November 23, 2020 ~ Country singer, guitarist Hal Ketchum, full name Hal Michael Ketchum, passed away in Fischer, Texas, USA ~ Earned critical acclaim and peer admiration for his poignant and literate yet unadorned story-telling. Released close to a dozen albums, starting with Threadbare Alibis in 1988. Though never a major star, Ketchum did find mainstream success mostly during the 1990s with about a dozen Billboard Country top 40 hits, his best known Small Town Saturday Night, Past The Point Of Rescue, and Hearts Are Gonna Roll all peaking at No.2. Ketchum retired from music in 2019 following a diagnosis of dementia ~ Ketchum was born in 1953
November 23, 2016 ~ Songwriter Fred Stobaugh passed away in Peoria, Illinois, USA ~ One hit wonder, retired truck driver Stobaugh became a viral sensation in 2013 with the song Oh Sweet Lorraine, written for his then recently departed wife of 73 years ~ Stobaugh was born in 1917
November 23, 2016 ~ Road manager, author Joe Esposito, full name Joseph Carmine Esposito, passed away in Calabasas, California, USA ~ Road manager for Elvis Presley and consultant for several of Presley's movies, having met the singer while serving in the military with him stationed in Friedberg, West Germany. Esposito would become a lifelong friend, serve as best man at Presley's wedding, and is considered one of the premier sources on Presley. After the singer's death in 1977, Esposito has authored several books on his time with Presley, notably Good Rockin' Tonight (20 Years On The Road With Elvis) published in 1994 ~ Esposito was born in 1938
November 23, 2015 ~ Banjoist, guitarist Clive Palmer, full name Clive Harold Palmer, passed away in Penzance, UK ~ Best known as founding member of the Incredible String Band, teaming up with Robin Williamson, later joined by Mike Heron. Also worked with the Famous Jug Band, Wizz Jones, Stockroom 5, Tim Welland, John Bidwell, the Temple Creatures, Chrissie Quayle, the Clives Original Band, and others ~ Palmer was born in 1943
November 23, 2015 ~ Singer, trumpeter, hornist Cynthia Robinson passed away in Carmichael, California, USA ~ Co-founding, constant member of Sly & the Family Stone, notably present on hits such as Dance To The Music and I Want To Take You Higher. Cousin of Larry Graham, bandmate in both Family Stone and Graham Central Station. Robinson has also guested on albums by Funkadelic (The Electric Spanking Of War Babies), Flash Cadillac, Dorothy Norwood, Robert Cray, Rose Stone, and Prince. Robinson would be described as “the original hypeman” by Questlove of the Roots ~ Robinson was born in 1944
November 23, 2010 ~ Lutenist, banjoist, guitarist, musicologist James Tyler, full name James Henry Tyler, passed away ~ Helped pioneer an early music revival with over 50 recordings to his name. Has notably collaborated with the New York Pro Musica, and performed with Sidney Beck's Consort Players for President John F Kennedy at the White House. Has formed the New Excelsior Talking Machine ragtime ensemble, for which he played banjo, and the London Early Music Group ~ Tyler was born in 1940
November 23, 2008 ~ Blues harpist, singer, guitarist Robert Lucas passed away in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Played the blues harmonica backing artists such as Bernie Pearl, Big Joe Turner, George Harmonica Smith, Pee Wee Creighton, Lowell Fulson, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Percy Mayfield, and others. Founded Luke & the Locomotives. Fronted Canned Heat from the mid- to late-1990s ~ Lucas was born in 1962
November 23, 2006 ~ Anita Belle Colton, commonly known as jazz singer Anita O'Day, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Dubbed the “Jezebel of Jazz” O'Day has worked with Max Miller, Gene Krupa, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Louis Armstrong, Oscar Peterson, Dinah Washington, George Shearing, Cal Tjader, Thelonious Monk, and Benny Goodman ~ Colton was born in 1919
November 23, 2006 ~ Rock, psychedelic rock, hard rock guitarist, singer April Lawton passed away ~ Best known for fronting early-1970s outfit Ramatam, which briefly included Jimi Hendrix-drummer Mitch Mitchell and Blues Image-guitarist Mike Pinera. Lawton left the band after two albums, Ramatam and In April Came The Dawning Of The Red Suns, both commercially disappointing ~ Lawton was born in 1948
