Today in Music History for Aug. 26:
In 1907, the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto opened with the musical revue "Top of the World." It was the world's first fully fireproof theatre and the first to be air-conditioned. The "Royal Alec," still operating today, developed into one of the world's leading playhouses. Among the greats who have performed there were Fred Astaire, Eddie Cantor and Al Jolson. The theatre was restored to its original glory in 1963 after being purchased by Toronto businessman Ed Mirvish. It was designated a National Historical Site in 1989.
In 1927, Canadian singer and TV star Juliette, whose full name is Juliette Augustina Sysak, was born in Winnipeg. Her "Juliette" show on CBC from 1956-66 was one of the country's most popular TV programs.
In 1946, Norma Jean Baker was signed to a contract with 20th Century Fox, who changed her name to Marilyn Monroe.
In 1948, singer-songwriter Valerie Simpson was born in New York City. She and her future husband, Nicholas Ashford, began writing songs together in 1964. They recorded several best selling albums, and the hit singles "So, So Satisfied,", "Is It Still Good to Ya?" and "Solid."
In 1968, Jeannie C. Riley was awarded a gold record for "Harper Valley PTA," only a month after the disc was released. "Harper Valley PTA" sold about six million copies, one million of them in sa国际传媒. The song also was the stepping stone to fame for its writer, Tom T. Hall, who became a top country performer.
In 1968, "Hey Jude," the first Beatles' record on their new Apple label, was released in Britain and North America. It reached No. 1 on both sides of the Atlantic, selling a total of six million copies by year's end. "Hey Jude" was the longest Beatles' single -- seven minutes and 11 seconds.
In 1970, guitarist Jimi Hendrix played his last concert, at the Isle of Wight pop festival off the English coast. Backed by bassist Billy Cox and drummer Mitch Mitchell, Hendrix is reported to have played a strange, rambling set. Three weeks later, on Sept. 18, Hendrix died in London. The coroner's report said he choked on vomit following barbituate intoxication.
In 1978, the sa国际传媒 Jam rock festival, put together by the promoters of the famous California Jams in 1974 and '78, was held at Mosport, Ont., northeast of Toronto. The 20,000 fans who attended caused massive traffic tieups on roads leading to the site. Organizers were forced to bring in such headliners as "The Commodores," Dave Mason, "Kansas," "The Village People," "The Ozark Mountain Daredevils" and "Triumph" by helicopter.
In 1980, bass guitarist Tom Petersson left the rock group "Cheap Trick." He formed a band with his wife as the singer. They recorded an album in 1982, but their record company, Epic, refused to release it. Petersson rejoined "Cheap Trick" in 1988.
In 1980, jazz tenor saxophonist Jimmy Forrest died in Grand Rapids, Mich., at age 60. Forrest was the composer of "Night Train," which just about every rock, jazz and R&B musician in the world has played at one time or another.
In 1983, on the first night of the Reading Pop Festival in England, the audience pelted punk rockers "Steel Pulse" and "Hanoi Rocks" with beer bottles full of urine. "Steel Pulse" left the stage immediately, but "Hanoi Rocks" stayed to taunt the audience into hurling more.
In 1983, Bob and Doug McKenzie's "Strange Brew" film opened in the U.S. and sa国际传媒, as did "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence," starring David Bowie and the Yellow Magic Orchestra's Ryiuichi Sakomoto.
In 1992, a sheet of paper bearing John Lennon's words to "A Day in the Life" sold for more than $87,000 at an auction in London. Words penned by Paul McCartney to "She's Leaving Home" went for $81,000.
In 1993, zydeco performer Rockin' Dopsie died of a heart attack in Opelousas, La. Dopsie, whose real name was Alton Rubin Sr., received a Grammy nomination for his 1991 album "Louisiana Music." He contributed the song "That Was Your Mother" to Paul Simon's "Graceland" album.
In 1994, Montreal bassist Melissa Auf der Maur played her first gig with Courtney Love's band "Hole" at the Reading Festival in Britain. Auf der Maur replaced Kristen Pfaff, who had died of a heroin overdose in June.
In 1995, Ronnie White, baritone singer and founding member of "The Miracles," died in Detroit of leukemia at age 57. "The Miracles'" biggest hit was "The Tears of a Clown," a No. 1 record in 1970.
In 1995, Michael Jackson's "You Are Not Alone" became the first single to debut at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100.
In 1997, Irish supergroup "U2" staged Northern Ireland's biggest-ever concert, performing before 40,000 people in Belfast. The show was part of the band's "PopMart" world tour.
In 2004, singer Laura Branigan, best known for her 1982 platinum hit "Gloria," died of a brain aneurysm in her sleep at her home in eastern Long Island, N.Y. She was 52. "Gloria" earned Branigan a Grammy nomination for best female pop vocalist, the first of four nominations in her career. In 2002, she starred as Janis Joplin in the off-Broadway musical "Love, Janis," which earned her rave reviews.
In 2009, Ellie Greenwich, who co-wrote some of pop music's most enduring songs, including "Chapel of Love," "Be My Baby" and "Leader of the Pack," died at age 68. Greenwich, a member of the Songwriter's Hall of Fame, also wrote "Baby I Love You," "Do Wah Diddy Diddy," "Look of Love" and co-wrote "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "River Deep, Mountain High."
In 2009, Reba McEntire's "Keep on Loving You" debuted at the top of the Billboard Country Albums chart, setting the record for most No. 1 country albums for a female artist with 11, breaking the tie with Loretta Lynn.
In 2013, former Disney star Miley Cyrus overshadowed all others at the MTV Video Music Awards with a sexually charged performance that featured the scantily dressed singer twerking, gyrating on Robin Thicke and sticking out her tongue.
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The Canadian Press