April 22, 2024 ~ Robert Lee Romero, commonly known as rock & roll singer, guitarist Chan Romero, passed away ~ Best remembered for penning and first recording Hippy Hippy Shake. The song failed to make the American Billboard Hot 100 charts, but would be a hit overseas and has remained popular throughout the decades. The song has been used in several films, and would be covered by over 50 artists including the Swinging Blue Jeans, Billy Fury, Mud, the Beatles, the Georgia Satellites, Shane MacGowan, and Die Toten Hosen. In 2019, a bill to make Romero's Hippy Hippy Shake the official state rock & roll song of his native state Montana failed to pass the Legislature. Regardless, Romero is remembered as one of the state's greatest musicians ~ Romero was born in 1941
April 22, 2022 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Jan Rot passed away in Rotterdam, the Netherlands ~ Member of Streetbeats. Member of Ratata. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Single released in 1982. To pop audiences perhaps best known for the singles Counting Sheep, Op Een Mooie Pinksterdag with Rick de Leeuw, and Naast Jou with Boudewijn de Groot. Earned critical acclaim and peer admiration from the 2000s onwards for Dutch translations of pop, rock songs originally by the Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Simon & Garfunkel and Bob Dylan, as well as translations of musicals and classical works, notably Johann Sebastian Bach's Matteus Passion ~ Rot was born in 1957
April 22, 2019 ~ Vibraphonist, marimba player Dave Samuels, full name David Alan Samuels, passed away ~ Recorded over half a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader. Closely associated with Spyro Gyra, appearing on close to two dozen of the ensemble's albums. Founded the Caribbean Jazz Project. Has also worked with Gerry Mulligan, Carla Bley, Gerry Niewood, Paul McCandles, Bobby McFerrin, Double Image, Frank Zappa, Dave Valentin, Paquito d'Rivera, Edie Brickell, and Pat Metheny ~ Samuels was born in 1948
April 22, 2019 ~ Operatic soprano Deborah Cook passed away ~ First gained serious attention in the early-1970s singing with Theater Bremen. Would go on to work with the Bavarian State Opera, the Hamburg State Opera, the Oper Frankfurt, the Deutsche Oper Am Rhein, the Santa Fe Opera, the Tetro Dell' Opera Di Roma, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, the BBC Sympony Orchestra, the Orchestre De Paris, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, and the Dresden Philharmonic ~ Cook was born in 1938
April 22, 2019 ~ Elaine Yi-Li Wu, commonly known as pianist Wu Yili passed away ~ Closely associated with the China National Symphony Orchestra and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. Denounced as a so-called “counter-revolutionary” during China's Cultural Revolution, Yili would be imprisoned by the authorities for 10 years ~ Wu was born ca.1931
April 22, 2013 ~ Singer, guitarist Richie Havens, full name Richard Pierce Havens, passed away in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA ~ Havens enjoyed a solid, devoted cult following. Best known for his performance at the Woodstock Music and Art Fair in 1969, a major turning point in his career. To mainstream audiences, he is known for his 1971 rendition of Here Comes The Sun, a Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit ~ Havens was born in 1941
April 22, 2011 ~ Bluegrass singer, bassist, guitarist Hazel Dickens, full name Hazel Jane Dickens, passed away in Washington DC, USA ~ Influenced by Uncle Dave Macon, the Monroe Brothers, and the Carter Family. Once described by the New York Times as “a clarion-voiced advocate for coal miners and working people and a pioneer among women in bluegrass music” Closely associated with Alice Gerrard, with whom she recorded the albums Who's That Knocking (And Other Bluegrass Country Music) and Won't You Come & Sing For Me. As a solo artist best known for her contributions to the soundtrack of Harlan County USA, notably the track They'll Never Keep Us Down, and for the 1980s albums By The Sweat Of My Brow and It's Hard To Tell The Singer From The Song. Songs written by Dickens have been recorded by Dry Branch Fire Squad, Hot Rize, Lynn Morris, Dolly Parton (A Few Old Memories), Bill Frisell, Bobby Osborne, and Kathy Mattea ~ Dickens was born in 1925
