This Day In Music - July 26

 This Day In Music – 26 July

1895 - Gracie Allen, comedic radio and TV star with partner/husband George Burns, is born in San Francisco, California (though the specific date of her birth is disputed) - https://youtu.be/IN3aETNaThI .

1914 - Erskine Hawkins, trumpeter and Big Band leader known for "Tuxedo Junction," is born in Birmingham, Alabama - https://youtu.be/e6a-7f6Pxqg .

1938 - Bobby Hebb born in Nashville, Tennessee. US singer, (1966 US No.2, No.9 & UK No.12 single 'Sunny'). The song was written about Bobby's brother, who had been killed by a mugger in 1963, and started out as an album filler until it was picked for a single release. Some references suggest his birth year was 1941 - https://youtu.be/ubvYQxTXO3U .

1940 - Singer Dobie Gray is born in Simonton, Texas. US singer, (1965 US No.13 and UK No.25 single 'The In Crowd', 1973 US No.5 & No.34 single 'Drift Away'). Gray died on December 6, 2011, from complications of cancer surgery in Nashville, Tennessee at the age of 71. Some references his year of birth is 1942 - https://youtu.be/NIuyDWzctgY .

1941 - Soul singer Brenton Wood is born Alfred Jesse Smith in Shreveport, Louisiana. Known for 1967's "The Oogum Boogum Song" and the No.2 "Gimme Little Sign" - https://youtu.be/qtjpzXPcwKw .

1941 - Neil Landon born in Kirdford, Sussex, England. Singer and songwriter with the band Fat Mattress, which he co-founded with guitarist/singer Noel Redding. He later joined The Flower Pot Men, who scored a hit in 1967 with 'Let's Go To San Francisco' which reached No.4 in the UK Singles Chart (No.49 in ). Landon was a member of The Ivy League who had the 1965 UK No.3 single 'Tossing and Turning' (No.27 in ). He died on 26 March 2020, age 78 - https://youtu.be/FfeiB6G1sNo .

1941 - Darlene Love born in Hawthorne, California. Of The Crystals, (1962 US No.1 & No.5 single 'He's A Rebel', 1963 No.1 & UK No.2 single 'Then He Kissed Me') - https://youtu.be/lQtZUTRCLcY .

1943 - Sir Michael Philip Jagger (Mick Jagger) born in Dartford, Kent, England. An English singer, songwriter, actor, and film producer who has gained worldwide fame as the lead singer and one of the founder members of the Rolling Stones. Jagger's career has spanned over six decades, and he has been described as "one of the most popular and influential frontmen in the history of rock & roll". Songs include 1969 , UK & US No.1 single 'Honky Tonk Women', and over 35 , UK & US Top 40 singles and albums. Solo efforts include 1985 & UK No.1 single with David Bowie 'Dancing In The Street' and the 1985 UK No. 6 solo album 'She's The Boss.' In 2003 he was knighted for his services to popular music and in early 2009 he joined the electric supergroup SuperHeavy - https://youtu.be/urqALF0-dX4 .

1949 - Roger Taylor born in Dersingham, Norfolk, England. An English musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the drummer for the rock band Queen. As a drummer, Taylor was recognised early in his career for his unique sound. He was voted by radio listeners as the eighth-greatest drummer in classic rock music history in a poll conducted by Planet Rock in 2005. With Queen his songs include 1975 & UK No.1 single 'Bohemian Rhapsody' also UK No.1 & No.2 in 1991, plus over 20 other & UK Top 40 singles, 1980 & US No.1 single 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love'. Also a member of The Cross - https://youtu.be/zO6D_BAuYCI .

1950 - Singer/keyboardist Duncan Mackay is born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England. He played with Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel from 1975 to 1977 and 10cc from 1978 to 1981. He also played on Kate Bush's first three albums, The Kick Inside, Lionheart (both 1978) and Never for Ever (1980), as well as Camel's 1981 album Nude, and Budgie's 1982 album Deliver Us from Evil. - https://youtu.be/ptFegqTOYYc .

1952 - - Bob "Bongo" Starkie was born. Guitarist with Melbourne based Pop/Rock band Skyhooks from 1973 - 1994. Some of the most popular songs of this famous musical artist are Living In The 70s, All My Friends Are Getting Married and Women In Uniform - https://youtu.be/3eqmW8lqiEc .

