UK Singles Chart

[msc 18,437]

2 minutes ago, Ulitzer95 said:

Yup, Rafferty will be in the next one. I have the Night Owl album on vinyl. Stick it on every now and then. Get it Right Next Time also one of my all time favourites.

 

My introduction to Rafferty's solo work that one. About 20 years ago I was listening to Virgin radio and they had Tom Baker (!) of all people as a guest host. He announced "If you don't know this genius you need to,  now" and started playing Get It Right Next Time.

[YoungWillz 21,026]

Purple Hearts.

 

Gary Sparks says he was 19 when he was signing the contracts: http://www.thepurplehearts.co.uk/Purple_Hearts_James_Cooper/gary_sparks_interview_nov_2000.htm Indication the band were from Romford - dunno, my geography is shocking, would that tie in with Southwark? That would tie in with a birth date of c. 1960

 

LinkedIn has a Gary E Sparks who works a carpentry business in Ilford. Sparks was a carpentry apprentice and says in the interview he works for himself as a carpenter so might be him?

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

22 minutes ago, YoungWillz said:

Pratt & McClain.

 

Jerry McClain (out of Pasadena, California) contact details here include a reference to a School of Management: https://contactout.com/Jerry-McClain-13552475

 

This would fit in with this Jerry McClain who graduated from Pasadena High School in 1960: https://old-friends.co/studentRecord.php?s=139*477295&dd=

 

I'm not American, but is that going to take us back to early 1940s, born Pasadena?

Thanks YW. I just had a look. There are a few Gerald McClain/McLane/McClane/McLain's (Mc and Mac names are a NIGHTMARE for records as there's never consistency!) but they're all born between 1935 and 1940. Too old if the one we're looking for graduated in 1960?

Determine to tick this one off so I will keep digging.

Is this him here singing on YouTube? This is from 8 years ago, and he looks frail. I note the wheelchair. There is a stream of these clips, for about 2 years. Then they just stop. Could he have passed? Surely not. The death of the co-singer of the Happy Days theme is not something that goes unnoticed?
 

 

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

16 minutes ago, YoungWillz said:

Purple Hearts.

 

Gary Sparks says he was 19 when he was signing the contracts: http://www.thepurplehearts.co.uk/Purple_Hearts_James_Cooper/gary_sparks_interview_nov_2000.htm Indication the band were from Romford - dunno, my geography is shocking, would that tie in with Southwark? That would tie in with a birth date of c. 1960

 

LinkedIn has a Gary E Sparks who works a carpentry business in Ilford. Sparks was a carpentry apprentice and says in the interview he works for himself as a carpenter so might be him?

On the money here. That must be him then. Southwark is central London. Romford is over Essex way (though now part of Greater London) which is why I wasn't sure it was him. They must have moved at some point.

SPARKS, GARY E. b. 1960 SOUTHWARK / MOTHER'S SURNAME: HERTRICH

Definitely him. Added!

[YoungWillz 21,026]

9 minutes ago, Ulitzer95 said:

Thanks YW. I just had a look. There are a few Gerald McClain/McLane/McClane/McLain's (Mc and Mac names are a NIGHTMARE for records as there's never consistency!) but they're all born between 1935 and 1940. Too old if the one we're looking for graduated in 1960?

Determine to tick this one off so I will keep digging.

Is this him here singing on YouTube? This is from 8 years ago, and he looks frail. I note the wheelchair. There is a stream of these clips, for about 2 years. Then they just stop. Could he have passed? Surely not. The death of the co-singer of the Happy Days theme is not something that goes unnoticed?
 

 

Not him. This is the 80+ yo from Washington State who has Alzheimers. Clue is he's black. Our Jerry isn't.

 

Maybe he's really a Jerry as in Tom and Jerry?

 

EDIT: Or a GERARD? Gawd, the permutations...yeah it's looking like 1942/44 we are looking for.

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

2 minutes ago, YoungWillz said:

Not him. This is the 80+ yo from Washington State who has Alzheimers. Clue is he's black. Our Jerry isn't.

