BIRTHDAYS
1942     Mike Abene, piano. Member group: 'Marshall Brown's International Youth Band'
1926     Lee Allen, R&B tenor sax, b. Pittsburgh, KS, USA. d. 1994, USA. Early on he was a big part of the New Orleans, LA, R&B scene. In 1958, after signing with Al Silver's New York-based Ember label, he had only one hit release (charted at number 54); "Walkin' with Mr. Lee". While he never became a true 'soloist', he did tour extensively with "Fats" Domino, and worked with a variety of small R&;B groups, including 'The Blasters', Little Richard, Shirley and Lee, Roy Montrell, Dave Bartholomew, and Paul Gayten.
1957     Mike Anger, rocker. Member groups: 'The Blow Monkeys'; 'Wicked Ways'.
1973     Teodross Avery, tenor sax, b. Fairfield CA, USA.
1949     Roy Bittan, Rocker, Member group: 'E Street Band'. Their single "Dancing In The Dark" hit No. 2 in the USA, and No. 4 in the UK.
1964     Roy Boulter, drums. Member group: 'The Farm'
1897     Rev. W. Herbert Brewster, gospel songwriter, b. Somerville, TN, USA.
1954     Pete Briquette, bassist/vocals. Member group: 'The Boomtown Rats'
1923     Janette Carter, Folk vocals, b. Maces Springs, VA, USA. Team of: Joe and Janette Carter (also worked with Mike Seeger)
1952     Johnny Colla, sax/guitar. Member Group: Huey Lewis & The News. Their 1985 single "The Power Of Love" made it up to No.1 in the USA, and to No.11 in the UK.
1956     Jeffrey Cooper, guitar. Member group: Midnight Star
1945     Peter Cruickshank, vocals/guitar, b. Calcutta, India. Member group: 'The Groundhogs'
1916     Ken Curtis, vocalist/Actor, b. Lamar, Co,, TX, USA, d. April 8, 1991, Fresno, CA, USA. Age: 74. . né: Curtis Wain Gates. Remembered today only for his acting on the 'Gunsmoke' TV Series, starring James Arness. He played the role of Festus. Very few folks recall that he was Frank Sinatra's replacement in the Tommy Dorsey orchestra when Sinatra left. Ken was only used for a few days and then released by Dorsey. Curtis also worked with 'Shep Fields and his Rippling Rhythm' band, and 'The Sons of The Pioneers'
1954     Garry Dial, piano
1914     Frederick Fennell, Conductor, b. Cleveland, OH, USA. d. Dec. 7, 2004.Siesta Key, Sarasota, FL, USA.
1961     Paul Geary, drums. Member group: Extreme. Their 1991 single "More Than Words" hit No.1 in the USa and No.2 in the UK.
1955     James Gordon, b. Toronto, Canada. member group: 'Tamarack'
1920     "Herbie" Harper, Trombone/leader, b. Salina, KS. USA.
1892     Jack Hylton, Piano/Leader, b. Great Lever, England, d. Jan. 29, 1965, London, England.
1930     Ahmad Jamal, Piano, b. Pittsburgh, PA, USA. né: Fritz Jones
1927     Charlie Kennedy, Alto Sax, b. New York, NY, USA.
1942     "Leapy Lee", vocals, b. Eastbourne, East Sussex, England. né: Lee Graham. His 1968 single "Little Arrows" made it up to No. 2 on UK charts. Lee was one of the troubled stars of 1960s British pop. Early in his career, "Leapy" met film actress Diana Dors, and her husband Alan Lake. One evening when Lake and Lee were drinking at a Sunningdale, Berkshire pub, a fight broke out, and during the fray, the pub owner was slashed across the wrist with a 'flick' knife. "Leapy" was arrested, charged, found guilty, and received a jail sentence. His career was seriously damaged, and Lee eventually wound up in Majorca, Spain, singing in bars.
