June 12, 2022 ~ Gabriel Ruiz Hiroshi Baltazar Jr, commonly known as jazz saxophonist Gabe Baltazar, passed away ~ Influenced by Benny Carter, Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, Claude Thornhill. Worked with the Lighthouse All-Stars, Stan Kenton, Nat King Cole, Jean Turner, Ann Richards, Marvin Stamm, Sam Donahue, Dee Barton, Carl Saunders, Don Menza, Terry Gibbs, Gil Fuller, Dizzy Gillespie, James Moody, Onzy Matthews, Oliver Nelson, and others ~ Baltazar was born in 1929
June 12, 2021 ~ Singer, rapper, guitarist, DJ, engineer, producer Ash Riser, full name Ash Winston Riser, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Founded rock band Pistol P!stol. After the band disbanded in 2009 would focus on music production, fusing electronic music and hip-hop. Has collaborated with Jupiter Rising, Ab-Soul, IDK and extensively with Kendrick Lamar ~ Riser was born in 1989
June 12, 2018 ~ Operatic bass singer Bonaldo Gialotti passed away ~ Closely associated with the Metropolitan Opera, remaining with the company from 1960 through the mid-1980s. Has also guested with other major opera houses including the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Palais Garner, the Vienna State Opera, the Teatro Real, the Zurich Opera, the Royal Opera House, the Teatro Colón, and others ~ Giaiotti was born in 1932
June 12, 2018 ~ Philip John Hiseman, commonly known as drummer Jon Hiseman passed away in Sutton, UK ~ Married to saxophonist Barbara Thompson from 1967 until his death in 2018. Studied violin and piano as a child, taking up drums in his early teens. Active since the mid-1960s. Took over for Ginger Baker in the Graham Bond Organisation. Played with John Mayall's the Bluesbreakers on the 1968 Bare Wires album. Co-founded quintessential jazz-rock, progressive rock unit Colosseum, critically acclaimed for the late 1960s albums Those Who Are About To Die Salute You and Valentyne Suite. Formed early 1970s progressive rock outfit Tempest, with whom he recorded two albums. Has also worked with the New Jazz Orchestra, Keef Hartley, Dick Heckstall-Smith, the United Jazz+Rock Ensemble, and John McLaughlin, and occassionally recorded as a solo artist ~ Hiseman was born in 1944
June 12, 2017 ~ Florain Corella Flanagan, commonly known as soul, pop singer Felice Taylor, passed away ~ Member of the Sweets alongside sisters Norma Flanagan and Darlene Flanagan, known for The Richest Girl and Satisfy Me Baby. As a solo artist teamed with songwriter, producer team of Barry White and Paul Politi resulting in the late 1960s releases It May Be Winter Outside (But In My Heart It's Spring), I'm Under The Influence Of Love and I Feel Love Comin' On. White would later record new versions of all three songs with his protegées Love Unlimited ~ Flanagan was born in 1948
June 12, 2016 ~ The 47th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 3 of 3. Mostly sunny and warm, this year's edition would draw some 116,750 visitors in total. Included on today's, Sunday the 12th's bill would include Douwe Bob, John Newman, Kygo, Lionel Richie, Paul McCartney, Jungle By Night, Vintage Trouble, All-Time Low, Bring Me The Horizon, Skunk Anansie, St Paul & the Broken Bones, Jamie Lawson, Tom Odell, Balthazar, Walking On Cars, Slaves, the London Souls, Graveyard, Sevn Alias, and Broederliefde
June 12, 2015 ~ Composer Ernest Tomlinson passed away ~ Brother of Fred Tomlinson. Staff arranger at Arcadia and Mills Music Publishers. Led the Ernest Tomlinson Light Orchestra. Musical director of the Rossendale Male Voice Choir, a post he took over from his father Fred Tomlinson Sr. Founded the the Library Of Light Orchestral Music, housed in his family's farmhouse, containing some 50,000 pieces ~ Tomlinson was born in 1924
June 12, 2015 ~ May Lewis, commonly known as jazz singer, actress Monica Lewis, passed away in Woodland Hills, California, USA ~ Longtime voice of the Chiquita Banana animated ads starting in 1947. Daughter of pianist, musical director Leon Lewis and opera singer Jessica Lewis. Sang on radio shows from the late 1930s onwards, including her own Monica Makes Music, worked with Benny Goodman, and as a solo artist is known for songs such as Put The Blame On Mame, I Wish You Love and Autumn Leaves. Would venture into film by the 1950s. Married to record producer Bob Thiele from 1945 to 1947, to film producer Jennings Lang from 1956 until her death. Once proposed to by then-actor, future US President Ronald Reagan, whom she rejected ~ Lewis was born in 1922
