>BIRTHDAYS
1947     Lynn Anderson vocals, b. Grand Forks, ND, USA. Grammy Award winner: CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, 1971 Lynn is the daughter of C&W singer Liz Anderson.
1940     Gary Bartz, Alto/Soprano Sax, b. Baltimore, MD, USA.
1941     Joe Bauer, Drums. Member group: 'The Youngbloods'
1913     George Brazier, bass/trombone, b. St. Louis, MO, USA.
19??     James Buck, vocals, b. TX, USA. Member: "Cold Blue Steel", a Country, Blues and Rock group that has seen many changes. One recent lineup (for their 1996 Priority Records album "Headed Out of Memphis") had James Buck on vocals, Brent Reed on gutiar, Tim neely on the bass, and Phil Long on the drums.
1955     Carlene Carter, vocals, b. Madison, TN, USA. née: She is the daughter of Carl Smith and June Carter Cash.
1931     George Chambers, Bass/vocals, b. Flora, MS, USA. Member group: 'The Chambers Brothers'
1954     Craig Chaquico, Guitar/vocals. Member group: Jefferson Starship. 1987 single "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us" charted US and UK No.1
1896     Vaughn De Leath vocals. d. 1943
1909     Gus Deloof, Trumpet, b. Brussels, Belgium, d. May 8, 1974
1949     Martin Delray, C&W singer-songwriter, b. Texarkana, AR, USA.
1920     Tommy Spike Doss, guitar/vocals, né: Lloyd Thomas Doss. member: 'The Sons of The Pioneers'
1972     Paul Draper, singer/songwriter. Member group: Mansun, 1996 single "Wide Open Space" charted UK No.15 .
1943     Georgie Fame, vocals. 1965 single "Yeh Yeh", and 1968 single "The Ballad Of Bonnie and Clyde" charted UK No.1 .
1945     Bryan Ferry, vocals/keyboard. Member group: Roxy Music
1916     Marvin Fisher, composer, b. New York, NY, USA, d. Aug. 21, 1993, New York, NY, USA. . Son of Fred Fisher and brother of Doris Fisher b. May 2, 1915, New York, NY, USA, d. Jan. 15, 2003, Los Angeles, CA, USA also a songwriter - with many hits to her name.)
1907     "Shug" Fisher, C&W Fiddle/(Comedy) Vocals/Songwriter/Synclavier/Upright Bass, b. Grady County, OK, USA, d. March 16, 1984. né: George Clinton Fisher. Member: "Sons of the Pioneers". He earned his nickname as an infant when his mother called him "sugar". This son of a Scots-Irish father and part Choctaw mother had learned to play the mandolin, fiddle and guitar by the time he went on the road. In California, he worked at many odd jobs such as oil field cabler, and tool dresser before getting some radio work. He played with various groups, including the "Hollywood Hillbillies," in which he played bass fiddle, and the "Beverly Hill Billies." In 1943, he first joined the Sons of the Pioneers as a bass player and comedian, -appearing on their Lucky U Ranch radio program. He had finally found fame acting in "B" Western films and singing with the renowned "Sons of the Pioneers". He also performed with Stuart Hamblen's "Lucky Stars" and partnered -on and off- with singer/actor/comedian Pat Brady, who would later also appear with the "Pioneers". . After leaving the Pioneers, Shug worked with pre-Festus actor Ken Curtis (of "Gunsmoke" fame) in movies, TV and radio, before again returning to . the Sons of the Pioneers (1955-1959), After that, he appeared with Red Foley and his Ozark Jubilee TV show for a couple of years. Continuing as a character actor on TV, he enjoyed a regular role with his good friend Ken Curtis on the "Ripcord" (1962) adventure series. That same year, he also played the role of Shorty Kellums on "The Beverly Hillbillies", as well as appearing in serveral Walt Disney films and TV episodes He died in March 1984 after a lingering illness, with old friend Ken Curtis by his side.
