July 30, 2022 ~ Alternative rock, world music, roots singer, guitarist, songwriter Archie Roach, full name Archibald William Roach, passed away in Warrnabool, Australia ~ Avid campaigner for the rights of indigenous Australians. Husband and musical partner of singer Ruby Hunter. Released his debut album, Charcoal Lane, in 1990 and has recorded steadily since to a devoted fanbase and admiration from peers. Has opened for international stars such as Joan Armatrading, Bob Dylan, Tracy Chapman, and Suzanne Vega ~ Roach was born in 1956
July 30, 2022 ~ Freak folk, psychedelic folk singer, songwriter Raymond Raposa passed away ~ Sole constant member and thriving force of the Castanets, with whom he recorded seven country, folk, rock influenced albums starting with Cathedral released in 2004. Raposa has also been involved in several other projects, notably scoring the soundtrack to the documentary Beyond This Place in 2011 with regular collaborator Sufjan Stevens. Also noted for Little Death Shaker, released in 2012 under the moniker Raymond Byron & the White Freighter ~ Raposa was born ca.1981
July 30, 2021 ~ Singer, guitarist Jacob Desvarieux passed away in Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe ~ Founding member of the Sweet Bananas, known best for their recording of Bilboa Dance. Key member of Caribbean music group Kassav, which he co-founded with Pierre-Edouard Décimus in 1979, known for their 1988 Sye Bwa single which reached the French top 20. As a solo artist acclaimed for his 1999 Euphrasine's Blues album ~ Desvarieux was born in 1955
July 30, 2020 ~ Country singer Randy Barlow passed away in Palmetto, Florida, USA ~ Emcee and road manager for Dick Clark's Caravan Of Stars tour in the mid-1960s. As a recording artist has recorded a handful of albums from the mid-1970s through the early-1980s. Best known for his 1978 Fall In Love With Me sophomore album. All three of the album's singles, Slow And Easy, No Sleep Tonight and Fall In Love With Me Tonight, would reach top 10 Billboard Country ~ Barlow was born in 1943
July 30, 2020 ~ Composer Toshimitsu Tanaka passed away ~ Expontent of the Japanese marimba repertoire. As a composer perhaps best known for his 1965 composition Two Movements For Marimba. Has taught at the Kunitachi College of Music, Kunitachi, where he also studied, and at the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, Kyiv ~ Tanaka was born in 1930
July 30, 2015 ~ Singer Lynn Anderson, full name Lynn Rene Anderson, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Daughter of songwriters Casey Anderon and Liz Anderson. Best known for her 1970 hit Rose Garden. First female country artist to, in 1974, sell out Madison Square Garden. Also known for songs such as If I Kiss You (Will You Go Away), Promises Promises, Cry, Listen To A Country Song, What A Man My Man Is, and others ~ Anderson was born in 1947
July 30, 2014 ~ Rock, hard rock, acid rock, shock rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Dick Wagner, full name Richard Allen Wagner, passed away in Phoenix, Arizona, USA ~ Fronted the Frost. Fronted the Bossmen. Closely associated with Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, Kiss. Co-wrote a number of Cooper's best known including Only Women Bleed, You And Me and How You Gonna See Me Now. Also co-wrote Shine Silently with Nils Lofgren, recorded by the latter on his 1979 Nils album ~ Wagner was born in 1942
July 30, 2014 ~ Actor, comedian, guitarist Fausto Fanti, full name Fausto Fanti Jasmin, passed away in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Co-founding member of comedy troupe Hermes & Renato, enjoying a cult following during the late-1990s and early-2000s through appearances on MTV Brasil. Original guitarist of the parodic metal band Massacration, present on the albums The Gates Of Metal Fried Chicken Of Death and Good Blood Headbanguers ~ Fanti was born in 1978
July 30, 2005 ~ Eli Thompson, commonly known as saxophonist Lucky Thompson, passed away in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Worked with Lionel Hampton, Don Redman, Billy Eckstine, Lucky Millinder, Count Basie, Kenny Clarke, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson, Stan Kenton, Louis Armstrong, Harry Arnold, Art Blakey, Benny Carter, Jimmy Cleveland, Johnny Dankworth, Quincy Jones, Oscar Pettiford, Thelonious Monk, Martial Solal, Dinah Washington, and others ~ Thompson was born in 1924
