October 27, 2022 ~ Geraldine Milligan, commonly known as R&B, disco singer Geraldine Hunt, passed away ~ Enjoyed moderate success on the R&B and dance charts from the 1970s through the early-1980s. Well known songs include the Charlie Hodges duet You And I, the Supremes cover Baby I Need Your Loving, You Brought Joy and perhaps her best known Can't Fake The Feeling, the latter topping the Billboard Dance charts in 1980 ~ Milligan was born in 1945
October 27, 2021 ~ Conductor, composer Letieres Leite passed away in Salvador, Brazil ~ Perhaps best remembered for founding and fronting the brass and percussion ensemble the Orkestra Rumpilezz, critically acclaimed for their 2009 Letieres Leite & the Orkestra Rumpilezz album. Leite has worked with a wide array of artists including Nico Assumpção, Naná Vasconcelos, Gilberto Gil, Elba Ramalho, Lulu Santos, Hermeto Pascoal, Stanley Jordan, Carlinhos Brown, Toninho Horta, and Ivete Sangalo ~ Leite was born in 1959
October 27, 2021 ~ R&B, soul, funk, disco keyboardist, singer William Shelby passed away ~ Co-founding member, lead singer for Dynasty, for whom he co-wrote songs such as Groove Control, Do Me Right and Love In The Fast Lane. The band is best known for their Billboard R&B top 10 hit I've Just Begun To Love You off their 1980 Adventures In The Land Of Music sophomore album. Shelby has also served as a latter-day member for Lakeside, remaining with the funk outfit from 1993 until his death at age 65 ~ Shelby was born in 1954
October 27, 2018 ~ Frederick Segrest, commonly known as singer, guitarist Freddie Hart, passed away in Burbank, California, USA ~ Country singer, best known for his 1971 crossover pop hit Easy Loving. Also known for songs such as The Key's In The Mailbox, Hank Williams' Guitar, Born A Fool, My Hang Up Is You, Got The All Overs For You All Over Me, Trip To Heaven, and I'd Like To Sleep Till I Get Over You. Would regularly hit the country charts from the early-1950s through the late-1980s. Later in life Hart would turn to gospel, performing untill he died. Artists who have covered Hart's songs include Carl Smith (Loose Talk), Patsy Cline (Lovin' In Vain), George Jones (My Tears Are Overdue), and Porter Wagoner (Skid Row Joe) ~ Segrest was born in 1926
October 27, 2018 ~ Steel guitarist Herb Remington, full name Herbert Leroy Remington, passed away in Texas, USA ~ Member of Bob Wills' backing unit the Texas Playboys from 1946 through 1949, notably present on Boot Heel Drag. Also worked with Hank Penny, with whom he recorded Remington Ride which has since become a standard for steel guitarists ~ Remington was born in 1926
October 27, 2018 ~ Clarinetist Murray Khouri passed away in Bowral, Australia ~ Classical clarinetist worked with orchestras such as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, the Royal Ballet Orchestra, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and conductors such as Leopold Stokowski, Pierre Boulez, Georg Solti, Bernard Haitink, Adrian Boult, and Eugen Jochem ~ Khouri was born in 1941
October 27, 2018 ~ Todd Schofield, commonly known as guitarist Todd Youth passed away ~ Active since the mid-1980s in predominantly punk and metal bands including notably Warzone, Murphy's Law (Back With A Bang), D-Generation, Chrome Locust, Son Of Sam, Danzig (I Luciferi), the Chelsea Smiles, Cheap Trick (The Latest), and Bloodclot ~ Schofield was born in 1971
October 27, 2016 ~ Saxophonist Bobby Wellins passed away ~ Best known for collaborating with Stan Tracey on the album Jazz Suite Inspired By Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood (1965). Leader and sideman. Has worked with artists such as Buddy Featherstonhaugh, Kenny Wheeler, Tony Crombie, Lionel Grigson, Jim Richardson, Pete Jacobsen, Adrian Kendon, Ken Baldock, Andy Cleyndert, Spike Wells, Liam Noble, Simon Thorpe, Dave Wickens, and Jimmy Knepper ~ Wellins was born in 1936
October 27, 2013 ~ Lewis Allan Reed, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Lou Reed, passed away in East Hampton, New York, USA ~ First gained attention as guitarist, singer, principal songwriter of the influential 1960s outfit the Velvet Underground, writing or co-writing some of the band's best known including All Tomorrow's Parties, Waiting For The Man and Venus In Furs. Reed would go on to become one of the most celebrated solo artists of the 1970s, acclaimed for albums such as Transformer, Rock 'n Roll Animal and Coney Island Baby. Well known songs include Walk On The Wild Side, Satellite Of Love, Sweet Jane and Perfect Day ~ Reed was born in 1942
