October 22, 2023 ~ Bassist, songwriter Gregg Sutton passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of Lone Justice. Probably best known for co-writing Stop, Sam Brown's breakthrough hit. Used as the title track and sophomore single of her 1988 debut album, the track would initially only have modest success. Its re-release the following year, however, reached top 10 in over a dozen countries, including her native UK, and catapulted the singer to fame. Others who recorded songs co-written by Sutton include Joe Cocker, Maria McKee (Breathe), Prairie Oyster, the Jeff Healey Band, Curtis Stigers, Charles & Eddie, Billy Ray Cyrus (How Much), and the Bonedaddys ~ Sutton was born in 1949
October 22, 2021 ~ David Blatt, commonly known as rock & roll, pop singer Jay Black, passed away in Queens, New York, USA ~ Lead singer of Jay & the Americans, with whom he scored about a dozen Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hits during the latter half of the 1960s. She Cried, Come A Little Bit Closer, Cara Mia, and This Magic Moment would all reach top 10 ~ Blatt was born in 1938
October 22, 2021 ~ Conductor, opera director, musicologist, composer Udo Zimmermann passed away in Dresden, Germany ~ Perhaps best known as director of the Leipzig Opera and the Deutsche Oper Berlin. As a composer internationally recognised for the one-act chamber opera Die Weisse Rose premiered in 1967, telling of the killing of siblings Hans Scholl and Sophie Scholl by the nazis for leading the non-violent resistance group Die Weisse Rose ~ Zimmermann was born in 1943
October 22, 2020 ~ Country singer Margie Bowes, full name Margie Marie Bowes, passed away in Brentwood, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for her 1959 country hit Poor Old Heartsick Me. Other well known songs include My Love And Little Me and Little Miss Belong To No One. Briefly married to Doyle Wilburn of the Wilburn Brothers ~ Bowes was born in 1941
October 22, 2019 ~ Singer, guitarist Don Baskin passed away ~ Member of Syndicate Of Sound, known for their single Little Girl which would reach the Billboard top 10 in 1966. The band would record a number of other singles, notably Rumors and Brown Paper Bag, but would be unable to replicate the success of Little Girl ~ Baskin was born in 1946
October 22, 2019 ~ Dixieland, swing trombonist, vibraphonist George Masso passed away ~ Enjoyed a long, yet somewhat underrated career interspered with stints as a music teacher for financial stability. Inspired to take up the trombone after hearing Lou McGarrity play on Benny Goodman's Yours. Perhaps best known for his work with Jimmy Dorsey during the late-1940s. Close to a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, acclaimed especially for the 1993 collaborative album Let's Be Buddies with Dan Barrett. Other notable associations include Wild Bill Davison, Buck Clayton, Charlie Ventura, Eddie Miller, the World's Greatest Jazz Band, Maxine Sullivan, and the Lawson-Haggart Jazz Band ~ Masso was born in 1926
October 22, 2017 ~ Trumpeter, flugelhornist Atle Hammer passed away in Oslo, Norway ~ Towering figure on the Oslo jazz scene known for several international collaborations. Trained in the USA as a civil engineer and worked at the Norwegian State Railways before establishing himself as the leading trumpeter in Norway in the 1950s. Played with a host of artists including Erik Amundsen, Mikkel Flagstad, Egil Kapstad, Laila Dalseth, Pepper Adams, George Russell, Red Holloway, Bjarne Nerem, James Moody, Terje Venaas, Elvin Sannes, Tom Olstad, Harald Bergersen, Erling Aksdal, Thorgeir Stubø, and the Per Husby Quintet ~ Hammer was born in 1932
October 22, 2017 ~ Rock guitarist, songwriter, producer George Young, full name George Redburn Young, passed away in Singapore ~ Founding member of the Easybeats, known for the 1967 hit Friday On My Mind. Founding member of Flash & the Pan, known for the 1976 hit Hey St Peter. As a producer and songwriter regularly collaborated with Harry Vanda, working with acts such as the Malcolm Hook Roll Band, John Paul Young (Love Is In The Air), Rose Tattoo and notably producing a vast amount of AC/DC's early work, the band including Young's brothers Angus Young and Malcolm Young ~ Young was born in 1947
