October 1, 1997 ~ Singer, actor Sam Verlinden, full name Samuel James Verlinden, born in Auckland, New Zealand ~ Best known for his 2016 I Just Wanna Love U hit
October 1, 1983 ~ indie rock, indie folk singer, songwriter Jason Ward born in Annapolis, Maryland, USA ~ Released his full-length Almighty Row debut album in 2009. Best known for songs such as Bless You, Here's Looking At You (From Behind) and Dark In Here
October 1, 1978 ~ Alternative dance, electronic singer, guitarist, songwriter Dicky Moore born in Essex, UK ~ Member of Scritti Politti since 2005. Leads Bearcraft mixing folk with electronic music. Also composes for TV and film
October 1, 1974 ~ Singer Keith Duffy, full name Keith Peter Thomas Francis Julian John Duffy, born in Donaghmede, Ireland ~ Original member of 1990s boy band Boyzone, known for hits such as Love Me For A Reason, Key To My Life, Father And Son, Words, Isn't It A Wonder, Baby Can I Hold You, All That I Need, I Love The Way You Love Me, You Needed Me and Every Day I Love You, all of which reached top 10 in both England and the band's native Ireland
October 1, 1971 ~ Pop, rock drummer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, mandolinist, singer Nigel Powell born in Bromley, UK ~ While in school a member of Illiterate Hands, which included future Radiohead-guitarist Jonny Greenwood as well as Thom Yorke's brother Andy Yorke. Powell would go on to play with the Sleeping Souls, Frank Turner's backing band. Has also worked with Dive Dive, the Unbelievable Truth, and produced a number of Belgian singer Milow's early singles
October 1, 1970 ~ Roland Ephraim McLean, commonly known as reggae singer Yami Bolo, born in Jamaica ~ Active since the mid-1980s, working with producers such as Sugar Minott and Augustus Pablo. Known for songs such as Struggle In Babylon, Diamonds and Bloody Coltan
October 1, 1969 ~ Jazz bassist, keyboardist Joseph Patrick Moore born in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA ~ Leader and sideman. As a bassist influenced by Paul Chambers, Jimmy Blanton, Ray Brown and Ron Carter. Released his Never Never Land debut album in 1997. Two albums later he would co-found Blue Canoe Records, the internet's first all digital independent jazz label. Over the years Moore has collaborated with Earl Klugh, Bob James, Chris Duarte, Jimmy Herring, Jeff Sipe, Andrew Carlton, and others
October 1, 1969 ~ Saxophonist, songwriter Ori Kaplan born in Tel Aviv, Israel ~ Co-founding member of Balkan Beat Box. Has also worked with Tom Abbs, Firewater, Gogol Bordello, and others
October 1, 1968 ~ Alternative rock, rock singer, guitarist, pianist Kevin Griffin, full name Kevin Michael Griffin, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of Better Than Ezra, known for songs such as Good, In The Blood, Desperately Wanting, Extra Ordinary, A Lifetime and Juicy
October 1, 1961 ~ Stefano Rota, commonly known as singer, keyboardist, songwriter Michael Righeira, born in Turin, Italy ~ Formed the duo Righeira with Johnson Righeira, known best for Vamos A La Playa of their 1983 eponymous Righeira debut album. The single would reach top 10 across Europe and to this day is still regarded as one of the classic Italo disco recordings. Both the 1985 non-album single L'Estate Sta Finendo and Innamoratissimo of their 1986 Bambini Forever would also reach top 10 in their native Italy
October 1, 1958 ~ Hector Pedro Juan Bosio, commonly known as alternative rock, new wave, pop-rock, post-punk, electronic bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, DJ, singer Zeta Bosio, born in San Fernando, Argentina ~ Formed pioneering Latin rock band Soda Stereo with Gustavo Cerati and Charly Alberti. Influenced by the Beatles, the Police, the Cure, Television, Elvis Costello, Squeeze, Pink Floyd and Queen, the band would become the best-selling rock band in Argentina with some 25 million records sold. Well known songs include Zoom, Cuando Pase El Temblor, En La Ciudad De La Furia, Persiana America and De Musica Ligera
October 1, 1956 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Michael Saxell born in Ystad, Sweden ~ Over half a dozen albums to his name as a singer, songwriter, starting in the early 1980s. In-demand songwriter, wrote or co-wrote songs such as Repo Man (Bachman & Turner), Back Of A Map Of The Moon (Terry Jacks), Johnny G (The Guidetti Song) (Badpojken), and If I Were Sorry (Frans Jeppsson Wall)
