Brooklyn Music Milestones – January 2011

Dec. 7, 2008: In an article titled “Soul Reviver,” The New York Times Magazine chronicles the rise of Bushwick-based Daptone Records.

Dec. 21, 1974: Brooklyn Tech alumnus Harry Chapin tops the charts with “Cat’s in the Cradle.” Joining him in the top 20 that week are fellow Brooklynites Neil Sedaka (Laughter in the Rain), Barry Manilow (Mandy) and B.T. Express (Do It).

Dec. 23, 1956: Legendary deejay Alan Freed’s eight-night Rock ‘n’ Roll Christmas Show debuts at the Brooklyn Paramount. It becomes an annual event through 1960. Among the dozen artists on that first bill are New Utrecht High School alumni The Three Friends and Brooklyn singer/songwriter/producer Teddy Randazzo.

Dec. 24, 1979:  Brooklyn native Lou Reed plays the first of three Christmas shows at New York’s famed Bottom Line cabaret.

Dec. 31, 1974: With the aforementioned Mandy on its way to the top of the charts, Barry Manilow cements his reputation as a live performer, playing The Bottom Line’s first-ever New Year’s Eve show.

Jan. 19, 2009: Bed-Stuy’s own Jay-Z headlines an inauguration-eve concert at Washington D.C.’s Warner Theater, changing many of his lyrics to reference the president-elect.

Jan. 23, 1983: Guitarist John Flansburgh and accordionist/saxophone player John Linnell perform for the first time as They Might Be Giants.

Jan. 30, 1961: The prolific Brooklyn-born writing team of Carole King of Gerry Goffin scored their first Number One hit with Will You Love Me Tomorrow as performed by The Shirelles. One of the most-covered tunes in pop history, Rolling Stone ranked it Number 125 of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”