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Post by BrettVW on Mar 19, 2015 22:06:18 GMT -5
Today (March 19) Bob Kingsley celebrates turning 76
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Post by 1finemrg on Mar 20, 2015 5:06:23 GMT -5
March 20: A happy springtime birthday to Jimmie Vaughan. Jimmie founded the Fabulous Thunderbirds in the mid 70s and the band released several albums of essential blues material. Although the music was critically acclaimed, poor sales caused Chrysalis to drop the act in the early 80s. The band continued touring and eventually signed with Epic. Their first album with the new label found the band turning toward a more commercial sound. The album was successful, and the title track "Tuff Enuff" became the band's only Top 40 hit, peaking at #10. Jimmie left the band in the late 80s to record with his brother Stevie Ray. They recorded one great album "Family Style", which was released shortly after Stevie Ray's death in a helicopter crash at Alpine Valley, WI. It was produced by Dave Edmunds and earned 2 Grammy awards. He's been solo ever since, most recently appearing with the Foo Fighters on "Austin City Limits". He earned 2 additional Grammys, one each in 1996 and 2001. From the "Family Style" album by Jimmie and Stevie Ray. Brothers - Vaughan Brothers
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Post by 1finemrg on Mar 21, 2015 6:36:02 GMT -5
March 21: ...Russell Thompkins Jr. Russell's beautiful high tenor and falsetto vocals, combined with the production work of Thom Bell launched a string of Top 10 hits for the Stylistics. In 1968, the Stylistics formed from the cream of two Philadelphia soul groups, the Percussions and the Monarchs. After a local hit "You're A Big Girl Now" on Sebring records, they were signed by Avco. The label turned over creative control to Thom Bell based on his production work with the Delfonics. Thom saw the potential of Russell's distinctive vocal abilities and built the group centered around his voice. They proceeded to chart 12 consecutive Top 10 R&B hits, including five that crossed over to the Top 10 on the Hot 100. Their highest peaking hit just missed the top. "You Make Me Feel Brand New" spent two weeks at #2. Bell stopped producing the group in 1974. The band would reach the top 40 one more time after his departure with "Let's Put It All Together" reaching #14. Oddly enough, the band ran off a string of eight Top 10 hits in the UK in 1975/1976 after Bell's departure. "I Can't Give You Anything (But My Love)" reached the top of the UK charts. Two different greatest hits compilations also topped the UK album charts. Russell continues to tour today as a member of the New Stylistics. The first time the Stylistics reached the Top 10 on the US Hot 100 was with this #9 ballad. You Are Everything - Stylistics
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Post by 1finemrg on Mar 22, 2015 5:16:45 GMT -5
March 22: ...ten time Grammy award winner, George Benson. He began recording at the age of ten with a one-off single as Little Georgie "She Makes Me Mad". During his teens, he began his career as a jazz guitar prodigy working with jazz organist Jack McDuff. In the sixties, he released a series of jazz albums and also began working with some of the legends in the music genre such as Miles Davis. He continued that success into the early seventies, releasing several albums that cracked the Top 10 on the jazz charts. His "Bad Benson" topped the jazz charts in 1974, while the follow-up "Good King Bad" peaked at #51 on the pop album charts. A label change to Warner Brothers brought George to mainstream success, launching a second career as a vocalist. His first release for Warner "Breezin'" topped the pop album charts and earned Grammys for Record of the Year and Pop Instrumental in 1977. He also won a Grammy for R&B Instrumental with "Theme From Good King Bad" from his previous album. He appeared on Stevie Wonder's "Songs In The Key Of Life" playing guitar and singing backup on "Another Star". He also had a Top 40 hit with the original version of "The Greatest Love Of All" from the Muhammad Ali biography movie. In 1979, his live version of "On Broadway" won a Grammy for R&B Vocal. His 1981 album "Give Me The Night" garnered three Grammys in Jazz and R&B. After another Top 10 single with "Turn Your Love Around", George steered his career back toward jazz instrumentally and his roots (Nat King Cole, Ray Charles) vocally. His most recent release was a 2013 tribute to Nat King Cole. His 1977 Record of the Year Grammy was earned with this 1976 Top 10 cover of a Leon Russell song. This Masquerade - George Benson
