New Orleans Radio

Welcome New Orleans Radio

 

Todays Date

Todays Date
12-08-2023

Birthday Wishes

Yearbirthday
1913Fred (H.E.) Minor, A banjo player and guitarist and native of New Orleans, Louisiana, who played with the Desvigne Orchestra, Paul Barbarin and Noon Johnson. (110)
1925Jimmy Smith, Modern Jazz Organist Extraordinaire - "Walk on The Wild Side". Though he never received any exaggerated title, Jimmy Smith certainly ruled the Hammond organ in the '50s and '60s. He revolutionized the instrument, showing it could be creatively used in a jazz context and popularized in the process. His Blue Note sessions from 1956 to 1963 were extremely influential and are highly recommended. He died in 2005. (98)
1939Jerry Butler, Singer - "For Your Precious Love". He recorded more than 50 albums and his voice is one of the most distinguished voices in all of music. As soulful as ever, yet smooth as ice, his nickname "The Ice Man" epitomizes his demeanor -- and sound. In spite of his status as a true music icon, he remains humble. (84)
1941Willie West ( Millard Leon West), Funk and R&B singer from Raceland, Louisiana. Willie has worked with most of the significant names in New Orleans music in the 1960's and 70's. He had a long association with Allen Toussaint, and was even a member of "The Meters" for a short time. Willie has released a handful of singles throughout his career and is known for his great showmanship. (82)
1943Jim Morrison, Legendary singer for the Doors 'Mr. Mojo Risin'. He is one of the most legendary and influential figures in rock & roll history. The disturbing, image-rich poeticism of Morrison's lyrics, perfectly supported by the Doors' swirling, eclectic psychedelic rock, have assured him continuing icon status, while his fondness for theatrical shock tactics and nihilistic angst have influenced countless imitators... He died in 1971 in Paris France under mysterious circumstances. (80)
1947Gregg Allman, Singer and Keyboards for the rock and blues group called "The Allman Brothers Band". (76)
1973Winston Turner, A trombonist and native of New Orleans, Louisiana. He began in the St. Augustine Marching 100, then the Southern University Human Jukebox. After college, he worked with the Pinstripes Brass Band and the Soul Rebels until creating his own group called the Brass-A-Holics, where he is said to have created the Go-go Brass Funk genre. (50)

Todays_Events

YearMusical_Fact
1941 The Glenn Miller Orchestra and Ray Eberle and the Moderaires teamed to record the successful hit, "Moonlight Cocktail".
1945 Richard M. Jones (Richard Marigny Jones), traditional jazz pianist from Donaldsonville, Louisiana passed away on this day at the age of 56. He was born in 1889, and at 13, he played alto horn in a local brass band. He then began working the higher class brothels in the Storyville district as a solo pianist. He also led his own bands in the district at Abadie's, the Poodle Dog and Fewclothes. He worked regularly in King Oliver's band and joined the Clarence Williams Publishing Company in the early twenties. He became a 'race' recording director in Chicago for Okeh in the mid-twenties, and worked for Decca in the thirties. In the 40's and later he was mainly a composer and arranger. His credits include 'Trouble In Mind' and 'Riverside Blues'. Richard died in Chicago.
1956 Guy Mitchell went to the #1 position on the pop charts on this day with his hit 'Singing The Blues'.
1957 Billie Holliday sings the classic "Fine and Mellow" on a live television broadcast.
1961 The Beach Boys released their first record on Candix Records called "Surfin".
1966 'Ain't Got No Home', by Clarence 'Frogman' Henry, entered the R&B charts on this day. He was backed by Paul Gayten, another New Orleanian, on that hit.
1973 Roshell Anderson, a native of Bogalusa, Louisiana, debuted on the Billboard R&B charts on this day with the song "Know What You're Doing When You Leave".
1979 'Babe' by Styx reached #1 in the pop charts on this day.
1980 This was one of the saddest days in Rock & Roll history as a deranged fan shot and killed pacifist rock star and ex-beatle John Lennon in Central Park, NY.
1984 'Out Of Touch' by Hall & Oates climbed to the top Billboard positions on this day.
1990 'Because I Love You (The Postman Song)' by Stevie B., ascended to the top of the pop charts on this day.