November 24, 2017 ~ Maria Clotilde Belo de Carvalho Rosa Franco, commonly known as harpist, flutist, composer Clotilde Rosa, passed away ~ Co-founded the Lisbon Contemporary Group with Jorge Peixinho ~ Rosa was born in 1930
November 24, 2017 ~ Singer, songwriter Mitch Margo passed away in Studio City, California, USA ~ Membr of the Tokens. Margo was also successful as a producer working for artists such as the Chiffons, the Happenings, and Tony Orlando & Dawn ~ Margo was born in 1947
November 24, 2016 ~ Shirley Bunnie Foy, commonly known as singer, percussionist, songwriter Bunny Foy passed away ~ Worked with artists such as Archie Shepp, Charlie Shavers, Arvell Shaw, Jo Jones, Curtis Potter, Johnny Griffin, Art Blakey, Randy Weston, Lou Bennett, Milton Jackson, Franco Cerri, Bruno de Filippi, Pino Presti, Stefano Cerri, Enrico Intra, Renato Sellano, Gil Cuppini, Tullio de Piscope, Gianni Cazzola, Tony Scott, Sonny Taylor, Sebastien Chaumont, Ronnie Rae, Jean Sebastien Simonoviez, Francois Chassagnite, Laurent Sarrien, Yoann Serra, Bibi Rovere, Fabrice Bistoni, Dodo Goya, and others ~ Foy was born in 1936
November 24, 2016 ~ Singer, songwriter, dancer, actor Colonel Abrams passed away ~ Guitarist, keyboardist of Heavy Impact. As a solo artist best known for a string of mid-1980s hits including Music Is The Answer, Leave The Message Behind The Door, Trapped, Truth, I'm Not Gonna Let You, and Over & Over ~ Abrams was born in 1949
November 24, 2016 ~ Composer, accordionist Pauline Oliveros passed away ~ Founding member, director of the collaborative the San Francisco Tape Music Center ~ Oliveros was born in 1932
November 24, 2012 ~ Singer Ian Campbell passed away ~ Fronted the Ian Campbell Folk Group known for politically-charged material and blue-collar working man's songs. Father of Ali Campbell, Robin Campbell and Duncan Campbell, all members of UB40 ~ Campbell was born in 1933
November 24, 2011 ~ Conductor Imants Kokars passed away in Riga, Latvia ~ Twin brother of Gido Kokars, also a conductor ~ Kokars was born in 1921
November 24, 2006 ~ Bassist Walter Booker passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Served side-by-side with Elvis Presley in the US Army. Recorded and performed with Ray Bryant, Betty Carter, Chick Corea, Stan Getz, Art Farmer, Milt Jackson, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Adderley, Shirley Horn, Nat Adderley, Nick Brignola, Arnett Cobb, Richie Cole, John Hicks, Billy Higgins, Clifford Jordan, Pharoah Sanders, Sarah Vaughan, Phil Woods. Was married to pianist Bertha Hope with whom he also regularly played, oft in conjunction with drummer Jimmy Cobb ~ Booker was born in 1933
November 24, 2003 ~ Film composer Michael Small passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Known for scoring the music to movies such as Klute, Parralax View, The Marathon Man and Star Chamber ~ Small was born in 1939
November 24, 2003 ~ Singer Teddy Wilburn, full name Thurman Theodore Wilburn, passed away ~ Formed country sibling duo the Wilburn Brothers with his brother Doyle Wilburn, known for songs such as Sparkling Brown Eyes, Go Away With Me, Which One Is To Blame, Trouble's Back In Town, Roll Muddy Rivers, It's Another World, Hurt Her Once For Me, and others ~ Wilburn was born in 1931
November 24, 2001 ~ Singer Melanie Thornton, full name Melanie Janene Thornton. passed away in Bassersdorf, Switzerland ~ Germany-based singer best known as lead singer of 1990s Eurodance duo la Bouche, alongside rapper Lane McCray, working with producer Frank Farian who also masterminded bands such as Boney M and Milli Vanilli. Thornton started a solo career in late 2000, starting with the single Love How You Love Me. She released her sole solo album, Ready To Fly, the next year and died in a plane crash while touring to promote the album and in particular the holiday-themed single Wonderful Dreams (Holidays Are Coming) ~ Thornton was born in 1967
