November 10, 2022 ~ Saxophonist, flutist, singer, songwriter Nik Turner, full name Nicholas Robert Turner, passed away ~ Owning a van, Turner originally offered his services as a roadie to the newly formed Hawkwind. However, when the band learned he played the saxophone they offered him a position in the band. Present on most of the band's best known including the acclaimed albums Space Ritual and Hall Of The Mountain Grill. Turner has also recorded as a solo artist and guested on recordings by Robert Calvert, Mother Gong, Psychic TV, Helios Creed, and others ~ Turner was born in 1940
November 10, 2021 ~ Baroque pop, sunshine pop, jazz singer, pianist, arranger, songwriter Margo Guryan passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as a songwiter. Penned Sunday Morning, a Billboard Hot 100 top 30 hit for Spanky & Our Gang in 1968. The song would also be recorded by the Baja Marimba Band, Oliver, Richard Groove Holmes, Sue Raney, by Guryan herself on her 1969 Take A Picture album, and by others. Songs written or co-written by Guryan have also been recorded by Chris Connor (Lonely Woman), Freda Payne, Nancy Harrow, Harry Belafonte (On My Way To Saturday), Alice Babs, Jackie DeShannon (Think Of Rain), Carmen McRae, Julie London (Come To Me Slowly), and others. Married to trombonist, pianist Bob Brookmeyer for a number of years ~ Guryan was born in 1937
November 10, 2021 ~ Pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Miroslav Zbirka passed away in Prague, Czech Republic ~ Zbirka sings in Slovak, Czech and English. Co-founded Modus. Co-founded Limit. Has occasionally collaborated with Yes-singer Jon Anderson. The asteroid 5895 Zbirka, discovered by Czech astronomer Zdenka Vavrova in 1982, was named in his honor ~ Zbirka was born in 1952
November 10, 2021 ~ Brian John Heatley, commonly known as jazz, blues rock double bassist Spike Heatley, passed away in Dinan, France ~ Active since the late-1950s, playing with the likes of Vic Ash, Tubby Hayes, Johnny Dankworth, and Tony Coe, considered the cream of the crop of British jazz. To rock, blues-rock audiences best known for his association with Alexis Korner, having played with both Blues Incorporated and with CCS. Heatley is also especially acclaimed as a member of 1980s all-star group the Great Guitars alongside Herb Ellis, Charlie Byrd, and Barney Kessel. Over the course of his four-decade career, Heatley has guested on albums by Donovan (Sunshine Superan), Harold McNair, Jackie Lomax, Magna Carta, Ian Campbell, Rod Stewart (Never A Dull Moment), Murray Head, Nick Ingman, Chris Connor, and Cleo Laine ~ Heatley was born in 1933
November 10, 2016 ~ Christopher Juel Barriere, commonly known as rapper 3-2, passed away in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Member of southern hip-hop acts such as the Convicts, the Blac Monks, the Southside Playaz and perhaps most notably Screwed Up Click. As a solo artist about half a dozen albums to his name, starting with Wicked Buddah Baby released in 1996. Barriere was fatally shot at age 44 ~ Barriere was born in 1972
November 10, 2015 ~ Pianist, producer, songwriter Allen Toussaint passed away in Madrid, Spain ~ Iconic New Orleans all-hatter. Influenced by Professor Longhair. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Mother-in-law and Here Come The Girls (Ernie K-Doe), I Like It Like That (Chris Kenner), Fortune Teller (Benny Spellman), Get Out Of My Life Woman and Working In The Coal Mine (Lee Dorsey), Yes We Can Can (the Pointer Sisters), Play Something Sweet (Three Dog Night), Southern Nights (Glen Campbell), Right Place Wrong Time (Dr John), Ruler Of My Heart (Irma Thomas), Pain In My Heart (Otis Redding), and Lady Marmalade (Labelle). As a leader, sideman, producer or songwriter Tousssaint has worked with Snooks Eaglin, Huey Piano Smith, Dave Bartholomew, Fats Domino, Lee Allen, Smiley Lewis, Alvin Tyler, Frank Fields, Charles Hungry Williams, the Meters, and Wild Tchoupitoulas ~ Toussaint was born in 1938
November 10, 2014 ~ Singer Taylor Swift releases Blank Space, lifted off her 1989 album ~ Swift had abandoned her wholesome girl-next-door image as well as her country-pop stylings, and ventured into new territory with the pop and dance-pop-influenced 1989 album, working closely with producers Max Martin and Shellback. At the time, tabloids were preoccupied with Swift's romantic life, rumours, speculations and reporting on how “wild woman” Swift had dated two men over the course of one and a half, two years. Swift responded with the tongue-in-cheek Blank Space, poking in fun at her perceived image: “So I created this whole character and I had fun doing it. Half the people got the joke, half the people thought I was really owning the fact that I'm a psychopath. Either one's fine. It was No.1 for eight or nine weeks, so I have no complaints”
