January 25, 2022 ~ Music journalist, label executive Andy Ross, full name Andrew Ian Ross, passed away ~ Journalist for Sounds magazine. Headed Food Records from 1986 onwards. Discovered and signed Blur. Other notable acts Ross has worked with include Idlewild, Jesus Jones, the Supernaturals and Dubstar ~ Ross was born ca.1956
January 25, 2022 ~ Alternative metal, death metal guitarist Fredrik Johansson passed away ~ Best known as member of Dark Tranquility from 1993 through the end of the decade, last appearing on the 1999 Projector album ~ Johansson was born in 1974
January 25, 2022 ~ Composer Heinz Werner Zimmermann passed away in Oberursel, Germany ~ Focused on composing contemporary sacred music. Director of the Spandauer Kirchemusikschule from 1963 through 1976, subsequently composition teacher at the Frankfurt University Of Music And Performing Arts through 1996. Best known for his Missa Profana, premiered in 1980. Other works include The Bible Of Spirituals, Te Deum, and Symphonia Sacra ~ Zimmermann was born in 1930
January 25, 2019 ~ Heavy metal, thrash metal singer, songwriter Bruce Corbitt, full name Bruce Kendall Crobitt, passed away ~ Best known for fronting Rigor Mortis, noted for their eponymous 1988 Rigor Mortis debut album critically regarded as a landmark album in speed metal, and Warbeast. Has also worked with the Wizards Of Gore ~ Corbitt was born in 1962
January 25, 2019 ~ Singer, songwriter. social activist Jacqueline Steiner passed away ~ Best known for co-writing the original version MTA with Bess Lomax Hawes as part of a Boston political campaign in 1949. The song is about a man stuck on the Boston subway because he could not pay the exit fare ~ Steiner was born in 1924
January 25, 2018 ~ Music journalist, critic Cliff White passed away in Ilford, UK ~ Started as freelance journalist in the 1970s. Authority on black music. Contributed to magazines such as Black Music, New Musical Express, Smash Hits. Press officer for Charly Records and Demon Records ~ White was born in 1945
January 25, 2018 ~ Electric blues, soul blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Floyd Miles passed away ~ In-demand backing musician. Worked with Arthur Conley, Erma Franklin, Curtis Mayfield, Eddie Floyd, Percy Sledge, Clarence Carter, and others. Released his solo debut album, Crazy Man, in 1992 which featured backing from longtime friends Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts ~ Miles was born in 1943
January 25, 2018 ~ Film, TV, Broadway composer, conductor, pianist John Leonard Morris passed away in Red Hook, New York, USA ~ Contributed to the music of a number of Broadway musicals including 1960's Wildcats, 1965's Baker Street and 1974's Mack & Mabel. Best known for his association with film makers Gene Wilder and Mel Brooks, arranging, composing numerous scores including Springtime For Hitler, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein ~ Morris was born in 1926
January 25, 2018 ~ Singer Sabar Koti passed away in Jalandhar, India ~ Best known for Tennu Ki Dasiye, considered one of the defining songs in Punjabi music ~ Koti was born in 1960
January 25, 2018 ~ Singer, songwriter Steve Foster passed away ~ Wrote and recorded over 500 songs. Member of the Mount Lofty Ranger which also included the then-unknown Bon Scott before he joined AC/DC ~ Foster was born in 1946
January 25, 2018 ~ Pianist, conductor, composer, TV personality, politician Tommy Banks, full name Thomas Benjamin Banks, passed away in Edmonton, Canada ~ TV personality known for a variety of TV shows, perhaps most notably the Tommy Banks Show which aired from 1968 through 1983. Musical director, conductor at several prestigous events including the EXPO '86 and the 1988 Olympic Winter Games held in Calgary. Guest conductor for renowned orchestras including the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. Served as Senator for the Liberal party for over a decade starting in 2000, representing Alberta ~ Banks was born in 1936
