This Day in Music History: August 14

August 14, 2016

We cover all sorts of news, facts and historical and interesting facts that happened on this day in music history.

 

Today: August 14.

 

1958: Gladys Presley, Elvis Presley's mother died. At her funeral two days later, Elvis was so overcome with grief that he was unable to stand and had to be helped and supported. Over 500 policemen were at the service to keep order and the huge crowd at bay.

 

1962: Brian Epstein and the other three members of The Beatles decided to fire drummer Pete Best as they were unhappy with his performance and role . Best played his last gig the following night at The Cavern, Liverpool. Ringo Starr who was nearing the end of a three-month engagement with Rory Storm & the Hurricanes at a Butlin's holiday camp received a telephone call from John Lennon, who asked him to join The Beatles. Ringo gave Rory Storm three days notice and on August 18, appeared as a member of The Beatles for the first time.

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1971: The Who released their fifth studio album 'Who's Next' which featured their classic song 'Won't Get Fooled Again' and has since been viewed by critics as the Who's best record and one of the greatest rock albums of all time. The cover artwork shows a photo of the band apparently having just urinated on a large concrete piling, but according to photographer Ethan Russell, most of the band members were unable to urinate, so rainwater was tipped from an empty film canister to achieve the desired effect.

 

1985: Michael Jackson won a bid over Yoko Ono and Paul McCartney and secured the ATV Music Publishing catalogue. At $47.5m, he gained the rights to more than 250 songs written by Lennon and McCartney. McCartney had been negotiating with Yoko Ono, who had decided to withdraw her side of the deal because of 'astrological' reasons.

 

1988: Guitarist Roy Buchanan died after hanging himself with his own shirt in Fairfax County Adult Detention Center after he was arrested for drunkenness. During his career, he released over 15 solo albums. Jeff Beck dedicated the song 'Cause We've Ended As Lovers' to Buchanan in 1975 on his 'Blow by Blow' album.

 

1993: Freddie Mercury had his first solo UK No.1 single with 'Living On My Own'. The song had been a minor hit in 1985 when released from his solo album Mr. Bad Guy, this remixed version was reissued.

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1995, Foo Fighters made their network television debut on The Late Show with David Letterman. They performed their new single back then 'This Is A Call'.

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Think we left some interesting fact out? You have anything to add? Is there anything else worth mentioning that happened on this day in music history? Write us in the comments below.

 

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