August 15, 2022 ~ Saxophonist, keyboardist, guitarist Hans Magnusson passed away ~ Longtime member of the Thorleifs, remaining with the dansband from 1962 through 2012. They are best known for their 2009 song Sweet Kissin' In The Moonlight, a contender for the Swedish entry for the Eurovision Songfestival. They would lose out to Malena Ernman who would reach 21st place in the international competition ~ Magnusson was born ca.1949
August 15, 2022 ~ Heavy metal singer Steve Grimmett passed away ~ Member of short-lived rock outfit Medusa before rising to fame as lead singer for Grim Reaper, joining the band in 1982. Present on the band's best-known including the hits See You In Hell, Fear No Evil and Rock You To Hell, all of which gained notoriety in the 1990s after being used in the popular Beavis & Butthead animated series. Grimmett has also appeared on recordings by Chateaux, Onslaught, Lionsheart, Cradle Of Filth, and others ~ Grimmett was born in 1959
August 15, 2018 ~ Pianist Marie-Françoise Bucquet passed away in Paris, France ~ Married to baritone singer Jorge Chaminé, with whom she also worked. Acclaimed for her renditions of works by Arnold Schoenberg. Also recorded pieces by Georges Bizet, Béla Bartók, Igor Stravinsky ~ Bucquet was born in 1937
August 15, 2016 ~ Vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson passed away in Montara, California, USA ~ Influence on later vibraphonists including Steve Nelson, Joe Locke, Stefon Harris. Worked with Les McCann, Frank Butler, Billy Mitchell, Al Grey, the Jazztet, Andrew Hill, Tony Williams, Grant Green, Joe Henderson, John Patton, Duke Pearson, Lee Morgan, Billy Higgins, McCoy Tyner, Harold Land, Chick Corea, Stanley Crowell, Joe Sample, Curtis Fuller, Cedar Walton, Buster Williams, the SF Jazz Collective, and others ~ Hutcherson was born in 1941
August 15, 2016 ~ Pop singer Céline Dion records Recovering ~ Given to her by co-writer P!nk after Dion's husband succumbed to cancer in early 2016. Co-written by Allen Shamblin and Tom Douglas. Produced by Humberto Gatica and Scott Price. Released as a single September 2016. Dion has since regularly performed the song in live sets, starting with the cancer charity event Stand Up To Cancer and added it to her set lists for the Vegas residency show as well as the 2017 and 2018 tours
August 15, 2014 ~ Opera singer Licia Albanese passed awayy in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Leading soprano with the Metropolitan Opera from 1940 through 1966. Best known for her roles in operas composed by Giuseppe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini ~ Albanese was born in 1909
August 15, 2013 ~ Jazz singer Jane Harvey passed away ~ Worked with Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Desi Arnaz, Bob Hope, and others ~ Harvey was born in 1925
August 15, 2009 ~ Producer, pianist, singer Jim Dickinson, full name James Luther Dickinson, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Father of Cody Dickinson and the Black Crowes guitarist Luther Dickinson. Member of the Dixie Flyers, with whom he backed artists such as Bettye Lavette, Hank Ballard, James Carr, and Albert Collins. In-demand session pianist for the likes of the Rolling Stones, the Flamin' Groovies, and notably Ry Cooder, appearing on about a dozen of Cooder's albums. Acclaimed producer from the 1970s onwards, working with artists such as Big Star (Third), Willy DeVille, Green On Red, the Replacements, the Panther Burns, Toots & the Maytals, and Screamin' Jay Hawkins. ~ Dickinson was born in 1941
August 15, 2008 ~ Producer, label executive Jerry Wexler passed away in Saratosa, Florida, USA ~ Partner at Atlantic Records. Hugely influential producer during the 1950s and 1960s. Coined the term “rhythm & blues”. Incremental in the careers of Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, the Drifters, Ruth Brown, and others ~ Wexler was born in 1917
