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Post by 1finemrg on Jan 14, 2017 6:26:20 GMT -5
January 14: ... Dave Grohl. Personally, I often think of Dave not only as an extremely talented musician, but also as a "keeper of the flame". He is in demand, not only for his work with Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures, and Tenacious D, but also as a session drummer for a who's who of rock and roll. He has worked on sessions with Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Stevie Nicks, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. His enthusiasm for creating new music as well as preserving the past is infectious. I highly recommend watching his documentary "Sound City". It's about the Van Nuys, Los Angeles studio where Nirvana recorded their "Nevermind" album. The studio closed in 2011, but during its time (opened in 1969) was the home to some of the most ground breaking and memorable music in rock and roll history. The variety of artists that recorded there stretch from Barry Manilow and Johnny Cash to Trent Reznor and Lars Ulrich. He inducted Queen into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and was inducted in 2014 as a member of Nirvana. Saluting Dave with his drum work on Nirvana's signature song... Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana... and one of his classics as front man of the Foo Fighters. Learning To Fly - Foo FightersJanuary 14: ...Clarence Carter. His highest charting Hot 100 hit "Patches" was actually a cover of a Chairman Of The Board tune which earned their leader and co-writer General Johnson a Grammy award. He co-wrote his first R&B charting hit, and was credited as the writer of the answer song. The answer song proved to be Etta James's highest charting Top 40 hit, just missing the Top 20. Tell Daddy - Clarence CarterIt proved to be his greatest hit on the R&B charts, holding at #2 for 2 weeks. Did very well on the Hot 100, topping out at #6. Slip Away - Clarence Carter
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Post by 1finemrg on Jan 15, 2017 0:23:23 GMT -5
January 15: ... Martha Davis. Saw the Motels lead vocalist at an 80s revival a few years back. Vocally and stage presence wise, she still has it. Her band has been touring on and off for the last 10 years or so, rebranded as Martha Davis & the Motels. The Motels did something the Beatles never achieved. They had a song peak at #9. In fact, their only 2 Top 10 singles peaked at #9. Only The Lonely - MotelsSuddenly Last Summer - MotelsJanuary 15: ...Ronnie Van Zant. It's been a little over 38 years since that fateful plane crash took the life of then 29 year old Ronnie Van Zant, Steve and Cassie Gaines, assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary and co-pilot William Gray. His younger brother Johnny currently handles lead vocal duties for the band. Ronnie was the main lyricist as well as lead vocalist on the majority of the band's tracks on their first five albums. Their first single was this great rollicking rocker. Gimme Three Steps - Lynyrd SkynyrdAnother non-charting first single from their "Second Helping" album. Don't Ask Me No Questions - Lynyrd Skynyrd
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Post by trekkielo on Jan 15, 2017 18:45:59 GMT -5
Melvyn Gale, born January 15th, 1952, in London. Gale attended the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He played his first professional concert with the London Palladium Orchestra in 1970. He also played with the Bolshoi and Rambert Ballet companies, the London Youth Symphony Orchestra, and various West End shows. He was a cellist for the Electric Light Orchestra from 1975 replacing Mike Edwards. He is also an accomplished pianist performing piano on "Wild West Hero" as well as occasionally live on "Roll Over Beethoven". In 1979 he appeared in the Discovery music video playing alongside the rest of the classic line-up (Mik Kaminski on violin and Hugh McDowell on cello) for the last time. He remained with the group until Jeff Lynne removed the string players from the line-up. Gale and his friend Frank Wilson built a recording studio in 1979. On 12 April 1980 their first album was released, under the name Wilson Gale & Co., and was entitled Gift Wrapped Set. The album was recorded at Ramport Studios and was released on Jet Records. Gale is a father of three children. He lives in Kent, teaching Cello and Piano. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melvyn_Gale
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Post by 1finemrg on Jan 16, 2017 6:51:16 GMT -5
