February 16, 2024 ~ Cynthia Sue Strother, commonly known as singer Cynthia Bell, passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Formed the sibling duo the Bell Sisters with her baby sister Edith Bell, adopting their mother's maiden name as stage names. The duo would be discovered in 1951 performing Bermuda, written by Cynthia, on a local Los Angeles TV show. Music publisher Joe Happy Goday would take an interest in the sibling act and had them record the track. The single would reach top 10 on the pop charts the following year, and eventually sell a million copies. The sisters would have two more hits, Wheel Of Fortune which scratched the top 10, and Piece A'Puddin' which reached top 20 ~ Strother was born in 1935
February 16, 2024 ~ Rockabilly, roots rock singer, guitarist Dexter Romweber, full name John Michael Dexter Romweber, passed away ~ Iconic figure in underground roots rock, rockabilly circles since the mid-1980s. Cited by the White Stripes guitarist Jack White as a major influence. Best known for founding rockabilly revivalists Flat Duo Jets with Chris Crow Smith, naming themselves after Gene Vincent's Gretsch Duo Jet guitar. The band recorded close to a dozen albums, and are especially acclaimed for their 1990 eponymous Flat Duo Jets album, and its 1992 follow-up Go Go Harlem. Romweber also formed Dex Romweber Duo with his older sister drummer Sara Romweber, their full-length Ruins Of Berlin debut album released in 2009, and has recorded several albums as a solo artist ~ Romweber was born in 1966
February 16, 2024 ~ Greg Hinz, commonly known as hard rock, heavy metal drummer Fritz Hinz, passed away ~ Longtime member of Canadian heavy metal outfit Helix, present on most of the band's best known including their Walking The Razor's Edge album which spawned Rock You, their biggest hit. Hinz remained with the band from 1983 through 1996, rejoining in 2009. Hinz quietly retreated from the band in 2023 as cancer treatments began, his medical condition kept quiet at his request. Following his death, Helix frontman Brian Vollmer described Hinz as a brother, the funniest guy you'd ever want to meet, and the consummate rock drummer: “He loved his drums and he loved drumming and performing. He took great pride in everything he did.” ~ Hinz was born ca.1956
February 16, 2024 ~ Poet, radio host, jazz scholar, music critic Reuben Jackson passed away ~ Known for his encyclopedic knowledge of jazz music and culture. Served as curator of the Duke Ellington Collection at the Smithsonian Institution for over two decades, a position he called “a job of a lifetime”. Hosted Friday Night Jazz for most of the 2010s, aired on Vermont Public Radio. An accomplished music critic, Jackson has written for The Washington Post, Jazz Times, Down Beat, and All About Jazz, his reviews regularly featured on NPR's All Things Considered radio show. Jackson is also known as a poet, his most recent bundle Scattered Clouds published in 2019 ~ Jackson was born ca.1956
February 16, 2023 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Alberto Radius passed away in Rome, Italy ~ Co-founded Formula 3 with Gabriele Lorenzi and Toni Cicco. The band is known for a string of early-1970s hits including Questo Folle Sentimento, Lo Ritorno Solo, and Eppur Mi Son Scordato Do Te. Radius has also recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Radius released in 1972, collaborated with Lucio Battisti, Milva, and Giuni Russo, and formed the late-1980s group Cantautores ~ Radius was born in 1942
February 16, 2023 ~ Carmen Domenic Licciardello, commonly known as Christian singer, rapper, songwriter Carman, passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ One of the all-time most successful Christian performers with about two dozen albums to his name, selling over an estimated 10 million copies, starting in the early-1980s. Became a born-again Christian after seeing Andráe Crouch in concert. Noted for his operatic, story-driven songs. Especially acclaimed for his 1988 live album Live Radically Saved and Addicted To Jesus. Licciardello is also known as a frequent host on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, notably on its flagship program Praise The Lord ~ Licciardello was born in 1956
February 16, 2023 ~ R&B singer Chuck Jackson passed away ~ Scored a string of 1960s Billboard R&B hits including I Don't Want To Cry, I Wake Up Crying, Tell Him I'm Not Home, Beg Me, and his signature song and biggest hit Any Day Now. The latter, an original hit for Jackson in 1962, was one of the first successes for songwriter Burt Bacharach co-written with Bob Hilliard, covered by over 50 artists including Tom Jones, Carla Thomas, Percy Sledge, Elvis Presley, and James Brown. Previously Jackson had sung with the Del Vikings, singing lead on the 1957 Willette single ~ Jackson was born in 1937
February 16, 2021 ~ Ray David Grammont, commonly known as reggae singer Tonton David, passed away in Nancy, France ~ Soul-influenced raggamuffin singer, actively recording since his 1991 Le Blues De La Racaille debut album. Touching on social subjects, including unemployment, poverty and racism, he became a figurehead for a generation of disenchanted French youth. Well known songs include Peuples Du Monde, Sur Et Certain, Chacun Sa Route, Pour Tout Le Monde Pareil, and Fugitifs with rai singer Cheb Mami ~ Grammont was born in 1967