August 15, 2000 ~ Morris Joseph Lazar, commonly known as big band singer, actor Freddie Stewart, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known for appearing in the fim series The Teen Agers from 1946 through 1948. Wrote the song Do I Know What I'm Doing for the 1943 She's For Me musical comedy film. Briefly sang with Tommy Dorsey's orchestra ~ Lazar was born in 1925
August 15, 1997 ~ Singer, actor, TV personality Ray Heatherton passed away in Englewood, New Jersey, USA ~ Discovered by bandleader Paul Whiteman who hired the young Heatherton by the late 1920s as featured vocalist on The Old Gold Hour radio show. Would go on to star in musicals, notably Babes In Arms, and become one of TV's earliest stars ~ Heatherton was born in 1909
August 15, 1996 ~ Joel Seneca McGhee, commonly known as actor, singer, songwriter Joe Seneca, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as an actor for film and TV, notably portraying the role of Dr Hanes in The Cosby Show. To music audiences perhaps best known for penning Talk To Me, originally recorded by Little Willie John in 1958. Seneca himself would record the song two years later. Other songs written or co-written by Seneca include Break It To Me Gently (Brenda Lee), What Kind Of Girl Do You Think I Am (the Charmaines), and Same Time Same Place) (Clyde McPhatter) ~ McGhee was born in 1919
August 15, 1995 ~ Keith Cozart, rapper, commonly known as Chief Keef, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Broke at a mere age 16 with the single I Don't Like
August 15, 1995 ~ Blues guitarist, singer Jesse Thomas, also known as Jesse Babyface Thomas, passed away in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA ~ Brother of country blues singer, slide guitarist Ramblin' Thomas. Dubbed “the Blues Troubadour” and best known for his 1929 recording Blue Goose Blues. Would continue to record throughout the 1950s and perform locally throughout the 1990s ~ Thomas was born in 1911
August 15, 1990 ~ John Michael Hakim Gibson, commonly known as rapper Cash Out, born in Columbus, Georgia, USA ~ Best known for Cashin' Out of his 2014 Let's Get It debut album. The single would reach top 40 Billboard Hot 100. Gibson has guested on recordings by Shawty Lo, Young Scooter, Rich Homie Quan, PartyNextDoor, Waka Flocka Flame, and others
August 15, 1990 ~ Lewis Calvin DeWitt Jr, commonly known as country singer, guitarist Lew DeWitt passed away in Waynesboro, Virginia, USA ~ Founding member of the Statler Brothers. Wrote or co-wrote several of the band's best-known including Flowers On The Wall, Things, Since Then, Thank You World and The Movies. DeWitt left the band in 1982 for medical reasons ~ DeWitt was born in 1938
August 15, 1990 ~ Double bassist Louis Vola passed away in Paris, France ~ Best known for his work with Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli as a co-founding member of the Quintette du Hot Club. Has also worked with Ray Ventura, Duke Ellington and with Charles Trenet ~ Vola was born in 1902
August 15, 1989 ~ Pop singer, songwriter Joe Jonas, full name Joseph Adam Jones, born in Casa Grande, Arizona, USA ~ Rose to fame as member of sibling outfit the Jonas Brothers alongside Kevin Jonas and Nick Jonas, known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Burnin' Up and Tonight. After the band folded formed the funk-pop outfit DNCE, best known for the 2015 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Cake By The Ocean
August 15, 1986 ~ Natalia Noemi Cappuccini, commonly known as dance-pop, electropop singer, songwriter, actress Teddy Sinclair, born in Bradford, UK ~ Previously known under the monnikers Natalia Kills and Verbalicious. Best known for songs such as Don't Play Nice and Mirrors, the latter a 2010 hit on the American dance charts. Has collaborated with will.i.am, Far East Movement, LMFAO, DJ Tatana, and with Junior Caldera
August 15, 1985 ~ Ermias Joseph Asghedon, commonly known as rapper Nipsey Hussle, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known for his indie mixtapes including Ain't Got No Name, Marathon, and Crenshaw ~ Asghedom passed away in 2019
