September 22, 2023 ~ Pianist, conductor, composer, teacher François Glorieux passed away ~ Influenced by Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, jazz, blues, and Latin rhythms. Has composed over 300 works, mostly orchestral pieces yet also chamber music, works for solo instruments, and scores for film and TV. As a conductor led nearly 6,000 recitals and concerts the world over, working with renowned orchestra such as the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra, the Locke Brass Consort, the BBC Radio Orchestra, the Kyiv Chamber Orchestra, and most extensively with the Ballet of the 20th Century ~ Glorieux was born in 1932
September 22, 2023 ~ Country, blues, bluegrass guitarist, mandolinist, fiddler, singer Mike Henderson passed away ~ Member of early-1980s blues outfit the Bel Airs, appearing on the 1984 Need Me A Car album. Member of the Roosters and spin-off group the Kingsnakes, renamed to the Snakes prior to releasing their 1989 eponymous The Snakes album. The group is best known for the Henderson-penned Powerful Stuff, which would notably be covered by the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Henderson has also recorded nearly half a dozen albums as a solo artist and with his backing unit the Bluebloods, starting with Country Music Made Me Do It released in 1994 ~ Henderson was born ca.1953
September 22, 2023 ~ Peter Müller, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Peter Horton, passed away ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name since the early-1970s. Internationally best known for representing his native Austria at the 1967 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 14th place with Warum Es Hunderttausend Sterne Gibt ~ Müller was born in 1941
September 22, 2022 ~ Guitarist, singer, producer, songwriter David Malachowski, full name David Frank Malachowski, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Reckless, the Greg Austin Band, Janie Fricke, Commander Cody & his Lost Planet Airmen, Shania Twain, Savoy Brown, Garth Hudson, Phoebe Legere, Mechanical Bull, Genya Ravan, Anthony Rapp, Daphne Rubin Vega, and others ~ Malachowski was born in 1955
September 22, 2021 ~ Bassist, double bassist Bob Moore, full name Bob Loyce Moore, passed away ~ First call session bassist, reportedly appearing on over an estimated 17,000 recordings, including most of Patsy Cline's Decca Records recordings such as I Fall To Pieces, Crazy and She's Got You. Moore has frequently arranged for Roy Orbison, plays the bass intro on Roger Miller's King Of The Road, and has worked with Bob Dylan, Jerry Lee Lewis, Brenda Lee, Patti Page, Moby Grape, and Quincy Jones. Occasionally Moore recorded as a solo artist, most notably scoring a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit in 1961 with the instrumental Mexico, which sold over two million copies worldwide ~ Moore was born in 1932
September 22, 2021 ~ Classical violinist, concertmaster, conductor Jan Stanienda passed away ~ Joined the Polish Chamber Orchestra in 1975, becoming its concertmaster and soloist two years later. Would go on to work with numerous renowned conductors, soloists and orchestras including Yehudi Menuhin, Maurice André, Guy Touvron, Grzegorz Nowak, and others. Concertmaster of the Sinfonia Varsovia in the mid to late-1980s. Artistic director of the Leopoldinum Chamber Orchestra in the early-1990s. Artist director of the Wratislavia Chamber Orchestra since 1996 ~ Stanienda was born in 1953
September 22, 2018 ~ Charles Nicholas Hodges, commonly known as rock, pop, rockney singer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, banjoist Chas Hodges, passed away ~ Formed the duo Chas & Dave with Dave Peacock, best known for the singles Rabbit and Ain't No Pleasing You. Hodges has also worked with the Outlaws, Heads Hands & Feet, the Rebel Rousers, the Tornados, the Lancasters, and recorded as a solo artist ~ Hodges was born in 1943
