May 15, 2024 ~ Pianist, keyboardist John Hawken, full name John Christopher Hawken, passed away in Metuchen, New Jersey, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Nashville Teens, known for their 1964 recording of Tobacco Road and its follow-up Google Eye both of which would reach top 10 in their native UK. Member of Renaissance, with whom he recorded the albums Renaissance and Illusion at the turn of the 1970s. Member of the Strawbs during the mid-1970s, present on the albums Hero And Heroine and Ghosts. Hawken has also worked with Luther Grosvenor, Claire Hamill, the Sutherland Brothers, and Illusion ~ Hawken was born in 1940
May 15, 2022 ~ Gospel, R&B singer, songwriter, actress Deborah Fraser passed away in Johannesburg, South Africa ~ Backing singer for the likes of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Lucky Dube, Brenda Fassie, Rebecca Malope, Hugh Masekela, and Jonas Gwangwa. Released her Abanye Bayombona solo debut album in 2000, which would go on to sell over 1 million copies. Well known for her 2016 hit Ngeke Ngiyeke Ukuthandaza ~ Fraser was born in 1965
May 15, 2022 ~ Punk rock, rock guitarist Ricky Gardiner passed away ~ Active since the early-1960s. Formed Beggar's Opera. Best known for his work with Iggy Pop on the 1977 Lust For Life album, notably credited for coming up with the characteristic guitar riff on The Passenger, and with David Bowie on the Low album issued the same year ~ Gardiner was born in 1948
May 15, 2021 ~ Jazz bassist Mario Pavone passed away in Clearwater, Florida, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Paul Bley, Bill Dixon, Barry Altschul, Wadada Leo Smith, Gerry Hemingway, Anthony Braxton, Thomas Chapin, Michael Sarin, Matt Wilson, Gerald Cleaver, Peter Madsen, Joshua Redman, Tony Malaby, Dave Douglas, Steven Bernstein, George Schuller, Craig Taborn, Jimmy Greene, Samm Bennett, Paul Bley, and others ~ Pavone was born in 1940
May 15, 2020 ~ Singer, keyboardist, songwriter Denny DeMarchi passed away ~ Brother of guitarist Steve DeMarchi. Backed Dolores O'Riordan on her 2007 world tour. Toured with the Cranberries during the band's reunion tour from 2009 through 2011. Also noted for his signature keyboard notes on More Than Words Can Say, a Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit for Alias in 1990 ~ DeMarchi was born in 1962
May 15, 2015 ~ Southern rock, country, rock singer Chris Stapleton releases his Traveller debut album ~ Already a revered songwriter, having written or co-written songs for the likes of Patty Loveless, Josh Turner, Lee Ann Womack, Tim McGraw, and George Strait, Stapleton's debut album, an updated hybrid of old-school country and Southern rock with a fair amount of soul thrown in for good measure, receives wide critical acclaim. Traveller would top both the Billboard Country charts and the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. All of the album's three singles, Traveller, Nobody To Blame, and Parachute, reached top 20 Billboard Country. At the 58th Grammy Awards, the album would win Best Country Album, and be nominated for Album of the Year, losing out to 1989 by Taylor Swift
May 15, 2011 ~ Jazz, traditional pop singer, trombonist, double bassist Bob Flanigan, full name Robert Lee Flanagan, passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Longtime member of vocal group the Four Freshmen, known for 1950s hits such as Mood Indigo, Day By Day, Graduation Day and perhaps their best known It's A Blue World. Flannigan retired from performing in 1992 but would remain involved with the group ~ Flanigan was born in 1926
May 15, 2008 ~ Jazz, big band, pop pianist, bandleader, composer, arranger Bob Florence, full name Robert Chase Florence, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Child prodigy. Gave his first recital at age 7. Worked in bands led by Les Brown, Louie Bellson, and Harry James. Worked as arranger, conductor, bandleader for artists such as Count Basie, Sérgio Mendes, Joe Pass, Bud Shank. Sideman with Julie Andrews, Sue Raney, and Joanie Sommers ~ Florence was born in 1932
May 15, 2005 ~ The 36th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 2 of 3. A sunny and warm weekend, this year's edition would draw a total of some 20,000 visitors. Included on today's, Sunday the 15th's bill would be Sick Of It All, Beef, Within Temptation, Moneybrother, Madrugada, the Frames, and de Heideroosjes
