Today in Rock History Sept 8
 

Ron Pigpen McKernan, keyboardist for the Grateful Dead, is born. (1945)

Philly teen heartthrob Paul Anka leaves for a month long tour of the Orient. (1958)

According to Billboard, Dick Clark has inked an album deal with ABC-Paramount Records. His first album will be of intrumental versions of contemporary hits by Bandstanders. The LP would be called "Dance with Dick Clark." (1958)

The novelty song "Monster Mash" by Bobby "Boris" Pickett enters the Hot 100 at #85. It's a tounge in cheek take-off on the late night monster movies. He recorded it with sound effects: the creaky door opening is a nail being pulled from a piece of wood, the boiling cauldron is Pickett blowing bubbles into a cup of water with a straw and the chains are him moving chains up and down. He also did all the voices. The song will make it to Number One for two weeks on October 20. (1962)

Elvis Presley receives the Bing Crosby award. It was first presented to Crosby by the Naitonal Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences and is bestowed to members of the recording industry who "during their lifetimes, have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic or scientific significance to the field of phonograph records." Presley becomes only the sixth artist so honored, preceded by Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Irving Berlin. (1971)

Neil Young and actress Carrie Snodgrass are the proud parents of son Zeke who was born at Young's ranch near San Francisco. (1972)

Rock and election year politics have a strange mix when Steven Ford, the president's son, invited Peter Frampton and his girlfriend Penny McCall and manager Dee Hall to the White House. The trio get the grand tour and the day concludes with a visit to the First Family's living quarters, mostly spent watching television with the president. (1976)

Disco band Wild Cherry's self-titled album, which includes their Number One single, "Play that Funky Music," goes gold. (1976)

The debut album by Vancouver band rock band Heart, "Dreamboat Annie" goes gold. The album contains "Magic Man" (a #9 hit) and "Crazy on You." (1976)

Guitarist Jimmy McCulloch quits Paul McCartney & Wings to join a reformed lineup for the Small Faces. (1977)

Peter Gabriel's "Security" LP is released. (1982)

Elton John sells some of his costumes and concert memorabilia at an auction in London for $6.2 million. (1988)



(BOBBYORR)