a Phil Brodie Band Info Page
"Births & Deaths"
These birthdates and death dates are unique to this site,
I have been working on them for over 10 years now.
PLEASE give credit or link if copied
PAGES UPDATED DAILY
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JUNE: Charts ~ JUNE: On This Day ~ JUNE: Quiz
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JUNE
SADLY DEPARTED + TRIBUTES
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RESPECT - OBITUARIES
.. 2013 .. 2012 .. 2011 .. 2010 .. 2009 .. 2008 .. 2007 .. 2006 .. 2005 .. 2004 .. REQUESTS
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MORE BIRTHDATES & PASSINGS & TRIBUTES
January . February . March . April . May . June . July
August . September . October . November . December
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JUNE BIRTHDAYS

June 1st.
1988: Nami Tamaki (Japanese pop singer).
1981: Brandi Carlile (American singer and songwriter).
1974: Alanis Morissette (Canadian singer; songwriter).
1972: Dre/Krazy Drayz/Andre Weston (UShip-hop, rapper; Das EFX).
1971: Mario Cimarro (Cuban actor and singer).
1971: Roldán González (Cuban singer).
1969: René Liu (Taiwanese actress and singer).
1969: Damon Minchella (English bassist; Ocean Colour Scene/supergroup The Players).
1968: Jason Donovan (Australian singer; actor).
1967: Roger Sanchez/Funk Junkeez/S-Men (American DJ, producer).
1963: Mike Joyce (UK drummer, Smiths/Love Exchange/Adult Net/freelance).
1962: Jan De Haas (Belgian vibraphonist).
1961: Peter Machajdik (Slovakian composer)
1960: Simon Gallup (UK bassist, keyboards; The Cure).
1959: Alan Wilder (UK vocals,keyboards, composer, arranger, record producer; Depeche Mode/Recoil).
1958: Barry Adamson (UK bassist; Visage, Magazine, The Bad Seeds, Pan Sonic).
1955: Ralph Morse (UK actor, singer and writer of historical dramas).
1953: Ronnie Dunn (US guitarist, country singer-songwriter; Brooks & Dunn).
1952: John Ellis (UK guitarist; Vibrators/The Stranglers).
1950: Graham Russell (UK guitarist, vocals;Air Supply).
1950: 'Charlene' Marilynn D'Angelo (US singer).
1950: Tom Robinson (UK singer, songwriter, broadcaster; Cafe Society/own band).
1950: Wayne Nelson (American singer, bassist; Little River Band).
1947: Ronnie Wood (UK guitarist; Rolling Stones/Jeff Beck Group/The Creation/Faces).
1945: Frederica von Stade (American mezzo-soprano).
1945: Linda Scott (American singer).
1935: Hazel Dickens (US bluegrass singer-songwriter, double bassist, guitarist;Hazel & Alice)*22.April.2011.
1934: Pat Boone (US singer).
1925: Marie Knight/Marie Roach (US gospel singer)*30.Aug.2009.
1924: Hal McKusick (US jazz alto saxophonist and clarinetist)*11.April.2012.
1921: Nelson Riddle (US trombone player, orchestra leader)*06.Oct.1985.

June 2nd.
1987: Darin Zanyar (Swedish pop singer).
1985: Ana Cristina (Cuban American singer,composer, actress).
1983: Brooke White (American singer).
1983: Leela James (American singer-songwriter).
1981: Tucker Rountree (American guitarist and composer).
1980: Irish Grinstead (American R&B singer; 702)
1980: Orish Grinstead (American R&B singer; 702)*20.April.2008.
1980: Fabrizio Moreti (drummer; The Strokes).
1976: Tim Rice-Oxley (UK piano, bass,backing vocals; Keane).
1970: Louis Freese/B-Real (US rapper; Cypress Hill).
1970: Dominic Greensmith (drums; Reef/Kubb).
1966: Pedro Guerra (Spanish songwriter, singer).
1965: Jeremy Cunningham (UK bassist, Levellers).
1962: Ian Shaw (Welsh jazz singer, record producer, former comedian).
1962: Thor Eldon Jonsson (Icelandic guitar; The Sugarcubes).
1961: Dez Cadena (US singer, guitarist; Black Flag/Misfits/Osaka Popstar/others).
1960: Tony Hadley (UK vocals, synthesizer; Spandau Ballet/solo/freelance).
1959: Lydia Lunch/Lydia Koch (American singer).
1959: Ferron Foisy (Canadian folk singer-songwriter, poet).
1955: Michael Steele/Susan Thomas (US bassist, vocals, songwriter; Bangles).
1952: Pete Farndon (UK bass player, Pretenders)*14.April.1983.
1950: Joanna Gleason (Canadian actress, singer)
1947: Antone 'Chubby' Tavares (US lead singer; Tavares).
1947: Mark Elder (British opera and symphony conductor).
1946: Song Dae Kwan (Korean singer).
1945: Kim Brown (UK singer, guitar; The Renegades, Kim & The Cadillacs)*11.Oct.2011.
1944: Marvin Hamlisch (US pianist, composer)*06.Aug.2012.
1943: Ilaiyaraaja (Indian composer).
1941: Irène Schweizer (Swiss jazz pianist).
1941: Charlie Watts (UK drums, Rolling Stones).
1941: William Guest (US singer; Gladys Knight and the Pips).
1937: Pierre Favre (Swiss jazz percussionist, drummer).
1936: Otis Williams (US singer, NOT of the Temptations; Otis Williams & His Charms).
1934: Johnny Carter (US doo-wop/R&B singer; The Flamingos/The Dells)*21.Aug.2009.
1932: Sammy Turner (American singer).
1930: Jimmy Jones (US singer-songwriter)*02.June.1930.
1924: Maurice Kinn (UK promoter, publisher; launched The New Musical Express in 1952)*03.Aug.2000.
1921: Marty Napoleon (US jazz pianist; Louis Armstrong's All Stars/sessionist).
1913: Walter Andreas Schwarz (German singer, author)*01.April.1992
1904: Valaida Snow (US trumpeter, vocalist)*May 30th 1956.
1902: Rosa Rio (American organist; silent movies/theatres/radio/TV)*13.May.2010.

June 3rd.
1987: Lalaine/Lalaine Ann Vergara-Paras (US actress, singer, spokesperson).
1982: Dihan Slabbert (South African singer, composer; Hi-5 / solo).
1978: Lyfe Jennings/Chester Jennings (US R&B singer, song-writer, multi-musician).
1976: Yuri Ruley (US drummer; MxPx).
1974: Kelly Jones (Welsh vocalist, guitar; Stereophonics).
1973: Tonmi Lillman aka Otus (Finnish drummer, multi-musician; Lordi/others)*14.Feb.2012.
1971: Ariel Hernandez (US vocalist in the trio No Mercy).
1971: Gabriel Hernandez (US vocalist in the trio No Mercy).
1970: Peter Tägtgren (Swedish singer, guitar, drums, multi-muso, producer; Abyss/Hypocrisy/Pain).
1970: Julie Masse (French Canadian singer).
1970: Esther Hart (Dutch singer; Song for Europe contestant).
1969: Takako Minekawa (Japanese singer, multi-musician; Fancy Face Groovy Name/solo).
1969: Hiroyuki Takami (Japanese singer; AXS).
1968: Saffron/Samantha Sprackling (Nigerian singer; Republica)
1968: Jamie O'Neal/Jamie Murphy (American/Australian singer).
1965: Mike Gordon (US bass player, vocalist, multi-muso; Phish/Grappa Boom/solo band).
1965: Jeff Blumenkrantz (US musical theatre composer-lyricist, actor).
1968: Saffron/Samantha Sprackling (Nigerian vocalist; Republica/freelance).
1964: Kerry King (US thrash metal guitarist, songwriter; Slayer/freelance).
1962: David Cole (vocals, rapper, mixer, producer; C+C Music Factory)*24.Jan.1995.
1961: Ed Wynne (UK guitarist, keyboardist; Ozric Tentacles)
1956: Danny Wilde (singer, songwriter; The Rembrandts).
1954: Dan Hill (Canadian singer, songwriter, guitar).
1954: Griff Fender/Ian Collier (UK singer; The Darts)
1952: Billy Powell (US keyboardist; Vision/Lynyrd Skynyrd)*28.Jan.2009.
1950: Deniece Williams (US singer).
1950: Suzi Quatro (US bassist, singer).
1950: Florian Pilkington-Miksa (UK drummer; Curved Air/Kiki Dee's band).
1949: Bob Fish (UK singer; Bronzelina Cottage/The Cadets/The Mickey Jupp Band/Darts)
1949: Floyd Lloyd (Jamaican reggae singer)
1949: Clive Richard Shakespeare (English-born Australian guitarist; Sherbet/others)*15.Feb.2012.
1948: Carlos Franzetti (Argentinian pianist).
1947: Dave Alexander (US bass player; Stooges)*10.Feb.1975.
1947: Mickey Finn (UK percussion; T Rex/Tyrannosaurus Rex)*11.Jan.2003.
1946: Eddie Holman (US singer).
1946: Michael Clarke/Michael James Dick (US drummer; Byrds/Firefall/Byrds Celebration)*19.Dec.1993.
1944: Jack Wilkins (US jazz guitarist).
1942: Curtis Mayfield (US singer, songwriter; Impressions)*26.Dec.1999.
1939: Ian Hunter/Ian Hunter Patterson (UK vocals, guitar, keyboards; Apex Group/Mott the Hoople/solo).
1935: Theodore "Ted" Curson (US jazz trumpeter; Charles Mingus/others)*04.Nov.2012.
1935: Vincenzo "Enzo" Jannacci (Italian singer-songwriter, pianist, actor, cardiologist)*29.March.2013.
1934: Robert 'Bob' Wallis (UK jazz trumpeter, leader; own band/Storyville Jazzmen/others)*10.Jan.1991.
1930: Dakota Staton/Aliyah Rabia (American jazz singer)*10.April.2007.
1927: Homer Louis "Boots" Randolph III (US saxophonist)*03.July.2007.
1924: Jimmy Rogers (US blues guitarist; Muddy Waters/Howlin' Wolf/solo band)*19.Dec.1997
1923: Phil Nimmons (Canadian arranger, bandleader, clarinetist, composer).
1904: Jan Peerce (US operatic tenor and father of film director Larry Peerce)*15.Dec.1984.
1897: Memphis Minnie/Lizzie Douglas (US blues singer, guitar virtuoso)*06.Aug.1973.
1888: Red Brown/Tom Brown (New Orleans dixieland jazz trombonist)*25.March.1958.

June 4th.
1992: Dino Jelusic (Croatian singer-songwriter, keyboard).
1987: Mollie King (UK singer, actress; The Saturdays).
1986: Micky/Park Yoochun (South Korean singer, dancer, songwriter; TVXQ).
1985: Leon Botha aka DJ Solarize (South African artist, musical DJ)*05.June.2011.
1985: Alicja Janosz (Polish singer)
1984: Rainie Yang (Taiwanese singer and actress).
1982: MC Jin/Jin Au-Yeung (Chinesse-American rapper).
1980: Alicja Janosz (Polish singer).
1974: Stefan Lessard (US bassist, Dave Matthews Band).
1972: Domenica "Nikka" Costa (American singer).
1971: Shoji Meguro (Japanese composer).
1970: Richie Hawtin (UK-Canadian electronic musician, international-touring DJ).
1970: David Pybus (UK bassist; Darkened/Dreambreed).
1968: Al B. Sure/Albert Joseph Brown III (US R&B singer).
1966: Cecilia Bartoli (Italian mezzo-soprano).
1964: Eva Fampas (Greek guitarist).
1964: Chris Kavanagh (UK drums; Sigue Sigu Sputnik, Big Audio Dynamite).
1962: Winard Harper (US drummer, Winard Harper Quintet, sessionist).
1962: John P. Kee (US Gospel singer; NLCC).
1961: El DeBarge/Eldra Patrick DeBarge (US R&B, soul falsetto singer; Debarge/solo).
1960: Fred Thelonious Baker (UK bassist; In Cahoots/Pip Pyle's Bash).
1958: Selwyn 'Bumbo' Brown (UK vocalist, keyboards; Steel Pulse).
1957: Steve Grimes (UK rhythm guitarist, The Farm).
1957: Robert Poulton (UK operatic baritone; Glyndebourne Opera)*30.Oct.2012.
1956: Gerry Ryan (Irish disc jockey and radio-television presenter)*30.April.2010.
1954: Mikey Dread/Michael Campbell (Jamaican singer, producer, broadcaster)*15.March.2008.
1953: Paul Samson/Paul Sanson (UK guitarist; Samson)*09.Aug.2002.
1953: Jimmy McCulloch (Scottish guitarist; Stone the Crows/Wings/Thunderclap Newman)*27.Sept.1979.
1950: Dagmar Krause (German singer; solo/Slapp Happy/Henry Cow/Art Bears).
1948: Paquito D'River (Cuban Grammy-winning jazz & classical saxophonist, clarinetist).
1945: Gordon Trueman Riviere Waller (Scottish singer, songwriter, guitar; Peter & Gordon/solo)*17.July.2007.
1945: Anthony Braxton (US composer, saxophonist, clarinettist, flautist, pianist).
1944: Roger Ball (US keyboardist, saxophone; Average White Band).
1944: Michelle Phillips (US singer; Mamas & The Papas).
1940: Vince Eager/Roy Taylor (UK lead vocalist; Vagabond Skiffle Group/Vince Taylor-Quiet Three).
1940: Cliff Bennett (UK singer; Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers).
1939: Johnny Cannon/John Symonds (UK singer; Johnny Mike and the Shades)
1937: Freddy Fender/Baldemar Huerta (US singer,guitar;Los Super7/TexasTornados)*14.Oct.2006.
1935: Colette Boky (Quebec operatic soprano)
1932: Oliver Nelson (US jazz composer, saxophonist, clarinetist, arranger)*28.Oct.1975.
1932: Pete Jolly/Peter Ceragioli Jr (US jazz keyboardist, accordionist, pianist)*11.Nov.2004
1930: Morgana King/Maria Grazia Morgana Messina DeBerardinis (US jazz singer, actress).
1929: Andor Kovacs (Hungarian guitarist).
1920: Britt Woodman (US jazz trombonist; Duke Ellington/Charles Mingus)*13.Oct.2000.
1917: Robert Merrill (American operatic baritone )*23.Oct.2004.
1894: Madame Bolduc/Mary Rose-Anna Travers (French Canadian singer)*20.Feb.1941

June 5th.
1995: Troye Sivan Mellet (South African/Australian actor, singer)
1982: Ryan Dallas Cook (US trombone player; Suburban Legends)*19.Oct.2005.
1981: Sebastien Lefebvre (rhythm guitar, vocals; Simple Plan).
1979: Pete Wentz (US bassist, vocals, guitar, keyboards; Fall Out Boy/Blackcards)
1979: David Bisbal Ferré (Spanish pop singer).
1977: Christian Martucci (US guitarist, bassist, vocalist; Black President/Strychnine Babies/Chelsea Smiles).
1977: Nourhanne (Lebanese singer)
1976: Aesop Rock/Ian Matthias Bavitz (US hip-hop artist)
1974: P-Nut/Aaron Charles Wills (bassist, violin, vocals; 311).
1973: Daniel Gildenlöw (Swedish multi-musician, songwriter; Pain of Salvation/The Flower Kings).
1972: Dominic Brian Chad (US lead guitarist, piano, backing vocals; Mansun/sessionist).
1971: Mark Wahlberg aka Marky Mark (singer, actor; New Kids on the Block).
1970: Claus Norreen (Danish keyboards; Danish-Norwegian pop group Aqua).
1969: Brian McKnight (US singer).
1965: Sandrine Piau (French soprano)
1965: Stefan Schönfeldt (Swedish guitarist; Wannadies).
1964: Karl Sanders (US guitarist, vocalist, founding member; Nile).
1964: Maggie Dunne (UK bassist, keyboards; We've Got a Fuzzbox and We're Gonna Use It = Fuzzbox).
1963: Joe Rudán (Hungarian heavy metal singer; Pokolgép)
1961: Anthony Burger (US pianist, singer; Kingsmen Quartet/solo/Gaither Homecoming)*22.Feb.2006.
1959: Robert Lloyd (UK lead singer; The Nightingales)
1957: John Fumo (US flugelhornist, trumpeter; sessionist/freelance).
1956: Richard Butler (UK vocals, Psychedelic Furs).
1956: Kenny G/Kenneth Gorelick (US soprano saxophone, multi-reed player, Solo/Session/Guest).
1955: Polo Montañez (Cuban singer and songwriter)*26.Nov.2002.
1955: Erica Lindsay (US saxophone player, composer).
1954: Pete Erskine (US drummer, percussion; Stan Kenton Orchestra/Weather Report/freelance).
1952: Nicko McBrain/Michael McBrain (UK drummer; Iron Maiden/7x70).
1952: Carole Fredericks (US singer)*07.June.2001.
1949: Tommy Eyre (UK keyboardist; Wham/Gary Moore/sessionist)*23.May.2001.
1949: Jerry Gonzalez (US latino jazz percussionist, trumpeter).
1948: Frank Esler-Smith (UK keyboardist, Air Supply)*01.March.1991.
1947: Tom Evans (UK bassist, guitar, vocals; Badfinger)*19.Nov.1983.
1947: Laurie Anderson (US singer, violin; solo/freelance).
1946: Freddie Stone/Frederick Stewart (US guitar, vocals; Sly & The Family Stone).
1946: Jacques Taddei (French classical organist)*24.June.2012.
1944: Colm Wilkinson (Irish singer, actor)
1943: Michael Davis (US bassist, artist; MC5 / TKD-MC5)*17.Feb.2012.
1941: Martha Argerich (Argentine pianist)
1937: Floyd Butler (US vocalist; Fifth Dimension/Friends Of Distinction)*29.April.1990.
1935: Misha Mengelberg (Ukranian classical and jazz pianist; ICP Orchestra/other projects).
1932: Pete Jolly/Peter Ceragioli Jr (US jazz keyboards, accordionist, pianist)*11.Nov.2004.
1925: Bill Hayes (US actor, singer; solo/Broadway star).
1923: Daniel Pinkham (US composer, organist, harpsichordist)*18.Dec.2006.
1922: Gordoan 'Specs' Powell (US jazz drummer, Ed Sullivan Band/freelance)*15.Sept.2007.
1884: Ralph Benatzky (Czech composer)*16.Oct.1957.
1876: Tony Jackson (US ragtime jazz pianist)*20.Apr.1921.

June 6th.
1992: Hyuna/Kim Hyun Ah (Korean dance-pop singer; 4minute)
1987: Kyle Falconer (Scottish singer; The View)
1986: Leslie Carter (US singer, reality star)*31.Jan.2011.
1986: Kim Hyun Joong (Korean singer; SS501)
1986: Gin Wigmore (New Zealand singer-songwriter)
1980: Peter Mosely (US vocals, bass, piano; Yellowcard).
1978: Carl Barât (UK singer, guitarist; Dirty Pretty Things)
1978: Mariana Popova (Bulgarian singer)
1978: Joy Enriquez (US singer)
1977: Camu Tao/Tero Smith (American rapper and producer)*25.May.2008.
1976: Z-Ro/Joseph Wayne McVey (US rapper)
1976: aKido/Kim Gaboury (Canadian keyboardist)
1976: Emilie-Claire Barlow (Canadian singer)
1975: Cheer Chen (Taiwanese singer, musician)
1974: Uncle Kracker/Matthew Shafer (US rock, country, rap-rock singer).
1972: Cristina Scabbia (Italian singer, Lacuna Coil)
1970: James Shaffer (US guitarist; Korn).
1966: Gary Newby (UK guitarist, Railway Children).
1966: Sean Yseult/Shauna Reynolds (US bassist, multi-musician; White Zombie)
1965: David White (guitarist, vocalist; Brother Beyond).
1964: Jay Bentley (bassist; Bad Religion).
1961: Tom Araya (Chilian vocals, bass; Slayer).
1961: Dee C. Lee/Diane Catherine Sealey (singer, backing singer; Wham!/Style Council).
1960: Steve Vai (guitarist; Frank Zappa/David Lee Roth/Whitesnake/solo/freelance).
1960: Norman ''Junior'' Giscombe (UK-Jamaican singer).
1959: Robert Hodgens (guitar, vocals; Bluebells).
1959: Jimmy Jam (US record producer)
1956: Michael Wallace (Jamaican keyboardist; Third World/Chalice)*06.July.1966.
1955: Dennis Flemion (US keyboardist, percussionist; The Frogs/The Smashing Pumpkins)*07.July.2012.
1951: Eryke McClinton (US baritone lead vocals; Eric & the Vikings aka The Vikings aka Motown Vikings)
1951: Dwight Twilley (US pop/rock singer)
1952: Yukihiro Takahashi (Japanese drummer, singer; Yellow Magic Orchestra)
1949: Paul Lovens (German drummer, percussionist; sessionist/freelance).
1949: Holly Near (American folk singer)
1948: Tony Levin (US bassist; King Crimson)
1948: Richard S. Sinclair (English bassist, guitarist, vocalist; Wild Flower/Caravan/others)
1944: Monty Alexander (Jamaican pianist; sessionist/freelance).
1944: Peter Albin (bassist; Big Brother & the Holding Company).
1944: Edgar Froese (keyboards, guitar; Tangerine Dream).
1943: Joe Stampley (US truck-song and country singer).
1942: Howie Kane/Howie Kirschenbaum [singer; Jay and the Americans)?
1941: Ray Honeybull (UK bass guitar; Hedgehoppers Anonymous).
1939: Gary "U.S." Bonds (US rhythm n blues, rock n roll singer).
1939: Louis Andriessen (Dutch composer)
1939: Richard "Popcorn" Wylie (US pianist, producer, band director, songwriter)*09.Sept.2008.
1936: Levi Stubbs/Levi Stubbles (US lead vocals; Four Tops)*17.Oct.2008.
1936: Raful Neal (blues singer, guitar, harmonica, composer)*01.Sept.2004.
1930: S.P. Leary (Texan Blues drummer; Muddy Waters/Howling Wolf/many more)*26.Jan.1998.
1927: Leonard Walter "Lennie" Bush (English jazz double-bassist)*15.June.2004.
1926: Klaus Tennstedt (German conductor, violin, piana)*11.Jan.1998.
1915: Vincent Persichetti (American composer)*..1987
1902: Jimmie Lunceford (American bandleader)*12.July.1947.
1903: Aram Khachaturian (Armenian composer)*01.May.1978.
1892: Ted Lewis (American bandleader)*25.Aug.1971.

June 7th.
1993: Park Ji-yeon (South Korean singer, actress)
1985: Charlie Simpson (UK guitarist, vocals; Busted).
1978: Tony An (Korean singer; H.O.T)
1976: Necro/Ron Raphael Braunstein (US rapper)
1974: Cassius Khan (Canadian harmonium/Qawaali singer)
1974: T-Low/Terry Brown (US R&B artist; Next)
1969: Adam Buxton (British TV presenter, DJ)
1967: Dave Navarro (US guitarist; Camp Freddy/Panic Channel/Red Hot Chili Peppers/Jane's Addiction).
1966: Eric Kretz (US drummer; Stone Temple Pilots/Talkshow/Spiralarms).
1965: Christine Roque (French singer)
1964: Ecstacy/John Fletcher (US member of the hip-hop group Whodini)
1963: Roberto Alagna (French tenor)
1962: Michael Cartellone (US drummer; Lynyrd Skynyrd)
1962: Thierry Hazard (French singer, songwriter)
1961: Dave Catching (US guitarist; Eagles of Death Metal/Queens of the Stone Age/others)
1958: Prince/Prince Rogers Nelson (US singer, guitarist, songwriter).
1957: Juan Luis Guerra (Dominican singer-songwriter, producer).
1957: Paddy McAloon (UK guitar, vocals; Prefab Sprout).
1955: Mark Reale (US heavy metal guitarist; Riot)*25.Jan.2012.
1953: Johnny Clegg (South African singer,guitariat; Juluka/Savuka).
1953: Gentleman Jeff Graboski/Spink (US drummer; Little Hans/OHO)*18.Sept.1987.
1952: Royce Campbell (US jazz guitarist, composer, record producer).
1947: Melanie Martin (US flautist, saxophonist).
1946: Phil Wainman (UK record producer, songwriter; Sweet/XTC/Dollar/Mud/Bay City Rollers).
1946: Micky Jones (UK singer, guitarist; Bystanders/Man/many projects)*10.March.2010.
1944: Miguel "Mike" Ríos (Spanish singer, composer, actor).
1944: Clarence White/Clarence LeBlanc (US vocalist, guitar; Byrds/Kentucky Colonels)*14.July.1973.
1941: Hotep Idris Galeta/Cecil Barnard Galeta (South African jazz pianist, educator)*03.Nov.2010.
1940: Tom Jones (Welsh singer).
1939: Yuli Turovsky (Russian-born Canadian conductor and cellist)*15.Jan.2013.
1938: Juan Carlos Calderón (Spanish award winning singer-songwriter)*25.Nov.2012.
1937: Neeme Järvi (Estonian conductor)
1932: Harold "Tina" Floyd Brooks (US tenor saxophonist)*13.Aug.1974.
1930: Walter Alfaiate (Brazilian samba composer, vocalist)*27.Feb.2010
1928: Charles Strouse (US composer).
1921: Tal Farlow (US jazz guitarist)*25.July.1998.
1917: Dean Martin (US actor, singer)*25.Dec.1995.
1908: Margherita Carosio (Italian international operetic soprano)*10.Jan.2005.
1900: Glen Gray Knoblauch (US jazz saxophone, leader; Casa Loma Orchestra)*23.Aug.1963.
1897: George Szell (Hungarian conductor)*30.July.1970.

June 8th.
1985: Jamie Shaw (UK vocals, One True Voice)?
1983: Lee Harding (Australian punk rock singer)
1981: Sara Watkins (US singer-songwriter, fiddler; Nickel Creek).
1981: Alex Band (US singer; The Calling/solo).
1980: Aron Elias (Welsh singer, guitarist, bass guitar; Pep le Pew/Y Rei).
1979: Derek Trucks (US guitarist, songwriter; The Allman Brothers)
1978: Eun Ji Won (South Korean rapper; Sechs Kies)
1978: Brian Redman (US bass player, singer;Trial/3 Inches of Blood/Dirty Knockers)*27.Sept.2009.
1977: Kayne West (US rapper, producer).
1971: Jef Streatfield (UK guitar; Wildhearts)?
1970: Seu Jorge/Jorge Mário da Silva (Brazilian singer, actor)
1970: David King (US drummer, composer; The Bad Plus/Happy Apple).
1970: Nichole 'Nicci' Gilbert (US singer, Brownstone).
1966: Doris Pearson (singer, 5 Star).
1965: Robert 'Rob' Pilatus (Afro-German model, stripper, singer; Milli Vanilli)*02.April.1998.
1965: Neil Mitchell (Scottish keyboards; Wet Wet Wet).
1962: Kristine W/ Kristine Weitz (US singer)
1962: Nick Rhodes (UK keyboards; Duran Duran).
1960: Mick Hucknall (UK singer, songwriter; Simply Red/solo).
1954: Greg Ginn (US guitarist; Black Flag)
1954: Marios Tokas (Greek-Cypriot composer)*27.April.2008.
1953: Jeff Rich (UK drummer; Climax Blues Band/Status Quo).
1953: Olav Stedje (Norwegian singer-songwriter)
1951: Bonnie Tyler (Welsh singer).
1951: Tony Rice (US acoustic guitarist)
1949: Emanuel Ax (Polish-born pianist)
1947: Mick Box (lead guitar; Uriah Heep/guest).
1947: Joan La Barbara (US vocalist, organ, composer)
1947: Annie Haslam (UK singer, songwriter; solo/Renaissance)
1945: Phil Packham (UK bass guitarist; The Sorrows)
1944: Boz Scaggs (US singer, slide guitar, guitar).
1942: Chuck Negron (UK vocals; Three Dog Knight).
1941: Clarence "Fuzzy" Haskins (US vocals, guitar; Funkadelic).
1941: Alf Robertson (Swedish singer and composer)*24.Dec.2008.
1940: Nancy Sinatra (US singer, Frank's daughter).
1940: Stanley Robertson (Scottish folk singer and storyteller)*02.Aug.2009.
1940: Sherman Garnes (US bassman; Frankie Lymon And Teenagers)*26.Feb.1977.
1936: James Darren/James William Ercolani (US actor, singer)
1934: Millicent Martin (English singer, actress)
1902: Harry Hopkinson aka Harry Torrani (UK singer, yodeler; Yodeling Cowboy from Chesterfield)*04.March.1979.

June 9th.
1989: Chloë Agnew (Irish singer; Celtic Woman)
1986: Kary Ng (Hong Kong singer, actress)
1984: Kaleth Morales (Colombian vallenato singer, songwriter)*24.Aug.2005.
1982: Christina Stürmer (Austrian singer)
1981: Vic Zhou (Taiwanese actor, singer, model)
1980: D'banj/Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo (Nigerian singer, songwriter, harmonica player)
1978: Matthew Bellamy (UK guitar, vocals, keyboards; Muse).
1974: Samoth/Tomas Thormodsæter Haugen (Norwegian guitarist, drummer; Emperor, Zyklon)
1971: Jackie McKeown (Scottish vocalist, guitarist; The Yummy Fur, 1990s)
1971: Rick Renstrom (US guitarist; Rob Rock/Wade Black/Richard Christy/Mat Sinner/Atma Anur).
1970: Ed Simons (UK vocals, keyboards; Chemical Brothers).
1967: Dean Felber (US bassist; Hootie & The Blowfish).
1967: Dean Dinning (US bassist, Toad The Wet Sprocket)?
1964: Hiroko Yakushimaru (Japanese actress, singer)
1964: Wayman Tisdale (US jazz bass guitarist, professional basketball player)*15.May.2009.
1963: Gilad Atzmon (Israeli-born British jazz saxophonist, political activist)
1963: Johnny Depp II (US actor, producer, multi-guitarist; P/guest/sessions).
1962: Yuval Banai (Israeli musician, singer; Mashina)
1962: Eddie Lundon (UK guitarist; China Crisis).
1954: Peter Byrne (UK-US singer, songwriter, guitar; Naked Eyes/solo)
1954: Paul Chapman (Welsh guitarist; UFO, Lone Star)
1953: Errol Kennedy (US drummer; Imagination)
1952: Uzi Hitman (Israeli singer, songwriter, composer, TV personality)*17.Oct.2004.
1951: Terry Uttley (UK bassist, vocals; Smokie).
1950: Trevor Bolder (UK bass; Wishbone Ash/Spiders From Mars/ Uriah Heep).
1949: George Bunnell (US bass, rhythm guitar, song writer; Strawberry Alarm Clock)?
1949: Francis Monkman (UK keyboards, synthesizer; Curved Air/sessionist/solo).
1946: Stuart Edwards (UK guitarist; Edison Lighthouse/sessionist)?
1941: Jon Lord (UK organist, piano, composer; Deep Purple/solo)*16.July.2012.
1941: Billy Hatton (UK bassist; Fourmost).
1939: Ileana Cotrubas (Romanian soprano)
1938: Charles Wuorinen (American composer)
1934: Jackie Wilson (US soul singer)*21.Jan.1984.
1930: Barbara/Monique Andrée Serf (French female singer)*25.Nov.1997.
1929: Johnny Ace (American R&B singer, pianist)*25.Dec.1954.
1915: Les Paul/Lester Polfus (US guitarist, inventor of the solid-body electric guitar, other things)*13.Aug.2009.
1912: Ingolf Dahl (US composer)*06.Aug.1970.
1900: Fred Waring (US bandleader)*29.July.1984.
1891: Cole Porter (US singer, composer)*15.Oct.1964.

June 10th.
1983: Josh Ramsay (Canadian singer; Marianas Trench)
1981: Hoku/Hoku Christian Ho (US-Hawaiian singer, actress).
1977: Dan-e-o/Daniel Faraldo (Canadian rapper)
1977: Takako Matsu (Japanese singer, actress)
1977: Nergal/Adam Darski (Polish guitarist, singer; Behemoth)
1973: Faith Evans (US female singer).
1973: Flesh-N-Bone/Stanley Howse (US rapper; Bone Thugs-N-Harmony)
1973: LeMisha Grinstead (US singer, female band 702)
1971: Erik Rutan (US singer, guitarist, record producer; Morbid Angel/Hate Eternal)
1971: Jo-Jo/Joel Henry Hailey (US R&B/soul singer, songwriter, duo K-Ci & JoJo).
1970: Mike Doughty (US singer-songwriter; Soul Coughing)
1969: Dan Lavery (US bassist; Tonic)?
1968: The D.O.C./Tracy Lynn Curry (US rapper)
1967: DJ Doctor Nice/Human Beat Box/Darren Robinson (US Rapper; Fat Boys)*10.Dec.1995.
1967: Emma Anderson (UK guitar; Lush/Sing-Sing).
1965: Joey Santiago (Filipino-American guitarist; Pixies)
1964: James Joseph "Jimmy" Chamberlin (US drummer, Smashing Pumpkins)
1963: Bodjie Dasig/Darius Delphin Dasig (Filipino singer-songwriter)*12.March.2012.
1962: Wong Ka-Kui (Hong Kong singer-songwriter, guitarist; Beyond)*30.June.1993.
1962: Maxi Priest/Max Alfred Elliott (R&B,reggae singer)
1961: Gary Thomas (US jazz saxophonist, flautist)
1961: Mark Shaw/Mark Robert Tiplady (UK vocals, Then Jerico).
1961: Kim Deal (US bass guitar, vocals; Pixies)
1961: Kelley Deal (US guitarist; The Breeders)
1958: Janis Grodums (Latvian bass guitarist, singer; Livi)*15.June.2010.
1944: Rick Price (UK bassist, vocals, songwriter; Rockin'Berries/Move/Wizzard/ELO/Price and Lee)
1944: David Goloshchokin (Russian composer, multi-instrumentalist)
1941: Shirley Owens (US vocalist, The Shirelles)
1941: Mickey Jones (US drummer, actor; The First Edition)
1941: Harry "Cuby" Muskee (Dutch singer-songwriter; Cuby+Blizzards/own blues band)*26.Sept.2011.
1940: John Stevens (UK drummer; Spontaneous Music Ensemble aka SME)*13.Sept.1994.
1938: Violetta Villas/Czeslawa Maria Cieslak (Polish singer, actress, composer, songwriter)*05.Dec.2011.
1933: Ian Campbell (UK folk singer, guitarist; Ian Campbell Folk Group)*24.Nov.2012.
1931: João Gilberto (Brazilian singer, guitarist)
1931: M. S. Gopalakrishnan aka MSG (Indian violinist)*03.Jan.2013.
1930: Guy Pedersen (French bass player)
1925: Nat Hentoff (US historian, novelist, jazz critic, columnist)
1923: Aase Nordmo Løvberg (Norwegian opera soprano)*25.Jan.2013.
1922: Judy Garland (US singer, actress)*22.June.1969.
1918: Patachou/Henriette Ragon (French singer)
1913: Tikhon Khrennikov (Russian composer)*14.Aug.2007.
1911: Ralph Kirkpatrick (US musicologist, harpsichordist)*13.April.1984.
1910: Robert Still (English composer)*13.Jan.1971.
1910: Howlin Wolf/Chester Arthur Burnett (US blues singer, guitarist, harmonica)*10.Jan.1976.
1907: Dicky Wells (US jazz trombonist)*12.Nov.1985.
1905: William T. Lewis (US jazz clarinetist, bandleader)*13.Jan.1971.
1901: Frederick Loewe (Austrian-American composer; My Fair Lady/Camelot/others)*14.Feb.1988.
1898: Andy Blakeney (US jazz trumpeter)*12.Feb.1992
1895: Hattie McDaniel (US actress, singer)*25.Oct.1952.
1891: Al Dubin (US lyricist)*11.Feb.1945.
1894: Punch Miller/Ernest Miller (US dixieland trumpeter)*02.Dec.1971.
1886: Chink Martin/Chink Abraham (US jazz tubist)*07.Jan.1981.

June 11th.
1987: Didrik Solli-Tangen (Norwegian singer, Eurovision contestant)
1987: TiA/Chiaki Hamahime (Japanese R&B singer).
1985: Chris Trousdale (US pop singer, dancer; Dream Street)
1970: Chris Rice (US singer/songwriter).
1969: Steven Drozd (US multi-instrumentalist, drummer; The Flaming Lips).
1961: Rob B/Robert Birch (UK rap artist, singer; Stereo MC's).
1960: The Head/Nick Hallam (singer, rapper, DJ, producer; Stereo MC's/Gee Street Records).
1958: Kevin Wilkinson (UK drummer; League of Gentlemen/Waterboys/China Crisis/many others)*17.July.1999.
1957: Jamaaladeen Tacuma/Rudy McDaniel (US free jazz bassist; Ornette Coleman/leader/freelance).
1955: Linda Williams (Dutch singer; 1981 Eurovision Song Contest) not French singer Linda Williams.
1952: Donnie Van Zandt (US founder and front man of 38 Special).
1950: Graham Russell (UK guitarist, vocalist; Air Supply).
1950: Lynsey De Paul/Lynsey Rubin (UK singer, Ivor Novello song-writing award winner).
1949: Frank Beard (US drummer; ZZ Top).
1948: Skip Alan/Alan Skipper (UK drums; Pretty Things/Sunshine).
1947: Richard Palmer -James (UK guitarist, lyricist, balalaika, vocals; Supertramp/Tetrad/ King Crimson/own).
1947: Glenn Leonard (US tenor-secondary lead singer; Temptations/Temptations Experience).
1946: Thump Thomson/Iain Thomson (Scottish bass guitarist; The Darts)
1940: Joey Dee/Joseph DiNicola (US singer; Starlighters/Cymande).
1939: Bernard Purdie (US session drummer).
1936: Jud Strunk/Justin Strunk Jr (US singer, banjo player, song-writer, comedian)*05.Oct.1981.
1934: Thornton James "Pookie" Hudson (US tenor and lead vocals; The Spaniels)*16.Jan.2007.
1931: Audrey Schuh (American soprano).
1929: Lennie Niehaus (US jazz sax player, arranger, composer).
1926: Carlisle Floyd (American composer).
1920: Shelly Manne (US jazz drummer)*26.Sept.1984.
1920: Hazel Scott (West Indian-born jazz and classical pianist, singer)*02.Oct.1981.
1913: Risë Stevens (US operatic mezzo-soprano)*20.March.2013.
1910: Carmine Coppola (American multi-award winning composer, director and songwriter)*26.April.1991.

June 12th.
1992: Allie DiMeco (US singer, multi-musician, actress; The Naked Brothers Band)
1985: Chris Young (US country singer, songwriter)
1982: Ben Blackwell (US drummer, roadie, writer; White Stripes/The Dirtbombs).
1979: Robyn/ Robyn Carlsson (Swedish singer).
1977: Kenny Wayne Shepherd (US guitarist; American Blues musician).
1972: Bounty Killer/Rodney Basil Price (Jamaican deejay)
1969: Bardi Martin (US bassist, Candlebox).
1969: Giorgio Occhipinti (Italian multi-instrumentalist)
1969: Zsolt Daczi (Hungarian guitarist; Omen/Bikini/others)*06.Aug.2007.
1969: Giorgio Occhipinti (Italian multi-instrumentalist).
1968: Bobby Sheehan (US bassist, Blues Traveler)*20.Aug.1999.
1965: Rob Collins (English keyboardist; The Charlatans)*22.July.1996.
1965: Filip Topol (Czech singer, songwriter, pianist)
1962: DJ Drew "Grandmaster Dee" Carter (US rapper; Whodini)
1962: Paul Clark (UK musician; The Bolshoi)
1961: Kira Roessler (US musician; Black Flag)
1960: Juan Tarodo (Spanish drummer, songwriter, producer; Olé Olé)*09.May.2013.
1960: Michael Hausman (US percussionist, artist manager; 'Til Tuesday)
1959: John Linnell (US accordion, saxophone, clarinet, keyboards; They Might Be Giants).
1958: Rebecca Holden (US actress, singer)
1957: Geri Allen (US jazz pianist).
1954: Jesper Lundgaard (Danish bass player)
1953: Johnny 'Rocky' Burnette (US singer).
1952: Pete Farndon (UK bassist; The Pretenders/Cold River Lady/The Bushwackers)*14.April.1983.
1951: Brad Delp (US guitar, keyboard, vocals, Boston/Beatlejuice)*09.March.2007.
1951: Bun E. Carlos/Brad Carlson (drums, Cheap Trick).
1949: John Wetton (UK bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer, songwriter; Asia/Family/King Crimson/others)
1948: Barry Bailey (US guitarist; Atlanta Rhythm Section).
1944: Harold Cowart (US bassist, trumpet; Playboy Band, sessionist)*27.June.2010.
1942: Len Barry/Leonard Borisoff (US singer, songwriter; The Dovells/solo)
1941: Reg Presley/Reginald Maurice Ball (UK singer songwriter; The Troggs)*04.Feb.2013.
1941: Roy Harper (UK folk singer, keyboards, guitar, bass, songwriter).
1941: Chick Corea/Armando Corea (US jazz pianist, keyboardist,composer).
1939: Kent Carter (US cellist, composer).
1932: Mimi Coertse (South African soprano)
1932: Charlie Feathers (US singer, guitarist, Rockabilly pioneer)*29.Aug.1998.
1928: Vic Damone (US singer).
1928: Richard M. Sherman (US songwriter)
1915: Eddie Williams (US bass player; Johnny Moore's Three Blazers/own band)*18.Feb.1995.
1915: Ruben "Zeke" Zarchy (American jazz trumpet legend)*12.April.2009.
1913: Gene Hall (US music educator, saxophonist, arranger)*04.March.1993.
1914: Bill Kenny (US lead singer; Ink Spots)*25.March.1978.
1903: Emmett Hardy (US jazz cornet player, banjo)*16.June.1925.
1899: Gene Kardos (US bandleader)*27.Aug.1980.

June 13th.
1989: Lisa Gabrielle Tucker (US singer, musical theatre, TV actress).
1988: Austin Thornton (US drummer; Woe, Is Me)
1985: Raz/Raz-B/De'Mario Monte Thornton (US multi-genre singer; B2K/solo).
1980: Sarah Connor/Sarah Terenzi née Lewe (German singer).
1978: Jason Michael Carroll (Country music singer-songwriter).
1976: Kym Ryder/Kym Marsh (UK vocals, TV actress; Hear'Say).
1976: Jason "J" Brown (UK vocalist; Five).
1974: Selma Björnsdóttir (Icelandic singer).
1973: Mattias Hellberg (Swedish musician; The Hellacopters)
1973: Ville Laihiala (Finnish musician; Sentenced, Poisonblack)
1973: Kasia Kowalska (Polish pop rock singer)
1972: Natalie MacMaster (Canadian fiddle player, singer).
1970: Rivers Cuomo/Peter Kitts (guitar, singer, songwriter; Avant Garde/Weezer/solo).
1969: Soren Rasted (multi-musician; Aqua/Lazyboy).
1968: David Gray (UK singer, songwriter).
1968: Denise 'Deniece' Pearson (UK vocals; 5 Star).
1965: Lukas Ligeti (Austrian composer, drummer).
1964: Christian Wilhelm Berger (Romanian composer)
1963: Paul De Lisle (US bassist; Smash Mouth).
1958: Val Young aka Lady V (Urban/Dance-pop artist, singer)
1957: Rolf Brendel (German drummer, songwriter; Nena).
1955: Mike Ruggelo (US freelance drummer; Drifters/Martha Reeves/Coasters/Chiffons/many more).
1951: Howard Leese (guitar, keyboards, synthesizer; Heart)?
1949: Dennis Locorriere (US lead singer, guitar; Dr. Hook).
1945: Phil Packham (UK bass guitarist; The Sorrows)
1944: Derek 'Chow' Boyes (UK organist, keyboardist; The Buzz/David Bowie/The Truth)*08.Jan.2011.
1942: James Carr (US rhythm & blues - soul singer)*01.Jan.2001.
1941: MarvTarplin (US guitarist, songwriter; The Miracles/Smokey Robinson)*30.Sept.2011.
1941: Esther Ofarim (Israelian singer).
1940: Bobby Freeman (African-American soul singer).
1934: Uriel Jones (African-American drummer; Motown Funk Brothers)*24.March.2009.
1932: Bob McGrath (US singer and actor)
1929: Alan Civil (English French horn player)*19.March.1989.
1918: Wild Bill Moore (US R&B saxophone player/Motown/sessionist/freelance)*08.Aug.1983.
1905: Doc Cheatham/Adolphus Cheatham (US jazz trumpeter)*02.June.1997.
1905: Xian Xinghai (Chinese composer)*30.Oct.1945.
1899: Carlos Chávez (Mexican composer)*02.Aug.1978.