November 24, 1999 ~ Pianist, songwriter, arranger Howard Biggs, full name Howard Maceo Biggs, passed away in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Influential in doo-wop and the first days of rock & roll. Perhaps best known for writing or co-writing a number of early doo-wop, R&B hits, notably Bye Bye Baby Blues and Write Me A Letter for the Ravens and Got You On My Mind for Big John Greer. The latter would later be recorded by Big Joe Turner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eric Clapton, and others. Other songs written or co-written by Biggs include I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Roy Hamilton, Elvis Presley), Melancholy Me (Eddy Howard), and If I Could Have Your Love Again (Brook Benton) ~ Biggs was born in 1916
November 24, 1997 ~ Monique Andree Serf, commonly known as singer Barbara, passed away in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France ~ Lifelong friend and frequent interpreter of Jacques Brel. Known as a poetic songwriter herself. Best remembered for songs such as Ma Belle Histoire D'Amour C'Est Vous, L'Aigle Noir, Nantes, Solitude, Gottingen, Petite Cantate, and others. Quintessential to the Nouvelle Chanson genre, influential on artists such as Keren Ann, Benjamin Biolay, Coralie Clément, Emilie Simon, Daphné, Vincent Delerm, and others. Non-French artists who have covered Barbara's songs include Marc Almond, Martha Wainwright, Conchita Mendivil, Regina Spektor, and Ana Silvera ~ Serf was born in 1930
November 24, 1996 ~ Composer Edison Denisov, full name Edison Vasilievich Denisov, passed away in Paris, France ~ Mentored by Dmitri Shostakovich. Admired by Igor Stravinsky. Gained recognition with Le Soleil Des Incas for soprano and chamber ensemble published in 1964. Other well known works include the operas Lécume Des Jours and Quatre Filles and the ballet Confession. Had many of his compositions criticized and banned by the Russian authorities for its “Western influences” ~ Denisov was born in 1929
November 24, 1996 ~ Jazz saxophonist John Overton Williams passed away in Columbus, Ohio, USA ~ Married to pianist Mary Lou Williams from 1926 through 1940, who also played piano in Williams' band the Synco Jazzers. Also closely associated with Andy Kirk. Has also worked with Terrence Holder, Cootie Williams, and Earl Hines ~ Williams was born in 1905
November 24, 1994 ~ Singer, songwriter Reece Mastin born in Scunthorpe, UK ~ Winner of the third season of the X-Factor Australia in 2011. Subsequently released his eponymous Reece Mastin album, spawning the hit single Good Night. Also known for songs such as Shut Up & Kiss Me, Shout It Out and Rock Star, all of which reached the top 20 in both Australia and New Zealand
November 24, 1993 ~ Albert Gene Drewery, commonly known as guitarist, singer Albert Collins, passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Revered electric blues guitarist and singer. Helped shape the legacy of T-Bone Walker into a modern blues template. Influentual on artists such as Canned Heat, Robert Cray, Gary Moore, and the brothers Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimmy Vaughan. Guested on albums by David Bowie, Jack Bruce, John Lee Hooker, BB King, John Zorn, Branford Marsalis, Buckshot Lefonque, John Mayall, and others ~ Collins was born in 1932
November 24, 1992 ~ Jazz singer, violinist, dancer June Tyson passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ The only female member of Sun Ra's backing unit the Arkestra, serving as violinist, choreographer and costume designer ~ Tyson was born in 1936
November 24, 1991 ~ Paul Charles Caravello, commonly known as drummer Eric Carr, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced by John Bonham, Keith Moon, Lenny White, the Beatles, and Ringo Starr. Best known as Kiss drummer from 1980, taking over from Peter Criss, up to his death in 1991. First appeared on the 1981 release Music From The Elder. Also worked with Lightning, Bryan Adams (co-wrote Don't Leave Me Lonely), Wendy O Williams, Garbo Talks, Faith Circus, and others ~ Carr was born in 1950
