October 3, 1995 ~ Jazz Ishmael Butler, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter Lil' Tracy, born in Teaneck, New Jersey, USA ~ Son of Digable Planets-rapper Ishmael Butler and SWV-singer Cheryl Gamble. Member of hip-hop collective GothBoiClique. Frequent collaborator of Lil' Peep, notably on the track White Tee. Released his full-length Anarchy solo debut album in 2019
October 3, 1994 ~ Henk Mando, commonly known as rapper Henkie T, born in the Netherlands ~ First gained attention as member of SBMG. Released his Visionair solo debut album in 2019. Best known for guesting on Qlas & Blacka's 2020 Dom Perignon hit single which also featured Murda and Jonna Fraser
October 3, 1988 ~ Rakim Athelaston Mayers, commonly known as rapper, producer A$AP Rocky, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Joined the Harlem-based collective A$AP Mob in 2007. Released the single Purple Swag in 2011 which quickly became a street anthem in New York. A critically acclaimed mixtape, Live Love A$ap, followed in October of the same year. Before the year was over Rocky had signed a two-year multi-million dollar deal with RCA Records and Polo Grounds Music
October 3, 1988 ~ Caleb Shapiro, commonly known as pop-rap singer Cal Shapiro, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Has cited influences as diverse as Robert Johnson, Janis Joplin, Muddy Waters, and rapper Big L. Got his first taste of performing as a member of the Ride while still in college. Shapiro would go to on form the pop-rap, hip-hop, pop duo Timeflies with bandmate drummer Rob Resnick, Shapiro freestyling over Resnick's beats. Since their start in the early-2010s, the duo has gained a devoted following with originals and popular covers posted to online platforms. The duo issued their first full-length album, The Scotch Tape, independently in 2011, its title a nod to Shapiro's love of scotch whisky. Its follow-up album After Hours reached top 10 Billboard Hot 200. The duo is best known for songs such as I Choose U, All The Way, and Once In A While, all of which peaked just outside the Billboard Hot 100 charts, reaching top 10 Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100
October 3, 1985 ~ Dancer, singer, songwriter Shokichi born in Tomakomai, Japan ~ Member of Exile. Member of the J-Soul Brothers. As a solo artist released his full-length The Future in 2016. Has reached the Oricon top 10 with songs such as Back To The Future, Don't Stop The Music and Underdog
October 3, 1984 ~ Singer, actress, songwriter Ashlee Simpson, full name Ashlee Nicole Simpson, born in Waco, Texas, USA ~ Baby sister of singer, actress Jessica Simpson. Best known for songs such as Boyfriend, LOVE, Invisible and her debut single Pieces Of Me which reached the Billboard top 10 in 2004
October 3, 1982 ~ Ernest Weatherly Greene Jr, commonly known as synth-pop, dream pop, bedrom pop singer, songwriter, producer Washed Out, born in Perry, Georgia, USA ~ First gained attention in the late-2010s, his internet videos finding a warm audience with bloggers. Would release his full-length Within And Without in 2011. Best known for songs such as You'll See It (Small Black Remix), Eyes Be Closed and It All Feels Right
October 3, 1980 ~ Boris Titulaer, mononymously known as pop, soul singer Boris, born in Venlo, the Netherlands ~ First gained attention as winner of the 2003 edition of Dutch talent contest Idols. Well known songs include When You Think Of Me, MSG and Within My Hands
October 3, 1980 ~ Indie pop, rock singer Danny O'Donoghue, full name Daniel John Mark Luke O'Donoghue, born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Best known as frontman of the Script, known for songs such as The Man Who Can't Be Moved, Breakeven, For The First Time, Hall Of Fame featuring will.i.am and Superheroes, all of which reached top 10 in the band's native Ireland
October 3, 1980 ~ Singer, songwriter Kjetil Mørland born in Grimstad, Norway ~ Fronted Absent Elk, known for their sole album Elk Caught In The Headlights released in 2009. Represented Norway in the 2015 Eurovision Songfestival duetting with Debrah Scarlett on A Monster Like Me, reaching 8th place
October 3, 1978 ~ Jason F Sellards, commonly known as pop, rock singer Jake Shears, born in Messa, Arizona, USA ~ Co-lead singer of pop-rock outfit the Scissor Sisters, known for songs such as Filthy/Gorgeous, I Don't Feel Like Dancin', Fire With Fire and Only The Horses. Shears has also collaborated with Erasure's Andy Bell, Nelly, Vladislav Delay, Kylie Minogue, and others
