October 26, 2023 ~ Rigobert Bamundele, commonly known as soukous guitarist, songwriter Rigo Star, passed away ~ In-demand session guitarist on the French and African world music scenes from the mid-1980s onward. Appeared on albums by Koffi Olomidé, Papa Wemba, M'bilia Bel (Yalowa), Oliver N'Goma, Guy Lobe, Bibi Dens, Elles, and Madilu System. Notably present on Paul Simon's acclaimed 1990 The Rhythm Of The Saints album. Star has occasionally recorded as a solo artist, noted for his 1998 Attention album featuring singer Sam Mangwana ~ Bamundele was born in 1955
October 26, 2022 ~ Singer, songwriter Agustín Ramírez, full name Agustín Ramírez Sánchez, passed away ~ Co-founder, frontman of Los Caminantes, for whom he also co-wrote a vast amount of the band's material including Palomita Mensajera, Para Que Quieres Volver, Regresare, He Sabido, Volar Volar, Ven Y Abrazame, Una Noche, Mi Nina, and Lagrimas Al Recordar ~ Ramírez was born in 1962
October 26, 2021 ~ Doris Helen Schetrompf, commonly known as country singer, guitarist Rose Lee Maphis, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Formed a musical duo with her husband guitarist Joe Maphis, pioneering the Bakersfield sound in the 1950s. The couple is perhaps best remembered for penning Dim Lights Thick Smoke (And Loud Loud Music), first recorded by Flatt & Scruggs in 1952. Joe & Rose Lee Maphis released the song as a single in 1953. It has since been covered by numerous artists including Conway Twitty, the Flying Burrito Brothers, the New Riders Of The Purple Sage, the Derailers, Ricky Skaggs, the Beat Farmers, and others ~ Schetrimpf was born in 1922
October 26, 2020 ~ Music manager, songwriter, producer Ted White, full name Theodore Richard White, passed away in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Manager and first husband of pivotal R&B singer Aretha Franklin, with whom he has one son. The couple were married from 1961 through 1969. Co-wrote several of Franklin's best known, notably Dr Feelgood, Think and Sweet Sweet Baby Since You've Been Gone ~ White was born in 1931
October 26, 2019 ~ Rock, swamp rock, blues rock guitarist, singer Paul Barrère passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of Little Feat, first appearing on Dixie Chicken, the band's third studio album issued in 1973. Barrère has written or co-written several of the band's songs, including One Love Stand, Let It Roll, and Feats Don't Fail Me Now, one of the band's best known. Barrère has also worked with Taj Mahal, Jack Bruce, Valerie Carter, Helen Watson, Chico Hamilton, Eikichi Yazawa, and Greg Koch ~ Barrère was born in 1948
October 26, 2015 ~ Folk singer, songwriter David Rodriguez, full name David Roland Rodriguez, passed away ~ Influenced by Lightnin' Hopkins, Townes Van Zandt, Lydia Mendoza, Jerry Jeff Walker. Actively recording since the early-1990s. Best known for his 1992 release The True Cross. His composition The Ballad Of The Snow Leopard And The Tanqueray Cowboy would be covered by both Lyle Lovett and Melissa Greener ~ Rodriguez was born in 1952
October 26, 2015 ~ Songwriter Winfield Scott passed away ~ Perhaps best known for writing Tweedle Dee for Lavern Baker, and co-writing Return To Sender with Otis Blackwell for Elvis Presley. Presley also recorded several other songs written by Blackwell and Scott, including Such An Easy Question, One Broken Heart For Sale, I'm A Roustabout, and Long Legged Girl (With The Short Dress On). Others who recorded songs written or co-written by Scott include Oscar McLollie, the Robins, Johnnie Ray, Clyde McPhatter (Deep Sea Ball), Connie Francis (Many Tears Ago), Solomon Burke, the Drifters, and Ray Charles ~ Scott was born in 1920
October 26, 2013 ~ Alfred Orlando Johnson, commonly known as singer Al Johnson passed away ~ Not to be confused with Louisiana singer and pianist Al Johnson. Founder and lead singer of Unifics, known for a handful of late-1960s minor hits including The Court Of Love and The Beginning Of The End. Johnson later released several solo albums, collaborated with jazz and soul producer Norman Connors, co-wrote Deniece Williams's We Have Love For You, and worked with the Whispers in the 1990s ~ Johnson was born in 1948
October 26, 2012 ~ Singer, songwriter, actress Natina Reed, full name Natina Tiawana Reed, passed away in Duluth, Georgia, USA ~ Discovered by Lisa Left-Eye Lopes, who employed her as a writer for TLC. Under the guidance of Lopes, Reed formed the R&B trio Blaque with Brandi Williams and Shamari Fears. The group is known for a handful of late-1990s singles, 808 and Bring It All To Me both peaking in the Billboard Hot 100 top 10. Reed was the girlfriend of rapper Kurupt and mother to their son. Reed died after being hit by a car just shy of her 32nd birthday ~ Reed was born in 1980
