May 23, 2023 ~ Saxophonist, bandleader Floyd Newman passed away ~ In-demand session musician closely associated with Stax/Volt, the Mar-keys, and the Memphis Horns. As a leader known for his 1963 single Frog Stomp b/w Sassy. Present on albums by the likes of BB King, Otis Redding (Otis Blue), Wilson Pickett, Etta James (Tell Mama), Aretha Franklin (Aretha Now), Boz Scaggs, and others ~ Newman was born in 1931
May 23, 2023 ~ Heavy metal, doom metal bassist Mark Adams passed away ~ Best known as member of St Vitus from 1978 through 1996, rejoining on occasion in later years. Present on some of the band's best known including the critically acclaimed Born Too Late album released in 1986, generally considered the band's masterpiece ~ Adams was born ca.1959
May 23, 2023 ~ Isaac Holt, commonly known as jazz, soul drummer Redd Holt, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Perhaps best known for his association with Ramsey Lewis, including on the acclaimed The In-Crowd album which earned the trio a 1965 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance. In 1966 bassist Eldee Young and Holt would split from Lewis and form the Young-Holt Trio. The group would score a modest hit with Wack Wack but find their greatest success after renaming themselves to Young-Holt Unlimited, reaching Billboard Hot 100 top 10 with their instrumental single Soulful Strut. The band has been sampled hundreds of times, most often in the hip hop genre ~ Holt was born in 1932
May 23, 2023 ~ R&B, funk, smooth jazz singer, guitarist Sheldon Reynolds, full name Sheldon Maurice Reynolds, full name Sheldon Maurice Reynolds, passed away ~ Toured with Millie Jackson. Member of Sun, present on the early-1980s albums Sun Over The Universe, Force Of Nature, and Let There Be Sun. Worked with the Commodores, first appearing with the band as a backing singer on the 1985 Nightshift album. Worked with Earth Wind & Fire, starting on the 1987 Touch The World album. Also present on albums by Maurice White, Philip Bailey, Debbie Allen, Club Nouveau, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Joey Lawrence, the Pointer Sisters, Take 6, Rahsaan Patterson, the Urban Jazz Network, and others ~ Reynolds was born in 1959
May 23, 2022 ~ Bluegrass fiddler James Price passed away ~ Closely associated with Ralph Stanley, playing with Stanley's backing unit the Clinch Mountain Boys from 1995 through 2003. Rooted in old-time mountain style, known for his clarity and precision on the fiddle. Member of the Blues Busters. Member of the Goin Brothers. Toured with Jim Lauderdale and Johnny Paycheck. Has also recorded as a solo artist, most notably the album Fiddlin' The Old Time Way released in 2003 ~ Price was born ca.1965
May 23, 2022 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Thom Bresh, full name Thomas Charles Bresh, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Son of country singer Merle Travis. Member of rock & roll outfit the Crescents, known for their instrumental song Pink Dominos released in 1963. As a solo artist best known for his 1976 single Homemade Love, a Billboard Country top 10 hit of his full-length debut album of the same name. The follow-up, Sad Country Love Song, would reach the top 20. Bresh recorded two more albums over the next few years, generating a number of modest hits ~ Bresh was born in 1948
May 23, 2021 ~ Cristóbal Halffter Jiménez-Encina, commonly known as classical coomposer Cristóbal Halffter, passed away in Villafranca Del Bierzo, Spain ~ Married to pianist Maria Manuela Caro. Regarded as the most important of a group of composer dubbed the Generación del 51. Best known for a number of works during the 1960s and 1970s touching on human rights, most notably the 1968 choral composition Yes Speak Out Yes. Other well known pieces include his 1954 neoclassical Piano Concerto and the 2000 opera Don Quijote ~ Jiménez was born in 1930
May 23, 2013 ~ Giuseppe Mustacchi, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Georges Moustaki, passed away in Nice, France ~ Revered songwriter, wrote an estimated 300 songs. Artists who have recorded his work include some of France's most popular singers including Edith Piaf (Milord), Françoise Hardy, Yves Montand, Serge Reggiani (Sarah), Brigitte Fontaine, Herbert Pagani, France Gall, Cindy Daniel, Juliette Gréco, Barbara (La Langue Dame Brune), Pia Colombo, Tino Rossi, and others ~ Mustacchi was born in 1934
May 23, 2011 ~ Country singers Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood release their Remind Me collaborative single ~ Paisley and Underwood had discussed recording a duet for the former's This Is Country Music album but couldn't coordinate their schedules before the album was due to be completed. Paisley sent Underwood a demo of the song, the female part sung by Sheryl Crow, she liked it, and with the album's release date pushed back they finally recorded the song in early February 2011. The single would be released as the album's third single, and mark Paisley highest charting Billboard Hot 100 entry, reaching top 20. Underwood would comment on the recording of the song as “the most unorganized thing she had ever been a part of”, but added that in the end “it all worked out so perfectly.”
