July 5, 2023 ~ Composer Anthony Gilbert passed away ~ 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 was born in 1934
July 5, 2023 ~ Roger Prud'homme, commonly known as pop singer Martin Stevens, passed away ~ Sang in English and French. Enjoyed popularity in the disco era in his native Canada. Known for songs such as J'Aime La Musique (Comme Un Fou), Sans Ton Amour, and the Harry Vanda & George Young-penned Love Is In The Air. His rendition of the latter would precede the internationally more famous version by John Paul Young by a mere couple of weeks. Prud'homme published his Sexe Drogue Et Disco autobiography in 2007 ~ Prud'homme was born in 1953
July 5, 2023 ~ Boogie-woogie, jazz pianist Rob Agerbeek, full name Robbert Arris Jules Agerbeek, passed away ~ Influenced by Albert Ammons, Johnny Maddox, Pete Johnson, Meade Lux Lewis. Active since the mid-1950s, performing well into the 2000s. Closely associated with Harry Verbeke, Don Byas, and the Dutch Swing College Band ~ Agerbeek was born in 1937
July 5, 2022 ~ Manuel Charlton, commonly known as guitarist, singer Manny Charlton, passed away ~ 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 was born in 1941
July 5, 2021 ~ Rock, pop guitarist Leo van de Ketterij passed away in Vlissingen, the Netherlands ~ Best known as member of Shocking Blue in 1970 and 1971 succeeding Robbie van Leeuwen. Has also worked with the Flying Arrows, Flarth, Universal Delight, Minisink Townhouse, the Cave, and with the L&C Band, the latter also including his wife singer Cindy Tamo ~ Van de Ketterij was born in 1950
July 5, 2021 ~ Raffaella Maria Roberta Pelloni, commonly known as singer, dancer, TV personality, actress Raffaella Carrà, passed away in Rome, Italy ~ Active as an actress since the early-1960s, making her name in Italian peplum films. Moved to Hollywood in 1965, pursuiing an international career aiming to follow in the footsteps of fellow Italian actresses such as Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren yet feeling homesick she returned to Italy the following year. Has recorded about two dozen albums as a singer, starting with Raffaella released in 1970 ~ Pelloni was born in 1949
July 5, 2020 ~ Jazz, swing, funk, R&B double bassist, composer, arranger, producer Cleveland Eaton, full name Cleveland Josephus Eaton II, passed away in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Best known for his associations with Ramsey Lewis and Count Basie. Known by funk aficionados for his 1975 recording Plenty Good Eaton. Worked with wide array of artists including John Klemmer, Ike Cole, Bunky Green, the Dells, Bobby Rush, Minnie Riperton, Jerry Butler, Rotary Connection, George Benson, Henry Mancini, Frank Sinatra, Joe Williams, Billy Eckstine, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Peggy Lee, Mimi Hines, Sammy Davis Jr, Julie London, Bobby Troup, Brook Benton, Lou Rawls, Nipsey Russell, Morgana King, Gloria Lynne, Herbie Hancock, the Magic City Jazz Orchestra, the Platters, the Temptations, and the Miracles ~ Eaton was born in 1939
July 5, 2020 ~ Actor, singer Nick Cordero, full name Nicholas Eduardo Albert Cordero, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known for his roles in the 2014 production of Bullets Over Broadway, portraying the role of Cheech earning a Tony Award nomination. Has also acted in non-musical roles for TV and film ~ Cordero was born n 1978
July 5, 2019 ~ Luther Johnson, commonly known as electric blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Luther Houserocker Johnson, passed away in East Point, Georgia, USA ~ Influenced by Jimmy Reed and Lightnin' Slim. Despite enjoying popularity as a live performer for some seven decades from the late-1950s until his death has only recorded two studio albums, namely Takin' A Bite Outta The Blues and Houserockin' Daddy ~ Johnson was born in 1939
July 5, 2019 ~ Jazz drummer Paolo Vinaccia passed away in Oslo, Norway ~ Leader and sideman. Contributed to over 100 albums. Worked with Terje Rypdal, Bendik Hofseth, Jan Eggum, Knut Reiersrud, Gisle Corvik, Ole Amund Gjersvik, Jonas Fjeld, Palle Mikkelborg, Mike Mainieri, Jon Christensen, David Darling, Arild Andersen, Maj Britt Andersen, Anne Grete Preus, Øystein Sevåg, Bugge Wesseltoft, Alf Craner, Haakon Graf, Helge Iberg, David Lindley, Nils Petter Molvær, Lynni Treekrem, and others ~ Vinaccia was born in 1954
