BIRTHDAYS
1920     Robert Alexander, trombone, b. Roxbury, MA, USA.
1954     Pete Allen, Clarinet, b. Newbury,Berkshire, England
1905     Harry Barris, composer/vocals, b. New York, NY, USA. d. Dec. 13, 1962, Burbank, CA, USA. Barris, Bing Crosby and Al Rinker formed the Rhythm Boys and sang with Paul Whiteman's and later Gus Arnheim's Orchestras.
1957     John 'Jellybean' Benitez, DJ/mixer/producer, b. New York, NY, USA. 'Jellybean' has worked as a club and radio DJ, artist, producer, mixer, songwriter, and record label executive. Among the stars with whom he has worked or helped are Madonna (née:Madonna Ciccone), Whitney Houston, among others.
1928   Jerry Bock, composer. b. New Haven, CT. Part of the Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick composing team.
1966     Ken Block, guitar/vocals. Member group: Sister Hazel', a group originally based out of Gainsville, FL. Ken Block, working with Andrew Copeland (Acoustic Guitar, Vocals), had an act called "Ken & Andrew".Then, Ken (who has his Masters degree in Counseling Psychology) added three new members, Lead guitar/vocalist Ryan Newell (b. Fairfax, VA, USA. guitarist Jeff Beres (b. Indianapolis, IN. Bass Guitar, Vocals), and drummer Mark Trojanowski.
1962     Chris Bostock, bass, b.Bristol, England Member group: 'Jo Boxers'
1960     Jean-Paul Bourelly, guitar, b. Chicago, Illinois, USA
1926     R.L Burnside, (Delta Blues) guitar, b. Harmontown, USA. d. Sept, 2. 2005, Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Age: 78. R. L. worked most of his life as a farm sharecropper and fisherman, only taking up music professionally when he was 65 years old. In the 1940s, "Mississippi Fred" McDowell taught him to play the guitar while he was living in Chicago, IL. But after and two brothers were killed in the city, he returned home and later served six months in jail after shooting a man Burnside said was trying to turn him out of his home. In a 2002 New Yorker article, Burnside said "It was between him and the Lord, him dyin', I just shot him in the head." He first recorded in the late 1960s, and his one-chord blues style playing was heard in bars for decades thereafter. However, in 1991, he recorded a dozen or so records for the Fat Possum label, which brought him a wider fame. The label's owner, Matthew Johnson, later said that Burnside played the guitar "just 'cause he wanted to.... He never really wanted a career, never said he did. We just sort of gave him one." Burnside's health began to decline after heart surgery in 1999.
1966     Chris Cugini, guitar, b. U.K. Member group: 'Anastasia Screamed'.
1946     Ray Drummond, Bass, b. Brookline, MA, USA.
1897     Ruth Etting, vocals, b. David City, NE, USA, d. Sept. 24, 1978, Colorado Springs, CO, USA. Ruth is, perhaps, best remembered for her version of the 'torch' song "You Made Me Love You". Her life was fairly unhappy due to her marriage to a gangster, Moe "the Gimp" Schneider. She married him in July 12, 1922, and they remained together until her divorce in November 30, 1937. In December 1938, she wed Myrl Alderman, and they were together until his death in Nov. 16, 1966. During her career, Ruth made a great many records, and was also seen in three feature films.
1939     Betty Everett, vocals, b. Greenwood, MI, USA. d. August 19, 2001, Beloit, WI, USA. Betty is remembered primarily for "The Shoop Shoop Song," a huge Top 10 hit in 1964, -basically her only hit.
1935     Alvin Fielder, Drums, b. Meridian, MS, USA.
1934     Victor Gaskin, Bass, b. New York, NY, USA.
1904     Harry Gay, guitar, b. Gate City, VA, USA. Member: 'Tarter & Gay'
1912     Evans Tyree Glenn, Trombone/Vibes, b. Corsicana, TX, USA. d. May 18, 1974
1966     Charlie Grover, guitar. Member group: 'Sponge', -originally formed by two kids out of Woonsocket, RI, USA.
1954     Bruce Hornsby, piano, b. Williamsburg, VA, USA. Member group: 'The Range'. Bruce attended the University of Miami and the Berklee School of Music. The next years were spent years playing in bars and other local venues, until he met . Huey Lewis, who would eventually produce him and record his material. In 1985, Hornsby finally signed his band, 'The Range', to RCA. The Pirates became immediately one of the leading British rock'n'rollers.
