November 13, 2021 ~ Heavy metal, doom metal bassist Greg Mayne passed away ~ Member of Space Meat. Co-founding member of pioneering doom metal band Pentagram, remaining with the band from 1971 through 1976. Along with Randy Palmer Mayne briefly rejoined lead singer Bobby Liebling in 1988 working on a new album, the renewed Pentagram line-up would split up after their first performance ~ Mayne was born ca.1954
November 13, 2021 ~ Jazz trumpeter, composer Jim Knapp, full name James Donald Knapp Jr, passed away in Kirkland, Washington, USA ~ Recorded a handful of albums as a leader, noted particularly for On Going Home released in 1995. Taught at the Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle, for over four decades starting in 1971. Director for the chamber ensemble the Composers And Improvisers Orchestra from 1977 through 1985, presenting compositions by the orchestra's members and guest composers including Carla Bley, Anthony Braxton, Gil Evans, and Sam Rivers. Founded the Chamber Groove Orchestra in the late 1990s. As a sideman has appeared on albums by Jay Clayton, Pax Wallace, Steve Korn, and Carolyn Graye ~ Knapp was born in 1939
November 13, 2021 ~ Pop singer, drummer Phil Margo passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of vocal group the Tokens, which also included his brother Mitch Margo, best known for their 1961 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit The Lion Sleeps Tonight. Other well known songs include Tonight I Fell In Love, Big Boat, and Ain't That Peculiar. Margo is also known as a producer, notably co-producing He's So Fine for the Chiffons, Denise for Randy & the Rainbows, I Got Rhythm for the Happenings, and Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree for Tony Orlando & Dawn ~ Margo was born in 1942
November 13, 2020 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Doug Supernaw, full name Douglas Anderson Supernaw, born in Bryan, Texas, USA ~ Influenced by George Jones and Gene Watson. Recorded four albums starting with Red And Rio Grande released in 1993. The album spawned the Billboard Country No.1 hit I Don't Call Him Daddy, previously recorded by Kenny Rogers. Besides his sole No.1, the singles Reno, What'll You Do About Me and Not Enough Hours In The Night, would also reach top 20 Billboard Country ~ Supernaw was born in 1960
November 13, 2020 ~ Southern gospel singer, pianist, songwriter Henry Slaughter, full name Henry Thaxton Slaughter, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Active since the 1940s. Has worked with acts such as the Stamps-Ozark Quartet, the Weatherford Quartet, the Imperials, Bill Gaither, and as a duo with his wife Hazel Myers. Slaughter is also known for penning If The Lord Wasn't Walking By My Side, notably covered by Elvis Presley on his 1967 How Great Thou Art gospel album ~ Slaughter was born in 1927
November 13, 2016 ~ Claude Russell Bridges, commonly known as pianist, bassist, guitarist, hornist, singer Leon Russell, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Legendary rock & roll session pianist, songwriter, producer, appearing on hundreds of albums since the late 1950s. As a solo artist over two dozen albums to his name. Noted especially for his 1970 eponymous Leon Russell solo debut album, featuring guests such as Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison, and including the track A Song For You which has been covered by over 200 artists including Donny Hathaway, and for his 1973 Hank Wilson's Back album. Artists who have recorded songs written or co-written by Russell include Joe Cocker (Delta Lady), Delaney & Bonnie, Freddie King (Palace Of The King), Helen Reddy, and Lee Rocker ~ Bridges was born in 1942
November 13, 2015 ~ Following a re-issue of their 1990 Peoples Instinctive Travels & The Paths Of Rhythm debut album, A Tribe Called Quest perform on the talk show The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, aired on NBC ~ The acclaimed hip hop group perform Can I Kick It on the show, one of the songs of their debut album originally released 25 years earlier. The album had been hailed as a landmark album in hip hop. It also included two more of their best known songs, I Left My Wallet In El Segundo and Bonita Applebum. It would be the band's first TV appearance in 15 years, and their last-ever performance as band member Phife Dawg passed away four months later at age 45 due to complications of diabetes
November 13, 2010 ~ Singer Taylor Swift sets a record by becoming the first female artist to place 11 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time ~ With 10 new entries and Mine at No.21, down from No.13 the previous week, Swift sets the record with no less than 11 singles simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100. The 10 new entries are Long Live at No.85, Never Grow Up at No.84, Enchanted at No.75, Last Kiss at No.71, Haunted at No.63, Better Than Revenge at No.56, Dear John at No.54, The Story Of Us at No.41, Innocent at No.27, and Sparks Fly at No.17
