October 16, 1994 ~ Amelia ily Oliver, commonly known as pop, dance, pop-rock singer Amelia Lily, born in Nunthorpe, UK ~ Reached third place in the 8th edition of The X-Factor in 2011
October 16, 1984 ~ Singer, actor Shayne Ward, full name Shayne Thomas Ward, born in Tameside, UK ~ Winner the 2nd edition of The X-Factor in 2005
October 16, 1983 ~ Lorine Zineb Noka Talhaoui, commonly known as pop singer, producer Loreen, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Internationally best known for Euphoria, the 2012 Eurovision Songfestival winner written by Peter Boström and Thomas Gustafsson
October 16, 1981 ~ Ali Bouali, commonly known as pop rapper, singer, TV personality Ali B, born in Zaanstad, the Netherlands ~ Emerged in the early 2000s with songs such as Ik Ben Je Zat and Hartendief both with Brace, Rampeneren featuring Yes-R & the Partysquad, Wat Zou Je Doen with Marco Borsato. Has also worked with artists such as the Opposites, Fresku, and Ronnie Flex
October 16, 1980 ~ Avant-garde jazz guitarist Mary Halvorson born in Brookline, Massachusetts, Massachusetts, USA ~ Leader, co-leader, sidewoman. Although primaarily categorized as an avant-garde jazz guitarist draws from a wide variety of idioms including flamenco, rock and psychedelia. Formed the trio Thumbscrew with bassist Michael Formanek and drummer Tomas Fujiwara. Has also worked with John Hebert, Ches Smith, Ambrose Akinmusire, John Dieterich, Jessica Pavone, Tom Rainey, Plymouth, the Thirteenth Assembly, Marc Ribot, the Young Philadelphians, Noël Akchoté, Ingrid Laubrock, and others
October 16, 1978 ~ Abel Talámantez Mendoza, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer Abel Talámantez born in Pecos, Texas, USA ~ Member of Los Envivo Kings. Has previously worked with Menudo during the 1990s and its spin-off group MDO, as well as with La Sombra, Kumbia Kings, and AB Quintanilla
October 16, 1978 ~ Jazz bassist, composer Eva Kruse born in Hamburg, West Germany ~ Classically trained pianist. Best known as bassist, both on upright bass and bass guitar. Actively recording since the early 2000s. Worked with Firomanum, Arne Jansen, Bunky Green, Bugge Wesseltoft, Nils Landgren, Niels Klein, and others
October 16, 1977 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter John Mayer born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA ~ Formed the short-lived duo Lo-Fi Masters with Clay Cook. After the duo disbanded would play local clubs before gaining serious exposure at the 2001 South By Southwest, landing him a record deal with Aware Records and eventually Columbia Records. His 2001 full-length Room For Squares and its 2003 Heavier Things would both reach platinum status. Well known songs include No Such Thing, Your Body Is A Wonderland, Daughters, Waiting On The World To Change, Say and Who Says, all of which reached top 20 Billboard Hot 100
October 16, 1974 ~ Producer, songwriter Bjorn Yttling born in Umea, Sweden ~ One third of Peter Bjorn & John, the other two being Peter Moren and John Eriksson. Co-founded Ingrid. Member of Liv. Also worked with Yttling Jazz, Lykke Li, Chrissie Hynde, Primal Scream, Franz Ferdinand, Sahara Hotnights, Anna Ternheim, the Shout Out Louds, the Hives, Taken By Trees, Nicolai Dunger, Caesar's Palace, Marit Bergman, the International Noise Conspiracy, Moneybrother, Robyn, the Deportees, Camera Obscura, the Concretes, Eldkvarn, the Shins, Sarah Blasko, Natasha Bedingfield, Alex Winston, Benjamin Clémentine, Kygo, Neko Case, Freja the Dragon, and others
October 16, 1972 ~ Anders Trentemøller, mononymously known as alternative rock, indietronica, techno, ambient producer Trentemøller, born in Vordingborg, Denmark ~ Cites Siouxsie & the Banshees, My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Joy Division, and Depeche Mode as influences. Actively recording since the mid-2000s. Well-known for his first three albums, The Last Resort, Into The Great Wide Open, and Lost, all of which reached top 5 in his native Denmark
October 16, 1970 ~ Jazz, standards, musical singer Heine Totland born in Moster, Norway ~ Married to singer Silje Nergaard. Debuted as a solo singer with the album Tough Times For Gentlemen in 2005