1916     Norman Keenan, Bass, b. Union, SC, USA. d. Feb. 12, 1980
1939     Johnny Kid, vocals, b. London, England, U.K. d. Oct. 7, 1966 (car crash). né: Frederick Albert Heath. Member group: 'Johnny Kidd & the Pirates' (1966). The Pirates are best remembered today for one international rock classic- "Shakin' All Over". In 1957, Kidd formed his first band, a skiffle group called the Five Nutters. Kidd next briefly fronted the Fred Heath Combo. In early 1958, he formed a trio to back him. The trio consisted of Alan Caddy (guitar), Tony Docherty (rhythm guitar), and Ken McKay (drums). They called themselves 'Johnny Kidd & the Pirates'. An EMI A&R rep saw them and signed the group to his label. In 1966, Kidd died in an automobile crash. In the car with Kid at the time was bassist Nick Simper. (Nick was a founder member of Deep Purple - he left in 1969.)
1972     "Kurupt", rapper, b. Philadephia, PA, USA. né: Ricardo Brown. Member group: 'Tha Dogg Pound'
1935     Mary Lane, vocals, b. Clarendon, AR, USA.
1931     Gloria Lynne, singer, b. New York, NY, USA. After 5 years of Concert training, won contest at Apollo Theatre, and wound up singing Rock and Roll at obscure night clubs. In '58, with Raymond Scott's help, emerged as top Pop artist. (Soulful singing Style)
1925     John Alfred "Johnny" Mandel, Trombone/Composer/bass trumpet/arranger, b. New York, NY, Studied with Stefan Wolpe and Van Alexander. Also at Manhattan School of Music (NYC)
1955     Mike "Little Mike" Markowitz, guitar, b. New York (Queens), NY, USA. Recorded for Blind Pig Records.
1940     Freddie Marsden, rock drums, b. Liverpool, England. Member group: 'Gerry & the Pacemakers'.
1921     Jack Wilton Marshall, guitar, leader, composer, producer, b. El Dorado, KS, USA., d. Sept. 2, 1971. Began playing Ukulele at age 10. 7 yrs in MGM studios cond. and Composing for several films.
1888     "Harpo" Marx, Harpist/Actor. nee: Adolph Marx (later changed to Arthur). Originally, the Marx brothers consisted of Groucho (Julius Marx), Chico (Leonard Marx), Harpo (Adolph Marx), Gummo (Milton Marx), and Zeppo (Herbert Marx). Gummo left the group very early on, while Zeppo played a straight man/romantic lead in five films before exiting. Groucho, Chico, and Harpo endured as the Marx brothers that all the world knows and loves.
1904     Robert Edward "Bob" McCracken, Clarinet, sax, b. Dallas, TX, USA. d. July 4, 1972, Dallas, Texas, USA.. Studied Piano, Drums, Harmony and clarinet in Ft. Worth, TX, USA. One of the great early Jazz musicians. Among the stars with whom he first worked in Texas were Jack Teagarden, Eddie Whitley, the Southern Trumpeters, and Doc Ross' Jazz Bandits. Moving to New York, he played, from 1926-'28, with Johnny Johnston and Willard Robison's Levee Loungers. Then, returning to Dallas, he worked locally with small groups led by Ligon Smith, Joe Gill and Doc Ross, and with the Joe Venuti and Frankie Trumbauer orchestras. In 1939, he again relocated, this time to Chicago. where he worked with Bud Freeman (1939-'40), Jimmy McPartland, Wingy Manone and Benny Goodman (1941), as well as the "Pop" bands of Russ Morgan and Wayne King, and others. From 1952-53 McCracken, filling in for Barney Bigard, toured with the Louis Armstrong All-Stars, after which he settled in Los Angeles, California, where he worked with Jack Teagarden, Wild Bill Davison.Ben Pollack, Pete Daily, and Kid Ory's Creole Jazz Band (on and off from 1953-59), and still others.
