Johann Pachelbel, the Godfather of Pop Music, on This Day in History

This Day In History: German composer, Johann Pachelbel, was born on this day in 1653. JP is famously known for one song, Pachelbel's Canon (Canon in D). A Canon is a style of music categorized by imitation and repetition. First one instrument starts the melody and then after a time delay another instrument starts the melody. Think of the nursery rhymes like 'Three Blind Mice' or 'Frere Jacques', sung in the round.

Listen to a Rubber Chicken perform Pachelbel's Canon

Since the 1960's this song has made it's way into pop culture starting with a few European bands in the 60's using the music for their own songs (Aphrodite's Child; Pop-Tops). In 2002, pop music producer Pete Waterman described the Canon as "almost the godfather of pop music because we've all used that in our own ways for the past 30 years". He also said that Kylie Minogue's 1988 UK number one hit single "I Should Be So Lucky", which Waterman co-wrote and co-produced, was inspired by Canon in D. The Farm's 1990 single "All Together Now" has its chord sequence lifted directly from Pachelbel's Canon.

That's not all. It is used in "'Cryin' by Aerosmith, 'Tunnel of Love' by Dire Straits, as well as 'Let it Be' by the Beatles. Movie and TV series have also” been based on the Canon inspired or inspired by it, '13 going on 30,' and 'Runaway Bride' has also used the Canon. Commercials have also used the music like the Coca Cola TV ad for the World Cup in 2006, as well as a GE commercial in 1980’s." ~Duane Shinn

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The Pet Shop Boys' 1993 cover of "Go West" played up that song's resemblance to both Pachelbel's Canon and the Soviet Anthem. Coolio's 1997 "C U When U Get There" is built around a sample of the piece. Other songs that make use of the Pachelbel's Canon chord progression include "Streets of London" by Ralph McTell (1974), "Basket Case" by Green Day (1994), "Don't Look Back in Anger" by Oasis (1996) (though with a variation at the end) and Maroon 5 used the harmonic sequence of Pachelbel's Canon for their 2019 single "Memories".

In 2012, the UK–based Co-Operative Funeralcare compiled a list of the most popular, classical, contemporary and religious music across 30,000 funerals and Canon in D was the second most popular song at funerals. It was played at Princess Diana's funeral. Oddly enough, it is also a popular wedding song.

The Canon has gained a new found popularity among hard rock guitarists. Simply search "Canon Rock" on youtube.

In 1982, pianist George Winston included his "Variations on the Kanon by Johann Pachelbel" on his solo piano album December, which has sold over three million copies.

See also: The Science & Appreciation of Classical Music - 175 Books on DVDROM

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