January 5, 2024 ~ Derek Peter Palmer, commonly known as engineer, bassist, singer Del Palmer, passed away ~ Best known for his work with Kate Bush, with whom he was also romantically involved for a little over a decade starting in the late-1970s. Played bass on or engineered albums such as Lionheart, Hounds Of Love, The Sensual World, and The Red Shoes. Palmer has also worked with Midge Ure, Roy Harper, Alan Stivell, and Billy Sherwood. Later on in his career, Palmer recorded a handful of albums as a solo artist starting with Leap Of Faith released in 2007 ~ Palmer was born ca.1952
January 5, 2023 ~ R&B, pop singer Gordy Harmon passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founded the Whispers in 1963. After injuring his larynx in a driving accident in 1973 Harmon retired from music and was replaced by Leaveil Degree ~ Harmon was born ca.1943
January 5, 2022 ~ Classical hornist Dale Clevenger passed away in Italy ~ Best known as principal hornist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1966 through 2013. Has also notably worked with the American Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Leopold Stokowski, Symphony Of The Air and the Kansas City Philharmonic ~ Clevenger was born in 1940
January 5, 2019 ~ Engineer, synthesizer builder Alan R Pearlman passed away ~ Best known as founder of ARP Instruments Inc, one the early leading American synthesizer manufacturers ~ Pearlman was born in 1925
January 5, 2019 ~ Drummer Alvin Fielder passed away ~ Co-founding member of the Association For The Advancement Of Creative Musicians, of Black Artists Music Society, and of Improvisational Arts. Played with Sun Ra, Muhal Richard Abrams, Eddie Harris, Kalaparushe, Fred Anderson, Lester Lashley, Roscoe Mitchell, Clifford Jordan, Kidd Jordan, Ahmed Abdullah, Charles Brackeen, Joel Futterman, Andre Lamb, and Peter Kowald ~ Fielder was born in 1935
January 5, 2019 ~ Music industry exec Don Grierson passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ British-born label executive best known for promoting the Beatles in America as promotions manager for Capitol Records from 1966 to 1969, and for signing Céline Dion her first US recording contract. Grierson has worked for several labels including Apple Records, Chess Records, MGM Records and worked with a wide range of artists such as Michael Johnson, Kim Carnes, Kate Bush, Cliff Richard, the J Geils Band, Dottie West, Heart, Joe Cocker, Melissa Morgan, Steve Vai, Megadeth, Tina Turner, Bob Seger, the Motels, Duran Duran, Cyndi Lauper, the Jacksons, the Allman Brothers Band, Gloria Estefan, Living Colour, Alice Cooper, Joe Satriani, and others ~ Grierson was born ca.1942
January 5, 2011 ~ Composer Roland Kayn passed away in Nieuwe Pekela, the Netherlands ~ Co-founded the Gruppo Di Improvvisazione Di Nuova Consonanza, a pivotal free improvisation group active in the mid-1960s. As a solo artist known for his lenghty works of cybernetic music, most notably his 14-hour composition A Little Electronic Milky Way Of Sound posthumously released on 16 CDs in 2017 ~ Kayn was born in 1933
January 5, 2010 ~ Singer, producer, label exective Willie Mitchell, full name William Lawrence Mitchell, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ A popular bandleader Mitchell signed to Hi-Records as both a producer and as a recording artist best known for he 1968 single Soul Serenade. His greatest claim to fame came however by taking over the reins at the label in 1970 and establishing the “Hi Sound”. As a label executive and producer Mitchell was pivotal to the careers of OV Wright, Syl Johnson, Ann Peebles, Quiet Elegance and especially Al Green. Mitchell produced or co-produced albums such as Peebles' 1974 I Can't Stand The Rain album, noted for the title track I Can't Stand The Rain and I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down, as well as just about every single one of Green's 1970s albums containing hits such as Tired Of Being Alone, Let's Stay Together, I'm Still In Love With You and Call Me (Come Back Home), and others ~ Mitchell was born in 1928
