August 1, 2022 ~ Maria Victoria Ledesma Cuevas, commonly known as actress, singer Rosa de Castilla, passed away ~ One of the leading ladies of the golden age of Mexican cinema, appearing in over four dozen films starting in the early-1950s. Sang ranchera songs in most of her films. As a recording artist perhaps best known for The Sounds Of Old Mexico album released in 1956, featuring backing from Antonio Aguilar, Luis Pérez Meza, and Rosita Quintana ~ Ledesma Cuevas was born in 1931
August 1, 2017 ~ John Raymond Goadsby, commonly known as keyboardist Goldy McJohn, passed away ~ Classically trained pianist. Pioneered the use of the electronic organ in rock. Best known as original member of Steppenwolf remaining with the group from its inception in 1967 through 1975 and present on the band's best known including Born To Be Wild. Previously a member of the Mynah Birds which at the time also included Rick James and Bruce Palmer ~ Goadsby was born in 1945
August 1, 2015 ~ Priscilla Marie Veronica White, commonly known as singer Cilla Black, passed away in Estepona, Spain ~ Active since the early-1960s. Championed by the Beatles. Introduced to Brian Epstein by John Lennon. Epstein signed her. Producer George Martin produced Cilla's debut Love Of The Loved, written by Lennon and Paul McCartney. Black is known for songs such as Anyone Who Had A Heart, You're My World, and Something Tells Me Something's Gonna Happen Tonight ~ White was born in 1943
August 1, 2007 ~ Folk singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter Tommy Makem passed away in Dover, New Hampshire, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for songs such as Four Green Fields, Gentle Annie, The Rambles Of Spring, and The Town Of Ballybay. Worked with the Clancy Brothers, Makem & Clancy, the Flying Fish, Red Biddy, and Roger McGuinn ~ Makem was born in 1932
August 1, 2006 ~ Rock, jazz bassist John Mole passed away ~ Member of Colosseum II. Member of jazz-funk outfit Morrissey-Mullen, known for the call-and-response interaction between saxophonist Dick Morrisey and guitarist Jim Mullen. Has also worked with Gary Moore, Don Airey, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Dankworth, and was first-call bassist for Andrew Lloyd Webber, the latter employing him for musicals such as Cats and Starlight Express during the 1980s and 1990s ~ Mole was born in 1949
August 1, 2000 ~ Jazz pianist Stan Seltzer, full name Stanley Wilson Seltzer, passed away in Pima, Arizona, USA ~ Child prodigy. Student of Vladimir Horowitz. Ibluenced by Oscar Peterson, Charlie Parker, Herbie Hancock. Best known as a concert and backing pianist in Chicago, Hollywood and Las Vegas and notably as the house pianist in Ricky's Lounge, Alhambra. As a recording artist known for a sole album, Excitement released in 1960 ~ Seltzer was born in 1927
August 1, 1997 ~ Pop singer Céline Dion records The Reason ~ Written by Carole King, Mark Hudson and Gregg Wells, reportedly intended for rockers Aerosmith. Produced by George Martin, renowned producer best known for his work with the Beatles. Included on her 1997 Let's Talk About Love album. Released as a single, b/w Be The Man (On This Night) in most markets, faring reasonably well across Europe. Released as a double A-side single paired with My Heart Will Go On from the Titanic soundtrack in France, where it would top the charts
August 1, 1997 ~ Pianist Sviatoslav Richter, full name Sviatoslav Teofilovich Richter, passed away in Moscow, Russia ~ Praised for the depth of his interpretations and virtuoso technique and generally regarded as one of the all-time greatest pianists. Frequent accompaniest of soprano singer Nina Dorliak. As a conductor premiered Sergei Prokofiev's Symphony Concerto For Cello And Orchestra in 1952. Critically acclaimed for his 1960 performance of Johannes Brahms' 2nd Piano Concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra ~ Richter was born in 1915
August 1, 1996 ~ Singer Frida Boccara, full name Danielle Frida Hélène Boccara, passed away in Paris, France ~ Representing France Boccara tied for the No.1 spot with Un Jour Un Enfant at the 1969 Eurovision Songfestival held in Madrid. Allegations were made of foul play, Spanish dictator Franco aiming to have Spain win. The other “winners” were Lenny Kuhr with De Troubadour for the Netherlands, Lulu with Boom Bang-a-bang for the UK and Salomé with Vivo Cantando for Spain ~ Baccaro was born in 1940
