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On this day in music history: May 20, 1967 - "Groovin'" by The Young Rascals hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks (non-consecutive), also peaking at #3 on the R&B singles chart on the same date. Written by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, it is the second chart topping single for the New York City-based blue eyed soul/pop rock quartet. For the band's sixth single release, they will venture into new musical territory. Taking an interest in Afro-Cuban music, keyboardist and lead vocalist Cavaliere along with percussionist Brigati will come up with a leisurely paced groove with that sound in mind, and begin crafting a song around it. Lyrically, it will be about how the only time the two busy musicians could spend with their respective girlfriends was on Sundays. When they get into the studio to cut the track, they will enlist the assistance of veteran studio bassist Chuck Rainey to play on the song. Once it's completed, the band will present the song to Atlantic Records, who at first are unsure of the song's commercial potential. Famed New York DJ Murray "The K" will convince the label to release song after he expresses his enthusiasm for it. Released on April 10, 1967, it is an immediate smash. Entering the Hot 100 at #79 on April 22, 1967, it will rocket to the top of the chart just four weeks later. "Groovin'" will prove to have major staying power once it reaches the summit. After two weeks at the top, it will be bumped from the #1 spot by Aretha Franklin's "Respect" for two weeks, then it will return to the top for an additional two weeks. "Groovin'" will be certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

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Born on this day: May 13, 1950 - Singer,songwriter, producer, and musician Stevie Wonder (born Stevland Hardaway Judkins in Saginaw, MI). Happy 63rd Birthday, Stevie! We love you!

On this day in music history: May 13, 1977 - “I Remember Yesterday,” the fifth studio album by Donna Summer is released. Produced by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Belotte, it is recorded at Musicland Studios in Munich, Germany in early 1977. It is a concept album comprised of popular music throughout the decades (from the 1940s to the 1970s) with Moroder and Belotte’s electronic dance rhythms intermingling with music from the past, present, and future. The initial single from the album is the ballad “Can’t We Just Sit Down (And Talk It Over?),” but club DJ’s will discover the track “I Feel Love” on the B-side. The last track on the LP, “I Feel Love” conceptually represents the “future” of music. The groundbreaking song will quickly become a smash in discos around the world, crossing over to radio and hitting #1 in the UK, #6 on the Hot 100 and spend three weeks at #1 the Billboard Club Play chart. “I Remember Yesterday” will peak at #18 on the Billboard Top 200, #11 on the R&B album chart, #3 on the UK album chart, and is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
 

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On this day in music history: May 6, 1972 - The eponymously titled duet album by Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway is released. Produced by Joel Dorn and Arif Mardin, it is recorded at Altantic Recording Studios in New York City from March, August 12th to October 15, 1971. It is the first of three collaborations from the two friends and labelmates. The idea for the pairing will be suggested by Atlantic executive and producer Jerry Wexler, to heighten the profile of both artists. Months prior to the album's release, it will be proceeded by the release of two singles, including covers of James Taylor's then recent hit "You've Got A Friend" (#8 R&B, #29 Pop) and The Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" (#30 R&B, #71 Pop). The Spring 1972 release of the album will coincide with Flack's breakthrough smash "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," which was still holding the #1 spot on the Hot 100 at the time. The album will also be issued simultaneously with the single "Where Is The Love" (1 R&B, #5 Pop), which will be a huge crossover hit, winning Flack and Hathaway a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance By A Duo Or Group in 1973. Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway will peak at #2 on the Billboard R&B album chart, #3 on the Top 200, and is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

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Born on this day: April 29, 1899 - Composer, bandleader and pianist Duke Ellington (born Edward Kennedy Ellington in Washington DC). Happy Birthday to this jazz giant, born 114 years ago today. We ♥ you madly, Duke!!

Born on this day: April 29, 1922 - Jazz guitarist/harmonica virtuoso and whistler extraordinaire Toots Thielemans (born Jean-Baptiste Frederic Isidor, Baron Thielemans in Brussels, Belgium). Happy 91st Birthday, Toots!!
 

Born on this day: April 29, 1945 - Motown vocal legend Tammi Terrell (born Thomasina Winifred Montgomery in Philadelphia, PA). Happy Birthday to this "Sweetheart of Motown" on what would have been her 68th Birthday.
 

On this day in music history: April 29, 1968 - Ridin' High, the fifth studio album by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas is released. Produced by Richard Morris, it is recorded at Motown Studio A in Detroit from mid-1967 to early 1968. The album will be the group's first since the departure of producers William "Mickey" Stevenson and Holland-Dozier-Holland from Motown. Staff producer Richard Morris will fill the void, collaborating with songwriter/producer Sylvia Moy (Stevie Wonder). The pair will write the groups' last two top 40 pop hits "Honey Chile" (#5 R&B, #11 Pop) and "Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone" (#14 R&B, #25 Pop), with the album spinning off a third single "(We've Got) Honey Love" (#27 R&B, #57 Pop). The album will also mark the debut of Lois Reeves (Martha's younger sister), replacing longtime member Betty Kelly (1963-1968) from the group.  Ridin' High will peak at #167 on the Billboard Top 200.
 

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Born on this day: April 22, 1922 - Jazz music icon Charles Mingus (born Charles Mingus, Jr. in Nogales, AZ). Happy Birthday to this visionary genius on what would have been his 91st Birthday.
 

Born on this day: April 22, 1936 - Singer/songwriter/guitarist Glen Campbell (born Glen Travis Campbell in Delight, AR). Happy 77th Birthday, Glen!!
 

On this day in music history: April 22, 1968 - The Birds, The Bees, & The Monkees, the fifth album by The Monkees is released. Produced by The Monkees and Chip Douglas, it is recorded at RCA Studios, Gold Star Studios and United/Western Studios in Hollywood, CA from Late 1967 - Early 1968. The bands' fifth release will see them beginning to go their separate ways with each producing their own tracks with studio musicians, rather than working as a unit as on the previous two albums. The album will also be the last from The Monkees to be issued with separate mono and stereo mixes, with the former containing unique mixes and being pressed in such small quantities that they will become collector's items. It will spin off two singles including "Daydream Believer" (#1 Pop) and "Valleri" (#3 Pop). The Birds, The Bees, & The Monkees will peak at #3 on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.