November 5, 2023 ~ Conductor, arranger Donald Hunsberger, full name Donald Ross Hunsberger, passed away in Pittsford, New York, USA ~ Best known for his association with the Eastman Wind Ensemble, serving as the group's conductor from 1965, succeeding Clyde Roller, through 2002. During his tenure with the ensemble, Hunsberger conducted numerous recordings including notably with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, and helped establish the principles of the wind ensemble concept. Hunsberger is also known for arranging transciptions of orchestral music for concert band, including works by Dmitri Shostakovich, Claudio S Grafulla, Aram Khachaturian, and John Williams' Star Wars film score ~ Hunsberger was born in 1932
November 5, 2022 ~ Pop singer Aaron Carter, full name Aaron Charles Carter, passed away in Lancaster, California, USA ~ Established himself as a pop and hip-hop star with pre-teen and teenage audiences from the late-1990s through the early-2000s, starting with his eponymous Aaron Carter debut album released at a mere 9 years of age. Well known songs include Crush On You, Crazy Little Party Girl and I Want Candy. Also ventured into acting, including in the Broadway musical Seussical ~ Carter was born in 1987
November 5, 2022 ~ Singer, songwriter Carmelo La Bionda passed away in San Donato Milanese, Italy ~ Formed the sibling duo La Bionda, at times also known under the moniker DD Sound, with Michelangelo La Bionda, considered pioneers of the Italo disco genre. First gained attention penning Primo Sole Primo Fiore for Ricchi & Poveri in 1970. Other songs written or co-written by the duo include Neve Blanca Amica Gentile Se Vuoi for Mia Martini, Piccolo Uomo for Bruno Lauzi, and several 1980s songs for Righeira including Vamos A La Playa. As recording artists the brothers rose to fame after turning to disco in the mid- to late-1970s, scoring internationally with the singles Disco Bass and Burning Love. Other well known songs included Sandstorm, One For You One For Me and There For Me ~ La Bionda was born in 1949
November 5, 2022 ~ Operatic tenor Daniele Baroni passed away in Ferrara, Italy ~ Rose to fame as leading tenor with the Metropolitan Opera from 1956 through 1962. Best known for his roles in Giacomo Puccini operas. Has also notably worked with the Philadelphia Grand Opera Company, the Philadelphia Lyric Opera Company, and others. Married to pianist Vera Franceschi until her premature death in 1966 ~ Barioni was born in 1930
November 5, 2022 ~ Indie rock, slowcore, dream pop drummer, singer Mimi Parker passed away ~ Co-founded Low in 1993 with her husband guitarist, singer Alan Sparhawk. Considered pioneers of slowcore and known for their atmospheric songs the band is especially acclaimed for their 1995 Long Division sophomore album. Well known songs include Halflight, California, Family Tree, and Sunflower. Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant would cover the band's Monkey and Silver Rider for his 2010 Band Of Joy solo album ~ Parker was born ca.1967
November 5, 2022 ~ Rahem Brown, commonly known as rapper Tame One, passed away ~ Member of 1990s rap group the Artifacts, which also included El da Sensei and DJ Kaos, known for songs such as Easter, C'mon Wit Da Git Down, The Ultimate (You Know The Time) and perhaps their best known Wrong Side Of Da Tracks. Has also worked with Leak Bros, the Weathermen, the Boom Skwad, and others ~ Brown was born in 1970
November 5, 2022 ~ Reggae keyboardist Tyrone Downie passed away in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Best known for his association with Bob Marley, joining the Wailers in the mid-1970s and first appearing on the 1976 Rastaman Vibration album. Has also worked with the Impact All-Stars, the Abyssinians, Beenie Man, Black Uhuru, Buju Banton, Peter Tosh, Tom Tom Club, Burning Spear, Steel Pulse, Alpha Blondy, and others ~ Downie was born in 1956
November 5, 2021 ~ Saxophonist Charles Brackeen passed away in Carson, California, USA ~ Studied violin and piano before switching to saxophone. Sideman and leader. Has played with Don Cherry, Leroy Jenkins, Paul Motian, Ahmed Abdullah, Dennis González, and Ronald Shannon Jackson ~ Brackeen was born in 1940
November 5, 2021 ~ Sertanejo singer, guitarist, songwriter Marilia Mendonça, full name Marilia Dias Mendonça, passed away in Minas Gerais, Brazil ~ Broke through with Infiel taken of her 2016 Marilia Mendonça Ai Vivo debut album. Has written songs for artists such as João Neto & Frederico, Wesley Safadão, Henrique & Juliano, Matheus & Kauan, Jorge & Mateus, Cristiano Araujo, and others. Along with several of her entourage killed in a plane crash aged 26 ~ Mendonça was born in 1995
