February 15, 2021 ~ Operatic soprano Andréa Guiot passed away in Nimes, France ~ Best known for her association with the Opera-Comique and the Opera De Paris ~ Guiot was born in 1928
February 15, 2021 ~ Juan Azarias Pacheco Knipping, commonly known as singer, producer, bandleader, label executive Johnny Pacheco, passed away in Teaneck, New Jersey, USA ~ Leading figure in 1960s and 1970s salsa. Founded Fania Records. Founded the Fania All-Stars ensemble ~ Knipping was born in 1935
February 15, 2021 ~ Singer, pianist, poet, songwriter Raymond Lévesque passed away in Montreal, Canada ~ Pioneer of Canadian chansonni9er 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, Céline Dion, and others ~ 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, 2018 ~ Choral conductor Gian Paolo Mele passed away in Nuoro, Italy ~ Director of the Coro di Nuoro choir. Best known as an interpreter and conservator of Sardininian folk music ~ Mele was born in 1944
February 15, 2018 ~ Composer, viola player Milan Krizek passed away in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic ~ Composed orchestral music, chamber music and vocal and choral pieces rooted in neoclassicism ~ Krízek was born in 1926
February 15, 2018 ~ Singer Tamara Nizhnikova, full name Tamara Nikolaevna Nizhnikova passed away ~ Best known for her long-time association with the National Opera & Ballet Of Belarus ~ Nizhnikova was born in 1925
February 15, 2016 ~ Country singer Joyce Paul passed away ~ Best known for her 1969 single Phone Call To Mama ~ Paul was born ca.1937
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, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and others ~ 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 ~ 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, Martin Plaza, and others ~ Shakespeare was born in 1947
February 15, 2012 ~ Walter Jakob Freund, commonly known as jazz saxophonist Joki Freund, passed away in Schwalbacj-am-Taunus, Germany ~ Played with Joe Quitter, Carlo Bohlander, Gery Weinkopf, Joe Klimm, Jutta Hipp, Donald Byrd, Art Taylor, Doug Watkins, Albert Mangelsdorff, Erwin Lehn, the Frankfurt Jazz Ensemble, and others ~ Freund was born in 1926
February 15, 2011 ~ Bandleader, singer, trumpeter José Luis Moneró passed away in Caguas, Puerto Rico ~ Has worked with Noro Morales, Jose Curbelo, Xavier Cugat, and Julio Angel ~ Moneró was born in 1921
February 15, 2009 ~ Gilberto Miguel Calderón, commonly known as conga player, bandleader Joe Cuba, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Regarded as “the Father of Latin Boogaloo”. Fronted the Joe Cuba Sextet, known for songs such as To Be With You, El Pito (I'll Never Go Back To Georgia) and Sock It To Me ~ Calderón was born in 1931
February 15, 2008 ~ Folk, country singer, songwriter Willie P Bennett, full name William Patrick Bennett, passed away in Peterborough, Canada ~ Best known for his associations with the Dixie Flyers and long-time 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, Victor Young, and others ~ Evans was born in 1915
February 15, 2005 ~ Singer, songwriter Pierre Bachelet dies in Suresnes, France ~ Known for songs such as Les Corons, Elle Est D'Ailleurs, Ecris Moi, Marionnettiste, En Lan, Vingt Ans, and others ~ Bachelet was born in 1944
February 15, 2004 ~ Jazz pianist Gil Coggins, full name Alvin Gilbert Collins, passed away ~ Worked with Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Lester Young, Art Blakey, Ray Draper, Jackie McLean, and others ~ Coggins was born in 1928
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, Jay-Z, and others ~ Coleman was born in 1974
February 15, 1996 ~ Composer, arranger, conductor Lucio Agostini passed away in Toronto, Canada ~ Son of composer, conductor Giuseppe Agostini. Cellist with the Orchestre Symphonique De Montreal. Would go on to work as a composer, arranger, conductor for a variety of radio and TV shows on CBC for over two decades starting in the early 1940s ~ Agostini was born in 1913
February 15, 1993 ~ Giacinto Figlia, coommonly known as jazz pianist, composer 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, 1993 ~ Songwriter Harold Barlow passed away in Manhasset, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best known for writng I've Got Tears In My Ears, recorded by Homer & Jethro in 1949. Other notable credits include writing The Things I Love, recorded by Jimmy Dorsey, Dizzy Gillespie, and Harry James, and writing the English lyrics for the 1960 Connie Francis hit Mama ~ Barlow was born in 1915
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, 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, Oscar Pettiford, and others ~ 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, There's No Business Like Show Business, and others ~ 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, Tom Morello, and others
February 15, 1984 ~ Shaun Lewis, commonly known as grime and drum and bass MC Stormin, born in Plaistow, UK ~ Pioneering British grime and drum and bass MC. Co-founded the Nasty Crew ~ Lewis passed away in 2018
