July 25, 2024 ~ Jean-Jacques Pascal, commonly known as pop singer, songwriter Pascal Danel, passed away ~ When injuries from a fall ended his career as a tightrope walker, Pascal turned to songwriting. After a handful of moderate hits, Pascal would break through with La Plage Aux Romantiques in 1965, which reached No.1 in his native France, followed by Kilimandjaro the following year. The latter would be an international hit, recorded by Pascal in about half a dozen languages and remains popular to this day, regarded as one of the most endearing French standards of the era. Pascal went on to record over a dozen albums through the 1980s. Well known songs include Comme Une Enfant, Mamina, Je Suis Un Avonturier, Le Petit Prince N'Est Pas Mort, and Rotterdam. Pascal's son, Jean-Pierre Danel, would follow in his father's footsteps and become a professional guitarist and singer ~ Pascal was born in 1944
July 25, 2024 ~ Nu jazz, acid jazz, jazz funk, trip hop DJ, producer Tadashi Yabe passed away ~ Formed United Future Organization with fellow club DJs Toshio Matsuura and Raphael Sebbag, the trio considered pioneers of the Japanese acid-jazz sound. They are perhaps best known for their debut 12" I Love My Baby (My Baby Loves Jazz) and its follow-up Loud Minority, the latter an international cult favorite on club circuits in the early-1990s. The trio would follow up with about half a dozen albums through their disbandement in the early-2000s, starting with No Sound Is Too Taboo released in 1994 ~ Yabe was born ca.1965
July 25, 2023 ~ Pop rock singer, songwriter Andreas Tsoukalas passed away in Athens, Greece ~ Known for the albums Stous Kairous Tous Ponirous and its follow-up Mia Kainouria Mera. The latter would contain one of his best known, Antio, a translation of Brian Hyland's 1960s hit Sealed With A Kiss ~ Tsoukalas was born in 1963
July 25, 2020 ~ Operatic bass-baritone Bernard Ladysz passed away in Warsaw, Poland ~ Member of the Polish resistance during World War II. Performed in the world premiere of The Devils Of Loudon with the Hamburg State Opera. Appeared alongside Maria Callas in a 1959 recording of Lucia Di Lammermoor conducted by Tullio Serafin. Played title roles in Don Giovanni and Boris Gudonov ~ Ladysz was born in 1922
July 25, 2020 ~ Peter Allen Greenbaum, commonly known as guitarist Peter Green passed away in Canvey Island, UK ~ Best known as co-founding Fleetwood Mac member, wrote or co-wrote songs such as Albatros, Black Magic Woman, Oh Well and The Green Manalishi With The Two Prong Crown. Also worked with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Eddie Boyd, Duster Bennett, Gordon Smith, Otis Spann, Clifford Davis, Jeremy Spencer, Peter Bardens, Memphis Slim, BB King, Dave Kelly, Country Joe McDonald, Toe Fat, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Peter Gabriel, and with the Peter Green Splinter Group ~ Green was born in 1946
July 25, 2018 ~ Composer, conductor, producer Glen Roven, full name Glen Paul Roven, passed away ~ Musical director of the Broadway-production of Sugar Babes at a mere age 19. Conducted the inaugural concerts of Bill Clinton and of George W Bush. Conducted the last TV appearance of Frank Sinatra. Has also worked with artists such as Julie Andrews, Anita Baker, Michael Bolton, Bono, Ray Charles, Denyce Graves, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Patti Labelle, Diana Ross, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Trisha Yearwood, and others ~ Roven was born in 1957
July 25, 2018 ~ Composer, arranger, conductor Patrick Williams passed away in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Oscar-nominated, Emmy- and Grammy-winning film and television composer, conductor, arranger responsible for composing music for TV shows such as Columbo, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Streets Of San Francisco, and Sports Challenge. Composed jazz and orchestral works, including Concerto In Swing for clarinetist Eddie Daniels, Romances For Jazz Soloist And Orchestra for saxophonist Tom Scott and Theme For Earth Day for John Williams and the Boston Pops ~ Williams was born in 1939