January 16: ... Ronnie Milsap. He's had 40 hits on the country charts that reached #1, and was country music first successful singer that is blind. The keyboardist began in the music industry working as a sideman for greats like Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and James Brown. He hooked up with producer Chips Moman and worked on a number of Elvis sessions including the hits "Don't Cry Daddy" and "Kentucky Rain". With the backing of country legend Charlie Pride, Ronnie focused his career on country music. Ronnie dominated the country charts between 1974 and 1989 including 11 #1 country hits in a row. He continues to perform today focusing mainly in the Midwest. Ronnie also had crossover success, reaching the Top 40 six times. His first Top 40 hit reached #16 in 1977. It Was Almost Like A Song - Ronnie MilsapHis only Top 10 on the Hot 100 peaked at #5 in 1981. (There's) No Gettin' Over Me - Ronnie MilsapJanuary 16: ...Jim Stafford. His first Top 40 hit "Swamp Witch" was produced by Lobo. It began a string of 8 consecutive Hot 100 hits. The largest was "Spiders And Snakes" which peaked at #3. Jim has headlined and operated the Jim Stafford Theatre in Branson, Missouri since 1990. Wishing him a happy birthday with his other Top 10 single (#7) from 1974... Wildwood Weed - Jim Stafford...and this one for the Clint Eastwood movie "Any Which Way You Can" for which he also made an appearance. The single bubbled under in 1981. Cow Patti - Jim Stafford
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Post by seminolefan on Jan 16, 2017 12:03:54 GMT -5
January 16 - Aaliyah. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Detroit, she got her start appearing on Star Search at the age of 10. After signing her record deal she was introduced to R. Kelly, who would take her under her wing. Kelly wrote and produced her first album, but their relationship would soon end amid allegations of them being married. Aaliyah was just 15 at the time. For her second album, she worked with Timbaland and Missy Elliott, two up-and-coming producers from Virginia. They would continue to work together until her death. Aaliyah also branched out into acting, appearing in movies like Romeo Must Die with Jet Li. On August 25, 2001, a plane crashed just after takeoff from The Bahamas. Everyone on board was killed, including Aaliyah, who was only 22. Her first single was a #1 R&B and Top 10 pop hit, released in 1994 when she was just 15. Back And Forth - AaliyahThis standout track from her second album topped Billboard's R&B Airplay chart for 6 weeks in early 1997. One In a Million - AaliyahThis was the last video she shot before her death. Rock The Boat - Aaliyah
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Post by dukelightning on Jan 16, 2017 17:41:23 GMT -5
If you want to read about that plane crash, someone posted on the "Rock the Boat" video all the details. I don't know which is worse from an 'if only such and such was different standpoint', the fact that the pilot was not legally licensed to fly a plane or that they were on a too small plane only because they finished the video shoot for this video a day earlier than planned.
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Post by 1finemrg on Jan 17, 2017 6:45:42 GMT -5
January 17: ... Susanna Hoffs. Co-founder, singer and guitarist for the Bangles, she was the lead vocalist on the majority of the group hits. Although it was the label's choice to showcase her front and center, it was an issue that caused the group to disband in the late 80s. After a moderately successful solo career in the 90s, Susanna reunited with the Peterson sisters reforming the Bangles in the late 90s. As mentioned in the Vicki Peterson post last week, they performed at the Whiskey A Go-Go last month in a series of shows. In the early 90s Susanna was in the band Ming Tea with Matthew Sweet and actor/comedian Mike Myers. The band was faux 1960s British in nature. The members all adopted aliases. For Susanna it was Gillian Shagwell. Mike Myers adopted the name Austin Powers. With encouragement of Mike Myers's then wife Robin Ruzan, Mike wrote the Austin Powers films based on this character. The band appeared in all three films which were directed by Susanna's husband Jay Roach. In 2006, Susanna and Matthew teamed up for a series of CD's as Sid & Susie. Titled "Under The Covers" the 3 CDs released between 2006 and 2012 covered some of their favorite songs from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. The Bangles reached the Top 10 five times, including two that peaked at the Top. Susanna co-wrote and