This Day In Music: Recently departed
 
March 25, 2024 ~ Pop, soul singer, producer Humphrey Campbell passed away ~ Represented the Netherlands at the 1992 Eurovision Songfestival with the song Wijs Me De Weg, reaching 9th place. One of the backup singers was Ruth Jacott who would represent the Netherlands the next year, with Campbell as backup singer. Subsequently the two would form a longtime romantic relationship. Campbell has also served as producer, notably working with Jacott, Timeless, and Fluitsma & Van Tijn, and formed the close harmony sibling outfit CC Campbell with his brothers Charles Campbell and Carlo Campbell ~ Campbell was born in 1958
 
March 24, 2024 ~ Dennis Bouman, commonly known as rapper, songwriter Def Rhymz, passed away in Utrecht, the Netherlands ~ Enjoyed popularity especially in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Has recorded the albums De Goeiste, De Allergoeiste, and Hoorgasme. Best known for Doekoe and Schudden, both of which topped the charts in the Netherlands. Has also notably collaborated with the Postmen on the Doe Maar-cover De Bom, a Dutch top 10 hit at the turn of the century ~ Bouman was born in 1970
March 24, 2024 ~ R&B, funk singer Vincent Bonham passed away ~ Co-founding member of Raydio, with whom he recorded four albums during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The band is best known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Jack And Jill, You Can't Change That, and A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do), and launched the career of lead singer Ray Parker Jr. Following the band's disbandement, Bonham has produced his bandmate Jerry Knight's Perfect Fit solo album, and served as backing musician for Prince, Chaka Khan, and Evelyn Champagne King ~ Bonham was born ca.1957
 
March 20, 2024 ~ Elsa Mazzetti, commonly known as pop singer Cocky Mazzetti, passed away in Milan, Italy ~ Took her stage name after her poodle named “Cocky”. Member of the Minstrels Of Jazz during the 1950s. As a solo artist, Mazzetti enjoyed popularity through the mid-1960s. Well-known songs include an Italian translation of the Los Machucambos track Pepito, Giovane Giovane, and Nuttata 'E Luna. Later on in her career, Mazzetti gained renewed attention on the oldies circuit including as a member of the group the Oldies and as a recurring guest on several nostalgia-themed music TV shows on RAI ~ Mazzetti was born in 1937
 
March 18, 2024 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist Jimmy Hastings, full name James Brian Gordon Hastings, passed away ~ Prominent figure in the Canterbury scene, most closely associated with Caravan with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums including the acclaimed In The Land Of Grey And Pink and For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night. Hastings has also notably appeared on albums by Soft Machine, Trapeze (You Are The Music (We're Just The Band)), Murray Head, Bryan Ferry, Chris Squire (Fish Out Of Water), Hatfield & the North, and National Health. To younger audiences perhaps best known for guesting on the 2001 Radiohead album Amnesiac along with other members of Humphrey Lyttelton's eight-piece jazz band ~ Hastings was born in 1938
 
March 17, 2024 ~ Matthew Urango, commonly known as keyboardist, guitarist, singer Cola Boyy, passed away ~ Born with spina bifida, kyphosis, and scolioses, as well as a club foot, Urango had experienced discrimination in the labor market prior to establishing himself as a professional musician. His sound compared by NME as “a disco ball melting or the after-effects of some particularly potent hallucinogenics”, Cola Boyy released his debut EP Black Boogie Neon in 2018, followed by the full-length Prosthetic Boombox debut album in 2021. Urango had played in punk rock bands in high school, and played guitar for indie pop band the Sea Lions, but opted for a more accessible sound to reach a wider audience. Well-known songs include Penny Girl, Buggy Tip, Beige 70, and Kid Born In Space, the latter telling of his experience growing up as a disabled person. Urango is known for his anti-capitalist views, and involved in various left-wing causes including advocating for immigrants and workers ~ Urango was born in 1990
March 17, 2024 ~ Stephen Malcolm Ronald Nice, commonly known as glam rock, art rock, pop rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Steve Harley, passed away ~ Lead singer, frontman of 1970s outfit Cockney Rebel, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums including the UK top 10 albums The Psychomodo and The Best Years Of Our Lives. The band is known for songs such as Sebastian, Judy Teen, Mr Soft, and perhaps their best known Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me), the latter a No.1 hit in both Ireland and the band's native UK and a radio staple to this day. Following the band's disbandement, Harley has recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist. The singer continued to perform into his seventies, and was forced to cancel his upcoming 2024 tour after being diagnosed with cancer. Upon hearing of his passing, fellow musician Midge Ure, who had produced Harley's 1982 track I Can't Even Touch You, stated Harley was “a true ‘working’ musician, (who) toured until he could tour no more” ~ Nice was born in 1951
 
March 14, 2024 ~ Alternative rock, pop rock, electronic singer, songwriter Angela McCluskey passed away ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of critically acclaimed Los Angeles-based outfit Wild Colonials which also included her husband Paul Cantelon, the folk-tinged band known best for the mid-1990s albums Fruit Of Life and This Can't Be Life. McCluskey has also recorded as a solo artist, specifically acclaimed for her 2004 The Things We Do album, and has notably guested on tracks by the Garden Of Eden, Télépopmusik (Breathe), Deep Forest, Kendrick Lamar (Is It Love), Morgan Page, Delerium, Andy Caldwell, Paul Oakenfold (You Could Be Happy), Parov Stelar, and Big Gigantic. Upon hearing of her death, McCluskey's friend of 25 years Julie Panebianco remarked: “She was a singer's singer. Her versions of Famous Blue Raincoat and My Funny Valentine are the ‘only’ versions. She didn't just cover songs, she stole them” ~ McCluskey was born in 1960
 
March 13, 2024 ~ Pop drummer Dick Allix passed away ~ Co-founding member of Vanity Fare, known for a handful of late 1960s singles. I Live For The Sun, Early In The Morning, and Hitchin' A Ride, all lifted off their The Sun The Wind And Other Things debut album, would all reach top 20 in the band's native UK. Allix departed the band in 1970, and would later become known among sports fans as a sports promoter, manager, and co-founder of the Professional Darts Corporation ~ Allix was born in 1945
March 13, 2024 ~ Gypsy jazz, swing, jazz fusion guitarist Sylvain Luc passed away ~ Praised for his fingerstyle playing technique. About a dozen albums to his name as a leader or solo artist since the early 1990s, especially noted for the 2002 album Trio Sud featuring regular collaborators bassist Jean-Marc Jafet and drummer André Ceccarelli, and Solo Ambre released in 2005. An in-demand sideman, Luc has guested on albums by Patrick Bruel, Françoise Hardy, Charles Aznavour, Lokua Kanza, Biréli Lagrène, Didier Lockwood, Richard Bona, Vincent Peirani, and Juan Carmona ~ Luc was born in 1965
 
March 10, 2024 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Eric Carmen, full name Eric Howard Carmen, passed away ~ Rose to fame as frontman and primary songwriter of power pop unit the Raspberries, known best for Go All The Way, I Wanna Be With You, and Overnight Sensation (Hit Record). Following the band's disbandement in the mid-1970s, Carmen embarked on a solo career, scoring several soft rock hits through the late 1980s including Never Gonna Fall In Love Again, Change Of Heart, Hungry Eyes, and Make Me Lose Control. Carmen's best known, the 1975 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit All By Myself, would be covered by over 150 artists including Carmen McRae, Stanley Turrentine, Hank Williams Jr, the Brotherhood Of Men, Shirley Bassey, Sheryl Crow, and Céline Dion. Carmen also wrote Hey Deanie, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit for Shaun Cassidy, and co-wrote Almost Paradise, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit for Ann Wilson & Mike Reno lifted off the Footloose soundtrack ~ Carmen was born in 1949
March 10, 2024 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, drummer Karl Wallinger, full name Karl Edmond De Vere Wallinger, passed away ~ Revered songwriter drawing from British heritage such as the Beatles as well as from Americans such as Bob Dylan. Key member of the Waterboys from 1983 through 1985, present on the albums A Pagan Place and the highly acclaimed This Is The Sea. Following his departure from the band Wallinger recorded as World Party, basically Wallinger's one-man-band at times employing session musicians where needed, known for Ship Of Fools, Way Down Now, Is It Like Today and She's The One, the latter later covered by over a dozen artists including Robbie Williams. Wallinger was also especially helpful in advancing Sinéad O'Connor's career, prominently involved in O'Connor's early demos that landed the then-unknown singer a record deal with Ensign Records ~ Wallinger was born in 1957
March 10, 2024 ~ Thomas Michael Stevens, commonly known as pop rock bassist TM Stevens or occasionally as Shaka Zulu, passed away ~ Recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, perhaps most noted for Shocka Zooloo released in 2002. Member of Space Cadets, known for their eponymous Space Cadets album released in 1981. In-demand session and touring musician from the late 1970s onwards, present on albums by Narada Michael Walden, Stacy Lattisaw, David Sancious, Grandmaster Flash, Gregory Abbott (Shake You Down), the Pretenders (Get Close), Bob Geldof, Joe Cocker, Nona Hendryx, Cyndi Lauper, Tina Turner (Simply The Best), Curtis Stigers, Whitney Houston (The Bodyguard), Steve Vai, and Billy Joel ~ Stevens was born in 1951
 
March 9, 2024 ~ Classical trumpeter, cornetist Guy Touvron passed away ~ Accomplished soloist. Renowned interpreter of baroque composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Tomaso Albinoni, and Giuseppe Torelli, and contemporary classical music. Premiered trumpet concerts written by Ivan Jevtic, Jacques Loussier, and François Rauber. Principal trumpeter for the Orchestre National De Lyon and the French Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. Formed the Guy Touvron Brass Ensemble by the early 1970s ~ Touvron was born in 1950
March 9, 2024 ~ Americana, folk, alternative country singer, guitarist, songwriter Malcolm Holcombe, full name Malcolm Brank Holcombe, passed away ~ Over a dozen albums to his name, including the criminally overlooked A Hundred Lies released in 1996. Known for his moody poetry, country blues guitar, and distintive rumbling baritone voice. Though Holcombe has never achieved mainstream success, he was revered by peers and critics, drawing comparison to the likes of John Prine and Tom Waits. Holcombe enjoyed a cult following, artists such as Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, and Iris DeMent among his fans, and has opened for Merle Haggard and Wilco. Upon hearing of his death, revered singer, songwriter Mary Gauthier commented: “He was a genius. A channel. A giver. A master, a maestro, one of my greatest teachers, saintly in spirit, and truly touched by God and the angels” ~ Holcombe was born in 1955
 
March 7, 2024 ~ Sidney Liebowitz, commonly known as singer, actor Steve Lawrence, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Formed the husband-wife duo Steve & Eydie with Eydie Gormé, known for songs such as We Got Us, I Want To Stay Here and I Can't Stop Talking About You. Both Gormé and Lawrence enjoyed parrallel solo careers, Lawrence regularly reaching the higher echelons of the charts with songs such as Go Away Little Girl, Pretty Blue Eyes, Footsteps and Party Doll. Lawrence appeared in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers, portraying the role of Maury Sline, manager and friend of the band ~ Liebowitz was born in 1935
 
March 4, 2024 ~ Harris Lloyd Seaton, commonly known as ska, rocksteady, reggae singer, songwriter Bibby Seaton or BB Seaton passed away in London, UK ~ Formed the duo Winston & Bibby with Delano Stewart, the pair later expanding into the Gaylads. The vocal group would become one of the premier rocksteady groups in Jamaica, reigning for about a decade starting in the early 1960s. The group had several hits of their own, including My Jamaican Girl, Don't Say No, and There's A Fire, and served as backing unit for the likes of Ken Parker, Ken Boothe, and Delroy Wilson. Seaton has also recorded as a solo artist, noted for songs such Accept My Apology and Thin Line Between Love And Hate, worked with groups such as the Astronauts, Conscious Minds, and the Messengers, and has written songs recorded by Boothe, Wilson, and the Melodians ~ Seaton was born in 1944
 
March 3, 2024 ~ Southern rock, country rock drummer Brit Turner passed away ~ Member of Blackberry Smoke, which also included his brother bassist Richard Turner, with whom he has recorded a little over half a dozen albums since the early 2000s. The band draws mainly from Southern rock, inspired by Lynyrd Skynyrd, with a solid dose of bluegrass, gospel, and R&B added for good measure. They are noted for being the first independent country band to score a Billboard Country No.1 album with All The Roses released in 2015. The band's next three albums would also reach top 10, with Like An Arrow also reaching top 20 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 200. Diagnosed with glioblastoma, Turner retired from performing in late 2022. Following his death at age 57, the band issued a statement saying: “Brit was Blackberry Smoke's True North, the compass that instituted the ideology that will continue to guide this band” ~ Turner was born ca.1967
March 3, 2024 ~ Elnora Ruth Procter, commonly known jazz singer Eleanor Collins, passed away in Surrey, Canada ~ Dubbed Canada's “First Lady of Jazz”. Active since her mid-teens. Critically compared to Lena Horne and Ella Fitzgerald. Has performed in stage productions of of Finian's Rainbow, Kiss Me Kate, and You Can't Take It With You. Well known for her association with several radio and TV shows, notably Bamboula (A Day In The West Indies), the first variety TV show featuring an interracial cast, and her own The Eleanor Show aired from 1955 onwards making her the first female, the first person of colour, and the first jazz singer to headline a show on national TV. Collins would continue to perform in clubs and concert into the 1980s ~ Procter was born in 1919
 
March 2, 2024 ~ Wesley Curley Clark, commonly known as blues singer, guitarist WC Clark, passed away ~ Dubbed “the Godfather of Austin Blues” for his influence since the late-1960s. Sang gospel in church choirs, took up guitar by age 14, was playing professionally two years later. Early on in his career, Clark toured with Joe Tex before returning to his native Austin, to find a new crop of young performers. Clark is legendary perhaps most for forming the Triple Threat Revue in the mid-1970s with the then-unknown Lou Ann Barton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Though the trio only briefly played together, they set the standard for Austin blues, with Vaughan crediting Clark as a mentor and immense influence. Clark has shared stages with BB King, James Brown, Albert King, and Freddie King. Outside Texas, he is perhaps best known for half a dozen solo albums released later on in his career, notably 1994's Heart Of Gold, and From Austin With Soul released in 2002 ~ Clark was born in 1939
 
February 25, 2024 ~ Peter Anthony Morgan, commonly known as reggae singer Peetah Morgan, passed away ~ Lead singer of sibling outfit Morgan Heritage, comprised of offspring of iconic reggae singer Denroy Morgan. The group has recorded over a dozen albums since the mid-1990s, and is perhaps best known for the Grammy Award-winning Strictly Roots album released in 2015. Morgan has also recorded as a solo artist, noted for his sole full-length album TUT (The Undeniable Truth) released in 2013, and has collaborated with Shane Brown, Irie Love, SunDub, and most recently with Jah Sun on the 2023 Return To Balance album ~ Morgan was born ca.1977
 
February 22, 2024 ~ Skiffle, rock & roll pianist John Lowe, full name John Charles Duff Lowe, passed away ~ By invite of Paul McCartney, Lowe played with the Quarrymen from 1958 through 1960, a band that would evolve into the Beatles. Lowe, known to friends as “Duff”, was present on the recordings of That'll Be The Day and In Spite Of All The Danger, for which he retained ownership. Lowe sold the songs to McCartney in 1981, the two tracks would be included on the Beatles Anthology Vol.1 compilation album released in 1995 ~ Lowe was born in 1942
February 22, 2024 ~ Veronica Loretta Stoneman, commonly known as banjoist, actress, comedian Roni Stoneman, passed away ~ Dubbed “the First Lady of Banjo”. Daughter of guitarist Ernest Stoneman, one of the earliest country music stars. Member of family outfit the Stonemans for over a decade, with whom she has performed at the White House, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Grand Ole Opry. Stoneman is especially known as a cast member of the Hee Haw country music variety TV show for nearly two decades starting in the early 1970s. While she occasionally picked banjo and sang on the show, it was her comedic talent that garnered more attention, specifically in the character of Ida Lee Nagger. As a musician, Stoneman continued to perform into the 2020s, either as a solo artist or with her sister mandolinist Donna Stoneman ~ Stoneman was born in 1938
 
February 21, 2024 ~ Classical, neoclassical metal, progressive metal pianist, composer Vitalij Kuprij passed away ~ Regarded a keyboard virtuoso by both classical and heavy metal, progressive metal critics. Received numerous awards in the classical world, notably winning prestigious competitions such as the All-Union Chopin Competition, the Kiev Conservatory Competition and the Cleveland Piano Competition. To metal audiences known for founding progressive metal band Atlantis Rising, which evolved into Artension, as a member of Yngwie Malmsteen's neoclassical, power metal unit Ring Of Fire, as a regular collaborator of the highly influential Finnish metal outfit the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and as a solo artist. Kuprij has recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist, both classical music and neoclassical metal ~ Kuprij was born in 1974
 
February 20, 2024 ~ Pianist, singer David Libert passed away ~ Co-founding member of pop group the Happenings. The band was known for adding their own distinctive style to hits originally recorded by others, and enjoyed popularity especially during the mid-1960s. See You In September, Go Away Little Girl, I Got Rhythm, and My Mammy all reached top 20 Billboard Hot 100. Libert briefly served as manager for Rare Earth, and subsequently as tour manager for Alice Cooper during the first half of the 1970s, a time span generally considered Cooper's key period. After relocating to Los Angeles in 1976, Libert became a representative for artists such as George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Brian Auger, Vanilla Fudge, and Living Colour ~ Libert was born in 1943
 
February 19, 2024 ~ Rock, blues-rock, electric blues guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, singer Bobby Tench passed away ~ Though never a household name, Tench was held in the highest regards by peers and critics, having played with some of the biggest names in British rock. Co-founding member of Gass and of Hummingbird. Best known for his associations with blues guitarist Freddie King and with singer Van Morrison. Worked with Jeff Beck both in the Jeff Beck Group and as a touring singer with Beck Bogert & Appice. Other notable associations include Humble Pie, the Streetwalkers, Hummingbird, Ginger Baker, Linda Lewis, Boxer, Widowmaker, Eric Burdon, Axis Point, Brian Robertson, Topper Headon, Roger Chapman, Ruby Turner, and Alan Price ~ Tench was born in 1944
 
February 16, 2024 ~ Cynthia Sue Strother, commonly known as singer Cynthia Bell, passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Formed the sibling duo the Bell Sisters with her baby sister Edith Bell, adopting their mother's maiden name as stage names. The duo would be discovered in 1951 performing Bermuda, written by Cynthia, on a local Los Angeles TV show. Music publisher Joe Happy Goday would take an interest in the sibling act and had them record the track. The single would reach top 10 on the pop charts the following year, and eventually sell a million copies. The sisters would have two more hits, Wheel Of Fortune which scratched the top 10, and Piece A'Puddin' which reached top 20 ~ Strother was born in 1935
February 16, 2024 ~ Rockabilly, roots rock singer, guitarist Dexter Romweber, full name John Michael Dexter Romweber, passed away ~ Iconic figure in underground roots rock, rockabilly circles since the mid-1980s. Cited by the White Stripes guitarist Jack White as a major influence. Best known for founding rockabilly revivalists Flat Duo Jets with Chris Crow Smith, naming themselves after Gene Vincent's Gretsch Duo Jet guitar. The band recorded close to a dozen albums, and are especially acclaimed for their 1990 eponymous Flat Duo Jets album, and its 1992 follow-up Go Go Harlem. Romweber also formed Dex Romweber Duo with his older sister drummer Sara Romweber, their full-length Ruins Of Berlin debut album released in 2009, and has recorded several albums as a solo artist ~ Romweber was born in 1966
February 16, 2024 ~ Greg Hinz, commonly known as hard rock, heavy metal drummer Fritz Hinz, passed away ~ Longtime member of Canadian heavy metal outfit Helix, present on most of the band's best known including their Walking The Razor's Edge album which spawned Rock You, their biggest hit. Hinz remained with the band from 1983 through 1996, rejoining in 2009. Hinz quietly retreated from the band in 2023 as cancer treatments began, his medical condition kept quiet at his request. Following his death, Helix frontman Brian Vollmer described Hinz as a brother, the funniest guy you'd ever want to meet, and the consummate rock drummer: “He loved his drums and he loved drumming and performing. He took great pride in everything he did.” ~ Hinz was born ca.1956
February 16, 2024 ~ Poet, radio host, jazz scholar, music critic Reuben Jackson passed away ~ Known for his encyclopedic knowledge of jazz music and culture. Served as curator of the Duke Ellington Collection at the Smithsonian Institution for over two decades, a position he called “a job of a lifetime”. Hosted Friday Night Jazz for most of the 2010s, aired on Vermont Public Radio. An accomplished music critic, Jackson has written for The Washington Post, Jazz Times, Down Beat, and All About Jazz, his reviews regularly featured on NPR's All Things Considered radio show. Jackson is also known as a poet, his most recent bundle Scattered Clouds published in 2019 ~ Jackson was born ca.1956
 
February 15, 2024 ~ Pop rock guitarist, singer Ian Amey also known as Tich, full name Ian Frederick Stephen Amey, passed away ~ Co-founding member of Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick & Tich. With their zany stage act and lurid dress sense, the band enjoyed popularity especially in Australia, New Zealand, and their native UK during the 1960s, yet unlike many of their contemporaries they failed to achieve much chart success in America. The band scored close to a dozen top 20 UK hits through 1968 drawing from freakbeat, mod, and pop. Well-known songs include Bend It, Save Me, Zabadak, and perhaps their best known the million-seller The Legend Of Xanadu, the latter their sole UK No.1 hit. Hold Tight, originally a 1967 UK No.4 hit, would later be used in the Quentin Tarantino film Death Proof released in 2007 ~ Amey was born ca.1945
 
February 13, 2024 ~ Edward Sturgis, commonly known as DJ Eddie Cheba, passed away ~ Fixture on the New York scene during the 1970s. One of the earliest rapping DJ's, considered pivotal to the development of hip hop. Influential on Kurtis Blow, close friend DJ Hollywood, and Def Jam Recordings co-founder Russell Simmons, the latter inspired to pursue a career in music after hearing Cheba perform. The year before his passing, Cheba suffered a series of strokes. Upon hearing of his ailing health, Simmons stated, recalling the hey days: “The absolute facts are as follows. If you couldn't get Hollywood, you got Cheba. If you couldn't get Cheba, you got Lovebug Starski. Again, this is actual facts. If you got all three, the number of tickets would skyrocket and you could pay the bar guarantee. They were the rap stars and the biggest money makers and draws.” ~ Sturgis was born in 1956
 
February 11, 2024 ~ Lloyd Arrington Sparks, commonly known as singer, guitarist, banjoist, songwriter Randy Sparks, passed away in San Diego, California, USA ~ Founded the New Christy Minstrels, most acclaimed for their 1962 Presenting The New Christy Minstrels debut album, and for often-covered songs such as Green Green, Saturday Night and Today written or co-written by Sparks. The band is also especially noted for including Barry McGuire and for launching the careers of John Denver and Kenny Rogers. Sparks also founded the Back Porch Majority, initially intended as a rehearsal space for the Minstrels, yet the group would become successful on its own, recording about half a dozen albums. A 1964 review by The New York Times would read: “The Minstrels maintain the sort of bubbling good spirits that ought to be bottled and sold at every supermarket in the land. They suggest a Norman Rockwell portrait of nine youths who are smiling their way through song and life” ~ Sparks was born in 1933
 
