March 26 Music History Report

BIRTHDAYS

Rufus Thomas Jr. (1917) R&B and soul singer/songwriter [“Walking the Dog”/”Do the Funky Chicken”] (died 2001) age 84 – heart failure

Fred Parris (1936) The Five Satins lead singer/co-founder [current] [“In the Still of the Night”] (died 2022) age 85 – brief illness

Diana Ross [born Diane Ross] (1944) The Supremes lead singer/co-founder and solo singer

Richard Tandy (1948) Electric Light Orchestra keyboardist and Jeff Lynne’s ELO [current]

Steven Tyler [born Steven Tallarico] (1948) Aerosmith lead singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/co-founder [current] and solo singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist

Vicki Lawrence (1949) singer [“The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia”], also actress

Fran Sheehan (1949) Boston bassist/co-founder

Theodore “Teddy” Pendergrass (1950) Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes lead singer/songwriter [“If You Don’t Know Me By Now”] and solo singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist [“Close the Door”/”Two Hearts” (with Stephanie Mills] (died 2010) age 50 – respiratory failure

Billy Lyall (1953) Pilot keyboardist/songwriter/co-founder [“Magic”] and Bay City Rollers keyboardist (died 1989) age 36 – AIDS-related complications

Dean Dillon [born Larry Flynn] (1955) country singer/songwriter/guitarist

Charlotte “Charly” McClain (1956) country singer

Kenny Chesney (1968) country singer/songwriter/guitarist

James Iha (1968) The Smashing Pumpkins guitarist/songwriter/co-founder [current] and A Perfect Circle guitarist/songwriter/co-founder

Juvenile [Terius Gray] (1977) rapper/songwriter

DEATHS

Ludwig van Beethoven (1827) composer/pianist (born 1770) age 56 – liver damage

Eazy-E [born Eric Wright] (1995) N.W.A. rapper/co-founder and solo rapper (born 1964) age 30 – AIDS-related complications

William “Jan” Berry (2004) Jan and Dean singer/songwriter/co-founder (born 1941) age 62 – seizure

Ranking Roger [born Roger Charlery] (2019) The English Beat and General Public co-lead singer/songwriter/co-founder [“Save It for Later”] (born 1963) age 56 – lung cancer

CHARTS

In 1955, “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” by Bill Hayes hits No. 1 – 5 weeks (only No. 1 single)

In 1977, “Rich Girl” by Hall & Oates hits No. 1 – 3 weeks (first of six No. 1 singles)

In 1988, “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson hits No. 1 – 2 weeks; first time an artist has four consecutive No. 1 singles from same album, “Bad”)

NEW RELEASES

(Albums)

In 1976, Vertigo Records releases the sixth studio album from Thin Lizzy, “Jailbreak”; Billboard 200: 18; 500,000 copies U.S.; “The Boys are Back in Town,” “Jailbreak”

In 1979, Casablanca Records releases the fourth studio album from the Village People, “Go West”; Billboard 200: 8; 1 million copies U.S.; “In the Navy,” “Go West”

In 1980, Warner Bros. Records releases the studio album from Van Halen, “Women and Children First”; Billboard 200: 6; 3 million copies U.S.; “And the Cradle Will Rock,” “Everybody Wants Some”

In 1981, MCA Records releases the fifth studio album from The Oak Ridge Boys, “Fancy Free”; Billboard 200: 14; 2 million copies U.S.’ “Elvira”

In 1985, MCA Records releases the sixth studio album from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “Southern Accents”; Billboard 200: 7; 1 million copies U.S.; “Don’t Come Around Here No More”

In 1990, Capitol Records releases the 10th studio album from Heart, “Brigade”; Billboard 200: 3; 2 million copies U.S.; “All I Wanna Do is Make Love to You,” “Stranded”

In 1996, Atlantic Records releases the third studio album from Stone Temple Pilots, “Tiny Music … Songs From the Vatican Gift Shop”; Billboard 200: 4; 2 million copies U.S.; “Big Bang Baby,” “Lady Picture Show,” “Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart”

(Singles)

1975, “Daniel,” Elton John

1977, “Feels Like the First Time,” Foreigner

COMINGS/GOINGS

In 1965, the Yardbirds announce that guitarist Jeff Beck is replacing Eric Clapton.

In 1972, Mott the Hoople announces that they are disbanding but band members change their minds after David Bowie offers the song “All the Young Dudes” to record for themselves.

In 2008, guitarist Clint Lowery replaces Sonny Mayo in Sevendust.

NOTEWORTHY

In 1971, the Rolling Stones’s iconic tongue and mouth logo debuts for the first time on VIP passes for a Rolling Stones’ show at the Marquee Club in London.