August 15, 1981 ~ Singer, songwriter Johan van der Veen born in Dokkum, the Netherlands ~ Best known as a member of Twarres, known for Wer Bisto, a hit in 2000
August 15, 1980 ~ Alternative rock bassist, singer Carl-Johan Fogelklou, full name Carl-Johan Peter Crispin Fogelklou, born in Uppsala, Sweden ~ Member of Mando Diao, known for songs such as Long Before Rock 'n Roll, If I Don't Live Today (I Might Be Here Tomorrow), and their best-known Dance With Somebody
August 15, 1978 ~ Adel Salah Mahmoud Eid El Tawil, commonly known as pop, hip-hop singer Adel Tawil, born in Berlin, West Germany ~ Member of boy band the Boyz during the late 1990s. Formed the duo Ich & Ich with Annette Humpe. Teamed up with rapper Azad for Prison Break Anthem (Ich Glaub' An Dich), used as the theme for the German version of the 2007 Prison Break film. As a solo artist best known for Lieder, lead single of his 2013 album of the same name
August 15, 1978 ~ Jazz singer Irene Kral passed away ~ Worked with Woody Herman, Chubby Jackson, Maynard Ferguson, Stan Kenton, Terry Gibbs, Shelly Manne, Carmen McRae, Herb Pomeroy, Laurindo Almeida, Buddy Collette, Terry Gibbs, and others ~ Kral was born in 1932
August 15, 1976 ~ Clarinetist Albert Burbank passed away ~ Student of Lorenzo Tio. Worked with Kid Milton, Paul Barbarin, Kid Ory, Herb Morand, Kid Clayton, Percy Humphrey, Jimmy Archey, and others ~ Burbank was born in 1902
August 15, 1973 ~ Adam David Willard, commonly known as drummer Atom Willard, born in San Diego, California, USA ~ First gained attention as a member of Rocket From The Crypt from 1990 through 2000. Also well-known as founding member of Angels & Airwaves. Has also worked with Melissa Auf Der Maur, the Special Goodness, the Offspring, Social Distortion, Danko Jones, and Against Me
August 15, 1971 ~ Thomas Wayne Perkins, commonly known as singer Thomas Wayne, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Brother of Johnny Cash guitarist Luther Perkins. Released a number of singles starting in 1958, including This Time which would later be a hit for Troy Shondell. Remembered for his sole Billboard top 20 hit, 1959's Tragedy, released under the moniker Thomas Wayne with the Delons. Died aged 31 in a car crash ~ Perkins was born in 1940
August 15, 1963 ~ Anthony Hayes, commonly known as rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Stevie Plunder, born in Canberra, Australia ~ Co-founding member of the Plunderers, known for songs such as Strange Affection, I Don't Mind, I Didn't Even See Them All, and Christo. Plunder also worked with the Whitlams, appearing on the albums Introducing The Whitlams and Undeniably The Whitlams, until his untimely death at age 32 ~ Hayes passed away in 1996
August 15, 1962 ~ Singer Gerry McGhee born in Glasgow, UK ~ Lead singer of Brighton Rock, known best for One More Try of their 1988 Take A Deep Breath album ~ McGhee passed away in 2020
August 15, 1961 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter Matt Johnson born ~ Founding member and sole constant of The The. Also a member of Marc & the Mambas
August 15, 1961 ~ Granville Henry McGhee, commonly known as jump blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Sticks McGhee, passed away in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Best known for first recording Drinkin' Wine Spo-dee-o-dee, which he co-wrote with J Mayo Williams, one of the songs pre-dating and pivotal to development of rock & roll. It would be covered by Wynonie Harris, Johnny Burnette, Jerry Lee Lewis, and others ~ McGhee was born in 1918
August 15, 1955 ~ Rock, blues guitarist Asim Can Gunduz born ~ Outside of his native Turkey also known as Awesome John. Member of Zacharia, which also included Harry Zaverdas and Robert Gottfried. Best known for his 1998 Bir Sevgi (A Work Of Love) album, consisting of Turkish language veersion of blues singles ~ Gunduz passed away in 2016
