September 26, 2021 ~ Bassist Alan Lancaster, full name Alan Charles Lancaster, passed away in Sydney, Australia ~ Co-founding member of Status Quo, remaining with the band through 1985 and rejoining on occasion in later years. Sang lead on songs such as Backwater, Is There A Better Way, Bye Bye Johnny, High Flyer and Roadhouse Blues ~ Lancaster was born in 1949
September 26, 2021 ~ George Frayne IV, commonly known as singer, pianist, songwriter Commander Cody, passed away in Saratoga Springs, New York, USA ~ Frontman of Commander Cody & his Lost Planet Airmen, known for merging country, rock & roll, western swing, rockabilly, jump blues and boogie-woogie piano. The band scored a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit with Hot Rod Lincoln of their 1971 Lost In The Ozone album ~ Frayne was born in 1944
September 26, 2020 ~ Concert, Lieder soprano singer Adele Stolte passed away ~ Known as a fine interpreter of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. Co-founded the the Leipziger Bachsolisten quartet. Has worked with the Bern Symphony Orchestra, and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra ~ Stolte was born in 1932
September 26, 2020 ~ Rock keyboardist Jimmy Winston, full name James Edward Winston Langwith, passed away ~ Original keyboardist for the Small Faces, replaced in late 1965 by Ian McLagan. Winston is present on the band's first two singles, Whatcha Gonna Do About It, which reached No.14 in their native UK, and its follow-up I've Got Mine. Winston has since only recorded sporadically as a solo artist and with Winston's Fumbs, and has made some appearances as an actor for film and TV series ~ Winston was born in 1945
September 26, 2017 ~ Contemporary classical composer Ruth Lomon passed away in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known as composer-in-residence for the Boston Secession, for whom she composed the oratorio Testimony Of Witnesses. The work is based on personal texts of Holocaust survivors and victims ~ Lomon was born in 1930
September 26, 2006 ~ Singer, rapper Akon releases Smack That featuring Eminem, lead single off his Konvicted sophomore album ~ Akon and Eminem had first met during recording sessions for Obie Trice, and quickly became friends. The following year the pair would team up to write the club banger Smack That with Luis Resto, and Mike Strange, Eminem also serving as producer. The collaboration worked out well, as the single reached No.2 Billboard Hot 100 as well as top 10 in over a dozen countries, and earned the pair a Grammy Award. Akon would later comment on working with Eminem: “We felt that we could do a record that fit both our personalities and was a fun club record, it was no different than working with any of the other artists, really”
September 26, 2003 ~ Pop rock, blue-eyed soul singer Robert Palmer, full name Robert Allen Palmer, passed away in Paris, France ~ Enjoyed his biggest successes during the 1980s, both as a solo artist and with supergroup Power Station. Well known songs include Bad Case Of Loving You (Doctor Doctor), Addicted To Love, and I Didn't Mean To Turn You On. Palmer had previously worked with the Alan Bown Set, Dada, and Vinegar Joe ~ Palmer was born in 1949
September 26, 2003 ~ Singer, pianist, guitarist Shawn Lane passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Worked with Ringo Starr, the Highwaymen, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Reggie Young, Joe Walsh, Jonas Hellborg, Black Oak Arkansas, Tommy Aldridge, Andy Tanas, Chris Craig, Savage Innocence, Billy Batte, Kinley Wolf, Jim Dandy Mangrum, the Willys, Sam Bryant, Jeff Sipe, DDT, Luther Dickinson, Anders Johansson, Wei Wei, Félix Sabal-Lecco, Steve Ferrone, Andrea Marchesini, Toy Caldwell, Jimi Jamison, Calvin Russell, Chris LeDoux, the North Mississippi Allstars, and Richard Hallebeek ~ Lane was born in 1963
September 26, 2000 ~ Baden Powell de Aquino, commonly known as guitarist, composer Baden Powell, passed away in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Merges classical techniques with harmony and swing. Plays bossa nova, samba, Latin jazz. As a composer known for Abração Em Madrid, Braziliense, Consolaçao, Canto De Ossanho, and Samba Triste, the latter becoming a jazz standard. Worked with the Steve Bernard Orquestra, Ed Lincoln, Billy Blanco, Herbie Mann, Carlos Monteiro de Souza, Oscar Castro Neves, Stéphane Grappelli, and Herbie Mann ~ De Aquino was born in 1937
September 26, 2000 ~ Drummer Nick Fatool passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ One of the most in-demand drummers of the 1940s. Worked with Joe Haymes, Don Beston, Bobby Hackett, Benny Goodman, the Riverboat Five, Artie Shaw, Alvino Rey, Claude Thornhill, Les Brown, Jan Savitt, Harry James, Erroll Garner, Louis Armstrong, Jess Stacy, Tommy Dorsey, Matty Matlock, John Scott Trotter, Glen Gray, Bob Crosby, Andy Russell, Betty Hutton, Billy May, Dave Barbour, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Freddie Black, Gordon Macrae, Jack Teagarden, Johnny Mercer, Jo Stafford, Margaret Whiting, Tennessee Ernie Ford, the Andrews Sisters, the Pied Pipers, Wingy Manone, and others ~ Fatool was born in 1915
