July 22, 2023 ~ Jazz saxophonist Knut Riisnæs passed away ~ Fixture on the Oslo jazz scene with a career spanning five decades starting in the mid-1960s. Son of pianist Eline Nygaard Riisnæs. Brother of pianist Anne Eline Riisnæs and saxophonist Odd Riisnæs. Present on albums by Karin Krog, Terje Rypdal, Arild Andersen, Edward Vesala, the Oslo Groove Company, Sigurd Ulveseth, and Fra Lippo Lippi ~ Riisnæs was born in 1945
July 22, 2023 ~ Rocksteady, ska, reggae singer Peter Austin passed away in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Formed 1960s ska outfit the Clarendonians with Ernest Wilson, known for songs such as Rudie Gone A Jail, Sho Be Do Be, You Can't Be Happy, Darling Forever, and You Can't Keep A Good Man Down ~ Austin was born ca.1945
July 22, 2023 ~ Easy listening, traditional pop singer Vince Hill passed away in Henley-on-Thames, UK ~ Briefly a member of the Raindrops during the early 1960s before venturing out on his own. Best known for his 1967 rendition of Edelweiss, which reached top 10 in his native UK. Originally written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II for their 1959 The Sound Of Music musical, it would become Hill's biggest hit and signature song. Other well-known songs include the Edith Piaf-cover Take Me To Your Heart Again, originally La Vie En Rose, as well as Heartaches, Love Letters In The Sand, and Look Around (You'll Find Me There) ~ Hill was born in 1934
July 22, 2022 ~ Alice Hoffeiner, commonly known as classical violinist Alice Harnoncourt, passed away in Vienna, Austria ~ Married to Nikolaus Harnoncourt with whom she co-founded the Concentus Musicus Wien, pioneering the period-instrument performance movement. The couple would have four children, including mezzo-soprano singer Elisabeth von Magnus ~ Hoffeiner was born in 1930
July 22, 2021 ~ Roberto Andrés Pandolfo, commonly known as rock, pop rock, tango singer, guitarist Palo Pandolfo, passed away ~ Fronted 1980s post-punk band Don Cornelio y La Zona. Fronted Los Visitantes in the 1990s. Subsequently active as a solo artist, releasing his A Traves De Los Sueños debut album in 2001 ~ Pandolfo was born in 1964
July 22, 2021 ~ Singer, guitarist Zentaro Watanabe passed away ~ First gained attention in the 1980s as guitarist of Shijin No Chi. Formed the duo Oh Penelope with former bandmate Mutsuji Tsuji. Active as a producer since the 1990s, responsible for tracks such as Chara's Yasashii Kimochi, Hitomi's Love 2000 and Ikimonogakari's Hana Wa Sakura Kimi Wa Utsukushi ~ Watanabe was born in 1963
July 22, 2019 ~ Singer, keyboardist, songwriter Art Neville, full name Arthur Lanon Neville, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Influenced by James Booker, Bill Doggett, Booker T Jones, Lloyd Glenn. Member of the Neville Brothers, Wild Tchoupitoulas, the Meters. As a solo artist known for recordings such as Cha Dooky Doo, Too Much, You Won't Do Right, and Hook Line & Sinker. Also worked with the Hawketts, Labelle (Lady Marmalade), Paul McCartney, Lee Dorsey, Dr John, Professor Longhair, Betty Harris, the Pointer Sisters, and the Rolling Stones ~ Neville was born in 1937
July 22, 2016 ~ Free jazz bassist Dominic Duval passed away ~ As a leader has well over two dozen albums to his name, notably 2008's The Last Dance Volumes 1 & 2 featuring Cecil Taylor. Has also worked with Trio X, Joe McPhee, Matthew Shipp, Steve Swell ~ Duval was born ca.1944
July 22, 2010 ~ Trumpeter, hornist Harry Beckett, full name Harold Winston Beckett, passed away in London, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Notably worked with Charles Mingus in the 1962 All Night Long film. Closely associated with bassist Graham Collier. Would go on to become a key figure in the British free jazz scene, working with acts such as Nucleus, Brotherhood Of Breath, the Dedication Orchestra, the London Jazz Composers Orchestra, John Surman, Django Bates, Ronnie Scott, Charlie Watts, Stan Tracey, and Elton Dean ~ Beckett was born in 1935
July 22, 2008 ~ Jazz guitarist Joe Beck passed away in Woodbury, Connecticut, USA ~ Fluent in a number of styles including jazz fusion, post bop, mainstream jazz, soul jazz, and rock. Worked with Miles Davis, Gil Evans, Esther Phillips, Ali Ryerson, John Abercrombie, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, Howard Robert, Tommy Tedesco, Larry Coryell, Tom Scott, Jeremy Steig, Gábor Szabó, Gene Ammons, Gato Barbieri, James Brown (on the 1975 LP Reality), Rusty Bryant, Hank Crawford, Chico Hamilton, Mike Mainieri, Paul Simon (on the LP's Still Crazy After All These Years, and One Trick Pony), Leon Spencer, Bobby Timmons, Kai Winding, and others ~ Beck was born in 1945