February 9, 2024 ~ Kenji Suzuki, commonly known as krautrock, experimental rock singer Damo Suzuki, passed away ~ Though his tenure with Krautrock pioneers Can was brief, it is generally considered the band's most important period. Busking outside a Hamburg cafe, he was spotted by bassist Holger Czukay and drummer Jaki Liebezeit who invited him to join the band. Suzuki gave his first performance with the band that same day, and would sing lead vocals on the albums Tago Mago, Ege Bamyasi, and Future Days. As a solo artist, Suzuki is most acclaimed for his 1998 Seattle live double album. Suzuki has been cited as an influence by Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols, Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, Geoff Barrow of Portishead, and the band Spoon, who took their name from a Can song. Pavement's Stephen Malkmus has been quoted as saying: “I played Can's Ege Bamyasi album every night before I went to sleep for about three years.” ~ Suzuki was born in 1950
February 9, 2024 ~ Rock & roll drummer Jimmy Van Eaton, full name James Mack Van Eaton, passed away in Alabama, USA ~ Initially played Dixieland jazz with the Jivin' Five, which he founded, before switching to rock & roll. Recording a demo at Sun Records with engineer Cowboy Jack Clement impressed Clement, who then recommended Van Eaton to Billy Lee Riley. Van Eaton would tour with Riley, as well as with Conway Twitty, on weekends, and work as a session drummer during the week. From the mid through the late 1950s, Van Eaton drummed on most of the Sun Records recordings by Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, Bill Justis, and Jerry Lee Lewis, including on the latter's 1957 Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On classic. By the 1960s Van Eaton mostly retired from music. In 1998, going by the moniker JM Van Eaton, he released his sole solo album The Beat Goes On, featuring his own songs and vocals ~ Van Eaton was born in 1937
 
February 7, 2024 ~ R&B, soul singer Henry Fambrough, full name Henry Lee Fambrough, passed away in Sterling, Virginia, USA ~ Last surviving original member of the Spinners, at times known as the Detroit Spinners or the Motown Spinners to avoid confusion with other groups. The group had been recording since the early-1960s, and enjoyed popularity especially during the 1970s. Well known songs include It's A Shame, I'll Be Around, Could It Be I'm Falling In Love, Ghetto Child, the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Then Came You with Dionne Warwick, The Rubberband Man, and Working My Way Back To You. The band would be inducted in the 2023 class of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, acknowledging them as “one of the most beloved R&B vocal groups in the world, (who) came to define the Philadelphia sound despite their Motor City origins.” ~ Fambrough was born in 1938
February 7, 2024 ~ Neill Kirby McMillan Jr, commonly known as rockabilly, cowpunk, psychobilly singer Mojo Nixon, passed away ~ Teamed up with Skid Roper in the 1980s, the duo releasing about half a dozen albums through the end of the decade. They are perhaps best known for Elvis Is Everywhere off their 1987 Bo-Day-Shus album, the single becoming an alternative staple on MTV. Nixon released his Otis solo debut album in 1990 and recorded throughout the mid-2000s before retiring from music. McMillan has also collaborated with Jello Biafra, Dave Alvin, and Country Dick Montana, and acted in about half a dozen films including portraying the role of drummer Jimmy Van Eaton in the Jerry Lee Lewis biopic Great Balls Of Fire ~ McMillan was born in 1957
 
February 6, 2024 ~ Blues, rock, reggae guitarist, singer Donald Kinsey passed away in Merrillville, Indiana, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Kinsey Report, which also included Ron Prince, his brothers Ralph Kinsey and Kenneth Kinsey, and patriarch Big Daddy Kinsey. Kinsey is also well known for his association with Albert King, appearing on the albums Blues At Sunset and Blues At Sunrise, both recorded live mostly at the 1973 Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, and as a member of Peter Tosh's backing unit including on the albums Legalize It, Bush Doctor, and Mama Africa. Other notable associations include Bob Marley (Rastaman Vibration), Burning Spear, Betty Wright, Roy Buchanan (Hot Wires), and Denroy Morgan ~ Kinsey was born in 1953
 
February 5, 2024 ~ Toby Keith Covel, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, actor Toby Keith, passed away ~ Tried out for the Oklahoma Outlaws professional football team but did not make the team. Had promised himself to have a recording contract by age 30, or give up on music as a career. Keith released his eponymous Toby Keith debut album in 1993, which included his Should've Been A Cowboy Billboard Country No.1 debut single. Keith would go on to record some twenty-odd albums and sell over 40 million records. Became a household name with Courtesy Of The Red White And Blue (The Angry American), released in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. Over the course of his career, Keith would rack up over a dozen Billboard Country No.1 hits including You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This, the Willie Nelson-duet Beer For My Horses, Love Me If You Can, She Never Cried In Front Of Me, and Made In America ~ Covel was born in 1961
 
February 4, 2024 ~ Artist manager Martin Kirkup passed away in Hawaii, USA ~ Active as label executive and artist manager since the mid-1970s, initially for A&M Records, overseeing campaigns for artists such as Peter Frampton, Supertramp, Joe Jackson, and the Police. Co-founded artist management company Direct Management by the mid-1980s, helping advance the careers of several artists. Notable successes include getting If You Leave by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark on the Pretty In Pink soundtrack, which significantly boosted the band's exposure in America, helping steer the B52's towards more commercial success starting with the 1989 Cosmic Thing album which spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Roam and Love Shack, and signing the then-unknown rock outfit the Counting Crows in the early 1990s, whose August & Everything After debut album would go on to sell over 10 million copies. Kirkup has also been involved with artists such as Boy Meets Girl, Bryan Ferry, Katy Perry, and Adam Lambert ~ Kirkup was born ca.1948
 
February 3, 2024 ~ Reggae bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist, arranger, songwriter, producer Aston Barrett, full name Aston Francis Barrett, passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Helped define the role of the bass in reggae. Brother of drummer Carlton Barrett. Best known as longtime associate of Bob Marley, serving as bassist, arranger, and bandleader from 1969 until Marley's death a dozen years later. Earned the nickname “Family Man” for his role in Marley's backing unit. One of the first to incorporate a drum machine in reggae, as heard in Marley songs such as No Woman No Cry, So Jah Seh, and Johnny Was. Mentored Robbie Shakespeare of Sly & Robbie, who at some point commented: “He is a master for me. I have had help and influences from other people, but I have to give it mostly to Family Man.” ~ Barrett was born in 1946
 
February 2, 2024 ~ Wayne Kambes, commonly known as punk rock, proto-punk guitarist, singer Wayne Kramer, passed away ~ Co-founding member of MC5, one of the rawest and most outspoken bands in American rock. They are especially acclaimed for their 1969 Kick Out The Jams debut album, widely regarded as a forerunner to proto-punk and punk nearly a decade later. After two more albums, both of which sold poorly, the band disbanded in 1972. Kramer struggled through the remainder of the decade, before reemerging in the 1980s and 1990s. Kramer has also worked with Johnny Thunders, Was (Not Was), Bad Religion, and Dodge Main, recorded as a solo artist, and reignited MC5 in the 1990s with a rotating line-up. Upon hearing of his death, Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello commented: “His band the MC5 basically invented punk rock music. Wayne came through personal trials of fire with drugs and jail time and emerged a transformed soul who went on to save countless lives through his tireless acts of service.” ~ Kambes was born in 1948
 
January 29, 2024 ~ Accordionist, keyboardist, guitarist Tony Cedras passed away ~ Perhaps best known for his longtime association with Paul Simon, both as a touring and session musician including on the acclaimed Graceland album. Cedras has also guested on albums by the likes of Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba (Sangoma), Ziggy Marley, Tony Bird, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Cassandra Wilson (Blue Light 'Til Dawn), Henry Threadgill (Carry The Day), Milton Nascimento, Garland Jeffreys, Bakithi Kumalo, and the Indica Project ~ Cedras was born ca.1952
 
January 27, 2024 ~ Bjørn Falk Nilsen, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Lillebjørn Nilsen, passed away ~ Formed the late 1960s duo the Young Norwegians with Bjørn Morisse, the latter also referred to as Storebjørn. Recorded consistently as a solo artist since the early 1970s. Considered “the Voice of Oslo” for having written numerous songs about the city. Befriended and worked with his idol Pete Seeger, whose My Rainbow Race he translated to Banr Av Regnbuen. Terrorist Anders Breivik, who killed over 70 people in the 2011 Oslo and Utøya attacks, stated he hated the song. In response, over 40,000 Norwegians sang it publicly outside Breivik's trial. Nilsen was also a member of supergroup Gitarkamaratene ~ Nilsen was born in 1950
 
January 26, 2024 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, R&B, funk, rock guitarist Dean Brown passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ One of the most respected jazz guitarists of his generation, praised for his virtuosity and innovative approach. Has recorded five albums as a leader, starting with Here in 2000, often featuring all-star casts of regular collaborators. As a sideman, Brown has appeared on albums by Vital Information, Billy Cobham, Kirk Whalum (And You Know That), Bob James (Grand Piano Album), Steps Ahead, the Brecker Brothers, Marcus Miller (Tales), Till Brönner, Roberta Flack, Ricky Peterson (Souvenir), David Sanborn, Nelson Rangell (Always), Jason Miles, and Joe Zawinul ~ Dean was born in 1955
January 26, 2024 ~ Vibraphonist Michel Hausser passed away ~ Played the accordion before switching to vibraphone by his late teens. Sessioned prolifically in the 1950s and 1960s, backing the likes of Eddy Barclay, Christian Chevallier, Henri Crolla, Benny Golson, Stéphane Grappelli, Roger Guerin, Bobby Jaspar, Lucky Thompson, and Sarah Vaughan. Formed his own trio in the mid-1960s with bassist Jacky Samson and a rotating roster of drummers. Hausser relocated to Germany in the 1970s, where he worked as a teacher ~ Hausser was born in 1927
 
January 25, 2024 ~ Jazz, improvisation, world music singer Bruno Amstad passed away ~ Sang soul, funk, and rock in the 1980s before switching to jazz and world music, eventually joining Christy Doran's New Bag. Amstad would remain with Doran for over a decade, recording over half a dozen albums. Establishing himself as one of the leading voice in world music to come out of Switzerland, Amstad would collaborate with a host of artists including Asita Hamidi, Sandro Schneebeli, Freddy Studer, Phil Minton, and John Zorn ~ Amstad was born ca.1964
 
January 23, 2024 ~ Franz Reuther, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer Frank Farian, passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Prior to his career in music, Farian trained as a cook. Performed and recorded as a singer from the late 1960s through the mid-1970s, before becoming one of the most prolific and successful producers to come out of Germany. Acts founded, managed, produced by Farian have sold over 850 million records and earned some 800 gold and platinum certifications. Best known for founding 1970s disco group Boney M, with whom he enjoyed popularity especially in Europe with disco hits such as Daddy Cool, Ma Baker, Rivers Of Babylon, and Rasputin, and for founding Milli Vanilli, known for the late 1980s Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits Baby Don't Forget My Number, Blame It On The Rain, and Girl I'm Gonna Miss You. Other notable acts he was involved with include Le Click, La Bouche, No Mercy, Eruption, and the Far Corporation ~ Reuther was born in 1941
January 23, 2024 ~ Melanie Anne Safka, mononymously known as folk, pop singer, guitarist Melanie, passed away ~ Over two dozen albums to her name, enjoying popularity especially during the late 1960s and early 1970s emerging from New York's Greenwich Village folk scene. Best known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Lay Down (Candles In The Rain) and Brand New Key, the latter a No.1 hit in 1971, and the Rolling Stones-cover Ruby Tuesday which reached top 10 in the UK. Along with Janis Joplin and Joan Baez, Safka was one of only three solo women to perform at the Woodstock Music and Art Fair in 1969, of which she later said: “An unbelievably frightening day. I never even felt like I was a hippy, I didn't like the term. If anything, I was the beat generation, people in the Village expressing themselves in so many ways, not being pigeonholed.” ~ Safka was born in 1947
 
January 22, 2024 ~ Betty Lou Miller, commonly known as Christian, country singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Margo Smith, passed away in Franklin, Tennessee, USA ~ Known for her yodeling, her 1970s country remakes of the pop songs Don't Break The Heart That Loves You and It Only Hurts For A Little While both of which topped the Billboard Country charts, and for a number of 1980s hits after turning to a more risque image with songs such as Still A Woman, The Shuffle Song and Cup Of Tea, the latter a duet with Rex Allen Jr ~ Smith was born in 1939
January 22, 2024 ~ Music journalist Neil Kulkarni passed away ~ Following his tenure as a staff writer for Melody Maker from 1993 through 2000, Kulkarni freelanced for publications such as Uncut, Vox, Spin, The Guardian, The Quietus, and DJ Magazine. Kulkarni has also authored several books, starting with Hip Hop Bring The Noise (The Stories Behind The Biggest Songs) published in 2004. Kulkarni focused primarily on hip hop and metal. Upon hearing of his death at age 51, Clash Magazine called him “one of the sharpest pens of his generation” ~ Kulkarni was born in 1972
 
January 19, 2024 ~ Marlina Burgess, commonly known as jazz, blues, soul singer Marlena Shaw, passed away ~ First turned to music by her uncle jazz trumpeter Jimmy Burgess, who introduced her to recordings of Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, gospel, and singer Al Hibbler who in Shaw's words “really knows how to phrase a song”. Her uncle first brought her to the stage to sing with his band while Shaw was still in her early teens. As a solo performer, Shaw has been active since the early 1960s, getting her first big break when a regular gig at the Playboy Club, Chicago, drew the attention of representatives of Chess Records, who then signed her to the subsidiary Cadet Records label. Though she never became a household name, Shaw is fondly remembered for her rendition of California Soul taken off her 1969 The Spice Of Life sophomore album, her highly acclaimed 1974 Who Is This Bitch Anyway album, and a string of disco tracks through the late 1970s ~ Burgess was born in 1942
January 19, 2024 ~ Singer Mary Weiss passed away ~ Leader of 1960s R&B girl group the Shangri-Las. Sang lead on Remember (Walking In The Sand), Give Him A Great Big Kiss and Out In The Streets. Sang co-lead on the band's biggest hit, The Leader Of The Pack, in tandem with Elizabeth Weiss. Following the band's disbandement in 1968, Weiss mostly disappeared from the music scene for decades, reemerging in 2007 with her first and only solo album, the critically acclaimed Dangerous Game album ~ Weiss was born in 1948
 
January 13, 2024 ~ Joel Sonnier, commonly known as Cajun, zydeco, country singer, accordionist, songwriter Jo-El Sonnier, passed away in Llano, Texas, USA ~ Active professionally since the late 1960s, first performing on the radio at age six. Would become a fixture on the Louisiana Cajun scene, earning a devoted following bridging the musical traditions. Well over two dozen albums to his name, especially noted for Come On Joe released in 1987, and for Cajun Young Blood released in 1996. Best known for No More One More Time and the Richard Thompson-cover Tear Stained Letter, both of which reached top 10 Billboard Country. Guested on albums by Emmylou Harris (Elite Hotel), Johnny Cash, George Strait, Elvis Costello (King Of America), Patty Loveless, Dolly Parton, the Indigo Girls, Sammy Kershaw, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, and Mark Knopfler ~ Sonnier was born in 1946
 
January 12, 2024 ~ Bluegrass singer, guitarist, mandolinist Audie Blaylock passed away ~ Spent most of the 1980s backing Jimmy Martin. Would go on to work with Red Allen, Lynn Morris, Harley Allen, Rhonda Vincent, Michael Cleveland, Patrick McAvinue, Michael Martin Murphey, and Bobby Osborne. Released his Trains Are The Only Way To Fly solo debut album in 2001 and has recorded as solo artist and with his backing unit Redline since ~ Blaylock was born in 1962
January 12, 2024 ~ Actor, singer Bill Hayes, full name William Foster Hayes III, passed away ~ To pop audiences known for the single The Ballad Of Davy Crockett which topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1955, and sold over two million copies. Hayes would also star in a Broadway production of the Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II penned musical Me & Juliet, and score several minor hits including The Berry Tree, High Noon, and Wringle Wrangle. Hayes would eventually become best known as an actor, known particularly for his role of Doug Williams in the soap opera Days Of Our Lives ~ Hayes was born in 1925
 
January 8, 2024 ~ Singer, songwriter Guy Bonnet passed away in Montpellier, France ~ Internationally best known for several Eurovision Songfestival entries. Co-wrote La Source for Isabelle Aubret, the French entry for the 1968 edition, which reached 3rd place. As a singer, Bonnet also represented his native France twice, reaching 4th place in 1970 with Marie-Blanche, and participating again in 1983, reaching 8th place with Vivre. Songs written or-co-written by Bonnet have also been recorded by Mireille Mathieu, Sylvia Vartan, Franck Fernandel, and Massilia Sound System ~ Bonnet was born ca.1945
 
January 7, 2024 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Tony Clarkin, full name Anthony Michael Clarkin, passed away ~ Guitarist, sole songwriter for Magnum, known best for their 1988 Wings Of Heaven album and its 1990 follow-up Goodnight LA. Well known songs include Days Of No Trust, Start Talking Love, It Must Have Been Love and Rockin' Chair, all of which reached top 40 in the band's native UK. The band folded in 1995, yet Clarkin and the band's lead singer Bob Catley would record two more albums through the end of the decade going by the moniker Hard Rain ~ Clarkin was born in 1946
 
January 5, 2024 ~ Derek Peter Palmer, commonly known as engineer, bassist, singer Del Palmer, passed away ~ Best known for his work with Kate Bush, with whom he was also romantically involved for a little over a decade starting in the late 1970s. Played bass on or engineered albums such as Lionheart, Hounds Of Love, The Sensual World, and The Red Shoes. Palmer has also worked with Midge Ure, Roy Harper, Alan Stivell, and Billy Sherwood. Later on in his career, Palmer recorded a handful of albums as a solo artist starting with Leap Of Faith released in 2007 ~ Palmer was born ca.1952
 
January 4, 2024 ~ Richard David Solberg, commonly known as actor, singer David Soul, passed away in London, UK ~ Best known as an actor, appearing in TV shows such as Here Comes The Bride, Magnum Force, and perhaps most notably Starsky & Hutch, portraying the role of Hutch. Solberg has also recorded as a singer, enjoying popularity during the mid-1970s especially in the UK. Well-known songs include Going In With My Eyes Open, Silver Lady, Let's Have A Quiet Night In, and Don't Give Up On Us, the latter also reaching No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 ~ Solberg was born in 1943
 
January 2, 2024 ~ Guitarist, composer Chris Karrer passed away ~ Co-founding member of Amon Düül and its commercially more successful successor Amon Düül II, the latter especially known for a number of soundtracks most notably Niklashauser Fart and San Domingo. Though primarily active as a guitarist, Karrer also plays oud, saxophone, and violin. Karrer has also recorded as a solo artist, and worked with Embryo, Popol Vuh, Uli Trepte, and Guru Guru ~ Karrer was born in 1947
 
December 29, 2023 ~ Jazz, soul jazz pianist, singer, songwriter Les McCann, full name Leslie Coleman McCann, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Actively recording since the early 1960s. Noted for his 1969 Swiss Movement album, which also featured saxophonist Eddie Harris and trumpeter Benny Bailey. The album spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit Compared To What, later covered by over 250 artists including Roberta Flack. McCann also collaborated with Teddy Edwards, Richard Groove Holmes, Lou Rawls (Stormy Monday), Stanley Turrentine, Cash McCall, and Herbie Mann ~ McCann was born in 1935
December 29, 2023 ~ Actor, director, singer, choreographer Maurice Hines, full name Maurice Robert Hines Jr, passed away in Englewood, New Jersey, USA ~ Brother of dancer Gregory Hines, with whom he has also worked including as opening act for the likes of Lionel Hampton and Gypsy Rose Lee. Starting in the late 1970s Hines would appear in Broadway productions of Eubie, Bring Back Birdie, Sophisticated Ladies and Uptown (It's Hot), earning a Tony Award for the latter. Conceived, choreographed, and directed Hot Feet, a 2006 jukebox musical featuring the music of Earth Wind & Fire ~ Hines was born in 1943
 
December 28, 2023 ~ Samuel David Bailey, commonly known as jazz drummer Dave Bailey, passed away ~ Has recorded a number of albums as a leader during the early 1960s, especially acclaimed for Reaching Out. Closely associated with Gerry Mulligan, appearing on about a dozen of the saxophonist's albums including At Storyville, Songbook, and What Is There To Say. Bailey has also appeared on albums by Lee Konitz (Tranquility), Bob Brookmeyer, Lou Donaldson (Blues Walk), Curtis Fuller, Ben Webster (The Soul Of Ben Webster), John Mehegan, Charlie Rouse (Unsung Hero), Tubby Hayes, Grant Green (Green Street), Clark Terry, Vi Redd, Marian McPartland, Helen Merrill (The Artistry Of Helen Merrill), Zoot Sims, Lucky Thompson, and Nappy Brown. Bailey retired from music by the late 1960s to work as a flight instructor ~ Bailey was born in 1926
 
December 26, 2023 ~ Comedian, pop, folk guitarist, singer Tom Smothers, full name Thomas Bolyn Smothers, passed away in Santa Rosa, California, USA ~ Formed the musical comedy duo the Smother Brothers with his brother Dick Smothers. Initially the siblings aimed to become folk musicians, but as Tom felt he was not good enough to be a professional musician yet funny enough to do comedy, the brothers added comedy bits to their routine. They are best known for a series of own TV shows, notably The Smother Brothers Comedy Hour aired on CBS. To pop and rock audiences Smothers is perhaps best known for playing guitar alongside John Lennon on the latter's 1969 single Give Peace A Chance, one of Lennon's most enduring songs ~ Smothers was born in 1937
December 26, 2023 ~ Jazz, avant-garde jazz, fusion drummer Tony Oxley passed away ~ One of the most prominent figures of British free improvisation. Well over two dozen albums to his name as leader or co-leader. Co-founded the Incus Records label. Closely associated with the Joseph Holbrooke Trio, the London Jazz Composers Orchestra, and Cecil Taylor. Especially noted for the 1988 collaborative Leaf Palm Hand album with the latter. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Gordon Beck, John McLaughlin (Extrapolation), Howard Riley, Kenny Wheeler (Song For Someone), Vangelis, Peter Brötzmann, Norma Winstone, Paul Bley, and Bill Dixon ~ Oxley was born in 1938
 
December 24, 2023 ~ Vasilis Kesoglidis, commonly known as laiko singer Vasilis Karras, passed away in Thessaloniki, Greece ~ Started performing in 1969, at age 16, at a local club, quickly becoming a regional favorite due to his distinctive raspy voice. Would continue to perform thoughout Northern Greece throughout the 1970s building a steady reputation. Released his Alismonites Ores debut album in 1980 recording steadily over the next few years. Shot to national fame in the early 1990s. Known best for the 1990s albums Tilefonise Mou and Epistrefo. Has collaborated with some of the biggest names in Greek music including Michalis Rakintzis, Zafeiris Melas, Phoebus, Despina Vandi, and Tolis Voskopoulos ~ Kesoglidis was born in 1953
December 24, 2023 ~ Jazz hornist, bassist Willie Ruff, full name Willie Henry Ruff Jr, passed away in Killen, Alabama, USA ~ Half of longtime duo the Mitchell-Ruff Duo, the other half being pianist Dwike Mitchell. The duo has recorded well over a dozen albums and made history in 1959 when they became the first jazz act to play in the Soviet Union since World War II. Half of Pisano & Ruff, the other half being John Pisano. An in-demand sideman and collaborator, Ruff has appeared on albums by Clifford Coultier, Miles Davis, Gil Evans, Benny Golson, Bobby Hutcherson, Milt Jackson, Quincy Jones, Lalo Schifrin, Leonard Cohen (Songs Of Leonard Cohen), Jimmy Smith, and Sonny Stitt. Ruff was also particularly known as a music scholar and teacher, graduating in 1954 from the Yale School of Music, New Haven, Connecticut, and serving as a professor at his alma mater from 1971 through 2017 ~ Ruff was born in 1931
 
December 22, 2023 ~ Singer, bassist Laura Lynch passed away in El Paso, Texas, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer, bassist for the Dixie Chicks, Present on the band's first three albums, Thank Heavens For Dale Evans, Little Ol' Cowgirl and Shouldn't A Told You That, before departing the band in 1990. Upon hearing of her death in a traffic collission at age 65, the band issued a statement saying: “We hold a special place in our hearts for the time we spent playing music, laughing and traveling together. Her infectious energy and humor gave a spark to the early days of our band. Her undeniable talents helped propel us beyond busking on street corners to stages all across Texas and the mid-West.” ~ Lynch was born in 1958
 
