October 7, 2022 ~ Latin jazz, hard bop, pop, soul saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist Ronnie Cuber, full name Ronald Edward Cuber, passed away ~ Leader and sideman. Active since the late 1950s. As a leader active since the mid-1970s, with well over a dozen albums to his name especially acclaimed for the albums Cuber Libre, The Scene Is Clean, NYC Ats and Ronnie. In-demand sideman in jazz, pop and soul, appearing on recordings by Slide Hampton, Maynard Ferguson, George Benson, Dr Lonnie Smith, Lee Konitz, Frank Zappa, Patti Austin, the J Geils Band (Freeze Frame), Grant Green, Billy Joel (Innocent Man), Paul Simon (Graceland), Dr John, and others ~ Cuber was born in 1941
October 7, 2020 ~ Conductor Alexander Alexeev, full name Alexander Vasilievich Alexeev, passed away in St Petersburg, Russia ~ Once offered the post of chief conductor with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra but forced to decline as he was not a member of the Communist Party and not allowed to travel outside the Soviet Union. Has worked with orchestras such as Ulyanovsk State Symphony Orchestra, the Bolshoi Theatre, the Kharkov Philharmonic Orchestra, the Moscow Radio Orchestra, and others ~ Alexeev was born in 1938
October 7, 2020 ~ Ramon Daniel Pennington, commonly known as country singer, drummer, pianist, guitarist, songwriter Ray Pennington, passed away in Hendersonville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for penning and first recording I'm A Ramblin' Man in 1967, notably covered by Waylon Jennings in 1974. Member of the Swing Shift Band ~ Pennington was born in 1933
October 7, 2018 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer John Wicks passed away in Burbank, California, USA ~ As a recording artist best known as lead singer and primary songwriter of Records. Solo artist from 1982 onwards. Produced and wrote, often with lyricist partner Will Birch, for others including the Searchers, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Too Much Joy, Michael Monroe, and others ~ Wicks was born in 1953
October 7, 2017 ~ Singer, songwriter Billy Roberts, full name William Moses Roberts Jr, passed away in Georgia, USA ~ Remembered for penning Hey Joe Where You Gonna Go, first recorded by the Leaves in 1965 but best known as recorded by Jimi Hendrix, retitled Hey Joe. The song has been covered by well over a hundred artists ~ Roberts was born in 1936
October 7, 2017 ~ James Beaumont, commonly known as singer Jimmy Beaumont, passed away in Mckeesport, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Lead singer of doo-wop outfit the Skyliners, known for songs such as This I Swear, Pennies From Heaven, It Happened Today, Close Your Eyes, Comes Love and their best known Since I Don't Have You, the latter reaching the Billboard top 20 in 1958 ~ Beaumont was born in 1940
October 7, 2015 ~ Jazz drummer Ray Appleton, full name Otis Ray Appleton, passed away ~ Worked with Jimmy Witherspoon, Freddie Hubbard, John Coltrane, Wes Montgomery, and others ~ Appleton was born in 1941
October 7, 2012 ~ Free jazz saxophonist, composer John Tchicai, full name John Martin Tchicai, passed away in Perpignan, France ~ Revered leader and sideman present on several pivotal jazz, free jazz albums including John Coltrane's Ascension and Albert Ayler's New York Eye And Ear Control. Founded Cadentia Nova Danica. Member of the Amsterdam Instant Composers Pool. Member of the New York Art Quartet. Also worked with the New York Contemporary Five, Archie Shepp, Dell Westergaard Lillinger, and others ~ Tchichai was born in 1936
October 7, 2010 ~ Terry Lavitz, commonly known as keyboardist T Lavitz, passed away ~ Gained attention in the early 1980s as a member of Dixie Dregs, first appearing on the Dregs Of The Earth album. After the band's initial disbandement in 1983 would go on to work with Paul Barrere, the Bluesbusters, Mother's Finest, Bill Bruford, Billy Cobham, Widespread Panic, Jefferson Starship, Jazz Is Dead, Rob Wasserman, and others. Lavitz also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album Extended Play released in 1984 ~ Lavitz was born in 1956
October 7, 2009 ~ Producer, label executive Shelby Singleton passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Producer at Mercury Records incremental to the careers of Leroy Van Dyke, Ray Stevens, Joe Dowell, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roger Miller, Charlie Rich, Dave Dudley, and Brook Benton. Started his own label by the early-1960s, scoring with hits such as Hey Paul Hey Paula by Paul & Paula and Harper Valley PTA by Jeannie C Riley. Bought Sun Records in 1969 ~ Singleton was born in 1931
October 7, 2009 ~ Guitarist Steve Ferguson born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Co-founding member of NRBQ, remaining with the band from 1966 through 1970 and briefly rejoining in 1973 ~ Ferguson was born in 1948
