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, 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 ~ 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, 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, 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, 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, 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