November 16, 1995 ~ Kirian Labarrie, commonly known as producer, rapper Kirk Knight, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Member of hip-hop collective Pro-Era. Released his solo debut album, Late Knight Special, in 2015. Produced artists such as Capital Steez, Joey Badass, Ecko Unitd, Peter Rosenberg, Mick Jenkins, Smoke DZA, CJ Fly, A$AP Ferg, the Flatbush Zombies, and others
November 16, 1985 ~ Tyrone Lindo, commonly known as grime, hip-hop MC, rapper, singer, songwriter Big Narstie, born in London, UK ~ Member of grime crew N-Double-A. Active as a solo artist since the early 2010s. Appeared on songs such as Craig David's 2015 UK top 10 hit When The Bassline Drops and Robbie Williams' 2017 Go Mental. Released his full-length BDL Bipolar debut album in 2018
November 16, 1982 ~ William Scott Fyvie, commonly known as rapper, producer Snak The Ripper, born in New Westminster, Canada ~ Co-founding member of hip-hop collective SDK. Member of 100MAD, founded by Fredro Starr and Sticky Fingaz. As a solo artist debuted with the album The Ripper released in 2007. Has collaborated with artists such as Datsik, Crooked I, the Snowgoons, Ill Bill, Mobb Deep, Onyx, and others
November 16, 1980 ~ Victor Mercer, commonly known as rapper, producer Celph Titled, born in Tampa, Florida, USA ~ Member of hip hop supergroup the Army Of The Pharaohs. Member of Demigodz. Also closely associated with Apathy, Buckwild, Stu Bangas, and others. Released his Gatalog (A Collection Of Chaos) solo debut album in 2006
November 16, 1978 ~ Indie rock guitarist, drummer Carolina Parra, full name Carolina Moraes Parra, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Best known as member of indie-electro band Cansei de Ser Sexy, joining the band in 2004. Has also worked with Ultrasom, Caxabaxa and Verafisher
November 16, 1976 ~ Electronic, alternative dance, synth-pop, indie pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Dan Black, full name Daniel Black, born in London, UK ~ Co-founding member of alternative rock band the Servant from 1998 through 2007. Member of Minty. Founding member of Massive Ego. Guested on recordings by Planet Funk. As a solo artist known for songs such as Alone, Yours, his breakthrough single HYPNTZ and perhaps his best-known Symphonies
November 16, 1974 ~ Soul, reggae, reggae fusion singer, songwriter Andru Donalds born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ As a solo artist known for the singles Mishale and Save Me Now, both of which charted in several countries in 1994. Served as one Enigma's lead vocalists starting in 1999
November 16, 1972 ~ Alternative rock, post-hardcore, hard rock, pop rock guitarist, singer Daniel P Carter, full name Daniel Philip Carter, born in Reading, UK ~ Member of A, joining the band in 1997 shortly after the release of their How Ace Are Buildings debut album as replacement for original bassist Steve Swindon. Present on most of the band's best known including the singles I Love Lake Tahoe, Nothing, Starbucks and Rush Song. In the mid-2000s formed the songwriting, production team the Collective with Julian Emery and bandmate Jason Perry, responsible for Matt Willis debut album Don't Let It Go To Waste and McFly's Motion In The Ocean album. Carter has also worked with Lucky Nine, Hexes, the Bloodhound Gang, and others
November 16, 1971 ~ Singer Johnna Lee Cummings born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Lead singer of early-1990s girl group Boy Krazy, known for their sole hit the Stock-Aitken-Waterman produced That's What Love Can Do
November 16, 1964 ~ Jazz singer, pianist, songwriter Diana Krall, full name Diana Jean Krall, born in Nanaimo, Canada ~ Debuted with the 1991 album Stepping Out featuring John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton and has recorded to critical acclaim and commercial succes since. Has sold over 15 million records. Married singer Elvis Costello in 2003 with whom she has two sons
November 16, 1963 ~ Soul, R&B, funk, jazz, gospel keyboardist, singer Bernard Wright born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Worked with Tom Browne at age 16. Sessioned with Doug E Fresh, Cameo, Bobby Brown, Pieces Of A Dream, Charles Earland, Marcus Miller, and Miles Davis. As a solo artist recorded half a dozen albums, starting with 'Nard released in 1981. Often sampled by the likes of Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Skee Lo, and LL Cool J. Known for songs such as Just Chillin' Out, Haboglabotribin', Funky Beat and Who Do You Love, the latter reaching top 10 on the Billboard R&B charts. Starting in the 1990s Wright would focus mostly on gospel ~ Wright passed away in 2022
