February 8, 2023 ~ Pianist, songwriter, producer Burt Bacharach, full name Burt Freeman Bacharach, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Composed hundreds of songs from the late 1950s through the 1980s, often in partnership with lyricist Hal David. Had his songs recorded by over an estimated 1,000 artists including Marty Robbins, Perry Como (Magic Moments), Etta James, Jerry Butler, Gene Pitney (24 Hours From Tulsa), Dionne Warwick (Don't Make Me Over), the Drifters, Brook Benton, Jackie DeShannon (What The World Needs Now Is Love), the Jazz Crusaders, the Carpenters ((They Long To Be) Close To You), Tom Jones (What's New Pussycat), Herb Alpert (This Guy's In Love With You), Dusty Springfield, BJ Thomas (Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head), Christopher Cross, and others ~ Bacharach was born in 1928
February 8, 2023 ~ Swing, pop singer, actor Dennis Lotis passed away ~ Active since the early 1950s, working with artists such as Ted Heath, and the Johnston Brothers. Would become one of the most successful variety circuit acts in his adopted homeland England by the mid-1950s. Also known as an actor ~ Lotis was born in 1925
February 8, 2021 ~ Singer Mary Wilson passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Supremes and the last original member to leave the group, staying on through 1977. Sang lead on songs such as Baby Don't Go, Come And Get These Memories, Can't Take My Eyes Off You, A Heart Like Mine and Early Morning Love ~ Wilson was born in 1944
February 8, 2021 ~ Singer, producer, impresario, songwriter Servando Cano Rodríguez passed away in Monterrey, Mexico ~ Best known as producer and impresario, helping launch the careers of artists such as Cornelio Reyna, Ramón Ayala, Los Tigres Del Norte, La Mafia, Intocable and Grupo Pesado ~ Rodríguez was born in 1942
February 8, 2018 ~ Algia Mae O'Neal, comonly known as singer, guitarist Algia Mae Hinton, passed away in Middlesex, North Carolina, USA ~ Piedmont blues singer, guitarist. Known for playing the guitar behind her head as she danced ~ O'Neal was born in 1929
February 8, 2018 ~ Kevin Smith, commonly known as MC, singer, producer Lovebug Starski, passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Claimed to have coined the term “hip-hop”. Also recorded under the moniker Little Starsky. Known for a number of late 1970s to mid-1980s singles including Gangster Rock, You Gotta Believe and Do The Right Thing, and a sole album House Rocker released in 1986 ~ Smith was born in 1960
February 8, 2016 ~ Singer Ken Delo, full name Kenneth Edward Delo, passed away ~ Best known for his tenure with The Lawrence Welk Show. Previously half of Delo & Daly, the other half being Jonathan Daly ~ Delo was born in 1938
February 8, 2014 ~ Jazz drummer, bandleader Dick Berk, full name Richard Alan Berk, passed away in Portland, Oregon, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Ted Curson, Bill Barron, Charles Mingus, Mose Allison, Freddie Hubbard, Walter Bishop Jr, Milt Jackson, George Duke, Cal Tjader, Jean-Luc Ponty, Blue Mitchell, the Jazz Adoption Agency, Andy Martin, Mike Fahn, Nick Brignola, Jon Nagorney, Keith Saunders, Tad Weeds, John Patitucci, Don Friedman, and others ~ Berk was born in 1939
February 8, 2013 ~ Avant-garde trombonist, composer Friedrich Schenker passed away in Berlin, Germany ~ Principal trombonist for the Rundfunk Sinfonieorchester Leipzig for nearly two decades starting in the mid-1960s. Co-founded the Gruppe Neue Musik Hanns Eisler. Has composed vocal music, orchestral music, chamber music and for various solo instruments ~ Schenker was born in 1942
February 8, 2012 ~ Jaime Sabater, commonly known as boogaloo, salsa singer, percussionist Jimmy Sabater, passed away ~ Influenced by Willie Bobo, Uba Nieto, Papi Pagani. Rose to fame as a member of the Joe Cuba Sextet in the 1960s and 1970s, present on songs such as To Be With You and Salsa Y Bembe. After his departure from the band in 1977 has recorded as a solo artist, and collaborated with the like of Al Levy, Charlie Palmieri, José Mangual Jr, Bobby Cruz, and others. His son, Jimmy Sabater Jr, is a bandleader and trumpeter ~ Sabater was born in 1936