September 22, 2011 ~ Pop, jazz, R&B singer Vesta Williams, full name Mary Vesta Williams, passed away in El Segundo, California, USA ~ Sang backup for artists such as Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Sting, Stephanie Mills, Anita Baker, Joe Sample, and Gordon Lightfoot. As a solo artist debuted in 1986 with the album Vesta. Best known for songs such as Once Bitten Twice Shy, Sweet Sweet Love, Congratulations, and Special ~ Williams was born in 1957
September 22, 2010 ~ Edwin John Fisher, commonly known as singer, actor Eddie Fisher, passed away in Berkeley, California, USA ~ One of the most popular artists in the early-1950s. Married to Debbie Reynolds (children Carrie Fisher, Todd Fisher). Later married to Connie Stevens (children Joely Fisher, Tricia Leigh Fisher). Fisher was known for songs such as Thinking Of You, Any Time, Tell Me Why, Wish You Were Here, I'm Walking Behind You, I Need You Now, The Heart, and others ~ Fisher was born in 1928
September 22, 2000 ~ Jazz trumpeter Willie Cook passed away in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Started on the violin, switching to trumpet in his teens. First gained serious attention backing King Perry in the 1930s. Worked with Jay McShann in the 1940s, succeeding Charlie Parker. Also well known as a member of Duke Ellington's orchestra, serving as lead trumpeter for about a decade starting in 1951 including on the acclaimed 1953 set The 1953 Pasadena Concert. Cook has also recorded with Dizzy Gillespie, Mel Tormé, Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Billy Taylor, Paul Gonsalves, Sarah Vaughan, and Ernie Wilkins. Cook relocated to Sweden in the early-1980s ~ Cook was born in 1923
September 22, 1998 ~ Heinz Meier, commonly known as pianist, bandleader, arranger, songwriter Henry Mayer, passed away ~ Best known for composing Der Sommerwind with lyricist Hans Bradtke. The song would first be recorded by Grethe Ingmann in 1965, and be covered by well over 150 artists mostly either as an instrumental or with English lyrics by Johnny Mercer, the song renamed to Summer Wind. Artists who have recorded the song include Wayne Newton, Frank Sinatra, Brenda Lee, Shirley Bassey, and Eddy Arnold. The song has also been recorded in Czech, Danish, Dutch, Swedish, French, and Spanish ~ Meier was born in 1925
September 22, 1997 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones release Anybody Seen My Baby, lead single off their Bridges To Babylon album ~ Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, with co-writing credits awarded to kd Lang and Ben Mink for its similarity to Lang's Constant Craving. Jagger and Richards claimed to have never heard the song before, not consciously anyway, only having discovered the similarity after completing the song. As Richards reported in his Life memoirs: “My daughter Angela and a friend were at Redlands and I was playing the record and they start singing this totally different song over it. They were listening to kd Lang's Constant Craving. It was Angela and her friend that recognized it.”
September 22, 1996 ~ Rapper, songwriter Ameer Vann, full name Ameer Emmanuel Yann, born in Houston ~ Co-founded hip-hop collective Brockhampton in 2015 with high school friends Kevin Abstract, Joba, Matt Champion and Merlyn Wood. Vann left the group in 2018 following sexual abuse allegations. Has since worked as a solo artist, releasing his Emmanuel solo debut EP in 2019
September 22, 1996 ~ Mary Leta Dorothy Slaton, commonly known as actress, singer Dorothy Lamour, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as an actress, notably in the Road To…-series alongside Bob Hope and Bing Crosby starting with The Road To Singapore released in 1940. Active as a big band singer since the early-1930s, noted for introducing standards such as Moon Of Manakoora, I Remember You, It Could Happen To You and But Beautiful ~ Slaton was born in 1914
September 22, 1987 ~ Rock band Aerosmith release Dude (Looks Like A Lady), lead single off their Permanent Vacation album ~ According to co-writer Desmond Child, Steven Tyler came up with the idea after mistaking Mötley Crüe-singer Vince Neil for a woman with long blonde hair. Tyler's bandmates made fun of him, joking about how the “dude looked like a lady”. The single would reach top 20 Billboard Hot 100, a 1990 re-release would reach top 20 in the UK