 

Maybe he's really a Jerry as in Tom and Jerry?

 

EDIT: Or a GERARD? Gawd, the permutations...yeah it's looking like 1942/44 we are looking for.

I definitely need an early night. I knew the Jerry we were looking for is white. I didn't even notice the guy in the video is black! 

I did try Jerry. Hmm I might try Gerard and maybe even Geoffrey/Jeffrey.

[YoungWillz 21,026]

The Quads.

 

Dunno if this will be of much help but there's this (scroll to page 12): https://www.marxists.org/history/etol/newspape/socialist-challenge/sc-n191-apr-02-1981.pdf

 

Says the band were from Acocks Green, Birmingham and that Josh Jones was the oldest of the brothers. All I know. Surely there couldn't be that many Joshes in that part of Birmingham in the 1960s/70s?

[RoverAndOut 4,746]

3 hours ago, YoungWillz said:

Pratt & McClain.

Jerry McClain (out of Pasadena, California) contact details here include a reference to a School of Management: https://contactout.com/Jerry-McClain-13552475

This would fit in with this Jerry McClain who graduated from Pasadena High School in 1960: https://old-friends.co/studentRecord.php?s=139*477295&dd=

I'm not American, but is that going to take us back to early 1940s, born Pasadena?

 

2 hours ago, Ulitzer95 said:

I definitely need an early night. I knew the Jerry we were looking for is white. I didn't even notice the guy in the video is black! 
I did try Jerry. Hmm I might try Gerard and maybe even Geoffrey/Jeffrey.

 

I may actually be able to contribute to something on this thread!  Fancied a little detective work before bed and agreed with Ulitzer that this guy shouldn't be that difficult to trace. Found this link to a book called 'Happy Days and Dark Nights' by Jerry and Susanne McClain: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Happy-Days-Nights-Jerry-McClain/dp/0964105810 which must surely be the same guy? Published 1996.

 

Did a Google search for Susanne McClaine and the top Facebook choice was this woman: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008641597784 'Married to Jerry for 50 years'! Here they are in 2019:

                                                                                    

 

One of the comments on the picture, from February 11th 2019 says 'Happy birthday Jerry!' Year eludes me, but I didn't do an exhaustive search. Still - it's a start? 

 

There you go @YoungWillz, done one for ya! 

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

7 minutes ago, RoverAndOut said:

 

 

I may actually be able to contribute to something on this thread!  Fancied a little detective work before bed and agreed with Ulitzer that this guy shouldn't be that difficult to trace. Found this link to a book called 'Happy Days and Dark Nights' by Jerry and Susanne McClain: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Happy-Days-Nights-Jerry-McClain/dp/0964105810 which must surely be the same guy? Published 1996.

 

Did a Google search for Susanne McClaine and the top Facebook choice was this woman: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008641597784 'Married to Jerry for 50 years'! Here they are in 2019:

                                                                                    

 

One of the comments on the picture, from February 11th 2019 says 'Happy birthday Jerry!' Year eludes me, but I didn't do an exhaustive search. Still - it's a start? 

 

There you go @YoungWillz, done one for ya! 

California Marriage Index:
Jerry P. McClain / Susanne D. Roshay (definitely them because if you search "Roshay" on her friends on FB, loads of people appear. Must be relatives)
Married 10/8/68

From this, his birth on a residency record:
Jerry P. McClain b. 15 Feb 1943 (slightly different from the 11th Feb on Facebook but not unusual for ppl to have celebrations for a bday on the days preceding/following the actual date, or for relatives to get it wrong!)

Still can't find the birth certificate but it doesn't matter. It will likely be because of a difference in spelling in the first or second name.

Ancestry says they lived in Beverly Hills, CA and then Studio City, CA.

Anyways, another bio filled out. Cheers to both of you!

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

2 hours ago, YoungWillz said:

The Quads.