December 16, 2023 ~ Bossa nova singer, guitarist, songwriter Carlos Lyra, full name Carlos Eduardo Lyra Barbosa, passed away ~ Helped define bossa nova. Among the first songwriters to be recorded by João Gilberto. Frequent songwriting collaborator of Ronaldo Bôscoli, Geraldo Vandré, Vinicius de Moraes. Known for songs such as Quanda Chegares, Criticando, Voce E Eu, Lobo Bobo, Aruanda, and Quem Quiser Encontrar O Amor ~ Lyra was born in 1939
 
December 15, 2023 ~ Rock drummer Colin Burgess, full name Colin John Burgess, passed away ~ Member of Masters Apprentices from 1968 until its disbandement in 1972, present on most of the band's best known including the hit singles 5:10 Man, Think About Tomorrow Today, Turn Up Your Radio, and Because I Love You. Following the band's disbandement Burgess would serve as the original drummer for AC/DC, remaining with the band joining the band late 1973 and fired early 1974 for appearing drunk on stage ~ Burgess was born in 1946
 
December 12, 2023 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter, poet, author Ole Paus, full name Ole Christian Paus, passed away ~ Actively recording since the early 1970s. Regarded as Norway's premier troubadour, described as the Norwegian counterpart to Bob Dylan and as “the Voice of the Nation”. Best known for songs such as Innerst I Sjelen and Engler I Sneen. Frequent collaborator of Ketil Bjørnstad. Father of classical composer Marcus Paus, with whom he has also worked ~ Paus was born in 1947
 
December 11, 2023 ~ Sandra Elayne Hurvitz, commonly known as avant-garde jazz, folk-jazz, blues singer, pianist, guitarist, mandolinist Essra Mohawk, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Signed to Reprise Records after being discovered by label executive Mo Ostin, which resulted in the highly acclaimed Primordial Lovers album released in 1970, featuring top-notch backing musicians such as Doug Hastings, Dallas Taylor, and James Zitro. Though never becoming a household name, Mohawk has recorded well through the 2000s to critical acclaim and a devoted following. Best known for songs such as Sufferin' Till Suffrage and Interjections. Songs written or co-written by Hurvitz have been recorded by the likes of Vanilla Fudge, Bobby & the Midnites (Haze), Cyndi Lauper (Change Of Heart), Tina Turner, Lorrie Morgan, Diana Ross, and Rita Coolidge (What's It Gonna Be) ~ Hurvitz was born in 1948
December 11, 2023 ~ Pop, rock singer, guitarist, mandolinist, keyboardist Jeffrey Foskett passed away ~ Member of 1970s outfit the Pranks. Best known for his association with Brian Wilson, serving as touring and session musician for Wilson solo and the Beach Boys since the 1980s. Has also recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with the 1996 Thru My Window album regarded by some as “the best Beach Boys album they never recorded”, and has toured or recorded with Jeff Larson, John Blakeley, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Nancy Sinatra, and Harry Shearer ~ Foskett was born in 1956
December 11, 2023 ~ Singer, songwriter Richard Kerr, full name Richard Buchanan Kerr, passed away ~ Though a fine singer in his own right, recording some half dozen albums starting in the early 1970s, best known as a songwriter, notably co-writing several of Barry Manilow's most endearing tracks including Mandy, Looks Like We Made It, and Where Are They Now. Others who recorded songs written or co-written by Kerr include Millie Jackson (A Fool's Affair), Natalie Cole, Don Partridge, the Glass Bottle (Follow Me), Jennifer Warnes, Roy Orbison, Dionne Warwick (I'll Never Love This Way Again), Helen Reddy, Bonnie Raitt, John Denver (Don't Close Your Eyes Tonight), and Tyrone Davis ~ Kerr was born in 1944
 
December 8, 2023 ~ R&B, funk, disco singer, songwriter Nidra Beard passed away ~ Co-lead singer for disco outfit Dynasty active throughout the late 1980s, known for songs such as I Don't Want To Be A Freak (But I Can't Help It), I've Just Begun To Love You, Do Me Right, and Groove Control. Beard wrote or co-wrote a vast amount of the band's songs, as well as for others including the Whispers, Shalamar (A Night To Remember), 7th Wonder, and 911 ~ Beard was born ca.1952
 
December 6, 2023 ~ Jazz pianist Michel Sardaby passed away in Paris, France ~ After relocating to France in the mid-1960s, became a fixture on the Paris jazz scene, working alongside artists such as Errol Parker, Stuart de Silva, and Aaron Bridgers. Over a dozen albums to his name, especially noted for his 1970 Night Cap sophomore album featuring backing from Percy Heath and Connie Kay. Other notable collaborators include Billy Cobham, Ray Barretto, Rufus Reid, Ralph Moore, and Tony Reedus. To blues audiences perhaps best known for guesting on T-Bone Walker's acclaimed 1969 Good Feelin' album ~ Sardaby was born in 1935
 
December 5, 2023 ~ Brian Frederick Arthur Hines, commonly known as pop rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist Denny Laine passed away in Naples, Florida, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Moody Blues, present on the band's 1965 The Magnificent Moodies debut album. Sang lead on the band's first hit, Go Now, which would top the charts in their native UK in 1965 and reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Laine would depart the band in 1966 and be replaced by Justin Hayward. Perhaps best known for his association with Paul McCartney, serving as member of McCartney's backing unit Wings from 1971 through 1981. Also co-wrote Mull Of Kintyre with McCartney. Laine has recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist, noted for his 1976 Holly Days sophomore album, and worked with the Electric String Band, Balls, Ginger Baker, Colin Blunstone, and Carmine Appice ~ Hines was born in 1944
 
December 3, 2023 ~ Miles Francis Goodwin, commonly known as rock, pop, hard rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Myles Goodwyn, passed away in Halifax, Canada ~ Lead singer, main songwriter, co-founding and sole constant member of April Wine, with whom he recorded well over a dozen albums. The band would enjoy popularity especially during the 1970s and early 1980s, moving from garage rock to commercially viable rock, hard rock. They are best known for hits such as Tonite Is A Wonderful Time To Fall In Love, The Whole World's Goin' Crazy, and You Won't Dance With Me, all of which reached top 10 in their native Canada. The singles You Could Have Been A Lady, Roller, and Just Between You And Me would also reach top 40 Billboard Hot 100. Goodwyn released his eponymous Myles Goodwyn solo debut album in 1988 ~ Goodwin was born in 1948
 
November 30, 2023 ~ Punk rock singer Shane MacGowan, full name Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan, passed away in Dublin, Ireland ~ Lead singer of the Pogues from its inception in 1982 through 1991, rejoined in 2001. Merging the raw energy and anger of punk with Irish folk and instrumentation the band rose to fame in the 1980s, and would become especially acclaimed for the albums Rum Sodomy & The Lash and If I Should Fall From Grace With God. MacGowan was also a member of the Nipple Erectors and of the Popes, and has collaborated with Joe Strummer, Nick Cave, Steve Earle, the Jesus & Mary Chain, the Dropkick Murphys, Sinéad O'Connor, and Ronnie Drew ~ MacGowan was born in 1957
 
November 29, 2023 ~ Punk rock guitarist Scott Kempner passed away in Connecticut, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member, longtime rhythm guitarist for the Dictators, with whom he recorded four albums including the acclaimed Go Girl Crazy released in 1975. Has also co-founded the Del-Lords, played with the Brandos, and released the critically acclaimed Tenement Angels solo album in 1992 ~ Kempner was born in 1954
 
November 28, 2023 ~ Jazz pianist John Colianni, full name John Kelly Colianni, passed away in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, USA ~ First got interested in music after watching Duke Ellington perform. Backed Lionel Hampton during the early 1980s. Over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, especially acclaimed for John Colianni & Company released in 1998. As a sideman, Colianni has appeared on albums by Mel Tormé, Spider Saloff, Scott Whitfield, Ben Tucker, Toni Ballard (I'm Your Pal), Holly Shelton, Muriel Anderson, and Marshall McDonald ~ Colianni was born in 1962
 
November 26, 2023 ~ Pop rock, psychedelic rock, jazz rock guitarist Brian Godding passed away ~ Member of 1960s rock outfits the Blossom Toes and BB Blunder before John McLaughlin's Extrapolation album turned him to jazz. Member of Keith Tippett's 1970s band Centipede. Member of jazz fusion group Mirage. Frequent collaborator of Mike Westbrook. Frequent songwriting partner of Kevin Coyne. Has also worked with Julie Driscoll, Solid Gold Cadillac, Annette Peacock, and Lol Coxhill. Godding released his sole solo album, Slaughter On Shaftesbury Avenue, in 2004 ~ Godding was born in 1945
November 26, 2023 ~ Kevin Walker, commonly known as post-punk, gothic rock, new wave guitarist Geordie Walker, passed away in Prague, Czech Republic ~ Earned his nickname for his northeastern “Geordie” accent. First got into music at age eight, mesmerized by Love Sculpture's Sabre Dance. Co-founding member of Killing Joke, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums since its inception in the late 1970s. The post-punk outfit would enjoy popularity especially during the mid-1980s and are best known for Love Like Blood, a UK top 20 hit taken off their 1985 Night Time album. Walker has also played with industrial supergroups Murder Inc and Damage Manual ~ Walker was born in 1958
 
November 25, 2023 ~ Keyboardist, saxophonist Les Maguire, full name Leslie Charles Maguire, passed away ~ Played the saxophone for Liverpool pop group the Undertakers. Joined Gerry & the Pacemakers in 1961, replacing original pianist Arthur Mack, and remained with the band through 1966. Appeared on most of the band's best-known including How Do You Do It, I Like It, You'll Never Walk Alone, Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying, and Ferry Cross The Mersey, all of which reached top 10 in the band's native UK ~ Maguire was born in 1941
 
November 22, 2023 ~ Jean Audrey Caliste, commonly known as soul, R&B, funk singer Jean Knight, passed away ~ Known for her Stax/Volt single Mr Big Stuff, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit in 1971. The single sold two million copies and was nominated for a Grammy Award but lost to Aretha Franklin's Bridge Over Troubled Water though. Knight would continue to record into the 1980s but was unable to repeat her earlier success ~ Knight was born in 1943
November 22, 2023 ~ Singer, guitarist, banjoist Jim Salestrom, full name James Kevin Salestrom, passed away in Arvado, Colorado, USA ~ Co-founded, fronted country-folk rock outfit Timberline. Member of the Wild Jimbos. Also closely associated with Dolly Parton, backing Parton from 1979 through 1991. Wrote It's Too Soon To Let Our Love End, recorded by Mary MacGregor in 1977 ~ Salestrom was born in 1956
 
November 21, 2023 ~ Jazz, tango, nuevo tango guitarist, composer Horacio Malvicino passed away ~ Studied medicine but decided to pursue a career in music, bitten by the jazz, tango bug playing in the renowned jazz club the Bop Club Argentino in Buenos Aires. Influenced by Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt, and Benny Goodman. Most closely associated with Astor Piazzolla, including in Piazzolla's pioneering 1950s nuevo tango line-ups. Malvicino would lead several ensembles from the 1960s onward, notably the Horacio Malvicino Jazz Quintet, and has composed numerous soundtracks ~ Malvicino was born in 1929
 
November 20, 2023 ~ Rock, hip hop, funk, jazz saxophonist Mars Williams passed away ~ Influenced by Eric Dolphy, John Coltrane, and Charlie Parker. Closely associated with Hal Russell, Ken Vandermark, and the NRG Ensemble. An in-demand sideman, Williams has appeared on albums by Fred Frith (Speechless), the Waitresses, Billy Idol (Rebel Yell), the Psychedelic Furs (Mirror Moves), Power Station, Die Warzau, Sister Machine Gun, Nikki Sudden, Peter Brötzmann (Short Visit To Nowhere), Wayne Kramer, and Ike Reilly (We Belong To The Staggering Evening). Described as “one of the true saxophone players” by John Zorn, who once commented: “Williams is someone who takes pleasure in the sheer act of blowing the horn. His tremendous enthusiasm is an essential part of his sound, and it comes through each note every time he plays.” ~ Williams was born in 1955
 
November 16, 2023 ~ George Melvin Brown, commonly known as drummer, guitarist, keyboardist George Funky Brown, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding, longtime member of R&B, funk, disco outfit Kool & the Gang, with whom he recorded well over two dozen albums. The band is best known for Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits such as Jungle Boogie, Ladies Night, and Celebration, all co-written by Brown. Brown retired from performing in 2023, diagnosed with lung cancer. Looking back on his lengthy career, Brown commented: “When you do music that's happy music, that's what it does. It brings people to the clubs to have a good time. And that's what we do. We say our prayer before we leave, and we say, let's go make some people happy.” ~ Brown was born in 1949
November 16, 2023 ~ Organist, pianist, keyboardist Peter Solley passed away ~ Backed artists such as Chris Farlowe, Terry Reid, and Arthur Brown throughout the early 1970s. Co-founding member of Paladin, known for the critically acclaimed albums Paladin and its follow-up Charge. Member of Fox, with whom he scored the mid-1970s UK top 20 hits Only You Can, Imagine Me Imagine You, and S-s-s-single Bed. Solley has also appeared on albums by Snafu, Gravy Train, Keith Christmas, Dave Cartwright, Procol Harum, Pat Travers, Al Stewart (Time Passages), Wreckless Eric, Jo Jo Zep & the Falcons, Johnny Warman (Hour Glass), the Romantics (The Romantics), and Eric Clapton ~ Solley was born in 1948
 
November 11, 2023 ~ Actress, singer Conny Van Dyke, sometimes credited as Connie Van Dyke, passed away ~ Best known as an actress and TV personality, notably starring in the neo noir film Framed, she also had the distinction of being one of the first white singers to be signed to Motown in the early 1960s, while still only in her mid-teens. She cut a few sides for the label, Oh Freddy and It Hurt Me Too, the latter penned and first recorded by Marvin Gaye, before by her own account her music career came to an end after her mother became concerned she might become romantically attracted to one of her black labelmates. Van Dyke recorded two albums in the mid-1970s as a country artist, Conny Van Dyke and Conny Van Dyke Sings For You, but with lack of promotion her music did not get much attention ~ Van Dyke was born in 1945
November 11, 2023 ~ Singer Luis Carlos Gil passed away ~ Formed the trio Trigo Limpio with Iñaki de Pablo and Amaya Saizar, the latter later replaced by Patricia Fernández. The trio enjoyed popularity during the 1970s and 1980s, recording about half a dozen albums. Internationally they are best known for representing their native Spain at the 1980 Eurovision Songfestival, where they reached 12th place with Quédate Esta Noche ~ Gil was born ca.1951
 
November 9, 2023 ~ Producer Jim Vienneau, full name James Francis Vienneau, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for producing It's Only Make Believe for Conway Twitty. It would be Conway's breakout hit, reaching No.1 Billboard Hot 100 in 1958, and has become a classic of the genre recorded by over a hundred artists including Johnny Burnette, Paul Anka, Glen Campbell, Lynn Anderson, and Ronnie McDowell. Twitty would re-record the song as a duet with Loretta Lynn in 1971. Other well-known songs produced by Vienneau include Vacation for Connie Francis, Teen Angel for Mark Dinning, and Whole Lotta Woman for Marvin Rainwater. Vienneau has also worked with Hank Williams Jr, Roy Orbison, Bob Gallion, Mel Tillis, and Billy Thunderkloud ~ Vienneau was born in 1926
 
November 6, 2023 ~ Indie pop singer Sean Martin passed away ~ Lead singer for indie pop outfit the Night Café, formed with childhood friends while still in school. The band was named for the Vincent van Gogh painting of the same name, originally titled Le Café de Nuit. The band has opened for Sundara Karma and the Wombats, released their Get Away From The Feeling debut EP in 2017, followed by a full-length 0151 debut album in 2019. Well-known songs include Growing Up and Addicted ~ Martin was born ca.1997
 
November 5, 2023 ~ Conductor, arranger Donald Hunsberger, full name Donald Ross Hunsberger, passed away in Pittsford, New York, USA ~ Best known for his association with the Eastman Wind Ensemble, serving as the group's conductor from 1965, succeeding Clyde Roller, through 2002. During his tenure with the ensemble, Hunsberger conducted numerous recordings including notably with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, and helped establish the principles of the wind ensemble concept. Hunsberger is also known for arranging transciptions of orchestral music for concert band, including works by Dmitri Shostakovich, Claudio S Grafulla, Aram Khachaturian, and John Williams' Star Wars film score ~ Hunsberger was born in 1932
 
November 3, 2023 ~ Rock bassist Pete Garner passed away ~ Original bassist for the Stone Roses. Garner remained with the band from 1983 through 1987, appearing on several of the band's early singles including So Young, Tell Me, and the UK top 10 hit Elephant Stone, prior to the band's rise to fame, sans Garner, in the late 1980s. Upon hearing of his death the band's lead singer Ian Brown commented: “Few loved music as much as Pete. He had been bathing in music since Anarchy In The UK came out. Pete was off the scale nice, an old nice that you just don't get no more.” ~ Garner was born ca.1962
 
November 2, 2023 ~ Jazz clarinetist Michel Pilz passed away ~ Especially acclaimed for Carpathes, a collaborative album with bassist Peter Kowald and drummer Paul Lovens released in 1978. Closely associated with Manfred Schoof, playing intermittently with the trumpeter from the late 1960s through the 1980s. Other notable associations include Alexander von Schlippenbach, the Globe Unity Orchestra (Globe Unity 67 & 70), and Guru Guru ~ Pilz was born in 1945
 
November 1, 2023 ~ Trumpeter, bandoneonist, conductor, composer Pierre Dutour passed away ~ Influenced by Louis Armstrong. Has served in orchestras led by Henri Lovel, Alix Combelle, Aimé Barelli, and Claude Bolling. Composed the soundtrack to the 1974 British drama film Feelings. Dutour has also guested on albums by Nino Ferrer, Claudio Baglioni, Michel Sardou, Anne Sylvestre, and Dalida ~ Dutour was born in 1931
 
October 30, 2023 ~ Pop rock, gospel, R&B drummer Aaron Spears passed away ~ Session drummer active since the early 2000s, appearing on albums by Lady Gaga, Usher (Confessions), Distinguished, Miley Cyrus, JoAnn Rosario, Chaka Khan, DeWayne Woods (My Life's Lyrics), Tiziano Ferro, and Ariana Grande. On the TV side, Spears served as house drummer for the pilot of NBC's 2019 Songland songwriting competition show, and as music coordinator for the third season of The Masked Singer singing competition, aired on Fox in 2020 ~ Spears was born ca.1976
 
October 28, 2023 ~ Country singer, songwriter Bill Rice, full name Wilburn Steven Rice, passed away in Merritt Island, Florida, USA ~ As a singer charted about half a dozen singles on the Billboard Country charts throughout the 1970s, most notably Travelin' Minstrel Man which reached top 40. Best known as a songwriter though, his songs recorded by the likes of Johnny Paycheck, Jeannie C Riley (Back Side Of Dallas), Reba McEntire (I'm Not That Lonely Yet), Mickey Gilley (Here Comes The Hurt Again), Charley Pride, Elvis Presley (The Girl Next Door Went A-Walking), Hank Williams Jr, Patty Loveless (Lonely Too Long), and Jerry Lee Lewis ~ Rice was born in 1939
 
October 26, 2023 ~ Rigobert Bamundele, commonly known as soukous guitarist, songwriter Rigo Star, passed away ~ In-demand session guitarist on the French and African world music scenes from the mid-1980s onward. Appeared on albums by Koffi Olomidé, Papa Wemba, M'bilia Bel (Yalowa), Oliver N'Goma, Guy Lobe, Bibi Dens, Elles, and Madilu System. Notably present on Paul Simon's acclaimed 1990 The Rhythm Of The Saints album. Star has occasionally recorded as a solo artist, noted for his 1998 Attention album featuring singer Sam Mangwana ~ Bamundele was born in 1955
 
October 24, 2023 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal, glam metal drummer Steve Riley passed away ~ Best known as a member of WASP during the mid to late 1980s, recording three albums with the band, and as a longtime member of the LA Guns, present on the band's best known including the 1988 LA Guns debut album, and its 1989 Cocked And Loaded follow-up. Riley can also be heard on albums by Roadmaster, Open Hand, George Lynch, and Bulletboys ~ Riley was born in 1956
 
October 23, 2023 ~ Pop rock, trip hop guitarist Angelo Bruschini passed away ~ Member of pop rock unit the Blue Aeroplanes during the late 1980s, early 1990s, present on albums such as Swagger and Beatsongs. Member of trip-hoppers Massive Attack, including on 1998's Mezzanine and 2003's 100th Window, both acclaimed albums. Bruschini is also known for producing Strangelove's eponymous 1997 Strangelove album, which spawned the UK top 40 single The Greatest Show On Earth ~ Bruschini was born ca.1961
 
October 22, 2023 ~ Bassist, songwriter Gregg Sutton passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of Lone Justice. Probably best known for co-writing Stop, Sam Brown's breakthrough hit. Used as the title track and sophomore single of her 1988 debut album, the track would initially only have modest success. Its re-release the following year, however, reached top 10 in over a dozen countries, including her native UK, and catapulted the singer to fame. Others who recorded songs co-written by Sutton include Joe Cocker, Maria McKee (Breathe), Prairie Oyster, the Jeff Healey Band, Curtis Stigers, Charles & Eddie, Billy Ray Cyrus (How Much), and the Bonedaddys ~ Sutton was born in 1949
 
October 19, 2023 ~ Mark Howard James, commonly known as hip hop DJ, producer the 45 King, passed away ~ His stagename comes from his ability to make beats using obscure 45 RPM records. First gained attention with his 1987 breakbeat track The 900 Number, featuring a looping of a sax solo from Marva Whitney's 1968 Unwind Yourself recording. Not only did his breakbeat track land him a production deal, it would become a hip hop classic sampled by numerous artists. James is also especially acclaimed for his extensive work on Queen Latifah's 1989 All Hail The Queen debut album, serving as co-producer, co-songwriter on nearly half the album's tracks including Dance For Me ~ James was born in 1961
October 19, 2023 ~ Lars Nils Berghagen, commonly known as pop, schlager singer, guitarist, songwriter Lasse Berghagen, passed away in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Married to singer, actress Lill Babs during the 1960s, with whom he has a daughter singer, actress Malin Berghagen. Known for songs such as Teddybjörnen Fredriksson, En Enkel Sång Om Frihet, Hålligang I Skogen, and Du Som Vandrar Genom Livet. Internationally known for representing Sweden at the 1975 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 8th place with Jennie Jennie ~ Berghagen was born in 1945
 
October 18, 2023 ~ Rock, power pop singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Dwight Twilley passed away in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Known best for two Billboard Hot 100 top 20 singles, I'm On Fire in 1975 with his backing unit the Dwight Twilley Band, and Girls in 1984. The latter would feature labelmate Tom Petty providing counterpoint vocals ~ Twilley was born in 1951
 
October 17, 2023 ~ Lovella May Borg, commonly known as jazz, free jazz pianist, composer Carla Bley, passed away ~ Over two dozen albums to her name as a leader or co-leader, best known for her 1971 Escalator Over The Hill jazz opera. Married to pianist Paul Bley, who encouraged her to compose, from 1957 to 1964. Married to trumpeter Michael Mantler from 1965 to 1991. Considering herself “99% composer and 1% pianist” Bley would become especially renowned as a composer, writing pieces such as Bent Eagle recorded by George Russell, Ictus recorded by Jimmy Giuffre, and Sing Me Softly Of The Blues recorded by Art Farmer. To rock audiences known for her association with Pink Floyd-drummer Nick Mason, producing, writing all the material of and playing piano on Mason's Nick Mason's Fictitious Sports solo debut album, which also featured Soft Machine's Robert Wyatt on vocals ~ Borg was born in 1936
 
October 16, 2023 ~ Film composer Gennady Gladkov, full name Gennady Igorevich Gladkov, passed away in Moscow, Russia ~ Renowned Russian film composer with well over two dozen soundtracks to his name, including for the 1969 animated 20 minute film The Bremen Town Musicians. Based on the characters of a fairy tale by the Grimm Brothers, the film would become a cult hit in the Soviet Union because of its memorable soundtrack influenced by Western rock & roll. Two sequels would be made, On The Trail Of The Bremen Town Musicians in 1973 and The New Bremen Town Musicians in 2000, both also scored by Gladkov ~ Gladkov was born in 1935
 
