May 1, 2023 ~ Folk, folk-rock, country singer, guitarist, songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, full name Gordon Meredith Lightfoot Jr, passed away in Toronto, Canada ~ Helped define the 1960s, 1970s folk-pop sound. Known for songs such as For Lovin' Me, Early Morning Rain, Steel Reel Blues, Ribbon Of Darkness, Black Day In July and perhaps his best known If You Could Read My Mind. His songs would be covered by numerous artists including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, the Kingston Trio, Marty Robbins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand, Herb Alpert, Harry Belafonte, Sarah McLachlan, Eric Clapton, John Mellencamp, Tony Rice, Glen Campbell, the Grateful Dead, Olivia Newton-John, Paul Weller, Ultra Naté, and the Tragically Hip ~ Lightfoot was born in 1938
May 1, 2023 ~ Anders Sture Torbjörn Rogefeldt, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Pugh Rogefeldt, passed away ~ Active since the late 1960s. At the time one of the few to sing in Swedish. Known for songs such as Små Latta Moln, Här Kommer Natten, Föräldralåten, Hog Farm, Dinga Linga Lena, and Stockholm. Passionate about old Norse religion, a subject which frequently showed up in his music ~ Rogefeldt was born in 1947
May 1, 2022 ~ Rachelle Zylberberg, commonly known as singer, nightclub manager Régine, passed away in Paris, France ~ Dubbed “the Queen of the Night” Zylberberg is best known as nightclub manager and owner, notably Chez Régine in 1950s Paris. Darling of the international jet set. Credited for inventing the modern day discotheque, growing weary of people always requesting the same songs and the silence between records, she replaced the jukebox by a disc jockey using two turntables. Has also recorded a number of albums as a torch singer and occasionally ventured into acting ~ Zylberberg was born in 1929
May 1, 2022 ~ Rock, progressive rock, metal drummer Ric Parnell, full name Richard J Parnell, passed away ~ Perhaps best known for portraying the role of drummer Mick Shrimpton in the rock parody This Is Spinal Tap. Son of jazz drummer Jack Parnell. Has worked with acts such as Horse, Atomic Rooster, the Tritons, Nova, Toni Basil, Jon Anderson, the Deviants, Zoo Drive, and others ~ Parnell was born in 1951
May 1, 2020 ~ Jazz-rock, pop-rock guitarist Will Theunissen passed away in Tiel, the Netherlands ~ Co-founded 1970s jazz-rock outfit Elevator. Co-founded Frank Boeijen Groep, staying with the band through 1984, replaced by Maarten Peters ~ Theunissen was born in 1954
May 1, 2018 ~ John Henry Starks, commonly known as drummer John Jabo Starks, passed away in Mobile, Alabama, USA ~ Best known for his association with James Brown, backing the singer on stage and in the studio from 1965 through 1976. Also worked with Bobby Blue Bland (including on the quintessential 1961 album Two Steps From The Blues), BB King, John Lee Hooker, Smiley Lewis, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Big Mama Thornton, Bobby Byrd, Howlin' Wolf, Lyn Collins, Fred Wesley, JJ Blair, and others ~ Starks was born in 1938
May 1, 2018 ~ Singer Max Berru passed away in Santiago, Chile ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of Inti Illmani, stayed with the band from 1967 to 1997 ~ Berrú was born in 1942
May 1, 2018 ~ Violinist Wanda Wilomirska passed away in Warsaw, Poland ~ Known for classical repertoire, contemporary classical and for premiering works by Tadeusz Baird and Krzysztof Penderecki ~ Wilkomirska was born in 1929
May 1, 2017 ~ Gustav Valentine Berglund III, commonly known as guitarist, singer Bruce Hampton, passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Key figure in the Atlanta, Georgia music scene drawing from jazz, fusion, southern rock and jam band music. Founded and fronted bands such as the Hampton Grease Band, Late Bronze Age, the Aquarium Rescue Unit, the Fiji Mariners, the Codetalkers, Quark Alliance, Pharaoh Gummitt, and the Madrid Express. Has guested on recordings by Frank Zappa (Lumpy Gravy), David Earle Johnson, Kevin Kinney, Susan Tedeschi (Wait For Me, Widespread Panic, and others ~ Berglund was born in 1947
May 1, 2016 ~ Jazz guitarist Doug Raney passed away in Copenhagen, Denmark ~ Son of guitarist Jimmy Raney. Worked with Al Haig, Chet Baker, George Cables, Joey DeFrancesco, Kenny Drew, Tal Farlow, Tomas Franck, Dexter Gordon, Johnny Griffin, Billy Hart, Hank Jones, Clifford Jordan, Duke Jordan, Jesper Lundgaard, Red Mitchell, Adam Nussbaum, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Horace Parlan, Bernt Rosengren, Jesper Thilo, Thorgeir Stubø, and others ~ Raney was born in 1956
May 1, 2015 ~ Keyboardist, guitarist John Tout passed away in London, UK ~ Member of Renaissance from 1970 through 1980, a key figure on most of the band's best known including the acclaimed mid-1970s albums Turn Of The Cards and Scheherazade And Other Stories ~ Tout was born ca.1944
