Flashbacks – Page 111 – USA Radio Museum

A MOTOWN SNAPSHOT FLASHBACK: SMOKEY IN 1967!

Motown artist/producer/songwriter Smokey Robinson at Hitsville, 1967. — **DETROIT MOTOWN RECORDS songwriter/producer/artist Smokey Robinson at Hitsville, 1967.**

PATSY CLINE REMEMBERED: DEATHS STUNS COUNTRY AND WESTERN WORLD . . . MARCH 16, 1963

From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1963

MARCH 5 AIR CRASH CLAIM LIVES OF FOUR PROMINENT C&W STARS

NASHVILLE — The air crash deaths of four country music personalities, including three nationally known “Grand ‘Ole Opry” stars, stunned the industry and thousands of country music fans throughout the nation last week.

Patsy Cline (click on image for larger view). — **Patsy Cline** *(click on image for larger view).*

Killed Tuesday evening, March 5, near Camden, Tennessee, in the single-engine plane were Decca Records’ Patsy Cline; Starday’s mainstay, Cowboy Copas; King Records’ artist Hawkshaw Hawkins, and Randy Hughes, talent manager and personal manager to Miss Cline.

Telegrams, cables, phone calls and flowers poured into the city from all parts of the country and overseas as the fatal news broke on the wire services Wednesday morning, March 6.

Irony played its role in the tragedy, as the victims were returning from Kansas City, Missouri, where they had played a benefit performance for the widow of Cactus Jack Call, a country deejay who was killed recently in an automobile accident.

The plane had stopped in Dyersburg, Tennessee, to refuel. It departed Dyersburg about 6 p.m. on the last hop to Nashville. The Dyersburg airport manager, Bill Braese, said Hughes had given his name as pilot of the craft but no flight plan was filed.

The weather in the area at the time of the accident was termed “extremely turbulent.” Cab investigators were at the scene of the crash Wednesday and Thursday to make a detailed probe of the wreckage in an effort to learn the smashup. It is expected to take several days, if not weeks, to complete the studies, one of the investigators reported.

Many persons in the mid-Tennessee area went to the Camden area Tuesday night to join the search after learning of its late status over WSM radio. Of those joining the search, many were “Opry” and music industry personalities.

The plane apparently struck a large tree before hitting the ground. Parts of the aircraft was located hanging in the tree and a three foot hole marked the spot where the main part of the fuselage struck the ground. After the wreckage was located, more than two hundred cars lined the highway near the scene of the accident.

On Wednesday (March 6) the Tennessee House of Representatives, now in session, stood in silent tribute to the victims. Governor Clement voiced a comment typical of the many which poured into the city:

“With the deaths of Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Randy Hughes, the entertainment world suffers a great professional loss.

“They were typical of the serious-minded, hard working professional people dedicated to country music artistry.

“I counted them among close friends and extend my deep and sincere sympathy to their families.”

Ott Devine, “Grand ‘Ole Opry” manager, said: “WSM and the ‘Grand ‘Ole Opray’ are stunned and deeply saddened. We have lost great talent as well as the closet personal relationship. This tragic happening has brought sorrow throughout the entire music industry, as well as to many of thousand faithful friends and admirers.

Said also John H. DeWitt in a statement: “They were great entertainers in the finest tradition of the ‘Opray,’ and (they were) great personages in their own right. The loss is one which will be felt throughout the music industry , and particularly by their many friends at WSM.”

Patsy Cline has several million-seller records, including, “I Fall To Pieces” and “Walking After Midnight.” Her current hit is “Leaving On Your Mind.” Cline got her start on the Arthur Godfrey “Talent Scouts” in the mid-1950s and joined the “Opry” in 1960.

THE NASHVILLE BANNER Wednesday, March 6, 1963 (click on image for larger size). — **THE NASHVILLE BANNER Wednesday, March 6, 1963** *(click on image for larger size)*

Decca’s local promotions chief, Owen Bradley, said: “There was no better female vocalist than Patsy Cline.” She just recently cut an album, “Faded Love,’ Bradley said. “I don’t know when, if ever, if it will be released.”

