July 7, 2024 ~ Jazz trumpeter, conductor Jim Rotondi, full name James Robert Rotondi, passed away in Le Crest, France ~ Co-founding member of One For All, with whom he recorded well over a dozen albums since the late-1990s including the acclaimed What's Going On released in 2008. Also closely associated with Eric Alexander, Charles Earland, and Irene Reid, recording several albums with each. Rotondi has recorded over a dozen albums as a leader, noted specifically for 1000 Rainbows released in 2010. As a sideman and collaborator, Rotondi has appeared on albums by Ann Hampton Callaway, Susan Tobocman, Bill Mobley, David Hazeltine (How It Is), Giacomo Gates, Dena DeRose, Mike DiRubbo (Keep Steppin'), Cecil Payne, Ned Otter, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Joe Farnsworth, Kyle Eastwood, Peter Lerner, Bob Mintzer (Swing Out), Jon Regen, and Craig Wuepper ~ Rotondi was born in 1962
July 7, 2023 ~ Jazz trumpeter, hornist, trombonist Oscar Brashear passed away ~ In-demand sideman influenced by Lee Morgan, Woody Shaw, and Freddie Hubbard. Present on albums by John Lee Hooker, Count Basie (Standing Ovation), Oliver Nelson, Donny Hathaway (Everything Is Everything), Bobby Hutcherson, Moacir Santos, Hampton Hawes, Bonnie Raitt (Takin' My Time), Gene Harris, Harold Land, Nat Adderley, Willie Hutch, Ry Cooder (Paradise & Lunch), Patrice Rushen, Tom Waits (The Heart Of Saturday Night), Horace Silver, Oliver Nelson, Earth Wind & Fire (That's The Way Of The World), Neil Diamond, Carmen McRae, Alice Coltrane, Marvin Gaye (I Want You), Maria Muldaur, BB King, Patti LaBelle, Sadao Watanabe, Rodney Franklin, Rick James (Bustin' Out Of L Seven), Tavares, the Crusaders (Street Life), Randy Crawford, Con Funk Shun, Was (Not Was) (What Up Dog), Zoot Sims, and Natalie Cole ~ Brashear was born in 1944
July 7, 2021 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Angélique Ionatos passed away in Les Lilas, France ~ In her early teens fled with her family from Greece after the military coup, resettling in France. Rooted in Greek culture yet drew from classical, jazz, chanson, oriental and tango. Well over a dozen albums to her name since the 1970s, the first few collaborating with her brother Photis Ionatos. Sang in both Greek and French. Known for setting both classic and contemporary text and poetry to music, frequent collaborator of poet Odysseas Elytis ~ Ionatis was born in 1954
July 7, 2021 ~ Tenor saxophonist Sam Reed passed away ~ A mainstay on the Philadelphia scene, internationally perhaps best known as musical director for Teddy Pendergrass during the 1970s. Reed had been working as a sideman and session musician since the late-1950s, backing jazz greats such as Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, and Dizzy Gillespie early on in his career. In Philadelphia, Reed is especially renowned for his early-1960s stint leading the house band at the Uptown Theatre, a legendary venue where Reed and his band backed visiting musicians such as Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown. Reed also became closely associated with producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, helping the famed duo shape the Philly sound working with the likes of Archie Bell & the Drells, Labelle, Billy Paul, and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. Upon hearing of his death, Lovett Hines, artistic director of the Philadelphia Clef Club described Reed as among the very top of the Philly saxophonists, distinguished by his versatility, adding: “the only thing that kept him from getting world-class fame was that he elected to stay in Philadelphia” ~ Reed was born in 1935
July 7, 2010 ~ Rock, jazz saxophonist Robbie Jansen, full name Robert Edward Jansen, passed away in Cape Town, South Africa ~ Member of the Pacific Express. Would go on to work with Dollar Brand and saxophonist Basil Coetzee. Would become a leading figure by the 1970s in Cape Jazz. Has also worked with Johnny Clegg, Sipho Mchunu, and Juluka (Universal Men). Especially acclaimed for his 2006 solo album Nomad Jez. His international career suffered a blowback in 2007 when on doctor's orders he could no longer travel due to a respitory condition, and forced to cancel a European tour ~ Jansen was born in 1949
July 7, 2006 ~ Roger Keith Barrett, commonly known as guitarist, singer Syd Barrett passed away in Cambridge, UK ~ Co-founding member, frontman, primary songwriter of Pink Floyd. Regarded as a troubled genius. Fully present on the band's debut Piper At The Gates Of Dawn, contributed partly on their sophomore album A Saucerful Of Secrets. Ousted from the band in 1968. Fully retired from music in 1972, devoting himself to painting and gardening. The band would later record several tributes to Barrett, among which most famously the 1975 song Shine On You Crazy Diamond. Barrett would be cited as an influence by artists such as Paul McCartney, Pete Townshend, Blur, Tangerine Dream, Paul Weller, Cedric Bixler-Zavala, David Bowie, Jimmy Page, Brian Eno, and the Sex Pistols ~ Barrett was born in 1946
July 7, 2001 ~ Frederick Neil, commonly known as folk, folk-pop singer, songwriter Fred Neil, passed away in Summerland Key, Florida, USA ~ Best known for penning and first recording Everybody's Talkin', notably covered by Harry Nilsson. Though Neil never became a household name, and actually quickly faded into obscurity past the 1960s folk-rock, folk-pop boom, he was revered by peers and is seen as a pioneer of the folk-rock movement, influencing artists such as Tim Buckley, Stephen Stills, David Crosby, Tim Hardin, John Sebastian, Gram Parsons, and Paul Kantner. Neil has recorded over a dozen albums starting in the mid-1960s, and is especially noted for Bleecker & MacDougal released in 1965 and its eponymous Fred Neil follow-up album released the next year ~ Neil was born in 1936