May 15, 2005 ~ Soul, gospel singer Theola Kilgore passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Featured vocalist on the Mount Zion Spiritual Choir's Look To The Hills. As a solo artist best known for The Sound Of My Man (Working On The Chain Gang), an answer song to Sam Cooke's Chain Gang, and for her 1963 single The Love Of My Man which barely missed the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 ~ Kilgore was born in 1925
May 15, 2004 ~ Singer, songwriter Ruslana wins the 49th edition of the Eurovision Songfestival held in Istanbul, Turkey ~ Representing Ukraine singer Ruslana wins with the song Wild Dances co-written by Ruslana with Alexandr Ksenofontov, leaving Serbia & Montenegro in second place, represented by Zeljko Joksimovic with Lane Moje, and Greece in third, represented by Sakis Rouvas with Shake It
May 15, 2003 ~ Country, folk, gospel, rockabilly singer, guitarist, banjoist, keyboardist, autoharpist, songwriter June Carter, full name Valerie June Carter, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Member of the Carter Family and the Carter Sisters. As a solo artist known for upbeat 1950s country, rockabilly songs, notably Jukebox Blues and No Swallerin' Place. As a songwriter best known for penning Ring Of Fire for her then-future husband Johnny Cash. Married to Cash, who proposed to her during a live performance on-stage, from 1968 until her death ~ Carter was born in 1929
May 15, 1999 ~ Club DJ, artist manager, label executive Rob Gretton passed away ~ Leading figure in late-1970s Manchester punk scene. Manager of Joy Division and New Order. Label co-owner of Factory Records for which Gretton signed artists such as Section 25, X O Dus, Crispy Ambulance, the Stockholm Monsters, Minny Pops, the Names, Quando Quango, Wake, 52nd Street, and the Happy Mondays ~ Gretton was born in 1953
May 15, 1999 ~ In its ninth week on the chart, Please Remember Me by Tim McGraw hits No.1 Billboard Country ~ Originally recorded by Rodney Crowell for his 1995 Jewel Of The South album. While Crowell's original single stalled at No.69 on the Billboard Country chart, the song would become better known as covered by McGraw a few years later. Besides topping the Billboard Country chart, McGraw's cover also reached No.10 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Will Jennings, who had co-written the song with Crowell, would later recollect: “Rodney and I poured out our feelings about ending relationships, realizing the damage done, and wishing departed lovers a better life than they had with us. It's about a breakup, and it was a particular person I had in mind, which I cannot reveal”
May 15, 1995 ~ Jasmine Lucilla Elizabeth Jennifer van den Bogaerde, commonly known as singer, pianist, guitarist, songwriter Birdy, born in Lymington, UK ~ Stunned audiences by winning the talent show Open Mic UK in 2008, at age 12. Would go on to release her debut single, a cover of Bon Iver's Skinny Love, and her subsequent ful-length eponymous Birdy solo debut album in late 2011. The album would reach top 10 across the globe including No.1 positions in Australia, Belgium and the Netherlands. Has recorded consistently to critical acclaim and a growing fanbase
May 15, 1993 ~ Singer Niamh Kavanagh wins the 38th edition of the Eurovision Songfestival held in Milstreet, Ireland ~ Representing Ireland, Kavanagh wins with the song In Your Eyes written by Jimmy Walsh. Trailing would be the UK in second place, represented by Sonia with Better The Devil You Know, and Belgium in third place represented by Barbara Dex with Iemand Als Jij
May 15, 1992 ~ Post-punk outfit the Cure release Friday I'm In Love, lifted off their Wish album ~ While writing the song, Robert Smith became convinced he had inadvertently stolen the melody but was unable to remember where from. He called everyone he could think of to play them the melody, asking if they knew. Nobody claimed or recognized it, so eventually Smith realized it was all his own after all. The single would be a global hit, become their second and final American top 20 hit, peaking at No.18 Billboard Hot 100, and reach No.6 in the band's native UK
May 15, 1991 ~ Experimental, electronic, folk singer, songwriter Derek Piotr born in Lublin, Poland ~ Actively recording since the early-2010s with close to a dozen albums to his name. Especially acclaimed for his 2018 Grunt album, collaborating with Kevin Drumm. By the end of the decade would begin researching Appalachian folk music, resulting in the 2021 Making And Then Unmaking album
