December 11 in Music History

This is one day late, but due to a root canal I wasn't able to get this up until today. December 11 is my birthday and I was curious to find out what exactly happened on that day in history. So I went and checked it out. Here are some of the musical highlights:

1803 - Hector Berlioz bornRomantic Composer and habitual opium addict, most famous for his "Symphonie Fantastique", where each movement is designed to evoke the different stages of the opium experience. A sublimation of his own unrequited love for actress Harriet Smithson, Berlioz's masterpiece is about a tormented artist who takes an overdose of opium. Instead of killing him, the opium induces astonishing dream imagery.

1944 - Brenda Lee bornThe singer who soared to international stardom as a teenager while still living in a trailer park. Only 4'9" tall, Brenda Lee had a huge singing voice and, under the guidance of manager Dub Allbritten and producer Owen Bradley, wowed audiences with chart-toppers such as "Sweet Nothings" and "I'm Sorry", which won her a Grammy nomination.

1944 - Booker T. Jones bornRenowned as the organist and leader of the unparalleled Stax house band Booker T. & the MG's, Jones has remained active as a solo artist since the breakup of the legendary quartet. Jones was the first to leave the group in 1968, relocating to Los Angeles and producing Bill Withers' 1971 gold record "Ain't No Sunshine." As Booker T., he managed a substantial seller of his own in 1981 with "I Want You" for A&M.

1954 - Jermaine Jackson bornOriginal member of The Jacksons, and Brother to Michael. Like Michael, Jermaine also began a successful solo career concurrent to his tenure in The Jackson 5, and had a hit with the 1972 Shep and the Limelites cover "Daddy's Home". When The Jackson 5 left Motown, Jermaine left the group and stayed at Motown, as he was married to Hazel Gordy, the daughter of Motown owner Berry Gordy.

1957 - Jerry Lee Lewis marries his cousinThe famous Rock n roller, and singer of "Great Balls Of Fire" did indeed have a turbulent personal life, which was mostly hidden from the public until a 1958 British tour. Reporters learned about the twenty-three year old star's third wife, Myra Gale Brown, who also happened to be his thirteen-year-old first cousin once removed. This was his third marriage, the second one having been performed before he was divorced from his first wife. The publicity caused an uproar and the tour was canceled after only three concerts. The scandal followed Lewis home to America, and as a result he almost vanished from the music scene.

1958 - Nikki Six bornBorn Frank Carlton Serafino Ferrana he was abandoned by his father at an early age, and raised by his mother, who was a singer in Frank Sinatra's band. By his teens, Ferrana became fed up with his troubled home life and resorted to crime. His first instrument was a stolen guitar, which was later exchanged for bass guitar, as he joined a series of bands. By 1981, he had changed his name and formed Mötley Crüe. After issuing their debut album on their own independent label, the Crüe was signed to Elektra. Mötley Crüe became one of the world's most popular hard rock/heavy metal bands and spawned countless imitators.

1964 - Same Cooke shot and killedHe has been called "the king of soul" by many, and while some may dispute this title, Sam Cooke's legacy is an extensive one and his impact on soul music is undeniable. He had 29 Top 40 hits in the U.S. between 1957 and 1965. He is therefore seen by many as "the creator" of the genre. Major hits like "You Send Me", "Chain Gang", "Wonderful World" and "Bring It on Home to Me" are some of his most popular songs. The official police record states that Cooke was shot to death by Bertha Franklin, the manager of the Hacienda Motel, where Cooke had checked in earlier that evening. But many people to this day believe that there is a conspiracy behind the death, and still no conclusive proof exists as to what really happened.

1973 - Mos Def bornNeé Dante Terrell Smith, he started his rap career as a member of the Native Tongue Posse collective and by guesting on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. He released a well-received album with Talib Kweli as Black Star, and was a major force in the late 1990s underground hip hop explosion spearheaded by Rawkus Records. His name comes from his frequent use of an abbreviated 'mos def' in place of the words "most definitely". Initially recognized for his musical output, Def's screen work since the early 2000s has established him as one of only a handful of rappers who have garnered critical approval for their acting work.