June 14, 2022 ~ Music author, historian Joel Whitburn, full name Joel Carver Whitburn, passed away ~ Obsessed with music since his teens. As an author and researcher has worked on an estimated 200 reference books, 50 of which through the Records Research company founded by him cataloguing data from popular music charts. His books, in particular the flagship series Top Pop Singles, are in-demand especially with radio DJ's and music fans. Whitburn is also known for building one of the world's largest record collections, which includes nearly every 78rpm, 45rpm single, album and CD ever to reach the Billboard charts ~ Whitburn was born in 1939
June 14, 2021 ~ Beatle fan Gayleen Pease passed away ~ Alongside Lizzie Bravo one of two fans waiting outside EMI Studios randomly chosen to sing the line “nothing's gonna change my world” on the Beatles' Across The Universe. While recording the track Paul McCartney felt it needed a high-pitched voice, went outside and asked the group of fans on the street who could hold a high note. Bravo and Pease both answered yes. Although the take with both girls would not make the Let It Be album, the version including them would however make it to the 1969 No One's Gonna Change Our World charity compilation album as well as appear on several later issued rarities albums ~ Pease was born ca.1950
June 14, 2020 ~ Jazz, jazz-rock, progressive rock pianist Keith Tippett passed away ~ Leader and sideman. Married to Julie Driscoll, with whom he also worked. Also collaborated with Elton Dean, Nic Evans, Mark Charig, Centipede, Stan Tracey, Robert Wyatt, King Crimson, Dudu Pukwana, Louis Moholo, Paul Dunmall, Mujician, Harold McNair, Peter Sinfield, David Sylvian, Toyah, Amalgam, the Dedication Orchestra, Low Flying Aircraft, and others ~ Tippett was born in 1947
June 14, 2016 ~ Guitarist Henry McCullough passed away in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland ~ Co-founding member of Eire Apparent, with whom he opened for Jimi Hendrix. Co-founding member of Sweeney's Men. Member of Spooky Tooth. Backed Joe Cocker on his 1969 With A Little Help From My Friends debut album and on tour, including at the famed the Woodstock Music and Art Fair festival. Also closely associated with Paul McCartney, present on albums such as Ram and Band On The Run. Has also appeared on albums by Donovan, Andy Fairweather Low, Frankie Miller, Roy Harper (Bullinamingvase), Ronnie Lane, and Eric Burdon. McCullough has recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Mind Your Own Business released in 1975 ~ McCullough was born in 1943
June 14, 2016 ~ Babtunde Okungbowa, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer OJB Jezreel, passed away in Isolo, Nigeria ~ Revered singer. Prolific producer. Quintessential to development of Nigerian music. Worked with Ruggedman, Jazzman Olofin, Weird MC, IK Dairo, Daddy Showkey, Shina Peters, Olu Maintain, Faze, Iyanya, D'banj, Durella, WizKid, and Yemi Alade ~ Okungbowa was born in 1966
June 14, 2016 ~ Conductor, violinist Walter Weller passed away ~ Formed and fronted string quartet the Weller Quartet. Worked with orchestras including the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vienna State Opera, the Sinfonieorchester Basel, the Spanish National Orchestra, the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, the Valencia Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the Scottish National Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and others ~ Weller was born in 1939
June 14, 2015 ~ Singer, songwriter Hugo Blanco passed away ~ Best known for songs such as El Burrito Sabanero, Sierra Nevada, Luces De Caracas, Mananita Zuliana, and perhaps most notably Moliendo Cafe. CLosely associated with Simon Diaz and Joselo Diaz. Founded Cuatro Monedas, considered the first Venezuelan ska group. Founded Hijos de na Carmen ~ Blanco was born in 1940
