On September 4th, in 1969, Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and the one and only Jack Nicholson were seen on the silver screen for the first time in the UK when Easy Rider debuted. It was a hit in the states and the same in the UK. The first theatre to show the flick was at The Classic in London, England.
Aside from the motorcycle outlaw, hippie and late 60s counterculture theme being dope, the soundtrack?! Put it this way, if you don’t have it, get it. Artists like The Electric Prunes, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Roger McGuinn & Steppenwolf have some choice numbers on it. I’m not sure who put the soundtrack together, but if anyone out there knows, put it in the comments.
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Uh oh, Uh oh, Uh oh Uh oh…On September 4th, in 1981, former lead singer for Destiny’s Child, and now solo Superstar singer, actress and worldwide Mogul-Beyonce (Beyonce- Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter) was created in Houston, Texas. Houston is well known from the late 50s to the current date, for being a ‘hotbed’ of Soul, Funk, Jazz and R&B music.
Keeping with the tradition, Beyonce represents the R&B market like only a true Houstonian can. She eventually married internationally known Emcee Jay-Z, hence the Knowles-Carter. She follows in the footsteps of the T.S.U. Tornadoes, Joe Tex, The Jazz Crusaders, Freddie King, Arche Bell & the Drells, and many notable others. She’s 37 today.
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On September 4th, in 2008, there was a Rock memorabilia auction being held in London, England. Two things sold for more than $275,000. Jimi Hendrix’s first Fender Stratocaster that he set ablaze on stage sold for over $300,000. He put the lighter fluid and match to it at the Astoria in Finsbury Park (North London) in 1967.
The other item that sold for over $275,000 was the Beatles first management contract. All four member’s signatures were on the document which was signed in 1967. Their first manager was Brian Epstein…bet he wishes he would’ve stayed with the group…
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…“Turn off that bullshhh, turn off the mutha-f’n radio!”…On September 4th, in 2015, The New York Daily News ran a story with quotes from Keith Richards-guitarist of the Rolling Stones about his sentiments on ‘rap’ music. He said that ‘rap’ music was for ‘tone deaf people’. He followed that one up with: ‘All they need is a drum beat and somebody yelling over it and they’re happy. There’s an enormous market for people who can’t tell one note from another…’
…pause…Most of y’all probably think I disagree, I don’t! He’s right, for the most part. He hears ‘rap’, AKA, ‘pop’, which is on the radio, it’s wack. Now Emcees?! Hip Hop?! Shhhhhh…Cues up [email protected]: ‘Pop is not Hip Hop’. Keith Richards was talking about pop aka (c)rap music. I agree with him on that, 100%...
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Honorable Mentions: ‘MESSAGE!’ On September 4th, in 1848 one of America’s greatest, but lesser known inventors was born-Lewis Latimer. He was a descendant of Africans displaced in the USA. He improved the filament in the lightbulb while working with Thomas Edison’s number one rival, Hiram Maxim. Latimer was also a draftsman who was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. He has seven patents. He passed away in 1928. He was 80.
On September 4th, in 1908, one of America’s best Novelist and writers-Richard (Nathaniel) Wright was born on a plantation in Roxie, Mississippi. He’s a descendant of Africans displaced in America that won numerous awards for his short stories, essay and novels. He was an active member of the communist party, and penned Native Son & Uncle Tom’s Children.
On September 4th, in 1953, Welcome Back Carter’s Freddie Boom Boom Washington (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs) was born in New York City, New York. The actor and singer starred in Cooile High, Youngblood, The Jacksons: An American Dream, Claudine & Roots to name a few. He also has a nice LP produced exclusively by Lamont Dozier. He’s 65 today!
‘Homey Don’t Play Dat!’… On September 4th, in 1960, one of the funniest Wayans, Damon, was born in the Big Apple, NY. He is a prolific stand-up comedian and actor. He starred on SNL, Def Comedy Jam, Colors, Hollywood Shuffle, Mo Money, and numerous others. My favorite roll he played is from In Living Colour-Homey The Clown (created by Paul Mooney). He’s 58 today.
For more information on any musician or event reviewed in posts, or for additional information on The Wandering Eyes Blog overall, use the search bar and search the artist or event using keywords. It’s like a Google search for the site. A wide variety of information, covering several topics exists on this site going back to 2013 when it was created. PEACE