May 23, 2001 ~ Keyboardist Tommy Eyre born ~ In-demand session keyboardist. Worked with Joe Cocker (notably on With A Little Help From My Friends), John Martyn, Gary Moore, Alex Harvey, Greg Lake, BB King, John Mayall, Ian Gillan, Gerry Rafferty (Baker Street), Tracy Chapman, Mark Almond, Wham, George Michael, Zzebra, Keb' Mo, Jake Andrews, and others ~ Eyre was born in 1949
May 23, 2000 ~ Singer Marcus Hutson passed away ~ Member of R&B group the Whispers, best known for the late-1970s, early-1980s hits And The Beat Goes On and It's A Love Thing. Hutson remained with the group from its inception in 1963 until 1992, leaving the group for health reasons ~ Hutson was born in 1943
May 23, 2000 ~ Singer Billy Corgan announces the Smashing Pumpkins will break up at the end of the year ~ Having released five albums since the early-1990s, including the Billboard Hot 200 No.1 album Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness, frontman and lead singer Corgan announces the band will break up at the end of the year, saying they are tired of “fighting the good fight against the Britney Spears's of the world.” The band would reform seven years later, performing live in Paris, France, in May 2007. The single Tarantula and the album Zeitgeist would be released later the same month
May 23, 1999 ~ The 30th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 2 of 3. A perfect sunny and warm weekend this year's edition would draw some 61,250 visitors in total. Included on today's, Sunday the 23rd's bill would be Underworld, DAAU, Luka Bloom, Rowwen Hèze, Soulfly, Urban Dance Squad, Presence, the Postmen, Eddy de Clerq, and Red Snapper
May 23, 1995 ~ Jazz pianist Mick Pyne passed away in London, UK ~ Younger brother of trombonist Chris Pyne. Worked with John Stevens, Phil Seamen, Tubby Hayes, Stan Getz, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Lee Konitz, Hank Mobley, Joe Williams, Ronnie Scott, Humphrey Lyttelton, John Eardley, Cecil Payne, Georgie Fame, Adelaide Hall, Keith Smith, and Charlie Watts ~ Pyne was born in 1940
May 23, 1994 ~ Joseph Anthony Jacobi Passalaqua, commonly known as jazz guitarist Joe Pass, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Particularly known for his technique, innovative chord inversions and walking basslines and improvisational skills. Has worked extensively with pianist Oscar Peterson and singer Ella Fitzgerald. Also worked as a sideman for artists such as Gerald Wilson, Bud Shank, Les McCann, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Della Reese, Johnny Mathis, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Benny Carter, Milt Jackson, Herb Ellis, Zoot Sims, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, and others ~ Passalaqua was born in 1929
May 23, 1994 ~ The 25th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 2 of 2. In total some 64,300 visitors would show up for this year's edition. Included on today's, Monday the 23rd's bill would be the Orb, Rage Against The Machine, Björk, the Smashing Pumpkins, Crowded House, Urban Dance Squad, the Breeders, Soul Asylum, Therapy, Afghan Whigs, the Levellers, Daryl-Ann, Galliano, the Charlatans, Cracker, and the Prodigal Sons
May 23, 1992 ~ Hector Roberto Chavero Aramburu, commonly known as payada, trova singer, guitarist, songwriter Atahualpa Yupanqui, passed away in Nimes, Francecabr ~ Regarded by some as one of the most influential Argentine folk musicians. Married to pianist, songwriter Paula Nenette Pepin. Found widespread acclaim in the 1960s, his songs recorded by Facundo Cabral, Mercedes Sosa, Jorge Cafrune. Known for songs such as El Arriero, Los Hermanos, La Pobrecita ~ Aramburu was born in 1908
May 23, 1991 ~ Bluegrass, country folk, folk singer, guitarist, banjoist, songwriter Sarah Jarosz born in Texas, USA ~ Released her Song Up In Your Head album in 2009, earning a Grammy Award nomination for the song Mansinneedof. The album featured guests such as Chris Thile, Darrell Scott, Stuart Duncan and Jerry Douglas
May 23, 1988 ~ The 19th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Sunny with clear blue skies, some 36,000 visitors show up for this edition's bill which includes Joe Cocker, Sinéad O'Connor, the Christians, the Pogues, Aswad, Herman Brood, the Godfathers, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the Rainbirds
May 23, 1987 ~ Rock, soft rock band the Doobie Brothers reunite with original members for a one-time Vietnam veterans benefit at the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles ~ The band, known for a string of 1970s hits including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Long Train Running, Black Water and What A Fool Believes, reunite for a one-time Vietnam veterans benefit concert. It would lead to a series of concerts over the next few months. The band would reform in 1989
