Bodyguard opened nationwide featuring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. The film was written by Lawrence Kasdan in the 1970s, originally as a vehicle for Steve McQueen and Diana Ross. It became the second-highest-grossing film worldwide in 1992 while the soundtrack became the best-selling soundtrack of all time, selling more than 42 million copies worldwide.

In 1996, A statue in Montreux, Switzerland, by sculptor Irena Sedlecka, standing almost 10 feet high overlooking Lake Geneva, was unveiled as a tribute to Freddie Mercury. Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor were in attendance.

In 2000, A burglar broke into Alice Cooper’s home and made off with over $6,000 worth of clothes, shoes, and cameras belonging to the singer’s daughter, along with four of Cooper’s gold discs.

In 2003, Michael Jackson launched a website to defend himself following allegations of sexual abuse of a 12-year-old boy. The singer posted a message saying the charges were based on “a big lie” and he wanted to end “this horrible time” by proving they were false in court.

In 2003, Glen Campbell was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona, with a blood-alcohol level of .20 after his BMW struck a Toyota Camry. He was charged with “extreme” drunk driving, hit and run, and assaulting a police officer.

In 2003, Meat Loaf underwent heart surgery in a London hospital after being diagnosed with a condition that causes an irregular heartbeat. The “Paradise By The Dashboard Light” singer had collapsed on November 17th as he performed at London’s Wembley Arena.

In 2007, Kevin Dubrow, the frontman with Quiet Riot, was found dead in his Las Vegas home at the age of 52.

25/11/2025

THESE PEOPLE WERE BORN ON // November 25

AMY GRANT
BEVERLEY “BEV” BEVAN of The Move/Electric Light Orchestra
BOB LIND
BRUNO TONIOLI
CHRISTINA APPLEGATE
KRISTIAN NAIRN
MARK LANEGAN of Screaming Trees/Queens Of The Stone Age
PERCY SLEDGE
RICARDO MONTALBÁN
RODNEY SHEPPARD of Sugar Ray
STEVE ROTHERY of Marillion

24/11/2025

ADVANCED MUSIC HISTORY // November 24

In 1966, The Beatles got together for the first time since their return from the summer tour of the United States ready to record. The first song selected for recording was John Lennon’s “Strawberry Fields Forever.”

In 1968, The Supremes were at #1 on the US singles chart with “Love Child,” their 11th #1 in the US. The song is also notable for keeping The Beatles’ “Hey Jude” off the top spot.

In 1973, Ringo Starr went to #1 on the US singles chart with “Photograph,” his first of two US chart-toppers as a solo artist. Written by Starr and George Harrison, the promotional film shot for the single showed Starr walking around his new house at the time, which had been previously the home of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

In 1985, Blues artist Big Joe Turner died of heart failure at 74. Turner wrote “Shake Rattle And Roll” (a hit for Bill Haley And His Comets) and “Sweet Sixteen.”

In 1991, Eric Carr (Paul Charles Caravello), drummer with KISS, died at 41 in a New York hospital of complications from cancer.

In 1991, Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, 45, died of complications from AIDS at his home in London’s Holland Park.

In 1993, American blues guitarist and singer Albert Collins died of lung cancer; he was 61. Known as “The master of the telecaster,” Collins shared a Grammy for the 1985 album Showdown!, which he recorded with Robert Cray and Johnny Copeland.

In 2007, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea lost his house in a wildfire that swept through Malibu, California. Flea told the Los Angeles Times that the $4.8 million property was “burnt to a crisp.”

In 2008, English drummer Michael Lee died from a seizure at the age of 39. Lee had worked with Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, The Cult, Ian Gillan, Echo & The Bunnymen, and Thin Lizzy.

In 2016, Florence Henderson died of heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Mrs. Brady was 82.

24/11/2025

THESE PEOPLE WERE BORN ON // November 24

BOB BURNS of Lynyrd Skynyrd
CHAD TAYLOR of Live
CHRIS HAYES of Huey Lewis And The News
CLEM BURKE of Blondie
DONALD “DUCK” DUNN of Booker T. & The MG’s
GARY STONADGE of Big Audio Dynamite
JIM YESTER of The Association
JOHN SQUIRE of The Stone Roses
KATHERINE HEIGL
LEE MICHAELS
PETE BEST of The Beatles
STEVE YEAGER
TOMMY NAST
TONY BOURGE of Budgie
WAYNE JACKSON of The Memphis Horns

23/11/2025

ADVANCED MUSIC HISTORY // November 23

In 1889, The first jukebox, which was called a “nickel-in-the-slot phonograph” at the time, was installed in San Francisco.

In 1956, Sheet metal worker Louis Balint was arrested after punching Elvis Presley at a hotel in Toledo, Ohio; Balint claimed that his wife’s love for Elvis had caused his marriage to break up. He was fined $19.60, but ended up being jailed because he was unable to pay the fine.

