November 17, 2022 ~ Opera composer Azio Corghi passed away ~ Composed mostly operas and chamber music, the former often based on literature. Well known works include Gargantua, Blimunda, and Divara (Aqua E Sangue) ~ Corghi was born in 1937
November 17, 2022 ~ Brandon Smith, commonly known as hip-hop, trap, R&B singer, rapper, songwriter B Smyth, passed away ~ Gained attention posting his cover of popular songs on Youtube, including the Rihanna cover Stay and the Miguel cover Quickie. After landing a record contract with Motown in 2012 released his debut single Leggo featuring 2 Chainz, followed by his The Florida Files debut EP the following year. Smith died from pulmonary fibrosis at age 28 ~ Smith was born in 1994
November 17, 2022 ~ Producer, label executive, author Ken Mansfield passed away ~ Manager for Apple Records in the USA during the 1960s, and as such helpful in the careers of a number of British acts including the Beatles, Mary Hopkin, Badfinger, and Jackie Lomax. Helped popularize the Outlaw country movement in the 1970s, notably producing the Waylon Jennings Are You Ready For The Country album as well as Jessi Colter's I'm Not Lisa crossover hit single. Successful in gospel music in the 1990s, producing acts such as the Imperials and the Gaither Vocal Band. Authored a number of books in the 2000s, starting with The Beatles The Bible And Bodega Bay published in 2000 ~ Mansfield was born in 1937
November 17, 2022 ~ Classical pianist, composer Tomás Svoboda passed away in Portland, Oregon, USA ~ Served as professor at Portland State University, Oregon, for over 25 years. Over 200 compositions to his name, starting in the mid-1950s. Most acclaimed for his Concerto For Marimba & Orchestra published in 1995 and for Piano Trios published in 2000 ~ Svoboda was born in 1939
November 17, 2021 ~ Jazz pianist, singer, composer, lyricist Dave Frishberg passed away in Portland, Oregon, USA ~ Cited Frank Loesser as a major influence, naming Loesser's Baby It's Cold Outside and Willie Nelson's Crazy as two of the songs he wished he had written. Has performed as a solo pianist from the late-1950s forward. Known for humorous, quirky, sardonic songs such as I'm Hip, Blizzard Of Lies, Peel Me A Grape, Slapping The Cakes On Me and probably his best known My Attorney Bernie. Frequent songwriting collaborator of the likes of Johnny Mandel, Bob Brookmeyer, Julius Wechter, Gerry Mulligan. Songs written or co-written by Frishberg have been performed by Blossom Dearie, Rosemary Clooney, Shirley Horn, Anita O'Day, Michael Feinstein, Irene Kral, Diana Krall, Stacey Kent, John Pizzarelli, and others ~ Frishberg was born in 1933
November 17, 2021 ~ Pop rock bassist Keith Allison passed away ~ Member of Paul Revere & the Raiders from 1968, replacing Charlie Coe, through 1975. As a solo artist known for his 1967 Keith Allison In Action album. Over the course of his career Allison has also worked with artists such Ringo Starr, the Monkees, the Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, Sonny & Cher. Appears on the Jerry Lee Lewis album Last Man Standing released in 2006 ~ Allison was born in 1942
November 17, 2021 ~ Adolph Robert Thornton Jr, commonly known as hip-hop, gangsta rap rapper Young Dolph, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ First gained serious attention as featured vocalist on OT Genasis's Cut It, a Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit in 2015. Would release his solo debut album, King Of Memphis, the following year. As a solo artist best known for his 2020 album Rich Slave which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 200 album charts. Has collaborated with Key Glock, Gucci Mane, Lil' Durk, and Lil' Baby ~ Thornton was born in 1985
November 17, 2020 ~ William Henry Adams Jr, commonly known as producer, label executive Gordon Keith, passed away ~ Best remembered for being the first to sign the Jackson 5, producing and recording the band's first songs including the band's very first single Big Boy paired with You Changed on the flip side released on the Steeltown Records label in 1968 ~ Adams was born in 1939
November 17, 2018 ~ Frances Elizabeth Taylor, commonly known as dancer, actress Frances Taylor-Davis, passed away ~ Toured extensively as a dancer with the Katherine Dunham Company throughout South America and Europe. Became the first African-American ballerina to perform with the Paris Opera Ballet in 1951, her performance receiving rave reviews. Appeared in Broadway musicals such as Mr Wonderful, Shinbone Alley, and West Side Story. Married to trumpeter Miles Davis from 1959 through 1968. Although the marriage was marred by increasing domestic violence as Davis' substance abuse worsened, Taylor has served as inspiration for some of the trumpeter's best known including the song Fran Dance, and the entire Porgy & Bess album ~ Taylor was born in 1929