October 27, 2012 ~ Jazz, soul, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Terry Callier, full name Terrence Orland Callier, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Childhood friend of Curtis Mayfield, Major Lance and Jerry Butler. Started in doo-wop bands in his teens. Influenced by John Coltrane. Wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by HP Lovecraft (Spin Spin Spin, It's About Time) and by the Dells (The Love We Had Stays On My Mind). Worked with George Benson, Gil Scott-Heron, Paul Weller, Massive Attack, the Juju Orchestra, Hardkandy, Nujabes, Koop, Beth Orton, and the Urban Species ~ Callier was born in 1945
October 27, 2008 ~ Singer Adele releases Make You Feel My Love off her 19 album ~ Fourth and final single of her debut album. Adele was reluctant to include a cover on her debut album, thinking it would imply she is incapable of writing enough of her own songs. Under pressure from her manager, however, she listened to the song, originally penned and recorded by Bob Dylan, and she loved it. All other songs on the album were written or co-written by Adele herself. A sleeper hit, initially reaching mid-20s on the UK charts, but gaining renewed attention after Annastasia Baker performed a version of it on the talent contest The X-Factor in 2010. Subsequently Adele's version would reach top 10, peaking at No.4. Over time it would become a fan favorite, a rendition loved by both those familiar and those unfamiliar with the original
October 27, 2008 ~ Producer, songwriter Ray Ellis passed away in Encino, California, USA ~ Orchestrated Billie Holiday's Lady In Satin album. Arranged many 1950s and 1960s hits, including for Johnny Mathis (A Certain Smile), Sarah Vaughan (Broken-hearted Melody), and the Four Lads (Standing On The Corner). Produced Emmylou Harris' 1970 debut album Gliding Bird. As arranger or conductor Ellis has also worked with Chris Connor, Joe Castro, Barbra Streisand, Lena Horne, Liza Minnelli, Esther Phillips, Ben E King, Harold Land, and Herbie Mann ~ Ellis was born in 1923
October 27, 2004 ~ Jazz guitarist Art Ryerson passed away in Brookfield, Connecticut, USA ~ Emerged in the 1930s. Played acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo. Appears on the early recordings of Bill Haley including on Crazy Man Crazy, What'cha Gonna Do, Pat-a-cake and I'll Be True. Worked with Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Mildred Bailey, Ruby Braff, Erroll Garner, Lionel Hampton, Bobby Hackett, Ellis Larkins, Red Norvo, Anita O'Day, Hot Lips Page, Artie Shaw, Mel Tormé, Sarah Vaughan, Charlie Parker, Fats Waller, Elvis Presley, and Eartha Kitt ~ Ryerson was born in 1913
October 27, 2004 ~ Pianist, composer Claude Helffer passed away in Paris, France ~ Member of the French Resistance during World War II. Revered classical, contemporary classical pianist. Premiered works by Iannis Xenakis, André Boucourechliev, Betsy Jolas, and Luis de Pablo. Also noted for his renditions of Arnold Schoenberg, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Pierre Boulez, Alban Berg, and Jean Barraqué ~ Helffer was born in 1922
October 27, 2004 ~ Jazz, big band, pop bandleader Lester Lanin, full name Nathaniel Lester Lanin, passed away in New York, USA ~ Active since the late-1920s, most popular during the 1950s, albums such as 1957's Dance To The Music Of Lester Lanin and Lester Lanin & his Orchestra, as well as Have Band Will Travel and Lester Lanin Goes To College the following year all reaching the Billboard top 10. Played at the wedding of Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley in 1985. Led the orchestra at the prestigious annual the International Debutante Ball until his death ~ Lanin was born in 1907
October 27, 2000 ~ Operatic bass-baritone Walter Berry passed away in Vienna, Austria ~ Closely associated with the Vienna State Opera, remaining with the company for the most of his career. Married to mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig, with whom he has also worked, from 1957 through 1970. As a lieder singer praised for his interpretations of works by Franz Schubert and Gustav Mahler. Regularly appeared at the Metropolitan Opera during the 1960s and 1970s ~ Berry was born in 1929
October 27, 2000 ~ Winston Richards, commonly known as drummer, pianist, singer Winston Grennan, passed away in Nantucket, Massachusetts, USA ~ Noted session drummer active in Jamaica in the 1960s, in New York throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Worked with Coxsone Dodd, Duke Reid, Leslie Kong, Sonia Pottinger, Clive Chin, Byron Lee, Winston Riley, Toots & the Maytals, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Desmond Dekker, Paul Simon, Eddie Kendricks, Peter Paul & Mary, Booker T & the MG's, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Garland Jeffreys, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, the O'Jays, Minnie Riperton, Herbie Mann, Kid Creole & the Coconuts, Pat Kelly, the Clarendonians, Yellowman, and the Skatalites ~ Richards was born in 1944