July 25, 2017 ~ Folk, folk rock, country, soft rock singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Michael Johnson, full name Michael Jay Johnson, passed away in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Over a dozen albums to his name starting with 1973's There Is A Breeze. Best known for his 1978 hit Bluer Than Blue, which would reach top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. Would continue to record and regularly reach the higher echelons of the Billboard Country charts, including the top 10 hits Give Me Wings, The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder, Crying Shame, Whisper Your Name, That's That ~ Johnson was born in 1944
July 25, 2016 ~ Alastair Fletcher, commonly known as drummer Al Fletcher, passed away ~ Worked with the Selecter, Gigantic, Ultraviolet, and Die So Fluid ~ Fletcher was born in 1970
July 25, 2016 ~ Allan Curtis Barnes, commonly known as saxophonist, clarinetist Allan Barnes, passed away in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Founded and lead Primetime. Worked with Donald Byrd, Gil Scott-Heron, Lyman Woodard David II, Robert Guillaume, Wilson Pickett, Christian Dimaggio, Blackbyrds, Lakeside, Cen Lucas, Prince, the Mizell Brothers, Marcus Belgrave, Harold McKinney, Bootsy Collins, the Detroit Experiment, Regina Carter, Geri Allen, the Dramatics, Reggie Braxton, Sandy Patton, Dwight Adams, Sunny Wilkinson, Sunny Girl, Martha Reeves, Martha Wilson, Teddy Harris, Roy Brooks, Big John Patton, Milt Hinton, Grant Green, Pharoah Sanders, Sonny Rollins, and Billy Taylor ~ Barnes was born in 1949
July 25, 2013 ~ Percussionist Steve Berrios passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Started touring with Mongo Santamaria at age 19 and recorded several albums with the band. Co-founding member of the Fort Apache Band. Member of M'Boom. Recorded a sole album, 1996's And Then Some, as a leader. An in-demand sideman, Berrios has guested on albums by Alphonse Mouzon (Funky Snakefoot), Randy Weston, Azuquita, Larry Harlow, Héctor Lavoe (Comedia), David Amram, Patato Valdés, Hilton Ruiz (Cross Currents), Ray Mantilla, Michael Brecker (Now You See It (Now You Don't)), Sonny Fortune, Kenny Kirkland, Daniel Ponce, Charles Fambrough (Blues At Bradley's), Wallace Roney (Misterios), Ron Holloway, and Chico O'Farrill ~ Berrios was born in 1945
July 25, 2008 ~ Jazz, funk, jazz fusion guitarist Hiram Bullock passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Member of the 24th Street Band. Has recorded with Will Lee, David Sanborn, Bob James, Steely Dan (Gaucho), Paul Simon (One Trick Pony), Harry Belafonte, Marcus Miller, Sting (Nothing Like The Sun), Carla Bley, Miles Davis, Billy Joel, Ruben Rada, and Gil Evans ~ Bullock was born in 1955
July 25, 2008 ~ Saxophonist Johnny Griffin passed away in Availles, France ~ Leading figure in hard bop. Leader and sideman. Worked with Lionel Hampton, Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Kenny Clarke, Joe Morris, John Coltrane, Hank Mobley, Clark Terry, Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones, Nat Adderley, Chet Baker, Count Basie, James Carter, Tadd Dameron, Dizzy Gillespie, Blue Mitchell, Ira Sullivan, Wes Montgomery, Randy Weston, and others ~ Griffin was born in 1928
July 25, 2008 ~ Producer, label executive Mike Berniker passed away in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, USA ~ Critically acclaimed producer with a career spanning four decades. First gained serious attention in the early-1960s producing Barbra Streisand's first three albums, the Grammy Award-winning The Barbra Streisand Album, The Second Barbra Streisand Album and The Third Album. Produced People, Streisand's first major hit. Also noted for signing Hall & Oates and Juice Newton to RCA Records. Has also worked with Perry Como, Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Johnny Mathis, and others ~ Berniker was born in 1935