August 15, 1954 ~ Avant-garde jazz, free jazz trumpeter Dennis González born in Abilene, Texas, USA ~ Well over two dozen albums as a leader, starting in the late 1970s. Hosted Miles Out on Dallas radio station KERA-FM for over two decades. To younger audiences perhaps best known for forming the trio Yells At Eels with his sons bassist Aaron González and drummer, vibraphonist Stefan González. The trio has backed Ariel Pink in the early 2010s on the albums Before Today and Ariel Pink With Added Pizzazz ~ González passed away in 2022
August 15, 1953 ~ Guitarist, singer Brendan Croker born in Bradford, UK ~ Acclaimed for his 1991 The Great Indoors album. Member of the Notting Hillbillies, a country-rock infused band which also included the Dire Straits-guitarist Mark Knopfler. Has also worked with the Mekons, Sally Timms, Eric Clapton, Tanita Tikaram, Kevin Coyne, Chet Atkins, Guy Fletcher, and others
August 15, 1952 ~ Bandleader Giuseppe Creatore passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Late 19th, early 20th century bandleader dubbed “the Great Creatore” rivaling John Philip Sousa in popularity ~ Creatore was born in 1871
August 15, 1951 ~ Classical pianist, composer Artur Schnabel passed away in Axenstein, Switzerland ~ Considered one of the most important pianists of the early 20th century. As a performer especially acclaimed as an interpreter of Ludwig van Beethoven and a champion of Franz Schubert. Founded the Schnabel Trio which also included Alfred Wittenberg and Anton Hekking ~ Schnabel was born in 1882
August 15, 1951 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Bobby Caldwell, full name Robert Hunter Caldwell, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his 1978 What You Won't Do For Love hit single. It would reach Billboard Hot 100 top 10 and be covered by Go West, Phyllis Hyman, Boyz II Men, and others. Caldwell is also known for co-penning The Next Time I Fall, recorded as a duet by Peter Cetera & Amy Grant. Other who recorded songs co-written by Caldwell include Roberta Flack, Boz Scaggs, and Glenn Medeiros ~ Caldwell passed away in 2023
August 15, 1951 ~ Conductor Grzegorz Nowak born in Poznán, Poland ~ Music director of the Polish National Opera, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the Sinfonia Helvetica. Has conducted numerous internationally renowned orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony, the San Diego Symphony, and others
August 15, 1950 ~ William L Griffin, commonly known as R&B, soul, pop, disco singer, guitarist, songwriter, producer Billy Griffin born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Best known as a member of the Miracles, taking over a lead singer for Smokey Robinson in 1972. Present on songs such as Do It Baby, Love Machine, and Don't Cha Love It. Released his Be With Me solo debut album in 1982, spawning the UK top 20 hit Hold Me Tighter In The Rain. Co-produced Take That's 1992 Take That & Party debut album. Griffin has also worked with the likes of Aretha Franklin, the O'Jays, Ronald Isley, Evelyn Champagne King, Martine McCutcheon, and others
August 15, 1950 ~ Pop, indie pop, indie rock guitarist, singer John Porter born ~ About a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, starting with Helicopters released in 1979. About half a dozen albums with his wife singer Anita Lipnicka, of which several reached top 10 in his adopted homeland Poland
August 15, 1948 ~ Rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Tom Johnston, full name Charles Thomas Johnston, born in Visalia, California, USA ~ Best known as on-and-off member of the Doobie Brothers, remaining with the band from 1970 through 1977 and rejoining in 1987. Present on most of the band's best-known including acclaimed albums such as Toulouse Street, The Captain And Me, Stampede, and Takin' It To The Streets. Johnston has also recorded as a solo artist, noted for his 1987 recording Where Are You Tonight used for the soundtrack to the 1987 Dirty Dancing film
