April 5, 2024 ~ Carl Jeffrey Snare, commonly known as hard rock, glam metal, pop rock singer CJ Snare, passed away ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of Firehouse, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with their eponymous Firehouse debut album released in 1990. The band is best known for the singles Don't Treat Me Bad, Love Of A Lifetime, and When I Look Into Your Eyes, the latter two both reaching top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Snare had been diagnosed with cancer and had taken a hiatus from the band in 2023, but was expected to make a full recovery and return to the band for a series of shows in 2024. Upon his death, the band issued a statement describing Snare as “arguably one of the best vocal talents of a generation, touring the world with Firehouse non stop the past 34 years“, also adding “Reach for the sky, CJ!” referencing their 1992 song Reach For The Sky ~ Snare was born in 1959
April 5, 2023 ~ Soul singer, keyboardist Booker Newberry III passed away ~ Member of Sweet Thunder, known for Baby I Need Your Love Today. Member of Impact. As a solo artist best known for Love Town, which reached the UK top 10 in 1983 ~ Newberry was born in 1956
April 5, 2023 ~ Jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger Dusko Gojkovic passed away ~ As a leader perhaps best known for his 1994 Soul Connection album, featuring guests such as Tommy Flanagan, Jimmy Heath, and Mickey Roker. In-demand sideman, appearing on albums by the likes of Woody Herman, Francy Boland, Tete Montoliu, Klaus Doldinger, and Maynard Ferguson ~ Gojkovic was born in 1931
April 5, 2023 ~ Jazz bassist Harrison Bankhead, full name Harrison Napoleon Bankhead III, passed away ~ Avant-garde leaning bassist. As a leader known for his acclaimed Morning Sun Harvest Moon album released in 2011. Closely associated with Malachi Thompson, backing the trumpeter on over half a dozen albums starting in the early-1990s. Has also frequently worked with 8 Bold Souls, including on the ensemble's 2000 Last Option masterpiece, and guested on albums by Edward Wilkerson Jr, Michael Mason, Don Bennett, Joel Brandon, and Fred Anderson ~ Bankhead was born in 1955
April 5, 2022 ~ Robert Louis Ridarelli, commonly known as pop, rock & roll singer, drummer, actor Bobby Rydell passed away 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 was born in 1942
April 5, 2022 ~ Conductor, violinist, composer Boris Brott passed away in Hamilton, Canada ~ One of Canada's internationally most acclaimed conductors having conducted on stages around the world including New York's Carnegie Hall and London's Covent Garden. Founder and artistic director of the National Academy Orchestra of Canada ~ Brott was born in 1944
April 5, 2022 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Paul Siebel, full name Paul Karl Siebel, passed away in Centreville, Maryland, USA ~ Critically acclaimed, once described by the New York Times as “a folk singer with a country and western bias, (who) sings in high nasal and hillbilly manner, rather like Bob Dylan singing in his early days”. Known for two early-1970s albums, Woodsmoke And Oranges and Jack-Knife Gypsy. Though Siebel never achieved mainstream success, he was held in the highest regard by peers. Perhaps best remembered for penning and first recording Louise, covered by over two dozen artists including Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, and Willy DeVille. Others who covered his songs include Marc Ellington, Jerry Jeff Walker (Then Came The Children), Emmylou Harris, and Waylon Jennings. Siebel was one of the artists referenced in Kris Kristofferson's The Pilgrim (Chapter 33), a song inspired by Kristofferson's own experience of living as a songwriter, as well as those of his often-unemployed peers ~ Siebel was born in 1937
April 5, 2019 ~ Guitarist, music journalist Davey Williams passed away in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Free improvisation, avant-garde guitarist. Member of Curlew. Closely associated with Ladonna Smith. Worked with the Salt & Pepper Soul Band, Transmuseq, Trains In Trouble, Bruce Hampton, OK Nurse, Fuzzy Songs, Say What, Jim Staley, and Ikue Mori. Co-founded Improviser, a journal of experimental music ~ Williams was born ca.1952
April 5, 2019 ~ Jose Pastor Lopez Pineda, commonly known as cumbia singer, songwriter Pastor Lopez passed away in Cucuta, Columbia ~ First gained serious attention teaming up with Nelson Henriquez in the early-1970s. Set out on his own shortly thereafter and has since recorded well over two dozen albums. Best known for interpretations of Peruvian cumbia traditionals including Carinito Sin Mi, Bonita Y Mentirosa and Traicionera ~ Pineda was born in 1944
April 5, 2019 ~ Singer Shawn Smith passed away in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Cites Prince, Kiss, Stevie Wonder, Ice Cube, and Chris Cornell as influences. Member of Brad, Satchel, Pigeonhed, Malfunkshun, and the Twilight Singers. Has recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Let It All Begin released in 1999 ~ Smith was born in 1965
April 5, 2018 ~ Jazz pianist Cecil Taylor, full name Cecil Percival Taylor, passed away in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Classically trained. Pioneered free jazz. Notably influenced by Béla Bartók and Karlheinz Stockhausen. Possibly over a 100 albums as a leader or co-leader. Known for landmark albums such as Looking Ahead, Love For Sale, and Unit Structures. Has collaborated with the likes of Steve Lacy (The Straight Horn Of Steve Lacy), Buell Neidlinger, the Jazz Composers Orchestra, Max Roach, Mal Waldron (Update), and Evan Parker ~ Taylor was born in 1929
