December 23, 2022 ~ Violist, author David Dalton, full name David Johnson Dalton, passed away ~ Best known for his scholarly accomplishments. As a faculty member of Brigham Young University, Utah, Dalton's main contribution was the establishment of the the Primrose International Viola Archive, one of the largest viola archives in the world. Dalton is also known as president of the American Viola Society and of the International Viola Society ~ Dalton was born in 1934
December 23, 2022 ~ Maxwell Alexander Fraser, commonly known as trip hop, electronica, trance rapper, singer, songwriter Maxi Jazz, passed away ~ Founding member, lead singer of Faithless, known for UK top 10 hits such as Salva Mea, Insomnia, God Is A DJ, We Come 1 and One Step Too Far featuring Dido. Has also recorded as a solo artist and guested on recordings by Jason Rebello, Tiësto, Benji Boko, Robbie Williams, and others ~ Fraser was born in 1957
December 23, 2020 ~ Actress, soprano singer Rebecca Luker passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Best known as a Broadway singer, actress starting in the late-1980s performing in productions of The Secret Garden, Show Boat, The Sound Of Music and Mary Poppins. Has also made solo recordings starting in the late-1990s, notably 1996's Rebecca Luker Sings Cole Porter album, and has acted in film and TV productions ~ Luker was born in 1961
December 23, 2020 ~ Reizo Nakanishi, commonly known as novelist, songwriter Rei Nakanishi, passed away in Tokyo, Japan ~ One of the premier Japanese songwriters of the post-World War II period. Best known for penning Kyou De Owakare for Sugawara Yoichi, and Kita Sakaba for Takashi Hosokawa. Others who recorded his songs include Jun Mayuzumi, the Peanuts, Chiyoko Shimakura, Mieko Hirota, Mina Aoe, Yukiji Asaoka, and Hideki Saijo ~ Nakanishi was born in 1938
December 23, 2013 ~ William Emanuel Huddleston, commonly known as saxophonist, flutist, bassoonist, pianist, singer Yusef Lateef, passed away in Shutesbury, Massachusetts, USA ~ Especially noted for albums such as Jazz Mood, Eastern Sounds, Live At Pep's, The Golden Flute, and The Doctor Is In & Out. Recorded prolifically both as a leader and sideman, appearing on albums by Donald Byrd, Frank Wess, Babatunde Olatunji (Drums Of Passion), Curtis Fuller, Charles Mingus (Pre-Bird), Clark Terry, Sonny Red, Grant Green, Slide Hampton, Les McCann, Art Farmer, Leon Redbone (Double Time), and Randy Weston. Lateef has also recorded outside of jazz, including forays into world and new age music, his 1987 Yusef Lateef's Little Symphony album winning the Grammy Award for Best New Age Recording, though his core influences, however, were clearly rooted in jazz. Or in Lateef's own words: “My music is jazz.” ~ Huddleston was born in 1920
December 23, 2010 ~ Singer Jan Buijs passed away ~ Considered a pioneer in the palingpop genre. Founded the skiffle band the Skyriders, employing numerous later stars including Cees Veerman, Arnold Mühre, and others. Owned a dance studio, dance school which served as a breeding ground for numerous acts including the Spoetnik Boys, the Beat Boys and the Left Side ~ Buijs was born in 1937
December 23, 2008 ~ Songwriter Clint Ballard Jr, full name Clinton Conger Ballard Jr, passed away in Denton, Texas, USA ~ Wrote two major hits, Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders' The Game Of Love and Linda Ronstadt's You're No Good, the latter originally recorded by Dee Dee Warwick but the bigger hit for Ronstadt though. Other artists who have recorded his songs include Walter Jackson, Gene McDaniels, Johnny Tillotson, the Tremeloes, Ricky Nelson, the Hollies (I'm Alive), Jan & Dean, Jimmy Jones (Good Timin'), the Zombies, Alvin Stardust, the Kalin Twins, Billy Eckstine, Nancy Wilson, Malcolm Vaughan (Ev'ry Hour Ev'ry Day Of My Life), the Swinging Blue Jeans, Johnny Burnette, Louis Prima, Connie Francis, Frankie Laine, Frankie Avalon (Ginger Bread), Bobby Rydell, Patti Page, Arthur Prysock, and others ~ Ballard was born in 1931