November 23, 2001 ~ R&B, soul singer OC Smith, full name Ocie Lee Smith, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known for his 1968 recording of Little Green Apples, which reached the Billboard Hot 100 top 10. Other well known songs include The Son Of Hickory Holler's Tramp, Friend Lover Woman Wife, Daddy's Little Man and Baby I Need Your Loving ~ Smith was born in 1932
November 23, 1996 ~ Kermit Lane, commonly known as pianist Ken Lane, passed away in Lake Tahoe, California, USA ~ Co-wrote Everybody Loves Somebody Sometimes, first recorded by Peggy Lee in 1947 and covered by well over 100 artists inlcuding Dinah Washington, Brenda Lee, Sarah Vaughan, and Frank Sinatra, probably most closely associated with the latter. Also well known as Dean Martin's accompaniest during the late-1960s and early-1970s on The Dean Martin Show aired on NBC. Composed the music for Lucy Gets Lucky, a 1975 TV movie starring Lucille Ball. Lane's daughter, Robin Lane is a rock singer ~ Lane was born in 1912
November 23, 1994 ~ Songwriter, singer Tommy Boyce, full name Sidney Thomas Boyce, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ First gained attention in the late-1950s penning Be My Guest, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit for Fats Domino. Also co-wrote Curtis Lee's Pretty Little Angel and Under The Moon Of Love. Best known for teaming up with Bobby Hart, notably known for penning several of the Monkees' best known including Theme From The Monkees and Last Train To Clarksville. Others who have recorded the duo's songs include Chubby Checker (Lazy Elsie Molly), Jay & the Americans (Come A Little Bit Closer), Paul Revere & the Raiders (I'm Not Your Steppin' Stone), the Leaves (Words), and Little Anthony & the Imperials (Hurt So Bad) ~ Boyce was born in 1939
November 23, 1992 ~ Destiny Hope Cyrus, commonly known as singer, child actress Miley Cyrus, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. Cyrus first rose to fame in the early-2000s, and became a teen idol through the title role in Disney Channel's Hannah Montana TV series. As a singer, Cyrus debuted with her Meet Miley Cyrus album in 2007, and has recorded consistenly since. Well known songs include 7 Things, Climb, Party In The USA, Wrecking Ball, and Flowers. Over the course of her career, Cyrus has collaborated numerous artists including the Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Future, Ariana Grande, Lana Del Rey, Artists For Haiti, Bret Michaels, Rock Mafia, Snoop Lion, will.i.am, Mike Will Made It, Lolawolf, the Flaming Lips, and Mark Ronson. Cyrus was given the nickname “Miley”, derived from “Smiley”, in her youth as she smiled a lot as an infant
November 23, 1992 ~ Singer, songwriter, fiddler, music publisher Roy Acuff, full name Roy Claxton Acuff, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for co-founding Nashville music publishers Acuff/Rose Music together with Fred Rose, quintessential music publishers to the country genre, and responsible for advancing the careers of artist sich as Hank Williams, Roy Orbison, the Everly Brothers and others ~ Acuff was born in 1903
November 23, 1986 ~ Saxophonist, percussionist Svein Overgaard, full name Svein Arne Overgaard, passed away in Oslo, Norway ~ Member of the Norwegian resistance during World War II. As a musician worked with Fred Lange-Nielsen, Per Gregersen, Finn Westbye, Arvid Gram Paulsen, Pete Brown, Einar Gustavsen, and Robert Normann ~ Øvergaard was born in 1912
November 23, 1983 ~ Gastón Dalmau Arroquy, commonly known as actor, singer, guitarist Gastón Dalmau, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Played the role of Ramiro Ordónez in the TV series Casi Angeles. Singer, guitarist in the Teen Angels along with several other cast members, known for songs such as Hoy Quiero, Vuelvo A Casa, El Lugar Real, Navidad, Mieda A Perderte, Que Llegue Tu Voz, and Loco
November 23, 1979 ~ Judith Lynne Sill, commonly known as folk, baroque pop, folk rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Judee Sill, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Johann Sebastian Bach. Though the depth of her faith is debatable Sill wrote lyrics about Christian themes such as rapture and redemption. First artist to be signed to the Asylum label. Recorded two albums, 1971's Judee Sill and 1973's Heart Food, and demos for a third before dying at age 35 of a drug overdose. Though never commercially successful and only gaining limited recognition during her lifetime, Sill has been cited as an influence by artists such as Nick Lowe, Liz Phair, Warren Zevon, Robin Pecknold, and Daniel Rossen. Sill was referenced in or is the object of several songs, notably Laura Veirs' Song For Judee, Aaron Lee Tasjan's Judee Was A Punk, and the Fleet Foxes' Sunblind ~ Sill was born in 1944