 

Dunno if this will be of much help but there's this (scroll to page 12): https://www.marxists.org/history/etol/newspape/socialist-challenge/sc-n191-apr-02-1981.pdf

 

Says the band were from Acocks Green, Birmingham and that Josh Jones was the oldest of the brothers. All I know. Surely there couldn't be that many Joshes in that part of Birmingham in the 1960s/70s?

From period 1940 to 1965 there are 4 people by the name of Josh/Joshua Jones, 3 born in Cardigan in Wales in the early 40s (too old) and one born in Worksop, Nottinghamshire in 1952. I checked the siblings of the latter to see if it's him anyway, and it isn't. 

Trying to find a Jack Jones or John Jones would be like a needle in a haystack. Census records are not available for such a recent time in history either. I'm not even sure that the "Josh John Jack Jim" thing was genuine. A lot of punk/post-punk/mod revival groups seem to style their own bands names. 

Stumped on this one sadly.

[Toast 16,129]

Bit of a long shot, but there's a Birmingham History forum where Brummies chat about all sorts of stuff within living memory.

https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php

You could try asking there, somebody may have been at school with them, or summat.

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

7 minutes ago, Toast said:

Bit of a long shot, but there's a Birmingham History forum where Brummies chat about all sorts of stuff within living memory.

https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php

You could try asking there, somebody may have been at school with them, or summat.

Might give that a go. There's also a website for Josh Jones. Could drop him a message.

[YoungWillz 21,026]

Pussycat.

 

How's Ancestry for the Netherlands?

 

Loulou Wille seems to be out of Hoensbroek, Limburg and his early band also included his brothers Humphrey and Rudy: https://www.nederbiet.nl/ricky_rendall_and_the_centuries.html

 

Not a lot of help that there's a local politician from Limburg called Theo Coumans - doubt very much it's the same person. Theo Wetzels? Nada.

[death by chocolate 4]

18 hours ago, YoungWillz said:

The Quads.

 

Dunno if this will be of much help but there's this (scroll to page 12): https://www.marxists.org/history/etol/newspape/socialist-challenge/sc-n191-apr-02-1981.pdf

 

Says the band were from Acocks Green, Birmingham and that Josh Jones was the oldest of the brothers. All I know. Surely there couldn't be that many Joshes in that part of Birmingham in the 1960s/70s?

 

There's a chap on this webpage from 2014 claiming to be the son of Josh Jones and there's an email address. Don't know if it still works.

 

https://www.birminghammusicarchive.com/quads/

 

edit: using the son's name from that website the family are easily findable on facebook. The photo of Josh matches that on his website.

[RoverAndOut 4,746]

Quantum Jump's Mark Warner has a website: http://www.markwarnermusic.com/

 

Living in Los Angeles these days. No biographical details that give years but there is a contact function. Clearly still living, either way.

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

6 hours ago, YoungWillz said:

Pussycat.

 

How's Ancestry for the Netherlands?

 

Loulou Wille seems to be out of Hoensbroek, Limburg and his early band also included his brothers Humphrey and Rudy: https://www.nederbiet.nl/ricky_rendall_and_the_centuries.html

 

Not a lot of help that there's a local politician from Limburg called Theo Coumans - doubt very much it's the same person. Theo Wetzels? Nada.

Sadly Ancestry is only good for the UK, Ireland and the U.S.

No Dutch records on there asides from newspaper obits etc. 

The two Theo's are on Facebook but their profiles are set to private. Coumans is living in Spain, Wetzels is still in the Netherlands.

[RoverAndOut 4,746]

Jamie Byrne, Python Lee Jackson proved elusive. Found a few bits to add to the search though: he's a serial bandmember. Joined Python Lee Jackson from The Groove (another Australian band) in 1969 - that's from Wikipedia. Prior to that he was in Running, Jumping, Standing Still and the Black Pearls, two more Australian bands. 

 

OOOH, last look before I posted and disappearing down a rabbit hole has found this:

A fan site for the Rod Stewart recordings said after the session, Byrne returned to The Groove. The Groove's page here: http://www.milesago.com/Artists/groove.htm

says: 

Quote

Jamie Byrne gave up playing after a time. He reportedly joined the Mormon Church, and worked as a salesman for many years, moving to Brisbane around 1985. He is said to have returned to playing guitar and singing his songs around Brisbane nightspots in recent years.

