October 19, 1992 ~ Durk Derrick Banks, commonly known as rapper Lil' Durk, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Released his full-length debut album, Remember My Name, in 2015. Known for songs such as Like Me featuring Jeremih, My Beyoncé featuring Dej Loaf, 3 Headed Goat featuring Lil' Baby and Polo G. Has also collaborated with Ty Dolla $ign, Yo Gotti, Chance the Rapper, Future, Drake, Queen Naioja, and others
October 19, 1984 ~ Stephen Lee Bruner, commonly known as bassist, guitarist, singer Thundercat, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Rose to prominence as member of crossover thrash outfit Suicidal Tendencies, remaining with the band from 2002 through 2011. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the 2011 The Golden Age Of Apocalyps album. Guested on Kendrick Lamar's 2015 To Pimp A Butterfly, notably present on the track These Walls
October 19, 1982 ~ Andrew Sims, mononymously known as alternative hip-hop rapper Sims, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Member of the hip-hop collectives Doomtree and the Shredders. Released his Lights Out Paris solo debut album in 2005. Best known for the acclaimed follow-up Bad Time Zoo featuring a notable guest appearance from POS. Has also worked with Dessa, Astronautalis, Transit, and Air Credits
October 19, 1972 ~ Prakazrei Samuel Michel, commonly known as keyboardist, producer Michel Pras, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of the Fugees alongside Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill, known for the acclaimed 1990s albums Blunted On Reality and The Score. Following the band's disbandement has scored hits with Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are) from the film Bulworth and with We Trying To Stay Alive with former bandmate Jean and John Forté
October 19, 1966 ~ Saxophonist, bandleader, composer Tim Garland born in Essex, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Lammas, Don Patterson, Christine Tobin, Ronnie Scott, Ralph Towner, Chick Corea, Bill Bruford, Allan Ganley, Johnny Dankworth, Dominic Alldis, Alec Dankworth, Joe Locke, Duran Duran, Damon Brown, Clark Tracey, the London Jazz Composers Orchestra, Geoffrey Keezer, Graham Dalby, John Aram, Paul Bollenback, Jacquie Dankworth, Denise Donatelli, and others
October 19, 1962 ~ Jazz saxophonist, singer Bendik Hofseth born in Oslo, Norway ~ About a dozen albums as a leader. In-demand sideman and collaborator. Replaced Michael Brecker in Steps Ahead, first appearing on the eponymous 1983 Steps Ahead sophomore album. Other notable collaborations include Arild Andersen, Jan Eggum, Bjørn Eidsvåg, Helge Iberg, Anne Grete Preus, Øystein Sevåg, Maj Britt Andersen, Ketil Bjørnstad, the Oslo Gospel Choir, Andy Summers, and Silje Nergaard
October 19, 1960 ~ Drummer, percussionist Dan Woodgate born in London, UK ~ Rose to fame as member of Madness, for whom he wrote or co-wrote songs such as The Return Of The Los Palmas 7, Michael Caine, Sunday Morning and Small World. Also a member of Voice Of The Beehive, known for songs such as Don't Call Me Baby and I Think I Love You
October 19, 1960 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Jean-Michel Pilc born in Paris, France ~ Worked with Ari Hoenig, Francois Moutin, Harry Belafonte, John Abercrombie, Richard Bona, Michael Brecker, André Ceccarelli, Roy Haynes, Daniel Humair, Dave Liebman, Michel Portal, Aldo Romano, Martial Solal, Jean Toussaint, and others
October 19, 1960 ~ Singer Jennifer Holliday, full name Jennifer Yvette Holliday, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Known for her roles in Broadway musicals such as the 1980 production of Your Arm's Too Short To Box With God and the 1983 production of Dreamgirls. Reached the higher echelons of the R&B charts with singles such as the Grammy Award-winning And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going, I Am Love, Hard Time For Lovers and I'm On Your Side
October 19, 1959 ~ Jazz drummer Ronnie Burrage born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with the Soul Flamingos, Fontella Bass, Oliver Sain, the Rainbow Glas, the Expression Jazz Quintet, Lester Bowie, Defunkt, Terub Nakamura, Roland Hanna, Major Holley, Arthur Blythe, Andrew Hill, Jackie McLean, McCoy Tyner, Woody Shaw, Third Kind Of Blue, Billy Bang, Hamiet Bluiett, Sonny Fortune, Courtney Pine, Gunther Schuller, the World Saxophone Quartet, Kenny Kirkland, Marcus Miller, Joe Ford, Branford Marsalis, Clifford Jordan, Cyrus Chestnut, Joe Locke, Avery Sharpe, Jack Walrath, Ronnie Cuber, Santi Debriano, Barbara Dennerlein, Chico Freeman, Eric Person, Roland Hanna, Julius Hemphill, Ed Schuller, Archie Shepp, Fred Wesley, and others
