The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com
APR 21: Today in 1969, Janis Joplin made her first appearance in London. She played at The Royal Albert Hall. Her opening act was the band Yes!☮️
APR 22: Today in 2013, Richie Havens passed away at age 72 of a heart attack. 😢Havens famously opened the Woodstock festival in 1969. The other performers were delayed in arriving, so Havens played encore after encore until he eventually ran out of material! It was a major turning point in his career. His fame allowed him to start his own record label and pursue an acting career. Throughout the 80s and 90s, he continued to tour, act, and record. In March 2012, he announced that he would be retiring due to health issues.
APR 23: Roy Orbison was born today in 1936. The singer with the powerful voice and the ability to sing a ballad in the most unique of ways left us in 1988 at the age of 52.😢 His blend of country and rockabilly took Orbison across genre lines. In the 1980s, he had a resurgence in popularity due to co-founding the supergroup The Traveling Wilburys. A great talent gone too soon.
APR 24: Today in 1975, Peter Ham of Badfinger died from suicide. He had become depressed over band-related issues and finances. In 1968, his band The Ivey’s caught the attention of the Beatles’ assistant and they were signed to Apple Records. They changed their name to Badfinger and had numerous hits. Ham was an accomplished songwriter and in addition to Badfinger songs he also co-wrote “Without You” which became a hit for Nilsson. RIP😢
APR 25: On this day in 1990, the Fender Stratocaster that Jimi Hendrix played at Woodstock was auctioned for a record $295,000!🎸 ✌️ 💵
APR 26: Happy birthday to Gary Wright, born today in 1943!🎂 The American musician is probably best known for his 1976 hits "Dream Weaver" and "Love Is Alive". Wright was also a member of Spooky Tooth. In the early 1980s, he turned to film soundtrack work. For the movie Wayne's World, Wright re-recorded his biggest hit "Dream Weaver". He continues to perform as a solo artist and with other bands.
APR 27: Birthday wishes to Ace Frehley, born today in 1951!🎂🎸 Best known as the lead guitarist and co-founding member of KISS. His Spaceman persona was with the band from 1973 to 1982 and 1996 to 2002. The nickname “Ace” was given to him in high school, apparently it referred to his ability to get dates - he was a “real ace.” Frehley does not read music and is self-taught🎸🔥
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