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 11, 2022 ~ Jazz, rock, pop guitarist, bassist Bill Pitman, full name William Keith Pitman, passed away in La Quinta, California, USA ~ Influenced by Charlie Christian and Eddie Lang. Got his first big break backing Peggy Lee in the early 1950s. Would work mostly in jazz throughout most of the decade, backing artists such as Mel Tormé, Buddy Rich, Red Callender. Ventured into pop and rock & roll by the mid- to late 1950s, aligning himself with a loose group of first-call session musicians dubbed the Wrecking Crew. Present on some of the era's most influential songs by acts such as Frank Sinatra (Strangers In The Night), Barbra Streisand, the Beach Boys (Good Vibrations), Jan & Dean, Elvis Presley, the Ronettes (Be My Baby), the Mamas & the Papas, the Byrds, Bobby Darin, the Ventures, and Nancy Sinatra ~ Pitman was born in 1920
August 11, 2022 ~ Pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Darius Campbell-Danesh passed away in Rochester, Minnesota, USA ~ First gained attention as a contestant on the talent contest Popstars in 2001, reaching the finals and then turning down the record deal. His Colourblind debut single would reach No.1 in the UK. Has released two full-length albums consisting mostly of self-penned material, Dive In in 2002 and Live Twice in 2004. Ventured into musicals, performing in the productions of Chicago and Guys And Dolls, and later into opera, starting with winning the talent contest Popstar To Operastar in 2010 ~ Campbell-Danesh was born in 1980
August 11, 2021 ~ Singer, songwriter, actress Caroline Peyton passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Known for a number of 1970s albums, notably Mock Up and Intuition. Would go on to appear in theatrical productions, including on Broadway, and work as a voice actress in Disney animated films. Released a self-penned album, Homeseeker's Paradise, in 2014 ~ Peyton was born in 1951
August 11, 2021 ~ Keyboardist, organist, singer Mike Finnigan, full name Michael Kelly Finnigan, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Played with Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, Etta James, Sam Moore, Crosby Stills & Nash, Buddy Guy, the Manhattan Transfer, Taj Mahal, Michael McDonald, Maria Muldaur, Peter Frampton, Cher, Ringo Starr, Leonard Cohen, Tower Of Power, Rod Stewart, David Coverdale, Tracy Chapman, the Lonely Boys, Bonnie Raitt, and Saving Escape ~ Finnigan was born in 1945
August 11, 2021 ~ Texas blues, electric blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Roy Gaines, full name Roy James Gaines, passed away ~ Brother of blues saxophonist Grady Gaines. Released a handful of overlooked solo recordings in the mid-1950s but would spend most of his career backing others. Has worked with Bobby Blue Bland (It's My Life), Junior Parker, Big Mama Thornton, Roy Milton, Chuck Willis, T-Bone Walker, Ray Charles, the Everly Brothers, the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, and others. From the early 1980s on would record as a solo artist from time to time, perhaps most notably his 1982 Gainelining album containing the track A Hell Of A Night ~ Gaines was born in 1937
August 11, 2020 ~ Bénédicte Grimault, commonly known as actress, singer, songwriter Belle du Berry, passed away in Le-Kremlin-Bicêtre, France ~ Lead singer of Paris Combo, known for blending chanson, pop, jazz, swing, world music. The band broke through with their sophomore Living Room album released in 2000 and have toured in France, Australia and America ~ Grimault was born in 1966
August 11, 2020 ~ Singer, guitarist Trini López, full name Trinidad López III, passed away in Palm Springs, California, USA ~ Discovered by Frank Sinatra, who would become a life-long friend. Best known for songs such as The Lemon Tree, I'm Comin' Home Cindy, Sally Was A Good Old Girl and perhaps his best-known If I Had A Hammer, the latter topping the charts in some 35 countries in 1963 ~ López was born in 1937
August 11, 2019 ~ Jazz cornetist Jim Cullum, full name Jim Cullum Jr, passed away in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Son of clarinetist Jim Cullum Sr. Took over leadership of his father's band, the Happy Feet Jazz Band, eventually renaming the band to the Jim Cullum Jazz Band. At times the band would also include artists such as pianist John Sheridan and reed players Evan Christopher, Brian Ogilvie and Allan Vaché ~ Cullum was born in 1941