July 25, 2005 ~ Trombonist Albert Mangelsdorff passed away in Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany ~ Free jazz innovator. Brother of saxophonist Emil Mangelsdorff who introduced him to jazz during the Nazi regime while it was strictly forbidden. In the 1950s Mangelsdorff played with Joe Klimm, Hans Koller, and Jutta Hipp. Led a revered quintet in the 1960s and toured internationally. The 1970s showed expanding into new territory, experimenting with multiphonics, playing with the Globe Unity Orchestra, Peter Brötzmann, Elvin Jones, Jaco Pastorius, Alphonse Mouzon, John Surman, Barre Phillips, and Stu Martin. Co-founded the United Jazz+Rock Ensemble. Would go on to collaborate internationally in various ensembles from the 1980s onwards including with Chico Freeman, Jean-François Jenny-Clark, Eric Watson, John Lindberg, Ed Thigpen, and Ernst Reijseger ~ Mangelsdorff was born in 1928
July 25, 1995 ~ Singer, pianist Charlie Rich passed away in Hammond, Louisiana, USA ~ Prolific singer, songwriter capable in rockabilly, jazz, blues, country, soul and gospel. Best known for songs such as Behind Closed Doors, The Most Beautiful Girl In The World, There Won't Be Anymore, and She Called Me Baby. Session musician for Sun Records backing artists such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Bill Justis, Warren Smith, Billy Lee Riley, Carl Mann, and Ray Smith ~ Rich was born in 1932
July 25, 1994 ~ Charles Artice Glenn, commonly known as country singer, songwriter Artie Glenn, passed away ~ Best remembered for writing Crying In The Chapel. The song would first be a hit as recorded by his son Darrell Glenn in 1953, despite the recording being only intended as a demo version to get it published. It would be covered by a number of artists during the 1950s, notably Ella Fitzgerald, Eddy Arnold, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. The song would however become most closely associated with Elvis Presley who recorded three takes in 1960, shelved them for five years as he was unhappy with the takes and had a million-seller with the single in 1965 ~ Glenn was born in 1915
July 25, 1992 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist Gary Windo passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Declined an offer to join the band from Sonny Stitt. Member of New York Gong. Half of Pam & Gary Windo. Has worked with host of jazz and rock artists including Carla Bley, Brotherhood Of Breath, Centipede, Matching Mole, Running Man, Nick Mason, the Psychedelic Furs, Robert Wyatt, NRBQ, and others ~ Windo was born in 1941
July 25, 1991 ~ Singer Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa get married in Los Angeles, California ~ Scialfa first met Springsteen in the early-1980s, and postponed her solo debut album when joining Springsteen's backing unit the E Street Band in time for the 1984 Born In The USA tour. After the tour, Scialfa was briefly romantically involved with actor Tom Cruise, prior to starting living together with Springsteen after his divorce from actress Julianne Phillips. The couple have been married since 1991 and have three children together
July 25, 1986 ~ Lester Anthony Minnelli, commonly known as stage director, film director Vincente Minnelli, passed away in Beverly Hills, California, USA ~ To musical audiences known for directing several classic movie musicals. Both 1951's An American In Paris and 1958's Gigi would win an Academy Award for Best Picture, the latter also winning Minnelli the award for Best Director. Also notably directed Meet Me In St Louis starring Judy Garland, released in 1944 and MGM's most successful film musical of the 1940s. Minnelli and Garland would be married from 1945 until 1951, their daughter is singer Liza Minnelli. In addition to directing some of the best known musicals of his day, Minnelli has also made many comedies and melodramas ~ Minnelli was born in 1903