sang lead on this beautiful ballad. Eternal Flame - BanglesShe takes lead covering a James Taylor classic on volume 2 of the "Under The Covers" series. You Can Close Your Eyes - Sid 'n SusieJanuary 17: ...Mick Taylor. Mick joined the Rolling Stones replacing Brian Jones in 1969 and stayed with the band until 1974. His studio recordings with the Stones include a couple of tracks on "Let It Bleed". He was a full-fledged member on the "Sticky Fingers", "Exile On Main Street", and "Goats Head Soup" albums. He participated in the "It's Only Rock And Roll" sessions as well, but left due to a dispute over songwriting credits and was replaced by Ronnie Wood. Oddly enough, he also played on a couple of tracks on the Stones 1981 "Tattoo You" release, including "Waiting On A Friend". This and "Tops" were recorded during the "Exile On Main Street" sessions. He began with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers before joining the Rolling Stones on John's recommendation to Mick Jagger. Other credits include solo work, Jack Bruce, Bob Dylan, Mike Oldfield, and Little Feat. More recently he guested on the Stones' tours between 2012 - 2014. With Keith on bass, it's Mick's guitar riff and wah-wah pedal work that kicks off this great 70s classic from "Goats Head Soup". Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker) - Rolling StonesHis guitar solo is one of the highlights from the opening track of "It's Only Rock And Roll". Time Waits For No One - Rolling Stones
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Post by 1finemrg on Jan 18, 2017 6:06:13 GMT -5
Jan 18: ... Bobby Goldsboro. Bobby initially played guitar for Roy Orbison in the early sixties. His solo career flourished with the release of "See The Funny Little Clown". The song was composed by Bobby and would be one of two Top 10 hits, peaking at #9 in 1964. The other top 10 "Honey" would spend five weeks at #1 in the spring of 1968, and be Billboard's #3 single of the year behind "Hey Jude" and "Love Is Blue". In the UK, "Honey" would peak at #2 upon its initial release, and a second time in 1975. Beginning with "Honey", Bobby would have a successful career on the country charts as well through 1981. He would chart 11 Top 40 singles on both the Hot 100 and Country charts in his music career. Other noteworthy achievements have been hosting his own music variety show in the mid 70s, and composing the theme to the TV series "Evening Shade" starring Burt Reynolds and Marilu Henner. In the mid-90s he created the children's television series "The Swamp Critters of the Lost Lagoon", writing the scripts, playing the music, and voicing all the characters. Recently he has turned his public focus away from music, and toward a successful career as a painter. His oil paintings grace the Gateway Banks in central Florida, as well as galleries in Scottsdale, Arizona, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Jacksonville, Naples, and Dunedin, Florida. In 1970, he peaked at #11 with a Mac Davis song written for his son. Watching Scotty Grow - Bobby GoldsboroHis last Top 40 hit was the subject of mild controversy due to subject matter. Penned by Bobby, the song went Top 10 in the UK and peaked at #21 in the US in 1973. Summer (The First Time) - Bobby GoldsboroJanuary 18: ...Tom Bailey. Tom was the lead singer and original member of the Thompson Twins. Formed in 1977, they achieved success in the 80s hitting the Top 40 eight times including 3 Top 10 singles. They disbanded in 1993. Tom formed Babble with then-wife Alannah Currie and released a pair of unsuccessful albums. He has done several collaborations through the years and has expanded his musical boundaries, incorporating production work, electronica, and photography into his projects. He toured the UK & US in 2014 under the Thompson Twins' Tom Bailey moniker with other 80s acts such as Howard Jones. He is planning his second solo release sometime this year. This was the Thompson Twins' highest charting single, peaking at #3. Hold Me Now - Thompson TwinsFrom the "Ghostbusters" soundtrack, it only bubbled under the Hot 100, but topped the dance charts. A 1988 remix also peaked at #1 on the dance charts. In The Name Of Love - Thompson TwinsJanuary 18: ...David Ruffin one of the lead singers of the Temptations would have been 74 today. Here's David on lead in the classic Temptations lineup with a song covered by the Rolling Stones. It would be their biggest hit on the on the R & B charts, spending 8 weeks at #1. Ain't Too Proud To Beg - Temptations
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Post by 1finemrg on Jan 19, 2017 1:19:03 GMT -5