Off stage, Patsy Cline is Mrs. Charles Dick. She is survived by her husband and their two small children.

Several years ago, Patsy was in an automobile accident in Madison, near Nashville. In that accident one person was killed, while Patsy sustain facial and head injuries which left her in critical condition for several weeks.

Copas was a 17-year veteran with the “Opry.” The soft-spoken native of Oklahoma has had numerous hit platters. Some of the big ones include “Filipino Baby” and “Signed, Sealed And Delivered.” Most recently his biggest record has been a revised version of “Alabam.” Copas is survived by his widow, Lucy, and their three children.

Hawkins interests centered on his wife, “Opry” star Jean Shepard, and their son, Donnie Robbin; country music and Tennessee walking horses. His big records include “Slow Poke,” “Soldier’s Joy” and “Bad News Travels Fast.” Hawkins maintained a stable of horses and was in the process of getting them ready for the spring and summer shows.

Hughes, although not an “Opry” star, was widely known and respected in the profession. He was the son-in-law of Copas, and his wife, the former Cathy Copas, also was an entertainer. Cathy and a seven-year-old survive. Randy was considered an accomplished musician. He played back-up music for recording made locally and for all of Patsy Cline’s sessions.

Funeral services for Patsy were held Saturday, March 9, in her home town of Winchester, Virginia. Services for the other three victims were held Friday, March 8, in Nashville. END

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(Information and news source: Billboard; March 16, 1963)

WHEN COUNTRY MUSIC LOST 3 STARS. MARCH 5, 1963

THE NASHVILLE TENNESSEAN, Wednesday Morning Edition, March 6, 1963

CLINE CLIMBS UP HOT COUNTRY CHART: MARCH, 1963

BILLBOARD HOT COUNTRY: No. 19 (2 WEEKS) * Patsy Cline * WEEKS 3/2/63 – 3/16/63

RELEASED JANUARY, “Leavin’ On Your Mind,” by the Patsy Cline would peak No. 8 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart, 1963. At the time of her tragic death, the single stalled No. 19 on the country chart two straight weeks. The single would make its eventual ascent to top 10, posthumously, on the country singles chart weeks thereafter. The Jukebox Association Of America named Patsy Cline one of the ten-most played artists of 1963.

(source: Billboard).

PATSY CLINE. DEATH STUNNED COUNTRY WORLD IN ’63

TODAY. PATSY CLINE REMEMBERED ON MOTOR CITY RADIO FLASHBACKS

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MCRFB Note: photo credit — above photo found on the internet as public domain; MCRFB does not claim nor own rights; source of this image property / credit is unknown.

FLASHBACK POP MUSIC HISTORY: MARCH 3

From the MCRFB music calendar:

Events on this date: MARCH 3

1957: Chicago’s Cardinal Strich bans Rock and Roll from all area Catholic schools.

1960: Along with 79 soldiers, a newly-discharged Elvis Presley arrives at Fort Dix, New Jersey by plane. A press conference is held, then a party, attended by manager “Colonel” Tom Parker, and Nancy Sinatra, whom Elvis had met while at a USO show.

**The Buffalo Springfield in 1967.** *(Click on image for larger view)*

1966: The band The Herd is formed in Los Angeles, featuring unknowns Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Richie Furay (later of Poco), Bruce Palmer and Dewey Martin. The band would later be renamed Buffalo Springfield and play a huge role in birthing the folk-rock movement.

1967: The Jeff Beck Group makes its debut on a London stage, featuring unknowns Ron Wood, Aynsley Dunbar, and singer Rod Stewart.

1973: At this year’s Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, the George Harrison benefit disc The Concert For Bangladesh is awarded Album Of The Year. Roberta Flack wins Song and Record Of The Year honors for “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.” Harry Nilson wins Best Pop Vocal for “Without You.” Helen Reddy wins three awards for her hit, “I Am Woman,” causing a small controversy when she accepts by thanking God: “She makes everything possible.”

