August 2, 2021 ~ Cellist, conductor, composer Allan Stephenson passed away ~ Cellist with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra for nearly 25 years starting in 1973. Prolific composer with over a 100 works to his name, perhaps best known for writing one act of the three act opera The Mandela Trilogy, depicting the life of Nelson Mandela ~ Stephenson was born in 1949
August 2, 2020 ~ Jazz pianist, conductor, arranger Larry Novak, full name Lawrence R Novak, passed away ~ Leader and sideman. Father of drummer Gary Novak. Worked with Cleveland Eaton, Pearl Bailey, Mel Tormé, Frank Sinatra, Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Carmen McRae, Dizzy Gillespie, Louie Bellson, Herb Ellis, Butch Miles, Rufus Reid, Ray Brown, Carl Fontana, Kenny Burrell, Chick Corea, Al Hirt, Charlie Shavers, Barney Kessel, Scott LaFaro, Sonny Stitt, Terry Gibbs, Buddy DeFranco, Phil Woods, Scott Hamilton, and others ~ Novak was born in 1933
August 2, 2015 ~ Kenneth Alan James Hawker, commonly known as pop singer, songwriter, producer Ken Lewis, passed away ~ Closely associated with John Carter, the duo serving as songwriters and producers for a host of mostly UK artists from the early 1960s through the mid-1970s. Well-known songs penned or co-penned by the duo include That's What I Want (the Marauders), Is It True (Brenda Lee), Funny How Love Can Be (the Ivy League), Can't You Hear My Heartbeat (Herman's Hermits), Peek-a-boo (the New Vaudeville Band), Let's Go To San Francisco (the Flower Pot Men), and Knock Knock Who's There (Mary Hopkin) ~ Hawker was born in 1940
August 2, 2012 ~ Jazz saxophonist, composer Tomasz Szukalski passed away in Plaseczno, Poland ~ Leader and sideman. As sideman best known for his work with Tomasz Stańko, Edward Vesala, and Zbigniew Namyslowski. Also collaborated with Janusz Muniak, Michal Urbaniak, Arild Andersen, Palle Mikkelborg, Terje Rypdal, Antti Hytti, Janusz Stefanski, Pawel Jarzebeski, Józef Skrzek, Jan Patyn Wróblewski, Artur Dutkiewicz, Alain Brunet, Tadeusz Nalepa, Apostolis Anthimos, Janus Skowron, Karin Krog, and others ~ Szukalski was born in 1948
August 2, 2011 ~ Gospel singer Delois Barrett Campbell passed away ~ Started her career while still in high school, joining the renowned the Roberta Martin Singers as lead singer, remaining with the group from the 1940s through the early 1960s and present on key recordings such as Only A Look. Also known as a member of sibling outfit the Barrett Sisters. Singer Roberta Martin guesting on the siblings 1963 Jesus Loves Me debut album ~ Barrett was born in 1926
August 2, 2010 ~ Bassist, singer Mitch Jayne, full name Mitchell Franklin Jayne, passed away in Columbia, Missouri, USA ~ Member of the Dillards. Co-wrote a number of the band's songs nowadays considered bluegrass classics including Dooley, There Is A Time, The Old Home Place and The Whole World Round ~ Jayne was born in 1928
August 2, 2009 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer Billy Lee Riley passed away in Jonesboro, Kansas, USA ~ Rockabilly singer best known for his rendition of Red Hot, named one of the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock & Roll, as well for other lost classics such as Rock With Me Baby and Flying Saucers Rock & Roll. The latter featured labelmate Jerry Lee Lewis on piano. Known for his wild stage antics Riley enjoyed a brief career but feeling underpromoted by his label he left Sun Records in 1960. He would continue to record throughout most of the 1960s and work as a session musician for artists such as Dean Martin, the Beach Boys, Herb Alpert, and Sammy Davis Jr. He would retire from the music business in the early 1970s. Was covered by Robert Gordon and Link Wray in the late 1970s. Was rediscovered in 1992 by Bob Dylan, a fan since 1956, which eventually led to the Grammy-nominated album Hot Damns in 1997 ~ Riley was born in 1933
