#1 R&B Song 1971: “Just My Imagination,” the Temptations
Born: Walter “Furry” Lewis, 1893; Wes Montgomery, 1925; Sylvia Vanderpool (Mickey & Sylvia), 1936; Mary Wilson (the Supremes), 1944
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1893 Legendary blues slide guitarist Furry Lewis was born today. In the early 1900s he played with W.C. Handy’s Orchestra and was best known for his late ’20s recordings of “Good Looking Girl Blues,” “Cannonball Blues,” “Rock Island Blues,” and “Mistreatin’ Mama.” He played everything from medicine shows to riverboats with such artists as Blind Lemon Jefferson and Memphis Minnie.
1959 The “Ben E. King” Drifters’ first recording session included “There Goes My Baby”(#2 pop, #1 R&B). It was the first R&B hit to use strings, though R&B acts had been occasioanally using them since the early 1950s.
1965 The Temptations’ standard “My Girl” reached #1 pop and #1 R&B (for six weeks), making them the first male Motown group to hit the top spot.
1976 The Miracles’ “Love Machine” reached #1 pop and #5 R&B, becoming their biggest hit since Smokey Robinson left in 1972 and subsequently their last Top 10 hit. The single would also reach #3 in Britain.
1976 Bobby Womack performed at the Hammersmith Odeon in London.
1977 A ninety-minute extravaganza, An Evening with Diana Ross, aired on American television. Most of the show was built around her stage act.
Ann
