October 17, 2023 ~ Lovella May Borg, commonly known as jazz, free jazz pianist, composer Carla Bley, passed away ~ Over two dozen albums to her name as a leader or co-leader, best known for her 1971 Escalator Over The Hill jazz opera. Married to pianist Paul Bley, who encouraged her to compose, from 1957 to 1964. Married to trumpeter Michael Mantler from 1965 to 1991. Considering herself “99% composer and 1% pianist” Bley would become especially renowned as a composer, writing pieces such as Bent Eagle recorded by George Russell, Ictus recorded by Jimmy Giuffre, and Sing Me Softly Of The Blues recorded by Art Farmer. To rock audiences known for her association with Pink Floyd-drummer Nick Mason, producing, writing all the material of and playing piano on Mason's Nick Mason's Fictitious Sports solo debut album, which also featured Soft Machine's Robert Wyatt on vocals ~ Borg was born in 1936
October 17, 2022 ~ Classical pianist Michael Ponti passed away in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany ~ Acclaimed interpreter of the works of Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Sergei Rachmaninoff as well as lesser-known composers including Charles-Valentin Alkan, Mily Balakirev, Clara Schumann and Sigismond Thalberg. Ponti has worked with renowned orchestras such the Orchestra de la Suisse Romande, the Buenos Aires Philharmonic, and the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra ~ Ponti was born in 1937
October 17, 2020 ~ Avant-garde, jazz fusion trumpeter Toshinori Kondo born in Mabari City, Japan ~ Active since the late-1970s, known for his avant-garde jazz and ambient recordings. As a leader especially acclaimed for a string of late-1990s, early-2000s albums, most notably Nerve Tripper released in 2003. As a sideman and collaborator, Kondo has appeared on albums by Eugene Chadbourne, Han Bennink (Jazz Bunker), Peter Brötzmann, Herbie Hancock (Future Shock), the Globe Unity Orchestra, Tristan Honsinger, the Die Like A Dog Quartet, Bill Laswell (Points Of Order), and Milford Graves ~ Kondo was born in 1948
October 17, 2018 ~ Saxophonist Chuck Wilson passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Took up the saxophone at age 11, led his own trio while still in high school. Spent much of his career in various big band ensembles. As a leader known for his 2010 Echo Of Spring album. As a sideman toured and recorded with the likes of Jerry Gray, Buddy Rich, Leon Redbone, Howard Alden (Swing Street), Loren Schoenberg, Buck Clayton, Bob Belden (Straight To My Heart (The Music Of Sting)), the One O'Clock Lab Band, Marisa Monte, John Pizzarelli, and Randy Sandke ~ Wilson was born in 1948
October 17, 2017 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Gord Downie, full name Gordon Edgar Downie, passed away in Toronto, Canada ~ Lead singer, lyricist of the Tragically Hip from its inception in 1984 until his death over three decades later. The band would rise from late-80s modern rock heroes to a national treasure in their native Canada, their final concert attended by the Prime Minister and broadcast live to millions. They are best known for songs such as Greasy Jungle, Ahead By A Century, Gift Shop, Poets, Fireworks, and Bobcaygeon. Downie has also recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Coke Machine Glow released in 2001. Downie is also known as a passionate advocate for environmental issues ~ Downie was born in 1964
October 17, 2014 ~ Rockabilly singer, label founder Willie Lewis passed away ~ Best known for founding Rock-A-Billy Record Company which from 1982 through 1998 re-released rare rockabilly recordings from artists such as Go Cat Go, Ronnie Dawson, Don Rader, Marti Brom, the Redline Rockets, and others ~ Lewis was born ca.1946