April 22, 2010 ~ Conductor, cellist Arthur Winograd passed away in Morristown, New Jersey, USA ~ Music director of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. Member of the Juilliard String Quartet ~ Winograd was born in 1920
April 22, 2005 ~ Arnold Lawrence Finkelstein, commonly known as jazz saxophonist Arnie Lawrence, passed away in Jerusalem, Israel ~ Leader and sideman. Actively performing since his teens, including at the famed Birdland jazz club from age 17 onwards, yet did not record until 1966 appearing on Chico Hamilton's The Dealer. Has worked with Willie Bobo. Toured with Liza Minnelli, toured with Louie Bellson. Founded the New School For Jazz And Contemporary Music in New York in 1986. Relocated to Israel by the late-1990s, where he founded the International Center for Creative Music ~ Lawrence was born in 1938
April 22, 2003 ~ Matlde Genevieve Scaduto, commonly known as songwriter Felice Bryant, passed away ~ Songwriter, usually in partnership with her husband Boudleaux Bryant. Together they wrote some of Nashville's most enduring hits for artists such as Jimmy Dickens (Country Boy), Buddy Holly (Raining In My Heart), Gram Parsons (Love Hurts), Emmylou Harris (Like Strangers), Ricky Van Shelton (Loving Proof), Johnny O'Keefe (She Wears My Ring), and perhaps most extensively for the Everly Brothers (Bye Bye Love, Problems, Wake Up Little Susie). Other artists who have recorded their songs include Tony Bennett, Frankie Laine, Sonny James, Eddy Arnold, Bob Moore, Charley Pride, Nazareth, Jim Reeves, Leo Sayer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Simon & Garfunkel, Sarah Vaughan, the Grateful Dead, Elvis Costello, Count Basie, Dean Martin, Ray Charles, Joan Jett, Roy Orbison, Solomon King, Sue Thompson, Moon Mullican, and Dillard & Clarke ~ Bryant was born in 1925
April 22, 1998 ~ Rock band Faith No More announce that they have broken up ~ The band had recorded half a dozen albums since the mid-1980s, including the Billboard Hot 200 top 20 albums The Real Thing and Angel Dust. In their native America, they are best known for the early-1990s Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Epic, their sole American top 10 hit. In Europe they are best known for the Commodores-cover Easy, which reached top 10 in several countries including the Netherlands and the UK. The band would reform in 2009
April 22, 1995 ~ Jazz pianist, organist Don Pullen, full name Don Gabriel Pullen, passed away in East Orange, New Jersey, USA ~ Pianist, composer with great variety of his body of work, ranging from blues to bebop and modern jazz. Recorded well over a dozen albums leading usually smaller ensembles or as a solo pianist. Well known albums include Capricorn Rising, Tomorrow's Promises, and Random Thoughts. Pullen is closely associated with Giuseppi Logan, Charles Mingus, David Murray, Hamiet Bluiett, and notably George Adams, co-leading a quartet with the latter from the late-1970s through the late-1980s. Pullen has also guested on albums by the likes of Milford Graves, Sunny Murray (Hard Cores), Billy Hart, Cecil McBee, Marcello Melis, Ivo Perelman, Jack Walrath, Maceo Parker (Life On Planet Groove), and Jane Bunnett ~ Pullen was born in 1941
April 22, 1990 ~ Joseph Valery Jr, commonly known as electric blues singer, guitarist Little Joe Blue, passed away in Reno, Nevada, USA ~ Best known for songs such as Encourage Me Baby, Don't Start Me Talking, How Could You Do It To Me and Dirty Work Going On. The latter would be covered by Magic Sam, Shakey Jake Harris and by Willie Kent & the Gents ~ Valery was born in 1934
April 22, 1990 ~ Richard Colson Baker, commonly known as rapper, singer, actor, songwriter Machine Gun Kelly, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Known for songs such as Till I Die, Bad Things and Rap Devil. Worked with Jeezy, Victoria Monét, Chief Keef, Camila Cabello, Hailee Steinfeld, Quavo, X-Ambassadors, DMX, Sleeping With Sirens, Mötley Crüe, and others
April 22, 1986 ~ Sandy Adel Ahmed Hussein, mononymously known as pop singer Sandy, born in Cairo, Egypt ~ Debuted with the single Whatever Is Closer in 2006. Well known for The Sons Of The Nile released in 2011 following the January 2011 revolution. Announced her retirement from music in 2015, after the release of her Hob album, yet reemerged two years later. Married to composer Husam Badran from 2009 until 2017
