January 27, 2023 ~ Drummer Floyd Sneed, full name Floyd Chester Sneed, passed away ~ Member of Three Dog Night, remaining with the band from its inception in 1968 until its disbandement in 1977. Sang backup on only one song, Joy To The World taken of their 1970 Naturally album. The band is known for numerous 1970s hits including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles One, Mama Told Me Not To Come, Black & White, Shambala, and The Show Must Go On ~ Sneed was born in 1943
January 27, 2022 ~ Miguel Atilio Boccadoro Hernandez, commonly known as pop singer, guitarist, trumpeter, bandoneon player Diego Verdaguer, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Married to singer Amanda Miguel. Well over a dozen albums to his name, known best for songs such as Volveré, Corazón De Papel, Usted Qué Haria, La Ladrona, and Voy A Coonquistarte ~ Boccadoro was born in 1951
January 27, 2017 ~ Drummer, singer, songwriter Tia Sprocket passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of Sexpod alongside guitarist Karyn Kuhl and bassist Alice Genese, known best for their 1994 Home debut album. Also worked with Lucid Nation ~ Sprocket was born in 1968
January 27, 2014 ~ Singer, songwriter Pete Seeger passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of the Almanac Singers. Member of pivotal folk outfit the Weavers, known for The Hammer Song and for their 1950 hit recording Goodnight Irene. As a solo artist Seeger would become one of the premier folk singers and prolific songwriters of the 1960s, perhaps best known for penning and first recording Where Have All The Flowers Gone which would be covered by well over 150 artists including Bobby Darin, Eddy Arnold, Johnny Rivers, Harry Belafonte, Joan Baez, and Earth Wind & Fire ~ Seeger was born in 1919
January 27, 2012 ~ Kathryn Elizabeth Wimp, commonly known as jazz singer Kay Davies, passed away in Apopka, Florida, USA ~ Best known for her tenure, from 1944 to 1950, with Duke Ellington ~ Wimp was born in 1920
January 27, 2011 ~ Donald T Rondeau, commonly known as traditional pop singer Don Rondo, passed away ~ Enjoyed popularity during the 1950s, noted for the million-seller Two Different Worlds released in 1956. Other well-known songs include The Love I Never Had, Don't, and White Silver Sands ~ Rondeau was born in 1930
January 27, 2009 ~ Pioneering electronic musician Klaus Wiese passed away in Ulm, Germany ~ Briefly a member of krautrock outfit Popol Vuh, playing tamboura on the albums Hosianna Mantra and Seligpreisung. Best known as a solo artist, one of the great ambient and space music artists and a master of the Tibetan singing bowl. Has regularly collaborated with artists such as Al Gromer Kahn, Mathias Grassow, Oöphoi, Tau Ceti, Saam Schlamminger, Ted de Jong, Deuter, and others ~ Wiese was born in 1942
January 27, 2006 ~ Singer, producer, songwriter Gene McFadden passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ First teamed up with John Whitehead in the 1960s forming the Epsilons, a group which eventually toured with Otis Redding. The duo would later help define Philly soul, writing and producing numerous hits for others, including Back Stabbers for the O'Jays, Wake Up Everybody (Part 1) for Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, and I'll Always Love My Mama for the Intruders. Also known for their own hit, 1979's Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now ~ McFadden was born in 1949
January 27, 2000 ~ Classical, jazz pianist, composer Friedrich Gulda passed away in Steinbach-am-Attersee, Austria ~ Revered interpreter of the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven. Also known as a jazz pianist, collaborated with Cecil Taylor, Barre Phillips, Ursula Anders, John Surman, Albert Mangelsdorff, Stu Martin, Fritz Pauer, and others ~ Gulda was born in 1930
