August 19, 2022 ~ Jazz, pop, classical pianist Warren Bernhardt, full name Warren Brooks Bernhardt, passed away ~ OVer a dozen albums as a leader. First gained attention in the early 1960s working with Paul Winter. Would go on to work with George Benson, Gerry Mulligan, Jeremy Steig. Member of Steps Ahead. Briefly musical director for Steely Dan in the mid-1990s, present on the band's 1995 Alive In America album. Backed Simon & Garfunkel on their 2003 reunion tour. Has also worked with Kenny Burrell, Tim Hardin, Mike Mainieri, Pat Martino, Don McLean, Art Farmer, White Elephant. and others ~ Bernhardt was born in 1938
August 19, 2021 ~ Ian Harshman, commonly known as house, electro DJ, producer Ian Carey, passed away ~ Known for his self-produced Rise and Get Shaky, the latter a 2008 club hit reaching double Platinum in Australia and Gold status in the UK and New Zealand ~ Harshman was born in 1975
August 19, 2020 ~ Peter Yellow, commonly known as dancehall DJ Purpleman, passed away in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Deejayed with King Jammy. Debuted as a solo artist in 1982 with the album Purpleman. Has worked with U-Roy, Cornell Campbell, Fathead, Sister Nancy, Papa Tollo, and others ~ Yellow was born ca.1962
August 19, 2020 ~ Blues rock, jam rock drummer Todd Nance passed away in Athens, Georgia, USA ~ Co-founding member of Widespread Panic, remaining with the band through 2016. Member of offshoot project Brute. Nance also co-founded supergroup Barbara Cue. Has also guested with acts such as Bloodkin and the Dyrty Byrds ~ Nance was born in 1962
August 19, 2019 ~ Blues-rock, rock & roll, rock bassist, guitarist Larry Taylor, full name Samuel Lawrence Taylor, passed away in Lake Balboa, California, USA ~ Baby brother of the Ventures' drummer Mel Taylor. Worked with Canned Heat, the Monkees, Jerry Lee Lewis, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Harvey Mandel, Tom Waits, Sunnyland Slim, Albert King, Leo Kottke, Don Sugarcane Harris, Chuck E Weiss, the Blasters, Rod Piazza, John Lee Hooker (The Healer), Kristen Vigard, Keith Levene, John Hammond Jr, Terry Evans, JJ Cale, Randy Resnick, Charlie Musselwhite, Kim Wilson, Cesar Rosas, Candye Kane, Kid Ramos, Dale Hawkins, Kelly Joe Phelps, Tracy Chapman, Colin Linden, Solomon Burke, Buddy Guy, and others ~ Taylor was born in 1942
August 19, 2017 ~ Beatrice Ruth Wain, commonly known as singer Bea Wain passed away in Beverly Hills, California, USA ~ Big band era singer who recorded with Artie Shaw, Fred Waring, and Ted Straetter. Wain enjoyed her biggest commercial succes with Larry Clinton's Orchestra in the late 1930. Notably is the 1938 rendition of My Reverie, a swing adaptation of Claude Debussy's Reverie with added pop vocals which occupied the No.1 spot for eight weeks on what was then called the Billboard Record Buying Guide. After her recording career Wain and her husband hosted a radio show called Mr & Mrs Music. After 1939 Wain would only sporadically record and sing, focusing on her radio work instead ~ Wain was born in 1917
August 19, 2015 ~ Mamadou Ndiaye, commonly known as drummer, bandleader, composer Doudou Ndiaye Rose, passed away ~ Master of the sabar, the traditional Senegalese drum. One of the first to bring Senegalese traditional music to a global audience. Has collaborated with Josephine Baker, Miles Davis, the Rolling Stones, Peter Gabriel, Kodo, Bill Bruford ~ Ndiaye was born in 1930
August 19, 2013 ~ Cedar Anthony Walton Jr, commonly known as hard bop pianist, composer Cedar Walton, passed away in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Revered pianist who composed several jazz standards including Mosaic, Bolivia, and Fantasy In D. Walton cited Nat King Cole, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, and Art Tatum as major influences. Walton played with artists such as Leo Wright, Don Ellis, Eddie Harris, Art Blakey, Kenny Dorham, JJ Johnson, Gigi Gryce, the Jazztet (led by Benny Golson and Art Farmer), Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, Sonny Criss, Pat Martino, Eric Kloss, Charles McPherson, Abbey Lincoln, Lee Morgan, Etta James, and others ~ Walton was born in 1934
