July 26, 2023 ~ Country rock, pop rock bassist, guitarist, singer, songwriter Randy Meisner, full name Randall Herman Meisner, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of Poco, appearing on the band's 1969 Pickin' Up The Pieces but departing the band before its release. Leaving in high spirits his image was removed from the painting on the album's cover and replaced with a dog. Member of the Stone Canyon Band, present on the albums In Concert At The Troubadour 1969 and Rudy The Fifth. Best known for co-founding the Eagles, for whom he wrote or co-wrote and sang lead on songs such as Take It To The Limit, Try And Love Again, Is It True, Take The Devil, Tryin', and Certain Kind Of Fool. Citing “exhaustion” Meisner left the band in 1977. Meisner released his eponymous Randy Meisner solo debut album the following year ~ Meisner was born in 1946
July 26, 2023 ~ Alternative rock, pop rock singer Sinéad O'Connor, full name Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor, passed away ~ Rose to fame in the late-1980s with her debut album The Lion And The Cobra and its follow-up I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got. Perhaps best known for the Prince-penned Nothing Compares 2 U, which topped the charts in numerous countries including America, the UK and the Netherlands. Has collaborated with U2's the Edge, Jah Wobble, Peter Gabriel, Willie Nelson, Manu Dibango, Shane MacGowan, Zucchero, Massive Attack, Elaine Page, and Danny O'Reilly ~ O'Connor was born in 1966
July 26, 2022 ~ Author, music journalist, blues scholar Paul Garon, full name Paul Arthur Garon, passed away ~ Noted for his writings on surrealist works. To blues audiences best known as founding editor of the Living Blues magazine in 1970, which in time would become to be considered an authority on blues music. Authored several books on blues and blues musicians, including A Woman With Guitar (Memphis Minnie's Blues) on Memphis Minnie and The Devil's Son In-Law (The Story Of Peetie Wheatstraw And His Songs) on Peetie Wheatstraw ~ Garon was born in 1942
July 26, 2021 ~ Heavy metal, nu metal, groove metal, alternative metal drummer Joey Jordison, full name Nathan Jonas Jordison, passed away in Des Moines, Iowa, USA ~ Cites Keith Moon, John Bonham, Peter Criss, Gene Krupa, and Buddy Rich as main influences. Best known as co-founding member of Slipknot, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums including the acclaimed Slipknot and Vol.3 (The Subliminal Verses). Jordison has also worked with Ministry, Murderdolls, Scar The Martyr, Vimic, and Sinsaenum ~ Jordison was born in 1975
July 26, 2013 ~ John Weldon Cale, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter JJ Cale, passed away in San Diego, California, USA ~ Revered by peers including iconic artists such as Mark Knopfler, Neil Young, and Eric Clapton. As a songwriter Cale had his songs recorded by Clapton (After Midnight, Cocaine), Lynyrd Skynyrd (Call Me The Breeze), Captain Beefheart (I Got The Same Old Blues), Lucinda Williams (Magnolia), Johnny Rivers (Crazy Mama), Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings (Clyde), Pat Travers, Bryan Ferry. Beck, Kansas, Santana (The Sensitive Kind), George Thorogood (Devil In Disguise), Widespread Panic (Traveling Light), Freddie King, Joan Shelley, Francis Cabrel, and Phish ~ Cale was born in 1938
July 26, 2011 ~ Tenor, soprano saxophonist, flutist, arranger, composer Frank Foster passed away in Chesapeake, Virginia, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for his association wth Count Basie. Has also worked with Frank Wess, Jimmy Smith, Pepper Adams, Lorez Alexandria, Elvin Jones, Kenny Burrell, Donald Byrd, Earl Coleman, Matthew Gee, Elmo Hope, Milt Jackson, Quincy Jones, Thelonious Monk, Woody Shaw, Cedar Walton, and George Benson ~ Foster was born in 1928
July 26, 2010 ~ Singer, songwriter Al Goodman passed away in Hackensack, New Jersey, USA ~ Landed a job with record producer Sylvia Robinson's All Platinum Records studio. Robinson discovered Goodman's voice while he was singing to himself and teamed him up with Billy Brown and John Morgan forming a revamped line-up of the Moments. They would go on to make records such as All I Have and Sexy Mama. Also worked with Vipers, Carvettes, and was one third of Ray Goodman & Brown ~ Goodman was born in 1943
