July 16, 2023 ~ Actress, singer, songwriter, model Jane Birkin, full name Jane Mallory Birkin, passed away in Paris, France ~ Best known as an actress emerging from the mid-1960s London counterculture scene with roles in Blowup and Kaleidoscope. To pop audiences best known for the 1969 duet Je T'Aime (Moi Non Plus) with Serge Gainsbourg. The song would be banned from radio for its sexual innuendo, including in the UK, yet would make it to the No.1 spot on the British charts. Known for a number of longterm high-profile romances, married to film composer John Barry and later romantically involved with singer, actor Gainsbourg and subsequently with film director Jacques Doillon. Two of her three daughters, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Lou Doillon, have followed in their mother's footsteps acting and singing ~ Birkin was born in 1946
July 16, 2021 ~ Marcel Theo Hall, commonly known as rapper, beatboxer Biz Markie, passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for Just A Friend, a 1989 hit in numerous countries and considered today as one of the classic hip-hop songs. Worked with the Juice Crew and with Flip Squad. Appeared in the 2002 Men In Black II feature film, essentially playing an alien parody of himself speaking in an alien tongue mimicking beatboxing. Also known as member of the Juice Crew ~ Hall was born in 1964
July 16, 2020 ~ Drummer, songwriter Jamie Oldaker passed away in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Worked with the Rogues Five, Bob Seger, Leon Russell, Eric Clapton Band, Frehley's Comet, the Tractors, the Bellamy Brothers, Asleep At The Wheel, Peter Frampton, Stephen Stills, Freddie King, the Bee Gees, Vince Gill, JJ Cale, Willie Nelson, Ronnie Dunn, Bonnie Bramlett, and others ~ Oldaker was born in 1951
July 16, 2020 ~ Hardcore punk, punk rock singer Ken Chinn, full name Kendall Stephen Chinn, passed away ~ Best known for fronting hardcore punk outfit SNFU from 1981 until their hiatus in 2018. Has also led groups such as the Wongs, Little Joe, Slaveco ~ Chinn was born in 1962
July 16, 2019 ~ Drummer, keyboardist Bill Vitt, full name William Robert Vitt, passed away ~ Worked with Brewer & Shipley, Jerry Garcia, Merl Saunders, Michael Bloomfield, Sons Of Champlin, and others ~ Vitt was born in 1943
July 16, 2019 ~ Horatios Adolphus Kelly, commonly known as rocksteady, reggae singer Pat Kelly, passed away ~ Influenced by Sam Cooke. Replaced Slim Smith in the Techniques. Also worked with producers such as Bunny Lee, Lee Scratch Perry, Duke Reid, and Phil Pratt. As a solo artist best known for his 1969 recording of How Long Will It Take ~ Kelly was born in 1944
July 16, 2016 ~ Boruch Alan Bermowitz, commonly known as singer Alan Vega passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founded the electronic protopunk outfit Suicide with Martin Reverby. Releasing solo records since the early-1980s. Has worked with producers such as Chris Lord-Alge and Ric Ocasek. Has collaborated with Mercury Rev, Alex Chilton, Stephen Lironi, and with Lydia Lunch ~ Vega was born in 1938
July 16, 2016 ~ Singer, bassist Bob Garner, full name Robert Anthony Garner, passed away ~ Member of the Creation, remaining with the band from 1966 through 1968 and rejoining in later reincarnations. Present on early recordings such as Making Time, Painter Man and Cool Jerk ~ Garner was born in 1946
July 16, 2016 ~ Bonnie Jean Brown, commonly known as singer Bonnie Brown, passed away in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA ~ Member of sibling act the Browns, alongside Maxine Brown and Jim Ed Brown ~ Brown was born in 1938
July 16, 2016 ~ Jazz pianist Claude Williamson passed away ~ Older brother of trumpeter Stu Williamson. Influenced by Teddy Wilson, Al Haig, and by Bud Powell. Worked with Teddy Edwards, Red Norvo, Charlie Barnet, June Christy, Max Roach, Art Pepper, the Lighthouse All-Stars, Bud Shank, Stan Levey, Bob Cooper, Conte Candoli, Howard Rumsey, Sonny & Cher, Sam Jones, Dizzy Reece, Pete Rugolo, Chet Baker, Maynard Ferguson, Stan Kenton, Barney Kessel, Roy Haynes, and others ~ Williamson was born in 1926
