March 21, 2022 ~ Gospel singer, songwriter LaShun Pace, full name Tarrian LaShun Pace, passed away ~ On-and-off member of sibling outfit the Anointed Pace Sisters. Renowned solo artist, releasing her He Lives debut album in 1990 which reached top 10 on the Billboard Gospel album charts. Known best for songs such as Act Like You Know featuring Karen Clark Sheard, There's A Leak In This Old Building, Walk With Me and her signature song I Know I've Been Changed. Has also ventured into acting, most notably in the role of the Angel of Mercy in the 1992 film Leap Of Faith ~ Pace was born in 1961
March 21, 2021 ~ Experimental musical instrument inventor, singer, painter, sculptor Constance Demby, full name Constance Mary Demby, passed away ~ Considered a pioneer in new age music. Plays piano, keyboards, dulcimer, koto, harpeleck, tamboura, and numerous self-invented sheet metal sound scultpures combining her work as a musician and a sculptor. Over a dozen album to her name. Best known for her 1986 Novus Magnificat album ~ Demby was born in 1939
March 21, 2021 ~ Singer, actress Hana Hegerová passed away in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Dubbed “the Queen of Czechoslovak chanson” and primarily a singer of chansons, including Czech versions of songs originally by Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Kurt Weill, and Charles Aznavour. Enjoyed some popularity in German-speaking countries, yet forced to stop her activities abroad by Czech authorities from the mid-1970s through early-1980s. Hegerová retired from music in 2011 ~ Hegerová was born in 1931
March 21, 2019 ~ Doris Curry, commonly known as soul, southern soul, R&B, gospel singer Doris Duke, passed away in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Married to doo-wop singer Gus Willingham. In-demand session and backing singer, notably present on Nina Simone's A Very Rare Evening live album. Released her Running Away From Loneliness debut single in 1966 under her married name Doris Willingham. Best known among aficionados for her 1969 I'm A Loser, spawning the Billboard R&B top 10 hit To The Other Woman (I'm The Other Woman). The album has over time become to be regarded as one of the finest deep soul records of all time ~ Curry was born in 1941
March 21, 2015 ~ Sharon Finkelstein, commonly known as blue-eyed soul singer Sharon Tandy, passed away in London, UK ~ Critically compared to Dusty Springfield, Julie Driscoll and Christine McVie, enjoying some modest succes in 1960s UK wave of blue-eyed soul, Tandy drawing from R&B, British pop and mod-psychedelia. Known for songs such as Hold On, Daughter Of The Sun, Border Town and Toe Hold. Due to the lack of commercial succes Tandy mostly retired from music by the 1970s, recording only sporadically ~ Finkelstein was born in 1943
March 21, 2014 ~ Pop, rock guitarist, bouzouki player Wout Pennings passed away in Nijmegen, the Netherlands ~ Best known for his association with singer, songwriter Frank Boeijen. Founded 1970s country-rock outfit Country Road. Also worked with Lenny Kuhr, Kaz Lux, Rob de Nijs, Auto Da Fé, de Boem Boem Bluesband, Kali Tichi, Nels Busch, Henk Wanders, and Emanuel Pessanhas ~ Pennings was born in 1950
March 21, 2011 ~ Joe Willie Perkins, commonly known as pianist Pinetop Perkins, passed away in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Accompanied some of the greatest names in blues. Perhaps best known for his association with Muddy Waters. Also worked with Earl Hooker, Robert Nighthawk, BB King, Ronnie Earl, Bob Margolin, Carey Bell, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd ~ Perkins was born in 1913
March 21, 2009 ~ Songwriter, producer Ted Jarrett, full name Theodore Roosevelt Jarrett Jr, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ A&R scout for Tennessee Records. Wrote It's Love Baby (24 Hours A Day), a hit for Louis Brooks and later recorded by Hank Ballard and Ruth Brown. Wrote Love Love Love, a 1955 hit for Webb Pierce. Wrote and produced You Can Make It If You Try, a hit for Gene Allison and notably covered by the Rolling Stones, Buddy Guy and Gene Vincent. Has also produced artists such as Christine Kittrell, the Fairfield Four, Larry Birdsong, Roscoe Shelton, and the Avons ~ Jarrett was born in 1925
