This Day In Music: April 14
April 13 ~ Birthdays/All ~ April 15
 
April 14, 2024 ~ Bluegrass guitarist, banjoist Ben Eldridge passed away ~ Influenced by Bill Keith and Bill Emerson. Longest-serving member of the Seldom Scene, with whom he remained for over four decades from the early-1970s until his retirement in 2016. Considered one of the prime bluegrass, newgrass groups, they have infused traditional bluegrass with elements of rock, pop, and jazz, performing their own originals, bluegrass standards, and covers of rock classics. The band have recorded some two dozen albums, and are especialy acclaimed for Act 3 released in 1973. Eldridge has also guested on solo outings by bandmates Mike Auldridge and Phil Rosenthal, as well as on recordings by Tony Rice, Bryan Bowers, John Starling, Linda Ronstadt, and Cliff Waldron. Eldridge's son is progressive bluegrass guitarist and singer Chris Eldridge of the Punch Brothers ~ Eldridge was born in 1938
 
April 14, 2023 ~ Rock, alternative rock singer, guitarist Mark Sheehan, full name Mark Anthony Sheehan, passed away ~ Member of boy band Mytown, known for the moderate hit Do It Like This and their sole eponymous Mytown album. Following the band's disbandement in 2001 Sheehan co-founded alternative rock outfit the Script with whom he recorded half a dozen albums, all of which would reach top of the charts in their native Ireland. Well-known songs include The Man Who Can't Be Moved, For The First Time, Hall Of Fame featuring will.i.am, and Superheroes. The single Breakeven of their eponymous The Script debut album would reach top 20 on the American Billboard Hot 100 ~ Sheehan was born in 1976
 
April 14, 2022 ~ Afrobeat, afro-soul, highlife saxophonist Orlando Julius, full name Orlando Julius Aremu Olusanya Ekemode, passed away ~ First gained attention in the 1960s, notably with his 1966 Super Afro Soul album. Sessioned for much of the 1970s, often teaming up with Hugh Masekela. Would gain international attention after a number of re-releases in the 2000s and 2010s, leading to collaborations with the Heliocentrics ~ Ekemode was born in 1943
 
April 14, 2015 ~ R&B, soul singer Percy Sledge, full name Percy Tyrone Sledge, passed away in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known for When A Man Loves A Woman, which topped charts on both sides of the Atlantic in 1966. Other well known songs include Warm And Tender Love, It Tears Me Up and Take Time To Know Her ~ Sledge was born in 1941
 
April 14, 2014 ~ Percussionist Armando Peraza passed away in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Worked with Santana, Alberto Ruiz, Machito, Charlie Parker, Buddy Rich, Slim Gaillard, Pérez Prado, Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus, Dexter Gordon, Tony Martinez, Dave Brubeck, Cal Tjader, George Shearing, Al McKibbon, Peggy Lee, Mongo Santamaria, Francisco Aguabella, Shelly Manne, Stan Kenton, Chick Corea, Sadao Watanabe, Johnny Pacheco, Harvey Mandel, José Areas, Mingo Lewis, Raul Rekow, Orestes Vilato, John Santos, Rebeca Mauleon, and Michael Shrieve ~ Peraza was born in 1924
 
April 14, 2013 ~ Singer, songwriter George Jackson, full name George Henry Jackson, passed away in Ridgeland, Mississippi, USA ~ Member of the Ovations, including on their best known song It's Wonderful To Be In Love. Recorded well over a dozen northern soul singles as a solo artist, with some success. Best known as a songwriter for other artists. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Too Weak To Fight (Clarence Carter), I'd Rather Be An Old Man's Sweetheart Than A Young Man's Fool (Candi Staton), Down Home Blues (ZZ Hill), One Bad Apple (the Osmonds), Old Time Rock & Roll (Bob Seger), and The Only Way Is Up (Otis Clay). Other artists who have recorded his songs include the Staple Singers, Johnnie Taylor, Bobby Blue Bland, Latimore, and Denise Lasalle ~ Jackson was born in 1945
 
April 14, 2010 ~ Petrus Thomas Ratajczyk, commonly known as gothic metal singer, bassist, songwriter Peter Steele, passed away in Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Influenced by the Beatles and Black Sabbath. Best known as frontman of gothic metal outfit Type-O Negative. Previously worked with metal band Fallout and thrash band Carnivore ~ Ratajczyk was born in 1962
 
