September 11, 2021 ~ Singer Maria Mendiola passed away ~ Formed the duo Baccara with Mayte Mateos, best known for their 1977 debut single Yes Sir I Can Boogie. The single would reach the higher echelons of the charts throughout Europe and eventually sell over 18 million copies. Subsequent hits would include Sorry I'm A Lady and Darling. The duo would also represent Luxembourg at the 1978 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 7th place with Parlez-Vous Francais ~ Mendiola was born in 1952
September 11, 2020 ~ Mezzo-soprano, contralto singer, opera director Annette Jahns passed away in Dresden, Germany ~ Closely associated with the Semperoper. Performed classical contralto and mezzo-soprano roles in several worled premieres including Matthias Pintscher's Thomas Chatterton and Peter Ruzicka's Celan ~ Jahns was born in 1958
September 11, 2020 ~ Jazz double bassist Reggie Johnson, full name Reginald Volney Johnson, passed away in Bern, Switzerland ~ Worked with Bill Barron, Archie Shepp, Bill Dixon, Sun Ra, Burton Greene, Lonnie Liston Smith, Stanley Cowell, Bobby Hutcherson, Harold Land, Blue Mitchell, Walter Bishop Jr, Sonny Rollins, Sonny Stitt, Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, Art Pepper, Kenny Burrell, Clark Terry, the Crusaders, Johnny Griffin, Horace Parlan, Monty Alexander, Kenny Barron, Cedar Walton, Alvin Queen, Clark Terry, and others ~ Johnson was born in 1940
September 11, 2020 ~ Frederick Nathaniel Hibbert, commonly known as ska, rockteady, reggae singer, guitarist, songwriter Toots Hibbert, passed away in Mona, Jamaica ~ Influenced by Otis Redding, Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, James Brown. Pioneering reggae singer. Fronted Toots & the Maytals. Known for songs such as Do The Reggay, reportedly the song that named the genre, Bam-bam, Sweet & Dandy, Romp & Pride, and 54-46 That's My Number. Worked with producers such as Coxsone Dodd, Prince Buster, Byron Lee, Ronnie Nasralla, Leslie Kong, and others ~ Hibbert was born in 1942
September 11, 2019 ~ Singer, keyboardist, guitarist, percussionist, songwriter Daniel Johnston, full name Daniel Dale Johnston, passed away in Waller, Texas, USA ~ Lo-fi, outsider, avant-pop singer, songwriter propelled to cult status when Nirvana's Kurt Cobain was seen wearing a T-shirt featuring artwork from Johnston's 1983 Hi How Are You album. Has recorded extensively since the early 1980s, mostly self-released on cassettes ~ Johnston was born in 1961
September 11, 2015 ~ Itzchol Reev Smolover, commonly known as tenor, director Ray Smolover, passed away in Scarsdale, New York, USA ~ Best known as founder and director of the Opera theater Of Westchester. Though primarily performing music by others Smolover composed several pieces, including a cantate and several art songs. Smolover also served as executive VP of American Conference Of Cantors for over three decades ~ Smolover was born in 1921
September 11, 2014 ~ Songwriter, producer, manager Bob Crewe, full name Robert Stanley Crewe, passed away in Scarborough, Maine, USA ~ Frequent songwriting collaborator of Bob Gaudio, with whom he wrote several of the Four Seasons's best known, including the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 singles Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry, Walk Like A Man, and Rag Doll. Others who recorded songs co-written by Crewe include the Rays, Freddy Cannon (Tallahassee Lassie), Barbara Lewis, Lesley Gore, Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels, Vikki Carr, Labelle, and Disco Tex & his Sex-o-lettes ~ Crewe was born in 1930
September 11, 2009 ~ James Dennis Carroll, commonly known as author, poet, singer, songwriter Jim Carroll passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Author, poet, punk musician. Fronted Jim Carroll Band. Best known for his autobiography Basketball Diaries, which inspired a 1995 film of the same name featuring Leonardio Dicaprio as Carroll. Collaborated with the Velvet Underground, the Blue Öyster Cult, Lou Reed, Boz Scaggs, and Pearl Jam ~ Carroll was born in 1949