April 22, 1985 ~ Pop rock group U2 release The Unforgettable Fire, lifted off their The Unforgettable Fire album ~ Lyrically inspired by an art exhibition by victims of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki held at The Peace Museum, Chicago, Illinois. The melody originated from a short piano composition written earlier by The Edge, who said it was written for no particular purpose, but he envisioned it as a film soundtrack piece. The Unforgettable Fire would be the first No.1 and the first of four consecutive charttoppers for the band in their native Ireland. The single also reached top 10 in the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the UK
April 22, 1984 ~ Pop, dance pop singer, songwriter Amelle Berrabah born in Aldershot, UK ~ Member of the Sugababes, replacing founding member Mutya Buena in 2005. First appeared on the album Taller In More Ways, present on the songs No You're Gone, Gotta Be You, Follow Me Home, and Red Dress. Has also recorded as a solo artist, scoring the Never Leave You UK No.1 hit collaborating with Tinchy Stryder
April 22, 1983 ~ Jazz pianist, bandleader Earl Hines, full name Earl Kenneth Hines, passed away in Oakland, California, USA ~ Pioneer of modern jazz, widely regarded as one of the all-time most influential jazz pianists known for his melodic sense and innovative rhythms. Active since the 1920s, with over an estimated 100 albums to his name. Led ensembles which included artists such as Walter Fuller, Ray Nance, Billy Eckstine, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, and Muggsy Spanier. As a composer Hines is probably best known for co-writing and first recording Rosetta, covered by over 250 artists. Other well known compositions written or co-written by Hines include Monday Date, Blues In Thirds, Jimmie Noone's Apex Blues, and Louis Armstrong's You Can Depend On Me. Reflecting on his own career, Hines has been quoted as saying: “I'm an explorer if I might use that expression. I'm looking for something all the time. And oft-times I get lost. And people that are around me a lot know that when they see me smiling, they know I'm lost and I'm trying to get back. But it makes it much more interesting because then you do things that surprise yourself” ~ Hines was born in 1903
April 22, 1980 ~ Singer, actress Jane Froman, full name Ellen Jane Froman, passed away in Columbia, Missouri, USA ~ Classically trained. Known though as one of her era's finest interpreters of compositions by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, enjoying popularity from the early-1930s onwards performing on radio, screen and stage notably including a stint with Ziegfeld Follies revue ~ Froman was born in 1907
April 22, 1978 ~ Singer Izhar Cohen & vocal group the Alphabeta win the 23rd edition of the Eurovision Songfestival held in Paris, France ~ Representing Israel Cohen and the Alphabeta win with the song A-ba Ni-bi written by Nurit Hirsh and Ehud Manors
April 22, 1978 ~ Tyree Cinque Simmons, commonly known as hip-hop DJ, label executive, promoter Drama, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Not to be confused with Dirty South rapper Drama. Co-founded Generation Now, an Atlantic Records imprint, with Don Cannon carrying artists such as Lil' Uzi Vert, Jack Harlow and Skeme. As a DJ best known for his work with TI and as co-founding member of the Aphilliates collective
April 22, 1978 ~ Indie rock, garage rock, alternative rock singer, guitarist Jason Stollsteimer, full name Jason Elliott Stollsteimer, born in Soutfield, Michigan, USA ~ Lead singer, guitarist for the Von Bondies, with whom he recorded four albums starting with the Jack White-produced Lack Of Communication released in 2001. Following the band's disbandement in 2009 has fronted Hounds Below and PONYSHOW
April 22, 1975 ~ Comedy rock, synth-pop keyboardist saxophonist, clarinetist Brian Wecht, full name Brian Alexander Wecht, born in Pompton, New Jersey, USA ~ Originally worked as a theoretical physicist holding research positions at Harvard University and MIT specializing in particle physics. Retired from science in 2015 to focus on his music career. Adopting the moniker Ninja Brian formed the comedy musical duo Ninja Sex Party, and is a member of the video game-based trio Starbomb
