This Week In Music History May 12-18

Posted by Lilly Duncan on May 28, 2019

The week in music history brought to you by MusicGoldmine.com.

MAY 12: Happy Birthday to Steve Winwood, born today in 1948!🎂🎶 Winwood has been a member of The Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith, and Go. He has had a successful solo career, as well. He began performing with his father at age 8 and was so obviously underage that his piano was turned away from audience view during pub gigs! Winwood has won two Grammys and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Traffic in 2004.

MAY 13: Happy birthday to Stevie Wonder, born today in 1950!🎂🎹🎤 The child prodigy signed with Motown’s Tamla label at age 11. Not only did he perform at such a young age, but he performed his own compositions. Over the years, Wonder has become involved in activism supporting political causes. He has won 25 Grammy awards and sold over 100 million records worldwide!

MAY 14: On this day in 1998, Frank Sinatra passed away at 82 after suffering a heart attack. 😢 During his lengthy career, he had 25 Top 40 singles. Sinatra was a key figure of the Rat Pack and crossed all genres with his music. He has sold over 150 million records worldwide!

MAY 15: Today in 1971, Crosby Stills Nash & Young had their second #1 album in the U.S., 4 Way Street. The album featured live performances and was their third album. Documenting their tour of the previous year, this album featured live shows in LA, Chicago, and NY.

MAY 16: Today in 1974, Brian May of Queen were touring the US when the guitarist collapsed in NY!😮 He was flown back to the UK and was found to be suffering from hepatitis.

MAY 17: On this day in 1975, Elton John’s LP Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy was certified Platinum by the RIAA. It was the first album to be certified Platinum on the day of its release!

MAY 18: On this day in 1967, The Young Rascals were at #1 with “Groovin’”. The song was a bit different from their other work. Group member and co-writer Felix Cavaliere reflected on the song, “We had just cut it, and he [Murray the K] came in the studio to say hello. After he heard the song, he said, 'Man, this is a smash.' So, when he later heard that Atlantic didn't want to put it out, he went to see Jerry Wexler and said, 'Are you crazy? This is a friggin' No. 1 record.' He was right, because it eventually became No. 1 for four straight weeks."

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