March 21, 2008 ~ Krautrock, proto-punk, art rock, post-punk drummer, guitarist, keyboardist, singer Klaus Dinger passed away ~ Appeared on Kraftwerk's 1970 eponymous Kraftwerk debut album, playing on the track Von Himmel Hoch. Best known as co-founding member of pioneering krautrock band Neu, the group actually being named by Dinger, known for the albums Neu, Neu 2, and Neu 75. Though they initially had little commercial success the band would in retrospect be credited as quintessential to the development of krautrock and prove influential on later genres such as electronica and punk. Following the band's initial disbandement in 1975 Dinger has played with La Düsseldorf, and recorded as a solo artist ~ Dinger was born in 1946
March 21, 2004 ~ R&B, soul, pop singer, producer, songwriter Johnny Bristol, full name John William Bristol, passed away in Brighton Township, Michigan, USA ~ As a solo artist scored a 1974 hit with Hang On In There Baby, which reached top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. However, Bristol is best known as a songwriter and producer. Bristol co-wrote Someday We'll Be Together, best known as a 1969 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit for the Supremes, the last single by the girl group to feature Diana Ross. Bristol also co-wrote Love Me For A Reason, a 1974 Billboard Hot 100 No.10 hit for the Osmonds, and revived by Boyzone two decades later. Both songs had originally been recorded by Bristol in the early-1960s, the former as part of a duo with Jackey Beavers, the latter as a solo artist. Artists who recorded songs written or produced by Bristol include Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, Edwin Starr (25 Miles), the Velvelettes, David Ruffin (My Whole World Ended The Moment You Left Me), Gladys Knight & the Pips, Junior Walker & the All-Stars, the Four Tops (What Is A Man), the Miracles, Randy Crawford, Boz Scaggs (I Got Your Number), Marlena Shaw, Jermaine Jackson, Johnny Mathis, Tavares, Margie Joseph, and the Jackson Sisters. Bristol has one daughter with Iris Gordy, his second wife and the niece of Motown executive Berry Gordy Jr ~ Bristol was born in 1939
March 21, 1997 ~ Martina Stoessel Muziera, commonly known as actress, singer, dancer, model, songwriter Tini, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Child actress, starting her career in the Argentine children's TV series Patiteo Feo in 2007. Would rise to fame as a teenager, portraying the lead role in the Disney telenovela Violetta and subsequently the series' sequel movie. As a singer released her Tini (Martina Stoessel) debut album in 2015 and has recorded mostly to commercial succes since. Well known for songs such as Fresa with Lalo Ebratt, Oye with Sebastián Yatra, Ella Dice with Khea, Miénteme with María Becerra, Bar with L-Gante, and La Triple T
March 21, 1992 ~ In its eighth week on the charts, Save The Best For Last by Vanessa Williams hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Critically well-received, this sophisticated ballad tells of an unrequited love that comes together in the end. Written by Jon Lind, Phil Galdston, and Wendy Waldman, Lind and Galdston initially writing the song with a bitter undertone, which Waldman changed to make it uplifting. The songwriting team had shopped the song to several others, who all turned it down. Yet when Vanessa Williams heard the song, she told her record label this was the song she'd been waiting for, the song was her story. It would become Williams' biggest hit, her sole Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit, spending five consecutive weeks atop the charts. The song would also hit top 10 in over half a dozen more countries, including the No.1 spot in Australia and Canada
March 21, 1989 ~ Singer Bonnie Raitt releases Nick Of Time, her commercial breakthrough and her first album to top the Billboard Hot 200 album charts ~ Raitt had been going through a series of personal struggles. Dropped by Warner Brothers in 1983 for disappointing sales of the albums The Glow and Green Light, she had broken up with her boyfriend producer Rob Fraboni, was forced to dissolve her backing band as she could no longer afford to pay them, struggled with alcohol addiction, and was hospitalized after a skiing accident. In 1988 Raitt had teamed up with producer Don Was for the track Baby Mine, recorded for an album by various artists featuring contemporary interpretations of songs from Disney films. Was agreed to produce her upcoming album, though the project would be rejected by over a dozen executives before Capitol Records gave them a chance. The album would be Raitt's commercial breakthrough, bringing her to mainstream audiences. It would gradually climb the charts, eventually reaching the top spot on the Billboard Hot 200, and earn her three Grammy Awards including one for Album of the Year