October 7, 2003 ~ Composer, music critic, author Arthur Berger, full name Arthur Victor Berger, passed away in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Co-founded the academic music journal Perspectives Of New Music, a journal focusing on music theory and analysis. As a composer influenced by Igor Stravinsky, Arnold Schoenberg, Anton Webern. Best known for neoclassical works such as Serenade Concertante and Three Pieces For Strings ~ Berger was born in 1912
October 7, 2003 ~ Saxophonist, composer Peter Gullin passed away in Uppsala, Sweden ~ Son of jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Lars Gullin, brother of conductor Gabriella Gullin ~ Gullin was born in 1959
October 7, 2002 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Pierangelo Bertoli passed away in Modena, Italy ~ Close to two dozen album to his name starting with Rosso Colore Dell'amore released in 1974. Known for his strong political convictions bordering on libertarian communism, his song subjects focusing on issues such as the environment, antimilitarism and the plight of marginalized and rebellious people ~ Bertoli was born in 1942
October 7, 1997 ~ Eddie Ray White, commonly known as country singer, guitarist Johnny Darrell, passed away in Kennesaw, Georgia, USA ~ Perhaps best known for first recording the Curly Putman-penned Green Green Grass Of Home, which did not chart but would later notably be covered by over an estimated 250 artists including Porter Wagoner, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tom Jones, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley. Darrell did reach the Billboard Country top 10 with the Mel Tillis-penned single Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town in 1967, later notably recorded by Kenny Rogers , and with the Bobby Goldsboro-penned With Pen In Hand in 1968 ~ Darrell was born in 1940
October 7, 1992 ~ Jazz drummer Ed Blackwell, full name Edward Joseph Blackwell, passed away in Hartford, Connecticut, USA ~ Rose to fame backing Ornette Coleman, including on pivotal albums such as Free Jazz and The Art Of The Improvisers. In-demand sideman, present on albums by the American Jazz Quintet, Eric Dolphy (Here And There), Don Cherry (Complete Communion), Karl Berger, Archie Shepp (On This Night), Clifford Jordan (In The World), Albert Heath, Stanley Cowell, Marion Brown, Old And New Dreams, Anthony Davis, and Mal Waldron ~ Blackwell was born in 1929
October 7, 1988 ~ Jazz guitarist, bass guitarist Ulysses Livingston passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Roadie for Horace Henderson. Would go on to work as a musician with artists such as Lil' Armstrong, Frankie Newton, Sammy Price, Coleman Hawkins, Benny Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, Cee Pee Johnson, Spirits Of Rhythm, his own band the Four Blazes, and others ~ Livingston was born in 1912
October 7, 1985 ~ Jazz, Latin jazz pianist, composer Alfredo Rodriguez born in Havana, Cuba ~ Worked with Quincy Jones, Tan Dun, Siedah Garrett, Gaston Joya, Michael Oliveira, and others
October 7, 1984 ~ Evans Ingersoll, commonly known as rapper Chuck Inglish, born in Mt Clemens, Michigan, USA ~ Half of hip-hop duo Cool Kids, the other half being Sir Michael Rocks. Debuted as a solo artist with the Convertibles album in 2014
October 7, 1983 ~ Jazz pianist Aaron Parks born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Terence Blanchard including on the Grammy Award-winning A Tale Of God's Will (A Requiem For Katrina) album. Member of James Farm alongside Joshua Redman, Matt Penman, and Eric Harland. Has also worked with Kurt Rosenwinkel, Mike Moreno, Christian Scott, Dayne Stephens, Wynton Marsalis, Kendrick Scott, Ambrose Akinmusire, Gretchen Parlato, Sara Leib, Lage Lund, Derrick Hodge, Dhafer Youssef, Ben Wendel, and others
October 7, 1983 ~ Steven Ellison, commonly known as jazz rap, hip-hop, experimental rapper, producer Flying Lotus born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ As a solo artist released a full-length solo album, 1983, in 2006 and has been recording steadily since. Composed several soundtracks. As a collaborator and producer worked with Woke, Snoop Dogg, Herbie Hancock, Mickey Factz, Kendrick Lamar, Thundercat, Mac Miller, José James, Dudley Perkins, Oddisee, Chance The Rapper, and others
October 7, 1982 ~ Pop singer, actress Anastasia Stotskaya, full name Anastasia Aleksandrovna Stotskaya, born in Kiev, Ukraninian SSR ~ Discovered by Philipp Kirkorov. Released her eponymous Anastasia Stotskaya debut album in 2003. Best known for the songs Veny-reki and The Woman Who Sings
October 7, 1978 ~ Singer, rapper, songwriter Alesha Dixon, full name Alesha Anjanette Dixon, born in Welwyn Garden, UK ~ Alongside Sabrina Washington and Su-Elise Nash a member of Mis-Teeq from its inception in 1999 to its disbandement in 2005. The band would score a string of UK top 10 hits including Why, All I Want, B With Me and Scandalous, the latter also reaching the American top 40
