April 26, 2024 ~ Country, bluegrass mandolinist Frank Wakefield, full name Franklin Delano Roosevelt Wakefield, passed away in Saratoga Springs, New York, USA ~ Learned the harmonica, guitar, and bass as a child, switching to mandolin in his mid-teens, Wakefield would eventually become one of the most acclaimed and innovative mandolinists, expanding the range of the instrument. Has recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist, most noted for Frank Wakefield With Country Cooking released in 1972. An in-demand collaborator and sideman, Wakefield is especially known for his work with Red Allen, Jimmy Martin, the Greenbriar Boys, and Ralph Stanley. In the 1960s, Wakefield has also made strides in the classical world, composing classical mandolin sonatas and arranging classical pieces for traditional bluegrass instruments, leading to performances with the New York Philharmonic, then led by Leonard Bernstein, and guest appearances with the Boston Pops. To rock audiences, Wakefield is well known for touring with Jerry Garcia, as well as with the New Riders Of The Purple Sage, and for opening for the Grateful Dead. Wakefield has also recorded with Don McLean, David Grisman (Early Dawg), the all-star outfit the Bluegrass Mandolin Ensemble (Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza), and Bill Jorgenson ~ Wakefield was born in 1934
April 26, 2022 ~ Country singer, songwriter Julie Daraîche passed away ~ Considered Quebec's “Queen of Country Music,” actively performing and recording since the mid-1960s. Known for songs such as Noël Dans Mon Village, Un Verre Sur La Table, and Mon Hommage. Has worked with Paul Brunelle, Marcel Martel, Willie Lamothe, and others ~ Daraîche was born in 1938
April 26, 2022 ~ Glam metal, hard rock bassist Randy Rand passed away ~ Co-founding member of Los Angeles-based glam metal outfit Autograph, remaining with the band through its initial disbandement in 1989 and rejoining a reformed incarnation in 2013. The band is best known for their 1984 Sign In Please debut album, which spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top 30 hit Turn Up The Radio ~ Rand was born ca.1960
April 26, 2021 ~ Engineer, producer Al Schmitt, full name Albert Harry Schmitt, passed away in Bell Canyon, California, USA ~ Multiple Grammy Awards to his name over a career starting in the 1960s as an apprentice of Tom Dowd. Has engineered and or produced albums by Henry Mancini, Cal Tjader, Sam Cooke, Hot Tuna, the Jefferson Airplane (Volunteers), Glenn Yarbrough, Steely Dan, Jackson Browne (Late For The Sky), Neil Young (On The Beach), George Benson, Dr John, Frank Sinatra, Thelonious Monk, Toto, Natalie Cole, Quincy Jones, Madonna, and Michael Jackson ~ Schmitt was born in 1930
April 26, 2019 ~ Surf producer, label founder, label executive Anthony J Hilder passed away ~ Surf producer turned conspiracy theorist author and film and radio maker. Musically known for producing records such as Jim Waller's Surfing Wild, the Original Surfaris' LP Bombora, supervising recordings of the Revels Surf, for founding several labels including CT Records, and for working at a number of others including Kent Records, Modern Records, Impact Records and others. Hilder later turned conspiracy theorist around subjects involving 9/11, the Illuminati and NWO ~ Hilder was born in 1934
April 26, 2018 ~ R&B, jazz, funk, pop saxophonist Charles Neville passed away in Huntington, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known as member of sibling outfit the Neville Brothers. Father of jazz, funk singer Charmaine Neville. Has also worked with the Rabbit's Foot Minstrel Show, Larry Williams, Wild Tchoupitoulas led by his maternal uncle George Landry, Johnnie Taylor, Clarence Carter, and OV Wright ~ Neville was born in 1938
April 26, 2018 ~ Classical, jazz, rock cellist Donald Whitton, full name Donald Richard Whitton, passed away in Ottawa, Canada ~ To classical audiences best known for his association with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, serving with the ensemble from 1948 through 1960, and the CBC Radio Orchestra. To pop, rock audiences well known as a member of Lighthouse, remembered most for the One Fine Morning hit single of their 1971 album of the same name ~ Whitton was born in 1923
April 26, 2013 ~ Singer George Jones, full name George Glenn Jones, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Iconic country singer active since the 1950s. Known for songs such as Why Baby Why, White Lightning, The Window Up Above, Seasons Of My Heart, Just One More, The Love Bug, The Race Is On, A Good Year For The Roses, He Stopped Loving Her Today, The Grand Tour, as well as for several duets with his then-wife Tammy Wynette such as Golden Ring ~ Jones was born in 1931
