December 2, 2022 ~ Folk rock singer, songwriter, playwright, screenwriter Jo Carol Pierce passed away in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Schoolmate of Butch Hancock and Joe Ely, the latter encouraging her to become a songwriter. High school sweatheart of Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Widely acclaimed for her 1995 Bad Girls Upset By The Truth debut album ~ Pierce was born in 1944
December 2, 2021 ~ Music manager, tour manager Richard Cole passed away ~ Best known as tour manager for Led Zeppelin from 1968 until its dissolution in 1980. Drew ire from the band for several bold statements about their behavior, most infamously in the Stephen Davis-penned Zeppelin-biography Hammer Of The Gods. Has also worked for bands such as Unit 4+2, the Who, the New Vaudeville Band, Vanilla Fudge, the Yardbirds, Eric Clapton, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Uhuru, Three Dog Night, and others ~ Cole was born in 1946
December 2, 2019 ~ Andrew McArthur Smith, commonly known as new wave, rock singer, keyboardist, songwriter Greedy Smith, passed away in Sydney, Australia ~ Joined Mental As Anything shortly after its formation in 1976 and remained with the band until his death. Wrote or co-wrote a vast amount of the band's material including Live It Up, a top 10 hit in the band's native Australia as well as across Europe after its inclusion in the film Crocodile Dundee. Smith has also worked with Greedy's People and with the Space Shuttle Ramblers ~ Smith was born in 1956
December 2, 2019 ~ Blues producer, promoter Jacques Morgantini passed away ~ Married to Marcelle Morgantini. The duo served as producers and promoters of previously underrated and little- or unrecorded American blues artists including Andrew Odom, Willie Kent, Luther Guitar Junior Johnson, Eddy Clearwater, Magic Slim, and John Littlejohn ~ Morgantini was born in 1924
December 2, 2019 ~ James Cavallo, commonly known as R&B saxophonist Jimmy Cavallo, passed away in Pompano Beach, Florida, USA ~ Shortly after his discharge from the Army, around the end of World War II, founded the Jimmy Cavallo Quartet, one of the first white R&B blues bands, playing originals as well as covers of Wynonie Harris and Louis Jordan. Best known for fronting Jimmy Cavallo & his House Rockers, noted for appearing in the 1956 film Rock Rock Rock playing The Big Beat and the film's title track Rock Rock Rock. The band is also noted for being the first white band to play the Apollo Theater in Harlem promoting the movie ~ Cavallo was born in 1927
December 2, 2016 ~ Chelsea Faith Dolan, commonly known as electronic music producer, DJ, radio host Cherushii, passed away in Oakland, California, USA ~ Classically trained. Champion of women in electronic music. Starting in the early 2010s released a number of EPs and a sole full-length album, the acclaimed Memory Of Water, before dying at age 33 in a fire in an venue where she was to perform that night ~ Dolan was born in 1983
December 2, 2016 ~ Country singer, keyboardist, songwriter Mark Gray passed away in Lebanon, Tennessee, USA ~ Member of Exile from 1979 to 1982, for whom he co-wrote The Closer You Get, You're Good For Me and Take Me Down, the latter later notably covered by Alabama. Also wrote Janie Fricke's It Ain't Easy Bein' Easy, Gary Morris' Second Hand Heart, and Aretha Franklin's Whatever It Is. Has also recorded as a solo artist, the singles The Left Side Of The Bed, If All The Magic Is Gone, Diamond In The Dust, the Tammy Wynette duet Sometimes When We Touch, and Please Be Love all reaching top 10 Billboard Country ~ Gray was born in 1952
December 2, 2014 ~ Saxophonist Bobby Keys, full name Robert Henry Keys, passed away in Franklin, Tennessee, USA ~ In-demand touring and session musician. Longtime associate of the Rolling Stones noted for his saxophone solo on the 1971 Stones hit Brown Sugar. Also present on albums such as Let It Bleed, Exile On Main St, Goat's Head Soup, Emotional Rescue, No Security, and others. Involved with several Stones side projects and solo albums, notably Keith Richards's, including with the New Barbarians and the X-Pensive Winos. Has also worked with Delaney & Bonnie, Joe Cocker, George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, BB King, Barbra Streisand, Carly Simon, Chuck Berry, Dr John, Eric Clapton, Keith Moon, Lynyrd Skynyrd, John Hiatt, and others ~ Keys was born in 1943
