March 26, 2023 ~ Country singer Ray Pillow, full name Herbert Raymond Pillow, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Charted over a dozen singles on the Billboard Country charts, his best known the Jean Shepard-duet I'll Take The Dog which reached top 10 in 1966. Other well known songs include Thank You Ma'am, Common Colds And Broken Hearts and Volkswagen. Pillow has also co-founded Sycamore Records and worked as A&R representative for Capitol Records ~ Pillow was born in 1937
March 26, 2022 ~ Jeffrey Lee Herndon, commonly known as country singer, bassist Jeff Carson, passed away in Franklin, Tennessee, USA ~ Sessioned and worked as a demo singer until his 1995 eponymous Jeff Carson debut album, which spawned three Billboard Country top 10 hits with Not On Your Love, The Car and Holdin' Onto Somethin'. Carson would be unable to repeat the succes but continued to record, reaching the country charts with songs such as Cheatin' On Her Heart, I Never Was The Same Again and Until We Fall Back In Love Again. Retired from music in 2009 to pursue a career in law enforcement ~ Herndon was born in 1963
March 26, 2022 ~ Jazz singer Tina May passed away in London, UK ~ Worked with Clark Tracey, Tony Coe, Nikki Iles, Stan Sulzmann, Ray Bryant, Enrico Pieranunzi, Michael Hashim, Humphrey Lyttelton, and others ~ May was born in 1961
March 26, 2020 ~ William Wylie MacPherson, commonly known as pop songwriter Bill Martin, passed away in London, UK ~ Frequent songwriting partner of Phil Coulter. Together the pair wrote songs such as Sandie Shaw's Puppet On A String, Cliff Richard's Congratulations and the Bay City Rollers' Saturday Night ~ MacPherson was born in 1938
March 26, 2019 ~ Rock, progressive rock, space rock, gothic rock, post-punk, punk rock drummer Andy Anderson passed away ~ Best known for his associations with Steve Hillage and the Cure, present on the latter's The Top and Concert albums as well as on the singles The Love Cats and Caterpillar. Briefly played with Hawkwind. Has also worked with the Techno Twins, Mother Gong, the Gun Club, Edwyn Collins, Peter Gabriel, Iggy Pop, Mike Oldfield, Pink Flamingos, Midge Ure, and others ~ Anderson was born in 1951
March 26, 2019 ~ Composer, conductor Heinz Winbeck passed away in Regensburg, Germany ~ Composed vocal works, symphonies and chamber music ~ Winbeck was born in 1946
March 26, 2019 ~ Singer, actor Kenichi Hagiwara passed away ~ Best known as lead singer of the Tempters. Formed Japanese supergroup Pyg, whose line up included members of the Tempters, the Tigers, and the Spiders ~ Hagiwara was born in 1950
March 26, 2019 ~ Roger Charlery, commonly known as Ranking Roger, passed away in Birmingham, UK ~ Best known as member of pivotal ska, ska revival band the English Beat, known for about half a dozen UK hits through the mid-1980s including the top 10 hits The Tears Of A Clown, Hands Off She's Mine, Mirror In The Bathroom and Can't Get Used To Losing You. Formed General Public in 1984 with bandmate Dave Wakeling, scoring moderate hits with 1984's Tenderness and 1994's I'll Take You There. Released his solo debut album, Radical Departure, in 1988 ~ Charlery was born in 1963
March 26, 2017 ~ Instrumentalist, composer Alessandro Alessandroni passed away in Rome, Italy ~ Best known for his longtime association with Ennio Morricone. Alessandroni's twangy guitar riff is central to the main theme of The Good The Bad & The Ugly. Other than performing on Morricone's film scores Allesandroni is also a noted film composer in his own right scoring films since the late-1960s ~ Allesandroni was born in 1925
March 26, 2017 ~ Singer, guitarist, drummer, songwriter Jimmy Dotson passed away in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Worked with Silas Hogan, Lightning Slim, Slim Harpo, Lazy Lester, Albert King, OV Wright, Rufus Thomas, Ivory Joe Hunter, Buddy Guy, Son Seals, and Isaac Hayes ~ Dotson was born in 1933
March 26, 2016 ~ Trombonist, composer David Baker, full name David Nathaniel Baker Jr, passed away in Bloomington, Indiana, USA ~ Worked with Jimmy Coe, Slide Hampton, JJ Johnson, Wes Montgomery, Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, George Russell, Charles Tyler, John Lewis, and others ~ Baker was born in 1931
March 26, 2016 ~ Jazz trumpeter Joe Shepley passed away ~ Shepley worked with Burt Collins, Mike Long, Duke Pearson, Ron Carter, Lou Donaldson, Odonel Levy, and others ~ Shepley was born in 1930
March 26, 2015 ~ Guitarist John Renbourn passed away in Hawick, UK ~ Worked with Bert Jansch, Pentangle, Mac Macleod, Dorris Henderson, Duck Baker, Robin Williamson, Jacquie McShee, Sue Draheim, Stefan Grossman, John Paul Jones, Archie Fisher, Ship Of Fools, Maggie Boyle, Steve Tilston, Wizz Jones, and others ~ Renbourn was born in 1944
March 26, 2006 ~ Adrian Nicholas Godfrey, commonly known as rock singer, guitarist, songwriter, rock critic Nikki Sudden, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced by T.Rex, the Rolling Stones, the Faces, Bob Dylan, and Johnny Thunders. Best known for co-founding post-punk unit Swell Maps, which also included his brother Epic Soundtracks. The band is considered one of the premier acts of the post-punk era, widely acclaimed for their 1977 Read About Seymour single. Godfrey has also recorded as a solo artist, collaborated extensively with Dave Kusworth under the group moniker the Jacobites, and has worked with the Waterboys' Mike Scott and Anthony Thistlethwaite, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, the Rolling Stones' Mick Taylor, and others ~ Godfrey was born in 1956