1941     David Frizzell, C&W vocals/guitar, b. El Dorado, AR, USA. David is the younger brother of Country legend Lefty Frizzell. His younger brother Allen, and Allen's wife Shelly West, are also Country performers who have toured around the Southwest. Early in 1981, David and Shelly West recorded the single "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma", that topped the country charts. It was later included in the 1981 Clint Eastwood film 'Any Which Way You Can'. In June, "A Texas State of Mind" reached No. 9, and closing out 1981, David and Shelly West enjoyed a Top 20 hit with their "Husbands and Wives". At the beginning of 1982, David Frizzell and Shelly West again hit the Top Ten with their "Another Honky-Tonk Night on Broadway" and "I Just Came Here to Dance". Then, working as a solo act in 1982, Frizzell's "I'm Gonna Hire a Wino to Decorate Our Home" made it to the top of the charts. During 1982-1983, two of his singles "Where Are You Spending Your Nights These Days," and "Lost My Baby Blues" both hit the Top Ten charts. In 1984, the duo of Frizzell and West again scored back-to-back hits with "Silent Partners" and "It's a Be Together Night"
1898     George Gershwin, composer/piano, b. New York (Brooklyn), NY, USA, d. July 11, 1937, Beverly Hills, CA, USA. Inoperable Brain Tumor. né: Jacob Gershowitz. One of America's greatest Pop composers. It is interesting to note that his music is played by 'Jazz' musicians more than any other composer. His brother Ira (very) often did the lyrics.
1912     Rene Hall, guitar/arranger/producer, b. Morgan City, LA, USA.
1934     Dick Heckstall-Smith, Tenor-soprano-alto-baritone Sax, b. Ludlow, England, d. Dec 17, 2004 (cancer). né: Richard Malden. The list of musicians that Dick played with reads like a who's who of the international Jazz and rock music scene, and includes John Mayall, Alexis Korner, Jack Bruce, Mick Jagger and Ginger Baker. He also fronted the band 'Colosseum' -- an influential jazz/rock ensemble in the late 1960s. In 1971, 'Colosseum' folded and Dick formed his own band 'Manchild' which toured the United States supporting 'Fleetwood Mac' and 'Deep Purple'. A severe spinal problem forced him our of action for several years, but in 1981 he was back with a new band 'Mainsqueeze' which toured the U.S.A. supporting Bo Diddley. He began to devote his energies to Celtic folk music, and African-influenced Jazz and Blues, but, in 1992, he suffered two severe strokes while on the operating table for heart bypass surgery. By 1994, he was able to reform the original line-up of 'Colosseum' and in 1995, the band toured the European continent. In his later years Heckstall-Smith divided his time between 'Colosseum' and the 'Hamburg Blues Band'.
1965     Cindy Herron, Member group: 'En Vogue', 1992 single "My Lovin'" charted US No.2 and UK No.4
1926     Lynn Hope, Tenor sax, b. Birmingham, AL, USA. After graduating from high school, Hope joined the King Kolax band. During his career, he recorded for the Premium and Aladdin labels. In 1950, his King label release of "Tenderly" reached number 8 on the R&B charts and number 19 on the Pop charts. Hope converted to Islam, renamed himself Ali Hajji Abdullah Rascheed Ahmed, and started wearing a turban. After his last sessions for the King Label, in the 1960s, he went into semi-retirement.
1953     Vic Juris, guitar, b. Parsippany, NJ, USA. Vic is a well known in the New York City jazz scene, and has been for the last 30 years or so. He often tours with his own band and with saxophonist David Liebman, among others. He also leads his own trio with Jay Anderson on bass and Tim Horner on drums. Guests include Liebman and his wife, vocalist Kate Baker (with whom he sometimes works). Juris is also involved in education, authoring books on guitar technique and improvisation. He teaches at the New School of Music (New York city), and also in the Rutgers University (Morristown, NJ) Jazz program.