June 12, 2015 ~ The 46th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 1 of 3. Mostly sunny, this year's edition would draw some 112,500 visitors in total. Included on today's, Friday the 12th's bill would be Body Count, George Ezra, Elbow, Muse, Shaka Ponk, Faith No More, Slash, Jick Munro & the Amazing Laserbeams, Paloma Faith, Gavin James, Above & Beyond, Coasts, Pop Evil, DJ Waxfiend & Prime, and Anna Rune
June 12, 2014 ~ Jazz singer Jimmy Scott, full name James Victor Scott, passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Worked with Lionel Hampton (sang lead on Everybody's Somebody's Fool), Charlie Parker, Lou Reed (sang backup on The Power And Glory), Tommy Lipuma, Kenny Barron, Ron Carter, David Fathead Newman, Wynton Marsalis, Renee Rosnes, Bob Kindred, Eric Alexander, Lew Soloff, George Mraz, Lewis Nash, the Jazz Expressions, and others. Sang at the inaugurations of Presidents Eisenhower (1953) and Clinton (1993) ~ Scott was born in 1925
June 12, 2011 ~ R&B singer Carl Gardner, full name Carl Edward Gardner, passed away in Port St Lucie, Florida, USA ~ Key member of the Robins including on the 1955 hit Smokey Joe's Cafe. Best known as co-founding member of the Coasters, scoring a number of mid- to late 1950s hits pivotal to the development of rock & roll including Young Blood, Yakety Yak, Charlie Brown and Poison Ivy ~ Gardner was born in 1928
June 12, 2011 ~ The 42nd edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 2 of 3. Mostly sunny and warm with just a splash of rain, this year's edition would draw close to some 92,000 visitors. Included on today's, Sunday the 12th's bill would be Hurts, Tim Knol, Wolfmother, the White Lies, the Kings Of Leon, Versa, Justin Nozuka, Graffiti6, Avenged Sevenfold, Hanson, Cage The Elephant, Laura Jansen, and the Bloody Beetroots
June 12, 2008 ~ George Joseph Nowlan, commonly known as country singer, trumpeter, bandleader Danny Davis, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Active since the 1940s, playing trumpet with the likes of Bobby Byrne, Sammy Kaye, Art Mooney, and Freddy Martin. Enjoyed moderate success in the early 1950s as a solo singer, noted for the singles Object Of My Affection and Crazy Heart. Would go on to work as producer for MGM, notably working with Connie Francis, and later for RCA Records. Well-known for founding and leading the Nashville Brass starting in the late 1960s, a group of renowned studio musicians, with whom he enjoyed some success on the Billboard Country album charts with albums such as The Nashville Brass Featuring Danny Davis Play More Nashville Sounds and You Ain't Heard Nothing Yet ~ Nowlan was born in 1925
June 12, 2006 ~ Contemporary classical composer György Ligeti, full name György Sandór Ligeti, passed away in Vienna, Austria ~ Regarded as one of the most important avant-garde composers of the latter half of the 20th century. Perhaps best known for his orchestral composition Atmospères and the “anti-anti-opera” Le Grand Macabre. Though he has not directly composed any film scores, excerpts of his music haven been adapted for use in films perhaps most notably in the Stanley Kubrick-film 2001 A Space Odyssey which includes excerpts from Atmospères, Lux Aeterna, Requiem, and Aventures ~ Ligeti was born in 1923
June 12, 2000 ~ Jazz, pop pianist, singer, composer Bruno Martino passed away in Rome, Italy ~ Active since the early 1950s, playing the jazz nightclubs with Enrico Simonetti and Piero Piccioni. Worked with the RAI Orchestra for the Italian TV network RAI. As a bandleader and composer perhaps best known for his 1960 hit Estate, which would become a standard covered by the likes of João Gilberto, Chet Baker, Toots Thielemans, Shirley Horn, and John Pizzarelli. Also known for Dracula Cha Cha, which he originally composed for the 1959 horror-comedy film Tempi Duri Per I Vampiri, which would also be included in the films Italian Graffiti and Two Weeks In Another Town and inspire the title of Kim Newman's 1998 novel Dracula Cha Cha Cha set in late 1950's Italy ~ Martino was born in 1925
June 12, 2000 ~ The 31st edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 3 of 3. Extremely sunny and warm, this year's edition would draw a crowd of in total 66,300 visitors. Included on today's, Monday the 12th's bill would be Venice, de Dijk, Korn, Pearl Jam, Live, Moby, The The, Die Toten Hosen, the Postmen, the Counting Crows, Kane, Madrugada, Muse, Arid, and Travis
June 12, 1998 ~ Operatic mezzo-soprano singer Anne Wood passed away ~ Member of the BBC Singers during the 1930s. Co-founding member of the English Opera Group, also serving as its general managers. Formed the Opera Studio with Joan Cross, the first school in the UK to train opera singers. The institution would go through several name changes, and eventually would be known as the London Opera Centre ~ Wood was born in 1907
