BIRTHDAYS
1953     Desi Arnez Jr., vocals, b. Los Angeles, CA, USA. né: Desiderio Alberto Arnaz IV. At only age 12, Desi Jr. was the drummer for the rock act 'Dino, Desi, & Billy'. Dino was Dean Paul Martin, famed singer Dean Martin's son. Billy was Billy Hinsche. In 1965, the group had a top 40 hit with "I'm A Fool".
1908     Merwyn Bogue (aka: "Ish Kabibble"), Trumpet/Novelty vocals, b. Erie, PA, USA. d. June 5, 1994, age 86. Joined the Kay Kyser band in 1931 and became one of the band's featured singers.
1939     Sam T. Brown, Jazz Guitar, b. St.Louis, MO, USA. d. Dec. 28, 1977.
1900     Abbie Brunies, Cornet, b. New Orleans, LA, USA. d. Oct. 2, 1978. Abbie was one of the old New Orleans musical families. His brothers and sisters included Cornetist Richie, Cornetist Merritt, Guitarist Ada, Bassist Rudy, Trombonist Henny, and Trombonist George Brunies. (George was known professionally as Brunis. He dropped the "e" when a numerologist told him it would bring him bad luck.)
1951     Dewey Bunnell, vocals/guitar. Member group: 'America', a group formed in 1967, London, England, and comprising Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley, and Dan Peek, - all Vocalists/guitarists, and all three were sons of U.S. Air Force officers who were stationed in the U.K
1943     Joe Butler, drums/vocals. Member group: 'The Lovin' Spoonful', a group founded in 1965 by Leader and principal songwriter John Sebastian (Harmonica -his father was a virtuoso classical harmonica player), and Zal Yanovsky, Steve Boone on bass and Joe Butler on drums. In mid-1967, Yanovsky left the band and was replaced by Jerry Yester, former producer of the Association. In 1968, John Sebastian left. and with Butler as leader, they had just a few more minor hits before disbanding. In the 1970s, Sebastian went on to moderate success as a singer/songwriter.
1942     Michael Crawford, vocals, b. Wiltshire, England. Crawford was a star of the British stage and screen for almost two decades before his success in the title role of Andrew Lloyd Webber's version of 'The Phantom of the Opera'.
1919     Israel Crosby, Bass, b. Chicago, IL, USA. d. Aug. 11, 1962
1958     Stephanie Davis, C&W singer-songwriter, b. Bridger, MT, USA.
1919     Ray Eberle, Vocal, b. Housick Falls, NY, USA. d. Aug. 25, 1979, Douglasville, GA, USA.
1947     Rod Evans, vocals, b. Slough, England. Member group: 'Deep Purple', a group formed in Hertford, England, in 1968, originally formed for a new act, initially called 'Roundabout', and comprised of Chris Curtis (drums, b. Christopher Crummey, Aug. 16, 1941, Oldham, Lancashire, England). Jon Lord ( keyboards, b. June 9, 1941, Leicester, Leicestershire, England) and Nick Simper ( bass, b. Nov., 3, 1945, Norwood Green, Southall, Middlesex, England), Ritchie Blackmore (guitar, b. Richard Hugh Blackmore, April 14, 1945, Weston-Super-Mare, Avon, England) During the rehearsals, Curtis dropped out within days, and when Dave Curtis (bass) and Bobby Woodman (drums) also proved incompatible, two members of Maze, Rod Evans (vocals, b. Jan. 19, 1947, Slough, England) and Ian Paice (drums, b. June 29, 1948, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England), replaced them. During a brief Scandinavian tour, they adopted the name 'Deep Purple'. After all this, there followed a seemingly endless series of lineup changes.
1939     Phillip 'Phil' Everly, Country music vocalist, b: Brownie, KY, USA. 'The Everly Brothers' had a uniquely 'country-western' sound to their singing voices.
1917     "Streamline" John Ewing, Trombone, b. Topeka, KS, USA. d. Feb. 1, 2002
1944     Shelley Faberes, vocals. b. Santa Monica, CA, USA. In 1962, at age 18, her recording of "Johnny Angel" hit No. 1 on the Billboard chart. A year later, she married record producer Lou Adler and retired.
1925     "Little" Henry Gray, Blues piano, b. Kenner (suburb of New Orleans), LA, USA, . Among the many Blues artists that Henry has worked and/or recorded with are such men as Robert Lockwood Jr., Billy Boy Arnold, Morris Pejoe, Muddy Waters, Johnny Shines, Abe Locke, Hubert Sumlin, Lazy Lester, "Little" Walter Jacobs, Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller), "Homesick" James, Jimmy Reed ( including a Carnegie Hall concert), Jimmy Rogers, Elmore James (with him the night he died), "Snooky" Pryor, Koko Taylor, Otis Rush, "Little" Milton, James Cotton, Buddy Guy, Raful Neal, Kenny Neal, Taj Mahal, BB King, Tabby Thomas, Larry Garner, Moses "Whisperin" Smith, Silas Hogan, Guitar Kelly, Washboard Sam, and Guitar Slim.--to name but a few.