1977: After some prodding by his father, Vernon, Elvis Presley signs his will, leaving control of everything to his father, then heads off for a vacation in Hawaii.

Mick Jagger's hired 'security guards' at the Altamont Speedway Concert in 1969 — **Mick Jagger’s hired security personnel “by choice” (Hell’s Angels) at the Altamont Speedway Concert in 1969.** *(Click on image for larger view)*

1983: A Hell’s Angel biker only identified as “Butch” confirms, in front of a US Senate hearing, that the motorcycle gang had indeed taken out a contract to kill Mick Jagger. The Rolling Stones leader was seen as having blamed the gang for the death of Stones’ concertgoer Meredith Hunter at Altamont. “There’s always been a contract on the band,” he stated, noting “two attempts to kill them that I know about. They will some day. They swear they will do it.”

Deaths

1987: Danny Kaye 2008: Norman “Hurricane” Smith

EVENTS IN POP MUSIC HISTORY ON THIS DAY: MARCH 3

RECORDING: FLASHBACK POP MUSIC HISTORY * Cab Calloway * MARCH 3, 1931

MOTOWN MONDAY: A MOTOWN REVUE MEMORY ’65!

A MOTOR TOWN REVUE FLASHBACK, 1965: Eight GREAT Motown acts together for one night only — in person — LIVE on stage! Advance admission ticket price? $2.00!

FLASHBACK POP MUSIC HISTORY: MARCH 1

From the MCRFB music calendar:

Events for this date: MARCH 1

1957: Chuck Berry releases “School Days” on Chess Records. The release would become his biggest hit to date, peaking at No. 3 for the year.

**Buddy Holly and the Crickets in 1957.** *(Click on image for larger view)*

1958: Buddy Holly and the Crickets begin their first and only UK tour at London’s Trocadero Club, playing 25 dates of two sets a night.

1963: Filming begins in Hollywood for Elvis Presley’s 13th film, Fun In Acapulco.

1966: Upset by the band deciding to use Roger McGuinn as lead-vocals on all singles, and also suffering from a fear of flying that made touring difficult, guitarist and vocalist Gene Clark announces his departure from the Byrds.

1967: When Eric Burdon and the “New” Animals cancel their Ottawa, Ontario gig at the last minute due to a pay dispute, disgruntled fans at the Ottawa Coliseum riot.

A "Doors At Miami" comic book teaser. (Click on image for larger view). — **A “Doors In Miami” comic book teaser.** *(Click on image for larger view).*

1969: Jim Morrison of the Doors is arrested on stage during a concert in Miami, Florida, for allegedly exposing himself to the crowd at the Coconut Grove Auditorium. Allegedly drunk while taunting the audience, Morrison is generally thought these days to have been innocent of the major charge, sparking talk of a posthumous public vindication by Florida officials. The singer is later tried and sentenced to eight months of hard labor, a sentence his lawyers were still appealing when Morrison died in 1971.

1970: The Beatles make their last (taped) appearance on CBS-TV’s Ed Sullivan Show via clips for their new songs “Let It Be” and “Two Of Us.”

1973: Elvis Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, sells all of Elvis’ back-catalog recordings to RCA for a lump sum of $5.4 million, forgoing all future royalties, in an attempt to garner Presley some quick, much-needed cash. Parker also renegotiates Elvis into a 50-50 split on new royalties, and lands another seven-year, fourteen-album deal with RCA for $3.5 million.

1973: New York’s acclaimed Joffrey Ballet premieres its new work, Deuce Coupe Ballet, a tribute to the music of the Beach Boys. (Really.)

1974: Queen begin their first tour as headliners with a show at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.