1960     Peter Lee, author/editor ('Living Blues'), b. Escount, Natal, S.A.
1905     Harlan Leonard, Tenor Sax/Leader, b. Kansas City, MO, USA, d. 1983.
1970     Monie Love, UK female "rapper"
1950     Duncan Mackay, keyboards, Member group: 'Cockney Rebel'
1945     Mat Marucci, drums
1948     Gene McFadden, (soul) vocals/composer, b. (North) Philadelphia, PA, USA. d. Jan. 27, 2006, Philadelphia, PA, USA, liver and lung cancer. Gene is perhaps best known for the composition "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now", - co-composed with John Whitehead ('soul' vocals b. July 10, 1949, (North) Philadelphia, PA, USA, d. May 11, 2004, Philadelphia, PA, USA, -by gun shots fired during a "drive-by" shooting. né: John Cavadus Whitehead). The tune hit No. 1. on the R&B charts, and No. 13 on the Pop charts. While still teenagers, Gene and John Whitehead formed a singing duo. They were 'discovered' by, and then toured with, Otis Redding (b. Sept. 9, 1941, Dawson, Georgia, U.S.A., d. Dec. 10, 1967, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A.) Whitehead and McFadden soon became an important songwriting team at the powerhouse of 'soul' music, 'Philadelphia International Records' (Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff co-founders). Among the other tunes they composed were "Wake Up Everybody" (for: 'Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes'), "Don't Let Love Get You Down" (for: 'Archie Bell & the Drells'), and "Back Stabbers" (for: 'The O'Jays'). Some of their other songs include "Let's Groove," "Strategy," and "Soul City Walk". They also worked with Carolyn Crawford and did outside projects during the 1970s and '80s with Melba Moore, Gloria Gaynor, Freddie Jackson, Willie Collins, and Beau Williams. After their 1982 tune "Movin' On", McFadden and Whitehead went their separate ways. Subsequently McFadden went to prison for tax evasion, (and following his release in 1988, issued a single LP "I Need Money Bad"). The team re-united in the 1990s for performances at disco nostalgia shows and corporate events. On May 11, 2004, Whitehead was caught in a "drive by' shooting, and was shot to death while repairing his car on a Philadelphia street (West Oak Lane neighborhood). He was 55 years old. As mentioned, on Jan. 2006, McFadden succombed to lung and liver cancer.
1960     Svetlana Nalepkova, actress/singer, b. Prague, Czechoslovakia. As a singer, she loves songs of the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. As an actress, she has had major theatre parts including that of Josephine in the musical' My Fair Josephine' and Vivian in the music show 'The Snowy Romance'. She also appeared in the musical 'The Nuns' and in the musical shows 'The Snow Queen' and 'Substitution or Dance Among the Eggs' at the Theatre U Hasicu in Prague. Her successful one-woman shows include 'Cinderella on the Trampoline' (1986), this 'Manhattan and Other Side Symptoms' (1990), 'Marlene-Songs of Marlene Dietrich' as sung by Svetlana Nalepkova (1995) and 'Love is a Fata Morgana' (1997). Her uncle was the famous Captain Nalepka, who did a lot of good work fighting the Nazis during World War II. On May 15, 1943, a group led by Captain Nalepka (a future 'Hero of the USSR') deserted from the Czech 101st Infantry Regiment of Provisory division, and organized on lower level the 1st Czechoslovak guerilla detachment in USSR. Subsequently, their members joined other Czechoslovak units.
1964     Dave Parsons, Rock bassist.
1927     Brock Peters, actor/singer. né: George Fisher
1951     Joe Puerta, bass/singer
1925     Marvin Rainwater, C&W vocals, b, Wichita, KS, USA. né: Marvin Kalton Percy
1928     Line Renaud, vocals/actress, b. Nieppe, France. née: Jacqueline Ente.
1961     Annie Ruddock, vocals. Member group: 'Amazulu'
1924     "Milwaukee Slim" (né: Angelo Chambers), vocals, b. Denton, TX, USA, d
1936     Tom Springfield, Folk singer with the Springfields
1932     Sammy Turner, vocalist, b. Paterson, NJ, USA. Best recalled release: "Lavender Blue"
1926     Billy Usselton, Tenor Sax, b. New Castle, PA, USA. d. Sept. 5, 1994
1965     Tim Warfield, tenor sax, b. New York, NY, USA
1941     Charlie Watts, drums, b. Islington, London, England. Member group: 'The Rolling Stones'. Watts replaced Tony Chapman (who had replaced Mick Avory). Also as: 'Charlie Watts and his Big Band.'. NOTE: Charlie Watts' birthdate is variously shown as June 2, 1941, and October 2, 1941.
