The Motown Museum is starting the final phase of its $65 million expansion project in spring. New interior renderings were unveiled at a private event, showcasing a 40,000-square-foot structure behind Hitsville, U.S.A. Two key exhibits in this expansion were revealed: “The Motown Atmosphere,” an immersive experience featuring Motown artists, and “The Backstage Lounge,” an audio repository with Motown’s song catalog and interviews. Construction was delayed due to additional federal funding and environmental approvals. The museum has raised $59 million of its $65 million goal, with support from Motown alumni and donors from across the country. (Freep)
Notable:
Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band wowed a packed crowd at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids. The concert featured a 24-song set filled with classic rock hits. Ringo’s famous friends, including Colin Hay, Steve Lukather, and others, delivered strong performances. The show was a nostalgic journey through music history, with Ringo leading the way with his signature charm. The evening included sing-alongs and standing ovations for hits like “Yellow Submarine” and “Photograph.” The night ended with a touching tribute to John Lennon with “Give Peace a Chance.” (Local Spins)
Peter Frampton, John Sebastian and Starship’s Jeff Adams are among the inductees one week from tonight at the Memphis Music’s Hall of Fame Legacy Awards. The event will take place at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. (Pete’s FB Page)
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Today in History:
1915 – Detroit Tigers speedster Ty Cobb steals his 96th base of the season in 5-0 loss to Cleveland Indians; stands as MLB record until 1962 (Maury Wills, 104)
1932 – With new ownership, the Detroit Falcons officially change their name to Detroit Red Wings, and the Winged Wheel is introduced; previous names Cougars (1926-30), Falcons (1930-32)
1947 – Harry Truman makes the 1st Presidential address televised from the White House.
1951 – Jackie Gleason debuts the character of bus-driver Ralph Kramden on the 1st “The Honeymooners” skit (Cavalcade of Stars)
1958 – Cliff Richard and The Shadows played their first gig together at the Victoria Hall in England.
1959 – Bobby Darin’s “Mack The Knife” topped the Billboard Hot 100.
1961 – Neil Sedaka recorded “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen.” The Marcels released “Heartaches” as a follow-up to their hit “Blue Moon.”
1961 – “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” film, based on the novella by Truman Capote, directed by Blake Edwards, and starring Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, and Buddy Ebsen, premieres
1962 – The Beatles released their first single, “Love Me Do,” in the UK. EMI will re-release it in 1982 where it has a second chart run, peaking at Number 4.
1962 – “Dr. No”, 1st James Bond film based on the novel by Ian Fleming and starring Sean Connery and Ursula Andress, premieres in London
1965 – The Beatles received Russian-made acoustic guitars as a gesture of goodwill.
1967 – The Association’s “Never My Love” peaks at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
1969 – The TV sketch comedy series “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” premieres on BBC1
1970 – Atlantic Records released “Led Zeppelin III,” which became a chart-topper. Olivia Newton-John had her first chart-topping album with “If You Love Me, Let Me Know.”
1973 – Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” his 7th studio album is released.
1974 – The Guess Who’s “Clap For The Wolfman” peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Beach Boys’ “Endless Summer” album went to number 1, cementing the group’s dominance as a nostalgia band.
1975 – Harry Chapin’s “Cats in the Cradle” was released.
1976 – Hall And Oates’ album “Abandoned Luncheonette” was certified Gold. “She’s Gone” is the hit single from the LP.
1979 – The Who’s “The Kids Are Alright” was awarded Platinum status by the R.I.A.A.
1985 – Roger Daltrey announces The Who’s reunion and a Las Vegas performance.
Today’s Birthdays:
1902 – Ray Kroc – Fast food entrepreneur (McDonald’s) and owner of baseball’s San Diego Padres, born in Oak Park, Illinois (d. 1984)
1907 – Mrs. Miller [Elva Ruby Connes], American singer (A Lover’s Concerto), born in Joplin, Missouri (d. 1997)
1919 – Allen Ludden [Ellsworth], American TV personality and gameshow host (Password), husband of Betty White, born in Mineral Point, Wisconsin (d. 1981)
1919 – Donald Pleasence, British actor (You Only Live Twice, Escape from New York, Halloween), born in Worksop, England (d. 1995)
1924 – Bill Dana – Jose Jimenez (“The Astronaut”) (d. 2017)
1938 – Carlo Mastrangelo – vocalist for Dion And The Belmonts (“A Teenager In Love”) (d. 2016)
1941 – Wally Lester of The Skyliners (“Since I Don’t Have You”) (d. 2007)
1942 – Richard Street of The Temptations (“My Girl”) (d. 2013)
1943 – Steve Miller (age 80) (“The Joker”)
1945 – Brian Connolly – vocalist for Sweet (“Ballroon Blitz”) (d. 1997)
1947 – Brian Johnson (age 78)- vocalist for AC/DC (“You Shook Me All Night Long”)
1949 – B.W. Stevenson (“My Maria”)(d. 1988)
1950 – “Fast” Eddie Clarke – guitarist for Motorhead (“Ace Of Spades”)(d. 2018)
1951 – Bob Geldof (age 74) – vocalist for The Boomtown Rats (“I Don’t Like Mondays”)
1951 – Karen Allen (age 72), Actress (Cruising, Starman, Wanderers), born in Carrollton, Illinois
1958 – Neil deGrasse Tyson (Age 65), Astrophysicist, TV presenter and writer, born in New York City
1967 – Guy Pearce (age 56), British-Australian Emmy Award-winning actor (LA Confidential), born in Ely, Cambridgeshire, England
1975 – Kate Winslet (age 48), British actress (Titanic, Revolutionary Road), born in Reading, Berkshire, England