May 23, 1986 ~ Saxophonist, keyboardist, guitarist, singer Andrew Beck born ~ Early member of Imagine Dragons. Lead singer of psychedelic rock band Day Sounds
May 23, 1985 ~ R&B pianist, bandleader, arranger Lloyd Glenn, full name Lloyd Colquit Glenn, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ As a solo artist known for 1950s R&B hits such as Chica Boo and Old Time Shuffle Blues. As a sideman played on a number of classic R&B, rock & roll recordings including T-Bone Walker's 1947 hit Call It Stormy Monday, Lowell Fulson's Blue Shadows ~ Glenn was born in 1909
May 23, 1983 ~ Film, TV composer George Bruns, full name George Edward Bruns, passed away in Portland, Oregon, USA ~ Best known for his work for Disney from the 1950s through the 1970s, including for animated films such as Sleeping Beauty, One Hundred And One Dalmations, Jungle Book, The Aristocats and Robin Hood ~ Bruns was born in 1914
May 23, 1983 ~ The 14th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Geleen, the Netherlands ~ Sunny, some 40,000 visitors show up for this edition's bill which includes Doe Maar, the Simple Minds, Gary Moore, Nena, Men At Work, TC Matic, the Fun Boy Three, and de Janse Bagge Bend
May 23, 1983 ~ Country, bluegrass bassist, songwriter Rex Gosdin passed away in Hampton, Georgia, USA ~ Member of the Hillmen, which also included Chris Hillman and his brother Vern Gosdin. The group played Southern California during the early-1960s but would fail to land a record deal. Rex would subsequently form the Gosdin Brothers with Vernon, the duo having some success with the songs Hangin' On and Till The End. They were also featured on Gene Clark's well-received Gene Clark With The Gosdin Brothers album released in 1967. Rex would go on to write songs for others, including co-writing If I Can't Have All Of You (Just Give Me What You Think Is Fair) for Ferlin Husky and Someday My Day Will Come for George Jones ~ Gosdin was born in 1938
May 23, 1981 ~ In its fourteenth week on the charts, Seven Year Ache by Rosanne Cash hits No.1 Billboard Country ~ By far the biggest hit for Cash, and the only one to reach the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at No.22. Its title inspired by the book, play, and film Seven Year Itch, which claimed that after seven years of marriage, many men started extra-marital affairs, Cash wrote the semi-autobiographical Seven Year Ache as a poem, based on the concept of lovers who fight, break up, and then reconcile. Her husband at the time, Rodney Crowell, was probably not having any affairs, as he produced the song, which indicates that the song's subject matter is a world away. The couple had met in 1976 and would remain married until 1992
May 23, 1979 ~ Following two earlier TV shows The Third Barry Manilow Special starring singer Barry Manilow airs on ABC ~ Manilow had done TV specials in 1977 and 1978. Today the third one airs, the singer opening the show with Ready To Take A Chance Again. Manilow also debuts Why Don't We Try A Slow Dance. Special guest is John Denver who joins Manilow for a medley of the Everly Brothers originals. The show runs for about 50 minutes and is awarded an Emmy Award for Choreography
May 23, 1979 ~ Heartland rock singer Tom Petty files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy ~ Responding to a wave of lawsuits after refusing to transfer his contract to MCA Records, Petty files for bankrupty. The bold move halts the legal proceedings and forces the label to negotiate. The album Damn The Torpedoes, Petty's third studio album, would be released the following October and reach top 10 on the Billboard Hot 200 albums chart. It would include the songs Refugee and Don't Do Me Like That, both of which reached top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart
May 23, 1978 ~ Singer Bruce Springsteen kicks off his Darkness Tour at Shea's Performing Arts Center, Buffalo, USA ~ Generally considered Springsteen's best tour, some critics comparing the 115-date continuous tour to Bob Dylan's 1966 shows with the Band, the Rolling Stones' 1969 and 1972 tours and the Who's 1969 Tommy tour, all benchmarks of their era. Shows were longer than during previous tours, typically around 25 songs, but not yet the true marathon concerts that would occupy later tours. One of the reasons the 1978 tour is so well-remembered is probably that several complete shows were broadcast live on album-oriented rock radio stations, reaching a wider audience. Over the years the stations would play the broadcasts again and many high-quality bootlegs of these shows were recorded and circulated