September 26, 1998 ~ Lillie Mae Jones, commonly known as jazz, post-bop singer Betty Carter, passed away in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Debuted as a solo artist with the well-received album Out There in 1958. Became a household name after duetting with Ray Charles releasing the 1960 collaborative album Ray Charles & Betty Carter which spawned the hit Baby It's Cold Outside. Had previously worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Lionel Hampton, Charles Mingus, Wes Montgomery, King Pleasure, and Ray Bryant. Carter would go on to record numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums often employing and mentoring young talent early on in their career such as John Hicks, Curtis Lundy, Mulgrew Miller, Cyrus Chestnut, Dave Holland, Stephen Scott, Kenny Washington, Benny Green, and Tarik Shah ~ Carter was born in 1929
September 26, 1995 ~ Kathleen Twomey, commonly known as songwriter, arranger Kay Twomey, passed away in Wellesleys, Massachusetts, USA ~ Co-wrote Sammy Kaye's 1947 No.3 hit Serenade Of The Bells, also recorded by the Fleetwoods, Carl Mann, Gene Pitney, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Vinton, and others. Wrote or co-wrote a number of well known Elvis Presley songs, including Put The Blame On Me, In The Beginning and Wooden Heart. Other artists who recorded her songs include Jo Stafford, Doris Day, Eddy Arnold, Eartha Kitt, Johnnie Ray, Brian Hyland, Perry Como, the Sandpipers, the Statler Brothers, Lucille Starr, David Houston, Teresa Brewer, and Nat King Cole ~ Twomey was born in 1914
September 26, 1995 ~ Saxophonist Lenny Hambro passed away in Somers Point, New Jersey, USA ~ As sideman played with Gene Krupa, Glenn Miller, Roy Eldridge, Billy Butterfield, Bobby Byrne, Vincent Lopez, Pupi Campo, Machito, Ray McKinley, Charlie Ventura, and Joe Loco. As leader he employed artists such as Wade Legge, Rene Hernandez, Eddie Costa, Hank Jones, Dick Garcia, Sal Salvador, Barry Galbraith, Louis Barretto, Clyde Lombardi, Arnold Fishkind, Eddie Bert, Mel Zelnick, Harold Granowski, Gus Johnson Jr, Sid Bulkin, Jose Mangual, Ubaldo Nieto, Ray Santamaria, and Babs Gonzales ~ Hambro was born in 1923
September 26, 1992 ~ TV personality, singer Megan McKenna born in Essex, UK ~ First gained attention on several TV reality shows from the mid-2010s onward. As a singer released her The Story Of Me debut album in 2018, which spawned the modest uk hits High-heeled Shoes and Far Cry From Love
September 26, 1988 ~ James Blake Litherland, commonly known as electronic, post-dubstep, pop singer, keyboardist, songwriter James Blake, born in London, UK ~ First gained attention in the early-2010s with a series of EPs, releasing his full-length eponymous James Blake debut album to critical acclaim which spawned the modest UK hit Limit To Your Love. Has collaborated with artists such as Mount Kimbie and Bon Iver. Has produced or co-produced tracks by Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, Vince Staples, Frank Ocean, Travis Scott, and others
September 26, 1986 ~ Drummer Jake Davison born ~ Best known as drummer of Aiden from 2003 to 2011, a band which he co-founded with Angel Ibarra. Davison recorded five albums with the band, including the acclaimed Nightmare Anatomy, before leaving the band amicably, later citing financial security as the main reason for his departure
September 26, 1985 ~ Matthieu Total, commonly known as singer, songwriter Matt Pokora, born ~ French of Polish descent, Tota was one of three males to win the 2003 edition of French talent show Popstars, which teamed up winners to form a boy- or girl band. The resulting Linkup had initial success but eventually disbanded due to poor sales. In 2004 Tota decided on the stage name Pokora, Polish for “humility”, and released his solo debut album M Pokora. He continues to record to this day
September 26, 1983 ~ Constantin Rossi, commonly known as cabaret, pop singer, actor Tino Rossi, passed away in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France ~ Reportedly recorded over 2,000 songs and appeared in more than 25 films. Best known for his 1946 hit Petit Papa Noel which sold over 30 million copies worldwide ~ Rossi was born in 1907
September 26, 1981 ~ Christina Flores, commonly known as R&B, dance, hip-hop singer, actress Christina Milian born in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA ~ Signed with Murder Inc at 19. Released her debut album, Christina Milian, in 2001. It spawned the modest hits AM To PM and When You Look At Me. Has recorded steadily since. Also known for subsequent hits such as Say I, Us Against The World, and perhaps her best known the Billboard top 10 hit Whatever U Want
