January 6, 2023 ~ Folk, rock guitarist Jeff Blackburn, full name Jeffery Reid Blackburn, passed away ~ Formed the mid-1960s folk duo Blackburn & Snow with singer Sherry Snow, known best for the singles Stranger In A Strange Land written by David Crosby and Time. Worked with Moby Grape from 1973 through 1975. Notably formed short-lived supergroup the Ducks which also included Bob Mosley, Johnny Craviotto, and Neil Young. Co-wrote My My My for the Ducks, later reworked into My My Hey Hey (Out Of The Blue) by Young for his 1979 Rust Never Sleeps album ~ Blackburn was born ca.1946
January 6, 2023 ~ Gospel singer, music director Kevin Lemons passed away ~ Best known for founding and leading the gospel choir Higher Calling, which eventually would grow to a 70+ member powerhouse choir. The group has been active since the mid-1990s and is best known for their The Declaration album released in 2013 ~ Lemons was born ca.1979
January 6, 2022 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal guitarist Barry Benedetta passed away ~ Best known for appearing on Cinderella's 1986 Night Songs debut album, playing lead guitar on the tracks Back Home Again, Nothin' For Nothin' and Push Push. At the time of his death Benedetta was working on new music with his latest band, DeBenedetta ~ Benedetta was born ca.1960
January 6, 2022 ~ Keyboardist, percussionist, singer Calvin Simon, full name Calvin Eugene Simon, passed away ~ Closely associated with George Clinton, having served in the Parliaments, Parliament and Funkadelic. Ventured out on his own by the late-1970s, causing confusion when releasing the 1981 Connections And Disconnections with Fuzzy Haskins and Grady Thomas using the moniker Funkadelic. Co-founded Original P in 1998, performing until 2007. As a solo artist known for a number of gospel albums, notably Share The News released in 2004 ~ Simon was born in 1942
January 6, 2022 ~ Operatic baritone Carlo Meliciani passed away in Empoli, 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 was born in 1929
January 6, 2022 ~ Clive Alexander, commonly known as percussionist, pianist Clive Zanda, passed away in Port Of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago ~ Considered a pioneer of extempo and kaisojazz, coining the latter term, merging calypso, folk and jazz. Has released four album, starting with Clive Zanda Is Here With Dat Kinda Thing released in 1976 ~ Alexander was born ca.1939
January 6, 2021 ~ Jazz pianist, singer Bobby Few passed away ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Brook Benton, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Jackie McLean, Joe Henderson, Albert Ayler, Alan Silva, Booker Ervin, Kali Fasteau, Archie Shepp, Sunny Murray, Steve Lacy, Charles Gayle, Wilber Morris, Hans Dulfer, and Marzette Watts ~ Few was born in 1935
January 6, 2018 ~ Producer, engineer Chris Tsangarides, full name Christopher Andrew Tsangarides, passed away ~ Made a name for himself in 1980s and 1990s metal and hard rock, producing albums such as Anvil's Metal On Metal, Thin Lizzy's Thunder And Lightning, and Judas Priest's Painkiller. Has also produced for artists, including outside metal, such as Money, Gary Moore, Tygers Of Pan Tang, Japan, Y&T, Lords Of The New Church, Spider, Killing Joke, Black Sabbath, Bruce Dickinson (Tattooed Millionaire), Concrete Blonde (Bloodletting), Helloween, and Yngwie Malmsteen ~ Tsangarides was born in 1956
January 6, 2017 ~ Pop, folk pop, soft rock singer, guitarist Ed Sheeran releases both Castle On The Hill and Shape Of You, double lead singles off his ÷ (Divide) album ~ Both singles were released on the same day, with Shape Of You becoming the bigger hit, topping the charts in nearly three dozen countries, including the UK, the Netherlands, and the USA, making it his first Billboard Hot 100 charttopper. Initially, it was intended as a duet between Rihanna and Rudimental, but the head of the record label convinced Sheeran to keep the song for himself. Sheeran would later explain: “Shape Of You is actually a really random one because I went in to write songs for other people with Steve Mac and Johnny McDaid, and we were writing this song and I was like ‘this would really work for Rihanna’. And then I started singing lyrics like ‘putting Van the Man on the jukebox’ and I was like ‘well, she's not really going to sing that, is she?’. And we sort of decided halfway through that we were just going to make it for me.”