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Post by blackbowl68 on Mar 22, 2015 15:31:29 GMT -5
a few top 40 artists on March 22nd. First up is an R&B singer named Chuck Jackson. (Not the one who sang "Any Day Now.") This one was the lead singer of The Independents. They had a few hits in the early 70s including the #1 soul single "Leaving Me." (#21 on the Hot 100 in June 1973) Coincidently, both Chuck Jacksons were born in South Carolina and both recorded for the Wand label. Chuck is also the half brother of the Rev. Jesse Jackson. After the group broke up, Chuck and group member Marvin Yancy became a songwriting and producing team, mostly for Natalie Cole on her Capitol releases. This was first chart hit in early 1972. Wand released it as a two-part single. Chuck does a compelling interlude on this track: Just As Long As You Need Me - The IndependentsNext up, we have British Invasion star Jeremy Clyde. With his partner Chad Stuart, the duo had a few hits in the mid 60s including the biggest "Summer Song." Signing to Columbia Records stateside did not help their cause and eventually split before the end of the first wave. Here is their hit rendition of a 1932 composition. Willow Weep For Me - Chad & JeremyFinally we have the woman most famous for playing Dorothy...in the Broadway musical The Wiz. The one and only Stephanie Mills. After playing her breakthrough role, she began her singing career signing to 20th Century Records. When she had her biggest pop hit in 1980 with "Never Knew Love Like This Before," she married Shalamar member Jeffrey Daniels. While their union has since fizzled, her career continued to blossom. After signing to MCA, she spun off a string of R&B hits including five #1's. This one was her fifth, and one she should be very familiar with. Happy Birthday to Stephanie Mills. Home - Stephanie Mills
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Post by 1finemrg on Mar 22, 2015 23:45:15 GMT -5
March 23: ...Ric Ocasek, guitarist, songwriter, and one of the lead vocalists for the Cars. Ric was a founding member of Cap'n Swing which was eventually renamed the Cars. They were signed to Elektra records shortly after a local Boston DJ began playing a demo copy of what would be come their first Top 40 hit "Just What I Needed". Their 1978 debut album merging rock and new wave was a commercial success making the top 20 and spawning two Top 40 singles. Their next four albums between late 1978 and 1984 all went top ten. They had 13 Top 40 singles led by the #3 "Drive" and #4 "Shake It Up". "You Might Think" and "Tonight She Comes" also made the Top 10. Three of their singles just missed the Top 40, peaking at #41 ("Good Times Roll", "It's All I Can Do", and "Since You're Gone"). Most recently, the Cars reunited and toured in 2011 (sans Benjamin Orr who passed away in 2000) and released a Top 10 album "Move Like This". As a solo artist, Ric made the Top 40 once peaking at #15 and topping the Mainstream Rock charts. Emotions In Motion - Ric Ocasek
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Post by blackbowl68 on Mar 23, 2015 5:05:54 GMT -5
Yvette Stevens on March 23rd, a woman with a fiery personality and a fierce voice. Born in Chicago, IL, she developed a love for jazz. During her teens, she attended many Black Panther rallies and eventually married one of its members. This is how Yvette acquired her well known stage name. She successfully auditioned for a new band formed from the ashes of the American Breed. This group became Rufus and they had a string of hits throughout the 70s, including the Stevie Wonder composition "Tell Me Something Good." While with Rufus, she participated on a Quincy Jones project which featured Ashford & Simpson. Once she began her solo career on Warner Brothers, the duo wrote her first hit "I'm Every Woman." She's been making hits ever since despite battling some personal turmoils. So Happy Birthday to the one and only Chaka Khan! I Know You, I Live You - Chaka KhanFOOTNOTE: Also this is the birthdate of one of our member's favorite comedians: the late John Pinette.
