On April 17th, in 1970, the MC that saved Def Jam in the early 90s, actor, Funk Doctor Spock, former DJ for Lords of the Underground, member of the Def Squad, EPMD affiliate, brother to female MC Roz , producer, cousin to rapper Tame One, and Method Man collaborator-Redman (Reginald Noble) was born in Newark, New Jersey. He’s most known for his movie and songs with Method Man (How High & The Blackout! LP). Interesting fact: Redman gave his dog named-Daddy to Cesar Milan-the man who hosts the show: The Dog Whisperer. Redman was discovered by Erick Sermon when he was a DJ for Lords of the Underground in the late 80s (DJ Kut-Killa). This would become a skill he used later to produce his own music. He also rhymed under the same name. Erick moved Redman into his Long Island apartment, and took him out on tour with EPMD as a roadie (of sorts).
He kicked a wild freestyle while on-stage with EPMD where he used every letter of the alphabet to describe himself. Erick mentored him on productions, had him spit verses on EPMD’s Business as Usual LP, got him a deal with Def Jam, and collaborated with him to produce his debut LP-What? Thee Album (1992). It went gold and he won Rap Artist of the year from The Source magazine. In 1994, he released his second LP, and one of his best-Dare Iz a Darkside. He's created a few splinter personalities like Superman Lover, Funk Doctor Spock, Reggie Noble and Muddy Waters. In the late 90s, he started collaborating with Cypress Hill and Method Man, both of whom were known for their use of marijuana. Method Man and Redman were a dynamic rap and acting duo in the early 2000s. He continues to host shows, write, perform and is working on the sequel to How High-How High 2. He’s 49 today.
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On April 17th, in 1964, the woman who played ‘Sunshine’ in Harlem Nights, featured actress in the introduction of the Movie Breakin’, supporting actress in Breakin’ 2-Electric Boogaloo, former video model/actress, 80s-90s TV show actress-Lela Rochon (Staples) was born in Los Angeles, California. Interesting facts: Rochon married Ozone (Adolfo Quinones-Shabba-Doo) when she met him on the set for Breakin’ in 1982. They stayed married for 5 years before divorcing in 1987. She was a Budweiser Spudette which were the models/actresses that appeared in Spuds MacKenzie commercials and photo shoots. She also appeared in videos by Luther Vandross, Tupac Shakur, Gerald LeVert, Lionel Richie and Al B. Sure.
It took about 10 years for Rochon to secure a co-starring role in a major film (started acting in 1984, secured the role in 1995). She played Robin Stokes in the 1995 film-Waiting to Exhale. She acted in 12 movies from 1984 to 1995. Her TV debut came in 1987 when she appeared on the sitcom Facts of Life as Diana (The Greek Connection episode). The Wayans Brothers cast her in a reoccurring role-Lisa (13 episodes). Two years later in 1997, she was cast as Inspector Angela Reide for the police series-The Division (22 episodes). In 1998, she played Emira Eagle-former spouse of Frankie Lymon in the film-Why Do Fools Fall in Love (starring Larenz Tate & Halle Berry). Since 2000, she’s appeared in 10 films and 5 TV shows. She currently plays Alma in the TV series-David Makes Man. Rochon is 55 today.
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On April 17th, in 1987, we lost a seminal reggae musician, Bob Marley collaborator, songwriter, percussionist, singer, brother of Aston Family Man Barrett, former member of the Upsetters (Lee Scratch Perry’s backing band), drummer, co-founder of the Soul Mates, prolific student on the ‘one drop rhythm' drumming style (created by Winston Grennan) former Wailers band member and the man simply known as ‘Carly’-Carlton Barrett was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He’s most known as the drummer on all the LPs released by Bob Marley and Wailers. He also acted as bandleader and co-wrote the song War. Interesting fact: 7 years prior to his death to-the-date, Barrett performed at Zimbabwe’s Independence Day celebration in Salisbury, Zimbabwe with Bob Marley and the Wailers (April 17th, 1980).
Barrett was heavily influenced by ska music and the drummer for the Skatalites-Lloyd Knibb (late 50s). His first drum set was a homemade series of pots and pans. He eventually got a real set and became a session musician with his brother under the name-Soul Mates/Rhythm Force (60s). They morphed into the Hippy Boys featuring Max Romeo. Their reputation as a great backing band grew quickly and by the late 60s, Lee Scratch Perry was using them for his Upsetters band. They were the backing band on the original Wailers recordings (Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer and Bob Marley),. After they all went solo, Barrett continued to play drums for all three and stayed with Bob Marley until he died in 1981. He was shot outside his home when he was 36.
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HONORABLE MENTION: On April 17th, in 1971, a unique thing happened to all of the former Beatles-John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison. They all had a solo single on the UK chart. John had-Power to the People b/w Open Your Box (Apple Records, 1971). Paul McCartney was on the chart for his song-Another Day b/w Oh Woman-Oh Why (Apple, 1970). Ringo’s-It Don’t Come Easy b/w Early 1970 (Apple, 1971) featured George Harrison. While Harrison had his own song on the charts-My Sweet Lord off his triple LP-All Things Must Pass (Apple, 1970 US, 1971 UK). It was rare for every artist from a former band to have success, let alone on the same record label.
On April 17th, in 1976, controversial reggae musician and the man with over 50 LPs to his discography-Sizzla (Miguel Orlando Collins) was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He started out on the ground floor of the industry, working for Cave Man Hi-Fi Sounds. He cultivated his own style there and got a major break from Buju Banton when he linked Sizzla with the Xterminator Family (featuring Phillip Fattis Burrell and Dean Fraser). He released his debut LP in 1995-Burning Up. It did very extremely well and led to his sophomore album-Praise Ye Jah (Jetstar Records, 1997). His career took off quickly following the release of these 2 LPs. He’s 43 today.
On April 17th, in 1983, the man who told us to clap our hands to what the drummer’s doing, on tempo-Felix Pappalardi was murdered by his wife…Felix is the bassist and vocalist for the 60s/70s rock band Mountain. They made the seminal heavily sampled break-Long Red (Well Goddamn, LOUDER!). As the story goes, he bought his wife Gail a derringer a few months prior to her shooting him. On the 17th, they were in their Manhattan apartment when she killed him. She was convicted of second-degree murder. Felix was 43 when he passed.
On April 17th, in 2003, we lost a seminal New Orleans musician, bluesman, 60s rock ‘n’ roll innovator, R&B vocalist, guitarist, producer, songwriter, Allen Toussaint and the Meters collaborator-Earl King (Earl Silas Jonhson IV). He started playing guitar in his early teens and made his first recording when he was 19-Here You Gone Crazy b/w Begging at Your Mercy (Savoy Records). He also released sides and albums on Imperial and Specialty Records. King penned some blues staples that have been covered by everyone from Professor Longhair to Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix He worked with the Meters in the early 70s when they were at their peak (very funky). He was 69 when he passed.
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