February 15, 2024 ~ Pop rock guitarist, singer Ian Amey also known as Tich, full name Ian Frederick Stephen Amey, passed away in Salisbury, UK ~ Co-founding member of Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick & Tich. With their zany stage act and lurid dress sense, the band enjoyed popularity especially in Australia, New Zealand, and their native UK during the 1960s, yet unlike many of their contemporaries they failed to achieve much chart success in America. The band scored close to a dozen top 20 UK hits through 1968 drawing from freakbeat, mod, and pop. Well-known songs include Bend It, Save Me, Zabadak, and perhaps their best known the million-seller The Legend Of Xanadu, the latter their sole UK No.1 hit. Hold Tight, originally a 1967 UK No.4 hit, would later be used in the Quentin Tarantino film Death Proof released in 2007 ~ Amey was born in 1944
February 15, 2021 ~ Singer, pianist, poet, songwriter Raymond Lévesque passed away in Montreal, Canada ~ Pioneer of Canadian chansonnier tradition. Perhaps best known for penning Quand Les Hommes Vivront D'Amour, which quickly became a standard covered by numerous artists including Fabienne Thibeault, Michel Louvain, Félix Leclerc, Robert Charlebois, and Céline Dion ~ Lévesque was born in 1928
February 15, 2021 ~ Orchestral, opera conductor, pianist Steuart Bedford, full name Steauart John Rudolf Bedford, passed away ~ Brother of composer David Bedford and singer Peter Lehmann Bedford. Best known for his association with Benjamin Britten, conducting and recording several of Britten's works including premiering Death In Venice in 1973 ~ Bedford was born in 1939
February 15, 2019 ~ Keyboardist, flutist Kofi Burbridge passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Brother of bassist Oteil Burbridge, who cited Kofi as his biggest influence. Best known as member of Derek Trucks Band and of the Tedeschi-Trucks Band. Has also worked with Trey Anastasio's Surrender To The Air, Naked Jazz, Frogwings, and with the Aquarium Rescue Unit ~ Burbridge was born in 1961
February 15, 2016 ~ Conductor Louis Lane, full name Louis Gardner Lane, passed away ~ Closely associated with the Cleveland Orchestra, rising from apprentice conductor under George Szell starting in 1947 to resident conductor by the early-1970s. Also worked with the Akron Symphony Orchestra, the Lake Eire Opera Theatre, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra ~ Lane was born in 1923
February 15, 2016 ~ Denise Katrina Matthews, commonly known as singer Vanity, passed away in Fremont, California, USA ~ Lead singer of Vanity 6, best known for their 1982 hit Nasty Girl. Released two solo albums, 1984's Wild Animal and 1986's Skin On Skin. Scored modest hits such as Pretty Mess, Mechanical Emotion, Undress, and Under The Influence ~ Matthews was born in 1959
February 15, 2013 ~ Organist, songwriter Lanier Greig passed away in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Member of Neal Ford & the Fanatics, known for a handful of mid- to late-1960s singles and a sole eponymous album, regarded by aficionados as early key recordings in the pyschedelic rock era. Well known songs include I Can''t Go On, Good Men and Woman ~ Greig was born in 1948
February 15, 2012 ~ Guitarist, songwriter, producer Clive Shakespeare passed away in Sydney, Australia ~ Best known as co-founding member, guitarist, songwriter for Sherbet. Wrote or co-wrote the majority of the bands material, often with Garth Porter, including Cassandra, Silvery Moon, Slipstream, and the band's biggest hit Summmer Love. Also a member of the Road Agens and of Down Town Roll. Producer for Richard & Wendy, Tuesday Piranha, the Apartments, Leonard Samperi, Paul Kelly, and Martin Plaza ~ Shakespeare was born in 1947
February 15, 2011 ~ Singer Bruno Mars releases The Lazy Song, lifted off his Doo-wops & Hooligans debut album ~ The song originated from a session in the studio when Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine didn't feel like working. The trio had intended to create a song better than the Beatles, yet struggled for hours. As Mars later explained: “ “After five hours, it all turned to rubbish. The frustration got to me and I said, 'Today I don't feel like doing anything at all.' That opened up everyone's eyes.” The single would reach top 10 in over a dozen countries, including No.4 in both the Netherlands and America, and No.1 in the UK