October 7, 1978 ~ Folk-rock, blues-rock, cowpunk, Americana, R&B singer, guitarist, songwriter Nathaniel Rateliff, full name Nathaniel David Rateliff, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Local folk-hero in Denver area. Fronts Born In The Flood. Fronts the Wheel. Fronts the Night Sweats. Best known for the 2015 single SOB of his Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats album
October 7, 1976 ~ Jazz drummer, bandleader Charles Edward Kerr passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity in the 1920s and 1930s. Has worked with sidemen such as Tommy Dorsey, Stan Keller, Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang. Kerr retired form music by the late 1940s to open his own furniture store in Miami ~ Kerr was born in 1890
October 7, 1976 ~ Tatana Sterba, commonly known as dance, trance DJ, producer DJ Tatana, born in Uherske Hradiste, Czechoslovakia ~ First gained attention with the 1999 single End Of Time, a collaborative effort with DJ Energy. Released a full-length debut album, 24 Carat, the next year. Would go on to become one of the most successful Swiss artists of the 2000s releasing a string of charting trance albums
October 7, 1976 ~ Singer Taylor Hicks, full name Taylor Reuben Hicks born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Winner of the 2006 edition of American Idol. Would release an eponymous debut album, Taylor Hicks, the same year. Has been recording since and has starred on Broadway and in Las Vegas
October 7, 1975 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, power pop singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Damian Kulash, full name Damian Joseph Kulash Jr, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Lead singer, guitarist of OK Go, known best for their 2006 Here It Goes Again single of the sophomore Oh No album
October 7, 1974 ~ Singer Brenda Lee records Rock On Baby ~ Written by Johnny Wilson and Gene Dobbins. Backed by the Holiday Sisters. Released the following October, paired with More Than A Memory on the flipside, it would reach top 10 of the Billboard Country charts, top 20 in Canada
October 7, 1974 ~ Anna Jenny Charlotte Nilsson, commonly known as pop singer, TV personality Charlotte Perrelli, born in Hovmanthorp, Sweden ~ One of Sweden's most popular pop singers, drawing from dansband, schlager, pop, ballads and jazz. Internationally best known for winning the 1999 Eurovision Songfestival for Sweden with the song Take Me To Your Heaven. Also competed in the 2008 Eurovision edition, reaching 18th place with the song Hero
October 7, 1974 ~ Dominic Salole, commonly known as pop, jazz, hip-hop, electronic singer, guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, drummer Mocky, born in Saskatchewan, Canada ~ Released his In Mesopotamia solo debut album in 2002. Member of loose collective the Canadian Crew and bands such as the Puppetmastaz, the Shit, Son, DOM, the Freeway Band and the Roustabouts. In-demand producer and songwriter, having worked with Jamie Lidell, Feist, Kelela, Matt Corby, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Vulfpeck, Moses Sumney, Selah Sue, Nikka Costa, GZA, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Chilly Gonzales, Peaches, and others
October 7, 1973 ~ Dominic Smith, commonly known as jungle, drum and bass MC Dynamite MC, born in Gloucester, UK ~ First gained attention sharing vocal dutues with Onallee as a member of jungle, drum and bass outfit Reprazent. Would move towards hip-hop collaborating with artists such as the Nextmen, High Contrast, Caspa, DJ Skitz, DJ Zinc, and others. Release his full-length debut solo album, The World Of Dynamite in 2004
October 7, 1970 ~ Luis Quintanilla, commonly known as turntablist DJ Disk, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Founding member of the Invisbl Skratch Piklz. Founding member of El Stew. Credited with introducing several scratching techniques, including the echo fade. Has collaborated with numerous artists from various genres, notably workng with Herbie Hancock, Bill Laswell, Buckethead, Zakir Hussain, Norah Jones, Flavor Flav, Rancid, Primus, Jack DeJohnette, and others
October 7, 1970 ~ Timothy Jerome Parker, commonly known as alternative hip-hop rapper Gift Of Gab, born in Sacramento, California, USA ~ Regarded as one of the best underground rappers to come out of the Bay Area. Formed the duo Blackalicious with DJ Chief Xcel. As a solo artist acclaimed for his 2004 4th Dimension Rocketships Going Up and 2009's Escape 2 Mars albums. Has collaborated with Galactic, DJ Z-Trip, Del The Funky Homosapien, Chali 2na, Watsky, and others ~ Parker passed away in 2021
October 7, 1970 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, dream pop, shoegazing singer, guitarist, lyricist, songwriter Neil Halstead born in Reading, UK ~ Frontman and main songwriter of shoegazing band Slowdive best known for Catch The Breeze of their 1991 just For A Day debut album. After the band disbanded in 1995 would go on to work with Mojave 3, Bernard Butler, Alcest, and others as well as release a number of acclaimed solo albums merging alt-country with psychedelic dream pop starting with the Sleeping On Roads album released in 2001
