December 10, 2022 ~ Jackie Jean Crouch, commonly known as singer, actress, model Georgia Holt, passed away in Malibu, California, USA ~ Sang with Bob Wills at age 10. Would go on to win several talent and beauty competitions, leading to a number of supporting roles in film and TV. Best known for her two marriages to John Sarkisian, briefly in the 1940s and again briefly in the 1960s. Their daughter is singer Cher. In 2013 Holt released her sole album, Honky Tonk Woman ~ Crouch was born in 1926
December 10, 2022 ~ James Jay Barnes, commonly known as soul, pop, R&B singer JJ Barnes, passed away ~ Member of the Holidays, which also included Steve Mancha and Edwin Starr of later War fame, known best for their 1966 Billboard R&B top 10 hit I'll Love You Forever. The following year Barnes would also score a Billboard R&B top 10 hit as a solo artist with Baby Please Come Back Home. Subsequent singles would fail to repeat the succes. His earlier solo recordings, such as the early-1960s Just One More Time and Please Let Me In, made little impact at the time but would later become Northern soul favorites in the UK ~ Barnes was born in 1943
December 10, 2022 ~ Lyric tenor John Aler passed away ~ Particularly known for his interpretations of works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Gioachino Rossini, Gaetano Donizetti, Vincenzo Bellini, and George Frideric Handel. Has performed with renowned orchestras including the Santa Fe Opera, the English National Opera, the Vienna Staatsoper, the Teatro Real, the New York City Opera, the Bayerische Staatsoper, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the London Sinfonietta, and others ~ Aler was born in 1949
December 10, 2022 ~ José Angel Amato, commonly known as singer, songwriter, actor José Angel Trelles, passed away in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ First gained attention in the musical TV show Siete Y Medio and subsequently winning the Canciorena talent contest, the latter landing him a record deal. Has recorded about two dozen albums since and collaborated with the likes of Sandro de América, Estela Raval, Rubén Juárez, Alberto Cortez, and perhaps most notably Astor Piazzolla, touring nationally and abroad with the latter as a member of his backing unit the Octeto Electronico. Has also starred in numerous stage productions, including the Piazzolla-penned operetta Maria De Buenos Aires ~ Amato was bonr in 1944
December 10, 2022 ~ Progressive rock singer, songwriter Tracy Hitchings passed away ~ Lead singer of rock band Landmarq from 1996 through 2017. Though the band is primarily categorised as a progressive rock, neo-progressive rock band, they also draw from album-oriented rock, melodic rock, hard rock, and jazz. Hitchings had previously worked with Quasar, Strangers On A Train, Ulysses, and Gandalf ~ Hitchings was born in 1969
December 10, 2022 ~ Soukous, rumba, mutuashi singer, dancer Tshala Muana, full name Elisabeth Tshala Muana Muidikay, passed away in Kinshasa, Congo ~ Started her career as a dancer in the band Tsheke Tsheke Love before turning to singing. Dubbed “the Queen of Mutuashi” with well over a dozen albums to her name. Known for songs such as Karibu Yangu and Ingratitude. The latter song would lead to her arrest in November 2020, the song interpreted as veiled criticism of the behavior of President Felix Tshisekedi toward his former mentor and predecessor Joseph Kabila ~ Muidikay was born in 1958
December 10, 2021 ~ Rock singer, guitarist Les Emmerson, full name Robert Leslie Emmerson, passed away in Ottawa, Canada ~ Best known as lead singer, guitarist of Five Man Electrical Band, known for songs such as Absolutely Right and I'm A Stranger Here, and its predecessor the Staccatos. Wrote Signs, one of the band's best known, later notably covered by Tesla. As a solo artist known for Cry Your Eyes Out, Watching The World Go By, and Control Of Me ~ Emmerson was born in 1944
December 10, 2021 ~ Thomas Mensforth, commonly known as punk, punk rock, oi singer, songwriter Mensi, passed away ~ Fronted pioneering punk group the Angelic Upstarts, which helped define the oi subgenre with recordings such as I'm An Upstart, Teenage Warning, and their best known The Murder Of Liddle Towers ~ Mensforth was born ca.1956
December 10, 2021 ~ Singer, guitarist Michael Nesmith, full name Robert Michael Nesmith, passed away in Carmel Valley, California, USA ~ Member of the Monkees, known for songs such as Last Train To Clarksville, I'm A Believer, and Daydream Believer. Member of country-rock outfit the First National Band, known for the 1970 hit Joanne. Also wrote Different Drum, a hit for Linda Ronstadt ~ Nesmith was born in 1942
December 10, 2020 ~ Kenneth Alwyn Wetherell, commonly known as conductor, composer Kenneth Alwyn, passed away ~ Active since the early-1950s, starting with the Sadler's Wells theater Ballet, moving on to the the Royal Opera House in 1957. Would go on to work with numerous renowned orchestras. Especially known for his long association with the BBC, both as a conductor and as presenter of programs, perhaps most notably Friday Night Is Music Night and The Orchestra ~ Wetherell was born in 1925
December 10, 2017 ~ Drummer, singer Ammon Tharp, full name Ammon Chester Tharp, passed away ~ Longtime member of Bill Deal & the Rhondels, who enjoyed their greatest success in the late-1960s merging blue-eyed soul with beach music. They are best known for the 1969 Billboard Hot 100 top 30 hit What Kind Of Fool Do You Think I Am. Other charting songs included May I, I've Been Hurt, and Nothing Succeeds Like Success. The band disbanded in the mid-1970s but would later reform ~ Tharp was born in 1942