September 26, 1980 ~ Auburn Hare, commonly known as electric blues guitarist, singer Pat Hare, passed away in St Paul, Minnesota, USA ~ Influential on rockabilly, on British invasion stars including the Rolling Stones and the Yardbirds, and through distorted power chord-driven usage of the electric guitar as early as the 1950s even seen as a precursor to heavy metal music. Served as sideman for Howlin' Wolf, James Cotton (notably the guitar solo on 1954's Cotton Crop Blues, with its use of heavily distorted power chords according to some a precursor to heavy metal), Muddy Waters, Bobby Blue Bland, Junior Parker, and others ~ Hare was born in 1930
September 26, 1976 ~ Louis Charles Robinson, commonly known as blues singer, guitarist, fiddler LC Robinson, passed away in Berkeley, California, USA ~ Rumored to be mentored by Blind Willie Johnson and introduced to the steel guitar by Leon McAuliffe. Brother of blues harpist AC Robinson, with whom he also worked. Noted for the 1968 album Oakland Blues which also featured Lafayette Thomas and Dave Alexander, and for the 1971 follow-up Ups And Downs ~ Robinson was born in 1914
September 26, 1974 ~ Rapper, producer Watkin Tudor Jones born in Johannesburg, South Africa ~ Member of the Original Evergreen, appearing on the single Puff The Magik. The song would be banned for its controversial lyrics about marijuana usage. Achieved international fame as member of Die Antwoord. Has also fronted hip hop act Max Normal, recorded as a solo artist starting with the album Memoirs Of A Clone in 2001, and ventured into acting
September 26, 1973 ~ Lukasz Sebastian Gottwald, commonly known as producer, songwriter, singer Dr Luke born in Providence, Rhode Island, USA ~ As a producer, songwriter first gained attention with Kelly Clarkson's 2004 hit Since U Been Gone. Would go on to produce, write numerous hit records, often collaborating with Max Martin, for artists such as Kelly Osbourne, the Backstreet Boys, P!nk (Who Knew), Kelis, Avril Lavigne (Girlfriend), the Sugababes, Katy Perry (I Kissed A Girl), Britney Spears, Flo Rida, Ciara, Ke$ha (Tik Tok), Taio Cruz, BoB (Magic), Britney Spears, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, TI, Flo Rida, Miley Cyrus (Party In The USA), Weezer, One Direction, will.i.am, Robin Thicke, Maroon 5 (Sugar), Usher, Jessie J, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Kim Petras, Ne-Yo, Pitbull, Doja Cat, Kygo, and Lil' Wayne
September 26, 1973 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, post-grunge singer, guitarist Marty Casey, full name Martin Xavier Casey, born ~ Influenced by Guns 'n Roses, AC/DC, Cyndi Lauper, Joe Cocker. Lead singer, guitarist, primary songwriter for Lovehammers, merging pop-punk with grunge influences and best known for their 2006 Marty Casey & the Lovehammers album. The year before Casey had participated in the reality show Rock Star INXS, in search of a new lead singer for INXS, and although he did not win his band was asked to open for them on the INXS Switched On Tour
September 26, 1972 ~ Singer Shawn Stockman, full name Shawn Patrick, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Member of Boyz II Men, known for Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits such as Motownphilly, It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday, End Of The Road, In The Still Of The Nite (I'll Remember), I'll Make Love To You, Water Runs Dry, 4 Seasons Of Loneliness and A Song For Mama. The band has also collaborated with Mariah Carey (One Sweet Day), LL Cool J, Bell Biv DeVoe, and Charlie Puth
September 26, 1971 ~ Singer Neil Young records Are You Ready For The Country for his Harvest album, issued the following year ~ Recorded during sessions at the Broken Arrow Ranch, Young's personal home in Half Moon Bay, California. Young, usually a guitarist, can be heard on the piano, with Jack Nitzsche and Ben Keith on guitars, respectively slide and pedal steel guitar. Though the song seemingly overlaps with other contemporary Young songs, particularly Southern Man and Alabama, it is unclear what Young is actually asking. Some critics have wondered whether the singer asks his audience to follow him into country music, though the song is clearly more blues than country, while Rolling Stone has suggested the song seemed like “an in-joke throwaway intended for the amusement of certain of Neil's superstar pals”. Regardless, about half a decade later, Waylon Jennings countrified the song, and explicitly asked the question by slightly altering the lyrics from “Are you ready for the country, because it's time to go” to “Are you ready for the country, are you ready for me”