July 22, 2007 ~ Rapper Lil' Wayne arrested for possession of a firearm in New York, New York ~ Following a show at the Beacon Theater, New York, Wayne is arrested when police find a loaded gun in his tour bus. Gun laws are strict in New York and Wayne would serve eight months detained in the Rikers Island prison. Wayne would publish a book about it, Gone 'Til November, in 2015
July 22, 2007 ~ Francis Dominic Joseph Dallas, commonly known as jazz bassist, singer Sonny Dallas, passed away in Long Island, USA ~ Most closely associated with Lennie Tristano. Also worked with Charlie Spivak, Ray Eberle, Claude Thornhill, Sal Salvador, Tony Scott, Chet Baker, Buck Clayton, Lee Konitz, Warne Marsh, Phil Woods, Gene Quill, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Elvin Jones, Mary Lou Williams, George Wallington, Jackie Paris, and others ~ Dallas was born in 1931
July 22, 2006 ~ Country blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Jessie Mae Hemphill, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Active in informal settings and family bands, including with her grandfather Sid Hemphill, before starting a solo career as a recording artist by the late 1970s, early 1980s. About a dozen albums to her name, starting with the full-length She-Wolf released in 1981. Well known for penning Lord Help The Poor And Needy, notably covered without credit by indie rock, folk rock singer Cat Power ~ Hemphill was born in 1923
July 22, 2005 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Eugene Record, full name Eugene Booker Record, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Lead vocalist of the Chi-lites, scoring with 1970s hits such as Oh Girl, Have You Seen Her and (For God's Sake) Give More Power To The People. Record also wrote and produced for other artists inlcuding Jackie Wilson, Lost Generation, Otis Leavell, the Dells, the Impressions, and others. Credited as a co-writer, earning him Grammy Award recognition, on the Beyoncé hit Crazy In Love due to its sampling of the Chi-lites' Are You My Woman (Tell Me So) ~ Record was born in 1940
July 22, 2004 ~ Alexandre Distel, commonly known as singer, guitarist, actor Sacha Distel, passed away in Rayol Canadel, France ~ Known for one British hit, Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head. Mostly known for French versions of English-language songs such as Chanson Bleue and Je T'Appelle Pour Dire Que Je T'Aime, covers of respectively Neil Diamond's Song Sung Blue and Stevie Wonder's I Just Called To Say I Love You. Distel also recorded in German, Spanish and Italian. As a songwriter perhaps best known for La Belle Vie which she co-wrote and recorded in 1962, to English audiences best known as The Good Life as covered by Tony Bennett and subsequently by numerous others ~ Distel was born in 1933
July 22, 2002 ~ Marian Maud Runnells, commonly known as jazz singer Marion Montgomery passed away in Bray, UK ~ Married to pianist, musical director Laurie Holloway. Best known for her association with Johnny Dankworth and her 1972 recording of Maybe The Morning ~ Montgomery was born in 1934
July 22, 2001 ~ Country songwriter, producer Bob Ferguson, full name Robert Bruce Ferguson, passed away ~ Helpful in creating the Nashville sound of the 1950s and 1960s. Perhaps best remembered for writing The Wings Of A Dove, recorded by Ferlin Husky, George Jones, Ricky Skaggs, Hal Ketchum, and others, and for writing The Carroll County Incident, a 1968 hit for Porter Wagoner. Staff producer at RCA-Victor, producing acts such as Connie Smith, Jerry Reed, Floyd Cramer, Danny Davis, Dolly Parton (Jolene), the Browns, Lester Flatt, Homer & Jethro, Charley Pride, and others ~ Ferguson was born in 1927
July 22, 1996 ~ British folk singer Donovan cancels North American tour ~ Donovan, known for 1960s songs such as Mellow Yellow and Sunshine Superman, cancels his North American tour as he is denied entry to the US due to a 1966 marijuana possession conviction