December 10, 2017 ~ Joseph Emmanuel Charlemagne, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Manno Charlemagne, passed away in Miami Beach, Florida, USA ~ Known for his politically themed folk chansons sung in French and Creole. Lived in exile twice, first during the 1980s and again from 1991 through 1994 during the country military junta rule. Charlemagne would serve as mayor of Port-au-Prince from the mid- to late-1990s ~ Charlemagne was born in 1948
December 10, 2013 ~ Jazz, cool jazz,post-bop guitarist, arranger, composer Jim Hall, full name James Stanley Hall, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Charlie Christian and Barney Kessel. Classically trained. Worked with Chico Hamilton, Jimmy Giuffre, Ben Webster, Lee Konitz, Sonny Rollins, Art Farmer, Big Joe Turner, Johnny Hartman, June Christy, Big Miller, Quincy Jones, Lalo Schifrin, Oliver Nelson, Gerry Mulligan, Bob Brookmeyer, Tommy Flanagan, Ron Carter, Joe Lovano, and others ~ Hall was born in 1930
December 10, 2009 ~ Kenneth Diono, commonly known as singer Kenny Dino passed away in Florida, USA ~ Offered but turned down the opportunity to form a duo with then-unknown Paul Simon in the early-1960s. Diono was reportedly also offered Suspicion, a song later popularized by Elvis Presley, but denied the opportunity by his label. Diono is best known for his sole Your Ma Said You Cried In Your Sleep Tonight hit, which reached No.24 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961. Diono also ventured into acting, notably appearing in the 1967 Valley Of The Dolls feature film. Led Zeppelin lead singer Robert Plant would cover Diono's sole hit on his 1990 Manic Nirvana solo album. Though Diono would fail to reach the charts after his sole 1961 hit, he continued to perform until his death. Diono was found unconscious in his car on the side of the road, apparently having suffered a heart attack while driving home from a gig, and died later the same day ~ Diono was born in 1939
December 10, 2003 ~ Jazz fusion, blues saxophonist, flutist, pianist Ron Aspery, full name Ronald Aspery, passed away in Saltdean, UK ~ Driving force behind jazz-rock trio Back Door, especially acclaimed for their 1972 eponymous Back Door and its 1973 follow-up 8th Street Nites. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Alexis Korner, Glenn Hughes, Marvin Hamlisch (The Spy Who Loved Me), Roger Glover, Evelyn Thomas, David Coverdale, Roger Chapman, Roger Daltrey, Deke Leonard (Before Your Very Eyes), Chris Rea, Elvis Costello, and Keith Emerson ~ Aspery was born in 1946
December 10, 1999 ~ Bassist, singer, songwriter Rick Danko passed away in Marbleon, New York, USA ~ Member of Ronnie Hawkins' backing unit the Hawks. Best known as member of the Band, alongside Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Robbie Robertson and Richard Manuel. Cited as an influence by a host aof artists including Elvis Costello, John Doe, Mumford & Sons, Lucinda Williams, Jay Farrar, Neko Case, Robbie Fulks, Cindy Cashdollar, Craig Finn, Chris Thomson, Mike Watt, and Eric Clapton ~ Danko was born in 1943
December 10, 1998 ~ Bernard Feinstein, commonly known as swing lyricist Buddy Feyne, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Wrote the lyrics to Glenn Miller's 1940 hit Tuxedo Junction. Others who have recorded songs co-written by Feyne include Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Louis Armstrong, Gene Autry, Frankie Avalon, the Andrews Sisters, George Benson, Nat King Cole, the Manhattan Transfer, Joe Jackson, and Boz Scaggs ~ Feinstein was born in 1912
December 10, 1997 ~ R&B singer Jake Carey passed away ~ Member of the Flamingos, which also included his cousin Zeke Carey. The band is best known for their 1959 single I Only Have Eyes For You b/w Goodnight Sweetheart, a top 20 hit on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 in 1959. Previously the singles A Kiss From Your Lips and I'll Be Home, both released in 1956, reached top 20 on the Billboard R&B charts ~ Carey was born in 1926
December 10, 1993 ~ Kim See-heyon, commonly known as K-pop singer, pianist Katie Kim, born in Bucheon, South Korea ~ First gained attention as winner of contest show K-Pop Star in 2015. Released her full-length debut album, Log, in 2019. Known for songs such as Remember featuring Ty Dolla $ign, Echo and Thinkin' About You
December 10, 1991 ~ Bass singer Headman Shabalala, full name Headman Msongelwa Shabalala, passed away in South Africa ~ Original member of choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo founded by his brother Joseph Shabalala. Headman was shot and killed at age 46 in an apparent racially motivated killing, his murder is referenced in Adam Again's song Worldwide ~ Shabalala was born in 1945
December 10, 1990 ~ R&B, hip-hop, pop singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, choreographer, model Teyana Taylor, full name Teyana Me Shay Jacqueli Taylor, born in New York, New York, USA ~ As a solo artist released several mixtapes starting in the late-2000s, leading to a full-length VII debut album in 2014. Best known for songs such as Maybe feat Yo Gotti and Pusha T, Morning featuring Kehlani, and Wake Up Love featuring her husband NBA basketball player and singer Iman. Taylor has also sung as featured vocalist on recordings by Trey Songz, Missy Elliott, and Kanye West, and co-written songs recorded by Usher, Chris Brown, Omarion
December 10, 1987 ~ Violinist Jascha Heifetz passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Son of Reuven Heifetz, a local violin teacher. Child prodigy. Played Carnegie Hall upon his arrival in America, becoming an instant hit while still in his teens. Acclaimed as “the best violinist since Niccolò Paganini” by some critics. Late in life became a dedicated teacher and champion of socio-political causes ~ Heifetz was born in 1901