January 6, 2016 ~ Alfredo Armenteros, commonly known as trumpeter Chocolate Armenteros, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Arsenío Rodriguez, Generoso Jimenez, Chico O'Farrill, Orchestra Harlow, Eddie Palmieri, Cachao, Conjunto Los Astros, José Fajardo, Benny Moré, Tito Puente, Cesar Concepcion, Machito, Wynton Marsalis, Marcelino Guerra, Charlie Palmieri, Noro Marles, Johnny Pacheco, Sonora Matancera, Cedar Walton, and Kip Hanrahan ~ Armenteros was born in 1928
January 6, 2009 ~ Gospel singer Claude Jeter passed away in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Member of the Dixie Hummingbirds. best known as co-founding member of the Swan Silvertones, one of the most popular and influential gospel groups especially popular during the 1950s. Noted for his falsetto voice as evidenced in songs such as Careless Soul and Saviour Pass Me Not. Influential on later singers including Al Green and the Temptations' Eddie Kendricks ~ Jeter was born in 1914
January 6, 2009 ~ Singer Maria Dimitriadi passed away in Athens, Greece ~ Sister of singer Aphrodite Manou. Regarded as one of the finest interpreters of Mikis Theodorakis and Thanos Mikroutsikos. Known for songs such as O Levidis, Gia Tin Eleni, Evgenia, and Ena Proino (Anabel) ~ Dimitriadi was born in 1950
January 6, 2009 ~ Guitarist Ron Asheton, full name Ronald Franklin Asheton, found dead in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA ~ Asheton had been unreachable for a couple of days. An exact date of death could not be determined. Co-founded the Stooges with Iggy Pop, Dave Alexander, and his brother Scott Asheton. Also worked with the New Order, Destroy All Monsters, Dark Carnival, New Race, the Empty Set, Wylde Ratttz, Thurston Moore, and others ~ Asheton was born in 1948
January 6, 2007 ~ Peter E Kleinow, commonly known as guitarist Sneaky Pete Kleinow, passed away in Petaluma, California, USA ~ Influenced by Jerry Byrd. Best known as member of pivotal country-rock outfit the Flying Burrito Brothers from 1968 through 1971, present on all of the original band's three albums including the landmark The Gilded Palace Of Sin album. Also worked with several of the band's reunion line-ups and spin-off bands. In-demand session guitarist, steel guitarist with a host of rock, folk, country artists including Joe Cocker, Dillard & Clark, Delaney & Bonnie (To Bonnie From Delaney), the Byrds, Linda Ronstadt, Little Feat, Jackson Browne (Jackson Browne), Rita Coolidge, John Lennon (Mind Games), Ringo Starr, Stevie Wonder (Songs In The Key Of Life), the Golden Palominos, and Leonard Cohen ~ Kleinow was born in 1934
January 6, 2006 ~ Songwriter, film composer Johnny Lange, full name John George Lange, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Perhaps best known for co-penning Mule Train. The song would be first recorded by Buz Butler and covered by numerous artists including Bing Crosby, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and Gene Autry. Vaughn Monroe's version from the 1950 film Singing Guns would be nominated for an Academy Award but lost out to Mona Lisa as performed by Charlie Spivak in the film Captain Carey USA. Other songs co-written by Lange have been recorded by Eddy Duchin, Johnny Mercer (I Lost My Sugar In Salt Lake City), Ella Fitzgerald, Dennis Day, Roy Rogers (Blue Shadows On The Trail), Louis Jordan, and the Ink Spots (Somebody Bigger Than You AndI) ~ Lange was born in 1905
January 6, 2006 ~ R&B, soul, gospel, jazz, blues singer Lou Rawls, full name Louis Allen Rawls, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Has recorded over 50 albums, initially focusing on jazz, starting with Stormy Monday backed by Les McCann in 1962. Scored his first hit in 1966 when he switched to pop soul, reaching the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 with Love Is A Hurtin' Thing. Other well known songs include Your Good Thing's About To End, You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine and Lady Love. Rawls has sold over 40 million records, has ventured into acting and voice acting, and has hosted the annual Lou Rawls Parade Of Stars Telethon since 1980, later renamed to An Evening Of Stars (A Celebration Of Educational Excellence), raising funds for the United Negro College Fund ~ Rawls was born in 1933
January 6, 1999 ~ Jazz pianist Michel Petrucciani passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Lee Konitz, Wayne Shorter, Jim Hall, Bob Malach, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White, Gil Goldstein, Pete Levin, Marcus Miller, Biréli Lagrène, Kenny Garrett, Stéphane Grappelli, Steve Gadd, Anthony Jackson, Charles Lloyd, Joe Lovano, Charles Lloyd, Kenny Clarke, and Clark Terry ~ Petrucciani passed away in 1962
