On June 19th, in 1948, TV personality, singer, actress, director, member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Howard University graduate and older sister of Debbie Allen-Phylicia Rashad (Phylicia Ayers-Allen) was born in Houston, Texas. She’s most known as Clair Huxtable on the seminal 80s TV series-The Cosby Show (1984-1992). However, her career started before that in the late 70s. She had her TV debut in 1976 on the CBS legal show-Delvecchio. She played Ventita Ray. She also played a Munchkin in the musical-the Wiz (1978). This is where she met her second husband and lead singer of the Village People-Victor Willis. She released a disco LP called-Josephine Superstar. It was a concept album based on the life of Josephine Baker.
In 1982, she divorced Willis and started playing Deena Jones in the musical-Dreamgirls. In 1983 she joined the cast of the ABC soap opera-One Life to Live (Courtney Wright). She stayed on the show for a season and started dating Ahmad Rashad (NFL wide receiver/broadcaster). In 1984, she was hired by Bill Cosby to play the role of his wife and mother of 5 kids (Sandra, Denise, Theo, Vanessa and Rudy)-lawyer Clair Huxtable. She acted in all 193 episodes of the show. She doubled in other shows and television movies like: The Love Boat (1985), A Different World (1988-1990), Reading Rainbow (1990) and Jailbirds (1991). In 1996, she resumed her role as Bill Cosby’s wife on his new show-Cosby (1996-2000). She continues to act on stage, in films and on TV. Phylicia is 71 today.
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On June 19th, in 1950, pioneering female rock musician, flautist, songwriter, guitarist, innovative vocalist and co-founder of the band Heart-Ann (Dustin) Wilson (brunette) was born in San Diego, California. She’s most known for her work with her co-bandleader, younger sister-Nancy Wilson. Ann sang lead on the classic rock hit-Crazy on You. Interesting fact: She was extremely shy and developed a stutter as a child. It never quite left, so she turned to singing as a means to cope with her speech impediment. Ann joined White Heart in 1970. She sang vocals, wrote songs and played some guitar. They changed their name to Hocus Pocus in 1972, with her little sister Nancy joining in 1973.
In 1974, they renamed the band-Heart and moved to Vancouver, Canada. In 1975 they released their debut LP-Dreamboat Annie (Mushroom Records). Both of the charting hit son the album were written by Ann & Nancy-Crazy on You (peaked at #35) and Magic Man (peaked at #9). They released two more LPs during the 70s-Little Queen (1977) and Dog & Butterfly (1978). By the early 80s the band had dissolved. Ann reappeared in the early 90s, singing with alternative bands like Alice in Chains. In the mid 90s, she started a record label with her sisters-Bad Animals (Seattle, WA). She also worked with her sisters in the band-Lovemongers. They released an LP in 1997-Whirlygig. In 2001, she worked with Alan Parsons. She continues to tour and record. Wilson is 69 today.
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On June 19th, in 1959, 80s R&B musician, songwriter, trumpeter, singer, flugelhornist, flautist and former member of DeBarge-Mark DeBarge (r) was born in Detroit, Michigan. Mark’s interest in music can be traced back to his older brother Bobby who was the lead singer, songwriter and pianist for the late 70s funk band-Switch (I Call Your Name). Mark’s sister Bunny and his brothers Randy & El were signed to Motown in 1981, the same year they released their debut LP-The DeBarges. The album didn’t produce any standout hits, but Mark showcased his writing abilities on two of the album’s 8 songs-Dance the Night Away and Hesitated. Their 1982 follow up-All This Love, produced 3 hits that put the band on the map-All This Love, Stop-Don’t Tease Me and I Like It.
Although he didn’t write any of these hits, he did pen two songs on the LP-I’m in Love With You and Life Begins With You. As their fame grew, they released their 3rd LP in 1983-In A Special Way. This was the first LP to produce a hit that was written by Mark, along with El and Bunny DeBarge-Stay With Me. It also hosts the title cut-In a Special Way. Ironically, Stay With Me is the only song Mark has co-writing credits for on the LP. It became an even bigger hit after being sampled by Biggie Smalls and Faith Evans for One More Chance (also-Ashanti & Mariah Carey). They released their most commercially successful album in 1985-Rhythm of the Night. After this release, El went solo and Bunny stopped performing leaving the brothers James, Mark and Randy. They called on their older brother Bobby to produce their 5th release-Bad Boys (Striped Horse Records, 1987). They released their final album in 1991-Back on Track. Mark is 60 today.
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HONORABLE MENTION: On June 19th, in 1912, what would become Tennessee State University was founded in Nashville, TN. The original name of the school was Tennessee Agricultural & Industrial State Normal School for Negroes. They had an initial enrollment of approximately 250 students. The name changed 2 more times (1925 & 1927) before settling on Tennessee State University in 1968. It hosts a historic culture of academics, music (marching band), athletics (football, track) and civil rights activism. President Walter S. Davis-who served from 1943 to 1968, is largely responsible for the expansion and rich traditions established at the university (Think, Work, Serve). Happy 107th T.S.U.!
On June 19th, in 1936, NOLA soul musician (New Orleans), songwriter, session vocalist, friend of Sylvia Robinson (Sugarhill Records), founder of Shirley & Company and former member of Shirley & Lee-Shirley (Mae) Goodman was born in New Orleans, LA. She's featured on the 1956 as a member of Shirely & Lee-Let the Good Times Roll. She also was a disco innovator, recording her 1974 dance hit-Shame Shame Shame under the name Shirley & Company for Sylvia Robinson’s Platinum Records label. She had her professional start in the 50s and left music by the mid 70s. She sang session vocals for the Rolling Stones and Sonny & Cher. She was 69 when she passed.
On June 19th, in 2013, we lost an innovative country musician, songwriter, guitarist, multi-label recording artist, the man once known as ‘America’s Favorite Folk Singer' with a career that spanned 7 decades-Slim Whitman (Otis Dewey Whitman Jr.). He was one of the first popular falsetto singers that helped influence rock vocalist like Paul McCartney, soul vocalist like Michael Jackson and country artists like Hank Williams. He was known for yodeling and recording all types of music, not just country. He recorded over 100 LPs and 500 singles during his career. He also used to be Elvis Presley's opening act in the 50s. He was 90 when he passed.
On June 19th, in 2014, we lost a seminal multi-genre songwriter, lyricist and former spouse of Carole King-Gerry Goffin (Gerald Goffin). He’s most known for the numerous hits he penned during the 60s and 70s. He wrote songs like: You Make Me Feel Like (A Natural Woman) for Aretha Franklin, The Loco Motion for Little Eva, Don’t Bring Me Down for the Animals, Go Away Little Girl for Donny Osmond, Will You Love Me Tomorrow for the Shirelles and Do You Know Where You’re Going to (Theme from Mahogany) for Diana Ross. He was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame with his songwriting partner-Carole King in 1990. He was 75 when he passed.
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