October 19, 1957 ~ Christian rock singer, guitarist, producer, songwriter Billy Smiley born in Farmington, Michigan, USA ~ Key member of Christian rock outfit White Heart. As a producer worked with Geoff Moore & the Distance, Margaret Becker, Rhonda Gunn, the Newsboys, Bebe & CeCe Winans, Clay Aiken, and others
October 19, 1957 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, drummer Karl Wallinger, full name Karl Edmond De Vere Wallinger, born in Prestatyn, UK ~ Revered songwriter drawing from British heritage such as the Beatles as well as from Americans such as Bob Dylan. Key member of the Waterboys from 1983 through 1985, present on the albums A Pagan Place and the highly acclaimed This Is The Sea. Following his departure from the band Wallinger recorded as World Party, basically Wallinger's one-man-band at times employing session musicians where needed, known for Ship Of Fools, Way Down Now, Is It Like Today and She's The One, the latter later covered by over a dozen artists including Robbie Williams. Wallinger was also especially helpful in advancing Sinéad O'Connor's career, prominently involved in O'Connor's early demos that landed the then-unknown singer a record deal with Ensign Records ~ Wallinger passed away in 2024
October 19, 1954 ~ Richard Banke, commonly known as rockabilly, cowpunk, psychobilly, rock, country guitarist, mandolinist, washboardist Skid Roper, born ~ Perhaps best known for teaming up with Mojo Nixon during the 1980s, the duo recording about half a dozen albums through the end of the decade. They are perhaps best known for Elvis Is Everywhere of their 1987 Bo-Day-Shus album, the song becoming an alternative staple on MTV. Following his time with Nixon Roper has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Trails Plowed Under released in 1989
October 19, 1953 ~ Rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Bobby Bandiera born ~ Best known as touring guitarist for Bon Jovi and Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes. Considered as a member of Springsteen's backing unit the E Street Band for the 1984 Born In The USA tour, but lost out to Nils Lofgren. Has backed Bruce Springsteen on other occassions though. Has also recorded a number of solo albums, notably Bandiera released in 1991
October 19, 1951 ~ Lili Ramirez Villamizar, commonly known as nueva cancion, ffolk singer Lilia Vera, born in Caracas, Venezuela ~ Protest singer drawing from traditional Venezuelan folk music. Associated with songwriters such as Otilio Galíndez, Simon Diaz, Luis Mariano Rivera. Released her eponymous Lilia Vera debut album in 1974. Among her best known songs are her renditions of Tonada, El Becerrito, Clavelito Colorado, La Culebra and Canchuncu Dicoso
October 19, 1949 ~ Rock, blues guitarist Lloyd Watson born in Peterborough, UK ~ Early adopter of the wah-wah pedal. Enjoyed regional popularity with his backing unit the Soul Mates during the late 1960s. Would go on to open for David Bowie, King Crimson and Roxy Music during the 1970s, including on international tours. Sessioned on Brian Eno's Here Come The Warm Jets and Andy Mackay's In Search Of Eddie Riff. Member of experimental rock supergroup 801, which also included Eno and Roxy alumni Phil Manzanera ~ Watson passed away in 2019
October 19, 1948 ~ Organist, pianist, keyboardist Peter Solley born in London, UK ~ Backed artists such as Chris Farlowe, Terry Reid, and Arthur Brown throughout the early 1970s. Co-founding member of Paladin, known for the critically acclaimed albums Paladin and its follow-up Charge. Member of Fox, with whom he scored the mid-1970s UK top 20 hits Only You Can, Imagine Me Imagine You, and S-s-s-single Bed. Solley has also appeared on albums by Snafu, Gravy Train, Keith Christmas, Dave Cartwright, Procol Harum, Pat Travers, Al Stewart (Time Passages), Wreckless Eric, Jo Jo Zep & the Falcons, Johnny Warman (Hour Glass), the Romantics (The Romantics), and Eric Clapton ~ Solley passed away in 2023
October 19, 1946 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Keith Reid, full name Keith Stuart Brian Reid, born ~ Best known as lyricist of most of the Procol Harum songs, including Conquistador, A Whiter Shade Of Pale, Salty Dog, and Grand Hotel. Others who recorded songs co-written by Reid include Michel Polnareff (Time Will Tell), Gary Brooker, Peter Frampton, John Farnham (You're The Voice), and the Jeff Healey Band ~ Reid passed away in 2023
