October 4, 1991 ~ R&B, pop, hip-hop singer, songwriter, actress Leigh-Anne Pinnock born in High Wycombe, UK ~ Member of girl group Little Mix, known for UK hits such as Cannonball, Wings, Salute, Black Magic, Secret Love Song featuring Jason Derülo, Shout Out To My Ex, A Woman Like Me featuring Nicki Minaj, and others
October 4, 1989 ~ Niatia Jessica Kirkland, commonly known as rapper, singer, actress, TV personality Lil' Mama, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ As a recording artist best known for the singles Lip Gloss and Shawy Get Loose, the latter featuring Chris Brown and T-Pain, both of which reached No.10 on the Bilboard singles chart in 2007
October 4, 1989 ~ Dequantes devontay lamar, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter Rich Homie Quan, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Influenced by Gucci Mane, TI, Lil' Wayne, OutKast and Goodie Mob. Known for a number of mid-2010s singles, notably Type Of Way and Flex (Ooh Ooh Ooh). Released his full-length Rich As In Spirit debut album in 2018
October 4, 1985 ~ Shontelle Layne, mononymously known as singer Shontelle, born in St James, Barbados ~ Released her Shontelligence debut album in 2008, spawning the modest hit T-Shirt. Would reach Billboard Hot 100 top 20 with Impossible of her 2010 No Gravity sophomore album
October 4, 1984 ~ Elena Sergeevna Katina, commonly known as Lena Katina, born in Moscow, Soviet Union ~ Best known as half of Tatu, the other half being singer Julia Volkova, known for international hits such as Not Gonna Get Us, All About Us and their debut single All The Thing's She Said which would top the charts in well over a dozen countries
October 4, 1982 ~ Saxophonist, songwriter YolanDa Brown, full name YolanDa Faye Brown, born in Barking, UK ~ Merges reggea, jazz and soul, described somewhat tongue-in-cheek as “posh reggea” by her. Active since the late 2000s. Acclaimed for her 2012 April Showers May Flowers album. Has collaborated with the likes of Billy Ocean, Morgan Heritage, Lemar, Michelle Williams, Julian Marley, Matt Cardle, Mica Paris, and others
October 4, 1977 ~ Indie rock, post-rock singer, bassist, keyboardist, guitarist, percussionist Richard Reed Parry born in Ottawa, Canada ~ Core member of indie rock outfit Arcade Fire, known for their breakout Funeral album released in 2004. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Music For Heart And Breath released in 2014, as well as with the Unicorns, Islands, the Bell Orchestre (As Seen Through Windows), Silver Starling, Sufjan Stevens, the National, Little Scream (Cult Following), Leonard Cohen (Thanks For The Dance), Rebecca Foon, and the Sadies
October 4, 1975 ~ Singer, songwriter Case, full name Case Woodward, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for a number of 1990s, early 2000s hits including Touch Me Tease Me featuring Foxxy Brown and Mary J Blige, Happily Ever After, The Best Man featuring Ginuwine, RL and Tyrese, Faded Pictures with Joe, Missin' You, Livin' It Up featuring Ja Rule
October 4, 1973 ~ Matthew Stephen Ward, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter M Ward, born in Oregon, USA ~ Folk and blues-inspired Americana. Member of indie pop duo She & Him, the other half being Zooey Deschanel. Member of folk supergroup the Monsters Of Folk. Released his solo debut, Duet For Guitars #2, in 1999. Has also collaborated with Cat Power, Neko Case, Beth Orton, the Court & Spark, Bright Eyes, Jenny Lewis, My Morning Jacket, and others
October 4, 1971 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Darren Middleton born in Brisbane, Australia ~ Influenced by Twisted Sister and AC/DC. Best known as member of Powderfinger and side project Drag. Previously worked with Sonic Tapestry and Pirate. Released his solo debut album, Translation in 2013 after the dissolution of Powderfinger, which featured guests such as Nic Jester, Bernard Fanning, Pete Murray, Paul Dempsey, Clare Bowditch, and Amy Findlay
October 4, 1970 ~ Country, rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Jaren Johnston, full name Jaren Ray Johnston, born ~ Son of drummer Jerry Ray Johnston. Member of the American Bang. Member of the Cadillac Three. Has co-written for others, including Keith Urban's You Gonna Fly and Raise 'Em Up, Tim McGraw's Southern, Dallas Smith's Tippin' Point, and Jake Owen's Days Of Gold and Beachin'
