July 28 Music History Report

BIRTHDAYS

Rudy Vallee (1901) singer/bandleader, also actor (died 1986) age 85 – cancer

Frankie Yankovic (1915) accordionist/bandleader [known as “America’s Polka King”] (died 1998) age 83 – heart failure

George Cummings (1938) Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show steel guitarist/songwriter/founder [“Sylvia’s Mother”/”The Cover of the Rolling Stone”/”When You’re in Love With a Beautiful Woman”]

Mike Bloomfield (1943) Paul Butterfield Blues guitarist/songwriter/co-founder (died 1981) age 37 – drug overdose

Rick Wright (1943) Pink Floyd pianist/keyboardist/composer/songwriter/co-founder [“Wish You Were Here”] and singer [“Time] (died 2008) age 65 – lung cancer

Jonathan Edwards (1946) singer/songwriter [“Sunshine”]

Gerald Casale [born Gerald Pizzute] (1948) Devo co-lead singer/multi-instrumentalist/co-founder

Simon Kirke (1949) Free and Bad Company drummer/songwriter/co-founder [current]

Peter Doyle (1949) The New Seekers guitarist/singer (died 2001) age 52 – throat cancer

Steve Peregrin Took [born Stephen Porter] (1949) T. Rex guitarist/multi-instrumentalist (died 1980) age 31 – drug-related asphyxiation (cocktail cherry)

Gregg Giuffria (1951) Giuffria multi-instrumentalist/co-founder [“Call to the Heart”]

Steve Morse (1954) Dixie Dregs guitarist/multi-instrumentalist/songwriter/co-founder and Kansas and Deep Purple guitarist [current]

Rachel Sweet (1962) singer [“Everlasting Love” with Rex Smith]

Jacoby Shaddix (1976) Papa Roach lead singer/songwriter/co-founder [current] [“Scars”]

Soulja Boy [born DeAndre Way] (1990) rapper

DEATHS

Johann Sebastian Bach (1750) composer [“Toccata and Fugue in D minor”] (born 1685) age 65 – eye surgery complications

Marguerite “Marge” Ganser (1996) The Shangri-Las singer/co-founder [“Leader of the Pack”/”Remember (Walking in the Sand)”] (born 1948) age 48 – breast cancer

Jerome Smith (2000) KC and the Sunshine Band guitarist (born 1953) age 47 – construction site accident

George Williams (2004) The Tymes lead singer [“So Much in Love”] (born 1935) age 68 – cancer

John “Dusty” Hill (2021) ZZ Top bassist/keyboardist/singer/co-founder (born 1949) age 72 – unknown causes

CHARTS

In 1951, “Come-On-A My House” by Rosemary Clooney hits No. 1 – 6 weeks (first of four No. 1 singles)

In 1956, “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” by Elvis Presley hits No. 1 – 1 week (second of 18 No. 1 singles)

In 2007, “Hey There Delilah” by Plain White T’s hits No. 1 – 2 weeks (only No. 1 single)

NEW RELEASES

(Albums)

In 1979, Polydor Records releases the fourth studio album from Rainbow, “Down to Earth”; Billboard 200: 6; “Since You’ve Been Gone,” “All Night Long”

In 1986, Columbia Records releases the 10th studio album from Billy Joel, “The Bridge”; Billboard 200: 7; 2 million copies U.S.; “Modern Woman,” “A Matter of Trust,” “This is the Time,” “Baby Grand”

In 1992, Uptown Records and MCA Records releases the debut studio album from Mary J. Blige, “What’s the 411?”; Billboard 200: 6; 3 million copies U.S.; “You Remind Me,” “Real Love, “Sweet Thing,” “Love No. Limit”

(Singles)

1972, “All the Young Dudes,” Mott the Hoople

1983, “Tell Her About It,” Billy Joel

1979, “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” Michael Jackson

1987, “The Loco-Motion,” Kylie Minogue

COMINGS/GOINGS

In 1979, Joe Perry quits Aerosmith after getting into a post-concert shouting match with Steven Tyler in Cleveland, Ohio. He would rejoin the band five years later.

In 1993, The 10,000 Maniacs plays their last show with lead singer Natalie Merchant in Chautauqua, New York. Merchant leaves the band to pursue a solo career.

In 1998, Toad the Wet Sprocket disbands.