October 1, 1955 ~ Double bassist, composer, producer Curtis Lundy born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Best known for backing singer Betty Carter. Has also worked with John Hicks, Bobby Watson, Steve Nelson, Johnny Griffin, Frank Morgan, Pharoah Sanders, Bobby Watson, and others
October 1, 1955 ~ R&B, soul, pop singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter Howard Hewett born in Akron, Ohio, USA ~ Rose to fame as lead singer of Shalamar from 1979 through 1985, present on songs such as The Second Time Around, Right In The Socket, Full Of Fire, Make That Move, This Is For The Lover In You, A Night To Remember, Dead Giveaway and Dancing In The Sheets. Following his departure from the group Hewett has recorded as a solo artist, notably I'm For Real, Stay and Strange Relationship, all of which reached Billboard R&B top 10
October 1, 1955 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Morten Gunnar Larsen born in Oslo, Norway ~ Founded the Ophelia Ragtime Orchestra. Also worked with Eubie Blake
October 1, 1953 ~ Guitarist Glenn Jones born in Spokane, Washington, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member of experimental rock group Cul De Sac with Robin Amos. Had previously played with Amos as a member of Shut Up
October 1, 1953 ~ Lawrence Horton, commonly known as R&B, jazz, funk, rock drummer Yogi Horton, born ~ In-demand touring and session musician. First appeared on Dave Baby Cortez' 1972 Soul Vibration album. Has also worked with Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, John Lennon, Ashford & Simpson, David Byrne, Debbie Harry, Hall & Oates, Diana Ross, Kenny G, the B52's, Jean-Michel Jarre, Lonnie Liston Smith, Gloria Gaynor, George Benson, Ben E King, Stephanie Mills, and others ~ Horton passed away in 1987
October 1, 1952 ~ Jazz reedist, bandleader Claude Tissendier born in Toulouse, France ~ Worked with Claude Bolling, Omicar, Gerald Badini, Jean Loup Longnin, Francois Laudet, Saxomania, Benny Carter, Guy Lafitte, Spike Robinson, Clark Terry, Phil Woods, and others
October 1, 1951 ~ Guitarist, singer Brian Greenway, full name Brian Gilbert Greenway, born in Hawkesbury, Canada ~ Best known as member of April Wine, Mashmakhan and th' Dudes. Also recorded as a solo artist, notably the album Serious Business released in 1988
October 1, 1950 ~ Bassist Mark Helias born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA ~ Over a dozen albums as leader or co-leader. Noted especially for his work with avant-funk outfit the Slickaphonics and with the trio BassDrumBone which also include trombonist Ray Henderson and percussionist Gerry Hemingway. Has also collaborated with Anthony Davis, Dewey Redman, Jerome Harris (Algorithms), Bobby Previte, Ivo Perelman (Man Of The Forest), Regina Carter, John Zorn, Marty Ehrlich, Open Loose, Von Freeman, Jane Ira Bloom, and others
October 1, 1949 ~ Pop rock drummer Emlyn Crowther, full name Paul Emlyn Crowther, born in Dunedin, New Zealand ~ Best known as drummer for Split Enz from 1974 through 1976, succeeded by Malcolm Green. Present on the albums Mental Notes and Second Thoughts
October 1, 1948 ~ Michael Koda, commonly known as singer, songwriter Cub Koda, born ~ Best known as founding member Brownsville Station and author of Smokin' In The Boys Room, a Billboard top 10 hit in 1973 ~ Koda passed away in 2000
October 1, 1947 ~ Rock singer, actress, comedian Jane Dornacker, full name Jane Carroll Dornacker, born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA ~ Fronted Leila & the Snakes, known for songs such as Rock & Roll Weirdos and Pyramid Power. Also worked with the Tubes, serving as the band's touring backing singer and dancer and co-writing Don't Touch Me There ~ Dornacker passed away in 1986
October 1, 1947 ~ Singer Mariska Veres born in The Hague, the Netherlands ~ Best known as lead singer of Shocking Blue, joining the band in 1968 as replacement for Fred de Wilde, and present on hits such as Send Me A Postcard, Never Marry A Railroad Man and their best-known Venus. The latter would reach No.1 in numerous countries, including topping the American Billboard Hot 100, and be notably covered by Bananarama in 1986 ~ Veres passed away in 2006
October 1, 1947 ~ Rock, progressive rock bassist, singer Martin Turner, full name Martin Robert Turner, born in Torquay, UK ~ Best known as singer, bassist, founding member of Wishbone Ash, staying with the band from its inception in 1969 until 1980, replaced by John Wetton. Turner rejoined in 1987
