BIRTHDAYS
Johnny Horton (1925) country singer/songwriter [“The Battle of New Orleans”/”Sink the Bismarck”/”North to Alaska”] (died 1960) age 35 – automobile accident
Bobby Vee [born Robert Velline] (1943) singer/songwriter [“Rubber Ball”/”Take Good Care of My Baby”/”The Night Has a Thousand Eyes”] (died 2016) age 73 – Alzheimer’s disease
Wayne Kramer (1948) MC5 guitarist/songwriter/co-founder [“Kick Out the Jams”] (died 2024) age 75 – pancreatic cancer
Merrill Osmond (1953) The Osmonds lead singer/bassist/co-founder [current] [“One Bad Apple”]
Wonder Mike [born Michael Wright] (1958) The Sugarhill Gang rapper/co-founder [“Rapper’s Delight”/”Apache”]
Robert Reynolds (1962) The Mavericks bassist/co-founder
John “J.R.” Richards (1967) Dishwalla lead singer/songwriter/keyboardist/co-founder [“Counting Blue Cars”]
Clark Vogeler (1969) The Toadies lead guitarist/songwriter [current]
Paulo Jr. [born Paulo Pinto Jr.] (1969) Sepultura bassist/songwriter [current]
Chris Henderson (1971) 3 Doors Down guitarist/songwriter [current] [“Kryptonite”]
Jeff Timmons (1973) 98 Degrees singer/co-founder [current]
DEATHS
Muddy Waters [born McKinley Morganfield] (1983) singer/guitarist/harmonica player (born 1913) age 70 – heart failure
Larry Ramos [born Ilario Ramos] (2014) The New Christy Minstrels and The Association guitarist/banjo player (died 1942) age 72 – metastatic melanoma
Ben E. King [born Benjamin Nelson] (2015) The Drifters lead singer/songwriter [“There Goes My Baby”/”This Magic Moment”/”Save the Last Dance for Me”] and solo singer/songwriter [“Stand by Me”/”Spanish Harlem”] (born 1938) age 76 – coronary problems
Rowland “Boon” Gould (2019) Level 42 lead guitarist/multi-instrumentalist/co-founder [“Something About You,” “Lessons in Love”] (born 1955) age 64 – unknown causes
Naomi Judd [born Diana Judd] (2022) The Judds singer/songwriter/founder and solo singer/songwriter (born 1946) age 76 – self-inflicted gunshot wound
Duane Eddy (2024) guitarist/singer/songwriter [“Rebel Rouser”/”Because They’re Young”] (born 1938) age 86 – cancer
SINGLES
In 1955, “Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White” by Perez Prado and His Orchestra hits No. 1 – 10 weeks (only No. 1 single)
In 1966, “Good Lovin'” by The Young Rascals hits No. 1 – 1 week (first of two No. 1 singles)
In 1977, “Southern Nights” by Glen Campbell hits No. 1 – 1 week (second and final No. 1 single)
In 1983, “Beat It” by Michael Jackson hits No. 1 – 3 weeks (fifth of 12 No. 1 singles)
In 2011, “S&M” by Rihanna featuring Britney Spears – 1 week (10th of 13 No. 1 singles)
NEW RELEASES
(Albums)
In 1973, Apple Records releases the second studio album from Paul McCartney and Wings, “Red Rose Speedway”; Billboard 200: 1 (3 weeks); 500,000 copies U.S.; “My Love”
In 1976, Atlantic Records releases the international debut studio album from AC/DC, “High Voltage”; Billboard 200: 146; 3 million copies U.S.; “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll),” “The Jack,” “T.N.T.”
In 1976, Warner Bros. Records and Curb Records releases the debut studio album from the Bellamy Brothers, “Let Your Love Flow”; Billboard 200: 69; “Let Your Love Flow”
In 1978, RSO Records releases the second studio album from Andy Gibb, “Shadow Dancing”; Billboard 200: 7; 1 million copies; “Shadow Dancing,” “An Everlasting Love”
In 1982, Jive Records releases the debut studio album from A Flock of Seagulls, “A Flock of Seagulls”; Billboard 200: 10; 500,000 copies U.S.; “I Ran (So Far Away),” “Space Age Love Song”
In 1982, Epic Records releases the sixth studio album from Cheap Trick, “One on One”; Billboard 200: 39; 500,000 copies U.S.; “I Want You,” She’s Tight”
In 1996, RCA Records releases the second studio album from the Dave Matthews Band, “Crash”; Billboard 200: 2; 7 million copies U.S.; “Too Much”
(Singles)
1962, “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” Ray Charles
1976, “Play That Funky Music,” Wild Cherry
1990, “The Dance”/b-side “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” Garth Brooks
COMINGS/GOINGS
In 1968, singer and keyboardist Al Kooper quits Blood, Sweat & Tears.
In 1991, Nirvana signs its first and only major-label recording contract with Geffen Records’ DGC label for $290,000.
NOTEWORTHY
In 1988, the album “Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd falls out of the Billboard 200 album chart for the first time in 725 weeks.
The Journalism Gypsy 