December 6, 2023 ~ Jazz pianist Michel Sardaby passed away in Paris, France ~ After relocating to France in the mid-1960s, became a fixture on the Paris jazz scene, working alongside artists such as Errol Parker, Stuart de Silva, and Aaron Bridgers. Over a dozen albums to his name, especially noted for his 1970 Night Cap sophomore album featuring backing from Percy Heath and Connie Kay. Other notable collaborators include Billy Cobham, Ray Barretto, Rufus Reid, Ralph Moore, and Tony Reedus. To blues audiences perhaps best known for guesting on T-Bone Walker's acclaimed 1969 Good Feelin' album ~ Sardaby was born in 1935
December 6, 2022 ~ Avant-garde composer, conductor Edino Krieger passed away in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Composed over 150 pieces, including incidental music and film scores. Best known for his Canticum Naturale suite. Also well known for writing the song Fuga E Antifuga, recorded by Vinicius de Moraes ~ Krieger was born in 1928
December 6, 2022 ~ Brian John Duffy, commonly known as rock, new wave, punk rock drummer, percussionist Jet Black, passed away ~ Co-founding member of the Stranglers, known for UK top 10 hits such as Peaches, No More Heroes, Golden Brown, Strange Little Girl and the Kinks-cover All Day And All Of The Night. As of 2015 Black has retired from touring with the band ~ Duffy was born in 1958
December 6, 2018 ~ John Henry Cannon, commonly known as rock & roll, rockabilly singer, saxophonist Ace Cannon, passed away in Calhoun City, Mississippi, USA ~ Toured and recorded with labelmate Bill Black's combo in the 1950s. The combo in turn backed Cannon on his 1961 Tuff debut single, which would reach top 20 Billboard Hot 100. Cannon would record prolifically for the next three decades, but rarely released singles and would not repeat the smash success of his debut single ~ Cannon was born in 1934
December 6, 2018 ~ Peter Campbell McNeish, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Pete Shelley, passed away in Tallin, Estonia ~ Formed punk, punk rock outfit the Buzzcocks with Howard Devoto, best known for their 1978 Ever Fallen In Love With Someone You Shouldn't've hit single. As a solo artist best known for Homosapien, title track of his 1981 Homosapien album ~ Shelley was born in 1955
December 6, 2013 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Stan Tracey, full name Stanley William Tracey, passed away ~ Influenced by Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk. Best known for his 1965 album Under Milk Wood, an acclaimed landmark album in British jazz. House pianist at Ronnie Scott's famed Soho jazz club for most of the 1960s. Collaborated with Michael Horovitz and extensively with Bobby Wellins. Gravitated towards free jazz and avant-garde from the 1970s onwards, working with Mike Osborne, Keith Tippett and John Surman. Also worked with Evan Parker, his son percussionist and bandleader Clark Tracey, Art Themen, Sal Nistico, Charlie Rouse, Gerard Presencer, and others ~ Tracey was born in 1926
December 6, 2012 ~ Drummer Ed Cassidy passed away in San Jose, California, USA ~ Cassidy toured prolifically with show bands, dixieland, C&W bands in the late-1940s. Worked mainly jazz in the 1950s teaming up with greats such as Art Pepper, Cannonball Adderley, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Lee Konitz, and with Gerry Mulligan. Formed Rising Sons in 1964 with Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder. Then went on to found the Red Rooster, featuring his stepson Randy California, Jay Ferguson and Mark Andes. With the addition of John Locke they became Spirit in 1967. Cassidy would be the sole constant member throughout all line-ups over the next 30 years untill the band eventually split up following California's death ~ Cassidy was born in 1923
December 6, 2012 ~ Richard Hugh Lloyd-Langton, commonly known as hard rock, progressive rock guitarist Huw Lloyd-Langton, passed away ~ A fragmented career hindered by a frail health. Best known for his association with Hawkwind, enjoying several stints with the band. Present on about a dozen of the band's albums, including the 1970 eponymous Hawkwind album. Member of mid-1970s outfit Widowmaker, present on the albums Widowmaker and Too Late To Cry. Fronted his own Lloyd-Langton Group, recording close to a dozen albums starting in the mid-1980s. Has also worked with Budgie, Leo Sayer and Meads Of Asphodel ~ Lloyd-Langton was born in 1951
December 6, 2010 ~ Classical tenor Hugues Cuénod, full name Hugues-Adhémar Cuénod, passed away in Vevey, Switzerland ~ Helpful in reviving interest in Baroque music. Active since the 1920s, initially as a concert recitalist. Would go on to enjoy an international career in opera, operetta and musical theatre, praised for his diction and technique. Has sung with La Scala, the Royal Opera House, and holds the record for the oldest person to debut at the Metropolitan Opera, appearing as Emperor Altoum in Giacomo Puccini's Turandot in 1987 at the age of 84 ~ Cuénod was born in 1902
