October 12, 2023 ~ Michael Cooper, commonly known as reggae keyboardist, guitarist Michael Ibo Cooper, passed away ~ Member of Jamaican pop outfit Inner Circle. Co-founding member of reggae unit Third World, with whom he recorded well over half a dozen albums. The band is best known for Now That We Found Love and Try Jah Love, both of which remain radio staples across Europe to this day. Cooper also appears on albums by the Abyssinians, Burning Spear (Social Living), Buju Banton, Beenie Man, and Beres Hammond ~ Cooper was born in 1952
October 12, 2021 ~ Piper, bodhran player Paddy Moloney passed away in Dublin, Ireland ~ Leader of the Chieftains, which he co-founded in 1962 with Seán Potts and Michael Tubridy. The band has recorded over 40 albums, all of which featuring Moloney, and is especially known for their vast work of collaborations including with artists such as Elvis Costello, Ry Cooder, Rosanne Cash, Béla Fleck, James Galway, Art Garfunkel, Mark Knopfler, Emmylou Harris, and Mick Jagger ~ Moloney was born in 1938
October 12, 2019 ~ Bassist, singer George Chambers passed away ~ Member of psychedelic soul band the Chamber Brothers, known for incorporating elements of traditional gospel and blues, psychedelica and rock into soul. The band, which also includes his siblings guitarist Joe Chambers and harmonica player Lester Chambers, has recorded half a dozen albums and is best known for their 1968 eleven-minute single Time Has Come Today, which reached No.11 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Chambers was born in 1931
October 12, 2019 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, arranger Milcho Leviev passed away in Thessaloniki, Greece ~ First gained serious attention in the 1960s as conductor with Bulgarian National Radio ensembles. As a composer known for works such as Studia, Blues In 9 and Anti-waltz. Has worked with the Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra, Don Ellis, Billy Cobham, Lainie Kazan, John Klemmer, Art Pepper, and Roy Haynes ~ Leviev was born in 1937
October 12, 2016 ~ Singer, songwriter Robert Bateman passed away ~ Founding member of 1950s R&B outfit the Satintones. Best known as a songwriter, co-writing and producing the Marvelettes' Please Mr Postman which would become Motown's first Billboard No.1 hit. Also co-wrote If You Need Me, first recorded by Wilson Pickett and notably covered by Solomon Burke as well as by the Rolling Stones ~ Bateman was born in 1936
October 12, 2016 ~ William Nelson Sanders, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer Sonny Sanders, passed away ~ Formed the Satintones, the first vocal group to be signed to Motown, in 1957 which also featured Robert Bateman, James Ellis, and Sammy Mack. Also sessioned as backup singer on You Got What It Takes (Marv Johnson), and Money (That's What I Want) (Barrett Strong). Left the label in 1960 but continued to work as arranger on Motown-tracks including Just Like Romeo And Juliet (the Reflections). Also worked with non-Motown artists such as producer Carl Davis, Mary Wells, Edwin Starr (arranged Agent Double-O-Soul), Jackie Wilson, Gene Chandler, the Chi-lites, and Tyrone Davis. Co-wrote Barbara Acklin's Am I The Same Girl with Eugene Record. Co-wrote Wilson Pickett's If You Need Me, later also recorded by Solomon Burke, and by the Rolling Stones ~ Sanders was born in 1939
October 12, 2013 ~ Albert Goldstein, commonly known as jazz saxophonist Al Gay, passed away in Bedfordshire, UK, ~ Worked with the Jive Bombers, Freddy Randall, Bob Wallis, Alex Welsh, Dick Morrisey, Stan Robinson, Paul Carroll, Ian Carr, Kenny Wheeler, Greg Brown, the World's Greatest Jazz Band, Digby Fairweather, Laurie Chescoe, Ron Russell, and the Pizza Express All-Stars ~ Goldstein was born in 1928
October 12, 2011 ~ Producer, songwriter Paul Leka passed away in Sharon, Connecticut, USA ~ In-demand producer, songwriter known for his work with the Chateaus, the Lemon Pipers (The Green Tambourine), Peppermint Rainbow (Will You Be Staying After Sunday), Steam, the Left Banke, Peter Nero, Jimmie Spheeris, Harry Chapin, REO Speedwagon, Lori Lieberman, and Gloria Gaynor ~ Leka was born in 1943
October 12, 2009 ~ Bass-baritone opera, concert singer Ian Wallace, full name Ian Bryce Wallace, passed away in North London, UK ~ Active in opera since the mid-1940s, starting with the Sadler's Wells Opera and subsequently the New London Opera House under the direction of Alberto Erede, remaining active on the opera stage through the 1980s. Maintained a parallel career in revue, non-musical theatre, and broadcasting. Has performed as a one-man show for many years, the Flanders & Swann novelty song The Hippopotamus becoming most closely associated with Wallace ~ Wallace was born in 1919
