April 12          BIRTHDAYS 1962     Art Alexakis, vocals/guitar, b. West Los Angeles, CA, USA. Member group: 'Everclear' 1954     Brint Anderson, guitar, b. Natchez, MS, USA. 1945     Miller Anderson, guitar, b. Johnston, Scotland, UK. Played with 'Keef Hartley Band'. (Keef was born on March 8, 1944, in Preston, Lancashire, England.) 1951     Alex Briley, vocals. Member groups: 'YMCA', and 'The Village People'. 1950     David Cassidy, vocals, b. New York, NY, USA. (son of actors Evelyn Ward and Jack Cassidy.) 1930     Betty Clooney, vocals. d. August 6, 1976, Aneurysm. (Rosie's sister) 1967     Sarah Cracknell, vocals, b. Chelmsford, Essex, England. Member group: 'Saint Etienne', a Pop trio. 1910     Ethel Davenport, (gospel) vocals, b. Middleburg, FL, USA. 1964     Deryl Dodd, (Country) singer-songwriter/guitar, b. Dallas, TX, USA. 1892     Johnny Dodds, Clarinet, b. Waverly, LA, USA. d. Aug. 8, 1940. This welf-taught clarinetist is perhaps best recalled for his work in the Louis Armstrong 'Hot Five's' and 'Hot Sevens'. Johnny was among the most significant clarinetists of the early New Orleans Jazz era, and His younger brother, Baby Dodds, was among the first important drummers. During most of 1912-1919, Dodds was with Kid Ory's band, In 1917, he played on riverboats with Fate Marable. In 1921, he joined King Oliver in Chicago. In the following decade, he recorded with 'Oliver's Creole Jazz Band', Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, and on his own hot sessions, often utilizing trumpeter Natty Dominique. During 1924-1930, he worked regularly at Kelly's Stables (52nd Street in New York city). Dodds continued playing in Chicago during the 1930s, although part of the time was spent running a cab company. 1918     Helen Forrest, Vocalist, b. Atlantic City, NJ, USA, d. July 11, 1999, Woodland Hills, CA. (Congestive Heart Failure). né: Helen Fogel In 1942, Helen, who was born into a Jewish family, was America's top-rated female vocalist, - winning the Downbeat and Metronome polls, which, that same year (both ranked Frank Sinatra top male vocalist). Helen continued to perform until the early 1990s, when rheumatoid arthritis began to also affect her vocal chords. During 1938-'39, Forrest worked with the Artie Shaw band ("All The Things Your Are"), and from 1939-'41 with the Goodman band ("The Man I Love" ). Following Goodman, she joined Harry James, with whom she was also romantically involved, - prior to his marriage to actress Betty Grable. In an 1991 article, Forrest told the New York Times: " Working with the Shaw and Goodman groups in the heyday of big bands in the late 1930s and '40s ...(was difficult because)...in those days, we would change in the bus or in the ballroom, do the job, get back on the bus and drive to the next job." She was an early champion of civil rights. The "White" Helen Forrest refused to appear on stage with the Artie Shaw band until theater owners also permitted Black singer Billie Holiday to perform. In 1940, she again broke racial barriers by recording with the all-black Lionel Hampton orchestra. In 1996, Forrest was named honorary president of the 'Dick Haymes Society'. Married and divorced three times, at the time of her demise, Forrest was survived by one son, Michael Forrest Feinman. 1916     Russell Garcia, Trumpet/Arranger/composer, b. Oakland, CA, USA. 1939     Peter Giger, percussion, b. Zürich, Switzerland By 1958, Giger was already touring Europe with such stars as 'Wild Bill' Davison, 'Peanuts' Holland, , Albert Nicholas, Bill Coleman, 'Big' Joe Turner, Oskar Klein, and the 'Tremble Kids'. In 1960, he worked in Paris, France, with Bill Coleman, Stéphane Grapelli, and "Memphis Slim". 