February 8, 2012 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter, poet Luis Alberto Spinetta passed away in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Hugely influential in Argentinian rock. Worked with Almendra, Pescado Rabioso, Invisible, Spinetta Jade, and others ~ Spinetta was born in 1950
February 8, 2006 ~ Saxophonist Elton Dean passed away in London, UK ~ Member of Bluesology, led by Long John Baldry. The band's pianist Reginald Kenneth Dwight would later combine their two first names for his stage name, Elton John. Dean would go on to work with Centipede, Robert Wyatt, Keith Tippett, Soft Machine, Ninesense, Soft Heap, In Cahoots, the Anglo-Italian Quartet, Equipe Out, and others. Dean has also recorded well over a dozen albums as a leader, starting with the eponymous Elton Dean released in 1971 ~ Dean was born in 1945
February 8, 2005 ~ James Oscar Smith, commonly known as organist, keyboardist Jimmy Smith, passed away in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA ~ Helped popularize the Hammond organ in jazz. Influenced Jimmy McGriff, Brother Jack McDuff, Don Patterson, Richard Groove Holmes, Tony Monaco and Larry Goldings. Worked wih Oliver Nelson, Kenny Burrell, George Benson, Quincy Jones, Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Joey DeFrancesco, BB King, Dr John, Etta James, and others ~ Smith was born in 1925
February 8, 2005 ~ Drummer, singer Keith Knudsen passed away in Kenfield, California, USA ~ Best known as member of rock outfit the Doobie Brothers remaining with the band from 1973 through 1982, rejoining in 1993. First appeared on the What Where Once Vices Are Now Habits album released in 1974. Founded country rock band Southern Pacific with Brothers bandmate John McFee, known for songs such as Reno Bound, New Shade Of Blue, Honey I Dare You, and Any Way The Wind Blows ~ Knudsen was born in 1948
February 8, 2005 ~ Szymon Bachorz, commonly known as violinist Simón Bajour, passed away in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Member of Astor Piazzolla's backing unit First Quinteto alongside Jaime Gosis, Kicho Diaz and Horacio Malvicino, appearing on Adiós Nonino. Also worked with Osvaldo Pugliese, the Teatro Colón, Bajour-Antognazzi, and others ~ Bachórz was born in 1928
February 8, 2002 ~ Jazz baritone saxophonist Nick Brignola passed away in Albany, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Pepper Adams, Randy Brecker, Claudio Roditi, Ronnie Cuber, Rein DeGraff, Ted Curson, Sal Salvador, Dick Berk, Woody Herman, Frank Mantooth, Tisziji Muñoz, Sal Nistico, and others ~ Brignola was born in 1936
February 8, 2002 ~ R&B singer, guitarist Willis Draffen passed away ~ Member of Bloodstone, known for a string of R&B hits starting in the early 1970s including Natural High, Never Let You Go, Outside Woman, My Little Lady, and We Go A Long Way Back, all of which reached top 10 Billboard R&B ~ Draffen was born in 1945
February 8, 1999 ~ Myrtle Eleanor Cooper, commonly known as country singer Lulu Belle, passed away in Sprune Pine, North Carolina, USA ~ Formed the duo Lulu Belle & Scotty with her husband Scotty Wiseman, one of the most popular country acts of the 1930s and 1940s. The duo lovingly dubbed “the Sweethearts of Country Music” are best known for Have I Told You Lately That I Love You, written by Wiseman and recorded by well over 150 artists including Tex Ritter, Bing Crosby, Eddie Cochran, Jim Reeves, Elvis Presley, Patti Page, Willie Nelson, Ringo Starr, Roger Whittaker, and others ~ Cooper was born in 1913