November 10, 2009 ~ Richard Aaron Katz, commonly known as pianist, arranger Dick Katz, passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Best known as a versatile sideman and producer, though has on occasion recorded as a leader. Has produced albums such as Helen Merrill's The Feeling Is Mutual, James Moody's The Blues And Other Colors, and Lee Konitz's Spirits. As a pianist present on albums by Al Cohn, JJ Johnson (Nuf Said), Carmen McRae, Manny Albam, Sonny Rollins, Ray Charles, Thelonious Monk (Criss-Cross), and Jack DeJohnette ~ Katz was born in 1924
November 10, 2008 ~ Willy Cecile Johannes van de Velde, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist Wannes van de Velde, passed away in Antwerp ~ Considered one of the leading Flemish kleinkunst artists, along Willem Vermandere and Zjef Vanuytsel. Known for singing in local dialect. Well known songs of his include Ik Wil Deze Nacht In De Straten Verdwalen, Mijn Mansaarde and De Brug Van Willebroek ~ Van de Velde was born in 1937
November 10, 2006 ~ Soul, R&B, new jack swing singer, songwriter, producer Gerald Levert, full name Gerald Edward Levert, passed away in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Son of Eddie Levert of the O'Jays. One third of Levert, alongside Marc Gordon and brother Sean Levert. Member of LSG, alongside Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill. Wrote and produced for artists including Patti Labelle, Barry White, Stephanie Mills, Anita Baker, Eugene Wilde, Teddy Pendergrass, James Ingram, Freddie Jackson, Chuckii Booker, Rude Boys, New Edition, and Men At Large ~ Levert was born in 1966
November 10, 2003 ~ Singer, pianist Alicia Keys releases You Don't Know My Name, lifted off her The Diary Of Alicia Keys sophomore album ~ Songs In A Minor, the singer's debut album issued in 2001, spawned two Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits and landed Alicia Keys five Grammy Awards including for Best New Artist. Keys would follow up strong with her sophomore album, its lead single You Don't Know My Name produced by Keys and Kanye West another hit, reaching No.3 Billboard Hot 100, and earned Keys another Grammy Award as well as a Soul Train Music Award. The song heavily relies on a sample from Main Ingredient's 1975 recording Let Me Prove My Love To You. Keys would later comment on the meaning of You Don't Know My Name: “It's about that feeling you have when you see somebody that you really, really like, or at least you think you do. And you're trying to figure out, ‘how am I supposed to say anything to this person? How am I supposed to introduce myself and get the story started?’ It's not an easy thing to do. So maybe you could say something like (You Don't Know My Name)”
November 10, 2003 ~ Rapper Twista releases Slow Jamz featuring Kanye West and Jamie Foxx, lifted off his Kamikaze album ~ Produced by Kanye West, who also raps a verse, the song tells of how between all the dance tracks club DJ's also need to play a slow jam every now and then to set the mood. The song samples the Luther Vandross version of A House Is Not A Home, which earned noted songwriting team Burt Bacharach and Hal David co-writing credits. West had previously produced tracks for Jay-Z and Alicia Keys and would include Slow Jamz on his own acclaimed The College Dropout solo debut album, issued shortly after Twista's Kamikaze album. West's version includes an intro and two extra verses by Jamie Foxx, and leaves out the original outro by Twista. The original single would be the first major hit for Twista, who previously had only reached the Billboard Hot 100 with Get It Wet back in 1997, which barely dented the chart peaking at No.96. Slow Jamz, however, would reach No.1 Billboard Hot 100
November 10, 2002 ~ R&B keyboardist Johny Griffith, full name John Ellis Griffith Jr,passed away in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Influenced by Bud Powell, Glenn Gould, and Oscar Peterson. Member of Motown in-house band the Funk Brothers, with whom he worked on numerous recordings, perhaps most notably playing the electric piano on Marvin Gaye's I Heard It Through The Grapevine and the Temptations' Ain't Too Proud To Beg, and the organ on the Supremes Stop In The Name Of Love and Junior Walker & the All-Stars' Shotgun. Griffith has also appeared on tracks by other Motown artists including Mary Wells, the Miracles, the Marvelettes, and Martha & the Vandellas, and non-Motown acts including the Capitols, Edwin Starr (Agent Double-O-Soul), Jackie Wilson ((Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher), the Chi-lites, and Young-Holt Unlimited ~ Griffith was born in 1936
