#1 R&B Song 1975: “It Only Takes a Minute, Girl,” Tavares
Born: Jimmy Bee (Jimmy Brunsen, the Flairs), 1034; guitarist Eric Gale, 1939
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1952 The Ravens, one of two founding fathers of rhythm and blues (with the Orioles), charted with “Rock Me All Night Long,” reaching #4 R&B. It was the last of eleven hits for the New York quartet of R&B legends.
1959 The first oldies compilation album, “Oldies but Goodies” (Original Sound records), was issued. Of the twelve recordings, eleven were by Black acts, and the twelfth, the Mello-Kings classic “Tonite, Tonite,’ was thought at the time to have been by a Black group.
1973 Sly, Slick & Wicked’s single “Sho Nuff” was issued on James Brown’s People label. The Cleveland trio were performance specialists, havinf worked with the likes of the Dells, the O’Jays, B.B. King, the Ohio Players, Peabo Bryson, Con Funk Shun, and of course, James Brown. When records with Paramount, Motown, and Epic failed, lead singer John Wilson went on to produce for the Jacksons.
1978 Marvin Gaye re-inked with Motown Records for $600,000 each for the first two albums $1 million per album thereafter in a seven-year period.
1980 The Commodores and Bob Marley performed at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
1990 B.B. King and Ray Charles performed in Taiwan during a world tour that would not end for another two months.
Ann