July 7, 1997 ~ Country singer Tim McGraw releases Everywhere, the second single off his album of the same name ~ Written by Mike Reid and Craig Wiseman, the song tells of a former girlfriend wishing to stay in the small town they both grew up in, while the narrator had hoped for a travelling life with her and sees her everywhere he goes. In 2007, songwriter James Martinez sued McGraw and the songwriters for copyright infringement claiming they lifted the song off his demo tape containing Anytime Anywhere Amanda. Eventually, a court would rule in favor of McGraw, a decision upheld by an appelate court in 2014. Everywhere would be McGraw's sixth Billboard Country charttopper and the second off his Everywhere album after It's Your Love. In 2010, looking back on the song, McGraw would comment the story of Everywhere is “the love of your life that you can't get out of your head, no matter where you go”
July 7, 1993 ~ Courtney Everald Dewar Junior, commonly known as rapper Capital Steez, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Worked with CJ Fly, Chuck Strangers, Joey Badass, Dirty Sanchez, Jakk The Rhyner, Madlib, MF Doom, Free The Robots, DJ Premier, Knxwledge, Ant, J Rawls, Tommy Mas, the Entreproducers, Kirk Knight, Bruce Leekiz, and Pro-Era ~ Dewar passed away in 2012
July 7, 1991 ~ Alessandro Renato Rodolfo Lindblad, commonly known as DJ, producer Alesso born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Released his full-length Forever solo debut album in 2015. Has worked with artists such as Tove Lo, Theo Hutchcraft, Ryan Tedder, Hailee Steinfeld, Calvin Harris, Anitta, Usher, David Guetta, Sebastian Ingrosso, Liam Payne, Tini, and the Stray Kids
July 7, 1986 ~ Amber Denise Streeter, commonly known as singer, songwriter Sevyn Streeter, born in Haines City, Florida, USA ~ Best known as member of girl groups TG4 and Richgirl. Released her fuill-length Disrupted solo album in 2017. Known for songs such as It Won't Stop featuring Chris Brown and, Next. In-demand songwriter. Artists who have recorded songs written or co-written by Streeter include Usher, Kelly Rowland, Ariana Grande, Trey Songz, Alicia Keys, Fantasia, Brandy, and Tamar Braxton
July 7, 1982 ~ Jazz drummer Ferit Odman born in Istanbul, Turkey ~ Has worked with Brian Lynch, Peter Washington, Vincent Herring, Benny Golson, Jacky Terrasson, Mike Moreno, Sean Jones, Ernie Watts, Stefano di Battista, Bertha Hope, Jim Rotondi, Alan Broadbent, Alex Sipiagin, David Berkman, Kenan Dogulu, Ozan Musluoglo, and Danielle Eva. Singers backed by Odman include Sheila Jordan, Kevin Mahogany, Allan Harris, Mark Murphy, Deborah Davis, Ive Mendes, and Hilary Kole. Released his debut as a leader, Nommo, in 2010
July 7, 1981 ~ Brian Elwin Haner Jr, commonly known as heavy metal guitarist, singer, songwriter Synyster Gates, born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Influenced by metal as well as jazz, gypsy jazz, classical music, and avant-garde, Gates citing influences as diverse as Dimebag Darrell, Slash, Django Reinhardt, Allan Holdsworth, and Frank Gambale. Best known as lead guitarist for Avenged Sevenfold, with whom he has recorded over half a dozen albums, starting with the band's 2003 Waking The Fallen sophomore album. Prior to joining the band, Gates and future bandmate the Rev formed the side project Pinkly Smooth, known for their sole Unfortunate Snort album released in 2001. Gates has also guested on recordings by Bleeding Through, Good Charlotte, Burn Halo, Machine Gun Kelly, Linkin Park, and his father Brian Haner, who has also sessioned for Avenged Sevenfold. Gates is married to Michelle DiBenedetto, whose twin sister Valary DiBenedetto is married to Avenged Sevenfold lead singer M Shadows, making Gates and Shadows not only bandmates but also brothers-in-law
July 7, 1980 ~ Fyfe Antony Dangerfield Hutchins. commonly known as indie rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Fyfe Dangerfield, born in Moseley, UK ~ Member of Senseless Prayer. Rose to prominence as founding and key member of Guillemots, known best for a number of 2000s singles including Made-up Lovesong No.43, Annie Let's Not Wait and Get Over It. Dangerfield also composed a number of choral and orchestral pieces, notably In Wait, performed by the City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in 2007 to celebrate the re-opening of Birmingham Town Hall
July 7, 1979 ~ Country singer, songwriter Shane Yellowbird born in Hobbema, Canada ~ Began singing while in speech therapy to treat his severe stuttering. Has released two albums before dying at age 42. His 2006 Life Is Calling My Name debut album would spawn the hits Pickup Truck and I Remember The Music, both of which would reach top 10 country in his native Canada. Bare Feet On The Blacktop, the lead single of his 2009 It's About Time sophomore album would also reach the top 10 ~ Yellowbird passed away in 2022
