Music History Today: July 17, 2022

July 17, 1967: Bobbie Gentry debuted on Billboard's Pop Singles chart with "Ode To Billie Joe." 

In July of 1967, Capitol Records released “Ode to Billie Joe,” a spooky wisp of a song by an unknown artist named Bobbie Gentry.

Bobby Gentry

 

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Industry wisdom said “Ode” was too dark, too long, too different to get played on the radio. It was a smash hit. 

Read more: Rolling Stone

July 17, 1928: Jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi, noted composer of music for Charles Schulz's Peanuts, was born Vincent Anthony Dellaglio in San Francisco, California.

 

July 17, 1965: "Here Comes the Night" by Them featuring Van Morrison peaked at Number 24 on the US singles chart.

The song that put Van Morrison in the charts for the second time, in his salad days with Northern Irish R&B-rock outfit Them, was new in British record shops on March 5, 1965.

Them featuring Van Morrison.

Inauspiciously, it had just been a relative flop for teenage singer Lulu, but when record-buyers heard Them’s version of “Here Comes The Night,” the result was their second Top 10 hit in quick succession. 

Read more: U Discover Music

 

July 17, 1971: The Doors' "Riders On the Storm" boldly moved from Number 64 to 50 on Billboard's Hot 100.

This was the last song Jim Morrison recorded. He went to France and died a few weeks later.

Jim Morrison

The single was released in June 1971, shortly before Morrison's death. The song can be seen as an autobiographical account of Morrison's life: he considered himself a "Rider on the storm." 

Read more: Songfacts

July 17, 1982: "Let It Whip" by The Dazz Band peaked at Number 5 in the US.

"Let It Whip" by the Dazz Band was their biggest hit, peaking at number one on the R&B chart for five non-consecutive weeks and number two on the Dance chart. The song won the 1982 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. 

Read more: Wikipedia

Ode To Billie Joe
Bobbie Gentry