April 15, 2023 ~ Jazz, R&B bassist Peter Badie, full name Peter Chuck Badie, passed away ~ Active since the early-1950s, performing and recording with Roy Brown, Paul Gayten, and Dave Bartholomew. Member of Lionel Hampton's orchestra during the mid-1950s. Would go on to work with Hank Crawford, Edward Frank, June Gardner, Dizzy Gillespie, and Zoot Sims. Retired from music by the 1970s for medical reasons. Reemerged in the 1990s as member of Dr John's backing unit ~ Badie was born in 1925
April 15, 2022 ~ Arthur Goldberg, commonly known as label executive, producer Art Rupe, passed away in Santa Barbara, California, USA ~ Founded Specialty Records in the mid-1940s, a pivotal record label in the development of R&B, blues and early rock & roll. Perhaps best known for his association with Little Richard, starting with 1955's Tutti Frutti which is widely considered one of the records that defined rock & roll. Other notable artists on the label's roster include gospel acts such as the Soul Stirrers which featured Sam Cooke, the Swan Silvertones, Alex Bradford, Wynona Carr and R&B and rock & roll artists including Lloyd Price, Guitar Slim, Don & Dewey, Roy Montrell, and Roddy Jackson ~ Goldberg was born in 1917
April 15, 2020 ~ Andres Holten, commonly known as singer, songwriter Dries Holten, passed away ~ Half of Sandra & Andres, the other half being Sandra Reemer. The duo would reach 4th place at the 1972 Eurovision Songfestival, representing the Netherlands, with their performance of Als Het Om De Liefde Gaat. Holten would later team up with Rosy Pereira forming the duo Rosy & Andres ~ Holten was born in 1936
April 15, 2020 ~ Jazz double bassist Henry Grimes passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Leading bassist in free jazz. Recorded and performed with artists such as Gerry Mulligan, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, Anita O'Day, Benny Goodman, Charles Mingus, Cecil Taylor, Don Cherry, Steve Lacy, Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp, Albert Ayler, and others. His career halted in the late-1960s, he was often presumed dead, but resurfaced in the early-2000s ~ Grimes was born in 1935
April 15, 2020 ~ Bebop, cool jazz, avant-garde jazz alto saxophonist Lee Konitz passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Influenced Paul Desmond and Art Pepper. Worked with Teddy Powell, Lennie Tristano, Claude Thornhill, Gil Evans, Miles Davis (Birth Of The Cool), Stan Kenton, Elvin Jones, Sonny Dallas, Dave Brubeck, Ornette Coleman, Charles Mingus, Attila Zoller, Brad Mehldau, Charlie Haden, Paul Motian, and others ~ Konitz was born in 1927
April 15, 2017 ~ Jazz fusion, progressive rock guitarist Allan Holdsworth passed away in Vista, California, USA ~ Cited as influence by Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Yngwie Malmsteen and Tom Morello. Described as “the John Coltrane of the guitar” by Robben Ford. First gained attention as member of Igginbottom, known for their sole album Igginbottom's Wrench. Has also worked with Sunship, Nucleus, Tempest, Soft Machine, Tony Williams Lifetime, Pierre Moerlen, Jean-Luc Ponty, Bill Bruford, UK, Gordon Beck, Frank Gambale, Derek Sherinian, Alan Pasqua, Level 42, Gongzilla, Soft Works, and Stanley Clarke ~ Holdsworth was born in 1946
April 15, 2017 ~ Songwriter, producer Sylvia Moy passed away in Dearborn, Michigan, USA ~ Best known as staff songwriter at Motown, especially closely associated with Stevie Wonder. Moy co-wrote songs such as My Cherie Amour, I Was Made To Love Her, and Never Had A Dream Come True for Stevie Wonder, Honey Chile and Love Bug (Leave My Heart Alone) for Martha & the Vandellas, and It Takes Two for Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston ~ Moy was born in 1938
