February 13, 2024 ~ Edward Sturgis, commonly known as DJ Eddie Cheba, passed away ~ Fixture on the New York scene during the 1970s. One of the earliest rapping DJ's, considered pivotal to the development of hip hop. Influential on Kurtis Blow, close friend DJ Hollywood, and Def Jam Recordings co-founder Russell Simmons, the latter inspired to pursue a career in music after hearing Cheba perform. The year before his passing, Cheba suffered a series of strokes. Upon hearing of his ailing health, Simmons stated, recalling the hey days: “The absolute facts are as follows. If you couldn't get Hollywood, you got Cheba. If you couldn't get Cheba, you got Lovebug Starski. Again, this is actual facts. If you got all three, the number of tickets would skyrocket and you could pay the bar guarantee. They were the rap stars and the biggest money makers and draws.” ~ Sturgis was born in 1956
February 13, 2023 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, arranger Alain Goraguer passed away ~ Best known for his associations with Boris Vian and Serge Gainsbourg. Also composed, arranged for Jean Ferrat, Serge Reggiani, and Nana Mouskouri. Conducted the orchestra for France Gall's 1965 Eurovision Songfestival-winning performance of Poupée De Cire (Poupée De Son) ~ Goraguer was born in 1931
February 13, 2023 ~ Jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist Guido Basso passed away ~ One of Canada's premier jazz trumpeters. Toured with Pearl Bailey and her husband drummer Louie Bellson during the late-1950s. About half a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, especially acclaimed for his 1986 eponymous Guido Basso album. Frequently collaborated with Rob McConnell. Also present on albums by Jean-Pierre Ferland, Peter Appleyard, Stratavarious, the THP Orchestra, the Hi-Lo's, Sammy Nestico, Anne Murray, Raffi, Marc Jordan, Dione Taylor, Chantal Chamberland, and Diana Panton ~ Basso was born in 1937
February 13, 2023 ~ Huey Pierce Smith, commonly known as R&B pianist Huey Piano Smith, passed away in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA ~ Helped develop a distinctive New Orleans piano sound. Influentual on artists such as Dr John and the Meters. Known for songs such as Little Liza Jane, Everybody's Whalin', The Rocking Pneumonia & The Boogie-Woogie Flu, Genevieve, Don't You Just Know It and Pop-eye. Backed Little Richard on his early Specialty Records recordings. Also worked with Guitar Slim, Lloyd Price, Earl King, Smiley Lewis, Bobby Marchan, Dave Bartholomew, and others ~ Smith was born in 1934
February 13, 2023 ~ Soul, deep soul, gospel singer Spencer Wiggins passed away ~ Formed the R&B group the Four Stars fresh out of high school, which also included a then-unknown David Porter. Enjoyed regional popularity as a solo artist throughout the early-1970s, known for recordings such as Lovers' Crime, Uptight Good Woman, I Never Loved A Woman (The Way I Love You) which featured Duane Allman on guitar, and Double Lovin'. Since the mid-1970s Wiggins has served as deacon and choir director, releasing gospel recordings throughout the 2000s ~ Wiggins was born in 1942
February 13, 2023 ~ Power metal, heavy metal singer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, drummer Tim Aymar, full name Timothy Lee Aymar, passed away in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, USA ~ First gained attention as member of Triple X, present on the band's 1991 Bang album. Member of progressive metal band Control Denied from 1997 through 2001, present on the band's 1999 The Fragile Art Of Existence debut album. Lead singer for Pharaoh, with whom he recorded five albums including the acclaimed Be Gone released in 2008. Aymar has also worked with Psycho Scream, Vicious Cycle, Advent Of Bedlam, and 313 ~ Aymar was born in 1963
February 13, 2021 ~ Keyboardist, arranger, conductor Louis Clark passed away in Elyria, Ohio, USA ~ To pop audiences best known for his association with the Electric Light Orchestra, starting on the band's 1974 Eldorado album. Also present on subsequent albums such as A New World Record, Face The Music and Out Of The Blue conducting and assisting Jeff Lynne and Richard Tandy in writing arrangements. Has also worked with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the English Pops Orchestra, Roy Orbison, Ozzy Osbourne, Roy Wood, Kiki Dee, Mike Berry, and Renaissance ~ Clark was born in 1947
