Author: Jon Kutner

Single of the week

Oh Happy Day (Edwin Hawkins singers)

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There are literally hundreds of music genres and sub genres and many are restricted to certain areas around the world, for example, Latin music is massive in the USA and warrants its own Billboard chart but has limited appeal in the UK, likewise is true of the genre that this week’s suggestion fits into. Oh Happy Day is a gospel song which means so little in the UK, but, again, in America at one time had its own chart. The suggestion for this came from noodlehendon who asked, via email, “As lockdown restrictions are nearing an end, how about cheering us up with the story of Oh Happy Day.” Well noodle, why not?

Although the song was popularised by the Edwin Hawkins Singers, it began life as a mid-18th century hymn and penned by an English clergyman named Philip Doddridge with Edward Rimbault writing some music to it in 1854 which included the refrain Oh happy day, oh happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away, he taught me how to watch and pray, and live rejoicing every day”. The first recording of it was by the Trinity Choir led by Elsie Baker and Elizabeth Wheeler in 1913.

Hawkins was born in Oakland, California in August 1943 and came from a family of gospel singers. Before he reached double figures, he had learned piano so that he could accompany the family. Later he became the pianist at the Ephesian Church of God in Christ in his hometown of Berkeley. He assembled his own gospel choir called the Northern California State Youth Choir but when local gospel officials complained about the way Hawkins was using the music and petitioned radio stations to stop playing his music. It was his record label who rechristened them the Edwin Hawkins Singers.

Hawkins discovered a lady by the name of Dorothy Morrison who had been singing in R&B clubs in Richmond, California, but Edwin advised her to keep that activity quiet as it wouldn’t have been well-received by the strict gospel fraternity. He recruited her to his choir which, at various times, featured Donald Cashmere, Clara Hill, Odia Coates, Rueben Franklin, Shirley Miller, Daniel Hawkins, Ruth Lyons, Elaine Kelly, Sylvia Guiton, Tramaine Hawkins, Gayle Smith, Francis Williams, Jewel Nickerson, Lynette Hawkins, Jeannie King and Dorothy Morrison who took the lead vocal on Oh Happy Day and got the deserved credit on the record label. “The song expresses joy and love for Jesus, but it connects with a wider audience,” Dorothy Morrison said. “Audience reactions are always strong, people want to have a happy day, and that song helps them do it.”

In an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle in 2009, Hawkins explained that Oh Happy Day was one of eight arrangements he put together for his Northern California State Youth Choir, which was made up of 46 singers ages 17 to 25, and the plan was to sell an album of the songs to finance a trip to a church youth conference in Washington, D.C.

According to Songfacts, the tracks were quickly recorded live in church on a two-track tape machine which was industry standard at the time, but the records weren’t pressed in time for the trip. They did attend the conference, and the choir was placed second in a singing competition, where they performed two of Hawkins’ arrangements, but not Oh Happy Day, which Hawkins said was “not our favourite song.”

Five hundred copies of the album were pressed and one of them found its way to the popular DJ Abe ‘Voco’ Kesh at KSAN-FM in San Francisco, who put it on rotation and Hawkins got signed to Pavilion records where they released his debut album Let Us Go into The House of The Lord which featured Oh Happy Day. Other radio stations followed suit and in 1968, Hawkins found himself with an offer to be signed to the Buddah record label. They released Hawkins’ next album Peace Is Blowin’ In the Wind which featured Silent Night, White Christmas, a cover of Frankie Laine’s I Believe and the title track – a cover of the Bob Dylan song. They then repackaged and re-released Let Us Go into The House of The Lord under its new title Oh Happy Day.

Hawkins’ created a new model for gospel music by using innovative and unique sounds never before heard within gospel circles. He gave some of his songs a Latin feel and even used synthesizers. This almost undoubtedly had an influence on soul singers like Aretha Franklin who had grown up singing gospel songs in Church where her father had been a reverend.

The single reached number four in America and number two on the UK listing and running at three minutes and 45 seconds which was edited down from the five minutes 10 second version that appeared on the album and the version that seems to appear on all compilation CD issues.

It won a Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance and has been used widely in films like Roadside Prophets (1992), Big Momma’s House & Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000), Bruce Almighty (2003) and Parental Guidance (2012) but is probably best remembered for its showstopping performance in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit in 1993. As for television, it has made appearances in 90210, Six Feet Under and Queer as Folk. In 1992, Hawkins made an appearance in the film Leap of Faith as a choir master.

Morrison later toured as a backing singer for Boz Scaggs and Van Morrison and formed her own group the four Blues Broads of which she is still a member. Hawkins died of pancreatic cancer in January 2018 at the age of 74.

Did you know?

