Music History

Roland Janes, an American rockabilly guitarist and music producer, was born. From 1956 to 1963 he worked with Sun Records and became a regular session guitarist on recordings by Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich, Sonny Burgess and others. He died on October 18, 2013, aged 80.

In Kalamazoo, Michigan, an ordinance was passed prohibiting dancers from looking their partners in the eye.

Louis Gottlieb, double bassist and bassist with The Limeliters, was born in Los Angeles, California.

Hugh Gordon Stoker, singer with The Jordanaires, who among others backed Elvis Presley, was born in Gleason, Tennessee.

Jazz singer Joya Sherrill was born in Bayonne, New Jersey. She became known, among other things, for the song “I'm Beginning to See the Light” with the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

Louis Teicher of the piano duo Ferrante & Teicher was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

American singer and pianist Dinah Washington, born Ruth Lee Jones, was born in Chicago. In 1959, she had the US single "What A Diff'rence A Day Makes" at No. 8, and in 1960 she recorded two successful duets with Brook Benton, "Baby (You've Got What It Takes)" and "A Rockin' Good Way (To Mess Around and Fall in Love)". She died on December 14, 1963, at the age of 39.

The operetta Rose Marie by Rudolf Friml premiered at the Imperial Theatre in New York.

American pianist Roger Williams was born. He had 22 hit singles and 38 successful albums.

Songwriter Felice Bryant, born Matilda Genevieve Scaduto, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. With her husband Boudleaux Bryant, she wrote several hits for The Everly Brothers, including “All I Have to Do Is Dream”, “Wake Up Little Susie” and “Bye Bye Love”, as well as “Love Hurts” and “Raining in My Heart” for Buddy Holly.

Singer and talk-show host Mike Douglas was born in Chicago.

Willie “Bill” Pinkney, a singer and founding member of The Drifters, was born in Dalzell, South Carolina.

Jazz pianist and composer Oscar Peterson was born in Montreal, Canada. He later became a seven-time Grammy Award winner.

American country singer, songwriter, and guitarist Billy Grammer was born in Benton, Illinois. He became particularly known for his million-selling 1959 hit “Gotta Travel On”.

Singer, dancer, and actor Donald O'Connor was born in Chicago, Illinois. He became famous for his role in the film “Singin' in the Rain” alongside Gene Kelly.

American bandleader and film music composer Hugo Montenegro was born. In 1968, he had a UK number-one and US number-two hit with a cover of Ennio Morricone’s main theme from the film The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. He also composed the music for the 1969 western Charro! starring Elvis Presley.

English pop pianist and composer Russ Conway was born in Bristol as Trevor Hebert Stanford. He became best known for the singles “Side Saddle” and “Roulette”, which reached number one on the charts.

Country singer and songwriter Hank Thompson was born in Waco, Texas. His work inspired Thomas Cobb’s novel Crazy Heart and the 2009 film of the same name starring Jeff Bridges.

American blues musician and songwriter Jimmy Reed was born in Dunleith, Mississippi. He became famous for songs including "Big Boss Man", "Baby What You Want Me to Do" and "Bright Lights, Big City". In 1964, he had the UK hit "Shame, Shame, Shame", which reached No. 45. He strongly influenced The Rolling Stones, and Elvis Presley recorded his song "Baby What You Want Me to Do". Reed died on August 29, 1976.

Tony Bennett, born Anthony Dominick Benedetto, was born in Astoria, Queens, New York City.

American jazz singer and pianist Jeri Southern, born Genevieve Lillian Hering, was born in Royal, Nebraska.

Voice actor and recording artist Stan Freberg was born in Pasadena, California.

Jazz trombonist Urbie Green was born in Mobile, Alabama.

R&B singer and songwriter Joe Jones was born, best known for the hit “You Talk Too Much.”

Jazz trombonist Frank Rosolino was born in Detroit, Michigan.

American jazz singer Irene Reid was born.

American pianist, composer, and actor Max Morath, nicknamed “Mr. Ragtime”, was born in Colorado Springs.

Violinist Cyril Reuben was born in England. He later performed with the London Symphony Orchestra.

American jazz double bassist Ray Brown was born. He was known for his long-standing collaborations with Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald. He was also a founding member of the group that later evolved into the Modern Jazz Quartet.

Jimmie Rodgers made his first recordings for the Victor Talking Machine Company: “Sleep, Baby, Sleep” and “The Soldier’s Sweetheart.”

Country singer and television host Porter Wagoner was born; he later introduced Dolly Parton on his television show.

Country singer Jimmy C. Newman was born near Big Mamou, Louisiana. He became known for the 1957 hit "A Fallen Star".

Tommy Evans, a singer with the American doo-wop and R&B group The Drifters, was born. He was a member of the lineup that released the 1957 hit “Fools Fall in Love.”

Sophie Tucker recorded her song “Some of These Days”. This version was not released for approximately another 30 years; in the first part of the verse, Tucker tells and explains how the song described the story of her life.

The first sound film, The Jazz Singer, was released, with Al Jolson in the lead role. One of the first songs audiences heard in a sound film was “Blue Skies” by Irving Berlin.

American jazz and pop singer and actor Al Martino, born Jasper Cini, was born in Philadelphia. In 1952, he had the US and UK No. 1 hit “Here in My Heart” and portrayed singer Johnny Fontane in the 1972 film The Godfather.

American jazz saxophonist Curtis Amy was born. In the mid-1960s, he served for three years as musical director of Ray Charles's orchestra and later worked as a session musician. He played on recordings including The Doors' "Touch Me," Carole King's Tapestry album and early Lou Rawls albums. He also worked with Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell and Smokey Robinson. He died on June 5, 2002, at the age of 74.

Guitarist Joe Olivier, a member of Bill Haley and His Comets, is born in Maastricht, in the Dutch province of Limburg.

Anita Jean Grilli, known as Anita Kerr, was born in Memphis, Tennessee. She was a singer, songwriter, arranger, conductor, and producer. She led the Anita Kerr Singers, who provided backing vocals for numerous performers, including Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Red Foley, Rosemary Clooney, Roy Orbison, and Willie Nelson.

American artist, film director and producer Andy Warhol was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He worked as a producer and manager for The Velvet Underground and designed the cover of “The Velvet Underground & Nico” and the cover of “Sticky Fingers” by The Rolling Stones.

Herbert „Herb“ Reed, baskytarový zpěvák a zakládající člen vokální skupiny The Platters, se narodil v Kansas City v Missouri.

American singer and entertainer Eddie Fisher was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Country singer and musician Jimmy Dean was born in Plainview, Texas.

American singer Earlington Carl Tilghman, known as Sonny Til, was born. He became famous as the lead singer of the vocal group The Orioles.

Singer of The Flamingos and later a member of The Dells was born.