June 9, 2024 ~ Jazz drummer Alex Riel, full name Alex Poul Riel, passed away in Lisleje, Denmark ~ Active since his teens, starting with local traditional jazz bands, and serving as the house drummer at the Montmatre Jazzhus, Copenhagen, Denmark, by the early-1960s. Recorded over a dozen albums as leader or co-leader, starting with Alex Riel Trio in 1965 featuring Kenny Drew and Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen. Closely associated with Jackie McLean and Dexter Gordon, recording several acclaimed albums with each. An in-demand sideman and collaborator, Riel has also appeared on albums by Brew Moore (Danish Brew), Archie Shepp, Kenny Dorham, Sahib Shihab (Conversations), Ben Webster (There Is No Greater Love), Stuff Smith, Savage Rose, Karin Krog, Hank Jones (Bluesette), and Thomas Clausen ~ Riel was born in 1940
June 9, 2023 ~ Blues singer, guitarist Otis Grand passed away ~ Actively recording since the late-1980s, starting with 1988's Always Hot. Best known for his 1996 Perfume & Grime album. Has worked with Guitar Shorty, Phillip Walker, Joe Houston, Anson Funderburgh, Debbie Davies, and Joe Louis Walker ~ Grand was born in 1950
June 9, 2022 ~ Pop, dream pop singer, songwriter, actress Julee Cruise passed away ~ Known for Falling and Rockin' Back Inside My Heart, the former the theme song of the Twin Peaks TV series. Guested on Hybrid's 1989 Wide Angle debut album, including on the acclaimed track If I Survive. Touring member of the B52's for most of the 1990s, at times filling in for Cindy Wilson. Has released four full-length solo albums, starting with Floating Into The Night released in 1989 ~ Cruise was born in 1956
June 9, 2020 ~ Hard rock, blues rock, progressive rock guitarist Paul Chapman passed away ~ Member of Universe. Briefly a member of Skid Row during the early-1970s, replacing Gary Moore. Touring guitarist for UFO since 1974, joining the band as a full member in 1978. Present on the albums Strangers In The Night, No Place To Run, The Wild The Willing And The Innocent, Mechanix, and Making Contact. Following his departure from the band in 1983 Chapman has worked with DOA, Waysted (The Good The Bad The Waysted), Jack Starr, and Gator Country ~ Chapman was born in 1954
June 9, 2019 ~ The 50th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 2 of 3. Included on today's, Sunday the 9th's bill would include Kraantje Pappie, Aura, the White Lies, Blood Red Shoes, the Kooks, the Confidence Man, Rowwen Hèze, Jack Savoretti, Nana Adjoa, Krezip, Barns Courtney, J Balvin, Miles Kane, Lenny Kravitz, Boef, Die Antwoord, Mark Ronson, the Cure, and Armin Van Buuren
June 9, 2015 ~ Robert Alan Diaz, commonly known as freestyle rapper Pumpkinhead, passed away in New Jersey, USA ~ Influenced by Redman, Leaders Of The New School, Doug E Fresh, Tupac Shakur. Guested on recordings by Immortal Technique and Jean Grae. Debuted with a full-length album, The Old Testament, in 2001 ~ Diaz was born in 1975
June 9, 2014 ~ The 45th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 3 of 3. Mostly sunny and very warm, heavy thunder on the last evening, this year's edition would draw a total of 134,000 visitors. Included on today's, Monday the 9th's bill would be Mastodon, Rob Zombie, Biffy Clyro, Avenged Sevenfold, Metallica, Jett Rebel, Kodaline, Stromae, Jake Bugg, Arcade Fire, Clean Bandit, Ghost, Young The Giant, the Bombay Bicycle Club, and Gogol Bordello
June 9, 2013 ~ William Daron Pulliam, commonly known as funk, soul singer Darondo, passed away in Sacramento, California, USA ~ Debuted in the early-1970s with the single I Want Your Love So Bad. It led to a record deal, resulting in three albums from 1972 to 1974, and dates opening for James Brown ~ Pulliam was born in 1946
June 9, 2006 ~ Schlager singer, songwriter Drafi Deutscher, full name Drafi Franz Richard Deutscher, passed away in Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany ~ Known for a string of 1960s hits, notably Shake Hands, Keep Smiling and Cinderella Baby. Internationally perhaps best known for co-writing Boney M's disco hit Belfast with Jimmy Bilsbury and Joe Menke ~ Deutscher was born in 1946