January 25, 2015 ~ Singer Demis Roussos passed away in Athens, Greece ~ Known for songs such as Goodbye My Love Goodbye, From Souvenirs To Souvenirs, Forever And Ever, We Shall Dance, Velvet Mornings, Lovely Lady Of Arcadia, and Someday Somewhere. Member of progressive rock group Aphrodite's Child, alongside Vangelis, Lucas Sideras, and Silver Koulouris. ~ Roussos was born in 1946
January 25, 2014 ~ Saxophonist, flutist, singer Arthur Doyle passed away ~ Worked with Gladys Knight, Pharoah Sanders, Sun Ra, Noah Howard, Milford Graves, Alan Silva, the Blue Humans, the Celestial Communication Orchestra, Rudolph Gret, Konx, Sunny Murray, and Hamid Drake ~ Doyle was born in 1944
January 25, 2013 ~ John Wayne Carroll, commonly known as R&B, doo-wop singer, songwriter Gregory Carroll, passed away in Creston, North Carolina, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Four Buddies, known for the 1951 hit I Will Wait. Member of the Orioles, joining the band in 1953 as replacement for George Nelson and present on their biggest hit Crying In The Chapel. Formed the duo Greg & Peg with singer, guitarist Peggy Jones. Co-wrote Doris Troy's Northern soul classic Just One Look ~ Carroll was born in 1929
January 25, 2013 ~ Jazz pianist Rahn Burton passed away ~ Worked with Rahsaan Roland Kirk, George Adams, Roland Alexander, Bob Cunningham, Ricky Ford, Hannibal Marvin Peterson, Carlos Garnett, Beaver Harris, Jemeel Moondoc, Charlie Rouse, Leon Thomas, Stanley Turrentine, Nicholas Simon, Walter Booker, Jimmy Cobb, Michael Carvin, Ellen Christi, Dick Griffin, Massimo Urbani, and others ~ Burton was born in 1934
January 25, 2010 ~ Jane Nossette, commonly known as jazz pianist, composer, label executive Jane Jarvis, passed away in Englewood, New Jersey, USA ~ Baseball stadium organist for the Milwaukee Braves and the New York Mets. Also played nightclub jazz, worked with Milt Hinton, Benny Powell, Earl May, the Statesmen Of Jazz, and others. Composed over three hundred songs. ~ Nossette was born in 1915
January 25, 2005 ~ Singer Clarence Bassett passed away in Richmond, Virginia, USA ~ Member of doo-wop outfit Shep & the Limelites, known for their 1961 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Daddy's Home. The songs would become to be seen as one of all-time best doo-wop songs, covered by PJ Proby, Frank Zappa, Jermaine Jackson, Toots & the Maytals, the Carpenters, Junior English, and Cliff Richard. Bassett has also worked with the Five Sharps and the Flamingos ~ Bassett was born in 1936
January 25, 2005 ~ Traditional pop singer Ray Peterson passed away in Smyrna, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for songs such as The Wonder Of You which was later covered by Elvis Presley, the smash hit Tell Laura I Love Her, the Phil Spector produced Corrina Corrina and the Barry Mann & Gerry Goffin-written dramatic ballad I Could've Loved You So Well ~ Peterson was born in 1939
January 25, 2005 ~ Tyrone Garfield Kersey, commonly known as keyboardist, arranger, producer, songwriter Ron Kersey, passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Member of the Trammps, co-wrote their smash hit Disco Inferno. Also worked with MFSB, the Salsoul Orchestra, Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls, the O'Jays, and others. Produced Stephanie Mills's I Have Learned To Respect The Power Of Love. Co-wrote Stacy Lattisaw's Every Drop Of Your Love, co-wrote Evelyn Champagne King's Send For Me ~ Kersey was born in 1949
January 25, 2000 ~ Saxophonist Lin Halliday passed away ~ Worked with Joe Maini, Ira Sullivan, Brad Goode, Eric Alexander, Cecil Payne, and others ~ Halliday was born in 1936
