ON THIS DAY IN BLACK MUSIC HISTORY: JUNE 27

#1 R&B Song 1981:  “Give It To Me Baby,” Rick James

Born:  Rosalie Allen (Julie Marlene Bedra), 1924

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1953   Jackie Wilson made his recording debut with the Dominoes, cutting “You Can’t Keep A Good Man Down” ($100). Meanwhile, R&B standards  “Gee” by the Crows (#14 pop, #2 R&B, $400) and “I Cover the Waterfront” by the Orioles ($1,200) were released.

1960   Lonnie Johnson, an originator and founding father of modern guitar blues performed at the Playboy Club in Chicago. The innovative Johnson, who played with the likes of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington going back to the ’20s, was recently found working as a janitor in a Philadelphia hotel.

1964   The Valentinos charted with “It’s All Over Now,” reaching only #94 pop. The group was actually Bobby Womack and his brothers, who started out as the gospel group, the Womack Brothers. Bobby’s song, however, would gain immortality as an early hit for the Rolling Stones. (Singing in the background vocals is none other than the great Bill Withers).

1970   The Jackson 5 hit #1 with “The Love You Save,” thus becoming the first artists to reach the top spot with their first three charters.

1987   Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” hit #1, while her album Whitney became the first album by a female singer to debut on Billboard’s chart at #1.

1992   Michael Jackson began his latest world tour in support of the album Dangerous in Munich, West Germany. A European-only TV program was taped and included two of Michael’s performances live from the concert.

1996   The Fugees appeared at the free Hoodstock concert in New York. A man began firing a gun and numerous onlookers were hospitalized.