September 26, 1970 ~ In its eleventh week on the charts, Snowbird by Anne Murray peaks at No.8 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Afer watching songwriter Gene MacLellan perform this song on a Canadian TV show, Murray would become the first to record and release the song. Issued as a single off her This Way Is My Way sophomore album, it would become her first to chart on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 and only her second to chart in her native Canada. MacLellan claimed it was only the second song he'd had ever written, the process taking him just half an hour. Lyrically, the snowbird is used as a metaphor for freeedom by contrasting the narrator's inability to leave the place of their heartache with the bird's ability to just up and fly away. The song has become a standard, recorded by over an estimated 150 artists including MacLellan on his 1970 Street Corner Preacher album. Others who have recorded the song include Loretta Lynn, Lynn Anderson, Perry Como, Elvis Presley, Billie Jo Spears, Hank Snow, and Wanda Jackson
September 26, 1970 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter, producer Paul Draper born in Liverpool, UK ~ Influenced by the Beatles, Pink Floyd and Prince. Fronted Mansun, which he co-founded with Stove King and Dominic Chad. Co-wrote, co-produced Alone In My Room, a 2005 solo single by Skunk Anansie's Skin. Released his full-length Spooky Action solo debut album in 2017
September 26, 1969 ~ Pop rock sibling outfit the Bee Gees record Sweetheart at IBC Studios, London, UK ~ Written by Barry Gibb and Maurice Gibb, the former also singing lead vocals. Produced by the band and their manager Robert Stigwood. Included on the Cucumber Castle album. Featured as the B-side to IOIO for the UK market and as the B-side to If I Only Had My Mind On Something Else for the US market in March 1970. Singer Engelbert Humperdinck would cover the song later the same year, almost reaching the UK top 20
September 26, 1967 ~ Timothy Brown, commonly known as rapper Father MC, born ~ Best known for a string of early-1990s hits including Treat Them Like They Want To Be Treated, I'll Do 4 U featuring Mary J Blige as backing vocalist, Lisa Baby, I've Been Watching You, Everything's Gonna Be Alright, and others
September 26, 1967 ~ Guitarist, singer Shannon Hoon born in Lafayette, Indiana, USA ~ Influenced by the Grateful Dead, the Beatles, John Lennon, Bob Dylan. Best known for fronting Blind Melon from 1990 to this death in 1995. Worked with Styff Kyen, Michael Kelsey, Man Rage, Dave Lank, Darren Mickler, and others ~ Hoon passed away in 1995
September 26, 1966 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Chris Murray born in Toronto, Canada ~ Best known as member of late-1980s, early-1990s ska outfit King Apparatus. Has also worked as a solo artist, with Da Whole Thing and with the Slackers, notably on the 2005 collaborative Slackness album
September 26, 1966 ~ Helen Clare Schroeder, commonly known as singer, actress Helen Kane passed away in Jackson Heights, New York, USA ~ Popular 1920s and early-1930s stage and film singer and actress best known for I Wanna Be Loved By You from the 1928 stage musical Good Boy. According to some accounts the animation character Betty Boop in the Talkartoons series was based on Kane, Kane sued the Fleischer Studios but eventually lost the court case with the judge ruling there was “insufficient evidence” ~ Kane was born in 1904
September 26, 1964 ~ Dance, dance-pop, pop singer Nicki French, full name Nicola Sharon French, born in Cumbria, UK ~ Best known for her 1995 Bonnie Tyler-cover Total Eclipse Of The Heart which reached top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. Represented the UK in the 2000 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 16th place with Don't Play That Song
September 26, 1960 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Doug Supernaw, full name Douglas Anderson Supernaw, born in Bryan, Texas, USA ~ Influenced by George Jones and Gene Watson. Recorded four albums starting with Red And Rio Grande released in 1993. The album spawned the Billboard Country No.1 hit I Don't Call Him Daddy, previously recorded by Kenny Rogers. Besides his sole No.1, the singles Reno, What'll You Do About Me and Not Enough Hours In The Night, would also reach top 20 Billboard Country ~ Supernaw passed away in 2020
September 26, 1959 ~ Singer, pianist Fats Domino records Be My Guest ~ Written by Domino, John Marascalco and Tommy Boyce. Arranged and produced by Dave Bartholomew. Released the next month, featuring I've Been Around on the B-side. It would be the then-unknown Boyce's first hit, who would later team up with Bobby Hart to find succes as songwriting duo, notably responsible for many hits by the Monkees
