September 13, 2023 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Roger Whittaker, full name Roger Henry Brough Whittaker, passed away in France ~ To American audiences best known for his 1975 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit The Last Farewell, which became a signature song and sold an estimated 11 million copies globally. Besides his warm baritone singing voice Whittaker is also noted for his whistling, specifically on songs such as Mexican Whistler. Other well-known songs include Durham Town (The Leavin'), A New World In The Morning, and I Don't Believe In 'If' Anymore. Whittaker would enjoy popularity especially in Germany during the 1970s and 1980s, recording some two dozen albums in German though he did not speak the language ~ Whittaker was born in 1936
September 13, 2022 ~ Rock singer Bern Elliott passed away in Margate, UK ~ Fronted 1960s UK outfit Bern Elliott & the Fenmen, known for their 1963 UK top 20 single Money (That's What I Want) and its follow-up New Orleans. The band also included keyboardist Jon Povey and guitarist Wally Waller who would later join the Pretty Things ~ Elliott was born ca.1943
September 13, 2022 ~ R&B, soul, blues singer Jesse Powell passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Brother of singers Trina Powell and Tamara Powell. Discovered by producer Louil Silas Jr. Best known for You co-written with producer Carl Roland, taken of his 1998 'Bout It sophomore album. The single would reach top 10 on both the Billboard R&B and the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts. Other charting singles included All I Need, I Wasn't With It and If I ~ Powell was born in 1971
September 13, 2021 ~ Jazz promoter, producer George Wein passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ One of the most famous impresarios in jazz history. Co-founded the Newport Folk Festival with Pete Seeger and Theodore Bikel. Founded the Newport Jazz Festival. Instrumental in founding the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival ~ Wein was born in 1925
September 13, 2019 ~ Edward Joseph Mahoney, commonly known as pop, rock singer, songwriter Eddie Money, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Debuted in 1977 with the eponymous Eddie Money album. Would enjoy popularity during the 1970s and 1980s with songs such as Baby Hold On, Two Tickets To Paradise, Maybe I'm A Fool, Think I'm In Love, Take Me Home Tonight, I Wanna Go Back, Walk On Water and Peace In Our Time ~ Mahoney was born in 1949
September 13, 2017 ~ Alternative rock, post-hardcore, hardcore punk singer, guitarist, drummer, songwriter Grant Hart, full name Grantzberg Vernon Hart, passed away in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Drummer, co-founding member of punk rock band Hüsker Dü. As a songwriter credited with helping expand the subject matter of punk through songs such as Standing By The Sea, Diane, and Books About UFOs. After the band disbanded in 1987 Hart released his solo debut album Intolerance album before forming the trio Nova Mob, with whom he recorded the albums Last Days Of Pompeii and Nova Mob. Hart returned to recording as a solo artist in 1999 ~ Hart was born in 1961
September 13, 2015 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Gary Richrath passed away ~ Best known as lead guitarist and songwriter for REO Speedwagon from 1970 through 1989, including on hits such as Keep On Loving You, Keep The Fire Burning, One Lonely Night, and Can't Fight This Feeling. Formed the band Richrath when he left REO, resulting in the album Only The Strong Survive released in 1992 ~ Richrath was born in 1949
September 13, 2011 ~ Wilma Lee Leary, commonly known as bluegrass, country singer, guitarist Wilma Lee Cooper, passed away in Sweetwater, Tennessee, USA ~ Member of family gospel outfit the Leary Family. Married to fiddler, singer Stoney Cooper, with whom she also worked. Starting in the 1940s the duo would score several country hits including Big Midnight Special and There's A Big Wheel. After Stoney's passing in 1977, Wilma Lee would perform and record as a solo artist albeit it less frequently ~ Leary was born in 1921