April 22, 1975 ~ Blues singer, guitarist, violinist, songwriter Walter Vinson passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Member of the Mississippi Sheiks. Perhaps best known for co-writing the blues standard Sitting On Top Of The World with Lonnie Chatmon, first recorded as a country blues song by the Sheiks ~ Vinson was born in 1901
April 22, 1974 ~ Indie rock, experimental singer, guitarist, keyboardist, ukelele player Shara Nova, previously known as Shara Worden, born in El Dorado, Arkansas, USA ~ Self-released two albums in the early-2000s with Shane Yarbrough under the moniker Awry, followed by a short tour. Best known as lead singer, songwriter for My Brightest Diamond, with whom she recorded about half a dozen albums starting with Bring Me The Workhorse in 2006. Has collaborated with or guested on recordings by a wide variety of artists, including Sufjan Stevens, Clogs, Todd Agnew, Jedi Mind Tricks, the Decemberists, Son Lux, and Meshell Ndegeocello
April 22, 1973 ~ Hip-hop, R&B, pop rapper, singer, songwriter Max Herre, full name Maximilian Herre, born in Stuttgart, West Germany ~ Married to singer Joy Denalane, with whom he has also worked including producing her 2002 Mamani debut album. Co-founded Freundeskreis. Co-founded hip hop group Kolchose. Has recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with the eponymous Max Herre in 2004. Has collaborated with the likes of John Legend, Philipp Poisel, and Sophie Hunger
April 22, 1970 ~ Pop, rock, soul guitarist, songwriter, producer Dan Warner, full name Daniel Lawrence Warner, born in Florida, USA ~ Wrote for Enrique Iglesias, Lil' Wayne, Mika. Has also worked in one capacity or another with Michael Jackson, Carlos Rivera, Shakira, Madonna, Céline Dion, Barbra Streisand, Barry Gibb, Alejandro Sanz, Calle 13, and others ~ Warner passed away in 2019
April 22, 1970 ~ Regina Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez, commonly known as singer, actress Regina Velasquez, born in Manila, Philippines ~ Considered one of the most influential figures in Philippine pop culture known for her vocal range and prowess. First gained attention in the mid-1980s through talent contests and briefly recording under the moniker Chona. Would release her full-length Regine debut album in 1987 and has recorded mostly to commercial succes since. Best known for her break-out Listen Without Prejudice album released in 1994, spawning the hit single In Love With You
April 22, 1969 ~ Pop duo the Carpenters sign with A&M Records ~ The sibling outfit consisting of Richard Carpenter and Karen Carpenter sign with the label, to release their debut album Ticket To Ride the following October. The album failed to make the top half of the Billboard Hot 200. However, they would rise to fame in the early-1970s with smooth ballads, scoring four top 10 albums for the label. About a dozen of their singles through the mid-1970s reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100, including the No.1 hits (They Long To Be) Close To You), Top Of The World, and Please Mr Postman
April 22, 1968 ~ Producer, label executive Steve Sholes, full name Stephen Henry Sholes, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Executive and staff producer at RCA-Victor. Signed, produced artists such as Eddy Arnold, the Browns, Hank Locklin, Homer & Jethro, Hank Snow, Jim Reeves, Pee Wee King, and perhaps most notably Elvis Presley ~ Sholes was born in 1911
April 22, 1966 ~ Antonia D Reed, commonly known as hip-hop, altrernative hip-hop, jazz rap singer Bahamadia, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Debuted in 1996 with the Kollage album. In-demand collaborator, featured vocalist on recordings by the Roots, Jedi Mind Tricks, Morcheeba, Guru, Erykah Badu, and Towa Tei
April 22, 1966 ~ Singer, bassist, guitarist, songwriter Kimberley Dahme born ~ Member of Boston from 2000 through 2012, rejoining on occasion in later years. Wrote With You taken of the band's 2002 Corporate America album. Sang lead on songs such of If You Were Love, You Gave Up On Love, and God Rest Ye Metal Gentleman
April 22, 1963 ~ Trumpeter Dave Ballou born in Peace Dale, Rhode Island, USA ~ Over half a dozen albums as a leader, especially acclaimed for his 2000 Volition album. In-demand sideman, has worked with the likes of Andy Biskin, Michael Formanek, Satoko Fujii, Sheila Jordan, Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano, Orange Then Blue, Tom Rainey, Bauhaus Quartet, and others