August 2, 2003 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Paulinho Nogueira passed away ~ With influences ranging from bossa nova to Johann Sebastian Bach Noguiera has well over two dozen albums to his name and is especially acclaimed for his 1994 eponymous Paulinho Noguiera album and Tons E Semitons released in 1997 ~ Noguiera was born in 1929
August 2, 2002 ~ Country songwriter, radio DJ, label executive, producer Joe Allison, full name Joe Marion Allison, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Revered songwriter. Regarded as one of the most influential figures in the rise of modern country music. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Tex Ritter's hit When You Leave Don't Slam The Door, Faron Young's Live Fast Love Hard Die Young, Tommy Sands' Teen-age Crush, and Jim Reeves' He'll Have To Stay. Label executive at Liberty Records, Dot Records, Capitol Records. Has worked, in one capacity or another, with artists such as Willie Nelson, Hank Cochran, Roy Clark, Joe Stampley, Tommy Overstreet, Red Steagall, and others ~ Allison was born in 1924
August 2, 2002 ~ Jazz pianist, singer Roy Kral passed away in Montclair, New Jersey, USA ~ Brother of singer Irene Kral. Best known for forming the duo Jackie & Roy with his wife singer Jackie Cain. The duo had met working with Charlie Ventura in the late 1940s. Shortly after leaving Ventura they married and would record and perform as a duo until Kral's death some five decades later, their music characterised by an unusual yet attractive pairing of harmony vocals ~ Kral was born in 1921
August 2, 1999 ~ Lee Mi-hyung, commonly known as K-pop, hip-hop rapper, singer, songwriter Mark Lee, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Best known as a member of South Korean boy band NCT and several associated acts. Also a member of supergroup SuperM, known for their 2020 Super One debut album
August 2, 1997 ~ Afrobeat, highlife singer, saxophonist, keyboardist, trumpeter, guitarist, percussionist, songwriter Fela Kuti, full name Fela Anikulapo Kuti, passed away in Lagos, Nigeria ~ Regarded as one the most influential musicians to come out of Nigeria. Pioneered Afrobeat, merging traditional Yoruba with funk and jazz. Staunch critic of Nigeria's military junta. Rose to fame with his Africa '70 ensemble in the 1970s, reaching a worldwide audience ~ Kuti was born in 1938
August 2, 1994 ~ Singer, producer, songwriter, arranger Jacob Collier born in North London, UK ~ Gained attention in the early 2010s through his split-screen Youtube videos covering well known pop songs. Released his full-length In My Room debut album in 2016, recorded entirely in a small back room of his family home. Collier is the first British artist to receive Grammy Awards for his first four albums. Has guested on recordings by Snarky Puppy, Becca Stevens, Daniel Caesar and Coldplay, notably on the latter's track Cry Cry Cy co-written by Collier
August 2, 1992 ~ Charlotte Emma Aitchison, commonly known as singer Charli XCX, born in London, UK ~ Rose to fame in 2013 with the Icona Pop collaboration I Love It. Aitchison would go on to become a regular guest vocalist on many R&B, hip-hop hits the coming years notably with Iggy Azalea (Fancy) as well as in-demand songwriter for the likes of Selena Gomez (Same Old Love) and Blondie (Tonight). As a solo artist she debuted in 2013 with the album True Romance, critically well received but charted poorly. Her solo breakthrough came the following year with the single Boom Clap which reached No.6 in the USA
August 2, 1989 ~ Singer, accordionist, songwriter Luiz Gonzaga, full name Luiz Gonzaga Do Nascimento Sr, passed away in Recife, Brazil ~ Regarded as one of the most important figures of the 20th century in Brazilian music. Credited as founder of the balão genre. Hailed as a “revolutionary” by Antônio Carlos Jobim and as “the first significant cultural icon with mass appeal” by Caetano Veloso ~ Gonzaga was born in 1912
August 2, 1984 ~ Brittany Nicole Waddell, commonly known as Christian pop, R&B, hip hop singer, songwriter Britt Nicole, born in Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA ~ Charted primarily as a Christian pop singer active since the mid-2000s. Well-known songs include You, Set The World On Fire, The Lost Get Found, All This Time, and Ready Or Not featuring Lecrae. To mainstream pop audiences known for Gold, a modest 2012 crossover hit
