October 31, 2023 ~ Singer Taylor Swift releases Is It Over Now, lifted off her 1989 (Taylor's Version) album ~ Initially intended for Swift's 1989 album, released back in 2014, Is It Over Now deals with feelings of heartbreak, wondering if it is really over now that memories of an old flame still haunt the singer even though both have moved on. The song has a similar theme to Out Of The Woods, Style, and All You Had To Do Was Stay, songs that unlike Is It Over Now were actually included on the original 2014 album, and all believed to be about Swift's then-recent brief romance with singer Harry Styles. In her native America, the single replaced Swift's own Cruel Summer as the No.1 Billboard Hot 100 single. Is It Over Now would also top the charts in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK
October 31, 2022 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Michal Ambroz passed away ~ Co-founded Jasná Páka in 1981 with Vladimir Albrecht. The band would be banned from performing in public in 1984 and instead of going underground Ambroz would form Hudba Praha with some of the original members while others pursued other intrests. In 2008 Ambroz would reinstate Jasná Páka with only drummer, singer David Koller as the only other original member. Six years later the band released their sole official studio album Cerna Deska ~ Ambroz was born ca.1954
October 31, 2022 ~ Country singer, songwriter Patrick Haggerty passed away ~ Lead singer, guitarist, sole constant member for country outfit Lavender Country throughout its existence from 1972 through 1976. The band is known for their eponymous 1973 Lavender Country album, the first gay-themed album in country music history. The album was funded and released by the Gay Community Social Services of Seattle, with just 1,000 copies pressed at the time of its original release. Haggerty has also worked with gay country music groups Doug Stevens & the Outband and Pearl River, ran two unsuccessful campaigns for political office in Washington, and would continue to work as a gay rights and anti-racism activist ~ Haggerty was born in 1944
October 31, 2020 ~ Jazz guitarist Marc Fosset passed away ~ Influenced by Yves Montand, Didi Duprat, Django Reinhardt. Member of Magma. Also worked with Michel de Villers, René Urtreger, Claude Guilhot, Franco Manzecchi, Patrice Galas, Patrice Caratini, Stéphane Grappelli, Jean-Michel Cazorla, Philippe Briand, and others ~ Fosset was born in 1949
October 31, 2020 ~ Daniel Dumile, commonly known as rapper MF Doom, passed away in Leeds, UK ~ Major figure of underground and alternative hip-hop in the 2000s, known for his intricate wordplay and since the late-1990s his supervillain stage character. Doom never performed in public without his signature metal mask somewhat modeled after Marvel Comics character Dr Doom, and has on occasion angered fans by sending a masked substitute. Member of KMD, which also included his brother DJ Subroc. The group would disband after the latter's death in 1993, Doom himself retreating from music altogether for a number of years before reemerging as a solo artist. Has collaborated with artists such as Madlib, MF Grimm, Danger Mouse, Jneiro Jarel, Bishop Nehru, Czarface, and Thom Yorke ~ Dumile was born in 1971
October 31, 2013 ~ Robert Lee Parker, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter Bobby Parker, passed away in Bowie, Maryland, USA ~ Member of Otis Williams & his Charms. Played lead guitar with Bo Diddley. Toured with Paul Williams, Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, Lavern Baker, Clyde McPhatter, and with the Everly Brothers. As a solo artist best known for his 1961 single Watch Your Step which peaked at No.51 Billboard Hot 100. The song would later be covered by artists such as the Spencer Davis Group, Dr Feelgood, Steve Marriott, Adam Faith, and by Carlos Santana ~ Parker was born in 1937
October 31, 2011 ~ Elizabeth Jane Haaby, commonly known as songwriter, singer Liz Anderson, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Paved the way for women in country. Anderson has had some success as a singer, noted especially for late-1960s tracks such as Mama Spank and Game Of Triangles, yet she enjoyed her biggest success as a songwriter. Artists who recorded her songs include Merle Haggard (I'm A Lonesome Fugitive), Del Reeves, Roy Drusky (The Pick Of The Week), Conway Twitty (Guess My Eyes Were Bigger Than My Heart), Charley Pride, Tammy Wynette, Ernest Tubb, Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Skeeter Davis, Waylon Jennings, Kitty Wells, Connie Smith, Faron Young, the Browns, Porter Wagoner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Anderson, Norma Jean (I Cried All The Way To The Bank), Brenda Lee, Tex Williams, Lorrie Morgan, and Mary Lou Turner. Anderson's daughter is country singer Lynn Anderson, who also recorded several songs written or co-written by her mother including Ride Ride Ride, If I Kiss You (Will You Go Away), and Big Girls Don't Cry ~ Haaby was born in 1930
