October 23, 2024 ~ John Allan Jones, commonly known as singer Jack Jones, passed away in Rancho Mirage, California, USA ~ First gained attention in the late-1950s, performing with his father singer Allan Jones in Las Vegas, to become somewhat of an anomaly during the 1960s, an era dominated by pop, rock & roll and British Invasion while Jones favored big band material, lush arrangements and romantic ballads, though ocassionally Jones did venture into pop, country and bossa nova. Well known songs include Wives And Lovers, Dear Heart, The Race Is On, The Impossible Dream (The Quest), and If You Ever Leave Me. To younger audiences, Jones is perhaps best remembered for Love Boat Theme, the theme to the popular TV show The Love Boat which aired from 1977 through 1986 ~ Jones was born in 1938
October 23, 2023 ~ Pop rock, trip hop guitarist Angelo Bruschini passed away ~ Member of pop rock unit the Blue Aeroplanes during the late-1980s, early-1990s, present on albums such as Swagger and Beatsongs. Member of trip-hoppers Massive Attack, including on 1998's Mezzanine and 2003's 100th Window, both acclaimed albums. Bruschini is also known for producing Strangelove's eponymous 1997 Strangelove album, which spawned the UK top 40 single The Greatest Show On Earth ~ Bruschini was born ca.1961
October 23, 2022 ~ Cowboy singer, guitarist, songwriter Don Edwards passed away ~ After spending years in obscurity rose to critical acclaim in the 1990s. Especially praised for the albums Songs Of The Trail released in 1993 and High Lonesome Cowboy released in 2002, the latter featuring backing from Peter Rowan and Tony Rice. Guested on Nanci Griffith's Night Rider's Lament of her Other Voices Other Rooms album released in 1993. Also known as an actor, notably appearing in the 1998 The Horse Whisperer film portraying the role of Smokey ~ Edwards was born ca.1935
October 23, 2022 ~ Operatic soprano Galina Pisarenko, full name Galina Alekseyevna Pisarenko, passed away in Moscow, Russia ~ Best known for her association with the Stanislavski And Nemirovich-Danchenko Theatre, remaining with the ensemble from 1961 through 1990. Also worked regularly with the Komische Oper Berlin during the 1970s, notably performing the title role in Carmen in 1976 ~ Pisarenko was born in 1934
October 23, 2022 ~ Conductor Libor Pesek passed away in Prague, Czechia ~ Considered one of the premier conductors of his day with a career spanning seven decades. Best known for his interpretations of Czech music, including championing lesser known composers such as Josef Suk and Vítezslav Novák. Closely associated with the Czech Philharmonic, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic ~ Pesek was born in 1933
October 23, 2021 ~ Conductor, composer Alfredo Diez Nieto passed away in Havana, Cuba ~ Founded and conducted the Orquesta Popular De Conciertos. Composed symphonies and chamber music, incorporating elements from traditional Cuban folk music. Well known works include Los Diablitos, Estampas and Sudor Y Látigo. Led the band of the Cuban Revolutionary Army in 1965 and 1966. Also closely associated with the Orquesta Sinfonica De La Escuala Nacional De Musica and the Orquesta Sinfonica De Camaguey, acclaimed for his interpretations of works composed by the likes of Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Ignacio Cervantes, Alejandro García Caturla, Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Eduardo Sánchez de Fuentes and Antonio Vivaldi ~ Nieto was born in 1918
October 23, 2020 ~ Ronald Clyde Crosby, commonly known as country, outlaw country singer, guitarist, songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker, passed away in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Best known for penning Mr Bojangles, covered by numerous artists including the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, JJ Cale, King Curtis, Bobbie Gentry, Whitney Houston, Harry Nilsson, Johnny Paycheck, Bob Dylan, and Nina Simone. Other well known songs include Jaded Lover, The Pickup Truck Song, and Trashy Women ~ Crosby was born in 1942
