October 14, 2022 ~ Operatic soprano Mariana Nicolesco passed away in Bucharest, Romania ~ Best known for her association with the Metropolitan Opera, performing the role of Nedda in Ruggero Leoncavallo's Pagliacci from 1978 through 1986. Has also worked with La Scala, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, and others ~ Nicolesco was born in 1948
October 14, 2021 ~ Bluegrass guitarist, dobroist Phil Leadbetter passed away in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA ~ Member of JD Crowe & the New South from 1990 through 2001. Subsequently co-founding member of Wildfire, Grasstowne, and of Flashback. Has also worked with Vern Gosdin, the Whites, Dale Ann Bradley. Three solo albums to his name, 1999's Philibuster, 2005's Slide Effects and 2014's The Next Move ~ Leadbetter was born in 1962
October 14, 2021 ~ Jazz drummer, surfboard builder, surfer Tom Morey, full name Tom Hugh Morey, passed away ~ Honed his talent as a drummer and ukelele player from his early youth, working professionally by age 12. Has backed artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Stu Williamson, Bud Shank and Conte Candoli. Best known as a surfboard builder and professional surfer ~ Morey was born in 1935
October 14, 2020 ~ Hard rock bassist Paul Matters passed away in Toronto, Australia ~ Briefly a member of AC/DC, joining right after the recording of the band's 1975 High Voltage debut album and fired within weeks to be replaced by Mark Evans ~ Matters was born in 1952
October 14, 2020 ~ Marilyn Louis, commonly known as actress, singer Rhonda Fleming, passed away in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Dubbed “the Queen of Technicolor” best known as an actress, appearing in over 40 films starting in the 1940s. Has also starred in a number of musical comedies, notably playing the female lead in 1949's A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court opposite Bing Crosby ~ Louis was born in 1923
October 14, 2019 ~ Choi Jin-ri, commonly known as K-pop singer, actress Sulli, passed away in Seongnam, South Korea ~ Member of girl group fx, known for songs such as Nu Abo, Pinocchio (Danger), Electric Shock, and Rum Pum Pum Pum. Jin-ri has ventured into acting and released her sole solo album, Goblin, in 2019 ~ Jin-ri was born in 1994
October 14, 2016 ~ Southern rock, country rock outfit Blackberry Smoke release their Like An Arrow album ~ Like their previous album, 2015's All The Roses, the album reached the top of the Billboard Country charts. The album would also do well in the UK, reaching top 10, and on the all-genre Billboard Hot 200 chart, where it peaked at No.12. The album's closing track Free On The Wing features guest co-lead vocalist Gregg Allman of the Allman Brothers Band, whom they considered an inspiration to the band. It is one of the last recordings featuring Allman, who passed away in 2017
October 14, 2016 ~ Folk, blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Werner Lämmerhirt passed away in Bodenwerder, Germany ~ Influenced by the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Donovan, Big Bill Broonzy, and Mississippi John Hurt. Rose to local fame in the late-1960s Berlin folk clubs. Debuted as a recording artist in 1974 with the album Ten Thousand Miles. Collaborated with Tom Paxton, Alex Campbell, Hannes Wader, Wizz Jones, and others ~ Lämmerhirt was born in 1949
October 14, 2014 ~ Randolph Isaiah Owens, commonly known as progressive rock, experimental rock, neo-psychedelia, hip-hop keyboardist Isaiah Ikey Owens, passed away in Cholula, Mexico ~ Best known as co-founding and longtime member of influential progressive rock band the Mars Volta, known for their energetic live shows and concept albums, as well as its predecessor At The Drive-in. Also closely associated with other acts from the Long Beach music scene, released the Looking For Lauryn Hill In Hollywood solo debut album in 2010, and was an in-demand collaborator and producer. Notable credits include the Free Moral Agents, Look Daggers, De-Facto, Long Beach Dub All-Stars, Reel Big Fish, Sublime, Saul Williams, the Visionaries, and Run The Jewels ~ Owens was born in 1974
