BIRTHDAYS
1877     Tom Albert, Trumpet, b. Algiers, LA, USA. d. 1968
1936     Muhammad Ali, drums, b. Philadelphia, PA, USA
1929     Chet Baker, Trumpet/flugelhorn/Vocal, b. Yale, OK, USA, d. May 13, 1988, Amsterdam, Netherlands, né: Chesney Henry Baker.
1949     Adrian Belew, vocals, b. Covington, KY, USA. né: Robert Steven Belew. In 1975, he changed his first name to Adrian when he joined a Nashville, Tennessee, cover band.
1949     Ariel Bender, guitar/vocals, b. Evesham, England. né: Luther Grosvenor. Member groups: 'Mott the Hoople' / 'Spooky Tooth'.
1961     Ralph Bowen, alto, tenor-soprano sax, flute, arranger, b. Guelph, ON, Canada
1945     Ronald Bushy, drummer with Iron Butterfly.
1951     Johnny Contardo of the rock 'n' roll revival band Sha Na Na.
1931     Henry Falcon Cuesta, clarinet (reeds), b. McAllen, TX, USA, d. Dec. 17, 2003, Sherman Oaks, CA, USA. From musical family, he is a Cousin of Ernie and Emilio Caceres. Perhaps best known as the featured clarinetist with the Lawrence Welk Orchestra.
1936     Jack Daniels, Label founder ("4 Brothers"), b. Crossett, AR, USA
1927     John Drew, Bass, b. Sheffield, England
1974     Montsho Eshe, choreographer/singer/emcee. Member group: 'Arrested Development', a very popular Rap/Hip Hop group formed 1988 in Atlanta, GA. by rappers "Speech" (a.d.a. Todd Thomas) and "DJ Headliner" (aka: Timothy Barnwell) then students at the Art Institute of Atlanta, GA. In 1996, the group disbanded. This progressive collective fused soul and 'Sly and the Family Stone'-style funk with socially conscious lyrics. They contributed the song, "Revolution" to Spike Lee's film "Malcolm X."
1917     Eddie Finckel, pianist, composer, arranger, b. Washington, DC, USA, d. May 12, 2001. As a youngster, he picked up the piano by listening to Teddy Wilson and Art Tatum solos, and by picking out his own compositions. In the 1940s, he worked as staff arranger for the Boyd Raeburn, Les Brown, and Gene Krupa bands. His composing skills became evident while working with drummer Buddy Rich, who was recorded playing such tunes as "Gypsy Mood," "Leave Us Leap," and "Starburst." In the 1950s, Finckel became the musical director of an art-based private school in Short Hills, NJ, holding the position for 40 years, until his passing at the age of 83.
1910     Freddy Gardner, (All) Saxes/Clarinet, b. Kilburn, London, England, UK, d. July 26, 1950
1912     Ron Gowans, Reeds/Flute, b. Sydney, Australia
1966     John Gordon, alto sax, b. New York, NY, USA.
1949     Luther Grosvenor, guitar, b. Worcester, UK. Member: 'Spooky Tooth', a group originally called 'The Art', esd led by Mike Harrison on vocals and Luther Grosvenor on guitar. When American keyboardist Gary Wright was added, they changed their name to 'Spooky Tooth'
1940     Tim Hardin, singer/songwriter. d. Dec. 29, 1980
1928     Buddy Harmon, (C&W sessions) drummer, b. Nashville, TN, USA.
1926     Joe Harris, Drums, b. Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
1959     Laurence Hobgood, Piano
1888     Mike Jackson, piano/vocals, b. Louisville, KY, USA, d. June 21, 1945
1923     Pinocchio James, vocals, b. Macon, GA, USA. né: Cornelius Jones. (Some sources say b. 1927) The child of musician parents, he studied music at the 'Cosmopolitan School of Music' in Cincinnati, OH. He is probably best recalled today for both the part he played in the Lionel Hampton revue, and then for touring (1957 -ca.'65) with Hampton. Before that, he had been a solo performe. He had also played with Tiny Bradshaw's band.