July 22, 1996 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock keyboardist Rob Collins, full name Robert James Collins, passed away inear Monmouth, UK ~ Keyboardist, primary songwriter for the Charlatans, present on all of the band's five albums. Arrested and charged with armed robbery of an off-licence in 1992. Collins claimed to have no foreknowledge of the robbery until he heard a gunshot inside the shop and his friend exited. Would plead guilty to assisting an offender after the offence and serve four months in prison. Shortly before the recordings for the band's fifth album, Tellin' Stories, were finished Collins died in a car crash near Rockfield Studios ~ Collins was born in 1963
July 22, 1996 ~ The Smokin' Grooves Tour kicks off in Sacramento, California ~ Starting a 33-date trek the Smokin' Grooves tour, the first major hip-hop traveling festival, kicks off with a show in Sacramento. Artists billed would include A Tribe Called Quest, the Fugees, and Busta Rhymes
July 22, 1995 ~ Songwriter, music promoter Dave Clark passed away ~ Promoter for major African-American record labels from the late 1930s onwards, including for Decca Records, Duke/Peacock, Chess Records, Aladdin, Apollo, United, Stax, and others. As a songwriter perhaps best remembered for co-writing Why I Sing The Blues, recorded by BB King ~ Clark was born in 1909
July 22, 1995 ~ Pop, R&B, doo-wop tenor singer Jimmy Keyes passed away ~ Member of the Chords, best known for their 1954 doo-wop classic Sh-boom, co-written by Keyes. Canadian vocal quartet the Crew Cuts would successfuly cover the song the same year. Keyes was also a member of the Four Notes and of the Tunestoppers ~ Keyes was born ca.1930
July 22, 1995 ~ Sertanejo singer, guitarist, songwriter Marilia Mendonça, full name Marilia Dias Mendonça, born in Cristianópolis, Brazil ~ Broke through with Infiel taken of her 2016 Marilia Mendonça Ai Vivo debut album. Has written songs for artists such as João Neto & Frederico, Wesley Safadão, Henrique & Juliano, Matheus & Kauan, Jorge & Mateus, Cristiano Araujo, and others. Along with several of her entourage killed in a plane crash aged 26 ~ Mendonça passed away in 2021
July 22, 1995 ~ Trumpeter, bandleader Percy Humphrey, full name Percy Gaston Humphrey, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Brother of clarinetist Willie Humphrey and trombonist Earl Humphrey. Worked with the Eureka Brass Band, Sweet Emma Barrett, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Emanuel Paul, and others ~ Humphrey was born in 1905
July 22, 1992 ~ Singer, actress Selena Gomez, full name Selena Maria Gomez, born in Grand Prairie, Texas, USA ~ Rose to -prominence as actress on the Disney TV shows Barney & Friends and The Wizards Of Waverly Place. Debuted as a singer with her 2009 Kiss & Tell album, spawning the modest hit Naturally. Would go on to reach the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 with songs such as Come & Get It, The Heart Wants What It Wants, Good For You featuring A$AP Rocky, Same Old Love, Hands To Myself, It Ain't Me featuring Kygo, and Lose You To Love Me
July 22, 1987 ~ Brazilian pop, soft rock singer, songwriter Morris Albert found guilty of plagiarizing the 1956 Pour Toi song ~ In a plagiarism suit the court would find Albert guilty, his 1974 hit Feelings found to be similar to Loulou Gasté's Pour Toi as used in the 1957 film Le Feu Aux Poudres. Gasté would receive approximately half a million US dollars and co-writing credit
July 22, 1985 ~ Pop-reggae, dub outfit UB40 release I Got You Babe featuring the Pretenders-singer Chrissie Hynde, lead single off their Baggariddim album ~ Written by Sonny Bono, and originally a mid-1960s No.1 hit for Sonny & Cher on both sides of the Atlantic. The UB40 single would reach top 10 across Europe, including the No.1 spot in the Netherlands, Ireland, and their native UK, making it the band's second British charttopper after Red Red Wine off their previous album
July 22, 1983 ~ Blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Bobby King, full name Robert L King, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ In-demand session musician. Worked with Hank Ballard, Bobby Blue Bland, Lee Shot Williams, Eddy Clearwater, Freddie King, Lonnie Johnson, the Aces, Sonny Thompson, annd others. As a solo artist best known for his 1962 single Thanks Mr Postman, an answer song to Please Mr Postman, and for his solo solo album Chaser released in 1975 ~ King was born in 1941
July 22, 1983 ~ Kirill Aleksandrovich Tolmatsky, commonly known as hip-hop, reggae, ragga rapper, singer Detsl, born in Moscow, Russia ~ Debuted his full-length debut album Who Are You in 2000, instantly becoming a teen idol. At one time also recorded under the moniker Le Truk in an effort to distance himself from his earlier material. Has repeatedly publicly entertained the idea of faking his own death. Died unexpectedly at age 35 of a heart attack after performing at a private birthday party ~ Tolmatsky passed away in 2019