April 14, 2007 ~ Jazz saxophonist Herman Riley passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Tough-toned tenor saxophonist became a fixture on the Los Angeles jazz scene. Riley recorded only one album as a leader, the jam album Herman released in 1986, but was an in-demand sideman for numerous artists for some four decades starting in the mid-1960s. Riley is perhaps known best for his work with Blue Mitchell in the 1970s, including the acclaimed The Last Tango Is Blues album. Other notable appearances include albums by Della Reese, Bobby Bryant, Roy Brown, Bobby Hutcherson, Gene Ammons, Cal Tjader, Billy Brooks (Windows Of The Mind), Frank Capp (The Live At The Century Plaza), Dr John, Earth Wind & Fire, Gladys Knight, Stacy Rowles (Tell It Like It Is), Dave Grusin, Jimmy Smith, Sandy Graham (Sandy Graham), Lorez Alexandria (I'll Never Stop Loving You), Kenny Burrell, and Etta James ~ Riley was born in 1933
 
April 14, 1999 ~ Singer, actor, songwriter Anthony Newley passed away in Jensen Beach, Florida, USA ~ Co-authored Feelin' Good with songwriting partner Leslie Bricusse, made famous by Nina Simone and covered by many others. Also with Bricusse, Newley scored the soundtrack to Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory which earned them an Oscar nomination. Newley also wrote or co-wrote songs such as Goldfinger recorded by John Barry for the James Bond film of the same name, and The Candy Man recorded by Sammy Davis Jr ~ Newley was born in 1931
April 14, 1999 ~ Alexander Lee Spence, commonly known as rock, psychedelic folk, psychedelic rock guitarist, bassist, drummer, singer Skip Spence, passed away in Santa Cruz, California, USA ~ Drummed on the Jefferson Airplane's 1966 Jefferson Airplane Takes Off debut album. Co-founding member, guitarist of highly acclaimed late-1960s rock outfit Moby Grape remaining with the band through 1969, present on the albums Moby Grape, Wow/Grape Jam and Moby Grape '69 ~ Spence was born in 1946
 
April 14, 1995 ~ Balladeer, banjoist, actor Burl Ives, full name Burl Cole Ivanhoe Ives, passed away in Anacortes, Washington, USA ~ Known for his own radio show, The Wayfaring Stranger, popularizing folk songs. Would cross over into country music, releasing a string of singles, often covers, such as A little Bitty Tear and A Funny Way Of Laughin'. Also known as an actor, notably earning an Academy Award for his supporting rol as Rufus Hannassey in the 1958 The Big Country film ~ Ives was born in 1909
 
April 14, 1992 ~ Samuel Blythe Price, commonly known as jazz, boogie-woogie, jump blues pianist, bandleader Sammy Price passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Backed singers such as Trixie Smith and Sister Rosetta Tharpe early on in his career. Best known as a bandleader, accompaniest, staff musician for Decca Records. Has worked with Blue Lu Barker, Cousin Joe, Evelyn Knight, Lester Young, Jimmy Rushing, Don Stovall, and Red Allen ~ Price was born in 1908
 
April 14, 1988 ~ Norwood Poindexter, commonly known as jazz, bop saxophonist Pony Poindexter, passed away in Oakland, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Tributed in the song Little Pony, written by Neal Hefti and recorded by Count Basie. Worked with Billy Eckstine, Lionel Hampton, Stan Kenton, Charlie Parker, Nat King Cole, T-Bone Walker, Jimmy Witherspoon, Eric Dolphy, Dexter Gordon, and Lambert Hendricks & Ross ~ Poindexter was born in 1926
 
April 14, 1986 ~ Singer, keyboardist, flutist Peter Gabriel releases Sledgehammer, lead single off his So album ~ Although the song was one of the last recorded for the album, and was even considered to be held back to be included on Gabriel's next album, the singer pushed for it to be released as the lead single, as it differed from the rest of the album. The song featured drummer Manu Katché as well as noted Stax/Volt session trumpeter Wayne Jackson. Sledgehammer became a worldwide hit, the biggest of his career, reaching top 10 in over a dozen countries including the No.1 spot on the American Billboard Hot 100, and earned Gabriel three Grammy Award nominations. The song is also particularly noted for its acclaimed stop-motion claymation video, which won a record nine awards at the MTV Video Music Awards. According to TIME magazine, the music video is the all-time most played music video on MTV
 