January 19: ... Two Ps in a pod...Parton and Palmer. Dolly Parton status in country music is legendary to say the least. Her 41 Top 10 albums on the country charts are the most of any artist, and her 26 country #1 singles are the most of any female. She has won 8 Grammy awards, and has been inducted into countless Hall of Fames. Two of her recordings are in the Grammy Hall of Fame (Jolene & I Will Always Love You), and she's in the Gospel Music, Nashville Songwriters, and Country Music Halls of Fame to name a few. Through the years she has supported many charitable events, and most recently donated and participated in two fund raising causes after wild fires ravaged the Smoky Mountain area including the region around Dollywood. She's an accomplished instrumentalist, actress and songwriter as well. We honor Dolly with the title track to the 1980 movie starring her with Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin. It would Top the Hot 100 in 1981 and earn 2 Grammy awards. 9 To 5 - Dolly Parton
Robert Palmer left us too soon, passing away suddenly in 2003 at the age of 54. He would experience success beginning in the late 70s, and rise to greater heights in the mid 80s after a lengthy absence from the Top 40. He also Had Top 40 success as a member of Power Station. Robert's distinctive vocals tackled everything from soul to reggae to pop and rock. Robert earned a Grammy for his only #1 Hot 100 hit from 1986. Addicted to Love - Robert Palmer
Dolly and Robert really had little in common with one another besides sharing a birthday. They're three years apart (Dolly 1946, Robert 1949). Robert charted 12 Top 40 hits (solo and with Power Station) while Dolly crossed over 8 times, including her #1 duet with Kenny Rogers. Their vocals and musical tastes are vastly different. They did cross paths in the Top 40 once on May 27, 1978. Dolly fell from 19 to 36 with this hit... Two Doors Down - Dolly Parton...while Robert rose from 30 to 25 with his first Top 40 single. Every Kinda People - Robert PalmerJanuary 19: ...Janis Joplin. Wishing "Pearl" a happy birthday with two of my personal favorites. Her vocals fit perfectly with the brass section on this lost 60s classic. Try (Just A Little Bit Harder) - Janis JoplinYes it's overplayed, but she does cover this Kris Kristofferson tune beautifully. The vocals have just the right amount of restraint, ragged without being harsh. Me And Bobby McGee - Janis JoplinJanuary 19: ...Dewey Burnell who is 63 today. Dewey is one-third of America. He wrote and sang lead on some of their biggest hits including "A Horse With No Name", "Tin Man", and this drive-along classic. Ventura Highway - America
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Post by 1finemrg on Jan 19, 2017 22:44:32 GMT -5
January 20: ... George Grantham. Founding member and original drummer for Poco, George drummed with the band for their first 10 albums and two live releases. He left in 1977 just before the band had their first taste of commercial success, but joined them in time for their second wave in the late 80s. He would continue his on and off relationship with the band until a stroke sidelined him in 2004. George came back to do some vocal work with Poco in 2009. Poco was so good even their non-charting singles were classics. These two featured George behind the drum kit. This was penned by Richie Furay... A Good Feelin' To Know - Poco...and this "B" side was co-written by future Eagles member Timothy B. Schmit. The "A" side failed to chart (Makin' Love). Flyin' Solo - PocoJanuary 20: ...Paul Stanley. Co-founder of Kiss, "Starchild" shares lead vocals with Gene Simmons and plays rhythm guitar and bass. From "Destroyer" this song was originally the "A" side of the 45. After sales were initially slow, the "B" side "Beth" was beginning to receive airplay so the single was reissued with the sides reversed. "Beth" became a Top 10 single and this one continues to be a concert favorite. Paul sings lead and co-wrote it after learning of a tragedy about a Kiss fan who was killed in a car accident on the way to one of their concerts. Detroit Rock City - KissFrom "Dynasty", Paul co-wrote and sang lead on this #11 disco-tinged single from 1979. I Was Made For Lovin' You - KissJanuary 20: ...Eric Stewart who turns 70 today. He assumed lead vocals in the 60s when Wayne Fontana split from the Mindbenders. They subsequently reached #2 with this classic. A Groovy Kind Of Love - MindbendersWritten by Carole Bayer Sager and Toni Wine, Phil Collins would take his version one notch higher in the 80s.