November 24, 1991 ~ Farrokh Bulsara, commonly known as singer Freddie Mercury, passed away in London, UK ~ Queen frontman and lead singer. Known for his flamboyant stage persona and four-octave vocal range. Wrote or co-wrote a vast amount of the band's best known songs including Killer Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody, Somebody To Love, Seven Seas Of Rye, Don't Stop Me Now, Bicycle Race, Play The Game, We Are The Champions, and Crazy Little Thing Called Love. Released two solo albums, 1985's Mr Bad Guy and 1988's Barcelona, the latter a collaboration with Montserrat Caballé, as well as a number of singles, perhaps most notably the Platters cover The Great Pretender released in 1987 ~ Bulsara was born in 1946
November 24, 1991 ~ Chad Marshall, commonly known as rapper Rowdy Rebel, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Member of GS9 Crew. Also worked with Bobby Shmurda, Fabolous, Chris Brown, Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss, Yo Gotti, Too $hort, and others
November 24, 1990 ~ Singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter Tom Odell, full name Thomas Peter Odell, born in Chicester, UK ~ Influenced by Elton John, David Bowie, Billy Joel, Randy Newman, Tom Waits, Bruce Springsteen. Released his full-length debut album, Long Way Down, in 2013 and has recorded to critical acclaim since. Best known for the singles Another Love and Real Love, both of which reached the UK top 10
November 24, 1985 ~ Joseph Vernon Turner Jr, commonly known as blues shouter Big Joe Turner, passed away in Inglewood, California, USA ~ Important to development of R&B and rock & roll. Best known for Shake Rattle & Roll, a hit in 1954. Other well known songs include Roll 'Em Pete, Cherry Red, I Want A Little Girl, Wee Baby Blues, SK Blues, Corrine Corrina, and Midnight Special ~ Turner was born in 1911
November 24, 1981 ~ Singer, songwriter, actress Morgan James born in Boise, Idaho, USA ~ Played in a number of Broadway productions including Motown The Musical, Godspell and The Addams Family. Released her solo debut album, Hunter, in 2014
November 24, 1974 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Nick Drake, full name Nicholas Rodney Drake, passed away in Tanworth-in-Arden, UK ~ Known for a number of early-1970s albums, notably 1972's Pink Moon, which initially sold poorly but would later be acclaimed. Cited as influence by REM's Peter Buck and the Smiths' Robert Smith ~ Drake was born in 1948
November 24, 1972 ~ Conductor, music director Alexander Smallens passed away in Tucson, Arizona, USA ~ Worked with the Boston Opera Orchestra, the Anna Pavlova Ballet Company, the Chicago Opera Company, the Philadelphia Civic Opera Company, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Radio City Music Hall, and others ~ Smallens was born in 1889
November 24, 1972 ~ Jazz, classical pianist, composer Hall Overton, full name Hall Franklin Overton, passed away ~ Married to singer, songwriter Nancy Overton. Known for his 1971 opera Huckleberry Finn. Worked with Stan Getz, Duke Jordan, Jimmy Raney, Teddy Charles, Thelonious Monk, Don Ellis, Charles Mingus, Aaron Sachs, Phil Woods, and others ~ Overton was born in 1920
November 24, 1970 ~ Julieta Venegas Percevault, commonly known as indie pop, folk rock, pop rock singer, accordionist, guitarist, songwriter Julieta Venegas, born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Debuted in 1997 with the Aqui album and has recorded to critical acclaim and commercial succes since. Known for songs such as Andar Conmigo, Algo Esta Cambiando, and perhaps her best known Me Voy
November 24, 1970 ~ Russell John Parrish, commonly knon a guitarist Satchel, born in Redwood City, California, USA ~ Best known as guitarist for glam rockers Steel Panther. Also worked with War & Peace, the Fight, Kevin Gilbert, Sebastian Bach, Darren Leader, Jeff Duncan, Dean Cameron, the Thornbirds, and others
