August 24, 2021 ~ Rock, jazz, blues drummer Charlie Watts, full name Charles Robert Watts, passed away in London, UK ~ Influenced by jazz musicians such as Max Roach, Chico Hamilton, Jelly Roll Morton, Charlie Parker. Best known as member of the Rolling Stones, joining the band in 1963 and appearing on all the band's albums until his death. In-demand collaborator and leader in a number of mostly jazz-focused side projects, notably Rocket 88, the ABCD Of Boogie-Woogie and Willie & the Poor Boys ~ Watts was born in 1941
August 24, 2021 ~ Pop keyboardist, singer, songwriter Fritz McIntyre passed away ~ Co-founding member, keyboardist of Simply Red from 1985 through 1995, leaving the band after the completion of the Life album. Co-wrote a vast amount of the band's material, sang lead on Wonderland. Has recorded as a solo artist since leaving the band, including the Christian worship album First Fruits, but would fail to reach the same level of succes ~ McIntyre was born in 1958
August 24, 2021 ~ Jazz pianist, arranger John Sheridan passed away ~ Best known as a member of the Jim Cullum Jazz Band. Also worked with John Allred, Bob Barnard, Dan Barrett, Evan Christopher, John Cocuzzi, Wild Bill Davison, Chuck Hedges, Allan Vache, and others ~ Sheridan was born in 1946
August 24, 2020 ~ Anthony George Chalk, commonly known as keyboardist, singer, producer Tony Colton passed away ~ Member of Heads Hands & Feet, known for a handful of early 1970s album starting with their eponymous Heads Hands & Feet debut album released in 1971. The band has served as opening act for Deep Purple in early 1971. Colton and bandmate Ray Smith also co-wrote and co-produced for artists such as Richard Harris and Shirley Bassey, and notably wrote and performed the soundtrack for the 1970 BBC documentary The World Of Georgie Best ~ Chalk was born in 1942
August 24, 2018 ~ Producer James Mallinson passed away ~ First classical producer to be awarded a Grammy Award for Producer of the Year in the Classical category, recording several Johannes Brahms symphonies with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1980. Best known for his association wqith the London Symphony Orchestra, producing over 60 of the ensemble's recordings starting in 2000 ~ Mallinson was born ca.1943
August 24, 2017 ~ Fitzroy Marshall, commonly known as ska, rocksteady, reggae singer Larry Marshall, passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Half of Larry & Alvin, the other half being Alvin Leslie, known for songs such as Nanny Goat. As a solo artist debuted in 1973 with the album Presenting Larry Marshall and known for songs such as A Promise Is A Comfort To A Fool, I've Got Another Girl, and Please Stay. Worked with Philip Yaz, Coxsone Dodd, Prince Buster, Enid Cumberland, Burning Spear, King Tubby, and others ~ Marshall was born in 1941
August 24, 2017 ~ Bluegrass banjoist, songwriter, publisher Pete Kuykendall passed away in Warrenton, Virginia, USA ~ Co-founded Bluegrass Unlimited in 1966 becoming its main editor in 1970. Instrumental in the formation of the International Bluegrass Music Association in 1985. As a musician best known as a member of the Country Gentlemen in the late 1950s and for penning a number of bluegrass standards including Down Where The Still Waters Flow, I Am Weary (Let Me Rest) and Remembrance Of You ~ Kuykendall was born in 1938
August 24, 2014 ~ Singer Greg Corbett, full name Gregory James Corbett, passed away in Troy, North Carolina, USA ~ Member of the Country Gentlemen from 1991 to its disbandement in 2004. Co-founded Circuit Riders ~ Corbett was born in 1972
August 24, 2011 ~ Label executive Esther Gordy Edwards passed away in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Sister of Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. Served as staff member and associate of her younger brother. Dubbed “the Mother of Motown” for taking on a motherly role towards some of the label's younger acts. Founder and director of the Motown Historical Museum, ~ Gordy was born in 1920
