August 30 Music History Report

BIRTHDAYS

Kitty Wells [born Ellen Deason] (1919) singer/songwriter/guitarist [“It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels”] (died 2012) age 92 – stroke

“Papa John” Phillips (1935) The Mamas & The Papas singer/songwriter/founder (died 2001) age 65 – heart failure

Charles Colbert (1939) American Breed bassist/co-founder [“Bend Me, Shape Me”]

John McNally (1941) The Searchers lead guitarist/co-founder [“Needles and Pins”/”Love Potion No. 9”]

Micky Moody (1950) Whitesnake guitarist/songwriter/co-founder

Horace Panter [born Stephen Panter] (1953) The Specials bassist/co-founder [current] and General Public bassist/co-founder [“Tenderness”]

Ronald Beitle (1954) Wild Cherry drummer (died 2017) age 63 – bladder cancer

Martin Jackson (1955) Swing Out Sister drummer/co-founder [“Breakout”]

Paul Oakenfold (1963) trance DJ/turntablist

Dave Brockie (1963) GWAR lead singer/bassist/co-founder (died 2014) age 50 – heroin overdose

Lars Frederiksen [born Lars Dapello] (1971) Rancid lead singer/guitarist/songwriter/co-founder [current]

Aaron Barrett (1974) Reel Big Fish lead singer/lead guitarist/songwriter/co-founder [current]

Ryan Ross (1986) Panic! at the Disco lead guitarist/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/co-founder

DEATHS

Thomas “Papa Dee” Allen (1988) War drummer/co-founder [“Spill the Wine”/”The Cisco Kid”/”Low Rider”] (born 1931) age 57 – heart attack

Sterling Morrison (1995) Velvet Underground guitarist/bassist/co-founder (born 1942) age 53 – non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

CHARTS

In 1975, “Get Down Tonight” by KC and the Sunshine Band hits No. 1 – 1 week (first of five No. 1 singles)

In 1980, “Sailing” by Christopher Cross hits No. 1 – 1 week (first of two No. 1 singles)

In 1986, “Higher Love” by Steve Winwood hits No. 1 – 1 week (first of two solo No. 1 singles)

In 1997, “Mo Money Mo Problems” by The Notorious B.I.G. featuring Puff Daddy & Mase hits No. 1 – 2 weeks (second and final No. 1 single for Biggie and Mase; third of five No. 1 singles)

NEW RELEASES

(Albums)

In 1965, Columbia Records releases the sixth studio album from Bob Dylan, “Highway 61 Revisited”; Billboard 200: 3; 1 million copies U.S.; Rolling Stone 500: 4; Grammy Hall of Fame: 2002; “Highway 61 Revisited,” “Desolation Row,” “Like a Rolling Stone,” “Ballad of a Thin Man”

In 1966, Dunhill Records releases the second studio album from The Mamas & the Papas, “The Mamas & the Papas”; Billboard 200: 4; 500,000 copies U.S.; “I Saw Her Again,” “Words of Love,” “Dancing in the Street,” “Dancing Bear”

In 1968, Columbia Records releases the sixth studio album from The Byrds, “Sweetheart of the Rodeo”; Billboard 200: 77; Rolling Stone 500: 117; Grammy Hall of Fame: 2000; “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere,” “Hickory Wind,” “I Am a Pilgrim”

In 1988, Def American Recordings releases the debut studio album from Danzig, “Danzig”; Billboard 200: 125; 500,000 copies U.S.; “Mother”

In 1993, 4AD Records and Elektra Records releases the second studio album from The Breeders, “Last Splash”; Billboard 200: 33; 1 million copies U.S.; “Cannonball”

In 1994, Motown Records releases the second studio album from Boyz II Men, “II”; Billboard 200: 1 (5 weeks); 13 million copies (12 million copies U.S.); Grammy Award: Best R&B Album; “I’ll Make Love to You,” “On Bended Knee,” “Thank You,” “Water Runs Dry”

(Singles)

1976, “Beth,” KISS

1983, “Heart and Soul,” Huey Lewis and the News

COMINGS/GOINGS

In 1973, after two unsuccessful albums and two years after original lead singer Jim Morrison passed away, The Doors break up.