Rock Almanac: November 20, 2008

On This Date in 1973: After Keith Moon passes out at his drum kit during a San Francisco performance by the Who, Pete Townshend appeals to the audience for a drummer to take Moon's place onstage. Scot Halpin, a 19-year-old fan from Iowa, stands in to finish the set.

The Almanac Advises for November 20: "Nothing comes closer to the actual experience of playing alongside your favorite rockers than interactive video games such as Rock Band."

Posted by Gaylord Fields on Nov 20th 2008 8:00AM
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Rock Almanac: November 19, 2008

On This Date in 1966: 'You Keep Me Hanging On,' by the Supremes, captures the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart.

On This Date in 1983: Tom Evans of Badfinger hangs himself at his London home. Bandmate Pete Ham committed suicide by the same method eight years earlier.

The Almanac Advises for November 19: "One bit of advice for hanging pictures: Don't hang them in a straight line. Staggered hanging is much more effective."

Posted by Gaylord Fields on Nov 19th 2008 8:00AM
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Rock Almanac: November 18, 2008

On This Date in 1970: Jerry Lee Lewis and his wife (and cousin), Myra Gale Brown Lewis, are granted a divorce. Myra, 13 years old at the time of her wedding, had been married to her 12-years-older husband for half her life.

The Almanac Advises for November 18: "In some families, an older sibling or relative will take on the roles and responsibilities of a parent in the younger relation's eyes. This can especially be prevalent when there is an appreciable age difference between the family members."

Posted by Gaylord Fields on Nov 18th 2008 8:00AM
Filed under: Rock Almanac

Rock Almanac: November 17, 2008

On This Date in 1984: 'Purple Rain,' by Prince and the Revolution, reaches its peak position of No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart.

The Almanac Advises for November 17: "While air pollution can and does affect the acidity of precipitation, this toxic rain remains colorless and cannot be distinguished from nontoxic rain by sight."

Posted by Gaylord Fields on Nov 17th 2008 8:00AM
Filed under: Rock Almanac

Rock Almanac: November 16, 2008

On This Date in 1988: Stan Love, former Beach Boys manager and brother of frontman Mike Love, is sentenced to five years' probation for embezzling $300,000 from the band.

The Almanac Advises for November 16: "Sibling rivalry is a reality that every parent should be prepared to encounter. Be prepared to mediate when, for example, your child claims his brother's toys for his own."

Posted by Gaylord Fields on Nov 16th 2008 8:00AM
Filed under: Rock Almanac

Rock Almanac: November 15, 2008

On This Date in 1980: 'Whip It,' by Devo, reaches its peak position of No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart.

The Almanac Advises for November 15: "In recipes that call for whipped cream, instead of using a store-bought product from a spray can or plastic tub, make it yourself. Freshly whipped cream isn't hard to create and will greatly improve the overall flavor of your dessert."

Posted by Gaylord Fields on Nov 15th 2008 8:00AM
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Rock Almanac: November 14, 2008

On This Date in 1996: Michael Jackson marries Debbie Rowe, his dermatologist's nurse, in Sydney, Australia.

The Almanac Advises for November 14: "It's not uncommon for patients to mistake their genuine appreciation for their doctors, nurses and therapists for romantic attraction. Being a responsible caregiver means being able to handle such unwanted attention firmly yet sensitively in order not to alienate the patient."

Posted by Gaylord Fields on Nov 14th 2008 8:00AM
Filed under: Rock Almanac

Rock Almanac: November 13, 2008

On This Date in 1982: 'Tainted Love,' by Soft Cell, falls off the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart after a record-setting run of 43 weeks on the chart. Its peak position was No. 8.

The Almanac Advises for November 13: "When a love affair goes bad, it's common for the couple to stay together out of a sense of inertia. Though it's healthier to leave when you know you've stayed with someone too long, that's easier said than done."

Posted by Gaylord Fields on Nov 13th 2008 8:00AM
Filed under: Rock Almanac

Rock Almanac: November 12, 2008

On This Date in 1983: 'All Night Long,' by Lionel Richie, takes over the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart.

The Almanac Advises for November 12: "Insomnia is a sleep disorder that affects a majority of people at least some time in their lives. It is marked by an inability to fall asleep or remain asleep at night. It can be treated either with drugs or through behavior modification."

Posted by Gaylord Fields on Nov 12th 2008 8:00AM
Filed under: Rock Almanac

Rock Almanac: November 11, 2008

On This Date in 1968: 'Two Virgins,' an experimental album by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, is released. The LP is released in a brown paper bag, due to its controversial full-frontal-nude photo of the couple.

The Almanac Advises for November 11: "Many young couples have been enlisting in 'abstinence only' programs, in which they have sworn to remain celibate until marriage. The effectiveness of such programs is currently under debate."

Posted by Gaylord Fields on Nov 11th 2008 8:00AM
Filed under: Rock Almanac