November 5, 2020 ~ Leonard Warren Borioff, commonly known as singer, songwriter Len Barry, passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Lead singer of the Dovells, known for the early-1960s Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits The Bristol Stomp and You Can't Sit Down. As a solo artist best known for the 1965 hit 1-2-3, which would eventually sell 4 million copies. Would go on to enjoy great popularity in the UK. Co-wrote Zoom for Fat Larry's Band and Love Town for Booker Newberry III ~ Borisoff was born in 1942
November 5, 2020 ~ Joseph Reynaerts, mononymously known as pop singer Reynaert, passed away in Seraing, Belgium ~ Internationally best known for representing Belgium at the 1988 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 18th place with Laissez Briller Le Soleil. Other well known songs include Cerf-volant and Pas Assez ~ Reynaerts was born in 1955
November 5, 2015 ~ Jazz bandleader, director, arranger Kjell Öhman, full name Kjell Ingemar Öhman, passed away in rangsund Skogas Parish, Sweden ~ Appeared on over 3000 albums. Worked with Marcus Österdahl, Alice Babs, Georgie Fame, Charlie Norman, Svend Asmussen, Arne Domnérus, Ulf Wakenius, Rune Gustafsson, Hans Backenroth, Ulf Lundell, and others ~ Öhman was born in 1943
November 5, 2015 ~ Pop, jazz singer Nora Brockstedt passed away in Oslo, Norway ~ Internationally best known for representing Norway twice at the Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 4th place in 1960 with Voi Voi and 7th place the following year with Sommer I Palma ~ Brockstedt was born in 1923
November 5, 2012 ~ Modernist composer Elliott Carter, full name Elliott Cook Carter Jr, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ One of the premier American modernist composers of the late 20th century, merging elements of European and American modernism. Composed orchestral, vocal, instrumental works and chamber music. Perhaps best known for his String Quartet No.2, earning him a 1960 Pullitzer Prize ~ Carter was born in 1908
November 5, 2005 ~ Fred Lincoln Wray Jr, commonly known as guitarist, songwriter Link Wray, passed away in Copenhagen, Denmark ~ Best known for the 1958 instrumental hit Rumble, one of the earliest songs using distorted feedback later commonly used in punk and hard rock ~ Wray was born in 1929
November 5, 2003 ~ Singer Bobby Hatfield passed away in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA ~ Half of vocal duo the Righteous Brothers, the other half being Bill Medley. The brothers are best known for songs such as You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin', Unchained Melody (actually a Hatfield solo performance), and Rock & Roll Heaven. As a solo artist Hatfield released a handful of mostly late-1960s singles including Hot Tamales, the self-penned Hang-Ups, Stay With Me, and Only You (And You Alone), of which only the latter charted peaking at No.95 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Hatfield was born in 1940
November 5, 2000 ~ James Houston Davis, commonly known as singer, songwriter Jimmie Davis, passed away in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA ~ Served two nonconsecutive terms as governor of Louisiana. As a singer known for songs such as Is It Too Late Now, There's A Chill On The Hill Tonight, There's A New Moon Over My Shoulder, Grievin' My Heart Out For You, Bang Bang and perhaps his best known You Are My Sunshine ~ Davis was born in 1899
November 5, 1996 ~ Jazz, soul jazz saxophonist Eddie Harris passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Recorded some 70 albums as a leader. As a composer best known for writing Freedom Jazz Dance, recorded and popularized by Miles Davis. Sideman on albums by Buddy Montgomery, Buddy Montgomery, Bernard Pretty Purdie, Cedar Walton, Ellis Marsalis Jr, Horace Parlan, John Scofield, Horace Parlan, and others ~ Harris was born in 1934
November 5, 1992 ~ Singers Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle release their A Whole New World (Aladdin's Theme) duet single, recorded for the soundtrack of the Aladdin animated feature film ~ The film included two versions of this song, the main version sung by Brad Kane and Lea Salonga, and a pop version sung by Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle. The latter was played over the film's end credits and issued as a pop single, which reached No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ending a 14-week reign for Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You. Lyricist Tim Rice would sneak in a clever nod in the lyrics to one of his childhood heroes: “There was a wonderful British pop singer called Billy Fury. And one of his hits in England was Wondrous Place. It was a great, weird pop record, way ahead of its time. Lots of echoes and minimalist backing. Sort of Peggy Lee meets Chris Isaak. As a tribute to Fury, I quite deliberately put in at the end of the song the line ‘a wondrous place’”
