June 18 Music History Report

BIRTHDAYS

Sammy Cahn [born Samuel Cohen] (1913) lyricist/songwriter/songwriter [“Three Coins in a Fountain”/”Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”] (died 1993) age 79 – heart failure

Tommy Hunt [born Charles Hunt] (1933) The Flamingos singer [“I Only Have Eyes for You”]

Paul McCartney (1942) The Beatles and Paul McCartney & Wings singer/songwriter/bassist/guitarist/pianist/co-founder and solo singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist

Carl Radle (1942) Derek and the Dominos bassist/co-founder and Eric Clapton bassist (died 1980) age 37 – kidney infection

Ricky Gazda (1952) Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes trumpeter/co-founder

Lasse Wellander (1952) Abba guitarist (died 2023) age 70 – cancer

Jerome Smith (1953) KC and the Sunshine Band guitarist/co-founder (died 2000) age 47 – construction accident

Alison Moyet (1961) singer/songwriter

Darren “Dizzy” Reed (1963) Guns N’ Roses keyboardist [current]

Simon “Sice” Rowbottom (1969) The Boo Radleys lead singer/guitarist/co-founder

Nathan Morris (1971) Boyz II Men singer/co-founder

Silkk the Shocker [born Vyshonn Miller] (1975) hip-hop singer

Blake Shelton (1976) country singer/songwriter

DEATHS

Peter Allen [born Peter Woolnough] (1992) singer/songwriter/pianist [“Arthur’s Theme”] (born 1944) age 48 – AIDS-related throat cancer

Hank Medress (2007) The Tokens lead singer/co-founder [“The Lion Sleeps Tonight”] (born 1938) age 68 – lung cancer

Clarence Clemons (2011) Bruce Springsteen & the E Street band saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist/co-founder and solo/session saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist (born 1942) age 69 – stroke

Dame Vera Lynn [born Vera Welch] (2020) singer/songwriter [“Auf Weiderseh’n Sweetheart”/”We’ll Meet Again”/”(There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover”], also referenced on Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” album [“Vera”] (born 1917) age 103 – unknown causes

CHARTS

In 1977, “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac hits No. 1 – 1 week (only No. 1 single)

In 1988, “Together Forever” by Rick Astley hits No. 1 – 1 week (second and final No. 1 single)

NEW RELEASES

(Albums)

In 1973, ABC-Dunhill Records releases the second studio album from Joe Walsh, “The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get”; Billboard 200: 6; 500,000 copies U.S.; “Rocky Mountain Way,” “Meadows”

In 1976, Riva Records and Warner Bros. Records releases the seventh studio album from Rod Stewart, “A Night on the Town”; Billboard 200: 2; 2 million copies U.S.; “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright),” “The First Cut is the Deepest”

In 1982, Warner Bros. Records releases the 13th studio album from Fleetwood Mac, “Mirage”; Billboard 200: 1 (4 weeks); 2 million copies U.S.; “Hold Me,” “Gypsy,” “Love in Store”

In 1984, “Geffen Records releases the 18th studio album from Elton John, “Breaking Hearts”; Billboard 200: 20; 1 million copies U.S.; “Sad Songs (Say So Much),” “Who Wears These Shoes?”

In 1984, Warner Bros. Records releases the 13th studio album from Rod Stewart, “Camouflage”; Billboard 200: 8; 500,000 copies U.S.; “Infatuation,” “Some Guys Have All the Luck”

In 1985, Rock ‘n Roll Records and Scotti Records releases the third studio album from “Weird Al” Yankovic, “Dare to Be Stupid”; Billboard 200: 50; 1 million copies U.S.; “Like a Surgeon,” “I Want a New Duck,” “Yoda”

In 1991, Warner Bros. Records releases the ninth studio album from Van Halen, “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge”; Billboard 200: 1 (3 weeks); 3 million copies U.S.; “Top of the World, “Right Now,” “Poundcake”

In 2010, Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records, and Interscope Records releases the seventh studio album from Eminem, “Recovery”; Billboard 200: 1 (7 weeks); 5 million copies (4 million copies U.S.); Grammy Award: Best Rap Album; “Not Afraid,” “Love the Way You Lie” featuring Rihanna, “No Love” featuring Lil Wayne

(Singles)

1973, “Live and Let Die,” Paul McCartney & Wings

1973, “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day,” Chicago

1973, “Brother Louie,” The Stories

1976, “Magic Man,” Heart

1979, “My Sharona,” The Knack

1984, “Panama,” Van Halen

COMINGS/GOINGS

In 1967, The Jimi Hendrix Experience makes it live concert debut during the second day of the Monterey International Pop Festival.

NOTEWORTHY

In 1948, Columbia Records begins mass producing 33-1/3 RPM long-playing records that, at 23 minutes per music per side, has 20 more minutes than the current 78 RPM records.