November 23, 1979 ~ Rock group Pink Floyd release Another Brick In The Wall (Part II), lifted off their The Wall album ~ The band rarely released singles, as they felt their songs were best appreciated in the full context of an album. However, producer Bob Ezrin convinced the band to release Another Brick In The Wall (Part II) as it could easily stand on its own without hurting album sales. And so it did, the single became a No.1 hit in numerous countries including America and the band's native UK, while the album would still sell over 20 million copies. Roger Waters, the band's co-lead vocalist and the song's sole songwriter, would later temper the general perception of the song as being anti-education: “You couldn't find anybody in the world more pro-education than me. But the education I went through in boys' grammar school in the '50s was very controlling and demanded rebellion. The teachers were weak and therefore easy targets. The song is meant to be a rebellion against errant government, against people who have power over you, who are wrong. Then it absolutely demanded that you rebel against that”
November 23, 1979 ~ New wave, post-punk, pop rock band the Police release Walking On The Moon, lifted off their Reggatta De Blanc sophomore album ~ Singer Sting wrote the song when he was drunk one night after a concert in Munich. The single, paired with Visions Of The Night on the flip side, would become the band's second UK No.1 hit, following Message In A Bottle earlier the same year. The singer later disclosed of the night in Munich: “I was drunk in a hotel room in Munich, slumped on the bed with the whirling pit when this riff came into my head. I got up and started walking round the room, singing ‘Walking round the room, ya, ya, walking round the room’. That was all. In the cool light of morning I remembered what had happened and I wrote the riff down. But Walking Round The Room was a stupid title so I thought of something even more stupid which was Walking On The Moon”
November 23, 1978 ~ Singer, songwriter Alison Mosshart, full name Alison Nicole Mosshart, born in Vero Beach, Florida, USA ~ Member of Discount from 1995 through 2000. Co-founded the Kills with Jamie Hince. Member of supergroup Dead Weather since 2009 alongside Jack White, Jack Lawrence, and Dean Fertita. Also guested on recordings by Placebo, Primal Scream, Carla Azar, the Forest Rangers, and the Mini Mansions
November 23, 1974 ~ In its ninth week on the charts, I Can Help by Billy Swan hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge had given Swan a small RMI organ as a wedding present. Just playing around with it, Swan came up with the chorus “I can help” and within a few minutes he had written the lyrics. Issued as his debut single, the song would reach the No.1 spot on both the Billboard Country and all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts, and do well abroad reaching the top position in over half a dozen countries including Norway, the Netherlands, and Australia. I Can Help would remain his sole Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit, yet he would continue to be in-demand as a session musician and songwriter. I Can Help, Swan's one major hit, would be covered by dozens of artists including Loretta Lynn, Elvis Presley, Patti Page, and Tom Jones. Contrary to common belief, the RMI organ given to him as a wedding present was not the organ used on the final cut of the song. The applause at the end of the song is the studio crew and musicians praising Swan for finishing the song while a playful dog kept tugging at his legs during the recording
November 23, 1974 ~ Jazz guitarist Frode Kjekstad born in Lier, Norway ~ Married to jazz singer Aina Fridén. Has collaborated with Dr Lonnie Smith, Eric Alexander, Mike LeDonne, Joe Farnsworth, Byron Landham, Alberto Marsico, Frank Foster, Johnny Griffin, Don Menza, Mark Nightingale, Claire Martin, Deborah Brown, Wendell Brunious, Sandvika Storband, and others
