October 5, 2021 ~ Jim Varsos, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Hobo Jim, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ One of the most popular guitar players in Alaska, frequently playing smaller venues across the state. Would be named Alaska's official balladeer in 1994. Has recorded from time to time since the 1980s. Living part-time in Tennessee has also worked as a songwriter with some of Nashville's finest, co-writing Empty recorded by Janis Ian and The Rock recorded by George Jones ~ Varsos was born ca.1952
October 5, 2014 ~ Actor, dancer, choreographer, singer, director, painter Geoffrey Holder, full name Geoffrey Lamont Holder, passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Principal dancer for the Metropolitan Ballet before starting a film career, first appearing on-screen in the 1957 film Carib Gold. Best known for portraying Baron Samedi in the Bond film Live & Let Die in 1973 ~ Holder was born in 1930
October 5, 2013 ~ Edward Rudolph Warren Jr, commonly known as jazz bassist Butch Warren, passed away in Silver Springss, Maryland, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Kenny Dorham, Charles Davis, Tommy Flanagan, Buddy Enlow, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Hank Mobley, Donald Byrd, Dexter Gordon, Joe Henderson, Jackie McLean, Stanley Turrentine, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Clark, Elmo Hope, Don Wilkerson, Grant Green, Slide Hampton, Booker Ervin, Bobby Timmons, Walter Bishop Jr, and others ~ Warren was born in 1939
October 5, 2011 ~ Guitarist Bert Jansch passed away in Hampstead, UK ~ Founding member of Pentangle. Leading figure in 1960s British folk revival. Over two dozen albums to his name. Critically acclaimed. Admired by peers. Influential on Al Stewart, Paul Simon, Johnny Marr, Elton John, Ian Anderson, Bernie Taupin, Bernard Butler, Jimmy Page, Nick Drake, Graham Coxon, Donovan, Neil Young, Hope Sandoval, the Fleet Foxes, Devendra Banhart, Neil Halstead, Roy Harper, and Gordon Giltrap ~ Jansch was born in 1943
October 5, 2007 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Jack Wilson passed away ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Gene Ammons, Sonny Stitt, Eddie Harris, Al Hibbler, Richard Evans, Gerald Wilson, Lou Donaldson, Herbie Mann, Jackie McLean, Johnny Griffin, Sammy Davis Jr, Sarah Vaughan, Lou Rawls, Eartha Kitt, Julie London, Sonny & Cher, Lorez Alexandria, Tutti Camarata, Curtis Amy, Earl Anderza, Roy Ayers, Clark Terry, and others ~ Wilson was born in 1946
October 5, 2005 ~ Shirley Marie O'Garra, commonly known as soul, pop singer Shirley Ellis, passed away in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Known for 1960s novelty hits such as The Nitty Gritty, The Name Game and the million-seller The Clapping Song. Her songs were covered by numerous artists including Madeline Bell, Belle Stars, Laura Branigan, Aaron Carter, Gary Glitter, Ricardo Ray, Pia Zadora, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Divine, and others ~ O'Garra was born in 1929
October 5, 2000 ~ José Refugio Sánchez Saldaña, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor Cuco Sánchez, passed away in Mexico City, Mexico ~ One of Mexico's most popular singers, songwriters known for songs such as Anillo De Compromiso, Anoche Estuve Llorando, Siempre Hace Frio, No Soy Monedito De Oro, Canno Santo and Gritenme Piedras Del Campo. Had his songs recorded by Pedro Infante, La Panchita, Veronica Loyo, Flor Silvestre, Antonio Aguilar, Dora María, Vikki Carr, Linda Ronstadt, and others ~ Sánchez was born in 1921
October 5, 1997 ~ Classical flutist, pianist, conductor Albert Tipton passed away ~ Student of William Kincaid. Principal flutist with the National Symphony Orchestra. Toured with Leopold Stokowski. Tipton has also worked with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the St Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and regularly performed with his wife pianist Mary Norris ~ Tipton was born in 1917
October 5, 1995 ~ Swing bandleader, songwriter Dick Jurgens, full name Richard Henry Jurgens, passed away in Sacramento, California, USA ~ Kicked out of his high school orchestra for playing pop music. Enjoyed popularity during the 1930s and early 1940s. Known for originals such as If I Knew Then What I Know Now, Careless, A Million Dreams Ago and probably his best known Elmer's Tune, the latter notably covered by the Andrews Sisters, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, and others. Jurgens retired from music by the mid-1950s, his style becoming out of fashion in the rock & roll era ~ Jurgens was born in 1910