November 13, 2005 ~ Harry Goldberg, commonly known as Dixieland jazz saxophonist, bandleader Harry Gold, passed away ~ Driving force behind Britain's post-war Dixieland revival. Decided to pursue a career in music after seeing the Original Dixieland Jazz Band in concert in the late 1910s. Has worked with the Magnetic Dance Band, the Florentine Dance Band, and notably the Metronomes, establishing himself as a gifted arranger during his stint with the latter, and with Oscar Rabin. Rose to fame in the late 1940s, early 1950s leading the Pieces Of Eight ~ Goldberg was born in 1907
November 13, 2005 ~ Singer Liz Phair guest stars on the fantasy drama Charmed in the episode Battle Of The Hexes, performing the song Somebody's Miracle ~ Phair appears on the show performing the title track of her Somebody's Miracle album. It was the singer's 5th studio album, for which Phair had done two tours in support of the album, a nine-date acoustic tour over the summer previewing some of the album's material, and a month-long tour shortly after the album's release in early October. Phair would be the last musical artist to guest on the show
November 13, 2004 ~ Reggae, ska, dub producer, engineer Errol Thompson passed away ~ Nicknamed “ET”. One of the first engineers, over time moving into producing as well, involved in dub music. Has worked with Joe Gibbs, Junior Byles, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Althea & Donna, Prince Far I, Eek-a-mouse, I-Roy, Cornell Campbell, Freddie McGregor, Barrington Levy, Clive Chin, King Tubby, and others ~ Thompson was born in 1948
November 13, 2004 ~ Russell Tyrone Jones, commonly known as hip hop, hardcore hip hop rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard, passed away in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan, which rose to fame with their 1993 Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) debut album. Jones, known for his outrageously profane free-associative rhymes, would record four albums with the band until his death of an accidental overdose at age 35. Jones has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with 1995's Return To The 36 Chambers which spawned the modest hits Brooklyn Zoo and Shimmy Shimmy Ya ~ Jones was born in 1968
November 13, 2002 ~ William Richard Berry, commonly known as bandleader, trumpeter, cornetist Bill Berry passed away ~ As a leader especially acclaimed for Hello Rev released in 1976 and its follow-up Shortcake two years later. Active since the late 1950s, present on albums by Woody Herman, Herb Pomeroy (Band In Boston), Duke Ellington, Trini López, Ruth Brown, Jake Hanna (Live At The Concord), Ray Charles, Jimmy Rowles (Plus 2 Plus 3 Plus 4), and Johnny Hodges ~ Berry was born in 1930
November 13, 2002 ~ Folk, folk pop, folk rock guitarist, producer Michael Stewart, full name Michael Gassen Stewart, passed away ~ Member of folk pop group We Five, known for their 1965 Billboard top 10 hit You Were On My Mind. As a producer known for producing Piano Man, Billy Joel's breakthrough album, as well as for his work with Tom Jones, Kenny Rankin, and others ~ Stewart was born in 1945
November 13, 2002 ~ Jazz, avant-garde jazz, jazz fusion pianist Roland Hanna, full name Roland Pembroke Hanna, passed away in Hackensack, New Jersey, USA ~ Inventive pianist with a thorough understanding of the roots of jazz. Well over a dozen albums as a leader, especially acclaimed for 1959's Easy To Love and 1974's Perugia. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Kenny Burrell, Benny Goodman, Charles Mingus (Mingus Ah Uhm), Sarah Vaughan, Elvin Jones, Herbie Mann, Stanley Turrentine (Look Of Love), Ruth Brown, Freddie Hubbard (The Hub Of Hubbard), Ron Carter (All Blues), Dee Dee Bridgewater, Stéphane Grappelli, George Benson, Don Sebesky, the New York Jazz Quartet, the Mingus Dynasty (Live At The Village Vanguard), and Eddie Lockjaw Davis ~ Hanna was born in 1932
November 13, 2001 ~ Jean-Jacques Reinhardt, commonly known as guitarist Babik Reinhardt, passed away in Cannes, France ~ Son of revered gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. Coming of age in a different era than his father, his influences branched beyond gypsy jazz and included guitarists such as Wes Montgomery and Jimmy Raney. Recorded over half a dozen albums since the late 1960s. Has collaborated with the likes of George Arvanitis, Romane, Larry Coryell, and Didier Lockwood ~ Reinhardt was born in 1944
November 13, 2001 ~ David Albert Francis, commonly known as swing, jazz, R&B drummer Panama Francis, passed away in Orlando, Florida, USA ~ Given his nickname by Roy Eldridge for wearing a panama hat. Active since the 1930s, backing George Kelly, Tab Smith, Lucky Millinder, Willie Bryant, and Cab Calloway. To pop audiences known for his contributions to numerous 1950s, early 1960s hits, including The Great Pretender and Only You (And You Alone) by the Platters, Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want To Meet) by Jackie Wilson, Splish Splash by Bobby Darin, Calender Girl by Neil Sedaka, Runaround Sue by Dion, and Big Girls Don't Cry and Walk Like A Man by the Four Seasons ~ Francis was born in 1918