October 3, 1978 ~ Shannon Marie Kahololani Sossamon, commonly known as actress, director, singer, drummer Shannyn Sossamon, born in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA ~ Best known as an actress and director. As a musician known for founding Warpaint with her sister Jenny Lee Lindberg, present on the band's debut EP Exquisite Corpse released in 2009
October 3, 1975 ~ India Arie Simpson, commonly known as R&B, neo-soul singer, songwriter India Arie born in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Acclaimed multiple Grammy Award-winning neo-soul singer, songwriter. Debuted with the album Acoustic Soul in 2001. Has collaborated with John Mellencamp (Peaceful World), Stevie Wonder, Akon, Anthony David, Keb' Mo, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, Musiq Soulchild, and others
October 3, 1975 ~ Talib Kweli Greene, commonly known as rapper Talib Kweli, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ First gained recognition as a member of Black Star and of Reflection Eternal. Released his solo LP, Quality, in 2002, working with a host of producers and guests including DJ Quik, Kanye West, Dave Chappelle. Kweli has been releasing solo albums since and has collaborated with artists such as Mos Def, Hi-Tek, Madlib, Styles P, and others
October 3, 1973 ~ Saxophonist Eirik Hegdal born in Gjøvik, Norway ~ Best known for his work with the Dingobats from 1995 through 2005 and as leaderof the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra since 2002. Has also worked with Zanussi 5, the Alpaca Ensemble, Lord Kelvin, Eldbjørg Raknes, Mats Eilertsen, and others
October 3, 1973 ~ Soprano heavy metal singer, songwriter Kari Rueslåtten born in Trondheim, Norway ~ Best known as lead singer of doom metal outfit 3rd & Mortal from 1992 to 1994, one of the earliest metal bands to use a female lead inspiring future bands such as the Gathering and Nightwish. Has since worked briefly with Storm and released several solo albums ranging from Nordic folk to progressive metal
October 3, 1972 ~ Pop singer Martin Stenmarck, full name Martin Olof Jon Stenmarck, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Internationally best known for representing Sweden in the 2005 Eurovision Songfestival with Las Vegas, reaching 19th place. Nationally known for top 10 hits such Sjumikakliv, 100 År Från Nu (Blundar) and A Million Candles Burning
October 3, 1971 ~ Tariq Trotter, commonly known as MC, rapper Black Thought, born ~ Influenced Logic, Joey Badass, Rapsody, K-OS, Shad. Lead MC of hip-hop outfit the Roots which he co-founded with Questlove. Also worked with Money Making Jam Boys, Damian Marley, Dilated Peoples, Common, Linkin Park, Zap Mama, Danger Mouse, the Hilltop Hoods, Tunde Adebimpe, Fashawn, Murs, Del The Funky Homosapien, and Funkmaster Flex
October 3, 1970 ~ Singer, songwriter Jimmy Ray born in London, UK ~ Cited Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, and Tommy Steele as influences. Half of techno-pop duo Alternative Vision, the other half being Graham Drinnard. As a solo artist best known for his debut single Are You Jimmy Ray, released in 1997, which made the top 20 in both the USA and the singer's native England
October 3, 1969 ~ Singer Gwen Stefani, full name Gwen Renée Stefani, born in Fullerton, California, USA ~ Frontwoman of No Doubt, known for hits such as Just A Girl, Don't Speak, Hey Baby, and It's My Life. Debuted as a solo artist with 2004's critically acclaimed Love Angel Music Baby, which spawned the hit Hollaback Girl. Has been releasing well-received solo records since. Stefani has also collaborated with Brian Setzer (You're The Boss), Moby (South Side), and Eve (Let Me Blow Your Mind)
October 3, 1967 ~ Jazz, classical pianist Carsten Dahl born in Copenhagen, Denmark ~ Recorded well over two dozen albums as a solo pianist, leader or co-leader since the mid-1990s. Especially acclaimed for the albums Will You Make My Soup Hot And Silver, Carsten Dahl Jazzpar 2000 Quintet, and Humilitas. Dahl is also closely associated with saxophonist Thomas Agergaard and drummer Ed Thigpen, and has been an in-demand sideman appearing on albums by Richard Boone, Mads Vinding, Alex Riel, Lars Møller, Cæcilie Norby, and Hanne Boel