1952 - - Geoff Peterkin was born in Macksville, New South Wales. He was the drummer for hit 1980s band Ol’ 55 and had a cameo in the iconic Aussie film Puberty Blues. When Ol 55 came to a “logical conclusion”, Geoff and Jim Manzie formed a band called The Breakers, playing drums and vocalist for the Sydney based rock band. They had a bit of success, earning its rite of passage through an appearance on Molly Meldrum’s iconic music show Countdown and scoring a pub scene cameo appearance in the Aussie film Puberty Blues. Another couple of bands followed – The Hitmen in Sydney and a synthesized style band Myokyo in Melbourne. Then in the early ’90s Geoff formed a country band with Andy Colville and a few others. Again using the name The Breakers, they released three original albums of Geoff’s songs and toured Australia playing all the big festivals, both in their own right and as a backing band. The Breakers won Group of the Year at the Victorian Country Music Awards in 2002 - https://youtu.be/1U8QLdQT0Dg .

1952 - Rosemary Clooney's "Half As Much" hits #1; it reached #1 in in December 1952 - https://youtu.be/T8amIaQUGTY .

1956 - - Mark Seymour was born in Benalla, Victoria. An Australian musician and vocalist, he was the frontman and songwriter of rock band Hunters & Collectors from 1981 until 1998. Seymour formed Hunters & Collectors from the remnants of The Jetsonnes with Archer, Falconer, and Tosti-Gueira. Between 1981 and 1998, The Hunters and Collectors released nine studio albums, and were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2005. In 1992, Seymour released his debut single, "Hey Boys" with Paul Kelly from the Garbo (soundtrack). Seymour wrote the Hunters and Collector's song "Holy Grail", which although not intended to be about sport, has been widely used in television broadcasts of Australian Football League matches, especially the AFL Grand Final. Seymour has carved a solo career, releasing his debut solo album in 1997 and winning an ARIA Award in 2001 for One Eyed Man in the category of Best Adult Contemporary Album - https://youtu.be/RNQ6zibuwaA .

1961 - Gary Cherone born in Malden, Massachusetts. Singer with Extreme who had the 1991 US No.1 & & UK No.2 single 'More Than Words'. Also toured and recorded with Van Halen for one album: Van Halen III, released in 1997 - https://youtu.be/kDpshj-Lcic .

1961 - Andy Connell born in Manchester, England. From Swing Out Sister who had 1986 UK No.4 & No.9 single 'Breakout'. Since the band's establishment, he has been the main composer and arranger for Swing Out Sister's music - https://youtu.be/IIOJdMdS56k .

1962 - Miranda Joyce born. Vocalist with the All-female pop group The Belle Stars had the 1983 UK No.3 single 'Sign Of The Times'(peaked at No.32 in ). In , their 1982 song ‘The Clapping Song’ peaked at No.3 and the 1989 re-release of Iko Iko hit No.9. After The Belle Stars, Miranda Joyce became a highly respected make-up artist working in the fashion industry - https://youtu.be/fP01RNDDsPM .

1962 - AU - Frank Ifield was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'I Remember You'; it hit that spot in for 2-weeks in September. The singers first of four UK No.1's - https://youtu.be/x5EKy11WHVM .

1963 - - Leo Auciello was born. Vocalist for Sydney based blues / boogie band Bandanna 1985 - 1990. Recordings included Bag Fulla Boogie – 1986, Boogie Down Under – 1988 and Let The Party Begin - http://amh-audio.s3.amazonaws.com/ban.../BoogieDownunder.mp3 .

1963 - Scott Francis Crago born. American session drummer, worked with the Eagles since 1994 as well as Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Bryan Adams, Stevie Nicks, Jackson Browne, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Bob Seger and Chris Isaak.

1967 - Tim Barnwell born in New Jersey. DJ Headliner, from American alternative hip hop group Arrested Development who scored the 1992 UK No.2, No.5 and US No. 8 single 'People Everyday' as well as the 1993 No.5, Mr Wendal. The group won two Grammy Awards in 1993 for Best New Artist and Best Rap Performance and were also named Band of the Year by Rolling Stone magazine - https://youtu.be/FMz79H8JotQ .

1968 - The Rolling Stones album Beggar's Banquet is scheduled for release, but withdrawn by their label, Decca, over concerns with the album cover, which shows a toilet covered in graffiti. The album is later released with a picture of an invitation on the cover.

1969 - Brian Jones, who was a founding member of The Rolling Stones, appears on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine following his death on July 3rd.

1969 - Johnny Cash released the single, 'A Boy Named Sue', a song written by Shel Silverstein. Cash was at the height of his popularity when he recorded the song live at California's San Quentin State Prison at a concert on February 24, 1969. The song tells the tale of a young man's quest for revenge on a father who abandoned him at 3 years of age and whose only contribution to his entire life was naming him Sue. It peaks at No.2 in - https://youtu.be/ZR5XGTpophI .

1975 - The Eagles land their first #1 album when One Of These Nights hits #1 in the US. Their fourth album, it stays on top for five weeks - https://youtu.be/sdPM1VTULSg .