1961 found him working with the Claude Bolling Sextet and Big Band, and in 1963, Giger recorded with Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Alice Babs, and slso toured with Beryl Bryden, 'Diz' Dizzley and Johnny Parker in Malaysia and Sarawak. In 1964, he backed famed tap-dancer Harold Nicholas, and also worked with Renè Urtreger. And all this was only the beginning of his career. He subsequently went on to become the Co-founder of the Swiss Jazz School (1969), initiate the first international Jazz Clinic in Wengen, Switzerland (1970), and worked in Frankfurt with the Albert Mangelsdorff Quintet (1972). In 1973, his "Neuen Schlagzeugschule" (Vol. 1) was published (Vol. II was published in 1977). In 1975, he founded the "Nagara Records" label. In 1977, he formed the "Family Of Percussion" (FOP) with Trilok Gurtu, Doug Hammond and Tom Nicholas. The FOP has since toured in India. New Delhi, Bombay, Madras, and Mozambique (1991). 1985 saw the start of the collaboration with Mangelsdorff / Dauner & FOP. In 1986, he was part of the duo-concert with Max Roach at the Jazzfestival, Hofheim. 1988 saw the "Peter Giger Quartet" with Jasper van t‘Hof, Tomasz Stanko and Vitold Rek. In 1999, the film " Herr Der Trommeln" ('Lord of the Drums') - "the Peter Giger Story" was released. And, happily,...Peter remains very active today. 1957     Vince Gill, (C&W) Guitar/vocals, b. Norman, OK, USA. Among the many groups with whom he played are 'Pure Prairie League', The Bluegrass Alliance, The Cherry Bombs, and Sundance. As a composer he wrote "If It Weren't for Him" (w/Roseanne Cash). As a vocalist, his 1992 release of "I Still Believe in You" was a hit, as was 1990's "When I Call Your Name", also, in 1991, "Restless" (w/Steve Wariner and Ricky Skaggs). As a guitarist, he had the 1993 hit "Red Wing" (w/'Asleep at the Wheel'). 1909    Lionel Hampton, Vibes/drums/vocals/piano/leader, b. Louisville, KY, USA. d. Aug. 31, 2002, New York, NU, USA. (some sources say born Apr. 20). This Jazz giant pioneered the use of the vibraphone ("vibes") in Jazz recording. Although he first recorded playing the vibes on a 1930 recording session of "Memories of You" with a Louis Armstrong jazz group, he didn't achieve fame until he toured with Benny Goodman's band, where he was one of the mainstays of the Goodman small groups. (Especially the Benny Goodman quartet with Teddy Wilson on piano, Goodman on clarinet, Hampton on Vibes and Gene Krupa on drums.) He later formed his own orchestra, which in time had such jazzmen as Illinois Jacquet (saxophone), Charles Mingus (bass), Gene Krupa (drums), Dinah Washington (vocals) and Quincy Jones (arranger). He has also recorded both as a vocalist and pianist. 1940     Herbie Hancock, Piano, b. Chicago, IL, USA. (Also composer of "Watermelon Man".) 1921     "Shakey Jake" Harris, harmonica, b. Earle, AR, USA. 1970     Nicholas Hexam, vocals/guitar, b. Omaha, NE, USA. Member group: '311', consisting of five self-described "friends for life" (singer/guitarist Nick Hexum, singer S.A. Martinez, guitarist Tim Mahoney, drummer Chad Sexton and the bassist known only as P-Nut) 1944     John Kay, guitar/vocals, b. Tilsit, East Prussia, Germany. né: Joachim Fritz Krauledat. Member group: 'Steppenwolf' (leader/founder). Best recalled tunes: "Born to Be Wild" and "Rock Me'. 1973     Ryan Kisor,, trumpet 1951     Marty Krystall, tenor sax, bass clarinet 1930     Bob Lee, vocals, b. Tuscaloosa, AL, USA. 1916     Ernie Lee, vocals, b. Berea, KY, USA. né: Ernest Eli Cornelison. Tag: "the Kentucky Balladeer" 1936     Judy Lynn, C&W singer.b. Boise, ID, USA. née: Judy Voiten.She was voted 'Snake Valley Jamboree Queen' (1952), 'Miss Idaho' (1955), and the 'U.S. Champion Yodeler' I1953). Among her hit releases was "Footsteps of a Fool". 