March 28, 2024 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter, producer Mark Spiro passed away ~ As a solo artist, Spiro has released a little over half a dozen albums, starting with In Stereo in 1986. Though a gifted singer in his own right, Spiro is perhaps best known as a songwriter, notably co-writing Cheap Trick's Mighty Wings with Harold Faltermeyer for the Top Gun soundtrack. Songs written or co-written by Spiro have been recorded by the likes of Audrey Landers, Laura Branigan (Foolish Lullaby), Anne Murray, David Hasselhoff, Bad English (Straight To Your Heart), Julian Lennon, and Robin Zander ~ Spiro was born in 1957
March 28, 2023 ~ Keyboardist, singer, songwriter, actor, activist Ryuichi Sakamoto passed away in Tokyo, Japan ~ Considered a pioneer of electronic music, both as a solo artist and as a member of the Yellow Magic Orchestra, with whom he recorded over half a dozen studio albums. As a solo artist, Sakamoto is especially acclaimed for his 1978 A Thousand Knives solo debut album and its follow-up B-2 Unit released two years later, the latter cited as a major influence on electro and hip-hop. Sakamoto is also known for composing several soundtracks, including writing and performing several pieces for the 1987 The Last Emperor film, which earned Sakamoto and fellow composers David Byrne and Cong Su an Academy Award for Best Orginal Score ~ Sakamoto was born in 1952
March 28, 2020 ~ Lulu Grace Johnson, commonly known as country singer Jan Howard, passed away in Gallatin, Tennessee, USA ~ Actively recording since the late-1950s, regularly reaching the higher echelons of the country charts with songs such as The One You Slip Around With, Evil On Your Mind, Bad Seed, Count Your Blessings Woman and Love Is Like A Spinning Wheel. Howard is also remembered for a number of duets, perhaps most notably with Wynn Stewart on The Wrong Company, and with Bill Anderson on For Loving You and If It's All The Same To You ~ Johnson was born in 1929
March 28, 2019 ~ Television and film composer Maury Laws passed away in Appleton, Wisconsin, USA ~ Best known as music director for Videocraft International for about two decades starting in 1964. Conducted and scored music for animated feature films such as The Hobbit, The Flight Of The Dragons and The Wacky World Of Mother Goose ~ Laws was born in 1923
March 28, 2018 ~ Alternative rock, metal bassist, guitarist, singer Caleb Scofield, full name Caleb Mark Scofield, passed away in Bedford, New Hampshire, USA ~ Best known as bassist for Cave In, joining the band in 1998 shortly before the release of the band's Until Your Heart Stops debut album. Scofield remained with the band until his death in 2018. Has also worked with Zozobra, co-founded by Scofield in 2006, and with sludge band Old Man Gloom ~ Scofield was born in 1978
March 28, 2013 ~ Guitarist, mandolinist Hugh McCracken, full name Hugh Carmine McCracken, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his guitar parts on Van Morrison's Brown Eyed Girl, Eric Carmen's All By Myself, and Steely Dan's Hey Nineteen. Member of Mike Mainieri's experimental jazz-rock unit White Elephant. Member of Insect Trust. Member of Fuse One. An in-demand session musician from the 1960s onward, McCracken has appeared on numerous albums by the Left Banke, the Monkees (Pisces Aquarius Capricorn & Jones Ltd), Jimmy Rushing, Gordon Lightfoot (Did She Mention My Name), Janis Ian, Aretha Franklin (Spirit In The Dark), Gene McDaniels, Bert Sommer, John Lennon (Imagine), Roberta Flack, Barbra Streisand, Pure Prairie League, James Brown, Donny Hathaway (Extension Of A Man), Danny O'Keefe (Breezy Stories), Hall & Oates, Bob James, Paul Simon, Nancy Wilson, Henry Gross (Release), Randy Crawford, Ashford & Simpson, Billy Joel (The Stranger), David Ruffin, Nils Lofgren, Carole Bayer Sager, Garland Jeffreys, Dr John (City Lights), Loudon Wainwright III, Foreigner, Donald Fagen (The Nightfly), Michael Franks, Carly Simon, and Shawn Colvin ~ McCracken was born in 1942
March 28, 2012 ~ Banjoist Earl Scruggs, full name Earl Eugene Scruggs, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Well known for his association with guitarist, mandolinist Lester Flatt. The pair had backed Bill Monroe during the mid-1940s, and would form the Foggy Mountain Boys by 1948, and later record simply as Flatt & Scruggs. The duo recorded over a dozen albums through the late-1960s and are considered one of the finest and most influential duos in bluegrass. Well-known songs include Foggy Mountain Breakdown and The Ballad Of Jed Clampett. The pair parted ways in 1969 over artistic differences, with Scruggs leaning toward including more progressive sounds including tracks by the likes of Bob Dylan while Flatts stuck to the traditionalist bluegrass sound ~ Scruggs was born in 1924
