July 19, 2024 ~ Pop, world music kora player Toumani Diabaté passed away ~ One of the internationally most recognised African artists. Son of Sidiki Diabaté, brother of Mamadou Sidiki Diabaté, both renowned kora players. Diabaté is strongly rooted in Malian traditional music, yet is also known for numerous cross-cultural collaborations including with flamenco group Ketama, blues guitarist Taj Mahal, jazz trombonist Roswell Rudd, Icelandic rock singer Björk, banjoist Béla Fleck, and jazz keyboardist Herbie Hancock ~ Diabaté was born in 1965
July 19, 2023 ~ Violinist, film composer Mark Thomas passed away ~ Served as violinist for the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Royal Ballet Orchestra. Would venture into composing for TV and film by the early 1990s, with over two dozen soundtracks to his name including Twin Town, The Final Curtain and Agent Cody Banks 2 (Destination London) ~ Thomas was born ca.1956
July 19, 2022 ~ Henk Leeuwis, commonly known as singer Henkie, passed away ~ Known for the novelty, surprise hits Lief Klein Konijntje and Mijn Goudvis, the former reaching top of the charts in Belgium in 2006 ~ Leeuwis was born in 1945
July 19, 2022 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, R&B, funk, soul, pop singer, bassist, saxophonist, producer Michael Henderson passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Influenced by Motown house bass guitarist James Jamerson. First gained attention backing Stevie Wonder on tours. Made his name playing on a number of pivotal 1970s Miles Davis jazz fusion albums, notably Live/Evil and Agharta. Would go on to work with artists such as Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, the Dramatics, Dr John, and others. Has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing over half a dozen albums starting with Solid in 1976 ~ Henderson was born in 1951
July 19, 2022 ~ Diane Luckey, commonly known as singer Q Lazzarus, passed away ~ Lazzarus had been repeatedly turned down by record companies, unable to categorize and market her. A chance encounter with director Jonathan Demme led to him using her songs in several of her films, starting with Candle Goes Away in the 1986 Something Wild action comedy. Most noted for her 1988 recording of Goodbye Horses, first used in the Demme film Married To The Mob and again in Silence Of The Lambs. The song would become a cult hit after inclusion in the latter film ~ Luckey was born ca.1963
July 19, 2021 ~ Apostolos Voskopoulos, commonly known as laika singer, songwriter, actor Tolis Voskopoulos, passed away in Athens, Greece ~ Considered one of the legends of modern Greek music with over 40 albums to his name. Known for songs such as My Lonely Heart, I Drink To Her Health, I'm Beginning To Suspect and Out Of The Question ~ Voskopoulos was born in 1940
July 19, 2020 ~ Singer, drummer, guitarist, pianist, bassist, songwriter Emitt Rhodes, full name Emitt Lynn Rhodes, passed away ~ Drummer in Palace Guard. Multi-instrumentalist in the Merry-Go-Round. Critically acclaimed for his 1970 eponymous Emitt Rhodes album. Semi-retired from music in 1973, would no longer perform, would continue to record in the studio but would not release any material. Returned in 2016 with the album Rainbow Ends, featuring contributions from Jason Falkner, Aimee Mann, Jon Brion, Susanna Hoffs, Nels Cline, and others ~ Rhodes was born in 1950
July 19, 2015 ~ Alexander Van Vliet Feldman, commonly known as bandleader, arranger, composer Van Alexander, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as arranger, composer for film and TV, notably for several Mickey Rooney films. Has worked with Dean Martin, Gordon Macrae, Doris Day, Benny Goodman, Peggy Lee, Dinah Shore, Kay Starr, Dakota Staton, Paul Whiteman, and others ~ Feldman was born in 1915
July 19, 2013 ~ Rock band Pearl Jam kick off their Lightning Bolt American tour at Wrigley Field, Chicago, USA ~ A sold out show, the concert is stopped and delayed after only seven songs in due to, ironically, lightning. After midnight the band returns to complete the show, the place still packed
July 19, 2010 ~ Bassist, keyboardist Andy Hummel, full name John Andrew Hummel, passed away in Weatherford, Texas, USA ~ Best known as original drummer of Big Star, appearing on two of their three albums, No.1 Record and Radio City. Wrote or co-wrote several of the band's songs including The India Song, Way Out West, Life's White, What's Going Ahm, The Back Of A Car, and Daisy Glaze ~ Hummel was born in 1951
