#1 R&B Song 1957: “Lucille,” Little Richard
Born: Maxine Brown (the Browns), 1932; Cuba Gooding (the Main Ingredient), 1944; Ann Peebles, 1947; Herb Murrell (the Stylistics), 1949
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1960 The Biggest Show of Stars 1960 made a performance stop at the Lauderdale County Coliseum in Florence, AL, with performers including Little Anthony & the Imperials, Llyod Price, Clyde McPhatter, Bo Diddley, Jimmy Reed, and the Coasters, among others.
1963 The Crystals soared onto the pop hit list with “Da Doo Ron Ron,” an eventual #3 classic.
1972 The Chi-Lites hit #1 pop and R&B with their career establishing “Oh, Girl.” Lead singer Eugene Record was the husband of soul singer Barbara Acklin.
1974 The Impressions charted with “Finally Got Myself Together,” reaching #1 R&B (#17 pop). It was their fourth and last #1 over eleven years, starting in 1963 with “It’s Alright.”
1984 Michael Jackson’s incredible success and airwave “overkill” had its detractors and among them was radio WWSH in Philadelphia, which declared a “No Michael Jackson” weekend.
1990 B.B. King was hospitalized due to diabetes-related problems in Las Vegas. Within a month he would be back performing.
1991 Luther Vandross charted with “Power of Love/Love Power,” reaching #1 R&B and #4 pop. The backing vocalists included Darlene Love and Cissy Houston.
On April 20, Luther would have been 58 years old. Rest in peace, Luther. Rest in peace.
1993 Aretha Franklin’s first TV special was taped at New York’s Nederlander Theater and featured duets with Bonnie Raitt on “Since You’ve Been Gone,” and “Natural Woman” with Raitt and Gloria Estefan. Also performing were Smokey Robinson (singing a duet with Aretha on “Just to See Her”) and Elton John.
BEAUTIFUL, ALSO, ARE THE SOULS OF MY BLACK SISTERS 