June 12, 1997 ~ Singer, guitarists, songwriter Colette Magny passed away in Villefranche-de-Rouergue, France ~ Drew from blues, jazz, protest songs and spoken word poetry. Discovered by singer Mireille Hartuch who featured Magny on her TV show Le Petit Conservatoire De La Chanson. The exposure earned Magny critical acclaim leading to a record deal with CBS. Magny released her eponymous Colette Magny in 1963 and recorded to critical acclaim and commercial succes since ~ Magny was born in 1926
June 12, 1985 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Chris Young, full name Christopher lan Young, born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA ~ First gained attention as winner of the talent show Nashville Star in 2006. Subsequently released his eponymous Chris Young later the same year, spawning the modest hits Drinkin' Me Lonely and You're Gonna Love Me. His 2009 The Man I Want To Be sophomore album would give him the Billboard Country No.1 hits Gettin' You Home (The Black Dress Song), The Man I Want To Be and Voices. Young has since consistently regularly reached the higher echelons of the country charts
June 12, 1983 ~ Joseph Benjamin Hutto, commonly known as blues slide guitarist, singer JB Hutto, passed away in Harvey, Illinois, USA ~ Known for songs such as Combination Boogie, Loving You and Dim Lights. Worked with Eddie Porkchop Hines, Earring George Mayweather, Johnny Dyer, Johnny Jones, Sunnyland Slim, and Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre. Took over Hound Dog Taylor's backing unit the House Rockers after Taylor's death in 1975 ~ Hutto was born in 1926
June 12, 1980 ~ Jazz drummer Stu Martin, full name Stuart Victor Martin, passed away in Paris, France ~ Leader and sideman. Playing professionaly since age 16. Has worked with Count Basie, Jimmy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Maynard Ferguson, Quincy Jones, Billy May, Gary Burton, Donald Byrd, Curtis Fuller, Herbie Hancock, Oliver Nelson, Sonny Rollins, Steve Swallow, Lambert Hendricks & Ross, Lee Konitz, Albert Mangelsdorff, Attila Zoller, Joachim Kühn, Carla Bley, Slide Hampton, John McLaughlin, New York Gong, Barre Phillips, Sonny Rollins, Tomasz Stańko, Karin Krog, and others ~ Martin was born in 1938
June 12, 1978 ~ Wallace Theodore Kirkeby, commonly known as bandleader, singer, artist manager Ed Kirkeby, passed away ~ Best known as manager for pianist Fats Waller. Kirkeby was one of the first recording managers at Columbia Records to record jazz, organizing several groups of session musicians. A&R executive at RCA-Victor. After Waller's death in 1943 would mostly work as a manager for other artists including Pat Flowers ~ Kirkeby was born in 1891
June 12, 1978 ~ Cyrus Whitfield Bond, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter Johnny Bond, passed away in Burbank, California, USA ~ Known for songs such as Ten Little Bottles, So Round So Firm So Fully Packed, Oklahoma Waltz, Love Song In 32 Bars, Sick Sober & Sorry and perhaps his best known Divorce Me COD, the latter a Billboard Country top 10 hit in 1947. Acted in over 40 films, starting with 1939's Saga Of Death Valley. Closely associated with Tex Ritter, his partner in the music publishing firm Vidor Publications. Bond would retire from performing in the 1970s to focus on music publishing ~ Bond was born in 1915
June 12, 1977 ~ Kenny Wayne Brobst, commonly known as blues rock, root rock, rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Kenny Wayne Shepherd born in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA ~ Completely self-taught, starting on toy guitars at age 3. Does not read music. Debuted in 1995 with his Ledbetter Heights album, and would continue with a series of acclaimed blues-rock albums. Best known for songs such as Deja Voodoo, Slow Ride, Somehow Somewhere Someway, Blue On Black, Everything Is Broken, Was and Alive. Member of supergroup the Rides, formed in 2013 with Barry Goldberg and Stephen Stills, the latter referring to the band as “the blues band of my dreams”
June 12, 1975 ~ Thomas Bruckner, commonly known as techno, progressive house, progressive trance DJ, producer Tomcraft, born in Munich, West Germany ~ Active as a club DJ since the mid-1990s, notably as resident DJ at Munich's techno club KW Das Heizkraftwerk from the late 1990s through the early 2000s. Closely associated with Eniac, the pair working together on numerous releases. Perhaps best known for his 2002 progressive house single Loneliness, a club hit in the UK, which greatly boosted his career. Subsequent well known releases would include Prozac and Overdose. Bruckner would DJ at the 2003 Love Parade in Berlin, and has established himself as an in-demand DJ at festivals the world over