November 16, 1963 ~ Jazz drummer, producer Steve Argüelles born in Crowbrough, UK ~ Brother of saxophonist Julian Argüelles. House drummer at Ronnie Scott's noted jazz club. Founded Loose Tubes. Has also worked with Django Bates, Corin Curschellas, John Wolf Brennan, Nguyên Lê, Benoit Delbecq, Noël Akchoté, Christophe Minck, Katerine and others. Released his solo debut album, the eponymous Steve Argüelles, in 1990
November 16, 1962 ~ Gary Mounfield, commonly known as rock, alternative rock, indie rock bassist Gary Mani Mounfield, born in Crumpsall, UK ~ Member of the Stone Roses, joining the band in 1987 and remaining until its initial disbandement in 1996. The band is best known for the UK top 10 hits Fools Gold, One Love, Love Spreads. Member of Primal Scream from 1996 until 2011, departing the band to rejoin a reunited Roses. Mounfield also played with Freebass, which also included the Smiths' Andy Rourke and Joy Division's Peter Hook
November 16, 1961 ~ Pop singer Corinne Hermès born in Lagny-sur-Marne, France ~ Internationally best known for winning the 1983 Eurovision Songfestival, representing Luxembourg, with the song Si La Vie Est Cadeau written by Jean-Pierre Millers and Alain Garcia
November 16, 1958 ~ Drummer Harry Rushakoff born in USA ~ Best known as drummer for Concrete Blonde, present on the band's eponymous Concrete Blonde debut album. Previously a member of the Nodes and Special Affect. Has also worked with 4xy, Harvey Mandel, Tom Peterson, Lindsey Buckingham, and others
November 16, 1952 ~ Avant-garde jazz, contemporary classical singer Lauren Newton, full name Lauren Amber Newton, born in Coos Bay, Oregon, USA ~ Founding member of the Vienna Art Orchestra. Founding member of the Vocal Summit. Debuted as a solo artist with the critically acclaimed Timbre in 1983. Has since collaborated with Jon Rose, Fritz Hauser, Vladimir Tarasov, Anthony Braxton, Christy Doran, Bernd Konrad, Peter Kowald, Joachim Kühn, Joëlle Léandre, Urs Leimgruber, Patrick Scheyder, Aki Takase, George Gruntz, Pink Martini, and others
November 16, 1950 ~ Songwriter Atilla Sereftug born in Istanbul, Turkey ~ Along with Nella Martinetti co-wrote Céline Dion's Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi, 1988 Eurovision Songfestival winner
November 16, 1949 ~ Singer, percussionist Pattie Santos born ~ Member of It's A Beautiful Day from 1967 through 1970, best known for their 1969 single White Bird of their eponymous It's A Beautiful Day debut album ~ Santos passed away in 1989
November 16, 1949 ~ Guitarist, producer, label founder, executive William Ackerman born ~ Founded the Windham Hill label to release his own recordings, starting with his 1976 In Search Of The Turtle's Navel debut album. Others in the label's catalogue include Darol Anger, Liz Story, Michael Hedges and Shadowfax. Over time Ackerman's company would become a defining force in what would later be called New Age music. As a recording artist perhaps best known for his Grammy Award-winning Returning album released in 2004
November 16, 1946 ~ Rock drummer Colin Burgess, full name Colin John Burgess, born in Sydney, Australia ~ Member of Masters Apprentices from 1968 until its disbandement in 1972, present on most of the band's best known including the hit singles 5:10 Man, Think About Tomorrow Today, Turn Up Your Radio, and Because I Love You. Following the band's disbandement Burgess would serve as the original drummer for AC/DC, remaining with the band joining the band late 1973 and fired early 1974 for appearing drunk on stage ~ Burgess passed away in 2023
November 16, 1945 ~ Keyboardist, guitarist Paul Raymond, full name Paul Martin Raymond, born in St Albans, UK ~ Best known as intermittent member of UFO from 1976 onwards, and member of the Michael Schenker Group during the early 1980s including on the acclaimed eponymous Michael Schenker Group album. Raymond had previously worked with Plastic Penny, Chicken Shack, Savoy Brown, and Danny Kirwan ~ Raymond passed away in 2019
November 16, 1941 ~ Guitarist, composer Angelo Gilardino born in Vercelli, Italy ~ Actively performing since the late 1950s, noted for premiering Mutations On Dies Irae in 1974 written by John Duarte. As a composer wrote for solo guitar as well as chamber music, concertos and sonatas, best known for his Studi Di Virtuosita Di Transcendenza collection. Had his compositions recorded by the likes of Cristiano Porqueddu, Ermanno Brignolo, Sanja Plohl, Lorenzo Micheli, and Aniello Desiderio ~ Gilardino passed away in 2022
