The first session of the recording of “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” took place on November 22, 1967. A second session took place on December 7 of that year. The distinctive whistling at the end of the record was improvised by Otis Redding during recording, serving as a placeholder for a planned third verse that he never got to write before his passing in a plane crash on December 10.
The late great Otis Redding was born on this date in 1941. Lotsa Otis on today’s playlist.
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FUN FACT: Coolio is not the name on this rapper’s birth certificate. He was born Artis Leon Ivey Jr. and got his stage name from a nickname he had as a teenager: Coolio Iglesias. Of course that’s a play on singer Julio Iglesias, with whom Coolio performed a version of “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” in 1999. So next time you listen to “Gangsta’s Paradise,” remember that there’s a little bit of Julio in Coolio 😂
The late Artis Leon Ivey Jr. was born on this date in 1963. A couple of his best-known tracks are on today’s playlist.
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Founding member of The Temptations Paul Williams was born on this date in 1939. He died apparently by his own hand at just 34 years of age. Tunes du Jour honors his memory on today’s playlist with a smattering of the group’s many great tracks.
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Back in 2016, when Donald Trump was a candidate for president of the United States of America without impeachments and indictments on his resume, the classic song “Love Train” was played at the Republican National Convention. The O’Jays were not supportive of this use of their hit. Group member Walter Williams said “Our music, and most especially ‘Love Train,’ is about bringing people together, not building walls. I don’t appreciate being associated with Mr. Trump and his usage of our music without permission.” Added group member Eddie Levert, “I don’t agree, whatsoever, with Trump’s politics to the point where I think he just may be the anti-Christ.”
The O’Jays’ Eddie Levert turns 81 today. A few of his group’s hits are included on today’s playlist.
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I love me some Curtis Mayfield. “Superfly,” “Freddie’s Dead, “ “People Get Ready,” “This Is My Country,” “Choice of Colors,” “Amen,” “It’s All Right,” “Gypsy Woman,” “Keep On Pushing.” Then there are his songs popularized by other artists: “Let’s Do It Again,” “On and On,” “He Will Break Your Heart,” “Something He Can Feel.” What a great catalogue! I guess you could say he made an IMPRESSION on me. Get it? Boy, I’m good.
The late Curtis Mayfield was born on this date in 1942. Some of his work is included on today’s playlist.
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