AUGUST 8
IT’S BEEN CALLED THE FIRST ‘FOLK ROCK’ HIT BUT IT WASN’T BY BOB DYLAN OR THE BYRDS. ON THIS DAY IN 1964, THE ANIMALS RELEASED THEIR VERSION OF “HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN.” MANY FOLK VERSIONS HAD BEEN RECORDED INCLUDING ONE BY THE YOUNG BOB DYLAN BUT THE ANIMALS’ WAS LIKE NO OTHER. DEFYING EVERY CONVENTION OF EARLY SIXTIES POP MUSIC IT QUICKLY CLIMBED TO THE TOP OF THE CHARTS AND STAYED THEIR FOR THREE WEEKS. IT WAS RECORDED IN ONE TAKE.
THE BEATLES’ “REVOLVER” ALBUM WAS RELEASED IN AMERICA ON THIS DAY IN 1966. IT INCLUDED “TAXMAN,” “ELEANOR RIGBY,” AND “HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE.”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO U2 GUITARIST DAVE “THE EDGE” EVANS. HE TURNS 64 TODAY. COINCIDENTALLY, U2 HIT NUMBER 1 ON THE CHARTS ON THIS DAY IN 1987 WITH “I STILL HAVEN’T FOUND WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR.” (BORN 8 AUGUST 1961)