July 22, 1982 ~ Edward Hammond Boatner Jr, commonly known as bebop, hard bop saxophonist Sonny Stitt, passed away in Washington DC, USA ~ Toured relentlessly. Recorded over 100 albums. Worked with Tiny Bradshaw, Billy Eckstine, Gene Ammons, Dexter Gordon, Dizzy Gillespie, Horace Parlan, Bud Powell, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Thad Jones, Chick Corea, Jimmy Jones, Johnny Richards, Quincy Jones, Hank Jones, Dolo Coker, briefly with Miles Davis (the only Stitt-Davis recordings are hard to find 1960 live sets), Jim Hall, Gene Ammons, Booker Ervin, Paul Gonsalves, Leon Spencer, Melvin Sparks, Idris Muhammad, Virgil Jones, Don Patterson, Red Holloway, George Duvivier, Jimmy Cobb, and others ~ Stitt was born in 1924
July 22, 1977 ~ Jazz tenor saxophonist Richie Kamuca passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Chet Baker, Maynard Ferguson, Shorty Rogers, the Lighthouse All-Stars, Art Pepper, Jimmy Rowles, Cy Touff, Shelly Manne, Gerry Mulligan, Gary McFarland, Roy Eldridge, Al Cohn, Bill Perkins, Manny Albam, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Anita O'Day, Shorty Rogers, Zoot Sims, and others ~ Kamuca was born in 1930
July 22, 1974 ~ Actress, singer Franka Potente born in Münster, West Germany ~ Broke through with the 1998 arthouse film Run Lola Run, written specifically for her. The film would be an international success. Potente also sang on the majority of the soundtrack's songs. Would go on to become an in-demand actress playing in films such as The Bourne Identity, its sequel The Bourne Supremacy, and Eichmann, as well as for TV with recurring roles in shows such as American Horror Story and Taboo
July 22, 1974 ~ Jazz trumpeter, composer Kare Nymark born ~ Worked with the Nymark Collective, Skruk, Real Thing, Gumbo, Funky Butt, the Jazzmob, the Yre Suloens Jass Ensemble, Earle Hyman, Nils Petter Molvær, Silje Nergaard, Tord Gustavsen, Kristin Asbjornsen, Arve Henriksen, John Pål Inderberg, Henning Sommerro, Arne Domnérus, Morten Gunnar Larsen, and others
July 22, 1974 ~ Country, gospel singer, mandolinist Sonya Isaacs, full name Sonya Melissa Isaacs, born ~ Released her sole album, the eponymous Sonya Isaacs, in 2000. Best known for her 2003 No Regrets Yet single. Married to singer, songwriter Jimmy Yeary since 2009, with whom she co-wrote Martina McBride's I'm Gonna Love You Through It released in 2011
July 22, 1973 ~ Rock, noise rock drummer, singer Brian Chippendale born in Newburgh, New York, USA ~ Formed the duo Lightning Bolt with bassist Brian Gibson. The band is known for their guerilla-style live performances, where they typically play on the ground rather than a stage, with the crowd gathered around them. Though the band's sound is loud and agressive, they cites Philip Glass and Sun Ra as influences. The band has recorded over half a dozen albums, starting in the late 1990s, and is especially acclaimed for Wonderful Rainbow released in 2003
July 22, 1973 ~ Singer, pianist, songwriter Rufus Wainwright, full name Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright, born in Rhinebeck, New York, USA ~ Son of singers Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, brother of singer Martha Wainwright. Released his eponymous Rufus Wainwright debut album in 1998 and has recorded to critical acclaim since. Known best for his Leonard Cohen-cover of Hallelujah for the 2007 Shrek soundtrack
July 22, 1971 ~ LA Woman, the Doors' sixth studio album receives Gold certification ~ The last album to feature lead singer Jim Morrison, who would die three months after its release in April 1971. The album's lead single, the upbeat Love Her Madly, would reach top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Other well known tracks include the John Lee Hooker-cover Crawling King Snake, Riders On The Storm and the title track LA Woman
July 22, 1971 ~ Theodore Salvatore Fiorito, commonly known as leader, keyboardist, composer Ted Fio Rito, passed away in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA ~ Best known for a number of mid-1930s hits including My Little Grass Shack In Kealakekua and I'll String Along With You. Composed over a hundred songs collaborating with lyricists such as Ernie Erdman, Gus Kahn, Sam Lewis, Cecil Mack, Albert von Tilzer, and Joe Young ~ Fiorito was born in 1900