June 14, 2015 ~ The 46th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 3 of 3. Mostly sunny, this year's edition would draw some 112,500 visitors in total. Included on today's, Sunday the 14th's bill would be Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls, Triggerfinger, de Jeugd Van Tegenwoordig, OneRepublic, Pharrell Williams, Kitty Daisy & Lewis, Typhoon, the Counting Crows, Rise Against, Placebo, Urbanus & de Fanfaar, Nick Mulvey, Oscar & the Wolf, Kovacs, Fiddler's Green, the Deaf, Peace, the Pierce Brothes, Ewert & the Two Dragons, Willie Wartaal & Doppelgang, and Pollyanna
June 14, 2013 ~ The 44th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 1 of 3. Sunny and pleasant with an occasional splash of rain, this year's edition would draw some 60,000 visitors in total. Included on today's, Friday the 14th's bill would be Handsome Poets, Paramore, the Script, the Killers, Masters Of Reality, Jimmy Eat World, the Queens Of The Stone Age, Christopher Green, Andy Burrows, Kodaline, and Netsky
June 14, 2009 ~ Surf guitarist, bassist Bob Bogle, full name Robert Lenard Bogle, passed away in Vancouver, Washington, USA ~ Co-founded surf group the Ventures with Don Wilson. Initially the group's lead guitarist, perhaps most notably on their hit Walk Don't Run, later served as bassist ~ Bogle was born in 1934
June 14, 2008 ~ Bror Fredrik Svensson, commonly known as jazz pianist Esbjörn Svensson, passed away in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Led the Esbjörn Svensson Trio which included childhood friend percussionist Magnus Öström and bassist Dan Berglund. The trio debuted in 1993 with the album When Everyon Has Gone. In the late-1990s and early-2000s the trio would earn significant acclaim outside Scandinavia with albums such as From Gagarin's Point Of View, Good Morning Susie Soho and A Strange Place For Snow. Svensson has also collaborated with the likes of Nils Landgren, Lina Nyberg, and Viktoria Tolstoy. Svensson died at age 44 in a scuba diving incident, found unconscious lying on the seabed by his diving instructor and 14-year old son ~ Svenssson was born in 1964
June 14, 2006 ~ Post-bop jazz saxophonist Roland Alexander passed away ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with artists such as Sabby Lewis, Preston Sandiford, Richie Lowery, Jaki Byard, Joe Gordon, Wajid Lateef, Gordon Wooly, John Coltrane, Howard McGhee, Max Roach, Sonny Rollins, Roy Haynes, Philly Joe Jones, Blue Mitchell, Sam Rivers, Archie Shepp, Mal Waldron, Charlie Persip, and others ~ Alexader was born in 1935
June 14, 2005 ~ Country, country-pop singer Carrie Underwood releases her double A-side Independence Day/Inside Your Heaven debut single ~ Fresh off her American Idol win the previous May, Underwood would release her double A-side single to mostly critical acclaim and commercial success. The single would debut at No.1 Billboard Hot 100, making her the first country artist to debut atop the pop charts. Underwood included the song on her Some Hearts debut album
June 14, 2003 ~ Jazz trombonist Jimmy Knepper, full name James Minter Knepper, passed away in Triadelphia, West Virginia, USA ~ Playing professionally since his mid-teens, working in big bands led by Freddie Slack, Roy Porter, Charlie Spivak, Charlie Barnet, Woody Herman, and Claude Thornhill. Well known for backing Charles Mingus, including on the quintessential Mingus Ah Uhm and Blues & Roots albums. Has also appeared on albums by Clark Terry (Color Changes), Eric Dolphy, Miles Davis (Sketches Of Spain), Mose Allison, Al Kooper, Robin Kenyatta, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Astrud Gilberto, and the Mingus Dynasty. As a leader best known for a string of mid- to late-1970s albums, including Cunningbird and Tell Me ~ Knepper was born in 1927
June 14, 1995 ~ Blues rock, rock guitarist, singer Rory Gallagher, full name William Rory Gallagher, passed away in London, UK ~ Guitar virtuoso rooted in blues. Founded 1960s band the Taste. Best known as a solo artist, debuting in 1971 with the eponymous Rory Gallagher album. Influenced artists such as The Edge, Slash, Johnny Marr, Janick Gers, Alex Lifeson, Glenn Tipton, Gary Moore, Joe Bonamassa ~ Gallagher was born in 1948