October 17, 2009 ~ Folk, pop, rock, psychedelica singer, songwriter, producer Kazuhiko Kato passed away in Karuizawa, Japan ~ Member of the Folk Crusaders, known for their 1967 psychedelic hit Kaettekita Yopporai (I Only Live Twice). Would go on to become an in-demand producer working with the likes of Shigeru Izumiya, Mariya Takeuchi, Takuro Yoshida. Also founded the Sadistic Mika Band, which included his wife Mika Fukui, known for their 1974 landmark album Kurofune. Also founded Vitamin Q ~ Kato was born in 1947
October 17, 2009 ~ Victor Mizzy, commonly known as songwriter, film, TV composer Vic Mizzy, passed away in Beverly Hills, California, USA ~ Perhaps best known for composing the theme songs for the TV series Green Acres and The Addams Family. Other well known songs written or co-written by Mizzy include My Dreams Are Getting Better All The Time (Doris Day), Three Little Sisters (the Andrews Sisters), Take It Easy (Dinah Shore), and The Jones Boy (the Mills Brothers) ~ Mizzy was born in 1916
October 17, 2008 ~ Levi Stubbles, commonly known as singer Levi Stubbs, passed away in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Brother of singer Joe Stubbs who sang with 100 Proof (Aged In Soul), the Falcons, the Contours, and the Originals. Best known as longtime lead singer of the Four Tops, known for songs such as Baby I Need Your Lovin', It's The Same Old Song, Reach Out I'll Be There, Bernadette, Standing In The Shadows Of Love, and Loco In Acapulco ~ Stubbs was born in 1936
October 17, 2007 ~ Theresa Veronica Breuer, commonly known as singer Teresa Brewer, passed away in New Rochelle, New York, USA ~ One of the most prolific singers of the 1950s. Known for songs such as Music Music Music, Till I Waltz Again With You, Ricochet Rock-o-Shay, Baby Baby Baby, and Jilted. Reemerged in the 1980s as a jazz singer, especially known for a string of tribute albums ~ Brewer was born in 1931
October 17, 2002 ~ Beecher Ray Kirby, commonly known as country guitarist, steel guitarist, dobroist, banjoist, singer Bashful Brother Oswald, passed away in Madison, Tennessee, USA ~ Popularized the resonator guitar and dobro. Original and sole constant member of Roy Acuff's backing unit the Smoky Mountain Boys, notably present on songs such as Precious Jewel, Wreck On The Highway, and Old Age Pension Check. In-demand session musician and collaborator, including with the all-star the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on the 1972 Will The Circle Be Unbroken album, and solo artist, recording about half a dozen albums starting with the eponymous Bashful Brother Oswald album released in 1962 ~ Kirby was born in 1911
October 17, 2002 ~ Charles Louis Domanico, commonly known as jazz, pop bass guitarist, double bassist Chuck Domanico, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Worked with Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Carmen McRae, Joni Mitchell, Taj Mahal, Diane Schuur, Natalie Cole, the Manhattan Transfer, Chet Baker, Henry Mancini, the Hindustani Jazz Sextet, Shelly Manne, Oliver Nelson, John Klemmer, Roger Kellaway, Barney Kessel, Art Pepper, Don Ellis, Bob Thiele, João Donato, Pisano & Ruff, Gerry Mulligan, Phoebe Snow, Rita Coolidge, Bobby Hutcherson, Louie Bellson, Sonny Criss, Shelly Manne, Wade Marcus, JD Souther, the Pointer Sisters, Herb Alpert, Freddie Hubbard, Patti Austin, Lou Rawls, Joe Sample, Bonnie Raitt, Julio Iglesias, Pat Benatar, Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Céline Dion, Dwight Yoakam, Lee Ann Womack, and others ~ Domanico was born in 1944
October 17, 2001 ~ Songwriter Jay Livingston, full name Jacob Harold Levison, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Songwriting partner of lyricist Ray Evans. Known for songs such as Buttons And Bows (Evelyn Knight, Dinah Shore, Bob Hope, the Ray Conniff Singers), Mona Lisa (Frank Culley, Nat King Cole, Santo & Johnny, Duane Eddy), and Que Sera Sera (Whatever Will Be Will Be) (Doris Day, Ivo Robic, Connie Francis, the Shirelles) ~ Livingston was born in 1915