May 15, 1989 ~ R&B, pop, dance, soul, hip-hop singer, pianist, songwriter Alex Jacke born in Los Feliz, California, USA ~ Released his full-length DFM Deluxe debut album in 2013. Has worked with Jesse McCartney, Laney Stewart, and Speakerbomb
May 15, 1989 ~ Songwriter, pianist Johnny Green, full name John Waldo Green, passed away in Beverly Hills, California, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-writing Body And Soul from the 1930 Broadway musical Three's A Crowd with Edward Heyman, Robert Sour and Frank Sour. The song would be first introduced by Gertrude Lawrence in the UK and by Libby Holman in the USA. The song became a jazz standard recorded by numerous artists including notably Louis Armstrong, Coleman Hawkins, Paul Whiteman, Jack Fulton, and as a duet by Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse ~ Green was born in 1908
May 15, 1989 ~ The 20th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Sunny, some 40,000 visitors show up for this edition's bill which includes REM, Marc Almond, Tanita Tikaram, John Hiatt, the Jeff Healey Band, the Nits, the Pixies, Rory Block, Elvis Costello, and Fishbone
May 15, 1987 ~ indie rock singer, drummer, guitarist, bassist, saxophonist, keyboardist Eric Slick born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known as drummer of Dr Dog since 2010. Released his Palisades solo debut album in 2017 to critical acclaim. Has also worked with Adrian Belew, Nels Cline, Daniel Rossen, R Stevie Moore, Cass McCombs, Ween, Rushton Kelly and appears on Taylor Swift's 2021 track You All Over Me
May 15, 1982 ~ Pop, dance, house singer, songwriter, actress Jessica Sutta, full name Jessica Lynn Sutta, born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Best known as member of girl group the Pussycat Dolls, present on the band's 2005 PCD and 2008 Doll Domination albums. As a solo singer known for dance hits such as 2011's Show Me, 2013's Lights Out and 2016's Distortion, the latter also included on her 2017 full-length I Say Yes solo debut album
May 15, 1981 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Bob Dylan records Heart Of Mine ~ Penned by Dylan. Produced by Dylan and Chuck Plotkin. Included on the 1981 Shot Of Love album. Musicians include Dylan on piano and vocals, Ronnie Wood guitar, Donald Duck Dunn bass, Ringo Starr drums. Over the years the song would be covered by Norah Jones, Blake Mills, and Maria Muldaur
May 15, 1981 ~ Actress, singer Jamie-Lynn Sigler born in Jericho, New York, USA ~ Actress best known for her role as Meadow Soprano in the HBO series The Sopranos. As a singer released the pop album Here To Heaven, which flopped. Later Sigler would comment she was “embarrassed” by the album and regretted releasing it.
May 15, 1980 ~ Vula Malinga, mononymously known as dance singer, songwriter Vula, born ~ Started singing in the church choir, becoming co-lead singer of the London Community Gospel Choir. Rose to fame featured on the 2005 Basement Jaxx single Oh My Gosh and has been singing with the group ever since. Has also worked with Dizzee Rascal, Oliver Heldens & Riton (Turn Me On), Pete Tong, Charlie Stacey, and others
May 15, 1978 ~ The 9th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Geleen, the Netherlands ~ A cold day, some 42,000 visitors show up for this edition's bill which includes Thin Lizzy, Graham Parker, Journey, Mother's Finest, Link Wray, Partner, and Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers
May 15, 1976 ~ Classical flutist David Munrow, full name David John Munrow, passed away in Chesham Bois, UK ~ During an extended stay in South America, Munrow encountered traditional Latin American music and folk instruments. After returning home to the UK, his interest sparked he began to acquire copies of medieval and renaissance instruments, including traditional folk instruments. From the mid-1960s onward, Munrow would perform and record medieval and renaissance music in various ensembles including with the Musica Reservata and notably the Early Music Consort, the latter of which he co-founded. Munrow would also teach early woodwind instruments at the King's College, and host the BBC Radio 3 show Pied Piper. Despite his brief career, Munrow committing suicide at age 33, he was considered one of the most important figures in the early music movement, pivotal to bringing the music to a wider audience ~ Munrow was born in 1942
