Today in Music History for June 16:
In 1929, 62-year-old Otto Funk completed a 183-day, 6,600-km walk from San Francisco to New York. He was said to have played his violin every step of the way.
In 1964, "The Rolling Stones" flew back in the middle of their American tour to play at Magdalen College in Oxford, England -- a gig for which they were paid 100 pounds. "The Stones'" airfare alone cost them 15 times that amount.
In 1965, the "Herman's Hermits" single "Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter" went gold.
In 1967, the Monterrey International Pop Festival opened in California. It was the first major rock festival and attracted 50,000 people over three days. Ticket prices ranged from $3.50 to $6.50 for more than two dozen top acts including Janis Joplin, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, "The Who" and the "Grateful Dead." The performers played for free. The festival was immortalized in D.A. Pennebaker's 1969 documentary "Monterey Pop."
In 1970, blues singer and guitarist Lonnie Johnson was found dead in his Toronto apartment at age 71. He played on 1920s recordings by Eddie Lang, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington.
In 1970, sponsors for Woodstock announced they lost more than $1.2 million on the concert.
In 1975, John Lennon sued several U.S. government officials for selective prosecution in his deportation case. Later in the year, the U.S. Court of Appeals overturned the Immigration Department's order to deport Lennon. He was granted permanent residence in the U.S. in 1976, four years before his murder.
In 1980, Bob Nolan, who helped found the "Sons of the Pioneers," died in Los Angeles at age 72. Nolan, a New Brunswick native, composed their two biggest hits, "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" and "Cool Water." He's also credited with inventing the style of western harmony singing, which the "Sons of the Pioneers" were still performing in the late '70s.
In 1982, Donny Van Zant of ".38 Special" was arrested for drinking on stage in Tulsa, Okla. -- a dry city.
In 1982, James Honeyman-Scott, guitarist with "The Pretenders," died in London of a cocaine overdose at age 25. Less than a year later, the group's bass player, Pete Farndon, died of a heart attack brought on by drug abuse. He was 30.
In 1987, the "Grateful Dead's" album "In the Dark" was released. It included "Touch of Grey," the first "Dead" song to make the top-10.
In 1987, traditional jazz trumpeter Kid Thomas Valentine, longtime leader of the "Preservation Hall Band," died in New Orleans at age 91.
In 1988, a Michael Jackson concert in Lyon, France, was cancelled after only half of the 30,000 seats were sold.
In 1988, the largest operatic production in Canadian history was staged at Montreal's Olympic Stadium. About 30,000 people paid $20- $150 each to watch Verdi's "Aida" -- complete with a 14-metre model of the Sphinx, elephants, tigers and a four-metre python. The stars were soprano Katia Ricciarelli in the title role and tenor Nicola Martinucci as Radames. Giuseppe Raffa conducted a 120-piece orchestra and a 140-member chorus. The production was repeated two nights later in the Olympic Stadium. An even more grandiose staging of "Aida" took place in 1987 at Giza, Egypt -- site of the real Sphinx.
In 1989, Stevie Wonder, Placido Domingo and French rocker Johnny Halliday were among the stars at the Eiffel Tower's 100th birthday party in Paris.
In 1993, the U.S. Postal Service issued stamps commemorating Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, Ritchie Valens, Clyde McPhatter and Dinah Washington. There was also a new Elvis Presley stamp -- this one bearing his last name. The original Elvis stamp -- issued the previous January -- had only his first name.
In 1993, Lebert Lombardo, a member of the original "Guy Lombardo Orchestra," died in Florida at age 89.
In 1993, Elton John abruptly left Israel for London before a scheduled concert in Tel Aviv. He was angered by a melee outside his hotel involving his bodyguards, photographers and fans -- and by passport officials who refused to give him VIP treatment. After Israeli officials -- and the British ambassador -- pleaded with John to return, he performed a day later for more than 40,000 fans.
In 1994, Kristen Pfaff, bassist for Courtney Love's band, "Hole," died of a heroin overdose at age 27.
In 1995, "Pearl Jam" began a tour without using Ticketmaster. The band accused Ticketmaster of monopolizing the concert ticket industry and decided to use a mail-order ticket service instead.
In 1997, Irish singer Sinead O'Connor withdrew from a peace concert in Jerusalem after death threats.
In 1998, one of the best-known managers of country music artists, Jack McFadden, died in Nashville of liver cirrhosis. He was 71. He guided the careers of such stars as Buck Owens, Keith Whitley and Billy Ray Cyrus.
In 2009, rocker Tom Cochrane and "Blue Rodeo were among the latest inductees named to Canada's Walk of Fame.
In 2009, Taylor Swift won for Video of the Year and Female Video of the Year for "Love Story" at the Country Music Television awards show. She also won the same categories in 2008 with "Our Song."
In 2010, Canadian contralto Maureen Forrester died at the age of 79. In a career that began in church choirs and peaked on all the world's best stages, she was usually described in superlatives for roles that spanned the classics, opera, musicals, burlesque and even pop songs. She was a member of the Canadian Hall of Fame and the Juno Hall of Fame. She was made a Companion of the Order of Canada and awarded a star on Canada's Walk of Fame.
In 2010, pop singer Ke$ha held a benefit concert to help victims of the May 3 flooding in her hometown of Nashville. She raised nearly US$70,000.
In 2011, country music superstar Garth Brooks, Leon Russell, John Bettis, Allen Toussaint, Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Canadian rapper Drake was honoured with the Hal David Starlight Award, given to young artists that are making a significant impact with their original music.
In 2012, Radiohead's drum technician, 33-year-old Scott Johnson, was killed and three other workers injured when the roof of the stage collapsed onto them as they were preparing the alternative rock band's sold-out show at Downsview Park in Toronto.
In 2013, South Korean rapper PSY - who was also acting as the MuchMusic Video Awards co-host - opened the festivities with his galloping smash hit "Gangnam Style" for which he later won Viral Video of the Year. Rapper Classified won Video of the Year for "Inner Ninja" while Taylor Swift won the Fans' Choice "Your Fave" trophy for international artist.
In 2017, Queen Elizabeth named singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran as a Member of the British Empire (MBE), the first step toward knighthood. She also upgraded Sir Paul McCartney to Companion of Honour.
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The Canadian Press