October 17, 1996 ~ Shoegaze, pop rock drummer Chris Acland, full name Christopher John Dyke Acland, passed away in Burneside, UK ~ Co-founding member of Lush, considered one of the earliest as well as one of the top shoegazer bands of the 1990s. Their third and final album, Lovelife released in 1996, would become their best known and spawn the UK top 30 hits Single Girl, Ladykillers, and 500 (Shake Baby Shake). Singer, guitarist Emma Anderson had written the latter about the Fiat 500 car model, as she had just passed her driver's exam during the writing of the album. Following Acland's death of suicide at age 30, the band disbanded ~ Acland was born 1966
October 17, 1991 ~ Ernest Jennings Ford, commonly known as country, pop, gospel singer Tennessee Ernie Ford passed away in Reston, Virginia, USA ~ Best known for his hit recordings Shotgun Boogie and Sixteen Tons. Also remembered for songs such as Smokey Mountain Boogie, I'll Never Be Free with Kay Starr, Tailor Made Woman with Joe Fingers Carr, Mister And Mississippi, Blackberry Boogie, and Hicktown ~ Ford was born in 1919
October 17, 1988 ~ Im Da-mi, commonly known as pop, gospel singer, pianist, violinist, flutist, songwriter Dami Im, born in Seoul, South Korea ~ Released her Dreams debut album in 2010. First gained serious attention winning the 5th season of the Australian talent contest The X-Factor Australia in 2013. Internationally known for representing her adopted homeland Australia in the 2016 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 2nd place with Sound Of Silence
October 17, 1987 ~ In its twelfth week on the charts, Lost In Emotion by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Like all of Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam's hits, Lost In Emotion was written and produced by Full Force, a producer-team that discovered lead singer Lisa Lisa as a teenager and got her a record deal with Columbia Records. Full Force member Bowlegged Lou said they were listening to Mary Wells when they came up with the idea for Lost In Emotion, trying to combine the Wells hits You Beat Me To The Punch and Two Lovers. The result was Lost In Emotion, an upbeat love song telling of a woman in love with a man that everyone she knows thinks is wrong for her, yet she disregards them all and follows her heart. The song became the New York act's second and final Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit, after Head To Toe off the same parent album earlier the same year. Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam would rack up several more hits on the Billboard R&B charts through the early-1990s
October 17, 1984 ~ Jazz, blues singer, songwriter Alberta Hunter passed away on Roosevelt Island, New York, USA ~ Coming from humble beginnings, Hunter would get her start in music performing in a seedy bordello, where she developed a particular skill for improvising lyrics, toe eventually become a headlining act in the best venues including touring abroad by the mid-1930s. Hunter is perhaps best known for first recording Down Hearted Blues, which she co-wrote with Lovie Austin. The song would become a million-seller for blues singer Bessie Smith, with Hunter receiving no royalties as her manager had sold the rights. Down Hearted Blues, however, would become a standard covered by dozens of artists including Noble Sissle, Cab Calloway, Mildred Bailey, and Jimmy Rushing. Other well known songs recorded by Hunter include Someday Sweetheart (You'll Be Sorry), Chirping The Blues, and The Love I Have For You. By the late-1950s, Hunter retired from music to return to school and has subsequently worked as a nurse for the next 20 years until being forced into retirement because of her old age. In the 1970s, Hunter resumed her music career, performing and recording several acclaimed albums. Hunter has been posthumously inducted in the Blues Hall Of Fame and the Memphis Music Hall Of Fame ~ Hunter was born in 1895
October 17, 1984 ~ Jazz singer, bandleader, composer Anja Eline Skybakmoen born in Trondheim, Norway ~ Sister of guitarist Jonas Skybakmoen, married to guitarist David Aleksander Sjølie. Has worked with Eplemoya Songtag and Aphrodisiac. Joined Pitsj replacing Tore Augestad, first appearing on the 2009 Gjenfortellinger album. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with We're The Houses released in 2014