May 1, 2013 ~ Singer, pop-rapper Chris Kelly, full name James Christopher Kelly, passed away ~ Half of pop-rap duo Kris Kross, the other half being Chris Smith, best known for Jump, a Jermaine Dupri-produced smash hit in 1992 ~ Kelly was born in 1978
May 1, 2010 ~ Jazz trumpeter Jesse Drakes passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with the Savoy Sultans, Sid Catlett, JC Heard, Eddie Heywood, Deke Watson, Sarah Vaughan, Lester Young, Harry Belafonte, Gene Ammons, Sonny Stitt, Louie Bellson, Duke Ellington, King Curtis, and others ~ Drakes was born in 1924
May 1, 2010 ~ Jazz trombonist, composer, arranger Rob McConnell, full name Robert Murray Gordon McConnell, passed away in Toronto, Canada ~ Founder of big band the Boss Brass, which he led from 1967 through 1999. Known for the 1978 Big Band Jazz album, awarded a Juno Award, and for the 1983 All In Good Time album, awarded a Grammy Award ~ McConnell was born in 1935
May 1, 2009 ~ Singer, comedian Danny Gans, full name Danny Davies Gans, passed away in Henderson, Nevada, USA ~ Best known as a Vegas entertainer, billed as “the Man of Many Voices.”. Would win the Show Of The Year award for 10 consecutive years starting in 1998 ~ Gans was born in 1956
May 1, 2009 ~ Choir leader, conductor Torstein Grythe, full name Torstein Eliot Berg Grythe, passed away ~ Best known for founding and leading the boys choir Sølvguttene ~ Grythe was born in 1918
May 1, 2006 ~ John Edward Hawkins, commonly known as rapper Big Hawk, passed away in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Brother of rapper Fat Pat, with whom he also worked. Founding member of Screwed Up Click. Released his solo debut, Under Hawk's Wings, in 2000. Has collaborated with Lil' Flip, Lil' Keke, Big Moe, ESG, Travis Scott, and others ~ Hawkins was born in 1969
May 1, 2006 ~ John Matthew Pocisk, commonly known as saxophonist, singer Johnny Paris, passed away in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA ~ Fronted Johnny & the Hurricanes, known for a number of late 1950s, early 1960s hits including Red River Rock, Reveille Rock and Beatnik Fly ~ Pocisk was born in 1940
May 1, 2004 ~ Drummer, keyboardist Felix Haug passed away in Uster, Switzerland ~ Best known as half of Doublé, the other half being Kurt Maloo, known for their international hit The Captain Of Her Heart. Has previously drummed with Yello ~ Haug was born in 1952
May 1, 1999 ~ Jazz, R&B tenor, alto saxophonist Eddie Chamblee, full name Edwin Leon Chamblee, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Sonny Thompson (including on the 1948 hits Long Gone and Late Freight), the Four Blazes, Lionel Hampton, Amos Milburn, Lowell Fulson, Dinah Washington (with whom he was briefly married), Milt Buckner, Dodo Greene, Memphis Slim, T-Bone Walker (on the 1955 album T-Bone Blues), the Harlem Blues & Jazz Band, and others ~ Chamblee was born in 1920
May 1, 1998 ~ Singer, songwriter Jewel released a book of poetry, A Night Without Armor ~ Singer Jewel Kilcher, mononymously known as Jewel, known best for the Foolish Games Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit taken of her 1995 Pieces Of You debut album releases her first literary work. It would also be released as a spoken word album. In later years the singer would also release more poems, essays, stories, two children's books and her memoir
May 1, 1996 ~ Jazz trombonist, arranger Billy Byers, full name William Mitchell Byers, passed away in Malibu, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Georgie Auld, Buddy Rich, Benny Goodman, Charlie Ventura, Teddy Powell, Harold Arlen, Quincy Jones, Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn, Billy Eckstine, Coleman Hawkins, JJ Johnson, Lee Konitz, Jack McDuff, Gary McFarland, Hal McKusick, Carmen McRae, Joe Newman, Lalo Schifrin, Bud Shank, Charlie Shavers, Julius Watkins, Cootie Williams, Frank Zappa (on the 1972 albums Grand Wazoo and Waka Jawaka), with Andy Williams, and numerous others ~ Byers was born in 1927
May 1, 1994 ~ Trip hop, electronica, alternative R&B, dream pop inger, songwriter Kacy Hill, full name Kacy Anne Hill, born in Phoenix, Arizona, USA ~ Backup dancer for Kanye West during his 2013 The Yeezus Tour. During the tour West was presented with a tape of Hill's song Experience and he immediately signed her to his GOOD Music label. Hill released her Bloo debut EP in 2015, a full-length Like A Woman debut album followed two years later
May 1, 1993 ~ Singer, songwriter Victoria Monet born ~ Best known as a songwriter. Penned or co-penned songs for Ariana Grande (Let Me Love You), Fifth Harmony, Nas, TI (Memories Back Then), Lupe Fiasco, Chrisette Michele (Visual Love), Coco Jones, Chris Brown, Diddy Dirty Money, Janelle Monáe, and for Jasmine V. As a singer released a number of singles including Made In China featuring Ty Dolla $ign, 90s Babies, Do You Like It, and Monopoly, most of which failed to chart