September 13, 2005 ~ Blues, country, folk, rock & roll singer, guitarist Chris Jones, full name Christopher Paul Jones, passed away in Northeim, Germany ~ Following a stint in the US Army, stationed in Germany, would spend most of his career in Europe. Influenced by Robert Johnson, James Taylor, Little Feat. Well known for his association with blues harpist Steve Baker. Has recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with No Looking Back released in 1983, and guested on recordings by Kieran Halpon, Reinhard Mey, Sara K, and Steve Strauss ~ Jones was born in 1958
September 13, 2003 ~ Velma Newsom, commonly known as R&B singer Chubby Newsom, passed away in Merriam, Kansas, USA ~ Best known for her 1949 hit Hip Shaking Mama. Half of Bluezettes, the other half being Alberta Adams. Also worked with artists such as Paul Gayten, Dave Bartholomew, Herbert Hardesty, Ernest McLean, Frank Fields, Earl Palmer, Tiny Bradshaw, and others ~ Newsom was born in 1920
September 13, 2002 ~ Gospel, R&B singer, radio DJ, concert promoter Thurman Ruth passed away ~ Professionalized gospel, including having gospel singers perform at “sinful” venues to reach a new audience, and teach them to abide by theatrical rules. Forefather of R&B. Co-founded gospel quartet the Selah Jubilee Singers, best known for their pivotal 1941 recording of Just A Closer Walk With Thee. Left the group in 1949 to pursue a more secular musical path. Original member of vocal group the Larks, known for early 1950s songs such as When I Leave These Prison Walls, Eyesight To The Blind and Little Side Car ~ Ruth was born in 1914
September 13, 1994 ~ Jazz, free jazz drummer John Stevens, full name John William Stevens, passed away in Ealing, UK ~ Considered a key figure in British free improvisation, perhaps best known for co-founding the Spontaneous Music Ensemble with Trevor Watts, The band, an influential loose collective, at one time or another included most of the UK's top experimental jazz musicians. Stevens was notably present on albums such as Karyobin, Face To Face, and Mouthpiece. Stevens has also recorded as a solo artist, noted especially for the albums For You To Share, Chemistry, Away, and SMO all released during the mid-1970s. Stevens has also worked with Amalgam, Steve Lacy, Dudu Pukwana, John Martyn (Live At Leeds), Ralph McTell, Charlie Watts, Detail, and Dick Heckstall-Smith ~ Stevens was born in 1940
September 13, 1991 ~ Conductor Robert Irving, full name Robert Augustine Irving, passed away in Winchester, UK ~ Worked with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Sadler's Wells Ballet, Margot Fonteyn, Michael Somes, the Philharmonia Orchestra, the New York City Ballet, and others ~ Irving was born in 1913
September 13, 1984 ~ Singer Titus Turner passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ R&B, East Coast blues singer, songwriter best known for songs such as We Told You Not To Marry, Sound Off, Leave My Kitten Alone (later recorded by Johnny Preston, the Beatles, and Elvis Costello), Sticks And Stones (later recorded by Ray Charles), and Tell Me Why ~ Turner was born in 1933
September 13, 1982 ~ Avant-garde, black metal bassist, guitarist, producer Colin Marston born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ As a musician has worked with acts such as Byla, Dysrhytmia, Sailors With Wax Wings, So Is The Tongue, Gorguts. Also an in-demand producer, engineer, mixer for the likes of Imperial Triumphant, Kayo Dot, Jarboe, Panopticon, Pyrrhon and Orthrelm
September 13, 1980 ~ Michelle Nolan, commonly known as indie rock, alternative rock singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Michelle DaRosa, born ~ Married to the Dropkick Murphys-bassist, singer Jeff Darosa. Best known as member of Straylight Run through 2008, departing the band to pursue a solo career. Has also sung backup for Taking Back Sunday and Coheed & Cambria