June 14, 1994 ~ Enrico Nicola Mancini, commonly known as songwriter, composer, arranger, conductor Henry Mancini, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Popular film composer with four Academy Awards to his name. Perhaps best known for penning Peter Gunn Theme and soundtrack for the television series of the same name, Moon River from Breakfast At Tiffany's and the Theme From The Pink Panther ~ Mancini was born in 1924
June 14, 1992 ~ R&B singer Brenda Payton passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Fronted Brenda & the Tabulations. The girl group enjoyed popularity especially during the late-1960s and early-1970s, songs such as Dry Your Eyes, Who's Lovin' You, The Touch Of You, And My Heart Sang (La La La), Don't Make Me Over, Right On The Tip Of My Tongue, and A Part Of You all reaching top 20 Billboard R&B ~ Payton was born in 1945
June 14, 1991 ~ Jessica Louise Nelson, commonly known as pop, R&B, dance-pop singer Jesy Nelson, born in Romford, UK ~ Member of girl group Little Mix, known for UK hits such as Cannonball, Wings, Salute, Black Magic, Secret Love Song featuring Jason Derülo, Shout Out To My Ex, A Woman Like Me featuring Nicki Minaj, and others
June 14, 1990 ~ Abraham Jacob Gornetzsky, commonly known as songwriter Jay Gorney, passed away ~ Film and theater songwriter perhaps best remembered for co-penning Brother Can You Spare A Dime with Yip Harburg, first performerd by Rex Weber and covered by over a 100 artists including Bing Crosby, Rudy Vallée, Chick Bullock, Peter Paul & Mary, Tom Jones, Ronnie Lane, George Michael, and Allison Moorer ~ Gorney was born in 1896
June 14, 1989 ~ Post-punk, alternative rock drummer, songwriter Pete de Freitas, full name Peter Louis Vincent de Freitas, passed away in Longdon Green, UK ~ Best known as drummer of Echo & the Bunnymen, present on the band's first five albums and some of the band's best known singles including the UK top 20 hits The Cutter, Never Stop, The Killing Moon and Seven Seas. De Freitas would rejoin in later years, yet only as a part-time member. Has also worked with the Wild Swans and the Sex Gods. De Freitas passed away in a motorcycle accident at age 27 ~ De Freitas was born in 1961
June 14, 1986 ~ Lyricist, songwriter Alan Jay Lerner passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as co-author of several musicals and films, including An American In Paris, Gigi, Camelot, Brigadoon and My Fair Lady ~ Lerner was born in 1918
June 14, 1984 ~ Singer Siobhán Donaghy, full name Siobhán Emma Donaghy, born in London, UK ~ Founding member of the Sugababes, leaving the group after their debut album. Released her Revolution In Me solo debut album in 2003, which included the UK top 20 single Overrated. In 2012 the original trio of Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Donaghy and reunited for the one-off single Flatline released under the moniker Mutya Keisha Siobhan
June 14, 1982 ~ Fredrick Jami Tipton, commonly known as rapper Freddie Gibbs, born ~ First gained attention with a number of early-2010s mixtapes, especially 2012's Baby Face Killa. Released his full-length debut albun, ESGN, in 2013. Has collaborated with Madlib under the project moniker Madgibbs. Also worked with Jeezy, Juicy J, Freeway, Dom Kennedy, Pulled Over By The Cops, Krayzie Bone, Jadakiss, Kirko Bangs, Jay Rock, Curren$y, Raekwon, Chuck Inglish, Big KRIT, Problem, Bad Lucc, A$AP Ferg, Black Thought, Anderson Paak, David Dallas, Ski Beatz, Method Man, ZZ Ward, Domo Genesis, Raekwon, Danny Brown, Freeway, Trae the Truth, and Jazzy Bazz
June 14, 1980 ~ In its seventh week on the charts, Against The Wind by Bob Seger peaks at No.5 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Issued as the second single off his Against The Wind album, it would become his second top 10 hit off the album, Fire Lake having reached No.6, and his fourth overall. Against The Wind also earned him a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. Seger was unsure about the main line in the song, ‘wish I didn't know now what I didn't now then’, feeling the grammar seemed funny. Seger would later explain: “The line bothered me for the longest time, but everyone I knew loved it so I left it in. It has since appeared in several hits by other artists, so I guess it's OK”