October 31, 2008 ~ Punk rock guitarist, songwriter Frank Navetta passed away ~ Co-founding member of the Descendents. Notably present on the band's debut single Ride The Wild which Navetta wrote, the 1981 EP Fat EP and their debut LP Milo Goes To College the next year, before departing the band to move to Oregon and become a fisherman. Navetta wrote or co-wrote some of the bands best known songs such as Mr Bass, Statue Of Liberty, My Dad Sucks, and Rockstar. Navetta rejoined the Descendents for their 1996 album Everything Sucks, and reportedly was working on new songs with his former bandmates at the time of his death ~ Navetta was born in 1962
October 31, 2006 ~ Singer Nelly Furtado releases Say It Right, lifted off her Loose album ~ The second single off of Furtado's critically and commercially highly successful Loose album to reach No.1 Billboard Hot 100, also her second overall, after Promiscuous featuring Timbaland. Furtado has stated the layered keyboard sound of Say It Right was inspired by Here Comes The Rain Again, a 1980s hit for Eurythmics. Say It Right would top the charts in over a dozen countries, and earned the Canadian singer a nomination for Best Female Pop Performance
October 31, 1999 ~ Jazz double bassist Wyatt Ruther, full name Wyatt Robert Ruther, passed away in San Pablo, California, USA ~ A working musician throughout his entire life, Ruther's career spanned wel over four decades from the early-1950s, backing the likes of Dave Brubeck and Lena Horne, until his death at age 76 of a heart attack. Although Ruther sporadically recorded as a leader, he is best known as a session and touring musician, noted among others for an early-1960s tour backing drummer Buddy Rich. He has appeared on key albums by the likes of Erroll Garner (Gems), Milt Hinton, Zoot Sims, Eric Dolphy, Chico Hamilton (Gong's East), Bennie Green, Count Basie, Mavis Rivers, Anita O'Day, and Fraser MacPherson. Ruther, known as “Bull” by family and friends, was a seasoned player, or as pianist Frank Jackson, who frequently shared a stage with Ruther, once remarked: “He could play a tune perfectly without even knowing the tune. He just needed to hear the first chorus, then he knew the whole tune” ~ Ruther was born in 1923
October 31, 1995 ~ Pianist, conductor, composer Alan Bush, full name Alan Dudley Bush, passed away in Watford, UK ~ Composed orchestral works, pageants, choruses, and operas. A committed communist, his uncompromising political beliefs would hinder his career and have him largely ignored by the music establishment even resulting in a brief ban. Drawing strong protests and opposed by then-prime minister Winston Churchill the ban would be short-lived, annulled following the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941. The composer's strong pro-Soviet stance during the Cold War would however leave him largely ignored in the West, his four operas premiered in East Germany ~ Bush was born in 1900
October 31, 1988 ~ Hard rock, metalcore, post-hardcore guitarist, singer, keyboardist Ben Bruce, full name Benjamin Paul Bruce, born in Wandsworth, UK ~ Influenced by Eric Clapton, BB King, Gary Moore, Blink-182, Green Day, Metallica, Iron Maiden. Co-founding and constant member, lead guitarist of Asking Alexandria, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with The Irony Of Your Perfection released in 2007. The band is best known for songs such as Break Down The Walls, Moving On, Alone In A Room, Vultures, Alone Again, and Psycho
October 31, 1987 ~ Sirach Charles, commonly known as R&B, hip hop rapper, producer Angel, born ~ Active since the early-2010s, a number of mixtapes leading up to his full-length About Time debut album released in 2013. The album would contain his two best known, Go In Go Hard featuring Wretch 32 and Wonderful. The latter would reach top 10 on the UK singles charts
October 31, 1986 ~ Glam metal, pop metal outfit Bon Jovi release Livin' On A Prayer, lifted off their Slippery When Wet album ~ Telling of a young working-class couple, dock worker Tommy and waitress Gina, who persevere despite hardships, Livin' On A Prayer struck a chord with the band's blue collar audience. Bon Jovi embodied the archetype of working-class heroes, while the song spoke of the American way, as co-writer Desmond Child would later explain: “This whole aspiring thing. We're not going to give up. Even in the face of failure, we keep trying. And that's the American way.” Both the band's previous single, You Give Love A Bad Name lifted off the same album, and Livin' On A Prayer were written by Child with the band's two main songwriters, singer Jon Bon Jovi and guitarist Richie Sambora. Both singles would reach No.1 Billboard Hot 100. The parent album would be the band's breakthrough, topping the charts in over half a dozen countries
October 31, 1986 ~ Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk, mononymously known as Afropop singer, songwriter Iyanya, born in Calabar, Nigeria ~ First gained attention winning the TV talent show Project Fame West Africa in 2008. Released his full-length debut album, My Story, the following year. Best known for his hit single Kukere of his sophomore Desire album, released in 2013