February 16, 2020 ~ Singer Pearl Carr, full name Pearl Lavinia Carr, passed away in London, UK ~ Formed a duo with her husband Teddy Johnson. Prior to their marriage in 1955 both had been successful solo performers, but teamed up they would enjoy their greatest success as regular performers on stage and in a variety of British TV shows throughout the 1950s and early-1960s. Internationally the couple are best known for representing their native UK at the 1959 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching second place with Sing Little Birdie. Later Johnson commented that upon winning the national finals, they had never heard of the international contest and had no idea they were going to have to represent their country: “We had no idea whatsoever. They gave us the dates for Cannes and I just hoped we had them available. As it happened, we did.” ~ Carr was born in 1921
February 16, 2019 ~ Singer Ken Nordine passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known as narrator and voice-over artist featured in commercials and movie trailers. To music audiences known for his association with the beat and jazz-and-poetry movements. Notably present as the voice-over on Billy Vaughn's Shifting Whispering Sands, a surprise Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit in 1962 ~ Nordine was born in 1920
February 16, 2018 ~ Singer Barbara Alston passed away in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA ~ Member of the Crystals from 1961 through 1964, present on songs such as There's No Other Like My Baby, Uptown, He's Sure The Boy I Love, Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home), and Then He Kissed Me ~ Alston was born in 1943
February 16, 2018 ~ Mezzo-soprano singer Heli Laats passed away in Tallinn, Estonia ~ Married to conductor, pianist Peeter Saul. Best known for songs such as Laats Tsirkus, Kaunid Balerlinid, and Oma Laulu Ei Leia Ma Ules. Worked with the Emil Laansoo Ensemble, the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, the Eesti Raadio Women's Trio, Mikk Mikiver, Uno Loop, and Jaak Joala ~ Lääts was born in 1932
February 16, 2015 ~ Lesley Sue Goldstein, commonly known as singer, songwriter Lesley Gore, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Discovered by Quincy Jones. Broke through with It's My Party at age 16. Also known for songs such as Judy's Turn To Cry, She's A Fool, You Don't Own Me, Maybe I Know, and California Night ~ Goldstein was born in 1946
February 16, 2014 ~ Guitarist Gert Krawinkel, also known as Kralle Krawinkel, passed away ~ Active since the mid-1960s. Founded folk, progressive rock outfit Cravinkel, recording two albums in the early-1970s. Best known as member of new wave band Trio, enjoying popularity for most of the 1980s. Has also recorded as a solo artist, perhaps most notably duetting with Nena on 'n Zentimeter Liebe ~ Krawinkel was born in 1947
February 16, 2014 ~ Singer, guitarist, producer, songwriter Ray Kennedy, full name Raymond Louis Kennedy, passed away ~ Prolifent in numerous genres including R&B, pop, rock, jazz and country. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Sail On Sailor for the Beach Boys and Everytime I Think Of You and Isn't It Time for the Babys. As a recording artist recorded his first single, 1965's Number 5 Gemini, with a then-unknown Kenny Gamble. Has worked with Gerry Mulligan, Jay David, Dizzy Gillespie, JJ Johnson, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Brenda Lee, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Wilson Pickett, Traffic's Dave Mason, Sly & the Family Stone, the Beach Boys singer Brian Wilson, Jeff Beck, Barry Goldberg, Maurice White, Aerosmith, Michael Schenker, Engelbert Humperdinck, Wayne Newton, Tanya Tucker, Bill Champlin, Willie Nelson, Mick Fleetwood, KGB, Group Therapy, Jon & Ray, and others ~ Kennedy was born in 1946
February 16, 2013 ~ Anthony Esmond Sheridan McGinnity, commonly known as singer Tony Sheridan, passed away in Hamburg, Germany ~ Known for his early-1960s singles My Bonnie and Ain't She Sweet, both of which featured the Beatles, then relatively unknown, as Sheridan's backing band ~ McGinnity was born in 1940
February 16, 2006 ~ Blues, R&B drummer Clifton James passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for backing Bo Diddley on his most pivotal recordings alongside maracas player Jerome Green and bassist Roosevelt Jackson. Diddley once commented James was the one who did the original Diddley beat. James has also worked with Memphis Slim, Elmore James, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Koko Taylor, Buddy Guy, and the Chicago Blues All-Stars ~ James was born in 1936
February 16, 2004 ~ Doris Elaine Higginson, commonly known as singer, songwriter Doris Troy passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Best known for her 1963 soul hit Just One Look. Discovered by James Brown. Wrote Dee Clark's How About That. Original member of the Sweet Inspirations alongside Dionne Warwick, Cissy Houston and Dee Dee Warwick. Sang backup with Solomon Burke, the Drifters, the Rolling Stones (You Can't Always Get What You Want), Carly Simon (You're So Vain), Pink Floyd (on The Dark Side Of The Moon album), Humble Pie, Kevin Ayers, Edgar Broughton, George Harrison, Johnny Hallyday, Vivian Stanshall, Dusty Springfield, Nick Drake, Junior Campbell, and others ~ Troy was born in 1937