April 15, 2014 ~ Singer Little Joe Cook passed away in Framingham, Massachusetts, USA ~ Declined an offer to join the Soul Stirrers after Sam Cooke left. Fronted Little Joe & the Thrillers, known for their 1957 US hit Peanuts. Member of the Sherrys, known for Pop Pop Pop Pie, a modest 1962 hit ~ Cook was born in 1922
April 15, 2013 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Scott Miller, full name Scott Warren Miller, passed away ~ Co-founded and fronted 1980s power pop, jangle pop outfit Game Theory, critically acclaimed for their 1986 Big Shot Chronicles and its follow-up Lolita Nation released the following year. Co-founded and fronted 1990s band Loud Family, especially known for their 1992 Plants And Birds And Rocks And Things debut album. Both bands were critics darlings, Miller's songwriting drawing comparison to Brian Wilson and Alex Chilton, and cult favorites, drawing a devout following yet never reaching mainstream succes ~ Miller was born in 1960
April 15, 2008 ~ Drummer Brian Davison passed away in Horns Cross, UK ~ Member of the Mark Leeman Five from 1963 until its disbandement in 1966. Best known for his association with pioneering progressive rock outfit the Nice from 1968 through 1969, present on the band's acclaimed 1969 eponymous Nice album. The band is also noted for launching the career of Keith Emerson. Davison has also worked with PP Arnold, Rod Stewart, Every Which Way, Refugee, and Gong ~ Davison was born in 1942
April 15, 2008 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Sean Costello passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Debuted at age 16 with the album Call The Cops, released in 1996. First gained significant exposure backing Susan Tedeschi both on record, 1998's Just Won't Burn, and on tour. Worked with BB King, Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Hubert Sumlin, Levon Helm, Nappy Brown (including on the 2007 album Long Time Coming), Bobby Little, Mikael Santana, Mudcat, Jody Williams, Olabelle, Tinsley Ellis, the Cazanovas, Joe McGuinness, the Kraft Quartet, Maddy Moneypenny, Jenni Muldaur, and others ~ Costello was born in 1979
April 15, 2005 ~ Ernest Harold Bailey, commonly known as trumpeter Benny Bailey, passed away in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Influential on later musicians such as Albert Ayler, Bob Cunningham, Bobby Few, Bill Hardman, and Frank Wright. Active since the early-1940s. Felt particularly at home in big band settings though he would occasionally play in smaller settings. Stuck around in Europe after a tour with Lionel Hampton. Also worked with Bull Moose Jackson, Scatman Crothers, the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, Lionel Hampton, Kenny Clarke, Quincy Jones, Freddie Redd, Eddie Harris, Count Basie, Eric Dolphy, Stan Getz, Benny Golson, Dexter Gordon, Charlie Rouse, Sahib Shihab, and Jimmy Witherspoon ~ Bailey was born in 1925
April 15, 2001 ~ Jeffrey Ross Hyman, commonly known as punk rock singer Joey Ramone, passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Became a countercultural icon as frontman of 1970s punk rock band the Ramones, known for songs such as Blitzkrieg Bop, Sheena Is A Punk Rocker, Rockaway Beach and perhaps their best known Rock 'n Roll High School ~ Hyman was born in 1951
April 15, 1998 ~ Country singer, fiddler, songwriter Rose Maddox, full name Roselea Arbana Maddox, passed away in Ashland, Oregon, USA ~ Lead singer for sibling outfit the Maddox Brothers. Following the band's disbandement in 1956 ventured out on her own, drawing from hillbilly, rockabilly and gospel, scoring Billboard Country hits throughout the mid-1960s. Well known songs include Kissing My Pillow, the Buck Owens-duets Mental Cruelty and Loose Talk, and her best known Sing A Little Song Of Heartache released in 1962 ~ Maddox was born in 1925