January 27, 1993 ~ Jazz double bassist Eddie Calhoun passed away in Paradise Lake, Mississippi, USA ~ Sideman. Worked with Dick Davis, Ahmad Jamal, Horace Henderson, Johnny Griffin, Roy Eldridge, Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, Erroll Garner, Norvel Reed, Lennie Capp, the Chicago All-Strs, Willis Jackson, and others ~ Calhoun was born in 1921
January 27, 1991 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Dylan Guthro born ~ Son of singer Bruce Guthro. Dylan released his solo debut album, All That's True, in 2012. In 2015 formed the trio Port Cities with fellow Halifax singers Carleton Stone and Breagh MacKinnon. Has served as producer and songwriter for acts such as Quake Matthews, Neon Dreams, Tim Chaisson, Ria Mae, Donovan Woods, Maura Whitman, Walker Hayes, Banners, and others
January 27, 1990 ~ Soufiane Nouhi, commonly known as urban pop, R&B, rap singer, guitarist, pianist, violinist, percussionist Souf, born in Nancy, France ~ First gained attention through his online releases, mostly covers of well-known songs. Guested on Ridsa's 2014 My Baby single. Released his Alchimie debut album in 2016, which spawned the modest hit Mi Amor
January 27, 1989 ~ Singer, actor, songwriter Bob Haymes, full name Robert William Haymes, passed away in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for writing That's All with Alan Brandt, first recorded by Nat King Cole and covered by numerous artists including Bobby Darin, Billy Eckstine, Sam Cooke, Connie Francis, Judy Garland, Ricky Nelson, Mel Tormé, Sarah Vaughan, and others ~ Haymes was born in 1923
January 27, 1987 ~ House music DJ, producer Lupe Fuentes born in Cali, Colombia ~ Lead singer of pop group the Ex-girlfriends, known for We Are The Party and Whatchya Looking At. Former pornographic actress. Married to former Biohazard bassist Evan Seinfeld since 2011
January 27, 1986 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, arranger Ken Moule, full name Kenneth John Moule, passed away in Marbella, Spain ~ Active since the 1940. Worked with Johnny Dankworth, Oscar Rabin, Remo Cavalotti, Joe Daniels, Bobby Kevin, Ronnie Scott, Jiver Hutchinson, Bert Ambrose, Frank Weir, Ken Mackintosh, Raymonde's Orchestra, Ted Heath, Lionel Bart, Kenny Wheeler, and others ~ Moule was born in 1925
January 27, 1981 ~ Singer Reverend Julius Cheeks passed away ~ Briefly a member of the Soul Stirrers. Best known as a member of the Sensational Nightingales, popular in the early-1950s and known for songs such as Somewhere To Lay My Head and The Last Mile Of The Way. Also a member of the Mighty Clouds Of Joy ~ Cheeks was born in 1929
January 27, 1976 ~ Classical violinist Renaud Capuçon born in Chambéry, France ~ Entered the Conservatory at age 4. Noted for his recordings of Johannes Brahms trios with his brother cellist Gautier Capuçon and pianist Nicholas Angelich. Has also recorded chamber works by Maurice Ravel and Franz Schubert, as well as concertos by Robert Schumann and Felix Mendelssohn. Capuçon has worked with artists such as Jérôme Ducros, Frank Braley, Hélène Grimaud, Gérard Caussé, and others
January 27, 1973 ~ Jazz drummer Jackie Dougan passed away in Australia ~ Worked with Tommy Whittle, Eddie Thompson, Dick Morrisey, Ronnie Scott, Malcolm Cecil, Tony Coe, Stan Tracey (Jazz Suite Inspired By Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood), Sonny Stitt, Ben Webster, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, Wes Montgomery, and others ~ Dougan was born ca.1930
January 27, 1972 ~ Singer Mahalia Jackson passed away in Evergreen, Illinois, USA ~ Revered contralto singer known as “the Queen of Gospel” ~ Jackson was born in 1911
January 27, 1972 ~ Pop singer Mark Owen born in Oldham, UK ~ Member of boyband Take That, known for a string hits starting in the early 1990s including the UK No.1 hits Pray, Relight My Fire featuring Lulu, Babe, Everything Changes, Sure, Back For Good, Never Forget, How Deep Is Your Love, Patience, Shine, The Greatest Day, and These Days