February 15, 1981 ~ Rock, blues, blues-rock guitarist 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 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 ~ Jazz violinist Zbigniew Seifert passed away ~ 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, Nana Vasconcelos, Glen Moore, Jan Hammer, Albert Mangelsdorff, Leszek Zadlo, Joachim Kühn, and others. 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, Butch Walker, and others
February 15, 1978 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, pop Jon Harper born in Reading, UK ~ Cites Led Zeppelin, dEUS, Primal Scream, Miles Davis and Stevie Wonder as some of his influences. Member of the Cooper Temple Clause. Has also worked with Cansei de Ser Sexy, IAMX and with IDLES
February 15, 1978 ~ Drummer, percussionist Ronnie Vanucci, full name Ronald Vannucci Jr, born in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Best known as drummer of the Killers. Founded his own side project Big Talk and has worked with the Rentals starting in 2018
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, Boo Hewerdine, and others
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, 1974 ~ Heavy metal singer, songwriter, actor Tomi Putaansuu, full name Tomi Petteri Putaansuu, born in Rovaniemi, Finland ~ Lead singer of Lordi, known for being the only metal act to have won the Eurovision Songfestival, ever, namely with the song Hard Rock Hallelujah in 2006
February 15, 1972 ~ Tanja Hewer, commonly known as singer Michelle, born in Billinben-Schwenningen, Germany ~ Internationally best known for representing Germany in the 2001 Eurovision Songfestival with Wer Liebe Lebt (To Live For Love), reaching 8th place
February 15, 1971 ~ R&B singer Aretha Franklin records Rock Steady ~ 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 ~ Bryan Christopher Williams, commonly known as rapper Birdman, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Released his full-length Birdman solo debut album in 2002. Also known as half of hip-hop duo Big Tymers, the other half being producer Mannie Fresh
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, Missy, and others. 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, Al Sears, and others ~ 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, Damon Duewhite, and others
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, Koko Taylor, and others ~ Jacobs was born in 1930
February 15, 1967 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal, progressive rock bassist, singer, songwriter Ivan Busic born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Son of jazz trumpeter André Busic. Brother of drummer Andria Busic. Has worked with Dr Sin, Ultraje A Rigor, Taffo, Supla, Platina, and with singer Eduardo Araújo
February 15, 1967 ~ Jane Richmond Hyslop, commonly known as singer, songwriter Jane Child born in Toronto, Canada ~ Best known for Don't Wanna Fall In Love, a 1990 Billboard top 10 hit taken of Child's eponymous Jane Child debut album
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, Send For Me, and others ~ Cole was born in 1919
February 15, 1965 ~ Eurodance, pop rapper Olaf Jeglitza born in Berlin, West Germany ~ Best known as frontman of the Real McCoy, scoring 1990s hits with Another Night and Run Away
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, Casey, and others
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, 1960 ~ Michael Emile Craig, commonly known as pop bassist Mikey Craig, born in Hammersmith, UK ~ Bassist of 1980s pop band Culture Club, known for hits such as Do You Really Want To Hurt Me, I'll Tumble 4 Ya, Church Of The Poisoned Mind and Karma Chameleon
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, I Can't Help Falling In Love With You, and others
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, Waye 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, Rush, and others
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, 1957 ~ Jazz drummer Herlin Riley born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Worked with Wynton Marsalis, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, George Benson, Harry Connick Jr, Marcus Roberts, Ahmad Jamal, Bennie Wallace, and others
February 15, 1956 ~ Yves Martin, commonly known as singer Lionel Leroy, born ~ Best known for singing themes for TV series from the late 1970s through the early 1980s, notably Wonder Woman and Starsky & Hutch. Married to singer Annie Chancelll of Sheila & B Devotion from 2006 to 2016 ~ Martin passed away in 2021
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 flipside, 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, Cymbalic Encounters, and others ~ 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
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, the Nice, and others
February 15, 1949 ~ Contemporary clasical composer Christopher Rouse, full name Christopher Chapman Rouse III, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Best known for his orchestral compositions. Composer-in-residence for the New York Philharmonic from 2012 to 2015 ~ Rouse passed away in 2019
