December 3, 2023 ~ Miles Francis Goodwin, commonly known as rock, pop, hard rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Myles Goodwyn, passed away in Halifax, Canada ~ Lead singer, main songwriter, co-founding and sole constant member of April Wine, with whom he recorded well over a dozen albums. The band would enjoy popularity especially during the 1970s and early-1980s, moving from garage rock to commercially viable rock, hard rock. They are best known for hits such as Tonite Is A Wonderful Time To Fall In Love, The Whole World's Goin' Crazy, and You Won't Dance With Me, all of which reached top 10 in their native Canada. The singles You Could Have Been A Lady, Roller, and Just Between You And Me would also reach top 40 Billboard Hot 100. Goodwyn released his eponymous Myles Goodwyn solo debut album in 1988 ~ Goodwin was born in 1948
December 3, 2022 ~ Folk singer Alexandre Zelkine, also known as Sasha Zelkin, passed away in Le Mans, France ~ Known best for a number of 1960s folk albums, starting with Sasha Sings Folk Songs Of Russia released in 1965 using the moniker Sasha Zelkin. Zelkine would record through the mid-1970s, singing in French, Yiddish, Spanish, and Russian ~ Zelkine was born in 1938
December 3, 2022 ~ Robert Naughton, commonly known as jazz vibraphonist, pianist Bobby Naughton, passed away ~ Over half a dozen albums as a leader, starting with Nature's Consort released in 1969. As a sideman closely associated with Wadada Leo Smith, including on the acclaimed Divine Love album, and with Anthony Braxton. Also present on albums by Roscoe Mitchell, the Art Ensemble Of Chicago, and the Creative Orchestra ~ Naughton was born in 1944
December 3, 2022 ~ Singer, guitarist, drummer, songwriter Jamie Freeman passed away ~ Member of alt-country outfit Salter Cane. Backed his brother singer Tim Freeman in the pop rock band the Frazier Chorus, both as a touring member and appearing on the band's 1995 Wide Awake album. Recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting in the early-2010s ~ Freeman was born in 1965
December 3, 2022 ~ Music manager Janis Hunter passed away in Rhode Island, USA ~ Married to singer Marvin Gaye from 1977 until 1981, with whom she has two children including singer, actress Nona Gaye. After first meeting Gaye in 1973 Hunter became the inspiration for several of the R&B singer's songs, most notably the track Jan included on his 1974 Marvin Gaye Live live album. Gaye's entire 1976 I Want You studio album is also considered a romantic tribute to Hunter ~ Hunter was born ca.1956
December 3, 2022 ~ Sven Ove Hedlund, commonly known as pop singer Svenne Hedlund, passed away in Värnamo, Sweden ~ Member of the Clifftones and perhaps most notably the Hep Stars, the latter propelling Hedlund to national fame. The band is known for 1960s hits such as Farmer John, Cadillac, Bald Headed Woman, Sunny Girl, Wedding, Consolation, and Malaika. Hedlund was married to bandmate Lotta Hedlund from 1969 through 2014, the couple also forming the musical duo Svenne & Lotta ~ Hedlund was born in 1945
December 3, 2021 ~ Pop, schlager singer Arie Ribbens passed away in Emmeloord, the Netherlands ~ Active since the late-1950s, peaking commercially in the 1980s. Known for songs such as Dat Zien We Morgen Wel Weer, Polonaise Hollandaise, Akketdoe, and probably his best known Brabantse Nachten Zijn Lang. Retired from performing in 2015 for health reasons ~ Ribbens was born in 1937
December 3, 2021 ~ R&B, funk drummer Melvin Parker passed away in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Best known for his association with James Brown, his drum rhythms a key element of Brown's 1960s funk innovations. Present on recordings such as Out Of Sight, Papa's Got A Brand New Bag and I Got You I Feel Good. Parker would be drafted by the mid-1960s, replaced in the band by Clyde Stubblefield and John Jabo Starks, and would briefly rejoin by the end of the decade in time for the recording of the Sex Machine album. After his final departure from the band would join his brother saxophonist Maceo Parker's backing band ~ Parker was born in 1944
December 3, 2020 ~ Conductor, pianist, arranger, composer André Gagnon passed away in Montreal, Canada ~ Known for fusing classical music with pop and disco influences. Acclaimed for the albums Neiges, Movements, Le Saint-Laurent and Piano. Composed the opera Nelligan, premiered in 1990. Also known as a film composer, films such as Phobia, The Hot Touch and notably The Pianist to his credit ~ Gagnon was born in 1936
December 3, 2020 ~ Rognvald Andrew Mathewson, commonly known as jazz double bassist, bass guitarist Ron Mathewson, passed away ~ Mentored by folk guitarist, bassist Peerie Willie Johnson. Closely associated with Kenny Clarke and Francy Boland in the 1960s and subsequently Tubby Hayes through the early-1970s. Mathewson has also appeared on albums by Ray Russell, Gordon Beck, Ray Nance (Huffin' & Puffin'), Charles Tolliver (Impact), Phil Woods, Michel Legrand, Benny Waters (When You're Smiling), Flavio Ambrosetti, Bud Freeman, Gary Windo, and the Chitinous Ensemble ~ Mathewson was born in 1944
December 3, 2017 ~ James Todd Smith, commonly known as rapper LL Cool J, receives the Kennedy Center Honors, making him the first rapper to do so ~ For his contributions to “the musical and cultural phenomenon that is today hip hop” over a career starting in the mid-1980s with ten consecutive platinum-plus selling albums to his name, LL Cool J is awarded the Kennedy Center Honors, considered one of the most prestigious arts honors. Humbled and delighted, the rapper, at age 49 also the youngest honoree, would comment: “To knock the door down for a new genre, the word is just ‘dope’. To be able to to come from the corner of Farmers Boulevard in Queens, banging on a garbage can, all the way to the Kennedy Center Honors, that's a long journey.”