July 25, 1984 ~ Willie Mae Thornton, commonly known as singer Big Mama Thornton passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Memphis Minnie, Bessie Smith, the Dixie Hummingbirds, and Mahalia Jackson. Best known for first recording the Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller song Hound Dog, later made famous by Elvis Presley, and Ball And Chain, later made famous by Janis Joplin. Has performed and recorded with artists such as Buddy Guy, Fred Below, Eddie Boyd, Jimmy Lee Robinson, Big Walter Horton, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Muddy Waters, Sammy Lawhorn, James Cotton, Otis Spann, Luther Guitar Junior Johnson, Francis Clay, George Harmonica Smith, Doug Macleod, Bee Houston, Steve Wachsman, Todd Nelson, Bill Potter, Bruce Sieverson, JD Nicholson, and Aretha Franklin ~ Thornton was born in 1926
July 25, 1980 ~ Singer, songwriter, poet, actor Vladimir Vysotsky, full name Vladimir Semyonovich Vysotsky passed away in Moscow, Soviet Union ~ Widely known for his unique singing style and lyrics, dressing social and political commentary in humorous wit. Though largely ignored and forbidden to release his songs by the cultural establishment remained popular and had a lasting effect on Soviet culture. Has written an estimated 1,000 songs, yet as most of were passed on through amateur vinyl and tape recordings he died without any official album release. Well-known songs include Farewell To Mountains, I Don't Like, Capricious Horses, Morning Gymnastics, and The Lyrical Song ~ Vysotsky was born in 1938
July 25, 1979 ~ Leonard Grant, commonly known a rapper Uncle Murda, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ First gained attention as featured vocalist on Brooklyn of Fabolous' 2007 From Nothin' To Somethin' album. Has also collaborated with French Montana, 50 Cent, Bobby Shmurda, Casanova, 6ix9ine, Statik Selektah, Memphis Bleek, Busta Rhymes, Lloyd Banks, Raekwon, Waka Flocka Flame, Styles P, Jadakiss, E-40, and others
July 25, 1975 ~ Big band pianist, bandleader, composer, arranger Arnold Johnson passed away in St Petersburg, Florida, USA ~ Worked with Rudy Wiedoeft, Freddy Martin, Harold Arlen, Vic Benton, Bob Chester, and Danny Polo. Johnson disbanded the band in the early-1930s and became a radio producer and director ~ Johnson was born in 1893
July 25, 1974 ~ Electronic keyboardist, guitarist, bassist Daniel Hunt born in Liverpool, UK ~ Co-founding member, principal songwriter of electronic outfit Ladytron, earning a cult following by paying hommage to retro styles such as new wave and Krautrock. The band has recorded well over half a dozen albums, starting with the acclaimed 604 released in 2001. Hunt has also served as producer for artists such as Christina Aguilera, Marina Ribatski, and notably bandmate Helen Marnie, producing the latter's 2013 Crystal World solo debut album, and worked on a number of soundtracks
July 25, 1973 ~ Pop rock outfit the Doobie Brothers release their China Grove single ~ Released as the second and final single from the band's The Captain And Me, China Grove would peak at No.15 Billboard Hot 100. As to the subject of the song, writer Tom Johnston thought he had created a fictional town called China Grove near San Antonio, Texas, but later learned it really exists from a cab driver. Johnston explained the band had been on tour passing through the town, and he must have seen a road sign with the name but somehow had forgotten about it. The actual town of China Grove is located some 12 miles east of downtown San Antonio, and at the time the song was written must have had a population of no more than 400 residents
July 25, 1971 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Roger Creager born in Corpus Christi, Texas, USA ~ Aimed to become a country singer since age 6. Recorded over half a dozen albums, starting with Having Fun All Wrong released in 1998. Well-known songs include The Everclear Song, I Got The Guns, Long Way To Mexico, and I'm From The Beer Joint