October 19, 1945 ~ R&B, soul, gospel, glam rock singer Gloria Jones, full name Gloria Richetta Jones, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ First gained attention in the UK, where she earned the nickname “the Queen of Northern Soul.” As a singer best known for the 1965 hit Tainted Love. Songwriter for Motown, going by the pseudonym LaVerne Ware, and co-writer of songs such as If I Were Your Woman (Gladys Knight), Have I Lost You (the Supremes), Where Do You Go Baby (Eddie Kendricks), and Assembly Line (the Commodores). Romantically involved with singer Marc Bolan with whom she has worked in the pivotal UK glam rock outfit T.Rex, the couple have one son
October 19, 1945 ~ Jeanne Carolyn Stephenson, commonly known as country, gospel singer Jeannie C Riley, born in Anson, Texas, USA ~ Best known for her 1968 hit Harper Valley PTA, written by Tom T Hall and produced by Shelby Singleton. The single would top both the Billboard Country and the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts. Riley would continue to record but would be unable to repeat its smash succes. Subsequent singles such as The Girl Most Likely, There Never Was A Time, Country Girl, Oh Singer, Good Enough To Be Your Wife would reach top 10 on the Billboard Country charts. By the mid-1970s became a born-again Christian, turning to recording gospel songs by the late 1970s
October 19, 1944 ~ R&B, blues, folk rock singer, songwriter Gary Farr, full name Gary Anthony Farr, born in Worthing, UK ~ Best known as founder and frontman of early 1960s British R&B outfit the T-Bones. Despite gaining a local reputation, notably inheriting the Yardbirds Friday night slot at the Marquee Club, London, and a critically well-received Dem Bones Dem Bones Dem T-Bones EP the band failed to chart and broke up in 1967. Following the band's disbandement Farr recorded three albums as a solo artist, to little commercial success, before semi-retiring from music by the mid-1970s ~ Farr passed away in 1994
October 19, 1944 ~ Soul, disco singer George McCrae, full name George Warren McCrae Jr, born in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA ~ Married to singer Gwen McCrae, with whom he also worked. Best known for his 1974 debut single Rock Your Baby, recognised as one of the earliest disco hits. It would sell an estimated 11 million copies worldwide and reach top of the charts in America, the UK, the Netherland. Though McCrae continued to record, notching over a dozen albums into the 2000s, McCrae would be unable to repeat his earlier success. Several of his 1970s singles, I Can't Leave You Alone, I Get Lifted, and Honey I, would reach top 20 on the Billboard R&B charts though
October 19, 1944 ~ Winston Hubert McIntosh, commonly known as singer, songwriter Peter Tosh, born in Grange Hill, Jamaica ~ Member of Bob Marley's backing unit the Wailers from 1963 through 1976. Became an international superstar with the 1978 album Bush Doctor released on Rolling Stones Records featuring appearances by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. The lead single, Jagger and Tosh duetting on (You Got To Walk And) Don't Look Back, originally a hit for the Temptations, made Tosh a household name. Tosh was murdered at age 42 after being held hostage and tortured for hours in a home invasion gone wrong ~ Tosh passed away in 1987
October 19, 1941 ~ Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, composer Eddie Daniels born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Roger Kellaway, Richard Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Don Patterson, Bucky Pizzarelli, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Gordon Goodwin, Bob James, Eric Gale, Jimmy McGriff, Billy Joel (The Nylon Curtain), Dave Grusin, Don Sebesky, Arturo Sandoval, Angela Bofill, Stanley Turrentine, George Benson, Ben Sidran, Claus Ogerman, and others
October 19, 1940 ~ Larry Figueiredo, commonly known as singer Larry Chance, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Lead singer of popular 1960s doo-wop group the Earls, known for songs such as Never, Life Is But A Dream and I Believe. and their best known Remember Then. The latter would peak at No.24 on the Billboard Hot 100 at the time of its release in 1962, yet over time would become a classic as one of the best remembered and most cherished songs of the doo-wop era specifically for its “Reh-meh-meh, Reh-meh-meh-member, Reh-meh-meh, Reh-meh-meh-mem-ber then” refrain ~ Figueiredo passed away in 2023
October 19, 1939 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Masabumi Kikuchi born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Leader and sideman. Primarily a jazz pianist, though drew from new music, funk, and dub and collaborated with artist as far removed from jazz as house and dance. Especially acclaimed for the albums Tethered Moon (First Meeting), a collaborative effort with Paul Motian and Gary Peacock, and for Sunrise and Black Orpheus. Has worked with Sadao Watanabe, Oliver Nelson, Gil Evans, Terumasa Hino, Pee Wee Ellis, Johnny Hartman, Ron Trent (Mix The Vibe (Ron Trent Urban-Afro Blues)), and Bill Brewster ~ Kikuchi passed away in 2015