September 13, 1979 ~ Singer Geike Arnaert born in Poperinge, Belgium ~ Best known as member of Hooverphonic from 1997 through 2008, rejoining the band in 2020. Formed the duo Dorleac with Spinvis, known among others for the 2010 Adem soundtrack. Collaborated with BLØF on the 2018 hit Zoutelande
September 13, 1978 ~ Kasseem Dean, commonly known as DJ, producer Swizz Beatz, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Member of the Ruff Ryders. Best known as producer, working with artists such as DMX (Party Up (Up In Here)), Eve (Gotta Man), Jay-Z, Beyoncé (Upgrade U), Styles P (Good Times), TI, Cassidy, Busta Rhymes (Touch It), Kanye West, and others
September 13, 1977 ~ Singer, pianist, songwriter Fiona Apple, full name Fiona Apple McAfee Maggart, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Classically trained pianist. Began writing songs at age 8. Debuted in 1996 with the album Tidal, of which the single Criminal earned her a Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. Has been releasing records to both critical acclaim and steady fanbase since. Known for songs such as Shadowboxer, Never Is A Promise, Fast As You Can, and Everey Single Night
September 13, 1977 ~ Conductor Leopold Stokowski passed away in Nether Wallop, UK ~ English conductor of Polish/Irish descent considered one of the leading conductors of the early and mid-20th century. Best known for his long association with the Philadelphia Orchestra and his appearance in the Disney-film Fantasia ~ Stokowski was born in 1882
September 13, 1975 ~ Guitarist, singer Joe Don Rooney born in Baxter Springs, Kansas, USA ~ Influenced by Chet Atkins, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck. Lead guitarist of country pop trio Rascal Flatts from 1999 through 2021. The group has sold over 25 million albums and is known for Billboard Country No.1 hits such as These Days, Mayberry, Bless The Broken Road, What Hurts The Most, My Wish, Stand, Take Me There, Here Comes Goodbye, Why Wait and Banjo
September 13, 1973 ~ Singer, songwriter, actor Aaron Benward, full name Aaron Jeoffrey Benward, born ~ Formed the CCM duo Aaron & Jeoffrey with his father Jeoffrey Benward, best known for songs such as I Go To The Rock and He Is. Released his Imagine solo debut album in 2000, spawning the hit Captured. Formed the country duo Blue County with Scott Reeves, known for songs such as Good Little Girls and That's Cool
September 13, 1970 ~ Rock, alternative rock, hip-hop, electronica bassist, keyboardist, singer Ben Ely, full name Benjamin Ely, born in Brisbane, Australia ~ Cites Metallica and Black Sabbath as main influences. Best known as member of alternative rock band Regurgitator, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums since the mid-1990s including the acclaimed Art released in 2000. Ely has also been involved in several side projects, and with Decoder Ring co-wrote the soundtrack to the 2004 Somersault film
September 13, 1969 ~ Alternative rock, psychedelic rock drummer, keyboardist David Francolini, full name David Thomas Giuseppe Francolini, born in Hamilton, Bermuda ~ Co-founded Levitation with Terry Bickers and its successor Dark Star alongside Bic Hayes and Laurence O'Keefe. Founded Dragons in the mid-2000s. Toured with the Pet Shop Boys. Served as guitar tech for the likes of My Bloody Valentine and David Cassidy
September 13, 1968 ~ Country, CCM singer, songwriter Melodie Crittenden born ~ Released two albums as a solo artist, the eponymous Melodie Crittenden released in 1998 and Dream With Me Tonight (Lullabies For The Ages) in 2001. Best known for her 1998 single Broken Road. She would rerecord the song with Selah as Bless The Broken Road in 2006
September 13, 1962 ~ Singer Connie Francis records I'm Gonna Be Warm This Winter ~ Written by Hank Hunter and Mark Barkan. Produced by Danny Davis. Released later the same year, b/w Al Di La, it would reach top 20 Billboard Hot 100