December 3, 2016 ~ Classical guitarist Antonio Membrado passed away in Kaysersberg, France ~ Mentored by Andrés Segovia. Known for his renditions of works by Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Heitor Villa-Lobos. Noted for accompanying Paco Ibáñez on his 1964 Paco Ibáñez debut album released in 1964. Also regarded a master of the laúd, an instrument of the cittern family popular in Spanish folk ~ Membrado was born in 1935
December 3, 2016 ~ Producer, label executive Harry Balk passed away in Oak Park, Michigan, USA ~ Discovered acts such as Little Willie John, Johnny & the Hurricanes, Rodriguez. Co-produced Del Shannon's Runaway. Noted for pushing Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, a career-changing and era-defining song disliked by Motown head Berry Gordy Jr but released partly thanks to Balk's insistence. Also pivotal to the career of Rare Earth ~ Balk was born in 1925
December 3, 2016 ~ Tenor saxophonist, trumpeter Herbert Hardesty passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Best known for his association with pianist Fats Domino and producer Dave Bartholomew. Has also worked with artists such as Papa Celestin, Sidney Desvigne, Chick Webb, Chubby Newsom, Earl Palmer, Ernest McLean, Cosimo Matassa, Jewel King, Tommy Ridgley, Lloyd Price (sax on Lawdy Miss Clawdy), Shirley & Lee, Smiley Lewis, T-Bone Walker, Big Joe Turner, Little Richard, Hank Jones, Count Basie, Tom Waits, Plas Johnson, and Mitch Woods ~ Hardesty was born in 1925
December 3, 2016 ~ Following a spike in sales after his death the previous month, Leonard Cohen enters the Billboard Hot 100 at No.59 with his original version of Hallelujah, originally released in 1984 ~ The Canadian singer, actively recording since 1967, makes his debut on the Billboard Hot 100 charts with his best known composition. The single would be Cohen's sole charting single in America, peaking at No.17. Originally released as a single off his 1984 Various Positions album, the song would become a signature song for Cohen, a concert favorite, and is also especially known for its numerous cover versions, recorded by over an estimated 300 artists including most notably Jeff Buckley. Initially, thinking the album was not commercially viable Columbia Records refused to release Cohen's Various Positions album, which also included Dance Me To The End Of Love, another Cohen classic. The company's president Walter Yetnikoff had called Cohen to say: “Look, Leonard, we know you're great, but we don't know if you're any good.”
December 3, 2015 ~ Pianist, organist, keyboardist, singer Gladstone Anderson passed away ~ Helped define the ska sound and rocksteady beat. Said to have coined the term “rock steady.” As a solo artist perhaps best known for his 1972 It May Sound Silly album, considered a landmark album in Jamaican music. In-demand session musician from the 1950s onwards, working with producers such as Duke Reid, Coxsone Dodd and Leslie Kong. Appeared on key recordings including Take It Easy by Hopeton Lewis, Hold Them by Roy Shirley, and Girl I've Got A Date by Alton Ellis. Leader of Gladdy's All-Stars, best known for their 1969 instrumental hit The Liquidator. The All-Stars have also been known under a variety of pseudonyms including the Aggrovators, Rupies All-Stars, the Crystallites and the Upsetters, served as backing band for numerous artists, and at times included the likes of Jackie Jackson, Winston Grennan, Hux Brown, and Winston Wright ~ Anderson was born in 1934
December 3, 2014 ~ Edward Jessie Bivins Jr, commonly known as R&B, soul singer, songwriter Edward Sonny Bivins passed away in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, USA ~ Member of the Manhattans, best known for their 1976 hit Kiss And Say Goodbye. Wrote the band's There's No Me Without You, a 1973 Billboard R&B top 10 hit ~ Bivins was born in 1936
December 3, 2014 ~ Keyboardist Ian McLagan, full name Ian Patrick McLagan, passed away in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Member of the Small Faces, for whom he wrote Up The Wooden Hills To Bedforshire and Long Agos And Worlds Apart, and its successor the Faces. In-demand session and touring keyboardist, perhaps most notably for the Rolling Stones including playing electric piano on the Billboard Hot 100 charttopper Miss You of their 1978 Some Girls album. Close friend of Stones-guitarist Ronnie Wood, regularly serving in Wood's side projects including the New Barbarians. McLagan has also worked with artists such as Jackson Browne, Joe Cocker, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Izzy Stradlin, John Hiatt, Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer, and the Georgia Satellites ~ McLagan was born in 1945
December 3, 2011 ~ Philip Burrell, commonly known as producer, label founder, label executive Philip Fatis Burrell, passed away in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Produced Sugar Minott's More Dogs To The Bone in 1984, founding his first label later the same year. Would go on to manage and produce some of the hottest reggae acts of the 1980s and 1990s, churning out records by Yellowman, Sanchez, Gregory Isaacs, Dean Fraser, Glen Ricks, Sly & Robbie, Luciano, Beres Hammond, Ninjaman, Ini Kamoze, Sizzla, and Tony Rebel ~ Burrell was born in 1954
December 3, 2009 ~ Salvatore Zito, commonly known as pianist, conductor Torrie Zito, passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Married to singer Helen Merrill, with whom he also worked. Stepfather of singer, songwriter Alan Merrill. Brother of drummer Ronnie Zito. Acclaimed for conducting and arranging on the pivotal Morgana King Miss Morgana King album. To pop audiences, Zito is perhaps best remembered for arranging the strings on John Lennon's 1971 Imagine album ~ Zito was born in 1933
