BIRTHDAYS
1946     Pete Agnew, Bass/singer. Member group: Nazareth
1912     "Archibold" (né Leon T. Gross), vocals/piano, b. New Orleans, LA, USA. d. Jan. 8, 1973
1914     Mae Axton, C&W songwriter.
1952     Tom Baker, trombone, cornet, alto/tenor/baritone sax, clarinet, tuba, drums, vocal. b: Oakland, CA, USA., d: Oct. 23, 2001, Breda, Holland (age 49, Cardiac Arrest: while on tour) Born in California; at age 19 moved to Australia. In college, he played tuba and trumpet, but in time, he also mastered the differing techniques of the sousaphone, tenor and alto saxophone, clarinet and trombone -- playing them all with a fair degree of excellence. But, he had found his real love in the trombone, -the last he conquered. After emigrating to Australia, he gigged around Sydney in various club bands, got interested in traditional jazz, and soon became a member of the famous Ray Price Band that played in Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea. In 1975 he formed his first band: Tom Baker's San Francisco Jazz Band, modeled after the great Lu Watters/Turk Murphy San Francisco Revival bands of the 1930s and '40s. During his career, Baker, several times, again became resident in the USA, during which he played with Cab Calloway, Dick Hyman, Helen Forrest Jay McShann, and Scott Hamilton. From 1980 on, much of his time was spent touring. He played jazz festivals in Europe and in Japan and Europe and often appeared with such jazzmen as "Doc" Cheatham, Bob Wilber, Major Holley, Arnett Cobb and Ralph Sutton. He appeared at the Ascona Festival in Switzerland playing with Sammy Rimington and Kenny Davern. He was a "regular" at Australia's Wangaratta Jazz Festival, and was often heard with James Morrison, Bob Barnard and Don Burrows. During 2000 Tom performed and recorded with bassist Arvell Shaw, singer Anita O'Day, and clarinetist Joe Murayni. His versatility was such that festivals were built around him, where he many times appeared with his partner, pianist-singer Janet Seidel. On his demise, Janet told one reporter: "We lived and breathed music together."
1969     Denys Baptiste, tenor- soprano sax, b. London, England, UK.
1930     Bill Berry, trumpet, b. Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA. d. Nov. 13, 2002
1947     John "Bowzer" Baumann, vocals/piano. Co-Founder/Leader group: 'Sha-Na-Na'. A group formed in 1969 by 7-10-12 Columbia University (New York City) students (sources vary). First called 'The Kingsmen', they changed the name to avoid confusion with another similarly named group. The Original line up that appeared at Woodstock, NY, in 1969 consisted of vocalists; Rob Leonard (co-founder), Don York (co-founder, b. March 13, 1949, Boise, Idaho, USA), Scott Powell, Alan Cooper, David Garnett, Richie Joffe and Frederick Dennis "Denny" Greene (vocals/dancer, b. Jan. 11, 1949, New York, NY, USA). Guitarists; Elliot Cahn (co-founder, vocals, guitar) and Henry Gross. Bassist; Bruce Clark, Joe Witkin on Keyboards and drummer John (Jocko) Marcellino (b. Boston, MA, USA). In 1970, Jon (Bowzer) Bauman joined replacing Alan Cooper. That same year, Henry Gross was also replaced by Chris Donald who went by the alias 'Vinnie Taylor' (who died of a drug overdose in 1974) and was replaced by "Dirty" Dan McBride (b. Nov. 20, 1945, Somerville, MA, USA), In 1972, Bruce Clark returned to his studies, and was replaced by David 'Chico' Ryan (b. Arlington, MA, USA). The other significant replacements were when Rob Leonard was replaced by Johnny Contardo (piano, b. Dec. 23, 1951, Boston, MA, USA), and Lennie Baker (sax, b.April 18, 1946, Whitman, MA, USA) replaced David Garnett, both in 1970. Elliot Chan and Richie Joffe both left in 1973 and were not replaced. (2004) Sha-Na-Na members included: Donny York, b.Idaho, USA, co-founder, grad. Columbia Univ.; John "Jocko" Marcellino, actor/songwriter, b. Quincy, MA, USA, B.A.Columbia Univ., M,.A. New York Univ.; "Screamin' Scott Simon, songwriter, b. (either) Kansas City, MO, USA, or Boston, MA, USA; Reggie Battise, vocals/choreographer, b. Chicago, IL, USA.; Jim "Billy" Waldbillig, guitar/bass guitar/building contractor; Paul Kimbarow, drums, b. New York (Bronx), NY, USA; 'Buzz' Campbell, guitar, b. Dallas, TX, USA 1969; and Frankie Adell.   Others who have worked with 'Sha-Na-Na' include: Avery Schreiber (1977-1978); Pam Myers; Kenneth Mars (1977-1978); Phil Roth (1977-1978); Jane Dulo; June Gable (1978-1981); Soupy Sales (1978-1981); Karen Hartman (1980-1981); and Michael Sklar (1978-1979).    Among the stars who have appeared with the group are Ethel Merman, Phyllis Diller, Chuck Berry, Freddy Cannon, Dr. Joyce Brothers, the Shirelles, Bo Diddley, Brenda Lee and Chubby Checker.
