The White Album Turns 50

MUSIC MILESTONES HAPPENING THIS WEEK

Happy Thanksgiving week!

Lots of music history to be thankful for if we may say so, including a good occasion to play “Heatwave” from Martha & The Vandellas – a song easy enough for a Sunday morning and festive enough for turkey day. The keyboardist on that song is the very talented Joe Hunter, who was born on November 19, 1927. Hunter also led The Funk Brothers for some time, an influential if somewhat unheralded Motown group. 

If you are not familiar with his work (he’s no longer with us) or just need some cool vibes this week, do yourself a favor. 

On November 20, Joe Walsh celebrates his 71st birthday. How about a little “Rocky Mountain Way” for the day. Life’s been good so far! 

Other birthdays this week include Karen O (1978), and Steven Van Vandt (1950), both celebrating on Thanksgiving Day. It’s fun to go back to Karen O’s first album with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Here’s a cut off of Fever To Tell. 

Also on November 22, The Beatles music became available on iTunes, which is significant, as November 22 is also the day The Beatles (AKA The White Album) turns 50. Talk about a lasting legacy. If ever an album needed a few more hundred words, this is the one, and we will have some more for you on Anniversary Day! 

Other notable albums released this week include Bruce Springsteen’s Ghost Of Tom Joad, from 1995; U2’s Achtung Baby from 1991; and Eric Clapton’s Slowhand, which came out in 1977.

Sadly, INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence was found dead on November 22, 1997, in Sydney. Here’s one of the 80s best songs, from 1987’s Kicks. 

You can hear more music history every weekday morning with Ron, at 7:30 am on The Colorado Sound.