July 19, 2002 ~ The jukebox musical Movin' Out, inked around songs of Billy Joel, premieres in Chicago, Illinois ~ A thin plot inked around Joel songs with dancers having no dialogue and the songs performed by band and a sole pianist, modelled after Joel named the Piano man, the show would perhaps be more aptly characterised as a rock ballet. The show would be nominated for 10 Tony Awards and win the awards for Best Choreography and for Best Orchestrations
July 19, 2002 ~ Singer, guitarist, banjoist, pianist Dave Carter, full name David Robert Carter, passed away in Hadley, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known for his association with Tracy Grammer, recording three critically albums as a duo from the late 1990s until his death in 2002. The duo were hailed as “the new voice of folk music” and were admired by peers. A revered songwriter, Carter had his songs recorded by Joan Baez (The Mountain), Darryl Purpose, Chris Smither (Crocodile Man), Rani Arbo, Ellis Paul, Full Frontal Folk, Lucy Kaplanski (Cowboy Singer), Diane Zeigler, Bryan Bowers, the Kennedys, Pat Wictor, Sense Of Wonder, Ronny Cox, Richard Shindell, Julia Ecklar, and Judy Collins ~ Carter was born in 1952
July 19, 2001 ~ Judith Grace Guions, commonly known as singer Judy Clay, passed away in Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA ~ Member of family gospel outfit the Drinkard Singers, which later became the Sweet Inspirations and at times included Cissy Houston, Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick. Clay also notably teamed with singer Billy Vera for a number of duets, including Storybook Children and Country Girl City Man. Also teamed with singer William Bell for the duets Private Number and My Baby Specializes. Would go on to session for artists such as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Donny Hathaway, and Wilson Pickett ~ Guion was born in 1938
July 19, 1986 ~ In its seventh week on the charts, Hyperactive by Robert Palmer peaks at No.33 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Issued as the follow-up to his Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Addicted To Love, it would mark the first time Palmer would have two consecutive singles off the same album reach the American top 40. His next single off the Riptide album, I Didn't Mean To Turn You On, would also do well and peak at No.2. Retrospectively, AllMusic would characterize the album of “mostly rocking songs,” with Hyperactive “adding a bit of a pop veneer to the formula, with its bright keyboards dating the song to the Miami Vice era; that's not to say it doesn't hold nostalgic charm.”
July 19, 1975 ~ William Orville Frizzell, commonly known as singer, songwriter Lefty Frizzell, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Iconic country singer. Hugely popular during the 1950s. Closely associated with Hank Williams. Smoothed out the rough edges of honky-tonk with a softer vocal phrasing without losing the genre's attitude. Influential on George Jones, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, the Everly Brothers, Keith Whitley, Merle Haggard, John Fogerty, and others. Best known for songs such as If You've Got The Money (I've Got The Time), I Want To Be With You Always, Always Late With Your Kisses, Saginaw Michigan, Give Me More More More (Of Your Kisses), and others ~ Frizzell was born in 1928
July 19, 1975 ~ Jazz pianist Matt Mitchell born ~ Influenced by Keith Jarrett and Herbie Hancock, Cecil Taylor, Bud Powell. Member of jazz trio Kaktus alongside Aaron Meicht and Lars Halle. Also worked with Central Chain, John Hollenbeck, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Brendan Dougherty, Ches Smith, Thinking Plague, Ralph Alessi, Tim Berne, Darius Jones, Mario Pavone, Tineke Postma, Steve Coleman, and others
July 19, 1974 ~ Rock, punk rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Marco Roelofs born in Horst, the Netherlands ~ Key member of de Heideroosjes, known for songs such as Klapvee, Würst & Kase, Damclub Hooligan, Lekker Belangrijk, Sjonnie & Anita, Ze Smelten De Paashaas and the Doe Maar-cover Liever Dan Lief
July 19, 1972 ~ Pop rock outfit the Doobie Brothers release Listen To The Music, lifted off their Toulouse Street sophomore album ~ Peaking at No.11 Billboard Hot 100, it would be the band's first major hit. Writer Tom Johnston would later describe the motivation for the song as a call for world peace: “The chord structure of it made me think of something positive, so the lyrics that came out of that were based on this utopian idea that if the leaders of the world got together on some grassy hill somewhere and either smoked enough dope or just sat down and just listened to the music and forgot about all this other bullshit, the world would be a much better place. It was very utopian and very unrealistic. It seemed like a good idea at the time.”