Oldest Living acts to have a UK chart hit

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Here is a list of the top 20 oldest living solo artists to have had a UK hit single. There are others who would fit this category, but did not have a solo hit. All this is based on available information at the time. Incidentally, the oldest living person who was a member of a group is Teddie Beverly from the Beverly Sisters who was born on 5th May 1927.

Rank Artist Month born Year UK No. 1
20= Pat Suzuki 22 September 1930
20= Joni James 22 September 1930
18 Clint Eastwood 31 May 1930
17 Rolf Harris 30 March 1930 yes
16 Mitchell Torok 28 October 1929
15 Leroy Van Dyke 04 October 1929
14 C.W McCall 15 November 1928
13 Marcello Minerbi 07 August 1928
12 Burt Bacharach 12 May 1928
11 Cleo Laine 28 October 1927
10 Dick Hyman 08 March 1927
9 Harry Belafonte 01 March 1927 yes
8 Laurie Johnson 07 February 1927
7 Robert Earl 17 November 1926
6 Tony Bennett 03 August 1926 yes
5 Mel Brooks 28 June 1926
4 Sue Thompson 19 July 1925
3 Bill Hayes 05 June 1925
2 Jane Morgan 03 May 1924 yes
1 Ray Anthony 20 January 1922

YouTube clip of the week

Comedy rap

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Tony Hawkes is a brilliant comedian and managed to spend a whole month travelling around Ireland with a fridge, but back in 1987 he was a pop star – sort of. Under the name morris Minor & The Majors, he, Paul Boross and Phil Judge released the single Stutter Rap (No Sleep Till Bedtime) – a spoof on the Beastie Boys’ No Sleep ‘Til Brooklyn and made it to number four in the chart. A very clever record. Enjoy.

Births / Deaths

June births and deaths

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June 1

Births

1926    Marilyn Monroe
1930    Edward Woodwood
1934    Pat Boone
1945    Linda Scott
1946    Dan Hamilton – vocals Hamilton Joe Frank and Reynolds
1946    Ron Wood – guitar Faces/Rolling Stones
1950    Charlene
1950    Tom Robinson
1950    Graham Russell – vocals Air Supply
1958    Barry Adamson – bass Magazine
1960    Simon Gallup – bass The Cure
1963    Mike Joyce – drums Smiths
1967    Roger Sanchez – US DJ/Remixer
1968    Jason Donovan
1969    Damon Minchella – bass Ocean Colour Scene
1973    Adam Garcia
1974    Alanis Morissette

Deaths

1948    Sonny Boy Williamson – US blues singer
1991    David Ruffin
1996    Don Grolnick – keyboards Brecker Brothers
1996    Alan Blaikley – guitar Tremeloes
2000    Tito Puente – Latin musician
2007     Tony Thompson – vocals Hi-Five

June 2

Births

1930    Jimmy Jones
1932    Sammy Turner
1934    Johnny Carter – vocals Dells / Flamingos
1941    Charlie Watts – drums Rolling Stones
1941    William Guest – vocals Gladys Knight’s Pips
1944    Marvin Hamlisch
1945    Graham Bonney
1947    Antone Tavares – vocals Tavares
1959    Michael Steele – bass The Bangles
1960    Tony Hadley – vocals Spandau Ballet
1960    Barnhard Lloyd – keyboards Alphaville
1965    Jeremy Cunningham – bass Levellers
1965    David White – guitar Brother Beyond
1968    Merril Bainbridge – Australian singer
1970    B Real – rapper Cypress Hill
1970    Dominic Greensmith – drums Reef
1987    Matthew Koma – US singer
1989    Willy Moon – New Zealand – singer/songwriter

Deaths

1998    Helen Carter – vocals Carter Family
1999    Junior Braithwaite – vocals Wailers
2002    Boyd Bennett – US singer
2008     Bo Diddley

June 3

Births

1927    Boots Randolph – US saxophonist
1939    Ian Hunter – vocals Mott The Hoople
1942    Curtis Mayfield
1944    Michael Clarke – drums The Byrds
1944    Anita Harris
1946    Eddie Holman
1947    Mickey Finn – guitar T.Rex
1949    Bob Fish – vocals Darts
1950    Suzi Quatro
1950    Florian Pilkington-Miksa – drums Curved Air
1950    Deniece Williams
1952    Billy Powell – piano Lynyrd Skynyrd
1953    Loalwa Braz Vieira – vocals Kaoma
1954    Dan Hill
1954    Griff Fender – vocals Darts
1957    Clive Shakespeare – vocals/guitar Sherbet
1962    David Cole – keyboards C and C Music Factory
1964    Kerry King – guitar Slayer
1968    Saffron – vocals Republica
1971    Ariel Hernandez – keyboards No Mercy
1974    Gabriel Hernandez – keyboards No Mercy
1974    Kelly Jones – vocals Stereophonics
1979    Rumer (b: Sarah Joyce)