April 26, 2012 ~ James Edward Bond Jr, commonly known as jazz double bassist, composer, arranger Jimmy Bond, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Worked with Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Gene Ammons, Chet Baker, Ella Fitzgerald, Sonny Rollins, Ben Webster, Art Pepper, Jim Hall, Jimmy Giuffre, Paul Horn, Phil Spector, Randy Newman, Frank Zappa, Tim Buckley, the Jazz Crusaders, Nina Simone, Lightnin' Hopkins, Jimmy Witherspoon, Linda Ronstadt, Henry Mancini, Lou Rawls, Tony Bennett, BB King, Curtis Amy, Earl Anderza, Louie Bellson, Terry Gibbs, Joe Gordon, Irene Kral, Julie London, Brownie McGhee, Sonny Terry, Frank Morgan, Gerry Mulligan, Jim Sullivan, Gerald Wilson, Jimmy Woods, and others ~ Bond was born in 1933
April 26, 2011 ~ Phoebe Ann Laub, commonly known as singer, guitarist Phoebe Snow, passed away in Edison, New Jersey, USA ~ Jazzy soft-rock singer, songwriter with about a dozen albums to her name, especially acclaimed for her eponymous Phoebe Snow debut album and its follow-up Second Childhood. Best known for her 1974 Billboard Hot 100 No.5 hit Poetry Man, covered by over a dozen artists including Zap Mama and Queen Latifah. Other songs written by Snow have been covered by Bette Midler (I Don't Want The Night To End), Dianne Brooks, Renée Tannenbaum (Harpo's Blues), and Polly Gibbons. Snow also appeared on albums by Paul Simon (Still Crazy After All These Years), Janis Ian, David Sanborn, David Bromberg, Garland Jeffreys, Bobby McFerrin, Dave Grusin, Laurie Anderson (Mister Heartbreak), and Joe Cocker ~ Laub was born in 1950
April 26, 2008 ~ Jazz, R&B singer Byrdie Green passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Protégé of Ruth Brown. Known for a string of mid- to late-1960s albums, backed by artists such as Johnny Hammond Smith, Thornel Schwartz and Jimmy Lewis. The track Return Of The Prodigal Son of her 1968 Sister Byrdie album would later be sampled by Grand Puba for his 1992 Lickshot recording ~ Green was born ca.1936
April 26, 2005 ~ Singer, guitarist, drummer, keyboardist, songwriter Hasil Adkins passed away in Boone County, West Virginia, USA ~ Encompasses rock & roll, country, blues, rockabilly. Foreshadowed psychobilly with songs such as She Said, later covered by the Cramps, and Let Me Come In, covered by Flat Duo Jets ~ Adkins was born in 1937
April 26, 1997 ~ Gene Urick, commonly known as traditional pop singer Gene Ames, passed away ~ Member of family outfit the Ames Brothers, known for a number of 1950s hits including Rag Mop, Sentimental Me, Can Anyone Explain (No No No), Undecided, The Man With The Banjo, The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane and Tammy ~ Urick was born in 1924
April 26, 1991 ~ Elizabeth Anne Locher, commonly known as folk singer Anne Warner, passed away ~ Folklorist, song collector known to have preserved and recorded some 1,000 traditional folk songs with her husband Frank Warner, including Tom Dooley, He's Got The Whole World In His Hands and Days Of Forty-nine ~ Locher was born in 1905
April 26, 1991 ~ Film composer Leo Arnaud passed away in Hamptonville, North Carolina, USA ~ Best known for composing Bugler's Dream, used as theme music for the Olympic games by networls ABC and NBC starting in 1964. Has worked as a film composer, arranger, orchestrator for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer from 1936 through 1966 ~ Arnaud was born in 1904
April 26, 1990 ~ Producer, music executive Wesley Rose passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Son of songwriter Fred Rose. Followed in his father's footsteps joining music publishers Acuff/Rose Music in 1945, a publishing company founded by his father and Roy Acuff. Incremental in the creation of the Country Music Association. First publisher to serve on the Board of Directors of the ASCAP ~ Rose was born in 1918
April 26, 1988 ~ Blues singer, multi-instrumentalist Arbee Stidham, full name Arbee Perkins Stidham, passed away in Cook County, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for his 1948 hit My Heart Belongs To You ~ Stidham was born in 1917
April 26, 1986 ~ Drummer Cliff Leeman passed away ~ Performed with the Portland Symphony Orchestra at age 13. Toured vaudeville in late-1920s. From 1930s onwards worked with artists such as Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Charlie Barnet, Johnny Long, Woody Herman, Don Byas, John Kirby, Raymond Scott, Jimmy Dorsey, Ben Webster, the Casa Loma Orchestra, Bob Chester, Eddie Condon, Bobby Hackett, Pee Wee Erwin, Yank Lawson, Bob Haggart, the Lawson-Haggart Band, Ralph Sutton, Billy Butterfield, Bob Crosby, Wild Bill Davison, the Dukes Of Dixieland, Peanuts Hucko, Joe Venuti, the Kings Of Jazz, Bud Freeman, Don Ewell, the World's Greatest Jazz Band, Jimmy McPartland, and others ~ Leeman was born in 1913
