SANDY KOZEL

Irish singer Bono (Paul David Hewson) is 65 years old today.

"Chattanooga Choo Choo" is a 1941 song that was written by
Mack Gordon and composed by Harry Warren. It was originally
recorded as a big band/swing tune by Glenn Miller and His
Orchestra and featured in the 1941 movie Sun Valley Serenade      
and received a gold record, presented by RCA Victor in 1942
(below) for sales of 1.2 million copies.  

(L to R) Paul Douglas, W. Wallace Early and Glenn Miller, February 10, 1942.        
    

Alton Glen "Glenn" Miller (March 1, 1904 – December 15, 1944)

On May 4, 1956, rockabilly legend Gene Vincent recorded
the smoldering early-rock classic “Be-Bop-A-Lula,” in
Nashville, Tennessee.

“Be-Bop-A-Lula” became a smash, rising to #7 on the
pop charts and selling more than 2 million copies in
its first year of release.

Vincent Eugene Craddock (Gene Vincent) (1935 – 1971)

Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996)

"First Lady of Song" Ella Fitzgerald becomes the first Black
woman to win a Grammy at the Recording Academy’s inaugural
awards show on May 4, 1959.

During the event at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, Fitzgerald
took home two of 28 awards for best jazz and female vocal
performances. “Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Song
Book” bested performances by Doris Day, Eydie Gorme, Peggy
Lee and Keely Smith for best female vocal performance.

In contrast “Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book”
won for jazz performance.

That year, Count Basie became the first Black man to win a
Grammy, also taking home two awards, for best jazz group
performance and best performance by a dance band.