October 23 Music History Report

BIRTHDAYS

Charlie Foxx (1939) Inez and Charlie Foxx singer/guitarist/co-founder [“Mockingbird”] (died 1998) age 58 – leukemia

Barbara Ann Hawkins (1943) The Dixie Cups singer/co-founder [“Chapel of Love”/”Iko Iko”]

Greg Ridley (1947) Humble Pie and Spooky Tooth bassist/co-founder (died 2003) age 56 – pneumonia

Würzel [born Michael Burston] (1949) Mötorhead guitarist (died 2011) age 61 – ventricular fibrillation

Perry “Tiny” Tavares (1949) Tavares singer/co-founder [current] [“More Than a Woman”]

Dwight Yoakam (1956) singer/songwriter/guitarist [“I Sang Dixie”/”Little Sister”/”Streets of Bakersfield” (with Buck Owens)], also actor

“Weird Al” Yankovic (1959) singer/songwriter/parodist/satirist [“Eat It”/”Amish Paradise”/”eBay”], also actor

Robert Trujillo (1964) Metallica bassist [current]

Brian Nevin (1966) Big Head Todd and the Monsters drummer/co-founder

DEATHS

Al Jolson [born Asa Yoelson] singer [“April Showers”/”Swanee”], also actor (born 1886) age 64 – heart attack

“Mother” Maybelle Carter [born Maybelle Addington] (1978) Carter Family guitarist/multi-instrumentalist (born 1909) age 69 – long illness

Robert Merrill (2004) operatic baritone (born 1917) age 87 – natural causes

Pete Burns (2016) Dead or Alive lead singer/songwriter/founder [“You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)”] (born 1959) age 57 – cardiac arrest

Jerry Jeff Walker [born Ronald Crosby] (2020) singer/guitarist/harmonica player/songwriter [“Mr. Bojangles”/”Up Against the Wall Red Neck Mother”/”London Homesick Blues”] (born 1942) age 78 – throat cancer

CHARTS

In 1961, “Runaround Sue” by Dion hits No. 1 – 2 weeks (only No. 1 single)

In 1976, “If You Leave Me Now” by Chicago hits No. 1 – 2 weeks (first of three No. 1 singles)

In 1999, “Smooth” by Santana featuring Rob Thomas hits No. 1 – 12 weeks (first of two No. 1 singles)

NEW RELEASES

(Albums)

In 1983, Riva Records releases the seventh studio album from John Cougar Mellencamp, “Uh-Huh”; Billboard 200: 9; 3 million copies U.S.; “Crumblin’ Down,” “Pink Houses,” “Authority Song,” “Play Guitar”

In 1984, Columbia Records releases the second studio album from Wham!, “Make It Big”; Billboard 200: 1 (2 weeks); 10 million copies (6 million copies); “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” “Everything She Wants,” “Freedom,” “Careless Whisper”

In 1986, Columbia Records releases the sixth studio album from Eddie Money, “Can’t Hold Back”; Billboard 200: 20 1 million copies U.S.; “Take Me Home Tonight,” “I Wanna Go Back,” “Endless Nights,” “We Should Be Sleeping”

(Singles)

1978, “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand

1978, “I Will Survive,” Gloria Gaynor

1989, “Another Day in Paradise,” Phil Collins

2006, “Rehab,” Amy Winehouse

NOTEWORTHY

In 1995, Yolanda Saldivar is convicted of the murder of Tejano pop star Selena in March of that year. She eventually is sentenced to life in prison and is not eligible for parole until 2025.