December 10, 1987 ~ Leroy Elliott Stewart, commonly known as double bassist Slam Stewart, passed away in Binghampton, New York, USA ~ Played the violin before switching to bass at age 20. Mostly known as a session musician particularly active during the 1940s for artists such as Lester Young, Fats Waller, Coleman Hawkins, Erroll Garner, Art Tatum, Johnny Guarnieri, Red Norvo, Don Byas, Benny Goodman, and Beryl Booker ~ Stewart was born in 1914
December 10, 1986 ~ Kathryn Louise Allen, commonly known as folk, country folk singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Kate Wolf, passed away in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Member of Wildwood Flower. Half a dozen albums to her name, starting with Back Roads. Best known for songs such as Across The Great Divide, Unfinished Life, Green Eyes, and Give Yourself To Love. Had her songs covered by John Gorka, Nanci Griffith, Laurie McClain (Cornflower Blue), the Wild Coyotes, Cathy Cowette, Lucinda Williams (Here In California), Dave Alvin, Emmylou Harris (Love Still Remains), Sherry Austin, Eric Bogle, Kathy Mattea, Billy Bragg (One By One), and others ~ Allen was born in 1942
December 10, 1986 ~ Natlia Alexandra Gutierrez Batista, commonly known as singer, songwriter Natti Natasha, born in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic ~ Influenced by Bob Marley, Jerry Rivera, Lauryn Hill, Ivy Queen. Released a debut EP, All About Me, in 2012. A full-length debut album, Illuminati, followed in 2019. Has worked with Don Omar, Daddy Yankee, Ozuna, Becky G, Bad Bunny, RKM & Ken-Y, Thalia, Cosculluela, Anitta, Kany Garcia, the Jonas Brothers, Sebastián Yatra, Farukko, Yandel, Tony Dize, Lapiz Conciente, Justin Quiles, Lenny Tavarez, and others
December 10, 1985 ~ Singer Meghan Linsey born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Formed Steel Magnolia with her boyfriend Joshua Scott Jones, winning the 2008 CMT talent show Can You Duet. The duo is best known for Keep On Lovin' You which reached the Billboard Country top 10 in 2009
December 10, 1984 ~ Alternative metal, progressive metal drummer Billy Rymer born in Long Island, New York, USA ~ Best known as drummer of the Dillinger Escape Plan from 2009 until the band's disbandement in 2017. Has also worked with NK, No Machine, Glassjaw and with thoughtcrimes
December 10, 1982 ~ Country singer, pianist, accordionist Jimmy Riddle, full name James Lawrence Riddle, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Among a loose collective dubbed the Nashville A-Team, consisting of Nashville's finest session musicians. Member of Roy Acuff's the Smoky Mountain Boys from 1943 onwards. Also known for regularly appearing on the country and comedy TV show Hee Haw, first aired in 1969, where he became known for the art of eefing, a vocal technique similar to beatboxing ~ Riddle was born in 1918
December 10, 1982 ~ Alternative rock, pop punk, post-hardcore singer, guitarist, bassist Nick Martin, full name Nicholas Anthony Martin, born in San Diego, California, USA ~ Best known as member of Sleeping With Sirens and Underminded. Notably worked with short-lived post-hardcore supergroups Isles & Glaciers and DRUGS. Has also worked with Cinematic Sunrise, Oceans Upon Men, Benjamin Flew Down, In Fear And Faith, Pierce The Veil
December 10, 1979 ~ Singer, conductor, actress [artist-tora-augestad], full name Tora Karen Elisabeth Augestad, born in Bergen, Norway ~ Acclaimed classical and opera mezzosoprano singer, venturing out into jazz, cabaret, musical theatre. Played the lead role in the musical Annie. Sang with the vocal ensemble Pitsj from 1999 through 2006. Lead singer of Music For A While since 2007. Recorded with the Oslo Philharmonic and sang with the Zurich Opera
December 10, 1978 ~ Rock band Van Halen begin recording their Van Halen II album at Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood, California ~ With their eponymous Van Halen having reached Platinum certification and just one week off their first tour, playing as a support act for Black Sabbath, Montrose, and Journey, and headlining shows at some of the European dates, the band head to the studio to begin recordings for their Van Halen II sophomore album. It would be completed within a week, and give the band their first Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit with the party track Dance The Night Away peaking at No.15. The critically album itself reached top 10 Billboard Hot 200 at the time, and would eventually sell over 5 million copies by the mid-2000s
December 10, 1977 ~ Myrtle Louise Lincoln, commonly known as violist, violinist, pianist, composer Louise Lincoln Kerr, passed away in Cottonwood, Arizona, USA ~ Known as “the Grand Lady of Music” with over 100 works to her name including symphonic tone poems, chamber music, orchestral works, concertos, and ballets. Helped co-found several orchestras and institutions, most notably the Phoenix Symphony. Well known compositions include Arizona Profiles, Enchanted Mesa and Tableau Vivant ~ Lincoln was born in 1892
December 10, 1975 ~ Bluegrass, progressive bluegrass, Americana singer, guitarist, banjoist, songwriter Gill Landry, full name Gilbert John Landry, born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA ~ Toured and recorded with string band the Old Crow Medicine Show. Co-founding member of the Kitchen Syncopators. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with The Ballad Of Lawless Soirez in 2007
December 10, 1973 ~ Georgette Adjoavi Bellow, commonly known as singer Bella Bellow, passed away in Lilikopé, Togo ~ Released her sole album, Rockya, in 1969 consisting of a live set recorded in Paris. Has also worked with Manu Dibango, Angélique Kidjo, and Afia Mala. Bellow passed away at age 28 in a car crash ~ Bellow was born in 1945
December 10, 1973 ~ Actress, singer, model Gabriela Spanic, full name Gabriela Elena Spanic Utrera, born in Ortiz, Venezuela ~ Best known as an actress, appearing in several telenovelas. Reached international fame in 1998 portraying the dual role of twins Paola and Paulina in La Usurpadora, the series would air in over 100 countries. Has recorded a handful of albums, notably Gabriela Spanic Total released in 2004