January 5, 2006 ~ Alexis Clair Snouffer, commonly known as guitarist Alex St Clair, passed away ~ Best known for his association with Captain Beefheart, appearing on the Captain Beefheart & the Magic Band's first two albums, 1967's Safe As Milk and 1968's Strictly Personal ~ Snouffer was born in 1941
January 5, 2005 ~ Music manager, author Danny Sugerman, full name Daniel Stephen Sugerman, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as music manager for the Doors, replacing the band's original manager Bill Siddons after the death of lead singer Jim Morrison. Sugerman has also authored several books about the band and Morrison, most notably No One Here Gets Out Alive co-penned with Jerry Hopkins and published in 1980. Sugerman has also managed Ray Manzarek's post-Doors solo career, Iggy Pop, and glam punk band the Joneses ~ Sugerman was born in 1954
January 5, 2004 ~ Drummer John Guerin, full name John Payne Guerin, passed away in West Hills, California, USA ~ Briefly a member of the Byrds in the early-1970s. Member of Joni Mitchell's backup outfit the LA Express. Also had an affair with Mitchell who later wrote the song Hejira about him. As a session musician Guerin backed artists such as Frank Sinatra, George Harrison, Frank Zappa, the Animals, Them, Thelonious Monk, Lou Rawls, Ray Conniff, George Shearing, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Linda Ronstadt, Nelson Riddle, Oscar Peterson, Jon Faddis, Jimmy Heath, Ray Charles, Sonny Rollins, Justin Morell, Andreas Pettersson, David Bass, David Garfield, Gary Lemel, Mike Melvoin, and others ~ Guerin was born in 1939
January 5, 2003 ~ Richard Alfred Newell, commonly known as blues harpist, guitarist, singer King Biscuit Boy, passed away in Hamilton, Canada ~ Once dubbed “the Canadian Paul Butterfield.” Member of the Barons and the Mid-Knights during the 1960s. Backed Ronnie Hawkins at the turn of the 1970s. Formed Crowbar, present on the band's 1970 King Biscuit & Crowbar debut album. Has since recorded as a solo artist, noted for his eponymous 1974 King Biscuit Boy album produced by New Orleans-stalwart Allen Toussaint ~ Newell was born in 1944
January 5, 2001 ~ Bassist, singer, songwriter Milan Hlavsa, also known as Milan Mejla Hlavsa, passed away ~ Influenced by the Velvet Underground and Frank Zappa. Co-founding member and primary songwriter for the Plastic People Of The Universe, a band that notably served as inspiration for the anti-establishment movement Charter 77. Two years after its inception the band would be stripped of their professional license to perform, effectively outlawing them, and most of its members would be arrested and tried. These arrests and trials helped convice Vaclav Havel to take action against the communist government, leading to the foundation of Charter 77 which aimed to persuade the government to follow the UN Declaration of Human Rights and the Helsinki Accords. Following their release from prison the band would perform discreetly. In 1988 all restrictions against the band would be lifted ~ Hlavsa was born in 1951
January 5, 2000 ~ Big band, swing, jazz, traditional pop bandleader, arranger, composer Vic Schoen, full name Victor Schoen, passed away ~ Worked with Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Les Brown, Woody Herman, Gene Krupa, George Shearing, Jimmie Lunceford, Ray McKinley, Benny Carter, Louis Prima, Russ Morgan, Guy Lombardo, Carmen Cavallaro, Carmen Miranda, Gordon Jenkins, Joe Venuti, Victor Young, Arthur Fiedler, the Boston Pops Orchestra, the Andrews Sisters, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Rosemary Clooney, Dick Haymes, Ella Fitzgerald, Maurice Chevalier, Mildred Bailey, Peggy Lee, Patti Page, the McGuire Sisters, Kay Starr, and others ~ Schoen was born in 1916