October 4, 1969 ~ Jazz, avant-garde jazz violinist Mat Maneri born in New York, New York, USA ~ Son of saxophonist Joe Maneri, with whom he also worked. Well over two dozen albums to his name as leader or co-leader, especially acclaimed for Fifty-One Sorrows and Blue Deco released respectively 1999 and 2000. Closely associated with Joe Morris and Matthew Shipp. Has also collaborated with Cecil Taylor, Guerino Mazzola, Gerald Cleaver, Tim Berne, Borah Bergman, Michael Formanek, and others
October 4, 1964 ~ Jazz bassist Robert Hurst in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Played guitar early in his career before switching to bass. His debut as a leader, 1993's Robert Hurst Presentss peaked at No.13 Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart. As a sideman Hurst played with Tony Williams, Mulgrew Miller, Harry Connick Jr, Geri Allen, Russell Malone, Steve Coleman, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis, Renee Rosnes, Bruce Barth, Vanessa Rubin, Dianne Reeves, Keb' Mo, Billy Cobham, Michael Bublé, Charles Lloyd, Diana Krall, Willie Nelson, Barbra Streisand, Norah Jones, Joe Louis Walker, Paul McCartney, Jill Scott, and others
October 4, 1961 ~ Juan Francisco Secada Ramirez, commonly known as singer, songwriter Jon Secada, born in Havana, Cuba ~ As a singer known for hits such as Just Another Day, Angel and If You Go. Has duetted with Jim Brickman, Olivia Newton-John and Frank Sinatra and as a songwriter has written or co-written songs for Gloria Estefan (Coming Out Of The Dark), Ricky Martin and for Jennifer Lopez
October 4, 1960 ~ Singer Anita Heilker, full name Antoinetta Johanna Margaretha Heiler, born in Schiedam, the Netherlands ~ Best known as member of pop girl group the Dolly Dots. Left the band in 1985. Heilker was present on top 10 hits in the Netherlands, starting in the late 1970s, including Tell It All About Boys, Hela-do-ladi-do, STOP, Do You Wanna Wanna, She's A Liar. Has released a number of solo singles, notably 1987's Don't Treat Me Like This, and a sole solo album Girl In Black. Works as a voice actress, best known for portraying Donald Duck in several Dutch Disney animatian TV series and films
October 4, 1960 ~ Country, country pop, country rock keyboardist Gregg Hubbard, also known as Gregg Hobie Hubbard, born in Apopke, Florida, USA ~ Co-founding member of country outfit Sawyer Brown. The musicians originally served as sountry singer Don King's touring band, but decided to stay together after King's retirement in 1981. The band has recorded over a dozen albums and would regularly reach the higher echelons of the Billboard Country charts from their inception through the mid-1990s, with the singles Step That Step, Some Girls Do, and Thank God For You all reaching the No.1 spot
October 4, 1960 ~ Producer, engineer, multi-instrumentalist Malcolm Burn born in Cornwall, Canada ~ Lead singer, keyboardist of the Boys Brigade. Played with artists such as Daniel Lanois (Acadie), Bob Dylan (Oh Mercy), the Neville Brothers (Yellow Moon) and Chris Whitley. As a producer best known for his work with Blue Rodeo, Emmylou Harris (Red Dirt Girl, Stumble Into Grace), Midnight Oil, Patty Griffin, Crash Vegas, Patti Smith (Gone Again), and others
October 4, 1959 ~ Singer Chris Lowe born in Blackpool, UK ~ Best known as half of the Pet Shop Boys, the other half being Neil Tennant, known for synth disco hits such as West End Girls, It's A Sin, Go West, Opportunities (Let's Make Lots Of Money), and What Have I Done To Deserve This
October 4, 1957 ~ Bassist Yngve Moe born in Tromsø, Norway ~ Member of Erter Kjøtt & Flesk until its disbandement in 1975. Touring member of Nøkken. Co-founding member of Dance With A Stranger, remaining with the band until his death. Has also worked with Oofotr, Marius Müller, Terje Nilsen, Nathalie Nordnes, and with Øivind Elgenes ~ Moe passed away in 2013
October 4, 1957 ~ Synth-pop, new wave, ambient, electronic singer, guitarist, bassist Zaine Griff, also known by the moniker Glenn Mikkelson, born in Auckland, New Zealand ~ Member of New Zealand rock band Human Instinct from age 16 and present on the band's The Hustler. After relocating to England in the mid-1970s became a part of the fledging new wave, new romantic scene initially as a member of Screemer. Released his Ashes And Diamonds debut solo album in 1980, followed by Figvres two years later, on which Kate Bush sang backup on Flowers. Griff returned to New Zealand by the mid-1980s to run a jazz club but would continue to record from time to time