November 23, 1973 ~ Ranchera singer, songwriter José Alfredo Jiménez, full name José Alfredo Jiménez Sandoval, passed away in Mexico City, Mexico ~ Laid the foundation for modern Mexican music. Discovered in the late-1940s by singer Miguel Aceves Mejía. Has written over an estimated 1,000 songs, the most famous being Yo, Ella, Paloma Querida, Tu Y La Mentira, Media Vuelta, El Rey, El Jinete, Si Nos Dejan, Tu Recuerdo Y Yo, El Hijo Del Pueblo, Cuando El Destino, and Camino De Guanajuato ~ Jiménez was born in 1926
November 23, 1972 ~ Drummer Chris Adler, full name Christopher James Adler, born ~ Best known as co-founding member of Lamb of God. Also closely associated with Megadeth. Has also worked with Calibra, Cry Havoc, Jettison Charlie, Grouser, Testament, Protest The Hero, Thaikkudam Bridge, Firstborne, Blotted Science, Nitro, and others
November 23, 1972 ~ Ricardo Emmanuel Brown, commonly known as rapper Kurupt, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Influenced Kool Moe Dee, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem. Formed the duo Dogg Pound with Daz Dillinger, best known for the 1995 Let's Play House hit single featuring Michel'le. Released his full-length Kuruption solo debut album in 1998. Has worked with HRSMN, DJ Quik, DPGC, Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Lost Boyz, Nate Dogg, and others
November 23, 1970 ~ Singer, songwriter, author, poet, playwright Alf Prøysen passed away in Oslo, Norway ~ As a singer active since the late-1940s and known for songs such as Tango For To, Lillebrors Vise, Du Ska Tå En Dag I Mårå, Jukveldsvis, Jorgen Hattemaker, Musevisa and Romjulsdrøm. Considered a cultural icon for his contributions to literature including as a children's author and poet, theatre, TV, radio, film. ~ Prøysen was born in 1914
November 23, 1969 ~ Donnell Clyde Cooley, commonly known as Western swing bandleader, actor, TV personality Spade Cooley, passed away in Oakland, California, USA ~ Dubbed “the King of Western Swing”. Known for songs such as Shame On You, A Pair Of Broken Hearts, Detour, and You Can't Break My Heart. Convicted in 1961 and sentenced to a life sentence for the murder of his second wife ~ Cooley was born in 1910
November 23, 1963 ~ In its eighth week on the charts, I'm Leaving It Up To You by Dale & Grace hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written and originally recorded by Don & Dewey in 1957. The song would be popularized though by Dale & Grace in 1963, holding the top position on the Billboard Hot 100 for two consecutive weeks. Their single was No.1 the day president John F Kennedy was assasinated, and as chance would have it Dale & Grace happened to be in Houston that very same day and, along with several other artists, had waved to the president from near their hotel shortly before the shooting. The duo was scheduled to perform that night as part of Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars tour. Needless to say, the performance was cancelled that night, as was the next night in Oklahoma. In 1974, singers Donny Osmond and Marie Osmond of the Osmonds would reprise the song, their single reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot 100
November 23, 1962 ~ Antonio Carlos de Freitas, commonly known as singer, percussionist, producer Carlinhos Brown, born in Salvador, Brazil ~ Blends funk, latin music, R&B and traditional percussion. Has worked with Luis Caldas, Caetano Veloso, Bill Laswell, Sérgio Mendes, Sepultura, Bonga, Marisa Monte, Los Van Van, and the Tribalistas
November 23, 1962 ~ New wave, punk rock, pop rock bassist Chris Bostock born in Bristol, UK ~ Worked with Subway Sect, Joboxers, Spear of Destiny, Dave Stewart's backing band the Spiritual Cowboys, Shakespears Sister, Savage World, Clint Bradley, Amina, the Rhythm Sisters, Johnny Britton, and others
November 23, 1962 ~ Heavy metal, progressive power metal. Christian metal singer, songwriter Lance King born ~ In-demand collaborator active since the early-1980s, has worked with over three dozen bands, most notably Ilium, Avian, Pyramaze, Shining Star, Balance Of Power, Mattson, Defyance, and Kings Machine
November 23, 1960 ~ Guitarist Jean-Paul Bourelly born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Mixed jazz, blues, rock, and more. Worked with Muhal Richard Abrams, Olu Dara, Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones, Pharoah Sanders, McCoy Tyner, Steve Coleman, Marc Ribot, Elliott Sharp, Archie Shepp, David Torn, Miles Davis, and others
