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 ~ 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, 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, 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, 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, 1974 ~ Natasja Saad, mononymously known as reggae, reggae fusion, dancehall, hip-hop singer, rapper as Natasja, born in Copenhagen, Denmark ~ Internationally best known as vocalist on Enur's 2007 remix Calabria 2007, a club hit in the USA six months after her death in a car accident ~ Saad passed away in 2007
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 ~ 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, 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 has recorded several albums as a solo artist, starting with the eponymous Russ Ballard released in 1974. Ballard has also written for other artists, notably So You Win Again for Hot Chocolate
October 31, 1944 ~ Jazz drummer Sherman Ferguson, full name Sherman Eugene Ferguson, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Worked with Charles Earland, Shirley Scott, Don Patterson, Richard Groove Holmes, Pat Martino, Dizzy Gillespie, Horace Silver, Benny Carter, John Heard, Tom Ranier, Kenny Burrell, Benny Carter, Warne Marsh, Tete Montoliu, Bud Shank, and others ~ 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, 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