June 14, 1980 ~ Hip hop rapper, DJ Kurtis Blow releases The Breaks, lead single off his eponymous Kurtis Blow album ~ Though the song failed to reach the top half of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No.87, The Breaks is fondly remembered and considered highly influential and only the second rap song to chart on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 after Sugarhill Gang's Rapper's Delight released the previous year, which peaked at No.36. Unlike most hip hop songs which sample prerecorded funk, The Breaks is noted for its original funk beat
June 14, 1978 ~ Julian Clifton Matlock, commonly known as dixieland, jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Matty Matlock, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Played with Ben Pollack, joining the band in 1929 as replacement for Benny Goodman. Joined Bob Crosby's band in 1935, working with both Crosby's main band and the smaller the Bobcats ensemble. Also worked with Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Heindorf, Beverly Jenkins, and others ~ Matlock was born in 1907
June 14, 1978 ~ Jazz, blues, R&B bassist, tubist Quinn Wilson, full name Quinn Brown Wilson, passed away in Evanston, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with Tiny Parham, Walter Barnes, Jelly Roll Morton, Erskine Tate, Earl Hines, Jimmie Noone, Lefty Bates, John Lee Hooker (including on the acclaimed The Folk Lore Of John Lee Hooker), Franz Jackson, and others ~ Wilson was born in 1908
June 14, 1977 ~ Albert Miller, commonly known as folk singer Alan Mills passed away in Montreal, Canada ~ Best known for his original song I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly, later covered by Burl Ives, Peter Paul & Mary, and by others ~ Mills was born in 1913
June 14, 1977 ~ Jazz, pop bandleader, saxophonist Bob Chester passed away ~ Known for songs such as Wait Till The Sun Shines Nelie, Madellaine, Not A Care In The World and With The Wind And The Rain In Your Hair. Employed sidemen such as Alec Fila, Nick Travis, Lou Mucci, Conrad Gozzo, Herbie Steward, Peanuts Hucko, Irv Kluger, Dolores O'Neill, Kathleen Lane, Betty Bradley, Gene Howard, Bill Darnell, Stu Brayton, and Bob Haymes ~ Chester was born in 1908
June 14, 1975 ~ In its eleventh week on the charts, Sister Golden Hair by America hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Like their previous Billboard Hot 100 charttopper A Horse With No Name, Sister Golden Hair has an enigmatic quality and lots of harmony. Band member Gerry Beckley, the song's sole songwriter, would later comment on its meaning, intentionally left open to multiple interpretations: “John Lennon famously said, ‘We don't know what these songs are about till people tell us.’ So all of our songs, including A Horse With No Name, are open to interpretation. But Sister Golden Hair was a relationship song and there is a variety of elements. We always combine them as songwriters so that they're not verbatim, word for word, for a particular circumstance. Poetic license we call it”
June 14, 1971 ~ Rock singer, songwriter Billie Myers born in Coventry, UK ~ Best known for Kiss The Rain, a top 20 hit on both sides of the Atlantic, taken of her self-penned debut album Growing Pains. It would be featured in the TV series Dawson's Creek. A follow-up single, Tell Me, did reasonably well and Myers continued to write and record but no recordings would match the success of Kiss The Rain
June 14, 1969 ~ Lorenzo Jerald Patterson, commonly known as rapper, producer, songwriter MC Ren, born in Compton, California, USA ~ Member of pivotal rap group NWA joining the band in 1987, acclaimed for their 1988 Straight Outta Compton debut album. The band would be among the earliest and most controversial figures of the gangsta rap subgenre, known for their misogynyst views and glorification of drugs and crime as evidenced in songs such as Gangsta Gangsta and Fuck Tha Police