May 15, 1973 ~ Fiddler John McCusker born in Glasgow, UK ~ Best known as member of the Battlefield Band from 1990 through 2001, joining the band as replacement for Brian McNeill. Also worked with folk singer Kate Rusby, recorded several solo albums starting with 1995's eponymous John McCusker, and produced recordings for Cathie Ryan, Roddy Woomble, Kris Drever, Eddi Reader, and others
May 15, 1971 ~ In its sixth week on the charts, Love Her Madly by the Doors peaks at No.11 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Released as the lead single off LA Woman, the last album to feature lead singer Jim Morrison, around the same time Morrison left for Paris. Morrison would perform the song only twice before his untimely death the following July. Written by guitarist Robby Krieger about the numerous times his girlfriend, go-go dancer Lynn Veres, threatened to leave him. Eventually the couple married in 1972 and stayed together
May 15, 1971 ~ Drummer, percussionist Erland Dahlen born in Ulefoss, Norway ~ Worked with Het, Boschamaz, Kiruna, Piston Ltd, Madrugada, Kaada, Odd Nordstoga, Hanne Hukkelberg, Marit Larsen, Xploding Plastix, Bjørn Eidsvåg, Ragnar Sor Olsen, Eivind Sarset, Batagraf, Stian Westerhuis, Nils Petter Molvær, Anneli Drecker, and others
May 15, 1971 ~ Todd Schofield, commonly known as guitarist Todd Youth born in Rockaway, New Jersey, USA ~ Active since the mid-1980s in predominantly punk and metal bands including notably Warzone, Murphy's Law (Back With A Bang), D-Generation, Chrome Locust, Son Of Sam, Danzig (I Luciferi), the Chelsea Smiles, Cheap Trick (The Latest), and Bloodclot ~ Schofield passed away in 2018
May 15, 1971 ~ Folk singer Tommy Fleming born in Aclare, Ireland ~ Spent much of the 1990s working with Phil Coulter and De Dannan before establishing himself as a solo artist of repute. Has recorded over a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Different Sides To Life in 1996. Known for his forceful bel canto tenor, Fleming is credited with bringing traditional Irish music to pop audiences
May 15, 1970 ~ Pop, soft rock duo the Carpenters release (They Long To Be) Close To You), which would become their breakout hit and their first Billboard Hot 100 No.1 ~ Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, who had Richard Chamberlain record the first version in 1963. Chamberlain's single failed to become a hit. Subsequently, the song was recorded by Dionne Warwick for her 1964 Make Way For Dionne Warwick album, and by Dusty Springfield, who included it on her 1967 Where Am I Going album. Eventually, Bacharach gave the song to trumpeter and A&M Records co-owner Herb Alpert, who recorded the song but was not pleased. Alpert convinced the Carpenters to give the song a try. It became their breakout hit, their first Billboard Hot 100 No.1, and would earn the duo their first Grammy Award. Bacharach would later recall his initial reaction on hearing the Carpenters rendition: “Man, this is just great. I completely blew it with Chamberlain but now someone else has come along and made a record so much better than mine.”
May 15, 1970 ~ Attrell Stephen Cordes Jr, commonly known as rapper, producer Prince Be, born in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA ~ Co-founding member and lead singer of hip-hop group PM Dawn, known for blending rap with singing, and incorporating ethereal beats, mysticism and crypto-Christian imagery. Debuted in 1989 with the album Of The Heart Of The Soul And Of The Cros ~ Cordes passed away in 2016
May 15, 1963 ~ Actress, singer Kristen Vigard born in St Paul, Minnesota, USA ~ First to play the title role in Annie in its pre- Broadway tryout though deemed not “tough enough” by the show's producer for the street-smart character of Annie. Actress for TV and film, notably on the soap operas Guiding Light and One Life To Live. Surfaced in the late-1980s alternative rock scene, singing backup for Fishbone and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, including on the albums Mother's Milk and One Hit Minute. Released her eponymous Kristen Vigard debut album in 1988 to critical acclaim, drawing comparisons to Paul Simon
May 15, 1959 ~ Andrew William Harvey Taylor, commonly known as post-punk, gothic rock, rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, percussionist Andrew Eldritch born in Ely, UK ~ Frontman and sole constant member of Sisters Of Mercy, best known for mid-1980s to mid-1990s songs such as This Corrosion, More and Temple Of Love