August 15, 1946 ~ Songwriter, singer, pianist Jimmy Webb, full name Jimmy Layne Webb, born in Elk City, Oklahoma, USA ~ Best known as a songwriter, responsible for songs such as By The Time I Get To Phoenix (Johnny Rivers, Eddy Arnold, Isaac Hayes), Up Up And Away (the Sunshine Company, Nancy Sinatra, the Supremes), Macarthur Park (Richard Harris, Donna Summer), and Wichita Lineman (Glen Campbell, Tony Joe White, Joe Simon). Others who recorded his songs include Brenda Holloway, Billy Eckstine, the Everly Brothers, the 5th Dimension, Frank Sinatra, Thelma Houston, BJ Thomas, Joe Cocker, Art Garfunkel, Linda Ronstadt, Steve Wariner, and John Denver
August 15, 1945 ~ Guitarist, singer Eddie Phillips, full name Edwin Michael Phillips, born in Leyton, UK ~ Member of the Creation, remaining with the band from 1966 through 1968 and rejoining in later reincarnations. Present on early recordings such as Making Time, Painter Man and Cool Jerk. Also a member of the British Invasion All-Stars
August 15, 1944 ~ Singer, songwriter Pamela Polland, full name Pamela Anna Polland, born in California, USA ~ Member of Gentle Soul which also included a then-unknown Jackson Browne. Had her songs covered by numerous artists including Helen Reddy (Music Music, Linda Ronstadt (I'd Like To Know), the Byrds, Bobby Bare, Anita Carter, Jesse Ed Davis, Son Volt (Tulsa County), Alela Diane (See My Love), and others
August 15, 1942 ~ Drummer Pete York born in Middlesbrough, UK ~ Original member of the Spencer Davis Group, present on some of the band's best-known inlcuding Gimme Some Lovin' and I'm A Man. Formed the duo Hardin & York with Eddie Hardin. Member of short-lived blues band Powerhouse, which also included Eric Clapton. Has also worked with jazz-fusion band Passport, Cousin Joe, Jon Lord, Brian Auger, Cozy Powell, Dave Mattacks, Zak Starkey, Nicko McBrain, Jon Hiseman, Steve Ferrone, and others
August 15, 1941 ~ Donald Eugene Ulrich, commonly known as country guitarist, fiddler Don Rich, born in Olympia, Washington, USA ~ As a member of Buck Owens' backing unit Buckaroos helpful in developing the Bakersfield sound. Present on songs such as Above And Beyond, Foolin' Around, Act Naturally, Love's Gonna Live Here, Waitin' In Your Welfare Line, Think Of Me, Tall Dark Stranger and others, many of which co-written by Rich ~ Ulrich passed away in 1974
August 15, 1941 ~ Free jazz trumpeter Eddie Gale, full name Edward Gale Stevens Jr, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Closely associated with Sun Ra. Also worked with Cecil Taylor, Larry Young, Elvin Jones, John Coltrane, Jackie McLean, Booker Ervin, Illinois Jacquet, the Coup, and others ~ Stevens passed away in 2020
August 15, 1941 ~ Gil Hamilton, commonly known as R&B, soul singer Johnny Thunder, born in Leesburg, Florida, USA ~ Briefly a touring member for the Drifters. Backing singer for Dionne Warwick. Recorded a handful of early 1960s singles under his real name Gil Hamilton, notably Tell Him and Gil Hamilton, both later successfuly covered by respectively the Exciters and Johnny O'Keefe. Best known for his 1963 Loop-de-loop hit single
August 15, 1940 ~ Saxophonist Mark Marush born ~ Member of the Wailers, generally credited as one of the first, if not the first, American garage bands, best known for Tall Cool One, a top 40 hit in 1959 ~ Marush passed away in 2007
August 15, 1939 ~ Singer Norma Waterson, full name Norma Christine Waterson, born in Kingston-upon-Hull, UK ~ Best known as member of 1960s acclaimed traditional folk outfit the Watersons, which also included siblings Mike Waterson and Lal Waterson, cousin John Harrison and later her husband Martin Carthy. Has also recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with the likes of Richard Thompson, Roger Swallow, James Yorkston, Blue Murder, and others ~ Waterson passed away in 2022
August 15, 1935 ~ Actor, singer Jim Dale born in Rothwell, UK ~ Popular 1950s singer. First pop singer to work with producer George Martin. Known for songs such as Be My Girl, Just Born To Be Your Baby, Crazy Dream, and Sugartime. Well-known in the UK for regularly appearing in the Carry On film series. Performed on Broadway in productions of Scapino, Barnum, Candide, and Me And My Girl. Wrote the lyrics to Georgy Girl, a 1966 hit for the Seekers
