Kevin Cronin, vocalist for REO Speedwagon, is born. (1951)
Billboard reports major Hollywood studios are getting into the rock & roll film biz. Twentieth Century-Fox with "Do Re Mi," starring Fats Domino, Jayne Manfield and Little Richard and another project called "Cool it, Baby." Paramount has "Lonesome Cowboy," with Elvis Presley as the star. (The film is never made.) (1955)
Billboard story claims that "payola, that under-the-turntable device whereby record companies win plugs and influence disc jockeys, is fast growing into a monster that may yet destroy its creators. According to key record execs, jockey payola is so widespread that it's no longer possible to measure its effectiveness." There is no mention of Alan Freed, whose career will shortly be killed by payola scandal. (1958)
Conway Twitty's "It's Only Make Believe" enters the pop charts at #47. It will be Number One in both the U.S. and U.K. (1958)
A documentary about the Doors, "The Doors are Open," is aired on British television. (1968)
For the first time in Beatles history, a George Harrison song gets the A side of a 45. "Something" backed with Lennon and McCartney's "Come Together" will reach Number One next month. (1969)
The Doobie Brothers' "China Grove" peaks at #15 on the singles chart while Paul Simon's "Loves Me Like A Rock" peaks at #2. (1973)
Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots receive a gold record for one of the more bizarre novelty hits of the decade, "Disco Duck." In December, it will become only the fourth single ever to be certified platinum. (1976)
Mick Jagger apologizes to the Reverend Jesse Jackson after Jackson denounces the Stones' song, "Some Girls" as racist. Jagger, however, refuses to change the lyrics. (1978)
The Eagles' "Heartache Tonight" is released. (1979)
Fleetwood Mac's "Tusk" is released. (1979)
Van Halen's "Beautiful Girls" peaks at #84 on the singles chart. (1979)
The Bee Gees sue their manager, Robert Stigwood, and their record label, Polygram, for $200 million. They charge misrepresentation, fraud and unfair enrichment at the group's expense. (1980)
Ex-Sex Pistols frontman Johnny Lydon (Johnny Rotten) is arrested in Dublin after a barroom brawl. He is sentenced to a three-month jail term but it is later acquitted. (1980)
David Bowie's "Tonight" album hits #11 on the chart. (1984)
Neil Young and Crazy Horse's reunion album "Ragged Glory" LP peaks at #31. (1990)
Billy Idol's version of "L.A. Woman" peaks at #52 on the singles chart. (1990)
Glenn Frey undegoes colon surgery. (1994)
Bruce Springsteen appears in Britain's High Court to prevent Masquerade Music from putting recordings he made in 1972 onto a compact disc called Before The Fame. The Boss is also involved in a similar case in the United States. The recordings were sold to the record labels by Springsteen's former manager, who claimed ownership. Springsteen eventually wins both cases. (1998)
REO Speedwagon - Roll With The Changes - YouTube
(BOBBYORR)
Today In Rock History Oct 6
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