September 26, 1958 ~ Jan Paul Breahm, commonly known as singer Darby Crash, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founded punk rock outfit the Germs with Pat Smear. Drummer Belinda Carlisle was briefly an early member of the band but never played a show with them, she would go on to world fame as lead vocalist of all-female outfit the Go-Go's and achieve major stardom in the 1980s as a solo artist. Breahm committed suicide by way of intentional overdose, his death overshadowed by John Lennon's murder the very next day ~ Breahm passed away in 1980
September 26, 1956 ~ Jazz violinist, composer Randy Sabien born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Béla Fleck, Emery Christiansen, Free Hot Lunch, Greg Brown, Jim Post, Jan Marra, Peter Buffett, Catfish Keith, Jim Kansas, John Altenburgh, Michael Sterling, Peter Mulvey, Garrison Keillor, David Levin, Corky Siegel, Kevin Bowe, and others
September 26, 1955 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Carlene Carter born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Daughter of singer June Carter and Carter's first husband singer Carl Smith. Debuted with the eponymous Carlene Carter album in 1978 and has recorded steadily since. Best known for songs such as I Fell In Love, Come On Back and perhaps her best known Every Little Thing. Co-wrote, with Susanna Clark, Easy From Now On for Emmylou Harris's acclaimed 1978 album Quarter Moon In A Ten Cent Town. Has collaborated with Robert Ellis Orrall, Southern Pacific, Elizabeth Cook, Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, Kris Kristofferson, several family members including her mother, sisters Anita Carter and Helen Carter, with her stepfather Johnny Cash, and released a full-length collaborative album with John Mellencamp, Sad Clowns & Hillbillies, in 2017. Married to Nick Lowe from 1979 to 1990. Also romantically invlved wit the late bass player Howie Epstein in the late-1990s
September 26, 1954 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Cesar Rosas born in Hermisollo Sonora, Mexico ~ Longtime member of Los Lobos, present since the band's 1973 Los Lobos Del Este De Los Angeles (Just Another Band From East LA) debut album. Has also worked with supergroup Los Super Seven. Released a solo album, Soul Digsuise, in 1999
September 26, 1954 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Craig Chaquico born in Sacramento, California, USA ~ Best known as lead guitarist for Jefferson Starship, first appearing on the 1974 Dragon Fly album, and its successor Starship including on the Billboard Hot 100 charttoppers We Built This City, Sara and Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now. Formed Big Bad Wolf, known for their eponymous 1998 Big Bad Wolf album. Has also worked with Commander Cody & his Lost Planet Airmen, Gregg Rolie, 3rd Force, Joan Burton, Cusco, Russ Freeman, and others
September 26, 1953 ~ Folk singer Dolores Keane born in Sylan, Ireland ~ Sister of Sean Keane. Founding member of De Dannan. Married to John Faulkner from 1977 to 1988, with whom she also worked. Debuted as a solo artist in 1978 with the album There Was A Maid. Has also collaborated with Rita Eriksen, John Prine, and others
September 26, 1953 ~ Victor Edward Jurusz Jr, commonly known as jazz guitarist Vic Juris, born in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA ~ Active since the mid-1970s. Rooted in hard bop, with a knack for avant-garde and jazz fusion. As a leader or co-leader recorded about two dozen albums, especially noted for Steeplechase released in 1994. Closely associated with Richie Cole, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums, and with Dave Liebman, appearing on well over a dozen of the saxophonist's albums. Other notable associations include Eric Kloss, Barry Miles, Don Patterson (Movin' Up), Brian Torff, Lenore Raphael, Lee Konitz, Biréli Lagrène, Jeanie Bryson, and Stephanie Nakasian ~ Jurusz passed away in 2019
September 26, 1951 ~ Pop rock, progressive rock drummer Stuart Tosh, full name Stuart McBeath Tosh, born in Aberdeen, UK ~ Active mostly during the 1970s and 1980s recording and touring with the likes of Pilot, the Alan Parsons Project, 10cc and Camel
September 26, 1951 ~ Bassist, singer Tony Fox Sales born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Elder brother of drummer Hunt Sales with whom he also worked, including in the Todd Rundgren-led outfit Runt known for the 1970 Billboard top 20 hit We Gotta Get You A Woman. Also worked with Tony & the Tigers, scoring a handful local hits in the Detroit area, with Chequered Past, David Bowie's Tin Machine, Bob Welch, Free's Andy Fraser, and others
September 26, 1949 ~ Blues, soul, jazz singer Wendy Saddington, full name Wendy June Saddington, born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Member of Chain, Copperwing, and the James Taylor Move, and eponym of the Wendy Saddington Band. As a solo artist best known for her 1972 Looking Through A Window single. Portrayed the role of the Nurse in a 1970s production of the rock opera Tommy. Took the name Gandharvika Dasi after adopting Krishna consciousness in the 1970s ~ Saddington passed away in 2013
