BIRTHDAYS
1927    "Doc" Anello, alto-soprano saxes/vocals.
1926    Arthur "Artie" Anton, Conga Drums/Drums/Timbales, b. New York, NY, USA, d. July 27, 2003, New York, NY, USA.
1914    David W. "Dave" Bowman, piano, b. Buffalo, NY, USA, d. 1964, Miami, FL, USA
1935    Marion Brown, Alto Sax, b. Atlanta, GA, USA
1903    Milton Brown, Violin/Guitar/vocals/leader, b. Stephenville, TX, USA, d. April 18, 1936. Milton originally formed a local band with his sons called 'The Aladdin Laddies'. The name was changed to 'The Light Crust Doughboys' (perhaps THE seminal 'Western Swing' band) when they were hired by Burris Mills for a radio show. When Milton left the show, the band became 'Milton Brown and His Brownies'
1970    Neko Case, C&W singer-songwriter, b. Alexandria, VA, USA.
1935    James Earl Clay, tenor sax/flute, b. Dallas, TX, USA, d. Jan. 6, 1995
1932    Patsy Cline, C&W vocals. b. Winchester, VA, USA, (her family home was in nearby Gore, VA), d. March 5, 1963, Camden, TN, USA (Airplane Crash). née: Virginia Patterson Hensley. In 1957, her big break came when she won an Arthur Godfrey Talent program singing the hit "Walkin' After Midnight" (composers: Don Hecht and Alan Block). A recording career soon followed, and, in 1958, she began appearing on the 'Grand Ole Opry' radio show. She was acclaimed Country Music Female artist of the year in both 1961 and '62. Among her huge Country hit releases were "Crazy" (written by Willie Nelson), "I Fall to Pieces", and "Sweet Dreams" (Don Gibson). On June 14, 1961, Patsy Cline and her brother were involved in a head-on automobile collision, with Patsy being thrown through the windshield, nearly killing her. She spent a month in the hospital recovering. However, in 1963, at just age 30, Cline died in a plane crash at Camden, Tennessee while returning from Kansas City, Missouri. With her on the plane, and also killed, were C&W stars 'Hawkshaw' Hawkins, Randy Hughes, and 'Cowboy' Copas. (Hughes, Cline's manager, was the plane's pilot.) In one of those curious instances of fate, another Country singer, Jack Anglin, died in an automobile accident while driving to Patsy's funeral. For most of her life, Patsy made Winchester, VA her permanent home, and after her demise, two highways, -the Patsy Cline Memorial Highway, Route 522, and Patsy Cline Boulevard in Winchester, were named to commemorate her life. In 1993, she was honored with her image on a United States postage stamp.
1942    Brian Cole, Bass/singer. Member group: The Association
1924    Gracie Cole, trumpet, b. Rowlands Gill, England
1896    Howard Dietz, lyricist, d. 1983
1941    Dante Drowty, vocals. Member: 'Dante and The Evergreens'
1964    Marc Gordon, keyboard, b. Cleveland, OH, USA.
1939    "Guitar Shorty" (né: David William Kearney), guitar, b. Houston, TX, USA. (raised in Kissimee, FL, USA). While playing his guitar, he will often turn somersaults, do backwards flips, and even stand on his head. These wild antics were originally inspired by one of his early idols, the flamboyant "Guitar Slim", who also had a penchant for stage gymnastics. Guitar Shorty's other early influences included fellow Blues guitar pickers B.B. King, "T-Bone" Walker and Earl Hooker.
1927    "Harmonica Fats" (né: Harvey Blackston), harmonica, b. McDade, LA, USA.
1912    Alfio Grasso, Violin/Guitar/Alto Sax, b. Lentini, Sicily, Italy, d. ca. 1963
1945    Kelly Groucutt, bass/vocals/guitar/piano, b. Coseley, Staffordshire, England. Member group: 'Electric Light Orchestra' (1974-1983), 1979 UK No.3 and US No.4 single "Don't Bring Me Down", - plus 26 other top 40 hits.
