November 6, 2023 ~ Indie pop singer Sean Martin passed away ~ Lead singer for indie pop outfit the Night Café, formed with childhood friends while still in school. The band was named for the Vincent van Gogh painting of the same name, originally titled Le Café de Nuit. The band has opened for Sundara Karma and the Wombats, released their Get Away From The Feeling debut EP in 2017, followed by a full-length 0151 debut album in 2019. Well-known songs include Growing Up and Addicted ~ Martin was born ca.1997
November 6, 2022 ~ Ali Mahammed, commonly known as Oromo, world music singer, guitarist, songwriter Ali Birra, passed away in Adama, Ethiopia ~ Regarded as the most popular Oromo icon, an ethnic group mostly native to the Oromia region. Other than in his native Oromo language Birra also sang in Amharic, Harari and Somali. Actively recording since the early-1970s. Well known songs include Hin Yaadin, Asabalee, Ammalelee, and Gamachu ~ Mahammed was born in 1950
November 6, 2022 ~ Singer, keyboardist Don Lewis passed away ~ Best known for creating an instrument called the LEO, short for Live Electronic Orchestra, which integrated multiple instruments under a single controller and predated the MIDI controller by ten years. As a musician has collaborated with artists such as Quincy Jones, Sérgio Mendes, and Michael Jackson. Opened for the Beach Boys on their 1974 tour ~ Lewis was born in 1941
November 6, 2021 ~ Keyboardist, bassist Andy Barker passed away ~ Member of 808 State, notably present on the 1988 Quadrastate EP. Would go on to record a small number of songs under the monikers Atlas and Benaco ~ Barker was born in 1968
November 6, 2021 ~ Terence Wilson, commonly known as rapper, toaster, singer, drummer Astro, passed away ~ Member of UB40 from 1979 through 2013, present on the band's best known including the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits Red Red Wine and Can't Help Falling In Love. His nickname comes from his childhood, wearing a pair of Dr Martens boots of a model named “Astronaut” ~ Wilson was born in 1957
November 6, 2016 ~ Virtuoso pianist, conductor, composer Zoltan Kocsis passed away in Budapest, Hungary ~ Considered an expert on the works of Béla Bartók, whose entire works he recorded. Also included in his oeuvre are works by Claude Debussy, noted for his early-1990s recording of Images, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Johann Sebastian Bach. A celebrated soloist the world over, Kocsis has performed with the Berlin Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Staatskapelle Dresden. Kocsis is also known for co-founding the Budapest Festival Orchestra with Iván Fischer ~ Kocsis was born in 1952
November 6, 2014 ~ Singer, flutist Maggie Boyle passed away ~ Worked with John Renbourn, Ship Of Fools, Grace Note, Steve Tilston, Incantation, the Sergeant Early Band, Ralph McTell, Jez Lowe, Pete Coe, Paul Downes, Jon Boden, Peter Bellamy, Bert Jansch, John McCormick, John Drury, Gordon Tyrrall, Mike Deavin, Pauline Cato, Damien Barber, and Mick Ryan ~ Boyle was born in 1956
November 6, 2013 ~ Rockabilly singer, guitarist Clyde Stacy, full name Haskell XClyde Stacy, passed away in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA ~ Credited as a founder of the “Tulsa sound” and known for a handful of 1950s singles, notably So Young released in 1957. Stacy has opened for artists such as Elvis Presley and Patsy Cline, eventually mostly retiring from music by the mid-1970s ~ Stacy was born in 1936
November 6, 2011 ~ Pianist, composer Gordon Beck, full name Gordon James Beck, passed away in Ely, UK ~ Worked with Don Byas, was in Gyroscope with Tubby Hayes and Jeff Clyne, played with Tony Oxley, Helen Merrill, Phil Woods, played as house pianist at the famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, played funk with George Gruntz's six-keyboard outfit the Piano Conclavo, free jazz with drummer John Stevens, was briefly a member of Nucleus, and also played with Allan Holdsworth, Henri Texier, Didier Lockwood, and others ~ Beck was born in 1936