December 3, 2005 ~ Singers Brody Dalle of the Distillers and Josh Homme of the Queens Of The Stone Age get married ~ Having previously met at Lollapalooza, Chicago, where Dale was to see her then-boyfriend Tim Armstrong's band Rancid perform, the couple reconnect in 2003 and begin dating. Married in 2005, the couple would have three children, before divorcing in 2019. Much of the Queens Of The Stone Age's 2023 In Times New Roman album deals with their messy divorce
December 3, 1999 ~ John Paul Larkin, commonly known as singer Scatman John, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known for his 1990s hits Ski-ba-bop Ba-dop-bop and Scatman's World mixing scat singing and dance music. Suffered from a severe stutter from childhood forward. Recipient of the American Speech Language Hearing Associatios Annie Glenn Award for outstanding service to the stuttering community. Inducted in the National Stuttering Association Hall Of Fame ~ Larkin was born in 1942
December 3, 1992 ~ Keith Richards and Mick Jagger confirm rumors that bassist Bill Wyman will be leaving the Rolling Stones after thirty years with the band ~ The bass player had been with the band since its very beginning, joining the band in 1962. Over the years Wyman has released several solo albums on the side, notably Stone Alone in 1976, yet until now remained with the band throughout. Post-Stones he would be best known for his work with Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, recording about half a dozen highly rhytm & blues-infested albums with a revolving all-star cast starting with Struttin' Our Stuff released in 1997. Wyman would return for a guest performance playing bass on Live By The Sword off the Rolling Stones album Hackney Diamonds released in 2023
December 3, 1991 ~ Hard rock, glam metal outfit Guns 'n Roses release Live And Let Die, lifted off their Use Your Illusion I album ~ Originally written by Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney, and recorded with Wings as the theme song to the 1973 James Bond film of the same name. Glam metal rockers Guns 'n Roses would record their rendition for their third studio album. The cover would go over well especially in Europe, including reaching the No.5 spot in the UK, surpassing the original which had peaked at No.9. In their native America, Live And Let Die reached No.33, and earned the band a Grammy Award nomination. Guitarist Slash later commented on how they came to record the song: “It's one of those songs, like Knockin' On Heaven's Door that Axl Rose and I have always loved. It's always been a really heavy song, but we'd never discussed it, and didn't know that we each liked it. We were talking one night about a cover song and that came up, and we were like, ‘Yeah! Let's do it!’ So I went to rehearsal with Izzy Stradlin and Matt Sorum and Duff McKagan, just to see whether we could sound good playing it, and it sounded really heavy.” While the original had specifically been written and performed for a film, the Guns 'n Roses cover would also end up in a movie, used about half a decade after its release for the soundtrack to the Grosse Pointe Blank black comedy film
December 3, 1989 ~ Indie rock, indie pop bassist, guitarist Garron DuPree born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Joined indie pop outfit Eisley in 2005 at the age of 15, then consisting of his cousins Chauntelle DuPree, Stacy DuPree, Weston DuPree and Sherri DuPree. Present on all of the band's recordings since their 2007 Combinations sophomore album. Joined Say Anything in 2013. DuPree has also served as recording engineer for Anberlin, Perma, David Upp, and Crimson Arrow
December 3, 1988 ~ In its thirteenth week on the charts, Baby I Love Your Way/Freebird (Medley) by Will To Power hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Neither Peter Frampton nor Lynyrd Skynyrd had ever reached the top of the American charts, but Will To Power, a project conceived by Miami-based producer Bob Rosenberg, scored a Billboard Hot 100 No.1 with a medley of Frampton's Baby I Love Your Way and Skynyrd's Free Bird. Initially, Rosenberg's Epic Records label didn't think highly of the medley, but once Miami radio station Power 96 started playing it, it was issued as a single. Apparently the medley, reworked into a soft rock style, appealed to audiences who had been familiar with the original songs. Baby I Love Your Way/Freebird (Medley) would also reach top 10 in Canada, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, and the UK
December 3, 1984 ~ Hind Laroussi Tahiri, mononymously known as pop, R&B singer Hind, born in Gouda, the Netherlands ~ First gained attention in the 2003 edition of the talent show Idols, reaching third place behind Jamai Loman and runner-up Jim Bakkum. Subsequently released her Around The World debut album later the same year. Best known for songs such as All Over Again, Weak and Give Me A Sign. Represented the Netherlands in the 2008 edition of the Eurovision Songfestival with Your Heart Belongs To Me, but failed to reach the finals
December 3, 1984 ~ British pop group Wham release Last Christmas, lead single off their Music From The Edge Of Heaven album ~ On its initial release, the single would spend five weeks at No.2 on the UK charts, held off the top spot by Band Aid's charity single Do They Know It's Christmas. The single has re-entered the British charts numerous times during the Holiday season, and has become both one of the most beloved Christmas songs in the UK, despite it not being a “true” Christmas-themed single as it only references Christmas on a side note. On New Years Day 2021, Last Christmas finally reached the No.1 position, more than 36 years after its initial release