November 17, 2017 ~ Composer William Mayer passed away ~ Composed orchestral, chamber, and choral music, as well as pieces for vocals or solo piano. Critically acclaimed, his work once described by the New York Times as “singing out with real beauty, both in the vocal writing and instrumental settings.” Best known for his opera Death In The Family, premiered in 1983. Taught composition and orchestration at the Boston University, Boston, and served as guest lecturer at several other renowned institutions ~ Mayer was born in 1925
November 17, 2006 ~ Ruth Alston Weston, commonly known as singer Ruth Brown, passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Best known for songs such as So Long, Teardrops From My Eyes and Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean. Worked with Duke Ellington, Rudy Toombs, the Flairs, Count Basie, the Lamp-Lighters, Louis Jordan, Christine Kittrell, Pérez Prado, and Thad Jones ~ Brown was born in 1928
November 17, 2003 ~ Songwriter, singer, guitarist Don Gibson passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Revered singer, songwriter. Pivotal to development of country. Wrote country classics such as Sweet Dreams and I Can't Stop Loving You. Nicknamed “the Bad Poet” for his songs about loneliness and lost love. Member of Sons Of The Soil. Artists who recorded his songs include Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, Neil Young, and others ~ Gibson was born in 1928
November 17, 1998 ~ Jazz pianist, bandleader Ike Carpenter, full name Isaac Monroe Carpenter, passed away in Durham, North Carolina, USA ~ Active during the 1940s and 1950s. Worked briefly with Boyd Raeburn before becoming a popular attraction in his own right working the West Coast nightclubs. Featured with his band in the 1950s films Rhythm And Rhyme and Holiday Rhythm. Employed sidemen such as Lucky Thompson, Gerald Wilson, Ted Nash, Jay Cameron, and George Weidler ~ Carpenter was born in 1920
November 17, 1995 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Alan Hull, full name James Alan Hull, passed away in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK ~ Best known as co-founding member, frontman of Lindisfarne. Has also recorded as a solo artist and worked with the Chosen Few, Brethren, and Radiator ~ Hull was born in 1945
November 17, 1995 ~ Jazz, blues critic, historian, archivist, label executive, producer Pete Welding passed away in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA ~ Journalist for the famed Down Beat jazz and blues magazine. Founded the Testament Records label in 1963. As a producer has worked with Blind Connie Williams, Big Joe Williams, Robert Nighthawk, Doctor Ross, Mississippi Fred McDowell, JB Hutto, Bo Diddley, Otis Spann, Jean-Luc Ponty, Charlie Musselwhite, the Jazz Crusaders, Johnny Shines, and others ~ Welding was born in 1935
November 17, 1993 ~ Rapper, singer, songwriter M Huncho born in North West London, UK ~ Active since the late-2010s, his 2019 Utopia mixtape garnering over 70 million streams worldwide and reaching the top 20 on the UK albums charts. Best known for songs such Broken Homes featuring the Plug & Nafe Smallz, Pee Pee and 5AM
November 17, 1991 ~ Francis Junior Edusei, commonly known as rapper Frenna, born in The Hague, the Netherlands ~ Member of SFB, known for their 2015 single Nu Sta Je Hier with Broederliefde & Ronnie Flex. As a solo artist Frenna is known for songs such as My Love featuring Jonna Fraser & Emms, Energie with Flex, and Hoe Je Bent with Broederliefde
November 17, 1990 ~ Folk pop, blues rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Barns Courtney, full name Barnaby George Courtney, born in Aylesbury, UK ~ Fronted indie band SleeperCell. Fronted Dive Bella Dive. Active as a solo artist since the mid-2010s, releasing his Glitter And Gold debut single in 2015. Also known for the subsequent recording Fire. Has since opened for the likes of the Libertines, Ed Sheeran, the Lumineers, Tom Odell, and Fitz & the Tantrums
November 17, 1989 ~ Sudan Ameer Williams, commonly known as rapper iamsu, born in Richmond, California, USA ~ Active since the early-2010s. Released his full-length debut album, Sincerely Yours, in 2014. Has collaborated with the HBK Gang, 2 Chainz, Sage The Gemini, E-40, Jonn Hart, Zendaya, Travis Barker, and others
