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Happy Monday, music lovers!
Welcome to another edition of This Day in Music History, where we celebrate the records, musicians, and unforgettable moments that helped shape the soundtrack of our lives.
And boy, have we got a lineup today!
We’re talking Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Rush, Prince, David Bowie, Smokey Robinson, Billy Preston, and a whole lot more.
We’ve even got a little Brenda Lee Christmas music while the rest of us are still getting ready for Halloween!
GOOD GRIEF! CAN WE AT LEAST GET THE PUMPKINS OFF THE PORCH BEFORE WE START HANGING CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS?!
HAHAHA!
So grab your coffee, turn up the music, and let’s take another ride down memory lane.
1979 – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Release Damn the Torpedoes
Album: Damn the Torpedoes (1979)
Label: Backstreet Records / MCA
Producers: Jimmy Iovine and Tom Petty
On October 19, 1979, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released their third studio album, Damn the Torpedoes.
And buddy, what an album!
This wasn’t simply another good rock record. This was the album that helped turn Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers into one of America’s great rock bands.
But getting it released wasn’t exactly a walk in the park.
Petty had become involved in a bitter dispute over his recording contract after MCA acquired ABC Records. He fought for control of his career, even filing for bankruptcy protection during the dispute.
Eventually, an agreement was reached, and the album was released through Backstreet Records.
And what did Petty deliver?
One of the finest rock albums of 1979.
Let’s talk about that opening one-two punch.
“Refugee” comes charging out of the gate with Mike Campbell’s unmistakable guitar, Benmont Tench’s powerful organ, and Stan Lynch laying down one of those grooves that makes you want to grab a pair of drumsticks.
Then comes “Here Comes My Girl.”
Man, I LOVE this song!
Petty practically talks his way through the verses before the chorus opens up into something beautiful.
Two completely different approaches to songwriting, and both are absolute standouts.
And the album doesn’t stop there.
“Even the Losers,” “Don’t Do Me Like That,” and “Louisiana Rain” help make this a record worth playing from beginning to end.
I’ve always had tremendous respect for Stan Lynch’s drumming.
Listen to the way he drives “Refugee.” There’s power in that groove, but there’s also restraint. Nothing feels forced or out of place.
It reminds me of something my father taught me years ago.
“Just play time.”
And that’s exactly what Stan understood.
He knew how to make a song move without getting in its way.
When you listen to the Heartbreakers, you hear five musicians working together. Mike Campbell, Benmont Tench, Ron Blair, Stan Lynch, and Tom Petty each brought something special to the music.
And together, they created something even greater.
That’s the magic of a great band.
Damn the Torpedoes climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard album chart and became one of Petty’s defining recordings.
Tom Petty left us on October 2, 2017, and I still miss that man and his music.
But records like this remind us why he’ll never really be gone.
Rest in peace, Tom. And thank you for the music.
1993 – Rush Release Counterparts
Album: Counterparts (1993)
Label: Anthem / Atlantic
Producers: Peter Collins and Rush
October 19, 1993, brought us the fifteenth studio album from one of my all-time favorite bands.
RUSH!
Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart returned with Counterparts, an album that found the Canadian trio moving toward a heavier, more guitar-driven sound.
Now, don’t misunderstand me. I love the synthesizer-driven Rush albums, too.
In fact, Power Windows remains one of my favorites.
But Counterparts brought something different to the table.
The guitars were more prominent, the bass had plenty of punch, and Neil Peart’s drumming was as thoughtful and powerful as ever.
Just listen to “Animate.”
What a groove!
Then there’s “Stick It Out,” with its heavy guitar riff, and “Nobody’s Hero,” one of those songs that reminds us Neil Peart wasn’t simply an extraordinary drummer.
He was an extraordinary lyricist.
His words could make you stop and think.
And that’s something I’ve always appreciated about Rush.
They weren’t afraid to explore difficult subjects, question familiar ideas, or challenge their listeners.
The album also gave us the outstanding instrumental “Leave That Thing Alone.”
No lyrics needed, folks.
Just three incredible musicians doing what they did best.
There’s an interesting connection between Rush and the Heartbreakers on today’s calendar.
Stan Lynch and Neil Peart were two very different drummers, but both understood how much the right rhythm could bring to a song.
