Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Music History Today: June 10, 2021

June 10, 1978: John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John's Grease duet "You're The One That I Want" hits Number 1 in the US.

If you didn’t like John Travolta’s face, then 1978 must’ve been a tough year for you. Saturday Night Fever, which made Travolta a star, opened in theaters during the last month of 1977. 

John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John in Grease
John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John

(sign up to follow by email) 

The film ended up as the #3 box-office hit released in 1977, a year that also gave us Star Wars and Close Encounters Of The Third Kid. Six months later, Travolta starred in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Grease. 

Read more: Stereogum

June 10, 1970: Brian Hyland released "Gypsy Woman" from his self-titled album.

"Gypsy Woman" is a 1961 rhythm and blues song written by Curtis Mayfield and recorded by his group the Impressions. The group's first single following the departure of lead singer Jerry Butler, it reached No. 2 on the R&B chart, 

Brian Hyland
Brian Hyland

In 1970, Brian Hyland recorded the hit version of the song, produced by Del Shannon, which went up to Number 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and in Canada, and number 4 in South Africa. 

Read more: Wikipedia

June 10,  1972: Sammy Davis, Jr.'s "The Candy Man" tops the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“The Candy Man” came from Willie Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, the rapturous and psychedelic kids’ musical. 

Willie Wonka Gene Wilder
Willie Wonka Gene Wilder

The candy shop owner sings it in the scene where he’s tells a bunch of kids about the magical properties of Wonka products. 
Read more: Stereogum

 

June 10, 1978: "On Broadway" by George Benson peaks at Number 7 in America.

"On Broadway" was a song that went through many configurations. Songwriters Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil originally wrote it with a girl group in mind.

George Benson
George Benson

The producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller liked it for the Drifters, and after some tweaking, it became an early-'60s Brill Building classic. Years later, George Benson, the leading jazz-pop artist, tackled it for his 1978 live album, Weekend in LA. 
Read more: Allmusic

June 10, 1989: "Wind Beneath My Wings" from Bette Midler moved to Number 1.

"Wind Beneath My Wings" was written in 1982 by Jeff Silbar and Larry Henley. The pair recorded a demo of the song, and offered it around to many artists.

Beaches with Bette Midler & Barbara Hershey
Bette Midler & Barbara Hershey

Bette Midler recorded a version of the song for the soundtrack of 1988 drama Beaches, in which she also starred as singer CC Bloom. 

Read more: Smooth Radio 

Grease
John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John 

No comments:

Post a Comment