October 28, 2023 ~ Country singer, songwriter Bill Rice, full name Wilburn Steven Rice, passed away in Merritt Island, Florida, USA ~ As a singer charted about half a dozen singles on the Billboard Country charts throughout the 1970s, most notably Travelin' Minstrel Man which reached top 40. Best known as a songwriter though, his songs recorded by the likes of Johnny Paycheck, Jeannie C Riley (Back Side Of Dallas), Reba McEntire (I'm Not That Lonely Yet), Mickey Gilley (Here Comes The Hurt Again), Charley Pride, Elvis Presley (The Girl Next Door Went A-Walking), Hank Williams Jr, Patty Loveless (Lonely Too Long), and Jerry Lee Lewis ~ Rice was born in 1939
October 28, 2022 ~ Darren Henley, commonly known as punk rock drummer DH Peligro, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Joined the Dead Kennedys in 1981 as replacement for Bruce Seslinger, appearing on the albums Plastic Surgery Disasters, Frankenchrist and Bedtime For Democracy. Briefly played with the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1988. Frontman and eponym of Peligro, known for the albums Peligro, Welcome To America and Sum Of Our Surroundings ~ Henley was born in 1959
October 28, 2022 ~ Pianist, singer Jerry Lee Lewis passed away in DeSoto County, Mississippi, USA ~ Rock & roll, rockabilly pioneer. Dubbed “the Killer”. Rose to fame with his 1957 recording Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On. Also known for songs such as Great Balls Of Fire, Breathless, and High School Confidential. His career waned in the 1960s following his marriage to his underage cousin but would be acclaimed for his 1964 live album Live At The Star Club, generally acnowledged as one of the greatest live albums in rock history. Would venture into country through much of the 1960s and 1970s, eventually overcoming scandals, regaining his stature as one of the founders of rock & roll ~ Lewis was born in 1935
October 28, 2021 ~ Electronic composer, flutist David C Johnson passed away in Basel, Switzerland ~ Closely associated with Karlheinz Stockhausen, starting as assistant producer for the 1967 Hymnen. In following years Johnson would also be involved in premieres of several of Stockhausen's or Stockhausen-directed works. Has collaborated with Holger Czukay, Irmin Schmidt, Michael Karoli and Jaki Liebezeit in what was to become Can, but departed the group in 1969 disappointed at their growing influences. Member of cooperative the Oeldorf Group ~ Johnson was born in 1940
October 28, 2021 ~ Ratislav Delmas, commonly known as rock drummer, singer Rasa Delmas, passed away in Belgrade, Serbia ~ Joined YU Grupa in 1972, a band credited with pioneering the fusion of rock with elements of traditional Balkan music. Present on some of their best known including Trka, Cudna Suma, More and the cultballad Crni Leptir. Had previously worked with Mobi Dik, Pop Masina and Siluete. Following his departure from Grupa in 1976 Delmas would found and front rock band Zebra, known for the singles Moja Mala Zebra and Ma Ko Si Ti ~ Delmas was born in 1950
October 28, 2020 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Billy Joe Shaver passed away in Waco, Texas, USA ~ Revered working man's intellectual and storyteller. Had his songs recorded by Waylon Jennings (Honky Tonk Heroes), Elvis Presley, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Bobby Bare (Ride Me Down Easy), Tom T Hall, JD Crowe (To Be Loved By A Woman), and Jerry Lee Lewis (Bottom Dollar). Known for songs such as I Been To Georgia On A Fast Train, Live Forever, You Asked Me To, I'm Just An Old Chunk Of Coal (But I'm Gonna Be A Diamond Someday), You Just Can't Beat Jesus Christ and Old Five And Dimers Like Me. Over the course of his career, Shaver has collaborated with numerous artists including Willie Nelson, Nanci Griffith, Chuck Leavell, Dickey Betts, Charlie Daniels, Flaco Jiménez, and Al Kooper ~ Shaver was born in 1939