April 22, 1962 ~ Pop, rock, indie rock singer, guitarist Carol van Dijk, full name Carol Lee vanDijk, born in Vancouver, Canada ~ Best known as member of Bettie Serveert, known for their 1992 Palomine debut album and its follow-up 1995's Lamprey. Also a member of country-rock outfit Chitlin' Fooks with Pascal Deweze
April 22, 1957 ~ Soul blues, electric blues guitarist, singer, songwriter James Armstrong born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Albert King and Robert Cray. Has backed artists such as Albert Collins, Big Joe Turner, and Smokey Wilson. Recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Sleeping With A Stranger released in 1995
April 22, 1956 ~ Conductor, violinist Jukka-Pekka Saraste born in Heinola, Finland ~ Co-founded the Avanti Chamber Orchestra with Esa-Pekka Salonen, an ensemble specializing in contemporary music. Has also conducted renowned orchestras such as the Royal Symphony Orchestra, the Finnish Chamber Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Sympony Orchestra, and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
April 22, 1953 ~ Lucia Maria Turnbull, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Lucinha Turnbull, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Opened for Os Mutantes. Formed the short-lived duo As Cilibrinas Do Eden with Rita Lee. Member of Tutti Frutti. Founded Bandolim. Has also worked with Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Moraes Moreira, Guilherme Arantes, and Erasmo Carlos
April 22, 1951 ~ Blue-eyed soul, pop rock, soft rock singer Paul Carrack, full name Paul Melvyn Carrack, born in Sheffield, UK ~ Perhaps best known as a solo artist, noted for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Don't Shed A Tear of his 1987 One Good Reason album. Keyboardist for early-1970s jazz-rock group Warm Dust. Fronted pub rock outfit Ace, known best for their 1975 hit How Long. Has also worked with Roxy Music, Squeeze, Nick Lowe, Mike + the Mechanics, the Pretenders. John Hiatt, Spin 1ne 2wo, and others
April 22, 1950 ~ Jesse Willard Carr, commonly known as guitarist Pete Carr, born in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA ~ Worked with Joan Baez, Luther Ingram, Bob Seger, Joe Cocker, Boz Scaggs, Paul Simon, the Staple Singers, Rod Stewart, Barbra Streisand, Wilson Pickett, Hank Williams Jr, LeBlanc & Carr, Sailcat, Hour Glass, and others ~ Carr passed away in 2020
April 22, 1950 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Peter Frampton, full name Peter Kenneth Frampton, born in Beckenham, UK ~ Well over a dozen albums as a solo artist since the early-1970s. Best known for his 1976 Frampton Comes Alive solo album. The album would become one of the all-time best-selling live albums and spawn the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Show Me The Way and Do You Feel Like We Do. Member of the Herd from 1966 through 1968. Member of Humble Pie from 1969 through 1971
April 22, 1947 ~ Bassist, composer Barry Guy, full name Barry John Guy, born in London, UK ~ First gained attention working with pianist Howard Riley and drummer Tony Oxley. Closely associated with John Stevens, including as a member of the Spontaneous Music Ensemble. Frequently collaborated with Evan Parker. Guested on Japan's Nightporter of the 1980 Gentlemen Take Polaroids. Has also worked with Derek Bailey, Paul Rutherford, the London Jazz Composers Orchestra, Parker Guy Lytton, Barre Phillips, Mats Gustafsson, Cecil Taylor, and Amalgam. Married to violinist Maya Homburger
April 22, 1945 ~ Efstratios Dimitriou, commonly known as singer, keyboardist, accordionist, percussionist, songwriter Demetrio Stratos, born in Alexandria, Egypt ~ Co-founder, lead singer of progressive rock band Area. Has also worked with I Rebelli, Lucio Battisti, Juan Hidalgo, John Cage, Paul Zukofsky, and toured and recorded as a solo artist ~ Dimitriou passed away in 1979
April 22, 1944 ~ Classical pianist, conductor Joshua Rifkin born in New York, New York, USA ~ Acclaimed for his series of Scott Joplin albums, starting with 1970's Scott Joplin Piano Rags renewing an interest in ragtime. Also considered an authority on Johann Sebastian Bach. Has worked with the English Chamber Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, St Louis Symphony, the Bayerische Staatsoper, the Concertgebouw Orchestra, and others. Also active in no-classical music including arranging for Judy Collins and working with the Even Dozen Jug Band on their pivotal eponymous 1967 The Even Dozen Jug Band album