July 30, 2003 ~ Producer, label founder Sam Phillips passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Founded Sun Records. Produced early recordings by Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Howlin' Wolf. Advocated for racial equality and helped break down racial barriers in the music industry. Sold the label to Shelby Singleton in 1969. ~ Phillips was born in 1923
July 30, 2002 ~ Baritone singer David Daniels passed away ~ Performed opera and musical comedy. Perhaps best remembered for introducing the song Young & Foolish alongside Gloria Marlowe in the 1955 Broadway-musical Plain & Fancy. The song, written by Albert Hague and Arnold B Horwitt, would become a standard, covered by over 150 artists including the McGuire Sisters, Gogi Grant, the Lettermen, Tony Bennett, and Lesley Gore ~ Daniels was born in 1927
July 30, 1993 ~ Blues, soul, jazz, pop rock, R&B, funk saxophonist, singer Don Myrick passed away in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Member of jazz-funk outfit the Pharaohs. Co-founding member of the Association For The Advancement Of Creative Musicians. Best known as member of the Phenix Horns, the original horn section of Earth Wind & Fire, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums. Especially noted for his sax solos on After The Love Has Gone and Reasons. Myrick also regularly backed Phil Collins, including on the tracks If Leaving Me Is Easy and One More Night. An in-demand session saxophonist, Myrick has also appeared on albums by Howlin' Wolf, Donny Hathaway (Everything Is Everything), Jack McDuff, Ramsey Lewis, Terry Callier (I Just Can't Help Myself), the Gap Band, Deniece Williams, Valerie Carter (Just A Stones Throw Away), Lamont Johnson, the Mighty Clouds Of Joy, Leroy Hutson, Deniece Williams, Bobby Blue Bland, the Pointer Sisters (Special Things), Stanley Turrentine, David Byrne, Anita Baker (Rapture), and Regina Belle. Myrick passed away at age 53 following a shooting where a police officer mistook a butane lighter he was holding in his hand for a weapon. The song For A Friend by Phil Collins released later the same year was a tribute to Myrick ~ Myrick was born in 1940
July 30, 1991 ~ Singer, songwriter, actress Diana Vickers born ~ Semi-finalist on the 2008 edition of talent contest The X-Factor. Following her success on the show, Vickers has played the title role in West End production of The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice, and issued her Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree debut album in 201, which spawned the UK No.1 hit Once. Vickers has since ventured into acting for film, co-wrote Mouth 2 Mouth for Enrique Iglesias & Jennifer Lopez, and acted in musical stage productions
July 30, 1991 ~ Deathcore, metalcore, progressive metal guitarist, bassist, drummer, keyboardist Jason Richardson, full name Jason Reeves Richardson, born in Manassas, Virginia, USA ~ Member of Born Of Osiris and subsequently Chelsea Grin, prior to releasing his I solo debut album. Richardson has also appeared on albums by Polyphia, Veil Of Maya, August Burns Red, and Falling In Reverse. Richardson joined All That Remains as lead guitarist by the late-2010s, taking over lead guitar duties from Oli Herbert
July 30, 1986 ~ Indie rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Adam Baldwin born in Dartmouth, Canada ~ Worked with alternative country outfit Gloryhound and with Matt Mays. Also released a number of solo recordings, starting with the eponymous Adam Baldwin EP, released in 2013
July 30, 1984 ~ Ashley Jurgemeyer, commonly known as pianist, keyboardist, songwriter Ashley Ellyllon, born in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA ~ Best known as a member of the Orbs. Has also worked with Abigail Williams, Cradle Of Filth, Carnifex, and Ryann