December 6, 2006 ~ Alternative rock, punk rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Darren Brown, full name Darren Mark Brown, passed away in Tooting, UK ~ Also known as Wiz. Lead singer, guitarist for indie punk outfit the Mega City Four, enjoying popularity during the late-1980s and 1990s due to their extensive touring and critically acclaimed for their 1994 Magic Bullets album. Following the band's disbandement in 1996 Brown has worked with Serpico, which also included old bandmate Gerry Bryant, and subsequently with Ipanema ~ Brown was born in 1962
December 6, 2005 ~ Singers Alicia Keys and Bono release their Don't Give Up (Africa) collaborative charity single ~ Written and first recorded by Peter Gabriel as a duet with Kate Bush, titled Don't Give Up, for Gabriel's 1986 So album. The Bono and Alicia Keys recording came about organically, as Keys would later say of the recording session with co-producer Steve Lillywhite: “We were playing them the backing tracks and I don't know if I started singing, or (Bono) did, but something started happening and we tracked it right here on the spot, that's it, we're done. There was a crowd in here, everybody came in from the other room because they could tell there was something going on in here.” As Don't Give Up (Africa) was released as a digital download only exclusively on iTunes, not as an official physical single, the song did not chart. All proceeds benefitted the Keep A Child Alive foundation, founded by Keys, which aims to provide healthcare, housing, and other support services for HIV/AIDS-affected communities in Africa and India
December 6, 2005 ~ Singer Danny Williams passed away ~ Dubbed “Britain's Johnny Mathis” for his smooth vocal delivery. Known for songs such as his 1961 Moon River rendition and for White On White, the latter a Billboard top 10 hit in 1964 ~ Williams was born in 1942
December 6, 1995 ~ Julius Dubose, commonly known as rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Best known for the singles Look Back At It and Drowning featuring Kodak Black. His 2017 debut album Bigger Artist reached No.4 on the Hot 200. Dubose's sophomore album, 2018's Hoodie SZN, would top the American album chart
December 6, 1995 ~ Composer, flutist Claire Pollin passed away in Marion, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Her teachers included Vincent Persichetti, Lukas Foss, Roger Sessions, and Peter Mennin. Her works were performed by the Seoul National Symphony Orchestra, the Israel Bach Society, and London Pro-Musica Antiqua ~ Polin was born in 1926
December 6, 1993 ~ Dominic Felix Amici, commonly known as actor, comedian, vaudevillian Don Ameche, passed away in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA ~ Major radio star during the early-1930s, followed by a career in Hollywood appearing in comedies, dramas and musicals, totalling some 40 films, as well as roles in Broadway productions and for TV. To younger audiences best known as the villain Mortimer Duke in 1983's Trading Places and for his role as Art Selwyn in 1985's Cocoon, the latter earning him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor ~ Amici was born in 1908
December 6, 1989 ~ Samuel E Feinberg, commonly known as singer, pianist, songwriter Sammy Fain, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best remembered for co-writing songs such as You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me (Ted Wallace, Maurice Chevalier, Benny Goodman), When I Take My Sugar To Tea (the Melotone Boys, the Casa Loma Orchestra, Milton Brown), That Old Feeling (Virginia Verrill, Shep Fields, Count Basie), Secret Love (Doris Day, Gogi Grant, Ray Anthony), April Love (Pat Boone, Connie Francis, Johnny Mathis), Tender Is The Night (Tony Bennett, Vic Damone, Billy Eckstine), and I'll Be Seeing You (Tamara, Dick Todd, Billie Holiday) ~ Feinberg was born in 1902
December 6, 1988 ~ Singer, guitarist Roy Orbison, full name Roy Kelton Orbison, passed away in Hendersonville, Tennessee, USA ~ Defined a number of rock & roll archetypes, most notably the hopeless romantic, and praised for his passionate, swooning vocal style, complex song structures and depths of his ballads. Dubbed by some “the Enrico Caruso of Rock” for his operatic style. Best known for a number of early to mid-1960s hits, mostly self-written or co-written, including Only The Lonely, Running Scared, Crying, In Dreams and his best known Oh Pretty Woman. Resurged in the 1980s shortly before his death, both as a solo artist and as co-founding member of supergroup the Traveling Wilburys, which also included George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne. The single I Got You, co-penned by U2's Bono, would be released one month after Orbison's death and be a global hit, including reaching top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 ~ Orbison was born in 1936