January 27, 1970 ~ Baroque, classical, jazz flutist Emmanuel Pahud born in Geneva, Switzerland ~ Worked with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Australia Chamber Orchestra, the Kansas City Symphony, and others
January 27, 1970 ~ Drummer Mark Trojanowski born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of Sister Hazel, joining the band shortly after the release of the bad's 1994 eponymous Sister Hazel debut album
January 27, 1969 ~ Keigo Oyamada, commonly known as guitarist, singer, producer Cornelius, born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Founded Flipper's Guitar
January 27, 1969 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer Michael Kulas, full name Michael Wade Kulas, born in Oakville, Canada ~ Best known as member of English rock band James from 1997 to 2001
January 27, 1968 ~ Country singer, songwriter Tracy Lawrence born in Atlanta, Texas, USA ~ Draws from neotraditional and honky-tonk. Over a dozen albums to his name, most notably 1993's Alibis and 1996's Time Marches On both of which reached double Platinum certification. Best known for songs such as Sticks And Stones, Alibis, Can't Break It To My Heart, My Second Home, If The Good Die Young, Texas Tornado, Time Marches On, Find Out Who Your Friends Are featuring Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney, all of which topped Billboard's country charts
January 27, 1968 ~ Adrian Nicholas Matthews Thaws, commonly known as producer, rapper, actor Tricky, born in Bristol, UK ~ Best known as member of Massive Attack, acclaimed for their 1991 Blue Lines debut album. The band would regularly hit the charts throughout the remainder of the 1990s. Well-known songs include Unfinished Sympathy, Risingson and Teardrop
January 27, 1967 ~ Folk, pop singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Luigi Tenco passed away in Sanremo, Italy ~ Also known under the alias Gigi Mai. Member of I Cavaliere, alongside Giampiero Reverberi and Enzo Jannacci. Debuted as a solo artist in 1961 with the single Quando, followed by the full-length album Baliate E Canzoni the next year. Became an icon of love and despair after his alleged suicide at age 28, the exact circumstances of his death still questioned to this day ~ Tenco was born in 1938
January 27, 1964 ~ Jazz drummer Trond Sverre Hansen born in Narvik, Norway ~ Son of jazz trombonist Viggo Hansen. Considered one of the premier Norwegian bebop drummers. Has worked with Thorgeir Stubø, Jørn Øien, Øystein B Blix, Kjell Bartholdsen, Øystein Norvoll, Ernst-Wiggo Sandbakk, Konrad Kaspersen, Knut Kristiansen, Ragnar Olsen, Sverre Kjelsberg, Marit Sandvik, and others
January 27, 1961 ~ New wave guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Gillian Gilbert, full name Gillian Lesley Gilbert, born in Manchester, UK ~ Best known as member of Joy Division-offshoot New Order, founded in 1980 after singer Ian Curtis's suicide. Would marry bandmate Stephen Morris in the early 1990s, with whom she has two daughters. Also recorded two albums with her husband under the moniker the Other Two, 1993's The Other Two & You and 1999's Super Highways
January 27, 1961 ~ Singer Margo Timmins born in Montreal, Canada ~ Lead singer of the Cowboy Junkies, which also included her brothers guitarist Michael Timmins and drummer Peter Timmins. Timmins has stated it took her ten years to get comfortable singing in front of an audience yet is widely praised for her ethereal voice, a key component of the band's sound
January 27, 1960 ~ James Pond, commonly known as metal, hard rock singer, drummer Jaime St James, born in Portland, Oregon, USA ~ Briefly served as Warrant lead singer during Jani Lanes hiatus. Best known as frontman and primary songwriter of glam metal outfit Black 'n Blue. Also worked with Freight Train Jane, the Glorious Things, Kiss tribute band Cold Gin, the Hard Rock All-Stars, Let It Rawk, and others
