| 1925 | Cal Tjader, Grammy award winning pianist and percussionist - "Cast Your Fate To The Winds". He was undoubtedly the most famous non-Latino leader of Latin jazz bands, an extraordinary distinction. From the 1950s until his death, he was practically the point man between the worlds of Latin jazz and mainstream bop. He died in 1982.
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| 1925 | Nat Pierce, Jazz Pianist and co-bandleader - 'Capp-Pierce Juggernaut'. He had a long, distinguished, career as a champion of latter-day big-band swing. He was also an arranger for several well-known big bands and solo artists. He died in 1992.
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| 1925 | Frank Page, A radio announcer and a native of Arkansas. Frank’s radio career spanned twelve U.S. Presidents (he met personally with Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan). He was a KWKH air personality in Shreveport, Louisiana since 1947 and for 59 years, and was an announcer on the Louisiana Hayride. He introduced Elvis Presley on his first appearance on the show, Saturday, 16th October 1954. In addition to his Country airwork, he did late night rhythm and blues shows sponsored by Stan's Record Shop on KWKH and KAAY as Brother Gatemouth. He received the Louisiana Association of Broadcaster's Lifetime Achievement Award. Frank passed away in 2013 at the age of 87. (100) |
| 1942 | Desmond Dekker, Jamaican artist who brought more international acclaim to his island home barring, of course, Bob Marley, but Dekker came first. Most people's introduction to the island's unique musical sound came via the singer's many hits, most notably "The Israelites" and "007 (Shanty Town)." He died of a heart attack in 2006.
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| 2014 | Johnny Winter, Johnny Winter (John Dawson Winter III) blues guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and producer passed away on this day at the age of 70. He is best known for his blues-rock albums and live performances in the late 1960s and 1970s. He also produced three Grammy winning albums for blues singer and guitarist Muddy Waters. He has recorded extensively with is brother, Edgar Winter. They are recognized for their great music and the fact that both were born with albinism. (11) |