August 19, 2013 ~ R&B, soul, jazz singer, songwriter Donna Hightower, full name Donna Lubertah Hightower, passed away in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Known for songs such as I Ain't In The Mood, Hands Off, This World Today Is A Mess and If You Hold My Hand. Worked with Louis Jordan, BB King, Johnny Mathis, Della Reese, and others ~ Hightower was born in 1926
August 19, 2012 ~ Saxophonist, keyboardist Greg Ham passed away in Carlton, Australia ~ Longtime Men At Work member, from 1979 through 1985, forming the band's core alongside Colin Hay. Sang lead on songs such as Helpless Automation and I Like To. Noted for the sax solo on Who Can It Be Now ~ Ham was born in 1953
August 19, 2010 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Michael Been, full name Michael Kenneth Been, passed away in Hasselt, Belgium ~ Member of Aorta, Lovecraft, Fine Wine, and the Original Haze. Best known as lead singer of 1980s rock band the Call, known for I Still Believe (Great Design) and Let The Day Begin. Father of the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club frontman Robert Levon Been ~ Been was born in 1950
August 19, 2008 ~ Saxophonist Leroi Moore, full name Leroi Holloway Moore, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Dave Matthews Band. Arranged a considerable amount of the band's material. Co-wrote Too Much and Wasting Time. Also worked with John d'Earth, Secrets, Samantha Farrell, and with Code Magenta which also included Dawn Thompson and Greg Howard ~ Moore was born in 1961
August 19, 2006 ~ Roots reggae singer, songwriter Joseph Hill passed away in Berlin, Germany ~ As a solo artist known for Behold The Land and Take Me Girl. Founded and fronted Culture, known for songs such as Two Sevens Clash, Stop Fussing And Fighting and International Herb. Also worked with the Soul Defenders, Glen Washington, C35, the Stepping Stone, and others ~ Hill was born in 1949
August 19, 2001 ~ Gospel-tinged soul singer Betty Everett passed away in Beloit, Wisconsin, USA ~ Best known for recording the original versions of You're No Good and The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss), notably covered by respectively Linda Ronstadt and Cher. Other well-known songs include There'll Come A Time, It's Been A Long Time and the Jerry Butler-duets Smile and Let It Be Me ~ Everett was born in 1939
August 19, 1997 ~ Ray Cline, commonly known as bluegrass fiddler Curly Ray Cline, passed away ~ Formed the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers with his cousin Ezra Cline and brother Ned Cline. Also worked with Jimmy Martin, the Sunny Mountain Boys, Bobby Osborne, the Stanley Brothers, Hobo Jack Adkins and extensively with Ralph Stanley as a member of Stanley's backing unit the Clinch Mountain Boys. Has released over a dozen solo albums, starting with Fiddle in 1969 ~ Cline was born in 1923
August 19, 1994 ~ Rapper, DJ, model Chynna Rogers, full name Chynna Marie Rogers, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Influenced by Fall Out Boy, Panic At The Disco, Paramore. Closely associated with A$AP Mob. As a solo artist known for a handful of mid-2010s EP's and singles, notably 2013's Selfie and 2014's Glen Coco ~ Rogers passed away in 2020
August 19, 1989 ~ Percy Romeo Miller Jr, rapper, commonly known as Lil' Romeo, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Son of hip-hop/rap mogul Master P
August 19, 1988 ~ Steven Adam Markowitz, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter Hoodie Allen, born in Plainview, New York, USA ~ Released his full-length People Keep Talking debut album in 2014. The album included his best-known, All About It featuring Ed Sheeran. Has also collaborated with Chiddy, Kinna Grannis, Travis Garland, and others