February 8, 1996 ~ Trumpeter, composer, arranger Mercer Ellington passed away in Copenhagen, Denmark ~ The only child of Duke Ellington. Mercer led his own bands which at one time or another included Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Dorham, Idrees Sulieman, Chico Hamilton, Charles Mingus, and Carmen McRae. Mercer wrote several pieces that became standards including Things Ain't What They Used To Be, Jumpin' Punkins, Moon Mist, and Blue Serge. Mercer also was a road manager for Cootie Williams, musical director for Della Reese, composed for and played trumpet and horn in his father's orchestra, and led the orchestra after Duke's death ~ Ellington was born in 1919
February 8, 1994 ~ Nicole Rachel Yanofsy, commonly knowm as jazz-pop singer Nikki Yanofsky born in Montreal, Canada ~ Sang the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics theme song I Believe including at the opening and closing ceremonies. Released her full-length Ella (Of Thee I Swing) solo debut album in 2008, a live CD concert package. Would release her first studio album in 2010, namely Nikki produced by Phil Ramone and Jesse Harris. Has also collaborated with Herbie Hancock, will.i.am, Ron Sexsmith, Feist, Esperanza Spalding, Roy Hargrove, Dave Brubeck, Joshua Redman, Alfredo Rodriguez, Wyclef Jean, Quincy Jones, and others
February 8, 1994 ~ Harry Warnow, commonly known as bandleader, pianist,producer Raymond Scott, passed away in North Hills, California, USA ~ Never scored cartoon soundtracks yet familiar to many because Carl Stalling adapted Warnow's music to over 120 Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons. Warnow's compositions can also be heard in Ren & Stimpy Show, The Simpsons, Duckman, and Animaniacs ~ Warnow was born in 1908
February 8, 1992 ~ Denys Justin Wright, commonly known as jazz guitarist, pianist Denny Wright, passed away in London, UK ~ Worked with Kenny Graham, Carl Barriteau, Phil Green, Stéphane Grappelli, Lonnie Donegan, Johnny Duncan, Digby Fairweather, Ella Fitzgerald, Ken Snakehips Johnson, Billy Eckstine, Fapy Lafertin, Russ Conway, Biréli Lagrène, Humphrey Lyttelton, Nigel Kennedy, George Shearing, and others ~ Wright was born in 1924
February 8, 1991 ~ Henry Alfred Steinway, commonly known as trap, drum and bass, electro house DJ, producer RL Grime, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Also known under the moniker Clockwork. Member of electronic music collective WeDidIt. Has produced remixes for Benny Benassi, Chief Keef, Jamie Lidell, Shiohmo. Released his full-length solo debut album, Void, in 2014
February 8, 1990 ~ Charles Weedon Westover, commonly known as rock & roll, country pop singer, songwriter Del Shannon, passed away in Santa Clarita, California, USA ~ Best known for Runaway, a Billboard No.1 hit in 1961. Other well known songs include Hats Off To Larry, Little Town Flirt and Keep Searchin' (We'll Follow The Sun) ~ Westover was born in 1934
February 8, 1987 ~ Rock, glam metal drummer Tony Destra passed away ~ Member of Enforcer, which also included future Tangier-frontman Bill Matson. Subsequently worked with Cinderella including on the tracks Shake Me and Somebody Save Me. Departed the band in 1985 to join Britny Fox, present on their 1986 demo In America. Destra died the following year in a car accident ~ Destra was born in 1954
February 8, 1986 ~ Brandon Paak Anderson, commonly known as singer, rapper, producer, songwriter Anderson Paak, born in California, USA ~ Released his full-length Venice solo debut album in 2014. Won a Grammy Award for his 2018 single Bubblin'. Forms the hip-hop duo NxWorries with producer Knxwledge
February 8, 1985 ~ Indie pop, indie rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Bob Morris, full name Robert Samuel Morris, born in Bensenville, Illinois, USA ~ Perhaps best known as member of indie group the Hush Sound. Also worked with the Debate Team and Le Swish