October 16, 1969 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer, songwriter Jon Poole, full name Jonathan Charles Poole, born in Hertfordshire, UK ~ Brother of session bassist Ed Poole and jazz trombonist Cathi Poole. Draws mostly from punk rock, progressive rock and hard rock but is also influenced by jazz, disco, soul, new wave, synth-pop and other genres. Guitarist for the Cardiacs. Bassist for the Wildhearts and for Lifesigns. Frontman of the God Damn Whores. Co-fronts Dowling Poole with Willie Dowling. Has also worked with Ablemesh, Dr Brighton, Celebricide, and has recorded as a solo artist, notably the Frank Zappa-tribute album Mothers Covers released in 1994
October 16, 1969 ~ Singer Wendy Wilson born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Daughter of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and Marilyn Wilson of the Honeys. Co-founded Wilson Phillips with sister Carnie Wilson and childhood friend Chynna Phillips, known for a string of 1990s hits including Hold On, You're In Love, The Dream Is Still Alive and You Won't See Me Cry
October 16, 1965 ~ Jazz vibraphonist Anthony Kerr born in Belfast, UK ~ Worked with Georgie Fame, Charlie Watts, the BBC Big Band, Robbie Williams, Joe Lovano, Jacquie Dankworth, Courtney Pine, David Friedman, Kenny Werner, John Taylor, Louis Stewart, Peter King, Norma Winstone, Mike Westbrook, Ian Shaw, Dale Barlow, Justin Woodward, Stewe Brown, Geoff Gascoyne, and Kathryn Williams
October 16, 1962 ~ Operatic baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky born in Krasnoyarsk, Russia ~ Worked with the Nice Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Royal Opera House, the Metropolitan Opera, the Berlin State Opera, La Scala, the Vienna State Opera, and others ~ Hvorostovsky passed away in 2017
October 16, 1962 ~ Michael Peter Balzary, commonly known as bassist Flea, born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Co-founding member of pivotal rock, alternative rock group the Red Hot Chili Peppers, drawing from idioms as diverse as funk, punk rock, hard rock, hip hop, psychedelic rock. With well over a 100 million records sold the band ranks as one of the all-time best-selling acts and has scored the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Under The Bridge, Scar Tissue and Dani California. Also a member of supergroups Atoms For Peace, ANTEMASQUE and Rocket Juice & the Moon, and has guested on recordings by Pigface, the Mars Volta, Johnny Cash, Tom Waits, Alanis Morissette, Young MC, the Circle Jerks, Fear, Nirvana, Jane's Addiction, and others
October 16, 1961 ~ Mark Howard James, commonly known as hip hop DJ, producer the 45 King, born ~ His stagename comes from his ability to make beats using obscure 45 RPM records. First gained attention with his 1987 breakbeat track The 900 Number, featuring a looping of a sax solo from Marva Whitney's 1968 Unwind Yourself recording. Not only did his breakbeat track land him a production deal, it would become a hip hop classic sampled by numerous artists. James is also especially acclaimed for his extensive work on Queen Latifah's 1989 All Hail The Queen debut album, serving as co-producer, co-songwriter on nearly half the album's tracks including Dance For Me ~ James passed away in 2023
October 16, 1961 ~ Author, music journalist, radio DJ, TV personality Leo Blokhuis born in Zevenbergen, the Netherlands ~ Known to the public best for his involvement with the long-running Top 2000 à Go-Go TV show presenting a yearly listener poll of all-time greatest songs and for various roles for national radio stations 3FM, NPO Radio 6 and Radio 2. Regarded an authority on pop music for his near-encyclopedic knowledge, earning him both the nickname “Popprofessor” and the 2008 Pop Media Prijs. Authored or co-authored about a dozen books on pop music, debuted as a novelist in 2019 with Blauwe Zomer. Has worked on over half a dozen theater shows, mostly with his wife actress, singer Ricky Koole, starting with Harmonium in 2007, presenting forgotten songs and composers
October 16, 1960 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Bob Mould born in Malone, New York, USA ~ Best known as guitarist, singer, songwriter for alternative rock bands Hüsker Dü in the 1980s and Sugar in the 1990s. Has also released solo albums and collaborated with Blowoff, Anton Fier, Tony Maimone, Ground Zero, the Golden Palominos, the Foo Fighters, the 6ths, Throwing Muses, Soul Asylum, and others
October 16, 1960 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist, singer Gary Kemp born in Islington, UK ~ Co-founding member and principal songwriter of Spandau Ballet, having written or co-written all of the band's UK charting singles including True, Gold, Through The Barricades and Only When You Leave.