November 13, 1999 ~ Jazz pianist, arranger, composer John Benson Brooks passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-wrote Just As Though You Were Here with Eddie DeLange, a hit for Tommy Dorsey featuring Frank Sinatra as lead vocalist. Co-wrote You Came A Long Way (From St Louis) with Bob Russell, a 1948 single for Ray McKinley. Close friend of Gil Evans, who recorded Brooks' Sirhan's Blues and Where Flamingos Fly. Has also worked as arranger for artists such as Randy Brooks, Les Brown, Boyd Raeburn, and others ~ Brooks was born in 1917
November 13, 1997 ~ Jazz pianist, singer, arranger Onzy Matthews, full name Onzy Durrett Matthews Jr, passed away in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ As a leader known for the mid-1960s albums Blues With A Touch Of Elegance and Sounds For The 60's. Closely associated with Duke Ellington orchestra during the 1960s and 1970s. Also especially noted as arranger, conductor, pianist for the 1963 Lou Rawls album Black And Blue, and as arranger, conductor for the Richard Groove Holmes album Book Of The Blues Vol.1 the following year. Other notable associations include Kenny Dorham, Curtis Amy, Gene Shaw, Dexter Gordon, and specifically Ray Charles, working in one capacity or another on a string of the latter's mid-1960s albums ~ Matthews was born in 1930
November 13, 1996 ~ Jazz, R&B organist, pianist Bill Doggett, full name William Bill Doggett, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Started in swing, to transition into R&B. Considered helpful to the development of rock & roll. Led his own trio from the early 1950s onward, known for the instrumental Honky Tonk, as well as for Slow Walk, Ram-Bunk-Shun, and Hold It, all of which reached top 10 Billboard R&B. As a sideman Doggett has worked with the likes of Buddy Tate, Lucky Thompson, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Jordan, Lucky Millinder, Willis Jackson, Coleman Hawkins, and Paul Quinichette ~ Doggett was born in 1916
November 13, 1993 ~ John Collins Fulton, commonly known as trombonist, singer, songwriter Jack Fulton, passed away in San Diego, California, USA ~ Sang with Paul Whiteman's orchestra from 1925 through 1933, present on songs such as Cuban Love Song, How Deep Is The Ocean, and Touch Of Your Hand. As a songwriter Fulton has co-written songs such as Until recorded by Tommy Dorsey, Mrs Santa Claus recorded by Nat King Cole, and Wanted recorded by Perry Como ~ Fulton was born in 1903
November 13, 1993 ~ Julia Carin Cavazos, commonly known as singer, pianist, guitarist, songwriter Julia Michaels, born in Davenport, Iowa, USA ~ As a solo artist, singer best known for her debut single, Issues, a top 20 hit in 2017. Guested on JP Saxe's If The World Was Ending and Clean Bandit's I Miss You. As a songwriter wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Fifth Harmony, Shawn Mendes, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Hailee Steinfeld, Gwen Stefani, and others
November 13, 1992 ~ Singer Bobby McClure passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of the Soul Stirrers in the 1950s, then led by Sam Cooke. As a solo artist best known for the mid-1960s singles Don't Mess Up A Good Thing, You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone and Peak Of Love. Moved on to work with Bobby & the Vocals, Big Daddy Jenkins, Oliver Sain, Little Milton, Fontella Bass, Otis Clay, Shirley Brown, and others ~ McClure was born in 1942
November 13, 1992 ~ Pop singer, pianist Elton John performs at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, to a crowd of 90,000 ~ As part of his world tour in support of his latest album, The One, the British singer plays the first of two nights at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, to a crowd of some 90,000 visitors. It would be his first concert ever in Mexico. The album included the singles The One, Runaway Train, The Last Song, and Simple Life
November 13, 1992 ~ Ronald Bullis, commonly known as drummer Ronnie Bond, passed away in Winchester, UK ~ Original drummer for the Troggs, remaining with the band through 1968. The band has been critically described as the progenitors of punk, influential on Iggy Pop and the Ramones. Bond is present on all of the band's best-known including the UK top 10 hits Wild Thing, With A Girl Like You, I Can't Control Myself, Any Way That You Want Me, and Love Is All Around ~ Bullis was born in 1940
November 13, 1990 ~ Jovan Campbell, commonly known as rapper Jibbs, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Known for his 2006 debut single Chain Hang Low and its follow-up King Kong featuring Chamillionaire, both taken of Jibbs' debut album Jibbs Featuring Jibbs. Other singles such as Go Too Far featuing Melody Thornton, Smile featuring Fabo, and later singles would fail to chart