March 26, 2005 ~ Drummer Paul Hester, full name Paul Newell Hester, passed away in Melbourne, Australia ~ Briefly a member of Split Enz. Co-founding member of Crowded House, remaining with the band through 1994 and present on the band's best-known including Don't Dream It's Over, Better Be Home Soon, Chocolate Cake, Fall At Your Feet, and Weather With You. Has also worked with John Clifforth, Sophie Koh, the Largest Living Things, and others ~ Hester was born in 1959
March 26, 2004 ~ Trumpeter, film composer Fred Karlin, full name Frederick James Karlin, passed away in Culver City, California, USA ~ Wrote and arranged for the likes of Benny Goodman, Harry James, Chubby Jackson. Best known as a film composer with well over a hundred scores to his name starting with 1967's Up The Down Staircase. Perhaps best known for co-writing the song For All We Know for the 1970 film lovers And Other Strangers which earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Song. The film version was sung by Larry Meredith, a cover by the Carpenters would reach the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts ~ Karlin was born in 1936
March 26, 2004 ~ Singer, songwriter Jan Berry, full name William Jan Berry, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Formed the surf duo Jan & Dean with Dean Torrence, known for 1960s top 10 hits such as Baby Talk, Surf City, Drag City, Dead Man's Curve and The Little Old Lady From Pasadena ~ Berry was born in 1941
March 26, 2002 ~ Joseph Edward Schermetzler, commonly known as rock bassist Joe Schermie passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Original member of Three Dog Night, leaving the band in 1973 and present on most of the band's hits including One, Mama Told Me Not To Come and Joy To The World. Subsequently founded SS Fools which also included Chuck Negron and Bobby Kimball. Has also worked with Stephen Stills, Yvonne Elliman, and others ~ Schermetzler was born in 1946
March 26, 2002 ~ Randolpho Francisco Castillo, commonly known as heavy metal, hard rock, glam metal drummer Randy Castillo, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Inspired to take up the drums after seeing the Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. Best known for backing Ozzy Osbourne from the mid-1980s through the early 1990s, including on the acclaimed No More Tears album released in 1991. Member of Mötley Crüe from 1999 until his death in 2002, present on the 2000 New Tattoo album. Castillo has also worked with Lita Ford, Red Square Black, the Bone Angels, and Bret Michaels ~ Castillo was born in 1950
March 26, 1999 ~ Singer, songwriter Ananda Shankar passed away in Kolkata, India ~ Bengali musician best known for fusing Western and Eastern musical styles, including on sitar-based renditions of rock songs such as the Rolling Stones-cover Jumpin' Jack Flash and the Doors-cover Light My Fire of his acclaimed 1970 eponymous Ananda Shankar debut album ~ Shankar was born in 1942
March 26, 1998 ~ Jazz drummer Denis Charles passed away ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Cecil Taylor, Steve Lacy, Gil Evans, Jimmy Giuffre, Sonny Rollins, Archie Shepp, Don Cherry, Frank Lowe, David Murray, Charles Tyler, Billy Bang, Wilber Morris, Thomas Borgmann, Peter Kuhn, Jemeel Moondoc, and others ~ Charles was born in 1933
March 26, 1995 ~ Eric Lynn Wright, commonly known as rapper, producer, songwriter Eazy E, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Redd Foxx, King T, Bootsy Collins, Run-DMC, the Egyptian Lover, Too $hort, Prince, Sugarhill Gang and George Clinton. Regarded as “the Godfather of gangsta rap”. Fronted iconic rap outfit NWA, co-founded with Ice Cube and Dr Dre. Other members, at times, included the Arabian Prince, DJ Yella and MC Ren ~ Wright was born in 1954
March 26, 1991 ~ Bandleader, producer, label executive Paul Gayten, full name Paul Leon Hayten, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Recorded several late-1940s New Orleans R&B hits such as True You Don't Love Me, Since I Fell For You, and I'll Never Be Free. Gayten also wrote For You My Love, a hit for Larry Darnell. Discovered Clarence Frogman Henry and produced his first hit Ain't Got No Home. Backed Chubby Newsom on Hip Shaking Mama. Played piano on Chuck Berry's Carol. Gayten also worked with Annie Laurie, Hank Mobley, Jimmy Scott, and others ~ Gayten was born in 1920
March 26, 1990 ~ Kim Min-seok, commonly known as K-pop, R&B singer, actor Xiumin, born in Seoul, South Korea ~ Member of boy band EXO, known for a string of 2010 hits in their native South Korea including the No.1 hits December 2014 (The Winter's Tale), Love Me Right, Monster, and Ko Ko Bop. Xiumin has also ventured into acting and released his Brand New solo debut album in 2022
March 26, 1988 ~ Miguel Angel Peralta, commonly known as rock singer Miguel Abuelo, passed away ~ Founding member, frontman of rock, new wave band Los Abuelos De La Nada, known for 1980s hits such as Sin Gamulán, Mil Horas, and Himno De Mi Corazón ~ Peralta was born in 1946