June 14th.
1988: Kevin Michael McHale (US singer; NLT - Not Like Them).
1984: Siobhan Donaghy (UK vocalist; The Sugababes/solo).
1982: Lang Lang (Chinese pianist).
1975: Bob Nanna (US drummer, singer; Braid/Hey Mercedes/The City on Film).
1974: Joshua Radin (US songwriter)
1973: Ceca Raznatovic (Serbian singer).
1972: Shaun Keaveny (British radio DJ).
1971: Billie Myers (UK female singer).
1969: MC Ren/Lorenzo Jerald Patterson (US rapper, hop-hop producer; NWA).
1963: Chris DeGarmo (US lead, rhythm guitarist; Queensryche).
1961: Boy George/George Alan O'Dowd (UK singer; Culture Club/ solo).
1960: Gary Husband (UK jazz and rock drummer, pianist, composer; session musician).
1959: Marcus Miller (US jazz bassist, clarinetist, bandleader).
1958: Nick Van Eede (UK lead singer; Cutting Crew).
1957: Maxi Jazz/Maxwell Fraser (British rapper; Faithless/solo).
1956: King Diamond/Kim Bendix Petersen (Danish singer; King Diamond, Mercyful Fate).
1956: Gianna Nannini (Italian singer).
1949: Jim Lea (UK bassist, piano, violin, guitar; Slade).
1949: Alan White (UK drummer; Plastic Ono Band/Yes/ not the OASIS drummer).
1947: Darius Brubeck (US jazz keyboardist, educator, son of Dave Brubeck).
1947: Barry Melton (US guitarist; Country Joe and the Fish).
1946: Janusz Stefanski (Polish drummer)
1946: Ahmad Zahir (Afghan singer, songwriter-composer)*14.June.1979.
1945: Rod Argent (US keyboards, vocals; The Zombies/Argent).
1945: Tiit Paulus (Estonian guitarist)
1943: Harold Wheeler (US composer).
1943: Spooner Oldham/Dewey Oldham (US songwriter, organ, keyboards; session musician).
1942: Peter Lemer (UK keyboardist; freelance/sessionist/own band)
1937: Burton Greene (US free jazz pianist)
1936: Renaldo "Obie" Benson (US vocals; The Four Tops)*01.July.2005.
1931: Junior Walker/Autry DeWalt Mixon (US saxophonist, singer; Jr. Walker & the All Stars)*23.Nov.1995.
1929: Cy Coleman (US composer, songwriter, jazz pianist)*18.Nov.2004.
1927: Pedro "Cuban Pete" Aguilar (Puerto Rican dancer)*13.Jan.2009.
1918: John Simmons (US bass player)*19.Sept.1979.
1910: Rudolf Kempe (German conductor)*12.May.1976.
1909: Elena Nikolaidi (Turkish-born American mezzo-soprano opera singer)*14.Nov.2002.
1909: Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives (US singer, actor, songwriter, musician)*14.April.1995.
1907: Sid Phillips/Isador Simon Philips (UK clarinetist)*23.May.1973.
1905: Nappy Lamare/Joseph Hilton Lamare (US banjoist, jazz guitarist)*08.May.1988.
1895: Cliff Edwards/Ukelele Ike (US singer, voice actor, ukelele player)*July 17th 1971.
1877: Jane Bathori/Jeanne-Marie Berthier (French mezzo-soprano)*25.Jan.1970.

June 15th.
1990: Miwa (Japanese singer-songwriter)
1982: Haley Scarnato (US singer)
1985: Nadine Coyle (Nth. Irish singer; Girls Aloud).
1983: Julia Fischer (German violinist)
1983: Laura Imbruglia (Australian singer, guitarist)
1982: Haley Scarnato (US singer)
1981: Billy Martin (US guitarist, keyboards; Good Charlotte).
1976: Gary Lightbody (Northern Irish rhythm guitarist, songwriter; Snow Patrol).
1976: Dryden Mitchell (US lead singer; Alien Ant Farm).
1972: Hank Von Helvete (Norwegian vocalist; Turbonegro)
1971: Bif Naked/Beth Torbert (Canadian singer, poetess, actress)
1970: Gaëlle Méchaly (French soprano)
1969: Ice Cube/O'Shea Jackson (US rapper, actor).
1966: Idalis DeLeon (US actress, singer)
1966: Michael Britt (US guitar; Lonestar).
1964: Gavin Greenaway (British composer)
1963: Scott Rockenfield (US drummer; Queensryche/Slave To The System).
1962: Andrea Rost (Hungarian soprano)
1961: Kai Eckhardt (German bassist, composer; Garaj Mahal, Vital Information)
1961: Yoshimi Iwasaki (Japanese singer, actress)
1956: David Hinds (UK rhythm guitar, vocalist; Steel Pulse).
1951: Steve Walsh (US singer, song-writer; Streets/Kansas).
1950: John Lawry (Japanese-American keyboardist, composer-songwriterr, producer; Petra).
1949: Russell Hitchcock (Australian lead vocalist; Air Supply).
1946: Demis Roussos (Greek singer).
1946: Noddy Holder/Neville John Holder (UK guitar, vocals; Slade).
1944: Malaysia Vasudevan (Indian playback singer and actor)*20.Feb.2011.
1943: Johnny Hallyday/Jean-Philippe Smet (French rock 'n' roll singer).
1943: Muff Winwood (UK bassist, songwriter, producer; Spencer Davis Group).
1941: Harry Nilsson III (US singer; songwriter)*15.Jan.1994.
1937: Ray Coleman (British award winning music journalist, editor, biographer)*10.Sept.1996.
1934: Mikel Laboa (Spanish Basque singer, songwriter )*01.Dec.2008.
1934: Barron Anthony/Anthony John Osmond (UK guitarist, vocalist; Barron Knights)
1933: Joe Thomas (US flautist, tenor saxophonist)
1933: Waylon Jennings (US country singer)*13.Feb.2002.
1933: Sergio Endrigo (Popular Italian singer)*07.Sept.2005.
1932: Zia Fariduddin Dagar (Indian classical vocalist)*08.May.2013.
1929: Nigel Pickering (rhythm guitar, vocals; Spanky And Our Gang).
1921: Erroll Garner (US jazz pianist and composer)*02.Jan.1977.
1917: Michalis Genitsaris (Greek rebetiko singer and composer)*11.May.2005.
1910: David Rose (British-born US songwriter, composer, arranger, orchestra leader)*23.Aug.1990.
1900: Otto Luening (German-born American composer)*02.Sept.1996.
1900: Paul Mares (US dixieland cornet, trumpet player; New Orleans Rhythm Kings)*18.Aug.1949.
1894: Robert Russell Bennett (US composer, arranger)*18.Aug.1981.
1843: Edvard Grieg (Norwegian composer and pianist)*04 Sept.1907.

June 16th.
1994: Aarya Ambekar (Marathi singer)
1994: Destinee Rae Monroe (US singer; Clique Girlz)
1991: Joe McElderry (UK singer; X Factor Winner '09)
1988: Keshia Chante (Canadian singer)
1987: Diana Nicole DeGarmo (US singer, Broadway actress).
1984: Dominique Eade (UK jazz singer).
1982: Matt Costa (US singer, songwriter)
1981: Ben Kweller (US singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist; The Bens/solo).
1980: Joey Yung (Hong Kong singer)
1978: Jasmine Leong (Chinese Malaysian singer)
1976: Cian Ciaran (Welsh keyboard player, label manager; Super Furry Animals/SomBom'&'Strangetown Records).
1972: Kiko Loureiro (Brazilian guitarist; Angra/Silent Moon/Blezqi Zatzas/guest).
1971: 2pac/Makaveli/Tupac Amaru Shakur (American hip hop artist, poet, actor)*13.Sept.1996.
1968: Patrick Waite (UK-Jamacian bassist, vocals; Musical Youth)*18.Feb.1993.
1966: Andy Lewis (Australian bassist; The Whitlams/The Gadflys)*12.Feb.2000.
1965: Javon Jackson/Anthony Jackson (US jazz tenor saxophonist;Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers/others)
1964: Martin Streek (Canadian radio DJ; CFNY-FM /Edge 102)*06.July.2009.
1962: Anthony Wong Yiu Ming (Hong Kong composer, producer)
1962: Olu-Femi Kuti (Nigerian Afrobeat & jazz saxophonist, vocals, trumpet, keyboards)
1958: Jóhannes Helgason (Icelandic guitarist; Þeyr aka Theyr)
1954: Doane Ethredge Perry (US drummer; Jethro Tull/Lou Reed/Todd Rundgren/others).
1954: Gerry Roberts (Irish guitarist; Boomtown Rats).
1954: Sergey Anatol'yevich Kuryokhin (Russian pianist)*09.July.1996.
1953: Ian Mosley (UK drummer; Marillion/solo/guest).
1952: Jerry Hadley (US operatic tenor)*18.July.2007.
1952: Gino Vanelli (Italian-Canadian singer/songwriter).
1951: Charlie Dominici (US singer, keyboards; Dominici/Dream Theater)
1950: James Smith (US vocals; Stylistics).
1949: Peppy Castro/Emil Thielhelm (vocals, guitar, Blues Magoos/Balance).
1948: Fredy Studer (Swiss percussionist)
1947: Tom "Bones" Malone (US jazz tromboneist, multi-reed player)
1946: Ian Matthews McDonald (UK guitar, singer, songwriter, Matthews Southern Comfort).
1946: Tom Harrell (US post-bop jazz trumpeter, composer)
1945: John Dawson IV (US guitarist, singer, songwriter; New Riders of the Purple Sage)*21.July.2009.
1942: John Rostill (UK bass guitarist, composer; Tom Jones band/Shadows)*26.Nov.1973.
1942: Eddie Levert (US vocals; The O'Jays).
1941: Lamont Dozier (US singer, producer, songwriter; Motown/Holland-Dozier-Holland).
1941: Dino Ciani (Italian pianist)*28.March.1974.
1939: Lou Gare (UK tenor saxophonist; AMM)
1939: Billy Crash Craddock (US country singer)
1938: Al Dailey (US jazz pianist)*26.June.1984.
1926: Clarence Shaw (US session trumpeter; Charles Mingus)*17.Aug.1973.
1924: Eli "Lucky" Thompson (US tenor saxophonist)*30.July.2005.
1919: Alfred Viola (US jazz guitarist; Frank Sinatra/others)*21.Feb.2007.
1909: Willi Boskovsky (Austrian violinist and conductor)*21.April.1991.
1903: Huldreich Georg Früh (Swiss composer)*25.April.1945.
1899: Helen Traubel (US soprano)*28.July.1972.

June 17th.
1983: Lee Ryan (singer, Blue/solo).
1983: Kazunari Ninomiya (Japanese singer, actor).
1980: Kimeru (Japanese singer).
1977: Roger Manganelli (US bassist, vocalist, guiyar, drums; Less Than Jake/Rehasher/Greenhorn).
1973: Krayzie Bone/Anthony Henderson (US rapper; Bone Thugs-N-Harmony/solo)
1971: Paulina Rubio Dosamantes (Mexican singer).
1970: Sasha Sokol (Mexican singer, actress).
1969: Kevin Thornton (vocalist, Color Me Badd).
1967: Eric Stefani (US keyboardist, songwriter, animator; No Doubt).
1967: Dorothea Röschmann (German operatic soprano)
1965: Richard Hynd (Scottish drummer; Texas/Slide).. Some sources give May 17th
1962: Michael Monroe/Matti Fagerholm(Finnish singer;Hanoi Rocks/Demolition23/Damien Thorne).
1958: Jello Biafra/Eric Reed Boucher (US spoken word, singer, Dead Kennedys/Lard/solo).
1957: Phil Chevron/Philip Ryan (Irish guitar; Pogues/The Radiators).
1957: Martin Dillon (US musician, operatic tenor, professor of music)*21.Aug.2005
1956: Chi-chi Nwanoku (UK double bassist; Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment).
1949: Eric Campbell-Lewis/Eric McCreadle (US bassist, vocalist; Middle Of The Road).
1949: Snakefinger/Philip Lithman (UK multi-musician, Chilli Willi/The Residents/Vestal Virgins)*01.July.1987
1948: Eddie Meduza (Swedish composer, singer-songwriter, guitarist)*16.Jan.2002.
1947: George S. Clinton (US award winning composer, arranger, session musician).
1947: Paul Young (UK singer, Sad Cafe/ Mike & The Mechanics)*15.July.2000.
1947: Greg Rolie (US singer, keyboardist; Santana/Journey/Greg Rolie Band).
1947: Rev. Timothy Wright (US gospel singer; Timothy Wright Concert Choir)*24.April.2009.
1944: Chris Spedding (UK guitarist;Greedy Bastards/Wombles/Nucleus/BatteredOrnaments/sessions).
1944: Ian Buisel (UK lead guitarist; Tony Jackson and the Vibrations).
1942: Norman Kuhlke (UK drummer; Swinging Blue Jeans).
1943: Barry Manilow/Barry Alan Pincus (US singer, songwriter, pianist).
1933: Christian Ferras (French violinist)*14.Sept.1982.
1930: Cliff Gallup (US guitarist; Gene Vincent And The Blue Caps/solo)*09.Oct.1988.
1927: Martin Böttcher (German conductor)
1924: Alan Rich (American music critic)*23.April.2010.
1916: Terry Gilkyson (US singer, lyricist, composer)*15.Oct.1999
1915: David "Stringbean" Akeman (US bluegrass banjo player, comedy musician)*10.Nov.1973.
1919: Galina Ustvolskaya (Russian composer)*22.Dec.2006.
1912: Don Gillis (US composer, conductor, teacher)*10.Jan.1978.
1910: Red Foley/Clyde Julian Foley (US singer, musician, radio/TV personality)*19.Sept.1968.
1902: Sammy Fain/Samuel E. Feinberg (US composer of popular music)*06.Dec.1989.
1882: Igor Stravinsky (Russian-born composer, pianist, conductor)*06.April.1971.

June 18th.
1989: Renee Olstead (US singer, actress)
1988: Jack Barakat (US singer, guitar player; All Time Low)
1985: GoldieLocks/Sarah Louise Akwisombe (UK rapper, singer, producer)
1982: Vadim Pruzhanov (UK keyboardist; Dragonforce)
1981: Ella Chen/Chen Chia-Hwa (Taiwanese mandopop singer; S.H.E)
1980: Ivana Wong (Hong Kong singer, songwriter)
1980: Colin Munroe (Canadian singer, songwriter)
1976: Blake Shelton (US country singer)
1975: Jemma Griffiths (Welsh singer-songwriter)
1973: Gary Stringer (UK lead vocalist; Reef).
1973: Ray Lamontagne (US singer-songwriter, musician)
1971: Alex Vanderpool/Nathan Morris (US vocals; Boyz II Men).
1969: Pål Pot Pamparius/Pål Bøttger Kjærnes (Norwegian keyboards, percussion, guitar; Turbonegro)
1969: Sice/Simon Rowbottom (UK vocalist, guitarist, Boo Radleys).
1963: Dizzy Reed/Darren Arthur Reed (US keyboardist, percussion; Guns N' Roses/Hookers & Blow).
1962: Jeff Mills (UK techno DJ, producer)
1961: Alison Moyet (UK singer; Yazoo or Yaz in US/solo).
1956: Oliver Schroer (Canadian fiddler, composer, and music producer)*03.July.2008.
1956: Tom Bailey (UK vocalist, keyboards; Thompson Twins).
1953: Jerome Smith (US guitarist; KC and the Sunshine Band)*28.July.2000.
1952: Ricky Gazda (US trumpet; Johnny and the Asbury Jukes).
1950: Jackie Leven aka John St. Field/Sir Vincent Lone (Scottish folk music singer, songwriter)*14.Nov.2011.
1949: Lincoln Thompson (Jamaican singer, songwriter)*23.Jan.1999.
1948: Éva Marton (Hungarian operatic soprano)
19??: Thomas Crimble (UK keyboardist, guitar, producer; Skin Alley/Hawkwind/Space Ritual/others)
1944: Sandy Posey (US popular music singer)
1943: Raffaella Carrà (Italian presenter, singer)
1942: Carl Radle (US bassist; Derek and the Dominoes/Colours/others)*30.May.1980.
1942: Hans Vonk (Dutch conductor)*29.Aug.2004.
1942: Richard Perry (US producer, own label, Planet Records).
1942: Paul McCartney (UK bass,multi-musician,singer,writer,producer; Beatles/Wings/solo).
1942: Hans Vonk (Dutch conductor)*29.Aug.2004.
1941: Jim Pepper (US jazz saxophonist, composer, singer of Native American ancestry)*10.Feb.1992.
1938: Don "Sugarcane" Harris (US violinist, guitar; Don & Dewey/John Mayall/Zappa)*30.Nov or 01.Dec}1999
1930: Jerry "Boogie" McCain (US electric blues musician, harmonica player)*28.March.2012.
1925: Johnny Pearson (UK composer, orchestra leader, pianist; Top of the Pops/own orch/others)*20.March.2011.
1924: Mat Mathews/Mathieu Schwartz (Dutch jazz accordionist)*12.Feb.2009.
1922: Claude Helffer (French pianist)*27.Oct.2004.
1913: Sammy Cahn (US award winning lyricist, songwriter and musician)*15.Jan.1993.
1910: Ray McKinley (US jazz drummer, singer, bandleader; Dorsey Brothers/Glenn Miller)*07.May.1995
1905: Eduard Tubin (Estonian composer)*17.Nov.1982.
1904: Manuel Rosenthal (French composer and conductor)*05.June.2003.
1903: Jeanette MacDonald (American singer and actress)*14.Jan.1965.

June 19th
1992: Mariah Stanley (US singer)
1980: David Gold (Canadian guitarist, multi-musician, vocalist; Woods of Ypres)*21.Dec.2011.
1973: Yuko Nakazawa (Japanese singer)
1972: Dennis Lyxzén (Swedish lead singer; Refused)
1970: Antonis Remos (Greek singer)
1970: Brian "Head" Welch (US guitar; Korn).
1967: Darren Barrett (Canadian-Jamaican trumpet player)
1965: Frank Bello (US bassist; Anthrax).
1964: Brian Vander Ark (US lead singer, guitar; The Verve Pipe).
1963: Simon Wright (UK drummer; AC-DC/Rhino Bucket/freelance).
1962: Paula Abdul (US dancer, choreographer, singer, TV personality).
1960: Luke Morley (UK guitarist; Thunder/The Union).
1959: Dennis Fuller (Jamacian singer; London Boys)*21.Jan.1959.
1959: Mark DeBarge (US vocalist; DeBarge)
1956: Doug Stone/Douglas Jackson Brooks (US singer)
1953: Larry Dunn (US keyboardist, musical director; Earth, Wind, & Fire)
1950: Ann Wilson (US lead singer, flute; Heart/solo).
1950: Paul Nieman (UK trombonist; international session musician)
1948: Nick Drake (UK singer, songwriter)*25.Nov.1974.
1947: Paula Koivuniemi (Finnish singer)
1945: Robert Franklin Palmer Jr (US music critic, reedist)*20.Nov.1997...not to be confused with the singer
1944: Chico Buarque de Hollanda (Brazilian singer, guitarist, composer, dramatist, writer, poet).
1944: Robin Box (UK lead guitarist; White Plains)
1942: Elaine "Spanky" McFarlane (US vocalist; Spanky And Our Gang).
1939: Al Wilson (US singer, drummer, guitar)*21.April.2008.
1937: Chuck Berghofer (US jazz bassist; Abnuceals Emuukha Electric Symphony Orchestra/others)
1936: Tommy DeVito (US lead guitarist, vocals, Four Seasons).
1936: Marisa Galvany (US soprano)
1936: Shirley Goodman (US singer)*05.July.2005.
1928: Lloyd Morales (US jazz drummer)
1926: Anneliese Rothenberger (German opera singer)*24.May.2010.
1925: Charlie Drake (UK actor, writer, singer)*23.Dec.2006.
1917: David Lambert (US jazz singer, drums; Lambert, Hendricks & Ross)*03.Oct.1966.
1914: Lester Flatt (US American musician)*11.May.1979.
1914: Moralito/Lorenzo Morales (Colombian vallenato singer, composer)*26.Aug.2011.
1912: Virginia MacWatters (US soprano)*05.Nov.2005.
1909: Joe Thomas (US tenor saxophonist)*03.Aug.1986.
1907: Bruno Laako (American alto saxophonist)*????
1902: Guy Lombardo (Canadian-American bandleader)*05.Nov.1977.
1854: Alfredo Catalani (Italian operatic composer)*07.Aug.1893.

June 20th.
1981: Angerfist/Danny Masseling (Dutch DJ, hardcore techno and Gabber musician)
1982: Example/Elliot John Gleave (British rapper).
1980: Tony Lovato (US singer, guitarist; Mest)
1979: Charlotte Hatherley (UK guitar, vocals, songwriter; Ash/solo).
1976: Jerome Fontamillas (US singer, guitarist; Mortal/Fold Zandura/Switchfoot)
1973: Chino Moreno (vocals, back-up guitar; Deftones/Team Sleep).
1971: Twiggy Ramirez/Jeordie White (US bass; Marilyn Manson/9" Nails/Goon Moon/guest).
1970: Jim Korthe (US vocalist, drummer; 3rd Strike/Phantasm/Dimestore Hoods)*13.Jan.2010.
1967: Murphy Karges (US bassist; Sugar Ray).
1966: Stone Gossard (US rhythm guitarist, producer; Pearl Jam/Brad/Temple of the Dog/freelance).
1963: Amir Derakh (US guitarist, synthesizer player; Orgy)
1960: John Taylor (UK bassist, Duran Duran/Power Station/Neurotic Outsiders/solo).
1960: Chris Gibson (Martinique vocalist; Gibson Brothers)?
1958: Kelly Johnson (UK lead guitar, singer, songwriter; Girlschool)*15.July.2007.
1958: Simon Underwood (UK bassist; Pigbag)?
1954: Michael Anthony Sobolewski (US bassist, Van Halen/Sammy Hagar).
1949: Alan Longmuir (Scottish bassist; Bay City Rollers).
1949: Lionel Richie (US vocals, keyboards, songwriter, Commodores/solo).
1947: Dolores Brooks (US singer; the Crystals)
1947: Paul Brett (UK guitarist; Strawbs/Overlanders/Crazy World of Arthur Brown/many others)
1946: Andre Watts (US pianist)
1945: Anne Murray (Canadian singer, songwriter).
1942: Brian Wilson (US vocals, piano, producer, composer, arranger; Beach Boys/solo).
1938: Mickie Most/Michael Peter Hayes (English singer, record produce)*May 30th 2003.
1937: Jerry Keller (US singer).
1937: Gus Williams (Australian country music singer, Aboriginal leader)*13.Sept.2010.
1936: Billy Guy/Frank William Phillips (US baritone singer; Coasters)*5.Nov.2002.
1931: Arne Nordheim (Norwegian contemporary classical composer)*05.June.2010.
1928: Eric Dolphy (US jazz alto saxophonist, flautist, bass clarinetist)*29.June.1964.
1924: Chester "Chet" Atkins (US guitarist, singer, and record producer)*30 June 2001.
1920: Danny Cedrone (US guitarist, Bill Haley & His Comets)*17.June.1954.
1913: Al Gallodoro (US jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, Paul Whiteman/others)*04.Oct.2008.
1907: Jimmy Driftwood/James Corbitt Morris (US folk songwriter, singer, musician)*12.July.1998.
1896: Wilfrid Pelletier (French Canadian conductor, pianist, composer, educator)*09.April.1982.
1891: Giannina Arangi-Lombardi (Italian soprano)*09.July.1951.

June 21st.
1997: Rebecca Black (US pop singer)
1987: Kim Ryeowook (Korean pop singer)
1986: Lana Del Rey/Elizabeth Woolridge Grant (US singer-songwriter).
1985: Kris Allen (US singer)
1981: Brandon Flowers (US vocals, keyboards, bass; The Killers).
1978: Jean-Pascal Lacoste (French singer, actor, TV host)
1978: Rim'K/Abdelkrim Brahmi-Benalla (French rapper)
1976: Mike Einziger (guitar; Incubus/Time Lapse Consortium).
1974: Neely Jenkins (US bassist, vocalist; Park Ave/Tilly & the Wall)
1971: Anette Olzon (Swedish singer; Nightwish)
1970: Pete Rock/Peter Phillips (UK trip-hop musician, composer, producer; Bomb the Bass)
1968: Sonique/Sonia Clarke (UK singer, DJ).
1967: Tim Simenon (record producer).
1962: Viktor Tsoi (Soviet guitarist, singer, songwriter; Kino)*15.Aug.1990.
1961: Kip Winger (US singer, guitarist; Winger)
1961: Manu Chao (French multi-instrumentalist; Mano Negra)
1961: Sascha Konietzko (German singer, synth player; KMFDM)
1959: Kathy Mattea (country music & bluegrass singer, guitar).
1959: Marcella Detroit (vocals, harmonica, guitar; Shakespear's Sister).
1957: Mark Brzezicki (drums; Ultravox/Procol Harum/Big Country).
1955: Jean-Pierre Mader (French singer, songwriter)
1954: Augustus Pablo/Horace Swaby (Jamaican reggae record producer, keyboardist)*18.May1999.
1952: Luis Días (Dominican singer-songwriter, composer, guitarist; Transporte Urbano/others)*08.Dec.2009.
1951: Nils Lofgren (US guitar, multi-musician, vocals; E Street Band/solo).
1951: Alan Silson (UK lead guitar, vocals; Smokie/Mickey Finn's T. Rex)?
1950: Joey Kramer (US drums, Aerosmith).
1950: Vasilis Papakonstantinou (Greek singer)
1950: John Paul Young (UK singer: Easybeats/Musicals/solo).
1949: Greg Munford (US lead vocals; solo/studio singer-multimusician/Strawberry Alarm Clock)
1946: Brenda Holloway (US singer, songwriter)
1947: Joey Molland (UK guitar, vocals; Masterminds/Fruit Eating Bears/Merseybeats/Badfinger).
1944: Jon Hiseman/Philip John Hiseman (UK drummer, recording engineer-producer; Colosseum/sessionist)
1944: Ray Davies (UK lead vocals, guitar, songwriter; Ravens/The Kinks/solo).
1944: Miguel Vicens (Spanish guitarist; Los Bravos)
1944: Jorge Neri (Mexican composer)*03.Aug.2011.
1943: Salomé/Maria Rosa Marco (Spanish singer)
1938: Don Black/Donald Blackstone OBE (English lyricist).
1936: Dave Godin (US music critic, founder of labels Soul City & Deep Soul)*15.Oct.2004.
1932: O.C. Smith/Ocie Lee Smith (US singer; Sy Oliver/Count Basie/solo)*23.Nov.2001.
1932: Lalo Schifrin (Argentine pianist, composer, arranger, film soundtracks).
1929: Abdel Halim Hafez (Egyptian singer, actor, multi-musician)*30.March.1977.
1929: Alexandre Lagoya (Greek-Italian classical guitarist)*24.Aug.1999.
1926: Nick Noble/Nicholas Valkan (US pop and country singer)*24.March.2012.
1906: Harold Spina (US composer)*11.Aug.1997.
1906: Grete Sultan (German musician)*26.June.2005.
1900: Dewey Jackson (US jazz musician, cornet, trumpet)*01.Jan.1994.
1893: Alois Hába (Czech composer)*18.Nov.1973.
1891: Hermann Scherchen (German conductor, violinist)*12.June.1966.

June 22nd.
1993: Ingmar Lazar (French classical pianist)
1990: Kei Inoo (Japanese actor, singer).
1989: Jung Yong Hwa (Korean actor, singer)
1985: Scott MacIntyre (US singer).
1981: Chris Urbanowicz (US guitarist; Editors).
1979: Leire Martínez (Basque singer and songwriter (La Oreja de Van Gogh)
1978: Tim Driesen (Belgian actor, singer-songwriter).
1977: Mike Alexander (UK bassist; Evile)*05.Oct.2009.
1976: Gordon Moakes (UK multi-musician; Bloc Party).
1970: Steven Page (Canadian guitar, vocals, songwriter; Barenaked Ladies/The Vanity Project).
1966: Schooly D/Jesse B. Weaver Jr (American rapper).
1964: Tommy Cunningham (Scottish drummer; Wet Wet Wet/Sleeping Giants).
1964: Mike Edwards (UK vocals, keyboard, guitars; Jesus Jones).
1963: Anne-Marie Ruddock (UK vocals, Amazulu/Amazulu II).
1962: Bobby Gillespie (Scottish drummer, vocals; Primal Scream/Jesus and Mary Chain/others).
1962: Stephen Vaughan (UK bassist; PJ Harvey Trio/session musician).
1961: Jimmy Somerville (Scottish singer; Bronski Beat/Communards/solo).
1959: Alan Anton/Alan Alizojvodic (Canadian bassist; Cowboy Junkies).
1959: Nicola Sirkis (French singer, lyricist; Indochine).
1958: Ruby Turner (UK singer).
1957: Gary Beers (Australian bassist; INXS).
1956: Derek Forbes (Scottish bassist; Simple Minds).
1955: Green Gartside/Paul Julian Strohmeyer (Welsh singer, songwriter; Scritti Politti/freelance).
1954: Bobby Valentino/Robert Beckingham (UK vocals,violin,guitar; Fabulous Poodles/Los Pistoleros/sessionist)
1953: Cyndi Lauper (US singer; actress).
1949: Alan Osmond (US singer; leader of The Osmonds).
1948: Todd Rundgren (US multi-musician, singer, producer; New Cars/Utopia/solo).
1947: Howard Kaylan/Howard Kaplan (US singer; Turtles/Mothers of Invention/Flo & Eddie).
1946: Eliades Ochoa (Cuban guitarist; Buena Vista Social Club).
1944: John "Charlie" Whitney (UK rock guitarist; Family, Streetwalkers, Axis Point).
1944: Peter Asher (UK guitarist, singer, record producer; Peter & Gordon).
1943: Eumir Deodato de Almeida (Brazilian jazz musician, record producer).
1939: Bobby Harrison (UK drummer, percussion, singer; Procol Harum/Freedom/Snafu).
1936: Hermeto Pascoal (Brazilian multi-musician, composer; many bands).
1936: Kris Kristofferson/Kris Carson (US singer, songwriter, actor).
1934: Nerlynn 'Lynn' Taitt (Jamaican reggae guitarist; The jets/many bands/sessionist)*20.Jan.2010.
1933: Libor Pešek (Czech conductor).
1921: Al Vega/Aram Vagramian (US jazz pianist)*02.Dec.2011.
1910: Sir Peter Pears (UK tenor singer; partner ofBenjamin Britten)*03.April.1986.
1907: Ernest 'Doc' Paulin (American jazz trumpet player; the Paulin Brass Band)*20.Nov.2007.
1762: Francesco Manfredini (Italian Baroque composer, violinist, church musician)*06.Oct.1762

June 23rd.
1988: Isabella Leong Lok-Sze (Hong Kong singer, actress, model)
1984: Duffy/Aimée Ann Duffy (Welsh singer)
1981: Anthony Costa (UK singer; Blue).
1980: Jessica Taylor (UK singer, Liberty X).
1980: Andy Orr (Irish singer; Six)
1978: Memphis Bleek/Malik Thuston Cox (US rapper)
1978: Frédéric Leclercq (French bassist; DragonForce)
1977: Jason Mraz (US singer, songwriter)
1976: Joe Becker (US guitarist, composer, multi-instrumentalist).
1975: KT Tunstall/Kate Victoria Tunstall (Scottish singer, songwriter)
1973: Carter Albrecht (US keyboardist, singer guitarist; Edie Brickell & New Bohemians/others)*03. Sept.2007.
1973: Marie N/Marija Naumova (Latvian singer)
1970: Martin Deschamps (Canadian singer)
1970: Yann Tiersen (French composer)
1970: Guillaume Yann Tiersen (French piano, accordion, violin, multi-musician)
1966: Chico DeBarge/Jonathan Arthur DeBarge (US singer; DeBarge)
1966: Richie Ren (Taiwanese singer)
1966: Mark Chadwick (UK guitar, vocals, songwriter; Levellers).
1966: James MacPherson (US drummer, percussionist; The Breeders/Amps/Guided by Voices).
1965: Bonehead/Paul Arthurs (UK guitar; Oasis/freelance).
1963: Steve Shelley (drums, record producer; Crucifucks/Sonic Youth).
1962: Richard Coles (UK multi-musician, clarenet, Curate; Bronski Beat/Communards).
1962: Chuck Billy (US singer; Testament).
1960: Donald Harrison (US jazz saxophonist).
1957: Lee John/John Leslie McGregor, (songwriter, singer; Fizz/Imagination).
1956: Randall "Randy" Jackson (US bassist, singer, record producer, A&R executive, TV personality).
1955: Glenn Danzig/Glenn Allen Anzalone (US singer, multi-musician; The Misfits, Samhain, Danzig)
1948: Myles Goodwyn (Canadian guitarist, vocalist; April Wine)
1948: Luther Kent (US blues singer)
1947: Jimmy Castor (US singer, saxophonist, percussionist; Jimmy Castor Bunch).
1943: James Levine (US conductor)
1941: Robert Hunter (US lyricist, poet; The Grateful Dead)
1940: Adam Faith/Terence Nelhams-Wright (UK singer and actor)*08.March.2003.
1940: Jimmy Castor (US pop and funk saxophonist)*16.Jan.2012.
1940: Stu Sutcliffe (Scottish original bassist with The Beatles)*10.April.1962.
1937: Derek Griffiths (UK lead guitarist; The Artwoods)
1937: Niki Sullivan (US guitarist, songwriter; The Crickets)*06.April.2004.
1936: Fred Waring, Jr. (US jazz trombonist)
1929: June Carter (US country singer, multi-musician, wife of Johnny Cash)*15.May.2003.
1927: Kenneth McKellar (Scottish tenor, solo artist)*09.April.2010.
1925: Sahib Shihab/Edmond Gregory (American jazz saxophonist)*24.Oct.1989.
1923: George Russell (American jazz composer)*27.July.2009.
1913: Helen Humes (American jazz and blues singer)*09.Sept.1981.
1910: Milton John "Milt" Hinton (US jazz double bassist; the dean of jazz bass players)*19.Dec.2000.
1823: Carl Reinecke (German pianist, conductor, composer)*10.March.1910.

June 24th.
1988: Nichkhun Horvejkul (Thai-American singer; 2PM)
1986: Solange Knowles (US singer)
1978: Emppu Vuorinen (Finnish guitarist; Nightwish)
1978: Ariel Pink/Ariel Marcus Rosenberg (US freak folk singer).
1970: Glenn Medeiros (born in Hawaii, singer, songwriter).
1970: Bernardo Sassetti Pais (Portuguese jazz pianist, film composer)*10.May.2012.
1969: Sissel Kyrkjebø (Norwegian soprano)
1967: Richard Z. Kruspe (German guitarist; Rammstein)
1967: Jeff Cease (guitar; Black Crowes/Shake Your Money Maker).
1966: Hope Sandoval (US singer, songwriter; Mazzy Star/Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions)
1961: Curt Smith (UK vocals, bass; Tears For Fears/Graduate).
1961: Dennis Danell (US lead guitarist; Social Distortion)*29.Feb.2000.
1960: Siedah Garrett (US singer)
1959: Andy McCluskey (UK lead singer, songwriter; O.M.D.)
1958: Kathy Troccoli (US singer)
1957: Terence 'Astro' Wilson (toasting, rhyming, percusion, trumpet; UB40).
1949: John Illsley (bass; Dire Straits).
1948: Patrick Moraz (Swiss keyboardist; Mainhorse/Moody Blues).
1947: Michael Fleetwood (UK drummer; Fleetwood Mac) ((date from Rock n Roll H of F Inductee records))
1945: Colin Blunstone (UK singer, guitar; Zombies/solo).
1944: Tony Campbell (UK guitarist; Jigsaw/Mighty Avengers/others).
1944: John 'Charlie' Whitney (UK guitar; Family/Streetwalkers).
1944: Chris Wood (UK saxophonist, flute; Traffic/sessionist)*12.July.1983.
1944: Jeff Beck (UK guitarist; Upp/Yardbirds/Honeydrippers/Beck/Bogert & Appice/solo).
1942: Arthur Brown (UK singer; The Crazy World of Arthur Brown).
1939: Paul 'Oz' Bach (bass, vocals, Spanky And Our Gang/others)*21.Sept.1998.
1935: Terry Riley (US composer)
1934: Jean-Pierre Ferland (Canadian singer)
1922: Tata Giacobetti (Italian singer, lyricist; Quartetto Cetra)*02.Dec.1988.
1909: Milton Katims (US violist, conductor)*27.Feb.2006.
1908: Hugo Distler (German composer)*01.Nov.1942.
1906: Pierre Fournier (French cellist)*08.Jan.1986.
1904: Phil 'Wonga' Harris (US singer, drums, jazz musician, bandleader)*11.Aug.1995.
1901: Marcel Mule (French saxophonist; Garde Republicaine/Quatuor de Saxophones de Paris)*19 Dec.2001.
1900: Captain John Handy (American jazz alto saxophonist)*12.Jan.1971
1900: Gene Austin (American singer, songwriter)*24.Jan.1972.

June 25th.
1987: Lil' Wil/Wilbert Martin (American rapper).
1986: Aya Matsuura (Japanese singer).
1986: Betty Curse/Megan Burns (British actress, singer).
1982: Rain/Jeong Ji-Hoon (Korean singer, dancer, model, actor, CEO and designer).
1975: Chenoa/María Laura Corradini Falomir (Spanish singer).
1974: Jim LaMarca (US bass guitarist; Chimaira)
1974: Mario Calire (US drummer; The Wallflowers/Ozomatli).
1972: Mike Kroeger (Canadian bassist; Nickelback).
1970: Roope Latvala (Finnish guitarist; Children of Bodom/Sinergy/Stone/Dementia).
1969: Zim Zum/Timothy Michael Linton (US guitarist; Marilyn Manson/solo/Pop Culture Suicides).
1968: Candyman/Candell Manson (Los Angeles rapper; Tone-Loc/solo).
1965: Kjeld Tolstrup (Danish radio disc jockey)*21.March.2011.
1963: George Michael/Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou (UK singer, songwriter; Wham!/solo).
1954: David Paich (US singer, songwriter, keyboardist; Toto/sessionist).
1952: Ljubiša "Louis" Stojanovic (Serbian singer)*31.July.2011.
1952: Brian Timothy "Tim" Finn OBE(New Zealand singer-songwriter, multi-musician; Finn Brs/Split Enz/others).
1946: Ian McDonald (UK sax player, multi-musician; King Crimson/Foreigner/sessionist).
1946: Allen Lanier (guitar, keyboards; Blue Oyster Cult).
1945: Carly Simon (US singer, guitarist, songwriter).
1944: Robert Charlebois (Canadian singer, composer, musician, author, actor).
1944: Broery/Broery Marantika (Indonesian singer)*07.April.2000.
1942: Manolo Otero (Spanish singer)*01.June.2011.
1940: Clint Warwick/Albert Clinton Eccles (UK bassist; Moody Blues)*15.May.2004.
1939: Harold Melvin (US soul singer, pianist; Blue Notes)*24.March.1997.
1935: Eddie Floyd (US soul singer, songwriter).
1930: Mary Beth Peil (US opera singer, actress).
1928: Bill Russo (US jazz composer, arranger, musician)*11.Jan.2003.
1924: Madan Mohan (Iraqi Bollywood film music director)*14.July 14.1975.
1860: Gustave Charpentier (French composer)*18.Feb.1956.

June 26th.
1993: Ariana Grande (US actress, singer)
1992: Jennette McCurdy (US actress, singer)
1986: Casey Desmond (US award winning vocalist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist).
1981: Damien Sargue (French singer).
1980: Sinik/Thomas Idir (French singer and rapper).
1979: Ryan Tedder (US singer, guitarist, songwriter, record producer).
1978: Alexandra Canto (French singer; L5's).
1975: KJ-52/Jonah Sorrentino (US hip hop artist; Sons of Intellect/solo).
1974: Nicole Saba (Lebanese singer).
1974: Jeff Frankenstein (US keyboardist, synth bass, backing vocals; Newsboys)
1973: Gretchen Wilson (US country singer).
1972: Jussi Sydänmaa (Finnish guitarist, vocals; Lordi).
1972: Garou/Pierre Garand (Canadian singer)
1969: Colin Greenwood (UK bass guitar, keyboards, synthesisers; Radiohead).
1968: Randall Padilla (US speed guitarist; planning 25.5 notes per second record).
1967: Mark Decloedt (UK drummer; EMF).
1966: Jürgen Reil (US drummer; Kreator)
1963: Harriet Wheeler (UK singer; Sundays).
1961: Terri Nunn (US singer; actress; Berlin/solo).
1960: Zachary Breaux (US jazz guitarist; Roy Ayers)*20.Feb.1997.
1959: Stef Burns (US guitar, vocals; Huey Lewis and the News)?
1957: Patty Smyth (US vocalist and leader of the band Scandal/solo).
1957: Laurie McAllister/Laurie Hoyt (US bassist; the Runaways/the Orchids)*25.Aug.2011.
1956: Chris Isaak (US singer, songwriter, guitarist, actor).
1955: Mick Jones (UK singer, guitarist;The Clash/Big Audio Dynamite/Gorillaz)...not Mick from Foreigner
1943: Georgie Fame/Clive Powell (UK singer/songwriter/keyboard; Animals/solo/Rhythm Kings).
1942: Gilberto Gil Moreira (Brazilian singer, Minister of Culture)
1940: Billy Davis Jr. (US vocals, actor; Fifth Dimension).
1934: Dave Grusin (US jazz pianist)
1933: Claudio Abbado (Italian conductor)
1929: June Bronhill OBE/June Mary Gough (Australian soprano opera singer)*24.Jan.2005.
1928: Don Lanphere (US t.& s. saxophonist; Woody Herman/Charlie Parker/freelance)*09.Oct.2003
1928: Jacob Druckman (US composer)*24.May.1996.
1926: Kenny Baker (US fiddle player; Bill Monroe & the Bluegrass Boys/others)*08.July.2011.
1918: Roger Voisin (French born US trumpet player; Boston Symphony)*13.Feb.2008.
1916: Giuseppe Taddei (Italian operatic baritone singer)*02.June.2010.
1914: Wolfgang Windgassen (German operatic tenor)*08.Sept.1974.
1914: Doc Williams/Andrew John Smik Jr (US country singer, band leader)*31.Jan.2011.
1909: Colonel Tom Parker/Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk (Dutch entertainment impresario; Elvis)*21.Jan.1997.
1906: Alberto Rabagliati (Italian popular singer, actor)*07.March.1974.
1902: Hugues Cuénod (Swiss tenor)*03.Dec.2010.

June 27th.
1990: Aselin Debison (Canadian singer)
1986: Drake Bell (US actor, guitar, singer, composer).
1983: Alsou Ralifovna Abramova (Russian singer)
1983: Evan Taubenfeld (US singer-songwriter, guitarist; Avril Lavigne/others)
1980: Jennifer Goodridge (US keyboard player; Seaspin/Your Enemies Friends)
1979: Benjamin Speed (Australian musician and film composer).
1979: John Warne (US bassist; Relient K/Ace Troubleshooter).
1978: Stefan Arason (Icelandic composer).
1978: Lolly/Anna Kumble (UK singer)
1977: Sabine Dünser (German lead singer; gothic metal band Elis)*08.July.2006.
1976: Leigh Nash (US singer, composer; Sixpence None The Richer).
1974: Christian Kane (US actor, singer)
1973: Abbath Doom Occulta/Olve Eikemo (Norwegian guitarist, multi-musician, songwriter; Immortal)
1972: Dawud Wharnsby (Canadian poet, singer-songwriter)
1972: Tony McCarroll (UK drummer; Oasis/Raika)
1971: DJ Screw/Robert Earl Davis Jr (US hip-hop musician, music mixer; Screwed Up Click)*16.Nov.2000.
1970: Vitamin C/Colleen Ann Fitzpatrick (US singer).
1970: Laurence Colbert (UK drummer; Ride)?
1964: Otmaro Ruíz (Venezuelan pianist, keyboardist, composer, arranger).
1962: Michael Ball (UK singer).
1961: Margo Timmins (Canadian vocalist; Cowboy Junkies).
1959: Loretta "Lorrie" Morgan (US country music singer).
1958: Lisa Germano (US singer, songwriter, multi-musician).
1958: Brian Helicopter/Gareth Holder (UK bass guitarist; The Shapes/HellsBelles/Rogue Male)
1958: Magnus Lindberg (Finnish composer)
1958: Jeffrey Lee Pierce (US singer, songwriter, guitarist; The Gun Club)*31.March.1996.
1951: Gilson Lavis (UK drummer; Squeeze).
1948: Camile Baudoin (US guitarist; The Radiators)
1948: Geoff Nicholson (UK guitar, vocals: East Of Eden)
1942: Frank Mills (Canadian pianist, composer)
1942: Bruce Johnston/Benjamin Baldwin (US vocalist, bass, The Beach Boys).
1939: Rahul Dev Burman (Indian composer, actor)*04.Jan.1994.
1935: Byron Lee (Jamaican musician and record producer)*04.Nov.2008.
1934: Ersel Hickey (rockabilly singer; Bluebirds over the Mountain)*12.July.2004.
1932: Anna Moffo (US soprano)*09.March.2006.
1931: Alojz Srebotnjak (Slovenian composer, educator)*01.Dec.2010.
1925: Doc Pomus/Jerome Solon Felder (US blues singer, songwriter)*14.March.1991.
1924: Rosalie Allen (American singer and disc jockey)*24.Sept.2003.
1923: Jacques Berthier (French composer)*27.June.1994.
1885: Guilhermina Suggia (Portuguese cellist)*30.July.1950.

June 28th.
1991: Seohyun/Seo Joo-hyun (Korean singer, dancer)
1987: Bailey Tzuke (English singer-songwriter)
1986: Kellie Dawn Pickler (US country singer, songwriter).
1984: Imran Khan (Pakistani-Dutch Musician, singer, composer)
1983: Maui Taylor (Filipino model, singer)
1981: Capt'n Spin-kick/Michael Crafter (Australian singer-songwriter; Confession)
1979: Felicia Day (US actress, writer, director, violinist, singer)
1978: Ha Ji-won (South Korean actress, singer)
1977: Harun Tekin (Turkish singer, piano, guitar; Mor ve Ötesi)
1977: Mark Stoermer (US bass guitarist; Killers).
1975: Jon Nödtveidt (Swedish lead guitarist, singer; Dissection)*13.Aug.2006.
1974: Siphiwo Ntshebe (South African opera singer)*25.May.2010.
1971: Tichina Arnold (US actress, singer)
1971: Ray Slijngaard (Dutch vocalist; 2 Unlimited/VIP Allstars)
1968: Chayanne/Elmer Figueroa Arce (Puerto Rican singer)
1965: Saul Daveis (UK guitarist, violinist; James)?
1964: DJ Quicksilver/Orhan Terzi (Turkish disc jockey, music producer)
1963: Charlie Clouser (US multi-musician; Nine Inch Nails/Burning Retna/others).
1963: Beverley Craven (UK singer, songwriter).
1963: Andy Cousin (UK bassist; All About Eve/The Mission/The Lucy Nation)
1959: Clint Boon (UK keyboardist, Farfisa organ; Inspiral Carpets/The Clint Boon Experience).
1958: Félix Gray (French singer, songwriter)
1955: Thomas Hampson (US baritone)
1951: David "Frankie" Toler (US drummer; Allman Brothers/Marshall Tucker/others)*04.June.2011.
1950: David Lanz (US musical composer)
1945: Raul Seixas (Brazilian rock composer, singer, songwriter, pioneer, producer)*21.Aug.1989.
1945: David Knights (UK original bassist; Procol Harum/Ruby).
1942: David Miner (US guitarist, singer-songwriter, record producer; The Great Society)
1940: Renato Pagliari (Italian-born British singer; Renee and Renato/solo)*29.July.2009.
1915: David "Honeyboy" Edwards (US blues guitarist, singer)*29.Aug.2011.
1912: Sergiu Celibidache (Romanian conductor)*14.Aug.1996.
1903: Adrian Rollini (US multi musicain, California Ramblers/Goodman/own)*15.May.1956
1902: Richard Rodgers (US award winning composer)*30.Dec.1979.