January 25, 1999 ~ Conductor Robert Shaw, full name Robert Lawson Shaw passed away in New Haven, Connecticut, USA ~ Best known for leading his own orchestra, the Robert Shaw Chorale, as well as the Cleveland Orchestra and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Also worked with the Collegiate Chorale, the San Diego Symphony, George Szell, and others. Firm supporter of racial integration in orchestras. Dubbed “the Dean of American choral conductors,” mentoring younger conductors including Jameson Marvin, Margaret Hills, Maurice Casey, Ken Clinton, Donald Neuen, Ann Howard Jones, Norman MacKenzie, and others ~ Shaw was born in 1916
January 25, 1998 ~ Jazz guitarist Attila Zoller, full name Attila Cornelius Zoller, passed away in Townshend, Vermont, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Fled Soviet-occupied Hungary. Studied under Jim Hall. Roommate of Ornette Coleman. Has worked with Jutta Hipp, Hans Koller, Herbie Mann, Lee Konitz, Albert Mangelsdorff, Benny Goodman, Stan Getz, Red Norvo, Jimmy Raney, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Shirley Scott, Cal Tjader, Jimi Hendrix, Don Friedman, Tommy Flanagan, and George Mraz ~ Zoller was born in 1927
January 25, 1995 ~ Dancer, singer Taiki Sato born in Shiraoka, Japan ~ Youngest member of Japanese boy band Exile. Best known as an actor in stage, TV and film productions
January 25, 1991 ~ Dancer, rapper, actor Mandy Sekiguchi born in New Jersey, USA ~ Member of J-pop groups Exile and Honest Boyz
January 25, 1989 ~ R&B singer, guitarist, songwriter Alvin Robinson passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ As a solo artist known for two 1960s tracks, the 1964 minor hit Something You Got, and Down Home Girl which was later notably covered by the Rolling Stones for their 1965 Rolling Stones No.2 album. Robinson recorded through the late 1960s but failed to chart. As a session musician Robinson is best known for his work with Dr John, present on the albums Dr John's Gumbo, Hollywood Be Thy Name, and City Lights. Robinson has also appeared on albums by Maria Muldaur, Ringo Starr Carly Simon, Tom Waits (Blue Valentine), and Chuck E Weiss ~ Robinson was born in 1937
January 25, 1986 ~ Faisal Mssyeh, commonly known as rapper Feis, born ~ First gained attention guesting on U-Niq's Klein Klein Jongetje in 2007. Also sung on Kempi's Coke Op 't Gas. Released his solo debut album, Hard Van Buiten (Gebroken Van Binnen), in 2014 ~ Mssyeh passed away in 2019
January 25, 1981 ~ Alicia Augelio Cook, commonly known as R&B, soul, neo soul singer, pianist, songwriter Alicia Keys born in New York, New York, USA ~ Married to Swizz Beatz since 2010. Influenced by Igor Stravinsky. Debuted with the criticallty acclaimed Songs In A Minor in 2001, which sold 16 million copies and spawned the Billboard No.1 hit Fallin'. Her sophomore album, 2003's The Diary Of Alicia Keys, produced the hits You Don't Know My Name, If I Ain't Got You and Diary. Subseqent hits would include My Boo with Usher, No One and the Jay-Z-collaboration Empire State Of Mind. Has also collaborated with Bono, Beyoncé, Maxwell, Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Angie Stone, Eve, and Alejandro Sanz
January 25, 1978 ~ Singer Sulene Fleming born in Bradford, UK ~ Has worked with Bernard Pretty Purdie, Reuben Wilson, Larry Graham, Kelly Rowland, Gilles Peterson, Brand New Heavies (lead vocals on European leg of 2016 tour), Mother Earth, and others
January 25, 1976 ~ Pop, rock singer, poet Anabel Bosch, full name Ana Isabel Ramirez Bosch, born in Manila, Philippines ~ First gained attention in the late 1990s singing with Tropical Depression. Would go on to work with with Elektrikoolaid, Spy, and Analog. Also involved with the women's poetry movement Romancing Venus. Bosch passed away age 32 following a brain anuerysm ~ Bosch passed away in 2009
January 25, 1976 ~ Christophe Kenner, commonly known as R&B singer, songwriter Chris Kenner passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known for the early 1960s hits I Like It Like That and Land Of 1,000 Dances, both of which would become R&B classics covered by numerous artists. Other well known hits include Sick & Tured, Rocket To The Moon, Life's Just A Struggle and Something You Got ~ Kenner was born in 1929
