#1 R&B Song 1978: “Stuff Like That,” Quincy Jones
Born: Gospel pioneer “Georgia Tom” Dorsey, 1899; Willie Dixon, 1915; Bobby Day (the Hollywood Flames), 1930; Syl Johnson, 1939; June Montiero (the Toys), 1946: Evelyn “Champagne” King, 1960; Melissa Arnette “Missy” Elliot, 1971
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1954 The Ink Spots began a stint at the Trocadero on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip.
1957 A Philadelphia radio station with only 250 watts of power began repeat plays of the Tune Weavers’ new release, “Happy, Happy Birthday Baby.” By October it was #1.
1960 The Jesters, Ben E. King, Ruth Brown, Jimmy Jones, and the Olympics performed on one of disc jockey Jocko Henderson’s Jocko’s Rocketship Revue at New York’s Apollo Theater.
1971 James Brown and his entire catalog of two decades worth of recordings were signed to Polydor Records.
1972 The Trammps entered the R&B hit list with the scintillating disco cover of the Coasters’ “Zing Went the Strings of My heart,” reaching #17. The group from Philadelphia formerly recorded under the name of the Volcanos.
1978 Martha & the Vandellas reunited for the first time in ten years for a benefit concert for actor Will Geer in Santa Cruz, CA.
1992 Vanessa Williams and Dinah Washington’s goddaughter, Patti Austin, performed at a fund-raiser for the Hollywood women’s political Committee. Austin, a veteran performer since her teens, had over the years toured and performed on Tv with such notables as Sammy Davis, Jr., Connie Stevens, Quincy Jones, Roberta Flack, Harry Belafonte, and Bobby Darin.
1998 The Dixie Hummingbirds, Stevie Wonder, and Paul Simon appeared on TV’s Late Show With David Letterman.
Ann