Deaths

1899    Johann Strauss – classic composer
2011    Andrew Gold
2016    Dave Swarbrick – vocals/violin Fairport Convention

June 4

Births

1937    Freddy Fender – US singer
1940    Cliff Bennett
1944    Roger Ball – saxophone/piano Average White Band
1945    Gordon Waller – vocals Peter and Gordon
1945    Leroy Hutson – vocals Impressions
1949    Gregg Diamond – US singer
1950    Peter Van Hooke – drums Mike and the Mechanics
1953    Paul Samson – vocals Samson
1953    Jimmy McCulloch – guitar Thunderclap Newman
1958    Selwyn Brown – keyboards Steel Pulse
1961    El De Barge – vocals DeBarge
1962    Steve Grimes – guitar Farm
1964    DJ Dmitry keys/guitar Deee-lite
1987    Mollie King– vocals The Saturdays
1990    Zac Farro – drums Paramore

Deaths

1994    Derek Lekenby – guitar Herman’s Hermits
1997    Ronnie Lane
2012    Herb Reed – vocals Platters
2013    Jim Sundquist – guitar Fendermen
2020    Steve Priest – bass Sweet

June 5

Births

1943    Michael Davis – bass MC5
1945    Don Reid – vocals Statler Brothers
1946    Freddy Stone – guitar Sly and the Family Stone
1946    John Du Cann
1947    Laurie Anderson
1947    Tom Evans – bass Badfinger
1950    Ronnie Dyson
1956    Keith Marshall – vocals Hello
1956    Richard Butler – vocals Psychedelic Furs
1964    Maggie Dunne – vocals/guitar/keyboard Fuzzbox
1966    Gary Newby – vocals Railway Children
1968    Stefan Schonfeldt – guitar Wannadies
1969    Brian McKnight – US R&B singer
1971    Markie Mark
1974    Dominic Chad – guitar Mansun
1979    Peter Wentz – bass Fall Out Boy
1981    Sebastien Lefebvre – guitar Simple Plan
1981    Mark O’Connell – drums Taking Back Sunday

Deaths

1993    Conway Twitty
1999    Mel Torme
2002    Dee Dee Ramone – bass Ramones
2013    Cornelius Harp – lead vocals Marcels

June 6

Births

1936    Levi Stubbs – vocals Four Tops
1939    Gary U.S Bonds
1939    Chris Sanford
1943    Leslie Dash – Hedgehoppers Anonymous
1944    Edgar Froese – keyboards, guitar, bass, harmonica – Tangerine Dream
1947    Terry Williams – vocals New Christy Minstrels
1948    Richard Sinclair – bass Caravan
1948    Shorty Beck – drums Shocking Blue
1955    Michael Wallace – percussion Third World
1959    Robert Hodgens – guitar Bluebells
1960    Steve Vai – guitar Whitesnake
1961    Dee C Lee
1961    Tom Araya – vocals/bass Slayer
1962    Guru Josh
1965    Edward Campbell – keyboads Texas
1967    David Navarro – guitar Jane’s Addiction
1967    Nicole Kidman – US actress/singer
1974    Uncle Kracker
1978    Carl Barat – guitar Libertines

Deaths

1990    Joe Loss
1991    Stan Getz
2003    Dave Rowberry – keyboards Animals
2006    Billy Preston
2010    Marvin Isley – bass Isley Brothers
2019    Dr. John

June 7

Births

1917    Dean Martin
1924    Dolores Gray – US 40s singer
1940    Tom Jones
1944    Miguel Rios
1944    Clarence White – guitar Byrds
1946    Bill Kreutzmann – drums Grateful Dead
1946    Mickey Jones – guitar Man
1955    Joey Scarbury – US singer
1957    Paddy McAloon – vocals/guitar Prefab Sprout
1958    Prince
1966    Eric Kretz – drums Stone Temple Pilots
1985    Charlie Simpson – vocals Busted
1990    Iggy Azalea – Australian rapper
1990    Fetty Wap – US singer
1993    George Ezra

Deaths

2009     Kenny Rankin – US session guitarist
2010     Stuart Cable – drums Stereophonics
2011     Buddy Gask – bass Showaddywaddy
2012     Reg Quantrill – Banjo Wurzels

June 8

Births

1940    Nancy Sinatra
1942    Chuck Negron – vocals Three Dog Night
1943    Boz Scaggs
1947    Julie Driscoll
1947    Mick Box – guitar Uriah Heep
1953    Bonnie Tyler
1953    Jeff Rich – drums Status Quo
1955    Jon King – vocals Gang Of Four
1960    Mick Hucknall – vocals Simply Red
1962    Nick Rhodes – keyboards Duran Duran
1965    Rob Pilatus – vocals? Milli Vanilli
1966    Doris Pearson – vocals Five Star
1968    Neil Mitchell – piano Wet Wet Wet
1970    Nicci Gilbert – vocals Brownstone
1971    Jef Streathfield – guitar Wildhearts
1977    Kanye West
1985    Jamie Shaw – vocals One True Voice

