What Happened Today In Music, July 18th 1929 was born Screamin' Jay Hawkins (Jalacy Hawkins), American singer-songwriter, musician, actor, film producer, and boxer. His initial goal was to become an opera singer, but didn't achieve it. Anyway, he used operatic and theatrical elements in his performances, often using macabre props onstage, making him an early pioneer of shock rock. He was married six times and fathered over 30 children. Hawkins died on February 12, 2000. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX-DKmIWrJI #TodayInMusic