January 6, 1999 ~ Taurus Tremani Bartlett, commonly known as hip-hop, trap, drill rapper, singer, songwriter Polo G, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for Pop Out featuring Lil Tjay, a 2019 Billboard top 10 hit of his Die A Legend debut album. Has also worked with Lil' Baby, Mustard, Calboy, Murda Beatz, Fivio Foreign, and King Von
January 6, 1998 ~ R&B singer Usher releases Nice & Slow, lifted off his My Way sophomore album ~ The song finds Usher romancing a girl, nice and slow, taking all the time in the world. As the singer would later explain: “Nice & Slow came as a result of mixing this gumbo of classic R&B, chivalry and courting a woman. I want to make sure we still court women. Do things that will give them something to remember.” Jermaine Dupri, who co-wrote and produced the track, was sure this would be the first single from the album. However, when he played it for label executive LA Reid, he only got a lukewarm reaction, Reid pressing him to write another track for the lead single. You Make Me Wanna ended up being selected as the lead single instead, which became a massive hit peaking at No.2 Billboard Hot 100. Nice & Slow, however, issued as the second single, would surpass the previous hit, and reached the top position on the Billboard Hot 100, fittingly, on Valentine's Day 1999
January 6, 1996 ~ Robert Russell Wise, commonly known as bluegrass fiddler Chubby Wise, passed away in Bowie, Maryland, USA ~ Considered one of country, Western swing's premier fiddlers, well known for his work with Bill Monroe for most of the 1940s. Co-wrote Shenandoah Waltz with Clyde Moody, recorded by Moody in 1947 and covered by Hank Thompson, the Stanley Brothers, and Ernest Tubb. Over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, specifically noted for The Tennessee Fiddler released in 1961. In-demand sideman, present on recordings by Flatt & Scruggs, Hank Snow, Mac Wiseman, Bob Wills, and Red Allen ~ Wise was born in 1915
January 6, 1995 ~ Hard bop, jazz saxophonist, flutist James Clay, full name James Earl Clay, passed away in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Larance Marable, Don Cherry, Billy Higgins, Ornette Coleman, Roosevelt Wardell, Frank Butler, Ray Charles, Lowell Fulson, Don Cherry, Lorraine Geller, David Newman, Nat Adderley, Wynton Kelly, Hank Crawford, Wes Montgomery, Frank Morgan, David Fathead Newman, and Cornell Dupree ~ Clay was born in 1935
January 6, 1993 ~ John Birks Gillespie, commonly known as trumpeter, bandleader, singer Dizzy Gillespie, passed away in Englewood, New Jersey, USA ~ Quintessential jazz trumpeter, pivotal in development of bebop. Served under Edgar Hayes, Teddy Hill, and Cab Calloway. Influenced artists such as Miles Davis, Jon Faddis, Fats Navarro, Clifford Brown, Arturo Sandoval, Lee Morgan, Chuck Mangione, and Johnny Hartman ~ Gillespie was born in 1917
January 6, 1986 ~ Singer, songwriter Alex Turner, full name Alexander David Turner, born in High Green, UK ~ Best known as frontman and primary songwriter of Arctic Monkeys, known for songs such as I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor, When The Sun Goes Down, Leave Before The Lights Come On, Brianstorm, Fluorescent Adolescent and Crying Lightning, all of which reached the UK top 20. Also recorded with his side project the Last Shadow Puppets and as a solo artist
January 6, 1986 ~ Cellist, conductor, music director Frank Miller passed away in Skokie, Illinois, USA ~ Joined the Philadelphia Orchestra at age 18. Best known for his stints with the NBC Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Conducted the Evanston Symphony Orchestra ~ Miller was born ca.1912
January 6, 1985 ~ Singer, songwriter Ben Haenow, full name Benjamin Bernard Haenow, born in Croydon, UK ~ Briefly enjoyed fame following his win at the 2014 The X-Factor talent contest, aired on ITV. His debut single Something I Need would reach No.1 in the UK, its follow-up single the Kelly Clarkson-duet Second Hand Heart reached top 30. Haenow released his eponymous Ben Haenow debut album in 2015, which reached top 10 in the UK. A follow-up album, 2018's Alive, failed to chart
January 6, 1983 ~ Christian hard rock, alternative rock singer, graphic designer Brandon Rike, full name Brandon Travis Rike, born ~ Founding member, lead singer of Dead Poetic, the band formed in the late-1990s when all members were still in their early to mid-teens. The Christian rock band drew from hard rock, alternative rock, and punk, and recorded four albums, including the acclaimed Vices released in 2006