March 28, 2012 ~ Blues harpist, singer Jerry McCain, also known as Jerry Boogie McCain, passed away in Gadsden, Alabama, USA ~ Though a formidable guitarist and singer, McCain is best known as a blues harpist, influential on the likes of Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. McCain recorded actively since the early-1950s, known for songs such as The Jig's Up, My Next Door Neighbor, She's Tough and Steady. After spending too many years in obscurity, McCain's career would resurge in the 1990s with albums such as Struttin' My Stuff, I've Got The Blues All Over Me, and notably This Stuff Just Kills Me, the latter featuring an all-star cast which included Johnnie Johnson, John Primer, Anson Funderburgh, Jimmie Vaughan, Tommy Shannon, and Chris Layton ~ McCain was born in 1930
March 28, 2012 ~ Owen Joseph Igoe, commonly known as jazz, swing, big band drummer Sonny Igoe, passed away ~ Active from the mid-1950s through the late-1980s. Influenced by Gene Krupa, Kenny Clarke, and Max Roach. Got his start in music while still in high school, winning a contest organized by Krupa. Igoe would go on to tour with Les Elgart, Ina Ray Hutton, Benny Goodman, and Woody Herman. Igoe has recorded with the likes of Buddy Stewart, Neal Hefti, Charlie Ventura, Tony Bennett, Billy Maxted, Chuck Wayne, Phil Napoleon, and Pee Wee Irwin. Igoe is also well known for his association with the NBC Television Orchestra during the 1960s, the orchestra serving as house band for among others The Ed Sullivan Show and The Jackie Gleason Show. Igoe's son, Tommy Igoe, is also a professional drummer and bandleader ~ Igoe was born in 1923
March 28, 2006 ~ Charles Alias, commonly known as drummer, percussionist Don Alias, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Noted for his marching band-inspired drums on Miles Runs The Voodoo Down of Miles Davis' pivotal Bitches Brew album. Also present on albums by Jeremy Steig, Elvin Jones, the Weather Report, Jaco Pastorius (Jaco Pastorius), Chick Corea, Blood Sweat & Tears, Charlie Mariano, Joni Mitchell, the Brecker Brothers, Airto Moreira, John Scofield (Loud Jazz), David Sanborn, Carla Bley (Fleur Carnivore), Roberta Flack, Kenny Kirkland, Marc Cohn (Marc Cohn), and Al Jarreau ~ Alias was born in 1939
March 28, 2001 ~ Jeanette Salvant, commonly known as pianist Jeanette Kimball, passed away in Charleston, South Carolina, USA ~ Classically trained jazz pianist, with a career spanning seven decades starting in her teens. Took up the piano at age 7, was playing professionally by her mid-teens, initially in classical string ensembles. Well known for her association with Papa Celestin, backing Celestin for about a decade starting in 1926 as a member of the trumpeter's backing unit the Original Tuxedo Orchestra. Kimball married her bandmate banjoist, guitarist Narvin Kimball. After divorcing Narvin, she restarted her career in the mid-1940s. Notable associations include Buddy Charles, Herb Leary, Sidney Desvigne, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Alvin Alcorn, Paul Barbarin, Punch Miller, and Johnny St Cyr ~ Salvant was born in 1906
March 28, 2001 ~ Morris Koffman, commonly known as jazz saxophonist, flutist Moe Koffman, passed away in Orangeville, Canada ~ Early on in his career, Koffman backed artists such as Sonny Dunham and Jimmy Dorsey prior to venturing out on his own, becoming a major figure in Canadian jazz with over two dozen albums to his name. Acclaimed for his 1957 album Cool And Hot Sax, and for a number of 1970s albums featuring interpretations of works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Vivaldi. Koffman's best known track is the self-penned mid-1950s surprise Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit The Swingin' Shepherd Blues, the instrumental prominently demonstrating his skills on the flute, later covered by dozens of artists including Woody Herman, Jan Garber, Floyd Cramer, Paul Revere & the Raiders, King Curtis, Duane Eddy, and Sonny Stitt ~ Koffman was born in 1928
March 28, 1999 ~ Singer, songwriter, revue performer, theater director Jens Book-Jenssen, full name Jens Peter Book Jennsen, passed away ~ Recorded prolifically in the 1930s and 1940s with some 400 recordings to his name, best known for Lysene Tennes Der Hjemme, En Litten Gyllen Ring, and De Lyse Netters Melodi. Book-Jenssen continued to perform, touring extensively, well into the 1970s ~ Book-Jenssen was born in 1910