October 14, 2013 ~ Virginia Dinning, commonly known as singer Ginger Dinning, passed away ~ Member of sibling outfit the Dinning Sisters, alongside Lou Dinning and Jean Dinning, known for late-1940s top 20 hits such as My Adobe Hacienda, I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now, I Beg Your Pardon and Buttons And Bows ~ Dinning was born in 1924
October 14, 2012 ~ Blake Baker Cunnningham Jr, commonly known as garage rock singer, organist BB Cunningham Jr, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Lead singer, organist of 1960s garage rock one-hit wonder the Hombres, known for Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out). The song would reach the Billboard top 20 and later be covered by John Mellencamp on the 1989 Big Daddy album as well as by David Lee Roth on the 2003 Diamond Dave album. Cunningham would go on to back Jerry Lee Lewis and others ~ Cunningham was born in 1942
October 14, 2007 ~ Kenneth Doniell Moore, commonly known as rapper Big Moe, passed away in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Co-founding member of DJ Screw's Screwed Up Click, considered one of the pivotal Southern rap acts. Released his City Of Syrup solo debut album in 2000. Best known for his 2003 single Just A Dog taken of the Moe Life album ~ Moore was born in 1974
October 14, 2006 ~ Baldemar Garza Huerta, commonly known as Tejano, country, rock, swamp pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Freddy Fender, passed away in Corpus Christi, Texas, USA ~ Merged country, rock, swamp pop and Tex-Mex. Active since the 1950s. Became a household name in the mid-1970s, scoring the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Before The Next Teardrop Falls. Subsequent hits included Wasted Days And Wasted Nights, Secret Love, and You'll Lose A Good Thing. Fender was also a member of supergroups Los Super Seven and the Texas Tornados ~ Huerta was born in 1937
October 14, 2005 ~ Jazz composer, conductor, bandleader Oleg Lundstrem, full name Oleg Leonidovich Lundstrem, passed away in Obraztsovo, Russia ~ Led the Oleg Lundstrem Orchestra, one of the earliest jazz bands in Russia active since the mid-1930s. In 1994, the Guinness Book of Records recognized the ensemble as the oldest continuously existing jazz band in the world ~ Lundstrem was born in 1916
October 14, 1990 ~ Violinist Daniel Guilet passed away ~ Member of the Calvet Quartet. Toured France as Maurice Ravel's accompanist. Relocated to America during World War II, joining the NBC Symphony Orchestra a few years later initially serving under Arturo Toscanini promoted to concertmaster in the early-1950s. Best known for co-founding the Beaux Arts Trio in 1954 with cellist Bernard Greenhouse and pianist Menahem Pressler ~ Guilet was born in 1899
October 14, 1990 ~ Composer, conductor Leonard Bernstein passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Longtime music director of the New York Philharmonic. As a composer best known for composing the scores of West Side Story, Peter Pan, Candide, Wonderful Town, On The Waterfront, and others ~ Bernstein was born in 1918
October 14, 1983 ~ Jazz pianist, keyboardist Andreas Stensland Løwe born in Larvik, Norway ~ Worked with Splashgirl, Silent Velcro, Captain And Me, Hanne Kolstø, Frida Ånnevik, Susanna Wallumrød, and Rutger Zuydervelt
October 14, 1983 ~ Country singer, pop songwriter Tebey Ottoh, full name Tebey Solomon Ottoh, born in Peterborough, Canada ~ As a recording artist known for a number of Canadian country hits including Who's Gonna Love You, Somewhere In The Country and We Shook Hands (Man To Man), the latter also charting in the USA. As a songwriter best known for his work outside country music circles, producing and writing for artists including One Direction (They Don't Know About Us), Flo Rida, Fifth Harmony, Pixie Lott (All About Tonight), and others
October 14, 1979 ~ Contemporary classical composer Marcus Paus, full name Marcus Nicolay Paus, born in Oslo, Norway ~ Son of singers Ole Paus and Anne-Karine Strøm. Critically acclaimed contemporary classical composer. Wrote chamber music, choral works, orchestral works, operas, symphonies. Paus referred to himself as a “melodist” and “anarcho-traditionalist”