July 16, 2015 ~ Loreta Waynesboro, commonly known as jazz, balladeer singer, pianist, organist, drummer Rita Moss, passed away ~ Admired for her 4-octave vocal range ~ Waynesboro was born in 1918
July 16, 2014 ~ Singer, guitarist Johnny Winter, full name John Dawson Winter III, passed away in Zurich, Switzerland ~ Debuted in 1968 with The Progressive Blues Experiment album and has been recording steaduly since. Received critical acclaim especially for his first few albums especially 1969's Johnny Winter and Second Winter and 1970's Johnny Winter And. Has worked with Mike Bloomberg, Tommy Shannon, Uncle John Turner, Edgar Winter, Willie Dixon, Big Walter Horton, Roy Ames, White Trash, Rick Derringer, Randy Jo Hobbs, Randy Z, Bobby Caldwell, Muddy Waters, James Cotton, Sonny Landreth, Warren Haynes, Vince Gill, Brian Setzer, Dr John, Jeremy Steig, Sonny Terry, and others ~ Winter was born in 1944
July 16, 2013 ~ James Lewis Carter Ford, commonly known as blues guitarist, singer T-Model Ford, passed away in Greenville, Mississippi, USA ~ Merged Delta blues, Chicago blues, juke joint blues. Influenced by Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. Signed to Fat Possum Records in the mid 1990s opening for Buddy Guy, releasing his Pee-wee Get My Gun debut album in 1997 ~ Ford was born ca.1923
July 16, 2012 ~ Robert Andrew Kreinar, commonly known as rock, pop rock bassist Bob Babbitt, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ In-demand session musician. Best known as a member of Motown house band the Funk Brothers and for his stint in MFSB. Member of late 1960s rock band Scorpion. Has also worked with Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow, Gloria Gaynor, Alice Cooper, Del Shannon, Jim Croce, Dennis Coffey, Cindy Bullens, Phil Collins, Marion James, and others. Notably present on songs such as Edwin Starr's War, the Miracles' The Tears Of A Clown, Marvin Gaye's Inner City Blues, the Temptations' Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me), Diana Ross' Touch Me In The Morning, and Main Ingredient's Just Don't Want To Be Lonely ~ Kreinar was born in 1937
July 16, 2012 ~ Eduardo Lincoln Barbosa de Saboia, commonly known as bassist, organist, composer, arranger Ed Lincoln, passed away in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Pivotal to development of bossa nova, Brazilian jazz and space age pop ~ Barbosa was born in 1932
July 16, 2012 ~ Keyboardist Jon Lord, full name John Douglas Lord, passed away in London, UK ~ Best known as co-founding and key member of Deep Purple, merging rock and hard rock with classical and baroque influences. Has also worked with the Artwoods, St Valentine's Day Massacre, the Flower Pot Men, Paice Ashton Lord and with Whitesnake ~ Lord was born in 1941
July 16, 2012 ~ Muriel Elle Deason, commonly known as singer Kitty Wells, passed away in Madison, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for her 1952 hit It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels. Also known for songs such as Release Me, the Don Everly-penned Thou Shalt Not Steal, The Lonely Side Of Town, Heartbreak USA, as well as duets with Red Foley (One By One, As Long As I Live), and duets with Webb Pierce (Oh So Many Years, Finally). Also worked with Owen Bradley, Johnnie Wright, the Jordanaires, Roy Drusky, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and with Tammy Wynette ~ Deason was born in 1918
July 16, 2008 ~ Singer Jo Stafford, full name Jo Elizabeth Stafford, passed away in Century City, California, USA ~ Classically trained to become an opera singer. Became one of the best-selling female pop singers of the 1950s instead. First female singer to top the UK charts, namely with the 1952 single You Belong To Me. Worked with the Pied Pipers, Tommy Dorsey, Paul Weston, Gordon Macrae, Frankie Laine, and others ~ Stafford was born in 1917