March 26, 1986 ~ Singer, producer, songwriter Eric Bellinger, full name Eric Bellinger Jr, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Songs written or co-written by Bellinger include Usher's Lemme See, Chris Brown's New Flame, Tank's You Don't Know, Justin Bieber's Right Here, Trey Songz's Disrespectful, Fantasia's So Much To Prove, Brandy's Without You, and Kid Ink's Rollin'
March 26, 1986 ~ Singer, keyboardist, songwriter Jonny Craig, full name Jonathan Monroe Craig, born in Minot, North Dakota, USA ~ Best known as lead singer for Dance Gavin Dance, Emarosa, and Rain City Drive. Co-lead singer for short-lived supergroup Isles & Glaciers, known for their sole The Hearts Of Lonely People album released in 2010
March 26, 1984 ~ Singer, songwriter Natasha Khan born in Islamabad, Pakistan ~ Not to be confused with Bat For Lashes singer Natasha Khan. First qualified Pakistan audio engineer. Debuted as a singer in 2005 with the single Aag. Best known for her appearances on reality talent show Coke Studio in 2016 and 2017
March 26, 1983 ~ R&B, pop, funk outfit the Time start recording Jungle Love ~ The band recorded the basic tracking for Jungle Love, written by frontman Morris Day, guitarist Jesse Johnson and Prince. The latter also served as its producer and played all instruments except guitar. Overdubs would be done nearly 10 months later, in January 1984. It would be released as a single later the same year and included on the band's third album, 1984's Ice Cream Castle. The single would become the band's second-highest charting single, scratching the Billboard Hot 100 top 20. The band's highest charting single being Jerk Out, a Billboard top 10 hit taken of the 1990 Pandemonium album
March 26, 1981 ~ Indie folk, country folk singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter, playwright Anaïs Mitchell born ~ Critically compared to Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Gillian Welch. Over half a dozen albums to her name, starting with The Song They Sang (When Rome Fell) released in 2002. Acclaimed for her 2010 album Hadestown, featuring guest appearances by Ani DiFranco, Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, Ben Knox Miller and the Haden Triplets. The album would be reworked into a stage musical which ran on Broadway in 2019, awarded with eight Tony Awards including for Best Musical. Member of Bonny Light Horseman, releasing their eponymous Bonny Light Horseman debut album in 2020
March 26, 1981 ~ Kamaljit Singh Jhooti, commonly known as Jay Sean, born in Hounslow, UK ~ First gained attention as member of the Rishi Rich Project, notably present on the 2003 UK top 20 hit Dance With You. Released his full-length Me Against Myself solo debut album to critical acclaim, which included the UK top 10 hits On You and Stolen
March 26, 1980 ~ Rock & roll, R&B, pop drummer John Poulos passed away ~ Co-founding member of the Buckinghams, known for a string of mid to late 1960s singles including Don't You Care, Mercy Mercy Mercy, Hey Baby (They're Playing Our Song) and perhaps their best-known Kind Of A Drag. The latter would top the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967 ~ Poulos was born in 1947
March 26, 1980 ~ Greg Rose, commonly known as reggae singer Perfect, born ~ Best known for his 2004 single Hand Cart Bwoy, a hit in Jamaica and abroad. His full-length debut album, Giddimani, followed the next year
March 26, 1979 ~ Brian Ross Weitz, commonly known as singer, percussionist, keyboardist Geologist, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Member of experimental pop group Animal Collective, known for 2000s, 2010s songs such as Peacebone, Summertime Clothes, Honeycomb and Applesauce. Has previously played with Automine
March 26, 1979 ~ Hiromi Uehara, mononymously known as jazz pianist, composer Hiromi, born in Hamamatsu, Japan ~ Piano virtuoso known for blending post-bop, progressive rock and classical music. Mentored by Ahmad Jamal. Leader and sidewoman. Debuted in 2003 with the album Another Mind. Worked with Tony Grey, Anthony Jackson, Simon Phillips, Chick Corea, Akiko Yano, Kelly Peterson, Edmar Castaneda, and others
March 26, 1979 ~ Rock guitarist Kevin Drake born ~ Originally the bassist for Thirty Seconds To Mars, later switching to guitars. Drake departed the band before the recordings for their 30 Seconds To Mars debut album started
March 26, 1977 ~ Jazz guitarist Håvard Stubø born in Narvik, Norway ~ Worked with Tore Johansen, Roger Arntzen, Trond Sverre Hansen, Atle Nymo, Andreas Amundsen, Jørn Øien, Knut Riisnæs, Torbjörn Zetterberg, Håkon Mjåset Johansen, Jupiter, Magnus Forsberg, Steinar Nickelsen, Jonas Kullhammar, Roger Arntzen, Torstein Lofthus, Daniel Franck, Tord Ronning Krogtoft, Tomasz Stańko, Jimmy Owens, Arve Henriksen, Olavi Louhivuori, Marita Røstad, Jazz & Fly Fishing, and others
March 26, 1976 ~ Anthony Bennett, commonly known as blues, blues-rock, R&B singer, guitarist, percussionist, mandolinist Duster Bennett, passed away ~ Worked with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Alexis Korner, Top Topham, Fleetwood Mac, and others ~ Bennett was born in 1946