July 5, 2016 ~ Classical guitarist, composer Alirio Díaz passed away in Rome, Italy ~ Known for his expression, clarity, and flawless technique, Díaz is considered one of the most prominent composer-guitarists of South America. Studied with Andrés Segovia. Combined baroque music with the works of modern Latin American composers. Especially acclaimed for his 1994 Five Centuries Of Spanish Guitar Music album ~ Díaz was born in 1923
July 5, 2016 ~ Composer Gladys Nordenstrom, full nme Gladys Mercedes Nordenstrom, passed away in Palm Springs, California, USA ~ Studied under composer Ernst Krenek, whom she would later marry. After Krenek's death in 1991 would become major promoter of her late husband's legacy, eventually founding the Ernst Krenek Institute ~ Nordenstrom was born in 1924
July 5, 2014 ~ Florence Kathleen Stobart, commonly known as jazz saxophonist Kathy Stobart, passed away ~ Worked with Denis Rose, Ted Heath, Jimmy Skidmore, Art Pepper, Peanuts Hucko, Art Thompson, Vic Lewis, Derek Humble, Dill Jones, Bert Courtley, Humphrey Lyttelton, Harry Beckett, John Burch, Lennie Best, Johnny Griffin, Al Haig, Earl Hines, Buddy Tate, Zoot Sims, Marian McPartland, Dick Hyman, and others ~ Stobart was born in 1925
July 5, 2011 ~ Producer, songwriter Fonce Mizell passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of vocal jazz quartet the Vanlords, which also included his brother Larry Mizell. Best known as a producer and songwriter, again in tandem with his brother, producing numerous albums for Blue Note Records setting the tone for 1970s jazz fusion sound and scoring pivotal R&B hits including A Taste Of Honey's Boogie Oogie Oogie, LTD's Love Ballad and Mary Wells' Gigolo. Fonce was also a member of Motown's producer, songwriter collective the Corporation alongside Berry Gordy Jr, Freddie Perren and Deke Richards, responsible for all of the Jackson 5's early hits including I Want You Back, ABC and The Love You Save ~ Mizell was born in 1943
July 5, 2005 ~ Singer Raymond Davis passed away in New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known for his longtime association with George Clinton, co-founding member of the Parliaments, worked with Funkadelic and Parliament. Briefly a member of a latter-day incarnation of the Temptations, taking over for the late Melvin Franklin and present on the 1995 For Lovers Only album ~ Davis was born in 1940
July 5, 2005 ~ Singer Shirley Goodman passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Formed the 1950s duo Shirley & Lee with singer Leonard Lee, known for I'm Gone, Let The Good Times Roll and Feel So Good. Sang backup for Sonny & Cher, Dr John, and notably for the Rolling Stones on their 1971 Exile On Main St album. Perhaps best known for her disco hit Shame Shame Shame recorded under the moniker Shirley & Company, a disco favorite to this day ~ Goodman was born in 1936
July 5, 2003 ~ José Fernando Arbex Miró, commonly known as drummer, singer Fernando Arbex, passed away in Madrid, Spain ~ Co-founding member of Los Brincos. The band is sometimes referred to as Spain's equivalent to the Beatles for their popularity and is known for songs such as Flamenco, Sola, Tú Me Dijiste Adiós, Mejor, and Un Sorbito De Champán. Following the band's disbandement by the end of the 1960s Arbex formed the progressive rock trio Alacrán, the Latin disco and rock outfit Barrabás, known for the 1970s singles Woman and Wild Safari, and served as producer for artists such as José Feliciano, Harry Belafonte, Nana Moskouri, Miguel Bosé, and the Middle Of The Road ~ Arbex was born in 1941
July 5, 2003 ~ Juan Fernando Silvetti Adorno, commonly known as producer, arranger, pianist Silvetti, passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Internationally best known for Spring Rain, an instrumental disco hit in 1977. In-demand producer and arranger. Worked with numerous artists including José José, Plácido Domingo, Luis Miguel, Paul Anka, Engelbert Humperdinck, Vikki Carr, Ana Cristina, Rocio Dúrcal, Jerry Rivera, Los Kjarkas, Daniela Romo, Armando Manzanero, Daniel Barenboim, Los Nocheros, Ricardo Montaner, Paloma San Basilio, Nazareno Andorno, Vic Damone, and others ~ Silvetti was born in 1944
July 5, 2000 ~ Gloria Jean Williamson, commonly known as singer Gloria Williams, passed away in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Original lead singer of the Del-fi's alongside Annette Beard, Rosalind Ashford and notably Martha Reeves, scoring a minor hit with I'll Let You Know. Williams would eventually become disillusioned and leave the group. The remaining trio would become known as Martha & the Vandellas ~ Williams was born in 1942