November 17, 1989 ~ Singer Paula Abdul releases Opposites Attract with the Wild Pair, lifted off Abdul's Forever Your Girl debut album ~ Though initially not intended as a duet, Opposites Attract finds Abdul in a back-and-forth with Bruce DeShazer and Marv Gunn, the latter two collectively dubbed the Wild Pair. The song is especially noted for its creative music video, in which Abdul dances with an animated character, an idea lifted from the 1945 musical comedy film Anchors Aweigh in which Gene Kelly dances with the mouse from Tom & Jerry. Abdul orchestrated all dance moves, including for her duet and dance partner, the animated cat voiced by the Wild Pair. Animators from Disney created the cat by way of rotoscoping animation, a technique where they drew over an actual person's real dance moves. The video would win a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video. Opposites Attract would be Abdul's fourth of six consecutive Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits, preceded by Straight Up, Forever Your Girl, and Cold Hearted
November 17, 1984 ~ In its tenth week on the charts, What About Me by Kenny Rogers featuring Kim Carnes and James Ingram peaks at No.15 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written by Richard Marx, David Foster, and Rogers, the latter two also serving as producers. Issued as the lead single of Rogers' album of the same name. The song is described as a three-way love song about a woman and two men with all three wondering “what about me”. Originally Lionel Richie and Barbra Streisand were tapped to join Rogers, but after Richie dropped out, Streisand did as well. Next, Olivia Newton-John and Jeffrey Osborne were approached but both also dropped out as each had other projects scheduled to be released around the same time. What About Me would be the first major hit for songwriter Richard Marx, who would launch his own singing career three years later with his eponymous Richard Marx album, which spawned four Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles, starting with Don't Mean Nothing
November 17, 1983 ~ Pablo Diaz-Reixa, commonly known as singer, producer El Guincho, born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain ~ Rose to prominence with his 2008 Alegranza, drawing from Afrobeat, dub, tropicália and rock & roll. Served as producer for Rosalia, Javiera Mena, Aitana, Bad Gyal, Paloma Mami, and others
November 17, 1981 ~ Big band singer Bob Eberly passed away in Glen Burnie, Maryland, USA ~ Best known for his work with Jimmy Dorsey including on classics such as It's The Dreamer In Me, and for his duets with Helen O'Connell such as Green Eyes and Tangerine. Other notable recordings include Besame Mucho with Kitty Kallen and Love Letters with Enoch Light's Orchestra. Eberly's brother Ray Eberly is also a singer, known for his work with Glenn Miller ~ Eberly was born in 1916
November 17, 1981 ~ Pop singer, actress Sarah Harding, full name Sarah Nicole Harding, born in Berkshire, UK ~ Rose to fame in the early-2000s as member of girl group Girls Aloud, known for UK top 10 hits such as Sound Of The Underground, Life Got Cold, The Show, I'll Stand By You, Something Kinda Ooooh, Walk This Way with the Sugababes, Call The Shots and The Promise ~ Harding passed away in 2021
November 17, 1980 ~ Guitarist, pianist, singer Isaac Hanson, full name Clarke Isaac Hanson, born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Member of pop rock unit Hanson, centered around Isaac and his younger brothers Taylor Hanson and Zac Hanson. The band shot to fame with their Billboard Hot 100 No.1 single Mmmbop off their 1997 Middle Of Nowhere debut album while all three brothers were still in their early to mid-teens. The single I Will Come To You of the same album also reached top 10. The siblings recorded about a dozen albums since, but failed to repeat their earlier success
November 17, 1979 ~ Rock, blues rock, progressive rock, progressive folk bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer John Glascock passed away in London, UK ~ Member of Carmen from 1972 through 1975, including on the acclaimed Fandangos In Space album. Member of Jethro Tull from 1976 until his death in 1979. Praised as “the best bass player in rock” by Ritchie Blackmore. Has also worked with the Gods, Head Machine, Toe Fat, Chicken Shack, Maddy Prior, Richard Digance, and others ~ Glascock was born in 1951
