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Rock and Roll Birthdays

Today's Rock and Roll Birthdays

July 26th

July 26th Birthday, Lawrence Darrow Brown, professionally known as Dobie Gray, born in Simonton, Texas in 1940. He died from cancer on December 6th, 2011 at the age of 71.

July 26th Birthday, The Blossoms and The Crystals singer, actress and a member of The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Darlene Love, born Darlene Wright in 1941 in Los Angeles, California.

July 26th Birthday, Rolling Stones singer, songwriter Mick Jagger, born Michael Phillip Jagger in 1943 in Dartford, Kent, England.

July 26th Birthday, Queen drummer, singer and solo artist Roger Taylor, born in 1949 in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England.

July 26th Birthday, Keyboardist Duncan Mackay, who worked with the Alan Parsons Project, Cockney Rebel, Kate Bush, 10cc and as a solo artist, born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England in 1950.

July 26th Birthday, Extreme and Van Halen vocalist Gary Cherone, born in 1961 in Malden, Massachusetts.

Today In Rock and Roll History

July 26th

July 26th, 1963 Tamla Records release “Mickey’s Monkey” by The Miracles on 45. Co-written and produced by Motown’s main songwriting team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland, the record hit the Top Ten in America, reaching No. 8 on September 21st and was The Miracles’ third million selling single.

July 26th, 1964 Herman’s Hermits record “I’m Into Something Good” at De Lane Lea Studios in London with producer Mickie Most. Co-written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, the song was originally recorded by The Cookies’ singer Earl-Jean for Colpix Records. The Hermits’ 45 came out August 7thin Britain and a month later in America. The record entered the US charts in October and peaked at No. 13 on December 12th, No. 1 in Britain.

July 26th, 1964 Tamla Records release “Little Darling (I Need You)” by Marvin Gaye on 45. Produced over three sessions, March 22nd, April 2nd and May 6th at Hitsville USA Studios in Detroit, by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier and co-written by the two with Eddie Holland. The Andantes, Marlene Barrow, Jackie Hocks and Louvain Demps sing the backing vocals behind The Funk Brothers’ backing track. The record peaked at No. 47 on September 10th.

July 26th, 1967 Warner Brothers Records release “I Dig Rock And Roll Music” by Peter, Paul and Mary. The song was co-written by Paul Stookey, James Mason and Dave Dixon. The lyrics seem to be a lighthearted satire of current Pop music, in particular The Mamas And The Papas, Donovan and The Beatles. Co-produced by Albert Grossman and Milt Okun, the record peaked at No. 9 on September 23rd.

July 26th, 1968 Deram Records in Britain release the third studio album by The Moody Blues. “In Search Of The Lost Chord” was produced by Tony Clarke at Decca Studios in West Hempstead, London. In contrast to their previous album, “Days Of Future Passed,” which incorporated a full orchestra, The Moodies played all of the instruments themselves on the sessions, including sitar, oboe and cello. The record went to No. 5 in Britain and No. 23 in the US, on December 7th.

July 26th, 1969 Creedence Clearwater Revival release “Green River” on 45. Recorded during sessions from March thrpugh June at Wally Heider Studios in San Francisco, the song was written and the record produced by John Fogerty. Certified Gold for a half million copies sold of the single in 1990, “Green River” peaked at No. 2 on September 27th.

July 26th, 1969 A&M Records release “Any Way That You Want Me” by Evie Sands on 45. Written by Chip Taylor and co-produced by Taylor and Al Gorgoni, the record peaked at No. 53 on November 8th. The song became a British hit for The Troggs.

July 26th, 1973 Tamla Records release Eddie Kendricks’ first major solo hit “Keep On Truckin’,” two year after leaving The Temptations. The record was produced by Frank Wilson, who co-wrote the song with Leonard Caston Jr. and Anita Poree. The record peaked at No. 1 on November 10th.