April 22, 1943 ~ Soul pop singer, actor Mel Carter born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Best known for Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me, a 1965 Billboard top 10 hit and million-seller originally recorded by Karen Chandler in 1952. Other well known songs include Band Of Gold and All Of A Sudden My Heart Sings
April 22, 1941 ~ Jazz, pop keyboardist, producer, composer, pianist Don Grusin born in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Brother of pianist Dave Grusin. Leader and sideman. Member of seminal Latin jazz outfit Azteca, which also included Pete Escovedo. Co-founded jazz fusion group Friendship with Lee Ritenour, Ernie Watts and Alex Acuña. Has also worked with artist from jazz and pop such as Randy Crawford, Billy Eckstine, Joe Pass, the Pointer Sisters, Gerald Albright, Patti Austin, David Benoit, Larry Carlton, Gilberto Gil, Airto Moreira, Shakatak, Zoot Sims, Sadao Watanabe, and others
April 22, 1940 ~ Singer, songwriter Ray Griff born in Vancouver, Canada ~ Wrote or co-wrote an estimated 2,500 songs. Artists who have recorded his work include Faron Young, Jerry Lee Lewis (Who's Gonna Play This Old Piano), Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, George Hamilton IV (Canadian Pacific), Johnny Horton, Bob Luman, Gene Watson, Johnny Duncan, and others ~ Griff passed away in 2016
April 22, 1937 ~ Bernard Alfred Nitzsche, commonly known as producer, songwriter Jack Nitzsche, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Important behind the scenes musician and mentor to many, especially the top stars of the 1970s. First gained attention in the early-1960s as arranger serving as producer Phil Spector's right-hand. Credited on several early albums by the Rolling Stones as playing “the Nitzsche-phone” which would basically mean piano, keyboard or organ. Present on albums such as The Rolling Stones Now, Out Of Our Heads, Aftermath and Between The Buttons. Noted for his contributions to hit singles such as Paint It Black and Let's Spend The Night Together and especially for the piano solo on Angie. Wrote the music for over a dozen feature films including The Excorcist and One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest. Has also worked with Earl Palmer, Leon Russell, Neil Young, Buffalo Springfield, and Graham Parker ~ Nitzsche passed away in 2000
April 22, 1936 ~ Jazz, big band, jazz fusion saxophonist, hornist, flutist Don Menza born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ About a dozen albums as leader or co-leader, noted specifically for Horn Of Plenty released in 1979. Also well known for his saxophone solo on Buddy Rich's Channel One Suite. As a sideman, Menza has appeared on albums by Louie Bellson, Maynard Ferguson, John Lee Hooker (Folk Blues), Michel Colombier, Rita Coolidge (Rita Coolidge), John Klemmer (Constant Throb), Moacir Santos, Gloria Jones (Share My Love), Michael Omartian, Glen Campbell, Andrew Gold, JD Souther, Neil Diamond (Beautiful Noise), Phil Keaggy, Boz Scaggs, Leonard Cohen (Death Of A Ladies Man), Bette Midler, Seals & Crofts, Wendy Waldman (Strange Company), Supersax, Sérgio Mendes, Alan Broadbent, and Natalie Cole. Menza's son Nick Menza is the drummer for Megadeth
April 22, 1936 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Glen Campbell, full name Glen Travis Campbell, born in Billstown, Arkansas, USA ~ Member of the Champs, the Hondells, and the Wrecking Crew, the latter a loose collective of first-call session musicians. Campbell has appeared on albums by Jan & Dean, Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers, the Beach Boys, the Monkees (The Monkees), and Merle Haggard (Mama Tried). As a solo artist, Campbell enjoyed popularity especially from the late-1960s onwards, well known songs include The Universal Soldier, By The Time I Get To Phoenix, Wichita Lineman, Rhinestone Cowboy and Southern Nights, the latter two each toppping both the Billboard Country and the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts in the mid-1970s ~ Campbell passed away in 2017