July 26, 2010 ~ Steel guitarist, producer Ben Keith passed away in California, USA ~ Best known for his work with Neil Young, starting on 1971 LP Harvest, continues to back Young on tour and record since. Keith also worked as a session musician and producer with artists such as Terry Reid, Todd Rundgren, Lonnie Mack, the Band, Blue, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Paul Butterfield, JJ Cale, Linda Ronstadt, Warren Zevon, Ian & Sylvia, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Anne Murray, Ringo Starr, and with Jewel, producing her debut album Pieces Of You in 1995 ~ Keith was born in 1937
July 26, 2005 ~ Jazz, bossa nova, jazz fusion drummer Dom Um Romão passed away in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Internationally best known for his stint with the Weather Report, joining the renowned fusion outfit in 1972 as replacement for Airto Moreira, and as a solo artist with about a dozen albums to his name including the highly acclaimed eponymous Dom Um Romão album. Prior to his rise to fame on the international scene, Romão was a celebrated accompanist for the likes of Latin artists such as Elis Regina, Elizeth Cardoso, Jorge Ben, and his then-wife singer Flora Purim. An in-demand sideman, Romão has also appeared on albums by Walter Wanderley, Vince Guaraldi, Luiz Bonfá, Stanley Turrentine, Collin Walcott (Grazing Dreams), Eddie Palmieri, Herbie Mann, Helen Merrill, Roberta Flack, Roy Ayers, McCoy Tyner, Kip Hanrahan (Coup De Tête), and Bobby Watson ~ Romão was born in 1925
July 26, 2002 ~ Norman Dale Baker, commonly known as composer Buddy Baker, passed away in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Known as composer who scored Disney films such as Apple Dumpling Gang, The Shaggy DA, The Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh and The Fox And Hound. Married to singer Betty Jane Baker from 1950 to 1957 ~ Baker was born in 1918
July 26, 1996 ~ Pianist, songwriter Evelyn Danzig passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-writing Scarlet Ribbons For Her Hair with Jack Segal, recorded by Jo Stafford, Harry Belafonte, the Kingston Trio, Joan Baez, Sinéad O'Connor, the Lennon Sisters, Wayne Newton, Perry Como, and Dinah Shore ~ Danzig was born in 1902
July 26, 1993 ~ Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr, commonly known as hip-hop, grime, R&B rapper, singer, songwriter Stormzy, born in Croydon, UK ~ Released his full-length Gang Signs & Prayer debut album to critical acclaim and commercial success, spawning the UK top 10 singles Big For Your Boots and Blinded By Your Grace Pt.2 featuring MNEK. Other well known songs include Vossi Bop, Own It featuring Ed Sheeran & Burna Boy and Audacity featuring Headie One
July 26, 1991 ~ Jazz violinist, saxophonist, clarinetist Johnny Russell, full name John W Russell, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Active since the mid-1920s. Perhaps best known for his work with Bobby Martin, notably present on the soundtrack to the 1938 film L'Alibi. Has also worked with Jimmy Campbell, Earle Howard, Harry White, Benny Carter, Willie Bryant, Willie Lewis, Garvin Bushell, Russell Wooding, Cecil Scott, and Eddie Cornelius. Semi-retired from music by the late-1940s, yet would continue to occasionally play club dates ~ Russell was born in 1909
July 26, 1990 ~ Tariq Devega, commonly known as rapper A$AP Nast, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of A$AP Mob. Debuted as a solo artist in 2013 with the song Trillmatic which among others featured the Wu-Tang Clan's Method Man
July 26, 1990 ~ Keyboardist Brent Mydland passed away in Lafayette, California, USA ~ Influenced by organists such as Lee Michaels, Ray Manzarek, Goldy McJohn. Best known as longtime the Grateful Dead keyboardist, serving from 1979 to 1990. Also worked with Bobby & the Midnites, Bob Dylan (on the 1988 LP Down In The Groove), and with New Frontier ~ Mydland was born in 1952
July 26, 1989 ~ Singer, pianist, dancer Travis Garland born ~ Member of boy band NLT. The band is known for a number of singles, notably the Timbaland-produced She Said I Said (Time We Let Go). A full-length Not Like Them album was scheduled, pushed back, and eventually cancelled altogether as the band lacked success and disbanded by the late-2000s. Garland would release his eponymous Travis Garland solo debut album in 2013