October 27, 1999 ~ Bandleader, arranger, composer Frank Devol passed away in Lafayette, California, USA ~ Began composing music at age 12. Played violin in his father's orchestra. Worked as arranger for Horace Heidt. Toured with Alvino Rey orchestra. Went on to arrange for a host of artists including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, Dinah Shore, Doris Day, Vic Damone, and Jaye P Morgan. Arranged string and piano for Nat King Cole's Nature Boy. Composed numerous film scores. Nominated for Academy Awards four times from the late-1950s through the mid-1960s, for Pillow Talk, Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte, Cat Ballou and Guess Who's Coming To Dinner. Devol has also worked extensively for a number of TV shows ~ DeVol was born in 1911
October 27, 1999 ~ Grunge, alternative rock guitarist Wes Berggren passed away ~ Co-founding member of Tripping Daisy, best known for their 1995 single I Got A Girl. Following the unexpected death of Berggren, who died of an overdose, the band would finish a few remaining tapes with Berggren's father playing piano on the unfinished song Soothing Jubilee for their eponymous 2000 Tripping Daisy album, before disbanding ~ Berggren was born in 1971
October 27, 1997 ~ James Taylor-Watts, commonly known as pop singer, guitarist, songwriter James TW, born in Barford, UK ~ Self-released a debut EP, Just A Number, in 2014. Best known for his 2016 single When You Love Someone. Attention garnered through online platforms would secure Taylor-Watts a record deal, leading to a full-length debut album, Chapters, released in 2019
October 27, 1994 ~ Donald Lee Owen, commonly known as singer, guitarist, producer, songwriter Donnie Owens, passed away ~ Close and long time associate of Lee Hazlewood. Session rhythm guitarist for Nancy Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Duane Eddy. As a solo artist known for recordings such as Need You, Ask Me Anything, Stormy Came To Town, Heart Attack, and Climbing The Walls. Produced albums by Barney Carl, Virgil Warner, Linda Owens, Honey Ltd, Suzi Jane Hokom, Buddy Long, Sanford Clark, Ann-Margret, Danny Michaels, Jimmie Lee Morris, and Joe Cannon. Wrote songs for Budd the Spudd & the Sprouts, Virgil Warner, Johnny Wakely, Ray Sharpe, Sanford Clark, and Mac Wiseman ~ Owens was born in 1932
October 27, 1994 ~ Guitarist Robert White, full name Robert Willie White, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Oscar Moore and Wes Montgomery. Best known as guitarist of the Funk Brothers, the house studio band at Motown. Appears on numerous recordings including the Temptations' My Girl for which White wrote and performed the guitar riff, Can I Get A Witness (Marvin Gaye), You Keep Me Hangin' On (the Supremes), My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder), Something About You (the Four Tops), and on It's A Shame (the Spinners) ~ White was born in 1936
October 27, 1990 ~ Bandleader, violinist, arranger Xavier Cugat passed away in Barcelona, Spain ~ Leading figure in Latin music. Led the resident orchestra at the the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York, and owned and operated a restaurant in West Hollywood, California, shuttling between the two for some 30 years. His orchestra included musicians such as Desi Arnaz, Abbe Lane, Tito Rodriguez, Yma Sumac, and Miguelito Valdes, many of whom going on to become stars in their own right ~ Cugat was born in 1900
October 27, 1986 ~ Jazz pianist, vibraphonist, saxophonist Alan Branscombe passed away in London, UK ~ Closely associated with Johnny Dankworth, serving in Dankworth's orchestra on and off from 1960 through 1972. Has also worked with the likes of Cleo Laine, Georgie Fame, Jackie Lomax, Harold McNair, Kenny Wheeler, and Tubby Hayes. To pop and rock audiences, Branscombe is perhaps best known for his saxophone playing on the Beatles track Got To Get You Into My Life of their 1966 Revolver album ~ Branscombe was born in 1936
October 27, 1984 ~ In its twentyninth week on the charts, I'm So Excited by the Pointer Sisters peaks at No.9 Billboard Hot 100 ~ First issued as a single from the 1982 So Excited album, it initially reached No.30 Billboard Hot 100. A slighty edited version, however, would be included on their follow-up album Break Out the following year. This time, it would reach top 10. The accompanying video clip for the song was directed by Kenny Ortega, who would later choreograph the movie Dirty Dancing. Ever since its release, the upbeat, joyous song, noted for its thinly veiled innuendo, has been a go-to song for use in films and TV series to convey feelings of excitement, whether sexual or innocent. The song remains one of the group's best known and would be included on Songs of the Century, a list compiled in 2001 by RIAA and the National Endowment For The Arts intended to “promote a better understanding of America's musical and cultural heritage”