Stan had that unmistakable rock-and-roll groove, while Neil could build incredibly complex rhythms that still felt like they belonged.
And that’s what I appreciate about both of them.
It’s not about how many rhythms you can lay down or how technically difficult you can make the drums. It’s about the rhythm you choose and how well it fits the song.
Listen to Stan on “Refugee” and Neil on “Animate.”
Two different drummers. Two different approaches.
And two terrific examples of musicians who understood exactly what their songs needed.
Counterparts reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
Neil Peart passed away on January 7, 2020.
One of the greatest drummers and lyricists rock music has ever known.
Rest in peace, Professor. Your music still teaches us something every time we listen.
1979 – Prince Releases Prince
Album: Prince (1979)
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Producer: Prince
Also released on October 19, 1979, was the self-titled second album from a young musician who would become one of the most remarkable talents in popular music.
Prince Rogers Nelson.
He was only 21 years old.
And already, this guy was writing, producing, arranging, singing, and playing an astonishing number of instruments on his recordings.
Talk about talent!
The album featured “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” “Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?” and “I Feel for You.”
That last song would later become a major hit for Chaka Khan.
But let’s talk about “I Wanna Be Your Lover.”
That groove, those keyboards, that falsetto!
Prince had an incredible ability to combine funk, soul, rock, and pop without sounding like he was trying to copy anybody.
He was simply being Prince.
And as someone who appreciates a great keyboard arrangement, I have tremendous respect for musicians who understand how to make an instrument part of a song’s personality.
Which brings us to an interesting connection with another artist on today’s calendar.
Billy Preston.
Now, Billy and Prince were very different musicians, but both understood that keyboards could do more than sit quietly in the background.
They could DRIVE the music!
Prince would go on to create an extraordinary musical legacy before his passing on April 21, 2016.
But this 1979 album gave listeners an early glimpse of just how special he was.
Rest in peace, Prince. One of a kind.
1958 – Brenda Lee and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”
Song: “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” (1958)
Label: Decca Records
Producer: Owen Bradley
Songwriter: Johnny Marks
Well, folks, here we are in October.
Halloween is right around the corner.
We’ve got pumpkins, ghosts, witches, and skeletons decorating the neighborhood.
And apparently, nobody told Brenda Lee!
HAHAHA!
October 19 gives us a good excuse to revisit one of the most beloved Christmas records ever made, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
Brenda Lee recorded the song in Nashville in 1958, when she was just 13 years old.
THIRTEEN YEARS OLD!
Can you imagine?
While most kids her age were thinking about school and homework, Brenda was recording a song that would become a Christmas tradition for generations.
And what a collection of musicians!
Hank Garland and Harold Bradley on guitar, Floyd Cramer on piano, Bob Moore on bass, Buddy Harman on drums, and the unmistakable Boots Randolph on saxophone.
Buddy, that saxophone solo is CLASSIC!
And Buddy Harman’s drumming?
Beautifully played.
Nothing complicated. Just a wonderful groove that makes the whole record swing.
The Anita Kerr Singers added those lovely background vocals.
Producer Owen Bradley even helped create a Christmas atmosphere in the studio with decorations and a tree.
The record wasn’t an immediate smash hit.
But over the years, it became one of the most beloved holiday recordings in music history.
And in December 2023, an astonishing 65 years after it was recorded, Brenda Lee finally reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with the song.
How’s THAT for staying power?!
But seriously, folks…
CAN WE PLEASE GET THROUGH HALLOWEEN FIRST?!
I can already hear Honey telling me she’s putting up the Christmas tree.
And I’m still trying to figure out what happened to last year’s Halloween candy!
1967 – Smokey Robinson & the Miracles Release “I Second That Emotion”
Single: “I Second That Emotion” (1967)
Label: Tamla / Motown
Writers: Smokey Robinson and Al Cleveland
October 19, 1967, gave us another Motown classic.
“I Second That Emotion.”
And the story behind that title is almost as good as the record itself.
Smokey Robinson and fellow songwriter Al Cleveland were shopping when Cleveland accidentally said, “I second that emotion,” instead of the familiar expression, “I second that motion.”
The two recognized the possibilities immediately.
And a Motown classic was born.
That’s songwriting, folks!
Sometimes inspiration comes from the most unexpected places.
