meggie1974

[meggie1974]

Pop Trivia Bites - On This Day: 14th Feb 1984

Elton John marries Renate Blauel

He is one of the biggest selling acts in musical history, a true pop icon. Yet it wasn’t Elton John’s music that was making the headlines on Valentines Day 35 years ago. It was his marriage to a German record engineer in Sydney.

Picture: Telegraph

Elton had lit up the musical landscape of the 70s. A terrifically gifted singer and pianist he’d written, with lyricist Bernie Taupin, some of the decade’s most memorable songs. These included ‘Rocket Man’, ‘Candle In The Wind’ and  ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’, a duet with Kiki Dee which gave him his first UK number one single. With the smash album from 1983 ‘Too Low For Zero’, including hits such as ‘I’m Still Standing’ and ‘Kiss The Bride’, he was still very much in the public eye when the surprising news of his nuptials broke. So why the shock?

In the early years of his stardom, Elton had remained tight lipped on the subject of his sexuality. !n 1976 in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, he mentioned that he was bisexual. However he later admitted that he was worried about going all the way and saying he was in fact gay. Certainly to those inside the music business and probably to the majority of his fans, there was little doubt about his sexual orientation.

Because of this, Elton’s marriage to a woman was never going to work. The couple officially divorced in 1988. Elton later spoke of his regret for the hurt caused to Renate and confessed that he was in denial over his true self. Now happily married to David Furnish, his personal demons appear to be conquered. And what became of the bride who was the focus of the world’s attention on that most romantic of days?

She bought a cottage in the Surrey village of Shackleford from her (undisclosed) divorce settlement. She later returned to Germany to care for her elderly parents. Showing admirable loyalty, she has never revealed any details of her marriage.

https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/elton-john-speaks-ex-wife/#gs.Z47ptNfU

https://people.com/archive/elton-john-wont-go-breaking-estranged-wife-renates-heart-hes-a-single-man-again-but-friendly-vol-30-no-23/

https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/renate-blauel-42333.php

https://www.allmusic.com/artist/elton-john-mn0000796734/biography

[meggie1974]

Pop Trivia Bites - On This Day 11th Feb 2012

Whitney Houston accidentally drowns in her bath

For over twenty five years she’d reigned as the soul diva supreme. Despite personal problems resulting in a drop in popularity she was fighting to win back her fans' hearts. Yet tragically the comeback never came as Whitney Houston’s life ended in a Beverley Hills hotel bathtub.

Coming from a singing background, she started her career as a backing singer. But it was with the release of her debut album ‘Whitney’ in 1985 that everyone could see just what a gifted vocalist she was.

The collection contained three US number ones, including ‘Saving All My Love For You’ her first UK chart topper. Follow up ‘Whitney Houston’ featured four singles to hit the US top spot such as ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’.

Picture: Independent

At the start of the 90s she was riding even higher following her film debut in ‘The Bodyguard’ and a memorable performance at the 1991 Superbowl show with her rendition of ‘The Star Spangled Banner’. But her fortunes were about to change.

Many people are quick to point to her 1992 marriage to Bobby Brown as the start of her decline. The R’n’B star carried a bad boy reputation at odds with Houston’s squeaky clean image. The next fifteen years were turbulent times as the pair struggled with drug addiction and rumors of infidelity. They eventually divorced in 2007.

The drug use took it’s toll on Houston’s once trademark vocal strengths and her behaviour became erratic and unprofessional. She was returning to the spotlight having taken a starring role in the film ‘Sparkle’ as well as recording for the soundtrack when disaster struck.

While preparing for a party held for her former record label boss Clive Davis, she took a bath in her hotel suite. It was here she died. She was 48 years old.

Her sad passing means there will be a greater focus on her downfall of later years. Better to remember the magnificent singer as she was in her prime, her own great moments in time.