August 11, 2016 ~ Singer, guitarist Glenn Yarbrough, full name Glenn Robertson Yarbrough, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ First gained attention as lead singer of the Limeliters from 1959 through 1963, known for songs such as There's A Meetin' Here Tonight, A Dollar Down, Have Some Madeira M'Dear, and The Lonesome Traveler. As a solo artist best known for his 1965 single Baby The Rain Must Fall. Yarbrough would later rejoin a reformed Limeliters incarnation and play the oldies circuit ~ Yarbrough was born in 1930
August 11, 2012 ~ Earle Lavon Freeman Sr, commonly known as jazz, hard bop saxophonist Von Freeman, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Considered a founder of the “Chicago school of jazz tenorists” alongside Gene Ammons, Johnny Griffin, Clifford Jordan. Recorded well over a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, yet never became a household name mainly due to the fact that Von preferred to stay close to home instead of tour the country. Brother of guitarist George Freeman and drummer Eldridge Freeman, the three regularly backing visiting musicians such as Charlie Parker, Roy Eldridge and Dizzy Gillespie. Father of saxophonist Chico Freeman ~ Freeman was born in 1923
August 11, 2008 ~ Steel guitarist Don Helms, full name Donald Hugh Helms, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known as a member of country icon Hank Williams' backing unit the Drifting Cowboys. Appeared on over 100 Williams recordings. Sessioned on numerous other country classics including Patsy Cline's Walkin' After Midnight, Stonewall Jackson's Waterloo, the Louvin Brothers' Cash On The Barrelhead, Lefty Frizzell's Long Black Veil and Loretta Lynn's Blue Kentucky Girl. Worked with Johnny Cash early on in Cash's career, and collaborated with Hank Williams Jr, the Wilburn Brothers, Teresa Street, Joey Allcorn, Vince Gill, and others ~ Helms was born in 1927
August 11, 2007 ~ Irving Herbert Pomeroy III, commonly known as teacher, bandleader, trumpeter Herb Pomeroy passed away in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA ~ Toured with Lionel Hampton and Stan Kenton. Recorded over half a dozen albums as a leader, noted especially for Life Is A Many Splendered Gig released in 1958. Sideman on recordings by Charlie Mariano, Serge Chaloff, Irene Kral (The Band And I), John Lewis (The Wonderful World Of Jazz), Anita O'Day (All The Sad Young Men), Donna Byrne, and Greg Abate. Music director for the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble, a role he held for over two decades. Taught at the Berklee School Of Music and the Lennox School Of Music. His students included Toshiko Akiyoshi, Gary Burton, Gary McFarland, and Miroslav Vitous ~ Pomeroy was born in 1930
August 11, 2007 ~ Jean de Dieu Makies, commonly known as soukous, rumba singer Madilu System, passed away ~ Active since the late 1960s, playing in a number of bands with Papa Noel and Sam Mangwana prior to rising to international fame as a member of TPOK Jazz. Joined the latter in 1980 and was notably present on songs such as Mamou (Tu Vois) and the band's biggest hit Mario. Following the band's disbandement Makiese has recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Sans Commentaire released in 1993 ~ Makiese was born in 1952
August 11, 2006 ~ Michael Delaney Dowd Jr, commonly known as big band era singer, actor, TV personality Mike Douglas, passed away in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA ~ Best known for his The Mike Douglas Show talk show, which aired for two decades starting in the early 1960s. Previously Douglas has worked as a nightclub singer, was a staff singer for Chicago-based WMAQ-TV, and served in the big band of Kay Kyser notably present on the mid-1940s hits Ole Buttermilk Sky and The Old Lamp-Lighter ~ Dowd was born in 1920
August 11, 1999 ~ R&B singer, bandleader Tommy Ridgley, full name Thomas Herman Ridgley, passed away in Metalrie, Louisiana, USA ~ Fronted the Untouchables. Debuted in 1949 with the single Shrewsbury Blues. Also known for songs such as Double Eyed Whammy, I've Heard That Story Before and Tra La La, the latter later covered by Pat Boone ~ Ridgley was born in 1925