June 29th.
1988: Becky Jane Taylor (English singer)
1987: Ana Free (Portuguese singer, songwriter).
1984: Derek Lee Rock/Derek Lee Smith (US drummer; Mêlée/Suburban Legends)
1983: Aundrea Fimbres (US singer)
1981: Nino Ksipolitas (Swedish born, Greek singer)
1980: Katherine Jenkins (Welsh mezzo soprano)
1979: Richard "Abz" Breen (UK vocals, singer, songwriter, 5ive aka Five).
1979: Baris Akarsu (Turkish rock singer, actor)*04.July.2007.
1978: Nicole Scherzinger (US singer, Eden's Crush/Pussycat Dolls).
1978: Sam Farrar (US bass guitar player; Phantom Planet).
1976: Bret McKenzie (New Zealand singer; guitarist, comedian, actor; Flight of the Conchords )
1972: Nawal Al Zoghbi (Lebanese singer)
1971: Matthew Good (Canadian singer, guitarist; Matthew Good Band/solo)
1970: Emily Skinner (US actress, singer)
1968: Richard Battersby (UK drummer; The Wildhearts).
1967: Murray Foster (Canadian bassist; Moxy Früvous)
1967: Melora Hardin (US actress, singer)
1965: Tripp Eisen (US guitarist; Static-X/Dope/Murderdolls/Ace Frehley)
1964: Stedman Pearson (UK singer; Five Star).
1963: Anne-Sophie Mutter (German violinist)
1961: Greg Hetson (US punk-rock guitarist; Redd Kross/Circle Jerks/Bad Religion)
1960: Evelyn "Champagne" King (US R&B and disco singer)... most sources have July 1st 1960.
1959: James Freud/Colin Joseph McGlinchey (Australian vocalist, bassist; Models/solo)*04.Nov.2010.
1957: María Conchita Alonso (Cuban-Venezuelan singer, actress)
1957: Robert Forster (Australian singer, guitarist; The Go-Betweens/solo)
1953: Colin Hay (Scottish-Australian lead singer, guitar; Men At Work).
1948: Ian Paice (UK drummer, Deep Purple/Whitesnake).
1943: Roger Spear (US saxophone, Jew's harp, musical toys; Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band).
1948: Derv Gordon (US lead vocals; The Equals).
1948: Lincoln Gordon (US guitar; The Equals).
1947: Will Hoebee (Dutch record producer and songwriter)*10.June.2012.
1943: Bob Brunning (UK bassist; Fleetwood Mac/Savoy Brown)*18.Oct.2011.
1943: Little Eva/Eva Narcissus Boyd (US singer)*10.April.2003.
1940: Vyacheslav Artyomov (Russian composer)
1932: Mihalis Menidiatis (Greek singer)*21.Aug.2012.
1925: Hale Smith (US composer, editor)
1924: Ezra Laderman (US composer)
1924: Flo Sandons/Mammola Sandon (Italian singer)*17.Nov.2006.
1923: Chou Wen-chung (Chinese-American composer)
1922: Tony Osborne (86) British musician, band leader, arranger, sessionist)*01.March.2009.
1914: Rafael Kubelík (Czech conductor)*11.Aug.1996.
1911: Bernard Herrmann (US film music composer)*24.Dec.1975.
1910: Frank Loesser (American composer)*28.July.1969.
1908: Leroy Anderson (US composer)*18.May.1975.
1901: Nelson Eddy (American singer and actor)*06.March.1967.
1893: Aarre Merikanto (Finnish composer)*29.Sept.1958.
1881: Curt Sachs (German musicologist)*05.Feb.1959.

June 30th.
1985: Rafal Blechacz (Polish classical pianist)
1984: Fantasia Barrino (US singer; American Idol winner).
1983: Anton Gordon (vocals, member of uk TV's created boy band, One True Voice)?
1983: Cheryl Cole née Tweedy (UK vocals; Girls Aloud).
1983: Brendon James (British drummer; Thirteen Senses)
1983: Patrick Wolf/Patrick Denis Apps (UK singer-songwriter, ukulele, piano, viola)
1982: Andy Knowles (UK drummer, keyboards; Skuta/Franz Ferdinand)
1981: Edward "DreadEd" Campbell (UK lead singer; FatalFear-Fatal Fear Korea).
1979: Matisyahu/Matthew Paul Miller (US Hasidic Jewish reggae singer).
1969: Tom Drummond (bassist; Better Than Ezra)?
1968: Philip Anselmo (US singer; Viking Crown/Down/Necrophagia/Pantera)
1967: Peter 'Cammy' Camell (guitar; La's)?
1963: Yngwie Malmsteen/Lars Johan Yngve Lannerbäck (Swedish guitarist, composer, multi-musician)
1962: Julianne Regan (UK vocals, guitar, bass, keyboard; All About Eve/Mice).
1960: Murray Cook (Australian singer; The Wiggles)
1959: Brendan Perry (UK singer, multi-musician; Dead Can Dance)
1958: Esa-Pekka Salonen (Finnish conductor and composer
1958: Rick Frank (US jazz drummer)
1956: Philip Adrian Wright (visual effects, synthesizers; Human League)?
1953: Hal Lindes (guitarist, composer; Dire Straits).
1951: André Hazes (Dutch levenslied singer)*23.Sept.2004.
1951: Stanley Clarke (jazz bass player).
1949: Andy Scott (UK guitarist, singer; Sweet)
1949: Barrie Lee Hall Jr (US trumpeter, music director, band leader; Duke Ellington Small Band)*24.Jan.2011.
1946: Billy Brown (vocals, The Moments)?
1944: Glenn Shorrock (Australian singer, harmonica, guitar; Twilights/Axiom/Little River Band).
1943: Florence Ballard (US vocalist; Supremes/solo)*22.Feb.1976.
1940: Mark Spoelstra (US folk singer)*25.Feb.2007.
1939: Tony Hatch (UK composer, songwriter, pianist, music arranger, producer).
1938: Apostolos Nikolaidis (Greek singer)*22.April.1999.
1936: Dave Van Ronk (US singer, guitarist; nicknamed Mayor of MacDougal Street)*10.Feb.2002
1931: Andrew Hill (US jazz pianist, composer)*20.April.2007.
1930: Homayoun Khorram (Iranian violinist, musician, composer)*17.Jan.2013.
1917: Lena Horne (US jazz singer)*09.May.2010.
1899: Harry Shields (American jazz clarinetist)*19.Jan.1971.

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OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH

June 1.
1948: Sonny Boy Williamson I/ John Lee Williamson (34) US blues singer & harmonica player; easily the most important harmonica player of the pre-war era, he almost single-handedly made the humble mouth organ a worthy lead instrument for blues bands, leading the way for the amazing innovations of Little Walter and a platoon of others to follow. He recorded prolifically both as a bandleader and a sideman over the entire course of his career, mainly for the Bluebird record label, with many early sessions taking place at the Leland Hotel in Aurora, Illinois; most later sessions were recorded in Chicago. His final recording session took place in December 1947, backing Big Joe Williams. (killed in a mugging on Chicago's South Side, as he walked home from his final performance at The Plantation Club at 31st St. and Giles Ave., a tavern just a block and a half away from his home at 3226 S. Giles) b. March 31st 1914.
1966: Papa Jack/George Vital Laine (93) American drummer, band leader; the most busy and perhaps the most important band leader in New Orleans in the years from the Spanish-American War to World War I and many of the New Orleans musicians who first spread jazz around the USA in the 1910s and 1920s got their start in Papa Jack's bands, his musicians included individuals from most of New Orleans' many ethnic groups... African American, English, French, German, Italian, Jewish, Latin American, Scottish etc. He started leading bands before the Jim Crow codes went into effect in New Orleans. Even after segregation laws started demanding "whites" and "coloured" be kept separate, Papa Jack continued to hire light and medium light skinned African-American musicians, claiming that they were "Cuban" or "Mexican" if any segregationist tried to start trouble. Hence some musicians who played with black bands like those of Buddy Bolden and Joe "King" Oliver also played with Papa Jack. This made for a wide cross-fertilization of musical ideas in his bands.(?) b. September 21st 1873
1984: Nate Nelson (52) US tenor and lead vocalist with the Flamingos from 1954 till 1960 having many hits such as "I'll Be Home", thier first national hit in 1955, reaching No.5 in the billboard chart and later covered by Pat Boone, "Would I Be Crying", "Mio Amore", "Your Other Love", "Nobody Loves Me Like You" and "I Was Such a Fool". He and Terry Johnson split to form the Modern Flamingos in 1961, also went on to record as The Starglows before joining The Platters with the Buck Ram line-up in the mid 60s (heart attack) b. April 10th 1932.
1991: David Ruffin (50) US singer with The Temptations; at the age of 15, he went to Hot Springs, Arkansas with the jazz musician Phineas Newborn, Sr. They played at the Fifty Grand Ballroom and Casino. He continued to sing at talent shows, worked with horses at a jockey club, and eventually became a member of the The Dixie Nightingales. He also sang with the Soul Stirrers briefly after the departure of Johnnie Taylor. He met and came under the guardianship of Eddie Bush and Dorothy Helen who took David to Detroit, Michigan and introduced him to Gwen Gordy Fuqua, Berry Gordy's sister, and Billy Davis. At Motown he started as a background singer, joining The Tempations in 1963. In Nov '64, songwriter/ producer Smokey Robinson wrote a single especially for him to sing lead on. That song, "My Girl", became the group's first #1 single and its signature song, and elevated David to the role of lead singer and front man. In the late 60's tensions grew and he was sacked from the the group, but continued with Motown as a solo artist. His first solo single "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)" reached the US pop & R&B Top Ten. His final Top Ten hit was 1975's "Walk Away From Love". After being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 with the other Temptations, David, Kendrick, and Dennis Edwards began touring and recording as "Ruffin /Kendrick/ Edwards: Former Leads of The Temptations". Sadly he project was cut short, when David Ruffin died. Known for his unique raspy and anguished tenor vocals, David was ranked as one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine in November 2008 (sadly died from a drug overdose) b. January 18th 1941.
2000: Tito Puente Sr./Ernesto Antonio Puente Jr. (67) American musician; an influential Latin jazz and mambo musician, often credited as "El Rey" of the timbales and "The King of Latin Music". He is best known for Latin jazz compositions and dance-oriented mambo over his 50 year career. After serving three years in the Navy during World War II he was discharged with a Presidential Commendation for serving in nine battles. He next went Juilliard School of Music, where he studied conducting, orchestration and theory. In the '50s, he helped to bring Afro-Cuban and Caribbean sounds, like mambo, son, and cha-cha-cha, to mainstream audiences. Later, he included pop music, bossa nova and fusion of Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz genres that became known as "salsa". He and his music appear in many films such as The Mambo Kings and Fernando Trueba's Calle 54. In 1979 Tito won the first of five Grammy Awards for albums A Tribute to Benny Moré, On Broadway, Mambo Diablo, and Goza Mi Timbal. In 1990, he was awarded the "James Smithson Bicentennial Medal." and also awarded a Grammy at the first Latin Grammy Awards, winning Best Traditional Tropical Album for Mambo Birdland. He was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000. (Tito sadly died due to heart problems) b. April 20th 1923.
2006: Rocio Jurado (61) Spanish actress, singer nicknamed "La más grande";debuted on the big screen in 1962 with Los guerrilleros. She also played a main role in 1966's Proceso a una Estrella and 1971's Una Chica Casi Decente. While temporarily living in Argentina, she participated in a successful musical called La Zapatera Prodigiosa. After teaming with composer Manuel Alejandro, Rocío became a major and beloved figure on the Latin music scene, acclaimed throughout South America and Spain after releasing Muera el Amor and Señora & other hits. (diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004 and treated for liver failure 2 months before she sadly died from heart failure) b. Sept 18th 1944.
2007: Tony Ulysses Thompson (31) American R&B/soul singer and vocalist; born in Waco, but raised in Oklahoma City. He started singing solos in the local church choir at the age of eight. He joined up with the R&B group Hi-Five in 1990. The band's self-titled debut album went multi-platinum and created several hits, including "I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)," "I Can't Wait Another Minute," and "Just Another Girlfriend". He went solo in 1995 debuting with Sexsational, before forming his own record label, N'Depth and later reformed Hi-Five in 2005.(drug over-dose; he died of a freon aka huffing overdose, confirmed through autopsy results).b. September 2nd 1975.
2011: Manolo Otero (68) Spanish singer born in Madrid, Spain; his first album "All the Time in the World" propelled him to fame in 1974, making him one of the most popular romantic singers in the Latin countries between the 70s and 80s with hits like "Más no más", "Vuelvo a ti", "Bella mujer", "Champagne" and "Qué hacer h and for olvidarte" (sadly Manolo died fighting liver cancer) b. June 25th 1942.
2012: Faruq Z. Bey/Jesse Davis (70) American jazz saxophonist and composer from Detroit, Michigan. He is best known for his work with Griot Galaxy, which played intense free jazz with distinct compositions, often written by Faruq. Griot Galaxy toured Europe in the mid-1980s and was at the height of its international acclaim, he was in a serious motorcycle accident that left him in a coma. Almost a decade passed before he returned to performing. He re-emerged with an all woodwind ensemble called The Conspiracy Winds Ensemble. He began to play in Speaking in Tongues and Hakim Jami's Street Band. He joined forces with The Northwoods Improvisers, who devoted several releases to Bey's music. His frequent collaborators, saxophonists Michael Carey and Skeeter Shelton, joined him on most of the Northwoods Improviser's recordings. He also played in Kindred, a quartet with Kennith Green, Kevin Callaway and Joel Peterson, and in Odu Afrobeat Orchestra. Among Bey's last ensembles was The Absolute Tonalist Society with Carey, Peterson and drummer Kurt Prisbe (sadly died of emphysema) b. February 4th 1942.

June 2.
1937: Louis Vierne (66) French organist, composer, born in Poitiers, Vienne; born nearly blind due to congenital cataracts but at an early age was discovered to have an unusual gift for music. He considered one of the greatest musical improvisers of his generation. Most of his works were never written down. His few improvisations that were preserved on early phonograph recordings sound like finished compositions. He took his successful music and concerts worldwide (suffered a stroke while giving his 1750th organ recital at Notre-Dame de Paris. He had thus fulfilled his often stated lifelong dream - to die at the console of the great organ of Notre-Dame) b. October 8th 1870.
1942: Bunny Berigan/Rowland Berigan (33) American jazz trumpeter born in Hilbert, Wisconsin, he rose to fame during the swing era. He composed the jazz instrumentals "Chicken and Waffles" and "Blues" in 1935. His 1937 classic jazz recording "I Can't Get Started" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1975. In 1928 he played in Hal Kemp's orchestra, Bunny's first recorded trumpet solos came with the Kemp orchestra, and he was with the unit when they toured England By 1931, he had become a sought-after studio musician; Fred Rich, Freddy Martin and Ben Selvin were just some who sought his services. He recorded his first vocal, "At Your Command", with Rich that year. From late 1932 through 1933, he was also employed by Paul Whiteman, before playing with Abe Lyman's band in 1934. He continued freelancing in the recording and radio studios, most notably with the Dorsey Brothers and on Glenn Miller's earliest recording date as a leader in 1935, playing on "Solo Hop". At the same time, Bunny made the association that graduated him to fame in his own right: he joined Benny Goodman's re-forming band (cirrhosis of the liver) b. November 2nd 1908.
1968: André Mathieu (39) Québécois pianist and composer, born in Montréal, Canada; at aged 6 he gave his first recital of his own composition at the Ritz Carleton Hotel in Montréal, on Feb 25th 1935. In 1936 he performed his Concertino No.1 for Piano and Orchestra as a soloist on the CBC network. He was later given a grant by the Québec government that enabled him to go to Paris and study piano with Yves Nat and Mme. Giraud-Latarse. In December 1936 Mathieu gave a recital of his works at Salle Chopin-Pleyel, and again at Salle Gaveau on March 26, 1939. His recitals were received very enthusiastically by the Parisian critics. They unanimously agreed that André was a "little Quebecer Mozart". Rachmaninov pronounced him, "a genius, more so than I am". In 1943 he returned to Montréal and gave many concerts performing Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Debussy and Ravel, as well as his own works. Among his works for piano and violin are Fantaisie brésilienne, a sonata, a berceuse, and Complainte. His vocal works include Le ciel est si bleu, Hymne du Bloc Populaire, Les Chères Mains, and Quatre Mélodies (died suddenly) b. February 18th 1929.
1983: Stan Rogers (33) Canadian folk musician and songwriter. noted for his rich, baritone voice and his traditional-sounding songs which were frequently inspired by Canadian history and the daily lives of working people, especially those from the fishing villages of the Maritime provinces and, later, the farms of the Canadian prairies and Great Lakes. His influence on Canadian folk music has been deep and lasting. His best known songs include "Northwest Passage" , "Barrett's Privateers", "The Mary Ellen Carter", "Make and Break Harbour", "The Idiot", "The Field Behind the Plow", "White Squall", "Lies", "Fogarty's Cove", and "Forty-Five Years" (Stan tragically died in a fire aboard Air Canada Flight 797 on the ground at the Greater Cincinnati Airport) b. November 29th 1949.
1984: Georgios Kasassoglou (75) Greek musician, music education pioneer; he composed in many genres from hymns to ballet music. For years he committed himself tirelessly, with much willpower, courage and conviction, to the introduction of instrumental music in the liturgy of the Greek Orthodox Church. He dedicated himself to the propagation of music schools, which barely existed at the time. He applied himself to the creation of the mixed chorus in Nea Smyrni, a district of Athens where he had lived since 1960 (?) b. December 1st 1908.
1987: Andres Segovia (94) Spanish classical guitarist, from Linares, Jaén, Andalucia and is considered to be the father of the modern classical guitar movement by most modern music scholars. He claimed that he "rescued the guitar from the hands of flamenco gypsies," and built up a classical repertoire to give the guitar a place in orchestrial concert halls. His first public performance was in Spain at the age of 15, and a few years later he held his first professional concert in Madrid. After World War II, Segovia began to record more frequently and perform regular tours of Europe and the U.S., a schedule he would maintain for the next thirty years. Two films were made of his life and work—one when he was 75 and the other, 84. They are available on DVD called "Andrés Segovia - in Portrait". His final RCA LP record, "Reveries", was recorded in Madrid in June 1977. In 1954, Joaquín Rodrigo dedicated Fantasía para un gentilhombre/Fantasy for a Gentleman to him and Andrés won the 1958 Grammy Award for Best Classical Performance, Instrumentalist for his recording Segovia Golden Jubilee. In recognition of his contributions to music and the arts, Andrés was ennobled on June 24th 1981 by King Juan Carlos I, who gave him the hereditary title of Marquis of Salobreña. (sadly Andres died of a heart attack) b. Feb 21st 1893.
1987: Sammy Kaye (77) American reeds player, band leader of one of the so-called "Sweet" bands, whose tag line "Swing and sway with Sammy Kaye" became one of the most famous of the Big Band Era, backing the likes of Nat King Cole and Perry Como. He made a large number of records for Vocalion Records, RCA Victor, Columbia Records, and Decca label. In the musical Bye, Bye, Birdie he is mentioned in the lyrics of the song "Kids": "Why can't they dance like we did?/What's wrong with Sammy Kaye?". Sammy was posthumously inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1992 and for his contribution to the recording industry has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Sammy and his orchestra are featured in Iceland, a 1942 film about the US Marines in Iceland during WW2. (?) b. March 13th 1910.
1996: Pilar Lorengar/Lorenza Pilar García Seta (68) Spanish soprano born in the El Gancho district of Zaragoza, she is best known for her interpretations of opera and the Spanish genre Zarzuela, and as a soprano she was known for her full register as well as a distinctive vibrato. Pilar made her professional debut in 1950 in Oran, Algeria, playing the role of Maruxa. In 1951 she made her Spanish debut in the principal role in the Zarzuela El canastillo de fresas. Her international opera career started in 1955 at the Festival international d'Art Lyrique in Aix-en-Provence, where she played Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro. She went on to play in London, Glyndebourne and Buenos Aires. In 1958 she signed a contract with the Deutsche Oper Berlin, a relationship that would last for thirty years. In 1963 she was distinguished with the title of Kammersänger from the Senate of Berlin. In 1994, she was awarded the "Order of Merit" of the State of Berlin (sadly died of cancer) b. January 16th 1928.
1997: Doc Cheatham/Adolphus Cheatham (91) American jazz trumpeter born in Nashville, Tennessee played in Albert Wynn's band, occasionally substituted for Armstrong at the Vendome Theater, and recorded on sax with Ma Rainey before moving to Philadelphia in 1927, where he worked with the bands of Bobby Lee and Wilber de Paris before moving to New York City the following year. After a short stint with Chick Webb he left to tour Europe with Sam Wooding's band. Cheatham returned to the United States in 1930, and played with Marion Handy and McKinney's Cotton Pickers before landing a job with Cab Calloway. Cheatham was Calloway's lead trumpeter from 1932 through 1939. He performed with Benny Carter, Teddy Wilson, Fletcher Henderson, and Claude Hopkins in the 1940s; after World War II he started working regularly with Latin bands in New York City, including the bands of Perez Prado, Marcelino Guerra, Ricardo Ray (he played exquisitely, but uncredited, particularly on the track "Mr. Trumpet Man"), Machito, and others. In addition to continuing Latin gigs, he played again with Wilbur de Paris and Sammy Price. He led his own band on Broadway for five years starting in 1960, after which he toured with Benny Goodman (?) b. June 13th 1905
1999: Franklin Delano Alexander "Junior" Braithwaite (46) Jamaican singer; one of the founders of, and the first lead singer of The Wailers, he was with the band for eight months and sung lead on such songs as, "Habits," "Straight and Narrow Way," "Don't Ever Leave Me," and "It Hurts To Be Alone". He left the band in 1964 and moved to the United States with hopes of pursuing a medical career. (brutally shot, murdered in the home of a fellow musician in Kingston, leaving only Bunny Wailer and Beverley Kelso as surviving members of the original Wailers) b. April 4th 1949
2004: Nicolai Ghiaurov (74) Bulgarian opera singer and one of the most famous bass singers of the postwar period. Born in the small mountain town of Velingrad in southern Bulgaria, as a child, he learned to play the violin, piano and clarinet. He began his musical studies at the Bulgarian State Conservatory in 1949 under Prof. Hristo Brambarov. From 1950 until 1955, he studied at the Moscow Conservatory. He was admired for his powerful, sumptuous voice, and was particularly associated with roles of Verdi. Ghiaurov married the Italian soprano Mirella Freni in 1978. The two singers frequently performed together. He made his US debut in Gounod's Faust in 1963 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. During the course of his career, he also performed at Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre, the Vienna State Opera, Covent Garden, and Paris Opéra (heart attack) b.September 13th 1929.
2006: Vince Welnick (55) American keyboardist born in Phoenix, best known for playing with the San Francisco based rock band The Tubes during the 1970s and 1980s and with the Grateful Dead in the 1990s. He also became involved in solo efforts, formed and played in the band Missing Man Formatin, and is a is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (possible suicide, after suffering a long time with depression) b. February 21st 1951.
2007: Haneken/Kentaro Haneda (58) Japanese pianist, composer and arranger of popular anime and movies and video game music. Born in Tokyo he was best known as composer of Wizardry music which was ported to NES and SNES console by Ascii at early 1990, The Super Dimension Fortress Macross series, Barefoot Gen, Ys Symphony, Symphony Sorcerian and Genso Suikoden Ongaku-shu. He also taught as a professor at the Tokyo College of Music. (sadly Haneken died of liver cancer) b. January 12th 1949
2008: Bo Diddley/Ellas Otha Bates (79) American rock and roll and blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist; a key figure in the transition from blues to rock 'n' roll, he introduced more insistent, driving rhythms and a hard-edged guitar sound and he was also known for his characteristic rectangular cigar box guitar. Born in McComb, Mississippi, he moved to Chicargo in 1934, where he became an active member of his local Ebenezer Baptist Church, studying the trombone and the violin, becoming proficient enough for the musical director to invite him to join the orchestra playing violin, in which he performed until the age of 18. In his late teens, inspired musically by John Lee Hooker, he became interested in the guitar, playing on street corners with friends, ... READ MORE ... (heart failure) b. December 30th 1928.
2009: Palghat R. Raghu (81) Burmese-born Indian musician and percussionist; he was inducted into mridangam lessons very early in his life. He has toured extensively in Europe, USA, Australia, Malaysia and Singapore. In addition to his brilliance in carnatic music, he has performed with such renowned artists such as Sitar Maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, Flute Hariprasad Chaurasia, Santoor Shivkumar Sharma alongside the Tabla Wizard Alla Rakha in numerous concerts in India and abroad. He has also been involved in East-West fusion music. He has been visiting professor of music at Wesleyan University, CT, San Diego State University and University of Berkeley. He regularly conducts advanced mridangam classes for the benefit of his students and upcoming mridangam artists (cardiac arrest) b. January 9th 1928.
2010: Giuseppe Taddei (93) Italian operatic baritone born in Genoa; he began his career at the age of 18 performing in a Wagner opera directed by Italian composer Arturo Toscanini, and sang in opera houses throughout the world past his 70s. His American debut took place at the San Francisco Opera in 1957, followed by his appearance with Lyric Opera of Chicago in 1959. Giuseppe sang regularly at the Royal Opera House in London from 1960 to 1967. His acclaimed debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York came at the age of 69. A Verdi and Mozart specialist, he played both Leporello and Don Giovanni in Mozart's 'Don Giovanni' and Iago in Verdi's 'Otello' and also sang with opera legends Maria Callas and Luciano Pavarotti (he sadly passed away in his own house in Rome) b. June 26th 1916
2011: Ray Bryant (79) American jazz pianist, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he began playing the piano at the age of six, also performing on bass in junior High School and tuenwd professional in his late teens. He accompanied many other leading players such as Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Melba Liston, and Coleman Hawkins, as well as singers Carmen McRae and Aretha Franklin. From the late 1950s, he led a trio, performing throughout the world, and also worked solo. In addition, he was a noted Jazz composer, with well-known themes such as "Cubano Chant," "The Madison Time," "Monkey Business," and "Little Susie" to his credit. Ray also formed a trio along with his bass playing brother Tommy and Oz Perkins as the back-up band for the off-Broadway run of the comedy show Cambridge Circus, at Square East in 1964. The show starred John Cleese, Bill Oddie, Tim Brooke-Taylor, David Hatch, Jo Kendall, Graham Chapman, Jonathan Lynn, and Jean Hart. (Ray sadly died after long illness) b. December 24th 1931.
2012: Frazier Mohawk/Barry Friedman (71) American record producer born in LA; in 1956 his godmother got him a position as assistant producer for the ABC program "Chucko the Clown" which led to a job on the show "Stars of Jazz" which started his love for music. In the early 1960s, he lived in France working as a photographer. Back in LA he found work as a publicist for disc jockey Bob Eubanks in 1962. He promoted The Beatles' appearance at The Hollywood Bowl in 1964 and became close friends with Stephen Stills. Frazier was a major factor in the formation of the group Buffalo Springfield, whom he served as their manager. He also produced for Paul Butterfield and psychedelic bands Kaleidoscope and the Holy Modal Rounders. In 1968 he produced the album "The Marble Index", a project with Nico and John Cale of the Velvet Underground. After marrying singer-songwriter, Essra Mohawk aka Sandra Hurvitz, he produced her records. He left the music industry in the mid 1970s and moved to the Toronto area where he established a traveling circus, and made Puck's Farm family attraction (sadly died after a long illness) b. December 12th 1941.

June 3.
1875: Georges Bizet (36) French composer of piano and opera, famous for his dramatic music and for the opera Carmen (The reception of Carmen left him acutely depressed; he fell victim to another attack of quinsy and soon after suffered two heart attacks from which he died) b. Oct 25th 1838.
1899: Johann Strauss II /Jr (73) Vienna's greatest composer of light music, a self-taught musician who established a musical dynasty in Vienna. The son of the famous “Waltz King,” he became the leading composer of late 19th-century Viennese operetta. He wrote only one ballet score, Cinderella, which was discovered after his death. (died from pneumonia in Vienna) b. Oct 25th 1899.
1975: Ozzie Nelson (69) American 40's & 50's radio and TV show presenter, entertainer and bandleader. He also originated and starred in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet radio and television series with his wife and two sons. He graduated from Rutgers University, where he played football despite his slight build, was a member of Cap and Skull, and entered law school. In college, he played saxophone in a small band and coached football to earn money, but faced with the Depression, he turned to music as a full-time career. He formed and led the Ozzie Nelson Band, from 1930 through the 1940s Nelson's band recorded prolifically, enjoying success with songs such as "Over Somebody Else's Shoulder" "Wave the Stick Blues", "Subway", "Jersey Jive", "Swingin' on the Golden Gate", and "Central Avenue Shuffle" and his number one hit with "And Then Some". He developed and produced his own radio series, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. The show went on the air in 1944, with the sons played by actors until 1949, and in 1952 it moved to television. The show starred the whole family, and America watched Ozzie and his wife Harriet, raise their 2 boys David and Ricky. Among the films Ozzie was involved with was "Love and Kisses",which he wrote, produced, and directed; it starred Ricky Nelson and Ricky's wife Kristin. In 1973, he published his autobiography, "Ozzie", and he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contribution to the television industry, and an additional star with his wife for their contribution to radio (cancer). b. March 20th 1906.
1990: Richard Sohl (37) American keyboard player, born in New York City; best known for his work with the Patti Smith Group. He also played with Iggy Pop, Nina Hagen and Elliott Murphy (sadly died of a heart attack while vacationing on Fire Island, New York) b. May 26th 1953.
1990: Stiv Bators (40) American singer and guitarist, born in Youngstown, Ohio. He played with a variety of bands beyond those for which he was best known. These short-term bands included Hormones, Frankenstein, The Wanderers and The Whores of Babylon and also recorded as a solo artist with Bomp! Records. But it was as the lead singer and driving force of the Dead Boys, however, that Stiv helped pioneer the punk rock sound, look and attitude. The band quickly became a popular staple at CBGB's, the music club in New York City's East Village. The Dead Boys were featured in the punk rock film Punking Out-1978, Live at CBGB's-1977 and Crash 'n' Burn-1977. (Stiv was struck by a taxi in Paris. He was taken to hospital but reportedly left before seeing a doctor, after waiting several hours. Reports indicate that he died in his sleep as the result of a concussion) b. October 22nd 1949.
1996: Ferdinand Leitner (86) German conductor; after studying composition and piano under Franz Schreker, Julius Prüwer, Artur Schnabel Karl Muck and Robert Kahn, through the help of Fritz Busch, he became a conductor in the 1930s. Between 1943-47 he was conductor of the Nollendorfplatz Theater in Berlin; in Hannover; and in Munchen; and starting in 1947 he became the General Music Director of the Württemberg State Opera in Stuttgart. He is famous as a conductor of opera, his favourite composers being Wagner, Richard Strauss, Mozart, and 20th century composers Carl Orff and Karl Amadeus Hartmann. He succeeded Erich Kleiber in 1956 as conductor for the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. From 1976 to 1980, he worked in The Hague as principal conductor of Het Residentie Orkest. Among his more than 300 recordings is a celebrated recording of Ferruccio Busoni's Doktor Faust (?) b. March 4th 1912.
1998: Poul Bundgaard (75) Danish actor, singer; Poul is probably best known for his role as the henpecked Kjeld in the Olsen Banden films. In addition to having appeared in a large number of Danish films, he starred in a number of operettas in the late 1940s and 1950s, and worked at the Royal Danish Theatre as a singer between '58-73; however, he focused mostly on acting later on in his career (died during the shooting of Olsen Bandens "sidste stik") b. October 27th 1922.
2004: Quorthon/Tomas Forsberg (38) Swedish singer-songwriter, guitarist and multi-musician born in Hägersten, Stockholm. He was the founder and songwriter of the pioneering Swedish black metal band Bathory, composing the music and wrote the lyrics on all of Bathory's albums and he is also credited with creating the Viking metal genre. At seventeen years old he was joined by bassist Hanoi and drummer Vans in 1983 to form Bathory. Their first recording deal came that same year, when Quorthon managed to secure the consent of Tyfon Grammofon's boss to record two tracks for the compilation Scandinavian Metal Attack. The tracks which he recorded gained unexpected attention by fans. Soon afterward, Tyfon Grammofon contacted Quorthon and asked him to record a full-length album. Bathory's 1984 self-titled debut album, and the subsequent releases The Return - 1985 and Under the Sign of the Black Mark -1987 are now regarded as major influences on the Norwegian bands which extended black metal's musical progression and popularity in the beginning of the 1990s. Quorthon and Bathory recorded 12 albums between 1984 and 2003, the last being Nordland II. (sadly he died of heart failure) b. February 17th 1966.
2006: Johnny Grande (76) US pianist and accordionist; original member of Bill Haley's backing band, The Comets. He was involved in the classic 1954 recording of "Rock Around the Clock". He also appeared with the band in most of their motion picture appearances, including Rock Around the Clock and Don't Knock the Rock. He left the group in late 1962 or early 1963, following a tour of Germany. In 1987, he reunited with other members of the 1954-55 Comets and continued to tour the world and record until the spring of 2006 when ill health forced him to retire (He died in his sleep in Clarksville, Tennessee of cancer-related causes) b. January 14th 1930.
2009: Sam Butera (81) American saxophonist; born in New Orleans, he started his career in Ray McKinley's orchestra directly after high school and was named one of America's top upcoming jazzmen by Look magazine when he was only 18 years old, by his early twenties, he had landed positions in the orchestras of Tommy Dorsey, Joe Reichman, and Paul Gayten. In '56 he formed his own band The Witnesses remaining their bandleader for the next twenty years. During that time, he performed with Louis Prima and/or Keely Smith on such Prima-associated classics as "Old Black Magic," "Dig That Crazy Chick," "Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody," "(Come on a) My House," and "I Want to Be Like You" (from Disney's The Jungle Book). He also played a part in the movie the Rat Race starring Debbie Reynolds and Tony Curtis. He played a scam artist along with Joe Bushkin who fleeced Curtis out of his instruments. The music can be heard on the LP and the CD released by Dot as a soundtrack of The Rat Race (Alzheimer's disease) b. August 17th 1927.
2009: Koko Taylor/Cora Walton (80) American blues singer, popularly known as the "Queen of the Blues.". She left her home in Memphis for Chicago in 1952 and began singing in the blues clubs where she was spotted by Willie Dixon, this led to her first recording contract. In 1965 "Wang Dang Doodle" was a major hit reaching number four on the R&B charts. Heavy touring in the late 1960s and early 1970s improved her fan base, and she signed with Alligator Records in 1975. She recorded nine albums for Alligator, 8 of which were Grammy-nominated, and dominated the female blues singer ranks, winning twenty five W. C. Handy Awards. The 1990s saw Koko in films such as Blues Brothers 2000. Over the years she influenced musicians such as Bonnie Raitt, Shemekia Copeland, Janis Joplin, Shannon Curfman, and Susan Tedeschi. In the years prior to her death, she performed over 70 concerts a year (complications from gastrointestinal surgery) b. September 28th 1928.
2010: Pance Pondaag (59) Indonesian pop singer and songwriter, born in Makassar he was one of Indonesia’s most famous pop musicians in the 1970s and 80s and also known for his sentimental lyrics sung by beautiful singers such as Meriam Bellina (complications from a stroke) b. February 18th 1951.
2011: Andrew Maurice Gold (59) American musician, born in Burbank, CA. He was a prolific multi-instrumentalist, film composer, artist, producer, session musician, actor, painter and singer. His works include the Top 10 single "Lonely Boy" in 1977, as well as "Thank You for Being a Friend"-'78, and "Never Let Her Slip Away"-'78. By the '70s he was working as a musician, songwriter and record producer for many musicians. He was a member of the LA band Bryndle with Kenny Edwards, Wendy Waldman and Karla Bonoff. He played a major role as multi-instrumentalist and arranger for Ronstadt's breakthrough album, 1974's Heart Like a Wheel, and her next four albums. In 1975, he began recording as a solo artist, releasing four studio albums in the 1970s and over twelve since then. His hit "Lonely Boy" reached No.7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Andrew's biggest UK hit song "Never Let Her Slip Away", reached No.5 twice, by him and again at No.5 14 years later by Undercover. Freddie Mercury, who was a friend of Andrew, assisted him with the harmony background vocals of the song. Throughout the years, he played on Stephen Bishop's hit, "On and On"; played and/or sang on records and/or live performances with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Brian Wilson, Don Henley, Cher's hit album, Heart of Stone, wrote hits for Trisha Yearwood, Wynonna Judd, for whom he co-wrote the No.1 single "I Saw The Light" with Lisa Angelle. The theme from the television series Mad About You, titled "Final Frontier," was used as the wake-up call for the Mars Pathfinder space probe in 1996 (sadly died of a heart attack) b. August 2nd 1951.
2011: Benny Spellman (79) American R&B singer born in Pensacola, Florida, best known for his 1962 hit "Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette)," and the original version of "Fortune Teller", covered by The Rolling Stones among others."Lipstick Traces" reached No. 28 on the Billboard Black Singles chart and No.80 on the Hot 100. He worked with Huey "Piano" Smith and sang backup on Ernie K-Doe's #1 hit, "Mother in Law". He recorded a single, "Word Game", on Atlantic Records in 1965, then he semi-retired from music to work in the beer industry. In 2009, Benny Spellman was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame (sadly Benny died of respiratory failure) b. December 11th 1931
2012: Andy Hamilton (94) Jamaican-born British jazz saxophonist and composer born in Port Maria, Jamaica, and learnt to play saxophone on a bamboo instrument. Influenced by American musicians such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie and by the Kingston-based bands of Redver Cook and Roy Coburn, he formed his first band in 1928 with friends who played oil drums and Andy on his bamboo sax. He spent some time in the U.S., having short jazz residencies in Buffalo and Syracuse, New York. After returning to Jamaica, he worked as musical arranger for Errol Flynn at his hotel The Titchfield, and on his yacht The Zaka. >>> READ MORE <<< (died peacefully in his sleep) b. March 26th 1918.