June 12, 1972 ~ Rodney Basil Price, commonly known as dancehall, reggae singer, songwriter Bounty Killer, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Street-tough rude boy, one of the lyrically most agressive dancehall stars and considered by many to be one of dancehall's all-time best lyricists. To American audiences best known for his 1998 single Deadly Zone featuring Mobb Deep and Big Noyd of the Blade soundtrack and for collaborating with No Doubt on their 2001 Hey Baby single of the band's Rock Steady album
June 12, 1971 ~ Joseph Emmett Mainer, commonly known as old-time fiddler, banjoist JE Mainer, passed away ~ Frontman and sole constant member of JE Mainer's Mountaineers, which initially also included his brother Wade Mainer. The band would rise to notoriety in the early 1930s playing on North Carolina and South Carolina radio stations, and record in various incarnations throughout the outbreak of World War II. Mainer would continue to record throughout the late 1940s. From 1967 until his death in 1971 hundreds of previously unreleased recordings would be released on Rural Rhythm Records ~ Mainer was born in 1898
June 12, 1971 ~ Jazz pianist Peter Beets born in The Hague, the Netherlands ~ Leader and sideman. Brother of double bassist Marius Beets and tenor saxophonist Alexander Beets. Worked with the Beets Brothers, Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, George Coleman, Johnny Griffin, Chris Potter, Kurt Rosenwinkel, John Clayton, Rodney Whitaker, Willie Jones III, Larry Grenadier, Reginald Veal, Herlin Riley, Joe Cohn, Reuben Rogers, Louis van Dijk, the Rosenberg Trio, Fay Claassen, Joe Cohn, Rita Reys, Ronnie Cuber, Florin Niculescu, Piet Noordijk, and others
June 12, 1971 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones release Wild Horses, the second single off their Sticky Fingers album ~ Recorded during a session at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, Sheffield, Alabama, following their 1969 North American tour. At the time, the band was not particularly pleased with the song, so they passed it on to Gram Parsons. Parsons recorded the song with the Flying Burrito Brothers for their 1970 Burrito Deluxe album. After reconsideration, however, the Rolling Stones decided it was good enough after all. Guitarist Keith Richards later stated: “I had the riff and chorus line, Mick got stuck into the verses. Just like I Can't Get No Satisfaction, Wild Horses was about the usual thing of not wanting to be on the road, being a million miles from where you want to be.”
June 12, 1969 ~ Guitarist, bassist Bardi Martin born in Olympia, Washington, USA ~ Co-founding member of Candlebox, best known for their 1994 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit Far Behind of their eponymous Candlebox debut album. Martin left the band in 2007 to continue his education to become a lawyer and would be replaced by Adam Kury
June 12, 1968 ~ Bassist Bobby Sheehan, full name Robert Vaughan Sheehan, born in Summit, New Jersey, USA ~ Co-founding member of jam band Blues Traveler. The band is best known for their breakout album Four released in 1994, which spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Run Around. Sheehan would remain with the band until his death by accidental overdose in 1999 ~ Sheehan passed away in 1999
June 12, 1968 ~ Jewell Caples, mononymously known as R&B singer Jewell, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ In-demand 1990's session singer referrering to herself as “the First Lady of Death Row Records” appearing on several pivotal golden age records, perhaps most notably Dr Dre's The Chronic and Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle album. Has also worked with Marky Mark, Bone Thugs 'n Harmony, Kool G Rap, Tupac Shakur, and others. As a solo artist best known for her Shirley Brown-cover Woman To Woman for the 1994 Murder Was The Case soundtrack ~ Caples passed away in 2022
June 12, 1967 ~ Film composer Klaus Badelt born in Frankfurt, West Germany ~ Frequent collaborator of Hans Zimmer, including on movie scores for Thin Red Line, Gladiator, and Pirates Of The Caribbean (The Curse Of The Black Pearl). Independently Badelt worked on blockbuster Hollywood films such as Equilibrium, Basic, and TMNT. Badelt has received critical acclaim and numerous awards.