August 11, 1996 ~ Drummer Mel Taylor passed away in Tarzana, California, USA ~ Backed Bobby Pickett and Herb Alpert prior to joining the Ventures in 1962, initially as a temporary fill-in for an injured Howie Johnson. Taylor harder-edged rock style so impressed the rest of the band they asked him to become a permanent member. Taylor remained with the group until his death over three decades later. The band is known for songs such as Walk Don't Run, Slaughter On Tenth Avenue, Secret Agent Man, and Hawaii Five-O. Taylor's baby brother is Canned Heat-bassist Larry Taylor ~ Taylor was born in 1933
August 11, 1995 ~ Thomas Wisse, commonly known as punk rock, post punk, rock singer, keyboardist, percussionist Damon Edge, passed away in Redondo Beach, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of post-punk outfit Chrome, which earned a cult following in the UK and Germany with their amalgation of punk, psychedelia, and early industrial music. The band is best known for the albums Alien Soundtracks and Half Machine Lip Moves released respectively in 1977 and 1979. Following Edge's death at age 45 guitarist Helios Creed has revived the band. Damon has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Alliance released in 1985 ~ Wisse was born in 1949
August 11, 1995 ~ Singer, bandleader Phil Harris passed away in Rancho Mirage, California, USA ~ As a singer scored the 1950 novelty hit The Thing. Best known as a bandleader for radio sitcoms, notably with The Jack Benny Program and his own The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show which he co-hosted with his wife actress and singer Alice Faye ~ Harris was born in 1904
August 11, 1994 ~ Indie pop singer, guitarist, pianist Alejandro Aranda born in Pomona, California, USA ~ Reached 2nd place in the17th season of American Idol in 2019, losing to singer Laine Hardy
August 11, 1991 ~ Bassist, guitarist, songwriter Alan Spenner, full name Alan Henry Spenner, passed away ~ Worked with Wynder K Frog, Spooky Tooth, ABC, David Coverdale, David Soul, Joe Cocker (including backing Cocker at the 1969 the Woodstock Music and Art Fair concert), Kenny Loggins, Lynda Carter, Peter Frampton, Ted Nugent, Mick Taylor, China Crisis, Murray Head, Kokomo, and Roxy Music ~ Spenner was born in 1948
August 11, 1989 ~ Alfonso Thompson, commonly known as pianist, bandleader Sonny Thompson, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Known for a number of late 1940s, early 1950s R&B hits including Long Gone (Parts I & II), Late Freight, Blue Dreams, Still Gone and I'll Drown In My Own Tears ~ Thompson was born in 1923
August 11, 1985 ~ Rapper Asher Roth, full name Asher Paul Roth, born in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Released his Asleep In The Bread Aisle debut album in 2009. Best known for his hit I Love College. Has collaborated with Big Prime, Blended Babies, Curren$y, BoB, NERD, and Lupe Fiasco
August 11, 1983 ~ Christopher James Gholson, commonly known as producer, rapper, songwriter Drumma Boy, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Son of clarinetist G James Gholson, who was the first Afro-American to hold first chair position with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. As a solo artist known best for his 2009 Welcome II My City album. As a producer active since the early 2000s, becoming one of the most sought-after hip-hop producers by the mid 2000s. Has worked with acts such as Boyz n Da Hood, Young Jeezy, Pastor Troy, Yo Gotti, Playaz Circle, TI, Gucci Mane, E-40, Soulja Boy, Gorilla Zoe, Yung Joc, 2 Chainz, Bun B, Lil' Jon, Usher, Kid Ink, Wiz Khalifa, Young Buck, and others
August 11, 1982 ~ Jazz arranger, composer Gene Roland passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ As a bandleader known for his sole Jazzville Vol.4 album released in 1957. Best known for his association with Stan Kenton, serving as one of only two arrangers to write for Kenton in all four decades of the band's existence, the other being Ken Hanna. Roland plays piano, trumpet, trombone, and mellophonium, and has worked with Lionel Hampton, Lucky Millinder, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Jimmy Giuffre, Woody Herman, Georgie Auld, Count Basie, Charlie Barnet, Claude Thornhill, and Artie Shaw ~ Roland was born in 1921