May 1, 1990 ~ Sergio Franci Galli, commonly known as tenor singer, actor Sergio Franchi, passed away in Stonington, Connecticut, USA ~ Initially aimed for a career an opera, yet would find succes with romantic traditional pop, showtunes and operatic pop in the UK in the early 1960s and subsequently in America eventually headlining in Las Vegas. Well known songs include Core 'Ngrato, Volare, Torna A Surriento, A Man Without Love, Passione, and A Vucchella ~ Galli was born in 1926
May 1, 1989 ~ Cellist, conductor Antonio Janigro passed away in Zagreb, Yugoslavia ~ Member of Macek Sulek Janigro Trio. Started his conducting career by the late 1940s. Has worked with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Radio Zagreb Orchestra, I Solisti Di Zagreb, and others ~ Janigro was born in 1918
May 1, 1988 ~ Songwriter Claude Demetrius passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best known for writing or co-writing several songs recorded by Elvis Presley including I Was The One, Mean Woman Blues, and Hard Headed Woman. Others who recorded his songs include Louis Armstrong, Louis Jordan, Dinah Washington, and Johnnie Ray ~ Demetrius was born in 1916
May 1, 1986 ~ Producer, songwriter Hugo Peretti passed away in Englewood, New Jersey, USA ~ Half of producer, songwriter team Hugo & Luigi, the other half being his cousin Luigi Creatore. Worked with artists such as Sarah Vaughan, Jimmie Rodgers, Valerie Carr, Perry Como, Sam Cooke, Ray Peterson, the Tokens, Elvis Presley (Can't Help Falling In Love), the Stylistics, the Softones, and others ~ Peretti was born in 1916
May 1, 1986 ~ Rapper, producer, songwriter Tommy Brown, full name Thomas Lee Brown, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for his work as a producer with Ariana Grande, Meghan Trainor, Rodney Jerkins, Jennifer Lopez, Wyclef Jean, Black Eyed Peas, Meek Mill, Travis Scott, Cee Lo Green, Nas, TI, John Legend, Teyana Taylor, Cyhi the Prynce, Victoria Monet, Mario, Chrisette Michele, Kelly Rowland, 2 Chainz, Naya Rivera, Machine Gun Kelly, Fifth Harmony, and others
May 1, 1985 ~ Bassist Chris Faller born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Best known as bassist for the Company Of Thieves and the Hush Sound, notably present on the latter's Goodbye Blues released in 2008. Has also worked with the Family Order and Until Sundown
May 1, 1984 ~ Arranger, composer, pianist Gordon Jenkins, full name Gordon Hill Jenkins, passed away in Malibu, California, USA ~ Worked with the Andrews Sisters, Johnny Cash, the Weavers, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Harry Nilsson, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Isham Jones, Paul Whiteman, Benny Goodman, Andre Kostelanetz, Lennie Hayton, Dick Haymes, Charles Lavere, Patty Andrews, and others ~ Jenkins was born in 1910
May 1, 1982 ~ Jazz trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Worked with Vijay Iyer, Aaron Parks, Esperanza Spalding, Jason Moran, Walter Smith III, Gerald Clayton, Steve Coleman, Alan Pasqua, Josh Roseman, Danny Grissett, David Binney, Vince Mendoza, Chris Dingman, Sara Gazarek, Raymond Angry, Mary Halvorson, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Brad Mehldau, Mette Juul, Jack DeJohnette, and others
May 1, 1979 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Bob Dylan records Precious Angel at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, Sheffield, Alabama ~ Self-penned. Produced by Jerry Wexler and Barry Beckett. Notable guest on the track is Mark Knopfler on guitar. Included on the Slow Train Coming album. Released as a single b/w Trouble In Mind
May 1, 1979 ~ Suzanne Casale Melone, commonly known as freestyle, dance-pop rapper, singer Lil Suzy, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Influential in the 1990s freestyle movement. Best known for her singles Take Me In Your Arms, Promise Me and Can't Get You Out Of My Mind
May 1, 1978 ~ Jazz pianist Raymond Fol passed away in Paris, France ~ Brother of saxophonist Hubert Fol. Worked with his brother, with Claude Abadie, Boris Vian, the Be-Bop Minstrels, Piere Braslavsky, Jean-Claude Fohrenbach, Django Reinhardt, Roy Eldridge, Johnny Hodges, Dizzy Gillespie, Sidney Bechet, Claude Luter, Guy Lafitte, Stéphane Grappelli, Kenny Clarke, Duke Ellington, Paul Gonsalves, Cat Anderson, Gerald Badini, and others ~ Fol was born in 1928
May 1, 1977 ~ Gabriel Serbian, commonly known as hardcore punk drummer, guitarist, singer Gabe Serbian, born ~ Best known for his associations with the Locust, Cattle Decapitation, Holy Molar, and Zu. Serbian was also a member of hardcore supergroup Head Wound City ~ Serbian passed away in 2022