February 15, 2008 ~ William Patrick Bennett, commonly known as folk, country singer, mandolinist, songwriter Willie P Bennett, passed away in Peterborough, Canada ~ Best known for his associations with the Dixie Flyers and longtime friend and collaborator Fred Eaglesmith. Also worked with Sneezy Waters, Pat Temple, and sessioned for and toured with nunerous pop and country artists. Recorded as a solo artist since the mid-1970s. Co-wrote Goodby So Long Hello, a 1990 hit for Prayrie Oyster on the Canadian country charts. Bennett came into the spotlight in the late-1990s when Stephen Fearing, Colin Linden and Tom Wilson formed Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, named for Bennett's 1978 album. Bennett suffered an on-stage heartattack in 2007, the year before he died. Highly admired by peers, he posthumously had several tribute songs written for him, including Willie P by David Essig who produced several of his albums, It's Hard To Keep A White Shirt Clean by Corb Lund and Hurricane Heart by Ian Tamblyn ~ Bennett was born in 1951
February 15, 2007 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Ray Evans, full name Raymond Bernard Evans, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as songwriting partner of Jay Livingston. Together the pair won an Academy Award for Best Original Song three times, in 1948 for Buttons & Bows from the movie The Paleface, in 1950 for Mona Lisa from the movie Captain Carey USA and in 1956 for the song Que Sera Sera from the Hitchcock movie The Man Who Knew Too Much. The pair also wrote for numerous other films, TV series and stage musicals. Evans co-wrote over 700 songs, also collaborating with artists such as Michael Feinstein, Henry Mancini, Max Steiner, and Victor Young ~ Evans was born in 1915
February 15, 1999 ~ Lamont Coleman, commonly known as rapper, songwriter Big L, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Emerged in the 1990s, known for his freestyling ability and use of wordplay. Influenced and impressed artists such as Nas. Released his full-length Lifestyles Ov Da Poor And Dangerous in 1995. Has collaborated with Children Of The Corn, Lord Finesse, Fat Joe, Buckwild, and Jay-Z ~ Coleman was born in 1974
February 15, 1993 ~ Giacinto Figlia, commonly known as jazz pianist George Wallington, passed away in Cape Coral, Florida, USA ~ Starting in 1943 Wallington spend a decade playing with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Marsala, Charlie Parker, Serge Chaloff, Allen Eager, Kai Winding, Terry Gibbs, Brew Moore, Al Cohn, Gerry Mulligan, Zoot Sims, and with Red Rodney, and recording as a leader for Savoy Records and Blue Note Records. Toured Europe in 1953 as a member of Lionel Hampton's big band. From 1954 onwards Wallington led groups that included young talents including Donald Byrd, Jackie McLean and Phil Woods. In 1960 Wallington retired from the music business, citing the stress of endless touring, but has made a number of albums in the 1980s ~ Figlia was born in 1924
February 15, 1991 ~ Producer, engineer, songwriter George Motola passed away ~ Best known for co-penning Goodnight My Love with John Marascalco, first recorded by Jesse Belvin in 1956 and later covered by a number of artists including the McGuire Sisters, the Fleetwoods, Ben E King, Paul Anka, the Four Seasons. Instrumental in forming the Shields, a group that included Belvin, Frankie Ervin and Johnny Guitar Watson. Other songs co-written by Motola include Shattered Dreams for the Johnny Burnette Trio, Jeannie Jeannie Jeannie for Eddie Cochran, Here Comes Henry for Young Jessie, Annie's Rock for Ernie Fields and perhaps one of the wildest rock & roll records of all-time Rocking This Joint To-nite for Kid Thomas ~ Motola was born in 1919
February 15, 1989 ~ J-pop, electropop singer, dancer Ayaka Nishiwaki, also known as A-chan, born in Hiroshima, Japan ~ Member of electropop girl group Perfume, known for a string of hits starting in the mid-2000s including Love The World, One Room Disco, Voice, Spring Of Life, Relax In The City, and Tokyo Girl
