Originally posted 07/13/2018: On July 13th in 1966, Gerald Levert, son of O'Jays singer Eddie Levert, was born. Gerald is survived by his father Eddie. He became one of the major songwriters/singers that helped shape 80s R&B. He was a bit different, exisiting outside of the New Jack Swing sound. R.I.P. Gerald Levert. Enjoy some of both of their music below.
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On July 13th in 1974, George McCrae's 'Rock Your Baby' single stayed on the US & UK singles Number 1 spot for two consecutive weeks. This song was largely regarded as the first Disco single to go Number 1. It would be his only single that charted Number 1 in the US & UK. NYC showed extra love for the song, making it club standard. McCrae is most known in the hip hop community for his 1974 song-I Get Lifted and his duet with then wife Gwen McCrea-The Rub.
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On July 13th in 1987, Michael Jackson invited 50 Representatives from America's largest record retailing companies to preview his Bad LP at his home in Encino, California. The Thriller follow up LP that many feel fell flat in comparison, went on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide. It also made history, becoming the first artist to have an album with 5 number one singles: Bad, Man in the Mirror, Dirty Diana, The Way You Make Me Feel, and I Just Can't Stop Loving You. Three singles that should've charted but did not were: Leave Me Alone, Smooth Criminal and Another Part of Me.
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On July 13th in 1990, Curtis Mayfield was injured by a stage lighting rig that fell on him when the wind picked up while he was giving an outdoor concert in Brooklyn, New York. Special S.O. to Curtis who's music was discussed in the first post. Prior to his injury, he'd produced songs for the Five Stairsteps, Jerry Butler, The Impressions, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Aretha Franklin, Linda Clifford, Baby Huey, The Staple Singers and Gene Chandler. He also scored several soundtracks, and released over a dozen albums.
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On July 13th in 1997, Anthony Kiedis, the front-man from the Red Hot Chili Peppers was involved in a motorcycle accident that required him to have surgery inLos Angeles, CA. The doctors worked on him for 5 hours. He came out of surgery and made a full recovery allowing him to continue his stint with the band. At the time of the accident, the band was height of their success following the release of Blood Sex Sugar.
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