1950 – Suzi Quatro is born in Detroit. Her biggest hit is “Stumblin’ In,” a duet with Smokie’s lead singer Chris Norman that reaches No. 4 on Chart Toppers’s Hot 100 in 1979.
1950 – Suzi Quatro is born in Detroit. Her biggest hit is “Stumblin’ In,” a duet with Smokie’s lead singer Chris Norman that reaches No. 4 on Chart Toppers’s Hot 100 in 1979.
1958 – Madonna (Madonna Louise Ciccone) is born in Detroit. She is the top female pop artist of the 1980s with seven No. 1 hits, the biggest of which is “Like a Virgin,” a million selling record that tops Chart Toppers’s Hot 100 for six weeks. Madonna has reached her half century, but the queen […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
1966 – Death of Paul McCartney?: In 1969, using “clues” found in Beatles songs and album covers, a Detroit disc jockey and his radio audience determined that he died on this day in a car accident – They were wrong of course. This started the movement “Paul Is Dead”… and rumors spread suggesting that an […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Satirical or other references
Batman #222 (June 1970). Cover by Neal Adams.
Batman #222 (June 1970). Cover by Neal Adams.
* The June 1970 issue of the DC Comics title Batman, written by Frank Robbins, parodied the rumour with a story entitled “Dead…Till Proven Alive”, in which it is rumored that “Saul” from the band the Oliver Twists was deceased and replaced with a double. A twist ending revealed that an accident had killed every member of the Oliver Twists but Saul. The album that Robin is holding on the cover of the comic book mimics the back cover image on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
* WMCA radio released a pinback promotional button for their station that read “Paul Lives WMCA Swings”.
* The Rutles, a parody of The Beatles, included a couple of “Paul is dead” parodies.
* The 1972 National Lampoon Album, Radio Diner, featured a short track that, when played backwards, has a voice that sounds like Paul saying, “I’m Dead!”
* A 1983 Saturday Night Live sketch with Eddie Murphy claiming he was the original fifth Beatle spoofed the backward message..[10]
* The Simpsons television show has included many references to it.[11] When McCartney guest-starred on The Simpsons in “Lisa the Vegetarian”, he claimed there was a vegetarian hidden message in “Maybe I’m Amazed”. Over the closing credits the song played with a backmasked lentil soup recipe. At the end, he says “Oh, and by the way, I’m alive.” Also, on one of The Simpsons’ annual Treehouse of Horror Halloween episodes, McCartney’s name appears on a grave seen in the opening.
* John Safran’s Music Jamboree contains a segment about the conspiracy, followed by a mock George Harrison-is-dead conspiracy, following Harrison’s death in 2001.
* The Onion’s Our Dumb Century collection includes a fake headline from January 21, 1981, that reads, “Secret Album-Cover Clues Reveal John Lennon Is Dead.”
* In the film Sleepless in Seattle, Tom Hanks’s character, Sam Baldwin, comes home to find his son, Jonah, listening to an album and declaring “Dad, this is incredible. If you play it backward it says ‘Paul is dead.’”[12]
* In episode 819 of the series Mystery Science Theater 3000, a record player runs backward in a scene of the movie Invasion of the Neptune Men. Crow quips “Paul is a dead man! Miss him! Miss him!”.
* In October 1974, the National Lampoon Radio Hour aired a skit titled “Rip Van Ripple” which told the story of a reporter picking-up a hippie hitchhiker who had gotten wasted in 1966 and passed out for 8 years.
Hitchhiker: Hey, is Paul McCartney still dead?
Reporter: No, he’s alive again.
* The Star Trek Customizable Card Game Alternative Universe expansion set’s “Paul Rice” card reads “daed si luaP” (“Paul is Dead” backwards) next to the copyright information.
* A deleted scene in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story has Jack Black as Paul and he says “Of course I remember, I’m not dead, or am I?”
* In a 1987 edition of American Top 40, host Casey Kasem revisited the “Paul Is Dead” era as a related story to the Bananarama song “I Heard a Rumour”. The following year, Dick Clark featured a similar story on Rock, Roll and Remember.