January 5, 1998 ~ Salvatore Phillip Bono, commonly known as producer, singer, songwriter Sonny Bono, passed away in Stateline, Nevada, 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 was born in 1935
January 5, 1997 ~ Burton Levy, commonly known as pianist, songwriter, lyricist Burton Lane, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Credited with discovering Judy Garland. Co-wrote the Broadway-musicals Finian's Rainbow and On A Clear Day You Can See Forever. Well known songs written or co-written by Lane include I Hear Music (Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, Anita O'Day), Old Devil Moon (Charlie Spivak, Gene Krupa, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra), How Are Things In Glocca Morra (Ella Logan, Martha Tilton, Dick Haymes), Too Late Now (Jane Powell, Dinah Shore, Peggy Lee), and On A Clear Day You Can See Forever (Louis Jordan, Sarah Vaughan, Johnny Mathis) ~ Levy was born in 1912
January 5, 1996 ~ Clarinetist, saxophonist, flutist Gus Bivona, full name Gus Peter Bivona, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ In-demand studio and session musician, especially known for his work on numerous film scores. Worked with the Leo Scalzi Brunswick Orchestra, Bunny Berigan, Will Hudson, Teddy Powell, Benny Goodman, Jan Savitt, Les Brown, Tommy Dorsey, Red Mitchell, Alvin Stoller, Skip Martin, Frank Sinatra, Harry Sweets Edison, Shorty Sherock, and others ~ Bivona pwas born in 1915
January 5, 1995 ~ Singer Sara Diamond, full name Sara Maxine Diamond, born in Montreal, Canada ~ Member of girl group the Clique Girlz, known for the singles Then I Woke Up and Smile. The group disbanded in 2009 after the departure of Sara Diamond. Diamond would subequently release the singles Just Give In and Firestorm
January 5, 1994 ~ Coely Mbueno, mononymously known as hip-hop, soul singer, rapper Coely, born in Antwerp, Belgium ~ Debuted in 2012 with the single Ain't Chasing Pavements, making her a favorite of Studio Brussel radio station. Would go on to release a debut EP, The Soulful Yeah, the following year spawning the singles Nothing On Me and All I Do. A full-length debut album, All I Do, followed in 2017
January 5, 1988 ~ Rock band Aerosmith release Angel, lifted off their Permanent Vacation album ~ Written by Steven Tyler and regular collaborator Desmond Child, this power ballad would be warmly received by critics, Cash Box commenting that it “recreates the emotional intensity of the classic Dream On”, the band's first major hit back in the early-1970s. Paired with Girl Keeps Coming Apart on the flip side, Angel would reach No.3 Billboard Hot 100, at the time their highest-charting single, later surpassed by their sole No.1 hit I Don't Want To Miss A Thing
January 5, 1987 ~ Pop-reggae, dub outfit UB40 release Rat In Mi Kitchen, lifted off the band's Rat In The Kitchen album ~ A top 20 hit in the UK, top 10 in Ireland and the Netherlands. The track features a guest appearance from Herb Alpert on trumpet. Credited to the entire band, but written primarily by the band's toaster Astro, based on a true story. When lead singer Ali Campbell moved into a new home, he found it to be troubled by rodents. Campbell later explained to The Telegraph: “One day Astro came to see me and asked if I had any ideas for a song. At the time, I had a rat in the kitchen. I tried to shoot it and hit it but it ran away. I was pissed off about that and told him: ‘Oh God, I don't care about the album for a minute, I've got a rat in the kitchen!’ Astro went away and wrote the song Rat In Mi Kitchen.”