October 23, 2019 ~ Singer Selena Gomez releases Lose You To Love Me, lifted off her Rare album ~ By far her biggest hit and her sole Billboard Hot 100 charttopper, Lose You To Love Me is rumored to be about her on-and-off relationship with Justin Bieber from 2010 until 2018 when Bieber married model Hailey Baldwin. A potential clue is hidden in the lyrics, “in two months, you replaced us, like it was easy, made me think I deserved it”. Bieber was first spotted with Baldwin just two months after he and Gomez split. In the end, however, Gomez realises she is better off without him. Although Gomez never confirmed the rumours, she would later comment on her intent with Lose You To Love Me: “I want people to feel hope and to know you will come out the other side stronger and a better version of yourself”
October 23, 2016 ~ Dance-pop, synth-pop, new wave singer Pete Burns, full name Peter Jozzeppi Burns, passed away in London, UK ~ Founded Nightmares In Wax by the late-1970s. The band would reach mainstream succes after renaming themselves Dead Or Alive, best known for their UK No.1 hit You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) of their 1984 Youthquake sophomore album. The single would also reach top 10 across Europe, and remains a radio staple to this day as one of the era's most vibrant songs. The band would continue to chart throughout the end of the decade, notably with singles such as Lover Come Back To Me, In Too Deep, and Something In My House ~ Burns was born in 1959
October 23, 2015 ~ Banjoist, steel guitarist Bill Keith, full name William Bradford Keith, passed away in Woodstock, New York, USA ~ Joined Bill Monroe's quintessential bluegrass outfit the Blue Grass Boys in 1963. Has collaborated with Ian & Sylvia, Clarence White, David Grisman, Tony Trischka, Red Allen, the Jim Kweskin Jug Band, Muleskinner, Jim Rooney, Peter Rowan, the Great Speckled Bird, the Bee Gees, Judy Collins, Marcel Dadi, and the Woodstock Mountain Revue ~ Keith was born in 1939
October 23, 2015 ~ Folk singer, actor Leon Bibb passed away in Vancouver, Canada ~ Father of Eric Bibb, with whom he also recorded. Performed at the first the Newport Folk Festival in 1959. Blacklisted during the late-1950s for alleged ties to left-wing groups and causes. Acclaimed for his performance on the soundtrack to the 1960 Luis Bunuel-film The Young One ~ Bibb was born in 1922
October 23, 2014 ~ Bernard William Jewry, commonly known as singer, actor Alvin Stardust, passed away in West Sussex, UK ~ Best known for his glam-rock era UK hits including Jealous Mind, You You You, Good Love Can Never Die, Pretend and I Feel Like Buddy Holly ~ Jewry was born in 1942
October 23, 2014 ~ Gloria Jeanne Black, commonly known as singer Jeanne Black passed away in Orem, Utah, USA ~ Best known for her appearances on Cliffie Stone's television program Jamboree from 1956 to 1959 and for a number of early-1960s Capitol Records singles including He'll Have To Stay, a No.4 Billboard Hot 100 hit and an answer song to Jim Reeves's He'll Have To Go ~ Black was born in 1937
October 23, 2013 ~ John Phlip Cawthra, commonly known as guitarist, bassist, singer Gypie Mayo, passed away ~ Member of Dr Feelgood from 1977 through 1981. Co-wrote the band's best known, the UK top 10 hit Milk And Alcohol, with Nick Lowe. Also present on songs such as She's A Wind Up, Down At The Doctor's, As Long As The Price Is Right and Put Him Out Of Your Mind. Mayo also worked with a latter day incarnation of the Yardbirds from 1996 through 2004 ~ Cawthra was born in 1951
October 23, 1995 ~ Country singer Tim McGraw releases Can't Be Really Gone, lifted off his All I Want album ~ A ballad with the narrator observing all the items left behind in his house by a former lover, the punchline being she “can't be really gone” if all her things are still here. Warmly received by critics, who praised his sincerity and artistic growth since Not A Moment Too Soon, his previous album. Can't Be Really Gone would be his seventh consecutive Billboard Country top 10 hit, peaking at No.2