1947     Mustafa Melton, trumpet, b. Miami, FL, USA.
1929     Pat Patrick, alto tenor-baritone sax, bass clarinet, piccolo, percussion, clarinet, b. East Moline, Illinois, USA
1949     Alan Paul, singer, b. Newark, New Jersey, USA. Best recalled for his work with the wonderful choral group "Manhattan Transfer", founded by Paul, Janis Siegel (July 23, 1952, Brooklyn, New York, USA), Laurel Massé (Dec. 29, 1951, Holland, Michigan, USA), and Tim Hauser. (b. Dec. 12, 1941, Troy, New York, USA) Their 1977 release "Chanson D'amour" hit No.1 in the UK (and more or less flopped in USA)
1949     Holger Petersen, prod/Label owner (Stony Plain), b. Pellworm Is. Germany
1916     King Porter, trumpet, b. Bessemer, AL, USA. né: James A. Pope
1929     Vito Price, Reeds, b. New York City, - né: Vito Pizzo. Has played with Art Mooneyu; Bob Chester; Tony Pastor; Staff Musician with Station WGN Chicago, IL. 1950
1944     Frederic Rabold, trumpet, flugelhorn, composition, pocket horn, piano, b. Paris, France.
1918     Teddy Reig, producer (for Savoy); Founder (Roost), d. 1984
1960     Charlie Sizemore, (Bluegrass) vocals, b. Richmond, KY, USA.
1957     "Xero Slingsby", alto sax/ bikepumpaphone, b. Skipton, Yorkshire, England, UK. né: Matthew Coe.
1923     Al Smith, producer/songwriter, b. Bolivar City, MS, USA.
1949     Sandra Stevens, vocals, b. Carmarthen, England. Member group: 'Brotherhood Of Man'. Sandra changed her name to 'Nicky Stevens' when she decided to take up singing as a career. For awhile, she was the singer with the New Mayfair Orchestra - then resident at Llanelli's Glen Ballroom. She also sang in local venues around South Wales. Her big break came when she became a member of the re-formed 'Brotherhood of Man'. In 1976, the band consisted of Martin Lee, Lee Sheridan, and the sisters Sandra and Nicky Stevens. . Chosen to represent the UK in the '1976 Eurovision Song Contest', they won with "Save Your Kisses for me" which became an international hit. The group followed up with more UK successes including the number 1 hits, 'Angelo' and 'Figaro'.
1942     Jiri Stivin, sax/clarinet/flute/Recorder/folk pipes, b. Prague, Czech Republic. Jiri studied at the Royal Academy of Music, in London, and at the Prague Academy of Music. Involved with both Jazz and improvisational New Music, Jiri has worked with groups such as the Virtuosi di Praga, the Prague Symphony Orchestra, and the Prague Madrigalists, among others. Since 1975, he has been performing recorder music covering the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque periods. Jiri also leads both his own 'Collegium Quodlibet' and the Jazz quartet 'Jiri Stivin & Co.'. He currently (2003) teaches at the Prague Conservatory, as well as at the annual Jazz workshops in Frydlant. Jiri is frequently involved in educational concerts for children.
1933     Jerry Sullivan, C&W/Bluegrass vocals, b. Wagarville, AL, USA. Member: "Jerry & Tammy Sullivan". CAUTION: Do not confuse with Jerry O'Sullivan, who is one of the finest American uillean pipers. In 1979, he won the all-Ireland piping championship, and has since played at major Irish events up and down the East Coast of the USA. His piping has also been heard on at least one Hollywood soundtrack. -for the film ' Far and Away'.
1918     Thomas O. Swangin, sax, b. Newark, NJ, USA.
1943     Alan Turnbull, Drums, b. Melbourne, Australia
         Notable Events on this date include:
1889.    The first "Nickel-in-the-Slot" (jukebox) was placed in service in the Palais Royal Saloon in San Francisco, CA, USA. (In the Vernacular, "Juke", was an American slang word for a "Sporting" house (brothel.) Inventor Louis T. Glass made the unit containing an Edison tinfoil phonograph with four listening tubes. At each tube, was a 5 cent coin slot that bought a few minutes of music for the listener. During the first six months of it's introduction, the contraption took in over a $1,000!