July 26th, 1974 Virgin Records release “Rock Bottom,” the second solo album by former Soft Machine drummer and singer Robert Wyatt. The album was produced by Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason. Wyatt recorded the LP shortly after his release from the hospital. He’d fallen from a third story window and become a paraplegic, losing the use of both of his legs. Guests on the album include Mike Oldfield, Fred Frith, Hugh Hopper and Richard Sinclair.

July 26th, 1974 The Rolling Stones Records label release “It’s Only Rock and Roll (But I Like It)” on 45 in Britain, out the following day in the US. Credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the song was originally recorded one night in a studio at Ron Wood’s house, “The Wick” in Richmond, London. David Bowie was the backing singer to Jagger’s lead and Willie Weeks played bass with Kenny Jones on drums. The released version is similar to that original recording, with the Stones using the original rhythm track to add overdubs to. The record peaked at No. 16 on September 21st.

July 26th, 1974 Kiki Dee releases “I’ve Got The Music In Me” on Elton John’s Rocket Records label. Written in 1973 by Bias Boshell, Kiki Dee’s keyboardist. The song peaked at No. 12 on November 30th and was produced by Gus Dudgeon.

July 26th, 1976 With three of the original backing musicians now departed, the last Three Dog Night concert is held in Los Angeles. When they re-united in 1981, all but one of the original members came back onboard.

July 26th, 1977 In an attempt to attract the attention of CBS Record executives inside, Elvis Costello busked outside the London Hilton. He was promptly arrested and fined £5. To their credit, CBS invited him back for an audition.

July 26th, 1979 The Clash released their first single in the US, their version of the Sonny Curtis song “I Fought The Law.” Issued in Britain in May on The Clash’s “Cost Of Living” EP, Columbia Records in the US added it to the band’s self-titled first album in the states, but the single didn’t chart in America.

July 26th, 1980 Island Records release “Uprising” by Bob Marley and The Wailers, their final album released in Marley’s lifetime. Erroll Brown of Hot Chocolate engineered the album, with the band producing. The record peaked at No. 45 on October 4th.

July 26th, 1980 “Don’t Misunderstand Me” by the Rossington Collins Band enters the singles charts. Co-written and produced by Allen Collins, Barry Lee Harwood and Dale Krantz, the record peaked at No. 55 on August 30th.

July 26th, 1983 Geffen Records release “Alpha,” the second studio album by Asia. “Alpha” was recorded at two Canadian studios, Le Studio in Quebec and Manta Sound in Toronto, with producer Mike Stone, from February through May. The LP featured the hits “Don’t Cry” and “The Smile Has Left Your Eyes.” The record peaked at No. 6 on September 10th.

July 26th, 1987 Billy Joel plays a concert in Leningrad, Russia. When the show ends, audience members carry him out on their shoulders.

Miscellaneous July

July 1959, Chess Records release “Go Bo Diddley,” the second album by Bo Diddley.

July 1959, Chess Records release “Berry Is On Top” by Chuck Berry. Other than the song “Blues For Hawaiians,” the record was a collection of previously issued singles with nine hit 45’s.

July 1964 Nashville label RIC Records release “Beach Walkin’” backed with “Banzai Washout,” the first single by California band The Catalinas on 45. Both songs were written by Los Angeles session musician and record producer Steve Douglas. Future Beach Boy Bruce Johnston and Wrecking Crew alumni Hal Blaine, Bill Pitman, Billy Strange, Leon Russell and others were part of the studio band.

July 1965 Fantasy Records release “You Can’t Be True” backed with “You Got Nothin’ On Me,” the third single by The Golliwogs. Both sides were co-written by Tom and John Fogerty, using the names Rann Wild and Toby Green. The Golliwogs renamed themselves Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1967.

July 1967, Elektra Records release “The 5,000 Spirits Or The Layers Of The Onion” by The Incredible String Band in England. Recorded at Sound Techniques in Chelsea, London with producer Joe Boyd, it was the group’s second album, regrouped as a duo following their first album in 1966. “The 5,000 Spirits Or The Layers Of The Onion” went to No. 25 in Britain. The LP came out in America in January 1968.