January 27, 1959 ~ Amelia McMahon, commonly known as singer, songwriter Amy Rigby, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Member of the Shams. Member of the Last Roundup. Released her debut album, Diary Of A Mod Housewife, in 1996 and recording steadily since to critical acclaim but limited commercial success. Had her songs recorded by Ronnie Spector, Sara Hickman, Laura Cantrell. Married to Wreckless Eric with whom she also works. Previously married to the dB's-drummer Will Rigby with whom she has a daughter
January 27, 1955 ~ Singer Cheryl White born in Abilene, Texas, USA ~ Married to singer Ricky Skaggs. Member of the Whites, which also includes her sister Sharon White and father Buck White, known for 1980s hits such as You Put The Blue In Me, Give Me Back That Old Familiar Feeling, If It Ain't Love Let's Leave It Alone, and Hometown Gossip
January 27, 1955 ~ Jazz drummer Pheeroan Aklaff born ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with DejaVu, Bill Baron, Wadada Leo Smith, Oliver Lake, Jump Up, Andrew Hill, Cecil Taylor, Reggie Workman, Geri Allen, Anthony Braxton, Henry Threadgill, Jay Hoggard, Craig Harris, Don Byron, Julius Hemphill, Sonny Sharrock, Mal Waldron, Yosuke Yamashita, and others
January 27, 1953 ~ Jazz saxophonist, bandleader, composer, arranger Bob Mintzer, full name Robert Alan Mintzer, born in New Rochelle, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Buddy Rich, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Sam Jones, Peter Erskine, the Yellowjackets, Jaco Pastorius, Miroslav Vitous, Bobby McFerrin, Toninho Horta, Kurt Elling, Dewa Budjana, Roberta Tola, and others
January 27, 1953 ~ Country songwriter Tom Douglas, full name Thomas Stevenson Douglas, born ~ Songs written or co-written by Douglas have been recorded by Collin Raye (Little Rock), Martina McBride, Lee Ann Womack (Something Worth Leaving Behind), Tim McGraw (Grown Men Don't Cry), Lady Antebellum (I Run To You), Miranda Lambert (The House That Built Me), Neal McCoy, George Strait, John Michael Montgomery, and others
January 27, 1951 ~ Drummer Brian Downey, full name Brian Michael Downey, born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Co-founding member and along with Phil Lynott the only other constant member of Thin Lizzy until the band's breakup in 1983. Wrote or co-wrote several of the band's best-known including The Rocker, Cowboy Song, Emerald, Bad Reputation, and Thunder & Lightning. Has also worked with Greedy Bastards, Funky Junction, John Sykes, the Baby Snakes, Gary Moore, Grand Slam, and others
January 27, 1951 ~ Keyboardist Seth Justman born in Washington DC, USA ~ Keyboardist of the J Geils Band. Wrote or co-wrote a vast amount of the band's material including their biggest hit Centerfold, a Billboard No.1 hit in 1982
January 27, 1949 ~ Singer, songwriter Djavan, full name DJavan Caetano Viana, born in Macelo, Brazil ~ As a songwriter had his songs recorded by Al Jarreau, Carmen McRae, the Manhattan Transfer, Aaron Goldberg, Loredana Bertè, Eliane Elias, Bob Baldwin, Lee Ritenour, Gal Costa, Dori Caymmi, Nana Caymmi, Lenine, João Bosco, Chico Buarque, Daniela Mercury, Ney Matogrosso, Dominguinhos, Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, and others
January 27, 1947 ~ Singer Nedra Talley born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of R&B trio the Ronettes alongside her cousins Ronnie Spector and Estelle Bennett. Left the band in 1967. Present on the band's best-known including Be My Baby, Baby I Love You and Walking In The Rain