January 25, 1974 ~ Rock singer, keyboardist, songwriter Emily Haines, full name Emily Savitri Haines, born in New Delhi, India ~ Lead singer of indie rock outfit Metric, known best for Help I'm Alive of their 2009 Fantasies breakout album. Member of loose collective Broken Social Scene from 2001 through 2005, present on the band's 2005 eponymous Broken Social Scene album, their best-known. Haines has also recorded as a solo artist and guested on recordings by Delerium, Jason Collett, K-OS, the Crystal Method, Todor Kobakov, and others
January 25, 1971 ~ Singer, songwriter, actress China Kantner, full name China Wing Kantner, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Daughter of singer Grace Slick and guitarist Paul Kantner. Has worked with Jefferson Starship as both a songwriter and singer. Co-wrote songs such as Don't Let It Rain, Things To Come, Out Of Control and The Sky Is No Limit
January 25, 1969 ~ Death metal, heavy metal singer Dave Ingram, full name Dave Richard Bjerregaard Ingram, born in Birmingham, UK ~ First gained attention as member of Benediction, joining the band in 1990 as replacement for Mark Barney Greenway and remaining through 1998. Member of Bolt Thrower from 1998 through 2004. Has also worked with Downlord, Down Among The Dead Men, Echelon, Warlord, and Hail Of Bullets
January 25, 1969 ~ Kina Cosper, mononymously known as singer, songwriter Kina, born in Michigan, USA ~ Briefly a member of R&B outfit Brownstone, present on the hit single 5 Miles To Empty which reached the Billboard R&B top 10 in 1997. As a solo artist known for her sole eponymous Kina album, released in 2000 and spawning the singles Girl From The Gutter, Me and Have A Cry
January 25, 1968 ~ Bassist Haini Wolfgramm born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Member of family outfit the Jets, known best for a string of 1980s hits including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singless Crush On You, You Got It All, Cross My Broken Heart, Rocket 2 U, and Make It Real
January 25, 1967 ~ Robert Cleanth Kai-nen Jackson, commonly known as jazz pianist, composer DD Jackson, born in Ottawa, Canada ~ Leader and sideman. Composed operas and won two Emmy Awards for his work writing for television. Has recorded since the mid-1990s. Worked with David Murray, John Geggie, Hugh Ragin, Hamiet Bluiett, Don Byron, Jack DeJohnette, Richard Bona, the World Saxophone Quartet, and others
January 25, 1966 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Bob Dylan records One Of Us Must Know (Sooner Or Later) ~ Self-penned. Produced by Bob Johnston. Included on the 1966 Blonde On Blonde album and released as the album's lead single featuring Queen Jane Approximately on the flip side. The song would later be notably covered by Simply Red's Mick Hucknall
January 25, 1965 ~ bessie S Shaler, commonly known as musical singer, actress, dancer Elizabeth Brice, passed away ~ Enjoyed popularity on the musical stage during the 1910s. Closely associated with Charles King, frequent partner in a number of revues and stage musicals. Best known for her performances in A Winsome Widow, 1913 Ziegfeld Follies and Miss 1917. ~ Shaler was born in 1883
January 25, 1964 ~ Gospel, urban contemporary gospel singer, songwriter Keith Staten, full name Keith Anthony Staten, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Lead singer of gospel outfit Commissioned, leaving the band in 1990 to pursue a solo career. Best known for his 1990 debut album From The Heart and his 1999 album Glory In The House, both reaching the top 30 on the Billboard Gospel charts
January 25, 1963 ~ Pop, pop rock singer Suzanne Klemann born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Along with sister Monique Klemann key member of pop outfit Lois Lane, known for late 1980s, 1990s hits such as It's the First Time, Fortune Fairytales, Qualified and perhaps their best known Tonight. Also sang with Girls Wanna Have Fun