* An extended version of the theme to the animated sitcom King Of The Hill features a few seconds of silence at the end, followed by Dale Gribble saying “Hank is a dead man. Miss him, miss him.”
* The Batman Adventures Annual 2 from 1995, written by Paul Dini, features Ra’s al Ghul saying an incantation in order to summon the demon Hahhk. Each phrase is a pop culture reference written backwards, among them “Luap Deirub I!” or “I Buried Paul!”
* Many bands have referenced the rumour in their music:
o SR-71 released a song called “Paul McCartney” on their debut album Now You See Inside which references that Paul is dead.
o The Union Underground wrote a song called “Turn Me On, Mr. Dead Man”, a reference to the “Revolution 9″ clue “Turn me on, dead man”.
o “You Turn Me On”, a song by Beat Happening, contains the lyrics “Turn me on, dead man,” repeated multiple times throughout the chorus.
o Game Theory released a song called “Turn Me On, Dead Man” on their album Lolita Nation.
o “December Is for Cynics” by the band The Matches contains the lyrics “But Snopes.com said if you play/’Strawberry Fields’ the wrong way/You can hear Lennon’s ghost say/’I buried Paul.’”
o Icelandic teenage-band Retro Stefson wrote a song “Paul is dead” referring to the rumours.
1973 – The city of Detroit declares today “Mary Wilson & the Supremes Day.”
1980 – Patti Smith marries former MC5 guitarist Fred “Sonic” Smith in Detroit.
1987 – Bob Seger tells an audience at Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena he’s on his last tour. The rocker returned to the road shortly afterward.
1992 – Axl Rose leaves town before a Chicago sheriff can arrest him for allegedly starting a riot at a St. Louis Guns N’ Roses show in the summer of 1991. GNR cancel their shows in Chicago and Detroit.
1994 – The historic Fillmore club reopens in San Francisco. The opening acts include Smashing Pumpkins, Ry Cooder & David Lindley and American Music Club. The Fillmore (also known as Fillmore Auditorium, or in error as Fillmore West) is a historic music venue in San Francisco, California made famous by Bill Graham. Named for its […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
1996 – Aretha Franklin’s “Christmas Extravaganza” concert at the Detroit church where her father was once pastor leaves hundreds of fans out in the cold – literally. The New Bethel Baptist Church sells 2,500 tickets, but the church’s benches and pews can only accommodate 1,500. The church issues refunds and apologies for the ticketing snafu.
1998 – Teen heart-throb group Hanson notches a sellout in less than 20 minutes in the Detroit market for a June 29 show at the Pine Knob Amphitheatre.
2012 – Donna Summer Passed away on This Day in Rock Music History! — 2012 – Donna Summer Passed away on This Day in Rock Music History! R.I.P. You will be missed ‘Hot Stuff’.
2010 – RIP- Ronnie James Dio (July 10, 1942 – May 16, 2010) was an American heavy metal vocalist and songwriter. He performed with Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath — 2010 – RIP- Ronnie James Dio (July 10, 1942 – May 16, 2010) was an American heavy metal vocalist and songwriter. He performed with Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & [...]
2008 – Madonna was at No.1 on the US album chart with her eleventh — 2008 – Madonna was at No.1 on the US album chart with her eleventh studio album ‘Hard Candy.’ The album reached number one in thirty-seven other countries.
2008 – Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty posted a two-minute clip of — 2008 – Amy Winehouse and Pete Doherty posted a two-minute clip of themselves playing with newborn mice on Youtube. The video showed Doherty and Winehouse in a bare room, making [...]
2005 – “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” singer Kylie Minogue announces… — 2005 – “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” singer Kylie Minogue announces she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She cancels her Australasian tour to receive treatment. [...]
2005 – Keith Urban and Gretchen Wilson are the big… — 2005 – Keith Urban and Gretchen Wilson are the big winners at the Academy of Country Music Awards, held at the Mandalay Bay Event Center in Las Vegas. Wilson was [...]