December 10, 1972 ~ Daren Jay Ashba, commonly known as guitarist, producer, songwriter DJ Ashba, born in Monticello, Indiana, USA ~ Worked with Guns 'n Roses, Sixx AM, Bulletboys, Beautiful Creatures, Mötley Crüe, Drowning Pool, Marion Raven, Aimee Allen, Neil Diamond, Pyromantic, and others
December 10, 1969 ~ Film composer, songwriter Leigh Harline, full name Leigh Adrian Harline, passed away in Long Beach, California, USA ~ First gained attention as film composer working with Disney, including on the original versions of Disney's first animated feature-length film 1937's Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs and 1940's Pinocchio. Would go on to work with other studios, scoring soundtracks for movies such as Mr Bug Goes To Town, Monkey Business, True Story, and The Wonderful World Of The Brothers Grimm ~ Harline was born in 1907
December 10, 1967 ~ Bror Jan Alfredo Marcolin, commonly known as heavy metal, doom metal singer, drummer Messiah Marcolin, born in Helsingborg, Sweden ~ Known for his operatic voice and his signature “doom dance,” an exaggerated stomping motion. Lead singer of Candlemass, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums since the mid-1980s. The band is acclaimed especially for their first two releases, Epicus Doomicus Metallicus and Nightfall. Has also worked with Mercy, Memento Mori, Therion (Theli), Destruction, and Amon Amarth
December 10, 1967 ~ Singer, songwriter Otis Redding, full name Otis Ray Redding Jr, passed away in Madison, Wisconsin, USA ~ Pivotal R&B, soul singer. Quit school at age 15 to join Little Richard's backing unit the Upsetters. Has also worked as a backup singer and driver with Johnny Jenkins' band the Pinetoppers when an unscheduled improptu session at Stax led to a contract resulting in his 1962 debut single, These Arms Of Mine, and a full-length debut album, Pain In My Heart, two years later. Would record half a dozen albums over the next few years, tour Europe and regularly reach the higher echelons of the R&B charts before his untimely death in a plane crash in 1967. At the time of his death Redding was on the verge of breaking through to mainstream audiences. His post-humously released single, (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay, recorded just days before his death, would earn him his first Billboard Hot 100 No.1 ~ Redding was born in 1941
December 10, 1965 ~ Classical, avant-garde pianist, composer, impresario, techer, publisher Henry Cowell, full name Henry Dixon Cowell, passed away in Woodstock, New York, USA ~ Earned a reputation as a controversial and eccentric composer, blending folk melodies, dissonant counterpoint and unconvential orchestration. Leading figure of avant-garde music for the first half of the 20th century. Influential on composers such as Béla Bartók, Olivier Messiaen, Krzysztof Penderecki, progressive rock keyboardists such as Keith Emerson and Pink Floyd's Richard Wright, and free jazz pianists such as Cecil Taylor and Sun Ra. Also known as an author, his 1930 book New Musical Resources is still considered a useful resource for composers ~ Cowell was born in 1897
December 10, 1965 ~ Joseph Donald Mascis Jr, commonly known as alternative rock, noise rock, stoner rock, heavy metal singer, guitarist, drummer, songwriter J Mascis born in Amherst, Massachusetts, USA ~ Rose to fame as co-founding member, frontman, primary songwriter of alternative rock band Dinosaur Jr, influential in the 1990s alternative rock scene for his distinct guitar sound, Neil Young-like voice and extensive use of feedback and distortion. Has also recorded as a solo artist and with several side projects including Witch, Deep Wound, Sweet Apple, Heavy Blanket, and others
December 10, 1963 ~ Conductor Ian Page born ~ Best known as founder and artistic director of the Classical Opera with whom he has conducted numerous Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart operas, notably Mitridate Re Di Ponto, as well as works composed by Christoph Willibald Gluck and Georg Philipp Telemann
December 10, 1963 ~ Rock, rock & roll singer Mieke Stemerdink born in Doetinchem, the Netherlands ~ Lead singer of de Gigantjes, known best for their 1985 Yaki Taki Oowah single. Stemerdink has also worked with artists such as Frédérique Spigt, Manuela Kemp, Lois Lane-sisters Monique Klemann and Suzanne Klemann, and others
December 10, 1963 ~ Jazz bassist, composer Ole Amund Gjersvik born in Bergen, Norway ~ Worked with the Kaizers Orchestra, Ketil Bjørnstad, Ole Thomsen, Kåre Thomsen, Ole Paus, Jan Eggum, Herborg Kråkevik, Sissel Kyrkjebø, and others
December 10, 1963 ~ Indie rock bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, mandolinist, accordionist Tim Vesely born in Etobicoke, Canada ~ Founding member of Rheostatics, writing or co-writing some of the band's best known including Claire and Bad Time To Be Poor. Also worked with the Violet Archers, Great Aunt Ida and with L'Étranger
December 10, 1962 ~ Anthony George Sannella, commonly known as bandleader, violinist, pianist, reedist, guitarist Andy Sannella, passed away ~ Worked with Nathaniel Shilkret, Leonard Joy, Ben Selvin, Adrian Schubert, Bert Hirsch, Sam Lanin, Art Gillham, Ukulele Ike, Frank Crumit, Seger Ellis, and Johnny Marvin ~ Sannella was born in 1900
December 10, 1961 ~ Virenia Gwendolyn Peeples, commonly known as R&B, dance singer, actress Nia Peeples, born in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Best known as an actress, starring in TV series such as Fame, Pretty Little Liars, The Young & The Restless and Walker Texas Ranger. As a singer known for High Time, I Know How To Make You Love Me and perhaps her best known Trouble