October 26, 2011 ~ Garage rock, punk blues, indie rock duo the Black Keys release Lonely Boy, lead single off their El Camino album ~ One of the band's best known, Lonely Boy would become a staple of alternative rock radio. The song would be nominated for a Grammy Award for Record of the Year, losing out to Gotye's Somebody That I Used To Know, yet it did win the awards for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance
October 26, 2006 ~ Henry Shalofsky, commonly known as bebop trumpeter Hank Shaw, passed away in Kent, UK ~ Active since his mid-teens, employed in Teddy Foster's band during World War II. Would go on to work with Oscar Rabin, Frank Weir, and Tommy Sampson, and spent stints in America and Canada, notably backing Oscar Peterson and Maynard Ferguson, before returning to his native England. Shaw became one of the early players at Club Eleven, a London jazz nightclub which played a significant role in the emergence of British bebop. Shaw continued to perform and record, both as a sideman and a leader, well into his eighties before retiring from music for health reasons, working with the likes of Joe Harriott, Tony Crombie, Don Rendell, and Stan Tracey ~ Shalofsky was born in 1926
October 26, 2005 ~ Guitarist, singer David Townsend, full name David Edward Townsend, passed away in Northridge, California, USA ~ Son of singer, producer, songwriter Ed Townsend. Member of Port Authority. Best known as co-founding member of Surface, the R&B band known for songs such as Happy, Closer Than Friends, You Are My Everything, Falling In Love, When Your Ex Wants You Back, Shower Me With Your Love, The First Time and Never Gonna Let You Down. Townsend also served as staff songwriter at EMI, co-writing songs for New Edition (Let's Be Friends), Gwen Guthrie, and Sister Sledge (You're So Fine) ~ Townsend was born in 1955
October 26, 2003 ~ Roy Hartstein, commonly known as drummer, label founder Roy Harte, passed away in Burbank, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Co-founded Nocturne Records and Pacific Jazz Records. Worked mostly as a sideman, including with Bobby Sherwood, Billie Rogers, George Paxton, Ike Carpenter, Vido Musso, Ziggy Elman, Dave Pell, Les Brown, Nappy Lamare, Shorty Rogers, Randy Newman, Herb Geller, Laurindo Almeida, Herbie Harper, Bud Shank, Harry Babasin, Peggy Connely, the Mastersounds, Earl Grant, Frank Capp, Jackie Kelso, Jimmy Wyble, Arnold Ross, and Willie Nelson ~ Hartstein was born in 1924
October 26, 1999 ~ Singer, songwriter Hoyt Axton passed away in Victor, Montana, USA ~ Son of noted songwriter Mae Boren Axton who co-wrote Heartbreak Hotel. Hoyt performed and recorded as a singer but is best known as a songwriter responsible for songs made famous by others such as Joy To The World and Never Been To Spain by Three Dog Night, The Pusher from Easy Rider by Steppenwolf, Greenback Dollar by the Kingston Trio, and The No No Song by Ringo Starr. Other artists who have recorded Hoyt's work include Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie, BJ Thomas, John Denver, Waylon Jennings, Jonathan Edwards, Anne Murray, and others ~ Axton was born in 1938
October 26, 1995 ~ Francesco Kramer Gorni, commonly known as bandleader, accordionist, bassist, songwriter Gorni Kramer, passed away in Milan, Italy ~ Active since the 1930s. Co-wrote Crapa Pelada, a hit for Alberto Rabagliati. Wrote Pippo Non Lo Sa, one of the Trio Lescano's biggest hits. Has also worked with Natalino Otto, Quartetto Cetra, and others ~ Gorni was born in 1913
October 26, 1995 ~ Jazz trombonist, trumpeter, cornetist, percussionist John Sangster, full name John Grant Sangster, passed away in Brisbane, Australia ~ As a solo artist best known for a string of The Lord Of The Rings-inspired albums starting with The Hobbit Suite released in 1973. Has also collaborated with Graeme Bell, Humphrey Lyttelton and with Don Burrows ~ Sangster was born in 1928
October 26, 1994 ~ Singer, pianist, guitarist, harmonica player, songwriter Wilbert Harrison passed away in Spencer, North Carolina, USA ~ Best known for his hits Kansas City, one of the first songs written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, and for Let's Work Together, the latter also known as Let's Stick Together and covered by an array of artists including Canned Heat and Bryan Ferry ~ Harrison was born in 1929