And when you’ve got a voice like Smokey Robinson’s, even a simple slip of the tongue can become musical gold.
1973 – David Bowie Releases Pin Ups
Album: Pin Ups (1973)
Label: RCA Records
Producers: David Bowie and Ken Scott
On October 19, 1973, David Bowie released Pin Ups, an album devoted to songs from the 1960s that had influenced him.
Rather than filling the record with original compositions, Bowie decided to revisit music from artists including the Who, Pink Floyd, the Kinks, and the Yardbirds.
Among the tracks were “Sorrow,” “See Emily Play,” “Friday on My Mind,” and “I Can’t Explain.”
And what a band!
Mick Ronson on guitar, Trevor Bolder on bass, and Aynsley Dunbar on drums.
Now THAT is a lineup!
I’ve always admired musicians who can take a familiar song and put their own personality into it.
And Bowie certainly knew how to do that.
Pin Ups reached No. 1 on the UK album chart.
Another interesting chapter in the career of an artist who never seemed content to stand still.
David Bowie passed away on January 10, 2016.
Rest in peace, David.
1974 – Billy Preston and Bachman-Turner Overdrive Rule the Charts
Billy Preston – “Nothing from Nothing”
Song: “Nothing from Nothing” (1974)
Album: The Kids & Me
Label: A&M Records
In October 1974, Billy Preston was enjoying the success of his No. 1 hit “Nothing from Nothing.”
Now, you folks know how much I love Billy Preston.
The man could PLAY!
Piano, organ, electric keyboards… it didn’t matter.
Put Billy behind an instrument, and something wonderful was going to happen.
Often called the Fifth Beatle because of his important contributions to the Beatles’ later recordings, Billy had an extraordinary career of his own.
And “Nothing from Nothing” is one of those records that just makes you smile.
It’s upbeat, playful, and driven by that wonderful keyboard work.
Billy Preston passed away on June 6, 2006.
Rest in peace, Billy. You made those keyboards sing!
Bachman-Turner Overdrive – Not Fragile
Album: Not Fragile (1974)
Label: Mercury Records
Producer: Randy Bachman
Meanwhile, on October 19, 1974, Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s Not Fragile sat at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart.
BTO!
Now we’re talking some good old-fashioned rock and roll!
The album featured “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” and “Roll On Down the Highway.”
Heavy guitar riffs, driving rhythms, and songs made for turning up the volume.
No unnecessary complications.
Just a band that knew how to ROCK!
And here’s a fun fact.
Randy Bachman originally recorded “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” with a stutter in the vocal as a joke for his brother.
He wasn’t even planning to make it a major single.
But sometimes the songs you least expect become the biggest hits.
And that’s exactly what happened.
1985 – a-ha Take “Take On Me” to No. 1
Song: “Take On Me” (1985)
Album: Hunting High and Low
Label: Warner Bros. Records
On October 19, 1985, Norwegian trio a-ha reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Take On Me.”
What a song!
That keyboard hook is instantly recognizable.
And who could forget the music video?
The combination of live action and pencil-sketch animation helped make it one of the most memorable videos of the MTV era.
But let’s give the music some credit, too.
That melody, the arrangement, and Morten Harket’s remarkable vocal range all helped make this a defining record of the 1980s.
Sometimes a great pop song is simply a great pop song.
And this one still sounds terrific.
October 19 – Musical Birthdays
Today we’re celebrating several musicians who helped make the world a little more musical.
- Peter Tosh (1944–1987): Reggae pioneer, solo artist, and original member of the Wailers. A major figure in the development of reggae music.
- Patrick Simmons (born 1948): Guitarist, singer, songwriter, and longtime member of the Doobie Brothers. His contributions include the classic “Black Water.”
- Karl Wallinger (1957–2024): Founder of World Party and former member of the Waterboys. A gifted songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
- Dan Woodgate (born 1960): Drummer for the British band Madness, known for hits including “Our House.”
- Jennifer Holliday (born 1960): Grammy-winning singer and Broadway star, forever associated with her powerhouse performance of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.”
Happy birthday to all those celebrating today, and fond memories of those no longer with us.
Remembering Those We Lost – October 19
Glen Buxton (1947–1997)
On October 19, 1997, the rock world lost Glen Buxton, original lead guitarist of the Alice Cooper band.