June 14, 1969 ~ Swing, jump blues, R&B singer, guitarist Wynonie Harris passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Closely associated with Lucky Millinder. Considered a precursor to rock & roll, enjoying a streak of hits from the mid-1940s through the early-1950s. Particularly influential on Elvis Presley, who covered his 1948 hit Good Rockin' Tonight. Other well known songs include Who Threw The Whiskey In The Jar, Playful Baby, All She Wants To Do Is Rock, and Sittin' On It All The Time ~ Harris was born in 1915
June 14, 1968 ~ Pop rock sibling outfit the Bee Gees record Kilburn Towers ~ Written by Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb. Produced by Robert Stigwood and the band. The flute sound on the track is actually Maurice on the mellotron. Released the following December as the B-side of I Started A Joke recorded 6 days later
June 14, 1968 ~ Country guitarist, singer Ernest Stoneman, full name Ernest Van Stoneman, passed away ~ Early influential country singer, active since the mid-1920s. Resurfaced in the 1960s with the family outfit the Stonemans, known best for Tupelo County Jail, The Five Little Johnson Girls, Back To Nashville Tennessee and Christopher Robin ~ Stoneman was born in 1893
June 14, 1966 ~ Bassist Otti van der Werf born ~ Brother of saxophonist Bo van der Werf, with whom he worked in Octum. Has also worked with Laurent Blondiau, Kris Defoort, Pierre van Dormael, Pierre Vaiana, Dré Pallemaerts, Jeroen van Herzeele, Axelle Red, DAAN, and others
June 14, 1965 ~ Producer, engineer Trina Shoemaker, full name Kathryn Shoemaker, born in Joliet, Illinois, USA ~ Produced, engineered, mixed recordings for a wide array of artists including the Queens Of The Stone Age, Emmylou Harris, Something For Kate, Nanci Griffith, Kristin Hersh, the Indigo Girls, and others. Noted for being the first woman engineer awarded a Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, namely for her work on Sheryl Crow's 1998 The Globe Sessions album
June 14, 1958 ~ Pianist Kenny Drew Jr born in New York, New York, USA ~ Son of Kenny Drew. Cited Thelonious Monk as influence. Leader and sideman. Worked with Bob Berg, Charnett Moffett, Al Foster, Terence Blanchard, Cody Moffett, Buster Williams, Marvin Smitty Smith, Christian McBride, Winard Harper, Wallace Roney, Ralph Moore, George Mraz, David Sánchez, Lewis Nash, Joshua Redman, Eddie Gomez, Bill Stewart, Lynn Seaton, Michael Philip Mossman, Ravi Coltrane, Steve Nelson, Tony Reedus, Peter Washington, Larry Coryell, Jon Burr, Hal Melia, the Mingus Big Band, Carl Allen, Steve Slagle, Stanley Turrentine, Daniel Schnyder, Jack Walrath, Ron McClure, Bubba Brooks, Warren Vaché Jr, Paul F Kendall, Johnny Griffin, Butch Miles, Jeff Rupert, Paquito d'Rivera, Richard Drexler, Kevin Celebi, and others ~ Drew passed away in 2014
June 14, 1958 ~ Nicholas Eede, commonly known as pop, power pop singer, guitarist, keyboardist Nick Van Eede born in Cuckfield, UK ~ Lead singer of Cutting Crew, known for songs such as I've Been In Love Before, One For The Mockingbird, Everything But My Pride and their best known (I Just) Died In Your Arms, the latter a Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit in 1986
June 14, 1957 ~ Rock, country drummer, percussionist Chad Cromwell born in Paducah, Kentucky, USA ~ Founding member of the Fortunate Sons, known for their eponymous 2004 Fortunate Sons album. In-demand collaborator, has worked with Neil Young, Mark Knopfler, Joe Walsh, Joss Stone, Bonnie Raitt, Crosby Stills & Nash, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Lady Antebellum, Willie Nelson, Jackson Browne, Boz Scaggs, Wynonna Judd, Trisha Yearwood, Miranda Lambert, Peter Frampton, Rodney Crowell, Stevie Nicks, Alison Krauss, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Allison Moorer, Dolly Parton, Lee Ann Womack, Kenny Chesney, and Joe Bonamassa