July 26, 1985 ~ Leslie Jonathan Mampe Jr, commonly known as hip hop, crunk, trap rapper Da LES, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Ushered in a new fun era of rap in South Africa, characterized by his cool kid demeanor and college swag aesthetic. Member of Jozi. Best known for his 2013 solo single Heaven featuring AKA and Maggz
July 26, 1984 ~ Folk pop, indie rock singer, songwriter Alex Parks, full name Alexandra Rebecca Parks, born ~ First gained attention in 2003 winnning the talent show Fame Academy. Subsequently released her Introduction album, which reached double platinum in the UK and spawned the hit singles Maybe That's What It Takes and Cry
July 26, 1984 ~ Arthur Eversole, commonly known as hip-hop, crunk rapper, songwriter Archie Eversole, born in West Germany ~ Best known for his 2002 single We Ready taken of his lone solo album Ride Wit Me Dirty South Style. Though only a minor hit the single would be adopted as an anthem by the Kansas City Royals. In 2022, Eversole was found suffering from gunshot wounds at a gas station, later dying from his injuries. His brother, Alexander Kraus, was arrested and charged with his murder ~ Eversole passed away in 2022
July 26, 1980 ~ Alternative rock, punk rock, hardcore, skate punk, heavy metal guitarist, singer Dave Baksh, full name David Nizam Baksh, born in Ajax, Canada ~ Best known as lead guitarist for rock outfit Sum 41, present on the band's debut EP and their first three studio albums. After recording the acclaimed Chuck album, released in 2004, Baksh departed the band to form Brown Brigade. Baksh subsequently worked with Organ Thieves and Black Cat Attack, before rejoining Sum 41 in 2015
July 26, 1979 ~ Autistic savant, musical prodigy, pianist, keyboardist Derek Paravicini born in Reading, UK ~ Child prodigy. Has perfect pitch and can play any piece of music after hearing it only once. Gave his first major public performance at age 9, playing with the Royal Philharmonic Pops Orchestra at the Barbican Hall, London. Released his Echoes Of The Sounds album in 2006. Subject of various documentaries and TV shows, including an episode of Channel 5's Extraordinary People dubbing him “the Musical Genius”
July 26, 1975 ~ In its fifteenth week on the charts, The Hustle by Van McCoy hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ McCoy had been a renowned songwriter and producer for well over a decade, responsible for R&B, soul classics recorded by the likes of Chuck Jackson, the Shirelles, the Drifters, Betty Everett (Getting Mighty Crowded), Gladys Knight, Ruby & the Romantics, Jackie Wilson (I Get The Sweetest Feeling), Aretha Franklin, Jerry Butler, and Brenda & the Tabulations (Right On The Tip Of My Tongue), but had yet to score a hit of his own. Though he had previously recorded as a singer himself, the public had never really noticed him. That is, until The Hustle. The million-seller single would be a smash success, reach top 10 in over a dozen countries, earn McCoy a Grammy Award, and make him a household name. A few years after topping the charts, at the tail end of the 1970s, McCoy passed away at age 39 without another solo hit, yet he will forever be fondly remembered for his vast catalogue as a producer and songwriter with over an estimated 700 credits to his name. The Hustle is acknowledged to this day as one of the classic grooves of the era, and remains a radio staple popular with R&B audiences
July 26, 1974 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones release It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It), lead single of their It's Only Rock 'n Roll album ~ Singer Mick Jagger said that as soon as he wrote it, he knew it was going to be a single: it was his answer to everyone who took seriously what he or the band did. The single would reach top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, top 10 in their native UK. Singer David Bowie guests as backing vocalist
July 26, 1973 ~ The rock trio ZZ Top release their Tres Hombres album, their first to reach top 10 Billboard Hot 200 ~ Despite at the time lukewarm reception, the band's third studio album would prove to be their commercial breakthrough. Highlights of the album include lead single La Grange, which peaked just outside the Billboard Hot 100 top 40, Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers which would later be notably covered by Motörhead, and Jesus Just Left Chicago, all of which became staples of the band. Frontman Billy Gibbons would later recall: “We could tell we had something special. The record became quite the turning point for us.”