October 4, 1956 ~ Rock & roll, punk rock, post-punk singer, drummer, guitarist, songwriter Ricky Williams, also known as Ricky Tractor, born in Palo Alto, California, USA ~ Original singer for Flipper, credited with naming the band though he left before they made any recordings. Has also worked with Crime, Sleepers, and with the Toiling Midgets ~ Williams passed away in 1992
October 4, 1953 ~ New age harpist Andreas Vollenweider born in Zurich, Switzerland ~ Leading new age musician with well over a dozen albums to his name since the early 1980s. Especially acclaimed for his 1983 Caverna Magica sophomore album. Primarily plays the electro-acoustic harp, an instrument of his own making. Has guested on recordings by Carly Simon, Luciano Pavarotti, Lou Bega, and Hans Zimmer, notably present on the latter's Tears Of The Sun soundtrack
October 4, 1952 ~ Drummer Jody Stephens born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Rose to fame as member of pioneering power-pop outfit Big Star, present on all of the original band's three albums starting with the acclaimed No.1 Record 1972 debut album. Has also worked with Golden Smog, with Luther Russell in Those Pretty Wrongs, with the Lemon Twigs and with the Reputations
October 4, 1949 ~ Lyric tenor John Aler born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Particularly known for his interpretations of works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Gioachino Rossini, Gaetano Donizetti, Vincenzo Bellini, and George Frideric Handel. Has performed with renowned orchestras including the Santa Fe Opera, the English National Opera, the Vienna Staatsoper, the Teatro Real, the New York City Opera, the Bayerische Staatsoper, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the London Sinfonietta, and others ~ Aler passed away in 2022
October 4, 1949 ~ Songwriter Stephen Allen Davis born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Has written over 400 songs. Well known songs include Take Time To Know Her (Percy Sledge), The Fool Strikes Again (David Houston), Don't Girls Get Lonely (Glenn Shorrock), Love Has A Mind Of Its Own (BJ Thomas), Radio Heart (Charly McClain), The Best Years Of My Life (Diana Ross), Stand Beside Me (Jo Dee Messina), and No Ordinary World (Joe Cocker). Others who recorded his songs include Tammy Wynette, Alabama, Little Texas, Reba McEntire, Charlie Rich, Barbara Mandrell, Johnny Rodriguez, Meat Loaf, Johnny Duncan, and Joe Stampley ~ Davis passed away in 2022
October 4, 1948 ~ Michael John Robillard, commonly known as guitarist Duke Robillard, born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, USA ~ Co-founding member of Roomful Of Blues, remaining with the band for a decade until his departure in 1979. Member of the Fabulous Thunderbirds including on the acclaimed 1991 Walk That Walk Talk That Talk album. Although primarily known as a blues, blues-rock, rockabilly guitarist Robillard has enjoyed a parallel solo career with well over 30 albums as a leader, playing jazz, swing, jump blues. Noted for his association with jazz guitarist Herb Ellis and as a member of New Guitar Summit alongside Gerry Beaudoin and Jay Geils. In-demand collaborator, appearing on albums by Al Copley, Snooky Pryor, Pinetop Perkins, Mark Hummel, Bob Dylan (Time Out Of Mind), Eddy Clearwater, Scott Hamilton, Al Basile, Jimmy Witherspoon, Billy Boy Arnold, Joe Louis Walker, and others
October 4, 1947 ~ Bassist Jim Fielder born in Denton, Texas, USA ~ Original member of Blood Sweat & Tears, remaining with the band from 1967 through 1973 and present on the band's most acclaimed albums 1968's Child Is Father To The Man and its eponymous Blood Sweat & Tears follow-up released the following year. Has also worked with classmate Tim Buckley, Buffalo Springfield, Bloomfield Kooper & Stills, Mastin & Brewer, and with the Bohemians
October 4, 1947 ~ Paul Alain Leclerc, commonly known as singer, pianist, songwriter Julien Clerc, born in Paris, France ~ Influenced by Georges Brassens and Edith Piaf. Closely associated with songwriters Maurice Vallet and Etienne Roda-Gil. Released his acclaimed eponymous Julien Clerc debut album in 1968. Would open for Gilbert Bécaud the next year. Best known for songs such as Hélène, La Californie and perhaps his best-known Cette Melodie