November 24, 1969 ~ John Thomas Brown, commonly known as tenor saxophonist JT Brown, passed away ~ Played and recorded with both Elmore James and Howlin' Wolf ~ Brown was born in 1918
November 24, 1969 ~ Heavy metal guitarist Patrik Jensen, full name Patrik Niels Jensen, born ~ Co-founded the Haunted in 1996 and Witchery the following year. Has also worked with Orchriste, Seance, Satanic Slaughter and Brujeria. Has filled in for Niclas Engelin on occassion, touring with In Flames in 2013
November 24, 1969 ~ Pop rock singer, actor Tim Howar born in Spirit River, Canada ~ Best known as musical singer and actor, appearing in numerous West End and Broadway productions, ranging from rock musical such as Rent and Rock Of Ages to classical ones such as Les Miserables. Alongside Andrew Roachford serves as co-lead singer of Genesis co-founder Mike Rutherford's side project Mike + the Mechanics since 2010
November 24, 1967 ~ Heavy metal singer Henrik Brockmann, full name Henrik Aalborg Brockmann, born in Denmark ~ Best known as lead singer of Royal Hunt from 1992 through 1994, replaced by DC Cooper. Also worked with Missing Tide, Andre Andersen, Cornerstone, and with Stamina
November 24, 1966 ~ Abner Silberman, commonly known as songwriter Abner Silver, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-wrote songs several tracks recorded by Elvis Presley including Young And Beautiful, What's She Really Like and Lover Doll. Other artists who recorded songs co-written by Silberman include the Five Keys, Isham Jones, Shep Fields, Fats Waller, Sunny Gale, Helen Kane, Eddie Cantor, the Mills Brothers, Kay Kyser, and others ~ Silberman was born in 1899
November 24, 1966 ~ Classical crossover tenor singer Russell Watson born in Irlam, UK ~ Released his The Voice debut album in 2001, a mixture of operatic arias and covers of pop songs. The album would top the UK Classical charts and eventually reach top 10 of the pop charts. The album is best known among pop audiences for its two duets, the Happy Mondays-frontman Shaun Ryder duetted on a remake of the Freddie Mercury- Montserrat Caballé hit Barcelona and pop group Cleopatra's Cleo Higgins duetted on Someone Like You
November 24, 1965 ~ Mandolinist Adam Steffey born in Norfolk, Virginia, USA ~ Worked with Union Station, Mountain Heart, the Lonesome River Band, the Dan Tyminski Band, the Boxcars, the Isaacs, the Highland Travelers, Kenny Chesney, Clint Black, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, the Dixie Chicks, James Taylor, Rhonda Vincent, Ronnie Bowman, Jim Mills, Sierra Hull, Tony Trischka, Michelle Shocked, Ron Block, and others
November 24, 1963 ~ Power metal, heavy metal keyboardist, guitarist Henjo Richter born in Hamburg, West Germany ~ Best known as member of Gamma Ray alongside Kai Hansen. Has also worked with Rampage, Avantasia, Unity. Guested on recordings by Freedom Call, War Kabinett, Neopera
November 24, 1963 ~ Jazz double bassist Scott Colley born ~ Over half a dozen albums as a leader, starting with Portable Universe released in 1996. In-demand sideman. Has worked with David Binney, Harold Danko, Jim Hall, Andrew Hill, Herbie Hancock, Jazzhole, Donny McCaslin, Enrico Pieranunzi, Alex Sipiagin, Dave Stryker, Joey Alexander, Franco Ambrosetti, Gary Burton, Nels Cline, Sylvie Courvoisier, Roy Hargrove, Abbey Lincoln, Rick Margitza, Pat Martino, Pat Metheny, Joshua Redman, Renee Rosnes, Kenny Werner, and others
November 24, 1962 ~ Guitarist John Squire, full name Jonathan Thomas Squire, born in Broadheath, UK ~ Best known as guitarist, songwriter, founding member of the Stone Roses. Has subsequently founded the Seahorses, known for their sole 1997 Do It Yourself album and released two solo albums. Rejoined a reformed Roses in 2011