February 16, 2002 ~ Robert L Williams, commonly known as R&B singer, songwriter Billy Ward, passed away in Inglewood, California, USA ~ Fronted Billy Ward & the Dominoes, known for 1950s hits such as Do Something For Me, Sixty Minute Man, Have Mercy Baby, Rags To Riches, and Star Dust. The band also served as a launching pad for singers Clyde McPhatter and Jackie Wilson ~ Ward was born in 1921
February 16, 1999 ~ Mary Elizabeth Roché, commonly known as jazz, blues, big band singer Betty Roché, passed away in Pleasantville, New Jersey, New Jersey ~ Best known for her association with Duke Ellington, notably on Take The A-Train. Roché has also worked with the Savoy Sultans, Lester Young, Hot Lips Page, Thelonious Monk, Kenny Clarke, Earl Hines, Charles Brown, and Clark Terry ~ Roché was born in 1918
February 16, 1999 ~ Marie Ulven Ringheim, commonly known as indie pop, lo-fi, bedroom pop, dream pop singer, guitarist, keyboardist Girl In Red, born in Horten, Norway ~ First gained attention with her EPs Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 in respectively 2018 and 2019. Quickly became a queer icon on the strength of songs such as I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend and We Fell In Love In October. Released her full-length If I Could Make It Go Quiet album in 2021
February 16, 1996 ~ Walter Brown McGhee, commonly known as blues guitarist Brownie McGhee, passed away in Oakland, California, USA ~ Influenced by Blind Boy Fuller. Best known for his association with blues harpist Sonny Terry, the duo performing and recording to critical acclaim for some four decades starting in the 1940s. The duo are especially known for the albums Brownie McGhee & Sonny Terry Sing released in 1958, and Brownie McGhee & Sonny Terry At The 2nd Fret released in 1963. At some point the two would become so annoyed with each other they did not speak to one another at all, yet they maintained a professional relationship working together on stage and in the studio ~ McGhee was born in 1915
February 16, 1994 ~ Amanda Koci, commonly known as pop, dance-pop singer, songwriter Ava Max, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA ~ Known for songs such as Sweet But Psycho and Kings & Queens, both of which reached the Billboard top 20. Released her full-length debut album, Heaven & Hell, in 2020. Has collaborated with Project 46, AJ Mitchell, David Guetta, and Thomas Rhett
February 16, 1994 ~ Saxophonist Jimmy Powell, full name James Theodore Powell, passed away ~ In-demand sideman, present on over an estimated 100 albums since the 1940s. Especially acclaimed for his work with Count Basie in the mid-1940s, and Dizzy Gillespie in the 1950s, including on the 1957 At Newport album. Other notable associations include Billie Holiday, Billy Eckstine, Don Byas, Hal Cornbread Singer, Illinois Jacquet, Betty Carter, Otis Redding, and Bernard Pretty Purdie, notably present on the latter's 1974 Soul Is Pretty Purdie album ~ Powell was born in 1914
February 16, 1991 ~ Rayshawn Lamar Bennett, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter YFN Lucci, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Released a number of mixtapes and EPs starting in the mid-2010s, leading up to his full-length Ray Ray From Summerhill debut album in 2018. Best known for the single Key To The Streets featuring Migos and Trouble released in 2016. Has also worked with Meek Mill, PnB Rock, and Rick Ross
February 16, 1990 ~ Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, commonly known as singer, producer, songwriter the Weeknd, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Released his full-length Kiss Land debut album in 2013 and has recorded to commercial success becoming one of the best-selling artists of the 2010s. Known best for songs such as Love Me Harder featuring Ariana Grande, Earned It, The Hills, Can't Feel My Face, Starboy featuring Daft Punk, Pray For Me, Heartless, Blinding Lights, and Smile
February 16, 1989 ~ Rock, pop rock, soft rock singer, guitarist, percussionist Danielle Haim, full name Danielle Sari Haim, born in San Fernando Valley, California, USA ~ Member of sibling outfit Haim alongside Alana Haim and Este Haim, drawing critical comparison to Fleetwood Mac and the Bangles. The band debuted in 2013 with the album Days Are Gone and has recorded consistently since. They are best known for songs such as Forever, The Wire, Want You Back, A Little Of Your Love, Now I'm In It, and Gasoline featuring Taylor Swift
February 16, 1985 ~ In its thirteenth week on the charts, Neutron Dance by the Pointer Sisters peaks at No.6 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Songwriter Allee Willis, who had previously written hits such as September and Boogie Wonderland for Earth Wind & Fire, had hoped to place Neutron Dance in the 1984 Streets Of Fire film, but it would be used for the soundtrack of the Eddie Murphy action comedy Beverly Hills Cop instead. Being prominently featured in a key car chase scene helped propel the song to the Billboard Hot 100 top 10, making it the band's fourth top 10 hit off their Break Out album, and their final American top 10 hit. In 1987, the sequel Beverly Hill Cop II would also feature a song by the Pointer Sisters, Be There, but that one didn't make as much of an impact, stalling at No.42