February 15, 1988 ~ Saxophonist Al Cohn passed away in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Came to prominence in the band of Woody Herman. Also known for his longtime association with fellow saxophonist Zoot Sims and for his work as a respected arranger including on the Broadway musicals Raising and Sophisticated Ladies. As a sideman Cohn played with artists such as Manny Albam, Mose Allison, Art Blakey, Bob Brookmeyer, Kenny Burrell, Coleman Hawkins, Quincy Jones, Gary McFarland, Joe Newman, and Oscar Pettiford ~ Cohn was born in 1925
February 15, 1984 ~ Ethel Agnes Zimmermann, commonly known as singer Ethel Merman, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Dubbed “the First Lady of the Musical Comedy Stage” and known for introducing songs such as I Got Rhythm, Everything's Coming Up Roses, Some People, Rose's Turn, It's De-lovely, Friendship, I Get A Kick Out Of You, You're The Top, Anything Goes, and There's No Business Like Show Business ~ Zimmermann was born in 1908
February 15, 1984 ~ Singer, guitarist Gary Clark Jr born in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Hip-hop influenced hybrid merging blues, rock and soul. Debuted in 2001 with the album Worry No More. Best known for songs such as Ain't Messin' Around, The Healing and perhaps his best known the Beatles-cover Come Together. The latter would be used as the closing theme of the Justice League film. Has collaborated with Booker T Jones, The-Dream, Talib Kweli, Childish Gambino, and Tom Morello
February 15, 1981 ~ Rock, blues, blues-rock guitarist, singer Michael Bloomfield, full name Michael Bernard Bloomfield, passed away in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Best known as member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Also noted for appearing on Bob Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited album including on the track Like A Rolling Stone. Has also worked with the Electric Flag, KGB, Barry Goldberg, Nick Gravenites, Bill Vitt, Dr John, Frank Zappa, Mother Earth, Muddy Waters, Janis Joplin, Sam Lay, and notably with Al Kooper and Stephen Stills on the acclaimed Super Session album ~ Bloomfield was born in 1943
February 15, 1979 ~ Adam Granofsky, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer Adam Granduciel, born in Dover, Massachusetts, USA ~ Frontman and primary songwriter of the War On Drugs. Also a member of Kurt Vile's backing unit the Violators
February 15, 1979 ~ Hardcore punk, grindcore, dark wave singer, keyboardist Wesley Eisold born in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA ~ Lead singer of synth-pop darkwave band Cold Cave. Lead singer of hardcore punk outfit American Nightmare, briefly known as Give Up The Ghost. Has previously worked with Some Girls, XO Skeletons, and Ye Olde Maids
February 15, 1979 ~ Jazz violinist Zbigniew Seifert passed away in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Best known for his association with Tomasz Stańko. Also worked with Janusz Muniak, Barre Phillips, Josef Vejvoda, Urszula Dudziak, Attila Zoller, Andrzej Trzaskowksi, Volker Kriegel, Jasper van 't Hof, Stan Sulzmann, Charlie Mariano, Jack DeJohnette, John Scofield, Naná Vasconcelos, Glen Moore, Jan Hammer, Albert Mangelsdorff, Leszek Zadlo, and Joachim Kühn. Died of cancer at age 32 ~ Seifert was born in 1946
February 15, 1978 ~ Gospel singer, choir director, arranger, composer Alex Bradford born in Bessemer, Alabama, USA ~ Influenced artists such as Little Richard, Bob Marley and Ray Charles. Backed Roberta Martin and Mahalia Jackson before venturing out on his own, founding the Bradford Singers and later the Bradford Specials. Best known for his 1954 Too Close To Heaven single, which sold over a million copies and achieved Gold status ~ Bradford was born in 1927