November 10, 1999 ~ Violinist Felix Galimir passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Founded the Galimir Quartet in 1927 with his sisters, known for recording Alban Berg's Lyric Suite and Maurice Ravel's String Quartet. Would go on to work with the Vienna Philharmonic, the Palestine Symphony Orchestra, and the NBC Symphony Orchestra ~ Galimir was born in 1910
November 10, 1997 ~ Guitarist Tommy Tedesco, full name Thomas Joseph Tedesco, passed away in Northridge, California, USA ~ Member of the loose collective the Wrecking Crew consisting of first call session musicians. Has worked on numerous soundtracks and pop rock recordings in the 1960s and 1970s, his credits running in the thousands. Notable credits include the Beach Boys, the Mamas & the Papas, the Everly Brothers, Barbra Streisand, Jan & Dean, the 5th Dimension, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Zappa, Cher, Nancy Sinatra, Wayne Newton, and others. As a solo artist has recorded close to a dozen albums, mostly consisting of instrumental jazz guitar. Retired from music in 1992, following a stroke that left him partially paralyzed ~ Tedesco was born in 1930
November 10, 1996 ~ Yafeu Akiyele Fula, commonly known as hip-hop, gangsta rap rapper Yaki Kadafi, passed away in Orange, New Jersey, USA ~ Founding member of Outlawz. His full-length Son Rize Vol.1 solo album would be released posthumously in 2004. Noted for guesting on several Tupac Shakur recordings, perhaps most notably on the tracks All Bout U and When We Ride of the 1996 All Eyez On Me ~ Fula was born in 1977
November 10, 1994 ~ Jazz singer, pianist Carmen McRae passed away in Beverly Hills, California, USA ~ Pianist, singer with over 60 albums to her name. Worked with Teddy Wilson, Benny Carter, Mercer Ellington, Dave Brubeck, Betty Carter, George Shearing, and Cal Tjader. Never performed a show without singing at least one Billie Holiday song, a huge inspiration and close friend of McRae's ~ McRae passed away in 1922
November 10, 1990 ~ Ronald Dyson, commonly known as singer, actor Ronnie Dyson, passed away in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ As a singer best known for The More You Do It (The More I Like It Done To Me), One Man Band Plays All Alone, I Don't Wanna Cry and perhaps his biggest hit If You Let Me Make Love To You Then Why Can't I Touch You, the latter reaching the Billboard top 10 in 1970 ~ Dyson was born in 1950
November 10, 1986 ~ Singer Bruce Springsteen releases his Live 1975-85 5-LP live box set ~ Collecting ten years of live tapes, Springsteen's 5-LP box set would debut atop the Billboard Hot 200, a then-rare occurence and has since sold over 12 million copies, making it one of the all-time best-selling albums in America. The album would also reach top 10 in over half a dozen countries, including the No.1 spots in Canada and the Netherlands. Two singles, War and Fire, were lifted off the album, the former reaching top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Besides its commercial success, the album has been warmly received by critics, both at the time of its release and retrospectively, the New York Times describing it as “the equivalent of an epic American novel, its story told in the ungrammatical, rough-hewn vocabulary of rock,” while Rolling Stone praised Springsteen's “raw power, lyric honesty and spiritual determination”
November 10, 1983 ~ Jazz bandleader, saxophonist Harlan Leonard passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Playing professionally since age 17 starting with serving under Bennie Moten and eventually leading the band's reed section. Active as a bandleader since the early-1930s. Once employed Charlie Parker but fired him after just weeks for lack of discipline. Has also worked with Thamon Hayes, Vic Dickenson, Myra Taylor, Tadd Dameron. Would retire from music by the mid-1940s and has worked in banking and with the IRS for the remainder of his life ~ Leonard was born in 1905
November 10, 1983 ~ Country, country rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Miranda Lambert, full name Miranda Leigh Lambert, born in Lindale, Texas, USA ~ Released her eponymous Miranda Lambert debut album in 2001. Broke through in 2005 with her Kerosene major-label debut which quickly reached Platinum status and has recorded to commercial succes since. Well known songs include Kerosene, Crazy Ex-girlfriend, Gunpowder And Lead, White Liar, Heart Like Mine, Mama's Broken Heart, Vice and Bluebird. Forms the trio the Pistol Annies with Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley. Prior to marrying a New York police officer in 2019, Lambert had dated several musicians including country singer Blake Shelton, R&B singer Anderson East, and the Turnpike Troubadours-frontman Evan Felker