October 26, 1993 ~ Alternative rock, jangle pop outfit 10,000 Maniacs release their MTV Unplugged album ~ Recorded the previous April for MTV's Unplugged series, lead singer Natalie Merchant would leave the band before the album was released. Merchant would go on to an even more successful solo career, releasing over half a dozen solo albums well into the next millenium. The album MTV Unplugged would spawn the band's biggest hit, a cover of the Bruce Springsteen-penned Because The Night peaking at No.11 Billboard Hot 100, two spots higher than Patti Smith's original
October 26, 1991 ~ Singer Vivian Dandridge, full name Vivian Alferetta Dandridge, passed away in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Member of the Dandridge Sisters alongside her sister Dorothy Dandridge and Etta Jones. The trio would headline the Cotton Club, appear in half a dozen films and score hits such as Undecided and If I Were Sure Of You, and some sides with Jimmie Lunceford including Minnie The Moocher Is Dead and You Ain't Nowhere. Following the trio's disbandement in 1940 Dandridge's sister Dorothy would be the most successful, appearing in films such as Carmen Jones and Porgy & Bess, with Vivian only performing in minor roles. Vivian also released a sole solo album, The Look Of Love, yet it remained mostly unnoticed ~ Dandridge was born in 1921
October 26, 1987 ~ Power metal, symphonic metal, neoclassical metal guitarist, singer Tommy Johansson born in Sweden ~ Co-founding member, lead singer, guitarist for Reinxeed with whom he recorded through the mid-2010s before renaming the band Majestica. Overall, the band has recorded over half a dozen albums starting with The Light released in 2008. In 2016 Johannson joined Sabaton, replacing Thobbe Englund
October 26, 1986 ~ Dotan Harpenau, mononymously known as pop, rock singer, songwriter Dotan, born in Jerusalem ~ Released his Dream Parade debut album in 2010, spawning the hit This Town. Subsequent hits would include Home, Hungry, Shadows Wind and Numb. Would draw harsh criticism in 2018 after media revealed Dotan had boosted his online image through the use of fake social media accounts, praising him and trashing other musicians
October 26, 1986 ~ Roy Michael Reymound, commonly known as rapper, actor Fresku, born in Eindhoven, the Netherlands ~ Influenced by Opgezwolle. Member of de Zwarte Schapen, alongside Karimineel and Teemong. Released his full-length eponymous Fresku solo debut album in 2010 to critical acclaim
October 26, 1986 ~ Quincy Matthew Hanley, rapper, commonly known as Schoolboy Q, born in Wiesbaden, West Germany ~ Influenced by East Coast rappers such as Nas, 50 Cent, Jay-Z, the Notorious BIG, as well as West Coast rappers Kurupt and Tupac Shakur. Member of hip-hop supergroup Black Hippy, along Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, and Kendrick Lamar. Released his indie debut album, Setbacks, in 2011 to critical acclaim. Has been recording steadily since. Known for platinum sellers such as Collard Greens, Man Of The Year, Studio and That Part
October 26, 1985 ~ In its tenth week on the charts, Fortress Around Your Heart by Sting peaks at No.8 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Sting's second solo single to reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100, following If You Love Somebody Set Them Free which reached No.3, Fortress Around Your Heart was written about his failing marriage to his first wife, whom he had divorced the previous year. The pain he felt when he couldn't make his marriage work had previously led thim to write some of his biggest hits with the Police, including Every Breath You Take and King Of Pain. The song uses an abandoned fortress within a walled city as a metaphor for a relationship that has been through a figurative war. In a 1985 interview he explained: “It is linked to Wrapped Around Your Finger, a spiteful song about turning the tables on someone who had been in charge. Fortress Around Your Heart, on the other hand, is about appeasement, about trying to bridge the gaps between individuals”
October 26, 1980 ~ Metal, industrial, hardcore punk drummer, DJ Joe Letz born in New York, New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as drummer for industrial metal outfit Combichrist from 2006 through 2019. Has also worked with Amen, Mortiis, Wednesday 13, Genitorturers, Hanzel und Gretyl, Imperative Reaction, Emigrate, Black Light Burns, Pigface, and Aesthetic Perfection. In his downtime Letz serves as organiser and DJ for Rammstein's touring afterparties since 2012