April 14, 1983 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Bob Dylan records Jokerman at Power Station, New York, New York ~ Penned by Dylan. Produced by Dylan and Mark Knopfler who also plays guitar. Other musicians on the recording: Mick Taylor guitar, Alan Clark keyboard, Sly Dunbar drums, Robbie Shakespeare bass. Included on the Infidels album. Released as a single, the flip side graced with a live version of Isis. The single failed to chart yet would be well-received by critics, generally seen as one of his best post-1960s songs
 
April 14, 1980 ~ Singer Kate Bush releases Breathing, lifted off her Never For Ever album ~ Recorded with international tensions rising, Breathing tells of a nuclear holocaust from a fetus' perspective, the fetus still inside the womb and aware the bomb has exploded and he is going to die because he cannot help breathing in the radioactive air through his mother. Kate Bush would later explain: “Breathing is about human beings killing themselves. (…) Maybe there's some kind of strange subconscious desire to damage ourselves. It would seem so if you looked back through history, wouldn't it?” Issued as the lead single of her fourth studio album, Breathing would reach No.16 in her native UK
 
April 14, 1975 ~ Country singer Tanya Tucker releases Lizzie & The Rainman, lead single off her eponymous Tanya Tucker album ~ Written by Larry Henley and Kenny O'Dell, the song tells of a rainmaker visiting a drought-stricken Texas town where he woos a local woman named Lizzie and was inspired by the movie Rainmaker in which the heroine is named Lizzie Currie. The song would be recorded by its co-writer O'Dell, as an album cut by Bobby Goldsboro, and by British pop outfit the Hollies, prior to Tucker's 1975 hit version which spent fifteen weeks on the Billboard Country charts including one week at the top spot. Despite later also aiming at the pop market, Lizzie & The Rainman would remain her sole top 40 hit on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No.37. It was her first release after her move from Columbia Records to MCA Records, and later Tucker recalled: “The recording was so impersonal. I was used to recording live with all the musicians in the studio, and I just sang to the tracks on this one”
 
April 14, 1974 ~ Jazz, double bassist bassist Al Morgan, full name Albert Morgan, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Considered one of the finest bassist of the 1930s, able to play jazz, blues, and R&B. Started in music in the 1920s, playing the riverboats with Fate Marable and Sidney Desvigne before moving on to work with David Jones, Cecil Scott, and the Astoria Hot Eight. Perhaps best known for his stint with Cab Calloway in the mid-1930s, including on Minnie The Moocher, and for his association with Fats Waller. Other notable credits include Louis Armstrong, Les Hite, Zutty Singleton, Louis Jordan, Sabby Lewis, Coleman Hawkins, Don Byas, Jay McShann, Red Allen, and T-Bone Walker. From the 1950s through the 1970s, Morgan formed a duo with Buddy Banks ~ Morgan was born in 1908
April 14, 1974 ~ Shawntae Harris, copmmonly known as rapper, actress Da Brat born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Emerged in the early-1990s as one of hip-hop's toughest females. Debuted with the million-seller Funkdafied album in 1994, making her the first female solo act to receive Platinum certification. Known for songs such as Funkdafied, I Think They Like Me and Loverboy. Has collaborated with Tionne T-Boz Watkins, Tyrese, Jermaine Dupri, Missy Elliott, Total, Mariah Carey, Lil' Kim, Dru Hill, Jagged Edge, and Omarion
April 14, 1974 ~ Quentin Dupieux, commonly known as DJ, songwriter, filmmaker Mr Oizo, born in Paris, France ~ Has directed and written over a dozen films starting in the early-2000s. As a musician best known for his 1999 single Flat Beat. The song would be a used in a series of Levi's commercials and become a hit across Europe. It would be included on his full-length Analog Worms Attack debut album released later the same year. Dupieux has recorded about half a dozen albums since
 