November 10, 1979 ~ Jazz vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, singer Warren Wolf, full name Warren Edward Wolf Jr, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Worked with vibraphonist Dave Samuels, trumpeter Jason Palmer, Bobby Watson, Karriem Riggins, Donal Fox, Christian McBride, Peter Martin, Gregory Hutchinson, Tim Green, Jeremy Pelt, Mulgrew Miller, Kendrick Scott, Rodney Whitaker, and Jeff Tain-Watts
November 10, 1978 ~ Thomas Wesley Pentz, commonly known as DJ, producer Diplo, born in Tupelo, Mississippi, USA ~ Member of Major Lazer, known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Lean On and Cold Water. Formed the duo Jack Ü with Skrillex. Formed LSD with Sia and Labrinth. Formed Silk City with Mark Ronson. Released his full-length Florida solo debut album in 2004. Has served as producer for MIA (Paper Planes), Chris Brown, Alex Clare, Usher, Beyoncé (Hold Up), Will Smith, and others
November 10, 1978 ~ Eve Jihan Jeffers, known mononymously as rapper, singer, actress Eve, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Discovered by Mase. Guested on DJ Clue's Ruff Ryders Anthem and the Roots' You Got Me. Released her Let There Be Eve (Ruff Ryders' First Lady) solo debut album, which would go on to sell 2 million copies. Well known songs include Gotta Man, Love Is Blind featuring Faith Evans, Let Me Blow Your Mind featuring Gwen Stefani, Gangsta Lovin' featuring Alicia Keys, and Tambourine
November 10, 1978 ~ Pop rock singer Rod Stewart releases Da Ya Think I'm Sexy, lead single off his Blondes Have More Fun album ~ At the time of its release, the song was criticised for its disco-like arrangements, straying from Stewart's blues-oriented rock roots, yet over time the song would earn acclaim for its bass line, steady kick and soaring synthesized strings. Nevertheless, the song would be a global hit and reach the No.1 spot in several countries including Ireland, Canada, the UK, and the USA. Brazilian singer Jorge Ben filed a copyright infringement lawsuit, claiming the chorus had been derived from his song Taj Mahal. The case would be settled amicably in Ben's favor, Stewart later admitting to “unconscious plagiarism” most likely having picked up the tune when visiting the carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
November 10, 1977 ~ Banjoist, singer Abigail Washburn born in Evanston, Illinois, USA ~ Married to banjoist Béla Fleck. Member of Uncle Earl, the Sparrow Quartet, Wu Force. Has also worked with Ben Sollee, Jordan McConnell, and Casey Driessen
November 10, 1973 ~ In its twelfth week on the charts, Keep On Truckin' (Part 1) by Eddie Kendricks hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Following his bitter split from the Temptations two years earlier, Kendricks had recorded two solo albums and built a dedicated, cult fanbase, though his reach and commercial success were considerably smaller than with the Temptations who continued to score major hits without him. For Keep On Truckin' Kendricks and then-regular producer Frank Wilson aimed more at the dance floor than the ballads he had been recording. Isued as a single off his third solo album, the eponymous Eddie Kendricks, it became his biggest solo hit and reached No.1 on both the Billboard R&B and all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts. Possibly in response to Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are), a post-Kendricks hit that was party a jab at him, Kendricks included a jab at his former bandmates with the lyrics: “In old Temptations' rain, I'm duckin', for your love through sleet or snow, I'm truckin'.”. The phrase “keep on trucking” is a phrase of encouragement meaning to stay focused regardless of circumstances or setback. The term may originate from Truckin' My Blues Away, a song first recorded by Blind Boy Fuller in the 1930s. Retrospectively, Keep On Truckin' would be acknowledged as a precursor to disco. It is also the only solo Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit for any former member of the Temptations
November 10, 1971 ~ Christopher Lee Rios, commonly known as East Coast hip hop, gangsta rap, boom bap rapper Big Pun, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Discovered by Fat Joe, guesting on the 1995 album Jealous One's Envy. Released his solo debut, Capital Punishment, in 2017, the first solo hip-hop album by a Latino artist to go Platinum. Has worked with the Full-A-Clips, Lyrical Assassin, the Beatnuts, Terror Squad, Noreaga, Donell Jones, Ashanti, his son Chris Rivers, Shaquille O'Neal, Easy Mo Bee, Delinquent Habits, and Heavy D ~ Rios passed away in 2000
