1st. OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT (EDUCATION:)
132:
RICHARD
WRIGHT (1908-1960)
Independence
Day - Nigeria
1841
Fannie Moore Richards,
activist, born. She was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, October 1,
1841. As her people left that State when she was quite young she did
not see so much of the intolerable conditions as did the older
members of the family. Miss Richards was successful in getting an
early start in education. Desiring to have better training than what
was then given to persons of color in Detroit, she went to Toronto.
There she studied English, history, drawing and needlework. In later
years she attended the Teachers Training School in Detroit. Her first
thought was to take up teaching that she might do something to
elevate her people. She, therefore, opened a private school in 1863,
doing a higher grade of work than that then undertaken in the public
schools. About 1862, however, a colored public school had been opened
by a white man named Whitbeck. Miss Richards began to think that she
should have such a school herself. (tr-iokts)
1931
Barbecue
Bob,
blues guitarist, dies in Lithonia, Ga, USA. Robert "Barbecue
Bob" Hicks was born 11 September, 1902, in Walnut Grove, Walton
Co., Georgia. Bob started playing six string guitar in his early
teens after learning it from his brother, Charley Hicks (11 March
1900 - 28 September 1963), moving on to his signature twelve string
after moving to Atlanta in 1923-24, also in his brother's footsteps.
In Atlanta he found employment at Titwell's Barbecue from where it is
most likely he picked up his pseudonym. Bob made his recording debut
for Columbia in Atlanta in March 1927, which must have been
successful in the opinion of his producers as further sessions for
Columbia included sides recorded in a purpose built studio in New
York City. Bob's recording during this period also included sides
recorded with his brother Charley. Bob recorded regularly from 1927
until his death only four years later. Bob also recorded as the
Georgia Cotton Pickers with Curley Weaver playing second guitar and
Buddy Moss on harp again for Columbia in Atlanta in 1931. Bob's style
was his own employing almost exclusively open tunings in open A/G
("Spanish"), and occasionally open D/E
("Vestapol"), using a fingerstyle and bottleneck technique.
Like all bluesmen he used a few melodies that he then re-arranged to
suit a new vocal arrangement. Bob died of "consumption"
(pneumonia) on 21 October, 1931, in Lithonia, Georgia, and was buried
near to his home (mn-rs)
1936
George
'Wild Child' Butler,
journey man harmonica player/singer, born, Autaugaville, Ala., USA.
earned his blues stripes beginning in the late 1950s when he took his
unique harmonica sound and singing from rural Alabama juke joints to
the clubs of Chicago. In the late 1960s, he performed mostly in New
Orleans and Houston before returning to Chicago and then touring
extensively. Wild Child eventually settled in Canada with his wife
Elaine, who survives him.Wild Child's recording debut came on the
Sharp label in 1964. Between 1966 and 1968, he recorded singles
produced by Willie Dixon for Jewel Records. He later had releases on
Mercury, TK Records, Charly, Rooster Blues, MC Records, Bullseye
Blues and APO Records. His final record, Sho' 'Nuff, was released in
2001. (dies 1/3/05) (mn-rs)
1942
Herb Fame,
soul singer born Herbert Feemster, sang solo & with
Peaches & Herb, known as the Sweethearts of Soul. Herb began
singing in church when he was seven years old, and in D.C.
neighborhood groups through high school. After high school, he worked
in a record store. Herb signed with Van McCoy (who would produce
“The Hustle”) and Date Records in 1965 as a solo artist.
Another DC group, The Sweet Things, also signed with Date Records.
McCoy used some leftover recording time to pair Herb with Sweet
Things’ Francine “Peaches” Barker. The A-side,
“We’re in This Thing Together,” didn’t do much,
but the B-side, “Let’s Fall in Love,” became Peaches
and Herb’s first hit single, going to number 11 on the R&B
chart in December, 1966. The song had been a number one pop hit for
Eddy Duchin in 1934. The duo’s follow-up, “Close your
Eyes,” written by Chuck Willis, went to number four on the
R&B chart and number eight on the pop chart in 1967. Peaches and
Herb had more hits in 1967 including “For Your Love,” a
remake of Mickey and Sylvia’s “Love is Strange,”
“Close Your Eyes,” and “Two Little Kids.” Their
two hit albums in 1967 were “For Your Love” and
“Let’s Fall in Love.” Francine Barker left the duo in
1967 and was replaced by a series of “Peaches.” The hits
continued over the next few years, including “The Ten
Commandments of Love,” “United,” “When He Touches
Me (Nothing Else Matters),” and “It’s Just a Game,
Love.” Herb decided to quit singing in 1970 and joined the
Washington, D.C. police department, from which he is now retired. He
released a few singles on his own BS label, but it wasn’t until
1977 that he made a comeback, this time with Linda Greene as the new
Peaches. They charted that year with the Van McCoy- produced
“We’re Still Together” on MCA Records. The next year,
the duo signed with Polydor Records and Herb’s old friend
Freddie Perren. Herb and Perrin, had been friends when they both
worked in DC record stores. Perren had gone on to produce and write
for the Jackson 5 and the Miracles, among others. Peaches and
Herb’s first single, “Shake your Groove Thing,” went
gold in 1978. That same year their biggest hit, “Reunited,”
went platinum, hitting the number one spot for four weeks on both the
R&B and pop charts. Both songs were on the 1979 platinum album
“2 Hot.” Other hit songs that followed included
“We’ve Got Love,” “Roller Skate Mate (Part 1) and
“I Pledge My Love.” (mn-cl-wamadc.com)
1943
Jerry
Martini
born in Colorado is an American musician, best known for being the
saxophonist for the popular and influential psychedelic soul/funk
band Sly & the Family Stone. It was at Martini's suggestion that
the band came about, and he became one of its key figures.
(mn-jt)
1944
Barbara
Parritt soul
singer with the Toys born today.The Toys appeared on many musical
television programs, including Shindig, Hullabaloo, American
Bandstand, Hy Lit, Where the Action Is, Clay Cole, and Upbeat. Dyno
Voice released "Attack" as the follow-up and watched it
soar to number 18 pop. They even had a cameo spot in the film It's a
Bikini World, which also featured the Castaways, the Animals, and the
Gentrys. Two more releases charted in 1966, they switched to Philips
Records for several singles in 1967, and then moved to Musicor where
they had their last chart hit in 1968 ("Sealed With a Kiss,"
number 112 pop); the group split shortly afterward. Parritt and
Montiero joined fake Marvelettes groups (there were about five fake
Marvelette groups doing gigs at the time). Harris married a musician
(Kenneth Wiltshire) and sung with bands doing the N.Y. bar scene.
Harris reformed the Toys in the '90s for oldies reunion gigs, and
with her husband's help, cut a solo CD titled Barbara Now. Her two
enterprising sons financed her CD from their computer business'
profits. Parritt and Montiero live in Queens and both still
perform. (mn-jt)
1945 Donny
Hathaway
singer/songwriter/producer/musician born on this day in Chicago, USA.
Best remembered for his duets with Roberta Flack ('Where Is The
Love'; 'The Closer I Get To You'). Donny Hathaway was one of the
brightest new voices in soul music at the dawn of the '70s, possessed
of a smooth, gospel-inflected romantic croon that was also at home on
fiery protest material. Hathaway achieved his greatest commercial
success as Roberta Flack's duet partner of choice, but sadly he's
equally remembered for the tragic circumstances of his death -- an
apparent suicide at age 33. He moved to St. Louis when he was very
young, and began singing in church with his grandmother at the scant
age of three. He began playing piano at a young age, and by high
school, he was impressive enough to win a full-ride fine arts
scholarship to Howard University to study music in 1964. While in
college, he performed with a cocktail jazz outfit called the Ric
Powell Trio, and wound up leaving school after three years to pursue
job opportunities he was already being offered in the record
industry. (mn)
1955
Howard Hewett,
soul singer, born, Akron, OH, USA. Among the great pure vocalists of
the urban contemporary era, Howard Hewett has seldom found material
worthy of his tremendous skills. He grew up in Akron, Ohio, and
relocated to Los Angeles. Hewett danced on Soul Train, and became
one-third of Shalamar with Jeffrey Daniel and Jody Watley in 1979.
They had several big hits before Hewett departed for a solo career in
1985. He signed with Elektra, and his second single, "I'm for
Real," was a number two R&B hit in 1986. The follow-up
single, "Stay," also made the Top Ten, while "I Commit
to Love" in 1987 reached number 12. Hewitt remained on Elektra
through the '80s and into the '90s, earning another hit with
"Strange Relationshp" in 1988, and cutting duets with
Dionne Warwick and Anita Baker. He's also been busy as a writer,
producer, and session vocalist. Hewett co-wrote and produced
"Frustration" for LaToya Jackson in 1984, and sang on her
LP Heart Don't Lie. He did lead vocals on LPs by Stanley Clarke and
George Duke in 1984 and 1986, a duet with Stacy Lattisaw on
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough," and sang with Firefox in
1986, as well as doing backgrounds on a Donna Summer release. ~ Ron
Wynn, All Music Guide (mn-fp)
1970
Jimi Hendrix was buried in Seattle. Amongst the mourners were Miles
Davis, Eric Burden, and all four members of Eric Clapton's group
Derek & Dominoes. (mn-jt)
1975
MG's Drummer Murdered. Al
Jackson
drummer with seminal house band at Stax Records, Booker T. and The
MGs (MG stood for Memphis Group), and thus the rock-steady rhythm
behind hits by Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, and other great soul
stars of the 1960s, was shot and killed when he confronted an
intruder at his Memphis home. Jackson was 39 years old. (mn-jt)
1979
Lisa
Maffia
(singer) born in London. ( 'x' So solid Crew) (nationmaster)
1981
Jamelia (Davis) (uk singer) born. (nationmaster)
1983
Howard Hewett's 26th birthday and also the date when the band
Shalamar split. (mn-jt)
1998
Birmingham Council alongside a variety of community groups run the
first Black History Month. Using museums; community centres; schools;
colleges; play centres; places of worship and art centres. (mn)
2nd.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT EDUCATION:
133:
LANGSTON HUGHES (1902-1967)
1800
Nat
Turner,
Anti-slavery revolutionist born a slave in Virginia, USA. His father
was a successful runaway slave, and Turner himself ran-away in 1821,
but returned after a month, explaining his religious convictions had
persuaded him to do so. On 22nd. August 1821 Turner and 60-80
African-American slaves launched a reign of terror in Virginia,
killing between 57 and 65 whites, starting with The Travis family,
turner's masters. State militias responded to the situated by 24th
August Turner's revolt had been suppressed, he was hanged on 11th.
November, 1831. Sixteen fellow rebels were also executed. The event
was later fictionalized in William Styron's The Confessions Of Nat
Turner (1967). (mn-ra)
1920
Jim
Brewer,
aka Blind Jim Brewer, street singer, born. Brookhaven, Miss, USA.
Blues singer and guitarist (real name James Brewer), moved to Chicago
in the 1940s spending the latter part of his life busking and
performing both blues and religious songs at blues and folk
festivals, on Chicago’s Maxwell Street and other venues
(died June 3, 1988, Chicago, Ill, USA. (mn-rs)
1953
Vanessa Bell Armstrong,
gospel singer born, Detroit, MI. With a style reminiscent of Aretha
Franklin, soulful Vanessa Bell Armstrong has been belting out
R&B-flavored contemporary gospel since the '80s. A native of
Detroit and mother of five, she got her start working with Dr. Mattie
Moss Clark. She has since gone on to work in both gospel and secular
music. She did the theme song for the television series Amen, where
her links to Rev. Al Green (and ultimately to Rev. Claude Jeter) were
evident. She's recorded urban contemporary ballads and lyrically
neutral material for Jive, and done gospel for Muscle Shoals Sound
Gospel and Onyx, subsidiaries of Malaco. Albums include the slickly
produced Something on the Inside (1993) and The Secret Is Out (1995).
Three years later, she released her first live album, Desire of My
Heart: Live; a best-of collection appeared in 1999. ~ Bil Carpenter
and Ron Wynn, All Music Guide (mn-ts)
1956
Freddie
Jackson
soul singer born in Harlem, New York, USA.To urban contemporary
listeners, Freddie Jackson was one of the biggest stars of the latter
half of the '80s, dominating the R&B charts seemingly at will.