July 16, 2006 ~ Avant-garde jazz trumpeter Malachi Thompson passed away ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with the Association For The Advancement Of Creative Musicians, Joe Henderson, Jackie McLean, Frank Foster, Archie Shepp, Lester Bowie, Shamek Farrah, Errol Parker, Hubert Eaves, Roland Alexander, Gil Scott-Heron, Quincy Jones, and others ~ Thompson was born in 1949
July 16, 2005 ~ Harry Friedman, commonly known as big band bandleader Blue Barron, passed away in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Popular during the 1940s and early 1950s, playing in a more subdued tone than most of his contemporaries, a sound referred to as “sweet’ by critics ~ Freidman was born in 1913
July 16, 2003 ~ Singer Celia Cruz, full name Ursalia Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso, passed away in Fort Lee, New Jersey, USA ~ Known as “the Queen of Latin Music”. Member of Sonora Matancera. Collaborated with Tito Puente, the Fania All-Stars, Johnny Pacheco, Willie Colón, and others ~ Cruz was born in 1925
July 16, 1996 ~ Clifford Ian Simpson, commonly known as rapper Kevin Abstract born in Corpus Christi, Texas, USA ~ Co-founding member, frontman of hip-hop boy band AliveSinceForever, renamed to Brockhampton in 2014, best known for their 2019 Sugar single. Has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing his full-length MTV1987 solo debut album in 2014
July 16, 1996 ~ Nathan Adams, commonly known as hip-hop, trap rapper, singer, songwriter Nafe Smallz, born in Luton, UK ~ Released his full-length Good Love solo debut album in 2019. Best known for What Do You Mean. Has collaborated with M Huncho, Tory Lanez, Skepta, GRM Daily, and others
July 16, 1990 ~ Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, commonoly known as singer, rapper, songwriter WizKid, born in Lagos, Nigeria ~ Considered one of the premier modern-day Afrobeat artists, active since his early teens. Draws from Afrobeat, R&B, dancehall, and reggae. Released his full-length Superstar debut album in 2011 and has been recording to critical acclaim since. To Western audiences best known for featuring on Drake's 2016 One Dance hit single which topped the charts in several countries including the UK and USA, and for his own 2021 Essence Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit single
July 16, 1985 ~ Singer, orchestra leader, songwriter Wayne King, full name Harold Wayne King, passed away ~ Sometimes referred to as “the Waltz King”, known for songs such as Goodnight Sweatheart, Dream A Little Dream Of Me, Maria Elena and his signature tune The Waltz You Saved For Me ~ King was born in 1901
July 16, 1982 ~ William Everett Justis Junior, commonly known as rock & roll composer, arranger, singer, trumpeter, saxophonist Bill Justis, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ As a solo artist known for his 1957 recording Raunchy, arguably the first rock & roll instrumental hit and successfuly covered by both Ernie Freeman and Billy Vaughn. Worked as staff musician at Sun Records, arranging for Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and Charlie Rich. Played saxophone on Elvis Presley's Kissin' Cousins soundtrack. Managed Ronny & the Daytonas. Composed the scores for several films, notably Smokey & the Bandit in 1977 and The Villain in 1979 ~ Justis was born in 1926
July 16, 1981 ~ Folk, folk-rock, pop rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Harry Chapin, full name Harold Forster Chapin, passed away in East Meadow, New York, USA ~ Popular 1970s singer with 11 albums to his name from 1972 until his death in 1981. Best known for his single The Cat's In The Cradle, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974 ~ Chapin was born in 1942