November 13, 1990 ~ Operatic tenor Richard Lewis passed away ~ Well known for his leading tenor roles in several late 1950s, early 1960s recordings of WS Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan comic operas. Has also recorded works composed by George Frideric Handel, Claudio Monteverdi, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johannes Brahms, Benjamin Britten, and Edward Elgar ~ Lewis was born in 1914
November 13, 1987 ~ Hard bop, soul jazz saxophonist, flutist Harold Vick passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Blues-infused saxophonist on par with Booker Ervin, David Fathead Newman, and Wilton Felder. Over half a dozen albums as a leader, noted especially for his 1963 Steppin' Out debut. As a sideman Vick has appeared on albums by Jack McDuff, Gene Ammons, Big John Patton (Oh Baby), Blue Mitchell, Houston Person (Houston Express), Labelle, Bernard Pretty Purdie (Soul Is Pretty Purdie), Jackie DeShannon, Randy Crawford, Ashford & Simpson, Angela Bofill (Angel Of The Night), Richard Groove Holmes, and Abbey Lincoln ~ Vick was born in 1936
November 13, 1985 ~ Edward Maxwell Miller, commonly known as pianist, vibraphonist, composer Max Miller, passed away in Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA ~ Influenced by Igor Stravinsky, Béla Bartók, Paul Hindemith. Perhaps best remembered for being the first to employ singer Anita O'Day, then aged 19, who sang lead with Miller's band in the late 1930s performing in Chicago venues such as the Three Deuces and the Off-Beat ~ Miller was born in 1911
November 13, 1984 ~ Pop singer, songwriter Don Addrisi passed away ~ Formed the sibling duo the Addrisi Brothers with Dick Addrisi. Both brothers auditioned for Mickey Mouse Club, but were rejected. As a duo the brothers scored hits with songs such as Cherrystone, We've Got To Get It On Again and Slow Dancin' Don't Turn Me On. The pair also wrote Never My Love, a 1967 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit for the Association ~ Addrisi was born in 1938
November 13, 1982 ~ Black metal singer, guitarist, bassist Blake Judd born ~ Lead singer, frontman of Nachtmystium, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting in the early 2000s. The band is best known for their 2008 Assasins (Black Meddle Part I) album and its follow-up Addicts (Black Meddle Part II) released two years later. The band had at one time been associated with the national-socialist movement due to a white power record label redistributing their music with different cover art, without the band's approval or knowledge. The band demanded the label stopped selling their records and were adamant, they'd sue anyone who would slander them as a racist or “nazi band”
November 13, 1981 ~ Steve Edward Nelson, commonly known as songwriter Steve Nelson, passed away ~ Best known for co-writing Frosty The Snowman with Jack Rollins. First recorded by Gene Autry in 1950, it would become a Holiday classic recorded by over 400 artists including Nat King Cole, Perry Como, Ella Fitzgerald, the Ronettes, Brenda Lee, George Strait, and Leon Redbone. Other songs written or co-written by Nelson have been recorded by Eddy Arnold (Bouquet Of Roses), Hank Snow, Art Mooney, Samantha Sang, and Barbra Streisand (Songbird) ~ Nelson was born in 1907
November 13, 1978 ~ Electropop singer Martina Sorbara born in Vaughan, Canada ~ Released two solo albums, 1998's Unplaceables and 2000's Cure For Bad Deeds, before meeting Dan Kurtz with whom she would form Dragonette in 2005. Sorbara also co-wrote and sang on the 2006 Basement Jaxx single Take Me Back To Your House. Has also worked with the Henrys, Martin Solveig, Kaskade, and others
November 13, 1977 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist, singer Cass McCombs born ~ Over half a dozen albums to his name starting with A released in 2003, blending rock, folk, psychedelia, punk, and alt-country. Member of the Skiffle Players, known for their 2016 Skifflin' debut album. McCombs has also collaborated with Foreign Born, Luke Top, the Soldiers Of Fortune, Kurt Vile, Haim, and Tomberlin
November 13, 1973 ~ Jazz drummer Ari Hoenig born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ About a dozen albums to his name as a leader since the late 1990s, especially noted for Inversations released in 2006. Regularly collaborated with Richard Bona, Kenny Werner, and Jean-Michel Pilc. Other notable associations include Lou Lanza, the Jazz Mandolin Project, Jonathan Kreisberg, Gilad Hekselman, Dick Sudhalter, and Macy Gray, appearing on the latter's Stripped album released in 2016
November 13, 1971 ~ Yolk, contemporary folk singer Ulla Pirttijärvi-Länsman born in Angeli, Finland ~ Prime promoter of Sami culture, merging traditional jolk music with Western, pop arrangements. Member of Angelin Tytöt. Half a dozen albums to her own name, starting with Honkon Dóhkká released in 1996