December 23, 2008 ~ Jazz saxophonist, flutist, singer Monty Waters passed away in Munich, Germany ~ Worked with BB King, Lightnin' Hopkins, Little Richard, James Brown, King Pleasure, Pharoah Sanders, Dewey Redman, Donald Garrett, Jon Hendricks, Chet Baker, Johnny Griffin, Embryo, Gotz Tangerding, Hannes Beckman, Titus Waldenfels, Billy Higgins, Joe Lee Wilson, Sam Rivers, Ronnie Boykins, and others ~ Waters was born in 1938
December 23, 2007 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Oscar Peterson, full name Oscar Emmanuel Peterson, passed away in Mississauga, Canada ~ Appeared on more than 200 recordings over a six decade career. Child prodigy. Widely seen as one of the greatest jazz pianists of his day. Influenced by Teddy Wilson, Nat King Cole, James P Johnson, Art Tatum, Sergei Rachmaninoff. Worked with Ray Brown, Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis, Sam Jones, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Joe Pass, Irving Ashby, Count Basie, Herbie Hancock, Ed Thigpen, Ben Webster, Clark Terry, Milt Jackson, McCoy Tyner, and others ~ Peterson was born in 1925
December 23, 2004 ~ Guitarist, lutenist, composer John Duarte, full name John William Duarte, passed away ~ Wrote some 150 works for guitar and lute, ranging from Renaissance-influenced pieces such as English Suite Op.31 to atonal works such as Dreams Op.91 ~ Duarte was born in 1919
December 23, 2003 ~ Donald Douglas Lamond, commonly known as jazz, swing, bebop, big band drummer Don Lamond, passed away in Orlando, Florida, USA ~ Active from the 1940s through the early-1980s. Leader and sideman. Has worked with Woody Herman, Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Benny Goodman, Ruby Braff, the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, Sonny Stitt, Johnny Guarnieri, Jack Teagarden, Quincy Jones, Count Basie, Red Norvo, Maxine Sullivan, Bucky Pizzarelli, and others ~ Lamond was born in 1920
December 23, 1997 ~ Singer Jackie Landry Jackson passed away ~ Member of short-lived girl group the Chantels, known for the million-seller Maybe which reached the Billboard top 20 in 1958. Subsequent recordings would chart considerably lower, if at all, and the group would be dropped by their label in 1959 ~ Jackson was born in 1941
December 23, 1996 ~ Ronald Schatt, commonly known as jazz tenor saxophonist, jazz club owner Ronnie Scott, passed away ~ Best known as jazz club owner, founded Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in 1959. Tenor saxophonist, worked with Johnny Claes, Ted Heath, Ambrose, Cab Kaye, Tito Burns, the Club Eleven Band, Johnny Dankworth, Tadd Dameron, Jack Parnell, Pete King, Victor Feldman, Hank Shaw, Phil Seamen, Kenny Clarke, Johnny Griffin, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Kenny Wheeler, Mike Carr, Bobby Glen, John Critchinson, the Jazz Couriers, Stan Tracey, Joe Harriott, Tubby Hayes, Tony Crombie, Malcolm Cecil, Martin Drew, and others ~ Schatt was born in 1927
December 23, 1992 ~ Funk, funk rock, soul, psychedelic rock guitarist Eddie Hazel, full name Edward Earl Hazel, passed away in Plainsfield, New Jersey, USA ~ Quintessential and hugely influential funk guitarist. Closely associated with George Clinton, member of the Parliaments, Parliament and Funkadelic and especially noted for his guitar solo on the latter's Maggot Brain ~ Hazel was born in 1950
December 23, 1991 ~ Chicago blues, electric blues singer, songwriter Andrew Odom passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Has released three solo albums, starting with 1969's Farther On Down The Road. Worked with Albert King, Johnny Wiliams, Earl Hooker, Pinetop Perkins, Carey Bell, Geno Skaggs, Freddie Roulette, Johnny Big Moose Walker, Jimmy Dawkins, Otis Rush, and Magic Slim ~ Odom was born in 1936