October 5, 1994 ~ Raffaele Celéste Rosso, commonly known as trumpeter Nini Rosso, passed away in Rome, Italy ~ Became one of Italy's most beloved trumpeters in the 1960s. Known for Concerto Disperato which was notably covered by Ken Thorne as Theme From Legion's Last Patrol, and for Il Silenzio which became an international hit in 1965 ~ Rosso was born in 1926
October 5, 1992 ~ Singer Eddie Kendricks passed away in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Co-founded the Temptations in 1960 and stayed with the band through 1971. Sang lead on songs such as The Way You Do The Things You Do, I'll Be In Trouble, The Girl's Alright With Me, Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue) (which he co-wrote), Get Ready, Please Return Your Love To Me, and Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me). Responsible for most of the group's vocal arrangements. Feeling uncomfortable with the move to psychedelic soul Kendricks left the band pursuiing a solo career. As a solo artist best known for songs such as Girl You Need A Change Of Mind, Keep On Truckin', Boogie Down, Son Of Sagittarius, Shoeshine Boy, He's A Friend, and Intimate Friends. The latter would be sampled by Alicia Keys on Unbreakable ~ Kendricks was born in 1939
October 5, 1992 ~ Enrique Diaz, commonly known as tango double bassist Kicho Diaz, passed away ~ Worked with Jose Pascual, Anselmo Aieta, Anibal Troilo, Orlando Goni, Roberto Gianitellu, Juan Miguel Toto Rodriguez, Francisco Florentino, Astor Piazzolla, Horacio Salgán, Ubaldo de Lio, Enrique Mario Francini, Pedro Laurenz, Mariano Mores, Sexteto Mayor, and others ~ Díaz was born in 1918
October 5, 1990 ~ Jazz, blues tenor saxophonist Sam Taylor, full name Samuel Leroy Taylor Jr, passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with the Bama State Collegians, Scatman Crothers, Cootie Williams, Lucky Millinder, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Buddy Johnson, Louis Jordan, Big Joe Turner (including sax solo on Shake Rattle & Roll), Clyde McPhatter, the Drifters, the Chords (including on doo-wop classic Sh-boom), Ruth Brown, Freddy Cole, Al Hibbler, Langston Hughes, Quincy Jones, Dick Hyman, and others ~ Taylor was born in 1916
October 5, 1988 ~ Cellist, beatboxer, rapper, singer, songwriter Kevin Olusola born in Pasadena, California, USA ~ Member of a-capella band Pentatonix. Best known for developing the art of “celloboxing”, simultaneously playing cello and beatboxing. Previously principal cellist of the Kentucky State Youth Orchestra and of the Yale Symphony Orchestra
October 5, 1987 ~ Conductor, director David Mahoney, full name David Joseph Mahoney, born ~ Principal conductor of the Novello Orchesta. Guest conductor with the Cape Town Philharmonic, the RTE National Symphony Orchestra, and others. Member of Only Men Aloud. Founded Cardiff Music Festival
October 5, 1987 ~ Electro house, progressive house, deep house, dubstep producer, DJ Dillon Francis, full name Dillon Hart Francis, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Discovered by Diplo, collaborating on the 2011 Que Que track which also featured Maluca. As a solo artist released his full-length major label debut, Money Sucks Friends Rule, in 2014. Best known for songs such as Get Low featuring DJ Snake, Coming Over with Kygo & James Hersey and Catchy Song
October 5, 1986 ~ Jazz banjoist Emanuel Sayles passed away ~ Worked with William Ridgely, Fate Marable, AJ Piron, Sidney Desvigne, Jones & Collins Astoria Hot Eight, Roosevelt Sykes, George Lewis, Sweet Emma Barrett, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Peter Bocage, Kid Thomas Valentine, Earl Hines, Louis Cottrell Jr and others ~ Sayles was born in 1907
October 5, 1985 ~ Drummer Brian Keenan passed away ~ Best known as member of psychedelic soul band the Chamber Brothers, known for incorporating elements of traditional gospel and blues, psychedelica and rock into soul, scoring a Billboard top 20 hit with the eleven-minute single Time Has Come Today in 1968 ~ Keenan was born in 1943
October 5, 1985 ~ Singer, songwriter Nicola Roberts, full name Nicola Maria Roberts, born in Stamford, UK ~ Member of Girls Aloud, known for a string of early 2000s UK hits including Sound Of The Underground, I'll Stand By You and The Promise. Created through the 2002 ITV reality show Popstars The Rivals the group would score 20 consecutive top 10 singles, earning them the Guinness World Records record of being the most successful reality television music group