August 11, 1982 ~ Country, roots rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Justin Wells, full name Justin William Wells, born in Bossier City, Louisiana, USA ~ Co-founding member of Fifth On The Floor, with whom he recorded the albums The Color Of Whiskey, Dark And Bloody Ground, and Ashes & Angels. Following the band's disbandement in 2015 Wells has recorded as a solo artist, starting with Dawn In The Distance released in 2016
August 11, 1978 ~ Gospel, doo-wop singer, songwriter Caleb Ginyard, full name Caleb Nathaniel Ginyard, passed away in Basel, Switzerland ~ Worked with the Royal Harmony Singers, the Jubalaires, the Du-Dropper, the Golden Gate Quartet, the Buccaneers, the Baranovas, and others ~ Ginyard was born ca.1910
August 11, 1977 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Gemma Hayes born in Ballyporeen, Ireland ~ Released her acclaimed Night On My Side debut album in 2002 and has recorded consistently since. Has also worked with the collective Cake Sale and with Paul Noonan's Printer Clips side project
August 11, 1976 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, synth-pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Ben Gibbard, full name Benjmain Gibbard, born in Bremerton, Washington ~ Best known as lead singer, guitarist of indie rock outfit Death Cab For Cutie. Half of electronica duo the Postal Service, the other half being producer Dntel. Has also released solo albums and worked with All-Time Quarterback, Pinwheel, Dntel, Kind Of Like Spitting, and with Jay Farrar
August 11, 1976 ~ Progressive rock, jam band guitarist, singer, songwriter Brendan Bayliss born in South Bend, Indiana, USA ~ Co-founding member of Umphreys McGee, active since the late 1990s. The band draws from a wide array of genres and is influenced by the Police, the Beatles and Led Zeppelin
August 11, 1975 ~ Emo, indie rock, pop punk, power pop guitarist, singer Davey von Bohlen born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA ~ Known as a member of Ten Boy Summer, Cap'n Jazz, the Promise Ring, Vermont and Maritime
August 11, 1970 ~ Hip-hop DJ, rapper, producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Worked with Native Tongues. Best known as a member of A Tribe Called Quest alongside Q-Tip and Phife Dawg, crediting for shaping alternative hip-hop merging hip-hop with jazz. Formed R&B supergroup Lucy Pearl which also included En Vogue's Dawn Robinson and Tony Toni Toné's Raphael Saadiq
August 11, 1970 ~ Alternative rock, shoegazing singer, bassist, guitarist, songwriter Andy Bell, full name Andrew Piran Bell, born in Cardiff, UK ~ Helped develop shoegaze as a key member of Ride, best known for the 1992 UK top 10 hit Leave Them All Behind. Member of Oasis from 1999 until its disbandement in 2009, first appearing on the 2002 Heathen Chemistry album. Has also recorded as a solo artist, scored the soundtrack for the 2015 short film Midnight Of My Life, served as producer for the Kynd and the Weeping Willows, and worked with Hurricane No.1 and Beady Eye
August 11, 1969 ~ Rapper Didier Awadi born in Dakar, Senegal ~ Key figure in African hip hop. Co-founding member of Positive Black Soul alongside Amadou Barry. The group perform in English, French and Wolof, incorporate traditional Senegalese instruments, and are known for their political and social commentary. Awadi has also recorded as a solo artist
August 11, 1968 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Charlie Sexton, full name Charles Wayne Sexton, born in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for his 1985 Beat's So Lonely hit. Best known as a member of rock, blues-rock outfit the Arc Angels, debuting in 1992 with the acclaimed eponymous Arc Angels album. Has also served in Bob Dylan's backing band from 1999 through 2002, including on Dylan's 2001 Love & Theft “comeback” album
August 11, 1967 ~ Enrique Ortiz De Landazuri Izarduy, commonly known as Latin rock, hard rock, indie rock singer, guitarist, bassist, percussionist Enrique Bunbury, born ~ Rose to fame as lead singer for Héroes del Silencio, with whom he recorded about a dozen albums including the acclaimed Para Siempre released in 1998. The band is considered to be one of the few that have defined Spanish rock and are known for their intricate lyrics, complicated arrangements and precise rhythms. Bunbury has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the Radical Sonora album in 1997