October 23, 1989 ~ Singer Phil Collins releases Another Day In Paradise, lifted off his But Seriously album ~ Despite initial lukewarm reception, Another Day In Paradise, one of the singer's rare socially conscious songs, would become one of his biggest hits. It reached top 10 in well over a dozen countries including the No.1 spot in America, and earned Collins and co-writer Hugh Padgham the Grammy Award for Record of the Year as well as nominations in four other categories. In Another Day In Paradise, Collins observes a man crossing the street to ignore a homeless woman, and the singer pleads with his listeners not to turn a blind eye. The singer would later tell of an encounter he had with a homeless woman on the street: “What (the song) deals with is people's awkwardness with it. When it happened to me, I just walked straight past. I thought, I'm doing the same thing as everybody else. I felt awkward. I didn't ignore her but at the same time I didn't stop and give her some money. That's what the song deals with, people just sort of starting to pretend it's not happening”
October 23, 1985 ~ Miguel Jontel Pimentel, mononymously known as rapper, singer, actor Miguel, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Has been critically compared to both Kenneth Babyface Edmonds and Prince for his distinctive sound drawing from R&B, funk, hip-hop, rock and pop. Released his full-length All I Want Is You debut album in 2010, its title track featuring J Cole becoming his first hit at No.7 Billboard R&B. Miguel has recorded consistently since as a solo artist, and has collaborated with the likes of Wale, Mariah Carey, Janelle Monáe, A$AP Rocky, and Kygo. As a solo artist, Miguel is best known for songs such as Sure Thing, Quickie, Adorn, and Sky Walker, all of which have reached top 20 Billboard R&B
October 23, 1983 ~ Singer, actor Josh Strickland born in Charleston, South Carolina, USA ~ First gained serious attention as contestant in 2003 as contestant on the talent show American Idol aired on Fox. Would go on to feature in a 2006 Broadway production of Tarzan. Also performed in the Vegas burlesque show Peepshow
October 23, 1978 ~ Maybelle Addington, commonly known as guitarist, auto-harpist, singer Mother Maybelle Carter, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Member of the Carter Family, one of the most beloved and influential family outfits in country music. Helped establish the guitar as a lead instrument in country music. Member of the Carter Sisters. Married to manager Ezra Carter, with whom she had three daughters Helen Carter, Anita Carter and June Carter ~ Carter was born in 1909
October 23, 1976 ~ Pop rock, gospel, R&B drummer Aaron Spears born in Washington DC, USA ~ Session drummer active since the early-2000s, appearing on albums by Lady Gaga, Usher (Confessions), Distinguished, Miley Cyrus, JoAnn Rosario, Chaka Khan, DeWayne Woods (My Life's Lyrics), Tiziano Ferro, and Ariana Grande. On the TV side, Spears served as house drummer for the pilot of NBC's 2019 Songland songwriting competition show, and as music coordinator for the third season of The Masked Singer singing competition, aired on Fox in 2020 ~ Spears passed away in 2023
October 23, 1976 ~ In its eleventh week on the charts, If You Leave Me Now by Chicago hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 for the first of two consecutive weeks ~ Up to this point the band had regularly reached the Billboard Hot 100 top 10, yet this lush ballad written by Peter Cetera, who also sang lead on the track, would be the band's first No.1. The group found a new audience and became much more successful, but also got earmarked as a soft rock group, which took the focus away from their grittier horn-heavy songs. If You Leave Me Now would earn the band two Grammy Awards, and remains one of their best known. The band would score two more Cetera-led hits, Baby What A Big Surprise reached No.4, Hard To Say I'm Sorry reached the top spot. After Cetera departed the group in 1985, he immediately scored two hit ballads, Glory Of Love and its follow-up single The Next Time I Fall, a duet with Amy Grant, both lifted off his Solitude-Solitaire solo debut album reached No.1 and No.3, respectively, on the Billboard Hot 100
October 23, 1972 ~ Britpop, indie guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist, singer Richard McNamara born in Mytholmroyd, UK ~ Member of rock outfit Embrace, sharing lead vocals with his older brother Danny McNamara. The band is known for a string of hits starting in the late-1990s including the UK top 10 hits All You Good People, Come Back To What You Know, My Weakness Is None Of Your Business, Gravity, Nature's Law, and World At Your Feet