September 11, 2007 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, world keyboardist Joe Zawinul, full name Josef Erich Zawinul passed away in Vienna, Austria ~ Active since the mid-1950s. Jazz fusion pioneer, rising to notoriety through his associations with Miles Davis on albums such as In A Silent Way, Bitches Brew and Live/Evil, and Cannonball Adderley. Wrote Mercy Mercy Mercy, an unexpected crossover hit in 1966 for Adderley. Co-founded the Weather Report with Wayne Shorter, for whom he wrote Birdland which is regarded as one of the 1970s most recognizable jazz pieces. Eponym and leader of the Zawinul Syndicate. Other notable credits include appearances on albums by Dinah Washington (What A Diff'rence A Day Makes), Maynard Ferguson, Nat Adderley, Sam Jones (Down Home), Ben Webster, Madeline Bell, Willie Bobo, Aretha Franklin (Soul '69), Roy Ayers, the Average White Band, the Manhattan Transfer, Steps Ahead (Smokin' In The Pit), Ernestine Anderson, Jan Akkerman, and Quincy Jones ~ Zawinul was born in 1932
September 11, 2007 ~ Wilson Turbinton, commonly known as pianist, singer Willie Tee, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Helped shape New Orleans funk and soul. Influenced by Professor Longhair and John Coltrane. Led the Wild Magnolias and co-wrote and arranged the band's material on their 1974 album The Wild Magnolias. As a solo artist and songwriter Turbinton is known for songs such as Teasing You, Walking Up A One Way Street, and Thank You John. Many of Turbinton's early recordings have been sampled by rappers including Geto Boys, Puff Daddy, and Lil' Wayne ~ Turbinson was born in 1944
September 11, 2005 ~ Jazz guitarist Al Casey, full name Albert Aloysius Casey, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Child prodigy. Played violin and ukelele before settling on guitar. Best known for his association with pianist Fats Waller, backing Waller from 1933 until his death in 1943. Also worked with Fletcher Henderson, King Curtis, Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson, Helen Humes, and recorded over half a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader ~ Casey was born in 1915
September 11, 2004 ~ Lyricist, songwriter Fred Ebb passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Frequent songwriting partner of composer John Kander, including on the 1977 The Act Broadway musical which earned Liza Minnelli a Tony Award. Ebb has been actively writing since the early 1950s. Well-known songs include Mandolino (Les Paul), My Coloring Book (Barbra Streisand, Kitty Kallen, Brenda Lee), Cabaret (Jill Haworth, Louis Armstrong, Judi Dench), All That Jazz (Chita Rivera, Ella Fitzgerald), and New York New York (Minelli, Frank Sinatra) ~ Ebb was born in 1928
September 11, 2004 ~ Singer Jimmy Lewis, full name James Eddie Lewis, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of the Drifters, replacing Bobby Hendricks as lead singer in 1963 and remaining through 1965. Has also recorded as a solo artist, noted for the single The Girls From Texas. Frequently collaborated with Ray Charles, specifically writing or co-writing and appearing on all tracks of the 1969 Charles album Doing His Thing and duetting on If It Wasn't For Bad Luck. Others who have recorded songs written or co-written by Lewis include Bobby Womack (Got To Get You Back), Albert King, Bobby Blue Bland, ZZ Hill (Love Is So Good When You're Stealing It), and Peggy Scott-Adams ~ Lewis was born in 1937
September 11, 1991 ~ Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll, commonly known as producer, DJ, remixer, songwriter Kygo, born in Bergen, Norway ~ The first house DJ to perform at an Olympics closing ceremony, namely at the 2016 Rio Olympics. First gained internationational attention with his 2013 remix of Ed Sheeran's I See Fire. As a DJ, producer best known for hits such as Stole The Show, Here For You, Stay, It Ain't Me and Remind Me To Forget
September 11, 1987 ~ Lyon Himan Green, actor, singer, commonly known as Lorne Greene, passed away in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Best known as an actor, specifically in the roles of Ben Cartwright in the NBC TV series Bonanza and Commander Adama in the ABC series Battlestar Galactica. As a singer scored a Billboard Hot 100 No.1 with Ringo in 1964 ~ Green was born in 1915