August 11, 1967 ~ Saxophonist, composer Petter Wettre born in Sandefjord, Norway ~ Worked with Øystein Sevåg, Shirley Bassey, Graffitti, Horns For Hire, the Oslo Groove Company, the Norske Store Orkester, Torbjørn Sunde, Havard Wilk, Terje Gewelt, Per Oddvar Johansen, Jarle Vespestad, Per Oddvar Johansen, Jon Christensen, Ingebrigt Håker Flatan, Arild Andersen, Per Zanussi, Jons Westergaard, Anders Mogensen, Erlend Slettevol, Kim Johannesen, George Garzone, Oliver Lake, Kresten Osgood, Audun Kleive, Dave Liebman, Joey DeFrancesco, Kenny Wheeler, Adam Nussbaum, Manu Katché, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Jan Garbarek, Paal Nilssen-Love, Frode Berg, Helge Sunde, Marilyn Mazur, and others
August 11, 1962 ~ Bassist, novelist Bragi Olafsson born ~ Bassist of the Sugarcubes, a band best known for launching the career of singer Björk. Among the band's best known are songs such as Birthday, Coldsweat and Regina. Olafsson is also known as a novelist, playwright and poet, nominated twice for the Icelandic Literature Prize
August 11, 1962 ~ Jazz double bassist Israel Crosby passed away ~ One of the finest bass players to emerge from the 1930s, remaining relevant until his death at age 43. Credited with performing one of the first bass solos, namely on Gene Krupa's The Blues Of Israel at a mere age 16. Best known for his stint with Ahmad Jamal from the mid-1950s until his death in 1962, appearing on over a dozen of the pianist's albums including on the seminal Chamber Music Of The New Jazz, At The Pershing (But Not For Me) and Listen To The Ahmad Jamal Quintet. Crosby has also recorded with Sidney De Paris, Art Hodes, Fletcher Henderson, Lorez Alexandria, Sam Jones, Herb Ellis, and George Shearing ~ Crosby was born in 1919
August 11, 1962 ~ Funk, R&B pianist, songwriter Jon Cleary born in Kent, UK ~ Has been releasing solo records since the mid-1990s. Also worked with Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, BB King, Ryan Adams, Eric Burdon, and Greg Koch
August 11, 1961 ~ Saxophonist Donny McCaslin, full name Donald Paul McCaslin, born in Santa Clara, California, USA ~ Over a dozen albums to his name as a leader, Appears on David Bowie's final studio album, Blackstar, recorded just prior to Bowie's death in 2016. Has also worked with Lan Xang, Dave Douglas, Fahir Atakoglu, Luis Bonilla, Tyler Collins, Terence Trent d'Arby, Steve Hass, Bobby McFerrin, Maria Schneider, Steps Ahead, Sun Kil Moon, Luciana Souza, and others
August 11, 1959 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Gustavo Cerati, full name Gustavo Adrián Cerati, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Formed pioneering Latin rock band Soda Stereo with Charly Alberti and Zeta Bosio. Influenced by the Beatles, the Police, the Cure, Television, Elvis Costello, Squeeze, Pink Floyd and Queen, the band would become the best-selling rock band in Argentina with some 25 million records sold. Well known songs include Zoom, Cuando Pase El Temblor, En La Ciudad De La Furia, Persiana America and De Musica Ligera ~ Cerati passed away in 2014
August 11, 1958 ~ John Joseph Wardle, commonly known as bassist Jah Wobble, born in Stepney, UK ~ Rose to fame as member of reggae and world music-infused punk, punk rock group Public Image Ltd, which he co-founded with Johnny Rotten. Wrote or co-wrote a vast amount of the band's early material, notably Public Image and Dreadlock Don't Deal In Wedlock. Left the band after their 1979 Metal Box sophomore album. Would go on to work with a wide array of artists including the Human Condition, U2's the Edge, Invaders Of The Heart, Brian Eno, Baaba Maal, Chaka Demus, Damage Manual, Massive Attack, Afro Celt Sound System, Primal Scream, and others
August 11, 1956 ~ Chicago blues, electric blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Billy Flynn born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA ~ Influenced by Luther Allison, John Littlejohn, and by Mighty Joe Young. Worked with Bryan Lee, Little Smokey Smothers, Mark Hummel, Willie Kent, Snooky Pryor, Big Bill Morganfield, John Brim, Jody Williams, Little Arthur Duncan, Deitra Farr, Billy Boy Arnold, Sunnyland Slim, Bob Stroger, and Barrelhouse Chuck