November 5, 1990 ~ Pianist, vibraphonist, songwriter, producer Bobby Scott, full name Robert William Scott, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Bandleader for Verve, ABC-Paramount, Bethlehem and Musicmasters. Perhaps best remembered for co-writing A Taste Of Honey, first recorded by Billy Dee Williams, and for co-writing He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother, first recorded by Kelly Gordon. Both songs would become classics covered by numerous artists ~ Scott was born in 1937
November 5, 1989 ~ Singer, songwriter Barry Sadler, full name Barry Allen Sadler, passed away in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA ~ Green Beret medic, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. Best known for his 1966 hit The Ballad Of The Green Berets, one of the few songs of the era to cast the military in a positive light ~ Sadler was born in 1940
November 5, 1989 ~ Trumpeter, bandleader Lu Watters, full name Lucius Carl Watters, passed away in Santa Rosa, California, USA ~ Best known as leader of the Yerba Buena Jazz Band which at times also included Bob Scobey, Turk Murphy, Squire Gersh, Wally Rose, Clancy Hayes, and Harry Mordecai ~ Watters was born in 1911
November 5, 1989 ~ Classical pianist, composer Vladimir Horowitz, full name Vladimir Samoyiovich Horowitz, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Generally regarded as one of the all-time greatest pianists known for his virtuoso . Early on in his career toured Russia paid in bread, butter and chocolate rather than money due to the economic hardship of the day. Best known for his interpretations of the Romantic repertoire, notably his 1932 recording of Piano Sonata in B Minor to this day considered the best performance of the Franz Liszt composition. Married to Wanda Toscanini, daughter of renowned conductor Arturo Toscanini ~ Horowitz was born in 1903
November 5, 1987 ~ Singer Alejandro Fuentes, full name Alejandro Javiero Fuentes, born in Mexico ~ First gained attention in 2005 as contestant on the third season of the Norwegian talent show Idol, reaching third place. Released his Diamonds And Pearls debut album later the same year
November 5, 1986 ~ Kown Bo-ah, commonly known as singer, dancer, actress, songwriter BoA, born in Guri, South Korea ~ Dubbed “the Queen of K-pop” and considered one of the most successful and influential Korean entertainers. Sings in multiple languages including English, Japanese and Mandarin, helping her reach success beyond her native South Korea. Well-known songs include Listen To My Heart, Double, Rock With You, Do The Motion, Hurricane Venus, and Only One
November 5, 1986 ~ Doo-wop singer Bobby Nunn, full name Ulysses B Nunn, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of the Robins, known for first recording Riot In Cell Block No.9. Member of the Coasters, known for Young Blood. Member of the Dukes, known for the late-1950s singles Looking For You and I Love You ~ Nunn was born in 1925
November 5, 1985 ~ Jazz trumpeter Richard Williams, full name Richard Gene Williams, passed away in Jamaica Queens, New York, USA ~ Closely associated with Charles Mingus, including performing with Mingus at the 1959 Newport Jazz festival and appearing on albums such as Mingus Ah Uhm and The Black Saint & The Sinner Lady. Other notable collaborations include Leo Wright, Booker Ervin, Gigi Gryce (Sayin' Somethin'), Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Randy Weston (Uhuru Afrika), Yusef Lateef, Freddie Hubbard, Red Garland, Jimmy Smith, Archie Shepp, Ruth Brown, Mose Allison, Aretha Franklin (Soul '69), Thad Jones, Charles Earland, Charles Tolliver, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk ~ Williams was born in 1931
November 5, 1979 ~ Rock, heartland rock, roots rock singer, guitarist Tom Petty releases Don't Do Me Like That, lead single off his Damn The Torpedoes album ~ Written by Tom Petty and recorded as a demo version with his previous band Mudcrutch. At some point, Petty considered handing the song over to the J Geils Band, as he felt it had their sound and feel. During the recordings for the album Damn The Torpedoes with the Heartbreakers, however, producer Jimmy Iovine persuaded Petty to include it on the album, convinced it would be hit. Iovine would be right, released as the album's lead single it would reach No.10 Billboard Hot 100, the first top 10 hit for the singer
November 5, 1978 ~ Pop, pop-rock, entekkhno singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Michalis Hatzigiannis born in Khyrenia, Cyprus ~ One of Greece's most successful artists of the 2000s. Well known songs include Monos Mou, Oheiro Zoola I Tipota, Pio Poli, To Kalokairi Mou and Horevo, all of which topped the Greek charts. Internationally best known for representing Greece at the 1998 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 11th place with Genesis, and for his 2010 English-language album Mihalis