October 17, 1976 ~ Country bassist Ernie Newton, full name Ernest F Newton, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Orphaned at age 5. Started working in minstrel shows and radio orchestras in his teens. Closely associated with Fred Waring, Les Paul and Red Foley early on in his career. Would go on to become an in-demand session musician appearing on numerous classic country tracks including I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry and Lost Highway (Hank Williams), Making Believe (Kitty Wells), There Stands The Glass (Webb Pierce), i Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know (the Davis Sisters), Blue Moon Of Kentucky (Bill Monroe), and Man Of Constant Sorrow (the Stanley Brothers) ~ Newton was born in 1908
October 17, 1972 ~ Marshall Bruce Mathers III, commonly known as rapper Eminem, born in Joseph, Missouri, USA ~ One of the first white rappers to achieve mainstream success. Rose to fame in the late-1990s, especially acclaimed for the 1999 The Slim Shady LP and its 2000 follow-up The Marshall Mathers LP. Known for songs such as The Real Slim Shady, Stan featuring Dido, Lose Yourself, Crack A Bottle, and The Monster featuring Rihanna
October 17, 1972 ~ Tarkan Tevetoghu, mononymously known as pop-dance singer, songwriter Tarkan, born in Alzey, Germany ~ Dubbed “the Prince of the Bosporus” considered one of Turkey's most popular pop singers active since the early-1990s. Known for songs such as Kil Oldum, Simarik, Kuzu Kuzu and Bounce. Has collaborated with Sezen Aksu, Ozan Colakoglu, Nazan Oncel, Wyclef Jean, and Tiësto
October 17, 1971 ~ Skate punk, punk rock, pop punk drummer, guitarist Derrick Plourde, full name Derrick William Plourde, born in Goleta, California, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member of Lagwagon, with whom he recorded the acclaimed albums Duh, Trashed and Hoss, before departing the band in 1996 to be succeeded by Dave Raun. Plourde has also worked with Bad Astronaut, Jaws, the Ataris, Mad Caddies, and Rich Kids On LSD ~ Plourde passed away in 2005
October 17, 1970 ~ In its fifth week on the charts, I'll Be There by the Jackson 5 hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Issued as the lead single of their aptly titled Third Album, I'll Be There would be the fourth of four consecutive Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits for the sibling group, making them the first act to have their first four charting singles reach the top position. Over the years the song has been covered over an estimated 150 times, including notably as a romantic duet by Mariah Carey and guest vocalist Trey Lorenz for Carey's 1992 MTV Unplugged album, a popular format in the 1990s. It would be Carey's biggest hit up until that point in her career, become one of her all-time best known, and is arguably more famous than the original. Initially, Carey did not intend to perform the song but chose the song as a last-minute addition to her set list as she was told most acts would include one cover for their MTV Unplugged performance
October 17, 1969 ~ Christian rock singer, songwriter Ian Eskelin born in Springfield, Missouri, USA ~ Best known as founding member, lead singer of Christian rock band All Star United. Also an in-demand producer and songwriter, having worked with artists such as the Sidewalk Prophets, Francesca Battistelli (Holy Spirit), Chris August, Hawk Nelson, and 7eventh Time Down (God Is On The Move)
October 17, 1969 ~ Rapper, producer Wyclef Jean born in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti ~ Rose to fame as member of the Fugees alongside Lauryn Hill and Pras Michel, known especially for their 1996 The Score sophomore album. Released his solo debut album, Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival, the following year spawning the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Gone Till November. Also known for songs such as 911 featuring Mary J Blige, Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill) featuring Akon, Niia & Lil' Wayne, for writing and producing Santana's Maria Maria and for appearing on Destiny's Child's No No No