July 5, 1999 ~ Torch singer Roberta Sherwood passed away in Sherman Oaks, California, USA ~ Daughter of Robert Sherwood, a manager of a traveling minstrel show. After the death of her mother, she and her sister Anne Sherwood would be raised on the road, and become a sibling act while in their early teens, performing in vaudeville shows and nightclubs. Sherwood married Broadway actor Don Lanning, with whom she operated a nightclub in Miami through the early-1950s. After the club lost its concession, Sherwood began to seriously focus on her career, leading to her Introducing Roberta Sherwood debut album released in 1956. The album would spawn the modest hit Lazy River, which would be her sole charting hit, peaking in the 50s on the pop charts. Sherwood continued into the 1970s, recording about a dozen albums, but despite being a popular live performer she failed to reach the charts ~ Sherwood was born in 1912
July 5, 1998 ~ Stephen Austin, commonly known as drum and bass, jungle, hip hop MC Stevie Hyper D, passed away ~ Considered a pioneering drum and bass MC, the first to use the “double time” technique, where he would double the speed of the flow but still remain with the bars of the music. Has released a number of singles starting in the early-1990s, including Teknoragga, Boomshakalack, and All I Wanna Do. Austin's sole full-length album, The Next Step, was released posthumously in 1999. Austin passed away at age 31 of a heart condition ~ Austin was born in 1966
July 5, 1991 ~ Gavin Wigglesworth, commonly known as pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Gavin James, born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Released his full-length Bitter Pill debut album in 2016 and has been recording to commercial success in his native Ireland since. The album would spawn the hit single Nervous (The Ooh Song) which reached top 30 across Europe including top 10 positions in France and the Netherlands
July 5, 1984 ~ Don Helfman, commonly known as trumpeter, vibraphonist, singer Don Elliott passed away in Weston, Connecticut, USA ~ Recorded over 60 albums. Longtime associate of Quincy Jones. As a sideman Elliott played with artists such as Louie Bellson, Joe Puma, Dinah Washington, Sylvia Syms, Paul Desmond, Michel Legrand, Art Farmer, Dave Grusin, Billy Taylor, Ruby Braff, Connee Boswell, Mundell Lowe, Bob Brookmeyer, Leonard Feather, and others ~ Helfman was born in 1926
July 5, 1983 ~ Bandleader, trumpeter Harry James, full name Harry Haag James, passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Enjoyed his biggest popularity in the late-1930s and the 1940s. Served under Ben Pollack and Benny Goodman before starting his own big band in 1939. Best known for his 1941 hit You Made Me Love You ~ James was born in 1916
July 5, 1981 ~ Singer, actress, model Linda Sundblad, full name Linda Caroline Sundblad, born in Sweden ~ Rose to fame as a member of Lambretta, dropping out of school at age 15 to join the band and remaining with them for the first three albums. Released her Oh MY God in 2006, which included the hit single Oh Father. Also known for songs such as Lose You and Let's Dance. Has guested on recordings by Apocalyptica, Rasmus Faber and Kleerup
July 5, 1980 ~ Alternative rock singer, guitarist Jason Wade, full name Jason Michael Wade, born in Camarillo, California, USA ~ Lead singer of Lifehouse, known for songs such as Hanging By A Moment, Breathing, You And Me, Halfway Gone, and others. As a solo artist known his rendition of You Belong To Me for the Shrek soundtrack
July 5, 1979 ~ Bassist, producer, composer Derrick Hodge born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ In-demand collaborator in neo-soul and jazz. Has worked in one capacity or another with artists such as Common, Jill Scott, Maxwell, Floetry, Nas, James Poyser, Musiq Soulchild, Robert Glasper Experiment, Quincy Jones, Don Was, Terence Blanchard, Donald Byrd, Mulgrew Miller, Bootsie Barnes, and others. Noted credits include serving as orchestral arranger and music director in 2014 for the performance of Illmatic by Nas and the National Symphony Orchestra upon its 20th anniversary of the album release
July 5, 1979 ~ Singer, songwriter Shane Filan, full name Shane Steven Filan, born in Sligo, Ireland ~ Member of Irish boy band Westlife, alongside Kian Egan, Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan and Brian McFadden, known for songs such as Swear It Again, Flying Without Wings, Fool Again, What Makes A Man, Queen Of My Heart, Hey Whatever, You Raise Me Up and Amazing, all of which reached top 10 in both the band's native Ireland and the UK. Debuted as a solo artist with the album You And Me in 2013