In 1962, The Beatles traveled from Liverpool to London for a 10-minute audition with BBC Television after a Beatles fan had written to the BBC asking for The Beatles to be featured. Four days after their audition, the fledgling band received a polite “thumbs-down” letter from the BBC.

In 1974, The Rolling Stones scored their fifth US #1 album with It’s Only Rock ‘N Roll, the last Stones’ album for guitarist Mick Taylor.

In 1975, Queen started a nine-week run at #1 on the UK singles chart with “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The promotional video that accompanied the song is generally acknowledged as being the first pop video. When the band wanted to release “Bohemian Rhapsody” as a single, various record executives suggested to them that, at 5 minutes and 55 seconds, it was too long and would never be a hit.

In 1976, Ten hours after his last arrest, Jerry Lee Lewis was nicked again after brandishing a Derringer pistol outside Elvis Presley’s Graceland home in Memphis, demanding to see The King.

In 1979, Keith Richards’ girlfriend Anita Pallenberg was cleared by a court of shooting a man found dead at her home. Seventeen-year-old Scott Cantrell had shot himself in the head with a gun owned by Richards, while in Pallenberg’s bed at the South Salem, New York, house shared by Richards and Pallenberg. Cantrell had been employed as a part-time groundskeeper at the estate, and he and Pallenberg were reportedly romantically involved.

In 1992, American country music singer Roy Acuff died at age 89. Known as the “King of Country Music,” Acuff was the first living artist elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

In 1994, Tommy Boyce died by su***de. Together with his writing partner Bobby Hart, Boyce had written “Last Train To Clarksville,” “(Theme From) The Monkees,” “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone,” and songs for Chubby Checker, Jay & the Americans, Paul Revere & The Raiders, and Little Anthony & the Imperials. In all, the Boyce-Hart duo wrote songs that sold more than 42 million records.

In 1995, American soul singer and saxophonist Junior Walker died of cancer at the age of 64. Walker had hits with “Shotgun,” “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” and “What Does It Take (To Win Your Love),” and he also played sax on Foreigner’s hit “Urgent.”

In 2001, Singer O.C. Smith died of a heart attack. Famous for his 1968 hit “Little Green Apples,” Smith later became pastor and founder of The City Of Angels Church in Los Angeles. He was 65.

In 2015, Cynthia Robinson, trumpet player and founding member of Sly & the Family Stone, died at age 71.

23/11/2025

THESE PEOPLE WERE BORN ON // November 23

ALISON MOSSHART of The Dead Weather/The Kills
BRUCE HORNSBY
DENYCE WALLER
KEN BLOCK of Sister Hazel
MILEY CYRUS (born Destiny Hope Cyrus)
PETER HIMMELMAN
R.L. BURNSIDE
ROD CLARK of The Moody Blues

22/11/2025

ADVANCED MUSIC HISTORY // November 22

In 1957, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel appeared as Tom and Jerry on ABC-TV’s American Bandstand. Close friends through childhood, the first time they appeared onstage together was in a school play, Alice in Wonderland (Simon as the White Rabbit, Garfunkel as the Cheshire Cat). They later began performing together in their junior year as Tom and Jerry, with Simon as Jerry Landis and Garfunkel as Tom Graph.

In 1963, The Beatles released their second album, With The Beatles, in the UK.

In 1965, Bob Dylan married Sara Lowndes in a secret ceremony during a break in his tour. The marriage took place under an oak tree on a judge’s lawn on Mineola, Long Island, New York. Sara, who is the mother of singer Jakob Dylan, filed for divorce in 1977.

In 1968, The Beatles released their self-titled double album known as “The White Album.”

In 1969, Iron Butterfly, supported by Steel Mill (featuring Bruce Springsteen), appeared at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia.

In 1986, The Human League went to #1 on the US singles chart with “Human,” making them the 8th UK act to score a US #1 single in 1986.

In 1987, Jesus And Mary Chain singer Jim Reid was arrested in Canada after being accused of assaulting members of the audience with his microphone stand; he was released on $2,000 bail.

In 1990, Bill Wyman announced that his 17-month marriage to model Mandy Smith was over. With the consent of her mother, Smith had started dating the 47-year-old Rolling Stones bassist when she was 13.

In 1991, Alice Cooper came to the rescue of two fans whose California home was about to be repossessed. They had painted Cooper’s face on the house to help sell the property, but Alice signed autographs to help raise money for the couple.

In 1994, Pearl Jam released their third studio album, Vitalogy, which was first released on vinyl and became the first vinyl album to appear on the US chart since the domination of the compact disc format. They followed the release in other formats two weeks later, whereupon it became the second-fastest-selling CD in history, behind only Pearl Jam’s previous release, Vs.