1909     Katherine "Kay" Weber, vocalist/piano, b. Ellinwood, KS, USA. After graduating from a Roman Catholic parochial school, she enrolled in an all-girl junior college in Leavenworth, KS, where she also took organ lessons. After graduating from the junior college, she enrolled in the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver, majoring in drama, and minoring in piano and voice. She also found a 15-minute radio spot every Thursday at 3 p.m., on Denver radio station KOA. The show was 'Songs At The Piano'. Her success led to many other jobs on various radio shows. In 1933, Weber graduated from the Lamont School of Music. Her first 'big band' job came when she sang briefly in Victor Schilling's band. After Schilling, Weber sang briefly with another Denver-based group, theDonnelly-James Orchestra. In early 1934, singer Smith Ballew's Band came through Denver. Glenn Miller was the band's trombonist/arranger - and forall intents and purposes, the true leader. Glenn was a University of Colorado alumnus. When the Smith Ballew band had some trouble with its girl singer, Glenn auditioned Weber and she became the band's new vocalist. At this same time, Roc Hillman and two of his college buddies, saxophonist Arthur "Skeets" Herfurt and trombonist Don Mattison also joined Ballew's outfit. These three men not only played, with also sang as a novelty singing trio in the band. The Bellew band was very short-lived. They went to New York for a gig, but found that the Club had already folded. (In July 1935, Smith Ballew retired from the bigband business moved to California, and found work in the Hollywood studios as a singing cowboy star in "B" Westerns films. On May 2, 1984, at age 82, Bellew died in his home state of Texas.) Kay Weber was one of the very prominent female vocalists at the very beginnings of the bigband era, her vocals contributed greatly to the original Dorsey Brothers orchestra, then to the Jimmy Dorsey orchestra when Tommy left in a 'huff', and also to Bob Crosby's new orchestra.
1939     Paul Williams, vocals (R&B / "Doo Wop"), d. August 17, 1973. Member: 'The Temptations'
1928     Richard Wyands, piano/leader (trios), b. Oakland, CA, USA. Most of his career was as a sideman. Working in local clubs at age 16, Matriculated San Francisco State College, and gigged locally in San Francisco Bay area. In 1956, accompanying both Carmen McRae and Ella Fitzgerald; 1958 to New York, and played with such men as Roy Haynes, Charles Mingus (1959), Gigi Gryce's quintet, Oliver Nelson, Etta Jones, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, and Gene Ammons, among others. Between 1964 to 77, Wyands toured extensively with Kenny Burrell. Over his career, Wyands has played with other top musicians, including Rudy Van Gelder, Walter Perkins, Ray Baretto, Freddie Hubbard, Zoot Sims, Frank Foster, Charley Persip, the Illinois Jacquet Big Band, Frank Wess, Gene Ammons. Roy Haynes, Etta Jones, Benny Carter, Ernie Andrews, and Milt Hinton, among others. Richard Wyands has also headed his own trios, for 1978 (Storyville), 1992 (DIW) and 1995 Criss Cross, 1998 (title: Then, Here, and Now) and 1999 (album title: Arrival).
1929     Pat Yankee, vocals
         Notable Events on this date include:
1929.    Dancer Ruby Keeler starred in Florenz Ziegfeld's production "Show Girl" (in New York city).
1955.    "Lawrence Welk Show" premiered on the ABC Network, featuring Welk's 24-piece band and Alice Lon as the 'Champagne Lady'.
1958.    Martha Boswell, vocalist, died in Peekskill, NY, USA. Age: 53 Member: 'The Boswell sisters'
1962.    Clara Lewis Bow, piano, died in Washington, DC, USA. Age: 41 (Worked with Ella Fitzgerald)
1966.    The Frank Sinatra release of " Strangers In The Night" made it to No.1 on the US and UK singles charts. (The song was from the film 'A Man Could Get Killed'.)