December 23, 1988 ~ J-pop, electropop singer, dancer Yuka Kashino, also known as Kashiyuka, born in Hiroshima, Japan ~ Member of electropop girl group Perfume, known for a string of hits starting in the mid-2000s including Love The World, One Room Disco, Voice, Spring Of Life, Relax In The City, and Tokyo Girl
December 23, 1986 ~ Pop rock drummer Cherisse Osei born ~ First gained attention as drummer for all-female trio the Faders, known best for their 2005 UK top 20 hit No Sleep Tonight. Following the band's split in 2006 Osei has notably appeared on Mika's The Boy Who Knew Too Much album, and worked with Bryan Ferry, Todd Terje, Quist, and Kelly Jones. Osei is perhaps best known for her work with the Simple Minds, starting on the 2016 Acoustic album
December 23, 1985 ~ Austin Agustin Santos, commonly known as reggaeton singer, songwriter Arcángel, born in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Formed the duo Arcángel & De La Ghetto with De La Ghetto, Well known songs include Agresivo, Sorpresa and Mi Fanatica. Debuted as a solo artist with the El Fenomeno album in 2008. Well known songs include Chica Virtual, Por Amor A Ciegas, Me Prefieras A Mi and 50 Sombras De Austin. Has also worked with Julio Voltio, Daddy Yankee, J-Alvarez, Kendo Kaponi, Nejo, Tony Dize, and Cosculluela
December 23, 1985 ~ All-female pop rock, power pop, paisley underground group the Bangles release Manic Monday, lead single off their Different Light sophomore album ~ Written by Prince, and first recorded as a demo for Apollonia 6 but pulled from the album. Recorded by the Bangles the following year, it would become their first major hit, peaking at No.2 Billboard Hot 100, coincidentally held off the top spot by Prince's Kiss. It has been rumored that Prince gave the song to the Bangles in hope of winning the affection of the band's guitarist Susanna Hoffs. The band's drummer Debbi Peterson would later explain why they were given the song: “Prince really liked our first album. He liked the song Hero Takes A Fall, which is a great compliment, because we liked his music. He contacted us and said ‘I've got a couple of songs for you. I'd like to know if you're interested,’, and of course we were”
December 23, 1985 ~ David Joseph Michael Hynes, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer Dev Hynes, born in Ilford, UK ~ Released his Falling Off The Lavender Bridge solo debut album in 2008 under the moniker Lightspeed Champion. Has since also recorded using the names Blood Orange and Devonté Hynes. Has collaborated with the Chemical Brothers, Basement Jaxx, Diana Vickers, Theophilus London, Solange Knowles, Sky Ferreira, Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, Carly Rae Jepsen, and others
December 23, 1985 ~ Drummer, songwriter Harry Judd, full name Harry Mark Christopher Judd, born in Chelmstock, UK ~ Drunmmer of McFly, known for songs such as 5 Colours In Her Hair, Obviously, All About You, You've Got A Friend, I'll Be OK, Don't Stop Me Now, Star Girl and Baby's Coming Back, all of which topped the UK charts
December 23, 1978 ~ Jenny-Bea Englishman, commonly known as electronica, trip hop, indie pop, experimental rock singer, songwriter Esthero, born in Stratford, Canada ~ Drew comparisons to Björk, Portishead, Billie Holiday, and Sade. Influential on artists such as Res, Fergie, and Nelly Furtado. Debuted in 1998 with the Breath From Another album, which initially sold poorly yet in time became to be regarded as a trip hop classic. Esthero has guested on tracks by the likes of Timbaland, Black Eyed Peas (Weekends), Ian Pooley, Goodie Mob, Saul Williams, John Forté, Sugar Ray, Mos Def, Boney James, and Kanye West
December 23, 1977 ~ Jazz trumpeter Tore Johansen born in Bodø, Norway ~ Brother of drummer Roger Johansen. Tore has collaborated with Chick Corea, Karin Krog, Kenny Wheeler, Lars Jansson, Hal Galper, Sin Gillein and Jan Gunnar Hoff, Steve Swallow, Jukka Perko, Knut Riisnæs, Olaf Kamfjord, Halvdan Sivertsen, and Jo Skaansar