December 10, 1959 ~ Hilary Shapiro, commonly known as actress, singer, percussionist Hilary Shepard, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Singer, percussionist in all-female band American Girls, sharing lead vocal duties with Brie Howard. The band recorded one album, recorded as a demo but released as the eponymous American Girls in 1986. Best known for the songs American Girls and Androgynous used in the soundtracks of respectively Out Of Bounds and Tough Guys. Shepard also acted in the latter as well as numerous other films and TV shows
December 10, 1959 ~ Heavy metal, hard rock guitarist, singer Wolf Hoffmann born in Mainz, West Germany ~ Guitarist and last remaining original member of heavy metal band Accept, one of the defining forces in metal in the 1980s and quintessential to the development of speed and thrash metal. Best known for the early-1980s albums Restless & Wild and Balls To The Wall, both generally regarded as two of the top heavy metal albums of the decade
December 10, 1957 ~ Producer, songwriter, keyboardist Paul Hardcastle, full name Paul Louis Hardcastle, born in London, UK ~ Best known for 19, a hit in 1985 which reached the top 20 in America and topped the charts in numerous countries including the UK and the Netherlands. Also known for a series of smooth jazz albums. Has worked with First Light, Carol Kenyon, Jaki Graham, Ryan Farish, and others
December 10, 1955 ~ Maria Guadalupe Araujo, commonly known as Latin pop, Latin rock, mariachi singer, songwriter Ana Gabriel, born in Mexico ~ Released over 20 albums, several of which topped the Billboard Latin pop albums charts. Best known for songs such Ay Amor, Es Demasiado Tarde and Quien Como Tu
December 10, 1955 ~ Goran Ivandic, commonly known as rock, progressive rock, hard rock, folk rock, pop rock drummer Ipe Ivandic, born in Vares, Yugoslavia ~ Member of Jutro which changed their name to Bijelo Dugme in 1974. Present on the band's two most successful albums, 1974's Kad Bi' Bio Bijelo Dugme and its follow-up Sta Bi Dao Si Na Mom Mjestu the next year, before being conscripted to serve in the Army. After his discharge, Ivandic rejoined the band in 1977 ~ Ivandic passed away in 1994
December 10, 1955 ~ Saxophonist, flutist Paul Speare, full name Paul George Speare born in Romford, UK ~ In-demand session and touring musician. Briefly a member of Dexys Midnight Runners in 1981 through 1982, including on the singles Plan B, Show Me, Celtic Soul Brothers and the band's biggest hit Come On Eileen. Would later found the horn section the TKO Horns with Dexys bandmates Jim Paterson and Brian Maurice, notably present on Elvis Costello's 1983 Punch The Clock album
December 10, 1954 ~ Jazz singer, pianist Diane Schuur born in Tacoma, Washington, USA ~ Discovered by drummer, bandleader Ed Shaughnessy at age 22. Some two dozens albums to her name. Artists who have guested on her albums include Barry Manilow, José Feliciano, Maynard Ferguson, Stan Getz, Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, BB King, and others
December 10, 1954 ~ Jazz bassist Edvard Askeland born in Bergen, Norway ~ Backed Dag Arnesen in various bands for most of the 1970s. Member of Cutting Edge in the 1980s. Has also worked with EIM, Søyr, Frode Thingnæs, Bassonova, Jan Eggum, Van Morrison, Wenche Myhre, Harald Heide-Steen Jr, Anne-Marie Kvien, Anne Frimstad Fjeld, Tor Endresen, Rune Larsen, and others
December 10, 1954 ~ Jeremy Allan Ryder, commonly known as guitarist, keyboardist, singer Jack Hues, born in Gillingham, UK ~ Fronted UK new wave outfit Wang Chung, which enjoyed popularity especially in America the mid-1980s. Aided by heavy rotation on MTV, the band's Dance Hall Days would reach top 20 in America, where it peaked at No.16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984. The song would earn the band a nomination for Best New Artist at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards, losing to Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) by Eurythmics. Subsequently the band provided the track Fire In The Twilight for the soundtrack of the cult coming-of-age film Breakfast Club the following year, and scored two more major hits with Everybody Have Fun Tonight and Let's Go both reaching top 10 Billboard Hot 100. In the 1990s, Hues teamed up with Genesis-keyboardist Tony Banks for the one-off Strictly Inc, worked on several soundtracks, and recorded his The Anatomy Lesson solo debut album which remains shelved to this day
December 10, 1954 ~ Engineer Tom Coyne, full name Thomas J Coyne, born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA ~ Renowned engineer with a career spanning over five decades. With positions at Wayne Mastering Labs, The Hit Factory, and Sterling Sound, having purchased the latter by the late-1990s, Coyne has worked on albums by the Bee Gees, Uriah Heep, Otis Rush, Kool & the Gang, Michael Jackson (Thriller), Koko Taylor, Burning Spear, Sade (Diamond Life), Giorgio Moroder, Solomon Burke, Ellis Marsalis, Little Charlie & the Nightcats, Delbert McClinton, Boogie Down Productions, Kool Moe Dee, De La Soul, Brendan Croker (The Great Indoors), Aaliyah, Vanilla Ice, LL Cool J, Erykah Badu, A Tribe Called Quest, Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, Destiny's Child, the Roots (Phrenology), Amy Winehouse, Kelly Rowland, Beyoncé, P!nk, Joss Stone, Paloma Faith, Taylor Swift (Red), One Direction, Ariana Grande, and Adele ~ Coyne passed away in 2017
