August 15, 2024 ~ Guitarist Joe Chambers passed away ~ Member of psychedelic soul band the Chamber Brothers, known for incorporating elements of traditional gospel and blues, psychedelica and rock into soul. The band, which also includes his siblings bassist George Chambers and harmonica player Lester Chambers, has recorded half a dozen albums and is best known for their 1968 eleven-minute single Time Has Come Today, which reached No.11 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Chambers was born in 1942
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, and Cradle Of Filth ~ Grimmett was born in 1959
August 15, 2016 ~ Vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson passed away in Montara, California, USA ~ Influence on later vibraphonists including Steve Nelson, Joe Locke, Stefon Harris. Over three dozen albums as leader or co-leader, especially acclaimed for a string of mid-1960s releases including Stick Up, Components and Oblique. Member of the SF Jazz Collective. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Les McCann, Eric Dolphy (Iron Man), Jackie McLean, Andrew Hill, Grant Green (Idle Moments), Joe Henderson (Mode For Joe), John Handy, Lee Morgan (The Procrastinator), McCoy Tyner, Stanley Cowell (Brilliant Circles), Prince Lasha, Donald Byrd, Dexter Gordon, Roy Haynes, Pharoah Sanders (Rejoice), Woody Shaw, and Lou Rawls ~ 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 ~ Jazz violinist John Blake Jr, full name John Edward Blake Jr, passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ First gained attention in the early-1970s working with Archie Shepp, appearing on the acclaimed albums Attica Blues and The Cry Of My People. Recorded about half a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, noted especially for his Rhythm And Blu album released in 1986 which also included fellow violinists Didier Lockwood and Michal Urbaniak. A prolific sideman, veering between R&B and post-bop, Blake has also guested on albums by Norman Connors, Grover Washington Jr (Reed Seed), McCoy Tyner (Horizon), Carmen McRae, James Newton, Cecil McBee (Flying Out), Muhal Richard Abrams, Avery Sharpe, Steve Turre (Fire And Ice), Gerald Veasley, Phyllis Hyman (One On One), Tyrone Brown, and Gilberto Santa Rosa. Blake's son, jazz drummer Johnathan Blake, would also become a professional musician ~ Blake was born in 1947
August 15, 2012 ~ Flutist, composer Altamiro Carrilho, full name Altamiro Aquino Carrilho, passed away in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Has recorded over a hundred albums since the mid-1950s. Considered one of the most virtuosic and influential choro flutists of all time, Carrilho was known in both the classical music world and popular music scene praies for inserting classical excerpts into choro and vice versa. Over the course of his lengthy career, spanning some six decades, Carrilho has accompanied artists such as Orlando Silva, Vicente Celestino, Elizeth Cardoso, Moreira da Silva, Caetano Veloso, and Chico Buarque ~ Carrilho was born in 1924
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, and Ruth Brown ~ Wexler was born in 1917
August 15, 2000 ~ Morris Joseph Lazar, commonly known as traditional pop, swing, 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 Farrelle Cozart, commonly known as rapper Chief Keef, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Broke through at a mere age 16 with the single I Don't Like, remixed by Kanye West. Would go to be regarded as a highly influential figure in contemporary hip-hop, noted for his musical style and gangster image. Artists influenced by Cozart include 21 Savage, Lil' Uzi Vert, XXXTentacion, Juice WRLD, Doja Cat, and Billie Eilish
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, 1995 ~ Singer Michael Jackson releases You Are Not Alone, lifted off his HIStory (Past Present & Future Book I) album ~ After hearing R Kelly's Bump 'n Grind hit song, Jackson's reached out to Kelly's management asking Kelly to write him a song. The resulting You Are Not Alone, written, co-produced and featuring Kelly, became Jackson's 13th Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit and the final one issued during his lifetime. The song would also go down in chart history as the first song ever to debut atop the American pop charts, a feat acknowledged by the Guinness Book of Records. Kelly would later comment: “I actually imitated Michael when I sent him my first copy. He was laughing at me because I was imitating him”
August 15, 1990 ~ Michael Tucker, commonly known as electropop producer BloodPop, born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Studied jazz guitar in school. Known for his sleek multi-layered production for the likes of Grimes, Madonna, Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, Fifth Harmony, and notably Lady Gaga, producing the latter's Joanne and Chromatica albums as well as the track Hold My Hand used for the 2022 Top Gun Maverick feature film which earned BloodPop a Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. Tucker has also remixed tracks for artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, Ellie Goulding, and Major Lazer
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, and Waka Flocka Flame
August 15, 1990 ~ Lewis Calvin DeWitt Jr, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter Lew DeWitt, passed away in Waynesboro, Virginia, USA ~ Founding member of the Statler Brothers, with whom he recorded some two dozen albums including the highly acclaimed Bed Of Rose's, Holy Bible (Old Testament), Holy Bible (New Testament), and Short Stories. DeWitt 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, succeeded by Jimmy Fortune. After his departure from the band, DeWitt has issued two solo albums, Here To Stay and On My Own, the latter spawning the minor hit You'll Never Know ~ DeWitt was born in 1938
August 15, 1990 ~ Jazz bassist, 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 ~ Rock band Aerosmith release their Love In An Elevator single ~ Written by Joe Perry and Steven Tyler, produced by Bruce Fairbarn. Released as the lead single off their 1989 Pump album, it would reach No.5 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the band's fourth top 10 hit after Dream On, Walk This Way, and Angel. According to Tyler, the song was based on an actual experience where he was making out with a woman in an elevator and the doors opened. Tyler said that “it felt like a lifetime waiting for those doors to close.”