February 15, 1978 ~ Indie pop, indie rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Courtney Jaye born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Released her Traveling Light debut album in 2005. Best known for a number of songs featured in TV and film soundtracks, notably Can't Behave from the Aquamarine teen comedy film and several songs, including Who Wants To Date A Rockstar, from TV series such as Laguna Beach (The Real Orange County). Has collaborated with the Jayhawks's Gary Louris, Sugarland's Kristen Hall, Rhett Miller, Tift Merritt, the Indigo Girls's Emily Saliers, Thad Cockrell, and Butch Walker
February 15, 1976 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, nu metal singer, guitarist, bassist, percussionist Brandon Boyd, full name Brandon Charles Boyd, born in Van Nuys, California, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of Incubus, known for songs such as Drive, Megalomaniac, Anna-Molly, Love Hurts, and Adolescents. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album The Wild Trapeze released in 2010, and collaborated with Sons Of The Sea, Snot, and Ben Kenney
February 15, 1974 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Kathryn Williams born in Liverpool, UK ~ Over a dozen albums to her name, starting with Dog Leap Stairs released in 1999. Has collaborated with Chris Difford, Ted Barnes, Thea Gilmore, John Martyn, Joel Salakula, Tobias Froberg, Ed Harcourt, James Yorkston, Marry Waterson, and Boo Hewerdine
February 15, 1974 ~ Renee Ilene Sandstrom, commonly known as singer, child actress Renee Sands, born in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known for her role as Renee on the children's musical TV series Kids Incorporated. Alongside several of her costars also a member of the band Wild Orchid for the entirety of their existence from 1990 to 2003
February 15, 1971 ~ R&B singer Aretha Franklin records Rock Steady at Criteria Studios, Miami, Florida ~ Self-penned. Produced by Tom Dowd, Arif Mardin, Jerry Wexler. Franklin is backed by Donny Hathaway and Richard Tee on keyboards, Cornell Dupree guitar, Chuck Rainey bass, Bernard Pretty Purdie, Robert Popwell and Dr John percussion, Brenda Bryant, Margaret Branch and Pat Smith backing vocals. Horns provided by the Memphis Horns would be recorded later. Released in October as the B-side to Oh Me Oh My (I'm A Fool For You Baby). The song would also be included on the Young Gifted & Black album
February 15, 1969 ~ Charles Ellsworth Russell, commonly known as jazz, bebop, dixieland, post-bop, free jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Pee Wee Russell, passed away in Alexandria, Virginia, USA ~ Leader and sideman. As a composer known for songs such as Pee Wee's Blues, Oh No, Stuyvesant Blues, Midnight Blue, and Missy. Worked with Frankie Trumbauer, Bix Beiderbecke, Jean Goldkette, Louis Prima, Bobby Hackett, Eddie Condon, Art Hodes, Muggsy Spanier, Marshall Brown, Ruby Braff, Buck Clayton, Thelonious Monk, and Al Sears ~ Russell was born in 1906
February 15, 1968 ~ Fabienne Demal, commonly known as singer, songwriter Axelle Red, born in Hasselt, Belgium ~ Debuted with the album Sans Plus Attendre in 1993. Best known for songs such as Sensualité and Manhattan Kaboul, the latter a duet with Renaud. Worked with Steve Cropper, Isaac Hayes, Youssou n'Dour, Charles Aznavour, Francis Cabrel, Stephan Eicher, Sylvia Vartan, Arno, Tom Barman, Peter Gabriel, Michael Toles, Lester Snell, Jeff Anderson, and Damon Duewhite
February 15, 1968 ~ Marion Walter Jacobs, commonly known as blues harpist, guitarist, singer Little Walter, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ One of the most influential and admired blues harpists. Best known for songs such as Juke and My Babe. Has worked with Sonny Boy Williamson II, Sunnyland Slim, Muddy Waters (Country Boy), David Honeyboy Edwards, Floyd Jones, Ike Turner, Willie Dixon, Junior Wells, John Brim, Memphis Minnie, Bo Diddley, Otis Rush, Robert Nighthawk, the Rolling Stones, Hound Dog Taylor, and Koko Taylor ~ Jacobs was born in 1930
February 15, 1966 ~ British pop, rock group the Beatles record Ticket To Ride at EMI Studios, London, UK ~ Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, primarily by the former. Produced by George Martin. Marked by some pop historians as one of the band's key songs, marking a progression and shift towards a more experimental and rougher sound. Used in the feature film Help and on the accompanying soundtrack album. Released as a single the following April, b/w Yes It Is, which topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic
February 15, 1965 ~ Nathaniel Adams Coles, commonly known as jazz, jazz-pop pianist, singer Nat King Cole, passed away in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Served as blueprint for later small jazz, jazz-pop ensembles. Father of singer Natalie Cole. Known for songs such as Sweet Lorraine, All For You, I Love You For Sentimental Reasons, Nature Boy, Mona Lisa, Too Young, Smile, and Send For Me ~ Cole was born in 1919
February 15, 1964 ~ Producer, bassist, drummer, saxophonist Brad Wood born in Rockford, Illinois, USA ~ In-demand producer. Notably produced or co-producer Liz Phair's Exile In Guyville, Placebo's eponymous Placebo debut album, Veruca Salt's American Thighs, Ben Lee's Grandpa Would, Sunny Day Real Estate's Diary. Has also worked with Red Meat, Touché Amoré, Skating Polly, Say Anything, Pete Yorn, Shrimp Boat, Calamity Jane, Mama Tick, Whale, Better Than Ezra, the Bangles, Sherwood, and Casey
February 15, 1963 ~ Pop singer Bobby Vinton records Over The Mountain (Across The Sea) ~ Written by Rex Garvin and originally a 1957 R&B, doo-wop hit for Johnnie & Joe, reaching top 10 on the Billboard R&B charts. Vinton's version, taken off his The Greatest Hits Of The Golden Groups album would reach top 30 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 and top 10 in Canada
February 15, 1962 ~ Singer Ray Charles records I Can't Stop Loving You at United Western Recorders, Hollywood, USA ~ Written and first recorded by Don Gibson in 1957. Other notable early versions included recordings by Kitty Wells, Roy Orbison, and Hank Locklin. The definitive version, however, and definitely more famous than the original would be by Ray Charles, who recorded the song for his Modern Sounds In Country & Western Music album. The single would reach No.1 Billboard Hot 100, his third No.1 hit after Georgia On My Mind and Hit The Road Jack. It would also earn Charles a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm and Blues Recording. To Charles, country music and R&B had the same feel, the same emotion: “You take country music, you take black music, it's exactly the same thing.” The tender ballad has been recorded by well over an estimated 300 artists, including Peggy Lee, Jim Reeves, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Elvis Presley, Solomon Burke, Van Morrison, and UB40
February 15, 1962 ~ R&B, soul singer Sam Cooke records Somebody Have Mercy at RCA Studios, Hollywood, California ~ Self-penned. Produced by Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore. René Hall served as the session's conductor and arranger. The line “tell me what is wrong with me” from the song would spur rumors that Cooke was suffering from leukemia. Included on the Twistin' The Night Away album. Subsequently featured as B-side of Nothing Can Change This Love, released in September 1962
February 15, 1959 ~ Singer, guitarist Ali Campbell, full name Alistair Ian Campbell, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Lead singer, songwriter, longtime member of UB40, known for hits such as Red Red Wine, I Got You Babe featuring Chrissie Hynde, Don't Break My Heart, Homely Girl, Kingston Town, and Can't Help Falling In Love With You
February 15, 1958 ~ Jazz keyboardist Adam Holzman born in New York, New York, USA ~ Son of Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman. Leader and sideman. Worked with Bob Belden, Tom Browne, Wayne Escoffery, Charles Fambrough, Anton Fig, Robben Ford, Jane Getter, Randy Hall, Ray Manzarek, Jason Miles, Marcus Miller, Michel Petrucciani, Wallace Roney, Steps Ahead, Grover Washington Jr, Lenny White, Ray Wilson, Steven Wilson, Miles Davis, Dennis Chambers, and Rush
February 15, 1957 ~ R&B outfit the Coasters record Young Blood ~ Written by Doc Pomus, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, the latter also playing the piano. Barney Kessel on guitar. Released as a single the following month, b/w Searchin' recorded during the same session, it would reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100 and top the Billboard R&B charts. Notably covered by Bad Company for their 1976 Run With The Pack album, the single reaching top 20 Billboard Hot 100