July 5, 1977 ~ Ryan Daniel Montgomery, commonly known as rapper, songwriter Royce da 5'9", born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Member of hip hop supergroup Slaughterhouse. Formed the duo Bad Meets Evil with Eminem. Formed the duo PRhyme with DJ Premier. Active as a solo artist since the early-2000s. Has collaborated with Willa Ford, Promise, Tech N9ne, Consequence, Big Sean, Bun B, Papa Roach, and Gang Starr
July 5, 1976 ~ Rufus Arthur Johnson, commonly known as rapper Bizarre, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Best known for his work with D12, short for “Dirty Dozen”, which also included Eminem. As a solo artist best known for his 2005 single Rockstar of his Hannicap Circus debut album. The single would reach the top 20 in the UK and the Netherlands
July 5, 1975 ~ In its tenth week on the charts, Dreaming My Dreams With You by Waylon Jennings peaks at No.10 Billboard Country ~ First recorded by Jennings. Issued as the lead single of Jennings' album of the same name. Though the song would remain perhaps most closely associated with Jennings, over the years it would be covered by dozens of artists including Crystal Gayle, Marianne Faithfull, the Cowboy Junkies, Alison Krauss, and Martina McBride. Both the song's songwriter, Allen Reynolds, and the producer for Jennings' original version, Cowboy Jack Clement, have recorded the song on their own, respectively in 1977 and 2004
July 5, 1973 ~ Alternative rock drummer Bengt Lagerberg born ~ Member of Swedish pop rock outfit the Cardigans, best known for a number of late-1990s singles including My Favourite Game, Erase-Rewind and the Tom Jones-collaboration Burning Down The House. Also worked with Brothers Of End
July 5, 1973 ~ Joseph Lewis Thomas, mononymously known as singer, songwriter, producer Joe, born in Columbus. Georgia, USA ~ Rose to prominence with his Everyting debut album released in 1993, spawning the Billboard R&B top 10 hit I'm In Luv. Perhaps best known for his 2001 Stutter hit single featuring Mystikal. Has also collaborated with G-Unit, Papoose, Kelly Rowland, Case (Faded Pictures), Prince Markie Dee, Big Pun, 98° (Thank God I Found You), Chico DeBarge, BeBe Winans, Angie Stone (More Than A Woman), Tony Yayo, Keith Sweat, 50 Cent, and others
July 5, 1973 ~ Singer Róisín Murphy born in Arklow, Ireland ~ Rose to fame as member of trip hop duo Moloko alongside Mark Brydon, known for songs such as Sing It Back, The Time Is Now and Familiar Feeling. After the duo disbanded Murphy has recorded as a solo artist, starting with 2005's Ruby Blue, and has collaborated with Crookers, David Byrne, Fatboy Slim, the Feeling, David Morales, and Invisble Cities
July 5, 1970 ~ Producer, DJ Kenny Dope Gonzalez born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Formed the house production duo Masters At Work with Little Louie Vega. Also co-wrote and produced the 1994 dance hit The Bomb (These Sounds Fall Into My Mind) under the moniker the Bucketheads which reached top 20 in several countries including the Netherlands and the UK
July 5, 1969 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones headline the free outdoor festival The Stones In The Park at Hyde Park, Westminster, UK, marking their return to the stage in over two years ~ Meant to introduce the band's new guitarist Mick Taylor, circumstances changed following the untimely death of former member Brian Jones a few days earlier. The band dedicated the performance to Jones, and Mick Jagger read a short eulogy on stage before the Rolling Stones began their 14-song set, which included songs never before performed in public such as Jumpin' Jack Flash, No Expectations, Street Fighting Man, and an 18-minute long rendition of Sympathy For The Devil, a number for which African tribal drummers joined the band on-stage. Other performers at the free event, which drew over an estimated 250,000 visitors, included the Third Ear Band, King Crimson, and Alexis Korner. While the event is considered memorable by some, critics agree that it was not one of the Stones' best performances. Keith Richards would later comment: “We played pretty bad until near the end, because we hadn't played in years. Nobody minded, they just wanted to hear us play again.”
