From the file of songs that seemed like they must have gone to number 1 but didn’t, I’d include Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”  The song, which was featured in the film Blue Hawaii, came up just short, peaking at number 2 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart exactly 50 years ago today.

While Elvis didn’t top the charts with the song, 21 and 1/2 years later British reggae band UB40 did, when their remake spent seven weeks at number 1.

http://www.delilah.com/

Before 1985, California-born and New York-raised singer Billy Vera had had a few singles chart on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart, including two that hit the top 40:  “Country Girl – City Man” with Judy Clay, which rose to number 36 in 1968, and “I Can Take Care Of Myself” with his band the Beaters, which peaked at number 39 in 1981.  Later in 1981, Billy & the Beaters also charted with “At This Moment,” which would top out at number 79.

Fast forward to 1985, when the NBC sitcom Family Ties utilized “At This Moment” in conjunction with the developing romantic storyline between Alex P. Keaton, played by Michael J. Fox, and his love interest Ellen Reed, played by Tracy Pollan.  As you may know, Fox and Pollan also developed a romantic relationship in real life, and they married in 1988.  Meanwhile, you may also know that “At This Moment” gained renewed popularity–so much so that by early 1987 it had gone all the way to number 1, and exactly 25 years ago today, it was in its second week of its two-week run at the top of Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart.

A quarter of a decade later, Vera is still making and playing music, and you can find out more at his official website.

Have you noticed on American idol that Randy Jackson is now Simon Cowell? The show has continued to gain back followers because the formula of the original American Idol is back. Stephen Tyler is now acting in the encouraging role that Randy once chaired. Jennifer Lopez is the motherly Paula Abdul figure. Randy has essentially become the opinionated often rude Simon. Are you watching idol this season?

http://americanidol.com

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQQV4fXZUY4

In 1991, U2 released the album Achtung Baby, which would become highly acclaimed among critics and fans alike, while also becoming the band’s second-highest selling album, behind only 1987′s The Joshua Tree.  Exactly 20 years ago today, the first hit off the album, “Mysterious Ways,” peaked at number 9 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart.  Though it was the first hit off the album, “Mysterious Ways” was actually the second single to be released, following “The Fly,” which didn’t take off as a single and only peaked at number 61.  “Mysterious Ways” was also the biggest hit from Achtung Baby, barely beating out its successor, “One,” which would peak at number 10 a little less than four months later.

Happy birthday today to Kiss rhythm guitarist and vocalist Paul Stanley, who turns 60.

While Stanley sang as lead vocalist on many of Kiss’s hits, including “Forever,” which hit number 8 in 1990, and “I Was Made for Lovin’ You,” which peaked at number 11 in 1979, he didn’t on the band’s biggest hit.  “Beth,” which peaked at number 7 in 1976, features drummer Peter Criss on lead vocals.  Stanley can be found on many more Kiss hits, including the song above, “Reason to Live,” which only went to number 64 when it peaked in early 1988 but seems aptly titled for a birthday commemoration.

New York-born singer/songwriter Gregory Abbott only hit the top 40 once in his career, but that one hit went all the way to the top.  Exactly 25 years ago today, Abbott’s “Shake You Down” hit number one for one week on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart.

Abbott, whose mother hails from Venezuela and whose father hails from Antigua, holds a Masters degree and has taught English at the University of California, Berkeley.  He also continues to make music, and he released his latest album, Drop Your Mask, this past September.

For more on Gregory Abbott, check out his official website and, of course, take some time to listen to “Shake You Down” above.