July 30, 1983 ~ Music publicist, lyricist, songwriter Howard Dietz passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Lyricist best remembered for his three-decade on-and-off songwriting collaboration with composer Arthur Schwartz, starting with the Broadway revue The Little Show in 1929. The pair would go on to write songs such as Something To Remember You By (Libby Holman, Dinah Shore, Jo Stafford), Dancing In The Dark (Jack Barker, Bing Crosby, Vic Damone). New Sun In The Sky (Fred Astaire, Keely Smith), Alone Together (Leo Reisman, Margaret Whiting, Woody Herman), I See Your Face Before Me (Evelyn Laye, Mildred Bailey, Frank Sinatra), and Haunted Heart (John Tyers, Guy Lombardo, Perry Como). Dietz is also known as a publicist, advertising director, and executive with the film production companies Goldwyn Pictures and subsequently MGM, eventually rising to the position of Vice President with the latter serving until his retirement in 1957 ~ Dietz was born in 1896
July 30, 1982 ~ Rebecca Louise Stephens, commonly known as singer RiotBeccki, born in Brighton, UK ~ Member of indie pop girl group the Pipettes, present on the band's 2006 We Are The Pipettes debut album which spawned the modest hits Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me and Pull Shapes, both of which reached top 40 in their native UK. Stephens departed the band in 2008, prior to recording the band's second and final album Earth Vs Pipettes
July 30, 1981 ~ Jennifer Lee Lindberg, commonly known as indie rock bassist, singer Jenny Lee Lindberg, born in Elko, Nevada, USA ~ Influenced by Tears For Fears, Jah Wobble, Siouxsie & the Banshees. Best known as bassist of inde rock band Warpaint. Released her Right On solo debut album in 2015. Collaborated with Brian Blade, Boom Bip, Viv Albertine, and Jimmy Giannopoulos
July 30, 1977 ~ In its fifteenth week on the charts, I Just Want To Be Your Everything by Andy Gibb hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Gibb had previously issued the stand-alone single Words And Music, released only in Australia where it was a minor hit stalling at No.78. I Just Want To Be Your Everything written by his older brother Barry Gibb, however, issued as the first single of his Flowing Rivers full-length debut album, would top the charts in Australia, Canada, and America. Gibb's next two singles, (Love Is) Thicker Than Water and Shadow Dancing would also reach No.1 Billboard Hot 100
July 30, 1975 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Bob Dylan records Mozambique at Columbia Recording Studio, New York, New York ~ Written by Dylan and Jacques Levy. Produced by Don DeVito. Included on the 1976 Desire album. Released as a single, b/w Oh Sister, it would reach mid-50s on the Billboard Hot 100. Some incoprrectly thought the song was in support of Mozambique's newly-found independence after a decade long insurgency war, yet the lyrics don't support such an interpretation
July 30, 1971 ~ Rock, alternative rock, post-grunge drummer Brad Hargreaves born in Marin County, California, USA ~ Alongside lead singer Stephan Jenkins, Hargreaves is the only other constant member of Third Eye Blind. Drawing from pop rock, alternative rock, post-grunge, pop punk, and power pop, the band has recorded about half a dozen albums. They are especially known for their 1997 eponymous Third Eye Blind debut album, which spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Semi-charmed Life, How's It Going To Be and Jumper. Hargreaves has also worked with Vijay Iyer, Liberty Ellman (Orthodoxy), Year Long Disaster, and Pierce The Veil. Hargreaves has stated his drumming style was influenced by the Ohio Players and James Brown
July 30, 1970 ~ Pop singer, pianist Elton John releases his From Denver To LA single ~ Written by Francis Lai and Hal Shaper. Recorded for the 1970 sports drama film The Games, the song being John's only contribution to the soundtrack. The single, however, was withdrawn, as both Elton John, whose career was just starting to take off, and his record company, making the few copies in circulation rare collectors item. John would later comment: “Actually, From Denver To LA was withdrawn, so if you have got a copy, it's worth a small fortune. It was a 25 quid session I did at Olympic Studios and I just sang the song, and it was for the Michael Winner movie The Games. And that's it.”