February 13, 2021 ~ Music critic, author Peter G Davis, full name Peter Graffam Davis, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as music critic for the magazine New York from 1980 through 2007. Has also worked for the New York Times, Musical America, Opera News. Authored the book The American Opera Singer, released in 1997 ~ Davis was born in 1936
February 13, 2021 ~ Singer Sydney Devine passed away in Ayr, UK ~ Considered by some as Scotland's most enduring entertainer akin to America's Lawrence Welk and Pat Boone and by others as perpetuator of Scottish cultural stereotypes. Active since the late-1950s with a three-decade career highlighted by successes such as I Can't Stop Loving You, Lovesick Blues, A Tear Fell, Forty Shades Of Green, The Tennessee Waltz, and Road To Dundee ~ Devine was born in 1940
February 13, 2018 ~ Chylow Parker, commonly known as producer, DJ, rapper Chyskillz, passed away ~ Member of multi-platinum rap group Onyx, discovered by Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay and noted for their 1993 debut album Bacdafucup. Parker has collaborated, often as a producer, with rap, hip-hop, pop and rock artists including the Large Professor, Biohazard, Queen, Ice Cube, Shaquille O'Neal, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Mic Geronimo, the Royal Flush, and Sticky Fingaz ~ Parker was born in 1969
February 13, 2018 ~ Rock, country rock, folk singer, guitarist, fiddler Scott Boyer, full name Charles Scott Boyer II, passed away in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, USA ~ Member of 31st of February. Co-founded Cowboy with Tommy Talton in 1969, best known for Please Be With Me which was later notably covered by Eric Clapton. Member of the Decoys from 1988 until his death in 2018 ~ Boyer was born in 1947
February 13, 2018 ~ Rockabilly, rock & roll saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist William Martin Willis, full name William Martin Willis Jr, passed away in Brandon, Florida, USA ~ In-demand session and touring musician, helpful in the development of rock & roll, drawing from jazz, blues, and country. Present on quintessential 1950s songs including recordings by Conway Twitty, Billy Lee Riley, Roy Orbison (The Fools' Hall Of Fame), Bill Black (Smokie Part 2), Charlie Rich, and Jerry Lee Lewis (Hang Up My Rock & Roll Shoes). Willis retired from music by the mid-1960s, to eventually become a successful entrepreneur in the hotel business ~ Willis was born in 1938
February 13, 2012 ~ Pianist Jodie Christian passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Best known as co-founder of the Association For The Advancement Of Creative Musicians, alongside pianist Muhal Richard Abrams, drummer Steve McCall and composer Phil Cohran. Also worked with the Experimental Band, Eddie Harris, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Gene Ammons, Roscoe Mitchell, Buddy Montgomery, John Klemmer, Eric Alexander, Von Freeman, Lin Halliday, Les McCann, Ira Sullivan, and others ~ Christian was born in 1932
February 13, 2011 ~ Country, country-pop outfit Lady Antebellum is the big winner at the 53rd Grammy Awards, taking home five awards ~ The acclaimed trio win Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Country Song and Best Country Performance for their cross-over hit ballad Need You Now. The album of the same, the band's sophomore album, also earned them a Grammy Award for Best Country Album, and was nominated for Album of the Year, but lost to Arcade Fire's The Suburbs. Other multiple awards winners include David Frost, John Legend, Lady Gaga, Jay-Z, and Jeff Beck, each winning three awards
February 13, 2010 ~ Guitarist, singer Delmare Allen Hawkins, commonly known as Dale Hawkins, passed away in Little Rock, Kansas, USA ~ Best known for the 1957 swamp-blues classic Susie Q. Later turned label executive and producer, responsible for songs such as the Uniques' Not Too Long Ago, Five Americans' Western Union, and Bruce Channel's Hey Baby ~ Hawkins was born in 1936
