October 30, 1989 ~ Matthew Lopez, commonly known as hip-hop rapper Aston Matthews, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of the Cutthroat Boyz alongside Vince Staples and Joey Fatts. As a solo artist has released a number of solo recordings, notably the mixtape Aston 3:16 released in 2014. Has collaborated with the likes of A$AP Mob, the Alchemist, Statik Selektah, Dash, and Madchild
October 30, 1989 ~ R&B, pop, dance-pop singer Vanessa White, full name Vanessa Karen White, born in Yeovil, UK ~ Praised for her vocal range, drawing comparisons to Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey. Appeared in a number of West End musicals, notably The Lion King and The King And I, prior to her rise to fame in the 2000s as a member of the Saturdays. The girl group is known for a string of UK top 10 hits, including Just Can't Get Enough, Forever Is Over, and What About Us featuring Sean Paul. White released her Chapter One solo debut album in 2016, followed by Chapter Two the following year
October 30, 1978 ~ Country, country-pop singer Kassidy Osborn, full name Kassidy Lorraine Osborn, born ~ Member of sibling outfit SheDaisy, alongside Kristyn Osborn and Kelsi Osborn, known for songs such as Little Good-byes, This Woman Needs, Passenger Seat, Come Home Soon, Don't Worry 'Bout A Thing, all of which reached top 20 of the Billboard Country charts between the late 1990s and mid-2000s
October 30, 1978 ~ Gerard Scott, commonly known as punk rock, hard rock bassist, guitarist, singer, songwriter Scott Sorry, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Worked with Amen, Brides Of Destruction, the Wildhearts and with Sorry & the Sinatras before embarking on a solo career releasing his When We Were Kings debut album in 2016
October 30, 1969 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, producer, songwriter Ken Stringfellow born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Formed the Posies in 1988 with Jon Auer, known for the singles Golden Blunders and Dream All Day. Both Stringfellow and Auer also worked with a reincarnation of Alex Chilton's power-pop unit Big Star from 1993 until Chilton's death in 2010. Stringfellow is also closely associated with REM, joining the band for a number of tours starting in 1999 and appearing on albums such as Reveal and Around The Sun. Has also worked with acts such as Sky Cries Mary, Lagwagon, Saltine, White Flag, the Minus Five, the Disciplines, and others
October 30, 1965 ~ Alternative rock, grunge, post-grunge singer, guitarist Gavin Rossdale, full name Gavin McGregor Rossdale, born in London, UK ~ Lead singer, guitarist, co-founding member of Bush, known best for the UK top 10 hit Swallowed of the band's Razorblade Suitcase sophomore album. After the band's initial disbandement in 2002 formed Institute. Guested on Apocalyptica's End Of Me, singing lead vocals. Has dated Baby Animals-singer Suze DeMarchi, and Kurt Cobain-widow and Hole frontwoman Courtney Love. Married to No Doubt frontwoman Gwen Stefani from 2002 through 2015, with whom he has three children
October 30, 1963 ~ Jazz, funk drummer Billy Martin born ~ Best known as one third of the jazz-funk trio Medeski Martin & Wood, the other two being keyboardist John Medeski and bassist Chris Wood. Has also worked with Chuck Mangione, Bob Moses, Ned Rothenberg, the Lounge Lizards, John Lurie, Iggy Pop, Oren Bloedow, Chris Whitley, John Scofield, Dave Burrell, DJ Spooky, DJ Logic, Wicked Knee, DJ Olive, Maceo Parker, Calvin Weston, Marty Ehrlich, and others
October 30, 1958 ~ Orchestra leader, saxophonist, composer Olav Dale born in Voss, Norway ~ Leader and sideman. Mostly saxophone, other woodwind too. Active since the mid-1970s. Worked with the Bergen Blues Band, Knut Kristiansen, Dag Arnesen, Oslo 13, Terje Rypdal, John Surman, the Lille Fron SaxofoKvartett, Sébastien Dubé, Frank Jacobsen, Stein Inge Brækhus, Torbjørn Hillersoy, Philip Catherine, Paquito d'Rivera, Claudio Roditi, Gustavo Bergalli, Phil Woods, Andy Sheppard, Bennie Wallace, Joe Henderson, Maria Schneider, Martial Solal, Diana Krall, Mathias Rüegg, Gianluigi Trovesi, and others ~ Dale passed away in 2014
October 30, 1957 ~ New age, jazz, folk guitarist Pierre Bensusan born in Algeria ~ Rooted in North African roots and European Celtic folk traditions. Over time would incorporate elements from country and jazz. Over a dozen albums to his name starting in the early 1980s, especially acclaimed for 1982's Solilai and 1993's Musiques
