Author: DJ Rays Music
“THE TWIST” by CHUBBY CHECKER
“The Twist” is a dance song that was written by Hank Ballard, and originally released in 1958. However, it was Chubby Checker’s version of the song that became a massive hit, leading to the popularization of a unique dance style called “The Twist”. This dance, which became a social craze, involved twisting the hips while standing in one place. On August 6th 1960, the song officially became a national sensation after Chubby Checker performed it live on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand”. On this very day, January 22nd 1962, it was…
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE PERRY
Steve Perry is an American singer and songwriter who joined the band Journey (in 1977) and quickly became their lead singer. His tenor voice was particularly known for its range, power, and emotional depth. Adding Perry as lead vocalist, Journey released a series of hit albums, including “Infinity” (1978), “Escape” (1981), and “Frontiers” (1983). These albums featured many popular hit singles like “Wheel in the Sky”, “Faithfully”, “Don’t Stop Believin’”, “Open Arms”, and “Separate Ways”. In 1984, Steve Perry decided to pursue a solo career and released his debut album,…
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILLY OCEAN
Billy Ocean is a Trinidadian-English singer and songwriter who achieved worldwide fame in the 1980s. He is known for his soulful voice and a string of hit songs that spanned various genres, including R&B, Pop, and Caribbean music. His career began in the late 1970s when he released his self-titled debut album. However, it wasn’t until the release of his 1984 album, “Suddenly,” that he gained international success. Throughout the 1980s, he enjoyed a series of chart-topping hits with songs like “Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car”, “There’ll…
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“JUST DANCE” by LADY GAGA
“Just Dance” is a song recorded by American singer, Lady Gaga, which marked her breakthrough in the music industry. Its catchy chorus contributed to the song’s popularity, and it ultimately became one of her signature hits. The success of “Just Dance” helped propel Lady Gagas career, leading to the release of additional hit singles and establishing her as a major pop icon. The song received critical acclaim for its infectious nature and its role in shaping the pop landscape of the late 2000s. In 2009, the song was nominated in…
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R.I.P. MEAT LOAF
Marvin Lee Aday (better known by his professional name, Meat Loaf) was an American singer and songwriter who was born in Dallas, Texas on September 27th, 1947. He achieved international fame with the release of his crowning achievement, “Bat Out of Hell”. This album, produced by Jim Steinman, went on to become a trilogy with three separate chapters, released in 1977, 1993, and 2006 respectively. Meat Loaf’s true genius was displayed on his signature hit, “Paradise by the Dashboard Light”, released in 1977. His theatrical and powerful performances, coupled with…
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“MY PREROGATIVE” by BOBBY BROWN
The song “My Prerogative” is an upbeat and assertive R&B track that addresses issues of personal freedom and independence. It remains as a notable example of the new jack swing era, combining elements of R&B, hip-hop, and electronic music. The song’s success contributed to Bobby Brown’s prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It also earned him a Grammy Award for “Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male”. On this very day, January 20th 1989, it was the #1 song in America, topping Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. If you’d like to…
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOLLY PARTON
Dolly Parton is an American singer and songwriter who gained prominence in the country music scene (during the late 1960s). She is best known for her distinctive style, including signature blonde wigs andflamboyant fashion. Her catalogue of hits includes iconic songs such as “Jolene”, “I Will Always Love You”, “Coat of Many Colors”, and the song I chose for you today. She also had a great working relationship with the late Kenny Rogers. In 1983, the duo released “Islands in the Stream” that went on to top the charts in…
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“I WRITE THE SONGS” by BARRY MANILOW
Ironically enough, “I Write the Songs” was a tune written by Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys (in 1975). When asked who the “I” refers to (in the lyrics), Johnson stated that it refers to God, and that all songs come from the spirit of creativity found within everyone. Although it was written by Bruce Johnston, it was Barry Manilow’s rendition that popularized the song and made it a chart-topping hit. In 1977, It won the Grammy Award for “Song of the Year”, and became one of his signature hits.…
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