January 5, 1983 ~ Singer, rapper, producer, songwriter Marlon Roudette, full name Marlon Rosegold McVery Roudette, born in London, UK ~ First gained attention as half of the duo Mattafix, the other half being Preetesh Hirji, known for their 2006 hit Big City Life. Subsequently scored a number of solo hits, notably New Age and When The Beat Drops. Has also written or co-written for others including Wiley, Tory Lanez, Bad Gyal, Busy Signal, Sinéad Harnett and his half-sister Mabel McVey
January 5, 1982 ~ Piper, singer Séamus Ennis passed away ion Naul, Ireland ~ Widely regarded as one of the greatest uilleann pipers of all time. Helped revive interest in the uillean pipes as co-founder of Na Piobairi Uilleann, a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the instrument and its music ~ Ennis was born in 1919
January 5, 1981 ~ Joel Zimmerman, commonly known as house, progressive house, electro house producer, DJ Deadmau5 born in Niagara Falls, Canada ~ Released his full-length debut album, Get Scraped, in 2005. Best known for songs such as Move For Me and I Remember both with Kaskade, Ghosts 'n' Stuff featuring Rob Swire, The Veldt, Pomegranata with the Neptunes. Has also collaborated with DJ, producers such as [artist-mc-flip side], Wolfgang Gartner, Steve Duda, Tommy Lee, and DJ Aero
January 5, 1979 ~ Jazz, hard bop, bebop, post-bop, free-jazz, avant-garde bass virtuoso, pianist, songwriter Charles Mingus passed away in Cuernavaca, Mexico ~ Easily counted among the most important and influential jazz musicians, composers of all time, easily. Known for compositions such as Goodbye Pork Pie Hat, Hora Decubitus, and Epitaph. Has collaborated with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Dannie Richmond, and Herbie Hancock ~ Mingus was born in 1922
January 5, 1976 ~ Bassist, keyboardist Matt Wachter, full name Matthew Walter Wachter, born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania ~ Best known as member of alternative rock band Thirty Seconds To Mars from 2001 through 2007, present on the band's A Beautiful Lie album which included the modest hits The Kill and From Yesterday. Subsequently a member of Angels & Airwaves
January 5, 1975 ~ Post-hardcore, emo, alternative rock drummer Riley Breckenridge, full name James Riley Breckenridge, born in Orange County, California, USA ~ Originally aimed to become a porfessional baseball player until football injuries shattered his ambitions. Best known as member of Thrice, brought into the band by his brother bassist Eddie Breckenridge. Has also worked with Puig Destroyer, Less Art, and with Eightyonedays
January 5, 1973 ~ Rock band Aerosmith release their eponymous Aerosmith debut album ~ Although lead singer Steven Tyler had been in several previous groups, most of the band members had never been in a studio before. At the time, the album would receive lukewarm reception, most critics comparing the band unfavorably to the Rolling Stones. Over the years, however, the album would receive recognition, AllMusic describing the band as “nasty hard-edged rock” with the album's lead single Dream On “the blueprint for all power ballads” since. The album proved to be hugely influential on Guns 'n Roses, guitarist Izzy Stradlin later commenting: “I loved fucking Aerosmith, man. Smoke a joint, listen to the first record.”
January 5, 1973 ~ Philip Joel Urry, commonly known as Christian pop singer, guitarist, bassist Phil Joel, born in Auckland, New Zealand ~ Bassist of Christian pop rock band the Newsboys, first appearing on the 1996 Take Me To Your Leader album which spawned the hits Reality, Let It Go, Cup O' Tea, and Breathe. Joel remained with the band through 2006, and rejoined in 2018. Has also worked with Drinkwater, Zealand Worship, and recorded over half a dozen solo albums starting with Watching Over You in 2000
January 5, 1972 ~ Anastasios Rouvas, commonly known as singer, model, actor Sakis Rouvas, born in Corfu, Greece ~ Professional pole vaulter duing the late-1980s. Started his musical career in the early-1990s, becoming one of the earliest dance-pop singers noted for breaking cultural, social and generational barriers in Greece. Best known for his single Shake It, used as the Greek entry for the 2004 Eurovision Songfestival reaching third place and quickly becoming the all-time best-selling single in Greece. Would regularly top both the Greek and Cypriotic charts during the 1990s and 2000s, well known hits include Parta, Theleis I Den Theleis, Disco Girl, and Na M'Agapas
