Category: Heaven & Earth

Sam Cooke was an American singer and songwriter who was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi on January 22nd, 1931. Motivated by the changing times, Sam Cooke used his platform to advocate for racial equality. His song “A Change Is Gonna Come” is considered an anthem for the civil rights movement. Many artists, including Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Rod Stewart, have cited him as an inspiration. Sam Cooke had the rare honor of being twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 1999, he received the Grammy…

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Otis Redding was an American soul singer and songwriter who was born in Dawson, Georgia on September 9th, 1941. Throughout his short career, he produced a string of hits, including “Try a Little Tenderness”, “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long”, “Respect”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). Otis Redding was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (in 1989) and the Songwriters Hall of Fame (in 1994). In 1999, he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.On this very day,…

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Donny Osmond is an American singer (and former teen idol) who gained fame (alongside his brothers) as a member of the Osmonds. The group’s success spanned between the late 1960s (and early 1970s), with hits like “One Bad Apple” and “Yo-Yo”. As a solo artist, his most popular songs were “Soldier of Love”, “Go Away Little Girl”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). In addition to his music career, in the 1970s, he also co-hosted “The Donny and Marie Show” (with…

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John Lennon was an English singer and songwriter who was born in Liverpool, England on October 9th, 1940. He initially rose to fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles (who spearheaded the 1960s British Invasion). After The Beatles disbanded (in 1970), he embarked on a solo career, and recorded hits like “Give Peace a Chance”, “Just Like Starting Over”, “Woman”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). In 1987, he was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame,…

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Sara Bareilles is an American singer and musician who’s known for her piano-driven arrangements, powerful vocals, and introspective songwriting. Her most popular singles include “King of Anything”, “Brave”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). Throughout her career she has received many accolades, including 2 Grammy Awards, and in 2012, VH1 named her as one of the “100 Greatest Women in Music”. On this very day, December 7th 1979, Sara Beth Bareilles was born in Eureka, California. In celebration of her birthday, I’ve chosen a track…

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Roy Orbison was an American singer, songwriter, and musician who was born in Vernon, Texas on April 23rd, 1936. He was particularly known for wearing dark sunglasses, which became a trademark of his image. Orbison achieved international fame with a string of hit songs, including “Only the Lonely”, “Running Scared”, “Oh, Pretty Woman”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). In the late 1980s, Orbison joined The Traveling Wilburys (alongside Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, and Tom Petty). In 1987, shortly…

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Johnny Rzeznik is an American singer, musician, and songwriter who is best known as lead vocalist for the Goo Goo Dolls. Some of the dolls’ most popular songs include “Slide”, “Name”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). Over the years, the Goo Goo Dolls have sold more than 15 million records worldwide, and in 2008, Johnny Rzeznik was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. On this very day, December 5th 1965, John Joseph Theodore Rzeznik was born in Buffalo, New…

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Jay-Z is an American rapper and record producer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential hip-hop artists of all time. In 1995, he co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records (which played a crucial role in launching his career). Some of his biggest singles include “Big Pimpin’”, “Izzo”, “Dirt off Your Shoulder”, “Empire State of Mind”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). Throughout his storied career, he has won 24 Grammy Awards, and was the first rapper to be inducted…

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Scott Weiland was an American singer and songwriter who was born in San Jose, California on October 27th, 1967. He is best remembered as lead vocalist for both, the Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver. As frontman for STP, he recorded popular songs like “Vasoline”, “Plush”, and “Interstate Love Song”. After leaving the Pilots (in 2003), he joined forces with former Guns N’ Roses members to ultimately form Velvet Revolver. On this very day, December 3rd 2015, Scott Richard Cline (known professionally as Scott Weiland) was found dead on his…

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Britney Spears is an American singer who rose to fame (in the late 1990s) and became one of the most iconic pop stars of her generation. Her most well-known hits include “Baby One More Time”, “Oops, I Did It Again”, “Womanizer”, “Hold it Against Me”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). Throughout her career, she has received many accolades, including 1 Grammy Award, 6 VMAs, 7 Billboard Music Awards, 15 Guinness World Records, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On this very…

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Bette Midler is an American singer who gained fame with songs like “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”, “The Rose”, and “From a Distance”. Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades, including 3 Grammy Awards, one for “Record of the Year” (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided song link). On this very day, December 1st 1945, Bette Midler was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. In celebration of her birthday, I’ve chosen a love ballad that topped Billboard’s Hot 100 chart (in the U.S.). Taken from the “Beaches” soundtrack, here’s…

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Billy Idol is an English musician, singer, and songwriter who rose to prominence (in the late 1970s) as a member of the punk rock band, Generation X. However, it was his solo career that made him famous. Some of his best-known songs include “Dancing with Myself”, “Catch My Fall”, “Eyes Without a Face”, “White Wedding”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). Among his accolades, on January 6th 2023, he was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On this…

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George Harrison was an English singer and musician who was born in Liverpool, England on February 25th, 1943. He is best remembered as lead guitarist of The Beatles. As a member of the “Fab Four”, he contributed with compositions like “Something”, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, and “Here Comes the Sun”. After The Beatles disbanded (in 1970), he embarked on a successful solo career. His most popular singles include songs like “My Sweet Lord”, “All Those Years Ago”, “Got My Mind Set on You”, and today’s song choice (that can…

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Trey Songz is an American R&B singer and songwriter who released his debut album, “I Gotta Make It” (in 2005). He’s best known for his singles, “Can’t Help but Wait”, “Bottoms Up”, “Na Na”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). Among his accolades, he won a BET Award for “Best Male R&B Artist”, and 2 Soul Train Music Awards, both for “Best Male R&B/Soul Artist”.Top of Form On this very day, November 28th 1984, Tremaine Aldon Neverson (known professionally as Trey…

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Hip-Hop artist Twista is an American rapper who gained recognition for his rapid-fire delivery and intricate rhyme schemes. He is considered as a pioneer of the “chopper” style of rap (characterized by fast and complex verses). In 1992, he released his debut album, “Runnin’ Off at tha Mouth” but it was his 1997 album, “Adrenaline Rush”, that solidified his reputation as a bona fide rapper. On this very day, November 27th 1973, Carl Terrell Mitchell (known professionally as Twista) was born in Chicago, Illinois. In celebration of his birthday, I’ve…

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