February 16, 1982 ~ Post-hardcore, pop-punk guitarist, drummer, keyboardist, singer Brian Southall, full name Brian Michael Southall, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Member of fordirelifesake, Boys Night Out, the Receiving End Of Sirens, Isles & Glaciers, and the Company We Keep. Tour manager for Motion City Soundtrack, and All-Time Low. Southall ventured into band management by the late-2010s, representing acts such as Billie Eilish and Pharrell Williams
February 16, 1975 ~ Samuel Salter, commonly known as R&B singer, songwriter Sam Salter, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. Discovered by LA Reid. Had his 1997 It's On Tonight debut album produced by a team which included Tricky Stewart, Tony Rich and Robin Thicke, spawning the Billboard R&B top 20 hit After 12 Before 6. Would continue to record to mixed succes. Has written songs for 98°, Aaron Skyy, Xscape's Kandi Burruss, B2K, the Isley Brothers, and Tyrese ~ Salter passed away in 2021
February 16, 1974 ~ In its ninth week on the charts, Love Song by Anne Murray peaks at No.5 Billboard Country ~ The previous year, Murray had scored a massive hit with Danny's Song, written by Kenny Loggins. Loggins, apparently impressed with the Canadian singer, had subsequently written Love Song with Dona Lyn George specifically with Murray in mind, even though the two had yet to meet. The song ended up on a Loggins & Messina album, Full Sail, and would be recorded later the same year by Murray. Issued as a single off her album of the same name, it would become the highest-charting Billboard Country single of her career up to this point. Love Song also earned Murray a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance, beating Dolly Parton's Jolene and Tammy Wynette's Woman To Woman
February 16, 1971 ~ Alternative rock, alternative metal, hip-hop, punk rock keyboardist, songwriter Zac Baird, full name Zachary Baird, born in Orange County, California, USA ~ Perhaps best known for his association with nu metal outfit Korn, touring with the band on the See You On The Other Side and Family Values tours, and appearing on the albums MTV Unplugged, The Paradigm Shift, and The Serenity Of Suffering. Produced Billy Goat's 1995 Black & White sophomore album. Has also worked with Whitey, Hairy Apes BMX, Evanescence, Monster In The Machine, Wavves, Tom Freund, Jonathan Davis, and Florence + the Machine
February 16, 1970 ~ DJ, producer, remixer, songwriter Armand van Helden born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Considered one of the premier house DJs with a career spanning three decades and especially popular in Europe. Best known for releases such as You Don't Know Me, I Want Your Soul, My My My featuring Tara McDonald, and Bonkers featuring Dizzee Rascal
February 16, 1969 ~ R&B outfit the Isley Brothers release It's Your Thing, sole single off their It's Our Thing album ~ The first release on the brothers' restarted T-Neck label. The sibling outfit had a brief tenure at Motown, recording the albums This Old Heart Of Mine and Soul On The Rocks, but felt typecast in the role as a second-tier act while acts such as the Temptations, the Miracles, and the Four Tops got more promotion from the label. It's Your Thing was their artistic response to Motown's Berry Gordy Jr demanding hold on his artists after they left the label. The single would reach top 10 on both the Billboard R&B and Billboard Hot 100 charts
February 16, 1967 ~ Alternative rock, trip hop drummer Damon Reece born in London, UK ~ Following the death of Pete de Freitas in 1989 joined the re-formed Echo & the Bunnymen, appearing on the 1990 Reverberation album. Subsequently a member of Spiritualized departing the band after the release of the 1997 album Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space to form Lupine Howl. Has also worked with Massive Attack and Goldfrapp. Romantically involved with the Cocteau Twins singer Elizabeth Fraser, with whom he has a daughter
February 16, 1967 ~ Gerald Rydel Simpson, commonly known as acid house, jungle, drum and bass, electronica DJ, producer A Guy Called Gerald, born in Manchester, UK ~ Early member of 808 State. As a solo artist best known for his work in the Manchester scene during the late-1980s, especially with the track Voodoo Ray released in 1988
February 16, 1967 ~ Trumpeter Miles Davis releases his Miles Smiles album ~ The second studio album in a series recorded with a line-up known as Davis's second great quintet, the trumpeter backed by saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Tony Williams, Miles Smiles showcases Davis's deeper exploration of modal performance, neither following the conventions of bop nor the formlessness of free jazz. The album would be widely acclaimed, Stereo Review praising the trumpeter's “persistent brilliance”, while Saturday Review called it “Davis's best album in some time, and clear evidence of his continuing dedication as an improvising musician.”