July 7, 1978 ~ Singer Bruce Springsteen plays the Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, California ~ As part of his 1978 Darkness Tour, generally considered his best tour, Springsteen plays the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood. A considerable portion of tonight's concert, the recordings of Adam Raised A Cain, Spirit In The Night, Paradise By The C, Growin' Up, It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City, Backstreets, Rosalita (Come Out Tonight), and Raise Your Hand, make it to the Live 1975-85 live box set released in 1986
July 7, 1976 ~ Roy Morgan, commonly known as singer, producer, label executive Gramps Morgan, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Son of reggae singer Denroy Morgan. Member of sibling outfit Morgan Heritage, best known for their 1999 Don't Haffi Dread album. Morgan has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album 2 Sides Of My Heart Vol.1 released in 2009. Guested on India Arie's Therapy of Arie's Testimony Vol.2 (Love & Politics) released the same year
July 7, 1975 ~ Country singer, guitarist George Morgan, full name George Thomas Morgan, passed away in Madison, Tennessee, USA ~ Father of country singer Lorrie Morgan. Though Morgan is the lesser known of the three, alongside contemporaries Eddy Arnold and Jim Reeves Morgan is considered one of the few, and finest “country crooners”, sometimes dubbed “the Candy Kid” for his first hit Candy Kisses. Morgan has recorded over a dozen albums until his death in the mid-1970s. Other than Candy Kisses, his sole Billboard Country No.1 hit, he is known for songs such as Please Don't Let Me Love You, Rainbow In My Heart, Room Full Of Roses, I Love Everything About You, Almost, I'm In Love Again, and You're The Only Good Thing (That Happened To Me). In 1974, Morgan was the last person to perform on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium before the Grand Ole Opry moved to the Grand Ole Opry House. A week later, he would be the first to sing on the stage of the new venue, also located in country music capitol Nashville, Tennessee ~ Morgan was born in 1924
July 7, 1974 ~ Terje Vik Schei, commonly known as progressive metal, progressive rock bassist, guitarist, singer Tchort, born in Kristiansand, Norway ~ Schei's stage name, Tchort, is a Slavonic word meaning “devil”. As a solo artist, he is known for the album Heavens Are Showing released in 2001. Tchort served as bassist for Emperor, known for their 1994 In The Nightside Eclipse album, and is the frontman of progressive metal outfit Green Carnation, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums since the early-1990s including the acclaimed Blessing In Disguise. He has also appeared on albums by Carpathian Forest, Blood Red Throne, and Wind Of The Black Mountains, and co-founded the Sublife Productions record label with Green Carnation bandmate Kjetil Nordhus
July 7, 1974 ~ Classical, neoclassical metal, progressive metal pianist, composer Vitalij Kuprij born in Kyiv, Ukraine ~ Regarded a keyboard virtuoso by both classical and heavy metal, progressive metal critics. Received numerous awards in the classical world, notably winning prestigious competitions such as the All-Union Chopin Competition, the Kiev Conservatory Competition and the Cleveland Piano Competition. To metal audiences known for founding progressive metal band Atlantis Rising, which evolved into Artension, as a member of Yngwie Malmsteen's neoclassical, power metal unit Ring Of Fire, as a regular collaborator of the highly influential Finnish metal outfit the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and as a solo artist. Kuprij has recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist, both classical music and neoclassical metal ~ Kuprij passed away in 2024
July 7, 1973 ~ In its fifteenth week on the charts, Will It Go Round In Circles by Billy Preston hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ The previous year, Billy Preston's instrumental Outa-space almost made it to the top of the American charts, peaking at No.2 Billboard Hot 100. It would be Will It Go Round In Circles, however, that gave Preston his first solo No.1 hit, the song originated from a jokingly remark Preston had made to his regular songwriting partner Bruce Fisher about having a song but no melody, inspiring the opening line: “I got a song that ain't got no melody, I'm gonna sing it to my friends”. Guitarist George Johnson and bassist Louis Johnson, who would later rise to fame as the Brothers Johnson, backed Preston on Will It Go Round In Circles. The single's success allowed Fisher to quit his day job in the NBC mail room to focus on his music career. Fisher would also co-write several more of Preston's songs including You Are So Beautiful, which would be covered by over 200 artists including notably Joe Cocker, and Nothing From Nothing, Preston's second and final Billboard Hot 100 charttopper
July 7, 1970 ~ Songwriter Charles Tobias passed away in Manhasset, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-writing Comes Love, first recorded by Harry James in 1939 and covered by over 200 artists including Benny Goodman, Jimmy Dorsey, Billie Holiday, and Sam Cooke. Other notable songs co-written by Tobias include Just Another Day Wasted Away (Waiting For You) (the Golden Gate Dance Orchestra, Frank Farrell, Rosemary Squires), After My Laughter Came Tears (the Harmony Trio, Johnnie Ray, Ray Charles), Miss You (Rudy Vallée, Bing Crosby, Bill Haley), I Lost My Gal From Memphis (Roy Evans, Billy Cotton, Tex Williams), The Old Lamp-Lighter (Kay Kyser, Hal McIntyre, Mac Wiseman), and The Wonderful World Of Christmas (Robert Goulet, Elvis Presley) ~ Tobias was born in 1898