In 1997, 37-year-old INXS singer Michael Hutchence was found dead in his hotel suite in Sydney, Australia. Hutchence’s body was found behind the door to his room, where he had apparently hanged himself with his own belt.

In 1998, Alanis Morissette was at #1 on the US album chart with her fourth album, Supposed Former Infatuation Ju**ie. The first single from the album, “Thank You,” received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

In 2002, The Doors’ Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger announced they would record and tour again with a new lineup that included ex-Cult singer Ian Astbury and former Police drummer Stewart Copeland. Original drummer John Densmore was not able to take part because he was suffering from severe tinnitus.

In 2004, U2 shot the video for “All Because Of You” from a moving flatbed truck on the streets of Manhattan and Brooklyn in New York City. Later in the day, they performed a brief concert under the Brooklyn Bridge, which was taped by MTV for a later showing.

In 2005, Poems written by Bob Dylan in his college days sold for $78,000 at a New York City auction. The 16 pages of poems, which came from his studies at the University of Minnesota during 1959-60, were the first known time that Robert Zimmerman used the Dylan name.

In 2006, After decades of living in California, Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood was naturalized as a citizen of the United States.

22/11/2025

THESE PEOPLE WERE BORN ON // November 22

ASTON “FAMILY MAN” BARRETT of Bob Marley And The Wailers
FLOYD SNEED of Three Dog Night
JAMIE LEE CURTIS
JASON RINGENBERG of Jason & The Scorchers
JESSE COLIN YOUNG of The Youngbloods
JOHN NELSON
KAREN O of Yeah Yeah Yeahs
LAWRENCE GOWAN of Styx
MARK RUFFALO
ROD PRICE of Foghat
RON McCLURE of Blood, Sweat & Tears
SCARLETT JOHANNSON
STEVE “LITTLE STEVEN” VAN ZANDT of The E Street Band
TERRY GILLIAM of Monty Python
TINA WEYMOUTH of Talking Heads/Tom Tom Club

21/11/2025

ADVANCED MUSIC HISTORY // November 21

In 1955, RCA Records purchased Elvis Presley’s recording contract from Sam Phillips at Sun Records for an unprecedented sum of $35,000.

In 1960, Maurice Williams And The Zodiacs went to #1 on the US singles chart with “Stay,” the shortest-ever US #1 single at 1:37. Jackson Browne, with Rosemary Butler and David Lindley sharing vocals, had a Top-20 hit with the song 18 years later.

In 1970, The Partridge Family started a three-week run at #1 on the US singles chart with “I Think I Love You.”

In 1974, Wilson Pickett was arrested in New York City for possession of a dangerous weapon after he pulled a gun during an argument.

In 1975, At the start of Elton John week in Los Angeles, the singer received a star on Hollywood’s Walk Of Fame.

In 1980, Don Henley was arrested after a naked 16-year-old girl was found at his home in Los Angeles suffering from a drug overdose; he received a $2,000 fine with two years’ probation.

In 1983, Michael Jackson’s 14-minute video for Thriller was premiered in Los Angeles.

In 1987, Billy Idol knocked Tiffany from the #1 position on the US singles chart with his version of Tommy James’ “Mony Mony.” Tiffany had been at #1 with another Tommy James song, “I Think We’re Alone Now.”

In 1991, Aerosmith made a guest appearance on The Simpsons.

In 1995, Led Zeppelin’s manager Peter Grant died from a heart attack at age 60.

In 1995, The Beatles’ Anthology 1 was released; it featured 60 songs, including “Free As A Bird,” which had been composed and recorded in 1977 as a home demo by John Lennon.

In 2003, Producer Phil Spector was formally charged with murder. Actress Lana Clarkson had been found at his mansion back in February with a fatal gunshot wound to her face. Spector pleaded not guilty to her murder during a brief hearing and was released on $1 million bail.

In 2012, Stone Roses guitarist John Squire’s art studio burned down at his home in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England. Two paintings from his recent Celebrity series were lost, but no other works were in the studio at the time.

In 2017, David Cassidy died at the age of 67 after three days of being critically ill, suffering from liver and kidney failure. He’d been living with non-Alzheimer’s dementia.

21/11/2025

THESE PEOPLE WERE BORN ON // November 21

ALEX JAMES of Blur
ANDREW LOVE of The Memphis Horns
BJÖRK (born Björk Guðmundsdóttir)
BRIAN RITCHIE of Violent Femmes
GOLDIE HAWN
JOHN “RABBIT” BUNDRICK of The Who/Free
LISSIE (born Elisabeth Maurus)
LIVINGSTON TAYLOR
LONNIE JORDAN of War
RACHAEL SAGE

Jim Nelson

26/11/2025

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