December 23, 1976 ~ Delta blues singer, guitarist Boyd Gilmore passed away in Fresno, California, USA ~ Though Gilmore's recording career was brief, he is remembered by blues aficionados for two early-1950s recordings, 1952's Ramblin' On My Mind and Believe I'll Settle Down recorded the following year. The former, a cover of the classic Robert Johnson song, features a young Ike Turner on piano, whereas the latter featured pianist Pinetop Perkins, guitarist Earl Hooker, and drummer Willie Nix. Though Gilmore never achieved much fame during his lifetime, he did enjoy some regional popularity touring Delta juke joints, before settling down in California ~ Gilmore was born in 1905
December 23, 1975 ~ Singer, songwriter Katie Underwood born in Adelaide, Australia ~ First gained attention as member of Bardot, a girl group created through the 2000 edition of the Australian talent contest Popstars. Present on the band's eponymous Bardot debut album, which spawned the hit single Poison, before departing the band in 2001. Has recorded as a solo artist since, releasing a number of moderately successful singles throughout the remainder of the decade, leading up to her full-length Ain't Nobody's Baby album released in 2009
December 23, 1974 ~ Sibling outfit the Jackson 5 release I Am Love, lifted off their Dancing Machine album ~ A two-section song running well over the usual length of a pop song, I Am Love was part soul ballad, led by Jermaine Jackson, and part funk dance anthem, led mostly by Michael Jackson. The album version would run well over seven minutes, while the track was cut in its two distinct sections for the single, sprawled across both sides. I Am Love would be their last major hit for Motown, peaking at No.15 Billboard Hot 100, No.5 Billboard R&B. After the song's success, the band would release one more album, Moving Violation, before leaving the label for Epic Records, where they continued as the Jacksons
December 23, 1972 ~ Country, country-pop singer Anne Murray releases Danny's Song, lifted off her album of the same name ~ Written by Kenny Loggins as a gift to his brother for the birth of his son. First recorded by Gator Creek. Loggins himself included the song on the 1972 Loggins & Messina album Sittin' In, the song not issued as a single yet the album track received significant airplay following the album's release. The best known version, however, would be Murray's hit version which reached No.10 Billboard Country, and No.7 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Both the Loggins & Messina and Anne Murray versions remain staples of classic rock radio to this day. Danny's Song would go on to be recorded by over 50 artists
December 23, 1970 ~ Pop, country pop singer Glen Campbell records Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream) at TTG Recording Studio, Hollywood, California ~ Originally recorded by Roy Orbison in 1962. Written by Cindy Walker. Produced by Campbell's regular producer Al De Lory. Released as the lead single of Campbell's 1971 The Last Time I Saw Her album, paired with Here & Now on the flip side
December 23, 1970 ~ Folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Karine Polwart born in Stirlingshire, UK ~ First gained attention in the early-2000s as lead singer of Malinky. As a solo artist debuted in 2003 with her Faultlines album. Has also worked with the Battlefield Band, Idlewild-singer Roddy Woomble, Paolo Nutini, the Burns Unit, Dean Owens, Kris Drever, the Fruit Tree Foundation, Songs of Separation, and others
December 23, 1968 ~ Quincy Delight Jones III1, commonly known as producer QDIII, born in London, UK ~ Son of renowned musician, producer Quincy Jones and singer, actress, model Ulla Jones. Co-produced the bio documentary The Carter about the life of rapper Lil' Wayne. As a recording artist known for his 1991 Soundlab album. Jones has also served as producer for artists such as Everlast, Justin Warfield, Jazzy D, Tevin Campbell, LL Cool J, Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur, and Mark Ronson