June 12, 1966 ~ Violinist, conductor Herman Scherchen passed away ~ Left Germany in 1933 in protest of the Nazi-regime. Would become a thriving force in Switzerland's Winterthur music scene. Known a champion of 20th-century composers including Richard Strauss, Anton Webern, Edgard Varèse, Iannis Xenakis, and others. Perhaps best known for his orchestral arrangement of The Art Of The Fugue, an unfinished work written by Johann Sebastian Bach near the end of his life ~ Scherchen was born in 1891
June 12, 1965 ~ Luis Ferdinand Vega Jr, commonly known as DJ, producer, remixer Little Louie Vega, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Son of jazz saxophonist Luis Ferdinand Vega Sr. Formed the production duo Masters At Work with Kenny Dope Gonzalez. Club DJ at New York's Studio 54 and Palladium. Actively recording since the late 1990s. Has worked with Marc Anthony, Blaze, Arnold Jarvis, Raul Midón, Ursula Rucker, Caron Wheeler, Barbara Tucker, Gloria Estefan, and others
June 12, 1963 ~ Pop, rock band the Beach Boys record Surfer Girl at United Western Recorders, Hollywood, California ~ Written and produced by Brian Wilson, making it the first release officially listing Wilson as producer. Inspired by Dion & the Belmonts' When You Wish Upon A Star. Wilson himself has claimed this was the first original song he'd written at age 19, the lyrics inspired by his then-girlfriend Judy Bowles, his first serious relationship. Close high school friends have disputed this, saying he started writing songs at a younger age. Included on the 1963 Surfer Girl album and released in July 1963 as a single, b/w Little Deuce Coupe recorded the same day
June 12, 1960 ~ Label executive, producer Eli Oberstein, full name Elliott Everett Oberstein, passed away in Westport, Connecticut, USA ~ Held various positions at various labels from the late 1920s until his death in 1960. Founded the Bluebird label, successful during the Depressian era with country and blues musicians such as the Delmore Brothers, Ernest Tubb, Big Bill Broonzy, and Roosevelt Sykes. As head of A&R at Victor signed Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey. Also known for having made deals with songwriters, music publishers and others in what would later evolve into the payola scandal ~ Oberstein was born in 1901
June 12, 1960 ~ Jazz cornetist, hornist Isidore Barbarin passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Mostly active in New Orleans's early days of jazz around the turn of the 20th century. Played with the Onward Brass Band, the Excelsior Brass Band, Papa Celestin, and later with Bunk Johnson. Barbarin was the father of drummers Paul Barbarin and Louis Barbarin ~ Barbarin was born in 1871
June 12, 1958 ~ Singer, guitarist Chuck Berry records Carol ~ Penned by Berry. Released as a single later the same year, paired with Hey Pedro on the flip side. Recorded by numerous artists, perhaps most notably the Rolling Stones on their 1964 eponymous The Rolling Stones debut album, a live version appearing on the 1969 Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out album
June 12, 1957 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Ciro Pessoa, full name Ciro Pessoa Mendes Corréa, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Co-founding member of influential rock unit Titas, remaining only with the band through its eponymous Titas debut album released in 1984. Following his departure from the band has fronted numerous short-lived bands, recorded as a solo artist, and founded and fronten the pioneering post-punk, gothic rock band Cabine C ~ Mendes passed away in 2020
June 12, 1957 ~ James Francis Dorsey, commonly known as bandleader, saxophonist, clarinetist Jimmy Dorsey, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Brother of Tommy Dorsey, with whom he also worked under the moniker the Dorsey Brothers. Best known for songs such as I'm Glad There Is You, Oodles Of Noodles and It's The Dreamer In Me. Played the clarinet solo on the seminal Singin' The Blues, recorded in 1927 by Frankie Trumbauer and Bix Beiderbecke. Scored about a dozen No.1 hits with his own orchestra during the 1930s and 1940s, including Pennies From Heaven featuring frequent collaborator Bing Crosby ~ Dorsey was born in 1904