November 16, 1941 ~ Wallace Daniel Pennington, commonly known as songwriter, singer, guitarist Dan Penn, born in Vernon, Alabama, USA ~ Wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by the Sweet Inspirations (Sweet Inspiration), TG Sheppard, Janis Joplin (A Woman Left Lonely), Johnny Adams, Sandy Posey, Irma Thomas, the Tams, Tommy Roe, the Box Tops (Cry Like A Baby), Solomon Burke (Don't Give Up On Me), Aretha Franklin (Do Right Woman Do Right Man), Dalton Reed, Arthur Conley (I Can't Stop No No), Marshall Crenshaw, the Vel-tones, Conway Twitty (Is A Blue Bird Blue), James Carr (The Dark End Of The Street), Jimmy Hughes, Wilson Pickett (Uptight Good Woman), Lee Roy Parnell, Percy Sledge, Lonnie Mack, and others
November 16, 1939 ~ Wesley Curley Clark, commonly known as blues singer, guitarist WC Clark, born in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Dubbed “the Godfather of Austin Blues” for his influence since the late-1960s. Sang gospel in church choirs, took up guitar by age 14, was playing professionally two years later. Early on in his career, Clark toured with Joe Tex before returning to his native Austin, to find a new crop of young and eager performers. Clark is legendary perhaps most for forming the Triple Threat Revue in the mid-1970s with the then-unknown Lou Ann Barton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Though the trio only briefly played together, they set the standard for Austin blues, with Vaughan crediting Clark as a mentor and immense influence. Clark has shared stages with BB King, James Brown, Albert King, and Freddie King. Outside Texas, he is perhaps best known for half a dozen solo albums released later on in his career, notably 1994's Heart Of Gold, and From Austin With Soul released in 2002 ~ Clark passed away in 2024
November 16, 1938 ~ Label founder, producer, concert promoter Dick Griffey, full name Richard Gilbert Griffey, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Talent coordinator on the famed Soul Train TV show. Co-founded Soul Train Records with Don Cornelius in 1974. After buying Cornelius out, the label would be renamed SOLAR Records. The company would play a major role in developing the funk-oriented R&B sounds of the 1970s and 1980s, enjoying succes with artists such as the Whispers, Lakeside, Midnight Starr, Calloway, and the Deele. The label would also launch the careers of singer Kenneth Babyface Edmonds, future music executive LA Reid, and producers, songwriters Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Griffey was married to singer Carrie Lucas, who also recorded for the label, from 1974 until his death in 2010 ~ Griffey passed away in 2010
November 16, 1938 ~ Singer, pianist, guitarist, songwriter Toni Brown born ~ Frontwoman, and alongside guitarist Terry Garthwaite co-lead singer of Joy Of Cooking. The band was identified with the hippie culture, its lyrics often reflecting feminist themes, drew from rock & roll, folk, blues, and jazz, and is best known for their 1971 modest hit Brownsville. The band has recorded three albums in the early 1970s, Joy Of Cooking, Closer To The Ground, and Castles. Following the band's disbandement Brown released two albums, 1973's Good For You Too and 1979's Toni Brown, and formed the duo Toni & Terry with bandmate Garthwaite. Brown retired from music by the end of the 1970s and has since earned in master's degree in clinical psychology and founded Four Winds West, a non-profit organization for disadvantaged youth in Fairfax, California
November 16, 1938 ~ Singer, songwriter Troy Seals, full name Troy Harold Seals, born in Big Hill, Kentucky, USA ~ Has recorded two solo albums, 1973's Presenting Troy Seals and 1976's eponymous Troy Seals. Best known as a songwriter. Co-wrote Seven Spanish Angels recorded as a duet by Ray Charles and Willie Nelson. Co-wrote Lost In The Fifties Tonight recorded by Ronnie Milsap. Co-wrote If You Ever Have Forever In Mind recorded by Vince Gill. Other artists who have recorded his songs include Eric Clapton, Nancy Sinatra, Randy Travis, Conway Twitty, Hank Williams Jr, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Levon Helm, Jerry Lee Lewis, George Jones, and others
