Music History Today: August 26, 2022

August 26, 2003: Rolling Stone Magazine named Jimi Hendrix the greatest guitarist in Rock history. Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, and Chuck Berry also made the top 10 list.

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August 26, 1949: Singer-songwriter Leon Redbone, a musician specializing in jazz, blues, and Tin Pan Alley classics, was born.

Leon Redbone’s career first gained momentum in the early ‘70’s when Bob Dylan sought him out at the Mariposa Folk Festival.

Leon Redbone

In a Rolling Stone interview, Dylan mentioned that if he ever started a label, Redbone would be the first artist he wanted to record. 

Read more: Leon Redbone

 

August 26 1978: Foxy's dance hit, "Get Off," moved into Billboard's top 40 section.

Four of the five members of Foxy left Cuba and arrived in Miami in 1959. Percussionist Richie Puente is the son of Tito Puente. When KC & The Sunshine Band were on tour, Foxy became the house band for Miami's TK Productions. 

Read more: Songfacts

August 26, 2000: Eminem entered Billboard's Hot 100 with "The Way I Am." 

"The Way I Am" is one of the rare songs for which Eminem has sole songwriting credit.

Eminem

It features a much darker and emotionally driven sound than the album's lead single "The Real Slim Shady". "The Way I Am" peaked at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Read more: Wikipedia

August 26, 2001: Kosheen took over at the top of Billboard's Official Dance Singles Chart with "Hide U."

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Jimi Hendrix