July 25, 1968 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, soft rock, synth-pop, new wave singer, keyboardist, songwriter John Grant, full name Jon William Grant, born in Buchanan, Michigan, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer, primary songwriter of alternative rock outfit the Czars, with whom he recorded half a dozen albums including the critically acclaimed Before (But Longer) released in 2004. Following the band's disbandement in the mid-2000s Grant took a pause from music before releasing his Queen Of Denmark solo debut album in 2010
July 25, 1967 ~ Western swing singer Tommy Duncan, full name Thomas Elmer Duncan, passed away in San Diego, California, USA ~ Influenced by singers Jimmie Rodgers, Bing Crosby, and Emmett Miller. Co-founding member of the Texas Playboys, the vehicle and backing unit for Bob Wills. Duncan intermittently remained with Wills through the early-1960s, and has also fronted his own bands. As a songwriter, Duncan wrote or co-wrote Bubbles In My Beer, Stay A Little Longer, Take Me Back To Tulsa, and Time Changes Everything, all of which first recorded with Bob Wills and all of which covered by dozens of others. As a singer and songwriter, Duncan would become hugely influental on later singers such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Price, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Roy Orbison, Merle Haggard, Buddy Holly, Red Steagall, George Strait, Clint Black, Randy Travis, and Garth Brooks. Suffering a heart condition, Duncan was found deceased at age 56 in his hotel room following a performance in Imperial Beach near San Diego, California. As a member of the Texas Playboys, Duncan was posthumously inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1999 ~ Duncan was born in 1911
July 25, 1966 ~ Rock, alternative rock, punk rock bassist Maureen Herman born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Member of all-female rock trio Babes In Toyland with guitarist Kat Bjelland and drummer Lori Barbero, joining the band in 1992 replacing original bassist Michelle Leon. Present on the band's 1992 Fontanelle sophomore album and its 1995 follow-up and final album Nemesisters. Following the band's initial disbandement has worked as editor for Musician magazine, freelanced for Rolling Stone, and founded her own Pollyanna company focusing on music management, booking, promotion, publicity, and music publishing
July 25, 1966 ~ Bubblegum pop rock outfit the Monkees record Mary Mary at Western Recorders, Hollywood, California ~ First recorded by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band for their 1966 East-West album. The song was written by Michael Nesmith before he was recruited for the Monkees, a novelty act and accompanying sit-com conceived by executives in response to the popularity of the Beatles. Back in the day, audiences actually found it hard to believe the was actually written by a Monkee as most of the band's material was written by songwriters from outside the band, and most instruments were played by session musicians rather than the Monkees themselves. In America, the Monkees track was never issued as an official single but enjoyed great popularity through regular performances of the song on their TV show. Besides being included on their 1968 More Of The Monkees album, the track would also be distributed as a cereal-box prize in 1969
July 25, 1963 ~ Emival Eterno da Costa, commonly known as sertanejo singer Leonardo, born in Goianápolis, Brazil ~ Formed the sibling duo Leandro & Leonardo with his brother Leonardo. Coming from a poor background the duo would relentlessly play bars while holding day jobs. After self-releasing their first two albums, the brothers would first gain attention with their 1989 Leandro & Leonardo Vol.3 album. By the early-1990s the brothers would have their own weekly TV show, aired nationally, and sell million of records. The siblings have sold over 17 million records, their 1990 Leandro & Leonardo Vol.3 album marked as the all-time best-selling Brazilian sertanejo album. Following Leandro's death of cancer at age 36, Leonardo continued to record as a solo artist starting with the album Tempo released in 1999