October 30, 1956 ~ Grace Bernadette Sisson, commonly known as folk singer Grace Griffith, born in La Plata, Maryland, USA ~ Member of the Hags, succeeded by Mary Chapin Carpenter. Formed the duo Hazlewood with Susan Graham White. Half a dozen albums to her name as a solo artist, starting with the indie released Every Hue And Shade album in 1993 later reissued as Grace ~ Sisson passed away in 2021
October 30, 1954 ~ Anthony Graham Brown, commonly known as country singer T Graham Brown, born in Arabi, Georgia, USA ~ Released his I Tell It Like It Used To Be debut album in 1986. Would regularly reach the higher end of the country charts throughout the end of the decade. Best known for Hell And High Water, Don't Go To Strangers and Darlene, all of which topped the Billboard Country charts
October 30, 1952 ~ Guitarist, mandolinist Chris Newman born in Stevenage, UK ~ Mentored by jazz guitarist Diz Disley. Frequent collaborator of harpist Maire Ni Chathasaigh. Member of the Heartstring Sessions. Has also collaborated with the Boys Of The Lough and recorded as a solo artist, starting with the eponymous Chris Newman released in 1981
October 30, 1951 ~ Percussionist Trilok Gurtu born in Mumbai, India ~ Classical tabla player who later joined the jazz fusion and worldbeat movements through a series of collaborations with Western artists. Has recorded over a dozen albums as a solo artist, especially noted for 1997's Glimpse and 2001's The Beat Of Love. Guested on albums by Embryo, Charlie Mariano, Barre Phillips, Richard Teitelbaum, Shankar, Oregon, Paul McCandles (Heresay), Nana Vasconcelos, Danny Gottlieb, John McLaughlin, Jack Bruce (Somethin Else), Michel Portal, Joe Zawinul, Gilberto Gil, Bill Laswell, Pharoah Sanders, Tabla Beat Science (Tala Matrix), and Jan Garbarek
October 30, 1950 ~ Trevor Thoms, commonly known as rock, hard rock, progressive rock guitarist Trev Thoms, born ~ Perhaps best known as a member of Inner City Unit, notably present on the early 1980s acclaimed albums Passout and The Maximum Effect. Thoms has also played with the Spirit Of John Morgan, Robert Calvert, Hawkwind, and Spirits Burning ~ Thoms passed away in 2010
October 30, 1947 ~ Rock, pop rock, country rock, soft rock singer, bassist, guitarist, songwriter Timothy B Schmit, full name Timothy Bruce Schmit, born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Member of Poco from 1969 through 1977 and the Eagles from 1977 through 1980, rejoining in 1994, replacing Randy Meisner in both cases. In-demand collaborator and session musician, providing lead vocals on Firefall's Just Remember I Love You, backing vocals on Steely Dan's Pretzel Logic, The Royal Scam and Aja albums, and playing bass on Linda Ronstadt's You Can Close Your Eyes of her Heart Like A Wheel album. Has also recorded as a solo artist, notably Boys' Night Out of his 1987 Timothy B sophomore album reaching top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100
October 30, 1946 ~ Christopher Slade Rees, commonly known as drummer Chris Slade, born in Pontypridd, UK ~ Perhaps best known for his association with AC/DC, drumming with the band from 1989 through 1994 including on the acclaimed 1990 The Razor's Edge and rejoining on occasion in later years. Has also worked with Tom Jones, Toomorrow, Tom Paxton, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Terra Nova, Kai Olsson, Uriah Heep, Denny Laine, David Gilmour, the Firm, Asia, Bloodstock, Damage Control, MIWA, and others
October 30, 1946 ~ Pop, rock singer, guitarist Doug Parkinson, full name Douglas John Parkinson, born in Waratahs, Australia ~ Active since the mid-1960s fronting bands such as Strings & Things, the Questions, Fanny Adams, the Southern Star Band (I'll Be Around), and the Doug Parkinson Band. Has also acted in several musical plays, perhaps most notably in the role of Hawker in an Australian production of the Who rock opera Tommy in 1973 alongside Daryl Braithwaite, Bobby Bright, Jim Keays and Broderick Smith ~ Parkinson passed away in 2021
October 30, 1941 ~ Otis Miles Jr, commonly known as R&B singer, songwriter Otis Williams, born in Texarkana, Texas, USA ~ Not to be confused with namesake Otis Williams, lead singer of doo-wop outfit the Charms. Co-founding member of the Temptations, known for songs such as The Way You Do The Things You Do, My Girl, Beauty Is Only Skin Deep, I Know I'm Losing You, All I Need, You're My Everything, I Wish It Would Rain, Cloud Nine, I Can't Get Next To You, Psychedelic Shack, Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) and Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
