Today in Music History for Dec. 12:
In 1792, 22-year-old Ludwig van Beethoven paid the equivalent of 19 cents for his first lesson in music composition from Franz Joseph Haydn in Vienna. Beethoven is viewed as one of the most important transitional figures between the Classical and Romantic eras of musical history.
In 1915, Francis Albert Sinatra was born in Hoboken, N.J. He began his career with the Harry James and Tommy Dorsey orchestras. His first million-seller, "All or Nothing at All," recorded with James in 1939, wasn't a hit until 1943, after he had left Dorsey for a solo career. Sinatra's career spanned 60 years, with such hits as "Oh! What It Seemed to Be," "Five Minutes More," "Mam'selle," "Young at Heart," "Learnin' the Blues," "All the Way," "Strangers in the Night" and "New York, New York." But his signature song was "My Way," written by Paul Anka and released in 1969. Sinatra, known as the Chairman of the Board, won the 1953 Academy Award for his dramatic role as "Maggio" in the film "From Here to Eternity." He was also given a special Academy Award in 1945 for "The House I Live In" and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1971. He died of a heart attack in Los Angeles on May 14, 1998.
In 1918, jazz and blues singer Joe Williams was born in Cordele, Ga. During his more than 50-year career, he often performed solo but was best known for his appearances with the Count Basie Orchestra. He died on March 29, 1999, in Las Vegas.
In 1938, singer Connie Francis was born Constance Franconero in Newark, N.J. She had her first big hit, "Majesty of Love," a duet with Marvin Rainwater, in 1957. By 1967, Francis had sold 35 million copies of such hits as "Stupid Cupid," "Who's Sorry Now," "My Happiness" and "Everybody's Somebody's Fool." Her career slowed considerably with the rise of Beatlemania in the early 1960s, although she continued to perform regularly until a traumatic incident in 1974. Francis was raped in her motel room following an appearance at the Westbury Theatre in New York. She successfully sued the motel for several million dollars.
In 1945, 13-year-old Glenn Gould, who developed into one of the world's most renowned pianists, made his debut as an organist, in a recital at the Eaton Auditorium in Toronto.
In 1957, Al Priddy, a disc jockey for radio station KEX in Portland, Ore., was fired for playing Elvis Presley's version of "White Christmas."
In 1957, 22-year-old Jerry Lee Lewis married his 13-year-old cousin, Myra Gale Brown, in a wedding chapel at Hernando, Miss. They married without her parents' consent. The marriage lasted 13 years, but caused great harm to Lewis' career. The negative reaction forced him to abandon a British tour in 1958, and he was without a major hit for nearly a decade.
In 1967, Brian Jones of "The Rolling Stones" successfully appealed his nine-month jail sentence on a drug conviction in London. Instead, he was fined $1,000 pounds and put on three years probation.
In 1968, "The Rolling Stones" filmed "The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus" in London. Among the performers were John and Yoko Lennon, Eric Clapton and "The Who." It remained unreleased for 28 years.
In 1970, Jim Morrison performed for the last time with "The Doors." The concert in New Orleans ended early when Morrison smashed a hole in the stage with a microphone stand. He departed "The Doors" for what was supposed to be a temporary absence to concentrate on his poetry. He was found dead in the bathtub at his Paris apartment the following July, apparently of a heart attack brought on by drug abuse.
In 1970, "Joshua," Dolly Parton's first No. 1 single, made its debut on the Billboard country chart.
In 1974, "The Rolling Stones" began sessions for their "Black and Blue" LP in Munich. On the same day, they announced the departure of guitarist Mick Taylor.
In 1980, singer Thelma Houston and disco artist Sylvester headlined a Gay and Lesbian Lifestyles Expo in Los Angeles.
In 1981, Smokey Robinson was honoured with a 25th anniversary show on American Bandstand.
In 1985, pianist Ian Stewart, often credited as being a founding member of "The Rolling Stones," died of a heart attack at the age of 47.
In 1987, Enrique Jorrin, creator of the rhythmic cha-cha dance music, died in Havana at the age of 61.
In 1987, Clifton Chenier, the "King of Zydeco," died in Lafayette, La., at the age of 62. He was severely diabetic. Chenier, an accordionist and singer, recorded more than 100 albums during his career.
In 1988, Elton John was awarded more than US$1.8 million in libel damages against a British tabloid newspaper for allegations it made about his private life. The Sun apologized to John and admitted that stories it published about him in 1987 were untrue.
In 1994, a jury in Los Angeles said "Beach Boys" lead singer Mike Love should get the credit he deserved on 35 of the group's songs, plus royalties totalling millions of dollars.
In 1995, New York radio station WQEW marked Frank Sinatra's 80th birthday by broadcasting 81 consecutive hours of virtually every song he ever recorded.
In 1995, George Michael's first single in three years, "Jesus to a Child," was released to British radio stations.
In 2001, Joni Mitchell, Count Basie, Perry Como, Rosemary Clooney and Al Green were named recipients of Lifetime Achievement Awards from the U.S. National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
In 2003, "Rolling Stones" frontman Mick Jagger was knighted by Prince Charles.
In 2007, Ike Turner, the rock pioneer and ex-husband of Tina Turner, died in San Marcos, Calif., at age 76.
In 2011, Toronto roots-rock veterans "Blue Rodeo" were named the next inductees into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. (The band was honoured at the 2012 Juno Awards.)
In 2011, a portrait of pop legend Billy Joel was unveiled at Steinway Hall in New York City, home to the famed piano maker Steinway & Sons. He was one of only two living artists and only non-classical performer included in a collection featuring greats such as Hungarian composer Franz Liszt.
In 2012, the "12-12-12" benefit concert took place in New York with area natives Bruce Springsteen, "Bon Jovi" and Billy Joel among the artists taking to the stage to raise money for those suffering from superstorm Sandy. It raised over $50 million through ticket sales, merchandising and charitable auctions.
In 2012, police in New Mexico reported Canadian pop star Justin Bieber was the apparent target of a failed murder-for-hire plot, that also involved the killing of Bieber's bodyguard and two other people unconnected to the star. Two men were arrested while the mastermind was serving two life sentences in a New Mexico prison.
In 2012, a batch of love letters written by "Rolling Stones" frontman Mick Jagger to a 1960s muse, American-born singer Marsha Hunt, sold at auction for C$301,472. Hunt was the inspiration for the band's 1971 hit "Brown Sugar" and bore Jagger's first child.
In 2012, MTV chose Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" as Song as the Year.
In 2014, at the Billboard Women in Music luncheon, country/pop crossover star Taylor Swift was named the top woman in music while Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin was the recipient of the first Icon Award.
In 2017, Pat DiNizio, lead singer and songwriter of the New Jersey rock band Smithereens, died at age 62. The group, formed in 1980 and peaked in the late '80s-early '90s, blended catchy melodies and grinding guitars on hits like "Blood and Roses" and "A Girl Like You."
In 2020, musician Charley Pride died at age 86 after getting COVID-19. Pride was the son of sharecroppers in Mississippi who became one of country music's biggest stars and the first Black member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Pride died in Dallas of complications from the virus.
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The Canadian Press