January 25, 1962 ~ Farley Keith Williams, commonly known as house DJ, producer Farley Jackmaster Funk, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Known under a variety of monikers for a number of influential 1980s house, dance tracks, notably Jack The Bass, Love Can't Turn Around and House Nation
January 25, 1960 ~ R&B, soul singer Sam Cooke records Chain Gang at RCA Studios, New York, New York ~ Penned by Cooke and Charles Cook Jr. Produced by Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore. The single, I Fall In Love Every Day on the flip side, would become one of Cooke's most successful, peaking at No.2 on both the Billboard R&B and all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts
January 25, 1957 ~ Percussionist, singer Edmund Theodore Sylvers born ~ Member of popular 1970s sibling R&B outfit the Sylvers, known for songs such as Fools Paradise, Fever and Hot Line
January 25, 1956 ~ New wave, ska guitarist, singer Andy Cox born in Birmingham, UK ~ Co-founded the Beat with Dave Wakeling. The band is known for early 1980s hits such as The Tears Of A Clown, Hands Off She's Mine, Mirror In The Bathroom and Too Nice To Talk To, all of which reached the UK top 10. Co-founded the Fine Young Cannibals in 1985, known for songs such as Johnny Come Home, Suspicious Minds, Ever Fallen In Love, She Drives Me Crazy and Good Thing, the latter two top 10 hits on both sides of the Atlantic
January 25, 1953 ~ Drummer, singer Malcolm Green born ~ Best known as drummer of Split Enz, joining in 1976 as replacement of Emlyn Crowther and leaving the band in 1981. Had previously played with Love Affair, the Honeycombs, and with Octopus
January 25, 1949 ~ Singer Dyan Birch, full name Dyan Joan Birch, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Sister of singer Pamela Birch. Founding member of Arrival, which morphed into Kokomo. Has also sung backup for artists such as Bryan Ferry, Gloria Gaynor, Marianne Faithfull, Manfred Mann, Alvin Lee ~ Birch passed away in 2020
January 25, 1949 ~ Performance poet John Cooper Clarke born in Salford, UK ~ Rose to fame as “punk poet” in the late 1970s. Has released about half a dozen albums starting with the 1978 debut Ou Est La Maison De Fromage. Best known for his sole charting single Gimmix (Play Loud) released in 1979
January 25, 1946 ~ Singer, organist, songwriter George Olliver born in Toronto, Canada ~ Original lead singer of Mandala, remaining with the band through late 1967 and present on the band's best-known including the breakout single Opportunity. Following his departure from the band Olliver has worked with Soul Children and Natural Gas
January 25, 1944 ~ Saxophonist, flutist, singer Arthur Doyle born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Worked with Gladys Knight, Pharoah Sanders, Sun Ra, Noah Howard, Milford Graves, Alan Silva, the Blue Humans, the Celestial Communication Orchestra, Rudolph Gret, Konx, Sunny Murray, and Hamid Drake ~ Doyle passed away in 2014
January 25, 1943 ~ Gerhard Höllerich, commonly known as schlager singer, actor Roy Black, born in Bobingen, Germany ~ Took his stage name for his black hair color and his idol Roy Orbison. Started singing rock & roll but soon switched to romantic songs pressed by his manager, first gaining attention with the 1966 single Ganz In Weiss which sold over one million copies. Black would go on to become one of Germany's most beloved schlager singers, scoring hits well into the 1980s ~ Höllerich passed away in 1991
January 25, 1942 ~ Jazz, big band, classical saxophonist, composer, arranger Graeme Lyall, full name Graeme Billy Lyall, born ~ Best known as director of the Western Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra. Staff arranger, composer, producer at Armstrong Studios. Also worked with the ABC Melbourne Showband, John Sangster, Tony Gould, Joe Chindamo, and others
