October 29, 1987 ~ Ebba Tove Else Nilsson, commonly known as electropop, synth-pop, dance-pop, indie pop singer, songwriter Tove Lo, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Described as Sweden's darkest pop export, known for her raw, grunge-influenced take on pop music featuring dark and highly autobiographical lyrics. Cites Courtney Love, Nirvana, Robyn, Lykke Li, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Amy Winehouse, and Jeff Buckley as influences. Released her Queen Of The Clouds debut album in 2014 and has recorded consistently since. Well-known songs include Habits (Stay High), Talking Body, and Cool Girl
October 29, 1986 ~ Natalie Knutse, commonly known as bassist, keyboardist, singer Nataly Dawn, born in Sacramento, California, USA ~ As a solo artist Dawsen debuted in 2009 and has been recording since. She is also half of the husband-wife duo Pomplamoose, the other being Jack Conte, and has collaborated with a host of artists including with Lauren O'Connell in My Terrible Friend
October 29, 1983 ~ Pop, Europop singer Amit Sebastian Paul born in Boden, Sweden ~ Member of the A-Teens, initially an ABBA-cover band later on venturing into original material. The band would regularly reach the higher echelons of the Swedish charts starting in 1999. Well known songs include Mamma Mia, Happy New Year, Upside Down, Halfway Around The World and Floorfiller
October 29, 1976 ~ Rock, alternative rock singer, guitarist Mark Sheehan, full name Mark Anthony Sheehan, born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Member of boy band Mytown, known for the moderate hit Do It Like This and their sole eponymous Mytown album. Following the band's disbandement in 2001 Sheehan co-founded alternative rock outfit the Script with whom he recorded half a dozen albums, all of which would reach top of the charts in their native Ireland. Well-known songs include The Man Who Can't Be Moved, For The First Time, Hall Of Fame featuring will.i.am, and Superheroes. The single Breakeven of their eponymous The Script debut album would reach top 20 on the American Billboard Hot 100 ~ Sheehan passed away in 2023
October 29, 1970 ~ Bassist, keyboardist Toby Smith born in UK ~ Best known as keyboardist and co-songwriter for Jamiroquai from 1992 through 2002. Also produced and managed pop rock band the Hoosiers. Produced Absent Elk's 2009 Elk Caught In The Headlights album. Co-produced Matt Cardle's 2013 Porcelain album ~ Smith passed away in 2017
October 29, 1967 ~ Singer, actress Joely Fisher born in Burbank, California, USA ~ Daughter of singer Eddie Fisher and actress, singer Connie Stevens. Best known as an actress, starring in the sitcom Ellen, as replacement in 1990s Broadway-productions of Grease and Cabaret, and roles in Desperate Housewives and Til Death
October 29, 1964 ~ Singer, guitarist John West born in Syracuse, New York, USA ~ Best known as lead guitarist of Artension. Previously fronted Royal Hunt. As a solo artist debuted with the album Mind Journey in 1997. Also worked with Diamond, the Sages Recital, Mythodea, Artlantica, Forces United, Emir Hot, Badlands, Sun Red Sun, Cozy Powell, Michael Lee Firkins, Lynch Mob, Royal Hunt, Uli Jon Roth, James Murphy, Savatage, the Ten Man Push, and others
October 29, 1964 ~ Free jazz saxophonist Mats Gustafsson, full name Mats Olof Gustafsson, born in Umea, Sweden ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Thing, Günter Christmann, Gush, Peter Brötzmann, Joe McPhee, Paul Lovens, Derek Bailey, Magnus Broo, Otomo Yoshihide, Pat Thomas, Jim O'Rourke, Thomas Lehn, Evan Parker, Misha Mengelberg, Zu, the Ex, Sonic Youth, Hamid Drake, Michael Zerang, Ken Vandermark, Kjell Nordeson, Mademoisell Karen, Colin Stetson, Barry Guy, Craig Taborn, and others
October 29, 1962 ~ Drummer, songwriter Richard Ploog, full name Richard John Ploog, born in Adelaide, Australia ~ Best known as drummer for the Church replacing original drummer Nick Ward in 1981. Ploog is absent from what is perhaps the band's internationally best known hit, Under The Milky Way, as the band were unable to get a drum beat which sounded right with Ploog. The band would play to a click track, and later bring in session drummer Russ Kunkel to add drums and percussion. Ploog recorded five albums with the band, leaving after recording 1990's Gold Afternoon Fix to be replaced by Jay Dee Daugherty and has since worked with the Wigmen, Deadly Hume, Funkicide, and the Sleep-Ins
October 29, 1955 ~ Reggae guitarist, singer Basil Gabbidon, full name Basil Glendon Gabbidon, born ~ Co-founding member, lead guitarist for British reggae outfit Steel Pulse from 1975 through 1982, present on the albums Handsworth Revolution, Tribute To The Martyrs, Reggae Fever (Caught You), and True Democracy. Gabbidon would be succeeded by Melvin Brown