July 26, 1972 ~ Music journalist Neil Kulkarni born in Coventry, UK ~ Following his tenure as a staff writer for Melody Maker from 1993 through 2000, Kulkarni freelanced for publications such as Uncut, Vox, Spin, The Guardian, The Quietus, and DJ Magazine. Kulkarni has also authored several books, starting with Hip Hop Bring The Noise (The Stories Behind The Biggest Songs) published in 2004. Kulkarni focused primarily on hip hop and metal. Upon hearing of his death at age 51, Clash Magazine called him “one of the sharpest pens of his generation” ~ Kulkarni passed away in 2024
July 26, 1970 ~ Singer, violinist, guitarist, bassist, pianist, songwriter Joan Wasser born in Biddeford, Maine, USA ~ Worked with the Dambuilder, Black Beetle, Antony & the Johnsons, and Those Bastard Souls prior to venturing out on her own. Has released over half a dozen albums as a solo artist merging classic soul with experimental influences, usually going by the moniker Joan as Police Woman, starting with Real Life released in 2006. In-demand sidewoman, present on albums by Guillemots, Paul Englishby, Placebo (MTV Unplugged), Gorillaz, and Eliades Ochoa
July 26, 1970 ~ Fernando Corona, commonly known as electronica, ambient, conntemporary classical composer, pianist, cellist, keyboardist Murcof, born in Tijuana, Mexico ~ Draws from classical, ambient, minimalism, drone, and experimental. Has recorded over half a dozen albums since the early-2000s, especially acclaimed for his 2004 Utopia album. Has collaborated with Erik Truffaz, Vanessa Wagner, Jean-Michel Jarre, and the Nortec Collective
July 26, 1969 ~ Songwriter Frank Loesser passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Has written or co-written over an estimated 700 songs, many of which have become standards. Won a Tony Award for his 1950 Guys And Dolls musical. Shared a Pullitzer Prize for Drama for his 1961 How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying musical. Perhaps best remembered for penning Baby It's Cold Outside, recorded by over 400 artists including Dinah Shore & Buddy Clark, Louis Armstrong, Jo Stafford, and Ray Charles & Betty Carter. Other well known songs written or co-written by Loesser include What Are You Doing New Year's Eve (Margaret Whiting, Nancy Wilson, Patti LaBelle), On A Slow Boat To China (Benny Goodman, the Platters, Gene Pitney, Jimmy Buffett), I Hear Music (Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald), The Lady's In Love With You (Gene Krupa, Sammy Davis Jr, Doris Day), and Luck Be A Lady (Robert Alda, Frank Sinatra) ~ Loesser was born in 1910
July 26, 1969 ~ In its eighth week on the charts, Crystal Blue Persuasion by Tommy James & the Shondells peaks at No.2 Billboard Hot 100 ~ A reference to the Book of Revelation, many listeners missed how Crystal Blue Persuasion was the band's admission of becoming Christian. Lead singer Tommy James would later explain: “Of course, everybody thinks if they don't understand what you're talking about it must be about drugs. But it wasn't. We were going through a real interesting time back then, and a very wonderful time. Everybody in the band, by the way, became Christian. And we're very proud of it. And Crystal Blue Persuasion was sort of our way of saying that in a kind of pop record way.“ The single would be the band's sixth and final Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit, held off the top spot by In The Year 2525 by one-hit wonder Zager & Evans
July 26, 1966 ~ Vocal duo Simon & Garfunkel record Scarborough Fair (Canticle) ~ Incorporating the traditional song Scarbrough Fair with Canticle written by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. Produced by Bob Johnston. Released as a single in February 1968 after the song was included on The Graduate soundtrack, paired with April Come She Will on the B-side. Previously included on the duo's 1966 Parsley Sage Rosemary And Thyme album
July 26, 1965 ~ Singer, songwriter Fay Victor born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Originally a jazz singer, Victor has also worked in blues, opera, free improvisation, avant-garde, and modern classical music. Coined the term “freesong” to describe her vocal approach. Regarded as one of the finest vocal interpreters of the music of Thelonious Monk, Ornette Coleman, and Herbie Nichols. About a dozen albums as a solo artist, noted specifically for her 1998 In My Own Room sophomore album. Over the course of her career, Victor has collaborated with the likes of Gregor Hilden, Robert Veen, David Anthony, Ab Baars, Misha Mengelberg, Reggie Workman, Anthony Braxton, Other Dimensions In Music, Todd Perry, Roswell Rudd, Marc Ribot, and Nicole Mitchell