October 26, 1978 ~ Avant-garde, experimental rock electronic musician, songwriter Tyondai Braxton, full name Tyondai Adaien Braxton, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Son of pivotal jazz, classical saxophonist Anthony Braxton. Co-founded Battles in 2002, most noted for their 2007 Mirrored debut album. As a solo artist Braxton is best known for his 2009 Central Market debut album. Braxton is also an in-demand collaborator and sideman, working with numerous artists including Parts & Labor, Risii, Diamond Watch Wrists, the Asphalt Orchestra, and the Dirty Projectors
October 26, 1974 ~ Johannes Sigmond, commonly known as rock singer, songwriter Blaudzun, born in Arnhem, the Netherlands ~ A devoted cycling fan, Sigmond chose his stage name after the Danish cyclist Verner Blaudzun. Sang from an early age on as a member of his family's church choir. Member of Beam. Backed Christian singers such as Larry Norman. Released his eponymous Blaudzun in 2008. Broke through with the 2012 Heavy Flowers and its 2014 follow-up Promises Of No Man's Land
October 26, 1973 ~ Pop rock outfit Wings release Helen Wheels, lifted off their Band On The Run album ~ The title is derived from “Hell on Wheels”, which became Helen Wheels, the nickname the McCartneys had give their Land Rover. Initially, Helen Wheels was issued as a stand-alone single, yet it would be included on the American release of Band On The Run. Later Paul McCartney would explain: “Helen Wheels is our Land Rover. It's a name we gave to our Land Rover, which is a trusted vehicle that gets us around Scotland. It takes us up to the Shetland Islands and down to London. The song starts off in Glasgow, and it goes past Carlisle, goes to Kendal, Liverpool, Birmingham and London. It's the route coming down from our Scottish farm to London, so it's really the story of the trip down. Little images along the way. Liverpool is on the West coast of England, so that is all that means.” The single would reach No.12 in the UK, and No.10 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it McCartney's sixth American top 10 hit after the disbandement of the Beatles
October 26, 1971 ~ Actor, singer Anthony Rapp, full name Anthony Deane Rapp, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Known for his roles in Broadway productions of musicals such as Rent in 1996 and You're A Good Man Charlie Brown in 1999
October 26, 1971 ~ Jazz, classical pianist Vijay Iyer born in Albany, New York, USA ~ Inventive elite jazz pianist with over a dozen albums to his name as a leader, especially noted for Historicity released in 2009. In-demand collaborator and sideman, appearing on numerous recordings since the mid-1990s including albums by Steve Coleman, Liberty Ellman (Orthodoxy), the Masaoka Orchestra, Burnt Sugar, Roscoe Mitchell, Mike Ladd, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Wadada Leo Smith, Dave Douglas, and AR Rahman
October 26, 1970 ~ Pop singer, pianist Elton John releases Your Song, which would become his first major hit ~ At the time, Elton John served as opening act for Three Dog Night. The latter would first record Your Song as an album track for It Ain't Easy, released in March 1970. The band did not release the track as a single, as they wanted to let John have a go with it first. John's version was initially released as the B-side to Take Me To The Pilot, but as radio DJ's preferred the flip side the single was re-released with sides reversed. Your Song would be his first major hit, reaching top 10 in both in the USA and his native UK. It became a signature song for the Brit, one of his best known. Eventually, the song would be covered by over an estimated 400 artists, and listed on several best of lists including being named one of the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock & Roll by the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1995
October 26, 1967 ~ Pop, rock band the Beach Boys record Here Comes The Night ~ Written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love. Originally included on the 1967 Wild Honey. The band would re-record an 11-minute disco version for their 1979 LA (Light Album) album
October 26, 1967 ~ Punk bassist, banjoist, guitarist, singer Jeff Pinkus, full name Jeffrey David Pinkus, born ~ Best known as member of the Butthole Surfers from 1985 through 1994, including on the acclaimed albums Locust Abortion Technician and its follow-up Hairway To Steven. Pinkus has also worked with the Flaming Lips, Helios Creed, Daddy Longhead, Honky, the Melvins, and Supersuckers