September 26, 1948 ~ Singer, actress, songwriter Olivia Newton-John born in Cambridge, UK ~ Starred in the 1978 Grease musical film alongside John Travolta, lead singer on Hopelessly Devoted To You and dueting on You're The One That I Want and Summer Nights. As a solo artist well over two dozen albums to her name, focusing on pop and country-pop, starting with If Not For You released in 1971. Well known songs include Let Me Be There, If You Love Me Let Me Know, I Honestly Love You, Have You Never Been Mellow, A Little More Love, Magic, Physical and Xanadu, the latter a collaborative effort with the Electric Light Orchestra ~ Newton-John passed away in 2022
September 26, 1947 ~ Dennis Leigh, commonly known as singer, keyboardist, guitarist, percussionist John Foxx, born in Chorley, UK ~ Founding member, original frontman of Ultravox, remaining with the band from 1976 through 1979. Present on 1977's Ultravox, 1977's Ha Ha Ha and 1978's Systems Of Romance
September 26, 1947 ~ Singer Lynn Anderson, full name Lynn Rene Anderson, was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA ~ Daughter of songwriters Casey Anderon and Liz Anderson. Best known for her 1970 hit Rose Garden. First female country artist to, in 1974, sell out Madison Square Garden. Also known for songs such as If I Kiss You (Will You Go Away), Promises Promises, Cry, Listen To A Country Song, What A Man My Man Is, and others ~ Anderson passed away in 2015
September 26, 1945 ~ Singer Bryan Ferry born in Washington, UK ~ Suave gentleman art-rock, pop-rock singer. Best known as co-founder and frontman of Roxy Music, known for hits such as Virginia Plain, Street Life, Love Is The Drug, Dance Away, Angel Eyes, Over You, the John Lennon-cover Jealous Guy, Avalon and More Than This. Started a parallel solo career in 1973, debuting with the album These Foolish Things, while still a bandmember, drawing from showtunes, jazz, folk, pop and rock. Ferry would disband the band after their best-selling album, 1982's Avalon, to focus on his solo career scoring hits such as Slave To Love and Don't Stop The Dance. The band would reconvene from time to time
September 26, 1945 ~ Bossa nova, tropicália, pop singer Gal Costa, full name Maria da Graça Costa Penna Burgos, born in Salvador, Brazil ~ Duetted with Maria Bethânia on Sol Negra of the latter's 1965 debut album. Released Domingo, a collaborative album with Caetano Veloso, in 1967. Would score her first major hit with the Veloso-penned Baby the next year. The single would be included on her eponymous 1969 Gal Costa album, considered a classic in the tropicália genre. Has been recording steadily to critical acclaim and commercial succes since ~ Costa passed away in 2022
September 26, 1941 ~ Country, countrypolitan, rockabilly singer, guitarist, songwriter David Frizzell born ~ Younger brother of iconic honky-tonker Lefty Frizzell. Active since the late-1950s, achieving his biggesst successes in the 1980s. Known for songs such as the Shelly West-duet You're The Reason God Made Oklahoma, I'm Gonna Hire A Wino To Decorate Our Home, Lost My Baby Blues, and Where Are You Spending Your Nights These Days
September 26, 1940 ~ Traditional jazz banjoist, bandleader Eddy Davis, full name Eddy Ray Davis, born in Lafayette, Indiana, USA ~ Best known for his association with filmmaker, comedian, clarinetist Woody Allen, who played in Davis's the New Orleans Jazz Band starting in the 1960s. Davis has also appeared in several of Allen's movies. Admired by peers Davis appears on dozens of albums starting in the late-1950s, including recordings by Leon Redbone, Turk Murphy, Doc Cheatham, Frank Vignola, and others ~ Davis passed away in 2020
September 26, 1940 ~ Jazz fusion, jazz, funk alto saxophonist Gary Bartz born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Eric Dolphy, McCoy Tyner, Max Roach, Abbey Lincoln, Art Blakey, Expansions, Sphere, Miles Davis, Charles Tolliver, Pharoah Sanders, Reggie Workman, Woody Shaw, Charlie Mariano, Syreeta Wright, Wade Marcus, Gene Ammons, Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd, Norman Connors, Antonio Hart, Jackie McLean, Rare Silk, Wallace Roney, Malachi Thompson, and others
September 26, 1939 ~ Folk guitarist, singer Mick Softley born in South Woodford, UK ~ Softly recorded over half a dozen albums, starting with Songs For Swingin' Survivors released in 1965, and has earned a devoted cult following including among fellow musicians. Played the trombone in school, before discovering the music of blues guitarist Big Bill Broonzy which prompted him to switch to guitar. Spent the late-1950s and early 1960s busking and playing the clubs in Paris, France, sharing stages with the likes of Clive Palmer, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, and Wizz Jones before returning to his native UK to become a figurehead in British folk. Reportedly taught cross-picking guitar techniques to Donovan, who would later record Softley's Goldwatch Blues and The War Drags On and cite Softley as a major influence. Softley continued to record and perform well into the 2000s, rejecting stardom and often performing for free, preferring to watch people enjoy his music rather than make money. Well known songs include Walk Walk Talk Talk, I Love You Baby, Can You Hear Me Now, Ragtime Mama, as well as renditions of Billie Holiday's Strange Fruit and Woody Guthrie's The Plains Of The Buffalo ~ Softley passed away in 2017