Buxton helped shape the group’s early hard-rock sound on albums including Love It to Death, Killer, School’s Out, and Billion Dollar Babies.
His guitar work was an important part of what made those original Alice Cooper recordings so memorable.
He was just 49 years old.
Rest in peace, Glen. Your music still rocks.
Don Cherry (1936–1995)
Jazz trumpeter Don Cherry passed away on October 19, 1995, at age 58.
An adventurous and innovative musician, Cherry was especially known for his work with Ornette Coleman and his exploration of musical traditions from around the world.
Jazz has always been about expression, creativity, and musicians finding their own voices.
Don Cherry certainly did that.
Rest in peace, Don.
Spencer Davis (1939–2020)
On October 19, 2020, we lost Spencer Davis, founder of the Spencer Davis Group.
The band’s classic recordings included “Gimme Some Lovin’” and “I’m a Man,” featuring the remarkable young Steve Winwood.
What a sound!
Those songs helped define British rhythm and blues in the 1960s and remain essential listening today.
Spencer was 81.
Rest in peace, Spencer. Thanks for the music.
A Little October 19 Fun – National Days
Now, before we get too serious, let’s talk about a couple of today’s unusual celebrations.
National Seafood Bisque Day
Oh, wonderful.
Seafood bisque.
Folks, I don’t like seafood.
Never have.
And I’m not about to start now!
I can just picture Honey walking out of the WTSG-DB Diner kitchen carrying a steaming bowl of seafood bisque.
She sets it down in front of me, smiles, and says, “Here you go, sweetheart!”
And I’m looking into that bowl thinking…
“HONEY! I THINK THERE’S SOMETHING IN MY SOUP THAT’S STILL LOOKING AT ME!”
ROFLMAO!
Sorry, seafood lovers. You can have my serving!
Dress Like a Dork Day
Well, here’s another fine holiday!
Apparently, October 19 is also Dress Like a Dork Day.
Now, I’m not exactly sure who came up with this celebration, but I’m pretty sure Honey has been waiting for it all year.
I can already hear her.
“Sweetheart, you don’t have to change a thing!”
HEY!
WHAT’S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!
HAHAHAHA!
Folks, sometimes you’ve just gotta laugh at yourself.
And if you can’t do that, don’t worry.
Your spouse will probably be happy to help!
Final Spin – A Little Patience in Your Pocket
You know, folks, October 19 is also Evaluate Your Life Day.
And I’ve got a little advice.
If you’re going around being an a-hole, treating people like crap, driving down the highway like you’re auditioning for NASCAR, and generally making everybody around you miserable…
You don’t just need to evaluate your life. YOU NEED TO RE-EVALUATE THE WHOLE DAMN THING!
HAHAHA!
But seriously, folks.
When you take a good look at your life, don’t just think about what you’ve accomplished, what you own, or where you’re headed.
Think about how you’ve treated the people who’ve shared the journey with you.
Have you shown kindness? Have you been patient? Have you taken the time to consider somebody else’s feelings?
There’s a wonderful song by blues musician Eric Bibb called “Pockets.”
I love the thought behind that song. Having a pocket in your heart for somebody else’s love.
What a beautiful way to look at life.
Because sometimes becoming a better person isn’t about making some grand change. It’s simply about remembering that other people’s feelings matter just as much as your own.
And here’s something worth remembering.
The way you treat other people says a whole lot more about you than it does about them.
So evaluate your life, folks. And if you find something that needs fixing, there’s no better time than today to start.
Keep a little patience in your pocket, a little kindness in your heart, and always leave room for somebody else’s love.
Until next time, take care of yourself, help others when you can, and always keep the music playing.
We’ll see ya down the road!
Listen to Today’s Broadcast/Podcast
References & Further Reading
- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Damn the Torpedoes (MusicBrainz)
- Rush – Counterparts (Official Rush Website)
- Brenda Lee – “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” (GRAMMY)
- Brenda Lee’s Christmas Classic (PBS American Masters)
- Smokey Robinson & the Miracles – “I Second That Emotion” (uDiscover Music)
- David Bowie – Pin Ups (Official Website)
- Bachman-Turner Overdrive – Not Fragile (Number 1 Albums)
- a-ha – “Take On Me” Reaches No. 1 (History)
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