December 6, 1986 ~ In its twelfth week on the charts, The Next Time I Fall by Amy Grant and Peter Cetera hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written by Bobby Caldwell, known for the 1979 hit What You Won't Do For Love, with regular collaborator Paul Gordon. The pair had first pitched the song to Chicago, with Cetera in mind, yet they were unaware that he had just left the band. However, the singer was looking for material for his solo album, so he recorded the song as a duet with Amy Grant. Like the album's lead single Glory Of Love, the The Next Time I Fall duet issued as the album's second single also reached No.1. Up to this point, Grant was immensely popular in Christian music circles with nearly every one of her albums reaching the higher echelons of the Christian music charts, and she was grateful for the exposure to secular audiences. In the early 1990s, Grant would score several Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits of her own including the charttopper Baby Baby, all lifted off Heart In Motion, her most pop-oriented album
December 6, 1984 ~ Emanuel Kurtz, commonly known as songwriter, lyricist Manny Curtis, passed away in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Frequent collaborator of the likes of Vic Mizzy, Al Hoffman, Al Goodhart. Over an estimated 250 songs to his name, the best known being In A Sentimental Mood originally recorded by Duke Ellington and covered by over 700 artists. Also notably known for writing the English lyrics of Let It Be Me, based on the Gilbert Bécaud-composition Je T'Appartiens, the English version would become a standard recorded by numerous artists from pop, jazz, rock, R&B including Chet Atkins, the Everly Brothers, Betty Everett & Jerry Butler, the Righteous Brothers, and Elvis Presley ~ Kurtz was born in 1911
December 6, 1979 ~ Progressive rock, alternative rock, hip hop drummer, guitarist, keyboardist, singer, rapper Josh Eppard, full name Josh Eric Eppard, born ~ Drummer for progressive rock band Coheed & Cambria through 2006, replaced by Chris Pennie. Drummer for supergroup the Terrible Things, alongside Fred Mascherino, Andy Jackson and Steve Lucarelli. Co-founding member of 3, which also included his brother Joey Eppard and Chris Bittner. As a solo rapper also known under the monniker Weerd Science, releasing his Friends And Nervous Breakdowns debut album in 2005. Has also worked with Newborn, Mazeman, Rick Whispers, MC Lars, and Fire Deuce
December 6, 1973 ~ Pop rock guitarist Jolyon Dixon, full name Jolyon Keith Dixon, born in Salisbury, UK ~ Session and touring guitarist active since the early-1990s. Appears on albums such as Take The Leap (Toyah Willcox), Sex And Misery (Voice Of The Beehive), Naked and Chemistry (Scarlet), Under The Angels (Judie Tzuke), and Green Man (Mark Owen). Founding member and staff producer of the President Records label. Has also played with Rachel Fuller, Pete Townshend, and joined Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick & Tich for a series of concerts in 2019
December 6, 1972 ~ Bassist, keyboardist Alex Callier born in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium ~ Co-founded Hooverphonic with Frank Duchène. The band is best known for Amalfi, Badaboum featuring Emilie Satt & Litlo Tinz and The Wrong Place, all of which reached top 10 in the band's native Belgium
December 6, 1971 ~ Pop, electronic singer Anne Marie Almedal born in Kristiansand, Norway ~ Lead singer of Velvet Belly from 1989 through 2003. Has released a number of solo albums since, starting with 2007's The Siren And The Sage, and has collaborated with Lars Saabeye Christensen, Jan Bang, Erik Honoré, and Green Carnation
December 6, 1969 ~ Pop rock singer, songwriter Irene Grandi born in Florence, Italy ~ First gained attention at the Sanremo Music Festival with Fuori, losing the contest to Andrea Bocelli. Would release her eponymous Irene Grandi later the same year, noted for the songs Sposati Subito co-written with Eros Ramazzotti and TVB co-written with Jovanotti. Would go on to record well over a dozen albums, 9 of which reached top 10 in her native Italy. Also known as an in-demand duet singer performing in several languages including German, French, Indian and African languages, notably duetting with Terence Trent d'Arby on Time Is On My Side, and with James Ried on Resist You
December 6, 1969 ~ Alternative rock, alternative pop singer, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Kevin Ridel born in Vernon, Connecticut, USA ~ Lead singer, primary songwriter of 1990s powerpop unit Ridel High, known best for their 1997 Hi-Scores debut album produced by Lagwagon singer Joey Cape. Lead singer of alternative rock outfit AM Radio, gaining serious momentum in the early-2000s opening for the likes of Weezer, Third Eye Blind, Eve 6 and the Psychedelic Furs. Ridel's first band was 1980s hair metal band Avant Garde, which he co-founded with Rivers Cuomo of later Weezer fame
