ON THIS DAY IN BLACK MUSIC HISTORY: JUNE 16

#1 R&B Song 1945:   “Caldonia,” Louis Jordan & His Tympany 5

Born:  Lamont Dozier, 1941; Eddie Levert (the O’Jays), 1942; James Smith (the Stylistics), 1950

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1958   The Danleers’ summertime classic, “One Summer Night” (#7 pop, #4 R&B), was released.

1960   The Platters performed for the first time without longtime lead Tony Williams as Sonny Turner took over for his debut with the group at the Lotus Club in Philadelphia.

1962   The Isley brothers charted with “Twist & Shout,” reaching #2 R&B and #17 pop. The sonf was originally recorded by the Top Notes on Atlantic in 1961, then by the Isley Brothers who recorded the song,  well before the Beatles recorded it.

 

1976   A summer variety series featuring the Jackson family called The Jacksons debuted on CBS-TV for a four-week run. Along with the Jackson 5 were the group’s sisters Rebbie, La Toya, and youngest member Janet.

1979   Donna Summer’s “Bad Girls” hit #1 pop (for five weeks) and R&B, making it her biggest Top 100 hit.

1984   Tina Turner’s Private Dancer album charted, reaching #3 (#1 R&B) and becoming such a huge hit thaat it stayed in the Top 10 for ten months. It also swold more than 10 million copies worldwide. In Britain it reached #2. Not bad for her first album without ex-husband Ike Turner.

1992   Prince performed at Earls Court in london as part of his most recent tour.

1995   Diana Ross performed in Moscow at the Kremlin Palace of Congresses.

1998   ASCAP’s first Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award was given to Chaka Khan at their eleventh annual Rhythm & Soul Awards in New York.