April 18, 2022 ~ Composer Harrison Birtwistle passed away ~ Prolific contemporary classical composer known best for The Triumph Of Time and the operas The Mask Of Orpheus, Gawain and The Minotaur. The latter would be named as one of the most important 21st-century pieces by the Guardian in 2019. Also known for co-founding the Pierrot Players ensemble with composer, conductor Peter Maxwell Davies ~ Birtwistle was born in 1934
April 18, 2022 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Jerry Doucette, full name Jerry Victor Doucette, passed away in Delta, Canada ~ Known for a number of 1970s singles, notably Mama Let Him Play and Nobody. The former, taken of his 1977 album of the same name, would reach Platinum status in Doucette's native Canada and become a minor hit in the USA. Member of the Seeds Of Time. Has also collaborated with Lindsay Mitchell and Rocket Norton, both of whom later members of Prism ~ Doucette was born ca.1952
April 18, 2022 ~ Flutist, music director, songwriter José Luis Cortés passed away ~ Birthed and named timba, the most important popular dance and music genre to come out of Cuba since the 1980s merging son with salsa, Afro-Cuban folk, as well as American funk and R&B. Best known for founding NG La Banda in the late 1980s. Has also played with jazz fusion supergroup Irakere and with songo band Los Van Van ~ Cortés was born ca.1952
April 18, 2022 ~ Classical pianist Nicholas Angelich, full name Nicholas Michael Angelich, passed away in Paris, France ~ Started learning the piano from his mother, a piano teacher, at age 5. Gave his first public performance, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Piano Concerto No.21 K-467, two years later. Noted for his recordings of Johannes Brahms trios with violinist Renaud Capuçon and cellist Gautier Capuçon. Has also worked with conducturs such as Myung-whun Chung and David Robertson, and with renowned orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic ~ Angelich was born in 1970
April 18, 2021 ~ Blues harpist, singer, songwriter Paul Oscher passed away ~ Perhaps best known for his association with Muddy Waters, backing Waters during the late 1960s and early 1970 including on the acclaimed 1971 Live At Mr Kelly's album. Other notable associations include Louisiana Red, Big Bill Morganfield, Hubert Sumlin, Mos Def, and Keb' Mo ~ Oscher was born in 1947
April 18, 2019 ~ Ed Tigner Jr, commonly known as traditional pop, blues pianist, keyboardist, vibraphonist, singer Eddie Tigner, passed away ~ Worked with the Ink Spots. Backed Elmore James. Would be an in-demand solo performer for most of his life, yet would not release any albums until well into his seventies. Released his Route 66 debut album in 2003, its follow-up Slippin' In released in 2009 ~ Tigner was born in 1926
April 18, 2013 ~ Bassist Cordell Boogie Mosson passed away ~ Member of United Soul alongside Garry Shider, known for several early 1970s George Clinton-produced tracks including I Miss My Baby and Baby I Owe You Something Good. Cordell continued to work with Clinton as a member of both Parliament and Funkadelic ~ Mosson was born in 1952
April 18, 2013 ~ Hip hop outfit Public Enemy inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, becoming the fourth hip hop act to achieve this feat ~ Known especially for a number of quintessential late 1980s, early 1990s albums, specifically the band's first four albums including It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back and Fear Of A Black Planet, the groundbreaking hip hop act Public Enemy is inducted, the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame stating “Whether we're taling hip hop or politics, Public Enemy was revolutionary”, making the New York-based outfit the fourth hip hop act inducted, preceded by Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, Run-DMC, and the Beastie Boys. Other acts inducted in this year's class include blues guitarist Albert King, disco singer Donna Summer, rock, hard rock outfit Heart, singer Randy Newman, and Canadian progressive rockers Rush