June 14, 1957 ~ Maxwell Alexander Fraser, commonly known as trip hop, electronica, trance rapper, singer, songwriter Maxi Jazz, born in Brixton, UK ~ Founding member, lead singer of Faithless, known for UK top 10 hits such as Salva Mea, Insomnia, God Is A DJ, We Come 1 and One Step Too Far featuring Dido. Has also recorded as a solo artist and guested on recordings by Jason Rebello, Tiësto, Benji Boko, Robbie Williams, and others ~ Fraser passed away in 2022
June 14, 1955 ~ Julio Cesar Rojhas Lopez, commonly known as salsa singer, songwriter Tito Rojas, born in Humucao, Puerto Rico ~ One of Puerto Rico's most beloved salsa singers with a career spanning over four decades. Especially acclaimed for his Alegrias Y Penas album, released in 1999. Well known Rojas hits include Esperandote, Humildemente, Pal' Pueblo, Como Tú, and Ella Se Hizo Deseo, the latter notably re-recorded in 2015 as a duet with Ivy Queen ~ Lopez passed away in 2020
June 14, 1952 ~ John Kirk, commonly known as jazz bassist, trombonist, tuba player John Kirby, passed away in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Led a popular chamber jazz sextet in the late-1930s and early-1940s known for songs such as Loch Lomond and the first recorded version of Undecided, the latter becoming a jazz standard covered by Chick Webb, the Dandridge Sisters, Django Reinhardt's the Quintette du Hot Club, the Ames Brothers, and others. ~ Kirk was born in 1908
June 14, 1949 ~ Pop rock, progressive rock drummer Alan White born in Pelton, UK ~ Member of the Plastic Ono Band, backing John Lennon on songs such as Imagine and Instant Karma. Best known as longtime member of progressive rock outfit Yes, joining the band in 1972 as replacement for Bill Bruford. Has also worked with the likes of Balls, Circa, George Harrison, Terry Reid, Joe Cocker, Doris Troy, and Donovan ~ White passed away in 2022
June 14, 1949 ~ Rock bassist, keyboardist, violinist, guitarist, singer Jim Lea born in Wolverhampton, UK ~ Co-founding member of Slade, remaining with the band through 1992 and present on most of the band's best known including Coz I Love You, Take Me Bak 'Ome, Mama Weer All Crazee Now, Cum On Feel The Noize, Merry Xmas Everybody and My Oh My
June 14, 1948 ~ Disco, R&B singer, actress Linda Clifford born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Known for a number of late-1970s, early-1980s disco hits including Runaway Love, If My Friends Could See Me Now, Gypsy Lady, Red Light and Shoot Your Best Shot. To soul aficionados best known for The Right Combination, a collaborative album with Curtis Mayfield released in 1980
June 14, 1946 ~ Pub rock, roots rock, folk singer, guitarist Ernie Graham born in Belfast, Northern Ireland ~ First gained attention in the mid-1960s playing with Tony & the Telstars. Member of Eire Apparent, known for their 1969 sole Sunrise album produced by Jimi Hendrix. Released his sole solo album, Ernie Graham, in 1971. Graham has also worked with the People, Help Yourself, and Clancy ~ Graham passed away in 2001
June 14, 1945 ~ Producer, arranger, label executive John Carter, full name John S Carter Jr, born in East St Louis, Illinois, USA ~ First gained attention in the mid-1960s co-writing That Acapulco Gold for the Rainy Daze and subsequently Incense And Peppermints for Strawberry Alarm Clock, the latter reaching No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967. Would go on to work for Atlantic Records and Capitol Records as an A&R executive. Helpful in advancing the careers of Bob Seger, specifically with the album Night Moves, and the Steve Miller Band. Signed artists such as Sammy Hagar, Bob Welch, and the Motels. Best known for relaunching the career of Tina Turner signing and guiding Turner through the recording of Private Dancer. The album would go on to sell over 20 million copies and bring Turner back to superstar status ~ Carter passed away in 2011