October 1, 1946 ~ Bassist Dave Holland born in Wolverhampton, UK ~ Quit school at age 15 to play in a Top 40 band but soon turned to jazz. Influenced by Ray Brown, Charles Mingus, Jimmy Garrison. Played with a host of jazz's finest including on three quintessential Miles Davis jazz fusion albums, namely Filles de Kilimanjaro, In A Silent Way and Bitches Brew. Holland would spend the remainder of the 1970s honing his skills, playing with topnotch artists and putting out string of critically acclaimed albums as a leader. Holland has played and recorded with John McLaughlin, Chick Corea, Paul Rutherford, Derek Bailey, Terence Blanchard, Anthony Braxton, Michael Brecker, Vassar Clements, Eric Kloss, Steve Coleman, Joe Henderson, Herbie Hancock, Lee Konitz, Pat Metheny, Kenny Wheeler, and others
October 1, 1946 ~ Pauline Anna Strom, commonly known as keyboardist, electronic composer the Trans-Milennia Consort, born ~ Released her eponymous The Trans-Millenia Consort debut album in 1982. Strom said she translated visual ideas into sound, mapping an inner world of imagined pasts, possible futures and alternate realities. Retired from music by the late 1980s to focus on building a spiritual healing practice. A collection of shelved tapes would be bundled into the 2017 Trans-Millenia Music album, rekindling interest in her music. Strom was working on new material at the time of her unexpected death, the project posthumously released as Angel Tears In Sunlight in 2021 ~ Strom passed away in 2020
October 1, 1945 ~ R&B, soul, gospel, jazz singer Donny Hathaway, full name Donny Edward Hathaway, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Soul legend influential on Alicia Keys, Aaliyah, Common, George Benson, Justin Timberlake, Amy Winehouse. Known for songs such as The Ghetto (Part 1), This Christmas, Someday We'll All Be Free, Little Ghetto Boy, A Song For You and For All We Know. Has duetted with Roberta Flack, notably on Where Is The Love and The Closer I Get To You. Session singer, later producer, worked with the Staple Singers, Jerry Butler, Aretha Franklin, the Impressions, Curtis Mayfield, and others ~ Hathaway passed away in 1979
October 1, 1945 ~ Singer, guitarist, slide guitarist, pianist, songwriter Ellen McIlwaine born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Founded the late 1960s psychedelic blues-rock band Fear Itself, known for their sole eponymous Fear Itself album released in 1969. Debuted as a solo artist with the 1972 Honky Tonk Angel album and has recorded to a devoted fanbase since. Known for songs such as I Don't Want To Play, The Secret In This Lady's Heart and a slide guitar cover of Stevie Wonder's Higher Ground ~ McIlwaine passed away in 2021
October 1, 1944 ~ Singer Barbara Parritt born in Wilmington, North Carolina, USA ~ One third of R&B girl group the Toys alongside June Montiero and lead singer Barbara Harris, known for their 1965 hit recording A Lover's Concerto which reached the top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. Its follow-up, 1966's The Attack featured in the beach movie It's A Bikini World, would also reach the Billboard Hot 100 top 20
October 1, 1944 ~ Danièle Graule, commonly known as actress, singer Dani, born in Castres, France ~ Best known for her 1968 hit Papa Vient D'Epouser La Bonne and her 1974 hit La Vie A 25 Ans. She would also record the latter in English, titled That Old Familiar Feeling, with lyrics written by Lynsey de Paul
October 1, 1943 ~ Singer, songwriter Don Sanders born ~ Sometimes described as “folk humorist&tdquo for his witty songwriting. Enjoyed some popularity in the 1960s and 1970s on the Houston folk scene, associating with artists such as Jerry Jeff Walker, Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt and with Lyle Lovett, yet never broke through nationally. Would focus on work as a radio DJ and teacher by the end of the 1970s, providing a more stable income, yet continued to record well into the 2000s ~ Sanders passed away in 2018
October 1, 1943 ~ Saxophonist Jerry Martini born in Boulder, Colorado, USA ~ Key member of Sly & the Family Stone, staying with the band from its inception in 1967 until its disbandement in 1976, known for hits such as Dance To The Music, Everyday People and Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin. Also worked with Joe Piazza & the Continentals, Graham Central Station and Rubicon