December 6, 1969 ~ Singer, guitarist Mark Gardener, full name Mark Stephen Gardener, born in Oxford, UK ~ Best known as co-founding member of shoegazing band Ride, acclaimed for their 1990 Nowhere debut album. The band scored a UK top 10 hit with their 1992 Leave Them All Behind single. Following the band's disbandement in 1995, Gardener formed the Animalhouse, blending psychedelica, Britrock and electronica. Gardener has also recorded as a solo artist, collaborated with the Morning After Girls and Molly's, and served as producer for acts such as Swervedriver, the Brian Jonestown Massacre, Robin Guthrie and Dead Horse One
December 6, 1969 ~ In its eighth week on the charts, Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye) by Steam hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Originally written as a throwaway B-side, Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye) became one of the strangest No.1 hits in history and subsequently a cultural phenomenon, its main line of “na na hey hey kiss him goodbye” regularly used to playfully taunt a losing opponent, for instance in sports. The song was written by Gary DeCarlo, Dale Frashuer and Paul Leka, previously bandmates in the early-1960s outfit the Chateaus. They had set out to record a number of songs for DeCarlo, then going by the moniker Garrett Scott, including Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye) which they had not expected to be selected. However, when Mercury Records A&R agent Bob Reno heard the song, he loved it and it would be released attributed to the then-fictitious band Steam. When the single gained traction, a touring band was quickly assembled to support the single. None of the members of the touring band performed on the original single. Although best known for its group chant, Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye) actually does tell a story, as the singer is asking the girl to kiss-off the guy's she's with and get with him instead. As DeCarlo later explained: “It was and still is about the love factor. Anyone who's been in a love triangle can identify with this. Trying make the girl realize that he's not the guy for her”
December 6, 1968 ~ Songwriter John Ewbank born in Eastleigh, UK ~ Born to a Dutch mother and raised in the Netherlands. One of the most successful songwriters in the Netherlands scoring numerous charttoppers with songs recorded by Ferry Corsten, Trijntje Oosterhuis, VanVelzen, Esmée Denters, Gordon (Kon Ik Maar Even Bij Je Zijn), Paul de Leeuw, Rob de Nijs, Nikki Kerkhof, Hero, and most notably Marco Borsato, the latter scoring over a dozen Dutch No.1 hits written or co-written by Ewbank
December 6, 1965 ~ Journalist, author, media critic Eric Boehlert born in Utica, New York, USA ~ Staff writer at both Salon and Billboard. To music and media audiences perhaps best known for a series of articles investigating corporate malfeasance in the music business following Pearl Jam's 1994 official complaint with the US Justice Department again Ticketmaster in 1994. In the Trump era became well known outside music circles as a firm and vocal critic of Donald J Trump ~ Boehlert passed away in 2022
December 6, 1964 ~ Country, pop, art rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter Glenn Thompson born in Albury, Australia ~ Member of Custard, for whom he wrote the hit single Music Is Crap, Thompson appeared on the band We Have The Technology and Loverama albums. Subsequently worked with the short-lived the Titanics, known for their sole Love Is The Devil album released in 2000. Has also worked with the Go-Betweens, present on the band's Bright Yellow Bright Orange and its follow-up Oceans Apart. Has also fronted Beachfield and formed the duo Adele & Glenn with Adele Pickvance
December 6, 1964 ~ Singer, bassist Jorge González, full name Jorge Humberto González Rios, born in Santiago, Chile ~ Co-founding member, lead singer, frontman of Los Prisioneros, heavily influenced by the Clash and generally considered one of the most important rock bands in Chilean rock unwittingly becoming the voice of 1980s socio-economic protest against the Pinochet regime and banned for years by the government. Has subsequently recorded as a solo artist. Also formed the electronic project Gonzali Martinez with Dandy Jack known for the sole album, 1997's Gonzalo Martinez y Sus Congas, which established the technocumbia genre
December 6, 1964 ~ Joyce Melissa Morgan, commonly known as singer, songwriter Melisa Morgan, born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Sang lead in Shades Of Love, known for Body To Body (Keep In Touch). Also a member of BBP and of High Fashion. Sang backup for Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, and Melba Moore. As a solo artist scored with the Prince cover Do Me Baby (1985), Do You Still Love Me (1986), Love Changes with Kashif (1987), and Still In Love With You (1992)
December 6, 1961 ~ Ronald Eugene Broomfield, commonly known as R&B, soul singer, songwriter Eugene Wilde, born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for the singles Gotta Get You Home Tonight and Don't Say No Tonight, both of which topped the Billboard R&B charts respectively in 1984 and 1985. Wilde would regularly reach the R&B charts throughout the early-1990s. Duetted with Sheena Easton on the album track What If We Fall In Love of her 1987 No Sound But A Heart album. Also found succes as a songwriter, penning or co-penning songs such as I'll Never Break Your Heart for the Backstreet Boys, Dear Diary for Britney Spears and I Wish for the Spice Girls-singer Victoria Beckham's 2001 eponymous Victoria Beckham solo debut album