October 17, 1968 ~ David Nesta Marley, commonly known as singer, guitarist, drummer, producer, songwriter, actor Ziggy Marley, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Son of reggae icon Bob Marley and Rita Marley. Fronted sibling outfit Melody Makers, known best for their 1988 Grammy Award-winning album Conscious Party which spawned the hit single Tomorrow People. Marley has also recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist and served as producer or collaborator for the likes of Cheb Mami, Angélique Kidjo, Donna Summer, Stephen Marley, Carlos Santana, Florida Georgia Line, and Kenny Chesney
October 17, 1967 ~ Metal guitarist Allen West born in Brandon, Florida, USA ~ Pioneering death metal guitarist. Worked with Massacre, Obituary, Six Feet Under, and with others
October 17, 1965 ~ Singer, pianist, guitarist, actress, songwriter Alejandra Avalos, full name Alejandra Margarita Avalos Rodriguez, born in Mexico City, Mexico ~ Leading roles in theater productions of The Rocky Horror Show and Jesus Christ Superstar. TV host. Released het debut album Ser O No Ser in 1988. Would go on to record several acclaimed and commercially successful albums, drawing from a wide array of genres including mariachi, bolero, pop, dance and others
October 17, 1964 ~ In its seventh week on the charts, Do Wah Diddy Diddy by Manfred Mann hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written by husband-wife team Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, looking to recreate the hit they had with Da-doo-ron-ron, a top 10 hit for the Crystals on both sides of the Atlantic in 1963. Do Wah Diddy was first recorded by girl group the Exciters, yet it would not become a hit, stalling in the 70s on the Billboard Hot 100. However, when Manfred Mann got hold of the song, he added an extra “diddy” to the song and made Do Wah Diddy Diddy a No.1 hit. When the Exciters version went nowhere, the songwriters had initially planned to record the song themselves under the moniker the Raindrops, and Greenwich was initially put off a male group had gotten hold of the song. She quickly turned around though, later commenting: “We thought, with the British Invasion, maybe this is a lucky charm, and it sure was”
October 17, 1963 ~ British pop, rock group the Beatles record I Want To Hold Your Hand at EMI Studios, London, UK ~ Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Produced by George Martin. The first Beatles track recorded using four-track equipment. Released in the UK the following month, b/w This Boy recorded on the same day, it would become the second-best best-selling UK single of the decade by any artist, behind the band's She Loves You. Released in the USA in December, b/w I Saw Her Standing There, it would become the band's first Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit
October 17, 1960 ~ Singer Angéla Kramers, full name Angelina Maria Kramers, born in Haarlem, the Netherlands ~ Best known as member of pop girl group the Dolly Dots. The band would score numerous top 10 hits in the Netherlands, starting in the late-1970s, including Tell It All About Boys, Hela-do-ladi-do, STOP, Do You Wanna Wanna, She's A Liar, Dreaming Of You, and What A Night. Kramers would retire from music, apart from the occasional Dots reunion concert, after the band disbanded. She is a yoga instructor and founded the charity organization Stichting SAM aiming to offer therapy to autistic children and children suffering from Down syndrome. The foundation is named after her son Sam, who himself has Down syndrome