August 2, 1983 ~ Bassist James Jamerson passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Considered one of the most influential bassists in modern music history. Influenced by Ray Brown, Paul Chambers, Percy Heath. Played with Washboard Willie and toured with Jackie Wilson prior to starting at Motown where Jamerson, as a member of house band the Funk Brothers, would appear on an estimated just-about-every Motown recording from 1963 through 1968 including You Can't Hurry Love (the Supremes), My Girl (the Temptations), Shotgun (Junior Walker & the All-Stars), For Once In My Life and I Was Made To Love Her (Stevie Wonder), Going To A Go-Go (the Miracles), Dancing In the Street (Martha & the Vandellas), What's Going On (Marvin Gaye), and Bernadette and Reach Out I'll Be There (the Four Tops) ~ Jamerson was born in 1936
August 2, 1979 ~ Hip-hop, R&B DJ, producer, label executive, singwriter Don Cannon born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for co-founding Atlantic Records imprint Generation Now with Drama, carrying artists such as Lil' Uzi Vert, Jack Harlow and Skeme. As a DJ best known as member of the Aphilliates collective, another team effort with DJ Drama
August 2, 1969 ~ In its eighth week on the charts, Tell All The People by the Doors peaks at No.57 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written by guitarist Robby Krieger, he thought it would be perfect for Jim Morrison to sing. Morrison, however, did not want to be associated with it, due to the negative lyrics, and would since insist on individual writing credits. He did not want anyone to think he wrote it. The single failed to make the top half of the Billboard Hot 100, stalling at No.57
August 2, 1968 ~ Alternative rock, alternative metal, experimental rock drummer John Stanier born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Influenced by John Bonham, Billy Cobham, Bill Bruford, Lenny White, and specifically Neil Peart, citing the latter as his biggest influence. Rose to fame as a member of alternative metal outfit Helmet, with whom he recorded half a dozen albums including the acclaimed Strap It On and Meantime. Stanier remained with the band until its initial disbandement in 1998, and has been a member of Mark Of Cain, Tomahawk, and Battles, and guested on albums by Primer 55, Melissa Auf Der Maur, and Rone
August 2, 1966 ~ Bandleader, bass saxophonist Boyd Raeburn, full name Boyd Albert Raeburn, passed away in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA ~ Has led a number of swing and big band ensembles since the 1930s, which at times included sidemen such as Serge Chaloff, Trummy Young, Lucky Thompson, Buddy DeFranco, and pianist George Handy. Raeburn would make considerable contributions to the development of jazz for a brief period during the mid-1940s, the ensemble noted for its daring and at the time considered avant-garde arrangements by pianist Handy. Reportedly, they were also the first to record the Dizzy Gillespie-classic Night In Tunisia. Raeburn would mostly retire from music by the mid-1950s ~ Raeburn was born in 1913
August 2, 1964 ~ Country, country-pop singer Jim Reeves's body recovered from his plane wreck ~ The bodies of Reeves and his manager Dean Manuel are recovered from his Beechcraft Debonair crashed near Brentwood, TN, in a thunderstorm two days earlier. Reeves had piloted the small aircraft while en route to Nashville on real estate business. Close friends Ernest Tubb and Marty Robbins had joined the intense search party. Thousands would pay their respects at Jim's funeral days two days later
August 2, 1963 ~ Blues, jazz, ragtime, boogie-woogie William Ezell passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Known best for Pitchin' Boogie, Heifer Dust and Barrel House Woman, all seen as classic early boogie-woogie recordings. Has worked with Elzadie Robinson, Charlie Spand, Lucille Bogan, Ora Brown, Bertha Robinson, Blind Roosevelt Graves, Slim Tarpley, and others ~ Ezell was born in 1892