Deaths

2007     Nellie Lutcher – US singer/pianist
2008     Nick Sanderson – drums World Of Twist
2010     Crispian St Peters
2018     Neil Jones – guitar Amen Corner
2020     Bonnie Pointer

June 9

Births

1891    Cole Porter – composer
1915    Les Paul
1934    Jackie Wilson
1941    Billy Hatton – bass Fourmost
1941    Jon Lord – keyboard Deep Purple
1946    Stuart Edwards – guitar Edison Lighthouse
1947    Mitch Mitchell – drums Jimi Hendrix’s Experience
1949    Francis Monkman – synthesizer Curved Air
1950    Trevor Bolder – bass Uriah Heep
1951    Terry Uttley – bass Smokie
1953    Errol Kennedy – vocals Imagination
1954    Peter Byrne – vocals Naked Eyes
1962    Eddie Lundon – guitar China Crisis
1967    Dean Felber – bass Hootie and The Blowfish
1970    Ed Simons – keyboards Chemical Brothers
1976    Romain Tranchart – guitar Modjo
1978    Matthew Bellamy – vocals/guitar Muse
1980    D’Banj
1983    Frankee

Deaths

1993    Arthur Alexander – US blues singer
1995    Frank Chacksfield

June 10

Births

1910    Howlin’ Wolf
1922    Judy Garland
1933    Ian Campbell – Folk group leader
1941    Shirley Owens – vocals Shirelles
1942    Janet Vogel – vocals Skyliners
1944    Rick Price – bass Move/Wizzard
1949    Perry Kibble – piano A Taste Of Honey
1960    Maxi Priest
1960    Thea Austin – vocals Soulsearcher
1961    Mark Shaw – vocals Then Jericho
1961    Kim Deal – bass Pixies/guitar Breeders
1964    Jimmy Chamberlain – drums Smashing Pumpkins
1965    Joey Santiago – guitar Pixies
1966    Duke Baysee
1967    Emma Anderson – guitar Lush
1967    Darren Robinson – vocals Fat Boys
1971    Jojo – vocals Jodeci
1973    Faith Evans
1978    Paul Canning – guitar Tomcat
1989    Alexandra Stan – Romanian singer

Deaths

1982    Adie McFadden – vocals Shirelles

2004    Ray Charles
2004    Graeme Kelling – guitar Deacon Blue
2011    Jerry Mayo –Vocals Freddie Bell’s Bellboys
2011    Darryl Pandy – US House DJ

June 11

Births

1940    Joey Dee – vocals of The Starliters
1946    Thump Thompson – bass Darts
1948    Lynsey De Paul
1949    Frank Beard – drums ZZ Top
1951    George Furey – vocals Fureys
1960    The Head – DJ Stereo MC’s
1961    Rob Birch – vocals Stereo MC’s
1969    Steve Drozd – drums Flaming Lips
1987    Dappy

Deaths

1982    Wayne Ryanes – vocals Monotones
1993    Bernard Bresslaw
2015    Jim Ed Brown – vocals The Browns
2015    Ornette Coleman – jazz saxophonist

June 12

Births

1914    Bill Kenny – vocals Inkspots
1914    Herb Kenny – vocals Inkspots
1928    Vic Damone
1941    Roy Harper – UK folk singer
1941    Reg Presley – vocals Troggs
1942    Len Barry
1942    Stuart Gillies
1944    Harold Cowart – bass John Fred’s Playboy Band
1948    Barry Bailey – guitar Atlanta Rhythm Section
1949    John Wetton – bass Asia
1951    Brad Delp – vocals Boston
1951    Bun Carlos – drums Cheap Trick
1952    Pete Farndon – bass Pretenders
1952    Dale Krantz – vocals Rossington Collins band
1953    Rocky Burnette
1959    John Linnell – accordian/keyboards They Might Be Giants
1966    Meredith Brooks
1972    Sophie Lawrence
1979    Robyn – Swedish singer

Deaths

1989    Lou Monte
2011    Carl Gardner – vocals Coasters
2020    Ricky Valance

June 13

Births

1927    Slim Dusty
1940    Bobby Freeman
1941    Marvin Tarplin – guitarist Miracles
1941    Esther Ofarim
1943    Dyke – vocals Dyke and the Blazers
1949    Dennis Locorriere – lead vocals Dr Hook
1955    Nigel Wright – keyboards Shakatak
1957    Rolf Brendal – drums Nena
1968    David Gray – UK singer
1968    Denice Pearson – vocals Five Star
1969    Soren Rasted – vocals Aqua
1971    Rivers Cuomo – vocals Weezer
1971    Danny Popperwell – vocals Ooberman
1974    Cheryl Gamble – vocals SWV
1976    Kymberley Marsh – vocals Hear’say
1976    Jay Brown – vocals 5ive
1986    Charles Hamilton – US rapper

