On May 29th, 1950, singer, actress, dancer, and solo recording artist-Rebbie Jackson (Maureen Reillette Jackson) was born in Gary, Indiana. Most would remember Rebbie for her 1984 hit song Centipede, which was written by younger brother Michael Jackson at the very height of his popularity. Rebbie is the eldest child of the 10 children in The Jackson Clan. Rebbie and Jackie, the eldest brother of the family, took on the role of secondary parents for their brothers and sisters when their parents were away. Rebbie started her professional career, performing with The Jackson 5 during the summer of 1974 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Randy, Janet, LaToya, and Rebbie were all supporting singers, dancers, and actors.
In 1976 The Jackson 5 left Motown, signed to CBS Records, added Randy to the group (Jermaine left), changed their name to The Jacksons, and secured a 30-minute variety show on CBS-TV. This was the first, in that a major network was showcasing an All Black Family. After the show Reebie branched out into cabaret singing. She also worked as a session vocalist for acts like Betty Wright and The Emotions. In 1984 she released Centipede (CBS Records), featuring writing & production from Smokey Robinson, Prince, Michael Jackson, Randy Jackson, Tito Jackson, and her husband Nathaniel Brown. Michael wrote her hit single Centipede, which features him and The Weather Girls on backup vocals. Rebbie Jackson is 69 today.
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On May 29th, 1956, another Jackson family member was born. Singer, actress, dancer, model, writer, TV personality, and businesswoman-LaToya (Yvone) Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana. LaToya was surrounded by controversy during the 1980's, during the peak of her family’s success. She’s most known for publicly shaming her family, mostly her father Joe Jackson, for alleged abuses she suffered as a child. LaToya stayed clear of the showbiz scene during the early days of the family's music pursuits. She and her mother, Katherine Jackson, would instead go around knocking on doors to give out Jehovah’s Witness literature. As time passed however, she gravitated more and more to the secular music scene.
By the early 1970's, she was performing in Las Vegas with her siblings. She got her own short set, which featured her tap dancing. She liked performing, but also wanted to study law. She began taking classes at Cal-Prep; but her father decided she’d become a member of The Jacksons’ CBS Variety Show. The late 70's would be a transitional period, as both LaToya and Michael moved on to being solo artists. In 1978 they both moved to New York City, living as roommates, while Michael was working on The Wiz. It was the first time they’d lived anywhere without their parents. LaToya started dating Bobby DeBarge, who was part of the band Switch at the time. The hit song I Call Your Name (1979), was actually written about her. She released her self-titled debut LP in 1980, and many more up thru as recently as 2018. LaToya Jackson turns 63 today.
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On May 29th, 2005, we lost a seminal jazz musician, poet, vocalist, activist, songwriter, playwright, actor, multi-label recording artist, aspiring politician, and humanitarian-Oscar Brown Jr. The Chicago native is known for the numerous songs he’s written; and due to recent political trends, The Snake is one of his most talked about tracks. I was introduced to him as a shorty, by my father, who used to play Brown’s song Signifyin’ Monkey. The titles of his songs alone speak volumes about his position on those things that are considered ‘touchy’ subjects. Song titles like Forty Acres And A Mule, World Full Of Gray, Brother Where Are You, and But I Was Cool serve as prime examples. He also wrote musicals like Slave Song, Opportunity Please Knock, and Lyrics Of Sunshine And Shadow.
An avid writer, Brown authored a book of poetry titled What It Is: Poems And Opinions Of Oscar Brown Jr. He got his recording debut in 1960, with Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach, on We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite (Candid/Muse Records). Later that year he signed to Columbia Records, and released his solo debut Sin & Soul. In 1961 came his first musical, Kicks & Co. He had trouble securing funding, even after NBC’s Today Show host Dave Garroway let him have an entire show to showcase it. The musical was performed at HBCUs in the South, and in 1963 he released a newer version of his LP Between Heaven And Hell from 1962. The album featured some cuts from the original release, along with some new tracks. Stay tuned, as further discussion of Brown’s legacy will be continued in honor of his birthday on October 10th. Oscar Brown Jr was 78 at the time of his death.
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HONORABLE MENTION: On May 29th, 1939, disco pioneer, singer, songwriter, and founder of Disco Tex And The Sex-O-Lettes, Sir Monti Rock III was born in the Bronx, NY. Rock was one of the first musicians to take the underground genre of disco to the masses. The Puerto Rican singer/performer made his professional start on The Merv Griffin Show in 1966. His stage presence, outlandish behavior, and hyped performances led to regular appearances on The Tonight Show. In the mid 1970's his disco albums charted in both The UK and US. He also played the DJ in Saturday Night Fever. Sir Monti Rock turns 80 today.
On May 29th, 1959, UK musician, new wave pioneer, singer, percussionist, session musician, and former member of the groups Samson, Simple Minds & Voodoo Circle-Mel (George) Gaynor was born in Balham, London, UK. Gaynor is most known for his time with the 80's New Wave band Simple Minds. He started playing the drums when he was 11, and was working professionally by the age of 14. His first band was Samson, and in 1982 he joined Simple Minds. He has also done a lot of session work for artists like Tina Turner, Joan Armatrading, Jackson Browne, Peter Gabriel, Robert Palmer, Mango, and The Associates. Mel Gaynor is 60 today.
On May 29th, 1984, legendary soul singer, rock ‘n’ roll pioneer, songwriter, dancer, actress, international superstar, and former spouse/musical partner with Ike Turner-Tina Turner released her fifth solo LP Private Dancer. This was her big break through on the 80's/new wave/pop scene. She went to The UK to record, and used new wave talents, Heaven 17 as producers/band members. This is why her sound on this LP is so much different from the usual ‘hard soul’ she’s commonly known for. She did a cover version of Ann Peebles' I Can’t Stand The Rain, and Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together. These songs didn’t get much airplay, but she had huge hits with Private Dancer and What’s Love Got To Do With It.
On May 29th, 2014, we lost an original member of the influential soul group The Dells-Marvin Junior. He was a co-founding member of the group-along with Johnny Funches, Verne Allison, Chuck Barksdale, and brothers Lucius & Mickey McGill. Originally named The El-Rays, they started the group while in high school (1952). They released their first recording in 1954, and changed their name from The El-Rays to The Dells the following year. They had their first hit in 1956, with Oh What A Night. In 1958 they were in a horrific automobile accident, and were unable to perform again until 1960. Once regrouped, Johnny Funches was replaced by Johnny Carter. Marvin stayed with the group up to his death, and together they would release over a dozen LPs. Marvin was 77 when he passed.
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