October 27, 1983 ~ Keyboardist Vince van Reeken born in The Hague, the Netherlands ~ Best known as member of Di-rect from 2009 through 2016. Appears on singles such as Hold On, The Chase and The Young Ones, all of which reached the Dutch top 30. Previously a member of Juice, a minimal techno producer known under the moniker Vince John and founder of the Jam de la Creme festival an annual music festival in Scheveningen
October 27, 1981 ~ Gilbert Anthony Milam Jr, commonly known as rapper Berner, born ~ As a solo artist over a dozen albums to his name since the mid-2000s, best known for his 2015 Hempire release. In-demand collaborator, has worked with the Jacka, Messy Marv, Ampichino, San Quinn, B Real, Cam'ron, Styles P, Curren$y, and Larry June
October 27, 1980 ~ Stephen Ross Porter, commonly known as rock, psychedelic pop singer, guitarist, bassist, drummer Steve Peregrin Took, passed away in Notting Hill, UK ~ First gained attention as member of T.Rex alongside Marc Bolan, remaining with the band through 1969. After his split from the band would go on to work with the Pink Fairies and Shagrat ~ Porter was born in 1949
October 27, 1979 ~ Country, bluegrass singer, guitarist, songwriter Jimmie Skinner passed away ~ Wrote Let's Say Goodbye Like We Said Hello, a 1946 hit for Ernest Tubb. As a recording artist Skinner is best known for a number of late-1950s, early-1960s recordings including What Makes A Man Wander, Dark Hollow, I Found My Girl In The USA, The Riverboat Gambler, and Reasons To Live. Though largely forgotten today, Skinner has notably influenced Johnny Cash, who covered Skinner's Doing My Time. Others who recorded his songs include Ray Campi, Hank Williams (When The Book Of Life Is Read), the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Tony Rice, and Travis Tritt (Don't Give Your Heart To A Rambler) ~ Skinner was born in 1909
October 27, 1978 ~ Singer, songwriter Sabrina Washington, full name Sabrina Fredrica Washington, born in Harlesden, UK ~ Alongside Alesha Dixon and Su-Elise Nash a member of Mis-Teeq from its inception in 1999 to its disbandement in 2005. The band would score a string of UK top 10 hits including Why, All I Want, B With Me and Scandalous, the latter also reaching the American top 40. Released a solo debut single, OMG (Oh My Gosh), in 2010 which didn't chart in the singer's native England but did chart modestly across Europe
October 27, 1978 ~ Vanessa-Mae Vanakorn Nicholson, monoymously known as violinist Vanessa-Mae, born in Singapore ~ Musically trained since a young age. At age 13 became the youngest soloist to record both Ludwig van Beethoven and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's violin concertos. Has recorded over half a dozen albums, starting with Violin released in 1990. Though mostly a classical artist has dabbled in crossover and pop, such as her The Violin Player album and guesting on Janet Jackson's The Velvet Rope album
October 27, 1973 ~ In its ninth week on the charts, Midnight Train To Georgia by Gladys Knight & the Pips hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ The song originated as Midnight Plane To Houston, written and first recorded by Jim Weatherly, insppired by a phrase that stuck from Weatherly's conversation with a friend. Some time later, Cissy Houston wanted to cover the song but changed it to Midnight Train To Georgia so as not to have “Houston” in both the artist name and title. The song would become best known, however, as cut by Gladys Knight, who made it her signature song. Knight had topped the Billboard R&B charts before, Every Beat Of My Heart, I Heard It Through The Grapevine, If I Were Your Woman, and Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye) all having reached the top spot as well as top 10 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, yet Midnight Train To Georgia would be her first to top the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. It also earned Gladys Knight & the Pips a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus, and remains one of her best known, widely considered a key recording of the era and cherished to this day
October 27, 1972 ~ Pop singer, pianist Elton John releases Crocodile Rock in the UK, lead single off his Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player album ~ Released in the USA about a month later, this upbeat rocker clearly drawing from 1950s music would become John's first Billboard Hot 100 charttopper. Reportedly, the song was at least partly inspired by Eagle Rock, an early-1970s millionseller in Australia for Daddy Cool, while it also referenced Bill Haley's mid-1950s hit Rock Around The Clock. John would later dismiss criticism the song was derivative: “I wanted it to be a record about all the things I grew up with. Of course it's a rip-off, it's derivative in every sense of the word.”
