March 14, 2024 ~ Alternative rock, pop rock, electronic singer, songwriter Angela McCluskey passed away ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of critically acclaimed Los Angeles-based outfit Wild Colonials which also included her husband Paul Cantelon, the folk-tinged band known best for the mid-1990s albums Fruit Of Life and This Can't Be Life. McCluskey has also recorded as a solo artist, specifically acclaimed for her 2004 The Things We Do album, and has notably guested on tracks by the Garden Of Eden, Télépopmusik (Breathe), Deep Forest, Kendrick Lamar (Is It Love), Morgan Page, Delerium, Andy Caldwell, Paul Oakenfold (You Could Be Happy), Parov Stelar, and Big Gigantic. Upon hearing of her death, McCluskey's friend of 25 years Julie Panebianco remarked: “She was a singer's singer. Her versions of Famous Blue Raincoat and My Funny Valentine are the ‘only’ versions. She didn't just cover songs, she stole them” ~ McCluskey was born in 1960
March 14, 2023 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist Bobby Caldwell, full name Robert Hunter Caldwell, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his 1978 What You Won't Do For Love hit single. It would reach Billboard Hot 100 top 10 and be covered by Go West, Phyllis Hyman, and Boyz II Men. Caldwell is also known for co-penning The Next Time I Fall, recorded as a duet by Peter Cetera & Amy Grant. Others who recorded songs co-written by Caldwell include Roberta Flack, Boz Scaggs, and Glenn Medeiros ~ Caldwell was born in 1951
March 14, 2021 ~ Singer, songwriter Thione Seck, full name Thione Ballago Seck, passed away in Dakar, Senegal ~ Member of the Orchestra Baobab from 1974 through 1979. Founded and fronted Raam Daan, which would become one of the most popular mbalax acts in Senegal rivaled only by Youssou n'Dour. Has also recorded as a solo artist. ~ Seck was born in 1955
March 14, 2020 ~ Neil Andrew Megson, commonly known as bassist, singer Genesis P Orridge, born in Manchester, UK ~ Singer, multi-instrumentalist, poet, performance artist, occultist. Identifies as third gender with the preferred pronouns “s/he” and “h/er”. Iconic within avant-garde art scene. Often referred to as “Godparent of Industrial Music”. Founded Coum Transmissions artist collective in 1969. Best known for fronting Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV. Also worked with Thee Majesty, Splinter Test, and Pigface ~ Megson was born in 1950
March 14, 2018 ~ Piper Liam O'Flynn passed away in Dublin, Ireland ~ Influenced by Willie Clancy and Séamus Ennis. Best known as a solo artist and as key member of Planxty. Also worked with Christy Moore, Dónal Lunny, Andy Irvine, Kate Bush (including on the 1982 album The Dreaming), Mark Knopfler, the Everly Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Mike Oldfield, Mary Black, Enya, Sinéad O'Connor, Nigel Kennedy, Rita Connolly, Matt Molloy, Bill Whelan, and others ~ O'Flynn was born in 1945
March 14, 2018 ~ Bluegrass guitarist, banjoist Steve Mandell, full name Stephen Arnold Mandell, passed away ~ Best known for teaming up with Eric Weissberg for the soundtrack of the 1972 film Deliverance, its theme song Dueling Banjos reaching the Billboard Hot 100 top 10. Previously a member of the Garrett Mountain Boys alongside mandolinist David Grisman. Has also worked with Judy Collins, worked on Broadway and appeared in the 1976 The Robber Bridegroom musical ~ Mandell was born ca. 1941
March 14, 2016 ~ Composer, conductor Peter Maxwell Davies passed away in Sanday, UK ~ Enfant terrible of the 1960s. Frequently shocked audiences and critics. Prolific composer who wrote in a variety of styles and idioms often combining disparate styles in one piece. Co-founded the Pierrot Players ensemble with Harrison Birtwistle ~ Davies was born in 1934
