BIRTHDAYS
1967     Brett Anderson, vocals, b. Haywards, Heath, England. Member group: Suede, 1994 single "Stay Together" charted UK No.3.
1895     Clarence Tom Ashley, (Traditional Bluegrass) Vocals/Banjo, b. Bristol, TN, USA. d. June 2, 1967. né:: Clarence Earl McCurry. Member: 'Carolina Tar Heels'
1907     Gene Autry, composer/vocals/actor, b. Tioga Springs, TX, USA. d. Oct. 2, 1998, Los Angeles (Studio City), CA, USA. (lymphoma Age: 91). né: Orvon Gene Autry. While still a youngster, his family moved to a ranch in Oklahoma where Gene learned to play the guitar and to sing. He was educated at Ravia (Oklahoma) High School, after which he first worked as a telegrapher for the Frisco Railroad. Autry made his first recording in 1929. It was Cowboy-humorist Will Rogers who, during a chance encounter, encouraged Autry to pursue his dream of singing professionally, During the next several years, he performed as 'Oklahoma's Yodeling Cowboy' on a Tulsa, Oklahoma radio program. After a stint as star of the 'National Barn Dance' radio show, emanating from Chicago, IL, he signed a recording contract with the Sears-Roebuck department store to record for their own label. The store also marketed a "Gene Autry guitar" through its famous catalog. However, it was the Hollywood studios that brought Autry lasting fame making him became America's favorite singing cowboy. His first movie, 'In Old Santa Fe', was followed by nearly 100 other films. In World War he was a flight officer for the United States Army Air Force. After the war, he became a successful business man when he purchased California Angels baseball team. He joined ASCAP in 1939, and his compositions include: "Here Comes Santa Claus"; "Be Honest With Me"; "Tears on My Pillow"; "Dixie Cannonball"; "Good Old-Fashioned Hoedown"; "You're the Only Star in My Blue Heaven"; and "I Wish I Had Never Met Sunshine". He was perhaps the greatest singing cowboy of all time. He died at the age of 91.
1927     Tom Berry, vocals/drums, b. Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, d. Dec. 16, 2000. Perhaps best recalled for his singing with the Gene Krupa Orchestra. He also performed in local Indianapolis venues as a vocalist and drummer. He was President (Emeritus) of the Musicians Union local #3.
1944     Tommy Boyce, C&W singer/songwriter, b. Charlottesville, VA, USA. Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart (performed together) co-wrote some of the most enduring 1960s Pop hits, including those by 'The Monkees'. Boyce also co-wrote Fats Domino's "Be My Guest" and Lee Curtis' "Pretty Little Angel Eyes." Another of his hits was "I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight".
1910     Bill Boyd, (Texas Swing) Leader/guitar, b. Fannin County, TX, USA.
1952     Roy Campbell, Trumpet, b. Los Angeles, CA, USA.
1963     Les Claypool, bass/occasional vocals, b. Richmond, CA, USA. While in High School (with fellow student Kirk Hammett, later of Metallica fame), Les began playing in Jazz and Swing groups. After graduation, Claypool played in a local (Richmond, CA) cover band, the 'Tommy Crank Band', which specialized in the blues, R&B, funk, and mainstream rock hits of such groups as Booker T. & the MGs, Wilson Pickett, and Teddy Pendergrass. (CAUTION: Do not confuse with the "Rev. Tommy Crank's" (b. April 13, 1926) "Bluegrass/gospel bands.) In the early to mid-1980s, Claypool began demoing his own original compositions, and became frontman for a trio (Primus) that included Les, guitarist Todd Huth and drummer Jay Lane. The trio broke up when Huth departed, but by 1989, a new Primus lineup was formed -- Claypool, LaLonde, and new drummer Tim "Herb" Alexander (all of whom had played together in the Bay-area Tommy Crank band). This trio toured with such bands as Jane's Addiction and 24-7 Spyz. During 1991, the trio opened for such varied artists as Public Enemy, Anthrax, U2, Fishbone, and Rush. "Primus" scored a surprise Top Ten hit with 1993's Pork Soda. The band continues to work successfully in the new millenium.