Deaths

1972    Clyde McPhatter
1986    Benny Goodman
2010    Jimmy Dean

June 14

Births

1909    Burl Ives
1931    Junior Walker
1936    Obie Benson – Four Tops
1941    Julie Felix
1943    Muff Winwood – bass Spencer Davis Group
1945    Rod Argent – vocals/keyboards Zombies
1949    Alan White – drums Plastic Ono Band
1950    Jim Lea – bass Slade
1954    Maureen Nolan – vocals Nolans
1959    Nick Van Eede – vocals Cutting Crew
1961    Boy George
1963    Chris De Garmo – guitar Queensryche
1984    Siobhan Donoghy – vocals sugababes
1991    Jese Nelson – vocals Little Mix

Deaths

1969    Wynonie Harris
1973    Clarence White – guitar Byrds
1994    Henry Mancini
1995    Rory Gallagher
2016    Henry McCullough – guitar Wings

June 15

Births

1921    Errol Garner – US jazz pianist
1937    Waylon Jennings – US country singer
1941    Harry Nilsson
1941    Doug Roberts –drums Fireballs
1943    Johnny Halliday – French singer
1946    Demis Roussos 
1946    Noddy Holder
1949    Russell Hitchcock – vocals Air Supply
1949    Meri Wilson
1949    Michael Lutz – bass Brownsville Station
1951    Steve Walsh – vocals/piano Kansas
1953    Ritchie Puente – percussion Mink DeVille
1956    Bobby Paterson – bass Love And Money
1957    Maxi Jazz – MC Faithless
1958    Neil Arthur – keyboards Blancmange
1966    Michael Britt – guitar Lonestar
1969    Ice Cube
1985    Nadine Coyle – vocals Girls Aloud
1996    Aurora

Deaths

1968    Gary Miller
1989    Pete De Freitas – drums Echo and The Bunnymen
1996    Ella Fitzgerald
1999    Screaming Lord Sutch

June 16

Births
1890    Stan Laurel
1941    Lamont Dozier – US singer/songwriter
1942    Eddie Levert – vocals O’Jays
1942    John Rostill – bass Shadows
1944    Brian Protheroe
1945    Peter Hoorelbeke – drums Rare Earth
1946    Ian Matthews – vocals Matthews Southern Comfort
1950    James Smith – vocals Stylistics
1953    Ian Mosley – drums Curved Air/Marillion
1966    MC Ren – rapper NWA
1968    Patrick White – vocals Musical Youth
1970    Elaine Graham – bass Urusei Yatsura
1971    2Pac
1976    Cian Ciaran – keyboards Super Furry Animals
1978    Elisa Frances Cariera – vocals Solid Harmonie
1985    Zoe Birkett – Pop Idol contestant
1990    John Newman
1991    Joe McElderry

Deaths

1982    James Honeyman-Scott – guitar Pretenders
1996    John Wolters – drums Dr Hook
2002    Paul Furey – accordian Fureys

June 17

Births

1930    Cliff Gallup – guitar Gene Vincent’s Blue Caps
1942    Norman Kuhlke – drums Swinging Blue Jeans
1943    Barry Manilow
1944    Chris Spedding
1945    Eric Lewis – bass Middle Of The Road
1947    Glen Buxton – guitar Alice Cooper
1957    Philip Chevron – guitar Pogues
1958    Jello Biafra – vocals Dead Kennedys
1962    Michael Monroe – vocals Hanoi Rocks
1969    Kevin Thornton – vocals Color Me Badd
1976    Sheryl Jay – vocals Toutes Les Filles
1983    Lee Ryan – vocals Blue

Deaths

2005    Karl Mueller – bass Soul Asylum
2013    Roger LaVerne – piano Tornados
2016    Prince Be – rapper PM Dawn

June 18

Births

1925    Johnny Pearson – piano Sounds Orchestral/UK orchestra leader
1942    Paul McCartney
1943    Raffaella Carra
1947    Sandy Posey
1947    Paul Young – vocals Sad Café/Mike and Mechanics
1953    Jerome Smith – guitar KC’s Sunshine Band
1961    Alison Moyet
1969    Sice – vocals/guitar Boo Radleys
1971    Twiggy Ramirez – bass Marilyn Manson
1972    Nathan Morris – vocals Boyz II Men
1973    Gary Stringer – vocals Reef
1982    Haydon Eshun – vocals Ultimate Kaos