August 15, 1935 ~ Jazz drummer, surfboard builder, surfer Tom Morey, full name Tom Hugh Morey, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Honed his talent as a drummer and ukelele player from his early youth, working professionally by age 12. Has backed artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Stu Williamson, Bud Shank and Conte Candoli. Best known as a surfboard builder and professional surfer ~ Morey passed away in 2021
August 15, 1934 ~ R&B, funk, soul singer, songwriter Bobby Byrd, full name Bobby Howard Byrd, born in Toccoa, Georgia, USA ~ Best known for his longtime association with James Brown, starting as a member of Famous Flames which Byrd co-founded. Contrary to numerous accounts it was Byrd who launched Brown's career, not the other way around. Previously a member of a number of vocal and gospel groups such as the Avons, the Zioneers and the Gospel Starlighters. Byrd is credited as writer or co-writer on numerous Brown recordings, including I Know You Got Soul and Hot Pants, and worked with Brown from the earliest recordings in the late 1950s throughout the mid 1970s, a short hiatus here and there. As a solo artist Byrd is best remembered for songs such as 1964's Baby Baby Baby and 1965's We Are In Love. Married to Brown's backup singer Vicki Anderson from 1973 until his death ~ Byrd passed away in 2007
August 15, 1933 ~ Country, rockabilly, rock & roll singer, guitarist Bobby Helms, full name Robert Lee Helms, born in Helmsburg, Indiana, USA ~ Best known for his 1957 hit single Jingle Bells Rock, a Holiday favorite to this day. Also reached the higher end of the Billboard Country charts with songs such as Fraulein, My Special Angel, Just A Little Lonesome and Jacqueline ~ Helms passed away in 1997
August 15, 1932 ~ Jazz drummer Bill Dowdy born in Osceola, Arkansas, USA ~ Best known as member of the Three Sounds, alongside Andy Simpkins and Gene Harris. Has worked with artists such as Lester Young, Lou Donaldson, Nat Adderley, Johnny Griffin, Anita O'Day, Sonny Stitt, and others ~ Dowdy passed away in 2017
August 15, 1931 ~ Jazz pianist, vibraphonist Terry Pollard born ~ Worked with Billy Mitchell, Elvin Jones, Johnny Hill, Emmitt Slay, Terry Gibbs, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Nat King Cole, Dinah Washington, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Yusef Lateef, Dorothy Ashby, Don Fagerquist, and others
August 15, 1930 ~ R&B singer, saxophonist Jackie Brenston born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known for his 1951 single Rocket '88, considered by some the first rock & roll song ~ Brenston passed away in 1979
August 15, 1927 ~ Bebop pianist Joe Castro born ~ Played with Teddy Edwards, Billy Higgins, Leroy Vinnegar, Philly Joe Jones, Anita O'Day, June Christy, Chico Hamilton, Red Mitchell, Ed Shonk, Howard Robert, Zoot Sims, Stan Kenton, and others ~ Castro passed away in 2009
August 15, 1925 ~ Singer Bill Pinkney born in Dalzell, South Carolina, USA ~ Original member of the Drifters along with Andrew Thrasher, Gerhart Thrasher, Willie Ferbie and naturally Clyde McPhatter. Sang on early hits such as Money Honey, Honey Love, Adorable, and Ruby Baby. Lead on I Should Have Done Right and Steamboat ~ Pinkney passed away in 2007
August 15, 1925 ~ Jazz bassist George Morrow born in Pasadena, California, USA ~ Best known for his work with Max Roach, Clifford Brown, Sonny Rollins, and with Sonny Stitt. Morrow has also played with Charlie Parker, Sonny Criss, Teddy Edwards, Hampton Hawes, Dexter Gordon, Wardell Gray, Billie Holiday, Sonny Clark, Anita O'Day, Curtis Amy, Earl Anderza, and others ~ Morrow passed away in 1992