April 5, 2017 ~ At age 73, singer Barry Manilow officially comes out as gay in a People interview ~ The singer, who would become known for hits such as Mandy, I Write The Songs, Can't Smile Without You, and Copacabana (At The Copa), had been married to his high-school sweetheart Susan Deixler, from 1964 until 1966. Manilow would later state that, despite his later long-term relationship with a man, he had been in love with Deixler and the failure of his marriage was not related to issues of sexual orientation. Manilow began a relationship with TV executive and his future manager Garry Kief in 1978. The two married in 2014, after same-sex marriage became legal in California, but would keep the relationship private until their marriage made headlines in 2015. Two years later, Manilow officially came out as gay, telling People he was pleasantly surprised to find that his mostly female fan base was supportive of the marriage
April 5, 2016 ~ Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist Zena Latto passed away in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Member of the International Sweethearts Of Rhythm, one of the first all-female ensembles enjoyeing popularity during the big band era. Latto departed the band in the mid-1950s to found and front her own band the Modern Moods ~ Latto was born in 1925
April 5, 2015 ~ Singer, actress Julie Wilson, full name Julie May Wilson, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Widely regarded as “the Queen of Cabaret” with numerous roles in Broadway and West End productions since the late-1940s including in Three To Make Ready, Kiss Me Kate, South Pacific, The Pajama Game and Legs Diamond ~ Wilson was born in 1924
April 5, 2014 ~ Singer Jermain Jackman wins The Voice UK ~ Jackman wins the third season of talent show The Voice UK aired on BBC One. The other finalists were Christina Marie, Sally Barker, and Jamie Johnson
April 5, 2014 ~ Soul jazz, hard bop trombonist Wayne Henderson passed away in Culver City, California, USA ~ Co-founded soul jazz group the Jazz Crusaders, remaining with the band through its name change to the Crusaders and departing the band in 1976. Has also served as producer for Wilton Felder (Bullitt), Monk Montgomery (It's Never Too Late), Ronnie Laws (Pressure Sensitive), Caldera (Caldera), Pleasure (Accept No Substitutes), Gábor Szabó (Faces), and others ~ Henderson was born in 1939
April 5, 2012 ~ Banjoist, fiddler, mandolinist Barney McKenna, full name Bernard Noel McKenna, passed away in Howth, Ireland ~ Co-founding member of the Dubliners, one of the most beloved Irish groups enjoying international popularity over a career spanning over five decades. Infusing traditional folk with a rock & roll feel, they are best known for songs such as Seven Drunken Nights, Hand Me Down My Bible and Free The People. McKenna has also guested on recordings by Elvis Costello, the Chieftains, Christy Moore (Whatever Tickles Your Fancy), Melody Gardot, and Damien Dempsey ~ McKenna was born in 1939
April 5, 2012 ~ Guitar amplifier builder Jim Marshall passed away in Milton Keynes, UK ~ Pioneer of guitar amplification, dubbed “the Father of Loud”. Founded Marshall Amplification in 1962, known for manufacturing guitar amplifiers regarded among the best available, used by the biggest names in rock. Marshall was awarded an OBE, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, in 2003 for ”services to the industry and charity” ~ Marshall was born in 1923
April 5, 2009 ~ Jazz trumpeter Dave Burns, full name David Phillip Burns, passed away in Freeport, New York, USA ~ Recorded occasionally as a leader, noted most for his 1964 Warming Up album. Active since the early-1940s, Burns has worked with artists such as the Savoy Sultans, Dizzy Gillespie (In Paris), Art Blakey, Duke Ellington, George Wallington, James Moody (Hi-Fi Party), Art Taylor (AT's Delight), Milt Jackson, Al Grey (Having A Ball), Willie Bobo, Lou Donaldson, Dave Pike (Manhattan Latin), Mal Waldron, Solomon Burke (King Solomon), and Eddie Jefferson ~ Burns was born in 1924
April 5, 2006 ~ Singer, songwriter Gene Pitney, full name Gene Francis Alan Pitney, passed away in Cardiff, UK ~ Known for songs such as Town Without Pity, The Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance, Only Love Can Break A Heart, 24 Hours From Tulsa, I'm Gonna Be Strong, Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart, and others. Scored a UK top 10 hit with That Girl Belongs To Yesterday, the first Mick Jagger/Keith Richards-penned song to reach the UK top ten. Wrote or co-wrote several classic pop, rock & roll songs for artists including Bobby Vee (Rubber Ball), Roy Orbison, Ricky Nelson (Hello Mary Lou), and the Crystals (He's A Rebel) ~ Pitney was born in 1940
April 5, 2005 ~ Soul, R&B, pop singer Grant Kitchings passed away ~ Best known for his 1970s stint in the Drifters, then led by Johnny Moore. Co-wrote Country To The City, She Never Talked To Me, and Beautiful Music. Present on hits such as Kissin' In The Back Row Of The Movies and Down On The Beach Tonight ~ Kitchings was born in 1938