February 13, 2008 ~ Comedian, singer, guitarist Henri Salvador passed away in Paris, France ~ Recorded the first French rock & roll songs in 1957 under the moniker Henry Cording, such as Rock'n Roll Mops, Rock Hoquet Va T'Faire Cuire Un Oeuf and Dis-moi Qu'tu M'Aimes Rock, though he would consistently claim he disliked rock & roll. Also known as a TV personality and for a number of 1960s French language adaptations of pop songs including Zorro Est Arrivé and Mais Non Mais Non ~ Salvador was born in 1917
February 13, 2007 ~ Pop singer Céline Dion records Eyes On Me ~ Written by Savan Kotecha, Delta Goodrem and Kristian Lundin, the latter also serving as the track's producer. A worldbeat-infused pop ditty the song would be included on the 2008 Taking Chances album. Though warmly received by critics, drawing comparison to Shakira, the single, where released, would not make much of a dent on the charts
February 13, 2002 ~ Rockabilly, country, outlaw country singer, guitarist, songwriter Waylon Jennings, full name Waylon Arnold Jennings, passed away in Chandler, Arizona, USA ~ Hired by Buddy Holly to play bass. Gave up his seat on the flight in 1959 that killed Holly, JP Richardson and Ritchie Valens. First achieved major chart success in the mid-1960s with songs such as Anita You're Dreaming, Time To Bum Again, Green River and Just To Satisfy You. Especially acclaimed for a string of 1970s albums, notably Lonesome On'ry & Mean and Honky Tonk Heroes. Collaborated with Willie Nelson, Tompall Glaser and his wife Jessi Colter on the 1976 Wanted The Outlaws landmark album. Member of country supergroup Old Dogs alongside Bobby Bare, Jerry Reed and Mel Tillis. Member of country supergroup the Highwaymen with Nelson, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson ~ Jennings was born in 1937
February 13, 1995 ~ Jazz saxophonist Wilton Gaynair, also known as Wilton Bogey Gaynair, passed away ~ Brother of saxophonist Ferdinand Gaynair. Played with local bands in his native Jamaica, including backing visiting musicians such as George Shearing and Carmen McRae, before relocating to Europe, eventually settling in Germany. Recorded three albums as a leader, starting with Blue Bogey released in 1959. Frequently played with the Kurt Edelhagen Radio Orchestra, including at the 1972 Summer Olympics held in Munich, West Germany. As a session or touring musician, Gaynair has worked with Gil Evans, Shirley Bassey, the Manhattan Transfer, and Bob Brookmeyer. Retired from music in 1983, after suffering a stroke while on-stage ~ Gaynair was born in 1927
February 13, 1988 ~ Pop singer, dancer, actor Aston Merrygold, full name Aston Iain Merrygold, born in Peterborough, UK ~ Member of boy band JLS, runner-up to singer Alexandra Burke in the 2008 edition of the talent show The X-Factor. The band would score five UK No.1 hits, Beat Again, Everybody In Love, The Club Is Alive, Love You More, and She Makes Me Wanna. Merrygold has released several singles as a solo artist, notably Get Stupid reaching the top 30 in 2015. His planned solo debut album would remain shelved
February 13, 1988 ~ In its fourteenth week on the charts, Tennessee Flat Top Box by Rosanne Cash hits No.1 Billboard Country ~ Written and first recorded by Johnny Cash, whose 1961 single peaked at No.11 on the Billboard Country charts. When Rosanne Cash recorded the song at the suggestion of her husband and producer Rodney Crowell, she was unaware it was her father's song and had assumed it was in the public domain. Randy Scruggs guested on Rosanne's rendition, playing acoustic guitar. The parent album, King's Record Shop, is widely considered the singer's masterpiece, and spawned three more Billboard Country charttoppers, The Way We Make A Broken Heart, If You Change Your Mind and Runaway Train also reaching the top spot
February 13, 1979 ~ Singer, songwriter Natalie Stewart born ~ Rose to fame in the early-2000s as half of the R&B duo Floetry alongside Marsha Ambrosius. The duo is best known for the singles Floetic, Say Yes and Getting Late of their 2002 Floetic debut album and have collaborated with artists such as Jill Scott, Queen Latifah, Common, the Roots and Bilal. Stewart released her Floetic Soul solo debut album in 2010. Married to the Stone Roses-drummer Robbie Maddix in 2017