September 11, 1987 ~ Winston Hubert McIntosh, commonly known as singer, songwriter Peter Tosh, passed away in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Member of Bob Marley's backing unit the Wailers from 1963 through 1976. Became an international superstar with the 1978 album Bush Doctor released on Rolling Stones Records featuring appearances by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. The lead single, Jagger and Tosh duetting on (You Got To Walk And) Don't Look Back, originally a hit for the Temptations, made Tosh a household name. Tosh was murdered at age 42 after being held hostage and tortured for hours in a home invasion gone wrong ~ Tosh was born in 1944
September 11, 1987 ~ Joseph Somers Morales, commonly known as singer Somo, born in Austin, Texas, USA ~ First gained attention in the early 2010s via Youtube, posting original songs and covers of songs by Chris Brown, the Weeknd, and Drake. Signed by Republic Records in 2013 resulting in an official debut album, the 2014 eponymous Somo. Somo has been recording and releasing records since
September 11, 1981 ~ Singer, drummer, guitarist, ukulele player, songwriter Charles Kelley born in Augusta, Georgia, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member of country trio Lady Antebellum, renamed to Lady A in 2020, alongside singer Hillary Scott and singer, guitarist Dave Haywood. The band's 2008 eponymous Lady Antebellum would reach double Platinum status, spawning the single hits Love Don't Live Here, Lookin' For A Good Time and I Run To You. The band would regularly reach the higher echelons of the country charts ever since, with 2009's Need You Now and 2011's Just A Kiss both crossing over and reaching the top 10 of the all-genre Billboard Hot 100
September 11, 1981 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist, singer, songwriter Jonny Buckland, full name Jonathan Mark Buckland, born in Islington, UK ~ Lead guitarist, co-founding member of Coldplay, known for songs such as Viva La Vida, Adventure Of A Lifetime, and Something Just Like This, the latter a collaborative single with the Chainsmokers. Influenced by the Stone Roses, Ride, George Harrison, U2 and My Bloody Valentine.
September 11, 1978 ~ Singer Ben Lee born in Sydney, Australia ~ Member of Noise Addict from 1993, at age 14, through 1995, when the band disbanded. Released his Brad Wood-produced debut Grandpaw Would album in 1996. Has also worked with producer T-Bone Burnett, Evan Dando, Benji Madden, Mandy Moore, the Bens, Missy Higgins, Patience Hodgson, Jessica Chapnik, with Josh Radnor as Radnor & Lee, and with others
September 11, 1977 ~ Singer Bing Crosby and David Bowie record Peace On Earth/The Little Drummer Boy at ATV Elstree Studios, Hertfordshire, UK ~ Mash-up featuring Crosby singing the standard The Little Drummer Boy, Bowie countering with Peace On Earth. Recorded for the 1977 Merrie Old Christmas TV special, produced by Frank Konigsberg. Bowie would release the recording as a single, the B-side featuring Fantastic Voyage
September 11, 1977 ~ Christopher Brian Bridges, commonly known as rapper Ludacris, born in Champaign, Illinois, USA ~ One of the first Dirty South rappers to achieve mainstream succes. Released his debut album, Incognegro, in 1999. Best known for songs such as Move Bitch featuring Mystikal and I-20, Stand Up featuring Shawnna, Pimpin' All Over The World featuring Bobby V, Money Maker featuring Pharrell Williams and How Low, all of which reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. Has also collaborated with Mary J Blige, Missy Elliott, Lil' Jon, Trina, Amerie, Chingy (Holidae In), Usher, Trick Daddy, Jamie Foxx, Fergie, Ciara (Oh), R Kelly, T-Pain, Chamillionaire, Justin Bieber (Baby), Taio Cruz (Break Your Heart), Enrique Iglesias, David Guetta, Pitbull, and others
September 11, 1972 ~ Actress, singer Ricky Koole born in Delft, the Netherlands ~ In-demand actress with well over two dozen roles in film and TV to her name, notably playing the female lead role of Lika in the acclaimed 2011 Sonny Boy film. One of several to play Rachel Hazes, the wife of singer André Hazes, in the biographical stage musical Hij Gelooft In Mij. Has sung in various theater productions with her husband music journalist, radio DJ Leo Blokhuis, starting with 2007's Harmonium presenting forgotten songs and composers. As a singer has recorded about half a dozen albums, starting with Who's Suzy released in 2004. Noted for her 2011 Wind Om Het Huis album