1924     Dick Marx, piano/arranger/composer, b. Chicago, IL, USA. d. August 1997, Highland Park, IL, USA. Age 73. (from injuries sustained in an auto accident in Las Vegas, NV, USA). Tag: "Chicago's Jingle King". Dick Marx learned piano as a child and later graduated from Sullivan High School, whose alumni included jingle composer Marty Rubenstein.. His career began performing in Chicago-area nightclubs. In 1986, Marx moved to Los Angeles where he began scoring movie ('A League of Their Own', 'Edwards and Hunt') and television ('Fudge') soundtracks, while also doing string and horn arrangements for his son, Richard Marx, and such other pop artists as Joe Cocker, and Yoshiki, among others. Subsequently, he formed 'Dick Marx and Associates', which included a stable of talented composers and jingle writers. His wife Ruth sang on many of his jingles while son Richard contributed vocals to the children's commercials. He will be remembered for writing some of the most enduring advertising jingles of the 1960s, '70s, and '80s, including Ken-L-Ration's "My dog is bigger than your dog," Wrigley's Doublemint chewing gum's "Double your pleasure, double your fun," Kellogg's Raisin Bran's "There's two scoops of raisins in every package of," and Dial Soap's "Aren't you glad you use Dial." 1926     Andrew "Blueblood" McMahon, bass, b. Delhi, LA, USA. 1923     Ann Miller, dancer/actress/vocals, b. Houston, Texas, USA. d, Jan. 22, 2004, Los Angeles, California, USA. (lung cancer). né: Johnnie Lucille Collier. (named Johnny because her lawyer father, John Collier (a charming Irishman), wanted a son. Her mother was Clara Birdwell, part Cherokee and almost completely deaf. Ann and mother went to Hollywood. A very young Ann haunted the theaters watching Ginger and Fred dancing, - she adored Ginger. Mom and Ann returned to Houston where mother and daughter found an unfaithful husband in bed with another woman. They left him and returned to Hollywood. The John Morgan Dance store gave her a pair of tap shoes and let her practice on the store's dance board. She would put on exhibitions at Elks, and Rotary Clubs, and such. Advised to use a simpler name, she chose 'Ann Miller'. Ann landed regular job in Black Cat Cafe, where the Patrons threw loose change on stage; Ann got down on hands and knees to pick up coins. A talent contest win landed her a 2 week job at the Casanova Club. At this time, (still underage), Ann was taking lessons at home and sending them to Hollywood's Professional Talent High School. She landed a 3 week booking at San Francisco's famed Bal Tabarin Club, where talent Scout Benny Rubin saw her. He told Ann that if she could prove she was 18, he would get her screen test at RKO. Her Lawyer father got her a fake birth certifcate and Ann got an RKO job. (Although often listed as born 1919, her real year of birth was 1923.) In 1937, (age 14) she signed a 7 year contract with RKO where she had a minor role with her idol Ginger Rogers in the picture "Stage Door'. Her next film was 'Radio City Revels' with singer Kenny baker (her first screen kiss). Next Frank Capra directed her in 1938 film "You Can't Take It With You', -where she portrayed a girl who couldn't dance. At age 15, RKO sent her on cross country tour, dancing at theaters where her shows were playing. When RKO wouldn't give her a raise, her agent got a release, sent her to New York. She made her Broadway debut in the George White Scandals of 1939, dancing to a song called 'Mexiconga'. It was a big success, and Ann had her first taste of champagne that night. After 2 years with 'The Scandals', she returned to Hollywood, and signed a 7 year contract with Columbia Pictures (Harry Cohn signed her.) She established herself as "Queen of the B's" -- dancing in such films as 'Time Out' and 'Reveille for Beverly'. She liked hanging around wealthy Playboys, not the usual hollywood stars - even Louis B. Mayer proposed, but her mom nixed it because Mayer was 40 years her senior. In 1946, wealthy Texas oilman Reiss Milner married her - even though Harry Cohn had brought in 2 other starlets to tell her of Milner's violence with them. She didn't believe it, and they were married on Valentine's day (in La Jolla, CA). 