February 15, 1954 ~ Blues, jump blues singer Big Joe Turner records Shake Rattle & Roll in New York, New York, USA ~ Backed by saxophonist Sam Taylor, guitarist Mickey Baker, drummer Connie Kay and Atlantic Records executives Jerry Wexler and Ahmet Ertegun on backing vocals, Turner recorded this Charles Calhoun-penned uptempo rocker. The single, featuring You Know I Love You on the flip side, would be released the next April and be a smash hit. Shake Rattle & Roll would later be covered by numerous artists, notably Bill Haley the same year and Elvis Presley in 1956, and to this day stands as one of songs that defined rock & roll
February 15, 1954 ~ Pop singer Marga Scheide, full name Margareth Scheide, born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Rose to fame as original member of Luv' alongside José Hoebee and Patty Brard, known best for U.O.Me (You Owe Me), You're The Greatest Lover, Trojan Horse and Casanova. Following the band's heyday Scheide has recorded with Duo Deuce and released a handful of solo singles, notably Love Symphony, I'll Sing You A Song and Dance On
February 15, 1953 ~ Progressive rock, jazz fusion guitarist John Goodsall born in Pennsylvania, USA ~ Playing professionally since age 15. Worked with Babylon, Juicy Lucy, Colosseum and the Alan Bown Set early on in his career. Best known for his stints with Atomic Rooster and with Brand X which also included drummer Phil Collins. Has also worked with Zoo Drive, Bill Bruford, the Fire Merchants, the Long Beach Mercenaries, Tami Lynn, Franz Pusch, Leon Alvarado, and Cymbalic Encounters ~ Goodsall passed away in 2021
February 15, 1951 ~ Pop, adult contemporary singer, pianist, songwriter, actress Melissa Manchester born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Discovered by Barry Manilow. Sang backup for Bette Midler. Closely associated with Carole Bayer Sager, co-writer of a number of early Manchester songs. Released her debut album, Home To Myself, in 1973. Known best for songs such as Midnight Blue, Don't Cry Out Loud and You Should Hear How She Talks About You
February 15, 1950 ~ Classical trumpeter, cornetist Guy Touvron born in Vichy, France ~ Accomplished soloist. Renowned interpreter of baroque composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Tomaso Albinoni, and Giuseppe Torelli, and contemporary classical music. Premiered trumpet concerts written by Ivan Jevtic, Jacques Loussier, and François Rauber. Principal trumpeter for the Orchestre National De Lyon and the French Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. Formed the Guy Touvron Brass Ensemble by the early-1970s ~ Touvron passed away in 2024
February 15, 1949 ~ Singer, songwriter Billy Nicholls born in London, UK ~ Perhaps best known for I Can't Stop Loving You (Though I Try), notably covered by Leo Sayer, and for writing several tracks for the film McVicar including Roger Daltrey's hit Without Your Love. Has worked with a wide array of artists ranging from big band to rock including Oscar Rabin, the Squadronaires, Deep End, Pete Townshend, the Who, and the Nice
February 15, 1949 ~ Conductor Hans Graf born in Marchtrenk, Austria ~ Debuted at the Vienna State Opera in 1981 conducting Igor Stravinsky's Petrouchka. Would go on to work with the Boston Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Also noted as the music director of the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg from 1984 through 1994, where he recorded the complete symphonies of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
February 15, 1948 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist Keith Gemmell born in London, UK ~ Best known as member of art rock band Audience. Also a member of the short-lived Sammy, whose sole album Sammy was produced by Deep Purple's Ian Gillan. Has also worked with Roy Young, Eddie Thornton, Rico Rodriguez, and the Pasadena Roof Orchestra ~ Gemmell passed away in 2016
