December 26 Music History Report

BIRTHDAYS

Abdul “Duke” Fakir (1935) Four Tops tenor singer/co-founder [current]

Phil Spector (1939) record producer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist (died 2021) age 81 – COVID-19 complications

Bob Carpenter (1946) Nitty Gritty Dirt Band keyboardist/accordionist [current]

Henning Schmitz (1953) Kraftwerk keyboardist [current]

James Kottak (1962) Scorpions drummer

Lars Ulrich (1963) Metallica drummer/songwriter/co-founder [current]

Jay Yuenger (1966) White Zombie guitarist [“Thunder Kiss ’65″/”More Human Than Human”]

Peter Klett (1968) Candlebox lead guitarist/co-founder [“Far Behind”]

Jared Leto (1971) 30 Second to Mars lead singer/multi-instrumentalist/songwriter/co-founder [current], also actor

Chris Daughtry (1979) Daughtry singer/songwriter/guitarist/co-founder [current]

DEATHS

Curtis Mayfield (1999) The Impressions singer/songwriter/guitarist/co-founder [“For Your Precious Love”/”Gypsy Woman”/”It’s All Right”] and solo singer/songwriter/guitarist [“Freddie’s Dead”/”Superfly”] (born 1942) age 57 – diabetes complications

Teena Marie [born Mary Brockert] (2010) singer/songwriter [“Lovergirl”] (born 1956) age 54 – natural causes

Fontella Bass (2012) soul singer/songwriter [“Rescue Me”] (born 1940) age 72 – heart failure

CHARTS

In 1964, “I Feel Fine” by The Beatles hits No. 1 – 3 weeks (seventh of 20 No. 1 singles)

In 1970, “My Sweet Lord”/b-side “Isn’t It a Pity” by George Harrison hits No. 1 – 4 weeks (first of three solo No. 1 singles) 

NOTEWORTHY RELEASES

(Albums)

In 1971, Warner Bros. Records releases the debut studio album from America, “America”; Billboard 200: 1 (5 weeks); 1 million copies U.S.; “A Horse With No Name,” “I Need You” 

(Singles)

1963, “I Want to Hold Your Hand”/b-side “I Saw Her Standing There,” The Beatles