October 22, 2013 ~ Hip hop, hyphy, pop rapper Tyga releases Wait For A Minute featuring Justin Bieber ~ Intended as a single off Tyga's The Gold Album (18th Dynasty), from which it was ultimately excluded. The single would be a modest hit, failing to reach the top half of the Billboard Hot 100. Commenting on his collaborator Justin Bieber, Tyga commented: “He's in this transition period. I felt like when me and Chris Brown did Deuces, it was like a moment. I feel like this would be a big moment for both of us with this song”
October 22, 2010 ~ Dennis Anthony Leopold Simpson, commonly known as singer, actor Denis Simpson, passed away in Toronto, Canada ~ Original bass singer of the Nylons from 1978 through 1979, leaving the band before they became commercially successful. Best known as a an actor and TV personality, notably as the host of The Polka Dot Door TV show ~ Simpson was born in 1950
October 22, 2010 ~ Electropop, dance-pop singer Ke$ha releases We R Who We R, lifted off her Animal debut album ~ The single would reach top 10 in over half a dozen countries, including the No.1 spot in both the UK and America. The singer was inspired to write We R Who We R after having read about a surge in suicide rates amongst gay teenagers in America, Ke$ha wrote the song as criticism of the people having to hide themselves, having to pretend to be someone other than who they are. She had hoped the song would become a pride anthem: “I wanted to inspire people to be themselves. It's a celebration of any sort of quirks or eccentricities”
October 22, 1998 ~ Rodrick Wayne Moore Jr, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter Roddy Ricch, born in Compton, California, USA ~ First gained attention with his 2018 single Die Young. Has collaborated with Nipsey Hussle (Racks In The Middle) and Mustard (Ballin'). Released his full-length debut album, Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial, in 2019 spawning the hit single The Box
October 22, 1994 ~ James Miller, commonly known as producer Jimmy Miller, passed away in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Best known for his association with several of Steve Winwood's bands, namely the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic and Blind Faith, and for frequently producing the Rolling Stones from the late-1960s through the early-1970s including some of their most critically acclaimed albums including Beggars' Banquet, Let It Bleed and Exile On Main St. Has also worked with artists such as Delaney & Bonnie, Eric Clapton, Bobby Whitlock, Kracker, the Plasmatics, Motörhead, Primal Scream, Johnny Thunders, Jo Jo Laine, and others ~ Miller was born in 1942
October 22, 1992 ~ Sheyaa Bin Abraham Joseph, commonly known as rapper 21 Savage, born in London, UK ~ Atlanta-based rapper gained local attention with the 2015 mixtape Slaughter Tape before breaking through the next year with the EP Savage Mode, produced by Metro Boomin', spawning the singles X and No Heart. Released his solo debut album, Issa Album, in 2017 which debuted at No.2 on the Hot 200
October 22, 1990 ~ Blues singer, guitarist Arthur Big Boy Spires passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Fronted the Rocket Four, known for their 1952 recording Murmur Low. The single sold poorly but is today seen as a classic of the Chicago blues genre. It featured a three-guitar line up consisting of Spires, Eddie El and Earl Dranes, and maracas by Willie Big Eyes Smith. Spires has also worked with Lightnin' Hopkins in the late-1930s ~ Spires was born in 1912