December 2, 2013 ~ Murvin Junior Smith, commonly known as singer Junior Murvin, passed away in Port Antonio, Jamaica ~ Known for songs such as Solomon, Miss Kushie, and Police & Thieves. The latter would be covered by the Clash on their debut album. Worked with Sonia Pottinger, the Hippy Boys, the Mighty Falcons, the Tornadoes, Lee Scratch Perry, Joe Gibbs, Alvin Ranglin, Errol Thompson, Mikey Dread, Henry Jujo Lawes, Prince Jammy, King Tubby, and others ~ Smith was born ca.1946
December 2, 2009 ~ Aaron Harold Schröder, commonly known as songwriter, producer, publisher Aaron Schroeder, passed away in Englewood, New Jersey, USA ~ Founded Musicor Records. Discovered and managed Gene Pitney. Penned or co-penned over 1500 songs. Had his first success as a songwriter with At A Sidewalk Penny Arcade, a 1948 hit for Rosemary Clooney. Wrote five Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits for Elvis Presley, I Got Stung, A Big Hunk O' Love, It's Now Or Never, Stuck On You, and Good Luck Charm. Others who recorded songs written or co-written by Schroeder include Guy Mitchell, Johnnie Ray (No Wedding Today), Carl Perkins, Conway Twitty, the Isley Brothers (I'm Gonna Knock On Your Door), Gene Vincent, Brook Benton, Bobby Vee (Rubber Ball), and Dusty Springfield ~ Schroeder was born in 1926
December 2, 2009 ~ Singer, songwriter, keyboardist, artist manager Eric Woolfson passed away in London, UK ~ Best known for his close association with Alan Parsons, practically being co-creator and only other key member of the Alan Parsons Project. Previously worked as a songwriter for artists including Marianne Faithfull, Frank Ifield, Joe Dassin, the Tremeloes, Marmalade, Dave Berry, Peter Noone, and others. Turned to music management, his first two signings Carl Douglas and Parsons ~ Woolfson was born in 1945
December 2, 2008 ~ Odetta Holmes, mononymously known as gospel, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Odetta, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Influential on key figures of the folk revival including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Mavis Staples, and Janis Joplin . Icon of the civil rights movement. Described as “the Queen of American folk music” by Martin Luther King Jr. Drew from folk, blues, jazz, and spirituals. Over a dozen albums to her name since the mid-1950s, especially acclaimed for Sings Ballads And Blues and Odetta And The Blues. Best known for Take This Hammer, which is regularly named as one of the 20th century's greatest songs ~ Holmes was born in 1930
December 2, 2006 ~ Singer Mariska Veres passed away in The Hague, the Netherlands ~ Best known as lead singer of Shocking Blue, joining the band in 1968 as replacement for Fred de Wilde, and present on hits such as Send Me A Postcard, Never Marry A Railroad Man and their best-known Venus. The latter would reach No.1 in numerous countries, including topping the American Billboard Hot 100, and be notably covered by Bananarama in 1986 ~ Veres was born in 1947
December 2, 2004 ~ Alternative rock, new wave singer, guitarist Kevin Coyne passed away in Nuremberg, Germany ~ Overlooked by the public. Anti-star admired by peers including Sting and Johnny Rotten. Reportedly turned down a chance to meet with label executive Jac Holzman to discuss replacing the late Jim Morrison in the Doors, alleging he “did not like the leather trousers” ~ Coyne was born in 1944
December 2, 2002 ~ Guitarist Richard Dangel passed away ~ Lead guitarist for the Wailers, generally credited as one of the first, if not the first, American garage bands, best known for their debut single Tall Cool One, a Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit in 1959. Encouraged by its success the band would record a full-length album, The Fabulous Wailers, released by the end of the year. A second instrumental single, Mau-Mau, would chart moderately. A third, Wailin', failed to chart. However, the band continued to perform regionally in the Pacific Northwest, and according to the band's keyboardist Kent Morrill counted a young and then-unknown Jimi Hendrix among their fans ~ Dangel was born in 1942