November 24, 1961 ~ Alternative rock, indie pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Michael Head, full name Michael William Head, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Lead singer, guitarist of the Pale Fountains and the Shack, both bands critically acclaimed yet never achieving mainstream succes
November 24, 1960 ~ Bassist, composer Edgar Meyer born ~ Worked with Joshua Bell, Hilary Hahn, Yo-Yo Ma, Jerry Douglas, Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain, Sam Bush, Stuart Duncan, Chris Thile, Mike Marshall, Mark O'Connor, Christian McBride, Emanuel Ax, Bryan Sutton, Ruis Barenberg, Pamela Frank, Rebeca Young, David Grisman, the St Paul Chamber Orchestra, and others
November 24, 1957 ~ Pop, rock guitarist, singer Chris Hayes born in California, USA ~ Lead guitarist of Huey Lewis & the News from 1979 through 2001
November 24, 1954 ~ Clement Anthony Bozewski, commonly known as drummer Clem Burke, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Hal Blaine, Keith Moon, Ringo Starr, Earl Palmer. Longtime member of Blondie, known for songs such as Denis, I'm Always Touched By Your Presence Dear, Heart Of Glass, One Way Or Another, The Tide Is High, Atomic, and Rapture. On occassion gigged with the Ramones using the moniker Elvis Ramone. |In-demand session drummer and collaborator. Has worked with the Romantics, Pete Townshend, Bob Dylan, Dramarama, the Fleshtones, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett, Chequered Past, Kathy Valentine, the Empty Hearts, Plimsouls, the International Swingers, the Split Squad, Adult Net, and others
November 24, 1950 ~ Drummer Bob Burns, full name Robert Lewis Burns Jr, born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Co-founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, staying with the band from 1964 through 1974 with a short hiatus in 1971 ~ Burns passed away in 2015
November 24, 1950 ~ Singer Vivian Blaine introduces the song A Bushel And A Peck in the musical Guys And Dolls ~ Written by Frank Loesser. Although Blaine later reprised her role in the 1955 film version of the play, the song would be omitted in the film. A number of artists also recorded the song in 1950, some even while the show was still in rehearsal, the most popular version recorded by Perry Como and Betty Hutton with backing from Mitchell Ayres orchestra, which would reach top 5 on the pop charts. Other early versions would be recorded by Margaret Whiting and Jimmy Wakely, Doris Day, Johnny Desmond, the Andrews Sisters, and Richard Hayes with Kitty Kallen. Blaine would release her studio version the next year
November 24, 1947 ~ Singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight record Up Above My Head (I Hear Music In The Sky) in New York, New York ~ Written by Tharpe, drawing in part on the traditional spiritual Over My Head. Recorded as a duet, Tharpe and Knight engaging in call and response vocals. Tharpe on guitar, Sammy Price piano, Pops Foster bass, Wallace Bishop drums. Released in 1948
November 24, 1946 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Tony Clarkin, full name Anthony Michael Clarkin, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Guitarist and sole songwriter of Magnum, known best for their 1988 Wings Of Heaven and its 1990 follow-up Goodnight LA. Well known songs include Days Of No Trust, Start Talking Love, It Must Have Been Love and Rockin' Chair. Clarkin also fronted spin-off group Hard Rain
November 24, 1945 ~ Michael Olsen, commonly known as keyboardist, singer Lee Michaels, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Worked with surf outfit the Sentinals, with Joel Scott Hill, and with the Family Tree. Debuted as a solo artist in 1968s with the Carnival Of Life album. Best known for Do You Know What I Mean, a Billboard top 10 hit in 1971
