Back in time

Summer Of 1959 – July 17th Legendary Jazz/Soul Singer BILLIE HOLIDAY Passes Away At 43

Posted on by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

17 July 2026

On 17 July 1959 jazz/soul legend BILLIE HOLIDAY died in a New York City hospital from cirrhosis of the liver after years of alcohol abuse, aged 43, while under arrest for heroin possession, with Police officers stationed at the door to her room.

In the final years of her life, she had been progressively swindled out of her earnings. The singer who had recorded classics such as God Bless The Child and the civil rights anthem Strange Fruit died with just $0.70 in the bank.

Short Bio
Discography

MUSE – British Rock Heroes Released Their 2nd Album ‘ORIGIN SYMMETRY’ 25 Years Ago Today

Posted on by JL

17 July 2026

British rockers MUSE have more than 3 decades on their clock. Impressive.

The band fronted by singer/guitarist/songwriter MATT BELLAMY
released their 2nd LP ORIGIN SYMMETRY on 17 July 2001, today
25 years ago.

The album title derives from the 1994 book Hyperspace by the theoretical
physicist Michio Kaku, which suggests the title The Origin of Symmetry for a
future book about the discovery of supersymmetry.

#3 in the UK.


NME – 2001

Bellamy said: “Everyone’s been writing about the origin of life
so now they’ll start looking at the origin of symmetry; there’s a
certain amount of stability in the universe and to find out where
it originates from would be to find out if God exists.”

LEAD SINGLE

ALBUM


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Summer Of 2007 – 16 July – THE WHITE STRIPES Play Shortest Gig Ever

Posted on by JL

16 July 2026

On July 16, 2007, today 19 years ago, THE WHITE STRIPES entered the record books
by playing the shortest-ever live gig when they appeared at a Newfoundland venue
called George Street during a Canadian tour.

They played just a single note with a cymbal crash (no encore, I suppose) before
exiting the stage. The “concert” was recognized by the Guinness Book Of World
Records in 2009. Unfortunately, the book’s compilers dropped the category a year
later after being swamped by applications for similar record-breaking attempts.

I want more than one note (fantastic video).

Summer Of 1982 – 14 July PINK FLOYD’s Movie THE WALL Premiere In London

Posted on by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

14 July 2026

PINK FLOYD‘s mentally dramatic movie, about a troubled rock star who descends
into madness in the midst of his physical and social isolation from everyone, named
THE WALL premiered in London on 14 July 1982.

Bob Geldof, frontman of The Boomtown Rats‘ and
later co-organiser of Live Aid 1985 had the lead role.

The film blended live action with animation and was based on the prog-rock supremos’ 1979 album of the same name. It was a commercial success on both sides of the Atlantic, and earned two BAFTA Awards and remains a cult favorite among the band’s fans.

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 movie’s trailer.

Summer Of 1969 – July 13th THE BEATLES Single Banned In The USA

Posted on by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

13 July 2026

On the day, 13 July 1969, that THE BEATLES released their UK No.1 single THE BALLAD OF JOHN AND YOKO, which tells the story of the eventful days of the marriage of John and his muse Yoko Ono, over 100 US radio stations instanly banned it because of its lyrics.

Christ, you know it ain’t easy
You know how hard it can be
The way things are going
They’re gonna crucify me

Summer Of 1954 – July 12th 19-Year-Old ELVIS Signs His First Label Contract

Posted on by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

12 July 2026

On 12 July 1954, a 19-year-old singer named ELVIS AARON PRESLEY signed
a contract with the legendary Memphis-based record label Sun Records (also
the first label for giants like Charlie Rich, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins,
and Johnny Cash).

He also gave in his notice at his day
job at The Crown Electric Company.

Sun Records‘ boss Sam Phillips originally wanted to use the young
man to make demos of songs meant for other artists, but he soon
realized that the 19-year-old could bridge the gap between white
and black performances.

That’s Alright was Elvis debut single with Sun Records.

FUNKADELIC – George Clinton And His Collective Released Third LP ‘MAGGOT BRAIN’ Today 55 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

12 July 2026

Pivotal American collective FUNKADELIC (1968-1982) with multi-colored-hair
funk icon George Clinton as the orchestrator released their 3rd LP, named
MAGGOT BRAIN on 12 July 1971, today 55 years ago.


(cover of his greatest hits LP)

Clinton about the album: “Maggot Brain was going places that
Black groups hadn’t gone, into questions about whether America
was still on the right path or whether the promise of the late ’60s
had completely evaporated.”

Pitchfork: “For a group rumored to record while zonked out of their minds,
Funkadelic really held it together on Maggot Brain. They may not have been
as tight as James Brown’s backing band the J.B.’s, but Funkadelic wheeled out
the sort of soulful funk-rock that could fuel world-class parties.”

Singles.

– CAN YOU GET TO THAT –

– YOU AND YOUR FOLKS, ME AND MY FOLKS –

ALBUM


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THE HORRORS – British Dark-Synth-Pop-Wave Mavericks Released Their 3rd Album ‘SKYING’ Today 15 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

Significant longplayers from yesteryear

11 July 2026

British dark-synth-pop-wave mavericks THE HORRORS made
their notable entrée in 2005 and became bona fide indie stars.

On 11 July 2011, today 15 years ago, they
released their 3rd LP, named SKYING

The record peaked at #5 in the UK.

BBC Music said: “There’s no fault to be found with Skying, truly, every song
here hits its mark. From the most incongruous of beginnings, The Horrors have
become national treasures in waiting, and now possess the ability to realise
any ambitions”.

TUTV: Their most complete work.
Dark-synth-pop-wave for day-night
and in-between dreamers.

SINGLE

ALBUM


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Summer Of 1968 – July 10th – Supergoup CREAM Call It A Day

Posted on by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

10 July 2026

Legendary British band CREAM was one of the first supergroups ever. It featured
guitarist Eric Clapton (now aged 80), bass player Jack Bruce (1943-2014) and drummer Ginger Baker (1939-2019). They got together in 1966 after already making a name for themselves with their previous bands.

They recorded/released 4 LPs.

It was Clapton who announced on
10 July 1968 that the band split up.

Below here, their best-known song.

Discography

Summer Of 1977 – July 9 – Career Switch For DECLAN PATRICK MACMANUS

Posted on by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

9 July 2026

On 9 July 1977, this day 49 years ago, Declan Patrick MacManus (now aged 71 years)
quit his day job as a computer programmer, aged 23, to become a full-time musician under the moniker ELVIS COSTELLO. The rest is history.

Thank you, Elvis, for the career switch.
You really pumped it up afterwards.

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