January 6, 1981 ~ Jazz, hip hop, blues trumpeter Maurice Brown, also known as Maurice Mobetta Brown, born in Harvey, Illinois, USA ~ Member of the Tedeschi-Trucks Band, including on the 2011 Grammy Award-winning album Revelator. Has also worked with Ellis Marsalis Jr, Johnny Griffin, Clark Terry, Lonnie Plaxico, Stefon Harris, Ernest Dawkins, Curtis Fuller, Roy Hargrove, Cee Lo Green, Aretha Franklin, De La Soul, Musiq Soulchild, the Roots, and Wyclef Jean
January 6, 1980 ~ Apostolia Kalambouka, commonly known as singer Apostolia Zoi, born in Elassona, Greece ~ Debuted in with the album To Proto Vima in 2003. Best known for songs such as Mi M'Akoubas, Krima and Th' Afisei Epohi
January 6, 1979 ~ In its tenth week on the charts, Tulsa Time by Don Williams hits No.1 Billboard Country ~ When a snowstorm had songwriter Danny Flowers stuck in a Tulsa Sheraton, he penned out some verses. He only spent a half-hour on it and the song only had two chords, meaning to add another. However, when Williams heard it he instantly liked it the way it was. Some two months later, Flowers, Williams, and Eric Clapton would meet up after a show, each of the men playing songs for the other. Clapton immediately wanted to record it, but Williams replied: “You can't record the song, I'm going to record it.” Eventually, both ended up recording the track yet Williams was first. It would become a No.1 hit on the Billboard Country charts, and helped Williams secure the award for CMA Male Vocalist of the Year. Clapton included the song on his 1979 Backless studio album as well as on his Just One Night live album released the following year. Clapton's single lifted off the latter would reach No.30 Billboard Hot 100
January 6, 1978 ~ Pop group Brotherhood Of Man release Figaro, lifted off their B For Brotherhood album ~ The song tells of a presumably Spanish cabaret singer wooing the ladies, inspired by producer and co-writer Tony Hiller's daughter's tales after she returned from a vacation is Spain: “(She) was full of stories about the young waiters trying to romance the girls.” Lead vocals are sung by the quartet's two female singers, Nicky Stevens and Sandra Stevens, no relation. The song would be the band's third and final UK charttopper, preceded by 1976 Eurovision Songfestival-winner Save Your Kisses For Me and Angelo. All three of the band's UK No.1 hits were written by the same team of producer Tony Hiller, Lee Sheriden, and singer Martin Lee. Following Figaro the band would score one more top UK top 20 hit, Beautiful Lover peaking at No.15, before fading from view
January 6, 1978 ~ Joshua Caleb Dibb, commonly known as rock guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, percussionist, singer Deakin, born in Orange, California, USA ~ Co-founding and on-and-off member of experimental pop band Animal Collective, present on the acclaimed albums Feels and Strawberry Jam. Released his Sleep Cycle solo debut album in 2016
January 6, 1978 ~ Reggae, dub, ska punk singer, guitarist, songwriter Kaleo Wassman born in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, USA ~ Best known as frontman of Pepper, debuting in 2002 with the Steve Kravac produced Kona Town album. Also fronted the side project Sabotage Soundsytem, co-founded with Remy DeRochement, known for their 2009 The Boto Machine Gun album
January 6, 1972 ~ Filippo Neviani, commonly known as pop rock singer, guitarist, bassist, drummer, songwriter Nek, born in Sassuolo, Italy ~ Has released most of his albums in both Italian and Spanish. Broke through with his 1997 Laura Non C'e single, a major international hit. Other well known songs include Sei Solo Tu, Almeno Staavolta, Lascia Che Io Sia, Instabile, and La Vogila Che Non-Yorrei
January 6, 1971 ~ R&B girl group Brenda & the Tabulations release Right On The Tip Of My Tongue, lifted off their eponymous Brenda & The Tabulations album ~ Written by Joe Cobb and Van McCoy, the latter also co-producing the track with Gilda Woods, Right On The Tip Of My Tongue is especially noted for lead singer Brenda Payton's spoken recitation in the Coda section. It would become the band's second-biggest hit, charting only slighty less than their 1967 Dry Your Eyes, Right On The Tip Of My Tongue would reach top 10 Billboard R&B and top 30 Billboard Hot 100
January 6, 1971 ~ Irwin Thomas Whittridge, commonly known as rock, hard rock, pop-rock, alternative rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Irwin Thomas, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as lead singer, guitarist of the Southern Sons from 1990 through 1996. Released his The Evolution Of Irwin Thomas solo debut album in 2002. Has also worked with Electric Mary, She Said Yes, John Farnham, Rick Price, and others