October 22, 1986 ~ Rock singer, actress, comedian Jane Dornacker, full name Jane Carroll Dornacker, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Fronted Leila & the Snakes, known for songs such as Rock & Roll Weirdos and Pyramid Power. Also worked with the Tubes, serving as the band's touring backing singer and dancer and co-writing Don't Touch Me There ~ Dornacker was born in 1947
October 22, 1986 ~ Guitarist, composer Thorgeir Stubø passed away in Narvik, Norway ~ Regarded by some of the best Norwegian guitarist of all time. Father of jazz guitarist Håvard Stubø and jazz singer Kjersti Stubø, grandfather of electronic musician Mathias Stubø. Has backed artists such as Jan Garbarek, Knut Riisnæs, Svein Christiansen, and Arild Andersen. As a leader best known for his 1986 Rhythm'a'ning album, recorded live in Tromsø ~ Stubø was born in 1943
October 22, 1985 ~ Kevin Michael Seward, commonly known as pop, R&B singer, songwriter Kevin Michael, born in Chester, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Cites Prince, Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder as main influences. Released his eponymous Wyclef Jean-produced Kevin Michael debut album in 2007. Featured as the wedding singer in the romantic comedy 500 Days Of Summer, performing the Etta James-cover At Last
October 22, 1985 ~ Mawuli Kulego, commonly known as rapper Lazee, born in Malmö, Sweden ~ First gained serious attention in Swedish urban underground with his 2006 mixtape It Is What It Is, 5000 copies handed out free of charge. Would release his full-length Setting Standards in 2008. Known best for songs such as Rock Away, Drop Bombs, Pusherman featuring J'son and Hold On featuring Neverstore
October 22, 1985 ~ Drummer, singer Zac Hanson born in Arlington, Virginia, USA ~ Member of pop rock unit Hanson, centered around Zac and his brothers Isaac Hanson and Taylor Hanson. The band shot to fame with their Billboard Hot 100 No.1 debut single Mmmbop of their 1997 Middle Of Nowhere album while all three brothers were still in their early to mid-teens. The single I Will Come To You of the same album also reached top 10. The siblings recorded about a dozen albums since, but failed to repeat their earlier success
October 22, 1984 ~ Singer, songwriter Anca Pop born in Moldova Noua, Romania ~ Debuted in 2017 with her eponymous studio album, Anca Pop, which spawned the singles Free Love, Super Cool, Ring Around, and Loco Poco ~ Pop passed away in 2018
October 22, 1983 ~ Disco, soul singer, songwriter Keith Barrow, full name Keith Errol Barrow, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Penned Teach Me (Something About Love), a modest mid-1970s hit for Blue Magic. Recorded three albums as a solo artist until his untimely death of AIDS-related complications at age 29, starting with the Bobby Eli-producer eponymous Keith Barrow in 1977. Barrow is fondly remembered among disco aficionados for songs such as Mr Magic Man, You Know You Want To Be Loved, Turn Me Up, and Physical Attraction ~ Barrow was born in 1954
October 22, 1981 ~ Gospel singer Anthony Brown, full name Anthony Jamar Brown, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Active since the early 2010s. Best known for his 2015 Everyday Jesus sophomore album
October 22, 1976 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Jon Foreman born in San Bernardino, California, USA ~ Lead singer, guitarist, primary songwriter of alternative rock outfit Switchfoot, which he co-founded with drummer Chad Butler and his brother bassist Tim Foreman in 1996. Cites Elliott Smith, U2, the Police, James Taylor, the Beatles, Radiohead, Johann Sebastian Bach, Ronny Jordan, Miles Davis, Keith Green, Nirvana, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and Led Zeppelin as influences
October 22, 1973 ~ Henry Cyril Franklin, commonly known as opera singer David Franklin, passed away in Worcester, UK ~ As an opera singer enjoyed popularity throughout the early 1951, his career paused by serving in the Army during World War II. A throat operation in 1951 forced him to retire from performing altogether, after which he ventured into writing and broadcasting known to the public for his appearances on the BBC Radio shows My Music and Radio ~ Franklin was born in 1908