July 25, 1962 ~ Blues harpist, singer, guitarist Robert Lucas born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Played the blues harmonica backing artists such as Bernie Pearl, Big Joe Turner, George Harmonica Smith, Pee Wee Creighton, Lowell Fulson, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Percy Mayfield, and others. Founded Luke & the Locomotives. Fronted Canned Heat from the mid- to late-1990s ~ Lucas passed away in 2008
July 25, 1961 ~ Actress, singer Bobbi Eakes, full name Bobbie Diane Eakes, born in Warner Robins, Georgia, USA ~ Beauty queen, made the top 10 at the 1983 Miss America contest. Best known as a TV actress, notably starring in the soap operas The Bold & The Beautiful and All My Children. Sang with girl group Big Trouble, duetted with Jeff Trachta, guested on Collin Raye's 2000 single Tired Of Loving You and released a number of solo albums
July 25, 1960 ~ Singer Connie Francis records My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own ~ Written by Howard Greenfield and Jack Keller. Produced by Jesse Kaye and Arnold Maxin. Released as a single, b/w Malaguena, later the same year it would reach No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100
July 25, 1958 ~ Thurston Joseph Moore, commonly known as alternative rock, noise rock, avant-rock, post-punk singer, guitarist, bassist, drummer, songwriter Thurston Moore, born in Coral Gabes, Florida, USA ~ Best known as core member of Sonic Youth, acclaimed for albums such as Daydream Nation and Goo. Has also worked with Chelsea Light Moving, Pvre Matrix, Twilight, Jim Sauter, Nels Cline, Don Fleming, Backbeat Band, Ciccone Youth, the Coachmen, the Dim Stars, Rodney & the Tube Tops, Wylde Ratttz, yokokimthurston, and others
July 25, 1954 ~ Rock guitarist, keyboardist Ken Greer, full name Kenneth William Greer, born ~ Co-founding member of Red Rider, later known as Tom Cochrane & Red Rider, known best for the Canadian top 10 single Big League of their 1988 Victory Day album. Has also worked with Big Faith, Hunter-Greer, Lawrence Gowan, and with country outfit the Road Hammers
July 25, 1951 ~ Bassist, songwriter Verdine White born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known as longtime bassist for Earth Wind & Fire. Influenced by Louis Satterfield, James Jamerson, Paul McCartney, and Gary Karr. Has also guested on records by Ramsey Lewis, Gene Harris, the Emotions, Deniece Williams, Jennifer Lopez, Solange, Flo Rida, Kelly Clarkson, and others
July 25, 1950 ~ Bassist Mark Clarke born in Liverpool, UK ~ Member of Colosseum in 1970 and 1971. Subsequently briefly a member of Uriah Heep, for whom he co-wrote The Wizard of the 1972 Demons & Wizards album. Recorded two studio albums with Tempest. Co-founded Natural Gas. Has also worked with Mountain, Ian Hunter, Torque, and with JCM
July 25, 1947 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Bob Franke, full name Robert James Franke, born in Hammtramck, Michigan, USA ~ Active since the late-1960s. Known for songs such as The Great Storm Is Over, Hard Love, and For Real. Had his songs covered by Kathy Mattea, June Tabor, Garnet Rogers, Claudia Schmidt, Tony Rice, John McCutcheon, and Peter Paul & Mary
July 25, 1946 ~ Percussionist José Areas, full name José Octavio Areas Davila, born in Leon, Nicaragua ~ Best known as timbales and conga drums player for Santana from 1969 through 1977. Present on the band's most acclaimed albums including 1969's Santana, 1970's Abraxas and 1977's Moonflower. Released a sole solo album, José Chepito Areas, in 1974. Also backed John Lee Hooker on the 1989 The Healer album
July 25, 1946 ~ Alpharita Constantia Anderson, commonly known as singer Rita Marley born in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba ~ Widow of Bob Marley. Member of the Soulettes, which also included Constantine Walker and Marlene Gifford. Backup singer in the Wailers. Post-Wailers Rita would team up with fellow Wailers singers Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt as vocal group the I-Threes
