June 19 Music History Report

BIRTHDAYS

Gaetano “Guy” Lombardo (1902) The Royal Canadians bandleader/violinist (died 1977) age 75 – heart attack

Lester Flatt (1914) The Foggy Mountain Boys guitarist/mandolin player/songwriter/singer/co-founder and solo guitarist/mandolin player/songwriter/singer [“The Ballad of Jed Clampett”/”Foggy Mountain Breakdown”/Salty Dog Blues”] (died 1979) age 64 – heart failure

Tommy DeVito (1928) The Four Seasons baritone singer/lead guitarist/co-founder (died 2020) age 92 – COVID-19 complications

Shirley Goodman (1936) Shirley and Lee [“Let the Good Times Roll”] singer/co-founder and Shirley and Company singer/co-founder [“Shame, Shame, Shame”] (died 2005) age 69 – lengthy illness

Al Wilson (1939) R&B and soul singer [“Show and Tell”] (died 2008) age 68 – kidney failure

Elaine “Spanky” McFarlane (1942) Spanky and Our Gang lead singer/co-founder [“Lazy Day”/”Sunday Will Never Be the Same”/”Like to Get to Know You”]

Robin Box (1944) White Plains lead guitarist/co-founder [“My Baby Loves Lovin'”]

Ann Wilson (1950) Heart lead singer/multi-instrumentalist/songwriter [current] and solo singer/multi-instrumentalist/songwriter

Larry Dunn (1953) Earth, Wind & Fire keyboardist/songwriter/musical director

Danny Chauncey (1956) 38 Special guitarist/songwriter [current]

Mark “Marty” DeBarge (1959) DeBarge drummer/trumpeter/songwriter/co-founder

Paula Abdul (1962) singer/songwriter/dancer/choreographer/actress

Simon Wright (1963) AC/DC and Dio drummer

Brian Vander Ark (1964) The Verve Pipe lead singer/songwriter/guitarist/co-founder [current] [“The Freshman”]

Bardi Martin (1969) Candlebox bassist/co-founder

Brian “Head” Welch (1970) KoЯn guitarist/songwriter/co-founder [current]

Macklemore [born Benjamin Haggerty] (1983) hip-hop singer/songwriter

DEATHS

Bobby Helms (1997) singer/guitarist [“Jingle Bell Rock”/”My Special Angel”] (born 1933) age 63 – emphysema

Duane Roland (2006) Molly Hatchet guitarist/songwriter/co-founder (born 1952) age 53 – natural causes

Ottis “Slim” Whitman Jr. (2013) country singer/guitarist/songwriter [“Indian Love Call”] (born 1923) age 90 – heart failure

Jim Pike (2019) The Lettermen lead singer/co-founder [“The Way You Look Tonight”] (born 1936) age 82 – Parkinson’s disease complications

CHARTS

In 1961, “Moody River” by Pat Boone hits No. 1 – 1 week (sixth and final No. 1 single)

In 1965, “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” by The Four Tops hits No. 1 – 2 weeks (first of two No. 1 singles)

In 1971, “It’s Too Late/b-side “I Feel the Earth Move” by Carole King hits No. 1 – 5 weeks (only No. 1 singles)

In 2010, “California Gurls” by Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg hits No. 1 – 6 weeks (second of nine No. 1 singles for Perry; third and final No. 1 single for Snoop Dogg)

NEW RELEASES

(Albums)

In 1970, Motown Records releases the debut studio album from Diana Ross, “Diana Ross”; Billboard 200: 19; 500,000 copies U.S.; “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand),” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”

In 1984, MCA Records releases the second solo studio album from Glenn Frey, “The Allnighter”; Billboard 200: 22; 500,000 copies U.S.; “Sexy Girl,” “Smuggler’s Blues”

In 1989, Geffen Records releases the 19th studio album from Cher, “Heart of Stone”: Billboard 200: 10; 4 million copies (3 million copies U.S.); “If I Could Turn Back Time,” “Just Like Jesse James,” “After All,” “Heart of Stone”

(Singles)

1967, “Purple Haze,” Jimi Hendrix

1972, “Goodbye to Love,” Carpenters

COMINGS/GOINGS

In 1980, singer Donna Summer becomes the first artist to sign with Geffen Records.

NOTEWORTHY

In 1987, ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s announces its newest flavor, Cherry Garcia, in honor of the Grateful Dead’s guitarist and singer Jerry Garcia.