2 months later, she was pregnant. He began beating her, and she wrote a letter to her mom, to be opened in case of her death. In 1947, 9 months pregnant, he beat her and threw her down stairs. Ann, with a broken back, gave birth to a baby girl in hospital, but baby died 3 hours later, on Nov 12, 1946. (The Press reported her injury was due to a car crash.) She was laid up several weeks in a traction bed. She went back to her mom, filed for divorce. The millionaire Milner only gave her $20,000. About a year later, she was featured in 1948 film 'Easter Parade' (Astaire/Garland). In this film, she danced still using pain killers and a steel back brace. Ann now fell in love with William O'Connor (from seeing his picture in the newspaper). He was catholic and would not marry her unless his wife signed the divorce papers, which she refused to do. Ann was always with O'Connor - who became the real love of her life. The late 1940s and '50s were the pinnacle of her career. In 1949, she starred in 'On The Town' with Frank Sinatra, Jules Munshin, Vera Ellen, and Betty Garrett (music by Leonard Bernstein). At MGM. Ann reveled in world of Glamour and make-believe. Her mother often told her: "You never walk out that front door when you are not Ann Miller", and Ann never forgot it. Ann called her time with MGM her Golden years. But, films were becoming extinct. Television was rising. In 1953, Ann starred in 'Kiss Me Kate' (Cole Porter music), the last great MGM Musical. She was now dating hotel magnate Conrad Hilton and globe trotting - all the while still in love with Bill O'Connor. 1957 she wed Texas Oilman Bill Moss. O'Connor tried desparately to telephone her; he had decided to leave the Catholic faith, but he couldn't reach her. It was a wild wedding. As they came down the aisle, many 'one liners' were being tossed around by the guests. Moss was the kind of person who would have wild 2 day parties. Ann could not keep up. In 1959, Bill O'Connor died, heart attack. Ann's marriage to Moss lasted 2 more years after O'Connor's death. In 1962, she married fun-loving Arthur Cameron, still another Texas Oilman. One day, she saw him at the pool surrounded by many lovely girls. Asking him who the girls were, he replied they were his mistresses but "you're my queen". Ann told him either they go or she would go. He replied, well, you better pack your bags. She threatened him with a 7 million dollar lawsuit, but all she got was a divorce, a diamond ring, and $50,000 for her mother. In 1969, Ann opened in Florida in role of 'Auntie Mame'. By May 26, 1969 - 30 years after 'Scandals', she was back on Broadway. In 1970, she developed pneumonia and left show, which then had to close. At 47 years old, she returned to Mother in LA, -tired and sick. Ann spent much of the '70s touring in summer stock, theaters, cafes, etc. In 1979, she and Mickey Rooney opened in show "Sugar Babies" (In Florida I think). Critics were unkind, but audiences loved it. Her mom, Clara had a stroke, and was placed in nursing home. 'Sugar Babies' opened on Broadway in 1981, and after touring with show for 2 years, Ann got word that her mom had died. Three years later, 'Sugar Babies' went back on road. The show had a 9-1/2 year run and Ann made Millions, finally becoming financially secure. In 1989, she starred in Stephen Sondheim's "Follies", and sang what has become her anthem, "I'm Still Here". In 1999, she, Cyd Charisse, and Donald O'Connor, opened the newly re-furbished Radio City Music Hall in New York, where Ann got a standing ovation when she sang "I'm Still Here". Nowadays (2005), she often appears on the Turner Movie Channel. 1925     Ned Miller, (C&W) singer/songwriter, b. Raines, UT, USA. Best recalled composition: "From a Jack To a King" 1949     Donald Ray Mitchell, vocals. Member group: 'Was, Not Was' 1911     Tullio Mobiglia, Alto Sax/Leader, b. ca. 1911, Carezzano, Italy, d. July 24, 1991. 1980     Bryan Nicholas, vocals, b. Dublin, Ireland. né: Bryan Nicholas McFadden. Member group: 'Westlife' 1917     J. D. Nicholson, piano, b. Monroe, LA, USA. 1940     Sal Nistico, Tenor Sax, b. Syracuse, NY, USA. d. Mar. 3, 1991. Some sources show April 2 as his birthday. 