October 31, 1983 ~ Aaron Marshal Davis, commonly known as indie pop, alternative rock singer, songwriter Aaron Pfenning, born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Co-founding member of Chairlift, remaining with the band through 2010. Has also worked with We Are Scientists, Brandon Flowers, Tanlines and Warpaint
October 31, 1983 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones release Undercover Of The Night, lead single off their Undercover album ~ One of the band's very few overtly political songs, Undercover Of The Night was heavily influenced by the William S Burroughs novel Cities Of The Red Night and references the then-ongoing political repression in Latin America, especially Argentina and Chile. Credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, as most of the band's originals, the song is primarily written by Jagger, with Richards later commenting: “Mick had this one all mapped out, I just played on it.” Undercover Of The Night would reach top 20 in over a dozen countries, including top 10 in Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, and America
October 31, 1980 ~ Indie rock, indie pop keyboardist, singer Isabella Summers, full name Isabella Janet Florentina Summers, born in Hackney, UK ~ Co-founding and constant member of Florence + the Machine. The band rose to fame as critics darling, especially receiving attention from the BBC, and is praised for their dramatic, eccentric production and lead singer Florence Welch's powerful vocals. Well-known songs include Rabbit Heart, You've Got The Love, Shake It Out, and Spectrum (Say My Name). In addition to co-writing a vast amount of the band's numbers, Summers has also written, produced, or remixed for acts such as Beyoncé, Juliette Lewis, Jennifer Hudson, Rita Ora, and the Game
October 31, 1980 ~ Pop, blue-eyed soul singer Robert Palmer releases Looking For Clues, lifted off his Clues album ~ Its parent album, Clues, heavily influenced by new wave and synthpop, did well in Europe, but made little impact in America, where it failed to reach the top half of the Billboard Hot 200. On Looking For Clues, issued as the second single off the album, Palmer shows himself confused by a girl, looking for clues but coming up empty. He would later remark: “I can never remember exactly what I was thinking about when I wrote Looking For Clues, but I'm still like the character in the song. Frightened by the sound of the telephone, which is a strange basis for a lyric.” Chris Frantz of Talking Heads guested on the track, playing the bass drum
October 31, 1978 ~ Contemporary folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Kris Drever born in Orkney, UK ~ Member of Lau alongside Martin Green and Aidan O'Rourke. Has also worked with Kate Rusby, John McCusker, Roddy Woomble, Ian Carr, Eddi Reader, Julie Fowlis, Fine Friday, Eamonn Coyne, Boo Hewerdine, Idlewild, Heidi Talbot, Duncan Chisholm, and others
October 31, 1977 ~ Irene Joy Gibbons, commonly known as blues singer, stage actress Eva Taylor, passed away in Mineola, New York, USA ~ Dubbed “the Dixie Nightingale”. Child performer active since age three. Married to pianist, Okeh-producer Clarence Williams. Worked with Sidney Bechet, Louis Armstrong, Sippie Wallace, Bessie Smith, the Charleston Chasers, Paul Whiteman, and others ~ Gibbons was born in 1895
October 31, 1977 ~ Actor, comedian, singer, banjoist Steve Martin guests on The Muppet Show ~ Martin, best known as an actor yet also an accomplished bluegrass instrumentalist, plays Dueling Banjos opposite the Muppet jugband Lou & his Jughuggers. The song is best known for being used in the 1972 film Dueling Banjos. In 2013 Martin would again play the song, this time opposite Kermit the Frog, in a video for the website Funny or Die
October 31, 1975 ~ Glam rock, hard rock, pop rock outfit Queen release Bohemian Rhapsody, widely considered the band's masterpiece and one of the all-time greatest rock songs ~ Issued as the lead single off their A Night At The Opera album, the single would spent nine weeks atop the UK charts. Though initially met with mixed reviews, over time the song has earned wide critical acclaim, acknowledging it as one of the all-time greatest rock songs. A six-minute suite, as a rock song it is noted for its unusual structure, lacking a refrain and consisting of several separate parts; an intro, a ballad segment, an operatic passage, a hard rock part, and a reflective coda. Of the recording process, producer Roy Thomas Baker would later recall: “We had to record it in three separate units. We did the whole beginning bit, then the whole middle bit and then the end. It was complete madness. The middle part started off being just a couple of seconds, but Freddie Mercury kept coming in with more ‘Galileos’ and we kept on adding to the opera section, and it just got bigger and bigger.”