In the 70s, he teamed up with Graham Gouldman, Kevin Godley, and Lol Crème to form 10cc. In 1975, Eric's haunting lead vocals would again take him to the #2 position for three weeks. I'm Not In Love - 10cc
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Post by 1finemrg on Jan 21, 2017 1:30:00 GMT -5
January 21: ... Mac Davis. A gifted songwriter, he began writing with Nancy Sinatra's company Boots Enterprises, Inc. Boots became Mac's publishing company as well, and Mac started making a name when Elvis recorded a handful of his tunes during his comeback era. Some of the tunes Mac wrote or co-wrote that Elvis recorded include "In The Ghetto", "Don't Cry Daddy", "Memories" and "A Little Less Conversation". Mac also wrote hits for other artists including "Something's Burning" for Kenny Rogers & the First Edition and "Watching Scotty Grow" for Bobby Goldsboro. Mac took his talents to Columbia in 1970 with a focus on success in the country music business. He became a star charting regularly between 1970 and 1986. Four of his songs crossed over to the Top 40, and all four made the Top 15. He topped the country charts twice and those 2 songs were his Top 10 output on the Hot 100. "Baby, Don't Get Hooked On Me" topped both charts. Mac could write inspirational songs like this #10 Hot 100 hit that topped the country charts. Stop And Smell The Roses - Mac DavisOr he can write 'em with tongue placed firmly in cheek like this 1980 lost classic. It's Hard To Be Humble - Mac DavisJanuary 21: ...Edwin Starr. Edwin was brought into Motown after Ric-Tic records was bought out by the Detroit giant. He reached the top in 1970 with "War" and followed it up with the top 30 hit "Stop The War Now". In 1973, he moved to the England and would spend the rest of his life there. He continued to record and was rewarded with a pair of disco hits in 1979. "(Eye-To-Eye) Contact" would top the Dance charts and "H.A.P.P.Y. Radio" was a hit as well. Both peaked in the Top 10 in the UK. He experienced Top 40 success as a songwriter when the Shades Of Blue had a #12 hit in 1966 with "Oh How Happy". While touring England and Japan in 1973, he introduced his backing band Total Concept Unlimited to Motown producer Norman Whitfield. After several changes, the group eventually evolved into Rose Royce and had success after Whitfield broke from Motown and started his own label. He would continue to record and tour until his death in 2003 from a heart attack. His tombstone reads "Agent 00 Soul"... ...speaking of which his first Top 40 hit reached #21 in 1965 on the local Ric-Tic label. Agent Double-O Soul - Edwin StarrHis first hit for Motown (Gordy) was this #6 smash. Twenty-Five Miles - Edwin StarrJanuary 21:...Les Charles who turns 65 today. It seemed that Les was doomed for one hit wonder status when his first hit peaked at #22 in 1976. It took eight years to chart a second time, but when he did he racked up seven top 10 singles in less than 4 years. Three of them peaked at #1. We'll go with the first of the bunch from late summer 1984, #1 for Leslie Sebastian Charles better known as... Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run) - Billy Ocean
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Post by 1finemrg on Jan 22, 2017 7:00:12 GMT -5
January 22: ... Michael Hutchence. The Farriss Brothers (Tim, Andrew, And Jon) needed a lead vocalist for their band, so in 1977 Michael was bought into the group along with bassist Garry Beers by Andrew. Andrew Farriss had played with both in a group known as Doctor Dolphin while in high school. Tim added a former bandmate Kirk Pengilly and two other members from Doctor Dolphin were added, Kent Kerny and Neil Sanders. As the Vegetables, they recorded a set of demos in 1978, and played pubs in support of Midnight Oil. A name change in 1979 resulted in INXS. They charted on the Australian Top 40 in 1980 with "Just Keep Walking" as Michael grew into the roles of front man and band spokesperson. He and Andrew Farriss would collaborate to become the main songwriters. They broke through in 1982 on the American Top 40 peaking at #30 with "The One Thing". In 1984 "Original Sin" would become their first Australian chart topper. In 1985, the band peaked at #5 with "What You Need", but it was their 1987 album "Kick" that cemented their worldwide legacy. It would go 6 times platinum in the US and spawn 4 Top 10 singles. The band would add a pair of Top 10 singles from their following album, 1990s "X". As the band moved through the 90s, their popularity began to wane. They reached the US Top 40 a final time with "Not Enough Time" in 1992, and charted on Mainstream Rock Tracks in 1997 with "Elegantly Wasted". It would be the last album for INXS with Michael who took his own life on November 22, 1997. Michael was successful as an actor and model as well. His self-titled solo effort was released posthumously in 1999. INXS would continue to record and tour with the original remaining members and a series of lead singers until 2012. Their only chart topper in the US was this single released in 1987. Need You Tonight - INXSThe last of their 7 Top 10 singles peaked at #8 in 1991. Disappear - INXSJanuary 22: ...Sam Cooke. He is a charter member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted in 1986 twenty-two years after he was shot to death. He has been called the "Inventor of Soul Music" and he paved the way for legends from Aretha Franklin to Stevie Wonder. Marvin Gaye added an "e" to his last name the same way Sam Cooke did, and his style was strikingly similar as well. His songs have been covered by Cat Stevens (Another Saturday Night), Rod Stewart (Twistin' The Night Away), Herman's Hermits (Wonderful World), and this one which was covered by the Animals. Lou Rawls provides backing vocals. Bring It On Home To Me - Sam CookeThe first posthumous single "Shake" would be Sam's final Top 10. He wrote the "B" side which peaked at #31, but became an anthem for the American Civil Rights Movement. In 2007, it was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke January 22: ...Steve Perry who is 66 today. Steve was the lead singer of Journey during their hit making years, and also had a half-dozen Top 40 solo hits including "Oh, Sherrie" and "Foolish Heart". Featuring a track from their only #1 album "Escape". It failed to chart as a single, but made #13 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Stone in Love - Journey
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Post by 1finemrg on Jan 22, 2017 23:02:43 GMT -5
January 23: ... Anita Pointer. Anita joined June and Bonnie while they were performing in the club circuit as Pointers - A Pair. Renamed the Pointer Sisters, the trio released a series of unsuccessful singles on Atlantic. Adding Ruth and becoming a quartet, combined with a move to jazz label Blue Thumb Records resulted in a successful launching of the sisters career. Anita was the lead vocalist on the sisters early Top 40 singles, including their first which was originally recorded by Lee (Working In A Coal Mine, Ya Ya) Dorsey. Yes We Can Can - Pointer SistersShe co-wrote this Grammy award winning single with her sister Bonnie. It achieved a pair of firsts: First female vocal group to win a Grammy and first African-American vocal group to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. Fairytale - Pointer SistersJanuary 23: ...Bill Cunningham. Bill is the original bass guitarist/keyboardist for the Box Tops. He comes from a musical family. His late brother B. B. Cunningham Jr. was the lead vocalist of the Hombres. The one-hit wonder band reached #12 with "Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out)". In fact, it was a case of sibling rivalry on WLS in Chicago. For the weeks ending October 20 & 27, 1967, "The Letter" by the Box Tops and "Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out)" by the Hombres were #1 & #2 respectively. Bill left pop music after the demise of the Box Tops, carving his niche in classical music playing in symphony orchestras and ballet and opera companies. He also did session work with many artists including Dionne Warwick and Isaac Hayes. He was the main force in reforming the original Box Tops in the mid-90s. They continued together until Alex Chilton's passing in 2010. Bill and original member Gary Talley currently continue to perform as the Box Tops with new members. The follow-up to "The Letter" is a wonderful Wayne Carson Thompson composition that peaked at #24... Neon Rainbow - Box Tops...only topped by what I consider to be Wayne's best and one of the best pop songs ever written. Should have been Top 5 at least, but only peaked at #18. Soul Deep - Box TopsJanuary 23: ...Robin Zander. Cheap Trick's lead singer turns 62 today. We're going to go with a song the band absolutely hated. Quote from co-writer Rick Nielsen: "Now that was a bad song! I co-wrote that... No, wait, let's see... I can't remember. Maybe I actually wrote that whole thing. Man! I must've been high. That was one of the worst songs - put it this way, it was one of the worst movies that's ever been out. Song-wise, it fit right in with the movie." They didn't like the video either. From Rick Nielsen again: "Our video was the worst video we've ever done. We've done some bad, bad ones, but that took the cake. The worst..." I happened to like the song, movie, and video. They're goofy on all accounts! Up The Creek - Cheap Trick