December 10, 1953 ~ Jazz, classical saxophonist, flutist Eugenio Colombo born in Rome, Italy ~ A well-regarded improviser and composer, Colombo draws from classical, opera, ancient Mediterranean roots, and African-American influences. As a leader, Colombo is especially acclaimed for Tales Of Love And Death, considered one of the most original European jazz albums from the 1990s. Colombo is also known as co-founding member of experimental big band the Italian Instabile Orchestra, for whom he wrote Scongiuro, one of the ensembles most-performed pieces, and with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums including the acclaimed Litania Sibilante. An in-demand sideman, Colombo has appeared on recordings by Silvana Licursi, the SIC Trio, Giorgio Occhipinti (The Kaos Legend), Ekkehard Joost, Piero Milesi, and progressive rock, jazz fusion outfit Area
December 10, 1951 ~ Juan Raoul Davis Rodriguez, commonly known as country, outlaw country singer, guitarist, songwriter Johnny Rodriguez, born ~ One of the most popular country singers of the 1970s and early 1980s, known for infusing his music with Latin sounds. Encouraged to pursue a career in music by Bobby Bare and Tom T Hall, the latter arranging an audition for him with Mercury Records which led to a record deal, Rodriguez would go on to score well over a dozen top 10 hits on the Billboard Country charts throughout the 1970s, including the No.1 singles You Always Come Back (To Hurting Me), Ridin' My Thumb To Mexico, That's The Way Love Goes, I Just Can't Get Her Out Of My Mind, Just Get Up And Close The Door, and Love Put A Song In My Heart
December 10, 1949 ~ Singer, pianist Fats Domino records The Fat Man at J&M Music, New Orleans, Louisiana ~ Issued the same month as the B-side to Detroit City Blues, which reached No.2 Billboard R&B. Written by Domino and Dave Bartholomew, heavily drawing from Champion Jack Dupree's 1940 song Junker Blues, which also served as the basis for Lloyd Price's Lawdy Miss Clawdy and Professor Longhair's Tipitina. Domino's The Fat Man with Domino's rollicking boogie-woogie piano backed by Earl Palmer's distinct back beat drumming is often cited as one of the first rock & roll songs, and is one of four Domino songs included in the Grammy Hall Of Fame, alongside Blueberry Hill, Walking To New Orleans, and Ain't It A Shame. Though widely considered one of the first rock & roll records, even before the term was coined, Domino himself was not convinced that his work was of a new genre. In 1956 he would comment: “What they call rock and roll is rhythm and blues, and I've been playing it for 15 years in New Orleans”
December 10, 1947 ~ Twin brothers guitarist Chris Koerts and keyboardist Gerard Koerts born in Leiden, the Netherlands ~ Co-founding members and primary songwriters of pop rock outfit Earth & Fire, known for a string of 1970s hits. Songs such as Seasons, Ruby Is The One, Wild And Exciting, Invitation, Storm And Thunder, Memories, Maybe Tomorrow Maybe Tonight, Love And Life, Thanks For The Love, and Weekend would all reach top 10 in the band's native Netherlands ~ Chris passed away in 2022, Gerard passed away in 2019
December 10, 1946 ~ Christopher John Kefford, commonly known as guitarist, bassist, singer Ace Kefford, born in Moseley, UK ~ Core member of the Move which he co-founded with Trevor Burton in 1965. Present on the UK top 10 hits Night Of Fear, I Can Hear The Grass Grow, Flowers In The Rain and The Fire Brigade. Kefford left the band in 1968 after a period of heavy experimentation with LSD and extensive touring, including a package tour with Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd, eventually leading to a panic attack. After his departure Kefford teamed up with producer Tony Visconti recording a number of tracks including an Simon & Garfunkel-cover Save The Life Of My Child featuring future Led Zeppelin-guitarist Jimmy Page, but had a nervous breakdown and walked out before the project was finished, the tapes remaining unreleased until 2003
December 10, 1946 ~ Drummer, singer Walter Orange born ~ Member of the Commodores joining the band in 1972 as replacement for James Ingram. Orange is present on most of the band's best known including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Sweet Love, Just To Be Close To You, Easy, Brick House, Three Times A Lady, Sail On, Still, Lady You Bring Me Up, and Nightshift
December 10, 1945 ~ Singer, pianist, songwriter Marek Grechuta, full name Marek Michel Grechuta, born in Zamosc, Poland ~ Formed the cabaret group Anawa with Jan Kanty Pawluskiewicz, acclaimed for their 1967 Anawa album. Active as a solo artist since the early-1970s with about a dozen albums to his name ~ Grechuta passed away in 2006
December 10, 1944 ~ Jazz, country, folk singer, ukulele player Johnny Marvin, full name John Senator Marvin, passed away in North Hollywood, California, USA ~ Active since the mid-1920s, recording some 50 songs for Victor Records through the end of the decade. Regarded as one of the premier ukelele players. Has also recorded for other labels, going by different monikers including Elton Spence, Ukelele Luke, Honey Duke, and others. Helped launch Gene Autry's career by introducing him to his friend Art Satherley of the American Record Company. In turn Autry would often employ Marvin to provide songs and orchestration for his soundtracks, though often uncredited ~ Marvin was born in 1897
December 10, 1942 ~ Producer, label executive Joseph Hoo Kim born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Influenced by noted producer Bunny Lee. Co-founded Channel One Studios and several affiliated labels with his brother Ernest Kim. The studio's houseband the Revolutionaries included noted musicians drummer Sly Dunbar, bassist Robbie Shakespeare and saxophonist Tommy McCook. Kim has produced tracks for numerous Jamaican acts including Black Uhuru, Horace Andy, Stranger & Gladdy (Don't Give Up The Fight), John Holt, Junior Byles, Alton Ellis (I Dig You), the Wailing Souls, Dillinger, Leroy Smart (Blackman), the Mighty Diamonds (The Right Time), and Delroy Wilson ~ Kim passed away in 2018