August 19, 1986 ~ Singer, songwriter Christina Perri, full name Christina Judith Perri, born in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Had her debut single Jar Of Hearts featured on the TV series So You Think You Can Dance in 2010. It led to a record deal with Atlantic Records, the debut EP The Ocean Way Sessions released by the end of the year. Her full-length debut album, 2011's Lovestrong would reach platinum status
August 19, 1985 ~ Jazz double bassist Cedric Wallace passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Reggie Johnson, Jimmie Lunceford, Fats Waller, Una Mae Carlisle, Maxine Sullivan, Champion Jack Dupree, Pat Flowers, Gene Sedric, Dean Martin, Eddie Gibbs, and others ~ Wallace was born in 1909
August 19, 1983 ~ Melissa Morgan Higgins, commonly known as pop, rock, indie singer, pianist, guitarist, songwriter Missy Higgins, born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Cites Patty Griffin, Ron Sexsmith, Rufus Wainwright, Paul Kelly, Sarah McLachlan as influences. Released her debut single, Scar, in 2004 to critical acclaim and commercial success. Released a full-length debut album, The Sound Of White, later the same year and has recorded steadily since. Also known for songs such as Steer, Where I Stood and Everyone's Waiting
August 19, 1981 ~ Actress, dancer, singer Jessie Matthews, full name Jessie Margaret Matthews, passed away in London, UK ~ Dubbed “the Dancing Divinity”, known for a string of British hit stage musicals and films in the mid-1930s. Her studio was reluctant to let their biggest star go, repeatedly rejecting Hollywood offers ~ Matthews was born in 1907
August 19, 1980 ~ Pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Darius Campbell-Danesh born in Glasgow, UK ~ First gained attention as a contestant on the talent contest Popstars in 2001, reaching the finals and then turning down the record deal. His Colourblind debut single would reach No.1 in the UK. Has released two full-length albums consisting mostly of self-penned material, Dive In in 2002 and Live Twice in 2004. Ventured into musicals, performing in the productions of Chicago and Guys And Dolls, and later into opera, starting with winning the talent contest Popstar To Operastar in 2010 ~ Campbell-Danesh passed away in 2022
August 19, 1979 ~ Guitarist Dorsey Burnette passed away in Canoga Park, California, USA ~ Father of Fleetwood Mac guitarist Billy Burnette. Member of the Johnny Burnette Trio, alongside his younger brother Johnny Burnette and Paul Burlison, known for a number of classic and influential 1950s rockabilly recordings including Train Kept A-Rollin'. Dorsey would reemerge in the 1970s as a born-again Christian releasing several modestly successful country singles such as In The Spring The Roses Always Turn Red, Molly I Ain't Getting Any Younger and Things I Treasure ~ Burnette was born in 1932
August 19, 1973 ~ Milton Aubrey Moore, commonly known as tenor saxophonist, bandleader Brew Moore, passed away in Copenhagen, Denmark ~ Moore recorded as a leader starting in 1948, Brew Moore & his Playboys, and played as a sideman with Machito, Claude Thornhill, Kai Winding, Stan Getz, George Wallington, and others. Moore left New York in 1953, relocated to the West Coast and dropped out of the scene by the end of the 1950s. He would later resurface in Denmark where he would continue to perform for the rest of his life teaming up with artists such as Kenny Drew, Sahib Shihab, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, and Alex Riel ~ Moore was born in 1924
August 19, 1970 ~ Hardcore punk, heavy metal, punk rock drummer Anthony Tiny Biuso born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Member of TSOL, the Dickies, Hed PE. Also worked with MC Ren, Dizzy Reed, Anthony Gallo, Gina Schock, Moby, Laura Dawn, Willie Basse, and others
August 19, 1970 ~ Rock bassist, guitarist, singer Arjan Pronk born in Luttenberg, the Netherlands ~ Frontman and eponym of Pronk. Has also worked with Bökkers, the Prodigal Sons and with 16Down