October 28, 2016 ~ Hip hop group Migos release Bad And Boujee featuring Lil' Uzi Vert, lead single off their Culture sophomore album ~ The song features band members Quavo and Offset rapping about smoking dope and hooking up with high class or “bourgeoise” women, the term “bourgeoise” simplified to “boujee”. The band's third member, Takeoff, was not present on the vocals, which was simply a matter of timing. After going viral, the song spawning many memes with the lyrics “rain drop, drop top”, and aided by Donald Glover's shoutout at the 2017 Golden Globes, Bad And Boujee would reach the No.1 position on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, a position it held for three non-consecutive weeks. It would be the biggest hit both for Migos and featured artist Lil' Uzi Vert, neither of which had previously reached the top spot
October 28, 2015 ~ Electronica, drum and bass, house, trance, trip hop, soul, funk singer Diane Charlemagne passed away ~ Lead singer for funk outfit 52nd Street, taking over for Beverley McDonald in 1984, and present on perhaps the band's best known Tell Me How It Feels. Lead singer for the Urban Cookie Collective, known for the 1990s hits The Key The Secret and Feels Like Heaven. Guest vocalist on Goldie's Inner City Life. Frequently backed Moby on tours. Charlemagne has also worked with Satoshi Tomiie, Calibre, Scape, Netsky, and the Memory Notes ~ Charlemagne was born in 1964
October 28, 2010 ~ Classical trumpeter, cornetist Maurice Murphy, full name Maurice Harrison Murphy, passed away ~ Cornetist for brass ensemble the Black Dyke Band from 1956 through 1961. Would shift to orchestral work through stints with the Hallé, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Lemare Orchestra, Principal trumpeter with the London Symphony Orchestra for some three decades starting in 1977, including appearing with the latter on numerous soundtracks such as the first six Star Wars films, the Alien film series, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and Johnny English ~ Murphy was born in 1935
October 28, 2007 ~ Singer Porter Wagoner passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Charted over eighty singles on the country charts. Known for songs such as Satisfied Mind, Misery Loves Company, I've Enjoyed This As Much As I Can, Sorrow On The Rocks, Green Green Grass Of Home, The Cold Hard Facts Of Life, and The Carroll County Incident. Discovered and introduced the world to Dolly Parton, with whom Porter sang several hit duets including Daddy Was A Old Time Preacher Man, Please Don't Stop Loving Me and Making Plans ~ Wagoner was born in 1927
October 28, 2004 ~ Film composer Gil Melle, full name Gilbert John Melle, passed away in Malibu, California, USA ~ Painter, sculptor. Created cover art for albums by Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins. Played baritone sax with George Wallington, Max Roach, Tal Farlow, Oscar Pettiford, Ed Thigpen, Kenny Dorham, and Zoot Sims, and led a number of sessions for Blue Note Records and Prestige Records through mid to late-1950s. Composed for over 100 films, mostly in the 1970s and 1980s. Melle reportedly was the first to compose a main theme for a television series, namely Rod Serling's Night Gallery, arranged entirely for electronic instruments ~ Mellé was born in 1931
October 28, 2002 ~ Rapper Eminem releases Lose Yourself, issued as a single from the 8 Mile soundtrack ~ Written for the soundtrack of 8 Mile, a loosely autobiographical film featuring Eminem. At the time of its release, the song was warmly received with many critics calling it his best work yet. Retrospectively, several have ranked Lose Yourself among the all-time best hip hop songs. Its lyrics paint the background of B-Rabbit, Eminem's character in the film, with the first verse summing up much of the plot of the movie. The song would earn the rapper his first Grammy Award, as well an Academy Award for Best Song. The single reached No.1 Billboard Hot 100 in just six weeks, and held the top spot for twelve consecutive weeks, making the song the all-time commercially most successful Oscar-winner and Eminem the first artist since Prince in 1984 to simultaneously have both the No.1 movie and the No.1 song
October 28, 1999 ~ Bouzouki player, songwriter Antonios Katinaris passed away ~ Best known for his 1960s breakout song What Can You Do With Only One Heart, co-written with Eftichia Papagianopoulou. Married to singer Maria Rippi. The couple's daughter Maria Katinari is also a singer ~ Katinaris was born ca.1931
