This Week In Music History

Happy November! And Happy Anniversary to radio! Today commemorates the first radio broadcast from KDKA Pittsburgh in 1920. Thus, making all of my early Friday mornings possible. The station is currently owned by CBS Radio and broadcasts a talk radio format, branded as “The Voice of Pittsburgh”.

Also on this day in 1963, The Beach Boys released “Be True To Your School”. The song appeared on Little Deuce Coupe as well as Endless Summer. The song features the fight song of the University of Wisconsin, “On Wisconsin”. It was most likely a tribute to Hawthorne High School, which the Wilson brothers as well as current Beach Boy Al Jardine attended. The school’s fight song used the same melody as “On Wisconsin”. The band recorded two versions of the song, one of which was featured on the album which was in a higher key and played at a slower tempo than the version in the single. The version on the single also features The Honeys chanting various cheerleader yells throughout the song. The track is also parodied by Twisted Sister in their version, “Be Crool To Your Scuel”.

Finally, today in 1974, for the first time in eight years George Harrison headed out on tour. His voice was unfortunately in bad shape after extensive rehearsals and recording sessions. The tour started in Vancouver and was his first solo venture after the break-up of The Beatles.

By Alex Parker

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