1908     Charlie Beal, Piano, b. Los Angeles, CA, USA, d. August 1991 (Charlie is the brother of pianist Eddie Beal)
1955     Steve Berlin, Sax, b. Philadelphia, PA, USA. Member group: 'Los Lobos', 1987 single "La Bamba" charted UK and US No.1.
1930     Bill Berry, Trumpet, b. Benton Harbor, MI, USA, d. Nov. 13, 2002
1959     John Berry, C&W vocals/guitar, b. Aiken, SC, USA.
1931     Pavel Blatny, Piano/Composer, b. Brno, Czecholovakia
1962     Michel Bonnet, trumpet, b. Paris, France
1918     "Cachao", see: Israel Lopez below.
1928     Jay Cameron, Baritone Sax, b. New York, NY, USA. d. 2001
1953     Tom Cora, (Jazz) cello/accordion, b. Yancey Mills, Virginia, USA, d. April 9, 1998 Among the stars with whom Cora has worked are Fred Frith, Eugene Chadbourne, Japanese guitarist Kazuhisa, Zeena Parkins, Derek Bailey, Henry Kaiser, and Hans Reichel,
1954     Barry Cowsill, Vocals/guitar, Newport, RI, USA, d. December 2005 (exact day unknown - Body was recovered Dec. 28). Member: 'The Cowsills', a family group formed 1966 in Newport, RI, USA, and disbanded 1971 The group consisted of Barry, Bill (b. Jan 9, 1948 in Newport, RI, USA, Guitar/Vocals), Paul (b. Nov. 11, 1952 in Newport, RI, USA, Guitar/Vocals), Barry (b. Sept. 14, 1954 in Newport, RI, USA, Guitar/Vocals), John (b. March 2, 1956 in Newport, RI, USA, Guitar/Vocals), Susan Cowsill (b, May 20, 1959 in Newport, RI, USA, Singer-Songwriter/guitar), and their mother, Barbara Cowsill (b. July 12, 1928, Newport, RI, USA, d. Jan. 31, 1985, Tempe, AZ, USA). The group disbanded amid acrimony that reportedly left some members estranged. A January 6, 2005 Associated Press news article reported that Dr. Louis Cataldie, of the Baton Rouge, Louisiana coronor's office, had stated that the body of a man recovered Dec. 28, 2005 from the Chartres Street Wharf had been indentifed from dental records as Barry Cowills, a member of the popular 1960s singing group, 'The Cowsills'. No cause of death was determined, but it was believed to be related to Hurricane Katrina, which had hit the city August 29, 2005, and had also devastated New Orleans, and other cities on the U. S. gulf coast area.
1889     Tom Delaney, piano, b. Charleston, SC, USA.
1949     Steve Gaines, guitar, b. Miami, Oklahoma, USA. d. Oct. 20, 1977, airplane crash. Member group: Lynyrd Skynyrd Just three days into a national tour, the Skynyrd's private plane went down in a wooded Mississippi area killing Steve, his sister Cassie, Ronnie Van Zant and manager Dean Kilpatrick.