July 7, 1969 ~ Bassist, singer Adam Kury born ~ Has worked with acts such as Candlebox, Legs Diamond, Jagger Cook, Kings Royal, the 7th Sun, and Whipped Cream
July 7, 1967 ~ Jacqueline Neal, commonly known as blues singer Jackie Neal, born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA ~ Daughter of blues guitarist Raful Neal, sister of blues guitarist Kenny Neal. Jackie recorded four albums during her career, starting with The Blues Won't Let You Go released in 1995, before her untimely death at age 37, shot and killed by an ex-boyfriend. She is best known for songs such as Right Thang Wrong Man, The Way We Roll, and Down In The Club ~ Neal passed away in 2005
July 7, 1967 ~ Jonathan Sutter, commonly known as singer, rapper Tenor Fly, born in Brixton, UK ~ Recorded solo and as member of the Freestylers. Best known for his collaborations with artists such as Rebel MC, Top Cat, Daddy Freddy, Prizna, Pendulum, Barrington Levy, and the Sir Coxson Sound ~ Sutter passed away in 2016
July 7, 1966 ~ R&B bassist, singer Ricky Kinchen born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Member of R&B outfit Mint Condition, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums. The band enjoyed popularity in the 1990s, until fading from view after the emergence of new jack swing and hip-hop. The singles Forever In Your Eyes, U Send Me Swingin', What Kind Of Man Would I Be, and If You Love Me would all reach top 10 on the Billboard R&B charts. Their best known, Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes) lifted off the band's 1991 Meant To Be Mint debut album, would also reach top 10 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at No.6
July 7, 1964 ~ Jazz fusion, experimental rock flutist, saxophonist, clarinetist Theo Travis born in Birmingham, UK ~ Member of Gong from 1999 through 2010. Member of Soft Machine Legacy since 2006. About a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, leader, starting in the early-1990s. Has also worked with Mark Hewins, Steve Lawson, Robert Fripp, John Foxx, Jade Warrior, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Masami Tsuchiya, Indigo Falls, Francis Dunnery, Harold Budd, No-Man, Porcupine Tree, the Tangent, David Sylvian, and David Gilmour
July 7, 1963 ~ Singer, pianist, bassist, guitarist, songwriter, actress Vonda Shepard born in New York, New York, USA ~ First gained attention for her role as resident bar singer in the TV series Ally McBeal. Known for her 1998 recording of the show's theme, Searchin' My Soul, as well as for her rendition of the Holiday classic Everybody's Waitin For The Man With The Bag
July 7, 1962 ~ Pop, rock bassist Mark White born in the Bronx, New York, New York ~ Co-founding member of the Spin Doctors, leaving the band in 1998 sometime during the recording of the band's fourth album Here Comes The Bride. Present on the band's best known including Two Princes which reached top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic
July 7, 1961 ~ Alan Chesnnovitz, commonly known as trumpeter, hornist Alan Chez, born ~ Worked with the CBS Orchestra, the Garfield Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps, Jon Bon Jovi, the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps, the Cadets, Tower Of Power, the Robert Cray Band, Dave Edmunds, Dion, Graham Parker, Kim Wilson, Sting, Flavor Flav, the Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, and David Bowie
July 7, 1961 ~ Clive Jackson, commonly known as glam rock, new wave, pop rock singer the Doctor, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Fronted Doctor & the Medics, best known for their 1981 Norman Greenbaum-cover Spirit In The Sky which would top the charts in their native UK. Subsequent charting singles would include Burn and Waterloo
July 7, 1959 ~ Siblings the Everly Brothers record Till I Kissed You at RCA-Victor Studios, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Written by Don Everly. Produced by Archie Bleyer. Backing musicians include Chet Atkins, Sonny Curtis, Floyd Chance, Jerry Allison, Floyd Cramer. Released as a single later the same year, paired with Oh What A Feeling on the flip side
July 7, 1957 ~ Singer, guitarist Berry Sakharof born in Izmir, Turkey ~ Dubbed “the Prince of Israeli rock” and regarded as one of the most important Israeli rock guitarists. As a solo artist has over a dozen albums to his name, starting in the early-1990s. Has also worked with Cosmic Dream, Minimal Compact, Rea Mochiach, Fortisakharof, Rami Fortis, Foreign Affair, and Micha Shitrtit
July 7, 1957 ~ Jazz, art rock, world music, progressive rock, rock guitarist, pianist, event organizer Dennis Rea born in Utica, New York, USA ~ Influenced by artists as diverse as King Crimson, Soft Machine, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Jimi Hendrix. Member of Earthstar, known for the albums Salterbury Tales, French Skyline, and Atomkraft Nein Danke. Fronted progressive rock quintet Moraine. Collaborated with Jeff Greinke in LAND. Other notable collaborations include Stackpole, Iron Kim Style, Savant, and Flame Tree
July 7, 1956 ~ Jazz bandleader, violinist Alex Hyde passed away in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Founded dance band the Romance Of Rhythm Orchestra, popular in the 1920s. Has worked with Howard McFarlane, Walker O'Neill, Eddie Grosso, Gene Sedric, and Mike Danzi ~ Hyde was born in 1898