August 24, 2009 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer Joe Maneri, full name Joseph Gabriel Esther Maneri, passed away in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Worked with Barre Phillips, Joe Morris, Peter Dolger, Masashi Harada, and with his son violinist Mat Maneri ~ Maneri was born in 1927
August 24, 2006 ~ Bonnie Campbell, commonly known as country singer Bonnie Owens, passed away ~ Married to Buck Owens, later to Merle Haggard. Revered singer known for a number of 1960s country recordings including Why Don't Daddy Live Here Anymore, Don't Take Advantage Of Me, and Just Between The Two Of Us, the latter a duet with then still future husband Haggard ~ Campbell was born in 1929
August 24, 2005 ~ Singer Harold Kalin passed away ~ Half of the Kalin Twins, the other half being his twin brother Herbie Kalin, known for their 1958 hit When ~ Kalin was born in 1934
August 24, 2005 ~ Singer Herbie Kalin passed away ~ Half of the Kalin Twins, the other half being his twin brother Harold Kalin, known for their 1958 hit When ~ Kalin was born in 1934
August 24, 2004 ~ Noble Watts, commonly known as blues, jump blues, R&B saxophonist Noble Thin Man Watts, passed away ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with the Griffin Brothers, Nat Adderley, Lionel Hampton, Paul Williams, Dinah Washington, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, the Everly Brothers, Johnny Mathis, Rufus Thomas, Lucky Peterson, Raful Neal, Floyd Miles, and others ~ Watts was born in 1926
August 24, 1999 ~ Classical guitarist, composer Alexandre Lagoya passed away ~ Married to guitarist Ida Presti, with whom he regularly collaborated. Known for a number of transcriptions to guitar based on works by Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel and Niccolò Paganini. Also had a number of contemporary compositions written for him or for the Presti-Lagoya duo by composers such as Jean-Yves Daniel-Lesur, André Jolivet, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, and others ~ Lagoya was born in 1929
August 24, 1999 ~ Bandleader, arranger Warren Covington passed away ~ Played with Isham Jones, Les Brown, Gene Krupa, and as staff musician for CBS Radio. Played briefly with Tommy Dorsey in 1950. Took over from Eddie Gray as leader of the Commanders in 1956. Led Tommy Dorsey Orchestra after Dorsey's death. Also backed Charles Mingus, Randy Weston, Bobby Hackett, George Benson, Yusef Lateef, and Don Sebesky ~ Covington was born in 1921
August 24, 1998 ~ Jazz clarinettist Carl Barriteau passed away in Sydney, Australia ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with the Jazz Hounds, the Willams Brothers Blue Rhythm Orchestra, Ken Snakehips Johnson, and others ~ Barriteau was born in 1914
August 24, 1998 ~ Conductor, arranger, producer Gene Page, full name Eugene Edgar Page Jr, passed away in Westwood, California, USA ~ In-demand R&B, pop, funk, jazz, disco conductor. Worked with Jefferson Starship, the Righteous Brothers, the Supremes, the Four Tops, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Donna Loren, Martha & the Vandellas, Cher, Barry White, Love Unlimited Orchestra, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, George Benson, the Jackson 5, Roberta Flack, Elton John, Leo Sayer, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, Frankie Valli, Helen Reddy, Lionel Richie, Big Joe Turner, and others ~ Page was born in 1939
August 24, 1997 ~ DJ, singer, producer, songwriter Alan Walker, full name Alan Olav Walker, born in Northampton, UK ~ Best known for his 2015 single Faded, reaching platinum in 14 countries