November 10, 1970 ~ Blues, blues-rock guitarist, slide guitarist, singer Eric Sardinas born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA ~ Influenced by Charlie Patton, Bukka White, Big Bill Broonzy, Elmore James, Muddy Waters. Opened for Steve Vai. Known for setting his resonator guitar on fire while playing it, once giving him third-degree burns to his wrist. Best known for his 1999 Treat Me Right debut album and its 2001 Devil's Train follow-up
November 10, 1970 ~ Lamont Jody Hawkins, commonly known as rapper U-God, born in Staten Island, New York, USA ~ Best known as member of the Wu-Tang Clan. As a solo artist debuted with the album Golden Arms Redemption in 2008. Has collaborated with Sheek Louch, Jim Jones, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, GZA, Cappadonna, Method Man, Killah Priest, Scotty Wotty, the Hillside Scramblers, Inspectah Deck, Methods Of Mayhem, Blondie (on the 1999 single No Exit), the Mathematics, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Sean Price, Cannibal Ox, and others
November 10, 1968 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Chris Cagle born in DeRidder, Louisiana, USA ~ Got his start in Nashville in the late-1990s co-writing songs for David Kersh. Released his Play It Loud debut album by the turn of the century, spawning the singles My Love Goes On And On and the Billboard Country top 10 hit Laredo. Has recorded to commercial succes since. Well known songs include I Breathe In (I Breathe Out), Country By The Grace Of God, What A Beautiful Day, Chicks Dig It, Miss Me Baby and Whay Kinda Gone
November 10, 1967 ~ Ida Prather, commonly known as singer, vaudeville performer Ida Cox, passed away in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for a number of 1920s recordings on Paramount label. Backed by artists such as Jelly Roll Morton, Lovie Austin, the Blues Serenaders, Jimmy O'Bryant, and Tommy Ladnier. Resurged in the late-1930s, early-1940s, recording for Vocalion and Okeh backed by artists such as James P Johnson, Lester Young, Buck Clayton, Dicky Wells, Charlie Christian, Hot Lips Page, Red Allen, JC Higginbotham, and Lionel Hampton ~ Prather was born ca.1888
November 10, 1966 ~ Bassist, producer Steve Mackey, full name Stephen Patrick Mackey, born in Sheffield, UK ~ Best known as bassist for alternative rock outfit Pulp from 1988 through 2002 and again from 2011 through 2013. Present on some of the band's best known including the albums Different Class and This Is Hardcore both of which reached No.1 on the UK album charts. Mackey has also served as producer and remixer for the likes of MIA, Florence + the Machine, the Long Blondes, and Arcade Fire ~ Mackey passed away in 2023
November 10, 1965 ~ Film director, music video director, drummer Jonas Åkerlund, full name Hans Uno Jonas Åkerlund, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Briefly played drums for Swedish black metal band Bathory in the mid-1980s. Best known as a music video director. Earned a Grammy Award for directing Madonna's Ray Of Light video. Won his second Grammy Award for the Paul McCartney concert film Live Kisses. As a video director has also worked for Candlemass, Roxette, Moby, the Prodigy, Metallica, Jamiroquai, Ozzy Osbourne, Lenny Kravitz, Jane's Addiction, the Rolling Stones, Maroon 5, Lady Gaga, Nelly Furtado, David Guetta, Britney Spears, Robin Thicke, Taylor Swift, and others. Also directed a number of feature films, starting with the black comedy crime drama Spun released in 2002
November 10, 1965 ~ Jazz saxophonist Mark Turner born in Fairborn, Ohio, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Influenced by John Coltrane and Warne Marsh, drawing critical comparison to the latter. Noted for forming the trio Fly with Larry Grenadier and Jeff Ballard. Has also worked with Avishai Cohen, Marcus Gilmore, Gilad Hekselman, Kurt Rosenwinkel, David Binney, Aaron Goldberg, George Colligan, Jochen Rueckert, Kurt Rosenwinkel, João Barradas, Jakob Bro, Lee Konitz, Delfeayao Marsalis, and others
November 10, 1962 ~ Jazz trumpeter Kye Palmer born in Redlands, California, USA ~ Best known as member of the Tonight Show Band from 2006 taking over for Lee Thornburg through 2009. Has also recorded as a solo artist and worked with Chris Walden, Bill Cunliffe, LeAnn Rimes, Bob Dylan, Tony Bennett, Diane Schuur, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Brian Setzer, Michael Bublé, Joe Pesci, Trijntje Oosterhuis, and others
November 10, 1962 ~ Punk drummer Teresa Taylor, also known as Teresa Nervosa, born in Arlington, Texas, USA ~ Member of the Butthole Surfers from 1983 through 1989 alongside King Coffey, the band at the time featuring two drummers playing in unison. Taylor appeared on over half a dozen of the band's albums including the acclaimed Locust Abortion Technician and Hairway To Steven ~ Taylor passed away in 2023