July 5, 1964 ~ Hard rock singer Gary Hughes born in Manchester, UK ~ Front man of hard rock, melodic rock outfit TEN. Over half a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, starting with 1989's Big Bad Wolf. Also closely associated with Magnum-singer Bob Catley, producing and co-writing on Catley's first three solo albums. Has also worked in one capacity or another with Hugo, Vinny Burns, Johnny Lima, Ayreon, and with Serpentine
July 5, 1961 ~ Hard rock, blues rock, pop rock keyboardist, guitarist, singer Timothy Drury born in California, USA ~ First gained attention backing Don Henley on The End Of Innocence in 1989. Would go on to work with the Eagles, Whitesnake, Bryan Adams, Melissa Etheridge, Stevie Nicks, the Mob, Yes, Don Felder, and others
July 5, 1960 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, arranger Bill Johnson, full name William Luther Johnson, passed away in New York, New York, New York ~ Worked with Jabbo Smith, Baron Lee, Tiny Bradshaw, Erskine Hawkins, notably accompanying the latter on recordings such as Uptown Shuffle, Bear Mash Blues, Uncle Bud and co-writing Tuxedo Junction ~ Johnson was born in 1912
July 5, 1959 ~ Folk rock, pop rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter Marc Cohn, full name Marc Craig Cohn, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Best known for his 1991 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit Walking In Memphis of his eponymous Marc Cohn debut album. The success of the single would help push the parent album into the top 40 and earn Cohn a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. The single Walking In Memphis would remain his sole top 40 single, despite Cohn recording well into the 2000s, his critically acclaimed albums often featuring top-notch guests including David Crosby, Bonnie Raitt, India Arie, and Jim Lauderdale
July 5, 1956 ~ Drummer Terry Chimes born in London, UK ~ Original drummer for the Clash, present on the band's eponymous The Clash debut album. Would go on to work with Johnny Thunders punk rock outfit the Heartbreakers, Cowboys International, Generation X, Hanoi Rocks, Billy Idol, and others. Has also notably toured with Black Sabbath in 1987 in support of the band's Eternal Idol album. Chimes retired from music by the mid-1990s to work as a chiropractor in Essex
July 5, 1954 ~ Singer Elvis Presley records That's All Right in Sun Studios, Memphis, Tennessee ~ Just goofing around Presley records an up-tempo version of the Arthur Big Boy Crudup tune backed by Scotty Moore on lead guitar and Bill Black on string bass. It would be released as Presley's debut single later the same month with Blue Moon Of Kentucky featured on the B-side
July 5, 1953 ~ Blues slide guitarist Kenny Brown born in Selma, Alabama, USA ~ Mentored by Mississippi Joe Callicott early in his teens, and later by RL Burnside, who would affectionately call Brown his “my white son.” Appeared on the Burnside's Too Bad Jim and A Ass Pocket Of Whiskey albums. Also notably backed Junior Kimbrough on the 1993 Sad Days And Lonely Nights album. As a solo artist best known for his 2003 Stingray album
July 5, 1953 ~ Guitarist Paul Hackman, full name Paul Wayne Hackman, born in St Thomas, Canada ~ Member of hard rock outfit Helix from 1976 until his death in 1992. Notably present on the band's Rock You and Deep Cuts The Knife, the latter written by Hackman and Bob Halligan Jr ~ Hackman passed away in 1992
July 5, 1953 ~ Electric blues, blues-rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Ron Thompson born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Accomplished solo artist. Formed the Resisters. Has also worked with Little Joe Blue, John Lee Hooker, Lowell Fulson, Etta James, Big Mama Thornton, Mark Naftalin, and others
July 5, 1953 ~ Alfred Peter Zappacosta, mononymously known as rock, pop, jazz singer, guitarist Zappacosta, born in Sora, Italy ~ Member of Surrender, perhaps best known for their 1979 eponymous Surrender album. Active as a solo artist since the mid-1980s, with some dozen albums to his name. Well-known songs include Passion, We Should Be Lovers, When I Fall In Love Again, and Nothing Can Stand In Your Way. Member of supergroup the Northern Lights, known for the 1985 charity single Tears Are Not Enough raising relief funds for the mid-1980s Ethopian famine. Has also on occasion dabbled in acting on stage and film, notably starring in the 2005 HAlo film