October 5, 1982 ~ Singer Brandi Williams born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ One third of R&B trio Blaque, alongside Natina Reed and Shamari Fears. The trio recorded from the late 1990s through the mid-2000s and is best known for their eponymous Blaque debut album, which spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits 808 and Bring It All To Me. The band's I Do sophomore single featured TLC's Lisa Left-Eye Lopes
October 5, 1982 ~ Pop singer Markus Fagervall, full name Markus Eino Fagervall, born in Kiruna, Sweden ~ First gained serious attention in 2006, winning the Swedish edition of Pop Idol. Subsequently his Everything Changes solo debut single would reach top of the charts in his native Sweden, a full-length Echo Heart album would reach double Platinum status. Previously Fagervall fronted progressive rock band Liquid Scarlet
October 5, 1980 ~ Heavy metal singer, keyboardist, guitarist Joakim Brodén, also known as Jocke Brodén, born in Falun, Sweden ~ Co-founding member, lead singer for Swedish heavy metal outfit Sabaton, which he co-founded with bassist Pär Sundström in 1999. The band has recorded over a dozen albums and established themselves as a major force in power metal. They are best known for their 2010 Coat Of Arms album
October 5, 1978 ~ Guitarist, singer James Valentine, full name James Burgon Valentine, born in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA ~ Member of Square. Longtime member, lead guitarist of Maroon 5 known for hits such as This Love, Makes Me Wonder, Moves Like Jagger featuring Christina Aguilera, One More Night, Animals, Sugar, Don't Wanna Know featuring Kendrick Lamar, Girls Like You featuring Cardi B and Memories, all of which reached Billboard top 5
October 5, 1978 ~ Ricardo Bombine Pimentel, commonly known as alternative rock, experimentel rock, trip hop guitarist, bassist, mandolinist, percussionist, keyboardist, singer MC Lord Magrão, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Influenced by Nirvana, Sonic Youth, the Butthole Surfers, Tom Zé, Hermeto Pascoal, Kurt Cobain. Member of UK indie rock band Guillemots through 2013, for whom he wrote or co-wrote Get Over It, Kriss Kross and The Basket. Frequent collaborator of Xan Rojas, among others on the projects Prendedor and LUNGS. Also noted as a film composer
October 5, 1977 ~ Jacob Charles Garber, commonly known as violinist, bandleader Jan Garber, passed away in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known as a bandleader whose sidemen included Chelsea Quealey, Al Powers, Bill Hearn, Bill Kleeb, Charlie Ford, Don Korinek, Don Shoup, Doug Roe, Ernie Mathias, Frank Bettencourt, Frank Mcauley, Freddie Large, Harold Peppie, Harry Goldfield, Jack Barrow, Jack Motch, Jerry Large, Joe Rhodes, Lew Palmer, Memo Bernabel, Norman Donahue, Paul Weirick, Rudy Rudisill, Russ Brown, Ted Bowman, Tony Briglia, Vince D Bari, and Walter Moore. Garber's band accompanied vocalists such as Liz Tilton, Allen Copeland, Bob Allen, Bob Grabeau, Deanna St Clair, Debby Clair, Dorothy Cordray, Fritz Heilbron, Janis Garber, Judy Randall, Larry Dean, Lee Bennett, Marv Nielsen, Roy Cordell, Thelma Grace, Tim Reardon, Tommy Traynor, and Virginia Hamilton ~ Garber passed away in 1894
October 5, 1977 ~ Vincenzo Luvineri, commonly known as rapper, songwriter Vinnie Paz, born in Agrigento, Italy ~ Best known as half of underground rap duo Jedi Mind Tricks and as frontman and founder of the Army Of The Pharaohs. Also worked with the Heavy Metal Kings. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Season Of The Assassin in 2010
October 5, 1975 ~ Indie rock, punk rock, alternative rock singer, guitarist Hutch Harris born ~ Lead singer, guitarist and along with Kathy Foster constant member of the Thermals, known best for their 2006 The Body The Blood The Machine album. Following the band's disbandement in 2018 Harris released his Only Water solo debut album
October 5, 1971 ~ Benjamin F Thigpen, commonly know as jazz drummer Ben Thigpen, passed away ~ Father of drummer Ed Thigpen. Ben played with Bobby Boswell, Doc Cheatham, Charlie Elgar, J Frank Terry, and extensively with Andy Kirk. Thigpen stayed with Kirk from 1930 to 1947, alongside noted pianist, composer Mary Lou Williams, also a member of Kirk's ensemble. After 1947 Thigpen led his own quintet. He also recorded with Singleton Palmer in the 1960s ~ Thigpen was born in 1908
October 5, 1970 ~ Avantgarde metal bassist Audie Pitre, full name Audie Thomas Pitre, born ~ Co-founded Acid Bath in 1991. The band is known for a bass-heavy sound merging influenes from hardcore punk, death metal, gothic rock and blues. Following Pitre's death at age 26 in a traffic collision, also killing both his parents, the band disbanded in 1997 ~ Pitre passed away in 1997