August 2, 1961 ~ Jazz saxophonist, composer David Binney born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Leader and sideman, recording actively since the early 1990s. Known as a member of ensembles such as Lost Tribe, Jagged Sky, Lan Xang. Has also worked with Uri Caine, John Escreet, Alex Sipiagin, Ben Perowsky, Donny McCaslin, Bobby Previte, Cecil McBee, Kenny Wollesen, Lonnie Plaxico, Nate Wood, Miles Okazaki, Nguyên Lê, Dr Anthony Branker, Medeski Martin & Wood, Tim Lefebvre, Wayne Krantz, Afinidad, Simone Graziano Frontal, and others
August 2, 1961 ~ Post-punk, alternative rock drummer, songwriter Pete de Freitas, full name Peter Louis Vincent de Freitas, born in Port Of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago ~ Best known as drummer of Echo & the Bunnymen, present on the band's first five albums and some of the band's best-known singles including the UK top 20 hits The Cutter, Never Stop, The Killing Moon and Seven Seas. De Freitas would rejoin in later years, yet only as a part-time member. Has also worked with the Wild Swans and the Sex Gods. De Freitas passed away in a motorcycle accident at age 27 ~ De Freitas passed away in 1989
August 2, 1960 ~ Alternative rock, post-hardcore singer, actor David Yow, full name David Lambeth Yow, born in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Best known as lead singer for noise rock bands Scratch Acid and subsequently the Jesus Lizard. Yow released his Tonight You Look Like A Spider solo album in 2013. Yow has also guested on recordings by Pigface, the Melvins, Geronimo, Qui, IDLES, and Skating Polly
August 2, 1959 ~ Singer, actress, model, talent manager Apollonia Kotero, full name Patricia Appollonia Kotero, born in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Best known for her association with Prince, notably present on the single Take Me With U. Dated David Lee Roth during the filming of Purple Rain. Replaced lead singer Vanity in the trio Vanity 6 which was renamed to Apollonia 6 for the film, known for their 1984 single Sex Shooter. Released her sole eponymous Apollonia album in 1988, spawning the minor hits Since I Fell For You, Mismatch, and The Same Dream
August 2, 1959 ~ Jonathan Kemp, commonly known as R&B, new jack swing singer Johnny Kemp, born in Nassau, the Bahamas ~ As a singer best known for his 1988 smash hit Just Got Paid. Also worked as a session musician and songwriter, notably for BB&Q Band writing several tracks of their All Night Long album, and for Change co-writing Take You To Heaven from their Sharing Your Love album ~ Kemp passed away in 2015
August 2, 1957 ~ Neill Kirby McMillan Jr, commonly known as rockabilly, cowpunk, psychobilly singer Mojo Nixon, born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA ~ Teamed up with Skid Roper in the 1980s, the duo releasing about half a dozen albums through the end of the decade. They are perhaps best known for Elvis Is Everywhere off their 1987 Bo-Day-Shus album, the single becoming an alternative staple on MTV. Nixon released his Otis solo debut album in 1990 and recorded throughout the mid-2000s before retiring from music. McMillan has also collaborated with Jello Biafra, Dave Alvin, and Country Dick Montana, and acted in about half a dozen films including portraying the role of drummer Jimmy Van Eaton in the Jerry Lee Lewis biopic Great Balls Of Fire ~ McMillan passed away in 2024
August 2, 1956 ~ R&B singer, guitarist, trumpeter, songwriter Gregg Martinez, full name Gregory John Martinez, born in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA ~ Influenced by Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Johnny Adams. Well over half a dozen albums as a solo artist. Initially primarily a Christian artist, yet would turn to secular music by the mid-1990s. Also well-known for his association with the Boogie Kings