March 26, 1975 ~ Terius Gray, commonly known as rapper Juvenile, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Member of Hot Boys. Debuted as a solo artist with the full-length Being Myself album in 1995. First gained serious attention with his third album, 1998's 400 Degreez which spawned the Billboard top 20 hit Back That Azz Up featuring Lil' Wayne and Mannie Fresh. Also known for his 2004 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 Slow Motion featuring Soulja Slim. Has also worked with Birdman, Shawty Lo, Rick Ross, BG, Rich Gang, G-Eazy, and others
March 26, 1973 ~ Composer Noël Coward, full name Noël Peirce Coward, passed away in Firefly Estate, Jamaica ~ Playwright, composer, director, actor, singer aptly praised by TIME magazine for his “sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and chic, pose and poise” ~ Coward was born in 1899
March 26, 1971 ~ Producer, label executive Erick Morillo born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for producing I Like To Move It under the moniker Reel 2 Real, an international hit in 1993 ~ Morillo passed away in 2020
March 26, 1969 ~ Indie rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Jason Lytle born in Modesto, California, USA ~ Best known as lead singer for critically acclaimed indie rock unit Grandaddy. The band is best known for their 2000 The Sophtware Slump album. Lytle has also recorded as a solo artist, and worked with Admiral Radley and BNQT
March 26, 1968 ~ Guitarist, singer James Iha, full name James Yoshinobu Iha, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member of alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins, remaining with the band until its initial disbandement in 2000. Present on acclaimed albums such as 1993's Siamese Dream and its 1995 Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness follow-up. Iha rejoined the Pumpkins in 2018. Has also worked with A Perfect Circle and the supergroup Tinted Windows. In-demand producer, remixer, collaborator for the likes of Midnight Movies, Isobel Campbell, Whiskeytown and REM's Michael Stipe
March 26, 1968 ~ Country singer, songwriter Kenny Chesney, full name Kenneth Arnold Chesney, born in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA ~ One of the most successful crossover country artists. Sold over 30 million albums. Debuted in 1994 with the album In My Wildest Dreams. Known for songs such as How Forever Feels, You Had Me From Hello, She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy, Don't Happen Twice, The Good Stuff, No Shoes No Shirt No Problems, Who You'd Be Today, The Boys Of Fall, American Kids and Here And Now. Collaborated with Jimmy Buffett, Tim McGraw, Tracy Lawrence, Uncle Kracker, Reba McEntire, and others
March 26, 1962 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist, keyboardist Richard Coles, full name Richard Keith Robert Coles, born in Northampton, UK ~ Half of the Communards, the other half being Jimmy Somerville, known for their mid-1980s hits So Cold The Night, Never Can Say Goodbye and their best-known Don't Leave Me This Way featuring Sarah Jane Morris, a reworking of the Thelma Houston disco hit
March 26, 1961 ~ Drummer Chris Mars, full name Christopher Edward Mars, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Best known as drummer of alternative rock band the Replacements from 1979 through 1990, acclaimed for the mid-1980s albums Let It Be Me and Tim. Early member of supergroup Golden Smog, present on the band's 1992 debut EP On Golden Smog. Active as a solo artist since his 1992 Horseshoes And Hand Grenades album
March 26, 1960 ~ Smooth jazz, R&B, pop saxophonist Nelson Rangell born in Castle Rock, Colorado, USA ~ Worked with Eric Marienthal, Hiram Bullock, Eric Gale, Richard Tee, Jaco Pastorius, David Sanborn, Metro, the Rippingtons, Chuck Loeb, Patti Austin, the GRP All-Star Big Band, Jimmy Haslip, Russ Ferrante, and others
March 26, 1959 ~ R&B outfit the Coasters record Along Came Jones ~ Written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Released as a single, b/w That Is Rock & Roll, later the same year it would reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100. The song would be notably covered by the Righteous Brothers on their 1967 Sayin' Something album, by novelty singer Ray Stevens in 1969, and as a duet by country singers George Jones and Johnny Paycheck on their 1980 Double Trouble collaborative album
March 26, 1959 ~ Etienne Berghmans, commonly known as pop, pop rock guitarist Tjenne Berghmans, born in Halle, Belgium ~ Member of Clouseau, known best for songs such as Anne and Daar Gaat Ze. Has also played with Stone Cold Fever, Betty Goes Green and with the Scabs
March 26, 1958 ~ Gianluigi Gasparetti, commonly known as ambient keyboardist Oöphoi, born in Rome ~ Best known as editor for Deep Listenings, an Italian music magazine devoted to ambient and atmospheric music. Also known as a keyboardist with over two dozen albums to his name starting in the mid-1990s
March 26, 1956 ~ Country singer Charly McClain, full name Charlotte Denise McClain, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Debuted in 1976 with the Here's Charly McClain album of which several singles would be released, most of which failed to make a serious impression. First hit the country top 10 with That's What You Do To Me of her 1978 sophomore Let Me Be Your Baby album. Would go on to regularly hit the higher echelons of the country charts throughout the mid-1980s with songs such Men, Who's Cheatin' Who, Sleepin' With The Radio On, Dancing Your Memory Away, the McClain/ Mickey Gilley duet Paradise Tonight, and perhaps her best-known Radio Heart. Married country singer, former soap actor Wayne Massey in 1984, with whom she also scored several duet hit singles, notably With Just One Look In Your Eyes and You Are My Music (You Are My Song)