October 22, 1968 ~ Orville Burrell, commonly known as dancehall, reggae rapper, singer Shaggy, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ First gained attention in the early-1990s with the Folkes Brothers cover Oh Carolina, used in the erotic thriller Silver. Though only a modest hit in the USA the single would reach No.1 in the UK. Burrell would however reach the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 with Bombastic and Angel featuring Rayvon
October 22, 1968 ~ Shelby Lynne Moorer, commonly known as Americana, country-rock, pop rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Shelby Lynne, born in Quantico, Virginia, USA ~ Sister of singer Allison Moorer. Critics darling. Praised for her contralto voice. Well over a dozen albums to her name, starting with Sunrise released in 1989. Won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist for her 1999 I Am Shelby Lynne pop rock album, despite it being her sixth studio album. Duetted with George Jones on If I Could Bottle This Up, released as a single in 1988. Other well known songs include The Hurtin' Side, I'll Lie Myself To Sleep Again, Things Are Tough All Over and Gotta Get Back
October 22, 1967 ~ R&B singer, songwriter, producer Tony Grant, full name Anthony Grant, born in Forest City, USA ~ Briefly lead singer of AZ Yet, taking over for Marc Nelson who left the band in 1997 to pursue a solo career. Appears on the band's hit single You're The Inspiration, a cover of a Peter Cetera. Grant would in turn be replaced by Ledon Bishop
October 22, 1964 ~ Kevin Michael McKeehan, commonly known as Christian hip-hop rapper, singer, songwriter TobyMac, born in Fairfax, Virginia, USA ~ First gained attention as a member of Christian rap trio DC Talk, especially acclaimed for their 1992 Free At Last album. Following the band's disbandement in 2000 McKeehan has recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Momentum released in 2001
October 22, 1963 ~ Benedicte Christine Adrian Moutin, commonly known as singer Benedicte Adrian, born in Oslo, Norway ~ Best known as half of 1980s, 1990s pop duo Dollie de Luxe, the other half being Ingrid Bjornov. Has since sung in operas including with the Norwegian Opera and the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
October 22, 1963 ~ Classical, jazz, hard rock cellist, bass guitarist, double bassist, composer Svante Henryson born ~ Worked with the World Youth Orchestra, the Oslo Philharmonic, the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, Yngwie Malmsteen, Ryan Adams, Elvis Costello, Steve Gadd, Jon Balke, Ketil Bjørnstad, Arve Henriksen, Anders Jormin, Terje Rypdal, Palle Mikkelborg, and others
October 22, 1963 ~ Pianist, singer Walter Davis passed away in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Influenced by Leroy Carr. Recorded from the early-1930s through the early-1950s. Frequently backed by Big Joe Williams on guitar. Known for songs such as Come Back Baby, Ashes In My Whiskey, Blue Blues and perhaps his best known the 1931 rendition of Sunnyland Blues ~ Davis was born ca.1912
October 22, 1958 ~ Drummer Bobby Blotzer, full name Robert John Blotzer, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known as member of metal outfit RATT from 1982 until its disbandement in 1992, the band also including his schoolmate bassist Juan Croucier. Has also worked with Dokken, Vic Vergeat, Firefoxx, Twenty 4 Seven, Montrose, Contraband, Operation Mindcrime, and the Saints Of The Underground
October 22, 1958 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, arranger Jan Gunnar Hoff born in Bodø, Norway ~ Played with artists such as Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Lars Danielsson, John Surman, Karin Krog, Maria João, Alex Acuña, Mike Stern, Ernst-Wiggo Sandbakk, Marilyn Mazur, Anders Jormin, Arve Henriksen, Per Jorgensen, Arild Andersen, Per Mathisen, Nils Petter Molvær, Stale Storløkken, Audun Kleive, Mathias Eick, and others