November 16, 1936 ~ Winfred Lorenzo Lovett, commonly known as R&B singer Winfred Blue Lovett, born in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA ~ Co-founding member of R&B, soul outfit the Manhattans best known for their 1976 Kiss And Say Goodbye, Billboard Hot 100 charttopper, written by the group's primary songwriter Lovett and arranged and co-produced with the group by noted Philly soul musician Bobby Martin. Lovett remained with the group from its inception in 1962 through 1990 ~ Lovett passed away in 2014
November 16, 1931 ~ Folk singer, banjoist, guitarist Bob Gibson, full name Samuel Robert Gibson, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Key figure in late 1950s, early 1960s folk revival. Best known for his 1961 Gibson & Camp At The Gate Of Horn album. Had his songs recorded by Harry Belafonte, the Limeliters, Joan Baez, Bobby Darin, Peter Paul & Mary, Simon & Garfunkel, the Byrds, Smother Brothers, Phil Ochs, the Kingston Trio, and others ~ Gibson passed away in 1996
November 16, 1931 ~ Blues, Chicago blues guitarist, singer Hubert Sumlin, full name Hubert Charles Sumlin, born in Greenwood, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known for his longtime association with Howlin' Wolf, backing Wolf from the late-1950s up to Wolf's death. Sumlin would continue with other Wolf sidemen under the moniker the Wolf Gang through 1980 as well as release solo albums, at times collaborating with Henry Gray, Calvin Fuzz Jones, Sam Lay, Colin Linden, Pinetop Perkins, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Levon Helm, David Johanson, James Cotton, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd ~ Sumlin passed away in 2011
November 16, 1927 ~ R&B pianist, singer Clayton Love born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Fronted his own blues outfit the Shufflers in the early 1950s. Would go on to play with Ike Turner's the Kings Of Rhythm, singing lead vocals on songs such as Do You Mean It, She Made My Blood Run Cold and The Big Question ~ Love passed away in 2010
November 16, 1927 ~ Lyricist, songwriter Norman Gimbel born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Co-wrote songs such as Killing Me Softly With His Song recorded by Lori Lieberman, later popularized by Roberta Flack, Ready To Take A Chance Again for Barry Manilow, Canadian Sunset for Andy Williams, and the Academy Award-winning It Goes Like It Goes recorded by Jennifer Warnes for the 1979 Norma Rae soundtrack ~ Gimbel passed away in 2018
November 16, 1926 ~ Operatic soprano Maralin Niska born in San Pedro, California, USA ~ Best known for her association with the New York City Opera during the 1960s and 1970s, and with the Metropolitan Opera during the 1970s ~ Niska passed away in 2016
November 16, 1923 ~ Jazz, blues drummer Francis Clay born in Rock Island, Illinois, USA ~ Influential on British Invasion musicians such as Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood. Best known for his associations with Muddy Waters and James Cotton. Also worked with Gypsy Rose Lee, Jay McShann, Charlie Parker, Jimi Hendrix, John Lee Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins, Otis Spann, and others ~ Clay passed away in 2008
November 16, 1921 ~ Songwriter Ben Weisman, full name Benjamin Weisman, born in Providence, Rhode Island, USA ~ Probably best known for co-penning over 50 songs for Elvis Presley, usually partnering up with either Aaron Schroeder or Fred Wise. Well known Presley songs include Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do, Crawfish, Pocketful Of Rainbows, I Slipped I Stumbled I Fell, Follow That Dream and Change Of Habit. Others who have recorded his songs include Guy Mitchell, Nat King Cole, Patti Page, Carl Smith, Sarah Vaughan, Dusty Springfield, Barbra Streisand, Evie Sands, and Shirley Bassey ~ Weisman passed away in 2007
November 16, 1916 ~ Sidney Denis Prechner, commonly known as producer, radio personality, music critic Denis Preston, born in Stoke Newington, UK ~ Not contracted to a particular label and described as “Europe's first independent record producer”. Influential in British jazz and skiffle from the 1940s through the 1960s. Active member of the anti-racism, anti-fascism movement. Produced records by artists such as Chris Barber, Acker Bilk (Stranger On The Shore), Alex Welsh, Frank Holder, Sandy Brown, Al Fairweather, Terry Lightfoot, Kenny Baker, Humphrey Lyttelton (Bad Penny Blues), Roger Whittaker, Wout Steenhuis, Joe Harriott, Stan Tracey, Amancio d'Silva, Guy Warren, and others ~ Prechner passed away in 1979