March 14, 2013 ~ Jazz percussionist Daniel Ponce passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Exiled from Cuba by the early-1980s, Ponce would emerge from the New York Latin jazz scene as a renowned sideman. To mainstream audiences perhaps best known for playing the bata drums on Herbie Hancock's 1983 Rockit hit single. Ponce has also collaborated with artists such as Paquito d'Rivera, José Fajardo, Eddie Palmieri, Celia Cruz, Laurie Anderson, Mick Jagger, and Yoko Ono ~ Ponce was born in 1953
March 14, 2013 ~ Singer Jack Greene, full name Jack Henry Greene, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Fronted the Peach Tree Boys. Founded the Tennessee Mountain Boys. Duetted with Jeannie Seely. Member of Ernest Tubb's backing unit the Texas Troubadours. As a solo artist known for a string of country hits starting in the mid-1960s including There Goes My Everything, All The Time, You Are My Treasure, Until My Dreams Come True, and The Statue Of A Fool ~ Greene was born in 1930
March 14, 2011 ~ Jack N Johnson, commonly known as guitarist Big Jack Johnson, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Son of bandleader, fiddler, mandolinist Ellis Johnson. Worked with Earnest Roy Sr, CV Veal & the Shufflers, Johnny Duncan, the Jelly Roll Kings, Sam Carr, Frank Frost, the Cornlickers, Dale Wise, Dave Groninger, Tony Ryder, and Bobby Gentilo ~ Johnson was born in 1940
March 14, 2011 ~ Songwriter, singer Todd Cerney, full name Todd David Cerney, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Member of 1990s outfit Toast teaming up with former Bread members Jimmy Griffin, Robb Royer and Larry Knechtel. Best known as a songwriter. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as I'll Fall In Love Again (Steve Carlisle), The Blue House Of Broken Hearts (Levon Helm), Too Late (the Kendalls), I'll Still Be Loving You (Restless Heart), Notorious (Loverboy), Let Go (Cheap Trick), If Ever A Love There Was (the Four Tops), Forget About Love (Eddie Money), Don't Stop Now (the Cover Girls), No Mercy (Ty Herndon), Good Morning Beautiful (Steve Holy), Blues Is My Business (Etta James), Tell Me That You Love Me (Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton), and Keep On Rolling (Bo Bice). Cerney also played guitar, mandolin, keyboards and sang with some of the aforementioned as well as with the Dixie Chicks, the Nashville Songwriters Band, and others ~ Cerney was born in 1953
March 14, 2009 ~ Singer, actor, songwriter Alain Bashung passed away in Paris, France ~ Widely revered and influential in French rock for reviving the French chanson from the early-1980s onwards. Known for songs such as Gaby Oh Gaby, Vertige De l'Amour, Josephine, Ma Petite Entreprise, and La Nuit Je Mens. Has collaborated with a host of French and international artists including Sonny Landreth, Ally McErlaine, Link Wray, Marc Ribot, Brigitte Fontaine, Jean Fauque, Rodolphe Burger, Les Valentins, Jean-Marc Lederman, Adrian Utley, Noir Désir, Vanessa Paradis, Françoise Hardy, Arno, Daniel Darc, Gaetan Roussel, and Arman Melies ~ Bashung was born in 1947
March 14, 2000 ~ Leonard Raymond Sipes, commonly known as country singer Tommy Collins, passed away in Ashland City, Tennessee, USA ~ Popular from the 1950s through the 1970s, Collins helped develop the Bakersfield sound. As a singer known for songs such as You Better Not Do That, Whatcha Gonna Do Now, It Tickles and If You Can't Bite Don't Growl. As a songwriter known for a number of quintessential country songs recorded by Merle Haggard (The Roots Of My Raisin'), Buck Owens (But I Do), Ferlin Husky (I Could Sing All Night), and Faron Young (If You Ain't Lovin' You Ain't Livin') ~ Sipes was born in 1930