October 27, 1972 ~ Singer Stevie Wonder releases Talking Book, the first of eight consecutive albums to reach top 10 Billboard Hot 200 ~ As Wonder became less reliant on guidance and direction from his label, he came into his own. Talking Book would be a smash hit, earning him his first Grammy Awards. The album would be one of the first R&B albums to connect with rock audiences, and is generally considered one of the prime examples from his classic period, which lasted through the end of the decade. The singles Superstition and You Are The Sunshine Of My Life would both reach the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, both would also be awarded a Grammy Award. The album featured a number of notable guest appearances, Ray Parker Jr played electric guitar on Maybe Your Baby, Jeff Beck and Howard Buzz Feiten handled the guitars on Lookin' For Another Pure Love, and David Sanborn played alto saxophone on Tuesday Heartbreak
October 27, 1969 ~ Jazz drummer Stephane Galland born ~ Worked with Pierre van Dormael, the Nasa Na Band, Fabrizio Cassol, Doudou Ndiaye Rose, the Liege Philharmonic Orchestra, Zap Mama, Axelle Red, Joe Zawinul, Bzzz Puk, Greeting From Mercury, Ibrahim Maalouf, Jeroen van Herzeele, KD's Basement Party, Octun, Tomas & Co, Jacques Schwarz-Bart, Malcolm Braff, and Laurent David
October 27, 1965 ~ Oliver Albee La Farge, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist Peter La Farge, passed away ~ Emerged from New York's Greenwich Village folk scene, alongside the likes of Bob Dylan, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Dave Van Ronk, and Pete Seeger. Mentored by Cisco Houston. Best known for The Ballad Of Ira Hayes. The song would later be notably covered by Johnny Cash on his 1964 Bitter Tears (Ballads Of The American Indian) album. Cash credited La Farge with inspiring the entire album, which also included the La Farge-penned As Long As The Grass Shall Grow, Custer, Drums, and White Girl ~ La Farge was born in 1931
October 27, 1963 ~ Jan Vetter, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Farin Urlaub, born in West Berlin, West Germany ~ Influenced by the Beatles and Frank Zappa. Co-founding member of Die Ärzte. The band would record four albums until their initial disbandement in the late-1980s, three of which would reach top 10 in their native Germany, yet the band would score their greatest hits after reforming in the early-1990s, reaching top 10 with the singles Schrei Nach Liebe and Ein Song Namens Schunder. Urlaub has also recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist and as frontman and eponym of the Farin Urlaub Racing Team
October 27, 1961 ~ Trumpeter, conductor, teacher Håkan Hardenberger, full name Ulf Håkan Hardenberger, born in Malmö, Sweden ~ Considered a trumpet virtuoso known for premiering contemporary trumpet compositions. Has collaborated with composers such as Harrison Birtwistle, Brett Dean, Hans Werner Henze, and György Ligeti. Performed with orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony, the Wiener Philharmoniker, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the NHK Symphony Orchestra. Also served as artistic director for the Malmo Chamber Music Festival, and has conducted the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, the Malmo Symphony Orchestra, and the Swedish Chamber Orchestra
October 27, 1960 ~ R&B singer Ben E King records Stand By Me ~ Written by Ben E King, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller. Produced by Leiber and Stoller. An early draft was originally intended for the Drifters, King's previous band, who passed on the opportunity. Reportedly based in part, inspired by two other songs, namely the Soul Stirrers' Stand By Me Father written by Sam Cooke and JW Alexander and Charles Albert Tindley's Stand By Me gospel hymn. Released as a single in 1961, b/w On The Horizon, in early 1961. King's single would top the Billboard R&B chart in 1961, be covered over an estimated 400 times, and again become a hit in the mid-1980s after being used in films and a Levi's TV commercial
October 27, 1953 ~ Pianist, composer, arranger Robert Irving III born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for his association with Miles Davis from the late-1970s through the late-1980s, present on the 1981 album The Man With The Horn. Has also worked with Al Foster, John Scofield, Mike Stern, Gary Thomas, Bob Berg, Kenny Garrett, Hiram Bullock, Robben Ford, Darryl Jones, Wallace Roney, Lenny White, Terri Lyne Carrington, Kahil El-Zabar, and Ramsey Lewis
October 27, 1952 ~ Jazz, orchestral bassist Ken Filiano born in Patchoque, New York, USA ~ Known for his post-bop, modern creative, and free jazz credits. Acclaimed for his 2002 Subvenire album. In-demand sideman and collaborator, present on albums by Mark Harvey, Vinny Golia, Richard Grossman (Trio In Real Time), Steve Adams, Tina Marsh, Steve Swell, the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra, Roswell Rudd (Broad Strokes), Paul Smoker, Fred Hess, Dom Minasi (Time Will Tell), and Larry Ochs