October 28, 1988 ~ Sterling Leroy Pennix Jr, commonly known as rapper, songwriter Hoodrich Pablo Juan, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Has been releasing mixtapes since the mid-2010s. Perhaps best known for We Don't Luv 'Em taken of his full-length Designer Drugz 3 debut album released in 2017. Has collaborated with Gucci Mane, Migos, Gunna, and Lil' Baby
October 28, 1987 ~ R&B, pop, avant-garde singer, keyboardist, guitarist, producer Frank Ocean born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Draws from electro-funk, pop-soul, jazz-funk and psychedelia. Member of Odd Future. Released his critically acclaimed full-length solo debut album, Channel Orange, in 2012. Best known for songs such as Novocane and Thinkin' About You. Ocean has also collaborated with Jay-Z, Kanye West, Calvin Harris, and A$AP Mob
October 28, 1985 ~ Synth-pop duo the Pet Shop Boys release West End Girls, lead single off their Please debut album ~ When released as a stand-alone single in 1984, it became a club hit in America and some European countries, yet did not break through to the pop charts. After signing to EMI, the duo would re-record the track, this time with a new producer, and issue it as the lead single off their Please debut album. This time around the single hit top 10 in several countries, including No.1 spots in America and their native UK. West End Girls, partly inspired by the TS Elliot poem The Waste Land, deals with class differences and the pressures of inner-city life. Neil Tennant would later explain that some listeneres had assumed the song referred to prositutes, but was actually “about rough boys getting a bit of posh”
October 28, 1983 ~ Actor, singer, trumpeter Johnnie Davis, full name John Gustave Davis, passed away in Pecos, Texas, USA ~ Scat singer. Worked with Leo Baxter and Fred Waring before finding employ in Hollywood in the late-1930s, notaby in the 1937 film Hollywood Hotel introducing the Johnny Mercer-penned Hooray For Hollywood. Davis would star in over a dozen films ~ Davis was born in 1910
October 28, 1980 ~ Singer, songwriter, actress Natina Reed, full name Natina Tiawana Reed, born in New York, New York, 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 passed away in 2012
October 28, 1975 ~ Rock, dub, funk, folk-rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Aaron Tokona born in Tauranga, New Zealand ~ Of Maori descent and influenced by artists such as Billy T James and Prince Tui Teka. Member of acts such as Weta, Cairo Knife Fight, Bongmaster, Fly My Pretties, and the Superjesus ~ Tokona passed away in 2020
October 28, 1975 ~ Bebop, hard bop, post-bop, jazz fusion saxophonist, clarinetist, arranger, composer Oliver Nelson, full name Oliver Edward Nelson, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Recorded over two dozen albums as a leader or co-leader. Best known for his 1961 The Blues And The Abstract Truth album, which featured backing from Eric Dolphy, Roy Haynes and Freddie Hubbard. As a songwriter, composer Nelson had his songs recorded by Benny Bailey, Frank Wess, and Jimmy Smith. Nelson's best known composition, Stolen Moments, would first be recorded by Eddie Lockjaw Davis in 1960, and has been covered by well over a 100 artists including Booker Ervin, Milt Jackson, Quincy Jones, and Frank Zappa. As a sideman and collaborator, Nelson has worked with Eddie Kirkland, Jimmy Forrest, Lem Winchester, Etta Jones, Shirley Scott, Cannonball Adderley, Manny Albam, Ben Webster, Stanley Turrentine, Lee Morgan, Sonny Rollins, and Thelonious Monk ~ Nelson was born in 1932
October 28, 1974 ~ Rock guitarist, keyboardist, singer Wesley Geer, full name Wesley Harmon Geer Jr, born in Fullerton, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of Hed PE, with whom he recorded the albums Church Of Realities, Hed PE, Broke, and Blackout. Following his departure from the band in 2003 Geer has taught music to children, toured with Korn, and founded the Rock To Recovery non-profit, providing therapeutic songwriting sessions with the latter for recovering addicts, abuse victims and troubled teens
October 28, 1973 ~ Adelaida Diestro Rega, commonly known as filin, bolero, canción, guaracha, mambo singer, bandleader Aida Diestro, passed away in Havana, Cuba ~ Best known as musical director of close-harmony all-female quartet the Cuarteto D'Aida, active since the early-1950s and known for blending the traditional harmonies and lyrics of Cuba drawing from jazz and bolero. After Diestro's death singer Teté Caturla would become leader of the group ~ Diestro was born in 1924