October 22, 1958 ~ Hard rock drummer, keyboardist Virgil Donati born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Considered one of the most technically proficient drummers of all time. Influenced by Louie Bellson, Buddy Rich, and Ian Paice. As a solo artist especially acclaimed for his 1996 Just Add Water sophomore album. Co-founding member and principal songwriter of Planet X, known for the albums Universe and Quantum. Donati has also worked with Joe Walsh, Ring Of Fire, Bunny Brunel, Mark Boals, Frank Gambale, Seven The Hardway, and Randy Bernsen
October 22, 1957 ~ Rock, tango saxophonist, guitarist, singer Daniel Melingo born ~ With a background in rock over time gravitated towards tango. Member of Los Twist. Member of Los Abuelos De La Nada. Has also worked with Milton Nascimento, Lions In Love, David Murray, and others. Released his solo debut album H20 in 1995 and has recorded primarily as a tango singer steadily to critical acclaim since
October 22, 1946 ~ Trumpeter, singer, composer Jac Berrocal, full name Jacques Berrocal, born in St Jean D'Angely, France ~ Founded jazz ensemble Catalogue. Has also worked as a solo artist and collaborated with Ron Anderson, Pierre Bastien, Pascal Comelade, Jaki Liebezeit, David Fenech, Ghédalia Tazartés, Vincent Epplay, Jason Willett, and others
October 22, 1945 ~ Singer, songwriter Eddie Brigati, full name Edward Brigati Jr, born in Garfield, New Jersey, USA ~ Member of Joey Dee & the Starliters, taking over for his brother David Brigati. Member of blue-eyed soul outfit the Young Rascals, co-writing hits such as You Better Run, I've Been Lonely Too Long, Groovin', How Can I Be Sure, Beautiful Morning and People Got To Be Free
October 22, 1945 ~ Leslie Abel Weinstein, commonly known as guitarist, singer Leslie West, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Founding member, co-lead singer of Mountain, known for their 1970 hit Mississippi Queen of their eponymous Mountain album. West had previously been a member of the Vagrants, with whom he scored the minor hits I Can't Make A Friend and Respect. In 2009 West would marry his fiancée Jenni Maurer on stage to a crowd of 15,000 after the band's performance at the Woodstock 40th Anniversary Concert in Bethel, New York. West had also performed with Mountain at the original edition of the one-time festival the Woodstock Music and Art Fair back in 1969 ~ Weinstein passed away in 2020
October 22, 1943 ~ Classical, avant-garde violinist, conductor Paul Zukofsky born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Known for his association with some of the finest composers of contemporary classical music including Milton Babbitt, Easley Blackwood Jr, John Cage, Morton Feldman, Artur Schnabel, Roger Sessions, Stefan Wolpe, Charles Wuorinen, Iannis Xenakis, and others ~ Zukofsky passed away in 2017
October 22, 1942 ~ Singer Annette Funicello, full name Annette Joanne Funicello, born in Utica, New York, USA ~ Rose to fame as one of the most popular Mouseketeers on the original Mickey Mouse Club. Would go on to release a number of recordings in the late-1950s and early-1960s. Noted for singles such as Tall Paul, First Name Initial, O Dio Mio and Pineapple Princess ~ Funicello passed away in 2013
October 22, 1942 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Bobby Fuller, full name Robert Gaston Fuller born in Baytown, Texas, USA ~ Influenced by Eddie Cochran, the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, the Everly Brothers, Dick Dale, and the Ventures. Fuller fronted the Bobby Fuller Four, its only other constant member his brother bassist Randy Fuller, the band known for songs such as Let Her Dance, Love's Made A Fool Of You, and their best known I Fought The Law. Just months after the latter, their breakout hit and to this day considered a quintessential recording of the era, reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100, Fuller was found deceased in his car at a mere age 23. The medical examiner checked both boxes for “accident” and “suicide” adding question marks. Fuller's death remains a mystery to this day ~ Fuller passed away in 1966