April 5, 2004 ~ Singer, rapper Akon releases Locked Up featuring Styles P, lifted off his Troubles debut album ~ The song tells of a drug runner who ends up incarcerated, Akon drawing from his own experiences as he was imprisoned for three years for car theft. His time “locked up” would be a turning point for the singer, as he decided this was not what he wanted his life to be. The label chose Locked Up as the debut album's lead single to first give him street cred and then work towards building crossover appeal with subsequent singles. Locked Up would reach top 20 in over half a dozen countries, including the No.8 spot on the American Billboard Hot 100 and the No.4 spot in the UK
April 5, 2002 ~ Singer Layne Staley, full name Layne Rutherford Staley passed away in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Original lead singer of Alice In Chains, acclaimed for their sophomore single, 1991's Man In The Box, and their 1994 EP Jar Of Flies. Also worked with Pearl Jam's Mike McCready, Screaming Trees' Barrett Martin and the Walkabouts' John Baker Saunders in the side project Mad Season. Staley struggled with depression and drug addiction for much of his life. Died from an overdose at age 34 ~ Staley was born in 1967
April 5, 1998 ~ Colin Trevor Flooks, commonly known as drummer Cozy Powell, passed away near Bristol, UK ~ Named himself after jazz drummer Cozy Cole. One of the most respected session drummers in British rock. As a solo artist, known for his 1973 drum instrumental Dance With The Devil, which reached UK No.3. Powell has appeared on albums by Jeff Beck (Rough And Ready), Murray Head, Donovan, Bedlam, Graham Bonnet, Rainbow, Robert Plant (Pictures At Eleven), Jon Lord, Brian May, Whitesnake (Slide It In), Roger Daltrey, Warlock, Hot Chocolate, Cinderella, Gary Moore, and Black Sabbath ~ Flooks was born in 1947
April 5, 1997 ~ Frenchie Edwards, commonly known as country singer, guitarist Stoney Edwards, passed away ~ One of the few African-American singers of significance in country music, recording about half a dozen albums through the early-1980s. Best known for first recording She's My Rock, a Billboard Country top 20 hit in 1972. The song would later be notably covered by Olivia Newton-John, Brenda Lee, and George Jones, the latter two both reaching top 10 Billboard Country surpassing the original ~ Edwards was born in 1929
April 5, 1996 ~ Alexander Crossan, commonly known as alternative R&B, nu-disco electronic producer, songwriter Mura Masa, born in Castel, Guernsey ~ Debuted in 2017 with the Grammy Award-nominated eponymous Mura Masa, which included the dance hit Lovesick. Also known for his remix of Haim's Walking Away which actually did win a Grammy the following year
April 5, 1994 ~ Guitarist, singer Kurt Cobain, full name Kurt Donald Cobain, passed away in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Guitarist, singer, frontman of pivotal Seattle grunge outfit Nirvana, known for songs such as Smells Like Teen Spirit, Come As You Are, In Bloom, All Apologies and Heart-Shaped Box. Cobain would die of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at age 27, yet be remembered as spokesperson of the Generation X and one of the all-time most influential rock musicians ~ Cobain was born in 1967
April 5, 1988 ~ Free jazz, avant-garde jazz trumpeter, hornist player Alan Shorter passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Brother of saxophonist Wayne Shorter. Recorded two albums as a leader, namely 1968's Orgasm with backing from Charlie Haden and 1971's Tes East. Has also worked with his brother Wayne, Grachan Moncur III, Archie Shepp, Marion Brown, François Tusques, and Alan Silva ~ Shorter was born in 1932
April 5, 1986 ~ Tayo Jarrett, commonly known as hip-hop, grime MC Scorcher, born ~ Member of grime collective Cold Blooded. Member of the Movement, alongside Wretch 32, Devlin, Mercston, and Ghetts. As a solo artist gained attention in the mid-2000s with a number of acclaimed mix-tapes, leading up to a full-length Concrete Jungle album released in 2009
April 5, 1981 ~ Alternative rock, post-industrial singer, bassist, keyboardist Mariqueen Maandig born ~ Member of rock outfit West Indian Girl from 2004 through 2009. Subsequently fronted post-industrial band How To Destroy Angels, which also included her husband Trent Reznor. Has also collaborated with Bao and occasionaly provided backing vocals for Nine Inch Nails
April 5, 1981 ~ Folk, indie folk, indie rock, dream pop, metal singer, guitarist, keyboardist Marissa Nadler born in Washington DC, USA ~ Over half a dozen albums to her name, starting with Ballads Of Living And Dying released in 2004. Draws from traditional folk, country, Americana and dreamy pop, her amalgam sometimes described as dream folk. Especially acclaimed for her 2007 Songs III (Bird On The Water) album. Guested on recordings by Xasthur, Emily Jane White, Carter Tanton, Ben Watt, Lushlife, Mercury Rev, Lawrence Rothman, and others
April 5, 1980 ~ Michael Jones, commonly known as rapper, singer Wax, born in Washington DC, USA ~ A member of then-defunct group MacGregor when he became an internet sensation in 2007 after uploading Youtube videos of him rapping and singing. Best known for Rosana, re-released as an official single in 2012
April 5, 1978 ~ Alternative rock, hip hop singer Sierra Swan, full name Sierra Maria Swan, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Patsy Cline and Tori Amos. Daughter of country, pop guitarist, singer Billy Swan. Co-founded Dollshead with Graham Edwards. Subsequently worked with Black Eyed Peas during the late-1990s, notably present on the track Fallin' Up. Has since recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist, notably 2014's Good Soldier produced by the Smashing Pumpkins-frontman Billy Corgan. Has also guested on recordings by Say Anything, John Oszajca, Frank Black, and Cold
