Posts From Jeff Tamarkin

Do You Know Joel Whitburn? He Turned a Passion for Records Into Chart Research

The acknowledged expert on the history of the music charts was also the owner of one of the largest collections of recorded music in the world.

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June 13, 2018: D.J. Fontana, Elvis Presley’s Drummer, Dead at 87

He played on nearly 500 of Elvis’ recordings, including such landmarks as “Hound Dog,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Jailhouse Rock” and “Heartbreak Hotel.”

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Remembering David Sanborn, Saxophonist Who Spanned Multiple Genres

He racked up numerous gold and platinum albums during his five-plus-decade career.

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The Troggs’ Garage-Rock Classic ‘Wild Thing’

From its bent, distorted, shocking opening note to the ocarina solo to Reg Presley’s distinctive snarling vocal, it was one of the cornerstones of garage-rock.

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Soupy Sales, The Hollies and… Jimi Hendrix?

If you were a kid in New York at Easter time in 1965, for a few bucks you could see a dozen rock ‘n’ roll acts and a top TV host. Now that’s a bargain!

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The Inspiration For Bob Dylan’s ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’

The consummate session musician not only played on several of Dylan’s greatest tunes but inspired one that defined its era

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Mar 25, 1967: The Who, Cream Make U.S. Debut on Same Bill

Amidst the many bands playing at a New York concert hosted by DJ Murray the K were two that were new to American audiences.

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March 20, 1971: Janis Joplin Hits #1 With ‘Bobby McGee’

When Janis heard Kris Kristofferson’s song she had to record it. A few days later she was dead, but it went on to become her only #1 single.

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Feb 8, 2021: Mary Wilson, Co-Founder of The Supremes, Dies

Along with Diana Ross and Florence Ballard, she was an original member of the best-selling group on the Motown roster, scoring a dozen #1 singles

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Dec 23, 2020: Leslie West, Hard Rock Guitar Hero—Obituary

When the history of heavy rock is traced today, it invariably points to him as one of the origin points—it was no accident that he called his band Mountain

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