July 16, 1981 ~ Arthur Murray Hainer, commonly known as bandleader, composer, arranger Will Hudson, passed away in Isle Of Palms, South Carolina, USA ~ Worked with Eddie DeLange, Mitchell Ayres, Georgia Gibbs, Nan Wynn, Ina Ray Hutton, and others ~ Hainer was born in 1908
July 16, 1980 ~ Kyle Smith, commonly known as hip-hop, alternative hip-hop rapper, producer Cecil Otter, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Founding member of hip-hop collective Doomtree. Also worked with Dessa, POS, Mike Mictlan, Sims, Paper Tiger, Lazerbeak, Mixed Blood Majority, Sage Francis, and others
July 16, 1978 ~ Tito Joe Jackson, commonly known as R&B, pop singer TJ Jackson, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Son of Tito Jackson. Formed 3T, alongside brothers Taj Jackson and Taryll Jackson, known for their mid-1990s recordings Why featuring the trios uncle Michael Jackson, I Need You, Gotta Be You featuring Herbie Crichlow, and perhaps their biggest hit Anything
July 16, 1977 ~ Rock singer, guitarist Hendrik Jan Bökkers born in Deventer, the Netherlands ~ Lead singer of Soundsurfer. Joined Jovink & de Voederbietels in 2005, remaining with the band until its disbandement in 2007. Frontman and eponym of Bökkers, singing in his Salland dialect
July 16, 1976 ~ Afrobeat, reggea, jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, producer Idris Rahman born in Chichester, UK ~ Best known as leader of the Soothsayers for nearly two decades, including on their best-known albums. Has also worked with Anoushka Shankar, Arun Ghosh, Osibisa, Ayub Ogada, Oriole, Dodgy, with his sister Zoe Rahman, and with longtime girlfriend jazz singer Julia Biel
July 16, 1975 ~ Alternative rock, alternative metal, post-hardcore keyboardist, bassist, turntablist, singer Jamie Oliver, full name Richard James Oliver, born ~ Best known as keyboardist of the Lostprophets and subsequently of No Devotion
July 16, 1974 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, percussionist, songwriter Jeremy Enigk born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Lead singer of Sunny Day Real Estate and of Fire Theft. Has also worked as a solo artist, composed for films, and guested on recordings by Poor Old Lu, mewithoutyou, the Almost, Rosie Thomas, and others
July 16, 1974 ~ Alternative metal, post-grunge, hard rock singer Ryan McCombs born in Muncie, Indiana, USA ~ Fronted rock band Soil from 1997 through 2004. Member of Drowning Pool from 2005 through 2011, making him the band's longest-running vocalist
July 16, 1971 ~ Actor, singer Corey Feldman born in Reseda, California, USA ~ Child actor, actor best known for his roles in Friday The 13th (Final Chapter), Gremlins and The Goonies. As a singer known for a handful of albums, starting with Love Left released in 1992
July 16, 1971 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Ed Kowalczyk born in York, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Founding Live member, lead singer, main songwriter. Went solo in 2009. Rejoined in 2016. Has collaborated with Anouk, Neneh Cherry, Adam Duritz, Red Wanting Blue, Shelby Lynne, and Tricky
July 16, 1970 ~ Actor, singer Lee Collin Baxter born in UK ~ Member of boy band Caught In The Act, best known for their 1996 My Arms Keep Missing You single. After the band disbanded Baxter would focus on his career as an actor
July 16, 1965 ~ Singer, songwriter Ted Snyder, full name Theodore Frank Snyder, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-writing Sheik Of Araby and Who's Sorry Now. Both songs have become jazz standards recorded by numerous artists, the former recorded by the Regal Male Trio, Tiny Bradshaw, Fats Waller, Jack Teagarden, and others, the latter by Bob Thompson, Milton Brown, Harry James, and perhaps most notably by Connie Francis ~ Snyder was born in 1881
July 16, 1963 ~ Pop, rock band the Beach Boys record In My Room ~ Written by Brian Wilson and Gary Usher, the former also listed as producer. Brian on lead vocals and organ. Other musicians include David Marks and Carl Wilson guitar, Al Jardine bass, Hal Blaine percussion, Dennis Wilson drums. Appeared on the 1963 Surfer Girl album. Used as the flipside of the band's Be True To Your School single