October 7, 1968 ~ Alternative rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Adam Franklin born in Essex, UK ~ Best known for fronting Swervedriver. Has also recorded as a solo artist, at times using the moniker Toshack Highway, and has collaborated with Magnetic Morning, Sophia, Shake Appeal, and others
October 7, 1968 ~ Juan Manuel Cascales, commonly known as arranger, bandleader Johnny Richards, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Brother of saxophonist, bandleader Chuck Cabot. Pivotal arranger especially known for his association with Stan Kenton (in particular Cuban Fire, and Kenton's West Side Story). Richards also worked with Charlie Barnet, Hugo Loewenstern and Harry James and released several albums as a bandleader ~ Cscales was born in 1911
October 7, 1968 ~ Alternative rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Thom Yorke, full name Thomas Edward Yorke, born in Wellingborough, UK ~ Considered one of the most influential frontmen of his generation. Co-founded Radiohead in 1985, instantly drawing attention with their 1993 Pablo Honey debut album and especially its Creep lead single. By the end of the decade the band's sophomore The Bends album and subsequently OK Computer had made them international stars, critically acclaimed and with a devout and growing following
October 7, 1967 ~ Jazz, classical violinist, trumpeter, hornist Adam Taubitz born in Chorzow, Poland ~ Best known as co-founding member of the Berlin Philharminc Jazz Group, and as member of the Aura Quartet. Has also played both as a leader and sideman with artists such as Kirk Lightsey, Philip Catherine, Famoudou Don Moye, Julio Barreto, David Klein, Andy Scherrer, Emmanuel Pahud, Makhaya Ntshoko, Gerard Wyss, Kai Rautenberg, Domenic Landolf, Daniel Schnyder, Thomas Quasthoff, Ole Edvard Antonsen, Angelika Milster, Dieter Hallervorden, Thomas Hampson, Nigel Kennedy, and others
October 7, 1967 ~ Pop, rock singer, pianist, violinist, guitarist, songwriter, actress Ellen ten Damme born in Warnsveld, the Netherlands ~ Sings in Dutch, German, French. Member of punk, punk rock outfit Soviet Sex. First gained serious attention with her 1988 single Trust In A Feeling of the Honneponnetje soundtrack. Best known for Wat Is Dromen, a collaborative single with de 3JS released in 2010. Especially popular in Germany both as a singer and in-demand actress for her fluent German.
October 7, 1967 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Luke Haines born in Walton-on-Thames, UK ~ First gained attention with the Auteurs, founded with Glenn Collins and girlfriend Alice Readman, debuting in 1993 with their New Wave album. The band would be influential to Britpop though Haines would come to dislike the term. Haines would also record as a solo artist, be involved in several side projects including Blackbox Recorder and Baader Meinhof, and compose the 2001 Christie Mairy's Own Double Entry soundtrack
October 7, 1967 ~ Nancy Claire Vernon, commonly known as singer, actress Nan Vernon, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Discovered by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics. Cites Cole Porter, Elvis Presley, Tom Waits, Billie Holiday, the Velvet Underground, Bettie Serveert, John Lennon, Leonard Cohen, as influences. Debuted with the My Love album in 1990
October 7, 1967 ~ R&B singer Toni Braxton born in Severn, Maryland, USA ~ Member of sibling outfit the Braxtons. Their first single, Good Life, would chart poorly but did attract attention from label executive LA Reid and producer Kenneth Babyface Edmonds and would launch Toni's career. Her eponymous Toni Braxton debut album would reach No.1 on the Billboard Hot 200, the accompanying singles Another Sad Love Song, Breathe Again and You Mean The World To Me all reaching top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Braxton would continue to record to commercial success well into the 2000s, selling in total over an estimated 70 million records
October 7, 1966 ~ Overton Amos Lewis, commonly known as singer Smiley Lewis, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Known for about half a dozen 1950s singles, most notably Tee Nah Nah, Blue Monday, I Hear You Knocking and One Night Of Sin. The latter would be covered by Elvis Presley with slightly altered, less risque lyrics as One Night ~ Lewis was born in 1913
October 7, 1964 ~ Jazz trumpeter Nick Travis passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Johnny McGhee, Vido Musso, Mitchell Ayres, Woody Herman, Ray McKinley, Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, Tommy Dorsey, Tex Beneke, Jerry Gray, Bob Chester, Elliot Lawrence, Jimmy Dorsey, Gerry Mulligan, Thelonious Monk, and others ~ Travis was born in 1925