1939     Dan Crary, Flatpicking Guitarist. b. Kansas, USA. In 1968, Crary was one of the founders of the 'Bluegrass Alliance'. In the 1970s, he worked with the group 'Sundance', playing both 6 and 12 string guitas. The group included fiddler Byron Berline and banjoist John Hickman. Béla Fleck, Sam Bush, and Mark O'Connor all contributed to his 1983 album 'Guitar'. In 1990, he, again with Berline and Hickman, formed a group, 'California', that experimented with bluegrass' and other genres. In spring 2003, Crary recorded as the group 'Men of Steel', with Beppe Gambetta, the Genovese (Italy) flatpicking master guitarist. Crary is one of those rare artists whose work transcends the boundaries of style and genre. His performances blend traditional material from a variety of American sources; original compositions; vocals with instrumental showcases, and all woven together with anecdotes, stories and observations that share his experience and insights with the audience.
1969     Donald DeGrate, vocals, b. Hampton, VA, USA. Member groups: DeVante Swing, Jodeci. 1995 single "Freak 'N' You" charted UK No.17. The group "Jodeci", formed in 1990, consists of two pairs of brothers from North Carolina: Cedric (K-Ci) and Joel (Jo-Jo) Hailey, and Dalvin (b. July 23, 1971, Hampton, VA, USA) and Donald DeGrate. Both DeGrate brothers were born in Virginia, and sang with their father's gospel group, "The DeGrate Delegation", (with some 18 gospel LPs to their credit). The Hailey brothers performed in their father's gospel group, "Little Gedric and The Hailey Singers".
1922     Louise Dinning vocals, b. Grant County, Oklahoma, USA.. Member group: Dinning Sisters (Louise, Ginger,and Jean). At one time, 'The Dinning Sisters' were known as 'The Blondettes'. Interestingly, their younger brother, Mark, (b. Aug. 17, 1933, d. Mar. 22, 1986) had a big single release with the song "Teen Angel" that had been written by his sister Jean Dinning.
1948     Mark Farner, guitar/vocals, b. Flint, MI, USA. Member group: Grand Funk Railroad (leader), 1974 single "The Locomotion" charted US No.1.
1966     Tony Foster, guitar. Worked with : Julian Cope, Olive, 1997 single "You're Not Alone" charted UK No.1.
1920     Tillman Franks, C&W songwriter/manager Louisiana Hayride, b. Stamps, AR, USA. (raised in Cedar Grove -a suburb of Shreveport), d. Oct. 26, 2006, Shreveport, LA, USA. Over six decades, Tillman accomplished a great deal. His career started before he donned a uniform to protect his country and kinsmen in World War II, On Aug. 13, 1944, Franks was sent to the western Pacific island of Saipan, and while there formed a group which he called "The Rainbow Boys II." One of the members of the group was a very young Pete Seeger. Gene Autry and his sidekick, comedian Ruff Davis came to Saipan to entertain the troops, and while there, Gene and Ruff appeared on Franks' program on WXLD. With the end of WWII, Franks was discharged from the US Army on Dec. 1, 1945 at Camp Shelby, MS, USA, and the first thing he did was to wed the love of his life, Virginia Hellen Suber. They married on Saturday, Feb. 9, 1946. Later that same year, Tillman began playing bass fiddle with Harmie Smith. Harmie had a program each morning on station KWKH and would work a show most nights within a 150-mile radius of Shreveport. Franks career went through the 1950s and 1960s, when he worked with Jimmie Davis, Slim Whitman, Johnny Horton, David Houston, Hank Williams Sr., Claude King and the Bailes Brothers. And, his career continued into the '70s and '80s when he encouraged younger bands and singers coming up, including his own son, Ben (who sang at his father's funeral). Late in his career, Tillman told an interviewer "I was lucky to have lived my life in The Magic Circle. The Magic Circle is an area 50-miles in radius from downtown Shreveport. All kinds of music have evolved from this Magic Circle. As an example, Hudie ("Ledbelly") Ledbetter, Vernon Dalhart and Gene Austin. Then W. K. Henderson started station KWKH in 1925 and that increased the power of The Magic Circle. That led to the creation of the 'Louisiana Hayride' (show) in 1948 and from there music from The Magic Circle went around the world." Among the many artists who came through Shreveport on their way to stardom at the Hayride include Hank Williams Sr., Elvis Presley, Webb Pierce, Faron Young, Johnny Cash and so many more.