October 28, 1972 ~ Singer, guitarist Brad Paisley, full name Brad Douglas Paisley, born in Glen Dale, West Virginia, USA ~ Debuted in 1999 with the Who Needs Pictures album and has recorded steadily to critical acclaim and commercial succes since. Known for songs such as We Danced, I'm Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin' Song), Little Moments, the Alison Krauss-duet Whiskey Lullabye, Mud On The Tires, Ticks, I'm Still A Guy, American Saturday Night, the Carrie Underwood-duet Remind Me, and Perfect Storm. Has also collaborated with Chely Wright, Bill Anderson, Asleep At The Wheel, Pat Green, Darius Rucker, Robbie Williams, LL Cool J, and John Fogerty
October 28, 1970 ~ Keyboardist, guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Influenced by John Coltrane, Pat Metheny, Allan Holdsworth, Tal Farlow, George van Eps, Bill Frisell, John Scofield, and Alex Lifeson. Worked with Human Feel, Paul Motian, Joe Henderson, Brian Blade, Mark Turner, Brad Mehldau, Joel Frahm, Q-Tip, Ben Street, Jeff Ballard, Aaron Goldberg, Joe Martin, Eric Harland, Eric Revis, the Metta Quintet, Scott Kinsey, Seamus Blake, Gary Burton, Once Blue, Perico Sambeat, Larry Goldings, Chris Cheek, Chris Potter, Marcy Playground, Jill Seigers, Tim Hagans, Noah Becker, Wax Poetic, Danilo Pérez, Toku, Barney McAll, the Jorg Kaalj Quintet, Eli Degibri, Jonathan Townes, Charlie Peacock, Joshua Redman, Tom Cogen, Phil Grenadier, Joel Miller, Roman Ott, Julian Shore, Donald Fagen, Kyra Garey, Jo Yu Chen, Kyle Crane, Tobias Meinhart, and others
October 28, 1969 ~ Singer, songwriter Ben Harper, full name Benjamin Chase Harper, born in Pomona, California, USA ~ Revered alternative musician drawing from blues, folk, soul, reggae and rock. Multiple Grammy Award-winner. Influenced by Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Robert Johnson. Worked with Taj Mahal, Tom Freund (Pleasure & Pain), the Innocent Criminals, Charlie Musselwhite, and Natalie Maines. Debuted in 1994 with the acclaimed Welcome To The Cruel World and has recorded steadily since
October 28, 1968 ~ Violinist, singer Caitlin Cary born in Seville, Ohio, USA ~ Worked with Whiskeytown, the Tres Chicas, Thad Cockrell, Small Ponds, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Mitch Easter, Don Dixon, Greg Humphreys, Audley Freed, Jane Scarpantoni, the North Carolina Music Love Army, Jon Lindsay, James Olin Olden, Chris Stamey, Kenny Roby, American Aquarium, Riverbreaks, Sally Spring, Yarn, Chatham County Lines, Monty Warren, Simon Alpin, Cracker, Terry Anderson, Greg Hawks, Hazeldine, and Tami Hart
October 28, 1968 ~ Pop, rock group Jay & the Americans record This Magic Moment ~ Originally recorded by the Drifters featuring Ben E King in 1959. Written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. The Americans' cover would be included on the 1969 Sands Of Time album and be used for the B-side of their Since I Don't Have You single
October 28, 1967 ~ In its sixth week on the charts, People Are Strange by the Doors peaks at No.12 Billboard Hot 100 ~ While suffering from depression, singer Jim Morrison came up with an early version of the lyrics on a walk along Laurel Canyon, overlooking the city of Los Angeles. Coming up with the lyrics not only lifted Morrison's spirits, but resulted in one of the band's most acclaimed songs, praised for its compelling lyrics, a touch of black humor used to deal with the topic of alienation. Over time, People Are Strange has become a fan favorite and one of the band's best remembered. It has also been covered by several artists including notably by Echo & the Bunnymen, produced by the Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek, for the soundtrack of the 1987 film The Lost Boys