August 19, 1969 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Clay Walker, full name Ernest Clayton Walker Jr, was born in Beaumont, Texas, USA ~ Has charted over 30 singles on the Billboard Country charts since releasing his eponymous Clay Walker debut album in 1993, including the No.1 hits Live Until I Die, Dreaming With My Eyes Open, This Woman And This Man and Rumor Has It
August 19, 1969 ~ Nathaniele Dawayne Hale,, commonly known as singer Nate Dogg born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA ~ Member of the hip-ho trio 213, alongside Snoop Dogg and Warren G. Best known for duetting with Warren on Regulate, a hit in 1994. Also worked with Dr Dre (The Chronic), 50 Cent, Eve, Thug Life, Kurupt, Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch, Shade Heist, Fabolous, Shaquille O'Neal, Jermaine Dupri, WC, Mark Ronson, Memphis Bleek, Tupac Shakur, Eminem, Don Diablo, and others ~ Hale passd away in 2011
August 19, 1968 ~ Clarinetist, arranger Bill Stegmeyer passed away ~ Worked with Austin Wylie, Glenn Miller, Bob Crosby, Billy Butterfield, Yank Lawson, the Lawson-Haggart Band, Bobby Hackett, Will Bradley, Billie Holiday, Bob Haggart, Jimmy McPartland, Ruby Braff, and others ~ Stegmeyer was born in 1916
August 19, 1968 ~ Rock drummer, percussionist Jeff Burrows, full name Jeffrey John Burrows, born in Windsor, Canada ~ Influenced by jazz drummers such Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa and Max Roach, Gene Krupa, Max Roach, and rock drummers such as Rush's Neal Peart and the Police's Stewart Copeland. Member of Canadian rock outfit Tea Party, known for songs such as Temptation, Psychopomp, Heaven Coming Down and The Messenger. Also worked with Crash Karma
August 19, 1967 ~ Songwriter Jimmy Campbell, full name James Alexander Campbell-Tyrie, passed away in London, UK ~ Frequent songwriting, music publishing partner of Reg Connelly, the pair at times publishing or writing music under the common moniker Irving King. The pair wrote or co-wrote a number of oft-covered 1920, 1930s songs including Show Me The Way To Go Home (the New Princes Toronto Band, the California Ramblers, Julie London), If I Had You (the Piccadilly Players, Ben Selvin, Art Tatum), Goodnight Sweetheart (the New Mayfair Dance Orchestra, Ruth Etting, Dean Martin, the Flamingos, Connie Francis), By The Fireside (Buddy Campbell, Vera Lynn, Jo Stafford), Try A Little Tenderness (Jack Payne, Frank Sinatra, Jackie Wilson, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding), and Just An Echo In The Valley (Bing Crosby, Ray Noble, Rudy Vallee) ~ Campbell was born in 1903
August 19, 1966 ~ Country, neo-traditionalist country, country-pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Lee Ann Womack born in Jacksonville, Texas, USA ~ Best known for her 2000 crossover hit I Hope You Dance. Debuted in 1997 with the eponymous Lee Ann Womack album which reached Platinum status and spawned the Billboard Country top 10 singles The Fool and You've Got To Talk To Me. Has recorded to critical acclaim and commercial succes since. Has collaborated with Willie Nelson, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Vince Gill, Asleep At The Wheel, Rhett Akins, George Strait, Dolly Parton, Gene Watson, Joe Nichols, Alan Jackson, Randy Houser, Martina McBride, Rodney Crowell, Don Henley, John Prine, and others
August 19, 1964 ~ Singer Richard Herrey born ~ Member of sibling outfit Herrey's, known for winning the 1984 Eurovision Songfestival representing Sweden with the song Diggi-loo Diggi-ley
August 19, 1963 ~ Rolf Magnus Joakim Larsson, commonly known as glam metal, rock, pop rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, violinist Joey Tempest, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Fronted Europe, best known for hits such as Rock The Night, The Final Countdown, Cherokee and Superstitious. Released his solo debute album, A Place To Call Home, in 1995
August 19, 1962 ~ Gypsy jazz guitarist Angelo Debarre born in St Denis, France ~ Leader and sideman. Active since the mid-1980s. Has woriked with Florin Niculescu, Tim Kliphuis, Bratsch, Thomas Dutronc, the Hot Club de Norvege, Romane, Jimmy Rosenberg, and others