 

The article was updated in 2007, so after that the trail goes cold.

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

R (part 1/4)

Eddie Rabbitt 27 Nov 1941 – 07 May 1998 (56) Independent obit
Wiki American country singer-songwriter and guitarist from Brooklyn, New York City, New York
27/01/1979 Every Which Way but Loose #41 Featured in the 1978 action comedy film Every Which Way but Loose

Racey
Wiki UK pop band from Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, formed in 1976 and disbanded in 1985
Phil Fursdon 1951 – Living
Richard Gower 1955 – Living
Pete Miller 14 Jul 1951 – 06 May 2003 (51) Mention of death
Clive Wilson 17 Feb 1951 – Living
25/11/1978 Lay Your Love on Me #3
31/03/1979 Some Girls #2
18/08/1979 Boy Oh Boy #22

Racing Cars
Wiki UK pop band from the Rhondda Valleys, Wales, formed in 1973 and disbanded in 2010
Ray "Alice" Ennis 1949 – Living
David Land 1949 – 20 May 2016 (67) Obit
Gareth Mortimer 1949 – 17 Dec 2015 (66) Obit
Robert James Wilding 1951 – Living
Graham Hedley Williams Mar 1950 – Living

12/02/1977 They Shoot Horses, Don't They? #14 Titled inspired by the 1969 film of the same name

Radha Krishna Temple
Wiki Multinational group who were followers of the Radha Krishna Temple on Oxford Street, London, signed to the Apple label by George Harrison who produced their records
28/03/1970 Govinda #23

Radio Stars
Wiki UK new wave band, formed in 1977, Ellison, Gordon and MacLeod had earlier been in glam rock band Jet
Andy Ellison 05 Jul 1945 – Living

Martin Gordon 03 May 1954 – Living
Ian MacLeod no info available
Steve Parry 195? – Living
04/02/1978 Nervous Wreck #39

Gerry Rafferty 16 Apr 1947 – 04 Jan 2011 (63) Guardian obit
Wiki UK rock singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer from Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, originally a member of band Stealers Wheel before finding success as a solo artist, Rafferty struggled with alcoholism from the 1980s which was made worse in 1995 after the death of his older brother Joseph, mysteriously disappeared from a London hospital in August 2008 before reemerging in February 2009, died from alcohol-related liver failure in January 2011
18/02/1978 Baker Street #3 The famous saxophone solo was by Raphael Ravenscroft (1954–2014)
26/05/1979 Night Owl #5
18/08/1979 Get it Right Next Time #30

The Ragtimers
Discogs UK studio group
16/03/1974 The Sting #31 A cover of Scott Joplin's The Entertainer, renamed to reflect its use in the 1973 film The Sting
NB: Can't find any info about who contributed to this single. RateYourMusic seems to think that they're American. I have my doubts – the Collins Complete UK Hit Singles book says they were British.

The RAH Band
Wiki UK studio group, fronted by multi-instrumentalist Hewson with the accompaniment of session musicians
Richard Anthony Hewson 17 Nov 1943 – Living
09/07/1977 The Crunch #6

Rainbow
Wiki UK rock band from Hertford, Hertfordshire, formed in 1975 and disbanded in 1984, with a reunion from 1993 to 1997 and active since 2015, the band has sold over 28 million records worldwide, original frontman Ronnie James Dio was also a member of Black Sabbath and Dio, keyboardist Don Airey and bassist Roger Glover have also been members of Deep Purple and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore was one of their founding members – being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with them in 2016, drummer Cozy Powell had a successful solo career and was also a member of The Jeff Beck Group, Whitesnake, Emerson, Lake & Powell and Black Sabbath – he died in a road accident near Bristol in April 1998, vocalist Graham Bonnet is best known as the lead singer of heavy metal band Alcatrazz
Don Airey 21 Jun 1948 – Living
Ritchie Blackmore 14 Apr 1945 – Living
Graham Bonnet 23 Dec 1947 – Living
Tony Carey 16 Oct 1953 – Living
Bob Daisley 13 Feb 1950 – Living
Ronnie James Dio 10 Jul 1942 – 16 May 2010 (67) Guardian obit
Roger Glover 30 Nov 1945 – Living
Cozy Powell 29 Dec 1947 – 05 Apr 1998 (50) Independent obit
David Stone 20 Mar 1953 – Living
17/09/1977 Kill the King #44
08/04/1978 Long Live Rock 'n' Roll #33
30/09/1978 L.A. Connection #40
15/09/1979 Since You Been Gone #6 Cover of a single by Russ Ballard