1975: At tonight’s Grammy Awards, the big winners are: Olivia Newton-John (Record of the Year for “I Honestly Love You,” Female Pop Vocal), Paul McCartney (Male Pop Vocal for “Band On The Run”), Stevie Wonder (Album of the Year for Fulfillingness’ First Finale), and Barbra Streisand’s “The Way We Were” for Song of the Year.

1976: Claudine Longet, singer and ex-wife of Andy Williams, is arrested for shooting her live-in lover, Vladimir “Spider” Sabich, as he attempted to kick her and her children out of his home in Aspen. Errors in obtaining evidence led to no more than a 30-day prison sentence for the singer, who claimed the gun was discharged accidentally.

1977: After years of estrangement, Bob Dylan’s wife, Sara Lowndes — subject of “Lay Lady Lay” and “Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands,” among other songs — files for divorce in Santa Monica, CA.

1981: NBC-TV airs Elvis and the Beauty Queen , the story of his final years and his relationship with girlfriend Linda Thompson, featuring future star Don Johnson as Elvis Presley.

1985: Ford licenses the Beatles’ “Help!” for a new commercial, the very first such use of the group’s songs in a TV ad.

1991: Director Oliver Stone’s biopic The Doors , starring Val Kilmer, opens in Los Angeles.

1994: Aretha Franklin is honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award and Frank Sinatra is given the annual Living Legends Award at tonight’s Grammys in New York.

1994: Tony Bennett’s ‘Unplugged’ wins Album of the Year at tonight’s Grammy Awards.

2004: Warner Music Group leaves parent company Time Warner for the first time, bought out as a separate entity by investors led by former Universal Music head Edgar Bronfman Jr.

Births

1904: Glenn Miller 1927: Harry Belafonte 1930: Benny Powell 1944: Roger Daltey (The Who) 1944: Mike D’Abo (Manfred Mann) 1946: Tony Ashton (Ashton, Gardner, and Dyke) 1950: Dave Marsh 1957: Jon Carroll (Starland Vocal Band)

Releases

1957: Chuck Berry, “School Days” 1958: Johnny Mathis, Johnny’s Greatest Hits 1966: Elvis Presley, “Frankie And Johnny” b/w “Please Don’t Stop Loving Me”

Recording

1928: Paul Whiteman/Paul Robeson, “Ol’ Man River” 1955: The Four Lads, “Standing On The Corner” 1957: The Everly Brothers, “Bye Bye Love” 1964: The Beatles: “I’m Happy Just To Dance With You,” “Long Tall Sally,” “I Call Your Name” 1967: The Beatles: “A Day In The Life,” “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds”

Charts

1967: The Seeds’ “Pushin’ Too Hard” enters the charts. 1975: The Eagles’ “Best Of My Love” hits No. 1. 1975: Bob Dylan’s LP ‘Blood On The Tracks’ hits No. 1.

Certifications

1965: Petula Clark’s “Downtown” is certified gold. 1977: Manfred Mann’s Earth Band’s “Blinded By The Light” is certified gold.

source: oldies.about.com/

EVENTS IN POP MUSIC HISTORY ON THIS DAY: MARCH 1

RECORDING: FLASHBACK POP MUSIC HISTORY * Four Lads * MARCH 1, 1955

BEATLES MESMERIZED, ’64! CKLW NO. 17: FEBRUARY 25

‘CK RADIO 80 “AS THEY SHOW ON EIGHT O” * Swans * CKLW (No. 17) 02/25/64

A MCRFB NOTE: In the February 25, 1964 CKLW Radio survey, there are four Beatles hits which comprised the actual CKLW Top 50 records playlist: No. 02, No. 04, No. 09 and No. 46. But there were also two ‘Beatles-themed’ records on the CKLW survey as well.

And just for fun . . . Motor City Radio Flashbacks presents them here today!

WXYZ JOEL SEBASTIAN! THE WIXIE SWINGIN’ SPANIARD

WXYZ'S Swingin' Joel Sebastian circa 1963 — **WXYZ Swingin’ Joel Sebastian circa 1961**

Category: Flashbacks