July 22, 1970 ~ Guitarist, pianist, drummer, singer Tim Bluhm born in Torrance, California, USA ~ Best known as primary singer and guitarist for rock band the Mother Hips, with whom he has recorded about a dozen albums since the early 1990s. The band merges California boogie, power pop, psychedelia, Americana, and jam rock, and are especially acclaimed for their 2001 The Green Hills Of Earth album. Bluhm has also recorded several albums as a solo artist, starting with Land & Sea Chanteys released in 1999, forms the duo the Skinny Singers with Jackie Greene, the duo the Ball-Point Birds with Greg Loiacono, and has worked with the Rhythm Devils, Brokedown In Bakersfield, and with country-tinged outfit Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers, the latter fronted by Bluhm's wife Nicki Bluhm
July 22, 1969 ~ Singer Aretha Franklin arrested for causing a disturbance in Detroit, Michigan ~ Struggling with the breakup of her marriage to Ted White, a contentious marriage marred by relationship problems, Franklin is arrested for causing a disturbance in an incident at a Detroit parking lot, reportedly slapping a police officer after a minor fender bender. Some accounts tell of Franklin paying $50 bail and hitting a highway sign immediately after her release from the police
July 22, 1969 ~ Despina Malea, commonly known as laiko, pop-rock, dance-pop, eurodance singer, actress Despina Vandi, born in Tubingen, West Germany ~ Best known Ipofero, released in 2000 it became the all-time best-selling single in Greece. Also known for songs such as Spania, Come Along Now, Kalanta, Opa Opa and Gia, the latter two also becoming international hits including topping the American Billboard Dance chart
July 22, 1969 ~ The soundtrack to Elvis Presley's TV Special, also known as Elvis '68 Comeback Special, is certified gold ~ Having grown discontented with merely making movies and feeling distanced from musical trends, NBC would air a live set initially intended as a Christmas special by manager Colonel Tom Parker. Presley thought it was yet another scheme by Parker, angered by the idea of singing Christmas carols. NBC-producer Steve Binder persuaded all parties to alter the original concept. The show did air in December, the 3rd, but instead of a Christmas-Elvis it would feature an updated Elvis on Elvis terms. The show would mark his return to live stage, leaving behind the film-Elvis
July 22, 1968 ~ Trumpeter Miles Davis releases Miles In The Sky, the last album with a line-up known as Davis's second great quintet ~ The album's title a nod to the Beatles 1967 song Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, Miles In The Sky was the last in a series starting with 1965's ESP recorded entirely with a line-up known as Davis's second great quintet, featuring saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Tony Williams, before entering his electric period, starting with the acclaimed transitional Filles de Kilimanjaro album released by the end of the year
July 22, 1964 ~ Drummer Will Calhoun born in New York, New York, USA ~ Drummer for Living Colour, with whom he recorded half a dozen albums. The band is best known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 single Cult Of Personality of their 1988 Vivid debut album. Calhoun has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album [title-will-calhoun-housework-album] released in 1995, was a co-founding member of drum and bass trio Jungle Funk, and is an in-demand sideman for a wide array of artists including BB King, Nona Hendryx, Caron Wheeler, Marcus Miller, the Syndicate Of Soul, Zachary Breaux, Wayne Shorter (High Life), Mos Def, and Bernard Fowler
July 22, 1962 ~ Guitarist, engineer, producer Steve Albini born in Pasadena, California, USA ~ Member of Big Black, Rapeman, Flour, Shellac. In-demand engineer and producer, having worked on over an estimated 1,000 albums since the 1980s including for artists such as Urge Overkill, the Pixies (Surfer Rosa), the Jesus Lizard, the Breeders, the Volcano Suns, Jon Spencer, PJ Harvey (Rid Of Me), Pigface, Nirvana (In Utero), Brise-Glace, Palace, Bush, Veruca Salt, the Bollweevils, Robbie Fulks, Mogwai, Leftöver Crack, the Sadies, Jarvis Cocker, and others
