Tommy’s Coffee Break Calendar for December 12th

The Doors finale...Expensive Fab Four rarity...This guy was one of the best British vocalists ever...

12/12/1970 (49 years ago today) - Though not a surprise, still a little weird once you realize that nobody knew it at the time: Just four days after he turned 27, The Doors played what would be their last ever live show with Jim Morrison at The Warehouse in New Orleans...

12/12/1998 (21 years ago today) - A small piece of plastic makes history on this date: It's title? "In Spite Of All The Danger". What is it? A seven inch single by The Quarry Men featuring John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison, and it's now considered to be one of the rarest records of all time -- Only 50 copies were pressed, and currently they're estimated to be worth $20,500 each! Check your basements and attics...

12/12/1943 - He was, hands-down, one of The Top Five Lead Singers of The Mid-Sixties British Invasion: Born on this date, singer-songwriter-keyboardist Mike Smith, the primary front-man-vocalist for the tragically underrated Dave Clark Five -- The band's classic singles were indelibly marked by Mike's husky soulful phrasing and there are (easily) 20 to 30 non-hit album cuts that showcased his ability to sing anything, from Country & Western ("Satisfied With You") to big-band jazz-blues (their version of "Blueberry Hill" might be the best one), and he could scream and moan (in tune) just as good as McCartney or Ray Charles (the quasi-instrumental "All Night Long" will easily demolish a few of your brain cells) -- Sadly, Mike passed away at age 64 from complications after a fall at his home before he could enjoy the band's long overdue induction into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. One of the great voices, absolutely!!!

Share your vinyl fantasies with the Calendar here on our web site and on the WBLM Facebook and Twitter pages with the hashtag #TommysCoffeeBreak.

"Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa...", xoxo!