April 15, 1991 ~ R&B saxophonist, bandleader Frank Culley, full name Frank Windsol Culley, passed away in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Recorded prolifically from the 1930s onwards, notably the late-1940s hits Cole Slaw, Floorshow and After Hour Session. Leader of the first houseband at Atlantic Records, a position he held from 1948 through 1951 ~ Culley was born in 1917
April 15, 1990 ~ Sharon Kovacs, mononymously known as singer Kovacs, born in Baarlo, the Netherlands ~ Cites Betty Davis, Etta James and Tina Turner as influences. Drew critical comparison to Amy Winehouse, Portishead and Shirley Bassey. Her 2014 My Love debut EP made her a darling of radio station 3FM and subsequently of NPO Radio 6. A full-length debut album, Shades Of Black, followed the next year
April 15, 1988 ~ Singer, songwriter Andrés Cuervo born in Barranquilla, Colombia ~ Released his Tras De Ti debut album in 2008 and has recorded to commercial succes since. Known for songs such as Como Yo Te Quiero, La Receta, Viviria Bien, Te Extrano, Destino Casualidad, and Luna Cuentale ~ Cuervo passed away in 2022
April 15, 1988 ~ Eliza Sophie Caird, commonly known as soul, R&B, indie pop, pop singer, pianist, songwriter Eliza Doolittle, born in Westminster, UK ~ Debuted in 2010 with the eponymous Eliza Doolittle album which spawned the singles Skinny Genes and Pack Up, the latter of which reached the UK top 10. Also known as featured vocalist on Disclosure's You & Me, a hit in 2013
April 15, 1986 ~ Esther Renay Dean, commonly known as singer, songwriter, actress Ester Dean, born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA ~ As a solo artist known for her 2009 single Drop It Low featuring Chris Brown. Best known as a songwriter for artists such as Rihanna (Rude Boy), the Jonas Brothers, Fifth Harmony, Mary J Blige, Kelly Clarkson (Mr Know It All), Esmée Denters, Katy Perry (Firework), Christina Aguilera, OneRepublic, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj (Super Bass), and Old Dominion
April 15, 1985 ~ Indie rock, indie folk banjoist, bassist, keyboardist, guitarist, singer Chuck Criss born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Member of indie outfit Freelance Whales, acclaimed for the albums Weathervanes and Diluvia. Criss was also a member of Computer Games, which also included his brother Darren Criss, known for songs such as Every Single Night and Lost Boys For Life ~ Chris passed away in 2022
April 15, 1983 ~ Country singer, songwriter Margo Price, full name Margo Rae Price, born in Aledo, Illinois, USA ~ Member of Buffalo Clover. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Midwest Farmer's Daughter, in 2016. Cites Janis Joplin, Bobbie Gentry, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton as influences
April 15, 1983 ~ Singer Matt Cardle born in Southampton, UK ~ Member of Darwyn. Member of Seven Summers. Rose to fame winning the 7th season of The X-Factor talent contest in 2010. His subsequent solo single, When We Collide, would top the charts in the UK and Ireland. Also noted for Loving You with former the Spice Girls-singer Melanie C, a UK top 20 hit in 2013
April 15, 1983 ~ Pop, synth-pop, new wave, blue-eyed soul group Spandau Ballet release True, which would become their sole Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit ~ While in a relationship, guitarist Gary Kemp developed an infatuation for the Altered Images singer Clare Grogan. Struggling with his feelings, he wrote True, which became their biggest hit. It reached top 10 in numerous countries, including the USA, and would be the band's only single to top the charts in their native UK. In 2009, Kemp revealed in his autobiography that even when conveying his feelings in lyrics “he felt inhibited, shy even, so I started to write about that very thing: the fear of revealing oneself, of saying in song what was true.”