May 23, 1978 ~ George Owen Smith, commonly known as bandleader, conductor, arranger, composer Reg Owen, passed away in Malaga, Spain ~ Worked with Teddy Joyce, the Royal Kiltie Juniors, Benny Glassman, Ted Heath, Cyril Stapleton, and others. Best known as a film composer, starting with 1957's A Date With Disaster. Scored a 1959 American hit with Manhattan Spiritual, which peaked at No.10 Billboard ~ Smith was born in 1921
May 23, 1975 ~ Loretta Mary Aiken, comedienne, singer, commonly known as Moms Mabley, passed away in White Plains, New York, USA ~ Although as a black woman her wages were meager, Mabley was one of the most successful entertainers of the Chitlin Circuit, a collection of venues throughout the Midwest that billed African American entertainers during the era of racial segregation. Came out as a lesbian in the early-1920s, making her one of the first openly gay comedians. Later on in her career music would become a regular part of her act, and she scored a Billboard Hot 100 top 40 in 1969 with Abraham Martin & John, originally a top 10 for Dion the previous year. The feat would make Mabley, then age 75, the oldest living singer to score a US top 40 hit. Mabley would continue to perform until shortly before her death at age 81 ~ Aiken was born in 1894
May 23, 1974 ~ Jewel Kilcher, mononymously known as folk pop, pop rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Jewel, born in Payson, Utah, USA ~ Released her Pieces Of You debut album in 1995. It would spawn the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits You Were Meant For Me and Foolish Games and become one of the all-time best-selling debut albums. Jewel would continue to record to critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase, venture into acting, and write poetry, short stories, essays, two children's books and her memoir
May 23, 1973 ~ Gerald Maxwell Rivera, mononymously known as neo soul singer, songwriter Maxwell, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Along with d'Angelo and Erykah Badu one of the originators of neo soul. Released his Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite debut album in 1996, the first of four consecutive Platinum-selling albums. Known for songs such as Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder), Fortunate, Lifetime, Pretty Wings and Bad Habits
May 23, 1973 ~ Jazz pianist Nikki Yeoh born in London, UK ~ Member of trio Infinitum, the other two parts being Mark Mondesir and Michael Mondesir. Also worked with Courtney Pine, the Allstars Collective, Cleveland Watkiss, Steve Williamson, Chanté Moore, the Roots, Joanna MacGregor, Neneh Cherry, and others
May 23, 1972 ~ R&B singer, songwriter Lorenzo Smith born in Havana, Florida, USA ~ Known for a number a 1990s album, notably his 1992 Lorenzo sophomore album which included the moderate hits Make Love 2 Me, I Can't Stand The Pain and perhaps his best known Real Love
May 23, 1970 ~ Matthew Flynn, commonly known as drummer Matt Flynn, born in Woodstock, New York, USA ~ Replaced original Maroon 5 drummer Ryan Dusick in 2006, the latter sustaining serious shoulder and wrist injuries from constant touring. Flynn had previously worked with the B52's, Chicago, Gavin Degraw and Gandhi
May 23, 1969 ~ Composer, songwriter Jimmy McHugh, full name James Francis McHugh, passed away in Beverly Hills, California, USA ~ Prolific songwriter, popular from the 1920 through the 1950s. Songs co-written by McHugh include On The Sunny Side Of The Street (Harry Richman, Chick Webb, Billie Holiday), Cuban Love Song (Paul Whiteman, Don Barretto, Ruth Etting), Don't Blame Me (Walter Woolf King, Paul Weston, Sarah Vaughan), A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening (Frank Sinatra, the Ink Spots, Eddy Arnold), I Just Found Out About Love (Nat King Cole, Ronnie Hilton), Let's Get Lost (Vaughn Monroe, Jimmy Dorsey, Kay Kyser), Exactly Like You (Roger Wolfe Kahne, Benny Goodman, Punch Miller), and I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me (Dolores Valesco, Louis Armstrong, Earl Hines) ~ McHugh was born in 1894
May 23, 1968 ~ Keyboardist, percussionist Ben Stivers born in Indiana, USA ~ In-demand session and touring musician. Worked with Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, Chayanne, Exposé, Jon Secada, Julio Iglesias, Emilio Estefan, Dan Warner, Matchbox Twenty, Lyle Lovett, Barry Gibb, Scott Sharrard, Tony Scherr, James Maddock, Dana Fuchs, Erik Blicker, Jason Darling, and Chris Botti
May 23, 1967 ~ Alternative rock drummer, singer, songwriter Philip Selway, full name Philip James Selway, born in Abingdon, UK ~ Member of Radiohead, known for quintessential alternative rock songs such as Creep, Street Spirit (Fade Out), Paranoid Android, Karma Police, No Surprises, The Pyramid Song, and There There. Selway has also recorded as a solo artist starting with 2010's Familial album. Has also worked with Neil Finn's 7 Worlds Collide, the Samaritans, the Weird Sisters, and others