July 19, 1971 ~ Classical crossover tenor singer Urs Bühler, full name Urs Toni Bühler, born in Willisau, Switzerland ~ Best known as member of classical crossover group Il Divo, with whom he has sold over 30 million records. The ensemble was the brainchild of American Idol's Simon Cowell and has recorded about a dozen albums, starting with the eponymous Il Divo released in 2005. Musically trained from a young age Bühler sang in a choir and masters violin, clarinet, piano, guitar, and drums. Before his rise to fame Bühler sang in a cover band, a heavy metal group, and sang oratorios with the Netherlands Opera Gezelschap
July 19, 1969 ~ Chylow Parker, commonly known as producer, DJ, rapper Chyskillz, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of multi-platinum rap group Onyx, discovered by Run-DMC's Jam Master Jay and noted for their 1993 debut album Bacdafucup. Parker has collaborated, often as a producer, with rap, hip-hop, pop and rock artists including the Large Professor, Biohazard, Queen, Ice Cube, Shaquille O'Neal, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Mic Geronimo, the Royal Flush, and Sticky Fingaz ~ Parker passed away in 2018
July 19, 1969 ~ Louisa Gabrielle Bobb, mononymously known as pop, rock singer, songwriter Gabrielle, born in London, UK ~ Released her Find Your Way debut album in 1993. Known for UK top 10 hits such as Dreams, Give Me A Little More Time, Walk On By, Sunshine, When A Woman, Out Of Reach and Don't Need The Sun To Shine (To Make Me Smile)
July 19, 1969 ~ Singer Jimmy Buffett marries Margie Washichek ~ Buffet marries beauty queen Washichek, who was crowned Miss Alabama in 1967. The marriage would last just two years
July 19, 1969 ~ British pop rock group the Spencer Davis Group breaks up ~ Two years after the departure of Steve Winwood and Muff Winwood, enjoying considerably less succes since, the band calls it quits and breaks up. The band had recorded four albums, and is known best for the UK top 10 hits Keep On Running, Somebody Help Me, Gimme Some Lovin', and I'm A Man, the latter two also reaching top 10 on the American Billboard Hot 100
July 19, 1966 ~ Singer Frank Sinatra marries actress Mia Farrow in New York, New York ~ Sinatra marries Farrow, who's 30 years younger. The couple would divorce two years later
July 19, 1956 ~ Jazz singer Marit Sandvik born in Harstad, Norway ~ Married to guitarist Øystein Norvoll, their daughter is singer Dagny. Founded the sextet Bossa Nordpa. Has also worked with Plagiacci, Jan Arvid Johansen, Jørgen Nordeng, Tore Johansen, Henning Gravrok, Maurizio Giammarco, Brynjuff Bjorklid, and others
July 19, 1956 ~ Adrian Nicholas Godfrey, commonly known as rock singer, guitarist, songwriter, rock critic Nikki Sudden, was born in London, UK ~ Influenced by T.Rex, the Rolling Stones, the Faces, Bob Dylan, and Johnny Thunders. Best known for co-founding post-punk unit Swell Maps, which also included his brother Epic Soundtracks. The band is considered one of the premier acts of the post-punk era, widely acclaimed for their 1977 Read About Seymour single. Godfrey has also recorded as a solo artist, collaborated extensively with Dave Kusworth under the group moniker the Jacobites, and has worked with the Waterboys' Mike Scott and Anthony Thistlethwaite, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, the Rolling Stones' Mick Taylor, and others. Godfrey has also worked as a rock critic and was writing his autobiography at the time of his death ~ Godfrey passed away in 2006
July 19, 1956 ~ Jazz drummer Rikiya Higashihara born in Takamatsu, Japan ~ Playing professionally since his teens. Has worked with Takehisa Tanaka, the Naniwa Express, Toshiyuki Honda, Kazumi Watanabe, Tiger Okoshi, Dennis Chambers, Sadayasu Fuji, Terumasa Hino, Toshihiko Kanjawe, and others
July 19, 1954 ~ Singer, pianist, songwriter Ivar Thomassen born ~ Enjoyed local popularity in the Northern regions of Norway, his compositions often reflecting on the region's nature, culture and history. Best known for songs such as Imella Multebær Og Mygg and Det Artige Landet ~ Thomassen passed away in 2016