Rainbow Cottage
Discogs UK soft rock band from Wigan, Lancashire, formed in the 1960s and disbanded in 1987, originally called Kibbos
Brian Gibbs no info available
Graham Hill c. 1951 – 01 July 2007 (56) Mention of death
Tony Houghton no info available
Steve Morris no info available
06/03/1976  Seagull #33

Ram Jam
Wiki UK rock band from New York City, New York, formed in 1977 and disbanded in 1978, Bill Bartlett was also a member of The Lemon Pipers
Bill Bartlett c. 1942 – Living
Howie Blauvelt 24 Feb 1949 – 25 Oct 1993 (44) FindAGrave memorial
Peter Charles 24 Nov 1952 – 14 Nov 2002 (49) Mention of death
Myke Scavone 15 Jan 1949 – Living
10/09/1977 Black Betty #7

Ramblers (From The Abbey Hey Junior School)
Discogs UK school choir, released further singles throughout the 1980s which failed to chart
13/10/1979 The Sparrow #11

Ramones
Wiki American punk rock band from Forest Hills, Queens, New York City, New York, formed in 1974 and disbanded in 1996, often cited as the first true punk group, none of the band were biologically related but had rather adopted the same fictitious surname of "Ramone" – a name which was inspired from Paul McCartney of The Beatles checking into hotels as "Paul Ramon", inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, bassist Dee Dee Ramone died from a heroin overdose in June 2002, whereas Joey, Johnny and Tommy all died from cancer
Dee Dee Ramone 18 Sep 1951 – 05 Jun 2002 (50) Guardian obit
Joey Ramone 19 May 1951 – 15 Apr 2001 (49) Guardian obit
Johnny Ramone 08 Oct 1948 – 15 Sep 2004 (55) Guardian obit
Marky Ramone 15 Jul 1952 – Living
Tommy Ramone 29 Jan 1949 – 11 Jul 2014 (65) Guardian obit
21/05/1977 Sheena is a Punk Rocker #22
06/08/1977 Swallow My Pride #36
30/09/1978 Don't Come Close #39
08/09/1979 Rock 'n' Roll High School #67

Rare Bird
Wiki UK progressive rock band, formed in 1969 and disbanded in 1975
Mark Ashton 23 Jun 1949 – Living
Graham Field 03 May 1940 – 13 Apr 2018 (77) Local obit
Steve Gould 25 Mar 1950 – Living
Dave Kaffinetti 17 Apr 1946 – Living
14/02/1970 Sympathy #27

The Rattles
Wiki German rock band from Hamburg, formed in 1960
Edna Bejarno 16 May 1951 – Living
Herbert Bornhold 23 Mar 1946 – Living
Kurt "Zappo" Lüngen 08 Mar 1946 – Living
Frank Mille 03 Oct 1949 – Living
03/10/1970  The Witch #8

Lou Rawls 01 Dec 1933 – 06 Jan 2006 (72) Guardian obit
Wiki American R&B, soul and gospel singer-songwriter, actor and record producer from Chicago, Illinois, sold over 40 million records and won three Grammy Awards
31/07/1976 You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine #10