December 10, 1941 ~ David Stuart Chadwick, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter Chad Stuart born in Durham, UK ~ Half of Chad & Jeremy, the other half being Jeremy Clyde, known for a string of early-1960s folk-infected pop hits including Yesterday's Gone, Willow Weep For Me, Before And After, and perhaps their best known 1964's Summer Song ~ Chadwick passed away in 2020
December 10, 1941 ~ Jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist, composer Franco Ambrosetti born in Lugano, Switzerland ~ Leader and sideman. Son of saxophonist Flavio Ambrosetti. Has worked with Kenny Clarke, Dexter Gordon, Phil Woods, Cannonball Adderley, Joe Henderson, Michael Brecker, Mike Stern, Hal Galper, Romano Mussolini, George Gruntz, Mina, Antonio Farao, Paul Heller, Enrico Intra, Quincy Jones, Dado Moroni, Miroslav Vitous, and others
December 10, 1941 ~ Jazz, classical, R&B, pop rock pianist Michael Lang, full name Michael Anthony Lang, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Has worked on over an estimated 2,000 film scores, working with every major film composer including Lalo Schifrin, John Williams, Henry Mancini, and Hans Zimmer. In-demand studio musician, present on albums by Hal Blaine, Frank Zappa (Lumpy Gravy), Don Ellis, Sérgio Mendes, Harry Nilsson, Seals & Crofts (Summer Breeze), Dusty Springfield, Leonard Cohen, Milt Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Tom Waits (Heartattack And Vine), Neil Diamond, Lionel Richie, Natalie Cole, Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, Amy Grant, and Robbie Williams ~ Lang passed away in 2022
December 10, 1941 ~ Folk pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Peter Sarstedt, full name Peter Eardley Sarstedt, born in New Delhi, British India ~ Brother of Eden Kane and Clive Sarstedt, with whom he formed the Sarstedt Brothers. As a solo artist best known for his 1969 self-penned hit Where Do You Go To (My Lovely), a UK No.1 hit and a staple of radio till this day. Sarstedt would continue to record and perform well into the 2000s but was unable to reach the same level of chart succes ~ Sarstedt passed away in 2017
December 10, 1941 ~ Singer Ralph Tavares, full name Ralph Edward Vierra Tavares, born ~ Member of sibling R&B, disco outfit Tavares. The band is known for a string of 1970s hits including She's Gone, It Only Takes A Minute, Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel, Don't Take Away The Music and More Than A Woman, the latter notably featured on 1977 Saturday Night Fever soundtrack ~ Tavares passed away in 2021
December 10, 1939 ~ Jazz, rock saxophonist, flutist Pekka Pöyry, full name Pekka Juhani Pöyry, born in Helsinki, Finland` ~ Influenced by Charlie Parker. Leader and sideman. Worked with Eero Ojanen, Teppo Hauta-aho, Reino Laine, Pia Skaar, Tassavallan Presidentti, Wigwam, Heikki Sarmanto, and others ~ Pöyry passed away in 1980
December 10, 1939 ~ Pianist, conductor, composer Wilhelm Grosz, also known as Hugh Williams, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Artistic manager of Ultraphone Gramophone company in the mid-1920s. Conductor of the Kammerspiele Theater in Vienna. Forced to flee to England by the mid-1930s because of the Nazi takeover. Has composed operas, ballets, chamber music and orchestral music. Best known for co-penning a number of standards, notably Red Sails In The Sunset (Lew Stone, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole), Harbour Lights (Roy Fox, Rudy Vallée, Guy Lombardo, Dinah Washington), and Tomorrow Night (Henry Russell, Horace Heidt, Jimmy Dorsey, Patti Page) ~ Grosz was born in 1894
December 10, 1937 ~ Jazz trombonist, keyboardist, arranger Don Sebesky born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known as in-house arranger since the early-1960s for a number of jazz labels including Verve, A&M Records, and CTI Records. Closely associated with producer Creed Taylor. Notable credits include arranging and conducting for Wes Montgomery (Bumpin'), Willie Bobo, Buddy Rich, Dionne Warwick (Promises Promises), Astrud Gilberto, Kenny Burrell, and George Benson (Shape Of Things To Come). As a leader best known for his 1973 Giant Box album. Over the course of his career Sebesky has composed several film scores, and arranged and conducted for hundreds of artists from jazz to pop, including Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Michael Bublé, Seal, and Prince ~ Sebesky passed away in 2023
December 10, 1936 ~ Jazz, soul, R&B drummer John Boudreaux, full name John Mortimer Boudreaux Jr, born in New Roads, Louisiana, USA ~ Influenced by Professor Longhair. Worked with Duke Burrell, Dr John, Charlie Fairlie, Barbara George, Clarence Frogman Henry, Al Hibbler, Big Joe Turner, Dinah Washington, Irma Thomas, Allen Toussaint, Harold Battiste, Alvin Tyler, Roy Montrell, Chuck Badie, Prince La La, Melvin Lastie, Tami Lynn, Sam Cooke, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Billy Eckstine, Dexter Gordon, Richard Groove Holmes, Big Mama Thornton, and others ~ Boudreaux passed away in 2017
December 10, 1933 ~ Walter Stanley Scuffham, commonly known as pop balladeer, producer Don Charles, born in Kingston-upon-Hull, UK ~ As a singer best known for Walk With Me My Angel and Bring Your Love To Me. Also noted for his work with the Tornados, producing songs such as Space Walk and Goodbye Joe ~ Scuffham passed away in 2005
December 10, 1930 ~ Jazz trumpeter, violinist, singer Ray Nance, full name Ray Willis Nance, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for his longtime association with Duke Ellington, hired in 1940 as replacement for Cootie Williams and remaining with the orchestra through 1963. Sang lead on recordings such as Jump For Joy, Just A-Sittin' And A-Rockin' and Just Squeeze Me But Please Don't Tease Me. Has also worked with Earl Hines, Horace Henderson, Rosemary Clooney, Jaki Byard, Chico Hamilton, Johnny Hodges, Budd Johnson, Joya Sherrill, and recorded a number of albums as a leader ~ Nance passed away in 1976