July 19, 1952 ~ Guitarist Allen Collins, full name Larkin Allen Collins Jr, born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Co-founding member, guitarist of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Collins co-wrote many of the band's best-known songs including Free Bird, That Smell and Give Me Three Steps. In 1977, Collins survived the plane crash that killed three of his bandmated and eventually recovered. Collins was also a member of the Rossington-Collins Band ~ Collins passed away in 1990
July 19, 1950 ~ Bass guitarist Errol Holt, also known by his nickname Flabba, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Has played on hundreds of Jamaican records, as member of Morwells, as member of Roots Radics, or sessioning for artists such as Don Carlos, Prince Faril, Israel Vibration, Mikey Dread, Sugar Minott, Mutabaruka, Bunny Wailer, Yami Bolo. Produced records for Jah Stitch (Danger Zone), Dennis Brown (Milk & Honey), Delroy Wilson (Which Way Is Up), Beres Hammond, and Gregory Isaacs
July 19, 1948 ~ Keyboardist Keith Godchaux, full name Keith Richard Godchaux, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Best known as pianist for the Grateful Dead from 1971 through 1979, singing lead vocals on Let Me Sing Your Blues Away. Has also worked with the Jerry Garcia Band. Married to singer Donna Jean Godchaux, with whom he also worked in the Dead. The couple also released their own somewhat overlooked Keith & Donna album in 1975, backed by Garcia, Spooky Tooth-bassist Chrissy Stewart and Wings-drummer Denny Seiwell ~ Godchaux passed away in 1980
July 19, 1948 ~ Jazz-rock singer, songwriter Vivienne McAuliffe, full name Vivienne Jill McAuliffe, born ~ Best known as lead singer of Affinity. Also worked with the Principal Edwards Magic Theatre, Patrick Moraz, Gerry Rafferty (City To City), Camel, Aviator, Michael Chapman, Pete Brown, Anthony Phillips, and others ~ McAuliffe passed away in 1998
July 19, 1947 ~ Rock, country rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Bernie Leadon, full name Bernard Matthew Leadon III, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Brother of guitarist Tom Leadon. Best known as member of the Eagles through 1975. Notably present on songs such as Take It Easy, Peaceful Easy Feeling, and Witchy Woman, the latter of which written by Leadon and Don Henley. Previously a member of Hearts & Flowers, Dillard & Clark, and the Flying Burrito Brothers. Has also worked with Run C&W, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, the Woodstock Mountain Revue, Linda Ronstadt, Barry McGuire, Bob Lind, Paul Siebel, Rita Coolidge, Gram Parsons, Randy Newman, Andy Fairweather Low, Chris Hillman, Helen Reddy, Chi Coltrane, Teresa Brewer, Stephen Stills, Alabama, Nanci Griffith, Kenny Rogers, Matraca Berg, Kelly Willis, Kathy Mattea, Ronna Reeves, Patsy Moore, the Amazing Rhythm Aces, Pam Tillis, and John Cowan
July 19, 1947 ~ Guitarist Brian May, full name Brian Harold May, born in Twickenham, UK ~ Co-founder, lead guitarist of rock, arena rock outfit Queen. Wrote or co-wrote a vast amount of the band's material including We Will Rock You, I Want It All, Fat Bottomed Girls, Flash, Hammer To Fall, Save Me, Who Wants To Live Forever, Too Much Love Will Kill You and The Show Must Go On. Also worked with Smile, G3, Phenomena, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Hackett, Lady Gaga, and others
July 19, 1946 ~ Bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer Alan Gorrie, full name Alan Edward Gorrie, born ~ Best known as founding and longtime member of funk, pop, R&B outfit the Average White Band, known for the acclaimed albums AWB which spawned the hit Pick Up The Pieces and Cut The Cake
July 19, 1944 ~ George Frayne IV, commonly known as singer, pianist, songwriter Commander Cody, born in Boise, Idaho, USA ~ Frontman of Commander Cody & his Lost Planet Airmen, known for merging country, rock & roll, western swing, rockabilly, jump blues and boogie-woogie piano. The band scored a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit with Hot Rod Lincoln of their 1971 Lost In The Ozone album ~ Frayne passed away in 2021
July 19, 1944 ~ Jazz double bassist, composer, arranger Didier Levallet born in Arcy-sur-Cure, France ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Ted Curson, Johnny Griffin, Kenny Clarke, Mal Waldron, Hank Mobley, Archie Shepp, Tony Oxley, Steve Lacy, Harry Beckett, Didier Lockwood, the French National Orchestra, and others