October 16, 1960 ~ Pianist, singer, composer Leila Pinheiro born in Belem, Brazil ~ Bossa nova singer. Debuted in 1983 with the eponymous Leila Pinheiro album and has recorded steadily since. Worked with Antônio Carlos Jobim, João Donato, Ivan Lins, Francis Hime, Toninho Horta, the Zimbo Trio, Pat Metheny, Baden Powell, Toquinho, and others
October 16, 1957 ~ Jacqueline McKinnon, commonly known as disco singer Kelly Marie, born in Paisley, UK ~ Best known for Feels Like I'm In Love, a hit in the UK and Europe in 1980
October 16, 1956 ~ Conductor, violinist Marin Alsop born in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra, the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Colorado Symphony, the Scottish National Orchestra, the City Of London Sinfonia, and others
October 16, 1955 ~ Drummer Miriam Linna born in Sudbury, Canada ~ Co-founding member of the Cramps. Left the band in 1977, prior to any official releases, to join new wave band Nervus Rex
October 16, 1954 ~ Saxophonist Tim Berne born in Syracuse, New York, USA ~ Leader, co-leader, sideman. Renowned avant-garde saxophonist, heavily influenced by R&B. Over a dozen albums to his name as a leader, acclaimed especially for the albums 7x, Mutant Variations and Fulton Street Maul. Closely associated with Paraphrase, Big Satan, Hardcell. Has also worked with Bill Frisell, Marilyn Crispell, Michael Formanek, Bruno Chevillon, Umberto Petrin, Drew Gress, Ingrid Laubrock, David Torn, John Zorn, and others
October 16, 1953 ~ No wave, new wave, punk rock bassist George Scott III born in Burlington, Iowa, USA ~ Known for role in late 1970s New York no wave movement influential on later acts such as Sonic Youth, working with artists such as the Contortions, the Human Switchboard, John Cale, and Lydia Lunch. Following his death at age 26 of a heroin overdose, 8 Eyed Spy would call it quits. Another band, the Raybeats, however which was also co-founded by Scott would continue with Danny Amis taking over Scott's bass duties ~ Scott passed away in 1980
October 16, 1953 ~ Rock, space rock, progressive rock, hard rock keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, singer Tony Carey born in Watsonville, California, USA ~ First gained attention guesting on Rainbow's 1976 acclaimed Rising, especially noted for his keyboard work on the tracks Tarot Woman and A Light In The Black. Has since recorded well over a dozen albums as a solo artist and as primary force, frontman of Planet P Project. Has guested on recordings by Pat Travers, Omega, Jennifer Rush, Joe Cocker, Chris Norman, Sinner, José Carreras, and Evil Masquerade
October 16, 1952 ~ Bassist Cordell Boogie Mosson born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA ~ Member of United Soul alongside Garry Shider, known for several early 1970s George Clinton-produced tracks including I Miss My Baby and Baby I Owe You Something Good. Cordell continued to work with Clinton as a member of both Parliament and Funkadelic ~ Mosson passed away in 2013
October 16, 1952 ~ Lutenist Jakob Lindberg born in Djursholm, Sweden ~ Best known for recording the complete works for lute of John Dowland. Also known as an acclaimed interpreter of Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, Luigi Boccherini and Joseph Haydn. Has accompanied artists such as Nigel Rogers, Ian Partridge, Emma Kirkby, Anne Sofie von Otter. Has collaborated with the English Concert, the Academy of Ancient Music, the Taverner Choir, the Monteverdi Choir, the Purcell Quartet and the Chaiaroscuro Quartet
