#1 Song 1956: “The Great Pretender,” The Platters
Born: Herman Santiago (Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers), 1941; Irma Thomas, 1941; Randy Crawford, 1952; Dr. Dre (Andre Young), 1965
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1942 The Mills Brothers recorded what would become their biggest hit, “Paper Doll.” Released in May, it took fourteen months to reach #1, but when it did, the single stayed there for twelve weeks, selling 6 million copies.
1950 Joe Liggins & His Honeydrippers charted with “Rag Mop,” reaching #4 R&B.It was their eleventh of fourteen hits from 1945to 1951. Their first hit, “The Honey Dripper,” is the longest #1 all-time R&B hit, having spent eighteen weeks on top of the charts.
1950 Singer/songwriter/pianist Nellie Lutcher charted with “For You My Love,” reaching #8 R&B. The last of the songstresses’ eleven hits, the song was a duet with Nat King Cole.
1956 The Romancers'”I Still Remember” ($75) and the Jayhawks’ “Counting My Teardrops” ($200) were released. The Romancers’ lead was young Bobby Freeman, ;ater of “Do YouWanna Dance” fame. The Jayhawks went on to become the Vibrations.
1956 Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers’ first single, “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” charted, reaching #6 pop and #1 (five weeks) R&B. The quintet had at various times called themselves the Premiers, the Earth Angels, the Coup De Villes, and the Ermines 😦 before becoming the Teenagers 🙂
1956 The Flamingos, probably the finest vocal group of all time, made their chart debut with “I’ll Be Home,” reaching #5 R&B. They began recording in 1953 and though they only had eleven pop hits and nine R&B charters through 1970, many music historians believe their harmony andvocal style were without peer.
1984 Cameo hit the charts for the twenty-first time in seven years ith what would become their biggest it, “She’s Strange” (#1 R&B for four weeks.)
2001 Ed Wells, baritone and songwriter for the Six Teens, passed away. Wells formed the sextet singing group in Los Angeles, combining three teen girls and three teen boys from two Catholic schools, and wrote their first hit, “A Casual Look.”
Randy Crawford is one unsung lady in the world of music. Here she is singing my favourite Randy Crawford song, “Street Life.” Happy Birthday, Randy!