1926     Gunter Kronberg, Alto Sax, b. Gelsenkirchen, Germany, d. ca. 1977
1926     Julie London vocals. b. Santa Rosa, CA, USA. d. Oct. 18, 2000, Encino, CA, USA. née: Julie Peck. Sang with Matty Malneck's big band in the late 1940's. Actually, Julie chose Acting as her career (her parents - a vaudeville song and dance team - moved to Los Angeles, CA, USA when she was just 14). Julie acted on film until she married Jack Webb (1947) and then went into semi-retirement. She was a fine actress with loads of sex appeal, and was a favorite G.I. 'Pinup' girl during WW2. After she and Jack divorced, (in 1953 - two daughters), Julie devoted her full time to singing, managed by actor/composer Bobby Troup (b. Oct. 18, 1929 - d. Feb. 9, 1999). In 1959, she and Bobby married (the union produced one daughter and twin boys). Interestingly, when Jack Webb later became a producer, he hired both her and her 'new' husband Bobby Troup to star in the TV show 'Emergency'. In 1995, Julie suffered a stroke, and her health began to deteriorate. In 1999 her husband Bobby died, and Julie passed away a little later in October 2000. She left us a lot of great music, and memories. Over 40 albums by this sultry, sexy singer have been released.
1923     Merrill Moore, C&W singer/piano session player, b. Algona, IA, USA.
1927     Romano Mussolini, piano, b. Carpena, Forlì, Italy, d. Feb. 3, 2006, Rome, Italy (complications of heart surgery). Age: 78. Romano, the youngest (third) son of Benito Mussolini, was never involved in politics, but was an excellent Jazz pianist, painter, and film producer. Considered one of Italy's best Jazz musicians, he often played with such jazz stars as Chet Baker and Dizzy Gillespie. Romano's first wife, Maria Scicolone, was the sister of actress Sophia Loren, and the mother of Alessandra Mussolini, a right-wing parliamentarian who is currently (2006) a deputy in the European Parliament.
1948     Olivia Newton-John, vocals, b. Cambridge, England, UK.
1973     Nicholas Payton, Trumpet, b. New Orleans, LA, USA.
1954     James Pugh, keyboards, b. New York, NY, USA. Member: 'Robert Cray Band'
1925     Marty Robbins, C&W vocals/guitar, b. (near) Glendale, AR, USA, d. Dec. 8, 1982. né: Martin David Robinson
1954     Cesar Rosas, vocals, b. Hermosillo, Mexico. Member group: 'Los Lobos', 1987 single "La Bamba" charted US and UK No.1 .
1972     Shawn Stockman, vocals, b. Philadelphia, PA, USA. Member group: 'Boyz II Men', 1992 single "End Of The Road" charted US and UK No.1.
1960     Doug Supernaw, C&W singer/songwriter, b. Bryan, TX, USA.
1962     Tracey Thorn, singer/songwriter. b. Brookman's Park, England. Member 1/2 group: 'Everything But The Girl'. Their 1995 single "Missing" charted UK No.3. (The other 1/2 group is Ben Watt (b. Dec. 6, 1962, London, England). In the post-'punk' years of the early 1980s, the London-based independent label 'Cherry Red' signed both teenagers (separately). Tracey was signed with her first band 'Marine Girls', and Ben was signed as a solo artist. After some singles by both artists including two Marine Girls albums,, Thorn and Watts collaborated on a single release, and for the first time used the name 'Everything But The Girl'.
1901     Ted Weems, leader/ trombone, b. Pitcairn, PA, USA. d. May 6, 1963, Tulsa, OK, USA. né: Wilfred Theodore Weymes
1917     Nelson "Cadillac" Williams, Trumpet, b. Birmingham, AL, USA, d. 1973 Best recalled for his work with Tiny Bradshaw's orchestra.
         Notable Events on this date include:
1887.    Emile Berliner patented a disk recording device that made mass production of phonograph records feasible.
1892.    John Philip Sousa, "The King of Marches", was introduced to the public in Plainfield, NJ, USA. His band played the "Liberty Bell March".
1908.    An ad for the Edison Phonograph appeared in The Saturday Evening Post, offering buyers free records by both the Democratic and Republican U.S. presidential candidates!
1937.    Bessie Smith, vocals, died in Clarksdale, MS, USA. Age: 43. Called: 'The Empress Of The Blues'
1976.    L. C. Robinson, guitar/violin, died in Berkeley, CA, USA. Age: 61.
1979.    Susie Gabler, Label co-owner, died in Long Beach, NJ, USA. She and her husband Milton were the owners of the Commodore Record Shop/Label.