November 5, 1977 ~ In its tenth week on the charts, I'm Just A Country Boy by Don Williams hits No.1 Billboard Country ~ Originally written by Marshall Barer and Fred Hellerman, the song traces back over two decades, first recorded by Harry Belafonte with Hugo Winterhalter's orchestra back in 1954. Prior to Williams hit rendition, the song had also been recorded by Sam Cooke, the Brothers Four, Bobby Vinton, and Roger Whittaker. Williams issued his version as the lead single off Country Boy, and it would become his seventh Billboard Country charttopper further cementing his growing stature as one of the finest country singers of the 1970s. Several artists have later also recorded the song, perhaps most notably Richard Manuel of the Band during one of his last sessions in 1985. Manuel's recording would be included posthumously as Country Boy on the Band's Jericho album, released in 1993 some seventeen years after their “farewell concert”
November 5, 1977 ~ Marc Shemer, commonly known as producer, MC, DJ Scram Jones, born in USA ~ Has, in one capacity or another, worked with the Wu-Tang Clan, Mariah Carey, Jae Millz, Saigon, Lloyd Banks, Tragedy Khadafi, Black Rob, Remy Ma, Lloyd Banks, Mareko, Dipset, the Notorious BIG, Capone, Smitty, Tony Touch, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Method Man, Fat Joe, Canibus, Troy Ave, and Kool G Rap
November 5, 1976 ~ Mika Tysska, commonly known as progressive rock, experimental rock, ambient guitarist Mr Fastfinger, born ~ Considered a guitar virtuoso active in various genres. Released his full-length The Way Of The Exploding Guitar debut album featuring guests such as Dream Theater's Jordan Rudess, Freak Kitchen's Mattias Eklundh and Mörglbl's Christophe Godin. Has also collaborated with Timo Kamarainen, Sauruxet and Pepe Deluxe
November 5, 1974 ~ Heavy metal, thrash metal, death metal singer, guitarist, accordionist, keyboardist Angela Gossow, full name Angela Nathalie Gossow, born in Westphalia, West Germany ~ Lead singer of melodic death metal band Arch Enemy. Has also worked with Asmodina, Mistress, Annihilator, Doro, Kalisia and with Amaranthe
November 5, 1974 ~ Rock, alternative country, folk rock, indie rock singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Ryan Adams, full name David Ryan Adams, born in Jacksonville, North Carolina, USA ~ First gained attention as frontman and besides Caitlin Cary the only other sole constant member of alt-country outfit Whiskeytown, known for the critically acclaimed albums Faithless Street, Strangers Almanac and Pneumonia. Has released well over a dozen solo albums, starting with Heartbreaker released in 2000
November 5, 1972 ~ Jazz trumpeter, hornist Ephraim Owens born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Fixture in the Austin music scene. In-demand collaborator, appearing on recordings by Reckless Kelly, Jimmie Vaughan, Sheryl Crow, Mumford & Sons, Patty Griffin. Joined the Tedeschi-Trucks Band in 2015
November 5, 1971 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist Jonny Greenwood, full name Jonathan Richard Guy Greenwood, born in Oxford, UK ~ Cites Lee Morgan, Miles Davis, Scott Walker, Can and Olivier Messiaen as influences. Lead guitarist of alternative rock outfit Radiohead, also serving as the band's arranger. The band is known for songs such as Creep, Paranoid Android, Karma Police, The Pyramid Song and There There, all of which reached top 10 in the band's native UK. Has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing his Junun debut album in 2015. Composed a number of soundtracks, most notably for the 2007 There Will Be Blood film
November 5, 1971 ~ Alternative rock, trip hop singer, guitarist, songwriter Sophie Barker, full name Sophie Alexandra Jessica Barker, born in London, UK ~ First gained attention in 1999 as guest vocalist with downtempo duo Zero 7, co-writing the band's Destiny. Also appeared on Groove Armada's sophomore Vertigo album. Would go on to records as a solo artist, starting with the 2004 Lullabye album, as well as guest on recordings by Sia, the Egg, Grooverider, Muki, Bliss, and others
November 5, 1970 ~ Avant-garde jazz saxophonist, singer, composer Albert Ayler passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Hard to categorize saxophonist straddles the line between R&B, bebop and free jazz. Leader and sideman. Critically acclaimed for mid-1960s recordings, especially Spiritual Unity. Influenced numerous free jazz saxophonists including Charles Gayle, Ken Vandermark, Peter Brötzmann, and David S Ware. Worked with Little Walter, Stanley Turrentine, Gary Peacock, Sunny Murray, Alan Silva, Henry Vestine, Harold Budd, Cecil Taylor, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Ronnie Gardiner, Don Cherry, John Tchicai, Roswell Rudd, Beaver Harris, Henry Grimes, his brother Donald Ayler and others ~ Ayler was born in 1936
