This Day In Music: August 8
August 7 ~ Birthdays/All ~ August 9
 
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 8, 2022 ~ Bassist, singer, songwriter Darryl Hunt, full name Darryl Gatwick Hunt, passed away in London, UK ~ Best known as bassist of the Pogues, joining in 1986 as replacement for Cait O'Riordan and remaining with the band through 1996. Wrote the track Love You Till The End of the 1996 Pogue Mahone album ~ Hunt was born in 1950
August 8, 2022 ~ Songwriter, producer Lamont Dozier passed away ~ One third of renowned Motown songwriting, production team Holland-Dozier-Holland, responsible for numerous hits by artists such as Martha & the Vandellas (Heat Wave), the Andantes, the Supremes (Stop In The Name Of Love), Mary Wells, the Four Tops, the Isley Brothers, Stevie Wonder, Brenda Holloway, Marvin Gaye (How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You), the Elgins, Honey Cone, and others ~ Dozier was born in 1941
August 8, 2022 ~ Singer, actress, songwriter Olivia Newton-John passed away in Santa Ynez Valley, California, USA ~ Starred in the 1978 Grease musical film alongside John Travolta, lead singer on Hopelessly Devoted To You and dueting on You're The One That I Want and Summer Nights. As a solo artist well over two dozen albums to her name, focusing on pop and country-pop, starting with If Not For You released in 1971. Well known songs include Let Me Be There, If You Love Me Let Me Know, I Honestly Love You, Have You Never Been Mellow, A Little More Love, Magic, Physical and Xanadu, the latter a collaborative effort with the Electric Light Orchestra ~ Newton-John was born in 1948
 
August 8, 2021 ~ R&B, jazz fusion guitarist Bruce Conte, full name Bruce Anthony Conte, passed away in Cebu, Philippines ~ Influenced by Albert King, Grant Green, George Benson, Jimmy Nolen. Best known as member of Tower Of Power from 1972 through 1979, including on the band's eponymous 1973 Tower Of Power album which spawned the hit What Is Hip ~ Conte was born in 1950
 
August 8, 2018 ~ Tenor Arthur Davies passed away ~ Worked with with the Royal Opera London, the English National Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Cincinnati Opera, the Bolshoi Theatre, the Leipzig Opera, the Municipal theater of Santiago, the New Orleans Opera, Teatro Nacional de Sao Carlos, de Vlaamse Opera, and the Teatro Colón ~ Davies was born in 1941
August 8, 2018 ~ Linda Mkhize, commonly known as rapperm producer Pro, passed away in Johannesburg, South Africa ~ Regarded as one of the pioneers of South African rap, known for rapping in a mixture of Tsotsi and English. Best known for the singles Soweto, an ode to his birthplace, and its follow-up Wozobona. Mkhize has released five albums starting with Heads & Tales in 2005 and passed away at age 37 of a seizure ~ Mkhize was born in 1981
 
August 8, 2017 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Glen Campbell, full name Glen Travis Campbell, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Member of the Champs, the Hondells, and the Wrecking Crew, the latter a loose collective of first-call session musicians. Campbell has appeared on albums by Jan & Dean, Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers, the Beach Boys, the Monkees (The Monkees), and Merle Haggard (Mama Tried). As a solo artist, Campbell enjoyed popularity especially from the late 1960s onwards, well known songs include The Universal Soldier, By The Time I Get To Phoenix, Wichita Lineman, Rhinestone Cowboy and Southern Nights, the latter two each toppping both the Billboard Country and the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts in the mid-1970s ~ Campbell was born in 1936
 
August 8, 2015 ~ Rapper Sean Price, full name Sean Duval Price, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of underground hip hop collective Boot Camp Clik. Formed the duo Heltah Skeltah with Jahmal Bush. Member of Random Axe. Has released four albums as a solo artist, starting with Monkey Barz in 2005. Guested on recordings by Jedi Mind Tricks, the Snowgoons, eMC, KRS One, the Wu-Tang Clan, Ill Bill, Talib Kweli, Statik Selektah, Masta Killa, and others ~ Price was born in 1972
 
August 8, 2013 ~ Producer, songwriter, pianist Cowboy Jack Clement passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Producer at Sun Records. Worked with Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis. Wrote Ballad Of A Teenage Queen, Guess Things Happen That Way, The One On The Right Is On The Left and produced Ring Of Fire for Johnny Cash. Other artists who have recorded Clement's songs include Dolly Parton, Ray Charles, Bobby Bare, Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves, Cliff Richard, Charley Pride, Tom Jones, Dickey Lee, and Hank Snow. Produced portions of U2's Rattle & Hum album, notably the tracks When Love Comes To Town and Angel Of Harlem ~ Clement passed away in 1931
 