January 27, 1946 ~ James Francis Pembroke, commonly known as rock, blues-rock singer Jim Pembroke, born in London, UK ~ Member of the Blues Section, present on the 1967 pivotal eponymous Blues Section album. From 1969 frontman and main songwriter of Wigwam while enjoying a parallel solo career, releasing his Wicked Ivory debut album in 1972 ~ Pembroke passed away in 2021
January 27, 1946 ~ Bassist Kim Gardner born in London, UK ~ First gained attention in the mid-1960s, as a member of the Birds with songs such as No Good Without You and Leaving Here. Subsequently worked with mod outfit the Creation, Santa Barbara Machine Head which also included Jon Lord and Ronnie Wood, with jazz-rock band Ashton Dyke & Gardner known for the 1971 hit Resurrection Shuffle, and with Badger. In-demand touring and session musician for much of the 1970s working with artist as diverse as Bo Diddley and Eric Clapton ~ Gardner passed away in 2001
January 27, 1945 ~ Jazz double bassist Henri Texier born in Paris, France ~ As a leader well over two dozen albums to his name since the early 1970s. Cites Wilbur Ware as main influence. Has collaborated with Gordon Beck, John Abercrombie, Didier Lockwood, Louis Sclavis, Daniel Humair, Aldo Romano, Randy Weston, Art Farmer, Lee Konitz, Martial Solal, Guy Lafitte, Julian Lourau, Patrice Meyer, Jean-Marc Padovani, Joe Lovano, and others
January 27, 1945 ~ Jazz drummer Takeo Moriyama born in Katsunuma, Japan ~ Leader and sideman active since late-1960s. Has worked with Yosuke Yamashita, Aki Takase, Akira Miyazawa, Fumio Itabashi, Masahiko Satoh, Peter Brötzmann, Nobuyochi Ino, Takehiro Honda, and with Manfred Schoof
January 27, 1944 ~ Rock, alternative rock, new wave singer, guitarist, harmonica player Kevin Coyne born in Derby, UK ~ Overlooked by the public. Anti-star admired by peers including Sting and Johnny Rotten. Reportedly turned down a chance to meet with label executive Jac Holzman to discuss replace the late Jim Morrison in the Doors, alleging he “did not like the leather trousers” ~ Coyne passed away in 2004
January 27, 1944 ~ Drummer Nick Mason, full name Nicholas Berkely Mason, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Best known as founding and sole constant member of Pink Floyd. Co-wrote songs such as Echoes, Careful With That Axe Eugene and One Of These Days. Has released a solo album, Nick Mason's Fictitious Sports, in 1981, guested on recordings by Rick Fenn and Michael Mantler, and produced recordings by Chimera, Robert Wyatt (Rock Bottom), Gong, the Damned and Steve Hillage
January 27, 1942 ~ Kathryn Louise Allen, commonly known as folk, country folk singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Kate Wolf, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Member of Wildwood Flower. Half a dozen albums to her name, starting with Back Roads. Best known for songs such as Across The Great Divide, Unfinished Life, Green Eyes, and Give Yourself To Love. Had her songs covered by John Gorka, Nanci Griffith, Laurie McClain (Cornflower Blue), the Wild Coyotes, Cathy Cowette, Lucinda Williams (Here In California), Dave Alvin, Emmylou Harris (Love Still Remains), Sherry Austin, Eric Bogle, Kathy Mattea, Billy Bragg (One By One), and others ~ Allen passed away in 1986
January 27, 1941 ~ Vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influence on later vibraphonists including Steve Nelson, Joe Locke, Stefon Harris. Worked with Les McCann, Frank Butler, Billy Mitchell, Al Grey, the Jazztet, Andrew Hill, Tony Williams, Grant Green, Joe Henderson, John Patton, Duke Pearson, Lee Morgan, Billy Higgins, McCoy Tyner, Harold Land, Chick Corea, Stanley Crowell, Joe Sample, Curtis Fuller, Cedar Walton, Buster Williams, the SF Jazz Collective, and others ~ Hutcherson passed away in 2016
January 27, 1938 ~ Free jazz pianist François Tusques born in France ~ Worked with Bernard Vitet, Beb Guerin, Michel Portal, François Jeanneau, Don Cherry, Jean-François Jenny-Clark, Barney Wilen, Aldo Romano, Clifford Thornton, Noel McGhee, Sunny Murray, Steve Potts, Alan Silva, Colette Magny, Daniel Edinger, Denis Colin, and others