October 14, 1978 ~ Usher Raymond IV, mononymoulsy known as R&B, pop, hip-hop singer, songwriter Usher born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Rose to fame with his sophomore album, 1997's My Way which spawned the hits Nice & Slow, You Make Me Wanna and My Way. Also known for subsequent releases such as U Remind Me, U Got It Bad, U Don't Have To Call, Yeah, Burn, Love In This Club, DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love, and others
October 14, 1977 ~ Harry Lillis Crosby Jr, commonly known as singer, actor, songwriter Bing Crosby, passed away in Madrid, Spain ~ Popular from the 1930s well through the 1950s. Over 70 films, over 1,600 songs. Influential on wide array of artists from Frank Sinatra to John Lennon. Noted for his vocal phrasing. Worked with the Rhythm Boys, Bix Beiderbecke, Jack Teagarden, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Eddie Lang, Hoagy Carmichael, and Gus Arnheim. Well known songs include I Found A Million Dollar Baby In A Five And Ten Cent Store, At Your Command, White Christmas, Swinging On A Star, Pistol Packin' Mama, Don't Fence Me In, and I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance ~ Crosby was born in 1903
October 14, 1977 ~ Heavy metal, progressive metal, neo-classical metal, Christian metal guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, singer Carl Johan Grimmark born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Revered in Christian metal circles as a technically proficient guitarist, his style regularly compared to the neo-classicism of Yngwie Malmsteen. Best known as a member and key songwriter for Narnia, with whom he has recorded over half a dozen albums since the late 1990s. Grimmark has also regularly teamed up with his bandmate Narnia-singer Christian Liljegren's side projects Divinefire and Audiovision, frequently worked with Saviour Machine, Rob Rock, and Beautiful Sin, recorded as a solo artist, and has appeared on albums by Sanctifica, Locomotive Breath, Flagship, Planet Alliance, Fullforce, and Empire 21
October 14, 1974 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Natalie Maines, full name Natalie Louise Maines, born in Lubbock, Texas, USA ~ Member of all-female country outfit the Chicks, formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, from 1995 onwards, replacing singer Laura Lynch. Co-wrote many of the band's best known including Without You and Not Ready To Make Nice. Released her solo debut album, the Ben Harper co-produced Mother album, in 2007. Sang backing vocals on Pat Green's Dancehall Days debut album. Maines has also collaborated with Charlie Robison, Yellowcard, Stevie Nicks, Patty Griffin, Neil Diamond, Eddie Vedder, Pete Yorn, and Robert Earl Keen
October 14, 1973 ~ Jazz guitarist, banjoist, composer Perry Botkin passed away in Van Nuys, California, USA ~ Active since the late-1920s, starting in Wayne Eucher's big band. Would go on to work with the Original Memphis Five, Hoagy Carmichael (Hong Kong Blues), Al Jolson, Buddy Cole, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Paul Whiteman, Bob Hope, and Spike Jones. Also noted for his association with Bing Crosby, serving as Crosby's musical director for over a dozen years. Botkin's son Perry Botkin Jr is also a musician, perhaps best known for co-writing Nadia's Theme (The Young And Restless) with Barry Devorzon ~ Botkin was born in 1907
October 14, 1972 ~ Pop rock family outfit the Osmonds release Crazy Horses, lifted off the album of the same name ~ The family outfit was mostly known as a wholesome pop band, rather than raw rockers. In addition, at the time, Donny Osmond was starting his solo career singing teen pop. Crazy Horses, however, truly rocked. The song would be a reasonable hit in their native America, where it peaked at No.14 Billboard Hot 100, but fared better in the UK where their rock-tinged material would be more appreciated, peaking at No.2. Donny Osmond would later reveal in an interview that Ozzy Osbourne told him Crazy Horses was one of his favorite rock and roll songs, adding: “The problem is my teenybopper career was selling like crazy and it overshadowed anything we did as a rock and roll band.”