June 4.
1939: Tommy Ladnier (39) American jazz trumpeter. born in Louisiana he moved to New Orleans in his youth. He was influenced by early New Orleans trumpet/cornet players Bunk Johnson and Joe "King" Oliver. About 1919 he moved to Chicago, where he started making records in 1924. In 1926 he moved to New York City to join the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra. Two years later Tommy toured Europe with Sam Wooding's band, then returned to the States to rejoin Fletcher Henderson, and then played in Noble Sissle's Orchestra, with whom he again toured Europe. In the 1930s he co-led a band with Sidney Bechet called The New Orleans Feetwarmers, with whom Tommy made some of his best recordings (Tommy died so young, of a heart attack in New York City) b. May 28th 1900
1951: Sergei Koussevitzky (76) Russian-born Jewish conductor, composer and double-bassist, known for his long tenure as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1924 to 1949. In 1922, he commissioned what has come to be known as one of the greatest and most popular examples of orchestration in the repertoire, Maurice Ravel's arrangement of Modest Mussorgsky's 1874 suite for piano, Pictures at an Exhibition. It was premiered in Paris in 1923, and quickly became the most famous and celebrated orchestration of the work. As an avid supporter of new music, Sergei created the Koussevitzky Music Foundations in 1942. The basic aim of the foundations was to assist composers by commissioning new compositions and underwriting the cost of their performance (?) b. July 26th 1874.
1973: Murry Gage Wilson (55) American record producer, born in Hutchinson, Kansas. His family moved west to Los Angeles when he was five. While unsuccessfully writing songs, his biggest success was with a dance song, "Two-Step Side-Step", which was featured by Lawrence Welk on his radio program in 1952 and covered on record by RCA Victor Western Swing artist Johnnie Lee Wills, as well as country music singer Bonnie Lou. He also wrote songs recorded in the early 1950s by doo-wop group The Hollywood Flames. Murry is best remembered as the father of The Beach Boys members Brian Wilson, Dennis Wilson, and Carl Wilson, uncle of bandmate Mike Love, and was also the original manager of the band and served as their music publisher (sadly died after suffering a heart attack) b. July 2nd 1917.
1992: Harold 'Geezil' Minerve (70) Cuban freelance alto saxophonist and flautist; he toured with Ray Charles and was the musical director for Arthur Prysock. He raised in Florida and began playing music at age 12, playing with Ida Cox early in his career. He worked with Buddy Johnson from '49-57, with Mercer Ellington in '60, Ray Charles 62-64, and then Arthur Prysock. In 1971 he joined the Duke Ellington Orchestra, filling Johnny Hodges's spot after Hodges's death. He remained with the Ellington Orchestra until '74, then returned to play with Mercer Ellington. (?) b. Jan 3rd 1922.
1994: Derek 'Lek' Leckenby (51) English guitarist born in Leeds, West Yorkshire. , most famous for his work with Herman's Hermits. He played on many of the band's early hits and composed songs with band. He is credited with arranging the band's first big hit, "I'm into Something Good". His skills on guitar and dobro are heard on releases such as the LP A Whale of a Tale and the later singles, such as "Ginny Go Softly" and "Heart Get Ready for Love". He went on to be sort after session player (sadly died frrom non-Hodgkin lymphomas) b. May 14th 1994.
1997: Johnny "Hammond" Smith (53) American organist, in Louisville, KY, and a renowned player of the Hammond B-3 organ, thus earning "Hammond" as a nickname. His career took off as he was serving as accompanist to singer Nancy Wilson. One of his last accomplishments also included Nancy Wilson. He wrote the song "Quiet Fire" for her "Nancy Now" release in 1989. In 1959, he began recording as a leader for Prestige, an association that would last through 1970 and produce highlights like That Good Feelin', Talk That Talk, Black Coffee, Open House, Ebb Tide, and Soul Talk, among others. His bands featured singers such as Etta Jones and Houston Person. As time passed, Smith's style got progressively funkier, and in 1971, he shortened his name to Johnny Hammond. In the late 70s Johnny largely retired from jazz, settling in Southern California and investing in real estate. He began recording sporadically again in the '90s. (died after a battle with cancer) b. December 16th 1933.
1997: Ronnie Lane (53) English singer, songwriter, bassist and co-founder of Small Faces and Faces, born in the East End of London. He quit school at 16 to a band with Kenney Jones called "The Outcasts". Ronnie played lead guitar, but it was quickly decided that he should switch to bass guitar. He bought his bass guitar from a shop were Steve Marriott who was working. Steve introduced him to Motown and Stax. Ronnie and Steve set out to put together a band, and recruited friends Kenny Jone and Jimmy Winston, who switched from guitar to the organ, Steve was chosen to be the vocalist and in 1965 Small Faces was born (by 1966 Winston was replaced by Ian McLagan as the band's keyboardist). With memorable hit songs such as "Itchycoo Park", "Lazy Sunday", "All or Nothing", "Tin Soldier", and their concept album Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake, they later evolved into one of the UK's most successful psychedelic acts before disbanding in 1969. After which Ronnie, Ian and Kenney were joined by Ronnie Wood (guitar) and Rod Stewart (lead vocals), both from The Jeff Beck Group, and the new line-up was renamed Faces. Ronnie left Faces in 1973 to form his own band, Ronnie Lane's Slim Chance. The same year they recorded the hit singles "How Come" and "The Poacher", then the album "Anymore For Anymore", showcasing his own blend of UK rock, folk, and country music. In 1977 while recording the album Rough Mix, a collaboration between himself and The Who guitarist Pete Townsend Ronnie was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Nonetheless, he toured, wrote, and recorded, with Eric Clapton, and many others, and managed to release yet another album, See Me, which features several songs written by Lane and Clapton. Glen Johns organised concerts at the Royal Albert Hall to help fund the Action for Research into Multiple Sclerosis, a London-based organization. The concerts featured Ronnie, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, Kenney Jones, Andy Fairweather-Low, and more. With the addition of Joe Cocker and Paul Rodgers, they all toured the U.S. It was during this time that Rodgers and Page started the band, The Firm. Ronnie and his Family moved to Texas in 1984, where the climate was more beneficial to his health, and continued playing, writing, and recording. He formed an American version of Slim Chance. For close to a decade Ronnie enjoyed his rock status in the Austin area and even toured Japan. His health continued to decline, and his last performance was in 1992 at a Ronnie Wood gig. Also in the band that night was Ian McLagan. (Ronnie sadly died of pneumonia) b. April 1st 1946.
2001: John Hartford (63) American folk singer, guitar, fiddle, and banjo player, songwriter and double Emmy Award Winner; Born in New York City but brought up in in St. Louis, Missouri. By age 13, he was an accomplished old-time fiddler and banjo player, and he soon learned to play guitar and mandolin as well. He formed his first bluegrass band while still in high school at John Burroughs School. In 1965, he moved to Nashville, the center of the country music industry and in 1966, he signed with RCA Victor, and produced his first album, Looks at Life, in the same year. In 1967, Hartford's second album Earthwords & Music spawned his first major hit, "Gentle On My Mind". At the 1968 Grammies, the song netted four awards, two of which went to John, and it became one of the most widely recorded country songs of all time. He also had extensive knowledge of Mississippi River lore, his love for the river influenced his music throughtout his career. John's Grammy-winning Mark Twang features him playing solo, reminiscent of his live solo performances playing the fiddle, guitar, banjo, and amplified plywood for tapping his feet. At the same time, he developed a stage show, which toured in various forms from the mid 1970s until shortly before his death (sadly taken by Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma) b. December 30th 1937.
2004: Steve Lacy/Steven Norman Lackritz (59) American jazzman, soprano saxophonist born in New York City; he came to prominence in the 1950s as a progressive Dixieland musician, and went on to a long and prolific career. He worked extensively in experimental jazz and dabbled in free improvisation, but his music was typically melodic and tightly-structured. He began his career at sixteen playing Dixieland music with much older musicians such as Henry "Red" Allen, Pee Wee Russell, George "Pops" Foster and Zutty Singleton and then with Kansas City jazz players like Buck Clayton, Dicky Wells, and Jimmy Rushing. He then became involved with the avant-garde, performing on Jazz Advance in 1956, the debut album of Cecil Taylor, and appearing with Taylor's groundbreaking quartet at the 1957 Newport Jazz Festival; he also made a notable appearance on an early Gil Evans album. His most enduring relationship, however, was with the music of Thelonious Monk: he recorded the first album to feature only Monk compositions, Reflections-1958 and briefly played in Monk's band in 1960 and later on Monk's Big Band/Quartet album-1963. In 1992, he was the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, nicknamed the "genius grant" (sadly died of cancer) b. July 23rd 1934.
2006: Peter Greenwell (76) English composer and pianist known for his work with Noel Coward who later developed a tribute show described by Alan Jay Lerner as "the best Noel Coward since Noel Coward. Born in Hampton-in-Arden, Warwickshire, Greenwell started his theatrical career in Ireland in the 1940s, and came to prominence in the London theatre in 1955 with Hattie Jacques's production at the Players' Theatre, beneath Charing Cross station, of Twenty Minutes South, which moved to the St Martin's Theatre. Peter and Coward had met for the first time in 1962. They worked together on concerts and recordings until Coward's death in 1973. Collaborating for several years with the late Caryl Brahms and Ned Sherrin, led to his first stage appearance in April 1984 in Noel, a charity performance in honour of Coward at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. In it he sang and played Coward songs. Three months later his cabaret debut at the Pizza on the Park confirmed his ability to evoke Coward himself, as a performer of Coward's songs, he was unrivalled, as with his winks, nods and allusions on Coward's additions to Cole Porter's Let's Do It. In 1995 Greenwell played at Chichester in David Kernan's Let's Do It and the following year his one-man show, A Talent to Amuse (Vaudeville), displayed his subtle wit and timing. In 1999 he appeared at the Coward conference at Birmingham University, after which he moved to Spain (?) b. August 12th 1929.
2006: Raul Indipwo (72) Portuguese singer, in the late 1950's he was part of a famous duet called "Duo Ouro Negro" with Milu Mac-Mahom Vitória Pereira. He greatly contributed to the diffusion of Angolan music abroad (sadly lost to cancer) b. November 30th 1933.
2006: Richard Kapp (69) American conductor; he founded the chamber orchestra Philharmonia Virtuosi of New York in 1968 and has been their Artistic Director since then. The orchestra became a fixture on the New York-area musical scene until it suspended concerts in 2004, when he became ill (sadly died of cancer) b. October 9th 1936.
2007: Freddie Scott (74) American singer; began his career as a songwriter for Colpix Records, along with Carole King and Gerry Goffin, famous for his chart-topping hit "Hey, Girl". His 1968 "You Got What I Need" was sampled for the 1989 Biz Markie hit, "Just a Friend". It was also sampled for Ghostface Killah's "Save Me Dear" in 2004. The song was also parodied by New York DJ Rob Gee. Scotts "Baby I'm Sorry" was recorded by Ricky Nelson for his 1957 debut album Ricky. Freddie later hit the oldies circuit, and released 2 albums in the 1990s, one in 2001, and one in 2004. He also was a contributor to Van Morrison's Vanthology album released in 2003 (sadly died of a heart attack) b. April 24th 1933.
2008: Bill Finegan (91) American jazz arranger and bandleader; born in Newark, New Jersey, he spent time studying at the Paris Conservatory and led his own piano trio. In the mid-late 30s he was offered a job as a staff arranger for Glenn Miller after Tommy Dorsey bought a copy of Bill's "Lonesome Road". Bill remained with Miller until '42, and arranged such hits as "Little Brown Jug", "Sunrise Serenade", "Song of the Volga Boatmen", and "Jingle Bells", arranged in collaboration with Glenn Miller. Bill also arranged music for films in which the band appeared, such as Sun Valley Serenade-1941 and Orchestra Wives-1942. He then worked off and on for Tommy Dorsey from 1942 to 1952, including on the 1947 film The Fabulous Dorseys. Bill lived in Europe from 1948-1950. After returning to the US, he and Eddie Sauter formed a highly successful ensemble, the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, which remained active until 1957. His composition "Doodletown Fifers" was one of the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra's best-known originals. Following this he found work writing music for commercials. In the 1970s he arranged for the Glenn Miller Orchestra and Mel Lewis's orchestra and taught jazz at the University of Bridgeport in the 1980s. (sadly pneumonia) b. April 3rd 1917.
2009: Jean Sagadeev (42) Russian rock singer, bassist, guitarist; a founder member and leader of the russian monster of rock and heavy metal band E.S.T /Electro-convulsive therapy. They made their debut at the “Festival of Hope” Moscow Rock Laboratory in 1988 and won first place at many all-union competitions, they quickly acquired the status of “cult” group and have become the “monsters of rock USSR.” After their second German tour E.S.T. released their first album - "Electro Shock Therapy", recieving positive comments in U.K. and Europe. E.S.T. toured intensively in Russia and abroad - Austria, Belgium, Germany, Finland and USA, performing along side world rockers including Sepultura, Faith no More, Nazareth, Uriah Heep, Motorhead, among others. In 1991, the band participated in the famous concert at Tushinskaya airport in Moscow, with the monster bands AC/DC and Metallica. In 2007, Jean received from the Secretary-General of the charity movement VI Maslov medal “For the sake of life on Earth” with the wording “For the noble thoughts and deeds” (suspected, but suspitious suicide by hanging, awaiting an autopsy) b. July 8th 1967.
2011: Dimi Mint Abba/Loula Bint Siddaty Ould Abba (52) Mauritanian singer, her professional career began in 1976, when she sang on the radio and then competed, the following year, in the Umm Kulthum Contest in Tunis. Her winning song "Sawt Elfan"/"Art's Plume" has the refrain "Art's Plume is a balsam, a weapon and a guide enlightening the spirit of men", which can be interpreted to mean that artists play a more important role than warriors in society. Her first international release was on the World Circuit record label, following a recommendation from Ali Farka Touré. On this album, she was accompanied by her husband Khalifa Ould Eide and her 2 daughters. She composed famous and popular Mauritanian songs like "Hailala" and "Koumba bay bay" (sadly Dimi died of a brain hemorrhage in Casablanca, Morocco following a stage accident in Aioun ten days earlier when she was singing for Sahrawi public) b. December 25th 1958.
2011: David "Frankie" Toler (59) American drummer for The Allman Brothers Band, Gregg Allman Band, and Marshall Tucker Band among others. He came to national attention as the drummer on Dickey Betts & Great Southern’s 1978 album “Atlanta’s Burning Down” and toured extensively with the group. He was then asked to be the drummer for the Allman Brothers Band and appeared on their 1981 album “Brothers of the Road,” which featured the Top 40 hit single “Straight from the Heart”. When Gregg Allman began planning his solo album at the time, he only had one drummer in mind for his new band: Frankie. Frankie recorded two albums with Allman, including the 1986 gold record “I’m No Angel”, and toured as the drummer with The Gregg Allman Band. He was a big part of that era of the Brothers (sadly Frankie died after a long illness following liver transplant) b. June 28th 1951.
2011: Martin Rushent (63) English record producer born in Enfield, Middlesex. He got employment at Advision Studios as a 35mm film projectionist. After approximately 3 months, he began working in the audio department as a tape operator alongside Tony Visconti. He worked on sessions for Fleetwood Mac, T-Rex, Yes, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Petula Clark, Jerry Lee Lewis and Osibisa. He went on to set up his own studio, and produced the likes of The Human League, XTC, Generation X, Altered Images, The Go-Go's, The Pipettes, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Killa Kela and Hazel O'Connor's. At the time of his death, Martin was working on a 30th anniversary version of Dare remixed like Love and Dancing but using musical instruments instead of synthesizers (?) b. July 11th 1948.
2012: Alexander Curly/Harm Douwe Breemer (65) Dutch singer, he played in the sixties in the Maestro's before forming a band with the guitarist of the duo Budhi. In 1972 he went solo and debuted with the No.1 "I'll Never Drink Again". In 1999 this number was used in a campaign against alcohol abuse. In 1975 he was again topped the charts with Guus. In 1976 he received the Silver Harp. With the song Hollanders (1981) he scored his last hit in the top 40 and the National Hit Parade. Later that year the song was also a football version. In the early 80s Curly retired from the music and spent the last years on Ibiza (sadly died while battling cancer) b. August 14th 1946.
2012: Eduard Khil (77) Russian singer, in 1955, he enrolled in the Leningrad Conservatory, graduating in 1960. During his studies, he began performing various lead operatic roles, including Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro. After graduating he fell in love with pop music after attending a Klavdiya Shulzhenko concert, and started to perform popular music. This led to him winning several prizes in the next two decades. He won the "All Russian Competition for Performers" in 1962 and second place in Sopot International Song Festival in 1965. In 1974 he was honored with Russia's most prestigious artist award, the People's Artist of Russia. Since 1997, he has been involved with his son in a joint project with the rock group Prepinaki. For his 75th birthday, Eduard was awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 4th Class in 2009 by Russia and in 2010 performed in St. Petersburg's Victory Day Parade (Eduard suffered a stroke and was hospitalized with serious brain damage, where he fell into a coma; sadly he died a week later) b. September 4th 1934.
2012: Nobuki "Johnny" Yoshinaga (63) Japanese drummer in 1978 he formed power trio Johnny, Louis & Char with guitarist Char and bassist Luis Kabe, renaming themselves Pink Cloud (sadly died of pneumonia) b. March 21st 1949.
2012: Herb Reed (83) American bass singer born in Kansas City, Missouri, and moved to Los Angeles when he was fifteen years old with just $3 in his pocket and the clothes he stood up in. He had several odd jobs until in 1953 he recruited Alex Hodge, Cornell Gunter, David Lynch, Joe Jefferson, Gaynel Hodge and formed a harmonizing street singers group. Herb called his vocal group The Platters, after noticing that DJs in the 1950s called their records, "platters". They managed to get a contract with Federal Records, before signing to Mercury Records. The group had a few line-up changes and Herb was the only member of The Platters who sang on all of the near on 400 songs recorded by the group, which included huge hits such as "Only You (And You Alone)", "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes", "The Great Pretender", "(You've Got) The Magic Touch", >>> READ MORE <<< (sadly Herb died from complications of several ailments, including heart disease, at a hospice in Boston) b. August 7th 1928.

June 5.
1990: Jim Hodder (42) American drummer, born in Boston; he was the original drummer with Steely Dan in 1972, but left in 1974. While part of Steely Dan, he worked on the ''Can't Buy a Thrill'' and "Countdown to Ecstasy" albums as well as part of "Pretzel Logic". In 1972 he sang lead vocal on "Midnight Cruiser" and on "Dallas" which appeared only on a 7" record and was reissued on a 12" EP titled Plus Fours from 1978. Jim continued working as a session musician for musicians such as Sammy Hagar and David Soul (tragically drowned in his swimming pool) b. December 17th 1947.
1993: Conway Twitty (59) US country singer, guitarist; in Friars Point, Mississippi and moved to Helena, Arkansas at 10 years of age, where he put together his first singing group, the Phillips County Ramblers. Two years later, he had his own local radio show every Saturday morning. After his call up he had his first hit in 1958 "It's Only Make Believe" which was the first of nine Top 40 hits, reaching No.1 and selling eight million copies, as well as being an international hit. He is thought of as a country music singer, but he also enjoyed success in early rock and roll, R&B, and pop music. Until 2006, he held the record for the most #1 singles of any country act, with 40 #1 Billboard country hits. (George Strait broke the record in 2006 with the single "Give It Away"). Over his long and highly successful career Conway has been honoured with 6 awards from the Academy of Country Music, 4 from the Country Music Association and 2 Grammy awards, He has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Delta Music Museum Hall of Fame, the Rockabilly Hall of Fame (died in Cox South Hospital from an abdominal aortic aneurysm) b. September 1st 1933.
1999: Mel Torme (73) American jazz singer and songwriter born in Chicago, Illinois, a child prodigy, he first sang professionally at age 4 with the Coon-Sanders Orchestra, singing "You're Driving Me Crazy" at Chicago's Blackhawk restaurant. Between 1933 and 1941, he acted in the network radio serials The Romance of Helen Trent and Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy. He wrote his first song at 13, and three years later, his first published song, "Lament to Love," became a hit recording for Harry James. He played drums in Chicago's Shakespeare Elementary School drum and bugle corps in his early teens. While a teenager, he sang, arranged, and played drums in a band led by Chico Marx of the Marx Brothers, in 1943, he made his movie debut in Frank Sinatra's first film, the musical Higher and Higher and graduated from Chicago's Hyde Park High School in 1944. He went on to sing and act in many films and television episodes throughout his career, and hosting his own TV show in 1951–52. In 1944 he formed the vocal quintet "Mel Tormé and His Mel-Tones, and went solo in 1947 and his versions of "Again" and "Blue Moon" became signature tunes. In the 60s and 70s he was performing as often as 200 times a year around the globe. In 1976, he won an Edison Award (the Dutch equivalent of the Grammy) for best male singer, and a Down Beat award for best male jazz singer and in Feb '99 Mel was honoured with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. (1996, a stroke abruptly ended his 65-year singing career; sadly another stroke ended his life.) b. September 13th 1925.
1999: Ernie Wilkins (76) American jazz arranger, writer and tenor saxophone born in St. Louis, Missouri. Maybe best known for his work with Count Basie, but he also wrote for Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, and Dizzy Gillespie. In addition to that he was musical director for albums by Cannonball Adderley, Dinah Washington, Oscar Peterson, and Buddy Rich; while in Denmark he formed the "Almost Big Band" so he could write for a band of his own formation. The idea was partly inspired by his wife Jenny, the band was made up of noted American ex-patriates like Kenny Drew and Ed Thigpen (sadly Ernie died of a stroke) b. July 20th 1922.
2002: Dee Dee Ramone/Douglas Colvin (50) German-American songwriter and bass player, best known as founding member, bassist and main songwriter of the punk rock band The Ramones. Born in Fort Lee, Virginia, while an infant his family relocated to Berlin, Germany, due to his father's military service. At 15, he, his mother and sister Beverley, moved to the Forest Hills section of New York City. He soon met John Cummings and Thomas Erdelyi and together they formed The Ramones. Dee Dee wrote or co-wrote most of the Ramones' repertoire, such as "53rd and 3rd" (a song about male prostitution at 53rd Street and 3rd Avenue in Manhattan, allegedly based on personal experience), "Glad to See You Go" (written about his then-girlfriend, a stripper and fellow drug user with a volatile personality), "It's a Long Way Back to Germany", "Chinese Rock" and "Wart Hog" (a song Dee Dee wrote in rehab). After he quit the Ramones, Dee Dee continued to write songs for them, contributing at least three songs to each of their albums. He had many projects including a brief hip hop career as rapper "Dee Dee King" with the album Standing in the Spotlight and the band I.C.L.C, who in 1994 toured 22 countries over a 10-month period, to promote the I Hate Freaks Like You album. (Dee Dee struggled with drug addiction since his teens, sadly he died from a heroin overdose) b. September 18th 1951.
2003: Manuel Rosenthal (98) French composer and conductor; Désiré-Emile Inghelbrecht appointed him his assistant when the Orchestre National de France was founded in 1934 and he continued to compose, largely chansons for various shows. His breakthrough as a conductor came in 1936, when the Radio PTT - the forerunner of Radio France - set up its own orchestra and appointed him to its head. In 1947 an invitation from Jack Hilton brought him and his orchestra to join Sir Thomas Beecham and his, the Royal Philharmonic, in a concert that filled the Harringay Arena with 13,500 listeners. In 1948 he was appointed chief conductor of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. He was music director of the Orchestre Symphonique de Liège from 1964-1967. Manuel also served as professor of conducting at the Paris Conservatoire from 1962 to 1974. He conducted the first performance of Pelléas et Mélisande in Russia in Moscow in 1988, and later that year gave the premiere of the same work in Caracas, Venezuela (?) b. June 18th 1904.
2004: Iona Brown OBE (63) British violinist and conductor born in Salisbury; from 1963-66, Iona was a member of the Philharmonia Orchestra. In 1964, she joined the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, working her way up through the ranks to become a soloist and director in 1974. She formally left the Academy in 1980, but continued to work with them for the remainder of her life. In 1981, she was appointed artistic director of the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra. She served as music director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra from 1987 to 1992. From 1985 to 1989, she was guest director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. As her health declined and she suffered from arthritis, she shifted her focus from the violin to conducting, and ended her violin career in 1998. In the last years until her death, she was chief conductor of the Sth Jutland Symphony Orchestra Denmark. (sadly died of cancer) b. January 7th 1941.
2006: Elizabeth Fretwell OBE (85) Australian prima donna opera singer best known for her performances with the Sadler's Wells company. Born in Murrumbeena, Melbourne, she came to the UK to study under the tenor Joseph Hislop. After returning to Australia she quickly started to make a name for herself, taking soprano roles in operas by Mozart and Puccini, amongst others. After an extramaritol scandal, Betty returned to the UK, where her first professional engagement was for Dublin's Grand Opera company. Her performances there came to the attention of Sadler's Wells and in 1955 they engaged her services as principal soprano. From the early 1960s to 1970 she went back and forth between Australia and the UK performing. In 1965 she gave her only performances at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in Aida and Il tabarro. She also performed with Scottish and Canadian companies and in North America. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1977 (a ruptured cerebral artery aneurysm) b. August 13th 1920.
2009: Boris Pokrovsky (97) Russian operatic stage director of the Bolshoi Theatre between 1943 and 1982. After which he founded the Moscow Chamber Opera Theatre. He also served as the artistic director of the Bolshoi in 1952-1963 and 1973-1982 and was named a People's Artist of the USSR in 1961. His production of Vano Muradeli's opera The Great Friendship was the target of the second Zhdanov Ukase in1948, and it was he who first staged Sergei Prokofiev's War and Peace in 1946. Boris's many awards include four Stalin Prizes in 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950; a Lenin Prize in 1980; two Orders of Lenin in 1967, 1976; as well as two State Prizes in 1995 and 2004 (?) b. January 23rd 1912.
2009: Jeff Hanson (31) American singer-songwriter, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist; from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He started learning guitar at 4 and by 13 he formed the indie rock band M.I.J. In 2000, the band released the album "Radio Goodnight" before Jeff started his solo carreer. With his soft falsetto voice, he rose to underground fame in 2003 when he was signed to Kill Rock Stars, the label that launched Sleater-Kinney and Elliott Smith. He released three records for the label, including last year's "Madam Owl" and an eponymous 2005 album that earned a 7.8 rating out of 10 from trendsetting music blog PitchforkMedia.com. He has toured overseas including Japan and more recently toured the West Coast and Scandinavia this spring... 2009, with fellow songwriter Chris Koza (found dead in his St. Paul apartment that he had recently moved into. The cause was a possible tragic fall or other household accident) b. 1978
2010: Danny Bank (87) American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, flautist and in his day one of the most in-demand studio musicians; he played with Charlie Barnet from 1942–44, and would return to play with him repeatedly over the next few decades. He also played with Benny Goodman, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, and Paul Whiteman in the 1940s. Following this he recorded with Charlie Parker, Rex Stewart, the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, Johnny Hodges, Urbie Green, Clifford Brown and Helen Merrill, Art Farmer, Wes Montgomery, Quincy Jones, Jimmy Smith, Chico O’Farrill, Betty Carter, Ray Charles, and Tony Fruscella. Maybe Danny is best known for his association with Miles Davis in Gil Evans's orchestra; he appears on the albums Sketches of Spain, Miles Ahead, and Porgy and Bess. He also played with Miles on his 1961 Carnegie Hall concert. Later in the 1960s he recorded with the big bands of Charles Mingus, Sonny Rollins, and Stanley Turrentine (?) b. July 17th 1922.
2010: Arne Nordheim (78) Norwegian contemporary classical composer, born in Larvik. He was educated at Oslo's Music Conservatory and he frequently received guidance in composition by the Danish composer Vagn Holmboe. Arne also studied electronic music with Gaudeamus in Bilthoven, Netherlands. His musical output is focused around themes of 'solitude, death, love, and landscape' (Aksnes); these themes are evident in his song cycle Aftonland (Evening Land, 1959), a setting of poems by the Swedish poet Pär Lagerkvist, which brought him national recognition. The 1961 Canzona per orchestra was his international breakthrough. Inspired by Giovanni Gabrieli's canzone, the work showcases Nordheim's historical leanings, as well as his occupation with space as a parameter of music. His later compositions include The Tempest; Klokkesong; Magma; the Violin Concerto; and Fonos for trombone and orchestra. On August 18th 2006, Arne received the honorary doctors degree at the Norwegian Academy of Music (?) b. June 20th 1931.
2011: Leon Botha aka DJ Solarize (26) South African artist and musical DJ; born in Cape Town, he was diagnosed with progeria around the age of 4 years. He had no formal training in art beyond high school courses, but became a full-time painter after gradu tion, doing commissioned works. In 2005, Botha successfully underwent heart bypass surgery to prevent a heart attack due to progeria-related atherosclerosis. In January 2007, Botha had his first solo art exhibition, entitled "Liquid Sword; I am HipHop", revolving around hip-hop culture as a way of life. He was also engaged in deejaying and turntablism under the name DJ Solarize. He was featured alongside Watkin Tudor Jones, aka Ninja, in the music video "Enter the Ninja" from Die Antwoord (sadly died from progeria-related heart failure) b. June 4th 1985.
2011: Azam Khan (61) Bangladeshi pop singer and founded a band called Uchcharon in the early 1970s. He is honored as Guru of Pop Music in Bangladesh. Azam together with pop music contemporaries Fakir Alamgir, Pilu Momtaz, Najma Zaman and Ferdous Wahid, is credited with pioneering and popularizing Bangla pop music in the years immediately following the country's independence. He was a Freedom fighter who fought against the Pakistani army in the Liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971. After the war, he introduced an energetic brand of music. His first concert in television was broadcasted in 1972 in Bangladesh Television. His popular tunes included Ore Saleka, Ore Maleka, Jibone Kichhu Pabona Re, Ami Jare Chaire, Ashi Ashi Bole Tumi, Obhimani, Rail liner bostite, Hei Allah Hei Allah Re and many others (sadly Azam died of cancer) b. February 28th 1950.
2011: Gordon Lorenz (61) British songwriter and record producer, born in Childwall; he made his fame by writing the UK Christmas number one hit "There's No-one Quite Like Grandma" for St Winifred’s School Choir. Since the song's release, he has become one of the most prolific record producers in the music industry, producing over 800 albums (believed to be a world record), selling eight million records, and earning seventeen platinum, gold and silver discs. He has worked with dozens of arists including Cliff Richard, John Dankworth, Ruthie Henshall, Howard Keel, George Hamilton IV, Atomic Kitten, Joe Longthorne, David Soul, Ken Dodd, Richard Fleeshman, Gloria Gaynor, Paul Jones, Lorna Luft, Humphrey Lyttleton, George Melly, Anthony Newley, Roger Whittaker, Toyah Wilcox and many more as well as several different choirs and orchestras (?) b. 1949.
2012: Dennis St. John (70) American drummer and musical director; he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emory University. A gifted percussionist, He began his career in music after forming a band in college, after which he relocated to Los Angeles, where he went on to play on over fifty gold and platinum albums with top artists of the sixties and seventies. Dennis is best known as Neil Diamond's drummer and musical director from 1971-1981. He considered the recording of "Hot August Night" in 1972 at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles the highlight of his career. (sadly Dennis has died while fighting esophageal cancer) b. November 9th 1941.

June 6.
1922: Lillian Russell/Helen Louise Leonard (60) American actress and singer born in Iowa but raised in Chicago. She became one of the most famous actresses and singers of the late 19th century and early 20th century. At the age of 18, she moved to New York with her mother, where she quickly began to perform professionally, singing for Tony Pastor and playing roles in comic opera, including Gilbert and Sullivan works. She married composer Edward Solomon in 1884 and created roles in several of his operas in London, but in 1886 he was arrested for bigamy. In 1885, Lillian returned to New York and continued to star in operetta and musical theatre. For many years, she was the foremost singer of operettas in America, performing continuously through the end of the 19 century. In 1899, she joined the Weber and Fields's Music Hall, where she starred for five years. After 1904, she began to have vocal difficulties and switched to acting roles. She later returned to her singing but this time in vaudeville, finally retiring from performing around 1919. In her later years, Lillian wrote a newspaper column, advocated women's suffrage and was a popular lecturer (She suffered which were thought to be minor injuries on her return trip from an immigration fact finding mission in Europe for President Warren Harding, but her injuries led to complications, and she sadly died after ten days of illness. Her findings were instrumental in a 1924 immigration reform law. Lillian was buried with full military honors) b. December 4th 1861.
1966: Claudette Orbison/Claudette Frady (25) Roy Orbison's first wife (killed when a truck pulled out of a side road and collided with the motorbike that she and Roy were riding on) b. Sept 1941
1968: George Wettling (60) American Jazz drummer; worked with the big bands of Artie Shaw, Bunny Berigan, Red Norvo, Paul Whiteman, and even Harpo Marx: but he was at his best for his work in small 'hot' bands led by Eddie Condon, Muggsy Spanier, and himself (?) b. November 28th 1907
1986: Dick Rowe (?) British record producer for Decca; He was one of the most important producers and record executives in the '50s and early '60s, the man who signed The Rolling Stones, Them (Van Morrison), The Moody Blues, The Animals, The Zombies, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, The Tornados, Tom Jones, and The Small Faces, among others. But probably more famous for being the man who would not sign the Beatles, thinking they had no future. As a producer he had many chart hits including The Stargazer -"Broken Wings", Lita Roza - "(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?", Jimmy Young - "Unchained Melody", Them - "Baby Please Don't Go" and "Gloria"; The Bachelors - "My Charmaine" and "Marta", Dickie Valentine - "Christmas Alphabet", Billy Fury - "Halfway to Paradise"and "Jealousy", Al Hibbler - "Unchained Melody to mention just a few (diabetes) b. ??
1991: Stan Getz/Stanley Gayetzky (64) American jazz saxophone player born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1941, he was accepted into the All City High School Orchestra of New York City. In 1943 at the age of 15, he was accepted into Jack Teagarden's band. Getz also played along with Nat King Cole and Lionel Hampton. After playing for Stan Kenton, Jimmy Dorsey, and Benny Goodman, Stan was a soloist with Woody Herman from 1947 to 1949. In the mid to late 1950s working from Scandinavia, Stan played cool jazz with Horace Silver, Johnny Smith, Oscar Peterson, and many others. His first two quintets including Charlie Parker's rhythm section of drummer Roy Haynes, pianist Al Haig and bassist Tommy Potter. A 1953 line-up of the Dizzy Gillespie/Stan Getz Sextet featured Gillespie, Getz, Oscar Peterson, Herb Ellis, Ray Brown and Max Roach. He continued playing with many greats. In the mid-1980s he worked regularly in the San Francisco Bay area and taught at Stanford University where he was artist-in-residence at the Stanford Jazz Workshop until 1988 when he worked with Huey Lewis and the News on their Small World album. Towards the end of his life he played with a group including the pianist Kenny Barron. Stan was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1986 (sadly died of liver cancer) b. February 2nd 1927.
1996: William Palmer (84) American filmmaker, inventor, and audio recording pioneer; working with Bing Crosby, ABC, and Ampex just after World War II, he was the essential catalyst that began the era of high-quality audio magnetic tape recording in America, when William and his colleague, John T. Mullin, perfected an American version of the German "Magnetophon" high-fidelity audio tape recorder in 1946. Using the Mullin-Palmer tape machines in 1946, Merv Griffin in San Francisco was the first U.S. performer to master a commercial disc on tape, "Songs by Merv Griffin", with Lyle Bardo and his Orchestra. In the early 1950s, before the successful introduction of the VTR, William invented a unique system for recording the TV image on 16mm film, a modified "kinescope" process, the Palmer Television Film Recorder, which eliminated the "kine" shutter bar problem was used around the world even after video tape. The 3-2 pull-down system used a "blending" shutter device that eliminated the characteristic "shutter bar" that plagued kine recordings. During the pre-videotape era, Palmer also recorded television shows on film (kinescopes) for San Francisco Bay Area TV stations, including the award-winning series, "The Standard Hour", broadcast on ABC's KGO-TV in 1951 (?) b 1911.
2001: Professor Douglas Gordon Lilburn (85) A prolific and influential New Zealand composer, described as "the elder statesman of New Zealand music" and the "grandfather of New Zealand music". He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Otago in 1969 and was presented with the Citation for Services to New Zealand Music by the Composers' Association of New Zealand in 1978. In 1988 he was awarded the Order of New Zealand. His prizes and scholarships included: the Percy Grainger Competition, 1936, for his tone poem Fores; the Cobbett Prize, Royal College of Music, 1939 for Phantasy for String Quarte; the Foli Scholarship and Hubert Parry Prize, Royal College of Music, 1939; three out of four of the prizes in the New Zealand National Centennial Music Celebrations Competitions, 1940; and the Philip Neill Memorial Prize in 1944. He was founder of Waiteata Press Music Editions in 1967 and founder of the Lilburn Trust of the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, 1984.(died peacefully at his home) b. November 2nd 1915.
2002: Robbin Crosby (42) American guitarist, songwriter and producer, born in La Jolla, California. Robbin joined the Glam metal band Ratt towards the end of 1981 and co-wrote many of Ratt's songs including "Round and Round", "Wanted Man" and "Lay it Down". Out of the Cellar went to triple platinum based on Robbin's co-penned "Round and Round". He aslo worked as a producer for metal band Lillian Axe. (heroin overdose) b. August 4th 1959.
2003: Dave Rowberry (62) English keyboardist, pianist and organ player; born in Mapperley, Notts, he entered the Newcastle blues and jazz music scene in the early 1960s, while at University there. He joined The Mike Cotton Jazzmen in 1962, before replacing Alan Price in the UK rock-blues band The Animals. He played many of the group's big hits, including "We Gotta Get Out of This Place", "It's My Life", "Don't Bring Me Down", "Inside-Looking Out", and "See See Rider". From the 90's he worked as free-lance musician in the London jazz scene and was a member of Shut Up Frank, with Noel Redding, Dave Clarke and Mick Avory of The Kinks. They toured extensively and recorded several albums, which are still available on Mouse Records (an ulcer haemorrhage) b. July 4th 1940.
2006: Billy Preston (59) American soul singer, keyboardist from Houston, Texas, but raised mostly in Los Angeles, California. In addition to his successful, Grammy-winning career as a solo artist, Billy collaborated with some of the greatest names in the music industry, including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Nat King Cole, Little Richard, Eric Burdon, Ray Charles, George Harrison, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Sam Cooke, Johnny Cash, King Curtis, Sammy Davis Jr., Sly Stone, Aretha Franklin, the Jackson 5, Quincy Jones, Mick Jagger, Richie Sambora, Red Hot Chili Peppers and many others. He played the Fender Rhodes electric piano and the Hammond organ on the Beatles' Get Back sessions in 1969. He made his last public appearance in late 2005 at the Los Angeles press junket for the re-release of the Concert for Bangladesh movie. He was in good spirits and talked to many in the press. Afterwards he played a three song set of "Give Me Love", "My Sweet Lord" and "Isn't It a Pity", featuring Dhani Harrison on guitar and Ringo Starr on drums for the final song only (Although he received a kidney transplant in 2002, his health continued to deteriorate. He died of complications of malignant hypertension that resulted in kidney failure and other complications. He had been in a coma since November 21st 2005) b. September 2nd 1946.
2006: Hilton Ruiz (54) Puerto Rican-American jazz pianist in the Afro-Cuban jazz mold, but was also a talented bebop player. He began playing piano at the age of eight, and gigged with Freddie Hubbard and Joe Newman when he was young. Later, he was Roland Kirk's main pianist from 1974 to 1977 and was featured on such records as The Case of the 3 Sided Dream in Audio Color and The Return of the 5000 Lb. Man. Ruiz also recorded several solo albums between the 1980s and 2000s. (He tragically died from injuries 18 days after a fall; he was found unconscious on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Police concluded that he stumbled and fell, not been attacked) b. May 29th 1952.
2010: Dana Key (56) American Christian rock guitarist, singer, producer and the great-great-great-great-great-great grandson of the famous Francis Scott Key, author of The Star-Spangled Banner. Dana was co-founder of the Christian rock group DeGarmo & Key along with old school friend and keyboardist Eddie DeGarmo. They toured the world, headlining and opening with other major Christian Rock bands including Servant, Petra, Joe English, Amy Grant, Resurrection Band, Jesse Dixon, Mylon LeFevre and Broken Heart, and dc Talk and recorded over 16 albums. Dana also released two solo albums, "The Journey: Walking with Jesus" and "Part of the Mystery", Following his retirement, he served as the head of Ardent Records, and hosted a TV show, featuring new, younger, Christian bands and he had also been serving as the pastor of a small church in Cordova, Tennessee, The Love of Christ Church (passed away due to ruptured blood clot) b. December 30th 1953.
2010: Marvin Isley (56) American bassist, he grew up in Englewood, New Jersey, and graduated from Dwight Morrow High School in 1972. Marvin became the youngest member of the soulful Isley Brothers R&B group. The original group formed in 1954 with the three eldest brothers Isley, O'Kelly Jr., Rudolph and Ronald, which recorded several singles, including "Shout," "This Old Heart of Mine" and the Grammy winning "It's Your Thing". In the late-1960s, Marvin formed a trio with older brother Ernie and brother-in-law Chris Jasper. By 1973, Marvin's group had joined the older half of the Isleys as its instrumentalists, when the Isley Brothers group officially expanded to six performers. The fuller group enjoyed massive radio airplay with hits including "That Lady," "The Heat is On," "Go For Your Guns" >>>READ MORE<<< (sadly died from complications with diabetes) b. August 18th 1953.
2011: Nils-Bertil Dahlander aka Bert Dale (83) Swedish jazz drummer, he played his first concerts as a drummer in Gothenburg in the age of 13. He moved to New York in 1948, and joined the vibraphonist Terry Gibbs band and went on to play with the legendary pianist Teddy Wilson and Earl Hines , and later accompany such as Chet Baker. During his many years in the United States he played with almost all great musicians (?) b. May 13th 1928.
2011: Tillmann Uhrmacher (44) German singer, DJ, music producer and radio host; his first musical success was as a member of the band Mysterious Art in 1988. Their first single, The Omen was a No.1 hit in Germany and sold over 400,000 copies. The song was a total of 29 weeks in the German charts and was the second most successful single of the year. Their second single was also in the top 10 and in 1990 they supported Madonna's Blond Ambition World Tour. Tillmann recorded his first solo single Bassfly in 1999. His 2001 single On The Run reached number 16 in the UK singles charts. As well as his singing career he worked on radio, the radio show MaxiMal, and he hosted the live coverage of the Nature One on Sunshine-Live (?) b. May 14th 1967.
2012: Estela Raval (77) Argentine Latin Grammy Award winning singer; born in Ciudadela, she went on to become one of the most well-known romantic singers in Latin America and became famous along with her band, Los Cinco Latinos, with which she toured until 2011. In 1970 Estela also began a solo career, always accompanied by her husband, Ricardo Romero and in 1973 won the Martin Fierro Award for their successful performances throughout Argentina, just one of her many awards over her long career (sadly died after a brave 10 year battle with breast cancer) b. May 19th 1929.

June 7.
1964: Meade "Lux" Lewis (58) American pianist and composer noted for his work in the Boogie Woogie style. His best known work, "Honky Tonk Train Blues" has been recorded in various contexts, often ii big band arrangements. He became the leading boogie-woogie pianists of the day, his trio performed extended engagements at Café Society, toured regularly, and inspired the formation of Blue Note Records in 1939. Their success led to a decade long boogie woogie craze with big band swing treatments by Tommy Dorsey, Will Bradley and others, as well as influencing numerous country boogie and early rock 'n' roll songs (Car accident) b. September 4th 1905.
1976: Bobby Hackett (60) American jazz musician who played trumpet, cornet and guitar with the Glenn Miller Orchestra and many others. He made his name as a follower of the legendary cornet player Bix Beiderbecke. Benny Goodman hired him to recreate Bix's famous "I'm Coming Virginia" solo at his 1938 Carnegie Hall concert. Although he admired and played like Bix, he not like the "new Bix" tag, Bobby idolised Louis Armstrong, his dream come true in 1947 with his inclusion in Louis Armstrong's Town Hall Jazz Concert. He was invited into Glenn Miller's band as a guitarist in 1941, despite having some temporary lip problems at that time, he still played the occasional, beautiful short solo on the cornet and trumpet, he can be heard playing a famous one with the Glenn Miller Orchestra on "A String of Pearls." During the 1950s, he made a series of albums of ballads with a full string orchestra, exhibiting a gorgeous, dreamy, vibrato-free sound (Bobby sadly died of a heart attack) b. January 31st 1915.
1998: Wally Gold (70) US songwriter, composer, saxophonist and producer, having a successful partnership with Aaron Schroeder. Born in Brooklyn he started as a saxophonist in dance orchestras, and a member of the US Navy Band during World War II, after which he sang in a quartet, the Four Esquires, before becoming a songwriter. In 1960 he and his partner, Aaron Schroeder, wrote many hits including ''It's Now or Never,'' which Elvis Presley took to No.1, "It's Now or Never", "In Your Arms", "Lucky Devil", "Twixt Twelve and Twenty", "Time and the River", "Because They're Young", "Utopia", "Hither and Thither and Yon", "She Can't Find Her Keys", "Half Heaven - Half Heartache", "It's My Party", and "Fools Hall of Fame", "Look Homeward Angel", "Good Luck Charm", and "Sweet Bird of Youth". Later Wally worked as a record produce in various companies. While working in the 1970s as a producer and agent for Don Kirshner's label, distributed by Columbia Records, he discovered and signed the progressive rock band Kansas (Wally sadly died from complications of crohn's disease) b. May 15th 1928.
2001: Carole Denise Fredericks (49) American singer most famous for her recordings in France. Carole emerged from the shadow of her brother, the legendary blues musicologist Taj Mahal, to achieve fame and popularity in Europe and the French-speaking world. For more than two decades Paris, France was her adopted home but she never left her roots. Steeped in the fertile music traditions of her parents, striving professionals from the Carolinas and the West Indies, she emerged as a powerful singer who wove the passionate threads of blues, jazz, gospel and R&B into a uniquely French tapestry (sadly died of a heart attack) b. June 5th 1952
2006: Carl Dengler (91) American bandleader, percussionist, member of The Buster Brown Boys (?)
2007: Dave "Biffo" Beech (61) English drummer and vocalist born in Rugby, where he was a founder member of The Mighty Avengers in 1962. In 1964, they became the first local band to chart, with the single So Much In Love. In 1966, Biffo was also a founding member of the band Jigsaw. (?) b. September 25th 1945.
2009: Hugh Hopper (64) British progressive rock-jazz fusion bass guitarist born in Canterbury; he started in 1963 as bassist with The Daevid Allen Trio, before joining psychedelic rock band, The Soft Machine. He had already composed for their first self titled album and played bass on one of its tracks. His first solo album, “1984,” was released in 1973, the year he left Soft Machine. In later years he toured and recorded with numerous fusion bands, including the Carla Bley Band, Gong, Isotope, and, more recently, a descendant of Soft Machine, PolySoft (leukaemia) b. April 29th 1945.
2009: Kenny Rankin (69) American singer-songwriter; raised in New York, he developed a large following during the 70s with a steady flow of albums, debuting with Mind-Dusters in 1967, three of his thirteen albums broke into the Billboard Album Chart. TV host Johnny Carson was so impressed with Kenny's voice and music, he appeared on The Tonight Show more than twenty times. His unique reworking classic songs such as The Beatles' "Blackbird," which he recorded for his Silver Morning album, so impressed Paul McCartney that he asked Kenny to perform his interpretation of the song when McCartney and John Lennon were inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame. As a songwriter himself, Kenny's compositions have been performed by artists such as Mel Tormé and Carmen McRae, Stan Getz, Stephen Bishop and Leon Russell (lung cancer) b. February 10th 1940.
2010: Stuart Cable (40) Welsh rock drummer and broadcaster; born in Cwmaman near Aberdare, he is maybe best known as the original drummer for the band Stereophonics. He along with childhood friends Kelly and Richard Jones began playing in a series of outfits in their early teens, playing classic rock and soul covers. They began writing and performing music in working men's clubs together in 1992 as a teenage covers band known as Tragic Love Company, The band later changed their name to The Stereophonics in 1996 >>> READ MORE <<< (tragically, Stuart was found dead at his home in Llwydcoed. South Wales Police have ruled out any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, however, a post mortem is yet to be conducted to officially determine the exact cause of death) b. May 19th 1970.
2011: Buddy Gask (64) British rock and roll singer and founding member of the Showaddywaddy; they specialised in revivals of hit songs from the 50s and early 60s, and dressed as Teddy Boys. The 8-piece group sold millions of records during the 1970s including top five hits Under the Moon of Love, You Got What It Takes and Three Steps To Heaven. As well as singing lead on the group's debut hit "Hey Rock and Roll" in April 1974, he performed lead vocals on hit singles including Rock 'n' Roll Lady, Heartbeat and Good Timing, as well as a number of album tracks and B-sides. Buddy left the band in 1987. He retired to Spain in 2006 (sadly Buddy died after a long illness) b. December 18th 1946
2011: Walid Gholmieh (73) Lebanese composer, conductor and musicologist, who went on to become the director of the Le Conservatoire libanais national supérieur de musique or The Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music and considered one of the most prominent Middle-Eastern conductors and composers. Born in Marjeyoun, he initially studied Mathematics at the American University of Beirut before dedicating his education and life to music. He was the founder of both the Lebanese National Symphony Orchestra and the Lebanese National Arabic Oriental Orchestra. Established in 2000, the Lebanese National Symphony Orchestra, was able to prove itself both locally and regionally. In a period of 25 months, the Orchestra presented more than 60 performances in different cities, including a varied international repertoire by world-renowned classical music composers. Walid composed 6 symphonies, and many compositions for Cinema and Theatre (sadly died after a long illness) b. April 14th 1938.
2012: Dan Nedelcu aka DAX (33) Romanian saxophonist and disc jockey, he was a member of the band Divertis before joining up with Romanian Service of Comedy (Dax sadly died while bravely fighting cancer) d. 1979
2012: Lil Phat/Melvin Vernell III (19) American rap artist; born in Waco, Texas, but moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana at an early age. He began rapping as a teenager, and was signed to Trill entertainment in 2008. The same year, he featured as a guest artist on fellow rapper Webbie's single Independent which peaked at No. 9 on Billboard's 100 and topped the rap chart. In 2010, the two rappers once again collaborated on the album Trill 4 Life. In 2011, there was a shooting at one of his concerts, after which one of his associates was arrested for second-degree murder (shot multiple times inside a parking lot by the Northside Hospital Women's Center in Atlanta, Georgia) b. July 25th 1992
2012: Bob Welch (66) American vocalist, guitarist, bass guitarist, and percussionist born in Los Angeles, California, into a show business family. As a youngster, he learned clarinet, switching to guitar in his early teens and developed an interest in jazz, rhythm and blues, and rock music. After dropping out of university he joined the Los Angeles-based interracial vocal group The Seven Souls as a guitarist in 1964. When the band broke up in 1969 Bob moved to Paris and started a trio and became friends with future CBS correspondent Ed Bradley. In 1971 he was invited to join Fleetwood Mac, along with fellow newcomer Christine McVie, Bob helped to steer the band in a more melodic direction. He released his first Fleetwood Mac 'Future Games' in September 71, on which he had written the title song. He left Fleetwood Mac after his fifth with them 'Heroes Are Hard to Find' in 1974. In 1975, he formed the short-lived hard rock power trio, Paris, with ex Jethro Tull bassist Glenn Cornick and ex Todd Rundgren's Nazz drummer Thom Mooney. Paris released two albums; 'Paris' and 'Big Towne, 2061'. He went on to release 12 solo albums and several singles successes including "Hot Love, Cold World", "Ebony Eyes", "Precious Love", and his signature "Sentimental Lady". (after having spinal surgery, and been told he would not get better, tragically, Bob committed suicide in his Nashville home by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest) b. August 31st 1945.