April 14, 1973 ~ Opera, classical crossover tenor singer David Miller born in San Diego, California, USA ~ Best known as member of crossover quartet Il Divo, active since 2004 with record sales exceeding 30 million the group is credited with pioneering the genre of “popera” or operatic pop. The group has collaborated with a wide array of artists including Barbra Streisand, Céline Dion, Engelbert Humperdinck, Leona Lewis, Nicole Scherzinger, and Toni Braxton
 
April 14, 1972 ~ R&B singer, songwriter Andrea Martin, full name Andrea Monica Martin, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best remembered for penning a number of quintessential R&B hits since the 1990s, often with longtime collaborator Ivan Matias, such as I Love Me Some Him (Toni Braxton), Before You Walk Out Of My Life (Monica), Wish I Didn't Miss You (Angie Stone), Don't Let Go (Love) (En Vogue), You're The One (SWV), and Better In Time (Leona Lewis). Others who recorded songs written or co-written by Martin include Paloma Faith, Nelly, RBD, and Jennifer Hudson. Has also recorded as a singer herself though to significantly lesser chart succes. Her 1999 Share The Love single would be a club hit, reaching the top 10 of the Billboard Dance charts ~ Martin passed away in 2021
April 14, 1972 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones release Tumbling Dice, lead single off their Exile On Main St double album ~ The song originated from an earlier incomplete and unreleased draft, called Good Time Women, recorded for the band's previous album Sticky Fingers. Singer Mick Jagger kept working on the song though, and the end result would be praised by musical scholars and critics, noted specifically for its unusual boogie-woogie-influenced tempo and groove. According to audio engineer Andy Johns recording the song was “like pulling teeth” because of the time it took to get a satisfactory take. The single reached top 10 in numerous countries, including the USA, the UK, and the Netherlands
 
April 14, 1969 ~ Martijn Lenoble, commonly known as bassist Martyn Lenoble, born in Vlaardingen, the Netherlands ~ Founding member of Porno For Pyros alongside Peter Distefano, Stephen Perkins and Perry Farrell. Has also worked with Thelonious Monster, the Too Free Stooges, Jane's Addiction, the Cult, David Gahan, Scott Weiland, Mark Lanegan, the Soulsavers, Daniel Lanois, Maria McKee, Sarah McLachlan, Layne Staley, Tom Morello, Josh Klinghoffer, Banyan, Keith Caputo, and Wildlights. Lenoble is married to actress Christina Applegate with whom he has one daughter
 
April 14, 1968 ~ Producer, singer, songwriter Alexandr Ksenofontov born in Lviv, Ukranian SSR ~ Lead singer of rock group the Tea Fan Club. Married to Ruslana, internationally known for winning the 2004 Eurovision Songfestival with Wild Dances, which they wrote together
April 14, 1968 ~ Christian rock singer, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Mark Stuart, full name Mark Alan Stuart, born in Owensboro, Kentucky, USA ~ Best known as lead singer for Christian rock band Audio Adrenaline from 1986 through 2007, present on some of the band's best known including the acclaimed albums Bloom, Worldwide and Until My Heart Caves In. Stuart has also served as producer for the likes of Jennifer Knapp, Fireflight, and Kids In The Way, as songwriter for TobyMac, Kutless, and MercyMe, and starred as Petrov in the rock opera Hero
 
April 14, 1967 ~ Drummer, percussionist, singer Barrett Martin born in Olympia, Washington, USA ~ Member of Skin Yard, present on the albums Inside The Eye and Start At The Top. Member of Screaming Trees, present on the acclaimed Sweet Oblivion album. Also noted for his work with Mad Season, Tuatara, and Walking Papers. Other notable credits include Seaweed, Luna, REM (Up), the Stone Temple Pilots, Mark Olson, the Twilight Singers, the Queens Of The Stone Age, Nando Reis, and CeDell Davis
April 14, 1967 ~ Pop drummer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, singer Frode Unneland born in Bergen, Norway ~ Key figure on the Bergen music scene since the late-1980s. Noted for his associations with Pompel & the Pilts, Unge Frustrerte Menn, Chocolate Overdose, Savoy, and Evig Din For Altid. Has also guested on recordings by Ephemera, A-ha (Minor Earth Major Sky), Sondre Lerche, and Popium
April 14, 1967 ~ Jazz trombonist Steve Davis born in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA ~ Worked with Jackie McLean, Art Blakey, Chick Corea, Eric Alexander, Jim Rotondi, David Hazeltine, John Webber, Joe Farnsworth, Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson, Hank Jones, Cecil Payne, Horace Silver, Cedar Walton, Harold Mabern, Larry Willis, Eddie Henderson, Roy Hargrove, Avishai Cohen, Wynton Marsalis, Michael Weiss, Jimmy Greene, and Steve Turre
 