February 8, 1984 ~ Guitarist, bassist, songwriter Nick Wiggins born ~ Member of horror punk band Aiden from 20003 through 2015. Member of supergroup Me vs Myself. Member of hard rock outfit Girl On Fire, known best for their 2013 Not Broken debut album. Has also worked with William Control
February 8, 1984 ~ Sean Pompey, commonly known as rapper Smoke DZA, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Jay-Z, Notorious BIG, Mase. Released his full-length Rolling Stoned debut album in 2011 has recorded steadily since. Worked with Big KRIT, Wiz Khalifa, A$AP Rocky, Bun B, Dom Kennedy, Curren$y, Joey Badass, and others
February 8, 1983 ~ Keyboardist Jeremy Inkel, full name Jeremy Michel Neville Inkel, born in Montreal, Canada ~ Best known as member of Left Spine Down and Front Line Assembly. Has also worked with Noise Unit, and with Delerium. His sole sole album, Hijacker, was released posthumously in 2020 ~ Inkel passed away in 2018
February 8, 1982 ~ Big band leader Kurt Edelhagen passed away in Koln, West Germany ~ Led the Bayerischer Rundfunk. Also worked with the Sudwestfunk Big Band, Dusko Gojkovic, Jiggs Whigham, and others ~ Edelhagen was born in 1920
February 8, 1981 ~ Pianist, singer, composer María Cervantes passed away in Havana, Cuba ~ Daughter of pianist, composer Ignacio Cervantes. Well known for her interpretations of her father's work, notably the songbook Danzas Cubanas ~ Cervantes was born in 1885
February 8, 1980 ~ Singer, songwriter Nikos Xylouris passed away in Piraeus, Greece ~ Dubbed “the Archangel of Crete” known for capturing the Greek psyche and demeanor ~ Xylouris was born in 1936
February 8, 1978 ~ Singer, pianist, guitarist, songwriter Yael Naïm born in Paris, France ~ Best known for New Soul, a hit in 2013
February 8, 1977 ~ Bassist Dave Farrell, also known as Dave Phoenix Farrell, born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known as bassist of alternative rock, nu metal band Linkin Park. The band has sold over 100 million records and is best known for songs such as In The End, What I've Done, and New Divide. Previously Farrell was a member of pop punk outfit Tasy Snax, known for the albums Run Joseph Run and Snax
February 8, 1974 ~ Producer, DJ Guy Manuel de Homem-Christo born ~ Forms the house music duo Daft Punk with Thomas Bangalter, debuting in 1997 with the Homework album, spawning the singles Da Funk and Around The World both of which reached top 10 in the duo's native France. Subsequent releases would chart well internationally, especially a number of collaborations such as Get Lucky featuring Pharrell Williams and Starboy and I Feel It Coming with the Weeknd all reaching Billboard Hot 100 top 10
February 8, 1974 ~ Soca singer, songwriter Shurwayne Winchester born in Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago ~ Internationally best known for collaborating with Maxi Priest on Make It Yours
February 8, 1972 ~ Rebetiko singer, bouzouki player, songwriter Markós Vamvakaris passed away in Nikea, Greece ~ Dubbed “the Patriarch of Rebetko” for his significance to the genre. Closely associated with Yiorgos Batis, Anestis Delias, and Stratos Pagioumtzis. Known for songs such as Frankosyriani, Alaniaris, Ta Matia Sou T'Arapika, Psilia Tin Htizis, and Sklirokardhi ~ Vamvakaris was born in 1905
February 8, 1971 ~ Bassist Will Turpin, full name William Ross Turpin, born in Fairbanks, Alabama, USA ~ Member of Collective Soul, best known for their 1993 song Shine. Other well known songs include December, The World I Know, Precious Declaration, Heavy and Counting The Days. Turpin also released several solo albums, starting with 2011's The Lighthouse album
February 8, 1967 ~ Death metal singer Bret Hoffmann born in North Tonawanda, New York, USA ~ Member of Fire For Effect, Resthaven, Malevolent Creation, Down The Drain, Silent Death, and others ~ Hoffmann passed away in 2018