September 22, 1985 ~ Virtuoso jazz pianist, composer Aaron Diehl born ~ Worked with Benny Golson, Joe Temperley, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Warren Wolf, Lew Tabackin, and Wycliffe Gordon
September 22, 1985 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Nico Kasanda, sometimes reffered to as Dr Nico, passed away in Brussels, Belgium ~ Influential guitar virtuoso, considered a pioneer of Congolese music. Said to have inspired Jimi Hendrix. Worked with L'African Jazz prior to co-founding the soukous ensemble African Fiesta with singer Tabu Ley Rochereau in 1963, which would become one of the most popular bands in Africa ~ Kasanda was born in 1939
September 22, 1984 ~ Drummer Ross Jarman born in Wakefield, UK ~ Formed indie rock sibling outfit the Cribs, alongside Gary Jarman on bass, Ryan Jarman on guitar. Best known for songs such as Hey Scenesters, Mirror Kissers and Men's Needs. From 2008 through 2011 guitarist Johnny Marr of the Smiths fame also played with the band
September 22, 1982 ~ Pop, rock singer, songwriter Christon Kloosterboer, also known mononymously as Christon, born in Zwolle, the Netherlands ~ First gained attention as a contestant in the 2004 edition of the Dutch talent show Idols. Member of XYP. Founding member, lead singer, frontman and sole songwriter of Rigby. Has written or co-written for a wide array of both Dutch and international artists including Aloe Blacc, Ziggy Marley, Lost Frequencies, Ronnie Flex, Guus Meeuwis, Thomas Berge, and others
September 22, 1981 ~ Alternative rock, post-hardcore, emo, pop punk, pop rock singer, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Adam Lazzara, full name Adam Burbank Lazzara, born in Sheffield, Alabama, USA ~ Lead singer of Taking Back Sunday since the early 2000s. Has released a solo album, Because It Works, in 2013
September 22, 1976 ~ Post-rock drummer Ágúst Ævar Gunnarsson born ~ Co-founding member of Sigur Rós, remaining with the band from its inception in 1994 leaving the band in 1999 to be replaced by Orri Páll Dýrason
September 22, 1976 ~ Indie folk, indie pop, indie rock singer, guitarist, bassist Christian Wargo born ~ Formed Crystal Skulls in 2004. Best known as a member of indie folk outfit the Fleet Foxes, joining the band in 2008 and first appearing on the Sun Giant EP. Touring bassist for the Foo Fighters' Nate Mendel in support of Mendel's If I Kill This Thing We're All Going To Eat For A Week 2015 solo album. Wargo has also worked with Danielson Famile, Geoff Baker, Rocky Votolato, Ester Drang, and Poor Moon
September 22, 1973 ~ Blake Sennett Swendson, commonly known as indie rock, alt rock guitarist, singer Blake Sennett, born in San Diego, California, USA ~ Child actor known for supporting roles in the Nickelodeon series Salute Your Shorts and the ABC series Boy Meets World. Lead guitarist for indie rock outfit Rilo Kiley. Lead singer, guitarist for the Elected. Co-lead Night Terrors Of 1927 with Jarrod Gorbel. Produced albums for the Humanimals and Rachel Zevita
September 22, 1971 ~ Progressive rock, progressive metal, Christian rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist Ted Leonard born in Arcadia, California, USA ~ Influenced by Paul Rodgers, Jellyfish, Yes, Tears For Fears and Steve Perry. Best known as lead singer of neo-progressive rock outfit Enchant. Has also worked with Spock's Beard, Thought Chamber, Xen, Affector, Andrew Gorczyca, Transatlantic, Neal Morse, and with the Pattern-Seeking Animals
September 22, 1970 ~ Garage rock, indie rock, punk rock, post-punk singer, guitarist, bassist Dave Hernandez, full name Yanul David Hernandez Campos LaBastida Barreras, born in Guadalajara, Mexico ~ Best known as a member of indie rock outfit the Shins, notably present on the acclaimed albums Oh Inverted World and Chutes Too Narrow. Has also worked with the Intelligence, and Scared Of Chaka