October 29, 1955 ~ Singer Kevin DuBrow, full name Kevin Mark DuBrow, born in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Reportedly, his first band consisted of 11-year olds, including himself, playing only one gig, to an audience of senior citizens who where not particularly fond of rock music. Influenced by the Small Faces, Queen, Rod Stewart, and Humble Pie. Best known as lead singer for heavy metal unit Quiet Riot. The band scored a million-seller with their 1983 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Cum On Feel The Noize, originally recorded by British glam rockers Slade a decade earlier. DuBrow appeared on all of the band's albums until his death, with the exception of 1988's QR recorded during his brief dismissal from the band ~ Dubrow passed away in 2007
October 29, 1952 ~ Violinist Ida Kavafian born in Istanbul, Turkey ~ Best known as member of the Beaux Arts Trio from 1992 through 1998. Also worked with her sister Ani Kavafian, Chick Corea, the Chamber Music Society, Opus One, Steven Tenenbom, Anne-Marie McDermott, Peter Wiley, Mark O'Connor, and others. Praised for her renditions of works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven and Felix Mendelssohn as well as 20th century works of Ruth Crawford Seeger and Toru Takemitsu
October 29, 1952 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist Rich Lataille born in Westerly, Rhode Island, USA ~ Longtime member of Roomful Of Blues with whom he recorded over a dozen albums starting with the acclaimed eponymous 1977 Roomful Of Blues debut album. Lataille has also appeared on albums by several of his bandmates and others including John Mooney, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, JB Hutto, Duke Robillard (After Hours Swing Session), Greg Piccolo, Pat Benatar, Otis Grand, and Al Basile
October 29, 1949 ~ Bassist, guitarist, singer David Paton born in Edinburgh, UK ~ Rose to fame as lead singer of 1970s band Pilot, known for songs such as January, Call Me Round, Just A Smile and perhaps their best-known Magic, the latter a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit in 1975. Also closely associated with the Alan Parsons Project, appearing on most of the band's albums including I Robot, The Turn Of A Friendly Card and Eye In The Sky. Has also worked with Kate Bush, Camel, Rick Wakeman, Fish, Eric Woolfson, and others
October 29, 1949 ~ Proto-punk, garage rock, hard rock, glam rock, punk rock guitarist, singer James Williamson, full name James Robert Williamson, born in Castroville, Texas, USA ~ Best known as guitarist for Iggy Pop's late 1960s, early 1970 the Stooges. Williamson joined the band in 1970 and appears on the 1973 Raw Power album for which he co-wrote all songs. Following the band's disbandement Williamson would continue his work with Pop through the end of the decade, appearing on the Kill City collaborative album released in 1977, and co-produce Pop's New Values and Soldier albums. Williamson released his Re-Licked solo debut album in 2014
October 29, 1946 ~ Peter Allen Greenbaum, commonly known as guitarist Peter Green born in Bethnal Green, UK ~ Best known as co-founding Fleetwood Mac member, wrote or co-wrote songs such as Albatros, Black Magic Woman, Oh Well and The Green Manalishi With The Two Prong Crown. Also worked with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Eddie Boyd, Duster Bennett, Gordon Smith, Otis Spann, Clifford Davis, Jeremy Spencer, Peter Bardens, Memphis Slim, BB King, Dave Kelly, Country Joe McDonald, Toe Fat, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Peter Gabriel, and with the Peter Green Splinter Group ~ Green passed away in 2020
October 29, 1944 ~ Brian Frederick Arthur Hines, commonly known as pop rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist Denny Laine born in Tyseley, UK ~ Co-founding member of the Moody Blues, present on the band's 1965 The Magnificent Moodies debut album. Sang lead on the band's first hit, Go Now, which would top the charts in their native UK in 1965 and reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Laine would depart the band in 1966 and be replaced by Justin Hayward. Perhaps best known for his association with Paul McCartney, serving as member of McCartney's backing unit Wings from 1971 through 1981. Also co-wrote Mull Of Kintyre with McCartney. Laine has recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist, noted for his 1976 Holly Days sophomore album, and worked with the Electric String Band, Balls, Ginger Baker, Colin Blunstone, and Carmine Appice ~ Hines passed away in 2023