June 14, 1943 ~ Dewey Lindham Oldham Jr, commonly known as R&B, soul, rock organist, songwriter Spooner Oldham, born in Alabama, USA ~ In-demand session musician, present on recordings by Aretha Franklin, Delaney Bramlett, Joe Cocker, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, the Everly Brothers, Dickey Betts, JJ Cale, Wilson Pickett, and Maria Muldaur. Renowned songwriter, mostly in partnerhip with Dan Penn. Artists who have recorded songs written by the duo include Jimmy Hughes, Sandy Posey, Percy Sledge (It Tears Me Up), James Carr, Irma Thomas, Bobby Moore, the Sweet Inspirations (Sweet Inspiration), the Box Tops (Cry Like A Baby), Merrilee Rush, Janis Joplin (A Woman Left Lonely), Freddy Weller, Bob Luman, and Arthur Alexander
June 14, 1940 ~ Pop rock songwriter, producer Bob Feldman, full name Robert C Feldman, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Formed a songwriter, producer team with Jerry Goldstein and Richard Gottehrer. The trio were responsible for 1960s hits such as Let's Stomp for Bobby Comstock, Betty Jean for Freddy Cannon, and My Boyfriend's Back for the Angels. The trio's Sorrow would be used as a B-side for the McCoys in 1965, but is better known as recorded by David Bowie who released it as the sole single of his 1973 Pin Ups album. Goldstein, Gottehrer and Feldman would also record several of their songs themselves under the moniker the Strangeloves, most notably I Want Candy, later covered by Brian Poole, the Surfaris, and Bow Wow Wow ~ Feldman passed away in 2023
June 14, 1939 ~ Jazz bassist Kent Carter born in Hanover, New Hampshire, USA ~ Son of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra founder Alan Carter. Leader and sideman. Has worked with Steve Lacy, the Jazz Composers Orchestra, Paul Bley, Gianni Lenoci, and others. Has recorded as a leader since the mid-1970s
June 14, 1937 ~ Pianist Burton Greene born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Emerged from New York's 1960s avant-garde and free-jazz scene. Has worked with Alan Silva, Marion Brown, Cecil Taylor, Rashied Ali, Albert Ayler, Gato Barbieri, Byard Lancaster, Patty Waters, Maarten Altena, Willem Breuker, Roy Campbell Jr, Paul Smoker, and Klezmokum ~ Greene passed away in 2021
June 14, 1937 ~ Jazz double bassist Chuck Berghofer, full name Charles Curtis Berghofer, born in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Influenced by Leroy Vinnegar, Paul Chambers, Ray Brown. Distinguished jazz bassist with a career spanning six decades. Reportedly worked on over 400 soundtracks. In-demand session musician in jazz, pop and rock. Present on albums by Herb Ellis, Shelly Manne, Nancy Wilson, Nancy Sinatra (Boots), the Beach Boys (Pet Sounds), Ella Fitzgerald, Love (Forever Changes), Elvis Presley, Frank Zappa, Ry Cooder, Barbra Streisand (The Broadway Album), Mel Tormé, Patti Austin (The Real Me), Bette Midler, Diane Schuur, and Aaron Neville
June 14, 1936 ~ Singer, songwriter Renaldo Benson born ~ Bass singer of the Four Tops, known for hits such as I Can't Help Myself (Sugarpie Honey Bunch), Reach Out I'll Be There, Keeper Of The Castle, Ain't No Woman Like The One I've Got, Bernadette, and When She Was My Girl. Co-wrote Marvin Gaye's signature song What's Going On ~ Benson passed away in 2005
June 14, 1936 ~ Bossa nova, samba drummer, percussionist, singer Wilson Das Neves born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Key figure in Brazilian music with a career spanning five decades. Over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, especially noted for Samba-Tropi (Até Ai Morreu Neves) released in 1970. In-demand sideman, present on albums by both MPB and international artists including Deodato, Conjunto Castelinho, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Nara Leão, Sarah Vaughan, Chico Buarque, Paul Simon, Toots Thielemans, João Donato, Ney Matogrosso, Dóris Monteiro, and the Orquestra Imperial ~ Das Neves passed away in 2017
June 14, 1934 ~ Mieke Berendina Johanna Telgenkamp, commonly known as singer Mieke Telkamp born in Oldenzaal, the Netherlands ~ Best known for her covers of American jazz and pop songs including Here In My Heart, Never On Sunday and Changing Of The Tides, her Dutch million-seller and longtime funeral favorite Waarheen Waarvoor, and for her German schlagers ~ Telkamp passed away in 2016
