Category: Heaven & Earth

Brian Setzer is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter who is particularly known as being lead vocalist for the Stray Cats. A rockabilly revival band (formed in the early 1980s), this group achieved success with hits like “Stray Cat Strut”, “Sexy & 17”, “Runaway Boys”, and today’s song choice. In addition to his work with the Stray Cats, he’s had a successful solo career with the Brian Setzer Orchestra, a swing and blues band that he created in 1990. On this very day, April 10th 1959, Brian Robert Setzer was…

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Brook Benton was an American singer and songwriter who was born in Lugoff, South Carolina on September 19th, 1931. Most of his success took place in the 1950s and 1960s (with a style that combined elements of R&B, Pop, and Soul). His best-known singles include “Endlessly”, “Rainy Night in Georgia”, “Kiddio”, and today’s song choice. On this very day, April 9th 1988, Benjamin Franklin Peay (known professionally as Brook Benton) died from pneumonia (at 56 years of age). In memory of his passing, I’ve chosen a song that topped the…

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Julian Lennon is an English musician and songwriter who is famously known for being the only child of the Beatles’ legendary musician, John Lennon. He was actually the inspiration on three different Beatles’ songs, including “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”, “Good Night”, and “Hey Jude”. Throughout his career, his two biggest hits included the single, “Valotte”, and today’s song choice. On this very day, April 8th 1963, John Charles Julian Lennon was born in Liverpool England (to Cynthia Powell and John Lennon). In celebration of his birthday, I’ve chosen…

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The late Billie Holiday was an American singer who is considered one of the greatest (and most influential) vocalists in the history of jazz music. Some of her most well-known songs include “God Bless the Child”, “Lady Sings the Blues”, “Summertime”, and today’s song choice. On July 17th 1959, she died of heart failure at 44 years of age. However, today isn’t about eulogies, it’s about celebrating. On this very day, April 7th 1915, Eleanora Fagan (known professionally as Billie Holiday) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In celebration of her…

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Tammy Wynette was an American singer and songwriter who was born in Mississippi on May 5th, 1942. She is often referred to as the “First Lady of Country Music” due to her contributions to the genre and her enduring impact. Some of her best-known songs include “D-I-V-O-R-C-E”, “I Don’t Wanna Play House”, “Golden Ring”, and today’s song choice. In 1998, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. On this very day, April 6th 1998, Virginia Wynette Pugh (known professionally as Tammy Wynette) died from a blood clot…

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Kurt Cobain was an American singer and songwriter who was born in Aberdeen, Washington on February 20th 1967. He is best remembered as lead vocalist for Nirvana, a band that was considered a central figure in the Seattle-based grunge movement (that emerged in the early 1990s). Some of Nirvana’s most popular songs include “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, “All Apologies”, “Come as You Are”, Heart Shaped Box”, and today’s song choice. In 2023, the band was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award. On this very day, April 5th, 1994, Kurt…

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Jill Scott is an American singer and songwriter who is known for her smooth vocals and unique blend of R&B, neo-soul, and jazz influences. Some of her most popular songs include “He Loves Me”, “A Long Walk”, “Hate on Me”, and today’s song choice. Throughout her career, she has received many accolades, including a Grammy Award for “Best Traditional R&B Performance”, and two Grammys for “Best Urban/Alternative Performance”. On this very day, April 4th 1972, Jill Heather Scott was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In celebration of her birthday, I’ve chosen…

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Sebastian Bach was a heavy metal singer who was best known as former lead vocalist for the band, Skid Row. After joining the group (in 1987), he helped contribute to their most popular singles like “18 & Life”, “Youth Gone Wild”, and today’s song choice. In 1990, Skid Row won the award for “Favorite Heavy Metal New Artist” at the American Music Awards. However, by 1996, tensions between Bach and the rest of the band led to his departure, and the start of his solo career. On this very day,…

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Edwin Starr was an American singer and songwriter who was born in Nashville, Tennessee on January 21st 1942. Known for his soulful voice and energetic stage presence, he rose to fame (in the late 1960s) with a series of popular hits. Some of his most well-known singles include songs like “Twenty-Five Miles”, “Stop Her on Sight”, “Happy Radio”, and today’s song choice. On this very day, April 2nd 2003, Charles Edwin Hatcher (known professionally as Edwin Starr) died of a heart attack at his home in England. He was 61…

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Marvin Gaye was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer who was born in Washington, DC on April 2nd, 1939. Considered as one of the most influential artists in the history of popular music, his most famous songs include “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”, “Sexual Healing”, “Let’s Get It On”, and today’s song choice. Throughout his career, he has received many accolades including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award, and inductions into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. On this very day, April…

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Angus Young is a musician and songwriter, who is best known as lead guitarist of the legendary rock band, AC/DC. He formed the band (in 1973) along with his late brother Malcolm. Known for his legendary schoolboy outfits (and intense stage presence), he directly contributed to the bands’ most iconic tracks, including “Highway to Hell”, “Dirty Deeds”, “You Shook Me all Night Long”, “Back in Black”, and “Hells Bells” (to name just a few). In 2003, alongside the other members of AC/DC, he was officially inducted into the Rock &…

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Celine Dion is a highly influential Canadian singer who is known for her powerful and emotive vocals. Referred to as the “Queen of Power Ballads”, she gained international fame (in 1990) with her breakthrough album, “Unison”. However, it was her 1991 performance of the theme song for “Beauty and the Beast” that propelled her to global stardom. Some of her other hit songs include “Because You Loved Me”, “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now”, “The Power of Love”, and today’s song choice. Throughout her career, she has won numerous…

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Joe Diffie was an American country singer and songwriter who was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on December 28th, 1958. He gained popularity (in the 1990s) for his distinctive voice, traditional honky-tonk style, and his unique way of telling stories. Some of his most well-known songs include “Third Rock from the Sun”, “John Deere Green”, “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox”, and today’s song choice. Throughout his career he has received many accolades, including a 1993 CMA Award, and a 2002 Grammy Award for “Best Country Collaboration with Vocals”. On this…

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Lady Gaga is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer who is known for her eclectic and unconventional approach to music and fashion. Her most famous singles include “Just Dance”, “Born This Way”, “Bad Romance”, “Edge of Glory”, and today’s song choice. Throughout her illustrious career, she has received many accolades including 13 Grammy Awards and 16 Guiness World records. On this very day, March 28th 1986, Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (known professionally as Lady Gaga) was born in New York city. Celebrating the occasion, Celebratinm I’ve chosen a popular…

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Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter who rose to fame (in the early 1990s) and is often referred to as the “Songbird Supreme” (due to her incredible vocal range). Over the course of her career, she has earned numerous awards, including multiple Grammys. Some of her most well-known songs include “Vision of Love”, “Hero”, “Emotions” “Fantasy”, “Always Be My Baby” and today’s song choice (to name just a few). On this very day, March 27th 1969, Mariah Carey was born in Huntington, New York (the youngest of three siblings). In…

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