October 27, 1951 ~ Producer, songwriter, label executive Scott Billington born in Melrose, Massachusetts, USA ~ Longtime label executive for Rounder Records. Produced artists in blues, country, cajun, jazz and zydeco idioms including Johnny Shines, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Charlie Rich, Solomon Burke, Johnny Adams, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Irma Thomas, James Booker, Tangle Eye, the Soul Rebels, the Girl Authority, George Thorogood, Amanda Shaw, Corey Harris, Boozoo Chavis, Candye Kane, Chris Ardoin, and the Holmes Brothers
October 27, 1949 ~ Club owner, label executive, producer Clifford Antone born in Port Arthur, Texas, USA ~ Fixture on the Austin, Texas, music scene. Mentor to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan, Kim Wilson, and Gary Clark Jr. Founder, owner of renowned blues club Antone's, which opened in the mid-1970s, and founder, label executive of the independent Antone's Records & Tapes record label. The club, one of the city first music venues, helped lead to Austin's reputation as a music city. Upon hearing of his death, then-mayor Will Wynn would comment: “One of the primary reasons Austin is known as ‘Live Music Capital of the World’ is because of Antone.” ~ Antone passed away in 2006
October 27, 1948 ~ Singer, actor Gianni Nazzaro born in Naples, Italy ~ Recorded some 50-odd singles, mostly covers, from 1965 through 1968 going by the moniker Buddy before reverting to his given name. Best known for Solo Noi released in 1968 and Me Chiammi Ammore released in 1970. Would continue to chart regularly throughout the decade before slowing down in the 1980s ~ Nazzaro passed away in 2021
October 27, 1948 ~ Blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Sherman Robertson born in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, USA ~ Draws from zydeco, swamp blues, electric blues, R&B. First gained serious attention backing Clifton Chenier during the 1980s, notably present on the albums Live At The and San Francisco Blues Festival. Guested on Paul Simon's Graceland album. Following Chenier's death in 1987 Robertson would work with Rockin' Dopsie and Terrance Simien before venturing out on his own. As a solo artist best known for the album I'm The Man released in 1994 ~ Robertson passed away in 2021
October 27, 1946 ~ Country keyboardist, clavinetist, songwriter Steve Hardin, full name Stephen Joseph Hardin, born in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Best known as a songwriter. Penned songs such as I Love My Truck for Glen Campbell and Breakin' Down for Waylon Jennings. Member of Point Blank, for whom he wrote the concert favorite Mean To Your Queenie ~ Hardin passed away in 2015
October 27, 1945 ~ Jazz bassist Arild Andersen born in Strømmen, Norway ~ One of Norway's best known bassists. Known especially for his stint with Jan Garbarek, notably present on the aclaimed Afric Pepperbird album. Well over a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, including collaborations with Sheila Jordan, John Abercrombie, and Bill Frisell. Also present on albums by the likes of George Russell, Don Cherry (Eternal Rhythm), Robin Kenyatta, Roswell Rudd, Charlie Mariano, Frode Alnæs, Ketil Bjørnstad, and Karin Krog
October 27, 1943 ~ Pianist, bandleader, composer, playwright, poet Weldon Irvine, full name Weldon Jonathan Irvine Jr, born in Hampton, Virginia, USA ~ Wrote or co-wrote over 500 songs including To Be Young Gifted & Black with Nina Simone, first recorded by the latter on her 1970 Black Gold album and notably covered by Aretha Franklin 2 years later. Mentor to many New York hip-hop artists including Q-Tip and Mos Def ~ Irvine passed away in 2002
October 27, 1942 ~ Composer, musicologist David Johnson, full name David Charles Johnson, born in Edinburgh, UK ~ Internationally recognised scholar whose work did much to rediscover and reinvent 18th century Scottish music, setting it in historical context. His doctoral thesis would lead to the 1972 Music And Society In Lowland Scotland In The 18th Century, considered a seminal work in its field. Despite a varied body of compositions, including operas, string quartets, and cello suites, his work as a composer would not be as well known as his scholastic work and only earn him local recognition ~ Johnson passed away in 2009
October 27, 1942 ~ Country singer, songwriter Lee Greenwood, full name Melvin Lee Greenwood, born in South Gate, California, USA ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name since the early-1980s. Best known for his patriotic country hit single God Bless The USA. Other successes included Somebody's Gonna Love You, Going Going Gone, Dixie Road, I Don't Mind The Thorns If You're The Rose, Don't Underestimate My Love For You, Hearts Aren't Made To Break (They're Made To Love) and Mornin' Ride, all of which did well on Billboard Country charts