December 2, 2001 ~ Singer Valorie Jones passed away ~ One third of sibling outfit the Jones Girls, alongside Shirley Jones and Brenda Jones. Served as backup singers for Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, Aretha Franklin, Linda Clifford, and Tower Of Power. On their own they would score a number of modest hits on Billboard's R&B charts from the late 1970s through the mid 1980s including You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else, Dance Turned Into Romance and I Just Love The Man ~ Jones was born in 1956
December 2, 1998 ~ Dixieland, swing, jazz bassist Bob Haggart, full name Robert Sherwood Haggart, passed away in Venice, Florida, USA ~ First gained attention in the mid-1930 working with Bob Crosby, including co-writing songs such as Big Noise From Winnetka and What's New. Would go on to work with Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald. Co-founded the Lawson-Haggart Band with Yank Lawson, the pair also subsequently co-leading the World's Greatest Jazz Band through 1978 ~ Haggart was born in 1914
December 2, 1998 ~ Jarad Anthony Higgins, commonly known a rapper, singer, songwriter Juice WRLD, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for songs such as All Girls Are The Same, Lean Wit Me, Wasted, Armed And Dangerous, and Lucid Dreams. Has collaborated with Benny Blanco, BTS, Ellie Goulding, Halsey, Marshmello, the Weeknd, Eminem, Kodak Black, and others ~ Higgins passed away in 2019
December 2, 1997 ~ New acoustic, world, new age guitarist Michael Hedges, full name Michael Alden Hedges, passed away in Mendocino County, California, USA ~ Classically trained. Influenced by John Martyn, the Beatles, Igor Stravinsky, Edgard Varèse, Anton Webern. Briefly a member, playing guitar and flute, of the Lotus Band before venturing out on his own playing as a solo acoustic guitarist. Signed to Windham Hill, the preeminent New Age label, by William Ackerman in 1980. Would release his acclaimed 1981 Breakfast In The Field debut album, its 1984 follow-up Aerial Boundaries and the 1985 Watching My Life Go By album ~ Hedges was born in 1953
December 2, 1987 ~ Singer, conductor, songwriter Trygve Henrik Hoff passed away ~ Acclaimed songwriter and storyteller known to focus on the life in northern Norway. Wrote Har EnDrøm and El Hand Å Holde i, major hits for Jørn Hoel. Others who have recorded his songs include Solfrid Hoff, the Bodø-oktetten and notably Sissel Kyrkjebø ~ Hoff was born in 1938
December 2, 1986 ~ Saxophonist Paul Bascomb passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Bama State Collegians, at the height of their fame led by Erskine Hawkins, and well known for hits such as Tuxedo Junction. The band also included his brother, trumpeter Dud Bascomb. Bascomb would remain with the band through the mid-1940s, apart from a brief interval in the late 1930s, where he played with Count Basie ~ Bascomb was born in 1912
December 2, 1986 ~ Metal singer, guitarist, songwriter Ragnar Zolberg born in Iceland ~ Founding member of the Sign, releasing five albums with the band starting with Vindar Og Breytingar in 2001. Joined Pain Of Salvation in 2011, present on the band's Falling Home, Remêdy Lane Re:Lived and In The Passing Light Of Day. Has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing his Upplifun debut album in 1998 at a mere 11 years old
December 2, 1986 ~ Rock, blues rock, indie rock, jazz fusion, funk bassist, guitarist, singer Tal Wilkenfeld born in Sydney, Australia ~ As a solo artist known best for her 2007 Transformation debut album, released while still in her teens. Has collaborated extensively with a host of international stars including Herbie Hancock, Macy Gray, Lee Ritenour, Jackson Browne, Trevor Rabin, Wayne Krantz, Toto's Steve Lukather, Ryan Adams, Todd Rundgren, Jeff Beck, Prince, and others.