April 5, 1977 ~ Jazz saxophonist, flutist, singer Hålkon Kornstad born in Oslo, Norway ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Wibutee, Korstad Trio, Ketil Bjørnstad, Anja Garbarek, Live Maria Roggen, Bugge Wesseltoft, Sidsel Endresen, Paal Nilssen-Love, Mats Ellertsen, Knut Reiersrud, Jon Christensen, Eivind Sarset, Pat Metheny, and others
April 5, 1975 ~ Jordan Michael Houston III, commonly known as rapper, songwriter Juicy J, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Brother of rapper Project Pat. Co-founding member of Three 6 Mafia, known best for their 2005 hit single It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp. Active as a solo artist since 2002's Chronicles Of The Juice Man album. In-demand producer and collaborator, who has worked on tracks by Mike Will Made It, Gucci Mane, Lil' Wayne, Big Sean, Wale, Nicki Minaj, Travis Scott, Wiz Khalifa, Marshmello, French Montana, Mac Miller, Katy Perry (Dark Horse), Ne-Yo, A$AP Rocky, Usher (I Don't Mind), and Robin Thicke
April 5, 1975 ~ In its 12th week on the charts, Lovin' You by Minnie Riperton hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written by Riperton and her husband Richard Rudolph, evolving from a draft version written in 1971, its melody created as a distraction for their baby daughter Maya Rudolph. Over the next few years Riperton further developed the melody while Rudolph wrote the lyrics and bridge. The song, her sole major Billboard Hot 100 hit, is considered Riperton's signature song and is noted especially for her high vocals. The song and parent album Perfect Angel were produced by Stevie Wonder, a longtime fan of Riperton's. Wonder, working under the pseudonym El Toro Negro to avoid contractual conflicts, also played piano on Lovin' You
April 5, 1973 ~ Singer, keyboardist, percussionist, producer, songwriter Pharrell Williams, full name Pharrell Lanscilo Williams, born in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA ~ Lead singer for NERD, which also included Chad Hugo and Shay Haley. Formed the the Neptunes with Hugo, producing and writing songs for the likes of SWV, Total, Mase (Lookin' At Me), Ol' Dirty Bastard, Jay-Z, Mystikal, Usher (U Don't Have To Call), NSYNC, Nelly (Hot In Herre), LL Cool J, Justin Timberlake (Rock Your Body), Kelis (Milkshake), Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani (Hollaback Girl), and Ludacris. Debuted as a solo artist in 2006 with the album In My Mind. Williams also composed the music to all three parts of the animated Despicable Me feature film series, which included the 2013 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 single Happy
April 5, 1972 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Pat Green, full name Patrick Craven Green, born in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Discovered by Willie Nelson. Debuted in 2001 with the album Dancehall Dreamer in 1995. Broke through in the early-2000s with the album Three Days and especially its follow-up Wave On Wave, the latter's title track Wave On Wave becoming a Texas music anthem and reaching top 10 on the national country charts. Has collaborated with Cory Morrow, Radney Foster, and with Josh Abbott
April 5, 1972 ~ Singer, songwriter, actor Waylon Payne, full name Waylon Malloy Payne, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Son of singer Sammi Smith and guitarist Jody Payne. Godson of Waylon Jennings. Worked with Keith Gattis, Willie Nelson, Pat Green, Lee Ann Womack, Cory Morrow, Charlie Robison, and others. Featured in the role of Jerry Lee Lewis in the 2005 film Walk The Line alongside Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash and Reese Witherspoon as June Carter. Portrayed the role of Hank Garland in the 2007 film Crazy
April 5, 1970 ~ Louis Thomas Watts, commonly known as blues, R&B, rock & roll singer Kid Thomas, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known for his 1959 George Motola-produced recording Rocking This Joint To-nite. Would continue to record into the mid-1960s but would be unable to replicate its success. Also worked with Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Bo Diddley, and Hound Dog Taylor ~ Watts was born in 1934
April 5, 1970 ~ Avant-garde, downtempo, trip hop, indie rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist, percussionist Miho Hatori born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Co-founded Cibo Matto. First to provide the voice of Noodle in the virtual band Gorillaz. Has also recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with the likes of the Beastie Boys, Handsome Boy Modeling School, Smokey Hormel, John Zorn, and others
April 5, 1966 ~ Rock, grunge guitarist Mike McCready, full name Michael David McCready, born in Pensacola, Florida, USA ~ Influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards, Pete Townshend, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Eddie Van Halen. Lead guitarist, co-founding member of Pearl Jam, known for songs such as Jeremy, Spin The Black Circle, I Got Id, and Last Kiss. Involved with several side projects including Flight To Mars, Temple Of The Dog, Mad Season, and the Rockfords. McCready has also guested on recordings by Neil Young, Screaming Trees, the Wallflowers, Peter Frampton, Dierks Bentley, and Soundgarden