October 31, 1975 ~ Willie Ray Norful Jr, commonly known as gospel singer, pianist Smokie Norful, born ~ Over half a dozen albums to his name, especially acclaimed for his first two, I Need You Now released in 2002 and its follow-up Nothing Without You released two years later, the latter winning a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. About a decade later, Norful would win his second Grammy Award, the track No Greater Love of his 2014 Forever Yours album winning the award for Best Gospel Performance
October 31, 1973 ~ Lucilla J Sarsines, commonly known as singer Lucha Reyes, passed away in Lima, Peru ~ One of Peru's most respected singers. Leading interpreter of vals criollo and marinera genres. Formed the duo Lucha & Juan with Pitito Perez. Member of Peña Ferrando. Also worked with Los Morochucos. As a solo artist best known for Regressa, an international hit in 1970 ~ Reyes was born in 1936
October 31, 1973 ~ Rogério Lima Manganelli, commonly known as ska-punk, punk rock bassist, guitarist, drummer, singer, songwriter Roger Lima, born in Porto Alegre, Brazil ~ Joined ska and power pop-inspired punk rock, punk outfit Less Than Jake in 1993, shortly after its inception and prior to its debut album. Lima has recorded over half a dozen albums with the band since. The band is especially known for their acclaimed first three albums, Pezcore, Losers Kings And Things We Don't Understand, and Losing Streak. Lima also fronts his own bands Rehasher and Greenhorn
October 31, 1972 ~ Swing, big band violinist, bandleader Johnny Long passed away ~ Known for a number of 1940s hits such as My Dreams Are Getting Better All The Time, Poor Butterfly and the million-seller In A Shanty In Old Shanty Town. Also accompanied Ella Fitzgerald on Confessin' That I Love You ~ Long was born ca.1914
October 31, 1972 ~ Troy Donald Jamerson, commonly known as rapper Pharoahe Monch, born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Half of Organized Konfusion, the other half being Prince Poetry, known for a number of 1990s albums. Debuted as a solo artist in 1999 with the album Internal Affairs
October 31, 1970 ~ Singer Malin Linn Berggren born in Sweden ~ Singer of Ace Of Base, co-founded with sister Jenny Berggren, brother Jonas Berggren and Ulf Ekberg, known for 1990s hits such as The Sign, Waiting For Magic and All That She Wants. Songs co-written by Linn include Hear Me Calling, Whispers In Blindness, Love In December, and Moment Of Magic
October 31, 1968 ~ Fiddler, songwriter Duncan Chisholm born in Inverness, UK ~ Released a number of solo albums, starting with Redpoint in 1997. Founding member of folk-rock group Wolfstone. Has also worked with Julie Fowlis, Donnie Munroe, Runrig, Beth Nielsen Chapman, and others
October 31, 1967 ~ Singer, guitarist, producer, songwriter Adam Schlesinger, full name Adam Lyons Schlesinger, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of Fountains Of Wayne, Ivy, and Tinted Windows. Key songwriter and producer for synth-pop duo Fever High. In-demand songwriter for film and TV, nominated for an Academy Award for writing the title track of the 1997 film That Thing You Do. Served as producer for acts such as Dashboard Confessional, Tahiti 80, Verve Pipe, Robert Plant, They Might Be Giants, and Fastball ~ Schlesinger passed away in 2020
October 31, 1967 ~ Robert Matthew Van Winkle, commonly known as pop-rapper Vanilla Ice, born in South Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Released his Hooked debut album in 1989. Signing to a subsidiary of EMI Records shortly thereafter the album would be repackaged the followig year as 1990 and propel him to fame on the strength of the album's single Ice Ice Baby and Play That Funky Music, the latter a cover of the Wild Cherry dance classic
October 31, 1966 ~ Rapper, guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, percussionist Adam Horovitz, full name Adam Keefe Horovitz, born in South Orange, New Jersey, USA ~ Briefly member of punk rock outfit the Young & the Useless before joining the Beastie Boys in 1982, replacing John Berry. The band would release their debut album, Licensed To Ill, in 1986. It spawned the hit (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party), which would reach the Billboard top 10. Other well known Beastie songs would include No Sleep Till Brooklyn, Hey Ladies, Sure Shot, and Pass The Mic
October 31, 1966 ~ Singer, beatboxer, keyboardist, trombonist, guitarist, bassist, trumpeter Mal Webb born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Co-founding member of the Oxo Cubans, Sock, Totally Gourdgeous and Formidable Vegetable. Has also recorded as a solo artist and composed for TV, including the soundtracks for the TV series The Adventures Of Lano And Woodley