August 1, 1994 ~ Trumpeter George Dixon passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Played with Sammy Stewart starting in the late-1920s. With Earl Hines in the 1930s. Led a Navy band in Memphis during World War II. Moved to Chicago to play with Floyd Campbell, Ted Eggleston, and Rozelle Claxton, as well as lead his own band. From about the mid-1950s Dixon stopped playing full-time ~ Dixon was born in 1909
August 1, 1994 ~ Folk singer, guitarist Rolf Cahn passed away in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA ~ As a child fled Nazi-led Germany with his family. As a singer known for a number of 1950s recordings, notably the album California Folk Concert With Rolf Cahn released in 1959. Also known as co-founder of The Cabale, an early-1960s folk club in Berkeley noted for featuring performers such as Mississippi John Hurt, Jesse Fuller, Lightnin' Hopkins, and the Chamber Brothers ~ Cahn was born in 1924
August 1, 1993 ~ Robert Kahakalau, commonly known as bassist, arranger Bob Carter, passed away in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA ~ Son of a vaudeville performer, Carter played in local orchestras and led his own trio from the mid-1930s through the mid-1940s before moving to New York around the end of World War II. Here he played in various groups with artists such as Tony Scott, Dizzy Gillespie. Charlie Parker, Stuff Smith, and Charlie Shavers. He would continue with stints backing Allen Eager, Max Roach, Charlie Ventura, Benny Goodman, Johnny Smith (including on Jazz At NBC and The Johnny Smith Quintet featuring Stan Getz), and Bobby Hackett. In the 1960s he worked in Germany in Kurt Edelhagen's orchestra. Carter did little playing after the 1960s ~ Kahakalau was born in 1922
August 1, 1993 ~ Sammy Renders, commonly known as DJ, producer Sam Feldt, born in Boxtel, the Netherlands ~ First gained attention with a remake of Robin S's Show Me Love which would reach No.4 UK, No.21 in the Netherlands, in 2015. The next year a follow-up single, Summer On You would reach the Dutch top 10, peaking at No.4, and be awarded Platinum status. Feldt released his full-length debut album, Sunrise, in 2017
August 1, 1987 ~ In its eleventh week on the charts, Shakedown by Bob Seger hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written for the soundtrack to Beverly Hill Cop II by Harold Faltermeyer and Keith Forsey, who had also teamed up for the soundtrack to the first movie. Initially, Glenn Frey was tapped to record the song, but as he contracted laryngitis he had to drop out and Bob Seger was asked to replace him. Seger rewrote the lyrics, earning him co-writing credit and took the song to the top of the charts. Shakedown would be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song, but lost out to Carly Simon's Let The River Run from Working Girl. Even though it would be Seger's biggest hit, his sole No.1, he felt it wasn't his greatest and left it off his first Greatest Hits album
August 1, 1985 ~ José Ángel Hernández, commonly known as producer Flow La Movie, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico ~ Perhaps best known for producing Te Boté, a collaborative hit for Casper Magico, Nio Garcia & Darell. Has also notably worked with Bad Bunny and Ozuna. Hernández passed away at age 36 in a plane crash, which also killed his wife and their 4-year-old son ~ Hernández passed away in 2021
August 1, 1985 ~ Pianist, bandleader Sam Wooding, full name Samuel David Wooding, passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Contemporary of Fletcher Henderson and Duke Ellington. Best known for bringing jazz, and big band ensembles to European audiences. In 1926 Wooding became one of the first jazz artists to perform in Russia ~ Wooding was born in 1895
August 1, 1983 ~ William M Moore, commonly known as R&B, jazz saxophonist Wild Bill Moore, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ As a solo artist scored a moderate R&B hit with We're Gonna Rock We're Gonna Roll in 1948, the single later regarded by some as one of the earliest rock and roll recordings. In-demand sideman in blues, R&B, and jazz, working with the likes of Slim Gaillard, Jack McVea, Big Joe Turner, Dexter Gordon, and Helen Humes, including on the latter's 1945 Be-Baba-Leba hit. To later audiences perhaps best known for backing Marvin Gaye on the 1971 masterpiece album What's Going On, notably present on the track Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) ~ Moore was born in 1918