1940     Jorma Kaukonen, guitar. Member groups: 'Jefferson Airplane' and 'Hot Tuna'
1898     Johnny Kidd, bandleader, b: USA, d: USA, d: December 29, 1952, né: Frederick Heath
1933     B. J. King, guitar
1940     Jeanie Lambe, vocals.
1953     Chris McNulty, vocals, b. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
1933     Frank Morgan, Alto/soprano Sax, b. Minneapolis, MN, USA. USA. d. Dec. 14, 2007 Minneapolis, MN, USA. Played with such men as Conti Candoli; Carl Perkins, Machito's Rhythm Section, Wild Bil Davis (organ); Wardell Grey; Leroy Vinnegar (Bass) and others. Cut only one record under his own name. However, This was true up until the 1980s when he made a comeback and started a recording career for the Contemporary and Antilles labels.
1975     Jamie Murphy, singer/songwriter, b. Sydney, Australia. née: Jamie Murphy. She was born to musician parents who eventually moved first to Hawaii, and then to Las Vegas, NV, to perform at The Golden Nugget casino. Jamie, now age 7, and her sister Samantha soon were performing with their parents. It was a vagabond childhood spent traveling across America in an RV, performing at state fairs, conventions, and as an opening act for touring country stars. Finally, the family settled in Nashville, TN, where they recorded three self-released albums. When her dad and mother divorced, Jamie moved to Los Angeles with her father. Shortly afterwards, Jamie returned to Australia for a visit with her mother. She began performing in clubs and on street corners before becoming a backup singer for pop tart Kylie Minogue. She was also writing songs, and a demo tape that her mother sent to a contact in Nashville, got Jamie a songwriting contract under producer Harold Shedd, which then led to songwriter/artist-development deal with EMI Music. During this time, O'Neal was singing backup for established country acts like Clay Davidson and Ronnie Milsap, while her songs were being covered by the likes of LeAnn Rimes and Chely Wright. In 1998, her audition with Mercury Nashville's Keith Stegall resulted in a recording contract with the label. In early 2000, her country-pop debut, "Shiver", was released, and was soon nominated for three Grammy awards. Jamie was then a 'star' in her own right. Jamie has told interviewers that " "I have always wanted to be in Nashville,......I have dreamed of this my entire life. This is what I have always wanted. I have always wanted to do Country music. I love the faithfulness of the Country fans. I love the fairs. And I especially love how the audience relates to your songs. What you are saying means much more to them than it does to pop fans. Nashville is where I belong."
1956     Dave Murray, guitar. Member group: 'Iron Maiden'.
1908     "Sonny Boy" Nelson, guitar, b. Utica, MS, USA. né: Eugene Powell
1935     Esther Phillips, vocals, b. Galveston, TX, USA. d. August 7, 1984, Los Angeles, CA, USA (liver and kidney failure as a reult of Heroin addiction). née: Esther Mae Jones. In 1949, her sister entered her in a talent show at a nightclub belonging to blues singer Johnny Otis. Otis was so impressed with the 13-year-old that he brought her into the studio for a recording session with 'Modern Records' and added her to his live revue billing her as "Little Esther". Teamed with the vocal quartet the Robins (who later evolved into the Coasters) she scored her first success on the hit single "Double Crossin' Blues". In 1951, 'Little Esther' left Otis, reportedly after a dispute over money. In 1954, she returned to Houston, TX, to live with her father. Sadly, she had developed a heroin addiction. 'Little Esther' worked in small nightclubs around the South, punctuated by periodic hospital stays in Lexington, Kentucky, stemming from her addiction. In 1962, Kenny Rogers re-discovered her singing at a Houston club and signed Ester to his brother's 'Lenox' label. She re-christened herself Esther Phillips, choosing her last name from a nearby Phillips gas station. From that beginning, she went on to international acclaim.
1940     Eugene Record, vocals, b. Chicago, II, USA. né: Eugene Booker Record. Member group: 'The Chi-lites' consisted of Eugene Record, Robert Lester, Marshall Thompson, and Creadel Jones.
1931     Herman Schoonderwalt, reeds, b. Eindhoven, Holland
1943     Harry Shearer, bass guitar/actor, b. Los Angeles, CA, USA. Played the part of Derek Smalls in film "This is Spinal Tap". A great many men have appeared with this group. For example, during the filming of the 1984 'rockumentary' "This is Spinal Tap", there had been 37 people in the band, including Chris Guest, who has a very interesting background.
