On January 18th, 1970, emcee, dee jay, drummer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, sampler/sequencer user, producer, songwriter, and former gang member-DJ Quik (David Marvin Blake) was born in Compton, California. Quik was a fan of music at the very young age of two years old. His mother had an extensive record collection, and in 1982, she bought him some turntables as a 8th Grade graduation present. Shortly after this, he started spinning for people around the area, and became a member of The Westside Tree Top Piru set (Bloods). As a result, a lot of the parties he spun for had fights break out between members from his set and other rival gangs. He also sold mixtapes, and earned some street credibility from it. He dropped out of high school in the 11th grade, and was homeless for a few years after that (his mother foreclosed on her house). In 1990, his mixtape reputation caught the attention of Eazy E at Ruthless Records, as well as execs at Profile Records.
Eazy offered Quik a million dollar advance to sign but, he was already in bed with Profile. Things got ugly between both companies-Profile trying to retain Quik, and Ruthless attempting to lure him away with more money. Profile signed him that year and it’s alleged that Quik, is the first Profile artist to receive a six-figure contract. In 1991, he released his debut LP: Quik Is The Name (featured the hits Born & Raised In Compton & Tonite). He also produced other talents like 2nd II None, Penthouse Players Click, and AMG. His second LP-Way 2 Fonky came out in 1992. It did well, as all of his LPs did; but none as good as his debut. In the late 90s, he started collaborating with Lucy Pearl and George Clinton. He also got more into playing instruments more on tracks vs sampling. Roger Troutman, one of his inspirations, taught him how to use the talk box. Quik is 59 today.
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On January 18, in 1975, fish didn’t fry in the kitchen, and beans didn’t burn on the grill…The seminal multi-ethnic sitcom-The Jeffersons debuted on CBS. The show was created by Norman Lear, and was based around Archie Bunker’s neighbor, (Jeffersons’ Cleaners owner) George Jefferson. He was moving out of the neighborhood-to a deluxe apartment in the sky (East Side). Archie and George threw insults at each other all of the time, although the rest of their family members got along well with one another. George, Lionel (his son), and Louise (Weezy his wife) built a strong following on the show; so Lear decided to try The Jeffersons out with their own show. It paid off to the tune of 11 seasons & 253 episodes. The Jeffersons was a groundbreaking sitcom, in that it showed an upper middle-class family of color during the mid 1970s, that remained ‘street’ and didn’t appear to be ‘watered-down’ for lack of better terms.
The writers added some stereotypical lines and actions; but for the most part, it was a solid and extremely funny show. It also had a multi-ethnic cast, of which Roxie Roker (Lenny Kravitz’s mother) played Helen Willis, George’s main rival-aside from Florence (Marla Gibbs). Mr Bentley was from England, and always needed Geroge to walk on his back or slam the door in his face. The doorman Ralph was continued to expect a large tip, of which he seldom got because George was so frugal. The theme song is probably one of the most known TV show songs of all-time. Ja’net Dubois-who played Willona on Good Times-sang lead on it. The show had many special appearances by celebrities from music to politics. It was a Top 30 Show for the duration of its existence, and in the Top 10 from 1979 to 1982.
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On January 18th, 1941, singer, drummer, songwriter, dancer, solo artist, Hall Of Fame vocalist, and younger brother of the infamous soul singer Jimmy Ruffin-David (Eli) Ruffin was born in Whynot, Mississippi. David, his stepmother Earline, father Eli, sister Rita Mae, and brothers Jimmy & Quincy had a traveling gospel group. They often opened for The Five Blind Boys and Mahalia Jackson. When he was 14, he left Mississippi for Memphis to become a minister. David fell in love with the mid 1950s music scene on Beale Street, and got picked up by jazz pianist Phineas Newborn, who took David to Hot Springs, Arkansas. He performed at a casino as Little David Bush. Between gigs, Ruffin worked as a horse breaker and trainer. He also became a member of The Dixie Nightingales, and then The Soul Stirrers (after Johnny Taylor left).
During his teens Ruffin met many of the stars that influenced his singing style, as well as his decision to sing secular music (Bobby Womack, Little Richard, The Staple Singers, Elvis Presley, Frankie Lymon, Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, etc.). At age 16, his guardians moved him to Detroit-where his brother Jimmy was working at the Ford Motor Company, and pursuing a singing career in his off time. He got a recording deal with Vega Records in 1958, and released You & I b/w Believe Me as Little David Bush.
Ruffin literally and figuratively helped build Motown Records. He lived with Berry Gordy’s father, who hired him to help do the construction on Hitsville USA (Motown). He also sang on many of the hits for Motown, which helped establish the label’s prominent position in the music industry. He was 50 years old, when he passed away on June 1st, 1991.
Ruffin literally and figuratively helped build Motown Records. He lived with Berry Gordy’s father, who hired him to help do the construction on Hitsville USA (Motown). He also sang on many of the hits for Motown, which helped establish the label’s prominent position in the music industry. He was 50 years old, when he passed away on June 1st, 1991.
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On January 18th, 2000, singer, choral director, songwriter, composer, arranger, film and TV actor-Jester (Joseph) Hairston passed away in Los Angeles, California. He’s one of the pioneering Black actors that paved the road for others. He was born in Belews Creek, NC in 1901. His family relocated to the Pittsburgh area, and Jester graduated from high school in 1921. He studied landscape architecture at Massachusetts Agricultural College, while doubling in church vocal groups and choirs. Anna Kidder saw his ‘musical gifts,’ and financially assisted him in cultivating his talents at Tufts University & Juilliard. He was one of the first Black students at both schools. He began working with church choirs, and Broadway plays in the late 1920s. He also would demonstrate for, and fill in for, actors and singers when needed. He had a knack for both, and made his on screen debut in The Green Pastures (1936).
Jester continued to work as a choir director, singer, and actor throughout the 1930s. In 1941 he appeared in the films Sundown, and Sullivan’s Travels. He had a lengthy career, appearing in over 40 movies from 1942-1999. His TV acting career took off in the early 1950s, with re-occurring roles on Amos & Andy. From the mid 50s to the early 70s, he appeared in numerous Westerns. In the mid to late 70s, he played Wildcat on the sitcom "That’s My Mama," but most people know him as Rolly Forbes on "Amen." Jester was a historian, and a certified expert on original Black spiritual music. He also was a very capable actor that showcased his talents in drama, action, comedy, and documentary film and television formats. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 1992. Jester was 98 years old when he passed away.
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On January 18th, in 2016, singer, actor, guitarist, songwriter, pianist, and front man for The Eagles-Glenn Frey passed away in Manhattan, NY. The Detroit native got his start on piano when he was five. He moved to guitar during his middle school years, and started singing and playing in bands by high school. He was a member of several Detroit rock outfits from the mid to late 1960s: The Subterraneans, The Four Of Us, and The Mushrooms. In the early 70s, he moved to LA and met Don Henley. Linda Rondstadt needed a backing band for her tour, and hired Frey (keys, guitar), Henley (drums), Randy Meisner (bass) and Bernie Leadon (guitar). They decided to form a band based on their shared chemistry during the tour, thus forming The Eagles.
Frey & Henley co-wrote most of their songs; and they released their self-titled debut LP on Asylum Records in 1972. The band broke up in 1979, right after a post-show fist fight between Henley & Frey. They didn’t speak for years after this incident. Yet their musical chemistry managed to make their band the greatest selling group of all-time. They recorded six LPs, and all of those reached Number #1. They won several Grammys, and American Music Awards, as well. Frey went solo in the early 80s, and transitioned his success from the Eagles into his 1982 debut LP: No Fun Aloud on Asylum Records. It went gold, as did his 1984 follow up-The Allnighter. His 1988 and 1992 LPs didn’t see big sales; but Frey’s legacy was already set. He was 67 when he passed away.
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HONORABLE MENTION: On January 18th, 1944, tap dancer, singer, graphic artist, drummer, and member of the satirical rock band Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band-Legs Larry Smith was born in Oxford, England. Aside from playing drums for the band, Legs also designed the LP cover for George Harrison’s Gone Troppo, appeared on Magical Mystery Tour, and tap danced on Todd Rundergren’s track-Useless Begging. He also toured in the early 2000s with the other surviving members of Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band. He’s 75 today.
On January 18th, 1989, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall Of Fame was holding its 4th Annual Induction Ceremony. The event took place at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in NYC, NY. This was a unique class in that 38 year old Stevie Wonder became the youngest living musician to receive the honor of being inducted into The Hall of Fame. This calss was smaller than others, with only four additional musicians being inducted: The Rolling Stones, Otis Redding, The Temptations, and Dion DiMucci. David Ruffin was present, and sang with Eddie Kendricks and Hall & Oates.
On January 18th, 1996 actress, singer, songwriter, and the daughter of Elvis Presley-Lisa Marie Presley filed for divorce. She had been married to The King of Pop-Michael Jackson for a little over a year and a half, when she decided that irreconcilable differences would be the proper way to state her reasons for ending their union. The pair had gotten married under somewhat secretive circumstances, and announced it to the world shortly after.
On January 18th, 2005, innovative Psychedelic Soul producer, arranger, composer, and songwriter-Norman Whitfield was in a bit of trouble with the tax man. He was charged with federal tax evasion, and plead guilty for not reporting his royalty earnings on his tax returns from 1995 through 1999. It was said that he collected more than $2 million during that time frame. He was very ill when he faced the courts. The IRS showed favor for his health conditions, and only fined him $25K-and put him on house arrest for six-months.
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