April 26, 1984 ~ Jazz singer, pianist, autoharp player Andrea Rydin Berge born in Oslo, Norway ~ Fronts the Andrea Kvintett, which also includes Svein Magnus Furu, Harald Lassen, Kim-Erik Pedersen, and Christian Meaas Svendsen. The ensemble is known for their 2012 eponymous Anrea Kvintett and its follow-up Russian Dream released the following year
April 26, 1984 ~ Lilian Alice Hiatt, commonly known as rock, country singer, guitarist, songwriter Lilly Hiatt, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Daughter of singer John Hiatt. Member of Shake Go Home before venturing out on her own. Released her full-length Let Down solo debut in 2012, produced by Doug Lancio, and has recorded consistently since
April 26, 1981 ~ Caroline Esmeralda van der Leeuw, commonly known as jazz, pop singer Caro Emerald, born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Broke through with her A Night Like This single of the Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor. The song was originally written for a Martini commercial and was inspired by a scene from the Bond-film Casino Royale. Other well known songs include Back It Up, Tangled Up, Liquid Lunch and Stuck
April 26, 1981 ~ Niomi Arleen McLean-Daley, commonly known as singer, rapper, songwriter, producer Ms Dynamite, born in Crawley, UK ~ First appeared as featured vocalist on DJ, producer Sticky's Ms Dynamite single, a 2001 single which reached the UK top 20 and is considered one of the best UK garage tracks by critics. Would subsequently release her full-length A Little Deeper which spawned the hit singles It Takes More and Dy-Na-Mi-Tee. Has recorded throughtout the 2000s to critical acclaim and international commercial succes
April 26, 1979 ~ Jamal Phillips, mononymously known as rapper, producer Jamal, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Formed the early-1990s rap duo Illegal with Dallas Austin. As a solo artist known for his sole album, 1995's Last Chance No Breaks spawning the modest hit Fades 'Em All. Has also collaborated with Shyheim, Coolio, MC Breed, Method Man, Busta Rhymes, the DOC, and others
April 26, 1978 ~ Myron Lavell Avant, mononymously known as R&B singer, songwriter Avant, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Debuted in 2000 with his My Thoughts album. Best known for songs such as Separated, My First Love featuring Keke Wyatt, Makin' Good Love and Read Your Mind
April 26, 1977 ~ Svavar Pétur Eysteinsson, commonly known as singer, songwriter Prins Póló, born ~ Co-founding member of alternative rock outfit Skakkamanage, known best for their 2008 All Over The Face sophomore album. Has also enjoyed a parallel solo career, recording half a dozen albums, starting with Jukk released in 2010 ~ Eysteinsson passed away in 2022
April 26, 1976 ~ Drummmer, producer, songwriter Adam Deitch, full name Adam David Deitch, born ~ Hip-hop, jazz, funk drummer. Member of Lettuce, member of Break Science. Has also worked with Talib Kweli, Soulive, the Average White Band, guitarist John Scofield, rappers such as Wax, 50 Cent, Pharoahe Monch, Redman & Xzibit, and with R&B and jazz singer Ledisi
April 26, 1976 ~ Folk, rock singer, guitarist, mandolinist, keyboardist, songwriter Declan O'Rourke born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Has recorded over half a dozen albums, starting with Since Kyabram released in 2004. Admired by peers, counting the likes of Ronnie Wood, Chris Rea, Paul Brady, and Paul Weller, the latter once exclaiming O'Rourke's Galileo (Someone Like You) was the song he most wished he'd written
April 26, 1976 ~ Drummer José Antonio Pasillas II born in Calabasas, California, USA ~ Influenced by 311's Chad Sexton, the Police's Stewart Copeland, Primus's Tim Alexander. Drummer, co-founding member of alternative rock band Incubus, known for songs such as Drive, Megalomaniac, Anna-Molly and Love Hurts. Self-taught, Pasillas has never received any formal drum training which he considers has both positives and negatives
April 26, 1976 ~ Country singer, songwriter Tim Spencer, full name Vernon Harold Timothy Spencer, passed away in Apple Valley, California, USA ~ Founded pivotal country group the Sons Of The Pioneers with Bob Nolan and Roy Rogers, known for songs such as Cool Water, Room Full Of Roses and Tumbling Tumbleweeds. Spencer remained with the group through 1949 ~ Spencer was born in 1908
April 26, 1975 ~ In its thirteenth week on the charts, Hey Won't You Play Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song by BJ Thomas hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written by Larry Butler and Chips Moman, the latter also serving as producer. Lifted off the Reunion album, Hey Won't You Play Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song would become a signature song for Thomas and his second and final Billboard Hot 100 charttopper, after Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head at the turn of the decade. Hey Won't You Play Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song earned Thomas a Grammy Award for Best Country Song