1948     Harvey Hinsley, guitar. Member group: 'Hot Chocolate', an interracial English funk and soul group, with an original lineup consisting of Lead singer Erroll Brown, guitarist Harvey Hinsley, keyboardist Larry Ferguson, bassist Tony Wilson, drummer Tony Connor, and conga player Patrick Olive. In 1975, they had a Top Ten R&B and Pop hit with "You Sexy Thing" (a gold single). In 1978, they repeated the trick with "Every 1's a Winner" (another gold single). None of their other releases ever made it beyond number 40 on the R&B chart. In 1975, Wilson departed and Olive switched to bass.
1942     Joe Johnson, bass, guitar, harmonica, vocals, b. Independence, LA, USA.
CAUTION: Do not confuse with:
--- Joe Johnson) who sang on recordings by Jimmy Giuffre and Andy Williams.
--- Joe Johnson, who was a member of 'Shed Seven', - a Britpop band formed in York, England in 1990, comprising originally of Rick Witter (vocals), Joe Johnson (guitar and keyboards), Tom Gladwin (bass guitar) and Alan Leach (drums). The band first formed as a group called 'Brockley Haven'. Johnson left in 1993 to be replaced by Paul Banks, -replaced by keyboard player Fraser Smith.
--- Joe Johnson (guitar) with (White) British hip-hop band 'Aeris', comprised of Joe De Berker (drums), Mark Tokyo (bass), George Birch (guitars) MC M1 (lyrics), MC Galactus (lyrics), Michelle Thomas (backing vocals), Joe Miles (keys), Sophie (backing vocals), John Crow (guitars and noises), Jim Faulkner (guitar), Tom Savin (keys), Joe Johnson (guitar), and Ian (guitar). (Perhaps the same Joe Johnson who worked with the band Shed Seven.)
--- Guitarist Joe Johnson who played with the band (now defunct) 'Love 666', with 'Angel' (drums, vocals), Bill Longhorse (guitar, vocals), Dave Unger (keyboard, vocals), and Joe Johnson on guitar.
--- Saxophonist Joe Johnson, who records for the YASNY Labels Group.
--- Bassist Joe Johnson (deceased) who played with the "Blind Willie Band" (Seattle, Washington) comprised (at times) of Charlie Beiker (Guitar, Vocals), Craig Karp (Guitar, Vocals), Mike Garland (Drums), Jim Griffith (Drums), Joe Johnson (Bass), Les Merrihew (Drums), Dave Shogren (Bass), and Frank Trowbridge (guitar)
--- Joe Johnson - Lead Guitar (in 2002) with British rock band 'Wastoid' (Possibly same Joe Johnson who played with 'Shed Seven' and with 'Aeris')
--- Drummer Joe Johnson, presently living and working in Oklahoma, USA.
--- Percussionist Joe Johnson, currently active in Greenville, Mississippi, USA.
--- Guitarist Joe Johnson, who plays with 'WildGame' (homebased in Boulder, Colorado, USA), comprised of Joe Johnson (Guitar), Forest Lauck (Bass), and Steve Sirockin (Drums, Keys)
--- Big Joe Johnson, who worked with the band 'AC/DC'
--- The Joe Johnson (vocals, keyboards) who worked with 'Ice Cube' (vocals); Stan "The Guitar Man", Jones (guitar); Mike Dean (keyboards); Mr. X, Shemen Taylor (background vocals), and someone known only as N.O.
--- Singer Joe Johnson, and the Davis brothers who formed the Black vocal group,'The Pilgrim Travelers', in Houston in the early 1930's.
--- Pianist Joe Johnson, who has worked with 'Franz Jackson and his Original Jass All-Stars', at times comprised of tenor saxophonist/clarinetist/vocalist Franz Jackson, George Bean on trumpet and bass trumpet; Joe Johnson on piano; Truck Parham on bass; and Jim Herndon on drums.
--- Trumpeter Joe Johnson, who was a part of the old New Orleans 'The Eagle Band' comprised of Bunk Johnson, Trumpet. Joe Johnson, Trumpet. Frank Keelin, Trumpet. Freddie Keppard, Trumpet. Brock Mumford, Guitar. Big Eye Nelson, Clarinet, among others.
--- Joe Johnson, originally with the Deacons, who went on to become one of the first Black acts to play for White club audiences. He was so popular that he had three or four bands (all gigging as the 'Joe Johnson Band,') and he would play a set with each (traveling from club to club.) Later, Jazz guitarist Donnie Gililland often gigged with Joe Johnson as the only White face in an all-black band.