May 15, 1956 ~ Saxophonist, pianist, vibraphonist Adrian Rollini, full name Adrian Francis Rollini, passed away in Homestead, Florida, USA ~ Known for 1930s recordings such as Savage Serenade, Got The Jitters, Tap Room Swing, Riverboat Shuffle, and Small Fry. Worked with artists such as Annette Hanshaw, Ukulele Ike, Joe Venuti, Miff Mole, Red Nichols, Roger Wolfe Kahn, Frankie Trumbauer, Red Nichols, Bert Lown, Lee Morse, the Dorsey Brothers, Ben Selvin, Jack Teagarden, Bunny Berigan, and Vaughn Monroe ~ Rollini was born in 1903
May 15, 1955 ~ Singer, guitarist Bo Diddley records Diddley Daddy at Universal Recording Studio, Chicago, Illinois ~ Based on Billy Boy Arnold's I Wish You Would recorded earlier the same month. Chess Records co-owner wanted Diddley to cover the tune but legal obligations stood in the way. Diddley and Harvey Fuqua rewrote the lyrics and it would become a signature tune for Diddley. Released as his sophomore single the following June. Little Walter plays the blues harp, Jerome Green maracas, Clifton James drums, Fuqua's vocal group the Moonglows backing vocals. The song would be covered by a number of artists, perhaps most notably the Rolling Stones on their first demo tape
May 15, 1953 ~ Vaudeville singer, comedian Frankie Jaxon, full name Frank Devera Jackson, passed away ~ Appeared with Duke Ellington in the 1929 film short Black And Tan, and with Bessie Smith in St Louis Blues the same year. Cab Calloway's Minnie The Moocher is said to be based on Jaxon's 1927 song Willie The Weeper. Has worked with Bennie Moten, King Oliver, Freddie Keppard, Cow Cow Davenport, Tampa Red, the Harlem Hamfats, and others. Retired from music by the early-1940s ~ Jackson was born ca.1896
May 15, 1953 ~ Progressive rock, world, ambient, new-age, pop, experimental, minimalist guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter Mike Oldfield, full name Michael Gordon Oldfield, born in Reading, UK ~ Best known for his 1973 Tubular Bells debut album, propelling him to instant fame. Oldfield played all instruments on the album. The title track Tubular Bells would reach Billboard Hot 100 top 10 after its opening would be used in The Excorcist. Brother of Sally Oldfield, with whom he has worked repeatedly including under the moniker Sallyangle. Has also worked with Kevin Ayers, Robert Wyatt, Pejje Phojola, Maggie Reilly (Moonlight Shadow), Bonnie Tyler, and others
May 15, 1952 ~ Power pop, singer, drummer, bassist, guitarist, songwriter Phil Seymour born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Revered by power pop aficionados, especially for hi solo work. Formed the duo Oister with Dwight Twilley, known for their 1975 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit I'm On Fire. Member of the Textones. Sang backup on Tom Petty's American Girl and Breakdown ~ Seymour passed away in 1993
May 15, 1951 ~ Rock, pop rock, progressive rock singer, songwriter Dennis Frederiksen, full name Dennis Hardy Frederiksen, born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA ~ Briefly lead singer for Toto, appearing on the 1984 Isolation album which spawned the hit Stranger In Town. For the album Frederiksen co-wrote Angel Don't Cry, Isolation, Mr Friendly and Change Of Heart. Has also sung lead for Trillion, Angel, and Leroux. Sang backup on Survivor's Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Eye Of The Tiger and the top 20 follow-up American Heartbeat ~ Frederiksen passed away in 2014
May 15, 1951 ~ Proto-punk, rock, garage rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Jonathan Richman born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known as founder and frontman of pivotal proto-punk outfit the Modern Lovers, acclaimed for their 1976 Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers album which included the hit singles Roadrunner (Once) and Egyptian Reggae. The band was initially active from 1970 through 1974 but the full-length debut album would not be released until 1976
May 15, 1948 ~ Pioneering producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Brian Eno born in Woodbridge, UK ~ Pioneered ambient, electronic and experimental music. Member of Roxy Music from 1971 through 1973 and present on the Roxy Music and Music For Your Pleasure albums. As a solo artist acclaimed for a number of mid-1970s albums, notably 1974's Here Come The Warm Jets. In-demand collaborator and producer including on David Bowie's “Berlin trilogy” albums of Low, Heroes and Lodgers. Has also worked with Robert Fripp, John Cale, Talking Heads, Ultravox, Devo, Daniel Lanois, Laurie Anderson, Grace Jones, U2, and Damon Albarn
