On September 15th, 1928 Jazz Saxophonist, composer, arranger, producer, and band leader Cannonball Adderley (Julian Edwin Adderley) was born in The Sunshine State-Tampa, Florida. Adderley was nicknamed Cannibal in high school, because he had a large appetite. He’d later switch the name up to something more publicly palatable to call a Black Man: Cannonball. He got his start playing for Ray Charles, with his trumpet-playing little brother Nat, in the 1940's.
Adderley’s parents were professors at the HBCU (Historically Black College University) Florida A&M University. He moved to NYC in 1955, sat in one night with his sax at a local jazz club, and the rest is history… Adderley played with Miles Davis from 1958-1960 on seminal LPs like Milestones, and Kind of Blue. He went solo, and did work with producer David Axelrod. He passed away in Gary, Indiana in 1975. Cannonball Adderley was 46 years-old.
| | |
On September 15th, 1965, was a date of two significant events in music history, one with a car company, and the other with soul singer extraordinaire Otis Redding.
First: The Ford Motor Company became the first car manufacturer to assemble vehicles with 8-Track Tape Players in them. For those that don’t know, it’s a music player with a mix between a cassette tape and VHS tape. It can only play eight songs off an album, even if it has more. The 8-Track wouldn’t become available for another year however.
First: The Ford Motor Company became the first car manufacturer to assemble vehicles with 8-Track Tape Players in them. For those that don’t know, it’s a music player with a mix between a cassette tape and VHS tape. It can only play eight songs off an album, even if it has more. The 8-Track wouldn’t become available for another year however.
Second: Otis Redding released his third full length LP-Otis Blue. I had never heard this LP until I watched this series on Netflix about soldiers returning from the Vietnam War, and becoming assassins for a private business owner. The guy who had the album was hellbent on finding it, asked his cheating wife where it had gone, and how had she lost it… He found it at a dude's house, whom she was sleeping with while he was on a second tour. He kicked the car jack out from under the car the homewrecker was working on, then scooped his Otis Blue & stabbed out… I can't remember the name of the series but the guy who plays Marlo Stansfield is in it.
| | |
On September 15th, 1975, the groundbreaking Prog Rock/Original Experimental Band Pink Floyd released Wish You Were Here, their 9th full length LP. The release date applies only to The United Kingdom, The US would have to wait a little longer to get their fill of the group's newest collection of songs.
The LP's subject matter, lyrics, and music was revolutionary in that they stood up against the industry and did a Punk-esque revolt by talking about real life issues such as the absence and mental decline of former band member Syd Barrett (center), the ails and greed of the industry, etc. Members of the original band include: Syd Barrett, Richard Wright, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, and David Gilmour. Pink Floyd put a lot of music out from the 1960's through the 1980's. Great music, cop some.
| | |
On September 15th, 1983, Dancehall & Reggae Clubgoers lost one of their favorite Suns, when Dee Jay Prince Far I was murdered by some rudeboys at his home. As the story goes, Prince Far I was chilling at his residence when robbers crashed in-similar to how they had done Peter Tosh. They were trying to extort money, and other property of value, out of him. Prince Far I had none to give, or none that he was willing to give up. Robbery-Homicides like this were/are common on the island.
The rest is history. They shot him multiple times, and he died from the wounds. Prince Far I contributed Massively to The Jamaican Sound System Movement, that Dee Jays were establishing on the quaint Island of Jamaica. Prince Far I was also a producer that put out his own artists, music, and dub plates. He was 39 years young when he returned home to Jah.
| | |
On September 15th, 1990, Britain was feeling the throwback vibe. The number one song on The UK chart was The Steve Miller’s Band song The Joker. The song had originally been released 16 years prior in 1974. The song had also charted in The US the year it was released. The reason the song experienced the throwback aesthetic was due to the song being used in a Levi’s jeans commercial directed by Hugh Johnson.
The Steve Miller Band broke the record for the longest period of time a band had between charting in both America and England (16 years). Special shout out goes to Hugh Johnson and The Levi’s Jeans Company for making a classic-a reissued classic. This is just another example of how good music is not only universal; it’s also timeless!
| | |
On September 15th, 2004, Johnny Ramone (John Cummings), Guitarist for the Punk Band The Ramones, passed away in Los Angeles, California from prostate cancer. Johnny was more than a guitarist, he also sang, wrote songs, and did some acting. He’s an original member of the band (co-founder actually), and helped propel Punk Rock Culture into an international movement.
Across the pond The Pistols were holding it down, as The Ramones and others were making it happen stateside (Minor Threat, Black Flag, Suicidal Tendencies, Bad Brains, etc). The demeanor, style of dress, and all of the members having the last name defined the Punk Rock aesthetic. Johnny Ramone was a New York native, and true to The NYC sound that his band honed at CBGBs during the late 70's and early 80's…Sheena is a Punk Rocker… Johnny Ramone was 55 years old.
| | |
Honorable Mention: On September 15th, 1889, the Clarendon Parrish, Jamaica born Harlem Renaissance writer & poet Claude McKay was born. His family migrated to the states, and Claude began to take an interest in writing. He attended both Kansas State & Tuskeegee University (HBCU), before returning to Harlem-where he began to express his experience as a Black Man living in America through his writings. He passed away in 1948, at the age of 58.
On September 15th, 1962, Frank Valli & The Four Seasons (former running buddies with Joe Pesci) started their first day of what would become a five-week run at #1 on The US Charts, with the single Sherry. Make no mistake about the songs they made, The Four Seasons were no choir boys (see Jersey Boys the movie). Most of them were petty hustlers, who had ties to New Jersey & New York crime families. The Fours Seasons were the first American vocal group to have three number one singles back to back.
On September 15th, 1963, an act of unforgivable domestic terrorism occurred at The 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Members of The Klu Kulx Klan bombed the church and killed four of the little girls inside: Addie Mae Collin, Denise McNair, Cynthia Wesley, and Carole Robertson. Many musicians, Civil Rights Activists, actors, and most importantly everyday moral people were outraged by this atrocity. John Coltrane’s song Alabama is probably one of the most heartfelt songs ever created, and was a dedication to the four lives lost.
On September 15th, 1979 The King of Pop had a #1 R&B single, with Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough, from his Off The Wall LP. "Keep on, with the force don’t stop, don’t stop ‘til you get enough." Off The Wall is one of my top 5 LPs by Mike. It has a nice Quincy Jones-produced balance of dance tracks, combined with mid-tempo numbers. It’s a must have for admirers of Michael’s music.
…"RELAX, don’t do it"…On September 15th, 1984, Frankie Goes To Hollywood had the longest running single in the UK with their hit Relax. It was number one for 43 weeks, which beat out the prior winner Engelbert Humperdink and his song Release Me. His song had held the number one slot for 42 weeks. Frankie Goes To Hollywood was no one-hit wonder; but Relax is definitely their staple cut-and something everyone should do...
On September 15th, 2007, former Lady Day (Billie Holiday) drummer-Gordon 'Specs' Powell returned home. Powell became one of the first Black drummers to work as a musician for a national network (CBS). Most of the beats heard on radio and television shows, that aired on CBS during the late 1940's, are most likely from the sticks of 'Specs.' He was a true game changer for Black musicians that wanted to get into the networks. He was 85 years old.
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 Plethora of information, covering several topics exists on this site going back to 2013 when it was created. PEACE!
Ahmored Tieghur's Saturday Sage: If you have a person that bears positive light in your life, allow that person to shine their light like the Sun...it's for everyone...Don't try to keep the light the person bears all for yourself...and if you're in the dark, then step into the light...literally...it's that simple people. 1