Jackson's forte was sophisticated, romantic soul ballads aimed at
adult audiences, but he was also capable of tackling urban
contemporary dance fare and even the occasional jazz tune. Yet unlike
many of his peers -- Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, Peabo Bryson, etc.
-- Jackson never managed to cross over to the pop charts, where none
of his R&B smashes even breached the Top Ten. As new trends like
hip-hop altered the urban contemporary landscape, Jackson gradually
faded from view during the '90s. (mn)
1958
The Republic of Guinea gains independence under Sekou Toure.
1964
Michell
Anthony Thomas,
6'2", 13.0 footballer born in Luton, England. International
Honours: E: B-1; U21-3; Yth. West Ham United paid £525,000 for
him on 7/8/91. (bh-mn)
1965
Bishop Harold Robert Perry of Lake Charles, La., is named
auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans by Pope Paul VI. (tr-iokts)
1969 Ray
(Raymond) George Wallace,
5'6", 11.4 footballer born in Greenwich, England.
International Honours: E: U21-4. (bh-mn)
2006
Tamara
Dobson,
the tall, stunning model-turned-actress who portrayed a strong
female role as Cleopatra Jones in two "blaxploitation"
films, has died. Dobson, 59, died Monday of complications from
pneumonia and multiple sclerosis at the Keswick Multi-Care Center,
where she had lived for the past two years, her publicist said. At 6
feet, 2 inches tall, Dobson was striking as the kung-fu fighting
government agent Cleopatra Jones in 1973. She reprised the role in
1975's "Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold." "She
was not afraid to start a trend," said her brother, Peter
Dobson, of Houston. "She designed a lot of the clothing that so
many women emulated." Dobson also appeared in "Come
Back, Charleston Blue," "Norman, Is That You?"
"Murder at the World Series" and "Chained Heat."
She had TV roles in the early 1980s in "Jason of Star
Command" and "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century." Dobson
lived most of her adult life in New York, her family said. She was
diagnosed six years ago with multiple sclerosis. (blackenterpises.com)
3rd.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT EDUCATION:
134:
GWENDOLYN
BROOKS
(1917- )
1897
Josephine
Riley Matthews born.
(tr-bl)
1904
Mary McLeod Bethune opens her own school in Florida with only $1.50.
Her life-long achievements were recognized by the US nation in 1974
when the Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial was dedicated in Washington,
D.C. This bronze monument was the first statue of a woman and of an
African-American to be erected on national park ground in the
nation's capital. (mn-ss)
1941
Chubby Checker
60's singer, best remembered for Let's twist again, born Ernest
Evans. Chubby Checker was the unrivaled king of the rock & roll
dance craze; although most of the dances his records promoted -- the
Pony, "the Fly," and the Hucklebuck, to cite just three --
have long since faded into obscurity, his most famous hit, "The
Twist," remains the yardstick against which all subsequent
dancefloor phenomena are measured. Born Ernest Evans on October 3,
1941, in Philadelphia, he worked in a local poultry shop while in
high school, and while on the job often entertained customers by
singing and cracking jokes. His workplace antics helped win an
audition with the local Cameo-Parkway label, who signed the fledgling
singer in 1959; at the suggestion of no less than Dick Clark's wife,
the portly youth was re-christened Chubby Checker, the name a sly
reference to Fats Domino. (mn-jt)
1950
Ronnie
Laws
jazz keyboard player born. The younger brother of Hubert Laws, Ronnie
Laws has a nice soulful sound on tenor, but has never seriously
pursued playing jazz. Throughout his career, which includes
early-'70s gigs with Quincy Jones, his brother, Ramsey Lewis, and
Earth, Wind & Fire, Laws has essentially been an R&B player.
He has led his own albums since 1975, but recorded very little of
interest to the jazz world, although he is often listed on
Billboard's contemporary jazz chart. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide (mn-jt)
1953
Billy Branch,
harmonica player, born Great Lakes, Ill, USA. If blues harmonica has
a long-term future on the Chicago circuit, Billy Branch will likely
play a leading role in shaping its direction. Educator as well as
musician, Branch has led the Sons of the Blues, his skin-tight
quartet, since the late '70s. Despite numerous personnel changes, the
SOBs have never wavered in their dedication to pure, unadulterated
Chicago blues. Although he was born just north of the Windy City,
Branch grew up in Los Angeles, only to return to Chicago in 1969 to
attend the University of Illinois. Spurred on by the entrancing riffs
of mouth-organ masters Carey Bell, Big Walter Horton, and Junior
Wells, Branch began to make a name for himself. He replaced Bell in
Willie Dixon's Chicago Blues All-Stars, recording with the prolific
legend and touring extensively. The SOBs really were dominated by
second-generation talent at the start -- guitarist Lurrie Bell was
Carey Bell's son, while bassist Freddie Dixon was the offspring of
Willie Dixon. They contributed three tunes to Alligator's first batch
of Living Chicago Blues anthologies in 1978. The SOBs waxed Where's
My Money?, their Red Beans Records LP, in 1984; by then, personnel
included guitarist Carlos Johnson, bassist J.W. Williams, and drummer
Moses Rutues. Shortly after that album was completed, guitarist Carl
Weathersby was installed as co-frontman, where he remains (as does
Rutues; bass is now handled by Nick Charles). Other than
co-headlining Alligator's 1990 summit meeting Harp Attack! with
fellow harp masters Junior Wells, Carey Bell, and James Cotton,
Branch largely busied himself with extensive sideman work (he's
first-call session harpist around the Windy City) and teaching an
innovative "Blues in the Schools" program until 1995. Verve
issued his The Blues Keep Following Me Around, an impressive showcase
for his gravelly vocals and spellbinding harp. Satisfy Me followed in
1999. Chicago's Young Blues Generation was issued on Evidence in
2001. ~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide (mn-rs)
1979
The Mc Ceod (entertainment) group is established in London.
1989
Art Shell becomes the first African American coach of a National
Football team.
1992
Nigel Ben wins WBC Super Middleweight Champion title in fight
against M. Galvano.
1995
12 jurors find O.J. Simpson not guilty of double murder.
4th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT EDUCATION:
135:
ARNA BONTEMPS (1902-1973)
Independence
Day - The Kingdom of Lesotho
1847
The first African American daily newspaper, the 'New Orleans
Tribune', is founded.
1913
Carrie
Allen McCray
was born on this date in 1913. She is an African-American writer.
Born in Lynchburg, Virginia, she attended the Virginia Seminary
Primary School. Her father, William Patterson Allen, was a lawyer;
her mother, Mary Rice Hayes Allen, was a college teacher. As the
ninth of ten children, McCray’s Virginia childhood had warmth
with a close community. When she was seven, her family moved to
Montclair, New Jersey where she attended Spaulding Elementary School,
Hillside Junior High, and Montclair High School. She received her
Bachelor of Arts degree from Talladega College in 1935 and her
master’s degree in social work from New York University in 1955.
In 1940, McCray married Winfield Scott Young, which ended in divorce
in 1945. She did marry a second time to John H McCray. James Weldon
Johnson and Langston Hughes, among others, were guests in the Allen
home, as were more unusual and less constrained figures that also
came into the Allen’s’ lives. The tensions of race and
gender that defined McCray’s early life continued into her adult
years. Her list of writings include Ajös Means Goodbye, 1966.
Other published works by McCray are The Black Woman and Family Roles
(1980). Her poems have also appeared in Ms. Magazine, The River Styx,
Gloria Steinem’s book; Moving Beyond Words, The Crimson Edge:
Older Women Writing, The South Carolina Collection, and The Squaw
Review. Her first person memoir, Freedom’s Child: The Life of a
Confederate General’s Black Daughter was published in 1998.
Although she began to take her writing seriously at the age of 73,
McCray makes it clear that only very recently has she been able to
think of herself as writer in a professional sense. Carrie Allen
McCray has made her home in Columbia, South Carolina since 1986. (aareg)
1943
H.
Rap Brown,
chairman of the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), is
born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He took part in voter registration
drives in Mississippi in 1964 and became the chairman of the Student
Non-violent Coordinating Committee in 1967. He was an advocate of
black power and violent confrontations with white racists. In 1968 he
was charged with inciting a riot in Maryland and was then convicted
of carrying a gun between states. In 1971 he was convicted and
sentenced for armed robbery and assault. He was released from prison
in 1976. Today he's a lecturer at Atlanta university. (mm-ss-tr-iokts-dr)
1944
Patti
LaBelle.
vocals, b. Philadelphia, PA, USA. (nfo.net)
1958
Afrika
Bambaataa,
(hip hop) vocals, b. New York (Bronx), NY, USA. (nfo.net)
1967
UK's BBC Radio 1 starts with ex-pirate DJ Tony Blackburn. It was
supposed to be the start of a new age in radio, even when local
bbc/commercial radio came about 5 years later, black music was rarely
played on either. Basicly 40 years of shit apart from the late John
Peel's small out-put. (mn)
2000
Craig David and Jamelia win Mobo Awards in London. Jamelia David,
19 years old and from Smethwick wins Best Video Award for her
debut single 'Money' and Craig David scooped three awards, Best
Newcomer, Best R&B Act, and Best Single for 'Fill Me In'. (mn)
5th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT THEATRE:
136:
IRA ALDRIDGE (1805-1867)
1848
George
B. Vashion,
first African American lawyer in the state of New York, dies in
Rodney, Miss., USA. (tr-iokts)
1872
Booker T. Washington leaves Malden, W.V. to enter Hampton Institute.
1886
Black Invention:
Foot Power Hammer, Minnis Headen. (sc)
1897
Black
Invention:
Convertible Settee and Bed, J. H. Evans. (sc)
1929
Autherine Lucy Foster born,
the first black student at the University of Alabama in 1952
before riots broke out, expelled until '88.(tr-bl)
1932
Yvonne
Burke,
congresswoman, born in USA. (tr-iokts)
1942
Richard
Street
singer/Temptation member born in Detroit USA. He joined the Temp's
early in 1971 when Paul Williams's health was ailing, he had sung in
the Distants some years earlier. (mn)
1943
Roy Book Binder,
guitarist/storyteller, born, New York. An often stirring folk/blues
guitarist and vocalist, Roy Book Binder's been playing country blues
since the mid-'60s, when he began recording for Blue Goose. Greatly
influenced by Rev. Gary Davis and Pink Anderson, Book Binder played
in East Coast coffeehouses in the early '60s, then began accompanying
Rev. Davis on tours in the mid-'60s. He also played with Larry
Johnson, Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup and Homesick James.
Besides constant concerts and tours, Book Binder's made additional
recordings for Blue Goose, as well as Adelphi and Rounder. Book
Binder began playing blues guitar while he was enlisted in the navy.
Following his discharge from the military, he enrolled in Rhode
Island Junior College. After a brief spell there, he attended New
York's New School for Social Research. Book Binder quit school in
1967, after he met the Rev. Gary Davis. Roy became Davis' chauffeur,
during which he took extensive lessons from the blind guitarist. Book
Binder started his recording career slowly, cutting some singles for
Kicking Mule and Blue Goose in 1968. In 1969, he toured England with
Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup and Homesick James. The following
year, he released his first album, Travelin' Man, on Adelphi. After
the release of Travelin' Man, he began touring America extensively.
Book Binder began playing with fiddler Fats Kaplin in 1973, recording
Git Fiddle Shuffle the same year. Roy and Fats were a duo for three
years, playing numerous concerts and recording a second album,
Ragtime Millionaire in 1976. Following the release of Ragtime
Millionaire, the duo stopped performing together and Book Binder
bought a motor home, which became his permanent residence. Live
performances became his primary concern after the release of Goin'
Back to Tampa in 1979. For nearly ten years, he toured the country in
the motor home, driving himself from club to club, hitting numerous
coffeehouses and festivals along the way. (mn-rc)
1969
Eric
Benet'
(Ben-ay), soul singer, born, Milwaukee, WI, USA. He is one of the
true finds of 1996-97. After releasing a miserably promoted
sef-titled album with his band Benet (EMI, 1992 out of print), his
potential shines on his debut solo album True to Myself. Following in
the footsteps of Motown artists and even Luther Vandross and Seal,
Benet's knack is for passionate, romantic R&B ballads, but he's
just as successful at showing off his funk side. (mn-cf)
1992
Eddie
Kendricks soul
singer dies. He was a founder member with the Primes in the late
50s, an R&B vocal group that moved to Detroit in 1960 and formed
the basis of the Temptations. Eddie's voice was a key part of hit
records: The way you do the things you do; Get ready; and Just my
Imagination. He died of lung cancer after already having his right
lung removed the previous your. (mn-br-cl)
6th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT
137:
CHARLES
GILPIN (1878-1930)
1896
Black
Invention:
the Riding Saddle, W.D. Davis patents this.