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Post by 1finemrg on Jan 23, 2017 23:48:15 GMT -5
January 24: ... Warren Zevon. Warren worked with White Whale records in the late 60s writing a few album tracks for the Turtles and recording with friend Violet Santangelo as the duo Lyme and Cybille. In the early 70s, he became a member of the Everly Brothers touring group playing keyboards, and being band leader and music coordinator. Disillusioned with the music business, Warren moved to Spain for the summer of 1975. He returned in the fall to LA and collaborated with Jackson Browne who produced and promoted his self-titled debut in 1976. It featured a who's who of musicians including members of Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles, Beach Boys, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, and Jackson Browne himself. Warren toured in 1977 as well as making several guest appearances at Jackson Browne concerts. Browne co-produced his commercially successful "Excitable Boy". The twisted humor in Warren's songwriting was critically acclaimed and the album produced his only Top 40 hit plus several memorable tracks. He would continue to release memorable albums through the 80s and 90s, and develop a lasting friendship with David Letterman through the years. He would occasionally fill in for band leader Paul Shaeffer. His career would receive a boost with his 2000 release "Life'll Kill Ya" followed by 2002s "My Ride's Here". Shortly after, Warren was diagnosed as suffering from pleural mesothelioma. He refused treatment for fear it might incapacitate him, and began work on his final album "The Wind". He appeared on David Letterman's show as the only guest on October 30, 2002, and gave David the guitar he always played after the show. "The Wind" was released August 26, 2003, 12 days before Warren's death. It would earn him his only two Grammy awards. His only Top 40 hit received contributions from Mick Fleetwood and John McVie. Werewolves Of London - Warren ZevonLinda Ronstadt covered several of Warren's songs, and had a Top 40 hit with this one. Poor Poor Pitiful Me - Warren ZevonJanuary 24: ...Neil Diamond. Appropriately, it's his "diamond" birthday. (75) Inspired by seeing Pete Seeger perform while at summer camp, he bought a guitar upon returning to Brooklyn and began taking lessons and writing songs. He also was skilled in fencing, earning a scholarship to New York University where he was a member of the 1960 NCAA men's championship team. While in college, he would cut classes and go to Tin Pan Alley attempting to have songs he composed heard by publishers. Upon landing a $50/week 16 week job with Sunbeam Music Publishing, he dropped out of college during his senior year 10 credits short of a pre-med degree. He was let go when his contract expired. Single releases with high school friend Jack Parker as Neil and Jack and a one-off solo release "Clown Town" proved unsuccessful. He eventually landed in the Brill Building where songwriters like Carole King & Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, and Paul Simon were also composing hits. His first success as a songwriter came when Jay and the Americans had a Top 20 hit with "Sunday And Me". A series of singles originally intended for his own release, became huge hits for the Monkees before Neil could release his versions. Songs like "Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)", "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You", and the 1966 popular music Song of the Year "I'm A Believer" cemented his reputation as a songwriter. Cliff Richard would cover several of Neil's compositions, as well as Lulu ("The Boat That I Row"), and Elvis ("And The Grass Wont Pay No Mind"). Vic Dana would have a minor hit with "Red, Red Wine", but it would reached the top of the charts in the mid-80s when covered by UB 40. He signed with Bert Berns' Bang records and released a series of successful singles during the remainder of the sixties and early 70s. He would continue to chart on the Bang label even after he left in the late sixties and signed with Uni. His first #1 single was "Cracklin' Rosie" in 1970, and he would top the charts again in 1972 with "Song Sung Blue". He signed with Columbia Records shortly after Uni was bought out by MCA. One of his first projects was writing the