November 5, 1969 ~ Carlos Sosa, commonly known as DJ, producer DJ Sneak, born in Puerto Rico ~ Important figure in the second wave of Chicago house producers with some dozen albums to his name. Rooted in salsa, merengue and Latin jazz, influenced by early house pioneers such as Farley Jackmaster Funk, Ralphi Rosario and Steve Hurley
November 5, 1969 ~ Contemporary Christian singer, songwriter Jeff Deyo born in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Lead singer of Sonicflood, present of the band's first two albums Sonicflood and Sonicpraise. Released his Saturate solo debut album in 2002, spawning the hit More Love More Power
November 5, 1968 ~ Southern rock, hard rock, cowpunk guitarist Ruyter Suys, full name Ruyter Lara Johanna Pakon Suys, born in Vancouver, Canada ~ Influenced by Heart's Nancy Wilson and the Plasmatics' Wendy O Williams. Member of Nashville Pussy. Married to Blaine Cartwright, the band's lead singer
November 5, 1967 ~ Katarzyna Magdalena Szczot, commonly known as pop, soul, pop jazz singer, songwriter Kayah, born in Warsaw, Poland ~ Debuted in 1995 with her Kamien album quickly becoming one of the most popular Polish artists. Known for songs such as Nawet Desczcz, Na Jezykach, Suepermenka, Uwiers (To Nie Ja) with Urszula, Testosteron, Procz Ciebie Nic with Krzysztof Kiljanski, all of which reached top 10 in the singer's native Poland
November 5, 1967 ~ Marcelo Maldonado Peixoto, commonly known as hip-hop, samba, reggae rapper, songwriter Marcelo D2, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Rose to fame in the 1990 as key member of rap-rock outfit Planet Hemp. Released his full-length Eu Tiro E Onda debut album in 1998 and has been recording to commercial succes through the 2010s. Well known songs include A Procura Da Batida Perfeita, Qual E, That's What I Got featuring Chali 2na and Desabafo, all of which reached top 10 in the rapper's native Brazil
November 5, 1966 ~ Jazz trombonist Øystein B Blix born in Tromsø, Norway ~ Central figure in the Tromsø jazz scene. Worked with Jørn Øien, Konrad Kaspersen, Trond Sverre Hansen, Marit Sondvik, Niels Præstholm, Nils-Olav Johansen, Tor Haugerud, Dridrik Ingvaldsen, Gustavo Bergalli, Jan Gunnar Hoff, Sigurd Ulveseth, Magnus Gran, Bernt Simen Lund, Gaute Barlindhaug, Tamba Kounda, Alf Kjellman, and others
November 5, 1964 ~ Edwin Lemar Cole, commonly known as jazz pianist, orchestra leader, composer Buddy Cole, passed away in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Married Yvonne King, one of the King Sisters. Worked with Alvino Rey, Frankie Trumbauer, Henry Mancini, Jill Corey, Bing Crosby (In A Little Spanish Town), and Rosemary Clooney ~ Cole was born in 1916
November 5, 1963 ~ Jazz double bassist Reginald Veal born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with Pharoah Sanders, Elvin Jones, Charlie Rouse, Hamiet Bluiett, Harry Connick Jr, Terence Blanchard, Dakota Staton, Donald Harrison, Marcus Roberts, McCoy Tyner, Cassandra Wilson, Courtney Pine, Yusef Lateef, Eric Reed, Greg Tardy, and others
November 5, 1960 ~ Singer René Froger born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Became a household name with hits such as Winter In America, Are You Ready For Loving Me and Alles Kan Een Mens Gelukkig Maken, the latter a collaboration with het Goede Doel. Has also worked with Ted de Braak, Mini & Maxi, the Toppers, Anita Doth, and others
November 5, 1959 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwrier Bryan Adams, full name Bryan Guy Adams, born in Kingston, Canada ~ Became a global star on the strength of two albums, 1983's Cuts Like A Knife and 1984's Reckless, scoring an impressive string of hit singles including Run To You, Summer Of '69 and Heaven. Also known for songs like (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, Can't Stop This Thing We Started and All For Love, the latter a collaboration with Rod Stewart and Sting
November 5, 1956 ~ Virtuoso pianist Art Tatum passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Revered jazz pianist. Influenced by stride pianists such Fats Waller and James P Johnson. In turn Tatum would influence future pianists including Adam Makowicz, Simon Nabatov, Oscar Peterson, Martial Solal. First recorded in 1932 backing Adelaide Hall on I'll Never Be The Same and Strange As It Seems. Would go on to record on numerous quintessential jazz recordings, mostly as a leader in small settings such as trio or quartet. Especially acclaimed for The Genius Of Art Tatum album series released in 1953 and 1954, a few years before his death. Has worked with Tiny Grimes, Slam Stewart, Lionel Hampton, Buddy Rich, Ben Webster, and Buddy DeFranco ~ Tatum was born in 1909