March 26, 1956 ~ Music journalist, author, songwriter, producer Paul Morley, full name Paul Robert Morley, born in Farnham, UK ~ Perhaps best known as a music journalist, writing for NME from 1977 through 1983 and a wide range of publications since as well as authoring about a dozen books. Member of synthpop unit Art Of Noise, present on the band's 1984 Who's Afraid Of The Art Of Noise debut album. Co-founded ZTT Records label with producer Trevor Horn, for whom he helped advance the career of the label's then-biggest act Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Morley has also served as band manager and is a regular appearance on TV and radio shows. Formed the band Infantjoy, known for their 2005 Where The Night Goes album. Morley was married to singer Propaganda-singer Claudia Brücken for some time, with whom he has two children
March 26, 1955 ~ Arild Staffan Moller, commonly known as guitarist, keyboardist, composer Ale Möller, born in Scania, Sweden ~ Draws from jazz, traditional Scandinavian music and world music. Active as a solo artist since the earlyu 1980s. Prolific on several instruments including trumpet, bouzouki, mandola, flute, dulcimer, harp, harmonica. Has worked with Frifot, Filarfolket, Aly Bain, Bruce Molsky, Lena Willemark, Jonas Knutsson, Thomas Ringdahl, Mikis Theodorakis, and others
March 26, 1955 ~ Dean Rutherford, commonly known as country singer, songwriter Dean Dillon born in Lake City, Tennessee, USA ~ Revered by peers. Released about half a dozen albums since the early 1980s including two collaborative albums with Gary Stewart. Especially acclaimed as a songwriter. Songs written or co-written by Dillon have been recorded by Barbara Mandrell (Bedroom Reunion), George Strait (The Chair, Ocean Front Property, Drinkin' Man), David Allan Coe (Tennessee Whiskey, Alabama, Hank Williams Jr, Mark Chesnutt (She Never Got Me Over You), Conard Hunley, Brooks & Dunn, Keith Whitley (Miami My Amy), Vern Gosdin (Set 'Em Up Joe), the Marshall Tucker Band, Toby Keith (Get My Drink On), Kenny Chesney, and others
March 26, 1955 ~ Keyboardist Martin Price born in Farnworth, UK ~ Early member of 808 State, remaining with the band from 1988 through 1991. Would leave the band shortly after finishing the Ex:el album
March 26, 1953 ~ Singer, flutist, keyboardist, songwriter Billy Lyall born in Edinburgh, UK ~ Co-founding member of Pilot known for January, Magic, Just A Smile and Call Me Round. Early member of the Bay City Rollers from 1969 through 1971. Keyboardist of Dollar from 1978 to 1982. Guested with the Alan Parsons Project and Runner. As a solo artist known for his sole Solo Casting album released in 1979 ~ Lyall passed away in 1989
March 26, 1953 ~ Nicholas George Stephanoff, commonly known as drummer Nick Knox, born ~ Best known as drummer for psychobilly band the Cramps, replacing Miriam Linna in 1977 and staying with the band through 1991. Previously a member of protopunk outfit the Electric Eels ~ Stephanoff passed away in 2018
March 26, 1952 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter John Batdorf born ~ As a child aspired to become a professional baseball player but osteomyelitis, an infection of the bones, crushed his dreams. While in a full-body cast for a year picked up a guitar out of boredom and decided to become a musician. Formed the duo Batdorf & Rodney with Mark Rodney, known for their moderate 1975 hit Somewhere In The Night. Co-founded Silver, known for their 1976 Billboard top 20 hit Wham Bam
March 26, 1952 ~ Bryan Lamont Yoho, commonly known as country, southern rock drummer, songwriter Monte Yoho, born in Lakeland, Florida, USA ~ Member of the Outlaws, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums including their best-known, 1975's eponymous Outlaws which included their greatest hit There Goes Another Love Song co-written by Yoho. Yoho also backed bandmate Henry Paul on his solo albums and as a member of Blackhawk
March 26, 1950 ~ Jazz double bassist Nobuyochi Ino born in Japan ~ Active since the early-1970s. Has worked with Motohiko Hino, Terumasa Hino, Kosuke Mine, Akira Miyazawa, Masahiko Satoh, Hidefumi Toki, Kazumi Watanabe, Masayuki Takayanagi, Aki Takase, Lester Bowie, Alexander von Schlippenbach, Sunny Murray, Elvin Jones, the Four Sounds, Masahiko Togashi, and others
March 26, 1950 ~ Folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Steve Tilston born in UK ~ Worked with John Renbourn, Maggie Boyle, Wazi, the Durbervilles, Jez Lowe, Pete Zorn, Maartin Allcock, Andy Sheppard, Wizz Jones, Ralph McTell, and others