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Post by 1finemrg on Mar 24, 2015 5:35:25 GMT -5
March 24: ...the master of the harmonica, Lee Oskar. Born in Denmark, he immigrated to the US at 18. He eventually settled in Los Angeles and began playing in night clubs. He eventually joined with a group of musicians that included saxophonist Charles Miller. After a stint backing NFL legend Deacon Jones, they joined up with Eric Burdon who liked the unique sound of Lee's harmonica combined with the sound of Charles Miller's saxophone. Eric Burdon left the band in the middle of an European tour. The band finished the tour and War then struck out on its own. Including the Eric Burdon & War #3 single "Spill The Wine", War charted 12 Top 40 hits seven of which reached the Top 10. Their highest charting single "Cisco Kid" peaked at #2. They did top the album charts with "The World Is A Ghetto". Lee released three critically acclaimed solo albums between 1976 and 1981 and in 1976 was voted instrumentalist of the year in Billboard, Cashbox, and Record World. In the early 80s, he founded his own harmonica company which is still going strong to this day. He is also an accomplished painter. Lee has recently toured with other ex-War members as the LowRider Band. War has been nominated several times for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame including the last two years. We honor this man of many talents with this great War classic. It reached #8 in 1973. Gypsy Man - War
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Post by 1finemrg on Mar 24, 2015 23:22:11 GMT -5
March 25: ...very hard choice since 2 of the most accomplished artists in rock and roll history share the same birthday. They were also linked together in an American Top 40 episode from December 18, 1970. We'll go with Captain Fantastic himself, Elton John. He was born Reginald Dwight and took his stage name from two members of Bluesology, Elton Dean and Long John Baldry. He paired up with lyricist Bernie Taupin and began composing songs. Their first 2 singles released on Congress did not chart, and the record label folded. Uni picked up the second single "Border Song" and re-released it (first single was "Lady Samantha", which was covered by Three Dog Night on their "Suitable For Framing" album). It became his first Hot 100 single peaking at #92. Three months later "Your Song" was released. It debuted in the Top 40 at #38 on the 12/18/70 survey. One notch higher was the debut of a version of his first charting single "Border Song" by the legendary artist with whom he shares a birthday. "Your Song" would be his first Top 10 peaking at #8. His first of 8 credited #1 singles in the US was "Crocodile Rock". Neil Sedaka's "Bad Blood" and John Lennon's "Whatever Gets You Through The Night" also reached #1 with an uncredited vocal by Elton, as did "That's What Friends Are For" (Dionne & Friends) and the George Michal/Elton John live version of "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me". In the UK, Elton's first #1 single did not occur until 1990 with the double "A" side "Sacrifice/Healing Hands". His "Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy" was the first album to debut at #1 on the US charts. His next album "Rock Of The Westies" repeated that feat. He is one of the Top 5 artists of the rock and roll era. His follow up to "Your Song" is a great tune that's the title track to a terrible movie. Peaked at #34 in 1971. Friends - Elton John
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Post by blackbowl68 on Mar 25, 2015 3:40:48 GMT -5
of course the other major birthday ifinemrg is referring to is that of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. She's the eldest daughter of the Rev. C. L. Franklin. Her signature record is a remake of an Otis Redding song, "Respect." She won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance By A Female eight years in a row. Her other career achievements are well known, there's no need to dwelve into them here. As previously mentioned, she has in common with fellow birthday diva Elton John a chart coincidence that occurred on 12/18/1970. But they also share another chart feat: a 1989 top 40 duet of a Diane Warren song these days seemingly only gets radio airplay on March 25th. Through The Storm - Aretha Franklin & Elton JohnAs you can see, there was no need to choose.