March 21, 1982 ~ Clarence Beeks, commonly known as jazz singer King Pleasure, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Early vocalese singer, putting vocals to previously instrumental songs. Cited by Van Morrison as an influence. Known for recordings such as Moody's Mood For Love, Red Top, I'm Gone, and Jumping With Symphony Sid. Worked with Matthew Ge, Teddy Edwards, Harold Land, Gerald Wiggins, Earl Palmer, Lem Davis, Ray Abrams, Cecil Payne, Leonard Gaskin, Blossom Dearie, Peck Morrison, Herbie Lovelle, Kenny Clarke, JJ Johnson, Lucky Thompson, Danny Bank, Paul Chambers, Jon Hendricks, Quincy Jones, Kai Winding, and Eddie Jefferson ~ Beeks was born in 1922
March 21, 1981 ~ In its eleventh week on the charts, Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground by Willie Nelson hits No.1 Billboard Country ~ Nelson wrote the song sometime in the mid-1970s, but saved it for just the right occasion. It would be used for the soundtrack of the musical drama film Honeysuckle Rose, which also features Nelson as a struggling country singer. Nelson has never been specific about his intent with the song, leaving it up to listeners to interpret it however they see fit: “It's a pretty general theme that can be taken and applied to a lot of different situations. A lot of people have taken it and applied it to their own situation. You could relate it to someone who has died, love affairs or whatever. It has a lot of different meanings to a lot of different people who have no idea why I wrote that song.” Other than performing the lead role in the film, Nelson served as the primary songwriter and performer for the soundtrack which also includes On The Road Again and It's Not Supposed To Be That Way
March 21, 1978 ~ Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist Louis Cottrell Jr, full name Louis Albert Cottrell Jr, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Son of influential jazz drummer Louis Cottrell Sr. Best known for founding the Heritage Hall Jazz Band in 1971, leading the ensemble until his death in 1978. As a sideman Cottrell has recorded with artists such as Peter Bocage, Harold Dejan, Sweet Emma Barrett, Kid Howard, and Waldren Joseph ~ Cottrell was born in 1911
March 21, 1972 ~ William Paul Mitchell, commonly known as rapper, producer the Large Professor, born in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Founding member of underground hip-hop group the Main Source. Mentor and frequent collaborator of Nas. As a producer worked with Busta Rhymes, the X-Ecutioners, Tragedy Khadafi, Big Daddy Kane, Mobb Deep, and A Tribe Called Quest
March 21, 1971 ~ Soft rock outfit Bread release If, lifted off their Manna album ~ Preceded by Make It With You and It Don't Matter To Me, If would become the band's third Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit, where it peaked at No.4. Over the years, the song would be covered by over 300 artists including Perry Como, Olivia Newton-John, Petula Clark, Tom Jones, Frank Sinatra, Telly Savalas, and Shirley Bassey. The band's co-lead singer David Gates, who wrote, arranged and produced the song, would later recall writing the song in about an hour and half: “When I was done, I said, ‘That's the best song I've ever written and probably will be the best song I'll ever write.’ For me it's really held up over time, more than any of the others”
March 21, 1968 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist Andrew Copeland born in Gainesville, Florida, USA ~ Co-founding member of Sister Hazel. The band was founded in Gainesville, Florida, in 1993 and named for a local missionary Sister Hazel Williams who ran a homeless shelter. Drawing from southern rock, folk rock and jangle pop the band would grow a devoted local fanbase with spirited poppy songs. Best known for their 1997 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit All For You. Other well known songs include Champagne High, Change Your Mind, and Karaoke Song, the latter featuring guest vocalist Darius Rucker