February 16, 1966 ~ British pop, rock group the Beatles record Yes It Is at EMI Studios, London, UK ~ Credited to John Lennon and Paul McCartney, written primarily Lennon. Produced by George Martin. Noted for its complex three-part vocal harmonies and George Harrison's use of volume pedal guitar. Used for the flip side of Ticket To Ride, released the following April
February 16, 1966 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Bob Dylan records Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again at Columbia Recording Studios, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Self-penned. Produced by Bob Johnston. Included on the Blonde On Blonde. The song's refrain is said to reference the WC Handy-song Memphis Blues. Dylan would record a live version for the Hard Rain album ten years later
February 16, 1963 ~ Blues-rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Chris Duarte born in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Describes his style as a combination of rockin' blues and punk blues. Influenced by John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Well over a dozen albums to his name, starting in the mid-1980s. Especially acclaimed for the 1990s albums Texas Sugar (Strat Magik) and its follow-up Tailspin Headwhack
February 16, 1962 ~ Pop singer Bobby Vinton records Mr Lonely ~ Written by Vinton and Gene Allan. Produced by Bob Morgan. Arranged and conducted by Robert Mersey. First released on the 1962 Roses Are Red album. As a single, paired with It's Better To Have Loved on the flip side, the 1964 single would top the Billboard Hot 100. The song would be covered by Johnny Hallyday as Quand Revient La Nuit in 1965
February 16, 1961 ~ Guitarist Andy Taylor, full name Andrew Arthur Taylor, born in Dover-Hampton, UK ~ Member of pop outfit Duran Duran from 1980 through 1986, present on UK top 10 hits such as Girls On Film, Hungry Like The Wolf, Save A Prayer, Is There Something I Should Know, The Reflex, The Wild Boys, and A View To A Kill. Also worked with Power Station on the 1985 The Power Station album. Notably present on Rod Stewart's 1988 Out Of Order album. Other credits include Robert Palmer, the Almighty, Thunder, Love & Money, Mark Shaw, Then Jericho, CC Catch, and Belinda Carlisle
February 16, 1960 ~ Country singer, bassist Doug Phelps born in Leachville, Arkansas, USA ~ Formed the duo Brother Phelps with his brother guitarist, singer Ricky Lee Phelps. The duo would score a number a early-1990s country hits, their highest charting being Let Go reaching top 10 Billboard Country in 1993. Prior both brothers had played with the Kentucky Headhunters, leaving the band after the successful 1989 Pickin' On Nashville debut album
February 16, 1960 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Pete Willis born in Sheffield, UK ~ Founding member of metal, hard rock band Def Leppard. Present on the band's first three albums, On Through The Night, High 'n Dry and Pyromania, replaced in 1982 by Phil Collen. Also worked with Atomic Mass, Gogmagog, Nightrun and Roadhouse
February 16, 1958 ~ Tracy Lauren Marrow, commonly known as hip-hop, heavy metal rapper, actor Ice-T, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Helped shape gangsta rap and especially paved the way for rock-influenced rap. Would sollicit controversy early in his career. His 1987 solo debut album Rhyme Pays being the second hip-hop album to carry an explicit content sticker. With his heavy metal band Body Count drew criticism over the lyrics of the 1992 song Cop Killer. Ventured into acting for film and TV, most notably in the role of detective Odafin Tutuola in the crime series Law & Order SVU since 2000
February 16, 1958 ~ Giacomo Pontoriero, commonly known as rock, hard rock guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, talent manager, songwriter, producer Jack Ponti, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Got his start in music playing guitar in 1970s band the Rest, which also included a young and then-unknown Jon Bon Jovi as lead singer. Though the band never landed a major record deal, they enjoyed popularity in their native New Jersey, opening for the likes of Southside Johnny and Bruce Springsteen. After the band disbanded, Jon Bon Jovi would rise to fame with the glam metal-infused Bon Jovi, with Ponti co-writing several of the band's earliest songs including Shot Through The Heart, while Ponti would primarily focus on his work as a songwriter, producer, and later talent manager, working with artists such as Bonfire, Babylon AD, Eric Gales, Nelson, and Melvin Taylor. In Europe, Ponti is perhaps best known for his work with Alice Cooper, co-writing half the tracks off Cooper's 1991 Hey Stoopid album, which though poorly received in America did reasonably well in Europe, and for his work with German hard rock outfit Doro, for whom he co-produced the albums Angels Never Die and its follow-up Machine II Machine. Ponti has also served as manager for neo-soul singer India Arie ~ Pontoriero passed away in 2024