October 7, 1964 ~ Singer Sam Brown born in Stratford, UK ~ Daughter of singer, guitarist Joe Brown and singer Vicki Brown. Backing vocalist for artists such as Gary Moore, George Harrison, the Small Faces, Spandau Ballet, Adam Ant, Jon Lord, Pink Floyd (The Division Bell), the Firm, Dodgy and Nick Cave. As a solo artist known for a string of 1980s, 1990s singles, notably Can I Get A Witness, Kissing Gate and her best-known Stop, the latter reaching the UK top 10. Formed Homespun in 2003 with David Rotheray
October 7, 1963 ~ Singer Ann Curless, full name Ann Katherine Curless, born in Albany, New York, USA ~ Member of Exposé from 1986 to 1996, sang lead on Stop Listen Look & Think, As Long As I Can Dream, and In Walked Love. Also wrote or co-wrote songs for the Degrees Of Motion, Celi Bee, and for Angela Bofill
October 7, 1963 ~ Keith Matthew Thornton, commonly known as rapper Kool Keith, born ~ Co-founding member of the Ultramagnetic MC's. Also known under the monnikers Dr Octagon and Dr Doom. Debuted as a solo artist with the 1996 album Dr Octagonecologyst. One of hip-hop's most eccentric personalities known for his surreal, abstract and often profane or incomprehensible lyrics. Smack My Bitch Up, a hit for the Prodigy, was based on a sample of Keith saying “change my pitch up, smack my bitch up”
October 7, 1963 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones record I Wanna Be Your Man at Kingsway Sound, London, UK ~ Written by the Beatles' John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Produced by Andrew Loog Oldham and Eric Easton. The recording featured Mick Jagger lead vocals, Brian Jones on slide guitar, Keith Richards rhythm guitar, Bill Wyman bass and Charlie Watts drums. It would be released in November as their sophomore UK single, paired with Stoned on the flipside
October 7, 1962 ~ Country, alt-country singer, guitarist, songwriter Dale Watson, full name Kenneth Dale Watson, born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Maverick carrying on the torch of hard-edged old-school country and subgenres, specifically trucking songs, adding a modern rock feel. Debuted in 1995 with the Cheatin' Heart Attack album and has been recording to critical acclaim and a devoted cult following since
October 7, 1962 ~ Francis Hillman Blackwell, commonly known as blues guitarist, singer Scrapper Blackwell, passed away in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Worked with Leroy Carr in the 1920s and 1930s, noted for recordings such as 1928's How Long How Long Blues. As a solo artist made pivotal recordings such as Kokomo Blues, which would later be reworked into Old Kokomo Blues by Kokomo Arnold and into Sweet Home Chicago by Robert Johnson ~ Hillman was born in 1903
October 7, 1961 ~ Peter Cassidy, commonly known as crossover thrash, thrash metal, hardcore punk guitarist, songwriter Spike Cassidy, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of DRI, an acronym for “Dirty Rotten Imbeciles.” Along with singer Kurt Brecht the only other constant member of the band, critically acclaimed for their 1985 Dealing With It album. Has also produced sludge metal band Acid Bath's 1994 When The Kite String Pops debut album
October 7, 1957 ~ Christian rock, pop-rock singer, songwriter Michael W Smith born in Kenova, West Virginia, USA ~ Sold over 18 million records. Multiple Grammy Award-winner. Charted in both Contemporary gospel and pop charts. Known for Place In This World, a Billboard top 10 hit in 1991
October 7, 1957 ~ Jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger Morten Halle born in Oslo, Norway ~ Worked with Cutting Edge, Oslo 13, Knut Værnes, Jon Balke, Søyr, Chipahua, Geir Holmsen, the Jazzpunkensemblet, Desfinado, Horns For Hire, Jan Magne Førde, Jan Eggum, Marianne Antonsen, Jørun Bøgeberg, Anders Jormin, Svante Henryson, the Teddybears, Viggo Sandvik, Maj Britt Andersen, and others
October 7, 1955 ~ Cellist Yo-Yo Ma born in Paris, France ~ Crossover classical cellist, recording in a wide variety of genres including bluegrass, tango, world music, folk. Child prodigy. Has worked with leading classical orchestras as well as pop and rock musicians inlcuding Carlos Santana, James Taylor and Bobby McFerrin. Over 90 albums and well over a dozen Grammy Awards to his name. Especially acclaimed for albums such as Yo-Yo Ma (Music That Matters To Him), Oigang Chen Iris Devoilee and Hope Amid Tears (Beethoven Cello Sonatas)
October 7, 1951 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter John Mellencamp born in Seymour, Indiana, USA ~ Heartland rocker. Influenced by Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, James Brown, the Rolling Stones. Recording since the mid 1970s. Known for hits such as Jack And Diane, the Grammy Award-winning Hurts So Good, Crumbling Down, Pink Houses, Lonely Old Night, Small Town, ROCK In The USA, Paper In Fire and Cherry Bomb
