Today in Music History for April 18:
In 1839, violinist Frantz Jehin-Prume, the first musician of international reputation to choose Canada as his home, was born in Spa, Belgium. He made many successful concert tours of Europe and in 1863 was appointed "violinist of the king's own music" by Leopold I of Belgium. Jehin-Prume settled in Montreal in 1871 and along with his wife, singer Rosita del Vecchio, played an important role in the development of Montreal's musical life. In 1891, he formed Quebec's first professional chamber music society. He died in 1899.
In 1927, Canadian composer and pianist Marian Grudeff was born in Toronto. She and another Canadian, Ray Jessel, wrote songs for the musical "Baker Street," based on the story of Sherlock Holmes, which premiered in Boston in December 1964 and moved to New York two months later. "Baker Street" was called one of the best musicals of the '60s. She died Nov. 4, 2006.
In 1936, Gene Autry, the most successful of all the singing cowboys of the '30s and '40s, recorded "Back in the Saddle Again."
In 1952, Canadian composer, cellist and music teacher Leo Smith died in Toronto at the age of 70. He influenced many of Canada's future musical leaders through his teachings at the University of Toronto from 1927-50. Among his pupils were Louis Applebaum, John Beckwith and Margaret Sargent. Smith also wrote three widely used music texts, and was principal cellist with the Toronto Symphony for eight years. He made use of Quebec folk songs and West Coast aboriginal songs in his compositions.
In 1981, prog-rock band "Yes" broke up after the release of the album "Drama." Steve Howe and Geoff Downes went on to form "Asia." "Yes" has since reunited.
In 1985, "Wham's" "Make It Big" album became the first western pop album released in China.
In 1992, authorities in Hobart, Australia, allowed killer Richard Dickinson out of prison to see his idol, Bob Dylan, perform. Dickinson had trampled his mother to death in 1987 while Dylan's "One More Cup of Coffee for the Road" played in the background. He then sprinkled instant coffee over the body. His mother had complained the music was too loud.
In 1994, the New York Times gave a mixed review to Disney's Broadway debut, a stage adaptation of the hit animated film "Beauty and the Beast." Critic David Richards said the musical was "hardly a triumph of art, but it'll probably be a whale of a tourist attraction."
In 1996, musician and record producer Bernard Edwards, a leading creative force behind the disco music of the 1970s, was found dead in a hotel room in Tokyo. He was 43. Edwards and Nile Rodgers formed the group "Chic," which had No. 1 hits with "Le Freak" in 1978 and "Good Times" in 1979. They also produced albums for Diana Ross and Rod Stewart, and wrote and produced disco hits like "We Are Family" by "Sister Sledge."
In 1998, Oscar-winning film composer John Barry made his first concert appearance in 24 years, at London's Royal Albert Hall. He conducted the 87-piece English Chamber Orchestra in selections from his film scores, including "Dances With Wolves," "Midnight Cowboy" and the James Bond movies.
In 2001, bebop tenor saxophonist Billy Mitchell died at age 74. He was known for a deep sound that borrowed from Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins. Mitchell played in the bands of Woody Herman, Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie.
In 2010, at the Juno Awards, Vancouver crooner Michael Buble nabbed a leading four trophies overall, including Album of the Year ("Crazy Love"), Single of the Year ("Haven't Met You Yet") and the Juno Fan Choice Award. Among the other winners: Drake: Rap Recording ("So Far Gone") and New Artist; K'Naan - Songwriter, Artist of the Year; "Metric" - Group of the Year and Alternative Album; "Billy Talent" - Rock Album. Also, "April Wine" was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
In 2010, Carrie Underwood made history at the Academy of Country Music Awards, becoming the first woman to win Entertainer of the Year twice. She also won in 2009.
In 2010, also at the ACM's, trio "Lady Antebellum" won five of the seven categories they were nominated in, including Best Vocal Group, Song and Single Record of the Year for their crossover hit "Need You Now." Among the other winners: Miranda Lambert for Female Vocalist, Album of the Year ("Revolution") and Video ("White Liar"); "Brooks & Dunn" for Best Vocal Duo; Brad Paisley for Male Vocalist and Luke Bryan for New Artist.
In 2010, Devon Clifford, drummer for the Canadian dance-punk band "You Say Party! We Say Die!", passed away after suffering a massive brain hemorrhage onstage during a show in Vancouver on April 16.
In 2012, Dick Clark, the ever-youthful TV host and tireless entrepreneur who helped bring rock 'n' roll into the mainstream on "American Bandstand," and later produced and hosted a vast range of programming from game shows to an annual New Year's Eve countdown from Times Square, died of a massive heart attack. He was 82. He had continued performing even after he suffered a stroke in 2004 that affected his ability to speak and walk.
In 2012, the "Glee" cast added two more songs to Billboard's Hot 100 giving the Fox TV series a milestone 200 entries in less than three years. Only one of those songs though was an original recording ("Loser Like Me") with the others being updates of songs made popular by other artists. (When the show ended its run in March 2015 it had charted 207 songs.)
In 2013, Canadian prog-rock trio "Rush" was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with Randy Newman, the late "Queen of Disco" Donna Summer, rock group "Heart," rap pioneers "Public Enemy," producer extraordinaire Quincy Jones and bluesman Albert King.
In 2013, graphic designer Storm Thorgerson, the man who came up with the prism and the man on fire for Pink Floyd's album covers, died at the age of 69. He designed most of the Pink Floyd album covers, as well as covers for Led Zeppelin's "In Through the Out Door" and "Presence," Styx's "Pieces of Eight" and all three albums called "Peter Gabriel." He also made the "Owner of a Lonely Heart" video for Yes.
In 2015, former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist, the last of The Fab Four to enter for his individual work. Others inducted: punk rock trio Green Day, underground-icon Lou Reed, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, soul singer-songwriter Bill Withers, guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and The "5'' Royales.
In 2016, Rihanna's "Work," featuring Drake, posted a ninth week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (dated April 30), giving her 60 total weeks spent at No. 1 with her 14 chart toppers, passing The Beatles for second-most and trailing only Mariah Carey (79).
In 2016, Justin Bieber's "Love Yourself" spent a record 22nd consecutive week on the Billboard Hot 100 top-10 since it debuted at No. 4, breaking a tie with two prior singles from his album Purpose ("Sorry," "What Do You Mean?") as well as Maroon 5's "Sugar" and Nicki Minaj's "Starships." (It stayed on one more week before dropping out of the top-10 but returned for a 24th non-consecutive week. LeAnn Rimes' "How Do I Live" holds the record for most total weeks in the top-10 with 32.)
In 2016, a Kanye West fan sued the rapper and the streaming service Tidal claiming they duped users into subscriptions based on the promise of being the exclusive outlet for West's latest album, "The Life of Pablo," which was later released on Apple Music and Spotify.
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The Canadian Press