#1 R&B Song 1955: “Bo Diddley,” Bo Diddley
Born: Clifton Chenier, 1925; Bobby Nunn (the Coasters), 1936; Eddie Floyd (the Falcons), 1935; Harole Melvin (the Bluenotes), 1939; Johnnie Richardson (Johnnie & Joe), 1940
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1925 Clifton Chenier, know as the King of Zydeco music, was born in Montgomery, AL. The accordion player (along with his Red hot Lousiana band) was considered an international ambassador of zydeco culture and received a Grammy for his album I’m Here in 1984.
1949 Louis Jordan, the King of the Jukebox, charted with “Every Man to His Own Profession,” reaching #10 R&B. It was the forty-seventh of fifty-seven hits he would have through 1951. He ranks as the #1 R&B artist of the ’40s.
1955 The Nutmegs, the Ravens, and the Cardinals joined Bill Hailey & the Comets in concert at the Philadelphia Arena.
1961 The Shirelles, Etta James, Gene McDaniels, the Flairs, Tony Williams (oth the Platters), Clarence “Frogman” Henry, and B.B. King performed in Alan Freed’s Spectacular at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl along with Brenda Lee, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the Diamonds, among others. A front-row seat set you back $4.00.
2009 Michael Jackson died today in Los Angeles, CA, at the age of 50. From the age of a nine-year-old with the Jackson 5, through the decades as the King of Pop, Michael made an impact as a singing, dancing and song-writing genius in the world of entertainment, endearing him to millions around the world. Michael Jackson the Legend. Rest in peace, Michael. Rest in peace.
Ann