April 5, 1964 ~ British pop rock group the Beatles film the opening scene for A Hard Day's Night, the band's first film ~ The famous opening scene from their first movie, A Hard Day's Night, shows the band running away from several rabid female fans at London's Marylebone train station. The film portrays 36 hours in the lives of the group as they prepare for a television performance. Well-received by critics and a commercial success at the time of its release, retrospectively credited as one of the most influential of all musical films. Named “the Citizen Kane of jukebox musicals” by Village Voice, while the New York Times pointed out the film was a subtle satire on Beatlemania and the Beatles themselves, portraying the band members as likeable young lads constantly amazed at the attention they receive who want nothing more than a little peace and quiet. The film included songs such as A Hard Day's Night, I Wanna Be Your Man, All My Loving, If I Fell, Can't Buy Me Love, and She Loves You
April 5, 1959 ~ Jazz singer, bandleader, composer Elin Rosseland born in Norway ~ Has worked with KIX, Fair Play, Vigleik Storaas, Johannes Eick, Sidsel Endresen, Eldbjørg Raknes, Christian Wallumrød, Norma Winstone, Mats Eilertsen, the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, Nils Petter Molvær, and others
April 5, 1959 ~ Jazz guitarist John Parricelli born in Evesham, UK ~ Co-founded big band Loose Tubes. Also worked with Annie Whitehead, Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone, Lee Konitz, Paul Motian, Chris Laurence, Peter Erskine, Vince Mendoza, Mark Lockheart, Julian Argüelles, Iain Ballamy, Andy Sheppard, Gerard Presencer, Colin Towns, Stacey Kent, Katie Melua, David Gilmour, Ronan Keating, Charlotte Church, Gary Barlow, Toni Braxton, Judie Tzuke, and others
April 5, 1956 ~ Timothy TV Smith, commonly known as punk singer, guitarist, songwriter TV Smith, born in Romford, UK ~ Co-founded punk band the Adverts with Gaye Black, one of the first punk bands to reach the charts and best known for their 1977 single Gary Gilmore's Eyes. Smith has also recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist, fronted TV Smith's Explorers and Cheap, and collaborated with the likes of Amen, Fehlfarben, and others
April 5, 1955 ~ Bassist, singer Peter Gifford born in Australia ~ Member of Midnight Oil from 1981 through 1987, first appearing on the band's Place Without A Postcard album. Present on most of the band's best known, including Power And The Passion, The Dead Heart and Beds Are Burning, the latter a Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit in 1987. Gifford has also worked with Warumpi Band and Neil Murray
April 5, 1954 ~ Composer, saxophonist, guitarist Allen Lowe born in Massapequa, New York, USA ~ Recorded about a dozen albums as leader or co-leader, especially acclaimed for New Tango '92 with the Orchestra X featuring trumpeter Doc Cheatham and alto saxophonist Julius Hemphill. Served as director for Jazz New Haven, organizing an annual festival in New Haven, Connecticut. Authored several non-fiction books on jazz, pop, and blues, notably Devilin' Tune used in courses at Harvard University and Yale University.
April 5, 1954 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter Peter Case born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Formed short-lived power pop unit the Nerves with Jack Lee and Paul Collins. known best for their 1976 original Hanging On The Telephone which would be notably covered by Blondie two uears later. Formed rock & roll outfit Plimsouls best known for A Million Miles Away of their 1983 Everywhere At Once sophomore album. Case has also recorded as a solo artist, his 1986 eponymous Peter Case debut album produced by T-Bone Burnett and Mitchell Froom and featuring backing by Mike Campbell, John Hiatt, Jim Keltner and Roger McGuinn, his 1989 The Man With The Blue Post-Modern Fragemented Neo-Traditionalist Guitar sophomore album featuring David Hidalgo, Ry Cooder and Benmont Tench. Case has also written or co-written songs recorded by the likes of the Go-Go's, Marshall Crenshaw, John Wesley Harding, the Goo Goo Dolls, John Prine, Robert Earl Keen, and James McMurtry
April 5, 1954 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Stan Ridgway, full name Stanard Ridgway, born in Barstow, California, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of Wall Of Voodoo. The band is critically acclaimed for their first two albums, namely 1981's Dark Continent and its 1982 follow-up Call Of The West, the latter spawning the alternative hit Mexican Radio. Ridgway enjoyed a parallel solo career since the early-1980s, noted for collaborating with the Police-drummer Stewart Copeland on Don't Box Me In for the Rumble Fish soundtrack. Ridgway also contributed songs for other movies and has recorded about a dozen solo albums, starting with The Big Heat released in 1986
April 5, 1953 ~ Guitarist, bassist Jerome Harris born in Flushing, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Closely associated with saxophonist Sonny Rollins, backing Rollins from the late-1970s through the mid-1990s. Has also worked with Jack DeJohnette, Paul Motian, Bob Moses, Bobby Previte, Amina Claudine Myers, Don Byron, Marty Ehrlich, Oliver Lake, Ned Rothenberg, George Russell, Henry Threadgill, Jaki Byard, and others
April 5, 1953 ~ Pop, country pop, pop rock singer, bassist, keyboardist Wim Kerkhof, full name Willem Frederik Krekhof, born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands ~ Co-founding member of the Amazing Stroopwafels, known for songs such as Ome Kobus, Ik Ga Naar Frankrijk and perhaps their best known Oude Maasweg