November 10, 1958 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Brooks Williams born in Statesboro, Georgia, USA ~ Draws from roots music, jazz, blues, classical, folk. Over two dozen albums to his name starting with North From Statesboro released in 1990. Closely associated with Boo Hewerdine. Has also worked with Jim Henry, Guy Davis, Hans Theessink, Steve Tilston, and Sloan Wainwright
November 10, 1952 ~ Gary Allen Wiggins, commonly known as jazz, blues, soul, funk, R&B saxophonist, singer, bandleader, songwriter Detroit Gary Wiggins, born in Inkster, Michigan, USA ~ Active since his teens. Made his first recording, That Good Old Funky Feeling, at age 17 with the Impacs, who would regularly serve as backing unit for groups such as the Dramatics. Wiggins would go on to record as a solo artist as well as become an in-demand sideman, working with artists such as Lefty Dizz, Sunnyland Slim, John Littlejohn, Ray Charles, and others ~ Wiggins passed away in 2020
November 10, 1950 ~ Peter Bramall, commonly known as rock, pop, power pop singer, guitarist Bram Tchaikovsky, born in Lincolnshire, UK ~ Rose to fame as the most visible member of pub rock band the Motors in 1977 and 1978, present on the band's first two albums 1 and Approved By The Motors. The band is best known for their 1977 single Dancing The Night Away and their 1978 singles Airport and Forget About You. After Bramall's departure the band would release one more album, 1980's Tenement Steps, which would be considerably less successful. Bramall himself would score a Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit with Girl Of My Dreams of his 1979 Strange Man Changed Man solo debut album
November 10, 1950 ~ Percussionist Sikiru Adepoju born in Nigeria ~ Closely associated with OJ Elemode, Babatunde Olatunji and a number of the Grateful Dead-drummer Mickey Hart's side projects including the Rhythm Devils and Bembe Orisha. Has also worked with Stevie Wonder, Pete Sears, Kai Eckhardt, Airto Moreira, the String Cheese Incident, and others
November 10, 1949 ~ William Polak, commonly known as soul singer Billy Price born in Pair Lawn, New Jersey, USA ~ First gained attention backing guitarist Roy Buchanan in the mid-1970s. Founded and fronted the Keystone Rhythm Band, known for the albums They Found Me Guilty and Is It Over. Active as a solo artist since the early-1990s. Has collaborated with artists such as the Nighthawks' Mark Wenner, Monster Mike Welch and Otis Clay, especially noted for his collaboration with the latter on the 2015 This Time For Real album
November 10, 1947 ~ Alta Sherral Willis, commonly known as singer, songwriter Allee Willis, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ As a singer released her sole album, Childstar, in 1974. As the album did not sell well and she did not enjoy performing would focus on songwriting since. Perhaps best known for co-writing Earth Wind & Fire's September and Boogie Wonderland. Others who have recorded songs written or co-written by Willis include Bonnie Raitt, Rita Coolidge, Herbie Hancock, Patti Labelle (Come What May), Debby Boone, Valerie Carter, Pablo Cruise, Narada Michael Walden, Maxine Nightingale, Lani Hall, LTD, Leo Sayer, the Pointer Sisters (Neutron Dance), Gladys Knight & the Pips, the Pet Shop Boys (What Have I Done To Deserve This), Cyndi Lauper, the Rembrandts (I'll Be There For You), and LaChanze ~ Willis passed away in 2019
November 10, 1947 ~ Country, pop singer, guitarist Dave Loggins, full name David Allen Loggins, born in Mountain City, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for his 1974 Billboard Hot 100 No.5 hit Please Come To Boston, lifted off his Apprentice (In A Musical Workshop) sophomore album. Over the years, the song would be covered by numerous artists, including notably Tammy Wynette, Joan Baez, Willie Nelson, Billy Joe Royal, and Reba McEntire. Loggins recorded three more albums through the end of the decade. However, despite critical acclaim, as a solo singer he would fail to repeat his earlier success. Others did reach the charts though with songs penned by Loggins. Three Dog Night had taken Pieces Of April to the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 back in 1971, while both Kenny Rogers and Juice Newton scored a mid-1980s Billboard Country No.1 hit with one of his songs, respectively Morning Desire and You Make Me Want To Make You Mine. Others who recorded songs written or co-written by Loggins include Tanya Tucker, Rita Coolidge, John Conlee, Alabama, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Dave Grusin, the Bellamy Brothers, Johnny Cash, and Wynonna Judd. As a singer, Loggins would have one more hit, duetting on Anne Murray's Nobody Loves Me Like You Do, which reached No.1 Billboard Country in late 1984 ~ Loggins passed away in 2024