October 7, 1951 ~ Hard rock, metal singer Marc Storace born in Silema, Malta ~ Best known as frontman of Krokus. Drew critical comparison to AC/DC's Bon Scott and Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant. Has also recorded as a solo artist as well as with acts such as TEA and Warrior. As an actor appeared in the films Anuk and Handyman, also contributing to both soundtracks
October 7, 1951 ~ Guitarist Míchael O Dhomhnaill born in Kells, Ireland ~ Major influence on traditional Irish musicians, especially through his innovative work with Skara Brae and with the Bothy Band. The former would be the first group to record vocal hrmonies in Irish language songs, the latter is widely regarded as one of the most important groups in Irish traditional music. Has also workled with Kevin Burke, Relativity and with Nightnoise ~ Domhnaill passed away in 2006
October 7, 1949 ~ Bassist, songwriter Dave Hope born in Kansas, USA ~ Original member of progressive rock band Kansas, best known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Carry On Wayward Son and Dust In The Wind. Following the band's disbandement in 1983 Hope founded the Christian rock band AD
October 7, 1949 ~ Singer, songwriter Kieran Kane born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Formed the country duo the O'Kanes with Jamie O'Hara, known for a string of late 1980s singles including the Billboard Country top 10 hits Can't Stop My Heart From Loving You, Daddies Need To Grow Up Too, Just Lovin' You, One True Love and Blue Love. Following the duo's disbandement in 1990, Kane returned to a solo career. Kane also collaborated with Kevin Welch and Fats Kaplin, recording a number of albums under the group moniker Kane Welch Kaplin starting with You Can't Save Everybody released in 2004
October 7, 1947 ~ Philip Malcolm Williams, commonly known as guitarist, arranger, producer Pip Williams, born ~ Member of the Fantastics and the Vagabonds. Sessioned throughout the 1970s, notably present on tracks such the Sweet's Poppa Joe and the Walker Brothers' No Regrets. Would go on to work as a producer, closely associated with Status Quo and the Moody Blues. Produced Jim Diamond's I Should Have Known Better hit single, which topped the UK charts in 1984
October 7, 1946 ~ Bernard Oulion, commonly known as jazz singer, songwriter, actor Bernard Lavilliers, born in St Etienne, France ~ Active since the late 1960s. Known for songs such as Noir Et Blanc, On The Road Again, and the Jimmy Cliff-collaboration Melody Tempo Harmony
October 7, 1946 ~ Singer, songwriter Noel Nicola born ~ Considered a leading figure in the cuban nueve trova alongside artists such as Silvio Rodriguez, Pablo Milanés and Vicente Feliu Miranda ~ Nicola passed away in 2005
October 7, 1945 ~ Guitarist, dobro player Bob Webber born in Ogden, Utah, USA ~ Original member of Sugarloaf through 1973, present on the 1970 single Green-eyed Lady, which made the top 10 in America and Canada
October 7, 1945 ~ Singer, drummer, keyboardist, songwriter, producer Kevin Godley born in Manchester, UK ~ Regular collaborator of Lol Creme, including in the Sabres, Hotlegs and most notably in art rock band 10cc, enjoying a particular successful run on the UK charts in the 1970s. The band is known for their irony-laden, tongue-in-cheek and over-the-top style, drawing from a wide variety of genres. Starting with their 1974 Sheet Music sophomore album they would score five consecutive UK top 10 albums. Welll-known songs include Rubber Bullets, The Wall Street Shuffle, Life Is A Minestrone, I'm Not In Love, Art For Art's Sake, I'm Mandy Fly Me, The Things We Do For Love and perhaps their best-known Dreadlock Holiday, all of which reached top 10 in the UK. The duo would depart the band in 1977 and become known as Godley & Creme, directing music videos for others and from time to time recording as a duo, notably the 1985 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit Cry
October 7, 1943 ~ Bandleader Jimmy Dorsey & his Orchestra record Besamo Mucho ~ Written and originally recorded by Consuelo Velázquez this bolero would become one of the most popular Latin songs, covered by many. Released as a single by Dorsey featuring vocalists Bob Eberly and Kitty Kallen, b/w My Ideal, in December 1943
October 7, 1942 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Andrea Lo Vecchio born in Milan, Italy ~ Active as a solo artist since the early 1960s, scoring a record deal with CBS after winning a talent contest in 1963. In-demand songwriter and collaborator. Closely associated with Roberto Vecchioni and Mina. Internationally perhaps best known for co-penning If I Only Had Time, a 1969 hit for John Rowles. Has also worked with Adriano Celentano, Shirley Bassey, Gigliola Cinquetti, Mireille Mathieu, Demis Roussos, Claude François, Ivan Graziani, Manuel De Peppe, I Nuovi Angeli, and others ~ Lo Vecchio passed away in 2021
October 7, 1941 ~ Rhythm guitarist Martin Murray born in London, UK ~ Original rhythm guitarist of the Honeycombs, present on their 1964 million-seller Have I The Right. Replaced by Peter Pye in November 1946. Murray was also a member of the Lemmings