March 21, 1966 ~ Christopher Edward Martin, commonly known as DJ, producer DJ Premier, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Regarded as one of the most important hip-hop producers. Known for sampling jazz, funk and soul. Formed the hip-hop duo Gang Starr with rapper Guru. Has worked with Anderson Paak, Ludacris, Dr Dre, Royce da 5'9", Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Common, d'Angelo, Joey Badass, Kanye West, KRS One, the LOX, and Mobb Deep
March 21, 1964 ~ R&B outfit the Isley Brothers record Testify (Part I & II) at Atlantic Studios, New York, New York ~ With Ronald Isley on lead, and siblings Rudolph Isley and O'Kelly Isley on backing vocals, this uptempo soul gem was the first single to be released on the siblings' own T-Neck label. Following several successes, record buyers failed to notice the release and the song missed the charts. Over time, however, the recording would become beloved by aficionados, if only for being one of the first recordings featuring guitarist Jimi Hendrix
March 21, 1963 ~ Singer, pianist, guitarist Shawn Lane born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Worked with Ringo Starr, the Highwaymen, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Reggie Young, Joe Walsh, Jonas Hellborg, Black Oak Arkansas, Tommy Aldridge, Andy Tanas, Chris Craig, Savage Innocence, Billy Batte, Kinley Wolf, Jim Dandy Mangrum, the Willys, Sam Bryant, Jeff Sipe, DDT, Luther Dickinson, Anders Johansson, Wei Wei, Félix Sabal-Lecco, Steve Ferrone, Andrea Marchesini, Toy Caldwell, Jimi Jamison, Calvin Russell, Chris LeDoux, the North Mississippi Allstars, and Richard Hallebeek ~ Lane passed away in 2003
March 21, 1962 ~ Pop, rock, folk guitarist Shlomi Bracha born in Tel Aviv, Israel ~ Best known as guitarist for 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. Bracha has also collaborated with Rami Fortis, and recorded as a solo artist
March 21, 1961 ~ James McDonnell, commonly known as Slim Jim Phantom, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Spearheaded the early-1980s neo-rockabilly movement as a co-founding member of the Stray Cats alongside Brian Setzer and Lee Rocker. The band is known for songs such Runaway Boys, Rock This Town, Stray Cat Strut, and She's Sexy + 17. Parallel and following the band's heyday McDonnell has worked with a wide array of artists, including Jerry Lee Lewis, Col Parker, supergroup Dead Men Walking, and rockabilly supergroup Head Cat. Married to actress Britt Ekland from 1984 through 1992, with whom he has one son. Married to the Eagles Of Death Metal touring bassist Jennie Vee since 2020
March 21, 1959 ~ Jazz saxophonist Renato D'Aiello born in Naples, Italy ~ Worked with Giovanni Tommaso, Sax Appeal, Gilad Atzmon, Mark Bassey, Gene Calderazzo, John Critchinson, Keith Copeland, Eddie Duran, Art Farmer, Bruce Forman, Patrice Galas, Steve Grossman, Gary Husband, Duffy Jackson, Kirk Lightsey, Alain Jean-Marie, Sal Nistico, Roland Prince, Spike Robinson, and Clare Teal
March 21, 1956 ~ Electronic, industrial, techno keyboardist, sampler, guitarist, saxophonist, songwriter Richard H Kirk born in Sheffield, UK ~ Rose to fame in the 1970s as key member of seminal industrial group Cabaret Voltaire, remaining with the band until its disbandement in 1994. Has also enjoyed a parallel solo career, releasing his Disposable Half-Truths solo debut album in 1980. Has recorded extensively in the 1990s using a variety of monikers, prompting critics to describe him as “techno's busiest man” ~ Kirk passed away in 2021
March 21, 1952 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal, glam metal drummer Andy Parker, full name Andrew Maynard Parker, born in Cheshunt, UK ~ Co-founding member of UFO, acclaimed for their 1979 Strangers In The Night album regarded by some as one of the greatest yet criminally overlooked live rock albums of the 1970s
March 21, 1951 ~ R&B, soul, disco singer Russell Thompkins Jr, full name Russell Allen Thompkins Jr, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Original lead singer for the Stylistics, with whom he scored a string of early to mid-1970s hits including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles You Are Everything, Betcha By Golly Wow, I'm Stone In Love With You, and Break Up To Make Up. Thompkins departed the group in 2000. Released his sole A Matter Of Style solo album in 2002. Teamed up with Blue Magic-singer Ted Mills and the Delfonics-singer William Poogie Hart for the album All The Way From Philadelphia released in 2007 under the moniker the 3 Tenors of Soul