October 16, 1952 ~ Trombonist, sousaphonist, singer Ray Anderson born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Anthony Braxton, Barry Altschul, George Gruntz, David Murray, Charlie Haden, Dr John, Luther Allison, Bennie Wallace, Gerry Hemingway, Henry Threadgill, John Scofield, Roscoe Mitchell, Randy Sandke, Bobby Previte, Jim Pugh, George Russell, Han Bennink, and others
October 16, 1948 ~ Producer, arranger, conductor, pianist, guitarist, songwriter, label executive Jim Ed Norman, full name Edward James Norman, born in Fort Edwards, Florida, USA ~ Considered one of the prime architects of 1970s West Coast pop and rock. Label executive with Warner Bros Records, eventually rising to the position of president. Started his career in music as a member of Shiloh, which also included Don Henley. Pianist on the Eagles' Lyin' Eyes and Take It To The Limit. As a producer has worked with Jackie DeShannon, the New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Glenn Frey, the Osmonds, Jennifer Warnes (Right Time Of The Night), Anne Murray, Charlie Rich, Mickey Gilley, Janie Fricke, Michael Martin Murphey, TG Sheppard, Southern Pacific, Crystal Gayle, and others
October 16, 1947 ~ Robert Hall Parker, commonoly known as rock, psychedelic rock, folk guitarist, singer, songwriter Bob Weir, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Best known as founding member of the Grateful Dead staying with the band up to its disbandement in 1995. Has also worked with Kingfish, Bobby & the Midnites, the Other Ones, Ratdog, Scaring The Children, Furthur, Dead & Company, and others
October 16, 1947 ~ Drummer, singer George Cameron born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of the Left Banke, best known for their 1966 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Walk Away Renee ~ Cameron passed away in 2018
October 16, 1946 ~ Organist, pianist, composer Wolfgang Rübsam, full name Wolfgang Friedrich Rübsam, born in Giessen, Germany ~ Recorded prolifically, including the complete organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach, Felix Mendelssohn, César Franck, and Jehan Alain. As a teacher best known for his stints at the Northwestern University, Illinois, and at the Hochschüle für Musik Saar, Saarbrucken, Germany
October 16, 1945 ~ Guitarist, composer, bandleader Mose Se Sengo born in Leopoldville, Congo ~ Pioneer of Congolese soukous. Best known for founding and fronting Somo Somo. Has also worked with TPOK Jazz, Lovy du Zaire, and Bana OK ~ Sengo passed away in 2019
October 16, 1945 ~ Soul, rock drummer Roger Hawkins born in Sheffield, Alabama, USA ~ Member of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. Present on classic recordings such as Percy Sledge's When A Man Loves A Woman, Aretha Franklin's RESPECT, Wilson Pickett's Land Of 1,000 Dances. Has also worked with the Staple Singers, Johnnie Taylor, Cat Stevens, Duane Allman, Joe Cocker, Paul Simon, Bob Seger, Rod Stewart, Bobby Blue Bland, Boz Scaggs, Albert King, Traffic, Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, and others ~ Hawkins passed away in 2021
October 16, 1944 ~ Folk singer, banjoist Patsy Watchorn born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Founded and fronted the Quare Fellas, renamed to the Dublin City Ramblers by the early 1970s and known for songs such as Rare Ould Times and The Ferryman. Joined the Dubliners in 2005, taking over for Paddy Reilly, and remained with the band until its disbandement in the early 2010s
October 16, 1943 ~ Charles Frederick Turner, commonly known as bassist, singer, songwriter CF Turner, born in Winnipeg, Canada ~ Co-founding member of 1970s rock outfit Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Also worked with Pink Plum, Brave Belt, D-Drifters, Randy Murray, the Little River Band, and others