October 23, 1971 ~ Soft rock outfit Bread release Baby I'm A-Want You, lifted off their album of the same name ~ One of the band's biggest hits, peaking at No.3 Billboard Hot 100, and one of their best remembered, Baby I'm A-Want You remains a staple of 1970s pop rock radio to this day. The song is best known for its off-diction, David Gates changing the lyrics from “baby I'm going to want you” to “baby I'm a-want you” to fit the melody, followed by “baby I'm a-need you” in the next line. Gates would later recollect: “I had written the song on piano, and when we recorded it on piano, it had no life. I went home demoralized, because I knew it was a good song. So I tried it on guitar and raised it a whole key, then redid it. It made all the difference in the world”
October 23, 1967 ~ Sludge metal, grunge, hardcore punk, experimental rock drummer, guitarist, singer Dale Crover born in Aberdeen, Washington, USA ~ Critically acclaimed. In-demand session and touring drummer. Best known as member of the Melvins. Also closely associated with Men Of Porn, Shrinebuilder, Crystal Fairy, and briefly Nirvana. Guitarist, singer for Altamont. Toured with the Fantomas filling in for Dave Lombardo, with OFF and with Red Kross. Has also recorded as a solo artist, notably the 2017 The Fickle Finger Of Fate album
October 23, 1967 ~ Trumpeter Miles Davis releases his Sorcerer album ~ The third in a series of six, preceded by ESP and Miles Smiles, recorded with a line-up known as Davis's second great quintet, the trumpeter backed by saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Tony Williams, Down Beat observed a transition from “big old fat lazy melodies” of his traditional bop past toward an “extraordinarily sophisticated route to expression”. Actress Cicely Tyson, then-girlfriend and future wife of Davis, graced the album cover
October 23, 1966 ~ Rock guitarist, singer Jimi Hendrix records Hey Joe at De Lane Lea, London, UK ~ The authorship of the song has been contested, both Dino Valenti and Billy Roberts being named as possible authors. It would become a rock standard recorded by many, most likely first recorded by garage rockers the Leaves. The best known version however would be Hendrix who released it as a single produced by Chas Chandler, b/w Stone Free, in December 1966. It has since become a standard covered by hundreds of artists
October 23, 1965 ~ Petra Pierrette Burger, commonly known as classical crossover singer, musical actress, composer Petra Berger, born in Amstelveen, the Netherlands ~ Formed Chess with her sister Lida Berger, known for I Know Him So Well and Never Change A Winning Team. Has played in musicals such as Cyrano De Bergerac, The Phantom Of The Opera, Beauty & The Beast. Released her solo debut album Eternal Woman in 2001
October 23, 1963 ~ Pop singer Bobby Vinton records My Heart Belongs To Only You ~ Written by Frank Daniels and Dorothy Daniels. Previously recorded by Bette McLaurin, June Christy, and by Jackie Wilson, Vinton's 1964 single, featuring Warm And Tender on the flip side, would become the most successful, reaching top 10 Billboard Hot 100
October 23, 1962 ~ Punk rock, alternative rock guitarist, bassist Ken Fleming born in Winnipeg, Canada ~ Got his start in music as bassist for hardcore punk outfit the Unwanted, remaining with the band through 1985 and present on the 1984 Shattered Silence album. Would go on to work with Grey Skies, SNFU, Econoline Crush, Dog Eat Dogma, Ani Kyd, the Real McKenzies, Isolation 3, Pervcore, and Schulz