September 22, 1969 ~ Bassist, singer Matt Sharp, full name Matthew Kelly Sharp, born in Arlington, Virginia, USA ~ Co-founding member of alternative rock band Weezer, present on the albums Weezer (Blue Album) and Pinkerton. Founder, frontman, sole constant member of the Rentals, releasing the albums The Return Of The Rentals and Seven More Minutes before disbanding by the end of the 1990s
September 22, 1967 ~ Pop punk singer, guitarist, songwriter Parry Gripp born in Santa Barbara, California, USA ~ Frontman of pop punk outfit Nerf Herder, who describe their music as geek rock and best known for the 1997 single Van Halen and for composing the theme song to the TV series Buffy The Vampire Slayer. As a solo artist Gripp is known for fake jingles, notably his 2005 For Those About To Shop We Salute You, novelty songs and children's music
September 22, 1966 ~ R&B singer, keyboardist, bassist, percussionist, songwriter, producer Keith Martin, full name Keith Eric Martin, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Influenced by the Jackson 5, Prince, the hitmaking producer duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Stevie Wonder as well as jazz and funk. Close longtime friend of Johnny Gill, Stacy Lattisaw and Kenny Lattimore. Member of local group Masquerade which also included D'Extra Wiley of future II D Extreme fame. Backed MC Hammer on the Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em and Too Legit To Quit world tours. As a solo artist first gained attention with Never Find Someone Like You, featured in the Bad Boys soundtrack. Would release his full-length It's Long Overdue debut album the following year, in 1995, and has recorded to mixed succes since ~ Martin passed away in 2022
September 22, 1966 ~ R&B, acid jazz, hip hop, dance singer, drummer N'dea Davenport born ~ Best known as lead singer for Brand New Heavies. Released a sole eponymous album, N'Dea Davenport, in 1998. In-demand session vocalist, worked with Mark Ronson, Louie Vega, Roger Sanchez, Guru's Jazzmatazz, Madonna, Natalie Merchant, Mos Def, Sly & Robbie, J Dilla, Malcolm McLaren, Bootsy Collins, Daniel Lanois, Dallas Austin, and the Gun Gun Boys
September 22, 1965 ~ Guitarist Tim Jeffs, full name Timothy James Jeffs, born in Rockville, Maryland, USA ~ Early member of White Zombie, notably present on songs such as Slaughter The Grey, Follow Wild, Rain Insane, Paradise Fireball, and Red River Flow. Jeffs is also an illustrator, known for ink drawings of animals and several volumes of colouring books, calenders, notecards, and a puzzle. His work consists mainly of endangered species and he has joined several conservation groups to promote animal protection and awareness
September 22, 1964 ~ Rock keyboardist Brian Kehew born ~ Formed the Moog Cookbook with keyboardist Roger Joseph Manning Jr, known for the mid-1990s albums The Moog Cookbook and Ye Olde Space Bande recreating well known songs using vintage keyboard synthesizers. Co-authored Recording The Beatles (The Studio Equipment And Techniques To Create Their Classic Albums), a well-received documentation of the personnel, equipment, and processes involved in the Beatles studio work. In-demand producer, engineer, mixer. Co-produced Fiona Apple's 2005 Extraordinary Machine album. Has also worked with artists such as Eels, Eleni Mandell, Aimee Mann, Matthew Sweet, Prick, Beck, and Jon Brion
September 22, 1964 ~ Avant-garde jazz, free jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Ken Vandermark born in Warwick, Rhode Island, USA ~ Inventive and adventurous reedist, fixture on the Chicago scene since the 1990s. As a leader especially acclaimed for 1999's Burn The Incline and 2001's Acoustic Machine, both recorded with Vandermark 5. As a member or sideman present on albums by Syl Johnson, the NRG Ensemble, the Flying Luttenbachers (Constructive Destruction), Denison-Kimball Trio, DKV Trio, Caffeine, Pinetop Seven (Rigging The Toplights), Peter Brötzmann, Superchunk, Simon Joyner (The Lousy Dance), Misha Mengelberg, Witches & Devils, the Sinister Luck Ensemble, Paal Nilssen-Love, Mats Gustafsson, Bridge 61, Fireroom, Barry Guy, and Ivo Perelman