September 11, 1971 ~ Blues pianist, guitarist Curtis Jones passed away in Munich, West Germany ~ Best known for his recordings of Lonesome Bedroom Blues, Tin Pan Alley and Decoration Blues, the latter covered by Sonny Boy Williamson I. One of Jones' songs, Highway 51, was included on Bob Dylan's 1962 eponymous debut album Bob Dylan ~ Jones was born in 1906
September 11, 1971 ~ The cartoon series The Jackson 5ive, featuring animated versions of the Jackson 5 siblings, debuts on ABC ~ The show would run from 1971 through 1973, each episode showing adventures with animated versions of the group, along with Michael Jackson's pet mice Ray and Charles and his snake Rosie
September 11, 1971 ~ Fiddler, percussionist, composer Joe Jordan, full name Joseph Taylor Jordan, passed away in Tacoma, Washington, USA ~ Worked with the Taborian Band, Tom Turpin, Sam Patterson, Louis Chavin, Bob Cole, Rosamond Johnson, Ernest Hogan, James Reese Europe, the Chocolate Drops, Jabbo Smith, Garvin Bushell, James P Johnson, Fats Waller, Porter Grainger, Asadate Dafora, WC Handy, and others ~ Jordan was born in 1882
September 11, 1971 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Richard Ashcroft, full name Richard Paul Ashcroft, born in Billingshire, UK ~ Best known as lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the Verve, for whom Ashcroft penned the songs Bitter Sweet Symphony, Lucky Man, and The Drugs Don't Work. Also plays bass, keyboards and drums. Has released a number of successful solo albums since the band's breakup and formed the band RPA & the United Nations Of Sound in 2010
September 11, 1970 ~ Drummer, songwriter, composer Francis Macdonald born ~ Has recorded as a solo artist, at times using the moniker Nice Man, both in the pop rock idioms and classical, notably 2015's Music For String Quartet Piano And Celeste. Manager of Camera Obscura and the Vaselines. Member of Teenage Fanclub, first appearing on some tracks of the 2003 Foru Thousan Seven Hundred And Sixty-Six Seconds album. In-demand collaborator, has worked with Kevin Ayers, Kim Fowley, Alex Chilton, Belle & Sebastian, BMX Bandits, and others
September 11, 1969 ~ Gospel, jazz, pop rock singer, songwriter, actress Crystal Lewis, full name Crystal Lynn Lewis, born in Corona, California, USA ~ Got her start in music at age 15, starring in the Christian musical film Hi-Tops. Member of rockabilly outfit Wild Blue Yonder, with whom she recorded the 1986 eponymous Wild Blue Yonder album. Following the band's disbandement bhas recorded some two dozen album starting with her 1987 Beyond The Charade debut album. Lewis is best known for a string of mid- to late 1990s albums, culminating in her 2000 Fearless album which is regarded as an influence on the likes of Katy Perry and Tori Kelly
September 11, 1969 ~ Alternative rock singer, bassist, guitarist Rebecca Odes born in West Orange, New Jersey, USA ~ To music audiences best known as co-founding member, bassist and singer for rock unit Love Child, with whom she recorded the critically acclaimed Okay and its follow-up Witchcraft during the early 1990s. Has sporadically recorded as a solo artist, going by the mononym Odes, and is known as an author
September 11, 1967 ~ British pop rock band the Beatles begin filming Magical Mystery Tour ~ A surreal comedy starring the band and narrated by John Lennon. Based on a loose script and largely improvised the band begin filming their third musical film, the first two being A Hard Day's Night and Help. Made for TV it would premiere in black and white on the BBC the following December, with a colour rerun the following January. The film would be received poorly by critics and audiences, yet the accompanying double EP, containing songs from the film such as Fool On The Hill, I Am The Walrus and Blue Jay Way, would be a critical and commercial succes
September 11, 1967 ~ Singer, pianist composer Harry Connick Jr born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Started learning keyboards at age 3, publicly playing since age 5, at age 9 performed Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Concerto No.3 Opus 37 with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra. Connick released his eponymous debut LP, Harry Connick Jr, in 1987 consisting mainly of instrumental standards. Connick's plays mostly jazz, with an occasional touch of funk. Connick has also successfuly ventured into acting.