July 26, 1963 ~ Rock, hard rock, glam metal, jazz fusion guitarist Andy Timmons born in Evansville, Indiana, USA ~ Trained in classical and jazz guitar. First gained attention as a member of glam metal outfit Danger Danger, with whom he recorded and toured for close to four years including opening for the likes of Kiss. Timmons would go on to become an in-demand session musician, a guitar virtuoso proficient in a wide range of styles, and an acclaimed solo artist with well over half a dozen albums to his name starting with Ear X-Tacy released in 1994. Timmons has appeared on albums by Vanilla Ice, Paula Abdul, Bugs Henderson, Kip Winger, Maylee Thomas, Cindy Thomas, Seventh Day Slumber, Olivia Newton-John, Sara Hickman, Alfonso Marra Bax, Tony Hernando, Joe Lynn Turner, Brian Houser, P!nk (I'm Not Dead), Manny Trevin, and Kirk Covington
July 26, 1961 ~ Andrew John Connell, commonly known as keyboardist, songwriter Andy Connell, born in Manchester, UK ~ Best known as member and main songwriter of Swing Out Sister, known for their 1986 hit Breakout. Also worked with the Immediates, A Certain Ratio and with Kalima
July 26, 1961 ~ Keiko Doi, commonly known as smooth jazz, new age keyboardist, composer Keiko Matsui, born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Member of Cosmos. Some two dozen albums to her name as a solo artist starting with A Drop Of Water released in 1987. Has also worked with Kazu Matsui, Mariko Tone, Akira Asakura, Bob James, and Jason Miles
July 26, 1959 ~ Steven Murphy, commonly known as singer, bassist, actor, poet Steve Evets, born in Salford, UK ~ Member of the Fall, initially reciting his poetry at some of the band's gigs becoming a full-fledged member in 2000 taking over bass duties from Jim Watts. After his departure in 2002 formed his own Dr Freak's Padded Cell. As an actor noted for his roles in the 2008 film Summer and Looking For Eric the next year
July 26, 1956 ~ Country producer Scott Hendricks born in Clinton, Oklahoma, USA ~ Has produced artists such as Restless Heart, John Michael Montgomery, Brooks & Dunn, Trace Adkins, Alan Jackson, Faith Hill, Blake Shelton, Jana Kramer, Dan & Shay, Michael Ray, William Michael Morgan, and Tegan Marie
July 26, 1956 ~ Jazz rock guitarist Wayne Krantz born in Corvallis, Oregon, USA ~ Over half a dozen albums to his name since the early-1990s, especially acclaimed for 2 Drink Minimum recorded live at 55 Bar featuring backing from bassist Lincoln Goines and drummer Zach Danziger. Frequent collaborator of Leni Stern. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Victor Bailey, Michael Formanek (Wide Open Spaces), Harvie Swartz, Jasper van 't Hof, Steps Ahead, Nguyên Lê, Victor Bailey, David Binney, Donald Fagen (Morph The Cat), and Chris Potter
July 26, 1955 ~ Contemporary Christian singer Michele Pillar, full name Michele Diane Pillar, born ~ Recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist since the early-1980s. Best known for the moderate hit single What A Wonder, a collaborative effort with Phil Keaggy. Has also worked with Larry Carlton, the Maranatha Singers, and 4play
July 26, 1955 ~ Punk, rock, alternative rock singer, songwriter Ron Peno, full name Ronald Stephen Valentino Peno, born in Gosford, Australia ~ Member of a number of short-lived punk groups through the early-1980s including the Hellcats, the 31st, and the Screaming Tribesmen. Best known as lead singer, constant member of Died Pretty, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with Free Dirt released in 1986. The band is perhaps best known for the single Harness Up which reached top 40 in their native Australia in 1993 ~ Peno passed away in 2023
July 26, 1952 ~ Guitarist Bob Bongo Starkie born ~ Member of Skyhooks from 1973 through 1980 and rejoining on occasion in later years. The band is best known for a string of mid-1970s Australian hits including Horror Movie, Ego Is Not A Dirty Word, All My Friends Are Getting Married, Million Dollar Riff, Blue Jeans and Women In Uniform
July 26, 1949 ~ Soukous guitarist Bopol Mansiamina born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic Of Congo ~ Actively recording since the late-1960s. Best known internationally for his work in the 1980s and early-1990s, both as a solo artist and as member of supergroup Les Quatre Etoiles. Has also worked with the Orchestre Bamboula, the Orchestre Rock-a-mambo, Nico Kasanda's African Fiesta Sukisa, the Orchestre Continental, Afrisa, TPOK Jazz, Ya Toupas, and the African All-Stars ~ Mansiamina passed away in 2021
July 26, 1949 ~ Jazz saxophonist Larry Schneider born in Long Island, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Billy Cobham, Horace Silver, Jim McNeely, Mike Richmond, Bill Evans, Hein van de Geyn, John Abercrombie, François Jeanneau, the Orchestra National de Jazz, Marc Ducret, Francois Mechali, Alain Soler, André Jaume, Eric Barrett, Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Jody Watley, and Chris Potter