July 7, 1955 ~ Jazz pianist John Campbell born in Bloomington, Illinois, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Actively recording since the late-1980s. Worked with Buddy DeFranco, Terry Gibbs, Stan Getz, Eddie Harris, James Moody, Charles McPherson, Clark Terry, Mel Tormé, Greg Gisbert, Denise Jannah, the Jump 'n the Saddle Band, Randy Stonehill, and Cy Touff
July 7, 1954 ~ Singer Cherry Boone, full name Cheryl Lynne Boone, born in Denton, Texas, USA ~ Daughter of singer-actor Pat Boone and has recorded with her siblings as the Boones, scoring modest hits with the Supremes-cover When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes in 1975 and the ABBA-cover Hasta Mañana in 1977
July 7, 1954 ~ Ram Ephraim Fortis, commonly known as rock, punk rock singer Rami Fortis, born in Tel Aviv, Israel ~ Pioneer of Israeli rock. Influenced by the Clash, the Sex Pistols, Iggy Pop, the Ramones. Released his Plonter debut album in 1978, initiallty to little succes yet later hailed as an influential cult album. Member of alternative rock outfit Minimal Compact since 1984
July 7, 1952 ~ Country, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter James Hand, also known as James Slim Hand, born in Waco, Texas, USA ~ Actively performing since his late teens, playing honky-tonks and roadhouses across Texas rising to regional fame, yet would not release a solo album until well into his 40s. Recorded about half a dozen albums, especially acclaimed for The Truth Will Set You Free and its follow-up Shadow On The Ground released respectively in 2006 and 2009. Hand played a fictional version of himself in the independent film Thank You A Lot released in 2014 ~ Hand passed away in 2020
July 7, 1951 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, R&B, funk, soul, pop singer, bassist, saxophonist, producer Michael Henderson born in Yazoo City, Mississippi, USA ~ Influenced by Motown house bass guitarist James Jamerson. First gained attention backing Stevie Wonder on tours. Made his name playing on a number of pivotal 1970s Miles Davis jazz fusion albums, notably Live/Evil and Agharta. Would go on to work with artists such as Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, the Dramatics, and Dr John. Has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing over half a dozen albums starting with Solid in 1976 ~ Henderson passed away in 2022
July 7, 1951 ~ Drummer, percussionist Sue Evans born in New York, New York, USA ~ In-demand session percussionist working in a wide array of genres including jazz, pop and classical. Has worked with Steve Kuhn, Art Farmer, George Benson, Urbie Green, the New York Pops, the New York Philharmonic, Michael Franks, Suzanne Vega, Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Sting, James Brown, Blood Sweat & Tears, Philip Glass, Don Sebesky, Sadao Watanabe, Randy Brecker, David Sanborn, Terence Blanchard, Lalo Schifrin, and Jeremy Steig
July 7, 1950 ~ Theodore Navarro, commonly known as jazz, bebop trumpeter Fats Navarro, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Pioneering bebop improviser. Influential on players such as Clifford Brown and JJ Johnson. Worked with Snookum Russell, Charlie Parker, Andy Kirk, Billy Eckstine, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Kenny Clarke, Tadd Dameron, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Coleman Hawkins, Illinois Jacquet, Howard McGhee, Bud Powell, Dexter Gordon, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis ~ Navarro was born in 1923
July 7, 1947 ~ Singer David Hodo born in San Andreas, California, USA ~ Best known as the “construction worker” in disco otufit the Village People from 1978 through 1982 and again from 1987 through 2013. Also worked in musical theatre, making his Broadway debut in 1975 in Doctor Jazz and acted in a variety of TV shows including Married With Children and The Love Boat
July 7, 1947 ~ Singer, songwriter Victor Manuel, full name Victor Manuel San José Sánchez, born in Mieres, Spain ~ Along with his wife, singer and actress Ana Belén considered symbols of the Spanish Transition from the Francoist dictatorship, who would ban his songs, to a consititional monarchy. Over a dozen albums to his name, especially acclaimed for his Todos Tenemos Un Precio released in 1974
July 7, 1944 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist Warren Entner born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Member of rock & roll band the Grass Roots, writing or co-writing a vast amount of the band's songs including Feelings and Come On And Say It. Would eventually become a manager for rock, hard rock acts such as Angel, Quiet Riot, Faith No More, Rage Against The Machine, the Deftones, and Nada Surf
July 7, 1943 ~ Salvatore Cutugno, commonly known as singer, pianist, guitarist, saxophonist, drummer, songwriter Toto Cutugno born in Fodinovo, Italy ~ One of the most popular Italian singers and one of the most successful Italian songwriters of all time with sales reportedly exceeding 100 million globally. As a performer internationally best known for the 1983 worldwide hit L'Italiano, initially intended for Adriano Celentano who turned it down, and for the 1990 Eurovision Songfestival-winner Insieme 1992. Songs written or co-written by Cutugno have been recorded by Joe Dassin, Claude François, Michel Sardou, Domenico Modugno, Miguel Bosé, and Dalida ~ Cutugno passed away in 2023