January 5, 1971 ~ Accordionist, guitarist, bandleader Stian Carstensen born in Eidsvoll, Norway ~ Best known as key member of Farmers Market alongside drummer Jarle Vespestad and singer, guitarist Nils-Olav Johansen. Also worked with Trifon Trifonov, Jon Christensen, Bendik Hofseth, Django Bates, Tord Gustavsen, Ernst Reijseger, Frode Alnæs, Arild Andersen, Iain Ballamy, the Kaizers Orchestra, Borre Dalhaug, Jimmy Rosenberg, Eldbjørg Raknes, Mathias Eick, Alexander Rybak, and others
January 5, 1970 ~ Gianfranco Randone, comonly known as dance, dance-pop singer Jeffrey Jey, born in Lentini, Italy ~ Member of Eiffel 65, known for their 1998 hit Blue (Da-ba-dee) which hit the top 10 across continental Europe, the UK and America. Subsequent releases, such as Too Much Heaven and Move Your Body, would also become hits in Europe but fail to chart in America. Jey is also known as member of Bliss Team from 1992 through 1997 and as member of Bloom 06, which also included Eiffel bandmate Maury Lobina, from 2005 through 2010
January 5, 1969 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal bassist Robbie Crane born in Orange County, California, USA ~ Best known for his associations with Black Star Riders, the Fighting Hearts and RATT. Has also worked with Vince Neil, Adler's Appetite, supergroup the Saints Of The Underground, Lynch Mob, Love/Hate, and others
January 5, 1969 ~ Soul, rock singer, guitarist Ty Taylor born in Montclair, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known as lead singer for Los Angeles-based soul rock band Vintage Trouble, releasing their The Bomb Shelter Sessions debut album in 2011. Previously Taylor fronted the early-2000s band Dakota Moon, known for their 2002 A Place To Land album. Taylor has also guested on recordings by Michael Damian, Pablo Cruise, Gov't Mule, and Booker T Jones, and was a contestant on the reality TV show Rock Star INXS where contestants competed to become the lead vocalist for Australian rock band INXS
January 5, 1967 ~ Heavy metal guitarist, keyboardist, producer Fredrik Nordström, full name Björn Tom Fredrik Nordström, born in Sweden ~ Founder and guitarist of Dream Evil. Considered one of the foremost melodic death metal, power metal producers in Sweden. Worked with At The Gates, Arch Enemy, Nightrage, Dark Tranquility, In Flames, Soilwork, Opeth, Powerwolf, and others
January 5, 1967 ~ Bubblegum, pop rock group Tommy James & the Shondells release Mirage, lifted off their I Think We're Alone Now album ~ This came about as the result of a studio error. Producer Bo Gentry inadvertently inserted a master tape of I Think We're Alone Now backwards in the reel-to-reel player. The band instantly liked the reverse chord progression. Ritchie Cordell, who had also written I Think We're Alone Now, added lyrics and the song would be recorded as Mirage. The original I Think We're Alone Now would reach No.4 Billboard Hot 100. Its follow-up Mirage peaked at No.10
January 5, 1964 ~ Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, bandleader Cecil Scott passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Brother of drummer Lloyd Scott, with whom he regularly collaborated. Active since the 1920s, Scott has worked with a long list of the top swing bands, backing artists such as Fletcher Henderson and Billie Holiday. Other notable associations include Hot Lips Page, Willie The Lion Smith, Alberta Hunter, Rex Stewart, Red Allen, and Teddy Wilson ~ Scott was born in 1905
January 5, 1964 ~ Christopher Xefos, commonly known as avant-garde accordionist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist, singer Chris Xefos, born ~ Member of art rock group King Missile from 1989 until its disbandement in 1994, known for songs such as Jesus Was Way Cool and Detachable Penis. Has also worked with Phantom Tollbooth, When People Were Shorter And Lived Near The Water, Victor Krummenacher, Greg Lisher, Alison Faith Levy, the Moth Wranglers, and others
January 5, 1964 ~ Punk rock, post-punk, new wave, alternative rock bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist, singer, producer, songwriter Phil Thornalley born in Suffolk, UK ~ Co-wrote Torn, made famous by Natalie Imbruglia. Wrote Mama Do and Boys And Girls for Pixie Lott. Produced the Cure's 1982 Pornography album and served as their bass player for about a year and a half including on the 1983 hit The Love Cats. Lead singer of Johnny Hates Jazz from 1988, replacing Clark Datchler, until the bands disbandement in 1992