October 7, 1941 ~ R&B, soul singer Tony Silvester born in Panama ~ Orginal member of 1970s R&B outfit Main Ingredient, remaining with the band through the mid-1970s replaced by Cark Tompkins only to reunite in 1979. Present on the band's best known including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Everybody Plays The Fool and Just Don't Want To Be Lonely ~ Silvester passed away in 2006
October 7, 1940 ~ Keyboardist, organist Larry Young born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Acclaimed organ innovator active in soul jazz, avant-garde, fusion. Influenced by Jimmy Smith and John Coltrane. Frequently collaborated with Grant Green and Elvin Jones in the mid-1960s. About a dozen albums as a leader, noted especially for his 1965 release Unity which also featured Joe Henderson and a young Woody Shaw. Backed Tony Williams on Emergency. Backed Miles Davis on Bitches Brew. Other notable collaborations include Jimmy Forrest, Thornel Schwartz (Soul Cookin'), Gildo Mahones, Buddy Terry, John McLaughlin (Devotion), Lenny White (Venusian Summer), and Steve Khan ~ Young passed away in 1978
October 7, 1939 ~ Saxophonist, guitarist, singer Colin Cooper born in Stafford, UK ~ Co-founding member of the Climax Blues Band, remaining with the band until his death. the band is best known for their 1976 Couldn't Get It Right which reached top 10 in their native England ~ Cooper passed away in 2008
October 7, 1939 ~ Blues guitarist, singer Mel Brown born in Jackson, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known for his association with Bobby Blue Bland. Also a solo artist with over a dozen albums to his name starting with Chicken Fat in 1967. Has worked with Clifford Coultier, BB King, Albert Collins, James Cotton, Lightnin' Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, Jimmy McGriff, Doug Sahm, Earl Hooker, T-Bone Walker, and others ~ Brown passed away in 2009
October 7, 1939 ~ Singer, blues harpist Tony Glover born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Best known as a member of Koerner Ray & Gloever. Formed Nine Below Zero. Taught harmonica to David Johanson and to Mick Jagger ~ Glover passed away in 2019
October 7, 1937 ~ Chester William Powers Jr, commonly known as rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Dino Valenti, born in Danbury, Connecticut, USA ~ Perhaps best known for writing the 1960s anthem Get Together most notably recorded by the Youngbloods. Member of pivotal 1960s psychedelic rock band Quicksilver Messenger Service, for whom he wrote and sang lead on the band's best-known including Fresh Air and What About Me ~ Powers passed away in 1994
October 7, 1936 ~ Elio Osacar, commonly known as Latin jazz, jazz pianist Sonny Bravo born ~ Closely associated with Tipica '73 in the 1970s, and with Tito Puente from the 1980s onwards. Has also worked with Jimmy Sabater, George Benson, Rubén Blades, Dimension Latina, José Fajardo, Mongo Santamaria, Louie Ramirez, Johnny Pacheco, Tito Nieves, Justo Betancourt, Terry Gibbs, Hector Ramos, Johnny Rodriguez, Daniel Santos, Janis Siegel, and others
October 7, 1934 ~ Guitarist, luthier Dan Armstrong, full name Dan Kent Armstrong, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known as an instrument builder, his line of guitars, basses and amplifiers used by artists such as Randy Jo Hobbs, Keith Richards, Randy California, Lou Reed, Steve Miller, Greg Ginn, Dave Grohl, Geezer Butler, Paul McCartney, Phil Lynott, Randy Rhoads, Ronnie Wood, King Buzzo, Joe Perry, Ronnie Lane, George Kooymans, Rich Robinson, Josh Homme, Jack Bruce, John Frusciante, and others. Once romantically involved with singer Carly Simon, who wrote the song Dan My Fling of her 1971 eponymous Carly Simon debut album about him ~ Armstrong passed away in 2004
October 7, 1930 ~ Jazz trumpeter George Girard born ~ Co-founded the Basin Street SIx. Has worked with Johnny Archer, Phil Zito, Pete Fountain, Bob Havens, Paul Evans, Bob Coquille, and others ~ Girard passed away in 1957
October 7, 1928 ~ Singer, pianist, poet, songwriter Raymond Lévesque born in Montreal, Canada ~ Pioneer of Canadian chansonni9er tradition. Perhaps best known for penning Quand Les Hommes Vivront D'Amour, which quickly became a standard covered by numerous artists including Fabienne Thibeault, Michel Louvain, Félix Leclerc, Robert Charlebois, Céline Dion, and others ~ Lévesque passed away in 2021
October 7, 1927 ~ Alfred Cini, commonly known as singer Al Martino born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Popular Italian-American pop crooner from the early 1950s through the mid-1970s. Sang in nightclubs and recorded a handful of songs for Jubilee but got his big break winning first place on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts performing Perry Como's If. This led to a record deal and the release of his breakthrough single Here In My Heart. It would top the pop charts in America and the UK. It also attracted the attention of the maffia who bought out Cini's management contract and ordered him to pay $75,000 to safeguard their investment. Cini moved to Britain, continuing to record and perform. He would later play the role of Johnny Fontane in the movie The Godfather ~ Cini passed away in 2009
