Born:  Louis Jordan, 1908; Billy Eckstine,1914

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1908   Louis Jordan—-considered to be the father of rhythm and blues—-was born today. With his Tympany 5 (which actually had nine members) Jordan became the opening act for the Mills Brothers in 1938. His innovative and humorous style led him to become the most popular R&B recording act of the ’40s, with fifty-seven hits between 1942 and 1951. His jump blues and jazz fusion paved the way for R&B’s influence on rock ‘n’ roll.

1950   Nat King Cole entered the R&B hitlist with one of his best-loved recordings, “Mona Lisa,” reaching #1 for four weeks and topping the pop charts for eight. The song was from the Alan Ladd film Captain Carey.

1963   Little Stevie Wonder performed “Fingertips, Part 2” on American Bandstand.

1972   The O’Jays charted with “Backstabbers,” reaching #1 R&B and #3 pop, their first of a career ten R&B chart toppers.

1995   TLC’s “Waterfalls” reached #1 pop for seven weeks and #4 R&B. It was the trio’s second of four #1s, including “Creep,” “No Scrubs,” and “Unpretty.’