July 19, 1944 ~ John Denver Hore, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter John Grenell, born in Randurly, New Zealand ~ Arguably New Zealand's best-known country singer, graced with a voice often described as velvet, with well over a dozen albums to his name starting in the mid-1960s. First gained serious attention with his 1965 sophomore album Encore John Hore. Recorded actively through the mid-1970s, resurging in the late 1980s. Internationally best known for his acclaimed 1995 release Windstar Aotearoa ~ Hore passed away in 2022
July 19, 1942 ~ Rock, pop guitarist, bassist Roger Bunn born in Norwich, UK ~ As a solo artist known for his 1970 Piece Of Mind album. Early member of Roxy Music remaining with the band through 1971, replaced by David O'List. Has also worked with Pete Brown & Piblokto ~ Bunn passed away in 2005
July 19, 1941 ~ Beat, pop rock drummer Alfio Cantarella born ~ Co-founding member of beat band Equipe 84, one of the premier Italian bands of the 1960s and 1970s known for songs such as 29 Settembre and Io Ho In Mente Te. the latter an Italian translation of the Ian & Sylvia song You Were On My Mind. Following the band's disbandement in 1977 Cantarella has served as manager and producer, most notably working with Zucchero and Sergio Caputo ~ Cantarella passed away in 2023
July 19, 1941 ~ Jazz, blues, soul, R&B guitarist Phil Upchurch born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for his 1961 You Can't Sit Down. Worked with the Kool Gents, the Dells, the Spaniels, Dee Clark (Raindrops), Curtis Mayfield, Otis Rush, Jimmy Reed, Woody Herman, Stan Getz, Richard Groove Holmes, BB King, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Brown Jr, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Gene Chandler, the Soulful Strings, Rotary Connection, John Lee Hooker, Grover Washington Jr, Cannonball Adderley, Donny Hathaway, Harvey Mason, Ramsey Lewis, Quincy Jones, George Benson, Mose Allison, Gary Burton, Lenny Breau, Joe Williams, Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole, Carmen McRae, Cat Stevens, David Sanborn, Michael Jackson, Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, and others
July 19, 1941 ~ Florencia Vicente de Casillas-Martinez Cardona, commonly known as pop, Latin pop, mariachi singer Vikki Carr born in El Paso, Texas, USA ~ Has recorded prolifically since the early 1960s in a variety of genres including pop, jazz, and country. Best known for her 1967 It Must Be Him album which earned her three Grammy nominations and would sell over a million copies. Its It Must Be Him title track would reach top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. To Spanish-speaking audiences known for a string of hit albums during the 1980s, spawning hits such as the Vicente Fernández-duet Dos Corazines, Mala Suerte, Hay Otro En Tu Lugar, and the Ana Gabriel-duet Cosas Del Amor
July 19, 1940 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Kenny Vernon, full name Henry Kenneth Vernon, born ~ Closely associated with Merle Haggard, longtime member of Haggard's backing unit the Strangers. Early member of country rock and outlaw country movements. As a solo artist known best for his 1967 Loversville album
July 19, 1937 ~ Singer George Hamilton IV born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA ~ Teen idol turned country singer, gradually gravitating more towards folk-influenced country. Known for songs such as A Rose And A Baby Ruth, Why Don't They Understand, Before This Day Ends, Three Steps To The Phone, If You Don't Know I Ain't Gonna Tell You, and Abilene ~ Hamilton passed away in 2014
July 19, 1937 ~ Jean Karen Cariker, commonly known as folk blues singer, guitarist, banjoist Karen Dalton, born in Bonham, Texas, USA ~ Early Greenwich Village folk scene figure. Cited as an influence by Nick Cave, Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom. Resenting the music industry she only recorded two albums, 1969's It's So Hard To Tell Who's Going To Love You The Best and 1971's In My Own Time. Country singer Lacy J Dalton chose her stage name in honor of Dalton ~ Dalton passed away in 1993