February 8, 1967 ~ Violinist Florin Niculescu born in Bucharest, Romania ~ Influenced by Stéphane Grappelli. Worked with Biréli Lagrène, Robert Alagna, Charles Aznavour, Marcel Azzola, George Benson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Patrick Bruel, Regina Carter, Angelo Debarre, Angela Gheorghiu, Johnny Hallyday, Patricia Kaas, Jon Larsen, Wynton Marsalis, John McLaughlin, Oscar Peterson, Bucky Pizzarelli, Babik Reinhardt, Jimmy Rosenberg, Henri Salvador, Tchavolo Schmitt, and others
February 8, 1966 ~ Jazz violinist, double bassist, bandleader Vernon Andrade passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Popular during the 1920s and 1930s. Served under Deacon Johnson to go on to lead his own orchestra by the mid-1920s. Employed sidemen such as Pete Briggs, Ernest Hill, Zutty Singleton. Influenced later bandleaders such as Fletcher Henderson and Chick Webb ~ Andrade was born in 1902
February 8, 1963 ~ Violinist, conductor Felix Slatkin passed away ~ Frank Sinatra's concertmaster of choice during the Capitol Records years. Also worked with St Louis Symphony, the Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra, and the Hollywood String Quartet ~ Slatkin was born in 1915
February 8, 1963 ~ Singer, pianist, songwriter Joshua Kadison born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known for Jessie and Beautiful In My Eyes, both taken from Kadison's 1993 Painted Desert Serendade debut album
February 8, 1961 ~ Rock, roots rock guitarist, singer Sam Llanas, full name Samuel J Llanas, born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA ~ Co-founding member of the BoDeans, remaining with the band from its inception in the early 1980s through 2011, best known for their 1996 Closer To Free single. Also co-founded Absinthe, known for their sole album 1998's A Good Day To Die, and has released a number of solo records starting in 2011 with the 4 AM album
February 8, 1961 ~ Vincent Neil Wharton, commonly known as heavy metal singer Vince Neil, born in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Lead singer, co-founding member of Mötley Crüe, known for songs such as Smokin' In The Boys Room, Girls Girls Girls, Dr Feelgood, Without You and Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away). Neil released a number of solo albums, starting with Exposed in 1993, and has acted in some small TV roles
February 8, 1960 ~ Bass guitarist Stuart Hamm born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Worked with Steve Vai (Flex-Able), Frank Gambale, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Richie Kotzen, Matthias Arp, Thomas Tomsen, the Michael Schenker Group, Bill Lonero, David Stockden, Yngwie Malmsteen, Adrian Legg, and others
February 8, 1959 ~ Bassist Paul Barker, full name Paul Gordon Barker, born in Palo Alto, California, USA ~ Best known as member of industrial metal outfit Ministry from 1986 through 2003 including on the band's best-known albums, The Land Of Rape And Honey, The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste, and Psalm 69. Barker has also worked with Blackouts, Pailhead, Revolting Cocks, Lard, Lead Into Gold, 1,000 Homo DJs, Acid Horse, PTP, Pigface, Pink Anvil, USSA, Flowering Blight, Bells Into Machines, and Puscifer
February 8, 1958 ~ Matt Fink, commonly known as keyboardist, producer Dr Fink, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Best known for backing Prince from 1978 through 1991, distinguished onstage performing dressed in a surgical mask and scrubs. Co-wrote songs such as Dirty Mind, Computer Blue, 17 Days, America, and It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night
February 8, 1956 ~ Progressive rock bassist Dave Meros born in Salinas, California, USA ~ Infuenced by Paul McCartney, John Entwistle, Chris Squire, James Jamerson, Marcus Miller, Chuck Rainey, and David Hungate. Worked with Spock's Beard, Iron Butterfly, Gary Myrick, Bobby Kimball, Simon Phillips, Steve Lukather, Michael Landau, Glenn Hughes, Mark Lindsay, Eric Burdon, and others
