January 26 Music History Report

BIRTHDAYS

Maria von Trapp (1905) Trapp Family Singers singer (died 1987) age 82 – heart failure

Huey “Piano” Smith (1934) R&B pianist/songwriter [“Don’t You Just Know It”/”Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu”] (died 2023) age 89 – unknown causes

Marshall Leib (1939) The Teddy Bears harmony singer/co-founder [“To Know Him is to Love Him”] (died 2002) age 63 – heart attack

Jean Knight (1943) soul, R&B, and funk singer [“Mr. Big Stuff”] (died 2023) age 80 – natural causes

Merrilee Rush (1944) singer [“Angel of the Morning”]

Ashley Hutchings (1945) Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span bassist/songwriter/co-founder

Laurence “Corky” Laing (1948) Mountain drummer/songwriter/co-founder

Derek Holt (1949) Climax Blues Band lead guitarist/co-founder [“I Love You”/”Couldn’t Get It Right”]

David Briggs (1951) Little River Band lead guitarist/songwriter [“Help Is on Its Way”]

Lucinda Williams (1953) singer/guitarist/songwriter [“Righteously”]

Eddie Van Halen (1955) Van Halen guitarist/songwriter/co-founder (died 2020) age 65 – throat cancer

Anita Baker (1958) R&B singer/songwriter [“Giving You the Best That I Got”/”Sweet Love”]

Norman Hassan (1958) UB40 percussionist/trombone player/songwriter/co-founder [current]

Tom Keifer (1961) Cinderella lead singer/keyboardist/songwriter/guitarist/co-founder [“Nobody’s Fool”/”Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)”]

Andrew Ridgeley (1963) Wham! singer/guitarist/songwriter/co-founder [“Wake Me Up Before you Go-Go”]

Kirk Franklin (1970) gospel singer/songwriter

DEATHS
Dean Daughtry (2023) Classic IV keyboardist [“Stormy”/”Traces”] and Atlanta Rhythm Section keyboardist/co-founder [“So Into You”/”Imaginary Lover”/”Spooky”] (born 1946) age 76 – natural causes

CHARTS

In 1963, “Walk Right In” by the Rooftop Singers hits No. 1 – 2 weeks (only No. 1 single)

In 1974, “You’re Sixteen” by Ringo Starr hits No. 1 – 1 week (second and last No. 1 single)

In 1991, “The First Time” by Surface hits No. 1 – 2 weeks (only No. 1 single)

NEW RELEASES

(Albums)

In 1970, Columbia Records releases the fifth and final studio album from Simon & Garfunkel, “Bridge Over Troubled Water”; Billboard 200: 1 (10 weeks); 25 million copies (8 million copies U.S.); Rolling Stone 500: 51; Grammy Awards: 6, including Album of the Year, Best Engineered Recording, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year; “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Cecilia,” “The Boxer”

In 1972, MCA Records releases the sixth studio album from Elton John, “Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player”; Billboard 200: 1 (2 weeks); 3 million copies U.S.; “Daniel,” “Crocodile Rock”

In 1988, Warner Bros. Records releases the second solo studio album from David Lee Roth, “Skyscraper”; Billboard 200: 6; 1 million copies U.S.; “Just Like Paradise”

(Singles)

1970, “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Simon & Garfunkel

1970, “Celebrate,” Three Dog Night

1988, “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car,” Billy Ocean