November 17, 1978 ~ Shock rock singer Alice Cooper releases From The Inside, his fourth solo studio album ~ A concept album inspired by Cooper's stay in a New York asylum due to his alcoholism, each of the characters in the songs based on actual people he met there. The album's lead single How You Gonna See Me Now, written by Cooper, Bernie Taupin and Dick Wagner, would reach top 20 Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No.12
November 17, 1978 ~ Jazz pianist Evans Bradshaw passed away ~ Childhood friend of pianist Phineas Newborn Jr, reportedly turning Newborn on to the ivories. While working a day job in a auto factory, Bradshaw was spotted during a side gig and given the opportunity to record two albums in the late-1950s, Look Out For Evans Bradshaw and the Pieces Of Eighty-Eight. Despite his recordings being warmly received, Bradshaw has not recorded since ~ Bradshaw was born ca.1933
November 17, 1978 ~ Rock, heavy metal, hip-hop bassist, guitarist, rapper, singer Gabe Rosales born in Laguna Beach, California, USA ~ First gained attention in his late teens, appearing on Lynch Mob's Smoke This album. Would go on to record as a solo artist, noted for his 2009 Vital Nonsense, and work with a wide array of artists from numerous genres including rock, pop, fusion, funk, hip-hop and metal. Has worked with Jennifer Lopez, Fat Joe, Christina Milian, the Police's Andy Summers, and Nicole Scherzinger
November 17, 1976 ~ Actress, pop singer, songwriter Sofi Bonde born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ A chance meeting with Roxette-guitarist Micke Norde would lead to a record deal, releasing her One debut album in 2001. It would spawn the singles Back In Your Arms, Hey Boy and Little Things. Would go on to become an in-demand songwriter, her songs featured on TV shows such as Entourage, The Vampire Diaries, Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place
November 17, 1973 ~ Patrick Hall, commonly known as rapper Gangsta Pat, born in Whitehaven, Tennessee, USA ~ Son of iconic Stax/Volt session drummer Willie Hall. One of the first rap artists from Memphis to make the move from an indie to a major label, active since the start of the gangsta rap era. Released his No.1 Suspect debut album in 1991
November 17, 1972 ~ Anti-folk singer, guitarist Kimya Dawson born in Bedford, New York, USA ~ Earned a cult following and critical acclaim as member of anti-folk duo the Moldy Peaches alongside Adam Green, best known for their 2001 recording Anyone Else But You. Dawson has recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with 2002's I'm Sorry That Sometimes I'm Mean. Has also collaborated with Ben Kweller, Antsy Pants, the Bundles, the Uncluded, Aesop Rock, They Might Be Giants, the Mountain Goats, Third Eye Blind, Regina Spektor, and others
November 17, 1967 ~ Guitarist, producer Michael Andrews born in San Diego, California, USA ~ Also goes by the moniker Elgin Park. Founding member of the Greyboy Allstars. Best known for the Tears For Fears-cover Mad World recorded with Gary Jules for the Donnie Darko soundtrack
November 17, 1967 ~ R&B, pop, new jack swing, hip hop singer Ronnie DeVoe, full name Ronald Boyd DeVoe Jr, born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, USA ~ Member of new jack swing outfit New Edition, the band name being a reference to the Jackson 5 and the Jacksons, and known for hits such as Cool It Now, If It Isn't Love and I'm Still In Love With You. Following the band's disbandement in 1990 DeVoe would form Bell Biv DeVoe with bandmates Ricky Bell and Michael Bivins, the band's Poison debut album would sell 5 million copies and spawns the hit singles Poison, Do Me, BBD (I Thought It Was Me), When Will I See You Smile and Dope all reaching top 10 Billboard R&B
November 17, 1967 ~ R&B, psychedelic soul, funk outfit Sly & the Family Stone release their Dance To The Music single ~ At the insistence of CBS Records executive Clive Davis the band toned their radical sound down to a more pop-oriented and commercially viable sound. None of the band members particularly liked Dance To The Music when hearing the end result, yet it did the trick. The single would be the band's first Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit, peaking at No.8, and garner the band attention from mainstream audiences while still keeping the band's pioneering psychedelic soul sound featuring rock guitar riffs, a funky bass, syncopated drums, a gospel-styled organ, and prominent horns