September 22, 1962 ~ Cellist, conductor Maureen May born in Sanborn, Iowa, USA ~ Co-founder and artistic director of the Metropolitan Area Youth Orchestra. Also worked with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, the Bach Festival Orchestra, as well as with pop, rock stars such as Jimmy Page, Harry Connick Jr, Donny Osmond, and Smokey Robinson. Married to conductor Jonathan May, with whom she has four children
September 22, 1961 ~ Keyboardist, flutist Kofi Burbridge born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Brother of bassist Oteil Burbridge, who cited Kofi as his biggest influence. Best known as member of Derek Trucks Band and of the Tedeschi-Trucks Band. Has also worked with Trey Anastasio's Surrender To The Air, Naked Jazz, Frogwings, and with the Aquarium Rescue Unit ~ Burbridge passed away in 2019
September 22, 1958 ~ Opera, classical, crossover pop singer, songwriter, producer Andrea Bocelli born in Lajatico, Italy ~ Best known for his crossover classical albums and collaborations with classical, pop, R&B artists including Céline Dion (The Prayer), Christina Aguilera (Somos Novios (It's Impossible)), Marco Borsato (Because We Live), Gianna Nannina (Ama Credi E Vai), Laura Pausini (Dare To Live (Vivere)), Mary J Blige (What Child Is This), Ariana Grande (E Piu Ti Penso), Ed Sheeran (Perfect Symphony), Dua Lipa (If Only), and Ellie Goulding (Return To Love)
September 22, 1958 ~ Joan Marie Larkin, commonly known as rock, hard rock, punk rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Joan Jett born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Mezzo-soprano rock singer. Feminist icon. Sometimes referred to as “the Queen of Rock & Roll” and “the Godmother of Punk”. Founded all-female rock outfit the Runaways, known for the 1976 hit single Cherry Bomb. Best known for fronting Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, scoring hits such as Bad Reputation, Crimson And Clover, Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah), Light Of Day, I Hate Myself For Loving You, Dirty Deeds and her best known I Love Rock 'n Roll, the latter a Billboard No.1 hit in 1982
September 22, 1957 ~ Post-punk, alternative rock, gothic rock singer, pianist, songwriter Nick Cave, full name Nicholas Edward Cave, born in Wangaretta, Australia ~ Critically acclaimed with a devout cult following. Helped inspire gothic rock. First gained attention in the late-1970s fronting the Birthday Party, by the mid-1980s using the Bad Seeds as his regular backing band. Cave's music is characterised by its dark undertone, often touching on topics such as death, religion, love and violence. Known for songs such as The Mercy Seat, From Her To Eternity, the Kylie Minogue-duet Where The Wild Roses Grow and As I Sat Sadly By Her Side. Cave has also ventured into acting and is an acclaimed author
September 22, 1957 ~ Bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer Rune Kristoffersen born ~ Co-founding member of new wave, pop outfit Fra Lippo Lippi, known for 1980s hits such as Shouldn't Have To Be Like That, Everytime I See You and Light And Shade. The band's 1987 studio album, Light And Shade released in 1987, was produced by Walter Becker
September 22, 1956 ~ Jazz, avant-garde, classical clarinetist David Krakauer born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Joined the Klezmatics in 1988. Has also worked with Klezmer Madness, rapper Socalled, Fred Wesley, Ofer Ben-Amots, the Emerson String Quartet, Kathleen Tagg, the Kronos Quartet, Ancestral Groove, Anthony Coleman, Dobrek Bistro, White Willow, and others
September 22, 1956 ~ Pop, country, Christian singer Debby Boone, full name Deborah Anne Boone, born in Hackensack, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known for her 1977 hit You Light Up My Life. Also known for country hits such as Are You On The Road To Loving Me Again and a number of Christian albums, including the 1980 Grammy Award-winning With My Song. Daughter of singer-actor Pat Boone and has recorded with her siblings as the Boones, scoring modest hits with the Supremes-cover When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes and the ABBA-cover Hasta Mañana