1898     Lawrence Gellert, critic/author, b. Budapest, Hungary
1959     Morten Harket, vocals. Member group: A-Ha. 1985 single "Take On Me", charted US No.1.
1934     Willam "Bill" Harrell, Bluegrass vocals/multi-instrumentalist, b. Marion, VA, USA. Member group: 'Don Reno and Bill Harrell'
1944     Joey Heatherton, vocals, b. Rockville Center, NY, USA.
1964     John Wayne Hill, C&W singer/songwriter/guitarist/fiddler.
1908     Billy Hughes, C&W fiddler/songwriter, b. Sallisaw, OK, USA
1937     Joseph Jarman, Reeds, b. Pine Bluff, AR, USA
1934     Don Joham, Jazz drummer/piano, b. Los Angeles, California, USA, d. Dec. 15, 2004. Curiously, there is very little information extant on Joham. It is curious because among the jazzmen and singers with whom he worked are such stars as Mary Lou Williams, Art Pepper, Buddy DeFranco, Zoot Simms, Shorty Rogers, LeRoy Vinegar, Joe Castro, Mel Lewis, Charles Lloyd, Stan Getz Monte Budwig, Mark Anthony, Bud Shank, Don Friedman, Terry Gibbs, Don Prell, Jackie McCain, Roberta Sherwood, Miriam Makiba, Buddy Clark, Karla Bley, Jane Getz, Jack Sheldon, Jimmy Rowles, Art Farmer, and others too. In the 1970's, Don was the victim of a crime that left him with health problems, -causing him to give up his Jazz career.
1896     J. C. Johnson, Leader/piano/composer, b. Chicago, IL, USA, d. Feb. 27, 1981. Do not confuse with Boogie Woogie Pianist J.P. Johnson
1891     Joe Kayser, leader, b. St. Louis, Missouri, USA, d. Oct. 3, 1981, Evanston, IL, USA.
1950     Paul Kossoff, Guitar, b. London, England, UK, d. March 19, 1976. Member group: 'Free'. 1970 single "'All Right Now", charted US No.4 and UK No.2.
1942     Oliver Lake, Alto-soprano Sax, flute, b. Marianna, AR, USA
1918     Israel Lopez aka: 'Cachao', bass/composer/bandleader, b. Havana, Cuba. Born into a very musical family. (All told, perhaps 40 musicians in the greater or extended family (mostly bassists). 'Cachao', a child prodigy, made his professional debut at just age 12, when, standing on a box, he played the Bass with the Havana Philharmonic Orchestra. Later, he and his brother Orestes Lopez, played in Charango Orquesta Arcano y Sus Maravillas. It has been reported that Orestes and Israel composed over 3000 songs during this time. Their 1939 composition "Mambo" is credited with introducing the syncopated rhythm of the Cuban "Danzone" to a larger world, and caused the Mambo craze to spread world-wide. Many consider him to be the creator of Mambo music, but in truth he played just about every genre of Cuban Jazz including son, guaguancó rumba, boleros and danzón. He has been awarded Life Time Achievement and Grammy Awards. His fellow bassist, Jaco Pastorius was once asked whom he considered to be the greatest Bassist, and quickly answered 'Israel Lopez "Cachao".
1941     Priscilla Mitchell, vocals. b. USA.
1970     Graig Montoya, bass/vocals, b. Spokane, WA, USA. Member group: Everclear. When Art Alexakis (b. April 12, 1962, West Los Angeles, CA, USA) decided to kick his drug habit in the mid-1980s, he formed 'Colorfinger' (country punk), in San Francisco, CA. Upon disbanding, Alexakis and his girlfriend moved to Portland, Oregon, where in 1982, he formed the band 'Everclear', with Craig Montoya, and Scott Cuthbert (drums), but, Cuthbert was soon replaced by Greg Eklund, b. April 18, 1970, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