1968     Matt & Luke Goss, vocals, b. Lewisham, South London, England. Member group: Bros. Their 1988 single "I Owe You Nothing" charted UK No.1. (10 other UK top 40 singles).
1971     Alex Griffin, guitar/vocals. Member group: Neds Atomic Dustbin. 1991 single "Happy" charted UK No.16.
1941     Malcolm Griffiths, Trombone, b. Barnet, England
1958     Mick Harvey, arrnger/producer, b. Warracknabeal, Australia. Worked with groups: Birthday Party, Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds Nick Cave (b. Nicholas Edward Cave Sept. 22, 1957 Warracknabeal, Australia), met Mick Harvey in high school, and the pair founded their first band, The Boys Next Door.
1946     Roger Hatcher, vocals, b. Birmingham, AL, USA.
1939     Sherman Holmes, vocals/guitar, b. Plainfield, NJ, USA. Member: 'Holmes Brothers'
1937     Joe 'Guitar' Hughes, guitar, b. Houston, TX, USA. d. May 20, 2003, Houston, TX, USA. (cardiac arrest. Age: 65)
1961     Dave Kikoski, Piano, b. Miltown, NJ, USA
1929     Rolf Kuhn, leader, clarinet, b. Cologne, Germany.
1935     Jerry Lee Lewis, R&R vocals/piano, b. Ferriday, LA, USA. (1958 single "Great Balls Of Fire" charted US and UK No.1; 1957 multi million sellers "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On", "Breathless", and "High School Confidential".
1916     Robert "Bob" Loewy, guitar/vocals/arranger, b. Chicago, IL, USA. d. Oct. 2, 2003, Evanston, IN, USA. It is not often recalled, but Loewy, led his own group, "The Three Talents". He was a fine arranger who wrote for both the Al Morgan group (Al Morgan, Bass, b. Aug 19, 1908, New Orleans, LA, USA, d. April 14, 1974, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Age: 65 (one of the great early New Orleans Jazzmen), and for The Fletcher Henderson Band. Bob Loewy's daughter is the wonderful singer Judy Roberts (b. Oct. 3, 1950ish), and the two of them can be heard playing together on one of Judy's releases "My Heart Belongs To Daddy", -with (Judy Roberts (Piano and Vocals), Bob Loewy (Guitar and Vocals), Richie Cole (Alto Sax), bassist Jim Cox (b. January 28, 1955ish), and drummer Phil Gratteau (b. April 1, 1955-ish). Judy currently (2005) also works with saxophonist Greg Fishman (b. January 6, 1967).
1921     Loonis Reeves McGlohon, pianist/songwriter, b. Ayden, NC, USA, d. Jan. 26, 2002, Charlotte, NC, USA. (Age: 80, after an 8 year battle with Lymphoma) Perhaps best recalled for co-hosting, with songwriter Alec Wilder, the radio program "American Popular Song". Some of the stars with whom he worked include Marlene VerPlanck, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Eileen Farrell, and Judy Garland. He co-composed such songs as "Blackberry Winter" and "Be A Child"
1897     Cecil Norman, piano/banjo/arranger, b. USA. d. Dec. 31, 1988 (some sources claim d. 1989). This fine pianist had actually led a band in Connecticut, USA, in 1928, but was to find his greatest fame working in Great Britain. In 1930, Ray Noble took over leadership of 'The New Mayfair Orchestra' (the HMV studios a "house" orchestra), when Carroll Gibbons, accepted a contract from MGM which took him to America (land of his birth) In 1933, Cecil Norman replaced pianist Harry Jacobson in the band. CAUTION: Do not confuse with the American Black (gospel) vocalist Cecil Norman, who has sung with "Arnold Moore and Aged In Harmony" (1977)
1942     Jean-Luc Ponty, Violin, b. Avranches, France