April 15, 1982 ~ Post-hardcore, emo, indie rock, alternative rock, pop rock Anthony Green born in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Active since the late-1990s as lead singer for a number of bands including Audience Of One, Jeer At Rome, Zolof The Rock & Roll Destroyer, High And Driving, Saosin, the Sound Of Animals Fighting, Circa Survive, and LS Dunes. Has also recorded well over half a dozen studio albums as a solo artist, starting with Avalon released in 2008
April 15, 1980 ~ Blues rock, garage rock, alternative rock, indie rock drummer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist Patrick Carney, full name Patrick James Carney, born in Akron, Ohio, USA ~ Best known as drummer for critics darlings the Black Keys, alongside guitarist, singer Dan Auerbach. The duo is acclaimed for the mid-2000s albums Thickfreakness and Rubber Factory. Guested on the Rentals 2014 Lost In Alphaville album. Carney has also served as producer for the likes of the Sheepdogs, Tennis, the Black Lips, Tobias Jesso Jr, Karen Elson, and Michelle Branch, whom he would marry in 2019
April 15, 1978 ~ Songwriter, guitarist, singer Chris Stapleton born in Staffordsville, Kentucky, USA ~ Member of Steeldrivers. Made a name for himself as a songwriter, writing or co-writing songs for Darryl Worley, Josh Turner (Your Man), Trace Adkins, Kenny Chesney (Never Wanted Nothing More), Blake Shelton, Alan Jackson, Luke Bryan (Drink A Beer), and George Strait (Love's Gonna Make It Alright), prior to debuting as a singer in 2015 with the album Traveller. Stapleton has since racked up well over half a dozen Billboard Country top 20 hits, including the charttoppers Starting Over and You Should Probably Leave
April 15, 1974 ~ Songwriter Giovanni D'Anzi passed away in Genoa, Italy ~ Frequent collaborator of Alfredo Bracchi, working prolifically for radio, film and stage from the 1930s through the 1950s. The pair is responsible for songs such as Lina Termini's Ma L'Amore No, Tony Dallara's Bambina Innamorata and Carlo Buti's Ti Diro. Other artists who recorded their songs include Caterina Valente, Ornella Vanoni, Gigliola Cinquetti, Nicola Arigliano, Luciano Pavarotti, and José Carreras ~ D'Anzi was born in 1906
April 15, 1968 ~ Jazz pianist, composer John Blum born in New York, New York, USA ~ Regarded as a hybrid of McCoy Tyner and Cecil Taylor, having studied with the latter. Has recorded about half a dozen albums as a leader, starting with Naked Mirror released in 2002. As a sideman has performed or recorded with the likes of Butch Morris, Darius Jones, Hamid Drake, Han Bennink, Mat Maneri, Peter Brötzmann, Raphe Malik, Roy Campbell Jr, Sunny Murray, Steve Swell, Tony Buck, and Wilber Morris
April 15, 1966 ~ Pop, dance-pop singer Samantha Fox, full name Samantha Karen Fox, born in London, UK ~ Page 3 girl that became one of the most popular pin-ups of the 1980s. As a singer known for a string of mid to late-1980s hits, regularly hitting the higher echelons of the charts in the UK and continentel Europe with songs such as Touch Me (I Want Your Body), Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now and Naughty Girls Need Love Too
April 15, 1965 ~ Bassist, songwriter Graeme Clark born in Glasgow, UK ~ Founding member of Wet Wet Wet, known best for their 1987 hit Wishing I Was Lucky of their Popped In Souled Out debut album. Other well known songs include Sweet Little Mystery, Angel Eyes (Home And Away), With A Little Help From My Friends and Goodnight Girl
April 15, 1965 ~ William Newbern, commonly known as blues, country blues guitarist Hambone Wilie Newbern, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Worked with Yank Rachell and Sleepy John Estes. Recorded only half a dozen songs in the 1920s and 1930, but including one of the earliest known versions of Rollin' & Tumblin' though. The song would become a blues standard recorded by numerous artists, most notably by Muddy Waters in 1950 ~ Newborn was born ca.1901