April 5, 1950 ~ Singer Agnetha Fältskog born in Jököping, Sweden ~ Cites Connie Francis, Marianne Faithfull, Aretha Franklin, and Lesley Gore, as her main influences. Released her eponymous debut album in 1968, Agnetha Fältskog, before becoming an international superstar as a member of ABBA, which also included her then-husband Björn Ulvaeus. The band would rise to international fame, enjoying popularity especially across Europe, after winning the 1974 Eurovision Songfestival with Waterloo. Other well known songs include SOS, Mamma Mia, Fernando, Money Money Money, Knowing Me Knowing You, Take A Chance On Me, The Winner Takes It All, and Super Trouper. Their 1976 single Dancing Queen would top the Billboard Hot 100. Fältskog has released a number of solo albums, all in Swedish, prior to and during the ABBA years, switching to English after the band broke up. As a solo artist Fältskog is perhaps best known for the early-1980s singles The Heat Is On and Wrap Your Arms Around Me
April 5, 1950 ~ Drummer, songwriter Everett Morton, full name Everett Matthew Livingstone Morton, born in St Kitts, St Kitts & Nevis ~ Reggae-influenced drummer known for his syncopated and polyrhythmic drumming. Member of 1980s ska revival band the Beat, known for hits such as The Tears Of A Clown, Mirror In The Bathroom, Too Nice To Talk To and perhaps their best known Can't Get Used To Losing You, all of which reached top 10 in the band's native UK ~ Morton passed away in 2021
April 5, 1948 ~ Rock, hard rock, heavy metal drummer Dave Holland born in Northampton, UK ~ Member of Trapeze from 1969 through 1979, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums including Medusa and You Are The Music (We're Just The Band). Following his departure from the band in 1979, Holland joined Judas Priest, first appearing on the highly acclaimed British Steel album. Holland has also worked with Finders Keepers, Pinkerton's Assorted Colours, Blue Jays, Glenn Hughes (Play Me Out), Justin Hayward (Songwriter), Robin George, Leonor Marchesi, Tony Iommi, and Al Atkins ~ Holland passed away in 2018
April 5, 1948 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Hans Theessink born in Enschede, the Netherlands ~ Once described as “one helluva guitar player” by Bo Diddley. Active since the 1960s, initially as a member of the Silly Skiffle Group and as a solo artist since the early-1970s, recording some two dozen albums through the end of the century
April 5, 1948 ~ Kent Henry Plischke, commonly known as guitarist Kent Henry, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Uncredited on Blues Image's Open sophomore album, noted for his guitar solo on the hit Ride Captain Ride. Worked with Steppenwolf, present on the 1971 For Ladies album and on the band's farewell tour. Has also worked with Genesis, Charity, Screaming Lord Sutch, and John Kay ~ Plischke passed away in 2009
April 5, 1946 ~ Folk singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Johnny Coppin born in Woodford, UK ~ Co-founded Decameron with Dave Bell, known for a string of albums during the 1970s including the acclaimed Say Hello To The Band released in 1973. Also known as a solo artist with well over a dozen albums to his name starting in the late-1970s
April 5, 1946 ~ Folk, rock, pop singer, guitarist Takuro Yoshida born in Okuchi, Japan ~ Well over two dozen albums to his name since the early-1970s. Best known for his Tabi No Yado hit single, a million-seller in 1982. Founded the For Life Records record label with Yosui Inoue, Shigeru Izumiya and Hitoshi Komuro. Many of Yoshida's songs have been used for TV, notably Jun as the theme song to the manga series Cromartie High School
April 5, 1946 ~ Producer, songwriter Vincent Youmans, full name Vincent Millie Youmans, passed away in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Leading Broadway composer of his day. Co-wrote songs such as Orchids In The Moonlight (Raul Roulien, Rudy Vallée, Dinah Shore), Tea For Two (Phyllis Cleveland, Teddy Weatherford, Doris Day), Sometimes I'm Happy Sometimes I'm Blue (the Six Hottentots, Jack Hylton, Mildred Bailey), and More Than You Know (Mayo Methot, Ruth Etting, Lena Horne) ~ Youmans was born in 1898
April 5, 1944 ~ Jazz, free jazz saxophonist Evan Parker, full name Evans Shaw Parker, born in Bristol, UK ~ Pivotal figure on the European free jazz scene. Influenced by Paul Desmond, Warne Marsh, John Coltrane. As leader or co-leader over 60 albums to his name. In-demand sideman for the likes of the Spontaneous Music Ensemble, Derek Bailey, Alexander von Schlippenbach, Joe McPhee, the Globe Unity Orchestra, Anthony Braxton, Cecil Taylor, John Zorn, Fred Frith, Sylvie Courvoisier, the London Jazz Composers Orchestra, the Transatlantic Art Ensemble, and others. Outside jazz circles has worked with pop and rock acts including Scott Walker, Jah Wobble, Spiritualized, Spring Heel Jack, David Sylvian and Robert Wyatt
April 5, 1942 ~ Guitarist, singer Allan Clarke born in Salford, UK ~ Co-founded the Hollies with Graham Nash, known for their harmony vocals and a string of 1960s UK top 10 hits including Stay, Just One Look, I'm Alive, Look Through Any Window, I Can't Let Go and perhaps their best known Bus Stop, the latter also topping the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966