October 31, 1965 ~ Singer, songwriter Annabella Lwin born in Burma ~ Lead singer of Bow Wow Wow, best known for the 1982 singles Go Wild In The Country and I Want Candy, both of which reached the UK top 10
October 31, 1963 ~ John Martin Maher, commonly known as alternative rock, indie rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Johnny Marr, born in Manchester, UK ~ Rose to fame as guitarist, co-founding member of the Smiths from 1982 through 1987, known for songs such as Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now, Panic, Sheila Take A Bow and This Charming Man. Has also worked with the Pretenders, The The, Modest Mouse and the Cribs. Guested on recordings by the Pet Shop Boys, Talking Heads, Bryan Ferry and Hans Zimmer. Has recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Boomslang released in 2003
October 31, 1962 ~ Virtuoso guitarist, composer Raphael Rabello, full name Rafael Baptist Rabello born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Considered one of the best acoustic guitar players. Founded Os Carioquinhas. Worked with Camerate Carioca, Radamés Gnattali, Elizete Cardoso, Jaques Morelenbaum, Laurindo Almeida, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Ney Matogrosso, Paulo Moura, Paco de Lucia, Armandinho, Romero Lubambo, Déo Rian, and others ~ Rabello passed away in 1995
October 31, 1961 ~ Drummer Larry Mullen Jr, full name Lawrence Joseph Mullen Jr, born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Best known as co-founding member, drummer of U2. Co-wrote and recorded Theme From Mission Impossible with bandmate Adam Clayton for the Mission Impossible soundtrack. Has also worked with Maria McKee, Daniel Lanois, Mike Mills, Michael Stipe, Emmylou Harris, Underworld, and others
October 31, 1957 ~ Indie rock, indie pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Robert Pollard, full name Robert Ellsworth Pollard Jr, born in Dayton, Ohio, USA ~ Frontman, primary songwriter, sole constant member of pivotal indie rock band Guided By Voices, especially acclaimed for the albums Bee Thousand and Earthquake Glue. Prolific solo artist with close to two dozen albums to his name, starting with Not In My Airforce released in 1996. Has also worked with Doug Gillard, Boston Spaceships, Airport 5, the Circus Devils, Go Back Snowball, the Hazzard Hotrods, Cosmos, Keene Brothers, Lexo & the Leapers, the Lifeguards, Phantom Tollbooth, Psycho & the Birds, and others
October 31, 1956 ~ James Robert Belden, commonly known as bandleader, conductor, arranger, saxophonist Bob Belden, born in Charleston, South Carolina, USA ~ Known for arranging the music of Giacomo Puccini, Prince, the Beatles, and Sting, turning the works into jazz. Also acclaimed for his 2011 Grammy Award-winning Black Dahlia album consisting of original music. Has also served as conductor for the likes of McCoy Tyner (The Turning Point), and Paquito d'Rivera ~ Belden passed away in 2015
October 31, 1955 ~ Folk, blues, roots singer, guitarist, songwriter Ruby Hunter, full name Ruby Charlotte Margaret Hunter, born in Goat Island, Australia ~ Musical and life partner of Archie Roach, with whom she had two sons and three foster children. As a solo artist became the first Aboriginal female artist to release a full-length album, namely Thought Within. Also noted for writing and performing the autobiographical Ruby's Story with Roach, Paul Grabowsky and the Australian Art Orchestra, which premiered in 2004 at the Sydney Opera House to critical acclaim ~ Hunter passed away in 2010
October 31, 1953 ~ Rock, Christian rock keyboardist, guitarist, singer Rob Frazier, full name Robert Aimes Frazier, born ~ Has collaborated with numerous artists in and outside the contemporary Christian music scene. Well-known for his brief stint with Petra, appearing on the 1979 Washes Whiter Than album. Co-wrote the Kansas Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit, a single taken of the band's 1982 Vinyl Confessions album. Has recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Cut It Away released in 1984, and has frequently collaborated with Steve Camp