Deaths

1995    Louise Dean – vocals Shiva
2007    Hank Medress – vocals Token
2011    Clarence Clemons – saxophone E Street Band
2012    Brian Hibbard – vocals Flying Pickets
2013    Alastair Donaldson – guitar Rezillos
2014    Johnny Mann
2020    Vera Lynn

June 19

Births

1925    Charlie Drake
1928    Tommy DeVito – guitar Four Seasons
1936    Shirley Goodman – vocals Shirley and Lee
1939    Al Wilson – US singer/drummer
1940    Paul Shane
1942    Elaine McFarlaine – vocals Spanky and our Gang
1944    Robin Box – guitar White Plains
1948    Nick Drake
1950    Ann Wilson – vocals Heart
1953    Larry Dunn – keyboards Earth Wind and Fire
1959    Mark DeBarge – trumpet/saxophone DeBarge
1962    Paula Abdul
1963    Simon Wright – drums AC/DC
1964    Dennis Fuller – vocals London Boys
1974    Alex Copeland – vocals Spunge
1983    Martin Rycroft – vocals Fast Food Rockers
1983    Macklemore – US  rapper

Deaths

1993    Tony Brent
2013    Slim Whitman
2014    Gerry Goffin
2019    Phillipe Zdar – DJ Cassius

June 20

Births

1924    Chet Atkins – US country guitarist
1936    Mickie Most – UK producer
1937    Jerry Keller
1942    Brian Wilson
1947    Anne Murray
1948    Alan Longmuir – bass Bay City Rollers
1949    Lionel Richie
1954    Chris Gibson – guitar/percussion Gibson Brothers
1955    Michael Anthony – bass Van Halen
1958    Kelly Johnson – guitar Girlschool
1960    John Taylor – bass Duran Duran
1966    Stone Gossard – guitar Pearl Jam
1967    Murphy Karges – bass Sugar Ray
1979    Charlotte Hatherley – guitar Ash
1981    Derek MacDonald – vocals Mero
1982     Example – UK rapper
1992    Sage The Gemini – US rapper

Deaths

1997    Lawrence Payton – vocals Four Tops
2006    Claydes Smith – guitar Kool and The Gang

June 21

Births

1932    Lalo Schrifrin
1932    O.C.Smith
1932    Carl White – vocals Rivingtons
1938    Don Black – composer
1942    Eumir Deodata – Brazilian composer
1944    Miguel Vicens Danus – bass Los Bravos
1944    Ray Davies
1944    Jon Hiseman – drums John Mayalls Bluesbreakers
1945    Chris Britton – guitar Troggs
1946    Brenda Holloway – US singer
1948    Joey Molland – guitar Badfinger
1950    Joey Kramer – drums Aerosmith
1950    John Paul Young
1951    Nils Lofgren
1951    Alan Silson – guitar/harmonica Smokie
1956    Tim Parry – guitar Blue Zoo
1957    Mark Brzezicki – drums Big Country
1959    Marcella Detroit
1967    Tim Simenon – vocals/keyboards Bomb The Bass
1968    Sonique
1973    Chris McCormack – guitar 3 Colours Red
1975    Justin Cary – Sixpence None The Richer
1976    Rebekah Ryan
1985    Lana Del Rey

Deaths

1979    Bert Kaempfert
2001    John Lee Hooker
2010    Frank Sidebottom – vocals Freshies
2010    Tam White – Scottish singer

June 22

Births

1909    Joe Loss
1927    Kenneth McKellar
1936    Kris Kristofferson
1944    Peter Asher – vocals Peter and Gordon
1947    Howard Kaylan – vocals Turtles
1948    Todd Rundgren
1949    Alan Osmond – guitar Osmonds
1953    Cyndi Lauper
1955    Green – vocals Scritti Politti
1956    Derek Forbes – bass Simple Minds
1957    Garry Beers – bass INXS
1961    Jimmy Somerville
1962    Ruby Turner
1964    Mike Edwards – vocals Jesus Jones
1964    Dickie Barrett – vocals Mighty Mighty Boss Tones
1964    Bobby Gillespie – vocals Primal Scream
1967    Tom Cunningham – drums Wet Wet Wet
1970    Steve Page – vocals/guitar Barenaked Ladies
1970    Alan Leach – drums Shed Seven

Deaths

1969    Judy Garland
1987    Fred Astaire
2015    James Horner – US composer/conductor
2018    Vinnie Paul – drummer Pantera