April 15, 1962 ~ Ivor Neville Kamen, commonly known as model, singer, songwriter Nick Kamen, born in Essex, UK ~ Known for the 1980s singles Each Time You Break My Heart and I Promised Myself, both of which reached top 10 across Europe. The former was produced and written by Stephen Bray and Madonna, the latter also providing backing vocals. In his native UK Kamen is best known for appearing in a Levi's 501 television commercial ~ Kamen passed away in 2021
April 15, 1962 ~ Singer, actress Sally Ann Triplett born in London, UK ~ Best known for her appearances at the Eurovision Songfestival, first as lead female vocalist of Prima Donna in 1980 reaching third place with Love Enough For Two, and again two years later as half of the duo Bardo reaching seventh place with One Step Further. Also known as a stage actress, singer in numerous West End musicals including productions of Follies, Grease, Cats, and Mamma Mia
April 15, 1956 ~ Jazz bassist James Cammack born ~ Cites Israel Crosby, George Duvivier, and Milt Hinton as influences. Best known for his association with Ahmad Jamal. Also worked with Malachi Thompson, Alexis Cole, Larry Coryell, Bernard Pretty Purdie, Howard Johnson, Shahin Novrasli, Roberto Tarenzi, Jorge Rossy, and others
April 15, 1955 ~ Jazz, pop, rock guitarist Jeff Golub born in New York, New York, USA ~ Over a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, drawing from jazz, R&B, and pop. Especially noted for the 1990s albums Naked City and Out Of The Blue. In-demand sideman from the 1980s onward, appearing on albums by the likes of the Chieftains, Rod Stewart (Tonight I'm Yours), Billy Squier, Peter Wolf (Come As You Are), David Broza, Palace, Tina Turner, Kane Roberts (Saints & Sinners), Willie & Lobo, Cheryl Wheeler, Bryan Savage (Cat Food), Rick Braun (Body And Soul), Ashford & Simpson, John Waite, and Gato Barbieri ~ Golub passed away in 2015
April 15, 1955 ~ Blues, R&B, rock guitarist, singer Tommy Castro born in San Jose, California, USA ~ Active since the 1970s. Solo records since the mid-1990s. Cites guitarists such as Mike Bloomfield, Elvin Bishop, Eric Clapton, BB King, Buddy Guy, Elmore James, and Freddie King, and singers such as Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett and James Brown as influences. Had artists such as John Lee Hooker, Charlie Musselwhite, Marcia Ball, Tab Benoit, Joe Bonamassa, the Holmes Brothers, Magic Dick, Mike Zitto, Danielle Nicole, and David Hidalgo guest on his albums
April 15, 1953 ~ Classical, contemporary classical clarinetist David Campbell born ~ Widely regarded as one of the finest clarinetists of his generation. Closely associated with Peter Maxwell Davies, serving as a member of the Fires Of London chamber ensemble. Has also worked with the London Sinfonietta, the Endymion Ensemble, and Lontano. Premiered a number of works specifically written for him, notably Peter Lieuwen's concerto River Of Crystal Light and Michael Stimpson's The Sun And The Moon
April 15, 1952 ~ Bluegrass mandolinist, fiddler, banjoist, guitarist Sam Bush, full name Charles Samuel Bush, born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA ~ Regarded as one of the originators of progressive bluegrass. Actively performing since his early teens. Member of the Bluegrass Alliance, which reformed as the New Grass Revival in late 1971. With the band going through numerous personnel changes, Bush would remain the sole constant member. At times the band included renowned banjoist Béla Fleck, bassist John Cowan and guitarist Pat Flynn. Bush has recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist and collaborated with the likes of Doc Watson, Strength In Numbers, Edgar Meyer, David Grisman, Tony Rice, and Marc Broussard
April 15, 1951 ~ Classical pianist Anne Eline Riisnæs born in Oslo, Norway ~ Daughter of pianist Eline Nygaard Riisnæs, sister of jazz musicians Knut Riisnæs and Odd Riisnæs. Has worked with the Oslo Filharmonien, the Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester, and the NRK Orchestra
