This Day in Music

In 1964, The Supremes became the first all-female group to score a No.1 hit in the UK with “Baby Love.” Across the Atlantic, the irresistible single also topped the charts, making The Supremes the first Motown act to have more than one No.1 US hit. They would continue to build on that record, eventually scoring more No.1 hits than any other Motown act, with a total of 12. “Baby Love” would later earn the group a Grammy nod for Best R&B Recording, and the Holland-Dozier-Holland-penned song eventually landed on Rolling Stones’ 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.

In 1984, 36-year-old Tom Evans, a longtime member of Badfinger, who served as a guitarist, vocalist, bassist, and songwriter, took his own life. Evans co-wrote one of the band’s biggest hits, 1970’s Ivor Novello-winning power ballad, “Without You.” The song has since been covered by hundreds of artists, including Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey.

In 2000, LeAnn Rimes scored her first No.1 hit in the UK with “Can’t Fight the Moonlight.” The song was written by Diane Warren for the Coyote Ugly soundtrack.

In 1988, American singer Robin Beck scored a No.1 UK hit with “First Time,” a power ballad that was originally recorded for a Coca-Cola commercial. In addition to spending three weeks at the top of the UK chart, the single also hit No.1 in multiple countries across Europe.

In 1965, for less than £5.00, music fans in London caught a legendary line-up of artists at Empire Pool’s “Glad Rag Ball.” On the bill were The Who, Wilson Pickett, The Kinks, The Hollies, and more.

BORN ON NOVEMBER 19

1927: Joe Hunter (the Funk Brothers)
1942: Fred Lipsius (Blood, Sweat & Tears)
1960: Matt Sorum (The Cult, Guns N’ Roses)
1965: Jason Pierce (Spiritualized)
1971: Justin Chancellor (Tool)