October 27, 1942 ~ Guitarist Philip Catherine born in London, UK ~ Released his debut album, Stream, in 1972. Has worked with Larry Coryell, Charles Mingus, Benny Goodman, Didier Lockwood, Christian Escoudé, Chet Baker, Tom Harrell, Lou Bennett, Kenny Drew, Dexter Gordon, Stéphane Grappelli, Karin Krog, Paul Kuhn, Sylvain Luc, Michael Mantler, Charlie Mariano, Palle Mikkelborg, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Enrico Rava, Toots Thielemans, Miroslav Vitous, Focus, Jean-Luc Ponty, Laura Fygi, Laila Dalseth, Vladimir Cosma, Karin Krog, Charlie Mariano, Airto Moreira, Alphonse Mouzon, Zbigniew Seifert, Jasper van 't Hof, Johan Verminnen, Barney Wilen, Enrico Pieranunzi, and Robert Wyatt
October 27, 1941 ~ Pop, folk, folk rock, blues singer, guitarist, percussionist, songwriter Don Partridge, full name Donald Eric Partridge, born in Bournemouth, UK ~ Busker and one-man-band who briefly found unexpected commercial success at the tail end of the sixties, his 1968 singles Rosie and its follow-up Blue Eyes both reaching top 10 in his native UK, and Breakfast On Pluto released the following year charting in the top 30. Partridge is also known for co-founding Accolade, with whom he recorded two albums during the early-1970s ~ Partridge passed away in 2010
October 27, 1939 ~ Singer, songwriter Dallas Frazier born in Spiro, Oklahoma, USA ~ Moderately successful as a late-1950s singer best known for writing and first recording Alley Oop, later a hit for the Hollywood Argyles. Would find his greatest fame as a songwriter, his songs recorded by Ferlin Husky (Timber I'm Falling), OC Smith, George Jones, Jack Greene (There Goes My Everything), Diana Ross, Johnny Duncan (Johnny One Time), Engelbert Humperdinck, Jerry Lee Lewis (Touching Home), Connie Smith (In My Baby's Arms Again), Willie Nelson, Brenda Lee, Charley Pride, Merle Haggard, Charlie Rich (Mohair Sam), Gene Watson (Fourteen Carat Mind), Elvis Presley (True Love Travels On A Gravel Road), Moe Bandy (Don't Anyone Make Love At Home Anymore), Roy Head, Charlie Louvin, Rodney Crowell, Dan McCafferty, Poco, Ronnie Hawkins, Henson Cargill (This Just Ain't No Good Day For Leavin'), Anne Murray, Stoney Edwards (Hank And Lefty Raised My Country Soul), Glen Campbell, George Strait, Randy Travis, and Patty Loveless. In 1988 Frazier left the music industry to become a Christian minister ~ Frazier passed away in 2022
October 27, 1939 ~ Country singer Ruby Wright born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Eldest child of Johnnie Wright and Kitty Wells. Also recorded under the moniker Ruby Wells, to avoid confusion with big band singer Ruby Wright. Best known for her 1964 Billboard Country top 20 hit Dern Ya, an answer song to Roger Miller's Dang Me. Her sole full-length album of the same name, Dern Ya, followed in 1966 ~ Wright passed away in 2009
October 27, 1934 ~ Jazz bassist, double bassist Barre Phillips born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Considered a prime bass improviser. Over two dozen albums to his name as leader or co-leader. Specifically noted for the 1971 Music From Two Basses, a collaborative album with Dave Holland. Member of influential 1970s outfit the Trio alongside saxophonist John Surman and drummer Stu Martin. Regularly recorded with the London Jazz Composers Orchestra during the 1980s and 1990s, including on the acclaimed Theoria album. Other notable associations include Eric Dolphy, Lee Konitz (Zo-Ko-Ma), Mal Waldron, Gong, Terje Rypdal, Charlie Mariano, Gunter Hampel (Jubilation), Peter Brötzmann, Michel Montanaro, Paul Bley (Chaos), Masashi Harada, Jeanette Lambert, and Joe Morris ~ Phillips passed away in 2024
October 27, 1934 ~ Jazz trumpeter, conductor, arranger Ivan Jullien born ~ To pop audiences perhaps best known for his association with Elton John, appearing on the early-1970s albums Honky Château and Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player. Jullien has also played with Claude Bolling and Jacques Denjean early on in his career, led the mid-1960s ensemble the Paris Jazz All-Stars, and guested on albums by Jef Gilson, Eddy Mitchell, Didier Lockwood, Charles Aznavour, Claude Nougaro, and Raymond Fol ~ Jullien passed away in 2015
October 27, 1933 ~ Pianist Floyd Cramer born in Samti, Louisiana, USA ~ Considered one of the pioneers of the Nashville sound. Frequent collaborator of guitarist Don Gibson and saxophonist Boots Randolph. Renowned for his slip note technique. Has recorded prolifically as a solo artist, his instrumental renditions of classics, including Last Date, On The Rebound, and San Antonio Rose, regularly becoming hits. In-demand session pianist, present on hit singles by Elvis Presley (Heartbreak Hotel), Brenda Lee, Hank Locklin (Please Help Me I'm Falling), Patsy Cline, the Browns, Jim Reeves, Eddy Arnold, Roy Orbison, Don Gibson, and the Everly Brothers ~ Cramer passed away in 1997