August 2, 1956 ~ Singer Isabel Pantoja, full name Maria Isabel Pantoja Martin, born in Seville, Spain ~ Actively performing since childhood. Recording since her teens, initially focusing on copla venturing into pop by the 1980s. Well known songs include El Pajaro Verde, Garlochi, El Senorito, En La Niebla, Nada, and others
August 2, 1955 ~ Drummer, percussionist Jimmy Lowe born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Original member of country-rock outfit the Pirates Of The Mississippi, with whom he recorded five albums until the band's initial disbandement in 1996. Comprised of Nashville session musicians, the band are best known for their eponymous Pirates Of The Mississippi debut album, which spawned the Billboard Country top 30 hits Honky Tonk Blues, Feed Jake, and Speak Of The Devil, all of which also did well in Canada. The single Til I'm Holding You Again off their Walk The Plank sophomore album also did well. Despite failing to score further significant hits, the band remained a concert draw and recorded three more albums before disbanding
August 2, 1953 ~ Singer, guitarist Donnie Munro born in Uig, UK ~ Best known as lead singer of Runrig. Much of his work is in Scottish Gaelic. Left Runrig in 1997 to pursue a career in politics, running for elections twice but wasn't elected. Munro has been releasing solo albums since the late 1990, starting with On The West Side
August 2, 1951 ~ Pop, pop rock, soft rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter Andrew Gold, full name Andrew Maurice Gold, born in Burbank, California, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for a number of 1970s hits, notably Lonely Boy, Thank You For Being A Friend and Never Let Her Slip Away. Formed the duo Wax with Graham Gouldman. Has also worked with Bryndle, Linda Ronstadt, Cher, and Vince Gill ~ Gold passed away in 2011
August 2, 1951 ~ Hard rock, pop rock, heavy metal, glam metal singer Joe Lynn Turner born in Hackensack, New Jersey, USA ~ Influenced by Frank Sinatra, Enrico Caruso, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and Free. Member of Fandango, with whom he recorded four albums during the 1970s. After the band's disbandement, Turner joined Rainbow appearing on some of the band's best known including the hits I Surrender, Can't Happen Here, and Stone Cold. When the band folded in 1984, Turner issued his first solo album, Rescue You, before enjoying a brief spell with Deep Purple to resume his solo career thereafter. From the mid-1980s onward Turner has also been a regular backing singer, appearing on recordings by Michael Bolton, Cher, Bonfire, Bonnie Tyler, Paul Carrack, Billy Joel, Lita Ford, and Bloodline
August 2, 1950 ~ Guitarist Ted Turner born in Sheldon, UK ~ Best known as guitarist of Wishbone Ash. Also played with King Biscuit, John Lennon (Imagine, Crippled Inside, How Do You Sleep), the World Man Band, Stewart Copeland, Gene October, Brian James, Greg Cook, Brian Auger, Rod Stewart, and others
August 2, 1948 ~ Pop, pop rock singer, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Andy Fairweather Low born in Cardiff, UK ~ Co-founding member of 1960s pop outfit Amen Corner, known for hits such as Bend Me Shape Me, If Paradise Is Half As Nice and Hello Susie. Would go on to work with Roy Wood, Leo Sayer, Fair Weather, Gerry Rafferty, Helen Watson, the Who, Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, the Gaddabouts, Willie & the Poor Boys, and the Lemonheads
August 2, 1947 ~ Bassist, songwriter Aldo Stellita, full name Aldo Salvatore Stelita, born in Campobella di Mazara, Italy ~ Co-founded Matia Bazar, which also included Piero Cassano, Antonella Ruggiero, Giancarlo Golzi and Carlo Marrale, known for songs such as Ma Perché, Solo Tu, Stasera Che Sera, Mister Mandarino, and perhaps their best known Tio Sento ~ Stellita passed away in 1998
August 2, 1947 ~ Maria de los Angeles Felisa Santamaria Espinosa, commonly known as pop singer, actress Massiel, born in Madrid, Spain ~ Internationally best known for winning the 1968 Eurovision Songfestival for Spain with La La La written by Manuel de la Calva and Ramón Arcusa. The British entry, Cliff Richard's Congratulations, would reach second place