March 28, 1995 ~ Singer Lyle Lovett and actress Julia Roberts announce they are separating after 21 months of marriage ~ The pair had met on the set of the 1992 The Player black comedy mystery film, in which both Lovett and Roberts were cast. Following a three-week whirlwind romance they eloped and got married in Marion, Indiana. Less than two years later, they divorced. According to People magazine the breakup was caused by career demands. Their divorce was amicable and the couple have remained friends since. Lovett's songs Christmas Morning and The Road To Ensenada, both recorded for his 1996 The Road To Ensanada album, deal with his marriage to Roberts and their breakup
March 28, 1987 ~ Maria Augusta Kutschera, commonly known as singer Maria von Trapp, passed away in Morrisville, Vermont, USA ~ Stepmother and matriarch of the Trapp Family Singers. Wrote The Story Of The Trapp Family, published in 1949. The book would inspire the 1956 German film The Trapp Family which in turn inspired the 1959 Broadway musical The Sound Of Music by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II and its 1965 film version starring Julie Andrews ~ Kutschera was born in 1905
March 28, 1986 ~ Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, commonly known as singer, songwriter Lady Gaga, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Rose to fame in 2007 following the release of her debut album Fame, which spawned the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits Just Dance and Poker Face. Germanotta has recorded steadily since to commercial succes, selling over 150 million records, drawing from electro-pop, techno, dance-pop, pop and rock. Songs such as Paparazzi, Bad Romance, Born This Way, The Edge Of Glory, Applause, Shallow, and Rain On Me have all reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100. An in-demand collaborator, she has recorded with contemporaries such as Colby O'Donis, Beyoncé, and Ariana Grande, as well as with jazz singer Tony Bennett, recording the duet albums Cheek To Cheek and Love For Sale with the latter
March 28, 1985 ~ A four-year-old Alicia Augelio Cook, later better known as singer, pianist Alicia Keys, makes her acting debut on the Slumber Party episode of the sitcom The Cosby Show ~ Keys would later become better known as a singer, pianist, and songwriter, catapulted to fame after releasing her Songs In A Minor debut album in 2001 at age 21. The album was a critical and commercial smash success, and won Keys five Grammy Awards including for Best New Artist and Song of the Year for Fallin', the album's lead single. Keys would continue to record to critical acclaim and commercial success, her first seven albums all peaking in the top 5 of the Billboard Hot 200 charts. As an adult, Keys has also ventured into acting, including in the 2007 Smokin' Aces action film and notably in the drama film The Secret Life Of Bees the following year
March 28, 1981 ~ Rapture by Blondie hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100, making it the first American charttopper to feature a rap section ~ Singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein had befriended New York-based hip hop artists including Fab Five Freddy, who had taken them to a rap event in the Bronx one night in 1978. Harry and Stein were impressed by the skill and excitement as MCs rhymed their lyrics over the beats with people lined up to take the mic to freestyle raps. After attending several more rap events, Harry and Stein decided to incorporate rap into a song of their own, which became Rapture, the title a pun on the word “rap”. Issued as the second and final single off their Autoamerican album, it reached No.1 Billboard Hot 100 for one week. Their friend who had introduced them to rap was referenced in the line “Fab Five Freddy told me everybody's fly”
March 28, 1980 ~ Singer, actor Dick Haymes, full name Richard Benjamin Haymes, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ One of the most popular male vocalists of the 1940s. Brother of songwriter Bob Haymes. Worked with Harry James, Tommy Dorsey, Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrew, Vivian Blaine, Helen Forrest, Judy Garland, the Andrews Sisters, Nelson Riddle, Bing Crosby, Gordon Jenkins, Cy Coleman, and Johnny Kay ~ Haymes was born in 1918