1970.    Famed singer Snooky Lanson died in Nashville, TN, USA. (b. March 27, 1914, Memphis, Tennessee)
1971.    Bobby Donaldson, drums, died. (né: Robert Stanley Donaldson. b. Nov. 29, 1922, Boston, Massachusetts, USA)
1974.    Jimmy Ricks, bass vocals and leader, died in Albany, NY, USA. Age: 50. Member: 'The Ravens'
1979.    Henry Clay Goodwin, (Dixieland) trumpet, died (b. 1910, Columbia, SC, USA)
1987.    Michael Bennett, producer, died in Tucson, AZ, USA. Age: 44. Member: 'The Dreamgirls'
1988.    Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, alto sax, died in Los Angeles, CA, USA. Age: 70
1991.    Justin Adams, guitar, died in New Orleans, LA, USA. Age: 68. (worked with "Fats" Domino)
1982.    Deford Bailey, harmonica, died in Nashville, TN, USA. Age: 82
1992.    "Boogie Woogie Red" ( né: Vernon Harrison) piano, died in Detroit, MI, USA. Age: 66
1993.    Joe Daniels, drums, leader, died in Middlesex, England, UK. (b. March 9, 1909, Transvaal, South Africa)
CAUTION: Do not confuse with
--- Guitarist Joe Daniels, who often worked with Leroy Hutson, -a male rhythm & blues singer
--- Heavy metal drummer Joe Daniels, from Zion, IL, USA, who worked with band 'Local H,'
1994.    Ralph Rinzler, folklorist, died in Washington, DC, USA. Age: 59. (Folkways Records)
1994.    Marion Williams, (gospel) vocals, died in Philadelphia, PA, USA. Age: 66. Member: 'The Caravans"
1998.    Kay Thompson, vocalist, died in New York City (née: Katherine L. Fink, b. Nov. 9, 1908, St. Louis, Missouri, USA)
2002.    Ray Brown, bassist, died in Indianapolis, IN, USA. (while sleeping between shows). (b. October 13, 1926, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
2005.    Thomas Talbert, composer, arranger, piano, leader, died. (b. Aug 4, 1924, Crystal Bay, MN, USA)
         Songs Recorded/Released this date include:
1924    "Mandalay", - Carl Fenton Orch., with Al Jolson vocal.
1926    "It's Too Late To Be Sorry", - Bob Haring and his Colonial Club Orch.
1928    "Stuttering Blues", - Tiny Parham and his Musicians
1929    "(If I Were You) I'de Fall In Love With Me", - The Knickerbockers (Ben Selvin Orch.)
1931    "A Kiss In The Dark", Benny Carter Orch.
1935    "Sunbonnet Sue", - Teddy Wilson Orch.
1935    "I Wished On The Moon", Benny Goodman Orch., Billie Holiday Voc.
1935    "What A Little Moonlight Can Do", Benny Goodman Orch., Billie Holiday Voc.
1935    "Miss Brown To You, Teddy Wilson Orch., Billie Holiday Voc.
1937    "Vieni, Vieni, Vieni", - Rudy Vallee and his Connecticut Yankees
1941    "Jump For Joy", - Duke Ellington Orch.
1942    "Manhattan Serenade", - Tommy Dorsey Orch.
1948    "You Can't Be True, Dear (Organ)", - Ken Griffin
1955    "Sweet & Gentle", - Alan Dale
1956    "Hound Dog" and "Don't Be Cruel", recorded by Elvis Presley
1966    "Sweet Pea", - Tommy Roe
1966    "Little Red Riding Hood", - Sam The Sham & The
1977    "Just A Song Before I Go", - Crosby, Stills & Nash
1977    "Best Of My Love", - The Emotions
1983    "Fascination, (Keep Feeling)", - The Human League
1983    "Maniac", - Michael Sembello
1988    "I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love", - Chicago
1988    "I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That", - Elton John