August 11, 1954 ~ David Ian Jackson, commonly known as singer, pianist, saxophonist, songwriter Joe Jackson, born in Burton-upon-Trent, UK ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name, starting with Look Sharp released in 1979. Over the course of his career Jackson has straddled new wave, pop rock, jazz-oriented pop, jump blues, and film music, while remaining critically acclaimed throughout. Well-known songs include Sunday Papers, Is She Really Going Out With Him, It's Different For Girls, Jumpin' Jive, Steppin' Out, Breaking Us In Two, and You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want. Jackson also produced The Keys Album, the sole album of power pop group the Keys released in 1981, guested on Joan Armatrading's 1985 Secret Secrets album, and collaborated with Suzanne Vega on the single Left Of Center as used in the Pretty In Pink soundtrack
August 11, 1954 ~ Vibraphonist Steve Nelson born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Has recorded as a leader since the mid-1980s. Has worked with Dave Holland, Kenny Barron, Mulgrew Miller, David Fathead Newman, Johnny Griffin, Jackie McLean, the Arkadia Jazz All-Stars, Cyrus Chestnut, Billy Drummond, Ray Drummond, Houston Person, James Spaulding, Chip White, and others.
August 11, 1952 ~ Jazz percussionist Finn Sletten born in Bodø, Norway ~ Worked with Paul Weeden, Magni Wentzel, the Trio Nord, Tore Johansen, Jan Gunnar Hoff, Triztan Vindtorn, Ab Und Zu, and others
August 11, 1949 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Eric Carmen, full name Eric Howard Carmen, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ 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 passed away in 2024
August 11, 1949 ~ Singer Perry Como and the Fontane Sisters record A Dreamer's Holiday ~ Written by Mabel Wayne and Kim Gannon. Backed by Mitchell Ayres and his Orchestra. Released later the same year as a Decca Records single it would reach the Billboard top 10
August 11, 1946 ~ Country singer John Conlee, full name John Wayne Conlee, born in Versailles, Kentucky, USA ~ Worked as a mortician and radio DJ before pursuing a career as a singer. Has recorded about a dozen albums, starting with Rose Colored Glasses released in 1978. Would regularly reach the higher echelons of the Billboard Country charts, the singles Lady Lay Down, Backside Of Thirty, Common Man, I'm Only In It For The Love, In My Eyes, As Long As I'm Rockin' With You, and Got My Heart Set On You all reaching the No.1 spot
August 11, 1944 ~ Saxophonist, flutist Davey Payne, full name David Stanley Payne, born in Willesden, UK ~ Best known as a member of Ian Dury's backing unit Blockhead, noted for his saxophone solo on Hit Me With Your Rhythm Sticks. Has also worked with Wreckless Eric, Kilburn & the High Roads, and with singer Nico, appearing on the latter's 1981 Drama Of Exile album
August 11, 1943 ~ Beat, pop, rock, jazz saxophonist Denis Payton, full name Denis Archibald West Payton, born in Walthamstow, UK ~ Best known as a member of the Dave Clark Five, scoring hits with songs such as Glad All Over, Bits And Pieces and Over And Over ~ Payton passed away in 2006
August 11, 1943 ~ Bassist Jim Kale born in Winnipeg, Canada ~ Best known as original bassist of the Guess Who, remaining with the band from its inception in 1962 through 1972. Present on the band's best-known songs including American Woman which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970. After the band's disbandement in 1975. Kale performed with several line-ups using the unclaimed band name. Kale was also a member of Scrubbaloe Caine, known for their sole album, Round One, released in 1973
August 11, 1943 ~ Producer, songwriter Kenny Gamble born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Formed the famed Gamble & Huff producer, songwriter duo with Leon Huff, credited with shaping the Philly soul in the 1970s. Have worked with artists such as the Intruders, Jerry Butler, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes (If You Don't Know Me By Now), Joe Simon, the O'Jays (Back Stabbers), the People's Choice, Billy Paul (Am I Black Enough For You), Lou Rawls, MFSB (TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia)), the Jacksons, Teddy Pendergrass, and others