July 1969, Douglas Records release “Devotion,” the second album by John McLaughlin. There are conflicting dates attributed to the release. Some say May some July and others say September. The record was recorded while McLaughlin was a member of Tony Williams Lifetime, using a backing band of organist Larry Young, bassist Billy Rich and Buddy Miles. The album did not chart in the US.

July 1970 Capitol Records release the self-titled debut album by British jazz-rock band “If.” The album reached No. 187 in the US.

July 1974, Casablanca Records release “Strutter,” the third single by Kiss. The song was co-written by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. The track was co-produced by Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise, taken from Kiss’ self-titled first album.

July 1975, RCA Records release “Why Do Fools Fall In Love,” the second single by Bruce Johnston, Gary Usher and Terry Melcher’s California Music. The song was credited to Frankie Lymon and Morris Levy. The song was originally a hit for Lymon and The Teenagers in 1956.

July 1976 Oyster Records release “Child In Time” by the Ian Gillan Band. It was the first solo album by former Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan. The group featured keyboardist Mike Moran, guitarist Ray Fenwick and bassist John Gustafson. The LP was produced by Purple’s Roger Glover at Musicland Studios in Munich, Germany in December 1975 through January 1976. The album reached No. 55 in England.

July 1976 Atco Records release “Viva! Roxy Music,” a live album by Roxy Music, six months in advance of its British release date in February 1977. The recordings were taped at the Glasgow Apollo in November 1973, Newcastle City Hall in October 1974 and the Wembley Empire Pool in October 1975. “Viva! Roxy Music” was produced by Chris Thomas. The same month, Island Records in Britain release a new four-song EP by Bryan Ferry, “Price Of Love” and “Shame Shame Shame” backed with “Heart On My Sleeve” and “It’s Only Love.” Island issued “Price Of Love” as a single in August.

July 1981 A&M Records in America release “Iris” by Split Enz on 45. The track came from the band’s “Waiata” album, produced by David Tickle.

July 1983 Virgin Records release “Wonderland” by XTC on 45 in England. Written by Colin Moulding, the session was co-produced by XTC and Steve Nye. It was the only single from the group’s “Mummer” LP to be released in the US, in February 1984.

July 1984 A&M Records in the US release “Message To My Girl” by Split Enz on 45 from the LP “Conflicting Emotions.” The song was written by Neil Finn, co-produced by Hugh Padgham and Eddie Rayner.

July 1987 Jet Records release “1, 2, 3” backed with “O What A Shame” by Roy Wood on 45. The A-side was a cover version of the Len Barry hit from 1967, co-written by J Madaea, D White and L Bonsoff. The B-side was written by Roy Wood. Both tracks were produced by Roy Wood.

July 1987 Virgin Records release “You’re A Good Man Albert Brown (Curse You Red Barrel)” by The Dukes Of Stratosphere on 45. The band were XTC with guitarist Dave Gregory’s brother Ian on drums. The song was written by Andy Partridge and credited to Sir John Johns. The record was co-produced by the band and John Leckie.

July 1990 Phil Manzanera and Andy Mackay release “Christmas ; MacKay and Manzanera featuring The Players” on Ryko Records. Album is a collection of Christmas songs by Andy MacKay and Phil Manzanera from Roxy Music.

July 1991 Demon Records in Britain release the soundtrack to the British TV series “G.B.H.” It was the first of two collaborations between Elvis Costello and English composer, musician and member of progressive rock band Gryphon, Richard Harvey.

July 1994 Warner Brothers Records in Britain release “You Tripped At Every Step” by Elvis Costello and The Attractions on 45, the third single released from the band’s “Brutal Youth” LP. The song was written by Costello, who co-produced the track with Mitchell Froom.