November 23, 1959 ~ Singer, songwriter Peter Himmelman born in St Louis, Minnesota, USA ~ Member of indie rock outfit Sussman Lawrence. Released his solo debut album, This Father's Day, in 1986. Has also composed for TV and film
November 23, 1954 ~ Singer, pianist, songwriter Bruce Hornsby, full name Bruce Randall Hornsby, born in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA ~ In-demand collaborator. Notably associated with Ricky Skaggs and with the Grateful Dead, serving as the latter's touring guitarist during the early-1990s. Co-wrote and played piano on Don Henley's The End Of Innocence. Played piano on Bonnie Raitt's signature song I Can't Make You Love Me. Has also guested on albums by Bob Dylan, Robbie Robertson, Clannad, Crosby Stills & Nash, Stevie Nicks, Squeeze, Ambrosia, the Other Ones. Best known for The Way It Is, recorded with his backing band under the moniker Bruce Hornsby & the Range, a 1986 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit of the album of the same name. The album was helpful in estblishing the Virginia sound drawing from rock, jazz and bluegrass, and also spawned the hits Mandolin Rain and Every Little Kiss
November 23, 1953 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Francis Cabrel, full name Francis Christian Cabrel, born in Agen, France ~ Sold over 25 million albums. Known for songs such as Petite Marie, L'Encre De Tes Yeux, Je L'Aime à Mourir, Le Chêne Liège, and La Corrida
November 23, 1952 ~ Rock, pop rock guitarist, bassist, producer Ladislav Lucenic, also known as Laco Lucenic, born ~ Influenced by the Beatles, the Kinks, the Rolling Stones. Member of some of the best known Slovak bands including Fermata, Prudy, Modus, Limit. Has also recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with the likes of Beáta Dubasová, Marika Gombitová, Pavol Hammel, Marián Varga, Miroslav Zbirka, and others
November 23, 1950 ~ Pianist, bandleader, composer Percival Mackey, full name Thomas Percival Montague Mackey, passed away in Edgware, UK ~ Popular 1920s dance band bandleader. Also known for scoring soundtracks in the 1930s. Worked with Jack Hylton, the Broadway Five, Al Bowlly, Art Christmas, Jack Jackson, Ivor Mairants, and others ~ Mackey was born in 1894
November 23, 1949 ~ Alan Paul Wichinsky, commonly known as singer, actor, songwriter Alan Paul, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Member of the Manhattan Transfer, wrote Twilight Zone (Twilight Tone) and Code Of Ethics
November 23, 1949 ~ Country songwriter, producer Charlie Black, full name Charles Frank Black, born in Cheverly, Maryland, USA ~ First gained attention penning Girl You Eased My Mind for Tommy Overstreet. Others who have recorded his songs include Anne Murray, Gary Morris, Earl Thomas Conley, Johnny Paycheck, Phil Vassar. Married to songwriter Dana Hunt ~ Black passed away in 2021
November 23, 1949 ~ Reggea, roots reggae singer Marcia Griffiths born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Recorded a number of duets in the 1960s, notably with Tony Gregory (You're Mine), Bob Marley (Oh My Darling), Jeff Dixon (Words), Bob Andy (Always Together). Would form a duo, Bob & Marcia, with Andy through the mid-1970s. Member of the I-Threes, a vocal trio backing Marley, from 1974 through 1981 while continuing to record as a solo artist
November 23, 1948 ~ Jazz pianist Emil Viklický born in Olomouc, Czechoslovakia ~ Actively recording since the 1980s with well over two dozen albums to his name. Known for his self-penned Green Satin and Cacharel. Has collaborated with artists such as Lou Blackburn, Benny Bailey, Harald Gunhus, Jaroslav Jakubovic, Eva Olmerová, Miroslav Vitous, and others
November 23, 1947 ~ Jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist Melton Mustafa born ~ Active since the late-1960s, starting out backing R&B artists such as Sam & Dave, Betty Wright, Latimore, the Marvelettes, Joe Simon. Over time progressed towards jazz, working with Jaco Pastorius, George Cables, John Hicks, Eric Allison, Jon Faddis, Benny Golson, Grover Washington Jr, Wallace Roney, Billy Cobham, Herbie Mann, Clark Terry, Randy Brecker, and others ~ Mustafa passed away in 2017
November 23, 1946 ~ Bassist Ray Drummond born in Brookline, Massachusetts, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Member of the Drummonds. Has also worked with Manny Boyd, Branford Marsalis, John Hicks, Kenny Barron, Bill Mays, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Arnett Cobb, Ted Curson, Art Farmer, Curtis Fuller, Slide Hampton, Craig Handy, Freddie Hubbard, Etta Jones, Frank Morgan, Idris Muhammad, Houston Person, Pharoah Sanders, Horace Silver, John Zorn, and others