September 22, 1953 ~ Glam rock, hard rock, folk rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist Gary Holton, full name Gary Frederick Holton, born in London, UK ~ Sang with the Sadler's Wells Opera in his early teens. Featured in a touring production of the musical Hair in his late teens. Best known as frontman of glam rock outfit Heavy Metal Kids, with whom he recorded three albums including the highly acclaimed eponymous Heavy Metal Kids debut album. The band bridged the gap between the gap between glam rock and punk, which made them a critics darling, yet they would never become a household name. Subsequently, Holton has worked with Casino Steel in the early-1980s, and ventured into acting. Holton would die of an overdose at age 33 ~ Holton passed away in 1985
September 22, 1953 ~ Singer Shirley Jones born ~ One third of sibling outfit the Jones Girls, alongside Brenda Jones and Valorie Jones. Served as backup singers for Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, Aretha Franklin, Linda Clifford, and Tower Of Power. On their own they would score a number of modest hits on Billboard's R&B charts from the late-1970s through the mid-1980s including You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else, Dance Turned Into Romance and I Just Love The Man. As a solo artist Shirley would score an R&B hit wih Do You Get Enough Love, written by Bunny Sigler and produced by Kenny Gamble, taken of her Always In The Mood debut album
September 22, 1951 ~ Blues, R&B, jazz guitarist, singer, songwriter Bobby Radcliff born in Washington DC, USA ~ Influenced by Paul Butterfield, James Burton, Don Rich, Steve Cropper, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, the Rolling Stones. Member of the Yarbs. Member of the Northside Blues Band. House musician at Lone Star Café. Debuted as a solo artist with the 1984 Early In The Morning album and has recorded to critical acclaim since
September 22, 1951 ~ Singer David Coverdale born ~ Acclaimed for his blues-infused voice. Lead singer of Deep Purple from 1973 through 1976, first appearing on the 1974 Burn album. Lead singer of Whitesnake from 1978 through 1990, present on the band's best known including Here I Go Again and Is This Love. Collaborated with Led Zeppelin-guitarist Jimmy Page on the 1993 Coverdale & Page album, which reached top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic as well as a RIAA platinum status
September 22, 1950 ~ Kirill Babitzin, commonly known as rock, hard rock, pop singer Kirka, born in Helsinki, Finland ~ One of the most popular Finnish rock, pop singers with a career spanning four decades starting in the late-1960s. Has worked with the Creatures, the Islanders (Hetki Iyo), the Blues Section, Mosaic, Sarcofagus, and others. His 1988 Surun Pyyhit Silmistani solo album would become one of the best-selling albums in Finnish pop, rock history. Outside Scandinavia perhaps best known for representing Finland at the 1984 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 9th place with the song Henaillaan ~ Babitzin was born in 2007
September 22, 1947 ~ Vanusa Santos Flores, mononymously known as pop rock singer Vanusa, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Exponent of the jovem guardia movement, a genre of Brazilian music emerging in the 1960s heavily influenced by both American rock & roll and British invasion. Well over a dozen albums to her name starting with her 1968 eponymous Vanusa debut album ~ Flores passed away in 2020
September 22, 1946 ~ Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, commonly known as juju, pop singer, songwriter King Sunny Adé, born in Oshogbo, Nigeria ~ One of the first African pop musicians to gain international accclaim, starting in the early-1980s. Introduced the use of western instruments such as guitar, steel guitar, clarinet and vibraphone to juju music. Paved the way for other world musicians such as Youssou n'Dour and Salif Kreita. Collaborated with Western musicians such as Stevie Wonder. Well known for the albums Juju Music, Synchro System and Odu