June 8.
1940: Frederick Converse (69) American composer of classical music; born in Newton, Massachusetts, he was educated at Harvard College, where he came under the influence of the composer John K. Paine. He had already had instruction in piano playing, and the study of musical theory was a most important part of his college course. Upon his graduation in 1893, his violin sonata (op. 1) was performed and won him highest honors in music. He then spent two years at the Royal Academy of Music in Munich, and his symphony in D-minor had its first performance on the occasion of his graduation. During 1899-1902, he taught harmony at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. He then joined the faculty of Harvard University as instructor in music, and was appointed assistant professor in 1905. Two years later he resigned, and afterwards devoted himself exclusively to composition (?) b. January 5th 1871.
1972: Jimmy Rushing (70) American blues shouter and swing jazz singer from Oklahoma City, he started out touring the Mid-West and California as an itinerant blues singer in 1923-24 before moving to LA, where he sang with Jelly Roll Morton. He sang with Billy King before moving on to Page's Blue Devils in 1927. He, along with other members of the Blue Devils, defected to the Bennie Moten band in 1929. In 1935 Jimmy joined Count Basie for the next 13 years, noted for his performances of "Sent For You Yesterday" and "Boogie Woogie" with the Count Basie Orchestra. After leaving Basie, his recording career soared, as a solo artist and a singer with other bands. He also made a guest appearance with Duke Ellington for the 1959 album Jazz Party (he sadly died after fighting leukemia) b. August 26th 1901.
1983: Edward Brian "Tubby" Hayes (38) English jazz multi-instrumentalist, best known for his tenor saxophone playing; in 1951, when he was sixteen, Tubby joined Kenny Baker's sextet, later playing for big-band leaders such as Ambrose, Terry Brown, Tito Burns, Roy Fox, Vic Lewis, and Jack Parnell. In 1955 he formed his own octet, with which he toured the UK for eighteen months. From 1957 to 1959 he joined Ronnie Scott in co-leading a quintet, The Jazz Couriers, perhaps the most fondly remembered of British Modern Jazz groups. Subsequently, he reformed his quartet, and toured Germany with Kurt Edelhagen. Then in 1961 he was invited to play at the Half Note Club in New York; a new transatlantic Musicians' Union agreement meant that, in exchange, Zoot Sims played at Ronnie Scott's. While in America, Tubby recorded ''Tubbs in NY'' with Clark Terry, Eddie Costa, and Horace Parlan, and in 1962 he returned for another visit, this time recording Return Visit with James Moody, Roland Kirk, Walter Bishop Jr, Sam Jones, and Louis Hayes. Back in London, he formed his own big band, working in television, film, and radio, and even having his own television series 1961–63. He also appears on recordings by many UK jazz musicians, such as the Harry South Big Band, the Ian Hamer Sextet. and appeared in a number of films, including All Night Long-61 with Charles Mingus and Dave Brubeck, and his group; A King in New York, by Charles Chaplin-57; The Beauty Jungle-64 and Dr Terror's House of Horrors-1965. He also played at a wide range of jazz festivals, including Reading, Windsor, Antibes, Lugano, Vienna, and Berlin (In the late 1960s Tubby underwent open-heart surgery; he was able to start performing again in 1971, although he had more heart surgery that same year, and in 1972 he toured Norway and Sweden. But in 1973 Tubby tragically died during another heart operation) b. January 30th 1935.
1980: Ernst Busch (80) German singer and actor born in Kiel; he first rose to prominence as an interpreter of political songs, particularly those of Kurt Tucholsky, in the Berlin cabaret scene of the 1920s. He starred in the original 1928 production of Bertolt Brecht's Threepenny Opera, as well as the subsequent 1931 film by Georg Wilhelm Pabst. He also appeared in the movie Kuhle Wampe and made a haunting recording of Peat Bog Soldiers (?) b. January 22nd 1900.
1984: Gordon Jacob (88) English composer, born in London; in WWI he was taken prisoner of war in 1917, and was one of only 60 men in his battalion of 800 to survive. He he went on to teach at the Royal College of Music from 1924 until his retirement in 1966. The height of his renown was in the 1950s, during which his Music for a Festival was used for the 1951 Festival of Britain, and his trumpet-heavy fanfare arrangement of the National Anthem was used for the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Gordon was prolific, publishing over 700 pieces of music in addition to his four books and numerous essays on music (?) b. July 5th 1895.
1987: Yogi Horton (33) American session drummer; a highly in-demand, colourful and energetic drummer for hundreds of sessions with dozens of artists and bands, such as Diana Ross, Odyssey, Grover Washington Jr., John Lennon, Aretha Franklin, The B-52s, The Rolling Stones, as well as being the long time touring and recording drummer for the late R&B singer Luther Vandross and the singer songwriters Ashford & Simpson. Also, he was a member of the Alessi Brothers band for three years in the mid-’80s, touring and recording with Barnaby Bye bandmates and twins Billy & Bobby Alessi (jumped from a 17th floor hotel window) b. ??
1993: Root Boy Slim/Foster MacKenzie 111 (48) American singer-songwriter; he attended Yale University, where he formed a band named Prince La La and the Midnight Creepers with classmate and fraternity brother Greenlee. Band members wore ermine capes, silver lamay hot pants and boasted that they were never invited for return engagements. One day he took a lot of LSD and went to the White House and climbed the fence. He was apprehended by the Secret Service as he ran up the lawn toward the White House. He was the first intruder since the War of 1812 to get completely over the fence.The large dose of LSD he had consumed caused a psychotic break that led to schizophrenia, with the result that he would be medicated for the rest of his life. Foster found further fame as Root Boy Slim with his band the Sex Change Band when in 1978 music producer Gary Katz signed the band to Warner Bros. Records, which resulted the band's eponymous debut album."Root Boy Slim and the Sex Change Band with the Rootettes.". They released 6 albums the last being Root 6 in 1990 (died in his sleep at his home in Orlando) b. July 9th 1945.
2000: Abe Lincoln (93) Jazz trombonist; in 1921, a 14-year-old Abe performed for the public throughout southern Pennsylvania with a newly formed six-piece jazz band led by his big brother Bud Lincoln. When he was 16, with his father's permission, he was hired by bandleader Ace Brigode and soon found himself working in New York City. In 1925 he joined James B. Dimick's Million Dollar Sunny Brook Orchestra, before joining the California Ramblers (who never played on the west coast). He joined Ozzie Nelson's orchestra in 1934, and traveled with them to Los Angeles, where he spent many years in Hollywood studio ensembles backing entertainers like Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, Judy Garland, Hoagy Carmichael, Fred Astaire, Johnny Mercer, Frankie Laine, Jo Stafford, and Ella Mae Morse. His trombone was also audible in several Woody Woodpecker cartoon soundtracks. Abe was one of three "president" jazzmen, along with trumpeter, Thomas Jefferson and trombonist, George Washington, he performed in many Dixieland settings during the late '40s and throughout the '50s. In 1956 he helped put across some of the most authentic Dixieland recordings ever released under the name of Pete Fountain. He continued to freelanced throughout the '60s 70s and '80s, playing with among others.. Wingy Manone, Rampart Street Paraders, Red Nichols, Bob Scobey, Wild Bill Davison, Pete Fountain and Matty Matlock (died in Van Nuys, CA) b. March 29th 1907.
2008: Šaban Bajramovic (72) Serbian Romani musician, singer-songwriter and composer; at 19 he ran away from the army out of love for a girl. As a deserter, he was sentenced to 5 and a half years in prison on the island Goli otok, where he joined the orchestra which played the jazz Louis Armstrong, Sinatra, John Coltrane and Spanish and Mexican pieces. Once free again, he made his first record in 1964. He went on to make around 20 albums, some 50 singles and composed 650 pieces. In 2008, it was revealed that Saban was living impoverished in Niš with serious health complications and was no longer able to walk. The government of Serbia intervened to provide him with some funds (sadly died from a heart attack) b. April 16th 1936.
2010: Porfi Jiménez (82) Dominican-born Venezuelan trumpet player, arranger, composer and bandleader. After moving to Caracas in 1954, he started to play with orchestras led by Rafael Minaya, Pedro José Belisario and Chucho Sanoja, as well as for the Billo's Caracas Boys. Porfi enjoyed huge success in the mid 1980s with albums combining salsa, cumbia, and his native Dominican merengue. Some of his most popular songs include La negra Celina, Se hunde el barco, Dolores and Culu Cucú, which reached No.1 on the Colombian, Dominican and Venezuelan charts. Beside this, he conducted a 17-piece Jazz orchestra to promote the big band tradition by featuring his own repertoire and selected works of Thad Jones, Chico O'Farrill, among others. In January 2007 Porfi was honored in New York City by the United Nations Orchestra, created by Dizzy Gillespie (?) b. February 16th 1928.
2010: Tony Cennamo (76) American disc jockey born in Brooklyn, New York; Tony was a jazz disc jockey on Boston University's WBUR for 25 years, he had a morning show in the 1970s and 1980s he began his show with Oliver Nelson's Stolen Moments. In 1986 he represented the city of Boston in an exchange program with Melbourne, Australia to lecture about jazz history and appear on radio programs. Tony helped a lot of Boston Jazz musicians, always ready to offer them support and airplay (sadly passed away a after long illness) b. September 30th 1933.
2010: Crispian St. Peters/Robin Peter Smith (71) British pop singer, best known for his 1966 hit, "The Pied Piper". Born in Swanley, Kent, Crispian gave his first live performance in 1956, as a member of The Hard Travellers. Through the late 1950s and early 1960s, he was a member of The Country Gentlemen, Beat Formula Three, and Peter & The Wolves. In 1964, it was as a member of Peter & The Wolves, he made his first commercial recording. He signed to Decca Records in 1965, recording "No No No" and "At This Moment", and he appearanced in the TV shows Scene At 6.30 and Ready Steady Go!. In 1966, he finally yielded a Top 10 hit in the UK Singles Chart, with "You Were On My Mind". He scored a major hit with "The Pied Piper" during the summer of 1966, when his single went to No.4 in the US and No.5 in the UK (passed away after a long illness) b. April 5th 1939.
2011: Alan Rubin aka Mr. Wonderful (68) American trumpet, flugelhorn, and piccolo trumpet and a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music. He was a member of the Saturday Night Live Band, with whom he played at the Closing Ceremony of the 1996 Olympic Games. As a member of The Blues Brothers, he portrayed Mr. Fabulous in the 1980 film, the 1998 sequel and was a member of the touring band. Over his long career Alan played with an array of artists, such as Frank Sinatra, Frank Zappa, Duke Ellington, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Eumir Deodato, Sting, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, James Taylor, Frankie Valli, Eric Clapton, Billy Joel, B.B. King, Miles Davis, Yoko Ono, Peggy Lee, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Ray Charles and Dr. John. (sadly died fighting lung cancer) b. February 11th 1943.

June 9.
1952: Adolf Georg Wilhelm Busch (60) German violinist and composer born in Siegen, Westphalia. He studied at the Cologne Conservatory with Willy Hess and Bram Eldering, but he also learnt much from his future father-in-law Hugo Grüters in Bonn. In 1912, Adolf founded the Vienna Konzertverein Quartet, consisting of the principals from the Konzertverein orchestra, which made its debut at the 1913 Salzburg Festival. After World War I, he founded the Busch Quartet, which from the 1920–21 season included himself-violin, Gösta Andreasson-violin, Karl Doktor-viola, and Paul Grümmer-cello. The quartet was in existence with varying personnel until 1951. he was also a great soloist, as well as a chamber musician, and live recordings exist of him playing the Beethoven, Brahms, Dvorák, Busoni Concertos, and the Brahms Double Concerto.. As a composer, he was influenced by Max Reger. He was among the first to compose a Concerto for Orchestra, in 1929. A number of his compositions have been recorded, including the Violin Concerto, String Sextet and Quintet for Saxophone and String Quartet (?) b. August 8th 1891.
1989: Rashid Behbudov (73) Azerbaijani singer and actor; from 1938-1944, he worked at Yerevan State Philharmonia and Opera House, and in 1945, upon the invitation of Tofig Guliyev, he moved to Baku. In the same year, he was assigned the main role of Asgar in the remake of Azerbaijani musical comedy film The Cloth Peddler/"Arshyn Mal Alan", his role in this film combined with his vocal skills brought him fame throughout Azerbaijan, and became a prominent Azerbaijani pop singer. His combination of vocal masterpieces ranged from classical performances to lyrical songs. His rare vocal talent gave him opportunity to travel beyond the "Iron Curtain" of the Soviet Union, and as a singer he toured with concert performances in several countries of the world, including Iran, Turkey, China, India, Japan, Argentina, and many other countries in Europe, Asia and Latin America. In 1966, he created the State Song Theater, which still carries his name, and he became its soloist and artistic manager (sadly died from kidney desease) b. December 14th 1915.
1991: Claudio Arrau León (88) Chilean pianist known for his interpretations of a vast repertoire spanning from the baroque to 20th century composers, especially Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, Brahms and Debussy. He is widely considered one of the greatest pianists of the twentieth century. In his honor The Robert Schumann Society established the Arrau Medal in 1991. (Claudio died in Mürzzuschlag, Austria in the midst of a tight European concert tour, he was working on a recording of the complete works of Bach for keyboard, and had Haydn, Mendelssohn, Reger, Busoni and Boulez's 3rd Sonata in preparation) b. February 6th 1903.
1992: Clarence Horatio "Big" Miller (69) American big voiced singer and occasional jazz trombonist; one of the last old time 'blues shouters', men with voices so powerful they could sing over an entire big band without using a microphone. In the days before the wide spread use of microphones and audio amplifiers, only those performers who could be clearly heard by theatre-goers sitting in the back row of seats had any chance of employment. He recorded for Savoy Records early in his career, with The Five Pennies as backing musicians. His jazz activities included work with Count Basie and Duke Ellington. After performing with John Hendricks's revue, The Evolution of the Blues, he signed with Columbia Records. In the 1970s Clarence toured with Big Joe Turner, then moved to Canada, settling in Edmonton, Alberta, where he lived for the rest of his life. He played a major role in the growth of the Edmonton Jazz Society and worked with local musician Tommy Banks. He was the subject of a documentary released by the National Film Board of Canada in 1987 (?) b. December 18th 1922.
1995: Frank Chacksfield (81) English pianist, organist, composer and conductor of popular orchestral easy listening music, born in Battle, Sussex. After WW2, he worked on BBC Radio as an arranger and conductor. He also worked as musical director for both Henry Hall and Geraldo, and began recording under his own name as "Frank Chacksfield's Tunesmiths". In early 1953 he had his first top ten hit, "Little Red Monkey". In 1953, he formed a 40-piece orchestra with a large string section, the "Singing Strings". His first record release for Decca, Charlie Chaplin's themes for his film Limelight, won him a Gold Disc in the USA, and in Britain, where it reached No.2 in the charts, won him the New Musical Express award as Record of the Year. His next 78 single, "Ebb Tide", became the first British instrumental recording to reach No.1 in some American charts, providing a second Gold Disc, and he was voted the most promising new orchestra of the year in the US. He became one of Britain's most well known orchestra leaders internationally, and is estimated to have sold more than 20 million albums worldwide (sadly died of Parkinson's Disease) b. May 9th 1914.
2000: Bernard Flood (92) American jazz trumpeter, following his graduate of Atlanta's famed Tuskegee Institute in the '20s, Bernard became associated with a series of bandleadersincluding Bob Neal, Fess Williams, Teddy Hill, Luis Russell, Chick Webb and Charlie Johnson. In 1939 he became part of Louis Armstrong's big-band project, dropping out for the spring of 1941 with James Reynolds before rejoining Louis Armstrong. In 1946 he worked with both Luis Russell and Duke Ellington, as well as starting up his own combo. He also collaborated with Happy Caldwell in both the late '40s and early '50s. He retired from fulltime music in the early 70s and sadly became a sufferer from diabetes and lost both of his legs due to the effects of the disease (?) b. December 16th 1907.
2006: Delbert Lavern "Vern" Williams (76) American bluegrass mandolin player and singer; born in Arkansas he began playing music with his family at an early age. He moved to California in 1952 with the Marine Corps, where he continued to play music, first with his younger brother John Jr., then with Ray Park beginning in 1959, and lastly beginning in 1974 with his own “Vern Williams Band” who also backed up country-bluegrass legend Rose Maddox. Over his 40 year career he has inspired and influenced countless top quality coast musicians and is generally accepted as the father of bluegrass music on the West Coast of the United States (?) b. December 9th 1930.
2006: Drafi Deutscher (60) German Schlager singer and composer born in Berlin; his best known song was the 1965 Schlager "Marmor, Stein und Eisen bricht" / "Marble, Stone and Iron Breaks" which sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. It later featured in the 2006 film Beerfest, during the Oktoberfest scene. Between 1964 and 1966 Drafi had a lot of hits in Germany, including No.1 hit Shake Hands, Keep Smiling,, Cinderella Baby, Heute male ich dein Bild, Cindy-Lou also a chart topper. After his 1965 hit Marmor, Stein und Eisen bricht, his career in Germany was in full swing until shaken by a 1967 verdict for public indecency after he had urinated from a balcony while drunk, in plain view of a group of schoolchildren watching him from street level. He also composed several worldwide hits for Boney M, Nino de Angelo and Tony Christie. In the 1980s he achieved success with his duo, Mixed Emotions, together with Oliver Simon. Deutscher also worked with Christopher Evans Ironside, collaborating with him in the band named Masquerade, and on their co-written hit "Guardian Angel" (sadly Drafi died from heart failure) b. May 9th 1946.
2011: Claude Léveillée (78) Canadian actor, sing-songwriter, composer and pianist born in Montreal; in 1955, he created his first song, Your Dreams and was offered the role of Bozo in the TV series " Rudolph, the secret of the lost river of the Father Ambroise Lafortune. Claude got involved in the children's program Domino to Radio-Canada, where he played the role of Tintinet, which later became Clo-Clo, and he composed several hundred songs. In 1959 he met Edith Piaf, for whom he composed several songs: The Old Piano, Hurricane, and Boulevard du crime. Following his experience in France, Claude won the Grand Prix du Disque Canadian Radio CKAC in 1962 and on April 23rd 1963, he co-founded the Theatre of Threepenny. During the 1960s, he produced several hits like the old piano, Fred, The legend of White Horse, The appointment, Scene, Take me to the end of the world and Winter evening. He wrote several musicals including "She will turn the earth" in 1967 which was presented at the Comédie-Canadienne in Montreal that same year. On May 21st 1967, he performed the song "The appointment" on the Ed Sullivan Show in New York and in 1968, accompanied by Andre Gagnon, he went on a tour of 26 shows in USSR . In 1972, he represented Canada at the Song Festival of Sopot in Poland and again went on tour in the USSR. Throughout his long career he composed songs for many artists, toured much of Europe and produce around 36 albums. In 2004 he suffered 2 strokes the first April 27th while he was giving a show in Ville Émard celebrating his 50 years in show business, the second on October 20th left him severely disabled (sadly Claude died of a heart attack) b. October 16th 1932
2012: Abram Wilson (38) American jazz trumpeter, born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, raised in New Orleans, he began playing trumpet at the age of nine, going on to study at the New Orleans Center For Creative Arts. After graduating he moved to New York where he started his own band – the Abram Wilson Quintet – as well as regularly performing with the Roy Hargrove Big Band and with rhythm and blues legend Ruth Brown, appearing on her Good Day for the Blues release in 1999. In October 2004, Abram launched his career as a solo artist with the release of his debut album Jazz Warrior. Another project called Roll Jordan Roll in 2007, he collaborated with British gospel legend Nicky Brown and noted gospel historian Viv Broughton and efore his death he had been working on a composition and recording project based on the life of American pianist Philippa Schuyler (sadly died fighting cancer) b. August 30th 1973.

June 10.
1970: Earl Grant (39) American pianist, organist and singer he was also skilled at playing trumpet and drums. Born in Idabel, Oklahoma he signed with Decca Records in 1957 and his first single "The End" reached No.7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Ebb Tide-1961, was his debut album, which also rose to No.7 on the Billboard 200. His instrumental album Trade Winds, single-tracked on the Hammond organ and piano, featuring the love theme from the film El Cid and Chaplin's "Eternally". This album featured some realistic sounding 'tropical bird calls' produced by his electric organ. "The House of Bamboo" was another big selling single. In all, Earl recorded 30 albums for Decca. He also made a few appearances in film and television, including Tender Is the Night-1962, Juke Box Rhythm-1959, and The Ed Sullivan Show-1961 (Earl died instantly in a car accident in Lordsburg, New Mexico) b. January 20th 1931.
1982: Addie "Micki" Harris/Addie Harris McPherson (42) American singer and founder member of The Shirelles, which originally formed in 1958 in Passaic, New Jersey by Shirley Owens Alston Reeves, Doris Coley Kenner Jackson, Addie "Micki" Harris McPherson and Beverly Lee. All students at Passaic High School, they ccalled themselves 'The Poquellos'. Florence Greenberg, who ran a small record label was impressed enough to become the group's manager, and changed their name to The Shirelles by combining frequent lead singer Shirley's first name with doo-woppers the Chantels. They went on to have many hits including "Dedicated to the One I Love", "Welcome Home Baby", "Baby It's You", "Mama Said", "Foolish Little Girl", "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", "Sha La La" and "Soldier Boy". They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked them #76 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" made No.125 and "Tonight's the Night" No. 401 in Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (heart attack, after show in Atlanta) b. January 22th 1940.
1992: Hachidai Nakamura (61) China-born Japanese songwriter, composer and jazz pianist born in Qingdao. While in education he worked in several bands including "Yasuhiko Taniguchi and Premier Swing", "The Red Hat Boys", and he formed a jazz band named "Big Four". He went on to work closely with lyricist Rokusuke Ei and many of his songs were popularized by singer Kyu Sakamoto. He wrote the music of the popular Japanese song "Ue o muite aruko," released in 1961 in Japan. The song was released in the United States under the name "Sukiyaki" in 1963, peaking at the number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100. He and Ei also worked on the productions of Johnnys' 1964 debut single "Wakai Namida" and Saburo Kitajima's 1965 single "Kaerokana" (?) b. January 20th 1931.
1992: Nat Pierce (66) American jazz pianist; he led his own band which featured Charlie Mariano from 1949-1951, before becoming pianist and arranger for the Woody Herman band from 1951-1955. He moved to New York City freelancing with the likes of Quincy Jones, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Pee Wee Russell, Emmett Berry and Ruby Braff, to name a few. Nat also also arranged the music for The Sound of Jazz, a 1954 CBS television special hosted by John Crosby (complications from an abdominal infection) b. July 16th 1925.
1996: Alan Blakley (54) UK drummer, rhythm guitarist, keyboardist and founding member of the Tremeloes with fourteen UK and two U.S. Top 20 hit singles to their name. The band first got together in 1958, when they were all in their teens. In the original line-up Alan on drums, with Brian Poole as vocals and guitarist, Alan Howard playing saxophone and Graham Scott on guitar. But Alan very soon took over on guitar to leave Brian as front man - singer. By 1961, a few line-up changes and Alan now on keyboards, they had turned professional. As Brian Poole and the Tremeloes they first charted with a version of "Twist and Shout" in 1963, quickly followed by their chart topping "Do You Love Me" making them the first south of England group to top the chart in the beat boom era. In 1964 they made tours of South Africa and Australia, followed by a film A Touch of Blarney. When Brian Poole left the band for a solo career in 1966, Alan took over the leadership and the hits kept coming with among others "Even the Bad Times Are Good"; "(Call Me) Number One"; "Me And My Life"; " Hello World "; "Suddenly You Love Me"; "Helule Helule"; "My Little Lady"; "Silence is Golden" and "Here Comes My Baby" the latter two also entered the Top Twenty of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, in addition both tracks sold a million copies globally, each earning gold disc status, as did "Even the Bad Times Are Good". Alan wrote or co-wrote many of the Tremeloes songs and after their decline, he produced records for other acts, including The Rubettes, Bilbo and Mungo Jerry. In 1983 the original quartet reformed and made a cover version of the Europop hit "Words" (sadly died after battling cancer) b. April 1st 1942.
2004: Ray Charles/Ray Charles Robinson (73) US jazz singer, pianist, composer; In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Ray number ten on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and also voted him number two on their November 2008 list of The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time (liver disease) b. September 23rd 1930 .. read more
2004: Graeme Kelling (47) Scottish guitarist; he developed his guitar technique with various other bands including Tune Cookies and before successfully auditioning for Deacon Blue, named after a Steely Dan song of the 1970s. The band was formed in Glasgow in 1985 their debut album Raintown was released 1987, their best-selling albums included Raintown, Homesick, and When the World Knows Your Name, which topped the charts in 1989. they had a succession of chart-topping hits including "Dignity", "Fergus Sings the Blues" and "Real Gone Kid". The band grew to be one of Scotland's best-known acts of the 1980s, but split in 1994. Graeme went on to write theme music for television, before Deacon Blue reformed in 1999 (pancreatic cancer) b. April 4th 1957.
2006: Ruddy Thomas (54) Jamaican singer, songwriter, producer, studio engineer; he had his greatest successes as a singer in the late 1970s and early 1980s with hits including "Every Day Is a Holiday", "Let's Make a Baby" and "Loving Pauper" which was the number one song of the year on the 1978 RJR Top 100. In 1983, he recorded the duet "(You Know How to Make Me) Feel So Good" with Susan Cadogan, which topped the reggae charts and was followed in 1984 by another duet with Cadogan, "Only Heaven Can Wait". Ruddy also recorded duets with J.C. Lodge - "Time For Love", Marcia Aitken - "The Closer I Get To You", Pam Hall - "You Can't Hide" and with Cynthia Schloss - "Don't Want To Lose You", "How Can I Let You Get Away", and "There Is A Fire". He provided backing vocals on several albums, including Peter Tosh's No Nuclear War. He was also part of the horn section on Cornell Campbell's 1982 album What's Happening To Me. He was recording engineer on many releases by the likes of Boris Gardiner, Leroy Smart, Sugar Minott, The Wailing Souls, Beres Hammond, Dennis Brown, Frankie Paul, and Dean Fraser (collapsed and died of a heart attack while performing on stage at the Popular Song Street Blocker in Port Antonio) b. July 12th 1951.
2009: Barry Beckett (66) American record producer, session musician, keyboardist; he started his career as a session musician working with Atlantic Record artists such as Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin and Percy Sledge, and others artists at Rick Hall's FAME Studios until 1969 when Barry along with fellow session musicians, Roger Hawkins, David Hood, Jimmy Johnson formed their own session backing band, The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, also known as The Swampers. They opened their busy Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in the Alabama town of Muscle Shoals. In the 1970s, Stax Records also began bringing artists down to Alabama. Other artists who recorded with the Swampers include John Prine, Julian Lennon, Rod Stewart, Elkie Brooks, The Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Johnnie Taylor, The Staple Singers, Bob Seger, Joe Cocker, Glenn Frey, Delbert McClinton, J.J. Cale, Alice in Chains, Joe Tex, Bobby Blue Bland, Eddie Floyd, Clarence Carter, Little Milton, Sawyer Brown, Tony Joe White, Oak Ridge Boys and many more. In 1973 they toured backing Traffic and can be heard on Traffic's live album On The Road. The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section were inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1995 for a "Lifework Award for Non-Performing Achievement" and into the Musician's Hall Of Fame in 2008. In 1982 he left The Swampers to work as a music director for Warner Brothers before working independently. Barry has produced top albums for the likes of Graham Brown, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Dire Straits, Joe Cocker, John Prine, McGuinn-Hillman, Etta James, Eddy Raven, Delbert McClinton, The Staple Singers, Phoebe Snow, Hank Williams, T. Lorrie Morgan, Frankie Miller, Jerry Jeff Walker, Alabama Jr., Neal McCoy, Confederate Railroad, Phish, Tammy Graham, Sonia Dada, Ilse DeLange and so many others (died after long illness) b. February 4th 1943.
2011: Kenny Hawkes (?) English DJ/Producer, a pioneering influence on the UK dance scene for two decades. He grew up in Brighton, at 18 he left for Southern Europe, where he spent endless nights developing his DJ skills playing at some of Europe's most notorious after hours clubs. He returned home in the early 90s, and moved to London to work and ended up managing the Pirate Radio Station "Girls FM" that played Downbeat, Dub, Soul, Techno and Garage, and was soon attracting up to a million listeners a month. His natural grasp of quality dance music, "Girls FM" became the most legendary underground dance music station that London had ever heard. Kenny became one of the UK's hardest working DJ exports, DJing abroad every weekend, travelling to Belgium, New York, Portugal, Paris, Australia, Chicago and Spain to San Francisco, and Southern Asia. In-between his travels, he also found time for production, which enabled him to translate his DJing vibes onto vinyl. He released a Space compilation album back in 1997, and since then has produced singles such as "Jet Sex" and "Ashley's War", "Sleaze Walking" and "Ashley's War Part 2" and more recently "Play The Game" featuring "Louise Carver" and "Dance With Me" featuring "Marcel" and "Kimra" (?) b.????
2011: Darryl Pandy (??) American house vocalist and Chicago house pioneer whose incredible voice helped the burgeoning genre cross over into mainstream success. He sang the lead vocal on a track by Chicago DJ Farley Keith aka Farley Jackmaster Funk, called "Love Can't Turn Around," which gained widespread attention and chart success, and exposed many listeners to house music for the first time upon its release in 1986. Re-released in 1996, the song again made the pop charts (sadly died after a serious illness) b. ????
2011: Sven-Olof Walldoff (82) Swedish record producer, composer and orchestra conductor who is best known for conducting the orchestra for ABBA's song "Waterloo" for the Eurovision Song Contest 1974. He also collaborated on ABBA's first album Ring Ring (?) b. May 2nd 1929.
2012: Suehiko Watanabe (103) Japanese violinist (sadly died of pneumonia) b. ????
2012: Piero Bellugi (87) Italian conductor after studying in Europe and at Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood, from 1954 to 1956 he was conductor of the Tri-City Symphony Orchestra / the Quad City Symphony Orchestra in Davenport, Iowa, the conductor of the Oakland Symphony Orchestra 1955-1959 and the Oregon Symphony /the Portland Symphony Orchestra 1959-1961. He declined to conduct the next season with Portland due to having so many engagements elsewhere. He went on to guest conduct for numerous orchestras and opera companies including the Aix-en-Provence Festival, Festival Canada in Ottawa, Rome Opera, Paris Opera, Santa Cecilia Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the San Francisco Opera. He was also a permanent conductor of the Italian Youth Orchestra (Orchestra Giovanile Italiana) and the Toscanini Orchestra of Parma. Piero was named as the artistic director of Palermo's opera house, Europe's second largest, the Teatro Massimo, in January 2004. (?) b. July 14th 1924.
2012: Will Hoebee (64) Dutch record producer and songwriter born in Hilversum; after graduating from High School, he found a job at the mailing service of the AVRO (a public broadcasting organisation) and later worked at NRU (now: NOS) record library, where he was approached by Herman Stok and Hans Kemna to produce various radio shows for public broadcaster NOS. In 1970, he entered the radio promotion division of Ariola Records. Two years later, he was hired by Phonogram Records where he stayed until the early 1980s, also in 1977, he co-founded the "Born Free" label. He produced acts such as Benny Neyman, Saskia & Serge, Gheorghe Zamfir, David Soul, André van Duin, Bonnie St. Claire, Nana Mouskouri and his wife José Hoebee (?) b. June 29th 1947.

June 11.
1924: Théodore Dubois (86) French composer and teacher, born in Rosnay in Marne. He won the Prix de Rome in 1861 and in 1868 became choirmaster at the Church of the Madeleine, then in 1871 took over from César Franck as choirmaster at the Basilica of Sainte-Clotilde. In 1877, he returned to the Church of the Madeleine, succeeding Camille Saint-Saëns as organist there. From 1871 he taught at the Paris Conservatoire; His fascination with Near-Eastern subjects lead to the composition to his first staged work, La guzla de l'émir, and his first four-act opera, Aben-Hamet, which broke no new ground. His other large-scale opera, Xavière, has a wildly dramatic tale set in the rural Auvergne. His music also includes ballets, oratorios and three symphonies. His best known work is the oratorio Les sept paroles du Christ/"The Seven Last Words of Christ" (?) b. August 24th 1837.
1982: Al Rinker (74) American pianist, vocalist, composer; he began performing as a partner with Bing Crosby in 1925 and the two singers formed the Rhythm Boys, later singer/songwriter/pianist Harry Barris joined them. The three worked with Paul Whiteman's Big Band in L.A. until Bing Crosby dissolved the group to go solo. The Rhythm Boys were filmed for the Paul Whiteman movie The King of Jazz in 1930, singing Mississippi Mud; So the Bluebirds and the Blackbirds Got Together; I'm a Fisherman; Bench in the Park and Happy Feet. After the breakup, they reunited only once, to appear together on the "Paul Whiteman Presents" radio broadcast on July 4, 1943. In 1952, a song for which Al wrote the lyrics, You Can't Do Wrong Doin' Right, appeared in the film Push-Button Kitty and in the television series The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. He also wrote the song Ev'rybody Wants to Be a Cat, for the Disney cartoon children's movie The AristoCats in 1970 (?) b. December 20th 1907.
1991: Cromwell Everson (65) South African composer born in Beaufort West. He wrote the first Afrikaans opera, and most of his other vocal works were in Afrikaans. His works consist of five sonatas, a trio, an opera, a set of inventions, four song-cycles, a piano suite, miscellaneous movements for the piano and guitar and an incomplete symphony and string quartet. During his career in Worcester, Western Cape he also gave music lessons to the famous musician David Kramer. In 2007 Cromwell received a posthumous acknowledgement from the Afrikaans Language and Cultural society aka ATKV for his Afrikaans opera (?) b. September 28th 1925.
2001: Amalia Mendoza (77) Mexican singer born in in Huetamo, Michoacán; she was one of Mexico's most famous ranchera singers whose career lasted over 40 years. She was nicknamed La Tariácuri after her brothers' group the "Trio Tariácuri". Amalia also acted in six films from 1957 to 1961. She received a starring role in the Mexiscope ranchera Yo... el aventurero, co-starring Antonio Aguilar and Rosa de Castilla (?) b. July 23rd 1923.
2011: Seth Putnam (43) American vocalist born in Boston, Massachusetts, and the founder of grindcore band Anal Cunt also known as AxCx and A.C. in 1988. He was known for his brutal screaming and lyrics that either shock, offend, or invoke morbid humor. Their fairly obsene debut album Morbid Florist was released in 1993 followed by 10 more albums, the last being Wearing Out Our Welcome in 2011. Throughout his career, he had been involved in many side projects, including backing vocals on Pantera's The Great Southern Trendkill and working with bands such as Angry Hate, Satan's Warriors, Adolf Satan, Post Mortem, Insult, Person Killer, Siege, Upsidedown Cross, Shit Scum, Full Blown A.I.D.S., and Death's Head Quartet to mention a few (Seth died sadly of a heart attack) b. May 15th 1968.

June 12.
1917: Teresa Carreño (63) Venezuelan conductor, pianist and composer; in 1862 her family emigrated to New York City, and at the age of 8 she made her debut at Irving Hall that same year. In 1863 she performed for Abraham Lincoln at the White House. In 1866 she moved to Europe, and began touring, making her debut as an opera-singer in 1876. It wasn't until 1885 that she returned to Venezuela, and then only for a short period. In 1889 she returned to Europe for more touring, settling in Berlin as her home base. Teresa was also a composer; she composed at least 40 works for piano, 2 for voice and piano, 2 for choir and orchestra, and 2 as chamber music. She did two gruelling world tours in the twentieth century, before retiring to New York City (?) b. December 22nd 1853.
1957: Jimmy Dorsey (53) American reed player, born in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, specializing in alto saxophone and clarinet, and one of the top bandleaders of the swing era. In the early and late periods of his career, he co-led bands with his younger brother Tommy. Jimmy had 11 No.1 hits with his orchestra in the 1930s and the 1940s: "Is It True What They Say About Dixie?", "Change Partners", "The Breeze and I", "Amapola", "My Sister and I", "Maria Elena", "Green Eyes", "Blue Champagne", "Tangerine", "Besame Mucho", and "Pennies from Heaven" with Bing Crosby. In 1935, he had two more number ones as part of the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra: "Lullaby of Broadway" and "Chasing Shadows". His biggest hit was "Amapola", which was number one for ten weeks in 1941 on the Billboard pop singles chart. On August 17, 1936, Bing Crosby recorded "Pennies from Heaven" with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, a recording that went number one for ten weeks and became one of the top records of 1936. Jimmy appeared in a number of Hollywood motion pictures, including That Girl From Paris, Shall We Dance, The Fleet's In, Lost in a Harem with Abbot and Costello , I Dood It, and the bio-pic with his brother Tommy, The Fabulous Dorseys in 1947. In 1938, Jimmy and His Orchestra also appeared in a movie short performing many of his hits including "It's the Dreamer in Me", "I Love You in Technicolor", and "Parade of the Milk Bottle Caps". In 1996, the U.S. Postal Service issued a Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey commemorative postage stamp and in 2008, the Recording Academy added the recording of "Brazil (Aquarela Do Brasil)", Decca 18460B, by Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra from 1942 to the Grammy Hall of Fame (sadly throat cancer) b. February 29th 1904.
1962: John Nicholson Ireland (82) English composer, born in Bowdon, near Altrincham. He studied piano, organ and composition at the Royal College of Music; he subsequently became a teacher at the College himself. He began to make his name in the early 1900s as a composer of songs and chamber music. His Violin Sonata no. 1 of 1909 won first prize in an international competition organised by the well-known patron of chamber music W.W. Cobbett. Even more successful was the premiere of his Violin Sonata no. 2, which drew crowds to the Wigmore Hall in London and attracted the interest of a number of publishers (John died of heart failure) b. August 13th 1879
1966: Hermann Scherchen (74) German conductor and violinist, born in Berlin; from 1914-16 he conducted in Riga and in Königsberg from 1928 to 1933, after which he left Germany in protest at the Nazi regime and worked in Switzerland. From 1922 to 1950 he was the principal conductor of the city orchestra Winterthur, today known as Orchester Musikkollegium Winterthur. Making his debut with Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire, he was a champion of 20th century composers such as Richard Strauss, Webern, Berg and Varèse. He is probably best known for his orchestral arrangement and recording of Johann Sebastian Bach's The Art of Fugue and his 1958 recording of Beethoven's Eroica symphony, containing what is still, as of 2009, the fastest first movement ever recorded and the closest to Beethoven's own, problematic, metronome mark. His 1953 "Lehrbuch des Dirigierens" is a standard textbook. His recorded repertoire was extremely wide, ranging from Vivaldi to Reinhold Glière (?) b. June 21st 1891.
1963: Bob Scobey (46) American dixieland trumpeter, bandleader; he began his career playing in dance orchestras and nightclubs in the 1930s. In 1938 he worked as second trumpeter for Lu Watters in the Yerba Buena Jazz Band. By 1949 he wanted to create his own sound, setting up the Bob Scobey's Frisco Band. They were broadcast in 1952 on Rusty Draper's television show and in 1953 Louis Armstrong sang with them at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. In 1959 Bob opened the Club Bourbon Street in Chicago (sadly taken by cancer) b. December 9th 1916.
1989: Lou Monte/Louis Scaglione (72) Italian-American singer best known for a number of best-selling, Italian-themed novelty records, born in in Manhattan, New York. Before WW2, he played the guitar and started singing as a child, and began his professional career as a singer, comedian, and musician playing clubs in and around the New Jersey. After the war and his time in the army Lou caught the attention of Radio Station WAAT in Newark, New Jersey where he was given his own radio show and soon the radio station rewarded him by convincing their TV outlet to give him a try as well. Lou's first big hit came in 1954, with the release of his version of "Darktown Strutters' Ball". In 1962, he released his first million-seller, "Pepino the Italian Mouse", which was awarded a gold disc. Other of his many songs included "Shaddap You Face", "The Sheik of Napoli", "Mrs. Brown’s Donkey", “Pepino U Soriciello” (The Italian Mouse), "Babalucci", “Dominick The Donkey”,“Italian Cowboy Song”, “Italian Jingle Bells”, and ”Lazy Mary” (?) b. April 2nd 1917.
1995: Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (75) Italian classical pianist; born in Brescia, Italy, he began music lessons at the age of three, initially with the violin, but quickly switched to the piano. At ten he entered the Milan Conservatory and in 1938, at age eighteen, he began his international career by entering the Ysaÿe International Festival in Brussels, Belgium. A year later he earned first prize in the Geneva International Competition where he was acclaimed as "a new Liszt". His recording highlights include the live performances in London of Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit, Chopin's Sonata No. 2 and Schumann's Carnaval, Op. 9 and Faschingsschwank aus Wien, Op. 26. As well as his playing of Ravel's Piano Concerto in G, Gaspard de la nuit, set standards for those works and Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No.4. As a composer, Arturo wrote 19 Folksongs a cappella for the SAT men's chorus from Trent, Italy. As a teacher, his pupils included such world-class artists as Martha Argerich, Maurizio Pollini and Ivan Moravec (He died in Lugano, Switzerland after a long illness) b. January 5th 1920.
1997: Bulat Shalvovich Okudzhava (73) Russian poet, writer, and singer-songwriter born in Moscow; he was one of the founders of the Russian genre called "author's song". He was the author of about 200 songs, set to his own poetry. His songs are a mixture of Russian poetic and folksong traditions and the French chansonnier style represented by such contemporaries of his as Georges Brassens. Though his songs were never overtly political, the freshness and independence of his artistic voice presented a subtle challenge to Soviet cultural authorities, who were thus hesitant for many years to give official sanction to Buat as a singer-songwriter (?) b. May 9th 1924.
2006: György Sándor Ligeti (83) Hungarian composer, born in Transylvania, Romania. He briefly lived in Hungary before later becoming an Austrian citizen. Many of his works are well known in classical music circles, but to the general public, he is best-known for the various pieces featured in the Stanley Kubrick films 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Shining and Eyes Wide Shut (sadly died after a long illness) b. May 28th 1923.
2008: Danny Davis/George Nowlan (83) American country musician; band leader, vocalist producer and founder and leader of the Nashville Brass. By the age of 14 he was trumpet soloist with the Massachusetts All-State Symphony Orchestra and was granted admittance to the New England Conservatory of Music. He left the conservatory after only six weeks when he was offered a job as a trumpeter with the band of legendary drummer, Gene Krupa in 1940. In the 1940s and into the 1950s he worked in several big bands including the band's of Bobby Byrne, Sammy Kaye, Freddy Martin, Vincent Lopez and Art Mooney, he was First Trumpet on Art Mooney's "I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover". In the late 50's Danny worked in New York City for the MGM label, producing records for artists such as Connie Francis, Hermans Hermits, Nina Simone, Frank Yankovic and many more. At this time he also put together a session group called "Danny Davis & the Titans" releasing an instrumental album "Today's Teen Beat", followed by the album, "Let's Do the Twist for Adults". In the mid-sixties Davis moved to the RCA label, and transfered to the Nashville office where he was assigned to produce sessions for Waylon Jennings, Dottie West, Floyd Cramer, Hank Locklin and the likes. It was here where he formed Nashville Brass In October of 1968 the first album "The Nashville Brass Play The Nashville Sound" was released, followed by "The Nashville Brass featuring Danny Davis Play More Nashville Sounds" in 1969. Beginning in 1969 and continuing for the next five years Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass dominated the Country Music Association Awards Best Instrumental Group category. Over the years The group garnered eleven more Grammy nominations and received many other awards from recording industry publications and associations. Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass gave their final public performance on July 23, 2005 at the Colonnade in Ringgold, GA. Danny was eighty years old at the time. The group performed two shows and received standing ovations for each (cardiac arrest) b. April 29th 1925
2010: Fuat Mansurov (81) Soviet and Russian conductor born in Alma-Ata, where he studied in a Kazakh school and later graduated from Kazakh University in Alma-Ata. Fuat worked 37 years in Moscow Bolshoi Theatre and had many operatic and ballet premiers. He had a total of 40 performances in his wide-ranging repertoire as a conductor, including classics of the 20th century - Sergei Prokofiev's "Semyon Kotko", Rodion Shedrin's "Dead Souls", Aram Khachaturian's "Spartak", Valeri Gavrilin's "Anuta" and Boris Asafiev's "The Fountain of Bakhchisarai", as well as 19-century foreign masterpieces, like Rossini's "The Barber of Seville", Gounod's "Faust", Tchaikovsky's "The Queen of Spades" and Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Tsar's Bride". In 1991 he conducted the Bolshoi at the New York Met for performances of Mlada and Eugene Onegin.(?) b. January 1st 1928.
2011: Carl Gardner (83) American singer his first major career success came with The Robins, a rhythm and blues group which had a big hit in the early 1950s, "Smokey Joe's Café". He left the group in 1955, to form The Coasters with Bobby Nunn, at the behest of the songwriting/producing team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The Coasters went on to produce several enduring classics of 1950s rock and roll music including "Yakety Yak", "Charlie Brown", and "Poison Ivy". Together with the other members of The Coasters – Cornell Gunter, Billy Guy and Will "Dub" Jones – Carl was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 (Sadly Carl died from congestive heart failure) b. April 29th 1928.
2012: Adrian Fernando Otero (53) Argentinian singer and composer born in Cordoba, and former leader of the Blusera Memphis. After studing psychology, he toured part of America, Europe and Africa as a sports writer, craftsman, and cook among other jobs. He joined Blusera Memphis in 1980 as lead singer and also wrote many of their songs. They released 13 albums, making their debut with Soul in the Rain in 1982. In 2008 Adrian launched his solo career with the release of his solo album "Magnet", which he followed with Rider Blues in 2012 (tragically Adrian lost his life in a car accident when he lost control of his Honda Accord) b. July 31st 1958.