July 30, 1967 ~ Aki Ville Yrjänä, commonly known as rock singer, bassist, songwriter, poet AW Yrjänä, born in Kemi, Finland ~ Sole constant member of rock unit CMX, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums since the early-1990s. The band started out playing hardcore punk, but have since expanded their sound to include a wide variety of styles including rock, progressive rock, and heavy metal, and are especially acclaimed for their 1992 Aurinko album. Yrjänä usually composes on the guitar, rather than his primary instrument the bass, and having studied theology and comparative religion his lyrics often contain strong mythological imagery, the symbolism a key element of the band's sound. Yrjänä has also published several volumes of poems, starting with Arcana in 1997
July 30, 1967 ~ Metal, death metal guitarist James Murphy born in Portsmouth, Virginia, USA ~ Founding member of Disincarnate. Best known for his work with metal bands such as Konkhra, Obituary, Death and Testament. Has also guested on recordings by Artension, Malevolent Creation, Steve Morse, Abigail Williams, and Solstice
July 30, 1966 ~ Guitarist Craig Gannon born in Manchester, UK ~ Best known as guitarist for the Smiths. Initially recruited to replace bassist Andy Rourke and moved to rhythm guitar when Rourke returned within two weeks. Had previously been in Aztec Camera, Colourfield, and Bluebells. Post-Smiths Gannon would work with Brix Smith, Morrissey, Black Grape, Terry Hall, Roddy Frame, Alison Moyet, Denise van Outen, Edwyn Collins, Paul Quinn, Robert Lloyd, Red Venom, and Vinny Peculiar
July 30, 1966 ~ Indie rock, Britpop singer, guitarist songwriter Louise Wener, full name Louise Jane Wener, born ~ Member of Sleeper, known for a number of 1990s recordings including the UK top 20 hits Inbetweener, What Do I Do Now, Sale Of The Century, Nice Guy Eddie and Statuesque. After the band's initial disbandement in 1998 Wener began a writing career, releasing her Goodnight Steve McQueen debut novel in 2002
July 30, 1963 ~ British pop, rock group the Beatles record Roll Over Beethoven at EMI Studios, London, UK ~ Written and first recorded by Chuck Berry in 1956, it would be a favorite of John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. Produced by George Martin. Included on the band's 1963 sophomore With The Beatles album. Harrison on lead vocal and lead guitar, Lennon taking a backseat on rhythm guitar. In Sweden the track would also be released as a single, paired with the Marvelettes-cover Please Mr Postman recorded on the same day on the flip side
July 30, 1963 ~ Guitarist, singer Dwayne O'Brien born in Ada, Oklahoma, USA ~ Co-founding member of Little Texas, known for songs such as Some Guys Have All The Love, You And Forever And Me, What Might Have Been, God Blessed Texas, My Love, Kick A Little, Amy's Back In Austin and Life Goes On
July 30, 1960 ~ Bassist Dave Riley, full name David Michael Riley, born ~ Bassist of punk rock band Big Black from 1985 until the band's disbandement in 1987, present on both studio albums, 1986's Atomizer and 1987's Songs About Fucking ~ Riley passed away in 2019
July 30, 1958 ~ Catherine Bush, commonly known as pop singer Kate Bush, born in Bexleyheath, UK ~ Immediately broke through with her 1978 Wuthering Heights debut single, to this day one of her most popular songs. Known for her literary themes, experimental music style and soft, dreamy melodies. Influenced singers such as Regina Spektor, Ellie Goulding, Alison Goldfrappm, Solange Knowles, Dido, and others. Well known songs include Moving, The Man With The Child In His Eyes, Babooshka, Army Dreamers, Running Up That Hill, Cloudbusting, Hounds Of Love and Don't Give Up, the latter a duet with Peter Gabriel
July 30, 1958 ~ Jazz singer Kevin Mahogany born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Learned piano, clarinet, saxophone as a child. Cites Lambert Hendricks & Ross, Al Jarreau, and Eddie Jefferson as vocal influences. Mahogany's singing has been compared to Billy Eckstine, Joe Williams and Johnny Hartman ~ Mahogany passed away in 2017
July 30, 1958 ~ Country singer Neal McCoy, full name Hubert Neal McGaughey Jr, born in Jacksonville, Texas, USA ~ Released his At This Moment debut album in 1990. Broke through in 1993, scoring the Billboard Country charttoppers No Doubt About It and Wink. Other well known songs include The City Put The Country Back In Me, You Gotta Love That and Shake
July 30, 1956 ~ Rock & roll singer, pianist Little Richard records Lucille at J&M Music, New Orleans, Louisiana ~ Earlier pressings would credit Al Collins as sole songwriter, later pressings listed Richard as co-writer. Produced by Robert Bumps Blackwell. Released as a single in early 1957, b/w Send Me Some Lovin', it would reach top of the Billboard R&B charts. Richard was backed by Lee Allen and Alvin Tyler on saxophones, Roy Montrell on guitar, Frank Fields on bass, and Earl Palmer on drums
