May 26, 2013 by Amy Gold
During the week of May 19, 2013, the world mourned the passing of singer-songwriter Alan O'Day, Doors founding member Ray Manzarek, bassist Trevor Bolder, and Edith Piaf songwriter Georges Moustaki.
Also this week, it was announced that Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen will be releasing his first album. Featured artists on that album will include Joe Walsh, members of Heart, and Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders.
Ray Davies, Elton John, and Elvis Costello will be giving a show this July at London's Hyde Park. A movie about Bruce Springsteen, entitled "Springsteen & I," is scheduled to debut on July 22, 2013 in theaters around the world. Also, Aretha Franklin had to cancel two June shows for a medical treatment. These shows will be rescheduled.
An exhibit of 50 years worth of Rolling Stones memorabilia just opened at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland. Also, a rare Beatles guitar played by both George Harrison and John Lennon sold at auction for a whopping $408,000.
Finally, Carole King was honored with this year's Gershwin Prize for Popular Song at the White House on May 22, 2013. The award ceremonies will be televised May 28 on PBS.
May 19, 2013: Famed Singer-Songwriter Alan O'Day Passes Away
Famed singer-songwriter Alan O'Day died at his home in Westwood, CA on May 17, 2013 at age 72 after battling brain cancer. He topped the charts in 1977 with "Undercover Angel" and also had a minor hit that same year with "Started Out Dancing, Ended Up Making Love." O'Day had a long career as a songwriter and penned a number of hit songs that included Cher's "Train of Thought," the Righteous Brothers' "Rock and Roll Heaven," and Helen Reddy's chart-topping "Angel Baby." Throughout the 1980s, he co-wrote with Janis Liebhart many songs for the "Muppet Babies" cartoon series. During the 1990s, he wrote and performed music for the National Geographic series, "Really Wild Animals." Alan O'Day is survived by his wife Yuka.
Source: Undercover Angel' Singer Alan O'Day Dies at 72 - The Hollywood Reporter
May 20, 2013: Beatles Guitar Sells For $408,000
An electric guitar played by both George Harrison and John Lennon sold for a whopping $408,000 at New York's Julien's Auctions on May 18, 2013. This rare custom-made instrument was given by Lennon to his friend Alex Mardas in 1967.
Source: Beatles Guitar Sells to the Tune of $408,000 | Billboard
May 20, 2013: Doors Founding Member Ray Manzarek Passes Away
Doors founding member and keyboardist Ray Manzarek died at age 74 on May 20, 2013 in Rosenheim, Germany after battling bile duct cancer. In 1965, Manzarek and Jim Morrison co-founded the Doors which became one of the top bands of the 1960s. The Doors' long string of classic hits included "Light My Fire," "Hello, I Love You," "The End," "L.A. Woman," and "Break On Through to the Other Side." Manzarek is famous for his Baroque-influenced organ accompaniments which were a large part of this band's signature sound. After Morrison's death in 1971, the Doors continued for another two years before disbanding in 1973. From 1974-1983, Manzarek recorded three solo albums and in 1975, he formed the band, Nite City, which released two albums in the late 1970s. In 2002, he resumed his touring career with ex-Doors' guitarist Robby Krieger. Manzarek is survived by his wife Dorothy, two brothers, a son, and three grandchildren.
Source: Ray Manzarek, Founding Member of The Doors, Passes Away at 74 | The Doors
May 22, 2013: Aretha Franklin Cancels June Shows
Aretha Franklin will be cancelling two shows originally scheduled for this June because of a medical treatment. These two shows will be rescheduled, and she is expected to resume touring this July.
Source: News from The Associated Press
May 22, 2013: Carole King Receives Gershwin Prize for Popular Song
Carole King was honored with this year's Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The award ceremonies took place on May 22, 2013 at the White House. This event will be televised on PBS May 28, 2013.
Source: News from The Associated Press
May 22, 2013: Famed Bassist Trevor Bolder Passes Away
Famed bassist Trevor Bolder died on May 21, 2013 at age 62 after battling pancreatic cancer. In 1971, this British-born musician joined David Bowie's backing band (which came to be known as the Spiders From Mars), and played on the albums, "Hunky Dory," "Ziggy Stardust," "Aladdin Sane," and "Pin Ups." In 1976, Bolder joined Uriah Heep and played on four albums, then joined Wishbone Ash in 1981. He rejoined Uriah Heep in 1983 and stayed with this band through early 2013. Besides playing bass and providing backup vocals, he also produced "Different World" and other Uriah Heep albums.
Source: Trevor Bolder Dead at 61; David Bowie's Bassist | Music News | Rolling Stone
May 23, 2013: Famed Singer-Songwriter Georges Moustaki Passes Away
Famed singer-songwriter Georges Moustaki died in Nice, France on May 23, 2013 at age 79 after a lengthy illness. Moustaki is famous for his work with France's legendary Edith Piaf, for whom he wrote many songs. His best known songs include "Milord" (co-written with Marguerite Monnot), which topped the charts in 1960 for Edith Piaf in Germany and peaked at #24 in the U.K. In 1961, this song also became a minor hit in the U.S. for Edith Piaf, Theresa Brewer, and Bobby Darin. Over the years, Moustaki penned some 300 songs which have been performed by many other artists, including Yves Montand, Dalida, France Gall, and Francoise Hardy. He also performed many of his own compositions and topped the French charts in 1969 with "Le Meteque."
Source: BBC News - Georges Moustaki, composer of Edith Piaf hit song, dies
May 23, 2013: Rolling Stones Exhibit To Open At The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
An exhibit that covers a half century of Rolling Stones memorabilia, entitled "Rolling Stones: 50 Years of Satisfaction," opens on May 24, 2013 at Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. This extensive exhibit, which will run through March, 2014, is housed on two floors in the museum. Some 300 items are on display, including documents, letters, concert posters, guitars, stage outfits, and various personal items.
Source: Rolling Stones exhibit opening in Cleveland
May 23, 2013: Bruce Springsteen Film To Debut This July
A film about Bruce Springsteen, entitled "Springsteen & I," will debut on July 22, 2013 in theaters around the world. This movie is made up of mostly fan-contributed film clips about Springsteen that include his music and performances, plus commentaries and reflections on the effects of his music on the world. Tickets go on sale June 4, and other details regarding this event will be announced on Facebook and Twitter.
Source: Bruce Springsteen Film to Debut July 22 | Billboard
May 23, 2013: Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen Releases Debut Album With Joe Walsh, Heart Members, And Others
In 1975, Paul Allen co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates, and this year, he will be making his musical debut with his first album, "Everywhere at Once," to be released August 6, 2013 on Legacy Recordings. Along with Allen's band, the Underthinkers, featured artists will include Joe Walsh, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, Ivan Neville (son of Aaron Neville), Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders, and a number of other famous bands and artists.
Source: Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen releasing major label debut album - latimes.com
May 23, 2013: Ray Davies, Elton John, Elvis Costello To Perform At Hyde Park This Summer
Ray Davies, Elton John, and Elvis Costello will be headlining the "Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time" festival on July 12, 2013 at London's Hyde Park. Tickets for this show are now on sale.
Source: Ray Davies, Elton John, Elvis Costello Confirmed For Hyde Park Show