January 25, 1939 ~ Giorgio Gaberscik, commonly known as singer, actor, songwriter Giorgio Gaber, born in Milan, Italy ~ Closely associated with Luigi Tenco. Pioneered the genre Teatro Canzone. Worked with Adriano Celentano, Enzo Jannacci, Maria Monti, and others ~ Gaberscik passed away in 2003
January 25, 1939 ~ Soul singer Tami Lynn, full name Gloria Jean Brown, born in Gert Town, Louisiana, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for her 1971 single I'm Gonna Run Away From You, penned by Jerry Wexler and Bert Berns. Sang backup for the Rolling Stones on the acclaimed Exile On Main St and on all of Dr John's albums. Opened for John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald ~ Lynn passed away in 2020
January 25, 1938 ~ Jamesetta Hawkins, commonly known as singer Etta James, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Bridged the gap between R&B and rock & roll. Active since the mid-1950s. Known for songs such as All I Could Do Was Cry, The Wallflower (Roll With Me Henry), At Last, Trust In Me, Tell Mama, Something's Got A Hold On Me, I'd Rather Go Blind, and I Just Want To Make Love To You. Worked with Johnny Otis, Bobby Murray, Harvey Fuqua, Chuck Berry (sang back-up on Berry's Back In The USA), Gabriel Mekler, Sugar Pie DeSanto, and others ~ Hawkins passed away in 2012
January 25, 1933 ~ Malcom Simmons, commonly known as Chicago blues harpist, singer, songwriter Little Mack Simmons, born in Twist, Arkansas, USA ~ Childhood friend of James Cotton. Recorded a number of obscure singles in the 1950s and 1960s before, aside from an occasional album, semi-retiring from music for the ministry. Surfaced in the 1990s starting with 1995's High & Lonesome resulting in a string of well-received albums through the end of the decade
January 25, 1931 ~ Music manager, lyricist, music publisher, label executive Stig Anderson, full name Stig Erik Leopold Anderson, born in Hova, Sweden ~ Prolific songwriter enjoying popularity throughout the 1960s, his songs recorded by the likes of Lill Babs, Brita Borg, Lena Anderson, and others. Best known for managing pop band ABBA. Co-founded Polar Music label ~ Anderson passed away in 1997
January 25, 1929 ~ Bebop, hard bop saxophonist Benny Golson born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ One of the most significant contributors to the development of hard bop, initially known more as a sideman and songwriter before leading or co-leading his own ensembles. Has written numerous standards including Stable Mates (Miles Davis), Whisper Not (Lee Morgan), Blues March (Gigi Gryce), and Along Came Betty (Art Blakey). As a leader best known for his 1957 New York Scene album. Co-founded and co-led the Jazztet with Art Farmer, acclaimed for early 1960s albums such as Meet The Jazztet, Blues On Down, and Another Git Together. In-demand sideman, present on quintessential albums by the likes of Dinah Washington (The Swingin' Miss D), Johnny Griffin, Dizzy Gillespie, Jim Hall, Paul Chambers, Abbey Lincoln (It's Magic), Curtis Fuller, Milt Jackson (Bags' Opus), Blue Mitchell (Out Of The Blue), Jimmy Cleveland, Buddy Rich (Richcraft), Quincy Jones, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Charles Mingus, Shirley Scott, Sam Jones (The Chant), Slide Hampton, Red Holloway, and Sarah Vaughan
January 25, 1927 ~ Pianist, singer, composer, arranger Antônio Carlos Jobim born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Widely regarded as “the Father of Bossa Nova” both as a performer and as a songwriter. Acclaimed for albums such as Black Orpheus with Luiz Bonfá, Wave, and Stone Flower. As a songwriter especially known for Desafinado, first recorded by João Gilberto in 1958 and covered by over 400 artists. Other well-known songs written or co-written by Jobim include Outra Vez (Dick Farney, Elis Regina), Eu Não Existo Sem Você (Vanjo Orico, Elizete Cardoso), Por Causa De Voce (Silvia Telles, Marisa), and A Felicidade (Agostinho dos Santos, Billy Eckstine, Ella Fitzgerald) ~ Jobim passed away in 1994