August 1, 1982 ~ Violinist, singer, composer Caroline Shaw, full name Caroline Adelaide Shaw, born in Greenville, North Carolina, USA ~ At 30 became the youngest recipient of Pullitzer Prize for Music, awarded for her composition Partita For 8 Voices recorded with the vocal ensemble Roomful Of Teeth. Others who recorded her works include So Percussion, the Brentano String Quartet, and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus
August 1, 1981 ~ Singer, guitarist Ashley Parker Angel born in Redding, California, USA ~ Best known as member of boy band O-Town from 2000 through 2003, present on the band's first two albums including on the 2001 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit All Or Nothing. Released his The Soundtrack To Your Life in 2006 and has ventured into acting
August 1, 1981 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer Kelly Gordon, full name Kelly Lee Gordon, passed away ~ Recorded some unsuccessful singles as a solo artist prior to being hired by Capitol Records as a staff producer. Would rise to fame producing Bobbie Gentry's Ode To Billie Joe, which would win three Grammy Awards and become a signature song for Gentry. Gordon also co-wrote That's Life, first recorded by Marian Montgomery in 1964 and covered by over 150 artists including Frank Sinatra ~ Gordon was born in 1932
August 1, 1977 ~ Robert Zemichiel, commonly known as rapper, actor Afrob, born in Venice, Italy ~ Active since the mid-1990s, initially working with acts such as Massive Töne, Freundeskreis, and the Spezializtz. Released his Rolle Mit Hip Hop (Rolle Mit Hip Hop) solo debut album in 1999, which would reach top 20 in his adopted homeland Germany, and has recorded over half a dozen albums since frequently collaborating with the likes of Ferris MC, Samy Deluxe, and D-Flame
August 1, 1976 ~ Symphony Taylor, commonly known as producer, DJ, turntablist DJ Symphony, born ~ Best known for his association with several the Wu-Tang Clan members, notably serving as touring DJ for Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, and GZA. Taylor has also collaborated with Digital Underground, DJ Scratch, Nas, the Alchemist, Mobb Deep, KRS One, 2 Chainz, Snoop Dogg, and Yelawolf
August 1, 1975 ~ Jazz drummer, composer Håkon Mjåset Johansen born in Trondheim, Norway ~ Worked with Come Shine, the Urban Connection, Motif, the Svein Olav Herstad Trio, Excess Luggage, Håvard Stubø, IPA, Hegge, the Oddbjorn Blindheim Trio, the Håvard Wilk Trio, Jon Larsen, Kjersti Stubø, and Steinar Raknes
August 1, 1971 ~ Singer, songwriter George Ducas born in Texas City, Texas, USA ~ Known for recordings such as 1994's Lipstick Promises, 1997's Where I Stand and 2013's 4340. Has also written or co-written songs for others including Garth Brooks, Randy Travis (Just Call Me Lonesome), the Dixie Chicks, Trisha Yearwood, Gary Allan, the Randy Rogers Band (Kiss Me In The Dark), George Jones, the Eli Young Band, Josh Thompson (Won't Be Lonely Long), and Sara Evans (Real Fine Place To Start)
August 1, 1970 ~ Jazz pianist Kishon Khan born in Pakistan ~ Formed Afro-Cuban funk jazz outfit Motimba, known for their 2003 Monkey Vibrations album. Khan also founded the acclaimed London-based collective Lokkhi Terra, merging jazz, funk, and world music. The collective is a regular guest at world music festivals and is best known for their 2010 No Visa Required debut album. Khan has also appeared on albums by Inemo, Bukky Leo, Os Ritmistas, and the Soothsayers
August 1, 1968 ~ Heavy metal guitarist, keyboardist Dan Donegan, full name Daniel Joseph Donegan, born in Oak Lawn, Illinois, USA ~ Co-founding member of nu-metal outfit the Disturbed, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums including the acclaimed Believe released in 2002. Well known songs include Prayer, Stricken, and the Genesis cover Land Of Confusion