November 23, 1945 ~ Reggae, ska, rocksteady, lovers rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Cornell Campbell born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Noted for his sweet falsetto voice. Known for songs such as My Treasure, Turndown Date, Dance In A Greenwich Farm and The Gorgon. Worked with Coxsone Dodd, the Skatalites, Duke Reid, the Sensations, Jimmy Reilly, Bunny Lee, Joe Gibbs, the Uniques, and others
November 23, 1943 ~ Jazz drummer Alan Turnbull born in Melbourne, Australia ~ In-demand sideman and session drummer. Closely associated with double bassist Ed Gaston, the duo setting the bar for future rhythm sections. Has worked with Don Burrows, Milt Jackson, Joe Henderson, Gary Burton, Sonny Stitt, Barney Kessel, Richie Cole, Cleo Laine, Billy Eckstine, Cab Calloway, Billy Field, Neil Sedaka, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Pops Orchestra, Rolf Stube, Graeme Norris, the Jazz Co/op, and Paul McNamara ~ Turnbull passed away in 2014
November 23, 1942 ~ Flutist, composer Jiri Stivin born in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Performs music from the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque periods. Has worked as a soloist with the Prague Symphony Orchestra, the Slovak Chamber Orchestra, the Suk Chamber Orchestra, and others. Has also recorded jazz repertoire, notably with the band Jazz Q
November 23, 1940 ~ Lawrence Fewell Roberts II, commonly known as rock & roll singer Rockin' Robin Roberts, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of rock & roll outfit the Wailers. As a solo artist best known for the Richard Berry-cover Louie Louie and Rockin' Robin ~ Roberts passed away in 1967
November 23, 1939 ~ Gospel-tinged soul singer Betty Everett born in Greenwood, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known for recording the first hit versions of You're No Good and The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss), notably covered by respectively Linda Ronstadt and Cher. Other well known songs include There'll Come A Time, It's Been A Long Time and the Jerry Butler-duets Smile and Let It Be Me ~ Everett passed away in 2001
November 23, 1936 ~ Blues singer, guitarist Robert Johnson records I Believe I'll Dust My Broom at Gunter Hotel, San Antonio, Texas ~ Produced by Don Law. Songwriting credits Johnson, though historians have argued the song may be traced back to several blues songs, namely I Believe I'll Make A Change (the Sparks Brothers), I Believe I'll Go Back Home (Jack Kelly), and Sagefield Woman Blues (Kokomo Arnold). In 1951 Elmore James would record the song as Dust My Broom, making it the classic as we know it. Johnson also recorded Kind Hearted Woman Blues, Rambling On My Mind, Come On In My Kitchen, Terraplane Blues and Sweet Home Chicago during the same session
November 23, 1935 ~ Drummer Alvin Fielder born in Meridian, Mississippi, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Association For The Advancement Of Creative Musicians, of Black Artists Music Society, and of Improvisational Arts. Played with Sun Ra, Muhal Richard Abrams, Eddie Harris, Kalaparushe, Fred Anderson, Lester Lashley, Roscoe Mitchell, Clifford Jordan, Kidd Jordan, Ahmed Abdullah, Charles Brackeen, Joel Futterman, Andre Lamb, and Peter Kowald ~ Fielder passed away in 2019
November 23, 1934 ~ Jazz bassist Victor Gaskin born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Worked with Paul Horn, Red Mitchell, the Jazz Crusaders, Curtis Amy, Dupree Bolton, Buddy Collette, Shelly Manne, Bud Shank, Cannonball Adderley, Duke Ellington, Billy Taylor, Johnny Hartman, Hank Jones, Monty Alexander, Herbie Mann, John Mayall, Oliver Nelson, and others ~ Gaskin passed away in 2012
November 23, 1933 ~ Composer, conductor Krzysztof Penderecki born in Debica, Poland ~ Internationally acclaimed. Wrote operas, orchestral works, concertos, choral music, chamber music. Known best for works such as Threnody To The Victims Of Hiroshima, St Luke Passion, Polish Requiem, Anaklasis and Utrenja ~ Penderecki passed away in 2020
November 23, 1929 ~ Gloria Wilson, commonly known as jazz singer Gloria Lynne, born in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Worked with the Enchanters, the Delltones, Wild Bill Davis, Ernie Wilkins, the Earl May Trio, Marty Paich, Stanley Turrentine. and others. As a solo artist best known for recordings such as The Impossible, I Wish You Love, and Watermelon Man, the latter co-written with Herbie Hancock ~ Wilson passed away in 2013
