BIRTHDAYS
Pearl Bailey (1918) singer [“Takes Two to Tango”], also actress (died 1990) age 72 – arteriosclerotic coronary artery disease
Ray Davis (1940) The Parliaments/Parliament/Funkadelic bass singer/co-founder (died 2005) age 65 – respiratory problems
Astrud Gilberto [born Astrud Weinert] (born 1940) samba and bossa nova singer [“The Girl from Ipanema”]/songwriter, also actress (died 2023) age 83 – unknown causes
Chad Allan (1943) The Guess Who lead singer/songwriter/co-founder
Vangelis [born Evangelos Papathanassiou] (1943) pianist/keyboardist/composer [“Chariots of Fire”] (died 2022) age 79 – heart failure
Terry Jacks (1944) The Poppy Family singer/songwriter/guitarist/co-founder and solo singer/ songwriter/guitarist [“Seasons in the Sun”]
John “Speedy” Keen (1945) Thunderclap Newman lead singer/drummer/keyboardist/songwriter/co-founder [“Something in the Air”] (died 2002) age 56 – heart failure
Billy Thorpe (1946) Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs lead singer/guitarist/songwriter/co-founder and solo singer/guitarist/songwriter [“Children of the Sun”] (died 2007) age 60 – heart attack
Bobby Kimball (1947) Toto lead singer/songwriter/co-founder
Dave Greenfield (1949) Stranglers keyboardist/co-lead singer/songwriter (died 2020) age 71 – COVID-19 complications
Michael Brecker (1949) jazz saxophonist (died 2007) age 57 – leukemia
Patty Donahue (1956) The Waitresses lead singer [“I Know What Boys Like”] (died 1994) age 40 – lung cancer
Perry Farrell [born Peretz Bernstein] (1959) Jane’s Addiction lead singer/songwriter/co-founder [current] [“Been Caught Stealing”] and Porno for Pyros lead singer/songwriter/co-founder
John Popper (1967) Blues Traveler lead singer/harmonica player/songwriter/co-founder [current] [“Run-Around”]
Brady Seals (1969) Little Texas co-lead singer/keyboardist/songwriter/co-founder [“God Blessed Texas”]
P.J. Morton (1981) Maroon 5 keyboardist [current]
DEATHS
Mantovani [born Annunzio Mantovani] (died 1980) conductor/composer (born 1905) age 74 – natural causes
The Singing Nun [born Jeanne Deckers] (1985) singer [“Dominique”] (born 1933) age 51 – suicide by barbiturates
Joe Diffie (1958) country singer/songwriter/guitarist (died 2020) age 61 – COVID-19 complications
CHARTS
In 1975, “Lady Marmalade” by Labelle hits No. 1 – 1 week (only No. 1 single)
In 1986, “Rock Me Amadeus” by Falco hits No. 1 – 3 weeks (only No. 1 single)
NEW RELEASES
(Albums)
In 1979, A&M Records releases the sixth studio album from Supertramp, “Breakfast in America”; Billboard 200: 1 (6 weeks); 20 million copies (6 million copies U.S.); Grammy Awards: Best Recording Package and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical; “The Logical Song,” “Goodbye Stranger,” “Breakfast in America,” “Take the Long Way Home”
In 1982, Mercury Records releases the eighth studio album from the Scorpions, “Blackout”; Billboard 200: 10; 1 million copies U.S.; “No One Like You”
(Singles)
1982, “Ebony and Ivory,” Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney
2005, “Beverly Hills,” Weezer
COMINGS/GOINGS
In 1969, guitarists Duane Allman and Dickie Betts and drummers Butch Trucks and Jaimoe gather for a jam session at bassist Berry Oakley’s house in Jacksonville Florida. From this session, they would add guitarist/keyboardist/singer Gregg Allman to form the Allman Brothers Band.
In 1980, singer Brian Johnson officially replaces the late Bon Scott in AC/DC.
NOTEWORTHY
In 1973, Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine in response to their hit song “The Cover of the Rolling Stone.” According to members of the group, they really did buy five copies for their mothers, just like the song said.
The Journalism Gypsy 