C.C.R. just can't seem to stop... -- First solo Beatle tour is...? -- Remembering a fantastic keyboard talent, R.I.P.

Clearwater
Creedence Clearwater Revival, April 1970; John Fogerty, far right. (Evening Standard/Getty Images)
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11/2/1969 (47 years ago today) - Who does this anymore?: On this date, Creedence Clearwater Revival release their third full-length album of the year(!), the classic "Willie And The Poor Boys" (which features "Down On The Corner", "Fortunate Son" and "The Midnight Special"). Their other two LP releases? "Bayou County" (with "Born On The Bayou" and "Proud Mary") had come out the first week of January, followed by "Green River" in August (along with the title track, other hits included "Bad Moon Rising", "Lodi" and "Wrote A Song For Everyone"). All these classic recordings all in the same year, plus they were on tour! That's one step past stamina, kids...

11/2/1974 (42 years ago today) - George Harrison becomes the first Beatle to officially embark on a solo 30 date world tour; tonight's first stop is Vancouver, Canada. Things do not go well -- his latest album, "Dark Horse", has been roundly slammed by critics and is performing rather poorly sales-wise, plus opening act Ravi Shankar's instrumental sets of sitar histrionics are way, way, way too far out for the ex-Beatle fans audience who have to come to hear "the hits". These will be George's last set of live performances for many years to come...

11/2/1944 - Born on this date, keyboard-wiz-extraordinaire Keith Emerson, first with legendary prog-rock cult faves The Nice, then achieving bona-fide superstar rock status in the Seventies with Emerson, Lake & Palmer. (The cat could play!, and he was often called "The Jimi Hendrix of The Piano"; check out his grand piano instrumental work-outs on any of the first four E.L.P. albums -- his talent was ferociously huge.) Keith really was one of those rare "musician's musician" types. At age 71, tragically committed suicide by a single gun shot to his head after years of struggling to be able to perform up to the standards he was used to. A truly sad ending to a remarkable career...

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"I'm a blue moon/Since I picked up my first spoon...", xoxo!

 

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