October 14, 1970 ~ Alastair Fletcher, commonly known as drummer Al Fletcher, born in UK ~ Worked with the Selecter, Gigantic, Ultraviolet, and Die So Fluid ~ Fletcher passed away in 2016
October 14, 1969 ~ R&B, neo-soul, nu jazz drummer, singer, songwriter, producer Vikter Duplaix born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ In-demand studio, session musician. Worked with Erykah Badu, Jazzanova, Jamiroquai, Meshell Ndegeocello, Esthero, Clara Hill, Jaguar Wright, Eric Benét, Dynamite MC, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kenny Gamble, and others. As a solo artist debuted with the International Affairs album in 2002
October 14, 1968 ~ Singer Brenda Lee records Johnny One Time at Columbia Studios, New York, New York ~ Written by AL Doodle Owens and Dallas Frazier. Produced by Mike Berniker. Released as a single the following December, paired with I Must Have Been Out Of My Mind on the flip side
October 14, 1968 ~ Indie rock guitarist, bassist, singer Jay Ferguson born ~ Co-founded Sloan with Chris Murphy. Ferguson co-wrote and sang lead on songs such as I Hate My Generation, The Lines You Amend, Who Taught You To Live Like That, Witch's Wand, You've Got A Lot On Your Mind, and Right To Roam
October 14, 1968 ~ Rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter Johnny Goudie, full name John Charles Goudie, born in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Rooted in classic rock. Fronted bands such as Mr Rocket Baby, Lovetree, Panjandrum, Liars & Saints, the Little Champions and Goudie. Has also worked with Endochine, the Lossy Coils and Skyrocket
October 14, 1967 ~ In its ninth week on the charts, The Chokin' Kind by Waylon Jennings peaks at No.8 Billboard Country ~ Jennings would be the first to record The Chokin' Kind, written by renowned Nashville songwriter Harlan Howard whose songs had previously been recorded by the likes of Wanda Jackson, Kitty Wells, Ray Price, Wynn Stewart, Buck Owens, and Patsy Cline. Issued as a single off Hangin' On, the song would become the second Billboard Country top 10 hit for Jennings, having previously reached No.9 with (That's What You Get) For Lovin' Me. Over the years The Chokin' Kind would be covered by dozens of artists, perhaps most notably by R&B singer Joe Simon in 1969 whose version reached top 20 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, a first for Simon, and earned Simon a Grammy Award
October 14, 1966 ~ Brenda Kaplan, commonly known as singer, songwriter Brenda K Starr, born in New York, New York, USA ~ First gained attention when through a chance meeting with Harry Belafonte she landed a role in in his 1984 hip-hop film, Beat Street. This lead to a record deal. Starr released her debut album, I Want Your Love, the next year. Starr is best known for the power ballad I Still Believe, a Billboard top 20 hit in 1988, and covered by Mariah Carey in 1998. Starr has also scored hits on Billboard's Latin and Club/Dance charts with singles such as 1985's Pickin' Up The Pieces, 1987's Breakfast In Bed an 1988's What You See Is What You Get
October 14, 1965 ~ R&B, soul, new jack swing singer, songwriter Karyn White, full name Karyn Layvonne White, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Known for a string of late-1980s, early-1990s hits including Superwoman, Love Saw It, Secret Rendezvous, The Way You Love Me and perhaps her best known Romantic, the latter a Billboard Hot 100 No.1 in late 1991. Has worked with producers such as LA Reid, Kenneth Babyface Edmonds, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
October 14, 1962 ~ Durwood Christopher Thomas, commonly known as guitarist, singer, actor Chris Thomas King, born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA ~ Son of blues singer Tabby Thomas. Acclaimed for his 1994 21st Century Blues From Da Hood album, merging rap and blues. As an actor known for portraying Lowell Fulson in the Academy Award-winning Ray and for portraying a blues guitarist, loosely based on the musicians Tommy Johnson and Robert Johnson, in Oh Brother Where Art Thou