October 17, 1960 ~ Punk rock, pop punk guitarist John Haggerty born ~ Influenced by Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, Deep Purple's Ritchie Blackmore, UFO's Michael Schenker and the Band's Robbie Robertson. Best known as member of Naked Raygun from 1983 through 1989. After his departure from the band formed Pegboy which also included his brother Joe Haggerty. Toured with Stiff Little Fingers in 2011 substituting for Ian McCallum who fell ill
October 17, 1958 ~ Country singer, songwriter Alan Jackson, full name Alan Eugene Jackson, born in Newnan, Georgia, USA ~ Blends traditional honky-tonk with country-pop, both keeping the flame alive and updating the genre to a mass appeal. Has sold over 75 million records. Debuted in 1989 with the single Blue Blooded Woman to little success. Its follow-up, Here In The Real World would the top 5 of Billboard Country chart. Well known Jackson songs include I'd Love You All Over Again, Don't Rock The Jukebox, She's Got The Rhythm And I Got The Blues, Livin' On Love, Tall Tall Trees, Little Bitty, Right On The Money, Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning, Drive (For Daddy Gene), and Small Town Southern Man
October 17, 1958 ~ Jazz, swing guitarist, banjoist Howard Alden born in Newport, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Well over two dozen albums to his name as leader or co-leader, especially acclaimed for the albums Swing Street with Don Barrett, Plays The Music Of Harry Reser, Thirteen Strings and My Shining Hour. Has collaborated with the likes of Kenny Davern, Ruby Braff, Ken Peplowski, Bucky Pizzarelli, Warren Vaché Jr, New Jazz Wizards, Charlie Byrd, Milt Hinton, Butch Miles, Doug Munro, Loren Schoenberg, and others
October 17, 1957 ~ Giuseppe Henry Palladino, commonly known as bassist, producer Pino Palladino, born in Cardiff, UK ~ Prolific session bassist. Took over as the Who bassist after the death of founding member John Entwistle. Member of the Soultronics. Closely associated with John Mayer. Sessioned, sometimes produced, for a host of internationally known stars including Gary Numan, Paul Young, Joan Armatrading, Go West, David Gilmour, the Law, Melissa Etheridge, Richard Wright, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Mike Lindup, Richard Ashcroft, Steve Jordan, David Knopfler, Don Henley, Jeff Beck, d'Angelo, the Gaddabouts, Chris Eaton, Chris De Burgh, Phil Collins, Tears For Fears, the Christians, Julia Fordham, David Crosby, Michael McDonald, Bryan Ferry, Carly Simon, Peter Cetera, Jimmy Nail, BB King, Nikka Costa, Rod Stewart, Edie Brickell, Ronan Keating, Charlotte Church, Daniel Bedingfield, Alain Clark, Ed Sheeran, Kimbra, Kelly Clarkson, Keith Richards, Keith Urban, Nine Inch Nails, Josh Groban, Jacob Collier, and others
October 17, 1956 ~ Horn player Arkady Shilkloper born in Moscow, Russia ~ Regarded as supreme jazz hornist. Has worked with Mikhail Alperin, Vadim Neselovskyi, the Moscow Art Trio, Pago Libre, and Christian Zehnder
October 17, 1956 ~ Rockabily, rock & roll singer Gene Vincent records Pink Thunderbird at Bradley Film & Recording Studio, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Under the supervision of producer Ken Nelson, Vincent and his backing unit the Blue Caps record Pink Thunderbird as well as B-i-bickey Bi-bo-bo-go, Pretty Pretty Baby and Cruisin'
October 17, 1956 ~ Duo Mickey & Sylvia record Love Is Strange ~ Written by Bo Diddley, using his wife's name as a pseudonym. Produced by Bob Rolontz. Released the following month as a single, b/w I'm Going Home. Notable covers would be recorded by Buddy Holly, Betty Everett with Jerry Butler, Peaches & Herb, Kenny Rogers with Dolly Parton, and by Everything But The Girl. The original recording would be inducted in the Grammy Award Hall of Fame in 2004 for its influence as a rock & roll single