April 5, 1941 ~ Violinist, mandolinist, guitarist Dave Swarbrick, full name David Cyril Eric Swarbrick, born in Stoneleigh, UK ~ Best known as key member of Fairport Convention, with whom he recorded about a dozen albums starting with the critically acclaimed Liege And Lief album released in 1969. Has also recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with the eponymous Dave Swarbrick in 1976. Revered as one of Britain's most acclaimed folk rock violinists, Swarbrick has appeared on albums by Martin Carthy, Ewan MacColl, AL Lloyd, John Renbourn, Sandy Denny (Sandy), Richard Thompson, Heads Hands & Feet, Alan Stivell, Peter Bellamy, and Tom Paxton ~ Swarbrick passed away in 2016
April 5, 1940 ~ Country, folk singer, guitarist Tommy Cash born in Dyess, Arkansas, USA ~ Served as a DJ for the Armed Forces Radio network while enlisted. Following his stint in the US Army, Cash would work with Hank Williams Jr and eventually land a record deal with Musicor Records in the mid-1960s. Best known for his 1969 Billboard Country No.4 hit Six White Horses, dedicated to the memory of John F Kennedy, Robert F Kennedy, and Martin Luther King. Following the success of the single, Cash would score a handful of top 20 hits on the same chart through the mid-1970s. In 1970, Cash would be the first to record the Carl Perkins-penned Rise And Shine, notably covered by Kitty Wells later the same year. Other well known songs include One Song Away, So This Is Love, I Recall A Gypsy Woman, and She Met A Stranger (I Met A Train). Despite being a passionate, versatile singer in his own right, Cash never achieved near the same stature as his elder brother Johnny Cash. Cash continued to perform and record well into the 2010s ~ Cash passed away in 2024
April 5, 1939 ~ Singer, songwriter Ronald White, full name Ronald Anthony White, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Co-founding and sole constant member of the Miracles until his death in 1995, known for Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits such as Shop Around, I Second That Emotion, The Tears Of A Clown, Love Machine. In addition to co-writing a vast amount of the band's material White also co-wrote, usually in partnership with Smokey Robinson, hits for Kim Weston, Marvin Gaye, Mary Wells, and the Temptations, including the latter's My Girl 1964 hit which would be covered by over 200 artists. White is also noted for bringing Stevie Wonder to Motown ~ White passed away in 1995
April 5, 1936 ~ Experimental, opera, classical pianist, tubist, composer John White born in Berlin, Germany ~ Pioneered British minimalism. Has composed over 150 piano sonatas, over 20 symphonies, some 30 ballets. Closely associated with Cornelius Cardew, Gavin Bryars, and the Promenade Theater Orchestra
April 5, 1934 ~ Saxophonist Stanley Turrentine born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Brother of trumpeter Tommy Turrentine. R&B, soul jazz saxophonist active since the 1950s. Leader and sideman. Influenced by Illinois Jacquet. Has worked with Earl Bostic, Lowell Fulson, Tadd Dameron, Max Roach, his wife organist Shirley Scott, Jimmy Smith, Freddie Hubbard, Milt Jackson, George Benson, Bob James, Richard Tee, Idris Muhammad, Ron Carter, Grant Green, Eric Gale, Kenny Burrell, Donald Byrd, Georgie Fame, Roy Hargrove, Duke Jordan, Diana Krall, Abbey Lincoln, Les McCann, Jimmy McGriff, Horace Parlan, Ike Quebec, Mongo Santamaria, Art Taylor, and others ~ Turrentine passed away in 2000
April 5, 1933 ~ Soprano, lyric colaratura singer Eugenia Ratti born in Genoa, Italy ~ Active since the mid-1950s. Has worked with the Paris Opera, the Munich State Opera, the Vienna State Opera, the San Francisco Opera, the Dallas Opera, and other renowned orchestras. Especially known for soubrette roles in works composed by Domenico Cimarosa and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ~ Ratti passed away in 2020
April 5, 1932 ~ Soul, R&B singer, songwriter Billy Bland born in Wilmington, North Carolina, USA ~ Member of 1950s band the Bees, known for songs such as Toy Bell and My Ding-a-ling. As a solo artist best known for Let The Little Girl Dance, a unexpected Billboard top 10 hit in 1960. Bland would follow up with two minor hits barely gracing the charts, namely Harmony and You Were Born To Be Loved before retiring from the music industry ~ Bland passed away in 2017
April 5, 1931 ~ Jack Henderson Clement, commonly known as producer, songwriter, pianist Cowboy Jack Clement, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Producer at Sun Records. Worked with Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis. Wrote Ballad Of A Teenage Queen, Guess Things Happen That Way, The One On The Right Is On The Left and produced Ring Of Fire for Johnny Cash. Other artists who have recorded Clement's songs include Dolly Parton, Ray Charles, Bobby Bare, Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves, Cliff Richard, Charley Pride, Tom Jones, Dickey Lee, and Hank Snow. To European audiences perhaps best known for producing portions of U2's Rattle & Hum album, notably the tracks When Love Comes To Town and Angel Of Harlem ~ Clement passed away in 2013
April 5, 1930 ~ Vaudeville, ragtime singer Gene Greene, full name Eugene Delbert Greene, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ One of the first to use scat singing techniques. Known for songs such as The Chinese Blues, Alexander's Got A Jazz Band Now, and his best known King Of The Bungaloos ~ Greene was born in 1877
April 5, 1929 ~ Robert George Meek, commonly known as producer Joe Meek, born in Newent, UK ~ Pioneered space age pop and recording practices such as overdubbing, sampling and reverberation. One of the first producers, engineers to be recognized for his individual identity as an artist. Wrote and produced the Tornados's Telstar, the first single by a British rock group to reach No.1 on the American Billboard Hot 100. Other singles produced by Meek include Johnny Remember Me for John Leyton, Just Like Eddie for Heinz, Angela Jones for Michael Cox, Have I The Right for the Honeycombs and Tribute To Buddy Holly for Mike Berry ~ Meek passed away in 1967