January 27, 1937 ~ Singer Bruce Tate born ~ Original member of doo-wop outfit the Penguins, best known for Earth Angel, a hit in 1954 ~ Tate passed away in 1973
January 27, 1937 ~ Steel guitarist Buddy Emmons born in Mishawaka, Indiana, USA ~ Plays country, jazz, Western swing. Widely seen as one of the leading pedal steel guitarists of his day. Member of Ernest Tubb's backing unit the Texas Troubadours. Member of Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Member of the Dillards, a band believed to be quintessential in late-1960s country-rock. In-demand session musician. Has worked with Casey Clark, George Jones, Melba Montgomery, Roger Miller, Mel Tillis, Donna Fargo, Duane Eddy, Charlie Walker, Linda Ronstadt, Gram Parsons, Bob Wills, Ray Pennington, the Everly Brothers, the Carpenters, John Hartford, Jimmy Dickens, Ray Price (notably on You Took Her Off My Hands), Judy Collins, George Strait, John Sebastian, Ray Charles, and others ~ Emmons passed away in 2015
January 27, 1937 ~ Pianist, composer John Ogdon, full name John Andrew Howard Ogdon, born in Nottinghamshire, UK ~ Composed well over 200 pieces, including operas, orchestral works, cantatas, chamber music and piano concertos. Also known as a fine interpreter of Alexander Scriabin, Charles-Valentin Alkan, Ferruccio Busoni, and Edward Elgar ~ Ogdon passed away in 1989
January 27, 1933 ~ James Edward Bond Jr, commonly known as jazz double bassist, composer, arranger Jimmy Bond, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Worked with Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Gene Ammons, Chet Baker, Ella Fitzgerald, Sonny Rollins, Ben Webster, Art Pepper, Jim Hall, Jimmy Giuffre, Paul Horn, Phil Spector, Randy Newman, Frank Zappa, Tim Buckley, the Jazz Crusaders, Nina Simone, Lightnin' Hopkins, Jimmy Witherspoon, Linda Ronstadt, Henry Mancini, Lou Rawls, Tony Bennett, BB King, Curtis Amy, Earl Anderza, Louie Bellson, Terry Gibbs, Joe Gordon, Irene Kral, Julie London, Brownie McGhee, Sonny Terry, Frank Morgan, Gerry Mulligan, Jim Sullivan, Gerald Wilson, Jimmy Woods, and others ~ Bond passed away in 2012
January 27, 1931 ~ Traditional pop, doo-wop baritone singer Rudi Maugeri, full name Rudolph Peter Maugeri, born ~ Member of Canadian vocal quartet the Crew Cuts, known for their mid-1950s string of hits including Sh'boom, Earth Angel, Ko-ko-mo I Love You So, Angels In The Sky and Gum Drop ~ Maugeri passed away in 2005
January 27, 1930 ~ Robert Calvin Brooks, commonly known as singer Bobby Blue Bland, born in Barrelville, Tennessee, USA ~ Pivotal in soul-blues, mixing gospel with blues and R&B. Especially acclaimed for his 1961 album Two Steps From The Blues. Best known for songs such as Cry Cry Cry, I Pity The Fool, Turn On Your Lovelight, Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City, and I Wouldn;t Treat A Dog The Way You Treated Me. Worked with Johnny Ace, Eddie Fisher, Junior Parker, Blues Consolidated, Bill Harvey, Joe Scott, Wayne Bennett, Michael Omartian, Steve Barri, Van Morrison, BB King, and ohers ~ Bland passed away in 2013
January 27, 1929 ~ Operatic baritone Carlo Meliciani born in Arezzo, Italy ~ Closely associated with La Scala, remaining with the renowned opera house for some two decades starting in the late 1950s. Noted for his portrayal of roles from Giuseppe Verdi operas, especially a 1969 recording with the Teatro Nuovo Di Torino of Emani in the role of Don Carlo opposite Plácido Domingo in the title role ~ Meliciani passed away in 2022
January 27, 1927 ~ Classical, jazz pianist, composer, arranger Don Shirley, full name Donald Walbridge Shirley, born in Pensacola, Florida, USA ~ Actively recording since the mid-1950s. Composed organ symphonies, works for piano, strings, cello, and opera. Worked with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the NBC Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony, the Chicago Symphony, the National Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and others ~ Shirley passed away in 2013