October 12, 2023 ~ Michael Cooper, commonly known as reggae keyboardist, guitarist Michael Ibo Cooper, passed away ~ Member of Jamaican pop outfit Inner Circle. Co-founding member of reggae unit Third World, with whom he recorded well over half a dozen albums. The band is best known for Now That We Found Love and Try Jah Love, both of which remain radio staples across Europe to this day. Cooper also appears on albums by the Abyssinians, Burning Spear (Social Living), Buju Banton, Beenie Man, and Beres Hammond ~ Cooper was born in 1952
 
October 11, 2023 ~ Singer, songwriter Rudolph Isley, full name Rudolph Bernard Isley, passed away ~ Co-founding member of R&B band the Isley Brothers, one of the longest-running family outfits, with whom he recorded about two dozen albums starting with Shout released in 1959. The band is known for Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits such as It's Your Thing, That Lady, and Fight The Power. Rudolph co-wrote and sang co-lead on a vast amount of the band's best known, and sang lead on songs such as It's A Disco Night (Rock Don't Stop), and You Still Feel The Need. Following the death of his brother O'Kelly Isley, Rudolph would record two more albums with the band, Smooth Sailin' and Spend The Night, before retiring from music in 1989 to become a Christian minister ~ Isley was born in 1939
 
October 9, 2023 ~ Charles Wilburn Trent, commonly known as bluegrass, country banjoist, dobroist, mandolinist, bassist, guitarist, songwriter Buck Trent, passed away ~ Most revered for his work as a banjo player. Invented the electric banjo. Plays lead guitar on both Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You and Jolene. Other notable collaborations include Bill Monroe during the early 1960s, backing Porter Wagoner for about a decade, and as a regular on Roy Clark's musical variety TV shows The Roy Clark Show and Hee Haw. Trent also toured the Soviet Union with Clark in 1976, the first Soviet tour of any American country music act. As a solo artist Trent is perhaps most acclaimed for the album The Sound Of Bluegrass Banjo released in 1962 ~ Trent was born in 1938
October 9, 2023 ~ Pop rock, new wave drummer Hugh Friel passed away ~ Co-founding member of the Atrix, enjoying regional popularity in their native Ireland from their inception in 1978 through the early 1980s. The band is perhaps best known for their debut single The Moon Is Puce produced by future the Pogues-guitarist Philip Chevron, and for its follow-up single Treasure On The Wasteland produced by Ultravox-frontman Midge Ure. They released their sole album, Procession, in 1981. Friel had previously worked with the Slow Motion Orchestra ~ Friel was born ca.1952
October 9, 2023 ~ Theatre, opera director Jorge Lavelli passed away ~ Staged numerous plays. To classical music audiences known for staging operas composed by Béla Bartók, Georges Bizet, Claude Debussy, Charles-François Gounod, Sergei Prokofiev, and Igor Stravinsky, working mainly as director for the Paris Opera yet also for the Vienna State Opera, La Scala, and others ~ Lavelli was born in 1932
October 9, 2023 ~ Pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Kevin Parrott passed away ~ Formed the one-hit-wonder duo Brian & Michael with bassist, singer Michael Coleman, known for their 1978 UK No.1 hit single Matchstalk Men And Matchstalk Cats And Dogs. The duo originally consisted of Brian Burke and Coleman, but as Burke had left shortly after the first pressing of their debut single his replacement Parrott would be billed as Brian. The duo's follow-up single Evensong would peak in the low 90s on the UK chart. Coleman and Parrott would however remain active in the music industry, either individually or as a team working as songwriters, producers for the Ramblers, Claire & Friends, and Ken Dodd ~ Parrot was born ca.1946
 
October 8, 2023 ~ Singer Nina Matviienko, full name Nina Mytrofanivna Matviienko, passed away ~ Considered a pivotal voice in Ukrainian folk. Member of the Ukrainian State Folk Choir from 1966 through 1991. Member of folk trio Zoloti Kliuchi. Well-known for her 2017 performance with the Lviv National Opera of Yevhen Stankovych's folk opera When The Fern Blooms. The opera had been banned during the Soviet era, the recording featuring Matviienko would be streamed online following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine ~ Matviienko was born in 1947
 
October 4, 2023 ~ Electro, synth-pop keyboardist, organist Dominique Perrier passed away ~ Married to singer Janet Woollacott, who would join her husband in the 1990s band Stone Age. The band is known for merging electro, Celtic and Breton influences. Previously Perrier co-founded electro, synth-pop act Space Art with whom he recorded three albums from 1977 through 1980, and has worked with Christophe, Louis Deprestige, the Gipsy Kings, and perhaps most notably Jean-Michel Jarre including on the acclaimed albums The Concerts In China and Waiting For Cousteau ~ Perrier was born ca.1950
 
October 3, 2023 ~ Operatic mezzo-soprano Jacqueline Dark, full name Jacqueline Lisa Dark, passed away in Sydney, Australia ~ Has performed opera, music theatre, cabaret, and concerts. Closely associated with the Opera Australia and the Victorian State Opera. Has also worked with the Opera Queensland, the Vienna State Opera, the Royal Philharmonic Society, and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra ~ Dark was born ca.1968
 
October 1, 2023 ~ Bandleader, drummer, composer Julian Bahula, full name Sebothane Julian Bahula, passed away ~ One of several South African expatriates fleeing the Apartheids regime, finding success in Europe in the 1970s. Best known for founding and leading Jabula, with whom he recorded five albums through the early 1980s. The group is also known for guesting on the Mike Oldfield-albums Ommadawn, Incantations and Amarok. In 2012 South African president Jacob Zuma presented Bahula with the Order of Ikhamanga for exceptional achievements in the field of music ~ Bahula was born in 1938
October 1, 2023 ~ Soprano singer Patricia Janecková, full name Patricia Burda Janecková, passed away ~ Rose to fame winning the Czech-Slovak talent show Talentmania in 2010, and subsequently released her eponymous Patricia Janecková debut album the following year at age 13. Known for her passionate and emotive performances, Janecková continued to perform in public while studying privately with soprano Eva Drizgova-Jirusova. Diagnosed with breast cancer, Janecková announced a career hiatus in 2022. Despite early signs of a successful treatment, she passed away the following year at age 25 ~ Janecková was born in 1998
October 1, 2023 ~ Pop rock, soft rock, country producer Ron Haffkine passed away in Mexico ~ Best known as manager and producer for Dr Hook & the Medicine Show, the band name shortened to Dr Hook in 1975, for whom he produced songs such as Sylvia's Mother, The Cover Of The Rolling Stone, Sharing The Night Together, When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman, and Sexy Eyes, all of which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Haffkine was born in 1938
 
September 30, 2023 ~ Funk, R&B, blues drummer Russell Batiste Jr, full name David Russell Batiste Jr, passed away in LaPlace, Louisiana, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Formed the trio Porter Batiste Stoltz with bassist George Porter Jr and guitarist Brian Stoltz. Has also worked with the Funky Meters, Walter Wolfman Washington, Vida Blue, Harry Connick Jr, Champion Jack Dupree, Robbie Robertson, Maceo Parker, Papa Grows Funk, and the Nuclear Rhythms ~ Batiste was born in 1965
September 30, 2023 ~ Classical pianist, teacher, author Russell Sherman passed away ~ Debuted at the Town Hall, New York, at age 15. Would go on to become an in-demand soloist, working with renowned orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Artist-in-residence and longtime teacher at the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston. As an author known for his collection of short essays on piano playing related concerns, titled Piano Pieces published in 1996 ~ Sherman was born in 1930
 
September 29, 2023 ~ Recording engineer Jon Fausty passed away ~ Has produced and engineered recordings in the USA, Canada, Cuba, and Europe, best known for his work on some of the most sucessful Latin albums of all time over a career spanning six decades. Has worked on albums by Sabu Martinez, Eddie Palmieri, Celia Cruz, Ricardo Ray (Jala Jala Y Boogaloo), Willie Colón, Machito, Bobby Valentín, the Fania All-Stars, Ray Barretto (The Message), Ismael Miranda, Mongo Santamaria, the Lebrón Brothers, Rubén Blades, Willie Rosario, Jerry González (The River Is Deep), and Gato Barbieri ~ Fausty was born in 1949
September 29, 2023 ~ Progressive rock, space rock, jam rock drummer Ron Howden passed away ~ Co-founding member of Nektar, with whom he recorded about a dozen albums. The band's 1969 Journey To The Centre Of The Eye debut album consisted of a single song running over 40 minutes, with the last 100 seconds of the first side repeated at the beginning of the second side to maintain continuity. The band is especially acclaimed for their work through the mid-1970s, noted for albums such as Remember The Future, Sounds Like This, and Down To Earth. Howden has co-written several of the band's songs, including King Of Twilight which was later covered by Iron Maiden and used as the B-side for their 1984 Aces High single ~ Howden was born ca.1945
 
September 25, 2023 ~ Harpsichordist Anneke Uittenbosch passed away in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Has taught harpsichord at the Maastricht Academy of Music. Well known for recording Leonhardt Consort with Gustav Leonhardt and Ton Koopman. Toured the USA with her husband baritone Lieuwe Visser, performing 17th and 18th century choral compositions. Throughout her career Uittenbosch was primarily devoted to the works of organist Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck ~ Uittenbosch was born in 1930
 
September 24, 2023 ~ Guitarist, guitar teacher Barry Olivier passed away in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Part of the Berkeley folk scene from the 1950s onward. Best known as founder and director of the Berkeley Folk Music Festival, an annual event that ran from 1958 through 1970. Over the years artists performing at the event would include Alan Lomax, Doc Watson, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, and Mance Lipscomb. Olivier has also worked as a guitar teacher and is reported to have given John Fogerty, who would later rise to fame as frontman of rock outfit Creedence Clearwater Revival, his first guitar lessons ~ Olivier was born in 1935
September 24, 2023 ~ Classical violinist Felix Ayo, full name Felix Ayo Losada, passed away in Rome, Italy ~ Best known as founder of the Italian ensemble I Musici, formed in 1951 and known for their interpretations of Baroque works, particularly compositions by Antonio Vivaldi and Tomaso Albinoni. Founding member of the Quartetto Beethoven di Roma, with whom he toured extensively. An in-demand soloist, Ayo has also performed with numerous renowned orchestras, taught at the Conservatorio di Musica Santa Cecilia, Rome, and frequently served as juror on international music competitions ~ Ayo was born in 1933
 
September 23, 2023 ~ Folk rock, sunshine pop percussionist, singer, songwriter Terry Kirkman, full name Terry Robert Kirkman, passed away in Montclair, California, USA ~ Co-founding member, percussionist, singer of the Association, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums and performed at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival. Kirkman wrote several of the band's best known including Enter The Young, Everything That Touches You, and perhaps their best known Cherish, all of which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100. The latter would be covered by over 40 artists including the Lettermen, the Four Tops, Petula Clark, Nina Simone, and Jodeci. Kirkman departed the band in late 1972, and rejoined by the late 1970s. Growing tired of touring Kirkman retired from music by the mid-1980s to work as an addictions counselor ~ Kirkman was born in 1939
 
September 22, 2023 ~ Pianist, conductor, composer, teacher François Glorieux passed away ~ Influenced by Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, jazz, blues, and Latin rhythms. Has composed over 300 works, mostly orchestral pieces yet also chamber music, works for solo instruments, and scores for film and TV. As a conductor led nearly 6,000 recitals and concerts the world over, working with renowned orchestra such as the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra, the Locke Brass Consort, the BBC Radio Orchestra, the Kyiv Chamber Orchestra, and most extensively with the Ballet of the 20th Century ~ Glorieux was born in 1932
September 22, 2023 ~ Country, blues, bluegrass guitarist, mandolinist, fiddler, singer Mike Henderson passed away ~ Member of early 1980s blues outfit the Bel Airs, appearing on the 1984 Need Me A Car album. Member of the Roosters and spin-off group the Kingsnakes, renamed to the Snakes prior to releasing their 1989 eponymous The Snakes album. The group is best known for the Henderson-penned Powerful Stuff, which would notably be covered by the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Henderson has also recorded nearly half a dozen albums as a solo artist and with his backing unit the Bluebloods, starting with Country Music Made Me Do It released in 1994 ~ Henderson was born ca.1953
September 22, 2023 ~ Peter Müller, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Peter Horton, passed away ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name since the early 1970s. Internationally best known for representing his native Austria at the 1967 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 14th place with Warum Es Hunderttausend Sterne Gibt ~ Müller was born in 1941
 
September 20, 2023 ~ R&B singer Katherine Anderson passed away ~ Co-founding and constant member of the Marvelettes, one of the seminal 1960s girl groups known for the hits Please Mr Postman, Playboy, and Don't Mess With Bill, all of which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Beechwood 4-5789, Someday Someway, Strange I Know, As Long As He's Mine, Too Many Fish In The Sea, The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game, When You're Young And In Love, and My Baby Must Be A Magician would all reach top 10 Billboard R&B. Following the band's disbandement in 1970 Anderson retired from music ~ Anderson was born in 1944
September 20, 2023 ~ Bennett Kent Stacks, commonly known as punk rock, hardcore punk drummer Kent Stax passed away ~ Co-founding member of pioneering Virginia band Scream. The band is considered one of the most influential hardcore punk units to thrive during the 1980s, drawing from genres as diverse as reggea and metal, with Stacks as one of the fastest and most energetic drummers of the genre. Present on the albums Still Screaming, This Side Up, and Banging The Drum. Stacks departed the band by the late 1980s and would be replaced by a then-unknown teenage Dave Grohl. Stacks rejoined in 2009 and remained with the band until his death of cancer just one day after the band shared music from their upcoming DC Special album, the band's first full-length album since 1993 ~ Stacks was born ca.1962
September 20, 2023 ~ Conductor Yaacov Bergman passed away ~ Married to pianist Joan Behrens-Bergman. Well known for his associations with the Walla Walla Symphony, and the Portland Chamber Orchestra. Has also worked with the Colorado Springs Symphony, the New York Heritage Chamber Orchestra, the Osaka Symphonica, and the Israel Chamber Orchestra ~ Bergman was born in 1945
 
September 19, 2023 ~ Francis Deprijck, commonly known as pop, disco, samba, ska singer, songwriter Lou Deprijck, passed away in Brussels, Belgium ~ First gained attention as member of Two Man Sound, actually a trio with Sylvain Vanholme and Yves Lacomblez, merging Latin rhythms with disco. The band is known for their 1975 million-seller Charlie Brown, written and recorded by Benito di Paula the previous year, and Disco Samba. Deprijck is also known as thriving force behind Plastic Bertrand, notably providing lead vocals, songwriting and production for the 1978 pastiche Ça Plane Pour Moi. Originally a B-side the single would be re-released with sides flipped, reach top 10 across Europe and later be covered by dozens of artists including Sonic Youth, Leila K, and the Presidents of the United States. In the 1980s Deprijck would find chart success producing Viktor Lazlo ~ Deprijck was born in 1946
 
September 17, 2023 ~ Rock, garage rock bassist, rhythm guitarist Lies Adji Rachman passed away ~ Member of Indonesian all-female outfit Dara Puspita, which also included her elder sister Titiek Adji Rachman on lead guitar. The band endured pressure from the Sukarno regime, which saw rock music as an unwanted Western influence. Following the regime's collapse the band would release four albums, starting with Jang Pertama in 1965. Despite remaining popular the band would disband in 1972, in part caused by the strains of relentless touring ~ Rachman was born ca.1948
 
September 16, 2023 ~ R&B, hip hop, pop singer Irish Grinstead passed away ~ Member of girl trio 702, recording three albums from the late 1990s through the early 2000s. They are best known for the singles Get It Together and Where My Girls At, both of which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100. The group also guested on Subway's 1995 This Lil' Game We Play Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit, and alongside Magoo on Missy Elliott's 1998 single Beep Me 911, which did not chart in the USA yet reached top 20 in both New Zealand and the UK. Grinstead's twin sister Orish Grinstead was also a member of the group, but ousted prior to recording their debut album ~ Grinstead was born in 1980
September 16, 2023 ~ Jazz, jazz-rock, rock drummer John Marshall, full name John Stanley Marshall, passed away ~ One of the UK's most renowned jazz-rock drummers. Founding member of Nucleus, noted for albums such as Elastic Rock and We'll Talk About It Later. Replaced Phil Howard when he joined Soft Machine in 1972. Has also played with the band's spin-offs Soft Works and Soft Machine Legacy. Other notable collaborations include Graham Collier, Neil Ardley, Jack Bruce (Songs For A Tailor), Centipede, Hugh Hopper, Volker Kriegel, Charlie Mariano (Helen 12 Trees), Eberhard Weber, Ian Carr, Uli Beckerhoff, and Porcupine Tree ~ Marshall was born in 1941
 
September 15, 2023 ~ Francesco Migliacci, commonly known as lyricist, songwriter, actor Franco Migliacci, passed away in Rome, Italy ~ As an actor has appeared in well over a dozen films from the early 1950s through the late 1960s. To music audiences probably best known for co-writing Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu, also known as Volare, with Domenico Modugno. Originally recorded by Modugno in 1958 the song would become a standard covered by over 300 artists. Other songs co-written by Migliacci have been recorded by Gianni Meccia (Patatina), Neil Sedaka, Rita Pavone, Ennio Morricone, Donatella Moretti, Patty Pravo (La Bambola), and José Feliciano (Che Sarà) ~ Migliacci was born in 1930
September 15, 2023 ~ Rock, pub rock bassist, singer, songwriter Paul Woseen passed away ~ Co-founding and alongside lead singer Dave Gleeson the only other constant member of the Screaming Jets, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with 1991's All For One. The band would enjoy popularity in their native Australia especially during the 1990s and is best known for songs such as Better, Shivers, and Helping Hand. Woseen released his sole solo album, Bombido, in 2013 ~ Woseen was born ca.1967
September 15, 2023 ~ Pop, bubblegum pop singer Prudence McIntyre, full name Prudence Ann McIntyre, passed away ~ Formed the duo Patience & Prudence with her sister Patience McIntyre. Daughters of orchestra leader Mark McIntyre, they scored two hits in 1956, Gonna Get Along Without Ya Now and Tonight You Belong To Me. Both singles would reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100, both would reach top 20 UK. The siblings continued to record through 1964 but were unable to repeat their earlier surprise succes. Later the duo explained their succes was “just an accident” and the siblings, both in their early teens back when they hit the charts, never intended to become performers ~ McIntyre was born in 1945
 
September 14, 2023 ~ R&B, funk percussionist, songwriter Fred Lewis, also known as Big Fred, passed away ~ Member of Lakeside, best known for their 1980 Billboard R&B charttopper Fantastic Voyage, considered a funk classic to this day. Other well-known songs include It's All The Way Live (Part 1), From 9:00 Until, Your Love Is On The One, the Beatles-cover I Want To Hold Your Hand, Raid, and Outrageous ~ Lewis was born ca.1951
September 14, 2023 ~ Flutist, dancer, songwriter, teacher Robert Tree Cody passed away ~ Of Dakota and Maricopa heritage Cody is considered a master of the Native American flute with about a dozen albums to his name starting in the early 1990s. Especially acclaimed for his 1993 Dreams From The Grandfather album. Cody has also guested on albums by William Eaton, the Phoenix Chorale, the Rippingtons (Topaz), and Ruben Romero ~ Cody was born in 1951
 
September 13, 2023 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Roger Whittaker, full name Roger Henry Brough Whittaker, passed away in France ~ To American audiences best known for his 1975 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit The Last Farewell, which became a signature song and sold an estimated 11 million copies globally. Besides his warm baritone singing voice Whittaker is also noted for his whistling, specifically on songs such as Mexican Whistler. Other well-known songs include Durham Town (The Leavin'), A New World In The Morning, and I Don't Believe In 'If' Anymore. Whittaker would enjoy popularity especially in Germany during the 1970s and 1980s, recording some two dozen albums in German though he did not speak the language ~ Whittaker was born in 1936
 
September 12, 2023 ~ Researcher, author Olof Björner passed away ~ Known to Bob Dylan aficionados for meticulously documenting over four decades of Dylan's history of live performances and studio recordings in thirteen volumes of Olof's Files (A Bob Dylan Performance Guide) published by Hardinge Simpole ~ Björner was born in 1942
 
September 10, 2023 ~ Pop rock, folk rock, country rock guitarist, singer Brendan Croker passed away ~ Close to a dozen albums to his name since the mid-1980s, either fronting the 5 O'Clock Shadows or as a solo artist. Especially acclaimed for his 1991 The Great Indoors album. Member of the Notting Hillbillies, a country-rock infused band which also included the Dire Straits-guitarist Mark Knopfler and known for their sole 1990 Missing (Presumed Having A Good Time) album. In-demand session guitarist and collaborator, present on recordings by the Mekons, Tanita Tikaram (Ancient Heart), Rory Block (Ain't I A Woman), Sally Timms, Kevin Coyne, Chet Atkins, Guy Fletcher, and others ~ Croker was born in 1953
September 10, 2023 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Charlie Robison, full name Charles Fitzgerald Robinson, passed away in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Brother of singers Bruce Robison and Robyn Ludwyck. Married to Emily Erwin of the Dixie Chicks. Turned to music after a knee injury ended a potential football career. Worked with Chaparral, the Millionaire Playboys, and Two Hoots & A Holler. Recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Bandera released in 1996. Known for songs such as Barlight, I Want You Bad, Walter, My Hometown, and El Cerrito Place ~ Robison was born in 1964
September 10, 2023 ~ Ska punk, punk pop trumpeter Matthew Stewart passed away ~ Member of ska punk outfit Streetlight Manifesto from 2007 until his death at age 41. Present on the albums Somewhere In The Between, 99 Songs Of Revolution, and The Hands That Thieve ~ Stewart was born ca.1982
 
September 8, 2023 ~ Christian rock, gospel, rock & roll singer, guitarist Mylon LeFevre, full name Mylon Rae LeFevre, passed away ~ Best known for writing Without Him. After Elvis Presley recorded the song for the 1967 How Great Thou Art album, it would be covered by over a hundred artists. LeFevre was a member of family outfit the LeFevres in his early teens, founded and fronted Broken Heart, and has recorded prolifically as a solo artist from the mid-1960s through the 1990s. Noted especially for the albums Mylon (We Believe) released in 1970 and Road To Freedom released in 1973, the latter a collaboration with Alvin Lee ~ LeFevre was born in 1944
 
September 7, 2023 ~ Contemporary classical composer Akira Nishimura passed away ~ Best known for his orchestral works. Has also composed chamber music, piano works, choral pieces, and the opera Asters which premiered in 2019. Nishimura's works have been recorded by the likes of Nobuko Imai, the Lotus String Quartet, the Osaka Century Orchestra, Thomas Indermuhle, and Yu Kosuge ~ Nishimura was born in 1953
September 7, 2023 ~ Free jazz saxophonist, pianist, bassist, clarinetist, percussionist Charles Gayle passed away ~ After decades of obscurity rose to prominence in the late 1980s and 1990s, starting with the albums Always Born, Homeless and Spirits Before, three albums recorded in a single week. Well over two dozen albums to his name as a leader. Sideman on recordings by Cecil Taylor (Always A Pleasure), Henry Rollins, the Blue Humans, and William Parker ~ Gayle was born in 1939
September 7, 2023 ~ Operatic lyric soprano Margherita Rinaldi passed away in Impruneta, Italy ~ Enjoyed popularity in her native Italy and abroad during the 1960s and 1970s. Perhaps most acclaimed for her role as Giulietta in Vincenzo Bellini's I Capuletti E I Montecchi at La Scala in 1966 under the direction of Claudio Abbado. Has performed with renowned companies including the Dallas Opera, the San Francisco Opera, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago, alongside singers such as Alfredo Kraus, Plácido Domingo, and Grace Bumbry. Rinaldi would retire from the stage by the early 1980s yet continue to privately coach young singers ~ Rinaldi was born in 1935
 