June 12, 1954 ~ Jazz bassist, bandleader, composer, producer Jesper Lundgaard born in Hillerod, Denmark ~ Leader and sideman. Actively recording since the mid-1970s. Considered one of Denmark's most prominent jazz bassists, appearing on over 400 albums. Has collaborated with Paul Bley, Thomas Fryland, Anders Lindskog, Alex Riel, Horace Parlan, Jesper Thilo, Mette Juul, Lotte Anker, Chet Baker, Benny Carter, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Tommy Flanagan, Frank Foster, Thad Jones, Kirk Lightsey, Warne Marsh, Phineas Newborn Jr, Doug Raney, and others
June 12, 1953 ~ Jonathan Burnette, commonly known as rock & roll, rockabilly singer, guitarist Rocky Burnette, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Son of rock & roll singer Johnny Burnette. Best known for Tired Of Toein' The Line, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit of his 1979 The Son Of Rock & Roll debut album. Both Ricky Nelson and Shakin' Stevens would later cover Tired
June 12, 1952 ~ Blues, jazz fusion guitarist Bent Patey born in Oslo, Norway ~ Known as a solo artist, notably for 1982's Ocean Front Walk album, and for fronting Patey's Pipe. In-demand collaborator, has worked with the likes of Bazar, Susanne Fuhr, the Bryggerigangen Bluesband, and Bang 85
June 12, 1952 ~ Composer, conductor Oliver Knussen born in Glasgow, UK ~ Son of double bassist Stuart Knussen. Wrote and conducted his first symphony at age 15. Would go on to work with major orchestras such as the London Sinfonietta, the New London Chamber Choir, the Cleveland Orchestra, the BBC Sympony Orchestra, the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, and others ~ Knussen passed away in 2018
June 12, 1951 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Brad Delp, full name Bradley Edward Delp, born in Peabody, Massachusetts, USA ~ Lead singer of Boston. Delp wrote or co-wrote a substantial amount of the band's material such as Smokin' and Let Me Take You Home Tonight of the band's eponymous 1975 Boston debut album, as well as Party, Used To Bad News, Cool The Engines and Can'tcha Say You Believe In Me/Still In Love of later albums. In 1991 Delp co-founded RTZ with bandmate guitarist Barry Goudreau and be involved in several other side projects including Orion The Hunter ~ Delp passed away in 2007
June 12, 1951 ~ Brad Carlson, commonly known as drummer Bun E Carlos born in Rockford, Illinois, USA ~ Co-founding, longtime member of Cheap Trick actively performing with the band from its inception in 1973 through 2010, known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits I Want You To Want Me (Live), The Flame and Don't Be Cruel
June 12, 1949 ~ Rock, progressive rock, hard rock, pop rock singer, bassist, guitarist, songwriter John Wetton, full name John Kenneth Wetton, born in Derby, UK ~ Best known for his work with King Crimson, UK, and especially Asia, serving as one of the latter's main songwriters often in partnership with Geoff Downes. In-demand sideman and collaborator. Has worked with the Family, Roxy Music (Viva), Uriah Heep, Brian Eno (Here Come The Warm Jets), Wishbone Ash, Phil Manzanera, Bryan Ferry, Mogul Thrash, Gordon Haskell, Peter Sinfield, Steve Hackett, Phenomena, Icon, Ayreon, Renaissance, and others ~ Wetton passed away in 2017
June 12, 1948 ~ Guitarist Barry Bailey born ~ Founding member of Southern rock outfit the Atlanta Rhythm Section, remaining with the band from 1972 until leaving in 2006 to care for his ailing wife. The band is known for songs such as So Into You, I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight, Imaginary Lover, Do It Or Die and Spooky, all of which reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 ~ Bailey passed away in 2022
June 12, 1946 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Andy Roberts, full name Andrew Jonathan Roberts, born in Harrow, UK ~ Accompanied Liverpool comedy trio the Scaffold. Member of the Liverpool Scene. Best known for his association with Iain Matthews, serving well over three decades in the folk rock unit Plainsong. The band is especially acclaimed for their 1972 In Search Of Amelia Earhart album. Roberts has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Home Grown released in 1970, and worked with Chris Spedding, Kevin Ayers, Vivian Stanshall, and Grimms
June 12, 1942 ~ Singer Bing Crosby records Moonlight Becomes You at Decca Recording Studio, Los Angeles, California ~ Written by Jimmy van Heusen and Johnny Burke. Best known as the 1942 charttopper for Crosby, released in November 1942, b/w Constantly. Would be recorded by a wide array of artists including Glenn Miller, Jerry Vale, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and others