October 3, 1966 ~ Glam metal, hard rock guitarist, keyboardist, singer Frank Hannon born in Sacramento, California, USA ~ Co-founded City Kidd with bassist Brian Wheat, which evolved into Tesla. The band released their Mechanical Resonance debut album in 1986 which spawned the singles Modern Day Cowboy and Little Suzi. Subsequent hits would include the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Love Song and Signs. After the band's initial disbandement in the mid-1990s Hannon would form Moon Dog Mane
October 3, 1963 ~ Jazz pianist Niels Lan Doky born in Copenhagen, Denmark ~ Brother of jazz bassist Chris Minh Doky, with whom he also worked in the Doky Brothers. has also collaborated with Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, John Scofield, Gino Vannelli, Pat Metheny, Joe Henderson, Michael Brecker, David Sanborn, Woody Shaw, Charlie Haden, John McLaughlin, Jack DeJohnette, Al Jarreau, Adam Nussbaum, and others
October 3, 1962 ~ Thomas Lee Bass, commonly known as heavy metal, hard rock, glam metal, nu metal drummer Tommy Lee born in Athens, Greece ~ Co-founding member of Mötley Crüe, known for a string of hits from the mid-1980s through the 1990s including Smokin' In The Boys Room, Girls Girls Girls, Dr Feelgood and Without You. Has also founded rap metal group Methods Of Mayhem, recorded as a solo artist, and guested on recordings by Richard Marx, Rob Zombie, Cee Lo Green, the Bloody Beetroots and the Smashing Pumpkins
October 3, 1960 ~ Avant-garde jazz, classical tubist Michel Godard born in Hèricourt, France ~ Worked with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Radio France, Michel Portal, Louis Sclavis, Enrico Rava, Michael Riessler, Horace Tapscott, Christof Lauer, Kenny Wheeler, Ray Anderson, Sylvie Courvoisier, Simon Nabatov, Linda Sharrock, Pierre Favre, Misha Mengelberg, Gianluigi Trovesi, Willem Breuker, the ARTE Quartett, Dave Bargeron, and others
October 3, 1955 ~ Bassist Allen Woody born ~ Best known as a member of the Allman Brothers Band from 1989 through 1997. Co-founded Gov't Mule in 1994, initially a side project, with Allmans bandmate guitarist Warren Haynes and former Dickey Betts drummer Matt Abts ~ Woody passed away in 2000
October 3, 1955 ~ Rock, progressive rock, hard rock guitarist Vidoja Bozinovic, also known as Dzindzer, born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia ~ Briefly a member of Pop Masina, co-founding member of Rok Masina, both of which included his brother guitarist Zoran Bozinovic. Perhaps best known as longtime member of Riblja Corba, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums starting with Istina released in 1985
October 3, 1954 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Dawayne Bailey born in Manhattan, Kansas, USA ~ Backed Bob Seger as member of Silver Bullet Band, including on the 1986 album Like A Rock. Member of Chicago from 1986 through 1995. Also worked with Gerard McMahon, Private Parts, Jason Scheff, Shayna, Belly Puddke, the Usual Suspects, Stuart Hamm, Raise The World, Robert Lamm, Jeff Duff, Véronique Sanson, and others
October 3, 1954 ~ Guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Although his career was cut short by an untimely death considered one of the most influential and gifted guitarists in blues rock. Baby brother of Jimmie Vaughan. Paved the way for guitarists such as Robert Cray, Jeff Healey, Robben Ford, Walter Trout. Recorded half a dozen albums starting with Texas Flood released in 1983. Guested on recordings by David Bowie, Johnny Copeland, Marcia Ball, Lonnie Mack, James Brown, Dick Dale, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Warnes, and others ~ Vaughan passed away in 1990
October 3, 1953 ~ Roger Prud'homme, commonly known as pop singer Martin Stevens, born in Verdun, Canada ~ Sang in English and French. Enjoyed popularity in the disco era in his native Canada. Known for songs such as J'Aime La Musique (Comme Un Fou), Sans Ton Amour, and the Harry Vanda & George Young-penned Love Is In The Air. His rendition of the latter would precede the internationally more famous version by John Paul Young by a mere couple of weeks. Prud'homme published his Sexe Drogue Et Disco autobiography in 2007 ~ Prud'homme passed away in 2023
October 3, 1951 ~ Blues harpist, singer Billy Branch, full name William Earl Branch, born in Great Lakes, Illinois, USA ~ Founded and fronted the Sons of Blues which also included Lurie Bell and Freddie Dixon. Also worked with the Chicago Blues All-Stars, Carlos Johnson, JW Williams, Willie Dixon, Keb' Mo, Johnny Winter, Lou Rawls, Koko Taylor, Eddy Clearwater, David Honeyboy Edwards, Syl Johnson, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Taj Mahal, Andrew Blaze Thomas, Sumito Ariyoshi, Marvin Little, and Giles Corey