Raydio
Wiki American funk and R&B vocal group from Detroit, Michigan, formed in 1977 and disbanded in 1981 before regrouping in 2014, member Ray Parker Jr. later had a successful solo career – notably penning the theme to the 1984 film Ghostbusters
Vincent Bonham 20 Aug 1956 – 24 Mar 2024 (67) Obit
Arnell Carmichael 29 Oct 1952 – Living
Jerry Knight 17 Apr 1952 – 29 Dec 1996 (44) Mention of death
Ray Parker Jr. 01 May 1954 – Living
08/04/1978 Jack and Jill #11
08/07/1978 Is This a Love Thing #27

[JQW 281]

The Ragtimers are an oddity. The single was issued on Pye which seems to indicate that they were British as  releases from overseas acts appeared on the Pye International imprint instead. There's a co-composer credit on the label to Jack Fishman who seems to be an American composer who worked with British jazz pianist Roy Budd on some film soundtracks around the time of their single. My suspicions is these are a couple of interpretations of Scott Joplin numbers that happened to be in the can when the film was released, and issued to cash-in on interest on Joplin.

[RoverAndOut 4,746]

4 hours ago, Ulitzer95 said:

R (part 1/4)

Radio Stars
Wiki UK new wave band, formed in 1977, Ellison, Gordon and MacLeod had earlier been in glam rock band Jet
Andy Ellison 05 Jul 1945 – Living

Martin Gordon 03 May 1954 – Living
Ian MacLeod no info available
Steve Parry 195? – Living
04/02/1978 Nervous Wreck #39

 

There is a Radio Stars fan site: http://www.radio-stars.com/

 

On it are detailed biographies of the various bandmembers but no dates of birth. Steve Parry hails from Manchester, which you may already know - there are matching births on FreeBMD for 1957 and 1958 but tying down one may be trickier. Ian MacLeod hails from Benfleet near Southend apparently but there are no specific births in that area of Essex. 4 Ian MacLeods (that spelling) born between 1940 and 1957 - the 1957 one is possibly most likely? The band retired in 2016 according to this: https://vivelerock.net/radio-stars-announce-final-gig/ 

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

1 hour ago, RoverAndOut said:

 

There is a Radio Stars fan site: http://www.radio-stars.com/

 

On it are detailed biographies of the various bandmembers but no dates of birth. Steve Parry hails from Manchester, which you may already know - there are matching births on FreeBMD for 1957 and 1958 but tying down one may be trickier. Ian MacLeod hails from Benfleet near Southend apparently but there are no specific births in that area of Essex. 4 Ian MacLeods (that spelling) born between 1940 and 1957 - the 1957 one is possibly most likely? The band retired in 2016 according to this: https://vivelerock.net/radio-stars-announce-final-gig/ 

Cheers.

Their own site was my first port of call and I did exactly the same thing – tried to find MacLeod on FreeBMD via clues about his origins. None born in Benfleet/Southend but there are two born in the Essex area during that period. Could be either of them tbh!

It says on Parry's page that he was 27 in the "early 80s" so born 1950s. Not enough to narrow it down either though.

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

R (part 2/4)

Chris Rea 05 Mar 1951 – Living
Wiki UK rock and blues singer-songwriter, guitarist and actor from Middlesbrough, North Riding of Yorkshire, known for his distinctive husky voice and slide guitar playing
07/10/1978 Fool (if You Think it's Over) #30 Later popularised by Elkie Brooks
21/04/1979 Diamonds #44

The Real Thing
Wiki UK soul and disco vocal group from Liverpool, formed in 1970, originally called The Sophisticated Soul Brothers, also acted as a backing group for singer David Essex, Ray Lake died in 2000 from a drug overdose
Chris Amoo 14 Oct 1952 – Living
Eddie Amoo 05 May 1944 – 23 Feb 2018 (73) Guardian obit
Ray Lake 11 Feb 1952 – Mar 2000 (48) Mention of death
Dave Smith 06 Jul 1952 – Living
05/06/1976 You to Me are Everything #1
04/09/1976 Can't Get by Without You #2
12/02/1977 You'll Never Know What You're Missing #16
30/07/1977 Love's Such a Wonderful Thing #33
04/03/1978 Whenever You Want My Love #18
03/06/1978 Let's Go Disco #39
12/08/1978 Rainin' Through My Sunshine #40
17/02/1979 Can You Feel the Force? #5
21/07/1979 Boogie Down (Get Funky Now) #33

