Category: Heaven & Earth

Everlast is an American singer, and songwriter who is best known as frontman for the hip-hop group, House of Pain. After H.O.P. disbanded, he decided to pursue a solo career, transitioning towards a more blues and folk-influenced style. In 1998, from his 2nd album (“Whitey Ford Sings the Blues”), he released the single, “What It’s Like” (which became his most popular hit as a solo artist). In the year 2000 (alongside Carlos Santana), he received a Grammy Award for “Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals”. On…

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Belinda Carlisle is an American singer and songwriter who is best known as lead vocalist for American pop-rock band, the Go-Go’s. In 2021, this revolutionary all-girl group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 1985, the Go-Go’s broke up, and Belinda Carlisle decided to pursue a solo career, recording hits like “Mad About You”, “I Get Weak”, “Heaven Is a Place on Earth”, “Circle in the Sand”, and “Leave a Light On”. On this very day, August 17th 1958, Belinda Jo Carlisle was born in Los…

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Aretha Franklin was an American singer and songwriter who was born in Memphis, Tennessee on March 25th, 1942. Often referred to as the “Queen of Soul” (for her powerful vocal style), Rolling Stone magazine named her as the greatest singer of all-time. With global sales of over 75 million records, some of her most iconic songs include “Natural Woman”, “Chain of Fools”, “Think”, and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). Aside from winning 18 Grammy Awards, in 1987, she became the first…

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Joe Jonas is an American singer and songwriter who gained fame as a member of the Jonas Brothers (alongside his siblings, Kevin and Nick). Some of this group’s most popular songs include “S.O.S”, “Sucker”, “Burnin’ Up”, and “Only Human”. In 2020, the Jonas Brothers won three Billboard Music Awards (including “Top Duo/Group”), and in 2023, they received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On this very day, August 15th 1989, Joseph Adam Jonas was born in Casa Grande, Arizona. In celebration of his birthday, I’ve chosen a 1970s-inspired pop–dance,…

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David Crosby was an American singer, songwriter, and musician who gained fame as a founding member of The Byrds. A couple of this groups’ most recognizable songs include “Mr. Tambourine Man” and today’s song choice (that can be listened to by clicking on the provided link). After leaving The Byrds (in 1967), he formed the band, Crosby, Stills & Nash (with Stephen Stills and Graham Nash). Later, Canadian legend Neil Young joined the group, and they went on to achieve significant success with songs like “Woodstock” and “Teach Your Children”.…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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