August 2, 1946 ~ R&B, pop singer Mary Thomas born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Member of girl group the Crystals, present on the band's 1962 Twist Uptown debut album which spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hits There's No Other Like My Baby and Uptown. Thomas was not present on subsequent recordings
August 2, 1946 ~ Bassist, pianist, producer, engineer Ralph Burns Kellogg born ~ Also known under the alias Ethan James. Member of Blue Cheer. Member of Mint Tattoo. Engineered or produced albums by Black Flag, the Bangles, the Rain Parade, Dos, and notably engineered the Minutemen's acclaimed Double Nickels On The Dime album ~ Kellog passed away in 2003
August 2, 1944 ~ Nicola James Capaldi, commonly known as rock, progressive rock, soft rock singer, percussionist, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Jim Capaldi, born in Evesham, UK ~ Best known for co-founding Traffic, co-writing the majority of the band material with bandmate Steve Winwood. Co-wrote Love Will Keep Us Alive, recorded by the Eagles on their 1994 Hell Freezes Over album. As a solo artist best known for songs such as It's All Up To You and Love Hurts, the latter a UK top 10 hit in 1974. An in-demand collaborator, Capaldi has also worked with Deep Feeling, the Hellions, Eric Clapton, Hawkwind's Robert Calvert, Carlos Santana, George Harrison, and Paul Weller ~ Capaldi passed away in 2005
August 2, 1944 ~ Pianist, organist Mark Naftalin born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ First gained attention as a member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, appearing on the band's first four albums including the acclaimed eponymous The Paul Butterfield Blues Band debut album and its equally praised follow-up East-West. Following his tenure with Paul Butterfield, Naftalin would go on to become an in-demand sideman and collaborator, known for his elegant, understated keyboard accompaniment, appearing on over a hundred albums including recordings by Nick Gravenites, Quicksilver Messenger Service (What About Me), Brewer & Shipley, John Lee Hooker, Van Morrison (St Dominics Preview), the New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Andy Fairweather Low (Low Spider Jiving), Bill Wyman (Monkey Grip), Michael d'Abo, Otis Rush (Right Place Wrong Time), David Soul, the Rubinoos, Percy Mayfield, and Guy Davis. Naftalin is also known for hosting the long-running weekly radio show Blues Power Radio on San Francisco's KALW-FM station, producing several festivals including the Marin County Blues Festival for some two decades and the Monterey Jazz Festival for most of the 1980s, and as founder of the Winner Records label. Naftalin has continued to perform as a solo artist, mostly in the San Francisco area, often with longtime associate slide guitar virtuoso Ron Thompson
August 2, 1944 ~ Juvenal de Holanda Vasconcelos, commonly known as percussionist, singer Naná Vasconcelos, born in Recife, Brazil ~ One of the premier Brazilian percussionists, pivotal in changing the direction of Brazilian jazz in the post-bossa nova era. About two dozen albums as a leader, especially acclaimed for Saudades released in 1979. Formed the world fusion trio Codona with Don Cherry and Collin Walcott, with whom he released three albums at the turn of the 1980s. An in-demand collaborator for a wide array of Latin and international jazz artists, as well as occassionally backing pop and rock artists, Vasconcelos has appeared on albums by Luiz Bonfá, Os Mutantes, Gato Barbieri (Fenix), Milton Nascimento (Milagre Dos Peixes), Herb Alpert, Jon Hassell, Joachim Kühn, Sérgio Mendes, Terumasa Hino, BB King, Chaka Khan, Jan Garbarek, Pat Metheny, Bob Moses, Michael Franks, Pino Daniele, Talking Heads (Little Creatures), Ginger Baker (Horses & Trees), Paul Simon, Teena Marie, David Sanborn, John Zorn, Brian Eno, Aztec Camera (Dreamland), Arto Lindsay, Egberto Gismonti, and Caetano Veloso ~ Vasconcelos passed away in 2016