November 6, 2007 ~ Henry William Thompson, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter Hank Thompson passed away in Keller, Texas, USA ~ Smooth baritone vocals backed by the Brazos Valley Boys, a hybrid of fiddles, electric guitars, steel guitars. Had his first hit in 1952 with The Wild Side Of Life. It contained the memorable line “I didn't know God made honky tonk angels”, solliciting the JD Miller-penned It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels. Also known for songs such as Whoa Sailor, Waiting In The Lobby Of Your Heart, Rub-a-dub-dub, Wake Up Irene, and others ~ Thompson was born in 1925
November 6, 2006 ~ Actor, singer, songwriter Miguel Aceves Mejía passed away in Mexico City, Mexico ~ Enjoyed popularity during the golden age of Mexican film. Dubbed “the God of Ranchera” starred in over 60 films and recorded over 1,500 songs. Known for songs such as El Pastor, Se Me Hizo Fácil, Yo Tenia Un Chorro De Voz, Vaya Con Dios, La Malagueña Salerosa, Cuatro Caminos, El Pescado Nadador, and Oh Gran Dios ~ Mejía was born in 1915
November 6, 2004 ~ Peter A Ceragioli, commonly known as jazz pianist, acccordionist Pete Jolly, passed away in Pasadena, California, USA ~ Worked with Howard Roberts, Shorty Rogers, Jan Lundgren, Buddy DeFranco, Art Pepper, Red Norvo, Ray Conniff, Herb Alpert, Ralph Peña, Chuck Berghofer, Larry Bunker, Milt Holland, Elmer Bernstein, Kenny Burrell, Buddy Collette, Joni James, JJ Johnson, Quincy Jones, Johnny Mandel, Gerry Mulligan, Jack Nitzsche, Tom Waits, and others ~ Ceragioli was born in 1932
November 6, 1999 ~ Blues-rock, hard rock, rock bassist Anthony Jones passed away ~ Member of Humble Pie, present on the early 1980s elbums On To Victory and Go For The Throat ~ Jones was born in 1952
November 6, 1997 ~ Kevin Paul Godfrey, commonly known as post-punk, indie rock, alternative rock singer, percussionist, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Epic Soundtracks, passed away in London, UK ~ Brother of Nikki Sudden, his bandmate in post-punk outfit Swell Maps. Member of Crime & the City Solution and These Immortal Souls. Would focus on his solo career from the early-1990s onwards, especially acclaimed for the 1992 Rise Above album ~ Godfrey was born in 1959
November 6, 1995 ~ Country singer Faith Hill releases It Matters To Me, lifted off her sophomore album of the same name ~ Hill's 1993 debut album had spawned two Billboard Country No.1 hits, Wild One, and Piece Of My Heart. The title track of her It Matters To Me sophomore album, written by Ed Hill and Mark D Sanders, would be her third. At the time, Cash Box noted that Hill had done well with uptempo songs, but could also deliver a powerful ballad just as well. It Matters To Me would be Hill's third Billboard Country No.1. It would also be her first single to cross over to the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, where it reached No.74. Cash Box would turn out to be right, over the next few years Hill scored two massive crossover hits with ballads, This Kiss would reach No.7 Billboard Hot 100, and Breathe peaked at No.2
November 6, 1990 ~ Singer Madonna releases Justify My Love, co-written and co-produced by Lenny Kravitz ~ Originally written by Lenny Kravitz, with additional lyrics by Madonna. Kravitz also co-produced the song with André Betts. Singer, songwriter Ingrid Chavez claimed and was given co-writing credits after filing a law suit, eventually reaching an out of court settlement. The song's video flirted with images of sadomasochism, voyeurism, and bisexuality, which had the video banned from major networks including MTV. Nevertheless, Justify My Love, which drew from hip hop, dance, trip hop, and pop, reached No.1 Billboard Hot 100 and sold over a million copies within months. The track would be included on Madonna's 1990 The Immaculate Collection compilation album
November 6, 1989 ~ Richard Dorian Goodman, commonly known as producer Dickie Goodman, passed away in North Carolina, USA ~ Half of producer, songwriter duo Buchanan & Goodman with Bill Buchanan. Known for novelty records. One of the first to use the “break-ins” and mash-ups, an early precursor to sampling as evidenced on the 1956 single The Flying Saucer (Back To Earth) ~ Goodman was born in 1934