1917
Fannie
Lou Hamer,
Civil Rights Activist, is born near Ruleville, Mississippi, USA. The
youngest of 20 children born to a family of sharecroppers. Despite
her lack of formal education, she entered the civil rights movement
in the 1960s and was one of the founders of the interracial
Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, which challenged white
supremacy in Mississippi. In 1964 she ran for Congress on the MFDP
"Freedom Ballot," received more votes than her white
opponent. (mn-ss)
1942
Millie
Small reggae
singer born Millicent Smith in Clarenden, Jamaica. Popular for her
hit My Boy Lollipop (1964), a single that sold 5 million copies.
Ernest Ranglin produced and played guitar on it. (mn-sb/pd)
1948
Delroy Wilson,
reggae singer, born. Like Dennis Brown and Freddie McGregor,
Delroy Wilson was barely out of short trousers when he recorded his
first record for Coxone Dodd's Studio One label. His first hit, 'Joe
Liges' (1963), was written by Lee Perry, who at the time was working
as a talent-spotter, songwriter and singer for Dodd; the track was a
lyrical attack on former Dodd employee and now rival, Prince Buster.
Despite being one of the best singers Jamaica has ever produced,
Wilson was rarely able to consolidate the success that came his way;
nevertheless, he remained much loved and respected, but sorely
underused and, outside of reggae circles, underrated performer.
(jah-b-cl-mn) PCRL DJ Tony Roots adds: "Delroy was born at
University Hospital, West Indies and will best remembered for songs
like Dancing Mood; Have Some Mercy and I'm Still Waiting. (Dies March
6, 1995)(tr-gleaner)
1949
Thomas
Mc Clary
member of the Commodores born. Renowned for the R&B hits
"Just to Be Close to You," "Easy," and
"Brickhouse," to name but a few, the Commodores were one of
the top bands during their long tenure at Motown. The group is
credited with seven number one songs and a host of other Top Ten hits
on the Billboard charts, and their vast catalog includes more than 50
albums. (mn-jt)
1949
Bobby
Farrell singer
with Boney M, born. Although they never had much success in America,
the Euro-disco group Boney M. was a European phenomenon during the
'70s. After German record producer Frank Farian (born in 1942)
recorded the single "Baby Do You Wanna Bump?" (which was
successful in Holland and Belgium), he created Boney M to support the
song, bringing in four West Indian vocalists who had been working as
session singers in Germany -- Marcia Barrett (born on October 14,
1948, St. Catherines, Jamaica), Liz Mitchell (born on July 12, 1952,
Clarendon, Jamaica), Maizie Williams (born on March 25, 1951,
Monserrat, West Indies), and Bobby Farrell (born on October 6, 1949,
Aruba, West Indies). "Daddy Cool" reached the U.K. Top Ten
in February 1977, followed in April by a remake of Bobby Hebb's
"Sunny." In July, "Ma Baker" just missed the U.K.
number one spot, and "Belfast" hit the Top Ten in December.
In 1978, Boney M. was at the height of their popularity with
"Rivers of Babylon"/"Brown Girl in the Ring,"
which became the second-biggest selling single in U.K. chart history.
"Rivers of Babylon" also was Boney M.'s only U.S. Top 40
hit. Boney M's album, Nightflight to Venus, also topped the U.K.
charts. In October 1978, "Rasputin" became another U.K. Top
Ten hit, followed by the seasonal chart-topper "Mary's Boy
Child"/"Oh My Lord," which became the fifth-biggest
selling single in U.K. history. In March 1979, "Painter Man"
hit the U.K. Top Ten, followed in May by "Hooray! Hooray! It's
a Holi-Holiday." In September, the album Oceans of Fantasy hit
number one. Their music continues to sell well in Europe, with a
compilation hitting the U.K. Top Ten in 1994. Farian went on to
create the late-'80s dance sensation Milli Vanilli. ~ Stephen Thomas
Erlewine, All Music Guide (mn-jt)
1981
Anwar
Sadat,
president of Egypt, assassinated.
7th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT THEATRE:
138:
BERT
WILLIAMS (1878-1922)
1890
Black
Invention: Safety
Gate for Bridges, Humphrey Reynolds. (sc)
1887
Sargent Johnson,
sculptor, is born. Sargent Claude Johnson was from Boston,
Massachusetts, his father, Anderson was Swedish and his mother Lizzie
Jackson was Cherokee and Negro. The marriage was stormy due to racial
problems and illness. There were six children, Sargent being the
third child. Some of the Johnson children, due to color or
appearance, were accepted as Indians or Caucasians and lived their
lives as such. He, however, chose to live as a black throughout his
life. (tr-iokts)
1897
Elijah Poole 'Honourable' Muhammad,
founder of the Black Muslims, becomes most influential leader, born
in Sandersville, Georgia, USA. Born to former slaves and
sharecroppers. About 1930 he joined the Nation of Islam, founded and
led by W.D. Fard, who became Pool's spiritual leader. After Fard's
disappearance in 1934 Pool emerged as Elijah Muhammad, the divine
leader of the Nation of Islam. Many of his teachings live on in
Minister Louis Farrakhan's Final Call to Islam, a break away
group. (dies 1975) (mn-ss)
1951
Tata
Vega
singer born Cramen Rose Vega in Queens, NY, USA. 'Tata' was a
nickname given to her by her parents while growing up in Long
Island, New York. In 1976, after she had moved to Angeles, Berry
Gordy signed her to the Tamla label (via Motown) where her albums
were Full Speed Ahead (1976), Totally Tata (1977), Try My Love
(1978), including 'Get It Up For Love' (UK Top 75) More recently she
has sung backgrounds for Carl Anderson and gospel with Andre' Crouch
(featured lead vocalist on 'Oh, It is Jesus', 1987). (mn-cl)
1962
Scrapper Blackwell,
urban blues guitarist, dies, In, USA. Scrapper Blackwell ranks with
LONNIE JOHNSON as one of the earliest and most influential urban
blues guitarists. His single string Style of playing helped bridge
the gap between roughed up rural blues and the slicker sounds of
urban blues. Blackwell and his piano playing partner, LEROY CARR,
also popularized blues. Blackwell and his piano playing partner,
LEROY CARR, also popularized guitar piano blues duets in the late
1920s and 1930s. Together they made a made a number of superlative
recordings, including 'How Long How Long Blues' and 'My Own Lonesome
Blues," and set the standards by which other guitar piano duets
would be judged. Blackwe11 was on the verge of a comeback when he was
shot to death in Indianapolis in 1962.(mn-rs)
1941
Tony
Sylvester with
Main Ingredient born Enrique Sylvester. Formed in New York, Donald
McPherson, Tony Sylvester and Luther Simmons first sang together as
The Poets in he '50s. Their initial recordings were for the Red Bird
label and they scored their first American success with 'She Blew A
Good Thing' in 1966. Becoming The Main ingredient, they recorded a
series of singles through to 1971, when Donald died (of leukaemia)
and was replaced by Cuba Gooding. In 1972 they signed to RCA and
scored Further American chart success with 'Everybody Plays The
Fool'. They are still recoding today. (mn-jt)
1968
Toni
Braxton,
soul singer born at Severn, Maryland, USA. Braxton with her four
sisters, was signed with Arista Records in 1990 as the Braxtons. It
was their The Good Life single which brought them attention of
producers L.A. & Babyface who provided her with solo successes. (mn-cl)
8th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT THEATRE:
139:
RICHARD
B.HARRISON (1864-1935)
1820
Henri Chrosophe
king of Haiti dies, Henri along with Toussaint L'Ouverture and
Jacques were all freedom fighters from Spanish/French slavery. (mn-ra)
1870
Black Invention: Improvement
in Wagons, John W. West. (sc)
1941
Jesse Jackson,
civil rights leader is born in Greenville, He runs for President of
USA in 1994 and 1988. Once an aide to Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesse
Jackson has been a political activist and public figure since the
civil rights movement of the 1960s. Jackson, a Baptist minister, is
the founder of the non-profit organization PUSH (People United to
Save Humanity). He has several times been an unofficial U.S. envoy in
diplomatic missions; in 1999 he helped secure the release of three
American military prisoners from Yugoslavia. He made unsuccessful
runs for the Democratic nomination for U.S. president in 1984 and
1988, losing to Walter Mondale in 1984 and to Michael Dukakis in
1988. Both elections were ultimately won by Republican candidates:
Ronald Reagan (1984) and George Bush Sr. (1988). Jackson's son, Jesse
Jr., was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994... In
January of 2001, the elder Jackson admitted to fathering a child born
out of wedlock in 1999 after an affair with a worker at the
Washington PUSH offices. (mn-answers.com)
1944
Joshie
Jo Armstead,
soul singer born Yazoo City, Mississippi, USA. A former member of
the Iketes, she sang on the 1962 US Top 20 pop hit I'm Blue (the Gong
Gong Song),. She began her solo career under the name Dina Johnson
and she subsequently formed a partnership with Ashford & Simpson
for whom she penned Let's Go Get Stoned for Ray Charles. (mn-cl)
1945
Vanburn
Alonza Holder,
cricket umpire, ex-Warwickshire player born in Barbados. County
debut: 1968; County cap: 1970; Test debut: 1969; Tests: 40. One of
only two black umpires at the moment, the other being John Holder. (cm-mn)
1950
Robert
'Kool' Bell of
band Kool & Gang born. Formed as a jazz ensemble in the mid-'60s,
Kool & the Gang became one of the most inspired and influential
funk units during the '70s, and one of the most popular R&B
groups of the '80s after their breakout hit "Celebration"
in 1979. Just as funky as James Brown or Parliament (and sampled
almost as frequently), Kool & the Gang relied on their jazz
backgrounds and long friendship to form a tightly knit group with the
interplay and improvisation of a jazz outfit, plus the energy and
spark of a band with equal ties to soul, R&B, and funk. Robert
"Kool" Bell and his brother Ronald (or Khalis Bayyan) grew
up in Jersey City, NJ, and picked up the music bug from their father.
A professional boxer, he was also a serious jazz lover and a close
friend of Thelonious Monk. (mn-jt)
1970
DJ Fuze,
conceptual funk rapper with Digital Underground, from Syracuse, New
York; Berkeley, California, USA, real name David Elliot born. (mn-ms)
2010
Albertina
Walker
dies. b. Albertina Walker, 29th August 1929, Chicago, Illinois,
U.S.A. d. 8th October 2010, RML Specialty Hospital, Chicago,
Illinois, U.S.A. The 'Queen Of Gospel Music', Albertina Walker has
died. She was 81. Albertina was was rushed to the RML Specialty
Hospital hospital in Chicago, on the 29th of August, her 81st
birthday, having long suffered from emphysema. She took the time to
issued a statement thanking all those praying for her. Albertina was
singing at the age of 4, participating in the West Point Baptist
Church choir in 1932. Greatly influenced by Mahalia Jackson, she was
taken under her wing during her teenage years, and taken on tour. In
1951, she formed the group called The Caravans, whose line-up
included singers from The Robert Anderson Singers (including Ora Lee
Hopkins Samson, Elyse Yancey and Nellie Grace Daniels), and were
known on the circuit, as the career makers. The group line-up varied
across the years, and at various times included the likes of James
Cleveland, Bessie Griffin, Shirley Caesar, Dorothy Norwood, Inez
Andrews, Loleatta Holloway, Cassietta George, and Delores Washington.
The Caravans went their separate ways in the late 1960's. The late
Reverend James Cleveland and Rev. Jesse L. Jackson,Sr., gave her the
name 'the Queen Of Gospel Music' during the early 1970's. In the mid
1970's, she signed various imprints including Savoy Records, Benson
Records, Word Records, A&M Records, along with many other labels.