October 22, 1933 ~ Singer Bing Crosby records Temptation ~ Written by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed. Recorded by Crosby with Lennie Hayton & his Orchestra, introduced in the 1933 film Going Hollywood. Crosby would again record the song in 1945 with John Scott Trotter's orchestra and in 1954 for the Bing Crosby (A Musical Biography) album. Other notable versions of the song would be recorded by Artie Shaw, Perry Como, Mario Lanza, the Everly Brothers, Charlie Parker, and June Carter & Johnny Cash
October 22, 1931 ~ Harold Lee Chalker, commonly known as steel guitarist Curly Chalker, was born in Enterprise, Alabama, USA ~ Worked with Lefty Frizzell including on Always Late With Your Kisses and Mom And Dad's Waltz. Worked with Hank Thompson including on Cryin' In The Deep Blue Sea and The Wild Side Of Life. Also backed Red Foley, Porter Wagoner, Hank Penny, Willie Nelson, Ray Price, and Bill Haley. Also guested on recordings outside country and swing such as Marie Osmond's Paper Roses and Simon & Garfunkel's 1969 hit The Boxer. Member of the Four Giants Of Swing, alongside jazz violinist Joe Venuti, guitarist Eldon Shamblin and mandolinist Jethro Burns ~ Chalker passed away in 1998
October 22, 1929 ~ Jazz pianist, conductor, composer Giorgio Gaslini born in Milan, Italy ~ Worked with Anthony Braxton, Steve Lacy, Don Cherry, Roswell Rudd, Max Roach, Gato Barbieri, Jean-Luc Ponty, Enrico Rava, Kent Carter, Jean-François Jenny-Clark, I Nuovi Angeli, Pierro Leveratto, Gianni Bedori, Julius Farmer, Paolo Damiani, Roberto Ottaviano, Claudio Fasoli, Bruno Tomasso, Daniele di Gregorio, Roberto Bonati, and others ~ Gaslini passed away in 2014
October 22, 1928 ~ Douglas Clare Fischer, commonly known as keyboardist, arranger, composer Clare Fischer, born in Durand, Michigan, USA ~ Best known for penning and first recording Pensative and Morning, the former covered by the likes of George Shearing, Art Blakey, and Freddie Hubbard, while the latter has been covered by Sérgio Mendes, Donald Byrd, and Tito Puente. As a leader or solo pianist, Fischer has recorded over fifty albums since the early-1960s including perhaps most notably America The Beautiful, Starbright, Just Me (Solo Piano Excursions), and On A Turquoise Cloud. As a sideman, Fischer has appeared on albums by Cal Tjader, the Jazz Crusaders, Quincy Jones, Marvin Gaye, Henry Mancini, Moacir Santos, Hubert Laws (In The Beginning), Art Pepper, George Benson (Give Me The Night), and Jeff Berlin, while as an arranger he has worked with Chaka Khan, DeBarge, Robert Palmer, Prince (Diamonds And Pearls), Diane Schuur, Céline Dion, Tony Toni Toné, and Al Jarreau ~ Fischer passed away in 2012
October 22, 1928 ~ Country singer Jimmie Rodgers records Waiting For A Train at Victor Studio, Atlanta, Georgia ~ Written by Rodgers. Produced by Ralph Peer. Released as the B-side of Blue Yodel No.4 in 1929. The origins of the song can be traced back to a 19th century traditional found in various songbooks. Rodgers began performing the song around 1925 but could not recall the exact words. In 1928 Rodgers and Peer would rework the song to Waiting For A Train. George Harrison would cite both sides of the single as one of the earliest guitar recordings he ever heard, naming Rodgers as an influence on his own work. Gene Autry, Wilf Carter, Ernest Tubb, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Jerry Lee Lewis would each cover Waiting For A Train