June 13.
1972: Clyde McPhatter (39) American lead singer and founder of The Drifters in 1953, who later went on to a solo career. Born in the tobacco town of Durham, North Carolina, he formed a gospel group in 1945 after his family moved from Durham, North Carolina USA to New Jersey. They soon relocated to New York City, where Clyde joined the gospel group Mount Lebanon Singers. In 1950, he joined Billy Ward & the Dominoes, and was present for the recording of "Sixty Minute Man". After recording several more songs, including "Have Mercy Baby", he left the group in 1953. He formed the Difters and signed to Atlantic Records releasing "Money Honey", "Such a Night", "Honey Love", "White Christmas" and "Whatcha Gonna Do". He went on to a solo career releasing hits including "Lover Please", "Treasure of Love" his first solo #1 on the R&B charts, "I Told Myself a Lie", "Think Me a Kiss", "Ta Ta". "I Never Knew" and "Lover Please". In the late 1960s, Clyde spent some time living in England where he was backed by UK band "ICE" (died of complications of heart, liver, and kidney disease in Teaneck, New Jersey) b. November 15th 1932.
1979: Demetrio Stratos/Efstratios Demetriou (34) Italian lyricist, multi-instrumentalist, music researcher, and co-founder, frontman and lead singer of the Italian progressive rock, jazz fusion band AreA – International POPular Group. Born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt, of Greek parents, he studied piano and accordion at the "National Conservatoire". In 1957 he was sent to Nicosia, Cyprus, and, at 17, moved to Milan, Italy, to attend the Politecnico di Milano University at the Architecture Faculty, where he formed his first musical group. In 1967, Demetrio joined the Italian beat band I Ribelli, and in 1972, founded Area. Demetrio recorded many records, and toured festivals in Italy, France, Portugal, Switzerland, Netherlands, Cuba, U.S. with Area, as well as a solo artist and in collaboration with other artists. He worked together with musicians, singers, writers, poets, directors, men of learning such as Mogol, Lucio Battisti, Gianni Sassi, Gianni Emilio Simonetti, Juan Hidalgo, Walter Marchetti, John Cage, Tran Quang Hai, Merce Cunningham, Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol, Grete Sultan, Paul Zukofsky, Nanni Balestrini, Claude Royet-Journoud, and Antonio Porta (In April '79 Demetrio was diagnosed with a severe case of aplastic anemia. He sadly died in New York City Memorial Hospital two months later, while waiting for a bone marrow transplant) b. April 22nd 1945.
1986: Benny Goodman (77) American clarinetist, conductor, bandleader born in Chicago; he was the first celebrated bandleader of the Swing Era, dubbed "The King of Swing," his popular emergence marking the beginning of the era. He was an accomplished clarinetist whose distinctive playing gave an identity both to his big band and to the smaller units he led simultaneously. At 16, he joined one of Chicago's top bands, the Ben Pollack Orchestra, with which he made his first recordings in 1926. He became a successful session musician during the late 1920s and early 1930s. A notable March 21st 1928 session found Benny alongside Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, and Joe Venuti in the All-Star Orchestra, directed by Nat Shilkret. Also in 1928, Benny and Glenn Miller wrote the instrumental "Room 1411", which was released as a Brunswick 78. He also recorded musical soundtracks for movie shorts. Benny and his band's future was boosted and totally secured after their concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City on the evening of January 16th 1938. Benny Goodman's band appeared as a specialty act in major musical features, including The Big Broadcast of '37, Hollywood Hotel, '38; Syncopation, '42; The Powers Girl, '42; Stage Door Canteen, '43; The Gang's All Here, 1943; Sweet and Lowdown, '44 and A Song Is Born in '48. Benny was also responsible for a significant step in racial integration in America, he broke with tradition by hiring Teddy Wilson to play with him and drummer Gene Krupa in the Benny Goodman Trio. In 1936, he added Lionel Hampton on vibes to form the Benny Goodman Quartet; in 1939 he added pioneering jazz guitarist Charlie Christian to his band and small ensembles, who played with him until his death from TB less than three years later. This integration in music happened ten years before Jackie Robinson became the first black American to enter Major League Baseball. After winning many polls over the years, Benny was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1957. He's a member of the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in the radio division and was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1986. Despite increasing health problems, he continued to play until his death (heart attack) b. May 30th 1909.
2001: Makanda Ken McIntyre/Kenneth McIntyre (69) US jazz saxophonist, multi-musician and composer, born in Boston, Massachusetts; in addition to his primary instrument, alto saxophone, he also played flute, bass clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and many other woodwind instruments, as well as double bass, drum set, and piano. Over the course of his career, Ken performed or recorded with: Nat Adderley, Jaki Byard, Ron Carter, Eric Dolphy, Charlie Haden, Daoud A. Haroon, Richard Harper, David Murray, Cecil Taylor and Reggie Workman, among others, and was a member of the innovative group Beaver Harris and the 360 Degree Ensemble. He recorded thirteen albums, one of which was released posthumously, composed well over 400 compositions, and wrote about 200 arrangements, reflecting different aspects of his Caribbean and African American roots, including blues, straight-ahead jazz, avant-garde, and calypso (sadly died of a heart attack) b. September 7th 1931.
2005: David Diamond (89) American composer of classical music born in Rochester, New York and studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Eastman School of Music. His most popular piece is Rounds in 1944 for string orchestra and among his other works are eleven symphonies, the last in 1993, concertos including three for violin, eleven string quartets, music for wind ensemble, other chamber music, piano pieces and vocal music. He also composed the musical theme heard on the CBS Radio Network broadcast "Hear It Now" 1950–51 and its TV successor, "See It Now" 1951–58. He was a long time member of the Juilliard School faculty, his notable students includie Robert Black, Kenneth Fuchs, Daron Hagen, Adolphus Hailstork, Anthony Iannaccone, Philip Lasser, Lowell Liebermann, Alasdair MacLean, Charles Strouse, Francis Thorne, and Eric Whitacre. (sadly died from heart failure) b. July 9th 1915.
2006: Freddie Gorman (67) American musician and record producer born in Detroit, while still in high school he made his record debut on the Qualitones' 1955 single "Tears of Love". Two years later he and longtime best friends Brian Holland and Sonny Sanders formed the Fideletones. After issuing "Pretty Girl" on Aladdin Records in 1959, the group splintered and Freddie resumed his day job as a mail carrier. Soon after he became famous as a singer, songwriter for the Motown label in the late 1960s and early 1970s and noted for his stint with Motown quartet The Originals, they often worked as background singers for recordings by artists such as Jimmy Ruffin "What Becomes of the Broken hearted", Stevie Wonder "For Once In My Life" and "Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday", David Ruffin "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)", Marvin Gaye-"Chained" and "Just to Keep You Satisfied", Edwin Starr-"War" and "25 Miles", and many more. The Originals found their biggest success under the guidance of Marvin Gaye, who co-wrote and produced two of the group's biggest singles, "Baby, I'm for Real", and "The Bells". Freddie also , co-wrote Motown's first No.1 pop hit "Please Mr. Postman", by Marvelettes and in 1964, the Beatles released their version of the song; then in 1975, the Carpenters took it back to No.1. This was the first time in pop history that a song went No.1 twice. In 2006, "Please Mr. Postman" was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame (?) b. April 11th 1939.
2010: Jimmy Dean (81) American country singer, actor, TV host and businessman; born in Plainview, Texas, he was the host of the popular Washington D.C. radio program Town and Country Time on WARL, and with his Texas Wildcats became popular in the Mid-Atlantic region. Jimmy became a national television personality in the 1960s, rising to fame from his 1961 country crossover hit "Big Bad John" which won him the 1962 Grammy Award for Best C & W Recording. His mid-60s ABC-TV's The Jimmy Dean Show, was one of the few to regularly present country music entertainers to a mainstream audience, including Roger Miller, George Jones, Charlie Rich, Buck Owens and some, like Joe Maphis, who seldom received network exposure. His acting career included a supporting role in the 1971 James Bond movie, Diamonds Are Forever. In 1969, he founded the Jimmy Dean Sausage Company with his brother Don. The company did well, in part because of Dean's own extemporized, humor-themed commercials. Its success led to its acquisition in 1984 by Consolidated Foods, later renamed the Sara Lee Corporation. Jimmy was nominated for the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010, but sadly, he died before being formally inducted. (died of natural causes) b. August 10th 1928.
2011: Germano Meneghel (49) Brazilian singer and songwriter with the cultural band Olodum from Salvador, and the author of some of their most popular songs like "Alegria Geral" and "Avisa Lá" (Tragically his lifeless body was found at his home in the historic district of Pero Vaz. The cause of dead is as yet unknown, but Germano suffered from high blood pressure, and on Sunday had complained to friends of chest pains) b. ????
2012: Mehdi Hassan (84) Pakistani ghazal singer and a former playback singer for Lollywood born in a village called Luna in Rajasthan, India. He is famously known as the "King of ghazal", and was highly regarded in the Pakistan film industry. He was honoured with Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, Pride of Performance and Hilal-e-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan, and Gorkha Dakshina Bahu by the Government of Nepal. He remained a leading singer of film industry along with Ahmed Rushdi (sadly died from a lung disease) b. July 18th 1927.
2012: Jože Humer (76) Slovenian composer born in Maribor, he established the Ljubljana Madrigalists Chamber Choir and led the Tone Tomšic Academic Choir and the Gallus Octet in Ljubljana. He was president of the Ljubljana Musical Youth, the renovator of the Ljubljana Musical Society, and president of the Association of Cultural Organisations of Slovenia. He wrote and translated hundreds of librettos and other lyrics for children, choirs, and soloists. In 1999, he received the Golden Medal of the Slovenian Public Fund of Cultural Activities and n March 2012, he was decorated by Slovenian President Danilo Türk with the Order for Merits of Slovenia (?) b. 1936
2012: Graeme Bell (97) Australian Dixieland and classical jazz pianist, composer and band leader, born in Richmond, Victoria. Aside from playing, he was one of the leading promoters of jazz in Australia, bringing American performers such as Rex Stewart to Australia. He was the first Australian jazz band leader who was still playing at 90 years of age, and the first Westerner to lead a jazz band to China. Graeme was inducted into the ARIA / Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame in 1997 alongside The Bee Gees and Paul Kelly. By 1999, he had made over 1,500 recordings and performed in thousands of gigs in Australia and internationally.The Australian Jazz Awards, or "The Bells", which commenced in 2003, are named in his honour (sadly Graeme died from a stroke) b. September 7th 1914.
2012: Tim Mooney (53) American drummed who worked with Sun Kil Moon and American Music Club. In the 1970s and 1980s, he drummed for the Sleepers, Toiling Midgets, Negative Trend, and others, before joining American Music Club in 1994.His last album with the band was Love Songs for Patriots, which he also produced and engineered. He also played drums for Mark Kozelek's first solo album Rock 'n' Roll Slinger in 2000 and Sun Kil Moon's 2003 album Ghosts of the Great Highway (sadly Tim died from a blood clot) b. October 6th 1958.

June 14.
1969: Wynonie Harris (53) American blues shouter and rhythm and blues singer of upbeat songs featuring humorous, often ribald lyrics. In 1931 at age 16, he dropped out of high school in North Omaha, and began traveling frequently to Kansas City, Kansas where he paid close attention to the blues shouters including Jimmy Rushing and Big Joe Turner. He became a local celebrity in Omaha during the depths of the Great Depression in 1935. His break in Los Angeles was at a nightclub owned by Curtis Mosby, it was here that he became known as "Mr. Blues". Wynonie went on to have fifteen Top 10 hits between 1946 - 1952, he is generally considered one of rock and roll's forerunners, influencing Elvis Presley among others. His hits include "Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well", "Bloodshot Eyes", "Good Rocking Tonight", "Good Morning Judge" and "All She Wants to Do Is Rock". Wynonie was the subject of a 1994 biography by Tony Collins (Wynonie sadly died of esophageal cancer at the USC Medical Center Hospital in Los Angeles) b. August 24th 1915.
1979: Ahmad Zahir (33) Afghan singer, songwriter-composer, known for his unique touch and soulful interpretations, he is considered an icon of music in Afghanistan and is sometimes called the "King of Afghan music". Almost all of his songs are in Persian; many are based on well-recognized Persian poems. He recorded over 22 albums, his first recorded song, "Gar Kuni Yak Nizara", was his own composition, sung in the pilo raga. He continued writing and recording songs such as "Azeezam Ba Yaadat", "Ahista-ahista", "Akhir Ay Darya", "Hama Yaranam", "Agar Sabza Boodam", "Guftam Ke Mekhwaham Tura", "Shabe Ze Shabha" and "Parween-e Man" (allegedly assassinated) b. June 14th 1946.
1989: Pete De Freitas (27) West Indian drummer with Echo & The Bunnymen; born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago and educated by the Benedictines at Downside School. He joined the Echo & The Bunnymen in 1979 (he died tragically in a motorcycle accident, on his way to Liverpool from London) b. August 2nd 1961
1986: Alan Jay Lerner (67) American lyricist and librettist. In collaboration with Frederick Loewe and others, he created some of the world's most popular and enduring works of musical theatre, including songs for Brigadoon, Paint Your Wagon, My Fair Lady, Camelot, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, Lolita, My Love, Gigi, and Dance a Little Closer among many others and films including Royal Wedding, An American in Paris, Brigadoon, Gigi, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, My Fair Lady, Camelot, Paint Your Wagon, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, and more. Alan won three Tony Awards and three Academy Awards, among other honors. (lung cancer) b. August 31st 1918
1990: Erna Berger (89) German soprano born in Dresden, Germany, but spent some years as a child in India and South America. At the age of 26, she secured a position as a soubrette soprano at the Semper Opera in Dresden, and later held leading positions at the Vienna State Opera, the Berlin State Opera, and the Deutsche Oper Berlin. She also gave concerts in Japan, America, and Australia. Erna retired from the stage at 60 and taught as a professor in Hamburg and Essen. Her recordings include Die Zauberflöte, as the Queen of Night, conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham, 1937–38, and Rigoletto, with Jan Peerce and Leonard Warren, conducted by Renato Cellini, 1950 (?) b. October 19th 1900.
1994: Henry Mancini (70) American composer, conductor and arranger, best remembered for his film and television scores. He won a record twenty Grammy Awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 1995. His best-known works include the jazz-idiom theme to The Pink Panther film series-"The Pink Panther Theme", the Peter Gunn Theme from the television series, and back-to-back Academy Awards for the songs "Moon River" from the Blake Edwards film Breakfast at Tiffany's and "Days of Wine and Roses" from the 1962 film Days of Wine and Roses. He was not the first composer to introduce jazz elements into film and television scoring, but he was the first to become wildly successful with the public (sadly died after a fight with cancer) b. April 16th 1924.
1994: Marcel Mouloudji (71) French singer and actor, born and raised in Paris, he sang Jacques Prévert and Boris Vian. Marcel was also the father to the French singer Annabelle. (sadly died in Paris, France) b. September 16th 1922
1995: Rory Gallagher (48) Irish rock/blues guitar virtuoso, singer, born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, and raised in the city of Cork. Rory also played the mandolin, the accordion, the harmonica, the resonator guitar, piano and saxophone. He recorded solo albums throughout the 1970's and 1980's, after being part of the band Taste during the late 1960s. Rory's albums have sold in excess of 30 million copies worldwide. Many modern day musicians, including The Edge, Slash, Johnny Marr, Davy Knowles, Glenn Tipton, Vivian Campbell, Joe Bonamassa, and Brian May of Queen, cite Gallagher as an inspiration in their formative musical years (sadly died in London from chest infection following a liver transplant) b. March 2nd 1948
2003: Volker Kriegel (59) German jazz guitarist, born in Darmstadt, Germany; Volker taught himself the guitar and by his late teens had formed a trio that won an award at a 1963 amateur jazz festival. In 1973 he founded Spectrum, a quartet that included Eberhard Weber, among others. In 1975 Kriegel spent a month teaching for the Goethe Institute, an organization which he has worked for at various times throughout his career and was a founding member of the United Jazz and Rock Ensemble. In 1976 Spectrum broke up, and Kriegel started another band called the Mild Maniac Orchestra which stayed together in to the 1980s. He is perhaps most noteworthy for his many collaborations with the American vibraphonist Dave Pike. (?) b. December 24th 1943.
2004: Eamonn McGirr (63) Irish-born singer and entertainer, an Irish immigrant to America born in Derry; he first came to prominence in 1966 with a group of fellow Belfast teachers: Gerry Burns, Finbar Carolan, and John Sullivan, known as The Go Lucky Four, soared to the top of the Irish music charts with "Up Went Nelson", maintaining the No.1 spot for eight consecutive weeks. In America, Eamonn was known for his relentless fundraising for local charities such as the Centre For The Disabled' in Albany. In all, he helped raise over $1,000,000 for the Center For The Disabled and families of victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City. Most notably, he set a Guinness World Record for endurance singing in 1996 in an effort to raise awareness and money for cerebral palsy, which his daughter Mareena suffers from. He owned a pub, Eamonn's, just outside of Albany, New York, which was a favorite spot for local Irish-Americans, especially for its weekly open Irish music sessions. It was severely damaged in a fire on June 20, 2005. Sadly Eamann was paralyzed after a serious fall in his pub in November 1996 (?) b.????
2005: Carlo Maria Giulini (91) Italian conductor born in Barletta; at the age of 18 he auditioned for the viola section of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia's orchestra, at the time Italy's foremost orchestra. Among the guest conductors he played under were Bruno Walter, Wilhelm Furtwängler, Richard Strauss, Victor de Sabata, Fritz Reiner, Pierre Monteux, Igor Stravinsky, and Otto Klemperer. His first public performance was the First Symphony of Brahms under Bruno Walter. After the Allies liberated Rome on June 4, 1944, Carlo who was among the few conductors not tainted by associations with Fascism, was chosen to lead the Accademia's first post-Fascist concert, held on July 16, 1944. On the program was the Brahms Symphony No. 4, which he had studied while in hiding. It became the work he conducted most frequently over the course of his career, with a total of 180 performances. His most notable opera recordings include the 1959 Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus versions of Mozart's operas The Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni for EMI, as well as his 1955 recording of Verdi's La traviata with Maria Callas. He also made recordings of Verdi's Requiem and the Four Sacred Pieces, which were highly praised (?) b. May 9th 1914.
2008: Jamelão/José Bispo Clementino dos Santos (95) Brazilian samba singer, born Rio's São Cristóvão district; began as a tamborine player, later became a crooner in the samba-canção style, also was the official singer at samba school Mangueira's carnaval parades and has toured Europe as a solo performer. Jamelão's recording career spanned nearly two-dozen LPs and close to 70 years, during which time he scored a series of samba classics including "Mora No Assunto," "Matriz ou Filial," "Exaltação à Mangueira," "Seu Deputado," and "Fechei a Porta." Critics frequently cite his recordings with Severino Araújo's Orquestra Tabajara as the apex of his studio career as well as a pivotal turning point in the maturation of the modern samba sound. (multiple organ failure) b. May 12th 1913.
2008: Esbjörn Svensson (44) Swedish jazz pianist and founder of the jazz band Esbjörn Svensson Trio, born in Skultuna, Sweden. His band E.S.T. was the first European jazz combo to make the front page of the American jazz magazine Down Beat in May of 2006. They got their international breakthrough with their 1999 album From Gagarin’s Point Of View, their first album to be released outside Scandinavia. With the release of their albums Good Morning Susie Soho in 2000 and Strange Place For Snow in 2002, the trio drew the attention of US audiences. In 2002, they went on a 9-month tour through Europe, the U.S. and Japan. Their subsequent albums, Seven Days Of Falling , Viaticum , and Tuesday Wonderland, were equally well received by critics and fans and resulted in several music industry award nominations as well as making the jazz and pop charts (died in a tragic scuba diving accident) b. April 16th 1964
2009: Ivan Della Mea (68) Italian singer–songwriter, composer and author; born in Lucca, then moved to Milan, he was one of the most active authors in the field of the new social and civil song, taking inspiration from the daily arguments. He began to write songs in 1959, and between 1962 and 1963 he participated with Gianni Bosio to form the New Italian Canzoniere. In 1985 he became president of the Milan Circle Arcs and in the 1996 director of the Institute De Martino, in Tuscany. He then went back to recording more albums (died after a long illness) b. October 16th 1940.
2009: Bob Bogle (75) American guitarist and founding member of the instrumental rock band, The Ventures. Born near Wagoner, Oklahoma, he was a self-taught guitar player, his use of the tremolo arm was particularly notable and his playing in their 1960 cover of "Walk, Don't Run" influenced a generation of guitarists including John Fogerty, Steve Miller, Joe Walsh and Stevie Ray Vaughan. After leaving school at 15 he worked as a bricklayer in California. In 1958, while working on different construction sites he met up with fellow mason worker Don Wilson in Seattle, the two formed a band called The Versatones. The duo played small clubs, beer bars, and private parties throughout the Pacific Northwest. They recruited Nokie Edwards as bass player, Skip Moore on drums and changed their name to the Ventures. The band enjoyed their greatest popularity and success in the US and Japan in the 1960s, but they have continued to perform and record up to the present recording in all 38 albums. With over 110 million albums sold worldwide, the group remains the best selling instrumental rock group of all time. Bob with The Ventures was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 10th 2008 (sadly died battling non-Hodgkin lymphoma) b. January 16 1934.
2011: Asad Ali Khan (74) Indian rudra veena player; born in Alwar he is the seventh generation of rudra veena players in his family. His ancestors were royal musicians in the courts of Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, and Jaipur, Rajasthan in the 18th century. He he has performed in many countries, including Australia, the United States, Afghanistan, Italy and several other European countries, and conducted music courses in the United States. Asad worked at All India Radio, taught the sitar in the Faculty of Music and Fine Arts at the University of Delhi for 17 years, and continued to train students privately after his retirement. He was involved in preserving the playing of the rudra veena, and performed for SPIC MACAY, promoting Indian classical music to young Indians. He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1977 and the Indian civilian honor Padma Bhushan in 2008 (?) b. 1937.
2011: Wiley "Mack" Self (81) American rockabilly singer-songwriter and guitarist born in Calico Bottoms, Arkansas; after playing on radio station KXJK in Forrest City, Arkansas in 1955, he make a recording of his song "Easy to Love". The demo recording then found its way to Sam Phillips of Sun Records, who invited him to audition. Sam encouraged him to write more songs. In 1959, he re-recorded "Easy to Love" along with several new songs on which he was backed by guitarist Therlow Brown and bass player Jimmy Evans, and released a second single, "Mad At You" / "Willie Brown". In the early 1960s Mack recorded several country singles for the Zone label in Memphis and continued to write songs, setting up his own publishing company. Mack gave up the music business in 1963, and established a heating, air and sheet metal business in Helena, Arkansas. He returned to undertake occasional performances after 1992, with his Silver Dollar Band, and was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in 1993 (?) b. May 22nd 1930.
2012: Hassan Kassai (83) Iranian master player of Ney,the traditional reed flute of Iran (?) b. September 25th 1928
2012: Karl-Heinz Kämmerling (82) German pianist and teacher born in Dessau; besides teaching as a professor at the Mozarteum and in Hannover, he had been a guest professor at the university of music in Zagreb since 2004 and a teacher of master classes in Europe, United States and Asia. His students have included Thomas Duis, Valentina Babor, Severin von Eckardstein, Henriette Gaertner, Philippe Giusiano, Márton Illés, Yu Kosuge, Matthew Odell, Alice Sara Ott, Ragna Schirmer and Lars Vogt. He received the prize Niedersächsischer Staatspreis of Lower Saxony in 1985. Since 1999 he was an Officer of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. In 2000 he was awarded the Great Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria. He was an honorary member of Deutscher Musikrat, the German Music Council, a member of the International Music Council (?) b. May 6th 1930.
2012: Marjorie "Margie" Hyams (91) American jazz vibraphonist, pianist, and arranger; she began her career as a vibraphonist in the 1940s, playing with Woody Herman from 1944 to 1945, the Hip Chicks in 1945, Mary Lou Williams in 1946, Charlie Ventura also in 1946, George Shearing from 1949 to 1950, and led her own groups, including a trio, which stayed together from 1945 to 1948, performing on 52nd Street in Manhattan. From 1951 to 1970, she played, taught and arranged in Chicago (sadly died of renal failure) b. August 9th 1920.

June 15.
1968: Wes Montgomery (45) American jazz guitarist, considered one of the major jazz guitarists, emerging after such seminal figures as Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian and influencing countless others. He started to teach himself guitar in 1943, using his thumb rather than a pick and toured with Lionel Hampton during 1948-50. His most spontaneous jazz outings, small-group sessions, 1959-63, were with such sidemen as Tommy Flanagan, James Clay, Victor Feldman, Hank Jones, Johnny Griffin and Mel Rhyne. In 1967 Wes signed with Creed Taylor at A&M and during 1967-68 he recorded three best-selling albums. Wes received many awards and accolades: Nominated for two Grammy Awards for Bumpin', 1965; received Grammy Award for Goin' Out of My Head as Best Instrumental Jazz Performance by Large Group or Soloist with Large Group, 1966; nominated for Grammy Awards for "Eleanor Rigby" and "Down Here on the Ground", 1968; nominated for Grammy Award for Willow, Weep for Me, 1969. Wes' second album, The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery, earned him Down Beat magazine's "New Star" award in 1960. In addition, he won the Down Beat Critic's Poll award for best Jazz guitarist in 1960, '61, '62,'63, '66, and 1967. (he woke one morning, remarked to his wife that he "Didn't feel very well," and minutes later collapsed, dying of a heart attack within minutes) b. March 6th 1923.
1982: Art Pepper (56) American alto saxophonist; born in Gardena, California, he began his career with Benny Carter and Stan Kenton between 1946 and 1952. By the '50s Art was recognized as one of the leading alto saxophonists in jazz, finishing second only to Charlie Parker as Best Alto Sax Player in the Down Beat magazine Readers Poll of 1952. He is associated with the musical movement known as West Coast jazz, as contrasted with the East Coast hot jazz associated with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. Art was a member of Buddy Rich's Big Band from 1968 to 1969, and in 1977 and 1978 made two well received tours of Japan. He had become a heroin addict in the 1940s, and his career was interrupted by drug-related prison sentences in 1954–56, 1960-61, 1961-64 and 1964-65. Luckily, his drug abuse did not affect the quality of his recordings, which maintained a high level of musicianship throughout his career until his death. Art's most famous albums are Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section, Art Pepper + Eleven - Modern Jazz Classics, Gettin' Together, and Smack Up. The Aladdin Recordings (three volumes), The Early Show, The Late Show, The Complete Surf Ride, and The Way It Was!, which features a session recorded with Warne Marsh. His autobiography, Straight Life, transcribed by his third wife Laurie Pepper, is a unique exploration into the jazz music world, as well as drug and criminal subcultures of mid-20th century California. The documentary film Art Pepper: Notes from a Jazz Survivor, available on DVD, devotes much space to music from one of his late groups featuring pianist Milcho Leviev (tragically he died from a brain hemorrhage) b. September 1st 1925.
1984: Meredith Willson (82) American composer, songwriter, conductor and playwright, born in Mason City, Iowa. He is best known for writing the book, music and lyrics for the hit Broadway musical The Music Man. He wrote three other Broadway musicals, composed symphonies, his Symphony No. 1 in F minor: A Symphony of San Francisco and Symphony No. 2 In E Minor: Missions of California were recorded in 1999. He also wrote popular songs, and his film scores which were twice nominated for Academy Awards. The cast recording of The Music Man won the first Grammy Award for Best Original Cast Album (Broadway or TV) ever issued. His second musical, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, ran on Broadway for 532 performances from 1960 to 1962. His third musical to be produced on Broadway was an adaptation of the film Miracle On 34th Street, called Here's Love-1963. His fourth, last, and musical was 1491. He penned a number of very well-known songs, such as "You and I", which was a No. 1 for Glenn Miller, "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas", and "May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You" (sadly died of heart failure) b. May 18th 1902.
1990: Jim Hodder (42) American drummer; born in Boston, US, he joined Steely Dan in 1972 when he worked on their debut album "Can't Buy a Thrill" and follow up album "Countdown to Ecstasy" in 1773. In 1972 Jim also sang the lead vocal on the song "Midnight Cruiser" and the vocals on the song "Dallas" which appeared only on a 7" record. These first few years were their very heavy touring days. Jim worked on part of Steely Dan's 3rd album "Pretzel Logic" before leaving the band in 1974. He went on to be an in-demand session player for musicians such as Sammy Hagar and David Soul. (he drowned in his swimming pool) b. September 17th 1947.
1994: Manos Hadjidakis (68) Academy Award-winning Greek composer; born in Xanthi, Greece; he received an Academy Award for Best Original Song for his song 'Never on Sunday' from the film of the same name in 1960. His very first work was the tune for the song Paper Moon from Tennessee Williams' 'A Streetcar Named Desire' staged by Karolos Koun's Art Theatre of Athens. His first piano piece, "For a Small White Seashell" came out in 1947 and in 1948 he shook the musical establishment by delivering his legendary lecture on rembetika, the urban folk songs that flourished in Greek cities, mainly Piraeus, after the Asia Minor refugee influx in 1922 and until then had heavy underworld and cannabis use connections and were consequently looked down upon. In 1949 he co-founded the Greek Dance Theatre Company with the choreographer Rallou Manou after which he started his career writing immensely popular "pop" songs and movie soundtracks alongside more serious works. He is also credited with the introduction of bouzouki music into mainstream culture (heart disease and diabetes) b. October 23rd 1925.
1996: Ella Fitzgerald (78) American jazz singer, known as "The First Lady of Song", blessed with a beautiful voice and a wide range, could outswing anyone and had near-perfect elocution; she learned to sing by imitating the vocal stylings she heard on the radio and records, especially those of Louis Armstrong and Connee Boswell of the Boswell Sisters. She dropped out of school, became involved with the numbers racket, and worked as a lookout at a brothel. Caught by the authorities, she was put into the Riverdale Children's Association, an orphanage and school, from which she ran away in 1934, determined to make a career in show business. She won an amateur contest at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, in Dec of 1934 singing "Judy" and "The Object of My Affection". She later came to the attention of Charles Linton, lead singer for Chick Webb's band. Linton took her to Webb, who hired her in 1935. She recorded her first hit, "A Tisket A Tasket," with Webb's band in 1939. Under Webb's musical guidance, Ella learnt professional skills, developed confidence, and began recording. In 1942 she embarked on her long influencial career as a soloist. In 1947 she married famed jazz bassist Ray Brown and 1948 to 1952 she sang his jazz group. The couple adopted an infant named Raymond Brown, Jr., but in 1953 the marriage ended and she never remarried. During her lifetime Fitzgerald worked with all the great jazz performers and won countless awards for her work, among them popularity awards from jazz magazines; honorary doctorates; the American Music Award-1978; the Kennedy Center Award-1979 for her lifetime achievement in the performing arts; the National Medal of the Arts-1987, presented at the White House; and thirteen Grammy Awards, including one in 1967 for her lifetime achievement. In 1989 she became the first recipient of the Society of Singers Lifetime Achievement Award, named "Ella" in her honor. Beginning in the early 1970s, Fitzgerald had eyesight problems complicated by diabetes and also suffered from circulatory system complications. In 1986 she had heart surgery, but she returned to the concert stage the next year. Despite these illnesses, she continued to perform at least once a month into the early 1990s (In 1993 Ella had to have both her legs amputated below the knees. She sadly died at her Beverly Hills home with complications from diabetes) b. April 25th 1917.
1999: Fausto Papetti (76) Italian alto saxophone player, born at Viggiù in Lombardy. He began his career in 1957 playing in jazz orchestras, before playing with the group “I Campioni” /The Champions, which at the time was backing the singer Tony Dallara on disk and in concert. He left the group in 1959 signing with Durium as a session musician, where he recorded with many and varied artists at the recording house. His arrangement of "Estate violenta" was released in 1960 under the name "Fausto Papetti Sax and rhythms", it's success exceeded the original soundtrack of the film. This led to his debut album, simply titled "Raccolta"/Collection the same year. Throughout the '60s and the '70s, all his albums reaches the top of the sales charts, and were also released on the Latin American market. Fausto recorded two "Raccolta" a year, the best-selling being the 20th one in 1975. The albums are also characterized and famous for their covers, especially in the '70s, with girls in undressed winking poses. He became a founder of a genre, and in the 70s had many imitators, like Johnny Sax and Piergiorgio Farina. As well as his famed Collections, he recorded many other albums including "Old America", "Evergreen", "Bonjour France", "Made in Italy", "Rhythms of Latin America", "Cinema anni '60","Cinema anni '70". Fausto continued working until his death (?) b. January 28th 1923.
2004: Leonard Walter "Lennie" Bush (77) English jazz double-bassist, he started on the violin before changing to bass at 16, and by 17 he was playing professionally in a variety show called The Rolling Stones and Dawn. He played with Nat Gonella in the middle of the 1940s, but turned to bebop in the later 40s. Lennie was one of the founding members of London's Club Eleven, and played there in a band with Ronnie Scott, Hank Shaw, Tommy Pollard, and Tony Crombie. He later studied with James Merrett at the Guildhall School of Music, and he was much sought after by overseas musicians, joining many European tours of Zoot Sims, Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, and Roy Eldridge. He became a member of Jack Parnell's ATV Orchestra in 1957, and also recorded with Anita O'Day, Stephane Grappelli, and Eddie Vinson. He went into semi-retirement in the 1990s, but still played up until his death (?) b. June 6th 1927.
2006: Betty Curtis/Roberta Corti (70) Italian singer, born in Milan; she was active from 1957 to 1969. The song "Al di là" performed by her with Luciano Tajoli won the Sanremo Music Festival in 1961. She also represented Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1961 coming shared fifth in Cannes (?) b. March 21st 1936.
2007: Richard Bell (61) Canadian musician pianist and keyboard player born in Toronto. Richard was well known as the pianist for Janis Joplin and her Full Tilt Boogie Band. In the late 1960s, while touring with Ronnie Hawkins, he was approached by Joplin's manager Albert Grossman and invited to join her new ensemble. His playing can be heard on her posthumously-released album Pearl and many bootleg recordings from her 1970 tour, including performances from the Festival Express "train tour" of Canada. After which he moved to Woodstock, New York, where he worked as a session musician. Among those he worked with were Judy Collins, John Sebastian., Paul Butterfield, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Bruce Cockburn, Cowboy Junkies, Bob Dylan, Michael Kaeshammer, Bonnie Raitt and Joe Walsh. In 1991, Richard joined the reconstituted line-up of The Band as a keyboardist and in later years before his passing performed as keyboard player with Canadian roots-rock performers such as Colin Linden, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and Kathleen Edwards (died after a long brave battle with multiple myeloma) b. March 5th 1946
2010: Busi Mhlongo (62) Sth African virtuoso singer, dancer and composer, born in Inanda, Natal. Drawing on various South African styles such as mbaqanga, maskanda, marabi and traditional Zulu, fused with contemporary elements from jazz, funk, rock, gospel, rap, opera, reggae and West African music she produced a fresh and exciting sound. In 2000, Busi scooped three awards at the FNB South African Music Awards for best female artist, best adult contemporary album (Africa), and best African pop album. Busi has since also scored a Kora award and Melt has released a compilation called Indiza. (Sadly lost her battle with cancer) b. October 28th 1947.
2010: Janis Grodums (52) Latvian bass guitarist, singer, songwriter; Janas was a founder member of the rock band Livi, formed in 1976 by himself, Kigelis, Pavitols, Ingrida and drummer Andris Kruminš. Their early years were spent in small-time gigs, playing sad songs written by Pavitols and sung by his wife, Ingrida. In 1980 the line up changed, 17-year old singer Rodrigo Fomins and drummer Vilnis Krievinš joined up, Kigelis immediately started writing new songs, and Livi suddenly became popular, appearing in many music festivals and slowly starting to record their first album, the self-titled Livi, which was released in 1983. Going from strength to strength, under different line up changes, Janis, with Livi recorded their best-selling album Bailes par zingem (Fear about Songs) in 1997. The album remained in fans memories for “Piedod man” – a hard-rockers confession written by Janis. They carried on recording until 2005. (?) b. June 10th 1958.
2011: Mae Wheeler (77) American singer and event producer, born in Memphis, but moved to St. Louis when she was 5 and went on to be known to generations of St. Louis music fans as “Lady Jazz". She eventually broke in to the music business at the tail end of St. Louis' Gaslight Square era, crediting fellow singer Jeanne Trevor for helping her to get her first gigs at places such as Vanity Fair, the Black Horse, the Dark Side and the Red Carpet. In the 1970s and into the 1980s, Mae was a regular performer at Hannegan's on Laclede's Landing and also worked at other spots such the Moose Lounge in north St. Louis and an early incarnation of Kennedy's, also on the Landing. In later years, she performed frequently at the now-defunct Brandt's in University City, as well as at other restaurants, lounges and clubs around town. She worked with hundreds of St. Louis musicians and singers, and appeared with nationally known entertainers including Pearl Bailey, Count Basie, Sonny Stitt, Mitch Miller and Arthur Prysock. As best as can be determined, she released two recordings, Live in 2000, and Just Friends in 200 (sadly died after a long illness) b. May 15th 1934.
2012: Rune Gustafsson (78) Swedish jazz guitarist and composer born in Gothenburg and moved to Stockholm in the 1950s to work with Putte Wickman and Arne Domnérus Radio band and Radio Jazz Group. His first published works were Young Guitar in 1961 with Arne Domnérus, Jan Johansson, Jimmy Woode, Bjarne Nerem, Börje Fredriksson and Jan Allan. He went on to work with the likes of Jon Christensen, Arne Domnérus, Cornelis Vreeswijk, Jan Johansson, and Georg Riedel. He is noted in particular for the soundtrack of Swedish films The Man Who Quit Smoking -1972, Release the Prisoners to Spring -1975, and Sunday's Children -1992. Rune received the Albin Hagstrom Memorial Price in 1997, The Thore Ehrling scholarship in 2001, and Guitar People's Prize in 2004. In 2009 he was awarded the Lars Gullin Award, for having been "the trend for young guitarists in Sweden and abroad". In 2010 he was awarded the Monica Zetterlund memorial fund scolarship (sadly Rune died after a short illness) b. August 25th 1933.

June 16.
1925: Emmett Louis Hardy (22) American jazz cornet player and one of the best regarded New Orleans musicians of his generation. Emmett was born in the New Orleans suburb of Gretna, Louisiana, he was a child prodigy, described as already playing marvelously in his early teens. Some New Orleans musicians remembered as a musical highlight of their lives a 1919 cutting contest where after long and intense struggle Hardy succeeded in outplaying Louis Armstrong. He was in the original incarnation of the New Orleans Rhythm Kings aka NORK under the direction of Bee Palmer. Sadly Emmett did not appear on any of the Rhythm Kings recording sessions, never making any commercial recordings before his very early death, but he and some of his musician friends made some home recordings on wax phonograph cylinders for their own amusement. As Hardy's tuberculosis worsened and his death seemed inevitable, the friends decided to preserve the cylinders as a memento of Emmett's playing. When advancing tuberculosis started to make his breathing difficult, he taught himself banjo so he could continue playing music (tuberculosis) b. June 12th 1903.
1939: William Henry "Chick" Webb (34) American jazz and swing drummer and band leader of the Chick Webb Band; he used custom-made pedals, goose-neck cymbal holders, a 28-inch bass drum and a wide variety of other percussion instruments and perched high upon a platform he created thundering solos of a complexity and energy that paved the way for the likes of Buddy Rich, who studied Chick intensely. Born in Baltimore, he suffered from tuberculosis of the spine from childhood. At the age of 17 he moved to New York City and by 1926, he was leading his own band in Harlem. He alternated between band tours and residencies at New York City clubs through the late 1920s. In 1931, his band became the house band at the Savoy Ballroom, and became one of the best-regarded bandleaders and drummers of the new "Swing" style. (sadly died after a major operation in Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore) b. February 10th 1905.
1970: Heino Eller (83) Estonian composer and composition teacher, born in Tartu, and in 1907 he entered the Saint Petersburg Conservatory to study violin. From 1920 to 1940, he was a professor of music theory and composition at the Tartu Higher School for Music. During this time he formed the Tartu school of composition, which gave rise to many composers, including Eduard Tubin. In 1940 he became a professor of composition at the Tallinn Conservatory and taught there until his death in 1970. He was named a People's Artist of the USSR in 1967. His works include - Dawn; Twilight; Moderato sostenuto in D minor for voice, viola and piano; Elegia for harp and string orchestra; Concerto in B minor for violin and orchestra; and Five Pieces for string orchestra (?) b. March 7th 1887.
1982: James Honeyman-Scott (25) Guitarist, he was a founding member of the English-American rock band formed in Hereford, The Pretenders, formed in 1978. The band's first single, a cover of The Kinks song "Stop Your Sobbing", produced by Nick Lowe, was released in January 1979 and gained critical attention. It was followed in June with "Kid" and then in November the band got to No.1 in the UK with "Brass in Pocket" which was also successful in the US reaching No.14 on the Billboard Hot 100. Prior to joining the Pretenders, he played in several bands, The Enid, The Hawks, The Hot Band, and Cheeks. (died of heart failure as a result of intolerance for cocaine) b. November 4th 1956.
1986: Maurice Duruflé (84) French composer, organist, and pedagogue born in Louviers; in 1912, he became chorister at the Rouen Cathedral Choir School, where he studied piano and organ with Jules Haelling. At age 17, moving to Paris, he took private organ lessons with Charles Tournemire, whom he assisted at Basilique Ste-Clotilde, Paris until 1927. In 1920 he entered the Conservatoire de Paris, eventually graduating with first prizes in organ, harmony, piano accompaniment, and composition. In 1927, Louis Vierne nominated him as his assistant at Notre-Dame. Maurice became titular organist of St-Étienne-du-Mont in Paris in 1929, a position he held for the rest of his life. In 1936, he won the Prix Blumenthal. He was highly critical of his own composition. He only published a handful of works and often continued to edit and change pieces after publication. For instance, the Toccata from Suite, op. 5 has a completely different ending in the first edition than in the more recent version, and the score to the Fugue sur le nom d'Alain originally indicated accelerando throughout. The result of this perfectionism is that his music, especially his organ music, holds a very high position in the repertoire. Maurice suffered severe injuries in a car accident on 29 May 1975, as a result he gave up performing; indeed he was largely confined to his apartment (?) b. January 11th 1902.
1994: Kristen Pfaff (26) American bassist, born and raised in Buffalo, New York. She spent a short time in Europe and briefly attended Boston College before finishing at the University of Minnesota. She studied classical piano and cello. While living in Minneapolis, she taught herself to play bass guitar. She, guitarist/vocalist Joachim Breuer and drummer Matt Entsminger formed the band Janitor Joe. While Janitor Joe were on tour in California Kristen was scouted by Eric Erlandson and Courtney Love of Hole, who were at the time looking for a new bassist. In 1993, she moved to Seattle, Washington, to work with the other members of Hole on Live Through This, the major-label follow-up to Pretty On The Inside. October 20th 1994, Janet Pfaff, Kristen's mother, accepted induction on her daughter's behalf into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.(Tragically Kristaen was found dead in her bathtub due to a heroin overdose) b. May 26th 1967
1997: John Wolters (52) American drummer born in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, he was part of country rock band Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show from 1973, when Jay David left the band, until 1985, when the band split up. While he was with them, among their many hits, they had a UK No.1/US No.6 hit with "When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman" and a UK No.4/US No.5 hit with "Sexy Eyes". (sadly died of liver cancer in San Francisco, California) b. April 28th 1945.
1999: Screaming Lord Sutch/ David Sutch (58) British singer, politician; UK's first long-haired pop star, boasting hair over 18 inches long and the self-styled lord was Britain's longest-serving political leader, standing in nearly 40 elections. His most famous party was the Official Monster Raving Loony Party. During the 60s, he was known for his horror-themed stage show, dressing as Jack the Ripper, pre-dating the shock rock antics of Alice Cooper. Accompanied by his band, The Savages, he started by coming out of a black coffin. Other props included knives and daggers, skulls and "bodies". He booked themed tours, such as 'Sutch and the Roman Empire', where he and the band members would be dressed up as Roman soldiers. Despite self-confessed lack of vocal talent, he released horror-themed singles during the early to mid-'60s, the most popular "Jack the Ripper", covered live and on record by garage rock bands including the White Stripes, The Black Lips and The Horrors. His album Lord Sutch and Heavy Friends was named in a 1998 BBC poll as the worst album of all time, a status it also held in Colin Larkin's book The Top 1000 Albums of All Time, despite the fact that Jimmy Page, John Bonham, Jeff Beck, Noel Redding and Nicky Hopkins performed on it and helped write it. (David suffered from bipolar disorder and ended up committing suicide by hanging himself) b. November 10th 1940.
2007: Donna King Conkling (88) American singer; member of The King Sisters; born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, the all King children originally were part of the "Drigg's Family of Entertainers". In the early 1930s sisters Louise, Maxine and Alyce formed a vocal trio and went to San Francisco to audition for radio station KGO. While the three oldest King Sisters were performing in San Francisco, two of their younger sisters, Yvonne and Donna, aged 14 and 15, formed their own vocal trio with a friend. The 2 trios joined together, but by the mid 30s there were four King Sisters Donna, Yvonne, Alyce and Luise. They worked with bandleaders Horace Heidt, Artie Shaw and Charlie Barnet and at the peak of their success, they also appeared in a number of Hollywood features in the 1940s. During World War II, they appeared regularly on Kay Kyser's radio series. In 1965, they began hosting their own ABC television network show, The King Family Show, which featured family members such as Alyce's husband, actor Robert Clarke, and her sons, Ric de Azevedo, Lex de Azevedo, and Cam Clarke as well as other talent. The show ran until 1969 (?) b. September 3rd 1918.
2008: Margaret Kitchin (94) British pianist, born in Switzerland she was strongly associated with contemporary music, she gave many premieres of works by composers such as Michael Tippett, Thea Musgrave and Peter Racine Fricker. Her first commercial recording came when, in 1958, responding to an invitation from a then unknown promoter, Richard Itter, she recorded Tippett's Fantasy Sonata (his first) coupled with Iain Hamilton's Sonata Op 13. It was issued in 1960. Her concert career developed, focusing on the serial and avant-garde repertoire, and she became the pianist the BBC often asked to do difficult modern works, usually learned for just one performance. Margaret forged many important musical partnerships. She toured extensively with the horn player Barry Tuckwell, they premièred at the Zagreb Festival of Contemporary Music and also worked extensively with the violinist Maria Lidka (?) b. March 23rd 1914.
2009: Charlie Mariano (85) American jazz alto saxophonist; born in Massachusetts and later relocated to Germany. Over his long career he has led many of his own bands as well as playing in other bands including the bands of Charles Mingus, Stan Kenton, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Eberhard Weber, the United Jazz and Rock Ensemble, Embryo and played with numerous others. He also played the nadaswaram, a traditional oboe from South India (cancer) b. November 12th 1923.
2010: Bill Dixon (84) American trumpet player, flugelhorn, and pianist, often using electronic delay and reverberation as part of his trumpet playing. Born in Nantucket, Massachusetts, Bill started playing trumpet in high school and after his military service he studied at the Hartnette Conservatory in New York City before gigging in New York. From 1961-3 he played with saxophonist Archie Shepp leading small groups and later arranged for the New York Contemporary Five in 1963 and the following year presented a series of concerts, the October Revolution In Jazz. As an educator Bill taught at Bennington College from '68, founding the Black Music Division there in 1973 and in the published '80s a book titled L’Opéra:a Collection of Letters, Writings, Musical Scores, Drawings, and Photographs (1967-1986), vol. I. As a sideman he appears on Cecil Taylor’s Conquistador and his own albums including Archie Shepp-Bill Dixon Quartet- '62, Intents and Purposes- '66-7 and Song of Sisyphus - 1988 and more recently the album Bill Dixon With The Exploding Star Orchestra on the Thrill Jockey label two years ago (sadly, died at his home, after battling a two-year illness) b. October 5th 1925.
2010: Garry Shider (56) American singer and guitarist whose work with the funk groups Parliament-Funkadelic and Bootsy's Rubber Band earned him a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Born in Plainfield, N.J, he began his musical career as a gospel singer and guitarist. He met George Clinton in the late 1960s at a Plainfield barbershop where the Parliaments, then primarily a soul vocal group, practiced harmonies. At the age of 17 Garry moved to Toronto, Canada, where he formed a funk band, United Soul, and also produced a single by the band under the name U.S. Soul in 1971. Back in America, Garry joined the band Parliament-Funkadelic in 1972, contributing to albums such as "America Eats Its Young" in 1972, "Cosmic Slop" in 1973 and "One Nation Under a Groove" 1978. He was known for appearing in a diaper, making him instantly recognizable on stage and earning him the nickname "Diaper Man". He performed during a final tour in April after having been diagnosed with brain and lung cancer in March (sadly Garry died of complications from brain and lung cancer) b. July 24th 1953.
2011: Larry "Wild Man" Fischer (66) American street musician, born in LA, California, he was institutionalized at age 16 for attacking his mother with a knife and later diagnosed with severe paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Following his release from the hospital, he wandered LA singing his unique brand of songs for 10¢ to passers-by. Discovered by Frank Zappa, with whom he recorded his first album, Larry became an underground concert favorite, earning him the title "godfather of outsider music". Zappa was responsible for Larry's initial foray into the business of music, an album called An Evening with Wild Man Fischer, contains 36 tracks of "something not exactly musical". Zappa and Larry remained close, until he threw a jar at Zappa's daughter Moon Unit Zappa, barely missing her. Due to this falling out, Zappa's widow Gail still has not yet released An Evening with Wild Man Fischer on CD. The Wild Man was re-decovered in 1999, Rhino released The Fischer King, a two-CD package comprising 100 tracks and a 20-page booklet, which sold out within weeks. In October 2004, he appeared on ABC-TV's late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!. He sang "Monkeys vs. Donkeys" while tapping on a backwards acoustic guitar. In 2005, Josh Rubin and Jeremy Lubin, premiered their documentary about Wild Man Fischer, entitled Derailroaded: Inside The Mind Of Wild Man Fischer, at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas. (sadly died of heart failure) b. November 6th 1944.
2012: Scott Johnson (33) British top drum technician born in Doncaster, Yorkshire; he toured the world working with bands such as Radiohead, Keane, Portishead, White Lies and so many others (Scott died in a tragic crush accident in Toronto, Canada, while on a world tour with Radiohead when the top portion of the stage fell in on him as he was setting up for the show (?) b. 1979