February 15, 1947 ~ Contemporary classical, minimalist composer, conductor John Adams, full name John Coolidge Adams, born in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA ~ Holds six honorary doctorates. Wrote over 60 major compositions. Best known for pieces such as Shaker Loops, Harmonielehre, Short Ride In A Fast Machine and On The Transmigration Of Souls, the latter a Pullitzer Prize-winning composition commemorating the victims of the 9/11 attacks
February 15, 1947 ~ Singer, actress Wenche Myhre, full name Wenche Synnove Myhre, born in Kjelsås, Norway ~ Sings in Norwegian, Danish, Swedish and German. First gained international attention in 1968, representing Germany in the Eurovision Songfestival with the song Ein Hoch De Liebe reaching 6th place. Also known for songs such as Beiss Nicht Gleich In Jeden Apfel, Komm Allein, Er Steht Im Tor, Er Hat Ein Knallrotes Gummiboot, Eine Mark Fur Charlie and Lass Mein Knie Joe, all of which reached the German top 10
February 15, 1945 ~ Ricardo Maldonado Morales, commonly known as salsa singer, pianist, composer Richie Ray, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Half of the famed duo Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz, the other half being Bobby Cruz. The duo would become one of the most beloved and influential salsa duo's known for songs such as Aguzate, Sonida Bestial, Amparao Arrebato, El Diferente, Mi Bandera and A Mi Manera, the latter a translation of the French song Comme D'Habitude best known in the English version as My Way recorded by Frank Sinatra
February 15, 1944 ~ Rock drummer Mick Avory, full name Michael Charles Avory, born in Hampton Court, UK ~ Member of early-1960s outfit Bobby Angelo & the Tuxedos, known for the modest UK hit Baby Sittin'. Reportedly rehearsed a number of times with what would later become the Rolling Stones. Best known as longtime member of the Kinks, joining the band briefly after its formation in 1964 replacing Micky Willet. With the exception of some early hits, such as You Really Got Me, which would generally feature session drummers Avory appeared on most of the band's best known. After his departure from the Kinks in 1984, Avory has played with the Kast Off Kinks, Shut Up Frank, and the Animals
February 15, 1941 ~ Songwriter, producer, singer Brian Holland born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ One third of renowned Motown songwriting, production team Holland-Dozier-Holland, responsible for numerous hits by artists such as Martha & the Vandellas (Heat Wave), the Andantes, the Supremes (Stop In The Name Of Love), Mary Wells, the Four Tops, the Isley Brothers, Stevie Wonder, Brenda Holloway, Marvin Gaye (How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You), the Elgins, and Honey Cone
February 15, 1939 ~ Alvin Welch, commonly known as pop singer Alvin Cash, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Fronted Alvin Cash & the Crawlers, known for mid-1960s recordings such as the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit Twine Time, The Barracuda, The Philly Freeze, and Keep On Dancing. Following the band's disbandement by the late-1960s, Cash has recorded a handful of singles as a solo artist, and acted in several blaxploitation films including Pete Wheatstraw and Black Bart ~ Welch passed away in 1999
February 15, 1937 ~ Jazz pianist Kirk Lightsey born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Sideman and leader. Has worked with artists such as Yusef Lateef, Betty Carter, Pharoah Sanders, Bobby Hutcherson, Sonny Stitt, Chet Baker, Kenny Burrell, Dexter Gordon, the Leaders, Harold Danko, Jimmy Raney, Clifford Jordan, Woody Shaw, David Murray, Joe Lee Wilson, Louis Stewart, Adam Taubitz, Harold Land, Gregory Porter, Ricky Ford, Sonny Fortune, and Rufus Reid
February 15, 1924 ~ Musical composer Lionel Monckton, full name Lionel John Alexander Monckton, passed away in London, UK ~ Britain's most popular musical composer in the early 20th century. Well-known works include A Country Girl, Our Miss Gibbs, and perhaps his best known the 1909 hit The Arcadians ~ Monckton was born in 1861