October 22, 1926 ~ Ivor Pomerance, commonly known as pianist, songwriter, arranger, producer Ivor Raymonde, born ~ Best known as arranger and songwriter for Frankie Vaughan, Helen Shapiro, the Walker Brothers, Alan Price, and notably Dusty Springfield, including Springfield's I Only Want To Be With You debut single which reached top 10 in her native UK. Raymond's son bassist, keyboardist Simon Raymonde would reach success as a member of the 1980s, 1990s dream pop pioneers the Cocteau Twins and later co-found the Bella Union record label ~ Pomerance passed away in 1990
October 22, 1925 ~ Dorothy Veronica Langan, commonly known as songwriter, singer, guitarist Dory Previn, born in New Jersey, USA ~ In-demand Hollywood songwriter during the late-1950s and 1960s, mostly in partnership with her husband André Previn who often also conducted the film versions of their songs. The couple have received Academy Award nominations for The Faraway Part Of Town from the film Pepe, One Two Three Waltz from One Two Three, and A Second Chance from Two For The Seesaw. Artists who have recorded songs co-written by Previn include Doris Day (Control Yourself), Tony Bennett, Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra (You're Gonna Hear From Me), Dionne Warwick ((Theme From) Valley Of The Dolls), John Williams, and Liza Minnelli (Come Saturday Morning). Following the couple's divorce in 1970, Previn has recorded half a dozen albums as a singer including the highly acclaimed Mary C Brown And The Hollywood Sign released in 1972 ~ Langan passed away in 2023
October 22, 1925 ~ Classical flutist Elaine Shaffer born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Student of William Kincaid. Shaffer played with the Kansas City Philharmonic, was principal flute of the the Houston Symphony, and worked as a soloist playing festivals with violinist Yehudi Menuhin, pianist Hephzibah Menuhin, and harpsichordist George Malcolm. Composer Ernest Bloch dedicated two works to her, Suite Modale and Two Last Poems (Maybe) ~ Shaffer passed away in 1973
October 22, 1898 ~ John Dickson Kelley, commonly known as jazz pianist, bandleader Peck Kelley, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Best known for leading the 1920s band Peck's Bad Boys, which at times also included Jack Teagarden, Louis Prima, Terry Shand, Wingy Manone, Leon Roppolo and Pee Wee Russell ~ Kelley passed away in 1980
October 22, 1895 ~ Songwriter, music publisher Reg Connelly, full name Reginald John Connelly, born in Buckhurst Hill, UK ~ Frequent songwriting, music publishing partner of Jimmy Campbell, the pair at times publishing or writing music under the common moniker Irving King. The pair wrote or co-wrote a number of oft-covered 1920, 1930s songs including Show Me The Way To Go Home (the New Princes Toronto Band, the California Ramblers, Julie London), If I Had You (the Piccadilly Players, Ben Selvin, Art Tatum), Goodnight Sweetheart (the New Mayfair Dance Orchestra, Ruth Etting, Dean Martin, the Flamingos, Connie Francis), By The Fireside (Buddy Campbell, Vera Lynn, Jo Stafford), Try A Little Tenderness (Jack Payne, Frank Sinatra, Jackie Wilson, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding), and Just An Echo In The Valley (Bing Crosby, Ray Noble, Rudy Vallée) ~ Connelly passed away in 1963
October 22, 1811 ~ Composer, pianist Franz Liszt born in Doborjan, Hungary ~ Prolific composer from the Romantic era, one of the most prominent figures in New German School (Neudeutsche Schule). Friend and musical promoter to many composers of his time including Frédéric Chopin, Richard Wagner, Hector Berlioz, Robert Schumann, Camille Saint-Saëns, Edvard Grieg, Ole Bull, Joachim Raff, Mikhail Glinka, and Alexander Borodin ~ Liszt passed away in 1886
October 22, 1725 ~ Baroque composer Alessandro Scarlatti, full name Pietro Alessandro Gaspare Scarlatti, passed away in Naples, Italy ~ Father of Domenico Scarlatti and Pietro Filippo Scarlatti, both composers. Considered one of the premier composers of the Neapolitan school of opera. Also known for his chamber cantatas ~ Scarlatti was born in 1660