July 7, 1942 ~ Alexander William Roberton, commonly known as label executive, music publisher, producer Sandy Roberton born in Edinburgh, UK ~ Member of several pop, beat groups before venturing into music production and publishing. As a producer first gained attention working with UK pop band the Chocolate Watch Band featuring Gary Osborne. Ran several of Chess Records' UK subsidiaries including Arc Music, Regent Music and Jewel Music before forming his own company September Productions. Noted for producing the first three Steeleye Span albums, Hark (The Village Wait), Please To See The King and Ten Man Mop (Or Mr Reservoir Butler Rides Again). Also worked with acts such as the Liverpool Scene, Iain Matthews, Decameron, Shirley Collins, Plainsong, and John Martyn. Roberton also formed Rockburgh Records and Worlds End Producer Management Company ~ Roberton passed away in 2022
July 7, 1941 ~ Robert Lee Romero, commonly known as rock & roll singer, guitarist Chan Romero, born in Billings, Montana, USA ~ Best remembered for penning and first recording Hippy Hippy Shake. The song failed to make the American Billboard Hot 100 charts, but would be a hit overseas and has remained popular throughout the decades. The song has been used in several films, and would be covered by over 50 artists including the Swinging Blue Jeans, Billy Fury, Mud, the Beatles, the Georgia Satellites, Shane MacGowan, and Die Toten Hosen. In 2019, a bill to make Romero's Hippy Hippy Shake the official state rock & roll song of his native state Montana failed to pass the Legislature. Regardless, Romero is remembered as one of the state's greatest musicians ~ Romero passed away in 2024
July 7, 1941 ~ Bassist Jim Rodford, full name James Walter Rodford, born in St Albans, UK ~ Best known as founding member of Argent, known for songs such as Hold Your Head Up and God Gave Rock & Roll To You. Following the band's disbandement in 1976 would work with the Kinks from 1978 through 1997, and with later-day incarnations of 1960s UK bands such as the Zombies and the Swinging Blue Jeans ~ Rodford passed away in 2018
July 7, 1940 ~ Richard Starkey, commonly known as drummer Ringo Starr, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Rose to fame as member of the Beatles, one of the most important groups in the history of pop music. Though the band centered around co-leaders and primary songwriters Paul McCartney and John Lennon, and to a lesser extent George Harrison, Starr hidden behind his drum set was as much an integral part of the band as the others, driving the band's beat on about a dozen albums until their disbandement at the turn of the 1970s. Starr would usually sing lead on one song per album, perhaps most memorably on With A Little Help From My Friends, and wrote the songs Don't Pass Me By and Octopus's Garden. Following the band's dissolution, Starr has recorded well over a dozen albums as a solo artist. Starr has scored over half a dozen Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits as a solo artist, including the charttoppers Photograph and You're Sixteen, both lifted off his 1973 Ringo album. Starr's son Zak Starkey would follow in his father's footsteps, becoming a professional musician known for drumming with Johnny Marr, Icicle Works, Oasis, and with the Who, playing with the latter since the mid-1990s
July 7, 1939 ~ Mezzo-soprano singer Elena Obraztsova, full name Elena Vasiliyena Obraztsova, born ~ Has served under renowned conductors including Herbert von Karajan and Claudio Abbado, working with the latter in a 1977 La Scala performance of Don Carlos's Eboli. Also noted for performing the title role in a 1976 TV production of Carmen opposite Plácido Domingo. Has also shared stages with Luciano Pavarotti, Joan Sutherland and Ingvar Wixell ~ Obraztsova passed away in 2015
July 7, 1939 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Nico Kasanda, sometimes reffered to as Dr Nico, born in Mikalayi, Belgian Congo ~ Influential guitar virtuoso, considered a pioneer of Congolese music. Said to have inspired Jimi Hendrix. Worked with L'African Jazz prior to co-founding the soukous ensemble African Fiesta with singer Tabu Ley Rochereau in 1963, which would become one of the most popular bands in Africa ~ Kasanda passed away in 1985
July 7, 1938 ~ Singer, conductor, songwriter Trygve Henrik Hoff born in Rognan, Norway ~ Acclaimed songwriter and storyteller known to focus on the life in northern Norway. Wrote Har EnDrøm and El Hand Å Holde i, major hits for Jørn Hoel. Others who have recorded his songs include Solfrid Hoff, the Bodø-oktetten and notably Sissel Kyrkjebø ~ Hoff passed away in 1987
July 7, 1936 ~ Conductor, clarinetist, arranger, composer Christopher Ball born in Leeds, UK ~ Started his career as clarinetist for the Hallé Orchestra. As a conductor associated with the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Ballet. Founded and directed the early music ensemble the Praetorius Consort, known for Medieval Paris (Music Of The City). Ball is also known for forming the London Baroque Trio with harpsichordist Mary Verney and bass violist Peter Vell ~ Ball passed away in 2022
July 7, 1936 ~ Audio engineer, electronic engineer Tom Oberheim, full name Thomas Elroy Oberheim, born in Manhattan, Kansas, USA ~ Best known for designing effects processors, analog synthesizers, sequencers, and drum machines. Founded several audio electronics companies, most notably Oberheim Electronics. Key figure involved in the development and adoption of the MIDI standard
