January 23 Music History Report

BIRTHDAYS

Ken Errair (1928) The Four Freshman singer (died 1969) age 41 – plane crash

Joe Dowell (1940) singer [“Wooden Heart”] (died 2016) age 76 – heart attack

Jerry Lawson (1944) The Persuasions lead singer/co-founder and solo singer (died 2019) age 75 – Guillain–Barré syndrome

Anita Pointer (1948) The Pointer Sisters singer/songwriter/co-founder (died 2022) age 74 – cancer

Bill Cunningham (1950) The Box Tops bassist/keyboardist/co-founder [current]

Danny Federici (1950) E Street Band organist/co-founder (died 2008) age 58 – melanoma

Robin Zander (1953) Cheap Trick lead singer/rhythm guitarist/songwriter/co-founder [current]

Earl Falconer (1959) UB40 bassist/songwriter/co-founder [current] [“Red Red Wine”]

Louie Clemente (1965) Testament drummer/songwriter/co-founder

Nick Harmer (1975) Death Cab for Cutie bassist/songwriter/co-founder [current]

DEATHS

Terry Kath (1978) Chicago guitarist/co-lead singer/bassist/songwriter/co-founder (born 1946) age 31 – accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound

Larkin “Allen” Collins Jr. (1990) Lynyrd Skynyrd co-lead guitarist/songwriter/co-founder and The Rossington-Collins Band co-lead guitarist/songwriter/co-founder (born 1952) age 37 – chronic pneumonia

Bobby Freeman (2017) soul and R&B singer/songwriter [“Do You Wanna Dance”] (born 1940) age 76 – natural causes

Melanie [born Melanie Safka-Schekeryk] (died 2024) singer/songwriter [“Brand New Key”/”Lay Down (Candles in the Rain”] (born 1947) age 76 – unknown causes

CHARTS

In 1965, “Downtown” by Petula Clark hits No. 1 – 2 weeks (first of two No. 1 singles and first U.K. female to have a No. 1 single on U.S. chart in the rock ‘n’ roll era; also, a young session guitarist named Jimmy Page plays guitar on the song, giving him his first of two U.S. No. 1 singles [none of which are by Led Zeppelin or the Yardbirds]; the other No.1 single Page played on was “Sunshine Superman” by Donovan)

In 1971, “Knock Three Times” by Dawn hits No. 1 – 3 weeks (first of two No. 1 singles)

In 1988, “The Way You Make Me Feel” by Michael Jackson hits No. 1 – 1 week (eighth of 12 No. 1 singles)

In 2016, “Love Yourself” by Justin Bieber hits No. 1 – 2 weeks (sixth of eight No. 1 singles)

NEW RELEASES

(Albums)

In 1967, Motown Records releases the 10th studio album from The Supremes, “The Supremes Sing Holland-Dozier-Holland”; Billboard 200: 6; 500,000 copies U.S.; “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” “Love is Here, and Now You’re Gone”

In 1976, RCA Records releases the 10th studio album from David Bowie, “Station to Station”; Billboard 200: 3; 1 million copies (500,000 U.S.); “Golden Years,” “TVC 15”

In 1977, Columbia Records releases the 10th studio album from Pink Floyd, “Animals”; Billboard 200: 3; 5 million copies (4 million copies U.S.)

(Singles)

1964, “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” The Temptations

1967, “Baby I Need Your Lovin’,” Johnny Rivers

1978, “If I Can’t Have You,” Yvonne Elliman

1984, “Thriller,” Michael Jackson

1985, “Material Girl,” Madonna

NOTEWORTHY

In 1986, the first induction for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame occurs in at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. The initial class includes Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, and Elvis Presley as well as early influences Jimmy Rodgers, Jimmy Yancey, and Robert Johnson. Disk jockey Allen Freed and Sun Records founder Sam Phillips are inducted as well.