December 3, 1983 ~ Pop rock, country pop singer, guitarist, pianist, trumpeter Andy Grammer, full name Andrew Charles Grammer, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Cites influences as diverse as Jason Mraz, Coldplay, OneRepublic, Common, Lauryn Hill, and Jay-Z. Released his eponymous Andy Grammer debut album in 2011, and has recorded steadily since. The single Honey I'm Good taken off his Magazines Or Novels sophomore album reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Other well known songs include Fine By Me, Miss Me, Good To Be Alive, and Fresh Eyes
December 3, 1983 ~ In its twelfth week on the charts, A Little Good News by Anne Murray hits No.1 Billboard Country ~ Inflation, recession, a surge in crime, and a renewed Cold War, many were simply tired of all the news. As Rory Bourke, who co-wrote the song with Charlie Black and Tommy Rocco, later voiced the prevailing sentiment of the day: “It was one of those periods where every story was worse than the one before. We were sitting there with that first cup of coffee and I was saying, ‘Golly, have you been listening to the news? I just can't stand it anymore. It hurts to turn on the TV’.” Issued as the lead single off Murray's album of the same name, in these troubled times A Little Good News definitely struck a chord with audiences. It would become her sixth Billboard Country charttopper and earn the singer a Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance. The parent album won her a CMA Award for Album of the Year
December 3, 1983 ~ Irving Goldberg, commonly known as songwriter, lyricist, screenwriter Irving Taylor, passed away in Westlake Village, California, USA ~ Best known for co-penning Everybody Loves Somebody Sometimes with Sam Coslow and Ken Lane. The song would first be recorded by Peggy Lee in 1947 and covered by well over a hundred artists, including Frank Sinatra, Dinah Washington, Brenda Lee, and Sarah Vaughan. Other songs co-written by Taylor have been recorded by the Merry Macs, Vaughn Monroe (Three Little Sisters), Guy Lombardo, Paula Watson, Doris Day (Quicksilver), Kay Starr (The Man With The Bag), and Tennessee Ernie Ford ~ Goldberg was born in 1914
December 3, 1979 ~ Country singer Barbara Mandrell releases Years, lifted off her Just For The Record album ~ Mandrell was on a roll during the late-1970s and early-1980s. Her 1978 Moods album spawned two Billboard Country charttoppers, her first two, with Sleeping Single In A Double Bed and (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right both reaching the No.1 spot. She had won ACM Top Female Vocalist in 1978, the following year she would be nominated for the same award and win the CMT award for Female Artist of the Year. Years continued the streak, and would become her third No.1. The song is arguably one of her all-time best performances, telling the sad tale of a woman running into an old flame for whom she has been carrying a torch ever since they broke up, all the while longing for her lover to return, only to eventually realize it has already been years and it is never going to happen
December 3, 1975 ~ Alternative metal, groove metal, experimental rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter Todd Smith born in Rockville, Maryland, USA ~ Best known for fronting Dog Fashion Disco. Has also recorded as a solo artist going by the moniker El Creepo, starting with the eponymous El Creepo album released in 2009, and worked with the Alter Boys, Polkadot Cadaver, and Knives Out
December 3, 1974 ~ R&B, soul, pop singer Trina Braxton, full name Trina Evette Braxton, born in Severn, Maryland, USA ~ Member of sibling outfit the Braxtons, releasing their sole album So Many Ways in 1996. The So Many Ways title single would be the only single charting on the Billboard Hot 100, stalling in the high 80s, yet the band would attract enough attention to launch the solo career of Toni Braxton
December 3, 1973 ~ Indie rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist Amy Millan born in Toronto, Canada ~ Member of Stars, joining the band in 1999 when most of their Nightsongs debut album was already recorded limiting Millan's involvement to singing lead on Toxic Holiday. The band would breakthrough with their Set Yourself On Fire album released in 2004, Millan notably present on the album's single Ageless Beauty. Married to Stars bandmate Evan Cranley, with whom she has two children. Touring member for Broken Social Scene. Has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing her Honey From The Tombs debut album in 2006
December 3, 1972 ~ Jazz banjoist, bassist William Manuel Johnson passed away in New Braunfels, Texas, USA ~ Brother of pianist, clarinetist, drummer Dink Johnson. Considered the father of the “slap” style of double bass playing. Mentored Milt Hinton. Played with the Eagle Band and the Excelsior Brass Band before founding the Original Creole Orchestra, the first jazz band to leave New Orleans, Louisiana, and tour widely in the 1910s ~ Johnson was born in 1872
December 3, 1970 ~ Singer, mandolinist, songwriter Amy Helm born in Woodstock, New York, USA ~ Daughter of singer Libby Titus and the Band drummer Levon Helm. Has also played in her father's bands the Midnight Ramble Band and Ollabelle. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Didn't It Rain in 2015, backed by artists such as John Medeski, Bill Payne and Catherine Russell. Has also collaborated with Donald Fagen, Mercury Rev, Christine Lavin, Kenny White, Sean Costello, the Holmes Brothers, Ben Sidran, Matt Andersen, Ninni Poijarvi, Rosanne Cash, Tracy Bonham, Colin Linden, Doyle Bramhall II, Tyler Chester, Jennifer Condos, Jay Bellerose, Allison Russell, JT Nero, and Adam Minkoff