August 19, 1959 ~ William Samuel McTier, commonly known as blues slide guitarist Blind Willie McTell, passed away in Milledgeville, Georgia, USA ~ Recorded only very little yet had a profound influence on artists such as Taj Mahal, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Chris Smither, the White Stripes and the Allman Brothers Band, the latter notably covering McTell's Statesboro Blues ~ McTell was born in 1898
August 19, 1959 ~ Heavy metal singer Steve Grimmett born in Swindon, UK ~ 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 passed away in 2022
August 19, 1957 ~ Contemporary Christian singer, guitarist, songwriter Gary Chapman born in Waurika, Oklahoma, USA ~ Penned My Father's Eyes, recorded by Amy Grant. Penned Finally, a hit for TG Sheppard
August 19, 1954 ~ Jazz trumpeter, arranger, composer Tim Hagans born in Dayton, Ohio, USA ~ Influenced by Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and by Thad Jones. Worked with Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Dexter Gordon, Kenny Drew, Horace Parlan, Maria Schneider, the Yellowjackets, Steps Ahead, the Secret Society, Gary Peacock, Bob Belden, Randy Brecker, Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman, Peter Erskine, Rufus Reid, Marc Copland, Ernie Wilkins, Bob Mintzer, Maria Schneider, Steve Slagle, Vic Juris, Mark Masters, Andy Laverne, Ron McClure, Jon Gordon, John Fedchock, Orange Then Blue, Judi Silvano, Roseanna Vitro, Steve Rochinski, Kenny Burrell, Gordon Brisker, Charles Pillow, Don Braden, Jarmo Savolainen, Joey Calderazzo, Hal Galper, Jim Nolet, Rodney Jones, Don Sebesky, Nils Landgren, Scott Kinsey, Charles Blenzig, Grachan Moncur III, Magos Herrera, and others
August 19, 1953 ~ Richard Dennis, commonly known as blues harpist, singer Lynwood Slim, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Jimmy Reed, Little Walter, and by Big Walter Horton. Worked with Junior Watson, Larry Taylor, Fred Kaplan, Richard Innes, and others ~ Duran passed away in 2014
August 19, 1953 ~ Jazz drummer, arranger, composer Tiny Kahn passed away ~ Worked with Boyd Raeburn, Georgie Auld, Chubby Jackson, Charlie Barnet, Elliot Lawrence, Red Rodney, Serge Chaloff, Lester Young, Al Cohn, and with Stan Getz ~ Kahn was born ca.1923
August 19, 1953 ~ Delta blues pianist Willie Love passed away in Jackson, Mississippi, USA ~ Influenced by pianist Leroy Carr. Best known for his 1951 recording Everybody's Gone Fishing. Worked with Sonny Boy Williamson II, Charley Booker, Oliver Sain, Elmore James, Joe Willie Wilkins, Little Milton, TJ Green, Junior Blackman, Eddie Shaw, and others ~ Love was born in 1906
August 19, 1952 ~ Pianist, organist, bassist Bruce Katz born ~ Has been releasing solo records since the early 1990s. Also worked with Big Mama Thornton, Barrence Whitfield, Ronnie Earl, Delbert McClinton, Duke Robillard, Joe Louis Walker, Debbie Davies, David Fathead Newman, John Hammond Jr, Gregg Allman, Butch Trucks, Randy Ciarlante, Jimmy Bennett, Marty Ballou, Peter Bennett, and others
August 19, 1952 ~ Country singer, songwriter Don Schlitz born in Durham, North Carolina, USA ~ Perhaps best known for writing The Gambler, a 1978 crossover hit for Kenny Rogers. Others who recorded songs written or co-written by Schlitz include Alabama, Mark Chesnutt, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Kathy Mattea, the Bellamy Brothers, Sara Evans, Michael Johnson, Randy Travis (Forever And Ever Amen), Lorrie Morgan, the Judds, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Keith Whitley (When You Say Nothing At All), the Kendalls, Loretta Lynn, Collin Raye, Reba McEntire (One Promise Too Late), George Strait, Ty Herndon, John Conlee, Pam Tillis, Restless Heart, the Oak Ridge Boys, Lee Ann Womack (Why They Call It Falling), the Forester Sisters, and others