August 8, 2010 ~ John Russell Parnell, commonly known as producer, bandleader, drummer, composer Jack Parnell, passed away in Suffolk, UK ~ The “real” conductor of The Muppet Show Orchestra. Musical director for Benny Hill Show. Composed for TV, including well known themes for shows such as Father Brown, Family Fortunes and Love Story. Worked with Kenny Baker, Don Lusher, Betty Smith, Tony Lee, Tony Archer, Johnny Griffin, Ronnie Ross, Kathy Stobart, the London Big Band, and others ~ Parnell was born in 1923
 
August 8, 2007 ~ R&B singer Clarence Tex Walker passed away in Woodstock, UK ~ Best known as member of Bill Pinkney's R&B unit the Original Drifters from 1966 through 1973, joining the band after serving a tour in the US Army in Vietnam. Walker subsequently fronted the Coasters, recorded as a solo artist, and notably worked with Big Joe Turner, including providing lead vocals on the latter's acclaimed Big Joe Turner's Memphis Blues Caravan album released in 1995 ~ Walker was born in 1946
 
August 8, 2006 ~ Irving Sidney Jordan, commonly known as jazz pianist Duke Jordan, passed away in Valby, Denmark ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Sonny Stitt, Stan Getz, Gene Ramey, Oscar Pettiford, Gigi Gryce, Kenny Clarke, Dizzy Reece, Stanley Turrentine, Reggie Workman, Cecil Payne, Mads Vinding, Ed Thigpen, Chuck Wayne, Wilbur Little, Billy Hart, Art Pepper, Gene Ammons, Ernestine Anderson, Chet Baker, Paul Bascomb, Eddie Bert, Art Blakey, Kenny Burrell, Joe Carroll, Coleman Hawkins, Howard McGhee, Charles McPherson, the Birdlanders, Barney Wilen, and others ~ Jordan was born in 1922
 
August 8, 2002 ~ Jazz drummer Ronnie Stephenson passed away ~ One of the most in-demand British jazz drummers of the 1960s. Has worked with Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz, Wes Montgomery, Zoot Sims, Quincy Jones, Paul Gonsalves, Johnny Griffin, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Gerry Mulligan, Sonny Stitt, Barney Kessel, Benny Golson, Benny Goodman, Nelson Riddle, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé, Tony Bennett, Ronnie Ross, Stan Tracey, Ted Heath, Dick Morrisey, Terry Smith, Jack Parnell, Johnny Dankworth, Tubby Hayes, Cleo Laine, Kurt Edelhagen, Peter Herbolzheimer, Horst Jankowski, Paul Kuhn, Rolf Kühn, Kenny Clarke, Victor Feldman, Heinz von Hermann, Hans Rettenbacjer, Tom Jones, Matt Monro, Engelbert Humperdinck, Cilla Black, Shirley Bassey, Wes Montgomery, JJ Jackson, Terry Smith, and others ~ Stephenson was born in 1937
August 8, 2002 ~ Jazz double bassist Wilber Morris passed away ~ Brother of cornetist Butch Morris. Leader and sideman. Worked with Interface, Pharoah Sanders, Sonny Simmons, Alan Silva, Joe McPhee, Horace Tapscott, Butch Morris, Arthur Blythe, Charles Gayle, William Parker, Billy Bang, Charles Tyler, Denis Charles, Roy Campbell Jr, Avram Fefer, Borah Bergman, David Murray, Kevin Norton, and others ~ Morris was born in 1937
 
August 8, 1994 ~ R&B, jazz guitarist, vibraphonist Dave Hamilton, full name David Lewis Hamilton, passed away in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Member of the Helen Pennington Quartet, the Noc-Tunes, the Peppers. In-demand session musician since the late 1950s, appearing on recordings by Jackie Wilson (Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want To Meet), Lonely Teardrops), John Lee Hooker (Boom Boom), Marvin Gaye (Stubborn Kind Of Fellow), Mary Wells (My Guy). Released his Blue Vibrations solo debut album in 1964 ~ Hamilton was born in 1920
 
August 8, 1992 ~ Conductor, violinist, pianist, music director, orchestrator, composer Egisto Macchi passed away in Montpellier, France ~ Studied composition, piano, violin and singing as well as literature and human physiology. Editor of the magazine Orders. Founded Studio R7, an experimental electronic music laboratory in 1967. Member of the Gruppo Di Improvvisazione Di Nuova Consonanza, an avant-garde improvisation group that also included close friend Ennio Morricone. Also well as a film composer, with over a dozen soundtracks to his name starting in the late 1960s ~ Macchi was born in 1928
 