December 3, 1968 ~ Aretha Now, the 1968 Billboard Hot 200 top 10 album by R&B singer Aretha Franklin, reaches gold status ~ Issued the previous June, the album would reach gold status within half a year of its release. The album spawned two Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits, Think and I Say A Little Prayer. The former, penned by Franklin with her then-husband Ted White, built on the feel of her previous Otis Redding cover RESPECT, an assertive woman telling her man not to mess with her. The latter was originally a hit for Dionne Warwick, but over time would become more associated with Franklin. The album featured backing musicians such as Tommy Cogbill, Spooner Oldham, and King Curtis. A young Bobby Womack played guitar on the tracks You're A Sweet Sweet Man, Hello Sunshine, and A Change
December 3, 1967 ~ Jazz trumpeter, violinist Peter Bocage, full name Peter Edwin Bocage, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Pivotal figure in early New Orleans jazz. Led the Superior Orchestra in his early 20s, a ragtime band that also included Bunk Johnson. Also worked with the Tuxedo Orchestra, the Excelsior Brass Band, King Oliver, Fate Marable, AJ Piron, and Sidney Bechet ~ Bocage was born in 1887
December 3, 1965 ~ Latin rock, hard rock, rock guitarist, keyboardist Juan Valdivia born ~ Dubbed “El Maestro” by his fans. Rose to fame as a member of Héroes del Silencio, a band considered pivotal to 1990s Spanish rock. Present on albums such as El Mar No Cesa, Senderos De Traición, El Espíritu Del Vino, and Avalancha. Following the band's disbandement in the late-1990s has recorded his solo artist, releasing his Trigonometralia debut album in 2001
December 3, 1963 ~ Bassist, singer Joe Lally, full name Joseph Francis Lally, born in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA ~ Best known as bassist, co-founding member of post-hardcore outfit Fugazi. Has also recorded as a solo artist, formed the instrumental trio the Messthetics with guitarist Anthony Pirog and drummer Brendan Canty, and toured with Capillary Action and the Melvins
December 3, 1963 ~ Singer, trumpeter Louis Armstrong records Hello Dolly ~ Written by Jerry Herman for the 1964 musical of the same name, in which it was introduced by Carol Channing. Armstrong was asked to record a version to promote the musical. Released as a single in January 1964, shortly after the musical premiered, Armstrong's version would reach top of the Billboard Hot 100 and win a Grammy Award for Song of the Year. Armstrong would reprise the song with Barbra Streisand in the 1964 film version of Hello Dolly. A slightly altered version, retitled Hello Lyndon, would be used for Lyndon B Johnson's 1964 Presidential campaign. Channing first performed it at that year's Democratic National Convention, a recording would be made by Ed Ames
December 3, 1961 ~ Rock guitarist Marcelo Fromer born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Co-founding member of Titas, one of the most popular Brazilian rock bands. Passed away hit by a motorcyclist while jogging, one day before recording of the band's thirteenth album A Melhor Banda De Todos Os Tempos Da Ultima Semana were set to begin ~ Fromer passed away in 2001
December 3, 1960 ~ Guitarist, producer Rolf Ellmer, full name Rolf Johannes Ellmer, born ~ Trance pioneer. Regular collaborator of Markus Löffel, the duo releasing records under several monikers including Tokyo Ghetto Pussy, Storm and most successfully as Jam & Spoon. Well known songs include dance tracks such as Right In The Night (Fall In Love With Music), Kaleidoscope Skies, and Be Angeled. Ellmer also formed the dance, techno duo Dance 2 Trance with DJ Dag Lerner, and served as producer for the likes of Enigma, Moby, and Frankie Goes To Hollywood
December 3, 1959 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Maarten Peters born in Nijmegen, the Netherlands ~ Fingerpicking guitarist. Fronted Maarten Peters & the Dream. Member of Frank Boeijen Groep from 1984 through 1986. Backed Margriet Eshuijs. Wrote songs for Rob de Nijs, Liesbeth List, Manuela Kemp, and for Willeke Alberti
December 3, 1959 ~ Singer Nol Havens, full name Arnoldus Ignatius Maria Josephus Havens, born in Tilburg, the Netherlands ~ Frontman, lead singer of VOF De Kunst, known for the 1980s hits Suzanne and Eén Kopje Koffie
December 3, 1957 ~ Singer Don Gibson records Oh Lonesome Me at RCA Studios, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Written by Gibson. Produced by Chet Atkins. Backing vocals by the Jordanaires. Released later the same month, b/w I Can't Stop Loving You recorded the same day, it would become one of Gibson's best known, a signature song, and be covered by numerous artists including Bob Luman, Johnny Cash, Connie Francis, Ray Charles, Skeeter Davis, the Beau Brummels, Nancy Sinatra, Neil Young, and the Kentucky Headhunters
December 3, 1956 ~ Composer, drummer, vibraphonist Rob Waring born in Yonkers, New York, USA ~ A resident of Oslo since the early-1980s, Waring has played with the finest of Norway's thriving jazz scene, including Frank Jacobsen, Carl Morten Iversen, Søyr, Erik Wøllo, Espen Rud, Torgrim Sollid, Rune Klakegg, Tone Hulbækmo, Arve Moen Bergset, Kjell Samkopf, Morten Halle, SKRUK, and Jon Larsen