July 16, 1961 ~ Jazz, bop trombonist, bandleader, arranger, songwriter Mark Bassey born in Sheffield, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Julian Argüelles, Alan Barnes, Liane Carroll, Charlotte Glasson, Nikki Iles, the BBC Big Band, Stan Sulzmann, Clark Tracey, Kenny Wheeler, and others
July 16, 1959 ~ R&B outfit the Coasters record Poison Ivy ~ Written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Released as a single, b/w I'm A Hog For You, later the same year it would top the Billboard R&B and reach top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It would be the band's third pop top 10 hit that year, following Charlie Brown and Along Came Jones
July 16, 1957 ~ Baritone saxophonist Serge Chaloff passed away ~ Worked with Tommy Reynolds, Dick Rogers, Shep Fields, Ina Ray Hutton, Boyd Raeburn, Dizzy Gillespie, Georgie Auld, Jimmy Dorsey, Sonny Berman, Ralph Burns, Red Rodney, Woody Herman, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Herbie Steward, Count Basie, Boots Mussulli, Charlie Mariano, and others ~ Chaloff was born in 1923
July 16, 1955 ~ Jazz trombonist Annie Whitehead born in Oldham, UK ~ Active since the early-1970s. Focused primarily on jazz but also played ska, was a member of a Frank Zappa tribute band and collaborated with numerous pop artists. Has worked with Ivy Benson, Brotherhood Of Breath, Chris McGregor, And The Native Hipsters, Carla Bley, Charlie Watts, Jah Wobble, Jamiroquai, John Stevens, the Penguin Café Orchestra, Smiley Culture, the Spice Girls, the Working Week, John Ethridge, and others
July 16, 1952 ~ Rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Eugenio Finardi born in Milan, Italy ~ Important figure in late 1960s Milan scene. Founding member of Tiger. Has alswo worked with Alberto Camerini, Il Pacco, Lucio Fabbri, and others. Broke through with his 1976 Sugo sophomore solo album. Known for songs such as La CIA, Soldi, Scuola, Tutto Subito and Legalizzatela
July 16, 1952 ~ Rock, new wave guitarist, keyboardist Mark McEntee born in Perth, Australia ~ Core member of the Divinyls, known best for their 1990 international hit I Touch Myself which reached top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. Songs such as Boys In Town, Science Fiction, Pleasure And Pain, I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore and I'm Jealous also reached top 20 in the band's native Australia. Has also worked with Mother Lode, Air Supply, and others
July 16, 1952 ~ Disco, Hi NRG singer Pamala Stanley born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Sister of folk-pop singer James Lee Stanley. Known for a string of late 1970s, 1980s dance hits, notably This Is Hot, I Don't Want To Talk About It and Coming Out Of Hiding
July 16, 1952 ~ Drummer Stewart Copeland, full name Stewart Anthony Copeland, born in Alexandria, Virginia, USA ~ Rose to fame as drummer of the Police, known for songs such as Message In A Bottle, Don't Stand So Close To Me, Every Breath You Take and Roxanne. Following the disbandement of the band Copeland has released solo recordings, most notably composed for films and TV including Wall Street, and collaborated with artist such as Peter Gabriel, Mike Rutherford, Animal Logic, Mad For The Racket, Oysterhead, Gizmo, Gizmodrome, and others
July 16, 1951 ~ Jazz, rock, experimental drummer, bandleader, songwriter Bobby Previte born in Niagara Falls, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Appears on the critically acclaimed Tom Waits-album Rain Dogs. Also worked with John Zorn, Wayne Horvitz, Elliott Sharp, Jamie Saft, Marc Ducret, Charlie Hunter, Greg Osby, John Medeski, Gianluca Petrella, Nels Cline, Terry Adams, Groundtruther, Orchestra Carbon, Ponga, Tim Berne, Bob Belden, Marco Benevento, Jane Ira Bloom, Marty Ehrlich, Jerome Harris, Yoko Kanno, Guy Klucevsek, Bobby Radcliff, Tom Varner, and others