June 23

Births

1929    Dave King – UK singer
1940    Adam Faith
1940    Stuart Sutcliffe – original Beatles
1943    Aaron Williams – rhythm guitar Merseybeats
1944    Rosetta Hightower -vocals Orlons
1952    Betty Dragstra – vocals Pussycat
1957    Leee John – vocals Imagination
1961    Chris Holmes – guitar W.A.S.P
1962    Richard Coles – keyboards Communards
1962    Steve Shelley – drums Sonic Youth
1963    Beverley Craven
1964    Joey Allen – guitar Warrant
1965    Richard Norris – vocals Grid
1965    Paul Arthurs – guitar Oasis
1966    Mark Chadwick – vocal/guitar Levellers
1966    Jim MacPherson – drums Breeders
1969    Simon Rowe – guitar Chapterhouse
1970    Mark Oh
1975    KT Tunstall
1977    Jason Mraz
1980    Jessica Taylor – vocals Liberty X
1981    Antony Costa – vocals Blue
1984    Duffy

Deaths

2010     Pete Quaife – bass Kinks
2013    Bobby Bland

June 24

Births

1942    Mick Fleetwood
1942    Arthur Brown – vocals Crazy World Of Arthur Brown
1944    Tony Campbell – guitar Jigsaw
1944    Jeff Beck
1944    Charlie Whitney – guitar Family
1944    Chris Wood – flute/saxophone Traffic
1945    Colin Blunstone
1957    Astro – trumpet UB40
1959    Andy McClusky – synthesizer/bass OMD
1961    Curt Smith – vocals/bass Tears For Fears
1967    Jeff Cease – guitar Black Crowes
1968    Brian Tappert – keyboards Soulsearcher
1970    Glenn Medeiros

Deaths

2013    Puff Johnson – US singer
2013    Alan Myers – drums Devo

June 25

Births

1918    Sid Tepper – songwriter
1935    Eddie Floyd
1939    Harold Melvin
1940    Clint Warwick – bass Moody Blues
1945    Carly Simon
1946    Allen Lanier – keyboards/guitar Blue Oyster Cult
1950    Howard Pickup – guitar Adverts
1952    Tim Finn – vocals Split Enz/Crowded House
1954    David Paich – keyboard/vocals Toto
1963    George Michael
1977    Sean Kelly – vocals Sixpence None The Richer

Deaths

1988    Hillel Slovak – guitar Red Hot Chili Peppers
1988    Jimmy Soul – US singer
2009    Michael Jackson

June 26

Births

1934    Reg Quantrill – Banjo Wurzels
1940    Billy Davis Jr
1942    Larry Taylor – bass Canned Heat
1943    Georgie Fame
1949    Adrian Gurvitz – vocals The Gun
1950    Junior Daye – vocals Sweet Sensation
1951    Rindy Ross – vocals/saxophone Quarterflash
1955    Mick Jones – guitar Clash/Big Audio Dynamite
1956    Chris Isaak
1957    Patti Smythe – US singer
1961    Terri Nunn – vocals Berlin
1963    Harriet Wheeler – vocals Sundays
1967    Pär Wiksten – vocals Wannadies
1969    Mark Decloedt – drums EMF
1969    Colin Greenwood – bass Radiohead
1973    Gretchen Wilson – US singer
1979    Nathan Followill – drums Kings Of Leon

Deaths

June 27

Births

1942    Bjorn Thelin – bass Spotnicks
1944    Bruce Johnston – vocals Beach Boys
1951    Gilson Lavis – drums Squeeze
1953    Louis Risbrook – bass B.T. Express
1962    Michael Ball
1970    Laurence Colbert – drums Ride
1970    Marc Williams – vocals Three Amigo’s
1976    Leigh Nash – vocals Sixpence None The Richer
1977    Lolly
1983    Alsou
1990    Joel Peat – guitar Lawson

Deaths

1999    Brian O’Hara – guitar Fourmost
2002     John Entwistle – bass The Who
2008    Raymond Lefevre – French orchestra leader
2014    Bobby Womack

June 28

Births

1914    Lester Flatt – US country guitarist
1926    Mel Brooks
1935    John Inman
1943    Bobby Harrison – drums Procol Harum
1943    Renato Pagliari (Renee & Renato)
1945    Dave Knights – guitar Procol Harum
1959    Clint Boon – organ Inspiral Carpets
1963    Andy Cousin – bass All About Eve
1963    Tim Worman – vocals Polecats
1965    Saul Davies – violin/percussion James
1970    Bigfoot – vocals Shanks and Bigfoot
1971    Ray Slijingaard – keyboards 2 Unlimited

