SATURDAY'S SINGLES : MICHAEL SEMBELLO and MOUNTAIN

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Good morning gang and welcome to the return of Saturday's Singles. It was on this day, 57 years ago, that Philadelphia born, singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, composer and producer, Michael Sembello was born. Happy Birthday Michael ! His best known song, "Mainiac", from his debut album, Bossa Nova Hotel, and featured prominently in the soundtrack to the 1983 Flashdance, The Casablanca recording reached #43 in the UK, #34 on the Adult Contemporary charts, #6 on the Hot Dance Club Play charts, #3 on the Cash Box, #2 in Australia, Spain, and Switzerland, and #1 on the Canadian Top Singles and Adult Contemporary, and the US Hot 100. It's B-side is the instrumental version of the song. 

Michael Sembello – vocals, guitar, synthesizer bass
Dennis Matkosky – keyboards, synthesizer
Carlos Vega – Simmons drums
Dennis Karmazyn – cello

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Our second single comes to us via New York based hard rock band, Mountain. Today marks 38 years since the death of their bassist, vocalist, and producer, Felix Pappalardi, who passed away at the age of 43, after being shot in the neck by his Wife, Gail Collins Pappalardi. At the time, she claimed it was an accident, but the trial revealed the pair had an open marriage, and that she had shot him out of jealously. She was charged with second degree murder and manslaughter, but only found guilty of criminally negligent homicide. She was sentenced to 16 months and then released on parole. She passed away in 2013, from cancer.

"Mississippi Queen" was released in February 1970 on the Windfall label, from their debut album, Climbing!. It peaked at #21 on the Hot 100 and features the track, "The Laird" as it's B-side. 

Leslie West – guitars ,vocals 
Felix Pappalardi – bass, piano, production
Corky Laing – drums 

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