May 1, 1975 ~ Hip-hop, jazz bassist, rapper Aslak Hartberg, full name Aslak Rakli Hartberg, born in Oslo, Norway ~ Co-founded hip-hop band Klovner & Kamp with Sveinung Eide. Also known for his work in jazz, working with artists such as Morten Halle, Jon Eberson, Jørgen Munkeby, Morten Qvenild, and others
May 1, 1972 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Cory Morrow born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Enjoying popularity especially in his native Texas. Actively recording since the late 1990s. Closely associated with Pat Green, notably on the acclaimed 2001 collaborative Songs We'd Wish We'd Written album. Has also collaborated with Roger Creager, Reckless Kelly, and Stoney Larue
May 1, 1970 ~ Alternative rock, Britpop singer, guitarist, bassist, pianist Bernard Butler, full name Bernard Joseph Butler, born in Stamford Hill, UK ~ Rose to fame as guitarist for Suede, remaining with the band through 1994. Present on the band's eponymous Suede and its follow-up Dog Man Star. Subsequently formed the duo McAlmont & Butler with David McAlmont, known for the singles Yes and You Do. Co-founded Tears in 2004, scoring the UK top 10 hit Refugees. Has also recorded as a solo artist, and collaborated with a wide array of artists including Aimee Mann, Edwyn Collins, Neneh Cherry, the Libertines, Heather Nova, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Duffy
May 1, 1969 ~ Georgina Armour Allan, commonly known as actress, singer Ella Logan, passed away in Burlingame, California, USA ~ Made her recording debut in 1930 at age 17 as featured vocalist with Jack Hylton's orchestra on Moanin' Low and Can't We Be Friends. Would relocate to America by the mid-1930s, landing Broadway roles starting with 1934's Calling All Stars, feature in several Hollywood films, and perform in nightclubs. In the 1950s Logan's career would be hampered by the FBI, suspected of having communist ties. There was never any evidence found of these allegations ~ Allan was born in 1913
May 1, 1969 ~ Jorge Antonio Alvarez, commonly known as hip-hop rapper, producer Kurious, born in New York, New York, USA ~ First gained attention in 1993 appearing on Pete Nice & DJ Richie Rich's collaborative album Dust To Dust. The duo would help him land a record deal, Kurious releasing his Walk Like A Duck debut single in 1992. His full-length A Constipated Monkey debut album followed in 1994. Has guested on recordings by Del The Funky Homosapien, KMD, MF Doom, and others
May 1, 1968 ~ Alternative rock bassist, singer D'Arcy Wretzky, full name D'Arcy Elizabeth Wretzky, born in South Haven, Michigan, USA ~ Best known as bassist of the Smashing Pumpkins through 1999, appearing on the band's first 6 albums including the acclaimed 1995 Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness album
May 1, 1967 ~ British pop group the Hollies record Carrie Anne at EMI Studios, London, UK ~ Reportedly a shy tribute to singer Marianne Faithfull written by Allan Clarke, Graham Nash, Tony Hicks. Produced by Ron Richards. Recorded in only two takes, the first take a false start later included on the compilation set The Hollies At Abbey Road (1966 To 1970). The single would be released later the same month, featuring Signs That Will Never Change on the flipside, it would reach top 10 in the UK, America, Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands. Canadian actress Carrie-Anne Moss, born three months after the single's release, was named after the song
May 1, 1967 ~ Country singer, guitarist, actor Tim McGraw, full name Samuel Timothy McGraw, born in Delhi, Louisiana, USA ~ Released his eponymous Tim McGraw debut album in 1993 and has recorded consistently to critical acclaim and commercial succes since. Married to singer Faith Hill since 1996, with whom he has also recorded. Known for songs such as Don't Take The Girl, Not A Moment Too Soon, She Never Lets It Go To Her Heart, Just To See You Smile, Where The Green Grass Grows, Something Like That, My Next Thirty Years, Watch The Wind Blow By, Back When, Felt Good On My Lips, Humble And Kind, and others
May 1, 1966 ~ Charles Brandt, commonly known as southern rock, rock, hard rock, pop rock bassist Johnny Colt, born in Cherry Point, North Carolina, USA ~ Original bassist for the Black Crowes present on the albums Shake Your Money Maker, Southern Harmony & The Musical Companion, Amorica, and Three Snakes And One Charm. Following his disbandement from the band in 1997 formed the Brand New Immortals with David Ryan Harris and Kenny Cresswell. Member of Train from 2003 through 2006. Replaced Jason Newsted in the supergroup Rock Star Supernova. Member of Lynyrd Skynyrd from 2012 through 2017