October 19, 1937 ~ Jazz trombonist, songwriter Jonas Gwangwa, full name Jonas Mosa Gwangwa, born in Soweto, South Africa ~ First gained attention as member of the Jazz Epistles. Would go on to become one of the main figures in South-African jazz. Exiled by the Apartheids regime throughout the 1970s. Also known for leading Amandia in the 1980s, the cultural ensemble of the ANC. Wrote the soundtrack of the 1987 Cry Freedom film ~ Gwangwa passed away in 2021
October 19, 1925 ~ Ollie Marie Givens, commonly known as gospel, R&B singer Marie Adams, born in Linden, Texas, USA ~ Known for songs such as I'm Gonna Play The Honky Tonks, My Search Is Over and the Johnny Ace-cover My Song. Worked with Sadie McKinley and Francine McKinkey as Three Tons Of Joy. Worked with Johnny Otis, including on Ma He's Making Eyes At Me and Bye Bye Baby ~ Givens passed away in 1998
October 19, 1918 ~ Pianist, songwriter Jack Segal born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-writing Scarlet Ribbons For Her Hair with Evelyn Danzig, first recorded by Jo Stafford in 1949, and covered by over 100 artists including Dinah Shore, Harry Belafonte, Eddy Arnold, the Lennon Sisters, Perry Como, the Kingston Trio, Joan Baez, Patti Page, Roy Orbison, and Sinéad O'Connor. Other artists who recorded songs written or co-written by Segal include Buddy Stewart, Bobby Troup, Nat King Cole (Nothing Ever Changes My Love For You), Johnny Mathis, Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra (Here's To The Losers), Tony Bennett, and Al Jarreau ~ Segal passed away in 2005
October 19, 1913 ~ Marcus Vinicius da Cruz e Mello Moraes, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter, poet, essayist, playwright Vinicius de Moraes born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Helped birth bossa nova, especially as frequent songwriting partner of Antônio Carlos Jobim. Artists who have recorded their songs include Elizete Cardoso, Nara Leão, Dorival Caymmi, Oscar Castro Neves. De Moraes is also especially known for writing the playwright Orpheus Of The Conception, which would be adapted into the Academy Award-winning 1959 film Black Orpheus ~ De Moraes passed away in 1980
October 19, 1912 ~ Charles Coleridge Richards, commonly known as jazz pianist Red Richards, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Tab Smith, Bob Wilber, Sidney Bechet, Mezz Mezzrow, Buck Clayton, Frank Sinatra, Muggsy Spanier, Saints & Sinners, Eddie Condon, Panama Francis, the Savoy Sultans, Buster Bailey, Eddie Durham, Fletcher Henderson, Marian McPartland, Pee Wee Russell, Maxine Sullivan, Dinah Washington, George Wettling, Jimmy Witherspoon, and others ~ Richards passed away in 1998
October 19, 1908 ~ Patrick Cairns Hughes, commonly known as jazz double bassist, composer, arranger, music journalist Spike Hughes, born in London, UK ~ Has been cited by some as Britain's first jazz composer. Known for compositions such as Who Is Sylvia, Pictures Unframed and I Scream Too Much. Later on in his career would focus on writing for radio, music journalism and turn to classical music, including writing several operas. As a musician worked with Constant Lambert, William Walton, Hyam Greenbaum, Jack Hylton, Coleman Hawkins, Red Allen, and others ~ Hughes passed away in 1987
October 19, 1907 ~ Saxophonist, violinist, bandleader Roger Wolfe Kahn born in Morristown, New Jersey, USA ~ Known for songs such as I'm Sitting On Top Of The World and Crazy Rhythm. Worked with Tommy Dorsey, Morton Downey, Joe Venuti, Eddie Lang, Artie Shaw, Jack Teagarden, Red Nichols, Libby Holman, Gertrude Niesen, Franklyn Baur, Dick Robertson, Elmer Feldkamp, Gene Krupa, and others ~ Kahn passed away in 1962
October 19, 1889 ~ Producer, A&R scout Art Satherley, full name Arthur Edward Satherley, born in Bedminster, UK ~ Active as a talent scout since the early 1920s, starting with early blues artists such as Ma Rainey, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Blind Blake. Joined American Record Corporation by the end of the decade where he oversaw Leadbelly's first commercial recordings. Would go on to head country and blues A&R departments when the company was taken over by Columbia Records, where he would be helpful in advancing the careers of acts like the Carter Family, Vernon Dalhart, Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell, Marty Robbins, Alberta Hunter, Big Bill Broonzy, Josh White, Leroy Carr, and Memphis Minnie. Satherley semi-retired from music in 1952, producing only occassionally thereafter ~ Satherley passed away in 1986