February 13, 1978 ~ Doom metal, gothic metal guitarist Hamish Glencross born in UK ~ Briefly worked as an actor, notably in the children's drama Children's Ward, prior to switching to music. Best known as rhythm guitarist for metal band My Dying Bride, remaining with the band from 2000 through 2014, first appearing on the acclaimed The Dreadful Hours album
February 13, 1978 ~ Drummer, producer Stephan Ebn born in Kelheim, Germany ~ Worked with Gianna Nannina, the Middle Of The Road, Lynn Anderson, Helmut Zerlett, Kimberley Dahme, Jon Walmsley, Johan Eliasson, Wolfgang Lackerschmid, Bill Molenhof, Claus Stotter, Jorg Widmosser, Laura Pausini, and others
February 13, 1976 ~ Alice Josephine Pons, commonly known as operatic soprano, actress Lily Pons, passed away in Dallas, Texas ~ French-American soprano particularly associated with the title roles in Lakme Opera and Lucia di Lammermoor. Concert singer. Savvy at making herself into a marketable cultural icon. Guested internationally at many well known opera houses. Darling of the the New York Metropolitan Opera where she performed nearly 300 times between 1931 and 1960 ~ Pons was born in 1898
February 13, 1974 ~ Pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Robbie Williams, full name Robert Peter Williams, born in Stoke-on-Trent, UK ~ Rose to fame as a member of boy band Take That, known for songs such as Pray, Babe and Back For Good. Became a superstar in UK and Europe as a solo artist, known for songs such as Let Me Entertain You, She's The One, Rock DJ, The Road To Mandalay, Radio, Rudebox, Candy, and others
February 13, 1972 ~ Bassist, songwriter Todd Harrell born in Escatawpa, Mississippi, USA ~ Member of 3 Doors Down, with whom he recorded five albums including the band's 2000 The Better Life debut album which spawned the hit Kryptonite hit. Harrell would be fired from the band in 2013 after being charged with wehicular homicide, and was replaced by Justin Biltonen. While under the influence of prescription medication Harrell had caused an accident driving at high speed on I-40, which cause the death of 47 year old Paul Shoulders Jr. Harrell would be sentenced to two years imprisonment and six years probation
February 13, 1969 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Bob Dylan records I Threw It All Away ~ Self-penned. Produced by Bob Johnston. Included on the 1969 Nashville Skyline album. Released as a single, b/w Drifter's Escape, the following April. Dylan is backed by Charlie Daniels on bass, Bob Wilson on organ and Kenny Buttrey on drums. Singer Nick Cave would later cite I Threw It All Away as the one song he “he wished he had written”
February 13, 1969 ~ Touch Me by the Doors, lead single off their The Soft Parade album and a No.3 Billboard Hot 100 hit for the band, receives Gold certification ~ Critical reviews were mixed, some accusing the band of selling out by adding horns and strings, atypical for the band, while others acknowledged the blend of pop and psychedelic rock, a combination unique at the time. Lead singer Jim Morrison had called it “the first rock song with a sax solo,” courtesy of session musician Curtis Amy, while drummer John Densmore claimed the band had always envisioned themselves incorporating jazz into their sound, insinuating that was the direction they would have continued if the band stayed together and specifically mentioned Touch Me as a necessary experiment
February 13, 1969 ~ Caron Nimon Rayford, commonly known as soul blues singer, songwriter Sugaray Rayford, born in Smith County, Texas, USA ~ Member of Aunt Kizzy's Boys, present on the albums Trunk Full Of Blues and its follow-up It's Tight Like That. Self-released his Blind Alley debut album in 2010 and has continued to record to critical acclaim backed by guests such as Kim Wilson, Kid Andersen, Sugar Ray Norcia, Bob Corritore, and others. Has also worked with the Mannish Boys, notably on the band's 2013 Double Dynamite debut album
February 13, 1966 ~ Karl Karlsson, commonly known as accordiionist, songwriter Calle Jularbo, passed away in Nacka, Sweden ~ Most famous accordionist of hist his time. Pivotal to forming Swedish accordion tradition. Extremely productive, recording over 1,500 songs during his career. Wrote and first recorded Livet i Finnskogarna, a song that would later be adapted by the Pinetoppers member George Vaughn Horton. The English version is known as Mocking Bird Hill and would be recorded by Les Paul & Mary Ford, popularized by Patti Page who scored a 1951 Billboard pop No.2 hit with it and later recorded by numerous others ~ Karlsson was born in 1893