November 23, 1928 ~ Musical composer Jerry Bock, full name Jerrold Lewis Bock, born in New Haven, Connecticut, USA ~ Frequent writing partner of lyricist Sheldon Harnick, the duo acclaimed for musicals such as Fiorello, Fiddler On The Roof, and The Apple Tree. Bock spoke at the funeral of Fiddler playwright Joseph Stein just 10 days before his own death at age 81 ~ Bock passed away in 2010
November 23, 1926 ~ Guitarist RL Burnside born in Harmontown, Mississippi, USA ~ Performed, albeit part-time, for most of his life but success eluded him until collaborations with Jon Spencer in the mid-1990s drew attention and brought his gritty, rough blues, blues-rock to new audiences. Started touring with the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion in 1995, both as an opening act and sitting in with the band. The collaborative A Ass Pocket Of Whiskey would be released the next year and lauded by critics, Billboard writing it “sounded no other blues album ever released” and gaining praise from musicians such as Bono and Iggy Pop. It turned out to be Burnside's big break. Subsequent albums would feature his rough blues-rock rooted in old blues styles such as rural blues, hill country, Delta and Chicago blues, but drawing from idioms as diverse as punk, techno, hip-hop and downtempo ~ Burnside passed away in 2005
November 23, 1925 ~ Songwriter, arranger Johnny Mandel born in New York, New York, USA ~ Wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by Irene Kral, Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee (Close Enough For Love), Irene Kral (Don't Look Back), Anita O'Day, Julie Andrews (Emily), Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Diane Schuur, Shirley Horn (Solitary Moon), Michael Feinstein, and others ~ Mandel passed away in 2020
November 23, 1921 ~ Jazz guitarist, composer, arranger, producerr Jack Marshall, full name Jack Wilton Marshall, born in El Dorado, Kansas, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Staff producer at Capitol Records during the late 19500s and 1960s. Produced albums by Howard Roberts and Jack Sheldon. Composed for TV series such as The Munsters, penning the theme, and movies such as Thunder Road, The Giant Gila Monster and Kona Coast. Has guested on recordings by Laurindo Almeida, Benny Carter, Judy Henske, Harry James, Barney Kessel, Jody Miller, Marian Montgomery, Louis Prima, Shorty Rogers, and Jack Teagarden ~ Marshall passed away in 1973
November 23, 1918 ~ Theodore Samuel Reig, commonly known as producer, A&R reoresentative, promoter, manager Teddy Reig, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Produced Charlie Parker's first recordings as a leader, for Savoy Records in November 1945. Has also worked with Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Don Byas, Erroll Garner, Dexter Gordon, JJ Johnson, Lester Young, Bud Powell, Quincy Jones, Redd Foxx, Sonny Stitt, Lee Morgan, Maynard Ferguson, and others ~ Reig passed away in 1984
November 23, 1896 ~ Singer, actress Ruth Etting born in David City, Nebraska, USA ~ Dubbed “America's sweetheart of song”, Etting enjoyed popularity especially during the 1920s and 1930s working in stage, radio, and film. Best known for the signature songs Shine On Harvest Moon, Ten Cents A Dance, and Love Me Or Leave Me. Other well known songs include Back In Your Own Backyard, Button Up Your Overcoat, Mean To Me, and Exactly Like You. Etting never took formal voice lessons, and said she had patterned her styling after Marion Harris, but created her own style by alternating tempos. Etting's life was the basis for the 1955 fictionalized film Love Me Or Leave Me starring Doris Day as Etting. Shortly before her death, Etting said she thought the screen portrayal of her was too tough and that Jane Powell would have been a better choice for the lead ~ Etting passed away in 1978
November 23, 1875 ~ Edward Smackels Jr, commonly known as lyricist, songwriter Ed Rose born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for writing the lyrics of Oh Johnny Oh Johnny, music composed by Abe Olman, recorded by the Premier Quartet, the Andrews Sisters, Bonnie Baker, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, and others ~ Smackels passed away in 1935