July 26, 1949 ~ Drummer, guitarist Roger Taylor, full name Roger Meddows Taylor, born in Kingslynn, UK ~ Best known as core member of Queen. Co-wrote songs such as These Are The Days Of Our Lives, Innuendo, Under Pressure, Radio Ga Ga, The Invisible Man, One Vision. Has also worked with Eric Clapton, Roger Waters, Roger Daltrey, Robert Plant, Phil Collins, Kansas, Elton John, Gary Numan, Shakin' Stevens, the Foo Fighters, Steve Vai, Cyndi Almouzni, Bon Jovi. Has served as producer for Virginia Wolf, Jimmy Nail, Magnum. Also recorded as a solo artist, starting with 1977's Fun In Space
July 26, 1948 ~ Blues rock, jazz rock, rock guitarist Luboš Andršt born in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Influential guitarist best known as key figure in the 1990s, 2000s Czech blues, electric blues and blues-rock scenes. Has also played jazz, acoustic jazz, jazz fusion dating back to the 1960s as a member of acts such as Framus Five, Jazz Q and Energit. Also collaborated with Emil Viklický, Marta Kubisová, Collegium Musicum (Divergencie), Jan Hruby, and Michal Prokop ~ Andrst passed away in 2021
July 26, 1947 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Al Anderson, full name Alan Gordon Anderson, born in Windsor, Connecticut, USA ~ Fronted Wildweeds, known for No Good To Cry. Lead guitarist of NRBQ. In-demand songwriter who wrote for artists such as Carlene Carter, Alabama, Vince Gill, Diamond Rio, Tim McGraw (The Cowboy In Me), Linda Davis, Jimmy Buffett (License To hill), Joe Diffie, Ty England, the Farm, Hot Apple Pie, Hal Ketchum, Patty Loveless, the Mavericks, Delbert McClinton, the Oak Ridge Boys, LeAnn Rimes, Bonnie Raitt, LeAnn Rimes, and Lari White
July 26, 1944 ~ Ann-Christine Nyström, commonly known as singer Ann-Christine, born in Helsinki, Finland ~ Internationally best known for representing Finland in the 1966 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 10th place with Playboy written and conducted by Ossi Runne ~ Nyström passed away in 2022
July 26, 1944 ~ Betty Mabry, commonly known as funk, R&B, soul, rock singer, songwriter Betty Davis, born in Durham, North Carolina, USA ~ Recognised as one of the most influential voices in funk. Raised on BB King, Jimmy Reed, Elmore James. Befriended Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone. Married to Miles Davis from 1967 to 1969. Briefly dated Eric Clapton but refused to collaborate with him because his work was too banal ~ Mabry passed away in 2022
July 26, 1943 ~ Andrea Marie Truder, commoly known as singer Andrea True, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for her 1976 disco hit More More More (Part 1). Other notable songs include NY (You Got Me Dancing) and What's Your Name (What's Your Number). Truder worked an adult film actress before turning to singing ~ Truder passed away in 2011
July 26, 1943 ~ Singer Mick Jagger born in Dartford, UK ~ Quintessential rock & roll frontman, co-founded the Rolling Stones with classmate Keith Richards. Ventured into acting, starting with 1970's Performance and Ned Kelly. Member of Superheavy
July 26, 1941 ~ Alfred Jesse Smith, commonly known as soul, R&B, pop singer, keyboardist, songwriter Brenton Wood, born in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA ~ Influenced by Sam Cooke and Jesse Belvin. Best known for his two 1967 hits The Oogum Boogum Song and the self-penned Gimme Little Sign, the latter of which peaked at No.9 Billboard Hot 100. Wood would continue to record through the 1970s, notably the duet album Kid Games & Nursery Rhymes with Shirley Goodman released in 1969, yet despite his skilful smooth delivery and infectious grooves, he never again repeated the success of his two major hits. Nevertheless, both The Oogum Boogum Song and Gimme Little Sign are considered among the finest of 1960s R&B and remain popular to this day. Wood remained a popular live act on the oldies circuit and released his final album of original material, This Love Is For Real, in 2001 ~ Smith passed away in 2025
July 26, 1941 ~ Darlene Wright, commonly known as singer, actress Darlene Love born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of the Blossoms. Closely associated with producer Phil Spector, Love sang backup for many 1950s and 1960s artists including Sam Cooke, Dionne Warwick, Bill Medley, the Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, the Ronettes, Bobby Pickett, Frank Sinatra, the Crystals, and Sonny & Cher
July 26, 1941 ~ Bradford Steven Ellington, commonly known as jazz drummer Steve Ellington born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Picked up drums at 4, played with Ray Charles at 9. Continue on to play with Charles Brown, George Adams, Duke Pearson, Sam Rivers, June Christy, Joe Castro, Hampton Hawes, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Jackie McLean, Chet Baker, Stanley Turrentine, Mose Allison, Woody Shaw, Walter Davis Jr, Wilbur Ware, C-Sharpe, Billy Eckstine, Brick Jazz Funk Fusion, Art Farmer, Freddy Cole, Freddie Hubbard, Ike Isaacs, Maxine Sullivan, Harry Sweets Edison, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Dan Wall, Sonny Stitt, Dave Holland, Michel Petrucciani, Hal Galper, Steve Grossman, James Moody, and Johnny Griffin ~ Ellington passed away in 2013