November 6, 1987 ~ Composer Jean Rivier, full name Alexis Fernand Félix Jean Rivier, passed away in La Penne-sur-Huveane, France ~ Best known for his flute compositions, though Rivier has composed over two hundred works including symphonies, chamber music, concertos, choral music, and works for solo instruments. A neo-classical composer active until his death, Rivier's music was often eclipsed by increasingly avant-garde compositions of more progressive French composers. Rivier also served as professor of composition at the Paris Conservatory, Paris, from 1948 until his retirement nearly two decades later, notable students include Gareth Walters, Pedro Ipuche Riva, and Gerd Boder ~ Rivier waws born in 1896
November 6, 1986 ~ Pianist Lili Kraus passed away in Asheville, North Carolina, USA ~ Studied with Zoltán Kodály and Béla Bartók. Earned critical international acclaim in the 1930s through her chamber music performances, often collaborating with violinist Szymon Goldberg. Regarded as a specialist in the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven ~ Kraus was born in 1903
November 6, 1985 ~ Christopher Daniels Miller, commonly known as rapper, songwriter YC, born in Decatur, Georgia, USA ~ Member of rap group the Block Boyz. As a solo artist best known for his 2011 Racks debut single featuring Future and its follow-up I Know featuring Ace Hood, both included on his I Got Racks debut album. Miller has also guested on recordings by POLO, Gorilla Zoe, the Rich Kids, Gucci Mane, and Waka Flocka Flame
November 6, 1981 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Graham Colton born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA ~ First gained attention in the early-2000s playing the bars and coffee houses in the Dallas area, quickly becoming a local favorite, scoring national tours as support act for Better Than Ezra and the Counting Crows, and releasing the 2002 indie eponymous Graham Colton album. Would release his major-label Brendan O'Brien-produced Drive debut in 2004 and has recorded to a growing and devoted fanbase since
November 6, 1976 ~ In its thirteenth week on the charts, Rock'n Me by the Steve Miller Band hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Issued as the second single off Fly Like An Eagle, Rock'n Me was warmly received by critics. Billboard described the song as “catchy and highly humorous” while Cash Box said it drew from “the best of rock & roll over the last ten years”. Rock'n Me would spend 18 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 including one week at the top spot, making it the band's second American No.1 hit after The Joker off their previous album, which had topped the charts in early 1974. Miller has acknowledged he took the intro and guitar riff from Free's All Right Now, a song he had picked up while in the UK: “Yeah, it's a tack on the wall for (Free guitarist) Paul Kossoff”
November 6, 1971 ~ In its sixteenth week on the charts, Tired Of Being Alone by Al Green peaks at No.11 Billboard Hot 100 ~ This song came to Green when he woke up early the morning after a show in Detroit, Michigan, and he completed writing it in half an hour. However, Hi-Records producer Willie Mitchell wasn't keen on Green performing his own material. Green would later recall: “I was toting my song around in my pocket for days on end, saying, ‘Hey, I got a song.’ Finally, at the end of the session, I said, ‘Well, I still got a song’.” Tired Of Being Alone would become his first hit, reaching No.7 Billboard R&B and peaking just outside the top 10 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Through the mid-1970s, Green would regularly score hits with songs he co-wrote, usually teaming up with Willie Mitchell, Al Jackson Jr or Teenie Hodges