April 5, 1928 ~ Singer, saxophonist, clarinetist Gene Merlino born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Worked with Frankie Carle, Ray Anthony, Freddy Martin. Best known for numerous appearances from the early-1960s through the late-1970s on TV shows such as the Red Skelton Show, the Judy Garland Show, The Carol Burnett Show and Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour. Member of the Anita Kerr Singers. Provided the singing voice for the 1967 musical film Camelot. In later years also sang for the animated TV series The Simpsons, namely Whacking Day, South Of The Border and Jellyfish
April 5, 1926 ~ Jazz drummer Stan Levey born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Considered one of the earliest bebop drummers. Started with Dizzy Gillespie at age 16. Also worked with Stan Kenton, Howard Rumsey, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Buddy Bregman, Conte Candoli, Victor Feldman, Jimmy Giuffre, Lee Konitz, Oscar Peterson, Warne Marsh, Shorty Rogers, Sonny Stitt, Quincy Jones, and Skitch Anderson ~ Levey passed away in 2005
April 5, 1907 ~ Jakob Franz Wolff, commonly known as label executive, photographer, producer Francis Wolff, born in Berlin, Germany ~ Of Jewish descent emigrated to New York by the late-1930s, teaming up with childhood friend and Blue Note co-founder Alfred Lion. Until the latter's retirement in 1967 Wolff would concentrate on the company's financial affairs and day to day running of the business, only occasionally supervising recording sessions. Nevertheless his contributions proved important to the label's success. Wolff also served as the company's photographer, his work used for publicity material and album sleeves. The publication of the 1995 book The Blue Note Years The Jazz Photography Of Francis Wolff would help make the public more aware of his work as one of the leading jazz photographers ~ Wolff passed away in 1971
April 5, 1903 ~ Folk singer, banjoist, guitarist Frank Warner born in Selma, Alabama, USA ~ Folklorist, song collector known to have preserved and recorded some 1,000 traditional folk songs with his wife Anne Warner, including Tom Dooley, He's Got The Whole World In His Hands and Days Of Forty-nine ~ Warner passed away in 1978
April 5, 1903 ~ Singer Franklyn Baur born in New York, New York, USA ~ Active since the early-1920s. Released his first recording, If The Rest Of The World Don't Want You, for Victor in 1923. Would go on to appear on hundreds of recordings both as a solo artist and as a featured vocalist working with artists such as the Revelers, Nathaniel Shilkret, Roger Wolfe Kahn, Paul Whiteman, and others ~ Baur passed away in 1950
April 5, 1903 ~ Songwriter Jimmy Campbell, full name James Alexander Campbell-Tyrie, born in Gosforth, UK ~ Frequent songwriting, music publishing partner of Reg Connelly, the pair at times publishing or writing music under the common moniker Irving King. The pair wrote or co-wrote a number of oft-covered 1920, 1930s songs including Show Me The Way To Go Home (the New Princes Toronto Band, the California Ramblers, Julie London), If I Had You (the Piccadilly Players, Ben Selvin, Art Tatum), Goodnight Sweetheart (the New Mayfair Dance Orchestra, Ruth Etting, Dean Martin, the Flamingos, Connie Francis), By The Fireside (Buddy Campbell, Vera Lynn, Jo Stafford), Try A Little Tenderness (Jack Payne, Frank Sinatra, Jackie Wilson, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding), and Just An Echo In The Valley (Bing Crosby, Ray Noble, Rudy Vallée) ~ Campbell passed away in 1967
April 5, 1903 ~ Uilleann piper Leo Rowsome born in Dublin, Ireland ~ First uillean piper to perform on Irish National Radio in the 1920s. First Irish artist to perform on BBC radio. Formed the Pipes Quartet in the mid-1930s, remaining popular throughout the 1940s and 1950s ~ Rowsome passed away in 1970
April 5, 1898 ~ Nicolaiih El-Michelle, commonly known as jazz trombonist Herb Flemming, born in Butte, Montana, USA ~ Besides some work in America, Flemming toured extensively in Europe through the late-1930s, employed in ensembles led by James Reese Europe and Sam Wooding, with his own outfit the International Rhythm Aces, and as accompanist for Josephine Baker. After returning to America, Flemming has worked with Earl Hines, extensively with Fats Waller, and with the likes of Noble Sissle, Red Allen, Albert Nicholas, and Walter Bishop Sr ~ El-Michelle passed away in 1976
April 5, 1869 ~ Composer Albert Roussel, full name Albert Charles Paul Marie Roussel, born in Tourcoing, France ~ Regarded as one of the most prominent French composers of the Interbellum period. Influenced by Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel, gravitating towards neoclassicism later on in his career. Well known works written by Roussel include Suite For Piano, Le Festin De L'Araignee, and Third Symphony ~ Roussel passed away in 1937
April 5, 1595 ~ Lutenist John Wilson born in Faversham, UK ~ Principal composer for the King's Men. Part of a group of artists and musicians surrounding the court of King Charles I. Following the latter's execution in 1649 would show his Royalist sympathies in his Psaleterium Carolinum, a versification of an earlier work by Thomas Stanley ~ Wilson passed away in 1674