BIRTHDAYS
Big Bill Broonzy [born Lee Bradley] (1893) blues singer/songwriter/guitarist [“C.C. Rider”/”Midnight Special”] (died 1958) age 65 – throat cancer
Colonel Tom Parker [born Andreas Kuijk] (1909) talent manager (died 1997) age 87 – stroke
Billy Davis Jr. (1938) The 5th Dimension singer/co-founder and solo singer [“You Don’t Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)” with Marilyn McCoo]
Larry Taylor (1942) Canned Heat bassist (died 2019) age 77 – cancer
Brenda Holloway (1946) soul singer [“Every Little Bit Hurts”/”I’m Gone”]
Rindy Ross (1951) Quarterflash and The Trail Band lead singer/saxophonist/songwriter/co-founder [“Harden My Heart”/”Find Another Fool”/”Night Shift”/”Take Me to Heart”]
Mick Jones (1955) The Clash and Big Audio Dynamite co-lead singer/guitarist/songwriter/co-founder
Chris Isaak (1956) singer/songwriter/guitarist/bassist [“Wicked Game”/”Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing”]
Patty Smyth (1957) Scandal lead singer/songwriter/pianist/guitarist/co-founder [current] [“Goodbye to You”/”The Warrior”] and solo singer/songwriter/pianist/guitarist [“Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough” with Don Henley]
Terri Nunn (1961) Berlin lead singer/co-founder [current]
Mark Decloedt (1969) EMF drummer/co-founder [current] [“Unbelievable”]
Colin Greenwood (1969) Radiohead bassist/keyboardist/co-founder [current]
Gretchen Wilson (1973) country singer/songwriter/guitarist [“Redneck Woman”]
Ryan Tedder (1979) OneRepublic lead singer/multi-instrumentalist/songwriter/co-founder [current] [“Apologize” with Timbaland/”Counting Stars”]
Nathan Followill (1979) Kings of Leon drummer/co-founder [current] [“Use Somebody”]
Ariana Grande (1993) singer [“Problem”; “Bang Bang (with Nicki Minaj and Jessie J”], also actress
DEATHS
Israel Kamakawiwoʻole (1997) singer/songwriter/ukelele player [“Somewhere Over the Rainbow”/”What a Wonderful World”] (born 1959) age 38 – respiratory failure
CHARTS
In 1961, “Quarter to Three” by Gary U.S. Bonds hits No. 1 – 2 weeks (only No. 1 single)
In 1965, “Mr. Tambourine Man” by The Byrds hits No. 1 – 1 week (first of two No. 1 single)
NEW RELEASES
(Albums)
In 1964, United Artists Records releases the third studio album by The Beatles, which is also the soundtrack to the film of the same name, “A Hard Day’s Night”; Billboard 200: 1 (14 weeks); 4 million copies U.S.; Rolling Stone 500: 307; Grammy Award: Grammy Hall of Fame Inductee (2000); “A Hard Day’s Night,” “And I Love Her,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “You Can’t Do That”
In 1970, Island Records releases the third studio album from Free, “Fire and Water”; Billboard 200: 17; “All Right Now”
In 1974, Swan Song Records releases the debut studio album from Bad Company, “Bad Company”; Billboard 200: 1 (1 week); 5 million copies U.S.; “Can’t Get Enough,” “Movin’ On,” “Bad Company”
In 1989, Epic Records releases the debut studio album from Bad English, “Bad English”; Billboard 200: 21; 1 million copies U.S.; “When I See You Smile,” “Price of Love”
COMINGS/GOINGS
In 1977, singer Elvis Presley performs live for the final time at a concert at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana. Presley would die less than two months later. The last two songs performed publicly by Presley were “Hound Dog” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
In 1996, singer Sammy Hagar is replaced in Van Halen by David Lee Roth, the man he replaced 11 years earlier.
NOTEWORTHY
In 1870, composer Richard Wagner’s opera “Die Walküre” is performed for the first time at the National Theatre in Munich. The opera is known for the piece, “The Ride of the Valkyries.”
In 2008, Total Guitar magazine named Celine Dion’s “You Shook Me All Night Long,” originally done by AC/DC, as the worst cover song ever recorded. In its best cover versions list, the magazine named as the top three best cover song versions as 1) “All Along the Watchtower,” Jimi Hendrix (originally by Bob Dylan); ’ “Twist and Shout,” The Beatles (originally by the Top Notes); and “Live and Let Die,” Guns N’ Roses (originally by Wings).
The Journalism Gypsy 