September 13, 1961 ~ Phyllis Cryner, commonly known as singer. songwriter Bobbie Cryner, born in Woodland, California, USA ~ Known for singles such as Daddy Laid The Blues On Me, He Feels Guilty, You Could Steal Me, and the Dwight Yoakam duet I Don't Care. Cryner has also written for other artists including Trisha Yearwood (Real Live Woman), Suzy Bogguss (Nobody Love Nobody Gets Hurt), and Lee Ann Womack (Stronger Than I Am)
September 13, 1959 ~ R&B, funk, smooth jazz singer, guitarist, songwriter Sheldon Reynolds, full name Sheldon Maurice Reynolds, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Toured with Millie Jackson. Member of Sun, present on the early 1980s albums Sun Over The Universe, Force Of Nature, and Let There Be Sun. Worked with the Commodores, first appearing with the band as a backing singer on the 1985 Nightshift album. Worked with Earth Wind & Fire, starting on the 1987 Touch The World album. Also present on albums by Maurice White, Philip Bailey, Debbie Allen, Club Nouveau, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Joey Lawrence, the Pointer Sisters, Take 6, Rahsaan Patterson, the Urban Jazz Network, and others ~ Reynolds passed away in 2023
September 13, 1956 ~ Guitarist, violinist, fiddler David Mansfield born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Son of classical violinist Newton Mansfield. Member of Quacky Duck & his Barnyard Friends. Toured with Bob Dylan from the mid- through the late 1970s, including on the 1975 Rolling Thunder Revue tour. Co-founded the Alpha Band with T-Bone Burnett and Steve Soles, known for the acclaimed albums The Alpha Band, Spark In The Dark and The Statue Makers Of Hollywood. Briefly a member of Bruce Hornsby & the Range, present on the early hit Mandolin Rain. In-demand session musician, appearing on records by Johnny Cash, Nanci Griffith, Roger McGuinn, Edie Brickell, Lucinda Williams, Dwight Yoakam, Loudon Wainwright III, Guam, and others
September 13, 1956 ~ Composer Jürgen Bräuninger born in Stuttgart, West Germany ~ Had his works performed by the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Stockholm Saxophone Quartet, the SUDPOOL Ensemble, and the Stuttgarter Kammerorchester. Perhaps best known for contributing to the soundtracks of the 1989 horror film The Dead Pit and the 1992 science-fiction film The Lawnmower Man ~ Bräuninger passed away in 2019
September 13, 1955 ~ Guitarist Joe Morris born in New Haven, Connecticut, USA ~ Prolific jazz guitarist with over 50 albums to his name as a leader starting in the early 1980s. Influenced by Cecil Taylor, Eric Dolphy, Jimi Hendrix, John McLaughlin. Regular collaborators include Sebastian Steinberg, Matthew Shipp, Mat Maneri, Barre Phillips, Jamie Saft, Jerome Deupree. In-demand sideman, appearing on records by Whit Dickey, Hamid Drake, Noah K, Daniel Levin, Ivo Perelman, and others
September 13, 1954 ~ Denis Hegarty, commonly known as rock & roll, doo-wop, a capella singer, TV personality Den Hegarty, born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Member of Rocky Sharpe & the Razors. Subsequently a member of the Darts, serving as bass singer, arranger, songwriter and music director. After departing the band in 1978 released a solo single, Voodoo Voodoo, which peaked in the 70s on the UK charts. Guested on the Clash-album Sandinista released in 1980
September 13, 1952 ~ Don Edward Fagenson, commonly known as producer, multi-instrumentalist, label executive Don Was born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Best known for co-founding funk-rock outfit Was (Not Was), known for songs such as Walk The Dinosaur. Worked prolifically as a producer, serving artists such as Bonnie Raitt (Nick Of Time, Luck Of The Draw), Ziggy Marley, Elton John, the Rolling Stones (Voodoo Loung, Bridges To Babylon, Blue & Lonesome), Iggy Pop, Bob Dylan (Under The Red Sky), Bob Seger (The Fire Inside), Floy Joy, Carly Simon, Ringo Starr (Time Take Time), Michelle Shocked, Delbert McClinton (Never Been Rocked Enough), Richie Sambora, Glenn Frey (Strange Weather), Amos Lee, Jessi Colter (Out Of The Ashes), Kris Kristofferson, Zucchero (Chocabeck), Kurt Elling, Lucinda Williams, John Mayer, Van Morrison, and others. Also a label executive, appointed President of Blue Note Records in 2012