October 27, 1931 ~ Francis Dominic Joseph Dallas, commonly known as jazz bassist, singer Sonny Dallas, born in Rankin, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Most closely associated with Lennie Tristano. Also worked with Charlie Spivak, Ray Eberle, Claude Thornhill, Sal Salvador, Tony Scott, Chet Baker, Buck Clayton, Lee Konitz, Warne Marsh, Phil Woods, Gene Quill, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Elvin Jones, Mary Lou Williams, George Wallington, and Jackie Paris ~ Dallas passed away in 2007
October 27, 1927 ~ Composer Bernard Parmegiani born in Paris, France ~ Known for his electronic or acousmatic music. Studied mime from 1957 to 1961, a period he later regarded as important to his work as a composer. Worked with Iannis Xenakis, Westdeutscher Rundfunk, the Third Ear Band, and François Bayle. Cited as a major influence by later acts such as Aphex Twin, Autechre and Sonic Youth ~ Parmegiani passed away in 2013
October 27, 1927 ~ Operatic and choral composer Dominick Argento born ~ Wrote fourteen operas, including Miss Havisham's Fire Opera, Masque Of The Angels, and Aspern Papers Opera, orchestral works, major song cycles, of which From The Diary Of Virginia Woolf won him the 1975 Pullitzer Prize for Music, and choral works. Married to soprano singer Carolyn Bailey, whom he often referred to as his muse ~ Argento passed away in 2019
October 27, 1927 ~ Opera singer Robert White born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his tenures with the New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Premiered works, some written specifically for him, by composers such as Mark Adamo, William Bolcom, John Corigliano, Lukas Foss, Stephen Hough, Libby Larsen, Lowell Liebermann, Gian Carlo Menotti, Tobias Picker, Ned Rorem, and David Del Tredici
October 27, 1924 ~ Mary Joan Kath, commonly known as country, rock & roll, rockabilly singer Bonnie Lou, born in Towanda, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by Patsy Montana. Along with the likes of Wanda Jackson generally considered as one of the first women in what would later become known as rockabilly, enjoying popularity from the early-1950s onwards. Started performing on WJBC AM radio station at age 16, moving on to the nationally syndicated KMBC radio show the Brush Creek Follies show the following year. At the time the show would be considered one of the biggest music programs in country. Well-known for songs such as the early-1950s Billboard Country top 10 hits Seven Lonely Days and Tennessee Wig-Walk ~ Kath passed away in 2015
October 27, 1924 ~ Giacinto Figlia, commonly known as jazz pianist George Wallington, born in Palermo, Italy ~ Starting in 1943 Wallington spend a decade playing with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Marsala, Charlie Parker, Serge Chaloff, Allen Eager, Kai Winding, Terry Gibbs, Brew Moore, Al Cohn, Gerry Mulligan, Zoot Sims, and with Red Rodney, and recording as a leader for Savoy Records and Blue Note Records. Toured Europe in 1953 as a member of Lionel Hampton's big band. From 1954 onwards Wallington led groups that included young talents including Donald Byrd, Jackie McLean and Phil Woods. In 1960 Wallington retired from the music business, citing the stress of endless touring, but has made a number of albums in the 1980s ~ Figlia passed away in 1993
October 27, 1919 ~ Lee Brown, commonly known as jazz singer, songwriter Babs Gonzales, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Noted for penning Pop Pop-a-da. Worked with Charlie Barnet and with Lionel Hampton before forming his first own ensemble in 1946. His sidemen over the years would include Tadd Dameron, Tony Scott, Roy Haynes, James Moody, JJ Johnson, Julius Watkins, Sonny Rollins, Art Pepper, Wynton Kelly, and Don Redman. Later in his career he would collaborate with artists such as Jimmy Smith, Bennie Green, Lenny Hambro, and Johnny Griffin ~ Brown passed away in 1980
October 27, 1913 ~ Bandleader, bass saxophonist Boyd Raeburn, full name Boyd Albert Raeburn, born in Faith, South Dakota, USA ~ Has led a number of swing and big band ensembles since the 1930s, which at times included sidemen such as Serge Chaloff, Trummy Young, Lucky Thompson, Buddy DeFranco, and pianist George Handy. Raeburn would make considerable contributions to the development of jazz for a brief period during the mid-1940s, the ensemble noted for its daring and at the time considered avant-garde arrangements by pianist Handy. Reportedly, they were also the first to record the Dizzy Gillespie-classic Night In Tunisia. Raeburn would mostly retire from music by the mid-1950s ~ Raeburn passed away in 1966