Redbone
Wiki American funk rock and swamp rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1969, "redbone" is a Cajun term which means mixed-race – adopted to the reflect the ancestry of the band members, which were largely Native American and Mexican in origin
Tony Bellamy 12 Sep 1946 – 25 Dec 2009 (63) Obit
Peter DePoe 21 Aug 1943 – Living
Lolly Vasquez-Vegas 02 Oct 1939 – 04 Mar 2010 (70) Legacy obit
Pat Vasquez-Vegas 17 Mar 1941 – Living
25/09/1971 The Witch Queen of New Orleans #2

Helen Reddy 25 Oct 1941 – 29 Sep 2020 (78) Guardian obit
Wiki Australian/American singer-songwriter, author, actress and activist from Melbourne, Victoria, her song "I am Woman" became a popular anthem for second-wave feminism
18/01/1975 Angie Baby #5

Lou Reed 02 Mar 1942 – 27 Oct 2013 (71) Guardian obit
Wiki American singer-songwriter, composer and poet from New York City, New York, also known as frontman of rock band The Velvet Underground, regarded as one of the most important figures in underground and alternative rock music, struggled with alcoholism and drug addiction for a period in his career, closely associated with artist and film director Andy Warhol (1928–1987) who was a mentor, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice – first as a member of The Velvet Underground in 1996 and then as a solo act posthumously in 2015
12/05/1973 Walk on the Wild Side #10

Tony Rees and the Cottagers c. 1947 – Living
Discogs UK singer and bass guitarist with backing group composed of supporters of Fulham F.C., released to coincide with the club's appearance in the 1974–75 FA Cup Final
10/05/1975 Viva El Fulham #46
NB: Can't find too much on Rees. Here's a clip of him singing the record in a pub in 2009. A newspaper cutting from September 1967 here gives his age as 20.

Jim Reeves 20 Aug 1923 – 31 Jul 1964 (40) NY Times obit
Wiki American pop and country singer-songwriter from Galloway, Texas, became well known as a pioneer of Nashville sound, died in a plane crash in July 1964, posthumously inducted into the County Music Hall of Fame in 1967
21/03/1970 Nobody's Fool #32
12/09/1970 Angels Don't Lie #32
26/06/1971 I Love You Because (re-release) / He'll Have to Go (re-release) / Moonlight and Roses #34
19/02/1972 You're Free to Go #48

Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
Wiki American pop and R&B all-female vocal group from Detroit, Michigan, formed in 1957 by a group of friends and eventually signed to Motown Records, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995
Rosalind Ashford 02 Sep 1943 – Living
Betty Kelly 16 Sep 1943 – Living
Lois Reeves 12 Apr 1948 – Living
Martha Reeves 18 Jul 1941 – Living
Sandra Tilley 06 June 1945 – 09 Sep 1983 (38) Mention of death
29/08/1970 Jimmy Mack (re-release) #21 Released as Martha and the Vandellas
13/02/1971 Forget Me Not #11
08/01/1972 Bless You #33

The Regents
Wiki UK new wave band, formed in 1979 and disbanded in 1981, members Bic Brack and Martin Sheller were once married – the latter died from drug-related causes in 1999
Katherine Best no info available
Bic Brack no info available
Damian Pew no info available
Martin Sheller 12 Dec 1948 – c. Jun 1999 (50) Mention of death
22/12/1979 7 Teen #11
NB: Sadly little info out there on them. Martin Sheller was born in Hackney, London. Could the group have come from there?
NB2: According to a comment on this Youtube video, Damian Pew died in a hang gliding accident. Hmm... can't find any record of this anywhere. Also, he was alive and based in London in 2004 according to the Electoral Register.

