Today in Music History for March 11:
In 1829, composer Felix Mendelsson sparked a revival of interest in the music of J.S. Bach after he conducted the St. Matthew Passion, almost a century after the date of its first performance. More than 1,000 people couldn't get tickets. Two further concerts were scheduled.
In 1903, bandleader Lawrence Welk was born in Strasburg, N.D. He led his own polka and sweet dance bands from the mid-1920s well into the 1970s. In his early days, Welk often played the accordion, but by the 1960s, he was sticking strictly to bandleading. Welk's light, frothy style became known as "champagne music" and his theme song was "Bubbles in the Wine." Welk began his national TV show in 1955, and his simple, tuneful melodies proved an instant hit. His show was near the top of the ratings throughout the 1950s and '60s. Among those who gained prominence on the Welk TV show were "The Lennon Sisters" and clarinetist Pete Fountain. When ABC cancelled his show in 1971, Welk took it into syndication, and it ran on more stations than ever before. In the '60s, Welk had several record hits, including "Calcutta" and "Scarlett O'Hara." Welk died on May 17, 1992.
In 1908, blues singer and harmonica player Sonny Boy Williamson was born Aleck (Rice) Miller in Glendora, Miss. He was one of two bluesmen to bill himself as Sonny Boy Williamson. Williamson recorded live albums with "The Yardbirds" and "The Animals" before dying of tuberculosis in 1965.
In 1913, composer John Weinzweig, a pioneer of 20th-century composing methods in Canada, was born in Toronto. Weinzweig was the first Canadian to explore the 12-tone technique in his 1939 work "Suite for Piano No. 1" Weinzweig's works are considered to be one of the cornerstones of the Canadian repertoire. His ballet suite, "Red Ear of Corn," composed in 1949, is his best-known composition. He died in 2006.
In 1945, rock guitarist Harvey Mandel was born in Detroit. He learned blues guitar in Chicago, and beginning in 1968 played on albums by such artists as "Canned Heat" and John Mayall. Mandel developed into one of the most sought-after session men, as well as releasing several albums on his own.
In 1947, Mark Stein, organist with "Vanilla Fudge," one of the first heavy-rock bands, was born in Bayonne, N.J. "Vanilla Fudge's" extended and slow-motion version of "The Supremes" "You Keep Me Hangin' On" was a top-10 hit in 1968. Their debut album contained similarly extended versions of such songs as "Eleanor Rigby," "Ticket to Ride" and "Bang Bang." The group called their music "psychedelic-symphonic rock," but audiences soon tired of it. "Vanilla Fudge" broke up in 1970. Mark Stein later formed a group called "Boomerang." There was a "Vanilla Fudge" reunion in 1986.
In 1963, "The Rolling Stones" entered the I.B.C. Studios in London for their first recording session. They recorded cover versions of songs by their R&B heroes -- Bo Diddley, Willie Dixon and Jimmy Reed. The recordings were never released.
In 1968, Otis Redding was awarded a gold single for "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," three months after his death. A year later, the song won two Grammy Awards.
In 1970, "Aquarius/Let The Sun Shine In" by "The Fifth Dimension" was named Record of the Year at the Grammys. The self-titled album by "Blood, Sweat and Tears" was named Album of the Year. "Crosby, Stills and Nash" won the Best New Artist Grammy.
In 1974, Albert Grossman, Janis Joplin's manager, was awarded $112,000 on her life insurance policy. The insurance company had argued that Joplin's drug overdose death in 1970 was a suicide, not an accident.
In 1986, blues singer and harmonica player Sonny Terry, who became famous with his guitar-playing partner Brownie McGhee, died at age 75 after a lengthy illness. Terry, born Sanders Terrell, was blinded in both eyes in separate accidents by the time he was 16. Terry worked with the legendary guitarist Blind Boy Fuller before teaming up with McGhee in 1941. Their partnership lasted for 44 years, despite frequent feuds and temporary splits, and has been credited with bringing the blues to the homes of millions of middle-class whites.
In 1986, "Jay and the Americans" lead singer Jay Black filed for bankruptcy. He claimed assets of only $750 against $900,000 in debts, $700,000 of which was back taxes.
In 1993, a promoter announced that Paul McCartney was cancelling the remaining news conferences on his Australian tour because he was tired of answering questions about whether the surviving "Beatles" would reunite.
In 1994, Mary Wilson was the only original member on hand as "The Supremes" received their star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. Diana Ross, who split with "The Supremes" in 1970, was in Europe. The third original member, Florence Ballard, had died in 1976.
In 1996, Celine Dion's "Falling Into You" was released. By the end of the year, the album had sold more than 18 million copies worldwide.
In 1997, Paul McCartney was knighted by the Queen in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Hundreds of fans, some wearing T-shirts that read "Arise Sir Paul," cheered his arrival and stayed outside the palace until he emerged.
In 2010, Universal Music Canada president Randy Lennox, CHUM-FM radio personality Roger Ashby and '80s pop/rock band "Platinum Blonde" were inducted to the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame.
In 2010, Austrian newspaper Der Standard reported on its website that two former members of the famed Vienna Boys Choir, both now adults, said they were sexually abused by their supervisors. After a confidential phone and email hotline was set up days later, 11 more possible abuse victims came forward.
In 2011, songwriter Hugh Martin, whose works included "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "The Trolley Song," died in Encinitas, Calif., at age 96.
In 2015, Three Dog Night keyboardist Jimmy Greenspoon died in North Potomac, Md., at age 67.
In 2018, the revamped "American Idol" made its debut on ABC after a nearly two-year hiatus, attracting over 10 million viewers. The FOX TV music competition juggernaut first aired from 2002-16. (In May, Iowa native Maddie Poppe was crowned the winner.)
In 2021, rapper Cardi B made history by being the first female rapper to have a single certified as diamond, with "Bodak Yellow'' selling more than 10-million copies.
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The Canadian Press