--- Shad Turner, who is widely known by his nickname, "Joe Joe Johnson'. (He played and recorded with Boots Brown & His Blockbusters)
--- And... many other Joe Johnsons in sports, politics, radio, etc, etc. etc.
1943     Janis Joplin, vocals. b. Port Arthur, TX, USA. d. Oct. 4, 1970, Los Angeles, CA, USA (Heroin Overdose, age: 27)
1925     Don Lang, Rock and Roll vocs, b: Halifax, Yorkshire, England, UK, d: Aug. 3, 1992, London, England UK
1944     Laurie London, vocals. b. Great Britain
1969     Trey Lorenz, vocals/ keyboards, b. Florence, SC, USA. During a February 1975 recording session, Trey met singerMariah Carey. Since then he has co-written songs for Mariah's album and continued to do background vocals. During 1998, Trey toured with Mariah singing "Let's Make This A Night To Remember," with Mariah's other backup singer Melanie Daniels. In 1999, he also accompanied Mariah on her "Rainbow Tour," and again in 2003 on her "Charmbraclet Tour", singing "I'll Be There," where he led the background singers in the song "Friend of Mine".
1922     Guy Madison, vocalist, b. Bakersfield, CA, USA.
1960     Joe Magnarelli, Trumpet/flugelhorn/trombone, b. Syracuse, NY, USA
1951     Harry McGilberry, bass vocalist, b. MS, USA. Member group: 'The Temptations', a group that began their musical life in Detroit in the early 1960s.
1909     Ethel Merman, vocals/actress. b. New York (Astoria), NY, USA, d. Feb. 15, 1984, New York, NY, USA. n&eacut;e: Ethel Agnes Zimmerman British critic Kenneth Tynan once described her voice as 'the most relaxed brass section on earth'! This beautiful and wonderfully talented lady starred in 14 Hit Broadway Musical shows over her 40 year career. In 1930, she starred in her very first Broadway show, George Gershwin's " "Girl Crazy" singing the show-stopper "I Got Rhythm". Among the musicians playing in the 'pit' orchestra that evening were trombonist Glenn Miller, drummer Gene Krupa, and Benny Goodman was featured on clarinet.
1927     J. R. Monterose, Tenor-soprano Sax, b. Detroit, MI, USA. d. Sept. 26, 1993 at 66. né: Frank Anthony Monterose, Jr. At age 15, played Clarinet in Utica, NY Symphony; 1948-9 Various local bands; 1950 with Henry Busse Band; 1952 w/ Buddy Rich band in NYC; '52-'54 worked in Syracuse, NY. In 1955 back to New York and the Claude Thornhill Orch. In 1955-6 in New York with such groups as , Dan Terry, Teddy Charles; 1956 with Charlie Mingus and Kenny Durham. In 1959 with Terry Gibbs Big Band (Apollo Theatre - NYC). Later had own group in Albany, NY, and then free-lancing in NYC.
1911     Ken Nelson, C&W vocals., b: Caledonia, MN, USA
1936     Hod O'Brien, Jazz Piano, b. Chicago, IL, USA.
1935     Johnny O'Keefe, Australia's king of Rock and Roll, b: Sydney, Australia, d: Oct. 6, 1978, Sydney, Australia
1938     Phillip G. Osterman Jr., director/librettist, b. Dallas, TX, USA, d. July 30, 2002, Fort Myers, FL, USA. (Cardiac Arrest. ) Perhaps best recalled for his work on The Will Rogers Follies, and Easter Parade . He co-wrote, with Aaron Latham, The Urban Cowboy libretto. He staged Yoko Ono's rock musical, New York Rock, and directed Bus Stop, starring Jerry Hall. Osterman also worked with famed dancer Tommy Tune.
1931     Horace Parlan, Jazz Piano, b. Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
1949     Robert Palmer, vocals. b. USA. Member groups: 'Vinegar Joe' and 'Power Station'
1946     Dolly Parton, C&W vocals, b. Locust Ridge (Sevier County), TN, USA. née: Dolly Rebecca Parton
1933     Stu Phillips, C&W Singer-Songwriter/Guitar, b. Montreal, Canada. né: Stuart John Tristram Phillips. Member: 'Grand Ole Opry'
1943     Ray Pizzi, Tenor-Soprano Sax/flute/bassoon, b. Everett, MA, USA. egendary Broadway musical star and father of singer Bonnie Raitt,
1917     Shep Shepherd, Drums/arranger, b. Honduras
1936     Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, drums, b. Helena, AR, USA. Willie was a longtime (over 20 years) drummer with the Muddy Waters Band, and became inextricably linked with the "Chicago-style shuffle" blues drumming.
