Author: DJ Rays Music
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BARRY MANILOW
Barry Manilow is an American singer and songwriter who is known for his popular ballads and contemporary sound. His best-known songs include “Looks Like We Made It”, “Mandy”, “Can’t Smile Without You”, “I Write the Songs”, and today’s attached song link. Throughout his career, he has won several Grammy Awards, including “Best Pop Vocal Performance” (for today’s song choice). On this very day, June 17th 1943, Barry Alan Pincus (known professionally as Barry Manilow) was born in New York City. In celebration of his birthday, I’ve chosen a song with…
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“SISTER GOLDEN HAIR” by AMERICA
“Sister Golden Hair” is a popular 1970s song that was recorded by classic rock band, America. It features a folk-rock sound with harmonious vocals and a distinctive guitar riff. The lyrics within are often considered to be symbolic, with the title referring to a hypothetical sister figure and the golden hair referring to a particular image or ideal. On this very day, June 17th 1975, it was the #1 song in the U.S., topping Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. If you’d like to have a listen, please feel free to use…
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY GINO VANELLI
Gino Vannelli is a Canadian singer and songwriter who’s known for his distinctive voice, eclectic music style, and a career that spans over many years. A winner of multiple Juno Awards, some of his biggest hits include “I Just Wanna Stop”, “Living Inside Myself”, “Wheels of Life”, “Black Cars”, and today’s attached song link. On this very day, June 16th 1952, Gino Vanelli was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. In celebration of his birthday, I’ve chosen a sexy disco-infused song that was one of his first hits in the U.S.…
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“OLD TOWN ROAD” by LIL NAS X
“Old Town Road” is a country rap song that was recorded by American rapper, Lil Nas X. In 2019, it gained widespread popularity (after becoming a viral sensation on the social media platform, TikTok). The song’s fusion of hip-hop and country elements, along with its catchy hook, contributed to its popularity. However, controversy arose when the track was removed from the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart (with some arguing it didn’t fit the genre’s criteria). In 2020, it won two Grammy Awards for “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance” and “Best Music…
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R.I.P. ELLA FITZGERALD
Ella Fitzgerald (often referred to as the “Queen of Jazz”) was an iconic singer who was born in Newport News, Virginia on April 25th, 1917. She was particularly known for her mastery of scat singing (a vocal improv with wordless syllables and nonsensical phrases). Throughout her incredible career, she won an unprecedented 13 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award (in 1967). On this very day, June 15th 1996, Ella Jane Fitzgerald died from a stroke (at her home in Beverly Hills, California). She was 79 at the time of…
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“CHAPEL OF LOVE” by DIXIE CUPS
“Chapel of Love” is a classic pop song that was recorded by all-girl group, The Dixie Cups. The lyrics within express the sheer happiness and anticipation that a woman feels on her wedding day. A generational song by many accounts, Rolling Stone magazine placed it on their list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All-Time” On this very day, June 15th 1964, it was the #1 song in America, topping Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. If you’d like to have a listen, please feel free to use the provided link. Released…
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