January 6, 1969 ~ Singer Johnny Moore, full name John Dudley Moore, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Brother of guitarist Oscar Moore. Leader of the Three Blazers, which also included Charles Brown and Eddie Williams, considered one of the premier R&B units of the 1940s and a major influence on Chuck Berry. Moore would leave the band in 1948 for lack of recognition and financial reward. The two remaining Blazers would continue with a succession of lead singers, Moore would venture into a successful solo career ~ Moore was born in 1906
January 6, 1967 ~ Dileep Kumar, commonly known as film composer, keyboardist, guitarist AR Rahman, born in Chennai, India ~ Multiple award-winning film composer. Internationally best known for penning the soundtrack for Slumdog Millionaire, earning him Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Songs. Also known as a member of Superheavy, a supergroup that also included Joss Stone, Mick Jagger, Damian Marley and Dave Stewart
January 6, 1967 ~ Flavio Daddato, commonly known as dream trance, Italo dance DJ, producer DJ Dado, born in Milan, Italy ~ Best known for his remix of Mark Snow's The X-Files Theme of the TV series for the science fiction TV series of the same name. In-demand producer and remixer, mostly active from the mid-1990s through the mid-2000s including for artists such as Boy George, Jean-Michel Jarre and Alexia
January 6, 1965 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones start a 6-show Irish tour at the ABC Theatre, Belfast, Northern Ireland ~ Over the course of three days, the band plays six shows at three venues in Belfast, Dublin, and Cork. The set list included Pain In My Heart, Route 66, Little Red Rooster, and Time Is On My Side
January 6, 1965 ~ New age, jazz fusion, world music guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter Torsten de Winkel born in Frankfurt-am-Main, West Germany ~ Leader and sideman. Has worked with with Michael Brecker, Billy Cobham, Kai Eckhardt, Ernie Watts, Alphonse Mouzon, Hellmut Hattler, Joachim Kühn, Tom Coster, Vital Information, Pat Metheny, Al Foster, Larry Grenadier, Matthew Harrison, Ravi Coltrane, Joe Zawinul, Grandmaster Flash, Gwilym Simcock, Tab Two, and others. Involved in several non-profit causes combining arts and sustainability
January 6, 1964 ~ Drummer, singer Mark O'Toole, full name Mark William James O'Toole, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Co-founding member of Frankie Goes To Hollywood. The band recorded two albums in the mid-1980s, Welcome To The Pleasuredome and Liverpool. They are best known for their Relax debut single, which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100 and topped the charts in their native UK. All of the band's UK top 10 hits, the other four being Two Tribes, The Power Of Love, Welcome To The Pleasuredome, and Rage Hard, were co-written by O'Toole
January 6, 1964 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones kick off their 1st British tour at the Granada Theater, London, UK ~ The previous year the band had toured for the first time, performing some 60 shows as part of a package tour that also included Mickie Most, Julie Grant, the Everly Brothers, Bo Diddley, and Little Richard. This was their own tour, playing two shows a day, the set list consisting of about a dozen covers such as Mona, Roll Over Beethoven, and I Wanna Be Your Man, over 14 dates through the end of the month
January 6, 1964 ~ Bass guitarist Truls Waagø in Norway ~ Longtime member of the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, starting with the company in 1987. Has worked with a number of pop groups including Slagerfabrikken, Tre Små Kinesere, Tango Concertino, Motorpsykkel, Revolver, and Adamseplene
January 6, 1964 ~ Yuridia Valenzuela Canseco, commonly known as singer Yuri born in Veracruz, Mexico ~ Known as the “Mexican Madonna”. Active since the late-1970s, she would break through after participating in the OTI Festival in 1980 to become one of the most popular pop singers in Latin America during the 1980s and 1990s. Over the course of her career she has recorded well over a dozen albums, in total selling over 35 million copies worldwide. Well-known songs include Qué Te Pasa, Hombres Al Borde De Un Ataque De Celos, and Detrás De Mi Ventana. In 2018, at age 54 she received the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, making her the youngest person to win this award