August 24, 1997 ~ Vicente Massana, commonly known as jazz pianist Tete Montoliu, passed away ~ Leader and sideman. Played wth Lionel Hampton, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Kenny Dorham, Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster, Lucky Thompson, Anthony Braxton, Nuria Feliu, Eddie Harris, Charlie Mariano, Jordi Sabatés, Archie Shepp, and others ~ Massana was born in 1933
August 24, 1994 ~ R&B, doo-wop singer, songwriter Jesse Bolian passed away ~ Member of the Artistics, best known for their 1966 I'm Gonna Miss You hit single which reached top 10 on the Billboard R&B charts. Other charting singles included This Heart Of Mine and I Need You ~ Bolian was born in 1941
August 24, 1992 ~ Ralph Gallant, commonly known as drummer Larrie Londin, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Revered session, studio, touring drummer. Worked with the Headliners, the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, Junior Walker & the All-Stars, Elvis Presley, the Notorious Cherry Bombs, Emmylou Harris, Diana Ross, the Four Tops, Martha Reeves, Smokey Robinson, Joe Tex, Wilson Pickett, Lionel Richie, the Carpenters, Jerry Lee Lewis, Boots Randolph, Charley Pride, Randy Travis, Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, BB King, Albert Lee, Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour, Jerry Reed, Rosanne Cash, Al Green, Dan Fogelberg, Reba McEntire, Journey, Steve Perry, Adrian Belew, the Everly Brothers, and others ~ Gallant was born in 1943
August 24, 1990 ~ Music entrepreneur, DJ, author Jamal Edwards born in Luton, UK ~ Best known as founder of the online urban music platform SB-TV, helpful in launching the careers of Ed Sheeran, Rita Ora, Stormzy, Jessie J, Emeli Sandé, Bugzy Malone, and others ~ Edwards passed away in 2022
August 24, 1989 ~ Singer, actress Rocío Igarzábal born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Joined pop group the Teen Angels in 2011 replacing María Eugenia Suárez. Released her full-length Entre Los Arboles solo debut album in 2014
August 24, 1988 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Nat Stuckey, full name Nathan Wright Stuckey, passd away ~ Known for country hits such as Sweet Thang, Plastic Saddle and Take Time To Love Her ~ Stuckey was born in 1933
August 24, 1987 ~ Pieter Tuhoro, commonly known as R&B singer, producer Pieter T, born in Hamilton, New Zealand ~ Member of the short-lived Boyband, alongside Chris Murry, Gerard Clark, Jay Coote and Rob Arnold. Debuted as a solo artist with the single Cold Nights in 2009. Also known for songs such as Something Else and My Baby
August 24, 1986 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Aaron Lee Tasjan born ~ Worked with Semi Precious Weapons, Kevin Kinney, Tony Visconti, the New York Dolls, Everest, Jack White, Sean Lennon, Clem Burke, Ian McLagan, Nigel Harrison, Lilly Hiatt, and others
August 24, 1986 ~ Jazz tubist, bassist Joe Tarto, full name Vincent Joseph Tortoriello, passed away ~ Worked with Paul Specht, Sam Lanin, Fletcher Henderson, Chick Webb, Bing Crosby, the Boswell Sisters, Ethel Waters, Eddie Lang, Joe Venuti, Miff Mole, Red Nichols, the Dorsey Brothers, Bix Beiderbecke, Phil Napoleon, and others ~ Tortoriello was born in 1902
August 24, 1984 ~ Pop rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, drummer Krzysztof Zalewski born ~ Winner of the second season of the Polish talent contest Idol in 2003. Would release his Pistolet debut album the following year. Has worked with Loch Ness, Nie-bo, Kasia Nosowska, Hey, Japoto and Muchy
August 24, 1982 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Canaan Smith, full name Canaan Lee Smith, born in Dillsboro, Indiana, USA ~ Known for singles such as We Got Us and Love You Like That
August 24, 1981 ~ Trumpeter Bill Coleman, full name William Johnson Coleman passed away in Toulouse, France ~ Worked with Cecil Scott, Luis Russell, Lucky Millinder, Benny Carter, Teddy Hill, Fats Waller, Django Reinhardt, Leon Abbey, Teddy Wilson, Andy Kirk, Ellis Larkins, Mary Lou Williams, John Kirby, Sy Oliver, Billy Kyle, Lester Young, Billie Holiday, Coleman Hawkins, and others ~ Coleman was born in 1904