February 16, 1957 ~ Guitarist, bassist, mandolonist, dobroist Jeff Pevar born ~ Forms the trio CPR with David Crosby and Crosby's son James Raymond. In-demand collaborator and sidemand, worked with Donald Fagen, James Taylor, Marc Cohn, Ray Charles, Joe Cocker, Rickie Lee Jones, Dr John, Carly Simon, Kenny Loggins, Jazz Is Dead, Phil Lesh, Phil Collins, Jonatha Brooke, Willy DeVille, and others
February 16, 1957 ~ Pianist, composer Josef Hofmann, full name Josef Casimir Hofmann, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Son of pianist, conductor, composer Kazimierz Hofmann and singer Matylda Pindelska. Child prodigy, his series of concerts in his early teens drawing critical comparison to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Felix Mendelssohn. Would go on to compose well over a hundred works, many under the pseudonym Michel Dvorsky ~ Hofmann was born in 1876
February 16, 1956 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Marcus Turner, full name Marcus William Turner, born in Roxburgh, New Zealand ~ Member of High Country. Co-founding member of the Chaps. Also known for two solo albums, 1983's The Best Is Yet To Come and 2005's Laid Down, showcasing both tongue-in-cheek comedy and sensitive introspective songs ~ Turner passed away in 2016
February 16, 1956 ~ Conductor, composer Thomas Sleeper born in Wagoner, Oklahoma, USA ~ In-demand guest conductor, has worked with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Central Philharmonic Of China, the San Juan Symphony Orchestra, and the Ruse State Philharmonic. Closely associated with the Frost Symphony Orchestra and the Florida Youth Orchestra, serving as the latter's director from 1993 through 2020 ~ Sleeper passed away in 2022
February 16, 1954 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist Jeff Clayton born in Venice, California, USA ~ Brother of bassist John Clayton, with whom he also worked under the moniker the Clayton Brothers. Founded the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra with drummer Jeff Hamilton. In-demand sideman and session musician. Worked with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Ella Fitzgerald, Ethan Smith, Lena Horne, Thad Jones, Gene Harris, Dianne Reeves, Joe Cocker, BB King, Ray Charles, Gladys Knight, Kenny Rogers, Michael Jackson, Patti Labelle, Madonna, and others ~ Clayton passed away in 2020
February 16, 1952 ~ Singer James Ingram born in Akron, Ohio, USA ~ Best known for the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits I Don't Have The Heart and Baby Come To Me, the latter a duet with Patti Austin. Also known for duetting with Linda Ronstadt on Somewhere Out There, with Melissa Manchester on Brightest Star, and with Dolly Parton on The Day I Fall In Love. In-demand collaborator and backing singer, present on albums by Donna Summer, Ray Charles, Anita Baker, Viktor Lazlo, Nancy Wilson, Natalie Cole, Kenny Rogers, and Quincy Jones ~ Ingram passed away in 2019
February 16, 1952 ~ Synth-pop, electronica, punk-pop singer, keyboardist Tracy Howe, full name Tracy Marlowe Howe, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Member of the Normals. Drummer, singer in Heaven Seventeen, one of the first punk bands to use synthesizers. Member of Men Without Hats. Best known as member of the Rational Youth, which he co-founded with Bill Vorn, considered to be one of the first Canadian synth-pop groups. Married to percussionist Gaenor Howe, bandmate in Youth
February 16, 1949 ~ Singer Lyn Paul born in Manchester, UK ~ Rose to fame in the early-1970s as member of the New Seekers, including as lead vocalist on Beg Steal Or Borrow which reached 2nd place in the 1972 Eurovision Songfestival. Also present on songs such as You Won't Find Another Fool Like Me, I Get A Little Sentimental Over You, and I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing (In Perfect Harmony). Paul left the group in 1974 to pursue a solo career. Has recorded and performed as a solo artist and has collaborated with Andy Williams, Dionne Warwick, and Liza Minnelli
February 16, 1945 ~ Funk, R&B singer Lenny Williams, full name Leonard Charles Williams, born in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA ~ Lead singer of Tower Of Power from 1972 through 1975, present on some of the band's best known songs, notably What Is Hip, and recording three albums with the funk outfit. As a solo artist known for songs such as 1977's Choosing You and 1978's Cause I Love You. Has worked with artists such as Sly Stone, Andráe Crouch, Billy Preston