March 26, 1950 ~ Singer Teddy Pendergrass, full name Theodore DeReese Pendergrass, born in Kingstree, South Carolina, USA ~ Made his name in 1972, at age 21, as singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, particularly with two songs originally intended for other artists. Vocal group the Dells passed on I Miss You, so Kenny Gamble build the song to suit Pendergrass. It's follow-up, If You Don't Know Me By Now was intended for Patti Labelle's Marmalade, but they had to pass due to scheduling conflicts. Stayed with the band through 1975. Pendergrass would release his solo debut album, Teddy Pendergrass, in 1977. It would go platinum on the strength of the disco hit I Don't Love You Anymore. Would continue to regularly reach the top 10 of Billboard's R&B charts throughout the early 1990s with songs such as Close The Door, Love TKO, Hold Me (a 1984 ballad duet with Whitney Houston), Joy, and It Should've Been You ~ Pendergrass passed away in 2010
March 26, 1949 ~ Rock, pop guitarist Brian Smith born in London, UK ~ Founding member of Canadian rock band Trooper, known for hits such as General Hand Grenade, Round Round We Go, The Boys In The Bright White Sports Car and Janine
March 26, 1949 ~ Bassist Fran Sheehan born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Early member of Boston. Present on the band's first two albums, namely 1976's eponymous Boston and 1978's Don't Look Back. Fired halfway through the recordings of the band's Third Stage album, which was released in 1986
March 26, 1949 ~ Jonathan James English, commonly known as singer, songwriter Jon English, born in London, UK ~ Worked with Zenith, Sebastian Hardie, Marcia Hines, Mario Millo and others and starred in several musicals including the Australian version of Jesus Christ Superstar. As a solo artist best known for Australian top 20 hits such as Turn The Page, The Hollywood Seven, Words Are Not Enough, Six Ribbons and Hot Town. Outside Australia best known for the album The Calm Before The Storm released in 1980 ~ English passed away in 2016
March 26, 1948 ~ Violinist Kyung-wha Chung born in Seoul, South Korea ~ Worked with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and others
March 26, 1948 ~ James Jeffrey Plewman, commonly known as progressive rock, electronic violinist, mandolinist Nash the Slash, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Played keyboards, glockenspiel, violin, mandolin. Draws from progressive rock, new wave, new age and punk rock. Founded and briefly fronted FM, leaving after the band's Black Noise 1976 debut album to resume a solo career, rejoining in later years. Known as a media-shy personality, appearing on-stage with his head wrapped in surgical bandages from 1979 onwards as to preserve his “anonimity” ~ Plewman passed away in 2014
March 26, 1948 ~ Patrick Anson Doheny, commonly known as pop, rock singer, guitarist Ned Doheny, born in Malibu, California, USA ~ The first artist signed to David Geffen's Asylum label. Released his eponymous Ned Doherty debut album in 1973. Known for songs such as I've Got Your Number, Get It Up For Love, and To Prove My Love. Guested on recordings by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, JD Souther, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne. Songs written by Doheny would be recorded by the Average White Band, Chaka Khan (What Cha' Gonna Do For My Love), Elkie Brooks, and others
March 26, 1948 ~ Keyboardist, pianist Richard Tandy born in Birmingham, UK ~ Key member of the Electric Light Orchestra present on nearly all of the band's recordings, helping define the band's unique sound through his palette of keyboards and serving as frontman Jeff Lynne's right hand and main arranger. The band is known for hits such as Can't Get It Out Of My Head, Evil Woman, Strange Magic, Telephone Line, Shine A Little Love, Don't Bring Me Down, Xanadu featuring Olivia Newton-John, and Hold On Tight
March 26, 1948 ~ Steven Victor Tallarico, commonly known as rock, hard rock singer Steven Tyler born in New York, New York, USA ~ Lead singer of Aerosmith, known for landmark albums such as Toys In The Attic, Rocks, Permanent Vacation, Get A Grip and Nine Lives. Tyler released a solo album, We're All Somebody From Somewhere, in 2016. Also an in-demand collaborator, appearing on recordings by Alice Cooper, P!nk, Eminem, Santana, Keith Anderson, Julian Lennon, Buddy Guy, Smokey Robinson, Hayden Panettiere, and others
March 26, 1947 ~ Pop singer John Rowles, full name JohN Edward Rowles, born in Whakatane, New Zealand ~ Internationally best known for his 1968 UK top 10 hit If I Only Had Time, a cover of Michel Fugain's Je N'Aurai Pas Le Temps written by Fugain and Pierre Delanoë. In his native New Zealand also known for the 1970 hit Cheryl Moana Marie
March 26, 1946 ~ Actor, singer Johnny Crawford, full name John Ernest Crawford, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as an actor, rising to prominence playing in the western TV series Rifleman which earned him an Emmy Award at age 13. Had a brief recording career during the early 1960s, scoring hits with songs such as Cindy's Birthday, Your Nose Is Gonna Grow, and Rumors ~ Crawford passed away in 2021
March 26, 1944 ~ R&B, soul, pop, disco singer Diana Ross born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Rose to fame as lead singer of the Supremes, Motown's most successful act and one of all-time best-selling girl groups scoring a dozen Billboard No.1 hits including Where Did Our Love Go, Baby Love, Stop In The Name Of Love, I Hear A Symphony and You Can't Hurry Love. Ross left the band in 1970 to go on as a hugely successful solo artist noted for hits such as Touch Me In The Morning, Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To), Love Hangover and Upside Down. Starred in the film version of The Wiz alongside protegé and friend Michael Jackson. Duetted with Marvin Gaye on You're A Special Part Of Me and My Mistake Was To Love You, duetted with Lionel Richie on Endless Love