October 26, 1967 ~ Singer, guitarist Keith Urban, full name Keith Lionel Urban, born in Wangarei, New Zealand ~ Member of the Ranch. As a solo artist gained attention with his 1999 eponymous Keith Urban album, spawning the hit But For The Grace Of God. Has recorded to commercial succes since. Also known for songs such as Where The Blacktop Ends, Who Wouldn't Want To Be Me, You're My Better Half, Making Memories Of Us, Tonight I Wanna Cry, Everybody, Only You Can Love Me This Way, I'm In, Long Hot Sommer, We Were Us with Miranda Lambert, and The Fighter featuring Carrie Underwood, all of which reach the top 10 Billboard Country. Has also collaborated with Julia Michaels, P!nk, Dolly Parton, Nelly Furtado, Emily West, Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, Thomas Rhett, Reba McEntire, Nile Rodgers, Pitbull, the Dixie Chicks, Tim Wilson, Olivia Newton-John, Trisha Yearwood, Buddy Guy, John Fogerty, Colt Ford, Jason Derülo, and Kasey Chambers
October 26, 1966 ~ Alma Angela Cohen, commonly known as traditional pop singer Alma Cogan, passed away in London, UK ~ Dubbed “the Girl with the Giggle in her Voice”, Cogan was the highest paid British female singer of her day. Known best for covers of popular American hits, especially those recorded by Rosemary Clooney, Teresa Brewer, Joni James and Dinah Shore. Would fall out of fashion by the 1960s, considered too square for the era. Well known songs include Bell Bottom Blues, Little Things Mean A Lot, I Can't Tell A Waltz From A Tango, and perhaps her best known Dreamboat, the latter topping the UK charts in in 1955 ~ Cohen was born in 1932
October 26, 1966 ~ Jessie Mae Booker, commonly known as R&B, pop songwriter Jessie Mae Robinson, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ One of the first black songwriters to break the colour barrier. Wrote or co-wrote numerous 1940s, 1950s hits recorded by artists such as Charles Brown (Black Night), Eddie Cleanhead Vinson (Cleanhead Blues, Old Maid Boogie), Amos Milburn (Tears Tears Tears), Patti Page (I Went To Your Wedding), Elvis Presley (Let's Have A Party), and Jo Stafford (Keep It A Secret) ~ Booker was born in 1918
October 26, 1965 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones record As Tears Go By at IBS, London, UK ~ Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Andrew Loog Oldham, the latter also serving as producer. Released later the same year in the USA, paired with Gotta Get Away as the B-side. Released early 1966 in the UK as the B-side of 19th Nervous Breakdown
October 26, 1963 ~ Singer Natalie Merchant, full name Natalie Anne Merchant, born in Jamestown, New York, USA ~ Lead singer, frontwoman of jangle pop outfit 10,000 Maniacs, known for songs such as What's The Matter Here, Trouble Me, Eat For Two, These Are Days, Candy Everybody Wants, Because The Night, and others. Debuted as a solo artist with her Tigerlily album in 1995
October 26, 1961 ~ R&B outfit the Drifters record When My Little Girl Is Smiling at Atlantic Studios, New York, USA ~ Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. Produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Released as a single in February 1962, b/w When My Little Girl Is Smiling, it would reach top 30 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100
October 26, 1960 ~ Francis Drake Ballard, commonly known as songwriter Pat Ballard passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for penning songs such as I Get So Lonely (When I Dream About You) (the Four Knights, Bing Crosby, Maria Cole), and Mr Sandman (Vaughn Monroe, the Chordettes, the Four Aces, the Mills Brothers) ~ Ballard was born in 1899
October 26, 1959 ~ Country singer Marty Robbins releases El Paso, lifted off his Gunfighter Ballads & Trail Songs album ~ Widely considered a classic of the genre, the self-penned El Paso sketches a Western saga complete with drama, violence, and romance. The singer falls in love with a Mexican girl, only to shoot and kill another man competing for the girl's love. He steals a horse, a hanging offense back in the days of the Wild West, and makes his escape, but love compels him to return to the scene of the crime, where he is met with a bullet to the chest. El Paso would top both the Billboard Country and all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts, earn Robbins a Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Performance, and became a signature song for Robbins. Robbins would twice more reference the Texas city of El Paso. Faleena (From El Paso) released in 1966 tells the life story of Faleena, the Mexican girl from the original song, and a decade later Robbins released El Paso City, in which Robbins sings of being in an airplane over the city, which reminds him of a song “he heard long ago”
