Eagle Classic Hitstory July 20 on birminghamseagle.com

On This Day in Eagle Classic Hitstory...

July 20

1945
Kim Carnes is born in Pasadena, Calif. In the late 1960s she is a member of the New Christy Minstrels (along with husband Dave Ellingson and Kenny Rogers). Her biggest hit is the million-selling record "Bette Davis Eyes."

1947
Carlos Santana is born in Autlan de Navarro, Mexico. He forms the group Santana in San Francisco in 1966. The group’s biggest hits are the top 10 songs "Evil Ways" and "Black Magic Woman" and the No. 1 "Smooth" with matchbox twenty’s Rob Thomas.

1955
Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony is born.

1963
Jan & Dean's "Surf City" tops the singles chart just two weeks after its release.

1964
Chris Cornell, singer and guitarist for Seattle megagroup, Soundgarden is born in Seattle, Wash.

1964
The Beatles released two records this week: "And I Love Her" backed with "If I Fell" and "I'll Cry Instead" with "I'm Happy Just to Dance" on the other side.

1965
Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" is released by Columbia records. The disc turns out to be his biggest hit ever, climbing to number two on the U.S. pop chart and number four in the U.K.

1965
Kama Sutra Records releases the Lovin' Spoonful's first record, Do You Believe in Magic. It will reach #9 on the pop chart.

1967
Jerry Lee Lewis returns to the scene of his May 1958 demise - England. He discovers there are a few English rock & rollers willing to forgive and actually never deserted him. His shows are well attended and reviews favorable.

1968
Jane Asher announces on national British TV show, Dee Time, that her engagement to Paul McCartney was off. McCartney reportedly was watching and was surprised by the news.

1968
Iron Butterfly's "In-a-Gadda-da-Vida", featuring the 17-minute title track with one of the longest drum solos in rock history debuts on the U.S. charts.

Iron Butterfly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
by SamFisher037

1968
Cream's Wheels Of Fire LP enters the chart. It hits #1 and features the single "White Room."

1974
Bob Dylan's Before the Flood LP enters the chart as does The Grateful Dead's Grateful Dead From The Mars Hotel.

1974
Joey Ramone steps out from behind the drum kit and becomes the lead vocalist for The Ramones.

1975
"Miami" Steve Van Zandt performs for the first time in concert as a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band in Providence, Rhode Island.

1977
Gary Kellgren, operator and part owner of two of the most popular recording studios on the West coast, the Los Angeles Record Plant and the Sausalito Record Plant, drowns in a Hollywood swimming pool. He had engineered and produced albums by Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Rod Stewart, Barbara Streisand, and Sly & the Family Stone. He was 38.

1979
E.L.O. takes out advertisements in magazines dedicating the release of "Don't Bring Me Down" to NASA's Skylab project.

1982
No. 1 Hit: "Eye of the Tiger," Survivor. The song is the theme from the film Rocky III.

1985
Sting's solo debut, The Dream of the Blue Turtles enters the album charts. The LP features the hits, "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" and "Fortress Around Your Heart."

1985
Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart's remake of Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready" peaks at #48 on the chart.

1986
Van Halen's manager Ed Leffler is beaten up by an unknown assailant in a Dallas hotel elevator. He is hospitalized.

1986
Sid and Nancy, a film biography of the Sex Pistols, premieres in London. Gary Oldman plays Sid Vicious.

1986
Santana celebrates their 20th anniversary at a concert in San Francisco that features a jam with all previous members of the band.

1987
Production wraps on Prince's third movie, Sign O' The Times in Minneapolis.

1987
Mick Jagger shoots the video for his solo hit, "Let's Work" in New York.

1991
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers' Into The Great Wide Open LP enters the chart.

1996
Kim Thayil of Soundgarden is arrested for assault and then later released after playing on the Lollapalooza ‘96 tour stop in N. Carolina.

1998
Veteran musician, music executive, and manager Jim Tyrrell dies of heart failure in New York. He is 67. Tyrrell had a 10-year career at then-CBS Records.

1999
In his speech at the 4th annual Plug.In music and technology conference, Public Enemy rapper Chuck D sings the praises of the coming digital download age.

July 20 Birthdays