July 5, 1951 ~ Folk singer, guitarist, accordionist, songwriter Dave Moore born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA ~ Best known for his critically acclaimed 1999 Breaking Down To 3 album, featuring musicians such as Bo Ramsey and David Zollo. Has also collaborated with Peter Ostroushko, Radoslav Lorkovic, Greg Brown, and others
July 5, 1951 ~ Junko Abe, commonly known as enka singer, actress Keiko Fuji, born in Ichinososeki, Japan ~ Married to producer Teruzane Utada. The couple married and divorced seven times and have one daughter, singer Hikaru Utada. Debuted in 1970 with the Shiunjuku No Onna Enka (No Hoshi Fuji Keiko No Subete) in 1970 ~ Abe passed away in 2013
July 5, 1950 ~ Hugh Anthony Creg III, commonly known as singer Huey Lewis, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Eponym and frontman of Huey Lewis & the News, known for a string of 1980s radio-friendly hits such as Uf This Is It, The Power Of Love, Stuck With You, Hip To Be Square and Jacob's Ladder. Haas also worked with Clover, American Express, Thin Lizzy (Live & Dangerous), Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Phil Lynott, Bruce Hornsby, Jimmy Barnes, Joe Louis Walker, Dick Dale, Sammy Hagar, Nick Gravenites, and others
July 5, 1950 ~ Guitarist, singer Michael Monarch born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Original lead guitarist of Steppenwolf, remaining with the band for the first three albums and present on the band's best known including Magic Carpet Ride, Rock Me and Born To Be Wild. Also worked with Janis Joplin, appearing on the 1969 I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama album. Member of 1970s rock band Detective. Member of supergroup World Classic Rockers
July 5, 1949 ~ Keyboardist Tommy Eyre born ~ In-demand session keyboardist. Worked with Joe Cocker (notably on With A Little Help From My Friends), John Martyn, Gary Moore, Alex Harvey, Greg Lake, BB King, John Mayall, Ian Gillan, Gerry Rafferty (Baker Street), Tracy Chapman, Mark Almond, Wham, George Michael, Zzebra, Keb' Mo, Jake Andrews, and others ~ Eyre passed away in 2001
July 5, 1948 ~ Locksley Alphonso Green, commonly known as drummer, singer Jesse Green, born in St James, Jamaica ~ Member of reggae outfit the Pioneers. Drummed with Jimmy Cliff in the late-1970s. Internationally best known for a number of mid-1970s disco hits, namely Nice And Slow, Flip and Come With Me
July 5, 1948 ~ Rock, psychedelic rock, blues rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Larry Wagner, full name Lawrence Jay Wagner, born ~ Lead singer, guitarist for late-1960s rock outfit the Fraternity Of Man, with whom he recorded the albums Fraternity Of Man and Get It On. The band is remembered for Don't Bogart Me, also known as Don't Bogart That Joint, which was used in the soundtrack of the cult road movie Easy Rider
July 5, 1945 ~ Rock, glam rock singer Andy Ellison born in Finchley, UK ~ Best known as frontman of Jet, Radio Stars and notably of the short-lived John's Children. The latter was a 1960 pop art, mod rock band known for their outrage stage antics, once booted off a tour for upstaging the headline act the Who. The band, seen as a precursor to glam rock and best known for their 1967 Desdemona single, also included Marc Bolan of future T.Rex fame
July 5, 1945 ~ Bassist, guitarist Dick Scoppettone born in Santa Cruz, California, USA ~ Member of Harper's Bizarre, known for a string of sunshine pop covers of standards and contemporary pop hits, noted for their 1967 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 single The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) originally recorded by Simon & Garfunkel. All band members actually played in the Tikis but the single and its subsequent debut album were released under the new moniker as not to upset their fanbase