1913     Dennis Sandole, guitar/composer, b. Philadelphia, PA, USA. d. Oct. 29, 2000, Roxborough (Philadelphia suburb), PA, USA. (date of demise has been verified.) Age 87 (Cardiac Arrest). Self taught Dennis Sandole, who had begun playing guitar in his late teens, and his younger brother, Adolph Sandole (b. July 13, 1925, Philadelphia, PA, USA), also self taught to play baritone sax, were already playing together in local Philadelphia-area clubs in the 1930s. Dennis would subsequently go on to work with the Ray McKinley, Tommy Dorsey, Boyd Raeburn, Gene Krupa, and Charlie Barnet orchestras. After moving to California, he became a much in demand sessions musician, recording, and appearing on numerous film soundtracks and records by Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra, among others. Circa 1945, he returned to Philadelphia where he began to teach at the Granoff Studios. From 1946 to the early 1950s, he was mentor to jazzman John Coltrane, teaching him music theory and exposing him to music from other cultures. Among his other guitar students were Harry Leahey, guitar melodist Joe Diorio (who went on to teach Pat Metheny), and Dale Bruning (whose own students included Bill Frisell). Over half a century, his students also included saxophonists James Moody, Michael Brecker, Rob Brown and Bobby Zankel; the pianists Matthew Shipp and Sumi Tonooka. Still others who were taught by Sandole include Cannonball Adderley, Art Farmer, Reggie Workman, Tommy Flanagan, Teo Macero, Randy Brecker, Rufus Harley, Bobby Zankel, and George Benson. In 1981, Sandole published a book, "Guitar Lore". He also recorded some of his own music, including "Modern Music From Philadelphia" in 1956. In 1999, 'Cadence Jazz' released "The Dennis Sandole Project," which contained parts of a jazz ballet/opera called "Evenin' Is Cryin'", which he composed during the 1960s and '70s.
1981     Suzanne Shaw, vocals, b. Bury, England. Member group: "Hear'Say". Her 2001 single "Pure and Simple" charted UK No.1.
1940     Ludwig Stimmler, bassist, b: Germany, d: Jan. 31, 2003, Weinstadt, Germany. He worked with Major Holley, Bud Freeman, Billy Butterfield, Jimmy McPartland, Yank Lawson, Dick Cary, Danny Moss, Charlie Antolini among others.
1934     "Chick" Willis, guitar/vocals, b. Cabiness, GA, USA. Self-taught on guitar, - by his teens had already started playing for a living at the 'Old Royal Peacock Club' in Atlanta, GA, USA.. He backed and played on bills with such talent as Jimmy Reed, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke and Big Joe Turner.
1957     Mari Wilson, vocals, b. England. 1982 single "Just What I Always Wanted" charted UK No.8. This British born singer has often been referred to under such titles as 'The Neasden Queen Of Soul', 'The Nymphet Of The Nail Varnish', 'Miss Bee Hive'(because of her awesome beehive hairdo), and others too.
1922     Hally Wood, vocals/author ('Leadbelly'), b. Washington, DC, USA.
1954     Mark Wood, Guitar, b. Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
         Notable Events on this date include:
1962.    'My Fair Lady' closed after a run of 6 years. At the time, the show held the Broadway record for longest-running musical of all time. Over 3,750,000 people had seen the stage show. Later, still more millins would see the Motion Picture.
1962.    "Bad" Ann Cook, vocals, died in New Orleans, LA, USA. Age: 59
1968.    Eddie Wilcox, piano, arranger, died (b. Dec. 27, 1907, Method, North Carolina, USA )
1969.    Clarence Hall, sax, died in New Orleans, LA, USA. Age: 66. Worked with "Fats" Domino
1974.    Billie Pierce, piano, died in New Orleans, LA, USA. Age: 67
1984.    Teddy Reig, A&R/producer, died in Teaneck, NJ, USA. Age: 65. (for Savoy/Roost Records)
1988.    Barney Josephson, Club owner (The Cookery), died in New York, NY, USA. Age: 86
1990.    Freddie Kohlman, drums, died in New Orleans, LA, USA. Age: 75
1995.    Seger Ellis, piano/leader, died in Houston, TX, USA. Age: 91
2002.    Ellis Larkins, piano, died in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
         Songs Recorded/Released this date include:
      1911 Oh You Beautiful Doll, -Billy Murray voc. tune: Ayer
      1911 Don't Blame Me for Loving You, - Peerless Quartet. tune: Harris
      1913 How Long Have You Been Married?, -Billy Murray voc. tune: Cormack
      1916 Sweet and Low, -Lyric Quartet. tune: Barnby
      1917 Goodbye Broadway, Hello France, -Deiro Pietro's band.
      1917 We're Going Over medley, -Deiro Pietro (accordion).
      1921 My Sunny Tennesee, -Benson Orch. of Chicago. tune: bert kalmar/harry and herman ruby
      1924 Charleston Charlie, -Marion Harris voc. tune: austin-o'hara
      1924 Some Other Day, Some Other Girl, -Benson orch. of Chicago.
      1925 Don't Wake Me Up, Let Me Dream, -H Lanin's Ben Franklin Hotel Orch. tune: l.gilbert-a.baer-m.wayne
      1925 Why Are You Blue?, -Nick Lucas voc. Brown Eyes, tune: Bryan-Meyer
      1925 Marble Halls, -Francis Craig and his orch.
      1926 Stringing The Blues, -Venuti and Lang.
      1926 Jersey Walk, -Ethel Waters voc. tune: Creamer; Dowling; Hanley
      1929 Wave The Flag of Old Chicago, -Dan Russo's Oriole Orch.
      1929 Please Come Back to Me (v.s.l.), -Regent Club orch (Haring).
      1930 Why Have You Forgotten Waikiki? (v.j.c.), - Tom Clines and his Music.
      1930 What's the use of Living Without Love?, -Tom Clines and his Music.
      1930 Red River Valley, -Carter's orch.
      1930 When The Bloom Is On The Sage, - Carter's Orch.
      1932 Along Came Love, -Don Bestor and his Orch.
      1932 I've Got A Right to Sing The Blues, -Ethel Merman voc.
      1932 How Deep Is The Ocean, -Ethel Merman voc.
      1932 Long About Sundown, -Don Bestor and his Orch.
      1932 I'll follow you, -Ethel Merman voc.
      1936 Steel Guitar Rag, - Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys.
      1936 Trouble in mind, -Bob Wills and Texas Playboys tune: Richard M. Jones
      1937 I See Your Face Before Me, -Guy Lombardo Royal Canadians
      1937 Sweet Georgia Brown, -Eddie South and his Orch. (Rec'd Paris, FR)
      1938 You Look Good To Me, -Jan Garber and his Orch.
      1939 Iroquois, -Ray noble and his Orch.
      1939 Comanche War Dance, -Ray noble and his Orch.
      1939 Land Of My Fathers, -Paul Robeson voc. (rec'd London, UK)
      1940 The Bad Humor Man, -Kay Kyser and his Orch.
      1941 Popocatepetl, -Kay Kyser and his Orch.
      1941 Humpty Dumpty Heart, -Kay Kyser and his orch.
      1941 I Wish I Had a Sweetheart, -Leo Reisman and his orch.
      1947 Golden Cross, -Duke Ellington's orch,
      1947 Wildest Gal in Town, -Duke Ellington with Woody Herman.
      1947 Put Yourself in My Place Baby , -Duke Ellington's orch
      1937 A Fine Romance, - Billie Holiday and Her Orch.
      1937 Let's Call a Heart a Heart, - Billie Holiday and Her Orch.
      1954 Teach Me Tonight, - De Castro Sisters
      1956 Chains Of Love, - Pat Boone
      1956 Green Door, The, - Jim Lowe
      1958 Topsy II, - Cozy Cole
      1958 End Of A Rainbow, The, - Earl Grant
      1958 It's Only Make Believe, - Conway Twitty
      1962 Popeye The Hitchhiker, - Conway Checker
      1962 Limbo Rock, - Chubby Checker
      1962 Only Love Can Break A Heart, - Gene Pitney
      1973 Heartbeat - It's A Lovebeat, - DeFranco Family
      1979 Please Don't Go, - KC and The Sunshine Band
      1984 Blue Jean, - David Bowie
      1984 I Feel For You, - Chaka Khan
      1990 Love Takes Time, - Mariah Carey
      1990 More Than Words Can Say, - Alias
      1990 Cherry Pie, - Warrant