April 14, 1964 ~ Fiddler Stuart Duncan born in Quantico, Virginia, USA ~ PLays fiddle, mandolin, guitar, banjo. Member of the Nashville Bluegrass Band since 1985. In-demand session musician. Has worked with George Strait, Dolly Parton, Guy Clark, Reba McEntire, Barbra Streisand, Mark Knopfler, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Diana Krall, Yo-Yo Ma, and Chris Thile
 
April 14, 1962 ~ Guitarist, singer John Bell, full name John Farmer Bell, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Lead singer, rhythm guitarist for rock, blues rock, jam band Widespread Panic for well over three decades since its inception in the late-1980s. Influenced by Southern rock, blues rock, progressive rock, funk and hard rock the band has been critically compared to the Grateful Dead and Phish and are especially known for their energetic live act. Acclaimed albums include Space Wrangler, Light Fuse Get Away, and Live In The Classic City
 
April 14, 1961 ~ R&B, soul singer Sam Cooke records Cupid at RCA Studios, Hollywood, California ~ Reportedly producers Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore had asked Cooke to write a song for a girl they had seen on The Perry Como Show, but once they heard her sing they kept the song for Cooke. Released as a single, featuring Farewell My Darling on the B-side, would reach top 20 on both the Billboard R&B and Billboard Hot 100 charts. The UK release would give Cooke a British top 10
 
April 14, 1960 ~ Pop, rock & roll singer Billy Fury and vocal group the Four Jays record That's Love at Decca Studios, London, UK ~ Self-penned. Produced by Jack Good. Paired with You Don't Know on the flip side, the single would be released the following May and reach top 20 on the UK pop charts
April 14, 1960 ~ Hard rock, melodic rock singer Danny Bowes, full name Daniel John Bowes, born in West Ham, UK ~ Member of Nuthin' Fancy. Member of Terraplane. Best known as lead singer of rock band Thunder, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums starting with Backstreet Symphony in 1990. They are best known for songs such as Love Walked In, Low Life In High Places, and the UK top 20 hit A Better Man
 
April 14, 1956 ~ Singer Elvis Presley records I Want You I Need You I Love You in RCA/Victor Studios, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Seeking a follow-up for the million-seller Heartbreak Hotel producer Steve Sholes had Presley flown in between shows. The hired airplane suffered engine trouble and when the crew finally arrived everybody would be stressed and neither Presley nor Sholes were particularly happy with either the material at hand or any of the takes. Sholes would splice two takes and release the single, featuring My Baby Left Me on the flip side, in May. It would become another million-seller
 
April 14, 1955 ~ Singer, pianist Fats Domino records Ain't That A Shame at Master Recorders, Hollywood, California ~ Written by Domino and Dave Bartholomew. Released the next month, paired with La La on the flip side. Included on Domino's full-length debut Rock And Rollin' With Fats Domino album. Shame would gain fame after being covered by Pat Boone, after which Domino got the attention of the mainstream listeners
 
April 14, 1954 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Pierce Pettis born in Fort Payne, Alabama, USA ~ Staff writer at Polygram Publishing. First gained attention in 1979 when Joan Baez recorded his Song At The End Of The Movie. Pettis would go on to release several albums as a singer, starting with 1984's Moments. Artists who have recorded his songs include Dar Williams, Garth Brooks (You Move Me), Sara Groves, Randy Stonehill, and Pat Alger
 
April 14, 1952 ~ Bassist, guitarist Kenny Aaronson born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Motown bassist James Jamerson. Honed his skills through the 1970s working with Dust, Stories, and extensively with Rick Derringer. Would go on to work with Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve (Through The Fire), Brian Setzer, the Blue Öyster Cult, Billy Idol (Vital Idol), Joan Jett, Billy Squier, Graham Parker, Foghat, Tom Guerra, and the Yardbirds
 