October 3, 1951 ~ Kevin Roosevelt Moore, commonly known as blues singer, guitarist Keb' Mo born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Honed his skils working as a staff songwriter and sideman bacing Papa John Creach, Bobby Blue Bland, Albert Collins and Big Joe Turner before embarking on a solo career debuting with the eponymous 1994 Keb' Mo. Has recorded steadily since to critical acclaim and numerous awards, including Grammy Awards for the albums Just Like You, Slow Down, Keep It Simple, the Taj Mahal-collaboration Tajmo and Oklahoma
October 3, 1951 ~ Country singer Kenny Dale, full name Kenneth Dale Eoff, born in Artesia, New Mexico, USA ~ Best known for his Gene Pitney cover Only Love Can Break A Heart, the single reaching top 10 on the Billboard Country chart in the late-1970s. Dale had recorded four albums over the course of his career, starting with Bluest Heartache Of The Year released in 1977, before retiring from music in the early-1980s ~ Dale passed away in 2020
October 3, 1951 ~ Pub rock, blues bassist, singer Paul Riley born in Islington, UK ~ Backing bassist for visiting blues artists including Albert Collins, Champion Jack Dupree, Lightnin' Slim. Member of Chilli Willi & the Red Hot Peppers and of Roogalator. Featured on Rockpile's seminal 1977 Get It pub rock album. By the 1980s would go on to work as producer and engineer for artists such as Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Johnny Marr, Ruts, Edwyn Collins, Squeeze and Kirsty Maccoll
October 3, 1950 ~ Singer, songwriter Chris Gaffney born ~ Debuted as a solo artist in 1986 with the album Road To Indio. Continued releasing solo albums through 2000 working with producers such as Wyman Reese and Dave Alvin and guest musicians including Lucinda Williams and Jim Lauderdale. Formed the Hacienda Brothers in the early-2000s, teaming up with guitarist, songwriter Dave Gonzalez. In addition to his solo and band work Gaffney has collaborated, toured and recorded with artists such as Dave Alvin & the Guilty Men, the Iguanas, Tom Russell, Christy McWilson, Lonesome Strangers, Billy Bacon, and others ~ Gaffney passed away in 2008
October 3, 1949 ~ Guitarist, singer Lindsey Buckingham born in Palo Alto, California, USA ~ Best known as lead guitarist, singer of Fleetwood Mac from 1975 through 1987 and again from 1997 through 2018. Present on the band's best known albums, notably Rumours, Tusk and Mirage. Has also released a number of solo recordings, scoring a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit with Trouble of his 1981 Law And Order solo album
October 3, 1949 ~ Henryk Pick, commonly known as pop singer, songwriter, TV personality Svika Pick, born in Wroclaw, Poland ~ One of Israel's premier pop singers during the 1970s. Internationally best known for co-writing Diva with lyricist Yoav Ginai, Israel's 1998 Eurovision Songfestival winner as performed by Dana International ~ Pick passed away in 2022
October 3, 1947 ~ Trumpeter, singer, songwriter Ben Cauley born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Sole survivor of the 1967 plane crash that killed singer Otis Redding and four members of the Bar-kays, guitarist Jimmy King, saxophonist Phalon Jones, drummer Carl Cunningham, and keyboardist Ronnie Caldwell. The Bar-Kays, co-founded by Cauley, served as the second houseband for Stax/Volt backing artists such as Redding, Carla Thomas, and Sam & Dave. Redding had taken such a shining to them he picked them as his backing unit for his 1967 tour. Cauley would reform the band with the only other remaining member, bassist James Alexander, who was on another flight. They would go on to back artists such as Isaac Hayes, Rufus Thomas, and the Staple Singers ~ Cauley passed away in 2015
October 3, 1947 ~ Rocksteady, reggae singer, arranger Hopeton Lewis born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Known for a string of late-1960s, early-1970s Jamaican hits such as Cool Collie and Boom Shacka Lacka. Worked with the Regals, Lynn Taitt, the Jets, Duke Reid, Byron Lee, the Dragonaires, and others ~ Lewis passed away in 2014