August 1, 1965 ~ Isidore Levkowitz, commonly known as vaudeville singer Eugene Howard, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Formed the sibling duo the Howard Brothers with his older brother Willie Howard. The duo were among the earliest openly Jewish performers and known for their burlesque and vaudeville performances and appeared in several Broadway revues, most notably The Passing Show series starting in the early-1910s and the George Gershwin-penned Girl Crazy musical in 1930 ~ Levkowitz was born in 1880
August 1, 1964 ~ Singer, songwriter Adam Duritz born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Best known as co-founding singer, frontman, main songwriter of rock band the Counting Crows. Debuted in 1993 with August & Everything After which hit the US top 5 and spawned a number of successful singles including Round Here and Mr Jones. The band would record to both critical acclaim and commercial success ever since. Duritz has also released records as a solo artist as well as guested on albums by the Wallflowers, Ryan Adams, Peter Stuart, Live, Dashboard Confessional, and Nanci Griffith
August 1, 1964 ~ Alternative rock, post-rock, slowcore guitarist, drummer Chris Brokaw born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his associations with Come and Codeine. Has also recorded as a solo artist as well as with Pullman, Snares & Kites, the New Year, the Empty House Cooperative, Consonant, Dirtmusic, Wrekmeister Harmonies, Geoff Farina, Martha's Vineyard Ferries, and David Michael Curry
August 1, 1964 ~ Singer Roy Orbison records Pretty Woman ~ Written by Orbison and Bill Dees. Produced by Fred Foster. Released later the same month. Would become Roy's signature song, arguably one of the songs that defined rock & roll, and a highlight of his career. Would sell seven million copies. Musicians appearing on the original version included, besides Orbison, Billy Sanford, Jerry Kennedy and Wayne Moss on guitars, Floyd Cramer piano, Henry Strzelecki upright bass, Buddy Harman and Paul Garrison drums and percussion, and Boots Randolph and Charlie McCoy on saxophones
August 1, 1963 ~ Artis Leon Ivey Jr, commonly known as pop-rap, G-funk, hip-hop rapper, singer, songwriter Coolio born in Monessen, Pennsylvania, USA ~ First gained attention as a member of gangsta rap outfit WC & the Maad Circle alongside WC and Crazy Toones. Would become a household name as a solo artist, best known for his 1995 hit Gangsta's Paradise, a No.1 hit in over a dozen countries including the USA, the UK and the Netherlands. Stevie Wonder was credited as co-writer as the song drew heavily from Wonder's Pastime Paradise. Other well known songs include Fantastic Voyage, 1-2-3-4 (Sumpin' New) and C U When U Get There ~ Ivey passed away in 2022
August 1, 1962 ~ R&B girl group Martha & the Vandellas record I'll Have To Let Him Go at Hitsville USA, Detroit, Michigan ~ Written and produced by William Mickey Stevenson. Backed by Joe Hunter piano, James Jamerson bass, Benny Benjamin drums, Eddie Willis guitar, Mike Terry baritone sax, and Ray Singleton on the organ. Released as a single the following September, the B-side featuring My Baby Won't Come Back
August 1, 1960 ~ Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, commonly known as Chuck D, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member, leader of Public Enemy, pivotal in developing socially conscious, politcally motivated hip-hop. Member of Confrontation Camp. Member of Prophets Of Rage. Has also collaborated with a wide array of artists including Rage Against The Machine, Anthrax and Sonic Youth
August 1, 1959 ~ Glam metal, hard rock, heavy metal singer, guitarist, keyboardist Joe Elliott, full name Joseph Thomas Elliott, born in Sheffield, UK ~ Lead singer for Def Leppard, with whom he recorded about a dozen albums. The band is best known for the acclaimed 1983 Pyromania album and its 1984 follow-up Hysteria. The latter would spawn the UK top 10 hit Animal. Elliott has also worked with Down 'n Outz, Kings Of Chaos, and the Cybernauts
August 1, 1959 ~ Guitarist, turntablist Otomo Yoshihide born in Yokohama, Japan ~ Rose to prominence as leader of experimental rock group Ground Zero. Would go on to become an in-demand collaborator, renowned film composer and pioneer in live electronic music. Has worked with Junji Hirose, Yuji Katsui, Carl Stone, Yasuhiro Otani, Tetuzi Akiyama, Cathode, ISO, Filament, and the New Jazz Quintet