1908     Joseph Thomas Jr., Tenor Sax, b. Muskogee, OK, USA. (His brother was "Foots" Thomas.)
1966     Eddie Vedder, lead vocals/lyricist/guitarist/frontman, b. Evanston, IL, USA. né: Edward Louis Seversen III. Member group: 'Pearl Jam'. Eddie once told an interviewer "I don't need drugs. Life is already tragic enough".
1937     Jimmy Vaneaton, drums, b. Memphis, TN, USA.
1906     Franz Waxman, b. Konigshutte, Upper Silesia, Germany [now Chorzów, Poland] Germany (now: Chorzow, Poland), d. Feb, 24, 1967, Los Angeles, CA, USA. (cancer) né: Franz Wachsmann. a.k.a. Franz Wachsmann
         Notable Events occuring this date include:
1928.    The National Broadcasting Company established a permanent coast-to-coast radio network. Only two years earlier, the General Electric, and Westinghouse corporations had formed a company called 'Radio Corporation of America' ('RCA') with David Sarnoff as its chief executive. The NBC Network was one of the RCA subsidiaries.
1938.    The 'Spirituals to Swing' concert was presented at New York's famed Carnegie Hall by music impresario John Hammond. Pianists Meade Lux Lewis, Albert Ammons, and Pete Johnson, vocalist Joe Turner, clarintetist Sidney Bechet, the Count Basie Orchestra, and blue singer Big Bill Broonzy, and gospel singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe, all appeared. THe show was credited with starting the "Boogie Woogie" craze.
1940.    Billy Hill, songwriter, died in Boston, MA, USA. Age: 41
1958.    Henry "Son" Sims, violin, died in Memphis, TN, USA. Age: 68
1958.    Reginald Foresythe piano, composer, died in London, England, UK
1964.    Jennie Mae Clayton, vocals, died in Memphis, TN, USA. Age: 70. Sang with the "Memphis Jug Band"
1974.    Walter C. Allen, author (Hendersonia), died in Point Pleasant, NJ, USA. Age: 54
1976.    Boyd Gilmore, guitar, died in Fresno, CA, USA. Age: 66
1985.    Lillie Mae Hill, vocals, died in Clarksdale, MS, USA. Age: 50
1987.    Ulysses Kae Williams, DJ/manager, died in Philadelphia, PA, USA. Age: 66
1991.    Teddy Butler, guitar, died in Oakland, CA, USA. Age: 52
1991.    Andrew "The Voice"/"B.B". Odom,vocals, died in Chicago, IL, USA. Age: 55
1992.    Eddie Hazel, guitar, died in Plainfield, NJ, USA. Age: 42
1999.    Calvin Crawford, C&W Bass guitarist, died in Nashville, TN, USA. Age: 68 (cancer). Calvin worked with "Little" Jimmie Dickens for 19 years.
1995.    Allison Miner, co-founder Prof. Longhair, died in New Orleans, LA, USA. Age: 46
1996.    Ronnie Scott, famed British saxophonist and Jazz club owner was found dead at his London home at age 69. IT was first thought he had committed suicide but a coroner report said "overdose of barbiturates". In 1959, he opened Ronnie Scott's Club in London's Soho district. It went on to become Great Britain's leading modern Jazz showcase.
2003.    Don Lamond, drums, died in Orlando, FL, USA. (brain tumor), Perhaps best recalled for his work with Woody Herman's First and Second Herds,
         Songs Recorded/Released this date include:
1943     Shoo-Shoo Baby, - Andrews Sisters
1943     White Christmas, - Bing Crosby
1957     Jingle Bell Rock, - Bobby Helms
1967     Green Tambourine, - Lemon Pipers
1972     Crocodile Rock, - Elton John
1972     Oh Babe, What Would You Say, - Hurricane Smith
1972     Why Can't We Live Together, - Timmy Thomas
1978     Lotta Love, - Nicolette Larson
1978     Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?, - Rod Stewart
1989     What Kind Of Man Would I Be, - Chicago
1989     Tell Me Why, - Expose