April 15, 1951 ~ Singer, songwriter, poet Pavel Zajicek born in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Founded DG 307 with bassist Milan Hlavsa. Named after the code for the psychiatric diagnosis that would exempt young men from compulsory military service, the band was one of the bands outlawed and persecuted by the communist regime. Zajicek would grow into one of the prominent figures of the Czech underground scene. Zajicek was also involved in another band with Hlavsa, the Plastic People Of The Universe, for whom he co-wrote Apokalyptickej Pak. Having fled the regime Zajicek returned to his native Czechoslovakia after the the Velvet Revolution of the late-1980s, and reformed DG 307
April 15, 1948 ~ Rock, hard rock singer, songwriter Phil Mogg, full name Phillip John Mogg, born in Wood Green, UK ~ Co-founding and sole constant member, lead singer, main lyricist for UFO, initially a space rock outfit turning more towards rock and hard rock over the years. The band has been credited as a major influence on hard rock and heavy metal of the 1980s and 1990s, paving the way for acts such as Metallica, Iron Maiden, Guns 'n Roses, Alice In Chains, and Dio. Prior to his career in music Mogg was a junior boxing champion
April 15, 1947 ~ Conductor, operatic singer Michel Piquemal born in Paris, France ~ As a singer known for interpretations of Franz Liszt, Lalo Schifrin, Gioachino Rossini. As a conductor has worked with the Orchestra National De Lille, the Orchestre De Chambre De Paris, the Hungarian National Symphony, the Moroccan Philharmonic Orchestra, and others
April 15, 1947 ~ Songwriter, producer Mike Chapman born in Queensland, Australia ~ Frequent partner of Nicky Chinn. As songwriters and producers the pair is responsible for shaping the sound of 1970s UK pop and pop-rock, working with Smokie, the Sweet (Poppa Joe), Suzi Quatro (Devil Gate Drive), Mud (Tiger Feet) and Racey. Chapman, without Chinn, has also produced and written for artists such as Blondie (Heart Of Glass), the Knack, Agnetha Fältskog, Divinyls, Pat Benatar, Tina Turner (The Best), Ace Of Base, and others
April 15, 1946 ~ Singer, actress, nvoelist, model Marsha Hunt born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Romantically involved with T.Rex-frontman Marc Bolan and the Rolling Stones-singer Mick Jagger, with whom she has one child. Reportedly the subject of the Stones song Brown Sugar. Has worked with Long John Baldry's band Bluesology before gaining serious attention portraying the role of Dionne in the 1967 UK production of the Hair musical. As a solo singer best known for appearing at the famed 1969 Isle Of Wight festival, her Tony Visconti-produced cover of Dr John's Walk On Gilded Splinters the same year and a subsequent 1971 Woman Child album, the latter again produced by Visconti
April 15, 1946 ~ Rock, blues guitarist, slide guitarist Mike McKenna born in Toronto, Canada ~ Especially admired for his slide guitar technique. Active since the early-1960s. Member of blues unit Luke & the Apostles, noted for opening for the Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead and best known for their 1967 Been Burnt hit. Briefly a member of the Ugly Ducklings. Closely associated with Joe Mendelson, including in the seminal the McKenna Mendelson Mainline known for their 1969 Stink landmark album. Has since worked with numerous acts including the Downchild Blues Band, the Guess Who, and Slidewinder
April 15, 1945 ~ Piper Liam O'Flynn born in Kill, Ireland ~ Influenced by Willie Clancy and Séamus Ennis. Best known as a solo artist and as key member of Planxty. Also worked with Christy Moore, Dónal Lunny, Andy Irvine, Kate Bush (including on the 1982 album The Dreaming), Mark Knopfler, the Everly Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Mike Oldfield, Mary Black, Enya, Sinéad O'Connor, Nigel Kennedy, Rita Connolly, Matt Molloy, Bill Whelan, and others ~ O'Flynn passed away in 2018
April 15, 1943 ~ Samuel McClain, commonly known as soul-blues singer, songwriter Mighty Sam McClain, born in Monroe, Louisiana, USA ~ Got his first success with the releases Give It Up To Love in 1992 and Keep On Movin' in 1995. Earned critical praise for his 2000 album Blues For The Soul. Went on to collaborate with Iranian singer Mahsa Vahdat and later Ramy Essam ~ McClain passed away in 2015