January 5, 1963 ~ Pop, rock band the Beach Boys record Surfin' USA at United Western Recorders, Hollywood, California ~ Based on Chuck Berry's Sweet Little Sixteen, Berry is eventually given co-writing credit alongside Brian Wilson. Contrary to reported tensions with Berry, Carl Wilson has commented running into Berry once, the latter remarking he loved the song. Produced by Nick Venet. Released as a single of their 1963 Surfin' USA sophomore album. Would become the band's first top 10 hit, peaking at No.3 Billboard Hot 100. The single's B-side, Shut Down, was recorded on the same day
January 5, 1961 ~ Singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist Iris DeMent, full name Iris Luella DeMent, born in Paragould, Arkansas, USA ~ Folk, country and gospel-infused. Debuted in 1992 with the Infamous Angel album and has recorded to a devoted fanbase and critical acclaim since. Had her songs recorded by the Caravans, Grace Griffith, Aselin Debison, John Wright, Doug Cox, Megan Reilly, Will Oldham. In-demand collaborator, worked with Jann Browne, Emmylou Harris (Wheels Of Love), Nanci Griffith, Tom Paxton, the Beautiful South, Tom Russell, Randy Scruggs, Jeff Black, John Prine, Steve Earle, Delbert McClinton (Birmingham Tonight), Keith Sykes, Ralph Stanley, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Teddy Thompson, Josh Turner (Palbearer), the Pines, Ana Egge, and others
January 5, 1959 ~ Singer, banjoist Austin Allen passed away ~ Formed the old time, country duo the Allen Brothers with his brother Lee Allen, known for songs such as Salty Dog Blues and Bow Wow Blues ~ Allen was born in 1901
January 5, 1957 ~ Gertrude Mary Astbury, commonly known as music hall singer, dancer Gertie Gitana, passed away in Hampstead, UK ~ Enjoyed popularity from the early-1900s, while still only in her mid-teens, until retiring from performing by the late-1930s. Well known as the Forces sweetheart during World War I, entertaining the wounded in hospitals. Best known for her signature song Nellie Dean, written by Harry Armstrong and Richard H Gerard ~ Astbury was born in 1887
January 5, 1957 ~ Folk, folk rock guitarist, keyboardist, violinist, bassist, pipe player Maartin Allcock born in Middleton, UK ~ Best known as lead guitarist of Fairport Convention from 1985 through 1996 and concurrently keyboardist of progressive rock outfit Jethro Tull from 1988 through 1991. Has recorded a handful of solo albums, starting with MAART released in 1990. In-demand session musician reportedly appearing on over 200 albums, has worked with Robert Plant, Blue Tapestry, Beverley Craven, Judith Durham, Dan Ar Braz, Ralph McTell, Dave Swarbrick, Cat Stevens, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Ashley Hutchings, the Reel And Soul Association, the Bad Shepherds, Bully Wee Band, and others ~ Allcock passed away in 2018
January 5, 1953 ~ Drummer Paul Wertico born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Rose to fame as member of the Pat Metheny Group, backing Pat Metheny for nearly two decades starting in 1983. Would go on to work with John Moulder, Erich Hochberg, Larry Coryell, Kurt Elling, Jeff Berlin, SBB, Marbin, David Cain, Larry Gray, Frank Catalano, Lee Konitz, Sam Rivers, Bob Mintzer, Roscoe Mitchell, Jay McShann, Herbie Mann, Randy Brecker, Ramsey Lewis, Paul Winter, Kurt Elling, and others
January 5, 1953 ~ Singer, songwriter Steve Archer born in Mojave, California, USA ~ Pioneered contemporary Christian music. Best known as lead singer of the Archers, scoring hits with songs such as Jesus Is The Answer, Little Flowers, It Wouldn't Be Enough, Stand Up and Heaven In Your Eyes
January 5, 1950 ~ New wave, punk rock, pop rock guitarist, bassist, songwriter Chris Stein born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of new wave outfit Blondie, writing or co-writing songs such as Rip Her To Shreds, Heart Of Glass, Sunday Girl, Dreaming, Rapture, and Island Of Lost Souls. Romantically involved with the band's frontwoman Debbie Harry through the late-1980s