July 16, 1950 ~ Jazz singer Dee Bell born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA ~ Was working as a waitress, discovered by jazz guitarist Eddie Duran when she sang Happy Birthday to another customer. It led to a record deal, recording her 1983 Let There Be Love debut album with Duran and Stan Getz. Has since also worked with Tom Harrell, Houston Person, John Stowell, and others
July 16, 1949 ~ Bassist,keyboardist Alan Fitzgerald, full name Francis Alan Fitzgerald, born in USA ~ Best known for his stints with Montrose, playing bass, and with Night Ranger, playing keyboards. Also worked with Gamma, Sammy Hagar, Alliance, and others
July 16, 1948 ~ Rubén Blades Bellido de Luna, commonly known as Latin jazz, salsa singer, songwriter, actor, activist Rubén Blades, born in Panama City, Panama ~ Credited with adding experimental rhythms and politically themed Cuban salsa to music, updating the genre. Best known for songs such Pedro Navaja and El Cantante, the latter notably recorded by Hector Lavoe
July 16, 1944 ~ Drummer Thomas Boggs born in Wynn, Arkansas, USA ~ Best known as drummer of the Box Tops from 1968 through 1970, notably present on songs such as Sweet Cream Ladies. Following his tenure with the band has worked in the restaurant business, eventually owning several pubs and restaurant ~ Boggs passed away in 2008
July 16, 1943 ~ Omar Ruben Rada Silva, commonly known as percussionist, singer, composer Ruben Rada, born in Montevideo, Uruguay ~ Worked with Kinto Conjunto, Eduardo Matteo, Opa, Totem, Tom Scott, Ray Barretto, Hermeto Pascoal, Flora Purim, Hiram Bullock, Anton Fig, Jose Pedro Beledo, Hugo Fattoruso, Bakithi Kumalo, Rino Thielmann, Mijares, Eugenia León, Stephanie Salas, Tania Libertad, Jon Anderson, Joan Manuel Serrat, Sting, UB40, and others
July 16, 1941 ~ Desmond Dacres, commonly known as ska, rocksteady, reggae singer, songwriter Desmond Dekker, born in St Andrews Parish, Jamaica ~ Fronted Desmond Dekker & the Aces. Known for 1969's Israelites, one of the first international reggae hits, as well as for later successes such as 007 Shanty Town, It Mek and You Can Get It If You Really Want ~ Dacres passed away in 2006
July 16, 1940 ~ Classical pianist Arthur Moreira Lima born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Hailed as a fine interpreter of the works of Frédéric Chopin. Has also recorded works of Ernesto Nazareth and Brasílio Itiberê da Cunha
July 16, 1939 ~ Singer, songwriter Bobby Weinstein born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Member of 1950s vocal group the Legends. Would rise to prominence in the mid- to late 1950s as songwriter, often in collaboration with Teddy Randazzo. Well known hit songs include Pretty Blue Eyes for Steve Lawrence and I'm On The Outside Looking In, Goin' Out Of My Head and Hurt So Bad for doo-wop, R&B outfit Little Anthony & the Imperials. Weinstein also regularly teamed up with Tommy Boyce. Artists who recorded songs written or co-written by Weinstein would include the Box Tops, Dionne Warwick, Frankie Valli, Ella Fitzgerald, Linda Ronstadt, and Frank Sinatra. Weinstein has also served as executive with the performing rights organization BMI and sat on the board of the National Academy Of Popular Music for over two decades ~ Weinstein passed away in 2022
July 16, 1939 ~ William Henry Yarbrough, commonly known as R&B, soul singer William Bell, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Took his stagename in honor of his grandmother, whose first name was Belle. In-house songwriter for Stax/Volt, helping define the label's sound. As a recording artist probably best known for his 1961 self-penned You Don't Miss Your Water debut single, later notably covered by close friend and labelmate Otis Redding, as well as by Percy Sledge, the Byrds, Taj Mahal, Alexis Korner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lou Rawls, and others. Other well-known songs include Everybody Loves A Winner, I Forgot To Be Your Lover, and the 1976 Billboard R&B No.1 Tryin' To Love Two. Artists who recorded songs written or co-written by Bell include Albert King (Born Under A Bad Sign), Rufus Thomas, the Staple Singers, and Johnnie Taylor