March 21, 1951 ~ Blues harpist, singer William Clarke born in Inglewood, California, USA ~ Worked with George Harmonica Smith, Hollywood Fats, Junior Watson, Rick Holmstrom, John Marx, Craig Printup, Steve Samuels, Joel Foy, Alex Schultz, Ronnie Earl, Al Blake, Barry Levenson, Kid Ramos, Jeff Ross, Willie Brinlee, Bill Stuve, Tyler Pederson, Jerry Monte, Brian Fahey, Perry Lopez, and Rob Rio ~ Clarke passed away in 1996
March 21, 1950 ~ Guitarist, singer Roger Hodgson, full name Charles Roger Pomfret Hodgson, born in Portsmouth, UK ~ Member of short-lived late-1960s group Argosy, which also included a then-unknown Elton John, and known best for their sole single Mr Boyd b/w Imagine. Best known as co-frontman, co-founding member for Supertramp, co-writing the majority of the band's best known with Rick Davies including Dreamer, School, Crime Of The Century, Bloody Well Right, The Logical Song, Take The Long Way Home, Goodbye Stranger, and It's Raining Again. Following his departure from the band in 1983 Hodgson has recorded as a solo artist, starting with In The Eye Of The Storm released in 1984
March 21, 1949 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Åge Aleksandersen born in Namsos, Norway ~ Member of Prudence. Active as a solo artist since the mid-1970s and known best for songs such as Lys Og Varme, Fire Pills Og En Pizza and Rosalita
March 21, 1949 ~ Edward Joseph Mahoney, commonly known as pop, rock singer, songwriter Eddie Money, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Debuted in 1977 with the eponymous Eddie Money album. Would enjoy popularity during the 1970s and 1980s with songs such as Baby Hold On, Two Tickets To Paradise, Maybe I'm A Fool, Think I'm In Love, Take Me Home Tonight, I Wanna Go Back, Walk On Water and Peace In Our Time ~ Mahoney passed away in 2019
March 21, 1948 ~ Country singer, songwriter Keith Jamieson, full name Keith Ross Jamieson, born in Goondiwindi, Australia ~ Influenced by Slim Dusty, Buddy Williams, Tex Morton, Stan Coster. Has worked in manual day jobs most of his life such as coal miner and taxi driver while writing and performing his songs on the side. Actively recording since the late-1970s. Known for songs such as Good Morning Australia, Bush Ballad Rock and One Tree Plain ~ Jamieson passed away in 2022
March 21, 1947 ~ Folk, pop, rock, psychedelica singer, songwriter, producer Kazuhiko Kato born in Fushimi-ku, Japan ~ Member of the Folk Crusaders, known for their 1967 psychedelic hit Kaettekita Yopporai (I Only Live Twice). Would go on to become an in-demand producer working with the likes of Shigeru Izumiya, Mariya Takeuchi, Takuro Yoshida. Also founded the Sadistic Mika Band, which included his wife Mika Fukui, known for their 1974 landmark album Kurofune. Also founded Vitamin Q ~ Kato passed away in 2009
March 21, 1946 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Ray Dorset born in Ashton, UK ~ Best known as founding member and primary songwriter of Mungo Jerry, writing or co-writing most of the band's material including In The Summertime, Baby Jump, Lady Rose, You Don't Have To Be In The Army To Fight The War, Long Legged Woman Dressed In Black and Hello Nadine. Also penned Feels Like I'm In Love, a 1980 UK No.1 hit for disco singer Kelly Marie
March 21, 1945 ~ Rosemary Stewart, commonly known as soul, funk, psychedelic soul singer, keyboardist, songwriter Rose Stone born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Member of Sly & the Family Stone, founded by her brothers Freddie Stone and frontman Sly Stone and known for pivotal funk hits such as Dance To The Music and Everyday People. After the band's dissolution in 1975 Rose married manager, producer Bubba Banks and has released a handful of solo recordings under the moniker Rose Banks. Has also duetted with Robbie Williams on the song Revolution of his 2002 Escapology album, and on occasion backed Elton John