January 6, 1962 ~ Blues rock, jam band guitarist Michael Houser born in Boone, North Carolina, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead guitarist of Widespread Panic, remaining with the band until his death in 2002. The band is best known for a number of 1990s albums, notably Everyday, Ain't Life Grand and Til The Medicine Takes. Houser has also worked with Bloodkin, Brute, John Hermann, and others ~ Houser passed away in 2002
January 6, 1961 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist, composer Erik Wøllo born in Hernsedal, Norway ~ Primarily a guitarist. Draws from numerous genres yet best known for his electronic and ambient soundscapes, building a bridge between grand symphonic realsm and gentle, serene atmospheres. Influenced by John Fogerty, Pink Floyd, Yes and Emerson Lake & Palmer. Especially acclaimed for his third album, Traces, released in 1985. Has collaborated with Ian Boddy, Steve Roach, Michael Stearns, Bernhard Wostheinrich, and others
January 6, 1959 ~ Singer, songwriter Kathy Sledge born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Founding member of sibling group Sister Sledge, known for a string of disco, pop, R&B hits starting in the late-1970s such as He's The Greatest Dancer, We Are Family, Lost In Music and others. Kathy would release a solo album, Heart, in 1992 as well as a handful of singles none of which would reach the chart succes of the Sisters' recordings
January 6, 1958 ~ Singer, guitarist Chuck Berry records Johnny B Goode at Chess Studios, Chicago ~ Said to contain autobiographical elements. Penned by Berry. Produced by Chess Records brothers Leonard Chess and Phil Chess. Would become a signature song as well as one of the records that defined rock & roll. Covered by over 250 artists including the Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, Jerry Reed, Roy Buchanan, Bill Wyman. Though partly inspired by Berry's regular backing pianist Johnnie Johnson, the pianist on the original recording is actually Lafayette Leake. Other backing musicians on the record are Willie Dixon on double bass and Fred Below on drums. The opening guitar riff is borrowed from Louis Jordan's 1946 Ain't That Just Like A Woman, featuring guitarist Carl Hogan
January 6, 1957 ~ Rock, punk drummer Iain Shedden born in Lanark, UK ~ Spent most of his career working as a journalist, with music on the side. As a musician active since the early-1980s, his first band being the Jolt enjoying some regional popularity in Scotland. Toured Europe with the Saints in 1982, rejoining them later throughout the remainder of the decade. Has also drummed for the Snakes Of Shake and Summerhill. After relocating to Australia in the early-1990s initially sought employment as a musician yet with opportunities limited worked as music editor at the Australian until his unexpected death caused by an aneurysm ~ Shedden passed away in 2017
January 6, 1953 ~ Soul, R&B, disco singer, songwriter Danny Pearson born in Stonewall, Mississippi, USA ~ Known for his sole album Barry White Presents Mr Danny Pearson released in 1978. It would be produced by Barry White and spawn the Billboard R&B top 20 hit What's Your Sign Girl ~ Pearson passed away in 2018
January 6, 1953 ~ Jazz guitarist, songwriter Jon Eberson, full name Jon Arild Eberson, born in Oslo, Norway ~ Son of jazz guitarist Leif Eberson. Father of keyboardist Marte Maaland Eberson. Leader and sideman. Member of Moose Loose, the Radka Toneff Quintet, Blow Out. Has also worked with Ketil Bjørnstad, Sidsel Endresen, the Jazzpunkensemblet, Carl Morten Iversen, Paal Nilssen-Love, Per Zanussi, Torstein Lofthus, and others
January 6, 1953 ~ Hard rock guitarist Malcolm Young, full name Malcolm Mitchell Young, born in Glasgow, UK ~ Leading hard rock rhythm guitarist. Co-founded AC/DC in 1973 with his older brother lead guitarist Angus Young. Young co-wrote a vast amount of the band's material including High Voltage, TNT, It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n Roll, Dirty Deeds Done Cheap, Whole Lotta Rosie, Highway To Hell, You Shook Me Whole Night Long, and Thunderstruck. Diagnosed with dementia, Young retired from the band in 2014. His brother Angus would reflect on Malcolm's contributions: “ Mal kept doing what he could until he couldn't do it anymore, but I have all the material he was working on. There were a lot of riffs, ideas, and bits of choruses. I'd fill things in to see if we had a song. Every album we've ever done has been that way.” ~ Young passed away in 2017