December 6, 1958 ~ Jazz drummer, bandleader Danny Alvin passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Father of guitarist Teddy Walters. Recorded occasionally as a leader, noted for his 1958 Club Basin Street album. Started in the late-1910s, backing Sophie Tucker at her Reisenwebers's, New York, residency. Relocated to Chicago in the 1920s, where he would go on to back artists such as Sidney Bechet, George Brunies, Wild Bill Davison, Art Hodes, and Mezz Mezzrow ~ Alvin was born in 1902
December 6, 1956 ~ Guitarist, banjoist, mandolinist Peter Buck, full name Peter Lawrence Buck, born in Berkeley, California, USA ~ Lead guitarist, co-founding member of REM, known for songs such as The One I Love, Stand, Losing My Religion, Shiny Happy People, Man On The Moon, Everybody Hurts, and What's The Frequency Kenneth. Has also been involved in a number of side projects, including Hindu Love Gods, the Baseball Project, Tired Pony, and others. Served as producer for the likes of Uncle Tupelo, the Vigilantes Of Love, the Fleshtones, the Feelies, and the Jayhawks
December 6, 1956 ~ Heavy metal guitarist Randy Rhoads was born in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Classically trained. Influential heavy metal guitarist, helpful in establishing neoclassical metal as a genre. Member of Quiet Riot. Closely associated with Ozzy Osbourne, present on the Blizzard Of Ozz album and especially noted for the riffs on Crazy Train and Mr Crowley ~ Rhoads passed away in 1982
December 6, 1955 ~ Drummer Rick Buckler, full name Paul Richard Buckler, born in Woking, UK ~ Member of mod revival outfit the Jam alongside singer, guitarist, frontman Paul Weller and bassist Bruce Foxton from its formation until its disbandement. The band drew from a wide range of idioms including beat, soul, R&B, psychedelic rock, punk and new wave. The band would score four UK No.1 hits, namely Going Underground, Start, Town Called Malice and Beat Surrender. Following the band's disbandement in 1982 Buckler formed the short-lived Time UK, was a member of Sharp, produced Bound For Glory for the Highliners and Tell 'Em We're Surfin' for the Family Cat. Retired from music in the 1990s to return to music in the 2000s working with the Gift, From The Jam, If, and work as a music management consultant. Buckler published his That's Entertainment (My Life In The Jam) autobiography in 2015
December 6, 1955 ~ Leticia Hinojosa, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Tish Hinojosa, born in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Sings in both English and Spanish. As a daughter of immigrants her music is rooted in both Mexican and American music, often telling of the plights and struggles of immigrants, merging folk, Tejano, conjunto and country music. Active since the 1980s with well over a dozen albums to her name. Acclaimed for the frailty and sincerity of her songs, especially notable on the 1991 Aqualla Noche album
December 6, 1954 ~ Pop rock, power pop, jangle pop guitarist, bassist, trumpeter, singer Chris Stamey, full name Christopher Charles Stamey, born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA ~ Briefly played with Alex Chilton and subsequently Sneakers before teaming up with Peter Holsapple to form the dB's. The band is known for their 1981 Stands For Decibels debut album, among critics praised as one of the greatest “lost” power pop albums of the 1980s. Stamey has also collaborated with Kirk Ross, Yo La Tengo, Syd Straw, the Golden Palominos, and Freedy Johnston. Has also served as a producer, notable credits include the albums Faithless Street and Strangers Almanac for Whiskeytown and Under The Influence for Alejandro Escovedo
December 6, 1954 ~ Free jazz trombonist Steve Swell born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton, Ken McIntyre, Tim Berne's Caos Totale, Joey Baron, Herb Robertson, Jemeel Moondoc, Anthony Braxton, Cecil Taylor, Gebhard Ullmann-Steve Swell Quartet, William Parker, Bill Dixon, Butch Morris, John Zorn, the Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra, Dave Burrell, Elliott Sharp, Rob Mazurek, Phillip Johnston's Big Trouble, Perry Robinson, Ken Vandermark, Sabir Mateen, Matthew Heyner, Klaus Kugel, Hamid Drake, the Unified Theory Of Sound, the Transcendentalists, Inner Ear, and others
December 6, 1954 ~ Jazz pianist, organist Wayne Peet born ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with John Rapson, Alex Cline, Nels Cline, Vinny Golia, Steuart Liebig, and with Bobby Bradford. Worked extensively for film and TV. Has recorded as a leader since the early-1980s