October 14, 1959 ~ Alexander Jude Pero, commonly known as drummer AJ Pero, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known as a member of Twisted Sister and of the Adrenalin Mob. Also worked with the Cities, No More Tears, and Circle Of Thorns ~ Pero passed away in 2015
October 14, 1959 ~ Pianist, bandleader Alphonso Trent passed away in Fort Smith, Kansas, USA ~ Worked with Eugene Cook, Synco Six, Terrence Holder, Alex Hill, Stuff Smith, Snub Mosley, Charlie Christian, Harry Sweets Edison, Mouse Randolph, and Peanuts Holland ~ Trent was born in 1905
October 14, 1958 ~ Thomas Morgan Robertson, commonly known as new wave, synth-pop singer, keyboardist, songwriter Thomas Dolby, born in London, UK ~ Rose to prominence in the 1980s with songs such as She Blinded Me With Science and Hyperactive. Guested on recordings by Foreigner, Def Leppard, Malcolm McLaren, Joan Armatrading, Thompson Twins and Belinda Carlisle. Produced recordings by Prefab Sprout, Joni Mitchell, George Clinton and Whodini
October 14, 1957 ~ Blues singer, guitarist Kenny Neal born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Son of blues harpist, singer Raful Neal. Debuted in 1987 with the Bio From The Bayou, repackaged by Alligator Records the next year as Big News From The Bayou, and has recorded steadily to critical acclaim since. Worked with Lucky Peterson, Lazy Lester, the Downchild Blues Band, and others
October 14, 1953 ~ Playwright, lyricist, screenwriter Arthur Wimperis, full name Arthur Harold Wimperis, passed away ~ To musical audiences perhaps best known for co-writing the 1909 hit musical The Arcadians with composers Lionel Monckton and Howard Talbot, and co-writing the 1926 operetta Princess Charming with Albert Szirmai. With the advent of talking films Wimperis would venture into screenwriting for British and American films, notably winning an Academy Award for his contributions to the 1942 film Mrs Miniver ~ Wimperis was born in 1874
October 14, 1953 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion guitarist Kazumi Watanabe born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Debuted in 1971 with the album Infinite. Has since released solo albums, formed the jazz-rock outfit Mobo and toured and recorded with a host of Japanese and international artists including the Yellow Magic Orchestra, Steps, the Brecker Brothers, Word Of Mouth, Jaco Pastorius, MItsuru Sawamura, Ichiko Hashimoto, Shuichi Murakami, Bill Bruford, Jeff Berlin, Tomohiro Yahino, and others
October 14, 1952 ~ Composer Kaija Saariaho, full name Kaija Anneli Saariaho, born in Helsinki, Finland ~ Voted greatest living composer in a poll conducted by the BBC Music Magazine in 2019. Known for her rich, polyphonic textures often created by combining live music with electronics. Has composed for orchestra, string quartets, operas, and for various solo instruments, her compositions performed by the Kronos Quartet, the New York Philharmonic, the Théàtre du Châtelet, and the Finnish National Opera. Perhaps best known for her 2000 L'Amour De Loin opera ~ Saariaho passed away in 2023
October 14, 1952 ~ Pop singer Margriet Eshuijs born in Zaandam, the Netherlands ~ Lead singer for Lucifer, known best for their 1974 hit House For Sale which remains a radio staple to this day. Other well known songs include Scarlet Lady, I Can See The Sun In Late December, and Selfpity. After the band disbanded in 1979 Eshuijs has recorded as a solo artist, noted for her 1982 Black Pearl Dutch top 20 hit ~ Eshuijs passed away in 2022
October 14, 1952 ~ Hard rock bassist Paul Matters born in Toronto, Australia ~ Briefly a member of AC/DC, joining right after the recording of the band's 1975 High Voltage debut album and fired within weeks to be replaced by Mark Evans ~ Matters passed away in 2020
October 14, 1947 ~ Heavy metal guitarist, singer Al Atkins, full name Allan John Atkins, born in West Bromwich, UK ~ Best known as a member of Judas Priest. Also worked with the Atkins May Projct alongside guitarist Paul May, with Lion, Simon Lees and with Holy Rage