December 2, 1983 ~ Singer Michael Jackson's 14 minute video for Thriller debuts on MTV ~ Directed by John Landis, the 14 minute video shows Jackson turning into a werewolf and leading a dance routine with various undead creatures. The album of the same name released about a year earlier, Jackson's sixth solo album, became his first Billboard Hot 200 No.1, and would sell over 30 million copies in its first year making it one of the all-time best-selling albums. All six of the album's singles would reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100, with Billie Jean and Beat It both reaching No.1
December 2, 1981 ~ Pop, teen pop singer, songwriter Britney Spears, full name Britney Jean Spears, born in McComb, Mississippi, USA ~ Signed at age fifteen. The single most important singer to define late 1990s, 2000s teen girl pop, particularly with her first two albums, Baby One More Time and its follow-up Oops I Did It Again. Managed to stay relevant, building and renewing her fanbase as she grew older, and recording over half a dozen albums since with record sales over her entire career totalling over 150 million copies. Well known for feuding with her management and family, who managed not only the business side but details of her personal life as well. While in a lengthy series of highly-publicized lawsuits to regain control, a support movement would grow among her fans using the tag “#freebritney”. Spears regained full control in the early 2020s
December 2, 1981 ~ Orchestrator, conductor, arranger, composer Hershy Kay passed away in Danbury, Connecticut, USA ~ One of the most in-demand orchestrators for Broadway shows, closely associated with once-classmate Leonard Bernstein. Orchestrated several of Bernstein's musicals including On The Town, Peter Pan and Candide. Has also orchestrated musicals for Marc Blitzstein, Harvey Schmidt, Cy Coleman, and Andrew Lloyd Webber. To jazz audiences perhaps best known for conducting the orchestra on Stan Getz's 1961 Focus album ~ Kay was born in 1919
December 2, 1978 ~ The Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond duet You Don't Bring Me Flowers hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 for the first of two consecutive weeks ~ Originally intended as the theme song to the daily sitcom All That Glitters, the show's creator changed the concept of the show and the song was no longer appropriate. Diamond reworked the track from its original 45 seconds to a full three minutes, and included it as a solo performance on his I'm Glad You're Here With Me Tonight album. Subsequently Streisand covered the track for her 1978 Songbird album. The two recordings were spliced and mixed by different radio stations. The popularity of several unofficial duet versions of the song prompted the singers to record an official duet, which spent two weeks at the top of the charts
December 2, 1978 ~ Rock bassist Chris Wolstenholme, full name Christopher Tony Wolstenholme, born in Rotherham, UK ~ Co-founding member of Rocket Baby Dolls. The band would be renamed to Muse in 1994, and have recorded over half a dozen albums since. They are known best for songs such as Plug-in Baby, Time Is Running Out, Hysteria, Butterflies & Hurricanes, Supermassive Black Hole, Knights Of Cydonia and Uprising, all of which reached the UK top 20. Wolstenholme mostly plays with his fingers, rather than a plectrum, as he prefers the sound. Producer Rich Costey would comment: “He hits the strings really goddamn hard. It sounds that way because that's the way he plays.”
December 2, 1978 ~ Singer, songwriter Nelly Furtado, full name Nelly Kim Furtado, born in Victoria, Canada ~ Rose to fame with her trip hop inspired 2000 Whoa Nelly debut album. Has recorded to critical acclaim and commercial succes since. Known for songs such as I'm Like A Bird, Say What You Want, Try, Promiscuous featuring Timbaland, Say It Right, and others. Collaborated with Flo Rida, Estella Marie Thompson, NERD, Missy Elliott, Dave Stewart, Paul Oakenfold, the Roots, Bryan Adams, Andrea Bocelli, and others
December 2, 1977 ~ Twin brothers keyboardist James Martin and guitarist Tom Martin born in York, UK ~ Both brothers have worked with Kyrah, Alistair Griffin, the Station Club, and VEGA. The twins have also formed a songwriting partnership with Griffin, notably penning By My Side for Do which reached top 10 in the singer's native Netherlands. Others who have recorded their songs include the House Of Lords, Ted Poley, Tommy Funderburk, Khymera, and Sunstorm
December 2, 1972 ~ Singer Brenda Lee records Nobody Wins at Bradleys Barn, Mt Juliet, Tennessee ~ Written by Kris Kristofferson. Released the following January, paired with We Had A Good Thing Going on the flip side, it would reach top 5 of the country charts in the USA and Canada
December 2, 1972 ~ Bandleader, songwriter Moe Jaffe passed away in Englewood, New Jersey, USA ~ Has co-written over 250 songs including Collegiate (Waring's Pennsylvanians, the Revelers, the Crew Cuts), If I Had My Life To Live Over (Larry Vincent), The Gypsy In My Soul (Jack Harris, Margaret Whiting, Anita O'Day), If You Are But A Dream (Jimmy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra, Screamin' Jay Hawkins), and Bell Bottom Trousers (the Jesters, Louis Prima) ~ Jaffe was born in 1901
December 2, 1972 ~ Jazz rock unit Steely Dan make their debut on the Billboard Hot 200 as their Can't Buy A Thrill debut album enters the chart at No.197 ~ The only Steely Dan album to feature David Palmer as lead vocalist. Drummer Jim Hodder sang lead on Midnite Cruiser. The album would reach top 20 Billboard Hot 200, bolstered by the success of the singles Do It Again and Reelin' In The Years. The album title is derived from the Bob Dylan song It Takes A Lot To Laugh It Takes A Train To Cry, which includes the lyrics “Well, I ride on a mailtrain, baby, can't buy a thrill.”