April 26, 1975 ~ Heavy metal, nu metal, groove metal, alternative metal drummer Joey Jordison, full name Nathan Jonas Jordison, born in Des Moines, Iowa, USA ~ Cites Keith Moon, John Bonham, Peter Criss, Gene Krupa, and Buddy Rich as main influences. Best known as co-founding member of Slipknot, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums including the acclaimed Slipknot and Vol.3 (The Subliminal Verses). Jordison has also worked with Ministry, Murderdolls, Scar The Martyr, Vimic, and Sinsaenum ~ Jordison passed away in 2021
April 26, 1973 ~ Country, bluegrass singer Melonie Cannon born in Jackson, Tennessee, USA ~ Daughter of songwriter, producer Buddy Cannon, sister of songwriter Marla Cannon Goodman. Sang backup for artists such as John Michael Montgomery, George Jones, and Kenny Chesney starting at age 14. Duetted with Sammy Kershaw on Cry Cry Darling at age 16. Released eponymous debut LP, Melonie Cannon, in 2004 featuring guests including Stuart Duncan, Dan Tyminski, Barry Bales, Rob McCoury, Rob Ickes, Randy Kohrs, Jerry Douglas. Has also worked with Willie Nelson, Ronnie Bowman, Sonya Isaacs, Adam Steffey, Randy Kohrs, Tim Stafford, Wyatt Rice, Aubrey Haynie, Jody King, and Deanie Richardson
April 26, 1972 ~ Folk rock, folk pop outfit America release I Need You, lifted off their eponymous debut album ~ A tender piano ballad originally written by band member Gerry Beckley when he was just 16 years old. The band had intended to issue it at the lead single off their eponymous America debut album. However, at the last minute with the album already pressed the band chose to write a new song for the single instead, which became their A Horse With No Name hit not included on early pressings. A Horse With No Name reached No.1 Billboard Hot 100. I Need You would be released as the albums's second single and reached No.9 on the same chart. Singer Harry Nilsson would record a notable cover of I Need You, included on his 1976 That's The Way It Is album
April 26, 1971 ~ Giorgia Todrani, mononymously known as singer, songwriter Giorgia, born in Rome, Italy ~ One of the most popular Italian singers praised for her vocal range spanning 4 octaves, drawing comparisons to Whitney Houston. Regarded as an ambassador for Italian pop fairly well known across Europe, Canada and Latin America. Major hits include Come Saprei, Un'ora Sola Ti Vorrei, Girasole, and Di Sole E D'Azzurro, the latter penned by Zucchero
April 26, 1970 ~ Cory McKay, commonly known as rapper, songwriter Cormega, born in Queens, New York, USA ~ First gained attention in the early-1990s, appearing on tracks by Hot Day (Going Straight Up), and Blaq Poet (Set It Off). About half a dozen albums to his name, starting with The Realness released in 2001. Well known for his 2005 The Testament album, initially recorded for Def Jam Records in the mid-1990s intended as his debut album but the project would be shelved
April 26, 1970 ~ Pop singer Ruth Ann Boyle born in Sunderland, UK ~ Formed the band Olive with producers Tim Kellett and Robin Taylor Firth, known for the 1997 single You're Not Alone. Also worked with Enigma, singing lead vocals on Gravity Of Love and Silence Must Be Heard. Also worked with Grand Theft Audio and with Kojak. Released a solo album, What About Us, in 2007, available only on iTunes
April 26, 1970 ~ Drummer Shane Evan born ~ Original drummer of Collective Soul. Fired from the band in 2005. Previously a member of Marching Two Step, alongside Michele Rhea Caplinger, Ed Roland and Matt Serletic
April 26, 1970 ~ Tionne Tenese Watkinds, commonly known as singer, actress Tionne T-Boz Watkins, born in Des Moines, Iowa, USA ~ Best known as a member of TLC, known for hits such as Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg, What About Your Friends, Creep, Waterfalls, and No Scrubs. As a solo artist known for songs such as Touch Myself and My Getaway, as well as for collaborations with Da Brat (Ghetto Love), the Society Of Soul (Changes), Keith Sweat (He Say She Say), Raphael Saadiq (Different Times), and Paula Cole (Be Somebody)
April 26, 1969 ~ José Henrique Castanho de Gody Pinheiro, commonly known as producer, DJ Zé Gonzales, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ First gained attention as DJ for Planet Hemp, one of the top hip hop acts to come out of Brazil in the 1990s. Also well known for his collaboration with Sam Spiegel on the NASA project, the moniker an acronym of “North America South America” to reflect the duo's different origins. Both with and without Spiegel, Gonzales would go on to work with the likes of Sepultura, Kanye West, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, John Frusciante, MIA, and Major Lazer