September 26, 1937 ~ Singer Bessie Smith passed away in Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA ~ Most popular female blues singer of the 1920 and 1930s, dubbed “the Empress of Blues”. Known for recordings such as Downhearted Blues, Gulf Coast Blues and Cake Walking Babies (From Home). Worked with Ma Rainey, Alberta Hunter, Ethel Waters, Louis Armstrong, Coleman Hawkins, Fletcher Henderson, James P Johnson, and the Dorsey Brothers ~ Smith was born in 1894
September 26, 1934 ~ Jazz, blues, blues-rock, post bop, jazz fusion saxophonist, clarinetist, pianist Dick Heckstall-Smith, full name Richard Malden Heckstall-Smith, born in Ludlow, UK ~ Influenced by Sidney Bechet, Lester Young, Wardell Gray. Important figure in 1960s and 1970s English blues, blues-rock circles. In-demand collaborator, closely associated with acts such as Blues Incorporated (R&B From The Marquee), the Graham Bond Organisation, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers (Bare Wires), Colosseum. Has also worked with Battered Ornaments, Manchild, Sweet Pain, Big Chief, the Famous Bluesblasters, Mainsqueeze, John Ethridge, Jack Bruce, and others ~ Heckstall-Smith passed away in 2004
September 26, 1931 ~ Bassist, singer George Chambers born in Flora, Mississippi, USA ~ Member of psychedelic soul band the Chamber Brothers, known for incorporating elements of traditional gospel and blues, psychedelica and rock into soul. The band, which also includes his siblings guitarist Joe Chambers and harmonica player Lester Chambers, has recorded half a dozen albums and is best known for their 1968 eleven-minute single Time Has Come Today, which reached No.11 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Chambers passed away in 2019
September 26, 1930 ~ Alice Hoffeiner, commonly known as classical violinist Alice Harnoncourt, born in Vienna, Austria ~ Married to Nikolaus Harnoncourt with whom she co-founded the Concentus Musicus Wien, pioneering the period-instrument performance movement. The couple would have four children, including mezzo-soprano singer Elisabeth von Magnus ~ Hoffeiner passed away in 2022
September 26, 1926 ~ Nancy Gayle Peck, commonly known as jazz, torch singer, actress Julie London, born in Santa Rosa, California, USA ~ As a singer, noted for her husky contralto voice. Best known for her multi-million-seller signature song Cry Me A River, lifted off her 1955 Julie Is Her Name debut album. Though London would rarely reach the charts since, she continued to record through the late-1960s, her repertoire consisting mostly of covers of traditional pop and jazz standards. Parallel to and beyond her recording career, London enjoyed popularity as an actress, perhaps most notably in the medical drama TV series Emergency, which ran for well over a 100 episodes from 1972 through 1977 and spawned half a dozen additional TV films. The show was produced by London's ex-husband Jack Webb and also featured her husband pianist, songwriter, actor Bobby Troup, who had written the oft-covered Nat King Cole hit (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 ~ Peck passed away in 2000
September 26, 1925 ~ Martin David Robinson, commonly known as country singer Marty Robbins, born in Glendale, Arizona, USA ~ Popular country singer with some 50 albums to his name over a four decade career. Especially acclaimed for his 1959 Gunfighter Ballads & Trail Songs, considered one of the first if not the first concept album in country. Known for songs such as A White Sport Coat, El Paso, Big Iron, Don't Worry, Devil Woman, and others. Held strong conservative views, with some of his songs (Ain't I Right, My Own Native Land) even rejected by Columbia Records as too political. Campaigned for Barry Goldwater in the 1964 USA presidential election ~ Robinson passed away in 1982
September 26, 1925 ~ Othella Strozier, commonly known as jazz singer, dancer Othella Dallas, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Had blues artist WC Handy as her baby sitter. As a dancer discovered by Katherine Dunham who brought her to her New York dance company. As a singer has worked with Sidney Bechet and Nat King Cole. Relocated to Switzerland in the 1960s, opening a dance school in Zurich teaching the Dunham technique. Would also continue to work as a singer until a year before her death ~ Strozier passed away in 2020