1904     Leo Solieau, (cajun) violin/vocals, b. Ville Platte, LA, USA. d. Aug 2, 1980 in Ville Platte, LA, USA.
1937     Bobby Starr, vocals, b. Baltimore, MD, USA. Member: 'The Intruders'
1919     Rollin 'Oscar' Sullivan, C&W vocals/actor, b. Edmonton, KY, USA. Member group: 'Lorenzo & Oscar'
1930     Milt Trenier, zydeco musician, b. Mobile, AL, USA. Member: The Treniers
1957     Michael "Mickey" Virtue, reggae keyboardist. Member group: 'UB40', other members included Ali Campbell (b. Feb 5, 1959, vocals, guitar), "Astro" Terence Wilson (b. June 24, 1957, vocals, trumpet), Brian Travers (b. Feb 7, 1959, sax, lyricon), Earl Falconer (b. Jan 23, 1959, bass), James Brown (b. Nov 20, 1957, drums), Norman Lamont Hassan (b. Jan 26, 1957, percussion, trombone, vocals) and Robin Campbell (b. Dec 25, 1954, guitars, vocals).
1918     Steep Wade, piano/sax, b. Montreal, PQ, Canada, d. Dec 6, 1953, Montreal, PQ, Canada.
1935     Charlie Waller, Member: 'The Country Gentlemen'
1963     Caron Wheeler, hip-hop vocals, b. London, England. Member group: 'Soul II Soul'
1937     Phil Wilson, Trombone, b. Belmont, MA, USA.
1971     John Wozniak, guitar/singer-songwriter, b. St. Paul, MN, USA. Member group: 'Marcy Playground'
1944     Zal Yanovsky, guitar, b. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 1964, Zal first showed up as part of the legendary 'Mugwumps' with John Phillips and Cass Elliot. He was soon an important member of "The Loving Spoonful' group. Busted for drugs in San Francisco, CA, USA, he turned in his 'dealer' under the threat of deportation, thus making him 'persona non grata' in many circles. He quit the Spoonful. Before disappearing from the music scene, he did cut one great single, "As Long as You're Here". In the early '70s, he began to show up every so often playing second guitar with Kris Kristofferson and at John Sebastian gigs.
         Notable Events occuring this date include:
1950.    Lewis F. Muir, piano/songwriter, died in New York,NY, USA. Age: 66
1960.    Ralph Peer, arranger/producer (for RCA/Peer Music), died in Los Angeles (Hollywood), CA, USA. Age: 67
1966.    Charlie Stripling, C&W Vocals/Fiddle/Guitar died. Age: 69 Member: the "Stripling Brothers", -Charles Nevins Stripling (b. August 8, 1896, Pickens County, Alabama, USA) and his brother Ira Lee Stripling (Vocals, Guitar, Fiddle, b. June 5, 1898, Pickens County, Alabama, USA, d. March 11, 1967)
1969.    Alcide "Slow Drag" Pavageau died in New Orleans, LA, USA. Age 80.
1970.    L. C. Mckinley, guitar, died in Chicago, IL, USA. Age: 56
1976.    The Beatles turned down an offer of $30 million to play together again on the same stage.
1980.    Vic McAlpin, Country songwriter, died.
1983.    Don Costa, arranger/producer (for ABC-Paramount), died in New York, NY, USA. Age: 57
1983.    Lamar Williams, bass/guitar. Age: 36
1985.    Rollin Smith, piano, died in New York, NY, USA. Age: 85. Worked with 'The Ink Spots'
1995.    Singer-songwriter Gene MacLellan, whose tune "Snowbird" became a worldwide hit for Anne Murray in 1970, died in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Age: 54. The local Press reported that MacLellan had committed suicide. Among his successes was the gospel song "Put Your Hand in the Hand". In 1971, the Canadian group 'Ocean' made it an international million-seller.
1998.    Carl Perkins, C&W singer-songwriter/guitarist, died following a series of strokes. Age: 65
         Songs Recorded/Released this date include:
       1945    "Caldonia", - Louis Jordan Orch.
       1951    I Taut I Taw A Puddy Tat, - Blanc, Mel
       1957    Young Love, - Hunter, Tab
       1957    You Don't Owe Me A Thing, - Ray, Johnnie
       1959    Peter Gunn, - Anthony, Ray
       1980    Longer, - Fogelberg, Dan
       1985    Sugar Walls, - Easton, Sheena
       1985    Old Man Down The Road, The, - Fogerty, John
       1985    Heat Is On, The, - Frey, Glenn
       1991    Someday, - Carey, Mariah
       1991    Wicked Game, - Isaak, Chris
       1991    One More Try, - Timmy T