December 6, 1949 ~ Huddie William Ledbetter, commonly known as guitarist, singer Lead Belly, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ One of the most important and influential pre-war blues, folk singers, guitarists known for songs such as Goodnight Irene, The Midnight Special, Cotton Fields and Boll Weevil. Ledbetter's songs have been covered by numerous artists including Moon Mullican, Frank Sinatra, Odetta, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Della Reese, Pete Seeger, the Staple Singers, Nina Simone, the Spencer Davis Group, Ry Cooder, and Taj Mahal. Singer Bob Dylan credits Ledbetter for getting him into folk music ~ Ledbetter was born in 1888
December 6, 1948 ~ Songwriter Linda Creed, full name Linda Diane Creed, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Frequent songwriting partner of Thom Bell, penning some of the finest soul songs of the 1970s. Artists who have recorded their songs include George Benson (The Greatest Love Of All), Johnny Mathis, the Stylistics (You Make Me Feel Brand New), the Spinners (Ghetto Child), Teddy Pendergrass (Hold Me), Phyllis Hyman, Johnny Gill, and Little Anthony & the Imperials ~ Creed passed away in 1986
December 6, 1947 ~ Blues rock guitarist, singer Kim Simmonds born in Newbridge, UK ~ Frontman of Savoy Brown, which he co-founded with blues harpist John O'Leary. With heavy promotion and excessive touring the band would find success in America. Best known for their early albums, 1968's Getting To The Point, 1969's Blue Matter and 1970's Looking In considered landmark albums ~ Simmonds passed away in 2022
December 6, 1947 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, funk bassist, double bassist Miroslav Vitous, full name Miroslav Ladislav Vitous, born in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Leader and sideman. Led the Junior Trio early on in his career, the trio included keyboardist Jan Hammer and his brother Alan Vitous. Backed Miles Davis in the late-1960s. Well over a dozen albums as a leader, starting with Infinite Search released in 1969, backed by Joe Henderson, John McLaughlin, Herbie Hancock, Jack DeJohnette, and Joe Chambers. Co-founding pivotal jazz fusion outfit the Weather Report in 1970, remaining with the band through 1973 replaced by Alphonso Johnson.
December 6, 1946 ~ Pop, rock, jazz guitarist Dean Parks, full name Weldon Dean Parks, born in Fort Worth, Texas, USA ~ Co-founded jazz fusion outfit Koinonia in 1980. In-demand session musician since the late-1960s. Notably present on Steely Dan's Haitian Divorce of their The Royal Scam album. Also appeared on albums by the likes of Bobby Blue Bland, T-Bone Burnett, Art Garfunkel (Angel Clare), Johnny Rivers, the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder (Innervisions), Tavares, Martha Reeves, Joan Baez (Diamonds And Rust), Neil Sedaka, Randy Crawford, the Crusaders, Kenny Loggins, Bread, Joe Sample (Carmel), Al Jarreau, Gordon Lightfoot, Paul Simon (Hearts And Bones), David Lee Roth, and Natalie Cole
December 6, 1946 ~ Howard Beverly, commonly known as R&B, soul, funk singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Frankie Beverly, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Formed the Butlers, known among soul aficionados for the 1967 recording If That's What You Wanted. The group would be rechristened to Raw Soul, open for Marvin Gaye, and eventually be renamed to Maze. The group would score a string of R&B hits from the late-1970s through the early-1990s, with Workin' Together, Feel That You're Feelin', Southern Girl, Running Away, Love Is The Key, Back In Stride, Too Many Games, Can't Get Over You and Silky Soul all reaching top 10 Billboard R&B ~ Beverly passed away in 2024
December 6, 1944 ~ Kenneth George King, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer, label executive, radio and TV personality Jonathan King born in London, UK ~ First gained attention as a singer with the 1965 self-penned Everyone's Gone To The Moon single, which reached top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and top 10 in his native UK. Would go on to become an independent producer and later found the UK Records label. Discovered and named Genesis, producing the band's 1969 From Genesis To Revelation debut album. Has also notably worked with acts such as 10cc and the Bay City Rollers
December 6, 1943 ~ Keith Alan Hopkins, commonly known as rock, psychedelic rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Keith West, born in Dagenham, UK ~ As a solo artist best known for his 1967 single Excerpt From A Teenage Opera, a hit across Europe including top 10 positions in the Netherlands, Ireland and his native UK. Has also worked with acts such as Tomorrow, Moonrider, and others
December 6, 1943 ~ Pop, beat singer, keyboardist, songwriter Mike Smith, full name Michael George Smith, born in Edmonton, UK ~ Lead singer, keyboardist of the Dave Clark Five, prior to the emergence of the Rolling Stones seen as the main rivals to the Beatles. The band is known for songs such as Glad All Over, Bits And Pieces, Can't You See That She's Mine, and Catch Us If You Can, all of which reached top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic ~ Smith passed away in 2008