1939     Billy Henderson, vocals, Member group: 'The Detroit Spinners', 1980 UK No.1 and US No.2 single "Working My Way Back To You". The "Detroit Spinners" were formed in 1955 at Ferndale High School, near Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A., and originally known as 'The Domingos', 'The Detroit Spinners' were comprised of: Henry Fambrough (b. 10th May 1935, Detroit, MI, U.S.A.), Robert 'Bobbie' Smith (b. 10th April 1937, Detroit, MI, U.S.A.), Billy Henderson (b. 8th Sept 1939, Detroit, MI, U.S.A. d. 2nd February 2007, Daytona Beach, FL, U.S.A.), Pervis Jackson, and George Dixon. Later, Philippé Soul Wynn (a.k.a. Phillip Walker. b. 3rd April 1941, Detroit, MI, U.S.A. d. 14th July 1984, Oakland, California, U.S.A.), and G.C. Cameron (b. Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.A.) joined.
CAUTION: THERE ARE THREE BILL HENDERSONS
** Bill Henderson (1). Blues/Pop singer, is variously credited as b. March 19, 1930 or on August 9, 1926, -both in Chicago, IL, USA.
** Bill Henderson (2). Canadian Folk/Rock singer-songwriter/producer, who is credited as b. Nov. 6, 1944, Vancouver, Canada.
** Bill Henderson (3) aka: Billy Henderson, vocals with the 'Spinners' (aka: 'Detroit Spinners', aka: 'Motown Spinners') is variously credited as b. August 9, 1939, while others claim he was born Sept 8, 1939 - both in Detroit, MI, USA, and also claimed as b. August 9, 1939, Indianapolis, Indiana, d. February 2, 2007, Daytona Beach, Florida, USA.
1929    Harlan Howard, C&W songwriter/vocals/guitar. b. Lexington, KY, USA. né: Harlan Perry Howard. Sometimes called "The Dean of Songwriters", he has well over 4000 songs to his credit including "I Fall to Pieces (Hank Cochran co-wrote)," "Life Turned Her That Way" and "Heartaches By the Number" He scored major chart hits during every decade of the post World War II era. In 1961, he was writing a minimum of two or three songs daily, with about a dozen of those recorded each week. Billboard name him "Songwriter of the Year" for two years running.
1930    Earnest Johnson, bass, b. MS, USA. Played with "Muddy" Waters
1966    Shunsuke Kikuta, guitar, b. Tochigi, Japan Played with Junior Wells
1958    Michael Lardie, guitar/piano/bluesharp, Member group: Great White (band formed 1982 included Lorne Black, Audie Desbrow, Gary Holland, Mark Kendall, Michael Lardie, and Jack Russell.)
1950    Will Lee, electric bass/bass guitar, piccolo bass, percussion, vocals, b. Portland, Maine, USA. Played on the Dave Letterman show for 24 years. CAUTION: Do not confuse with Broadway performer and stage music composer Will Lee, ( b. Aug 4, 1908 Brooklyn, NY, USA - d. Dec 7, 1982 New York, NY, USA )
1958    David Lewis,vocals/guitar, b. Los Angeles, CA, USA, d: Mar 13, 1988 Member group: Atlantic Starr, 1987 single "Always" charted US No.1 and UK No.3. Atlantic Starr included the Lewis brothers (who started the band) - David Lewis, b. Sept. 8, 1958, d: March 13, 1988, vocals/guitar; Jonathan Lewis, keyboards/trombone; Wayne Lewis, b: April 13, 1957, vocals/keyboards; Joseph Phillips b: May 2, 1949, percussion; Barbara Weathers, b: Dec 7, 1963, vocals. In the '70s, Sharon Bryant was lead singer. )
1945    Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, organ, b. San Bruno, CA, USA. d. March 8, 1973. Member group: 'The Grateful Dead'.