September 6, 2023 ~ Larry Figueiredo, commonly known as singer Larry Chance, passed away ~ Lead singer of popular 1960s doo-wop group the Earls, known for songs such as Never, Life Is But A Dream and I Believe. and their best known Remember Then. The latter would peak at No.24 on the Billboard Hot 100 at the time of its release in 1962, yet over time would become a classic as one of the best remembered and most cherished songs of the doo-wop era specifically for its “Reh-meh-meh, Reh-meh-meh-member, Reh-meh-meh, Reh-meh-meh-mem-ber then” refrain ~ Figueiredo was born in 1940
September 6, 2023 ~ Jazz, classical, pop rock bassist Richard Davis passed away ~ As a solo artist acclaimed for his 1971 The Philosophy Of The Spiritual album. Best known for his contributions to Eric Dolphy's 1964 Out To Lunch album, Andrew Hill's Point Of Departure the following year, and Van Morrison's 1968 album Astral Weeks. Other notable collaborations include touring with Sarah Vaughan during the late 1950s, classical performances with conductors such as Igor Stravinsky, Leonard Bernstein and Pierre Boulez, and guesting on pop and rock albums such as Bruce Springsteen's Greetings From Asbury Park NJ and Born To Run, Paul Simon's There Goes Rhymin' Simon, Melissa Manchester's Bright Eyes, and Bonnie Raitt's Streetlights ~ Davis was born in 1930
 
September 5, 2023 ~ Classical pianist, teacher Anatol Ugorski passed away in Lemgo, Germany ~ As a student gained attention through his love of avant-garde pieces, including from renowned yet in the USSR controversial Western composers, premiering pieces by Arnold Schoenberg, Alban Berg, Olivier Messiaen, and Pierre Boulez. By the late 1960s he would be banned by the authorities and his career halted for ten years, confined to work in the provinces and in private performances only. The Ugorski family would emigrate to Germany by the 1990s, setting him of on an international career. Ugorski has performed solo and with orchestras such as the WDR Symphony Orchestra, the Czech Philharmonic, the Concertgebouw Orchestra, and the Orchestre De Paris, and serve as professor at the the Hochschule fur Musik Detmold, Detmold ~ Ugorski was born in 1942
September 5, 2023 ~ Folk, country, pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Bruce Guthro passed away in Halifax, Canada ~ Father of singers Dylan Guthro and Jodi Guthrie. Lead singer of celtic rock band Runrig from 1998, first appearing on the band's In Search Of Angels album, until the band's disbandement in 2018. Has also recorded as a solo artist, noted for his Of Your Son album released in 1998. Three of the album's singles, Walk This Road, Falling, and Ivey's Wall would reach top 20 on the Canadian country charts ~ Guthro was born in 1961
September 5, 2023 ~ Pop, soft rock singer, songwriter Joe Fagin passed away ~ Best known for his 1983 double A-side single Breakin' Away/That's Livin' Alright, which reached top 10 in his native UK. The songs, both produced and co-written by David Mackay, were used as the opening and closing theme to TV comedy-drama Auf Wiedersehen Pet which premiered earlier the same year. Fagin also contributed to the 1985 single You'll Never Walk Alone, recorded by the charity supergroup the Crowd formed by Gerry Marsden specifically to aid the families of the victims of the Bradford City Stadium fire in which over 50 people died ~ Fagin was born ca.1940
September 5, 2023 ~ Lemoine Gardner Ketcham, commonly known as singer, dancer, producer Lee Halliday, passed away in Marseille, France ~ Best known as agent and producer for Johnny Hallyday, producing almost all of the latter's songs from 1961 through the mid-1970s. Previously Ketcham formed an acrobatic dance trio with two of Hallyday's cousins. Ketcham has also produced for the likes of Les Lionceaux, Herbert Léonard, Nanette Workman, Lucky Blondo, and William Sheller ~ Ketcham was born in 1927
September 5, 2023 ~ Singer, guitarist, mandolinist, percussionist, songwriter Richard Laviolette, full name Richard Andrew Laviolette, passed away ~ Fused indie rock, contemporary folk, and alt-country. Has recorded over half a dozen albums, starting with Mary Carl released in 2005. Perhaps best known for his 2017 Taking The Long Way Home album. Suffering from Huntington's disease Laviolette passed away at age 41 in an assisted suicide ~ Laviolette was born in 1982
September 5, 2023 ~ Regla Teresa Garcia Rodriguez, commonly known as singer, bandleader Teté Caturla, passed away ~ Daughter of renowned composer Alejandro García Caturla. Member of all-female orchestra the Orquesta Anacaona. Best known as member of all-female quartet the Cuarteto D'Aida, joining the group in 1963 and taking over as leader after the death of founding member Aida Diestro in 1973 ~ Garcia was born in 1937
September 5, 2023 ~ Rock, stoner rock bassist Tom Davies passed away ~ Member of Nebula from 2003 until his death in 2023, with whom he recorded four albums starting with the critically acclaimed Apollo released in 2006. Davies passed away of leukemia at age 48 ~ Davies was born ca.1975
 
September 4, 2023 ~ Singer, keyboardist, songwriter Gary Wright, full name Gary Malcolm Wright, passed away ~ Helped establish the synthesizer as a leading instrument in pop and rock. As a solo artist best known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles Dream Weaver and its follow-up Love Is Alive, both taken of his 1976 Dream Weaver album. On-and-off member of Spooky Tooth from its inception in 1967 through the mid-1970s, notably present on albums such as Spooky Two and You Broke My Heart So I Busted Your Jaw. Guested on George Harrison's acclaimed 1970 All Things Must Pass album, marking the beginning of a longtime friendship. Also played with Ringo Starr & his All-Starr Band ~ Wright was born in 1943
September 4, 2023 ~ Pop rock, alternative rock, ska punk singer, keyboardist, songwriter Steve Harwell, full name Steve Scott Harwell, passed away in Boise, Idaho, USA ~ Lead singer of Smash Mouth, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums. The band is best known for the hit single All Star of their 1999 Astro Lounge album. Other charting songs include Then The Morning Comes and I'm A Believer. Until his retirement from music in 2021 Harwell and bassist Paul De Lisle were the only two constant members since the band's formation in 1994 ~ Harwell was born in 1967
September 4, 2023 ~ James Yancey Jones, commonly known as Chicago blues, electric blues singer Tail Dragger Jones, passed away ~ Given his nickname “tail dragger” by mentor and major influence Howlin' Wolf for regularly showing up late. Also influenced by Sonny Boy Williamson I, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon. Backup singer for artists such as Willie Kent, Hubert Sumlin, Carey Bell, Kansas City Red, Little Mack Simmons, Big Leon Brooks, Eddie Shaw, Bob Corritore, and others. Recorded a number of solo albums, starting with Crawlin' Kingsnake in 1996. Convicted of second-degree murder of another blues musician, shooting and killing Boston Blackie in 1993, claiming self-defense and serving 17 months ~ Jones was born in 1940
 
September 3, 2023 ~ Guitarist, percussionist, singer José Sébéloue passed away ~ Member of pop unit La Compagnie Créole, founded in 1975. The band originally sang in Creole but quickly adopted French as their main language. Known for their feel-good, happy-go-lucky vibe they have recorded about two dozen albums and would enjoy popularity in the Francophone world and beyond especially in the 1980s, reportedly selling over 60 million records over the course of their career. Well-known songs include Vive Le Douanier Rousseau, C'est Bon Pour Le Moral, Le Bal Masqué, Ça Fait Rire Les Oiseaux, and Ma Première Biguine-Partie ~ Sébéloue was born in 1948
 
September 2, 2023 ~ Walter Aptowitz, commonly known as composer, music critic, teacher Walter Arlen, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Prolific composer specializing in voice and piano scores, with some 65 works to his name. Best known for tracking down other artists whose works were lost or forgotten due to the Nazi regime. Aptowitzer himself fled Europe, relocating to Chicago, after his parents department store was expropriated by the Nazis in the 1938 Kristallnacht. His father would die in a concentration camp, his mother committed suicide after a breakdown. Aptowitzer would form longtime friendships with other German and Austrian emigrées, including Igor Stravinsky, Darius Milhaud, and Heitor Villa-Lobos ~ Aptowitzer was born in 1920
 
September 1, 2023 ~ Singer, songwriter Jimmy Buffett passed away ~ Active since the early 1970s, recording to a devoted fanbase dubbed “parrotheads”. Known for his laidback island escapism lifestyle and witty lyrics as evidenced in songs such as Margaritaville, Changes In Latitudes Changes In Attitudes, Come Monday, Pencil Thin Mustache, A Pirate Looks At Forty and Cheeseburger In Paradise, often recorded with his backing unit the Coral Reefer Band ~ Buffett was born in 1946
September 1, 2023 ~ Operatic soprano Milka Stojanović passed away in Belgrade, Serbia ~ Debuted at the the Belgrade Opera at age 22 portraying the role of Amelia in Giuseppe Verdi's Un Ballo In Maschera. Would go on to become an in-demand international guest singer with appearances with the Graz Opera, the Vienna State Opera, the Bavarian State Opera, the Cologne Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, the Bolshoi Theatre, and the Hamburg State Opera, amongst others ~ Stojanovic was born in 1937
September 1, 2023 ~ Hardcore punk guitarist Robert Becerra passed away ~ Member of the Stains, one of the earliest Los Angeles punk groups, founded in 1976. The band is considered influential on peers, merging elements from heavy metal into punk, and noted especially for their 1983 eponymous The Stains album. Becerra's guitar playing would serve as an inspiration for more well-known artists, perhaps most notably Black Flag's Greg Ginn ~ Becerra was born ca.1959
 
August 30, 2023 ~ Rock guitarist Jack Sonni passed away ~ Fronted the Leisure Class, a Monday night fixture at Kenny's Castaways, New York. Best known as guitarist for the Dire Straits during the mid-1980s. Present on the Brothers In Arms album, noted especially for his guitar synthesizer play on The Man's Too Strong. Sonni also played with the band at the 1985 Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium, London. Following the birth of his twin daughters in 1988 Sonni retired from music to pursue a career in marketing ~ Sonni was born in 1954
 
August 28, 2023 ~ Ray Jacobs, commonly known as R&B, electronic singer, songwriter August 08, passed away ~ Co-wrote I'm The One, a Billboard R&B and Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit in 2017 for DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper & Lil' Wayne. As a recording artist Jacobs has released three albums, starting with Father in 2018, and is perhaps best known for his Bruises single released in 2023 ~ Jacobs was born ca.1992
August 28, 2023 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Len Chandler, full name Len Hunt Chandler Jr, passed away in San Pedro, California, USA ~ Part of the 1960s protest movement. As a recording artist known for the albums To Be A Man and The Lovin' People, both released in 1967. Best known for penning Beans In My Ears, later covered by both the Serendipity Singers and Pete Seeger ~ Chandler was born in 1935
 
August 27, 2023 ~ Calypso, gospel, pop singer Denyse Plummer, full name Denyse Burnadette Kirline Plummer, passed away ~ Has recorded half a dozen albums, starting with Natural in 1978. Quit her day job in 1977 to pursue a career in music, singing pop songs through the early 1980s. An invite by Phase II Pan Groove's Lennox Sharpe to sing two songs would set her on a career in calypso music, eventually being recognised as one of the leading calypso performers of her day. Well-known for songs such as Heroes and Nah Leaving ~ Plummer was born in 1953
 
August 26, 2023 ~ Jazz trumpeter, composer Bosse Broberg passed away ~ Mainstay on the Swedish jazz scene. Over half a dozen albums as a leader, especially noted for 1995's Regni and 2002's Conspiracy In Flat Five. As a sideman present on albums by Jan Johansson, Monica Zetterlund, Red Mitchell, Bengt Hallberg, Bob Brookmeyer, Rebecka Törnqvist, Knud Jorgensen, Gugge Hudrenius, Swedish Jazz, Lennart Åberg, Arne Domnérus, and Ake Johansson ~ Broberg was born in 1937
August 26, 2023 ~ Punk singer John Kezdy passed away ~ Brother of Naked Raygun bassist Pierre Kezdy. Frontman and sole constant member of the Effigies, active from 1980 until its disbandement a decade later. Though not as well known as contemporaries the band is considered influential in Chicago's post-hardcore punk scene, laying the groundwork for later indie bands, and critically acclaimed for the albums For Ever Grounded, Fly On A Wire, and Ink ~ Kezdy was born ca.1959
August 26, 2023 ~ Márcio André Nepomuceno Garcia, commonly known as singer, songwriter MC Marinho, passed away in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Dubbed “the Prince of Funk” Garcia enjoyed popularity during the 1990s and early 2000s. Has released about half a dozen albums, his Because I Love You debut album with his then-girlfriend MC Cacau. Well-known songs include Rap Do Solitário, Escrito Pras Princesas, Garota Nota 100, and Glamurosa ~ Garcia was born in 1977
 
August 25, 2023 ~ José Gonzaga Ferreira, commonly known as pop singer Carlos Gonzaga, passed away ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name since the late 1950s, enjoying popularity in his native Brazil. Best known for his 1958 rendition of Diana, a translation of Paul Anka's Diana released a year earlier. Other well-known songs include Oh Carol, Juramente De Playboy, Bat Masterson, Sereno, and Cavaleiros Do Céu ~ Gonzaga was born in 1924
 
August 24, 2023 ~ Rock, blues rock, hard rock guitarist, singer Bernie Marsden, full name Bernard John Marsden, passed away ~ Member of Whitesnake from 1978 through 1982, for whom he co-wrote several of the band's best known including Fool For Your Loving, Walking In The Shadow Of The Blues, She's A Woman, Lovehunter, Trouble, Child Of Babylon, Rough And Ready, and Here I Go Again. Marsden has also worked with UFO, Cozy Powell, Babe Ruth, Paice Ashton Lord, Alaska, and the Company Of Snakes, and recorded over a dozen solo albums ~ Marsden was born in 1951
 
August 23, 2023 ~ Songwriter, producer Bob Feldman, full name Robert C Feldman, passed away in Florida, USA ~ Formed a songwriter, producer team with Jerry Goldstein and Richard Gottehrer. The trio were responsible for 1960s hits such as Let's Stomp for Bobby Comstock, Betty Jean for Freddy Cannon, and My Boyfriend's Back for the Angels. The trio's Sorrow would be used as a B-side for the McCoys in 1965, but is better known as recorded by David Bowie who released it as the sole single of his 1973 Pin Ups album. Goldstein, Gottehrer and Feldman would also record several of their songs themselves under the moniker the Strangeloves, most notably I Want Candy, later covered by Brian Poole, the Surfaris, and Bow Wow Wow ~ Feldman was born in 1940
 
August 22, 2023 ~ Salvatore Cutugno, commonly known as singer, pianist, guitarist, saxophonist, drummer, songwriter Toto Cutugno passed away in Milan, Italy ~ One of the most popular Italian singers and one of the most successful Italian songwriters of all time with sales reportedly exceeding 100 million globally. As a performer internationally best known for the 1983 worldwide hit L'Italiano, initially intended for Adriano Celentano who turned it down, and for the 1990 Eurovision Songfestival-winner Insieme 1992. Songs written or co-written by Cutugno have been recorded by Joe Dassin, Claude François, Michel Sardou, Domenico Modugno, Miguel Bosé, and Dalida ~ Cutugno was born in 1943
August 22, 2023 ~ Christine Clements, commonly known as dubstep, ambient, IDM singer, keyboardist, programmer, producer Vaccine, passed away ~ One of the first women to be signed to a dubstep related label, Hotflush Recordings, a genre dominated by males. Influenced by Nine Inch Nails, Akira Yamaoke, Portishead, Massive Attack, and Tricky. Has been releasing 12" recordings since the mid-2000s, starting with Wishful Thinking b/w Signal To Noise, leading up to her Decryption EP in 2014 ~ Clements was born in 1979
 
August 21, 2023 ~ Disco, post-disco, Hi-NRG, dance-pop singer, producer, songwriter Denis LePage passed away ~ Scored a late 1970s disco hit with the instrumental The Break under the moniker Kat Mandu, considered a classic to this day. Formed the disco duo Lime with his wife Denyse LePage, known for the 1980s dance hits Your Love, Babe We're Gonna Love Tonight, and Unexpected Lovers ~ LePage was born ca.1949
 
August 20, 2023 ~ Pop, pop rock, disco singer, conductor, arranger, songwriter, composer Luc Smets, full name Luc Jan Frans Smets, passed away in Bornem, Belgium ~ Member of 1960s pop group Pebbles, for whom he co-wrote their biggest hit Seven Horses In The Sky. Co-founded Shampoo. Member of disco unit the Dream Express, with whom he reached 7th place at the 1977 Eurovision Songfestival representing Belgium with the song A Million In 1 2 3. Smets has also composed for film and TV ~ Smets was born in 1947
 
August 19, 2023 ~ Rock, pop singer, keyboardist, film composer Václav Patejdl, also known as Vaso Patejdl, passed away ~ Co-founding member of Elán, one of the most popular Czech acts of the 1980s, with whom he recorded four albums before departing on amicable terms in 1984 to focus on solo projects. Rejoined the band in 1996, to remain a member until his death. Over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Chlapcensky Usmev released in 1986. Has also written songs for other artists including Beáta Dubasová, Marika Gombitová, and Banket. The latter's Po Schodoch would later become a hit when rerecorded as a solo single by its lead singer Richard Müller. Patejdl also composed several soundtracks, notably for the 1985 movie Fontana Pre Zuzanu and the award-winning 2015 fairy tale film The Seven Ravens ~ Patejdl was born in 1954
 
August 18, 2023 ~ Pop singer Ray Hildebrand passed away ~ Formed the duo Paul & Paula with Jill Jackson, best known for their 1963 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Hey Paula. The pair were given their stagename by label executive Shelby Singleton, arguing that it wouldn't make much sense for Jill & Ray, their original stage name, to sing “Hey hey Paul, hey hey Paula.” The duo's follow-up single Young Lovers would also reach top 10. After parting ways in 1965 Hildebrand would find modest success as a Christian singer, notably with his Anybody Here Wanna Live Forever single, and duetting with Paul Land throughout the 1980s under the monniker Land & Hildebrand ~ Hildebrand was born in 1940
 
August 17, 2023 ~ Eli Tatarsky, commonly known as R&B guitarist, songwriter, arranger, producer Bobby Eli, passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Lead guitarist, co-founding member of seminal Philadelphia studio band MFSB. In-demand songwriter, producer, wrote or co-wrote hits such as Main Ingredient's Just Don't Want To Be Lonely, Major Harris' Love Won't Let Me Wait, and Fat Larry's Band's Zoom. Others who have recorded his songs include Wilson Pickett, Blue Magic, Engelbert Humperdinck, Atlantic Starr, and the Dells. As a studio guitarist Tatarsky has appeared on recordings by Billy Paul, the O'Jays, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Marlena Shaw, the Stylistics, the Delfonics, Barbara Mason, the People's Choice, the Salsoul Orchestra, the Trammps, the Whispers, Ronnie Dyson, First Choice, Grace Jones, Gloria Gaynor, and McFadden & Whitehead ~ Tatarsky was born in 1946
August 17, 2023 ~ Indie rock, punk rock drummer, keyboardist, singer Gary Young passed away in Stockton, California, USA ~ Original drummer of Pavement, present on the band's 1992's Slanted And Enchanted debut album and its follow-up Watery Domestic EP later the same year before being fired from the band in 1993. Young subsequently released a number of solo albums, starting with 1994's Hospital under the group moniker Gary Young's Hospital ~ Young was born in 1953
August 17, 2023 ~ Singer Walter Aipolani, also known as Bruddah Waltah, passed away ~ Dubbed “the Father of Hawaiian Reggae” credited with popularizing Hawaiian-style reggae in the 1980s and 1990s. Influenced by Bob Marley, Elton John, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and the Beatles. Well-known songs include Sweet Lady Of Waiahole, and Keep Hawaiian Lands, the latter inspired by Marley's Waiting In Vain and becoming somewhat of a patriotic anthem. Perhaps best known for his 1991 Hawaiian Reggae album considered a landmark album in the Hawaiian reggae craze, a style sometimes referred to as Jawaiian ~ Aipolani was born ca.1955
 
August 16, 2023 ~ Label executive Jerry Moss, full name Jerome S Moss, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founded A&M Records in 1962 with trumpeter, bandleader Herb Alpert. The label's stable of artists included acts such as Sérgio Mendes, the Carpenters, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Captain & Tennille, Rita Coolidge, Wes Montgomery, Toni Basil, Joan Baez, Phil Ochs, Billy Preston, Cat Stevens, Joe Cocker, Procol Harum, Carole King, Styx, Supertramp, Joan Armatrading, Squeeze, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Janet Jackson, the Police, Sting, Atlantic Starr, Human League, and Joe Jackson. Moss and Alpert sold the label to Polygram Records in 1989 and continued to manage the company until 1993 ~ Moss was born in 1935
August 16, 2023 ~ Operatic soprano, director, voice teacher Renata Scotto passed away in Savona, Italy ~ Regarded as one of the premier opera singers of her generation. During the 1960s became one of the leading singers of the belcanto revival, a movement ushered in by Maria Callas in the 1950s. Known for roles in Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata at La Scala, and Giacomo Puccini's Madame Butterfly at the Metropolitan Opera. As a voice teacher coached singers such as Renée Fleming, Anna Netrebko, and Deborah Voigt. Married to violinist Lorenzo Anselmi, who would become her manager, from 1960 until his death in 2021. The couple would raise a son and a daughter ~ Scotto was born in 1934
 
August 14, 2023 ~ Operatic soprano Jessica Cash passed away ~ Has performed with the Kent Opera, the Welsh National Opera, and the Glyndebourne Festival, particularly noted for her 1968 performance in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Die Zauberflöte ~ Cash was born ca.1939
 
August 13, 2023 ~ Music manager, label executive Clarence Avant, full name Clarence Alexander Avant, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Dubbed “the Black Godfather” for his influence on music. Served as manager for artists such as Little Willie John, Sarah Vaughan, Luiz Bonfá, Freddie Hubbard, Jimmy Smith, and film composer Lalo Schifrin. Founded Sussex Records, for whom he signed artists such as Bill Withers, Dennis Coffey, and Gallery. Founded Avant Garde Broadcasting, known for operating the first African-American owned FM radio station KAGB-FM airing from Inglewood, California ~ Avant was born in 1931
August 13, 2023 ~ Melvin Barcliff, commonly known as rapper Magoo, passed away ~ Best known for his association with Timbaland, scoring late 1990s, early 2000s hits under the moniker Timbaland & Magoo such as Up Jumps Da Boogie featuring Missy Elliott & Aaliyah, Clock Strikes featuring Skillz, and All Y'All featuring Tweet. Has also worked with Swing Mob, Jodeci, DeVante Swing, Playa, and others ~ Barcliff was born in 1973
 
August 12, 2023 ~ Berit Maria Jonsson, commonly known as operatic dramatic soprano Berit Lindholm, passed away ~ Closely associated with the Royal Opera House, the Bayreuth Festival, and the Vienna State Opera. Known best for portraying heroines such as Brunnhilde in Richard Wagner's Der Ring Des Nibelungen and Chrysothemis in Richard Strauss's Elektra ~ Jonsson was born in 1934
 
August 11, 2023 ~ Violinist, conductor Florence Malgoire passed away ~ Considered a specialist of the ancient violin. In-demand solo violinist, known for her associations with baroque ensembles such as La Chapelle Royale, Les Talens Lyriques, and Les Arts Florissants. Founded Les Dominos, an ensemble specializing in 17th and 18th century music. Co-founded chamber music ensemble Les Nièces De Rameau. Has conducted works by Jean-Philippe Rameau, Jean-Féry Rebel, George Frideric Handel, Marc-Antoine Charpentier, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ~ Malgoire was born in 1960
August 11, 2023 ~ Punk, rock, alternative rock singer, songwriter Ron Peno, full name Ronald Stephen Valentino Peno, passed away in South Yarra, Australia ~ Member of a number of short-lived punk groups through the early 1980s including the Hellcats, the 31st, and the Screaming Tribesmen. Best known as lead singer, constant member of Died Pretty, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with Free Dirt released in 1986. The band is perhaps best known for the single Harness Up which reached top 40 in their native Australia in 1993 ~ Peno was born in 1955
 