October 3, 1946 ~ Drummer Mike Clark, full name Michael Jeffrey Clark born in Sacramento, California, USA ~ Quintessential to development of the East Bay Sound. Member of Herbie Hancock's jazz fusion outfit the Headhunters. Also worked with Christian McBride, Betty Davis, Chet Baker, John Scofield, Nicholas Payton, Tony Bennett, Wayne Shorter, Vince Guaraldi, Woody Shaw, Donald Harrison, Albert King, Larry Coryell, Michael Wolff, Wallace Roney, Dr Lonnie Smith, Bobby McFerrin, Nat Adderley, Randy Brecker, Gil Evans, and others
October 3, 1945 ~ Rock, pop rock guitarist Antonio Martinez Salas born in Madrid, Spain ~ Member of Los Bravos, known for their 1966 Black Is Black hit. It would reach top 10 across the globe, including a No.1 spot in the band's native Spain and top 5 in both the UK and the USA ~ Martinez passed away in 1990
October 3, 1943 ~ Composer, conductor, trombonist, radio host Bill McGlaughin born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Award-winning classical music host for Exploring Music and Saint Paul Sunday. Orchestral trombonist for a decade. Conductor for over three decades, working with the St Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Eugene Symphony, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, and the Kansas City Symphony
October 3, 1942 ~ Singer, actor Steve Susskind, full name Steven Robert Susskind, born in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA ~ Formed the Roommates with Bob Minsky, then both aged 15. The duo would become a quartet with the addition of Jack Carlson and Felix Alvarez. The band would record a number of unnoticed singles, until teaming up with singer Cathy Jean for Please Love Me Forever. Billed as Cathy Jean & the Roommates the single would reach top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961. Susskind would go on to become a well known actor for film and TV, mostly in supporting roles, appearing in TV series such as Married With Children, Seinfeld, and Friends, and films such as Friday The 13th (Part III) and Star Trek V (The Final Frontier) ~ Susskind passed away in 2005
October 3, 1941 ~ Ernest Evans, commonly known as singer Chubby Checker, born in Spring Gully, South Carolina, USA ~ Early rock & roller widely known for popularizing several dance styles, most of which over the years faded into obscurity. Still, his best known The Twist remains the yardstick against which all later dance crazes are measured. A cover of the Hank Ballard tune, Checker's rendition would become widely popular and hit No.1 Billboard Hot 100 twice during two separate runs in the early-1960s. Checker would enjoy popularity especially through the mid-1960s, singles such as Pony Time, The Fly, Slow Twistin', and Limbo Rock all reaching top 10 Billboard Hot 100
October 3, 1940 ~ Singer, keyboardist, songwriter Alan O'Day, full name Alan Earle O'Day, born in Hollywood, California, USA ~ As a singer, songwriter best known for his 1977 million-seller Undercover Angel. Staff songwriter at Warner Brothers Music. Artists who recorded his songs include Three Dog Night, Bobby Sherman, Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, Dusty Springfield, Captain & Tennille, Cher, the Righteous Brothers (Rock & Roll Heaven), Helen Reddy (Angie Baby), and Anne Murray. Moved from pop to television in the 1980s, collaborating with singer, songwriter Janis Liebhart, writing over one hundred songs for the children's show Muppet Babies as well as work on other children's programs ~ O'Day passed away in 2013
October 3, 1938 ~ Singer, songwriter Eddie Cochran, full name Ray Edward Cochran, born in Albert Lea, Minnesota, USA ~ Pivotal rock & roll singer known for mid-1950s songs such as Twenty Flight Rock, Somethin' Else, C'mon Everybody, and naturally Summertime Blues. Died in a car crash on tour at age 21. Cochran's songs would later be covered by an array of artists including Joan Jett, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Van Halen, Tom Petty, Rod Stewart, T.Rex, Cliff Richard, the Who, the Beach Boys, the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, the White Stripes, the Sex Pistols, Sid Vicious, Rush, the Simple Minds, George Thorogood, Guitar Wolf, Paul McCartney, Alan Jackson, the Move, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Hallyday, and U2 ~ Cochran passed away in 1960