October 14, 1947 ~ Guitarist, producer, arranger Norman Harris, full name Norman Ray Harris, born in Danville, Virginia, USA ~ Co-founded MFSB. Session guitarist and arranger for Philadelphia International Records. Member of the Salsoul Orchestra. Arranger, producer, songwriter for the likes of Blue Magic, the Trammps (Hold Back The Night), First Choice (Armed And Extremely Dangerous), the Dells, the Four Tops, the Temptations, the Whispers, Eddie Kendricks, Barbara Mason, Curtis Mayfield, Bunny Sigler, Joe Simon, Major Harris, Loleatta Holloway (Catch Me On The Rebound), and Eddie Holman. ~ Harris passed away in 1987
October 14, 1946 ~ Hard rock, blues rock, rock singer Dan McCafferty, full name William Daniel McCafferty, born in Dunfermline, UK ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of hard rock band Nazareth, known for 1970s hits such as Broken Down Angel, Bad Bad Boy and Love Hurts. Following his departure from the band in 2013 for health reasons McCafferty has occasionally performed and recorded as a solo artist ~ McCafferty passed away in 2022
October 14, 1946 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Justin Hayward born in Shilton, UK ~ Best known as longtime member of the Moody Blues, writing and often singing lead on many of the band's best known including Leave This Man Alone, Nights In White Satin, Tuesday Afternoon, The Story In Your Eyes, The Voice, I Know You're Out There, English Sunset and Never Blame The Rainbows For The Rain. Also noted for the 1975 collaborative album The Blue Jays with bandmate John Lodge
October 14, 1945 ~ Rock, jazz, blues bassist Colin Hodgkinson born in Cambridgshire, UK ~ Has worked with Tramline, the New Church, Alexis Korner, Back Door, Jamie Stone, Hammer, K2, Ronnie Jack, Cozy Powell, Schon & Hammer, Whitesnake, Mick Jagger (She's The Boss), Pete York, Phil Carmer, the Electroc Blues Duo, Konstantin Wecker, the Spencer Davis Group, Peter Maffay, Jon Lord, the British Blues Quintet, and others
October 14, 1945 ~ Elmer Terrell, commonly known as Pha Terrell, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Discovered by Andy Kirk who hired Terrell as a vocalist for his group the Clouds Of Joy. Terrell stayed with Kirk from 1936 to 1941, including on songs such as Until The Real Thing Comes Along and I Won't Tell A Soul (I Love You) ~ Terrell was born in 1910
October 14, 1943 ~ Avant-garde jazz drummer Abbey Rader born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA ~ Four-decade career as leader and sideman with over two dozen albums to his name. Worked with Dave Liebman, John Handy, Billy Bang, Jeanne Lee, Marion Brown, John McMinn, Noah Brandmark, Kidd Jordan, Laurindo Almeida, Marty Cook, Frank Lowe, Peck Morrison, Mal Waldron, and Bob Lenox
October 14, 1942 ~ Guitarist Billy Harrison born in Belfast, Ireland ~ Original member of Them, best known for also including Van Morrison, scoring the hits Baby Please Don't Go and Here Comes The Night and for despite a brief recording career being immensely influential on a wide array of acts including the Doors
October 14, 1942 ~ Joel Arthur Gibbs, commonly known as reggae producer Joe Gibbs, born in St James, Jamaica ~ Worked with Bunny Lee, Roy Shirley (Hold Them), the Pioneers, Errol Dunkley, Ken Parker, Lynn Taitt, the Hippy Boys, Nicky Thomas (Love Of The Common People), the Ethiopians, Delroy Wilson, the Heptones, Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar, Dennis Brown, Jacob Miller, Sylford Walker, the Mighty Diamonds, Gregory Isaacs, Prince Alla, Junior Byles, Marcia Aitken, Althea & Donna, John Holt, Barrington Levy, Cornell Campbell, Dean Fraser, Beres Hammond, Ranking Joe, Prince Jazzbo, Dillinger, Prince Far I, June Lodge (Someone Loves You Honey), Sydney Crooks, and others ~ Gibbs passed away in 2008
October 14, 1940 ~ Harry Rodger Webb, commonly known as singer, guitarist Cliff Richard born in Lucknow, British India ~ Sold over 250 million records. Originally marketed as a rebellious rock & roll singer but would soften down to a more mainstream image from the 1960s onwards. Backed by the Shadows dominated the British popular music scene untill the Beatles came along. Best known for songs such as 1958's Move It, arguably the first British rock & roll song, 1960s songs such The Young Ones, Lucky Lips, and Summer Holiday. Would continue to regularly reach the charts in the UK and continental Europe well through the 2000s, notably with 1976's Devil Woman, 1979's We Don't Talk Anymore and a 1986 remake of Living Doll with the Young Ones, albeit it to lesser success than in his heyday. Has worked with Cilla Black, Olivia Newton-John, Phil Everly, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sheila Walsh, Janet Jackson, Sarah Brightman, Elton John, Van Morrison, Helen Shapiro, Dionne Warwick, Daniel O'Donnell, and others
