The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com.
Just a couple of highlights from this week in music history!
APR 10: Happy birthday to Katrina Leskanich, best known as the lead vocalist for the band Katrina and the Waves, born today in 1960! Katrina moved to England in the 1970s, where she eventually formed the band with guitarist Kimberley Rew, keyboardist Vince de la Cruz, bassist Bob Jakins, and drummer Alex Cooper.
The band gained international fame in the 1980s with their hit song "Walking on Sunshine," which remains their most recognized track. The song's infectious energy and catchy
melody propelled it to the top of charts worldwide and made it a staple of pop culture.
In 1997, Katrina and the Waves achieved further success when they won the Eurovision Song Contest for the United Kingdom with the song "Love Shine a Light." This victory solidified their place in music history and earned them widespread acclaim.
Although Katrina and the Waves disbanded in 1999, Katrina Leskanich continued her musical career as a solo artist. She released several solo albums and remained active in the music industry, performing live and collaborating with other artists.
APR 18: Sadly, Dickey Betts the legendary guitarist, singer, and songwriter, best known as one of the founding members of the Allman Brothers Band, passed away today at age 80. Born on December 12, 1943, in West Palm Beach, Florida, Betts played a significant role in shaping the sound of the Allman Brothers Band with his distinctive guitar style, which incorporated elements of blues, jazz, and country music.
Betts joined the Allman Brothers Band in the late 1960s and became one of the
primary songwriters alongside Gregg Allman. He contributed iconic songs to the band's repertoire, including "Ramblin' Man," "Blue Sky," and "Jessica." His intricate guitar work and melodic solos were integral to the band's sound, helping to define the Southern rock genre.
Despite his contributions to the Allman Brothers Band's success, Betts had a tumultuous relationship with the group, marked by internal conflicts and lineup changes. He left the band in the late 1990s but continued to pursue a solo career and perform with his own band, Great Southern.
Dickey Betts' influence on rock music, particularly Southern rock, is profound, and his legacy as a guitarist and songwriter remains enduring in the annals of music history. Betts along with his Allman Brothers bandmates was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. RIP
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