December 2, 1969 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones make a stop at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, Sheffield, Alabama, to record Wild Horses, You Gotta Move, and Brown Sugar over the course of three days ~ With some time to spare between the end of their 1969 North American tour and the added fateful gig at the Altamont Speedway Free Festival, the Stones record the traditional You Gotta Move, usually attributed to Mississippi Fred McDowell and Gary Davis, as well as the originals Brown Sugar and Wild Horses. As the Stones felt the latter was not good enough to record fully, they gave it to the Flying Burrito Brothers who included the track on their 1970 Burrito Deluxe album. Eventually all three tracks would end up on the Rolling Stones 1971 album Sticky Fingers. The single Brown Sugar reached No.1 Billboard Hot 100
December 2, 1967 ~ Bassist Bill Wyman releases his In Another Land single, lead single off the Rolling Stones album Their Satanic Majesties Request ~ Wyman showed up at the studio, only to find out the rest of the Rolling Stones were a no-show as the session was canceled. Everybody but Bill knew. Engineer Glyn Johns, who was in the studio, asked him if he had anything to record, and Wyman replied that he had been messing with this song. So they recorded it. When Johns later played the tape to Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Brian Jones, they decided to include it on the album. Wyman is the sole songwriter, sang lead, and played bass and organ. Although the rest of the band, as well as Ronnie Lane and Steve Marriott of the Small Faces, also contributed to the final cut, the single was issued under Wyman's name, instead of the band's. The B-side featured The Lantern, credited to the band
December 2, 1966 ~ Clarence Lavonne Fitzgerald, commonly known as pop singer Barry Young, passed away in Los Angeles, USA ~ Known for two singles and one full-length album, all released in 1966. His rendition of He'll Have To Go would only chart moderately in Canada, where it peaked in the low 60s. One Has My Name (The Other Has My Heart), however, previously a Billboard Country No.1 in 1948 for Jimmy Wakely, reached top 20 Billboard Hot 100. Sadly, his success would be shortlived, his career cut short by his death in December at age 35 of a brain abscess ~ Fitzgerald was born in 1931
December 2, 1963 ~ Singer Connie Francis records In The Summer Of His Years for immediate release, following the assassination of President John F Kennedy ~ Within hours after learning of the Kennedy assassination on November 22, songwriters Herbert Kretzmer and David Lee finish the tribute song In The Summer Of His Years, premiered the following day by UK singer Millicent Martin during a special BBC broadcast. The show would be re-broadcast in the USA and several major artists recorded the song, most notably Connie Francis. Radio stations were reluctant to play the song, some feeling it inappropriate to capitalize on the tragedy while others claimed the public simply didn't care for it. Francis' version nevertheless charted, peaking at No.46 Billboard Hot 100. All the proceeds of the single and subsequent album of the same name were donated to the family of JD Tippit, a police officer who was also fatally shot in the same tragedy. The single and album are considered some of the earliest charity records
December 2, 1962 ~ Mercy Davis Walton, commonly known as jump blues singer, pianist, songwriter Mercy Dee Walton, passed away in Murphys, California, USA ~ Known for a string of singles through the mid-1950s, notably Lonesome Cabin Blues, One Room Country Shack and Come Back Maybellene. The latter in reply to Chuck Berry's then-current hit and future classic Maybellene. A year prior to his death Walton released his Mercy Dee album, featuring backing from harmonica player Sidney Maiden, guitarist KC Douglas, and drummer Otis Cherry ~ Walton was born in 1915
December 2, 1960 ~ Punta guitarist Andy Palacio, full name Andy Vivian Palacio, born in Barranco, British Honduras ~ Considered a cultural ambassador of Belize and an important in figure in punta rock, drawing from Garifuna pride yet influenced by R&B, jazz, and rock & roll. Acclaimed for the mid-1990s albums Keimoun (Beat On) and Til Da Mawnin ~ Palacio passed away in 2008