May 1, 1965 ~ Lindsey Armstrong Jones, commonly known as bandleader Spike Jones, passed away in Beverly Hills, California, USA ~ Known for spoof arrangements of popular songs and classical music, using a variety of odd instruments and sound effects including gunshots, whistles and comedic vocals. Influenced artists such as the Marx Brothers, Stan Freiberg, Joe Raposo, Mr Bungle, Frank Zappa, Weird Al Yankovic, and others. Known for songs such as Der Fuehrer's Face, Cocktails For Two and All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth ~ Jones was born in 1911
May 1, 1965 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Wayne Hancock, full name Thomas Wayne Hancock III, born ~ Known as “the King of Juke Joint Swing”
May 1, 1964 ~ Bandleader, conductor Håkan von Eichwald passed away in Malmo, Sweden ~ Popular dance bandleader employing sidemen pivotal to Swedish jazz. Moved to classical music by the 1940s, conducting symphonic and operatic works ~ Von Eichwald was born in 1908
May 1, 1964 ~ Country, folk singer, guitarist, banjoist, dobroist, producer, songwriter Will Kimbrough born in Mobile, Alabama, USA ~ Co-founding member of Will & the Bushmen. Co-founding member of the Bis-Quits. Would go on to become a renowned producer and songwriter. Has worked with Adrienne Young, Rodney Crowell, Todd Snider, Kim Richey, Matthew Ryan, Josh Rouse, Rosanne Cash, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, the Jayhawks, Mark Knopfler, Billy Joe Shaver, Mavis Staples, and others
May 1, 1960 ~ Andrew Hogg, commonly known as Texas blues, country blues guitarist Smokey Hogg, passed away in McKinney, Texas, USA ~ Influenced by Big Bill Broonzy, Peetie Wheatstraw and by slide guitarist Black Ace, touring and recording the late 1930s one-off Family Trouble Blues with the latter. Best known for a number of late 1940s, early 1950s recording, both originals and Broonzy covers, such as Too Many Drivers, Long Tall Mama, Little School Girl and Penitentiary Blues ~ Hogg was born in 1914
May 1, 1957 ~ Guitarist Steve Farris born in Fremont, Nebraska, USA ~ Member of Mr Mister from its inception in 1982 until 1988, present on the band's first three albums and their best-known hits including the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits Broken Wings and Kyrie
May 1, 1956 ~ World music, jazz fusion drummer Paco Sery born in Divo, Cote D'Ivoire ~ Active since the late 1980s. Has worked with Sixun, Nina Simone, Manu Dibango, Papa Wemba, Eddy Louiss, Joe Zawinul, and others
May 1, 1954 ~ Songwriter Arthur Johnston passed away ~ Frequent collaborator of Irving Berlin, Johnny Burke, Sam Coslow. Well known songs co-written by Johnston include Just One More Chance (Abe Lyman, Ruth Etting, Sammy Fain), Pennies From Heaven (Eddy Duchin, Teddy Wilson, Dinah Washington), The Moon Got In My Eyes (Bing Crosby, Mildred Bailey, Chick Bullock), Mandy Make Up Your Mind (Paul Whiteman, Muggsy Spanier), Cocktails For Two (Johnny Green, Spike Jones, Keely Smith), and Between A Kiss And A Sigh (Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, Kay Kyser) ~ Johnston was born in 1898
May 1, 1954 ~ Singer, guitarist Ray Parker Jr born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Studio musician for Holland-Dozier-Holland's 1970s Invictus and Hot Wax labels. Sessioned for Stevie Wonder, both on tour on record (Maybe Your Baby). Sideman in Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra. Founded Raydio in 1977, which also included Vincent Bonham, Jerry Knight and Arnell Carmichael, best known for Jack And Jill, You Can't Change That and perhaps their best-known A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do). Over the course of his career Parker has sessioned for, and co-written with artists such as Chaka Khan, Rufus, the Carpenters, Nils Landgren Funk Unit, the Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Deniece Williams, Bill Withers, Michael Henderson, Jean-Luc Ponty, Leon Haywood, the Temptations, Boz Scaggs, David Foster, Rhythm Heritage, Gladys Knight, Honey Cone, Herbie Hancock, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, New Edition, Randy Hall, Cheryl Lynn, and others
May 1, 1953 ~ Jazz, classical flutist, bandleader, composer James Newton born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced mainly by Eric Dolphy. Leader and sideman. Worked with artists such as David Murray, Bobby Bradford, Arthur Blythe, Anthony Davis, Abdul Wadud, John Carter, the Mingus Dynasty, Jon Jang, Gao Hong, Kadri Gopalnath, Shubhendra Rao, the New York Philharmonic, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Vladimir Spivakov, the New York Music Ensemble, the San Francisco Ballet, Buddy Collette, Chico Freeman, Leroy Jenkins, and others. Sued the the Beastie Boys in 2000 for use of a three-note sample of Choir in their song Pass The Mic. In 2002 the judge ruled in favor of the Beastie Boys as the sample did not exceed 6 seconds