August 1, 1958 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Robert Buck, full name Robert Norman Buck, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Guitarist, co-founding member of 10,000 Maniacs, and as songwriter wrote or co-wrote some of the band's best known songs including What's The Matter Here, Hey Jack Kerouac, You Happy Puppet, and These Are Days ~ Buck passed away in 2000
August 1, 1957 ~ Blues, soul, gospel singer, songwriter Deitra Farr born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Sang lead on Mill Street Depo's 1976 single You Won't Support Me. Member of Mississippi Heat during the early to mid-1990s. Debuted as a solo artist in 1997 with the acclaimed The Search Is Over album
August 1, 1953 ~ Blues, soul blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Robert Cray, full name Robert William Cray, born in Columbus, Ohio, USA ~ Best known for his crossover hit Smoking Gun of his 1986 Strong Persuader album. Backed Chuck Berry in the Hail Hail Rock 'n Roll. Backed Tina Turner in her Break Every Rule TV special. Opened for Eric Clapton. Worked with John Lee Hooker on the 1992 Boom Boom album, notably the guitar solo on the track Baby Lee. Has also worked with Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland
August 1, 1951 ~ Jeff Tkazyik, commonly known as jazz, pop, classical conductor, trumpeter, arranger Jeff Tyzik, born in Hyde Park, New York, USA ~ Has recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo trumpeter, and led his own big band during the late-1980s and 1990s. Well known for his association with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, serving as the orchestra's principal pops conductor since 1994. Tyzik has since established himself as one of America's premier pops conductors and arranger, working with orchestras such as the Dallas Symphony, the Oregon Symphony, the Florida Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the Seattle Symphony. Tyzik is also well known for his association with Doc Severinsen and the Tonight Show Band, serving as arranger and producer for the ensemble including on the Grammy Award-winning The Tonight Show Band With Doc Severinsen album released in 1986
August 1, 1951 ~ Rock, indie rock, alternative rock producer, engineer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, drummer, singer Mark Hallman born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA ~ First gained attention as singer of Navarro, with whom he recorded the albums Listen and Straight From The Heart. The band would go on to serve as backing band for Carole King, with Hallman in particular remaining with King as a producer, engineer, and multi-instrumentalist on half a dozen of her albums including the acclaimed Pearls (Songs Of Goffin And King) album released in 1980. Hallman is also known as a member of Omar & the Howlers, including on the acclaimed Muddy Springs Road album, and has worked in one capacity or another on albums by Jerry Jeff Walker, Joe Ely, Eliza Gilkyson, Christine Albert, Michael Fracasso, Plainsong, David Halley (Stray Dog Talk), Sara Hickman, Ray Wylie Hubbard (Loco Gringos Lament), Eric Taylor, Kris McKay, the Derailers, and Ani DiFranco
August 1, 1951 ~ Rock guitarist, singer Tim Bachman, full name Timothy Gregg Bachman, born in Winnipeg, Canada ~ Co-founding member of Bachman-Turner Overdrive, present on the band's first two albums Bachman Turner Overdrive and Bachman Turner Overdrive II. The latter would spawn the singles Let It Ride and Takin' Care Of Business, both of which reached top 10 in the band's native Canada ~ Bachman passed away in 2023
August 1, 1951 ~ Rock, hard rock, heavy metal, blues rock, funk rock, jazz fusion guitarist Tommy Bolin, full name Thomas Richard Bolin, born in Sioux City, Iowa, USA ~ Member of Zephyr from 1969 through 1971. Member of the James Gang, present on and writing or co-writing most of the material on the albums Bang and Miami. Guested on Billy Cobham's Spectrum. Member of Deep Purple, replacing Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 until the band's disbandement the next year. As a solo artist known for the pivotal 1970s albums Teaser and Private Eyes ~ Bolin passed away in 1976