March 14, 1991 ~ Jerome Solon Felder, commonly known as lyricist, songwriter Doc Pomus, passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Co-wrote numerous classic rock & roll hits. Frequent songwriting partner of Mort Shuman. Artists who have recorded his songs include Elvis Presley (Little Sister, Suspicion, Viva Las Vegas), the Crystals, Joe Turner, Conway Twitty, Charlie Rich, Dion & the Belmonts (A Teenager In Love), the McCoys, Gary US Bonds (Seven Day Weekend), Ben E King (Here Comes The Night), Jimmy Clanton, Del Shannon, Fabian, the Coasters (Young Blood), the Mystics, Bobby Darin, the Drifters (Sweets For My Sweet, Save The Last Dance For Me), Gene McDaniels, Marty Wilde, Jess Conrad, Ray Charles (Lonely Avenue), Connie Francis, and others ~ Pomus was born in 1925
March 14, 1986 ~ Singer, bassist Este Haim, full name Este Arielle Haim, born in San Fernando Valley, California, USA ~ Member of sibling outfit Haim alongside Alana Haim and Danielle Haim, drawing critical comparison to Fleetwood Mac and the Bangles. The band debuted in 2013 with the album Days Are Gone and has recorded consistently since. They are best known for songs such as Forever, The Wire, Want You Back, A Little Of Your Love, Now I'm In It, and Gasoline featuring Taylor Swift
March 14, 1975 ~ Rock band Aerosmith record Sweet Emotion at Record Plant, New York, New York ~ Released as the lead single of Toys In The Attic, the band's breakout album, it would be their first single to reach top 40 Billboard Hot 100, and start a string of pop hits and large-scale success for the band through the end of the decade. Producer Jack Douglas would later recall: “Tom Hamilton wrote the music for Sweet Emotion. He had that bassline. And when Joey Kramer came in, he played on the twos and fours instead of the ones and threes, so he was playing the backside of it. When we heard that, we went, ‘Oh, boy. Magic!’”
March 14, 1975 ~ Jazz trombonist Gianluca Petrella born in Bari, Italy ~ Leader and sideman. Started his career backing Roberto Ottaviano in the early-1990s. Actively recording as a leader since 2001, including with his group Indigo 4. Has collaborated with Joey Calderazzo, Jimmy Owens, Greg Osby, Paolo Fresu, Carla Bley, Pat Metheny, Marc Ducret, Manu Dibango, Nicola Conte, Bobby Previte, Enrico Rava, and others
March 14, 1975 ~ James Lamont Gillespie, commonly known as songwriter, lyricist Haven Gillespie, passed away ~ Frequent collaborator of songwriters such as Beasley Smith, Ervin R Smith, Richard Whiting, Wayne King, Loya Curtis, J Fred Coots, and others. Perhaps best known for co-penning Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town with Haven Gillespie. The song, first recorded by banjoist Harry Reser, would become a Holiday classic recorded by over 200 artists. Other well known songs co-written by Gillespie include You Go To My Head (Larry Clinton, Fats Waller, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong), That Lucky Old Sun (Frankie Laine, Vaughn Monroe, Jerry Lee Lewis, George Benson, Aretha Franklin), and Breezin' Along With The Breeze (Johnny Marvin, Abe Lyman, the Revelers, Fred Waring) ~ Gillespie was born in 1888
March 14, 1970 ~ Guitarist Andy Patalan born in USA ~ Best known as guitarist of alternative rock band Sponge, playing alongside his brother bassist, producer Tim Patalan. Founding member of Solid Frog and of Throttlebody. Has briefly worked with Brownsville Station, serving in the band from 2011 to 2013
March 14, 1970 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Kristian Bush born in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known as half of Sugarland, the other half being singer Jennifer Nettles. Also worked with Billy Graham, Storyteller, Ellis Paul, Laura Bell Bundy, Matt Nathanson, the dB's, Lucy Hale, Kristina Train, Larkin Poe, Canaan Smith, Lauren Alaina, Jaida Dreyer, Alana Springsteen, Byron Gallimore, Dark Water, and others
March 14, 1969 ~ Mandolinist Matt Flinner born in Pueblo, Colorado, USA ~ Worked with Sugarbeat, Modern Mandolin Quartet, David Grier, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Darol Anger, Tim O'Brien, Trey Anastasio, Darrell Scott, Frank Vignola, Alison Brown, Missy Raines, the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble, the Ying Quartet, and others