December 23, 1967 ~ Model, chanson, pop singer, songwriter Carla Bruni born in Turin, Italy ~ Wrote several songs for Julien Clerc's 2000 album Si J'Etais Elle. Released her own debut, Quelque Un Ma Dit, in 2002. The album would spend 34 weeks in the French top 10. Bruni has been recording and releasing steadily to commercial succes and critical acclaim
December 23, 1966 ~ Jazz, worldbeat singer, guitarist, percussionist, songwriter Badi Assad born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Renowned classically trained fingerstyle guitarist. Daughter of mandolinist Jorge Assad, sister of classical guitarists Sérgio Assad and Odair Assad. Sings in English and Portuguese. Recorded over a dozen albums since the late-1980s to critical acclaim, including the collaborative album Three Guitars with John Abercrombie and Larry Coryell. Other associations include Gilli Moon, Carlinhos Antunes, Toquinho, Eduardo Isaac, Ataulfo Alves, Yo-Yo Ma (Songs Of Joy & Peace), Tom Zé, and Arooj Aftab
December 23, 1965 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Doug Gillard born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Began in Ohio punk bands such as Suspect Device, Children's Crusade, and Starvation Army. Has worked with Richard Buckner, Yuji Oniki, My Dad Is Dead, Mice, Bill Fox, Fence Lions, Zest Of Yore, Stewart Pack, the Oranges Band, Mascott, Sally Crewe, Sudden Moves, Guided By Voices (full member from 1997 to 2004), Gem, Bambi Kino, Cobra Verde, Nada Surf, Death of Samantha, and others
December 23, 1964 ~ Edward Louis Severson III, commonly known as alternative rock, grunge singer, guitarist, songwriter Eddie Vedder, born in Evanston, Illinois, USA ~ Lead singer, guitarist of Pearl Jam, known for songs such as Spin The Black Circle, I Got Id, Given To Fly, and Last Kiss. Member of supergroup Temple Of The Dog. Has also recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with artists such as Hovercraft, Supersuckers, Bad Religion, 7 Worlds Collide, Neil Young, the Ramones, Pete Townshend, Wellwater Conspiracy, Crowded House, REM, and others
December 23, 1959 ~ R&B outfit the Drifters record This Magic Moment ~ Written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. Produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Lead singer: Ben E King. Session musicians: Phil Bodner sax, Ernie Hayes piano, George Barnes and Bucky Pizzarelli guitars, George Duvivier bass, Shep Shepherd drums. Reelased as a single the following January, b/w Baltimore, it would reach top 20 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 and top 10 Billboard R&B. Notably covered in 1968 by Jay & the Americans
December 23, 1957 ~ Singer, actor Dan Bigras born in Montreal, Canada ~ Discovered by rock singer Gerry Boulet. Released his Ange Animal debut album in 1990 and has recorded to mixed reception since. Spokesman of Refuge des Jeunes de Montréal, an agency to help homeless and at-risk youth
December 23, 1951 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist Anthony Phillips born ~ Best known as original lead guitarist of Genesis, remaining with the band from 1967 through 1970 and present on the albums From Genesis To Revelation and Trespass. Has since released a number of solo records, starting with 1976's The Geese & The Ghost, and has collaborated with Harry Williamson, Mike Rutherford, Phil Collins, Andrew Latimer, Iva Twydell, and Steve Hackett
December 23, 1949 ~ Robert Steven Belew, commonly known as progressive rock, experimental rock, new wave guitarist, drummer, keyboardist, singer Adrian Belew born in Cinvgton, Kentucky, USA ~ Member of King Crimson from 1981 through 2009. Has also worked with Discipline, Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club, Laurie Anderson, Nine Inch Nails, Paul Simon, and Gizmodrome. As a solo artist best known for his 1989 single Oh Daddy and his 2005 Grammy Award-nominated Beat Box Guitar