May 1, 1949 ~ R&B singer, songwriter, producer Gavin Christopher born ~ Member of Lyfe, which also included Chaka Khan. Member of High Voltage. Best known for writing several Rufus tracks, Once You Get Started, Dance With Me, and Fools Paradise. As a solo artist best known for his sole Billboard Hot 100 charter One Step Closer To You. Has produced artists such as Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, and Ritchie Family, as well as mentored a young Mariah Carey ~ Christopher passed away in 2016
May 1, 1948 ~ Jazz bassist Carl Morten Iversen born in Oslo, Norway ~ Son of jazz violinist Arild Iversen. Central figure in the Oslo jazz scene. Actively recording since the mid-1960s, initially as accompaniest for folk singers gravitating towards jazz by the early 1970s. Has worked with Lars Klevstrand, Lillebjorn Nilsen, Jon Balke, Ditlef Eckhoff, Magni Wentzel, Jon Eberson, Oslo 13, and others
May 1, 1948 ~ Singer James Wise born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Co-founding member of Archie Bell & the Drells, best known for their 1968 Billboard Hot 100 charttopper Tighten Up
May 1, 1947 ~ R&B, pop, soul singer Elbert Wilkins born in Monroe, Louisiana, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Dramatics, known for songs such as Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get, In The Rain and Be My Girl ~ Wilkins passed away in 1992
May 1, 1947 ~ Trombonist Jerry Hyman born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Member of Blood Sweat & Tears from 1968 through 1970, present on the band's 1968 Blood Sweat & Tears and 1970 Blood Sweat & Tears 3 albums
May 1, 1946 ~ Conductor, composer Andrew Massey born ~ Principal conductor of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. Also worked with the Fresno Philharmonic, the New Orleans Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, and with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra ~ Massey passed away in 2018
May 1, 1946 ~ Trumpeter, flugelhornist Jerry Weiss born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member of Blood Sweat & Tears, present on the band's acclaimed Child Is Father To The Man 1968 debut album
May 1, 1945 ~ Blues, R&B, country keyboardist, songwriter Carson Whitsett born ~ Co-wrote Why Not Me, a 1980 hit for Fred Knobloch. As a keyboardist especially proficient on the Hammond organ. Worked with artists such as James Stroud, Paul Simon (appearring on the album There Goes Rhymin' Simon), Anita Ward (Ring My Bell), Dorothy Moore, Connie Francis, ZZ Hill, Bobby Blue Bland, Little Milton, Johnnie Taylor, Kathy Mattea, and others. Revered as songwriter, wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by Etta James, Eddie Floyd, John Anderson (Mississippi Moon), Johnny Adams, James Carr, Ruth Brown, Solomon Burke (Don't Give Up On Me), Wilson Pickett, Conway Twitty, Barbara Mandrell, Albertina Walker, the Staple Singers, BB King, Jerry Butler, Suzy Bogguss, Irma Thomas, and others ~ Whitsett passed away in 2007
May 1, 1945 ~ Singer Rita Coolidge born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Popular 1970s, 1980s singer known for the Billboard top 10 hits (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher & HIgher and We're All Alone of her 1977 Anytime Anywhere album, her 1983 James Bond-theme All Time High for the Octopussy film and numerous duets with Kris Kristofferson with whom she was married from 1973 through 1980. Coolidge has also been romantically involved with various other famous musicians, notably leaving Stephen Stills for Graham Nash which reportedly was a factor in the initial 1970 break-up of Crosby Stills & Nash, with Leon Russell and with Joe Cocker. Has sung backup for Russell, Cocker, Delaney & Bonnie, Harry Chapin, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and others
May 1, 1944 ~ Konstantinos Cordalis, commonly known as schlager singer Costa Cordalis, born in Elateia, Greece ~ Enjoyed popularity in his adopted homeland Germany, his 1976 single Anita reaching top 10 ~ Cordalis passed away in 2019
May 1, 1944 ~ Marva Ann Manning, commonly known as R&B, funk, soul singer Marva Whitney born in Kansas City, Kansas, USA ~ Regarded as one of the rawest and brassiest divas in funk. Turned down offers from Little Richard and Bobby Blue Bland to join James Brown backing unit, the latter eventually nicknaming her “Soul Sister No.1”. As a solo artist known for classic funk releases such as Your Love Was Good To Me, Unwind Yourself, It's My Thing (You Can Tell Me Who To Sock It To) and Got To Get Better (Get Together) ~ Manning passed away in 2012
May 1, 1942 ~ Singer, drummer Charlie Allen born ~ Co-founding member of Pacific Gas & Electric, known for their 1970 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit Are You Ready co-written by Allen and later notably covered by the Staple Singers ~ Allen passed away in 1990