November 13, 1969 ~ Pop, rock band the Beach Boys record This Whole World ~ Written by Brian Wilson. Carl Wilson on lead vocals. Included on the 1970 Sunflower album. Used as the B-side of Slip On Through issued in June 1970. Daryl Dragon of future Captain & Tennille-fame was one of the session musicians, playing harpsichord, chimes and bells
November 13, 1967 ~ Pianist Harriet Cohen, full name Harriet Pearl Alice Cohen, passed away 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 was born in 1895
November 13, 1963 ~ Pop, rock & roll singer Billy Fury records Do You Really Love Me Too at Decca Studios, London, UK ~ Written by Mark Markan and Ben Raleigh. Originally recorded by Barbara Chandler, featured as the B-side of her I Live To Love released in the UK just a month earlier. Fury's version would be produced by Mike Leander. The single, What Am I Gonna Do as the flip side, reached top 20 in Fury's native UK
November 13, 1963 ~ Country producer Frank Liddell born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ A&R director at Decca Records. Founded the Carnival Music label in the late 1990s. Best known for producing artists such as the Eli Young Band, Miranda Lambert including on the Academy of Country Music Album of the Year award-winning albums Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Revolution and Four The Record, and with Lee Ann Womack, marrying the latter in 1999
November 13, 1961 ~ Candice Caleb, commonly known as blues, jazz singer, songwriter Candye Kane born in Ventura, California, USA ~ Adult film star turned eclectic blues, jazz singer emerging from the 1980s punk rock scene after dropping out of an opera conservatory program. Influenced by Big Maybelle, Ruth Brown, Big Mama Thornton, Etta James, Bessie Smith. Self-released her Burlesque Swing debut album in 1991 and has recorded to a devoted fanbase until the time of her death. Known for songs such as The Toughest Girl Alive, Who Do You Love, 200 Pounds Of Fun, For Your Love, Please Tell Me A Lie, You Need A Great Big Woman and The Lord Was A Woman ~ Caleb passed away in 2016
November 13, 1959 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist, producer, songwriter Simon Hinkler, full name Simon Thomas Hinkler, born ~ Member of Artery during the early 1980s, present on the 1982 Oceans album. Mentored a young Jarvis Cocker, whom he joined for Pulp's 1983 It debut album. Perhaps best known as co-founding member of the Mission, present on the albums God's Own Medicine, Children, and Carved In Sand. Well-known singles from this period include Wasteland, Tower Of Strength, and Butterfly On A Wheel, all of which reached top 20 in the band's native UK
November 13, 1958 ~ Antal Lakatos, commonly known as jazz saxophonist Tony Lakatos, born in Budapest, Hungary ~ Active as a bandleader since the late 1980s, with well over half a dozen albums to his name including the acclaimed Different Moods released in 1998. As a sideman, Lakatos can be heard on recordings by the likes of Dagobert Böhm, Dusko Gojkovic (Balkan Connection), the European Jazz Ensemble, the Acoustic Unit, Dave Douglas (A Single Sky), Billy Cobham, Django Bates, and Phronesis
November 13, 1957 ~ Jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger Mark Masters, full name Mark Alton Masters, born in Gary, Indiana, USA ~ Important latter-day big band trumpeter. Recorded about a dozen albums since the early 1980s. Known best for assembling line-ups comprised of jazz alumni and local talentfor tribute albums to jazz greats. Critically acclaimed albums include 1986's Silver Threads Among The Blues, 1993's Jimmy Knepper Songbook, and 2006's Wish Me Well
November 13, 1953 ~ Drummer, singer, songwriter Andrew Ranken born in Ladbroke Grove, UK ~ Constant member of the Pogues. The band merged the raw energy of punk with the structures of Irish folk and has recorded about half a dozen albums before disbanding in the late 1990s. They are especially acclaimed for their 1985 Rum Sodomy & The Lash sophomore albums and its 1988 follow-up If I Should Fall From Grace With God. Ranken has also appeared on albums by Steve Earle (Copperhead Road), Kirsty Maccoll, and Joe Strummer
November 13, 1953 ~ Jazz guitarist Chris Flory born in New York, New York, USA ~ Cites Charlie Parker, Charlie Christian, T-Bone Walker, and Jimi Hendrix as main influences. Enjoyed the vast personal record collection of Gil Evans while babysitting Gil's kids, immersing himself in the sounds of Nat King Cole, Miles Davis, and Lester Young. Closely associated with Scott Hamilton, a close friend, with whom he played intermittently from 1975 through the early 1990s. Has recorded about half a dozen albums as a leader, especially noted for his 1993 City Life sophomore album. Flory can also be heard on albums by Ruby Braff, Maxine Sullivan (Uptown), Flip Phillips, Duke Robillard, Judy Carmichael, Keith Ingham (We're In The Money), and Doc Cheatham