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, the Philadelphia Orchestram, and others. Also noted as the music director of the Mozarteum Orchestra of Salzburg from 1984 through 1994, where he recorded the complete symphonies of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
February 15, 1948 ~ Singer, actor, comedian, director, screenwriter Christopher Guest born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for playing the role of Nigel Turnel in the rock mockumentary Spinal Tap
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, the Pasadena Roof Orchestra, and others ~ Gemmell passed away in 2016
February 15, 1947 ~ Arnoldus Treffers, commonly known as rock singer Arnie Treffers, born in Assen, the Netherlands ~ Fronted Long Tall Ernie & the Shakers, known for the 1977 international hit Do You Remember. Also worked with its predecessor the Moans ~ Treffers passed away in 1995
February 15, 1947 ~ Bassist, guitarist, producer, songwriter David Brown born in New York, New York, USA ~ Bassist for Santana from 1968 through 1971, and again from 1974 through 1976. Notably present on Black Magic Woman ~ Brown passed away in 2000
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, 1946 ~ Singer, songwriter John Trudell born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Best known as author, poet, political activist, chairman of American Indian Movement. As a singer has released a number of albums, most notably AKA Graffiti Man in 1986
February 15, 1946 ~ Louis Dandridge, commonly known as jazz pianist, singer Putney Dandridge, passed away in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA ~ Worked with Roy Eldridge, Teddy Wilson, Henry Red Allen, Buster Bailey, John Kirby, Chu Berry, Cozy Cole, and others ~ Dandridge was born in 1902
February 15, 1945 ~ Avant-garde jazz, rock drummer Edward Vesala born in Manyharju, Finland ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Tomasz Stańko, Tomasz Szukalski, the Electric Circus, Jan Garbarek, Raoul Bjorkenheim, his wife harpist and keyboardist Iro Haarla, Kenny Wheeler, and others ~ Vesala passed away in 1999
February 15, 1945 ~ Jazz bassist, violinist Pekka Sarmanto, full name Pekka Eerik Juhani Sarmanto, born in Helsinki, Finland ~ Leader and sideman. Founded UMO. Also worked with Eero Koivistoinen, Esa Pethman, Ben Webster, Ted Curson, and others
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 and numerous others
February 15, 1944 ~ Folk-rock singer, guitarist Denny Zager born in Wymore, Nebraska, USA ~ Member of Zager & Evans, known for their In The Year 2525 single, a Billboard No.1 hit in 1969
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, the Animals, and others
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, Honey Cone, and others
February 15, 1939 ~ Alvin Welch, commonly known as pop singer, actor Alvin Cash, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Fronted Alvin Cash & the Crawlers, known for mid 1960s recordings such as The Barracuda and Twine Time ~ Welch passed away in 1999
February 15, 1937 ~ Singer, guitarist, actor Fausto Cigliano born in Naples, Italy ~ Active since the 1950s. Known for songs such as Sarrà (Chi Sà) and Che M'ha 'Mparato A Fa ~ Cigliano passed away in 2022
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, Rufus Reid, and others
February 15, 1937 ~ Nathan Tate Davis, commonly known as jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist Nathan Davis, born in Kansas City, Kansas, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Eric Dolphy, Kenny Clarke, Ray Charles, Slide Hampton, Art Blakey, Woody Shaw, Mike Taylor, George Caldwell, and others ~ Davis passed away in 2018
February 15, 1927 ~ Trumpeter Wally Pikal born ~ Worked with Jerry Dostal, Doc Severinsen, Jim Stafford, Victor Borge, Conway Twitty, and others ~ Pikal passed away in 2017
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, Dean Martin and others ~ Locklin passed away in 2009
February 15, 1917 ~ Singer Wally Fowler born in Adairsville, Georgia, USA ~ Founding member of the Oak Ridge Boys. Previously a member of the Georgia Clodhoppers, a country group that also included famed guitarist Chet Atkins ~ Fowler passed away in 1994
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, 1910 ~ Jazz trumpeter, singer Walter Fuller born in Dyersburg, Tennessee, USA ~ Worked with Earl Hines, Irene Eadie, Horace Henderson, Rozelle Claxton, Quinn Wilson, Omer Simeon, Gene Ammons, and others ~ Fuller passed away in 2003
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, 1899 ~ Composer, film composer Georges Auric born in Lodève, France ~ Considered one of Les Six, a group of Paris-based composers. Well known as a film composer, notably writing the score for the 1931 A Nous La Liberte film. Occassionaly also wrote for ballet and stage productions ~ Auric passed away in 1983
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
February 15, 1857 ~ Composer Mikhail Glinka, full name Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka, passed away in Berlin, Germany ~ Considered a fountainhead of Russian classical music, the first Russian composer to gain widespread fame and a huge influence on future composers ~ Glinka was born in 1804