September 11, 1965 ~ Jazz saxophonist Jesse Davis born ~ Leader recording since the early 1990s backed by sidemen such as Mulgrew Miller, Jacky Terrasson, Robert Trowers, Brad Mehldau, Nicholas Payton, Dado Moroni, Peter Washington, Hank Jones, Ron Carter, Lewis Nash, Peter Bernstein, and Ray Drummond
September 11, 1965 ~ Richard Melville Hall, commonly known as DJ, producer, songwriter Moby, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Considered to be the most important dance figures of the 1990s. Helped make electronic dance music mainstream, especially with the acclaimed 1999 album Play. Also known for songs such as You Make Me Feel So Good, Feeling So Real, James Bond Theme (Moby's Re-version), South Side (featuring Gwen Stefani), Go, and Porcelain. Has performed with Lou Reed, Kris Kristofferson, David Bowie, Bono, Michael Stipe, New Order, Public Enemy, Slash, Mission Of Burma, Mylène Farmer, and Dubsidia. Known as an advocate for various causes, especially human rights and animal rights
September 11, 1965 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones kick off their German tour at the Halle Münsterland, Münster, West Germany ~ The band plays about a dozen shows over a week's time, the set list including Everybody Needs Somebody To Love, Around And Around, Time Is On My Side, and I Can't Get No Satisfaction. The band concludes the tour with a single concert in Austria at the Stadthalle, Vienna, on September the 17th
September 11, 1964 ~ Bassist Victor Wooten born in Mountain Home, Idaho, USA ~ Best known as bassist for Béla Fleck's backing unit the Flecktones. Also a member of SMV, along with fellow bassists Stanley Clarke and Marcus Miller. Youngest of five brothers, all of them in the family band the Wooten Brothers, including Roy Wooten and Joseph Wooten
September 11, 1962 ~ British pop, rock group the Beatles record PS I Love You at EMI Studios, London, UK ~ Principally composed by Paul McCartney, yet credited to John Lennon/McCartney. Producer George Martin had booked session drummer Andy White to replace bandmember Pete Best, yet was unaware the band had already hired Ringo Starr. Both Best and Starr appear on the recording, Best giving the song a lightweight cha cha feel while Starr played maracas. Released the following month as the B-side to the band's Love Me Do debut single. The USA release would be close to a year and a half later, in April 1964
September 11, 1962 ~ Singer, songwriter Neil Sedaka marries Leba Strassberg ~ Long rumored to be gay, possibly due to his regular songwriting partner Howard Greenfield openly being gay, Sedaka marries steady girlfriend Leba, who would serve as career coach for well over 50 years. The couple have two children together, daughter Dara Sedaka who is also a recording artist and singer for TV and radio commercials, and son Marc Sedaka who is a screenwriter
September 11, 1961 ~ Elizabeth Ann Guttman, commonly known as actress, singer EG Daily, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as an voice actress and actress, notably in Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. As a singer known for her 1986 dance hit Say It Say It. Other well known songs include Shake It Up and I'm Hot Tonight both used in the Scarface soundtrack, love In The Shaows co-written and produced by Harold Faltermeyer, and Mind Over Matter. Daily also sang backup on Human League-frontman Philip Oakey's 1985 Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder album
September 11, 1958 ~ Pianist, keyboardist Mick Talbot born in London, UK ~ Member of the Merton Parkas, Dexys Midnight Runners, and of the Bureau before co-founding the Style Council with Paul Weller in 1982, remaining with the band until its disbandement in 1990. Has also worked with Damon Minchella, Galliano, Gene, the Young Disciples, Candi Staton, Wilko Johnson, Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, Pete Williams, and others