February 15, 1924 ~ Antoinette Ardizzone, commonly known as singer Toni Arden, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Sang with big bands in the 1940s, including with Al Trace, Joe Reichman, Ray Bloch and Shep Fields. Turned to traditional pop starting in the early-1950s, scoring solo hits such as I'm Yours, Kiss Of Fire, Too Young, I Can Dream Can't I and perhaps her biggest hit Padre, a million-seller in 1958 ~ Arden passed away in 2012
February 15, 1918 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Hank Locklin, full name Lawrence Hankins Locklin, born in McLellan, Florida, USA ~ One of country's earliest honky tonk singers. Influential on later generations. Known for songs such as Please Help Me I'm Falling, Send Me The Pillow You Dream On, Geisha Girl, Happy Journey, and Fraulein. Locklin's songs have been covered by artists such as Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Roy Rogers, Dwight Yoakam, and Dean Martin ~ Locklin passed away in 2009
February 15, 1916 ~ Easy listening, jazz pianist, conductor, arranger, composer Ronnie Aldrich, full name Ronald Frank Aldrich, born in Erith, UK ~ Prolific pianist recording extensively from the 1940s onwards, notably with his orchestra the Squadronaires. Also worked with the BBC Radio Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Radio Orchestra, served as musical director at Thames Television and is perhaps best known as musical director of Benny Hill Show ~ Aldrich passed away in 1993
February 15, 1915 ~ Jazz trumpeter Taft Jordan born in Florence, South Carolina, USA ~ Started with the Washboard Rhythm Kings. Well-known for his stint with Chick Webb, serving in Webb's orchestra for about a decade starting in the early-1930s. As a leader best known for his 1961 album Taft Jordan Plays Duke Ellington. Also present on albums by Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Big Joe Turner, Miles Davis (Sketches Of Spain), and Louis Armstrong ~ Jordan passed away in 1981
February 15, 1907 ~ Organist, composer Jean Langlais, full name Jean François-Hyacinthe Langlais III, born in La Fontenelle, France ~ Served as church organist for the the Basilica of Sainte-Clotilde in Paris from 1945 until 1988, a post previously held by César Franck and Charles Tournemire. In-demand concert organist, touring extensively across Europe and America. Prolific composer, mainly of choral music yet has also written orchestral works and chamber music, and best known for his masses Messe Solennelle, Missa Salve Regina and Missa In Simplicitate ~ Langlais passed away in 1991
February 15, 1905 ~ Hyman Arluck, commonly known as songwriter Harold Arlen, born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best known for co-writing several songs for the 1939 film Wizard Of Oz with lyricist Yip Harburg including Over The Rainbow. Arlen wrote or co-wrote over 500 songs, some of its best known include That Old Black Magic (Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald), I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues (Lillian Shade, Billie Holiday, Sam Cooke), Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea (Aida Ward, Louis Armstrong, Carmen McRae), Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive (Johnny Mercer, Bing Crosby, Ella Mae Morse), Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home (Ruby Hill, Pearl Bailey, Barbra Streisand), Let's Take The Long Way Home (Jo Stafford, Dinah Shore, the Ames Brothers), and One For My Baby And One More For The Road (Lena Horne, Fred Astaire, Harry Belafonte) ~ Arluck passed away in 1986
February 15, 1893 ~ Songwriter Walter Donaldson born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Popular songwriter of the 1910s through the 1940s, addding several classics to the Great American Songbook. Songs written or co-written by Donaldson include Did I Remember (Tommy Dorsey, Patti Page, Nancy Wilson), At Sundown When Love Is Calling Me (Bert Kaplan, Mildred Bailey, Teresa Brewer), My Baby Just Cares For Me (Ted Weems, Count Basie, Nina Simone), Love Me Or Leave Me (Ruth Etting, Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee), Yes Sir That's My Baby (Gene Austin, Jack Hylton, Nat King Cole) ~ Donaldson passed away in 1947