October 23, 1961 ~ In its fifth week on the charts, Runaround Sue by Dion hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Singer Dion, full name Dion DiMucci, had risen to fame as lead singer of Dion & the Belmonts, scoring several hits in the late-1950s including notably A Teenager In Love and Where Or When. DiMucci, however, split the quartet and venturing out on his own would score his biggest hit yet with a self-penned song, co-written with then-popular songwriter Ernie Maresca. The song tells of a disloyal lover, Runaround Sue, who loves to be worshipped but as soon as you want a commitment, she's gone. Two years after the song was released, DiMucci married a girl who was actually named Susan. DiMucci would later comment his wife keeps telling people the song is about her, even though she knows it isn't: “She goes around telling everybody, ‘Yeah, I'm Runaround Sue.’ I said, ‘Why do you tell people that?’ She says, ‘They remember me, ’ She said, ‘If I don't tell them that, they won't remember me’”
October 23, 1960 ~ Jazz alto, tenor saxophonist Porter Kilbert passed away ~ Worked with Nat Towles, Benny Carter, Willard Brown, Curly Russell, Max Roach, Oscar Bradley, Ulysses Livingston, Sonny White, Teddy Brannon, Bumps Myer, Gene Porter, Alton Moore, JJ Johnson, Shorty Haughton, Claude Dunson, Snooky Young, Freddie Webster, Gerald Wilson, Jake Porter, Roy Eldridge, Red Saunders, Coleman Hawkins, Fats Navarro, Milt Jackson, Hank Jones, Clarence Samuels, Horace Henderson, Quincy Jones, Phil Woods, and Carmen McRae ~ Kilbert was born in 1921
October 23, 1959 ~ Alfred Matthew Yankovic, commonly known as singer Weird Al Yankovic, born in Lynwood, California, USA ~ Known for his humurous songs, often parodying specific pop songs and pop culture in general. Among his best known are Eat It parodying Michael Jackson's Beat It, Like A Surgeon parodying Madonna's Like A Virgin, and White & Nerdy parodying Chamillionaire's Ridin'. Also an in-demand music video director, having worked with Ben Folds, Hanson, the Black Crowes, and the Presidents of the United States
October 23, 1957 ~ Abraham Simon, commonly known as bandleader, drummer Abe Lyman passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Popular bandleader from the 1920s through the 1940s ~ Simon was born in 1897
October 23, 1956 ~ Jazz singer Dianne Reeves born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ While still in high school, Reeves was discovered by Clark Terry. Reeves sang with Stanley Turrentine, Lenny White, joined Caldera, formed Night Flight with Billy Childs, toured with Harry Belafonte. Has been named a successor to Dinah Washington and Carmen McRae and her sound has been compared to Patti Austin, Vanessa Rubin, Anita Baker, and Regina Belle. As a solo artist Reeves has been releasing records since the early-1980s
October 23, 1956 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Dwight Yoakam. full name Dwight David Yoakam, born in Pikeville, Kentucky, USA ~ Known for songs such as Guitars Cadillacs, Little Sister, the Buck Owens-duet Streets Of Bakersfield, I Sang Dixie, I Got You, You're The One, It Only Hurts When I Cry, Ain't That Lonely Yet, and A Thousand Miles From Nowhere
October 23, 1956 ~ Jazz trombonist Joel Helleny born in Paris, Texas, USA ~ Worked with Mel Lewis, Roy Eldridge, Benny Goodman, the Memphis Nighthawks, Buck Clayton, Jimmy McGriff, George Wein, Frank Wess, Randy Sandke, Warren Vaché Jr, Kenny Davern, Scott Hamilton, Greg Cohen, Keith Ingham, and Marty Grosz ~ Helleny passed away in 2009
October 23, 1955 ~ Pianist, hornist, percussionist, film composer Graeme Revell born in Auckland, New Zealand ~ Rose to fame in the 1980s as frontman of industrial, electronic outfit SPK. After the band folded has worked primarily as a film composer, well known credits including the soundtracks to The Crow, From Dusk To Dawn, Bride Of Chucky, Lara Croft Tomb Raider, and Sin City
October 23, 1952 ~ Drummer Pierre Moerlen born in Colmar, France ~ Member of Gong, present on acclaimed albums such as Angel's Egg and You. Closely associated with Mike Oldfield, appearing on about half a dozen of Oldfield's albums starting with 1975's Ommadawn. Has also worked with Steve Hillage, Slap Happy, Mick Taylor, Sally Oldfield, Phil Lynott, and Biréli Lagrène ~ Moerlen passed away in 2005
October 23, 1951 ~ Carlos Alberto Garcia, commonly known as singer, songwriter Charly García, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ One of the most influential Latin American rock singers. Member of two of Argentina's most important bands, Sui Generis in the 1970s, Serú Girán in the 1980s. Member of progressive rock outfit Las Maquia De Hacer Pajaros. Member of folk-rock supergroup Porsuigieco
