January 28 Music History Report

BIRTHDAYS

Arthur Rubenstein (1887) classical pianist (died 1982) age 95 – natural causes

Bernard “Acker” Blik (1929) jazz clarinetist [“Stranger on the Shore”] (died 2014) age 85 – cancer

Dick Taylor (1943) The Pretty Things guitarist/songwriter/co-founder

Brian Keenan (1943) Manfred Mann drummer (died 1984) age 42 – heart attack

Marty Fried (1944) the Cyrkle drummer [“Red Rubber Ball”/”Turn-Down Day”] (died 2021) age 77 – unknown causes

Rick Allen (1946) The Box Tops bassist/keyboardist [“Cry Like a Baby”/”Soul Deep”]

Barbi Benton [born Barbara Klein] (1950) country singer, also actress

William “Billy Bass” Nelson (1951) Funkadelic bassist/co-founder

Peter Schilling [born Pierre Schilling] (1956) singer/songwriter [“Major Tom (Coming Home)”]

Dave Sharp (1959) The Alarm guitarist/songwriter/co-founder

Sam Phillips [born Leslie Phillips] (1962) singer/songwriter/guitarist

Dan Spitz (1963) Anthrax lead guitarist/songwriter

Sarah McLachlan (1968) singer/songwriter/pianist [“Adia”/”Angel”]

DJ Muggs [born Lawrence Muggerud] (1968) Cypress Hill DJ/songwriter/co-founder

Rick Ross [born William Roberts II] (1976) rapper/songwriter

Matt DeVries (1977) Fear Factory bassist

Joey Fatone (1977) *NSYNC singer/co-founder

Nick Carter (1980) Backstreet Boys singer/songwriter/co-founder

DEATHS

Nicola “Jim” Capaldi (2005) Traffic drummer/songwriter/co-founder and Steve Winwood drummer (born 1944) age 60 – stomach cancer

Billy Powell (2009) Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist/songwriter (born 1952) age 56 – suspected heart attack

Signe Toly Anderson (2016) Jefferson Airplane co-lead singer/co-founder [“Chauffeur Blues”] (born 1941) age 74 – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Paul Kantner (2016) Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship singer/guitarist/songwriter/co-founder (born 1941) age 74 – multiple organ failure

Tom Verlaine [born Thomas Miller] (2023) Television co-lead singer/guitarist/keyboardist/songwriter/co-founder [current] [“Marquee Moon”] (born 1949) age 73 – brief illness

Barrett Strong (2023) singer [“Money (That’s What I Want)”]/ songwriter [“I Heard It Through the Grapevine”/”War”/”I Can’t Get Next to You”] (born 1941) age 81 – unknown causes

CHARTS

In 1995, “Creep” by TLC hits No. 1 – 4 weeks (first of four No. 1 singles)

In 2017, “The Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran hits No. 1 – 12 weeks (first of two No. 1 singles)

NEW RELEASES

(Albums)

In 1980, EMI Records releases the 11th studio album from The J. Geils Band, “Love Stinks”; Billboard 200: 18; 500,000 copies U.S.; “Love Stinks,” “Come Back,” “Just Can’t Wait”

In 1985, Warner Bros. Records releases the first extended play album from David Lee Roth, “Crazy From the Heat”; Billboard 200: 15; 1 million copies U.S.; “Just a Gigolo”/”I Ain’t Got Nobody,” “California Girls”

(Singles)

1969, “My Cherie Amour,” Stevie Wonder

1974, “Jet,” Paul McCartney & Wings

1992, “Hazard,” Richard Marx

COMINGS/GOINGS

In 1966, singer Brian Poole announces that he is leaving Brian Poole and the Tremeloes to pursue a solo career.

NOTEWORTHY

In 1978, the Doobie Brothers sing and appear as themselves on the ABC-TV show, “What’s Happening!!.”

In 1985, “We Are the World” is recorded at A&M Studios in Hollywood with more than 40 prominent recording artists involved, including Harry Belafonte, Lindsey Buckingham, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Daryl Hall, John Oates, The Jacksons, Waylon Jennings, Billy Joel, Kenny Loggins, Bette Midler, Willie Nelson, The Pointer Sisters, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Dionne Warwick, and Stevie Wonder.