April 22, 1935 ~ Bassist Paul Chambers, full name Paul Laurence Dunbar Chambers Jr, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Influenced by Charlie Parker, Ray Brown, George Duvivier. One of the most revered bass players of the hard bop era. About a dozen albums as a leader, present on over an estimated 100 more as a sideman. Closely associated with Miles Davis, appearing on albums such as Round About Midnight, Miles Ahead, Kind Of Blue, and Sketches Of Spain. Other notable collaborations include Bennie Green, Johnny Griffin (A Blowin' Session), Jackie McLean, Thelonious Monk (Brilliant Corners), Clifford Jordan, Benny Golson (New York Scene), Art Taylor, Abbey Lincoln, Milt Jackson (Bags' Opus), Wayne Shorter, Gil Evans, John Coltrane (Giant Steps), Freddie Hubbard (Open Sesame), King Curtis, Oliver Nelson (The Blues And The Abstract Truth), Elvin Jones, Hank Mobley, and Ike Quebec (Blue & Sentimental). Chambers is tributed in several songs, notably Five For Paul by Max Roach and Paul Chambers by Barenaked Ladies ~ Chambers passed away in 1969
April 22, 1935 ~ R&B, doo-wop singer Willie C Jackson born ~ Member of the Spaniels. The band is known for Baby It's You and Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight, both of which reached top 10 Billboard R&B at the time of their release in the early-1950s. The latter remains popular to this day, frequently featured in films including American Graffiti, fondly remembered as one of the most endearing early doo-wop hits ~ Jackson passed away in 2015
April 22, 1935 ~ Drummer WS Holland born in Saltillo, Tennessee, USA ~ Played with Carl Perkins, including on Blue Suede Shoes. Played with Johnny Cash as a member of Cash's backing bands the Tennessee Three, the Great Eighties Eight, and as a member of the Johnny Cash Show Band. Also drummed on the The Million Dollar Quartet sessions, backing Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Perkins and Cash ~ Holland passed away in 2020
April 22, 1930 ~ Soprano Elizabeth Spencer, full name Elizabeth Dickerson Spencer, passed away ~ Trained as pianist and violinist. Praised for the sterling operatic quality of her voice. Has performed in vaudeville and on Broadway. Best known for numerous recordings, totalling over 600, for Thomas Edison from the 1910s through the 1920s ~ Spencer was born in 1871
April 22, 1924 ~ Country singer, guitarist Bob Gallion born in Ashland, Kentucky, USA ~ Active since the 1940s, sessioning for the likes of Stoney Cooper & Wilma Lee Cooper. As a solo artist, Gallion has recorded from the 1950s through the early-1970s, racking up about half a dozen Billboard Country top 30 hits including his best known Wall To Wall Love which reached top 10. Well-known songs include You Take The Table And I'll Take The Chairs, Loving You (Was Worth This Broken Heart), One Way Street, Sweethearts Again, and Ain't Got Time For Nothin' ~ Gallion passed away in 1999
April 22, 1922 ~ Jazz, hard bop, bebop, post-bop, free-jazz, avant-garde bass virtuoso, pianist, songwriter Charles Mingus born in Nogales, Arizona, USA ~ Easily counted among the most important and influential jazz musicians, composers of all time, easily. Known for compositions such as Goodbye Pork Pie Hat, Hora Decubitus, and Epitaph. Has collaborated with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Dannie Richmond, and Herbie Hancock ~ Mingus passed away in 1979
April 22, 1922 ~ Pianist Lou Stein born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Worked with Ray McKinley, Glenn Miller, Charlie Ventura, the Lawson-Haggart Band, Benny Goodman, Sarah Vaughan, the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, Louie Bellson, Red Allen, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Joe Venuti, Woody Herman, Lee Konitz, Joe Newman, Charlie Parker, Cootie Williams, and others ~ Stein passed away in 2002
April 22, 1921 ~ Cándido Camero Guerra, commonly known as conga, bongo player Candido, born in Havana, Cuba ~ Leader and sideman recording since the mid-1950s. Influential in many genres including Afro-Cuban jazz to disco. Especially notable in the disco genre is the 1979 album Dancing And Prancing on the Salsoul Records label, featuring a reworked version of the 1950s song Jingo. The song was originally done by Nigerian percussionist Babatunde Olatunji and has also been recorded by Serge Gainsbourg (as Marabout), James Last, Pierre Moerlen, Fatboy Slim, and notably Santana on their 1969 eponymous debut album Santana. Camero has worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Wynton Kelly, Bobby Sanabria, Benjamin Lapidus, Gene Ammons, Art Blakey, Ray Bryant, Kenny Burrell, Coleman Hawkins, Billy Taylor, Bennie Green, Don Elliott, Stan Kenton, the Lecuona Cuban Boys, Randy Weston, Sonny Rollins, Wynton Kelly, Grant Green, Illinois Jacquet, Gary McFarland, Wes Montgomery, the Tico All-Stars, Bobby Hutcherson, Elvin Jones, Ellen McIlwaine, Erroll Garner, Tito Puente, and Machito ~ Guerra passed away in 2020