October 23, 1951 ~ David Steinfath, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter David Wills born in Pulaski, Tennessee, USA ~ As a singer debuted in 1975 with the album Barrooms To Bedrooms. Regularly hit the country charts through the late-1980s, best known for songs such as There's A Song On The Jukebox, The Eyes Of A Stranger and Miss Understanding. Staff songwriter for BMI and its subsidiairy Pride Music Group. Co-wrote George Straitt's If You're Thinking You Want A Stranger There's One Coming Home with Blake Mevis, co-wrote Garth Brooks' Wild Horses with Bill Shore
October 23, 1950 ~ Singer Al Jolson passed away in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Dubbed the “King of Blackface” performers, performing with a tainted blackface depicting African-Americans, though he has been credited to fight racism on Broadway as early as 1911. Starred in the first talking picture The Jazz Singer in 1927, followed by a series of successful musical films during the 1930s. The first to perform for WW2 troops overseas. The first to perform for the military overseas during the Korean war, a tour which left him physically exhausted. He was posthumously awarded the Medal for Merit by Defense Secretary Marshall ~ Jolson was born in 1886
October 23, 1949 ~ Albert Wesley Wilson, commonly known as jazz pianist Buster Wilson, passed away ~ Worked with King Oliver, Dink Johnson, Charlie Lawrence, Mutt Carey, Jimmie Noone, Curtis Mosby, Paul Howard, Lionel Hampton, Les Hite, Jelly Roll Morton, Mutt Carey, Ed Garland, Jimmie Noone, Kid Ory, Bud Scott, and Zutty Singleton ~ Wilson was born in 1897
October 23, 1949 ~ Krautrock, progressive rock, electronic drummer, keyboardist Harald Grosskopf born in Hildesheim, Germany ~ Important figure in German Krautrock. Early member of a then-unknown the Scorpions during the late-1960s. Closely associated with Klaus Schulze, including on the pivotal Moondawn released in 1976. Member of Wallenstein and Ashra. Co-founded Lilli Berlin, remaining with the band from 1980 through 1983. Acclaimed for his 1980 Synthesist solo debut album, considered a cult classic in German electronic music. Has also worked with the Cosmic Jokers, Joachim Witt, Bernd Kistenmacher, Mario Schönwäder, and 17 Hippies
October 23, 1949 ~ Singer Perry Tavares, full name Perry Lee Tavares, born ~ Member of sibling R&B, disco outfit Tavares, known best for She's Gone, It Only Takes A Minute, Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel, Don't Take Away The Music and More Than A Woman, the latter notably featured on 1977 Saturday Night Fever soundtrack
October 23, 1949 ~ Free jazz, free improvisation cellist, composer Tristan Honsinger born in Burlington, Vermont, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Especially acclaimed for the 1996 Map Of Moods album and its 1999 follow-up A Camel's Kiss. Frequently collaborated with pianist Cecil Taylor and guitarist Derek Bailey. Member of the Henneman String Quartet and the ICP Orchestra. As a sideman present on recordings by Borbetomagus, Butch Morris, Anthony Braxton (October Meeting 1991), Tobias Delius, Alexander von Schlippenbach, and Sean Bergin ~ Honsinger passed away in 2023
October 23, 1949 ~ Michael Richard Burston, commonly known as metal, hard rock guitarist Würzel, born in Cheltenham, UK ~ Best known as Motörhead guitarist from 1985 through 1995, playing on six studio albums, starting with 1986's Orgasmatron, and two live-albums. Has since guested with the band on occasion, released a modest amount of solo recordings, and was reportedly working on new material at the time of his death ~ Burston passed away in 2011
October 23, 1947 ~ Patsy Lewis, commonly known as soul, R&B, gospel singer Pat Lewis, born ~ Got her start in music in the early-1960s, forming the Adorables which also included her sister Dianne Lewis. Released her Can't Shake It Loose solo debut single in 1966. Over the next few years Lewis recorded several more singles, some of which later became popular among Northern soul aficionados, and worked as a backing singer for Motown. From the early-1970s onward, Lewis became a regular backing singer for the likes of Aretha Franklin, Isaac Hayes, David Porter, Tommy Smiley, David Ruffin, and George Clinton. In the late-1980s, Lewis was signed to the UK-based Motorcity Records label for whom she sang with the reformed girl group the Andantes, as a solo artist, and worked as arranger on numerous of the label's recordings ~ Lewis passed away in 2024