November 17, 1966 ~ Jazz bassist, composer Ben Allison born in New Haven, Connecticut, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Key figure in the Herbie Nichols Project. Formed the loose collective the Jazz Composers Collective and served as its director from 1992 until its disbandement in 2005. The collective is known for a series of annual concerts, premiering over 300 works by some 50 composers. Well over a dozen albums as a leader. Guested on recordings by Frank Kimbrough, Michael Blake, Ted Nash, Lee Konitz, Curtis Stigers, and Larry Goldings
November 17, 1966 ~ Singer, songwriter Jeff Buckley, full name Jeffrey Scott Buckley, born in Anaheim, California, USA ~ Son of singer Tim Buckley. Rose to fame on the strength of his sole studio album, Grace, released in 1994. Drowned at age 30 during a spontaneous evening swim. Best known for his cover of the Leonard Cohen-classic Hallelujah ~ Buckley passed away in 1997
November 17, 1965 ~ Singer, violinist, guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, mandolinist, songwriter Amanda Brown, full name Amanda Gabrielle Brown, born ~ Classically trained. Best known as member of the Go-Betweens from 1986 through 1989, present on the albums Tallulah and 16 Lovers Lane. Brown also sessioned with acts such as REM, the Reels, Silverchair, David Bridie, the Cruel Sea, the Apartments, and Boxcar. Released her Incognita solo debut album in 2002
November 17, 1962 ~ In its fifth week on the charts, Big Girls Don't Cry by the Four Seasons hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written by Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe, the latter also producing the track, was inspired by a line in the 1955 western Tennessee's Partner featuring John Payne and Rhonda Fleming. When Payne's character slaps Fleming's, he asks her what she thinks about being slapped. She gets ups, composes herself, and replies: “Big girls don't cry.” Crewe jotted down the line, and wrote the song the next day. Big Girls Don't Cry was designed to sound like its predecessor, Sherry, which had first reached No.1 just two months earlier. Both songs would spend five weeks each at the top spot without appearing in year-end charts. Big Girls Don't Cry has remained popular to this day, regularly covered or referenced, and has been used in various films including perhaps most notably for the opening scene of the 1987 Dirty Dancing film, which is set in 1963
November 17, 1962 ~ Composer, multi-instrumentalist Nick Pynn born ~ Plays fiddle, banjo, mandolin, mandocello, viola and violin, dulcimer, guitar, and other string instruments. Especially noted for his use of bass pedals. Worked with the Famous Potatoes, Steve Harley, Herbie Flowers, Adrian Oxaal, Richard Durrant, Jane Bom Bane, the Lost & Found Orchestra, Kate Daisy Grant, and others
November 17, 1961 ~ Arranger, composer, conductor Vince Mendoza born in Norwalk, Connecticut, USA ~ Best known as producer, arranger. Has worked with Randy Brecker, Peter Erskine, Robbie Williams, Björk, Elvis Costello, Joni Mitchell, and others. As a composer had his songs recorded by Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker, Charlie Haden. Served as chief conductor of het Metropole Orkest from 2005 to 2013
November 17, 1958 ~ In its eighth week on the charts, Tom Dooley by the Kingston Trio hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ A traditional folk song, this murder ballad tells of an actual real-life story of the 1866 murder of Laura Foster in Wilkes County, North Carolina, by her lover Tom Dula, pronounced as “Dooley” in local dialect. The song dates back further, its exact origins unknown, yet Grayson & Whitter, a duo consisting of GB Grayson and Henry Whitter, were the first to record the song back in 1929. Folk outfit the Kingston Trio had most likely first heard it as recorded by folklorist Frank Warner in the early 1950s, and would cut the song themselves. It became their first hit, and was named Best Country & Western Performance at the very first Grammy Awards ceremony. Over the years, several other artists have recorded the song, yet the definitive hit version remains the 1958 hit by the Kingston Trio
November 17, 1957 ~ Jazz trumpeter, clarinetist Wooden Joe Nicholas passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Influenced by Buddy Bolden and Bunk Johnson. Noted for his loud volume and endurance. Worked with King Oliver, Raymond Burke, Louis Nelson, and founded and led the Camelia Brass Band. Nicholas has spent the entirety of his career in New Orleans, and is the uncle of clarinetist Albert Nicholas ~ Nicholas was born in 1883