July 22, 1961 ~ Singer Keith Sweat born in New York, New York, USA ~ One of the earliest stars in the new jack swing genre. Released his Make It Last Forever debut album in 1987. Would regularly reach the higher echelons of the charts through the end of the century. Known for songs such as I Want Her, Make You Sweat, I'll Give My Love To You, Twisted featuring Kut Klose & Pretty Russ, Nobody featuring Athena Cage, Come And Get With Me featuring Snoop Dogg. Member of R&B supergroup LSG alongside Johnny Gill and Eddie Levert, known for their 1997 hit My Body. Served as producer for Men At Large, Dru Hill, the Isley Brothers, Immature, the O'Jays, and for Chantay Savage
July 22, 1960 ~ Heavy metal, progressive metal guitarist, keyboardist, singer Jon Oliva, full name John Nicholas Oliva, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Keyboardist, lead singer of Savatage, which he co-founded with his brother Criss Oliva. Also worked with Doctor Butcher, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Seven Witches, Chris Caffery, Avantasia, Neverland, Elvenking, Circle II Circle, Dawn Of Destiny, and others
July 22, 1959 ~ Keyboardist Paul Antonelli born in Brighton, Massachusetts, USA ~ First gained attention with the bands Red Zone and its successor Animotion, known for their 1983 Obsession hit. Has subsequently worked with Radio Werewolf and as composer, musical director for film and TV, notably on The Beautiful Prince and soap operas such as General Hospital, Santa Barbara and All My Children
July 22, 1955 ~ Jazz guitarist Joshua Breakstone born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA ~ Influenced by Charlie Parker and Lee Morgan. Leader and sideman. Worked with Joanne Brackeen, Cecil McBee, Vinnie Burke, Warne Marsh, Emily Remler, Aaron Bell, Pepper Adams, Kenny Barron, Dennis Irwin, Jimmy Knepper, Tommy Flanagan, Keith Copeland, Kenny Washington, Jack McDuff, Al Harewood, Barry Harris, and others
July 22, 1954 ~ Guitarist Al di Meola born in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA ~ Cites jazz guitarists, George Benson, Kenny Burrell, as well as country guitarists, Clarence White, Doc Watson, as major influences. When the band disbanded Di Meola would go solo, starting with his debut Land Of The Midnight Sun, in 1976. His early albums earned him critical acclaim and would prove most influential among jazz and rock guitarists. Noted for his mastery, Di Meola would fuse jazz fusion, flamenco and Mediterranean music. Later he would venture more into world music.
July 22, 1954 ~ Free jazz trombonist Johannes Bauer born in Halle, West Germany ~ Brother of trombonist Conny Bauer, with whom he also worked. Also worked with Manfred Schulze, Uwe Kropinski, Helmut Sachse, Jon Rose, Peter Holliinger, Dietmar Diesnen, Thomas Lehn, Ken Vandermark, Peter Brötzmann, and others ~ Bauer passed away in 2016
July 22, 1951 ~ Rock, country guitarist, ukelele player Richard Bennett born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Closely associated with Neil Diamond, backing Diamond on stage for over 15 years. Plays lead guitar on the Bellamy Brothers' 1975 hit Let Your Love Flow. Member of Rodney Crowell's road band the Notorious Cherry Bombs. Co-produced Steve Earle's Guitar Town debut album and its follow-up Exit 0. Co-wrote Earle's Copperhead Road. In-demand session musician. Appears on recordings by Mark Knopfler, Billy Joel (Piano Man), Barbra Streisand, the Four Tops, Alex Harvey, Chuck Jackson, T-Bone Walker, Lobo, Ringo Starr, Flashback, Helen Reddy, Rosanne Cash, George Strait, Nicolette Larson, Lyle Lovett (Lyle Lovett & his Large Band), Alabama, Joan Baez, Hal Ketchum, Vince Gill (Pocket Full Of Gold), Matraca Berg, Emmylou Harris (Wrecking Ball), Allison Moorer, Trisha Yearwood, Miranda Lambert, Sheryl Crow, and others
July 22, 1947 ~ Rock, folk rock, soft rock, pop rock singer, drummer, songwriter Don Henley, full name Donald Hugh Henley, born in Gilmer, Texas, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Eagles. Sang lead on some of the band's best-known including Witchy Woman, Desperado, The Best Of My Love, One Of These Nights, Hotel California, Life In The Fast Lane, The Long Run and Get Over It. After the band disbanded would pursue a solo career, scoring Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits with Dirty Laundry, The Boys Of Summer, All She Wants To Do Is Dance, Who Owns This Place and The End Of Innocence
July 22, 1943 ~ Singer Bobby Sherman, full name Robert Cabot Sherman Jr, born in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Late 1960s, early 1970s teen idol best known for his 1969 million-seller Little Woman. Other well known songs include Julie Do Ya Love Me, Easy Come Easy Go and La La La (If I Had You)