March 26, 1942 ~ Producer, pianist, songwriter Larry Butler born in Pensacola, Florida, USA ~ Best known for his association with Kenny Rogers, producing albums such as Kenny Rogers, The Gambler, and Gideon. As a producer or songwriter Butler is also responsible for a wide array of hits including for BJ Thomas (Hey Won't You Play Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song), Jean Shepard (Seven Lonely Days), Charlie Rich (You're Gonna Love Yourself In The Morning), John Denver (Some Days Are Diamonds), Debby Boone { Are You On The Road To Loving Me Again), Billie Jo Spears (Blanket On The Ground), and Don McLean (Crying). Earlier Butler hit the charts as a member of Ronny & the Daytonas (GTO) and the Gentrys (Keep On Dancing, Every Day I Have To Cry Some). Has also worked as a session pianist for artists such as Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty (Hello Darlin'), George Jones, Bobby Goldsboro (Honey), Roger Miller, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Lynn Anderson ~ Butler passed away in 2012
March 26, 1940 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter John Sterling born in Durham, North Carolina, USA ~ Released two solo albums, 1980's Long Time Gone and 1982's Waiting On A Southern Train. Member of the Seldom Scene. Member of the Ready Section. Worked with Mike Auldridge, Ben Eldridge, Carl Jackson, Carolina Star, Emmylou Harris, Lowell George, Buddy Emmons, Claire Lynch, the Nash Ramblers, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and others ~ Starling passed away in 2019
March 26, 1940 ~ Jazz flutist, saxophonist Lew Tabackin born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Married to pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi with whom he co-led ensembles since the 1970s. Influenced by sax players Al Cohn and Coleman Hawkins and flutists such as William Kincaid, Julius Baker, and Jean Pierre Rampal. Tabackin has played with artists such as Tal Farlow, Chuck Israels, Elvin Jones, Donald Byrd, Roland Hanna, Doc Severinsen, Shelly Manne, Billy Higgins, Clark Terry, Don Friedman, Benny Carter, Duke Pearson, Maynard Ferguson, Jimmy Knepper, Tom Waits (on the 1976 LP Small Change), Freddie Hubbard, Howard Alden, and others
March 26, 1936 ~ Singer Fred Parris born in New Haven, Connecticut, USA ~ Led vocal group the Five Satins, best known for their 1956 hit In The Still Of The Night, originally released as the B-side to The Jones Girl ~ Parris passed away in 2022
March 26, 1936 ~ Klezmer clarinetist Giora Feidman born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Closely associated with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Also worked with the Teatro Colón, the Berlin Symphoniker, the Kronos Quartet, the Polish Chamber Philharmonic, the Munich Radio Orchestra, and others
March 26, 1934 ~ Actor, director, screenwriter Alan Arkin, full name Alan Wolf Arkin, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Best known for his career in the film industry, working in a variety of roles over a career spanning seven decades and awarded an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Little Miss Sunshine. Also enjoyed some succes as a singer and guitarist as a member of 1950s folk group the Tarriers and children's folk group the Baby Sitters
March 26, 1934 ~ Jazz drummer Donald Bailey, full name Donald Orlando Bailey Sr, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for backing organist Jimmy Smith from the mid-1950s through the mid-1960s, including on the seminal A New Sound A New Star album released in 1958. Has also worked with the likes of Hampton Hawes (The Seance), the Three Sounds, Roy Ayers, Harold Land (The Peace-Maker), Jimmy Rowles, Mundell Lowe, Blue Mitchell, Carmen McRae, Charles McPherson, and Bebop & Beyond ~ Bailey passed away in 2013
March 26, 1933 ~ Salvatore Massaro, commonly known as guitarist Eddie Lang passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Proficient on violin and banjo but best known as “the Father of Jazz guitar” and especially renowned for his work with Frankie Trumbauer and Bix Beiderbecke under the group moniker Tram Bix & Lang. Has worked with Red McKenzie in the Mound City Blowers, Roger Wolfe Kahn, Jean Goldkette, Adrian Rollini, Hoagy Carmichael, Jack Pettis, Bessie Smith, Clarence Williams, Paul Whiteman, Bing Crosby, Rube Bloom, and others ~ Lang was born in 1902
March 26, 1931 ~ Producer, pianist, vibraphonist, songwriter, arranger Charles Stepney born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Co-founded Rotary Connection with Marshall Chess and produced most of the band's output. Would go on to produce a host of artists including Rotary-lead singer Minnie Riperton, the Dells, Earth Wind & Fire, Terry Callier, Ramsey Lewis, Maurice White, Marlena Shaw, Deniece Williams, the Soulful Strings, Howlin' Wolf, the Emotions, and others ~ Stepney passed away in 1976