April 15, 1942 ~ Erik Sven Fernström, commonly known as rockabilly, rock singer, actor Jerry Williams, was born in Solna, Sweden ~ Lead singer for 1960s outfit the Violents, known best for their Darling Nelly Grey hit single. Worked with Roadwork throughout the 1970s. As a solo artist, Williams is best known for Did I Tell You, a No.1 hit in his native Sweden in 1989 ~ Fernström passed away in 2018
April 15, 1940 ~ Painter, light designer, singer Marian Zazeela born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Singer and light artist with 1960s experimental collective the theater Of Eternal Music, which at times also included John Cale. The ensemble is also said to have inspired Andy Warhol. Also known for her work with her husband minimalist composer La Monte Young
April 15, 1939 ~ Guitarist Adolph Jacobs, also known as Al Jacobs, born in Pineland, Texas, USA ~ Best known as an original member of the Coasters. Also worked with Vernon Green, the Medallions, Johnny Guitar Watson, Larry Williams, Little Richard (on the 1972 Second Coming album), Will Dub Jones, Elliot Shavers, Don & Dewey, and Billy Lamont. Jacobs is also known as a songwriter, specifically remembered for co-writing Hurt with Jimmie Crane, a smash hit and signature song for Timi Yuro and covered by over 100 artists ~ Jacobs passed away in 2014
April 15, 1939 ~ Reginald Leonard Smith, commonly known as pop singer Marty Wilde, born in London, UK ~ One of the first British pop stars to emulate American rock & roll, often with covers of American hits. Father of pop singers Ricky Wilde and Kim Wilde. Member of Wild Cats. Known for late-1950s, early-1960s UK hits such as Endless Sleep, Donna, Bad Boy. Wilde penned the latter, which would notably be covered by Robin Luke, Françoise Hardy, and by Nirvana
April 15, 1937 ~ Country, rockabilly singer, guitarist, songwriter Bob Luman, full name Robert Glynn Lyman, born in Blackjack, Texas, USA ~ Tried out for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but as he was not selected turned to music instead of professional baseball. Has recorded over a dozen albums since the early-1960s. Best known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Let's Think About Living and for Red Cadillac And A Black Mustache. Luman has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1965 ~ Luman passed away in 1978
April 15, 1933 ~ Jazz, R&B conductor, pianist, composer, arranger, producer Horace Ott born in St Matthews, South Carolina, USA ~ Songwriter, arranger for the Shirelles, Jackie Wilson, Don Covay, Hank Ballard, Dee Clark, Sam Cooke, Solomon Burke, Doris Troy, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Eric Burdon, Bessie Banks, George Benson, Mary Wells, Jimmy McGriff, Houston Person, Bernard Pretty Purdie, Rusty Bryant, Gil Scott-Heron, Junior Parker, Lou Donaldson, Richard Groove Holmes, the Stylistics, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr, the Village People (arranged all of the band's early hits including YMCA, Macho Man, In The Navy), Etta Jones, Dakota Staton, Joe Thomas, and others
April 15, 1933 ~ Guitarist Roy Clark, full name Roy Linwood Clark, born in Meherrin, Virginia, USA ~ Inlfuential figure in country music, best known as host of the variety TV show Hee Haw which ran from 1969 through 1997. Also a singer, guitarist, banjoist with over two dozen albums to his name, starting in the early-1960s. Best known for songs such as Tips Of My Fingers, Yesterday When I Was Young, Thank God And Greyhound and Somewhere Between Love And Tomorrow ~ Clark passed away in 2018
April 15, 1931 ~ Johnny Jones, commonly known as singer, songwriter Little Sonny Jones, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Released a handful of New Orleans blues singles, starting with Do You Really Love Me in 1953, but failed to reach the charts. Would serve however as opening act for Fats Domino through 1961 and regularly perform at the annual the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival ~ Jones passed away in 1989