April 14, 1951 ~ Cellist, conductor Julian Lloyd Webber born ~ Son of composer William Lloyd Webber, brother of musical composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. Has worked with a wide variety of orchestras, conductors, instrumentalists, and pop and rock artists including Yehudi Menuhin, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Clifford Curzon, Murray Perahia, Stéphane Grappelli, Elton John, and Cleo Laine. Premiered the recordings of over four dozens works, including works for cello by composers such as Joaquín Rodrigo, James MacMillan, and Philip Glass
April 14, 1951 ~ Rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Pyotr Mamonov, full name Pyotr Nikolayevich Mamonov, born in Moscow, Soviet Union' ~ Influenced by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, the Weather Report. One of Russia's most revered and eccentric figures, eventually achieving cult status. Frontman, founder of Zvuki Mu, active mostly from 1982 through 1990 and in various incarnations in later years. One of the few Russian musicians to achieve international recognition, mostly through his late-1980s association with Brian Eno. Has also ventured into acting in films as well as writing and producing a series of his own one-man theatrical performances ~ Mamonov passed away in 2021
 
April 14, 1949 ~ Drummer Dennis Bryon, full name Dennis Ronald Bryon, born in Neath, UK ~ Member of 1960s pop outfit Amen Corner, with whom he scored the UK top 10 hits Bend Me Shape Me, High In The Sky, If Paradise Is Half As Nice, and Hello Susie. Bryon is als closely associated with the Bee Gees, backing the Gibb brothers from 1974 through 1979 including on the albums Main Course, Children Of The World, and on several tracks of the soundtrack album Saturday Night Fever. Bryon also co-produced Robin Gibb's How Old Are You album released in 1983 ~ Bryon passed away in 2024
April 14, 1949 ~ Sonia Christina Shaw, commonly known as progressive rock, folk, acid folk singer Sonja Kristina, born in Brentwood, UK ~ Performed in the original London production of the rock musical Hair. Lead singer of 1970s progressive rock unit Curved Air, known for merging progressive rock, folk and fusion with classical influences and best known for the albums Air Conditioning, Second Album and Phantasmagoria. The single Back Street Luv would reach top 10 in the band's native UK
 
April 14, 1948 ~ Joseph Emmanuel Charlemagne, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Manno Charlemagne, born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti ~ Known for his politically themed folk chansons sung in French and Creole. Lived in exile twice, first during the 1980s and again from 1991 through 1994 during the country military junta rule. Charlemagne would serve as mayor of Port-au-Prince from the mid- to late-1990s ~ Charlemagne passed away in 2017
 
April 14, 1945 ~ Jazz drummer Eliot Zigmund born in New York, New York, USA ~ Revered session musician. Worked with Ron McClure, Steve Swallow, Art Lande, Mike Nock, Mel Martin, Vince Guaraldi, Bill Evans, Eddie Gomez, Bennie Wallace, Richard Beirach, Jim Hall, Chet Baker, Stan Getz, Fred Hersch, Red Mitchell, Don Friedman, Michel Petrucciani, Gary Peacock, Carl Barry, Keith Greko, Eijo Nakayama, Stefan Karlsson, Neil Sedaka, Dionne Warwick, and the Pointer Sisters
April 14, 1945 ~ Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore born in Weston Super Mare, UK ~ Hugely influential on later guitarists including Janick Gers, Randy Rhoads, Lita Ford, Brian May, Yngwie Malmsteen. Co-founding member of Deep Purple. Credited with coming up with the band name inspired by the song Deep Purple by Peter Derose, a favorite of his grandmother's. Noted especially for his guitar play Highway Star, Lazy and specifically Child In Time, all considered among rock's greatest guitar solos. Co-founded Rainbow, initially merging baroque influences with classic hard-rock and eventually moving towards a more pop-rock oriented sound
 
April 14, 1943 ~ Pianist Nikolai Petrov, full name Nikolai Arnoldovich petrov, born in Moscow, Russia ~ Son of cellist Arnold Ferkelman. Classically trained from an early age. Internationally renowned pianist. Has worked with conductors such as Mariss Jansons, Kirill Kondrashin, Gennnady Rozhdestvensky, Yevgeny Svetlanov, and Yuri Temirkanov ~ Petrov passed away in 2011
 