August 15, 1989 ~ Carlos Roberto Pena Vega, commonly known as singer, actor Carlos Pena Jr, born in Columbia, Missouri, USA ~ While still in high school, Pena first gained serious attention performing the lead role in the Nickelodeon series Big Time Rush and as a singer in the accompanying boy band Big Time Rush, with whom he recorded four albums since 2009. The band is best known for the non-album track Dale Pa'ya released in 2022. Pena has since sporadically recorded as a solo singer, scoring a minor hit with Electrico in 2014, and has regularly appeared in films and TV series
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 Burnin' Up and Tonight, both of which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100 in 2008. After the band folded, Jonas formed the funk-pop outfit DNCE, best known for the 2015 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Cake By The Ocean. Later reuniting, the siblings would score Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit with Sucker in 2019
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, 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, 1976 ~ Clarinetist Albert Burbank passed away ~ Student of Lorenzo Tio. Worked with Kid Milton, Paul Barbarin, Kid Ory, Herb Morand, Kid Clayton, Percy Humphrey, and Jimmy Archey ~ 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, 1972 ~ Singer Michael Graham, full name Michael Christopher Charles Graham, born in Rahemy, Ireland ~ Rose to fame as member of 1990s boy band Boyzone, one of the all-time best-selling boy bands with over 25 million records sold. They are known especially for songs such as Love Me For A Reason, Key To My Life, Father And Son, Words, Isn't It A Wonder, Baby Can I Hold You, All That I Need, I Love The Way You Love Me, You Needed Me and Every Day I Love You, all of which reached top 10 in both the UK and their native Ireland. After three albums, all of which reached the top spot in the UK, the band disbanded in 2000, reuniting some half a dozen years later. Graham has also recorded as a solo artist, his 2001 album Meet Me Halfway spawning the hit You're My Angel, and has ventured into acting
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. Best known for his sole Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit, 1959's Tragedy produced by Elvis Presley-guitarist Scotty Moore reaching the No.5 spot, released under the moniker Thomas Wayne with the DeLons. Perkins has also worked as a sound engineer before passing away at age 31 in a car crash ~ Perkins was born in 1940
August 15, 1969 ~ Guitarist, producer, singer Justin Broadrick, full name Justin Karl Michael Broadrick, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of Godflesh, one of the first bands to infuse extreme metal with elements of industrial music. The band is acclaimed for albums such as Love And Hate In Dub, Us And Them, and Hymns. Following their initial disbandement in the early-2000s, Broadrick formed Jesu, further expanding his sound to include influences from pop, rock, and electronica. Broadrick has also recorded with Napalm Death, Techno Animal, Ice, Blood Of Heroes, and prolifically as a solo artist. Parallel to his career as a singer, Broadrick has served as producer and remixer for a wide range of acts including in electronic music and hip hop
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 teamed up with bandmate bassist Andy Lewis in the Whitlams, with whom he recorded the albums Introducing The Whitlams and Undeniably The Whitlams, until his untimely death at age 32 of an apparent suicide ~ Hayes passed away in 1996
August 15, 1961 ~ Luiz José da Costa, commonly known as sertanejo singer Leandro, born in Goianápolis, Brazil ~ Formed the sibling duo Leandro & Leonardo with his brother Leonardo. Coming from a poor background the duo would relentlessly play bars while holding day jobs. After self-releasing their first two albums, the brothers would first gain attention with their 1989 Leandro & Leonardo Vol.3 album. By the early-1990s the brothers would have their own weekly TV show, aired nationally, and sell million of records. The siblings have sold over 17 million records, their 1990 Leandro & Leonardo Vol.3 album marked as the all-time best-selling Brazilian sertanejo album. Following Leandro's death of cancer at age 36, Leonardo continued to record as a solo artist starting with the album Tempo released in 1999 ~ Da Costa passed away in 1998