May 23, 1967 ~ Singer, songwriter Tarsame Singh Saini, also known as Johnny Zee and Taz, was born in Coventry, UK ~ British-born of Indian descent, Saini is considered a pioneer of cross-cultural Asian fusion music. Has released a number of solo albums, starting with Hit The Deck in 1989, prior to forming and fronting Stereo Nation. The band is best known for their 2000 Slave II Fusion album, Saini's most successful album, containing well known tracks such as Pyar Ho Gaya, Nachenge Saari Raat, Gallan Gorian, and Let's Go Dancing (Ooh La La La), the latter a cover of the Kool & the Gang classic ~ Saini passed away in 2022
May 23, 1966 ~ Rock outfit the Doors play Whisky A Go Go, Los Angeles, for the first time ~ The band play the famed club for the first time, where they would become the house band. The gigs get them enough exposure to land a record deal with Elektra Records. They would release their eponymous The Doors debut album the following year
May 23, 1965 ~ Jazz, bossa nova singer Ithamara Koorax born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Classically trained. Influenced by Elizete Cardoso, Elis Regina, Betty Carter, Carmen McRae, Flora Purim. Some two dozen albums to her name starting with 1993's Luiza. Worked with the Brazil All-Stars, Art Farmer, Jack DeJohnette, Luiz Bonfá, Juarez Moreira, and others
May 23, 1963 ~ Singer, bandleader Eddy Howard, full name Edward Evan Duncan Howard, passed away in Palm Desert, California, USA ~ Enjoyed populaairty during the 1940s and 1950s. Started his career singing in the bands of Ben Bernie and Dick Jurgens. Would venture out on his own, leading his own orchestra by the mid-1940s. Known for songs such as To Each His Own, My Adobe Hacienda, Kate (Have I Come Too Early Too Late), Room Full Of Roses, It's No Sin, Be Anything But Be Mine ~ Howard was born in 1914
May 23, 1958 ~ Comedian, actress, singer Lea DeLaria born in Belleville, Illinois, USA ~ Best known as comedian and actress, notably for her role in Netflix-series Orange Is The New Black as inmate Carrie Black. Credited with being the first openly gay comic to appear on American television with her 1993 appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show. Has recorded a number of albums as a jazz singer starting with 2001's Play It Cool album
May 23, 1958 ~ Country, country pop singer Shelly West born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Daughter of renowned singer Dottie West, with whom she also toured. Best known for a string of hits in 1980s, both as a solo artist with songs such as José Cuervo, Flight 309 To Tennessee and Another Motel Memory, as well as duetting with David Frizzell on You're The Reason God Made Oklahoma, Another Honky-Tonk Night On Broadway and I Just Came Here To Dance. Mostly retired from music following her mother's death in 1991
May 23, 1956 ~ Singer, producer, songwriter Claytoven Richardson born in Berkeley, California, USA ~ Worked in various roles with artists such as Lave Love, Summers Heat, Narada Michael Walden, George Benson (backing vocals on Kisses In The Moonlight), Kenny G, Tevin Campbell, Michael Bolton, Elton John, Peabo Bryson, New Kids On The Block, Ricky Martin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Céline Dion, the Dazz Band, the Whispers, Tiggi Clay, Fizzy Qwik, Regina Belle, Clarence Clemons, Barbra Streisand, Lou Rawls, Eddie Murphy, Lisa Fischer, Shanice, Stephanie Mills, Al Jarreau, Taylor Dayne, Diana Ross, Sheena Easton, Al Green, Grover Washington Jr, Curtis Mayfield, Puff Johnson, Gary Barlow, Steve Winwood, Kenny Loggins, Michelle Gayle, Patti Austin, Marc Anthony, Lara Fabian, Lionel Richie, Angela Strehl, Charlie Wilson, Boz Scaggs, Sammy Hagar, and others
May 23, 1956 ~ Jazz bassist, songwriter Steve Kirby born in Maumee Valley, Ohio, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Wes Anderson, Kenny Barron, Kathleen Battle, Joanne Brackeen, Regina Carter, Cyrus Chestnut, Wycliffe Gordon, Benny Green, Terreon Gully, Slide Hampton, Winard Harper, Stefon Harris, Antonio Hart, Eddie Henderson, John Hicks, Elvin Jones, Geoffrey Keezer, Oliver Lake, Abbey Lincoln, Joe Lovano, Wynton Marsalis, Mulgrew Miller, Claudio Roditi, Wallace Roney, Jacky Terrasson, Steve Turre, Warren Wolf, Miguel Zenón, and others
May 23, 1955 ~ Kevin Barry Moore, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Luka Bloom, born in Newbridge, Ireland ~ Brother of Planxty-frontman Christy Moore. Active since the late-1970s, initially going by his real name Barry Moore. Chose his stage name for the Suzanne Vega-song Luka and added Bloom from the main character in James Joyce's Ulysses novel.
