This Day in Music
On this day in music, July 14, 1982, Pink Floyd’s psychological musical drama, The Wall premiered in London at The Empire, Leicester Square. David Gilmour, Roger Waters, and Nick Mason of the band all attended the event, alongside Pete Townshend, Sting, and Queen’s Roger Taylor, among other stars. The film, which starred musician Bob Geldof (The Boomtown Rats), blended live-action with animation, and was based on Pink Floyd’s hit 1979 album of the same name. A commercial success on both sides of the Atlantic, The Wall later earned two BAFTA Awards and remains a cult favorite among fans of the band.
In 1977, Elvis Costello and his new band, The Attractions, played their first show together at the Penzance Winter Gardens in Cornwall, England, opening for Wayne County & the Electric Chairs. A week and a day later, Costello released his debut album, My Aim Is True via Stiff Records in the UK.
In 1964, The Rolling Stones scored their first No.1 hit in the UK with “It’s All Over Now.” The song was written by Bobby Womack and his sister-in-law, Shirley Womack, and originally recorded by Bobby’s group, The Valentinos, that same year.
In 1967, The Who kicked off their first major North American tour at Portland, Oregon’s Memorial Coliseum. The British rockers served as the support act for Herman’s Hermits throughout the 55-date run.
In 1986, Madonna owned the UK charts when she had both the No.1 single (“Papa Don’t Preach”) and the No.1 album (True Blue).
In 1973, audiences at Southern California’s Knott’s Berry Farm were shocked during an Everly Brothers concert when Phil Everly smashed his guitar and stormed off stage. His brother, Don, continued the set at the John Wayne Theater, before announcing that the band had split. It would be nearly a decade before the duo performed again.
BORN ON JULY 14
1912: Woody Guthrie
1945: Jim Gordon (Drummer, Songwriter)
1948: Tommy Mottola (Record Executive)
1952: Chris Cross (Ultravox)
1955: Matthew Seligman (The Soft Boys, The Thompson Twins)
1971: Nick McCabe (The Verve)
1975: Taboo (Black Eyed Peas)
1978: Ruben Studdard
1986: Dan Smith (Bastille)
1987: Dan Reynolds (Imagine Dragons)
