Etta James, most often remembered for her signature song, ‘At Last’, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard R&B chart, died from complications of leukemia at the age of 73. She also placed nine other songs in the American Top 40, won three Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. (photo: Michael Ochs Archives)
Music history highlights on January 20th from Clarksdale, the birthplace of the blues… and rock n’ roll.
Acclaimed blues and folk musician, Lead Belly (Huddie Ledbetter).
1888: Blues musician Leadbelly born in Mooringsport, Louisiana.
1895: Eva Jessye, American singer, actress, songwriter (Hallelujah) and 1st black woman to receive international distinction as a choral conductor, born in Coffeyville, Kansas.
1896: Actor, comedian and singer George Burns (Nathan Birnbaum) born in New York.
1923: Country singer Slim Whitman born in Tampa.
1942: O’Jays R&B singer William Powell born in Canton, Ohio.
1952: KISS guitarist Paul Stanley born in New York City.
Most of the Beatles and family members at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.
1956: Buddy Holly records “Blue Days Black Night” in Nashville.
1964: “Meet the Beatles” album released in the U.S.
1965: Beatles appear on Shindig show on ABC Television Network.
1968: John Fred and the Playboys reaches no. 1 on U.S. record charts with “Judy in Disguise (with Glasses). Song was based on “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”
1988: The Beatles inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Citing “their differences”, Paul McCartney did not show up.
1969: Led Zeppelin appears at Wheaton Youth Center in Illinois on first American tour. 55 people showed up, they were paid $250 and this was night Richard Nixon inauguration.
Black Sabbath singer… and bat biter, Ozzy Osbourne.
1982: Black Sabbath heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne bits the head off a bat on stage in Des Moines, Iowa.
1991: “Les Miserables” opens at Pantages Theater in Los Angeles.
1996: Blues singer and guitarist Buster Benton passes away.
2003: Rapper Eminem tops U.K. boxoffice with his film “8 Mile.”
2009: Jazz musician David “Fathead” Newman passes on.
2012: Blues great Etta James leaves the building.