Albertina recorded her first solo release entitled 'Put A Little Love
In Your Heart' in 1975, following which she recorded with the
Reverend James Cleveland. Her releases included 'Please Be Patient
with Me', 'I Can Go to God in Prayer', 'Work on Me', 'Joy Will Come',
and 'I Won’t Be Back'. Since 1975, Albertina ecorded over 60
albums and has sung for United States Presidents George W. Bush and
Bill Clinton, and also for the South African President, Nelson
Mandela. In 1995, she collaborated with Thelma Houston, CeCe
Peniston, Phoebe Snow, recording 'Good News In Hard Times', under the
group name of The Sisters of Glory. President Bush honoured Albertina
for her contribution to Gospel Music on the 31st of May 2002, the
ceremony held at the White House declaring the month of June as Black
Music Month. In 2006, she recorded a reunion album with the Caravans,
entitled 'Paved The Way', whose line-up featured Dorothy Norwood,
Inez Andrews, and Delores Washington. The album was nominated for a
Grammy, Dove, Soul Train Music Award and two Stellar Awards. During
her lifetime, Albertina lent her support to various charitable causes
including The United Negro College Fund, The American Cancer Society,
The National Council of Negro Women, The Nation of Islam's 'Million
Family' March, One Voice 'A Fight Against AIDS', The NAACP and
Operation Push. She also appearred on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show', 'Good
Morning America', and 'The Travis Smiley Show'. (soulwalking)
9th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT THEATRE:
140:
FRANK
SILVERA (1914-1970)
1806
Benjamin Banneker,
mathematician and astronomer, dies in Ellicott City, Md., USA.
Although he spent nearly his entire life on a farm, Banneker had an
important influence on how African-Americans were viewed during the
Federalist and Jeffersonian periods of American history. Born in
Baltimore County, Maryland, Banneker was a child of a free black
father. He had little formal education, but he became literate and
read widly. At the age of 21 he built a clock with every part made of
wood - it operated for over 40 years. (tr-iokts-ss)
1929
Earnest
"Dutch" Morial,
first black mayor of New Orleans, born their.
1942
O.V.
Wright soul
singer born Overton Vertis Wright in Memphis. One of deep soul's
most impressive stylists, his first recordings were in the gospel
tradition and it was while a member of the Harmony Echoes that he
became acquainted with Roosevelt Jamison. This aspiring songwriter
penned the singer's debut, That's How Strong My Love Is, impassioned
ballad covered later by Otis Redding and the Rolling Stones. (Dies
November 16, 1980, Mobile, Ala., USA.) (mn-cl)
1957
Ini
Kamoze,
reggae artiste born, Port Maria, St. Mary, Jamaica, West Indies. For
Ini Kamoze, the road to success has been arduous and he has undergone
many substantial changes musically and physically since he burst onto
the music scene in 1983 with his highly successful eponymous debut
album for Island. Known as "The Hotstepper," Kamoze
advocates change through what he calls "intelligent and
constructive militancy" rather than random acts of violence.
Kamoze made his recording debut in the early '80s with a 12"
single "Trouble You a Trouble Me" on Taxi and found
immediate success. He then began touring as part of the Taxi
Connection International Tour with Yellowman and Half Pint. During
this time, Kamoze was 6' tall, reed thin and appeared too frail to
contain his powerful stage presence. He followed up his first album
success with Pirate, but the recording received mixed reactions and
wasn't as successful. Kamoze then retaliated with several hit singles
recorded on his Slekta label. One of the biggest hits from this
period was "Shocking Out" which was eventually picked up by
the RAS label in 1988. In 1985, Kamoze had greater success with
Settle with Me, which produced such hits as "C all the
Police" and "Taxi with Me." By 1988, Kamoze's
successes became intermittent and his career erratic. Kamoze suddenly
disappeared from the music scene. He returned with a new, more
aggressive image in 1994, signing to Sony and exploded back into the
charts with "Here Comes the Hotstepper." The song made its
debut on the compilation reggae album Stir It Up from Columbia, and
then showed up on the soundtrack of Robert Altman's feature film Pret-A-Porter.(mn-cl)
1962
Independence Day-Republic of Uganda. Independence from Great Britain.
1963
Mikey General,
reggae artist born, Michael Taylor, London, England.One of Regga's
most exciting talents is conscious vocalist Mikey General. His high
tenor voice, like a warm breeze over sands, carries a message of
faith and optimism to the world. His unyielding devotion and his
genuine sincerity sets this Jamaican snger apart from the rest.Mikey
General, long known for his association with Luciano, has spent two
decades honing his craft navigating the upper echelon of producers
and studios in the industry, both in the United Kingdom and Jamaica.
British-born Jamaican Mikey General, born Michael Taylor, moved back
to Jamaica at age two and not long after, began to imitate songs on
the radio and television, His public recognition began when he sung
in the school and church choirs. In his teenage years, he was already
voicing on large Kingston sound systems like Killamanjaro and Virgo
Sounds. At sixteen, he recorded his first song for sound system owner
Ruddy Silence. Mikey returned to Britian in 1982 and continued to
voice on top sounds- only this time it was the British sounds like
Coxone International and Saxon. The latter gave him a taste of the
road, touring Europe in 1984 along with Smiley Culture, Papa Livi and
Maxi Priest. 1985 was a big year when the DubVendor produced tracks
"Dancehall Vibes" hit ..1 on the trend-setting New Musical
Express chart and ..2 on the Echoes chart. Accolades continued as
Echoes' readers awarded Mikey "Newcomer of the year,"
After ten years in England, Mikey's spirituality was becoming front
and center in his life and he moved back to Jamaica.the key moment
came when he met Luciano for the first time at Castro Brown's New
Name Studio,"I noticed the godliness in his movements,"
stated Mikey, in 1993,the two friends became mainstays in Phillip
"Fatis" Burrell's Xterminator Crew which toured America and
Europe "exterminating slackness in reggae music," Mikey
grew his dreadlocks, adopt a true and natural lifestyle,and watch
things fall into place,with the Xterminator Crew, Mikey released two
albums within two years, "Sinners," and "I Am Just A
Rastaman" on the British Jetstar Records. He also opened for
Luciano and Sizzla on tour in the mid-1990s. It reached time for
Mikey and Luciano to branch off from the XterminatorCrew, and in
1998, they formed Jah Messenjah Productions and Qubala First Music
with the aim "to provide p[eople with spiritual uplifting music
in these times of degradation." With hard work the two singers
built a nice home base, and Mikey released the full-length
"Spiritual Revolution" on their own Qubala label. John
Marcus of Echoes UK dubbed it the Album of the year. "Exalt
Jah," Mikey's follow-up to "Spiritual Revolution" was
released in 2003 on Stone Tiger Entertainment and showcased a mature
and confident Mikey General whose lyrics reflect his commitment and
deep faith in Jah. Between recording, Mikey opened for Luciano on his
"New Day" tour, followed by a solo club tour of the United
States. The industry giant VP Records, got hold of mikey's next
album, "Red Green and Gold," and through strong
distribution took Mikey's music to another level. The well-received
album featured tracks "He That Keepeth Isreal," and
"Joy," which reflect Mikey's belief that "music should
reflect the life we live! (myspace)l
10th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT THEATRE:
141:
CANADA
LEE (1907-1951)
1897
Pricilla
L. Williams,
born. (tr-bl)
1897
Black
Invention: Car
Coupling Device, Andrew J. Beard. (sc)
1899
Black
Invention:
luggage carrier, J.W. Butts receives patent.
1899
Black
Invention:
Bicycle Frame, Isaac R. Johnson. (sc)
1901
Fredrick Douglas Patterson,
founder of the United Negro College Fund, is born. (tr-iokts)
1914
Ivory Joe Hunter,
singer born in Wiergate/Kirbyville, Texas, USA. Although Hunter was
a well known figure in Texas through his radio shows, it was not
until the 40s, when he moved to the west coast, that his career
flourished. He established his own record companies, Ivory &
Pacific, the later of which provided an outlet for his first R&B
chart topper, Pretty Mama Blues (Dies from lung cancer November 8,
1974, Memphis, Tenn, USA). (mn-rs)
1926
Oscar
Brown Jnr.,
singer/songwriter born in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The first of his
compositions to be published was Brown Baby sung by Mahalia Jackson.
In 1961 his stage production Kicks and Company was performed in
Chicago. Dies after operation on spine, May 29th 2005. (Billboard) 1
1946
Ben Vereen,
singer/entertainer is born. Ben acted as Chicken George in
the TV series 'Roots' in
1977, it was a massive success. Shown months later in the UK. (tr-iokts)
1995
[Iris
Norton]
dies from cancer.
2010
Solomn
Burke
dies. Born James Solomon MacDonald, 21st March 1940, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, U.S.A. d. 10th October 2010, Schipol Airport,
Amstersdam, Netherlands.Solomon Burke has died. He was 70. Reports
state that Solomon died at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport, as he
arrived for a gig with the Dutch group De Dijk at the Paradiso Club
in the City on Tuesday. Solomon penned the classic song 'Everybody
Needs Somebody to Love', which featured in the movie 'The Blues
Brothers'. Solomon Burke was born in Philadelphia, becoming a
preacher and hosted a gospel radio show during his lifetime. In the
early 1960s, he signed with Ahmet Ertegun's Atlantic Records and
recorded his first hit record 'Just Out Of Reach'. In 1962, he
released 'Cry To Me', which was utilised as part of the film 'Dirty
Dancing'. Solomon's 1964 song, 'Everybody Needs Somebody to Love',
was later recorded by various artists including The Rolling Stones
and Wilson Pickett, and later became internationally famous following
the version recorded by Dan Ackroyd and John Belushi in the 1980 film
'The Blues Brothers'. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame in 2001 and won a Grammy in 2003. Solomon is survived by 21
children and 90 grandchildren. (soulwalking)
11th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT EDUCATION:
142:
ETHEL
WATERS (1900-1977)
1865
Paul Bogle, Jamaican national hero leads a successful protest
march to the Morant Bay Courthouse. Paul Bogle was a Deacon of the
Native Baptist Church in Stony Gut, St. Thomas, Jamaica. His belief
in the teachings of the Bible inspired him to become involved in the
peoples' struggle for justice. Paul Bogle spent much of his time
educating and training the members of his congregation, and is
credited with initiating the so-called Morant Bay Rebellion in 1865.
Edward Eyre, the then Governor of Jamaica, offered a £2,000
reward for the capture of Paul Bogle for his alleged role in the
unrest at Morant Bay. (George W. Gordon hanged)
1867
Black
Invention:
Elevator, Alexander Miles. (sc)
1887
Black Invention:
Telephone System/Apparatus, Granville T. Woods. (sc)
1917
Thelonius Monk,
jazz musician is born. One of the century's outstanding composers.
Round Midnight is probably the most recorded jazz song of all time.
His unique ability to weld intricate, surprising harmonic shifts and
rhythmic quirks into appealing, funky riffs means that something
special happens when they are played.(Dies February 17, 1982) (mn-cl)
1919
Art Blakey,
jazz musician is born in Pittsburgh, Pa., USA. (Dies October 16,
1990). (mn-jt)
1950
Andrew Woodfolk member
of soul group Earth Wind and Fire born. (mn-jt)
1970
MC
Lyte,
two-sided storyteller rapper from Queens, Brooklyn, USA, real name
Lana Moorer is born. (mn-ms)
12th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT EDUCATION:
143:
KATHERINE
DUNHAM
(1910- )
Independence
Day - Equatorial Guinea.
1925
Xavier University, America's only black Catholic college, founded in
New Orleans, La., USA.