October 14, 1939 ~ Christostomos Karanikis, commonly known as jazz drummer, percussionist Chris Karan, born in Melbourne, Australia ~ In-demand session musician. Worked with the Yardbirds, Michel Legrand, Lalo Schifrin, Charles Aznavour, Stanley Myers, Basil Kirchin, Tony Hatch, Jackie Trent, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Jerry Goldsmith, Jerry Fielding, Pat Williams, André Previn, Richard Rodney Bennett, Barry Tuckwell, Carl Davis, Henry Mancini, the Beatles, the Seekers, Roy Budd, Johnny Dankworth, Cleo Laine, the Bee Gees, Caterina Valente, Dusty Springfield, Lulu, the Swingle Singers, the Harry Stoneham Group, Katie Melua, Oliver Nelson, and others
October 14, 1938 ~ Singer Bing Crosby, backed by Bob Crosby and his orchestra, records You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby ~ Written by Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer for the 1938 Hard To Get film, in which it was performed by Dick Powell. It was Crosby's version, released as a single b/w Summertime, that would become the biggest hit. Recorded the same year by Russ Morgan, Tommy Dorsey featuring Edythe Wright, Blue Barron, and Chick Bullock. Notably revived by Bobby Darin in 1961, which reached top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic
October 14, 1937 ~ Producer, label executive, author Ken Mansfield born in Pennsylvania, USA ~ Manager for Apple Records in the USA during the 1960s, and as such helpful in the careers of a number of British acts including the Beatles, Mary Hopkin, Badfinger, and Jackie Lomax. Helped popularize the Outlaw country movement in the 1970s, notably producing the Waylon Jennings Are You Ready For The Country album as well as Jessi Colter's I'm Not Lisa crossover hit single. Successful in gospel music in the 1990s, producing acts such as the Imperials and the Gaither Vocal Band. Authored a number of books in the 2000s, starting with The Beatles The Bible And Bodega Bay published in 2000 ~ Mansfield passed away in 2022
October 14, 1935 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Alex Glasgow born in Gateshead, UK ~ Traditional working class singer, songwriter drawing from traditional British folk, especially Geordie songs, though Glasgow himself resented the “folk” characterization. Would often include socialist and trades union-focused themes. Well-remembered for the song cycle The Tyne Slides By written in the 1970s for the BBC series The Camera & The Song. Composed for the musical plays Close The Coal House Door and On Your Way Riley. Perhaps best known for Dance Ti Thi Daddy, written and performed by Golasgow and used as the theme song to the TV series When The Boat Comes In ~ Glasgow passed away in 2001
October 14, 1935 ~ Avant-garde, minimalist, microtonal, jazz composer La Monte Young, full name La Monte Thornton Young, born in Bern, Idaho, USA ~ One of the first American minimalist composers. Leading figure in avant-garde music. Best known for his 1958 composition Trio For Strings. Has collaborated with Tony Conrad, John Cale, and extensively with his wife Marian Zazeela
October 14, 1932 ~ Singer Bing Crosby records I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance ~ Lyrics by Crosby and Ned Washington, music by Victor Young. Released as a 78 single b/w Just An Echo In The Valley it would reach the top 10 in early 1933. Notable covers would include recordings by Dave Brubeck, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Thelonious Monk, Etta James, Frank Sinatra, and Linda Ronstadt
October 14, 1931 ~ Jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger Dusko Gojkovic born in Jajce, Yugoslavia ~ As a leader perhaps best known for his 1994 Soul Connection album, featuring guests such as Tommy Flanagan, Jimmy Heath, and Mickey Roker. In-demand sideman, appearing on albums by the likes of Woody Herman, Francy Boland, Tete Montoliu, Klaus Doldinger, and Maynard Ferguson ~ Gojkovic passed away in 2023