November 17, 1955 ~ Fitzroy Edwards, commonly known as singer Edi Fitzroy, born in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica ~ First gained attention with the 1978 single Miss Molly Colly, which reached the Jamaican top 10. Soon after Fitzroy toured the UK with Mikey Dread, opening for the Clash. Went on to collaborate with noted producers such as Lloyd Norris, and Trevor Elliot (who produced Check For You Once, the singer's debut album). Fitzroy would continue to record steadily, including hits such as Princess Black and The Gun. Fitzroy would keep his day job, accountancy, until the mid-1990s before focusing solely on his music career ~ Edwards passed away in 2017
November 17, 1955 ~ Ragtime, jazz stride pianist, composer James P Johnson, full name James Price Johnson, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Art Tatum, Fats Waller. Known for songs such as Harlem Strut, Keep Off The Grass, Carolina Shout, Worried And Lonesome Blues, and The Charleston ~ Johnson was born in 1894
November 17, 1955 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist Peter Cox, full name Peter John Cox, born in Kingston, UK ~ Half of Go West pop duo, the other half being Richard Drummie, known for hits such as We Close Our Eyes, Call Me, Faithful and King Of Wishful Thinking. Has also worked with Chris Slade, Colin Pattenden, Tony Hadley, Bernie Nolan, and others
November 17, 1951 ~ Eva Alaine Overstake, commonly known as country singer, guitarist Judy Martin, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ First sang at Salvation Army gatherings with her elder sisters, the trio becoming regulars on WLS Chicago radio shows by the early-1930s where they worked with Gene Autry, the Hoosier Hot Shots, and Judy's future husband Red Foley. In 1934, at age 16, Overstake married Foley, with whom she would have three daughters including singer Debby Boone. She notably collaborated with her husband on the late-1940s duets Our Christmas Waltz, Let's Go To Church (Next Sunday Morning), and Remember Me (When The Candle Lights Are Gleaming), and released several recordings as a solo singer. At age 34, Overstake took her own life by overdosing on sleeping pills, the reasons for her suicide were never made public ~ Overstake was born in 1917
November 17, 1947 ~ Folk rock, roots rock, rock guitarist, bassist, mandolinist, violinist, singer Rod Clements, full name Roderick Parry Clements, born in North Shields, UK ~ Founded Lindisfarne with Alan Hull, best known for the 1972 UK top 10 hit Meet Me On The Corner penned by Clements. Co-founded Jack The Lad with Ralph McTell and Bert Jansch. Appeared on McTell's solo hit The Streets Of London. Has also recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with the likes of Rab Noakes, Peter Hammill, Wizz Jones, Kathryn Tickell, and others
November 17, 1946 ~ Progressive rock, folk rock, rock guitarist, mandolinist, flutist, saxophonist, songwriter Martin Barre, full name Martin Lancelot Barre, born in King's Heath, UK ~ Lead guitarist for rock band Jethro Tull from 1968 until its disbandement in 2011, present on all of the band's recordings except their This Was debut album. The band is acclaimed for the early-1970s albums Aqualung and its follow-up Thick As Brick, both considered landmark albums in progressive rock. Barre has also recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting wih A Summer Band released in a limited edition in 1992. Guitarists such as Mark Knopfler, Joe Bonamassa, Steve Vai and Joe Satriani have cited Barre as an influence
November 17, 1944 ~ Rock, country rock, folk rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Gene Clark, full name Harold Eugene Clark, born in Tipton, Missouri, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member and primary songwriter for the Byrds, songs written or co-written by Clark include I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better, She Don't Care About Time, You Won't Have To Cry, Eight Miles High and Set You Free This Time. Clark initially played rhythm guitar but would relinquish that position to David Crosby, switching to tambourine and harmonica. Also recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist and worked with acts such as the New Christy Minstrels, the Gosdin Brothers, Doug Dillard, McGuinn Clark & Hillman, Carla Olson, and others ~ Clark passed away in 1991