1929
Nappy
Brown
born Napoleon Brown Culp in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. Started
as a gospel singer and moved into R&B in 1954 when he signed with
Savoy Records. (mn-jt)
1932
Dick Gregory,
comedian and civil rights activist, is born in New Orleans, Mo.,
USA. In 1966 he ran for Mayor of Chicago and in 1968 for
president of the United States. He continues to speak on a wide
variety of social and political issues. (mm-ss-tr-iokts)
1942
Melvin
Franklin,
soul singer and member of The Temptations born David English in
Montgomery, Alabama, USA. (Dies Feb 23, 1995, LA, USA)
1935
Sam Moore,
soul singer with Sam & Dave, born in Miami, Florida, USA. They
first performed together in 1961, but it was not until Jerry Wexler
signed them to Atlantic Records that their talents blossomed.For
political reasons they appeared on Stax Records, where You Don't Know
Like I Know, Hold On I'm Commin' (both 1966), Soul Man (1967)and I
thank you (1968) were some of their finest moments. (mn-cl)
1979
Daniel (Danny) Leon Cadamarteri,
5'7", 11.12 footballer born in Bradford, England. International
Honours: E: Yth. (bh-mn)
13th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT EDUCATION ENDS:
144:
SIDNEY
POITIER (1927-
)
1831
Black Invention:
grain harvester reaper, Jo Anderson, a slave, helps invent it.
1902
Arna
Bontemps,
poet and librarian, born in Alexandria, Va., USA. This leading
figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a novelist and a close friend of
Langston Hughes, was raised in California. From 1943 until 1963 he
was the librarian at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennasee, a secure
position that allowed him write. His novels include God Sends Sunday
(1931), which went on Broadway as the musical Saint Louis Woman
(1946) and the Story Of The Negro (1948). (Dies 1973) (mm-tr-ss-iokts)
1914
Black
Invention:
Breathing Device (gas mask), Garratt Morgan. (sc)
1938
Shirley
Ceasar,
gospel singer, born, Durham, NC, USA. (mn-nc)
1947
Dorothy
Moore,
soul singer born in Jackson, Mississippi, USA. She started singing
when she founded the all-female group the Poppies with Columbia
Records in the 60s but with no chart success. She's best remembered
for her solo hit Misty Blue in 1976. (mn-cl)
1977
Orlon Murdered. Shirley
Brickley,
a founder member of The Orlons, the group who scored three US Top 5
hits in under a year, died of gunshot wounds. She was 32 years old. (mn-jt)
1999
Since he lost his court case in Febuary against the West Midland
Police, Carl Josephs has been stopped another 4 times. To-day he hand
over his road tax, insurance, driving licence and M.O.T certificates
to head of the West Midlands Police to the gaze of the nations news
media. He told them that they may as well keep them there and it will
save him a lot of future inconvenience, but they posted them back to
him the same day. C.J. is now advising anyone that gets stopped by
the police to dial 999 and complain while at the stop scene to cause
maximum inconvenience in return. (mn)
2010
Norman
Johnson dies.
b. Norman Johnson, 23rd May 1943, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.A. d. 13th
October 2010, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. 'General' Norman Johnson, the
lead vocalist of the Soul Group, The Chairmen Of The Board, has died.
He was 67. Norman died on Wednesday the 13th of October at his home
in Atlanta, said band member Ken Knox. No cause was given. In
February this year, Norman had knee surgery after complaining of knee
pain during a show in Charlotte, a show which turned out to be his
last live performance. In September, he had a knee replacement
operation, and was recovering when he passed away. Although born in
Virginia, Norman Johnson's career began in Raleigh, North Carolina.
He began singing as a child in the local church choir at the age of
six. Norman was signed to Altantic Records with his group the
Humdingers by the age of 12, the group changing their name in 1961,
to The Showmen. The Showmen were signed to Minit Records, where they
released the single 'It Will Stand', which charted in 1961 and 1964.
The group released further material for Minit and Swan, including the
songs '39-21-40 Shape', later going their separate ways in 1968.
After several solo releases, Norman signed to the emerging Invictus
label in Detroit, Michigan. Under the wings of the
Holland-Dozier-Holland team, he enlisted Danny Woods (from the The
Showmen), Harrison Kennedy, and Eddie Curtis resulting in the
formation of the Chairmen of the Board. Their debut single, 'Give Me
Just a Little More Time' was an instant hit, charting at number 3 on
the U.S. Billboard R&B chart in 1969. Capitalising on this
success, further hits followed including '(You've Got Me) Dangling on
a String' and 'Everything's Tuesday'.Norman was an accomplished
songwriter in his own right, penning 'Pay to the Piper', which was
another hit. Other General Johnson songs included the Grammy Award
winning 'Patches' (a hit for Clarence Carter and the Chairmen) At
Invictus Records, he wrote for the group Honey Cone writing 'Want
Ads', 'Stick Up', 'One Monkey Don't Stop No Show', and 'Bring the
Boys Home' for Freda Payne. As the Seventies progressed, Norman
recorded solo material, releasing a self titled album in 1979 for the
Arista imprint. The Chairmen later reformed and began performing on
the beach music circuit. In 1993, the group released the album 'What
Goes Around Comes Around', marking a renaissance within Soul Music
circles. In recognition of the contribution that Norman Johnson has
made to American popular music, the Virginia General Assembly
designated the 9th of June 2001 as General Johnson Day in Virginia.
Norman Johnson was named General after his father. He didn't start
using the name professionally until a record executive told him it
was a good professional name. Norman is survived by his wife, Julia,
two sons, and a daughter. (soulwalking)
14th.
OCTOBER
PCRL
DJ C.J. (Carl Josephs) BORN
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT MUSIC BEGINS:
145:
GEORGE P BRIDGETOWER (1779-1860)
1943
Robert Parker,
saxophonist/singer, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Parker
recorded Caught you in a lie, later a reggae hit for Lorna Bennett,
Also remembered for his big 60's hit Barefootin'. (mn)
1945
Marcia Barrett of
the group Boney M, born. (mn-jt)
1948
Ivory Tillmon,
soul singer with The Detroit Emeralds born. In the late 60's the
group had a first hit with Showtime with the Ric-Tic Label, in the
70s with Janus Records: Feel The Need; You Want It You Got it and
Feel the Need. (interview: Mickey Nold Archives) (mn-jt)
1964
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. awarded the Nobel Peace prize, at 35 he
is the youngest man ever to win this. This most influential leader in
the twentieth-century African-American's struggle for civil rights,
King was born in Atlanta, Georgia. Both his father and his maternal
grandfather were Baptist ministers at Ebanezer Baptist Church in
Atlanta, providing strong religious tradition for King. (tr-bl-mn-ss)
1965
Karyn
White,
soul singer born in Los Angeles, USA. Gained early professional
experience as a backing singer with O'Brian. She later met Michael
Jeffries who was working with Jeff Lorber on his debut album. She's
featured on Lorber's Facts of Life and this led her to a solo career.
Best remembered for her hit Superwoman (1989). (rt-jt)
1965
Kieth
Aubrey Jones,
5'8", 11.2 footballer, born in Dulwich. International Honours:
E: Yth; Sch. (bh-mn)
1975
Shaznay
Lewis
(uk singer) born London. Oct 14. 'x' All Saints. (nationmaster)
15th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT MUSIC:
146:
SAMUEL
COLERIDGE-TAYLOR (1875-1912)
1925
Mickey Baker
singer/guitarist with Mickey & Sylvia, born McHouston Baker. (mn-jt)
1938
Marv
Earl Johnson soul
singer/songwriter/producer born in Detroit USA. The money from his
50's hits was used to set up Berry Gordy's Motown empire. His Come to
Me was the first single released on the Tamla label (Tamla 101) in
January 1959, United Artists soon leased it for national
distribution. He Died on 16th. May 1993 just a short while after
appearing on PCRL. He lies in an unmarked grave. (mn-br)
1938
Fela Ransome Kuti
born in Abeokuta. Later changed his slave name. It's almost
impossible to overstate the impact and importance of Fela Anikulapo
(Ransome) Kuti (or just Fela as he's more commonly known) to the
global musical village: producer, arranger, musician, political
radical, outlaw. He was all that, as well as showman par excellence,
inventor of Afro-beat, an unredeemable sexist, and a moody
megalomaniac. His death on August 3, 1997 of complications from AIDS
deeply affected musicians and fans internationally, as a musical and
sociopolitical voice on a par with Bob Marley. (mj)
1968
Wyomia
Tyus becomes
the first person to win a gold medal in the 100-metre race in two
consecutive Olympic Games. (tr-iokts)
1969
Abdi
Rashid Ali Shermarke,
president of Somalia, assassinated.
1969
Charles
Brewer
IBF Super Middleweight World Champion Boxer is born. Record: 30-5
(20). Best wins: Frank Rhodes; Gary Ballard and Joey De Grandis. He
lives in Pennsauken, New Jersey, USA. (mn-ring)
1971
Andy
Cole
5'11", 11.12 footballer born in Nottingham. Played for
Newcastle; Arsenal; Fulham; Bristol and Manchester United. Club
Honours: Div 1 '93; PL '96;, '97; FAC '96; CS '97. International
Honours: E: 2;B-1; U21-8; Yth, Sch. (tr-bh-mn)
1953
Tito
Jackson singer
with The Jackson 5, born Toriano Adaryll Jackson. (mn-jt)
1980
Bobby Lester
of the soul group The Moonglows dies. This early-60's group from
Chicago was put together by Harvey Fuqua and consisted of three
members of the Marquis, one of whom was Marvin Gaye. They recorded
two singles for Chess Records. (mn-rt)
1983
Five Star, all black R&B quintet, all members of the Pearson
family who lived in the east London suburb of Romford, released their
debut single Problematic, on there own Tent Records. (mn-jt)
16th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT MUSIC:
147:
JAMES
BLAND (1854-1911)
1859
John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry, U.S. arsenal.
1903
Big Joe Williams,
singer/guitarist, born, Crawford, Mississippi, U.S.A. (Dies December
17, 1982, Macon, Ga, USA. (mn-rs)
1935
Sugar Pie De Santo
soul singer born Umpeylia Marsema Balinton in Brooklyn, New York, USA (mn)
1940
Benjamin
O, Davis Sr.
becomes the U.S. Army's first African American brigadier general. (tr-iokts)
1968 Mexico
Olympics Slock Wave.
Two Black American medal-winning sprinters send shock waves around
the world by making Black Power salutes. Tommy Smith and John Carlos
were banned from the Olympics and sent home. (mn-a1)
1969
[Leonard
Chess founder
of Chess Records dies]. (mn-jt)
1984
Bishop Desmond Tutu is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
1986
Berry
Welcomes Seventh Decade.
Chuck Berry 60th birthday was calibrated by an all star concert in
St Louis and released as a biography on video. (mn-jt)
1990
Art
Blakey,
jazz pianist and drummer dies. (mn-cl)
1995 The
first of its kind 'The Million Man March' takes place in America.
This will be a day of atonement for black people. Takes place in
Washington D.C., USA. (1.8 million turn up!) (mn)
1998
UK National Day of Atonement - where all black peoples take a day off
work and spend no money! This is called for by the United Black Front
in the wake of the US Million Man March in 1995. (mn)
17th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT MUSIC:
148:
BLIND
LEMON JEFFERSON (1897-1929?)
1806
Jean
Jacques Dessalines,
revolutionist and emperor of Haiti, assassinated.
1888
The first black owned bank, Capitol Savings Bank of Washington, D.C.,
USA, opens.
1934
Rico Rodriguez,
reggae trombone player born, Emmanuel Rodriguez, Kingston, Jamaica,
West Indies. (mn-cl)
1936
Monk Higgins,
music producer born Milton Bland in Menifee, Arkansas, USA. Started
as a highly successful producer with One-Derful Records, then St.
Lawrence and finally Chess Records. He also has a number of
instrumental hits himself. (Died July 3, 1986). (mn-cl)
1956
Dr.
Mae Jamison,
astronaut, is born in Dectur, Ala', USA (tr-iokts)
1968
Ziggy
Marley,
son of Bob Marley born David Nesta "Ziggy" Marley, St.