November 6, 1971 ~ Funk outfit Sly & the Family Stone release Family Affair, lifted off their There's A Riot Goin' On album ~ The band's third and final Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit, preceded by Everyday People and Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin). The single would top the Billboard R&B charts for five weeks, and the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 for three. To this day, Family Affair stands as one of the era's best remembered funk tracks and most certainly one of its most influential, helpful in defining 1970s funk. Family Affair has been revived from time to time, with notable covers recorded by Gwen Guthrie, Shabba Ranks, Iggy Pop, Michael Franti, Steve Winwood, and Paul Weller. Its drum machine-created rhythm would also be duplicated in several 1970s tracks, including You Haven't Done Nothin' by Stevie Wonder
November 6, 1970 ~ Drummer Matt Johnson born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Best known for his association with singer Jeff Buckley, including on the album Grace. Co-wrote Buckley's Dream Brother. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with 2009 Cagefighter, and collaborated with the likes of Starflyer '59, Duncan Sheik, Elysian Fields, Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright, Gabriel Kahane, Dean Wareham, Britta Phillips, Beth Orton, and others
November 6, 1967 ~ Singer Bob Dylan records All Along The Watchtower at Columbia Studio A, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Self-penned. Produced by Bob Johnston. Included on the 1967 John Wesley Harding album. Covered by numerous artists, yet most closely associated with Jimi Hendrix who covered the track for his Electric Ladyland album. Dylan's live performances have been influenced by the Hendrix-version to the point that some have called them covers of a cover
November 6, 1966 ~ Keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, percussionist, singer Brad Laner born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Founder and frontman of noise pop, shoegaze outfit Medicine, known best for their cameo appearance in the 1994 film The Crow performing Time Baby II. The soundtrack album would feature another version of the song, the Cocteau Twins-singer Elizabeth Fraser providing guest vocals. Previously Laner had worked with acts such as Debt of Nature, the Steaming Coils and perhaps most notably post-punk outfit Savage Republic. Laner has also recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with a host of acts including Earth Dies Burning, Electric Company, Lusk, North Valley Subconscious Orchestra, and Internal Tulips
November 6, 1966 ~ Rock, hard rock, blues rock, power pop guitarist, songwriter Paul Gilbert, full name Paul Brandon Gilbert, born in Carbondale, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by Todd Rundgren, Cheap Trick, the Beatles. Co-founding member of Racer X. Co-founding member of Mr Big, best known for the Billboard Hot 100 charttopper To Be With You of their 1991 Lean Into It sophomore album. Well over a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with King Of Clubs released in 1998. Has also worked with Black Sheep, Darrell Mansfield, Jeff Berlin, Joey Tafolla, Carmine Appice, Pat Torpey, Neal Morse, and others
November 6, 1966 ~ Robert Clifford Brown, commonly known as blues singer, washboard player Washboard Sam, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Rumored to be the half-brother of Big Bill Broonzy, with whom he has also collaborated. Has also worked with Sleepy John Estes, Hammie Nixon, Memphis Slim, Tampa Red, Bukka White, Willie Lacey, Jazz Gillum. and others. Ventured out on his own by the mid-1930s, recording some 160 tracks through the 1940s becoming one of the most popular Chicago musicians. Well known recordings include Diggin' my Potatoes, Morning Dove Blues, Jumpin' Rooster and bucket's Got A Hole In It ~ Brown was born ca.1910