November 17, 1943 ~ Conductor, producer, arranger Richard Hewson, full name Richard Anthony Hewson, born in Stockton-on-Tees, UK ~ Founded studio band the Rah Band. Has worked with the Beatles, the Bee Gees, James Taylor, Herbie Hancock, Supertramp, Diana Ross, Carly Simon, Art Garfunkel, Leo Sayer, Carly Simon, Art Garfunkel, Leo Sayer, Al Stewart, Chris De Burgh, Fleetwood Mac, Chris Rea, Cliff Richard, Toyah Willcox, Five Star, Shakin' Stevens, and others
November 17, 1943 ~ Pianist, singer, producer, songwriter Willie Murphy born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Influenced by Little Richard, Fats Domino, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Ray Charles. Best known for his association with John Koerner, notably on the duo's acclaimed 1969 album Running Jumping Standing Still, and as pianist, singer, frontman of R&B, blues, rock outfit Willie & the Bees. Produced Bonnie Raitt, Bonnie Raitt's 1971 eponymous debut album. Has also worked as a session musician for Greg Brown, Prudence Johnson, Little Milton, and others ~ Murphy passed away in 2019
November 17, 1942 ~ Rock singer Bern Elliott born in Erith, UK ~ Fronted 1960s UK outfit Bern Elliott & the Fenmen, known for their 1963 UK top 20 single Money (That's What I Want) and its follow-up New Orleans. The band also included keyboardist Jon Povey and guitarist Wally Waller who would later join the Pretty Things ~ Elliott passed away in 2022
November 17, 1942 ~ Pop rock pianist, singer, songwriter, producer Bob Gaudio, full name Robert John Gaudio, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Closely associated with Frankie Valli, serving as a member of the Four Seasons and writing or co-writing the majority of the group's material including Big Girls Don't Cry, Walk Like A Man, Dawn Go Away, Ronnie, Rag Doll, Save It For Me, Big Man In Town, Bye Bye Baby, Girl Come Running, and Beggin'. Gaudio also wrote or produced for artists such as Michael Jackson, Barry Manilow, Diana Ross, Eric Carmen, Nancy Sinatra, Peabo Bryson, Roberta Flack, and especially Neil Diamond, producing half a dozen albums for the latter as well as the Barbra Streisand-Diamond duet You Don't Bring Me Flowers
November 17, 1941 ~ Old-time guitarist, harmonica player, singer Henry Whitter, full name William Henry Whitter, passed away in Morganton, North Carolina, USA ~ Reportedly the first country singer to record in New York in 1927, though the claim is disputed and Okeh records show no proof. Remembered for recordings such as The New River Train, Put My Little Shoes Away, Lost John, Fox Chase, and perhaps most notably his 1924 release The Wreck On The Southern Old 97 co-penned with regular collaborator GB Grayson. The latter would be covered the same year by Vernon Dalhart as The Wreck Of The Old '97 which paired with The Prisoner's Song on the flip side would become the first million-seller country song ~ Whitter was born in 1892
November 17, 1939 ~ Singer, producer, actor Yuya Uchida born in Nishinomiya, Japan ~ Leading figure in Japanase pop. Befriended John Lennon after opening for the Beatles on their 1966 Japanese tour. Influenced by Jimi Hendrix. Recorded with Frank Zappa and with the Ventures ~ Uchida passed away in 2019
November 17, 1938 ~ Folk, folk-rock, country singer, guitarist, songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, full name Gordon Meredith Lightfoot Jr, born in Orillia, Canada ~ Helped define the 1960s, 1970s folk-pop sound. Known for songs such as For Lovin' Me, Early Morning Rain, Steel Reel Blues, Ribbon Of Darkness, Black Day In July and perhaps his best known If You Could Read My Mind. His songs would be covered by numerous artists including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, the Kingston Trio, Marty Robbins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand, Herb Alpert, Harry Belafonte, Sarah McLachlan, Eric Clapton, John Mellencamp, Tony Rice, Glen Campbell, the Grateful Dead, Olivia Newton-John, Paul Weller, Ultra Naté, and the Tragically Hip ~ Lightfoot passed away in 2023
November 17, 1935 ~ Avant-garde jazz, free jazz trombonist Roswell Rudd, full name Roswell Hopkins Rudd Jr, born in Sharon, Connecticut, USA ~ Over two dozen albums as a leader or co-leader. Especially acclaimed for Malicool, a 2003 collaborative album with Toumani Diabaté. In-demand sideman, guested on albums by Buell Neidlinger, Cecil Taylor (Cell Walk For Celeste), the New York Art Quartet, Archie Shepp (Four For Trane), Robin Kenyatta, the Jazz Composers Orchestra, the Liberation Music Orchestra, Steve Lacy, Carla Bley (Dinner Music), Enrico Rava, Elton Dean, Glen Hall, Han Bennink, Beausoleil (Alligator Purse), and Rebecca Ferguson ~ Rudd passed away in 2017
