Allbutforgottenoldies.net Music News Digest: Week Of April 19, 2020

April 27, 2020 by Amy Gold

During the week of April 19, 2020, The Rolling Stones topped iTunes with "Living In A Ghost Town," a newly-released single that reflects the mood of the current COVID-19 pandemic. This somewhat somber, reggae-styled song is the band's first No. 1 hit in 40 years.

Glen Campbell's widow Kim recently completed a book about her life with the late pop/country superstar which is due out on June 23, 2020. "Gentle On My Mind: In Sickness And In Health With Glen Campbell" portrays Campbell as a devoted husband and father and covers his battle with Alzheimer's during his final years.

Also that week, fans bade a final farewell to three oldies music icons: Hamilton Bohannon (March 7, 1942 - April 24, 2020), Harold Reid (August 21, 1939 - April 24, 2020), and Ian Whitcomb (July 10, 1941 - April 19, 2020).

Bohannon was a veteran percussionist, band leader, songwriter, arranger, record producer, and leading disco artist of the 1970s whose many hits included "Foot Stompin Music" (1975). He began as a drummer in Stevie Wonder's touring band and backed numerous other Motown bands and artists over his long career. No official cause of death has been reported to date.

Reid, who passed away after a lengthy battle with kidney failure, sang bass for The Statler Brothers and was a co-founder of the famed country vocal quartet. He wrote/co-wrote such top hits as "Bed of Rose's" (1970), the Grammy-winning "The Class Of '57" (1972), and the country chart-topper, "Do You Know You Are My Sunshine" (1978).

Whitcomb, who died from complications of a stroke that he had suffered in 2012, was an English singer-songwriter, writer, actor, record producer, and broadcaster. As a part of the British Invasion, he had a Top 10 hit in the U.S. in 1965 with "You Turn Me On."

Finally, we are happy to report that Marianne Faithfull has recovered from COVID-19. The 73-year-old English pop legend was admitted to a London hospital on March 31, 2020 after testing positive for the coronavirus and discharged 22 days later following her successful treatment. She will continue to recuperate at home.

Newly-Announced Recordings:
(Band/Artist - Title - Format - Release Date)

Cancelled & Postponed Events:
(Band/Artist - Event(s) - Location - Original Dates - Rescheduled Dates)

(For more information about the above news items, please see below for a list of sources with links.)