Brooklyn Music Milestones – June 2011

June 6, 2011 by David K. Moseder

June 6. 1981: Neil Diamond’s America becomes the third top 10 single from his phenomenal album The Jazz Singer, which on this same date is enjoying its 28th week in the top 25.

June 18, 2005. Wes Jackson launches the first Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival. Among those taking the stage at The Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg are local favorites Medina Green, Ge-ology and Amir.

July 17, 1967: Arlo Guthrie’s performance of Alice’s Restaurant Massacree at the Newport Folk Festival gets the attention of Warner Bros. Records, which signs him to its Reprise label. The Coney Island native’s first album, Alice’s Restaurant, debuts two months later.

July 22, 1968: Brooklyn-born Al Kooper, late of Blood, Sweat & Tears, releases Super Session featuring Mike Bloomfield (Electric Flag) and Stephen Stills (Buffalo Springfield). Although he jams separately with the two guitarists, the album is widely credited with ushering in the “super group” era, with the likes of Blind Faith and Crosby, Stills & Nash soon to follow.

Aug. 15, 1965: WABC radio DJ “Cousin” Bruce Morrow, a native of Sheepshead Bay, draws the honor of introducing the Beatles at their historic Shea Stadium concert.

Aug. 15, 2008: Grizzly Bear gets a huge boost when, at a concert in Toronto, Radiohead lead guitarist Jonny Greenwood steps forward to thank “my favorite band in the world” for touring with them. The following August, after a Grizzly Bear show at the Williamsburg Waterfront, audience member Jay-Z calls them “incredible” and “inspiring.”

Aug. 19, 1972: Brooklyn Tech alumnus Harry Chapin’s performance ofTaxi is one of the musical highlights as the pilot for The Midnight Specialairs on NBC. Two other Brooklyn natives are heard throughout the series’ eight year run: announcer Wolfman Jack and a prerecorded Johnny Rivers singing the title song.

Artists on our Radar

Janet LaBelle Takes the Spotlight: Blending Vintage Vibes with Modern Magic

Janet Labelle With Guitar In Hand / photo by John Nyboer

Dynamic Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Janet LaBelle continues to push her creative boundaries. Known for her unique ability to fuse analog warmth with modern production, LaBelle has been praised by Jersey Beat for her “sweet voice and sharp, thoughtful songwriting,” and her newest projects are no exception. Her music defies easy categorization, effortlessly blending elements of folk, classic rock, and pop into a sound that feels both fresh and timeless. LaBelle recently released her single “Day in the Sun” on September 13 via her own Wild Violet Records, and it has already been captivating audiences with its sunny melodies and deeply personal narrative. The song, inspired by a meaningful hike with a friend in 2023, showcases her talent for finding beauty in simplicity, a theme that resonates through much of her work. The inclusion of horns marks an exciting creative evolution, adding a new layer of depth to her already richly textured sound. Throughout her career, LaBelle has explored a wide range of musical styles. She first made waves as a teenager in the punk-pop band Avery, and since then, her solo work has spanned genres like classic rock, folk, pop, and even French chanson. Her previous EPs, including Moon Songs (2010) and Blossom & Blue (2011), demonstrate her eclectic tastes, with influences ranging from surf rock to vintage country. Working with respected producers such as Evan Taylor (Bernie Worrell) and Tony Maimone (Pere Ubu, They Might Be Giants), LaBelle continues to expand her sound, evolving with each new release. Fans can catch her live at upcoming performances, including a show at Our Wicked Lady on September 24th and at Sleepwalk on December 3rd. These live shows will give listeners a chance to hear both her new and classic material in an up-close setting. Her combination of memorable songs, captivating performances and a unique voice sets her apart as an artist who continues to rise, drawing listeners in with every new creation.

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