On this day in music, June 10, 2004, singer, songwriter, and pianist Ray Charles died at the age of 73. One of the most influential artists of all time, Charles (also known as “The Genius”) pioneered the sound of soul music with his blend of R&B, jazz, blues, and gospel. In the 50s and 60s, Charles broke several glass ceilings as a Black artist, as he found crossover success on the pop charts and fought successfully to gain artistic control over his recordings. A Kennedy Center Honoree and an inaugural inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Charles won 18 Grammys (including a Lifetime Achievement Award and five posthumous awards) and scored countless Top 40 hits, including his signature chart-topper, “Georgia on My Mind.”
In 1975, the Eagles released their fourth studio album, One of These Nights. Featuring the US Top Ten hits “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Take It to the Limit,” and the title track, One of These Nights also became the band’s first album to top the Billboard 200.
In 2007, Rihanna scored her first No.1 album in the UK with Good Girl Gone Bad. The album was bolstered by the artist’s No.1 hit, “Umbrella,” which spent an astonishing 10 consecutive weeks at the top of the UK pop chart.
In 1989, actor Jason Donovan became the first Australian to debut at the top of the UK pop chart with a cover of Brian Hyland’s “Sealed with a Kiss.” Donovan would go on to hit No.1 three more times.
In 1978, Grease stars John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John scored a No.1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “You’re the One that I Want,” a single from the blockbuster film’s soundtrack. The song also topped the charts in the UK, Australia, Israel, and West Germany, among other territories.
In 1966, The Monkees entered Los Angeles’ RCA Studios for their first recording session. Joined by backing band The Wrecking Crew, plus legendary singer-songwriter Leon Russell (who served as a co-producer alongside Snuff Garrett), the band recorded “Take a Giant Step” and “Let’s Dance On.”
BORN ON JUNE 10
1910: Howlin’ Wolf
1922: Judy Garland
1941: Shirley Owens (The Shirelles)
1961: Kelley Deal (The Breeders)
1961: Kim Deal (Pixies, The Breeders)
1964: Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins)
1965: Joey Santiago (Pixies)
1967: Darren “Big Buff” Robinson (The Fat Boys)
1973: Faith Evans
2004: GAYLE
Litchfield Community Education summer activities for youth are in full swing. Baseball, golf, tennis, basketball, hockey and more have all started or will begin very soon.
Litchfield Community Education Director Grant Solem says it’s nice with modern technology for him and the coaches to spread the word about rain issues or rescheduling with mass text messages to all of the participants. He says they don’t offer many adult activities in the summer because people are so busy with other things, but they do have a bus trip coming up for adults to the Chanhassen Dinner Theater in September.
Solem says Litchfield Community Theatre will be presenting “Mary Poppins” July 23rd through the 26th. He says rehearsals are already underway, with Tim Nelson directing, and tickets will go on sale soon.
Solem says they sent summer activity booklets home with K-6 students in May, but if anyone would like to get a copy, they’re available in the Litchfield Community Education office in the Wagner Building on East 6th Street. He says if anyone has questions, they’re welcome to call 693-2354.
On this day in music, June 9, 1972, Elvis Presley made history by selling out four consecutive nights at Madison Square Garden. It’s no surprise that tickets were in demand, given that The King hadn’t played New York City for more than a decade. Attending the dates were a variety of stars, including John Lennon, George Harrison, David Bowie, Art Garfunkel, and Bob Dylan. The long-awaited engagement was recorded and released just nine days later as the live album Elvis: As Recorded at Madison Square Garden.
In 1990, MC Hammer broke Billboard records with his third album, Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em. The record, which featured his smash hit “U Can’t Touch This,” remained at No.1 for 21 consecutive weeks – marking the longest uninterrupted stay at the top position.
In 1978, The Rolling Stones released Some Girls, their first album to feature Ronnie Wood as a full-time band member. The album included such hits as “Beast of Burden” and the disco-influenced “Miss You.”
In 2017, Glen Campbell released his 64th and final album, Adios, after his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease. The album was recorded after the celebrated singer-songwriter concluded his farewell tour. Campbell died a little over a year later.
In 1990, Wilson Phillips (featuring daughters of Beach Boy Brian Wilson and the Mamas & the Papas’ John and Michelle Phillips) topped the Billboard Hot 100 with “Hold On.” Exactly 25 years earlier, Wendy and Carnie Wilson’s father, Brian, was also at No.1, with The Beach Boys’ “Help Me Rhonda.”
In 1984, Cyndi Lauper scored her first No.1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Time After Time.”
In 1972, Bruce Springsteen signed with Columbia Records. He would release his debut album, Greetings from Asbury Park the following January.
BORN ON JUNE 9
1891: Cole Porter (composer, songwriter)
1915: Les Paul
1934: Jackie Wilson
1947: Mick Box (Uriah Heep)
1970: Ed Simons (Chemical Brothers)
1978: Matt Bellamy (Muse)
1980: James Walsh (Starsailor)
The Parade of Bands in Litchfield is coming up one week from today – June 16th at 6 p.m. The parade will be on Armstrong Avenue from 10th to 5th Streets, then east on 5th Street to Gilman Avenue and then north on Gilman to Litchfield High School.
Heather Winkelman is part of the Parade of Bands Committee and is coordinating the vendors. She says there will be about a dozen vendors will be set up on 6th Street – between Gilman and Armstrong Avenues – including a couple of Mexican food stands again, along with the Lions hamburger stand, Adventure Bowls, Gypsy Bowls, mini-donuts and some new vendors such as the LAMP popcorn and dirty soda stand, Grandpa Steve’s kettle corn and Autie Em’s gluten-free food stand.
Winkelman says the bands will include Benson, Foley, KMS, Albany, Alexandria, Fergus Falls, Milaca, Richfield, Sartell, Sauk Rapids-Rice, Owatonna, St. Michael-Albertville and Litchfield. She says People’s Choice award ballots will be handed out before the parade along 5th Street and they will be collected before the Litchfield High School Marching Band performs.
Winkelman says they will have a QR code posted at the vendor booths and also on their Facebook page so that those attending can see the order of the bands and some information about each of them. She says any donations towards the Parade of Bands is greatly appreciated to cover expenses and they may be dropped off at the Chamber office in downtown Litchfield.