February 16, 1945 ~ Bebop, West Coast jazz, hard bop saxophonist Pete Christlieb born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Played the sax solos on Steely Dan's Deacon Blues and FM (No Static At All). Has also worked with Louie Bellson, Chet Baker, Woody Herman, Count Basie, Tom Waits, Warne Marsh, Doc Severinsen, Bob Florence, Frank Mantooth, Gary Urwin, Phil Kelly, Bill Holman, the Tall & Small Band, Don Lanphere, Ernie Watts, Dick Hyde, Hadley Caliman, Wayne Bergeron, Natalie Cole, Quincy Jones, the Manhattan Transfer, Diane Schuur, Bobby Blue Bland, Freddie Hubbard, Carmen McRae, Joey DeFrancesco, and others
February 16, 1941 ~ Jazz bassist Jim Richardson, full name James Anthony Richardson, born in Tottenham, UK ~ Member of pioneering progressive rock, jazz-rock band If from 1969 through 1973, present on the band's first four albums. Would go on to work with Elton Dean, Keith Tippett, Dexter Gordon, Chet Baker, Helen Shapiro, Tommy Whittle, the Weightwatchers, and others
February 16, 1939 ~ Czeslaw Juliusz Wydrzycki, commonly known as rock, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, avant-garde jazz singer, songwriter Czeslaw Niemen, born in Nowogrodek Voivodeship, Poland ~ Considered one of the most important Polish singers of the 20th century singing mainly in Polish. Has worked with bands such as Akwarele, Enigmatic, Grupa Niemen, Aerolit, the Silesian Blues Band, and has released solo records starting in the late-1960s ~ Wydrzycki passed away in 2004
February 16, 1938 ~ Contemporary classical composer, film composer John Corigliano, full name John Paul Corigliano, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Son of concertmaster John Paul Corigliano Sr and pianist Rose Butzen. Composer-in-residence for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Known best for his 1963 Sonata For Violin And Piano, the 1977 Clarinet Concerto, and for scoring the music for films such as 1985's Revolution and 1998's The Red Violin
February 16, 1936 ~ William Henry Deppenschmidt, commonly known as jazz drummer Buddy Deppenschmidt, born ~ Worked with territory and local bands, prior to joining Charlie Byrd's trio by the late-1950s, a role he would become best known for. Played with Byrd through 1963, including on the acclaimed Jazz Samba album which started a bossa nova craze fueled by the album's hit single Desafinado. Following his tenure with Byrd, Deppenschmidt has worked with Herb Ellis, John Coates Jr, Bernard Peiffer, Jim Kweskin (Jump For Joy), Mose Allison, Chet Baker, Lionel Hampton, Milt Hinton, Maxine Sullivan, and Joe Venuti, and led his own band Jazz Renaissance with a rotating cast of sidemen ~ Deppenschmidt passed away in 2021
February 16, 1935 ~ Salvatore Phillip Bono, commonly known as producer, singer, songwriter Sonny Bono, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Half of Sonny & Cher, the other half being his wife Cher, known for songs such as I Got You Babe, The Beat Goes On, Little Man, Baby Don't Go, All I Ever Need Is You, and A Cowboy's Work Is Never Done. As a solo artist known for his sole US hit Laugh At Me, a Billboard Top 10 hit. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Little Things You Do (Sam Cooke) and Needles And Pins (Jackie DeShannon). Served as Republican mayor of Palm Springs, California, from 1988 through 1992 and as Congressman from 1995 up to his death in 1998 ~ Bono passed away in 1998
February 16, 1934 ~ Jazz, vocal jazz singer Al Bowlly, backed by Ray Noble & Orchestra, records Midnight The Stars And You at Abbey Road Studios, London, UK ~ Written by Harry M Woods, Jimmy Campbell and Reg Connelly. Considered one of Bowlly's best recordings. Used in the classic Stanley Kubrick-directed 1980 horror movie The Shining in two scenes
February 16, 1934 ~ Twin brothers singers Harold Kalin and Herbie Kalin born in Port Jervis, New York, USA ~ The siblings formed the duo the Kalin Twins, known for their 1958 hit When, which reached top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. The follow-up single Forget Me Not, released shortly thereafter, also reached top 20 Billboard Hot 100. The siblings would continue to record regularly through the early-1960s, but were unable to repeat their earlier success ~ Harold passed away in 2005, Herbie in 2006
