April 28 Music History Report

BIRTHDAYS

Ann-Margret [born Ann-Margret Olsson] (1941) singer/actress/dance [“I Just Don’t Understand”]

The Fantastic Johnny C [born Johnny Corley] (1943) singer [“Boogaloo Down Broadway”]

John Wolters (1945) Dr. Hook drummer (died 1997) age 52 – liver cancer

Chuck Leavell (1952) Allman Brothers Band keyboardist

Kim Gordon (1953) Sonic Youth lead singer/guitarist/bassist/songwriter/co-founder [“Bull in the Heather”]

Eddie Jobson (1955) Roxy Music and Jethro Tull keyboardist/violinist

Dieter Rubach (1955) Accept bassist

Jimmy Barnes (1956) singer/songwriter [“Too Much Ain’t Enough Love”]

Daisy Berkowitz [born Scott Putesky] (1968) Marilyn Manson lead guitarist/co-founder (died 2017) age 49 – colon cancer

DEATHS

Tommy Caldwell (1980) The Marshall Tucker Band lead singer/bassist/co-founder (born 1949) age 30 – Jeep crash

Steve Currie (1981) T. Rex bassist/co-founder (1947) age 33 – car crash

B.W. Stevenson (1988) country singer [“My Maria”] (born 1949) age 38 – heart valve surgery

Jack Ely (2015) Kingsmen lead singer/guitarist/co-founder (born 1943) age 71 – skin cancer

Bobby Lewis (2020) R&B singer [“Tossin’s and Turnin'”] (born 1925) age 87 – pneumonia

Tim Bachman (2023) Bachman-Turner Overdrive guitarist/singer/co-founder (born 1951) age 71 – brain cancer

CHARTS

In 1979, “Heart of Glass” by Blondie hits No. 1 – 1 week (first of four No. 1 singles)

In 2012, “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye featuring Kimbra – 8 weeks (only No. 1 single for both Gotye and Kimbra)

NEW RELEASES

(Albums)

In 1969, Columbia Records releases the debut studio album from Chicago Transit Authority (later shortened to Chicago), “Chicago Transit Authority”; Billboard 200: 17; 2 million copies U.S.; “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?,” “Beginnings,” “Questions 67 and 68”

In 1971, RCA Records releases the ninth studio album from Jerry Reed, “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot”; Billboard 200: 45; “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot”

In 1972, Brunswick Records releases the fourth studio album from The Chi-Lites, “A Lonely Man”; Billboard 200: 5; “Oh Girl”

In 1983, Slash Records releases the debut studio album from Violent Femmes, “Violent Femmes”; Billboard 200: 171; 1 million copies U.S.; “Gone Daddy Gone,” “Blister in the Sun”

In 1998, RCA Records releases the third studio album from the Dave Matthews Band, “Before These Crowded Streets”; Billboard 200: 1 (1 week); 3 million copies U.S.; “Crush,” “Don’t Drink the Water”

(Singles)

1964, “Viva Las Vegas,” Elvis Presley

1973, “One,” Three Dog Night

1974, “I Honestly Love You,” Olivia Newton-John

1979, “Chuck E’s in Love,” Rickie Lee Jones

1980, “Against the Wind,” Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band

 COMINGS/GOINGS

In 1999, The Verve announces that they are breaking up for the second time.

 NOTEWORTHY

In 1973, even though “Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd spent 1,500 weeks on the album charts (741 on the Billboard 200 chart and 759 on the pop catalog chart), and has sold more than 45 million copies worldwide (15 million copies in the U.S.), it only spent one week at No. 1, beginning on this date.

In 1987, “The Art of Excellence” by Tony Bennett becomes the first album to be released exclusively on CD instead of on vinyl as well.