July 26, 1940 ~ Apostolos Voskopoulos, commonly known as laika singer, songwriter, actor Tolis Voskopoulos, born in Kokkinia, 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 passed away in 2021
July 26, 1939 ~ Blues drummer, singer Casey Jones born in Nitta Yuma, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known for his association with Albert Collins, appearing on albums such as Ice Pickin' and Frostbite, and Johnny Winter, backing Winter on albums such as Guitar Slinger and Serious Business. Has also recorded as a solo artist, acclaimed for his 1995 I-94 (On My Way To Chicago) album, and backed artists such as Earl Hooker, AC Reed, McKinley Mitchell, Muddy Waters, Lou Rawls, Otis Rush, and Lonnie Brooks ~ Jones passed away in 2017
July 26, 1938 ~ Robert Von Hebb, singer, commonly known as Bobby Hebb, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best remembered for his 1966 hit Sunny. Other notable songs include A Satisfied Mind and Love Me. Started working professionally with country artists such as Roy Acuff, and sang backup on Bo Diddley's Diddley Daddley, and replaced Mickey Baker in Mickey & Sylvia ~ Hebb passed away in 2010
July 26, 1938 ~ Joanne Grogan, commonly known as jazz pianist Joanne Brackeen, born in Ventura, California, USA ~ Leader and sidewoman. Influenced by Frankie Carle and Charlie Parker. Has played with Dexter Gordon, Teddy Edwards, Charles Brackeen, Chick Corea, Freddie McCoy, Ornette Coleman, Clint Houston, Eddie Gomez, John Patitucci, Jack DeJohnette, Cecil McBee, Billy Hart, Art Blakey, Stan Getz, Buddy Terry, and Freddie Hubbard
July 26, 1937 ~ Don Roscoe Joseph III, commonly known as pianist Rocky Frisco, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Best known as longtime pianist for JJ Cale. Also worked with Steve Pryor, the Empty Pockets, Brad Absher, Larry Spears, Susan Herndon, Lata Gouveia, Dustin Pittsley, Jesse Aycock, Rodney Lay, Widespread Panic, Dennis Crouch, Snuggle Naked, and Tex Waggoner ~ Joseph passed away in 2015
July 26, 1934 ~ Composer Anthony Gilbert born in London, UK ~ Initially trained as a translator, Gilbert preferred to seek a career in music instead. Has studied privately with Mátyás Seiber, and subsequently at Trinity College and Morley College. Gilbert composed extensively since the 1960s, primarily for larger chamber ensembles, yet also for piano, choral and vocal works, and opera. As an educator, he has taught at several colleges including notably at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, UK. Among his students are artists such as Sally Beamish, Simon Holt, Priti Paintal, Jane Antonio Cornish, and Ian Vine. As to composing, Gilbert has been quoted as saying: “Ultimately, for me, the only honest thing to do in composing is to write straight from the heart and guts, whilst closely involving the brain. Trying to assess what my audience would like to hear, to be ‘accessible’, would to me seem cheap and patronising” ~ Gilbert passed away in 2023
July 26, 1934 ~ Ioannes Spanos, commonly known as pianist, songwriter Giannis Spanos, born in Kiato, Greece ~ Scored the soundtrack to the 1971 Ekeino To Kalokain feature film. Served as pianist for the like of Serge Gainsbourg, Béatrice Arnac, and Juliette Gréco. As a songwriter had his compositions recorded by the likes of Keti Chomata, Giannist Poulopoulos, and Dimitris Mitropanos ~ Spanos passed away in 2019
July 26, 1933 ~ Gospel composer, minister Charles Albert Tindley passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Dubbed “the Prince of Preachers” and founder of one of the largest Methodist congregations serving the African-American community. Perhaps best known for penning the hymn I'll Overcome Someday, which would serve as the basis for the Civil Rights anthem We Will Overcome recorded in various incarnations by Joe Glazer, the Limeliters, Pete Seeger, and Mahalia Jackson ~ Tindley was born in 1851
July 26, 1933 ~ Victor Guillermo Toro, commonly known as guitarist, cuatro player Yomo Toro, born in Guanica, Puerto Rico ~ Known as “the King of the Cuatro” with a career spanning six decades starting in the 1940s. The cuatro is a stringed instrument of the guitar family, larger than a mandolin and containg ten strings which generate complex tones and multiple harmonic series. Toro is firmly grounded in traditional Puerto Rican and Mexican music, specifically jibaro, has recorded prolifically as a solo artist and is an in-demand sideman for a wide array of artists. Notable associations include Arsenío Rodriguez, Willie Colón, Héctor Lavoe, Rubén Blades, Harry Belafonte, Paul Simon, Linda Ronstadt, David Byrne, and the Fania All-Stars ~ Toro passed away in 2012