1928    Earl Nelson, vocals, b. Lake Charles, LA, USA. Member groups: 'Bob & Earl', and 'Hollywood Flames'
1965    Daron Norwood, C&W vocals/guitar, b. Lubbock, TX, USA.
1947    Graeme Page, French Horn, b. Montreal PQ, Canada. Member group: 'The Canadian Brass'
1934    Bill Parsons, b. C&W vocals/guitar, b. Crossville, TN, USA. In 1956, Bill was a regular performer on 'Hayride Jamboree Show' (WLMJ, Jackson, OH, USA).
1979    'Pink', Vocals, b. Doylestown, PA, USA. née: Alicia Moore (some sources say Alecia Moore). Her 2001 single (with Christina Aguilera, and "Lil' and Mya Kim) "Lady Marmalade" charted US and UK No.1.
1972    Andie Rathbourne, Drums. b. England. Member group: Mansun (band included: Paul Draper (vocals, rhythm guitar); Dominic Chad (lead guitar); Stove King (bass); and Andie on drums).
1950    Zachary Richard, (Cajun) singer-songwriter/piano/leader. b. Lafayette, LA, USA.
1897    Jimmie Rodgers, C&W vocals/guitar/composer, b. Last Gap, MS, USA. d. May 26, 1933. né: James Charles Rodgers (Sometimes called "The Father of Country and Western Music".)
1896    Elmer Schobel (aka Schoebel), Piano, Arranger, Composer, leader, b. East St.Louis, IL, USA, d. Dec. 14, 1970, Miami, FL, USA
1960    David Steele, drums, b. Isle Of Wight, UK. Member group: Fine Young Cannibals, 1983 single "Can't Get Used To Losing You" charted US No.1 and UK No.3. Beside David, the band (formed 1985) included Roland Lee Gift (vocals), b. May 28, 1962, Birmingham, UK; Andy Cox (guitarist), b. 1956, Birmingham, UK.)
1958    Marty Stuart, C&W guitar/vocals, b. Philadelphia, MS, USA.
1935    John Sylvia, vocals, ?Boston, MA, USA. Member: 'The Tune Weavers'
1921    Norris Turney, Alto-tenor-soprano sax, flute, clarinet, piccolo, arranger, b. Wilmington, OH, USA, d. Jan. 17, 2001, age 80
1942    Sal Valentino, vocals, b. San Francisco, CA, USA.
1923    Wilbur Bernard Ware, Bass, b. Chicago, IL, USA, d. Sept. 9, 1979
1939    Butch Warren, Bass, b. Washington, D.C., USA
1960    Steve Waterman, Trumpet/Flugelhorn/arranger, b. Boston, Lincolnshire, England, UK.
1911    "Washboard Doc", washboard, b. Charleston, SC, USA, d. Sept 16, 1988, New York (Brooklyn), NY, USA. Age: 77
1928    "Peanuts" Whalum, tenor sax/trumpet, b. Memphis, TN, USA.
1941    Phillip Wilson, Drums, b. St.Louis, MO, USA, d. April 1, 1992
1923    Gloria Wood, vocals, b. Massachusetts, USA, d. March 5, 1995 (complications of Diabetes). Her parents were Robert E. Wood, a radio singer in the 1920's with his wife Gertrude Anderson-Wood. Gloria is the sister of singer Donna Wood. (Please see our April 14 calendar page.) CAUTION: Do not confuse with the actress Gloria Wood who became popular under the stage name of 'K. T. Stevens'.
1927    Charles "Specs" Wright, Drums, b. Philadelphia, PA, USA. d. 1963 USA.
         Notable Events on this date include:
1935.    A group calling themselves "The Hoboken Four", appeared on the 'Major Bowes Amateur Hour' show, on the stage of the Capitol Theatre in New York City (and heard on WOR radio). A youngster named Frank Sinatra was lead singer, and the group won First Prize in the competition.