October 16, 1943 ~ Kathleen Dorritie, commonly known as glam rock, glam punk singer, songwriter Cherry Vanilla. born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Acted in Andy Warhol's play Pork. Publicist for David Bowie. As a solo singer best known for two late-1970's albums, namely Bad Girl and Venus D'Vinyl
October 16, 1939 ~ William Cox, commonly known as bassist Billy Cox, born in Wheeling, West Virginia, USA ~ Best known for backing Jimi Hendrix. Has also toured or recorded with Sam Cooke, Slim Harpo, Joe Simon, Charlie Daniels, John McLaughlin, Rufus Thomas, Lou Rawls, Etta James, Jackie Wilson, and Little Richard
October 16, 1939 ~ Singer Joe Dolan, full name Joseph Francis Robert Dolan, born in Mulingar, Ireland ~ The only Irish singer to score a No.1 in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Known for songs such as Pretty Brown Eyes, Teresa, Sister Mary, More And More, Good Looking Woman, and others. Worked with Sweeney's Men, the Drifters Showband, Kelly Marie, and others ~ Dolan passed away in 2007
October 16, 1938 ~ Christa Päffgen, commonly known as avant-garde, gothic rock, art rock, folk kock singer, actress Nico, born in Cologne, Germany ~ Rose to prominence acting in films such as Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita and Andy Warhol's Chelsea Girls. Sang with the Velvet Underground on the band's Velvet Underground & Nico debut album. As a solo artist known for her 1965 I'm Not Sayin' single produced by Jimmy Page and the Bob Dylan-penned I'll Keep It With Mine of her 1967 Chelsea Girl debut album ~ Päffgen passed away in 1988
October 16, 1937 ~ Michael Emile Telford Miller, commonly known as rock & roll, pop singer, guitarist, keyboardist, drummer Emile Ford, British Windward Islands ~ Best known for his 1959 UK No.1 hit What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For with his backing unit the Checkmates ~ Miller passed away in 2016
October 16, 1936 ~ Bolero, bossa nova singer, pianist, politician Agnaldo Timóteo, full name Agnaldo Timóteo Pereira, born in Caratinga, Brazil ~ Over 40 albums to his name starting in the mid-1960s. Known for songs such as Ave Maria, Mamãe, Os Verdes Campos De Minha Terra and Meu Grito. Politically active from the early 1980s through the 2010s, serving in various functions including Federal Deputy and City Councillor ~ Timóteo passed away in 2021
October 16, 1935 ~ Peylia Marsema Balinton, commonly known as R&B singer Sugar Pie DeSanto, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Discovered by Johnny Otis who gave her the stage name Sugar Pie. Toured as backing singer with James Brown in the late 1950s. As a solo artist rose to fame with her 1960 hit I Want To Know. Would go on to release a number of classic 1960s R&B hits throughout the remainder of the decade, notably Slip-in Mules, Use What You Got, Soulful Dress, I Don't Wanna Fuss and Do I Make Myself Clear, the latter a duet with Etta James
October 16, 1932 ~ Jazz pianist Ben Aronov, full name Benjamin James Aronov, born in Gary, Indiana, USA ~ In-demand sideman. Worked with Terry Gibbs, June Christy, Lena Horne, Al Cohn, Benny Goodman, Jim Hall, Morgana King, Lee Konitz, Peggy Lee, Liza Minnelli, George Mraz, Mark Murphy, the National Jazz Ensemble, Ken Peplowski, Tom Pierson, Zoot Sims, Carol Sloane, and Warren Vaché Jr ~ Aronov passed away in 2015