August 15, 1925 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Oscar Peterson, full name Oscar Emmanuel Peterson, born in Montreal, Canada ~ Appeared on more than 200 recordings over a six decade career. Child prodigy. Widely seen as one of the greatest jazz pianists of his day. Influenced by Teddy Wilson, Nat King Cole, James P Johnson, Art Tatum, Sergei Rachmaninoff. Worked with Ray Brown, Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis, Sam Jones, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Joe Pass, Irving Ashby, Count Basie, Herbie Hancock, Ed Thigpen, Ben Webster, Clark Terry, Milt Jackson, McCoy Tyner, and others ~ Peterson passed away in 2007
August 15, 1925 ~ Country singer, fiddler, songwriter Rose Maddox, full name Roselea Arbana Maddox, born in Boaz, Alabama, USA ~ Lead singer for sibling outfit the Maddox Brothers. Following the band's disbandement in 1956 ventured out on her own, drawing from hillbilly, rockabilly and gospel, scoring Billboard Country hits throughout the mid-1960s. Well-known songs include Kissing My Pillow, the Buck Owens-duets Mental Cruelty and Loose Talk, and her best known Sing A Little Song Of Heartache released in 1962 ~ Maddox passed away in 1998
August 15, 1924 ~ Singer, songwriter, journalist, advertising executive, author Doris Willens born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of children's folk group the Baby Sitters alongside Alan Arkin and Lee Hays. Wrote the biography Lonesome Traveler (The Life Of Lee Hays), published in 1988, describing Hays' career with pivotal folk groups the Almanac Singers and the Weavers. Authored a number of dramatic and musical pieces for the theatre. Would spend much of her professional life as a journalist and advertising executive, eventually rising to the position of vice president with Doyle Dane Bernbach ad agency ~ Willens passed away in 2021
August 15, 1922 ~ Lukas Fuchs, commonly known as composer, pianist, conductor Lukas Foss, born in Berlin, Germany ~ Described by classmate Leonard Bernstein as an “authentic genius” ~ Foss passed away in 2009
August 15, 1920 ~ Bassist Leonard Gaskin born in New York, New York, USA ~ Early bebop bassist. Leader and sideman. Worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Cootie Williams, Charlie Parker, Don Byas, Eddie South, Charlie Shavers, Erroll Garner, Eddie Condon, Ruby Braff, Bud Freeman, Rex Stewart, Billie Holiday, Stan Getz, JJ Johnson, Miles Davis, Sy Oliver, Panama Francis, the International Art Of Jazz, Illinois Jacquet, Jimmy Scott, Big Maybelle, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, Sunnyland Slim, Red Holloway, Jimmy Witherspoon, Bob Dylan, Willis Jackson, Lightnin' Hopkins, Curtis Jones, Shakey Jake, Mildred Anderson, and others ~ Gaskin passed away in 2009
August 15, 1920 ~ Pullman Gerald Pederson, commonly known as jazz, bib band, classical trombonist, composer Tommy Pederson, born in Minnesota, USA ~ Worked with Gene Krupa, Tommy Dorsey, Nelson Riddle, Doc Severinsen, Frank Sinatra, Georgie Auld, Louie Bellson, Tutti Camarate, Benny Carter, and other ~ Pederson passed away in 1998
August 15, 1911 ~ Blues, R&B singer Buster Brown born in Newton, Georgia, USA ~ Best known for the self-penned Fannie Mae, which topped the R&B charts in 1959. Also co-wrote JT Brown's Doctor Brown, later notably covered by Fleetwood Mac on their 1968 Mr Wonderful album ~ Brown passed away in 1976
August 15, 1909 ~ Easy listening orchestra leader, arranger, composer Hugo Winterhalter born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Active since the mid-1930s. Sideman and arranger for Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Raymond Scott, Claude Thornhill. Conducted for Dinah Shore and Billy Eckstine. Best known for his work at RCA-Victor starting in the 1950s, arranging and conducting on recordings by Perry Como, Harry Belafonte, Eddie Fisher, Jaye P Morgan, the Ames Brothers, and others. Also known for penning the main theme for the 1962 film Diamond Head ~ Winterhalter passed away in 1973
August 15, 1907 ~ Violinist, conductor, composer Joseph Joachim paassed away ~ Widely regarded as one of the foremost violinists of the 19th century. Frequent collaborator of Johannes Brahms ~ Joachim was born in 1831