December 23, 1947 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal, power metal, pop metal singer, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Graham Bonnet born in Lincolnshire, UK ~ In-demand singer known for his powerful voice, yet also capable of singing frail ballads. Also known for his flashy visual style, unlike most metal singers often dressed in sharp suits. Formed the late-1960s duo the Marbles with Trevor Gordon, scoring a UK top 10 hit with Only One Woman penned by the Bee Gees-siblings Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb. Bonnett would spend most of the 1970s singing jingles and work as a solo artist before joining Rainbow in 1979 as replacement for Ronnie James Dio. The move marked a change in musical style, switching from pop and soft rock to hard rock. Would go on to work with the Michael Schenker Group, Alcatrazz, Blackthorne, Impellitteri, Zak Starkey, and others
December 23, 1946 ~ Rock bassist Luther Grosvenor born in Evesham, UK ~ Member of Deep Feeling, alongsie Jim Capaldi of future Traffic-fame. Member of VIP's, more commonly known through a few namechanges as Spooky Tooth. Member of Mott The Hoople and co-founding member of Widowmaker, going by the moniker Ariel Bender. Briefly a member of Stealers Wheel
December 23, 1946 ~ Rock, hard rock guitarist Ray Tabano, also known as Crazy Raymond, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of Aerosmith, replaced in 1971 by Brad Whitford. Would remain associated with the band through 1979 running the band's fan club and line of merchandise
December 23, 1946 ~ Robert Dupuis, commonly known as pop rock, soft rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Robbie Dupree, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Best known for the hit singles Hot Rod Hearts and Steal Away, the latter a Billboard top 10 hit of his eponymous 1980 Robbie Dupree debut album
December 23, 1945 ~ Julio Manuel Acevedo Lanuza, commonly known as singer Julio Angel, born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico ~ Emerged in the 1960s, initially as frontman of the teen group Julito & the Latin Lads, to become one of the nueva olas teen idols in Puerto Rico. Would go on to sing with visiting American artists such as Neil Sedaka and Frankie Avalon. Scored a hit with the doo-wop song Nunca and subsequently with El Diamante, the latter making him a household name across Latin America. Internationally, Angel is also well known for the hit Tan Bonita Como Tu ~ Acevedo passed away in 2015
December 23, 1945 ~ Psychedelic rock, acid rock, hard rock drummer, guitarist Ron Bushy born in Washington DC, USA ~ Early member of Iron Butterfly, replacing original drummer Bruce Morse in 1966. Noted for his drum solo on the band's iconic song In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. Bushy is the only band member to appear on all of the band's six studio albums ~ Bushy passed away in 2021
December 23, 1943 ~ Actor, comedian, writer, singer, voice actor, director, producer Harry Shearer, full name Harry Julius Shearer, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ To rock audiences best known for co-writing and starring in the satirical rockumentary This Is Spinal Tap about the fictional rock band Spinal Tap. Former child actor. Member of radio comedy group the Credibility Gap. Cast member of Saturday Night Live at the turn of the 1980s. Voice actor for animated sitcom The Simpsons. Appeared in The Truman Show. Directed the films Teddy Bears' Picnic and The Big Uneasy. Longtime radio host of Le Show, incorporating news, satire, music and sketch comedy
