BIRTHDAYS
1930     Harley "Red" Allen, (bluegrass) singer-songwriter, b. Pigeon Roost, KY, USA, d. April, 3, 1993. Member: 'The Kentuckians'.
1900     Pink Anderson, vocals/guitar, b. Lawrence, SC, USA. d. 1974. While still a child, his family moved to Spartenburg, SC. His career began at age 15 when he found work with "Dr. Kerr" Pink would gain the attention of onlookers, and then the "doctor" would sell various miraculous elixirs. He continued working -on and off - with Kerr until 1945, when the "doctor" retired. In 1916, Pink met the much older blind singer Simmie Dolley, and the pair would entertain at parties in the small towns around Spartanburg. The pair also recorded early on, and again in the 1950s, both times for the Columbia label. in December 1960, Simmie died, after which, Pink made a few 'solo' recordings, and even appeared in the 1963 film 'The Bluesmen'.
1944     "Moe" Bandy, vocals. He had ten #1 hits, and 45 top-ten hits. Among his releases are "Till I'm Too Old to Die Young", "Where's the Dress", and "Americana". né: Marion Franklin Bandy Jr.
1912     Paul Bascomb, Tenor Sax, b. Birmingham, AL, USA. d. 1986. He and his brother Dud were with Erskine Hawkins for many years. (Paul's best solo probably "Sweet Georgia Brown". Recorded with Count Basie in 1941. In late 1940s, toured with his own R&B combo.
1914     "Tex" Beneke, Tenor Sax/vocals, b. Fort Worth, TX, USA. d. May 30, 2000, Costa Mesa, CA, USA - Respiratory Failure. né: Gordon Beneke. Best recalled for his outstanding work with the Glenn Miller Orch.
1944     Moe Bandy, C&W vocals, b. Meridian, MS, USA. né: Marion Bandy.
1926     Marion "Buddy" Childers, Trumpet, leader, b. St.Louis, MO, USA, d. May 24, 2007, Los Angeles, CA. USA. . Self-taught, Buddy, took up the trumpet at age 12, and at age 14, joined the musicians' union in his home city of St Louis, Missouri and became a working professional. Two years later, in 1942 at age 16, he first joined the Kenton band. Buddy would go on to work with Kenton off and on from 1942 to 1954. All told, Childers left and rejoined the band eight times. He first left in June 1944 when he was called into the U. S. Army, during World War II. Due to severe back problems, he went into an Army hospital, and three months later, he received a Service discharge. Within a couple of months he was back with Kenton. In between playing with Kenton he played in bands led by Benny Carter, André Previn, Les Brown and Vido Musso. In 1951 he joined Tommy Dorsey, where he partnered the remarkable virtuoso Charlie Shavers in the trumpet section. After leaving Dorsey, Buddy played with Georgie Auld and then rejoined the Charlie Barnet Band - he had been with Barnet in 1950. After Barnet, he freelanced in Los Angeles and then spent seven years in Las Vegas from 1959 to 1966. Returning to Los Angeles, he worked as a studio musician into the 1980s, He led his own big band at various times in Los Angeles In the late 1970s, Buddy then joined pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi and her saxophone-playing husband Lew Tabackin's, big band, recording and touring Europe with them. From 1983 he worked as music director for Frank Sinatra Jr's backing band. In April 1997, Buddy returned to London where he played at the 'Pizza Express'. During the last decade of his life, Buddy battled with cancer. Still, as late at 2006, he was playing from his wheelchair at jam sessions in LA. In addition to music, Childers also had a successful career as a photographer.
1894     Red Clark, Trombone, b. New Orleans, LA, USA. d.
1970     Jim Creeggan, member: 'Barenaked Ladies'
1959     Neil Conti, drums, b. Luton, England. Member group: 'Prefab Sprout', a group consisting of Neil Conti, Patrick Joseph McAloon (June 7, 1957. b. Durham, England), Martin McAloon (Jan. 4, 1962. b. Durham, England), and Wendy Smith (May 31, 1963. b. Middlesbrough, Cleveland, England).
1914     Harold "Hal" Edstron, bandleader/music publisher, b. Worthington, Minnesota, USA, d. Feb. 23, 1996, Winona, Minnesota, USA
1960     Matt Finders, trombone, b. Livermore, California, USA. Started playing jazz in High School, and continued his musical studies at San Jose State University. While still in college, Finders played with Clark Terry’s big band, where he first met and played with former “Tonight Show” band leader Branford Marsalis. In 1983, he began playing in the 'pit' orchestras for such Broadway musicals as “Cats,” “42nd Street,” “City of Angels,” “Secret Gardens” and “Starlight Express.” Finders has played with such jazz artists as Harry Connick, Mel Lewis, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Natalie Cole, Buck Clayton, Benny Goodman, Marian McPartland and Grover Mitchell. He also plays the bass trombone and the tuba.