October 26, 1958 ~ Producer, singer, keyboardist Boyd Jarvis, full name Boyd Henry Jarvis, born in New York, New York, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for his 1983 song The Music Got Me. Sued Robert Clivilles and David Cole of C+C Music Factory over copyright infringement, claiming Get Dumb incorporated parts of The Music Got Me, and was awarded some $95,000 in damages. Session musician, remixer, producer, worked with Herbie Hancock, La Toya Jackson, Johnny Kemp, Jellybean, Timmy Regisford, Wally Jump Jr & the Criminal Elements, Colonel Abrams, Club Nouveau, Pretty Poison, François Kevorkian, Johnny Gill, Karyn White, Rick James, Evelyn King, Loose Ends, Chaka Khan, Levert, Ronny Jordan, and Milk & Honey ~ Jarvis passed away in 2018
October 26, 1956 ~ Jazz pianist Mike LeDonne born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Has worked with Benny Golson, Panama Francis, Benny Goodman, Milt Jackson, Art Farmer, Clifford Jordan, Grady Tate, Charles McPherson, James Moody, Sonny Rollins, Ernestine Anderson, Annie Ross, Eric Alexander, Chris Flory, Wycliffe Gordon, Scott Hamilton, Alvin Queen, Duke Robillard, Jim Rotondi, Gary Smulyan, Jim Snidero, Cory Weeds, and others
October 26, 1952 ~ Pop rock, folk, jazz, classical, alternative rock keyboardist, film composer Andy Richards, full name Andrew John Richards, born in London, UK ~ Member of the Strawbs during the late-1970s, present on the album Heartbreak Hill. The album was recorded in 1978 but shelved until 1995 due to problems with the record company and management. Following the band's initial split in 1980 Richards has sessioned for a host of artists. Notably present on hit singles such as Relax and Two Tribes by Frankie Goes To Hollywood, and Careless Whisper by George Michael. As a session musician Richards would go on to work with Gary Moore, Grace Jones, Billy Squier, Chris De Burgh, Corey Hart, and Annie Lennox. Richards would also establish himself as a producer for the Pet Shop Boys, Prefab Sprout, Holly Johnson, Nick Kamen, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, and T'Pau, and work on numerous soundtracks as an engineer, mixer, or composer including for Bridget Jones's Diary and Slumdog Millionaire
October 26, 1952 ~ Actress, comedian, singer, songwriter Hattie McDaniel passed away in Woodland Hills, California, USA ~ Worked as a singer in minstrel shows and radio, while maintaining manual day jobs, prior to venturing into acting. Has appeared in over an estimated 300 films, though only credited in about 80. Best known for portraying the role of Mammy in the 1939 Gone With The Wind, which earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress making her the first African-American woman to win an Oscar. McDaniel experienced racism and racial segregation throughout her career and was even actually unable to attend the premiere of Gone With The Wind because it was held at a whites-only theater. Her final wish to be buried in Hollywood Cemetery was denied due to the graveyard being restricted to whites-only at the time ~ McDaniel was born in 1893
October 26, 1951 ~ William Earl Collins, commonly known as bassist Bootsy Collins born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Leading and hugely influential name in funk. Honed his skills first backing James Brown, then George Clinton as a member of Parliament and Funkadelic before going solo. Worked for Brown for a mere 11 months, appearing on some of the key recordings though such as Get Up I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine Part 1, Super Bad, Soul Power, Talkin' Loud And Sayin' Nothing and The Grunt. Backed Clinton from 1972 through the early-1980s, while launching a parallel solo career starting in the mid-1970s. As a so artist best known for the albums Ahh The Name Is Bootsy Baby and Bootsy Player Of The Year, released respectively in 1977 and 1978, both reaching the Billboard Hot 200 top 20 and topping the R&B album charts. Collins' best known songs include Pinocchio, Can't Stay Away, and perhaps his best known Bootzilla