February 13, 1965 ~ Jazz saxophonist Ole Mathisen born in Sandefjord, Norway ~ Brother of bassist Per Mathisen, guitarists Nils Mathisen and Hans Mathisen. Worked with artists such as Paula Cole, Louie Vega, Omar Hakim, Darryl Jones, Hiram Bullock, Tom Coster, Mark Egan, Mino Cinélu, Peter Erskine, Eddie Gomez, Badal Roy, Rufus Reid, Ron Carter, Grady Tate, Claudio Roditi, Will Lee, Lavern Baker, Abraham Laborile Sr, Randy Brecker, Gil Goldstein, Lew Soloff, Tiger Okoshi, Michael Gibbs, Harvie Swartz, Jon Christensen, Gary Husband, Bill Bruford, Kenny Barron, Bob Moses, Jeff Berlin, Hilton Ruiz, Peter Wettre, Adam Nussbaum, Frankie Valli, Dream Theater, and others
February 13, 1961 ~ Henry Lawrence Garfield, commonly known as hardcore punk, alternative metal singer Henry Rollins, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Member of short-lived hardcore punk band State Of Alert. Fronted Black Flag from 1981 through 1986, leading 1980s LA punk outfit acclaimed for their Damaged debut album. Starting in the mid-1980s has released well over two dozen albums as a solo singer, a spoken word artist, and with the Rollins Band. Also known as an actor and activist for various causes, most vocally for gay rights
February 13, 1958 ~ Bassist, mandolinist, guitarist David McLaughlin born in Washington DC, USA ~ Incorporated Bill Monroe's style into progressive bluegrass. Worked with Johnson Mountain Boys, Lynn Morris, Josh Crowe, the Springfield Exit, the Stony Point Quartet, the McCoury Brothers, Hazel Dickens, Tony Trischka, Gloria Belle, Marshall Wilborn, Patrick McAvinue, and others
February 13, 1956 ~ Peter Woodhead, commonly known as post-punk, new wave, alternative rock, synth-pop, alternative dance bassist Peter Hook, born in Salford, UK ~ Co-founding member of Joy Division, known best for their 1980 Love Will Tear Us Apart single. Following lead singer Ian Curtis's suicide the band would continue as New Order, scoring UK top hits such as Blue Monday, True Faith, and World In Motion. Has also toured with Durutti Column, and recorded with Revenge, Monaco, and Satellite Party, notably present on the latter's Wish Upon A Dogstar and Kinky, and others
February 13, 1955 ~ Akiko Suzuki, commonly known as jazz, funk, pop, synth-pop singer, keyboardist Akiko Yano, born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Debuted in 1976 with the album Japanese Girl and has recorded prolifically since. Drew comparisons to Kate Bush and regarded as one of major musical talents of Japanese pop. Has worked with the Yellow Magic Orchestra, Swing Out Sister, Pat Metheny, the Chieftains, Lyle Mays, David Sylvian, Toninho Horta, Mino Cinélu, Charlie Haden, Peter Erskine, Anthony Jackson, Bill Frisell, Thomas Dolby, Quruli, and Rei Harakami
February 13, 1955 ~ Frederick Brandon Williams, commonly known as hip-hop, dance rapper, singer Freedom Williams, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Lead vocalist of 1990s dance outfit C+C Music Factory, known for hits such as Here We Go (Let's Rock & Roll), Things That Make You Go Hmmm and their best known Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)
February 13, 1952 ~ Fingerstyle guitarist Alex de Grassi born in Yokosuka, Japan ~ Actively recording since the 1970s, highly admired by peers for his virtuoso fingerpicking technique
February 13, 1952 ~ Bassist Ed Gagliardi, full name Edward John Gagliardi, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Original bass player for Foreigner, present on the albums Foreigner and Double Vision, fired in 1979. Co-founded the band Spys in 1981 with former Foreigner-keyboardist Al Greenwood. Spys released just two albums, Spys and Behind Enemy Lines, but would be widely acclaimed for setting the tone for many 80s synth-rock bands. Gagliardi, who was right-handed, played the bass left-handed out of admiration for Paul McCartney ~ Gagliardi passed away in 2014