March 21, 1944 ~ Rock, country rock, roots rock singer, guitarist, bassist, banjoist, mandolinist, songwriter David Lindley, full name David Perry Lindley, born in San Marino, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of Kaleidoscope, with whom he recorded four albums. Following the band's disbandement in 1970 would go on to become an in-demand touring and session musician. Closely associated with Jackson Browne, appearing on key albums such as For Everyman, Late For The Sky, The Pretender, and Running On Empty. Over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting in the early-1980s and noted especially for El Rayo X and Win This Album. Has also appeared on albums by America, Terry Reid, Linda Ronstadt (Heart Like A Wheel), Rod Stewart (Atlantic Crossing), Joe Walsh, Warren Zevon, Dolly Parton (Here You Come Again), Karla Bonoff, Marshall Crenshaw, Bob Dylan, Shawn Colvin, and Bruce Springsteen ~ Lindley passed away in 2023
March 21, 1943 ~ Victor Anthony Stanshall, commonly known as inger, trumpeter, trombonist, guitarist, mandoliinist, banjoist, keyboardist, flutist, perucssionist, songwriter Vivian Stanshall, born in Shillingford, UK ~ Member of the Bonzo Dog Band. Released his Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead solo debut album in 1974. Has had artists such as Eric Clapton, Keith Moon and John Entwistle guest on his solo recordings. Has also collaborated with Grimms, Mike Oldfield (Tubular Bells), Jim Capaldi, Ronnie Wood, Graham Bond, and Robert Calvert ~ Stanshall passed away in 1995
March 21, 1942 ~ Singer Al Dexter records I'm Losing My Mind Over You at CBS Columbia Square Studio, California, USA ~ Written by Dexter and James B Paris. Released December 1944 as a single, paired with I'll Wait For You Dear on the flip side. During the same session Dexter also recorded Guitar Polka
March 21, 1942 ~ Jazz, gospel pianist, organist, singer Amina Claudine Myers born in Blackwell, Kansas, USA ~ Actively recording since the late-1970s. Has worked with Muhal Richard Abrams, the Art Ensemble Of Chicago, Arthur Blythe, Third Rail, Lester Bowie, Greg Osby, Henry Threadgill, and James Blood Ulmer
March 21, 1940 ~ James Solomon McDonald, commonly known as Solomon Burke, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Incremental in development of 1960s soul, especially acclaimed for a string of early-1960s albums including If You Need Me, I Almost Lost My Mind and Rock 'n Soul. Co-wrote and first recorded Everybody Needs Somebody To Love, later covered by artists such as the Rolling Stones, Wilson Pickett, and the Blues Brothers. Other well known songs include Cry To Me, Just Out Of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms), and Got To Get You Off My Mind. Burke would also be one of the first R&B, soul artists to cover a Bob Dylan tune, namely Maggie's Farm which served as the flip side of the 1965 single Tonight's The Night ~ Burke passed away in 2010
March 21, 1938 ~ Folk, pop singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Luigi Tenco was born in Cassine, Italy ~ Also known under the alias Gigi Mai. Member of I Cavaliere, alongside Giampiero Reverberi and Enzo Jannacci. Debuted as a solo artist in 1961 with the single Quando, followed by the full-length album Baliate E Canzoni the next year. Became an icon of love and despair after his alleged suicide at age 28, the exact circumstances of his death still questioned to this day ~ Tenco passed away in 1967
March 21, 1936 ~ Beat, rock & roll singer, guitarist Brian Casser, also known as Cass and Casey Jones, born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK ~ Active since the late-1950s fronting several short-lived Liverpool-based bands, noted most for their line-ups. Fronted Nightsounds in the early-1960s, which also included Albert Lee. Fronted Casey Jones & the Engineers, which briefly included Eric Clapton and Tom McGuinness who both left after a few performances ~ Casser passed away in 2022
March 21, 1936 ~ Jazz pianist Brian Dee, full name Brian Colin Dee, born in London, UK ~ Worked with the Jazz Five, Ben Webster, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Benny Carter, Harry Sweets Edison, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Chet Baker, Al Grey, Sonny Stitt, Victor Feldman, Joe Newman, Ted Heath, Don Lusher, Laurie Johnson, Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Johnny Mercer, Elton John, Peggy Lee, Frankie Laine, Joe Williams, Jimmy Witherspoon, Mark Murphy, Cleo Laine, and Annie Ross
March 21, 1935 ~ Classical guitarist Antonio Membrado born in Madrid, Spain ~ Mentored by Andrés Segovia. Known for his renditions of works by Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Heitor Villa-Lobos. Noted for accompanying Paco Ibáñez on his 1964 Paco Ibáñez debut album released in 1964. Also regarded a master of the laúd, an instrument of the cittern family popular in Spanish folk ~ Membrado passed away in 2016