August 15, 1961 ~ Vaudeville singer Morton Harvey passed away in Los Gatos, USA ~ Best known for I Didn't Raise My Boy To Be A Soldier, which became a hit in 1915 as the majority of the Americans wanted the United States to stay out of World War I. Shortly thereafter, however, the USA joined the war effort and the antiwar song fell out of favor, the changing sentiment now regarding it as unpatriotic ~ Harvey was born ca.1886
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, and Jerry Lee Lewis ~ 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 version 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 ~ Pop rock, folk rock, country rock guitarist, singer Brendan Croker born in Bradford, UK ~ Close to a dozen albums to his name since the mid-1980s, either fronting the 5 O'Clock Shadows or as a solo artist. Especially 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 and known for their sole 1990 Missing (Presumed Having A Good Time) album. In-demand session guitarist and collaborator, present on recordings by the Mekons, Tanita Tikaram (Ancient Heart), Rory Block (Ain't I A Woman), Sally Timms, Kevin Coyne, Chet Atkins, and Guy Fletcher ~ Croker passed away in 2023
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 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, and Boyz II Men. 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, and the San Diego Symphony
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, and Martine McCutcheon
August 15, 1950 ~ Drummer Tommy Aldridge born in Jackson, Mississippi, USA ~ One of the most respected drummers in hard rock, self-taught and known for his double bass drum set-up. Influenced by Joe Morello, Ginger Baker, John Bonham, Mitch Mitchell, Louie Bellson, and Sam Woodyard. Member of Black Oak Arkansas from 1972 through 1976, first appearing on the If An Angel Came To See You (Would You Make Her Feel At Home) album. Member of the Pat Travers Band from 1978 through 1981, with whom he recorded five albums. Backed Gary Moore, including on the 1983 Dirty Fingers album. Has also worked with Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Manic Eden, Motörhead, the House Of Lords, Yngwie Malmsteen, John Sykes, and Whitesnake
August 15, 1948 ~ Bertram McLean, commonly known as reggae bassist, guitarist Bertram Ranchie McLean, born ~ Noted Jamaican studio, session musician active from the 1970s through the 1990s. Released an occasional solo recording from time to time, most notably the single Toy. Wrote Rub-a-dub Partner, recorded by Jimmy Cliff. Has also worked with Ansel Collins, Lloyd Parks, Sly Dunbar, the Impact All-Stars, the Revolutionaries, Skin Flesh & Bone, Earth & Stone, Culture, the Clarendonians, the GG All-Stars, Sadao Watanabe, Burning Spear, I-Roy, and the Meditations ~ McLean passed away in 2012
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, 1946 ~ Percussionist, songwriter Yves Lacomblez, full name Yves Maurice Lacomblez, born in Elsene, Belgium ~ Member of Two Man Sound, actually a trio with Lou Deprijck and Sylvain Vanholme merging Latin rhythms with disco. The band is known for their 1975 million-seller Charlie Brown, written and recorded by Benito di Paula the previous year, and Disco Samba. Laclombez also co-wrote the 1978 pastiche Ça Plane Pour Moi with Deprijck for the latter's Plastic Bertrand outfit. Originally a B-side the single would be re-released with sides flipped, reach top 10 across Europe and later be covered by dozens of artists including Sonic Youth, Leila K, and the Presidents of the United States. Laclombez has also recorded as a solo artist under the moniker Pipou
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, 1945 ~ Actress, singer Jill Haworth, full name Valerie Jill Haworth, born in Hove, UK ~ Popular actress for film and TV from the late-1950s forward. To musical audiences perhaps best known for starring in the 1966 Broadway musical Cabaret, portraying the role of Sally Bowles ~ Haworth passed away in 2011
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), and Alela Diane (See My Love)
August 15, 1942 ~ Pop, bubblegum pop singer Patience McIntyre, full name Patience Ann McIntyre, born ~ Formed the duo Patience & Prudence with her sister Prudence McIntyre. Daughters of orchestra leader Mark McIntyre, they scored two hits in 1956, Gonna Get Along Without Ya Now and Tonight You Belong To Me. Both singles would reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100, both would reach top 20 UK. The siblings continued to record through 1964 but were unable to repeat their earlier surprise succes. Later the duo explained their succes was “just an accident” and the siblings, both in their early teens back when they hit the charts, never intended to become performers
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, and Steve Ferrone