August 2, 1943 ~ Singer Kathy Lennon, full name Kathleen Mary Lennon, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of sibling outfit the Lennon Sisters, known for songs such as Among My Souvenirs, Moon River, Scarlet Ribbons, Tonight You Belong To Me and Sad Movies Make Me Cry
August 2, 1942 ~ Jazz trumpeter, composer Carl Saunders born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Worked with Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, Bill Holman, Clare Fischer, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé, Paul Anka, Tony Bennett, Robert Goulet, Si Zentner, Harry James, Maynard Ferguson, Benny Goodman, Dan Terry, Charlie Barnet, Supersax, Dave Pell, and others
August 2, 1941 ~ Jazz, big band, easy listening trumpeter Bob Lanese born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Active since the early 1960s, first gaining serious attention as a member of the house band at the Alpine Village, a popular nightclub in his native Cleveland, Ohio. Following a European tour with the Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1971, then under the direction of Buddy DeFranco, Lanese would become enamored with the city of Hamburg and relocate to Germany, where he became an in-demand trumpeter and flugelhornist. Best known as a longtime member of James Last's orchestra, serving as the ensemble's lead trumpeter for some three decades starting in 1972. Lanese has also worked with several other German bandleaders, including Kai Warner, Frank Valdor, Max Greger, and Bert Kaempfert, and sporadically recorded as a leader. To pop audiences, Lanese is perhaps best known for his trumpet playing on the 2000 Sing When You're Winning album by Robbie Williams ~ Lanese passed away in 2024
August 2, 1941 ~ R&B, pop, soul singer Doris Coley born in Pasaic, New Jersey, USA ~ Co-founded the Shirelles with schoolmates Addie Harris, Beverly Lee, and Shirley Owens. The girl group enjoyed popularity especially during the first half of the 1960s with songs such Tonight's The Night, Mama Said, Baby It's You, Soldier Boy, and Foolish Little Girl. Their best known, 1962's Will You Love Me Tomorrow, would be the first single by any black girl group to top the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Coley usually sang backing vocals, yet did sing lead on Dedicated To The One I Love, one of their biggest sellers, peaking at No.2 Billboard R&B, No.3 Billboard Hot 100. Coley left the group in 1968, only to return in 1975 after the departure of lead singer Owens ~ Coley passed away in 2000
August 2, 1937 ~ Organist, keyboardist, saxophonist, accordionist Garth Hudson, full name Eric Garth Hudson, born in Windsor, Canada ~ Member of the Band, known for songs such as The Weight and The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down. In-demand session musician. Cited as influence by Elton John. Released his The Sea To The North solo debut album in 2001
August 2, 1936 ~ Conductor, pianist, arranger, composer André Gagnon born in Saint-Pacôme, Canada ~ Known for fusing classical music with pop and disco influences. Acclaimed for the albums Neiges, Movements, Le Saint-Laurent and Piano. Composed the opera Nelligan, premiered in 1990. Also known as a film composer, films such as Phobia, The Hot Touch and notably The Pianist to his credit ~ Gagnon passed away in 2020
August 2, 1936 ~ Composer, music critic, musicologist Anthony Payne born in London, UK ~ Best known for completing Edward Elgar's unfinished Third Symphony. Praised as a prolific composer in his own right, having written orchestral and choral works and specifically chamber music. Well-known compositions include First Sight Of Her And After, Visions, and Journeys ~ Payne passed away in 2023