April 14, 1942 ~ Pop singer Tony Burrows, full name Anthony Burrows, born in Exeter, UK ~ Was a member of or featured guest vocalist on several late-1960s, early-1970s one-hit wonder outfits including the Flower Pot Men (Let's Go To San Francisco), Edison Lighthouse (Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes), the White Plains (My Baby Loves Lovin'), the Pipkins (Gimme Dat Ding), First Class (Beach Baby), and Brotherhood Of Man (United We Stand). Also recorded close to a dozen solo singles, his best known being 1970's Melanie Makes Me Smile, as well as with the Kestrels, Elton John, Cliff Richard, and James Last
 
April 14, 1938 ~ Jazz saxophonist, flutist, singer Monty Waters born in Modesto, California, USA ~ Worked with BB King, Lightnin' Hopkins, Little Richard, James Brown, King Pleasure, Pharoah Sanders, Dewey Redman, Donald Garrett, Jon Hendricks, Chet Baker, Johnny Griffin, Embryo, Gotz Tangerding, Hannes Beckman, Titus Waldenfels, Billy Higgins, Joe Lee Wilson, Sam Rivers, and Ronnie Boykins ~ Waters passed away in 2008
 
April 14, 1933 ~ Electronic composer Morton Subotnick born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Robert Erickson. Has worked extensively with interactive electronics and multi-media. Perhaps best known for his 1967 composition Silver Apples Of The Moon. Co-founded the now famous California Institute of the Arts in 1969, serving as associate dean for the first four years and as head of the composition program thereafter
 
April 14, 1932 ~ Loretta Webb, commonly known as country, honky tonk singer, guitarist, songwriter Loretta Lynn, born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky, USA ~ Known as “the Coal Miner's Daughter” has shaped 1960s and 1970s country and along with Dolly Parton and Tammy Wynette served as a rolemodel for future generations of female country singers. Known for songs such as You Ain't Woman Enough To Take My Man, Don't Come Home A-Drinkin' With Lovin' On Your Mind, One's On The Way, Fist City and Coal Miner's Daughter ~ Webb passed away in 2022
 
April 14, 1929 ~ Inez McConico, commonly known as gospel singer, songwriter Inez Andrews, born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Member of the Caravans, lead vocals on songs such as Mary Don't You Weep, I'm Not Tired Yet, Make It In, He Won't Deny Me, and I'm Willing. As a solo artist best known for her 1972 crossover hit Lord Don't Move The Mountain ~ McConico passed away in 2012
 
April 14, 1925 ~ Eugene Ammons, commonly known as jazz saxophonist Gene Ammons, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Son of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons. Leader and sideman. Heavily influenced by R&B. Has worked with Billy Eckstine, Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Miles Davis, Sonny Stitt, Woody Herman, Donald Byrd, Jackie McLean, John Coltrane, Kenny Burrell, Mal Waldron, Art Farmer, Duke Jordan, Charles Mingus, Richard Groove Holmes, and Jack McDuff ~ Ammons passed away in 1974
 
April 14, 1920 ~ Jazz arranger Gil Fuller born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Active mostly in the 1930s and 1940s, Fuller wrote and arranged for bandleaders such as Les Hite, Floyd Ray, Jimmie Lunceford, Billy Eckstine, Tiny Bradshaw, Benny Carter, Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Count Basie, Machito, Tito Puente, Tadd Dameron, Gil Evans, George Russell, and Dizzy Gillespie ~ Fuller passed away in 1994
 
April 14, 1915 ~ Composer, pianist Alexander Scriabin, full name Alexander Nikolayevich Scriabin, passed away in Moscow, Russian Empire ~ Influenced by Frédéric Chopin. Contemporary of Sergei Rachmaninoff and Nikolai Medtner. One of the most innovative and controversial of the early modern composers and main exponent of Russian Symbolist movement ~ Scriabin was born in 1872
 
April 14, 1759 ~ Baroque composer George Frideric Handel passed away in London, UK ~ Well known for his oratorios, concerti grossi, organ concertos and operas. Has composed over 40 operas. Influenced later composers including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven. Perhaps best known for his 1742 oratoria Messiah and his 1749 suite Music For The Royal Fireworks ~ Handel was born in 1685