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, and Tall Dark Stranger, many of which were co-written by Rich ~ Ulrich passed away in 1974
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 Move And Groove, both later successfuly covered by respectively the Exciters and Johnny O'Keefe. Best known for his 1963 Loop-de-loop hit single
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, and Blue Murder ~ Waterson passed away in 2022
August 15, 1938 ~ Bluegrass guitarist, banjoist Ben Eldridge born in Richmond, Virginia, USA ~ Influenced by Bill Keith and Bill Emerson. Longest-serving member of the Seldom Scene, with whom he remained for over four decades from the early-1970s until his retirement in 2016. Considered one of the prime bluegrass, newgrass groups, they have infused traditional bluegrass with elements of rock, pop, and jazz, performing their own originals, bluegrass standards, and covers of rock classics. The band have recorded some two dozen albums, and are especialy acclaimed for Act 3 released in 1973. Eldridge has also guested on solo outings by bandmates Mike Auldridge and Phil Rosenthal, as well as on recordings by Tony Rice, Bryan Bowers, John Starling, Linda Ronstadt, and Cliff Waldron. Eldridge's son is progressive bluegrass guitarist and singer Chris Eldridge of the Punch Brothers ~ Eldridge passed away in 2024
August 15, 1938 ~ Bassist, songwriter, producer Brad Shapiro, full name Bradley Aaron Shapiro, born ~ Got his start in music in the late-1950s, playing bass guitar in a local Miami band the Redcoats, which also included lead singer Steve Alaimo, known for the regional hit I Want You To Love Me. When the band folded, Alaimo pursued a solo singing career. However, in later years the pair would regularly team up to write and produce for others. Shapiro's first notable credit as a songwriter came in the mid-1960s, co-writing I Can't See Him Again for the Twans. Through the end of the decade Shapiro, often teaming up with Alaimo, would write songs for Betty Wright, notably Watch Out Love, Blowfly, and JP Robinson. Shapiro is especially known for co-producing the eponymous The J Geils Band debut album for the J Geils Band in 1970, and co-writing Don't Knock My Love for Wilson Pickett the following year, which became a Billboard R&B No.1 hit. Shapiro has subsequently written for artists such as Jackie Moore, Johnny Adams, Sam & Dave, Bettye LaVette, and Millie Jackson
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 ukulele 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, 1933 ~ Folk singer Mike Seeger born in New York, New York, USA ~ Son of singer, folklorist Charles Seeger, half-brother of singer Pete Seeger. Plays a variety of instruments, including banjo, fiddle, dulcimer, guitar, mandolin, dobro, and pan pipes. Co-founded old-time string band the New Lost City Ramblers in 1958 with John Cohen and Tom Paley. Has also recorded prolifically as a solo artist, notably Solo Old Time Music released in 1962, and with the Strange Creek Singers ~ Seeger passed away in 2009
August 15, 1931 ~ Jazz pianist, vibraphonist Terry Pollard born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ 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, and Don Fagerquist ~ Pollard 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, and Earl Anderza ~ 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, and McCoy Tyner ~ 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, 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, and Mildred Anderson ~ Gaskin passed away in 2009
August 15, 1909 ~ Easy listening orchestra leader, 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, and the Ames Brothers. Winterhalter is also known for penning the main theme for the 1962 film Diamond Head ~ Winterhalter passed away in 1973
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 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, and Earl Hines ~ 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, Abbie 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, Frank Farrell, Rosemary Squires), After My Laughter Came Tears (the Harmony Trio, Johnnie Ray, Ray Charles), Miss You (Rudy Vallée, Bing Crosby, Bill Haley), I Lost My Gal From Memphis (Roy Evans, Billy Cotton, Tex Williams), The Old Lamp-Lighter (Kay Kyser, Hal McIntyre, Mac Wiseman), and The Wonderful World Of Christmas (Robert Goulet, 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, and Jack Teagarden, the latter by Bob Thompson, Milton Brown, Harry James, and perhaps most notably by Connie Francis ~ Snyder passed away in 1965