August 8, 1986 ~ Actress, singer, model Jackie Cruz born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Best known as an actress, notably portraying the role of Marisol Gonzales in the Netflix series Orange Is The New Black. Member of girl group Krush Velvet while still in high school, though the band would fail to release any records. As a solo singer, Cruz independently released her Hollywood Gypsy debut EP and has recorded a handful of singles since
 
August 8, 1985 ~ David Lehre, commonly known as pop singer, actor, director Chad Future, born ~ Member of boy band Heart2Heart, a group mentored by former NSYNC member Lance Bass who also appeared in the video for the band's Facebook Official debut single. As a solo artist Lehre is best known for creating English-language covers of K-pop songs originally by EXO, BigBang, and BAP
 
August 8, 1983 ~ Pop-reggae, dub outfit UB40 release Red Red Wine, lead single off their Labour Of Love album ~ Taken off the band's fourth studio album and the first consisting solely of covers, Red Red Wine would be their first major international hit. The single reached top of the charts in over half a dozen countries, including America and their native UK, a first in both countries. Neil Diamond has stated that UB40's Red Red Wine is among his favorite covers of his songs, and frequently performs the song live using the UB40 reggae arrangement rather than that of his own original version
 
August 8, 1981 ~ Singer, rapper, producer Bradley McIntosh, full name Bradley John McIntosh, born in Lambeth, UK ~ Member of S Club 7, known for a number of UK hits starting in 1999, notably Bring It All Back, You're My Number One, Never Had A Dream Come True, Don't Stop Movin' and Have You Ever
 
August 8, 1980 ~ British punk rockers the Clash release their Bankrobber single ~ Stand-alone single, later included on compilation sets. Reached top 20 in the band's native UK, Ireland, and New Zealand. The accompanying videoclip depicts the band recording the song in the studio, interspered with images of roadies Baker and Green wearing bandanas over their faces, seemingly about to perform a bank heist in Lewisham in the greater London area. During the filming, they were stopped and questioned by the police, who thought they were genuine bankrobbers
 
August 8, 1977 ~ Gospel, R&B, funk, soul pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph, full name Robert Jermaine Randolph, born in Irvington, New Jersey, USA ~ Acclaimed steel guitarist active since the early 2000s, usually with his backing unit the Family Band. Influenced by secular artists such as Earth Wind & Fire and Sly & the Family Stone. Has opened for Eric Clapton and worked with producers such as T-Bone Burnett. Has guested on recordings by Soulive, the Dave Matthews Band, Buddy Guy, Ringo Starr, Third Day, Robbie Robertson, Randy Bachman, Sawyer Brown, and others
 
August 8, 1976 ~ Singer, songwriter Drew Lachey born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Member of 98°, which also included his brother Nick Lachey. The band is known for a string of late 1990s hits including Because Of You, The Hardest Thing, Thank God I Found You featuring Mariah Carey & Joe and Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche), all of which reached top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart
August 8, 1976 ~ Joshua Scott Chasez, commonly known as pop, dance-pop dancer, singer JC Chasez, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Cast member of Mickey Mouse Club. Rose to fame as member of late 1990s boy band NSYNC, known for songs such as I Want You Back, (God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time On You, Music Of My Heart with Gloria Estefan, It's Gonna Be Me and This I Promise You. After the band folded in the early 2000s, Chasez has written and produced for artists such as Girls Aloud, Basement Jaxx, David Archuleta and Matthew Morrison, and has recorded as a solo artist starting with Schizophrenic released in 2004
 
August 8, 1975 ~ Julian Edwin Adderley, commonly known as jazz, hard bop, soul jazz saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, passed away in Gary, Indiana, USA ~ Best known for his 1966 soul jazz single Mercy Mercy Mercy, which became a surprise crossover hit reaching top 20 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Closely associated with Miles Davis, notably on the quintessential jazz albums Milestones and Kind Of Blue. Davis in turn backed Adderley on his acclaimed 1958 Somethin' Else album. Adderley has also worked with his brother Nat Adderley, Charles Lloyd, Yusef Lateef, Bobby Timmons, Victor Feldman, Joe Zawinul, George Duke, Walter Booker, and Victor Gaskin ~ Adderley was born in 1928
August 8, 1975 ~ Pop rock singer Rod Stewart releases Sailing, lead single off his Atlantic Crossing album ~ Stewart's then-girlfriend Dee Harringtoon caught the Sutherland Brothers on a TV show, and recommended them to Stewart. After seeing them perform, Stewart became a fan and had the brothers co-write two tracks for his Atlantic Crossing album. The tracks didn't make the cut, but Stewart did cover Sailing, originally recorded by the siblings in 1972. Stewart's single would become his biggest UK hit, spending four consecutive weeks atop the charts in 1975. It also reached top 10 in several other countries, including No.1 in the Netherlands, but failed to reach the top half of the American Billboard Hot 100
 