Deaths
2015    Chris Squire – bass Yes
2016    Scotty Moore

June 29

Births

1942    Alan Klein – vocals New Vaudeville Band
1943    Roger Ruskin Spear – saxophone Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band
1945    Little Eva
1947    Carlo Santanna – guitar Paper Lace
1948    Ian Paice – drums Deep Purple
1948    Dervin Gordon – vocals Equals
1948    Lincoln Gordon – guitar Equals
1953    Colin Hay – vocals/guitar Men At Work
1964    Stedman Pearson – vocals Five Star
1966    Dale Barker – vocals Sixpence none The Richer
1968    Richard Battersby – drums Wildhearts
1978    Nicole Scherzinger – vocals Pussycat Dolls
1979    Abs Breen – vocals 5ive
1980    Katherine Jenkins – Welsh singer

Deaths

1975    Tim Buckley
1979    Lowell George – vocals/guitar Little Feat
1997    Horst Jankowski
2002    Rosemary Clooney – US singer

June 30

Births

1917    Buddy Rich – US jazz drummer
1917    Lena Horne – US singer/actress
1937    Larry Henley – vocals Newbeats
1939    Tony Hatch – UK composer
1943    Florence Ballard – vocals Supremes
1946    William Brown – vocals Moments
1949    Andy Scott – guitar Sweet
1951    Stanley Clarke – US jazz bassist
1952    Stefan Zuaner – vocals/piano Freiheit
1956    Adrian Wright – synthesizer Human League
1962    Julianne Reagan – vocals All About Eve
1968    Philip Anselmo – vocals Pantera
1974    Kelli Dayton – vocals Sneaker Pimps
1983    Cheryl Cole – vocals Girls Aloud
1983    Anton Gordon – vocals One True Voice

Deaths

1995    Phyllis Hyman
2001    Chet Atkins
2011    Jimmy Roselli – US singer

YouTube clip of the week

Graham Russell and Jim Steinman

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Last month we lost the legendary songwriter and producer Jim Steinman. This week it’s Graham Russell, from Air Supply, is 71 years old so I thought I would combine the two. This song was written and produced by Steinman and went to number one in America in 1983. The week it topped the chart, the song at number two was Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler which he also wrote and produced.

Bonnie Tyler made number one in the UK and she covered Making Love (Out of Nothing at All) in 1996 when it peaked at number 45.

Enjoy.

Did you know?

Jim Steinman’s UK success

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It’s a double feature on Jim Steinman this week. He has charted 36 UK hit singles either as a producer and/or writer. Obviously there are multiple versions of the same song and they are all included in this list of his UK chart success.

Artist Title Year Position Prod / Writ
Meat Loaf You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth 1978 33 w
Meat Loaf Two Out Of Three ain’t Bad 1978 32 w
Meat Loaf Bat Out of Hell 1979 15 w
Jim Steinman Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through 1981 52 p/w
Meat Loaf I’m Gonna Love Her for Both of Us 1981 62 w
Meat Loaf Dead Ringer for Love 1981 5 w
Bonnie Tyler Total Eclipse of The Heart 1983 1 p/w
Bonnie Tyler Faster Than the Speed of Night 1983 43 p/w
Bonnie Tyler Have You Ever Seen The Rain 1983 47 p
Barry Manilow Read ‘Em And Weep 1983 17 p/w
Jim Steinman And Fire Inc. Tonight Is What It Means To Be Young 1984 67 p/w
Meat Loaf Nowhere Fast 1984 67 w
Bonnie Tyler Holding Out for A Hero 1985 2 p/w
Bonnie Tyler: Vocalist Todd Rundgren Loving You’s a Dirty Job but Somebody’s Gotta Do It 1985 73 p/w
Sisters of Mercy This Corrosion 1987 7 p
Sisters of Mercy Dominion 1988 13 p
Pandora’s Box It’s All Coming Back to Me Now 1989 51 p/w
Sisters of Mercy More 1990 14 p/w
Meat Loaf I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) 1993 1 p/w
Meat Loaf Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through 1994 11 w
Meat Loaf Objects in The Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are 1994 26 p/w
Nicki French Total Eclipse of The Heart 1994 54 w
Taylor Dayne Original Sin (Theme from The Shadow) 1995 63 p/w
Take That Never Forget 1995 1 p
Bonnie Tyler Making Love (Out of Nothing at All) 1996 45 p/w
Celine Dion It’s All Coming Back to Me Now 1996 3 p/w
Red Hill Children When Children Rule the World 1996 40 p/w
Celine Dion Call the Man 1997 11 p
Tina Arena Whistle Down the Wind 1998 24 w
Boyzone No Matter What 1998 1 p/w
Meat Loaf Feat Patti Russo Is Nothing Sacred 1999 15 w
Russell Watson Nothing Sacred – A Song for Kirsty 2002 17 w
Jan Wayne Total Eclipse of The Heart 2003 28 w
Meat Loaf Feat Marion Raven It’s All Coming Back to Me Now 2006 6 p/w
Glee Feat Jonathan Groff Total Eclipse of The Heart 2010 9 w
Glee (Season Three) It’s All Coming Back to Me Now 2012 69 w