ON THIS DAY IN BLACK MUSIC HISTORY: OCTOBER 27

#1 R&B Song 1958:  “Topsey, Part II,” Cozy Cole

Born:  Melba Moore (Melba Hill), 1945

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1958   The Flamingos’ (Sollie McElroy（Lead Tenor）Johnny Carter（Lead Tenor) Zeke Carey（Tenor）Paul Willson（Baritone）Jake Carey（Bass）first single for End Records, “That Love Is You,” was released, but its flip side, “Lovers Never Say Goodbye,” became the classic hit (#25 R&B, #52 pop). “Lovers” was originally released under the title “Please Wait For Me.”

1960   Ben E. King began his solo career after leaving the Drifters when he recorded four songs including “Spanish Harlem” and “Stand By Me.”

1962   Dionne Warwick’s (full name:  Marie Dionne Warwick) debut disc “Don’t Make Me Over,” was released, rising to #5 R&B and #21 pop. It began a streak of thirty-three chart hits sung by Dionne and written and produced by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and was the start of one of the longest and most successful long-term careers for a female artist in music history.

Hal David, Dionne Warwick, and Burt Bacharach during a rehearsal.

Hal, Dionne, and Burt.

Burt, Dionne and Hal at the 7TH Annual NARAS Heroes Award 2002 Gala.

1966   Ike & Tine Turner’s “A Love Like Yours (Don’t Come Knocking Every Day)” charted in England reaching #16. The song, produced by Phil Spector, was originally a B-side for Martha & the ‘ famous “Heat Wave.” Tina sings the lead vocals, though Ike was not included in this song nor the other recordings, which along with “Love” are on the symphony-backed  “River Deep, Mountain High” album.

1973   Gladys Knight & the Pips reached #1 R&B (four weeks) and #1 pop (two weeks) with “Midnight Train To Georgia.” The song, written by country writer Jim Weatherly, was originally recorded by him as “Midnight Plane To Houston.”

1998   Aaron Neville sang “Amazing Grace” at the New Orleans wedding of actor John Goodman.