January 6, 1953 ~ Pop singer, songwriter Tomislav Ivcic born in Zadar, Yugoslavia ~ Rose to national fame during the 1970s. Merged pop music with regional folklore. Has recorded about two dozen albums and is best known for songs such as Neman Za Kavu, Veceras Je Nasa Festa which would become an unofficial anthem of the Dalmatia region, and Stop The War In Croatia. Ran as candidate for the HDZ party in the 1993 elections and won a seat in the Croatian Parliament. A few weeks before he was supposed to take office he would die in a car accident at age 40 ~ Ivcic passed away in 1993
January 6, 1951 ~ Blues harpist, singer Kim Wilson born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Influenced by Little Walter, James Cotton, Big Walter Horton, Slim Harpo, Lazy Lester. Co-founding member, frontman of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, known for Wrap It Up and Tuff Enuff. Also records as a solo artist, starting with 1993's Tigerman album, and is an in-demand collaborator for Thunderbird bandmates solo outings and other artists including Ronnie Earl, Roomful Of Blues, Kid Ramos, Snuff Johnson, Bonnie Raitt, Big Jack Johnson, Barrelhouse Chuck, Omar Kent Dykes, Elvin Bishop, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, Thornetta Davis, Ash Grunwald, and others
January 6, 1950 ~ Gospel, R&B singer Beau Williams born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Debuted in 1982 with the eponymous Beau Williams album. Known for songs such as You Are The One, There's Just Something About You, All Because Of You and perhaps his best known Wonderful, the latter earning him a 1989 Dove Award for Song of the Year
January 6, 1949 ~ Double bassist Chris Laurence born in London, UK ~ Worked with JJ Johnson, Tony Coe, Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughan, Clark Terry, Johnny Mathis, Lena Horne, John Surman, Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone, Frank Ricotti, John Parricelli, Martin France, Elton John, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Joni Mitchell, David Gilmour, Michel Legrand, Michael Nyman, Alan Skidmore, Gordon Beck, Elton Dean, Tony Coe, Geoff Eales, Mike de Albuquerque, Gil Evans, John Warren, Mike Figgis, Helen Jane Long, Michel Legrand, Robert Farnon, Clark Terry, Guy Barker, Neil Ardley, Alison Moyet, Elvis Costello, Mark Hollis, Beryl Cook, and others
January 6, 1947 ~ Bassist Fedor Freso born in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia ~ Son of composer, conductor Tibor Freso. Worked with the Soulmen, Dezo Ursiny, Prudy, Pavol Hammel, Marián Varga, Collegium Musicum, Fermata, Fero Grigiak, the T&R Band, Peter Lipa, the Traditional Club, Jan Lehotsky, Blue Effect, Radim Hladik, and others ~ Freso passed away in 2018
January 6, 1947 ~ Singer Sandy Denny born in Wimbledon, UK ~ Pre-eminent British folk-rock singer. Briefly a member of the Strawbs with whom she recorded one album, belatedly released in 1973. Joined Fairport Convention in 1968. Formed Fotheringay in 1970. Her composition Who Knows Where The Time Goes was recorded by Judy Collins, Eva Cassidy, Nina Simone, 10,000 Maniacs, and by Cat Power ~ Denny passed away in 1978
January 6, 1946 ~ Roger Keith Barrett, commonly known as guitarist, singer Syd Barrett born in Cambridge, UK ~ Co-founding member, frontman, primary songwriter of Pink Floyd. Regarded as a troubled genius. Fully present on the band's debut Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, contributed partly on their sophomore album A Saucerful Of Secrets. Ousted from the band in 1968. Fully retired from music in 1972, devoting himself to painting and gardening. The band would later record several tributes to Barrett, among which most famously the 1975 song Shine On You Crazy Diamond. Barrett would be cited as an influence by artists such as Paul McCartney, Pete Townshend, Blur, Tangerine Dream, Paul Weller, Cedric Bixler-Zavala, David Bowie, Jimmy Page, Brian Eno, and the Sex Pistols ~ Barrett passed away in 2006
January 6, 1944 ~ Alan Cochevelou, commonly known as singer, harpist, songwriter Alan Stivell, born in Riom, France ~ Considered a precursor to Celtic rock. Revived interest in the Celtic and particarly the Breton harp. Best known for his early-1970s albums, notably Renaissance Of The Celtic Harp and A L'Olympia, earning him a dedicated following in his native France, the UK, and Ireland
January 6, 1943 ~ Avant-garde jazz, free jazz, hard bop drummer Barry Altschul born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of 1960s quartet Circle alongside Chick Corea, Dave Holland, Anthony Braxton. Has also worked with Lee Konitz, Art Pepper, Fab Trio, Jon Irabagon, Roswell Rudd, Dave Liebman, Denis Levaillant, Sonny Criss, Hampton Hawes, Paul Bley, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Paul Winter, Julius Hemphill, Gebhard Ullmann, Enrico Rava, and Steve Swell