April 26, 1968 ~ House, techno singer, songwriter, producer Curtis Jones, full name Curtis Alan Jones, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Active since the early-1990s under various monnikers including Cajmere and Green Velvet. Best known for his 1992 Percolator and the Dajae-collaboration Brighter Days the same year. Released his full-length Constant Chaos debut album in 1999
April 26, 1967 ~ Rock, alternative rock, indie rock drummer, percussionist Darrin Mooney, full name Darrin Shane Mooney, born in Merton, UK ~ Best known as a member of Primal Scream, joining the band in 1997 as replacement for Paul Mulreany. First appeared on the XTRMNTR album released in 2000. Has also worked with Martin Barre, Babylon Zoo, Colin Blunstone, Gary Moore, Bent, Deepest Blue, Dust Galaxy, and Dionne Bromfield
April 26, 1966 ~ Blues, R&B, rock, rock & roll drummer, guitarist, singer John Calarco born in Milwaukee, USA, USA ~ Worked with a number of Milwaukee based bands. Perhaps best known for backing Willy Porter, including co-writing several tracks of the acclaimed 1994 Dog Eared Dream album. Other notable collaborations include Daryl Stuermer, Greg Koch, and Mike Keane. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Pure released in 2002
April 26, 1965 ~ Radio DJ, TV personality Eddy Temple-Morris, full name Edward Owen Kayvan Temple-Morris, born in Cardiff, UK ~ Best known as a VJ and radio DJ for stations such as MTV, Channel 4, Virgin Radio UK and notably London radio station XFM, presenting The Remix for 15 years. Also forms the remixer duo the Losers with Tom Bellamy from the Cooper Temple Clause, the duo has remixed for Gossip, Rage Against The Machine, the Presets, and Placebo
April 26, 1964 ~ Trumpeter, pianist, composer Axel Dörner born in Cologne, Germany ~ Key figure in Berlin's improvisational and experimental music scene since the mid-1990s. Leader and sideman. Forms the trio TOOT with Phil Minton and Thomas Lehn. Has also collaborated with the likes of Otomo Yoshihide, die Anreicherung, Ig Henneman, Ken Vandermark, the London Jazz Composers Orchestra, and Alexander von Schlippenbach
April 26, 1964 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Jimmy Stafford born ~ Best known as lead and rhythm guitarist for Train, remaining with the band from its inception in 1994 through 2014. Present on most of the band's best known including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Drops Of Jupiter (Tell Me), Hey Soul Sister, and Drive By
April 26, 1964 ~ Jazz, jazz-pop, pop singer Rebecka Törnqvist born in Uppsala, Sweden ~ Over a dozen albums to her name, starting with A Night Like This released in 1993. More of a pop singer with heavy jazz influences Törnqvist is nonetheless credited with reviving interest in female jazz singers in the 1990s. With the exception of her 2001 Vad Jag Vill album Törnqvist usually sings in English. Also noted for her collaborative albums with Sara Isaksson1, resulting in the 2006 Sara Isaksson & Rebecka Törnqvist Sing Steely Dan album, and with Johan Lindström on the Home Secretary collaborative album released in 2017
April 26, 1962 ~ Arjen de Vreede, commonly known as DJ, producer DJ DNA, born in the Netherlands ~ Pioneering DJ. Member of Urban Dance Squad. Member of JMX. Member of Stuurbaard Bakkebaard. Has remixed for Junkie XL and for de Jeugd Van Tegenwoordig. Also worked with Palinckx, the POW Ensemble, and with Defunkt. Had Kurtis Blow, Pax, Torre Florim and Janne Schra guest on Sum Of The Sound, his 2012 solo debut album
April 26, 1962 ~ R&B, soul singer Sam Cooke records Having A Party at RCA Studios, Hollywood, California ~ Self-penned. Produced by Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore. “The session would be a very happy session. Everybody was just having a ball,” recalled engineer Al Schmitt later. Released as a single, its flip side graced by Bring It On Home To Me recorded during the same session, it would reach top 20 Billboard Hot 100, top 10 Billboard R&B. The song would become the closing song for every Cooke concert since its release in May 1962
April 26, 1960 ~ Pianist, organist, composer Peter Schindler born in lternsteig, West Germany ~ Active mostly in musical theatre. Has worked with the Staatstheater Stuttgart, the Wurttembergische Landesbuhne Esslinge, Saltacello, Pipes & Phones and his own the Peter Schindler Combo
April 26, 1960 ~ Pop, new wave, synth-pop drummer Roger Taylor, full name Roger Andrew Taylor, born in Nechells, UK ~ Member of pop outfit Duran Duran from their inception in the late-1970s until 1985 and again from 2001 onwards. Present on most of the band's best known hits, including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Hungry Like The Wolf, Is There Something I Should Know, Union Of The Snake, New Moon On Monday, and The Reflex, the latter their first US No.1 hit. Taylor has also worked with Arcadia, Freebass, and formed the electro house Funk Face with Jake Roberts
