Music History Today: April 17, 2022

April 17, 1982: Elton John moved into the Top 40 with his tribute to John Lennon, "Empty Garden."

John Lennon was killed on December 8, 1980. In 1981, Elton John recorded a tribute song to Lennon that was released in 1982.

Elton John

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John had been good friends with Lennon and initially balked at the idea of a tribute song. But he changed his mind upon seeing Bernie Taupin’s lyrics for “Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny).” 

Read more: Chimes Freedom

April 17, 1965: The Miracles moved into the American Top 40 with "Ooo, Baby Baby."

Written by Smokey Robinson and fellow Miracle Pete Moore, "Ooo Baby Baby" was a number 4 hit on the Billboard R&B singles chart and reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. A slow, remorseful number, "Ooo Baby Baby" features Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson lamenting the fact that he cheated on his woman, and begging for her to overlook his mistakes and please forgive him. 

Read more: Wikipedia

April 17, 1971: All four former Beatles have solo singles on the UK chart: Ringo Starr: "It Don't Come Easy," George Harrison: "My Sweet Lord," John Lennon: "Power To The People," and Paul McCartney; "Another Day."

April 17, 1976: Gary Wright's "Love Is Alive" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 single's chart.  

"Love Is Alive" by Gary Wright was taken from the 1975 album The Dream Weaver. The album's title cut and "Love Is Alive" both peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

"Kiss and Say Goodbye" by The Manhattans and "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by Elton John and Kiki Dee kept "Love Is Alive" from the number one spot. 

Read more: Wikipedia

April 17, 1982: Huey Lewis and the News peaked at Number 7 on the US Top 10 with "Do You Believe in Love."

Huey Lewis and the News found fame with their 1982 single “Do You Believe in Love.”  The song reached No. 7 in May 1982 and helped propel the band’s second album, Picture This, to gold sales. I

Huey Lewis and the News

 It was a new take on the 1979 song “We Both Believe in Love,” which was written by Robert John “Mutt” Lange, who sang it with the British band Supercharge and, coincidentally, worked with Lewis as a producer of his earlier band Clover. 

Read more: Ultimate Classic Rock

Empty Garden
Elton John