October 28, 1967 ~ Bona Pinder Yayumayalo, commonly known as jazz fusion, world fusion, ethno jazz bassist, guitarist, singer Richard Bona, born in Minta, Cameroon ~ Inspired to take up the electric bass after listening to Jaco Pastorius. Over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, especially noted for his 1999 Scenes From My Life debut album. Well known for his work backing Joe Zawinul in the mid-1990s, and Pat Metheny in the early-2000s. An in-demand sideman, Bona has appeared on albums by Eric Le Lann, Larry Coryell (Spaces Revisited), Jon Lucien, Nestor Torres, Regina Carter, Bob James, Philippe Saisse (Halfway Till Dawn), Renee Rosnes (Art And Soul), Danilo Pérez, Frank McComb, Mike Stern (Voices), Randy Brecker, Jane Monheit, Anton Fig, Bobby McFerrin, George Benson, Lokua Kanza, Lee Ritenour (Smoke 'n' Mirrors), Sadao Watanabe, Hector Martignon (Refugee), Keiko Matsui, Victor Wooten, and Lionel Loueke
October 28, 1965 ~ Jazz, R&B saxophonist Earl Bostic, full name Eugene Earl Bostic, passed away in Rochester, New York, USA ~ Pioneer of post-war R&B. Major influence on John Coltrane. Known for songs such as Flamingo, Harlem Nocturne, Temptation, Sleep, You Go To My Head, Cherokee, Special Delivery Stomp and Where Or When. Bostic has worked with sidemen such as Keter Betts, Jaki Byard, Benny Carter, Teddy Edwards, Benny Golson, Blue Mitchell, Tony Scott, Cliff Smalls, Stanley Turrentine, and others ~ Bostic was born in 1913
October 28, 1965 ~ Singer Shawn Smith born in Spokane, Washington, USA ~ Cites Prince, Kiss, Stevie Wonder, Ice Cube, and Chris Cornell as influences. Member of Brad, Satchel, Pigeonhed, Malfunkshun, and the Twilight Singers. Has recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Let It All Begin released in 1999 ~ Smith passed away in 2019
October 28, 1963 ~ Singer, songwriter Eros Ramazzotti born in Rome, Italy ~ Broke through with the 1993 album Tutte Storie. Has collaborated with Cher, Tina Turner, Andrea Bocelli, Patsy Kensit, Anastacia, Joe Cocker, Julio Iglesias, Lynn Davis, Ricardo Arjona, Luciano Pavarotti, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Ricky Martin, Andrea Bocelli, Celso Valli, Trevor Horn, Rick Nowels, and others
October 28, 1963 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist Mario Venuti born ~ Member of Denovo, known for their 1987 Persuasione sophomore album which is considered one of the premier 1980s Italian albums. Following the band's disbandement in 1990 Venuti has recorded as a solo artist, notably known for his 2003 Veramente hit
October 28, 1960 ~ Singer Wanda Jackson records Right Or Wrong in Nashville, Tennessee ~ A major hit on the country and pop charts. Self-penned, produced by Ken Nelson. It would be released as a single, featuring Funnel Of Love on the B-side, in April 1961 and mark Jackson's turn to a more country-oriented sound, moving away from her late-1950s rock & roll approach
October 28, 1957 ~ Singer, baglama player Ahmet Kaya born in Malatya, Turkey ~ Noted for his collaborations with Ferdi Tayfur and Huseyin Demirel. As a solo artist best known for his 1994 Sarkilanm Daglara album, which included politically charged songs on the Kurdish-Turkish conflict ~ Kaya passed away in 2000
October 28, 1955 ~ Singer Dean Martin records Memories Are Made Of This ~ Written by Terry Gilkyson, Richard Dehr, Frank Miller. Previously recorded by Ray Conniff's orchestra featuring vocalist Mindy Carson. The more popular version however would be Martin's, released as a single in November with all three songwriters singing backup, reaching No.1 on the pop charts. Later versions would be recorded by Petula Clark, Bing Crosby, the Everly Brothers, Frank Sinatra, Little Richard, the Statler Brothers, and Johnny Cash
October 28, 1953 ~ John Charles Barrett, commonly known as songwriter, producer Desmond Child born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Member of 1970s pop band Desmond Child & Rouge, alongside Myriam Valle, Maria Vidal and Diana Grasselli. Best known as a songwriter, producer. Wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by Kiss (I Was Made For Lovin' You), Cher, Aerosmith (Dude (Looks Like A Lady)), Bon Jovi (You Give Love A Bad Name), Bonnie Tyler, Dream Theatre, Per Gessle, Ricky Martin (Livin' La Vida Loca), Selena Gomez, Kelly Clarkson, Meat Loaf, Billy Squier, Jimmy Barnes, John Waite, Jennifer Rush, Ronnie Spector, Joan Jett, Michael Bolton (How Can We Be Lovers), Bonfire, Ace Frehley, Robin Beck, RATT, Steve Vai, LeAnn Rimes, Chynna Phillips, Roxette, Chicago, Hanson, Sisqó (Thong Song), Carrie Underwood (Inside Your Heaven), the Scorpions, Katy Perry (Waking Up In Vegas), Tokio Hotel, Zedd, and others