October 12, 2008 ~ Singer Cliff Nobles, full name Clifford James Nobles, passed away in Norristown, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Fronted Cliff Nobles & Co, which also included bassist Benny Williams, guitarist Bobby Tucker and drummer Robert Marshall, best known for their 1968 single Love Is All Right b/w The Horse which peaked at No.2 Billboard mainly due to the instrumental flip side catching on ~ Nobles was born in 1941
October 12, 2002 ~ Bandleader, composer, arranger Ray Conniff, full name Joseph Raymond Conniff, passed away in Escondido, California, 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 was born in 1916
October 12, 1997 ~ Henry John Deutschendorf Jr, commonly known as singer, songwriter John Denver, passed away in Pacific Grove, California, USA ~ One of the most popular singers of the 1970s, known for songs such as Take Me Home Country Roads, Annie's Song, Rocky Mountain High, Calypso, Thank God I'm A Country Boy, Leaving On A Jet Plane, and Sunshine On My Shoulders. Member of the Mitchell Trio, replacing founder Chad Mitchell. Member of the Alpine Trio. Political activist, especially concerned about the environment, but also engaged in charitable causes for the homeless, the poor, and the African AIDS crisis. Campaigned for Jimmy Carter, who became a close personal friend. Founded the Windstar Foundation, dedicated to promoting sustainable living ~ Denver was born in 1943
October 12, 1995 ~ Rock, new wave guitarist, keyboardist, saxophonist, songwriter Hans Wärmling, full name Hans Axel Wärmling, passed away in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Early member of the Stranglers. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Wasted, My Young Dreams and Strange Little Girl, the latter later notably covered by Tori Amos. Left the band in 1975, replaced by Dave Greenfield ~ Wärmling was born in 1943
October 12, 1989 ~ Singer, songwriter Sinéad Harnett, full name Sinéad Monica Harnett, born in Finchley, UK ~ Influenced by Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Lauryn Hill, Michael Jackson, and Amy Winehouse. First gained attention in 2011 guesting on Wiley's Walk Away. Would also guest on recordings by Rudimental, Ryan Hemsworth, and Kidnap Kid prior to releasing her NOW debut EP in 2014. Would continue to release several more EPS and singles, leading up to a full-length album, Lessons In Love, in 2019
October 12, 1985 ~ In its eleventh week on the charts, Oh Sheila by Ready For The World hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ This song is commonly misattributed to Prince, due to the similarities to his vocal and musical style, and because of its title sometimes believed to be about Prince-protegé drummer Sheila E. It is neither. When lead singer Melvin Riley of R&B outfit Ready For The World was working on the song he had tried out various names and “Sheila” simply was a name that fit the song best. Lifted off their eponymous debut album, Oh Sheila would be the band's one major hit, reaching the No.1 spot in both America and Canada. The band, hailing from Flint, Michigan, would score one more Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit when Love You Down off their Long Time Coming sophomore album peaked at No.9 in 1986
October 12, 1985 ~ New wave, post-punk guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, singer Ricky Wilson, full name Ricky Helton Wilson, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of the B52's, which also included his sister Cindy Wilson, with whom he recorded four albums until his death at age 32 of AIDS-related complications. Notable songs featuring Wilson include Rock Lobster, Planet Claire, Private Idaho, Whammy Kiss, and Summer Of Love. Wilson had kept his illness private as he did not want anyone to worry about him. Upon his death in 1985, the band had just completed their Bouncing Off The Satellites album. Devastated by Wilson's death, the band did only little promotional work and no touring to promote the album. No substitute was sought for Wilson, with bandmate Keith Strickland replicating Wilson's riffs in live performances of their earlier material. Outside of the B52's, Wilson has only appeared on one album, playing guitar on the track Breakin' In My Heart off Tom Verlaine's eponymous Tom Verlaine solo debut album issued in 1979 ~ Wilson was born in 1953