July 30, 1955 ~ Christopher John Millar, commonly known as drummer Rat Scabies, born in Kingston upon Thames, UK ~ Co-founding member of the Damned, known for the singles New Rose and Love Song. Has also worked with the Mutants, the Phantom Chords, the Vicious White Kids, One Thousand Motels, and others
July 30, 1953 ~ Pop, rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Anne Linnet born in Aarhus, Denmark ~ First gained atttention in the early-1970s with the rock band Tears. Subsequently co-founded the all-female outfit Shit & Chanel, known best for Smuk Oj Dejlig. Has also recorded as a solo artist, composed for film and TV and fronted the band Marquis De Sade
July 30, 1952 ~ Country, pop songwriter Dennis Morgan born in Tracy, Minnesota, USA ~ First gained attention in 1978 writing Sleeping Single In A Double Bed with Kye Fleming. The song would become Barbara Mandrell's first Billboard Country No.1 hit, and earn the songwriters a Grammy Award nomination. Mandrell would subsequently record several more songs written by the pair, including I Feel The Hurt Coming On, Love Is Fair, and I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool. Other country artists who recorded songs written by Morgan and Fleming include Charley Pride, Ronnie Milsap (Smoky Mountain Rain), Sylvia (Nobody), and Steve Wariner. Morgan is also known for writing several pop hits with Simon Climie, including notably I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me), a Billboard Hot 100 No.1 duet hit for Aretha Franklin & George Michael, and Climie Fisher's Love Changes (Everything)
July 30, 1950 ~ Singer Frank Stallone born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for his top 10 hit Far From Over from the film Staying Alive. Stallone did two other tracks for the soundtrack, Moody GIrl and I'm Never Gonna Give You Up, the latter a duet with Cynthia Rhodes, neither of which charted
July 30, 1950 ~ Jazz, post-bop guitarist John Stowell born in New York, New York, USA ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name as leader or co-leader, especially noted for Through The Listening Glass released in 1978, a collaborative album with longtime collaborator David Friesen, and for Resonance released in 2005. Stowell is also well known as a teacher, author, a contributing columnist for several magazines including Down Beat, Guitar Player, and Canadian Musician, and has appeared on albums by Nancy King (Moon Ray), Chuck Marohnic, John Bishop, Frank Potenza, Carolyn Graye, David Haney, Mitzi Zilka, Cheryl Hodge, Kevin Deitz (Skylines), and Scenes
July 30, 1950 ~ R&B, soul singer Keith Beaton born ~ Member of Philly soul group Blue Magic, known for songs such as Sideshow, Three Ring Circus, and What's Come Over Me featuring Margie Joseph ~ Beaton passed away in 2023
July 30, 1949 ~ Richard Royall Baker IV, commonly known as fingerstyle guitarist Duck Baker, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Plays jazz, blues, ragtime, Celtic, swing, and dixieland. Debuted in 1976 with the There's Something For Everyone In America and has been recording steadily since. Has collaborated with Thom Keats, Eugene Chadbourne, John Zorn, Henry Kaiser, Woody Man, Jim Nichols, John James Wales, Stefan Grossman, Roswell Rudd, and others
July 30, 1948 ~ Rock, psychedelic rock, hard rock guitarist, singer April Lawton born ~ Best known for fronting early-1970s outfit Ramatam, which briefly included Jimi Hendrix-drummer Mitch Mitchell and Blues Image-guitarist Mike Pinera. Lawton left the band after two albums, Ramatam and In April Came The Dawning Of The Red Suns, both commercially disappointing ~ Lawton passed away in 2006
July 30, 1948 ~ Blues, jazz singer, guitarist, banjoist, mandolinist, songwriter Otis Taylor born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Member of several blues, rock bands through the 1970s, most notably Zephyr. Retired from music by 1977 to re-emerge in the 1990s as a solo artist. Acclaimed for his 2003 Truth Is Not A Fiction album