March 28, 1979 ~ Memphis blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Joe Willie Wilkins passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Influenced Robert Nighthawk, David Honeyboy Edwards, Jimmy Rogers, Little Milton, BB King, and Albert King. Worked with Sonny Boy Williamson II, Willie Love, Elmore James, Memphis Slim, Houston Stackhouse, Howlin' Wolf, Arthur Crudup, Roosevelt Sykes, Big Walter Horton, Little Walter, Mose Vinson, Joe Hill Louis, Floyd Jones, and others ~ Wilkins was born ca.1921
March 28, 1978 ~ Harold Johnson, commonly known as jazz trumpeter Money Johnson, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Active since the mid-1930s. Perhaps best known for backing Nat Towles. Worked with artists such as Charlie Christian, Henry Bridges, Horace Henderson, Count Basie, Cootie Williams, Lucky Millinder, Bull Moose Jackson throughout the 1940s, Louis Jordan, Lucky Thompson, Sy Oliver, Buddy Johnson, Cozy Cole, Mercer Ellington, Esther Phillips and Panama Francis throughout the 1950s. Member of the house band at the famed the Apollo Theatre in the 1960. Toured the USSR with Earl Hines in 1966. Would continue to record and perform until his death of a heart attack in 1978 ~ Johnson was born in 1918
March 28, 1975 ~ Singer Barbra Streisand goes backstage at his concert at The Hilton, Las Vegas, to offer Elvis Presley the male lead role in her upcoming A Star Is Born film ~ Being offered the male lead role opposite Streisand in the female lead, Presley is interested. Yet on the advice of his manager, he demands top billing and too much money, so singer Kris Kristofferson is chosen for the role instead. The film, a remake of the 1937 original, would star Streisand as an unknown singer and Kristofferson as an established rock and roll star who fall in love, only to find her career ascending while his goes into decline. A Star Is Born became a box-office hit, grossing over $80 million in America on a $6 million budget, and earned an Academy Award for its love theme Evergreen (Love Theme From A Star Is Born) sung by Streisand
March 28, 1974 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Arthur Crudup, full name Arthur William Crudup, passed away in Nassawadox, Virginia, USA ~ Best known for writing and first recording That's All Right, My Baby Left Me and So Glad You're Mine, all later recorded by Elvis Presley ~ Crudup was born in 1905
March 28, 1972 ~ Ledisi Anibade Young, mononymously known as R&B, neo soul, gospel, jazz singer, songwriter, actress Ledisi, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Frontwoman and eponym of of 1990s group Anibade gaining some exposure in the late-1990s. Would gain serious attention re-releasing earlier recordings under her solo moniker with the 2000 Soulsinger (The Revival) album and has recorded steadily since. Best known for singles such as Alright, In The Morning, Goin' Thru Changes, Higher Than This, Pieces Of Me, Stay Together featuring Jaheim, Like This and Anything For You
March 28, 1970 ~ Instant Karma (We All Shine On), a stand-alone single by John Lennon, peaks at No.3 on the American Billboard Hot 100 chart ~ The first solo single by a member of the Beatles to sell a million copies would peak at No.3, trailing behind Let It Be by the Beatles, the final single released by the band before Paul McCartney's announcement of leaving the band. The folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel held the No.1 spot with Bridge Over Troubled Water
March 28, 1969 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Rodney Atkins, full name Rodney Allan Atkins, born in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA ~ Active since the late-1990s but did not release an album until his 2003 Honesty which spawned the hit Honesty (Write Me A List). His 2006 sophomore album would land him two more hits If You're Going Through Hell and Watching You, both reaching the top of Billboard's country chart. Has recorded steadily since to commercial succes
March 28, 1968 ~ Jonathan Henry Lee, commonly known as rock drummer Jon Lee, born in Newport, UK ~ Best known as original drummer of Feeder. Previously a member of the Darling Buds. Died by suicide, four separate suicide notes would be found. His funeral was attended by thousands. Other than cancelling a high profile gig, headlininig at Reading Leeds Festival, the band decided to not break up. Skunk Anansie drummer Mark Richardson helped out on recordings in progress and booked live dates, becoming an official member by 2005 ~ Lee passed away in 2002