October 12, 1983 ~ Guitarist, steel guitarist, arranger, composer Chris Combs, full name Christopher Kyle Combs, born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Best known as a member of progressive jazz unit Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, joining the band in 2008. Combs is sole composer of The Race Riot Suite released in 2011, a conceptual piece that tells of the infamous 1921 Tulsa race riots. The album is considered a masterpiece. As a solo artist Combs is best known for his 2017 COMBSY album, drawing from influences as diverse as Charles Mingus, George Harrison, Radiohead, and Marc Ribot
October 12, 1979 ~ Glam rock, hard rock, pop rock outfit Queen release Crazy Little Thing Called Love in the UK, lead single off their The Game album ~ Written by Freddie Mercury as a tribute to his musical heroes Elvis Presley and Cliff Richard. The song would be the band's first Billboard Hot 100 No.1 during Mercury's lifetime, holding the top position for four consecutive weeks. Mercury later commented: “ Crazy Little Thing Called Love took me five or ten minutes. I did that on the guitar, which I can't play for nuts, and in one way it was quite a good thing because I was restricted, knowing only a few chords. It's a good discipline because I simply had to write within a small framework. I couldn't work through too many chords and because of that restriction I wrote a good song, I think”
October 12, 1978 ~ Singer Nancy Spungen, full name Nancy Laura Spungen, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Known for her tumultuous romance with the Sex Pistols-singer Sid Vicious. Found stabbed to death in the couple's Chelsea Hotel hotel room in New York. Vicious would be arrested and charged with second-degree murder. The band's manager Malcolm McLaren has adamntly defended Vicious was innocent, as Vicious was comatose for much of the night and he suspected Spungen got into an altercation with one of their party guests instead. A reunion album was announced to cover the costs of the singer's legal defense. Vicious would be released on bail with additional conditions, but passed away four months later at age 21 of a heroin overdose while awaiting trial ~ Spungen was born in 1958
October 12, 1977 ~ Rock guitarist Scott Metzger born in Trenton, New Jersey, USA ~ In-demand collaborator and sideman in a wide array of genres including rock, soul, country, jazz and surf. Member of Joe Russo's Almost Dead. Has also worked with Phil Lesh, John Scofield, John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge, Shooter Jennings, Trixie Whitley, Anders Osborne, Dean Ween, Stanton Moore, Circles Around The Sun, Particle, Marco Benevento, Frank Bango, and American Babies
October 12, 1976 ~ Alternative rock, indie pop, trip hop, electronic singer, guitarist, songwriter Dave Okumu born in Vienna, Austria ~ Frontman of Invisible, known best for their 2009 eponymous The Invisible debut album. Okumu released his Knopperz solo debut album in 2021. In-demand producer, songwriter, collaborator, working with acts such as Robert Miles, Amy Winehouse, Rosie Lowe, Jane Birkin, King Sunny Adé, and Anna Calvi. Okumu is also specifically noted for co-writing and co-producing Jessie Ware's 2010 Devotion debut album
October 12, 1972 ~ Wilfred Williams, commonly known as singer Billy Williams, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Lead singer of the Charioteers from 1930 to 1950, known for hits such as So Long, the Frank Sinatra-collaboration Don't Forget About Tomorrow, Open The Door Richard and A Kiss And A Rose. As a solo artist known for songs such as Why Did I Tell You I Was Going To Shanghai, It's No Sin and his best known the Fats Waller-cover I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter, the latter a 1957 hit selling over a million copies ~ Williams was born in 1910
October 12, 1972 ~ Jazz trumpeter Eugene Ball born ~ As a composer known for Fool Poet's Portion first performed by the Bennetts Lane Big Band which included Ball. Has also worked with Paul Grabowsky, Mike Nock, Tony Gould, Graeme Lyall, Don Burrows, Jamie Cullum, the Hoodangers, the Andrea Keller Quartet, the Allan Browne Quintet, and the Australian Art Orchestra
October 12, 1971 ~ The musical, rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, opens on Broadway, telling the story of the last seven days in the life of Jesus ~ Initially unable to get backing for a stage production, the composers released it as a concept album. The play opens at the Mark Hellinger Theatre amid protests from religious groups, but proves very successful earning five Tony Award nominations. The show has been reprised in several stage productions the world for over five decades. In 1973, a film version is released. The original album would sell some seven million copies over the next decade. The original Broadway production, the film, and the album featured Yvonne Elliman, who would later score a massive hit with If I Can't Have You from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, in the role of Maria Magdalena