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Post by 1finemrg on Mar 26, 2015 5:14:24 GMT -5
March 26: ...Richard Tandy, keyboard wizard for the Electric Light Orchestra. Joining ELO for their second album, he began his tenure on bass. Switching to keyboards (Moog, clavinet, piano, synthesizer...) when Roy Wood left to form Wizzard, he's been Jeff Lynne's collaborator in all versions of the band to the present. From their second album, they turned a Chuck Berry classic on its ear and charted in the Hot 100 for the first time. It peaked at #42 at the beginning of 1973. Personally, it's #1 all time on my list of favorite cover tunes. Roll Over Beethoven - Electric Light Orchestra
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Post by blackbowl68 on Mar 26, 2015 6:45:22 GMT -5
...the woman who has appeared on more #1 singles on the Hot 100 than any other in the rock era, which makes her truly reign supreme. Born Diane Earle on March 26th in the Brewster Projects of Detroit, she helped form the Primettes with three girls in the neighborhood. Though it was a hard fought battle, they wooed the attention of rising record mogul Berry Gordy. After shrinking to a trio and a name change to the Supremes, they recorded several singles that bombed while their labelmates were releasing smash hits. The breakthrough was "Where Did Our Love Go," the first of the group's 12 #1 hits. Diane left the group in 1970 to go solo (though a few prior Supremes singles were technically solo efforts). A string of hits followed, plus an acting career starting with her portrayal of Billie Holiday in Lady Sings The Blues. Along the way she acquired five solo #1's, a record settting #1 duet, and an appearance on a #1 benefit single. After all those achievements, you'd think she would take a break. But she ended up doing this in 1989. So Happy Birthday to lady Di...Diana Ross! Workin' Overtime - Diana Ross
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Post by 1finemrg on Mar 26, 2015 23:34:12 GMT -5
March 27: ...sticking with keyboards, wishing a happy birthday to Tony Banks. Along with Mike Rutherford, Tony has been in Genesis from its formation through their last tour in 2007. Outside of Genesis, he has composed several scores to movies such as "Quicksilver" and music to soundtracks like "The Fugitive". He has also released a pair of classical albums through the years. Released between their first 2 US Top 40 singles "Follow You, Follow Me" and "Misunderstanding", how this one only peaked at #58 I'll never know. Tony co-wrote it with Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford, and it was the name of their 2007 tour. Turn It On Again - Genesis Bonus: It is also the birthday of Patty Smith Hill. She never made any music charts in terms of popularity, mainly because if she were alive today this would be her 147th birthday. However she did co-write with her sister Mildred the most recognizable song in the English language. www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MpMOWldf1c
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Post by trekkielo on Mar 27, 2015 0:41:03 GMT -5
March 27: ...sticking with keyboards, wishing a happy birthday to Tony Banks. Along with Mike Rutherford, Tony has been in Genesis from its formation through their last tour in 2007. Outside of Genesis, he has composed several scores to movies such as "Quicksilver" and music to soundtracks like "The Fugitive". He has also released a pair of classical albums through the years. Released between their first 2 US Top 40 singles "Follow You, Follow Me" and "Misunderstanding", how this one only peaked at #58 I'll never know. Tony co-wrote it with Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford, and it was the name of their 2007 tour. Turn It On Again - GenesisYep, have wondered the exact same thing myself as I've always liked "Turn It On Again", it is indeed very underrated. Wow, what an interesting irony, my Top Two favorite bands of all-time, ELO along with Genesis, both from England and their respective keyboard maestros have birthdays back-to-back, you learn something new every day!
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Post by blackbowl68 on Mar 27, 2015 6:40:21 GMT -5
....the woman that has had the most #1 solo singles on the Hot 100. Born on Long Island, NY on March 27th, this singer/songwriter with the eight octave voice took her first five singles to the top, helping her win the Best New Artist Grammy of 1990. Initially known for powerful ballads, she began to employ hip hop rhythms in her music which gave her some monster hits.
After scoring her 15th #1 in early 2000 (the second one to be a collaboration with another artist), she experienced some career missteps in the first decade of the 21st century. But by 2009, she had a total of 18 #1 singles, second only to the Beatles. She has a lot of life in her & still could surpass them. But for now, let's wish a Happy Birthday to the woman they call the wind....Mariah Carey!
Always Be My Baby (Jermaine Dupri Mix) - Mariah Carey
BONUS: Also blowing out candles on his cake on March 27th is British musician Alan Hawkshaw. Chiefly known for his work on the Hammond organ, he played on my many popular recordings of the Shadows, the Hollies & David Bowie. He toured with artists like Cliff Richard and Olivia Newton-John. He released several records under various group names.
In 1968, he released a single that was essentially a knockoff of a Lowell Fulsom song under the moniker the Mohawks. But this knockoff has since become a heavily sampled agent in hip hop records. So Happy Birthday, Alan.
The Champ - The Mohawks
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