March 28, 1967 ~ Singer Van Morrison records Brown Eyed Girl at A&R Studios, New York, New York ~ Having recently departed Them, Van Morrison was looking to start his solo career and flew to New York at the invite of producer, label executive Bert Berns, hastily signing a contract and recording eight songs over the course of two days including Brown Eyed Girl. Though the single would reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100, effectively launching his solo career, and remain popular throughout his career, the singer himself would be unpleased with the recording, decades later remarking “it's not one of my best, I mean I've got about 300 songs that I think are better”
March 28, 1966 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion singer, keyboardist, songwriter Indra Lesmana born in Jakarta, Indonesia ~ Son of jazz guitarist Jack Lesmana and singer Mien Lesmana. Father of actress, singer Eva Celia. Leader and sideman. Active since the early-1980s. Has worked with James Morrison, Dale Barlow, Steve Hunter, Tony Buck, Sandy Evans, Vinnie Colaiuta, Charlie Haden, Jimmy Haslip, Albert Tootie Heath, Michael Landau, Airto Moreira, Bobby Shew, and others
March 28, 1965 ~ Singer, guitarist Steve Turner born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Important but somewhat overlooked figure influential in early grunge. Member of the Ducky Boys and original guitarist of Green River, both bands also included future Pearl Jam-guitarist Stone Gossard. Turner was also a co-founding member of Mudhoney, best known for their 1992 single Suck You Dry which nearly hit the Billboard top 20
March 28, 1964 ~ British pop rock group the Beatles become the first rock stars displayed in Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, London, UK ~ On the verge of Beatlemania, taking America by storm and spearheading the British Invasion, the quartet also become the first rock musicians to be immortalized as wax statues in the well known Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum. Over time, the band would become acknowledged as one of the most, if not the single most important and influential bands in rock history. In 1967, the band would use the wax statues for the cover art of their Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album in a collage featuring several dozen celebrities and cultural icons
March 28, 1964 ~ Heavyweight boxing champion Cassius Clay, later known as Muhammad Ali, peaks at No.102 just outside the Billboard Hot 100, with his rendition of Stand By Me, originally a hit for Ben E King three years earlier ~ Although best known as a boxer, considered the all-time greatest heavyweight boxer by some, Clay did on occasion venture into music. Stand By Me was included on his I Am The Greatest debut album released in 1963. Clay would also appear in the Broadway musical Buck White, which ran for seven performances in 1969, and release the album Ali And His Gang Vs Mr Tooth Decay in 1976, which told a story meant to educate children about dental hygiene and featured guest singers such as Frank Sinatra and Richie Havens. A follow-up to the latter album was planned, but never materialized
March 28, 1963 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock singer, guitarist, drummer, songwriter Matt Wilson, full name Matthew Robert Wilson, born in Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member, frontman of Trip Shakespeare, active from the mid-1980s through the early-1990s. Released his Burnt White And Blue solo debut album in 1998, drummed for Polara, and served as producer for the likes of Steel Shank, the Wonsers, and Velma
March 28, 1963 ~ Punk-pop, indie pop singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter Simon Holmes, full name Simon Carter Holmes, born in Mordialloc, Australia ~ Singer, lead guitarist for indie rock bands the Hummingbirds from the mid-1980s through the early-2000s, known for their 1989 LoveBUZZ debut album, and Her Name In Lights during the early-2000s ~ Holmes passed away in 2017
March 28, 1961 ~ Carol Valère, commonly known as pop singer, songwriter Carol Arnauld, born ~ Considered a one-hit wonder for C'Est Pas Facile taken of her 1986 eponymous Carol Arnauld debut album. The song tells of her struggle with her brother's death, killed by a reckless driver. The single would reach top 10 in her native France ~ Valère passed away in 2022
March 28, 1958 ~ Country, pop, schlager singer Elisabeth Andreassen, full name Elisabeth Gunilla Andreassen, born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Internationally best known for several appearances at the Eurovision Songfestival. As a member of Chips represented Sweden, reaching 8th place in 1982 with the song Dag Efter Dag. As a member of the Bobbysocks won for Norway in 1985 with the song La Det Swinge. Duetted with Jan Werner Danielsen on Duett, again for Norway, in 1994 reaching 6th place. As a solo artist reached 2nd place in 1996, representing Norway with the song I Evighet