July 16, 1938 ~ Bassist, singer Tony Jackson, full name Anthony Paul Jackson, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Founded skiffle group the Martinis. Best known though as member of the Searchers. Sang lead on the Doc Pomus/ Mort Shuman-penned Sweets For My Sweet, originally a hit for the Drifters, and on Sugar And Spice. Unhappy with the band's shift to a softer pop sound Jackson left the band in 1964 and formed the Vibrations ~ Jackson passed away in 2003
July 16, 1936 ~ Dance bandleader, saxophonist Orville Knapp passed away in Beverly, Massachusetts, USA ~ As a sideman worked with Vincent Lopez, Leo Reisman, the Coon-Sanders Original Nighthawk Orchestra. As a bandleader enjoyed popularity in the 1930s employing vocalists such as Edith Caldwell, Ray Hendricks, Don Raymond, Norman Ruvell, Virginia Verrill, and Leighton Noble. Married Broadway actress, singer Gloria Grafton in 1935. Knapp died the following year at age 32 in a plane crash ~ Knapp was born in 1904
July 16, 1934 ~ Singer Ora Denise Allen, commonly known as Denise Lasalle, born in Letfore County, Mississippi, USA ~ Known for recordings such as Trapped By A Thing Called Love, Now Run And Tell That, and A Man-Sized Job ~ Allen passed away in 2018
July 16, 1933 ~ Singer Solly McElroy born in Gulfport, Mississippi, USA ~ Early member of influential doo-wop band the Flamingos, remaining with the band through late 1954 and present on recordings such as If I Can't Have You and That's My Desire ~ McElroy passed away in 1995
July 16, 1932 ~ Violinist, singer Giulia Daneo-Lorimer born in Lugano, Switzerland ~ Founding member of Whiskey Trail, active since the mid-1970s. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Nana's Lullabyes released in 2005 ~ Daneo passed away in 2021
July 16, 1932 ~ Jazz trumpeter John Chilton, full name John James Chilton, born in London, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Dave Allen, Bruce Turner, Alex Welsh, Mike Daniels, Buck Clayton, Ben Webster, Bill Coleman, Charlie Shavers, Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger, the Swinging Blue Jeans, the Escorts, Wally Fawkes, George Melly, and others ~ Chilton passed away in 2016
July 16, 1930 ~ Guy Béhart-Hasson, commonly known as singer, songwriter Guy Béart, born in Cairo, Egypt ~ Released his Guy Béart (Qu'on Est Bien) debut album in 1957. Best known for his 1958 L'Eau Vive, the title track of the soundtrack of the same name. Remained popular throughout the early 1970s. Had his songs recorded by Juliette Gréco, Colette Renard, Yves Montand, Dalida, and others ~ Behart-Hasson passed away in 2015
July 16, 1925 ~ Vibraphonist Cal Tjader, full name Callen Radcliffe Tjader Jr, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Primarily a vibraphonist, also played drums, bongos, timpani and piano. Leader and sideman. Worked with George Shearing, Ed Bogas, Dave Brubeck, Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Toshiyuki Miyama, Brew Moore, Vido Musso, Art Pepper, Armando Peraza, Tito Puente, Poncho Sanchez, Gary Burton, Paquito d'Rivera, and others ~ Tjader passed away in 1982
July 16, 1925 ~ Pianist, arranger Nat Pierce, full name Nathaniel Pierce Blish Jr, born in Somerville, Massachusetts, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Perhaps best known for his association with Woody Herman, serving as Herman's pianist and arranger from 1951 through 1955. Has also worked with Charlie Mariano, Pee Wee Russell, Lester Young, Emmett Berry, Ruby Braff, Buck Clayton, Gus Johnson, Paul Quinichette, Quincy Jones, Coleman Hawkins, and others ~ Pierce passed away in 1992