July 30, 1945 ~ Saxophonist David Sanborn, full name David William Sanborn, born in Tampa, Florida, USA ~ Played with Albert King and Little Milton while still in his mid-teens. To jazz-oriented audiences Sanborn is well known for some two dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with the acclaimed Taking Off released in 1975, his work with the Brecker Brothers as well as on some of Randy Brecker's solo outings, and for his association with Bob James. Pop, rock, and R&B audiences may have heard Sanborn on tracks such as Stevie Wonder's Tuesday Heartbreak, David Bowie's Young Americans, and James Taylor's How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You). Over the course of his lengthy career, Sanborn has appeared on albums by Paul Butterfield, the Eagles, Loudon Wainwright III, Todd Rundgren (A Wizard A True Star), Tommy Bolin, Paul Simon (Still Crazy After All These Years), Bruce Springsteen (Born To Run), Linda Ronstadt, Michael Franks, Jaco Pastorius, Elton John, Flora Purim, Dr John, Chaka Khan, JD Souther, Steely Dan (Gaucho), Randy Crawford, Kenny Loggins, the Rolling Stones (Undercover), Billy Joel (An Innocent Man), Hiram Bullock, the Manhattan Transfer, and Youssou n'Dour ~ Sanborn passed away in 2024
July 30, 1944 ~ Multi-instrumentalist Chris Darrow born in South Falls, South Dakota, USA ~ Considered a pioneering multi-instrumentalist of country rock in the late-1960s. Member of bluegrass outfit Dry City Scat Band, rockers the Floggs, psychedelic band Kaleidoscope, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and the Corvettes. Has also worked with Arnie Moore, Loren Newkirk, John Ware, Larry Hossford, Jennifer Warnes, Hoyt Axton, Sammy Walker, Helen Reddy, and others
July 30, 1944 ~ Birrell Josef Mendelson, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter, painter Mendelson Joe, born in Maple, Canada ~ Also known as a painter and political activist, his art used to express political themes. As a musician active since the mid-1960s. Formed early-1970s group the McKenna Mendelson Mainline with guitarist Mike McKenna. Mendelson would depart the blues group in 1972, to be replaced by up-and-coming talent Rick James. Mendelson has also collaborated with the likes of Ben Mink, Gwen Swick, and Colin Linden ~ Mendelson passed away in 2023
July 30, 1943 ~ Warwick Lancelot Armstrong Turner III, commonly known as luthier Rick Turner, born ~ As a guitarist worked with Ian & Sylvia including on the duo's 1966 Play One More album. Founded psychedelic band Autosalvage. Following the band's disbandement in 1968 turned to guitar design and building, starting with the company Alembic Inc co-founded by Turner. Has run his own guitar shops and worked for the renowned Gibson company. Designed and build guitars for players such as Lindsey Buckingham, Ry Cooder, David Lindley, and others ~ Turner passed away in 2022
July 30, 1942 ~ Jazz double bassist Jimmy Blanton passed away in Duarte, California, USA ~ Credited with revolutionizing the role of the double bass in jazz, Blanton is known for his dexterity, roundness of tone, accurate intonation, and an unprecedented sense of swing. Well known for his tenure with Duke Ellington, creating some of the most cherished and important bass solos on tracks such as Ko Ko, Jack The Bear, and Concerto For Cootie, and notably present on piano-bass duets such as Blues, Plucked Again, and Pitter Panther Patter. Ellington would put Blanton front-and-center nightly, unheard of for a bassist at the time. Blanton also played with smaller impromptu jazz ensembles at the renowned Minton's Playhouse jazz club in New York, sessions said to have contributed to the birth of bop. Though his tenure with Ellington was short, his career cut short by his untimely death of tuberculosis at age 23, his legacy become the model for bass players over the next 20 years including Charles Mingus, Oscar Pettiford, and Ray Brown ~ Blanton was born in 1918
July 30, 1942 ~ Songwriter, producer Tandyn Almer, full name Tandyn Douglas Almer, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Initially aiming to become a jazz pianist, his interest in music sparked by John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Ahmad Jamal, Almer would become best known as a songwriter in the 1960s West Coast pop scene. He is best remembered for writing Along Comes Mary, originally a 1966 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit for the Association, later covered by some two dozen artists including the Manhattan Transfer, the Bloodhound Gang, and Plainsong. Other songs written or co-written by Almer include the Garden Club's Little Girl Lost And Found, the Lownly Crowde's Shadows And Reflections, and the Beach Boys' Sail On Sailor ~ Almer passed away in 2013
July 30, 1941 ~ Pop singer, songwriter Paul Anka, full name Paul Albert Anka, born in Ottawa, Canada ~ Active since the mid-1950s. Known for songs such as Diana, You Are My Destiny, Lonely Boy, Put Your Head On My Shoulder, Puppy Love, You're Having My Baby with Odia Coates. Wrote the English lyrics to My Way, best known in Frank Sinatra's version and recorded by numerous artists. Wrote Tom Jones' She's A Lady