Mike Reid 19 Jan 1940 – 29 Jul 2007 (67) Guardian obit
Wiki UK comedian, actor, singer and author from Hackney, London, best known for playing Frank Butcher in television soap EastEnders
22/03/1975 Ugly Duckling #10

Neil Reid 1959 – Living
Wiki UK singer from Glasgow, Scotland, discovered whilst singing to pensioners at a Christmas party, appeared on television talent show Opportunity Knocks, youngest person to reach #1 on the UK Albums Chart, later worked as an independent financial advisor in Blackpool
01/01/1972 Mother of Mine #2
08/04/1972 That's What I Want to be #45

Renaissance
Wiki UK progressive rock band from London, formed in 1967 and disbanded in 1987, reformed 1998–2002 and active since 2009, two of its original members were Keith Relf (1943–1976) and Jim McCarty (b. 1943) who were previously members of The Yardbirds
Jon Camp 09 Oct 1949 – Living
Michael Dunford 08 Jul 1944 – 20 Nov 2012 (68) Ultimate Classic Rock obit
Annie Haslam 08 Jun 1947 – Living
Terry Sullivan no info available
John Tout Sep 1944 – 01 May 2015 (70) Ultimate Classic Rock obit
15/07/1978 Northern Lights #10

Reparata 31 Dec 1947 – Living
Wiki American singer from New York City, New York, real name Mary Aiese, originally a member of pop girl group Reparata and the Delrons before launching a solo career
18/10/1975 Shoes #43

Reunion
Discogs American bubblegum pop studio group comprising of session musicians, singer Joey Levine was also a member of Ohio Express and Kasenetz-Katz Singing Orchestral Circus
Session musicians:
Joey Levine 29 May 1947 – Living
21/09/1974 Life is a Rock (but the Radio Rolled Me) #33

Jody Reynolds 03 Dec 1932 – 07 Nov 2008 (75) LA Times obit
Wiki American rock and roll singer-songwriter and guitarist from Denver, Colorado
14/04/1979 Endless Sleep #66 Originally a hit the States in 1958 / This single was coupled with a re-release of To Know Him is to Love Him by The Teddy Bears

The Rezillos
Wiki UK punk rock and new wave band from Edinburgh, Scotland, formed in 1976 and disbanded in 1979 when the group evolved into The Revillos, reformed in 2001 and revived their original name
Jo Callis 02 May 1951 – Living
Fay Fife 26 Feb 1957 – Living
Hi-Fi Harris no info available
Angel Paterson 26 Feb 19?? – Living
Eugene Reynolds 14 Mar 19?? – Living
Dr. D.K. Smythe 1947 – Living
Simon Templar no info available
12/08/1978 Top of the Pops #17
25/11/1978 Destination Venus #43
18/08/1979 I Wanna be Your Man / I Can't Stand My Baby #71
NB: Although William Mysterious (aka Alastair Donaldson, 1955–2013) largely featured on the accompanying album, Templar played bass on the recording session for single Top of the Pops.

 

[Ulitzer95 12,576]

Johnny Nash 19 Aug 1940 – 06 Oct 2020 (80) Mirror obit
Wiki American reggae and pop singer-songwriter from Houston, Texas
07/08/1968 Hold Me Tight #5
08/01/1969 You Got Soul #6
02/04/1969 Cupid #6 Cover of a single by Sam Cooke
01/04/1972 Stir it Up #13 Written by Bob Marley who later released his own version
24/06/1972 I Can See Clearly Now #5 Features uncredited backing vocals by Bob Marley
07/10/1972 There are More Questions Than Answers #9
14/06/1975 Tears on My Pillow #1
11/10/1975 Let's be Friends #42
12/06/1976 (What a) Wonderful World #25 Cover of a single by Sam Cooke

1960s and 1970s entries updated for the death of Johnny Nash. RIP.

[Death Impends 7,956]

Rough few weeks for US Billboard chart toppers too. Tommy DeVito, Mac Davis, Helen Reddy, Eddie Van Halen, and Johnny Nash all achieved the feat.

[CaptainChorizo 1,977]

Hopefully  Santo & Johnny Farina are keeping safe right now