soundtrack to the motion picture "Jonathan Livingston Seagull". It would prove to be his most successful charting album during his hit making period, peaking at #2. In terms of sales, the 1980 soundtrack to "The Jazz Singer" was his most successful going 5X platinum and spawning three Top 10 singles. He also starred in the movie. He would finally top the album charts in 2008 with "Home Before Dark". His third #1 was a duet with former high school classmate Barbra Streisand "You Don't Bring Me Flowers". It began as a concoction of Louisville program director Gary Guthrie splicing Neil's and Barbra's versions together. Demand bought the two together to record an official version. All told, Neil racked up 37 Top 40 hits 13 of which reached the Top 10. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received Kennedy Center Honors in 2011. His first Hot 100 single became a lost 60s classic, until re-released in 1970. Climbing the charts the same time as "Cracklin' Rosie", it would peak at #21. Solitary Man - Neil DiamondOne of the first singles I ever bought was his #6 follow-up to "Sweet Caroline". Holly Holy - Neil DiamondOne from his Columbia years, it was the first song requested on Casey Kasem's Long Distance Dedication segment. It topped the Easy Listening Chart and peaked at #16 in 1977. Desiree - Neil DiamondJanuary 24: ...Aaron Neville who is 74 today. Synonymous with New Orleans musically, Aaron revived his career commercially in 1989 in duets with Linda Ronstadt. "Don't Know Much" topped out at #2, and "All My Life" just missed the Top 10 (#11). Aaron reached the top 10 again in 1991, peaking at #8 with his cover of the Main Ingredient's "Everybody Plays The Fool". Before his revival, Aaron had been a one-hit wonder on the Hot 100 for 23 years. In 1966 he peaked at #2 with this classic, a song that would make the Top 10 a second time (#8) when covered by Heart in 1980. Tell It Like It Is - Aaron Neville
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Post by 1finemrg on Jan 25, 2017 6:42:21 GMT -5
January 25: ... Andy Cox. Andy's first claim to fame in the UK was as a member of The Beat, they were successful on the UK charts, reaching the Top 40 eight times. They reached the top in 1980 with "Mirror In The Bathroom". In 1983, Andy and bass guitarist David Steele left the group to form Fine Young Cannibals with singer Roland Gift. They would chart 5 Top 10 singles between 1985 and 1989 including a cover of "Suspicious Minds". Their highest charting record peaked at #5. The group disbanded in 1992, but reunited in 1996 to record a one-off single for a greatest hits compilation. "The Flame" would peak at #17 in the UK. It was quite a different story in the US. Their self-titled debut album peaked at #49, but it was the follow-up "The Raw And The Cooked" that became an international hit. It topped the charts in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia and spun off 5 of the band's 6 Hot 100 entries. Three hit the Top 40 and these two, featuring Andy on guitar, peaked at #1. She Drives Me Crazy - Fine Young Cannibals (#5 UK) Good Thing - Fine Young Cannibals (#7 UK) January 25: ...Alicia Keys. She's a 15 time Grammy award winner, and has garnered so many awards that there's a separate Wikipedia page to list them all. All five of her studio albums and her MTV Unplugged session have topped the charts. She has topped the Hot 100 three times as a solo artist and once as a featured artist. Here's her first charting single that topped the Hot 100 in 2001... Fallin' - Alicia Keys...and she is featured on this memorable recording with Jay-Z. Empire State Of Mind - Jay-Z featuring Alicia KeysJanuary 25: ...Etta James who would have been 77 today. Known as "Miss Peaches", this Rock and Roll Hall Of Famer mostly scraped the lower rungs of the top 40. Her biggest hit was a cover of Clarence Carter's "Tell Daddy". Changing the gender, "Tell Mama" reached #23 on the Hot 100 in late 1967 / early 1968. Her classic "At Last" only reached #47 on the Hot 100. She scored 12 top 10s on the R&B chart. We'll go with her only #1 from 1955, another song whose title was changed. This time it was due to it being "suggestive". Trivia: The male vocalist on the song was Richard Berry, who never charted as a solo artist. A song he originally wrote and recorded as a "B" side became one of the essential rock and roll classics of all time. Several artists have covered "Louie Louie", with the Kingsmen spending 6 weeks at #2 in 1963. Etta James - The Wallflower (Roll With Me Henry)
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