May 15, 1947 ~ Pop, soft rock singer, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Graham Goble, full name Graeham George Goble, born in Adelaide, Australia ~ Co-founding member of the Little River Band remaining with the band through 1992, for whom he wrote or co-wrote songs such as Reminiscing, Lady, Take It Easy On Me, The Other Guy, and The Night Owls. Produced John Farnham's 1980 Uncovered album. Has recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Broken Voices released in 1990
May 15, 1946 ~ Folk, traditional folk fiddler, violist Aly Bain born in Lerwick, UK ~ Considered a Scottish icon. Best known as co-founding member of Scottish-Irish folk group the Boys Of The Lough, with whom he played for over 30 years. In-demand collaborator, noted especially for a series of Transatlantic Sessions albums, working with a host of artists including Jerry Douglas and Jay Ungar. Has also worked with the likes of Phil Cunningham, Emmylou Harris, Rosanne Cash, James Taylor, Martha Wainwright, John Martyn, Iris DeMent, Dónal Lunny, Joan Osborne, and Allison Moorer
May 15, 1945 ~ Reggae singer Denroy Morgan born in Jamaica ~ First gained attention as member of New York-based 1970s reggae outfit the Black Eagles. Would go on to a successful solo career from the 1980s onwards, perhaps best known for his reggae, dance hit I'll Do Anything For You of his 1981 album of the same name. Would become the first reggae artist to be signed to RCA Records, resulting in the 1984 album Make My Day. Several of Morgan's offspring would also become professional musicians, notably his sons Gramps Morgan and Laza Morgan ~ Morgan passed away in 2022
May 15, 1944 ~ Pop rock guitarist, singer Ian Amey also known as Tich, full name Ian Frederick Stephen Amey, born in Salisbury, UK ~ Co-founding member of Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick & Tich. With their zany stage act and lurid dress sense, the band enjoyed popularity especially in Australia, New Zealand, and their native UK during the 1960s, yet unlike many of their contemporaries they failed to achieve much chart success in America. The band scored close to a dozen top 20 UK hits through 1968 drawing from freakbeat, mod, and pop. Well-known songs include Bend It, Save Me, Zabadak, and perhaps their best known the million-seller The Legend Of Xanadu, the latter their sole UK No.1 hit. Hold Tight, originally a 1967 UK No.4 hit, would later be used in the Quentin Tarantino film Death Proof released in 2007 ~ Amey passed away in 2024
May 15, 1943 ~ Pop, R&B producer, songwriter Freddie Perren, full name Frederick James Perren, born in Englewood, New Jersey, USA ~ Member of revered Motown production, songwriting team the Corporation. Moved from Motown soul to disco in the 1970s. Co-wrote and produced songs such as Boogie Fever for the Sylvers, I Will Survive for Gloria Gaynor, and Shake Your Groove Thing for Peaches & Herb. Also worked with artists such as the Jackson 5, the Miracles, Tavares, New Edition, and others ~ Perren passed away in 2004
May 15, 1940 ~ Singer Jackie Shane born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Contributor to the Toronto sound. Best known for her 1962 recording Any Other Way. Faded out of spotlight in the early-1970s. Turned down an offer to join Sly & the Family Stone. Long labeled a drag queen and ambiguous about her own identity Shane came out as a transgender woman in a 2017 interview ~ Shane passed away in 2019
May 15, 1940 ~ Guitarist, arranger, composer Oscar Castro Neves, full name Carlos Oscar de Castro Nves, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Toured with Stan Getz and with Sérgio Mendes. Member of the Paul Winter Consort. Also worked with Billy Eckstine, Yo-Yo Ma, Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Stevie Wonder, João Gilberto, Eliane Elias, Lee Ritenour, Airto Moreira, Toots Thielemans, John Klemmer, Carol Weisman, Diane Schuur, Luiz Bonfá, João Donato, Manfredo Fest, Al Jarreau, Joe Pass, Ella Fitzgerald, the Manhattan Transfer, David Benoit, Terence Blanchard, Rosemary Clooney, Don Grusin, Gerald Wilson, and others