October 12, 1971 ~ Vincent Eugene Craddock, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Gene Vincent, passed away in Newhall, California, USA ~ Iconic rock & roll, rockabilly singer backed by the Blue Caps, which at times included rhythm guitarist Willie Williams, bassist Jack Neal, drummer Dickie Harrell, and guitarist Cliff Gallup. Best known for writing and first recording the rock & roll classic Be-bop-a-lula in 1956 ~ Craddock was born in 1935
October 12, 1969 ~ Alternative country, country, country rock, bluegrass, folk violist, violinist, fiddler, mandolinist, bassist, singer Martie Maguire, full name Martha Elenor Maguire, born in York, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Dixie Chicks, with whom she recorded over half a dozen albums, including the acclaimed Wide Open Spaces and its follow-up Fly. The band has scored the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Long Time Gone, Landslide, and Not Ready To Make Nice. Formed the country, folk duo the Court Yard Hounds with her sister and Chicks bandmate Emily Robison, releasing their eponymous Court Yard Hounds debut album in 2010
October 12, 1967 ~ Ray David Grammont, commonly known as reggae singer Tonton David, born in Paris, France ~ Soul-influenced raggamuffin singer, actively recording since his 1991 Le Blues De La Racaille debut album. Touching on social subjects, including unemployment, poverty and racism, he became a figurehead for a generation of disenchanted French youth. Well known songs include Peuples Du Monde, Sur Et Certain, Chacun Sa Route, Pour Tout Le Monde Pareil, and Fugitifs with rai singer Cheb Mami ~ Grammont passed away in 2021
October 12, 1965 ~ Pop, rock, folk, country singer, songwriter Bob Schneider born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA ~ Sang lead for Ugly Americans in the mid-90s, including as an opening act for the Dave Matthews Band. Co-founded funk outfit the Scabs in the late-1990s. Recording as a solo act since 1999, initially under the moniker Lonelyland, earning acclaim for his 2001 Lonelyland album and his 2004 I'm Good Now album
October 12, 1965 ~ Jazz trombonist Luis Bonilla born ~ Sideman and leader. Moved to New York in the late-1980s in hope of playing with Art Blakey. Has aided artists as diverse as Lester Bowie, McCoy Tyner, Dizzy Gillespie, Tom Harrell, Freddie Hubbard, Astrud Gilberto, Willie Colón, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Tito Nieves, Phil Collins, Tony Bennett, Alejandro Sanz, Diana Ross, Marc Anthony, La India, Mary J Blige, Paquito d'Rivera, the Garcia Brothers, Donny McCaslin, Bebo Valdes, and Gerald Wilson. Recorded his first album as a leader in the early-1990s
October 12, 1964 ~ Gospel singer, pianist, songwriter Kurt Carr born in Hartford, Connecticut, USA ~ Accompanied Andráe Crouch, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Yolanda Adams, and Kirk Franklin. Started his own gospel ensemble in the late-1980s. Best known for a number of mid-2000s albums, notably 2005's One Church Project and 2008's Just The Beginning
October 12, 1964 ~ Girl group the Ronettes release Walking In The Rain, noted among others for its then-novice use of sound effects ~ Written by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, and producer Phil Spector. The original 1964 single, a Billboard R&B top 10 and Billboard Hot 100 top 30 hit for the Ronettes, included sound effects of thunder and lightning, a novice effect that earned sound engineer Larry Levine a Grammy Award nomination. The song would be covered by a number artists, perhaps most notably by Jay & the Americans in 1969 who took it to No.19 Billboard Hot 100, surpassing the original which had peaked at No.23. Others who recorded the song include the Walker Brothers, the Partridge Family with David Cassidy on lead vocals, and electropop duo Erasure