August 11, 1940 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer Peter King, full name Peter John King, born in Kingston-upon-Thames, UK ~ Worked with Johnny Dankworth, Maynard Ferguson, Tubby Hayes, Harry South, Stan Tracey, the Brussels Big Band, Ray Charles, Philly Joe Jones, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Red Rodney, Hampton Hawes, Nat Adderley, Al Haig, John Burch, Bill Watrous, Dick Morrisey, Tony Kinsey, Bill Le Sage, Jimmy Witherspoon, Joe Williams, Jon Hendricks, Anita O'Day, Everything But The Girl, Ben Watt, Tete Montoliu, Jimmy Witherspoon, and others ~ King passed away in 2020
August 11, 1940 ~ Hoboist, conductor Werner Herbers born in Bilthoven, 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 passed away in 2023
August 11, 1936 ~ Rockabilly singer, guitarist Clyde Stacy, full name Haskell XClyde Stacy, born in Eufala, Oklahoma, USA ~ Credited as a founder of the “Tulsa sound” and known for a handful of 1950s singles, notably So Young released in 1957. Stacy has opened for artists such as Elvis Presley and Patsy Cline, eventually mostly retiring from music by the mid-1970s ~ Stacy passed away in 2013
August 11, 1934 ~ John Anthony Pompeo, commonly known as jazz drummer, vibraphonist Johnny Rae, born in Saugus, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Herb Pomeroy, George Shearing, Johnny Smith, Ralph Sharon, Cozy Cole, Herbie Mann, Cal Tjader, Stan Getz, Gábor Szabó, Charlie Byrd, Earl Hines, Art van Damme, Barney Kessel, Mark Levine, Poncho Sanchez, Ernestine Anderson, Charles Kynard, Buddy Collette, Anita O'Day, Mary Stallings, and others ~ Pompeo passed away in 1993
August 11, 1933 ~ Label executive Walter Yetnikoff born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Executive with CBS Records for nearly two decades starting in 1971, rising to president and CEO by the mid-1970s. Signed artists such as James Taylor and Paul McCartney. Helped advance the careers of Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Earth Wind & Fire, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand, Gloria Estefan, and others ~ Yetnikoff passed away in 2021
August 11, 1930 ~ Composer Heinz Werner Zimmermann born in Freiburg-im-Breisgau, Germany ~ Focused on composing contemporary sacred music. Director of the Spandauer Kirchemusikschule from 1963 through 1976, subsequently composition teacher at the Frankfurt University Of Music And Performing Arts through 1996. Best known for his Missa Profana, premiered in 1980. Other works include The Bible Of Spirituals, Te Deum, and Symphonia Sacra ~ Zimmermann passed away in 2022
August 11, 1926 ~ Ed Tigner Jr, commonly known as traditional pop, blues pianist, keyboardist, vibraphonist, singer Eddie Tigner, born in Macon, Georgia, USA ~ Worked with the Ink Spots. Backed Elmore James. Would be an in-demand solo performer for most of his life, yet would not release any albums until well into his seventies. Released his Route 66 debut album in 2003, its follow-up Slippin' In released in 2009 ~ Tigner passed away in 2019
August 11, 1925 ~ Jazz, blues, R&B drummer Philip Paul born in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Backed artists such as Arthur Prysock, Sonny Stitt, Bud Powell and Dizzy Gillespie early on in his career playing at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. Scouted by Tiny Bradshaw in the early 1950s. Would go on to become the studio drummer for King Records by 1952, appearing on over 350 recordings including by artists such as Hank Ballard (The Twist), Milt Buckner, Little Willie John (Fever), Grandpa Jones, Wynonie Harris (Good Rockin' Tonight), Cowboy Copas, Bonnie Lou, and just about every Freddie King record including Hide-away and Tore Down. Notable collaborations outside the King Records-label include John Lee Hooker, Albert King, Otis Big Smokey Smothers, Nat Adderley, Herbie Mann and Roy Meriwether ~ Paul passed away in 2022