December 3, 1954 ~ Bassist, singer Paul Gregg born ~ Co-founding and constant member of country outfit Restless Heart, known for a string of Billboard Country hits from the mid-1980s through the 1990s. Have topped the country charts with That Rock Won't Roll, Why Does It Have To Be (Wrong Or Right), Wheels, The Bluest Eyes In Texas, and A Tender Lie. 1987's country charttopper I'll Still Be Loving You and 1992's When She Cries have also crossed over to the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 peaking at respectively No.33 and No.11
December 3, 1952 ~ Guitarist Duane Roland born in Jeffersonville, Indiana, USA ~ Member of Southern rock band Molly Hatchet from its inception in the mid-1970s until 1990. Co-wrote a number of the band's best known including Bloody Reunion and Boogie No More. Has subsequently played with the Southern Rock Allstars and Gator Country ~ Roland passed away in 2006
December 3, 1951 ~ Jazz guitarist, keyboardist, singer, songwriter Barry Finnerty, full name Michael Barry Finnerty, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Active since the late-1960s, starting out as a member of Beefy Red for a number of years before establishing himself as an in-demand touring and session musician. Present on albums by Chico Hamilton, Hubert Laws, the Funk Factory, Ray Barretto, Taj Mahal, Joe Sample, the Crusaders (Street Life), Miles Davis (The Man With The Horn), the Brecker Brothers, Vital Information, and Eliane Elias. Finnerty has also recorded a handful of albums as a solo artist, and authored two jazz education books, The Serious Jazz Practice Book in 2006 and The Serious Jazz Book II two years later, as well as a semi-autobiographical novel loosely based on his life in New York in the mid-1990s
December 3, 1951 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Kimberley Rew born ~ Best known as a member of Katrina & the Waves for which he also wrote the band's biggest hits Walking On Sunshine and 1997 Eurovision Songfestival winning tune Love Shine A Light. Member of Robyn Hitchcock-fronted outfit the Soft Boys from 1978 to 1981, for which he wrote Going Down To Liverpool later famously covered by the Bangles. In 2007 Céline Dion would record Rew's composition That's Just The Woman In Me. Rew also worked with Lonely starting in the late-1980s and Jack starting in 2004
December 3, 1950 ~ Singer Roberta Peters appears on The Toast Of The Town for the first time, predecessor to The Ed Sullivan Show, aired on CBS ~ Barely out of her teens, Peters makes her first appearance on the show. She would go on to become one of America's best known opera stars, noted for her three-decade run with the Metropolitan Opera Company. During this time Peters made over three dozen appearances on the show, including performances with other singers such as Cesare Siepi, Risë Stevens, and Robert Merrill to whom she was briefly married
December 3, 1949 ~ Pop, jazz singer Patti Page records With My Eyes Wide Open I'm Dreaming in New York, New York, USA ~ Written by Harry Revel and Mack Gordon. First recorded by Jack Oakie and Dorothy Dell in the 1934 movie Shoot The Works. Page's version would have Page singing as a “one-woman quartet” using overdubbing, backed by Jack Rael's orchestra. It would become her first million-seller. She would later also record the song style in a rock & roll arrangement
December 3, 1948 ~ Rock, folk rock, blues rock violinist, bassist Jan Hruby born in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Member of Reprocity through the 1960s. Member Etc through the early-1980s. Member of Framus Five, notably present on the album Kolej Yesterday. Member of Cundrgrund. Has also worked with Dagma Andrtova-Vonkoca, Jazz Q, C&K Vocal, Hana Hegerová, and Kukulin
December 3, 1948 ~ John Michael Osbourne, commonly known as hard rock singer, songwriter Ozzy Osbourne born in Birmingham, UK ~ Rose to fame as lead vocalist of Black Sabbath, remaining with the band from its inception in 1970 until 1979, fired for alcohol abuse. Would go on to release over a dozen solo albums, many of them reaching multiple Platinum status. Known for songs such as Crazy Train, Flying High Again, Bark At The Moon, Shot In The Dark, No More Tears, Perry Mason, and Changes with daughter Kelly Osbourne
December 3, 1948 ~ Christian rock singer, bassist Rick Cua born in Syracuse, New York, USA ~ Member of Southern rock band the Outlaws from 1980 through 1983, leaving the band to pursue a career in Christian rock. Best known for the 1985 album You're My Road and the 1988 album Can't Stand Too Tall
December 3, 1947 ~ Drummer John Wilson born in Belfast, Northern Ireland ~ Briefly a member of Them, present on the band's Them Again sophomore album released in 1966. Has also worked with the Taste alongside Rory Gallagher, Stud, the Misfits, and Skid Row
December 3, 1947 ~ Pop, jazz singer Patti Page records Confess ~ Written by Bennie Benjamin and George David Weiss. Paired with Twelve O'Clock Flight on the B-side, it would be one of the first records to use multi-tracking. With a low budget they couldn't hire a second singer, so Page also recorded the second part with the tracks mixed together. Multi-tracking would become a Page trademark. The single made it to the top 20. Around the same time Doris Day would also have a hit with the song
December 3, 1944 ~ Paul Oscar Beuselinck, commonly known as actor, singer Paul Nicholas, born in Peterborough, UK ~ Played in productions of Hair, Fresh Hair and Cats. As a solo artist best known for a number of mid-1970s UK hits, namely Reggea Like It Used To Be, Dancing With The Captain and Grandma's Party. His single Heaven On The 7th Floor would reach the Billboard top 10 in 1977
