This Date In Music History-July 27

Birthdays:

Pete Yorn (1974)

Juliana Hatfield (1967)

Rex Brown – Pantera (1964)

Karl Mueller - Soul Asylum (1962)

Conway Savage - Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds (1960)

Duncan Cameron - Sawyer Brown (1956)

Michael Vaughn - Paper Lace (1950)

Maureen McGovern (1949)

Bobbie Gentry (1944)

Al Ramsey - Gary Lewis and the Playboys (1943)

Harvey Fuqua - Moonglows (1928)


They Are Missed:

The late Nick Reynolds of the Kingston Trio was born in 1933.

In 2001, Leon Wilkeson, bass player with Lynyrd Skynyrd, was found dead in a hotel room in Florida (age 49).

Louisiana bluesman Lightnin' Slim (real name Otis Hicks) died in Detroit in 1974 (age 61).

Singer Bobby Day ("Rock-in Robin") died of cancer in 1990 (age 60).

Bob Hope died in 2003 (age 100). The comedian topped the charts way back in 1938 with his signature tune "Thanks for the Memories."




History:

Peggy Lee recorded her first hit record "Why Don’t You Do Right" in 1942.

The Bobbette's first and only Top Forty single, "Mr. Lee" entered the pop charts in 1957. The tune was about the trio's high school principal.

In 1958, fans of R&R music were warned that tuning into music on the car radio could cost them more money. Researchers from the Esso gas company said the rhythm of rock & roll could cause the driver to be foot heavy on the pedal, making them waste fuel. Drive 55 people…

Cass Elliot released her first solo single in 1968. “Dream a Little Dream of Me” had been recorded by Frank Sinatra, Frankie Laine and many others (#12 US - #11 UK).



John Denver started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1974 with “Annie's Song.” The song was a tribute to his wife and was written in 10 minutes while he was on a ski lift.

Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" was released in 1974.

In 1976, Bruce Springsteen sued his manager Mike Appel for fraud and breach of trust. The case dragged on for over a year, halting Springsteen's career. An out of court settlement was reached the following year.

Tina Turner filed for divorce from her husband Ike in 1976, ending their violent 16-year marriage and successful musical partnership.

In 1976, after a four-year court battle, John Lennon received his green card and was granted permanent residency status in the US. Authorities had wanted to deport him because of a previous drug arrest and because of his involvement with the radical left.

Alice Cooper's Indian art store in Scottsdale, Arizona was hit by a firebomb in 1979. Gone were $200,000 worth of artifacts and some of Cooper's gold records, which were stored in the back. Cooper said maybe a "disco-music freak" was responsible because he had been making some anti disco remarks. Yep, blame it on disco….

Madonna self-titled debut album was released in 1983.

Prince's first movie, "Purple Rain" opened nationally in 1984.

In 1986, Queen became the first western act since Louis Armstrong in 1964 to perform in Easton Europe when they played at Budapest's Nepstadion, Hungary, the gig was filmed and released as “Queen Magic in Budapest.”

A fan stabbed himself repeatedly with a hunting knife during a Los Angeles concert by the Cure in 1986. The fan told police he did it because he couldn't have the woman he loved. The 18,000 fans thought the stabbing was part of the show and cheered him on.

Jesus Jones went to #2 on the US chart in 1991 with “Right Here, Right Now.”

In 1991, Natalie Cole started a five-week run at #1 on the US album chart with “Unforgettable Love.”

Toni Braxton scored her first US #1 single in 1996 with “You're Makin' Me High” (#7 UK).

In 1996, The Spice Girls scored their first #1 UK single with “Wannabe.” Seven weeks at #1 the song won Best British-Written Single at the 1997 Ivor Novello Awards and Best Single at the 1997 Brit Awards. The Girl Power song became the best-selling single by a female group selling over six million copies worldwide.