February 8, 1953 ~ Punk rock, rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Art Bergmann, full name Arthur Frank Bergmann, born in Vancouver, Canada ~ Key figure in late 1970s Canadian punk. Member of the Mount Lehman Grease Band. Member of the Notorious Smog Brothers. Rose to fame as lead singer, primary songwriter for the short-lived the Young Canadians, known best for the classic punk anthem Hawaii. Would go on to work with acts soch as Los Popularos and Poisoned. Released his John Cale-produced Crawl With Me solo debut album in 1988 and has recorded to critical acclaim since
February 8, 1949 ~ Folk, bluegrass guitarist Merle Watson, full name Eddy Merle Watson, born in Deep Gap, North Carolina, USA ~ Son of guitarist Doc Watson, with whom he also worked from age 15 until his death at age 36 ~ Watson passed away in 1985
February 8, 1948 ~ Country, soft rock singer, guitarist Dan Seals, full name Danny Wayland Seals, born in McCarney, Texas, USA ~ Brother of Jim Seals. First gained attention as half of the 1970's duo England Dan & John Ford Coley with John Ford Coley, known for songs such as Simone, I'd Really Love To See You Tonight, Nights Are Forever Without You and Love Is The Answer. As a solo artist known for country hits such as Meet Me In Montana with Marie Osmond, Everything That Glitters Is Not Gold, Bop, You Still Move Me, I Will Be There, Three Time Loser, One Friend, Addicted, Big Wheels In The Moonlight, Love On Arrival, Good Times, and others ~ Seals passed away in 2009
February 8, 1946 ~ Drummer, songwriter Adolfo De La Parra born in Mexico City, Mexico ~ Co-founding, longtime member of blues-rock outfit Canned Heat, known for songs such as On The Road Again, Going Up The Country and Let's Work Together
February 8, 1946 ~ Drummer Paul Wheatbread born in San Diego, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of Gary Puckett & the Union Gap, known for a string of late 1960s hit singles including Woman Woman, Young Girl, Lady Willpower and Over You
February 8, 1943 ~ José Antonio Rezende de Almeida Prado, commonly known as classical composer, pianist Almeida Prado, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Wrote over 400 compositions, most notably Pequenos Funerais Cantantates and Hileia Um Mural Da Amazonia. Hailed by conductor João Carlos Martins as possibly the most important Brazilian composer of all-time ~ Prado passed away in 2010
February 8, 1943 ~ Guitarist, singer, actor Creed Bratton born in Sacramento, California, USA ~ Best known as an actor, notably on the NBC-sitcom The Office. As a musican known as a member of the Grass Roots and as a solo artist
February 8, 1943 ~ Rock, jazz keyboardist Howard Wales born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA ~ In-demand session musician. Has worked with Ronnie Hawkins, Freddie King, James Brown, the Four Tops, Jerry Garcia, and others ~ Wales passed away in 2020
February 8, 1942 ~ Terrence Paul Jorden, commonly known as rock, pop singer, songwriter, producer Terry Melcher, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Son of trombonist Al Jorden and actress, singer Doris Day. Pivotal to the development of the 1960s California sound and folk-rock. Perhaps best known for producing the Byrds' first two albums Mr Tambourine Man and Turn Turn Turn as well as most of Paul Revere & the Raiders' and Gentle Soul's best known. Member of surf group the Rip-chords. Formed the duo Bruce & Terry with Bruce Johnston ~ Jorden passed away in 2004
February 8, 1941 ~ Soprano singer Carol Plantamura born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of Musica Elettronica Viva. Member of the Five Centuries Ensemble, known for combining early music with contemporary works. Has collaborated with composers such as Luciano Berio, Pierre Boulez, Pauline Oliveros, Will Ogdon, Bernard Rands, Robert Erickson, and others