January 6, 1940 ~ Songwriter, producer, singer Van McCoy, full name Van Allen Clinton McCoy, born in Washington DC, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for his 1975 disco hit The Hustle. Mostly active behind the scenes, producing and writing songs for artists such as Gladys Knight (Giving Up), the Stylistics, Betty Everett (Getting Mighty Crowded), Aretha Franklin, Erma Franklin, Peaches & Herb, Sandi Sheldon, Jackie Wilson (I Get The Sweetest Feeling), Lesley Gore, Stacy Lattisaw, Presidents, Chris Bartley, Ruby & the Romantics (When You're Young And In Love), Melba Moore, and others ~ McCoy passed away in 1979
January 6, 1938 ~ Singer, actor, songwriter Adriano Celentano born in Milan, Italy ~ Pillar of Italian music with over 30 albums to his name. Also known as an actor, appearing in some 40 movies. Credited to have introduced rock & roll to Italy. Best known for songs such as 24,000 Baci, Il Tuo Bacio E'Come Un Rock, La Coppia Piu Bella Del Mondo, Azzuro, and Svalutation
January 6, 1937 ~ Doris Elaine Higginson, commonly known as singer, songwriter Doris Troy born in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Best known for her 1963 soul hit Just One Look. Discovered by James Brown. Wrote Dee Clark's How About That. Original member of the Sweet Inspirations alongside Dionne Warwick, Cissy Houston and Dee Dee Warwick. Sang backup with Solomon Burke, the Drifters, the Rolling Stones (You Can't Always Get What You Want), Carly Simon (You're So Vain), Pink Floyd (on The Dark Side Of The Moon album), Humble Pie, Kevin Ayers, Edgar Broughton, George Harrison, Johnny Hallyday, Vivian Stanshall, Dusty Springfield, Nick Drake, Junior Campbell, and others ~ Troy passed away in 2004
January 6, 1937 ~ Singer, pianist, songwriter Paolo Conte born in Piedmont, Italy ~ In-demand songwriter discovered by producer Lilli Greco before starting a solo career as singer. Has co-written songs for Adriano Celentano, Caterina Caselli, Fausto Leali, Enzo Jannacci, and others. Released his eponymous Paole Conte solo debut album in 1970. Best known for songs such as Come Di, Via Con Me, Conte L'Orchestrina and perhaps his best known Max, the latter a hit across Europe in 1987
January 6, 1932 ~ John Alexander Burchell, commonly known as pianist, bandleader, composer John Burch, born in London, UK ~ Wrote Preach And Teach, recorded by Georgie Fame in 1966, later covered by Buddy Rich. Led early-1960s ensembles which included future UK rock stars such as Dick Heckstall-Smith, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce. Also worked with Allan Ganley, Jeff Clyne, Bobby Wellins, Freddie Hubbard, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Red Rodney, and others ~ Burchell passed away in 2006
January 6, 1931 ~ Jazz trombonist Keith Christie, full name Keith Ronald Christie, born in Blackpool, UK ~ Brother of clarinetist Ian Christie, bandmate in the Christie Brothers Stompers. Also worked with Humphrey Lyttelton, Ken Colyer, Dicky Hawdon, Johnny Dankworth, Cleo Laine, George Chisholm, Harry Klein, Kenny Baker, Vic Ash, Wally Fawkes, Tommy Whittle, Ted Heath, Don Lusher, Allan Ganley, Ronnie Ross, Art Ellefson, Vic Lewis., Jimmy Deuchar, Harry South, Benny Goodman, Tubby Hayes, Paul Gonsalves, Ian Hamer, Stan Tracey, Kenny Wheeler, Bobby Lamb, Ray Premru, Phil Seamen, Tony Kinsey, and others ~ Christie passed away in 1980
January 6, 1924 ~ Banjoist Earl Scruggs, full name Earl Eugene Scruggs, born in Cleveland, North Carolina, USA ~ Well known for his association with guitarist, mandolinist Lester Flatt. The pair had backed Bill Monroe during the mid-1940s, and would form the Foggy Mountain Boys by 1948, and later record simply as Flatt & Scruggs. The duo recorded over a dozen albums through the late-1960s and are considered one of the finest and most influential duos in bluegrass. Well-known songs include Foggy Mountain Breakdown and The Ballad Of Jed Clampett. The pair parted ways in 1969 over artistic differences, with Scruggs leaning toward including more progressive sounds including tracks by the likes of Bob Dylan while Flatts stuck to the traditionalist bluegrass sound ~ Scruggs passed away in 2012
January 6, 1872 ~ Composer, pianist Alexander Scriabin, full name Alexander Nikolayevich Scriabin, born in Moscow, Russian Empire ~ Influenced by Frédéric Chopin. Contemporary of Sergei Rachmaninoff and Nikolai Medtner. One of the most innovative and controversial of the early modern composers and main exponent of Russian Symbolist movement ~ Scriabin passed away in 1915