July 22, 1943 ~ Rock, new wave guitarist, keyboardist, saxophonist, songwriter Hans Wärmling, full name Hans Axel Wärmling, born ~ Early member of the Stranglers. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Wasted, My Young Dreams and Strange Little Girl, the latter later notably covered by Tori Amos. Left the band in 1975, replaced by Dave Greenfield ~ Wärmling passed away in 1995
July 22, 1940 ~ Singer, bandleader, songwriter George Clinton, full name George Edward Clinton, born in Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA ~ Along with James Brown and Sly Stone considered one of the most important and influential pioneers in funk music. Active since the 1950s leading bands such as the Parliaments, Parliament, Funkadelic and P-Funk. Known for songs such as Maggot Brain, Up For The Down Stroke, Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker), Mothership Connection (Star Child), Funkentelechy and One Nation Under A Groove
July 22, 1940 ~ Thomas Wayne Perkins, commonly known as singer Thomas Wayne, born in Batesville, Mississippi, USA ~ Brother of Johnny Cash guitarist Luther Perkins. Released a number of singles starting in 1958, including This Time which would later be a hit for Troy Shondell. Remembered for his sole Billboard top 20 hit, 1959's Tragedy, released under the moniker Thomas Wayne with the Delons. Died aged 31 in a car crash ~ Perkins passed away in 1971
July 22, 1937 ~ R&B singer Chuck Jackson born in Winston-Salem, South Carolina, USA ~ Scored a string of 1960s Billboard R&B hits including I Don't Want To Cry, I Wake Up Crying, Tell Him I'm Not Home, Beg Me, and his signature song and biggest hit Any Day Now. The latter, an original hit for Jackson in 1962, was one of the first successes for songwriter Burt Bacharach co-written with Bob Hilliard, covered by over 50 artists including Tom Jones, Carla Thomas, Percy Sledge, Elvis Presley, and James Brown. Previously Jackson had sung with the Del Vikings, singing lead on the 1957 Willette single ~ Jackson passed away in 2023
July 22, 1936 ~ Jazz pianist, organist Don Patterson born in Columbus, Ohio, USA ~ Influenced by Erroll Garner and Jimmy Smith. Well over a dozen albums to his name as a leader or co-leader, especially noted for the mid-1960s albums Holiday Soul and The Exciting New Organ Of Don Patterson, the latter featuring Booker Ervin. Regularly collaborated with Sonny Stitt, including on the highly acclaimed Soul People album. Other notable collaborations include Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Eric Kloss, and Lou Donaldson. His struggles with substance addiction would seriously hinder his career in the 1970s, yet Patterson continued to record from time to time ~ Patterson passed away in 1988
July 22, 1934 ~ Herman Cook, commonly known as hard bop tenor saxophonist Junior Cook born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for his association with Horace Silver. Also worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Blue Mitchell, Freddie Hubbard, Elvin Jones, George Coleman, Louis Hayes, Bill Hardman, McCoy Tyner, Clifford Jordan, Kenny Burrell, Cedar Walton, Louis Hayes, Larry Gales, Bertha Hope, and others ~ Cook passed away in 1992
July 22, 1933 ~ Actress, blues, jazz singer Bertice Reading born in Chester, Pennsylvania, USA ~ First gained attention portraying blues singer Bessie Smith in the 1955 all-black revue The Jazz Train with performances in Paris en London. Earned a Tony Award for her role as nurse in the 1957 Broadway production of Requiem For A Nun ~ Reading passed away in 1991
July 22, 1930 ~ Bassist, guitarist Ray Pohlman, full name Merlyn Ray Pohlman, born in Baker Township, Iowa, USA ~ Musical director for the Shindogs, the house band for the TV show Shindig. In-demand session musician present on hundreds of 1950s and 1960s recordings, including songs such as Bring It On Home To Me by Sam Cooke, Be My Baby by the Ronettes, and Help Me Rhonda, Good Vibrations and God Only Knows by the Beach Boys ~ Pohlman passed away in 1990
July 22, 1928 ~ William Thomas Betts, commonly known as jazz, R&B double bassist Keter Betts, born in Port Chester, New York, USA ~ Best known for his associations with Charlie Byrd, notably on the Stan Getz & Byrd album Jazz Samba, and with Ella Fitzgerald. Also worked with Earl Bostic, Dinah Washington, Bobby Timmons, Roberta Flack, Johnny Hartman, Kenny Burrell, Herbie Mann, Billy Eckstine, Clifford Brown, Tommy Flanagan, Etta Jones, Junior Mance, Louie Bellson, Red Holloway, and others ~ Betts passed away in 2005