October 5, 1970 ~ Michael Crooms, commonly known as hip-hop, crunk producer Mr Collipark, born in Collage Park, Georgia, USA ~ Occasionally credited under the moniker DJ Smurf. Founded Collipark Music label in 1999. Pivotal to the careers of acts such as Ying Yang Twins, Soulja Boy, Taurus, Hurricane Chris, VIC and Vistoso Bosses
October 5, 1970 ~ Trevant Hardson, commonly known as hip-hop, R&B rapper, producer Slimkid3, born ~ Founding member of Pharcyde, critically acclaimed for their 1992 Bizare Ride II The Pharcyde debut album. Hardson would depart the band shortly after recording the band's 2000 Plain Rap album and released his Liberation solo debut album in 2002 featuring guest appearances from MC Lyte, Saul Williams, N'dea Davenport, and Kim Hill. Hardson has also guested on recordings by Korn, Mya, and NASA
October 5, 1970 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Tord Gustavsen born in Oslo, Norway ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Harald Johnsen, Jarle Vespestad, Tore Brunborg, Mats Eilertsen, Kristin Asbjornsen, Silje Nergaard, Carl Petter Opsahl, Rune Arnesen, Kare Nymark, Simin Tander, Anna Maria Jopek, and others
October 5, 1966 ~ Deeon Boyd, commonly known as house, ghetto house DJ DJ Deeon, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by John Rocca, Afrika Bambaataa, and Kraftwerk, first becoming interested on electronic music after listening to the latter's 1981 Computer World album. Regarded as one of the pioneers of ghetto house. Best known for his 1996 recording Freak Like Me. Other well known songs include Funk City, Bomb 96, Wicked, House-O-Matic, and The Freaks. Boyd was name mentioned in the Daft Punk track Teachers of the duo's 1997 Homework album ~ Boyd passed away in 2023
October 5, 1966 ~ Jazz pianist Helio Alves born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Closely associated with Claudio Roditi. Also worked with Paul Peress, Circlechant, Santi Debriano, Rosa Passos, Airto Moreira, Maucha Adnet, Yo-Yo Ma, Joe Henderson, Paquito d'Rivera, Nilson Matta, John Pizzarelli, Gabriela Anders, Louis Hayes, Jessica Molaskey, and others
October 5, 1963 ~ Rolf Agrim Tekro, commonly known as guitarist Ronni Le Tekrø, born in Oslo, Norway ~ Influenced by Steve Hillage, Brian May, Jimmy Page, Brian Robertson, Jimi Hendrix, and by Ted Nugent. Best known as member of TNT. Also worked with Terje Rypdal, Mads Eriksen, Embee Normann, Vagabond, Jørn Lande, 1349, and others
October 5, 1961 ~ Hard bop, avant-garde trumpeter Booker Little passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Revered and influential trumpeter with an impressive resume despite a career cut short by an untimely death at 23. Leader and sideman. Influenced by Sonny Rollins and Clifford Brown, both of which he also worked with. Also worked with John Coltrane (Africa/Brass), Max Roach, Eric Dolphy (Far Cry), Johnny Griffin, Julian Priester, Don Friedman, Ron Carter, Art Davis, Teddy Charles, Slide Hampton, Bill Henderson, Frank Strozier, and others ~ Little was born in 1938
October 5, 1959 ~ Blues, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Kelly Joe Phelps born in Sumner, Washington, USA ~ Draws from Delta blues, jazz, folk, gospel, Americana. Influenced by Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, Mississippi Fred McDowell. Acclaimed for his slide guitar technique. Debuted with the critically acclaimed Lead Me On album in 1995. Has collaborated with Paul Curreri, Jay Farrar (Sebastopol), Rory Block, Linda Tillery, Tim O'Brien, Greg Brown, Tony Furtado, Louise Taylor, Townes Van Zandt (The Highway Kind), and others ~ Phelps passed away in 2022
October 5, 1959 ~ Alternative country singer, songwriter Kurt Wagner born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Frontman and sole constant member of Lambchop, often inaptly described as alternative country yet drawing from a wide array of genres including post-rock, R&B and lounge. Hailed by critics as one of the most interesting 1990s bands, best known for the albums How I Quit Smoking and What Another Man Spills released respectively in 1996 and 1998
October 5, 1957 ~ Saxophonist Lee Thompson, full name Lee Jay Thompson, born in London, UK ~ Co-founded ska revival, new wave outfit Madness in 1979 with Mike Barson and Chris Foreman, remaining with the band until its disbandement in 1986. Wrote the band's debut single The Prince. Also wrote or-co-wrote Embarrassment, House Of Fun and Uncle Sam