December 6, 1942 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Robb Royer, full name Robert Wilson Royer, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Founding member of Bread, remaining with the band from 1968 through 1971 and replaced by Larry Knechtel. Present on the 1970 Billboard Hot 100 no.1 hit Make It With You. Previously a member of Pleasure Fair known for their sole album, 1967's eponymous Pleasure Fair. Also known for co-writing For All We Know with Jimmy Griffin and Fred Karlin sung by Larry Meredith for the 1970 film lovers And Other Strangers and awarded an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Others who recorded songs written or co-written by Royer include the Remingtons, Mary Chapin Carpenter (Quittin' Time), John Michael Montgomery (Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)), Randy Travis, Billy Burnette, the Finnigan Brothers, and others
December 6, 1941 ~ Helen Lorene Johnson, commonly known as country singer, songwriter, actress Helen Cornelius, born ~ Has recorded as a solo artist but is best known for a string of 1970s duets with Jim Ed Brown, including the Billboard Country top 10 hits I Don't Want To Have To Marry You, Say Hello Saying I Love You Saying Goodbye, If The World Ran Out Of Love Tonight, Lying In Love With You, Fools and Morning Comes Too Early
December 6, 1941 ~ Conductor John Nelson, full name John Wilton Nelson, born in San José, Costa Rica ~ Music director of the Indianopolis Symphony Orchestra from 1976 through 1987, noted for his recordings of Ellen Taaffe Zwilich and Charles Martin Loeffler with the orchestra. Also closely associated with the Opera Theater Of Saint Louis, serving as its music director and principal conductor from 1985 through 1991, and with the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, serving as its music director for about a decade starting in the late-1990s
December 6, 1940 ~ Jazz, pop bassist, double bassist, singer, songwriter Jay Leonhart, full name Jay Chancellor Leonhart, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Over a dozen albums as a leader starting in the early-1980s, especially acclaimed for 1999's Sensitive To The Touch (The Music Of Harold Arlen) and 2004's Cool albums. Noted for his clever songwriting, often laced with dry humor. Closely associated with the New York Trio, Barbara Carroll, Eddie Higgins. In-demand sideman, including outside jazz having worked with artists as diverse as Garland Jeffreys, James Taylor, Ozzy Osbourne, and Queen Latifah. Other notable collaborations include Lee Konitz, Gerry Mulligan, Terence Blanchard, Urbie Green, Dick Hyman, Bette Midler, Houston Person, Leon Redbone, Don Sebesky, Louie Bellson, and others
December 6, 1940 ~ Singer Justo Betancourt born in Matanzas, Cuba ~ About hald a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, perhaps best known for his 1972 rendition of Pa Bravo Yo. Fronted Borincuba. Has also notably worked with the Fania All-Stars, Sonora Matancera, Celia Cruz, Mongo Santamaria, Eddie Palmieri, Ray Barretto, and others
December 6, 1939 ~ Classical pianist, composer Tomás Svoboda born in Paris, France ~ Served as professor at Portland State University, Oregon, for over 25 years. Over 200 compositions to his name, starting in the mid-1950s. Most acclaimed for his Concerto For Marimba & Orchestra published in 1995 and for Piano Trios published in 2000 ~ Svoboda passed away in 2022
December 6, 1935 ~ R&B singer George Williams, full name George Reginald Williams Jr, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Lead singer of vocal R&B outfit the Tymes, known best for their 1963 So Much In Love debut album. The album would spawn their biggest hits, the title track So Much In Love would top the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 while its follow-up Wonderful Wonderful peaked at No.7. The band would continue to record well into the 1970s, but apart from an occasional hit in the UK, where Ms Grace reached the No.1 spot in 1974, they were unable to repeat their earlier success ~ Williams passed away in 2004
December 6, 1934 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Norio Maeda born in Japan ~ Leader and sideman. Founded the Wind Breakers. Founded We 3. Member of the West-liners. Worked with artists such as Shungo Sawada, Konosuke Saijo, Yasuo Arakawa, Takeshi Inomata, Sadanori Nakamure, and others. Has composed for Blue Coats, Tatsuya Takahashi, Nobuo Hara, and for Toshiyuki Miyama ~ Maeda passed away in 2018
December 6, 1929 ~ Conductor, cellist Nikolaus Harnoncourt, full name Johann Nikolaus Harnoncourt, born in Berlin, Germany ~ Founded the Concentus Musicus Wien. Also worked with the Vienna Symphony, La Scala, Gustav Leonhardt, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, the Vienna Philharmonic, the Concertgebouw Orchestra, and others. Married to violinist Alice Harnoncourt ~ Harnoncourt passed away in 2016