October 7, 1925 ~ Jazz drummer Alvin Stoller born in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Charlie Barnet, Billie Holiday, Mel Tormé, Frank Sinatra, Mitch Miller, Roy Eldridge, Oscar Peterson, Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Benny Carter, Herb Ellis, Erroll Garner, Buddy Bregman, Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis Jr, Harry Sweets Edison, Phineas Newborn Jr, Pete Rugolo, Jimmy Giuffre, and others ~ Stoller passed away in 1992
October 7, 1924 ~ Marin Flachsenhaar Jr, commonly known as jazz saxophonist Marty Flax, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Louis Jordan, Dizzy Gillespie, Pérez Prado, Tito Puente, Les Elgart, Claude Thornhill, Quincy Jones, Melba Liston, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Sammy Davis Jr, Sam Most, Nat Pierce, Frank Rehak, Pete Rugolo, and others ~ Flachsenhaar passed away in 1972
October 7, 1921 ~ Pianist Yaltah Menuhin born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Younger sister of violinist Yehudi Menuhin and pianist Hephzibah Menuhin. Premiered works composed by Erich Zeisl, George Antheil, Ernst Krenek, Louis Gruenberg, Walter Piston, and others ~ Menuhin passed away in 2001
October 7, 1916 ~ Jazz saxophonist Joe Evans, full name Joseph James Evans, born in Pensacola, Florida, USA ~ Active from the late 1930s through the mid 1960s. In-demand sideman, serving in big bands led by the likes of Jay McShann, Jimmy Forrest, Gene Ramey, Don Redman, and Louis Armstrong ~ Evans passed away in 2014
October 7, 1914 ~ Alfred Capuro, commonly known as actor, singer Alfred Drake, born in New York, New York, USA ~ As a musical actor and singer featured in the original Broadway productions of Oklahoma, Kiss Me Kate and Kismet as well as Babes In Arms and Kismet, earning a Tony Award for the latter ~ Capuro passed away in 1992
October 7, 1911 ~ Drummer Jo Jones, full name Jonathan David Samuel Jones born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Hugely influential on Buddy Rich, Kenny Clarke, Roy Haynes, Max Roach, Louie Bellson. Leader and sideman. Worked with Walter Page, Lloyd Hunter, Count Basie, Freddie Green, Gene Ammons, Art Blakey, Bob Brookmeyer, Ray Bryant, Milt Buckner, Blossom Dearie, Roy Eldridge, Ella Fitzgerald, Cass Harrison, Woody Herman, Illinois Jacquet, Budd Johnson, Thad Jones, Charles Mingus, Oscar Peterson, Paul Quinichette, Sonny Stitt, Ben Webster, Dickey Wells, Lester Young, and others ~ Jones passed away in 1985
October 7, 1911 ~ Singer, trumpeter, bandleader, actor Vaughn Monroe, full name Vaughn Milton Monroe, born in Akron, Ohio, USA ~ Popular 1940s, 1950s bandleader. At one time or another employed then-unknown sidemen such as Bucky Pizzarelli, Red Nichols, Ray Conniff and Don Costa. Best known for his signature tune Racing With The Moon, which would eventually sell over a million copies. Other well known recordings include In The Still Of The Night, There I've Said It Again, Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow, Ballerina, Someday You'll Want Me To, Sound Off and In The Middle Of The House ~ Monroe passed away in 1973
October 7, 1901 ~ Ralph Reichenthal, commonly known as composer Ralph Rainger, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Moanin' Low (Libby Holman, Leo Reisman, Lena Horne), Havin' Myself A Time (Kay Kyser, Billie Holiday), Easy Living (Teddy Wilson, Peggy Lee, Dinah Washington), June In January (Richard Himber, Guy Lombardo, Julie London), A Guy What Makes His Time (Mae West), Blue Hawaii (Bing Crosby, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley), Thanks For The Memory (Dorothy Lamour, Bob Hope, Benny Goodman), and You're A Sweet Little Heartache (Henry Kings, Artie Shaw, Red Norvo) ~ Reichental passed away in 1942
October 7, 1879 ~ Songwriter, composer Joel Emmanuek Haggland, commonly known as Joe Hill, born in Gavle, Sweden ~ Known for songs such as The Preacher And The Slave, Tramp, There Is Power In A Union, Rebel Girl and Casey Jones (The Union Scab) ~ Haggland passed away in 1915
October 7, 1870 ~ David Harrison Macon, commonly known as old-time singer, banjoist, comedian, songwriter Uncle Dave Macon, born in Smartt Station, Tennessee, USA ~ Dubbed “the Dixie Dewdrop” and with his polished stage presence and personality one of the most enduring figures of early country music. Considered the bridge between 19th century folk and vaudeville and early 20th-century phonograph and radio-based music. Known for songs such as A Soldier's Joy, The Bully Of The Town, The Arkansas Traveler and Sail AAway Ladies ~ Macon passed away in 1952