March 28, 1958 ~ Producer, artist manager Gary Smith born ~ Active since the mid-1980s. First gained attention producing early recordings by the Pixies, including their 1987 Come On Pilgrim EP. Other notable credits include Throwing Muses, Tanya Donelly, the Blake Babies, the Connells, Juliana Hatfield, Scrawl, 10,000 Maniacs, and Billy Bragg ~ Smith passed away in 2023
March 28, 1958 ~ William Christopher Handy, commonly known as cornet player, songwriter WC Handy, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Self-proclaimed “Father of the Blues”. Helped popularize Blues. Regarded as one of the monst influential songwriters. Best known for penning songs such as St Louis Blues (Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, Count Basie, Guy Lombardo), and Beale Street Blues (Earl Fuller, Marion Harris, Jack Teagarden) ~ handy was born in 1873
March 28, 1957 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter, producer Mark Spiro born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ As a solo artist, Spiro has released a little over half a dozen albums, starting with In Stereo in 1986. Though a gifted singer in his own right, Spiro is perhaps best known as a songwriter, notably co-writing Cheap Trick's Mighty Wings with Harold Faltermeyer for the Top Gun soundtrack. Songs written or co-written by Spiro have been recorded by the likes of Audrey Landers, Laura Branigan (Foolish Lullaby), Anne Murray, David Hasselhoff, Bad English (Straight To Your Heart), Julian Lennon, and Robin Zander ~ Spiro passed away in 2024
March 28, 1955 ~ Singer, actress Reba McEntire born in McAlester, Oklahoma, USA ~ Discovered by Red Steagall. Debuted in 1977 with the eponymous Reba McEntire and has recorded to critical acclaim and commercial succes since, especially successful during the 1980s and 1990s. Unlike contemporaries controlled many aspects of her career, serving as a role model to future female country singers. Known for songs such as All Over Again, How Blue, Somebody Should Leave, Whoever's In New England, What Am I Gonna Do About You, One Promise Too Late, and others
March 28, 1954 ~ Folk, rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Bill Bourne, full name William Sigurd Bourne, born in Red Deer, Canada ~ Member of the Tannahill Weavers. Member of roots trio Tri-Continental alongside Lester Quitzau and Madagascar Slim. As a solo artist perhaps best known for his 2002 Voodoo King album. Has also collaborated with Alan Macleod, Shannon Johnson, Eivør, Jasmine Ohlhauser, and Tippy Agogo ~ Bourne passed away in 2022
March 28, 1954 ~ Pianist Donald Ray Brown born in Hernando, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known for his brief association with Art Blakey, serving in Blakey's backing unit the Jazz Messengers in the 1980s and present on the albums Killer Joe, Keystone 3 and Feeling Good. As a producer produced over half a dozen Kenny Garrett albums. Recorded over a dozen albums as a leader starting with 1987's Early Bird. Served as sideman to numerous artists. Has worked with Bill Mobley, Jeff Tain-Watts, Charnett Moffett, Gary Bartz, Louis Hayes, Don Braden, Harold Mabern, Essiet Essiet, Lionel Loueke, Donald Byrd, Wallace Roney, and others
March 28, 1952 ~ Harold Holiday, commonly known as Texas blues pianist, singer, songwriter Black Boy Shine, passed away in Sugar Land, Texas, USA ~ Drew from dance music, ragtime, boogie-woogie, blues. Remembered by blues aficionados for a number of 1930s recordings, notably Hobo Blues and Ice Pick And Pistol Woman Blues. Formed the duo Moonshine with the more famous blues pianist Moon Mullican. Has also worked with Bernice Edwards, JT Smith, Robert Shaw and others ~ Holiday was born in 1908
March 28, 1950 ~ Folk, folk-rock, rock singer, songwriter, poet Claude Lolli born ~ Active since the early-1970s, mostly focusing on political and social issues. Known for songs such as Aspettando Godot, Michel, Quando La Morte Avrà and Quanto Amore. Also known as poet and novelist, publishing his first novel, Antipatici Antipode, in 1997 ~ Lolli passed away in 2018
March 28, 1950 ~ Country singer Hank Snow records I'm Moving On at Brown Radio Productions, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Self-penned. Produced by Steve Sholes. Released the following May, b/w With This Ring I Thee Wed, it would be a Billboard Country No.1 for Snow and become one of his best known. Over the years it would be recognized as a classic, covered by numerous artist inlcuding Ray Charles, Don Gibson, and Emmylou Harris