January 25, 1925 ~ Barbara Carole Coppersmith, commonly known as jazz singer, pianist Barbara Carroll, born in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA ~ Dubbed “the first girl ever to play bebop piano” by noted jazz critic Leonard Feather. Has worked with Chuck Wayne, Clyde Lombardi, Benny Goodman, Charlie Byrd, Joe Shulman, Rita Coolidge, and Kris Kristofferson ~ Coppersmith passed away in 2017
January 25, 1925 ~ Farrell Haliday Draper, commonly known as country, country-pop, pop singer Rusty Draper born in Kirksville, Washington, USA ~ Popular 1950s singer known for songs such as No Help Wanted, Gambler's Guitar, Seventeen, The Shifting Whispering Sands, Are You Satisfied and Freight Train ~ Draper passed away in 2003
January 25, 1922 ~ Jazz, western swing guitarist Jimmy Wyble, full name Jamis Otis Wyble, born in Port Arthur, Texas, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Burt Phillips, Bob Wills, the Texas Playboys, Barney Kessel, Benny Goodman, Red Norvo, Frank Sinatra, Moon Mullican, the Manhattan Transfer, the Treniers, Tony Rizzy, Shorty Rogers, and others ~ Wyble passed away in 2010
January 25, 1919 ~ Producer, A&R executive, songwriter Norman Newell born in Plaistow, UK ~ Joined Columbia Records as staff producer in 1949 and would head the label during its most successful years. In-demand songwriter and lyricist, co-writing songs such as Portrait Of My Love (Matt Monro), Forget Domani (Katyna Ranieri), the White Rose Of Athens (Nana Mouskouri), and Après Toi (Vicky Leandros) ~ Newell passed away in 2004
January 25, 1917 ~ Jazz, R&B guitarist Floyd Smith, full name Floyd George Smith, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for Floyd's Guitar Blues, penned by Smith, recorded with Andy Kirk in 1939 and arguably the first hit record to feature a blues solo on electric guitar. Leader and sideman. Has worked with Eddie Johnson's Crackerjacks, the Jeter-Pillars Orchestra, the Sunset Royal Orchestra, the Clouds Of Joy, Django Reinhardt, Wild Bill Davis, Bill Doggett, and others. Has served as producer for Loleatta Holloway, notably the 1975 hit Cry To Me, whom he later married ~ Smith passed away in 1982
January 25, 1913 ~ Conductor, composer Witold Lutoslawski, full name Witold Roman Lutoslawski, born in Warsaw, Russian Empire ~ Among the major 20th century composers. Critically acclaimed as possibly the greatest Polish composer since Karol Szymanowski and possibly the greatest since Frédéric Chopin. Known best for his symphonies and concertos, notably Variations On A Theme By Paganini, and Concerto For Orchestra ~ Lutoslawski passed away in 1994
January 25, 1897 ~ Gospel blues singer, guitarist, evangelist Blind Willie Johnson born in Pendleton, Texas, USA ~ Known for a handful of late 1920s landmark recordings, considered influential on slide guitarists and gospel blues players. Best known for the hymn Dark Was The Night (Cold Was The Ground). Other well known songs include Nobody's Fault But Mine and John The Revelator. Johnsons songs would be rediscovered in the 1960s, finding a new audience with blues and rock artists. Bob Dylan covered Johnson's Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed retitled to Make Up My Dying Bed on his debut album. Others who covered his work would include the Soul Stirrers, the Staple Singers, Fairport Convention, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Tom Waits and Lucinda Williams ~ Johnson passed away in 1945
January 25, 1896 ~ Florence Winfrey, commonly known as cabaret singer, dancer, comedian Florence Mills, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Known for songs such as I'm A Little Blackbird Looking For A Bluebird and I'm Cravin' For That Kind Of Love. Sometimes referred to as “the Queen of Happiness”. Rose to prominence starring in the 1921 Broadway production of Shuffle Along ~ Winfrey passed away in 1927