July 19, 1936 ~ Jazz, hard bop trumpeter Carmell Jones born in Kansas City, Kansas, USA ~ Over half a dozen albums as a leader, especially acclaimed for his 1965 The Remarkable Carmell Jones album. Closely associated with Gerald Wilson, appearing on several of Wilson's 1960s albums including Moment Of Truth. Toured and recorded with Horace Silver, notably present on the 1965 landmark album Song For My Father. An in-demand sideman, Jones has also appeared on albums by Bud Shank, Curtis Amy, Tricky Lofton, Vi Redd, Nancy Wilson, Roy Ayers (West Coast Vibes), Sarah Vaughan (Sarah Sings Soulfully), Harold Land, Jimmy Woods, Booker Ervin (The Blues Book), Charles McPherson, Nathan Davis (The Hip-Walk), Herbie Mann, and Jean-Luc Ponty ~ Jones passed away in 1996
July 19, 1936 ~ Lucilla J Sarsines, commonly known as singer Lucha Reyes, born in Lima, Peru ~ One of Peru's most respected singers. Leading interpreter of vals criollo and marinera genres. Formed the duo Lucha & Juan with Pitito Perez. Member of Peña Ferrando. Also worked with Los Morochucos. As a solo artist best known for Regressa, an international hit in 1970 ~ Reyes passed away in 1973
July 19, 1934 ~ Jazz cornetist, trumpeter Bobby Bradford, full name Bobby Lee Bradford, born in Cleveland, Mississippi, USA ~ Recorded some two dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, noted specifically for the early 1970s albums Flight For Four and Self-Determination Music, both with longtime associate John Carter. Bradford had been active since the early 1950s, notably working intermittently with Ornette Coleman. Over the course of his lengthy career, Bradford would also appear on albums by Bob Thiele, Wilber Morris, David Murray, Detail, Chris Fagan, John Rapson, Frode Gjerstad (Through The Woods), the Circulasione Totale Orchestra, and Nels Cline
July 19, 1932 ~ Arley Benton, commonly known as blues guitarist, singer Buster Benton, born in Texarkana, Arkansas, USA ~ Influenced by Sam Cooke and BB King. Member of Willie Dixon's acclaimed blues outfit the Blues All-Stars including on the acclaimed 1973 The All-Star Blues World Of Maestro Willie Dixon And His Chicago Blues Band album. As a solo artist, Benton is best known for the singles Spider In My Stew, written by Dixon, and its follow-up Money Is The Name Of The Game. Benton would subsequently issue his debut album, Spider In My Stew, in 1978. The album has been recognised as one of the prime Chicago blues albums of its day. Benton would record over half a dozen more albums until his death at age 63 ~ Benton passed away in 1996
July 19, 1930 ~ Percussionist, bongo player Preston Epps, full name Preston Eugene Epps, was born in Mangum, Oklahoma, USA ~ Considered a one-hit wonder, scoring a 1959 Billboard Hot 100 No.14 hit with Bongo Rock. Epps has learned to play the bongos and other percussion instruments while stationed in Okinawa, Japan, during the Korean war. Following the single's success, Epps issued his Bongo Bongo Bongo the following year, which reached top 40 Billboard Hot 200. Several more bongo-themed singles were released, including Bongo Shuffle, Bongo Boogie, and Bongo Rocket, but none would equal the success of his sole hit Bongo Rock. Despite failing to reach the charts again, Epps continued to perform in Southern California. In 1969, Epps would make a small appearance playing a bongo player in the crime-drama film Girl In Gold Boots, credited as “that Bongo Rock man” ~ Epps passed away in 2019
July 19, 1926 ~ Actress, dancer, singer Helen Gallagher born in New York, New York, USA ~ Renowned stage performer starting in the 1950s including in several acclaimed Broadway-productions, especially noted for her roles in Pal Joey, Sweet Charity and No No Nanette. To TV audiences best known as the matriarch Maeve Ryan in the soap opera Ryan's Hope from 1975 through 1989
July 19, 1925 ~ Eva Sue McKee, commonly known as pop, country singer Sue Thompson, born in Nevada, Missouri, USA ~ Best known for her 1960s hits Sad Movies Make Me Cry, Norman and Paper Tiger. Also known as duet partner of Don Gibson in the 1970s, notably on songs such as I Think They Call It Love and Good Old Fashioned Country Love ~ McKee passed away in 2021
July 19, 1924 ~ Jazz trumpeter Dick Collins, full name Richard Harrison Collins, born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Best known for his association with Les Brown, recording and touring with the saxophonist for about a decade starting in 1957. Previously Collins had worked with Dave Brubeck, Cal Tjader, Paul Desmond, Nat Pierce (Kansas City Missouri), and Woody Herman (Blues Groove). Following his tenure with Brown, Collins rarely performed, focusing on his day job as a music librarian instead ~ Collins passed away in 2016