August 8, 1973 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Mark Wills, full name Daryl Mark Williams, born in Cleveland, Tennessee, USA ~ Released his eponymous Mark Wills debut album in 1996. Best known for its follow-up album 1998's Wish You Were Here, all of its five singles reaching Billboard Country top 10 including the charttopping title track Wish You Were Here. Two songs originally recorded by Wills, Somebody and What Hurts The Most, would also both reach the No.1 spot in the cover versions of respectively Reba McEntire and Rascal Flatts
 
August 8, 1970 ~ Gina Mary Gardiner, commonly known as singer Gina G, born in Brisbane, Australia ~ Australian singer represented England at the 1996 Eurovision Songfestival held in Oslo with the song Ooh Aah (Just A Little Bit). The song would reach 2n place, losing out to Ireland's entry of Eimar Quinn performing The Voice. Gina's Ooh Aah would top the English charts though as well as crack the American top 20. She is also known for songs such as I Belong To You, Fresh, Ti Amo and Gimme Some Love, all mid to late-1990s UK top 30 hits
 
August 8, 1964 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones play the Kurhaus, Scheveningen, the Netherlands ~ As part of a tour with dates in Northern Ireland and the UK, the Rolling Stones include a single concert outside the British Isles, appearing at the Kurhaus, a majestic venue located in Scheveningen, the Netherlands. The concert erupts in chaos, the crowd out of control, the band has to flea, and some 100 police officers are needed to restore order. The Dutch remember the concert to this day, often citing the incident as pivotal to rock history
 
August 8, 1962 ~ Pop, rock band the Beach Boys record Ten Little Indians ~ Written by Brian Wilson and Gary Usher. Produced by Nick Venet. Included on the band's 1962 Surfin' Safari debut album. Released as a single, b/w County Fair. Mike Love lead vocals and saxophone. The rest of the band: Brian Wilson bass, Dennis Wilson drums, David Marks and Carl Wilson on guitar, with all singing harmony and backing vocals
August 8, 1962 ~ Mohandas Dewese, commonly known as rapper, singer Kool Moe Dee, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced artists such as Big Daddy Kane, the Beastie Boys, KRS One, Will Smith, Tupac Shakur, and others. Member of 1980s outfit the Treacherous Three. Regarded as one of the pioneers of new jack swing. As a solo artist best known for songs such as Go See The Doctor, Wild Wild West, Let's Go and I Go To Work
 
August 8, 1961 ~ David Howell Evans, commonly known as rock, pop rock guitarist the Edge, born in Barkings, UK ~ Co-founding member of U2, known for pivotal albums such as 1987's The Joshua Tree, 1988's Rattle & Hum and 1991's Achtung Baby. By estimation the band has sold over 150 million records since their inception in the early 1980s. Evans also composed the soundtrack for The Captive released in 1986. Has co-written the song GoldenEye with bandmate Bono for the James Bond-film of the same name. The duo also wrote, and were featured on She's A Mystery To Me included on Roy Orbison's final studio album Mystery Girl recorded shortly before Orbison's untimely death
 
August 8, 1957 ~ Alternative rock, janglo pop keyboardist Dennis Drew, full name Dennis Arnold Drew, born in Jamestown, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member 10,000 Maniacs, known for songs such as What's The Matter Here, Trouble Me, These Are Days, Candy Everybody Wants and Because The Night. Drew, bassist Steve Gustafson and guitarist John Lombardo are the three remaining original members, playing with the band since its inception in 1981
 
August 8, 1953 ~ Songwriter, singer Todd Cerney, full name Todd David Cerney, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Member of 1990s outfit Toast teaming up with former Bread members Jimmy Griffin, Robb Royer and Larry Knechtel. Best known as a songwriter. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as I'll Fall In Love Again (Steve Carlisle), The Blue House Of Broken Hearts (Levon Helm), Too Late (the Kendalls), I'll Still Be Loving You (Restless Heart), Notorious (Loverboy), Let Go (Cheap Trick), If Ever A Love There Was (the Four Tops), Forget About Love (Eddie Money), Don't Stop Now (the Cover Girls), No Mercy (Ty Herndon), Good Morning Beautiful (Steve Holy), Blues Is My Business (Etta James), Tell Me That You Love Me (Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton), and Keep On Rolling (Bo Bice). Cerney also played guitar, mandolin, keyboards and sang with some of the aforementioned as well as with the Dixie Chicks, the Nashville Songwriters Band, and others ~ Cerney passed away in 2011
 