November 13, 1951 ~ Pop, power pop drummer Bill Gibson born in California, USA ~ Constant member of Huey Lewis & the News, with whom he scored about a dozen Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits during the 1980s including the charttoppers The Power Of Love, Stuck With You, and Jacob's Ladder
November 13, 1951 ~ Pianist, composer Nikolai Medtner, full name Nikolai Karlovich Medtner, passed away in London, UK ~ Contemporary of Sergei Rachmaninoff and Alexander Scriabin. Prolific composer focused on works for piano and to lesser extent violin. Best known for his series of Fairy Tales ~ Medtner was born in 1880
November 13, 1949 ~ Guitarist, singer Roger Steen born ~ Member of San Francisco-based glam rock, proto-punk outfit the Tubes. To European audiences the band is best known for White Punks On Dope of the band's eponymous 1975 The Tubes debut album, which was produced by Al Kooper. To American audiences the band is known for the radio-friendly Billboard Hot 100 top 10 single She's A Beauty taken of their 1983 Outside Inside album
November 13, 1949 ~ Singer, guitarist Terry Reid born ~ Passed up the opportunity to sing lead for what would become Led Zeppelin, preferring to tour as a support act for Cream's 1968 American tour. Recommended Robert Plant, as well as John Bonham, to Jimmy Page who was putting together the new band. Reid has also performed as an opening act on tours by the Rolling Stones, Jethro Tull, and Fleetwood Mac
November 13, 1947 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Toy Caldwell, full name Toy Talmadge Caldwell Jr, born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead guitarist, primary songwriter for the Marshall Tucker Band, with whom he recorded about a dozen albums since the early 1970s. Sang lead on Can't You See, one of their best known which was later notably covered by Waylon Jennings. The band, which also included his brother Tommy Caldwell on bass, is considered one of the premier 1970s Southern rock outfits, drawing from a wide array of genres including blues, country, jazz, R&B, gospel, and rock & roll. They are especially known for their 1974 Where We All Belong album. Caldwell departed the band in 1983 ~ Caldwell passed away in 1993
November 13, 1946 ~ Country, Americana, country-rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Ray Wylie Hubbard born in Soper, Oklahoma, USA ~ Released his Ray Wylie Hubbard & the Cowboy Twinkles debut album in 1975 and has recorded consistently since, and though commercially disappointing Hubbard quickly gained a cult following among outlaw and red dirt country aficionados for his literate songwriting in songs ranging from dark introspectives to rowdy barroom anthems. Perhaps best known for writing Redneck Mother, made famous by Jerry Jeff Walker. Hubbard's 1990s albums, specifically Loco Gringos Lament and its follow-up Dangerous Spirits, would gain him wider attention and also spark a resurged interest in his earlier work
November 13, 1945 ~ Singer, songwriter Benny Borg born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Married to singer, actress Kirsti Sparboe from 1972 to 1978, who also recorded Den Store Dagen penned by Borg. Known in his adopted homeland Norway as a gifted singer and songwriter, his songs have been recorded by Inger Lise Anderson (En Spännende Dag För Josefine), Gro Anita Schønn, and Bjøro Håland. Internationally perhaps best known for representing Norway at the 1972 Eurovision Songfestival with Småting, a collaborative effort with singer Grethe Kausland, reaching 14th place
November 13, 1945 ~ Jazz saxophonist, flutist Knut Riisnæs born in Oslo, Norway ~ Fixture on the Oslo jazz scene with a career spanning five decades starting in the mid-1960s. Son of pianist Eline Nygaard Riisnæs. Brother of pianist Anne Eline Riisnæs and saxophonist Odd Riisnæs. Present on albums by Karin Krog, Terje Rypdal, Arild Andersen, Edward Vesala, the Oslo Groove Company, Sigurd Ulveseth, and Fra Lippo Lippi ~ Riisnæs passed away in 2023
November 13, 1944 ~ R&B, soul singer, keyboardist, songwriter Timmy Thomas born in Evansville, Indiana, USA ~ Best known for the self-penned Why Can't We Live Together, which topped the Billboard R&B charts in 1972 and reached top 10 on the pop charts on both sides of the Atlantic. The song would be covered by a wide array of artists including Tinga Stewart, Sade, Joan Osborne, Maria Muldaur, Lucky Peterson, Ronnie Earl, and others. Thomas would record well throughout the 1980s, songs such People Are Changin', What Can I Tell Her and Gotta Give A Little Love (Ten Years After) all reaching top 30 on the Billboard R&B charts ~ Thomas passed away in 2022