August 9, 2023 ~ Singer Peppino Gagliardi passed away in Rome, Italy ~ Enjoyed popularity in his native Italy especially during the 1970s. Well-known songs include T'Amo Et T'Amerò, Settembre, Come Le Viole, and Come Un Ragazzino. His Che Vuole Questa Musica Stasera would become one of his internationally best known, frequently used in soundtracks including the 1974 original film Scent Of A Woman ~ Gagliardi was born in 1940
August 9, 2023 ~ Jaime Royal Robertson, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter Robbie Robertson, passed away ~ Best known as lead guitarist of the Band. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as The Weight, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, and Up On Cripple Creek. As a solo artist best known for Broken Arrow and Somewhere Down The Crazy River, both taken of his eponymous 1987 Robbie Robertson solo debut album. The album would feature appearances by his former bandmates as well as Peter Gabriel, and U2's Bono and the Edge ~ Robertson was born in 1943
 
August 8, 2023 ~ Folk, folk rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Sixto Rodriguez, full name Sixto Diaz Rodriguez, passed away ~ Enjoyed popularity in South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Best known for Sugar Man of his 1970 Cold Fact debut album ~ Rodriguez was born in 1942
 
August 7, 2023 ~ Violinist, singer David LaFlamme passed away ~ Worked with the Orkustra and Dan Hicks & his Hot Licks. Best known for founding and fronting It's A Beautiful Day, which also included his wife Linda LaFlamme. The band is best known for White Bird of their eponymous 1969 It's A Beautiful Day debut album. After the group disbanded in 1972 LaFlamme has recorded as a solo artist ~ LaFlamme was born in 1941
August 7, 2023 ~ Willie Perry Jr, commonly known as DJ, hype man, songwriter DJ Casper, also referred to as Mr C The Slide Man, passed away ~ Earned the moniker “Casper” for regularly appearing on stage in all-white attire. Best known for his 2004 single Cha Cha Slide, which became a hit in Chicago. The song would gain wider attention after Perry appeared as a DJ in an episode of Orange Is The New Black, with prisoners and guards line dancing to the song ~ Perry was born in 1965
August 7, 2023 ~ R&B singer, organist Toussaint McCall passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Known for the mid-1960s singles I'll Do It For You and its follow-up Nothing Takes The Place Of You. The latter would reach top 10 Billboard R&B and later be covered by Asleep At The Wheel, Shovels & Rope, and by Prince Buster. McCall released several more singles and a full-length album yet would be unable to repeat his earlier success ~ McCall was born ca.1934
 
August 5, 2023 ~ Free jazz, free improvisation cellist, composer Tristan Honsinger passed away ~ Leader and sideman. Especially acclaimed for the 1996 Map Of Moods album and its 1999 follow-up A Camel's Kiss. Frequently collaborated with pianist Cecil Taylor and guitarist Derek Bailey. Member of the Henneman String Quartet and the ICP Orchestra. As a sideman present on recordings by Borbetomagus, Butch Morris, Anthony Braxton (October Meeting 1991), Tobias Delius, Alexander von Schlippenbach, and Sean Bergin ~ Honsinger was born in 1949
 
August 4, 2023 ~ Rock keyboardist John Gosling passed away ~ Member of the Kinks from 1970 through 1978, replaced by Gordon Edwards. Gosling recorded over half a dozen albums with the band, including the acclaimed Muswell Hillbillies released in 1971 ~ Gosling was born ca.1948
August 4, 2023 ~ Rock, indie rock guitarist, keyboardist, clarinetist, singer Tom Pintens passed away ~ As a solo artist best known for In Charleroi of his 2009 Winter Maakt Ons Vrolijk sophomore album. Pintens has been active since the mid-1990s, working with bands such as Flowers For Breakfast, Think Of One, Het Zesde Metaal, and perhaps most notably Zita Swoon ~ Pintens was born ca.1974
 
August 3, 2023 ~ Conductor, composer Carl Davis passed away in Oxford, UK ~ Best known as prolific composer for film and TV, notably the 1981 drama film The French Lieutenant's Woman and the 1995 BBC TV series Pride & Prejudice. To pop audiences perhaps best known for collaborating with Paul McCartney on the 1991 Liverpool Oratorio album, McCartney's first foray into classical music ~ Davis was born in 1936
 
July 28, 2023 ~ James Mavin Parker, commonly known as composer Jim Parker, passed away ~ Member of the Barrow Poets. Rose to fame with a series of 1970s recordings of John Betjeman poems set to music, notably Banana Blush and Sir John Betjeman's Britain. Prolific film and TV composer, credits including Midsomer Murders, Foyles War, To Play The King, and The Final Cut. Concert works written by Parker have been performed by the Nash Ensemble, the Hilliard Ensemble, and the Albion Ensemble ~ Parker was born in 1934
July 28, 2023 ~ Thomas Peters, commonly known as singer, guitarist, keyboardist Tommi Stumpff, passed away ~ Founded and fronted punk outfit KFC in the late 1970s. Would go on to record about a dozen solo albums as an EBM singer, starting with Zu Spät Ihr Scheisser released in 1982 ~ Peters was born in 1958
 
July 27, 2023 ~ Pop singer, actress Bea van der Maat, full name Béatrice Marguerite van der Maat, passed away ~ Fronted Won Ton Ton, known for their 1988 I Lie And I Cheat hit single. Has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing her Thin-Skinned debut album in 1988, guested with the LSP Band and the Belpop Bastards, ventured into acting, and hosted several TV shows ~ Van der Maat was born in 1960
July 27, 2023 ~ Concert pianist, teacher Ruth W Greenfield, full name Ruth Miriam Wolkowsky Greenfield, passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Broke racial barriers, bringing together black and white students, taught by black and white teachers. Studied composition with Nadia Boulanger. Best known for founding the Fine Arts Conservatory. Also taught at Miami Dade College ~ Greenfield was born in 1923
 
July 26, 2023 ~ Country rock, pop rock bassist, guitarist, singer, songwriter Randy Meisner, full name Randall Herman Meisner, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of Poco, appearing on the band's 1969 Pickin' Up The Pieces but departing the band before its release. Leaving in high spirits his image was removed from the painting on the album's cover and replaced with a dog. Member of the Stone Canyon Band, present on the albums In Concert At The Troubadour 1969 and Rudy The Fifth. Best known for co-founding the Eagles, for whom he wrote or co-wrote and sang lead on songs such as Take It To The Limit, Try And Love Again, Is It True, Take The Devil, Tryin', and Certain Kind Of Fool. Citing “exhaustion” Meisner left the band in 1977. Meisner released his eponymous Randy Meisner solo debut album the following year ~ Meisner was born in 1946
July 26, 2023 ~ Alternative rock, pop rock singer Sinéad O'Connor, full name Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor, passed away ~ Rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album The Lion And The Cobra and its follow-up I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got. Perhaps best known for the Prince-penned Nothing Compares 2 U, which topped the charts in numerous countries including America, the UK and the Netherlands. Has collaborated with U2's the Edge, Jah Wobble, Peter Gabriel, Willie Nelson, Manu Dibango, Shane MacGowan, Zucchero, Massive Attack, Elaine Page, and Danny O'Reilly ~ O'Connor was born in 1966
 
July 25, 2023 ~ Pop rock singer, songwriter Andreas Tsoukalas passed away in Athens, Greece ~ Known for the albums Stous Kairous Tous Ponirous and its follow-up Mia Kainouria Mera. The latter would contain one of his best known, Antio, a translation of Brian Hyland's 1960s hit Sealed With A Kiss ~ Tsoukalas was born in 1963
 
July 24, 2023 ~ Pop rock, alternative rock, jam rock bassist, saxophonist, clarinetist Brad Houser, full name John Bradley Houser, passed away ~ Co-founding member of the New Bohemians, fronted by singer Edie Brickell. Present on the band's acclaimed and best known album Shooting Rubberbands At The Stars released in 1988. Also co-founded Critters Buggin with Mike Dillon, Skerik, and Bohemians bandmate Matt Chamberlain. In-demand collaborator, has also worked with Patrice Pike, Steve Wedemeyer, Zydeco Blanco, the Mingtones, and Aimee Bobruk ~ Houser was born in 1960
 
July 23, 2023 ~ Cantastorie, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Otello Profazio, full name Otello Ermanno Profazio, passed away in Reggio Calabria, Italy ~ Draws heavily from traditional folk of South Italy, especially Sicily and Calabria. Acclaimed for his 1964 Il Treno Del Sole album. Also known for the 1970s albums Il Brigante Musolino and Qua Si Campa D'Aria. Host of several TV music programs, notably Quando La Gente Canta aired on Secondo Canala ~ Profazio was born in 1934
July 23, 2023 ~ Eurodance, eurodisco singer Patty Ryan passed away in Germany ~ Best known for You're My Love You're My Life of her Love Is The Name Of The Game debut album released in 1987. Other well known songs include Stay With Me Tonight, I Don't Want To Lose You Tonight, and Ohne Zweifel ~ Ryan was born in 1961
July 23, 2023 ~ Singer, songwriter Raymond Froggatt, full name Raymond William Froggatt, passed away in Shrewsbury, UK ~ Spent most of the 1960s fronting the Buccaneers, later renamed to Monopoly and ultimately the Raymond Froggatt Band, starting in rock & roll and moving towards country as the decade progressed. Though chart success eluded them, others would find success with covers of his songs. Beat band the Dave Clark Five would reach UK top 10 with The Red Balloon, originally titled Callow-La-Vita, as would Cliff Richard with Big Ship. Australian singer Russell Morris would have a hit Australia and New Zealand with Rachel. Froggatt would go on to record well into the 2000s as a solo country singer, and is best known for his 1974 Rogues & Thieves album ~ Froggatt was born in 1941
 
July 22, 2023 ~ Jazz saxophonist Knut Riisnæs passed away ~ Fixture on the Oslo jazz scene with a career spanning five decades starting in the mid-1960s. Son of pianist Eline Nygaard Riisnæs. Brother of pianist Anne Eline Riisnæs and saxophonist Odd Riisnæs. Present on albums by Karin Krog, Terje Rypdal, Arild Andersen, Edward Vesala, the Oslo Groove Company, Sigurd Ulveseth, and Fra Lippo Lippi ~ Riisnæs was born in 1945
July 22, 2023 ~ Rocksteady, ska, reggae singer Peter Austin passed away in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Formed 1960s ska outfit the Clarendonians with Ernest Wilson, known for songs such as Rudie Gone A Jail, Sho Be Do Be, You Can't Be Happy, Darling Forever, and You Can't Keep A Good Man Down ~ Austin was born ca.1945
July 22, 2023 ~ Easy listening, traditional pop singer Vince Hill passed away in Henley-on-Thames, UK ~ Briefly a member of the Raindrops during the early 1960s before venturing out on his own. Best known for his 1967 rendition of Edelweiss, which reached top 10 in his native UK. Originally written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II for their 1959 The Sound Of Music musical, it would become Hill's biggest hit and signature song. Other well-known songs include the Edith Piaf-cover Take Me To Your Heart Again, originally La Vie En Rose, as well as Heartaches, Love Letters In The Sand, and Look Around (You'll Find Me There) ~ Hill was born in 1934
 
July 21, 2023 ~ Rock bassist Neal Langford passed away ~ Member of indie rock outfit the Shins during the early 2000s, present on the band's Oh Inverted World debut album released in 2001. Langford had also worked with the band's 1990s predecessor Flake Music ~ Langford was born ca.1973
July 21, 2023 ~ Anthony Dominick Benedetto, commonly known as singer Tony Bennett, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Enjoyed a career spanning eight decades, singing both pop and jazz. Has released over 70 albums including the acclaimed The Beat Of My Heart, Count Basie Swings Tony Bennett Sings with Count Basie, and I Left My Heart In San Francisco. Well-known hits include Because Of You, Cold Cold Heart, and Rags To Riches. Later on in life would rejuvenate his career through collaborations with Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga, extending his appeal to younger generations ~ Benedetto was born in 1926
 
July 19, 2023 ~ Violinist, film composer Mark Thomas passed away ~ Served as violinist for the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Royal Ballet Orchestra. Would venture into composing for TV and film by the early 1990s, with over two dozen soundtracks to his name including Twin Town, The Final Curtain and Agent Cody Banks 2 (Destination London) ~ Thomas was born ca.1956
 
July 18, 2023 ~ Deeon Boyd, commonly known as house, ghetto house DJ DJ Deeon, passed away ~ Influenced by John Rocca, Afrika Bambaataa, and Kraftwerk, first becoming interested on electronic music after listening to the latter's 1981 Computer World album. Regarded as one of the pioneers of ghetto house. Best known for his 1996 recording Freak Like Me. Other well known songs include Funk City, Bomb 96, Wicked, House-O-Matic, and The Freaks. Boyd was name mentioned in the Daft Punk track Teachers of the duo's 1997 Homework album ~ Boyd was born in 1966
 
July 17, 2023 ~ João Donato de Oliveira Neto, commonly known as pianist, accordionist, composer João Donato, passed away in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Leader and sideman. Helped shape Brazilian jazz and bossa nova. Active since the early 1950s. Well-known songs include Sambou Sambou, Vento Do Canavial (Sugarcane Breeze), Amazonas (Amazon), and Até Quem Sabe. Especially acclaimed for his 1965 The New Sound Of Brazil album. Has guested on albums by Mongo Santamaria, Astrud Gilberto (The Astrud Gilberto Album), Sérgio Mendes, Nana Caymmi, Gal Costa, Caetano Veloso, Eddie Palmieri (Eddie's Concerto), and Milton Nascimento ~ De Oliveira was born in 1934
July 17, 2023 ~ Marc Holtz, commonly known as musical director, bandleader, singer, songwriter Marc Herrand, passed away in Strasbourg, France ~ Adopted the pseudonym Herrand to escape enlistment in the Hitler Youth. Co-founder and musical director of vocal harmony group Les Compagnons De La Chanson, a group best known for backing Edith Piaf on her 1946 recording Les Trois Cloches. The group have also backed Piaf on songs such as Celine, Dans Les Prison De Nantes, and C'Est Pour Ca. Herrand would depart the group in the early 1950s to become conductor, pianist, arranger for Yvette Giraud, whom he would later marry. The couple would publish their autobiography, La Route Enchantée, in 2005 ~ Holtz was born ca.1925
 
July 16, 2023 ~ Actress, singer, songwriter, model Jane Birkin, full name Jane Mallory Birkin, passed away in Paris, France ~ Best known as an actress emerging from the mid-1960s London counterculture scene with roles in Blowup and Kaleidoscope. To pop audiences best known for the 1969 duet Je T'Aime (Moi Non Plus) with Serge Gainsbourg. The song would be banned from radio for its sexual innuendo, including in the UK, yet would make it to the No.1 spot on the British charts. Known for a number of longterm high-profile romances, married to film composer John Barry and later romantically involved with singer, actor Gainsbourg and subsequently with film director Jacques Doillon. Two of her three daughters, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Lou Doillon, have followed in their mother's footsteps acting and singing ~ Birkin was born in 1946
 
July 12, 2023 ~ Classical pianist André Watts passed away ~ Recorded a wide variety of repertoire, concentrating on Romantic composers such as Frédéric Chopin and Franz Liszt, yet also included George Gershwin. Has worked with renowned orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, the National Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra ~ Watts was born in 1946
 
July 11, 2023 ~ New wave, pop rock bassist Toni Carbone passed away ~ Member of Denovo. The band is best known for their 1987 Persuasione sophomore album, widely considered one the premier albums of 1980s Italian indie music. Following the band's disbandement in 1990 Carbone has worked primarily as a producer ~ Carbone was born ca.1961
 
July 7, 2023 ~ Jazz trumpeter, hornist, trombonist Oscar Brashear passed away ~ In-demand sideman influenced by Lee Morgan, Woody Shaw, and Freddie Hubbard. Present on albums by John Lee Hooker, Count Basie (Standing Ovation), Oliver Nelson, Donny Hathaway (Everything Is Everything), Bobby Hutcherson, Moacir Santos, Hampton Hawes, Bonnie Raitt (Takin' My Time), Gene Harris, Harold Land, Nat Adderley, Willie Hutch, Ry Cooder (Paradise & Lunch), Patrice Rushen, Tom Waits (The Heart Of Saturday Night), Horace Silver, Oliver Nelson, Earth Wind & Fire (That's The Way Of The World), Neil Diamond, Carmen McRae, Alice Coltrane, Marvin Gaye (I Want You), Maria Muldaur, BB King, Patti Labelle, Sadao Watanabe, Rodney Franklin, Rick James (Bustin' Out Of L Seven), Tavares, the Crusaders (Street Life), Randy Crawford, Con Funk Shun, Was (Not Was) (What Up Dog), Zoot Sims, Natalie Cole, and others ~ Brashear was born in 1944
 
July 6, 2023 ~ Engineer, producer Caleb Southern, full name Caleb August Southern, passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Best known for his association with Ben Folds Five, serving as producer for the albums Ben Folds Five, Whatever And Ever Amen, and The Unauthorized Biography Of Reinhold Messner. Has also worked, either as engineer or producer, with acts such as Metal Flake Mother, Antiseen, Dillon Fence, Flat Duo Jets, Jennyandkind, the Archers of Loaf (Icky Mette), Geezer Lake, Superchunk, Capsize 7, Zen Frisbee, Tom Freund, and Shark Quest ~ Southern was born in 1969
July 6, 2023 ~ Bernard Nierow, commonly known as pianist, conductor Peter Nero, passed away in Eustis, Florida, USA ~ Active since the mid-1950s. Has recorded over 50 albums. Considered one of the premier interpreters of George Gershwin. Founded the Philly Pops, serving as its director from 1979 through 2013. Also directed the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra during the 1990s ~ Nierow was born in 1934
 
July 5, 2023 ~ Roger Prud'homme, commonly known as pop singer Martin Stevens, passed away ~ Sang in English and French. Enjoyed popularity in the disco era in his native Canada. Known for songs such as J'Aime La Musique (Comme Un Fou), Sans Ton Amour, and the Harry Vanda & George Young-penned Love Is In The Air. His rendition of the latter would precede the internationally more famous version by John Paul Young by a mere couple of weeks. Prud'homme published his Sexe Drogue Et Disco autobiography in 2007 ~ Prud'homme was born in 1953
July 5, 2023 ~ Boogie-woogie, jazz pianist Rob Agerbeek, full name Robbert Arris Jules Agerbeek, passed away ~ Influenced by Albert Ammons, Johnny Maddox, Pete Johnson, Meade Lux Lewis. Active since the mid-1950s, performing well into the 2000s. Closely associated with Harry Verbeke, Don Byas, and the Dutch Swing College Band ~ Agerbeek was born in 1937
 
July 4, 2023 ~ Rogelia Medina Romero, commonly known as salsa, guaracha, son, guajira singer Canelita Medina, passed away ~ Mother of singer Trina Medina. Influenced by Celia Cruz. Considered one of the supreme voices in son montuno, with some two dozen albums to her name over a career spanning five decades. Well known songs include Quiéreme, Canto A La Guaira, and Triumphant Night ~ Medina was born in 1939
 
July 3, 2023 ~ Michael Ralph Foster, commonly known as rock, pop, jazz fusion, funk bassist, guitarist, mandolinist, keyboardist, percussionist, producer Mo Foster, passed away ~ As a solo artist acclaimed for his 1991 Southern Reunion album. Authored Seventeen Watts, a semi-autobiographical and anecdotal book published in 1997 about the birth and rise of rock guitar in the UK. Member of Affinity. Member of RMS. In-demand session musician with a career spanning five decades, appearing on over an estimated 300 albums. Notable credits include Olivia Newton-John, Roger Glover (The Butterfly Ball And The Grasshopper's Feast), Fancy, Cerrone (Love In C Minor), Eddie Hardin, Albert Hammond, Gerry Rafferty (Night Owl), Kevin Ayers, Peter Green, Cliff Richard, Gary Moore, Eros Ramazzotti (Musica E), Jeff Beck (Beckology), Luka Bloom, Michael Schenker, and Michael d'Abo ~ Foster was born in 1944
July 3, 2023 ~ Myra Barnes, commonly known as R&B, soul, funk singer Vicki Anderson, passed away ~ Closely associated with James Brown, serving as Brown's main female singer from 1965 replacing Anna King through 1968 succeeded by Marva Whitney. Anderson would rejoin Brown's band in 1972 and remain for another three years. As a solo artist best known for her 1970 The Message From The Soul Sisters feminist anthem. Anderson was the widow of Brown-sideman Bobby Byrd, and mother of singer Carleen Anderson from her previous marriage ~ Barnes was born in 1939
 
June 30, 2023 ~ Kentrick Patrick, commonly known as calypso, rocksteady, ska singer Lord Creator, passed away ~ Influential on the early development of the Jamaican music scene. Active since the late 1950s, noted for hits such as The Cockhead, Evening News, Big Bamboo, and specifically Kingston Town. The latter would be covered by UB40 in 1989, which helped revive Patrick's career ~ Patrick was born in 1935
June 30, 2023 ~ Eric Froberg, commonly known as punk rock, post-punk, indie rock guitarist, singer Rick Froberg, passed away ~ Perhaps best known as lead singer, guitarist for early 1990s outfit Drive Like Jehu, especially acclaimed for the albums Drive Like Jehu and Yank Crime. Has also worked with Pitchfork, the Hot Snakes, and Obits. As a visual artist and illustrator has created album art and merchandise for all of his bands as well as for Rocket From The Crypt, Beehive & the Barracudas, and Mr Tube & the Flying Objects ~ Froberg was born in 1968
 
June 27, 2023 ~ Mandolinist, singer Bobby Osborne, full name Bobby Van Osborne, passed away ~ Best known as member of sibling outfit the Osborne Brothers. Also worked with Ernest Tubb, Peter Rowan, Alison Brown, Vince Gill, Sam Bush, Jim Lauderdale, Sierra Hull, Claire Lynch, Del McCoury, Stuart Duncan, Rob Ickes, Trey Hensley, Dale Ann Bradley, Darrell Scott, Missy Raines, Bryan McDowell, Todd Phillips, Buddy Spicher, and Kenny Malone ~ Osborne was born in 1931
 
June 23, 2023 ~ Bluegrass, country, gospel mandolinist, fiddler, guitarist, singer Jesse McReynolds, full name Jesse Lester McReynolds, passed away in Gallatin, Tennessee, USA ~ Known for his innovative technique on the mandolin. Formed the duo Jim & Jesse with his brother Jim McReynolds, recording and performing from the 1950s until Jim's death in 2002. Guested on the Doors' 1969 Soft Parade album. Has also recorded with Bill Monroe and with bluegrass supergroup the Masters ~ McReynolds was born in 1929
June 23, 2023 ~ Pop, classical, easy listening producer, songwriter Paul De Senneville passed away ~ Frequent songwriting collaborator of Olivier De Toussaint. Songs written by the pair have been recorded by artists such as Mireille Mathieu, Michèle Torr, Christophe, Hervé Vilard, Dalida, Petula Clark, Claude François and others, selling over an estimated 100 million records. De Senneville can't read or write music notes, and writes songs by singing into a small taperecorder and having songwriting partners work out the arrangements and orchestration ~ De Senneville was born in 1933
 
June 22, 2023 ~ Free jazz, avant-garde jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Peter Brötzmann passed away ~ Leading figure in European free jazz, active since the late 1960s. Over 50 albums to his name as a leader. Closely associated with Han Bennink, including in the ensemble the ICP Orchestra. Other collaborations include Cecil Taylor, Keiji Haino, Willem Breuker, Bill Laswell, Mats Gustafsson, Ken Vandermark, Joe McPhee, Paal Nilssen-Love, Steve Swell, Fred Van Hove, the Globe Unity Orchestra, Ginger Baker, Don Cherry, Misha Mengelberg, Evan Parker, and others ~ Brötzmann was born in 1941
June 22, 2023 ~ Classical bassist, double bassist Robert Black, full name Robert Alan Black, passed away in Hartford, Connecticut, USA ~ Co-founding member of contemporary classical sextet the Bang On A Can All-Stars, formed in 1992. Studied under Gary Karr. Served on the board of the International Society Of Bassists for about a decade. Has worked with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, the Ciompi String Quartet, the Miami String Quartet, Elliott Carter, John Cage, and Paquito d'Rivera. Well-known for his 2019 The Not-Doings Of An Insomniac (Bass Partita And Poetry) album, a work commissioned from and produced by Philip Glass ~ Black was born in 1956
 