April 18, 2008 ~ Howard Weiss, commonly known as conductor, pianist, arranger Peter Howard, passed away in Englewood, New Jersey, USA ~ Rose to prominence in the 1960s, conducting and arranging the original Broadway productions of Hello Dolly, 1776, and Annie. Other notable credits include arranging for productions of musicals such as Chicago, The Tap Dance Kid, and Crazy For You ~ Weiss was born in 1927
April 18, 2006 ~ John Alexander Burchell, commonly known as pianist, bandleader, composer John Burch, passed away ~ Wrote Preach And Teach, recorded by Georgie Fame in 1966, later covered by Buddy Rich. Led early 1960s ensembles which included future UK rock stars such as Dick Heckstall-Smith, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce. Also worked with Allan Ganley, Jeff Clyne, Bobby Wellins, Freddie Hubbard, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Red Rodney, and others ~ Burchell was born in 1932
April 18, 2003 ~ Blues singer Etta James awarded a star on the the Hollywood Walk Of Fame ~ A powerful blues belter, James is known for songs such as The Wallflower (Dance With Me Henry), Tell Mama, and I'd Rather Go Blind. Over the course of her lengthy career, she has been acknowledged as one of the premier female blues vocalists, inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, the Blues Hall Of Fame, and the Grammy Hall Of Fame. Perhaps her best-known song and signature song, At Last, has remained popular since its release in the early 1960s, and has been used in numerous films and TV series
April 18, 2003 ~ Singer, actress Sophia Grace Browlee born in Essex, UK ~ Half of Sophia Grace & Rosie, the other half being her cousin Rosie McClelland, becoming a Youtube sensation after posting a cover of Nicki Minaj's Super Bass. The pair would also become regular guests on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, eventually hosting their own segment, primarily interviewing musicians, and serving as red carpet events correspondents
April 18, 2001 ~ Tenor saxophonist Billy Mitchell, Rockville Centre, New York, USA ~ Worked with Thad Jones, Oliver Jackson, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Kenny Clarke, Stevie Wonder, Al Cohn, Al Grey, Milt Jackson, Ernestine Anderson, Tony Bennett, Paul Chambers, Sammy Davis Jr, Jon Hendricks, Eddie Jefferson, Jimmy McGriff, Pony Poindexter, Mel Tormé, Bernard Pretty Purdie, Frank Vignola, Frank Wess, Xanadu All-Stars, and others ~ Mitchell was born in 1926
April 18, 1996 ~ R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, rock bassist, producer Bernard Edwards passed away in Tokyo, Japan ~ Rose to fame with the disco outfit Chic, which he co-founded with guitarist Nile Rodgers. From 1976 through 1983 the band would create genre- and era-defining classics including Le Freak, Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah Yowsah Yowsah), Everybody Dance, I Want Your Love, and Good Times. Edwards & Rodger would also work as a production and songwriting team with a host of artists, parralel to their time with the band as well as far beyond the disco years. As a duo they worked with Norma Jean Wright, Sister Sledge, Sheila & B Devotion, Johnny Mathis, Debbie Harry, and Fonzi Thornton. Edwards released a solo album, Glad To Be Here, in 1983 and was instrumental in the formation of supergroup Power Station. Edwards passed away while on tour in Japan ~ Edwards was born in 1952
April 18, 1996 ~ Michael George Farr, commonly known as arranger, songwriter, producer Mike Leander, passed away in London, UK ~ In-house arranger for Decca Records during the 1960s, and for Bell Records starting in the early 1970s. Arranged the Beatles' She's Leaving Home of the Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band as their staple producer, arranger, George Martin, was unavailable. Executive producer for the original Jesus Christ Superstar album. Has also worked with artists such as Marianne Faithfull, Marc Bolan, Joe Cocker, the Small Faces, Shirley Bassey, Lulu, Jimmy Page, Roy Orbison, the Rolling Stones, Gene Pitney, and Gary Glitter ~ Farr was born in 1941