October 12, 1963 ~ In its fourth week on the charts, Sugar Shack by Jimmy Gilmer & the Fireballs hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written by Keith McCormack and his aunt Faye Voss over breakfast, the song tells of the singer successfully courting a girl at the coffeehouse, the “ Sugar Shack”, and eventually ending up marrying her. The New Mexico band the Fireballs were a band that enjoyed popularity playing instrumentals, most notably Torquay and Bulldog which both had reached top 40 Billboard Hot 100. For Sugar Shack, however, they would team up with singer Jimmy Gilmer who had led his own rockabilly band before joining the Fireballs. The song is noted for its distinctive whistling riff, played by producer Norman Petty on a vintage Hammond Solovox organ. Sugar Shack would become the band's best known and sole Billboard Hot 100 charttopper, spending five weeks atop the charts. Shortly after it became a hit, Georgia Lynn released Sugar Shack Queen, an answer song sung from the perspective of the girl in the song
October 12, 1962 ~ Christopher Stephen Botti, commonly known as jazz, smooth jazz, pop trumpeter Chris Botti, born in Portland, Oregon, USA ~ Debuted as a solo artist with the album First Wish in 1995. Worked with Paul Simon, Michael Brecker, Incognito, Sting, Bobby Colomby, Aretha Franklin, Marc Cohn, Bette Midler, Renee Olstead, James Taylor, Michael Bublé, Toni Braxton, Aaron Neville, Barbra Streisand, Rod Stewart, Natalie Cole, and Vince Gill
October 12, 1959 ~ Hard bop jazz trumpeter Michael Philip Mossman born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Early in his career toured with Anthony Braxton and Roscoe Mitchell. Sessioned with Styx. Played with Lionel Hampton, Art Blakey and Machito before joining Out Of The Blue in 1985. Has since worked as leader, co-leader and as sideman, collaborating with artists such as Toshiko Akiyoshi, Horace Silver, Dizzy Gillespie, Gerry Mulligan, Slide Hampton, Michel Camilo, Mario Bauzá, Eddie Palmieri, the Philip Morris Superband, Benny Carter, Antonio Hart, Joe Zawinul, and Roscoe Mitchell
October 12, 1955 ~ Rock, power pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Pat DiNizio, full name Patrick Michael DiNozio, born in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA ~ Co-founded the Smithereens in 1980, known for songs such as Behind The Wall Of Sleep, In A Lonely Place, A Girl Like You, and Too Much Passion. The band has also collaborated with artists such as Belinda Carlisle, Julian Lennon, Lou Reed, and Suzanne Vega ~ DiNizio passed away in 2017
October 12, 1954 ~ Jazz guitarist Ed Cherry born in New Haven, Connecticut, USA ~ Studio musician best known for his long association with trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie. Cherry has also collaborated with Paquito d'Rivera, Jon Faddis, Hamiet Bluiett, Henry Threadgill, John Patton, Charles Williams, and Paula West. Cherry has released albums as a leader since the mid-1990s
October 12, 1954 ~ Singer, songwriter José Guadalupe Esparza born in Durango, Mexico ~ Lead singer of Bronco. As a songwriter had his songs covered by Antonio Aguilar, Dulce, Lupita Piñeda, Alejandro Fernández, Los Humildes, Mandingo, the Banda Machos, the Guardianes Del Amor, Los Rieleros Del Norte, and Pesado
October 12, 1954 ~ Leval Alphonso Thompson, commonly known as reggae singer, producer Linval Thompson, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ As a singer known for his 1970s recordings working with producers such as Lee Scratch Perry and Bunny Lee. As a producer played a key role in the 1980s, facilitating in the early dancehall days working with artists such as Dennis Brown, Cornell Campbell, the Wailing Souls, Barrington Levy, and Trinity
October 12, 1948 ~ Singer, guitarist Rick Parfitt, full name Richard john Parfitt, born in Woking, UK ~ Rhythm guitarist of Status Quo, with whom he recorded well over two dozen albums from the band's inception in 1967 until shortly before his death some five decades later. The band, one of the longest-running British acts, managed to stay relevant through the ages, and are considered one of the most energetic live acts. Some have dismissed the band for repeating the same formula again and again, an argument to which Parfitt has been known to once have replied: “People try to dismiss what we do but they can’t. People have terrible goes at us about the music being simple when it’s not really. It appears simple perhaps in its chording but generally, to actually play what we play and how we play it, it’s not simple. It’s bloody hard work.” Over the course of their career, the band has scored close to two dozen UK top 10 hits ~ Parfitt passed away in 2016
October 12, 1946 ~ Bassist, composer, arranger, producer Daryl Runswick born in Leicester, UK ~ Worked with Dick Morrisey, Johnny Dankworth, Lionel Grigson, Pete Burden, Ian Hamer, Tubby Hayes, the London Jazz Four, the Alan Parsons Project, Elton John, the London Sinfonietta, the Nash Ensemble, the King's Singers, Pierre Boulez, Ornette Coleman, Simon Rattle, Sarah Vaughan, Blossom Dearie, Ray Russell, Barbara Dickson, and Georgie Fame