April 26, 1959 ~ Keyboardist, composer, producer, engineer Jay Oliver born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Worked with Maynard Ferguson, Sheryl Crow, the Eagles, Jimmy Buffett, Wynonna Judd, Glenn Frey, Peabo Bryson, Chick Corea, Dave Weckl, Russ Kunkel, Jay Graydon, Céline Dion, and others
April 26, 1959 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal, glam metal singer, guitarist John Corabi in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Perhaps best known for fronting Mötley Crüe from 1992 through 1996 during Vince Neil's hiatus. Present on the band's eponymous 1994 Mötley Crüe album. Has also worked with Scream, Angora, Union, ESP, RATT, Twenty 4 Seven, Zen Lunatic, Brides Of Destruction, Angel City Outlaws, and fronted supergroup the Dead Daisies
April 26, 1959 ~ Athanasios Papakonstantinou, commonly known as singer Thanassis Papakonstantinou, born in Tyrnavos, Greece ~ Regarded as one of the most original singers in Greek music drawing from traditional folk while still remaining fresh, vibrant and relevant to his own time. Has collaborated with Giannis Aggelakas, Melina Kana, Sokratis Malames, Lizeta Kalimeri, and Nikos Papazoglou
April 26, 1957 ~ Conductor Rosa Briceño Ortiz born ~ First woman to lead the Banda Marical Caracas. In 1983 also became the first woman to lead a Venezuelan symphony orchestra, namely the Orquesta Sinfonica Simon Bolivar ~ Ortiz passed away in 2018
April 26, 1952 ~ Blues-rock drummer, singer Ralph Kinsey born in Gary, Indiana, USA ~ Member of the Kinsey Report, which included his brothers Donald Kinsey and Kenneth Kinsey, family friend Ron Prince and led by patriarch Big Daddy Kinsey. The band recorded about half a dozen albums in the 1980s and 1990s, starting with 1988's Edge Of The City, and has toured with Albert King, and Muddy Waters
April 26, 1952 ~ Jazz, blues pianist Zinky Cohn passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Fixture on the 1920s, 1930s Chicago jazz scene, most closely associated with clarinetist Jimmie Noone. Cohn has also worked with Leon Washington, Frankie Franko, Punch Miller, Jabbo Smith, and notably accompanied Georgia White ~ Cohn was born in 1908
April 26, 1951 ~ R&B, jazz, gospel singer, songwriter Billy Newton-Davis born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Member of the Nylons. As a solo artist best known for songs such as Deeper, Find My Way Back, I Can't Take It and the Céline Dion duet Can't Live With You Can't Live Without You. Has also worked with the Boomtang Boys, Deadmau5, and with Nino Anthony
April 26, 1951 ~ Miguel Atilio Boccadoro Hernandez, commonly known as pop singer, guitarist, trumpeter, bandoneon player Diego Verdaguer, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Married to singer Amanda Miguel. Well over a dozen albums to his name, known best for songs such as Volveré, Corazón De Papel, Usted Qué Haria, La Ladrona, and Voy A Coonquistarte ~ Boccadoro passed away in 2022
April 26, 1949 ~ Singer, harmonica player, saxophonist Jimmy Hall born in Birmingham, Alabama ~ Lead singer of Southern rock outfit Wet Willie, known for songs such as Street Corner Serenade, Weekend and perhaps their best known song the 1974 hit Keep On Smiling. Has had moderate success with the solo singles Be Happy That Love Has Found You and Fool For Your Love. Guested on Jeff Beck's 1985 album Flash and toured with Hank Williams Jr playing sax and harmonica
April 26, 1945 ~ Drummer, songwriter Garry Peterson born in Winnipeg, Canada ~ Member of the Guess Who. The band is best known for their 1970 American Woman single which would reach No.1 both in the USA and their native Canada. Other Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits included These Eyes, Laughing, No Time, No Sugar Tonight, and Share The Land
April 26, 1945 ~ Keyboardist, organist, singer Mike Finnigan, full name Michael Kelly Finnigan, born in Troy, Ohio. USA ~ Played with Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, Etta James, Sam Moore, Crosby Stills & Nash, Buddy Guy, the Manhattan Transfer, Taj Mahal, Michael McDonald, Maria Muldaur, Peter Frampton, Cher, Ringo Starr, Leonard Cohen, Tower Of Power, Rod Stewart, David Coverdale, Tracy Chapman, the Lonely Boys, Bonnie Raitt, and Saving Escape ~ Finnigan passed away in 2021
April 26, 1943 ~ Singer, keyboardist, songwriter Gary Wright, full name Gary Malcolm Wright, born in Creskill, New Jersey, USA ~ Helped establish the synthesizer as a leading instrument in pop and rock. As a solo artist best known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles Dream Weaver and its follow-up Love Is Alive, both taken of his 1976 Dream Weaver album. On-and-off member of Spooky Tooth from its inception in 1967 through the mid-1970s, notably present on albums such as Spooky Two and You Broke My Heart So I Busted Your Jaw. Guested on George Harrison's acclaimed 1970 All Things Must Pass album, marking the beginning of a longtime friendship. Also played with Ringo Starr & his All-Starr Band ~ Wright passed away in 2023