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/the-sad-secret-life-of-whitney-houston-1.3105861

https://www.thoughtco.com/whitney-houston-biography-3245298

https://www.biography.com/people/whitney-houston-9344818

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2017/02/10/whitney-houston-five-years-after-her-death-whats-happened/97694288/

[meggie1974]

Pop Trivia Bites - On This Day: 7th Feb 1964

The Beatles land in America for the first time

They are simply the greatest act in the history of pop music with unequalled achievements in terms of sales and critical acclaim. The four Scousers had become superstars in the UK - how would they be viewed by the American public? They were about to find out.

When their Boeing 707 touched down in the early afternoon at New York’s JFK airport they were greeted with an astonishing sight. Over 3000 fans, mainly teenage girls, had filled the upper balcony of the arrivals terminal. As they screamed hysterically and waved signs it was on a par with anything the band had experienced in their homeland. Beatlemania had gone stateside.

Those fans had also been joined by around 200 pressmen, photographers, TV and radio reporters. Indeed it was thanks to local radio stations publicising the event that the turnout was so impressive. Though initially sceptical the media collective was won over by the easy, witty banter of the band members.

Although The Beatles had scored three huge number one singles in the UK already, it was just six days prior to the landing that ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ had become their first US chart topper. Two days after arriving their first appearance on the hugely popular ‘Ed Sullivan Show’ meant they became household names across the nation. There was no turning back now.

The group’s legacy has never been matched. Countless great songs, a run of classic albums and chart success beyond any other act. But if one were to choose a single moment that encapsulated the sheer crazy joy that The Beatles evoked, the image of all those ecstatic fans on that February afternoon would sum it up perfectly.

https://www.beatlesbible.com/1964/02/07/beatles-american-invasion-begins/

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/29/the-beatles

http://entertainment.time.com/2014/02/07/the-beatles-invasion-50-years-ago-friday-feb-7-1964/

[meggie1974]

Pop Trivia Bites - On This Day: 3rd Feb 1959

Buddy Holly killed in a plane crash

Don McLean's 'American Pie' called it ‘The day the music died’ and it's undoubtedly one of the pivotal moments in rock’n’roll history. The plane carrying Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper and Holly himself crashed into a snowy farmer’s field in Iowa.

Elvis Presley had quickly emerged as the superstar of rock’n’roll but to fellow musicians and critics it was Holly who was seen as the greatest all round talent. He had actually supported Elvis in 1955 and as a result decided to switch from a more country influenced style to a rock ‘n’ roll sound.

With his band The Crickets he made an immediate impact in 1957 with classic singles ‘That’ll Be The Day’ and ‘Peggy Sue’, the former giving them a UK chart topper in the November. Most of their material was at least co-written by Holly himself and with an innovative guitar sound and distinctive vocals it was clear he had the full package. Even his nerdy appearance meant that he was easy to relate to for millions of his fans.

Picture:Amazon.com

More great songs followed this initial burst such as ‘Everyday’, ‘Rave On’ and ‘Heartbeat’. He later split from The Crickets and was touring with his new band as part of the Winter Dance Party show in early 1959 when tragedy struck.

They were playing across the US Midwest in the harsh winter season. Holly and the two other chart stars of the revue decided against taking the cold, slow and uncomfortable tourbus, opting to fly from Clear Lake, Iowa to Fargo, North Dakota. The plane came down soon after take off, killing the three stars as well as pilot Roger Peterson. Holly was just 22, Valens a mere 17.

Holly appeared to have the music world at his feet and with the prominent orchestration on later tracks such as ‘It Doesn’t Matter Anymore’ (a posthumous UK No.1) and ‘True Love Ways’ he seemed to be heading toward a richer, more sophisticated sound. We’ll never know for sure.

What we do know is that his influence, acknowledged by legends such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan to name but three meant that his music never really died.

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/oh-boy-why-buddy-holly-still-matters-today-1501271.html

http://mentalfloss.com/article/84872/10-fascinating-facts-about-buddy-holly

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/04/buddy-holly-plane-crash-investigation-re-opened

[meggie1974]

Pop Trivia Bites - On This Day: 1st Feb 2004

Janet Jackson’s breast exposed at the Superbowl show

It’s THE big sporting event of the year for most Americans. With the half-time show being one of the world’s most watched musical events, it plays host to some of the biggest stars delivering memorable performances. However nobody could have predicted just what the 2004 show would be remembered for.

