Today in Music History: Georgia proclamation for Ray Charles' song
April 24, 2015
History Highlight:
Today in 1979, Ray Charles' "Georgia On My Mind" was proclaimed the state song of Georgia. Originally written by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell, many assume the song is a Ray Charles original due to his close association with the song — widely regarded as the definitive rendition.
Also, Today in:
1961 - Bob Dylan appeared on Harry Belafonte's album The Midnight Special, playing harmonica on the track "Calypso King". Dylan was paid a $50 session fee for this his first-ever recording.
1961 - Del Shannon started a four-week run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with "Runaway".
1968 - The Beatles' new company, Apple Records, turned down an offer to sign a new artist by the name of David Bowie.
1971 - Crosby Stills Nash & Young went to No. 1 on the U.S. album chart with "4 Way Street."
1976 - Wings At The Speed Of Sound went to No. 1 on the U.S. album chart. Paul McCartney's fifth No. 1 album after The Beatles became his most successful American chart album, spending seven non-consecutive weeks at No. 1.
1981 - New Order started work on their first album at Strawberry studios in Stockport, England.
1992 - David Bowie married Somali-born supermodel and actress Iman in Switzerland. The couple reside primarily in New York and London.
1993 - 40,000 people turned out in Ames, Iowa, for Farm Aid VI, a benefit for family farmers in the United States, organized by Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young. Alongside Nelson and Young, other performers on the bill included Johnny Cash, Lyle Lovett, Ringo Starr, Martina McBride, and The Jayhawks.
Birthdays:
Barbra Streisand is 73.
Kelly Clarkson is 33.