March 21, 1935 ~ Tenor singer, conductor Nigel Rogers, full name Nigel David Rogers, born in Wellington, UK ~ Sang in German, French, Italian, English. Over 70 albums to his name, mostly early music, baroque and sacred music including works by Claudio Monteverdi, George Frideric Handel, Henry Purcell and Johann Sebastian Bach ~ Rogers passed away in 2022
March 21, 1929 ~ Blues guitarist, singer Otis Big Smokey Smothers born in Lexington, Mississippi, USA ~ Brother of Little Smokey Smothers. Member of Howlin' Wolf's backing band from the mid-1950s onwards including on pivotal recordings such as Who's Been Talking, Tell Me, Change My Way, Natchez Burning and I Asked For Water. Also worked with Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, Bo Diddley, Ike Turner, JT Brown, Freddie King, Johnny Jones, Little Walter, Willie Dixon, Johnny Wiliams, Lester Davenport, Arthur Big Boy Spires, Earl Hooker, and Henry Strong ~ Smothers passed away in 1993
March 21, 1919 ~ Gospel singer, pianist, songwriter Robert Anderson born in Anguilla, Mississippi, USA ~ Backed Roberta Martin as a member of the Roberta Martin Singers from 1933 through 1941 and rejoining in later years. Formed and led early-1950s outfit the Caravans. As a solo artist best known for his self-penned Oh Lord Is It I, later notably covered by Mahalia Jackson ~ Anderson passed away in 1995
March 21, 1918 ~ Charles Phillip Thompson, commonly known as swing, bebop pianist, organist, composer, arranger Sir Charles Thompson, born in Springfield, Ohio, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Earl Bostic, Coleman Hawkins, Bennie Moten, Count Basie, Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Miles Davis, JC Heard, Lucky Millinder, Illinois Jacquet, Vic Dickensen, Buck Clayton, Dodo Greene, Joe Newman, Paul Quinichette, Harold Ashby, Paul Gonsalves, Ike Quebec, and Harry Sweets Edison ~ Thompson passed away in 2016
March 21, 1902 ~ Trombonist Santo Pecora born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Active from the early-1920s onwards. Sang with bandleaders Johnny de Droit and Leon Roppolo. Toured with singer Bee Palmer. Joined the New Orleans Rhytm Kings in the mid-1920s. Later he worked with Sharkey Bonano and Wingy Manone. Pecora remained a staple of the local scene into the 1960s ~ Pecora passed away in 1984
March 21, 1902 ~ Edward James House Jr, commonly known as Delta blues guitarist, singer Son House born in Riverton, Mississippi, USA ~ Influential slide guitarist helped develop Delta Blues. Praised for his rhythmic drive, vocal power and emotional intensity. Influenced Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. Known for pre-war releases such as My Black Mama, Preachin' The Blues and Dry Spell Blues. Rediscovered in the 1960s wave of blues revival ~ House passed away in 1988
March 21, 1893 ~ Maude Elsie Aileen Muggeridge, commonly known as singer Aileen Stanley, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ One of the most popular singers of the 1920s. Started in vaudeville with her older brother Stanley Muggeridge. Known for songs such as My Mammy, Sweet Indiana Home, When My Sugar Walks Down The Street, Carolina In The Morning, and Singin' The Blues ~ Muggeridge passed away in 1982
March 21, 1893 ~ Armenter Chatmon, commonly known as blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Bo Carter born in Bolton, Mississippi, USA ~ Brother of fiddler Lonnie Chatmon and bassist Sam Chatmon, both of which bandmates in the Mississippi Sheiks alongside their friend guitarist, singer Walter Vinson. Carter was known for his bawdy songs, as evidenced in songtitles such as Let Me Roll Your Lemon, Please Warm My Wiener and My Pencil Won't Write Anymore, and for being one of the first to record Corrine Corrina in 1928. The latter would become a standard recorded by blues, jazz, western swing, folk, country and rock artists including Tampa Red, Big Joe Turner, Red Nichols, Cab Calloway, Art Tatum, Clayton McMichen, Milton Brown, Bob Wills, Rising Sons, Eric Clapton (as Alberta Alberta), Willie Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Asleep At The Wheel, Brooks & Dunn, and others ~ Chatmon passed away in 1964