Ann's Perish, Jamaica is a Jamaican musician, the oldest son of Rita
and Bob Marley, the legendary roots rock reggae singer. He learned
how to play guitar and drums from his father. His mother Rita called
and baptised him David, but his father Bob nicknamed him
"Ziggy" in reference to a big spliff. In 1979, Ziggy and
his siblings, Cedella, Stephen and Sharon, made their recording debut
with their father, "Children Playing in the Streets". The
Melody Makers, as the group came to be known, played occasionally for
several years, including at their father's funeral in 1981. Their
debut LP was Play the Game Right, which was a very pop-oriented
album, earning Ziggy some derision from critics. The band's label,
EMI, wanted to market Ziggy as a solo act, and so the Melody Makers
moved to Virgin Records, where they recorded Conscious Party (1988,
produced by Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth). The album was critically
and popularly successful, as was One Bright Day (1989) and Jahmekya
(1991). Biggest international hit Tomorrow People (mn-jt-tr)
1972
Wyclef Jean,
soul singer with The Fugees born. The Fugees are a critically
acclaimed American music band, popular during the mid-1990s, whose
repertoire includes primarily hip hop, with elements of soul, and
Caribbean music (particularly reggae). The members of the group are
leader/rapper/producer Wyclef Jean, rapper/singer Lauryn Hill, and
rapper Pras Michel. Hill, Jean and Michel are all of Haitian
heritage. Deriving their name from the term "refugee", the
group is noted for the integration of soul and reggae into their
work, and recorded two albums—one of which, The Score, was a
multi-platinum and Grammy-winning success—before going their
separate ways after 1997. Hill and Jean each went on to successful
solo recording careers, while Michel focused mainly on soundtrack
recordings and acting. (mn-tx)
1984
Aberta
Hunter,
singer dies, New York, NY, USA. In the 1920s she helped bridge the
gap between classic blues and cabaret-flavoured pop music. In the
process she and other singer like Lucille Hegamin, Ethel Waters and
Edith Wilson introduced white audiences to the emotional vigor
of the blues. (mn-rs)
1999
10,000
Man March
organized in Trafalgar Square, London. The event was attended by
between 2 to 5 thousand Black men and woman. (mn-dp)
2008
Levi
Stubbs
(Four Tops) dies. b. Levi Stubbles, 6th June 1936, Detroit, Michigan,
U.S.A. d. 17th October 2008, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. Levi Stubbs,
one of the truly great Soul vocalists, has died. He passed away at
his home in Detroit. He was 72. Levi had suffered a series of strokes
and other illnesses had been sick for a number of years prior to his
passing. The illnesses prevented him touring with his group, the Four
Tops, in recent years. Levi did make an appearance during the
televised '50 year anniversary Celebration of the Four Tops', one of
his last public appearances. Singer, Ronnie McNeir, had been
recruited to the Tops line-up in recent years, as fewer members of
the original group endured. Laurence Payton died in 1997 (his son
touring to this day as his fathers stand-in), Obie Benson died in
2005, and now Levi. Cousin of Jackie Wilson, Levi Stubbs and his wife
Clineice were married from 1960. They had five children. The Four
Tops began their career in the mid 50's, and were already
professional recording artists and performers by the time they got to
Motown. They recorded for several labels before signing to
Motown in 1963. The group were one of the main artistic outputs for
the famous Holland/Dozier/Holland songwriting team. Their output was
prolific for the label, a curriculum vitae featuring classics
including 'Baby, I Need Your Loving" (July 1964), 'Ask the
Lonely' (January 1965), 'I Can't Help Myself' (April 1965), 'It's the
Same Old Song' (July 1965), 'Something About You' (October 1965),
'Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)' (February 1966), 'Loving You Is
Sweeter than Ever' (May 1966), 'Reach Out, I'll Be There' (August
1966), 'Standing in the Shadows of Love' (November 1966),
'Bernadette' (February 1967), '7 Rooms of Gloom' (May 1967), and 'You
Keep Running Away' (August 1967). Holland-Dozier-Holland left Motown
(1967), however, Levi and the Tops continued to record for the label,
releasing, 'If I were You Carpenter', 'It's All in the Game,' 'Still
Water (Love),' a duet with the Supremes on 'River Deep, Mountain
High', and 'Just Seven Numbers (Can Straighten Out My Life)', all of
which charted on the R&B Top Ten and, also, the mainstream Top
40. One final hit with Motown, '(It's the Way) Nature Planned It',
led to a move to ABC Dunhill, where they enjoyed further success.
'Keeper of the Castle' (October 1972), 'Ain't No Woman (Like the One
I Got)' (January 1973), 'Are You Man Enough' (June 1973 and taken
from the soundtrack to the movie 'Shaft In Africa'), 'Sweet
Understanding Love' (September 1973), 'One Chain Don't Make No
Prison' (April 1974), and 'Midnight Flower' (July 1974), were all R
& B hits of the highest standard. They returned to the R&B
Top Ten with 'Catfish' (August 1976 and featuring the rare groove
classic 'Strung Out On Your Love'), before relocating to the
Casablanca imprint for the R&B number one 'When She Was My Girl'
(September 1981). (soulwalking.co.uk)
2009
Louisia
mark,
a lovers rock singer best known for her work between the mid-1970s
and early 1980s has died in The Gambia according to unconfirmed
reports. Mark was voted top female reggae vocalist of 1978 . Her 1975
single "Caught You in a Lie" is regarded as the first
lovers rock single, a style of reggae music noted for its romantic
sound and content. Mark was born in Shepherd's Bush, London in 1960,
and had her introduction to the music business via talent contests
held at the Four Aces club in London. (gambia news/pilot)
18th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT MUSIC:
149:
HARRY
T. BURLEIGH (1866-1949)
1903
Felix Houphouet-Boigny,
president of the Ivory Coast, born.
1925
Boogie
Woogie Red,
blues pianist, born, Rayville, La, USA. (Dies July 2, 1992, Detroit,
Mich, USA). (mn-rs)
1926
Chuck
Berry,
rock and roll star born Charles Berry in San Jose, California, but
his family later settled in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Originaly
trained as a hairdresser, but in 1955 he was offered a recording deal
with Chess Records in Chicago. Here he scored immediately with an
American No. 1 hit with Maybellene. (mn-jt)
1938
Ronnie
Bright singer
with The Coasters is born. The Coasters are an American doo wop and
early rock and roll group, evolving from The Robins, a Los Angeles
based doo wop group. When The Robins signed with Atlantic Records
(1955, after the chart success of "Smokey Joe's Cafe"), the
group split up. Carl Gardner (tenor) and Bobby Nunn (bass) formed The
Coasters. The Coasters continued their association with the Robins'
legendary songwriters, Leiber & Stoller. They soon added Billy
Guy (baritone), Leon Hughes (tenor) and Adolph Jacobs (guitar),
releasing their first single "Down in Mexico", an R&B
hit in 1956. In 1957, The Coasters crossed over with the double-sided
hit "Young Blood"/"Searchin'". This was followed
by a dry period, and the group relocated to New York City. Nunn and
Hughes left, replaced by Will Dub Jones (bass, of The Cadets) and
Cornell Gunter (from The Flairs). This new line-up released
"Yakety-Yak", which included King Curtis on tenor
saxophone. The song was a huge mainstream hit, as was the follow-up
"Charlie Brown". This was followed by "Along Came
Jones", "Poison Ivy", "Shoppin' for Clothes"
and "Little Egypt". (mn-jt)
1944
Orville 'Hoppy' Jones
, singer with the Inkspots, dies. The group originally formed in New
York in 1935. They started life as The Percolating Puppies, but soon
realized that such a silly name would be a handicap if their career
was to progress. In 1939 they achieved major disc success with I
Didn't Care. This introduced the world to there pioneering vocal
style. (mn-bmcd)
1961
Gladstone Cleophas Small,
Right-hand bat, right-arm fast-medium bowler for Warwickshire born
in St. George, Barbados. County debut: 1980; County cap: 1982; Test
debut: 1986; Tests: 17; One-Day Internationals: 53; 50 wickets in a
season: 6. (cm-mn)
1961
Wynton Marsalis,
jazz musician born in New Orleans. Started playing the trumpet at
the age of six, encouraged by his father Ellis Marsalis, a
pianist/composer and teacher. His brothers Branford and Marsalis are
also musicians. (mn-jt)
2007
Lucky
Philip Dube
(pronounced doo-bay) dies. (b. 3 Aug 1964, ) was a South African
reggae musician. He recorded 22 albums in Zulu, English and Afrikaans
in a 25-year period and was South Africa's biggest selling reggae
artist. Dube was murdered in the Johannesburg suburb of Rosettenville
on the evening of 18 October 2007. (wikipedia)
2008 Dee
Dee Warwick dies.
b. Delia Mae Warrick, 25th September 1945, Newark, New Jersey,
U.S.A. d. 18th October 2008, Essex County, New Jersey, U.S.A. Dee Dee
Warwick has died. She was 63 years old. She died on Saturday at a
nursing home in Essex County, and had been in failing health in
recent months. Dionne was with her when she died. Born Delia Mae
Warrick in Newark, New Jersey, Her older sister, Dionne Warwick
recorded a catalogue of Soul classics, however, not to be outshone,
Dee Dee created a body of work that his highly regarded amongst Soul
purists. At that time, Dee Dee changed her surname from Warrick to
Warwick in the early 1960's. Dee Dee sang background vocals for
Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett and others before starting her solo
career. Her first record on the Jubilee label, 'You're No Good', was
later recorded in Chicago by Betty Everett for the VeeJay imprint. In
1964, Dee Dee signed with Mercury's Blue Rock subsidiary and, under
the wing of producer Ed Townsend, recorded a series of excellent
recordings, notably 'We're Doing Fine' (number 28 R & B). She
then relocated to Mercury in 1966, where she reached the charts with
'I Want To Be With You' (number 9 R & B, number 41 pop), which
was taken from the Broadway musical 'Golden Boy', and 'l'm Gonna Make
You Love Me' (number 13 R & B, number 88 pop), which was remade
the following year in the pop market by Madeline Bell and much later
by a collaboration of the Supremes and the Temptations. Dee Dee then
switched labels to Atco in 1970 and became produced in Miami by Dave
Crawford, achieving chart success with 'She Didn't Know (She Kept On
Talking)' (number 9 R & B, number 70 pop) and a remake of
'Suspicious Minds' (number 24 R & B, number 80 pop). 'Get Out Of
My Life' was her last chart record in 1975. In 2006 Dee Dee returned
to singing backgrounds for her sister, Dionne, in concert and also
was part of the 'Family First' song in the Tyler Perry movie and
soundtrack for 'Daddy's Little Girls'. In January 2008, Dee Dee is
featured in the title song from Dionne's gospel album 'Why We Sing'
and continued background vocal chores with her sister. In February
2008, Dee Dee toured with Dionne's one woman show 'My Music and Me'
in Europe. Dee Dee was the niece of gospel singer Cissy Houston and a
cousin of Whitney Houston. Dee Dee Warwick was an R&B Foundation
Pioneer Awardee, and was also was a two-time Grammy Award nominee. (soulwalking.co.uk/dk)
19th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT MUSIC:
150:
NATHANIEL
DETT (1822-1943)
1878
Dr.
Frederick Vicor Nanka Bruce,
the first medical doctor on the Gold Coast, born in Acca, Ghana.
1923
Gorgia Montgomery Davis Powers is born. (tr-bl)
1925
Marie Adams,
born Ollie Marie Givens in Linton Texas, USA. Known affectionately as
TV Mama (the one with the big wide screen), by her colleagues in The
Johnny Otis Band, began singing with the Peacock label in 1952,
accompanied by the bands of Hill Harvey, Chick Dillan and Pluma
Davis, finding succses with her first release, I'm Gonna Play the
Honkey Tonks. She was beleaved to have died in 1972.
1936
Johnnetta Cole,
first African American woman to head Spellman College, is born in
Jacksonville, Fla., USA. (tr-iokts)
1938
Robert
Ward,
soul singer born in Luthersville, Georgia, USA. Ward picked up his
first guitar at age ten. As a youth he was inspired by the records of
Sister Rosetta Tharpe, B.B. King, and Muddy Waters. After moving to
Ohio in 1960 he formed The Ohio Untouchables, later known as The Ohio
Players and in 1962 he was signed by a Detroit label and backed The
Falcons with lead singer Wilson Pickett on the hit single "I
Found A Love." After leaving the Untouchables in 1965 before
they went on to international acclaim as the Ohio Players he cut a
few singles including "Fear No Evil" and during the early
'70s worked as a session guitarist at Motown, backing groups like the
Temptations and the Undisputed Truth. After his wife's death in 1977
he dropped out of site for the next 13 years until a chance encounter
led to his being signed by Black Top Records who released the
sensational 1990 comeback album "Fear No Evil."
