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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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 ~ Known for her renditions of ancient unaccompanied Norwegian ballads
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, 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