November 6, 1965 ~ Composer Edgard Varèse, full name Edgard Victor Achille Charles Varèse, passed away ~ Dubbed by some as “the Father of Electronic Music” with a relatively small catalogue yet recognised as a major influence by major late 20th century composers including Milton Babbitt, Olivier Messiaen, John Cage, Morton Feldman, Pierre Boulez, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Iannis Xenakis, Frank Zappa, John Zorn, and others. Varese founded the International Composers Guild in 1921 and Pan-American Association Of Composers in 1926 ~ Varèse was born in 1883
November 6, 1964 ~ Harry Sisk, commonly known as bluegrass singer, guitarist Junior Sisk, born in Arlington, Virginia, USA ~ Influenced by the Stanley Brothers. First gained attention in the early-1990s writing A Game I Can't Win, My Heart Belongs To You and Tears Are Blinding Me, all recorded by the Lonesome River Band. Best known for co-founding Rambler's Choice in the late-1990s. Has also worked with Wyatt Rice, Santa Cruz, Joe Mullins, Mac Wiseman, and others
November 6, 1961 ~ Rock, hard rock guitarist Craig Goldy born in San Diego, California, USA ~ Best known as member of Dio and of Giuffria, including on the band's biggest hit Call To The Heart. Co-write Lady Luck of David Lee Roth's 1991 A Little Ain't Enough album. Has recorded as a solo artist, starting with Insufficient Therapy released in 1993, and collaborated with acts such as Rough Cutt, Budgie, Mark Huff, Uli Jon Roth, Vinnie Moore, Ressurection Kings, Dream Child, and others
November 6, 1961 ~ Pop singer, songwriter Florent Pagny born in Chalon-sur-Saône, France ~ First gained attention as an actor for film and TV. Well over a dozen albums to his name as a singer, starting with Merci released in 1990. Known best for songs such as N'Importe Quoi, Savoir Aimer and Ma Liberté De Penser, all of which would top the charts in his native France
November 6, 1961 ~ In its sixth week on the charts, Big Bad John by Jimmy Dean hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Penned and first recorded by Jimmy Dean, the mostly spoken-word song tells of a quiet miner nicknamed “Big John” for his imposing physique, who one day becomes a folk hero when his action saves the lives of 20 men. Reportedly, John had fled New Orleans after killing a man in a fight over a Cajun queen. As a miner though, he saves the lives of his co-workers when a support timber cracks and by pure physical strength he holds up the mine giving his co-workers the chance to escape. Just as his co-workers are about to re-enter with the tools necessary to save him, the mine fully collapses. The mine is never reopened but a marble stand is placed in front, honoring the man who “lies at the bottom of this mine”. Big Bad John would hold the No.1 spot on the pop charts for five weeks, win Dean a Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording, and has since regularly been cited as one of the best country songs of the 1960s. Within a month of it's original release, singer Dottie West issued her answer song My Big John, which is told from the perspective of the Cajun queen that drove John away, her search for him, and discovering about his death
November 6, 1961 ~ Richard James Reginald Steven Smith, commonly known as singer, songwriter Ricky Wilde, born ~ Brother of singer Kim Wilde, son of singer, actor Marty Wilde. Mentored by producer Jonathan King, who aimed to launch Wilde in the early-1970s as a teen idol and the UK's answer to Donny Osmond. Perhaps best known for his 1972 debut single I Am An Astronaut, notably covered by Snow Patrol in 2006
November 6, 1958 ~ Singer Connie Francis records My Happiness at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California ~ Written by Betty Peterson Blasco and Borney Bergantine. Produced by Morton Craft and Jesse Kaye. Previously a hit for Jon & Sondra Steele, the Pied Pipers and for Ella Fitzgerald. One of Francis' favorite songs as a child, Francis version would be released as a single b/w Never Before it would reach No.2 on the pop charts, trailing behind the Platters' Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