May 23, 1953 ~ Guido August Constancia Versmissen, commonly known as singer, songwriter Guido Belcanto, born in Turnhout, Belgium ~ Best known for songs such as Op Het Zeildoek Van De Botsauto's, Plastic Rozen Verwelken Niet, Vlammetjes and Toverdrank, the latter a translation of Summer Wine originally recorded by Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood
May 23, 1952 ~ Singer Anne-Marie David born in Arles, France ~ Internationally best known for winning the 1973 Eurovision Songfestival representing Luxembourg with the song Tu Te Reconnaîtras and for competing in the 1979 edition representing France with the song Je Suis L'Enfant Soleil, reaching 9th place
May 23, 1951 ~ Judy Mae Robbins, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Judy Rodman, born in Riverside, California, USA ~ Enjoyed country chart succes in the 1980s, notably with Until I Met You. Once roommate of Janie Fricke. Co-wrote LeAnn Rimes' One-Way Ticket Because I Can with Keith Hinton
May 23, 1950 ~ Guitarist Daíthí Sproule born in Derry, Northern Ireland ~ Renowned solo guitarist drawing from traditional Irish music and influenced by Bob Dylan, Bert Jansch, the Beatles, British and Irish folk. Member of supergroup Altan. In-demand collaborator has worked with Laura Mackenzie, Tara Bingham, Randal Bays, Tommy Peoples, Manus McGuire, Paddy O'Brien, the Chieftains, Sean O'Driscoll, Peter Ostroushko, and others
May 23, 1950 ~ Richard L Shurman, commonly known as blues, R&B producer, engineer, music journalist Dick Shurman born in Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA ~ Has worked on recordings for Johnny Winter, Lurrie Bell, Albert Collins, Roy Buchanan, Big Bill Morganfield, Larry Garner, Robert Cray, Hip Linkchain, Magic Slim, Charlie Musselwhite, Otis Rush, Fenton Robinson, and others
May 23, 1947 ~ Composer, conductor, producer Dick Bakker born in Blaricum, the Netherlands ~ Conducted het Metropole Orkest from 1991 through 2005. Co-wrote Teach-In's Ding-a-dong, winner of the 1975 Eurovision Songfestival contest. Also worked as an engineer and arranger on Shocking Blue's Venus and on the George Baker Selection's Paloma Blanca
May 23, 1947 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Richard Beirach born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Frequent collaborator of Dave Liebman since the late-1960s. Has also worked with artists such as Frank Tua, Terumasa Hino, Masahiko Togashi, George Mraz, Jack DeJohnette, Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, George Coleman, Andy Laverne, Billy Hart, George Adams, John Abercrombie, Chet Baker, Jeremy Steig, and others
May 23, 1945 ~ Country keyboardist, singer Misty Morgan born ~ Formed a husband-wife country duo with her husband Jack Blanchard, actively recording since the late-1960s. The duo is best known for their 1970 Billboard Country No.1 hit Tennessee Bird Walk. Other well known songs include Humphrey The Camel, Somewhere In Virginia In The Rain and Just One More Song ~ Morgan passed away in 2021
May 23, 1944 ~ Ramon Fulwood, commonly known as funk drummer Tiki Fulwood, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Closely associated with George Clinton, starting as a member of doo-wop outfit the Parliaments and remaining with Clinton through the early-1970s as a member of Funkadelic. Present on the albums Funkadelic, Free Your Mind And Your Ass Will Follow, and Maggot Brain, before departing the band in 1971 following a dispute over payment. Fulwood has also played with Tyrone Davis, the Chairmen Of The Board, and briefly with Miles Davis before dying of stomach cancer at age 35 ~ Fulwood passed away in 1979
May 23, 1941 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer General Johnson, full name General Norman Johnson, born in Norfolk, Virginia, USA ~ Member of the Showmen, known for a number of 1960s hits such as It Will Stand, 39-21-46 and Our Love Will Grow. Fronted the Chairmen Of The Board, scoring hits with You've Got Me Dangling On A String, Everything's Tuesday and perhaps their best known Give Me Just A Little More Time. Johnson also wrote a number of well known 1970s songs including Patches recorded by Clarence Carter and by Jerry Reed, Bring The Boys Home recorded by Freda Payne and Want-Ads, Stick-up and One Monkey Don't Stop No Show recorded by Honey Cone ~ Johnson passed away in 2010