August 8, 1952 ~ Drummer Anton Fig born in Cape Town, South Africa ~ In-demand session drummer. Well known for his work with Kiss, Ace Frehley and with Paul Shaffer in the house band on David Letterman's late-night TV talk show. Has also worked with Spider, Warren Zevon, BB King, Peter Frampton, Joan Armatrading, Cyndi Lauper, John Waite, Joe Bonamassa, Madonna, Gary Moore, Joe Satriani, Paul Butterfield, Chris Spedding, Paul Simon, Jennifer Rush, Mick Jagger, and Joe Cocker
August 8, 1952 ~ Country singer, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Gary Baker born in Niagara Falls, New York, USA ~ Member of Leblanc & Carr's backing band. Member of country-pop outfit the Shooters. Backed Marie Osmond. Would find his greatest successes as a songwriter, especially known for co-writing I Swear with regular songwriting partner Frank J Myers. The song would be an 1993 hit for both John Michael Montgomery and R&B outfit All 4 One, later covered by numerous artists. Others who recorded songs co-written by Baker include Tanya Tucker (Wings), Gary Morris, Alabama, Tracy Lawrence, Reba McEntire (One Honest Heart), and Lonestar
 
August 8, 1951 ~ Trumpeter Laurie Frink, full name Laurie Ann Frink, born in Pender, Nebraska, USA ~ Worked with Mel Lewis, Gerry Mulligan, George Russell, Benny Goodman, Buck Clayton, Bob Mintzer, Maria Schneider, John Hollenbeck, Darcy James Argue, Ryan Truesdell, Jentsch Group Large, and others ~ Frink passed away in 2013
 
August 8, 1950 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Jamie O'Hara born ~ Noted for penning Grandpa Tell Me 'Bout The Good Old Days, a 1986 Grammy Award-winning hit for the Judds. Formed the duo the O'Kanes with Kieran Kane, known for songs such as Can't Stop My Heart From Loving You. Has also recorded as a solo artist and written for artists such as Shelby Lynne, Ronnie McDowell (Older Women), Gary Allan, Trisha Yearwood, and others ~ O'Hara passed away in 2021
August 8, 1950 ~ Liberatori DeVitto, commonly known as pop, pop rock, rock drummer Liberty DeVitto, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as drummer for Billy Joel for over three decades starting on Turnstiles album released in 1976. Has also worked with Carly Simon, Phoebe Snow, Karen Carpenter, Stevie Nicks, Meat Loaf, and others
August 8, 1950 ~ R&B, soul, funk drummer, percussionist Willie Hall, full name Willie Clarence Halll, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Closely associated with the Bar-kays, and especially Stax/Volt, serving as session musician for the label for about a decade starting in the late 1960s. Took over for Al Jackson Jr in Booker T & the MG's following Jackson's death, appearing on the album Universal Language before the band disbanded. Well-known as a member of the Blues Brothers, including in the films Blues Brothers and its sequel Blues Brothers 2000. Notably present on several of Isaac Hayes's most acclaimed albums including Hot Buttered Soul, Black Moses, and Shaft. Also present on albums by Mavis Staples, Albert King, Rufus Thomas (Do The Funky Chicken), David Porter, Luther Ingram, Little Milton, Tracy Nelson, the Manhattan Transfer, Levon Helm (Levon Helm), Steve Cropper, and Al Green
 
August 8, 1949 ~ R&B, soul singer Airrion Love born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Member of the Monarchs. Co-founding member of the Stylistics, known for a string of 1970 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits including You Are Everything, Betcha By Golly Wow, Break Up To Make Up and You Make Me Feel Brand New. The latter featured Love as co-lead singer
August 8, 1949 ~ Actor, singer Keith Carradine born in San Mateo, California, USA ~ Best known as an actor. As a singer known for two 1970s albums, namely I'm Easy and Lost & Found. The self-penned title track of the former, I'm Easy, was used in the Robert Altman-film Nashville and earned Carradine an Academy Award for Best Best Original Song
 
August 8, 1946 ~ Country, folk singer, songwriter Merle Travis records Sixteen Tons at Radio Recorders, Los Angeles, California ~ Self-penned, Travis taking inspiration from his family, Travis' brother John had written the line “You load sixteen tons and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt,” while his father would regularly say he couldn't afford to die as he “owed his soul to the company store.” Released the next year as a single, Dark As A Dungeon on the flip side, it would become a signature song for Travis. Over the years the song would be covered by numerous artists, notably Tennessee Ernie Ford in 1955 and Frankie Laine the following year
 