April 18, 1993 ~ Bernard Weitzner, commonly known as songwriter Bernie Wayne, passed away in Marina Del Rey, California, USA ~ Perhaps best known for co-writing Blue Velvet with Lee Morris, first recorded by Tony Bennett in 1951 and covered by numerous artists including Arthur Prysock, the Moonglows, Bobby Vinton, Johnny Tillotson, Brenda Lee, and Don Cherry. Others who recorded his songs include Dinah Shore (Laughing On The Outside), the Orioles, the Fontane Sisters, the Crew Cuts, Nelson Riddle, Johnny Cymbal (Dum Dum Dee Dum), and Nat King Cole ~ Weitzner was born in 1919
April 18, 1991 ~ Jazz, pop, salsa trombonist Barry Rogers passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Jack Teagarden, Lawrence Brown, JC Higginbotham. First gained attention working with Latin jazz musicians such as Eddie Palmieri, Willie Colón, Bobby Valentín, Marvin Santiago. Also noted for his association with pivotal jazz-rock outfit Dreams. Has also collaborated with Cachao, Machito, Manny Oquendo, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco, Pucho & his Latin Soul Brothers, White Elephant, the Fania All-Stars, George Benson, David Byrne, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Chaka Khan, Todd Rundgren, Carly Simon, and Grover Washington Jr ~ Rogers was born in 1935
April 18, 1991 ~ Producer Martin Hannett, full name James Martin Hannett, passed away in Manchester, UK ~ Director, staff producer at Factory Records. Has worked with artists such as Joy Division, Durutti Column, Magazine, John Cooper Clarke, New Order, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, the Happy Mondays, the Invisible Girls, and others ~ Hannett was born in 1948
April 18, 1989 ~ Singer, actress, fashion designer Jessica Jung born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Rose to fame as member of K-pop girl group Girls' Generation. Has also released a number of solo EPs and singles, starting with her 2016 EP With Love J which included the Korean top 10 hit Fly featuring Fabolous. Also known as an actress, novelist and fashion designer establishing her own Blanc & Eclare brand
April 18, 1988 ~ Synth-pop duo Erasure release The Innocents, the first of four consecutive albums to top the UK charts ~ Though their previous album produced three UK top 10 hits, it would be The Innocents, co-produced with Stephen Hague and Dave Jacob, that made them superstars in their native UK. It also garnered them their biggest successes on the American Billboard Hot 100 chart, the singles Chains Of Love and A Little Respect, fueled by heavy rotation on MTV, both reaching the top 20. To date, The Innocents remains the duo's best-selling album with over 5 million copies sold
April 18, 1987 ~ I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me), a duet single by singers Aretha Franklin and George Michael, hits No.1 on the American Billboard Hot 100 chart ~ The one-off project gave Michael the chance to sing with one of his musical heroes. I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me), written by Simon Climie and Dennis Morgan, produced by Narada Michael Walden, would earn Franklin and Michael a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. It would also bring back Franklin to the top of the American charts for the first time in two decades, her previous Billboard Hot 100 charttopper being RESPECT, and mark her first and only time she topped the UK charts
April 18, 1983 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Bob Dylan records Sweetheart Like You 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. Though generally well-received by critics, the single, paired with Union Sundown on the flip side, would stall in the 50s on the Billboard Hot 100
April 18, 1980 ~ Post-punk outfit the Cure release their Seventeen Seconds sophomore album ~ The band had toured the UK as support act for Siouxsie & the Banshees, opening a new horizon to the Cure frontman Robert Smith. It would result in artistic differences between Smith and original bassist Michael Dempsey, the latter leaving the band before the album was recorded. The album would reach UK top 20, and include their first charting single, A Forest, the track noted especially for its distinctive bassline. Smith later commented on Dempsey's departure: “I think the final straw came when I played Michael the demos for Seventeen Seconds and he hated them. He wanted us to be XTC part 2 and, if anything, I wanted us to be Siouxsie & the Banshees part 2. So he left.”