2004 – Singer Lisa Loeb (“Stay (I Missed You)”) tells AP… — 2004 – Singer Lisa Loeb (“Stay (I Missed You)”) tells AP Radio that she has split from her longtime partner, guitarist Dweezil Zappa…. Yeah, but Dweezil is kewler!
2004 – Rising rock revivalists Jet (“Are You Gonna Be My Girl?”)… — 2004 – Rising rock revivalists Jet (“Are You Gonna Be My Girl?”) are forced to cancel the remaining leg of their Australian tour “due to a serious family [...]
2003 – Brainy rockers Radiohead kick off an intimate club tour… — 2003 – Brainy rockers Radiohead kick off an intimate club tour to promote new album Hail to the Thief at Dublin’s Olympia.
2003 – Stone Temple Pilot singer Scott Weiland is arrested… — 2003 – Stone Temple Pilot singer Scott Weiland is arrested after police stop him for driving without lights shortly before midnight in L.A. Cocaine and heroin is found [...]
2001 – Top Jimmy, an influential, hard-rocking blu… — 2001 – Top Jimmy, an influential, hard-rocking bluesman on the L.A. club scene in the
2001 – Cast members of the Grand Ole Opry and memb… — 2001 – Cast members of the Grand Ole Opry and members of the Country Music Hall of Fame converge for the grand opening of the new Country Music Hall of [...]
2000 – They Might Be Giants begins offering its se… — 2000 – They Might Be Giants begins offering its second MP3-only release, the EP Working Undercover For The Man. Comprised of all new, previously unreleased studio recordings, the eight-song set [...]
1999 – Producer Bruce Fairbairn dies in Vancouver at age 49… — 1999 – Producer Bruce Fairbairn dies in Vancouver at age 49. He worked on albums by Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, and Krokus. Producer Bruce Fairbairn Dead At 49 Veteran producer [...]
1999 – Modern rock act No Doubt sues Carlsbad, Cal… — 1999 – Modern rock act No Doubt sues Carlsbad, Calif.-based clothing manufacturer No Fear, claiming that clothing items bearing the “No Doubt” name infringe on the group’s copyrighted service mark, [...]
1999 – Diane Warren has a big night at the 16th an… — 1999 – Diane Warren has a big night at the 16th annual American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers Pop Music Awards. She is named songwriter of the year for [...]
1996 – Blues guitarist Johnny “Guitar” Watson dies while touring Japan. — 1996 – Blues guitarist Johnny “Guitar” Watson dies while touring Japan. b. 3rd February 1935, Houston, Texas, U.S.A. d. 17th May 1996, Yokohama, Japan. Johnny Guitar Watson’s career went back [...]
1992 – A sore throat forces Phil Collins to abandon a Genesis… — 1992 – A sore throat forces Phil Collins to abandon a Genesis gig in Tampa, Fla., after only two songs.
1992 – Bandleader Lawrence Welk dies in Santa Moni… — 1992 – Bandleader Lawrence Welk dies in Santa Monica, Calif., of pneumonia at age 89. Known for his “champagne music” style, he hosted his own TV show, which ran on [...]
1990 – Nirvana played the last date of a North American tour at the Zoo — 1990 – Nirvana played the last date of a North American tour at the Zoo in Boise, Idaho. This was Chad Channing’s final gig with the band, drummer Dave Grohl [...]
1989 – At the Cannes Film Festival, Roger Daltrey announces… — 1989 – At the Cannes Film Festival, Roger Daltrey announces that he intends to pursue the study of Chinese medicine.
1989 – The first night of a 12-date UK tour for R.E.M. starting at — 1989 – The first night of a 12-date UK tour for R.E.M. starting at Leicester De Montfort Hall. (Promoting the new single ‘Orange Crush’).
1989 – Former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman’s first Sticky Fingers — 1989 – Former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman’s first Sticky Fingers restaurant opened in London.
1987 – A fire sweeps through Tom Petty’s Encino, Calif… — 1987 – A fire sweeps through Tom Petty’s Encino, Calif., mansion, causing a million dollars in damage.