October 12, 1942 ~ Bassist, singer James Dewar born in Glasgow, UK ~ Influenced by Ray Charles and Otis Redding. Best known as bassist for Stone The Crows and as lead singer and bassist for the Robin Trower Band. Has recorded one solo album, Stumbledown Romancer which notably featured organist Matthew Fisher, recorded in the 1970s but not released until 1998 ~ Dewar passed away in 2002
October 12, 1942 ~ David Melvin English, commonly known as R&B singer Melvin Franklin, born in Montgomery, Alabama, USA ~ Bass singer, founding member of Motown group the Temptations, remaining with the band until 1994. Along with Otis Williams the only one to never leave the group. Sang lead on songs such as I Truly Truly Believe, Silent Night, The Prophet and Ol' Man River ~ English passed away in 1995
October 12, 1935 ~ Margaret Louise Ebey, commonly known as country singer, songwriter Margie Singleton, born in Coushatta, Louisiana, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity on the country charts from the late-1950s through the late-1960s. Best known for songs such Eyes Of Love, Old Records, the George Jones-duets Did I Ever Tell You and The Waltz Of The Angels, and the Faron Young-duet Keeping Up With Joneses
October 12, 1935 ~ Singer Sam Moore, full name Samuel David Moore, born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Half of soul duo Sam & Dave, the other half being Dave Prater, known for songs such as Hold On I'm Coming, Soul Man and I Thank You
October 12, 1934 ~ Singer, songwriter James Sugarboy Crawford born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known as author and original recording artist of Iko Iko, originally titled Jock-a-mo later covered by a host of artists including the Dixie Cups, Dr John, the Neville Brothers, James Booker, Belle Stars, the Grateful Dead, Cowboy Mouth, Warren Zevon, Long John Baldry, Aaron Carter, and Cyndi Lauper. The song stands as a classic of New Orleans R&B and remains popular to this day ~ Crawford passed away in 2012
October 12, 1933 ~ Salvatore Zito, commonly known as pianist, conductor Torrie Zito, born ~ Married to singer Helen Merrill, with whom he also worked. Stepfather of singer, songwriter Alan Merrill. Brother of drummer Ronnie Zito. Acclaimed for conducting and arranging on the pivotal Morgana King Miss Morgana King album. To pop audiences, Zito is perhaps best remembered for arranging the strings on John Lennon's 1971 Imagine album ~ Zito passed away in 2009
October 12, 1932 ~ Concert, Lieder soprano singer Adele Stolte born in Sperenburg, Germany ~ Known as a fine interpreter of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. Co-founded the the Leipziger Bachsolisten quartet. Has worked with the Bern Symphony Orchestra, and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra ~ Stolte passed away in 2020
October 12, 1929 ~ Napoleon Brown Goodson Culp, commonly known as R&B singer Nappy Brown, born in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA ~ Among the first wave of African-American artists to appeal to white audiences. Known for songs such as Little By Little, Night Time Is The Right Time, It Don't Hurt No More and perhaps his best known Don't Be Angry ~ Culp passed away in 2008
October 12, 1926 ~ Jazz saxophonist, bandleader Hidehiko Matsumoto born in Okayama, Japan ~ Bebop saxophonist active since the late-1940s. Leader and sideman. Member of CB Nine, the Six José's, and of the Big Four which also included George Kawaguchi, Hachidai Nakamura, and Mitsuru Ono. Has also collaborated with Hideo Shiraki, Gerald Wilson, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Takeshi Inomata, Akira Miyazawa, George Otsuka, and Isao Suzuki ~ Matsumoto passed away in 2000
October 12, 1919 ~ Composer André Casanova, full name André Marcel Charles Casanova, born in Paris, France ~ Merged romantic spirit with modernity of style. Composed operas, orchestral, chamber and choral music ~ Casanova passed away in 2009
October 12, 1895 ~ Alfred Hall, commonly known as jazz drummer Tubby Hall, born in Sellers, Louisiana, USA ~ Brother of drummer Minor Hall. Tubby has worked with Buddy Petit, Carroll Dickerson, King Oliver, Jimmie Noone, Tiny Parham, Johnny Dodds, and Louis Armstrong ~ Hall passed away in 1945
October 12, 1872 ~ Composer Ralph Vaughan Williams born in Down Ampney, UK ~ One of Britain's most popular symphonists, noted for his wide range of moods. Has also composed operas, ballets, chamber music, orchestral works and hymns. Best known for works such as 1910's Fantasia On A Theme By Thomas Tallis, 1914's The Lark Ascending and 1930's Job A Masque For Dancing ~ Vaughan Williams passed away in 1958