1975 - Van McCoy and the Soul City went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'The Hustle', his only US chart hit, it made No.3 in the UK and No.9 in . McCoy died on 6th July 1979 - https://youtu.be/SFzMs2SN--s .

1977 - Led Zeppelin cut short their 11th North American tour after Robert Plant's five-year-old-son Karac died unexpectedly of a virus at their home in England, UK.

1980 - The Rolling Stones started a seven week run at No.1 on the US album chart with 'Emotional Rescue', the group's eighth US No.1. Emotional Rescue was the first Rolling Stones album recorded following Keith Richards' exoneration from a Toronto drugs charge that could have landed him in jail for years - https://youtu.be/PTxQ601mlAY .

1986 - Peter Gabriel went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Sledgehammer', a No.4 hit in the UK and No.5 in . The song's music video has won a number of awards, including a record nine MTV Awards at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards, and Best British Video at the 1987 Brit Awards. Gabriel was also nominated for three Grammy Awards. As of 2011, 'Sledgehammer' is the most played music video in the history of MTV - https://youtu.be/OJWJE0x7T4Q .

1990 - American keyboardist and vocalist Brent Mydland from the Grateful Dead was found dead on the floor of his home aged 38 from a drug overdose. His eleven-year tenure was longer than that of any other keyboardist in the band.

1992 - American singer and Motown artist, Mary Wells, referred to as The First Lady or The Queen of Motown and who had a 1964 & US No. 1 and UK No. 5 single 'My Guy', died aged 49 of laryngeal cancer. Wells was forced to give up her career and with no health insurance, was forced to sell her home. Wells' old Motown friends including Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, The Temptations and Martha Reeves, along with Dionne Warwick, Rod Stewart, Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin and Bonnie Raitt, personally pledged donations in support - https://youtu.be/MfRPMQGdnZw .

1994 - Motown Records releases the Boyz II Men song "I'll Make Love To You" against the group's wishes - they think it sounds too much like their earlier hit "End of the Road." In this case, the record company gets it right: the song becomes the biggest hit of 1994 in America and hits No.1 in - https://youtu.be/fV8vB1BB2qc .

2000 - Oasis were booed of stage during a show at the Paleo Festival in Switzerland after singer Liam Gallagher had insulted the 35,000 strong audience.

2006 - The final edition of Top Of The Pops was recorded at BBC Television Centre in London. Just under 200 members of the public were in the audience for the show which was co-hosted by veteran disc jockey Sir Jimmy Savile, its very first presenter. Classic performances from the Spice Girls, Wham, Madonna, Beyonce Knowles and Robbie Williams featured in the show alongside The Rolling Stones who were the very first band to appear on Top of the Pops on New Year's Day in 1964 - https://youtu.be/CLS3HHDWOeU

2012 - Searching For Sugar Man, an Academy Award-winning documentary about Detroit Rocker Sixto "Sugar Man" Rodriguez, is released in the UK - https://youtu.be/E90_aL870ao .

2013 - US singer-songwriter JJ Cale died of a heart attack at the age of 74. He became famous in 1970, when Eric Clapton covered his song 'After Midnight'. In 1977 Clapton also popularised Cale's 'Cocaine'. The two worked together on an album which won a Grammy award in 2008 - https://youtu.be/KWmD_HcOcfU .

2015 - In a field just outside of Cesena, Italy, 1000 musicians and singers play Foo Fighters "Learn to Fly" simultaneously with the dream of attracting the band to play a show in their city for the first time in nearly 20 years. Rockin' 1000, the group behind the idea, led by Fabrio Zaffanini, assemble hundreds of volunteers and a video crew to orchestrate the epic video shoot of the performance with the intention of getting Dave Grohl, frontman of Foo Fighters, to see it, and respond. Within hours of the video being uploaded to YouTube, it goes viral, garnering over 10 million views, and is shared across Twitter and Facebook worldwide. Dave Grohl responds personally on Foo Fighters Twitter account with, "Ci vediamo a pressa, Cesena…. XXX Davide #Rockin1000." (Translation: "See you soon, Cesena").The following day, proving the power of viral video, Dave posts a personal cell-phone video titled "Per Cesena & #Rockin1000," and speaking in Italian, he praises the video and ends with, "Stiamo arrivando, prometto," which translates to "We are coming. I promise." In a true storybook ending, on November 3, Foo Fighters take the stage at Nuova Teatro Calisport in Cesena, Italy. Appropriately, the band opens with "Learn to Fly," and ends with Grohl asking Fabio and a drummer from the video known as "Mohawk guy," to sit in on a cover of "Under Pressure" with the band they successfully convinced to come play - https://youtu.be/JozAmXo2bDE .