June 17.
1941: Johan Wagenaar (78) Dutch composer and organist born in the city of Utrecht; at the age of 13 he recieived instruction in piano, organ, violin, theory, and composition under the tutelage of the composer Richard Hol and the organist Samuel de Lange, Jr. In 1892, he studied with Brahms' friend Heinrich von Herzogenberg in Berlin. Between 1919 and 1937, he was director of the Royal Conservatory at the Hague. His pupils included Peter van Anrooy, Henri van Goudoever, Emile Enthoven, Alexander Voormolen, Leon Orthel, Allard de Ridder, Bernard Wagenaar and Willem Pijper. His compositions include operas, cantatas, organ music, and orchestral works. In his later years, Johan received an honorary Doctorate of Music from Utrecht University (?) b. November 1st 1862.
1954: Danny Cedrone (33) American guitarist and bandleader, best known for his work with Bill Haley & His Comets on their epochal "Rock Around the Clock" in 1954. Born in Jamesville, New York, he began his musical career in the 1940s, but he came into his own in the early 1950s, first as a session guitarist hired by what was then a country and western musical group based out of Chester, Pennsylvania called Bill Haley and His Saddlemen. In 1951, Danny played lead on their recording of "Rocket 88" which is considered one of the first acknowledged rock and roll recordings. At this time he also formed his own group, The Esquire Boys recording hits such as "Rock-a-Beatin' Boogie", and he never joined Haley's group as a full-time member. In 1952, he played lead guitar on Haley's version of "Rock the Joint", and his swift guitar solo, which combined a jazz-influenced first half followed by a lightning-fast down-scale run, was a highlight of the recording. He worked with Haley's group in 1954, by which time it had been renamed The Comets. He played a key role in the band's first recording session for Decca Records on April 12th 1954 when they recorded "Rock Around the Clock" in New York City. Danny was paid only $21 for his work on the session, as at that time Haley chose not to hire a full-time guitarist for his group. He also played on the June 7th 1954 recording session for Haley's version of "Shake, Rattle and Roll" although he was not allotted the chance for another notable guitar solo (Danny tragically died of a broken neck after falling down a staircase) b. June 20th 1920.
1983: Peter Mennin}i (60) American composer and teacher born in Erie, Pennsylvania; he began composing at an early age, and wrote 9 symphonies, several concertos, and numerous works for wind band, chorus, and other ensembles. His style became more chromatic and astringent with time, but was always essentially tonal, relying heavily on polyphony. His fifth symphony of 1950, which is tonal, energetic and suspenseful, was recorded by Howard Hanson and the Eastman Rochester Orchestra in the Mercury series of American classical works. Peter's notable students include Jacob Druckman, Richard Danielpour, Karl Korte, Charles L. Bestor, Jack Behrens, and Claire Polin. (?) b. May 17th 1923.
1984: Klavdiya Shulzhenko (78) Soviet jazz & pop singer; the most popular female singer of the Soviet Union before the rise of Alla Pugachova's star in the 1970s & became the first female pop singer to be named People's Artist of the USSR in 1971. She started singing with jazz and pop bands in the late 1920s and rose to fame in the late 1930s with her version of Sebastian Yradier's ''La Paloma''. In 1939, she was awarded at the first all-Soviet competition of pop singers. During World War II, she performed about a thousand concerts for Soviet soldiers in besieged Leningrad and elsewhere, with songs such as "The Blue Headscarf" and "Lets Smoke". On April 10th 1976, Klavdiya performed to enraptured audience in the Column Hall of the House of Unions in what would become her most famous concert. In 1999 Russia issued a postage stamp in her honor (?) b. March 24th 1906.
1986: Kate Smith (79) American singerborn in Greenville, Virginia, Kate best known for her rendition of Irving Berlin's "God Bless America". She had a radio, TV and recording career spanning 5 decades, reaching its height in the 1940s. Kate began making records in 1926; among her biggest hits were "River, Stay 'Way From My Door", "Woodpecker Song", "White Cliffs of Dover", "Rose O'Day", "I Don't Want to Walk Without You", "There Goes That Song Again", "Seems Like Old Times", and "Now Is the Hour". Her theme song "When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain", the lyrics of which she helped write. She started on radio in 1931 and also appeared in films, starring in The Big Broadcast of 1932 and This Is the Army in 1943; from 1951 to 1954, she also hosted an afternoon television programme. In 1982, Kate was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Ronald Reagan and was posthumously inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1999 (diabetes) b. May 1st 1907.
2005: Karl Mueller (42) American bassist and founding member of the rock-grunge band Soul Asylum; The band formed in 1981 under the name Loud Fast Rules, with the original line-up consisting of Karl, Dan Murphy, Dave Pirner and Pat Morley, Pat was replaced by Grant Young in 1984. The band recorded three albums with Twin/Tone Records and two with A&M Records to little commercial success. However, in 1992, they released the double-platinum album Grave Dancers Union, featuring their Grammy Award-winning single "Runaway Train". The band played the Bill Clinton inauguration early the next year. They also scored a platinum record with the album Let Your Dim Light Shine three years later in 1995, but it was the last hit album of the band's career. Sadly Karl was diagnosed with cancer in 2004 (sadly died fighting throat cancer) b. July 27th 1963.
2009: José Calvário (58) Portuguese maestro and orchestrator who conducted many festivals and concerts in Portugal. In the Eurovision Song Contest he was the composer, lyricist and conductor of five Portuguese entries: "A festa da vida"-1972, "E depois do adeus"-1974, "Portugal no coração"-1977, "Penso em ti, eu sei"-1985, "Voltarei" in 1988. Over his long career he made a great contribution to Portuguese Music (complications from heart attack) b.??
2009: Eon/Ian Loveday (55) British rave pioneer, with his music links being the early Detroit techno and modern dance sound, is maybe known to most for his 1990 acid techno song "Spice" and his “Fear the Mind Killer”. He began his recording career in 1987 while dj'ing as Ian B, when he started to produce his own music. His songs came to us first, thanks to the London pirate radio stations in the late '80s when Colin Faver played his first track 'Cuban Jakkin' by Rio Rhythm Band on the then pirate radio station Kiss FM. His debut as Eon was in 1988 with 'Light, Color, Sound', his first release on Vinyl Solution. Later he recorded on labels such as BAAD, XL Recordings and Kitsuni Records. His 1992 album Void Dweller, was highly influential on the progressing techno rave scene. The album contains 11 tracks with samples from David Lynch's Dune and themes from the horror movie Basket Case. Over his career, he has released 3 other albums... Sum of Parts in 2002, Device in 2006 and his last album Brain Filter was releasd in 2007. In '93 he teamed up with fellow british acid pioneer Peter 'Baby' Ford producing many classic tracks including 'Dead Eye', which was featured on Richie Hawtin's 'Decks. Eon, has also worked with producers like J Knight Marcus and Mark Moore, performed live at Fabric and on Radio One and most recently, he had been working on some new projects with old friend Baby Ford (complications from pneumonia) b. September 22nd 1954.

June 18.
1942: Arthur Pryor (71) American trombonist and bandleader, born on the second floor of the Lyceum Theatre in Saint Joseph, Missouri. He took up music at a very young age and was playing the valve trombone by age 11. By age 15 he had mastered the slide trombone and was awarded a spot in his father's band and hailed as a prodigy. He went on to direct the Stanley Opera Company in Denver, Colorado until joining the John Philip Sousa Band in 1892. He played his first solo with the Sousa Band at age 22 during the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. During his 12 years with the Sousa Band, Arthur estimated that he played 10,000 solos. From 1895 to 1903 he was assistant conductor of the Sousa Band. After leaving the Sousa Band, he formed his own band, which made its debut at the Majestic Theatre in New York City on November 15, 1903. The Pryor Band toured until 1909, when he decided to settle down and make Asbury Park, New Jersey the home of the band. Also at this time he became a staff conductor and arranger for the Victor Talking Machine Company in Camden, New Jersey. He retired from full-time conducting in 1933. He wrote some of the today's most famous trombone literature, including "Bluebells of Scotland" (?) b. September 22nd 1870.
1952: Heinrich Schlusnus (63) German baritone, Germany's foremost lyric baritone of the period between World War I and World War II, singing opera and lieder with equal distinction. Born in Braubach, he made his debut at Hamburg's opera house in 1915. He sang at Nuremberg from 1915 to 1917 and at the prestigious Berlin State Opera from 1917 until 1951. He was engaged by the Chicago Opera for its 1927-28 season and appeared at the Bayreuth Festival in 1933. He recorded during the 1920s, '30s and '40s an impressive array of lieder and a panoply of standard German and Italian operatic arias and duets (?) b. August 6th 1888.
1992: Peter Allen/Peter Richard Woolnough (48) Australian singer-songwriter and entertainer born in Tenterfield, New South Wales. His songs such as "You and Me, We Wanted It All", "Don't Cry Out Loud", "I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love", "Quiet Please There's a Lady on Stage", "I Go to Rio", "Someone's Waiting for You","I Don't Go Shopping", "I Honestly Love You" were made popular by many recording artists, including Frank Sinatra, Dusty Springfield, Patti LaBelle, Melissa Manchester, Olivia Newton-John, Elkie Brooks, and one, "Arthur's Theme", won the Academy Award. As well as recording around 10 albums of his own, he enjoyed a cabaret and concert career, including appearing at Radio City Music Hall riding a camel. Peter began his performing career with Chris Bell as one of the "Allen Brothers", who were a popular cabaret and television act in the early 1960s in Australia. He gave his last performance in Sydney on 26 January 1992 (AIDS-related throat cancer) b. February 10th 1944.
2006: Gica Petrescu (91) Romanian singer; after graduating from the "Gheorghe Sincai" high school in Buchares at the age of 18, the made his debut in a student band. His professional debut came in 1937 performing on the radio. Between 1937-1939 he carried on singing with the "Radu Ghinda" and "Dinu Serbanescu" orchestras at the Sinaia Casino, before he started to tour and make major records. Allegidly he holds a record for the number of composed and performed songs of over 1,500, in a varied discography, many of which became national hits and were covered again and again by other Romanian artists, with songs such as "Bucuresti, mai Bucuresti ", "Lalele, lalele" and "Uite-asa as vrea sa mor " On 5 May 2003, Ion Iliescu, then-president of Romania, awarded Gica the Knight's Order of the Star of Romania as he celebrated his 88th anniversary (he was due to receive the national award "Premiile muzicale Radio România Actualitati". The award was ceremony was canceled, as he died that very morning) b. April 2nd 1915
2007: Bill Barber (87) US jazz tuba player; born in Hornell, New York near Rochester, he started playing tuba in high school and studied at the Juilliard School of Music. After graduating, he travelled to Kansas City, Missouri where he played with the Kansas City Philharmonic and various ballet and theatre orchestras, before he joined the US Army in 1942, where he played in the army band for three years. He then started playing jazz, joining Claude Thornhill's big band in 1947, making him one of the first tuba players to play in a modern jazz style, playing solos and participating in intricate ensemble pieces. After which he became a founding member of Miles Davis' nonet in 1949 in what became known as the Birth of the Cool recording sessions. He then worked in theatre pit orchestras before joining up with Davis and Gil Evans in 1957 to record albums such as Sketches of Spain, Miles Ahead and Porgy and Bess.Bill also played on John Coltrane's only big band album Africa/Brass. In 1992, he recorded and toured with a nonet led by Gerry Mulligan reworking material from Birth of the Cool. From 1998-2004 he was part of the The Seatbelts New York Musicians that played the music of the Japanese anime Cowboy Bebop (heart failure) b. May 21st 1920.
2007: Hank Medress (68) American singer and record producer; after leaving Brooklyn's Abraham Lincoln High School, in 1955 he joined the doo-wop group the Linc-Tones, which also included Neil Sedaka. After Sedaka left, the group reformed with additional singers calling themselves The Tokens. The Tokens achieved a No. 1 chart hit in 1961 with their arrangement of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", other hits included "Tonight I Fell In Love", "Portrait of My Love" and they released 15 albums. Hank and the Tokens also were producers on hits for the Chiffons, such as He's So Fine, many of the hits for The Happenings, Randy & The Rainbows, plus hits for Tony Orlando & Dawn including "Knock Three Times" and "Tie A Yellow Ribbon". In 1998, The Tokens made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for performing The Star-Spangled Banner at all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums in the United States and Canada. Hank has also worked with David Johansen, Rick Springfield, Dan Hill, and Richard Simmons. He was president of EMI Music Publishing Canada, from 1990 to 1992. After which he returned to New York, and became a partner in Bottom Line Records. In more recent years, Hank had worked as a consultant for SoundExchange, an agency that collects royalties from digital broadcasters, like satellite and Internet radio. With The Tokens, Hank was inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004 (lung cancer) b. November 19th 1938.
2007: Boule Noire/George Thurston (55) Canadian singer, author, composer and radio show host; born in Bedford, Quebec and later moved to Saint-Jerome, where in 1965 he formed his first band Les Zinconnus. In 1969, he joined the 25th Regiment band until the early 1970s. Around this time he worked with several other Quebec artists including Robert Charlebois, Claude Dubois, Tony Roman, Nanette Workman and Michel Pagliaro. He played the piano, bass and guitar and would later be a composer for the group Toulouse. 1976 sees George as a solo artist which he remained for the next 30 years and his 1978 album Aimer d'Amour was certified triple platinum, the title song would later gain success in the early 1990s when 800,000 copies were sold in Europe. He became a radio show host for Montreal's Rythme FM radio station in 2000 (George died of colorectal cancer in Montreal. He learned of his cancer in early 2006. He bravely finished recording his last album "Last Call" after extensive chemotherapy operations) b. December 29th 1951.
2010: Kalmen Opperman (90) American clarinetist, He was a noted performer, teacher, conductor, composer, and writer of numerous clarinet studies. He was also a mouthpiece and barrel maker which he made only for his students, they are now highly sought after items for their quality workmanship and sound. For many years he was a performer in Broadway shows during what many call Broadway's "Golden Age". Kalmen wrote over 10 highly acclaimed study books for the clarinet including his multi-volume Daily Studies and Velocity Studies. As well as leading the Kalmen Opperman Clarinet Choir, he was a private clarinet teacher in his New York studio, and has also taught at such schools as Boston University, Hartt School of Music, and Indiana University (heart failure) b. December 8th 1919.
2011: Clarence "The Big Man" Clemons (69) American saxophonist born in Norfolk, Virginia, at aged nine, his father gave him an alto saxophone as a Christmas present and paid for music lessons. He later switched to baritone saxophone and played in a high school jazz band. At age 18, Clarence had one of his earliest studio experiences, recording sessions with Tyrone Ashley's Funky Music Machine, a band from Plainfield, New Jersey that included Ray Davis, Eddie Hazel and Billy Bass Nelson, all of whom later played with Parliament-Funkadelic. He also performed with Daniel Petraitis, a New Jersey and Nashville legend. These sessions were eventually released in 2007 by Truth and Soul Records as Let Me Be Your Man. While at Maryland State College he also joined his first band, The Vibratones, which played James Brown covers and stayed together for about four years, before playing with The Joyful Noyze. In July 1972, Bruce Springsteen began recording his debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. and during breaks from recording, he jammed with Clarence & The Joyful Noyze >>> READ MORE <<< (sadly died of complications following a stroke) b. January 11th 1942.
2011: Gustaf Kjellvander (31) Swedish singer-songwriter, before starting the Swedish outfit The Fine Arts Showcase he had two bands, Sideshow Bob and Songs of Soil, which also featured Gustaf's eldest brother Christian and future The Fine Arts Showcase Guitarist/Multi-instrumentalist Dan Englund. He was born in Sweden but grew up outside of Seattle. After 10 years in the states his family returned to Sweden where Gustaf started writing music. He started his recording career fronting the cult band Sideshow Bob from 1996–1998 before moving onto Songs of Soil and finally The Fine Arts Showcase in 2003. They produced four albums the last being Dolophine Smile in 2009. He also made guest appearances on Scandinavian records by The Radio Dept., David & the Citizens, and Ossler. Gustaf spent 2005–2008 residing in east London before moving back to Malmö Sweden where he lived until his death (?) b. April 25th 1980.
2012: Ghazala Javed (22) Pakistani Pukhtu singer, born in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; she started dancing at the age of sixteen, soon after she became famed for her singing. She was nominated for a Filmfare Award in 2010 and received a Khyber Award in 2011. Ghazala was the leader of a resurgence of female Pashto language singers in the province after a period of Taliban intimidation (tragically she was shot dead along with her father in a drive-by shooting by gunmen on a motorcycle. Police confirmed that the singer's ex-husband is a suspect in the case) b. January 1st 1990.
2012: Brian Hibbard (65) Welsh actor and singer, born in Ebbw Vale, Wales; best known to many as lead vocalist with the cappella vocal group, the Flying Pickets. The band of six was founded by Brian in 1982 from a group of actors who had been active with him in John McGrath's '7:84 Theatre Group', who had sung a cappella in their production of the 1981 play One Big Blow. They had a Christmas number one hit in 1983 in the UK Singles Chart with their debut single, a cover of Yazoo's track "Only You" which stayed five weeks at the top. In 1986 Brian and Red Stripe left the band and formed their own act called Brian and Stripe recording one single Mr Blue, before Brian returned to his acting career. He has appeared in TV productions including Welsh-language soap Pobol y Cwm and the youth drama Pam Fi, Duw?, Doctor Who, EastEnders, Coronation Street, and also appeared the 1997 film Twin Town (sadly Brian died after a brave 12 year long battle with prostate cancer) b. November 26th 1946

June 19.
1997: Bobby Helms (63) American pop and country singer; born in Bloomington, Indiana, he began performing as a duo with his brother, Freddie. In 1956, Bobby made his way to Nashville, Tennessee, where he signed with Decca Records. His first single in 1957 titled "Fräulein" went to number one on the country music chart and made it into the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. His recording of "My Special Angel," also reached No.1 on the country charts and entered the Top 10 on Billboard's pop music chart, peaking at No.7. His 1957 "Jingle Bell Rock" was a big hit. it re-emerged in the charts four out of the next five years and became a Christmas classic still played to this day. He continued touring and recording for the next three decades. His pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame (sadly died from emphysema and asthma) b. August 15th 1933
2001: Lindsay L. Cooper (61) Scottish double-bass and cello player born in Glasgow, and moved to London in 1965 where he became a professional musician. From 1965 to 1967 and again in 1970, he worked as a ship's musician on the Queen Mary and P&O passenger liner ships. In 1978 he moved to Zürich, but returned to Scotland in 1990 where he ran a free improvisation workshop in Edinburgh. Lindsay has performed and recorded with many musicians over his career including Michael Jackson, Boy George, Derek Bailey, Evan Parker, Keith Tippett, Kenny Wheeler, Ken Colyer, Bobby Bradford and Lol Coxhill. He also recorded with Strawbs, the Bill Wells Octet and a number of other jazz, rock and folk groups. His musical influences included Thelonious Monk, King Oliver and Derek Bailey (?) b. January 18th 1940.
2006: Duane Roland (53) US guitarist; he was a founding member of the rock band Molly Hatchet, formed in Florida in 1971. They took thier name from a prostitute who allegedly mutilated and decapitated her clients. They recorded and released their first album, "Molly Hatchet" in 1978, followed by "Flirtin' with Disaster" in 1979. They toured behind the record building a larger fan base. He recorded seven albums with the band and is is credited with co-writing some of the band's biggest hits, including "Bloody Reunion" and "Boogie No More". After leaving the band in 1990, he played with the Southern Rock Allstars and finally Gator Country for the last year of his life. Gator Country, included many of the founding members of Molly Hatchet (natural causes) b. December 3rd 1953.
2007: Antonio Aguilar Barraza (88) Mexican film actor, singer, producer and screenwriter also called "El Charro de México", born in Villanueva in the state of Zacatecas. During his career, he made over 150 albums, which sold 25 million copies, and made 167 movies. He was known for his corridos with some of his best known songs including "Gabino Barrera", "Caballo Prieto Azabache", "Albur de Amor", and "Un Puño De Tierra".[1] Antonio was also largely responsible for the renewed popularity of the tambora music in the mid 1980s, when he single-handedly resuscitated the genre with the hit "Triste Recuerdo". To this day he has been the only Hispanic artist to sell out the Madison Square Garden of New York City for six consecutive nights on 1997 (sadly died of from pneumonia) b. May 17th 1919.
2007: El Fary/José Luis Cantero Rada (69) Spanish singer, actor; as a boy he would play truant from school, preferring to spend time partying with Gypsies imitating his idol, the traditional "copla" singer Rafael Farina. It was from Farina that José adopted his stage name of "El Fary". He was in his early 30's when he got his big break... he was called to stand in for Pepe Blanco at a show in Pozoblanco, Córdoba, Andalusia and soon after legendary Antonio Molina hired him for a two-month tour. By the end of the '70s he was recording poppier songs such as Gypsy rumbas that found a home in the Spanish hit parade. In 1980, he first appeared on television, in José María Iñigo's show Fiesta, from then on, he was known across Spain. It was in the 1980s that El Fary released what would generally be considered his most famous song, "El Toro Guapo". The 90s see El Fary get his break in the acting world, when he starred in the show "Menudo es mi padre" as a taxi driver and later in the '90s with the releas of the filmTorrente - The Dumb Arm of the Law, which featured a new song recorded especially by El Fary himself called Apatrullando la ciudad ("Patrolling The City"). Both the song and the film were hits, and spawned two sequels. With the release of the third Torrente film in 2005 - Torrente 3 - The Protector, a unique piece of El Fary-related spin-off merchandising was produced: the Carrofary - a small rubber replica of the singer designed to be hung from a car's rear view mirror (sadly died after a brave fight against lung cancer) b. August 20th 1937.
2012: Gerry Bron (79) British record producer and manager born in Hendon, Middlesex; his career in music covered about every aspect of the industry. He was at varioius times, a clarinetist, a sheet music printer, an artist manager handling acts including Gene Pitney, Marianne Faithfull, Manfred Mann, Colosseum and Uriah Heep, a record producer working with the Bonzo Dog Band, Osibisa and Juicy Lucy plus all the acts he managed with the exception of Faithfull, a booking agent, record label owner and a studio owner and manager at Roundhouse Studios. He was brought up in a family steeped in the music industry. His father's company, Bron's Orchestral Service, was claimed to be the largest supplier of sheet music in the UK. Gerry joined the company at 16 to assist his father when Bron senior's health started to fail. The company moved into music publishing and one of the first acts that Gerry was responsible for was Gene Pitney. In 1971 he set up Bronze Records based in Chalk Farm, London. He had been producing Uriah Heep for Vertigo Records, and he set up this new label for future Uriah Heep releases, along with Juicy Lucy, Richard Barnes and Colosseum. Others subsequent acts included Osibisa, Paladin, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, The Real Kids, Sally Oldfield, Motörhead, The Damned, Girlschool, Bronz and Hawkwind (?) b. March 1st 1933.

June 20.
1940: Jehan Ariste Alain (29) French organist and composer born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Paris. Between 1927 and 1939, he attended the Paris Conservatoire and his Suite pour orgue was awarded a first prize in composition in the competition of Les Amis de l'Orgue in 1936. In that same year, he was appointed titular organist of Saint-Nicolas in Maisons-Laffite. Throughout his short life he never ceased to compose for the piano, the organ, chamber music, orchestral music and voices for soloists and choirs, his catalog comprises more than 140 works. His Litanies are in organists' repertory the world over. (he died in action in the defence of Saumur) b. February 3rd 1911.
1965: Ira Louvin/Ira Lonnie Loudermilk (41) American country singer, songwriter, and mandolinist born in Section, Alabama. He played with his brother Charlie Louvin, as the Louvin Brothers. They were heavily influenced by the Delmore Brothers and Monroe Brothers. Ira played mandolin with Charlie Monroe, guitar player of the Monroe Brothers in the early 1940s. The Louvin Brothers' songs were heavily influenced by their Baptist faith and warned against sin, although Ira was notorious for his drinking and short temper. The brothers helped popularize close harmony, a genre of country music with hits such as "The Get Acquainted Waltz", "Cash on the Barrelhead" and "When I Stop Dreaming". They joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1955 and stayed there until breaking up in 1963. and in 2001, the Louvin brothers were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Ira is also remembered for the cover he designed for their 1960 album, Satan Is Real, featuring the brothers standing in a rock quarry in front of a 12-foot tall rendition of the Devil as several hidden tires soaked in kerosene burn behind them as fire and brimstone. (Tragically, he died when a drunken driver struck his car in Williamsburg, Missouri) b. April 21st 1924.
1973: Bruce Tate (36) American vocalist, baritone singer with The Penguins. Brought up in Los Angeles, he attended Jefferson High. Bruce, along with his school friend Curtis Williams, plus Dexter Tisby and Cleveland Duncan, they formed the doo-wop vocal group in late 1953, having a midtempo performance style, a cross between rhythm and blues and rock and roll. In May of 1954, they released their debut single "No There Ain't No News Today". Later they recorded a track "I Ain't Gonna Cry" which was featured on the album "The Best Vocal Groups In Rock & Roll". Dootone Records released The Penguins' single "Hey Senorita" in late 1954 as the intended A-side, but a radio DJ flipped the record over to the B-side: "Earth Angel" worked its way up to No.1 on the Billboard charts. They moved to Mercury Records recording tracks such as "Don't Do It", "It Only Happens With You", "Walkin' Down Broadway" and "Be Mine Or Be A Fool". After which, not liking the new found fame, and cracking up under the pressures, Bruce left the group. The Penguins were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004 (?) b. January 27th 1937
1983: Sadik Hakim/Argonne Thornton (64) American jazz pianist, composer, sessionist, born in Duluth, Minnesota and was taught piano by his grandfather. In 1944 he moved to New York City and was hired by Ben Webster and also he was on part of Charlie Parker's famous "Ko Ko" session, as well as gigging regularly with Lester Young. Sadik worked with Louis Metcalf's International Band in Canada, before working with James Moody and George Holmes Tate in New York through the 50s. He returned to Montreal from 1966 to 1976, leading bands and recording with Charlie Biddle. He led recording dates from 1976–1980 and cut an album with Sonny Stitt in 1978. Sadik played "'Round Midnight" at Thelonious Monk's funeral in 1982 (?) b. July 15th 1919.
1991: Malcolm Frager (57) American pianist born in St. Louis, Missouri, known mainly for his deep interest in Beethoven and Mozart and as a champion of the two Weber Piano Concertos. At the age of 14, he persuaded his family to send him to New York City, where he studied with the pianist and teacher Carl Friedberg. His career was set firmly in motion by two competition victories in successive years: the Leventritt in New York in 1959 and the Queen Elisabeth in Brussels in 1960. In 1969 he relocated to Lenox, Mass., near to the Tanglewood Festival. He remained a busy member of the world concert circuit, often spending as much as nine months of the year on the road. In 1987 Malcolm received the Golden Mozart Pin from the International Mozart Foundation in Salzburg. (He died in Pittsfield, Massachusetts after a lengthy illness) b. January 15th 1935.
1992: Sir Charles Barnard Groves CBE (77) English conductor. After accompanying positions and conducting various orchestras and studio work for the BBC, Charles spent a decade as conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. His best-known musical directorship was of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, beginning in 1963, with which he made most of his recordings. From 1967 until his death, he was associate conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and in the 1970s he was one of the regular conductors of the Last Night of the Proms. He also served as president of the National Youth Orchestra from 1977, and, during the last decade of his life, as guest conductor for orchestras around the world. (heart problems) b. March 20th 1915
1996: James 'Jim' Ellison (32) America frontman and guitarist; as a teenager Jim was inspired enough by the likes of David Bowie, the Who, and Sweet to seriously take up the guitar. Then while attending Chicago's Columbia Art College he formed the powerpop band Material Issue. He tirelessly promoted his band, booked tours, and secured a major-label deal in 1990. In early 1991, Material Issue broke onto the national scene with their debut album International Pop Overthrow (IPO) which sold over 300,000 copies, producing hit singles "Diane" and "Valerie Loves Me", which peaked at No.3 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. 1992 saw the follow-up to IPO with Destination Universe which included the searing power pop gem "What Girls Want" in addition to the richly emotional ballads "Next Big Thing" and "Everything". Material Issue continued to tour heavily across the country in support of both albums. 1994 saw the release of Freak City Soundtrack which featured the hit "Kim The Waitress" (He committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning) b. April 18th 1964.
1997: Lawrence Payton (59) American songwriter, tenor vocalist and record producer for the popular Motown quartet, The Four Tops. The Four Tops was founded in Detroit, Michigan as The Four Aims, by Lawrence, Levi Stubbs, Abdul "Duke" Fakir, and Renaldo "Obie" Benson, they remained together for over four decades, having gone from 1953 until 1997 without a single change in personnel and they helped define the Motown Sound of the 1960s. Lawrence created the smooth, sharp jazz - pop hamonies for the group on their many hits such as "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" and "Reach Out I'll Be There" (sadly died of liver cancer) b. March 2nd 1938.
2006: Claydes "Charles" Smith (57) American guitarist, vocalist; born in Jersey City, New Jersey, he was introduced to jazz guitar by his father. In the early 1960s he got together with some New Jersey jazz musicians, including Ronald Bell aka Khalis Bayyan, Robert "Kool" Bell, George Brown, Dennis Thomas and Robert "Spike" Mickens, and they soon became known as Kool & the Gang. Other members would include lead singer James "JT" Taylor. They were one of the major groups of the 1970s, blending jazz, funk, R&B, and pop and enjoyed a return to stardom during the 1980s. Charles wrote the hits "Joanna" and "Take My Heart," and was a co-writer of others, including "Celebration," "Hollywood Swinging," and "Jungle Boogie." (Illness forced him to stop touring with the group in January 2006. He passed away due to an unknown prolonged illness) b. September 6th 1948.
2010: El Pery (21) Honduran reggaeton musician (tragically shot) b.????.
2010: Bobby Meide (59) American long landing drummer with the Flamin' Oh's; their most recent album, Long Live the King, was released in 2005 and was awarded as "Best Local CD" by the Minnesota Music Academy. In 2007, the band was inducted into the Minnesota Country Rock Hall of Fame. He had been a fixture of the Twin Cities rock scene for over four decades and had also played with The Apostles, Prodigy and many more. (tragically died unexpectingly of Korsakoff's syndrome, his medical condition had only been diagnosed in the past few weeks) b. August 1st 1950.
2011: Simon Brint (61) English composer and one half of comedy musical duo Raw Sex with Rowland Rivron. Their spoof act went on to become the house band for French and Saunders on their TV show. During the comedy series, French and Saunders and the duo performed skits as Abba and the Pet Shop Boys. But they were best known for being amateurish and shambolic with Ken (Simon) on keyboards and slobby, often drunken Duane (Rivron) on bongos. But Simon was also a composer, he wrote music for small screen shows including The Monarch of the Glen, Coupling, Stella Street, The Mary Whitehouse Experience and The Lenny Henry Show. He also wrote the theme tune and incidental music for long-running LWT drama London's Burning and arranged several versions of the Blue Peter theme tune. Simon was also a member of a band alongside Adrian Edmondson, Phill Jupitus and Neil Innes (?) b. 1950
2012: Donna Hilley (65) American music executive; she spent 31 years at Sony/ATV Nashville becoming company president and CEO and was one of the most prominent female publishing executives in country music. Donna made a name for herself at Nashville radio station WKDA, where she spent eight years, before joining former program director Jack Stapp at Tree International music publishing company, rising to EVP/COO. After Sony purchased Tree International in 1989, a deal which she brokered, she became president and CEO of Sony/ATV Nashville in 1994, retiring in 2005. Her awards and accolades were extensive, including being ranked No.4 in Entertainment Weekly's "Ten Most Powerful People in Country Music" in 1992, grabbing the "Woman of the Year" title from the Business and Professional Women's Club in 1978, and being inducted into her home state's Alabama Music Hall of Fame, among others. () b. 1947

June 21.
1908: Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov (64) Russian composer, and a member of the group of composers known as The Five aka The Mighty Handful, a circle of composers who met in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in the years 1856–1870: Mily Balakirev, César Cui, Modest Mussorgsky, Alexander Borodin and Nikolai. The group had the aim of producing a specifically Russian kind of art music, rather than one that imitated older European music or relied on European-style conservatory training. Nikolia was a master of orchestration, his best-known orchestral compositions - Capriccio Espagnol, the Russian Easter Festival Overture, and the symphonic suite Scheherazade—are considered staples of the classical music repertoire, along with suites and excerpts from some of his 15 operas. Scheherazade is an example of his frequent use of fairy tale and folk subjects. In later years in 1892, due to many family illnesses and deaths and himself diagnosis of neurasthenia, he retired resigned from the Russian Symphony Concerts and the Court Chapel. After making third versions of the musical tableau Sadko and the opera The Maid of Pskov, he closed his musical account with the past; he had left none of his major works before May Night in their original form. Another death brought about a creative renewal. The passing of Tchaikovsky presented a twofold opportunity—to write for the Imperial Theaters and to compose an opera based on Nikolai Gogol's short story Christmas Eve, a work on which Tchaikovsky had based his opera Vakula the Smith. The success of his Christmas Eve encouraged him to complete an opera approximately every 18 months between 1893 and 1908—a total of 11 during this period (sadly he died from the results of accelerated neurasthenia and accelerated angina) b. March 18th 1844.
1945: Mike Jackson (56) American acid jazz/jazz-funk composer, pianist (?) b. December 23rd 1988.
1966: Reg Calvert (38) British manager of The Fortunes pop group and singer Screaming Lord Sutch, and the owner of offshore pirate radio station Radio City. (In June, 1966 Radio Caroline embarked on a joint venture with rival pirate Radio City, which broadcast from a Second World War marine fort off the Kent coast, seven miles from Margate. One of the directors of Caroline, Major Oliver Smedley, agreed to pay for a new transmitter to relay Caroline's programmes from the fort, while Mike, the owner of Radio City, would continue to run the operation but this time on behalf of Radio Caroline. However, Radio Caroline then withdrew from the deal when it was heard that the government intended to prosecute those occupying the forts, which were still Crown property. As Smedley, however, had received no payment from Reg for the transmitter, so a raid on the Radio City fort was launched by Smedley on June 20, and the station's transmitter was put out of action. On June 21, Reg visited Smedley's home to demand the departure of the raiders and the return of vital transmitter crystals. A violent struggle developed during which Smedley shot Reg dead. During the subsequent trial, Smedley was acquitted on grounds of self-defence) b. ????
1979: Angus MacLise (34) American percussionist, composer, poet, occultist and calligrapher but best known as the first drummer for the Velvet Underground. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, was a member of La Monte Young's Theatre of Eternal Music, with John Cale, Tony Conrad, Marian Zazeela and sometimes Terry Riley. As an early member of The Velvet Underground, having been brought into the group by flatmate John Cale, Angus played bongos and hand drums during 1965 with the first incarnation of the band. Although the Velvets regularly extemporised soundtracks to underground films, Angus never officially recorded with them, and is often considered something of a shadowy, legendary figure in their history. When the opportunity of the band's first paying gig in November 1965 arose, he promptly quit, suggesting the group had sold out. He then travelled around between North Africa, India, Greece, the Middle East and finally found his place in Nepal. Angus recorded a vast amount of music, these recordings, produced between the mid-'60s and the late-'70s, consist of tribal trance workouts, spoken word, poetry, Brion Gysin-like tape cut-ups and minimalist droning and electronics (Died of tuberculosis in Kathmandu) b. March 4th 1938.
1980: Bert Kaempfert/Berthold Kämpfert (56) German producer, arranger, composer, bandleader born in Hamburg, Germany. He was hired by Hans Busch to play with his orchestra before serving as a bandsman in the German Navy during World War II. He later formed his own touring big band, his first hit with his orchestra was in 1960, with "Wonderland by Night". He made easy listening and jazz-oriented records, and wrote the music for a number of well-known songs, including "Strangers in the Night", "Moon Over Naples", "Tenderly", "Three O'Clock in the Morning", "Red Roses for a Blue Lady", "Wooden Heart", "Spanish Eyes" and many others (sadly died of a heart seizure while at his home in Mallorca, resting up after a triumphant British tour)*October 16th 1923.
1986: Assi Rahbani (63) Lebanese composer, singer, musician and producer. He formed one half of the Rahbani Brothers with his brother Mansour Rahbani. He started his musical career at the Near East Radio channel. In 1951, Assi composed Nouhad Haddad (later known as Fairuz and Assi's future wife), very first song, "Itab" ("Blame"), when she was one of the singers in the radio station's chorus. By the 1960s, the Rahbani Brothers had become one of the most famous musical figures in the Arab World, and were sought after by many Arab singers. In addition to productions that featured Fairuz, they also wrote and directed hundreds of theatrical and TV productions. In the 1970s, Assi and Fairuz, became an international success, specifically after four months of extensively touring North America. Assi and his brother continued writing musicals and touring Europe and the Persian Gulf nations with Fairuz (he sadly died a few weeks after falling into a coma. Beirut's warring Muslims and Christians declared a cease fire and opened the city's checkpoints for his funeral. Assi had suffered in the 70s from a brain hemorrhage which resulted in 3 operations) b. May 4th 1923.
1987: Abram Chasins (83) American composer, pianist, piano teacher, lecturer, musicologist, music broadcaster, radio executive and author, born in Manhattan, New York. His career as a pianist lasted from 1927 until 1947. He gave many solo recitals and performed with major orchestras in the United States, Canada, South America and Europe. He was associated with the radio station WQXR from 1941 to 1965, becoming the music director in 1946. His own radio series, "Piano Pointers", ran from 1932 to 1939 and he used his E flat minor Prelude as the program's theme. He wrote over 100 compositions, mostly for the piano. His Three Chinese Pieces in the 1920s were performed by celebrated pianists including Josef Lhévinne, Józef Hofmann, William Kapell and Shura Cherkassky, and in its orchestrated version was the first American work to be performed by Toscanini with the New York Philharmonic. The "Concert Paraphrase on Strauss's 'Artist's Life'" is among his best works for two pianos, four hands, and his 24 Preludes for Piano in 1928 continue to be used as teaching pieces. In 1972 he joined the University of Southern California as musician-in-residence, and reorganized the student-run radio station KUSC into a channel for classical and modern music. He retired in 1977 (sadly died of cancer) b. August 17th 1903.
1993: Ticho Parly/Frederick Christiansen (64) Danish Heldentenor, born in Copenhagen, who sang leading roles in most of the major opera houses of Europe as well as the United States, including the Metropolitan Opera, where he debuted in 1966 as Tristan opposite Birgit Nilsson in Tristan und Isolde. As late as 1988, he appeared in Denmark in the eponymous role of Otello. In his later years, Ticho Parly taught voice in Seattle (?) b. July 16th 1928.
1999: Kami/Ukyo Kamimura (26) Japanese drummer; his early influences included many of the British New Wave bands and bands such as Culture Club and Duran Duran. He played in bands while still at school after which Kami decided to go to Tokyo, where he spent a brief stint with a punk band before taking a liking to the visual kei style. As a result, he joined an up and coming musical group called Kneuklid Romance. Performing mainly live shows, Kami soon attracted the attention of Yu~ki, a bassist from a fellow visual kei band, Malice Mizer. Not long after Kami was a full member and playing drums for Malice Mizer. They released their debut album, Memoire, his first inclusion in a publicly released album. In the months before his death, Kami had taken to composing music, writing two complete songs, "Unmei no Deai" and "Mori no naka no tenshi". These would later be released on the memorial album Shinwa. (died in his sleep of a subarachnoid hemorrhage.) b. February 1st 1972.
2000: Alan Hovhaness (89) American composer of Armenian and Scottish ancestry. His music often evokes a mood of mystery or contemplation. The Boston Globe music critic Richard Buell wrote: "Although he has been stereotyped as a self-consciously Armenian composer, his output assimilates the music of many cultures. What may be most American about all of it is the way it turns its materials into a kind of exoticism. The atmosphere is hushed, reverential, mystical, nostalgi". He was among the most prolific of 20th century composers, his official catalog comprising 67 numbered symphonies (surviving manuscripts indicate over 70) and 434 opus numbers. However, the true tally is well over 500 surviving works since many opus numbers comprise two or more distinct works () b. March 8th 1911
2001: John Lee Hooker (83) American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter born in Coahoma County, Mississippi. In the 1930s, he lived in Memphis, Tennessee where he worked on Beale Street at The New Daisy Theatre and occasionally performed at house parties and his recording career began in 1948. He performed in a half-spoken style that became his trademark. His guitar playing is closely aligned with piano Boogie Woogie. He would play the walking bass pattern with his thumb, stopping to emphasize the end of a line with a series of trills, done by rapid hammer-ons and pull-offs. His best known songs include "Boogie Chillen" in 1948 and "Boom Boom" in 1962 (died in his sleep) b. August 22nd 1917.
2002: Matt Dennis (88) American singer, pianist, bandleader, arranger, and writer of music for popular music songs born in Seattle, Washington. In 1933 he joined Horace Heidt's orchestra as a vocalist and pianist, before forming his own band with Dick Haymes as vocalist. He became vocal coach, arranger, and accompanist for Martha Tilton, and worked with a new vocal group, the Stafford Sisters. Jo Stafford, one of the sisters, joined the Tommy Dorsey band in 1940 and persuaded Dorsey to hire Matt as arranger and composer. Dennis wrote prolifically, with fourteen of his songs recorded by the Dorsey band in one year alone, including "Everything Happens to Me," an early hit for Frank Sinatra. (sadly died of pneumonia) b. February 11th 1914.
2007: Georg Danzer (60) Austrian singer, songwriter and guitarist born in Vienna; although he is credited as one of the pioneers of Austropop, with his most famous hits are his comic songs "Jö schau", about a streaker at the Café Hawelka and "Hupf' in Gatsch", he always refused to be part of this genre. Georg was successful as a solo artist, but was also in the group Austria3, along with Wolfgang Ambros and Rainhard Fendrich. The group was initionally put together by Fendrich in order to give one single charity concert in favour of homeless in 1997, which collected more than ATS 2 million, almost USD 200,000. Their success as a group was overwhelming, so they formed Austria3 from that day on, until they decided to stop the project, their last concert was given at Altusried, Germany, on 26 July 2006. However, a month before Georg's death, at a concert in Vienna on 16 April 2007, the three met again for just three songs. (sadly died of lung cancer) b. October 7th 1946.
2010: Frank Sidebottom/Chris Sievey (54) British comedian and musician; after leaving the punk band The Freshies, Chris created the role for which he is be best remembered, Frank Sidebottom. With his over-sized, papier-mache head, as Frank Sidebottom, he styled himself as an aspiring singer-songwriter from Timperley, south Manchester and found fame through a series of TV appearances in the 1980s and remained a popular cult comedy figure. In late 2009 and early 2010 he supported John Cooper Clarke on a UK tour (lung cancer) b. August 25th 1955.
2010: Tam White (67) Scottish singer, guitarist and actor; primarily known as a blues vocalist with a trademark gravel-voiced sound. In the 1960s he recorded with beat groups The Boston Dexters and then The Buzz. In the 1970s Tam was the first artist to sing live on Top Of The Pops, and he provided the vocals for Robbie Coltrane to mime to as Big Jazza McGlone in John Byrne's award-winning television series Tutti Frutti in 1987. As Tam White & The Dexters, his band built up a solid and loyal following for their live appearances, becoming "a fixture" at the Edinburgh Jazz And Blues Festival, and supporting blues artists including BB King, Al Green and Van Morrison. Tam began acting in films and TV in 1990 having roles in Paper Mask, Braveheart, The Negotiator, Cutthroat Island, Orphans, Taggart, Eastenders and River City (He died unexpectedly of a heart attack after a gym session in Edinburgh) b. July 12th 1942.
2010: Larry Jon Wilson (69) American country singer, self taught guitarist and songwriter, with singles such as "Through the Eyes of Little Children" and "I Betcha Heaven's on a Dirt Road". Born in Swainsboro, Georgia, he released his debut album New Beginnings in 1975. Three more albums followed, Let Me Sing My Song to You, Loose Change, and The Sojourner. In the late 1980s he attended the Frank Brown International Songwriter's Festival in Perdido Key, Florida and began touring again in 1989, and by 2003 was still accepting occasional engagements. In 2008, he released a new album, after a thirty year hiatus from recording (stroke) b. October 7th 1940.
2012: Richard Adler (90) American Tony Award-winning producer, lyricist and composer, born in New York City; after his Navy service he began his career as a lyricist, teaming up with Jerry Ross in 1950. As a duo they worked in tandem, both taking credit for lyrics and music. Their first notable composition was the song Rags to Riches, a No.1 for Tony Bennett in late 1953. At that same time they began their career in the Broadway Theatre with John Murray Anderson's Almanac, for which they provided most of the songs. This was followed by The Pajama Game, in May 1954, winning Tony Awards as well as the Donaldson Award and the Variety Drama Critics Award. Three songs from the show made the US charts: Patti Page's version of "Steam Heat" reached No.9; Archie Bleyer took "Hernando's Hideaway" to No.2; and Rosemary Clooney's recording of "Hey There" made it to No.1. Their next musical, Damn Yankees replicated the awards and success of the earlier show. Cross-over hits from the show were "Heart", recorded by Eddie Fisher and "Whatever Lola Wants" by Sarah Vaughan. Sadly their partnership was cut short when Jerry died of a lung ailment in November 1955, aged 29. Richard continued working alone and with partners. He wrote the musical Olympus 7-0000 for the show ABC Stage 67. The 1973 revival of The Pajama Game included one new Adler song, which was retained for the 2006 revival. His last original Broadway musical was 1976's Music Is which was based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. He staged and produced several shows for U.S. presidents; the most notable of these was a 1962 Madison Square Garden birthday celebration for John F. Kennedy that included Marilyn Monroe singing a version of Happy Birthday to the president in her trademark breathy voice (?) b. August 3rd 1921.

