Celebrating Black History Month: 1st American Music Awards, African-American artists win big, 1974

The first annual American Music Awards was held on February 19, 1974 and produced by Dick Clark Productions.  African-American artists won big, winning at least one award in each of three categories, and sweeping the Soul/R&B category.

Stevie Wonder won two awards: Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Song for Superstition.

Charley Pride also won two awards: Favorite Country Male Artist, and Favorite Country Album, A Sunshiny Day with Charley Pride.

Roberta Flack won for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist

The Temptations won Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group

Al Green won Favorite Soul/R&B Album for I'm Still In Love With You.

Diana Ross won Favorite Pop/Rock Album for Lady Sings the Blues.

Happy birthday, Meco!

Meco, born Domenico Monardo November 29, 1939 in Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania, is best known for his 1977 disco version of the Star Wars theme.  The single and the album Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk were certified platinum. 

He started out playing trombone and went on to become a studio musican, doing horn arrangments as well as recording for artists such as Diana Ross.  Meco worked as a record producer and was part of the team that produced Gloria Gaynor's Never Can Say Goodbye.

After seeing Star Wars four times in one day, he got the idea to make a disco version of the score.   With his producer friends, they arranged and recorded Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk.  The album got a Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Pop Performer in 1977, but John Williams won that year for the original soundtrack album.

Meco went on to "Meco-ize" more soundtracks.  In November 1980, he released Christmas in the Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album, which features the all-time favorite classic, What Can You Get a Wookiee for Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb)?