October 5, 1953 ~ Bluegrass guitarist Jack Lawrence born in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA ~ Influenced by Clarence White and Django Reinhardt. Best known for his association with Doc Watson, playing with Watson since the early-1980s. Also worked with the New Deal String Band, Frank Greathouse, the Bluegrass Alliance, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Tony Williamson, the Del McCoury Band, Curtis Burch, Dale Myer, Wayne Benson, Don Lawson, the Toneblazers, the Roustabouts, Mike Auldridge, Candlewyck, Jimmy Gaudreau, Bryan Sutton, and others
October 5, 1952 ~ Blues rock, hard rock, pop rock guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer, singer David Lebón, full name David Oscar Lebón, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Considered one of Argentina's premier guitarists. Throughout the 1970s worked with acts such as Pappo's Blues, Pescado Rabioso, Color Humano and perhaps most notably Serú Girán. Has focused on a solo career since the early 1980s, with well over a dozen albums to his name. Has collaborated with the likes of Charly García, Luis Alberto Spinetta, Celeste Carballo and Pedro Aznar
October 5, 1952 ~ Hans Hugo Harold Faltermeier, commonly known as songwriter, producer, singer Harold Faltermeyer born in Munich, Germany ~ Best known for scoring a hit with Axel F from the 1984 feature film Beverly Hills Cop. Also worked on the soundtracks of Top Gun and the Chevy Chase films Fletch and Fletch Lives. As a session musician, arranger and producer Faltermeyer worked with numerous pop artists including Donna Summer, Amanda Lear, Patti Labelle, Barbra Streisand, Glenn Frey, Blondie, Laura Branigan, La Toya Jackson, Billy Idol, Jennifer Rush, Cheap Trick, Bob Seger, Bonnie Tyler, John Parr, the Pet Shop Boys, and others
October 5, 1951 ~ Singer, songwriter Bob Geldof, full name Robert Frederick Zenon Geldof, born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Best known as frontman of the Boomtown Rats, emerging in the late 1970s and scoring UK hits with songs such as Rat Trap and I Don't Like Mondays. As a solo artist best known the hits This Is The World Calling which he co-wrote with Eurythmics' Dave Stewart and The Great Song Of Indifference. Widely known for his activism, especially on anti-poverty, social justice and climate issues. Thriving force behind Band Aid which he co-founded with Midge Ure. Co-wrote Do They Know It's Christmas, one of the all-time best-selling singles. Organised charity concerts such as 1985's Live Aid and 2005's Live 8. Listed as one of the 100 Greatest Britons, a public poll conducted by the BBC in 2002, despite not being British
October 5, 1950 ~ Edward Allan Clarke, commonly known as heavy metal guitarist Fast Eddie Clarke born in Twickenham, UK ~ Member of the classic line-up of Motörhead, alongside Lemmy Kilmister and Phil Philty Animal Taylor. Sang lead or co-lead on Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers, I'm Your Witchdoctor, Step Down and Emergency. After his departure from the band in 1982, Clarke teamed up with UFO-bassist Pete Way using the group moniker Fastway ~ Clarke passed away in 2018
October 5, 1949 ~ Louis Charles Stevenson, commonly known as country pop singer, songwriter BW Stevenson born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ One-hit wonder known for My Maria, co-written with Daniel Moore, a Billboard top 10 in 1973 and later notably covered by Brooks & Dunn. Stevenson also reached the charts with The River Of Love, Down To The Station and Shambala, the latter successfuly covered by Three Dog Night, but was unable to replicate the succes of My Maria ~ Stevenson passed away in 1988
October 5, 1949 ~ Jazz pianist Thomas Clausen born in Copenhagen, Denmark ~ Brother of vibraphonist Bent Clausen. As a leader over a dozen albums to his name. Guested on the 1989 Miles Davis Aura album. Has also worked with Jackie McLean, Dexter Gordon, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Tim Berne, and others
October 5, 1948 ~ Ska, rocksteady, ska singer Delroy Wilson, full name Delroy George Wilson, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Released his first single, the Coxsone Dodd-produced Emy Lou, at age 13. Would go on to score several hits including Dancing Mood, Rain From The Skies, This Old Heart Of Mine and It Hurts working with a host of Jamaica's topnotch producers such as Bunny Lee, Joe Gibbs and Gussie Clarke ~ Wilson passed away in 1995