1980.    Pat Hare, guitar, died in St. Paul, MN, USA. Age: 49
1984.    Shelly Manne, drums, died in Los Angeles, California, USA. Age: 64
1988.    "Melody Lord" (né: Fitzroy Alexander), vocals/songwriter, died in Port Of Spain, Trinidad. Age: 63
1988.    Chester Simmons, producer, died in Silver Springs, MD, USA. Age: 50. (Stax/Chess Records)
1989.    Arnold Shaw, author (Honkers & Shouters), died in Las Vegas, NV, USA. Age: 80
1991.    Billy Vaughn, arrranger/producer (Dot Records), died in Palomar, CA, USA. Age: 72
1993.    J.R. Monterose, tenor-soprano sax, died in Utica, New York, USA. (né: Frank Anthony Monterose, Jr.) Careful: Do not confused with fellow tenor-saxist Jack Montrose. (b. Jan. 19, 1927, Detroit, Michigan, USA )
1998.    Betty Carter, vocalist, died in New York (Brooklyn), NY, USA. (b. May 16, 1930, Flint, Michigan, USA )
2003.    Shawn Lane, guitarist, died in Memphis, TN, USA.
         Songs Recorded/Released this date include:
1911    Honey Man, - American Quartet. tune: Al Piantadosi
1911    Mysterious Rag, -American Quartet. tune: Berlin-Ted Snyder
1911    Mammy's Shuffling Dance, -American Quartet. tune: Gideon
1917    Its a Long Way to Berlin, American Quartet. - tune: Fields-Flatow
1923    Sittin' in a Corner, -Paul Whiteman and his Orch. Tune: KAHN-MEYER
1928    I Never Kissed a Baby Like You (vTS), -Six Jumping Jacks (Reser Orch.).
1930    When The Organ Played at Twilight, -Lee Morse and her Bluegrass Boys.
1932    How Deep Is The Ocean, -Paul Whiteman and his Orch
1932    Let's Put Out The Lights (Ramona), -Paul Whiteman and his Orch.
1933    Gin Mill Blues, -Joe Sullivan (Piano). Tune: Joe Sullivan
1934    I Surrender, Dear, -Red Norvo Swing Septet.
1938    Tell Me With Your Kisses, -Swing and Sway With Sammy Kaye.
1939    Tom Cat on the Keys, -Bob Zurke Delta Rhythm Band.
1939    Are You Havin' Any Fun, -Ella Logan voc.
1939    Goody Goody, -Eddy Duchin and his orch.
1939    Stop! It's Wonderful, -Orrin Tucker and his orch.
1939    Ragtime Cowboy Joe, -Louise Massey and Westerners.
1941    Somebody Loves Me, -Tommy Dorsey and his orch.
1941    Violets for your Furs, -Tommy Dorsey and his orch.
1941    Five O'Clock Drag, -Duke Ellington and his orch.
1941    Brazil, -Enric Madriguera and his orch.
1941    A Million Times A Day, -Enric Madriguera and his orch.
1941    Jim, - Jimmy Dorsey Orch.
1945    Chickery Chick, -Gene Krupa and his orch.
1945    Lover, -Gene Krupa and his orch.
1952    Outside Of Heaven, - Eddie Fisher
1952    It's In The Book, - Johnny Standley
1953    St. George And The Dragonet, - Stan Freberg
1960    Let's Think About Living, - Bob Luman
1964    Last Kiss, - J. Frank Wilson
1970    It's Only Make Believe, - Glen Campbell
1970    Fire And Rain, - James Taylor
1981    Tryin' To Live My Life Without You, - Bob Seger
1987    Mony Mony, - Billy Idol
1987    It's A Sin, - Pet Shop Boys
1987    I Think We're Alone Now, - Tiffany
1987    Breakout, - Swing Out Sister
1992    Real Love, -Mary J. Blige
1992    Free Your Mind, - En Vogue
1992    I'd Die Without You, - P.M. Dawn