June 14, 1932 ~ Classical cornetist, trumpeter Marcel Lagorce, full name Antoine Marcel Lagorce, born in Ussel, France ~ Trumpet soloist with the Symphony Radio Orchestra from 1957 through 1967, and with the Orchestre De Paris from 1967 through 1993. Member of brass quintet Ars Nova, which also included hornist Georges Barboteu, trumpeter Bernard Jeannoutot, trombonist Camille Verdier, and tubist Elie Raynaud. Taught at Conservatoire de Paris, Paris from 1976 through 1988 ~ Lagorce passed away in 2023
June 14, 1931 ~ Jazz, boogie-woogie pianist, songwriter Jimmy Blythe, full name James Louis Blythe, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for his 1924 recording Chicago Stomp, arguably the first boogie-woogie recording. Other well known songs include Mecca Flat Blues, East Coast Trot, Oriental Man, and Brown Skin Mama. Despite a relatively short career, cut short by his untimely death at age 30 of meningitis, Blythe has recorded with a host of artists including Alexander Robinson, Johnny Dodds, Lonnie Johnson, the State Street Ramblers, Buddy Barton, Charlie Clark, Ma Rainey, Trixie Smith, and proved influential especially on Pinetop Smith and Albert Ammons ~ Blythe was born in 1901
June 14, 1929 ~ Delta blues singer, guitarist Charley Patton records Pony Blues in Richmond, Indiana, USA ~ Self-penned. Released later the same year, b/w Banty Rooster Blues. Recorded during his first session, alongside an odd dozen others songs, it would go on to become an oft-covered blues classic. Artists who covered the song include Son House, Howlin' Wolf, Canned Heat, Son House, and Corey Harris
June 14, 1920 ~ Composer Jacques Datin born in France ~ Often collaborated with Maurice Vidalin. Artists who have recorded his songs include Juliette Gréco, Colette Renard, Michèle Arnaud, Marcel Amont, Jean-Jacques Debout, Barbara, France Gall, Jean-Claude Pascal (1961 Eurovision Songfestival winner Nous Les Amoureux), Françoise Hardy, Serge Lama, Claude Nougaro, Serge Reggiani, Edith Piaf, and others ~ Datin passed away in 1973
June 14, 1909 ~ Balladeer, banjoist, actor Burl Ives, full name Burl Cole Ivanhoe Ives, born in Hunt City, Illinois, USA ~ Known for his own radio show, The Wayfaring Stranger, popularizing folk songs. Would cross over into country music, releasing a string of singles, often covers, such as A little Bitty Tear and A Funny Way Of Laughin'. Also known as an actor, notably earning an Academy Award for his supporting rol as Rufus Hannassey in the 1958 The Big Country film ~ Ives passed away in 1995
June 14, 1908 ~ Arranger, composer, orchestra leader John Scott Trotter born in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA ~ Closely associated with Bing Crosby, backing the singer with the Trotter Orchestra from 1937 through 1954. Also worked with Vince Guaraldi scoring, arranging, conducting the soundtracks to one film and a series of Peanuts TV specials starting with 1966's It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown up to You're A Good Sport Charlie Brown, the latter first aired one day before Trotter's death ~ Trotter passed away in 1975
June 14, 1895 ~ Clifton Avon Edwards, commonly known as singer, ukulele player, actor Ukulele Ike, born in Hannibal, Missouri, USA ~ Singer, popular in the 1920s and 1930s with jazzy renditions of pop standards. Scored a No.1 hit in 1929 with Singing In The Rain. Also known as a voice actor in several Walt Disney films including Pinocchio, Dumbo and Fun And Fancy Free ~ Edwards passed away in 1971
June 14, 1835 ~ Pianist, conductor, composer Nikolai Rubinstein, commonly known as Nikolai Grigoryevich Rubinstein, born in Moscow, Russian Empire ~ Generally regarded as one of the greatest pianists of his day, though his reputation over time would become overshadowed by that of his brother Anton Rubinstein. Founded the Moscow Conservatory in 1866, serving as its director until his death. Also known for encouraging and advancing the appeal of Pyotr Tchaikovsky, including premiering the latter's Eugene Onegin opera in 1879. Tchaikovsky would later write Piano Trio In A Minor in Rubinstein's memory ~ Rubinstein passed away in 1881