1942     Rick Frank, drums. Member group: 'Elephant's Memory'
1989     Cara Gleeson, Alto Sax/Clarinet, b. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
1950     Steve Hackett, composer/guitar, b. London, England. Also with: 'Genesis'
1959     Omar Hakim, drums, b. New York, NY, USA. (some sources say b. Jan. 1, 1959). A graduate of the New York School of Music and Art
1916     Leroy W. Harris Jr., Sax/Clarinet, b. St.Louis, MO, USA, d. Feb. 16 2005.
1929     Ernie Hayes, piano/organ
1867     Joseph D. Howard, composer, b. New York, NY, USA. d. May 19, 1961, Chicago, IL, USA.
1951     Vincent James, vocals, b. Manchester, England. Member group: 'Sweet Sensation', an eight-man British soul band from Manchester, England. CAUTION: Do not confuse with the American R&B vocal group of the same name, consisting of 4 ladies, Mari Fernandez, Margie Fernandez, Sheila Bega, and Betty Lebron. (One of the most popular female groups in Latin freestyle (namely salsa and merengue) and hip-hop.)
1949     Stanley Knight, vocals/guitar, b. Little Rock, AR, USA. Member group: 'Black Oak Arkansas'
1921     Hans Koller, Tenor Sax, b. Vienna, Austria, d. Dec. 21, 2003
1914     Ernst Landl, Piano, b. Vienna, Austria, d. Dec. 4, 1983
1955     Bill Laswell, producer,bass,guitar, keyboards, synths, b. Salem, IL, USA. (raised in Detroit, MI area).
1971     Keri Lewis, drums. Member group: 'Mint Condition'
1939     Ray Manzarek, keyboards. b. Chicago, IL, USA. Member group: 'The Doors'
1923     Art Mardigan, Drums, b. Detroit, MI, USA. d. 1977
1935     Gene McDaniels, vocals, b. Kansas City, MO, USA. Best known release: "100 Pounds of Clay"
1958     Grant McLennan, vocals, b. Rockhampton, Australia. Member group: 'The Go-Betweens'
1951     Gil Moore, drums/vocals. Member group: 'Triumph'
1953     Cheryl Morris, vocals, b. Whittier, CA, USA. Cheryl began her career at a very young age, performing throughout southern California as a dancer with 'Baker's Dance Company' then homebased in Los Angeles. However, in 1974, her career took a dramatic turn when she became the featured vocalist with the Johnny Catron Orchestra, in Glendora, California (at the time, Johnny owned The Timber's Ballroom!). She then joined Orrin Tucker's Orchestra, which performed regularly at The Stardust Ballroom on Hollywood's Sunset Blvd., as well as touring extensively. Cheryl then became the star vocalist with the Harry James orchestra, working with James from 1979 - off and on 'till Harry's death in 1983. James, who had played with singers such as Dick Haymes, Helen Forrest, Frank Sinatra, and Connie Haines among others, often told friends that Cheryl was the greatest singer of them all. Her work with the James Orchestra included appearances throughout the United States and Canada and tours for several cruise lines. With Harry's demise, she continued with The Original Harry James "ghost band," led first by Joe Graves and then Art Depew, until 1990. Here's Cheryl singing at Disneyland Carnation Plaza, where she appeared regularly and entertained thousands. Subsequently, She went on to sing with such groups as trumpeter Clyde Reasinger's Big Band, (her husband at that time), Pat Longo's Big Band, Bill Tole's Band, Ray McKinley's Band, Manny Harmon Orchestra, The Home Saving's of America Orchestra, and Tex Beneke's orchestra. Her theatrical work is extensive, and includes the off Broadway show "The Big Broadcast of 1944" (where Cheryl was featured with the Harry James Orchestra). Her other theatrical credits include "I Remember Mama", "Come Blow Your Horn", "Sweet Charity", "Funny Girl", and "Brigadoon". Currently (2005), this young lady is extremly active, and much in demand, throughout the Oregon/Washington northwest area of the U. S. where she resides, and often appears with Burgie Crandall's "Let's Dance Band".
1968     Chynna Phillips, vocals, b. Los Angeles, CA, USA. né: Wilson Phillips.
1923     Mel Powell, Piano, b. New York, NY, USA. d. April 24, 1998. né: Melvin Epstein. This writer still recalls his beautiful work on the Benny Goodman release of "A String of Pearls".
