#1 R&B Song 1959: “You Better Know It,” Jackie Wilson
Born: Piano Red (William Lee Perryman), 1911; George McCrae, 1944; Wilbert Hart (the Delfonics), 1947; Jennifer Holliday, 1960
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1954 The Penguins’ classic “Earth Angel” (#1 R&B, #8 pop), was released.
1956 The world premiere of the rhythm and blues film Rockin’ the Blues was held at New York’s Apollo Theater. The cast included the Harptones, the Wanderers, the Hurricanes, and the Miller Sisters. The flick was followed by a stage show featuring the Wheels of “My Heart’s Desire” fame.
1960 The Shirelles appeared on American Bandstand performing what had become their first R&B charter nine days earlier, “Tonight’s the Night.”
1963 Brook Benton began the British tour billed as the Greatest Record Show of 1963 along with Dion, Trini Lopez, Timi Yuro, and Lesley Gore. The tour’s first stop was the Finsbury Park Astoria in London.
1964 Sonny Boy Williamson, Willie Dixon, Howlin’ Wolf, and Lightin’ Hopkins began a five-day concert series at the second American Negro Blues Festival at Fairfield Halls in Surrey, England.
1991 Aaron Neville peaked at #8 pop with a cover of the Main Ingredient’s 1972 hit “Everybody Plays the Fool.” The original reached #3.
1991 The Temptations performed at the Alabama State Fair in Birmingham, AL.
1992 Donna Summer performed at the Palais Omnisports in Paris, France.
Ann