October 26, 1951 ~ William Patrick Bennett, commonly known as folk, country singer, mandolinist, songwriter Willie P Bennett, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Best known for his associations with the Dixie Flyers and longtime friend and collaborator Fred Eaglesmith. Also worked with Sneezy Waters, Pat Temple, and sessioned for and toured with nunerous pop and country artists. Recorded as a solo artist since the mid-1970s. Co-wrote Goodby So Long Hello, a 1990 hit for Prayrie Oyster on the Canadian country charts. Bennett came into the spotlight in the late-1990s when Stephen Fearing, Colin Linden and Tom Wilson formed Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, named for Bennett's 1978 album. Bennett suffered an on-stage heartattack in 2007, the year before he died. Highly admired by peers, he posthumously had several tribute songs written for him, including Willie P by David Essig who produced several of his albums, It's Hard To Keep A White Shirt Clean by Corb Lund and Hurricane Heart by Ian Tamblyn ~ Bennett passed away in 2008
October 26, 1947 ~ Lloyd James, commonly known as dub mixer, producer King Jammy, born in Montego Bay, Jamaica ~ Best known as producer for Black Uhuru. Also worked with Wayne Smith, Admiral Bailey, Chaka Demus, Lieutenant Stitchie, the Pinchers, Dennis Brown, King Tubby, Bunny Lee, Anthony Johnson, Horace Andy, Junior Reid, Purpleman, Sugar Minott, Barry Brown, Hortense Ellis, Tonto Irie, Little John, Leroy Smart, Michael Palmer, Noel Phillips, the Travellers, U-Brown, Niccadems, Errol Holt, Frankie Paul, Johnny Osbourne, Hugh Mundell, and others
October 26, 1944 ~ Bassist Alan Henderson born ~ Original member of Them, present on songs such as Baby Please Don't Go and Here Comes The Night. The band is best known for launching the career of Van Morrison, and despite a brief recording career they are considered influential on a wide array of acts including the Doors ~ Henderson passed away in 2017
October 26, 1944 ~ Folk guitarist, singer Jim McCann born ~ Active since the mid-1960s. Member of the Ludlow Trio, known for their 1966 hit The Sea Around Us. After the band disbanded the following year McCann would mostly work as a solo performer, yet is best known to the general public for his stint with the Dubliners remaining with the band from 1974 through 1979 ~ McCann passed away in 2015
October 26, 1942 ~ Jazz saxophonist Col Loughnan, full name Colin John Loughnan, born in Sydney, Australia ~ Active as a singer with the Crescents, best known for their Mr Blue single, and with the Delltones prior to taking up the saxophone. Co-founding member of the Daly-Wilson Big Band. Perhaps best known for his stint in the 1970s with progressive rock, jazz fusion unit Ayers Rock, for whom he wrote a considerable amount of the material including Crazy Boys and Big Red Rock
October 26, 1942 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Milton Nascimento born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Worked with Beto Guedes, Toninho Horta, Wagner Tiso, Flavio Venturini, Paul Simon, Sarah Vaughan, Mercedes Sosa, Carlos Santana, Pablo Milanés, Cat Stevens, George Duke, Quincy Jones, Earth Wind & Fire, Pat Metheny, Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Jack DeJohnette, Naná Vasconcelos, Jon Anderson, James Taylor, Peter Gabriel, Duran Duran, Wayne Shorter, Gilberto Gil, Herbie Hancock, and others
October 26, 1941 ~ Country, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Charlie Landsborough, full name Charles Alexander Landsborough, born in Wrexham, UK ~ Active since the 1970s. Best known for his 1994 recording What Color Is The Wind. Had his songs recorded by the likes of Foster & Allen (I Will Love You All My Life), Roly Daniels (Part Of Me), and George Hamilton IV (Heaven Knows
October 26, 1940 ~ Trumpeter Eddie Henderson, full name Edward Jackson Henderson, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Influenced by Booker Little, Clifford Brown, Woody Shaw, Miles Davis. Best known for his association with Herbie Hancock. Has also worked with the Cookers, Pharoah Sanders, Mike Nock, Norman Connors, Art Blakey, Azteca, Charles Earland, Kenny Barron, Gary Bartz, Norman Connors, Stanley Cowell, Benny Golson, Billy Harper, Mina Aoe, Dale Barlow, TK Blue, Joe Chambers, Jimmy Cobb, Laurent de Wilde, Ray Drummond, JJ Johnson, Azar Lawrence, Archie Shepp, Jarek Smietana, Leon Thomas, and others
October 26, 1938 ~ John Henry Starks, commonly known as drummer John Jabo Starks, was born in Jackson, Alabama, USA ~ Best known for his association with James Brown, backing the singer on stage and in the studio from 1965 through 1976. Also worked with Bobby Blue Bland (including on the quintessential 1961 album Two Steps From The Blues), BB King, John Lee Hooker, Smiley Lewis, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Big Mama Thornton, Bobby Byrd, Howlin' Wolf, Lyn Collins, Fred Wesley, JJ Blair, and others ~ Starks passed away in 2018