February 16, 1934 ~ Theodore Taylor, commonly known as gospel, R&B singer Ted Taylor, born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, USA ~ Influenced by Little Willie John, Clyde McPhatter and Jackie Wilson. Started his career singing with the Mighty Clouds Of Joy gospel group. Would go on to sing secular R&B with the Cadets and the Jacks, which were basically the same group. Sang lead on the former's Do You Wanna Rock (Hey Little Girl) and I Cry, and on the latter's Away and My Darling. Taylor ventured out on his own by 1957 and is known for being the first to record Be Ever Wonderful in 1959, notably covered by Dee Dee Sharp in 1963 and by Joe Hinton in 1968. As a solo artist Taylor would also reach national succes with Stay Away From My Baby, a Billboard R&B top 20 hit in 1965 ~ Taylor passed away in 1987
February 16, 1932 ~ Johnny Davenport, commonly known as singer, songwriter Otis Blackwell, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Wrote or co-wrote several songs pivotal to the development of rock & roll, including Great Balls Of Fire for pianist Jerry Lee Lewis, and Don't Be Cruel, All Shook Up, and Return To Sender for Elvis Presley. Others who recorded his songs include Little Willie John (Fever), Ben E King, Thurston Harris, Solomon Burke (Home In Your Heart), the Drifters, Ray Charles, Kenny Lee Martin, Jimmy Jones (Handy Man), and the Four Lovers ~ Blackwell passed away in 2002
February 16, 1925 ~ Virtuoso fado, classical guitarist, composer Carlos Paredes born in Coimbra, Portugal ~ Son of guitarist Artur Paredes. Dubbed “the man with the thousand fingers” and regarded as one of the all-time premier Portuguese guitarists. Imprisoned during the late-1950s for his membership of the Communist Party. Has collaborated with artists such as Fernando Gusmão, Amália Rodrigues, Cecilia de Melo, Manuel Alegre, António Victorino de Almeida, and Charlie Haden ~ Paredes passed away in 2004
February 16, 1916 ~ Jazz, R&B organist, pianist Bill Doggett, full name William Bill Doggett, born in Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Started in swing, to transition into R&B. Considered helpful to the development of rock & roll. Led his own trio from the early-1950s onward, known for the instrumental Honky Tonk, as well as for Slow Walk, Ram-Bunk-Shun, and Hold It, all of which reached top 10 Billboard R&B. As a sideman Doggett has worked with the likes of Buddy Tate, Lucky Thompson, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Jordan, Lucky Millinder, Willis Jackson, Coleman Hawkins, and Paul Quinichette ~ Doggett passed away in 1996
February 16, 1914 ~ Actor, singer, songwriter Jimmy Wakely, full names James Clarence Wakely, born in Howard County, Arkansas, USA ~ One of the last singing cowboys. Appeared in over two dozen westerns, usually as a side act. Had his own comic book series. Known for songs such Lonesome Guitar, My Kind Of Country, Twilight On The Trail, I'm Sending You Red Roses, I Love You So Much It Hurts. Also known for a number of duets such ar Slippin' Around and Broken Down Merry-go-round with Margaret Whiting, and Beautiful Brown Eyes with Les Baxter ~ Wakely passed away in 1982
February 16, 1908 ~ Francisco Raul Gutierrez Grillo, commonly known as bandleader, singer, maracas player Machito, born ~ Sideman and leader. In the late-1930s he played with several orchestras, including with Xavier Cugat. Formed the Afro-Cubans in the 1940s with Mario Bauzá, Machito's brother-in-law, as its musical director. Among the first to fuse Afro-Cuban rhythms with swing, jazz and big band. George Shearing, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Stan Kenton all names Machito an influence. Has recorded extensively from the 1940s to the 1980s.
February 16, 1907 ~ Composer, songwriter Alec Wilder, full name Alexander Lafayette Chew Wilder, born in Rochester, New York, USA ~ Known for writing or co-writing songs such as Give Me Time (Mildred Bailey), Who Can I Turn To (Gene Krupa), Moon And Sand (Xavier Cugat), I'll Be Around (Cab Calloway), While We're Young (Fred Waring), Trouble Is A Man (Peggy Lee), and The Lady Sings The Blues (Cleo Laine) ~ Wilder passed away in 1980
February 16, 1904 ~ Actor, singer James Baskett, full name James Franklin Baskett, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Voiced the character Uncle Remus in the Disney animated film Song Of The South, including singing Zip-a-dee-doo-dah which would win an Academy Award for Best Song. Other notable credits include appearing in the 1929 Broadway revue Hot Chocolates alongside Louis Armstrong and voicing Fats Crow in the original 1941 Dumbo animated film ~ Baskett passed away in 1948
February 16, 1866 ~ Violinist, composer John Dunn born in Kingston-upon-Hull, UK ~ Gave his first public performance at age 9. Considered the premier British violinist of his day, especially acclaimed for his interpretation of works by Niccolò Paganini. Also known for premiering Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in the UK in 1902. ~ Dunn passed away in 1940