1948.    Stan Hasselgard, Swedish clarinetist, died (near) Decatur, IL, USA. Age: 26 (traffic accident)
1959.    Bernard Shaw, sax, died in San Francisco, CA, USA. Age: 22. Recalled for his work with "Big Jay" McNeely
1965.    Ernie Shepard, bass, died
1968.    Reinhold Svensson, piano, composer, arranger. died. (b. Dec. 20, 1919, Husum, Sweden )
1969.    Spade Cooley, C&W bandleader, died in Vacaville, CA, USA, Age: 58. He was serving a prison sentence for beating his wife to death in front of their daughter. At the time he had his heart attack, he was temporary release to play for the Sheriff's Association.
1972.    "Big" John Davis, vocals, died, USA. Age: 69. Member: 'Sea Island Singers', a group formed in 1961 by musicologist Alan Lomax. The group consisted of Big John Davis, the community leader; Bessie Jones, song leader; Peter Davis, bass; Henry Morrison, Emma Ramsay, and Mable Hillary. In time the Sea Island Singers came to an end, - John Davis, Henry Morrison, Emma Ramsay, Mable Hillary, and Bessie Jones are all deceased. However, their spirit remains as each August the Georgia Sea Island Festival, dedicated to their memory, is held in St. Simons, Georgia. ( "Big" Joh Davis was b. March 12, 1903, St. Simons, GA. USA )
1973.    Dede Pierce, trumpet/cornet, died in New Orleans, LA, USA. Age: 69.
1979.    Henry Coker, trombone, died
1985.    Al Terry, Rockabilly/Cajun/Straight-Ahead Country Singer-Songwriter/Guitar/Clarinet died. Age: 63. (b. January 14, 1922, Kaplan, Louisiana, USA. né: Allison Joseph Theriot, Jr.)
1986.    Charlie Gaines, trumpet, died in Philadelphia, PA, USA. Age: 86
1987.    Luke "Long Gone" Miles, guitar, died in Los Angeles, CA, USA. Age: 62
1990.    Cocomo Jo, (né: Joseph Barthelemy), 1-man band, died in New Orleans, LA, USA. Age: 77
1993.    "Smokey" Eugene Rogers, died. Age: 76 (b. March 23, 1927). A mainstay in California's Western swing scene, he best recalled today not for his acting in the Hollywood studios, but for the songs he composed or co-composed, such as the classic ballad "Gone". It was first recorded by C&W singer Ferlin Husky but without success. However, in 1956, Husky re-=recorded the tune and it worked it's way to the top of the Country charts. In 1947, Rogers, with co-composer Bob Wills co-wrote "Spanish Fandango", and in n 1949, Rogers composed "�A little bird told me"." That same year, Rogers began appearing in Universal Studios pre-music video �musical featurettes". In the 1950s, Rogers hosted his own TV show in San Diego, California.
1994.    Tommy Boyce, C&W singer-songwriter/producer, died. Age: 55. (self-inflicted gun shot)
1994.    L. D. Williams, tenor sax, died in Los Angeles, CA, USA. Age: 70
1995.    James "Smitty" Smith, Blues club owner, died in Clarksdale, MS, USA. Age: 69
1995.    Junior Walker, sax/vocals, died in Battle Creek, MO, USA. Age: 64. (Cancer. né: Autry DeWalt, South Bend, IN, USA)
2001.    O.C. Smith, vocals, died in in Ladera Heights, California, USA.,
2003.    Betty Comden, lyricst, died in New York, NY, USA. (Heart failure). Age: 89
2006.    Anita O'Day vocal, died in Los Angeles. CA, USA.
         Songs Recorded/Released this date include:
     1959 "Big Hurt, The", Fisher, Miss Toni
     1963 "You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry", Caravelles
     1963 "Be True To Your School", Beach Boys
     1963 "Drip Drop", Dion
     1963 "Since I Fell For You", Welch, Lenny
     1968 "Both Sides Now", Collins, Judy
     1968 "I Heard It Through The Grapevine", Gaye, Marvin
     1968 "Cloud Nine", Temptations
     1974 "Junior's Farm", McCartney, Paul
     1985 "Conga", Miami Sound Machine
     1985 "Burning Heart", Survivor
     1985 "That's What Friends Are For", Warwick, Dionne
     1991 "Can't Let Go", Carey, Mariah
     1991 "2 Legit 2 Quit", Hammer
     1991 "Black Or White", Jackson, Michael
     1991 "Wildside", Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch