On July 4th, in 1938, soul musician, guitarist, songwriter, keyboardist, composer, singer and producer-Bill Withers (William Harrison Withers Jr.) was born in Slab Fork, West Virginia. He’s one of the most underrated songwriters of the 70s. He penned hits like Use Me, Grandma’s Hands, Ain’t No Sunshine and Lovely Day. The rock ‘n’ roll hall of fame musician started singing, writing music and playing guitar while he was in the US Navy (1956-1965). He moved to LA in 1967 and started recording demos while working as a commode assembler for Douglas Aircraft Corporation. He also moonlighted as a performer, and would sing his staple song-Ain’t No Sunshine. Sussex Record owner-Clarence Avant got a hold of Withers’ demo in 1970. He signed him, and linked him with Stax in-house producer and bandleader of Booker T. & the M.G.s-Booker T. Jones. Jones produced his debut LP-Just as I Am (Sussex, 1971).
It contained his staple cut-Ain’t No Sunshine and Grandma’s Hands. Even after the success of both songs, Withers refused to quit his day job. Proof is in the cover photo for his debut which shows him outside of the Douglas Aircraft Corporation. Avant set up a tour and Withers hit the road. Most of his backing band were former members of the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band. He won a Grammy in 1972 for Ain’t No Sunshine, and released his second LP later that year-Still Bill. It had two more major hits-Use Me and Lean on Me. This led him to Carnegie Hall where he recorded a live album-Bill Withers, Live at Carnegie. One of his most slept on LPs, it features a live version of Use Me that’s far better than the standard version. He continued to record and release albums up to the late 80s. He’s 81 today.
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On July 4th, in 1951, 70s soul musician, percussionist, singer, keyboardist, songwriter, drum machine programmer, producer and long standing drummer for Earth Wind & Fire (EWF)-Ralph Johnson (above-glasses 2nd l, inset-white boots) was born in Los Angeles, California. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member (inducted 2000 with EWF) got his start as a jazz drummer when he was 8. In his teens, he joined two jazz bands-The Master's Children and The Teen Turbans. In 1971, he auditioned for EWF and was hired by Maurice White. He was EWF’s drummer from 1971 to 1978, appearing on the 8 LPs they released during that time: Earth Wind & Fire (1971), The Need of Love (1971), Last Days & Time (1972), Head to the Sky (1973), Open Our Eyes (1974), That’s the Way of the Word (1975), Spirit (1976) and All ‘n All (1977).
He became the session drummer/percussionist for Blue Magic, playing on their 1978 release-Message From the Magic. From 1979 to 1983 he was featured on the 5 albums EWF released during the 4 year period. He went on to use the skills he learned while working with EWF to producer hits for the Temptations in 1984. Johnson (above-l) produced their Truly for You album. From 1985 to 2003, he continued to work with EWF as their primary drummer/percussionist. They released 5 LPs, most notably 1990’s-Heritage. He also worked as a producer for Howard Hewett-former lead singer of Shalamar on his Christmas album-Howard Hewett Christmas (2008). Johnson continues to tour with EWF, and producer, write and do session work with others. He’s 68 today
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On July 4th, in 2003, we lost a seminal 70s musician, infamous bass baritone vocalist, pianist, former gang member, drummer, actor, harpsichord player, composer, singer, producer, multi-label recording artist, disco innovator and bandleader of the Love Unlimited Orchestra-Barry White (Barry Eugene Carter). TOV covered the artist’s birthday on the September 12th post. Please refer to it for more information. Barry was heavily sampled by musicians ranging from Nas to Flimode Squad. His infamous opening drum break on-I’m Gonna Love You (Just a Little More) has been sampled by musicians from several genres (house, EDM, hip hop, dubstep, jungle, mushroom jazz, neosoul). He grew up with his younger brother Darryl and started playing piano when he was 11.
The ‘street life’ scene had a big draw on Barry during his teens and he got into a lot of trouble (with his brother). When he was 14, his voice changed to a bass baritone, and although he continued to play piano, he joined a gang and committed petty crimes. His brother was killed in a gang fight and Barry was locked up for stealing. When he got out, he immediately joined the Upstarts-a local vocal group and released a single-Too Far to Turn Around (1960). He worked as an A&R for Del-Fi Records, honing his composing and songwriting skills. In the early 70s, he introduced his girl group-Love Unlimited (1972). In 1973, he debuted as a solo artist releasing Can’t Can’t Enough of Your Love Babe and You’re the First, the Last, My Everything. He went on to enjoy a successful career. He was 58 when he passed.
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HONORABLE MENTION: On July 4th, in 1911, seminal producer, classically trained musician, talent scout, conductor, artist and repertoire (A&R), record executive, oboist, composer and English Horn player-Mitch Miller (Mitchell William Miller) was born in Rochester, New York. Miller is most known for his work on NBC (his show-Sing Along with Mitch) and Columbia Records where he recorded several hits and produced numerous artists. He was the first man to sign Aretha Franklin to a contract on a major imprint-Columbia Records. However, she wasn’t allowed creative freedom. He was 99 when he passed.
On July 4th, in 1965, NBA player, Clemson Tiger and twin brother of Harvey Grant-Horace Grant was born in Augusta, GA. He’s a four-time NBA champion (3 with the Chicago Bulls, 1 with the Los Angeles Lakers) that played on 4 different teams during a 17 year career-Chicago Bulls (1987-1994), Orlando Magic (1994-1999, 2001-2002), Seattle Supersonics (1999-2000), Los Angeles Lakers (2000-2001, 2003-2004). He was an NBA All-Star in 1994 and was a four-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team member. During his college years at Clemson, he was the ACC Player of the Year and First-team All-ACC (1987). He’s 54 today.
On July 4th, in 1969, Robin Conant, Chris Cowing and Alex Cooley put on the first annual Atlanta International Pop Festival. It was a 2-day event (July 4-5, 1969) that was a springboard for Woodstock which happened two months later (August 15-18, 1969). The event was held at the Atlanta International Raceway in Hampton, GA and featured performances by: Janis Joplin, Booker T. & the M.G.s, The Staple Singers, Al Kooper, Joe Cocker, Sweetwater, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Led Zeppelin, The Dave Brubeck Trio with Gerry Mulligan, Spirit, Canned Heat, Pacific Gas & Electric, Blood Sweat & Tears, Grand Funk Railroad, The Butterfield Blues Band and numerous others.
On July 4th, in 1971, we lost a 60s soul musician, former lead singer and co-founding member of the Main Ingredient-Don McPherson (Donald McPherson-c). He got his start singing in his Harlem, NYC church. During his teens he formed the Poets-a vocal trio with McPherson, Luther Simmons and Tony Silvester. They singed to Red Bird Records and released a couple singles before changing their name to the Insiders and eventually settling on The Main Ingredient. They signed to RCA Records in 1968 and released a few more sides. In 1971, McPherson wrote their Black Power anthem song-Black Seeds Keep on Growing. However, he passed later that year and was replaced by Cuba Gooding Sr. He was 29 when he died.
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