October 31, 1952 ~ R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, rock bassist, producer Bernard Edwards born in Greenville, North Carolina, USA ~ Rose to fame with the disco outfit Chic, which he co-founded with guitarist Nile Rodgers. From 1976 through 1983 the band would create genre- and era-defining classics including Le Freak, Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah Yowsah Yowsah), Everybody Dance, I Want Your Love, and Good Times. Edwards & Rodger would also work as a production and songwriting team with a host of artists, parralel to their time with the band as well as far beyond the disco years. As a duo they worked with Norma Jean Wright, Sister Sledge, Sheila & B Devotion, Johnny Mathis, Debbie Harry, and Fonzi Thornton. Edwards released a solo album, Glad To Be Here, in 1983 and was instrumental in the formation of supergroup Power Station. Edwards passed away while on tour in Japan ~ Edwards passed away in 1996
October 31, 1949 ~ Composer, conductor Odaline de la Martinez born ~ Artistic director of Lontano, a contemporary music ensemble co-founded with flutist Ingrid Culliford. In 1984 became the first woman to conduct the BBC Promenade Concerts, commonly known as the Proms. Has also worked with the Ensemble 2e2m, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Youth Orchestra, the Vancouver Chamber Orchestra, and others
October 31, 1947 ~ Experimental composer, pianist, accordionist Howard Skempton, full name Howard While Skempton, born in Chester, UK ~ Closely associated with the Scratch Orchestra, an ensemble with an open membership dedicate to performing experimental contemporary music by composers such as La Monte Young, John Cage and Terry Riley. As a composer best known for his orchestral work Howard Skempton Lento, published in 1991
October 31, 1946 ~ Jacobus Johannes Eggermont, commonly known as drummer, producer Jaap Eggermont, born in The Hague ~ Early member, drummer of the Golden Earring, staying with the band from 1965 to 1969. Best known as a producer, notably as the thriving force behind the Stars On 45. Has also produced records for Sandy Coast, the Living Blues and Earth & Fire
October 31, 1945 ~ John David Martin, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Moon Martin, born in Altus, Oklahoma, USA ~ Recorded over half a dozen albums, starting with Shots From A Cold Nightmare released in 1978. Scored a number of modest solo hits, notably Rolene, No Chance, and X-Ray Vision. Best known however for penning Bad Case Of Loving You (Doctor Doctor), a hit for Robert Palmer, and Cadillac Walk, made famous by Willy DeVille ~ Moon passed away in 2020
October 31, 1945 ~ Bassist Rik Kenton born ~ Brifly a member of Roxy Music, replacing Graham Simpson in 1972 after the recording of the band's eponymous Roxy Music debut album. Departed the band before recording the next album, Music For Your Pleasure. Present on the single Virginia Plain, a landmark recording setting the trend for UK's 1970s glam rock
October 31, 1945 ~ Rock, pop rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Russ Ballard, full name Russel Glyn Ballard, born in Waltham Cross, UK ~ Rose to fame as lead singer, guitarist for Argent from 1969 through 1974, present on most of the band's best known including Hold Your Head Up and God Gave Rock & Roll To You. Following his departure from the band, Ballard has recorded several albums as a solo artist, starting with the eponymous Russ Ballard, and has written for other artists including notably So You Win Again for Hot Chocolate
October 31, 1944 ~ Richard Samet Friedman, commonly known as rock, country rock, progressive country, outlaw country singer, guitarist Kinky Friedman, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Flamboyant satirist with well over a dozen albums to his name, starting with the acclaimed Sold American released in 1973. Following the wave of country rock from acts such as Gram Parsons, the Band, and the Eagles, Friedman would gain a cult following through provocative songs such as We Reserve The Right To Refuse Service To You, They Ain't Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore, and Get Your Biscuits In The Oven And Your Buns In The Bed, gaining more exposure after touring with Bob Dylan in 1975 and 1976. After his music career stalled in the 1980s, Friedman shifted his focus to writing detective novels, often featuring a fictionalized version of himself, his books laced with the same wit and satirism known from his lyrics. Upon hearing of Friedman's death, close friend and longtime collaborator Kent Perkins commented: “He was the last free person on earth. He had an irreverence about him. He was a fearless writer” ~ Friedman passed away in 2024
