Category: Heaven & Earth

Adele is a British singer and songwriter who rose to fame with her distinctive voice and powerful performances. Some of her most well-known singles include “Hello”, “Someone Like You”, “Set Fire to the Rain”, “Easy on Me”, and today’s song choice. Throughout her career, she has won a total of 16 Grammy Awards, including multiple wins for “Album of the Year”, “Record of the Year”, and “Song of the Year”. On this very day, May 5th 1988, Adele Laurie Blue Adkins was born in London, England (to Marc Evans and…

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Adam Yauch (also known by his stage name, “MCA”) was an American musician and rapper who was born in Brooklyn, New York on August 5th, 1964. Alongside Michael Diamond and Adam Horovitz, Yauch formed the Beastie Boys in 1981. Some of the trios’ biggest hits include “Brass Monkey”, “Hey Ladies”, “Intergalactic”, and today’s song choice. In 2012, Adam Yauch and the Beastie Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing their significant contributions to the music industry. On this very day, May 4th 2012, Adam Yauch…

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James Brown was an American singer and songwriter, often referred to as the “Godfather of Soul”. Some of his most popular hit songs include “I Got You”, “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag”, and “Sex Machine” (to name a few). Throughout his glorious career, he received numerous awards and honors, including inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He also earned a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. On this very day, May 3rd 1933, James Joseph Brown was born in Barnwell, South Carolina…

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Engelbert Humperdinck is a British pop singer who has sold more than 140 million records worldwide. His most popular songs include “Release Me”, “The Last Waltz”, “A Man Without Love”, and today’s song choice (to name a few). In the 2021 birthday honors ceremony, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (for his services to music). On this very day, May 2nd 1936, Engelbert Humperdinck was born in Chennai, India (as Arnold George Dorsey). Top of FormIn celebration of his birthday, exactly 88 years ago…

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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. Top…

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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)Top of Form. In memory of his passing, exactly 4 years ago today, I’ve chosen a true classic from the early days of…

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Sheena Easton is a Scottish singer and songwriter who gained international fame (in the 1980s) with songs like “Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair)”, “For Your Eyes Only”, “Strut”, and today’s song choice. In 1981, she won the prestigious Billboard Music Award for “Top New Artist”, while also winning two Grammy Awards (in 1982 and 1985). On this very day, April 27th 1959, Sheena Shirley Orr (known professionally as Sheena Easton) was born in Scotland (to Annie and Alex Orr). Top of FormIn celebration of her birthday, exactly 65 years ago…

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George Jones (often referred to as “The Possum”) was an American singer and songwriter who was born in Saratoga, Texas on September 12th, 1931. A generational star, he has often been referred to as the “Rolls Royce of Country Music”. Some of his most famous songs include “The Grand Tour”, “She Thinks I Still Care”, “White Lightning”, and today’s song choice. Throughout his entire career, he was a true servant to his genre, which led to his 1992 induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. On this very day,…

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Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes was an American singer who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 27th, 1971. A member of the popular American girl group, TLC, she became known for her distinctive rapping style. Alongside Tionne Watkins and Rozonda Thomas, TLC released several chart-topping hits, including “Creep”, “No Scrubs”, “Unpretty”, and today’s song choice. Amongst the group’s many accolades, TLC won a total of 4 Grammy Awards, including “Best R&B Album” (in both, 1996 and 2000). On this very day, April 25th 2002, Lisa Nicole Lopes died in a…

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Kelly Clarkson is an American singer and songwriter who rose to fame as the inaugural winner of “American Idol” (in 2002). Some of her most popular hit singles include “Since U Been Gone”, “A Moment Like This”, “Because of You”, “Stronger”, “Breakaway”, and today’s song choice (to name a few). Among her numerous accolades, she has received 3 Grammy Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On this very day, April 24th 1982, Kelly Brianne Clarkson was born in Fort Worth, Texas (to Jeanne Ann Rose and Stephen Michael Clarkson).…

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Josh Kiszka is an American singer who is the lead vocalist for Greta Van Fleet (a band that gained widespread attention for their classic rock-inspired sound). Kiszka’s exceptional vocal abilities have led many experts to draw comparisons between himself and Led Zeppelins’ iconic frontman, Robert Plant. Some of the band’s most popular hits include “Safari Song”, “Black Smoke Rising”, and today’s song choice. In 2019, Greta Van Fleet won the Grammy Award for “Best Rock Album”. On this very day, April 23rd 1996, Josh Kiszka was born in Frankenmuth, Michigan…

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Peter Frampton is an English-American singer, songwriter, and musician who initially gained prominence (in the 1970s) as a member of the band, Humble Pie. However, it was his solo career that truly shined with hit songs like “Show Me the Way”, “Do You Feel Like We Do”, “Baby, I Love Your Way”, and today’s song choice. One of Oprah Winfrey’s favorite musicians, he appeared on her show on November 4th, 2010. On this very day, April 22nd 1950, Peter Kenneth Frampton was born in Beckenham, Kent, England (to Peggy &…

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