June 9, 2004 ~ Tenor saxophonist, flutist Bent Jædig passed away ~ Worked with Rudi Fuesers, Peter Herbolzheimer, Allan Botschinsky, Bent Axen, Dusko Gojkovic, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Alex Riel, Don Cherry, Tete Montoliu, Jimmy Woode, Philly Joe Jones, Louis Hjulmand, Hugo Rasmussen, Carsten Dahl, Wild Bill Davison, Art Farmer, Stan Getz, and Ernie Wilkins ~ Jædig was born in 1935
June 9, 2004 ~ Thomas Raymond Kelly, commonly known as jazz double bassist Red Kelly, born in Shelby, Montana, USA ~ Worked with Charlie Barnet, Herbie Fields, Claude Thornhill, Red Norvo, Red Mitchell, Woody Herman, Dick Collins, Nat Pierce, Maynard Ferguson, Med Flory, Stan Kenton, Lennie Niehaus, the Modest Jazz Trio, Jim Hall, and Harry James ~ Kelly was born in 1927
June 9, 2003 ~ The 34th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 3 of 3. Mostly sunny and warm, this year's edition would draw a crow of some 47,500 visitors in total. Included on today's, Monday the 7th's bill would be Beef, the Cardigans, Krezip, the Queens Of The Stone Age, Evanescence, Manu Chao, Solomon Burke, Ilse de Lange, Zwan, Audioslave, Junkie XL, Relax, Danko Jones, Röyksopp, Moloko, and Saybia
June 9, 2002 ~ Romana Elena Burgues Gonzalez, commonly known as bolero, son singer Elena Burke, passed away in Havana, Cuba ~ Mother of singer Malena Burke. Member of vocal quartet the Cuarteto D'Aida, along with Moraima Secada, Omara Portuondo and Haydee Portuondo. Embarked on a successful solo career by the early-1950s and became one of Cuba's most beloved singers, praised for her emotional sincerity earning her the nickname “Señora Sentimiento” ~ Burgues was born in 1928
June 9, 1998 ~ Singer Brandy releases Never Say Never, the singer's sophomore album ~ While her debut single I Wanna Be Down off her eponymous Brandy first album had sparked Cash Box to comment the then-15-year-old singer “was poised to be the next big thing in R&B”, and had spawned three Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles. Its followup, the more mature sophomore album continued her streak. Teaming up with several top-notch producers, perhaps most notably David Foster and Rodney Jerkins, Never Say Never would become her best selling album, selling over 16 million copies. The album's lead single The Boy Is Mine, a duet with Monica, would reach No.1 Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by Duo or Group. Another single off the album, Have You Ever, would become Brandy's sole No.1 hit as a solo artist. The album itself spent over half a year inside the Billboard Hot 200 top 20, and peaked at No.2
June 9, 1998 ~ R&B singer Usher releases My Way, lifted off his sophomore album of the same name ~ On his previous album, Usher had no hand in the songwriting and producing process. For his My Way sophomore album, the singer did take creative control, co-writing about half of the album's tracks. My Way, co-written with producers Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal, was one of those, meant to signify his newfound independence. As Usher would later explain: “My Way started because I found out about Frank Sinatra. His voice is amazing. I found this song My Way and I thought, that's how I feel right now.” As a nod to Sinatra, Usher would wear a fedora hat for the single's artwork. Issued as the third and final single of the album, My Way would reach No.3 Billboard Hot 100. The two previous singles, You Make Me Wanna and Nice & Slow had respectively peaked at No.2 and No.1
June 9, 1992 ~ Clarence Horatius Miller, commonly known as jazz, blues singer, bassist Big Miller, passed away in Edmonton, Canada ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Jay McShann, Fletcher Henderson, the Five Pennies, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Bob Brookmeyer, John Hendricks, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Tommy Banks, and Rex Stewart ~ Miller was born in 1922