October 26, 1936 ~ Rockabilly, country, rock guitarist Al Casey, full name Alvin Wayne Casey, born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ First gained attention playing guitar on the mid-1950s Sanford Clark hit The Fool, which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Has worked with Duane Eddy from the mid-1950s through the end of the decade, for whom he also wrote Ramrod. Closely associated with Johnny Cash, appearing on well over a dozen of Cash's albums including the acclaimed I Walk The Line released in 1964. Also guested on albums by Lee Hazlewood, Nancy Sinatra, the Beach Boys (Pet Sounds), the Monkees, and Elvis Presley (Elvis '68 Comeback Special) ~ Casey passed away in 2006
October 26, 1934 ~ Keyboardist, songwriter Hans-Joachim Roedelius born in Berlin, Germany ~ Influential experimental, Krautrock pioneer. Co-founded Kluster with Conrad Schnitzler and Dieter Moebius, renamed to Cluster after Schnitzler's departure in 1971, and acclaimed especially for 1971's Cluster '71. Roedelius and Moebler would also team up with guitarist Michael Rother, recording the albums Musik Von Harmonia and Deluxe under the group moniker Harmonia. Roedelius has recorded over 30 albums as a solo artist, notably Durch Die Wüste and Wenn Der Südwind Weht, and has frequently collaborated with Brian Eno
October 26, 1931 ~ Edward Emery Williams Jr, commonly known as Chicago blues singer, pianist, songwriter Detroit Junior, born in Haynes, Arkansas, USA ~ Known for recordings such as So Unhappy, Call My Job, If I Hadn't Been High, Ella, and Money Tree. Had his songs covered by Koko Taylor, and Albert King. Backed Howlin' Wolf for over a decade, starting in 1956. Has also worked with Eddie Boyd, John Lee Hooker, and Amos Milburn ~ Williams passed away in 2005
October 26, 1931 ~ Jazz singer Lee Wiley records Time On My Hands ~ Backed by Leo Reisman & his Orchestra. Written by Vincent Youmans, Harold Adamson and Mack Gordon. Originally recorded by Paul Gregory and Marilyn Miller. Later versions recorded by artists such as Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Billy Eckstine, Sarah Vaughan, and Bing Crosby
October 26, 1929 ~ Singer Neal Matthews born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Member of the Jordanaires from 1949 until his death in 2000, a vocal group known best for backing artists such as Patsy Cline, Red Foley, Johnny Horton, Ferlin Husky, Jim Reeves, and George Jones. The group is especially known for their association with Elvis Presley, backing Presley on some of his best known including It's Now Or Never, Return To Sender, Can't Help Falling In Love, Are You Lonesome Tonight, and Now And Then There's A Fool Such As I ~ Matthews passed away in 2000
October 26, 1927 ~ Tenor saxophonist Warne Marsh born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Protégé of pianist Lennie Tristano. Member of Supersax. Leader, co-leader, sideman. Has worked with Tristano, Elek Bacsik, Chet Baker, Bill Evans, Clare Fischer, Lee Konitz, Art Pepper, Joe Albany, Lew Tabackin, Pete Christlieb, and others ~ Marsh passed away in 1987
October 26, 1914 ~ Gospel singer Claude Jeter born in Montgomery, Alabama, USA ~ Member of the Dixie Hummingbirds. best known as co-founding member of the Swan Silvertones, one of the most popular and influential gospel groups especially popular during the 1950s. Noted for his falsetto voice as evidenced in songs such as Careless Soul and Saviour Pass Me Not. Influential on later singers including Al Green and the Temptations' Eddie Kendricks ~ Jeter passed away in 2009
October 26, 1913 ~ Bandleader, saxophonist, composer Charlie Barnet, full name Charles Daly Barnet, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for songs such as Skyliner, Cherokee, The Wrong Idea, Scotch & Soda, In A Mizz and Southland Shuffles. Employed sidemen such as Buddy DeFranco, Roy Eldridge, Neal Hefti, Lena Horne, Barney Kessel, Dodo Marmarosa, Oscar Pettiford, Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, Jimmy Knepper, and Clark Terry ~ Barnet passed away in 1991
October 26, 1685 ~ Baroque, classical composer Domenico Scarlatti, full name Giuseppe Domenico Scarlatti, born in Naples, Italy ~ Son of composer Alessandro Scarlatti. Influenced Béla Bartók, Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Claude Debussy, Vladimir Horowitz, Dmitri Shostakovich, and others. Best known for his keyboard sonatas, having written over 500 of them ~ Scarlatti passed away in 1757