BIRTHDAYS
Chet Atkins (1924) guitarist/singer [“Yakety Axe”] (died) 2001) age 77 – cancer
Billy Guy (1936) The Coasters baritone singer (died 2002) age 66 – heart disease
Brian Wilson (1942) The Beach Boys songwriter/singer/multi-instrumentalist/co-founder
Anne Murray (1945) singer/guitarist [“You Needed Me”]
Dolores “LaLa” Brooks (1947) The Crystals lead singer [“Then He Kissed Me”/”Da Doo Ron Ron”]
Alan Longmuir (1948) Bay City Rollers bassist/co-founder (died 2018) age 70 – long illness
Lionel Richie Jr. (1949) Commodores singer/songwriter/pianist/co-founder and solo singer/songwriter/pianist
Michael Anthony [born Michael Sobolewski] (1954) Van Halen bassist/co-founder and Chickenfoot and The Circle bassist/co-founder [current]
Nigel “John” Taylor (1960) Duran Duran bassist/songwriter/co-founder [current] and The Power Station bassist/songwriter/co-founder
Mark Antoni (1962) Soul Coughing keyboardist/co-founder [current]
Amir Derakh [born Amir Davidson] (1963) Orgy guitarist/synthesizer player/co-founder
Murphy Karges (1967) Sugar Ray bassist/guitarist/co-founder [“Every Morning”]
Twiggy Ramirez [born Jeordie White] (1971) A Perfect Circle, Nine Inch Nails, and Marilyn Manson bassist/songwriter
Chino Moreno [born Camilo Moreno] (1973) Deftones lead singer/guitarist/co-founder [current]
Chris Thompson (1980) Eli Young Band drummer/co-founder
DEATHS
Lawrence Payton (1997) The Four Tops tenor singer/songwriter/co-founder (born 1938) age 59 – liver cancer
Claydes Smith (2006) Kool & the Gang lead guitarist/co-founder (born 1948) age 57 – long illness
Prodigy [born Albert Johnson] (2017) rapper (born 1974) age 42 – accidental choking
CHARTS
In 1981, “Stars on 45 Medley” [numerous Beatles songs set to a disco beat: Intro: “Venus”/”Sugar Sugar”/”No Reply”/”I’ll Be Back”/”Drive My Car”/”Do You Want to Know a Secret”/”We Can Work It Out”/”I Should Have Known Better”/”Nowhere Man”/”You’re Going to Lose That Girl”/”Stars on 45”] by Stars on 45 hits No. 1 – 1 week (only No. 1 single)
In 1987, “Head to Toe” by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam hits No. 1 – 1 week (first of two No. 1 singles)
In 1992, “I’ll Be There” by Mariah Carey hits No. 1 – 2 weeks (sixth of 17 No. 1 singles; the song also topped the charts for The Jackson 5 for 5 weeks in 1970)
NEW RELEASES
(Albums)
In 1966, London Records releases the sixth U.S. studio album from the Rolling Stones, “Aftermath”; Billboard 200: 2; 1 million copies U.S.; “Paint It, Black,” “Lady Jane,” “Under My Thumb,”
In 1978, Atlantic Records releases the second studio album from Foreigner, “Double Vision”; Billboard 200: 3; 7 million copies U.S.; “Hot Blooded,” “Blue Morning, Blue Day,” “Double Vision”
In 1980, Atlantic Records releases “The Blues Brothers: Original Soundtrack Recording,” the soundtrack album to the movie “The Blues Brothers”; “Think,” Aretha Franklin and The Blue Brothers; “Shake a Tail Feather,” Ray Charles with The Blues Brothers; “Minnie the Moocher,” Cab Calloway with The Blue Brothers; “Gimme Some Lovin’,” “Theme From Rawhide,” The Blues Brothers
In 1980, Rolling Stones Records releases the 17th U.S. studio album from the Rolling Stones, “Emotional Rescue”; Billboard 200: 1 (7 weeks); 2 million copies U.S.; “Emotional Rescue,” “She’s So Cold”
In 1988, Full Moon Records and Reprise Records releases the 16th studio album from Chicago, “Chicago 19”; Billboard 200: 37; 1 million copies U.S.; “I Don’t Wanna Live Without Your Love,” “Look Away,” “You’re Not Alone”
In 1988, MCA Records releases the second studio album from Bobby Brown, “Don’t Be Cruel”; Billboard 200: 1 (4 weeks); 7 million copies U.S.; “Don’t Be Cruel,” “My Prerogative,” “Roni,” “Every Little Step,” “Rock Wit’cha”
In 1988, MCA Records releases the fifth studio album from New Edition, “Heart Break”; Billboard 200: 12; 4 million copies; “If It Isn’t Love”
In 1989, Warner Bros. Records releases the 11th studio album from Prince, “Batman” (which is also the soundtrack album of the movie of the same name); Billboard 200: 1 (6 weeks); 2 million copies U.S.; “Batdance”
In 1989, Slash Records releases the third studio album from Faith No More, “The Real Thing”; Billboard 200: 11; 1 million copies U.S.; “Epic,” “From Out of Nowhere,” “Falling to Pieces”
(Singles)
1980, “Emotional Rescue,” Rolling Stones
1986, “Higher Love,” Steve Winwood
1993, “Cryin’,” Aerosmith
COMINGS/GOINGS
In 1969, David Bowie signs with Philips Records and, on the very same day, records “Space Oddity” at Trident Studios in London.
NOTEWORTHY
In 1948, “Toast of the Town” makes its debut on CBS-TV. The show would eventually evolve into “The Ed Sullivan Show,” which became one of the premier showcases for musical talent. The guests on the first episode were Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
The Journalism Gypsy 