June 9, 1986 ~ British pop group Wham release The Edge Of Heaven, lifted off their Music From The Edge Of Heaven album ~ Issued as the lead single off their third and final album, coinciding with the duo's announced split, it would become Wham's fourth UK No.1 hit. Pianist Elton John played piano on the single version, he also performed with Wham at their Wembley Stadium farewell concert later the same month. Lead singer George Michael would go on to a highly successful solo career, scoring over half a dozen Billboard Hot 100 charttoppers through the early-1990s, while Andrew Ridgeley faded from the spotlight after their split
June 9, 1982 ~ Southern gospel singer, songwriter Devin McGlamery, full name Jon Devin McGlamery, born in Valdosta, Georgia, USA ~ Member of southern gospel quartet the Dixie Melody Boys from 2000 through 2004. Subsequently a member of Karen Peck & New River, with whom he recorded three albums starting with Good To Be Free released in 2005. Member of Ernie Haase's group the Signature Sound from 2010 through 2021, including on the hit song From My Rags To His Riches. McGlamery released his Love Is A Verb solo album in 2013
June 9, 1981 ~ Sitar player, composer Anoushka Shankar born in London, UK ~ Daughter of Ravi Shankar, half-sister of Norah Jones. Released her Anoushka debut album in 1998. Has collaborated with her father, George Harrison, Sting, Rodrigo & Gabriela, and Milos Karadaglic
June 9, 1979 ~ In its eight week on the charts, Love You Inside Out by the Bee Gees hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ The last in an impressive run of Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits, eight of which reached No.1 Billboard Hot 100, which started in 1975 with Jive Talkin'. Moreover, Love You Inside Out would be the third consecutive charttopper of their Spirits Having Flown album, preceded by Too Much Heaven and Tragedy. However, when the 1980s came around, the band would fall out of favor and it would be about a decade until they would score another major hit with One reaching the American top 10. Although their own singles would chart significantly lower, the siblings would continue to enjoy success as songwriters throughout the 1980s, writing hits such as Dionne Warwick's Heartbreaker, the Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers-duet Islands In The Stream, and Diana Ross's Chain Reaction
June 9, 1978 ~ Rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Matt Bellamy, full name Matthew James Bellamy, born ~ Son of the Tornados rhythm guitarist George Bellamy. Fronts Muse, known for songs such as Plug-in Baby, Time Is Running Out, Hysteria, Butterflies & Hurricanes, Supermassive Black Hole, Knights Of Cydonia and Uprising, all of which reached the UK top 20. Bellamy also co-wrote Adam Lambert's Soaked from Lambert solo debut For Your Entertainment album and is a member of the Beatles tribute band the Jaded Hearts Club which also includes Miles Kane, Nine Inch Nails drummer Lian Rubin and Sean Payne
June 9, 1977 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Atle Nymo born in Valnesfjord, Norway ~ Brother of saxophonist Frode Nymo. Has worked with Motif, the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Vigleik Storaas, Ole Morten Vågan, Kåre Nymark, and Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen
June 9, 1970 ~ DJ, songwriter Ed Simons born in Dulwich, UK ~ Best known as half of the DJ duo the Chemical Brothers who from the mid-1990s onwards scored six No.1 albums and thirteen top 20 singles in the UK. The duo started out as club DJ's but simply ran out of material to use, so they decided to make their own. The duo has also done remixes for a host of British pop artists including Lionrock, Republica, the Manic Street Preachers, the Charlatans, Primal Scream, the Prodigy, the Stone Roses, Oasis, Fatboy Slim, and Kylie Minogue. They initially called themselves the Dust Brothers, in honor of the American production duo the Dust Brothers associated with the Beastie Boys, but were asked to drop the name by the original Dust Brothers around March 1995
June 9, 1965 ~ Gospel, R&B singer, songwriter, actress Deborah Fraser born in Kwamashu, South Africa ~ Backing singer for the likes of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Lucky Dube, Brenda Fassie, Rebecca Malope, Hugh Masekela, and Jonas Gwangwa. Released her Abanye Bayombona solo debut album in 2000, which would go on to sell over 1 million copies. Well known for her 2016 hit Ngeke Ngiyeke Ukuthandaza ~ Fraser passed away in 2022
