#1 R&B Song 1989: “Can You Stand the Rain,” New Edition
Born: Bernie West (the Five Keys), 1930; Florence LaRue (the Fifth Dimension), 1944
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1950 The Robin’s “Double Crossing Blues” charted, reaching #1 R&B with Little Esther (Phillips) singing lead. The record topped the charts for nine weeks. The group originally called themselves the Four Bluebirds and went on to become the nucleus of the Coasters.
1954 The Drifters recorded “Honey Love” (#1 R&B, #21 pop), their first single at Fulton Recording Studio in New York City along with their legendary versions of “White Christmas,” “Bells of St. Mary’s,” and the forerunner of “The Twist,” “Whatcha Gonna Do” (#2 R&B).
1956 James Brown and the Famous Flames recorded their now legendary first single, “Please, Please, Please” at King/Federal Studios in Cincinnati, OH, launching Brown’s career.
1966 The Jimi Hendrix Experience debut single peaked at #6 on the British charts. The recording never made the American hit lists and it would be more than a year before Hendrix made the charts again.
1977 The Pointer Sisters performed on Dick Clark’s twenty-fifth anniversary edition of American Bandstand.
1998 Dionne Warwick performed at New York’s Apollo Theater.
Ann