February 13, 1952 ~ Bassist Paul Jeffreys, full name Paul Avon Jeffreys, born in Oxford, UK ~ Member of Cockney Rebel from 1972 through 1974, present on the albums The Human Menagerie and The Psychomodo. Jeffreys subsequently played with Be Bop Deluxe, the Warm Jets and the Electric Eels. Newlyweds Jeffreys and Rachel Jeffreys were among the over 250 killed in the Lockerbie plane bombing, just as they embarked on their honeymoon ~ Jeffreys passed away in 1988
February 13, 1950 ~ Singer, keyboardist, flutist Peter Gabriel, full name Peter Brian Gabriel, born in London, UK ~ Rose to fame in the 1970s as lead singer of progressive rock band Genesis, leaving the band in 1975. Released his solo debut album Peter Gabriel/Car in 1977. Best known for songs such as Solsbury Hill, Games Without Frontiers, Shock The Monkey, Sledgehammer, Don't Give Up with Kate Bush, Steam, and others
February 13, 1949 ~ Judith Aileen Dyble, commonly known as singer, pianist, songwriter Judy Dyble, born in London, UK ~ Best known as co-founding member of Fairport Convention, present on the band's 1968 eponymous Fairport Convention debut album. Also worked with Giles Giles & Fripp and made up half of the duo Trader Horne, the other half being Jackie McAuley ~ Dyble passed away in 2020
February 13, 1947 ~ Country singer Hank Williams records My Love For You Has Turned To Hate ~ Self-penned. Produced by Fred Rose. Paired with I Don't Care If Tomorrow Never Comes on the flip side released as a single the next April. During the same session Williams would also record Pan American, used for his fourth and final single on Sterling Records before moving to MGM
February 13, 1942 ~ Peter Halsten Thorkelson, commonly known as guitarist Peter Tork, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Best known as a member of mid- to late-1960s sit-com and band the Monkees. Post-Monkees Tork has worked as an actor, collaborated with George Harrison, released a notable 1994 album (Stranger Things Have Happened), and toured with his blues band Shoe Suede Blues ~ Thorkelson passed away in 2019
February 13, 1941 ~ Fulton Allen, commonly known as singer, guitarist Blind Boy Fuller, passed away in North Carolina, USA ~ One of the most popular Piedmont blues artists. Known for a number of 1930s recordings, perhaps most notaby his rendition of Rag Mama Rag. Other well known songs include I Want Some Of Your Pie, Truckin' My Blues Away and Get Yer Yas Yas Out. The latter's title would be adapted by the Rolling Stones for their 1970 Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out live album ~ Fuller was born in 1907
February 13, 1938 ~ Carmela Bizman, commonly known as singer, actress Carmela Corren, born in Tel Aviv, Mandatory Palestine ~ Enjoyed popularity in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria since the early-1960s. Represented Austria in the 1963 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 7th place with the song Vielleicht Geschieht Ein Wunder. Corren would record well over a dozen albums through the late-1970s ~ Bizman passed away in 2022
February 13, 1938 ~ Country, folk singer Larry Cunningham born in Clooneen, Ireland ~ Leading figure of the 1960s, 1970s showband scene. First Irish artist to break into the UK charts, his Tribute To Jim Reeves with the Mighty Avons reaching the top 10 in 1965. Their Lovely Leitrim released later the same year would reach No.1. Cunningham would front the Country Blue Boys from 1969 through the mid-1970s, scoring hits with songs such as Slaney Valley and This Time Of The Year ~ Cunningham passed away in 2012
February 13, 1928 ~ Singer Dorothy McGuire, full name Ruby Christine McGuire, born in Middletown, Ohio, USA ~ Formed the sibling outfit the McGuire Sisters with Christine McGuire and Phyllis McGuire. The close-harmony vocal trio would first gain attention in 1952 through Arthur Godfrey's talent contest Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, after which Godfrey hired them for several of his other TV shows. The trio remained active through the late-1960s, and are well known for songs such as Goodnight Sweatheart Goodnight, Muskrat Ramble, It May Sound Silly, Something's Gotta Give, and He. The sisters would top the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice, first with Sincerely in 1955, and again with Sugartime two years later. They have performed for five American presidents, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George HW Bush ~ McGuire passed away in 2012