June 9, 1965 ~ Jazz trombonist, composer Helge Sunde born in Stryn, Norway ~ Has worked with Anneli Drecker, Nils Johansen, the Oslo Groove Company, the Norske Store Orkester, the Ensemble Denada, Eberhard Weber, Ole Paus, Motorpsycho, and Trygve Seim. As a composer, Sunde had his works performed by the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, the Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester and the Oslo Sinfonieta
June 9, 1964 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Bob Dylan records My Back Pages ~ Self-penned. Produced by Tom Wilson. Often interpreted as Dylan's discontement with his earlier protest songs, especially due to the lyric “Ah, but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now.” Included on the 1964 Another Side Of Bob Dylan album. Covered by a wide array of artists including Keith Jarrett, the Ramones, the Nice, Steve Earle, the Hollies, and the Byrds
June 9, 1962 ~ Guitarist, singer Eddie Lundon born ~ Co-founding and along with Gary Daly main songwriter and the only other constant member of China Crisis, known for 1980s UK top 20 hits such as Christian, Wishful Thinking, Black Man Ray and King In A Catholic Style (Wake Up)
June 9, 1962 ~ Pop, rock, folk singer, guitarist Yuval Banai born in Tel Aviv, Israel ~ Son of actor, singer Yossi Banai. Married to actress Orly Silbersatz from 1987 through 2007, with whom he has three children. Best known as frontman of Mashina, considered one of the most influential Israeli pop rock bands drawing from a wide array of influences including ska, reggae, punk rock, new wave, psychedelic rock, pop rock, grunge, and Middle Eastern elements. Well known songs include Rakevet Laila Le-Kahir, basically an hommage to Madness' Night Boat To Cairo, Geveret Sarah Hashschena which drew heavily from Bob Dylan's Hurricane, Ha'Amuta Le-Heker Hatmuta, and Miflatzot Ha-Tehila
June 9, 1960 ~ Pop singer Eva Dahlgren, full name Eva Charlotte Dahlgren, born in Umea, Sweden ~ Discovered by singer Bruno Glenmark. Released her Finns Det Nan Som Bryr Sej Om debut album in 1978 and has recorded to commercial succes since. Best known for songs such as Angeln I Rummet, Ven Tander Stjarnorna and Nar Jag Langtar
June 9, 1954 ~ François Reyes, commonly known as flamenco, gypsy guitarist Canut Reyes, born in Strassbourg, France ~ Co-founding member of the Gipsy Kings. Appeared on the band's first two albums, 1982's Allegria and 1983's Luna De Fuego, before departing the band for lack of chart succes seeking a day job instead while also releasing his Bolero solo album, a tribute to Maurice Ravel. After the group slowly rose to fame on the strength of their eponymous 1987 Gipsy Kings album, Reyes would rejoin the group in 1990 and has played with the group ever since
June 9, 1954 ~ Hard rock, blues rock, progressive rock guitarist Paul Chapman born in Cardiff, UK ~ Member of Universe. Briefly a member of Skid Row during the early-1970s, replacing Gary Moore. Touring guitarist for UFO since 1974, joining the band as a full member in 1978. Present on the albums Strangers In The Night, No Place To Run, The Wild The Willing And The Innocent, Mechanix, and Making Contact. Following his departure from the band in 1983 Chapman has worked with DOA, Waysted (The Good The Bad The Waysted), Jack Starr, and Gator Country ~ Chapman passed away in 2020
June 9, 1953 ~ Electric blues guitarist, songwriter, producer Bobby Murray born in Nagoye, Japan ~ Influenced by Albert Collins and BB King. Best known for his association with Etta James, a member of James' backing unit for over two decades starting in 1988. Recorded a number of solo albums, starting with The Blues Is Now in 1996. Has also worked with Albert King, Johnny Guitar Watson, Taj Mahal, Percy Mayfield, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Lowell Fulson
June 9, 1953 ~ Drummer, singer, songwriter, producer Errol Kennedy born in Montego Bay, Jamaica ~ Best known as member of Imagination, known for songs such as Body Talk, In & Out Of Love, Flashback, and for their biggest hit Just An Illusion. Also worked as session musician, collaborator, producer with Hugh Masekela, Odyssey, Shalamar, Rose Royce, Grace Kennedy, Jamiroquai, Frankie Knuckles, Larry Levan, Colonel Abrams, Simon Ellis, Midnight Express, the Typical Funk Band, and Central Line