May 15, 1938 ~ Blues singer, guitarist Larry Johnson, full name Larry Alonzo Johnson, born in Wrightsville, Georgia, USA ~ Worked with Big Joe Williams, Alec Seward, Reverend Gary Davis. Debuted as a solo artist in 1962 with the eponymous Larry Johnson album. Recorded a number of low-key albums throughout the 1980s before finding acclaim and becoming an in-demand concert performer in the 1990s, especially in Europe, with albums such as Railroad Man and Blues For Harlem ~ Johnson passed away in 2016
May 15, 1937 ~ Jazz singer Karin Krog born in Oslo, Norway ~ Active since the mid-1950s. Started with Kjell Karlsen. Continued on to work with musicians such as Vigleik Storaas, Jacob Young, Terje Rypdal, Arild Andersen, Jan Garbarek, Dexter Gordon, Kenny Drew, Don Ellis, Steve Kuhn, Archie Shepp, Paul Bley, John Surman, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Red Mitchell, Bengt Hallberg, Tore Johansen, and others
May 15, 1937 ~ Singer, guitarist Trini López, full name Trinidad López III, born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Discovered by Frank Sinatra, who would become a life-long friend. Best known for songs such as The Lemon Tree, I'm Comin' Home Cindy, Sally Was A Good Old Girl and perhaps his best known If I Had A Hammer, the latter topping the charts in some 35 countries in 1963 ~ López passed away in 2020
May 15, 1928 ~ Walter Gold, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer, label executive Wally Gold born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Founding member of the Four Esquires, known for the late-1950s hits Love Me Forever and Hideaway. Co-wrote Elvis Presley's It's Now Or Never and Good Luck Charm. Others who recorded his songs include Gene Vincent, Lesley Gore (It's My Party), Duane Eddy, Gene Pitney, Nat King Cole, and others. Produced Barbra Streisand's 1969 What About Today album. Discovered and produced Kansas ~ Gold passed away in 1998
May 15, 1922 ~ Jazz, classical hornist James Buffington, full name James Lawrence Buffington, born in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, USA ~ One of the few French horn players in jazz. Has recorded occasionally as a leader but best known as an in-demand sideman active since the 1950s. Well-known for his association with Miles Davis, notably present on the albums Miles Ahead and Sketches Of Spain, and with Gil Evans. Has also appeared on albums by the likes of Chet Baker, Coleman Hawkins, Manny Albam (The Drum Suite), Art Farmer, John Coltrane (Africa/Brass), Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Jimmy Smith, Stan Getz, Stanley Turrentine (Look Of Love), Moondog, Freddie Hubbard, Houston Person, George Benson (White Rabbit), Hank Crawford, Janis Ian (Between The Lines), Sister Sledge, Meco, Joe Farrell, and Wes Montgomery ~ Buffington passed away in 1981
May 15, 1918 ~ Singer, guitarist Eddy Arnold, full name Richard Edward Arnold, born in Henderson, Tennessee, USA ~ Nashville sound innovator. Sold over 85 million records. Scored 147 singles on Billboard's country charts. Known for songs such as To My Sorrow, Cuddle Buggin' Baby, I Wanna Play House With You, I Really Don't Want To Know, The Cattle Call, A Little Heartache, What's He Doing In My World, Make The World Go Away, and Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye ~ Arnold passed away in 2008
May 15, 1912 ~ Composer, music critic, author Arthur Berger, full name Arthur Victor Berger, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founded the academic music journal Perspectives Of New Music, a journal focusing on music theory and analysis. As a composer influenced by Igor Stravinsky, Arnold Schoenberg, Anton Webern. Best known for neoclassical works such as Serenade Concertante and Three Pieces For Strings ~ Berger passed away in 2003
May 15, 1901 ~ Jazz clarinetist, bandleader Edmond Hall born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Leader and sideman Best known for his 1941 recording Profoundly Blue, considered a jazz classic. Worked with Billie Holiday, Red Allen, Sid Catlett, Ida Cox, Wild Bill Davison, Roy Eldridge, Bud Freeman, Hot Lips Page, Zutty Singleton, Art Tatum, Jack Teagarden, Big Joe Turner, Teddy Wilson, Louis Armstrong, Baby Dodds, and Eddie Condon ~ Hall passed away in 1967
May 15, 1870 ~ Ragtime era singer, comedian Eddie Morton, full name Edward Farren Morton, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Worked for the Philadelphia PD before pursuing a full-time career as a performer, earning him the nickname “the Singing Cop”. Known for songs such as That's Gratitude, Just A Friend Of The Family, You Ain't Talking To Me and Oceana Roll ~ Morton passed away in 1938