October 23, 1946 ~ Folk singer Agnes Buen Garnås born in Telemark, Norway ~ Comes from a renowned musical family, which included her brothers fiddlers Hauk Buen and Knut Buen with whom she has also worked. Has recorded over a dozen albums since the mid-1970s, consisting of ancient unaccompanied Norwegian ballads. Outside of folk circles, Garnås is perhaps best known for collaborating with saxophonist Jan Garbarek on the late 1980s, early 1990s albums Rosensfole and Twelve Moons ~ Garnås passed away in 2024
October 23, 1945 ~ Jazz, R&B saxophonist Ernie Watts, full name Ernest James Watts, born in Norfolk, Virginia, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Buddy Rich, Doc Severinsen, Marvin Gaye, Torsten de Winkel, Tom Coster, Charlie Haden, Gene Ammons, Paul Anka, Willie Bobo, Brass Fever, Kenny Burrell, Donald Byrd, Jennifer Holliday, Lee Ritenour, David Axelrod, Joe Cocker, Boz Scaggs, Gloria Gaynor, Sarah Vaughan, Aaron Neville, Bill Withers, Natalie Cole, Randy Crawford, James Taylor, Paul McCartney, Patti Austin, Bob Seger, Deniece Williams, Marvin Gaye (Let's Get It On), Maria Muldaur, Aretha Franklin, Michael Franks, Bonnie Raitt (Takin' My Time), Cheryl Lynn, Charlie Haden, Betty Wright, Cher, Bobby Hutcherson, Barbra Streisand, Jim Messina, JJ Johnson, Teena Marie, Quincy Jones, Glenn Frey, John Mayall, Randy Newman (Trouble In Paradise), Carmen McRae, Helen Reddy, Donna Summer, and Gerald Wilson
October 23, 1943 ~ Benjamin Anzelwitz, commonly known as bandleader, violinist, songwriter Ben Bernie, passed away in Hollywood, California, USA ~ One of the first generation of stars, alongside Paul Whiteman, Ted Lewis, Al Jolson. Started in vaudeville. First to record Sweet Georgia Brown which he co-wrote with Maceo Pinkard and Kenneth Casey, the song would become a jazz standard ~ Bernie was born in 1891
October 23, 1942 ~ Ralph Reichenthal, commonly known as composer Ralph Rainger, passed away in Palm Springs, California, USA ~ Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Moanin' Low (Libby Holman, Leo Reisman, Lena Horne), Havin' Myself A Time (Kay Kyser, Billie Holiday), Easy Living (Teddy Wilson, Peggy Lee, Dinah Washington), June In January (Richard Himber, Guy Lombardo, Julie London), A Guy What Makes His Time (Mae West), Blue Hawaii (Bing Crosby, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley), Thanks For The Memory (Dorothy Lamour, Bob Hope, Benny Goodman), and You're A Sweet Little Heartache (Henry King, Artie Shaw, Red Norvo) ~ Reichental was born in 1901
October 23, 1941 ~ Rock, blues-rock, boogie rock, hard rock bassist Greg Ridley, full name Alfred Gregory Ricley, born in Carlisle, UK ~ Co-founding member of Spooky Tooth. Co-founding member of Humble Pie remaining with the band until its initial disbandement. The band is known for songs such as Black Coffee, 30 Days In The Hole, I Don't Need No Doctor and Natural Born Boogie ~ Ridley passed away in 2003
October 23, 1940 ~ Eleanor Louise Greenwich, commonly known as songwriter, singer Ellie Greenwich, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Rose to fame as half of husband-wife songwriter team with Jeff Barry responsible for 1960s hits such as Da-doo-ron-ron and Then He Kissed Me (the Crystals), Be My Baby and Baby I Love You (the Ronettes), Chapel Of Love (the Dixie Cups), The Leader Of The Pack (the Shangri-Las), and River Deep Mountain High (Ike & Tina Turner) ~ Greenwich passed away in 2009
October 23, 1940 ~ Drummer Freddie Marsden born in Liverpool, UK ~ Original member of Gerry & the Pacemakers, alongside Les Chadwick, Arthur McMahon and his brother Gerry Marsden, known for a string of 1960s UK hits such as How Do You Do It, I Like It, You'll Never Walk Alone, I'm The One, Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying and Ferry Cross The Mersey ~ Marsden passed away in 2006