October 17, 1953 ~ Jazz trombonist, singer Joseph Bowie born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Brother of trumpeter Lester Bowie. Leader and sideman. Best known for leading jazz-punk outfit Defunkt and as a member of the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble. Worked with Alan Silva, Frank Wright, Bobby Few, Dr John, Cecil Taylor, the Human Arts Ensemble, Nona Hendryx, Leroy Jenkins, Vernon Reid, Stanley Cowell, Sam Rivers, Ornette Coleman, James Chance, Jean-Paul Bourelly, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Hans Dulfer, Candy Dulfer, Saskia Laroo, Naked Ears, the Emergency Room, Funkateer, Yuri Honing, Oliver Lake, Don Pullen, Luther Thomas, Yusef Lateef, Kahil El-Zabar, and others
October 17, 1951 ~ Sharon Ulrich, commonly known as folk, pop violinist, guitarist, pianist, mandolinist Shari Ulrich, born in San Rafael, California, USA ~ Formed Pied Pumpkin in the early-1970s with Rick Scott and Joe Mock. Touring member of the Hometown Band. As a solo artist especially acclaimed for her 1980 Long Nights debut album and its follow-up One Step Ahead released the next year
October 17, 1950 ~ Barbara Alexandra Reemer, commonly known as singer, TV personality Sandra Reemer, born in Bandung, Indonesia ~ Half of Sandra & Andres, the other half being Andres Holten. The duo, representing the Netherlands would reach 4th place at the 1972 Eurovision Songfestival with Als Het Om De Liefde Gaat. As a solo artist Reemer would also compete in the 1976 edition with The Party's Over, which reached ninth place, and the 1979 edition with Colorado, which reached 12th place ~ Reemer passed away in 2017
October 17, 1949 ~ Jazz, free jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Kazutoki Umezu born ~ Fronted 1980s quartet the Doctor Umezu Band. As a solo artist, leader also known for the acclaimed albums Eclecticism released in 1993 and its follow-up Ahiru released in 1996. As sideman present on albums by Kazumi Watanabe, the East Asia Orchestra, Third Person, Yannick Rieu, Butch Morris, Leonid Soybelman, and Dorado
October 17, 1947 ~ Rock, country rock, folk singer, guitarist, fiddler Scott Boyer, full name Charles Scott Boyer II, born in Chenango, New York, USA ~ Member of 31st of February. Co-founded Cowboy with Tommy Talton in 1969, best known for Please Be With Me which was later notably covered by Eric Clapton. Member of the Decoys from 1988 until his death in 2018 ~ Boyer passed away in 2018
October 17, 1942 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Jim Seals, full name James Eugene Seals, born in Sidney, Texas, USA ~ Member of the Champs. Wrote It's Never Too Late, recorded by Brenda Lee as the B-side of her 1961 You Can Depend On Me single. Best known as half of the duo Seals & Crofts, the other being Dash Crofts, scoring 1970s Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits with Summer Breeze, Diamond Girl and Get Closer ~ Seals passed away in 2022
October 17, 1941 ~ Bassist Alan Howard born in Dagenham, UK ~ Founding member of the Tremeloes, staying with the band from 1958 through 1972, the band's most successful period scoring UK hits such as Do You Love Me, Candy Man, I Want Candy, Silence Is Golden, and Even The Bad Times Are Good
October 17, 1941 ~ Singer, songwriter Earl Thomas Conley born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ One of the most popular country artists of the 1980s, scoring more hits than Alabama or Ronnie Milsap. Throughout the 1970s Conley recorded but to little success. Did write hits for others though, including Conway Twitty and Mel Street. Conley scored his first Country Top 40 single, Dreamin's All I Do, in 1979 and would start entering the Top 10 within two years, starting with Silent Treatment in 1980 and Fire & Smoke in 1981. For the remainder of the decade nearly every Conley single would top the US Country charts. All but one, namely Too Many Times, a duet with the Pointer Sisters member Anita Pointer which peaked at No.2. Over the course of his career Conley worked extensively with producer Nelson Larkin, songwriter Randy Scruggs, and has collaborated with Emmylou Harris, Keith Whitley and Blake Shelton ~ Conley passed away in 2019