December 3, 1944 ~ Ralph May, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Ralph McTell, born in Farnborough, UK ~ Influenced by Blind Blake, Robert Johnson, Blind Willie McTell. Best known for songs such as From Clare To Here and The Streets Of London, the latter covered by over two hundred artists
December 3, 1944 ~ Country songwriter Roger Bowling, full name Roger Dale Bowling, born in Helton, Kentucky, USA ~ Perhaps best known for co-writing Lucille, a Billboard Country No.1 hit, Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit and the first UK charttopper for Kenny Rogers in 1977. Rogers had previously recorded The Coward Of The County and The Ghost Of Another Man, both co-written by Bowling. Bowling also wrote or co-wrote several songs for Billie Jo Spears including There's More To A Tear Than Meets The Eye, '57 Chevrolet and her biggest hit Blanket On The Ground. Others who recorded his songs include the Oak Ridge Boys (Dig A Little Deeper In The Well), Hank Thompson, Dottie West (The Lovin' Kind), Del Reeves, Freddie Hart, George Jones & Tammy Wynette (Southern California), and Charlie Rich. Sadly Bowling committed suicide at age 38, after being diagnosed with terminal cancer a year earlier ~ Bowling passed away in 1982
December 3, 1943 ~ Singer, guitarist, saxophonist, poet, songwriter Mike Hart, full name Michael William Hart, born ~ Founded early-1960s R&B band the Roadrunners. Departed the band in 1965 to join poetry and music collective the Liverpool Scene. Released his Mike Hart Bleeds solo debut album in 1969, produced by John Peel ~ Hart passed away in 2016
December 3, 1942 ~ Pianist, conductor, arranger, film composer Michel Rubini born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Producer, conductor, arranger for Motown. In-demand session musician. In-demand touring musician for the likes of Ray Charles, Frank Zappa, Barbra Streisand. Organist on Frank Sinatra's That's Life, pianist on Strangers In The Night. Arranger, conductor on Sonny & Cher's A Cowboy's Work Is Never Done, arranged Cher's Don't Hide Your Love, arranged Maureen McGovern's I Won't Last A Day Without You. Along with Howard Blake and Danny Jaeger wrote the soundtrack to the 1983 erotic horror movie The Hunger. Other notable film and TV credits include films such as Manhunter, Nemesis and TV shows such as The Hitchhiker, the soap opera Capitol and Tales From The Crypt
December 3, 1940 ~ Kenneth Alan James Hawker, commonly known as pop singer, songwriter, producer Ken Lewis, born ~ Closely associated with John Carter, the duo serving as songwriters and producers for a host of mostly UK artists from the early-1960s through the mid-1970s. Well-known songs penned or co-penned by the duo include That's What I Want (the Marauders), Is It True (Brenda Lee), Funny How Love Can Be (the Ivy League), Can't You Hear My Heartbeat (Herman's Hermits), Peek-a-boo (the New Vaudeville Band), Let's Go To San Francisco (the Flower Pot Men), and Knock Knock Who's There (Mary Hopkin) ~ Hawker passed away in 2015
December 3, 1936 ~ Nikolas Kostantinos Venetoulis, commonly known as producer, A&R executive Nick Venet, born ~ Perhaps best remembered for signing the Beach Boys to Capitol Records and producing the band's early material such as Surfin' Safari. In one capacity or another has also worked with a wide array of others including Glen Campbell, Jim Croce, Bobby Darin, the Hondells, the Kingston Trio, the Lettermen, Ricky Nelson, Lou Rawls, the Stone Poneys, Linda Ronstadt, the Walker Brothers, and Timi Yuro ~ Venetoulis passed away in 1998
December 3, 1932 ~ Jazz bassist Bob Cranshaw, full name Melboure Robert Cranshaw, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Though never a household name, revered among jazz aficionados for his consistent excellence, timing, and versatility. Best known for his longtime association with Sonny Rollins, including on albums such as The Sound Of Sonny, The Bridge, and What's New. Cranshaw can also be heard on albums by the likes of Cy Touff, Sonny Criss, Wayne Shorter (Second Genesis), Sonny Red, Carmen McRae, Lee Morgan, Junior Mance (Junior's Blues), Donald Byrd, Barry Harris, Charlie Rouse, Lee Morgan (The Sidewinder), Pepper Adams, Ben Webster, Grant Green (Solid), Shirley Scott, Joe Henderson (Inner Urge), Milt Jackson, Johnny Lytle, Betty Carter, Wes Montgomery (Bumpin'), Jackie McLean, Bobby Hutcherson, Freddie Hubbard, Hank Mobley (A Slice Of The Top), Grady Tate, Yusef Lateef, Horace Silver (Serenade To A Soul Sister), Duke Pearson (Now Hear This), and George Benson ~ Cranshaw passed away in 2016
December 3, 1932 ~ Singer, radio, TV personality Corry Brokken, full name Cornelia Maria Brokken, born in Breda, the Netherlands ~ Debuted in 1952 with the song I Apoligize. Internationally best known for winning the 1958 Eurovision Songfestival with Net Als Toen. Brokken also represented the Netherlands in the 1957 edition with Voorgoed Voorbij and in the 1959 edition with Heel De Wereld. Following her musical career, Brokken would go on to become a well known radio and TV presenter, study law, and later still become a lawyer and eventually a judge ~ Brokken passed away in 2016
December 3, 1932 ~ Ralph Joseph Reynolds, commonly known as singer Jody Reynolds, born in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Best known for The Endless Sleep, a top 10 hit in 1958. Its follow-up, Fire Of Love, would chart significantly less but eventually become a blues-punk classic and later be covered by MC5 and the Gun Club ~ Reynolds passed away in 2007