January 5, 1949 ~ George Melvin Brown, commonly known as drummer, guitarist, keyboardist George Funky Brown, born in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA ~ Co-founding, longtime member of R&B, funk, disco outfit Kool & the Gang, with whom he recorded well over two dozen albums. The band is best known for Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits such as Jungle Boogie, Ladies Night, and Celebration, all co-written by Brown. Brown retired from performing in 2023, diagnosed with lung cancer. Looking back on his lengthy career, Brown commented: “When you do music that's happy music, that's what it does. It brings people to the clubs to have a good time. And that's what we do. We say our prayer before we leave, and we say, let's go make some people happy.” ~ Brown passed away in 2023
January 5, 1947 ~ Winston Stewart, commonly known as singer Delano Stewart, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Half of Winston & Bibby, the other half being BB Seaton. Co-founding member of the Gaylads, staying with the band through the late-1960s. As a solo artist best known for songs such as I Don't Know Why I Love You, That's Life, and Stay A Little Bit Longer. The latter would later be covered by UB40 on their 1998 Labour Of Love III album
January 5, 1941 ~ Singer Grady Thomas born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Closely associated with George Clinton, member of the Parliaments, Parliament and Funkadelic. Along with Fuzzy Haskins and Calvin Simon left the band in 1977 over financial and management disputes with Clinton. The trio caused confusion in 1981 with their Connections And Disconnections album released under the moniker Funkadelic. Thomas would later make amends with Clinton, joining the P-Funk All-Stars in the 1990s. Later still, in 1998 founded Original P with other Clinton-alumni
January 5, 1940 ~ Folk, folk pop bassist, singer, songwriter Athol Guy, full name Athol George Guy, born in Colac, Australia ~ Co-founding member of the Seekers, known for 1960s hits such as I'll Never Find Another You, A World Of Our Own, The Carnival Is Over, Morningtown Ride, and Georgy Girl
January 5, 1932 ~ Blues, jazz, gospel singer Johnny Adams, full name Laten John Adams Jr, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Known as “the Tan Canary” for his multi-octave vocal range. Best known for his renditions of Release Me (1968) and Reconsider Me (1969). Also known for a number of critically acclaimed Rounder Records albums in the 1980s produced by Scott Billington starting with 1984's From The Heat which encompassed a wide range of jazz, blues and R&B styles ~ Adams passed away in 1998
January 5, 1931 ~ Dancer, director, choreographer Alvin Ailey born in Roger, Texas, USA ~ Founded the Alvin Ailey Dance Company, nurturing black artists and fusing theatre, modern dance, ballet and jazz dance. As a choreographer best known for Revelations, one of the most performed ballet pieces in the world ~ Ailey passed away in 1989
January 5, 1931 ~ Alponso Son Reece, commonly known as hard bop jazz trumpeter Dizzy Reece born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Part of a wave of Caribbean musicians moving to England in the 1940s and 1950s. Leader and sideman. Has worked with Don Byas, Kenny Clarke, Frank Foster, Thad Jones, Hank Mobley, Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, Ronnie Scott, Phil Seamen, Victor Feldman, Tubby Hayes, the Paris Reunion Band, Clifford Jordan, Dexter Gordon, Ted Curson, Duke Jordan, John Gilmore, Philly Joe Jones, Art Taylor, Dizzy Gillespie, and others
January 5, 1930 ~ Producer, label executive Maynard Solomon, full name Maynard Elliott Solomon, born ~ Co-founded Vanguard Records with his brother Seymour Solomon, a label focusing initially on classical music yet soon also expanding their catalogue with folk, jazz and blues. Non-classical artists signed by the label include the Weavers, Joan Baez, the Rooftop Singers, Larry Coryell, Mississippi John Hurt, Charlie Musselwhite, Buddy Guy and Country Joe & the Fish ~ Solomon passed away in 2020
January 5, 1929 ~ Singer, pianist, guitarist, harmonica player, songwriter Wilbert Harrison born in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA ~ Best known for his hits Kansas City, one of the first songs written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, and for Let's Work Together, the latter also known as Let's Stick Together and covered by an array of artists including Canned Heat and Bryan Ferry ~ Harrison passed away in 1994