August 2, 1935 ~ Garland Perry Cochran, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter Hank Cochran, born in Isola, Mississippi, USA ~ Though a formidable singer in his own right, best known for his 1962 single Sally Was A Good Old Girl, Cochran is best remembered as a songwriter perhaps most noted for writing or co-writing country classics such as I Fall To Pieces and She's Got You, both first recorded by Patsy Cline, and Make The World Go Away, first recorded by Ray Price. Others who recorded his songs include Patti Page, Willie Nelson (Undo The Right), Burl Ives, Bobby Bare, George Jones (Don't You Ever Get Tired (Of Hurting Me)), Johnny Paycheck (A-11), Connie Smith, Lefty Frizzell, Eddy Arnold (I Want To Go With You), Waylon Jennings (I'm A Long Way From Home), Tammy Wynette (Don't Touch Me), Elvis Presley, Porter Wagoner, Merle Haggard (It's Not Love (But It's Not Bad)), George Strait (The Chair), Keith Whitley (Would These Arms Be In The Way), Vern Gosdin, Gene Watson, Lee Ann Womack, and Mark Chesnutt ~ Cochran passed away in 2010
August 2, 1932 ~ Conductor, arranger Donald Hunsberger, full name Donald Ross Hunsberger, born in Souderton, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for his association with the Eastman Wind Ensemble, serving as the group's conductor from 1965, succeeding Clyde Roller, through 2002. During his tenure with the ensemble, Hunsberger conducted numerous recordings including notably with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, and helped establish the principles of the wind ensemble concept. Hunsberger is also known for arranging transciptions of orchestral music for concert band, including works by Dmitri Shostakovich, Claudio S Grafulla, Aram Khachaturian, and John Williams' Star Wars film score ~ Hunsberger passed away in 2023
August 2, 1930 ~ Jazz drummer Eddie Locke born ~ Leader and sideman. Member of Bop & Locke alongside drummer Oliver Jackson. Also worked with Dick Wellstood, Tony Parenti, Red Allen, Willie The Lion Smith, Teddy Wilson, Jo Jones, Roy Eldridge, Coleman Hawkins, Tommy Flanagan, Major Holley, Ray Bryant, Kenny Burrell, Lee Konitz, and others ~ Locke passed away in 2009
August 2, 1929 ~ Jazz trombonist, composer, arranger Roy Crimmins born in London, UK ~ Worked with Mick Mulligan, the Philharmonia Orchestra, Ray Premru, Don Lusher, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Archie Semple, Alex Welsh, Freddy Randall, Harry Gold, Lennie Hastings, Pee Wee Russell, Wild Bill Davison, Bob Wilber, and others ~ Crimmins passed away in 2014
August 2, 1923 ~ Classical, jazz, rock cellist Donald Whitton, full name Donald Richard Whitton, born in Ontario, Canada ~ To classical audiences best known for his association with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, serving with the ensemble from 1948 through 1960, and the CBC Radio Orchestra. To pop, rock audiences well known as a member of Lighthouse, remembered most for the One Fine Morning hit single of their 1971 album of the same name ~ Whitton passed away in 2018
August 2, 1922 ~ George Walker Nicholas, commonly known as jazz saxophonist, singer Big Nick Nicholas, born in Lansing, Michigan, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Influenced by Coleman Hawkins. Influential on John Coltrane who included his tribute, Big Nick, on the 1962 album DUke Ellington & John Coltrane. Nicholas has worked with Hank Jones, Thad Jones, Earl Hines, Tiny Bradshaw, Sabby Lewis, JC Heard, Lucky Millinder, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus, Sarah Vaughan, Bennie Green, Buck Clayton, and Illinois Jacquet ~ Nicholas passed away in 1997
August 2, 1907 ~ Operatic mezzo-soprano singer Anne Wood born in Crawley, UK ~ Member of the BBC Singers during the 1930s. Co-founding member of the English Opera Group, also serving as its general managers. Formed the Opera Studio with Joan Cross, the first school in the UK to train opera singers. The institution would go through several name changes, and eventually would be known as the London Opera Centre ~ Wood passed away in 1998
August 2, 1900 ~ Helen Riggins, commonly known as actress, singer Helen Morgan, born in Danville, Illinois, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity as a torch singer from the 1920s onwards. Starred as Julie LaVerne in the original 1927 Broadway production of Show Boat as well as several reprises and film adaptations ~ Morgan passed away in 1941