November 24, 1943 ~ Manuel Muñoz Alcón, commonly known as flamenco guitarist, composer Manolo Sanlúcar, born in Sanlúcar De Barrameda, Spain ~ Alongside Paco de Lucia, Tomatito and Vicente Amigo considered one of the key figures in the evolution of the flamenco guitar. Actively recording since the late 1960s. Especially acclaimed for the albums Tauromagia and Locura De Brisa Y Trino ~ Muñoz passed away in 2022
November 24, 1943 ~ Folk singer, multi-instrumentalist Robin Williamson, full name Robin Duncan Harry Williamson, born in Edinburgh, UK ~ Worked with Clive Palmer, Mike Heron, the Incredible String Band, Licorice McKechnie, the Merry Band, Sylvia Woods, Jerry Macmillan, Chris Caswell, John Renbourn, Mat Maneri, Barre Phillips, Ale Möller, Ches Smith, Paul Dunmall, and others
November 24, 1942 ~ Singer, actor, comedian Billy Connolly born in Glasgow, UK ~ Member of folk rock outfit the Humblebums alongside Gerry Rafferty and Tam Harvey, known for the singles Saturday Round About Sunday and Shoeshine Boy. Has recorded as a solo artist since the early 1970s, over time gravitating more towards comedy rock eventually focusing on his stand-up comedy and acting career
November 24, 1942 ~ Producer, songwriter, music manager Jack Rieley, full name John Frank Rieley III, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA ~ Perhaps best known for managing the Beach Boys from 1970 through 1973, guiding them back to popular acclaim. Co-wrote a number of the band's best known songs from this period, notably Sail On Sailor. Subsequently worked with artists such as Kool & the Gang, Ride, Jaye Muller, and others ~ Rieley passed away in 2015
November 24, 1941 ~ Jazz saxophonist Dick Wilson passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Drew critical comparison to Lester Young. Best known for his association with Andy Kirk as one of the most striking personalities, alongside Mary Lou Williams and Pha Terrell, in Kirk's band the Clouds Of Joy from 1936 until his death of tuberculosis five years later ~ Wilson was born in 1911
November 24, 1941 ~ Rock, soul, R&B bassist Donald Duck Dunn born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Member of the Mar-keys, known for the pivotal 1961 Last Night hit single. Would go on to become a member of noted Stax/Volt house band Booker T & the MG's, appearing on hundreds of recordings by Otis Redding (Respect), Rufus Thomas, William Bell, Sam & Dave (Hold On I'm Coming), Carla Thomas, Eddie Floyd, Albert King (Born Under A Bad Sign), Johnnie Taylor, Bill Withers, and others. After his tenure with Stax/Volt would go on to work with Muddy Waters, Freddie King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eric Clapton, Paul Butterfield, Stevie Nicks (Stop Draggin' My Heart Around), Eric Clapton, Levon Helm, the Blues Brothers, and others ~ Dunn passed away in 2012
November 24, 1941 ~ Jazz fusion guitarist Gary Boyle, full name Gary Winston Boyle, born in Patna, India ~ Worked with Eclection, Brian Auger, Julie Driscoll, Keith Tippett, Mike Gibbs, Mike Westbrook, Stomu Yamashta, Bert Jansch, Norma Winstone, Isotope, Jeff Clyne, and others
November 24, 1941 ~ Randolph Peter Scanland, commonly known as drummer, singer, songwriter Pete Best, born in Madras, India ~ Member of the Quarrymen which morphed into the Beatles. Soon after the band's first recording session, having played live sets with the band for nearly two years, Best would be fired by manager Brian Epstein at the request of the other band members to be replaced by Ringo Starr. In the 1990s, after the release of their Anthology Vol.1 album consisting of early recordings, Best received a major monetary payout for his early work with the band
November 24, 1941 ~ R&B, soul trumpeter Wayne Jackson, full name Wayne Lamar Jackson, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Member of the Mar-keys, singing lead on the 1961 hit single Last Night. Studio musician for Stax/Volt, appearing on numerous records by Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, Sam & Dave. Formed the Memphis Horns with Andrew Love, the duo employed by artists such as Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, Al Green, Dusty Springfield, the Doobie Brothers, the Robert Cray Band, and others ~ Jackson passed away in 2016
