On this day in music history: June 3, 1978 - “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late” by Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 1 week, topping the R&B singles chart for 4 weeks on April 15th, also topping the Adult Contemporary chart for 1 week on May 20th. Written by John Vallins and Nat Kipner, it is the first chart topping single for both artists. The two singers will be paired together at the suggestion of Mathis’ producer Jack Gold and CBS A&R executive Mike Dilbeck. At the time, Williams is on tour with Earth, Wind & Fire as their opening act, and will come off of the road temporarily to record the duet with Mathis. The recording will go very smoothly and the two will become fast friends. “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late” is recorded at A&M Studios in Hollywood, CA and features musicians such as David T. Walker, “Wah Wah” Watson (guitars), Ed Greene (drums), Scott Edwards (bass), Michel Rubini and Sylvester Rivers (keyboards) playing on the track. Famed arranger Gene Page (Barry White, The Jackson 5) will also work on the song. Entering the Hot 100 at #69 on April 1, 1978, it will climb to the top of the chart nine weeks later. “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late” will be certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

Born on this day: June 3, 1950 - Singer and songwriter Deniece Williams (born June Deniece Chandler in Gary, IN). Happy 63rd Birthday, “Niecy”!!! We ♥ you!!!

On this day in music history: June 2, 1984 - “Let’s Hear It For The Boy” by Deniece Williams hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 3 weeks, topping the Club Play chart for 1 week on May 19th, also topping the Hot 100 for 2 weeks on May 26th. Written by Tom Snow and Dean Pitchford, it is the third R&B and second pop chart topping single for the singer and songwriter from Gary, IN born June Deniece Chandler. Oscar winning songwriter Dean Pitchford (“Fame”), will ask Deniece Williams and producer George Duke if they will consider doing the song for the soundtrack of the film “Footloose”. Duke is not enamored of the song, but Williams will persuade him to work on it with her. Assembling a group of musicians that includes Paul Jackson, Jr. (guitars), Paulinho da Costa (percussion), Duke himself on synthesizers and Linn Drum programming, the track also features songwriters George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam (“How Will I Know “, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)”, “Waiting For A Star To Fall”) on background vocals. Pitchford will hear the results of the first vocal session and rejects the track initially, feeling that Williams sings it “too cutesy”. With the deadline for its inclusion in the film looming, she flies back to L.A. to re-record her vocals, which she will do in only 20 minutes of studio time. Released as a single in late March of 1984, it will be the second breakout smash from the soundtrack, following the chart topping success of the Kenny Loggins performed title track. “Let’s Hear It For The Boy” will be certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

Born on this day: June 3, 1950 - Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Deniece Williams (born June Deniece Chandler in Gary, IN). Happy 62nd Birthday, “Niecy”!!! We ♥ you!!!

On this day in music history: June 3, 1978 - “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late” by Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 1 week, topping the R&B singles chart for 4 weeks on April 15th, also topping the Adult Contemporary chart for 1 week on May 20th. Written by John Vallins and Nat Kipner, it is the first #1 pop single for both artists. The two singers will be paired together at the suggestion of Mathis’ producer Jack Gold and CBS A&R executive Mike Dilbeck. At the time, Williams is on tour with Earth, Wind & Fire as their opening act, and will come off of the road temporarily to record the duet with Mathis. The recording will go very smoothly and the two will become fast friends. “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late” is recorded at A&M Studios in Hollywood, CA and features musicians such as David T. Walker, “Wah Wah” Watson (guitars), Ed Greene (drums), Scott Edwards (bass), Michel Rubini and Sylvester Rivers (keyboards) playing on the track. Famed arranger Gene Page (Barry White, The Jackson 5) will also work on the song.

On this day in music history: June 2, 1984 - “Let’s Hear It For The Boy” by Deniece Williams hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 3 weeks, topping the Club Play chart for 1 week on May 19th, also topping the Hot 100 for 2 weeks on May 26th. Written by Tom Snow and Dean Pitchford, it is the second of six singles released from the “Footloose - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack”. Oscar winning songwriter Dean Pitchford (“Fame”), will ask Deniece Williams and producer George Duke if they will consider doing the song for the film soundtrack. Duke is not enamored of the song, but Williams will persuade him to work on it with her. Assembling a group of musicians that includes Paul Jackson, Jr. (guitars), Paulinho da Costa (percussion), Duke himself on synthesizers and Linn Drum programming, the track also features songwriters George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam (“How Will I Know “, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)”) on background vocals. Pitchford will hear the results of the first vocal session and rejects the track initially, feeling that Williams sings it “too cutesy”. With the deadline for its inclusion in the film looming, she flies back to L.A. to re-record her vocals, which she will do in only 20 minutes of studio time. “Let’s Hear It For The Boy” will be the second chart topping single from the “Footloose” soundtrack.

On this day in music history: May 15, 1982 - “It’s Gonna Take A Miracle” by Deniece Williams hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 2 weeks, also peaking at #10 on the Hot 100 on June 12th. Written by Teddy Randazzo, Bobby Weinstein, and Lou Stallman, it is the second R&B chart topper for the Grammy Award winning songstress from Gary, IN. Co-written by New York based songwriter Teddy Randazzo (“Goin’ Out Of My Head”, “Hurt So Bad”), the song is originally recorded by the female R&B vocal group The Royalettes who have a minor hit (#28 R&B) with it in 1965. Producer/arranger Thom Bell will suggest to Williams that she record the song. The track will be cut at the famed Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia with musicians such as Bob Babbitt (bass, piccolo bass), Bobby Eli (guitar), Charles Collins (drums), and Larry Washington (percussion).