June 9, 1950 ~ Pianist, songwriter, actor Joe Burke, full name Joseph Aloysius Burke, passed away in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-penning Tiptoe Through The Tulips With Me and Painting The Clouds With Sunshine, both major hits for Nick Lucas and the former covered by over 100 artists. Others who have recorded his songs include Edythe Wright, Ben Selvin, Gene Austin (Carolina Moon), Guy Lombardo (It Looks Like Rain In Cherry Blossom), Dean Martin, Billie Holiday (Getting Some Fun Out Of Life), Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Jim Reeves, Ray Charles, Fats Waller, Perry Como (Rambling Rose), Fats Waller, Rudy Vallée, Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, Chet Atkins, and Tiny Tim ~ Burke was born in 1884
June 9, 1950 ~ Hard rock, glam rock, progressive rock bassist Trevor Bolder born in Kingston-upon-Hull, UK ~ Member of the Spiders From Mars, David Bowie's early-1970s backing unit present on albums such as Hunky Dory, The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars and Aladdin Sane. Longtime member of Uriah Heep, first appearing on the 1977 Firefly album and present on most of the band's albums until his death in 2013. Has also worked with the Cybernauts, Mick Ronson, Ken Hensley, and Wishbone Ash ~ Bolder passed away in 2013
June 9, 1949 ~ Keyboardist Francis Monkman born ~ Co-founded Sisyphus in the late-1960s. The band would evolve into the pioneering progressive rock outfit Curved Air, with whom Monkman recorded the albums Air Conditioning, Second Album, and Phantasmagoria, before departing the band over artistic differences. After his departure from the band Monkman has guested on recordings by Renaissance, Al Stewart, and Lynsey de Paul, collaborated with Phil Manzanera and Brian Eno in the short-lived 801, worked with classical fusion band Sky, and recorded as a solo artist ~ Monkman passed away in 2023
June 9, 1947 ~ Hard rock, progressive rock, heavy metal singer, guitarist Mick Box, full name Michael Frederick Box, born in Walthamstow, UK ~ Co-founding and sole remaining original member of Uriah Heep, known for songs such as Lady In Black, Easy Livin', Spider Woman, Stealin' and Prima Donna
June 9, 1946 ~ Jazz fusion, blues saxophonist, flutist, pianist Ron Aspery, full name Ronald Aspery, born in Middlesbrough, UK ~ Driving force behind jazz-rock trio Back Door, especially acclaimed for their 1972 eponymous Back Door and its 1973 follow-up 8th Street Nites. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Alexis Korner, Glenn Hughes, Marvin Hamlisch (The Spy Who Loved Me), Roger Glover, Evelyn Thomas, David Coverdale, Roger Chapman, Roger Daltrey, Deke Leonard (Before Your Very Eyes), Chris Rea, Elvis Costello, and Keith Emerson ~ Aspery passed away in 2003
June 9, 1945 ~ Jazz guitarist Mick Goodrick born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Worked with Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, the Liberation Music Orchestra, Jack DeJohnette, Steve Swallow, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Jerry Bergonzi, Jimmy Mosher, Gary Thomas, Claudio Fasoli, Harvie S, Jim Hall, Charlie Mariano, Ed Sarath, Mill Bermejo, Joe Diorio, the Monday Night Orchestra, Laszlo Gardony, Mike Pohjola, Hal Crook, Miles Donahue, John Abercrombie, Dan Wall, Ed Byrne, Bruno Raberg, and Vardan Ovsepian ~ Goodrick passed away in 2022
June 9, 1941 ~ Keyboardist Jon Lord, full name John Douglas Lord, born in Leicester, UK ~ Best known as co-founding and key member of Deep Purple, merging rock and hard rock with classical and baroque influences. Has also worked with the Artwoods, St Valentine's Day Massacre, the Flower Pot Men, Paice Ashton Lord and with Whitesnake ~ Lord passed away in 2012
June 9, 1940 ~ Jazz drummer Curtis Boyd born in New York, New York, USA ~ Sideman. Started out in the 1950s. Has played with artists such as Cedar Walton, Julian Priester, Wynton Kelly, Frank Strozier, Kenny Dorham, Chick Corea, Gloria Lynne, Ronnell Bright, Carmen McRae (Bittersweet), Joe Williams, and with Freddy Cole. Gained particular attention as a member of Billy Taylor's 1980s line-up