October 3, 1936 ~ Composer Steve Reich, full name Stephen Michael Reich, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Pivotal to the development of minimal music, his style characterised by its use of repetitive figures, slow harmonic rhythm, and canons. One of the first to experiment with tape loops. Considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century influential on a wide array of idioms and artists from new age, contemporary classical, art-pop, electronic music and rock including John Adams, King Crimson, Brian Eno, Sufjan Stevens, and others
October 3, 1930 ~ Jazz singer, pianist, songwriter Nancy Harrow born in New York, New York, USA ~ Released two albums in the early-1960s before semi-retiring from music to raise a family. 1961's Wild Women Don't Have The Blues featured Kenny Burrell, Buck Clayton, Dicky Wells and Milt Hinton. Its follow-up, You Never Know released in 1963, featured John Lewis, Dick Katz, Phil Woods, Jim Hall, Richard Davis and Connie Kay. Harrow returned to music by the mid-1970s and has well over a dozen albums to her name
October 3, 1925 ~ Jazz promoter, producer George Wein born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ One of the most famous impresarios in jazz history. Co-founded the Newport Folk Festival with Pete Seeger and Theodore Bikel. Founded the Newport Jazz Festival. Instrumental in founding the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival ~ Wein passed away in 2021
October 3, 1924 ~ Country songwriter, radio DJ, label executive, producer Joe Allison, full name Joe Marion Allison, born in McKinney, Texas, USA ~ Revered songwriter. Regarded as one of the most influential figures in the rise of modern country music. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Tex Ritter's hit When You Leave Don't Slam The Door, Faron Young's Live Fast Love Hard Die Young, Tommy Sands' Teen-age Crush, and Jim Reeves' He'll Have To Stay. Label executive at Liberty Records, Dot Records, Capitol Records. Has worked, in one capacity or another, with artists such as Willie Nelson, Hank Cochran, Roy Clark, Joe Stampley, Tommy Overstreet, Red Steagall, and others ~ Allison passed away in 2002
October 3, 1923 ~ Earle Lavon Freeman Sr, commonly known as jazz, hard bop saxophonist Von Freeman, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Considered a founder of the “Chicago school of jazz tenorists” alongside Gene Ammons, Johnny Griffin, Clifford Jordan. Recorded well over a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, yet never became a household name mainly due to the fact that Von preferred to stay close to home instead of tour the country. Brother of guitarist George Freeman and drummer Eldridge Freeman, the three regularly backing visiting musicians such as Charlie Parker, Roy Eldridge and Dizzy Gillespie. Father of saxophonist Chico Freeman ~ Freeman passed away in 2012
October 3, 1909 ~ Biaglo Bergantino, commonly known as songwriter Borney Bergantine, born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Co-wrote My Happiness with Betty Peterson, first recorded by Jon & Sondra Steele in 1948. The song would become a standard, recorded by numerous artists. Noted for being the first song Elvis Presley recorded. Others who covered the song include Ella Fitzgerald, Fats Domino, Jim Reeves, Kitty Wells, Connie Francis, Teresa Brewer, and Freddy Fender ~ Bergantino passed away in 1952
October 3, 1908 ~ Lyricist, songwriter Johnny Burke, full name John Francis Burke, born in Antioch, California, USA ~ Songwriting partner of Harold Spina, Arthur Johnston, James Monaco, Jimmy van Heusen. Known for songs such as Swinging On A Star (Bing Crosby, June Christy, Frank Sinatra), Pennies From Heaven (Eddy Duchin, Jimmy Dorsey, Dinah Washington), Annie Doesn't Live Here Anymore (Guy Lombardo, Lew Stone, Eartha Kitt), Here's That Rainy Day (Dolores Gray), Peggy Lee, OC Smith), and Polka Dots And Moonbeams (Tommy Dorsey, Mel Tormé, Betty Roché) ~ Burke passed away in 1964
October 3, 1880 ~ Rachel Eleanora Goldberg, commonly known as vaudeville singer, comedian, actress Nora Bayes, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Popular vaudeville performer, singer form the 1900s through the 1920s. Perhaps best remembered for introducing Shine On Harvest Moon in the 1908 Ziegfeld Follies revue. The song, written by Bayes and her husband Jack Norworth, has since become a pop standard recorded by numerous artists including the Boswell Sisters, the Chordettes, Coleman Hawkins, Teresa Brewer, Bing Crosby, the Isley Brothers, Leon Redbone, Bobby Bare, and others ~ Goldberg passed away in 1928