November 5, 1956 ~ Singer Johnny Mathis releases Wonderful Wonderful, featuring backing from Ray Conniff and his Orchestra ~ Written by Sherman Edwards and Ben Raleigh, produced by Ray Conniff who also led the orchestra. Issued as Mathis' debut single, Wonderful Wonderful would reach top 20 on the American pop charts, peaking at a respectable No.14, and set the singer on a path to fame. Drawing from a wide array of genres including pop, soul, show tones, blues, and country music, the singer would go on to become one of the most popular acts of the late-1950s, and one of the best-selling artists of the 20th century with records sales exceeding an estimated 350 million. Wonderful Wonderful would be notably covered by vocal group the Tymes in 1963, the cover surpassing the original peaking at No.7 Billboard Hot 100 on the heels of their previous single, the band's charttopping So Much In Love debut single
November 5, 1954 ~ Laurie Seeman, commonly known as singer, songwriter Laurie Beebe Lewis, born in Ludington, Michigan, USA ~ Active since her mid-teens, fronting the cult-underground band Pitche Blende at age 14. Best known as keyboardist and singer with a reincarnation of the Buckinghams from 1982 through 1985. Also sang with a reformed the Mamas & the Papas from 1986 through 1993 alongside Spanky McFarlane and original members John Phillips and Denny Doherty
November 5, 1952 ~ Composer, filmmaker Jean-Jacques Birge born in Paris, France ~ Hard to classify avant-garde composer with some 30 albums to his name since the mid-1970s, drawing critical comparison to artists such as Charles Ives, Frank Zappa, René Lussier, François Sarhan and John Zorn. Co-founding member of the loose Drame Musical Instantané collective
November 5, 1949 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Jimmie Spheeris born in Phenix, Alabama, USA ~ Initially a folk singer, songwriter, later drawing from jazz, rock and fusion. Recorded four albums in the 1970s, working with renowned producers such as Paul Leka, Felix Cavaliere, Henry Lewy and David Campbell. Backed by notable musicians including Jane Getz, Russ Kunkel, Leland Sklar, Bobbye Hall, Chick Corea, Chuck Findley, and others. Longtime friend Jackson Browne sang backing vocals on Spheeris' fourth and final album Ports Of The Heart, the recordings completed shortly before his death in a motorcycle accident ~ Spheeris passed away in 1984
November 5, 1948 ~ Funk, soul, retro-soul singer Charles Bradley, full name Charles Edward Bradley, born in Gainesville, Florida, USA ~ Long remained in obscurity, mainly working as odd jobs while moonlighting as a James Brown-impersonator. Released his solo debut album No Time For Dreaming in 2011 to critical acclaim and recorded consistently until his death ~ Bradley passed away in 2017
November 5, 1947 ~ Pop rock, beat singer, guitarist, pianist Peter Noone, full name Peter Blair Denis Bernard Noone, born in Manchester, UK ~ Lead singer of Herman's Hermits, known for a string of 1960s hits including Can't You Hear My Heartbeat, Silhouettes, Mrs Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter, I'm Henry VIII I Am, Must To Avoid and Listen People. After the band folded in 1971 Noone scored an occasional solo hit, most notably Oh You Pretty Things which reached top 2o in the UK, written by David Bowie who also plays piano on the recording. Noone also founded the short-lived the Tremblers in the early-1980s, known for their sole Twice Nightly album
November 5, 1947 ~ Tango singer, bandoneonist, songwriter Rubén Juárez, full name Jorge Rubén Juárez, born in Ballesteros, Argentina ~ Perhaps best known for his recording of Para Vos (Canilla). Has collaborared with the likes of Charly García, Pedro Aznar, Leopoldo Federico, Litto Nebbia, and Raúl Luzzi ~ Juárez passed away in 2010
November 5, 1946 ~ Ingram Cecil Connor III, commonly known as country, country rock, folk rock singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Gram Parsons born in Winter Haven, Florida, USA ~ Key figure in the development of country rock, though he hated the term, merging country, R&B, blues, soul, folk and rock. Member of the International Submarine Band. Briefly a member of the Byrds, notably present on the The Sweethearts Of The Rodeo album. Member of the Flying Burrito Brothers. As a solo artist known for his 1973 GP debut album and its posthumously released Grievous Angel follow-up, both considered landmark albums ~ Connor passed away in 1973
November 5, 1946 ~ Singer, pianist Herman Brood born in Zwolle, the Netherlands ~ One of the most recognisable rock singers in the Netherlands. First gained attention as member of Cuby & the Blizzards, present on the albums Groeten Uit Grollo and its follow-up Trippin' Thru A Midnight Blues. Would rise to fame in the 1970s with backing unit the Wild Romance, especially acclaimed for the albums Shrpitz and Cha Cha, both considered landmark albums in Dutch rock & roll ~ Brood passed away in 2001
November 5, 1945 ~ R&B, disco, soul singer Carrie Lucas born in Carmel, California, USA ~ Married to SOLAR Records founder and executive Dick Griffey from 1974 until his death in 2010. Best known for the singles I Gotta Keep Dancin' and Dance With You, both taken of her 1977 Simply Carrie debut album