May 23, 1940 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist Bjørn Johansen, full name Bjørn John Johansen, born in Fredrikstad, Norway ~ Considered one of the all-time most influential Norwegian saxophonists. Worked with Kjell Karlsen, Lars Sandsgaard, Karin Krog, Bernt Rosengren, George Gruntz, Frode Thingnæs, Egil Kapstad, Laila Dalseth, Bjørn Alterhaug, Carl Morten Iversen, and Cedar Walton ~ Johansen passed away in 2002
May 23, 1938 ~ Singer Bing Crosby, backed by John Scott Trotter, records Now It Can Be Told ~ Written by Irving Berlin for the 1938 Alexander's Ragtime Band where it was introduced by Alice Faye and Don Ameche. Crosby's recording would reach top 10 on the pop charts. It would be recorded the same year by Mildred Bailey and by Jack Leonard with Tommy Dorsey's orchestra, the latter version becoming the biggest hit peaking at No.2
May 23, 1938 ~ Jazz drummer, painter Daniel Humair born in Geneva, Switzerland ~ Leader and sideman. Has worked with Jean-Luc Ponty, Chet Baker, Michel Portal, Martial Solal, Dexter Gordon, Gerry Mulligan, Eric Dolphy, Ear Mix, René Urtreger, Kenny Barron, Franco Ambrosetti, Stéphane Grappelli, George Gruntz, the Swingle Singers, Barney Wilen, Flavio Ambrosetti, Jane Birkin, Art Farmer, Jim Hall, Roland Hanna, Bobby Jaspar, Eartha Kitt, Karin Krog, Joachim Kühn, Bud Powell, Henri Renaud, Joe Venuti, and others
May 23, 1934 ~ Engineer, inventor, electronic music pioneer Robert Moog, full name Robert Arthur Moog, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for co-inventing the Moog synthesizer with Herbert Deutsch in 1964. Moog pursued his work as a hobby, and is regarded as a poor businessman. Commentators have speculated that he would have become extremely wealthy had he patented his designs, his only patent being the synthesizers filter design, yet their availability in the public domain helped the synthesizer industry flourish. Moog did receive a number of honors though, notably receiving a Technical Grammy Award in 2002 and inclusion in the National Inventors Hall Of Fame in 2013 ~ Moog passed away in 2005
May 23, 1932 ~ Jazz guitarist, flutist Les Spann born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, USA ~ Started playing professionally in late-1950s assisting Phineas Newborn Jr, Ronnell Bright, Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones. As a sideman Spann would appear on records by Nat Adderley, Benny Bailey, Bill Coleman, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Curtis Fuller, Red Garland, Benny Goodman, Sam Jones, Abbey Lincoln, Charles Mingus, Duke Pearson, Jerome Richardson, Charlie Shavers, Sonny Stitt, Randy Weston, Ben Webster, Johnny Hodges, Bill Coleman, and Billy Taylor. Spann recorded one album, 1960's Gemini, as a leader ~ Spann passed away in 1989
May 23, 1928 ~ Singer, actress Rosemary Clooney born in Maysville, Kentucky, USA ~ Popular 1940s and 1950s traditional pop and jazz vocalist known for songs such as Come On-a My House, Half As Much, Botch-a-me, The Night Before Christmas Song, Hey There, This Ole House and Mangos ~ Clooney passed away in 2002
May 23, 1924 ~ Composer Gladys Nordenstrom, full nme Gladys Mercedes Nordenstrom, born in Mora, Minnesota, USA ~ Studied under composer Ernst Krenek, whom she would later marry. After Krenek's death in 1991 would become major promoter of her late husband's legacy, eventually founding the Ernst Krenek Institute ~ Nordenstrom passed away in 2016
May 23, 1922 ~ Producer, label executive Seymour Solomon born ~ Co-founded Vanguard Records with his brother Maynard Solomon, a label focusing initially on classical music yet soon also expanding their catalogue with folk, jazz and blues. Non-classical artists signed by the label include the Weavers, Joan Baez, the Rooftop Singers, Larry Coryell, Mississippi John Hurt, Charlie Musselwhite, Buddy Guy and Country Joe & the Fish ~ Solomon passed away in 2002
