11.16: On this day in 1968, Electric Ladyland, the third and, sadly, final album by Jimi Hendrix hit the top of the charts for the first week of its two week stay. A double-album full of some of Jimi's best playing and production, showcasing the breadth of his adventurous rock pedigree, from the blues-inflected "Voodoo Chile" to the amazing cover of Dylan's "All Along The Watchtower" to the sprawlingly epic "1983…(A Merman I Should Turn To Be)," we absolutely adore this album. A huge hit, Electric Ladyland became the only #1 album of his short career. Either the culmination of his considerable chops or the beginning of a new, brilliant chapter in his life, this album left many, and continues to leave many, in awe. What could have followed, we'll never know. You may speculate, but we are just grateful for Electric Ladyland.
11.17: On this day in 1990, David Crosby crashed his motorcycle in Los Angeles, breaking his left leg, ankle and shoulder. Police stated Crosby was speeding and not wearing a helmet, but this was only the beginning of his problems. Events from the same time period, from the bio on his own website: "…financial woes due to criminal mishandling of his business affairs, and severe earthquake damage to his lovingly restored home, followed by its loss through foreclosure...the worst news, however, was the threat to his life the musician faced as his liver, damaged by years of substance abuse and a previously undiagnosed case of Hepatitis 'C,' went into rapid deterioration." Wow, he lost his house and his liver, too. Yet he still managed to tour, meet a child (now an adult) he never knew about, make music, and drop off a donation at the sperm bank for Melissa Etheridge and her then partner. Not much, it seems, slows him down. What a guy.
11.17: Ray Charles, the man, the myth, the inimitable legend, scored his first #1 hit on this day in 1960 when "Georgia On My Mind" hit the top of the pop charts. Man, what a monumental talent. See the movie (which is pretty darn good, we say) based on his life to get a crash course in Ray Charles appreciation. Then, pick up The Genius Hits The Road, from whence "Geogia" came, or his masterpiece Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, and you'll understand the talent in his arrangements, production, playing and voice. Ray Charles is the man, no ifs, ands, or buts. What'd I Say?
11.18: On this day in 1994, The Rolling Stones became the first band to broadcast a live concert over that fandangled Interweb thingamajig. Heralding the coming of a new dawn, the Age of Aquarius became a distant memory, as the computers, thanks to Mick and the boys, quickly learned how to rock and, subsequently, took over Earth. Bow to your rockin' computer overlords!
11.19: 2002 saw one of the most bizarre megastar behaviors in the recorded history of megastar behaviors when Michael Jackson, a parody of both his former self and a human, dangled his baby boy, Michael Prince II, over the balcony, to the horror of onlookers and paparazzi alike, of his Berlin hotel room on this day. Your guess is as good as ours as to what, exactly, rambled through Mr. Jackson's brain at that very moment. Some people say drugs. Some say his mind never evolved beyond his childhood. Some think he was just crazy. Whatever. Jacko never disappointed, that's for sure. In our minds, Off The Wall and Thriller represent two of the best albums, in any genre, of all time. Michael, your insanity and problems could never take those albums from us. We shook our collective heads and wondered what happened, as we listen to the awesomeness that is "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and "Wanna Be Startin' Something."
11.20: On this day in 1965, Mike D’s mom rocked the sure shot when the rapper was born. One of the beastliest of the Beastie Boys (actually, they're all fairly beastly), Mike D started making music in '79 as part of a punk outfit called The Young Aborigines, opening for hardcore and punk legends such as Bad Brains, Misfits, and The Dead Kennedys. Eventually changing their name to The Beastie Boys, shedding two of the founding members, adding Adam Yauch (MCA) and Adam Horowitz (Ad-Rock) , and jumping into the emerging world of hip-hop, the group became one of the most well-known in the world. Still rockin' and rappin' to this day, Mike D's mom must be proud. Happy, happy, joy, joy!
11.21: On this day in 1965, Bjork brought her chillingly original vocal stylings, complete and utter beat-up-a-reporter-at-the-airport-insanity (Google it), knack for fowl fashion (ditto), and amazing musical talent into the world. From the Sugarcubes to the solo stuff, Bjork exudes originality and musicality, never afraid to try something new or do just what no one expects. She's one of a kind, for sure. Happy Birthday, Bjork! Please don't hit us.
11.22: INXS, the Aussie megagroup, lost its lead singer, Michael Hutchence, on this day in 1997. Found dead his hotel room in Sydney, on the eve of launching the homecoming leg of their world tour, the coroner ruled his death a suicide, but many around him believe otherwise. Found nude with a belt lying nearby, some claim that he died during a botched sex act, as a suicide note never surfaced and he'd previously given no indication of being suicidal. However, alcohol, cocaine, Prozac and other prescription drugs were found in his bloodstream during his autopsy. This, coupled with a bitter custody battle, a history of depression, and an album, Elegantly Wasted, that went nowhere, may have been enough to push him over the edge. We'll never know. We just know that we love "New Sensation" and "Devil Inside" like they were our own children. Viva la 1987!