Happy Birthday to the English drummer Bev Bevan, who is turning 80 today. He is best known as the drummer in the Electric Light Orchestra. However, his first success came with The Move, who had several hits in the UK between 1968 and 1971, charting once at number 1 with Blackberry Way.
In 1976 Bev Bevan released a solo single, produced by Jeff Lynne, which I think is a fitting tribute to him on this day. Happy Birthday, Bev Bevan. Let there be drums
Bev Bevan - Let There Be Drums
While in The Move, Bev also sang lead vocals on a couple of occasions. So while we’re at it, why not let him sing us a song too
The Move - Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart (1968)
Happy Birthday to Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals, who is turning 80 today! He is one of the singers and the keyboard player in this American band, also known as The Young Rascals. Along with Gene Cornish, another of the original members of the band, Felix is actually still performing as The Rascals. Their last gig so far was three weeks ago today.
The (Young) Rascals had quite a bit of success between 1966 and 1969, with several singles charting in the US and Canada, with five of them at number 1. They also charted in the UK and Australia. As with many of their contemporaries, the interest of the Rascals faded in the 1970’s. Still, a few of their songs have become staples in the history of pop music. Among them are People Got To Be Free, Here it is, from a Norwegian TV show from 1969, with Felix Cavaliere singing. Once again, Happy Birthday!
The Rascals - People Got To Be Free
What may be The Rascals signature song is Groovin’. It has been posted before in this topic. It’s well worth checking it out.
Happy Birthday to the English singer and songwriter Ralph McTell, who is turning 80 today. He was an important part of the British folk scene in the 1960’s and 70’s. Although his career has been a little more low-key since then, he has released records and toured more or less constantly since then. His last concert was less than a week ago, and he is scheduled for several dates in 2025.
Ralph McTell will always be remembered for one song in particular, namely Streets of London. It’s been covered by numerous artists (over 200 according to Wikipedia), and has become a standard tune in the history of modern folk music. Here is a beutiful version of this beutiful song, recorded on a TV show a few years ago. Happy Birthday to Ralph McTell
Great song! I actually remember that one from my school days when our headmaster (yes that’s what we still called him back then - I was at school in the 80’s and 90’s) used to have accoustic style singing sessions, just like we saw in that video and that was one of the songs he got us singing.
This is one of the great things with music. We all have songs that carries memories and stories from our lives. Hearing them again, creates a special feeling
Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train (live in studio April 1981)
Happy Birthday to Ozzy, turning 76 today
The sound on this clip isn’t the best. Still I wanted to give guitarist Randy Rhoads a mention too. This very talented guitar player was killed in a tragic accident less than a year after this was recorded. He was only 25 years old. The guitar riff on this song is one of my favourite riffs ever. What could have been.
I don’t know about the best song I’ve heard today, since, of course I can’t hear it, but she sure is one of the prettiest singers I’ve seen in a long time. The name of the song is, I Drowned. I’m told she only sings in Portuguese. I hope it’s still a good song for you guys.
On December 4, 1993, at the age of 52, Frank Vincent Zappa died from complications related to prostate cancer. Zappa had been diagnosed with cancer several years prior, yet he continued to work on his music until his death.
Zappa spent much of his early career playing in various nightclubs and composing soundtracks and scores for low-budget films. He also worked as a producer for a number of local artists and eventually started running his own recording studio, which he called Studio Z.
His work is characterized by non-conformism, improvisational sound experiments, musical virtuosity and satire on American culture. Zappa also directed feature films and music videos and designed album covers. He is considered one of the most innovative and stylistically diverse musicians of his generation.
Happy Birthday to American musician Chris Hillman, who is turning 80 today! He’s best known as the original bassist, and occasional singer and songwriter, in The Byrds. After he quit them in 1968, he teamed up with Gram Parsons in the Flying Burrito Brothers. He then went on with Stephen Stills’ Manassas, the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band and the Desert Rose Band.
In addition Chris Hillman has released several solo albums and collaborations with other musicians, among them other ex-Byrds members. So this man has been around. No wonder he is considered one of the pioneers of country rock. Chris Hillman can also be a fine songwriter. Among the songs he’s written is what may be my favourite Byrds song, Have You Seen Her Face? Here it is! Once again a Happy Birthday to Chris Hillman
Happy Birthday to Canadian singer and songwriter Anna McGarrigle, who is turning 80 today. Along with her sister Kate (1946-2010), she was one part of the duo Kate & Anna McGarrigle, who had some minor success in the latter part of the 1970’s and into the 80’s.
Anna is the writer of the song Heart Like A Wheel, the title track of Linda Ronstadt’s number one album from 1974. To celebrate her birthday, here is a lovely song she wrote for the sisters 1976 debut album. To Anna McGarrigle