October 29, 1944 ~ Pop singer Fausto Leali born in Nuvolento, Italy ~ Married to singer Melina Cantù, with whom he has one daughter. First gained attention in the mid-1960s as frontman of Leali & the Novelty, selling a million copies of the Roy Hamilton-cover Hurt translated to Italian as A Chi. Has recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist. Dubbed “Il Negro Bianco” or the white negro for his hoarse singing style, the moniker would also serve as the title of his 1968 Il Negro Bianco. Well-known for songs such as Si Chiama Maria, Io Camminero, Io Amo, and Ti Lascero. The latter, a duet with Anna Oxa, would be used as Italy's entry for the 1989 Eurovision Songfestival and reach 9th place
October 29, 1940 ~ Singer David Brigati born in Garfield, New Jersey, USA ~ Started as a member of doo-wop outfit the Hi-Fives, known for their 1958 regional hit Dorothy. Member of Joey Dee & the Starliters, scoring a 1961 Billboard Hot 100 charttopper with The Peppermint Twist (Part 1). Best known as “the Fifth Rascal”, singing backup with the Rascals and occassionaly singing lead such as on Once Upon A Dream
October 29, 1940 ~ Singer Frida Boccara, full name Danielle Frida Hélène Boccara, born in Casablanca, French Morocco ~ Representing France Boccara tied for the No.1 spot with Un Jour Un Enfant at the 1969 Eurovision Songfestival held in Madrid. Allegations were made of foul play, Spanish dictator Franco aiming to have Spain win. The other “winners” were Lenny Kuhr with De Troubadour for the Netherlands, Lulu with Boom Bang-a-bang for the UK and Salomé with Vivo Cantando for Spain ~ Baccaro passed away in 1996
October 29, 1939 ~ Drummer Makhaya Ntshoko born in Cape Town, South Africa ~ Founded the Jazz Giants. Worked with Dollar Brand, Kippie Moeketski, Dudu Pukwana, Gideon Nuxmalo, Martin Mgijima, Hugh Masekela, John Mehegan, Johnny Gertze, Stuff Smith, Benny Bailey, Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster, Heinz Sauer, Bob Degen, Isla Eckinger, Nic Evans, Radu Malfatti, Joe McPhee, Pepper Adams, Mal Waldron, Johnny Dyani, and others
October 29, 1938 ~ Folk singer, guitarist, banjoist, fiddler Peter Stampfel born in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, USA ~ Emerged form the 1960s New York folk scene. Best known for co-founding the Holy Modal Rounders, originally a duo with Steve Weber. The band's blend of folk and psychedelia would earn them a cult following from the late 1960s through the early 1970s. Reportedly the band's rendition of the traditional Hesitation Blues was the first song to include the word “psychedelic” in its lyrics, pronounced as psyche-delic. The duo Stampfel and Weber would also briefly team up with the Fugs, resulting in the 1966 album Virgin Fugs, before recording their third album out of over half a dozen through the late 1970s. Stampfel has also fronted the Unholy Modal Rounders, without Weber, and recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist
October 29, 1937 ~ Classical pianist Michael Ponti born in Freiburg-im-Breisgau, Germany ~ Acclaimed interpreter of the works of Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Sergei Rachmaninoff as well as lesser-known composers including Charles-Valentin Alkan, Mily Balakirev, Clara Schumann and Sigismond Thalberg. Ponti has worked with renowned orchestras such the Orchestra de la Suisse Romande, the Buenos Aires Philharmonic, and the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra ~ Ponti passed away in 2022
October 29, 1937 ~ Bluegrass, country banjoist Sonny Osborne born in Roark, Kentucky, USA ~ Formed the Osborne Brothers with Bobby Osborne, best known for their 1967 Rocky Top hit single. In-demand session musician, member of the Nashville A-Team. Also worked with the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers, Bill Monroe's backing unit the Bluegrass Boys, and others ~ Osborne passed away in 2021
October 29, 1925 ~ John Haley Sims, commonly known as jazz saxophonist Zoot Sims, born in Inglewood, California, USA ~ Learned to play drums and clarinet at an early age. Brother of trombonist Ray Sims. Worked with Kenny Baker, Bobby Sherwood, Benny Goodman, Sid Catlett, Artie Shaw, Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Gerry Mulligan, Al Cohn, Stan Getz, Art Blakey, John Coltrane, Hank Mobley, Jaki Byard, Count Basie, Oscar Peterson, Chet Baker, Louie Bellson, Clifford Brown, Ray Charles, Miles Davis, Kenny Dorham, Booker Ervin, Coleman Hawkins, Quincy Jones, the Manhattan Transfer, Carmen McRae, the Metronome All-Stars, Anita O'Day, Jimmy Rushing, Joe Venuti, and others. A saxophone-playing character on the Muppet Show would later also be named Zoot ~ Sims passed away in 1985
October 29, 1905 ~ Songwriter Albert E Brumley, full name Albert Edward Brumley, born near Spiro, Oklahoma, USA ~ Pivotal to gospel music, especially southern gospel. Wrote over 800 songs including Brown's Ferry Four's If We Never Meet Again, Jimmie Davis' I Cannot Find The Way Home, Mac Wiseman's Dreaming Of A Little Cabin, and Reverend JM Gates' I'll Fly Away ~ Brumley passed away in 1977