March 28, 1948 ~ Pianist, producer, songwriter Milan Williams born in Okolona, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known as founding member of R&B outfit the Commodores. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Machine Gun, Bump, Rapid Fire, Better Never Than Forever, Mary Mary, Wonderland, You Don't Know That I Know, Let's Get Started and one of the band's biggest hits Brick House ~ Williams passed away in 2006
March 28, 1947 ~ Progressive rock guitarist, sitarist Ken E Henson, full name Kenneth Edward Henson, born in Durban, South Africa ~ Co-founded progressive rock outfits Freedom's Children in the mid-1960s, only recording sporadically. Best known for co-founding the Abstract Truth, with whom he released three albums from 1969 through 1971. Following the band's disbandement Henson would form the duo Finch & Henson with Brian Finch, with whom toured extensively throughout the early-1980s. They would continue to perform until his death at age 60 ~ Henson passed away in 2007
March 28, 1947 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion bassist Paul Jackson born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Best known for his association with Herbie Hancock, present on albums such as Head Hunters, Thrust and Flood. Has also appeared on albums by Albert Heath, Azteca (Azteca), Stanley Turrentine, Eddie Henderson, Santana, Stomu Yamashta (Go Too), Charles Earland, Sonny Rollins, and Pete Escovedo ~ Jackson passed away in 2021
March 28, 1941 ~ Film, TV composer, hornist, pianist, bassist Alf Clausen, full name Alf Heiberg Clausen, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Best known as orchestrator and composer for many episodes of the cartoon series The Simpsons. Has also scored numerous other TV series and films including The Naked Gun and Ferris Bueller's Day Off
March 28, 1941 ~ Guitarist, harmonica player Charlie McCoy, full name Charles Ray McCoy, born in Oak Hill, West Virginia, USA ~ As a solo artist known for songs such as Cherry Berry Wine, i Really Don't Want To Know, and Today I Started Loving You Again. Renowned session musician Worked with Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Chet Atkins, Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn, Area Code 615, Barefoot Jerry, the Agendas, Johnny Paycheck, Charlie Justice, John Ferguson, Stonewall Jackson, Wayne Moss, Perry Como, Joan Baez, the Steve Miller Band, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Kris Kristofferson, Paul Simon, Ringo Starr, Gene Summer, Ween, the Million Dollar Band, Nancy Sinatra, Gordon Lightfoot, Al Kooper, Willie Nelson, JJ Cale, Ronnie Hawkins, Leon Russell, Bob Seger, Olivia Newton-John, Dan Fogelberg, Vince Gill, and Rodney Crowell
March 28, 1937 ~ Country mandolinist Dean Webb, full name Roy Dean Webb, born in Independence, Missouri, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Dillards. The band would prove to be one of the most important progressive bluegrass acts to emerge from the 1960s, acclaimed for albums such as Back Porch Bluegrass, Wheatstraw Suite, and Copperfields, and influential on a wide range of artists including the Byrds and Linda Ronstadt. An in-demand guest collaborator, Webb has also appeared on albums by Malvina Reynolds, Severin Browne, JD Crowe (JD Crowe & The New South), Allan Clarke, and Jim Ringer ~ Webb passed away in 2018
March 28, 1937 ~ Pop, ragtime, classical, film pianist, conductor, arranger, composer Lincoln Mayorga born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Though best known for his work in classical music, Mayorga has played in a wide variety of genres including pop. Mayorga contributed piano to Big Man, a 1958 Billboard Hot 100 top 5 hit for the Four Preps. Subsequently, teaming up with the group's bassist Ed Cobb, Mayorga formed the Piltdown Men, known for the minor American hit Brontosaurus Stomp, and for the UK top 20 singles McDonald's Cave, Piltdown Rides Again, and Goodnight Mrs Flintstone. Mayorga has also served as staff pianist at Walt Disney Studios, and contributed to the soundtracks of films and TV shows. In the classical world, he is known for guesting with the Moscow Philharmonic, and for collaborating with the likes of Itzhak Perlman, Josef Suk, and Richard Stoltzman. In one capacity or another, Mayorga has also worked on albums by Dick Dale, Sam Cooke (Ain't That Good News), Glenn Yarbrough, Phil Ochs, Frank Zappa (Lumpy Gravy), Barbra Streisand, and Ringo Starr (Goodnight Vienna) ~ Mayorga passed away in 2023