1940     Eddie Moore, Drums, b. San Francisco, CA, USA. d. May 21, 1990, Oakland, CA, USA.
1952     Darrell Nulisch, vocals/harmonica, b. Dallas, TX, USA. Member: ' Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets'
1942     James "Bla" Pahinui, (Hawaiian) vocals/guitar, b. Honolulu, HI, USA. (raised in Waimanalo) Member: 'Pahinui Brothers'
1967     John Power, bass/vocals, b. Liverpool, England. Member group: The La's, with their 1990 single "There She Goes" charted UK No.13, and as Member group: Cast, with their 1996 single "Flying" charting UK No.4. "The La's" lineup consisted of James Joyce, John Power -bass, Cammy Lee Mavers, Neil Mavers, Paul Hemmings -guitar, and John Timson -drums (All born in Liverpool, England - we believe!). The "Cast" lineup consisted of John Power (vocals/guitar), Peter Wilkinson (bass), Keith O'Neill (drums), and 'Skin '(né: Liam Tyson) (guitar).
1933     Harve Presnell, singer/actor, b. Modesto, CA, USA. An Operatic style singer, Presnell was performing throughout the USA when composer. However, his first real fame came when composer Meredith Willson wrote the role of "Johnny 'Leadville' Brown", in the musical "The Unsinkable Molly Brown", just for him.
1895     Trixie Smith, early Blues Singer, b. Atlanta, GA, USA, d. Sept. 21, 1943, New York, NY. USA. Sang with Louis Armstrong, Jimmy Blythe, Fletcher Henderson, James P. Johnson and Freddie Keppard.
1914     Gerald "Jerry" Valentine, trombone/composer/ arranger, b. Chicago, IL, USA, d. Oct. 1983.
1934     Don Walser, C&W singer/songwriter, b. Brownfield, TX, USA.
1961     Steve Watts, Bass, b. Sutton, Surrey, U.K. Has worked with Martin Speake and with Christine Tobin.
1970     Mark Webber, guitar, b. Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. Member group: Pulp, 1995 single "Common People" charted UK No.2. 'Pulp' were formed in Sheffield, England by Jarvis Cocker (vocals/guitar, b. Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, 1963), then a 15-year-old school-boy. . They were originally known as "Arabacus Pulp", but this was soon shortened.to just 'Pulp'. While he first line-up consisted of Cocker, David Lockwood, Mark Swift and Peter Dalton, this combination soon disintegrated into Cocker and whoever else was around at the time.
1933     James Wheeler, (Blues) pianist, b. Birmingham, AL, USA. aka: 'Piano "C" Red'.
1923     Don Wolf, songwriter, b. New York, NY, USA. Worked with Louis Jordan
1918     Malcolm Yelvington, C&W vocals/guitar, b. Covington, TX, USA.
          Notable Events on this date include:
1948.    Vernon Dalhart, first million-selling Country music recording artist, died Bridgeport, CT, USA.
1973.    Donny Osmond received a gold record for his hit single, "The Twelfth of Never". The song, released in March of 1973, was one of five which turned His four other gold records were "Sweet and Innocent", "Go Away Little Girl", "Hey Girl" and "Puppy Love".
1981.    "Blind" Johnny Brown, guitar/harmonica, died in St. Petersburg, FL, USA, Age: 70
1981.    "Furry" Lewis, guitar, died in Memphis, TN, USA, Age: 88
1985.    The first MTV Video Music Awards were presented at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. 'The Cars' won Best Video honors for 'You Might Think'. Michael Jackson won Best Overall Performance and Choreography for his video 'Thriller'.
1989.    Perez Prado, leader ('El Rey Del Mambo), died in Mexico City, Mexico. Age: 72
1997.    Mike Doyle, British researcher. CAUTION: Do not confuse with Canadian singer/writer Mike Doyle (of whom one editor noted: " Mike Doyle writes short, introspective pop songs for weak kids.". (My My. Tsk Tsk, --ed), . There is also a U. S. Congressman Mike Doyle (Dem. PA), who sometimes speaks on musical topics.