December 23, 1943 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Merrell Fankhauser, full name Merrell Wayne Fankhauser, born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ First gained attention with local surf band the Impacts, known for songs such Blue Surf, Steel Pier, Lisa. Would go on to enjoy a cult following throughout the 1970s following working with bands such as Fapardokly, HMS Bounty, MU, the Mavi Band, John Cipollina, Pete Sears, and others
December 23, 1942 ~ Singer Declan Cluskey born ~ Founding member of the Bachelors, which also included his brother Conleth Cluskey. The band would enjoy popularity in the UK during the 1960s and are best known for their 1964 UK No.1 hit Diane. Subsequently I Believe, Ramona, I Wouldn't Trade You For The World, No Arms Can Ever Hold You, Marie, and Sound Of Silence would also reach top 10
December 23, 1941 ~ Singer, songwriter Tim Hardin, full name James Timothy Hardin, born in Eugen, Oregon, USA ~ Though he is best known for penning and first recording two specific songs, Reason To Believe and If I Were A Carpenter, both recorded by well over a 100 artists each, Hardin was perhaps one of the gentlest and most soulful folk singers to emerge from the 1960s and hugely influential on a wide array of singer-songwriters to rise to fame in the 1970s. Hardin has recorded ten albums until his death of an overdose at age 39, and is especially acclaimed for his 1966 Tim Hardin 1 debut album and its Tim Hardin 2 follow-up issued the following year. Hardin's debut album included Reason To Believe which perhaps may have been most notably covered by Brainbox in 1969 and subsequently by Rod Stewart who issued the song, paired with Maggie May, as the double A-side lead single off his 1971 Every Picture Tells A Story album. If I Were A Carpenter was taken off of Hardin's sophomore album, and though Hardin was the first to record it, Bobby Darin would be the first to release it beating Hardin by less than two months in the fall of 1966. Peaking at No.8 Billboard Hot 100 it would become Darin's final top 10 hit of his career. Other Hardin originals have also been frequently covered, including Hang On To A Dream (Ian & Sylvia, Françoise Hardy, Cissy Houston), It'll Never Happen Again (Connie Stevens, PP Arnold, Peggy Lee), Don't Make Promises (Marianne Faithfull, Scott McKenzie, ZZ Hill), Misty Roses (Sonny & Cher, Astrud Gilberto, Colin Blunstone), and Simple Song Of Freedom (Della Reese, the Bells) ~ Hardin passed away in 1980
December 23, 1940 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Eugene Record, full name Eugene Booker Record, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Lead vocalist of the Chi-lites, scoring with 1970s hits such as Oh Girl, Have You Seen Her and (For God's Sake) Give More Power To The People. Record also wrote and produced for other artists inlcuding Jackie Wilson, Lost Generation, Otis Leavell, the Dells, the Impressions, and others. Credited as a co-writer, earning him Grammy Award recognition, on the Beyoncé hit Crazy In Love due to its sampling of the Chi-lites' Are You My Woman (Tell Me So) ~ Record passed away in 2005
December 23, 1939 ~ Angeline Rache de Lanerolle, commonly known as singer Angeline Gunathilake, born in Matara, Sri Lanka ~ Dubbed “the Silver Bell of Sinhala cinema” working primarily as a playback singer for films (whereas the actresses would lip-sync) on over 5,000 songs ~ De Lanerolle passed away in 2019
December 23, 1937 ~ Rock & roll drummer Jimmy Van Eaton, full name James Mack Van Eaton, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Initially played Dixieland jazz with the Jivin' Five, which he founded, before switching to rock & roll. Recording a demo at Sun Records with engineer Cowboy Jack Clement impressed Clement, who then recommended Van Eaton to Billy Lee Riley. Van Eaton would tour with Riley, as well as with Conway Twitty, on weekends, and work as a session drummer during the week. From the mid through the late-1950s, Van Eaton drummed on most of the Sun Records recordings by Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, Bill Justis, and Jerry Lee Lewis, including on the latter's 1957 Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On classic. By the 1960s Van Eaton mostly retired from music. In 1998, going by the moniker JM Van Eaton, he released his sole solo album The Beat Goes On, featuring his own songs and vocals ~ Van Eaton passed away in 2024
