ON THIS DAY IN BLACK MUSIC HISTORY: MAY 5

#1 R&B Song 1956:   “Long Tall Sally,” Little Richard

 

Born:   Johnnie Taylor, 1938

 

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1945   Bluesman Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup’s chart debut was “Rock Me Mama,” and eventual #3 R&B. Crudup started singing with the gospel group The Harmonizing Four and was discovered by an Okeh Records A&R man while playing on a Chicago street corner.

 

 

1953   The legendary vocal group the Spaniels recorded their first 45, “Baby, It’s You.” The single is now a $4,500 rarity.

 

 

1969   Stevie Wonder received the Distinguished Service Award from the President’s Committee on Employment of Handicapped People by President Nixon at the White House.

 

1979   “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge charted, reaching #1 R&B and #2 pop. Background vocals were added by Luther Vandross, who watched and learned how his older sister did it when Patricia Vandross was a member of the ’50s hit group the Crests.

 

 

1988   Michael Jackson became the first non-Russian to appear on Soviet television endorsing a  product.

 

1989   Natalie Cole appeared at the John Lennon Tribute Concert singing “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and “Ticket to Ride.” The event was held at the Pier Head Arena in Merseyside, England.

 

 

1990   En Vogue charted with “Hold On,” (#2) their first of twelve hits through 1996.

 

1995   In a campaign for Major League Baseball, Aretha Franklin appeared with the Detroit Tigers singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” in their promotional video while LL Cool J did the same with the Seattle Mariners.