April 26, 1942 ~ Robert Louis Ridarelli, commonly known as pop, rock & roll singer, drummer, actor Bobby Rydell born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Early 1960s teen idol best known for songs such as Wild One, Swingin' School and Volare, all of which reached Billboard Hot 100 top 10. Appeared in the 1963 feature film Bye Bye Birdie based on the stage play of the same name ~ Ridarelli passed away in 2022
April 26, 1941 ~ Singer, songwriter Claudine Clark born in Macon, Georgia, USA ~ Best known for her sole hit, the self-penned Party Lights, which reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1962
April 26, 1940 ~ Producer, songwriter, film composer Giorgio Moroder, full name Giovanni Giorgio Moroder, born in Ortisel, Italy ~ Pioneering producer and songwriter dubbed “the Father of Disco” and best known for his association with Donna Summer, producing the majority of her work including Love To Love You Baby, I Feel Love, Bad Girls, On The Radio. Also known for a number of pivotal electronic albums, notably 1977's From Here To Eternity, and for composing soundtracks including the Academy Award-winning Midnight Express, American Gigolo, Scarface and Neverending Story
April 26, 1938 ~ Guitarist Duane Eddy born in Coming, New York, USA ~ One of the most popular guitarists of the 1950s and 1960s, known for his distinctive twangy sound. Helped popularize surf music. Cited as an influence by artists as diverse as George Harrison, Dave Davies, Hank Marvin, John Entwistle, Bruce Springsteen, Adrian Belew, and Mark Knopfler. Well known songs include Rebel Rouser, Cannonball, Forty Miles Of Bad Road, Because They're Young, and Dance With The Guitar Man ~ Eddy passed away in 2024
April 26, 1938 ~ Doo-wop, R&B singer, songwriter Maurice Williams born in Lancaster, North Carolina, USA ~ Fronted the Zodiacs, previously named the Royal Charms and the Gladiolas, known best for the 1960 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Stay. At 1:36 it would be the shortest charttopper in Billboard history. The song would notably be covered by the Hollies in 1963, earning the band their first UK top 10 single, by the Four Seasons the same year, and by Jackson Browne in 1978. The original Zodiacs version would be included on the soundtrack of the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, leading to a renewed interest and chart success. Other well known songs include Little Darlin', which was a No.11 hit on the Billboard R&B charts for the band in 1957, then still called the Gladiolas, with a cover by Canadian quartet the Diamonds released the same year reaching No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the 1965 recording May I, which made little impact at the time of its release but would sell over a million copies over the years ~ Williams passed away in 2024
April 26, 1932 ~ Frank Caldarone, commonly known as jazz singer, guitarist Frank D'Rone, born in Brockton, Massachusetts, USA ~ Active during 1950s and 1960s, starting with the 1959 album Frank D'Rone Sings. Best known for his 1960 single Strawberry Blonde (The Band Rocked On) ~ Caldarone passed away in 2013
April 26, 1928 ~ Bebop pianist Herman Foster born in Pennsylvania, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Eric Dixon, Dick Carter, Herbie Jones, Lou Donaldson, King Curtis, Bill English, Seldon Powell, Al Casey, Gloria Lynne, Earl May, Frankie Dunlop, Grassella Oliphant, Herman Wright, Bruno Carr, Jeff Fuller, Victor Jones, Joan Shaw, Jean Dushon, Johnny Hartman, and others ~ Foster passed away in 1999
April 26, 1926 ~ Joseph Benjamin Hutto, commonly known as blues slide guitarist, singer JB Hutto, born in Blackville, South Carolina, USA ~ Known for songs such as Combination Boogie, Loving You and Dim Lights. Worked with Eddie Porkchop Hines, Earring George Mayweather, Johnny Dyer, Johnny Jones, Sunnyland Slim, and Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre. Took over Hound Dog Taylor's backing unit the House Rockers after Taylor's death in 1975 ~ Hutto passed away in 1983
April 26, 1925 ~ William Dermot Colleran, commonly known as bluegrass singer, mandolinist, guitarist Mac Martin, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Playing professionaly while still in high school, starting out duetting with Ed Brozi. Formed the Pike County Boys in the late-1940s, and due to the band consisting of three “Bills” changed his stage name to Mac. Perhaps best known for founding the Dixie Travelers, active for about two decades starting in 1957 ~ Colleran passed away in 2022