November 10, 1947 ~ Progressive rock singer, bassist, guitarist Greg Lake, full name Gregory Stuart Lake, born in Dorset, UK ~ Co-founding member of King Crimson, present on the albums In The Court Of The Crimson King and its follow-up In The Wake Of Poseidon. One third of Emerson Lake & Palmer, with whom he recorded Lucky Man which he write at age 12. As a solo artist best known for I Believe In Father Christmas, a UK top 10 hit in 1975 and a Christmas favorite ever since ~ Lake passed away in 2016
November 10, 1940 ~ David Edward Sutch, commonly known as rock singer Screaming Lord Sutch, born in Hampstead, UK ~ Serial parliamentary candidate and founder of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party. As a singer active since the early-1960s. Has collaborated with Keith Moon, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Ritchie Blackmore, Charlie Watts, John Bonham, Nicky Hopkins, and others ~ Sutch passed away in 1999
November 10, 1939 ~ Jazz, avant-garde jazz drummer Andrew Cyrille, full name Andrew Charles Cyrille, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Closely associated with Cecil Taylor. Has also worked with David Murray, Irène Schweizer, Marilyn Crispell, Carla Bley, Butch Morris, Reggie Workman, Trio 3, Milford Graves, Ted Daniel, David S Ware, Mal Waldron, and Charlie Haden
November 10, 1939 ~ Jazz, classical, pop flutist Hubert Laws born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Brother of saxophonist Ronnie Laws and singers Eloise Laws and Debra Laws. Early member of the Jazz Crusaders from 1954 through 1960. Played with Mongo Santamaria from 1963 through 1967. Member of the New York Jazz Quartet. In the classical world known for his associations with the New York Metropolitan Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and noted for his renditions of works by Gabriel Fauré, Igor Stravinsky and Claude Debussy. Played flute on Gil Scott-Heron's acclaimed 1971 Pieces Of A Man album. As a session musician has also worked with Airto Moreira, Jack DeJohnette, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Quincy Jones, Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, Jaco Pastorius, Carly Simon, George Benson, Stevie Wonder, and others
November 10, 1939 ~ Singer, guitarist Tommy Facenda, full name Eugene Thomas Facenda, born in Norfolk, Virginia, USA ~ Briefly a member of Gene Vincent's backing unit the Blue Caps. As a solo artist known for the novelty hit High School USA which cracked the Billboard Hot 100 top 30 in 1959. In the original version Facenda listed the names of high schools in his home state of Virginia. It would be picked up by Atlantic Records who asked him to record 28 different versions of the song using regional school names across the country. A follow-up, 1960's Bubba Ditty, failed to chart and Facenda would retire from music, serving in the military through 1962 and subsequently work as a firefighter ~ Facenda passed away in 2022
November 10, 1934 ~ Hard bop, swing, soul jazz tenor saxophonist, bandleader, producer Houston Person born in Florence, South Carolina, USA ~ Started on piano before switching to sax. Played with Don Ellis, Eddie Harris, Cedar Walton, and Leo Wright while enlisted in US Air Force. Went on to record over 75 albums as a bandleader. Worked with artists such as Charles Brown, Ron Carter, Bill Charlap, Lena Horne, Etta Jones, Lou Rawls, Janis Siegel, Horace Silver, Dakota Staton, Billy Butler, Don Patterson, Grant Green, Sonny Phillips, Johnny Hammond Smith, Richard Groove Holmes, Gene Ammons, Joey DeFrancesco, Tiny Grimes, Charles Kynard, Jimmy Ponder, Melvin Sparks, Warren Vaché Jr, and others
November 10, 1933 ~ Emmett Ellis Jr, commonly known as blues, R&B, soul, funk singer, guitarist, songwriter Bobby Rush, born in Homer, Louisiana, USA ~ Active since his teens. Formed the Four Jivers, which included Boyd Gilmore, Johnny Big Moose Walker, Pinetop Perkins and Robert Plunkett. Befriended Ike Turner, Little Walter, Muddy Waters. Broke through in the early-1970s with his single Chicken Heads reaching Gold status and has recorded to critical acclaim since with well over two albums to his name. Especially acclaimed for his 2017 Grammy Award-winning Porcupine Meat album
November 10, 1932 ~ Pianist Paul Bley born in Montreal, Canada ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Charlie Parker, Al Levitt, Peter Ind, Ben Webster, Art Blakey, Hal Gaylor, Lenny McBrowne, Don Cherry, Ornette Coleman, Charlie Haden, Billy Higgins, Jimmy Giuffre 3, Steve Swallow, Sonny Rollins, his wife Carla Bley, Bill Dixon, Roswell Rudd, Cecil Taylor, Archie Shepp, Michael Mantler, Sun Ra, Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, Bruce Ditmas, Lee Konitz, Dave Holland, Marion Brown, Gunter Hampel, Lester Bowie, Steve Lacy, Ran Blake, Perry Robinson, Naná Vasconcelos, John Gilmore, Chet Baker, Satoko Fujii, Yitzhak Yedid, and others ~ Bley passed away in 2016