September 11, 1957 ~ Drummer, percussionist Jon Moss, full name Jonathan Aubrey Moss, born in Wandsworth, UK ~ Drummer of 1980s new wave, pop group Culture Club, known for hits such as Do You Really Want To Hurt Me, Time (Clock Of The Heart), Church Of The Poisoned Mind, and Karma Chameleon, all of which reached the top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. Has also worked with the Promised Land, London, the Nips, the Damned, and Adam & the Ants
September 11, 1955 ~ Jazz, funk, jazz fusion guitarist Hiram Bullock born in Osaka, Japan ~ Leader and sideman. Member of the 24th Street Band. Has recorded with Will Lee, David Sanborn, Bob James, Steely Dan (Gaucho), Paul Simon (One Trick Pony), Harry Belafonte, Marcus Miller, Sting (Nothing Like The Sun), Carla Bley, Miles Davis, Billy Joel, Ruben Rada, Gil Evans, and others ~ Bullock passed away in 2008
September 11, 1955 ~ Glenn Henderson, commonly known as jazz bassist, double bassist Jaribu Shahid, born ~ Member of Griot Galaxy, taking over leadership when Faruq Z Bey fell into a coma after a motorcycle crash. Also closely associated with Roscoe Mitchell. Served as sideman for Kamau Kenyatta, Geri Allen, Buddy Collette, Rod Williams, Wendell Harrison, Sun Ra (Somewhere Else), Craig Taborn, James Carter (JC On The Set), David Murray, and the Art Ensemble Of Chicago
September 11, 1953 ~ Singer Renée Geyer, full name Renée Rebecca Geyer, born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Active since the early 1970s. Member of jazz-blues outfit Dry Red. Member of Sun. Member of Mother Earth. Over a dozen albums to her name as a solo singer, starting with the eponymous Renée Geyer released in 1973. Best known for songs such as Say I Love You, Heading In The Right Direction, and States And Whispers. Also an in-demand backing singer, present on albums by Sting, Chaka Khan, Toni Childs, and Joe Cocker ~ Geyer passed away in 2023
September 11, 1953 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Tommy Shaw, full name Tommy Roland Shaw, born in Montgomery, Alabama, USA ~ Best known as co-lead singer of Styx, remaining with the band from 1975 through 1984 and rejoining in 1995. Shaw wrote or co-wrote several of the band's best known including Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man), Renegade, Blue Collar Man (Long Nights), and Too Much Time On My Hands. Shaw also recorded as a solo artist, noted for his 1984 Girls With Guns top 40 hit single, recorded two albums with Damn Yankees, and teamed up with Yankees bandmate Jack Blades under the group moniker Shaw-Blades
September 11, 1948 ~ Singer, songwriter Dennis Tufano, full name Dennis Stanley Joseph Tufano, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Original lead singer of the Buckinghams, known for a string of mid to late 1960s singles including Don't You Care, Mercy Mercy Mercy, Hey Baby (They're Playing Our Song) and perhaps their best-known Kind Of A Drag. The latter would top the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967
September 11, 1948 ~ Iain David McGeachy, commonly known as guitarist, songwriter John Martyn born in London, UK ~ Important in development of British folk. Drew from rock and jazz. Acclaimed for albums such as 1973's Solid Air and 1977's One World. Collaborated with artists as diverse as drummer Phil Collins, jazz bassist Danny Thompson, and reggae producer Lee Scratch Perry. ~ Martyn passed away in 2009
September 11, 1947 ~ Gerald Conway, commonly known as rock, progressive rock, folk rock drummer Gerry Conway, born ~ Perhaps best known for his association with Cat Stevens during the 1970s, backing Stevens on a little over half a dozen albums including the acclaimed Tea For The Tillerman and Teaser & The Firecat, and as longtime member of Pentangle, which also included his wife singer Jacqui McShee. An in-demand sideman and collaborator, Conway has also appeared on albums by Eclection, Fairport Convention (What We Did On Our Holidays), Matthews Southern Comfort, Steeleye Span, Andy Roberts (Urban Cowboy), Keith Christmas, Sandy Denny, Shelagh McDonald, Mike McGear (McGear), Ralph McTell (Easy), Jethro Tull, Joan Armatrading, Richard Thompson, and John Martyn (No Little Boy) ~ Conway passed away in 2024