June 20, 2023 ~ Post-punk guitarist, bassist John Waddington passed away ~ Founded short-lived punk band the Boyfriends at age 17, serving as the band's singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter. Rose to fame as a member of the Pop Group, known for the albums Y and For How Much Longer Do We Tolerate Mass Murder. Following the band's initial disbandement joined post-punk outfit Maximum Joy, appearing on the 1982 Station MXJY album. Waddington has also worked with the New Age Steppers, Playgroup, Judy Nylon, Perfume, and Lily Allen ~ Waddington was born in 1960
June 20, 2023 ~ Paolo Zavalloni, commonly known as pop, funk, soul, disco pianist, singer, songwriter Paolo Zavallone, passed away ~ Active since the 1950s. Member of Henghel Gualdi's orchestra. Rose to fame in the 1970s as bandleader in several TV shows and composer and singer of their theme songs. Best known for his 1977 disco hit Amada Mia Amore Mio with El Pasador. Other well-known songs include Non-Stop, Kilimangiaro, and Papa Ha La Bua, Has also composed for others, notably Le Notti Lunghi for Adriano Celentano ~ Zavalloni was born in 1932
 
June 19, 2023 ~ Ragtime pianist, composer, actor, author, radio and TV presenter Max Morath passed away in Duluth, Minnesota, USA ~ Dubbed “Mr Ragtime” for his extensive studies of ragtime and role in bringing early Americana to a younger and wider audience, and particularly helpful in the ragtime revival of the 1970s. Devotee of specifically Eubie Blake and Scott Joplin. Recorded well over two dozen albums from the 1950s onwards. Became well-known for his role in Ragtime Era, a series of 26 TV programs for PBS aired from 1959 through 1961. Has toured with number of theater shows, notably the acclaimed 1969 one-man show At The Turn Of The Century. Morath would continue to record and perform well into the 2000s. Authored or co-authored a number of books on ragtime music ~ Morath was born in 1926
 
June 18, 2023 ~ Milton Powell, commonly known as rapper Big Pokey, passed away in Beaumont, Texas, USA ~ Member of DJ Screw's Screwed Up Click, a pioneering collective considered pivotal to Southern rap and best known for their distinctive “chopped and screwed” technique. Has recorded half a dozen solo albums, starting with The Hardest Pit in The Litter released in 1999. Perhaps best known for Who Dat Talking Down, used in the pilot episode of the HBO comedy-drama series Entourage ~ Powell was born in 1977
June 18, 2023 ~ Punk drummer Teresa Taylor, also known as Teresa Nervosa, passed away ~ Member of the Butthole Surfers from 1983 through 1989 alongside King Coffey, the band at the time featuring two drummers playing in unison. Taylor appeared on over half a dozen of the band's albums including the acclaimed Locust Abortion Technician and Hairway To Steven ~ Taylor was born in 1962
 
June 17, 2023 ~ José Carlos González, commonly known as pop rock, sertanejo singer, songwriter Dave Maclean, passed away ~ Member of Os Botões, later renamed to the Buttons. Best known as a solo artist, enjoying popularity in the 1970s with songs such as Me And You, We Said Goodbye, Tears, and Feelings. Formed the trio the Dollar Company in the 1980s. As a songwriter González had his songs recorded by the likes of Sergio Reis, Sula Miranda, and Sandy & Junior ~ González was born in 1944
 
June 13, 2023 ~ Johnny Rowan, commonly known as rock drummer Blackie Onassis, passed away ~ Member of Urge Overkill, first appearing on the band's 1991 The Supersonic Storybook album. The band is widely known for their single Sister Havana and their Neil Diamond-cover Girl You'll Be A Woman Soon. The latter would be used for the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino's 1994 Pulp Fiction cult film ~ Rowan was born ca.1966
June 13, 2023 ~ Christopher Dignam, commonly known as rock singer, songwriter Christy Dignam, passed away ~ Lead singer for Aslan, enjoying popularity right from the start in their native Ireland with songs such as This Is, Pretty Thing, and Please Don't Stop before departing the band due to ongoing struggles with substance abuse. The band would briefly work with a new lead singer, Eamon Doyle, before disbanding altogether. The original line-up reunited in the early 1990s, and would record over half a dozen commercially successful albums well into the 2010s. Dignam would release his sole solo album, The Man Who Stayed Alive, in 2021 ~ Dignam was born in 1960
 
June 11, 2023 ~ Violinist Suna Kan passed away ~ Gave her first public performance at age 9, playing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Violin Concerto In A Major and Giovanni Battista Viotti's Violin Concerto In A Minor with the Presidential Symphony Orchestra. Would go on to study in Paris and work with renowned orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Moscow Symphony. Co-founded the TRT Ankara Chamber Orchestra with conductor Gürer Aykal, and served as the orchestra's principal violinist ~ Kan was born in 1936
 
June 9, 2023 ~ Blues singer, guitarist Otis Grand passed away ~ Actively recording since the late 1980s, starting with 1988's Always Hot. Best known for his 1996 Perfume & Grime album. Has worked with Guitar Shorty, Phillip Walker, Joe Houston, Anson Funderburgh, Debbie Davies, and Joe Louis Walker ~ Grand was born in 1950
 
June 8, 2023 ~ Georg Peter Brandt, commonly known as singer, actor Peter Belli, passed away ~ Active since the late 1950s. Considered Denmark's first rock star. Opened for both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones with his 1960s rock unit Les Rivals. Has recorded well over three dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with the eponymous Peter Belli album released in 1967. Well-known songs include Bliv Væk Fra Vort Kvarter, Ingen Regning, and Er Det Sådan ~ Brandt was born in 1943
 
June 6, 2023 ~ Anthony Charles McPhee, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter Tony TS McPhee, passed away ~ Given his nickname “TS” for “Tough Shit” by producer Mike Vernon. Co-founding and sole constant member of rock outfit the Groundhogs. The band has recorded since the early 1960s, is especially acclaimed for the early 1970s albums Thank Christ For The Bomb and Live At Leeds '71, and backed both John Lee Hooker and Champion Jack Dupree on mid-1960s UK tours. McPhee has recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Ain't Gonna Cry No More released in 1966, and collaborated with John Dummer, Hapshash & the Coloured Coat, and Jo-Ann Kelly ~ McPhee was born in 1944
 
June 5, 2023 ~ Astrud Evangelina Weinert, commonly known as bossa nova, jazz singer Astrud Gilberto, passed away ~ Best known for her contributions to the 1963 Getz/Gilberto album, a collaborative album by Stan Getz and her then-husband João Gilberto, singing lead on two of the the album's tracks including the hit The Girl From Ipanema. Released her solo debut album The Astrud Gilberto Album in 1965 and has recorded well over a dozen albums since ~ Gilberto was born in 1940
June 5, 2023 ~ Hoboist, conductor Werner Herbers passed away in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Married to violinist Vera Beths. Principal hoboist for the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and the Concertgebouw Orchestra. Co-artistic director for the Nederlands Blazer Ensemble from 1962 through 1988. Founded the Ebony Band, known for bringing forgotten or overlooked composers from the Interbellum to the public's attention and especially composers persecuted or killed by the Nazis ~ Herbers was born in 1940
 
June 4, 2023 ~ Folk singer, actress Dora María, full name Dora María Pérez Vidal, passed away ~ Dubbed “the Golden Shorty” for her stature. First Mexican singer to perform in Las Vegas. Known for songs such El Pochitoque Jahuactero, Mis Blancas Mariposas, and Amanecer De Mi Tierra. Pérez has also ventured into acting ~ Pérez was born in 1933
June 4, 2023 ~ Stride, R&B, folk pianist, guitarist George Winston passed away ~ Known for playing three distinctive styles, a melodic approach Winston dubs rural folk piano, stride piano influenced by Fats Waller and Teddy Wilson, and New Orleans R&B influenced by Professor Longhair and Henry Butler. Has released well over a dozen albums, starting with his overlooked Piano Solos debut album in 1972, later re-released as Ballads And Blues 1972. Primarily known as a pianist Winston also plays guitar and harmonica ~ Winston was born in 1949
 
June 2, 2023 ~ Composer Kaija Saariaho, full name Kaija Anneli Saariaho, passed away in Paris, France ~ Voted greatest living composer in a poll conducted by the BBC Music Magazine in 2019. Known for her rich, polyphonic textures often created by combining live music with electronics. Has composed for orchestra, string quartets, operas, and for various solo instruments, her compositions performed by the Kronos Quartet, the New York Philharmonic, the Théàtre du Châtelet, and the Finnish National Opera. Perhaps best known for her 2000 L'Amour De Loin opera ~ Saariaho was born in 1952
 
June 1, 2023 ~ Songwriter Cynthia Weil passed away in Beverly Hills, California, USA ~ Formed the songwriter duo Mann/Weil with her husband Barry Mann. Songs written by the couple have been recorded by artists such as Gene Pitney (Looking Through The Eyes Of Love), Deniece Williams, Paul Revere & the Raiders (Kicks), Eydie Gormé, the Ronettes (Walking In The Rain), the Crystals (Uptown), Tony Orlando, Aaron Neville & Linda Ronstadt (Don't Know Much), the Monkees, BJ Thomas, Elvis Presley (I Just Can't Help Believing), Dusty Springfield (Just A Little Lovin' Early In The Morning), Gladys Knight (Nobody But You), the Drifters (On Broadway), George Benson, Jay & the Americans, Peter Paul & Mary, Ray Charles (None Of Us Are Free), the Everly Brothers, the Animals (We Gotta Get Outta This Place), Arthur Alexander, the Righteous Brothers (You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'), and others ~ Weil was born in 1940
June 1, 2023 ~ Pop rock singer, bassist Roy Taylor passed away ~ Lead singer of Jump The Gun. The band is best known for representing their native Ireland at the 1988 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 8th place with Take Him Home ~ Taylor was born ca.1957
 
May 27, 2023 ~ Bassoonist, conductor Mordechai Rechtman passed away in Tel Aviv, Israel ~ Best known as principal bassoon with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra from 1946 through 1991, with whom he notably played the Israeli national anthem Hatikvah at the signing ceremony of the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948. Founded the Israel Woodwind Quintet and the Philharmonic Woodwind Ensemble, also serving as the latter's music director and conductor ~ Rechtman was born in 1926
 
May 25, 2023 ~ Jean-Louis Bergheaud, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Jean-Louis Murat, passed away ~ Actively recording since the early 1980s. First gained attention in 1988 with the single Si Je Devais Manquer De Toi. Also well-known for his album Cheyenne Autumn, released the following year. Broke through with his 1991 single Regrets, a duet with Mylène Farmer which reached No.3 in France. Has recorded steadily since. Also known as an actor ~ Bergheaud was born in 1952
May 25, 2023 ~ Country singer, songwriter Joy McKean, full name Mildred Geraldine Joy McKean, passed away ~ Dubbed “the Queen of Australian Country” and considered one of the country's leading songwriters and bush balladeers. Married to Slim Dusty, also serving as his manager, songwriter, and musical partner for some five decades. Well-known Dusty songs written by McKean include The Lights On The Hill, Indian Pacific, and Walk A Country Mile. Sister of Heather McKean, with whom she also performed under the moniker the McKean Sisters ~ McKean was born in 1930
 
May 24, 2023 ~ Conductor, double bassist, bass guitarist, composer Bill Lee, full name William James Edwards Lee III, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Father of filmmaker Spike Lee, has also composed the scores for several of his son's films. Has worked with Chris Anderson, Harry Belafonte, Chad Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, Aretha Franklin, Odetta, Simon & Garfunkel, Ian & Sylvia, Tom Rush, Burt Bacharach, Peter Paul & Mary, Arlo Guthrie, Tom Paxton, Carolyn Hester, John Lee Hooker, Josh White, Duke Ellington, Malvina Reynolds, Eric Bibb, the Clancy Brothers, and Bob Dylan. Notably, Lee is the only other musician on Dylan's It's All Over Now Baby Blue, widely considered a classic ~ Lee was born in 1928
May 24, 2023 ~ Composer Javier Álvarez, full name Javier Álvarez Fuentes, passed away in Mérida, Mexico ~ Known for utilizing a variety of musical styles, merging unusual instruments with new music technologies. Has composed chamber music, orchestral pieces, opera, for film and for dance companies. Well-known compositions include the electroacoustic work Temazcai, the opera Mambo, and the 1992 soundtrack Cronos ~ Álvarez was born in 1956
May 24, 2023 ~ Anna Mae Bullock, commonly known as singer Tina Turner, passed away in Küsnacht, Switzerland ~ Rose to fame with her then-husband Ike Turner. The duo would score a string of hits from the early 1960s forward including A Fool In Love, It's Gonna Work Out Fine, Proud Mary, Nutbush City Limits and River Deep Mountain High. After her break from Ike in the mid-1970s Tina would launch one of the most impressive comebacks in rock history with her 1984 Private Dancer album spawning the hit What's Love Got To Do With It, her first and only Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit. Subsequent solo hits include We Don't Need Another Hero, Typical Male, I Don't Wanna Fight and the James Bond-theme GoldenEye. Has also acted in the Who's rock opera Tommy, Mad Max (Beyond Thunderdome) and The Last Action Hero. Retired from music after completing her 2009 Tina! (50th Anniversary Tour), one of the highest-grossing tours of all time ~ Bullock was born in 1939
 
May 23, 2023 ~ Saxophonist, bandleader Floyd Newman passed away ~ In-demand session musician closely associated with Stax/Volt, the Mar-keys, and the Memphis Horns. As a leader known for his 1963 single Frog Stomp b/w Sassy. Present on albums by the likes of BB King, Otis Redding (Otis Blue), Wilson Pickett, Etta James (Tell Mama), Aretha Franklin (Aretha Now), Boz Scaggs, and others ~ Newman was born in 1931
May 23, 2023 ~ Heavy metal, doom metal bassist Mark Adams passed away ~ Best known as member of St Vitus from 1978 through 1996, rejoining on occasion in later years. Present on some of the band's best-known including the critically acclaimed Born Too Late album released in 1986, generally considered the band's masterpiece ~ Adams was born ca.1959
May 23, 2023 ~ Isaac Holt, commonly known as jazz, soul drummer Redd Holt, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Perhaps best known for his association with Ramsey Lewis, including on the acclaimed The In-Crowd album which earned the trio a 1965 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance. In 1966 bassist Eldee Young and Holt would split from Lewis and form the Young-Holt Trio. The group would score a modest hit with Wack Wack but find their greatest success after renaming themselves to Young-Holt Unlimited, reaching Billboard Hot 100 top 10 with their instrumental single Soulful Strut. The band has been sampled hundreds of times, most often in the hip hop genre ~ Holt was born in 1932
May 23, 2023 ~ R&B, funk, smooth jazz singer, guitarist, songwriter Sheldon Reynolds, full name Sheldon Maurice Reynolds, passed away ~ Toured with Millie Jackson. Member of Sun, present on the early 1980s albums Sun Over The Universe, Force Of Nature, and Let There Be Sun. Worked with the Commodores, first appearing with the band as a backing singer on the 1985 Nightshift album. Worked with Earth Wind & Fire, starting on the 1987 Touch The World album. Also present on albums by Maurice White, Philip Bailey, Debbie Allen, Club Nouveau, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Joey Lawrence, the Pointer Sisters, Take 6, Rahsaan Patterson, the Urban Jazz Network, and others ~ Reynolds was born in 1959
 
May 22, 2023 ~ Charles Newby, commonly known as pop rock bassist Chas Newby, passed away ~ Best known for briefly playing bass for the Beatles in late 1960, filling in for Stuart Sutcliffe on four gigs in the UK. After John Lennon asked Newby to accompany them on their 2nd Germany trip Newby declined, preferring to return to university after the holidays. As both Lennon and George Harrison declined to switch to bass, Paul McCartney reluctantly became the band's bass player ~ Newby was born in 1941
May 22, 2023 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist, violinist Ferus Mustafov, also known as King Ferus Mustafov, passed away in Skopje, Macedonia ~ Active since the late 1960s. Considered a leading figure in Balkan folk, gypsy, and Rom music, enjoying popularity especially in his native Macedonia. Credited as one of the artists to have brought international attention to Balkan music. Internationally perhaps best known for his 1995 King Ferus album ~ Mustafov was born in 1950
May 22, 2023 ~ Heavy metal drummer Kirk Arrington passed away ~ Member of the Metal Church from 1982 through 1995, rejoining in later years. Present on some of the band's best-known and most acclaimed albums including the band's eponymous Metal Church debut album, Blessing In Disguise, and The Human Factor ~ Arrington was born ca.1962
 
May 21, 2023 ~ Edmund Dantes Urick, commonly known as traditional pop singer, actor Ed Ames, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of family outfit the Ames Brothers, known for a number of 1950s hits including Rag Mop, Sentimental Me, Can Anyone Explain (No No No), Undecided, The Man With The Banjo, The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane and Tammy. Ames is also well-known as an actor, noted for portraying Mingo in the TV series Daniel Boone ~ Ames was born in 1927
 
May 19, 2023 ~ Alternative rock bassist Andy Rourke, full name Andrew Michael Rourke, passed away ~ Member of the Smiths, joining the band shortly after its first gig. The band is considered one of the most important to emerge from 1980's Britain indie scene and recorded four albums including the acclaimed The Smiths debut album released in 1984 and The Queen Is Dead two years later. Well-known songs include Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now, Sheila Take A Bow, and This Charming Man. Rourke has also appeared on Sinéad O'Connor's 1990 I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got album, backed former bandmate singer Morrissey on several of his solo outings, worked with the Pretenders, and formed Freebass ~ Rourke was born in 1964
May 19, 2023 ~ Singer, songwriter, poet Pete Brown, full name Peter Ronald Brown, passed away ~ Had his first poem published at age 14. Founded the First Real Poetry Band which also featured guitarist John McLaughlin. Also associated with Pete Brown & Piblokto, Battered Ornaments, and Cream. Co-penned some of the latter's best-known songs including I Feel Free, White Room, and The Sunshine Of Your Love. Has also worked with Graham Bond, Phil Ryan, and Gary Brooker ~ Brown was born in 1940
 
May 17, 2023 ~ Alasdair Mackie Ward, commonly known as rock & roll, punk rock singer, guitarist, bassist, drummer, keyboardist Algy Ward, passed away in Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK ~ Best known for founding Tank, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums. The band is especially acclaimed for their 1982 Filth Hounds Of Hades debut album, produced by Motörhead-guitarist Fast Eddie Clarke, considered a landmark album in British heavy metal. Previously Ward had played with Australian rock outfit the Saints from 1977 through 1980, present on the albums I'm Stranded, Eternally Yours, and Prehistoric Sounds. Ward was also briefly a member of the Damned, appearing on the 1979 Machine Gun Etiquette comeback album before being fired due to animosity with the band's drummer Rat Scabies ~ Ward was born in 1959
 
May 16, 2023 ~ Ska, reggae trumpeter, saxophonist Lester Sterling passed away ~ Brother of keyboardist Keith Sterling. Co-founding member of seminal ska outfit the Skatalites, remaining with the band through its initial disbandement in 1965 and involved in several of its later reunions. The band is known for a number of early to mid-1960s recordings, notably Guns Of Navarone, and was an in-demand studio band for a wide array of Jamaican artists including Bob Marley. Following the band's disbandement Sterling has recorded as a solo artist, and worked with Byron Lee's unit the Dragonaires, and the Third World All-Stars ~ Sterling was born in 1936
May 16, 2023 ~ Country engineer, producer Richard Landis passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Early on in his career recorded as a solo artist to limited success, known for his sole 1972 Natural Causes album, yet would grow to become one of the most respected producers in country music. Closely associated with Juice Newton, including producing her breakthrough 1981 album Juice which spawned the hits Angel Of The Morning, Queen Of Hearts, and the Billboard Country No.1 The Sweetest Thing I've Ever Known. Other notable associations include Peter Allen, Red Rider, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, the Seldom Scene, Van Stephenson, Dionne Warwick, Kenny Rogers, Eddie Rabbitt, Lorrie Morgan, Doug Supernaw, the Oak Ridge Boys, Neil Diamond, Vince Gill, and Tom Cochrane ~ Landis was born in 1946
 
May 14, 2023 ~ Hard bop, post bop tenor saxophonist Bernt Rosengren passed away in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Leader and sideman. Actively recording since the 1960s, acclaimed for a number of quintessential Swedish jazz albums notably 1965's Stockholm Dues and 1974's Notes From Underground. Worked with George Russell, Don Cherry, Muvaffak Maffy Falay, Doug Raney, Horace Parlan, Lester Bowie, Arne Domnérus, Krzysztof Komeda, Tomasz Stańko, and Idrees Sulieman ~ Rosengren was born in 1937
May 14, 2023 ~ Classical pianist Ingrid Haebler passed away ~ Made her first public performance at age 11. One of several Austrian musicians to experiment with period instruments, notably recording Johann Christian Bach's keyboard concertos on a fortepiano. Also well-known for her recordings of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven ~ Haebler was born in 1929
May 14, 2023 ~ Jazz, classical, rock bassist John Giblin passed away ~ In-demand session bassist active from the mid-1970s forward. Has appeared on albums by Gonzalez, Metro, Peter Gabriel, Gary Boyle (Electric Glide), Steve Harley, Duncan Browne (The Wild Places), Colin Blunstone, Brand X, the Simple Minds, Kate Bush (Never For Ever), Jon Anderson, Phil Collins (Face Value), Chris De Burgh, Judie Tzuke, Eros Ramazzotti, Tanita Tikaram, and Joshua Kadison ~ Giblin was born in 1952
 
May 12, 2023 ~ Keyboardist Francis Monkman passed away ~ Co-founded Sisyphus in the late 1960s. The band would evolve into the pioneering progressive rock outfit Curved Air, with whom Monkman recorded the albums Air Conditioning, Second Album, and Phantasmagoria, before departing the band over artistic differences. After his departure from the band Monkman has guested on recordings by Renaissance, Al Stewart, and Lynsey de Paul, collaborated with Phil Manzanera and Brian Eno in the short-lived 801, worked with classical fusion band Sky, and recorded as a solo artist ~ Monkman was born in 1949
 
May 11, 2023 ~ Classical cornetist, trumpeter Marcel Lagorce, full name Antoine Marcel Lagorce, passed away ~ Trumpet soloist with the Symphony Radio Orchestra from 1957 through 1967, and with the Orchestre De Paris from 1967 through 1993. Member of brass quintet Ars Nova, which also included hornist Georges Barboteu, trumpeter Bernard Jeannoutot, trombonist Camille Verdier, and tubist Elie Raynaud. Taught at Conservatoire de Paris, Paris from 1976 through 1988 ~ Lagorce was born in 1932
 
May 10, 2023 ~ Merseybeat, pop, rock singer Stu James passed away ~ Lead singer of the Mojo's, known best for their 1963 UK top 10 hit Everything's Al'right. The follow-up singles Why Not Tonight and Seven Daffodils would also reach the top 30. The band would release several other singles and a sole eponymous EP, The Mojo's, before disbanding in 1968 ~ James was born ca.1946
 
May 9, 2023 ~ Operatic bass Günter Wewel passed away in Arnsberg, Germany ~ Most closely associated with the Oper Dortmund, serving with the company for the majority of his career. Has also guested with a wide array of renowned orchestras including the Bavarian State Opera, the Hamburg State Opera, the Cologne Opera, and the Budapest National Opera. Also well-known as a TV host, presenting the ARD musical entertainment show Kein Schöner Land from 1989 through 2007 ~ Wewel was born in 1934
May 9, 2023 ~ Rock keyboardist, singer Jon Povey passed away ~ Best known as a member of the Pretty Things, joining the band in 1967 along with guitarist Wally Waller. Present on albums such as Emotions and SF Sorrow, the latter regarded as one of the first rock operas. Previously the pair of Povey and Waller had played with Bern Elliott & the Fenmen, known for their 1963 UK top 20 hit Money and its follow-up New Orleans ~ Povey was born ca.1943
 