February 8, 1941 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Tom Rush born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA ~ Helped usher in the singer-songwriter era. Best known for his recording No Regrets, later covered by the Walker Brothers, Emmylou Harris, and by Midge Ure
February 8, 1938 ~ Soul singer Bessie Banks born in New Bern, North Carolina, USA ~ Best known for her original 1964 recording of Go Now featuring backing vocals from Cissy Houston, produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, and covered the same year by the Moody Blues. Also known for songs such as Do It Now, I Can't Make It Without You Baby, Try To Leave Me If You Can (I Bet You Can't Do It), and Don't You Worry Baby (The Best Is Yet To Come)
February 8, 1938 ~ R&B, rockabilly singer, guitarist, songwriter Ray Sharpe, full name Edward Ray Sharpe, born in Fort Worth, Texas, USA ~ Once described as “the greatest white-sounding black dude ever” known for songs such as That's The Way I Feel and Linda Lu, the latter featuring Duane Eddy on guitar and covered by numerous artists such as the Rolling Stones, Kingsmen, Johnny Kidd & the Pirates, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Tom Jones, and others
February 8, 1937 ~ Pianist, singer, songwriter Joe Raposo, full name Joseph Guilherme Raposo, passed away in Bronxville, New York, USA ~ Best known for his work on the children's TV series Sesame Street, for which he wrote the theme song as well as songs such as Bein' Green and C Is For Cookie. Also composed for other TV series, notably Shining Time Station, Three's Company and The Ropers ~ Raposo passed away in 1989
February 8, 1937 ~ Actor, singer, author Manfred Krug born in Duisburg, Germany ~ Best known as an actor. Also enjoyed some local popularity as a jazz singer, with about a dozen albums to his name through the 1970s. Blacklisted in 1976 by the East German government for his activism, especially protesting the government's expulsion of singer Wolf Biermann. After relocating to the West would focus primarily on his acting career, including a stint as Hauptkommissar Paul Stoever in the popular police show Tatort ~ Krug passed away in 2016
February 8, 1937 ~ Otis Leavill Cobb, commonly known as R&B singer, songwriter, producer, label executive Otis Leavill born in Dewey Rose, Georgia, USA ~ Known for a handful of reasonably successful songs such as Rise Sally Rise, the Curtis Mayfield-penned I Gotta Right To Cry, Let Her Love Me and perhaps his best-known I Love You. Also known as a songwriter for Major Lance, Tyrone Davis, Gene Chandler ~ Cobb passed away in 2002
February 8, 1936 ~ Singer Larry Verne born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Best known for two early 1960s novelty songs, Mr Livingston and Mr Custer ~ Verne passed away in 2013
February 8, 1933 ~ Soprano singer Elly Ameling, full name Elisabeth Sara Smeling, born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands ~ Internationally renowned concert and recital singer active since the 1950s. Especially acclaimed for her interpretations of Franz Schubert, Hugo Wolf, Gabriel Fauré and Francis Poulenc. Retired from music in 1996
February 8, 1932 ~ Prolific film composer John Williams born in Flushing, New York, USA ~ Known especially for the Star Wars soundtrack and virtually all of Steven Spielberg's movies
February 8, 1930 ~ Jazz alto saxophonist Joe Maini born in Providence, Rhode Island, USA ~ Worked with Alvino Rey, Johnny Bothwell, Claude Thornhill, Terry Gibbs, Onzy Matthews, Gerald Wilson, Bill Holman, Louie Bellson, Dan Terry, Shelly Manne, Clifford Brown, Max Roach, Zoot Sims, Jack Sheldon, Conte Candoli, Red Mitchell, Lin Halliday, Kenny Drew, Jimmy Knepper, and others ~ Maini passed away in 1964
February 8, 1929 ~ R&B pianist, singer Floyd Dixon born in Marshall, Texas, USA ~ Starting in the late 1940s scored with jump blues hits such as Red Cherries, Wine Wine Wine, Too Much Jelly Roll, Let's Go Down To The Woods, Dallas Blues, Mississippi Blues, and others ~ Dixon passed away in 2006