October 31, 1944 ~ Jazz drummer Sherman Ferguson, full name Sherman Eugene Ferguson, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Influenced by Max Roach and Roy Haynes. First gained attention in the 1960s backing Charles Earland and subsequently Pat Martino, notably present on the albums Desperado and Consciousness. Ferguson would become best known as co-founding member of pioneering fusion group Catalyst. Drawing from both funk and jazz, the group released a handful of albums through the mid-1970s, starting with their eponymous Catalyst debut album, earning them critical acclaim and a cult following. Ferguson would remain active until his death at age 61, appearing on albums by Kenny Burrell, Red Callender (Night Mist Blues), Bobby Bradford, Bud Shank (Serious Swingers), Warne Marsh, Mike Wofford (Funkallero), Holly Hofmann, Lorez Alexandria (I'll Never Stop Loving You), Pharoah Sanders, Joe Wilder (No Greater Love), Karrin Allyson, Benny Carter, Lou Rawls, Sweet Baby J'ai (Evolution), and Larry Coryell ~ Ferguson passed away in 2006
October 31, 1943 ~ Pop, pop-rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Tony Hazzard, full name Anthony Hazzard, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Had his songs recorded by the Hollies (Listen To Me), Manfred Mann (Fox On The Run), the Yardbirds (Goodnight Sweet Josephine), Herman's Hermits (You Won't Be Leaving), the Tremeloes (Hello World), Gene Pitney (Maria Elena), Richard Barnes (Take To The Mountains), Andy Williams (Getting Over You), and others
October 31, 1939 ~ Ali Ibrahim Touré, commonly known as world music singer, guitarist Ali Farka Touré, born in Timbuktu Region, Mali ~ One of the internationally most acclaimed African musicians, merging traditional Malian music with American blues. Actively recording and touring since the mid-1970s with close to two dozen albums to his name. Has collaborated with Taj Mahal, Ry Cooder (Talking Timbuktu), Corey Harris and Toumani Diabaté ~ Fouré passed away in 2006
October 31, 1939 ~ Drummer John Guerin, full name John Payne Guerin, born in Hawaii, USA ~ Briefly a member of the Byrds in the early-1970s. Member of Joni Mitchell's backup outfit the LA Express. Also had an affair with Mitchell who later wrote the song Hejira about him. As a session musician Guerin backed artists such as Frank Sinatra, George Harrison, Frank Zappa, the Animals, Them, Thelonious Monk, Lou Rawls, Ray Conniff, George Shearing, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Linda Ronstadt, Nelson Riddle, Oscar Peterson, Jon Faddis, Jimmy Heath, Ray Charles, Sonny Rollins, Justin Morell, Andreas Pettersson, David Bass, David Garfield, Gary Lemel, Mike Melvoin, and others ~ Guerin passed away in 2004
October 31, 1931 ~ Robert Frederickson, commonly known as singer Bob Regan, born in Rolia, Canada ~ Formed the country duo the Canadian Sweethearts along with his wife Lucille Starr, known for mid-1960s recordings such as Stand Upon The Mountain, Lookin' Back To See and Don't Knock On My Door ~ Frederickson passed away in 1990
October 31, 1930 ~ Tenor saxophonist Booker Ervin, full name Booker Telleferro Ervin II, born in Denison, Texas, USA ~ Hard bop player characterised by strong sound and blues phrasing. Over a dozen albums as leader or co-leader, especially acclaimed for the albums Cookin' and That's It. Closely associated with Charles Mingus, including on the highly acclaimed Mingus Ah Uhm. Has also appeared on albums by Horace Parlan, Pony Poindexter, Jaki Byard, Randy Weston, Don Patterson, Sonny Stitt (Soul People), Andrew Hill (Grass Roots), and Isaac Hayes (Black Moses). Ervin passed away of kidney disease at age 39 ~ Ervin passed away in 1970
October 31, 1927 ~ Singer, songwriter Hoagy Carmichael records Stardust at Gennett Studios, Richmond, Indiana ~ Penned by Carmichael. It would become a standard covered over an estimated 1,500 times, including by the likes of Coleman Hawkins, Erroll Garner, Oscar Pettiford, John Coltrane, Toots Thielemans, Stéphane Grappelli, Willie Nelson, and Wynton Marsalis
October 31, 1926 ~ Singer, guitarists, songwriter Colette Magny born in Paris, France ~ Drew from blues, jazz, protest songs and spoken word poetry. Discovered by singer Mireille Hartuch who featured Magny on her TV show Le Petit Conservatoire De La Chanson. The exposure earned Magny critical acclaim leading to a record deal with CBS. Magny released her eponymous Colette Magny in 1963 and recorded to critical acclaim and commercial succes since ~ Magny passed away in 1997