October 1, 1942 ~ Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist Wendell Harrison born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Worked with Grant Green, Big Maybelle, Chuck Jackson, Sun Ra, Howard Johnson, Marcus Belgrave, Jimmy Owens, Hank Crawford, Phil Ranelin, Doug Hammond, Kenny Cox, Charles Moore, David Durrah, Ron Brooks, William Odell Hghes, John Arnold, Sean Blackman, Proof, and others
October 1, 1941 ~ Pianist, composer Lamont Johnson born in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Jackie McLean, Ornette Coleman, Kenny Burrell, Bud Shank, Paul Beaver, Bernie Krause, George Benson, Hank Mobley, and others ~ Johnson passed away in 1999
October 1, 1934 ~ Producer, songwriter Geoff Stephens born in London, UK ~ Discovered and managed Donovan and co-produced his 1965 What's Bin Did And What's Bin Hid debut album. As a songwriter known for writing or co-writing a number of 1960s, 1970s classics including Tell Me When for the Applejacks, Crying Game for Dave Berry, Winchester Cathedral and There's A Kind Of Hush for the New Vaudeville Band, Sorry Suzanne for the Hollies, Daughter Of Darkness for Tom Jones, Silver Lady for David Soul and You Won't Find Another Fool Like Me for the New Seekers ~ Stephens passed away in 2020
October 1, 1932 ~ Blues guitarist, singer Albert Collins, full name Albert Gene Collins, born in Leona, Texas, USA ~ Cousin of Lightnin' Hopkins, who introduced him to the guitar. Dubbed “the Master of the Telecaster”, Collins helped shape the legacy of T-Bone Walker into a straight-forward, modern blues template. Influentual on guitar-driven acts such as Canned Heat, Gary Moore, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Well over a dozen albums to his name, especially acclaimed for 1965's The Cool Sound Of Albert Collins and 1978's Ice Pickin'. To younger blues audiences known for the 1985 Showdown collaborative album with Robert Cray and Johnny Copeland, which earned the trio a Grammy Award ~ Collins passed away in 1993
October 1, 1930 ~ Singer, actor, songwriter Richard Harris born in Limerick, Ireland ~ Best known as an actor for stage and film, Harris nevertheless recorded about a dozen albums as a singer. Best known to pop audiences for first recording the Jimmy Webb-penned Macarthur Park, originally intended for the Association. Harris would reach top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic in 1968. In later years both country singer Waylon Jennings and R&B, disco singer Donna Summer would each score a hit with it ~ Harris passed away in 2002
October 1, 1929 ~ Bonnie Campbell, commonly known as country singer Bonnie Owens, born in Blanchard, Oklahoma, USA ~ Married to Buck Owens, later to Merle Haggard. Revered singer known for a number of 1960s country recordings including Why Don't Daddy Live Here Anymore, Don't Take Advantage Of Me, and Just Between The Two Of Us, the latter a duet with then still future husband Haggard ~ Campbell passed away in 2006
October 1, 1929 ~ Country lyricist, promoter Paul Gilley, full name Herbert Paul Gilley born in Maytown, Kentucky, USA ~ Though records are unclear and sometimes disputed lyrics to a number of quintessential country songs are attributed to Gilley, including Ray Price's Crazy Arms and two of Hank Williams' best-known, namely Cold Cold Heart and I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. Gilley reportedly once remarked it's not too bad being uncredited, since “you get paid for the lyrics, sometimes well paid.” ~ Gilley passed away in 1957
October 1, 1926 ~ Jazz trombonist, composer Andre Paquinet born in Arcueil, France ~ Son of jazz trombonist Guy Paquinet, in whose band he played. Also worked with Tony Proteau, Jacques Hélian, Claude Bolling, Michel Legrand, Fred Gerard, Benny Vasseur, Dany Doris, André Hodeir, Francois Guin, Jean-Claude Naude, Roy Eldridge, Slide Hampton, Ivan Jullien, and Paul Kuntz
October 1, 1926 ~ Ragtime pianist, composer, actor, author, radio and TV presenter Max Morath born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA ~ Dubbed “Mr Ragtime” for his extensive studies of ragtime and role in bringing early Americana to a younger and wider audience, and particularly helpful in the ragtime revival of the 1970s. Devotee of specifically Eubie Blake and Scott Joplin. Recorded well over two dozen albums from the 1950s onwards. Became well-known for his role in Ragtime Era, a series of 26 TV programs for PBS aired from 1959 through 1961. Has toured with number of theater shows, notably the acclaimed 1969 one-man show At The Turn Of The Century. Morath would continue to record and perform well into the 2000s. Authored or co-authored a number of books on ragtime music ~ Morath passed away in 2023