June 22.
1963: Mary Atanasiu/Maria Tanase (49) Romanian singer of traditional folkloric and popular music born in Bucharest; in 1934, she joined the Carabus Theatre of Constantin Tanase. Her debut took place on June 2nd 1937 under the stage name of Mary Atanasiu in the musical hall theatres, Alhambra and Gioconda. She represented Romania at the International Exhibition in Paris in 1937, as well as at the 1939 New York World's Fair. During World War II, together with George Enescu, George Vraca and Constantin Tanase, she performed in a series of shows for soldiers injured on the battlefield. After World War II, she performed in the Review Ensemble and the Satirical and Musical Theatre Constantin Tanase. She had parts in the plays "The Living Corpse" by Leo Tolstoy in 1945, and "Horia" by Mihai Davidoglu in 1956. In 1955, she received the State Prize and in 1957 she was honored with the medals "Ordinul Muncii"/The Order for Activity, "Premiul de Stat"/The State Award, and the title "Artista Emerita"/Honoured Artist of the Republic for her contributions to the arts. Maria toured many times in the last 15 years of her life, including over forty trips to New York City, America (sadly Maria died of cancer) b. September 25th 1913.
1969: Judy Garland/Frances Ethel Gumm (47) American singer and actress, born in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Through a career that spanned 45 of her 47 years, Judy attained international stardom as an actress in musical and dramatic roles, and as a recording artist and on the concert stage. Respected for her versatility, she received a Juvenile Academy Award, won a Golden Globe Award, received the Cecil B. DeMille Award for her work in films, as well as Grammy Awards and a Special Tony Award. She had a contralto singing range. As Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz in 1939, she won a special Oscar and it gave her a theme song for the rest of her life: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (overdose of sleeping tablets) b. June 10th 1922.
1974: Darius Milhaud (81) French composer and teacher; born in Marseilles he was a member of Les Six / The Group of Six, a group of six composers working in Montparnasse whose music is often seen as a reaction against the musical style of Richard Wagner and impressionist music; the other composers were Georges Auric, Louis Durey, Arthur Honegger, Francis Poulenc, and Germaine Tailleferre. Darius was one of the most prolific composers of the 20th century. His compositions are influenced by jazz and make use of polytonality. On a trip to the US in 1922, he heard "authentic" jazz for the first time, on the streets of Harlem, which left a great impact on his musical outlook. The following year, he completed his composition "La création du monde"/"The Creation of the World", using ideas and idioms from jazz, cast as a ballet in six continuous dance scenes. After emigrating to America in 1940, he secured a teaching post at Mills College in Oakland, California, where he collaborated with Henri Temianka and the Paganini Quartet. In an extraordinary concert there in 1949, the Budapest Quartet performed the composer's 14th String Quartet, followed by the Paganini's performance of his 15th; and then both ensembles played the two pieces together as an octet. From 1947 to 1971 he taught alternate years at Mills and the Paris Conservatoire, until poor health, which caused him to use a wheelchair during his later years (?) b. September 4th 1892.
1977: Peter Laughner (24) American guitarist, Peter & The Wolves, The Blue Drivers and Friction. He maybe better known for his work with Rocket From The Tombs and the early work of Pere Ubu, also for his writings in Creem magazine. Peter was considered as a replacement for Richard Lloyd when he departed Television, a band whom he championed from their earliest days(sadly died from acute pancreatitis) b. August 22nd 1952.
1984: Dillwyn Owen Paton "Dill" Jones (60) Welsh jazz stride pianist, born in Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire, he was turned onto jazz as a 10-year-old by hearing records by Fats Waller and Bix Beiderbecke on the radio. After the war he enrolled at Trinity College of Music in London but did not complete the course, preferring the informality of late night jazz sessions. Dill joined the Harry Parry Sextet and Vic Lewis' Orchestra before plying his trade as ship's pianist on the luxury liner, the Queen Mary, sailing between New York and Southampton. This gave him the chance to visit New York's jazz clubs and see the likes of Coleman Hawkins and Lennie Tristano. He emigrated to the United States in 1961. Jones was soon in demand, and earned his reputation playing with the likes of Gene Krupa, Jimmy McPartland and Yank Lawson (sadly lost his battle with throat cancer) b. August 19th 1923.
1987: Fred Astaire/Frederick Austerlitz (88) American dancer and singer of stage and movies born in Omaha, Nebraska; he was the most celebrated dancer in the history of film, his stage and subsequent film career spanned a total of 76 years, during which he made 31 musical films between 1933 and 1968. He was named the fifth Greatest Male Star of All Time by the US Film Institute. He is particularly associated with Ginger Rogers, with whom he made ten films. Modest about his singing abilities he introduced some of the most celebrated songs from the Great American Songbook, in particular, Cole Porter's: "Night and Day" in Gay Divorce; Irving Berlin's "Isn't This a Lovely Day?", "Cheek to Cheek" and "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails" in Top Hat; "Let's Face the Music and Dance" in Follow the Fleet; and "Change Partners" in Carefree. He first presented Jerome Kern's "The Way You Look Tonight" in Swing Time; the Gershwins' "They Can't Take That Away From Me" in Shall We Dance; "A Foggy Day" and "Nice Work if You Can Get it" in A Damsel in Distress; Johnny Mercer's "One for My Baby" from The Sky's the Limit; "Something's Gotta Give" from Daddy Long Legs; "I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise" from Stop Flirting; "Fascinating Rhythm" in Lady, Be Good; "Funny Face" in Funny Face; Harry Warren and Arthur Freed's "This Heart of Mine" from Ziegfeld Follies among many others. Also a songwriter of note himself, with "I'm Building Up to an Awful Letdown" written with lyricist Johnny Mercer, reaching number four in the Hit Parade of 1936 and he recorded his own "It's Just Like Taking Candy from a Baby". During 1952 Fred recorded The Astaire Story, a four-volume album with a quintet led by Oscar Peterson. The album provided a musical overview of his career, and was produced by Norman Granz. The Astaire Story later won the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1999, a special Grammy award to honor recordings that are at least twenty-five years old, and that have "qualitative or historical significance" (sadly Fred died of pneumonia) b. May 10th 1899.
1988: Jesse Ed Davis (43) Native American session guitarist, one of the most sort after session guitarists of the late 60's and 70's. Born in Norman, Oklahoma, his father, Jesse Ed Davis II, was Muscogee Creek and Seminole while his mother's side was Kiowa and he graduated from Northeast High School in 1962. He quit the University of Oklahoma and went touring with Conway Twitty, after which he became a session musician before joining Taj Mahal and playing guitar and piano on his first three albums. Jesse played slide, lead and rhythm, country to jazz during his three-year stint, making an appearance with the band as a musical guest in The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus. He released his first solo album the self-titled album Jesse Davis in 1971. After Taj Mahal's 1969 album Giant Step, went on to work closely with ex-Beatles John Lennon and George Harrison, playing guitar on several of their solo albums. He also performed session work for David Cassidy, Albert King, Willie Nelson, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Leonard Cohen, Keith Moon, Jackson Browne, Steve Miller, Harry Nilsson, Van Dyke Parks, and others. He spending much of the 1980s dealing with alcohol and drug addiction, he then played in The Graffiti Band, which coupled his music with the poetry of American Indian activist John Trudell. In the Spring of '87, The Graffiti Band performed with Taj Mahal at the Palomino Club, and George Harrison, Bob Dylan and John Fogerty rose from the audience to join Jesse and Taj Mahal in an unrehearsed set which included Fogerty's "Proud Mary" and Dylan's "Watching the River Flow" and "Blue Suede Shoes", "Peggy Sue", "Honey Don't", "Matchbox", and "Gone, Gone, Gone" (tragically died of a suspected drug overdose) b. September 21st 1944.
1988: Dennis Day/Owen Patrick Eugene McNulty (72) Irish-American singer and radio, television and film personality. He appeared for the first time on Jack Benny's radio show on October 8th 1939, taking the place of another famed tenor, Kenny Baker. He remained associated with Benny's radio and television programs until Benny's death in 1974. Besides singing, Dennis was an excellent mimic. He did many imitations on the Benny program of various noted celebrities of the era, such as Ronald Colman, Jimmy Durante, and James Stewart. He also had his own TV series, The Dennis Day Show. His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is at 6646 Hollywood Boulevard. (died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-Lou Gehrig's disease) b. May 21st 1916.
1993: Emmett Berry (77) American trumpet player born in Macon, Georgia. He began with study of classical trumpet in Georgia, but by 18 had switched to jazz and moved to New York City. He became a member of Fletcher Henderson's band and later replaced Roy Eldridge as soloist. In the 1940s he worked in Eldridge's Little Jazz Trumpet Ensemble and also played in Count Basie's band. He is noted as an accompaniment for Billie Holiday, and was in the picture A Great Day in Harlem, and the special The Sound of Jazz. (?) b. July 23rd 1915.
1995: Leonid Petrovich Derbenyov (64) Russian poet and lyricist regarded as one of the stalwarts of 20th century Soviet and Russian pop music. Born in Moscow he created more than 2000 poems, 100s of which have become song lyrics. Among the composers he worked with were Aleksandr Zatsepin, Arno Babajanian, Vyacheslav Dobrynin, Alexander Flyarkovsky, Maksim Dunayevsky. His songs have been performed by many Russian pop stars, among them Muslim Magomayev-"The Best City on Earth"; Alla Pugacheva-"The Kings Can Do Whatever They Will", "You have to light"; Mikhail Boyarsky-"Everything will be", "Urban flowers", "Fast train"; Lev Leshchenko-"Goodbye", "Native Land"; and Masha Rasputina-"Live, the Country", "Let Me In the Himalayas", "I'll Come Back". He won the annual "Song of the Year" competition in the years of 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1973 (sadly died in Moscow after a serious illness) b. April 12th 1931.
1997: Ted Gärdestad (41) Swedish singer and songwriter born in Sollentuna; he started to compose music at the age of six. At the age of eight he played his own compositions on national television, and at ten he was the star of a national TV series. He effectively filled the gap between the progressive movement's experiments and ABBA's disco-pop. Managing the difficult transition from child star to teen idol he later failed to make much impact on a more mature audience and went quiet in the '80s. After a troubled decade he tried to make a comeback in the early '90s, when he was briefly coaxed out of retirement by his friend Swedish pop star Harpo. He joined Harpo on a concert tour and made a few guest appearances and in 1992 they released the duet "Lycka" ("Happiness") as a single, but he soon disappeared again until his death. (Ted's death is generally considered suicide, by running in front of a train, but could have been something to do with his schizophrenia) b. February 18th 1956.
1998: Benny Green (70) British sax player, radio presenter, and DJ born in Leeds, Yorkshire; in 1958, he appeared in the UK pop charts as a member of Lord Rockingham's XI, who were the hou se band on ITV's rock 'n' roll show 'Oh Boy!' The novelty jazz/rock opus 'Hoots Mon', complete with spoken interjections in a broad mock-Scots accent, made No 1 for three weeks in November and December. His BBC Radio 2 Sunday afternoon record show ran for many years until his death. He had a huge range of knowledge about the kind of music he liked, by classic "Great American Songbook" composers like Kern and Cole Porter and jazz, and would introduce most records with details about the artist and often moaned about the latest issues in music he disagreed with. He also chaired a radio comedy panel game broadcast regularly on Radio 2 and the BBC World Service for 20 years, Jazz Score, with many jazz artists appearing on this show (cancer) b. December 9th 1927.
2007: Billie Beatty (73) American gifted and flamboyant lead guitarist; an icon in Washington gospel quartet circles for decades (sadly Billie died of a heart attack) b. ????
2011: Mike Waterson (70) British folk singer-songwriter born in Hull, Yorkshire. He is best known as a member of The Watersons, with his sisters Lal and Norma and his brother-in-law Martin Carthy. In the 1968-1972 interval between the two incarnations of The Watersons, he and his sister Lal recorded the album Bright Phoebus. Mike was also a member of English folk "supergroup", consisting at various times of various members of Swan Arcade, Coope Boyes & Simpson, and The Watersons, Blue Murder. Mike appeared in the original recording of Peter Bellamy's The Transports. In 2008, Mike made a guest appearance alongside Norma Waterson on Scottish musician James Yorkston's album When the Haar Rolls In, singing his sister Lal's song Midnight Feast (sadly died fighting cancer) b. January 16th 1941.
2011: Jared Southwick (34) American rock guitarist with the hardcore punk band The Dream Is Dead. The band was founded in 2001 after releasing a few EPs and a tour of the west coast in March 2005, they recorded their full-length debut, Hail The New Pawn (sadly died from a liver and kidney condition) b.????
2011: Cyril Ornadel (87) British conductor and composer; born in London he studied at the Royal College of Music. As well as being musical director for a number of major West End shows, including the first London production of My Fair Lady, he composed several musicals of his own, including Pickwick, 1963, lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, Great Expectations in 1975 starring John Mills, and Treasure Island in 1973. Great Expectations and Treasure Island both with lyrics by Hal Shaper were designated Best British Musical at the Ivor Novello Awards. He also penned the song Portrait of My Love , a hit for Matt Monro in 1960. At My Time of Life from Great Expectations was recorded by Bing Crosby in 1976. His contribution to music for television includes scores for Edward the Seventh (1975), starring Timothy West as Edward VII and the opening and closing titles of the British television science-fiction series Sapphire & Steel (1979). He also conducted music for The Strauss Family, by the eponymous composers. Cyril Ornadel's autobiography "Reach for the Moon" was published by The Book Guild in 2007 (?) b. December 2nd 1924.

June 23.
1956: Reinhold Moritzevich Glière (81) Russian composer born in Kiev, Ukraine, then part of the Russian Empire. He was noted for his works incorporating elements of the folk music of Russia, Ukraine, and surrounding republics. In 1900 he graduated from the Moscow Conservatory, where he studied violin, composition, and music theory. After teaching for a while in Moscow, he studied conducting in Berlin from 1905-07, first appearing in Russia as a conductor in 1908, the same year his tone poem The Sirens was well received. He taught at the Kiev Conservatory and made director in 1914. He returned to Moscow in 1920, taught at the conservatory there, and became involved in studying Russian folk music, traveling widely to collect material. He achieved a high status in the Soviet musical world after the Russian Revolution, largely because of his interest in national styles. He organized workers’ concerts and directed committees of the Moscow Union of Composers and Union of Soviet Composers. His ballet The Red Poppy-1927 won international popularity for a time. Also well regarded were the ballet The Bronze Horseman and his Symphony No. 3. (?) b. January 11th 1875.
1959: Boris Vian (39) French writer, poet, musician, singer, translator, critic, actor, inventor and engineer. He is best remembered today for his novels. As well as his books published under the pseudonym Vernon Sullivan, Boris was also an important influence on the French jazz scene. He served as liaison for Hoagy Carmichael, Duke Ellington and Miles Davis in Paris, wrote for several French jazz-reviews (Le Jazz Hot, Paris Jazz) and published numerous articles dealing with jazz both in the United States and in France. His own music and songs enjoyed popularity during his lifetime, particularly the anti-war song "Le Déserteur." (tragically died of an unexpected cardiac arrest) b. March 23rd 1920
1981: Zarah Leander (74) Swedish actress and singer; in 1929 she hired as an amateur, in a touring cabaret by the entertainer and producer Ernst Rolf and for the first time sang "Vill ni se en stjärna,"/'Do you want to see a star?' which soon became her signature tune. In 1930, she participated in 4 cabarets in Stockholm, made her first records, including a cover of Marlene Dietrich's "Falling in Love Again", and played a part in a film. However, it was as "Hanna Glavari" in Franz Lehár's operetta The Merry Widow that she had her definitive break-through. In the following years, she became an actress on stage and in film in Scandinavia and Germany (passed away after a stroke) b. March 15th 1907.
2000: Jerome Richardson (79) American jazz musician, tenor saxophonist, and flute player, who also played alto sax, baritone sax, clarinet and piccolo. Born in Oakland, CA, he settled in New York in 1954, where he began a very active session career. He worked with bands led by Lucky Millinder and Cootie Williams, and led his own quartet at the famous Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem in 1955. He worked regularly with Quincy Jones, including a European tour with Harold Arlen’s blues opera Free and Easy in 1959, and was also involved in many of Jones’s more pop-oriented projects. He was a founder member of the great Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra, where his soprano saxophone played a leading role in creating the band’s distinctive sound. He played with a number of other notable big bands during his long career, including bands led by Jimmy Lunceford, Gerald Wilson, Gil Evans and Charles Mingus. His standing as a superbly accomplished soloist on a range of reed and wind instruments was complemented by an equally strong reputation as an accompanist of singers, including the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee, Nancy Wilson, Billy Eckstine, Lena Horne, and most recently the late Teri Thornton. Richardson was a good singer in his own right, especially of ballads. He moved to Los Angeles for a time in the mid-1970s, working mainly in the studios, but returned to New York in the late 1980s, where he worked on Broadway musicals, and performed with artists like trumpeter Art Farmer, saxophonist Clifford Jordan and trombonist Slide Hampton, as well as leading his own group, in which he played mainly alto saxophone, his instrument of choice in recent years. Jerome performed with practically every significant post-war jazz artist, including Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Lionel Hampton, Herbie Hancock, Milt Jackson, Oliver Nelson, Horace Silver, Gerry Mulligan, Jimmy Smith, Wes Montgomery, Cal Tjader, and Antonio Carlos Jobim, as well as a whole range of blues, soul and pop artists, from B.B. King to The Bee Gees (died in Englewood, New Jersey) b. November 15th 1920
2010: Pete Quaife (66) English bassist and founding member of the British rock band The Kinks; he founded a group known as The Ravens in 1963 with brothers Ray and Dave Davies. Around late 1963, they changed their name to The Kinks, and hired Mick Avory as a drummer. The group scored several major international hits throughout the 1960s such as "Sunny Afternoon" and "Waterloo Sunset". Their early singles, including "You Really Got Me" and "All Day and All of the Night", have been cited as an early influence on the hard rock and heavy metal genres. After leaving The Kinks, Pete founded a new band, the country/rock outfit, Mapleoak, the group gigged heavily in Denmark and in the UK during most of 1969 and early 1970, after which in 1980, Pete retired from the music world and relocated to Belleville, Ontario, Canada to work as a graphic artist. In 2005, Pete was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame with Kinks, marking the final reunion of the four original band members (sadly Pete died of kidney failure) b. December 31st 1943.
2011: Fred Steiner (88) American composer, conductor, orchestrator and arranger for TV, radio and film, born in New York City. He received a degree in music composition from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in 1943. As a composer for radio, his credits include the dramatic anthology series On Stage, CBS Radio Workshop, Suspense and This is Your FBI. For TV his credits include the music for many episodes of the original series of Star Trek, "Park Avenue Beat", the theme song to Perry Mason, the main theme to The Bullwinkle Show and Follow That Man and contributed music to episodes of Lost in Space, The Twilight Zone, Amazing Stories. He also composed the music for the television series "Dynasty " from 1982-1983 and "Hotel" in 1983. His feature film work includes original music Run for the Sun, The St. Valentine's Day Massacre and orchestration/adaptation, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and The Greatest Story Ever Told. His Academy Award nomination for "Best Music, Original Score" is for The Color Purple in 1985 was a shared nomination with Quincy Jones, Jeremy Lubbock, Rod Temperton, Caiphus Semenya, Andraé Crouch, Chris Boardman, Jorge Calandrelli, Joel Rosenbaum, Jack Hayes, Jerry Hey, and Randy Kerber (sadly died after suffering a stroke) b. February 24th 1923.
2011: Gaye Delorme (64) Canadian songwriter, composer and virtuoso guitar player. Born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, he was entirely self-taught, having picked up the guitar at age fifteen during a stint in juvenile detention. He played many styles of guitar music: flamenco, classical, jazz, in the styles of Django Reinhardt and Wes Montgomery, country, blues, rock and heavy metal. His wide-ranging skill as a guitarist included the ability to emulate other instruments such as the sitar and the koto, Stevie Ray Vaughan described Gaye as "one of the best". He played with many musicians and groups including Jann Arden, the Powder Blues Band, Lenny Breau, David Foster, Airto Moreira, Billy Cobham and Stanley Clarke. In 2006 he was accompanied by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra for his performance of Joaquín Rodrigo's Concerto de Aranjuez. 1986 saw Delorme record a one-hour special for CBC television entitled "Gaye Delorme in Concert". As well as composing and playing guitar, he produced k.d. Lang's first album A Truly Western Experience (sadly Gaye died after suffering a heart attack) b. March 20th 1947.
2012: Brigitte Engerer (59) French classical pianist born in Tunis; she studied at the Paris Conservatoire and in 1968 aged only 15, obtained a first prize in piano. In 1969, she won the Concours International Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud, following which she was invited to undertake further training at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory where she joined the class of Stanislav Neuhaus: she studied there for nine years. In 1980 her career took a decisive turn when Herbert von Karajan invited her to play with the Berlin Philharmonic. Her subsequent career was divided between giving recitals and teaching at the Paris Conservatoire. Her images appear repeatedly in Sophie Laloy's film Je te mangerais, in which she is admired by Mary, the main character. She is also the interpreter of classical pieces for piano used in the film. (sadly Brigitte died while fighting cancer) b. October 27th 1952.
2012: Franz Crass (84) German bass singer born in Wipperfürth, and studied at the Hochschule für Musik in Köln. He won numerous competitions throughout Germany in the 1950s. In 1954 he made his debut at the municipal theater in Krefeld; from 1956 he sang at the Landestheater Hannover. He had a reputation as a Wagnerian early in his career, appearing at the Bayreuth Festival in 1959 and 1960. He made guest appearances throughout Germany, and was a regular member of the Köln Opera from 1962 until 1964. In addition to his work as a concert and oratorio singer, he became known for singing works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (?) b. March 9th 1928

June 24.
1935: Carlos Gardel (44 or 47) Uruguay/Argentinian tango singer, composer and actor; tango's first superstar and still one of its most enduring performers, revered as an icon in the Latin world of music. He began his singing career in bars and parties, he sang with Francisco Martino and later in a trio with Martino and José Razzano. Carlos created the tango-canción in 1917 with his rendition of Pascual Contursi and Samuel Castriota's Mi Noche Triste. The recording sold 10,000 copies and was a hit throughout Latin America. He went on tour through Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Colombia, and also made appearances in Paris, New York, Barcelona and Madrid. He sold 70,000 records in the first three months of a 1928 visit to Paris. As his popularity grew, he made a number of films for Paramount in France and the U.S. (tragically died an airplane crash in Medellín, Colombia) b. Dec 11th 1887 or 1890.
1987: Jackie Gleason (71) American singer, actor, popular TV host; he was known for his brash visual and verbal comedy style, especially by his character Ralph Kramden on The Honeymooners, a situation-comedy television series. His most noted film roles were as Minnesota Fats in the drama film The Hustler-1961 and as Buford T. Justice in the Smokey and the Bandit movie series. But also throughout the 50s and 60s, he enjoyed a secondary music career, lending his name to a series of best-selling "mood music" albums with jazz overtones for Capitol Records. He felt there was a ready market for romantic instrumentals. His first three albums of more than 50, 'Music for Lovers Only', 'Lover's Rhapsody' and 'Music to Make You Misty' all reached No.1 on the Billboard 200. Jackie also took the role of a lead performer in the musical Take Me Along, which ran from 1959 to 1960; he won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (sadly died after his fight with cancer) b. February 26th 1916.
1989: Hibari Misora (52) Japanese award winning enka singer, actress and the 1st woman in , to receive the People's Honour Award, which was awarded posthumously for her notable contributions to the music industry. Hibari recorded around 1,200 songs, and sold 68 million records. After she died, consumer demand for her recordings grew significantly, and by 2001 she had sold more than 80 million records. Her swan-song "Kawa no nagare no yo ni" is often performed by numerous artists and orchestras as a tribute to her, including notable renditions by The Three Tenors, Teresa Teng, and Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan. In April of 1987, on the way to a performance in Fukuoka, Misora suddenly collapsed. Rushed to hospital, she was diagnosed with avascular necrosis brought on by chronic hepatitis. She was confined to a hospital in Fukuoka, and eventually showed signs of recovery in August. She commenced recording a new song in October, and in April of 1988 performed at a concert at the Tokyo Dome. Despite overwhelming pain in her legs, she performed a total of 39 songs (Hibari sadly died from pneumonia, a bronze statue in her honor was built as a memorial in Yokohama in 2002, and attracts around 300,000 visitors each year) b. May 29th 1937.
2004: Ifigeneia Giannopoulou (29) Greek songwriter, she worked with great names of Greek music and also wrote books for children (Ifigeneia died suddenly of suspected allergic reaction) b. 1964
2004: Tau Moe (95) Samoan influential pioneer of the Hawaiian steel guitarist; he and his wife Rose formed the core of the Tau Moe Family musical group. They performed for international figures including Winston Churchill, Adolf Hitler, Aristotle Onassis, Mohandas Gandhi and King Farouk. Tau traveled the world from 1928 to 1970, performing throughout Europe and Asia, meeting heads of state and working with legendary musicians including Josephine Baker, Tommy Dorsey and Louis Armstrong. He also helped at least 150 of his Jewish musicians escape Germany and Austria just before the height of Adolf Hitler's reign by having them impersonate groupies, relatives and stagehands (?) b. August 13th 1908.
2007: Little T/Natasja Saad (32) Danish rapper-reggae singer born in Copenhagen, she started singing and DJ'ing at the age of 13 in Copenhagen, where she performed live with Miss Mukupa and McEmzee in the band 'No Name Requested'. She also performed with Queen Latifah and gained popularity in Jamaica. Her vocals on a popular reggae fusion remix of "Calabria" gained her worldwide fame and a number one spot on Billboard's Hot Dance Airplay chart six months after her death (died in a tragic car accident in Spanish Town, Saint Catherine, Jamaica) b. October 31st 1974.
2008: Dave Carpenter (48) American jazz bassist; appeared on over two hundred recordings and had dozens of television, film theme and soundtracks to his recording credit. He worked with artists such as Allan Holdsworth, Peter Erskine, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Alan Pasqua, Joel Taylor, Mike Stern, Scott Henderson, Mitchel Forman, Eric Marienthal, Jeff Golub, Dave Liebman, Lee Ritenour, Ilona Knopfler, Dianne Reeves, Tom Scott, Sadao Watanabe, Masanori Sasaji, Joe Mazzone, Rita Coolidge, Russ Freeman, Rod Stewart, Johnny Mathis, Barbara Streisand, David Benoit, Boz Scaggs, Skakira and many more. (heart attack) b. November 4th 1959.
2008: Ira Tucker (83) American lead singer with The Dixie Hummingbirds for 70 years, from 1938 when he became a member of the gospel music group at aged 13, staying with them until his death. Ira introduced the energetic showmanship - running through the aisles, jumping off stage, falling to his knees in prayer - copied by many quartets that followed. He also took the lead in the stylistic innovations adopted by the group, combining gospel shouting and subtle melismas with the syncopated delivery made popular by The Golden Gate Quartet, as well as adventuresome harmonies, which the group called "trickeration", in which Paul Owens or another member of the group would pick up a note just as Tucker left off. The Hummingbirds absorbed much from other artists as well, performing with Lester Young in the 1940s and sharing Django Reinhardt records with B.B. King in the 1950s. Ira and the Hummingbirds inspired a number of imitators, such as Jackie Wilson and James Brown, who adapted the shouting style and enthusiastic showmanship of hard gospel to secular themes to help create soul music in the 1960s. In '73 The group sang the backup vocals on Paul Simon's "Loves Me Like a Rock", and "Tenderness", from his album "There Goes Rhymin' Simon". In 2003, the Hummingbirds were the subject of an award-winning book about their 75-year career span, Great God A'Mighty! The Dixie Hummingbirds: Celebrating the Rise of Soul Gospel Music by Jerry Zolten and in Feb 2008, the first feature-length documentary/concert film featuring the life and history of the Dixie Hummingbirds was released in commemoration of their extraordinary eighty years as performers. The Dixie Hummingbirds: Eighty Years Young has been shown on the Gospel Music Channel and has played at numerous film festivals. (sadly died of heart failure) b. May 17th 1925.
2010: Fred Anderson (81) American jazz tenor saxophonist; born in Monroe, Louisiana, he taught himself to play sax, before studying music at the Roy Knapp Conservatory in Chicago. He was one of the founders of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians and an important member of the musical collective. His partner for many years was the Chicago jazz trumpeter Billy Brimfield. In 1983, Fred took over ownership of the Velvet Lounge in Chicago, which quickly became a centre for the city's jazz and experimental music scenes. The club expanded and relocated in the summer of 2006. He acted as mentor to young musicians who have gone on to prominent careers in music, either by featuring them in his groups or as performers at the Velvet Lounge, including Aaron Getsug, Karl E. H. Seigfried, Harrison Bankhead, David Boykin, Nicole Mitchell, Justin Dillard, Josh Abrams, Fred Jackson, George Lewis, Isaiah Sharkey, and Isaiah Spencer (?) b. March 22nd 1929.
2010: JoJo Billingsley (58) American singer, songwriter and recording artist. In December 1975, she was hired, along with Cassie Gaines and Leslie Hawkins, to be a backup singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd. Ronnie Van Zant dubbed them "The Honkettes". As one of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Honkettes, she toured with the band from Japan to England. In 2005, she performed several times as "The Honkettes" in an alternative version of Lynyrd Skynyrd called "The Saturday Night Special Band" that also included Ed King, Artimus Pyle and Leslie Hawkins that helped to raise money for Hurricane Katrina victims. In 2006, she performed with Lynyrd Skynyrd for only the third time since the 1977 plane crash. The first was at Charlie Daniels' 1979 Volunteer Jam film of which appears in the VH-1 Behind The Music profile of the band, the second at the opening of Freebird The Movie at Atlanta's Fox Theatre in 1995, and singing "Sweet Home Alabama" at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony at which Lynyrd Skynyrd was honored. (sadly lost her battle with cancer) b. 1952.
2010: Alan Krueck (70) American musicologist; he wrote his doctoral dissertation, The symphonies of Felix Draeseke: a study in consideration of developments in symphonic form in the second half of the nineteenth century for the University of Zurich in 1967. This was the first English-language study of Draeseke's music. In 1993, Alan founded the North American adjunct of the International Draeseke Society, and produced a number of CDs on the society's label. He edited, among other works, the previously unpublished 2nd of Draeseke's sonatas for viola alta and his opera Bertran de Born. Alan also was professor emeritus at California University of Pennsylvania (?) b. November 15th 1939.
2012: Jacques Taddei (66) French organist, born in Nice, he was the organist at Basilica of St. Clotilde between 1993 and 2012, also a member of the Academy of Fine Arts, Music Composition section, since 2001. He was director of the Conservatoire National de Region de Paris of 1987 to 2004 , then Director of Music of Radio France in January 2005 to January 2006 and was appointed Inspector General of Education on Jan 16th 2006 (?) b. June 5th 1946.
2012: Jean Cox (90) American tenor opera singer, born in Gadsden, Alabama; he made his Bayreuth debut as a Steersman in The Flying Dutchman in 1956 (?) b. January 16th 1922.

June 25.
1767: Georg Philipp Telemann (86) German Baroque composer and multi-instrumentalist. Almost completely self-taught in music, he became a composer against his family's wishes. After studying in Magdeburg, Zellerfeld, and Hildesheim, he entered the University of Leipzig to study law, but eventually settled on a career in music. His music incorporates several national styles: French, Italian, and Polish. He remained at the forefront of all new musical tendencies and his music is an important link between the late Baroque and early Classical styles. Georg was the most prolific composer of his time, his oeuvre comprises more than 3000 pieces. Equally important for the history of music were his publishing activities. By pursuing exclusive publication rights for his own works, he set one of the most important early precedents for regarding music as the intellectual property of the composer. He continued to write until his death (sadly died of a chest ailment) b. March 14th 1681.
1944: Lucha Reyes/Maria de luz Flores (38) Mexican singer; she started singing "rancheras", one of her first songs in this genre, "Guadalajara", became a classic that is nowadays considered by many to be Mexico's second national anthem. When she decided to sing with mariachis, she caused a culture shock, as Mexicans were not used to seeing women lead mariachi bands. Despite her success, she also garnered much criticism, especially when talking about alcoholism in public: she would declare after certain songs that she wanted to go and get drunk, or such things like that. Between 1937 and 1943, she also made six movies, acting with Pedro Armendariz, Dolores del Río, Jorge Negrete, Flor Silvestre and Consuelo del Alba, among others (Lucha was found dead after taking tequila and some pills, tragically she committed suicide, this was due to her failing health) b. May 23rd 1906.
1976: John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer (66) American singer and award winning songwriter born in Savannah, Georgia, and moved to New York in 1928, when he was 19. As a songwriter, he is best known as a lyricist, but he did also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others. From the mid-1930s through the mid-1950s, many of the songs he wrote and performed were among the most popular hits of the time. He wrote the lyrics to more than a 1000 songs, including compositions for movies and Broadway shows. He received nineteen Academy Award nominations. His songs included "Goody Goody", "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby", "Jeepers, Creepers!", "Fools Rush In", "That Old Black Magic", "PS I Love You", "I Remember You", "Tangerine", "This Time the Dream's on Me" and "Hit The Road To Dreamland". Johnny won four Academy Awards for Best Song: "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe" for The Harvey Girls; "In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening" for Here Comes The Groom; "Moon River" 1961-music by Henry Mancini for Breakfast at Tiffany's and "Days of Wine and Roses" for Days of Wine and Roses. Johnny was also a founder of Capitol Records in 1942, with the financial help of fellow songwriter and movie producer Buddy DeSylva and the business acumen of Glenn Wallichs. On April 6th 1942, Johnny supervised Capitol's first recording session, recording Martha Tilton singing 'Moon Dreams". On May 5, Bobby Sherwood and his orchestra recorded two tracks. On May 21, Freddie Slack and his orchestra recorded three tracks, one with just the orchestra, one with Ella Mae Morse "Cow Cow Boogie', and one with Johnny "Air–Minded Executive". On June 4, Capitol Records opened its first office in a second-floor room south of Sunset Boulevard. On the same day, Wallichs presented the first free record to a Los Angeles disc jockey named Peter Potter. Potter was so pleased Wallichs decided to give free records to other DJs, becoming the first in the business to do so (?) b. November 18th 1909.
1983: Alberto Evaristo Ginastera (67) Argentine composer of classical music, born in Buenos Aires. He is considered one of the most important Latin American classical composers. Alberto studied at the conservatory in Buenos Aires, graduating in 1938. After a visit to the United States in 1945–47, where he studied with Aaron Copland at Tanglewood, he returned to Buenos Aires and co-founded the League of Composers. He held a number of teaching posts. He moved back to the United States in 1968 and from 1970 lived in Europe (He passed away in Geneva) b. April 11th 1916.
1985: Connie Curtis "Pee Wee" Crayton (70) American blues guitarist, vocalist born in Rockdale, Texas; it is thought he was the first blues guitarist to use a Fender Stratocaster, given to him by Leo Fender. He took to playing guitar seriously after moving to California in 1935, and settling in San Francisco. While there he absorbed the music of T-Bone Walker, but developed his own unique approach. His aggressive playing contrasted with his smooth vocal style, and was copied by many later blues guitarists. One of his first recordings was the instrumental, "Blues After Hours", which reached No.1 in the Billboard R&B chart late that year. Its flip side, the sleek pop ballad "I'm Still in Love With You" (heart attack) b. December 18th 1914.
1987: Boudleaux Bryant (67) American songwriter, born in Shellman, Georgia, he was trained as a classical violinist and during the 1937–38 season he performed with the Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra. He went on to become one of the greatest songwriters in country music history along with his wife Felice Bryant. The husband-and-wife country music and pop songwriting team are best known for songs such as "Raining In My Heart", "Wake up little Susie", "Rocky Top," "Love Hurts" and numerous Everly Brothers hits, including "All I Have to Do Is Dream" and "Bye Bye Love". Beginning in 1957 they came to national prominence in both country music and pop music when they wrote a string of hugely successful songs for the Everly Brothers and hits for others such as Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly. Their compositions were recorded by many artists from a variety of musical genres, including Tony Bennett, Sonny James, Eddy Arnold, Bob Moore, Charley Pride, Nazareth, Jim Reeves, Leo Sayer, Simon & Garfunkel, Sarah Vaughan, The Grateful Dead, Elvis Costello, Count Basie, Dean Martin, Ray Charles, Gram Parsons, Bob Dylan and others. By the late '80s, it was estimated that Boudleaux and Felice's warehouse of 3,000 songs had sold over 300 million copies worldwide. In 1972 they were inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, in 1986 into the Songwriters Hall of Fame; and in 1991 the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame (?) b. February 13th 1920.
1988: Hillel Slovak (26) Israeli-American lead guitarist born in Haifa, Israel, his family emigrated to America when Hillel was four settling in Queens, New York, then in 1967 relocated to Southern California. While at Fairfax High School he met future bandmates Jack Irons and Michael "Flea" Balzary. They formed a band called Chain Reaction, then changed the name to Anthym. They next dubbed themselves "Tony Flow and the Miraculously Majestic Masters of Mayhem", before changing to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Hillel's work was one of the major contributing factors to the Red Hot Chili Peppers' early sound. He was also a huge influence on a young John Frusciante, who would later replace him as guitarist in the band. (Hillel died of a heroin overdose shortly after the band returned from a European tour) b. April 13th 1962.
1998: Lounès Matoub (42) Berber Kabyle singer and mondol player, born in the village of Taourirt Moussa in Kabylie. At 9 years old he built his first guitar from an empty car oil can and composed his first songs as a teenager. He began his singing career under the patronage of the established Kabyle singer Idir. He recorded his first album Ay Izem/The Lion in 1978; it was a huge success. He went on to record 36 albums, as well as writing songs for other artists. He gave his first major concert in April 1980, at the time of the "Berber Spring" protest movement in Kabylie. Lounes was a prominent advocate of the Berber cause and secularism in Algeria throughout his life. He is revered as a hero and martyr in Kabylie and the Berber World but reviled by most of the Arab population in Algeria for his irreligion and blasphemous songs such as "Allahu Akbar" and his militant advocacy of Berber rights, therefore unpopular among both warring parties during Algerian Civil War. (Lounès' car was stopped at a roadblock while he was driving along a mountainous road in eastern Algeria. The car was fired upon by masked gunmen, killing Lounès and wounding his three female passengers. Tens of thousands people attended his funeral and a week of violent riots followed) b. January 24th 1956
2007: Bill Moss (76) American gospel singer born in Selma, Alabama and sang in a choir led by his sister the late Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. He served in the Korean War and then moved to Boston, Massachusetts where he was an active singer. He moved to Detroit, Michigan and formed The Celestials with his wife Essie Moss. Bill Moss & the Celestials would perform with acts such as The Staple Singers and Mighty Clouds of Joy at venues such as the Apollo Theater in Harlem. The Celestials were one of the first gospel groups to use electric instruments. Their best known songs include "Turn It Over to Jesus", "Everything is Going to be Alright" and "The Way We Use to Have Church". Bill was inducted into the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2004 (sadly died of emphysema) b. 1931
2007: Mahasti/Eftekhar Dadehbala (60) Persian singer who was recognized as the "Persian Diva" and "Banooye Golhaa va Delha." She was the younger sister of another popular Iranian female singer, Hayedeh. Mahasti worked with some of the most famous Iranian composers, including Parviz Yahaghi, Habibollah Badiei, Homayoon Khorram, Asadollah Malek, Anooshiravan Rohani, Jahanbakhsh Pazooki, Hasan Shamaeizadeh, Mohammad Heidari, Jamshid Sheibani, Sadegh Nojooki, and Manoochehr Cheshmazar She emigrated to the UK in 1978, and then relocated to the US where she lived till her death (colon cancer) b. November 16th 1946.
2009: Sky "Sunlight" Saxon/Richard Elvern Marsh (71) American rock and roll singer-songwriter and guitarist who was best known as the leader and singer of the 1960s Los Angeles psychedelic garage rock band The Seeds. He began his career performing doo-wop pop tunes in the early 1960s under the name Little Richie Marsh.After changing his name to Sky Saxon, he formed the Electra-Fires in 1962 and then Sky Saxon & the Soul Rockers. In 1965, he founded the psychedelic flower power band The Seeds their hits included "Can't Seem to Make You Mine", "Mr. Farmer" and "Pushin' Too Hard," which became a top 40 song and enduring rock anthem in 1967. In 1973, he became a member of the Source Family religious group, a Hollywood Hills commune led by YaHoWha who gave him the names Sunlight and Arlick. In the following years he released a number of albums under various band names including The Starry Seeds Band, Sky Saxon & Firewall, King Arthur's Court, and Shapes Have Fangs, as well as reforming several times The Seeds with different musician line-ups. In 2008, Saxon and the Seeds collaborated on some new songs and recordings with Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins. Even though "Pushing Too Hard" was named one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll, The Seeds have still not been recognized by that institution (sadly Sky died unexpectedly after being hospitalized in Austin, Texas with an infection of the internal organs) b. August 20th 1937. Different sources suggest a birth year of 1937, 1945 or 1946
2009: Michael Joseph Jackson (50) American recording artist, entertainer and businessman. Born in Gary, Chicago, Indiana he was the seventh of nine children. His siblings are Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Randy and Janet. His father Joseph Jackson, who allegedy physically and emotionally abused Michael as a child, often performed in an R&B band called The Falcons. He was raised as a Jehovah's Witness by his mother. In 1964, he and his brother Marlon joined the Jackson Brothers, a band formed by brothers Jackie, Tito and Jermaine, as backup musicians playing congas and tambourine, respectively >>> READ MORE <<< (sadly died of a cardiac arrest) b. August 29th 1958...
2009: Yasmine/Hilde Rens (37) Belgian singer, presenter and television personality born in Antwerp; she became known as a singer during the 1980s. At the age of 17, Yasmine made her television debut in 1989 as a contestant on a Flemish television talent show, performing a reindition of Don't Cry for Me Argentina as Julie Covington. Two years later, she earned a record deal, releasing her first single, "Wie Denk Jij Wel Dat Je Bent" and her first album, Mooi zo in the same year. She went onto record another five mainstream pop albums before releasing Vandaag (Het morgen van gisteren) in 2004, a critically lauded CD of Leonard Cohen songs translated into Dutch. Her last album, Licht Ontvlambaar, was released in 2006. Up until her death, Yasmine was a regular on the VRT's main television station, één, where she was an in-vision continuity announcer and a presenter for various entertainment shows including De Rode Loper, Memento and Zo is er maar één (tragically she had hung herself from a tree - her suicide reportedly followed a severe depression allegedly inflicted by the split with her partner Marianne Dupon) b. March 3rd 1972.
2011: Godfrey "Goff" Richards (66) English brass band arranger, composer, and musical director of the Chetham's Big Band for many years. In 1976, he was made a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd. He received a Doctorate from Salford Uni in 1990, after a career that had seen him lead the University Jazz Orchestra to the BBC Big Band of the Year title in 1989. He was well known for his original brass compositions such as "Trailblaze", "Doyen", "Exploding Brass!" and the marches "The Jaguar" and "Barnard Castle", and won a European Broadcasting Union Award in 1984 for his "Continental Caprice". He was also a prolific arranger for brass bands, and his works included "Hymns of Praise", "Shepherd's Song", "Over the Rainbow", "Mack the Knife", "New York, New York", "Chanson d'Amour", "I'll Walk with God", and "That's a Plenty". He also arranged and composed light orchestral and choral works, and his works have been performed by the King's Singers, Huddersfield Choral Society, London Brass, Evelyn Glennie and various BBC orchestras (?) b. August 18th 1944.
2012: John Koko (51) American upright acoustic bassist and was member of the Hawaiian group The Makaha Sons of Ni‘ihau for the last 30 years. They have released 21 CDs, and produced a DVD on their own record label. They have won Na Hoku Hanohano Awards and Hawaii Music Awards. They produce their own signature concert, "Take a Walk in the Country," in Hawaii each year. The Makaha Sons have recently formed the Makaha Sons Foundation, which supports variety of organizations, funding some of Hawaii’s police officers, funding families afflicted with illnesses, and providing scholarships each year to a selected high school senior (sadly died of heart failure) b. 1961