April 26, 1924 ~ Theodore Marcus Edwards, commonly known as tenor saxophonist Teddy Edwards, born in Jackson, Mississippi, USA ~ Edwards played with a host of leading jazz musicians including Charlie Parker, Roy Milton, Wynonie Harris, Vince Guaraldi, Joe Castro, Ernie Andrews, Dexter Gordon (notably on the 1947 seminal album The Duel), Houston Person, Benny Goodman, rocker Tom Waits (with whom Edwards toured on the Heartattack And Vine tour), Sonny Criss, Richard Groove Holmes, Milt Jackson, Hank Jones, Julie London, Shelly Manne, Les McCann, Howard McGhee, Freddie Redd, Max Roach, Clifford Brown, Jimmy Smith, Leroy Vinnegar, and Gerald Wilson ~ Edwards passed away in 2003
April 26, 1921 ~ Joseph Francis Giuffre, commonly known as saxophonist, arranger, composer Jimmy Giuffre, born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Leader an sideman. Worked with Jimmy Giuffre 3, Woody Herman (wrote The Four Brothers), Howard Rumsey, the Lighthouse All-Stars, Shorty Rogers, Shelly Manne, Jim Hall, Ralph Peña, Jim Atlas, Bob Brookmeyer, Buddy Clark, Steve Swallow, Kiyoshi Tokunaga, Randy Kaye, Herb Ellis, Lee Konitz, Paul Bley, Chet Baker, Elmer Bernstein, Ray Brown, Peggy Connely, Buddy DeFranco, Shelly Manne, Helen Merrill, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Lennie Niehaus, Anita O'Day, Bill Russo, Sonny Stitt, Duane Tatro, and others ~ Giuffre passed away in 2008
April 26, 1921 ~ Jazz saxophonist, bandleader Preston Love, full name Preston Haynes Love, born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Took up the saxophone at age 15 and was playing with Count Basie by his early twenties. Active in territory bands in the 1940s and 1950s, most notably with Nat Towles and Lloyd Hunter, before leading his own groups. As a leader noted for the Johnny Otis-produced Preston Love's Omaha Bar-B-Q album released in 1969. Love has also guested on albums by Frank Zappa (Freak Out), T-Bone Walker, Shuggie Otis (Here Comes Shuggie), Cal Tjader, and Lucky Millinder ~ Love passed away in 2004
April 26, 1919 ~ Saxophonist Don Raffell born in Washington DC, USA ~ Closely associated with arranger, conductor Nelson Riddle. Also worked with Benny Goodman, Sonny Burke, Johnny Burke, Charlie Barnet, Louis Armstrong, Ray Conniff, Mel Tormé, Skitch Henderson, Les Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Judy Garland, Peggy Lee, Johnny Mathis, Rosemary Clooney, Keely Smith, Nancy Wilson, Sammy Davis Jr, Anita O'Day, the Platters, Gerald Wilson, and others ~ Raffell passed away in 2003
April 26, 1915 ~ Blues guitarist, singer Johnny Shines, full name John Ned Shines, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Influenced by Robert Johnson, whom he also backed on tours. As a solo artist has recorded a number of records from the mid-1940s onwards which were all shelved. Would continue to play locally and release records from time to time though most were unsuccessful. Got his big break in 1966 when some of his performances were included on the Chicago/The Blues Today album series in the mid-1960s. Has released a number of fondly remembered albums since. Also backed musicians such as Big Walter Horton, Willie Dixon, and Robert Lockwood Junior ~ Shines passed away in 1992
April 26, 1907 ~ Dixieland, swing drummer Dave Tough, full name David Jarvis Tough, born in Oak Park, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with Tommy Dorsey, Red Norvo, Bunny Berigan, Benny Goodman, Bud Freeman, Jack Teagarden, Eddie Condon, Mezz Mezzrow, Joe Marsala, Charlie Spivak, Claude Thornhill, Artie Shaw, Woody Herman, Jerry Gray, Muggsy Spanier, Will Bradley, and others ~ Tough passed away in 1948
April 26, 1899 ~ Oscar Rabinowitz, commonly known as dance band, jazz saxophonist, violinist Oscar Rabin, born in Riga, Russian Empire ~ Eponym of the popular dance band the Oscar Rabin Band, which actually was led by Harry Davis as Rabin preferred to play the bass saxophone. Key sidemen in the ensemble included Ken Mackintosh, Eric Jupp, Kenny Clare, Jimmy Deuchar, and others ~ Rabinowitz passed away in 1958
April 26, 1895 ~ Flutist William Kincaid born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Principal flute of the Philadelphia Orchestra for four decades. Respected teacher. Students included Julius Baker, Joseph Mariano, Frances Blaisdell, Ann Cherry, Paul Lusting Dunkel, Doriot Anthony Dwyer, Katherine Hoover, John C Krell, George Ellers Morey, Claire Pollin, Elaine Shaffer, Felix Skowronek, John Solum, and Albert Tipton ~ Kincaid passed away in 1967
April 26, 1886 ~ Gertrude Pridgett, commonly known as blues singer Ma Rainey born in Columbus, Georgia, USA ~ Dubbed “the Mother of the Blues” and one of the first generation of blues singers to record. Bridged vaudeville and Southern blues. Worked with Will Rainey, the Rabbit's Foot Minstrel Show, the Tub Jug Washboard Band, Louis Armstrong, Reverend Thomas A Dorsey, the Georgia Jazz Band. Recorded over 100 songs in the 1920s including Bo-Weevil Blues, Moonshine Blues, See See Rider and Soon This Morning ~ Pridgett passed away in 1939