September 22, 1943 ~ Afrobeat, afro-soul, highlife saxophonist Orlando Julius, full name Orlando Julius Aremu Olusanya Ekemode, born in Ikole, Nigeria ~ First gained attention in the 1960s, notably with his 1966 Super Afro Soul album. Sessioned for much of the 1970s, often teaming up with Hugh Masekela. Would gain international attention after a number of re-releases in the 2000s and 2010s, leading to collaborations with the Heliocentrics ~ Ekemode passed away in 2022
September 22, 1943 ~ Singer Paul Hoffert, full name Paul Matthew Hoffert born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Co-founded Lighthouse, remaining with the band through 1973 and present on some of their best known including Hats Off To The Stranger, One Fine Morning and Sunny Days which all reached top 10 in the band's native Canada. Would go on to become an in-demand film composer, with scores such as The Groundstar Conspiracy, Wild Horse Hank and Fanny Hill to his name. Parallel to his music career Hoffert who holds degrees in mathematics and science has achievements as a researcher in science and technology
September 22, 1943 ~ Pop, new wave singer, dancer, actress, choreographer Toni Basil, full name Antonia Christina Basilotta, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for Mickey of her 1981 Word Of Mouth debut album. Written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn and previously recorded by Racey, originally titled Kitty, Basil's version would reach top 10 across the globe including No.1 spots in America, Australia, and Canada. For years, it was rumored that the title was changed to Mickey because Basil developed a crush on the Monkees drummer and lead singer Micky Dolenz. The claim has been denied by Basil though
September 22, 1942 ~ Marlina Burgess, commonly known as jazz, blues, soul singer Marlena Shaw, born in New Rochelle, New York, USA ~ First turned to music by her uncle jazz trumpeter Jimmy Burgess, who introduced her to recordings of Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, gospel, and singer Al Hibbler who in Shaw's words “really knows how to phrase a song”. Her uncle first brought her to the stage to sing with his band while Shaw was still in her early teens. As a solo performer, Shaw has been active since the early-1960s, getting her first big break when a regular gig at the Playboy Club, Chicago, drew the attention of representatives of Chess Records, who then signed her to the subsidiary Cadet Records label. Though she never became a household name, Shaw is fondly remembered for her rendition of California Soul taken off her 1969 The Spice Of Life sophomore album, her highly acclaimed 1974 Who Is This Bitch Anyway album, and a string of disco tracks through the late-1970s ~ Burgess passed away in 2024
September 22, 1942 ~ Michael Thomas McCarthy, commonly known as progressive rock, pop singer Mike Patto, born in Cirencester, UK ~ First gained attention as lead singer, frontman of Bo Street Runners. Would subsequently work with Timebox, his own band Patto, and Dick & the Firemen. Joined Spooky Tooth in 1974, present on the band's last album The Mirror. Following Spooky's disbandement later the same year co-founded Boxer with guitarist Ollie Halsall ~ McCarthy passed away in 1979
September 22, 1941 ~ Experimental folk, avant-garde singer Catherine Ribeiro born in Lyon, France ~ Critically acclaimed, boundary-breaking Ribeiro remained a cult figure throughout her career influential on fellow musicians. Well known for teaming up with composer Patrice Moullet in the folk, psychedelic outfit Alpes, the pair recording some half a dozen albums throughout the early-1980s with a revolving line-up. The band is especially acclaimed for their 1974 Paix album. Ribeiro also enjoyed a parallel career as a solo singer, starting with her Le Blues De Piaf solo debut album issued in 1977. Ribeiro counted musicians such as Julian Cope and Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon among her fans, the latter once stating in an interview: “Ribeiro's voice is so amazing and the music sounds so, I hate to use the word organic, but I just kind of relate it to the music. She is definitely an influence on me” ~ Ribeiro passed away in 2024
