Back to the 1970s

July 28, 1979 - 42 Years Ago Today: Herb Alpert debuted at No. 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart with his single, "Rise." This Andy Armer/Randy Badazz-penned instrumental was the trumpeter-bandleader-producer-composer-mogul's first single to chart after officially going solo following his stint with the Tijuana Brass and later billed as Herb Alpert and the TJB. "Rise" was a huge sensation and began a 2-week run at No. 1 on October 20, 1979 as well as one week at No. 1 on the Billboard AC Chart. "Rise" also rose as high as No. 4 on the Billboard R&B Chart and No. 17 on the Billboard Disco Top 100 and was certified Gold. It earned Alpert a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental. Herb Alpert was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 (Lifetime Achievement/Non-Performer). Noteworthy: Alpert is the only musician to hit No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 pop chart as both a vocalist ("This Guy's in Love with You", 1968) and an ins...

July 28, 1979 - 42 Years Ago Today: Michael Jackson debuted at No. 87 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart with his single, "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough." This self-penned song was Jackson's leadoff single from his upcoming fifth solo album, "Off The Wall" and the single went to No. 1 on October 13, 1979 becoming his fourth solo Top Ten and his second solo No. 1 -- his first chart-topper since he was 14-years-old. The single exploded on radio and retail and also enjoyed a 5-week run at No. 1 on the Billboard R&B Chart and just missed the top of the Disco Top 100 Chart placing at No. 2 for 2 weeks. It earned Jackson a Grammy for Best R&B Male Vocal and was certified Platinum. The follow-up single, "Rock With You" (the second release from "Off The Wall") also hit No. 1 for 4 weeks on the Hot 100 and spent 6 weeks atop the R&B Chart and was also certified Platinum. "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" was his first...

  July 27, 1974 - 47 Years Ago Today: Dionne Warwick and The Spinners had the Hot Shot Debut at No. 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart with their single, "Then Came You." Warwick had the spelling of her name changed to Warwicke on the advice of a psychic who informed her she would regain the success she achieved in the 1960s. This Sherman Marshall/Phil Pugh-penned song would become her first Top 40 hit in 4 years and become her first No. 1 hit and her last charted Top 40 until she hit the Top 40 and Top Ten again 5 years later in 1979 with her Barry Manilow-produced-Grammy-winning-hit, "I'll Never Love This Way Again." Meanwhile, this became the Spinners' 10th Top 40 and it would be their third Top 5 hit in two years time as well as their one and only No. 1 when it hit the top of the Hot 100 on October 26, 1974 and was certified Gold. Please click the following link to view the accompanying video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOViqvRsIgo 45 45 12 Shares Li...

  July 23, 1977 - 44 Years Ago Today: Heatwave debuted at No. 93 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart with their single, "Boogie Nights." The was the interracial R&B dance group's chart debut and it peaked at No. 2 for 2 weeks beginning November 12, 1977. It remained in the runner-up spot due to Debby Boone's 10-week reign at No. 1. "Boogie Nights" was written by Rod Temperton as were all 3 of their Top 20's including 2 Top Tens. Vocalist Johnny Wilder died on May 13, 2006, at the age of 56. Rod Temperton left in late 1978 and went on to become a prolific songwriter on several hits for several artists including Michael Jackson, Patti Austin, Michael McDonald, George Benson, Donna Summer and many, many more. Sadly, Temperton died of cancer on September 25, 2016, at the age of 66. Noteworthy: Apart from Lennon and McCartney, no one from the UK has written more gold plated songs than Sir Rod Temperton. Please click the following link to view the accompanying ...

  RSO Records - RS -1-3011 - 1/77 Home Run King Lonely Saturday In The Pines Kansas City Southern Give My Love To Marie Sister Moon Marylou Hear The Wind Past Addresses Silent Crusade The Freewhelin ’Groover returns to deal with the great Gene Clark, who is here. as mentioned, he is adored unconditionally. After the Byrds experience, Clark released in 1967 "Gene Clark With the Gosdin Brothers" wonderful album that anticipates country rock by a few years and after the two discs in collaboration with Doug Dillard (see post), in 1971 for A&M he gives light one of the most beautiful records of all time: "White light", also known as "Gene Clark" For the Dutch market in 1973 (Ariola label, a subsidiary of A&M) the beautiful “Roadmaster” collection of outtakes with exceptional guests (Clarence Carter, Spooner Oldham, Michael Clark) was released, in 1994 it was also reissued for the American market. Today it is considered a fundamental album and in the or...

  Cash Box R&B Top 75 R&B Albums 1977 CASH BOX R&B TOP 75 R&B ALBUMS 35. Part 3 – KC & The Sunshine Band (TK 605) 63. Life Is Music – Ritchie Family (Marlin/ TK 2203) 73. It Ain’t WhereYou Been – Latimore (Glades / TK 7509)

  This record has been sitting around waiting to be posted forever. Okay, maybe not forever, but at least 6 months. This, I think, is the last in the long line of records from the infamous new wave/power pop purchase of '08. For you long time readers you'll remember back in the spring and early summer when I was posting all kinds of new wave and power pop records from the late 70's early 80's. They were all bought at the same time at a thrift store and I was so excited I quickly digitized them all and began posting them. Somehow this one has been sitting around and I never posted it. Maybe because it isn't the strongest of the records. That doesn't mean it stinks, but it isn't as solid as the others. I certainly wasn't as excited about it. If I had been it wouldn't have taken this long to post. This record caught my eye not only because it was part of that big purchase or what had to be someone's record collection, but also because I knew Cindy...