September 26, 1922 ~ Label executive Jim Foglesong born in Lundale, West Virginia, USA ~ Active from the 1950s through the 1990s working for major labels and their subsidiaries such as Columbia Records, ABC Records, Dot Records and MCA Records. Known as one of the gentlest, kindest people in the music business. Signed and helped advance the careers of artists such as Barbara Mandrell, Don Williams, Garth Brooks, Donna Fargo, Reba McEntire, the Oak Ridge Boys, Con Hunley, George Strait, Tanya Tucker, Sawyer Brown, Suzy Bogguss, Kevin Morris, and others ~ Foglesong passed away in 2013
September 26, 1915 ~ Jazz guitarist, singer Tony Romano born in Madera, California, USA ~ In-demand backing musician on radio programs and in Hollywood films from the 1930s through the 1950s. Perhaps best known for his association with Bob Hope and Frances Langford on USO tours in World War II, Korean and Vietnam wars. Has also served as arranger for Johnny Mercer and Bing Crosby. As a solo artist known for Stars Fell On Alabama, a hit for Romano in 1956 ~ Romano passed away in 2005
September 26, 1912 ~ Guitarist, arranger, songwriter René Hall, full name René Joseph Hall born in Morgan City, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known for his 1958 recording Twitchy. In-demand session musician and arranger for the likes Earl Hines, Plas Johnson, Earl Palmer, Otis Blackwell, Babette Bain, Johnny Burnette, Ernie Fields, Larry Williams, Ike & Tina Turner, Marvin Gaye, and Bobby Womack. Arranged some of Sam Cooke's best known including A Change Is Gonna Come ~ Hall passed away in 1988
September 26, 1907 ~ George Clinton Fisher Jr, commonly known as bassist, singer, songwriter Shug Fisher, born in Tabler, Oklahoma, USA ~ Actor with numerous appearances in Western films and TV shows including Gunsmoke and The Beverly Hillbillies. Best known for his association with Roy Rogers appearing alongside Rogers as a member of the Sons Of The Pioneers ~ Fisher passed away in 1984
September 26, 1901 ~ Wilfred Theodore Weems, commonly known as jazz, big band bandleader, violinist, trombonist Ted Weems, born in Pitcairn, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for leading an orchestra from the 1920s onward, scoring hits such as Piccolo Pete, The Man From The South, Somebody Stole My Gal and My Baby Just Cares For Me. Weems is also known for employing sidemen such as Perry Como, Elmo Tanner, Red Ingle and Joe Haymes ~ Wemyes passed away in 1963
September 26, 1898 ~ Composer, songwriter George Gershwin born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Noted composer and pianist who spanned popular and classical. Best known for works such as Rhapsody In Blue, the opera Porgy & Bess, and standards such as I Got Rhythm, Swanee, Embraceable You, and others. There are reportedly over 25,000 recordings of the Gershwin-penned Summertime, the first to hit the pop charts being Billie Holiday in 1936. Other artists who have charted with this classic include Sam Cooke, Al Martino, Ricky Nelson and Janis Joplin's band Big Brother & the Holding Company ~ Gershwin passed away in 1937
September 26, 1894 ~ Leonore Vonderlieth, commonly known as singer Vaughn De Leath, born in Mount Pelaski, Illinois, USA ~ Popular radio performer during the 1920s. One of the very first to record Are You Lonesome Tonight in 1927, a song popularized by Elvis Presley decades later. Other well known songs include Oliver Twist and Ukelele Lady ~ Vonderlieth passed away in 1943
September 26, 1889 ~ Singer, songwriter Frank Crumit born in Jackson, Ohio, USA ~ Vaudeville, radio performer. Made his stage debut at age 5 in a minstrel show. Appeared in the 1918 Broadway musical Betty Be Good. As a solo artist and songwriter especially popular during the 1920 and early-1930s scoring hits with Frankie & Johnny, A Gay Caballero, The Prune Song, There's No One With Endurance Like The Man Who Sells Insurance and I Learned About Women From Her. Married to singer, musical actress Julia Sanderson in 1928, with whom he would also work as a radio team lovingly dubbed “the Singing Sweethearts of the Air” ~ Crumit passed away in 1943
September 26, 1877 ~ Pianist, conductor Alfred Cortot, full name Alfred Denis Cortot, born in Nyon, Switzerland ~ One of the most renowned classical musicians of the 20th century. As a pianist revered for his insight into Romantic works including Frédéric Chopin, César Franck, and Camille Saint-Saëns, and for his association with cellist Pablo Casals and violinist Jacques Thibaud with whom he established the model for the classical piano trio. As a conductor, best known for bringing the music of Richard Wagner to French audiences, overcoming the initial resistance to Wagner. Cortot's legacy would be tainted for his role in World War 2, having worked with the rump state Vichy regime, although he had defended the rights of Jewish musicians and had helped several Jews survive the War ~ Cortot passed away in 1962