2001.    Eddie Stoneman, of the Stoneman Family, died. Age: 81
          Songs Recorded/Released this date include:
1908    Teddy Bears' Picnic, -Arthur pryor's band. tune: Bratton
1914    Do the Funny Foxtrot, -Arthur collins-byron harlan vocs. tune: Carroll
1914    Mississippi Barbeque, -Arthur collins-byron harlan vocs. tune: Reed
1914    Metropolitan hits: High Cost of Loving, - Pietro Deiro. tune: Wenrich
1916    Love's Old Sweet Song, -Imperial Quartet. tune: Molloy
1917    We're Going Over, -Peerless Quartet. tune: Sterling-Grossman-Lange
1922    I'm Through, -Benson orch. of Chicago. tune: Norman-Weber
1923    Tell All The Folks in Kentucky, -Charles dornberger and his orch. tune: Irving Berlin
1923    You Little Sun-ov-er-gun, -Ray Miller's Melody Boys.
1925    Red Hot Henry Brown, -Busse's Buzzards (Paul Whiteman's orch).
1925    Milenberg Joys, -Busse Buzzards (Paul whiteman's orch).
1925    Sad, -Ben Black and his orch. Tune: bob gordon-art kenton
1925    I'm Knee Deep in Daisies (vfb), -Park Lane orch (Fenton Orch). tune: Goodwin; Little; Stanley; Ash;
1926    Tonight You Belong to Me, -Regent Club orch (Haring orch.) tune: Rose; David
1927    There Ain't No Land Like Dixieland To Me, - Ernie Golden hotel McAlpin orch.
1927    My Blue Heaven, -Gene Austin vocal and orch. (One of America's first "Million Sellers")
1927    My Melancholy Baby, -Gene Austin voc.
1928    Tell Me sweet rose, -Mart Britt and his orch.
1928    Roses of Yesterday, -Ben Bernie and his orch. tune: berlin
1928    Old Plantation, -Earl Burtnett's Biltmore Trio. tune: nape
1928    Song of the Islands, -Earl Burtnett (piano). tune: king
1929    The end of the Lonesome Trail, -Jack Denny and his orch.
1929    Scotchie, -Jack Denny and his Mount Royal Orch.
1929    Piccolo Pete, -Harry Reser's syncopators.
1929    Collegiate Sam, -Harry Reser's syncopators.
1931    I don't Know Why (I just do), -Bennie Krueger and his orch.
1931    Sweet and Lovely, -Bing Crosby w Victor Young orch., tune: arnheim-tobias-lamare
1932    The Sweetheart Hour, -Don Bestor and his orch.
1933    My Little Grass Shack in Kealakhua Hawaii, -Lane's Hawaiians (Noelani orch.).
1934    Stars Fell on Alabama, -Freddy Martin and his orch. tune: parish-perkins
1934    Just Once Too Often, -Jan Garber and his orch.
1936    Mickey Mouse's Birthday Party, -Wayne king and his orch.
1936    Will You Remember?, -Wayne king and his orch.
1937    Jockey on the Carousel, -Joe Uusifer orch.
1938    Margie, -Benny Goodman and his orch.
1938    What have you got that gets me?, -Benny Goodman and his orch.
1938    When I go a-dreamin', -Dick Todd and his orch.
1938    Sixty Seconds Got Together, -Dick Todd and his orch.
1939    Fair Hawaii, -Miulan and Andy Iona orch.
1939    Homesick for the Islands, -Andy Iona and his orch.
1941    Bizet has his Day, -Les Brown and his orch.
1944    It Had To Be You, - Hutton, Betty
1944    It Had To Be You, - Haymes, Dick
1951    It's No Sin, - Howard, Eddy
1951    And So To Sleep Again, - Page, Patti
1959    Put Your Head On My Shoulder, - Anka, Paul
1959    Just Ask Your Heart, - Avalon, Frankie
1959    Mr. Blue, - Fleetwoods
1959    Teen Beat, - Nelson, Sandy
1963    Busted, - Charles, Ray
1963    Be My Baby, - Ronettes
1968    Hey Jude, - Beatles
1968    Say It Loud-I'm Black and I'm Proud, - Brown, James
1974    Jazzman, - King, Carole
1985    Lovin' Every Minute Of It, - Loverboy
1985    I'm Goin' Down, - Springsteen, Bruce
1985    Part-Time Lover, - Wonder, Stevie
1991    Real Real Real, - Jesus Jones
1991    Don't Want To Be A Fool, - Vandross, Luther