October 31, 1922 ~ Jazz, swing saxophonist, flutist, clarinetist Ted Nash, full name Theodore Malcolm Nash, born in Somerville, Massachusetts, USA ~ Brother of trombonist Dick Nash. Leader and sideman. Worked with Les Brown, Doris Day (Day By Day), June Christy, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Billy Eckstine, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Wilson, Quincy Jones, Georgie Auld, Elmer Bernstein, Henry Mancini (The Music From Peter Gunn), Pete Rugolo, Lalo Schifrin, and others ~ Nash passed away in 2011
October 31, 1921 ~ Jazz clarinetist, bandleader Toshiyuki Miyama born in Chiba, Japan ~ Joined the Lucky Puppy Orchestra after World War II. Would lead his own ensemble from 1950 onwards, initially named Jive Ace and renamed to the New Herd in 1958. The group would record with Charles Mingus in the 1971 and tour the world throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Miyama would lead the ensemble for over 5 decades, remaining active well into the 2000s ~ Miyama passed away in 2016
October 31, 1915 ~ Jazz trumpeter Chris Griffin born in Binghamton, New York, USA ~ Started out in dance bands working with Charlie Barnet, Rudy Vallée, Miff Mole, Mildred Bailey, Teddy Wilson, and Joe Haymes through-out the 1930s. Joined Benny Goodman's big band in 1936, remaining until 1939. Later played with artists such as Jimmy Dorsey, Tex Beneke, Pee Wee Erwin, Warren Covington, Bud Freeman, and Warren Vaché Sr. Led an ensemble of his own in 1980s which included Marty Napoleon, Sonny Igoe, Jane Jarvis, and Major Holley ~ Griffin passed away in 2005
October 31, 1912 ~ Lucille Wood Smith, commonly known as singer, actress, songwriter Dale Evans born in Uvalde, Texas, USA ~ Third wife of singing cowboy Roy Rogers, with whom she formed a successful on- and off-screen team starring in numerous films. The couple remained married until Rogers' death in 1998 ~ Smith passed away in 2001
October 31, 1909 ~ John Rufus Sharpe III, commonly known as songwriter, music publisher, author Jack Sharpe, born in Berkeley, California, USA ~ Best remembered for writing So Rare with Jerry Herst. The song was first published in 1937 and is perhaps best known as a late-career hit for Jimmy Dorsey just months before his death in 1957. Others who have recorded the song include Carl Ravell, Gus Arnheim, Ella Fitzgerald, King Curtis, Chet Atkins. Sharpe has also written lyrics for other songs, notably Margaret Whiting's The Dream Peddler's Serenade with music by composer Johnny Mercer, and formed the music publishing company Rondo Music in the mid-1960s ~ Sharpe passed away in 1996
October 31, 1902 ~ Blues, R&B singer, pianist Julia Lee born in Boonville, Missouri, USA ~ Known for a string of 1940's R&B hits including Gotta Gimme Whatcha Got, Snatch It And Grab It, King-Size Papa, I Didn't Like It The First Time and My Man Stands Out. Her recordings regulary featured backing musicians such as Jay McShann, Vic Dickenson, Benny Carter, Red Norvo, Nappy Lamare, Red Nichols and Jack Marshall ~ Lee passed away in 1958
October 31, 1896 ~ Singer Ethel Waters born in Chester, Pennsylvania, USA ~ 1920s blues singer known for recordings such as Stormy Weather, Taking A Chance On Love, Supper Time, Am I Blue, His Eye Is On The Sparrow, and others. Would go on to perform jazz, swing, pop and star in Broadway musicals ~ Waters passed away in 1977
October 31, 1886 ~ Vaudeville entertainer, musical actor, singer Charles King, full name Charles Joseph King, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Made his Broadway debut by the late 1900s and would appear in numerous revues and musicals throughout the 1920s before moving on to the big screen. Frequently cast opposite Elizabeth Brice, for example in the musicals A Winsome Widow and Miss 1917. Best remembered for the lead role in the 1929 musical film The Broadway Melody, introducing the song You Were Meant For Me. The film would be the first all-talking film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture. Other notable credits include introducing the song Orange Blossom Time in The Hollywood Revue Of 1929 the same year and introducing Happy Days Are Here Again in Chasing Rainbows the following year. Died aged 57 of pneumonia while on tour in England entertaining troops serving in the USO ~ King passed away in 1944
October 31, 1865 ~ Violinist Achille Rivarde, full name Serge Achille Rivarde, was born in New York, New York, USA ~ Principal violinist with the Orchestra Lamoureux from 1885 through 1891. Premiered Eduoard Lalo's Symphonie Espagnole in the UK in 1895. Professor at the Royal College Of Music in London from 1899 through 1936. Authored The Violin And Its Technique As A Means To The Interpretation Of Music ~ Rivarde passed away in 1940