07/12/2025
Music notes for July 12:
The late Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac born this date. She played keyboards and supplied the lead vocals on hits like “Over My Head”, “Say You Love Me”, “You Make Lovin’ Fun” and “Don’t Stop”.
2012 - Steven Tyler announced that he would be leaving American Idol after two seasons, with a statement saying, "After some long hard thoughts I've decided it's time for me to let go of my mistress 'American Idol' before she boils my rabbit. I strayed from my first love, Aerosmith and I'm back but instead of begging on my hands and knees, I got two fists in the air and I'm kicking the door open with my band‘.
1986 - Simply Red scored their first No.1 single with 'Holding Back The Years'. Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall wrote the song when he was seventeen, while living at his father's house. The chorus did not come to him until many years later.
1979 - singer songwriter Minnie Riperton died of cancer aged 31. The Stevie Wonder produced 'Loving You' gave Minnie a No.1 single in 1975. She worked at Chess records singing backup for various artists such as Etta James, Fontella Bass, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters. She also sang lead for the experimental rock/soul group Rotary Connection, from 1967 to 1971. Her daughter is actor/comedian Maya Rudolph.
1969 - One Hit Wonders Zager and Evans started a six week run at No.1 on the singles chart with 'In The Year 2525’.
1969 - Blind Faith, a supergroup with Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood, begin their US tour with a show at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Their album isn't released yet, but the show is still a sellout thanks to Clapton's star power.
1965 - The Beach Boys released 'California Girls'. Written by Wilson and Mike Love the song reached No.3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a top 10 hit in several other countries, becoming one of the band's most successful songs globally. The track inspired The Beatles' parody Back in the U.S.S.R.