October 14, 1930 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Henry Creamer, full name Henry Sterling Creamer, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Revered songwriter, often in partnership with James P Johnson, Bert Williams and most frequently with Turner Layton. Wrote or co-wrote early standards such as Strut Miss Lizzie (the Original Dixieland Jazz Band) After You've Gone (Campbell & Burr, Ruth Etting, Bessie Smith), Way Down Yonder In New Orleans (the Peerless Quartet, Dean Martin, Freddy Cannon, Dinah Shore, Jan & Dean), and others ~ Creamer was born in 1879
October 14, 1927 ~ Ione Emily Bryant, commonly known as traditional pop, vocal jazz, gospel singer, dancer, civil rights activist Joyce Bryant, born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Known for her signature silver hair and tight mermaid dresses, Bryant became one of the first African-American sex symbols earning her the nickname “the Black Marilyn Monroe”. Songs such as Love For Sale and Drunk With Love would be banned from radio for their provocative lyrics, yet would nevertheless find a wide audience. Civil rights advocate, strongly opposing the practice of racial billing at night clubs, at times even defying the Ku Klux Klan. Bryant retired from music by the mid-1950s at the peak of her popularity, only to return about a decade later as a classically trained singer working with the New York City Opera and other renowned orchestras ~ Bryant passed away in 2022
October 14, 1926 ~ William Everett Justis Junior, commonly known as rock & roll composer, arranger, singer, trumpeter, saxophonist Bill Justis, born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ As a solo artist known for his 1957 recording Raunchy, arguably the first rock & roll instrumental hit and successfuly covered by both Ernie Freeman and Billy Vaughn. Worked as staff musician at Sun Records, arranging for Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and Charlie Rich. Played saxophone on Elvis Presley's Kissin' Cousins soundtrack. Managed Ronny & the Daytonas. Composed the scores for several films, notably Smokey & the Bandit in 1977 and The Villain in 1979 ~ Justis passed away in 1982
October 14, 1926 ~ Carel Verbrugge, commonly known as singer Willy Alberti, born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Renowned torch, pop singer, balladeer, popular from the late-1940s through the 1970s. Sang in Dutch and Italian. Father of singer Willeke Alberti. Known for songs such as Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu, Ik Zing Dit Lied Voor Jou Alleen, Marina, and De Glimlach Van Een Kind ~ Verbrugge passed away in 1985
October 14, 1899 ~ William McKenzie, commonly known as singer, songwriter, trombonist Red McKenzie, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Co-founded the Mound City Blowers in 1923 with Jack Bland and Dick Slevin, later joined by guitarist Eddie Lang. The quartet is known for songs such as One Hour and Hello Lola and worked with artists such as Glenn Miller, Pee Wee Russell, Coleman Hawkins, Bunny Berigan, Jimmy Dorsey, and Muggsy Spanier ~ McKenzie passed away in 1948
October 14, 1889 ~ Jazz singer, pianist, composer Spencer Williams born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Best remembered as a songwriter. Closely associated with Josephine Baker and with Fats Waller. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Shim-me-sha-wabble (the Emerson Dance Orchestra, Willie The Lion Smith, Zutty Singleton) Basin Street Blues (Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke), I Ain't Got Nobody (Marion Harris, Bessie Smith, Louis Prima), Royal Garden Blues (Mamie Smith, Wingy Manone), I've Found A New Baby (the Dixie Stompers, McKinney's Cotton Pickers), When Lights Are Low (Benny Carter, Chet Baker, Vic Damone), Everybody Loves My Baby (Aileen Stanley, the Boswell Sisters, Lionel Hampton), and Tishomingo Blues (Eddie Nelson, Duke Ellington) ~ Williams passed away in 1965