December 10, 1928 ~ Chanson singer, songwriter Hélène Martin born in Paris, France ~ Started singing in cabarets in the 1950s. Known for setting poems by various renowned poets, notably René Char and Louis Aragon, to music. Well known songs include Chanson A Tuer Le Temps, Le Feu, Le Plaisir Dieu, Chanson Noire and Oh La Guitare ~ Martin passed away in 2021
December 10, 1927 ~ Jazz double bassist George Tucker, full name George Andrew Tucker, born in Palatka, Florida, USA ~ Sideman. Worked with Earl Bostic, John Coltrane, Jackie McLean, Eric Dolphy, Clifford Jordan, Horace Parlan, Booker Ervin, Jerome Richardson, Junior Mance, Melba Liston, Stanley Turrentine, Dexter Gordon, Shirley Scott, Dave Lambert, John Hendricks, Yolande Bavan, Coleman Hawkins, Jaki Byard, Kenny Burrell, Ted Curson, Lou Donaldson, Curtis Fuller, Bennie Green, Slide Hampton, John Handy, Etta Jones, Gildo Mahones, Pony Poindexter, Jimmy Witherspoon, and others ~ Tucker passed away in 1965
December 10, 1926 ~ Eddie Jones, commonly known as singer, guitarist Guitar Slim, born in Greenwood, Mississippi, USA ~ One of the first to experiment with distortion effects on the electric guitar. Cited as an influence by later guitarists including Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Frank Zappa and Jimi Hendrix. Best known for The Things That I Used To Do, a million-seller in 1954 ~ Jones passed away in 1959
December 10, 1924 ~ John Kenneth Albers, commonly known as jazz, traditional pop, close harmony singer, trumpeter, hornist Ken Albers, born in Woodbury, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known as member of the Four Freshmen from 1956, replacing Ken Errair, hrough 1986. The band is said to have pivotal to the development of close harmony quartets, moving away from the barbershop style to include elements of jazz and in so a major influence on numerous artists. Cited by Brian Wilson as one of his major inspirations, the Beach Boys-song A Young Man Is Gone actually based on the Freshmen's 1960 recording Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring ~ Albers passed away in 2007
December 10, 1919 ~ Country songwriter Eddie Miller, full name Edward Monroe Miller, born in Camargo, Oklahoma, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-writing and first recording Release Me (And Let Me Love Again) in 1950. At first the song would be unsuccessful, yet over time it would become a country classic recorded by over 250 artists including Ray Price, Kitty Wells, Patti Page, Dolly Parton, and Ernest Tubb. Other songs written by Miller include Patsy Cline's In Care Of The Blues, Wynn Stewart's Playboy, and Faron Young's Wonderful World Of Women ~ Miller passed away in 1977
December 10, 1914 ~ Mary Leta Dorothy Slaton, commonly known as actress, singer Dorothy Lamour, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as an actress, notably in the Road To…-series alongside Bob Hope and Bing Crosby starting with The Road To Singapore released in 1940. Active as a big band singer since the early-1930s, noted for introducing standards such as Moon Of Manakoora, I Remember You, It Could Happen To You and But Beautiful ~ Slaton passed away in 1996
December 10, 1913 ~ Pianist, composer, conductor Morton Gould born in Richmond Hill, Kentucky, USA ~ Child prodigy. Has composed Broadway musicals such as Billion Dollar Baby and The Arms And The Girl, for films such as Delightfully Dangerous and Windjammer, for TV series such as World War One, written ballet scores such as All River Legend and I'm Old Fashioned, conducted all of the major American orchestras and received a Pullitzer Award for Stringmusic, an orchestral composition for string commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra ~ Gould passed away in 1996
December 10, 1912 ~ Jazz clarinetist Irving Fazola born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Influenced by Leon Roppolo and Jimmie Noone. Topped the 1940 and 1941 Down Beat polls for clarinettists, beating Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, and Edmond Hall. Worked with Louis Prima, Candy Candido, Sharkey Bonano, Armand Hug, Ellis Stratakos, Ben Pollack, Gus Arnheim, Glenn Miller (including on Doing The Jive), Bob Crosby, George Brunies, and Tony Almerico ~ Fazola passed away in 1949
December 10, 1906 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Harold Adamson, full name Harold Campbell Adamson, born in Greenville, New Jersey, USA ~ Popular songwriter of the 1930s and 1940s. Co-wrote songs such as Too Young To Go Steady (Nat King Cole, Patti Page, Connie Stevens), You're A Sweetheart (Tommy Dorsey, Alice Faye, Carroll Gibbons), Don't Believe Everything You Dream (the Ink Spots), Here Comes Heaven Again (Perry Como, Georgie Auld, the Platters), Little Things That Mean So Much (Teddy Wilson, Carmen McRae), A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening (Frank Sinatra, June Christy, Eddy Arnold), You're A Sweetheart (Hoagy Carmichael, Woody Herman, Harry James) ~ Adamson passed away in 1980
December 10, 1822 ~ Romantic composer, pianist, organist, teacher César Franck, full name César-Auguste Jean-Guillaume Hubert Franck, born in Liege, Kingdom of the Netherlands ~ Earned a reputation as a formidable improviser. Organist of the the Basilica Of St Clotilde, Paris, a position he held from 1858 until his death. Joined the the Paris Conservatoire as a professor, where his pupils included Ernest Chausson, Vincent d'Indy, Henri Duparc, Albert Renaud, and Louis Vierne. Prolific composer, and while many of his works were met with resistance, Franck is widely remembered for a number of works composed later in life including Symphony In D Minor, Sonata For Violin And Piano In A Major, Piano Quintet In F Minor, and the symphonic poem Le Chasseur Maudit ~ Franck passed away in 1890