March 14, 1966 ~ Singer, guitarist Raul Midón born in Embudo, New Mexico, USA ~ In-demand session musician worked with Shakira, Alejandro Sanz, and Julio Iglesias. Released his major-label solo debut album, State Of Mind, in 2005 which featured guest appearances from Stevie Wonder and Jason Mraz. Subsequent albums would feature guests such as Vinnie Colaiuta, Dean Parks, Paulinho Da Costa, Dianne Reeves, Marcus Miller, and Richard Bona
March 14, 1965 ~ Bassist, guitarist, singer, producer, engineer Billy Sherwood, full name William Wyman Sherwood, born in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Best known as member of progressive rock band Yes, starting in 1997. Would take over bass duties in 2015, following the death of original bassist Chris Squire. Also worked with Asia, World Trade, Lodgic, Circa and with Yoso and has released several solo albums starting with The Big Peace in 1997
March 14, 1961 ~ Singer Connie Francis records Einmal Komm' Ich Wieder at Austrophon Studio, Vienna, Austria ~ Written by Werner Scharfenberger and Fini Busch. Produced by Gerhard Mendelsohn. After a number of English-language hits translated into German, this would be Francis' first single with both sides written originally in German. Released later the same year, b/w Immer Und Uberall, the single would reach top 20 on the German pop charts
March 14, 1957 ~ Jazz vocalist, composer Vanessa Rubin born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Active since the early-1980s, Rubin has performed with Pharoah Sanders, Kenny Barron, Lionel Hampton, Mercer Ellington, Cecil Bridgewater, Etta Jones, Toots Thielemans, Steve Turre, Cedar Walton, Grover Washington Jr, Herbie Hancock, Don Braden, and others. As a solo artist Rubin has been releasing records since the early-1990s
March 14, 1954 ~ Country singer, songwriter Jann Browne born in Anderson, Indiana, USA ~ Member of Western swing group Asleep At The Wheel from 1981 through 1983. As a solo artist best known for You Ain't Down Home and Tell Me Why, both taken of her 1990 Tell Me Why and both reaching the top 20 of the country charts
March 14, 1954 ~ Jazz guitarist, composer Nick Webb born in Manchester, UK ~ Folk-influenced acoustic guitarist. Best known as half of smooth jazz duo Acoustic Alchemy, the other half being flamenco guitarist Simon James, known for recording in-flight music for Virgin Airlines transatlantic flights and several albums starting with Red Dust And Spanish Lace released in 1987 ~ Webb passed away in 1998
March 14, 1952 ~ Drummer Akira Tana born in San Jose, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Tana has worked with artists such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Helen Humes, Milt Jackson, Sonny Rollins, George Russell, Sonny Stitt, the Heath Brothers, the Asian-American Jazz Orchestra, Charles Aznavour, Ran Blake, Ray Bryant, Al Cohn, Chris Connor, Art Farmer, Carl Fontana, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Golson, Jim Hall, Jimmy Heath, Lena Horne, JJ Johnson, Warne Marsh, Tete Montoliu, James Moody, Spike Robinson, Jimmy Rowles, Zoot Sims, Cedar Walton, Frank Wess, and Claudio Roditi
March 14, 1947 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Roy Budd, full name Roy Frederick Budd, born in South Norwood, UK ~ Best known as film composer including for Get Carter and Wild Geese. Has worked with Peter McGurk, Trevor Tomkins, Chris Karan, Pete Morgan, Dave Holland, Tony Hatch, Johnny Harris, Larry Adler, Bob Hope, Tony Bennett, Charles Aznavour, the London Symphony Orchestra, and others ~ Budd passed away in 1993
March 14, 1945 ~ Singer, songwriter Michael Martin Murphey born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Western, country singer. Known for songs such as What's Forever For, Long Line Of Love, What She Wants, Don't Count The Rainy Days, Maybe This Time, and his best known Wildfire and Caroline In The Pines