August 19, 1951 ~ Rock bassist John Deacon, full name John Richard Deacon, born in Leicester, UK ~ Bass guitarist of Queen. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as You're My Best Friend, Another One Bites The Dust, I Want To Break Free, Under Pressure, Friends Will Be Friends and One Vision
August 19, 1950 ~ R&B, soul, funk singer James Burke born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Member of sibling outfit the Five Stairsteps, known for You Waited Too Long, Something's Missing and perhaps their best known the 1970 Billboard top 10 hit O-o-h Child
August 19, 1949 ~ Experimental composer Dave Smith born in Salisbury, UK ~ Member of the Scratch Orchestra. Member of the People's Liberation Music. Has also worked with Michael Parsons, Howard Skempton, Gavin Bryars, the English Gamelan Orchestra, and others
August 19, 1948 ~ Jazz guitarist Ron Escheté, full name Ronald Patrick Escheté, born in Houma, Louisiana, USA ~ Influenced by Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, Howard Robert. Leader and sideman. Worked with Ray Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson, Diana Krall, Dave Pike, Ernestine Anderson, Joey DeFrancesco, the Four Freshmen, Warne Marsh, Jack McDuff, Don Rader, Charlie Shoemake, Andy Simpkins, Keely Smith, and others
August 19, 1947 ~ Progressive rock keyboardist Alan Gowen born in North Hampstead, UK ~ Important figure in Canterbury scene. Best known for founding Gilgamesh in 1973 and founding National Health in 1975, departing the latter in 1977 but briefly returning for their 1978 eponymous National Health debut album. Has also worked with Assagai, Sunship, Soft Heap, and others. Gowen passed away of leukaemia at age 33 ~ Gowen passed away in 1981
August 19, 1947 ~ Pioneering ragtime, early jazz bandleader, composer Earl Fuller, full name Earl Bunn Fuller, passed away in Morrow, Ohio, USA ~ Discovered Ted Lewis and Teddy Brown. Worked with the Novelty Orchestra, Sig Behrendson, Willie Creager, Ben Selvin, Joe Kayser, Joseph Samuels, Ted Weems, and others ~ Fuller was born in 1885
August 19, 1947 ~ Symphony conductor, trumpeter Gerard Schwarz born in Weehawken, New Jersey, USA ~ Closely associated with the Seattle Symphony with whom he made over 100 recordings including works composed by Walter Piston, Howard Hanson and Alan Hovhaness
August 19, 1944 ~ Edward Garvin Futch, commonly known as country singer, songwriter Eddy Raven born ~ Enjoyed his biggest popularity from the mid to late 1980s. Draws from country, country pop, Cajun, reggae. Has written for Don Gibson, Randy Cornor, Jeannie C Riley, Connie Smith, the Oak Ridge Boys. As a singer best known for I Got Mexico, Shine Shine Shine, I'm Gonna Get You, Joe Knows How To Live, In A Letter To You and Bayou Boys, all of which topped the Billboard Country charts
August 19, 1943 ~ William Howard Ashton, commonly known as Merseybeat, pop singer Billy J Kramer, born in Bootle, UK ~ Fronted Billy J Kramer & the Dakotas, managed by the Beatles-manager Brian Epstein. Scored a string of early 1960's UK hits with Do You Want To Know A Secret, Bad To Me and I'll Keep You Satisfied, all penned by John Lennon & Paul McCartney
August 19, 1943 ~ Donald Arhur Maughn, commonly known as pop singer Don Fardon, born in Coventry, UK ~ Best known for his 1968 rendition of Indian Reservation and his 1970 single Belfast Boy, the latter a tribute to soccer player George Best
August 19, 1943 ~ Pianist, songwriter Edwin Hawkins born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Led the Edwin Hawkins Singers, best known for their 1968 song Oh Happy Day and for backing Melanie on her 1970 hit Lay Down Candles In The Rain ~ Hawkins passed away in 2018
August 19, 1940 ~ Rock & roll, R&B, soul, pop drummer Bob Kuban born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Drummer, bandleader of Bob Kuban & the In-Men, known for the 1966 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit Look Out For The Cheater. Considered a one-hit wonder the band would actually subsequently chart two more singles, The Teaser and a cover of the Beatles-song Drive My Car but these would stall in the bottom end of the charts