December 2, 1960 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Peter Blakeley born in Sydney, Australia ~ Lead singer of 1980s outfit the Rockmelons, present on Sweat It Out. As a solo artist best known for Crying In The Chapel, a hit in 1990. Also worked with Wendy Matthews, Absent Friends, Eric Clapton, Ricky Fataar, Linda Ronstadt, Siedah Garrett, Andrew Gold, Jeff Porcaro, Jim Keltner, Larry Klein, Peter Asher, the Pink Slips, Cher, and others
December 2, 1960 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal, glam metal bassist Rick Savage born in Sheffield, UK ~ Co-founding member of Def Leppard, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums since the late 1970s. The band hit their peak popularity in the 1980s, especially with the albums Pyromania and Hysteria. They scored about a dozen top 20 hits in their native UK, their best known being Animal, Let's Get Rocked and When Love And Hate Collide. Savage and lead singer Joe Elliott are the band's only constant members, and appear on every album
December 2, 1957 ~ Folk, new-age singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Ian Tamblyn born in Fort William, Canada ~ Over two dozen albums to his name starting with eponymous Ian Tamblyn debut album released in 1976. Best known for his 1990 Magnetic North album. Wrote the music for the first season of the animated TV series Toad Patrol which aired from 1999 through 2002, initially aimed at young children but gained popularity among teens and young adults for its dark undertones and backgrounds
December 2, 1952 ~ Singer, songwriter Peter Kingsbery born in Phoenix, Arizona, USA ~ Co-founded Cock Robin in the early 1980s, best known for songs such as The Promise You Made and Thought You Were On My Side. Has been releasing solo records since the early 1990s, both in English and French, the language of his adopted home country. Has collaborated with Pat Mastelotto, Tenor Saw, Tim Pierce, Phil Solem, Herve Coster, Stephane Belmondo, Matthieu Chedid, and others
December 2, 1952 ~ Producer, arranger, conductor, pianist Rob Mounsey born in Berea, Ohio, USA ~ Session musician, producer worked with Aaron Neville, Aztec Camera, Brian Wilson, Carly Simon, Chaka Khan, Chromeo, Diana Ross, Donald Fagen, Eric Clapton, Karen Carpenter, Madonna, Michael Franks, Natalie Cole, Paul Simon, Rihanna, Steely Dan, Simon & Garfunkel, and others
December 2, 1950 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter John Wesley Ryles born in Bastrop, Louisiana, USA ~ Known for a number of country hits starting in 1968 through the mid-1980s including Kay, I've Just Been Wasting My Time, Once In A Lifetime Thing, Shine On Me (The Sun Still Shines When It Rains), Liberated Woman, Perfect Strangers, and others
December 2, 1949 ~ Boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by Chicago pianists Hershal Thomas and Jimmy Yancey. Ammons, along with other high-energy boogie-woogie, blues, jazz, and jump-blues musicians, helped create a hybrid which predated and paved the way for rock & roll. Ammons worked with artists such as Meade Lux Lewis, Guy Kelly, Dalbert Bright, Jimmy Hoskins, Israel Crosby, Pete Johnson, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Lena Horne, and Lionel Hampton. Ammons would be a major influence on generations of piano players to come including Jerry Lee Lewis, Dr John, Erroll Garner, Ray Bryant, Johnnie Johnson, and Axel Zwingenberger ~ Ammons was born in 1907
December 2, 1949 ~ Rudolph Dennis, commonly known as reggae singer Garth Dennis, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Co-founded Black Uhuru with Don Carlos and Derrick Duckie Simpson in 1972, leaving the band after the early recordings and rejoining in the early 1990s, first reappearing on the 1991 album Now. Had a successful run throughout the late 1980s with the Wailing Souls starting with 1979's acclaimed Wild Suspense album. Released his solo debut album, Trenchtown 19 3rd Street, in 2015 ~ Dennis passed away in 2021
December 2, 1948 ~ Luciano Pozo Gonzalez, commonly known as jazz percussionist, singer, composer Chano Pozo, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Despite a relatively short career, shot and killed at age 33, regarded as a key figure in the development of Latin jazz. Co-wrote several of Dizzy Gillespie's songs including Manteca and Tin Tin Deo. Has worked with Gillespie, Chris Connor, Illinois Jacquet, Ben Webster, Peggy Lee, Machito, Charlie Parker, Clark Terry, Chico O'Farrill, and others ~ González was born in 1915
