October 8, 2012 by Amy Gold
During the week of September 30, 2012, fans bade a sad farewell to R.B. Greaves and Big Jim Sullivan. Greaves is famous for his 1969 smash hit, "Take A Letter, Maria." Sullivan was an acclaimed session guitarist who can be heard on dozens of British chart hits from the 1960s and 1970s.
Also this week, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced the nominees for next year's inductees. Fans have until December 5 to cast their votes.
October 2, 2012: R.B. Greaves Passes Away
R&B singer R.B. Greaves died on September 27, 2012 at age 68 of prostate cancer. He is famous for his 1969 smash hit, "Take A Letter, Maria." This catchy song reached #2 on the Billboard charts and became a gold record, selling over a million copies. Greaves also had another Top 40 hit in 1970 with "Always Something There to Remind Me." He was born Ronald Bertram Aloysius Greaves on November 28, 1943, at an Air Force base in Georgetown (then British Guyana). He was a nephew of the late and great Sam Cooke.
Source: R. B. Greaves of ‘Take a Letter, Maria’ Fame, Dies at 68 - NYTimes.com
October 2, 2012: John Travolta And Olivia Newton-John Reunite To Record Holiday Album
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, who co-starred in the 1978 movie, "Grease," have come together again, this time, to record a new Christmas album. This album's tracks will include a duet, "I Think You Might Like It," plus other numbers in collaboration with with Barbra Streisand, James Taylor, and Kenny G. It will go on sale on November 13, 2012, and the proceeds will go to charity.
Source: John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John Reunite for 'This Christmas' Charity Album | Billboard
October 3, 2012: Country Stars Raise Funds To Restore Johnny Cash Boyhood Home
Johnny Cash came from humble beginnings in Dyess, AR. Daughter Rosanne Cash, Arkansas State University, and country stars Willie Nelson, Dierks Bentley, and the Civil Wars have come together to raise money to restore Cash's boyhood home in tribute to the late legendary country music singer. An initial fundraiser in 2011 raised $300,000, and the target date for restoring the Cash home as a tourist destination is in the fall of 2013.
Source: Country stars raising funds to restore Johnny Cash boyhood home | Reuters
October 3, 2012: ABBA Museum To Open In Sweden In 2013
A museum dedicated to the famed pop-rock group, ABBA, is slated to open in Stockholm in 2013. Former ABBA member Bjorn Ulvaeus is one of those involved in the museum's creation which will include ABBA memorabilia such as costumes worn on stage.
Source: ABBA museum to open in Swedish capital in 2013 | Reuters
October 4, 2012: ABBA's Agnetha Faltskog Prepares Comeback
Former ABBA member Agnetha Faltskog is preparing a comeback after 8 years when her last album, "My Colouring Book," was released in 2004. After ABBA split up in the early 1980s, Faltskog went on to pursue a solo career for several years and since then, has been recording off and on.
Source: ABBA's Agnetha Faltskog prepares comeback | Entertainment | The Seattle Times
October 4, 2012: Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Announces Nominees For 2013 Inductees
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced the nominees for next year's inductees. They are: The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Chic, Deep Purple, Heart, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Albert King, Kraftwerk, The Marvelettes, The Meters, Randy Newman, N.W.A, Procol Harum, Public Enemy, Rush, and Donna Summer.
Source: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Inductees
October 4, 2012: Fans Can Vote For 2013 Rock Hall Of Fame Inductees
Now that the nominees for next year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees have been announced, fans have until December 5, 2012, to cast their votes on who should be inducted. Their ballots for the top five bands and artists will be combined with those from a committee of music experts to decide which nominees will make the cut.
Source: Fans to vote for 2013 Rock Hall of Famers | Reuters
October 4, 2012: Book Of Rare Beatles Photos To Be Published
A new book, "LIFE With the Beatles," gives a new look at the Beatles through hundreds of never-before-seen and rare photos taken from 1964 to 1966 by the late Robert Whitaker. This book was put together by the editors of LIFE magazine and recently released by Time Home Entertainment Inc.
Source: Rare, intimate Beatles photos shared in new book - books - TODAY.com
October 4, 2012: Session Guitarist Big Jim Sullivan Passes Away
Acclaimed session guitarist Big Jim Sullivan died on October 2, 2012, at age 71 at his home in West Sussex, England. He had suffered from heart disease and diabetes. Sullivan was a highly sought-after session guitarist who played a wide range of styles that included blues, country, and hard rock. He can be heard on dozens of British chart hits from the 1960s and 1970s. He also toured with Tom Jones’s backup band. Sullivan is survived by his wife, Norma, his children, and his grandchildren.
October 5, 2012: Mike Love Says He Did Not Fire Brian Wilson From The Beach Boys
In this article, Mike Love clears up false rumors that he had fired Brian WIlson from the Beach Boys. Love states that he not only does not have the authority to do so (as he is not Wilson's employer), but wouldn't even if he could.
Source: Mike Love: 'I Did Not Fire Brian Wilson From the Beach Boys' | Music News | Rolling Stone
October 5, 2012: 50th Anniversary Single Of The Beatles' 'Love Me Do' To Be Released
It was 50 years ago that the Beatles' first single, "Love Me Do," was released. In commemoration of this momentous event, this song is being re-released as a limited edition 45 rpm single b/w "P.S. I Love You."
Source: Beatles To Release 50th Anniversary Single Of 'Love Me Do'