December 23, 1935 ~ Esther Mae Jones, commonly known as singer Esther Phillips born in Galveston, Texas, USA ~ Best known for her association with Johnny Otis, recording a number of 1950s hits with the Otis orchestra including Double Crossing Blues, Mistrusting Blues and Cupid's Boogie. As a solo artist scored a number of 1960s R&B hits for Release Me, And I Love Him and Try Me ~ Jones passed away in 1984
December 23, 1934 ~ Jazz pianist John Critchinson born in London, UK ~ Worked with Ronnie Scott, Tubby Hayes, Jimmy Deuchar, Chet Baker, George Coleman, James Moody, Joe Henderson, Johnny Griffin, Dick Morrisey, Jim Mullen, Martin Drew, Ron Mathewson, Art Themen, Dave Green, Dave Barry, Pat Crumley, Simon Spillett, and others ~ Critchinson passed away in 2017
December 23, 1933 ~ Jazz saxophonist Frank Morgan born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ A leading figure in the jazz revival of the 1980s who over a five decades spanning career recorded with wide array of seminal artists including Milt Jackson, Kenny Clarke, Lyle Murphy, Wardell Gray, Mark Murphy, Terry Gibbs, Art Farmer, Ben Sidran, Abbey Lincoln, and others ~ Morgan passed away in 2007
December 23, 1929 ~ Chesney Henry Baker Jr, commonly known as cool jazz, bebop trumpeter, singer Chet Baker, born in Yale, Oklahoma, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Dubbed “the Prince of Cool” known for his innovations to the genre. As a composer known for songs such as Chetty's Lullaby, So Che Ti Perdero (I Know I Will Lose You), The Route, Skiddaddklin, New Morning Blues, Dessert, Blue Gilles and We Know It's Love. Has worked with Gerry Mulligan, Russ Freeman, Bob Whitlock, Carson Smith, Shelly Manne, Elvis Costello (Shipbuilding), Art Pepper, Bud Shank, Jack Sheldon, Dick Twardzik, Kirk Lightsey, and others ~ Baker passed away in 1988
December 23, 1919 ~ R&B saxophonist, bandleader Joe Lutcher, full name Joseph Woodman Lutcher, born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA ~ Brother of singer Nellie Lutcher. Known for songs such as Shuffle Woogie, Rocking Boogie and Mardi Gras, the latter later covered by Professor Longhair and by Fats Domino. Has worked with Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr, the Mills Brothers, Karl George, Bill Ellis, Leon Beck, Harold Morrow, Dick Booker Hart, and Little Richard ~ Lutcher passed away in 2006
December 23, 1917 ~ Jazz, big band arranger, pianist Edwin Finckel born in Washington DC, USA ~ Best remembered for co-writing Where Is The One with Alec Wilder, recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1949 and again for his 1957 Where Are You album. The song has also been recorded by Dick Haymes, Tommy Dorsey, Patti Page, Bobby Darin, Rita Pavone, and Bob Dylan ~ Finckel passed away in 2001
December 23, 1892 ~ Blues, jazz, ragtime, boogie-woogie William Ezell born in Brenham, Texas, 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 passed away in 1963
December 23, 1888 ~ Bandleader, pianist Mike Jackson born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Accompanist on early jazz and blues recordings by Clara Smith, Alberta Hunter, Laura Smith, Thomas Morris, Perry Bradford, Buddy Christian, and others. Also remembered for writing or co-writing songs such as The Louisville Blues (WC Handy), Slender Tender & Tall (Jimmie Lunceford) and Hey Knock Me A Kiss (Louis Jordan) ~ Jackson passed away in 1945