April 18, 1979 ~ Carl Abou Samah, commonly known as pop, R&B, soul, fusion singer, guitarist, pianist Karl Wolf, born in Beirut, Lebanon ~ Has recorded over half a dozen albums, starting with Behind The Face released in 2006. Best known for his 2008 single Africa of his Bite The Bullet sophomore album. The single, a reworking of the 1982 Toto hit, would reach top 10 in Canada, his adopted homeland since age 16
April 18, 1977 ~ Rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Phil Jamieson, full name Philip William Jamieson, born in Hornsby, Australia ~ Co-founding member, lead singer, guitarist for alternative rock outfit Grinspoon. The band is known for songs such as Just Ace, Chemical Heart, Lost Control, and Hard Act To Follow
April 18, 1976 ~ Singer Pedro Mariano, full name Pedro Camargo Mariano, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Son of pianist, arranger Cesar Camargo Mariano and singer Elis Regina, brother of singer Maria Rita and producer João Marcelo Boscoli. With the latter formed the 1990s band Confraria. Over half a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, starting with Pedro Camargo Mariano released in 1997
April 18, 1976 ~ Winston Simon, commonly known as calypso percussionist Winston Spree Simon, passed away ~ Member of the Trinidad All-Steel Percussion Orchestra. Credited with the invention of the Ping Pong steelpan. Honored in the song Tribute To Spree by Van Dyke Parks on his 1976 calypso-tinged Clang Of The Yankee Reaper album ~ Simon was born ca.1930
April 18, 1975 ~ Indie rock, folk rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer, songwriter Joel Plaskett, full name William Joel Macdonald Plaskett, born in Lunenberg, Canada ~ Lead singer for alternative rock outfit Thrush Hermit, with whom he recorded albums Sweet Homewrecker and Clayton Park. Also co-founded Neuseiland, merging conventional pop song structure with krautrock experimentation and reggae mixing techniques and known for their sole eponymous Neuseiland album released in 1999. Has also recorded over half a dozen albums with the Joel Plaskett Emergency, notably 2003's Truthfully Truthfully album, and over half a dozen albums as a solo artist
April 18, 1974 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Mark Tremonti, full name Mark Thomas Tremonti, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Co-founding member of Creed, regarded as one of the major acts of the post-grunge movement. The band's Higher, With Arms Wide Open, My Sacrifice and One Last Breath would all reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Co-founded Alter Bridge in 2004, acclaimed especially for their 2013 Fortress album. Frontman and eponym of Tremonti, with whom he recorded since 2012. Has released a solo album of Frank Sinatra-songs, Tremonti Sings Frank Sinatra, in 2022
April 18, 1974 ~ R&B singer Trina Powell born ~ Sister of singer Jesse Powell. Formed the sibling duo Trina & Tamara with her sister Tamara Powell, as a duo known best for being featured on the 1997 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit My Love Is The Shhh by Somethin' For The People. The sisters recorded their own sole album, the eponymous Trina & Tamara in the late 1990s, which spawned the Billboard R&B top 20 hit What'd You Come Here For produced by Curt Wilson
April 18, 1972 ~ Rock, country singer, harmonica player, author JD Wilkes born in Baytown, Texas, USA ~ Best known as lead singer for rockabilly, blues, rock band the Legendary Shack Shakers. Also noted as an in-demand harmonica player, present on recordings by Merle Haggard, Sturgill Simpson, John Carter Cash, Mike Patton, and Hank Williams III
April 18, 1971 ~ Fred Lee Scruggs Jr, commonly known as hardcore rapper, producer, actor Fredro Starr, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of pivotal hardcore rap group Onyx, best known for their 1993 hit single Slam. As a solo artist debuted in 2001 with the album Firestarr. Also known as an in-demand actor for TV and film with over 50 acting credits to his name