September 22, 1939 ~ José Gallardo, commonly known as Latin jazz, jazz pianist, trumpeter, trombonist Joe Gallardo, born in Corpus Christi, Texas, USA ~ Has recorded sporadically as a leader, most notably 1975's Sol and 1980's Latino Blue. In-demand sideman, known for his associations with Arnett Cobb, Mongo Santamaria, Penny McLean, Joe Pass (Joe Pass In Hamburg), Pee Wee Ellis, and Danny Gottlieb
September 22, 1938 ~ Pop, country, rock & roll singer, guitarist, actor Dean Reed, full name Dean Cyril Reed, born in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Dubbed “the Red Elvis” for his popularity in Eastern Europe. Lived much of his life in South America and East Germany. Sold millions of records in the Socialist bloc, often uncertified covers of Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, and the Beatles. His only American charting single would be Our Summer Romance which only barely made the Billboard Hot 100. Though he always claimed his life-long faithfulness to the USA, Reed would be seen by Western media mostly as a Communist propaganda beacon ~ Reed passed away in 1986
September 22, 1934 ~ Pop, jazz singer, actress Ornella Vanoni born in Milan, Italy ~ Regarded as one of the foremost Italian singers, especially acclaimed for her sophisticated style. Known for songs such as Senza Fine, Che Cosa S'E, T uSi Na Cosa Grande, La Musica è Finita, Eternità, Una Ragione Di Più, Non Dirmi Niente, the latter an Italian version of the Burt Bacharach-penned Don't Make Me Over. Has collaborated with Vinicius de Moraes, Toquinho, Enzo Gragnaniello, and others. Found renewed international interest in the early-2000s when her 1970 hit L'Appuntamento was included on the Ocean's Twelve soundtrack
September 22, 1930 ~ Giovanna Carmella Babbo, commonly known as traditional pop singer Joni James, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Recorded prolifically through the mid-1960s. Best known for a string of 1950s hits starting with Why Don't You Believe Me, a 1952 hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Other well known songs include Have You Heard, Your Cheatin' Heart, Almost Always, My Love My Love, How Important Can It Be, and You Are My Love ~ Babbo passed away in 2022
September 22, 1930 ~ Chiyoko Suzuki, commonly known as traditional pop singer, actress Pat Suzuki, born in Cressey, California, USA ~ Best remembered for her role of Linda Low in the original 1958 Broadway production of Flower Drum Song, a musical penned by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Especially noted for her rendition of the show's I Enjoy Being A Girl which would be regarded as the definitive version
September 22, 1926 ~ Jazz, classical clarinetist, composer Bill Smith, full name William Overton Smith, born in Sacramento, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for his association with Dave Brubeck. Also worked with Milton Babbitt, Anthony Braxton, Tom Collier, the Deep Listening Band, Barney Kessel, Gail Kubik, Shelly Manne, Red Norvo, and Pauline Oliveros ~ Smith passed away in 2020
September 22, 1922 ~ R&B, doo-wop singer Raymond Edwards born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Bass singer for doo-wop outfit the Silhouettes, known best for their 1957 hit Get A Job. Originally issued as the B-side to I Am Lonely, the A-side re-release sold a million copies and became the group's only hit, reaching the No.1 spot on both the Billboard R&B and all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts. Later, the doo-wop revival group Sha Na Na derived their band name from the lyrics of Get A Job, they also covered the song for the 1978 Grease musical film ~ Edwards passed away in 1997