February 8, 1928 ~ Harpist, composer Osian Ellis, full name Osian Gwynn Ellis, born in Ffynnongroyw, UK ~ Known as member of the Melos Ensemble and for his association with Benjamin Britten
February 8, 1926 ~ Norwood Poindexter, commonly known as jazz saxophonist Pony Poindexter, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Tributed in the song Little Pony, written by Neal Hefti and recorded by Count Basie. Worked with Billy Eckstine, Lionel Hampton, Stan Kenton, Charlie Parker, Nat King Cole, T-Bone Walker, Jimmy Witherspoon, Eric Dolphy, Dexter Gordon, Lambert Hendricks & Ross, and others ~ Poindexter passed away in 1988
February 8, 1922 ~ Composer Manuel Oltra born ~ Best known for leading the Municipal Conservatory of Barcelona from 1959 until 1987 ~ Oltra passed away in 2015
February 8, 1919 ~ Muni Zudekoff, commonly known as swing, R&B trombonist, bandleader Buddy Morrow, born in New Haven, Connecticut, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Sharkey Bonano, Eddy Duchin, Vincent Lopez, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Paul Whiteman, Tony Pastor, Bob Crosby, Billy Butterfield, Red McKenzie, Count Basie, Jackie Gleason, Urbie Green, Enoch Light, Lee Wiley, Gato Barbieri, Van McCoy, Barry Manilow, Sarah Vaughan, and others ~ Zudekoff passed away in 2010
February 8, 1916 ~ Jazz tenor saxophonist Jimmy Skidmore, full name James Richard Skidmore, born in London, UK ~ Worked with George Shearing, Humphrey Lyttelton, Victor Feldman, and with Kenny Baker. Father of tenor saxophonist Alan Skidmore ~ Skidmore passed away in 1998
February 8, 1915 ~ Lambros Vorloou, commonly known as cabaret, pop singer, dancer, actor Georges Guétary, born in Alexandria, Egypt ~ Best known for his role of Henri Baurel in the 1951 musical film An American In Paris, noted for his solo performance striding up a stairway singing George Gershwin's Stairway To Paradise ~ Vorloou passed away in 1997
February 8, 1903 ~ Margaretha Keller, commonly known as cabaret singer, actress Greta Keller, born in Vienna, Austria ~ Dubbed “the Great Lady of Chanson” with a career spanning four decades. Known for songs such as My Way, Miss Otis Regrets and Ne Me Quitte Pas. Appeared in the 1972 Academy Award-winning Cabaret film singing Heirat ~ Keller passed away in 1977
February 8, 1899 ~ Alonzo Johnson, commonly known as singer, guitarist, violinist, songwriter Lonnie Johnson, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Multi-instrumentalist, violin, piano and banjo, focused primarily on guitar. The first to play an electrically amplified violin. Pioneered the single string solo guitar styles later used in blues, rock, jazz. As a guitarist influenced Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt, T-Bone Walker, and as a singer Elvis Presley. Worked the riverboats in the 1920s. Played with Charlie Creath, Fate Marable, Victoria Spivey, Alger Texas Alexander, Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, the Chocolate Dandies, Eddie Lang, Roosevelt Sykes, Blind John Davis, Joshua Altheimer, and others ~ Johnson passed away in 1970
February 8, 1890 ~ Isidore Kaufman, commonly known as vaudeville singer Irving Kaufman, born in Syracuse, New York, USA ~ Member of comedy and music group the Avon Comedy Four from 1913 through 1919. Would go on to record prolifically throughout the 1920s, notably with the Broadway Bell-Hops on songs such as He's The Last Word, Don't Somebody Want Somebody To Love and The Westerners ~ Kaufman passed away in 1976
February 8, 1709 ~ Violist, violinist, composer Giuseppe Torelli passed away in Bologna, Italy ~ Considered the most prolific Baroque composer for trumpets. Pivotal to the developement of the instrumental concerto, especially concerti grossi and the solo concerto ~ Torelli was born in 1658