July 25, 1945 ~ Rock trumpeter, pianist Jim Price, full name James William Price, born in Fort Worth, Texas, USA ~ Toured with the Rolling Stones and appeared on albums such as Sticky Fingers, Exile On Main St and Goat's Head Soup. As a session musician has also worked with acts such as Delaney & Bonnie (Accept No Substitute), Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Joe Cocker (Mad Dogs & Englishmen), Barbra Streisand, and others. Has also recorded as a solo artist, served as a producer for Wayne Shorter, Jennifer Warnes, David Bromberg and others, and orchestrated, conducted, composed for film and TV
July 25, 1942 ~ Guitarist, songwriter, arranger Bruce Woodley born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Founding member and main songwriter of the Seekers teaming up with former schoolmates Athol Guy and Keith Potger. As a songwriter Woodley had his songs recorded by artists such as the Strangers (Lady Scorpio), Zoot (Monty And Me), Hans Poulsen (Boom Sha-la-la-lo), Cyrkle (Red Rubber Ball), Simon & Garfunkel (Cloudy), and Herman's Hermits (Rattler)
July 25, 1941 ~ Manuel Charlton, commonly known as guitarist, singer Manny Charlton, born in Linea de la Concepion, Spain ~ Founding member, lead guitarist of Nazareth remaining with the band through 1990. Initially hired by Guns 'n Roses to produce what would become their Appetite For Destruction debut album, yet after commitments called Charlton back to the UK the band would hire Mike Clink to produce the final cut. Has released over a dozen solo albums, starting with 2004's Say The Word, and collaborated with Neil Miller, From Behind, Tim Bogert, Walfredo Reyes Jr, Steven Adler, Vivian Campbell, and Robyn Delarenzo ~ Charlton passed away in 2022
July 25, 1938 ~ Jazz bassist Günter Lenz born in Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany ~ Played the guitar before taking up the bass. First gained attention in the early-1960s backing Albert Mangelsdorff. Would go on to work with Krzysztof Komeda, notably on the 1965 Astigmatic album, Barney Wilen, George Russell, Leon Thomas, Kurt Edelhagen, Peter Herbolzheimer, Chet Baker, Coleman Hawkins, Oliver Nelson, and Benny Bailey. Lenz is perhaps best known as a member of the HR Jazz Ensemble, and as a founder of 1970s jazz-fusion group Springtime. In the 2000s, Lenz served as bass professor at the Musikhochschule Stuttgart, Germany
July 25, 1934 ~ Trumpeter, drummer Don Ellis, full name Donald Johnson Ellis, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Tommy Dorsey, Louis Armstrong, and Dizzy Gillespie. Well over two dozen albums to his name as a leader, including the soundtracks to The French Connection and Ruby. Ellis first gained attention in the early-1960s New York avant-garde jazz scene, appearing on albums by Charles Mingus, Eric Dolphy, and George Russell, and leading sessions with sidemen such as Jaki Byard, Ron Carter, and Steve Swallow. Ellis would go on to work with several Third Stream projects, merging jazz and classical, and later still explore Eastern music, notably founding the Hindustani Jazz Sextet, considered the first band of its kind in America. To rock audiences, Ellis is perhaps best known for playing the trumpet on Brown Shoes Don't Make It on Frank Zappa's 1967 Absolutely Free album, and for opening for the likes of the Grateful Dead in the early-1970s. Ellis has a strong influence on those with whom he worked, many of his sidemen later becoming stars in their own right. Saxophonist Jim Snodgrass once remarked: “I think in many ways Don was a teacher. One thing his music taught me that I could play anything I absolutely had to” ~ Ellis passed away in 1978
