On This Day in 2013: The great George Duke dies at 67
August 6, 2013 – The legendary George Duke dies He was one of those artists who was loved by fans, but was maybe loved even more by his peers. And on this day in 2013 George Duke, one of the true giants of popular music, died in Los Angeles at age 67, a year after the death […]
Today in Music History: Marvin Gaye tries out for the NFL’s Detroit Lions
July 1970 – Marvin Gaye tries out for the Detroit Lions It’s a story that’s well known among Detroiters of a certain age, but has generally been forgotten elsewhere. It was the time that the great Marvin Gaye tried out for the Detroit Lions football team of the NFL. In the late 60s, Gaye had become close […]
On This Day (July 16, 1984): The world meets Sade and “Diamond Life”
July 16, 1984 – Sade releases Diamond Life It is the album that introduced the world to a new force in popular music, and helped shepherd a wave of talented new artists who straddled the line between soul and jazz. The album was Diamond Life and the singer was Helen Folasade Adu, who went by […]
On this Day in 1974: The Hues Corporation had their moment with “Rock The Boat”
July 6, 1974: The Hues Corporation hits #1 with “Rock The Boat” To many, they defined the term “one hit wonder,” but The Hues Corporation is more appropriately remembered as an act that helped define 70s pop and soul via one of that decade’s truly great hits. “Rock the Boat,” was not only one of […]
On This Day in 1984: Rockwell hits #1 with the MJ-infused “Somebody’s Watching Me”
March 3, 1984 – Rockwell hits #1 with “Somebody’s Watching Me” On this day in 1984, one of the most curious – but infectious – songs of the 80s shot all the way to the top. And the story behind it is as twisted as the song itself. The son of Motown Records founder Berry […]
On This Day in 2019: Singer James Ingram dies at age 66
January 29, 2019 – Singer James Ingram dies at age 66 Most fans didn’t know, but James Ingram had been silently suffering from brain cancer and cognitive difficulties for some time, resulting in his tragic death on January 29, 2019 at the too young age of 66. Ingram had been a staple on the pop […]
On This Day in 1981: Lakeside shoots to #1 with “Fantastic Voyage”
January 25, 1981 – Lakeside hits #1 with “Fantastic Voyage” Another in the long line of talented funk acts to come out of Dayton, Ohio, Lakeside was formed around 1970 by members of two local groups, the Nomads and the Young Undergrounds. The group, consisting of members Otis Stokes, Thomas Shelby, Steve Shockley, Mark Wood, […]
On This Day in 1976: George Benson records the groundbreaking album “Breezin'”
January 6, 1976 – George Benson records Breezin’ In a recording career that has spanned six decades, George Benson has proven himself one of the most influential and versatile performers in popular music. But after fourteen albums that attracted almost exclusively a jazz audience, it was his January 6-8, 1976 recording of Breezin’ that turned him […]
On This Day in 1980: Earth Wind & Fire released “Faces,” and the critics are still wrong today
October 14, 1980: Earth, Wind & Fire releases Faces album Here’s a tip: At the next party you’re attending, be sure to avoid discussing religion, politics or Faces. That’s only half in jest, as fans of “The Elements” know that the 1980 double album Faces stands as the most divisive, controversial, and oddly forgotten great album […]
On This Day in 1982: Lionel Richie leaves the Commodores to go solo
October 6, 1982 – Lionel Richie goes solo with debut album He was on top of the world as the lead singer and principal songwriter for The Commodores, but on this day in 1982, Lionel Richie completed a much anticipated career move, becoming a solo artist and issuing a massive selling self-titled solo debut album. It […]
