March 30 Music History Report

BIRTHDAYS

Frankie Laine (1913) singer/songwriter [“Mule Train”/”Blazing Saddles”] (died 2007) age 93 – heart failure

Graeme Edge (1941) The Moody Blues drummer/songwriter/co-founder (died 2021) age 80 – cancer

Jay Traynor (1943) Jay and the Americans lead singer/co-founder [“She Cried”] (died 2014) age 70 – liver cancer

Eric Clapton (1945) The Yardbirds guitarist/songwriter/co-founder, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers guitarist, Cream co-lead singer/guitarist/songwriter/co-founder, Blind Faith co-lead singer/guitarist/songwriter/co-founder, Derek and the Dominos co-lead singer/guitarist/songwriter/co-founder, and solo singer/guitarist/songwriter

Jim “Dandy” Mangrum (1948) Black Oak Arkansas lead singer/washboard player [current] [“Jim Dandy”]

Lene Lovich (1949) singer/songwriter/saxophonist

Re Styles [born Shirley MacLeod] (1950) The Tubes guitarist/singer, also actress (died 2022) age 72 – stroke complications

Dave Ball (1950) Procol Harum guitarist (died 2015) age 65 – bowel cancer

Randy VanWarmer (1955) singer/songwriter [“Just When I Needed You Most”] (died 2004) age 48 – leukemia

M.C. Hammer [born Stanley Burrell] (1962) rapper/singer/songwriter [“U Can’t Touch This,” “2 Legit 2 Quit,” “Pray”]

Tracy Chapman (1964) singer/songwriter/guitarist/harmonica player

Joey Castillo (1966) Queens of the Stone Age drummer/songwriter and Danzig drummer

Celine Dion (1968) singer/songwriter

DJ AM [born Adam Goldstein] (1973) Crazy Town turntablist/keyboardist [“Butterfly”] (died 2009) age 36 – drug overdose

Norah Jones [born Geetali Shankar] singer/songwriter/pianist

DEATHS

Bill Withers Jr. (2020) Soul & R&B singer/songwriter/guitarist/keyboardist [“Lean on Me”/”Ain’t No Sunshine”] (born 1938) age 81 – heart complications

CHARTS

In 1957, “Party Doll” by Buddy Knox hits No. 1 – 1 week (only No. 1 single; first No. 1 single in the rock ‘n’ roll era to be written by the artist)

In 1963, “He’s So Fine” by The Chiffons hits No. 1 – 4 weeks (only No. 1 single)

In 1974, “Sunshine on My Shoulders” by John Denver hits No. 1 – 1 week (first of four No. 1 singles)

In 1985, “One More Night” by Phil Collins hits No. 1 – 2 weeks (second of 6 No. 1 singles)

In 1991, “Coming Out of the Dark” by Gloria Estefan hits No. 1 – 2 weeks (third and final solo No. 1 single)

NEW RELEASES

(Albums)

In 1977, Motown Records releases the fifth studio album from the Commodores, “Commodores”; Billboard 200: 3; “Brick House,” “Easy”

In 1984, Atlantic Records releases the debut studio album from Ratt, “Out of the Cellar”; Billboard 200: 7; 3 million copies; “Round and Round,” “Wanted Man”

COMINGS/GOINGS

In 1974, The Ramones play live for the first time at Performance Studio in New York City.

In 1976, the Sex Pistols play live for the first time at The 100 Club in London.

In 1984, guitarist Greg Lake announces his departure from Asia and is replaced by John Wetton, who Lake originally replaced.