November 24, 1939 ~ Guitarist, singer Jim Yester born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Member of the Association from 1965 through 1973, rejoining in later years. Present on some of the band's best known including Cherish, Windy and Never My Love
November 24, 1936 ~ Music manager Ken Kragen, full name Kenneth Allan Kragen, born in Alameda, California, USA ~ Personal manager to artists such as Lionel Richie, Trisha Yearwood, Travis Tritt, Dottie West, Kenny Rogers. To pop audiences perhaps best known for his pivotal role in the mid-1980s charity project, album and single We Are The World, bringing together a group of pop musicians under the moniker USA For Africa ~ Kragen passed away in 2021
November 24, 1934 ~ R&B singer Claude Johnson born ~ The “Juan” in Don & Juan, known for their sole hit Who's That Knocking which hit the Billboard top 10 in 1959. Johnson had previously sung with doo-wop outfit Genies ~ Johnson passed away in 2002
November 24, 1934 ~ Lyricist, theater director, actor Martin Charnin born in New York, New York, USA ~ Got his start in entertainment performing as one of the Jets in the original production of West Side Story, playing the role for an estimated 1,000 performances both on Broadway and on the road. Would go on to write music and lyrics for numerous revues, direct and produce nightclubs acts for Dionne Warwick, Nancy Wilson, and Mary Travers, and conceive, produce and direct several TV specials. Wrote The Best Thing You've Ever Done, recorded by Barbra Streisand for her 1974 multi-platinum The Way We Were album. Charnin is also well-known for co-writing the musical Annie, which opened on Broadway in 1977 and was later adapted into a film ~ Charnin passed away in 2019
November 24, 1934 ~ Singer, guitarist, actor Sven-Bertil Taube, full name Sven-Bertil Gunnar Evert Taue, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Son of songwriter Evert Taube, whose songs he frequently recorded. Well over 30 albums to his name starting with 1954's Swedish Folk Songs And Ballads. Especially known for his interpretations of 18th-century songwriter Carl Michael Bellman, collected on two albums released in the early 1960s ~ Taube passed away in 2022
November 24, 1933 ~ Trumpeter, cornetist Bob Barnard, full name Robert Graeme Barnard, born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Best known for his 1996 Live At The Sydney Opera House album recorded with the Australian Jazz Allstars
November 24, 1932 ~ Composer, pianist, trombonist, conductor Andrzej Kurylewicz, full name Andrzej Roma Kurylewicz, born in Lwów, Poland ~ Pionereered Polish jazz ~ Kurylewicz passed away in 2007
November 24, 1932 ~ Traditional pop, doo-wop bass singer Ray Perkins born ~ Member of Canadian vocal quartet the Crew Cuts, known for their mid-1950s string of hits including Sh'boom, Earth Angel, Ko-ko-mo I Love You So, Angels In The Sky and Gum Drop
November 24, 1931 ~ Thomas Douglas Allsup, commonly known as singer, guitarist, producer Tommy Allsup, born in Owasso, Oklahoma, USA ~ Played with Buddy Holly, including lead guitar on It's So Easy and on Lonesome Tears. Member of Bob Wills's backing unit the Texas Playboys. Lost a toin coss and his seat on the plane that killed Holly, Ritchie Valens, and JP Richardson. Produced several albums for Asleep At The Wheel as well as the one-hit-wonder In The Year 2525 for Zager & Evans. ~ Allsup passed away in 2017
November 24, 1927 ~ Southern gospel singer Jake Hess, full name William Jake Hess, born in Limestone County, Alabama, USA ~ Lead singer with the Statesmen Quartet from 1948 through 1963. After his departure from the band founded the Imperials. Major influence on Elvis Presley, who was so impressed with Hess' singing that he tried to emulate the vocal style and phrasing for the remainder of his life. Hess has sung backup on several Elvis albums and performed at Presley's funeral ~ Hess passed away in 2004