April 15, 1930 ~ Irving Herbert Pomeroy III, commonly known as teacher, bandleader, trumpeter Herb Pomeroy born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA ~ Toured with Lionel Hampton and Stan Kenton. Recorded over half a dozen albums as a leader, noted especially for Life Is A Many Splendered Gig released in 1958. Sideman on recordings by Charlie Mariano, Serge Chaloff, Irene Kral (The Band And I), John Lewis (The Wonderful World Of Jazz), Anita O'Day (All The Sad Young Men), Donna Byrne, and Greg Abate. Music director for the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble, a role he held for over two decades. Taught at the Berklee School Of Music and the Lennox School Of Music. His students included Toshiko Akiyoshi, Gary Burton, Gary McFarland, and Miroslav Vitous ~ Pomeroy passed away in 2007
April 15, 1930 ~ Jazz, classical, pop rock bassist Richard Davis born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ As a solo artist acclaimed for his 1971 The Philosophy Of The Spiritual album. Best known for his contributions to Eric Dolphy's 1964 Out To Lunch album, Andrew Hill's Point Of Departure the following year, and Van Morrison's 1968 album Astral Weeks. Other notable collaborations include touring with Sarah Vaughan during the late-1950s, classical performances with conductors such as Igor Stravinsky, Leonard Bernstein and Pierre Boulez, and guesting on pop and rock albums such as Bruce Springsteen's Greetings From Asbury Park NJ and Born To Run, Paul Simon's There Goes Rhymin' Simon, Melissa Manchester's Bright Eyes, and Bonnie Raitt's Streetlights ~ Davis passed away in 2023
April 15, 1924 ~ Violinist, conductor Neville Marriner born in Lincoln, UK ~ Worked with the London Symphony Orchestra, Thurston Dart, Peter Gibbs, the Philharmonia Orchestra, Reginald Jacques, Boyd Neel, the London Mozart Players, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, the Gulbenkian Orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic, and others ~ Marriner passed away in 2016
April 15, 1923 ~ Cornetist, trumpeter James F Burke, full name James Francis Burke, born in Port Jefferson, New York, USA ~ Though he only had the use of one arm considered among the premier cornet virtuosos of his day. Principal cornetist of the Goldman Band from 1943 through 1974. Principal trumpeter with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra from 1943 through 1949. Co-founded the All-Star Concert Band with tubist Harvey Phillips, known for the albums The All-Star Concert Band released in 1960 and The Burke-Phillips All-Star Concert Band the following year ~ Burke passed away in 1981
April 15, 1905 ~ Jazz guitarist Bernard Addison, full name Bernard Sylvester Addison, born in Annapolis, Maryland, USA ~ Worked with Louis Armstrong, Adelaide Hall, Fletcher Henderson, Bubber Miley, Art Tatum, Fats Waller, Red Allen, Coleman Hawkins, Horace Henderson, Freddie Jenkins, Sara Martin, Jelly Roll Morton, Mamie Smith, Benny Carter, Mezz Mezzrow, Stuff Smith, the Mills Brothers, Billie Holiday, Sidney Bechet, the Ink Spots, and Eubie Blake ~ Addison passed away in 1990
April 15, 1894 ~ Singer Bessie Smith born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA ~ Most popular female blues singer of the 1920 and 1930s, dubbed “the Empress of Blues”. Known for recordings such as Downhearted Blues, Gulf Coast Blues and Cake Walking Babies (From Home). Worked with Ma Rainey, Alberta Hunter, Ethel Waters, Louis Armstrong, Coleman Hawkins, Fletcher Henderson, James P Johnson, and the Dorsey Brothers ~ Smith passed away in 1937
April 15, 1849 ~ Music publisher, organist, composer Thomas Carr passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Son of music publisher Joseph Carr. Brother of composer, music publisher Benjamin Carr. Best known for adapting the words of The Star-Spangled Banner and harmonizing it to the tune of John Stafford Smith's To Anacreon In Heav'n, creating the first edition of what would become the national anthem ~ Carr was born ca.1780