February 13, 1928 ~ Conductor, oboist, TV, film composer Gerald Fried born in New York, New York, USA ~ Well known for composing music for a number of 1960s, 1970s TV shows such as Gilligan's Island, The Man From UNCLE, Shotgun Slade, Star Trek, and notably Roots, receiving an Emmy Award for the latter. Composed for over a dozen feature films, among them several of Stanley Kubrick's early movies including Fear And Desire, Killer's Kiss, and Paths Of Glory ~ Fried passed away in 2023
February 13, 1927 ~ Bluegrass, country, gospel guitarist, singer Jim McReynolds, full name Jesse Lester McReynolds, born in Coeburn, Virginia, USA ~ Formed the duo Jim & Jesse with his brother Jesse McReynolds, recording and performing from the 1950s until Jim's death in 2002. The brothers were backed by the Virginia Boys, which at times included musicians such as Vassar Clements, Allen Shelton, Carl Jackson, Randall Franks, and others ~ McReynolds passed away in 2002
February 13, 1924 ~ Gene Urick, commonly known as traditional pop singer Gene Ames, born in Malden, Massachusetts, USA ~ Member of family outfit the Ames Brothers, known for a number of 1950s hits including Rag Mop, Sentimental Me, Can Anyone Explain (No No No), Undecided, The Man With The Banjo, The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane and Tammy ~ Urick passed away 1997
February 13, 1920 ~ Diadoros Boudleaux Bryant, commonly known as songwriter Boudleaux Bryant, born ~ Songwriter, usually in partnership with his wife Felice Bryant. Together they wrote some of Nashville's most enduring hits for artists such as Jimmy Dickens (Country Boy), Buddy Holly (Raining In My Heart), Gram Parsons (Love Hurts), Emmylou Harris (Like Strangers), Ricky Van Shelton (Loving Proof), Johnny O'Keefe (She Wears My Ring), and perhaps most extensively for the Everly Brothers (Bye Bye Love, Problems, Wake Up Little Susie). Other artists who have recorded their songs include Tony Bennett, Frankie Laine, Sonny James, Eddy Arnold, Bob Moore, Charley Pride, Nazareth, Jim Reeves, Leo Sayer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Simon & Garfunkel, Sarah Vaughan, the Grateful Dead, Elvis Costello, Count Basie, Dean Martin, Ray Charles, Joan Jett, Roy Orbison, Solomon King, Sue Thompson, and Dillard & Clarke ~ Bryant passed away in 1987
February 13, 1920 ~ Soprano singer Eileen Farrell born in Willimantic, Connecticut, USA ~ Active on the opera stage, in the musical theatre, as a concert singer with a career spanning six decades. Arguably credited for releasing the first successful opera crossover album in 1960, namely I Got A Right To Sing The Blues. Has worked with the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and Frank Sinatra ~ Farrell passed away in 2002
February 13, 1919 ~ Ernest Jennings Ford, commonly known as country, pop, gospel singer Tennessee Ernie Ford born in Bristol, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for his hit recordings Shotgun Boogie and Sixteen Tons. Also remembered for songs such as Smokey Mountain Boogie, I'll Never Be Free with Kay Starr, Tailor Made Woman with Joe Fingers Carr, Mister And Mississippi, Blackberry Boogie, and Hicktown ~ Ford passed away in 1991
February 13, 1912 ~ Jazz saxophonist, flutist, clarinetist Arthur Rollini, full name Arthur Francis Rollini, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Benny Goodman, including at the famed 1938 Carnegie Hall performance considered a milestone in big band history. Also worked with Richard Himber, Will Bradley, Wingy Manone, Joe Venuti, Lionel Hampton, Harry James, Louis Armstrong, Brad Gowans, Bunny Berigan, Jack Teagarden, and wioth his older brother Adrian Rollini ~ Rollini passed away in 1993
February 13, 1883 ~ Composer Richard Wagner, full name Richard Wilhelm Wagner passed away in Venice, Italy ~ Initially a composer in the Romantic tradition akin to Carl Maria von Weber and Giacomo Meyerbeer. Wagner would establish himself as an opera composer, known especially for the complex textures and rich harmonies of his compositions. Best known for writing the four-opera cycle The Ring Of The Nibelung ~ Wagner was born in 1813