1923     Harry Oster, label owner (Folklyric), b. Cambridge, MA, USA. 1904     Lily (Alice Josephine) Pons, Opera singer/actress, b. Draguignan, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, d. Feb 13, 1976, Dallas, Texas, USA. (pancreatic cancer). née: Alice Josephine Pons. Included here for the few "Pop" songs she sang including "That Girl from Paris", and "I Dream Too Much." 1945     Anne Rabson, piano, b. New York, NY, USA. 1964     Amy Ray, vocala/guitar, b. Atlanta, GA, USA. Member group: 'Indigo Girls', a duo known for voicing their political and social views in song. Amy Ray teamed up with Emily Saliers while in high school, and soon the duo were a staple in the Atlanta music scene. 1958     Will Sergeant, guitar, b. Liverpool, England, UK. Member groups: 'Echo & the Bunnymen' 1915     "Hound Dog Taylor", guitar, b. Natchez, MS, USA. 1925     Tiny Tim, Ukulele/vocals, d. Nov. 30, 1996 age 64. né: Herbert Bachingham Kauhry. AKA: Larry Love, and Darry Dover. What can we say. Hopefully, 'Tiny Tim' is still "tip-toeing through the Tulips" up in Heaven. 1954     Pat Travers, guitarist/singer, b. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 1931     Billy Vaughan, arranger/producer, b. Glasgow, KY, USA, d. Sept. 26, 1991. né: Richard Smith Vaughn. Music Director for Dot Records. He was also a baritone singer with a vocal group: 'The Hilltoppers' 1867     Johnny "Daddy Stovepipe" Watson, stovepipe. b. Mobile, AL, USA. 1965     Sean Welch, bass. Member group: 'The Beautiful South' 1929     John Lee Ziegler, guitar, b. Kathleen, GA, USA.          Notable Events occuring this date include: 1954.    Bill Haley & The Comets (below) recorded "Rock Around The Clock" ushering in a new era. It was the first Rock and Roll song to top the charts. 1960.    Lee A. C. Gallo Jr., label owner (Vita), died in NY, USA. Age: 33 1963.    Herbie Nichols, piano, died in New York, NY, USA. Age: 43 1967.    Buster Bailey, clarinet, died in New York (Brooklyn), NY, USA. Age: 64 1968.    Lester Melrose, A&R/producer ('Bluebird'), died in FL, USA. Age: 77 1970.    J. R. Fulbright, label owner (Elko), died in Los Angeles, CA, USA. Age: 70 1971.    Wynton Kelly, piano, died in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Age: 39 1975.    Josephine Baker, vocals/dancer, died in Paris, France. Age: 68 1976.    Ted Buckner, alto sax, died in Detroit, MI, USA. Age: 62 1979.    Pernell Charity, guitar, died in Waverly, VA, USA. Age: 58 1989.    Herbert Mills, a member of 'The Mills Brothers' vocal group ("Glow Worm", "Paper Doll", etc.) died in Las Vegas, Nevada. Age: 77. He had been with the group for nearly 60 years. 1989.    Abbie Hoffman, (beat) poet, died in New Hope, PA, USA. Age: 52 1991.    Jimmie Revard, Singer/Bass Fiddle/Clarinet, and member of "The Oklahoma Playboys" died. Age: 81 (né: James Osage Revard, November 26, 1909, Pawhuska, Oklahoma, USA) 1992.    Joe Medwick, guitar/songwriter, died in Houston, TX, USA. Age: 61 1994.    Q. T. Macon, guitar, died in E. St. Louis, IL, USA. Age: 60          Songs Recorded/Released this date include:      1950 "If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked a Cake" - Eileen Barton      1950 "Music, Music, Music" - Teresa Brewer      1958 "Tequila" - The Champs      1958 "Book of Love" - The Monotones      1958 "Oh Lonesome Me" - Don Gibson      1969 "Hawaii Five-O", Ventures      1974 "Sunshine on My Shoulders" - John Denver      1974 "Bennie & The Jets" - Elton John      1975 "Only Yesterday", Carpenters      1980 "Stomp!", Brothers Johnson      1980 "Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer", Rogers, Kenny      1982 "Make a Move on Me" - Olivia Newton-John      1982 "Big City" - Merle Haggard      1986 "All I Need Is A Miracle", Mike + The Mechanics      1986 "Is It Love", Mr. Mister      1990 "All Around the World" - Lisa Stansfield      1990 "Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart" - Randy Travis      1990 "Love Will Lead You Back" - Taylor Dayne      1990 "I'll Be Your Everything" - Tommy Page