October 5, 1948 ~ Art rock, glam rock, chamber pop, power pop singer, songwriter Russell Mael, full name Russell Craig Mael, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Lead singer of Sparks, co-founded with his brother keyboardist Ron Mael, known for songs such as Cool Places, Progress, music That You Can Dance To, So Important, Just Got Back From Heaven and When Do I Get To Sing My Way. The band has also collaborated with Franz Ferdinand under the common moniker name FFS releasing an eponymous FFS album in 1995
October 5, 1947 ~ Rock, glam rock, hard rock singer Brian Johnson, full name Brian Francis Johnson, born in Dunston, UK ~ Founding member of early 1970s rock outfit Geordie, known for the 1973 UK top 10 hit All Because Of You. Following the death of Bon Scott joined AC/DC in 1980, first appearing on the pivotal Back In Black album, as replacement lead singer and stayed on until stepping down in 2016 for health reasons
October 5, 1946 ~ William Daron Pulliam, commonly known as funk, soul singer Darondo, born in Berkeley, California, USA ~ Debuted in the early 1970s with the single I Want Your Love So Bad. It led to a record deal, resulting in three albums from 1972 to 1974, and dates opening for James Brown ~ Pulliam passed away in 2013
October 5, 1946 ~ Rock keyboardist, percussionist Richard Kermode born in Lovell, Wyoming, USA ~ First gained serious attention as member of Janis Joplin's backing unit the Kozmic Blues Band, present at the Woodstock Music and Art Fair performance in 1969. Following Joplin's death in 1971 joined Latin rock band Malo. Appeared on Santana's 1973 Welcome album as well as tour with the band on the Caravanserai tour. Would continue to work as a session musician, including with Betty Davis, Ned Doheny, José Areas, Patti Labelle, and Pete Escovedo ~ Kermode passed away in 1996
October 5, 1945 ~ Dixieland, jazz, swing cornetist George Finola born ~ Co-founded the non-profit organization the Jazz Institute of Chicago. Helped organise the first edition of the New Orleans Jazz Festival, also known as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, an annual event celebrating the local music and culture of New Orleans, Louisiana. As a leader best known for his acclaimed Jazz Of The Chosen Few debut album released in 1965, featuring backing from Raymond Burke, Armand Hug, Danny Barker, and Blue Lu Barker ~ Finola passed away in 2000
October 5, 1943 ~ Jazz clarinetist, saxohonist, guitarist, songwriter Leon Roppolo, full name Leon Joseph Roppolo, born in Lutcher, Louisiana, USA ~ Major influence on Benny Goodman. Best known as a member of the New Orleans Rhytm Kings, regarded as one of the top jazz bands of the 1920s. Co-wrote Farewell Blues, covered by King Oliver, Cab Calloway, Django Reinhardt, and Count Basie. Co-wrote Tin Roof Blues, covered by Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet, and others ~ Roppolo was born in 1902
October 5, 1943 ~ Blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Roy Book Binder born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Influenced by close friend Dave Van Ronk. Toured with Arthur Crudup and Homesick James. Over a dozen albums to his name, including a number of collaborations with fiddler Fats Kaplin notably Git Fiddle Shuffle released in 1975
October 5, 1943 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist Steve Miller, full name Steven Haworth Miller, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA ~ Started in blues, blues rock shifting more towards radio friendly arena rock by the mid-1970s. Frontman and eponym of the Steve Miller Band, known for 1970s, 1980s hits such as The Joker, Take The Money And Run, Rock'n Me, Fly Like An Eagle, Jet Airliner and Abracadabra
October 5, 1942 ~ Jazz trumpeter Donald Ayler born in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, USA ~ Despite long periods of mental instability, which severely hindered his career, Ayler is critically regarded as one of the great jazz trumpeters. He would however forever remain in the shadow of his more famous older brother saxophonist Albert Ayler, with whom he frequently worked including on albums such as Spirits Rejoice and Bells/Prophecy. An in-demand sideman, Ayler has also worked with Paul Bley, Elvin Jones, and John Coltrane ~ Ayler passed away in 2007
October 5, 1942 ~ R&B singer Richard Street, full name Richard Allen Street, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Member of the Distants. Member of the Monitors. Best known as lead singer of the Temptations from 1971, taking over for Vernard Plain through 1993. First appearing on the Solid Rock album released in 1972 ~ Street passed away in 2013
