#1 R&B Song 1978: “I’m Every Woman,” Chaka Khan
Born: Annisteen Allen, 1920; LaVern Baker (Delores Williams), 1929
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1957 The Valiants’ “This Is the Night (#69 pop) and Lee Andrews & the Hearts’ “Teardrops” (#20 pop, #4 R&B) were released.
1958 Hank Ballard & the Midnighters recorded the original version of “The Twist,” which would later become one of the most important records in rock ‘n’ roll history as sung by Ballard sound-a-like Chubby Checker. Ballard’s version was based on the Drifters’ 1953 recording, “Whatcha Gonna Do.”
1960 Savannah Churchill, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Willie John, the Sheppards, and the Upsetters played the Regal Theater in Chicago.
1967 Wilson Pickett’s version of his early influence Lloyd Price’s “Stagger lee” charted on its way to #13 R&B, #22 pop. The song was based on the legendary folk blues artist Mississippi John Hurt’s ’0s recording, “Stack-O-Lee.”
1978 Donna Summer’s disco version of the 1968 Richard Harris hit “MacArthur Park” climbed to #1 and stayed there for three weeks.
1978 The Pointer Sisters’ “Fire” charted, reaching #2 pop and #14 R&B.
1991 In a very funny episode, Aretha Franklin appeared on CBS-TV’s Murphy Brown, playing herself opposite a worshipping but totally out-of-tune Candice Bergen (as Murphy Brown). Their show closing “You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman” was the highlight of the season.
1991 Isaac Hayes, Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, and Dionne Warwick, among others, performed at the Celebrity Theater in Los Angeles to raise money for cancer patient and former Motown star mary Wells. Sadly, Mary would die within nine months at age forty-nine.
Ann