October 1, 1925 ~ Producer, label executive Harry Balk born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Discovered acts such as Little Willie John, Johnny & the Hurricanes, Rodriguez. Co-produced Del Shannon's Runaway. Noted for pushing Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, a career-changing and era-defining song disliked by Motown head Berry Gordy Jr but released partly thanks to Balk's insistence. Also pivotal to the career of Rare Earth ~ Balk passed away in 2016
October 1, 1924 ~ Louis Jacob Weertz, commonly known as pianist Roger Williams, born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Member of Brass Monkey. Majored in piano but reportedly expelled for playing Smoke Gets In Your Eyes in the practice room instead of classical music. Known for songs such as Almost Paradise, Till, Near You, Born Free, and Autumn Leaves. The latter stands as the only piano instrumental since 1955 to top the Billboard charts ~ Weertz passed away in 2011
October 1, 1918 ~ Jessie Mae Booker, commonly known as R&B, pop songwriter Jessie Mae Robinson, born in Call, Texas, USA ~ One of the first black songwriters to break the colour barrier. Wrote or co-wrote numerous 1940s, 1950s hits recorded by artists such as Charles Brown (Black Night), Eddie Cleanhead Vinson (Cleanhead Blues, Old Maid Boogie), Amos Milburn (Tears Tears Tears), Patti Page (I Went To Your Wedding), Elvis Presley (Let's Have A Party), and Jo Stafford (Keep It A Secret) ~ Booker passed away in 1966
October 1, 1915 ~ Enos William McDonald, commonly known as country, honky-tonk, rockabilly singer, guitarist, songwriter Skeets McDonald, born in Greenway, Arkansas, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity during the 1950s and 1960s. Honky-tonker bridged the gap between country and rock & roll. Perhaps best known for Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes, a Billboard Country charttopper in 1952. Subsequent hits include This Old Heart, Call Me Mr Brown and Mabel ~ McDonald passed away in 1968
October 1, 1913 ~ Jazz violinist Harry Lookofsky born in Paducah, Kentucky, USA ~ Worked in both classical music, noted specifically for his tenure with the NBC Symphony Orchestra under the direction of conductor Arturo Toscanini, and in jazz, regarded as one of bebop's earliest and most accomplished violinists. Critically especially acclaimed for his 1959 Stringsville album, bridging the gap between classical and jazz. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Coleman Hawkins, Lena Horne (Stormy Weather), Chris Connor, Ray Charles (The Genius of Ray Charles), Blue Mitchell, Freddie Hubbard, Sarah Vaughan, Wes Montgomery (Bumpin'), Blood Sweat & Tears (Child Is Father To The Man), Antônio Carlos Jobim, Roberta Flack (Chapter Two), Hank Crawford, Bette Midler (The Divine Miss M), and Grover Washington Jr. To pop audiences Lookofsky is also known for co-producing Walk Away Renee, a 1968 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit for his son Michael Brown's band the Left Banke ~ Lookofsky passed away in 1998
October 1, 1912 ~ Songwriter, pianist Sol Marcus born in New York, New York, USA ~ Frequent songwriting collaborator of Bennie Benjamin, Eddie Seiler, Guy Wood. Songs co-written by Marcus include Till Then (the Mills Brothers, Ray Peterson, Sammy Davis Jr), Ask Anyone Who Knows (the Ink Spots), Fabulous Character (Sarah Vaughan), Lonely Man and Anyone Could Fall In Love With You (Elvis Presley), Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (Nina Simone, the Animals, Elvis Costello), Forever My Darling (the Crew Cuts), I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire (Harlan Leonard, the Charioteers, Vera Lynn), and You're All I Want For Christmas (Brook Benton) ~ Marcus passed away in 1976
October 1, 1904 ~ Pianist Terry Shand, full name Terence Alister Shand born in Uvalde, Texas, USA ~ Worked with Jack Teagarden, Wingy Manone, Muggsy Spanier, Freddy Martin. Also known as a songwriter. Co-wrote Dance With A Dolly With A Hole In Her Stocking first recorded by Tony Pastor. Co-wrote I'm Gonna Lock My Heart And Throw Away The Key, recorded by Billie Holiday ~ Shand passed away in 1977
October 1, 1903 ~ Classical pianist, composer Vladimir Horowitz, full name Vladimir Samoyiovich Horowitz, born in Kyiv, Russian Empire ~ 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 passed away in 1989