June 12, 1942 ~ Leonard Warren Borioff, commonly known as singer, songwriter Len Barry, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Lead singer of the Dovells, known for the early 1960s Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits The Bristol Stomp and You Can't Sit Down. As a solo artist best known for the 1965 hit 1-2-3, which would eventually sell 4 million copies. Would go on to enjoy great popularity in the UK. Co-wrote Zoom for Fat Larry's Band and Love Town for Booker Newberry III ~ Borisoff passed away in 2020
June 12, 1941 ~ Armando Anthony Corea, commonly known as jazz, jazz fusion pianist, percussionist, bandleader, composer Chick Corea, born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, USA ~ Regarded as one of the premier jazz pianists of the post-John Coltrane era. Helped birth and define jazz fusion. As a composer best known for Spain, 500 Miles High, and Windows, all considered jazz standards. Especially acclaimed for the early 1970s albums Return To Forever and Light As A Feather, both with his ensemble Return To Forever. Has appeared on albums by Mongo Santamaria, Willie Bobo, Willis Jackson (Soul Night Live), Blue Mitchell (Boss Horn), Miles Davis (Filles de Kilimanjaro), Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin, Joe Farrell (Outback), Stanley Clarke (Children Of Forever), Sadao Watanabe, Ernie Watts, Chaka Khan, David Friesen, Rufus Reid (Seven Minds), and John Patitucci ~ Corea passed away in 2021
June 12, 1941 ~ Reginald Maurice Ball, commonly known as singer, bassist Reg Presley, born in Hampshire, UK ~ Best known as the Troggs' lead singer, known for hits such as With A Girl Like You, Wild Thing, I Can't Control Myself and Love Is All Around, later covered by Wet Wet Wet. Ball used the royalties of the latter to fund research into UFO's, lost civilizations and alchemy. ~ Presley passed away in 2014
June 12, 1941 ~ Folk, folk baroque, folk rock, progressive folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Roy Harper born in Rusholme, UK ~ Once described as “one of Britain's most complex and eloquent lyricists and genuinely original songwriters” Harper would never become a household name yet recorded well over 20 studio albums. Admired by peers. Cited as influence by Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, the Who's Pete Townshend, Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson, singer Kate Bush, and by harpist Joanna Newsom
June 12, 1941 ~ Richard Turley, commonly known as singer, guitarist Turley Richards born in Charleston, West Virginia, USA ~ Perhaps best known for first recording You Might Need Somebody, only a modest hit in 1980 but notably covered by Randy Crawford taking it to the UK top 20 the following year. The Nan O'Byrne & Tom Snow-penned tune would later be covered by Joe Walsh in 1991 on his Ordinary Average Guy and by Englih singer Shola Ama on her 1997 Much Love debut album
June 12, 1937 ~ Lincoln Wayne Moman, commonly known as producer, guitarist, songwriter Chips Moman, born in La Grange, Georgia, USA ~ Recording engineer, producer, songwriter. Guided the career of the Box Tops. Produced Carla Thomas's Gee Whiz (Look At His Eyes), the very first hit for Stax/Volt. Worked with Bobby Womack, Merrilee Rush, Mark Lindsay, Sandy Posey, Joe Tex, Wilson Pickett, Herbie Mann, Roy Hamilton, Petula Clark, and others. Co-wrote classics such as Do Right Woman Do Right Man, The Dark End Of The Street, Hey Won't You Play Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song, and Luckenbach Texas (Back To The Basics Of Love). Produced albums such as 1969's From Elvis In Memphis, arguably Elvis Presley's best. Produced 1985's The Highwaymen, the debut album by country supergroup the Highwaymen consisting of Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson ~ Moman passed away in 2016
June 12, 1936 ~ Jazz trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, full name Marcus Batista Belgrave, born in Chester, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Tutored by Clifford Brown. Toured with Ray Charles. Went on to work with Martha & the Vandellas, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Gunther Schuller, Carl Craig, Max Roach, Ella Fitzgerald, Charles Mingus, Tony Bennett, Palabra, Sammy Davis Jr, Dizzy Gillespie, Odessa Harris, John Sinclair, Roland Alexander, Curtis Amy, Hank Crawford, George Gruntz, Joe Henderson, BB King, Kirk Lightsey, David Murray, Cecil Payne, David Fathead Newman, Houston Person, McCoy Tyner, Wynton Marsalis, his wife Joan Belgrave, and others ~ Belgrave passed away in 2015