March 14, 1944 ~ Conductor, violinist, composer Boris Brott born in Montreal, Canada ~ One of Canada's internationally most acclaimed conductors having conducted on stages around the world including New York's Carnegie Hall and London's Covent Garden. Founder and artistic director of the National Academy Orchestra of Canada ~ Brott passed away in 2022
March 14, 1938 ~ Drummer Angus MacLise born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA ~ Original drummer of the Velvet Underground, quitting the band before their first paid gig to be replaced by Moe Tucker ~ MacLise passed away in 1979
March 14, 1934 ~ Actor, singer Nikos Xanthopoulos born in Athens, Greece ~ Best known as an actor, dubbed “the child of folk” for mainly depicting men from the lower working classes. Roles portraying him as a singer and bouzouki player forced him to learn how to sing, eventually singing over 300 songs in 30 movies. As a singer Xanthopoulos has released nine albums and over 50 singles ~ Xanthopoulos passed away in 2023
March 14, 1934 ~ Jazz, hard bop, soul jazz organist, pianist Shirley Scott born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Leader and sidewoman. Married to Stanley Turrentine from 1960 to 1971, with whom she also worked. Also closely associated with Eddie Lockjaw Davis, notably on the late-1950s hit In The Kitchen. Has collaborated with Lem Winchester, Oliver Nelson, Kenny Burrell, Gary McFarland, Buddy Tate, Clark Terry, King Curtis, Hank Crawford, Mildred Anderson, Jimmy Forrest, Al Grey, Joe Newman, Jimmy Rushing, and others ~ Scott passed away in 2002
March 14, 1933 ~ Jazz, pop, R&B trumpeter, conductor, bandleader, arranger, producer, songwriter Quincy Jones, full name Quincy Delight Joners Jr, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ All-hatter with a career spanning six decades. Considered one of the most influential jazz musicians. Prolific film composer. To pop audiences best known for his 1981 The Dude album which included the hits Ai No Corrida, Just Once featuring James Ingram and Razzamatazz featuring Patti Austin, and for producing the quintessential Michael Jackson-albums Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad ~ Jones passed away in 2024
March 14, 1929 ~ Blues singer, guitarist Hambone Wilie Newbern records Roll & Tumble Blues in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Most likely, Newbern's rendition is the first recorded version of what came to be a blues classic covered or adapted by a host of artists including Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Cream on their Fresh Cream debut album, and by Johnny Winter with Canned Heat
March 14, 1927 ~ Jazz, vocal pop singer Gene Austin records Ain't She Sweet at Victor Studios, New York, New York ~ Written by Milton Ager for his daughter, with lyrics added by Jack Yellen. Released in May 1927, featuring What Do I Care What Somebody Said on the flip side. The song would typify the Roaring Twenties and become a standard recorded by numerous artists including Paul Whiteman, Pearl Bailey, Fletcher Henderson, Ferlin Husky, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, the Beatles, and Bernie Worrell
March 14, 1927 ~ James Cavallo, commonly known as R&B saxophonist Jimmy Cavallo, born in Syracuse, New York, USA ~ Shortly after his discharge from the Army, around the end of World War II, founded the Jimmy Cavallo Quartet, one of the first white R&B blues bands, playing originals as well as covers of Wynonie Harris and Louis Jordan. Best known for fronting Jimmy Cavallo & his House Rockers, noted for appearing in the 1956 film Rock Rock Rock playing The Big Beat and the film's title track Rock Rock Rock. The band is also noted for being the first white band to play the Apollo Theatre in Harlem promoting the movie ~ Cavallo passed away in 2019