November 6, 1949 ~ Trumpeter, pianist, composer Arturo Sandoval born in Artemisa, Cuba ~ Influenced by Charlie Parker, Clifford Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, the latter at some point becoming a collaborator and mentor of Sandoval's. Has also worked with Paquito d'Rivera, Tito Puente, Chico O'Farrill, GRP All-Star Band, Zane Musa, Dave Siegel, Teymour Phel, Johnny Friday, Armando Ance, Pharrell Williams, Ariana Grande, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Pittsburgh Symphony, Gloria Estefan, Dave Grusin, Ed Calle, Dave Valentin, Regina Belle, Frank Sinatra, James Moody, Irakere, Candy Dulfer, Beenie Man, Tony Bennett, Dr John, and Kurt Elling
November 6, 1949 ~ Benjamin Joe Houston, commonly known as Chicago blues guitarist, singer Boston Blackie, born in Panola, Alabama, USA ~ Known for his raw, hard-edged style. Influenced by Magic Sam, Otis Rush, Elmore James, Little Milton, Bobby Blue Bland. Worked with Sweetman & the Sugar Boys, Johnny B Moore, Lee Shot Williams, Freddie King, Kansas City Red, Hubert Sumlin, Homesick James, Jimmy Dawkins, Little Walter, Eddie Shaw. Shot and killed by blues singer Tail Dragger Jones in a heated dispute over payment, Jones claimed self-defense but would be convicted for second-degree murder and served 17 months in prison ~ Houston passed away in 1993
November 6, 1948 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist Glenn Frey, full name Glenn Lewis Frey, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Formed the duo Longbranch Pennywhistle with JD Souther, known for their sole eponymous 1969 Longbranch Pennywhistle album. Frey would rise to fame as co-lead singer of the Eagles alongside Don Henley. Frey co-wrote a vast amount of the band's best known, at times with old pal Souther, and sang lead on songs such as Take It Easy, Peaceful Easy Feeling, Tequila Sunrise, Already Gone, Lyin' Eyes, New Kid In Town, and Heartache Tonight. After the band disbanded in 1980, Frey ventured out on his own, starting with his No Fun Aloud solo debut album in 1982. As a solo artist, Frey is known for hits such as The One You Love, The Heat Is On, and You Belong To The City, the latter two both peaking at No.2 Billboard Hot 100. Frey has also occasionally acted in films and TV series ~ Frey passed away in 2016
November 6, 1947 ~ Rock guitarist, songwriter, producer George Young, full name George Redburn Young, born in Bridgeton, UK ~ Founding member of the Easybeats, known for the 1967 hit Friday On My Mind. Founding member of Flash & the Pan, known for the 1976 hit Hey St Peter. As a producer and songwriter regularly collaborated with Harry Vanda, working with acts such as the Malcolm Hook Roll Band, John Paul Young (Love Is In The Air), Rose Tattoo and notably producing a vast amount of AC/DC's early work, the band including Young's brothers Angus Young and Malcolm Young ~ Young passed away in 2017
November 6, 1947 ~ Country singer Hank Williams records I'm A Long Gone Daddy at Castle Studio, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Written by Williams. Produced by Fred Rose. Released as a single the following February paired with Blues Come Around on the flip side. Recorded during the same session: I Can't Get You Off Of My Mind and Rootie Tootie
November 6, 1941 ~ Rock, country, blues, tejano singer, guitarist, mandolinist, dobroist, keyboardist, percussionist Doug Sahm, full name Douglas Wayne Sahm, born in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Leading figure in Tex-mex music. Fronted the critically acclaimed Sir Douglas Quintet, known for the 1965 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit She's About A Mover. The band would open for the Beatles and the Beach Boys. Sahm would record throughout the 1970s to mixed reviews and commercial disappointment yet remain popular in the Texas scene. Co-founded the Texas Tornados in the late-1980s with Augie Meyers, Freddy Fender and Flaco Jiménez ~ Sahm passed away in 1999