June 12, 1932 ~ Country, rockabilly singer, songwriter Charlie Feathers, full name Charles Arthur Feathers, born in Holly Springs, Mississippi, USA ~ Known for a number of pioneering 1950 rockabilly, rock & roll recordings including Peeping Eyes, Defrost Your Heart, Tongue-tied Jill, One Hand Loose and Bottle To The Baby. At the time underappreciated, and most certainly underpromoted, but in hindsight Feather's energetic, theatrical vocal style would prove to be influential on numerous later musicians, perhaps most notably on the Cramps' Lux Interior ~ Feathers passed away in 1998
June 12, 1931 ~ Singer Bing Crosby records I Found A Million Dollar Baby In A Five And Ten Cent Store ~ Written by Harry Warren, Mort Dixon and Billy Rose. Previously introduced by Fanny Brice in the Broadway musical Billy Rose's Crazy Quilt. Has become a pop standard, recorded by numerous artists including the Boswell Sisters, Buddy Blue, Nat King Cole, Benny Goodman, Barbra Streisand, and others
June 12, 1930 ~ Actor, singer, comedian Jim Nabors, full name James Thurston Nabors, born in Sylacauga, Alabama, USA ~ Discovered by Andy Griffith. Best known for portraying the role of Gomer Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show. Popular guest on variety shows in the 1960s and 1970s, praised for his rich baritone voice. Has recorded over two dozen albums starting in the mid-1960s ~ Nabors passed away in 2017
June 12, 1928 ~ Songwriter, film composer Richard M Sherman born ~ Formed one of the most productive stage and film composer duos in history with his brother Robert B Sherman. Notable credits include films such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Happiest Millionaire, Charlotte's Web and The Aristocats. The brothers were awarded two Academy Awards for their work on the 1964 Mary Poppins musical fantasy film, one for the entire soundtrack and one for Best Original Song for Chim Chim Cher-ee sung by Dick Van Dyke & Julie Andrews
June 12, 1928 ~ Vito Rocco Farinola, commonly known as balladeer Vic Damone, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Damone reportedly has recorded some 2,000 songs. Best known for hits such as I Have But One Heart, You're Breaking My Heart, On The Street Where You Love, My Truly Truly Fair, Tzena Tzena Tzena, My Heart Cries For You, and others ~ Farinola passed away in 2018
June 12, 1925 ~ Jazz singer Jimmy Scott, full name James Victor Scott, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Worked with Lionel Hampton (sang lead on Everybody's Somebody's Fool), Charlie Parker, Lou Reed (sang backup on The Power And Glory), Tommy Lipuma, Kenny Barron, Ron Carter, David Fathead Newman, Wynton Marsalis, Renee Rosnes, Bob Kindred, Eric Alexander, Lew Soloff, George Mraz, Lewis Nash, the Jazz Expressions, and others. Sang at the inaugurations of Presidents Eisenhower (1953) and Clinton (1993) ~ Scott passed away in 2014
June 12, 1914 ~ Singers Bill Kenny and Herb Kenny born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Members of seminal vocal R&B unit the Ink Spots, with longtime frontman Bill regarded as one of the most influential high-tenor singers sometimes regarded as “the Godfather of R&B tenor singers”. Herb would join his brother in 1945 and remain with the band through 1951, after which he focused on his solo career ~ Bill passed away in [artist-bill-kenny], Herb in [artist-herb-kenny]
June 12, 1912 ~ Singer Eddie Williams, full name Edward Earl Williams, born in St Augustine, Texas, USA ~ First to record Saturday Night Fish Fry in 1949 with spoken vocals by its author Ellis Walsh. Before the single was out the song would be adapted by Louis Jordan who changed the rhythm, arrangements and some of the lyrics and scored a massive hit, some marking Jordan's single as one of the first rock & roll records ~ Williams passed away in 1995
June 12, 1900 ~ Violinist, conductor, composer Amadeo Roldán, full name Amadeo Roldán y Gardes, born in Paris, France ~ Founded the Havana String Quartet. Director, conductor, concertmaster for the Orquesta Sinfonica De La Habana and the Orquesta Filarmonica Of Havana. As a composer best known for his 1928 ballet La Rebambaramba, a pivotal work of the Afrocubanismo movement. Other well known works include Overture On Cuban Themes, El Milagro De Anaquille, and Ritmicas ~ Roldán passed away in 1939