May 23, 1921 ~ Trumpeter, clarinetist Humphrey Lyttelton, full name Humphrey Richard Adeane Lyttelton, born in Eton, UK ~ Pivotal figure in British jazz, first gaining attention in the mid-1950s with the crossover pop hit Bad Penny Blues. Would go on to become one of Britain's best known bandleaders, leading a variety of ensembles and helping launch the careers of numerous sidemen, notably Tony Coe and Alan Barnes. Lyttelton also recorded with visiting American jazz musicians including Al Casey, Buddy Tate, and Kenny Davern, and toured with Jimmy Rushing, Vic Dickenson, and Big Joe Turner. Lyttelton is also well known as a radio host, presenting the BBC Radio show The Best Of Jazz for some four decades, and as a cartoonist co-writing the Flook series in The Daily Mail ~ Lyttelton passed away in 2008
May 23, 1918 ~ Robert Alexander Blackwell, commonly known as producer, songwriter Robert Bumps Blackwell, born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Pivotal to early rock & roll, R&B. Closely associated with Little Richard, working on songs such as Tutti Frutti, Long Tall Sally, Good Golly Miss Molly, Ready Teddy and Rip It Up. Also worked with Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Ernestine Anderson, Lloyd Price, Sam Cooke, Herb Alpert, Larry Williams, Guitar Slim, and others ~ Blackwell passed away in 1985
May 23, 1910 ~ Swing, big band bandleader, saxophonist, clarinetist Artie Shaw, full name Arthur Jacob Arshawsky, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Widely seen as one of jazz's finest clarinetists. Widely popular from the late-1930s onwards. Led both big bands and smaller ensembles. Hired Billie Holiday as lead vocalist in 1938 and toured the segregated South. Has also worked with Lena Horne, Helen Forrest, Mel Tormé, Buddy Rich, Dave Tough, Barney Kessel, Jimmy Raney, Tal Farlow, Dodo Marmarosa, and Ray Conniff ~ Shaw passed away in 2004
May 23, 1908 ~ Composer, conductor Raymond Legrand born in Paris, France ~ Worked with Ray Ventura, Henri Bourtayre, Guy Dejardin, Irène de Trebert, Maurice Chevalier, Georges Guétary, Tino Rossi, Colette Renard, Francis Lemarque, Marcel Mouloudji, Edith Piaf, Henri Salvador, and others ~ Legrand passed away in 1974
May 23, 1904 ~ Elizabeth Lloyd Holzman, commonly known as actress, singer, civil rights activist Libby Holman, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Became known as “the premier torch singer of Broadway” for her performances starting in the mid-1920s. Best known for her signature song Moanin' Low from the 1929 revue The Little Show ~ Holzman passed away in 1971
May 23, 1902 ~ Pianist, bandleader Edgar Hayes, full name Edgar Junius Hayes, born in Lexington, Kentucky, USA ~ Led the Blue Grass Buddies, Eight Black Buddies, the Symphonic Harmonists from the mid-1920s forward. Closely associated with the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, playing and arranging with the band from 1931 to 1936. Best known for his late-1930s recordings of Stardust and the original version of In The Mood, later popularized by Glenn Miller ~ Hayes passed away in 1979
May 23, 1902 ~ Cellist, conductor, teacher Hideo Saito born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Not to be confused with his namesake composer Hideo Saito born in 1958. First gained attention in the mid-1920s as principal cellist and soloist with the New Symphony Orchestra. Well known for co-founding the Music School for Children, Tokyo, in 1948 which evolved into the the Toho Gakuen School of Music, Tokyo, a four-year college for further musical education. Saito would serve as professor of the college and chairman its string and conducting departments. Saito has toured USA, Soviet Union, and Europe with the school's the Toho Children's Orchestra, and had been preparing the orchestra for another major tour shortly before his death ~ Saito passed away in 1974