July 19, 1924 ~ Kenny Thomas Skingle, commonly known as jazz, bebop, progressive jazz saxophonist, bandleader Kenny Graham, born in Ealing, UK ~ Overlooked pioneer of British jazz, active since the mid-1940s in leading dance bands of the era, including ensembles led by Nat Temple, Nat Gonella, Bert Ambrose, Leslie Hutchinson, and Eric Winstone. Well known for forming and leading the Afro-Cubists from the early 1950s onwards, a band aiming to develop an amalgam of bebop, African and Cuban rhythms and super-modern harmonies. Despite critical acclaim, the band only briefly performed and recorded, their hybrid too innovative for the general public. From the mid-1950s onwards, Graham worked primarily as a composer and arranger, to retire from performing entirely in 1958 following medical misfortunes. However, Graham would continue to work as a composer and arranger, notably for Humphrey Lyttelton who recorded his One Day I Met An African and other pieces, and direct sessions for blues artists such as Big Bill Broonzy and Josh White. Graham was dismissive of most modern popular music, specifically rock and roll, once stating he was “completely dedicated to his strong belief in how jazz should sound” ~ Skingle passed away in 1997
July 19, 1922 ~ Jazz pianist Al Haig, full name Alan Warren Haig, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ One of the finest pianists of the bop era, yet remained in obscurity for most of his career. As a sideman, Haig was present on pivotal recordings early on in his career, notably playing with Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, and Stan Getz from the late 1940s through early 1950s. Recorded well over a dozen albums as a leader, especially noted for the 1954 album Al Haig Trio, and Al Haig Today released about a decade later. Haig has also appeared on albums by Art Blakey, Wardell Gray, Mary Lou Williams, Chet Baker, Miles Davis (Birth Of The Cool), Coleman Hawkins, Sarah Vaughan, and Charlie Barnet ~ Haig passed away in 1982
July 19, 1906 ~ Harry Lawrence Hill, commonly known as bandleader, singer Tiny Hill, born in Sullivan, Illinois, USA ~ Billed as “America's Biggest Bandleader” because of his weight of over 365 lb. Enjoyed popularity from the 1930 through the early 1950s, touring extensively. Best known for his signature song Angry, released in 1939, and his 1951 rendition of the Western swing song Hot Rod Race, which reached top 10 on the Billboard Country charts, top 30 on the pop charts. With its hard driving boogie woogie beat, the latter is sometimes referred to as one of the first rock & roll songs. Hill was married three times, his second marriage to country singer Jenny Lou Carson, with whom he also worked. By the the end of the big band era Hill had settled in Colorado, performing regionally with smaller combos ~ Hill passed away in 1971
July 19, 1902 ~ William C Bailey, commonly known as jazz, swing clarinetist Buster Bailey, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Classically trained. Considered a master of the clarinet. Played professionally since age 15, starting with WC Handy's orchestra. Would go on to work with Erskine Tate, King Oliver, Fletcher Henderson, Clarence Williams, Noble Sissle, Edgar Hayes, the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, Midge Williams, Wilbur de Paris, Red Allen, and Louis Armstrong. As a leader, Bailey is known for his 1958 All About Memphis album ~ Bailey passed away in 1967
July 19, 1902 ~ Jazz, stride pianist Cliff Jackson, full name Clifton Luther Jackson, born in Culpeper, Virginia, USA ~ Considered one of the most powerful stride pianists. After relocating to New York in the early 1920s, Jackson played with Lionel Howard, Bob Fuller, and Elmer Snowden. Briefly led his own ensemble, the Krazy Kats, in the early 1930s, before finding employ as a solo pianist playing the nightclubs and as accompanist for singers such as Viola McCoy, Lena Wilson, Sara Martin, Martha Copeland, Helen Gross, and Clara Smith. Jackson is also particularly known as a solo pianist, noted for the 1962 Carolina Shout album. Jackson has also recorded with Eddie Condon, Sidney Bechet, Jimmy Rushing, and Al Sears. Jackson was married to singer Maxine Sullivan from 1950 until his death two decades later ~ Jackson passed away in 1970