July 5, 1943 ~ Jaime Royal Robertson, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter Robbie Robertson, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Best known as lead guitarist of the Band. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as The Weight, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, and Up On Cripple Creek. As a solo artist best known for Broken Arrow and Somewhere Down The Crazy River, both taken of his eponymous 1987 Robbie Robertson solo debut album. The album would feature appearances by his former bandmates as well as Peter Gabriel, and U2's Bono and the Edge ~ Robertson passed away in 2023
July 5, 1942 ~ Drummer, singer Ammon Tharp, full name Ammon Chester Tharp, born in Norfolk, Virginia, USA ~ Longtime member of Bill Deal & the Rhondels, who enjoyed their greatest success in the late-1960s merging blue-eyed soul with beach music. They are best known for the 1969 Billboard Hot 100 top 30 hit What Kind Of Fool Do You Think I Am. Other charting songs included May I, I've Been Hurt, and Nothing Succeeds Like Success. The band disbanded in the mid-1970s but would later reform ~ Tharp passed away in 2017
July 5, 1942 ~ Singer Darron Stankey born ~ Member of harmony vocal group the Innocents, known for a number of late-1950s, early-1960s hits including Honest I Do and Gee Whiz. The group would be paired with singer Kathy Young, providing backing vocals to Young's A Thousand Stars which reached the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960
July 5, 1942 ~ Highland Ralph Dobson, commonly known as reggae, rocksteady singer Dobby Dobson, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Dubbed “the Loving Pauper” after one of his best known songs. First gained attention as co-founder, frontman of Dobby Dobson & the Deltas, scoring the 1959 self-penned hit Cry A Little Cry. Would go on to work with acts such as the Virtues and the Sheiks before venturing out on his own, scoring hits such as That Wonderful Sound and Endlessly. Would serve as producer for the Meditations, producing the late-1970s albums Message From The Meditations and Wake Up before semi-retiring from music ~ Dobson passed away in 2020
July 5, 1940 ~ Jazz saxophonist Arthur Blythe, full name Arthur Murray Blythe, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Chico Hamilton, Gil Evans, Lester Bowie, Jack DeJohnette, McCoy Tyner, Steve Reid, the Leaders, Synthesis, Santi Debriano, Joey Baron, Jack DeJohnette, Chico Freeman, the Music Revelation Ensemble, the World Saxophone Quartet, and Interface ~ Blythe passed away in 2017
July 5, 1938 ~ Rockabilly singer, songwriter Ronnie Self born in Tin Town, Missouri, USA ~ As a singer known for his sole charting single, Bop A Lula, a modest hit in 1958. Best known as a songwriter, responsible for songs such as I'm Sorry, Sweet Nothin's and Everybody Loves Me But You all of which were hits for Brenda Lee ~ Self passed away in 1981
July 5, 1938 ~ Thomas Leslie Garrett, commonly known as producer Snuff Garrett, born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Became a staff producer at Liberty Records in 1959 eventually rising to head of A&R. Has worked with Johnny Burnette, Bobby Vee, Gene McDaniels, Buddy Knox, Walter Brennan, Gary Lewis & the Playboys, Del Shannon, the Monkees, Phil Spector, Leon Russell, Lenny Waronker, Sonny & Cher, Cher, Tommy Tedesco, Sonny Curtis, Vicki Lawrence, Tanya Tucker, Johnny Mann SIngers, and others ~ Garrett passed away in 2015
July 5, 1938 ~ Marion Brittingham, commonly known as R&B, soul singer Tina Britt, born in Smyrna, Delaware, USA ~ Known for half a dozen singles, her best known being 1965's The Real Thing written by Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson and Jo Armstead and a sole album, Blue All The Way, released in 1969