August 11, 1921 ~ Jazz drummer Eldridge Freeman born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Sideman. Brother of guitarist George Freeman and saxophonist Von Freeman. Worked with Hampton Hawes in the mid-1950s, alongside Red Mitchell and Jim Hall. Also worked with both his brothers, various line-ups under the guidance of Herb Geller, with Charlie Parker shortly before Parker's death, and with Kenny Mann ~ Freeman passed away in 2006
August 11, 1920 ~ Michael Delaney Dowd Jr, commonly known as big band era singer, actor, TV personality Mike Douglas, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for his The Mike Douglas Show talk show, which aired for two decades starting in the early 1960s. Previously Douglas has worked as a nightclub singer, was a staff singer for Chicago-based WMAQ-TV, and served in the big band of Kay Kyser notably present on the mid-1940s hits Ole Buttermilk Sky and The Old Lamp-Lighter ~ Dowd passed away in 2006
August 11, 1919 ~ June Marvel Cowen, commonly known as actress, big band singer June Hutton, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Sister of singer Ina Ray Hutton. Married to arranger Axel Stordahl. Joined the Pied Pipers in 1944 replacing Jo Stafford, remaining with the band for six years including on the hit single Dream. Has also worked with the Winston Trio, the Quintones, the Sande Williams Band, the Stardusters, and Gordon Macrae ~ Cowen passed away in 1973
August 11, 1917 ~ Pianist Hélène Boschi born in Lausanne, Switzerland ~ Had a dual career as both a teacher and performer, recording artist for most of her career. Closely associated with the French national TV station RTF, serving as soloist with the network's orchestra from 1955 through 1965. Had several works written especially for her including Luigi Dallapiccola's Quaderno Musicale De Annalibera, Fernando Lopes-Graça's 3rd Sonata, Claude Ballif's 4th Sonata, and Karel Husa's Piano Concertino ~ Boschi passed away in 1990
August 11, 1916 ~ Actor, singer Benny Lee born in Glasgow, UK ~ Best known as an actor. As a singer known for songs such as Enjoy Yourself It's Later Than You Think, the Guy Mitchell-cover Pretty Little Black-eyed Susan and the Hank Williams-cover Your Cheatin' Heart. Has worked with Johnny Claes, Sid Phillips, and Joy Nichols ~ Lee passed away in 1995
August 11, 1908 ~ Clarinetist, saxophonist Russell Procope born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his association with Duke Ellington, remaining with the Duke Ellington Orchestra from 1946 through to Ellington's death in 1974. Has also worked with Billy Freeman, Jelly Roll Morton, Benny Carter, Chick Webb, Fletcher Henderson, Tiny Bradshaw, Teddy Hill, King Oliver, Willie Bryant, Dizzy Gillespie, Johnny Hodges, Billy Strayhorn, and others ~ Procope passed away in 1981
August 11, 1904 ~ Pianist Jess Stacy, full name Jesse Alexandria Stacy, born in Bird's Point, Missouri, USA ~ Influenced by Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines. Best known for his association with Benny Goodman during the late 1930s, including performing at Goodman's famed 1938 Carnegie Hall concert. Also worked with Nelson Riddle, Bix Beiderbecke, Eddie Condon, Bud Freeman, George Gershwin, Lionel Hampton, Billie Holiday, Gene Krupa, Jack Teagarden, Horace Heidt, and others ~ Stacy passed away in 1995
August 11, 1894 ~ Pianist, conductor, composer Wilhelm Grosz, also known as Hugh Williams, born in Vienna, Austria ~ Artistic manager of Ultraphone Gramophone company in the mid-1920s. Conductor of the Kammerspiele Theater in Vienna. Forced to flee to England by the mid-1930s because of the Nazi takeover. Has composed operas, ballets, chamber music and orchestral music. Best known for co-penning a number of standards, notably Red Sails In The Sunset (Lew Stone, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole), Harbour Lights (Roy Fox, Rudy Vallée, Guy Lombardo, Dinah Washington), and Tomorrow Night (Henry Russell, Horace Heidt, Jimmy Dorsey, Patti Page) ~ Grosz passed away in 1939
August 11, 1890 ~ Jazz drummer, bandleader Charles Edward Kerr born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity in the 1920s and 1930s. Has worked with sidemen such as Tommy Dorsey, Stan Keller, Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang. Kerr retired form music by the late 1940s to open his own furniture store in Miami ~ Kerr passed away in 1976