On June 28th, 1915, pioneering Delta Blues musician, singer, songwriter, guitarist, rock ‘n’ roll innovator, folk blues historian, griot, and multi-label recording artist-David ‘Honeyboy’ Edwards was born in Shaw, Mississippi. Edwards was one of the last bluesmen that had a direct and constant contact with Robert Johnson. Edwards spoke about Johnson’s life and death in the 1991 documentary The Search For Robert Johnson, and was also a vocal historian (or griot) of the blues. The year before he died, Edwards appeared in a documentary depicting his life (Honeyboy And The History Of The Blues). A significant amount of 19th century American Music history was lost when he passed on August 29th, 2011. Honeyboy's musical story starts in the late 1920's, when he was 14. He joined Big Joe Williams' band, traveled the deep south, and ventured to all the major urban areas connected via railroad. Midwestern cities like St. Louis, Chicago, and Detroit were common stops.
Honeyboy was very mobile. He played for cash, but would only stay until the money ran out. Throughout the 1930's & 1940's, he played with prominent bluesmen like Charley Patton, Johnny Shines, Tommy Johnson, and Robert Johnson. The latter was a close friend, and Edwards claimed to be with Johnson the night he drank the poisoned whiskey that killed him. It was a common rule for people not to drink anything that had a broken seal, and Edwards warned Johnson against drinking from the bottle the bartender had handed him. The bartender also happened to be the husband of a woman Johnson had been openly bedding. I bring this up to highlight the wisdom of Edwards-his ability to stay in music for over 80 years makes him a legend of genre. David ‘Honeyboy’ Edwards was 96 when he passed.
| | |
On June 28th, 1952, jazz composer, arranger, session musician, producer, bandleader, multi-label recording artist, educator, and fusion jazz pioneer-Alan Pasqua was born in Roselle Park, New Jersey. Pasqua is a seminal session musician who has played keys for Bob Dylan, Carlos Santana, Cher, Eddie Money, John Fogerty, Pat Benatar, Juice Newton, Peter Erskine, Allen Holdsworth, Rick Springfield, and Starship. He was a member of the groundbreaking fusion jazz/prog rock band The New Tony Williams Lifetime featuring Tony Williams (former drummer from Miles Davis’ second great quintet). He began learning piano as a child, and started playing keyboards for local bands as a teen.
He enrolled in Indiana University after high school, and started doing session work for small independent labels in the late 1960's. After graduating from college, he moved to Boston to attend The New England Conservatory Of Music (while continuing to gig and record with local bands). His reputation grew quickly, which led to him getting calls from A-List & B-List artists. Throughout the 1970's he played with several bands and musicians, before joining Tony Williams in the latter part of the decade. In the 1980's he branched out into songwriting, and co-founded the prog rock band Giant. He penned their hit song I’ll See You In My Dreams, and in the 90's, he returned to his jazz roots and released three LPs. A hardworking musician-Pasqua released 11 albums between 2000 & 2016. Interesting Fact: The CBS Evening News theme song was co-composed by Pasqua. He’s 67 today.
| | |
On June 28th, 1993, we lost controversial punk rock singer, guitarist, drummer, songwriter, producer, and poet-GG Allin (Jesus Christ Allin) aka ‘The Madman Of Manchester.' GG was known for his stage antics, self-mutilation, violence against concert goers, cross-dressing, eating & throwing feces, etc. When asked in interviews why he'd do these things, he would reply that he wanted to make rock music dangerous again. He got the stage name 'GG' from his brother Merle, who had trouble pronouncing Jesus, so he’d say GG instead. He grew up in the backwoods of New Hampshire, in an off the gird log cabin that had no running water. He was placed in special education classes during his elementary years-more so for behavior and awkwardness than lack of intelligence.
By high school, he was listening to glam rock bands like The New York Dolls, AC/DC, KISS, The Stooges, The Ramones, and Aerosmith. He started cross-dressing as a rendition of his own glam rock persona, as well as for shock value. He also began running with a delinquent crowd that shoplifted, broke into houses, and sold drugs. In 1975 he and his older brother Merle formed his first band (Malpractice). They disbanded in 1977, and shortly thereafter, Allin became lead singer & sometimes drummer for The Jabbers (1977-1984). He released the solo LP Always Was, Is And Always Shall Be in 1980. Through the mid 80's and early 90's, he was the lead singer for bands like The Scumfucs & The Cedar Street Sluts.
Interesting Fact: Allin publicly stated he’d commit suicide onstage, on Halloween in 1989, but he was in jail.
GG Allin was 36 when he died.
Interesting Fact: Allin publicly stated he’d commit suicide onstage, on Halloween in 1989, but he was in jail.
GG Allin was 36 when he died.
| | |
HONORABLE MENTION: On June 28th, 1947, Black Power Advocate, social/political activist, former member of The NAACP, and former Chairman of The Black Panther Party Peoria, Illinois Chapter-Mark Clark was born in Peoria, Illinois. He’s most known as the right-hand man of Fred Hampton-Illinois State Chairman of the Black Panther Party. He founded the Peoria, Illinois chapter, and implemented The BPP's Free Breakfast Program. Clark was murdered, along with Chairman Fred Hampton, by Chicago Police and The FBI on December 4, 1969. Clark was on security detail when police stormed in firing from all directions. The police shot nearly 100 rounds into the apartment, killing Hampton and Clark. Mark Clark was 22 at the time of his assassination.
On June 28th, 1968, Pink Floyd released their second LP-the first with band member David Gilmour, and the last with Syd Barrett-A Saucerful Of Secrets (EMI/Tower Records). The album is considered psychedelic, futuristic, and prog rock. Four of the seven songs, were written by Roger Waters.
Interesting Fact: Only one song, Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun, has all five of the band members together. They used a Salvation Army band for the song Jugband Blues (booked by producer Norman Smith). The album was received well by the UK, and peaked at #9 on The Billboard Chart. It failed, however, to chart upon it’s release in the states.
Interesting Fact: Only one song, Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun, has all five of the band members together. They used a Salvation Army band for the song Jugband Blues (booked by producer Norman Smith). The album was received well by the UK, and peaked at #9 on The Billboard Chart. It failed, however, to chart upon it’s release in the states.
On June 28th, 1968, The Queen Of Soul graced the cover of Time Magazine. It was a realistic portrait of her, with a corner banner that read "The Sound Of Soul." It was the first time Aretha appeared on the cover of Time, and the article did her justice by accurately depicting the creation soul music from her perspective. The magazine has become a collector’s item, along with some of her other memorabilia; and was one of the first times that a Black Woman was on the cover. The political climate during 1968 was extremely tense, making her being on the cover that much more important. It was a good break from the turmoil of war, racism, and political corruption.
On June 28th, 1969, actress, comedian, TV personality, and singer-Tichina (Rolanda) Arnold was born in Queens, NY. Tichina made her professional acting debut in the 1986 film Little Shop Of Horrors, as one of the chorus girls (Crystal). She’s most known however for her role as Pam on the sitcom Martin. She was Martin Lawrence’s nemesis on the show-throwing insults at him about his ears and height on a constant basis. She later Chris Rock’s mother Rochelle on the sitcom Everybody Hates Chris. More recently she’s co-starred on TV Land’s Happily Divorced, and as Cassie Calloway on the Starz network series Survivor’s Remorse. Tichina Arnold is 50 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