May 8, 2023 ~ Rita Lee Jones, commonly known as rock, pop, psychedelic rock singer, songwriter Rita Lee, passed away in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Founded Os Mutantes with Arnaldo Baptista and Sérgio Dias. As a solo artist has over 20 albums to her name, starting with Build Up released in 1970. Has sold over 60 million records. Collaborated with Tutti Frutti, Gilberto Gil, and with her husband guitarist Roberto de Carvalho ~ Jones was born in 1947
May 8, 2023 ~ Country singer Stacie Roper passed away ~ Lead singer of Canadian country trio Hey Romeo, which also included guitarist Darren Gusnowsky and keyboardist Rob Shapiro. The band released their eponymous Hey Romeo debut album in 2007 and is known for songs such as the Fleetwood Mac-cover Second-Hand News, Searchin' For You, That's What I Am, Jump Back In, and Maybe You Remember Me Now ~ Roper was born ca.1976
 
May 7, 2023 ~ Operatic mezzo-soprano Grace Bumbry, full name Grace Ann Melzia Bumbry, passed away in Vienna, Austria ~ Leading mezzo-soprano, soprano. Paved the way for later African-American opera singers. Closely associated with the Basel Opera. Has also performed with the Paris Opera, the Royal Opera House, the Vienna State Opera, the San Francisco Opera, and sang at Ronald Reagan's 1981 Presidential inauguration ~ Bumbry was born in 1937
 
May 6, 2023 ~ Pianist Menahem Pressler passed away ~ Fled Nazi Germany with his family after Kristallnacht. Best known as longtime member of the Beaux Arts Trio, the only member to play with the trio throughout its entire existence ~ Pressler was born in 1923
 
May 5, 2023 ~ Producer, label executive Chris Strachwitz passed away ~ Founder and president of Arhoolie Records since 1960, which became a leading force in blues, Cajun, roots music. The first album produced would be Mance Lipscomb's Texas Songster And Sharecropper in an edition of just 250 copies. Would go on to work with Black Ace, Big Joe Williams, Mercy Dee Walton, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Juke Boy Bonner, Clifton Chenier, Country Joe & the Fish (I Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag), Big Joe Duskin, Charlie Musselwhite, Robben Ford, John Delafose, Flaco Jiménez, and others ~ Strachwitz was born in 1931
May 5, 2023 ~ Jack Rivers Lewis, commonly known as jazz guitarist Jack Wilkins, passed away ~ Influenced by Johnny Smith, Joe Pass, Barney Kessel, and Tal Farlow. Active since his teens, backing artists such as the Elgarts, Warren Covington, and Sammy Kaye early on in his career. About a dozen albums to his name as a leader, noted especially for Merge released in 1978. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Albert Dailey, Lionel Hampton, Sonny Fortune, Astrud Gilberto, Morgana King, Charles Mingus, Bob Brookmeyer, Buddy Rich, and the Manhattan Transfer ~ Lewis was born in 1944
 
May 4, 2023 ~ Indie rock, indie folk, lo-fi guitarist, bassist, keyboardist Rob Laakso passed away ~ Closely associated with Kurt Vile, appearing on over half a dozen of Vile's albums since the late 2000s including the acclaimed Wakin' On A Pretty Daze album released in 2013. Laakso has also worked with the Wicked Farleys, the Swirlies, Mice Parade, and Diamond Nights ~ Laakso was born ca.1979
 
May 3, 2023 ~ Linda Ann Fredericks, commonly known as pop, soul, rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Linda Lewis, passed away ~ Influenced by Harry Nilsson, Billie Holiday, and Smokey Robinson. As a solo artist best known for the 1970s singles Rock A Doodle Doo and It's In His Kiss, the latter a cover of the Betty Everett classic, both of which reached top 20 in her native England. As a session backing singer Lewis has appeared on albums by Cat Stevens, Chris Spedding, David Bowie (Aladdin Sane), Hummingbird, Cockney Rebel, Rod Stewart (Blondes Have More Fun), Joan Armatrading, and Jamiroquai (Emergency On Planet Earth) ~ Fredericks was born in 1950
 
May 1, 2023 ~ Folk, folk-rock, country singer, guitarist, songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, full name Gordon Meredith Lightfoot Jr, passed away in Toronto, Canada ~ Helped define the 1960s, 1970s folk-pop sound. Known for songs such as For Lovin' Me, Early Morning Rain, Steel Reel Blues, Ribbon Of Darkness, Black Day In July and perhaps his best known If You Could Read My Mind. His songs would be covered by numerous artists including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, the Kingston Trio, Marty Robbins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand, Herb Alpert, Harry Belafonte, Sarah McLachlan, Eric Clapton, John Mellencamp, Tony Rice, Glen Campbell, the Grateful Dead, Olivia Newton-John, Paul Weller, Ultra Naté, and the Tragically Hip ~ Lightfoot was born in 1938
May 1, 2023 ~ Anders Sture Torbjörn Rogefeldt, commonly known as singer, guitarist Pugh Rogefeldt, passed away ~ Active since the late 1960s. At the time one of the few to sing in Swedish. Known for songs such as Små Latta Moln, Här Kommer Natten, Föräldralåten, Hog Farm, Dinga Linga Lena, and Stockholm. Passionate about old Norse religion, a subject which frequently showed up in his music ~ Rogefeldt was born in 1947
 
April 30, 2023 ~ Composer, music critic, musicologist Anthony Payne passed away in Islington, UK ~ Best known for completing Edward Elgar's unfinished Third Symphony. Praised as a prolific composer in his own right, having written orchestral and choral works and specifically chamber music. Well-known compositions include First Sight Of Her And After, Visions, and Journeys ~ Payne was born in 1936
April 30, 2023 ~ Rock, blues, country rock singer, guitarist, banjoist Broderick Smith passed away ~ Appeared in a 1973 Australian production of rock opera Tommy, portraying the role of Mr Walker. Member of the Adderley Smith Blues Band, the Dingoes, Carson, and others. Perhaps best known for his 1981 hit Faded Roses with Broderick Smith's Big Combo ~ Smith was born in 1948
 
April 29, 2023 ~ Jazz trombonist, keyboardist, arranger Don Sebesky passed away in Maplewood, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known as in-house arranger since the early 1960s for a number of jazz labels including Verve, A&M Records, and CTI Records. Closely associated with producer Creed Taylor. Notable credits include arranging and conducting for Wes Montgomery (Bumpin'), Willie Bobo, Buddy Rich, Dionne Warwick (Promises Promises), Astrud Gilberto, Kenny Burrell, and George Benson (Shape Of Things To Come). As a leader best known for his 1973 Giant Box album. Over the course of his career Sebesky has composed several film scores, and arranged and conducted for hundreds of artists from jazz to pop, including Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Michael Bublé, Seal, and Prince ~ Sebesky was born in 1937
 
April 28, 2023 ~ Hard rock, melodic hard rock guitarist Helge Engelke passed away ~ Influenced by Uli Jon Roth and Michael Schenker. Member of Fair Warning, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums starting in the early 1990s. Following the band's initial disbandement in 2000 formed Dreamtide. Engelke has also guested on albums by Zeno, Mind Odyssey, and Thomsen ~ Engelke was born in 1961
April 28, 2023 ~ Rock guitarist, singer Tim Bachman, full name Timothy Gregg Bachman, passed away in Winnipeg, Canada ~ Co-founding member of Bachman-Turner Overdrive, present on the band's first two albums Bachman Turner Overdrive and Bachman Turner Overdrive II. The latter would spawn the singles Let It Ride and Takin' Care Of Business, both of which reached top 10 in the band's native Canada ~ Bachman was born in 1951
 
April 27, 2023 ~ Charles William Harris, commonly known as rock & roll, pop singer Wee Willie Harris, passed away ~ Enjoyed popularity in his native UK during the 1950s and early 1960s, despite none of his singles reaching the charts. Dubbed “Britain's wild man of rock & roll” for his flamboyant appearance and stage presence. Became a popular performer on TV shows, though many in the media would express concern for the BBC promoting teenage decadence. Best known for his 1957 self-penned Rockin' At The 2 I's debut single. Harris would resurface in the 1970s as a nostalgia act after being referenced by Ian Dury in the song Reasons To Be Cheerful Part 3. Harris would later record the album Twenty Reasons To Be Cheerful ~ Harris was born in 1933
 
April 25, 2023 ~ William Robert Emerson, commonly known as rock & roll, R&B singer, pianist Billy The Kid Emerson, passed away in Clearwater, Florida, USA ~ Best known for penning and first recording Red Hot, covered numerous times including by Bob Luman, Ronnie Hawkins, Brian Setzer and most notably in 1957 by Billy Lee Riley. Also known for first recording Every Woman I Know (Crazy About Automobiles), notably covered by Ry Cooder on the 1980 Borderline album. Emerson has worked with artists such as Earl Hooker, Lonnie Brooks, Sonny Boy Williamson II, and others. Songs written or co-written by Emerson have been recorded by Junior Wells, Willie Mabon, Wynonie Harris and by Buddy Guy ~ Emerson was born in 1925
April 25, 2023 ~ Harold George Bellanfanti Jr, commonly known as singer Harry Belafonte, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Paul Robeson. Close friend and confidant of Martin Luther King Jr. Though he also sang blues, folk, pop, gospel and show tunes, Belafonte is dubbed “the King of Calypso” for his role in popularizing calypso. Critically acclaimed for the 1956 million-seller album Calypso, which spawned his biggest hit and signature song Day-O (Banana Boat Song), and his 1959 Belafonte At Carnegie Hall live album. Advocate for several political and humanitarian causes, including serving as the ACLU celebrity ambassador for juvenile justice issues. Starred in over two dozen films, notably Carmen Jones, Island In The Sun, and Odds Against Tomorrow ~ Bellanfanti was born in 1927
 
April 24, 2023 ~ Singer Lilian Day Jackson passed away ~ Stepdaughter of iconic jazz drummer Art Blakey. Co-lead singer of early 1980s Dutch disco outfit Spargo along with keyboardist Ellert Driessen, known for songs such as Head Up To The Sky, One Night Affair, Just For You, and Hip Hap Hop. The band's You & Me debut single, noted for its call and response vocals, would reach No.1 in the Netherlands and remains a radio staple to this day ~ Jackson was born in 1960
 
April 23, 2023 ~ R&B, funk drummer Isaac Wiley Jr passed away ~ Member of funk outfit the Dazz Band from its inception in 1977 through 1985. The band also included his brother bassist Michael Wiley and is known best for their 1982 Let It Whip Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit. Wiley is also present on songs such as On The One For Fun, Keep It Live (On The KIL), Joystick, Swoop (I'm Yours), and Let It All Blow, all of which reached top 20 on the Billboard R&B charts. Wiley has also backed jazz artists such as Najee, Stanley Clarke, and Bob James ~ Wiley was born ca.1954
April 23, 2023 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Keith Gattis passed away ~ As a solo artist known for his single Little Drops Of My Heart of his 1996 eponymous Keith Gattis debut album. Wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by Charlie Robison, Kenny Chesney (El Cerrito Place). George Strait (I Got A Car), and by Randy Houser (What Whiskey Does). Played with George Jones, Dwight Yoakam, Willie Nelson, Kid Rock, Randy Houser, Gary Allan, Ashley Monroe, Allison Moorer, Waylon Payne, Miranda Lambert, Wade Bowen, Sara Evans, Brandy Clark, the Randy Rogers Band, Randy Travis, and the Eli Young Band ~ Gattis was born in 1970
 
April 21, 2023 ~ Post-punk, avant-funk, industrial singer, songwriter Mark Stewart passed away ~ Pioneer of post-punk and industrial hip-hop. Co-founding member of the Pop Group, drawing from punk, dub, funk, and free jazz, and best known for the singles She Is Beyond Good And Evil and We Are All Prostitutes. Following the band's disbandement in the early 1980s Stewart has recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with the likes of Trent Reznor, Tricky, Massive Attack, and Primal Scream ~ Stewart was born in 1960
 
April 19, 2023 ~ Funk, R&B, pop singer, guitarist Otis Redding III passed away ~ Son of iconic R&B singer Otis Redding. Formed the Reddings with brother Dexter Redding and Mark Lockett, known best for Remote Control of their 1980 The Awakening debut album. The single remains a radio staple in Europe to this day ~ Redding was born ca.1964
 
April 17, 2023 ~ Caroline Vincinetti LoTempio, commonly known as singer April Stevens, passed away in Phoenix, Arizona, USA ~ Known for the early 1950s hits I'm In Love Again and Gimme Me A Little Kiss (Will Ya Huh), as well as for her 1959 recording Teach Me Tiger which was banned from radio for its sexual innuendo. Perhaps best known for her collaborations with her brother Nino Tempo, including the 1963 recording Deep Purple which reached No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts ~ LoTempio was born in 1936
 
April 16, 2023 ~ Frederick Russell Jones, commonly known as jazz, hard bop, cool jazz, post-bop pianist, composer Ahmad Jamal, passed away ~ Best known for leading a trio with guitarist Ray Crawford and bassist Israel Crosby for most of the 1950s and early 1960s. Over 50 albums to his name as leader or co-leader over a career spanning six decades, specifically acclaimed for Chamber Music Of The New Jazz, At The Pershing (But Not For Me), and Listen To The Ahmad Jamal Quintet. Converted to islam while in his twenties, taking the name Jamal, and once sued jazz critic Leonard Feather for using his birthname of Jones ~ Jones was born in 1930
 
April 15, 2023 ~ Jazz, R&B bassist Peter Badie, full name Peter Chuck Badie, passed away ~ Active since the early 1950s, performing and recording with Roy Brown, Paul Gayten, and Dave Bartholomew. Member of Lionel Hampton's orchestra during the mid-1950s. Would go on to work with Hank Crawford, Edward Frank, June Gardner, Dizzy Gillespie, and Zoot Sims. Retired from music by the 1970s for medical reasons. Reemerged in the 1990s as member of Dr John's backing unit ~ Badie was born in 1925
 
April 14, 2023 ~ Rock, alternative rock singer, guitarist Mark Sheehan, full name Mark Anthony Sheehan, passed away ~ Member of boy band Mytown, known for the moderate hit Do It Like This and their sole eponymous Mytown album. Following the band's disbandement in 2001 Sheehan co-founded alternative rock outfit the Script with whom he recorded half a dozen albums, all of which would reach top of the charts in their native Ireland. Well-known songs include The Man Who Can't Be Moved, For The First Time, Hall Of Fame featuring will.i.am, and Superheroes. The single Breakeven of their eponymous The Script debut album would reach top 20 on the American Billboard Hot 100 ~ Sheehan was born in 1976
 
April 9, 2023 ~ Jazz pianist, conductor Karl Berger, full name Karl Hans Berger, passed away in Albany, New York, USA ~ About two dozen albums to his name as a leader, especially acclaimed for Transit released in 1987. Closely associated with Don Cherry and Ornette Coleman, founding the Woodstock-based Creative Music Studio study center with the latter in 1972. In-demand sideman, present on albums by the likes of Gato Barbieri, Lee Konitz, John McLaughlin, Marzette Watts, Sly & Robbie, Joe Lovano, Jeff Buckley (Grace), Better Than Ezra, Bill Laswell, Natalie Merchant (Ophelia), Angélique Kidjo, and Lil Haydn ~ Berger was born in 1935
 
April 8, 2023 ~ Songwriter, producer Bob Heatlie, full name Robert Raymond Heatlie, passed away ~ Best known for penning the 1980s hits Japanese Boy for Aneka, and Merry Christmas Everyone for Shakin' Stevens. Both songs would top the UK singles charts, the latter became a mainstay popular to this day and covered by numerous artists ~ Heatlie was born in 1946
 
April 7, 2023 ~ John Bairnson, commonly known as bassist, guitarist Ian Bairnson, passed away ~ Member of 1970s outfit Pilot, known for their 1974 Magic single. Also closely associated with the Alan Parsons Project, working with Alan Parsons for over two decades starting in the mid-1970s and noted for his guitar solo on I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You. Appeared on Kate Bush's first four albums including the guitar solo on Wuthering Heights of Bush's The Kick Inside debut album. Co-wrote If You Can't Stand The Heat and Run For Your Life both recorded by Bucks Fizz. Has also worked with Yvonne Keeley, Joe Cocker, Jon Anderson, Chris De Burgh, Mick Fleetwood, Neil Diamond, and others ~ Bairnson was born in 1953
April 7, 2023 ~ Bassist John Regan passed away ~ Perhaps best known for his association with Ace Frehley, notably on the 1987 Frehley's Comet album, and for backing Peter Frampton from 1979 through 2011. Also present on albums by the likes of Chip Taylor, Billy Idol (Whiplash Smile), John Waite, David Bowie, Robin Trower, and Jamie Oldaker ~ Regan was born in 1951
April 7, 2023 ~ Edward Jordan, commonly known as jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Kidd Jordan, passed away ~ Active since the mid-1950s, backing blues and R&B artists such as Guitar Slim, Ray Charles, Big Maybelle, and Choker Campbell. Would go on to work with a wide array of artists in genres ranging from avant-garde to pop and rock, including William Parker, Archie Shepp, Ornette Coleman, Stevie Wonder, and Cecil Taylor. Later on in his career has also recorded as a leader or co-leader, noted for his 2006 Palm Of Soul album. To rock audiences perhaps best known for appearing on the REM-album Out Of Time released in 1991 ~ Jordan was born in 1935
April 7, 2023 ~ Lars-Ove Wellander, commonly known as pop rock guitarist Lasse Wellander, passed away in Overgrans, Sweden ~ In-demand session and touring musician active since the late 1960s. Internationally best known for his longtime association with ABBA, present on over half a dozen of the band's albums. Especially noted for his guitar play on the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit Does Your Mother Know of their 1979 Voulez-Vous album. Wellander has also recorded as a solo artist and worked with the likes of Nature, Pugh Rogefeldt, Zkiffz, the Stockholm All-Stars, the Low Budget Blues Band, and others ~ Wellander was born in 1952
 
April 6, 2023 ~ Pop, dance-pop singer, actor Paul Cattermole, full name Paul Gerald Cattermole, passed away in Dorset, UK ~ Member of S Club 7 from 1998 through 2002, present on songs such as Bring It All Back, S Club Party, Never Had A Dream Come True and Don't Stop Movin' ~ Cattermole was born in 1977
 
April 5, 2023 ~ Soul singer, keyboardist Booker Newberry III passed away ~ Member of Sweet Thunder, known for Baby I Need Your Love Today. Member of Impact. As a solo artist best known for Love Town, which reached the UK top 10 in 1983 ~ Newberry was born in 1956
April 5, 2023 ~ Jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger Dusko Gojkovic passed away ~ As a leader perhaps best known for his 1994 Soul Connection album, featuring guests such as Tommy Flanagan, Jimmy Heath, and Mickey Roker. In-demand sideman, appearing on albums by the likes of Woody Herman, Francy Boland, Tete Montoliu, Klaus Doldinger, and Maynard Ferguson ~ Gojkovic was born in 1931
April 5, 2023 ~ Jazz bassist Harrison Bankhead, full name Harrison Napoleon Bankhead III, passed away ~ Avant-garde leaning bassist. As a leader known for his acclaimed Morning Sun Harvest Moon album released in 2011. Closely associated with Malachi Thompson, backing the trumpeter on over half a dozen albums starting in the early 1990s. Has also frequently worked with 8 Bold Souls, including on the ensemble's 2000 Last Option masterpiece, and guested on albums by Edward Wilkerson Jr, Michael Mason, Don Bennett, Joel Brandon, and Fred Anderson ~ Bankhead was born in 1955
 
April 4, 2023 ~ Keyboardist Vivian Trimble, full name Vivian Elizabeth Trimble, passed away ~ Keyboardist for all-female quartet Luscious Jackson, known best for their 1996 Fever In Fever Out sophomore album. Also worked with Jill Cunniff under the moniker the Kostars, and formed the duo Dusty Trails with Josephine Wiggs ~ Trimble was born in 1963
 
April 2, 2023 ~ Label executive Seymour Stein passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Had the opportunity to sign Jimi Hendrix in 1966, yet decided against it after seeing Hendrix smash his guitar on-stage and argue with Stein's friend, model Linda Keith, on successive occasions. After positions at King Records and Billboard, Stein co-founded Sire Records with Richard Gottehrer in the mid-1960s. Would be incremental to the careers of pop, rock, and new wave artists of the 1970s and 1980s including the Ramones, Talking Heads, the Pretenders, Depeche Mode, the Cure, Ice-T, and Echo & the Bunnymen. Stein remained active with Sire Records and Warner Bros Records until his retirement in 2018 ~ Stein was born in 1942
 
April 1, 2023 ~ Singer, actor Dario Campeotto passed away ~ Actively performing since his early teens. Internationally best known for representing his native Denmark at the 1961 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 5th place with Angelique. Following its success Campeotto would continue to record, as well as play in theatrical plays, operettas, revues, and films ~ Campeotto was born in 1939
 
March 30, 2023 ~ Beat, pop rock drummer Alfio Cantarella passed away ~ Co-founding member of beat band Equipe 84, one of the premier Italian bands of the 1960s and 1970s known for songs such as 29 Settembre and Io Ho In Mente Te. the latter an Italian translation of the Ian & Sylvia song You Were On My Mind. Following the band's disbandement in 1977 Cantarella has served as manager and producer, most notably working with Zucchero and Sergio Caputo ~ Cantarella was born in 1941
March 30, 2023 ~ Raymond Shulman, commonly known as progressive rock bassist, producer Ray Shulman passed away in London, UK ~ Member of progressive rock outfit Gentle Giant, known for the complexity and sophistication of their music merging hard rock with classical music and medieval influences. The band recorded about a dozen albums and is especially acclaimed for the albums Octopus and Free Hand. Shulman also played violin, viola, guitar, trumpet, keyboards and percussion but was most praised for his virtuoso bass playing, drawing comparisons to Yes-bassist Chris Squire. After the band disbanded in the early 1980s would go on to work as a producer, working with artists such as the Sugarcubes, the Sundays, the Trash Can Sinatras, Ian McCulloch, and the Defects ~ Shulman was born in 1949
 
March 29, 2023 ~ Singer Brian Gillis passed away ~ Early member of LFO (Lyte Funky Ones), remaining with the band through 1999. Present on the minor 1995 hit If I Can't Have You, a cover of the 1977 Yvonne Elliman disco hit. Frustrated however with the lack of progress the band had made, Gillis left the band in 1999 prior to recording the band's eponymous LFO (Lyte Funky Ones) debut album. The album would spawn the band's two biggest hits, Summer Girls and Girl On TV both reaching top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Following his departure from the band Gillis found employment as a radio promoter ~ Gillis was born ca.1975
March 29, 2023 ~ Charles Emanuel Sherrell, commonly known as R&B, funk bassist, guitarist, keyboardist Sweet Charles Sherrell, passed away ~ Best known for backing James Brown for the better part of two decades starting in 1968. Credited by Brown with being the first bassist to incorporate techniques such as thumping on the strings, essential to Brown's evolution from soul to funk. Notably present on Brown hits such as Say It Loud I'm Black And I'm Proud, Mother Popcorn and Give It Up Or Turn It Loose. Sherrell also recorded the unsuccessful For Sweet People From Sweet Charles solo album, backed Al Green, and worked with several Brown alumni including Marva Whitney, Lyn Collins, and extensively with Maceo Parker including on the latter's Funk Overload album ~ Sherrell was born in 1943
 
March 28, 2023 ~ Keyboardist, singer, songwriter, actor, activist Ryuichi Sakamoto passed away in Tokyo, Japan ~ Considered a pioneer of electronic music, both as a solo artist and as a member of the Yellow Magic Orchestra, with whom he recorded over half a dozen studio albums. As a solo artist, Sakamoto is especially acclaimed for his 1978 A Thousand Knives solo debut album and its follow-up B-2 Unit released two years later, the latter cited as a major influence on electro and hip-hop. Sakamoto is also known for composing several soundtracks, including writing and performing several pieces for the 1987 The Last Emperor film, which earned Sakamoto and fellow composers David Byrne and Cong Su an Academy Award for Best Orginal Score ~ Sakamoto was born in 1952