BIRTHDAYS
Kate Smith (1907) singer [“God Bless America”] (died 1986) age 79 – respiratory arrest
Sonny James [born James Loden] (1928) country singer/guitarist/songwriter [“Young Love”] (died 2016) age 87 – natural causes
Little Walter Jacobs [born Marion Jacobs] (1930) singer/songwriter/harmonica player (died 1968) age 37 – coronary thrombosis
Judy Collins [aka “Judy Blue Eyes] (1939) singer/guitarist/songwriter [“Both Sides, Now”]
Charlie Allen (1942) Pacific Gas & Electric lead singer/drummer/songwriter/co-founder [“Are You Ready?”] (died 1990) age 48 – unknown causes
Rita Coolidge (1945) singer/songwriter [“(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher”/”All Time High”]
Jim Clench (1949) April Wine and Bachman-Turner Overdrive bassist (died 2010) age 61 – lung cancer
Ray Parker Jr. (1954) Raydio lead singer/songwriter/guitarist/co-founder and solo singer/songwriter/guitarist [“Ghostbusters”]
Nick Feldman (1955) Wang Chung bassist/co-founder [current] [“Dance Hall Days”/”Everybody Have Fun Tonight”]
Steve Farris (1957) Mr. Mister guitarist/co-founder [“Broken Wings”/”Kyrie”]
Phil Smith (1959) Haircut One Hundred saxophonist/co-founder [current] [“Love Plus One”]
Johnny Colt [born Charles Brandt] (1966) The Black Crowes bassist/co-founder and Lynyrd Skynyrd bassist [current]
Tim McGraw (1967) singer/songwriter [“Indian Outlaw”/”It’s Your Love” (with Faith Hill)]
D’arcy Wretzky-Brown (1968) The Smashing Pumpkins bassist/co-founder
DEATHS
Lindsay “Spike” Jones (1965) Spike Jones and his City Slickers singer/bandleader [“All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth”] (born 1911) age 53 – emphysema
Felix Haug (2004) Double keyboardist/drummer/co-founder [“The Captain of Her Heart”] (born 1952) age 52 – heart attack
Chris “Mac Daddy” Kelly (2013) Kris Kross singer/co-founder [“Jump”] (born 1978) age 34 – drug overdose
Gordon Lightfoot Jr. (2023) singer/songwriter/guitarist/pianist (born 1938) age 84 – unknown causes
Richard Tandy (2024) Electric Light Orchestra keyboardist and Jeff Lynne’s ELO (born 1948) age 78 – unknown causes
SINGLES
In 1965, “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter” by Herman’s Hermits hits No. 1 – 3 weeks (first of two No. 1 singles)
In 1976, “Let Your Love Flow” by the Bellamy Brothers hits No. 1 – 1 week (only No. 1 single)
In 1993, “Freak Me” by Silk hits No. 1 – 2 weeks (only No. 1 single)
In 2010, “Nothin’ on You” by B.o.B. featuring Bruno Mars hits No. 1 – 2 weeks (only No. 1 single for B.o.B.; first of seven No. 1 singles)
NEW RELEASES
(Albums)
In 1967, A&M Records releases the eighth studio album from Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, “Sounds Like … Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass”; Billboard 200: 1 (1 week); “Casino Royale”
In 1971, Mercury Records releases the third studio album from Rod Stewart, “Every Picture Tells a Story”; Billboard 200: 1 (4 weeks); 1 million copies U.S.; Rolling Stone 500: 172; “Reason to Believe,” “Maggie May,” “I Know I’m Losing You”
In 1973, A&M Records releases the fifth studio album from the Carpenters, “Yesterday Once More”; Billboard 200: 2; 2 million copies; “Sing,” “Yesterday Once More”
In 1977, Capitol Records releases the 10th studio album from the Steve Miller Band, “Book of Dreams”; Billboard 200: 2; 3 million copies U.S.; “Jet Airliner,” “Swingtown,” “Jungle Love”
In 1980, RCA Victor Records releases the 27th studio album from Waylon Jennings, “Music Man”; Billboard 200: 36; 500,000 copies U.S.; “Theme From ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ (Good Ol’ Boys)”
In 1990, Chrysalis Records releases the fourth solo studio album from Billy idol, “Charmed Life”; Billboard 200: 11; 1 million copies U.S.; “L.A. Woman,” “Cradle of Love”
(Singles)
1956, “I Walk the Line,” Johnny Cash
1972, “Take It Easy,” The Eagles
1984, “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” Tina Turner
1984, “Stuck on You,” Lionel Richie
COMINGS/GOINGS
In 1955, Leonard Chess of Chess Records signs singer/guitarist Chuck Berry to a recording contract.
In 1970, lead singer Diana Ross announces that she is quitting The Supremes to concentrate on a solo career.
The Journalism Gypsy 