June 9, 1934 ~ Singer Jackie Wilson, full name Jack Leroy Wilson Jr, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Rose to fame as member of Billy Ward & the Dominoes. Recorded some two dozen albums as a solo artist starting in the late-1950s, becoming a key figure in the transition from R&B to soul. Dubbed “Mr Excitement” for his stage presence, his performance so energetic it reportedly made Elvis Presley, a big fan of Wilson's, want to hide under the table. In 1975 Wilson suffered a heart attack on stage performing at an event in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, ironically reaching for his chest singing the line “my heart is crying” from Lonely Teardrops, and subsequently remained in a coma until his death some nine years later. Wilson is best remembered for songs such as Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want To Meet), To Be Loved, That's Why I Love You So, Talk That Talk, Doggin' Around, Baby Workout, Whispers (Gettin' Louder), and perhaps his best known (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher, the latter a Billboard Hot 100 No.6 hit in 1967 and cherished and beloved to this day as one of the finest classics of the era ~ Wilson passed away in 1984
June 9, 1934 ~ Teacher, songwriter John Joseph Woods passed away in Lawrence, New Zealand ~ Best known for winning a competition to set the Thomas Bracken-poem God Defend New Zealand to music. By doing so he composed the tune to what later became New Zealand's national anthem ~ Woods was born ca.1849
June 9, 1930 ~ Monique Andree Serf, commonly known as singer, songwriter Barbara, born in Paris, France ~ Lifelong friend and frequent interpreter of Jacques Brel. Known as a poetic songwriter herself. Best remembered for songs such as Ma Belle Histoire D'Amour C'Est Vous, L'Aigle Noir, Nantes, Solitude, Gottingen, and Petite Cantate. Quintessential to the Nouvelle Chanson genre, influential on artists such as Keren Ann, Benjamin Biolay, Coralie Clément, Emilie Simon, Daphné, and Vincent Delerm. Non-French artists who have covered Barbara's songs include Marc Almond, Martha Wainwright, Conchita Mendivil, Regina Spektor, and Ana Silvera ~ Serf passed away in 1997
June 9, 1929 ~ John Marshall Alexander, commonly known as R&B singer, pianist Johnny Ace, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Worked with BB King, Bobby Blue Bland, Junior Parker, Earl Forest, Rosco Gordon, and Ike Turner. As a solo artist, Ace is known for a string of early-1950s hits including Cross My Heart, Please Forgive Me, The Clock, Yes Baby, Saving My Love For You, Never Let Me Go and perhaps his best known Pledging My Love. The latter posthumously became an R&B charttopper in 1955 after Ace died of an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound the previous year ~ Alexander passed away in 1954
June 9, 1926 ~ William Whitney Pursell, commonly known as pianist, songwriter Bill Pursell, born in Oakland, California, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for his instrumental 1963 Our Winter Love single, which would reach the Billboard Hot 100 top 10. Would go on to become an in-demand session pianist and arranger, present on many of Johnny Cash's 1960s recordings. Also worked with artists such as Patsy Cline, Johnny Paycheck, Willis Hoover, Joan Baez, Scotty Moore, JJ Cale, Willie Nelson, and Dan Fogelberg ~ Pursell passed away in 2020
June 9, 1926 ~ Electric blues bassist, singer Calvin Fuzz Jones born in Greenwood, Mississippi, USA ~ Jones worked with Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, the Legendary Blues Band, Mississippi Heat, James Cotton, Luther Guitar Junior Johnson, Little Walter, Elmore James, Pinetop Perkins, Willie Big Eyes Smith, Ronnie Earl, Bruce Katz, the Blues Brothers, and Cassandra Wilson ~ Jones passed away in 2010