October 28, 1952 ~ Krautrock, proto-punk, art rock drummer, guitarist, singer Thomas Dinger born ~ Member of pivotal krautrock unit Neu, alongside his brother Klaus Dinger, and present on the 1975 Neu 75 album. Subsequently worked with La Düsseldorf, again with his brother Klaus, appearing on the band's first three albums La Düsseldorf, Viva and Individuellos ~ Dinger passed away in 2002
October 28, 1951 ~ Bassist John Regan born ~ Perhaps best known for his association with Ace Frehley, notably on the 1987 Frehley's Comet album, and for backing Peter Frampton from 1979 through 2011. Also present on albums by the likes of Chip Taylor, Billy Idol (Whiplash Smile), John Waite, David Bowie, Robin Trower, and Jamie Oldaker ~ Regan passed away in 2023
October 28, 1950 ~ Singer, songwriter Annette Humpe born in Hagen, West Germany ~ Annette is best known as a member of Ideal and as a songwriter for Udo Lindenberg, Die Prinzen, Lucilectric, Sin With Sebastian, and Nena. Humpe also worked with her sister Inga Humpe in the band the Neonbabies and under the moniker Humpe & Humpe
October 28, 1945 ~ Jazz, blues, rock saxophonist Elton Dean was born in Nottingham, UK ~ Member of Bluesology, led by Long John Baldry. The band's pianist Reginald Kenneth Dwight would later combine their two first names for his stage name, Elton John. Dean would go on to work with Centipede, Robert Wyatt, Keith Tippett, Soft Machine, Ninesense, Soft Heap, In Cahoots, the Anglo-Italian Quartet, Equipe Out, and others. Dean has also recorded well over a dozen albums as a leader, starting with the eponymous Elton Dean released in 1971 ~ Dean passed away in 2006
October 28, 1945 ~ Jazz clarinetist Michel Pilz born in Bad Neustadt, Germany ~ Especially acclaimed for Carpathes, a collaborative album with bassist Peter Kowald and drummer Paul Lovens released in 1978. Closely associated with Manfred Schoof, playing intermittently with the trumpeter from the late-1960s through the 1980s. Other notable associations include Alexander von Schlippenbach, the Globe Unity Orchestra (Globe Unity 67 & 70), and Guru Guru ~ Pilz passed away in 2023
October 28, 1945 ~ Glyn Geoffrey Ellis, commonly known as pop, beat singer Wayne Fontana, born in Manchester, UK ~ Named himself “Fontana” after Elvis Presley's backing drummer DJ Fontana. Best known for his 1965 hit The Game Of Love backed by the Mindbenders, which reached top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic ~ Ellis passed away in 2020
October 28, 1943 ~ Conductor Kenneth Montgomery born in Belfast, Northern Ireland ~ Conductor and music director for renowned companies including the Sadler's Wells Opera, the Bournemouth Sinfonietta, the Opera Northern Ireland, and the Ulster Opera. Outside of the UK best known for his association with the Netherlands Radio Symphony, serving as its principal conductor from 1985 through 1989, and as director of opera studies at the Royal Conservatory the Hague since 1991 ~ Montgomery passed away in 2023
October 28, 1941 ~ Bassist, arranger, conductor David Van De Pitte born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Member of Johnny Trudell's orchestra for most of the 1960s. In-house arranger for Motown from 1968 through the early-1970s. Especially known for conducting the orchestra on Marvin Gaye's 1971 masterpiece What's Going On album. Also arranged songs for the Four Tops, the Supremes, Gladys Knight (If I Were Your Woman), the Temptations (Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today)), and Stevie Wonder. Following his departure from the label by 1972 has freelanced, working with the likes of Paul Anka, Millie Jackson, and George Clinton ~ Van de Pitte passed away in 2009
October 28, 1941 ~ Brian Robson Rankin, commonly known as guitarist, banjoist, pianist, singer, songwriter Hank Marvin born in Newcastle, UK ~ Arguably the first British guitar hero influential on a host of UK artists including George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Peter Frampton, and Tony Iommi. Rose to fame as lead guitarist for the Shadows, a band primarily known for instrumentals such as Apache, FBI, Wonderful Land, and Foot Tapper. The band would also serve as backing unit for Cliff Richard. Marvin has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the eponymous Hank Marvin released in 1969 during the band's hiatus
