December 24 Music History Report

BIRTHDAYS

Lee Dorsey (1924 or 1926) R&B and soul singer [“Ya Ya”/”Working in the Coal Mine”] (died 1986) age 61 or 59 – emphysema

Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister (1945) Mötorhead lead singer/bassist/songwriter/co-founder [“Ace of Spades”] (died 2015) age 70 – prostate cancer, congestive heart failure, and cardiac arrhythmia

Jan Akkerman (1946) Focus guitarist/songwriter/co-founder [“Hocus Pocus”/”Sylvia”]

Ian Burden (1957) The Human League bassist/keyboardist/songwriter [“(Keep Feeling) Fascination”]

Mary Ramsey (1963) 10,000 Maniacs lead singer/violinist [current]

Neil Turbin (1963) Anthrax lead singer/songwriter

Ricky Martin [born Enrique Morales] (1971) singer [“Livin’ La Vida Loca”], also actor

Louis Tomlinson (1991) One Direction singer/songwriter/co-founder [current]

DEATHS

Bernard Hermann [born Max Herman] (1975) composer/conductor [born 1911] age 64 – cardiovascular disease

Zeke Carey (1999) The Flamingos tenor singer/co-founder [“I Only Have Eyes for You”] (born 1933) age 66 – cancer

Nick Massi [born Nicholas Macioci] (2000) The Four Seasons bass singer/bassist/co-founder (born 1927) age 73 – cancer

Ray Collins (2012) Mothers of Invention lead singer/songwriter/co-founder (born 1936) age 76 – cardiac arrest

William Guest (2015) Gladys Knight & the Pips singer/songwriter/co-founder (born 1941) age 74 – congestive heart failure

Rick Parfitt (2016) Status Quo guitarist/singer/songwriter [“Pictures of Matchstick Men”] (born 1948) age 68 – sepsis

CHARTS

In 1977, “How Deep is Your Love” by the Bee Gees hits No. 1 – 3 weeks (fourth of nine No. 1 singles)

In 1988, “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” by Poison hits No. 1 – 3 weeks (only No. 1 single)

COMINGS/GOINGS

In 1971, the New York Dolls perform live for the first time at a Christmas party at the Endicott Hotel in New York City.

NOTEWORTHY

In 1968, the Golliwogs change their name to Creedence Clearwater Revival.