October 5, 1941 ~ Singer, songwriter Arlene Smith born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Lead singer of short-lived girl group the Chantels, known for the million-seller Maybe which reached the Billboard top 20 in 1958. Subsequent recordings would chart considerably lower, if at all, and the group would be dropped by their label in 1959
October 5, 1941 ~ Singer Wally Lester, full name Walter Paul Lester Jr, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Original member of doo-wop outfit the Skyliners, known for songs such as This I Swear, Pennies From Heaven, It Happened Today, Close Your Eyes, Comes Love and their best known Since I Don't Have You, the latter reaching the Billboard top 20 in 1958 ~ Lester passed away in 2015
October 5, 1938 ~ Singer, songwriter Donald Drowty born ~ The “Dante” in Dante & the Evergreens, known for their sole hit the 1960 single Alley Oop. Dante, at the time still in high school would go on to become a professional songwriter. Artists who have recorded his songs include the Isley Brothers, the McCoys and Herb Alpert
October 5, 1938 ~ Ska, rocksteady, reggae trumpeter Johnny Moore, full name John Arlington Moore, born ~ Following a stint in the Army, including playing in the Jamaica Military Band, has worked with the Mapletof Poulle Orchestra and Eric Dean, dismissed from the latter's band for growing dreadlocks. Would go on to session for Count Ossie and play with band the Cavaliers, alongside Jackie Mittoo, Lloyd Brevet and others. The studio band would evolve into the pivotal ska, rocksteady unit the Skatalites. Has also recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with the Soul Vendors, Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, Lee Scratch Perry, the Jamaica All-Stars, and others ~ Moore passed away in 2008
October 5, 1937 ~ Avraham Reichstadt, commonly known as singer, producer, songwriter Abi Ofarim born in Safed, Palestine ~ Half of husband-wife duo Esther & Abi Ofarim, known for 1960s hits such as Noch Einem Tanz, Cinderella Rockafella and Morning Of My Life, the latter written by the Bee Gees ~ Ofarim passed away in 2018
October 5, 1937 ~ Singer Carlo Mastrangelo born ~ Original member of the Belmonts and Dion & the Belmonts, present on recordings such as Teen-age Clementine, I Wonder Why and A Teenager In Love. Also fronted the progressive rock, jazz outfit Pulse in the 1970s ~ Mastrangelo passed away in 2016
October 5, 1936 ~ Annerose Boeck, commonly known as concert pianist Annerose Schmidt, born in Wittenberg, Germany ~ Noted for recording all of the Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart piano concertos with Kurt Masur and the Dresden Philharmonic. Her repertoire also included Ludwig van Beethoven, Béla Bartók, Frédéric Chopin, Maurice Ravel, and the entire piano works of Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms ~ Boeck passed away in 2022
October 5, 1934 ~ Charles Henry Anderson, commonly known as blues, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Casey Anderson, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Masters over a dozen instruments. Proficient in various genres including jazz, country, folk and pop. Debuted in 1959 with the Casey Sings Out album. Has worked with musicians such as Art Ryerson, Bruce Langthorne, Panama Francis, Felix Pappalardi, and with producers such as Nesuhi Ertegun, Ed Hansen and Glen Dee Hardin ~ Anderson passed away in 1989
October 5, 1934 ~ Organist, composer Robert Theodore Anderson born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Prolific composer, noted especially for Triptych and the cantata Garden Of Gethsemane. In-demand recitalist. Leading organ teacher, counting Stefan Engels, Ignace Michiels, Carole Terry and Wolfgang Rübsam among his students ~ Anderson passed away in 2009
October 5, 1933 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer Billy Lee Riley born in Pocahontas, Arkansas, USA ~ Rockabilly singer best known for his rendition of Red Hot, named one of the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock & Roll, as well for other lost classics such as Rock With Me Baby and Flying Saucers Rock & Roll. The latter featured labelmate Jerry Lee Lewis on piano. Known for his wild stage antics Riley enjoyed a brief career but feeling underpromoted by his label he left Sun Records in 1960. He would continue to record throughout most of the 1960s and work as a session musician for artists such as Dean Martin, the Beach Boys, Herb Alpert, Sammy Davis Jr, and others. He would retire from the music business in the early 1970s. Was covered by Robert Gordon and Link Wray in the late 1970s. Was rediscovered in 1992 by Bob Dylan, a fan since 1956, which eventually led to the Grammy nominated album Hot Damns in 1997 ~ Riley passed away in 2009