July 25, 1930 ~ Annabelle McCauley Allan Short, commonly known as singer, actress Annie Ross, born in Mitcham, UK ~ At age 14, Ross won a songwriting contest with her composition Let's Fly, the song would be recorded by Johnny Mercer. She would go on to form the vocal jazz trio Lambert Hendricks & Ross with Dave Lambert and Jon Hendricks, with whom she recorded half a dozen albums through the early-1960s. Pianist Count Basie was so impressed with the trio's 1957 Sing A Song Of Basie debut album, featuring vocal renditions of Basie standards, that he happily joined them for their Sing Along With Basie sophomore album released the next year. The trio would be voted Best Vocal Group by readers of Down Beat for four consecutive years, starting in 1959, and are especially acclaimed for their 1961 High Flying With Lambert Hendricks & Ross album, which earned them a Grammy Award for Best Performance by a Vocal Group. After Ross's departure in 1962, the two remaining members would seek a replacement in Yolande Bavan, renaming themselves to Lambert Hendricks & Bavan. Any hopes of a reunion of the original trio ended with Lambert's death in a road accident in 1966 ~ Short passed away in 2020
July 25, 1925 ~ William Benjamin Jr, commonly known as R&B, jazz drummer Benny Benjamin, also known as Papa Zita, born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Influenced by Buddy Rich and Tito Puente. First drummer of Motown house band the Funk Brothers, appearing on tracks by Barrett Strong, the Miracles (Going To A Go-Go), the Contours, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder (Uptight (Everything's Alright)), and Gladys Knight & the Pips. Towards the end of the 1960s, Benjamin would increasingly struggle with drugs and alcohol addiction, which seriously hindered his career. Benjamin died following a stroke at age 43 ~ Benjamin passed away in 1969
July 25, 1907 ~ Saxophonist Johnny Hodges born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA ~ Alongside Benny Carter considered one of the definitive alto sax players of the big band era. Started playing with artists such as Lloyd Scott, Sidney Bechet, Luckey Roberts, Chick Webb. Joined Duke Ellington on the recommendation of Ellington's clarinetist Barney Bigard. Hodges would become one of the most prominent players in Duke's ensemble. With the exception of the period 1951 through 1955, when he led his own band, Hodges played with Ellington from 1928 to his death in 1970. Signature pieces would include Confab With Rab, Jeep's Blues and Hodge Podge. Hodges's death prompted Ellington to remark the band “would never sound the same.” ~ Hodges passed away in 1970
July 25, 1897 ~ Blues guitarist, country blues pioneer Sylvester Weaver born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Country blues pioneer. Backed Sara Martin on early-1920s recordings such as Longing For Daddy Blues and I've Gotta Leave My Daddy Behind. Also worked with Walter Beasley, and Helen Humes ~ Weaver passed away in 1960
July 25, 1895 ~ Jazz clarinetist, violinist Darnell Howard born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Regarded as a skilled soloist, influenced by Jimmie Noone, Howard has enjoyed a lengthy career as a sideman and occasional leader starting in his mid-teens. Played the violin, notably backing WC Handy, before taking up the reeds. Howard would go on to work with Charlie Elgar, King Oliver, Erskine Tate, Fletcher Henderson, Coleman Hawkins, Kid Ory, Muggsy Spanier, Bob Scobey, Don Ewell, Elmer Snowden, and Burt Bales. Howard is perhaps best known for his stint with Earl Hines for most of the 1930s, including notably playing the violin on the 1933 Cavernism recording ~ Howard passed away in 1966
July 25, 1894 ~ Singer, actor Walter Brennan, full name Walter Andrew Brennan, born in Lynn, Massachusetts, USA ~ As a singer best known for a number of early-1960s singles, notably Dutchman's Gold, Old Rivers, Mama Sang A Song. Best known as an actor, won an Academy Award thrice for his roles in Come & Get It, Kentucky and The Westerner ~ Brennan passed away in 1974
July 25, 1894 ~ Yvonne Wigniolle, commonly known as singer, actress Yvonne Printemps born in Ermont, France ~ Operette, stage, screen singer and actress renowned internationally in the early 20th century, known for her warm singing and personal charm. Performed on stages in Paris, London's West End and New York's Broadway ~ Wigniolle passed away in 1977