May 1, 1941 ~ Lyricist, songwriter Howard Johnson passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Remembered for co-penning songs such as Lindbergh The Eagle Of The USA (Vernon Dalhart, Ernest Hare, Harry Crane), What Do We Do On A Dew-Dewey Day (Charles Kaley, Nathaniel Shilkret, Ruth Etting), When The Moon Comes Over The Mountain (the Radiolites, Leo Reisman, Sam Lanin), Ice Cream I Scream You Scream We All Scream For Ice Cream (Harry Reser, Waring's Pennsylvanians, Chris Barber), and What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For (Sam Ash, Bob Howard, Betty Hutton) ~ Johnson was born in 1887
May 1, 1937 ~ Composer Bo Nilsson born in Skellefteå, Sweden ~ Classified as a serialist composer akin to Pierre Boulez and Karlheinz Stockhausen, though Nilsson himself rejected the label. Self-taught. Best known for compositions such as Zwei Stucke, Audiogramme, Entrée, Quantitäten, and for film and TV scores including Hemsöborna ~ Nilsson passed away in 2018
May 1, 1936 ~ Blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Lacy Gibson born in Salisbury, North Carolina, USA ~ Influenced by Sunnyland Slim, Muddy Waters, Lefty Bates, Matt Guitar Murphy, Wayne Bennett. As a solo artist best known for the songs My Love Is Real and Switchy Titchy. As a session and touring musician has backed Willie Mabon, Billy The Kid Emerson, Buddy Guy, Son Seals (Live & Burning), Billy Boy Arnold, Big Time Sarah ~ Gibson passed away in 2011
May 1, 1935 ~ Guitarist Heraldo do Monte born in Recife, Brazil ~ Member of the Quarteto Novo, which also included Airto Moreira, Hermeto Pascoal and Théo de Barros
May 1, 1934 ~ Jazz singer, pianist Shirley Horn born in Washington DC, USA ~ Collaborated with artists such as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Toots Thielemans, Ron Carter, Carmen McRae, Wynton Marsalis, and others ~ Horn passed away in 2005
May 1, 1933 ~ Singer Titus Turner born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ R&B, East Coast blues singer, songwriter best known for songs such as We Told You Not To Marry, Sound Off, Leave My Kitten Alone (later recorded by Johnny Preston, the Beatles, and Elvis Costello), Sticks And Stones (later recorded by Ray Charles), and Tell Me Why ~ Turner passed away in 1984
May 1, 1931 ~ Jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist, flutist, saxophonist, composer Ira Sullivan born in Washington DC, USA ~ Started in the 1950s playing trumpet and sax with jazz greats such as Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Wardell Gray, Roy Eldridge, and with Art Blakey. Moved to Florida in the 1960s, out of the spotlight, playing with local younger players including Jaco Pastorius and Pat Metheny. This would lead to focusing more on teaching as well as incorporating other instruments and genres, such as rock. Sullivan also performed and recorded extensively with Red Rodney in the 1980s, focusing on the music of their youth ~ Sullivan passed away in 2020
May 1, 1930 ~ Folk, country, pop singer, pianist, guitarist, songwriter Judy Collins, full name Judith Marjorie Collins, born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Actively recording since the early 1960s, performing folk, show tunes, pop, jazz and rock & roll standards. Best known for her 1967 Both Sides Now, a Joni Mitchell-cover reaching the Billboard top 10
May 1, 1930 ~ Marion Walter Jacobs, commonly known as blues harpist, guitarist, singer Little Walter, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ One of the most influential and admired blues harpists. Best known for songs such as Juke and My Babe. Has worked with Sonny Boy Williamson II, Sunnyland Slim, Muddy Waters (Country Boy), David Honeyboy Edwards, Floyd Jones, Ike Turner, Willie Dixon, Junior Wells, John Brim, Memphis Minnie, Bo Diddley, Otis Rush, Robert Nighthawk, the Rolling Stones, Hound Dog Taylor, Koko Taylor, and others ~ Jacobs passed away in 1968
May 1, 1928 ~ James Hugh Loden, commonly known as country, country pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Sonny James, born in Hackleburg, Alabama, USA ~ Dubbed the “Southern Gentleman” known best for his 1957 hit single Young Love, considered by some the first teenage country crossover hit topping both the pop and country charts. Would subsequently regularly reach the higher echelons of the Billboard Country charts into the 1970s, well known songs including First Date First Kiss First Love, Uh-huh-mm, The Minute You're Gone, Baltimore, You're The Only World I Know, I'll Keep Holding On Just To Your Love, Behind The Tear, Take Good Care Of Her, Room In Your Heart, I'll Never Find Another You, and others ~ Loden passed away in 2016
