Author: DJ Rays Music

Duane Eddy was a legendary guitarist who was born in Corning, New York on April 26th 1938. Known for his pioneering work in instrumental rock music during the late 1950s, his distinct “twangy” guitar sound was often produced using a Gretsch 6120 guitar and a variety of different effects. His style combined elements of rockabilly, country, and blues, creating a sound that was uniquely his own. Some of his most famous tracks include “Peter Gunn”, “Because They’re Young”, “Forty Miles of Bad Road”, and today’s song choice. Eddy’s influence on…

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Gordon Lightfoot is a Canadian singer, songwriter and musician who was born in Orillia, Ontario on November 17th, 1938. Some of his most popular singles include “Carefree Highway”, “If You Could Read My Mind”, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”, and today’s song choice. Throughout his career, he has received an incredible 16 Juno Awards, and in 1986, he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. On this very day, May 1st 2023, Gordon Meredith Lightfoot Jr. died of natural causes (at the Sunnybrook Health Center in Toronto).…

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Ben E. King was an American singer and songwriter who was born in Henderson, North Carolina on September 28th, 1938. He was best known for his contributions to both, the Drifters, and his own solo career. As a member of the Drifters, he lent his voice to several classics, including “Save the Last Dance for Me”, “This Magic Moment”, and “There Goes My Baby”. His most prominent solo hits include “Spanish Harlem”, “Don’t Play That Song”, and today’s song choice. In 1988, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll…

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Tommy James is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer who is best known as leader of the rock band, Tommy James and the Shondells. Notable hits from this group include “Hanky Panky”, “Mony Mony”, “I Think We’re Alone Now”, and today’s song choice (to name just a few). As the band embraced the sounds of psychedelia, they were invited to perform at the legendary 1969 Woodstock festival, but declined. On this very day, April 29th 1947, Thomas Gregory Jackson (known professionally as Tommy James) was born in Dayton, Ohio. In…

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Bobby Lewis was an American pop singer who was born in Indiana on February 17th, 1933. He rose to prominence (in the 1950s) and eventually recorded his two biggest hits, “One Track Mind” and today’s song choice (which was named by Billboard as the #1 song for the year 1961). On this very day, April 28th 2020, Robert Alan Lewis died of pneumonia (at 95 years of age). In memory of his passing, exactly 4 years ago today, I’ve chosen a true classic from the early days of rock &…

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