November 16, 1911 ~ Elmer Dunham, commonly known as trumpeter, trombonist Sonny Dunham, born in Brockton, Massachusetts, USA ~ Starting in the late 1920s Dunham worked with bandleaders such as Ben Bernie, Paul Tremain, Glen Gray (as a member of the Casa Loma Orchestra) as a trombonist, trumpeter, singer and arranger. Dunham repeatedly tried his luck as a bandleader, forming mostly short-lived ensembles untill the late 1950s. ~ Dunham passed away in 1990
November 16, 1910 ~ Albert French, commonly known as bandleader, banjoist Papa French, born ~ Longtime member of New Orleans outfit the Tuxedo Brass Band, led by the renowned Papa Celestin. Following Celestin's death in 1954, trombonist Eddie Pierson would take over leadership until his death in 1958, after which leadership of the band fell to French who led the band until his death. French's son drummer Bob French would lead the band from 1977 until 2012. French senior is also especially noted for his 1965 A Night At Dixieland Hall live album, featuring backing from Jeanette Kimball, Louis Barbarin, Joe Thomas, Waldren Joseph, Wendell Eugene, and Alvin Alcorn ~ French passed away in 1977
November 16, 1909 ~ Violist, arranger Watson Forbes, full name Watson Douglas Buchanan Forbes, born in St Andrews, UK ~ Got his start in music playing with the Stratton Quartet, renamed to the Aeolian String Quartet after the departure of George Stratton. Co-leader of the London Symphony Orchestra at the start of World War II. Professor of viola and chamber music at the Royal Academy Of Music conservatory. Head of music for BBC Scotland, credited for safeguarding and expanding the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. As a recording artist perhaps best known for Arthur Bliss' Viola Sonata and Alan Richardson's Sussex Lullaby. Father of composer Sebastian Forbes and singer Rupert Forbes ~ Forbes passed away in 1997
November 16, 1908 ~ Benjamin F Thigpen, commonly known as jazz drummer Ben Thigpen, born in Laurel, Mississippi, USA ~ Father of drummer Ed Thigpen. Ben played with Bobby Boswell, Doc Cheatham, Charlie Elgar, J Frank Terry, and extensively with Andy Kirk. Thigpen stayed with Kirk from 1930 to 1947, alongside noted pianist, composer Mary Lou Williams, also a member of Kirk's ensemble. After 1947 Thigpen led his own quintet. He also recorded with Singleton Palmer in the 1960s ~ Thigpen passed away in 1971
November 16, 1901 ~ Jesse Albert Stone, commonly known as R&B pianist, arranger, producer, songwriter Charles Calhoun, born in Atchison, Kansas, USA ~ Best known for penning Shake Rattle & Roll. First recorded in 1954 by blues shouter Big Joe Turner, and covered by numerous artists including Bill Haley, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Conway Twitty, Sam Cooke, and Buddy Holly, the song is one of a select few to be frequently named as the first rock & roll song. Calhoun has also made a number of memorable recordings himself, perhaps most notably the oft covered Smack Dab In The Middle, and has written or co-written songs recorded by Alvino Rey, Lucky Millinder, Ray Charles (Losing Hand), the Drifters (Money Honey), Lavern Baker, Amos Milburn, Ruth Brown (As Long As I'm Moving), Chuck Willis, Connie Francis, and Roy Hamilton. Producer and Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun is said to once have commented Calhoun “did more to develop the basic rock & roll sound than anybody else.” ~ Stone passed away in 1999
November 16, 1895 ~ Composer, violist, violinist, conductor Paul Hindemith born in Hanau, Germany ~ Major exponent of the Neue Sachlichkeit movement. Known for works such as Das Marienleben, Schwanendreher, Mathis Der Maler, Symphonnic Metamorphosis Of Themes By Carla Maria Von Weber. The nazis had a complicated relationship with Hindemith, some classifying his music as “degenerate” atonal music, others arguing he would make a fine example of a modern German composer. His music would be banned in 1936 ~ Hindemith passed away in 1963
November 16, 1873 ~ William Christopher Handy, commonly known as cornet player, songwriter WC Handy, born in Florence, Alabama, USA ~ Self-proclaimed “Father of the Blues”. Helped popularize Blues. Regarded as one of the monst influential songwriters. Best known for penning songs such as St Louis Blues (Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, Count Basie, Guy Lombardo), and Beale Street Blues (Earl Fuller, Marion Harris, Jack Teagarden) ~ handy passed away in 1958