Tommy’s Coffee Break Calendar for January 4th

Today you got a coupla classic recordings to get into, and an 'Alternative' Icon is celebrating a birthday...

1/4/1954 (65 years ago today) - Elvis Presley makes his second visit to the Sun Recording Studio in Memphis where he cuts two songs onto a 10-inch acetate, "Casual Love Affair" and "I'll Never Stand In Your Way". Suitably impressed with the young kids chops, studio boss Sam Phillips asks Elvis to leave his phone number. Here we go...

1/4/1967 (52 years ago today) - The Doors release their self-titled debut album; the first pressings of the LP-package include a bio of each band member -- Originally released in both stereo and mono mixes, the record is not only central to the progression of psychedelic rock, but goes on to become one of the most acclaimed albums in all of popular music. It has since sold over 20 million copies, been inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame, and three years ago was honored with inclusion in the National Recording Registry, based on its "cultural, artistic and historical significance". "Break On Through", "The Crystal Ship", "Back Door Man", "Soul Kitchen", "Light My Fire", "The End"...a thoroughly exhilarating experience that hasn't aged one tiny bit. Amazing, really.

1/4/1960 - Happy Birthday to R.E.M. front man, singer/songwriter Michael Stipe, who turns 59 years old today; he was was also in charge of the bands visual image, selecting their albums artwork and design, as well as directing many of R.E.M.'s music videos. Mike was a clever, obtuse and intelligent lyricist, yet these days it feels like the groups body of work is rather taken for granted. Lotta cool stuff in their catalog, might be time for an R.E.M. re-think...

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

"What if you rock around the clock?/Tick-tock, tick-tock...", xoxo!