September 13, 1952 ~ Singer Randy Jones born in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA ~ Best known as the cowboy in the Village People, known for disco hits such as In The Navy and YMCA. Married his boyfriend in 2004 though at the time the marriage was not legally binding. Released a solo pop, disco album, Ticket To The World, in 2007
September 13, 1948 ~ R&B, pop, jazz singer, songwriter Susaye Greene born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Briefly a member of the Supremes, joining the band in 1976 replacing Cindy Birdsong, and appearing on the band's last two albums High Energy and Mary Scherrie & Susaye. Co-wrote Free, recorded by Deniece Williams for her 1976 This Is Niecy debut album. Sang backup on Stevie Wonder's seminal Songs In The Key Of Life album. Co-wrote I Can't Help It with Wonder, recorded by Michael Jackson for his Off The Wall album. Sang lead on saxophonist Courtney Pine's 1986 single Children Of The Ghetto
September 13, 1944 ~ Rock guitarist Leslie Harvey, full name Leslie Cameron Harvey, born in Glasgow, UK ~ Offered a spot in the Animals by Alan Price but declined, preferring to stay with his brother Alex Harvey in the Alex Harvey Soul Band. Member of the short-lived the Blues Council, known for their sole album Baby Don't Look Down before a traffic accident killed two band members effectively ending the band. Member of Cartoone. Co-founding member of Stone The Crows, known for for a number of early 1970s albums ~ Harvey passed away in 1972
September 13, 1944 ~ Singer, bassist, songwriter Peter Cetera born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Original member of Chicago writing or co-writing such as Wishing You Were Here, Happy Man and If You Leave Me Now, the latter becoming the band's first US charttopper. As a solo artist best known for The Glory Of Love and The Next Time I Fall. Has collaborated with David Foster, Amy Grant, the Beach Boys, Billy Joel, Karen Carpenter, Paul Anka, Agnetha Fältskog (producing Fältskog's 1987 LP I Stand Alone), Richard Sterban, Bonnie Raitt, Madonna, David Gilmour, AZ Yet, Cher, Chaka Khan, Crystal Bernard, Ronna Reeves, Alison Krauss, and others
September 13, 1943 ~ Singer, composer, film director Luis Eduardo Aute, full name Luis Eduardo Aute Gutiérrez, born in Manila, Philippines ~ Initially aimed to become an architect but left school to pursue a career in music, art and film. As a songwriter gained wider attention when Massiel recorded his Alelya No.1 in 1967. It would become a hit in America, later notably covered by Ed Ames translated to English as Who Will Answer. Aute would go on to record well over two dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Dialogos De Rodrigo Y Gimena released in 1968 ~ Aute passed away in 2020
September 13, 1940 ~ Jazz, rock drummer Alex Riel born in Copenhagen, Denmark ~ Leader and sideman. Has worked with artists such as Kenny Drew, Bob Brookmeyer, Thomas Clausen, Bill Evans, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Jackie McLean, Dexter Gordon, Ray Brown, Donald Byrd, Don Cherry, Art Farmer, Stéphane Grappelli, Hank Jones, Thad Jones, Ben Webster, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Archie Shepp, Sahib Shihab, and Thorgeir Stubø
September 13, 1939 ~ Conductor, arranger, producer Gene Page, full name Eugene Edgar Page Jr, born in Los Angeles, California, California ~ In-demand R&B, pop, funk, jazz, disco conductor. Worked with Jefferson Starship, the Righteous Brothers, the Supremes, the Four Tops, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Donna Loren, Martha & the Vandellas, Cher, Barry White, Love Unlimited Orchestra, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, George Benson, the Jackson 5, Roberta Flack, Elton John, Leo Sayer, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, Frankie Valli, Helen Reddy, Lionel Richie, Big Joe Turner, and others ~ Page passed away in 1998