November 5, 1943 ~ Samuel Shepard Rogers IIII, coommonly known as actor, playwright, songwriter, drummer Sam Shepard, born in Fort Sheridan, Illinois, USA ~ Acclaimed as playwright and actor. Has also drummed with the Holy Modal Rounders, appearing on the Indian War Whoop and The Moray Eels Eat The Holy Modal Rounders albums. Once romantically involved with then-unknown singer Patti Smith, the duo co-writing the stage 1971 play Cowboy Mouth loosely inspired by their love relationship earning Smith her first serious exposure ~ Shepard passed away in 2017
November 5, 1942 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Pierangelo Bertoli born in Sassuolo, Italy ~ Close to two dozen album to his name starting with Rosso Colore Dell'amore released in 1974. Known for his strong political convictions bordering on libertarian communism, his song subjects focusing on issues such as the environment, antimilitarism and the plight of marginalized and rebellious people ~ Bertoli passed away in 2002
November 5, 1941 ~ Singer, songwriter, actor Art Garfunkel, full name Arthur Ira Garfunkel, born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Half of revered folk, folk-pop duo Simon & Garfunkel, one of the best-selling groups of all time, known for songs such The Sound Of Silence, Homeward Bound, I Am A Rock, Mrs Robinson, The Boxer, Bridge Over Troubled Water, and Cecilia
November 5, 1936 ~ Producer, songwriter Billy Sherrill born in Phil Campbell, Alabama, USA ~ Influenced by Phil Spector, Don Law, Chet Atkins. Helped define the Countrypolitan sound. Frequent writing collaborator of Norro Wilson, George Richey, and Glenn Sutton. Wrote or co-wrote many of country's most enduring classics including David Houston's Almost Persuaded, Tammy Wynette's Stand By Your Man, and Charlie Rich's The Most Beautiful Girl In The World. Others who recorded his songs include George Jones, Barbara Mandrell, Sandy Posey, Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, Lacy J Dalton, Ray Conniff, Bob Luman, Johnny Duncan, Jim & Jesse, Moe Bandy, Joe Stampley, Charlie Walker, Barbara Fairchild, and Mickey Gilley ~ Sherrill passed away in 2015
November 5, 1935 ~ Benjamin Eidson, commonly known as rockabilly guitarist, singer Benny Joy, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Known for a handful of late-1950s songs, including Spin The Bottle, Hey High School Baby and Bundle Of Love, but would fail to break through. Worked as disk jockey on the American Bandstand TV show. Also known as a songwriter for artists such as Marty Robbins, Jackie Wilson, Charlie Rich, Debbie Reynolds, Johnny Rivers, and Carl Smith ~ Eidson passed away in 1988
November 5, 1935 ~ Aaron Gant, commonly known as blues pianist, singer Pinetop Sparks, passed away in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Though Sparks died young, at a mere age 25, has left an indelible mark on blues for co-writing and first recording Every Day I Have The Blues in 1935. The song would go on to become a blues standard, especially after Memphis Slim's 1949 reworking. It has been covered by numerous artists, most notably Count Basie and several times by blues icon BB King. Sparks grave would be unmarked for nearly eight decades, before a fan club finally honored him laying a headstone on his grave marked with his name, birth and death dates, a keyboard and the epitaph “every day i have the blues” ~ Sparks was born in 1910
November 5, 1931 ~ Saxophonist, flutist Harold McNair born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Played a calypso singer in the 1958 Island Women film and released a Calypso jazz album, 1960's Bahama Bash, before relocating to England. Toured Europe with Quincy Jones, landed a regular gig at the noted Ronnie Scott's jazz club. Known for a handful of jazz, jazz fusion albums from the mid-1960s through the 1970s, notably 1965's Affectionate Fink which featured David Izenzon and Charles Moffett and 1968's eponymous Harold McNair which contained his best known composition The Hipster. McNair was also an in-demand sideman for non-jazz artists, including Donovan, Nick Drake, Alexis Korner,, Cressida, Edward's Hand, Ginger Baker's Air Force and notably Jimi Hendrix guesting on the track If 6 Were 9 of the Axis (Bold As Love) album ~ McNair passed away in 1971