July 5, 1937 ~ Country banjoist, guitarist Bobby Thompson born in Converse, South Carolina, USA ~ In-demand session musician, mostly active from the 1960s through the 1980s. Member of Area Code 615, alongside Weldon Myrick and Charlie McCoy. Has appeared on albums by the likes of the Monkees, Charley Pride, Dottie West, Willie Nelson (Yesterday's Wine), the Everly Brothers, Donna Fargo, Johnny Cash, Ferlin Husky, Waylon Jennings (The Ramblin' Man), the Pointer Sisters, the Statler Brothers, Ronnie Milsap, Jimmy Buffett, Eddie Rabbitt, Dolly Parton (Jolene), Mickey Newbury, the Oak Ridge Boys, Jerry Lee Lewis (When Two Worlds Collide), Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, and Neil Young ~ Thompson passed away in 2005
July 5, 1935 ~ Singer, guitarist, banjoist Shirley Collins, full name Shirley Elizabeth Collins, born in Hastins, UK ~ Sister of pianist, organist Dolly Collins, with whom she regularly collaborated. Active since the late-1950s. Leading figure in the British folk revival of the 1960s and 1970s. Has worked with the Albion Band, the Young Tradition, Davey Graham, the Etchington Steam Band, Current '93, and others
July 5, 1934 ~ Singer Bing Crosby records Love In Bloom ~ Written by Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin. First recorded by Crosby with Irving Aaronson & his Commanders for Brunswick Records. Introduced in the film She Loves Me Not. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song, losing out to Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers' Continental from the The Gay Divorcee film
July 5, 1927 ~ Label executive Stan Lewis born in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA ~ Former record shop owner founded Jewel Records. Co-penned Dale Hawkins's Susie Q said to be a tribute to Stan's daughter Susan. As a label owner and producer Lewis has worked with artists such as Fontella Bass, Buster Benton, Brady Blade, the Blind Boys Of Alabama, Charles Brown, the Carter Brothers, Clarence Fountain, Peppermint Harris, Lowell Fulson, Mickey Gilley, John Lee Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins, Pigmeat Markham, Bobby Rush, the Soul Stirrers, Dorothy Norwood, Little Johnny Taylor, Big Joe Turner, Ike & Tina Turner, Young-Holt Unlimited, and others ~ Lewis passed away in 2018
July 5, 1926 ~ Composer Kenneth Gaburo, full name Kenneth Louis Gaburo, born in Somerville, New Jersey, USA ~ Professor of music at the University Of Illinois, the University Of California, the University Of Iowa. Founded Lingua Press, publishing scores, books, and films. As a composer perhaps best known for his Flow Of U, a minimalist composition for three voices published in 1974 ~ Gaburo passed away in 1993
July 5, 1924 ~ Cellist János Starker born in Budapest, Hungary ~ Child prodigy. Closely associated with the Budapest Opera, the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra ~ Starker passed away in 2013
July 5, 1920 ~ Carmelita Madriaga, commonly known as singer, songwriter Carmen Costa, born in Trajano de Moraes, Brazil ~ At age 15, Madriaga moved to Rio de Janeiro where she found employ as a maid at the house of singer Francisco Alves. Alves encouraged her to sing and participate in radio contests. Soon she would team up with composer Henricão, with whom she recorded several hits including Onde Está O Dinheiro, Dance Mais Um Bocado, and Samba Meu Nego. In the early-1940s, Costa would enjoy her first solo hit with Está Chegando A Hora, an adaptation of the traditional Mexican folk song Cielito Lindo. Costa would go on to record extensively throughout the remainder of her lengthy career, and is perhaps best known for being the first to record Casinha Da Marambala in 1944, a song later covered by numerous artists including Elza Soares, Elis Regina, and Leonardo Ribeiro ~ Madriaga passed away in 2007
July 5, 1913 ~ Overton Amos Lewis, commonly known as blues, R&B singer, guitarist, songwriter Smiley Lewis, born in DeQuincy, Louisiana, USA ~ Known for about half a dozen 1950s singles, most notably Tee Nah Nah, Blue Monday, I Hear You Knocking and One Night Of Sin. The latter would be covered by Elvis Presley with slightly altered, less risque lyrics as One Night. Smiley's I Hear You Knocking would be covered by over a hundred artists, including notably retro rock and roll singer Dave Edmunds in 1970, whose single reached No.4 Billboard Hot 100 and topped the charts in the UK ~ Lewis passed away in 1966