November 10, 1931 ~ Trumpeter, bandoneonist, conductor, composer Pierre Dutour born in Boulogne-sur-Gesse, France ~ Influenced by Louis Armstrong. Has served in orchestras led by Henri Lovel, Alix Combelle, Aimé Barelli, and Claude Bolling. Composed the soundtrack to the 1974 British drama film Feelings. Dutour has also guested on albums by Nino Ferrer, Claudio Baglioni, Michel Sardou, Anne Sylvestre, and Dalida ~ Dutour passed away in 2023
November 10, 1928 ~ Marilyn Katz, commonly known as songwriter Marilyn Bergman, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Married to Alan Bergman since 1958. Together the Bergmans wrote lyrics to some of the best known songs of American pop, stage, film and musicals, including Dean Martin's Sleep Warm, Frank Sinatra's Nice And Easy, Ray Charles's In The Heat Of The Night, and Noel Harrison's The Windmills Of Your Mind as featured in The Thomas Crown Affair, the latter earning the pair an Academy Award for Best Song ~ Bergman passed away in 2022
November 10, 1923 ~ Patricia Jacqueline Sibley, commonly known as singer Anne Shelton, born in Dulwich, UK ~ Perhaps best known as an inspirational singer for the British troops during World War II. Original singer of the English version of the Lale Andersen-penned Lili Marlene ~ Sibley passed away in 1994
November 10, 1922 ~ Music publicist, talent manager Kenneth Cooper Pitt born in Uxbridge, UK ~ During the 1950's British publicist working with American artists including Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Ventured into talent management managing and representing Danny Purches, Manfred Mann, Crispian St Peters, Goldie & the Gingerbreads, David Bowie, and others ~ Pitt passed away in 2019
November 10, 1916 ~ Bandleader, conductor Billy May, full name Edward William May Jr, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Arranger for the likes of Frank Sinatra (including on the albums Come Fly With Me and Come Swing With Me), Nat King Cole, Anita O'Day, Peggy Lee, Vic Damone (The Lively One), Bobby Darin, Johnny Mercer, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Nancy Wilson, Rosemary Clooney, the Andrews Sisters, and for Ella Mae Morse, Composed for film and TV including The Green Hornet, Batman and The Naked City. As a composer best known for works such as Glenn Miller's Long Tall Mama, Charlie Barnet's The Wrong Idea and Mel Blanc's chidren's song I Tawt A Taw A Puddy Tat. Notable recordings with his own orchestra include 1952's Charmaine and 1956's Main Title From The Man With The Golden Arm ~ May passed away in 2004
November 10, 1909 ~ Songwriter Johnny Marks, full name John David Marks, born in Mount Vernon, New York, USA ~ Best known for writing a number of holiday classics including Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer (Gene Autry), Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree (Brenda Lee), A Holly Jolly Christmas (the Quinto Sisters), I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day (Bing Crosby) and Run Rudolph Run (Chuck Berry) ~ Marks passed away in 1985
November 10, 1907 ~ Singer, actress Jane Froman, full name Ellen Jane Froman, passed away in Columbia, Missouri, USA ~ Classically trained. Known though as one of her era's finest interpreters of compositions by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, enjoying popularity from the early-1930s onwards performing on radio, screen and stage notably including a stint with Ziegfeld Follies revue ~ Froman passed away in 1980
November 10, 1887 ~ William Henry Jackson, commonly known as blues guitarist, banjoist, singer Papa Charlie Jackson, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Perhaps best known for accompanying some of the most famous classic blues singers including Ida Cox, Hattie McDaniel and notably Ma Rainey. Has also recoirded with Big Bill Broonzy and Blind Blake, the latter a longtime idol of his. As a solo artist known for a number of 1920s recordings, notably Airy Man Blues, Papa's Lawdy Lawdy Blues, Shave 'Em Dry and Salty Dog Blues ~ Jackson passed away in 1938
November 10, 1668 ~ Baroque composer, organist, harpsichordist François Couperin born in France ~ Dubbed “Couperin the Great” to distinguish him from his father organist Charles Couperin and uncle keyboard virtuoso and composer Louis Couperin. Influenced by Arcangelo Corelli. Admired by Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, Maurice Ravel. Best known for a number of volumes for harpsichord music published between 1713 and 1730 and for his the Concerts Royaux ~ Couperin passed way in 1733