September 13, 1933 ~ Bassist Lewie Steinberg, full name Lewie Polk Steinberg, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known as the original bassist for Booker T & the MG's, present on the single Green Onions b/w Behave Yourself, and the albums Green Onions and Soul Dressing. Was replaced by Donald Duck Dunn by 1965 ~ Steinberg passed away in 2016
September 13, 1932 ~ Eddie Brown, commonly known as percussionist Eddie Bongo Brown born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA ~ Backed numerous Motown artists mostly during the 1960s as member of the label's houseband the Funk Brothers. Best known for his contributions to songs such as I Know I'm Losing You by the Temptations, I Second That Emotion by the Miracles, and If I Were Your Woman by Gladys Knight & the Pips. Also worked with Brass Fever and present on their two mid-1970s albums, Brass Fever and Time Is Running Out, teaming up with artists such as John Handy, Lee Ritenour, Buddy Collette, Oscar Brashear, and Shelly Manne ~ Brown passed away in 1984
September 13, 1925 ~ Singer, drummer, songwriter, actor Mel Tormé, full name Melvin Howard Tormé, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Dubbed “the Velvet Fog” for his smooth vocal delivery. Child prodigy. Actively recording since the 1940s. Known for songs such as Careless Hands, Again, The Four Winds And Seven Seas and Bewitched ~ Tormé passed away in 1999
September 13, 1922 ~ Singer, pianist Charles Brown born in Texas City, Texas, USA ~ Influential on artists such as Floyd Dixon, Cecil Gant, Ivory Joe Hunter, Percy Mayfield, Johnny Ace, and Ray Charles. Known for a string of late-1940s, early-1950s top 10 hits including Drifting Blues, Hard Times, and Merry Christmas Baby. Member of Johnny Moore's the Three Blazers. Married to singer Mabel Scott from 1949 through 1951, with whom he also worked including on the 1948 Elevator Boogie hit ~ Brown passed away in 1999
September 13, 1918 ~ Singer, actor Dick Haymes, full name Richard Benjamin Haymes, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ One of the most popular male vocalists of the 1940s. Brother of songwriter Bob Haymes. Worked with Harry James, Tommy Dorsey, Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrew, Vivian Blaine, Helen Forrest, Judy Garland, the Andrews Sisters, Nelson Riddle, Bing Crosby, Gordon Jenkins, Cy Coleman, and Johnny Kay ~ Haymes passed away in 1980
September 13, 1911 ~ Bandleader, mandolinist, songwriter Bill Monroe born in Rosine, Kentucky, USA ~ Commonly referred to as “the Father of Bluegrass,” the genre defined by Monroe. Led the Bluegrass Boys. Known for songs such as Blue Grass Breakdown, Blue Moon Of Kentucky, and Molly And Tenbrooks ~ Monroe passed away in 1997
September 13, 1910 ~ Leon Brown Berry, commonly known as swing saxophonist Chu Berry born in Wheeling, West Virginia, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Starting in the late 1920s Berry worked with Sammy Stewart, Benny Carter, Teddy Hill, Fletcher Henderson, Cab Calloway, Spike Hughes, Bessie Smith, the Chocolate Dandies, Mildred Bailey, Teddy Wilson, Billie Holiday, Wingy Manone, Lionel Hampton, and others ~ Berry passed away in 1941
September 13, 1894 ~ Romantic composer, pianist Emmanuel Chabrier, full name Alexis-Emmanuel Chabrier, passed away ~ Influenced Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel and Francis Poulenc. Coming from a bourgeois family who did not approve of a musical career Chabrier studied law and worked as a civil servant until age 39 before finally turning to a life of music. Best known for the orchestral works España and Joyeuse Marche, yet also write operas and piano music ~ Chabrier was born in 1841
September 13, 1893 ~ Clarinetist Larry Shields born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known as a member of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, the first jazz band to record commercially. Co-wrote the band's Clarinet Marmalade and At The Jazz Band Ball. Influential on later clarinetists such as Benny Goodman and Dink Johnson. Also played with Papa Jack Laine, Bert Kelly, King Watzke, Paul Whiteman, and others. ~ Shields passed away in 1953