July 22, 1924 ~ Saxophonist Bill Perkins, William Reese Perkins, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Revered West Coast, cool jazz saxophonist. Worked with Woody Herman, Jerry Wald, Stan Kenton, Art Pepper, Bud Shank, Al Cohn, Richie Kamuca, Art Pepper, Frank Strazzeri, Shorty Rogers, Pepper Adams, Pete Candoli, the Lighthouse All-Stars, Chet Baker, Louie Bellson, Nat King Cole (on the quintessential 1965 L-O-V-E album), Clifford Coultier, Clare Fischer, Dizzy Gillespie, Barney Kessel, John Lewis, Carmen McRae, Conte Candoli, André Previn, Lalo Schifrin, Gerald Wilson, and two decades with the Tonight Show Band starting in 1970 ~ Perkins passed away in 2003
July 22, 1924 ~ Singer Margaret Whiting, full name Margaret Eleanor Whiting, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Popular 1940s, 1950s pop, country singer known for recordings such as That Old Black Magic, It Might As Well Be Spring, All Through The Day, A Tree In The Meadow, and Wheel Of Hurt. Daughter of songwriter, composer Richard Whiting, sister of actress, singer Barbara Whiting. Worked with Freddie Slack, Billy Butterfield, Paul Weston, Jimmy Wakely, Johnny Mercer, Bob Hope, Buddy Bregman, Frank Devol, Russell Garcia, Johnny Mandel, Billy May, Marty Paich, Nelson Riddle, Pete Rugolo, and others ~ Whiting passed away in 2011
July 22, 1922 ~ Mother of Irving Berlin passes away, inspiring several Berlin songs ~ Lena Lipkin Beilin passes away, inspiring her son Berlin to pen All By Myself, All Alone and What'll I Do. All would become standards, covered by numerous artists
July 22, 1918 ~ Singer Marion Harris records After You've Gone ~ Music by Turner Layton, lyrics Henry Creamer. First recorded for Victor Records and popularized by Harris. Would later be covered by numerous artists, including Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Django Reinhardt, Art Tatum, Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, Peggy Lee, Phil Collins, Anthony Braxton, Jamie Cullum, Curtis Stigers, and others
July 22, 1917 ~ Trombonist, violinist Lou McGarrity born in Athens, Georgia, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Benny Goodman, Eddie Condon, the Lawson-Haggart Band, the World's Greatest Jazz Band, Kenny Davern, Urbie Green, Bobby Hackett, JJ Johnson, Jimmy McPartland, Charlie Parker, Cootie Williams, and others ~ McGarrity passed away in 1971
July 22, 1913 ~ Francesco Kramer Gorni, commonly known as bandleader, accordionist, bassist, songwriter Gorni Kramer, born in Rivarolo Mantovano, Italy ~ Active since the 1930s. Co-wrote Crapa Pelada, a hit for Alberto Rabagliati. Wrote Pippo Non Lo Sa, one of the Trio Lescano's biggest hits. Has also worked with Natalino Otto, Quartetto Cetra, and others ~ Gorni passed away in 1995
July 22, 1907 ~ Jazz guitarist, banjoist, composer Perry Botkin born in Springfield, Ohio, USA ~ Active since the late 1920s, starting in Wayne Eucher's big band. Would go on to work with the Original Memphis Five, Hoagy Carmichael (Hong Kong Blues), Al Jolson, Buddy Cole, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Paul Whiteman, Bob Hope, and Spike Jones. Also noted for his association with Bing Crosby, serving as Crosby's musical director for over a dozen years. Botkin's son Perry Botkin Jr is also a musician, perhaps best known for co-writing Nadia's Theme (The Young And Restless) with Barry Devorzon ~ Botkin passed away in 1973
July 22, 1881 ~ Jazz clarinetist George Baquet, full name George Francis Baquet, born ~ Leader and sideman. Incremental in the development of early New Orleans jazz. Son of Theogene V Baquet, brother of Achille Baquet and Harold Baquet, all clarinetists. George has worked with PT Wright, the Georgia Minstrels, Buddy Bolden, John Robichaux, Freddie Keppard, the Onward Brass Band, the Original Creole Orchestra, Sam Gordon's the Lafayette Players, the New Orleans Nighthawks, Bessie Smith, Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet, and others ~ Baquet passed away in 1949
July 22, 1878 ~ Pianist, songwriter Ernest R Ball born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Best known for co-penning When Irish Eyes Are Smiling with George Graff Jr and Chauncey Olcott, the latter introducing the song in the 1912 musical show Isle O' Dreams. The song would become a standard recorded by numerous artists including Bing Crosby, Connie Francis, Hank Locklin, Frank Zappa, and others ~ Ball passed away in 1927