January 27, 1925 ~ Jerome Solon Felder, commonly known as lyricist, songwriter Doc Pomus, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Co-wrote numerous classic rock & roll hits. Frequent songwriting partner of Mort Shuman. Artists who have recorded his songs include Elvis Presley (Little Sister, Suspicion, Viva Las Vegas), the Crystals, Joe Turner, Conway Twitty, Charlie Rich, Dion & the Belmonts (A Teenager In Love), the McCoys, Gary US Bonds (Seven Day Weekend), Ben E King (Here Comes The Night), Jimmy Clanton, Del Shannon, Fabian, the Coasters (Young Blood), the Mystics, Bobby Darin, the Drifters (Sweets For My Sweet, Save The Last Dance For Me), Gene McDaniels, Marty Wilde, Jess Conrad, Ray Charles (Lonely Avenue), Connie Francis, and others ~ Pomus passed away in 1991
January 27, 1920 ~ Velma Newsom, commonly known as R&B singer Chubby Newsom, born ~ Best known for her 1949 hit Hip Shaking Mama. Half of Bluezettes, the other half being Alberta Adams. Also worked with artists such as Paul Gayten, Dave Bartholomew, Herbert Hardesty, Ernest McLean, Frank Fields, Earl Palmer, Tiny Bradshaw, and others ~ Newsom passed away in 2003
January 27, 1920 ~ Classical, swing, jazz violinist, composer Helmut Zacharias born in Berlin, Germany ~ Influenced by Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli. Dubbed “the Magic Violinist”. Internationally best known for When The White Lilacs Bloom Again, a Billboard top 20 hit in 1956. Also known as an actor, starting in the late 1940s, usually playing the role of musicians ~ Zacharias passed away in 2002
January 27, 1919 ~ Ross Bagdasarian, also known as singer, songwriter David Seville born in Fresno, California, USA ~ Creator of cartoon band the Chipmunks, known for songs such Witch Doctor and The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) ~ Bagdasarian passed away in 1972
January 27, 1918 ~ Blues singer, guitarist Elmore James born in Richmond, Mississippi, USA ~ Dubbed “the King of the Slide Guitar”. Influenced by Robert Johnson, Kokomo Arnold, Tampa Red. Known for a number of blues classics, hugely influential on future blues and rock singers and guitarists. Well-known songs include The Sky Is Crying, My Bleeding Heart, Look On Yonder Wall and Shake Your Moneymaker ~ James passed away in 1963
January 27, 1918 ~ Lyle Russell Cedric Henderson, commonly known as jazz, classical pianist, conductor, composer Skitch Henderson, born in Halstad, Minnesota, USA ~ Founded the New York Pops Orchestra. Also known for his work for radio, TV and film ~ Henderson passed away in 2005
January 27, 1914 ~ Andrew Hogg, commonly known as Texas blues, country blues guitarist Smokey Hogg, born in Westconnie, Texas, USA ~ Influenced by Big Bill Broonzy, Peetie Wheatstraw and by slide guitarist Black Ace, touring and recording the late 1930s one-off Family Trouble Blues with the latter. Best known for a number of late 1940s, early 1950s recording, both originals and Broonzy covers, such as Too Many Drivers, Long Tall Mama, Little School Girl and Penitentiary Blues ~ Hogg passed away in 1960
January 27, 1910 ~ Saxophonist Charlie Holmes born near Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Played clarinet and oboe for the Boston Civic Symphony Orchestra in the 1920s. Switched to alto saxophone by the end of the decase and went on to play with a variety of artists including Luis Russell, Red Allen, the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, John Kirby, Cootie Williams, and Duke Ellington. Retired from music in the early-1950s. Best known for composing Sugar Hilll Function ~ Holmes passed away in 1985
