ON THIS DAY IN BLACK MUSIC HISTORY: JULY 16

#1 R&B Song 1977:  “Easy,” the Commodores

Born:  Sollie McElroy (the Flamingos), 1933; Denise LaSalle, 1939

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1949   Blues singer Memphis Slim entered the R&B charts with “Blue and Lonesome,” peaking at #2. It was the third of Slim’s seven hits, starting in 1948 with his biggest record, “Messin’ Around” (#1 R&B).

1959   The Coasters’ memorable novelty, “Poison Ivy” (#7 pop, #1 R&B), was recorded.

1972   William “Smokey” Robinson, Jr.,  (and Claudette Robinson, his then wife) gave his last performance with the Miracles at a concert at the Carter Barron Center in Washington, DC, leaving to pursue a solo career. He had been with them for eighteen years.  Smokey introduced the group’s new lead singer, Billy Griffin.

A year after the split, Smokey launched his solo career, enjoying a hit single with “Sweet Harmony,” an affectionate tribute to his former group and issuing the excellent “Smokey.” The album included the song “Just My Soul Responding,” a piece of social comment regarding the United States’ treatment of Black Americans and Native Americans.

In 1975, Smokey’s solo career took off with the success of the number one R&B hit “Baby That’s Backatcha”. Smokey’s 1976 single “Quiet Storm” and its accompanying album typified a genre of smooth, slow R&B that has spawned late-night radio shows called “quiet storm”. Other Smokey solo hits include “Cruisin’ ” (1979), “Being With You” (a U.K. number-one hit) (1981), “Tell Me Tomorrow” (1982), and “Ebony Eyes”, a duet with labelmate Rick James (1983). He also recorded the soundtrack to the film Big Time (1977).

Smokey maintained a regular release schedule through the mid-’70s, with one new album every year.

His latest album to date is “Time Flies When You’re having Fun,” (2009).

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1983   Jazz pianist Herbie Hancock charted with “Rockit,” which reached #6 R&B, making it the biggest of his sixteen hits between 1974 and 1988. Hancock played with Miles Davis from 1963 through 1968 before going on his own.