1919     Bernie Privin, Trumpet, b. New York, NY, USA, d. October 8 1999.
1953     Taylor Rhodes, (Bluegrass) drums. Member: "Earl Scruggs Revue". CAUTION: Do not confuse with the composer Taylor Rhodes, who wrote tunes for Aerosmith, and others.
1956     Brian "Robbo" Robertson, guitar, b. Glasgow, Scotland, UK. Member group: Thin Lizzy (1974 - 1978), 1973 single "Whisky In The Jar" charted UK No.6 (Members of "Thin Lizzy" have included Philip Lynott, Brian Downey, Eric Bell, Gary Moore, Brian Robertson, Scott Gorham, Darren Wharton, Snowy White, John Sykes, Marco Mendoza, and Tommy Aldridge. Others who were members only briefly are Midge Ure, Eric Wrixon, John Cann, Andy Gee, Dave Flett, and Mark Nauseef. An interesting sidelight to Robertson's career is that at one time, Robertson was almost killed when he attended a 'Hell's Angels' motorcycle meeting, wearing a pink tutu and ballet shoes. He subsequently disappeared from the music scene. Perhpas because of his odd style of dress, he remains something of a mystery in the guitar world.
1918     Wesley Rose, (C&W) producer/arranger, b. Chicago, IL, USA, d. April 26 1990.
1948     Joe Schermie, bass. b. Madison, WI, USA. d. March 25, 2002. Member group: 'Three Dog Night'
1943     Greg Waters, Clarinet, b. Milwaukee, WI, USA.
1966     Gary 'Gaz' Whelan, drums, b. Manchester, England. Member group: 'Happy Mondays'
1909     Barry Wood, Vocal, reeds, b. New Haven, CT, USA. d. 1968 Barry was the brother of famed bandleader Barney Rapp. CAUTION: Do not confuse with famed comic artist Wallace "Wally" Wood (b. June 17, 1927, Menahga, MN, USA, d. Oct.31,1981, New Haven, CT, USA, suicide; gunshot to temple; kidney failure; multiple strokes). Created comic strips: Terry & the Pirates, Flash Gordon, Sally Forth, and helped create the TOPPS "Mars Attacks" trading cards. He also worked for MAD Magazine and The Spirit.
1923     "Big John" Wrencher, harmonica/vocals, b. Sunflower County, MS, USA (on a plantation), d. July 1977 (Coronary). aka: "One-Arm" Wrencher.
         Notable Events occuring this date include:
1924.    Paul Whiteman's Symphonic Jazz program, presented at New York's Aeolian Hally. featured the first public performance of George Gershwins "Rhapsody In Blue" (with Gershwin himself at the piano). Distinguished guests included John Philip Sousa and Jascha Heifetz.
1942.    Mildred Bailey recorded "More Than You Know" (Decca).
1949.    Seymour Simons, songwriter, died in Detroit, MI, USA. Age: 53
1965.    John Hays Hammond, Jr., (Hammond Organs), died in New York, NY, USA. Age: 76
1967.    Muggsy Spanier, trumpet, died in Sausalito, CA, USA. Age: 61
1968.    Singer/guitarist Jimi Hendrix received an honorary high school diploma from Garfield High School in Seattle, WA, USA. (He had dropped out of school at the age of 14.)
1970.    Ishman Bracey, guitar, died in Jackson, MS, USA. Age: 69
1978.    Bob McCoy, piano, died in Birmingham, AL, USA. Age: 68
1983.    Eubie Blake, piano/composer, died in New York (Brooklyn), NY, USA. Age: 100. né: James Hubert Blake
1992.    Andy "Blake" Blakeney, trumpet, died in Baldwin Park, CA, USA. Age: 93
1995.    George "Earring" Mayweather, harmonica, died in Boston, MA, USA. Age: 67
            Songs Recorded/Released this date include:
1947    "For Sentimental Reasons", - Nat King Cole vocal
1947    "Ole Buttermilk Sky", - The Kay Kyser Orchestra (vocal: Mike Douglas & The Campus Kids)
1947    "A Gal in Calico", - Johnny Mercer vocal
1947    "So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed", - Merle Travis vocal
1955    "Sincerely", - McGuire Sisters
1955    "Let Me Go, Lover!", - Hank Snow
1963    "Up on the Roof", - The Drifters
1966    "Working My Way Back To You", Four Seasons
1966    "I Fought The Law", Fuller, Bobby
1966    "Elusive Butterfly", Lind, Bob
1971    "Knock Three Times", - Dawn
1971    "Rose Garden", - Lynn Anderson
1972    "Way Of Love, The", Cher
1972    "Heart Of Gold", Young, Neil
1979    "Do You Think I'm Sexy?", - Rod Stewart
1983    "Mr. Roboto", Styx
1987    "Open Your Heart", - Madonna