August 24, 1978 ~ Trumpeter, bandleader, singer, songwriter Louis Prima, full name Louis Leo Prima, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Known for songs such as That Old Black Magic, Just A Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody, Come On A-My House, I Wanna Be Like You. Rooted in jazz, swing, big band, jump blues. Drew from R&B, rock & roll, boogie-woogie, Italian folk. Worked with Frank Pinero, Jack Ryan, Garrett McAdams, Pee Wee Russell, Keely Smith, Sam Butera, and others ~ Prima was born in 1911
August 24, 1977 ~ Corey Isiah Christie, commonly known as rapper the Reks, born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, USA ~ Debuted with the full-length album Along Came The Chosen in 2001. Has collaborated with Termanology, Mr Green, JXO, Toobusy, and others
August 24, 1976 ~ Pianist, organist, singer, composer Michael Head, full name Michael Dewar Head, passed away in Cape Town, South Africa ~ Concert pianist, singer active since the late 1920s. Wrote a piano concerto, a tone poem and scherzo for orchestra. Best known for his song cycles Over The Rim Of The Moon and Songs Of The Countryside, the former containing his best known song The Ships Of Arcady ~ Head was born in 1900
August 24, 1973 ~ Composer Jacques Datin passed away in France ~ Often collaborated with Maurice Vidalin. Artists who have recorded his songs include Juliette Gréco, Colette Renard, Michèle Arnaud, Marcel Amont, Jean-Jacques Debout, Barbara, France Gall, Jean-Claude Pascal (1961 Eurovision Songfestival winner Nous Les Amoureux), Françoise Hardy, Serge Lama, Claude Nougaro, Serge Reggiani, Edith Piaf, and others ~ Datin was born in 1920
August 24, 1972 ~ Carlos Wesley Byas, commonly known as bebop, swing saxophonist Don Byas passed away in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Worked with Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, Bennie Moten, Terrence Holder, Walter Page, Lionel Hampton, Buck Clayton, Lorenzo Flennoy, Charlie Echols, Don Redman, Lucky Millinder, Andy Kirk, Edgar Hayes, Benny Carter, Hot Lips Page, Big Joe Turner, Paul Bascomb, Coleman Hawkins, Clyde Hart, Bill Coleman, Beryl Booker, Amália Rodrigues, and others ~ Byas was born in 1912
August 24, 1970 ~ Country, country-pop singer Kristyn Osborn, full name Kristyn Robyn Osborn, born ~ Member of sibling outfit SheDaisy, alongside Kassidy Osborn and Kelsi Osborn, known for songs such as Little Good-byes, This Woman Needs, Passenger Seat, Come Home Soon, Don't Worry 'Bout A Thing, all of which reached top 20 of the Billboard Country charts between the late 1990s and mid-2000s
August 24, 1964 ~ Bluegrass mandolinist, singer, songwriter Alan Bibey born in Walnut Cove, North Carolina, USA ~ Worked with New Quicksilver, IIIrd Tyme Out, Lou Reid, Carolina, Blueridge, Grasstowne, Wayne Benson, Terry Baucom, Jerry Douglas, Tony Rice, Kenny Smith, Sammy Shelor, Ronnie McCoury, Radim Zenkl, Emory Lester, Wayne Benson, Dan Tyminski, Ray Legere, Larry Richardson, Mark Newton, Herschel Sizemore, John Lawless, Dwight McCall, Carrie Hassler, Steve Gulley, Phil Leadbetter, Stuart Wyrick, the Wilson Banjo Company, Mike Bentley, and others
August 24, 1963 ~ Pianist, composer, musicologist Oleksandr Kozarenko born in Kolomyia, Ukraine ~ Vice principal of the Lviv Music Academy since 2000. Composed for ballet, opera, and orchestra. Well known pieces include Concerto Rutheno, Don Juan From Kolomea, and Passion Of Our God Jesus Christ ~ Kozarenko passed away in 2023
August 24, 1961 ~ Clara Etta Black, commonly known as vaudeville singer Clarice Vance, passed away in Napa, California, USA ~ Vaudeville performer dubbed “the Southern Singer” enjoyed popularity through the late 1910s ~ Black was born in 1870