July 26, 1931 ~ Label executive, producer Fred Foster, full name Fred Luther Foster, born in Rutherford County, North Carolina, USA ~ Best known for co-penning Me & Bobby McGee with Kris Kristofferson, originally recorded by Roger Miller. The song would be covered by well over 200 artists, notably recorded by Janis Joplin mere days before her death and posthumously becoming her sole Billboard Hot 100 charttopper. Foster is also known as co-founder of Monument record label. As a label executive and producer he was helpful in advancing the careers of acts such as Kristofferson, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Billy Joe Shaver, Tony Joe White, and the Gatlin Brothers ~ Foster passed away in 2019
July 26, 1929 ~ Jazz drummer Charlie Persip born in Morristown, New Jersey, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Founded the Jazz Statesmen with Roland Alexander, Freddie Hubbard, and Ron Carter in 1960. Also leads Supersound. Worked with Tadd Dameron, Dizzy Gillespie, Harry Sweets Edison, Harry James, Lee Morgan, Dinah Washington, Melba Liston, Kenny Dorham, Zoot Sims, Red Garland, Gil Evans, Don Ellis, Eric Dolphy, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Gene Ammons, Sonny Rollins, Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Louis Jordan, Ernestine Anderson, Art Farmer, Randy Weston, Erroll Garner, Buddy Emmons, Slide Hampton, Pony Poindexter, Benny Golson, and Sonny Stitt ~ Persip passed away in 2020
July 26, 1928 ~ Joseph Walter Jackson, commonly known as talent manager Joe Jackson, born in Fountain Hill, Arkansas, USA ~ Talent manager and patriarch of the Jackson family, which includes Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson. Manager for most Jackson-acts including the Jackson 5 and the Jacksons ~ Jackson passed away in 2018
July 26, 1928 ~ Contemporary classical composer Tadeusz Baird born in Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Poland ~ Critically regarded as successor to Alban Berg, Gustav Mahler, and Karol Szymanowski. Deported to Germany as a forced laborer at age 16, imprisoned in a concentration camp by the Nazi regime after a failed escape. After returning to his native Poland would found Group 49 with Kazimierz Serocki and Jan Krenz, a trio known for their socialist realism. Would turn to serialism in the 1950s. Composed symphonies, chamber music, for film and theatre, yet best known known for his numerous vocal cycles inspired by poetry ~ Baird passed away in 1981
July 26, 1917 ~ Roberta Louise Osborn, commonly known as singer Alberta Adams, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Half of Bluezettes, the other half being Chubby Newsom. Also worked with artists such as Duke Ellington, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Louis Jordan, Lionel Hampton, T-Bone Walker, Tiny Bradshaw, and Johnnie Bassett ~ Osborn passed away in 2014
July 26, 1914 ~ Trumpeter, bandleader Erskine Hawkins, full name Erskine Ramsay Hawkins, born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ One of the swing era's most respected bandleaders, Hawkins enjoyed popularity throughout the early-1950s, over time venturing into a more R&B-infused sound while still remaining firmly rooted in jazz. Perhaps best remembered for co-writing and first recording Tuxedo Junction, which has become a standard covered by well over 150 artists including Glenn Miller, Gene Krupa, Duane Eddy, Quincy Jones, King Curtis, and Chet Atkins. Other well known recordings include Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams, Don't Cry Baby, Tippin' In, and After Hours. Vocalists who have sung with his orchestra include Ida James, Delores Brown, and Della Reese. Hawkins would continue to perform, albeit it with smaller ensembles, into the 1980s ~ Hawkins passed away in 1993
July 26, 1903 ~ Composer, conductor Donald Voorhees born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Known for his early work for radio and TV, earning an Emmy Award-nomination for his work on the TV series the Bell Telephone Hour. Musical director of the radio and TV show Cavalcade Of America. Conductor and director of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra from 1951 through 1983 ~ Voorhees passed away in 1989
July 26, 1886 ~ Violet Mary Tipton, commonly known as singer, actress Violet Loraine, born in London, UK ~ Rose to fame portraying the female lead role of Emma in the 1916 musical revue The Bing Boys Are Here opposite George Robey. The pair's duet hit If You Were The Only Girl (In The World) would become a signature song of the era and over time endure as a pop standard ~ Tipton passed away in 1956
July 26, 1782 ~ Pianist, composer John Field born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Best known as inventor of the nocturne, a musical composition inspired by, or evocative of, the night. Admired by peers. Influenced many major composers including Frédéric Chopin, Johannes Brahms, Robert Schumann, and Franz Liszt ~ Field passed away in 1837