August 15, 1905 ~ Songwriter, film composer Johnny Lange, full name John George Lange, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Perhaps best known for co-penning Mule Train. The song would be first recorded by Buz Butler and covered by numerous artists including Bing Crosby, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and Gene Autry. Vaughn Monroe's version from the 1950 film Singing Guns would be nominated for an Academy Award but lost out to Mona Lisa as performed by Charlie Spivak in the film Captain Carey USA. Other songs co-written by Lange have been recorded by by Eddy Duchin, Johnny Mercer (I Lost My Sugar In Salt Lake City), Ella Fitzgerald, Dennis Day, Roy Rogers (Blue Shadows On The Trail), Louis Jordan, and the Ink Spots (Somebody Bigger Than You AndI) ~ Lange passed away in 2006
August 15, 1903 ~ Joseph Copeland Garland, commonly known as jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger Joe Garland, born in Norfolk, Virginia, USA ~ Best remembered for penning In The Mood, first recorded by Glenn Miller. Has worked with Elmer Snowden, Joe Steele, Leon Abbey, Jelly Roll Morton, the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, Lucky Millinder, Edgar Hayes, Don Redman, Louis Armstrong, Claude Hopkins, Herbie Fields, Earl Hines, and others ~ Garland passed away in 1977
August 15, 1903 ~ Arthur Hazel, commonly known as jazz drummer Monk Hazel, born in Harvey, Louisiana, USA ~ Active since the late 1910s. Also plays brass, occasionally, especially cornet. Has played with Emmett Hardy, Stalebread Lacombe, Albert Brunies, Tony Parenti, Johnny Wiggs, Gene Austin, Joe Caprano, Lloyd Danton, Sharkey Bonano, George Girard, Mike Lala, Santo Pecora. Has done some recordings as a leader employing sidemen such as Pete Fountain and Al Hirt ~ Hazel passed away in 1968
August 15, 1901 ~ Lyricist, songwriter Ned Washington, full name Edward Michael Washington, born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Nominated for eleven Academy Awards from 1940 to 1962. Won the award twice, in 1940 for Ukulele Ike' s When You Wish Upon A Star co-written with Leigh Harline and included in the film Pinocchio, and in 1952 for Tex Ritter's High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me) co-written with Dimitri Tiomkin and featured in the film High Noon ~ Washington passed away in 1976
August 15, 1898 ~ Songwriter Charles Tobias born in New York, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-writing Comes Love, first recorded by Harry James in 1939 and covered by over 200 artists including Benny Goodman, Jimmy Dorsey, Billie Holiday, and Sam Cooke. Other notable songs co-written by Tobias include Just Another Day Wasted Away (Waiting For You) (the Golden Gate Dance Orchestra), After My Laughter Came Tears (the Harmony Trio), Miss You (Rudy Vallee), I Lost My Gal From Memphis (Roy Evans), The Old Lamp-Lighter (Kay Kyser), and The Wonderful World Of Christmas (Elvis Presley) ~ Tobias passed away in 1970
August 15, 1894 ~ Pianist, songwriter Harry Akst born in New York, New York, USA ~ Started in vaudeville, accompanying artists such as Nora Bayes, Frank Faye, Al Jolson. Would go on to become a respected songwriter for Broadway and Hollywood. Best remembered for co-authoring Dinah with Sam M Lewis and Joe Young, originally recorded by Ethel Waters in 1925 it would also become a hit for the Boswell Sisters, Bing Crosby and the Mills Brothers, the Revelers, and for Fletcher Henderson ~ Akst passed away in 1963
August 15, 1881 ~ Singer, songwriter Ted Snyder, full name Theodore Frank Snyder, was born in Woodland Hills, California, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-writing Sheik Of Araby and Who's Sorry Now. Both songs have become jazz standards recorded by numerous artists, the former recorded by the Regal Male Trio, Tiny Bradshaw, Fats Waller, Jack Teagarden, and others, the latter by Bob Thompson, Milton Brown, Harry James, and perhaps most notably by Connie Francis ~ Snyder passed away in 1965