August 24, 1961 ~ Thrash metal, crossover thrash, hardcore punk singer, songwriter Kurt Brecht, full name Kurt Preston Brecht, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Best known as lead singer and along with guitarist Spike Cassidy the only other constant member of crossover thrash outfit DRI. Has also worked with Pasadena Napalm Division and provided guest vocals on the track Silent Spring for Dave Grohl's side project Probot
August 24, 1960 ~ Singer, actress Selma Reis born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Best known as an actress known for roles in telenovelas and miniseries. Debuted as a singer with the eponymous Selma Reis album in 1987 and has recorded steadily since ~ Reis passed away in 2015
August 24, 1959 ~ Singer Guy Mitchell records Heartaches By The Number ~ Written by Harlan Howard. First recorded by Ray Price. The bigger hit would be Mitchell's however, produced by Joe Sherman, paired with Two on the flipside, topping the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1959. The song would later be covered by numerous artists including George Jones, Connie Francis, Bing Crosby, Willie Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Kendalls, Martina McBride, Rosanne Cash, and Cyndi Lauper
August 24, 1958 ~ Singer Bobby Darin records Beyond The Sea ~ A cover of the French-language song La Mer, co-written by Charles Trenet and first recorded by Roland Gerbeau in 1945. English lyrics by Jack Lawrence. In English previously recorded by among others Benny Goodman in 1948 and by Roger Williams in 1955. Darin's version would be released as a single in 1959, paired with That's The Way Love Is on the flipside, and become the best-known English version. It would later be covered by numerous artists as diverse as Ray Conniff, George Benson, Robbie Williams and Jeff Lynne
August 24, 1957 ~ Violinist, composer Albert Sammons, full name Albert Edward Sammons, passed away in Middleton-on-Sea, UK ~ Member of the Chamber Music Players alongside William Murdoch, Lauri Kennedy and Lionel Tertis ~ Sammons was born in 1886
August 24, 1957 ~ Rock, pop, new wave singer, keyboardist, guitarist, TV personality Marcel Vanthilt, full name Marcel Céline Gerard Edgard Vanthilt, born in Lommel, Belgium ~ First gained attention in the early 1980s as frontman of Arbeid Adelt, known for songs such as De Dag Dat Het Zonlicht Niet Meer Scheen, Death Disco and Stroom. Also worked with the Yéh-Yéhs, known for their sole single The 7 Kings Of Rock & Roll, and with the Employees. Would go on to present a wide array of TV programs for both Dutch and Belgian TV stations
August 24, 1956 ~ Singer Elvis Presley records Love Me Tender at 20th Century Fox Studios, Los Angeles, USA ~ Adapted from Aura Lee, an American Civil War era tune with music by George R Poulton. Regarded as one of Presley's most endearing love songs, later covered by a host of artists including Duane Eddy, the Platters, Chuck Jackson, James Brown, BB King, and Willie Nelson. Presley's single would be released in September 1956, featuring Any Way You Want Me on the B-side
August 24, 1955 ~ R&B, pop singer, guitarist, dancer, choreographer, songwriter Jeffrey Daniel, full name Jeffrey Glenn Daniel, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of Shalamar, best known for their 1979 The Second Time Around hit single which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Has worked with Michael Jackson, serving as co-choreographer on the videos of Bad and Smooth Criminal
August 24, 1953 ~ Tenor saxophonist Ron Holloway, full name Ronald Edward Holloway, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Influenced by Willis Jackson, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Miles Davis. Worked with Warren Haynes, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Dizzy Gillespie, Gil Scott-Heron, Root Boy Slim, Freddie Hubbard, the Sex Change Band, Osiris Marsh, the Allman Brothers Band, Gov't Mule, Devon Allman, and others