December 3, 1932 ~ Jazz trumpeter, cornetist Webster Young born in Columbia, South Carolina, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Known for his lyrical style. Has worked with John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Hampton Hawes, Jackie McLean, Ike Turner, Lester Young, Bud Powell, Paul Quinichette, Joe Puma, Mal Waldron, Ed Thigpen, Earl May, and Ray Draper ~ Young passed away in 2003
December 3, 1931 ~ Mary Margaret Morgan, commonly known as singer, actress Jaye P Morgan born in Mancos, Colorado, USA ~ Known for 1950s hits such as Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries, The Longest Walk, Pepper Hot Baby, That's All I Want From You, and Two Lost Souls with Perry Como
December 3, 1927 ~ Howard Andy Williams, commonly known as singer Andy Williams, born in Wall Lake, Iowa, USA ~ Brother of Dick Williams ~ Williams passed away in 2012
December 3, 1925 ~ Singer, actor, guitarist Ferlin Husky, full name Ferlin Eugene Husky, born in Cantwell, Missouri, USA ~ Traditional honky-tonk, weeping country ballads, rockabilly, with some humorous novelty songs thrown in for good measure. Popular from the early-1950s forward. Had a then-unknown Elvis Presley open for him. Known for songs such as I Feel Better All Over More Than Anywhere Else, I'll Baby Sit With You, Gone, The Wings Of A Dove, The Waltz You Saved For Me, Once, and Just For You ~ Husky passed away in 2011
December 3, 1921 ~ Phyllis Smith, commonly known as soprano singer Phyllis Curtin, born in Clarksburg, Virginia, USA ~ Worked with the New England Opera Theatre, the New York City Opera, the NBC Opera Company, the Philadelphia Lyric Opera Company, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Philadelphia Orchestra ~ Smith passed away in 2016
December 3, 1921 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer, label executive Quinton Claunch, full name Quinton Mavis Claunch, born in Tishomingo, Mississippi, USA ~ Befriended Sam Phillips in the late-1940s and sessioned on several of early Sun Records recordings, backing artists such as Carl Perkins, Charlie Feathers and Wanda Jackson. Co-wrote Daydreamin' for Bud Deckelman, later a hit for country singer Jimmy C Newman. Co-founded Hi-Records in the 1950s. Co-founded Goldwax Records in the 1960s, specializing in Southern soul and gospel ~ Claunch passed away in 2021
December 3, 1914 ~ Edward Cornelius, commonly known as trumpeter Corky Cornelius, born ~ Active since the early-1930s, working with Les Brown, Buddy Rogers, Frank Dailey, Benny Goodman, and the Casa Loma Orchestra. While working with Gene Krupa in the early-1940s, Cornelius met the band's singer Irene Daye whom he would marry soon after. Only a few years into the marriage, Cornelius passed away unexpectedly at age 53 of kidney cancer. His widow Daye would later marry trumpeter, bandleader Charlie Spivak ~ Cornelius passed away in 1943
December 3, 1914 ~ Neoclassical composer Irving Fine, full name Irving Gifford Fine, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Member of a group of mid-20th century composers sometimes referred to as the Boston School, which also included Arthur Berger, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Lukas Foss and Harold Shapero. Praised by Virgil Thomson for his “unusual melodic grace” and by Copland for his “elegance, style, finish and convincing continuity” ~ Fine passed away in 1962
December 3, 1910 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Rabon Delmore born in Elkmont, Alabama, USA ~ Formed the duo the Delmore Brothers with his brother Alton Delmore. The duo is known for songs such as Freight Train Boogie, Brown's Ferry Blues, Donna (Lay Down My Old Guitar), Fifteen Miles From Birmingham and perhaps their best known Blues Stay Away From Me. Artists who covered their songs include Johnny Burnette, Gene Vincent, the Louvin Brothers, Les Paul, Doc Watson, and the Everly Brothers ~ Delmore passed away in 1952
December 3, 1909 ~ Francisco Raúl Gutiérrez Grillo, commonly known as bandleader, singer, maracas player Machito, born in Havana, Cuba ~ Sideman and leader. In the late-1930s he played with several orchestras, including with Xavier Cugat. Formed the Afro-Cubans in the 1940s with Mario Bauzá, Machito's brother-in-law, as its musical director. Among the first to fuse Afro-Cuban rhythms with swing, jazz and big band. George Shearing, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Stan Kenton all names Machito an influence. Has recorded extensively from the 1940s to the 1980s ~ Gutiérrez passed away in 1984
December 3, 1907 ~ Singer Connee Boswell born ~ One third of close harmony trio the Boswell Sisters, alongside siblings Martha Boswell and Helvetia Boswell, known for 1930s hits such as I Found A Million Dollar Baby In A Five An Ten Cent Store, Rock & Roll, The Object Of My Affection, Dinah, and Alexander's Ragtime Band ~ Boswell passed away in 1976
December 3, 1883 ~ Anton Friedrich Wilhelm Von Webern, commonly known as composer, conductor Anton Webern, born in Vienna, Austria ~ Along with Arnold Schoenberg and Alban Berg considered a leading figure in the Second Viennese School ~ Von Webern passed away in 1945
December 3, 1874 ~ Playwright, lyricist, screenwriter Arthur Wimperis, full name Arthur Harold Wimperis, born in London, UK ~ To musical audiences perhaps best known for co-writing the 1909 hit musical The Arcadians with composers Lionel Monckton and Howard Talbot, and co-writing the 1926 operetta Princess Charming with Albert Szirmai. With the advent of talking films Wimperis would venture into screenwriting for British and American films, notably winning an Academy Award for his contributions to the 1942 film Mrs Miniver ~ Wimperis passed away in 1953