October 30 Music History Report

BIRTHDAYS

Grace Slick [born Grace Wing] (1939) Jefferson Airplane lead singer/keyboardist and Jefferson Starship and Starship lead singer/keyboardist/co-founder

Eddie Holland Jr. (1939) singer, also Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriter [“Heat Wave”/”Can I Get a Witness”/”Baby Love”/”I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)”/”Give Me Just a Little More Time”]

Otis Williams [Otis Miles Jr.] (1941) The Temptations baritone singer/songwriter/co-founder [current]

Chris Slade [born Christopher Rees] (1946) The Firm and Manfred Mann’s Earth Band drummer/co-founder, Tom Jones drummer and AC/DC drummer [current]

Timothy B. Schmit (1947) Poco bassist/singer/songwriter and The Eagles bassist/singer/songwriter [current] [“I Can’t Tell You Why”]

Jeannie Kendall (1954) The Kendalls lead singer/songwriter/co-founder [“Heaven’s Just a Sin Away”]

T. Graham Brown (1954) country singer

Jerry De Borg [Jerry de Abela Borg] (1963) Jesus Jones bassist/co-founder [current] [“Right Here, Right Now”]

Gavin Rossdale (1965) Bush lead singer/guitarist/co-founder [current] [“Everything Zen”/”Machonehead”/”Glycerine”/”Comedown”]

Snow [born Darrin O’Brien] reggae and hip-hop singer/songwriter [“Informer”]

Kassidy Osborn (1976) SHeDAISY singer/co-founder

DEATHS

Malcolm Hale (1968) Spanky and Our Gang lead guitarist/trombonist/co-founder [“Sunday Will Never Be the Same”/”Lazy Day”/”Like to Get to Know You”] (born 1941) age 27 – carbon monoxide poisoning

Jam Master Jay [born Jason Mizell] (2002) Run-D.M.C. DJ/co-founder (born 1965) age 37 – murdered

Robert Goulet (2007) singer, also actor [“My Love, Forgive Me”] (born 1933) age 73 – pulmonary fibrosis

Andrew “Mike” Terry (2008) Funk Brothers baritone saxophonist (born 1940) age 68 – long illness

Pete Haycock (2013) Climax Blues Band lead guitarist/co-lead singer/composer/songwriter/co-founder [“Couldn’t Get It Right”] (born 1951) age 62 – heart attack

CHARTS

In 1982, “Who Can It Be Now” by Men at Work hits No. 1 – 1 week (first of two No. 1 singles)

In 2004, “My Boo” by Usher and Alicia Keys hits No. 1 – 6 weeks (sixth of eight No. 1 singles for Usher; second of four No. 1 singles for Keys)

In 2010, “Like a G6” by Far East Movement featuring The Cataracs and Dev hits No. 1 – 3 weeks (only No. 1 single for Far East Movement, The Cataracs and Dev)

NEW RELEASES

(Albums)

In 1985, Chrysalis Records releases the sixth studio album from Pat Benatar, “Seven the Hard Way”; Billboard 200: 26; 500,000 copies U.S.; “Invincible,” “Sex as a Weapon,” “Le Bel Age”

In 1987, Columbia Records and Epic Records releases the debut studio album from George Michael, “Faith”; Billboard 200: 1 (12 weeks); 25 million copies (10 million copies U.S.); Grammy Award: Album of the Year; Rolling Stone 500: 480; “Faith,” “Father Figure,” “I Want Your Sex,” “One More Try,” “Monkey”

In 2000, Interscope Records releases the 10th studio album from U2, “All That You Can’t Leave Behind”; Billboard 200: 3; 12 million copies (4 million copies U.S.); Grammy Awards: Record of the Year (2), Song of the Year, Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal (2), Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal, Best Rock Album; Rolling Stone 500: 139; “Beautiful Day,” “Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of,” “Elevator,” “Walk On”

(Singles)

1968, “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” Marvin Gaye

1978, “Hanging on the Telephone,” Blondie

1982, “Africa,” Toto

1984, “Born in the U.S.A.,” Bruce Springsteen

1990, “Justify My Love,” Madonna

1995, “Wonderwall,” Oasis

COMINGS/GOINGS

In 1970, Hotlegs, which eventually renames itself 10cc, performs live for the first time at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

In 1982, lead singer Paul Weller announces that The Jam has broken up.

In 2003, lead guitarist Terry Corso quits Alien Ant Farm.

NOTEWORTHY

In 1970, The Doors’ lead singer, Jim Morrison, is found guilty of open profanity and indecent exposure for an incident that occurred during a concert at the Dinner Key Auditorium in Miami the year before. Morrison is fined $500 and sentenced to six months in prison. While appealing the conviction, Morrison relocated to Paris where he died several months later. In 2010, the Florida State Clemency Board granted Morrison a full pardon.