August 24, 1952 ~ R&B, jazz, soul blues singer, songwriter Vaneese Thomas born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Daughter of Rufus Thomas. Sister of Carla Thomas and Marvell Thomas. Best known for her 1987 hit Let's Talk It Over. As a songwriter had her work recorded by Patti Austin (A Candle, Rain Rain Rain), Freddie Jackson (Just Like The First Time), Larry Coryell (This Love Of Ours), Melba Moore (A Lot Of Love), Diana Ross (One Shining Moment), and others. Also an in-demand session singer appearing on records by Lenny White, Bob James, Carl Anderson, Beau Williams, Joe Cocker, Sarah Dash, Luciano Pavarotti, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Céline Dion, Eric Clapton, Carly Simon, Dr John, and others
August 24, 1951 ~ Southern rock, hard rock singer Danny Joe Brown born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Lead singer and songwriter of Molly Hatchet, succeeding founding member Dave Hlubek. Present on hits such as Whiskey Man and Flirtin' With Disaster ~ Brown passed away in 2005
August 24, 1951 ~ Percussionist Mireille Bauer born in Barr, France ~ Worked with Gong, Edition Speciale, John Greaves, François Ovide, Art Zoyd, and others
August 24, 1950 ~ Gospel singer Ann McCrary born ~ Member of traditional black gospel, contemporary urban gospel outfit the McCrary Sisters alongside siblings Deborah McCrary, Regina McCrary and Alfreda McCrary. The group has recorded a number of albums, starting with Our Journey released in 2010, as well as provided backing vocals for artists such as Carrie Underwood (Choctaw County Affair), Margo Price (Do Right By Me), and Allison Russell (All Of The Women). Ann McCrary has also served as session vocalist for numerous gospel artists
August 24, 1950 ~ Singer, guitarist Eliza Gilkyson born in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Daughter of singer, songwriter Terry Gilkyson. Sister of Tony Gilkyson
August 24, 1949 ~ Donald Gregory Mattern, commonly known as DJ, remixer, producer Junior Vasquez, born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Frequent collaborator of Shep Pettibone. Worked with Madonna, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, MC Hammer, Prince, Pet Shop Boys, Lisa Lisa, Cher, Cyndi Lauper, Wild Orchid, and others
August 24, 1948 ~ Composer, producer Jean Michel Jarre born in Lyon, France ~ Pioneered electronics. Influenced ambient and new-age. Became a househould with Oxygen album, released in 1976
August 24, 1947 ~ Drummer Jimmy Fox, full name James Kent Fox, born ~ Co-founding and sole constant member of the James Gang, best known for their 1970 James Gang Rides Again sophomore album which spawned the modest hit Funk No.49. At the time the band was fronted by singer Joe Walsh. The album would reach top 20 in both Canada and the USA
August 24, 1945 ~ Jazz drummer Bryan Spring born ~ Worked with Don Weller, Art Themen, Mark Edwards, Andy Cleyndert, Bill Le Sage, Alan Skidmore, Klaus Doldinger, Stan Tracey, Tubby Hayes, Dick Morrisey, Bobby Wellins, Frank Ricotti, Keith Tippett, Nucleus, Hannibal Lokumbe, and others
August 24, 1945 ~ Singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter Ken Hensley, full name Kenneth William David Hensley, born in Plumstead, UK ~ Best known as member of Uriah Heep, for which Hensley wrote or co-wrote a vast amount fo their best known songs including Lady Black, Easy Livin', Stealin' and Look At Yourself. Also worked with the Gods, Head Machine, Toe Fat, Weed, Blackfoot, John Lawton, and others ~ Hensley passed away in 2020
August 24, 1945 ~ Saxophonist, flutist, songwriter Malcolm Duncan born in Montrose, UK ~ Founding member of funk, pop, R&B outfit the Average White Band from 1972 to 1983, present on the acclaimed albums AWB which spawned the hit Pick Up The Pieces and Cut The Cake. Also worked with Ray Charles, Tom Petty, Buddy Guy, Ben E King, the Dire Straits, Bryan Ferry, Marvin Gaye, Chaka Khan, Knee Deep, Cold Sweat & the Horny Horns, and others ~ Duncan passed away in 2019