December 6, 1928 ~ Composer, conductor, TV personality Roberto Pregadio born in Catania, Italy ~ Perhaps best known for composing the score to the 1969 spaghetti western The Forgotten Pistolero, noted for its whistling. Composed numerous other soundtracks, starting in the mid-1960s. Previously a pianist with the the RAI Light Music Orchestra, appearing on many RAI radio and TV shows ~ Pregadio passed away in 2010
December 6, 1927 ~ Jazz saxophonist Akira Miyazawa born in Matsumoto, Japan, Japan ~ Worked extensively with Toshiko Akiyoshi in the 1950s and 1960s. Has also collaborated with artists such as Yasuo Arakawa, Hampton Hawes, Hidehiko Matsumoto, Helen Merrill, Shotaro Moriyasu, Masahiko Satoh, Mal Waldron, Sadao Watanabe, and Masahiko Togashi ~ Miyazawa passed away in 2000
December 6, 1925 ~ Tenor saxophonist, oboe player Bob Cooper born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ First gained attention as a member of Stan Kenton's orchestra from the mid-1940s through the early-1950s. Cooper married June Christy, one of the groups most beloved regular singers, in 1947. Besides being a skillful saxophone player, one of many to emulate the velvety sounds of Lester Young, Cooper is also known as one of the first to play jazz solos on the oboe. Recorded as a leader since the mid-1950s, noted especially for the 1958 Coop (The Music Of Bob Cooper) album, and remained an in-demand sideman well through the 1980s regularly present on his wife's solo albums, as well as on recordings by Chet Baker Shorty Rogers (Shorty Rogers Courts The Count), Barney Kessel, Jimmy Giuffre, Bud Shank, Ella Fitzgerald (Sings The Cole Porter Songbook), Anita O'Day, Buddy Rich (This One's For Basie), Marty Paich, Buddy Bregman, Lena Horne (Stormy Weather), Pete Rugolo, Ray Brown, the Monkees (More Of The Monkees), Frank Capp, Linda Ronstadt, and Sammy Nestico ~ Cooper passed away in 1993
December 6, 1925 ~ Electric blues singer Robert Ealey, full name Robert Daniel Ealey, born in Texarkana, Texas, USA ~ Began singing in church in his mid-teens. Influenced by Lightnin' Hopkins, Melvin Jackson, and T-Bone Walker. Rose to regional fame as a member of the Boogie Chillun Boys, performing for about two decades at the the Blue Bird Club, Fort Worth, after which he purchased the club and ran it for another ten years. Has recorded a number of albums during the 1990s, especially noted for 1996's Turn Out The Lights, and through intensive touring found popularity in Europe with his authentic Texas urban blues ~ Ealey passed away in 2001
December 6, 1925 ~ Soul, gospel singer Theola Kilgore born in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA ~ Featured vocalist on the Mount Zion Spiritual Choir's Look To The Hills. As a solo artist best known for The Sound Of My Man (Working On The Chain Gang), an answer song to Sam Cooke's Chain Gang, and for her 1963 single The Love Of My Man which barely missed the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 ~ Kilgore passed away in 2005
December 6, 1923 ~ Homer Robert Eanes Jr, commonly known as bluegrass, country guitarist, singer Jim Eanes, born in Mountain Valley, Virginia, USA ~ Bluegrass balladeer active since the early-1940s, starting as backing musician for Roy Hall. Well known for penning and first recording I Wouldn't Change You If I Could in the late-1950s, a hit song for Ricky Skaggs some two decades later. Others who recorded songs written or co-written by Eanes include Flatt & Scruggs (Baby Blue Eyes), Ralph Stanley, the Dillards (Bending The Strings), Mac Wiseman, and George Jones ~ Eanes passed away in 1995
December 6, 1923 ~ Television and film composer Maury Laws born in Burlington, North Carolina, USA ~ Best known as music director for Videocraft International for about two decades starting in 1964. Conducted and scored music for animated feature films such as The Hobbit, The Flight Of The Dragons and The Wacky World Of Mother Goose ~ Laws passed away in 2019
December 6, 1918 ~ Martin Robert Schopp, commonly known as radio DJ, guitarist, fiddler, actor, songwriter Marty Roberts, born in Chenoa, Illinois, USA ~ Member of the Tennessee Ramblers. Co-wrote You Can't Have My Love, a 1954 hit for Wanda Jackson. Best known as a radio DJ and TV personality ~ Schopp passed away in 2009
December 6, 1910 ~ Jazz, dixieland pianist Armand Hug born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Played professionaly from age 13 onwards, mostly as a solo pianist in local clubs. Did not record until the early-1950s, debuting with the eponymous Armand Hug album in 1951. Has also worked with Harry Shields, the New Orleans Owls, Sharkey Bonano ~ Hug passed away in 1977
December 6, 1887 ~ Ragtime pianist, composer Joseph Lamb, full name Joseph Francis Lamb, born in Montclair, New Jersey, USA ~ Alongside Scott Joplin and James Scott considered one of “the Big Three” of classical ragtime. Of the three the one most influenced by classical music as clear from his use of long phrases and complexer structures. Known for songs such as Excelsior Rag, American Beauty Rag, Nightingale Rag, Top Liner Rag, Champagne Rag, Reindeer Ragtime Two Step and Bohemia ~ Lamb passed away in 1960