Every day in music history has its fair mix of the good and the bad and the day of December 12th has brought just these vivid yet varied colors throughout the years. Here, we bring to you some of the most poignant and memorable ones.
This day in 2007 witnessed the sad demise of Tina Turner’s former husband Ike Turner. Ike Turner was 76 years old when he passed away in his San Diego, California home. Numerous music historians accredit the making of the very first rock ‘n’ roll record, Rocket 88, with Turner. A creative session guitarist and pianist, Turner recorded Rocket 88 in 1951. He got married to Tina Turner in the year 1959 and together the duo released a series of successful songs. One of their most eminent songs is the 1966 release, River Deep Mountain High, produced by Phil Spector.
On December 12th 1970, The Doors performed their final live show with their lead vocalist Jim Morrison, at the Warehouse on Tchoupitoulas Street in New Orleans.
This day in 1981 saw the success of Don’t You Want Me by The Human League as it soared to the No.1 spot on the U.K. singles’ list. This was the group’s only hit track to peak at No.1. This Christmas track was the best selling song of the year and gave Virgins Records its debut U.K. chart topper. Part of their third studio album, Dare, the track was totally disliked by the band’s lead singer Phil Oakley. He therefore decided to keep the track as the last song on the album.
In 2008, an announcement declared that the streets in the new estate in Dartford, Kent, would be named after hit releases by the band The Rolling Stones. The town of Dartford is where The Rolling Stones’ members, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards spent their childhood. The street names decided upon included some such as Angie Mews, Babylon Close, Sympathy Street, Little Red Walk and Satisfaction Street.
This day celebrates the birth of one of the most influential musicians in the world of jazz and traditional pop music, Frank Sinatra, who was born in 1915.
Also celebrating her birthday on December 11th is Dionne Warwick, who was born in 1940.