August 1, 1949 ~ James Dennis Carroll, commonly known as author, poet, singer, songwriter, songwriter Jim Carroll born in New York, New York, USA ~ Author, poet, punk musician. Frontman and eponym of the Jim Carroll Band. Best known for his autobiography Basketball Diaries, which inspired a 1995 film of the same name featuring Leonardio Dicaprio as Carroll. Collaborated with the Velvet Underground, the Blue Öyster Cult, Lou Reed, Boz Scaggs, and Pearl Jam ~ Carroll passed away in 2009
August 1, 1947 ~ Pop, pop rock, disco singer, conductor, arranger, songwriter, composer Luc Smets, full name Luc Jan Frans Smets, born in Leuven, Belgium ~ Member of 1960s pop group Pebbles, for whom he co-wrote their biggest hit Seven Horses In The Sky. Co-founded Shampoo. Member of disco unit the Dream Express, with whom he reached 7th place at the 1977 Eurovision Songfestival representing Belgium with the song A Million In 1 2 3. Smets has also composed for film and TV ~ Smets passed away in 2023
August 1, 1946 ~ Raymond Burrell, commonly known as guitarist, bassist, singer Boz Burrell, born in Lincolnshire, UK ~ Member of King Crimson in the early-1970s, appearing on the albums Islands and Earthbound. Co-founding member of Bad Company, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums including the acclaimed Bad Company debut album and its follow-up Straight Shooter. Also worked with Tea Time 4, Kenny Lynch, Elkie Brooks, Feel For Soul, King Crimson, Roger Chapman, Alvin Lee, Ruby Turner, Duster Bennett, Peter Sinfield, Snape, Jon Lord, and Boxer ~ Burrell passed away in 2006
August 1, 1944 ~ Richard Cecil McPherson, commonly known as songwriter Cecil Mack, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Wrote, co-wrote songs such as Charleston (Elisabeth Welch, Louis Prima, Jean Goldkette), He's A Cousin Of Mine (Maria Cahill, Clarice Vance, Sam Cooke), Old Fashioned Love (Adelaide Hall, Bob Wills, Lena Horne), and You're In The Right Church But The Wrong Pew (Bert Williams) ~ McPherson was born in 1883
August 1, 1942 ~ Gloria Jean Williamson, commonly known as singer Gloria Williams, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Original lead singer of the Del-fi's alongside Annette Beard, Rosalind Ashford and notably Martha Reeves, scoring a minor hit with I'll Let You Know. Williams would eventually become disillusioned and leave the group. The remaining trio would become known as Martha & the Vandellas ~ Williams passed away in 2000
August 1, 1942 ~ Rock, psychedelic rock, jam guitarist, singer, songwriter Jerry Garcia, full name Jerome John Garcia, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Best known as co-founding and key member of the Grateful Dead, known for their excessive touring building a devoted cult following. The band scored a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit with A Touch Of Grey in 1987. Garcia has also worked with several Dead-side projects and is an in-demand collaborator. Has worked with the Jerry Garcia Band, Legion Of Mary, the New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Reconstruction, the Hart Valley Drifters, the Warlocks and with Old & In The Way ~ Garcia passed away in 1995
August 1, 1941 ~ Songwriter, screenwriter Etienne Roda-Gil was born in Septfonds, France ~ Best known as regular songwriting partner of Julien Clerc, co-penning a significant amount of Clerc's songs from the late-1960s forward including La Cavalerie, Ce N'Est Rien, Dance S'Y, and one of his best known This Melody. Others who have recorded songs co-written by Roda-Gil include Barbara, Claude François, Riccardo Cocciante, Vanessa Paradis (Joe Le Taxi), and Johnny Hallyday ~ Roda-Gil passed away in 2004
August 1, 1941 ~ Ney de Souza Pereira, commonly known as folk rock, pop rock singer Ney Matogrosso, born in Bela Vista, Brazil ~ Considered one of Brazil's all-time greatest singers noted for his countertenor voice. Rose to fame in the early-1970s as member of glam rock outfit Secos & Molhados. As a solo artist known for songs such as Bandolero, Nao Existe Pecasi Ao Sol Do Equador, Pro Debaxo Dos Panos, Tanto Amar, Ando Melo Desligado, Sanguie Latino, Vereda Tropical and perhaps his best known America Do Sul