October 16, 1932 ~ Double bassist, conductor Henry Lewis, full name Henry Jay Lewis, was born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Married to singer Marilyn Horne from 1960 until 1972. Child prodigy. Member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic by age 16. Director of the Seventh Army Symphony Orchestra. Also worked with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Itzhak Perlman, Misha Dichter, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Metropolitan Opera, the Chicago Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Boston Symphony, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and others ~ Lewis passed away in 1996
October 16, 1923 ~ Saxophonist Lenny Hambro born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ As sideman played with Gene Krupa, Glenn Miller, Roy Eldridge, Billy Butterfield, Bobby Byrne, Vincent Lopez, Pupi Campo, Machito, Ray McKinley, Charlie Ventura, Joe Loco, and others. As leader he employed artists such as Wade Legge, Rene Hernandez, Eddie Costa, Hank Jones, Dick Garcia, Sal Salvador, Barry Galbraith, Louis Barretto, Clyde Lombardi, Arnold Fishkind, Eddie Bert, Mel Zelnick, Harold Granowski, Gus Johnson Jr, Sid Bulkin, Jose Mangual, Ubaldo Nieto, Ray Santamaria, Babs Gonzales, and others ~ Hambro passed away in 1995
October 16, 1922 ~ Walter William Bygraves, commonly known as comedian, actor, singer Max Bygraves, born in London, UK ~ Known for his catchphrase “I wanna tell you a story” which became an integral part of his act although it originated with comedian Mike Yarwood impersonating Bygraves. Opened for Abbott & Costello and for Judy Garland before scoring a string of UK top 10 hits starting in the early 1950s, including Heart Of My Heart, Meet Me On The Corner and You Need Hands ~ Bygraves passed away in 2012
October 16, 1918 ~ Dale Troy Cooper, commonly known as bluegrass, country fiddler, guitarist Stoney Cooper born in Harman, West Virginia, USA ~ Member of gospel outfit the Leary Family, eventually marrying one of its singers, Wilma Lee Cooper. Starting in the 1940s as a duo they would score several country hits including Big Midnight Special and There's A Big Wheel ~ Cooper passed away in 1977
October 16, 1917 ~ Jazz pianist, singer Pat Flowers, full name Ivelee Patrick Flowers, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Worked with Fats Waller during the last year of Waller's life. Subsequently manager Ed Kirkeby attempted to book him as Waller's successor. Flowers would record for most of the decade in New York, eventually returning to Detroit where he would become a mainstay on the local jazz scene ~ Flowers passed away in 2000
October 16, 1903 ~ Joseph Lee Williams, commonly known as Delta blues guitarist, singer Big Joe Williams, born in Crawford, Mississippi, USA ~ Plays a nine-string guitar. Known for songs such as Baby Please Don't Go, Crawlin' King Snake and Peach Orchard Mama. Worked with Sonny Boy Williamson I, Robert Nighthawk, and Peetie Wheatstraw ~ Williams passed away in 1982
October 16, 1903 ~ Ford Lee Washington, commonly known as vaudevillian, pianist, singer Buck Washington, born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Formed the duo Buck & Bubbles with John W Bubbles, reportedly becoming the first black artists to appear on TV anywhere in the world performing at the Alexandra Palace in November 1936 aired by the BBC. Washington is also known for backng artists such as Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith and Coleman Hawkins ~ Washington passed away in 1955
October 16, 1898 ~ Clarinetist, bandleader John Casimir born ~ First gained attention in the late 1910s, playing in the Young Eagles Band alongside Lee Collins. Best known for leading the Young Tuxedo Brass Band from the early 1940s until his death some two decades later, the 1958 Jazz Begins the only album released during his lifetime ~ Casimir passed away in 1963