July 7, 1934 ~ Avant-garde trombonist, composer Vinko Globokar born in Anderny, France ~ A unique and difficult to classify composer, noted for his innovative use of unorthodox instrumental and compositional techniques, Globokar has composed over 50 pieces including orchestral works, chamber music, and vocal works. Studied with René Leibowitz and Luciano Berio. Co-founded the free improvisation groups the Free Music Group and New Phonic Art. Has performed or conducted his own compositions, as well as pieces especially written for him by the likes of Mauricio Kagel, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and Toru Takemitsu, with renowned orchestras including the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra, and Westdeutscher Rundfunk. Globokar is also known as a teacher, notably teaching composition at the Musikhochschule, Cologne, West Germany, for about a decade starting in the mid-1960s
July 7, 1932 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, world keyboardist Joe Zawinul, full name Josef Erich Zawinul born in Vienna, Austria ~ Active since the mid-1950s. Jazz fusion pioneer, rising to notoriety through his associations with Miles Davis on albums such as In A Silent Way, Bitches Brew and Live/Evil, and Cannonball Adderley. Wrote Mercy Mercy Mercy, an unexpected crossover hit in 1966 for Adderley. Co-founded the Weather Report with Wayne Shorter, for whom he wrote Birdland which is regarded as one of the 1970s most recognizable jazz pieces. Eponym and leader of the Zawinul Syndicate. Other notable credits include appearances on albums by Dinah Washington (What A Diff'rence A Day Makes), Maynard Ferguson, Nat Adderley, Sam Jones (Down Home), Ben Webster, Madeline Bell, Willie Bobo, Aretha Franklin (Soul '69), Roy Ayers, the Average White Band, the Manhattan Transfer, Steps Ahead (Smokin' In The Pit), Ernestine Anderson, Jan Akkerman, and Quincy Jones ~ Zawinul passed away in 2007
July 7, 1930 ~ Country singer Doyle Wilburn, full name Virgil Doyle Wilburn, born in Hardy, Arkansas, USA ~ Child performer since the mid-1930s, alongside his younger brother Doyle Wilburn under the moniker the Wilburn Children. Discovered by Roy Acuff, who brought them to the Grand Ole Opry in 1940. Following each brother's stints in the Army, the brothers would reconvene as the Wilburn Brothers. They were offered the chance to record Heartbreak Hotel before Elvis Presley, but declined as they felt the song was “strange and almost morbid”. The duo would record well into the 1970s, backing Webb Pierce on the 1954 Billboard Country top 10 hit Sparkling Brown Eyes, and reaching the top 10 on their own with songs such as Which One Is To Blame, Trouble's Back In Town, Roll Muddy River, and Hurt Her Once For Me ~ Wilburn passed away in 1982
July 7, 1930 ~ Henry Mobley, commonly known as jazz, hard bop, soul jazz saxophonist Hank Mobley, born in Eastman, Georgia, USA ~ As a longtime associate of Horace Silver, starting on the 1955 Horace Silver & the Jazz Messengers landmark album, Mobley was considered pivotal to the development of hard bop. Praised for his laid-back, subtle tone and regarded by some critics as one of the most underrated jazz saxophonists, his sound less agressive than John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins yet neither as soft as Stan Getz and Lester Young. Mobley recorded over two dozen albums as a leader, including the acclaimed Hank Mobley Quintet and Soul Station, the latter featuring Art Blakey, Wynton Kelly, and Paul Chambers, and has appeared on albums by Stan Getz, Kenny Dorham (Afro-Cuban), Dizzy Gillespie, Doug Watkins, Lee Morgan, Kenny Burrell, Art Farmer (Farmer's Market), Jackie McLean (4 5 And 6), Kenny Drew, Curtis Fuller, Johnny Griffin (A Blowin' Session), Max Roach, Freddie Hubbard, Donald Byrd (Byrd In Flight), Elvin Jones, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock (My Point Of View), Freddie Roach, Grant Green (I Want To Hold Your Hand), Milt Jackson, and Tete Montoliu ~ Mobley passed away in 1986
July 7, 1927 ~ Charles Elzer Loudermilk, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter Charlie Louvin, born in Section, Alabama, USA ~ Formed the Louvin Brothers with Ira Louvin, the duo considered one of the most important sibling acts of the 1940s and 1950s, influential especially on Gram Parsons, the Byrds, and Emmylou Harris. Well known songs include When I Stop Dreaming, I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby, Cash On The Barrelhead, and My Baby's Gone. Most of the Louvin Brothers catalogue was penned by Ira and Louvin, numerous of their songs becoming country standards covered by Bill Monroe, Porter Wagoner, Don Gibson, Ray Charles, Etta James, Del McCoury, Uncle Tupelo, Ralph Stanley, Dolly Parton, and Alison Krauss. In 1963, two years before Ira's death in a traffic accident, the Louvin Brothers disbanded. Louvin has since recorded prolifically as a solo artist, notably Something To Brag About issued in 1971. Later on in his career, Louvin would on occasion guest on albums by the likes of Rhonda Vincent, Melba Montgomery, Jeannie Seely, and Lucinda Williams ~ Loudermilk passed away in 2011
July 7, 1927 ~ Carl Hildin Severinsen, commonly known as jazz trumpeter Doc Severinsen, born in Arlington, Oregon, USA ~ Nicknamed “Doc” after his father, the only dentist in Arlington. Starting in high school Severinsen played with Ted Fio Rito. After graduating he toured with Charlie Barnet, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman. In 1949 Doc was hired as a NBC studio musician. He would rise to first-chair trumpeter of the Tonight Show Band and eventually lead the band, becoming one of the most popular bandleaders in America. Since the mid-1950s Severinsen has recorded extensively as sideman, collaborator, and as bandleader with artists including Chris Connor, Urbie Green, Gerry Mulligan, Tito Puente, Dinah Washington, Lena Horne, Fats Waller, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Ruth Brown, Gene Krupa, Gil Evans, Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson, Cab Calloway, and Tony Bennett