September 11, 1946 ~ Pop singer, actress Julie Covington born in London, UK ~ Best known for recording the original version of Don't Cry For Me Argentina, which reached No.1 in her native UK in 1977. Subsequently Covington was offered the leading role in the stage production of Evita, yet she declined and Elaine Page would be cast. Covington has recorded about half a dozen albums and was involved in about a dozen cast recordings and soundtracks including Jeff Wayne's War Of The Worlds
September 11, 1945 ~ Folk, new acoustic, Americana guitarist, singer Leo Kottke born in Athens, Georgia, USA ~ Along with John Fahey and Robbie Basho one of the most influential acoustic guitarists to emerge from the 1960s, earning a devoted cult following with his unique fingerpicking style. Has recorded over two dozen albums drawing from blues, jazz, and folk, especially acclaimed for the albums 6 And 12 String Guitar, My Feet Are Smiling, and Time Step
September 11, 1940 ~ Drummer Bernie Dwyer born in Manchester, UK ~ Co-founding member of Freddie & the Dreamers, known for hits such as If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody, I'm Telling You Now, You Were Made For Me and I Understand. The band would be grouped as part of the Merseybeat sound, generally associated with Liverpool, yet came from Manchester ~ Dwyer passed away in 2002
September 11, 1932 ~ Jazz trumpeter Ian Hamer, full name Ian Wilfred Hamer, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Closely associated with Tubby Hayes. Co-led the Six Sounds with pianist Harry South from 1963 onwards. The sextet would eventually evolve into his own band, the Ian Hamer Sextet, and at times include sidemen such as Dick Morrisey, Kenny Naper, Alan Skidmore, and Daryl Runswick, and Alan Branscombe. To pop rock audiences perhaps best known for guesting on the Beatles track Got To Get You Into My Life of the 1966 Revolver album. Hamer has also appeared on recordings by Tom Jones, Dusty Springfield, Shirley Bassey, and Barbra Streisand ~ Hamer passed away in 2006
September 11, 1925 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Alan Bergman born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Married to Marilyn Bergman since 1958. Together the Bergmans wrote lyrics to some of the best known songs of American pop, stage, film and musicals, including Dean Martin's Sleep Warm, Frank Sinatra's Nice And Easy, Ray Charles's In The Heat Of The Night, and Noel Harrison's The Windmills Of Your Mind as featured in The Thomas Crown Affair, the latter earning the pair an Academy Award for Best Song
September 11, 1919 ~ John A Morrison, commonly known as jazz bassist Peck Morrison, born ~ Classically trained. Besides bass, his primary instrument, Morrison also played trumpet and percussion. Regarded as a valuable accompanist, Morrison has appeared on albums by King Pleasure, Thad Jones (The Magnificent Thad Jones Vol.3), Gerry Mulligan, Randy Weston, Betty Carter, Lou Donaldson (Blues Walk), Babs Gonzales, Dave Bailey, Charlie Rouse (Unsung Hero), Johnny Coles, Red Garland, Willis Jackson, Betty Carter (I Can't Help It), Eric Dolphy (Candid Dolphy), Etta Jones, JJ Johnson, Gildo Mahones, Eddie Jefferson (The Jazz Singer), Shirley Scott, and Charles McPherson ~ Morrison passed away in 1988