January 5, 1928 ~ Edwin Mordue, commonly known as jazz saxophonist Eddie Mordue, born in South Shields, UK ~ Considered one of the finest sax players to emerge from the heyday of British big band music. Professionally active since an early age, moving to London at age 13 to play with Archie's Juvenile Band and subsequently hone his skills working with Eric Winstone during World War II. Mordue's first wife was singer Julie Dawn, with whom he also regularly collaborated. Mordue was a fixture on the 1950s West End jazz scene, notably as a member of Jack Nathan's band, regularly playing the the London Palladium, before focusing on his work as a freelancer. Over the course of his career, Mordue has performed and recorded with the likes of Nat King Cole, Judy Garland, Billie Holiday, Dusty Springfield, Alexis Korner, and Shirley Bassey, as well as orchestras for several TV shows, and in numerous soundtracks including The Pink Panther and several James Bond films. Mordue continued to perform until his death at age 83. Mordue never lost his sense of humor, as reportedly his last words were “yes, rock & roll” in reply to the ambulance medics asking him if he had any allergies ~ Mordue passed away in 2011
January 5, 1923 ~ Producer, label founder Sam Phillips born in Florence, Alabama, USA ~ Founded Sun Records. Produced early recordings by Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Howlin' Wolf. Advocated for racial equality and helped break down racial barriers in the music industry. Sold the label to Shelby Singleton in 1969. ~ Phillips passed away in 2003
January 5, 1919 ~ Classical, jazz flutist Severino Gazzeloni born in Roccasecca, Italy ~ Best known for his three decade tenure as principal flutist of the RAI National Symphony Orchestra. Gazzelloni had compositions written especially for him by Luciano Berio (Sequenza I For Solo Flute), Pierre Boulez, Bruno Maderna, and Igor Stravinsky. Gazzelloni has also performed in jazz settings, and has tutored artists such as Abbie de Quant, Norma Beecroft and Eric Dolphy. The latter would name a track off his acclaimed 1964 Out To Lunch album, the seven-minute-plus track Gazzelloni, for his tutor ~ Gazzelloni passed away in 1992
January 5, 1906 ~ William Edward Davison, commonly known as jazz, Dixieland cornetist Wild Bill Davison, was born in Defiance, Ohio, USA ~ Considered one of the prime Dixieland cornet players, known for his colorful style, unusually placed high notes, and strong personality. Dubbed “Wild Bill” for his heavy drinking and womanizing. Active since the 1920s, playing with Muggsy Spanier and Frank Teschemacher, but it would not be until the 1940s, teaming up with Eddie Condon, that he would gain wider recognition. Recorded well over a dozen albums as leader, especially acclaimed for That's A Plenty, After Hours, and Jazz On A Saturday Afternoon Vol.1. As a sideman Davison has appeared on albums by Sidney Bechet, Art Hodes (Art Hodes Hot Five), Hot Lips Page, Pee Wee Russell, and Tony Parenti ~ Davison passed away in 1989
January 5, 1887 ~ Percival Davis, commonly known as songwriter, libretist, actor, screenwriter Clifford Grey, passed away ~ Frequent collaborator of composers such as Jerome Kern, Howard Talbot, George Gershwin. Songs co-written by Grey include Sometimes I'm Happy Sometimes I'm Blue (the Six Hottentots, Doris Day, Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughan), If You Were The Only Girl In The World (Rudy Vallée, Perry Como, Sam Cooke), Date With An Angel (Bobby Howes, the Four Freshmen, Kitty Kallen), and Nobody's Using It Now (Maurice Chevalier, Debroy Somers, Jack Hylton) ~ Davis passed away in 1941
January 5, 1880 ~ Pianist, composer Nikolai Medtner, full name Nikolai Karlovich Medtner, born in Moscow, Russia ~ Contemporary of Sergei Rachmaninoff and Alexander Scriabin. Prolific composer focused on works for piano and to lesser extent violin. Best known for his series of Fairy Tales ~ Medtner passed away in 1951
January 5, 1879 ~ John Godfrey Knauff, commonly known as vaudeville singer, songwriter Jack Norworth, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-penning Take Me Out To The Ball Game with Albert von Tilzer, first performed by Norworth's wife Nora Bayes. The song would become the anthem of North American baseball. Neither of the song's authors had actually ever been to a ball game ~ Knauff passed away in 1959