1986 – Whitney Houston started a three week run at No.1 on the — 1986 – Whitney Houston started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Greatest Love Of All’, the singers third US No.1, a No.8 hit in [...]
1983 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Let’s Dance,”… — 1983 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Let’s Dance,” David Bowie.
1981 – Appearing at Bingley Hall, Stafford, England, Whitesnake — David Coverdale 1981 – Appearing at Bingley Hall, Stafford, England, Whitesnake on this day in rock history!
1980 – Drummer Peter Criss leaves Kiss to start a … — 1980 – Drummer Peter Criss leaves Kiss to start a solo career.
1980 – Drummer Peter Criss left Kiss and was replaced by Eric Carr — 1980 – Drummer Peter Criss left Kiss and was replaced by Eric Carr on this day in rock history!
1980 – Paul and Linda McCartney are the musical guests on… — 1980 – Paul and Linda McCartney are the musical guests on tonight’s edition of Saturday Night Live.
1978 – Thank God It’s Friday, starring Donna Summer, premieres in Los Angeles. — 1978 – Thank God It’s Friday, starring Donna Summer, premieres in Los Angeles.
1978 – Lou Reed begins a week-long stand at New York… — 1978 – Lou Reed begins a week-long stand at New York’s Bottom Line club. The concerts are taped for his live album Take No Prisoners.
1975 – Mick Jagger needs 20 stitches in his hand after… — 1975 – Mick Jagger needs 20 stitches in his hand after putting it through the window of a restaurant in Montauk, N.Y.
1975 – Elton John picks up a platinum disc for Captain Fantastic… — 1975 – Elton John picks up a platinum disc for Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. The album is the first to sell a million copies on [...]
1974 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “The Streak,” … — 1974 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “The Streak,” Ray Stevens.
1974 – ABC broadcasts the Elton John special Say Goodbye… — 1974 – ABC broadcasts the Elton John special Say Goodbye to Norma Jean and Other Things, during which the singer plays “Candle in the Wind” and “Rocket Man.”.
1974 – On The Midnight Special, Frankie Avalon plays host… — 1974 – On The Midnight Special, Frankie Avalon plays host to Sam & Dave, Fabian, and Shirley & Lee.
1970 – Jordan Knight of New Kids on the Block is b… — 1970 – Jordan Knight of New Kids on the Block is born. His older brother Jon is also a member of the pop group from Boston.
1969 – Chicago release their double debut album, Chicago… — 1969 – Chicago release their double debut album, Chicago Transit Authority. The real C.T.A. sued.
1968 – Wonderwall, a psychedelic film with soundtrack by George… — 1968 – Wonderwall, a psychedelic film with soundtrack by George Harrison, premieres at the Cannes Film Festival.
1967 – The Bob Dylan documentary Don’t Look Back debuts… — 1967 – The Bob Dylan documentary Don’t Look Back debuts at San Francisco’s Presidio Theatre.
1965 – Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor is born today in Mercer, Pa. — 1965 – Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor is born today in Mercer, Pa.
1963 – Joan Baez headlines the first Monterey Folk… — 1963 – Joan Baez headlines the first Monterey Folk Festival in California.
1963 – In England, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, and Little Richard… — 1963 – In England, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, and Little Richard appear on the same bill for the first time.
1963 – The Monterey Folk Festival opens with Bob Dylan… — 1963 – The Monterey Folk Festival opens with Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Peter, Paul & Mary, and Pete Seeger
1961 – New age vocalist Enya is born Eithne Ni Bhr… — 1961 – New age vocalist Enya is born Eithne Ni Bhraonain in the Gweedore region of County Donegal in the northwest of the Republic of Ireland.
1948 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Nature Boy,” … — 1948 – No. 1 Chart Toppers Pop Hit: “Nature Boy,” Nat King Cole.
1948 – Prog-rock drummer Bill Bruford is born in Sevenoaks, England… — 1948 – Prog-rock drummer Bill Bruford is born in Sevenoaks, England. He was a founding member of Yes and later joined King Crimson.
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