March 14, 1926 ~ Singer Lita Roza, full name Lilian Patricia Lita Roa, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Most closely associated with her 1953 hit How Much Is That Doggie In The Window, written by Bob Merrill and an American No.1 hit for Patti Page. Roza would take it to the top of the UK charts in 1953, making her the first British solo singer to reach No.1. Ironically, Roza herself hated the song but was pressured to by label exectutives and vowed to never sing it again, and she never did. Long-time British PM Margaret Thatcher named Roza's hit her all-time favorite song ~ Roza passed away in 2008
March 14, 1919 ~ Jazz, big band, orchestral jazz pianist, orchestrator, composer, arranger Luther Henderson, full name Luther Lincoln Henderson Jr, born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Has worked with Lena Horne, Jule Styne, Richard Rodgers and Duke Ellington. Best known for his Broadway-work, serving as orchestrator, arranger, musical director on over 50 musicals including Ellington's Beggar's Holiday, Funny Girl, No No Nanette and Ain't Misbehavin'. Has worked as arranger for artists such as Robert Goulet, Nancy Wilson, Sandler & Young, Eartha Kitt, Diahann Carroll, Liza Minnelli, and others ~ Henderson passed away in 2003
March 14, 1914 ~ William John Owen Rowbotham, commonly known as actor, songwriter Bill Owen, born in Acton, UK ~ Best known for portraying Compo Simmonite in the BBC comedy series Last Of The Summer Wine for over two decades. Also enjoyed some success as a songwriter, songs written by Owen recorded by Kenny Damon, Engelbert Humperdinck, Cliff Richard (Marianne), Sacha Distel, and Ken Dodd ~ Rowbotham passed away in 1999
March 14, 1914 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Lee Hays, full name Lee Elhardt Hays, born in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA ~ Best known as member of pivotal folk group the Weavers. Wrote or co-wrote some of the band's best known including Wasn't That A Time, If I Had A Hammer, and Kisses Sweeter Than Wine. Previously also a member of its predecessor the Almanac Singers. Hays has also recorded a series of children's albums with the Baby Sitters ~ Hays passed away in 1981
March 14, 1912 ~ Jazz, swing, big band, traditional pop bandleader Les Brown, full name Lester Raymond Brown, born in Reinerton, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Popular bandleader with a career spanning nearly seven decades from the late-1930s until shortly before his death. Known for bringing Doris Day to prominence with the 1945 recording of Sentimental Journey. Has also worked with Bob Hope, Tony Bennett, Connee Boswell, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, and others ~ Brown passed away in 2001
March 14, 1911 ~ Jazz, pop accordionist, organist, singer Joe Mooney born in Paterson, New Jersey, USA ~ Went blind around 10 years of age. Recorded with his brother Dan Mooney in the late-1920s as the Sunshine Boys and the Melotone Boys. Played piano with Frank Dailey, and with Buddy Rogers in the late-1930s. Arranged for Paul Whiteman, Vincent Lopez, Larry Clinton, and for the Modernaires through the early-1940s. Started his own quartet in 1943. Sang with the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra in the 1950s ~ Mooney passed away in 1975
March 14, 1907 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Edward Heyman born in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-wrote a number of standards including Body And Soul (Bert Ambrose, Ruth Etting, Billie Holiday), I Cover The Waterfront (Abe Lyman, Eddy Duchin, Sarah Vaughan), For Sentimental Reasons (Kay Kyser, Mildred Bailey, the Ink Spots), I Wanna Be Loved (Don Redman, the Andrews Sisters, Dinah Washington), Easy Come Easy Go (Johnny Green, Russell Garcia, Anita O'Day), and Blame It On My Youth (Freddy Martin, the Dorsey Brothers, Mabel Mercer) ~ Heyman passed away in 1981