July 16, 1923 ~ Djalma de Andrade, commonly known as bossa nova, samba, jazz guitarist, songwriter Bola Sete, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Influenced by Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Barney Kessel, Oscar Moore. Actively recording since the late-1950s. Worked with Vince Guaraldi, Dizzy Gillespie, Lalo Schifrin, Paulinho Da Costa, and others ~ De Andrade passed away in 1987
July 16, 1911 ~ Virginia Katherine McMath, commonly known as actress, dancer, singer Ginger Rogers, born in Independence, Missouri, USA ~ Popular singer, dancer, actress during Hollywood's Golden Age. Considered a cultural icon and best remembered for her roles in a number of 1930s movies opposite Fred Astaire, including Top Hat and Swing Time ~ McMath passed away in 1995
July 16, 1909 ~ Jazz, dixieland, jump blues trumpeter Teddy Buckner born in Sherman, Texas, USA ~ Worked with Sonny Clay, Buck Clayton, Sidney Bechet, T-Bone Walker, Lionel Hampton, Kid Ory, and others ~ Buckner passed away in 1994
July 16, 1905 ~ Pianist, bandleader, songwriter Edward Lisbona, full name Edward Maurice Lisbona, born in Manchester, UK ~ Also known as Eddie Piano Miller. Enjoyed popularity during the 1950s and 1960s. Besides fronting the Eddie Miller Trio also known for co-writing Gently, recorded by Elvis Presley in 1961 ~ Lisbona passed away in 1989
July 16, 1903 ~ Singer, songwriter Carmen Lombardo born in London, Canada ~ Brother of Guy Lombardo, his bandmate in the Royal Canadians. Sang lead on the Canadians' hit Charmaine. In-demand songwriter. Songs written or co-written by Lombardo include Ridin' Around In The Rain recorded by Gene Austin, Return To me recorded by Dean Martin, Powder Your Face With Sunshine for Evelyn Knight, and Coquette recorded by his brother Guy ~ Lombardo passed away in 1971
July 16, 1898 ~ Rafael Escudero, commonly known as bassist, tubist Ralph Escudero, born in Manati, Puerto Rico ~ Worked with Wilbur Sweatman, Fletcher Henderson, the Cotton Pickers, Kaiser Marshall, the Savoy Bearcats, WC Handy, and others ~ Escudero passed away in 1970
July 16, 1890 ~ Mabel Wimpfheimer, commonly known as songwriter, pianist, singer Mabel Wayne, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Noted as one of the first female songwriters to have her songs published. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as In A Little Spanish Town (Paul Whiteman, the Revelers, Pérez Prado), I Understand (Jimmy Dorsey, Bert Ambrose, Keely Smith), It Happened In Monterey (Jack Hylton, Billy Cotton, Ruth Etting), and Little Man You've Had A Busy Day (Les Allen, Connee Boswell, Isham Jones) ~ Wimpfheimer passed away in 1978
July 16, 1886 ~ Minnie Guyer, commonly known as singer, dancer, actress Blossom Seeley, born in New Haven, Connecticut, USA ~ Known as “the Queen of Syncopation” helped bring jazz and ragtime into the mainstream. Best known for a number of 1920s recordings including Way Down Yonder In New Orleans, Rose Room, Lazy, Yes Sir That's My Baby, and her best-known Toddling The Todalo ~ Guyer passed away in 1974
July 16, 1858 ~ Violinist, conductor, composer Eugène Ysaÿe, full name Eugène-Auguste Ysaÿe, born in Liège, Belgium ~ Dubbed “the King of the Violin” for his virtuosity. Principal violinist with the Benjamin-Bilse Beer Hall Orchestra, which would later develop into the Berlin Philharmonic. Held in the highest regard by the likes of Joseph Joachim, Franz Liszt, Clara Schumann, Anton Rubinstein, Pablo Casals. Had works written especially for him by composers such as Claude Debussy, Camille Saint-Saëns, Ernest Chausson, and César Franck. The latter would write Violin Sonata In A as a wedding present for Ysaÿe and his wife in 1886, a composition Ysaÿe would regularly perform for the rest of his life. Close friend Debussy dedicated his only string quartet, String Quartet In G-Minor, to Ysaÿe ~ Ysaÿe passed away in 1931