October 28, 1939 ~ Jazz singer, pianist Andy Bey born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Openly gay. Baritone singer blessed with a four-octave vocal range. Worked with his sibling Salome Bey and Geraldine Bey. Also worked with Connie Francis, Louis Jordan, Stanley Clarke, Gary Bartz, Howard McGhee, Bob Malach, Duke Pearson, Max Roach, and Horace Silver
October 28, 1939 ~ Folk, country, pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Jim Post, full name Jimmie David Post, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ About a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist. Best known for forming the short-lived duo Friend & Lover with his then-wife Cathy Conn, scoring the 1968 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Reach Out Of The Darkness. Has frequently collaborated with Mick Scott and Tom Dunde, and despite little chart success was considered a mainstay on the Chicago folk scene ~ Post passed away in 2022
October 28, 1938 ~ Pianist, conductor, composer, film composer Howard Blake born in London, UK ~ Enjoyed a career spanning five decades with over an estimated 650 works to his name. Known best as a film composer with well over a dozen scores to his name, perhaps most notably for the animated feature film The Snowman released in 1982. Provided additional orchestral pieces to the 1980 sci-fi opera superhero film Flash Gordon, its soundtrack mostly written and performed by Queen. Over time Blake would increasingly be recognised for his classical works including concertos, oratorios, ballets, and operas
October 28, 1938 ~ Jazz bandleader John Kirby and the Onyx Club Boys record Undecided for Decca Records ~ Written by Sid Robin and Charlie Shavers. Kirby's version would be the first to be recorded, released as a single paired with From A Flat To A C on the flip side. The song would become a jazz standard recorded by numerous artists including Chick Webb featuring Ella Fitzgerald, the Dandridge Sisters, Django Reinhardt's the Quintette du Hot Club, the Ames Brothers backed by Les Brown's orchestra, Harry James, Al Hirt, Natalie Cole and others
October 28, 1937 ~ Saxophonist, keyboardist, singer Graham Bond, full name Graham John Clifton Bond, born in Romford, UK ~ Leading figure, pioneer in early British R&B. Fronted the Graham Bond Organisation, which also included Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, Jon Hiseman, John McLaughlin and Dick Heckstall-Smith. The latter would go on to use the Bond-penned Walkin' In The Park for Colosseum's debut album. First to use a mellotron, influencing later keyboardist such as Deep Purple's Jon Lord, Has also worked with Alexis Korner, Harvey Mandel, Dr John, Ginger Baker's Air Force, Pete Brown, Don Rendell, and others ~ Bond passed away in 1974
October 28, 1936 ~ Conductor, composer Carl Davis born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Best known as prolific composer for film and TV, notably the 1981 drama film The French Lieutenant's Woman and the 1995 BBC TV series Pride & Prejudice. To pop audiences perhaps best known for collaborating with Paul McCartney on the 1991 Liverpool Oratorio album, McCartney's first foray into classical music ~ Davis passed away in 2023
October 28, 1936 ~ Singer, songwriter Charlie Daniels, full name Charles Edward Daniels, born in Wilmington, North Carolina, USA ~ Fronts Charlie Daniels Band, known for their international hit The Devil Went To Georgia. Turned conservative, right-wing America's darling somewhere in the 1970s. Actually hung with the Nashville hippy crowd the previous decade. Session guitarist, bassist, backing singer on recordings by Bob Dylan and by Leonard Cohen. Co-wrote It Hurts Me, recorded by Elvis Presley. Also worked with the Marshall Tucker Band, Hank Williams Jr, Mark O'Connor, Bobby Bare, Johnny Cash, Montgomery Gentry, and Aaron Lewis ~ Daniels passed away in 2020