October 30, 1940 ~ Songwriter, composer Charles Fox, full name Charles Ira Fox, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for co-writing Killing Me Softly With His Song with Lori Lieberman and Norman Gimbel, first recorded by Lieberman and popularized by Roberta Flack. Also known as a composer for film, scoring over 100 films including Barbarella and The Last American Hero, and TV, including the themes to TV shows such as Love American Style, The Love Boat, ABC's The Wide World Of Sports and the original series of Monday Night Football
October 30, 1939 ~ Songwriter Eddie Holland Jr born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Renowned songwriter, member of Motown songwriter, producer team Holland-Dozier-Holland. Artists who have recorded their songs include the Four Tops, the Temptations, the Supremes, Martha & the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, the Miracles, the Elgins, Dionne Warwick, Mary Wells, Kim Weston, the Marvelettes, Stevie Wonder, Brenda Holloway, and others
October 30, 1939 ~ Grace Barnett Wing, commonly known as singer Grace Slick, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Key figure in 1960s psychedelic music. Member of Great Society. Best known as member of pivotal late 1960s outfit the Jefferson Airplane, singing lead on the era-defining Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits White Rabbit, which she wrote, and Somebody To Love. Has also worked with the Jefferson spin-off groups Jefferson Starship and Starship, singing co-lead on the latter's Billboard Hot 100 charttoppers We Built This City and Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now
October 30, 1937 ~ Salvator Cucchiara, commonly known as singer Tony Cucchiara, born in Agrigento, Italy ~ Best known for songs such as Annalisa and Vola Cuore Mio. Half of folk duo Tony & Nelly, the other half being his wife Nelly Fioramonti. Also known as playwriter with several musicals to his name, starting with 1970's Cassandra 2000 ~ Cucchiara passed away in 2018
October 30, 1932 ~ Dpnald Lee Owen, commonly known as singer, guitarist, producer, songwriter Donnie Owens, born in Chester, Pennsylvania, USA ~ 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 passed away in 1994
October 30, 1930 ~ Jazz, bebop, hard bop trumpeter, composer Clifford Brown, full name Clifford Benjamin Brown, born in Wilmington, Delaware, USA ~ Revered and influential trumpeter despite leaving behind only four years of recordings, his career cut short by an untimely death. Died age 25 in the same car crash that killed pianist Richie Powell and Powell's wife Nancy. As a composer known for the jazz standards Sandu, Joy Spring and Daahoud. Influenced trumpeters such as Booker Little, Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan. Closely associated with drummer Max Roach. Also worked with Chris Powell, Tadd Dameron, JJ Johnson, Lionel Hampton, Art Blakey, and others ~ Brown passed away in 1956
October 30, 1925 ~ Attilio Joseph Macero, commonly known as producer Teo Macero, born in Glens Falls, New York, USA ~ Was to jazz in the 1950s and beyond what Phil Spector was to pop-rock in the 1960s and beyond. Produced some of jazz's most influential and quintessential albums, working with artists such as Thelonious Monk (Monk's Blues), Charles Mingus, Miles Davis (Kind Of Blue, Bitches Brew), Dave Brubeck, Count Basie, Charlie Byrd, Maynard Ferguson, and others. Also produced classical orchestral and contemporary works, Broadway recordings and soundtracks ~ Macero passed away in 2008
October 30, 1925 ~ R&B singer, bandleader Tommy Ridgley, full name Thomas Herman Ridgley, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Fronted the Untouchables. Debuted in 1949 with the single Shrewsbury Blues. Also known for songs such as Double Eyed Whammy, I've Heard That Story Before and Tra La La, the latter later covered by Pat Boone ~ Ridgley passed away in 1999
October 30, 1912 ~ Leland James Gillette, commonly known as producer, label executive, A&R director Lee Gillette, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Headed the country division for Capitol Records starting in 1942, signing and producing acts such as Tex Ritter, Jack Guthrie, Jimmy Wakely, Merle Travis, Tex Williams, Tennessee Ernie Ford. Moved to the label's pop division in 1950, where he would produce Georgia Gibbs, Dean Martin, Peggy Lee, Stan Kenton, Vic Damone. Especially closely associated with Nat King Cole, producing all of Cole's recordings from 1950 onwards. Following Cole's death in 1965 Gillette suffered from depression and retired shortly afterwards, only occasionally producing thereafter ~ Gillette passed away in 1981