August 24, 1944 ~ Guitarist, producer Jim Brady born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Sandpipers, known best for their 1968 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Guantanamera ~ Brady passed away in 2019
August 24, 1943 ~ Guitarist John Cipollina born in Berkeley, California, USA ~ Showed great promise as a classical pianist in his youth, but switched to guitar at age 12. Perhaps best known as co-founder and lead guitarist for seminal 1960s psychedelic rock outfit Quicksilver Messenger Service, remaining with the band through the mid-1970s. They are especially acclaimed for their eponymous 1968 Quicksilver Messenger Service debut album and its follow-up Happy Trails released the following year. Though not as commercially succesful as peers the Jefferson Airplane the band is credited for helping start and define the genre. Cipollina has also worked with Brewer & Shipley, Papa John Creach, Mickey Hart, Copperhead, Terry & the Pirates, Nick Gravenites, Dinosaurs, Merrell Fankhauser, and Zero, and has recorded a sole solo album, John Cipollina's Raven, released in 1980 ~ Cipollina passed away in 1989
August 24, 1942 ~ Rockabilly singer, pianist Carl Mann, full name Carl Richard Mann, born in Huntingdon, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for his rockabilly version of Mona Lisa, a hit in 1959, originally recorded by Nat King Cole ~ Mann passed away in 2020
August 24, 1942 ~ James Louis McCleese, commonly known as singer Jimmy Soul, born in Weldon, North Carolina, USA ~ Best known for If You Wanna Be Happy, a hit in 1963 ~ McCleese passed away in 1988
August 24, 1942 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Mike Cooper born in Reading, UK ~ Worked with Michael Gibbs, Stefan Grossman, Joanne Pyne, Lol Coxhill, Dave Holland, Cyril Lefebvre, Jean-Marc Montera, the Uptown Hawaiians, Fabrizio Spera, and otherss
August 24, 1939 ~ Singer, songwriter Ernest Wright Jr born ~ Co-founding member of Little Anthony & the Imperials, present on the band's best known the 1958 hit Tears On My Pillow. Left the band to join the Platters in 1971
August 24, 1938 ~ Pop, rock, bluegrass, classical, folk guitarist Mason Williams, full name Mason Douglas Williams, born in Abilene, Texas, USA ~ Best known for his 1968 instrumental Classical Gas. Member of the Hootenairs. Wrote for the Kingston Trio. Worked with Mannheim Steamroller, the Oregon Symphony, Edward Ruschka, Smother Brothers, Jennifer Warnes, Byron Berline, the Wayfarers Trio, Zoe McCulloch, and others
August 24, 1930 ~ Folk, skiffle guitarist Tony Davis, full name Anthony John Davis, born in Blackburn, UK ~ Member of UK folk, skiffle, pop group the Spinners, best known for My Liverpool Home and their rendition of the Ewan MacColl-penned Dirty Old Town ~ Davis passed away in 2017
August 24, 1928 ~ Edith Gormezano, commonly known as singer Eydie Gormé, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Sang with Tommy Tucker, Tex Beneke, and with Steve Lawrence, staff writer at The Tonight Show. Lawrence and Gormezano were married in 1957 and would perform and record to critical acclaim and commercial succes since. As a solo singer Gormé is known for songs such as Too Close For Comfort, Love Me Forever, Blame It On The Bossa Nova, and We Can Make It Together ~ Gormezano passed away in 2013
August 24, 1925 ~ Pianist, producer Lou Teicher born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Half of piano duo Ferrante & Teicher, the other half being Arthur Ferrante ~ Teicher passed away in 2008