October 28, 1936 ~ Soul blues singer, songwriter Ted Hawkins born in Biloxi, Mississippi, USA ~ Drifted in and out of obscurity, dividing his time between stints in prison, performing as a street performer in America, and touring Europe where his music was well-received. Repeatedly “discovered” by various producers. Best known for his 1982 album, the Bruce Bromberg-produced Watch Your Step which failed commercially but was hailed by critics ~ Hawkins passed away in 1995
October 28, 1931 ~ Saxophonist, pianist, composer, arranger, producer Harold Battiste, full name Harold Raymond Battiste Jr, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Widely revered for his arrangements on recordings by Sam Cooke, Joe Jones, Lee Dorsey, Sonny & Cher, Dr John, and others. Also, in a variety of roles, worked with artists such as Ed Blackwell, Barbara George, Tom Waits, and others ~ Battiste passed away in 2015
October 28, 1930 ~ Francesco Migliacci, commonly known as lyricist, songwriter, actor Franco Migliacci, born in Mantua, Italy ~ As an actor, Migliacci has appeared in well over a dozen films from the early-1950s through the late-1960s. To music audiences, he is probably best known for co-writing Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu, also known as Volare, with Domenico Modugno. Originally recorded by Modugno in 1958 the song would become a standard covered by over 300 artists. Other songs co-written by Migliacci have been recorded by Gianni Meccia (Patatina), Neil Sedaka, Rita Pavone, Ennio Morricone, Donatella Moretti, Patty Pravo (La Bambola), and José Feliciano (Che Sarà) ~ Migliacci passed away in 2023
October 28, 1929 ~ Gospel, country singer Calvin Newton born ~ Briefly sang with Southern gospel quartet the Blackwood Brothers during the late-1940s. Lead singer for the Oak Ridge Boys from 1953 through 1956. Formed early-1960s gospel trio the Sons Of Song with Don Butler and Bob Robinson, known best for their 1961 Wasted Years debut album. The group is generally regarded as one of the pioneering acts in what would later become known as CCM. In later years Newton would revert to a life of crime, serving time for theft, counterfeiting and drug offences. In his seventies Newton would end his estrangement from the gospel community, aided by longtime friend Jake Hess and record and perform with dozens of former colleagues ~ Newton passed away in 2023
October 28, 1927 ~ Clementine Dinah Bullock, commonly known as jazz, pop singer, actress Cleo Laine, born in Uxbridge, UK ~ Married to bandleader Johnny Dankworth from 1958 until Dankworth's death in 2010. Known for her scat singing and impressive three-octave vocal range. The only female performer to have received Grammy Award nominations in the jazz, popular and classical music categories. Has collaborated with James Galway, Nigel Kennedy, Julian Lloyd Webber, Ray Charles and Arnold Schoenberg
October 28, 1910 ~ Songwriter, violinist Arthur Altman born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Although Altman has co-written over an estimated 400 songs, he is best remembered for co-writing All Or Nothing At All with Jack Lawrence. The song was first recorded in 1939 by Jimmy Dorsey featuring Bob Eberly as the orchestra's lead vocalist, and has gone on to become a standard recorded by hundreds of artists including Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, Morgana King, Billie Holiday, Little Anthony & the Imperials, Bobby Darin, Gloria Lynne, Shirley Bassey, and Ella Fitzgerald. Other songs co-written by Altman have been recorded by George Olsen, the Ink Spots (You're Breaking My Heart All Over Again), Jo Stafford, Teresa Brewer (Le Grand Tour De L'Amour), and Eddie Fisher ~ Altman passed away in 1994
October 28, 1896 ~ Conductor Howard Hanson, full name Howard Harold Hanson, born in Wahoo, Nebraska, USA ~ Composed for opera, orchestral and choral works and chamber music. Best known as a director of Eastman School Of Music for four decades. As a composer known for California Forest Play, Before The Dawn and the Pullitzer Prize-winning Symphony No.4 ~ Hanson passed away in 1981
October 28, 1892 ~ Ollie Johnson, commonly known as Dixieland jazz pianist, clarinetist, drummer Dink Johnson, born in Biloxi, Mississippi, USA ~ Younger brother of double bassist William Manuel Johnson. Influenced by Jelly Roll Morton. Member of the Original Creole Band. Wrote The Krooked Blues, recorded by King Oliver ~ Johnson passed away in 1954