November 13, 1942 ~ John Paul Hammond, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter John Hammond Jr, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Son of noted record producer, talent scout John Hammond Sr. As a solo artist recorded prolifically since the early 1960s, and though only receiving moderate commercial success Hammond is especially acclaimed for a string of mid- to late 1960s albums starting with Big City Blues helping usher in the blues revival. Admired and respected by more famous artists such as Jimi Hendrix, John Lee Hooker, Duane Allman, Dr John, Levon Helm, Mike Bloomfield, Charlie Musselwhite, and Tom Waits, many of whom he befriended and collaborated with
November 13, 1941 ~ Singer, songwriter Raymond Froggatt, full name Raymond William Froggatt, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Spent most of the 1960s fronting the Buccaneers, later renamed to Monopoly and ultimately the Raymond Froggatt Band, starting in rock & roll and moving towards country as the decade progressed. Though chart success eluded them, others would find success with covers of his songs. Beat band the Dave Clark Five would reach UK top 10 with The Red Balloon, originally titled Callow-La-Vita, as would Cliff Richard with Big Ship. Australian singer Russell Morris would have a hit Australia and New Zealand with Rachel. Froggatt would go on to record well into the 2000s as a solo country singer, and is best known for his 1974 Rogues & Thieves album ~ Froggatt passed away in 2023
November 13, 1940 ~ Annette Kleinbard, commonly known as pop singer Carol Connors, born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA ~ Lead singer for the Teddy Bears, known for their 1958 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit To Know Is To Love Him written by band member Phil Spector, Spector's first major hit. The band would soon disband as Spector aimed to focus more on a behind the scenes role as producer and songwriter. Connors would go on to become a songwriter, noted for co-writing Hey Little Cobra recorded by the Rip-chords, and With You I'm Born Again recorded by Billy Preston & Syreeta Wright
November 13, 1940 ~ Janet Ann Polun, commonly known as jazz singer, educator Janet Lawson, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Influenced by Charlie Parker, Lester Young, and Sonny Rollins, critically compared to Sarah Vaughan. Seriously underrated post-bop singer, known for her expressive scat singing. Acclaimed for her early 1980s albums The Janet Lawson Quintet and Dreams Can Be. Her father's long-term illness resulted in her leaving the music industry for much of the second half of the 1980s, but has worked as a jazz educator and performed occassionally since ~ Polun passed away in 2021
November 13, 1940 ~ Pascal-Emmanuel Sinamoyi Tabu, commonly known as rumba, soukous singer, bandleader, songwriter Tabu Ley Rochereau, born in Bagata, Congo ~ Along with Nico Kasanda and Franco Luambo pioneered soukous. Said to have composed over 3,000 songs. Shot to fame in 1956 as member of L'African Jazz singing on the hit Indépendance Cha Cha. Would go on to found African Fiesta, one of the most successful acts in African music known for songs such as the million-seller Afrika Mokli Mobimba. Formed Afrisa in 1970, continuing his hit streak with compositions such as Sorozo, Kaful Mayay, Aon Aon and Mose Konzo ~ Tabu passed away in 2013
November 13, 1939 ~ Leo Morris, commonly known as drummer Idris Muhammad, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ As a leader acclaimed for his 1970 Black Rhythm Revolution debut album. Renowned session jazz, R&B, funk drummer active since his mid-teens. Played on the Hawketts's Mardi Gras Mambo at age 15, and on Fats Domino's Blueberry Hill two years later. Appeared on albums by Willis Jackson, Nat Adderley (Calling Out Loud), Pharoah Sanders, Grant Green, Horace Silver, Sonny Stitt, Grover Washington Jr (Inner City Blues), Hank Crawford, Eric Gale, Bob James, Roberta Flack, Richard Groove Holmes (Good Vibrations), Freddie Hubbard, Luiz Bonfá, George Benson, John Scofield (Groove Elation), and Rusty Bryant ~ Morris passed away in 2014
November 13, 1938 ~ Producer, guitarist Adrian Barber born in Ilkley, UK ~ Member of the Big Three, known for their 1963 recording Some Other Guy. Best known as a producer, responsible for albums sucn as the Allman Brothers Band's The Allman Brothers Band debut, the Velvet Underground's Loaded, Cream's farewell album Goodbye, the Rascals' The Freedom Suite and See, Buffalo Springfield's Last Time Around, the Bee Gees' Odessa, and Aerosmith's eponymous 1973 Aerosmith debut album
November 13, 1938 ~ Jazz, pop, classical pianist Warren Bernhardt, full name Warren Brooks Bernhardt, born in Wausau, Wisconsin, USA ~ Over a dozen albums as a leader. First gained attention in the early 1960s working with Paul Winter. Would go on to work with George Benson, Gerry Mulligan, Jeremy Steig. Member of Steps Ahead. Briefly musical director for Steely Dan in the mid-1990s, present on the band's 1995 Alive In America album. Backed Simon & Garfunkel on their 2003 reunion tour. Has also worked with Kenny Burrell, Tim Hardin, Mike Mainieri, Pat Martino, Don McLean, Art Farmer, and White Elephant ~ Bernhardt passed away in 2022