August 24, 1924 ~ Robert Lamar Thompson, commonly known as composer, arranger, bandleader Bob Thompson, born in San Jose, California, USA ~ Popular bandleader from the 1950s through the 1980s. Leading figure in exotica and space age pop. Has worked with artists such as Rosemary Clooney, Mae West, Julie London, Bing Crosby, the Andrews Sisters, Duane Eddy, Judy Garland, Phil Ochs, and others ~ Thompson passed away in 2013
August 24, 1919 ~ Bartholome Maximiliano More, commonly known as singer, bandleader, songwriter Benny Moré, born ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Conhunto Matamoros and Pérez Prado. Offered to work with Sonora Matancera but declined ~ Moré passed away in 1963
August 24, 1916 ~ Singer, songwriter Leo Ferré born in Monte Carlo, Monaco ~ Known for songs such as Avec Le Temps, C'Est Extra, Jolie Môme, Paris Canaille. In the English-speaking world influenced singers, songwriters such as Scott Walker, Martin Newell, Benjamin Clémentine. ~ Ferré passed away in 1993
August 24, 1915 ~ Swing, jump blues, R&B singer, guitarist Wynonie Harris born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Closely associated with Lucky Millinder. Considered a precursor to rock & roll, enjoying a streak of hits from the mid-1940s through the early 1950s. Particularly influential on Elvis Presley, who covered his 1948 hit Good Rockin' Tonight. Other well-known songs include Who Threw The Whiskey In The Jar, Playful Baby, All She Wants To Do Is Rock, and Sittin' On It All The Time ~ Harris passed away in 1969
August 24, 1905 ~ Pianist, bandleader Alphonso Trent born in Fort Smith, Kansas, USA ~ Worked with Eugene Cook, Synco Six, Terrence Holder, Alex Hill, Stuff Smith, Snub Mosley, Charlie Christian, Harry Sweets Edison, Mouse Randolph, Peanuts Holland, and others ~ Trent passed away in 1959
August 24, 1905 ~ Swing jazz drummer Alvin Burroughs passed away ~ Played with Walter Page and Alphonso Trent before heading to Chicago around 1930. Played with Hal Draper, Horace Henderson, and extensively with Earl Hines. In the 1940s Burroughs backed greats such as Milt Larkin, Benny Carter, Red Allen, and George Dixon ~ Burroughs was born in 1911
August 24, 1905 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Arthur Crudup, full name Arthur William Crudup, born in Forest, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known for writing and first recording That's All Right, My Baby Left Me and So Glad You're Mine, all later recorded by Elvis Presley ~ Crudup passed away in 1974
August 24, 1904 ~ Henry Franklin Smith, commonly known as jazz saxophonist Buster Smith, born in Alsdorf, Texas, USA ~ Instrumental 1930s saxophonist. Mentor to Charlie Parker. Recorded just one album as a leader, 1959's The Legendary Buster Smith. Worked with Hot Lips Page, the Oklahoma City Blue Devils, Lester Young, Count Basie, Jimmy Rushing, Emir Coleman, Pete Johnson, Eddie Durham, Don Redman, Duke Ellington, Earl Hines, Ella Fitzgerald, and others ~ Smith passed away in 1991
August 24, 1903 ~ Jazz stride pianist, bandleader Claude Hopkins, full name Claude Driskett Hopkins, born in Alexandria, Virginia, USA ~ Worked with Wilbur Sweatman, Sidney Bechet, Edmond Hall, Jabbo Smith, Vic Dickenson, Ovie Alston, Fernando Arbello, Shirley Clay, Arville Harris, Red Allen, Cozy Cole, Bud Freeman, Coleman Hawkins, Lonnie Johnson, Ma Rainey, and others ~ Hopkins passed away in 1984
August 24, 1897 ~ Songwriter, publisher Fred Rose, full name Knowles Fred Rose, born in Evansville, Indiana, USA ~ Half of Acuff/Rose music publishing company, the other half being Roy Acuff. Instrumental to the developement of country music. Had his songs recorded by Hank Snow, Gene Autry, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Sophie Tucker, the Ipana Troubadours, Bob Wills, Carl Smith, George Strait, Don Everly, Jesse Crawford, David Houston, Red Foley, Ray Price, Moe Bandy, Marty Robbins, Eddy Arnold, Gene Watson, Jim Reeves, Hank Locklin, and others ~ Rose passed away in 1954