January 27, 1906 ~ Conductor, pianist, composer, arranger Radamés Gnattali born in Porto Alegre, Brazil ~ Closely associated with and influenced by Ernesto Nazareth. Best known as conductor and bandleader with the radio station Radio Nacional, a position he held for three decades starting in the mid-1930s ~ Gnattali passed away in 1988
January 27, 1901 ~ Composer Giuseppe Verdi, full name Giuseppe Fortunini Francesco Verdi, passed away ~ Influenced by Vincenzo Bellini, Gaetano Donizetti, Gioachine Rossini. Dominated the Italian opera. Best known for operas such as La Traviata, Aida and Falstaff. Briefly an elected politician sympathizing with the Risorgimenti movement, seeking the unification of Italy ~ Verdi was born ca.1813
January 27, 1895 ~ George Gard Desylva, commonly known as songwriter, label executive, film producer Buddy DeSylva, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Frequent songwriting collaborator of Lew Brown and Ray Henderson. Also worked with George Gershwin, co-writing Blue Monday, a 1922 jazz opera seen as a forerunner to Porgy & Bess. Co-founded Capitol Records with Johnny Mercer and Glenn Wallichs. Served on the ASCAP board of directors from 1922 through 1930. Would move to film production from the 1930s onwards ~ DeSylva passed away in 1950
January 27, 1895 ~ Composer, pianist Claudio Carneyro born in Oporto, Portugal ~ Professor at Oporto Conservatory ~ Carneyro passed away in 1963
January 27, 1895 ~ Harry Rubinstein, commonly known as pianist, songwriter Harry Ruby born in New York, New York, USA ~ Vaudeville pianist with the Bootblack Trio and the Messenger Boys Trio. Best known as a songwriter, longtime collaborator of lyricist Bert Kalmar. Together the pair was responsible for songs such as Nevertheless (I'm In Love With You) (Jack Denny, Ruth Etting, Frankie Laine), Who's Sorry Now (Bob Thompson, Milton Brown, Harry James), Three Little Words (Duke Ellington, Sam Lanin, Mel Tormé, Sarah Vaughan), and Give Me The Simple Life (Bing Crosby, Benny Goodman, Carmen McRae) ~ Rubinstein passed away in 1974
January 27, 1885 ~ Composer, songwriter Jerome Kern, full name Jerome David Kern, born in New York, New York, USA ~ One of the foremost theater composers of the early 20th century. Collaborated with lyricists such as Otto Harbach, Oscar Hammerstein II, Dorothy Fields, Johnny Mercer, Ira Gershwin, Yip Harburg, and others. Kern co-wrote over 700 songs, used in over 100 stage works and films. Well-known songs include Ol' Man River (Jules Bledsoe, Paul Robeson, the Ravens), Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man (Helen Morgan, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Shore), A Fine Romance (Guy Lombardo, Rudy Vallee, Frank Sinatra), Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (Tamara, Eartha Kitt, the Platters), The Song Is You (Tullio Carminati, Mario Lanza, Rita Reys), and The Way You Look Tonight (Fred Astaire, Billie Holiday, the Dinning Sisters), I've Told Ev'ry Little Star (Walter Slezak, Margaret Whiting, Pat Boone) ~ Kern passed away in 1945
January 27, 1869 ~ Composer, conductor, multi-instrumentalist Will Marion Cook born in Washington DC, USA ~ Led the New York Syncopated Orchestra. Best known for a number of Broadway musicals notably 1898's Clorindy (Or The Origin Of The Cake Walk), 1903's Ibn Dahomey and 1929's Swing Along ~ Cook passed away in 1944
January 27, 1823 ~ Composer Eduoard Lalo, full name Edouard Victoire Antoine Lalo, born in Lille, France ~ Best known for writing Symphonie Espagnole, a concerto for violin and orchestra considered part of the standard repertoire to this day ~ Lalo passed away in 1892
January 27, 1756 ~ Composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart born in Salzburg, Austria ~ One of the most prolific and influential classical composers. Child prodigy, composing since the age of 5. Composed over 600 works ~ Mozart passed away in 1791