April 18, 1964 ~ Mark Berry, commonly known as dancer, percussionist Bez, born in Salford, UK ~ Rose to fame as percussionist, dancer, and de facto mascot of rave band the Happy Mondays, known for a string of early 1990s hits including the UK top 10 singles Step On and Kinky Afro. After the band disbanded, Berry joined Mondays bandmate Shaun Ryder in Black Grape, remaining with the band through 1997
April 18, 1964 ~ Rock bassist, guitarist, keyboardist Carl Øyvind Apeland born ~ Best known as member of Vamp. Wrote or co-wrote several of the band's best-known including Somar I Hekken, Ingeborg, Sirkus Av Fys and Svin På Skog
April 18, 1963 ~ Country singer Bobby Bare records Detroit City in Nashville, Tennessee ~ Written by Danny Dill and Mel Tillis. Previously recorded by Billy Grammer as I Wanna Go Home, yet the song would become most closely associated with Bare. His Chet Atkins-produced single, b/w Heart Of Ice, would reach top 20 Billboard Hot 100, and top 10 Billboard Country earning Bare his first major hit
April 18, 1963 ~ Singer Paul McCartney meets the actress Jane Asher after a performance with his band the Beatles at the Royal Albert Hall for the radio show Swingin' Sound Of '63 ~ The pair would become one of the most popular couples in England and get engaged, but they never marry and split up in 1968 after Asher catches McCartney in bed with another woman. McCartney had written several songs inspired by Asher, including And I Love Her, You Won't See Me, I'm Looking Through You, What You're Doing, and For No One. Following the couple's break-up, McCartney would soon start to date Linda Louise Eastman, whom he married in 1969
April 18, 1958 ~ Bassist, songwriter Les Pattinson, full name Leslie Thomas Pattinson, born in Ormskirk, UK ~ Co-founding member of Echo & the Bunnymen, best known for their 1983 Porcupine album which spawned the band's first UK top 10 hit in The Cutter. Pattinson remained with the band through 1993 and rejoined in later years
April 18, 1954 ~ Jazz, Latin jazz percussionist, keyboardist Andy Narell born in New York, New York, USA ~ Founded the Steel Bandits, a novelty steelpan band. Also known as a solo artist, starting with 1979's Hidden Treasures album and has recorded extensively since. Joined the Caribbean Jazz Project in 1995, which also included Paquito d'Rivera. Has also worked Béla Fleck, Darol Anger, Aretha Franklin, Jimmy Haslip, Boney James, Biréli Lagrène, Patti Labelle, Marcus Miller, Taj Mahal, Toto, Spyro Gyra, and Narada Michael Walden
April 18, 1953 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, rock, pop drummer Danny Gottlieb, full name Daniel Richard Gottlieb, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Co-founding member of the Pat Metheny Group. Co-founding member of Elements. Briefly a member of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, present on the band's 1984 Mahavishnu album. Has also worked with Gary Burton, Michael Franks, Second Story Television, Gil Evans, Al di Meola, Joe Beck, the Blues Brothers, George Gruntz, Nguyên Lê, Kenneth Sivertsen, Sting, Steven Curtis Chapman, and others
April 18, 1953 ~ Singer, songwriter Larry Cassidy born in Blackpool, UK ~ Formed and fronted the Blackpool outfit Section 25, which also featured his brother drummer Vin Casidy and guitarist Paul Wiggin. The band would go on to work with producers such as Joy Division's singer Ian Curtis, Rob Gretton, Martin Hannett, and New Order's Bernard Sumner ~ Cassidy passed away in 2010
April 18, 1953 ~ Actor, singer Rick Moranis born in Ottawa, Canada ~ Best known as an actor, appearing in films such as Ghostbusters, Brewster's Millions and Honey I Shrunk The Kids. Also half of musical comedy duo Bob & Doug McKenzie in the 1980s. As a solo singer recorded a handful of albums, starting with You Me The Music & Me released in 1989
April 18, 1952 ~ Pop, palingpop singer, guitarist Piet Keizer born ~ Member of the Q-Tips. Member of the Cats since 1972, previously having worked as a roadie for the band. Initially promoted to singer, guitarist as a temporary replacement for Cees Veerman who suffered throat problems yet remained with the band until its disbandement two years later. Sang lead on the tracks Linda and Going Home