August 8, 1944 ~ Folk, folk rock, country, soft rock singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Michael Johnson, full name Michael Jay Johnson, born in Alamosa, Colorado, USA ~ Over a dozen albums to his name starting with 1973's There Is A Breeze. Best known for his 1978 hit Bluer Than Blue, which would reach top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. Would continue to record and regularly reach the higher echelons of the Billboard Country charts, including the top 10 hits Give Me Wings, The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder, Crying Shame, Whisper Your Name, That's That ~ Johnson passed away in 2017
 
August 8, 1942 ~ Rock, pop rock, hard rock bassist, singer John Gustafson, full name John Frederick Gustafson, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Renowned bassist worked with the Big Three, the Merseybeats, Roger Glover, Ian Gillan, Quatermass, Roxy Music (Love Is The Drug), Juan Martin, Steve Hackett, Gordon Giltrap, and others ~ Gustafson passed away in 2014
 
August 8, 1941 ~ Juan Peña Fernández, commonly known as flamenco guitarist, singer El Lebrijano, born in Lebrija, Spain ~ Acclaimed flamenco-fusion musician active since the early 1950s, initially as an accompaniest and later turning to singing. Closely associated with Paco de Lucia. As a solo artist known for pivotal flamenco albums such as Casablanca, Open Doors and Encuentros ~ Fernández passed away in 2016
 
August 8, 1940 ~ Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist Johnny Dodds passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Brother of drummer Baby Dodds. Leader and sideman. Considered one on the premier clarinetists of his day. Worked with King Oliver, Frankie Duson, Kid Ory, Jelly Roll Morton, Lovie Austin, Louis Armstrong, and others ~ Dodds was born in 1892
 
August 8, 1939 ~ Singer Philip Balsley born in Augusta Country, Virginia, USA ~ Member of the Statler Brothers, one of the longest-running country acts active from the 1960s through the 1990s. Well known songs include Flowers On The Wall, Bed Of Rose's, Do You Remember These, Class Of '57, I'll Go To My Grave Loving You, Do You Know You Are My Sunshine, You'll Be Back Every Night In My Dreams, My Only Love and Too Much On My Heart
 
August 8, 1938 ~ Concetta Rosalie Ann Ingolia, commonly known as actress, singer Connie Stevens born in New York, New York, USA ~ Debuted as an actress in 1957 in the film Young And Dangerous. Released her Concetta debut album the following year. Guested on Edd Byrnes' 1959 hit Kookie Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb). Scored a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit with Sixteen Reasons in 1960
 
August 8, 1937 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter, poet, author Bruno Lauzi born in Asmara, Italian Eastern Africa ~ Renowned singer with over two dozen albums to his name starting in the 1960s. Well known songs include Ritornerai, Amore Caro Amore Bello, Onda Su Onda and Genova Per Noi. Had his songs recorded by the likes of Sergio Endrigo, Ivana Spagna, Mia Martini, Georges Moustaki, Ornella Vanoni, and others. Briefly pursued a political career in the 1980s, but without much success. Also known as an author with over half a dozen publications to his name, both poetry and prose ~ Lauzi passed away in 2006
August 8, 1937 ~ Singer, songwriter, poet, actor Cornelis Vreeswijk born in IJmuiden, the Netherlands ~ Emigrated to Sweden at age 12. Regarded as one of Sweden's most influential troubadours. Played Pontius Pilate in the Swedish version of Jesus Christ Superstar. Influenced by Josh White, Georges Brassens, Leadbelly. Known for songs such as Angbatsblus (Steam Boat Blues), Jubelvia For Fiffiga Nanette (Joyful Song For Clever Nanette), Polaren Par My Buddy Par, and Blues For Fatumeh. Renowned interpreter of the songs of Michael Bellman, Evert Taube, and of Lars Forssell. In the Netherlands best known for a handful of Dutch songs, especially 1972's Veronica, picked up by pirate radio station Veronica, and 1966's De Nozem & De Non (The Greaser & The Nun. The latter initially made little impact, yet has since become a classic ~ Vreeswijk passed away in 1987
 
August 8, 1936 ~ Pop singer, songwriter, actor Erol Büyükburç born in Adana, Turkey ~ Well known for the early 1960s self-penned Little Lucy, considered a milestone in Turkish pop music. Until then most pop songs would be covers of popular Western songs. Büyükburç would continue to record well into the 1970s, but is perhaps better known as an actor appearing in some two dozen films ~ Büyükburç passed away in 2015
 
August 8, 1934 ~ Piedmont blues singer, guitarist Buddy Moss records Hey Lawdy Mama ~ Originally titled Oh Lordy Mama. Released later the same year paired with Misery Man Blues on the flip side. Became a jazz and blues standard covered by Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Noble Sissle, Freddie King (as See See Mama), Junior Wells & Buddy Guy (on the collaborative 1965 album Hoodoo Man Blues), Cream and others
 
August 8, 1933 ~ Joseph Arrington Jr, commonly known as singer Joe Tex, born in Rogers, Texas, USA ~ Popular Southern soul singer, drew from funk, country, gospel and R&B. Best known for songs such as Hold What You've Got, Skinny Legs And All, I Gotcha and Ain't Gonna Bump No More With No Big Fat Woman ~ Tex passed away in 1982
 
August 8, 1932 ~ Dorothy Jeanne Thompson, commonly known as harpist Dorothy Ashby, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Hailed as one of the most accomplished jazz harpists, establising the harp as a valid improvisational instrument. Has recorded about a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, especially noted for the late 1950s albums The Jazz Harpist and Hip Harp. An in-demand sidewoman in jazz and R&B, Ashby has guested on albums by Bill Withers, Bobbi Humphrey, Minnie Riperton (Adventures In Paradise), Sonny Criss, Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder (Songs In The Key Of Life), Stanley Turrentine, the Gap Band, the Manhattan Transfer, Freddie Hubbard, Billy Preston, Bobby Womack (The Poet), and Hubert Laws ~ Thompson passed away in 1986
August 8, 1932 ~ Country singer, songwriter Mel Tillis born in Tampa, Florida, USA ~ Active since the 1950s, most successfuly during the 1970s. Member of Old Dogs. Employed sidemen such as Buddy Cannon, Paul Franklin and Hoot Hester in his backing band the Statesiders. Father of singer Pam Tillis. As a singer known for songs such as I Ain't Never, Good Woman Blues, Coca Cola Cowboy, Life Turned Her That Way, Heaven Everyday and The Arms Of A Fool. As a songwriter Tillis had his songs recorded by a wide array of country artists including Webb Pierce (I'm Tired). Ray Price, Brenda Lee, Bobby Bare (Detroit City), Tom Jones, Wanda Jackson, Stonewall Jackson, Charley Pride (Snakes Crawl At Night), Kenny Rogers (Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town), the Hacienda Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, Gram Parsons, Barbara Mandrell, Jamey Johnson, Waylon Jennings (Mental Revenge), Ricky Skaggs, Randy Travis, and others ~ Tillis passed away in 2017
 
August 8, 1928 ~ Jazz, swing clarinetist, saxophonist, flutist Don Burrows, full name Donald Vernon Burrows, born in Sydney, Australia ~ Closely associated with James Morrison. Also worked with George Golla, Ed Gaston, Alan Turnbull, Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie, Nat King Cole, Oscar Peterson, Tony Bennett, Stéphane Grappelli, Cleo Laine, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Kevin Hunt, and others ~ Burrows passed away in 2020
August 8, 1928 ~ Singer, songwriter Simon Diaz, full name Simon Narciso Diaz Marquez, born in Babracoas, Venezuela ~ Penned Caballo Viejo, which was recorded by the Gipsy Kings as Bamboleo. Other artists who recorded songs written or co-written by Díaz include Plácido Domingo, Ray Conniff, Julio Iglesias, Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Ivan Lins, Cheo Feliciano, Juan Gabriel, Maria Dolores Pradera, Tania Libertad, Ry Cooder, Devendra Banhart, and others ~ Díz passed away in 2014
 
August 8, 1927 ~ Basil Philip Kirchinsky, commonly known as drummer, composer Basil Kirchin, born in Blackpool, UK ~ Son of bandleader Ivor Kirchin. Drummed in his father's big band starting at age 13. A number of early 1950s recordings by the Kirchin Band would be produced by George Martin who would later go on to work extensively with the Beatles. Kirchin would go on to score films and experiment with electronic music through use of tape manipulation with sounds of birds, insects and other animals. Has worked with Harry Roy, Teddy Foster, Jack Nathan, Ted Heath, Keith Herd, Big Jim Sullivan, Tubby Hayes. His electronic music influenced later stars such as Brian Eno and David Byrne ~ Kirchin passed away 2005
 