October 5, 1931 ~ Salsa, boogaloo, bomba, plena singer, songwriter Ismael Rivera born in Santurce, Puerto Rico ~ Lead singer of the Orquesta Panamericana in the early 1950s, present on hits such as El Charlatan, Ya Yo Se and La Saxon De Abuela. Joined the Cortijo Combo as lead singer in 1954, known for songs such as El Bombon De Elena, Oriza and El Yayo. As a solo artist best known for the 1974 hit Las Cara Linda (De Mi Gente Negra). Rivera recorded and performed well into the 1970s, one of his last performances opening for Bob Marley in Paris in 1978 ~ Rivera passed away in 1987
October 5, 1925 ~ Bolero singer, guitarist, songwriter Julito Rodríguez, full name Julito Rodríguez Reyes, born in Santuce, Puerto Rico ~ Active since the late 1940s. Member of Los Romanceros achieving national fame. Became internationally known after joining the trio Los Panchos in 1952, for whom he wrote the classic Mar Y Cielo. Left the band in 1958 to be succeeded by Johnny Albino. Would subsequently work with Trio Los Primos, the first Puerto Rican group to perform at Radio City Music Hall in New York, and with Los Tres Grandes alongside Tato Diaz and Miguel Alcaide ~ Rodríguez passed away in 2013
October 5, 1923 ~ Diana Geraldine Whitburn, commonly known as jazz, cabaret singer Gery Scott, born in Bombay, British India ~ First Western jazz singer to tour the then Soviet Union in 1961. Married her musical director Igo Fischer in Moscow the same year. Known for songs such as This Is Life, The Dum De De Dum Song, Summer Love and Stay With Me ~ Scott passed away in 2005
October 5, 1920 ~ Robert E Dade, commonly known as jazz, dance bandleader Bob Astor born ~ Bandleader most active in the 1940s. Employed sidemen such as Shelly Manne, Zoot Sims, Les Elgart, Larry Elgart, Illinois Jacquet, Dave Pell, Marty Napoleon, Neal Hefti, Irv Levin, Irv Kluger, Jo Napoleon, and others. Later worked as a talent agent at Shaw Agency, involved in the 1964 American tour of the Beatles
October 5, 1920 ~ Hornist Vincent DeRosa, full name Vincent Ned DeRosa, born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Reportedly the all-time most recorded brass player. Especially acclaimed for his work in Hollywood, serving as first horn for film composers such as Henry Mancini, Lalo Schifrin and John Williams, the latter describing DeRosa as one of the greatest instrumentalists of his generation. Notable soundtracks include My Fair Lady, The Sound Of Music, Close Encounters Of The Third Kind and Rocky. In-demand studio, session musician for artists such as Frank Sinatra (In The Wee Small Hours), June Christy, Ella Fitzgerald, the Monkees, Frank Zappa (Lumpy Gravy), Harry Nilsson (Son Of Schmilsson), Rita Coolidge, John Denver, Sonny Criss, Minnie Riperton, Earth Wind & Fire (Faces), Glen Campbell, Miles Davis, and others ~ DeRosa passed away in 2022
October 5, 1918 ~ Jazz double bassist Jimmy Blanton born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA ~ Worked with the Tennessee State Collegians, Fate Marable, the Jeter-Pillars Orchestra, Duke Ellington (notably on the piano-bass duets Blues and Plucked Again), Ben Webster, Barney Bigard, Rex Stewart, Johnny Hodges, Cootie Williams, and others ~ Blanton passed away in 1942
October 5, 1915 ~ Singer, guitarist Nicola Paone born in Barnesboro, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Italian-American singer, best known for his songs about the joys and hardships of Italian immigrants. Occasionally referred to as “the Italian Bing Crosby”, Paone would enjoy popularity, peaking in the 1950s, with songs such as U Sciccareddu, Tony The Iceman, The Big Professor, and perhaps his best known Blah Blah Blah. Tired of touring Paone would retire from music by the late 1950s to pursue a career in the restaurant business. His Nicola Paone Restaurant would quickly become one of the top Italian eateries in New York, with Paone himself assuming some of the cooking duties. Over the course of its 50 years existence the restaurant has served every single New York mayor ~ Paone passed away in 2003
October 5, 1893 ~ Francisco Saverio Guarente, commonly known as jazz trumpeter, bandleader Frank Guarente, born in Montemiletto, Italy ~ Active since the 1910s in New Orleans, eventually reaching popularity leading his own ensemble by the early 1920s. Has worked with Charles Edward Kerr, Eddie Lang, Arthur Schutt, Chauncey Morehouse, Paul Specht, Victor Young, Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, Jack Teagarden, Bing Crosby, and with the Boswell Sisters. Retired from music in 1937 for health reasons ~ Guarente passed away in 1942