April 22, 1921 ~ Gospel singer, songwriter Eugene Smith born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced gospel singers such as Alex Bradford and reverend James Cleveland. Sang with the Roberta Martin Singers from its inception in until the group's disbandement after Roberta Martin's death in 1969. Sang lead on numerous of the group's songs including He's All I Need, Satisfied, I'm Too Close, Shine On Me, Marching To Zion, It's Gonna Rain, Come Lord Jesus, and Standing On The Promises ~ Smith passed away in 2009
April 22, 1921 ~ Singer Vivian Dandridge, full name Vivian Alferetta Dandridge, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Member of the Dandridge Sisters alongside her sister Dorothy Dandridge and Etta Jones. The trio would headline the Cotton Club, appear in half a dozen films and score hits such as Undecided and If I Were Sure Of You, and some sides with Jimmie Lunceford including Minnie The Moocher Is Dead and You Ain't Nowhere. Following the trio's disbandement in 1940 Dandridge's sister Dorothy would be the most successful, appearing in films such as Carmen Jones and Porgy & Bess, with Vivian only performing in minor roles. Vivian also released a sole solo album, The Look Of Love, yet it remained mostly unnoticed ~ Dandridge passed away in 1991
April 22, 1920 ~ Conductor, cellist Arthur Winograd born in New York, New York, USA ~ Music director of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. Member of the Juilliard String Quartet ~ Winograd passed away in 2010
April 22, 1920 ~ Benjamin Drootin, commonly known as jazz drummer Buzzy Drootin, born in Kyiv, Ukraine ~ Got his professional start in music in the early-1940s, touring with Ina Ray Hutton. Drootin would go on to back artists such as Al Donahue, Wingy Manone, and Eddie Condon. Other notable associations include Bobby Hackett, Sidney Bechet, Serge Chaloff, Ruby Braff (Hustlin' & Bustlin'), Herb Hall, Pee Wee Russell, Ralph Sutton, Anita O'Day, and Lee Konitz. Drootin would form the Drootin Brothers Jazz Band in the 1970s with his brother saxophonist, clarinetist Al Drootin and nephew pianist Sonny Drootin, among others. Drootin remained active into the 1980s ~ Drootin passed way in 2000
April 22, 1919 ~ Benjamin Joseph Jackson, commonly known as saxophonist Bull Moose Jackson, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Popular dirty blues singer most successful in the late-1940s. Known for songs such as I Want A Bow Legged Woman, Big Ten Inch Record, I Love You (Yes I Do), and I Can't Go On Without You ~ Jackson passed away in 1989
April 22, 1909 ~ Herman Shertzer, commonly known as jazz saxophonist Hymie Shertzer, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his association with Benny Goodman including on the pivotal 1937 recording of Sing Sing Sing (With A Swing). Also worked with Tommy Dorsey, Bunny Berigan, Lionel Hampton, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Sy Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Artie Shaw, and others ~ Shertzer passed away in 1977
April 22, 1892 ~ Singer Walter Van Brunt, also known professionally as Walter Scanlan, born ~ Vaudeville, Broadway, musical performer enjoying popularity through the 1920s. Perhaps best known for his 1914 Just Awearyn For You duet with soprano Elizabeth Spencer. Has also worked with Ada Jones, John Bieling, the American Quartet, and others ~ Van Brunt passed away in 1971
April 22, 1868 ~ Pianist, composer José Vianna da Motta born on São Tomé Island, Portugal ~ One of the last pupils of Franz Liszt. Accompanied violinists such as Pablo de Sarasate, Tivadar Nachéz, and Bernardo Moreira de Sá. Known as a fine interpreter of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven as well as lesser-known composers such as Charles-Valentin Alkan. Also known as a renowned composer in his own right, writing pieces for piano, chamber music, orchestral and choral works ~ Da Motta passed away in 1948