November 13, 1932 ~ Pop, country-pop singer, songwriter Dick Flood, full name Richard E Flood, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Though a gifted singer in his own right, Flood is best known as a songwriter. His songs have been recorded by Anita Bryant, Wynn Stewart, Billy Grammer, Kathy Linden, the Wilburn Brothers (Trouble's Back In Town), Billy Graves, and George Hamilton IV (I Wanna Go Where Nobody Knows Me). Songs written by Flood were often found on the B-side of popular singles, such as Here Comes That Song Again used by Roy Orbison as the B-side of Only The Lonely, earning Flood the nickname “Flip side Flood” in the music business ~ Flood passed away in 2023
November 13, 1928 ~ Hampton Barnett Hawes Jr, commonly known as jazz pianist Hampton Hawes, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Considered a key pianist in 1940s, 1950s jazz. Was playing with leading West Coast musicians including Dexter Gordon, Wardell Gray, Art Pepper, Shorty Rogers, and Teddy Edwards, by his teens. Upon his return from serving in the US Army Hawes formed his own trio with bassist Red Mitchell and Chuck Thompson, later supplemented by guitarist Jim Hall, producing records at the time considered to be some of the finest to come out of the West Coast. Other notable associations include the Lighthouse All-Stars, Barney Kessel (Kessel Plays Standards), Curtis Fuller, Charles Mingus, Benny Carter (Jazz Giant), and Sonny Rollins ~ Hawes passed away in 1977
November 13, 1925 ~ Double bassist, conductor, composer Paul W Whear, full name Paul William Whear, born in Auburn, Indiana, USA ~ Composed for orchestras, bands, choir, vocal music, chamber music and organ. Had his works performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Cleveland Philharmonic, the Rochester Civic Orchestra, the US Navy Band, and others ~ Whear passed away in 2021
November 13, 1921 ~ Jazz double bassist Eddie Calhoun born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA ~ Closely associated with Erroll Garner, touring and recording extensively with the pianist for about a decade including on the acclaimed Concert By The Sea album released in 1955. An in-demand sideman, Calhoun is also present on recordings by Ahmad Jamal (Piano Scene Of Ahmad Jamal), Willis Jackson, Roger Ramirez, and Horace Henderson ~ Calhoun passed away in 1993
November 13, 1915 ~ Leon Jerry Guthrie, commonly known as Western swing singer Jack Guthrie, born in Olive, Oklahoma, USA ~ Best known for his 1945 hit Oklahoma Hills, a rewritten version of Woody Guthrie's Oklahoma Hills. The two were cousins ~ Guthrie passed away in 1948
November 13, 1915 ~ Actor, singer, songwriter Miguel Aceves Mejía born in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico ~ Enjoyed popularity during the golden age of Mexican film. Dubbed “the God of Ranchera” starred in over 60 films and recorded over 1,500 songs. Known for songs such as El Pastor, Se Me Hizo Fácil, Yo Tenia Un Chorro De Voz, Vaya Con Dios, La Malagueña Salerosa, Cuatro Caminos, El Pescado Nadador, and Oh Gran Dios ~ Mejía passed away in 2006
November 13, 1913 ~ Louisa Dupont, commonly known as jazz, blues singer Blue Lu Barker born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Popular during the 1930s and 1940s. Married to guitarist Danny Barker, with whom she also worked. Known for songs such as Don't You Feel My Leg, Georgia Grind, Look What Baby's Got For You, and her biggest hit A Little Bird Told Me, which hit top 10 in 1948 ~ Dupont passed away in 1998
November 13, 1912 ~ Cornetist, tubist, bassist, bandleader Singleton Palmer born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Actively performing since his mid-teens. First recorded with Oliver Cobb in the late 1920s. Has backed artists such as Dewey Jackson, Clark Terry, Jimmy Forrest, Big Joe Williams, Sonny Boy Williamson I, and Count Basie prior to forming and leading his own ensemble the Dixieland Six, with whom he performed in St Louis, Missouri, and recorded about half a dozen albums through the mid-1960s ~ Palmer passed away in 1993
November 13, 1893 ~ Benjamin Moten, commonly known as jazz, stride pianist Bennie Moten, born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Active since the early 1920s. Helped define the riffing style that would come to define many of the 1930s big bands. Known for songs such as Kansas City Shuffle, South, Moten Swing and Prince Of Wails. Moten's orchestra at times included sidemen such as Count Basie, Walter Page, and Hot Lips Page early on in their careers ~ Moten passed away in 1935
November 13, 1868 ~ Composer Gioachino Rossini passed away in Paris, France ~ Wrote some 40 operas, setting new standards for both comic and serious opera, as well as chamber music and piano pieces. Along with Gaetano Donizetti and Vincenzo Bellini one of the leading composers of the bel canto era. Best known for works such as Otello, L'Italiana In Algeri and most notably The Barber Of Seville ~ Rossini was born in 1792