April 18, 1949 ~ Conductor Andrew Powell born ~ Closely associated with the Alan Parsons Project, credited as arranger, conductor and composer on almost all of the Alan Parsons Project's album. Produced Kate Bush's 1989 The Kick Inside debut album. Has also worked with Chris De Burgh, Nick Heyward, Michael Crawford, Elaine Page, the Hollies. Composed for film and TV, notably the films Ladyhawke and Rocket Gibraltar. Conducted renowned orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
April 18, 1949 ~ Singer Ezio Pinza records Some Enchanted Evening ~ Written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II for the 1949 South Pacific stage musical, which starred Pinza in a Tony Award-winning lead role. The song has been widely regarded as one of the finest ever written for any musical. Several artists would reach top 10 on the pop charts in 1949 with their respective renditions, including Pinza, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Perry Como
April 18, 1946 ~ Singer, saxophonist Lennie Baker born in Whitman, Massachusetts, USA ~ Member of 1950s rock group Danny & the Juniors. Member of Sha Na Na, touring with the band and appearing on the TV series of the same name. Also appears in Grease, singing lead vocals on the band's performance of Blue Moon ~ Baker passed away in 2016
April 18, 1945 ~ R&B, funk, soul guitarist, singer Charles Love, full name Charles Dee Love Jr, born in Salina, Kansas, USA ~ Constant member of R&B, funk outfit Bloodstone. The band has recorded about a dozen albums, starting with their eponymous Bloodstone in 1972 which spawned their only Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Natural High. Songs such as Never Let You Go, Outside Woman, and We Go A Long Way Back would reach top 10 Billboard R&B ~ Love passed away in 2014
April 18, 1943 ~ Drummer Clyde Stubblefield born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for backing James Brown from the mid-1960s through the early-1970s, including on songs such as Cold Sweat, There Was A Time, I Got The Feeling, Ain't It Funky Now, Mother Popcorn, and Give It Up Or Turn It Loose. Also worked with fellow the JB's members Bootsy Collins, Maceo Parker and John Jabo Starks, with Steve Skaggs, Luther Allison, Cris Plat, Randy Sabien, the Common Faces, Neo, Richard Mazda, Fred Wesley, Ben Sidran, Garbage, and others ~ Stubblefield passed away in 2017
April 18, 1943 ~ Bassist Tony Reeves born in New Eltham, UK ~ Member of John Mayall's seminal blues outfit the Bluesbreakers, present on the 1968 album Bare Wires. Co-founding member of Colosseum, present on the critically acclaimed albums Those Who Are About To Die Salute You and its follow-up Valentyne Suite. Other notable credits include the New Jazz Orchestra, John Martyn, Sandy Denny, Greenslade, and Curved Air
April 18, 1942 ~ Label executive Seymour Stein born in New York, New York, USA ~ Had the opportunity to sign Jimi Hendrix in 1966, yet decided against it after seeing Hendrix smash his guitar on-stage and argue with Stein's friend, model Linda Keith, on successive occasions. After positions at King Records and Billboard, Stein co-founded Sire Records with Richard Gottehrer in the mid-1960s. Would be incremental to the careers of pop, rock, and new wave artists of the 1970s and 1980s including the Ramones, Talking Heads, the Pretenders, Depeche Mode, the Cure, Ice-T, and Echo & the Bunnymen. Stein remained active with Sire Records and Warner Bros Records until his retirement in 2018 ~ Stein passed away in 2023
April 18, 1941 ~ Reggae singer Hortense Ellis born in Trenchtown, Jamaica ~ Sister of reggae singer, songwriter Alton Ellis. Toured with Byron Lee during the 1960s. As a solo artist worked with Jamaica's finest producers including Ken Lack, Coxsone Dodd, Duke Reid, Bunny Lee, and Lee Scratch Perry. Known for songs such as I'm Not Saying No At All, Hell And Sorrow, I Will Come Softly, Unexpected Places, Down Town TIng, and reggae covers of pop songs including Patti Labelle's Down The Aisle and Candi Staton's Young Hearts Run Free. Has worked with the Soul Syndicate, the Aggrovators, and the then-unknown Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare
April 18, 1941 ~ Clarinetist Murray Khouri born in Wellington, New Zealand ~ Classical clarinetist worked with orchestras such as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, the Royal Ballet Orchestra, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and conductors such as Leopold Stokowski, Pierre Boulez, Georg Solti, Bernard Haitink, Adrian Boult, and Eugen Jochem ~ Khouri passed away in 2018
April 18, 1939 ~ Rock & roll, rockabilly, country, country rock keyboardist, songwriter Glen Dee Hardin born in Wellington, Texas, USA ~ First gained attention playing in the house band at the Palomino Club, at the time considered Country music's most important West Coast club. Member of the house band on Shindig music variety show, aired on ABC during the mid-1960s. Would go on to become an in-demand songwriter and session pianist, working with the likes of Bing Crosby, Nancy Sinatra, Ricky Nelson, Buck Owens, Linda Ronstadt, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, John Denver, and others. Wrote Count Me In, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit for Gary Lewis & the Playboys. Closely associated with Elvis Presley, serving in Presley's backing unit the TCB Band from 1970 through 1976 and arranging songs such as The Wonder Of You, Let It Be Me, and I Just Can't Help Believin'. Backed Gram Parsons on the albums GP and its follow-up Grievous Angel. Member of Emmylou Harris's backing unit the Emmylou Harris Hot Band
April 18, 1931 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, arranger Willie Pickens born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA ~ Worked with Eddie Harris, Buddy DeFranco, Louie Bellson, Elvin Jones, Dan Shapera, Robert Shy, Nicholas Payton, Marian McPartland, George Mraz, Joe Farnsworth, Larry Gray, Milton Suggs, Bunky Green, Francine Griffin, Steve Grossman, Clark Terry, Frank Catalano, Von Freeman, Peter Lerner, Malachi Thompson, and others ~ Pickens passed away in 2017
April 18, 1924 ~ Singer Clarence Gatemouth Brown born in Vinton, Louisiana, USA ~ Plays guitar, fiddle, mandolin, violin and viola, harmonica, drums and percussion, sings and writes too. Blends just about every imaginable roots music into a high-energy, raw hybrid. Hates being called a “blues” musician ~ Brown passed away in 2005
April 18, 1918 ~ Jazz guitarist Tony Mottola born in Kearny, New Jersey, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Known for his 1968 easy listening hit This Guy's In Love With You. Worked with Carl Kress, John Serry Sr, Skitch Henderson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Urbie Green, Dick Hyman, Enoch Light, Charles Magnante, Joe Reisman, Doc Severinsen, Louie Bellson, Ray Conniff, Johnny Desmond, Neal Hefti, Cootie Williams, and others ~ Mottola passed away in 2004
April 18, 1902 ~ Bandleader, cornetist, songwriter Harry Owens, full name Harry Robert Owens, born in O'Neill, Nebraska, USA ~ Best known for leading the Royal Hawaiians. Probably best known for penning Sweet Leilani, first recorded by Ted Fio Rito in 1937 and covered by numerous artists including Bing Crosby for the film Waikiki Wedding. The song would earn Crosby his first gold record and be awarded an Academy Award for Best Song in 1938. Other songs written or co-written by Owens include Linger Awhile (Bailey's Lucky Seven, Fletcher Henderson, Sarah Vaughan), To You Sweetheart Aloha (Dick McIntyre, Louis Armstrong, the Ames Brothers), and Sing Me A Song Of The Islands (Ray Kinney, Alvino Rey, Bert Ambrose) ~ Owens passed away in 1986
April 18, 1882 ~ Conductor Leopold Stokowski born in London, UK ~ English conductor of Polish/Irish descent considered one of the leading conductors of the early and mid-20th century. Best known for his long association with the Philadelphia Orchestra and his appearance in the Disney-film Fantasia ~ Stokowski passed away in 1977