July 30, 1940 ~ Jack N Johnson, commonly known as guitarist Big Jack Johnson, born in Lambert, Mississippi, USA ~ Son of bandleader, fiddler, mandolinist Ellis Johnson. Worked with Earnest Roy Sr, CV Veal & the Shufflers, Johnny Duncan, the Jelly Roll Kings, Sam Carr, Frank Frost, the Cornlickers, Dale Wise, Dave Groninger, Tony Ryder, and Bobby Gentilo ~ Johnson passed away in 2011
July 30, 1937 ~ Saxophonist James Spaulding, full name James Ralph Spaulding Jr, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ First gained attention in the late-1950s and early-1960s backing Sun Ra. Perhaps best known for his tenure with Freddie Hubbard's quintet in the mid-1960s, including on albums such as Hub-Tones and Breaking Point. Spaulding has recorded close to a dozen albums as a leader, starting with James Spaulding Plays The Legacy Of Duke Ellington released in 1976. An in-demand, yet somewhat underrated sideman, Spaulding has appeared on albums by Duke Pearson (Wahoo), Grant Green, Wayne Shorter (The Soothsayer), Stanley Turrentine, Horace Silver (The Jody Grind), Max Roach, Bobby Hutcherson (Components), Hank Mobley, McCoy Tyner, Leon Thomas, Tyrone Washington, Pharoah Sanders (Karma), Archie Shepp (Kwanza), Charles Tolliver (Impact), Sam Rivers, Woody Shaw (Rosewood), Edward Vesala, Ricky Ford, David Murray, and the World Saxophone Quartet (Moving Right Along)
July 30, 1937 ~ Rock & roll, rockabilly guitarist, singer, songwriter Sonny West, full name Joseph Sonny West, born near Lubbock, Texas, USA ~ Active since the mid-1950s, recording a number of rockabilly singles which at the time made little impact but over time proved to be influential. Sharing a manager with Buddy Holly, West would become best known as co-author and original artist of All My Love and Rave On. Both songs would be covered by Holly, the former renamed to Oh Boy, and would become quintessential rockabilly songs ~ West passed away in 2022
July 30, 1936 ~ Singer, guitarist Buddy Guy born in Lettsworth, Louisiana, USA ~ Highly revered Chicago blues guitarist influential on Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, Gary Clark Jr, and John Mayer. Session musician for Chess Records backing artists such as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson I, and Koko Taylor. Has been recording as a solo artist since the late-1960s
July 30, 1933 ~ Pop, classical, easy listening producer, songwriter Paul De Senneville born in Paris, France ~ Frequent songwriting collaborator of Olivier De Toussaint. Songs written by the pair have been recorded by artists such as Mireille Mathieu, Michèle Torr, Christophe, Hervé Vilard, Dalida, Petula Clark, Claude François and others, selling over an estimated 100 million records. De Senneville can't read or write music notes, and writes songs by singing into a small taperecorder and having songwriting partners work out the arrangements and orchestration ~ De Senneville passed away in 2023
July 30, 1932 ~ Edward Byrne Breitenberger, commonly known as actor, singer Edd Byrnes, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as an actor, notably in the late-1950s, early-1960s TV series 77 Sunset Strip and as Vince Fontaine in the 1978 Grease musical film. As a singer best known for his 1959 hit Kookie Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb) which also featured singer Connie Stevens ~ Breitenberger passed away in 2020
July 30, 1930 ~ Pierre Dewey Lafontaine Jr, commonly known as clarinetist Pete Fountain born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Recorded over 100 albums under his ow name. Founder of the Fast Walking Club, one of the best known marching bands in New Orleans Mardi Grass parade. Co-founded the Basin Street Six with trumpeter George Girard. Also played with Lawrence Welk, Monk Hazel, the Dukes Of Dixieland, Al Hirt, and others ~ LaFontaine passed away in 2016
July 30, 1930 ~ Guitarist Tommy Tedesco, full name Thomas Joseph Tedesco, born in Niagara Falls, New York, USA ~ Member of the loose collective the Wrecking Crew consisting of first call session musicians. Has worked on numerous soundtracks and pop rock recordings in the 1960s and 1970s, his credits running in the thousands. Notable credits include the Beach Boys, the Mamas & the Papas, the Everly Brothers, Barbra Streisand, Jan & Dean, the 5th Dimension, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Zappa, Cher, Nancy Sinatra, Wayne Newton, and others. As a solo artist has recorded close to a dozen albums, mostly consisting of instrumental jazz guitar. Retired from music in 1992, following a stroke that left him partially paralyzed ~ Tedesco passed away in 1997
