BIRTHDAYS
Vladimir Horowitz (1903) pianist/composer (died 1989) age 86 – heart attack
Roger Williams (1924) pianist [“Autumn Leaves”/”Born Free”] (died 2011) age 87 – pancreatic cancer
Richard Harris (1930) singer [“MacArthur Park”], also actor (died 2002) age 72 – Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Albert Collins [born Albert Drewery] (1932) blues guitarist/singer/songwriter/harmonica player [“The Master of the Telecaster”] (died 1993) age 61 – cancer
Julie Andrews (1935) singer [“My Favorite Things”/”Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”/”Do-Re-Mi”], also actress
Herb Fame (1942) Peaches & Herb singer/co-founder [current] [“Reunited”]
Jerry Martini (1943) Sly & the Family Stone saxophonist/co-founder
Donny Hathaway (1945) blues and soul singer/songwriter/arranger/pianist/keyboardist [“Where is the Love” and “The Closer I Get to You” (both with Roberta Flack)] (died 1979) age 33 – suicide
Mariska Veres [born Maria Ender] (1947) Shocking Blue lead singer/organist [“Venus”] (died 2006) age 59 – gall bladder cancer
Michael “Cub” Koda (1948) Brownsville Station lead singer/guitarist/harmonica player/songwriter [“Smokin’ in the Boys Room”] (died 2000) age 51 – kidney disease
Howard Hewett Jr. (1956) Shalamar lead singer/pianist/guitarist [current] [“The Second Time Around”/”Dancing in the Sheets”]
Martin Cooper (1958) Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark keyboardist/saxophonist [current] [“If You Leave”/”So in Love”/”Enola Gay”]
Youssou N’Dour (1959) singer/songwriter [“Shakin’ the Tree” (with Peter Gabriel)]
Kevin Griffin (1968) Better Than Ezra lead singer/guitarist/pianist/songwriter/co-founder [current] [“Good”]
DEATHS
Al Jackson Jr. (1975) Booker T. & the M.G.’s drummer/co-founder [“Green Onions”] (born 1935) age 39 – murdered
Bruce Palmer (2004) Buffalo Springfield bassist/co-founder (born 1946) age 58 – heart attack
Nick Reynolds (2008) The Kingston Trio singer/guitarist/drummer/co-founder [“Tom Dooley”] (born 1933) age 75 – acute respiratory disease
CHARTS
In 1977, “‘Star Wars’ Theme”/”Cantina Band” by Meco hits No. 1 – 2 weeks (only No. 1 single)
In 1983, “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler hits No. 1 – 4 weeks (only No. 1 single)
NEW RELEASES
(Albums)
In 1962, Capitol Records releases the debut studio album from The Beach Boys, “Surfin’ Safari”; Billboard 200: 32; “Surfin’ Safari,” “409,” “Surfin'”
In 1967, Reprise Records releases the debut studio album from Arlo Guthrie, “Alice’s Restaurant”; Billboard 200: 63; “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree”
In 1969, Apple Records releases the 11th studio album by The Beatles, “Abbey Road”; Billboard 200: 1 (12 weeks); 31 million copies (12 million copies U.S.); Grammy Award: Grammy Hall of Fame (1995); Rolling Stone 500: 14; “Come Together,” “Something,” “Octopus’s Garden,” “I Want You (She’s So Heavy),” “Here Comes the Sun,” You Never Give Me Money,” “She Came in Through the Bathroom Window,” “Carry That Weight”
In 1971, A&M Records releases the fifth studio album from Cat Stevens, “Teaser and the Firecat”; Billboard 200: 2; 3 million copies U.S.; “Moonshadow,” “Peace Train,” “Morning Has Broken”
In 1975, Arista Records releases the third studio album from Barry Manilow, “Tryin’ to Get the Feeling”; Billboard 200: 5; 3 million copies U.S.; “Bandstand Boogie,” “I Write the Songs”
In 1976, A&M Records releases the sixth studio album from Styx, “Crystal Ball”; Billboard 200: 66; 500,000 copies U.S.; “Mademoiselle,” “Crystal Ball”
In 1982, Columbia Records releases the 17th and final studio album from Marvin Gaye, “Midnight Love”; Billboard 200: 7; 6 million copies (4 million copies U.S.); Grammy Awards: Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Instrumental Performance; “Sexual Healing,” “Til Tomorrow,” “Joy”
In 1984, Island Records releases the fourth studio album from U2, “The Unforgettable Fire”; Billboard 200: 12; 3 million copies U.S.; “Pride (In the Name of Love)”
In 1991, Paisley Park Records and Warner Bros. Records releases the 13th studio album from Prince (and first from Prince and the New Power Generation), “Diamonds and Pearls”; Billboard 200: 3; 2 million copies U.S.; “Gett Off,” “Cream,” “Insatiable,” “Diamonds and Pearls,” “Money Don’t Matter 2 Night”
In 1991, MCA Records releases the 16th studio album from Reba McIntire, “For My Broken Heart”; Billboard 200: 13; 4 million copies U.S.; “For My Broken Heart,” “Is There Life Out There,” “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia”
In 1996, Melisma Records, Lava Records, and Atlantic Records releases the debut studio album from Matchbox 20, “Yourself or Someone Like You”; Billboard 200: 5; 15 million copies (12 million copies U.S.); “Long Day,” “Push,” “3 A.M.,” “Real World,” “Back 2 Good”
(Singles)
1965, “Turn, Turn, Turn,” The Byrds
1974, “Cat’s in the Cradle,” Harry Chapin
1977, “Thunder Island,” Jay Ferguson
COMINGS/GOINGS
In 1962, Barbra Streisand signs a recording contract with Columbia Records.
In 1966, singer/guitarist Denny Laine quits the Moody Blues to form the Electric String Band. He is replaced by Justin Hayward. In 1971, Laine joins with Paul McCartney to form Wings.
In 1966, following an audition, bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell are hired to join singer/guitarist Jim Hendrix in The Jimi Hendrix Experience.
In 1967, Traffic plays live for the first time at the Saville Theatre in London.
In 1968, singer John Sebastian quits The Lovin’ Spoonful to pursue a solo career. The Lovin’ Spoonful becomes a trio following Sebastian’s departure.
In 1970, singer Curtis Mayfield quits the Impressions to pursue a solo career. He is replaced by Leroy Hutson.
NOTEWORTHY
In 1962, the four members of The Beatles agree to terms with Brian Epstein to become the band’s manager. Epstein’s deal with The Beatles pays him 25 percent of the group’s earnings as long as the group makes more than $400 per week.
The Journalism Gypsy 