July 7, 1924 ~ Iris Colleen Summers, commonly known as singer, guitarist Mary Ford born in Pasadena, California, USA ~ Best known for her recordings with her husband Les Paul, scoring numerous hits during the 1950s including Tiger Rag, Vaya Con Dios, Mockin' Bird Hill, Bye Bye Blues, The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise and perhaps their best known How High The Moon, the latter topping the American charts in 1951. Prior to her marriage, she formed the western trio the Sunshine Girls with Vivian Earles and June Widener, best known for backing Jimmy Wakely ~ Ford passed away in 1977
July 7, 1921 ~ Guitarist, mandolinist Ervan Coleman born ~ Best known for his close association with Herb Alpert as a member of the Tijuana Brass. Wrote the hit song Tijuana Taxi. Member of Julius Wechter's the Baja Marimba Band. Also worked the T-Bones. Coleman passed away of surgical complications. Alpert's Bud from the 1967 Herb ALpert's Ninth album was written and recorded as a tribute to Coleman, nicknamed Bud ~ Coleman passed away in 1967
July 7, 1920 ~ Singer, actress Elizete Cardoso born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Discovered at age 16 by Jacob do Bandolim. Over 40 albums to her name. Best known for her 1958 Cancao Do Amor Demais album, generally regarded as the first bossa nova album. Also especially remembered for Manha De Carnaval of the 1959 Orfeu Negro soundtrack ~ Cardoso passed away in 1990
July 7, 1917 ~ Woodrow Wilson Sovine, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter Red Sovine, born in Charleston, West Virginia, . USA ~ Especially known for his truck drivin' songs, notably 1965's Giddyup Go and 1976's Teddy Bear. Had his songs covered by Del Reeves, Dave Dudley, Ferlin Husky, Boxcar Willie, Henk Wijngaard, and Tom Waits ~ Sovine passed away in 1980
July 7, 1913 ~ Joe Willie Perkins, commonly known as pianist Pinetop Perkins, born in Belzoni, Mississippi, USA ~ Accompanied some of the greatest names in blues. Perhaps best known for his association with Muddy Waters. Also worked with Earl Hooker, Robert Nighthawk, BB King, Ronnie Earl, Bob Margolin, Carey Bell, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd ~ Perkins passed away in 2011
July 7, 1911 ~ Carl Gustaf Mauritz Nilsson, commonly known as jazz saxophonist, bandleader, composer Charles Redland, born in Södertälje, Sweden ~ Enjoyed popularity in Sweden from the 1930s onwards. Recorded with Benny Carter by the mid-1930s. Has composed music for over 80 films, as well as for radio and TV programs ~ Nilsson passed away in 1994
July 7, 1908 ~ Operatic soprano Nina Dorliak born in St Petersburg, Russia ~ Married to pianist Sviatoslav Richter, with whom she worked from the early-1940s until his death in 1997 performing works by Robert Schumann, Sergei Prokofiev, Modest Mussorgsky, and Johann Sebastian Bach. Has also worked with pianists such as Konstantin Igumnov, Alexander Goldenweiser, Maria Yudina, and Maria Grinberg. Voice teacher at the Moscow Conservatory, as was her mother Xenia Dorliak ~ Dorliak passed away in 1998
July 7, 1905 ~ Violinist, violist Max Rostal born in Teschen, Austria ~ Played a wide variety of music, yet best known as a champion of contemporary works such as Béla Bartók's Violin Concerto No.2, Alan Bush's Violin Concerto, and Benjamin Frankel's 1942 Violin Sonata, the latter dedicated to Rostal himself. Also well known as a teacher, associated with the Musikhochschule Köln and the Conservatory Bern ~ Rostal passed away in 1991
July 7, 1888 ~ Jazz drummer, bandleader Curtis Mosby born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Mosby played with Mamie Smith, Jake Porter, Les Hite, Henry Starr, Lawrence Brown, Marshal Royal, Wilbert Baranco, Baron Moorehead, Buck Clayton, Harlan Leonard, Roy Milton, and with Johnny Otis. Jailed two years for tax evasion ~ Mosby passed away in 1957
July 7, 1880 ~ Isidore Levkowitz, commonly known as vaudeville singer Eugene Howard, born in Neustadt, Germany ~ Formed the sibling duo the Howard Brothers with his older brother Willie Howard. The duo were among the earliest openly Jewish performers and known for their burlesque and vaudeville performances and appeared in several Broadway revues, most notably The Passing Show series starting in the early-1910s and the George Gershwin-penned Girl Crazy musical in 1930 ~ Levkowitz passed away in 1965
July 7, 1860 ~ Composer, conductor Gustav Mahler born in Bohemia, Austria ~ One of the leading composers, conductors of the Romantic era. Served as a bridge between the 19th century tradition and 20th century modernism. Of Jewish descent, his music would be banned throughout much of Europe during the Nazi era. Rediscovered by new generations after the war ~ Mahler passed away in 1911
July 7, 1851 ~ Gospel composer, minister Charles Albert Tindley born in Berlin, Maryland, 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, also known as We Shall Overcome, recorded in various incarnations by Joe Glazer, the Limeliters, Pete Seeger, and Mahalia Jackson ~ Tindley passed away in 1933