March 28, 1936 ~ Southern gospel, CCM singer Bill Gaither, full name William James Gaither, born in Alexandria, Indiana, USA ~ Influential gospel singer known for fronting the Bill Gaither Trio and the Gaither Vocal Band. Prolific songwriter, often in partnership with his wife, singer Gloria Gaither. Had his songs covered by numerous artists including David Crowder, the Cathedrals Quartet, the Heritage Singers, the Statler Brothers, Elvis Presley. Mentor and father figure to many, advancing the careers of Mark Lowry, Michael W Smith, Sandi Patty, Amy Grant, and Cynthia Clawson
March 28, 1936 ~ Singer Kay Weber, backed by Jimmy Dorsey and orchestra record Robins And Roses ~ Written by Joe Burke and Edgar Leslie. Recorded by several artists, the biggest hit being Bing Crosby's version which peaked at No.2. Other 1936 versions would be recorded by Orville Knapp, and by Dorsey's brother Tommy Dorsey with Edythe Wright
March 28, 1930 ~ Contemporary, avant-garde, electronic composer Robert Ashley, full name Robert Reynolds Ashley, born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA ~ Best known for his television operas and theatrical works, often incorporating electronics. Best known for his 1983 TV opera Perfect Lives, reissued on DVD in 2005. Has worked consistently with Joan La Barbara, Thomas Buckner, and Jacqueline Humbert ~ Reynolds passed away in 2014
March 28, 1926 ~ Cecil Bradshaw, commonly known as bandleader, trumpeter, promoter Sonny Bradshaw, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Known as “the Dean of Jamaican music” with a career spanning six decades. Worked with Eric Dean, the Jamaican Big Band, Joe Harriott, Dizzy Reece, Ernest Ranglin, Little G McNair, Dwight Pinkney, Monty Alexander, Sarah Vaughan, Johnny Mathis, Lou Rawls, Johnnie Ray, Brook Benton, Sam Cooke, and others ~ Bradshaw passed away in 2009
March 28, 1923 ~ Singer, actor, songwriter Bob Haymes, full name Robert William Haymes, born in White Plains, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for writing That's All with Alan Brandt, first recorded by Nat King Cole and covered by numerous artists including Bobby Darin, Billy Eckstine, Sam Cooke, Connie Francis, Judy Garland, Ricky Nelson, Mel Tormé, and Sarah Vaughan ~ Haymes passed away 1989
March 28, 1923 ~ Jazz bassist Ike Isaacs born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Not to be confused with guitarist Ike Isaacs. Played trumpet as a child before switching to bass. Active since the late-1940s. Worked with Tiny Grimes, Earl Bostic, Paul Quinichette, Bennie Green, Lambert Hendricks & Ross, Count Basie, Gloria Lynne, Erroll Garner, Ray Bryant, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Harry Sweets Edison, Bennie Green, Al Grey, and others. He also accompanied Carmen McRae, whom he later married ~ Isaacs passed away in 1981
March 28, 1923 ~ Trumpeter, composer Thad Jones born in Pontiac, Michigan, USA ~ Brother of pianist Hank Jones and of drummer Elvin Jones, both of whom he worked with in the Jones Boys. Also worked with Count Basie, Thelonious Monk, Mel Lewis, the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Horace Parlan, Sahib Shihab, Tim Hagans, Bent Jædig, Pepper Adams, Manny Albam, Louis Armstrong, Bob Brookmeyer, Kenny Burrell, Al Cohn, Lou Donaldson, Kenny Drew, Curtis Fuller, Dexter Gordon, Milt Jackson, JJ Johnson, Yusef Lateef, Oliver Nelson, Houston Person, Paul Quinichette, McCoy Tyner, Frank Wess, Ben Webster, and others ~ Jones passed away in 1986
March 28, 1915 ~ Songwriter Jay Livingston, full name Jacob Harold Levison, born in McDonald, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Songwriting partner of lyricist Ray Evans. Known for songs such as Buttons And Bows (Evelyn Knight, Dinah Shore, Bob Hope, the Ray Conniff Singers), Mona Lisa (Frank Culley, Nat King Cole, Santo & Johnny, Duane Eddy), and Que Sera Sera (Whatever Will Be Will Be) (Doris Day, Ivo Robic, Connie Francis, the Shirelles) ~ Livingston passed away in 2001
March 28, 1907 ~ Herbert Hall, commonly known as jazz clarinetist, saxophonist Herb Hall, born ~ Son of clarinetist Edward Hall. Brother of bandleader, clarinetist Edmond Hall. Herbert Worked with the Niles Jazz Band, Kid Augustin Victor, Sidney Desvigne, Don Albert, Herman Autrey, Doc Cheatham, Sammy Price, Wild Bill Davison, Benny Morton, Sonny Drootin, Eddie Gibbs, Buzzy Drootin, Don Ewell, and others ~ Hall passed away in 1996
March 28, 1898 ~ Conductor Anton Seidl passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Acclaimed interpreter of Richard Wagner. Closely associated with the Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic ~ Seidl was born in 1850