August 8, 1926 ~ Urban Clifford Green, commonly known as trombonist Urbie Green, born in Mobile, Alabama, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Appears on over 250 recordings. Two dozen albums to his own name. Influenced by Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Perry Como, and Louis Armstrong. Highly respected by fellow trombonists. Worked with Gene Krupa, Woody Herman, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Jack Jenney, Walter Wanderley, Herbie Mann, Manny Albam, Steve Allen, Count Basie, Ray Bryant, Trigger Alpert, Kenny Burrell, Buck Clayton, Ray Conniff, Paul Desmond, Gil Evans, Art Farmer, Aretha Franklin (Soul '69), Johnny Griffin, Billie Holiday (Lady In Satin), Milt Jackson, JJ Johnson, Quincy Jones, Blue Mitchell, Wes Montgomery, Sonny Stitt, Stanley Turrentine, Joe Wilder, Dinah Washington, Joe Newman, and others ~ Green passed away in 2018
 
August 8, 1921 ~ Country, honky-tonk singer, guitarist, songwriter Webb Pierce, full name Michael Webb Pierce, born in West Monroe, Louisiana, USA ~ Pivotal to development of honky tonk. Known for recordings such as In The Jailhouse Now, Love Love Love, There Stands The Glass, Wondering, and Teenage Boogie. The latter would be covered by T.Rex under the name I Love To Boogie, with songwriting credits not to Pierce but to Marc Bolan. Worked with artists such as Floyd Cramer, Faron Young, Tillman Franks, Doyle Wilburn, and Kitty Wells ~ Pierce passed away in 1991
 
August 8, 1920 ~ Jump blues singer Jimmy Witherspoon born in Gurdon, Kansas, USA ~ Active since the mid-1940s. In-demand singer worked with a host of artists including Teddy Weatherford, Jay McShann (notably on the 1949 recording of Ain't Nobody's Business), Jimmy Rowles, Earl Hines, Vernon Alley, Mel Lewis, Teddy Edwards, Gerald Wiggins, John Clayton, Paul Humphrey, Pepper Adams, Kenny Burrell, Harry Sweets Edison, Jimmy Smith, Long John Baldry, Junior Mance, Jimmy Woode, Kenny Clarke, Gerry Mulligan, Jim Mullen, Count Basie, Van Morrison, the Dutch Swing College Band, Gene GIlbeaux, Robben Ford, Russell Ferrante, Joe Sample, and others ~ Witherspoon passed away in 1997
 
August 8, 1913 ~ Arranger Axel Stordahl born in Staten Island, New York, USA ~ Credited with helping bring pop into the modern age. Perhaps best known for his work with Frank Sinatra in the 1940s. Co-wrote Day By Day, recorded by Sinatra, Jo Stafford, and Les Brown. Has also worked with Bing Crosby, Doris Day, Eddie Fisher, Dinah Shore, Nat King Cole, and Dean Martin ~ Stordahl passed away in 1963
 
August 8, 1910 ~ Lucius Venable Millinder, commonly known as swing, jump blues, R&B bandleader Lucky Millinder, born in Alliston, Alabama, USA ~ Could neither read nor write music, did not play any instrument. Yet rose to fame leading the Mills Blue Rhythm Band during the 1930s, at the time regarded as the greatest big band to play rhythm & blues employing numerous sidemen including Red Allen, Charlie Shavers, Harry Sweets Edison and JC Higginbotham influential to the dawn of rock & roll ~ Millinder passed away in 1966
 
August 8, 1907 ~ Saxophonist, bandleader, arranger, songwriter Benny Carter, full name Bennet Lester Carter, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Alto sax pioneer. Also played trumpet, clarinet, piano. Arranger, sideman. Worked with June Clark, Billy Paige, Earl Hines, the Wilberforce Collegians, Horace Henderson, the Paradise Ten, Charlie Johnson, Fletcher Henderson, McKinney's Cotton Pickers, Chu Berry, Sid Catlett, Cozy Cole, Bill Coleman, Ben Webster, Dicky Wells, Teddy Wilson, Red Allen, Dicky Wells, Wayman Carver, Coleman Hawkins, JC Higginbotham, Chu Berry, the BBC Big Band, Shad Collins, Sidney De Paris, Vic Dickenson, Freddie Webster, Eddie Barefield, Kenny Clarke, Dizzy Gillespie, JJ Johnson, Max Roach, Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, and numerous others ~ Carter passed away in 2003
 
August 8, 1904 ~ Pierre Paquet, commonly known as jazz trumpeter, arranger, composer Peter Packay, born in Brussels, Belgium ~ Despite an accident leaving him crippled in one arm decided to learn to play the trumpet. As a composer known for songs such as Alabama Mamma, The Blue Duke, Dixie Melody and Lullaby For A Mexican Alligator. Worked with the Varsity Ramblers, the Red Beans, David Bee, Packay's Swing Academy, and Billy Arnold ~ Paquet passed away in 1965