October 4, 1947 ~ Keyboardist Ronnie Leahy born in Glasgow, UK ~ Best known for his associations with artists such as Jack Bruce, Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, the Dukes, and with Nazareth. Would later play with White Trash, Stone The Crows and with the short-lived Tandoori Cassette
October 4, 1946 ~ Bridget Anne Hobbs, commonly known as folk rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Bridget St John, born in Surrey, UK ~ Best known for her first three albums, including her 1969 debut album Ask Me No Questions produced by label owner, renowned radio DJ John Peel. Duetted with Kevin Ayers on The Oyster And The Flying Fish of Ayers' 1970 Shooting At The Moon album. Would disappear from public view, and hardly record or perform, from the mid-1970s until her 1996 Take The Fifth album. Has collaborated with Mike Oldfield, Robin Frederick, Michael Chapman, and others
October 4, 1944 ~ Bassist Eddie Gomez born in San Juan, Puerto Rico ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for his work with Bill Evans, backing Evans on tour and on dozens of recordings from 1966 through 1977. Has also worked with Gerry Mulligan, Marian McPartland, Paul Bley, Steps Ahead, Chick Corea, the Manhattan Jazz Quintet, Randy Brecker, Joe Chambers, Billy Cobham, Eliane Elias, and others
October 4, 1944 ~ Maria de Los Angeles de las Heraz Ortiz, commonly known as mariachi, canción melodica singer, actress Rocio Dúrcal, born in Madrid, Spain ~ Awarded a 2005 Latin Grammy Award, a lifetime achievement award for her contributions to the genre. Known for recordings such as La Guirnalda, Como Tu Mujer, Vestida De Banco, El Destino and Infiel. Worked with Juan Gabriel, Marco Antonio Solís, Luis Sanz, Silvetti, and others ~ De las Heras passed away in 2006
October 4, 1942 ~ Composer Diogenes Rivas born in Merida, Venezuela ~ Co-founder, artistic director of the Festival Atemmpo, Caracas. Co-founder, co-artistic director of the Nuit d'Atempo, Paris. Has received comminssions from Radio France, the French Ministry of Culture, the Ensemble Aleph. Rivas is particularly known as a researcher of contemporary music, lecturer, and teacher of young composers
October 4, 1942 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist, singer Franco Gatti born in Genoa, Italy ~ Co-founded pop, Italo disco outfit Ricchi & Poveri in 1967, one of the most popular Italian pop acts selling over an estimated 20 million records. The band is acclaimed for their unique vocal style based on the intertwining of four different voices, bass, tenor, alto and soprano. Well known songs include L'Ultimo Amore, Mamma Maria, M'Innamore Di Te, Se M'Innamoro, and Sarà Perché Ti Amo. Internationally the group is best known for participating in the 1978 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 12th place with Questo Amore ~ Gatti passed away in 2022
October 4, 1942 ~ Joanna Jenneke Josepha Klarenbeek, commonly known as singer, comedienne, actress Jenny Arean, born in Lisse, the Netherlands ~ First gained attention in the early 1960s working with Wim Kan and Corry Vonk. Ventured into musicals by the 1970s, notably En Nu Naar Bed which spawned the hit single Vluchten Kan Niet Meer with Frans Halsema. The song has since become a staple of Dutch radio and remains a favorite to this day
October 4, 1940 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion bassist Steve Swallow born in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Closely associated with Jimmy Giuffre, Gary Burton, Carla Bley, also romanticaly involved with the latter since the 1980s. By the 1970s became one of the earliest jazz double bassists to switch entirely to electric bass guitar. As a composer his songs have been covered by Jim Hall, Bill Evans, Chick Corea and Stan Getz. Swallow has collaborated with Sheila Jordan, Steve Kuhn, Michael Mantler, John Scofield, Chico Hamilton, Pierre Favre, Pat Metheny, Paul Motian, and others
October 4, 1937 ~ Free jazz, blues, soul jazz, pop singer Leon Thomas, full name Amos Leon Thomas Jr, born in East St Louis, Illinois, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Referred to as “the John Coltrane of jazz vocalists”. Influenced James Moody, Tim Buckley, Bobby McFerrin. Worked with Armando Peraza, Jimmy Forrest, Grant Green, the Jazz Messengers, Dakota Staton, Pharoah Sanders, Freddie Hubbard, Santana (Welcome, Lotus), Gary Bartz, Jeri Brown, Louis Armstrong, Johnny Hodges, Archie Shepp, Malachi Thompson, and others ~ Thomas passed away in 1999