September 11, 1918 ~ Stax co-founder Estelle Axton born in Middleton, Tennessee, USA ~ Founded Satellite Records with her brother Jim Stewart, to record local country and rockabilly artists. Changed its name to Stax after it was discovered another label already used the name. Axton worked with artists such as Rufus Thomas, Otis Redding, Booker T & the MG's, and Isaac Hayes ~ Axton passed away in 2004
September 11, 1899 ~ James Houston Davis, commonly known as singer, songwriter Jimmie Davis, born in Jackson Parish, Louisiana, USA ~ Served two nonconsecutive terms as governor of Louisiana. As a singer known for songs such as Is It Too Late Now, There's A Chill On The Hill Tonight, There's A New Moon Over My Shoulder, Grievin' My Heart Out For You, Bang Bang and perhaps his best known You Are My Sunshine ~ Davis passed away in 2000
September 11, 1896 ~ Benjamin Baruch Ambrose, commonly known as violinist, bandleader Bert Ambrose born in Warsaw, Russian Empire ~ Dance band bandleader popular from the 1920s up to the rise of rock & roll in the 1950s. Discovered Vera Lynn. Also worked with singers such as Sam Browne, Elsie Carlisle, Denny Dennis, Max Bacon, Evelyn Dall, Anne Shelton and musicians such as Sylvester Ahola, Ted Heath, Joe Crossman, Joe Jeannette, Bert Read, Joe Brannelly, Dick Escott and Max Goldberg ~ Ambrose passed away in 1971
September 11, 1895 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Harry Tobias born in New York, New York, USA ~ Brother of songwriters Charles Tobias and Henry Tobias, with whom he regularly collaborated. In-demand lyricist for Hollywood movies from the late 1920s through the 1940s, also co-writing numerous jazz standards. Co-wrote Sweet And Lovely, first recorded by Gus Arnheim in 1931 and covered by well over 350 artists including Sam Lanin, Joe Liggins, Patti Page, Faron Young, and Ella Fitzgerald. Other songs co-written by Tobias include Miss You (Rudy Vallée, Harry Sosnik, Bill Haley), It's A Lonesome Old Town (Since You're Not Around) (Ben Bernie, the Modernaires, Kay Starr), No Regrets (Henry King, Tommy Dorsey, Billie Holiday), and Sal Along Silv'ry Moon (Bing Crosby, Gene Autry, Slim Whitman) ~ Tobias passed away in 1994
September 11, 1894 ~ Beatrice C Palmer, commonly known as singer, dancer Bee Palmer, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Sometimes credited as the inventor of the “shimmy” dance. Toured with artists such as Emmett Hardy, Leon Roppolo, Santo Pecora, husband Al Siegel and others. Reportedly co-wrote the Gene Austin pop standard Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone, later also recorded by Mose Allison, Sammy Davis Jr, Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Connie Francis, Bill Haley, Helen Humes, Jerry Lee Lewis, Willie Nelson, Ray Price, Leon Redbone, Rita Reys, Piano Red, Frank Sinatra, and Billie Holiday ~ Palmer passed away in 1967
September 11, 1733 ~ Baroque composer, organist, harpsichordist François Couperin passed away in France ~ Dubbed “Couperin the Great” to distinguish him from his father organist Charles Couperin and uncle keyboard virtuoso and composer Louis Couperin. Influenced by Arcangelo Corelli. Admired by Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, Maurice Ravel. Best known for a number of volumes for harpsichord music published between 1713 and 1730 and for his the Concerts Royaux ~ Couperin was born in 1668
September 11, 1711 ~ Composer, organist William Boyce born in London, UK ~ Largely forgotten after his death Boyce would nevertheless draw great admiration during his life, admired by the likes of George Frideric Handel, Thomas Arne, Christoph Willibald Gluck, Johann Christian Bach, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Like Ludwig van Beethoven later on, Boyce became deaf yet continued to compose. Perhaps best remembered for his Symphony No.1 In B-Flat, its Allegro being the first piece of music played during the procession of the bride and bridegroom at the conclusion of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018 ~ Boyce passed away in 1779