November 24, 1925 ~ Saxophonist Al Cohn born in New York, New York, USA ~ Came to prominence in the band of Woody Herman. Also known for his longtime association with fellow saxophonist Zoot Sims and for his work as a respected arranger including on the Broadway musicals Raising and Sophisticated Ladies. As a sideman Cohn played with artists such as Manny Albam, Mose Allison, Art Blakey, Bob Brookmeyer, Kenny Burrell, Coleman Hawkins, Quincy Jones, Gary McFarland, Joe Newman, Oscar Pettiford, and others ~ Cohn passed away in 1988
November 24, 1924 ~ Pop singer Eileen Barton born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Child star. Known best for If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked A Cake, a hit in 1950 and for hosting several radio shows throughout her career ~ Barton passed away in 2006
November 24, 1923 ~ Baritone saxophonist Serge Chaloff born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Worked with Tommy Reynolds, Dick Rogers, Shep Fields, Ina Ray Hutton, Boyd Raeburn, Dizzy Gillespie, Georgie Auld, Jimmy Dorsey, Sonny Berman, Ralph Burns, Red Rodney, Woody Herman, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Herbie Steward, Count Basie, Boots Mussulli, Charlie Mariano, and others ~ Chaloff passed away in 1957
November 24, 1920 ~ Orchestral conductor Lee Hepner born in Edmonton, Canada ~ Founder and music director of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, remaining with the orchestra from 1952 through 1960. Also associated with the Edmonton Pops Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hamilton Opera Company, and others ~ Hepner passed away in 1986
November 24, 1918 ~ Choir leader, conductor Torstein Grythe, full name Torstein Eliot Berg Grythe, born in Kristiana, Sweden ~ Best known for founding and leading the boys choir Sølvguttene ~ Grythe passed away in 2009
November 24, 1918 ~ William Strethen Davis, commonly known as jazz pianist, organist, guitarist, arranger Wild Bill Davis, born in Glasgow, Missouri, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for pioneering the electronic organ prior to Jimmy Smith's emergence and as a member of Louis Jordan's backing unit Tympany Five. Also worked with Milt Larkin, Arnett Cobb, Illinois Jacquet, Tom Archia, Buster Bennett, Claude McLin, Johnny Hodges, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Ray Brown, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Floyd Smith, Sonny Stitt, and others ~ Davis passed away in 1995
November 24, 1912 ~ Pianist Teddy Wilson born in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Described as “the definitive swing pianist” by noted jazz critic Scott Yanow, Wilson has backed some of the biggest names in jazz in concert and on record including Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Carter, Gene Krupa, Helen Ward, Lester Young, Roy Eldridge, Charlie Shavers, Red Norvo, Sarah Vaughan, Ben Webster, Mildred Bailey, Buck Clayton, and others ~ Wilson passed away in 1986
November 24, 1907 ~ Steve Edward Nelson, commonly known as songwriter Steve Nelson, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as co-author, along with Jack Rollins, of the Christmas classic Frosty The Snowman. Has also written for artists such as Eddy Arnold and Guy Lombardo ~ Nelson passed away in 1981
November 24, 1896 ~ Rosa Deschamps, commonly known as jazz, blues singer, vaudeville entertainer Rosa Henderson born in Henderson, Kentucky, USA ~ Known for 1920s recordings such as Afternoon Blues, Doggone Blues, He May Be Your Dog But He's Wearing My Collar and Papa If You Can't Do Better I'll Let A Better Papa Move In. Worked with the Virginians, Fletcher Henderson, the Choo Choo Jazzers, the Kansas City Five, the Four Black Diamonds, and others ~ Deschamps passed away in 1968