August 19, 1940 ~ Traditional pop, reggae, vocal jazz singer Johnny Nash. full name John Lester Nash Jr, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ One of the first non-Jamaican artists to record in Jamaica. Best known for I Can See Clearly Now, a Billboard No.1 hit in 1972. Other well known songs include Let's Move And Groove, the Sam Cooke-cover Wonderful World, Let's Go Dancing, and others ~ Nash passed away in 2020
August 19, 1939 ~ Drummer Ginger Baker born in Lewisham, UK ~ Regarded by some as rock's first superstar drummer, especially for his role in the short-lived but quintessential 1960s trio Cream alongside bassist Jack Bruce and guitarist Eric Clapton. Drew from jazz and African rhythms. Has also worked with Blues Incorporated, the Graham Bond Organisation, Blind Faith, and others. Also noted for founding and fronting Ginger Baker's Air Force in the 1970s. Would go on to become an in-demand collaborator in rock, world music and jazz, working with acts such as Fela Kuti, Atomic Rooster, Hawkwind, Masters Of Reality, Bill Laswell, Charlie Haden, Bill Frisell, and others ~ Baker passed away in 2019
August 19, 1937 ~ Contemporary classical, jazz trombonist, conductor, composer William Motzing, full name William Edward Motzing Jr, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ As a trombonist has worked with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Kai Winding, Jon Eardley, Gerry Mulligan, Bill Russo, Sal Salvador, and others through the early 1970s. Would find his greatest fame after relocating to Australia, becoming an in-demand film and TV composer with over 30 soundtracks to his name including Newsfront, Young Einstein and The Quiet American. Arranger and conductor on a number of Australian hits including Peter Allen's I Still Call Australia Home, Sherbet's Howzat, INXS' The Swing, and Billy Field's Bad Habits ~ Motzing passed away in 2014
August 19, 1935 ~ Soul blues, electric blues singer, drummer Earl Gaines born in Decatur, Alabama, USA ~ Sang lead vocals on Louis Brooks & his Hi-toppers' It's Love Baby (24 Hours A Day). As a solo artist less successful, scoring only minor hits with songs such as The Best Of Luck To You and Hymn Number 5 ~ Gaines passed away in 2009
August 19, 1935 ~ Jazz bassist Pat Senatore born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known for his association with Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass from 1964 through 1968. Also worked with Stan Kenton, Cedar Walton, Billy Childs, Paul Hanson, Billy Higgins, and others
August 19, 1933 ~ Jazz, folk accordionist, saxophonist Asmund Bjørken born in Verdal, Norway ~ Leader and sideman. Has worked with Karl Holst, Kjell Johansen, Bjørn Alterhaug, Ove Bjørken, Rolf Skogstad, Egil Kapstad, Rowland Greenberg, Erling Aksdal, and others ~ Bjørken passed away in 2018
August 19, 1929 ~ Jazz trumpeter Chris Kelly passed away ~ Early contributor to the New Orleans jazz scene. Best known as a regular collaborator of clarinetist George Lewis throughout the 1920s ~ Kelly was born ca.1890
August 19, 1928 ~ Singer, actor Lars Lönndahl, full name Lars Gunnar Lönndahl, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Dubbed “the Swedish Frank Sinatra” scoring well over a dozen No.1 hits in his native country through the late 1960s including Tangokavaljeren, That's Amore, Cindy Mon Cindy, Tulpaner Från Amsterdam, Volare (I Det Blå), Midnattstango, and Tusen Och En Natt ~ Lönndahl passed away in 2022
August 19, 1923 ~ Jazz, swing, stride pianist, composer Dill Jones, full name Dillwyn Owen Paton Jones, born in Newcastle Emlyn, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Influenced by Fats Waller and Bix Beiderbecke. Has worked with Harry Parry, Vic Lewis, Gene Krupa, Jimmy McPartland, Yank Lawson, Budd Johnson, Oliver Jackson, Bill Pemberton, Eubie Blake, Claude Hopkins, Kenny Davern, and others ~ Jones passed away in 1984
