On April 27th, in 1947, Memphis Soul innovator, singer, songwriter and Memphis Music Hall of Fame member-Ann (Lee) Peebles was born in Kinloch, Missouri (near St. Louis). Most people know Ann from her hit song on Hi Records-I Can’t Stand the Rain which was sampled by Timbaland for Missy Elliott’s song-The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly). She penned the song with her then husband-Don Bryant and DJ Bernie Miller (1973). They were inspired by the Love Unlimited Orchestra’s song relating love to weather-Walkin’ in the Rain with the One I Love & The Dramatic’s hit-In the Rain. It was produced by Willie Mitchell-who was Al Green’s primary producer during the 70s. It has been covered by many from the funk/disco band Eruption to Tina Turner, but Ann’s original version outshines them all.
Her other major hit was’I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down (1972). It was written by Earl Randle, featuring the Hi Records Rhythm Section and Willie Mitchell as producer. It also has been covered by many and became a hit for UK singer Paul Young in 1984. She got her start singing in the Peebles Choir at her father’s church. She was an opening act for visiting choirs and gospel groups like the Soul Stirrers featuring Sam Cooke and Mahalia Jackson. In her teens she started singing secular music and was heavily inspired by Aretha Franklin, Muddy Waters and Mary Wells. In the mid 60s, she linked up with soul jazz saxophonist Oliver Sain. She sang with his band until 1969. She then moved to Memphis, and started performing with Gene Miller (trumpeter). He got her in touch with Willie Mitchell who signed her in 1969. The rest, as they say is history. She’s 72 today.
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On Apri 27th, in 1957, singer, 80s music icon, songwriter, TV personality, 2-time Grammy Award-winner and former collaborator with Prince-Sheena Easton (Sheena Shirley Orr) was born in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. She’s most known for her hit song with Prince-U Got the Look off his Sign ‘O the Times double LP released in 1987. She also worked with other notable producers like-Nile Rodgers of Chic, country singer Kenny Rogers, former Deele & Man Child vocalist-L.A. Reid & Babyface, Christopher Neil and jazz/funk musician-Patrice Rushen. Easton got her professional start singing with a band called Something Else when she was 18 (1975-1979). She married her first husband-Sandi Easton when she was 22.
The marriage lasted a short 8 months, but Sheena kept the surname. She was the first official act on the UK’s pre-American Idol/The Voice TV show called-The Big Time (BBC, 1976-1980). It basically was a reality TV show that followed Sheena’s path from unknown singer to star vocalist. After her first year on the show, she got signed to EMI Records. She released her first single in 1980-Modern Girl. By 1981, she’d cracked the American market. Her second single-Morning Train (Nine to Five) was released in 1981. It did extremely well in the US, becoming Sheena’s one and only #1 single in America. She won the Grammy for best new artist that year as well. She released 3 LPs from 1981 to 1982 and went on tour in 1983. Nile Rodgers produced her 1985 album-Do You and Prince came on the scene shortly after. She’s 60 today.
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On April 27th, in 1984, we lost a seminal bluesman, hip hop producer’s inspiration, singer, songwriter and multi-label recording artist-ZZ. Hill (Arzell J. Hill) The Naples, TX native is most known for his 1982 hit single-Down Home Blues. Hill's unique in that he was able to modernize the blues by merging funk, soul and rock into his compositions. He got his start in the church, singing in a gospel quintet called the Spiritual Five. His early influences were Sam Cooke and the Staple Singers. He got into secular music during his early teens. Some of his favorite artists were Bobby Blue Bland and B.B. King. He needed a stage name and sought to emulate the sound of B.B. King’s name for his own-Hence Z.Z. With new name intact, he took to the Dallas, TX stages singing covers and some originals with Frank Shelton & Bo Thomas.
He was discovered by Otis Redding who urged him to pursue a recording career. Z.Z.’s older brother Mat Hill who worked as a producer for M.H. Records (family label)-released Z.Z.’s first single-You Were Wrong (1963). It peaked at #1 on the US charts and remained there for a week. This came to the attention of Kent Records who signed him in 1964. He released several sides on Kent from 1964 to 1968 which were co-written by Matt Hill and arranged by Maxwell Davis. However, he was unable to cut a charting record. From 1968 to 1978, he recorded for Capricorn Records, United Artists and Columbia Records, before going to Malaco in 1979. Two years later, he released his seminal LP-Down Home which contains Down Home Blues. He was 48 when he passed.
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HONORABLE MENTION: On April 27th, in 1904, King Records founder and owner (est. 1943)-Syd Nathan (Sydney Nathan) was born in Cincinnati, OH. He’s most known for his record company King/Federal Records that recorded several R&B, country, blues and rock musicians. Some of the notables on the roster include: James Brown, Bill Doggett, Hank Ballard & the Midnighters, Little Willie John, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, The Dominoes, Earl Bostic, the Stanley Brothers, Bull Moose Jackson and Grandpa Jones. King Records had a subsidiary-Federal Records. The majority of hits came from the label during the late 40s through the early 60s. He was 63 when he passed.
On April 27th, in 1952, one of the 'coldest' professional basketball players of the 70s era-George ‘the Iceman’ Gervin (l) was born in Detroit, MI. The Motown native played for MLK HS in Detroit (1966-1970), Eastern MI University (1970-1972) and the ABA Virginia Squires (1972-1974). In 1974, he joined the San Antonio Spurs and remained there for 11 seasons (1974-1985). In 1976, primarily due to his offensive prowess, the NBA had a merger with the ABA and Gervin is the man credited with the Spurs becoming an official NBA team. He was a fast-break, point scoring professional that implemented the schoolyard style of ball to the ABA/NBA. He’s 67 today.
On April 27th, in 1963, we lost one of the most important American figures that relayed the Black Experience in America to the masses-W.E.B. DuBois. Many know him as the founder of the NAACP, prominent leader that spearheaded the Niagara Movement (Equal Rights for Blacks in America), author of-The Souls of Black Folk and his humanitarian work. DuBois was one of the first Black intellectuals to adequately describe the plight Black people face daily in America-that is, being Black which is looked down upon, and being American which is revered. It’s a dichotomy with two opposing positions (constantly at war with one another). He was 95 when he passed.
On April 27th, in 1999, we lost a seminal jazz trumpeter, bandleader, sideman, composer, arranger, producer and New Orleans jazz pioneer-Al Hirt (Alois Maxwell Hirt). He started playing trumpet when he was 6. By the time he was 16, he was playing as a professional at various clubs and the horse racing tracks. He made first recording in Horace Heidt’s Orchestra (1950) and later joined Monk Hazel’s outfit. From the 50s through the 60s, he recorded 22 charting LPs on RCA Victor Records. He also worked as a studio musician for NBC and other Hollywood film companies. He eventually opened his own club on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, and was a minority owner of the New Orleans Saints (NFL, 1967). He was 76 when he passed.
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