July 30, 1928 ~ Jazz, bebop drummer Vernel Fournier born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known for his association with pianist Ahmad Jamal, recording close to a dozen albums with Jamal and bassist Israel Crosby from the mid-1950s through the early-1960s including the highly acclaimed At The Pershing (But Not For Me). The album would become one of the all-time best-selling jazz albums and remains a favorite among aficionados to this day. Fournier has also recorded with the likes of Norman Simmons, Lorez Alexandria, Jimmy Reed (I'm Jimmy Reed), Frank Strozier, Sam Jones (Down Home), and Gene Shaw. Fournier remained active until the mid-1990s when a stroke confined him to a wheelchair, but he continued his teaching activities ~ Fournier passed away in 2000
July 30, 1927 ~ Producer, songwriter Tony Hiller born in London, UK ~ Best known for producing and writing hits for Brotherhood Of Man including United We Stand (1970) and Save Your Kisses For Me (1976), and Figaro and Beautiful Lover (1978). Over 500 artists have recorded Hiller's songs including Elton John, Olivia Newton-John, Andy Williams, Ray Stevens, the Miracles, the Hollies, Sonny & Cher, the Osmonds, Gil Grand, Tony Christie (Put A Light In Your Window), Glen Campbell, Lulu (He Don't Want Your Love Anymore), Crystal Gayle, Anne Murray (Over You), Ed Bruce, the Fortunes, and Dorsey Burnette (Daddy Loves You Honey) ~ Hiller passed away in 2018
July 30, 1926 ~ Singer Christine McGuire, full name Ruby Christine McGuire, born in Middletown, Ohio, USA ~ Formed the close-harmony sibling trio the McGuire Sisters with Dorothy McGuire and Phyllis McGuire. The sisters first gained attention in 1952 through the talent contest Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, after which Arthur Godfrey hired them for several of his other TV shows. The trio remained active through the late-1960s, and are well known for songs such as Goodnight Sweatheart Goodnight, Muskrat Ramble, It May Sound Silly, Something's Gotta Give, and He. The sisters would top the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice, first with Sincerely in 1955, and again with Sugartime two years later. They have performed for five American presidents, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George HW Bush ~ McGuire passed away in 2018
July 30, 1925 ~ Conductor, composer Antoine Duhamel born in Valmondois, France ~ Best known as a film composer, notably for several of Jean-Luc Godard's films including Pierrot Le Fou and Week End ~ Duhamel passed away in 2014
July 30, 1923 ~ Kalman Felberbaum, commonly known as operatic bass singer Carlos Feller born in Zloczow, Poland ~ Closely associated with the Cologne Opera. Best known for comedic supporting roles, notably his signature role as Don Alfonso in the Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart-penned Cosi Fan Tutte. Has also worked with the Teatro Colón, the Frankfurt Opera, the Opernhaus Klei, and the Bavarian State Opera ~ Felberbaum passed away in 2018
July 30, 1923 ~ Jazz drummer Roy Porter born in Walsenburg, Colorado, USA ~ Worked with Milt Larkin, Teddy Bunn, Howard McGhee, Charlie Parker (including on seminal recordings A Night In Tunesia, Yardbird Suite, and Ornithology), Dexter Gordon, Wardell Gray, Teddy Edwards, Hampton Hawes, Sonny Criss, Art Farmer, Jimmy Knepper, and Eric Dolphy ~ Porter passed away in 1998
July 30, 1918 ~ Jazz tenor saxophonist Joe Daley born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Hal Russell, Russell Thorne, Richard Corpolongo, Bobby Lewis, Bobby Roberts, Hal Russell, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr, Ella Fitzgerald, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Paul Wertico, Rusty Jones, and others ~ Daley passed away in 1994
July 30, 1909 ~ Classical pianist Adolph Baller born in Brody, Austria ~ Closely associated with violinist Yehudi Menuhin, including as a member of the Alma Trio with whom he toured internationally from the early-1940s through the 1980s. Baller had debuted as a soloist at age 13 with the Vienna Philharmonic, to become a renowned pianist, well versed in the classical and romantic repertoire. Of Jewish descent, Baller had been arrested and molested by the Nazis in 1938 before fleeing to Budapest and eventually relocating to America later the same year. Baller is also known as a longtime faculty member at the Stanford University, Stanford, California, notable pianists such as Jerome Rose, William Corbett-Jones, Xenia Boodberg-Lee, and Nohema Fernández among his students ~ Baller passed away in 1994
July 30, 1903 ~ Jazz saxophonist Hilton Jefferson born in Danbury, Connecticut, USA ~ Best known for leading Cab Calloway's saxophone section from 1940 through 1949. Had previously worked with Claude Hopkins, Chick Webb, Fletcher Henderson, and McKinney's Cotton Pickers. After Calloway worked with Duke Ellington before retiring from music ~ Jefferson passed away in 1968