June 9, 1926 ~ Delta blues singer, guitarist CeDell Davis, full name Ellis CeDell Davis, was born in Helena, Arkansas, USA ~ Noted for his distinctive style of guitar playing, a case of polio restricting use of his hands leading him to hold a butter knife in his fretting hand in a manner similar to slide guitar playing. Critically acclaimed for his 1994 Feel Like Doin' Something Wrong album. The 2019 Signs album by the Tedeschi-Trucks Band was dedicated to Davis ~ Davis passed away in 2017
June 9, 1926 ~ Jackie Jean Crouch, commonly known as singer, actress, model Georgia Holt, born in Kensett, Arkansas, USA ~ Sang with Bob Wills at age 10. Would go on to win several talent and beauty competitions, leading to a number of supporting roles in film and TV. Best known for her two marriages to John Sarkisian, briefly in the 1940s and again briefly in the 1960s. Their daughter is singer Cher. In 2013 Holt released her sole album, Honky Tonk Woman ~ Crouch passed away in 2022
June 9, 1926 ~ Steel guitarist Herb Remington, full name Herbert Leroy Remington, born in Meshawaka, Indiana, USA ~ Member of Bob Wills' backing unit the Texas Playboys from 1946 through 1949, notably present on Boot Heel Drag. Also worked with Hank Penny, with whom he recorded Remington Ride which has since become a standard for steel guitarists ~ Remington passed away in 2018
June 9, 1921 ~ Producer, label executive Dick Rowe, full name Richard Paul Brutton Rowe, born in London, UK ~ Served at Decca Records from the late-1940s until his retirement in the mid-1970s. Remembered as the executive who passed on the Beatles, yet did sign the Rolling Stones at the recommendation of George Harrison. Would become one of the most successful British executives and producers of the 1960s, signing and producing acts such as Them, the Moody Blues, the Zombies, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Tom Jones, the Small Faces, the Animals, Procol Harum, and Gilbert O'Sullivan. Rowe's son, solicitor Richard Rowe, would follow in his father's footsteps with executive positions at CBS Records and Sony Music ~ Rowe passed away in 1986
June 9, 1912 ~ Bernard Feinstein, commonly known as swing lyricist Buddy Feyne, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Wrote the lyrics to Glenn Miller's 1940 hit Tuxedo Junction. Others who have recorded songs co-written by Feyne include Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Louis Armstrong, Gene Autry, Frankie Avalon, the Andrews Sisters, George Benson, Nat King Cole, the Manhattan Transfer, Joe Jackson, and Boz Scaggs ~ Feinstein passed away in 1998
June 9, 1905 ~ Singer Martha Boswell born ~ One third of close harmony trio the Boswell Sisters, alongside siblings Connee Boswell and Helvetia Boswell, known for 1930s hits such as I Found A Million Dollar Baby In A Five An Ten Cent Store, Rock & Roll, The Object Of My Affection, Dinah, and Alexander's Ragtime Band ~ Boswell passed away in 1958
June 9, 1902 ~ Nehemiah Curtis James, commonly known as Delta blues singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Skip James, born in Bentonia, Mississippi, USA ~ First recorded in the early-1930s to initially little succes to be rediscovered in the 1960s blues revival. Known for songs such as Cherry Ball Blues, Illinois Blues, I'm So Glad and Jesus Is A Mighty Good Leader ~ James passed away in 1969
June 9, 1891 ~ Composer, songwriter Cole Porter, full name Cole Albert Porter, born in Indiana, USA ~ One of the most popular songwriters of the 1920s through the 1940s. One of the few of his day who usually wrote both music and lyrics. Known for standards such as Night And Day (Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Joe Henderson, Everything But The Girl), Begin The Beguine (June Knight, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman), I Get A Kick Out Of You (Ethel Merman, Ella Fitzgerald), I've Got You Under My Skin (Virginia Bruce, Frank Sinatra, the Four Seasons, Neneh Cherry), Easy To Love (Frances Langford, Hal Kemp, Billie Holiday) and You're The Top (Paul Whiteman, the Dorsey Brothers) ~ Porter passed away in 1964
June 9, 1877 ~ Vaudeville, ragtime singer Gene Greene, full name Eugene Delbert Greene, born in Indiana, USA ~ One of the first to use scat singing techniques. Known for songs such as The Chinese Blues, Alexander's Got A Jazz Band Now, and his best known King Of The Bungaloos ~ Greene passed away in 1930