May 1, 1927 ~ Jazz trombonist, arranger Billy Byers, full name William Mitchell Byers, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Georgie Auld, Buddy Rich, Benny Goodman, Charlie Ventura, Teddy Powell, Harold Arlen, Quincy Jones, Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn, Billy Eckstine, Coleman Hawkins, JJ Johnson, Lee Konitz, Jack McDuff, Gary McFarland, Hal McKusick, Carmen McRae, Joe Newman, Lalo Schifrin, Bud Shank, Charlie Shavers, Julius Watkins, Cootie Williams, Frank Zappa (on the 1972 albums Grand Wazoo and Waka Jawaka), with Andy Williams, and numerous others ~ Byers passed away in 1996
May 1, 1926 ~ Blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Cora Mae Bryant born in Oxford, Georgia, USA ~ Daughter of Piedmont blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Curley Weaver ~ Bryant passed away in 2008
May 1, 1924 ~ Mabel Louise Smith, commonly known as singer Big Maybelle, born in Jackson, Tennessee, USA ~ Revered singer known best for her 1956 hit Candy. Also known for recording Whoe Lotta Shakin' Goin' On in 1955, produced by a then-unknown Quincy Jones, two years before Jerry Lee Lewis's pivotal rock & roll version. Active since the mid-1930s working with the all-female the International Sweethearts Of Rhythm, Christine Chatham, Tiny Bradshaw, Hot Lips Page, and others. Other well known early R&B recordings include Gabbin' Blues, My Country Man, Way Back Home, and others ~ Smith passed away in 1972
May 1, 1922 ~ Jazz saxophonist Floyd Candy Johnson born in Madison, Illinois, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Influenced by Ben Webster. Worked with Ernie Fields, Tiny Bradshaw, Andy Kirk, Count Basie, Bill Doggett (notably on Honky Tonk), Duke Ellington, Clark Terry, Helen Humes, Roy Eldridge, and others ~ Johnson passed away in 1981
May 1, 1913 ~ Conductor, pianist, teacher Walter Susskind, full name Jan Walter Susskind, born in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Fled to England two days before the Nazis invaded his native Prague, eventually becoming a naturalized Brit. Married to cellist Eleanor Warren from 1943 to 1953. As a pianist known for forming the the Czech Trio. As a conductor known for his association with the Carl Rosa Opera Company, the Scottish Orchestra, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the St Louis Symphony Orchestra, and others ~ Susskind passed away in 1980
May 1, 1911 ~ Ralph Basso Jr, commonly known as jazz, R&B talent scout, A&R executive, producer, songwriter Ralph Bass, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Considered a pioneer in bring African-American music into the mainstream. Worked for labels such as Black & White Records, Savoy Records, King Records, Fedral Records and Chess Records. Incremental in the careers of Lena Horne, Roosevelt Sykes, Jack McVea, T-Bone Walker, Johnny Otis, Clara Ward, the Platters, the Dominoes, Etta James, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Sam Cooke, James Brown, Earl Bostic, and others ~ Basso passed away in 1997
May 1, 1909 ~ George Militiades, commonly known as violinist, saxophonist, film composer, musical director George Melachrino, born in London, UK ~ Active since the late 1920s. Closely associated with Bert Ambrose. Has also worked with Bert Firman, Richard Tauber, and others. As a bandleader best known for the 1956 UK top 20 hit Autumn Concerto and The Starlight Roof Waltz ~ Militiades passed away in 1965
May 1, 1909 ~ Jazz drummer Jesse Prick born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Worked with George E Lee, Thamon Hayes, Count Basie, Ida Cox, Harlan Leonard, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Stan Kenton, Benny Carter, Slim Gaillard, Jay McShann, BB King, Little Willie Littlefield, and others ~ Price passed away in 1974
May 1, 1908 ~ Jazz trombonist Henderson Chambers born in Alexandria, Louisiana, USA ~ Worked with Neil Montgomery, Doc Banks, the Pullman Porters, Speed Webb, Zack Whyte, Al Sears, Tiny Bradshaw, Chris Columbus, Louis Armstrong, Don Redman, Sy Oliver, Lucky Millinder, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Doc Cheatham, Duke Ellington, Mercer Ellington, Ray Charles, Edgar Battle, and others ~ Chambers passed away in 1967
May 1, 1907 ~ Soprano singer Kate Smith, full name Kathryn Elizabeth Smith, born in Greenville, Virginia, USA ~ Dubbed “the Songbird of the South” and active since the mid-1920, most notably on radio and TV including several own radio shows throughout the 1930s. Best known for her rendition of Irving Berlin's God Bless America ~ Smith passed away in 1986
May 1, 1904 ~ Composer Antonín Dvorák, full name Antonin Leopold Dvorak, passed away in Prague, Czech Republic ~ One of the first Czech composers to achieve worldwide recognition ~ Dvorák was born in 1841
May 1, 1901 ~ Composer, pianist, conductor Heinz Roemheld, full name Heinz Eric Roemheld, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA ~ Child prodigy. Best known as film composer. Won an Academy Award for scoring the soundtrack to the 1942 film Yankee Doodle Dandy. Composed music for over 400 movies ~ Roemheld passed away in 1985