Category: Heaven & Earth

Feargal Sharkey is an Irish singer, songwriter, and musician who gained prominence as lead vocalist for punk rock band, The Undertones. This group achieved commercial success with songs like “Teenage Kicks”, “My Perfect Cousin”, and “Here Comes the Summer”. After The Undertones disbanded (in 1983), he pursued a solo career, producing U.K. hits like “You Little Thief” and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). On this very day, August 13th 1958, Sean Feargal Sharkey was born in Derry, Ireland. In celebration of…

Read More

Les Paul was an American guitarist and songwriter who was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin on June 9th, 1915. Alongside his wife Mary Ford, this duo produced a series of hit songs, including “Mocking Bird Hill”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). In the early 1940s, Les Paul designed the first solid-body electric guitar, known as “The Log”. This design laid the foundation for the iconic Gibson Les Paul model (introduced in the 1950s). In 1988, he was inducted into the Rock…

Read More

Eric Carmen was an American singer and songwriter who initially gained prominence as lead vocalist for the Raspberries (a pop rock band that drew inspiration from the “British Invasion” era). In 1975 (after the Raspberries disbanded), he started a solo career emphasizing a more contemporary, soft rock vibe. Some of his biggest solo hits include “Never Gonna Fall in Love Again”, “Hungry Eyes”, “Make Me Lose Control”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). On this very day, August 11th 1949, Eric Howard Carmen…

Read More

Isaac Hayes was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer who was born in Covington, Tennessee on August 20th, 1942. He was particularly known for his deep baritone voice, which became one of his trademark features. Among his many accolades, he won a total of three Grammy Awards, and in 2002, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Three years later (in 2005), he was also inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. On this very day, August 10th 2008, Isaac Lee Hayes died at his…

Read More

Jerry Garcia was an American musician and songwriter who was born in San Francisco, California on August 1st, 1942. He was best known as lead guitarist (and front man) for the American rock band, Grateful Dead. Founded in 1965, this eclectic group was particularly known for their extended live performances that contributed to the band’s dedicated fanbase, known as “Deadheads.” Rolling Stone magazine ranked Garcia at #13 on their list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All-Time”, and in 1994, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of…

Read More

Olivia Newton-John was an English-Australian singer who gained international fame for her role as Sandy Olsson in the 1978 musical, “Grease”. Over the years, she recorded many popular songs, including “Let Me Be There”, “You’re the One That I Want”, “Physical”, “Magic”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). With global sales of more than 100 million records, she established herself as one of the best-selling music artists of all-time. Throughout her amazing career, she won multiple Grammy Awards, including “Record of…

Read More

Bruce Dickinson is an English singer, songwriter, and musician who is best known as lead vocalist for the iconic heavy metal band, Iron Maiden. Some of their all-time classic hits include “The Trooper”, “Fear of the Dark”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). In 2011, Dickinson’s powerful (and operatic) vocals helped Iron Maiden to win the Grammy Award for “Best Metal Performance”. On this very day, August 7th 1958, Paul Bruce Dickinson was born in Nottinghamshire, England. In celebration of his…

Read More

Rick James was an American singer, songwriter, musician (and record producer) who was born in Buffalo, New York on February 1st, 1948. Some of his most popular and enduring songs include “Super Freak”, “Mary Jane”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). In 1981, Rick James released his most successful album, “Street Songs”, that went on to win an American Music Award for “Favourite Soul/R&B Album”. On this very day, August 6th 2004, James Ambrose Johnson (known professionally as Rick James) died of…

Read More

Terri Clark is a Canadian country music singer who had success in both Canada and the U.S. Throughout her career, she has released numerous hit songs, including “If I Were You”, “Poor Poor Pitiful Me”, “I Just Wanna Be Mad”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). The recipient of many accolades, in 2004, she became a certified member of the Grand Ole Opry, and in 2023, she was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. On this very day, August…

Read More

The late Louis Armstrong (often referred to as “Satchmo” or “Pops”) was an American trumpeter, composer, and vocalist, who is considered as one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz music. A beloved figure of his time, he played a crucial role in breaking down racial barriers in the entertainment industry. Throughout his career, he recorded numerous hits, including classics like “Hello, Dolly!”, “When the Saints Go Marching In”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). Having collaborated with…

Read More

James Hetfield is an American singer and musician who is best known as lead vocalist (and primary songwriter) for the heavy metal band, Metallica. Some of this group’s most memorable songs include “Enter Sandman”, “Master of Puppets”, “One”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). Led by Hetfield, Metallica has received multiple accolades honoring their contributions to heavy metal, and in 2009, they were officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On this very day, August 3rd 1963, James…

Read More

Jimmy Jones was an American singer-songwriter who was born in Birmingham, Alabama on June 2nd, 1930. He was well known for singing in a soulful falsetto tone modeled after greats like Clyde McPhatter and Sam Cooke. His songs often blended a mix of R&B, Pop and Doo-Wop, as shown in his single, “Good Timing” which was a #1 hit in the U.K. On this very day, August 2nd 2012, Jimmy Jones died in Aberdeen, North Carolina (at 82 years of age). In memory of his passing, I’ve chosen a song…

Read More

Joe Elliott is an English singer and songwriter who is best known as lead vocalist for the rock band, Def Leppard. His distinctive voice and songwriting contributions played an instrumental part of the band’s success, recording hit singles like “Photograph”, “Rock of Ages”, “Love Bites”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). In 2019, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (alongside other members of Def Leppard), recognizing the band’s significant contributions to the rock genre. On this…

Read More

Zac Brown is an American singer and songwriter who is best known as frontman for the Zac Brown Band. This group is particularly known for incorporating elements of country, southern rock, bluegrass, (and even reggae) into their music. Some of the band’s greatest hits include “Colder Weather”, “Toes”, “Highway 20 Ride”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). A winner of multiple Grammy Awards, in 2010, he won the award for “Best New Artist”. On this very day, July 31st 1978, Zachry…

Read More

Paul Anka is a Canadian-American singer and songwriter who rose to fame in the late 1950s. Some of his biggest hits include songs like “Lonely Boy”, “Put Your Head on My Shoulders”, “Having My Baby” and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). Throughout his career, he has earned many accolades including inductions into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame (in 1980), and the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame (in 2008). On this very day, July 30th 1941, Paul Albert Anka was born in…

Read More