November 6, 1941 ~ Singer, songwriter Guy Clark born in Monahans, Texas, USA ~ Singer, songwriter with over 20 albums to his name. Helped define Americana. Highly admired by peers. Known for songs such as LA Freeway, Waiting For A Train, and Homegrown Tomatoes. Had his songs recorded by Jerry Jeff Walker, Jimmy Buffett, Lyle Lovett, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Wariner, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Bobby Bare, Ricky Skaggs (Heartbroke), John Conlee, Asleep At The Wheel, Brad Paisley and Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, and by Willie Nelson. ~ Clark passed away in 2016
November 6, 1932 ~ Country singer, guitarist Stonewall Jackson born in Tabor City, North Carolina, USA ~ Popular 1950s honky-tonk, country singer. Broke through in 1958 with Life To Go, penned by George Jones. Also known for songs such as Waterloo, Why I'm Walkin', A Wound Time Can't Erase, Leona, BJ The DJ, Don't Be Angry and Stamp Out Loneliness, all of which reached top 10 Billboard Country ~ Jackson passed away in 2021
November 6, 1925 ~ Operatic tenor singer Gerald English, full name Gerald Alfred English, born ~ Premiered works by Igor Stravinsky, Hans Werner Henze, Benjamin Britten, Michael Tippett, and Andrew Ford. Worked with Ernest Ansermet, Ralph Vaughan Williams, John Barbirolli, Thomas Beecham, the Royal Opera, La Scala, the Deller Consort, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra ~ English passed away in 2019
November 6, 1916 ~ Bandleader, composer, arranger Ray Conniff, full name Joseph Raymond Conniff, born in Attleboro, Massachusetts, USA ~ Formed and led the Ray Conniff Singers best known for their 1966 hit Somewhere My Love. Also worked with Rosemary Clooney, Marty Robbins (hanging tree), Frankie Laine, Johnny Mathis (Chances Are), Guy Mitchell, Johnnie Ray (Just Walking In The Rain), Tony Bennett, Eileen Rodgers, Don Cherry, and Billy Butterfield ~ Conniff passed away in 2002
November 6, 1912 ~ William Little, commonly known as jazz trumpeter, bandleader King Kolax born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Active from the 1930s onwards. Played with Billy Eckstine, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Sonny Parker, JT Brown, Joe Williams, Danny Overbra, Mabel Scott, Rudy Greene, Earl Pugh, Brooks & Brown, Clyde Williams, Harvey Ellington, Wilbur White, the Chanteurs, Jerry Butler, McKinley Mitchell, Otis Rush, the Vondells, and others ~ Little passed away in 1991
November 6, 1908 ~ Country bassist Ernie Newton, full name Ernest F Newton, born in Hartford, Connecticut, USA ~ Orphaned at age 5. Started working in minstrel shows and radio orchestras in his teens. Closely associated with Fred Waring, Les Paul and Red Foley early on in his career. Would go on to become an in-demand session musician appearing on numerous classic country tracks including I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry and Lost Highway (Hank Williams), Making Believe (Kitty Wells), There Stands The Glass (Webb Pierce), i Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know (the Davis Sisters), Blue Moon Of Kentucky (Bill Monroe), and Man Of Constant Sorrow (the Stanley Brothers) ~ Newton passed away in 1976
November 6, 1886 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Gus Kahn, full name Gustave Gerson Kahn, born in Koblenz, Germany ~ Songwriting partner of Richard Whiting, Walter Donaldson, Ira Gershwin, Ted Fio Rito, George Gershwin, and Nacio Herb Brown. Songs co-written by Kahn include Who Wants Love (Billie Holiday), Dream A Little Dream Of Me (Ozzie Nelson, Dinah Shore, Patti Page, the Mamas & the Papas), Love Me Or Leave Me (Ruth Etting, Perry Como, Peggy Lee, Nina Simone), I'll See You In My Dreams (Isham Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Pat Boone, the Platters), and It Had To Be You (the Ambassadors, Betty Hutton, Eddy Arnold, Ray Charles) ~ Kahn passed away in 1941
November 6, 1883 ~ Richard Cecil McPherson, commonly known as songwriter Cecil Mack born in Norfolk, Virginia, USA ~ Wrote, co-wrote songs such as Charleston (Elisabeth Welch, Louis Prima, Jean Goldkette), He's A Cousin Of Mine (Maria Cahill, Clarice Vance, Sam Cooke), Old Fashioned Love (Adelaide Hall, Bob Wills, Lena Horne), and You're In The Right Church But The Wrong Pew (Bert Williams) ~ McPherson passed away in 1944