November 17, 1934 ~ Conductor, harpsichordist Alan Curtis born in Mason, Michigan, USA ~ Known for his work in baroque opera. Founded the ensemble Il Complesso Barocco. Has interpreted pieces by Jean-Philippe Rameau, Johann Sebastian Bach, Claudio Monteverdi, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Louis Couperin ~ Curtis passed away in 2015
November 17, 1931 ~ Trombonist, composer Wayne Andre born ~ In-demand sideman in pop and rock since the 1970s. Started in jazz and big band in the early-1950s working with Charlie Spivak, the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, Woody Herman, Kai Winding (composed Winding's Nutcracker), Gerry Mulligan, Clark Terry, Benny Goodman, Urbie Green, Art Farmer, Carl Fontana, and others. Starting in the early-1970s became a sought-after session musician outside jazz as well. Can be heard on albums such as Bruce Springsteen's Born To Run and Alice Cooper's School's Out. Also sessioned for Liza Minnelli, George Benson, Gloria Gaynor, Bob James, Quincy Jones, the Players Association, Jaco Pastorius, Grover Washington Jr, Patti Austin, Roy Ayers, Cy Coleman, Judy Collins, Chick Corea, Hank Crawford, Eric Gale, the Heath Brothers, Terumasa Hino, Lena Horne, Janis Ian, Yusef Lateef, Charlie Mariano, Van McCoy, Stephanie Nakasian, Milton Nascimento, Vicki Sue Robinson, David Ruffin, Marlena Shaw, Tina Turner, Steely Dan, Frankie Valli, Sarah Vaughan, Martha Veléz, Harold Vick, Randy Weston, and Zulema ~ Andre passed away in 2003
November 17, 1928 ~ Jazz trombonist, trumpeter, cornetist, percussionist John Sangster, full name John Grant Sangster, born in Melbourne, Australia ~ As a solo artist best known for a string of The Lord Of The Rings-inspired albums starting with The Hobbit Suite released in 1973. Has also collaborated with Graeme Bell, Humphrey Lyttelton and with Don Burrows ~ Sangster passed away in 1995
November 17, 1926 ~ Dixieland, swing trombonist, vibraphonist George Masso born in Cranston, Rhode Island, USA ~ Enjoyed a long, yet somewhat underrated career interspered with stints as a music teacher for financial stability. Inspired to take up the trombone after hearing Lou McGarrity play on Benny Goodman's Yours. Perhaps best known for his work with Jimmy Dorsey during the late-1940s. Close to a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, acclaimed especially for the 1993 collaborative album Let's Be Buddies with Dan Barrett. Other notable associations include Wild Bill Davison, Buck Clayton, Charlie Ventura, Eddie Miller, the World's Greatest Jazz Band, Maxine Sullivan, and the Lawson-Haggart Jazz Band ~ Masso passed away in 2019
November 17, 1923 ~ Concert pianist, teacher Ruth W Greenfield, full name Ruth Miriam Wolkowsky Greenfield, born in Key West, Florida, USA ~ Broke racial barriers, bringing together black and white students, taught by black and white teachers. Studied composition with Nadia Boulanger. Best known for founding the Fine Arts Conservatory. Also taught at Miami Dade College ~ Greenfield passed away in 2023
November 17, 1919 ~ Orchestrator, conductor, arranger, composer Hershy Kay born ~ One of the most in-demand orchestrators for Broadway shows, closely associated with once-classmate Leonard Bernstein. Orchestrated several of Bernstein's musicals including On The Town, Peter Pan and Candide. Has also orchestrated musicals for Marc Blitzstein, Harvey Schmidt, Cy Coleman, and Andrew Lloyd Webber. To jazz audiences perhaps best known for conducting the orchestra on Stan Getz's 1961 Focus album ~ Kay passed away in 1981
November 17, 1915 ~ Swing trumpeter Shorty Sherock born ~ Active since the late-1930s. Worked with Jimmy Dorsey, Gene Krupa. Benny Carter, Nelson Riddle. Featured soloist at Norman Granz's 1944 Jazz At The Philharmonic concert, alongside greats such as Illinois Jacquet, Jack McVea, JJ Johnson, Nat King Cole, and Les Paul ~ Sherock passed away in 1980
November 17, 1911 ~ Edward Maxwell Miller, commonly known as pianist, vibraphonist, composer Max Miller, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by Igor Stravinsky, Béla Bartók, Paul Hindemith. Perhaps best remembered for being the first to employ singer Anita O'Day, then aged 19, who sang lead with Miller's band in the late-1930s performing in Chicago venues such as the Three Deuces and the Off-Beat ~ Miller passed away in 1985