October 17, 1936 ~ Beatrice Bertha Benjamin, commonly known as jazz, vocal jazz, soul jazz singer Sathima Bea Benjamin, born in Claremont, South Africa ~ Active since the 1950s. Influenced by Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald. Closely associated with Duke Ellington. Worked with Arthur Klugman, Kippie Moeketski, Carlos Ward, Stephen Scott, Kenny Barron, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Ben Riley, and with her husband Dollar Brand ~ Benjamin passed away in 2013
October 17, 1934 ~ Emmanuel Rodriguez, commonly known as ska and reggae trombonist Rico Rodriguez, born in Havana, Cuba ~ One of the first ska musicians. Worked with Count Ossie, Karl Pitterson, Prince Buster, Lloyd Daley, Dada uari, Coxsone Dodd, Duke Reid, Vincent Chin, Harry Mudie, the Members, the Specials (including on Message To You Rudy and Ghost Town), Jools Holland, Paul Young, and others ~ Rodriguez passed away in 2015
October 17, 1933 ~ Jeanne-Paule Marie Deckers, commonly known as singer the Singing Nun, born in Laeken, Belgium ~ Nun and member of the Dominican Order in Belgium. As a singer known for the 1963 novelty hit Dominique which became an international hit topping the charts in several countries including America. Besides English Deckers has recorded and released French, Dutch, German, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean and Portuguese versions of the song ~ Deckers passed away in 1985
October 17, 1925 ~ Songwriter, producer Ted Jarrett, full name Theodore Roosevelt Jarrett Jr, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ A&R scout for Tennessee Records. Wrote It's Love Baby (24 Hours A Day), a hit for Louis Brooks and later recorded by Hank Ballard and Ruth Brown. Wrote Love Love Love, a 1955 hit for Webb Pierce. Wrote and produced You Can Make It If You Try, a hit for Gene Allison and notably covered by the Rolling Stones, Buddy Guy and Gene Vincent. Has also produced artists such as Christine Kittrell, the Fairfield Four, Larry Birdsong, Roscoe Shelton, and the Avons ~ Jarrett passed away in 2009
October 17, 1923 ~ Jazz, pop, rock, R&B guitarist Barney Kessel born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA ~ Active since the early-1940s, initially working with artists such as Charlie Barnet, Artie Shaw, and Charlie Parker. Over 40 albums to his name as leader or co-leader since the mid-1950s, especially acclaimed for Some Like It Hot released in 1959. Noted for his guitar play on Julie London's Cry Me A River of her 1955 Julie Is Her Name album. Present on over half a dozen of Billie Holiday's albums including Lady Sings The Blues. Other notable collaborations include Sonny Rollins, Art Tatum, Buddy DeFranco, Charlie Byrd, and Herb Ellis. To non-jazz audiences known for his extensive studio work in the 1960s, appearing on albums by Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, Sonny & Cher, the Beach Boys (Pet Sounds), the Righteous Brothers, and Ike & Tina Turner ~ Kessel passed away in 2004
October 17, 1909 ~ William Randolph Cole, commonly known as jazz drummer Cozy Cole, born in East Orange, New Jersey, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for the hits Topsy I and its follow-up Topsy II. Renowned rock drummer Cozy Powell chose his stage name in honor of Cole. Cole worked with Wilbur Sweatman, Jelly Roll Morton, Blanche Calloway, Benny Carter, Willie Bryant, Stuff Smith, Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, Earl Bostic, Nat King Cole, Shorty Rogers, Wingy Manone, Jimmy McPartland, Rex Stewart, and others ~ Cole passed away in 1981
October 17, 1901 ~ Leeds Collins, commonly known as trumpeter Lee Collins, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Worked with the Young Eagles, the Columbia Band, the Tuxedo Brass Band, Louis Armstrong, Papa Celestin, Zutty Singleton, King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, the Astoria Hot Eight, Luis Russell, Dave Peyton, the Chicago Rambler, Johnny Dodds, Baby Dodds, Mezz Mezzrow, Lovie Austin, Jimmy Bertrand, Bertha Hill, Kid Ory, Art Hodes, Joe Sullivan, and others ~ Collins passed away in 1960