1954.    Brad Gowans, trombone, valve trombone, clarinet, cornet, alto sax,arranger, died in Los Angeles, CA, USA. (b. Dec 3, 1903, Billerica, MA, USA )
1956.    Fred Rich, piano, leader, died in Los Angeles (Beverly Hills), CA, USA (né: Fredric Efrem Rich, b. Dec. 31, 1969 , Warsaw, Poland)
1960.    Oscar Pettiford, bass, died in Copenhagen, Denmark, Age: 47
1975.    Reuben Reeves, trumpet, died in New York, NY, USA. (b. Oct 25, 1905 in Evansville, Indiana USA)
1977.    Mary Ford, singer, and wife of guitarist Les Paul, died. Age: 49. née: Iris Colleen Summers
1977.    Zero Mostel, actor/vocals, died. Age: 61.
1978.    Robert Gardner, Bluegrass vocals/strings, died. Age: 80 Member: "Mac & Bob"
1991.    Alex North, songwriter, died in Pacific Palisades,,CA, USA, Age: 81
1993.    Bobby "Pops" Buster, piano, died in Waterbury, CT, USA. Age: 65
1999.    "Moondog" (né: Louis Hardin), composer, percussion, vocal, died in Munster, Germany (cardiac arrest). Age: 83
         Songs Recorded/Released this date include:
1911    Who Are You With Tonight, - Billy Murray voc.release. tune: Van Alstyne
1911    Ghost of the Banjo Coon, - Arthur collins voc.release. tune: Caldwell
1915    Teach Me to Smile, - George Hamilton Green voc.
1924    Copenhagen, - Benson Orch. of Chicago.
1925    Speech (voc. B.Murray), - International Novelty Orch.
1927    Moonlit Waters, - Colonial Club Orch.
1930    I'll Be A Friend With Pleasure, - Bix Beiderbecke and his Orch. Tune: Maceo Pinkard
1930    I Don't Mind Walking In The Rain, - Bix Beiderbecke and his Orch. Tune: Rich-Hoffmann
1930    Deep Down South, - Bix Beiderbecke and his Orch. Tune: Collinus-G.Green
1930    My baby just Cares For Me, - Isham Jones and his Orch.
1930    I'll Be Blue, Just Thinking of You, - Isham Jones and his Orch. tune: P.Wendling-George Whiting
1932    Love is The Sweetest Thing, - Ray Noble and his Orch.
1933    Dinner At Eight, - Ben Selvin and his Orch.
1933    Be Careful, - Fran Frey and his Orch. (Ben Selvin orch).
1933    Honeymoon Hotel, -Meyer Davis and his Orch.
1933    By A Waterfall, - Meyer Davis and his Orch.
1936    I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles, - Wayne King and his Orch.
1936    Sweethearts, - Wayne King and his Orch. Tune: Robert smith;victor herbert
1937    Who Knows?, - Tommy Dorsey and his Orch.
1937    In the still of the night, -Tommy Dorsey and his Orch.
1937    A Foggy Day In London (voc. s.e.), -Hal Kemp and his Orch.
1937    Things Are Looking Up, -Hal Kemp and his Orch.
1937    If It's the last thing I do, -Tommy Dorsey and his Orch.
1937    I May Be Wrong But I Think You're Wonderful, - Tommy Dorsey and his Orch.
1939    My Prayer, -Horace Heidt musical Knights.
1941    Misirlou, -Harry James and his orch.
1956    Just Walking In The Rain, - Ray, Johnnie
1958    Near You, - Williams, Roger
1962    Patches, - Lee, Dickey
1962    Let's Dance, - Montez, Chris
1962    If I Had A Hammer, - Peter, Paul and Mary
1973    Ramblin Man, - Allman Brothers
1984    I'm So Excited, - Pointer Sisters
1984    Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run, - Ocean, Billy
1990    I Don't Have The Heart, - Ingram, James
1990    Giving You The Benefit, - Pebbles
1990    Praying For Time, - Michael, George