December 2, 1948 ~ Robbie Eduard, commonly known as pop, rock singer, songwriter Polle Eduard born ~ Fronted de Polle Eduard Band, best known for Ik Wil Jou. Also worked with the Tee Set, After Tea, Drama, Rob de Nijs' backing unit Pur Sang, Peter Koelewijn, Hans Vermeulen, Jody Pijper, and others
December 2, 1947 ~ Country singer Pee Wee King records The Tennessee Waltz at RCA/Victor Studios, Chicago, Illinois ~ Written by King and Redd Stewart. Paired with Rootie Tootie on the flip side released as a single the next January. While on the road King and Stewart were inspired by Bill Monroe's Kentucky Waltz playing on the radio. They used the melody of King's previously written No Name Waltz and as the pair thought of the lyrics Stewart wrote them on a matchbox. The next day they presented the result to music publisher Fred Rose who changed the opening line to “I remember the night and the Tennessee Waltz.” It would become a country top 10 hit and one of King's best-known. Singer Patti Page notably covered the song in 1950, handpicked because it was a favorite of her father's and initially released on the B-side of a seasonal single, Boogie Woogie Santa Claus
December 2, 1944 ~ Singer, songwriter Dionysis Savvopoulos born in Thessaloniki, Greece ~ Closely associated with the Greek New Wave of the 1960s. Drew critical comparison to a young Frank Zappa for his arrangements and to Bob Dylan for his politically driven lyrics. Briefly imprisoned by the military junta for his political convictions. Released his To Fortigho debut album in 1966, critically acclaimed but a commercial failure. Has achieved commercial succes since becoming one of Greece's most beloved and enduring songwriters
December 2, 1943 ~ Drummer Dave Munden born in Dagenham, UK ~ Co-founding and last remaining original member of the Tremeloes, remaining with band from 1958 through 2018. The band is known for a string of 1960s UK hits including Someone Someone, Twist And Shout, Candy Man and Someone Someone. The 1967 singles Here Comes My Baby and Silence Is Golden, the latter probably their best-known, would also crack the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 ~ Munden passed away in 2020
December 2, 1941 ~ Bassist Ernest Mothle born in Pretoria, South Africa ~ Member of Jabula, a group of exiled South African musicians living in England, known for a number of 1970s, 1980s albums. In addition to their own work the group has also notably worked with Mike Oldfield on the albums Ommadawn, Incantations and Amarok ~ Mothle passed away in 2011
December 2, 1941 ~ Paul John Guloien, commonly known as jazz saxophonist PJ Perry, born in Calgary, Canada ~ Son of saxophonist Paul Perry, in whose band he worked at age 14. Influenced by Art Pepper, Sonny Stitt, Phil Woods. Declined offers to play in the USA, including from jazz greats such as Terry Gibbs, preferring to remain in his native Canada. Acclaimed for albums such as 1990's Worth Waiting For and 2005's Time Flies
December 2, 1941 ~ Guitarist Tom McGuinness, full name Thomas John Patrick McGuinness, born in Wimbledon, UK ~ Best known for his association with Manfred Mann, notably present on songs such as Pretty Flamingo. Also wrote several tracks for the band, including LSD, One Way and Cubist Town. Following the disbandement of the band in 1969 McGuinness teamed up with drummer Hughie Flint in McGuinness-Flint, active through 1975. Later joined the Blues Band. Also known as an author, his book So You Want To Be A Rock & Roll Star, published in 1986
December 2, 1935 ~ Jazz pianist Ronnie Mathews born in New York, New York, USA ~ Critically compared to Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, and McCoy Tyner. As a leader best known for his 1963 Doin' The Thang album. Closely associated with drummers Max Roach and Art Blakey. Guested on albums by Bill Hardman, Roland Alexander, Junior Cook, Clifford Jordan, Sonny Stitt, Roy Haynes (Cracklin'), Freddie Hubbard (Breaking Point), Lee Morgan, Donald Byrd (Slow Drag), Jean-Luc Ponty, Abbey Lincoln (People In Me), Louis Hayes, Clark Terry, Woody Shaw, and Clifford Jordan ~ Mathews passed away in 2008