August 19, 1919 ~ Drummer, percussionist Alodipu Adeoya Campbell, commonly known as Ambrose Campbell born in Lagos, Nigeria ~ Hailed by Fela Kuti. Formed the first English black band the West African Rhythm Brothers. Also worked with Ronnie Scott, Tubby Hayes, Phil Seamen, Harry Beckett, Willy Roachford, Adam Fiberesima, Ade Bashorun, Denny Cordell, Leon Russell, Willie Nelson, and others ~ Campbell passed away in 2006
August 19, 1918 ~ Jazz pianist, singer, composer Jimmy Rowles born in Spokane, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Lester Young, Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Les Brown, Tommy Dorsey, Tony Bennett, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Nelson Riddle, Diana Krall, Jeri Brown, Pepper Adams, Louie Bellson, Bob Brookmeyer, Hoagy Carmichael, Benny Carter, Nat King Cole (notably on Cole's final studio LP, the 1965 release L-O-V-E), Harry Sweets Edison, Jimmy Giuffre, Billie Holiday, Lee Konitz, Barney Kessel, Julie London, Herbie Mann, Buddy Rich, Pete Rugolo, Bud Shank, Zoot Sims, Sonny Stitt, Buster Williams, Gerald Wilson, Joe Pass, Henry Mancini, and others ~ Rowles passed away in 1996
August 19, 1908 ~ Jazz bassist Al Morgan, full name Albert Morgan, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Worked with the Young Morgan Band, Cab Calloway, Fats Waller, Jack Teagarden, T-Bone Walker, Fate Marable, Sidney Desvigne, Cecil Scott, Otto Hardwick, Louis Armstrong, Les Hite, Zutty Singleton, Louis Jordan, Sabby Lewis, Buddy Banks, Chu Berry, Coleman Hawkins, Don Byas, Jay McShann, Red Allen, and others ~ Morgan passed away in 1974
August 19, 1908 ~ Miko Stephanovic, commonly known as bandleader, multi-instrumentalist Lyle Murphy, born in Berlin, Germany ~ Studied clarinet, saxophone and trumpet. Started as saxophonist and arranger in the 1920s and 1930s working for artists such as Jimmy Joy, Ross Gorman, Slim Lamar, Austin Wylie, Jan Garber, Mal Hallett, and Joe Haymes. Also known as an educator and author having written over two dozen books on various topics in music ~ Stephanovic passed away in 2005
August 19, 1908 ~ Jazz drummer Manzie Johnson born in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Willie Gant, June Clark, Elmer Snowden, Joe Steele, Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, James P Johnson, Horace Henderson, Red Allen, Benny Morton, Willie Bryant, Lil' Armstrong, Harry White, Mezz Mezzrow, Sidney Bechet, Garvin Bushell, Happy Caldwell, and others ~ Johnson passed away in 1971
August 19, 1908 ~ Mike Stefanovic, commonly known as jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, trumpeter, bandleader, arranger Spud Murphy, born in Berlin, Germany ~ Worked with Jimmy Joy, Ross Gorman, Slim Lamar, Austin Wylie, Jan Garber, Mal Hallett, Joe Haymes, Benny Goodman, the Casa Loma Orchestra, Isham Jones, Les Brown, and others ~ Stefanovic passed away in 2005
August 19, 1906 ~ Folk singer, guitarist, songwriter George S Davis born in La Follette, Tennessee, USA ~ Dubbed “the Singing Miner” for his day job as a coal miner. Known for pro union, laborer's songs including Buggerman In The Bushes, Coal Miner's Boogie and When Kentucky Had No Union Men. Claimed the Merle Travis hit and country standard Sixteen Tons was based on his composition Nine-to-ten Tons, though there is no evidence supporting this claim ~ Davis passed away in 1992
August 19, 1889 ~ Pianist, orchestra leader, songwriter, arranger Dave Peyton born ~ Worked with Wilbur Sweatman, Charlie Allen, George Mitchell, Bob Shoffner, Reuben Reeves, Kid Ory, Bud Scott, Jasper Taylor, Jimmy Bertrand, Baby Dodds, Preston Jackson, Darnell Howard, Jerome Don Pasquall, Lee Collins, and others ~ Peyton passed away in 1955
August 19, 1881 ~ Violinist, pianist, conductor, composer George Enescu born in Liveni-Varnav, Romania ~ Child prodigy. Regarded as one of the all-time greatest Romanian musicians. Known for works such as Poema Romana, Romanian Rhapsodies, and the opera Oedipe ~ Enescu passed away in 1955