On May 30th, 1993, we lost an innovative experimental musician, free jazz pioneer, author, pianist, one of the first artists to play ‘space music,’ sideman, distant cousin of Elijah Muhammad, forefather of Afrofuturism, bebop pioneer, poet, actor, philosopher, avant-garde jazz trailblazer, and founder/bandleader of The Arkestra-Sun Ra (Le Sony’r Ra, Herman Poole Blount). Sun Ra is most known for his contributions to free jazz, the movies he starred in (Space Is The Place), his views on the cosmos, and the purpose of ‘earthlings’ in the grand scheme of the universe/space. He was a very intriguing man, that professed he was an alien brought to earth via the planet Saturn (his original birthplace) to teach humankind how to exist in peace.
Sun Ra expressed himself via elaborate stage shows, interviews, writings, and compositions-all of which illustrated his stance on social issues, ethnicity, politics, culture, and morals-rooted in Egyptology and the belief that humankind is "out of tune with the universe." And as a result, humans were not "playing their part properly’ in the bigger Arkestra of Life." His methodology was always straight ahead, although he often spoke in a wise, Confucius-like way. Simply put, agree or disagree with him, he made people think deeply. He was a highly talented pianist, who was sight reading music and composing by the age of 12, and was playing professionally in his early teens. He often frequented the Prince Hall Masonic Lodge as a kid, and read a lot of the books in their library. This opened his mind to alternative views, and set in motion his refusal to take things on ‘face value’. Sun Ra was 79 when he passed away.
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On May 30th, 1964, country singer, songwriter, guitarist, harmonica player, actress, author, and former member of The Judds-Wynonna Judd (Christina Claire Ciminella) was born in Ashland, Kentucky. Most known for her time as the younger half of The Judds (with with her mother Naomi), Wynonna also had a successful solo career and is well known for her philanthropy. She started playing guitar when she was 12, practiced obsessively, and was performing alongside her mother by 1979. They played the small venue circuit in Nashville, TN, and built a strong following. In 1983 they secured a deal with RCA Records, spent eight years on the label (1983-1991), and became the biggest selling country music duo-regardless of gender.
The duo won nine Country Music Association Awards, and eight Billboard Music Awards. Wynonna was forced to go solo in 1991, when her mother retired due to health concerns. She signed to the MCA Records subsidiary Curb Records in 1991, and released Wynonna the following year. She released her followup Tell Me Why in 1993. She released two more LPs, and later started voiceover acting for children’s shows like Blue’s Clues & The Magic School Bus. Her mother came out of retirement to perform with her in 2000-and she continued to releases albums, act, make TV appearances, and record new music. Wynonna Judd turns 55 today.
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On May 30th, 1945, Motown recording artist, soul/pop/R&B vocalist, dancer, and former lead singer of The Marvelettes-Gladys (Catherine) Horton (above-l, inset-r) was born in Gainesville, Florida. TOV covered the artist’s death in the January 26th post. Please refer to it for more information. Horton was the lead singer of The Marvelettes-going back to the late 1950's when they were called The Casinyets (Can’t Sing Yet). They were an all-female vocal quartet based in Detroit, and their discography includes hits like Please Mr. Postman (1961), Beechwood 4-5789 (1962), Playboy (1962), Too Many Fish in the Sea (1964), and I’ll Keep Holding On (1965). Horton started out as a background singer, but was pushed into the role of lead singer after the departure of former lead Georgia Dobbins.
In 1961 the group signed to Motown Records, changed their name to The Marvelettes, and released Please Mr. Postman. It was a huge hit, and a rivalry between The Supremes and Marvelettes ensued. The Marvelettes didn’t receive half the promotion and publicity given to The Supremes; but they still managed to create hits. In 1965 Wanda Young joined the group, and took over as lead singer, while Horton went back to singing background vocals. She found it difficult to be a backup, after being in the spotlight for so long, and quit the group in 1967. She did manage to be featured on one of their last big hits (Don’t Mess With Bill) in 1966. She stayed away from the music scene for the next 20 years, before returning in 1990 to record with Wanda Young. She continued to perform, from time to time, up to her death in 2011. She was 65 when she passed on.
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HONORABLE MENTION: On May 30th, 1902, pioneering Black Entertainer, vaudeville performer, sketch comedy innovator, TV/film/stage actor, and the first Black actor to earn a million dollars-Stepin Fetchit (Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry) aka ‘The Laziest Man In The World’ was born in Key West, FL. TOV covered the entertainer’s death in the November 19th post. Please refer to it for more information. Fetchit was looked down upon by many Blacks for portraying stereotypical roles on stage, and in films, during the 1920's and 1930's. He was a dedicated activist however, and donated many of his earnings to help those less fortunate than him. He opened doors for future generations to come. He was 83 at the time of his death.
On May 30th, 1924, Latin Jazz artist, psychedelic rock developer, percussionist, and former member of Santana-Armando Peraza was born in Lawton Batista, Havana, Cuba. Armando rose from homelessness, to prominence in The Latin Jazz World. He also helped inspire future generations of musicians in rock, due to his work as part of Santana. He played congas, bongos, and timbales for Alberto Ruiz, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Charles Mingus, Cal Tjader, George Shearing, Peggy Lee, John Coltrane, Mongo Santamaria, Stan Kenton, Sadao Watanabe, Gabor Szabo, and Chick Corea. He played with Santana for over 15 years (going back to 1972). Armando Peraza was 89 when he died.
On May 30th, 1960, new wave musician, keyboardist, composer, drummer, singer, bassist, songwriter, and founding member of Duran Duran-Stephen Duffy (Stephen Anthony James Duffy) was born in Alum Rock, Birmingham, UK. Duffy was the drummer for Duran Duran (also bassist & vocalist), and was the lead singer/songwriter for the UK folk/rock band The Lilac Time. He helped form Duran Duran in the mid 1970's, and moved to drums before leaving the band in 1979 to form Subterranean Hawks. In the early 1980's he formed the group Tin Tin, and ilater released a house LP under the name Dr. Calculus MDMA. He also formed The Lilac Time in 1986)=. He’s 58 today.
On May 30th, 1975, rapper, actor, singer, songwriter, producer, representative of The Dungeon Family, and member of Goodie Mob-CeeLo Green (Thomas DeCarlo Callaway) was born in Atlanta, GA. He got his start with Goodie Mob, via Outkast and The Dungeon Family in the mid 1990's. His lyrics, delivery, and subject matter was highly insightful and political in the beginning…at some point, he became a ‘mainstream’ artist & began to focus on the more pop culture topics of love, pain, partying, etc. His popularity exploded when he began to work with Danger Mouse, and they formed Gnarls Barkley. From there he began work in a reoccurring role on The Boondocks, and continued on as a solo artist, before reuniting with his Goodie Mob cohorts. CeeLo Green is 44 today.
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