Al Downing (January 9, 1940 - July 4, 2005) was a singer/songwriter/pianist from Oklahoma who did session work for Wanda Jackson and sometimes recorded under the name Big Al Downing. He hit #1 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in 1974 with I'll Be Holding On. He later went on to a sucessful country music career, charting several hits on the country charts between 1978 and 1989. January 9 is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1940 was a leap year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... July 4 is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 180 days remaining. ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar and is the current year. ... Oklahoma is a South Central state of the United States (with strong western and even Midwestern influences) and its U.S. postal abbreviation is OK; others abbreviate the states name Okla. ... Wanda Jackson was and is the QUEEN OF ROCKABILLY- and the first female rock and roll singer in the U.S., since her first debut record in 1956. ... Billboards Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart is a weekly national survey of what songs are most popular in U.S. dance clubs. ... 1974 is a common year starting on Tuesday (click on link for calendar). ... Country music, once known as country and western music, is a popular musical form developed in the southern United States, with roots in traditional folk music, spirituals, and the blues. ... 1978 was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1978 calendar). ... 1989 is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Downing died in Massachusetts at the age of 65 from leukemia. State nickname: Bay State Other U.S. States Capital Boston Largest city Boston Governor Mitt Romney Official languages English Area 27,360 km² (44th) - Land 20,317 km² - Water 7,043 km² (25. ... Leukemia (leukaemia in Commonwealth English) is a group of blood diseases characterized by malignancies (cancer) of the blood-forming tissues. ...
Downing was named Billboard magazine's No. 1 new country star of 1979 and went on to become one of the country's most prominent African American country artists, along with Charley Pride and Stoney Edwards.
Downing, who was 6 feet 3, often had to be sneaked into hotels under a blanket or inside the case of a standup bass.
Downing often was not allowed to use the restrooms or visit the restaurants where they performed, and Jackson recalled yesterday the time a nightclub manager in Montana ordered him off the stage.
Downing and the Poe-Kats then toured with Wanda Jackson and appeared as session players on some of her recordings.
They were unable to continue the momentum started by their first record, and Downing bounced along for the next two decades recording in a variety of different styles, including a disco period.
But in 1978Downing returned to his country roots and has charted a dozen minor hits on Billboard's Country charts since then.
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