October 23, 1939 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Archie Fisher, full name Archie MacDonald Fisher, born in Glasgow, UK ~ Brother to singers Cilla Fisher and Ray Fisher. Worked with Robin Williamson, Clive Palmer, Mike Heron, the Incredible String Band, Barbara Dickson, Tommy Makem, Liam Clancy, Tom Paxton, Garnet Rogers, and Frightened Rabbit
October 23, 1937 ~ Singer Yvonne Staples born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Manager and occasional member of the Staple Singers, replacing her brother during his time in the Army and again, briefly, in 1970. As a singer, Staples is present on the band's best known album, Be Altitude (Respect Yourself), which included their biggest hit singles Respect Yourself and I'll Take You There. The latter would reach the No.1 spot on both the Billboard R&B and all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts ~ Staples passed away in 2018
October 23, 1933 ~ Carol Augustus Anthony, commonly known as soul blues, swamp pop singer, pianist Carol Fran, born in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA ~ Known for a number of 1960s singles, perhaps most notably a 1962 swamp pop version of the Platters-classic The Great Pretender. Has worked with artists such as Guitar Slim, Nappy Brown, Lee Dorsey, Joe Tex. Resurged in the 1990s releasing a string of albums, often collaborating with her husband guitarist Clarence Hollimon, including the Soul Sensation album released in 1992 ~ Anthony passed away in 2021
October 23, 1933 ~ Composer, arranger, vibraphonist, singer Gary McFarland born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Bill Evans, Gerry Mulligan, Johnny Hodges, John Lewis, Stan Getz, Bob Brookmeyer, Anita O'Day, Gary Burton, Shirley Scott, Zoot Sims, Wendy & Bonnie, Gábor Szabó, Lena Horne, and Steve Kuhn ~ McFarland passed away in 1971
October 23, 1925 ~ Classical, entekhno, film composer, pianist, violinist, accordionist Manos Hatzidakis born in Xanthi, Greece ~ Member of the Greek Resistance during World War II. Widely recognized as one the premier Greek composers and one of the main proponents of the Entekhno genre. Closely associated with Nana Moskouri, who recorded several of his songs including Never On Sunday used as the theme song for the 1960 comedy film of the same name. The song would earn Hatzidakis an Academy Award and become a worldwide hit. In total Hatzidakis has written over two dozen soundtracks ~ Hatzidakis passed away in 1994
October 23, 1919 ~ Singer, actress, environmental activist Katie Lee born in Aledo, Illinois, USA ~ Earned the nickname “the Desert Goddess of Glenn Canyon” for her activism opposing the Glen Canyon Dam, calling for the canyon to be returned to its natural state. As a singer active since the mid-1950s and best known for her acclaimed Love's Little Sisters album released in 1975 ~ Lee passed away in 2017
October 23, 1918 ~ Actor, guitarist Ulrik Neumann born in Copenhagen, Denmark ~ Father of guitarist Mikael Neumann and singer Ulla Neumann. Perhaps best known as an actor, appearing in some 20 films from 1940 through the mid-1960s. As a guitarist known as one third of the trio the Swe-Danes alongside singer Alice Babs and violinist Svend Asmussen, active during the late-1950s and early-1960s ~ Neumann passed away in 1994
October 23, 1901 ~ Bandleader, songwriter Moe Jaffe born in Vilnius, Lithuania ~ Has co-written over 250 songs including Collegiate (Waring's Pennsylvanians, the Revelers, the Crew Cuts), If I Had My Life To Live Over (Larry Vincent), The Gypsy In My Soul (Jack Harris, Margaret Whiting, Anita O'Day), If You Are But A Dream (Jimmy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra, Screamin' Jay Hawkins), and Bell Bottom Trousers (the Jesters, Louis Prima) ~ Jaffe passed away in 1972
October 23, 1892 ~ Rufus George Perryman, commonly known as blues, boogie-woogie pianist, singer Speckled Red, born in Hampton, Georgia, USA ~ Influenced by Charlie Spand, James Hemingway, William Ezell. As a solo artist best known for Wilkins Street Stomp and The Dirty Dozens. Has worked with Robert Nighthawk, Willie Hatcher, the Dixieland Rhythm Kings, and Chris Barber ~ Perryman passed away in 1973