Janet Jackson had already been a household name for nearly 30 years as the youngest member of musical giants the Jackson family. She first appeared on their tv series in 1976.

Launching a solo career in 1982 it was with the release of third album ‘Control’, aided by superstar producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis that she became recognised as a huge star in her own right. The album contained worldwide hits such as ‘What Have You Done For Me Lately’ and ‘When I Think Of You’, her first US number one single.

Janet Jackson 1989 Picture: imdb

Success continued with the follow up album ‘Rhythm Nation 1814′ in 1989 and through the next decade with singles such as ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’. As time passed she embraced more socially conscious ideas within her work. As a result by the 21st century her position as a hugely respected and successful name within the music industry was assured. 

At the Superbowl show Jackson performed two of her own tracks before Timberlake joined her for a duet of his own song ‘Rock Your Body’. It was during this that he tore open her costume and for less than a second 140 million viewers saw her right breast.

The moment which became known as ‘Nipplegate’ was the major talking point across the media in the USA. Many theories were discussed, primarily whether the reveal was intended to show as much as it did along with the level of Timberlake’s complicity. The aftermath has also brought it’s own controversy, regarding the contrasting ways the two stars were treated. For example Timberlake was still being played on MTV while Jackson was blacklisted by the station for some time after due to the scandal.

Janet Jackson remains an iconic figure within show business today, with hit albums such as 2015′s ‘Unbreakable’ and acclaimed screen performances including the ‘Why Did I Get Married’ films and ‘For Colored Girls’. She also owns her own record label ‘Rhythm Nation’.

And the guest star lined up for this year’s Superbowl half-time show? None other than Justin Timberlake. Watch this space...

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2018/01/31/nipplegate-revisited-what-really-happened-between-janet-jackson-and-justin-timberlake/1083557001/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-42730552

[meggie1974]

Pop Trivia Bites - On This Day: 27th Jan 1979

Ian And The Blockheads No.1 in the UK with ‘Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick’

It’s a funky track with jazzy flourishes and bizarre yet compulsive lyrics. These words being half-sung by an uncompromising ex Art Teacher supported by a walking stick, not exactly chart topping credentials. Yet despite all this it still grabbed a week at the top spot. Happy days.

Ian Dury had been lead vocalist with Kilburn And The High Roads during the early 70s. The band made a strong impression on the live circuit, but in 1975 they split after just two albums.

The following year Dury teamed up with guitarist Chaz Jankel whose music worked well with Dury’s witty lyrical style. Soon after this a stream of talented musicians came aboard.The Blockheads were born.

They were signed to Stiff Records and released debut album ‘New Boots And Panties’ in 1977 to commercial and critical acclaim. Following this they proved a huge hit on the Stiff Records UK tour. The single ‘What A Waste’ gave them their first top ten hit. So what next?

‘Hit Me...’ entered the charts at the end of 1978, eventually climbing to No.1 early the next year knocking ‘YMCA’ off the top. Dury himself made an unlikely pop star. He’d contracted Polio as a child yet his clever wordplay more than compensated for any physical limitations which may have kept less spirited characters down.

The success continued through the year with the album ‘Do It Yourself’ and single ‘Reasons To Be Cheerful Part 3′. However the Blockheads disbanded in 1981 and Dury carried on a solo career without reaching the same heights.

The next two decades saw Dury branch into acting both on screen and stage, not to mention co-writing his own musical ‘Apples’. He reunited with The Blockheads for the 1998 album ‘Mr. Love Pants’ receiving plaudits aplenty from the music press.

He sadly died from cancer March 27th 2000 aged 57. 

Click here to watch Ian and the Blockheads perform ‘Hit Me...’ on Top of the Pops

Dury (centre) pictured with the Blockheads. Picture: BBC