March 26, 1929 ~ Jazz saxophonist Maurice Simon, full name Maurice James Simon, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Worked with Russell Jacquet, Teddy Edwards, Charles Mingus, Wild Bill Davis, Chico Hamilton, Sonny Stitt, Leo Parker, Charles Thompson, Al Lucas, Shadow Wilson, Gerald Wilson, Snooky Young, Red Kelly, Melba Liston, Dexter Gordon, Ernie Freeman, Red Callender, JC Heard, Fats Domino, Papa John Creach, Big Maybelle, Faye Adams, Bumble Bee Slim, Percy Mayfield, BB King, and others ~ Simon passed away in 2019
March 26, 1929 ~ Singer, songwriter, actor Rafael Vazquez born in Mexico ~ Half of Carmela & Rafael, the other half being his wife Carmela Rey
March 26, 1928 ~ Cellist Vladimir Orloff born in Ukraine ~ Worked with the Vienna Philharmonic, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the New Philharmonia Orchestra, and others ~ Orloff passed away in 2019
March 26, 1925 ~ Jazz saxophonist, flutist James Moody born in Savannah, Georgia, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for his 1956 recording of Moody's Mood For Love. Has worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Barron, Pee Wee Moore, Mike Longo, Art Farmer, Gil Fuller, Dexter Gordon, Milt Jackson, Elvin Jones, Quincy Jones, Charles Mingus, Max Roach, Tubby Hayes, Roberta Gambarini, and others ~ Moody passed away in 2010
March 26, 1925 ~ Conductor, composer Pierre Boulez, full name Pierre Louis Joseph Boulez, born in Montbrison, France ~ One of the dominant figures of the 20th century in contemporary French classical music ~ Boulez passed away in 2016
March 26, 1924 ~ Milton Aubrey Moore, commonly known as tenor saxophonist, bandleader Brew Moore, born in Indianola, Indiana, USA ~ Moore recorded as a leader starting in 1948, Brew Moore & his Playboys, and played as a sideman with Machito, Claude Thornhill, Kai Winding, Stan Getz, George Wallington, and others. Moore left New York in 1953, relocated to the West Coast and dropped out of the scene by the end of the 1950s. He would later resurface in Denmark where he would continue to perform for the rest of his life teaming up with artists such as Kenny Drew, Sahib Shihab, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, and Alex Riel ~ Moore passed away in 1973
March 26, 1917 ~ Singer, songwriter Rufus Thomas born in Cayce, Mississippi, USA ~ Father of singers Carla Thomas and Vaneese Thomas and keyboardist Marvell Thomas. Influenced by Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller and Gatemouth Moore. Best known for songs such as Walking The Dog, Do The Funky Chicken, Do The Push & Pull, and others ~ Thomas passed away in 2001
March 26, 1916 ~ Conductor, composer Harry Rabinowitz born in Johannesburg, South Africa ~ Closely associated with the BBC, conducting the BBC Revue Orchestra for most of the 1950s and serving as music director for BBC Television Light Entertainment for most of the 1960s. Also worked with the Boston Pops Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and others. Conducted numerous film scores including Chariots Of Fire, The English Patient and The Talented Mr Ripley ~ Rabinowitz passed away in 2016
March 26, 1916 ~ Big band, swing, jazz, traditional pop bandleader, arranger, composer Vic Schoen, full name Victor Schoen, born ~ Worked with Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Les Brown, Woody Herman, Gene Krupa, George Shearing, Jimmie Lunceford, Ray McKinley, Benny Carter, Louis Prima, Russ Morgan, Guy Lombardo, Carmen Cavallaro, Carmen Miranda, Gordon Jenkins, Joe Venuti, Victor Young, Arthur Fiedler, the Boston Pops Orchestra, the Andrews Sisters, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Rosemary Clooney, Dick Haymes, Ella Fitzgerald, Maurice Chevalier, Mildred Bailey, Peggy Lee, Patti Page, the McGuire Sisters, Kay Starr, and others ~ Schoen passed away in 2000
March 26, 1915 ~ Joseph Edward Filippelli, commonly known as jazz, swing, jump blues saxophonist, clarinetit Flip Phillips, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Best known for his work with Norman Granz's Jazz At The Philharmonic concerts from the mid-1940 to the late 1950s. As a leader recorded extensively in the 1940s and 1950s, working with sidemen such as Buddy Morrow, Tommy Turk, Kai Winding, Sonny Criss, Ray Brown, Shelly Manne, and others. Backed singer Billie Holiday on her Billie Holiday Sings album released in 1952 ~ Phillips passed away in 2001
March 26, 1909 ~ Jazz double bassist Abe Bolar born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA ~ Worked with the Oklahoma City Blue Devils, Hot Lips Page, Lucky Millinder, Count Basie, Pete Johnson, and others ~ Bolar passed away in 2000
March 26, 1907 ~ Film composer, songwriter Leigh Harline, full name Leigh Adrian Harline, born in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA ~ First gained attention as film composer working with Disney, including on the original versions of Disney's first animated feature-length film 1937's Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs and 1940's Pinocchio. Would go on to work with other studios, scoring soundtracks for movies such as Mr Bug Goes To Town, Monkey Business, True Story, and The Wonderful World Of The Brothers Grimm ~ Harline passed away in 1969
March 26, 1898 ~ Dance band singer Sam Browne born in London, UK ~ One of the most popular dance band singers of the 1930s. Worked with Jack Hylton, Bert Ambrose, Elsie Carlisle, Harry Bidgood, Harry Hudson, Lew Stone, Bebe Daniels, Ben Lyon, and others ~ Browne passed away in 1972