December 2, 1931 ~ Composer, pianist Vincent d'Indy, full name Paul Marie Théodore Vincent d'Indy, passed away in Paris, France ~ Inspired to take up composition by Hector Berlioz. Particularly influential as a composer, co-founded the Schola Cantorom de Paris and also taught at the Paris Conservatoire. His students included Albert Roussel, Arthur Honegger, Erik Satie, and Cole Porter. As a composer known best for Symphony On A French Mountain and Istar, though most of his work has fallen out of grace perphaps partly due to his over time growing more extremist anti-liberal and anti-semitic views ~ d'Indy was born in 1851
December 2, 1931 ~ Jazz, bebop, hard bop pianist, composer Wynton Kelly, full name Wynton Charles Kelly, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Inventive jazz pianist influential on the likes of Monty Alexander, Chick Corea, Brad Mehldau, Chucho Valdes. As a leader especially acclaimed for the late 1950s albums Piano (Whisper Not) and Kelly Blue, and for the 1965 live album Smokin' At The Half Note. Also well known for his stint with Miles Davis from the late 1950s through the early 1960s, including on the seminal Kind Of Blue album. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Dizzy Gillespie (School Days), Art Farmer, JJ Johnson, Dinah Washington (Dinah), Billie Holiday (Lady Sings The Blues), Lee Morgan, Frank Wess, Sonny Rollins (Newk's Time), Booker Little, John Coltrane (Giant Steps), Benny Golson, Abbey Lincoln (Abbey Is Blue), Paul Chambers, Cannonball Adderley (The Cannonball Adderley Quintet In Chicago), Blue Mitchell, Freddie Hubbard (Open Sesame), Hank Mobley (Roll Call), Helen Humes, Sam Jones (The Chant), Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Wes Montgomery, Bunky Green (My Baby), Clifford Jordan (In The World), Gene Ammons, and Dexter Gordon ~ Kelly passed away in 1971
December 2, 1918 ~ Jazz, pop pianist, accordionist, songwriter, arranger Milton Delugg born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Active since the 1940s. Musical director, bandleader, accordionist on Broadway Open House aired on NBC, considered a forerunner to The Tonight Show. Co-wrote and first recorded Orange Colored Sky featuring singer Janet Brace, best known as a hit for Nat King Cole. Other songs written or co-written by Delugg include Shanghai (Doris Day), Be My Life's Companion (the Mills Brothers), Shake Hands With Santa Claus (Louis Prima), A Poor Man's Roses Or A Rich Man's Gold (Patsy Cline). Also notably remembered for producing Buddy Holly's iconic Rave On rock & roll classic ~ Delugg passed away in 2015
December 2, 1915 ~ Jazz saxophonist Henry Bridges born in Paris, Texas, USA ~ Started in territory bands working with artists such as Don Byas and Charlie Christian. Would go on to work with Alphonso Trent, Anna Mae Winburn, Leslie Sheffield, Harlan Leonard, and others. Following a stint in the US Army during World War II would work through the early 1960s, collaborating with the likes of Julia Lee, Clifford Blivens, Peppy Prince, Helen Humes, and Damita Jo ~ Bridges passed away in 1986
December 2, 1915 ~ Lyricist, songwriter John DeVries born in Wayne, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Frequent songwriting partner of pianist Joe Bushkin. The pair is perhaps best known for writing Oh Look At Me Now, a 1941 hit for Tommy Dorsey featuring Frank Sinatra. The song has been covered by numerous artists including Benny Goodman, Sam Cooke, Jo Stafford, and Nancy Wilson ~ DeVries passed away in 1992
December 2, 1896 ~ Trumpeter, composer Mike Mosiello born in Fraso Telesino, Italy ~ Enlisted in the US Marine Corps as a military musician during World War I and started a musical career after his service. Worked as a studio musician, in big bands, radio orchestras, and in theatres. Worked with Vincent Lopez, Nathaniel Shilkret, Victor Borge, Andy Sannella, Charles Magnante, and others. ~ Mosiello passed away in 1953
December 2, 1895 ~ Pianist Harriet Cohen, full name Harriet Pearl Alice Cohen, born in London, UK ~ Sister of singer Myra Verney. Best known for premiering Ralph Vaughan Williams' Piano Concerto. Had compositions written especially for her by renowned composers such as John Ireland, Béla Bartók, Ernest Bloch and extensively by Arnold Bax, being romantically involved with the latter ~ Cohen passed away in 1967
December 2, 1895 ~ Pianist, organist Jesse Crawford born in Woodland, California, USA ~ Popular 1920s theater organist for silent films. Switched to Hammond organ in the 1930. As a recording artist known for songs such as Rose Marie, Valencia, Russian Lullabye, At Dawning, Roses Of Picardy, Vienna Violins, Louisiana Nocturn', Harlem Holiday, and Hawaiian Honeymoon ~ Crawford passed away in 1962