#1 R&B Song 1961: “One Mint Julep,” Ray Charles
Born: Redman (Reggie Noble), 1970
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1943 The Ink Spots charted with “I Can’t Stand Losing You,” reaching #1 for seven weeks. The legendary group was the precursor to rhythm & blues of the ’50s. Between 1942 and 1948 they logged sixteen straight R&B Top 10 hits on what was then the Harlem Hit Parade and the race charts.
1948 Louis Jordan and His Tympany 5 jumped on the R&B hit list with “Reet, Petite and Gone,” reaching #4. The song is likely where Berry Gordy got the idea for his song “Reet Petite,” which became Jackie Wilson’s solo hit debut.
1954 Detroit’s Fortune label signed a young local group, the Diablos, whose falsetto-singing lead vocalist, Nolan Strong, became the emulated idol of one Smokey Robinson.
1957 An all-star show was held at the Regal Theater in Chicago including, the Dells, the Spaniels, Big Maybelle, Little Esther (Phillips), the Sensations, Junior Parker, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Nappy Brown, Solomon Burke, Annie Laurie, and Al Smith’s Orchestra.
1965 Gospel singer Marie Knight prayed her way onto the R&B charts with the Julie London pop hit, “Cry Me A River,” reaching #35. Knight had four hit singles from 1948 through 1965, a rare accomplishment for a gospel artist. Her biggest single was “Up Above My Head, I Hear Music in the Air,” with Sister Rosetta Tharp (#6) in 1948. (Here is Sister Rosetta Tharpe singing “Up Above My Head.”)
1971 Aretha Franklin’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” charted on its way to #1 R&B and #6 pop. Writer Paul Simon had previously stated that he wrote the song with Aretha in mind, though Simon & Garfunkel had the original hit a year earlier.
1971 “Want Ads” by the Honey Cone charted on its way to #1 pop and R&B. The female trio from Los Angeles consisted of a former Ikette, a former member of Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans, and the sister of Blue Jeans member/Blossoms lead Darlene Love. (“Extra! Extra! Read all about it. Wanted. . . .Young Man Single & Free; Experience In Love Preferred. . . .but, Will Accept a Young Trainee.”) Gotta luv it 🙂
1980 Bob Marley performed before Prince Charles and President Mugabe in Salisbury, Zimbabwe, at their Independence Day celebrations.
Ann