August 1, 1938 ~ Piper, bodhran player Paddy Moloney born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Leader of the Chieftains, which he co-founded in 1962 with Seán Potts and Michael Tubridy. The band has recorded over 40 albums, all of which featuring Moloney, and is especially known for their vast work of collaborations including with artists such as Elvis Costello, Ry Cooder, Rosanne Cash, Béla Fleck, James Galway, Art Garfunkel, Mark Knopfler, Emmylou Harris, and Mick Jagger ~ Moloney passed away in 2021
August 1, 1936 ~ Ska, rocksteady, reggae DJ, percussionist, singer, producer Uziah Thompson, also known as Uziah Sticky Thompson, born in Mannings Mountain, Jamaica ~ In-demand session musician and sideman. Appeared on classic recordings by the Skatalites, notably Ball Of Fire, El Pussy Cat Ska and Guns Of Navarone. Would go on to work with Joe Gibbs, Big Youth, Dennis Brown, the Congos, Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Jimmy Cliff, Black Uhuru, Grace Jones, Joe Cocker, Serge Gainsbourg, Sinéad O'Connor, Stephen Marley, and the GG All-Stars ~ Thompson passed away in 2014
August 1, 1930 ~ Actor, dancer, choreographer, singer, director, painter Geoffrey Holder, full name Geoffrey Lamont Holder, born in Port Of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago ~ Principal dancer for the Metropolitan Ballet before starting a film career, first appearing on-screen in the 1957 film Carib Gold. Best known for portraying Baron Samedi in the Bond film Live & Let Die in 1973 ~ Holder passed away in 2014
August 1, 1919 ~ Theater impresario, composer Oscar Hammerstein I passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Credited with rekindling opera's popularity in America, specifically as entrepreneur, founder, proprietor of several opera houses in New York starting with the Harlem Opera House on 125th Street opened in 1889. Composed the comic opera Santa Maria, presented in 1896 in his fourth venue the Olympia Theatre on Longacre Square. Would produce several contemporary operas and presented American premieres of Gustave Charpentier's Louise, Claude Debussy's Pelleas Et Melisande, Richard Strauss's Salomé and other works ~ Hammerstein was born in 1846
August 1, 1910 ~ Loreto Domenic Fraieli, commonly known as songwriter Jimmie Crane, born ~ Best remembered for co-penning Hurt with Adolph Jacobs, an early-1960s smash hit and signature song for Timi Yuro. The song has been covered by over a 100 artists including Marty Robbins, Dinah Washington, Bobby Vinton, Billie Jo Spears, and Elvis Presley. Others who have recorded songs written or co-written by Crane include Denise Lor, Al Martino, Connee Boswell (If I Give My Heart To You), Connie Francis, and Joni James ~ Fraieli passed away in 1998
August 1, 1910 ~ Pianist, conductor, arranger, film composer Walter Scharf born in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Helped orchestrate the George Gershwin Broadway-musical Girl Crazy, accompanied singer Helen Morgan, pianist and arranger for singer Rudy Vallée. Hollywood film composer, music director since the early-1930s, with over 100 film credits to his name including The Nutty Professor, several Elvis Presley films starting with Loving You, Barbra Streisand's Funny Girl, and the original 1971 version of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Composed for dozens of TV series ~ Scharf passed away in 2003
August 1, 1899 ~ Hans Wilhelm Steinberg, commonly known as conductor, violinist, pianist William Steinberg, born in Cologne, Germany ~ Violinist with the Cologne Opera Orchestra fired for using his own bowings, but quickly rehired as an assistant. Music director for the Frankfurt Opera, notably conducting the world premiere of Arnold Schoenberg's Von Heute Auf Morgen in 1930. Of Jewish descent Steinberg would be relieved from his post in 1933, the Nazi brownshirts literally storming in and lifting the baton out of his hand. Relocated to British Mandate of Palestine, current day Israel, by 1936, and to America two years later, finding employ as Arturo Toscanini's assistant for the NBC Symphony Orchestra. Best known for his tenure with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, serving as its music director from 1952 through 1976. Has also guest conducted most major US orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, as well as a wide array of foreign orchestras ~ Steinberg passed away in 1978