October 4, 1937 ~ Country steel guitarist Lloyd Green born in Leaf, Mississippi, USA ~ Notable for his session work with Lynn Anderson, Don Williams, George Hamilton IV, Johnny Paycheck, Jean Stafford, Johnny Cash, the Byrds, the Monkees, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Alan Jackson, and others
October 4, 1935 ~ Cynthia Sue Strother, commonly known as singer Cynthia Bell, born in Harlan County, Kentucky, USA ~ Formed the sibling duo the Bell Sisters with her baby sister Edith Bell, adopting their mother's maiden name as stage names. The duo would be discovered in 1951 performing Bermuda, written by Cynthia, on a local Los Angeles TV show. Music publisher Joe Happy Goday would take an interest in the sibling act and had them record the track. The single would reach top 10 on the pop charts the following year, and eventually sell a million copies. The sisters would have two more hits, Wheel Of Fortune which scratched the top 10, and Piece A'Puddin' which reached top 20 ~ Strother passed away in 2024
October 4, 1929 ~ Country singer, guitarist Leroy Van Dyke, full name Leroy Frank Van Dyke, born in Spring Fork, Missouri, USA ~ Recorded over 500 songs. Best known for the hit singles The Auctioneer and Walk On By. Other well known songs include If A Woman Answers Hang Up The Phone, Black Cloud, Roses From A Stranger, A Big Man In A Big House, Birmingham, and Just A State Of Mind
October 4, 1927 ~ Jazz pianist Walter Bishop Jr born in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Milt Jackson, Stan Getz, Charlie Parker, Hank Mobley, Jimmy Garrison, GT Hogan, Gene Ammons, Shorty Baker, Doc Cheatham, Art Blakey, Rocky Boyd, Miles Davis, Kenny Dorham, Curtis Fuller, John Handy, Bill Hardman, Ken McIntyre, Blue Mitchell, Oscar Pettiford, Dizzy Reece, Archie Shepp, and with Sonny Stitt ~ Bishop passed away in 1998
October 4, 1925 ~ Musical actor, singer Edmund Lyndeck born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA ~ Performed in regional theater for over a decade before making his Broadway debut in 1969, starring in the original production of 1776. Other notable credits include Into The Woods, Mrs Warren's Profession, A Doll's Life, Merlin and perhaps his best-known role as Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd ~ Lyndeck passed away in 2015
October 4, 1922 ~ Composer, conductor Dudley Simpson born in Malvern, Australia ~ Principal conductur of the Royal Opera House. Best known as a composer for British TV series, including for many Dr Who episodes of the 1960s and 1970s ~ Simpson passed away in 2017
October 4, 1921 ~ John Willie Henry, commonly known as bassist, arranger Shifty Henry, born in Edna, Texas, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for Let Me Go Home Whiskey, later also recorded by Amos Milburn and by Asleep At The Wheel, and Hyping Women Blues, covered by T-Bone Walker. Henry worked with Dinah Washington, Billy Eckstine, Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus, the Treniers, Illinois Jacquet, Miles Davis, and others. Mentioned by name in the Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller-pennned Jailhouse Rock in the line: “Shifty Henry said to Bugs, for heaven's sake, no one's looking, now's a chance to make a break.” ~ Henry passed away in 1958
October 4, 1914 ~ Marvin E Ashbaugh, commonly known as jazz, dixieland pianist Marvin Ash, born in Lamar, Colorado, USA ~ Influenced by Earl Hines, Fats Waller, James P Johnson, Arthur Schutt. Known for songs such as Maple Leaf Rag, Cannon Ball, Fidgety Feet. Has worked with Count Basie, Herman Waldman, Wingy Manone, and others ~ Ashbaugh passed away in 1974
October 4, 1909 ~ Jazz trumpeter, saxophonist Noel Chiboust born in Thorigny-sur-Marne, France ~ Worked as violinist with Ray Ventura, as trumpeter with Freddy Johnson, Michel Warlop, Coleman Hawkins, Guy Paquinet, and as saxophonist with Bill Coleman, Joe Keyes, Serge Glykson, Raymond Wraskoff, Fred Adison ~ Chiboust passed away in 1994
October 4, 1902 ~ Freeman Davis, commonly known as whistle, bone player, dancer, actor Brother Bones, born in Montgomery, Alabama, USA ~ Best known for his 1949 recording of the standard Sweet Georgia Brown, adopted as the theme song of the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team in 1952 ~ Davis passed away in 1974