November 5, 1931 ~ Izear Luster Turner Jr, commonly known as pianist, guitarist, singer Ike Turner, born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA ~ Perhaps the most vilified musician in pop and rock history, known for substance abuse and his at times abusive relationship with Tina Turner overshadowing his contributions to both early rock & roll and R&B. Fronted the Kings Of Rhythm, known for the 1951 Rocket '88 hit recording which is often cited as one of the first rock & roll records. Talent scout and producer instrumental in the early careers of BB King, Howlin' Wolf, Bobby Blue Bland. Became a global household name with the Ike & Tina Turner Revue co-fronted with his then-wife Tina. The pair would become one of the most popular R&B duos in history, known for their energetic stage presence, scoring a string of hits from the early-1960s through the 1970s including A Fool In Love, It's Gonna Work Out Fine, Proud Mary, Nutbush City Limits and perhaps their best known River Deep Mountain High, the latter described by producer Phil Spector as his best work ~ Turner passed away in 2007
November 5, 1926 ~ Jazz, swing, big band trumpeter Johnny Windhurst, full name John Henry Windhurst, born ~ Influenced by Bix Beiderbecke, Bobby Hackett, Wild Bill Davison, and Bunny Berigan. Worked with Eddie Condon, Sidney Bechet, Art Hodes, James P Johnson, Louis Armstrong, Nappy Lamare, Ruby Braff, George Wettling, Jack Teagarden, Barbara Lea, Buell Neidlinger, Cutty Cutshall, Cliff Leeman, and Edmond Hall ~ Windhurst passed away in 1981
November 5, 1923 ~ Biserka Katusic, commonly known as mezzo-soprano, contralto singer Biserka Cvejic, born in Jesenice, Croatia ~ Closely associated with the Vienna State Opera, singing with the orchestra for two decades starting in 1959. Has also worked with the Belgrade Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, the Teatro Colón, and the Royal Opera House ~ Katusic passed away in 2021
November 5, 1917 ~ Big band arranger, songwriter George Williams, full name George Dale Williams also known as George The Fox Williams, born ~ Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Whamboogie and It Must Be Jelly Cause Jam Don't Shake Like That for Glenn Miller, Hamp's Boogie for Lionel Hampton, Gene's Boogie for Gene Krupa, and Lackawanna Local, The Fox and Bunny Hop for Ray Anthony ~ Williams passed away in 1988
November 5, 1914 ~ John Vivian McVea, commonly known as swing, blues, R&B saxophonist, clarinetist, bandleader Jack McVea, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Son of banjoist Satchel McVea. Led the Black & White Records house band. Well known for co-writing and first recording Open The Door Richard, a hit for McVea in 1946 and later covered by Louis Jordan, Hot Lips Page, Count Basie, and Billy Lee Riley. McVea also appeared on the quintessential T-Bone Walker track They Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday's Just As Bad), and backed artists such as Lionel Hampton, Slim Gaillard, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and BB King ~ McVea passed away in 2000
November 5, 1901 ~ Actress, singer Etta Moten born in Weimar, Texas, USA ~ Best known for her role as Bess in Porgy & Bess, which George Gershwin had written with Moten in mind. Moten was concerned about trying a role above her natural range of contralto, and Gershwin rewrote her role for the 1942 revival of the opera. Previously, Moten had featured in musical films such as Flying Down To Rio and Gold Diggers Of 1933, notably singing My Forgotten Man with Joan Blondell in the latter. Moten would also perform the song at the White House for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's birthday celebration in 1934. Moten is remembered as an icon for creating new roles for African-American women on stage and screen, and following her retirement from the stage for medical reasons, worked as a civic activist, raising funds for and supporting cultural, social and church institutions ~ Moten passed away in 2004
November 5, 1894 ~ Jacob Charles Garber, commonly known as violinist, bandleader Jan Garber, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Best known as a bandleader whose sidemen included Chelsea Quealey, Al Powers, Bill Hearn, Bill Kleeb, Charlie Ford, Don Korinek, Don Shoup, Doug Roe, Ernie Mathias, Frank Bettencourt, Frank Mcauley, Freddie Large, Harold Peppie, Harry Goldfield, Jack Barrow, Jack Motch, Jerry Large, Joe Rhodes, Lew Palmer, Memo Bernabel, Norman Donahue, Paul Weirick, Rudy Rudisill, Russ Brown, Ted Bowman, Tony Briglia, Vince D Bari, and Walter Moore. Garber's band accompanied vocalists such as Liz Tilton, Allen Copeland, Bob Allen, Bob Grabeau, Deanna St Clair, Debby Clair, Dorothy Cordray, Fritz Heilbron, Janis Garber, Judy Randall, Larry Dean, Lee Bennett, Marv Nielsen, Roy Cordell, Thelma Grace, Tim Reardon, Tommy Traynor, and Virginia Hamilton ~ Garber passed away in 1977
November 5, 1887 ~ Pianist, composer Paul Wittgenstein born in Vienna, Austria ~ Known for commissioning for the left hand alone, following the amputation of his right arm. Composers who have written pieces for Witgenstein include Benjamin Britten, Alexandre Tansman, Sergei Prokofiev, Richard Strauss and perhaps most famously Maurice Ravel, the latter writing the Piano Concerto For The Left Hand for him ~ Witgenstein passed away in 1961