Ward's trademark vibrato-soaked guitar sound (later embraced by
Lonnie Mack) was the direct result of acquiring a Magnatone amplifier
at a Dayton music store in 1960. His lusty, fluently rhythmic guitar
style is intense, exciting and strikingly original. His brash guitar
leads and dancing chord style is intertwined with his raspy blues and
soul-tinged vocals to create a sound that remains delightfully
unpredictable. Two more early 1990's Black Top albums again captured
Ward's curiously mystical appeal and propelled him to guitar-hero
status. Today Ward lives in rural Dry Branch, Georgia, with his
second wife Roberta, who collaborates with him on his
music. (mn-cl)
1944
Peter Tosh
[Tuch], reggae artist and member of Wailers born Winston Hubert Mac
Intosh in Westmoreland, Jamicia. When he quit the Wailers group in
1973 the prospect of him going solo and givin the free rein to his
talent, temperament and commitment to social justice was an exciting
one. The speak softly-and-cary-a-big-stick approach favoured by
Marley was never going to work for a man such as Tosh. Standing six
foot seven inches tall, a martial arts master and given to
unreasonable displays of pique. Tosh was a man of direct action.
(Murdered at his home, September 11, 1987). (jt-lb-mn-tr)
1944
George McCrae soul
singer born in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA. Best remembered for
his UK hit 'Rock Your Baby' (1974) and his singing wife, Gwen McCrae,
to whom he managed and produced hits with. (mn)
1945
Sharon Redd soul
singer born. She had a top 3 dance hit with 'Love Insurance' (1980).
Her brother Gene Redd is the famous producer and her sister is Pennye
Ford is also a singer. (Dies early 90's from AIDS) (mn-jt)
1947
Wilbert
Hart
soul singer with Four Gents/Delfonics born. Best remembered for debut
hit 'La la Means I love you' (1968). (mn-
1960
Jenifer
Holliday singer
born in Houston, Texas, USA. Better known for her Tony winning role
in the musical 'The Dreamgirls', a thinly-disguised adaptation of the
Supremes' story. (mn-fp).
1962
Evander
Holyfield,
WBA/IBF Heavyweight World Champion boxer born. He resides in Atlanta
Georgia. His record is 35-3 (25). Best wins were Dwight Muhammad
Qawi; Buster Douglas and Mike Tyson. (mn-ring)
1966
Sinitta,
singer born in Seattle, WA, USA. née: Sinitta Renet Malone.
Sinitta is the daughter of disco singer Miquel Brown. Aided by
'Stock, Aitken and Waterman', she had 4 top ten hits between 1986 and
1989 with "So Macho", "Toy Boy", "Cross My
Broken Heart" and "Right Back Where We Started
From". (mn-jt)
20th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT MUSIC:
151:
W.C.
HANDY (1873-1958)
1890
"Jelly Roll" Morton,
Jazz pianist/leader/composer/vocals, b. New Orleans, LA, USA, d. July
10, 1941, Los Angeles, CA, USA. né: Ferdinand Joseph Lamothe.
Various sources also list Morton's birth name as La Mothe, Lematt or
Lemott; some sources also list his birth year as Sept. 20, 1885, in
Gulfport, MS, USA. Born into a Creole family, he took the name
"Morton" by Anglicizing the name of his step-father,
Mouton. (nfo.net)
1906
Johnny
Moore,
guitarist, born John Dudley Moore in Austin, Texas, USA. He was an
inspiration to most of the electric blues guitarists of the late 40s
and early 50s and his solos on recordings by Ivy Jo Hunter, Floyd
Dixon, and Charles brown, as well as tracks with his own group (the
Three Blazers), bear witness that he was one of the unsung greats of
his instrument. (Dies January 6, 1969 in Los Angeles, California,
USA). (mn-cl)
1924
Baseball's first "colored World Series" is held in Kansas
City, Mo., USA. (tr-iokts)
1934
Eddie
Harris,
Born in Chicago, Harris studied piano at home and attended the
famous Du Sable High School, under the direction of Capt. Walter
Dyett, where he learned to play vibes. He made his professional debut
as a pianist, with Gene Ammons. Throughout his career, Harris was a
tireless experimenter, playing saxophones with brass mouthpieces and
vice versa. He wrote several books, including The Intervalistic
Concept For All Single Line Instruments, an elaboration for saxophone
of a piano style based on intervals. Eddie Harris was a
one-of-a-kind, nonconformist multi-instrumentalist whose first
recording, a saxophone rendition of the theme from the movie Exodus
(1961), was a pop instrumental hit (it was the first Jazz track to
make Pop No.1 - ed). Harris went to become one of the first jazz
musicians to "plug in," playing his horn through a Varitone
attachment, which netted him another hit, 1966's "The Tender
Storm.” Later, he sang through a synthesized saxophone, and
employed a guitarist on a customized instrument that was made to
sound like a Hammond B-3 organ. Harris' composition "Freedom
Jazz Dance" became a jazz standard after Miles Davis recorded
it. Harris enjoyed renewed popularity with Les McCann's funk/jazz
group, beginning in 1969, when they performed at the Montreux Jazz
Festival; together they also recorded “Compared To What”
and “Swiss Movement”. Harris recorded a jazz/rock album
with Steve Winwood. “ Jeff Beck, and Eddie Harris In The
UK.” In the latter half of his career, Harris incorporated
vocals into his act, as well as stand-up comedy. His recorded output
was huge (70 albums!), and uneven. He died in Los Angeles on November
5, 1996. (nfo.net-aareg)
1949
George
Harris
born in Grenada, West Indies is a UK film actor. His credits include
'Walcott', Layer Cake, Flash Gordon, Raiders of the Lost Ark,
Black Hawk Down and The Interpreter. He will be appearing in Harry
Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, playing the part of Kingsley
Shacklebolt. (wickpedia-mn)
1972
Snoop
Doggy Dogg,
rapper born, Calvin Broadus in Long Beach, CA, USA. Calvin Cordozar
Broadus (born October 20, 1971 (NB: some sources state 1972 as the year-of-birth)
in Long Beach, California) is a rapper and actor. His mother
nicknamed him "Snoopy" as a child, and he took the stage
name Snoop Doggy Dogg when he began recording. He shortened his name
to Snoop Dogg in 1996, when he left original record label Death Row
Records and signed with No Limit Records. He is the cousin of RBX,
Nate Dogg, and Daz Dillinger. (mn-jf)
1989
Federal Judge Alcee L. Hastings is impeached by the U.S. Senate.
1991
Arthur Ashe and Quincy Jones head a delegation of African Americans
to assess political changes in South Africa. (tr-iokts)
21st.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT MUSIC:
152:
WILLIAM GRANT STILL (1895-1978)
1865
Jamaican national hero George William Gordon in unfairly arrested and
sentenced to death. Gordon was a member of the House of Assembly. He
was the son of a Scottish estate owner and a slave woman. He became a
rich an successful business man that wanted to make a better life for
the poor. A man that spoke for the rights of the poor in the House of
Assembly and along with Paul Bogle was a member of the Baptist
Church. Gordon supported Paul Bogle and after the Morant Bay
Rebellion he was arrested and hanged. (mn-mc)
1872
John H. Conyers Sr. is the first African American to be admitted to
the U.S. Naval Academy. (tr-iokts)
1917
Dizzy Gallespie,
famous jazz trumpeter alias John Birks is born in Cheraw, South
Carolina. Along with Charlie Parker and Thelonius Monk they are known
as the inventors of 'Bebop' jazz. (Died 06.01.93.)
1934
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity is founded. (tr-iokts)
1941
[Steve
Cropper],
guitarist from Booker T. & MG's and session musician with the
Stax Record label, born in Willow Springs, Missouri, USA. His
effective guitar work is heard on hit records by Otis Redding;
William Bell; Sam and Dave; Arthur Conley; Carla Thomas and many
more.] (mn)
1967
Paul
Emerson Carlyle Ince,
5'11" tall, 12s. 2lbs footballer born in Ilford, England. Club
Honours: CS '93,'94; FAC '90,'94; ECW '91; FLC'92; PL '93,'94.
International Honours: E: 43; B-1; U21-2; Yth. Manchester United paid
£1,000,000 on 14/9/89; Liverpool paid £4,200,000 on
22/7/97; Inter Millan paid £8,000,000 on 13,7,95.(bh-mn)
2000 Frankie
'Loveman' Crocker,
veteran radio broadcaster and programme director, dies of pancreatic
cancer in Miami, Florida. USA. (mn-i-t-b)
2010
Weldon
McDougal III
dies. . Weldon Arthur MacDougal III, 28th October 1936, West
Philadelphia, U.S.A. d. 21st October 2010, Philadelphia, U.S.A. The
producer, performer, songwriter and promoter, Weldon MacDougal III
has died from pancreatic cancer, following a lengthy battle with the
illness. He was 74. Weldon was very much involved with the
development of many artists at Motown (late Sixties / early
Seventies) as well as being involved with the Philly Sound. He was
credited as being a major contributor to the 'Sound Of Philadelphia',
and was a founder member and co-owner of the Harthon/Dynodynamics
imprints, along with the keyboard player, Luther Randolph and the
guitarist, Johnny Stiles. Weldon was also an artist in his own
right, singing bass with his group the Larks (not the Don Julian
related group), who changed their name to the Four Larks in order to
identify a difference between bands. The Four Larks comprised of
Jackie Marshall, Calvin Nichols, Bill Oxendine and Weldon. Prior to
his participation in the Four Larks, Weldon sang with the group The
Victors in the early 1950's. The Four Larks released several sides,
including 'Groovin at the Go Go' b/w 'I Still Love You (From The
Bottom Of My Heart)' in 1967, a song written and arranged by Thom
Bell. The Four Larks recorded with Barbara Mason circa 1965, and
recorded as a unit up until the end of the Sixties. With Harthon, the
Weldon, Luther and Johnny brought the local group, Jo-Ann Jackson and
the Dreams, to the label and recorded ‘Georgie Porgie’, the
first 45 on the label. The trio collaborated with the Philly artists,
Bobby Eli, Norman Harris, Earl Young and Ronnie Baker, along with the
writers and producers, Thom Bell and Eddie Holman amongst others.
Eddie Holman recorded for the label releasing the hit 'Hey There
Lonely Girl'. When Eddie left Harthon, the three owners went their
separate ways. Wendell departed Philadelphia and began working in the
promotions department for Motown, where he stayed until returning to
Philly in 1972 to work with Gamble and Huff at Philadelphia
International. In 1969, Wendell first hooked up with the Jackson 5,
who were performing at a talent show in Chicago (at the High
Chapparal club). He introduced the group to Bobby Taylor, who in turn
took the group to Berry Gordy. Wendell was part of the group's
development and helped with tributes and a book ('The Michael Jackson
Scrapbook') regarding Michael Jackson following the artists death in
2009. Although little is written regarding Wendell's endeavour's, he
is responsible for a huge body of production work. One side of
interest to Soul fans is the production work on Universal Love's 1977
rare groove classic, 'It's You Girl'. (soulwalking)
2011
Edmundo
William Ros
OBE dies aged 100. (born 7 December 1910) was a Trinidadian musician,
vocalist, arranger and bandleader who made his career in Britain. He
directed a highly popular Latin-American orchestra, had an extensive
recording career, and owned one of London's leading night-clubs. Born
in Port of Spain, Trinidad, Ros' mother was a black Venezuelan and
his father was of Scottish origin. Ros was the eldest of four
children: two sisters, Ruby and Eleanor, followed by half-brother
Hugo. His parents separated after Hugo was born, and after various
false steps Edmundo was enrolled into a military academy. There he
became interested in music and learned to play the euphonium. From
1927 to 1937 his family lived in Caracas, Venezuela. He played in the
Venezuelan Military Academy Band as well as being a tympanist in the
Venezuelan Symphony Orchestra. Later he received a music scholarship
from the government, under which from 1937 to 1942 he studied
harmony, composition and orchestration at the Royal Academy of Music,
London. At the same time he was the vocalist and percussionist in Don
Marino Baretto’s band at the Embassy Club and also recorded
several sides as a sideman to Fats Waller, who was visiting London in
1938. At the age of 90, in the 2000 New Year's Honours List, Ros was
appointed to the Order of the British Empire. He turned 100 in
December 2010. Ros was a Freeman of the City of London, having been
admitted to the Freedom of the Worshipful Company of Poulters on 5th
January 1965 and was subsequently clothed with the Livery of the
Poulters' Company on 22nd June 1965. He was a Mason, a member of
Sprig of Acacia Lodge No 41, Javea, Spain. Ros married twice: Britt
Johansen in 1950, Susan in 1971. The first marriage produced two
children, Douglas and Louisa. (wiki)
22nd.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT MUSIC:
153:
WILLIAM
L. DAWSON (1898-1990)
1888
F. Deus Legitime is elected president of Haiti.
1936
Bobby
Seale,
born in Dallas, Texas, USA. He co-founded the Black Panther Party
For Self-Defence along with Huey Newton in 1966; the organisation was
originally set up to monitor police who were patrolling Oakland's
black community. He was jailed after the riots broke out during the
1968 Chicago Democratic National Convention, and he was thought to be
connected with the murder of Alex Rackly, a suspected Black Panther
informer. In 1969 Seal spoke at a Black Panther meeting of changing
tactics from self-defence to socialism. In 1973 he ran for Mayor of
Oakland and narrowly lost. (tr-iokts-ss)
1968
Shaggy,
reggae singer/rapper born Orville Richard Burrell in Kingston,
Jamaica. His first international hit was thought by many to be a
one-off, and few imagined New York ragga would repeat it's phenomenal
success. But Shaggy's updating of the Folks Brothers' 1958 Jamaican
hit, Oh Carolina exploited the full potential of the original song
with a totally modern setting. (mn-sb&pd-tx)
1969
Tommy
Edwards
singer dies. Born February 17, 1922 in Richmond, Virginia, USA. He
started his professional career in 1931. He wrote the hit, 'The
Chicks Too Young Too Fry' for Louis Jordan in 1946. His big hit 'It's
All In The Game' had been issued in 1951 (reaching US No. 18), but
was re-recorded as a beat-ballad in 1959 reaching No.1 that year, a
tune based on a 1912 melody by future US Vice President Charles Gates
Dawes. The song was later a hit for Cliff Richard, The Four Tops and
Van Morrison. (mn-jt-cl)
1983
Keith
Barrow
soul singer best remembered for his song 'You Know You Wanna Be
Loved' (Number 26 R&B, 1978). Barrow started as a gospel singer,
he's the son of Chicago's famous minister, Willie T. Barrow (she
served as national executive director of Operation Push, an African
American civil rights organisation). Keith dies on this day, aged 27
an early victim of AIDS. (b.1956 Chicago, Illanois, USA.) (mn-cl)
1997
The I-Threes singers Rita Marley/Marcia Grifiths/Judy Mowatt were
honoured with Jamaican top civic award, The Musgrave Award, they once
sang with Bob Marley & The Wailers. (tr-voice)
2000
Hortence
Ellis,
reggae singer/sister of Alton Ellis dies at Kingston Public
Hospital. Sources say, she was suffering from a stomach ailment and
had to be re-hospitalised after being released last week. Michael
Barnett of MKB Production, promoters of Heineken Startime, on which
she has appeared in recent years, expressed regret at her passing.
"I am truly saddened by this. "I spoke to her last Thursday
and she told me that she had been in the hospital for a little while.
She wanted tickets for the next show to give to the doctors and
nurses, whom she said were very nice to her. "We didn't get into
details of what was wrong, but I know she had left the hospital. I
was really shocked when I heard she had died," he told The
Gleaner. Hortense Ellis is the sister of rock steady icon Alton Ellis
with whom she recorded a number of collaborations in early years. The
mother of 14 children, Hortense Ellis, gave of her best at every
Startime event. "She was a very good singer and she always
sought to put her total energy into her performances," said
Barnett. He added that perhaps her only disappointment in life was
that she was never given the level of recognition she sought.
"She was very humble and easy-going, but she was never given due
recognition nor rewards in the music business. Phyllis Dillon told me
that Hortense was the person she tried to emulate, when she started
singing. One always got the impression that Hortense wanted
more," said Barnett. Hortense Ellis was Jamaica's first
local-based female singing star. She was voted Best Female Singer in
1964. Among the songs which made her popular were Unexpected Places,
Woman Of The Ghetto, Superstar, Down The Aisle and Something You Got,
which was recorded with Alton Ellis. (ae-mm-mn-gleaner)
2005 Riots
in Lozells.
Tension in the community between Asians and African Carribeans. One
person is dead, a police man is shot, and many are knifed and
hospitolised. A PCRL presenter pleads with some the youths during the
roiting, to make there protests by peaceful means. (mn-dp)
23rd.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT MUSIC:
154:
PAUL
ROBESON (1898-1976)
1873
Virginia emancipates slaves who fought for independence during the
Revolutionary War. (tr-iokts)
1886
Wiley Jones operates the first streetcar in Pine Bluff, Ar., USA.
1939
Charlie
Foxx soul
singer with Inez & Charlie Foxx born. Charlie was a budding
songwriter, his re-working of the nursary rhyme, Mocking Bird, became
the sister and brother's first hit in 1963, although not until 1969
in the UK. (mn-cl)
1940
Pele,
football superstar born.Name at birth: Edson Arantes do Nascimento.
The most famous footballer of his generation, Pelé joined the
Santos Football Club in 1956 and stayed with the club through his
retirement in 1974, helping the team to nine championships in 18
years. Pelé played on four Brazilian World Cup teams,
including the country's three World Cup wins in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
The 1958 final was perhaps his most famous match, with Pelé
scoring two goals in Brazil's 4-2 win over Sweden. Pelé became
more famous in America in 1975, when he came out of retirement to
play for the New York Cosmos of the infant North American Soccer
League. Pelé retired again in 1977 after leading the Cosmos to
the NASL championship. His 1977 autobiography was titled My Life and
the Beautiful Game. (mn)
1966
The Supremes become the first female group to top the US album
chart. The album was 'Supremes A-Go-Go'. (mn-jt)
1977
Alexander Jeremy Tudar,
Right-hand bad, right-arm fast bowler for Surrey is born in West
Brompton, London. County debut: 1995.(cm-mn)
1987
Ted
Taylor,
R&B singer, dies in a road accident in Lake Charles, La.,USA. He
was a vetran of several spiritual groups including the Mighty Clouds
of Joy and the Santa Monica Soul Seekers. This later group the
crossed to R&B, where they followed a duel career both as the
Cadets and the Jacks. Taylor embarked on a solo path in 1957 and had
success with regional hits. Best remembered for Stay Away From My
Baby and Be Ever Wonderful for Duke Records in 1960. (mn-cl)
24th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT MUSIC:
155:
ROLAND
HAYES (1887-1976)
1962 James
Brown record's the Live At The Apollo Album.
History's all-time best selling live album. Also on this day Cicely
Tyson and Godfrey Cambridge were appearing at the St. Mark's
Playhouse in an Off-Broadway production of Jean Genet's the Blacks.
Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf? had just opened on Broadway. Yvonne
Fair, who joined James Brown in 1961 from the Chantells, was replaced
after the Apollo shows by Tammy Montgomery, later known as Tami
Terrell. (mn)
1964
Kenneth David Kaunda becomes president of Zambia.
1942
Billboard magazine creates its first ratings chart devoted to African
American music. (tr-iokts)
1944
Bettye
Swann,
singer/songwriter born today in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA. This
superior singer first recorded during the early 60s with the Fawns. A
Carolyn Franklin song, Don't Wait Too Long, provided Swann with a
solo hit in 1965, two years later her career was fully launched with
the beautiful Make Me Yours on Money Records, a US R&B chart
topper. Subsequent recordings have established the singer's
reputation as an imaginative interpreter of country/soul. (mn-cl)
2005
Rosa
Parks,
civil rights heroine died, DETROIT (AP) - Rosa Lee Parks, whose
refusal to give up her bus seat to a white man sparked the modern
civil rights movement, died Monday. She was 92. Mrs. Parks died at
her home of natural causes, said Karen Morgan, a spokeswoman for U.S.
Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich. Mrs. Parks was 42 when she committed an
act of defiance in 1955 that was to change the course of American
history and earn her the title "mother of the civil rights
movement." At that time, Jim Crow laws in place since the
post-Civil War Reconstruction required separation of the races in
buses, restaurants and public accommodations throughout the South,
while legally sanctioned racial discrimination kept blacks out of
many jobs and neighborhoods in the North. The Montgomery, Ala.,
seamstress, an active member of the local chapter of the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People, was riding on a
city bus Dec. 1, 1955, when a white man demanded her seat. Mrs. Parks
refused, despite rules requiring blacks to yield their seats to
whites. Two black Montgomery women had been arrested earlier that
year on the same charge, but Mrs. Parks was jailed. She also was
fined $14. Speaking in 1992, she said history too often maintains
"that my feet were hurting and I didn't know why I refused to
stand up when they told me. But the real reason of my not standing up
was I felt that I had a right to be treated as any other passenger.
We had endured that kind of treatment for too long." Her arrest
triggered a 381-day boycott of the bus system organized by a then
little-known Baptist minister, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who
later earned the Nobel Peace Prize for his work. "At the time I
was arrested I had no idea it would turn into this," Mrs. Parks
said 30 years later. "It was just a day like any other day. The
only thing that made it significant was that the masses of the people
joined in." The Montgomery bus boycott, which came one year
after the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark declaration that separate
schools for blacks and whites were "inherently unequal,"
marked the start of the modern civil rights movement. The movement
culminated in the 1964 federal Civil Rights Act, which banned racial
discrimination in public accommodations. After taking her public
stand for civil rights, Mrs. Parks had trouble finding work in
Alabama. Amid threats and harassment, she and her husband Raymond
moved to Detroit in 1957. She worked as an aide in Conyers' Detroit
office from 1965 until retiring Sept. 30, 1988. Raymond Parks died in
1977. Mrs. Parks became a revered figure in Detroit, where a street
and middle school were named for her and a papier-mache likeness of
her was featured in the city's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Mrs. Parks
said upon retiring from her job with Conyers that she wanted to
devote more time to the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self
Development. The institute, incorporated in 1987, is devoted to
developing leadership among Detroit's young people and initiating
them into the struggle for civil rights.
25th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT MUSIC:
156:
DEAN DIXON (1915-1976)
Independence
Day - Republic of Zambia.
1892
Black
Invention:
Bridle Belt, Lincoln F. Brown. (sc)
1974
Al
Green Scalded By Girlfriend's Grits. 28-year-old
star Al Green was taking a shower at his home in Memphis when his
ex-girlfriend Mary Woodson, burst in threw a pan of hot grits over
him, before shooting and killing herself with his gun. (mn-jt)
1976
Deon John Burton,
5'8", 11.9 footballer born. International honours: Jamaica: 16.
Derby County paid £1 Million+ for him on 9/8/97. (cm-mn)
1988
Ku Klux Klan is ordered to pay $1 million to African Americans
attacked in Forsyth County, Ga., USA. (tr-iokts)
1997 Student
Awarded Record Pay-out. Earl
Hill a student from south-west London was awarded £45,600 at
the Civil County Court in Wood Green, north London. This was awarded
for 'police abuse', after he had been stopped and searched in 1990.
(PCRL's C.J. Gospel has been pursuing a similar case against the
Chief Constable here in Birmingham since 1993). (mn-tr-voice)
2010
Gregory
Isaacs
(the Cool Ruler) died at his home in London at the age of 59. His
manager confirmed the performer died Monday morning surrounded by his
family. He was diagnosed with liver cancer a year ago. "Gregory
was well-loved by everyone, his fans and his family, and he worked
really hard to make sure he delivered the music they loved and
enjoyed," his wife, Linda, told BBC News. "He will be
greatly missed by his family and friends."The Jamaican singer
shot to fame in 1982 with his album Night Nurse — which included
a hit song of the same name — recorded at Bob Marley's Tuff Gong
studio. His other hit singles included Tune In, Down the Line, Slave
Master, Cool Ruler, My Number One, Love Overdue, Rumours and The
Border. Isaacs entered the Jamaican music scene in his teens, working
with several labels. His smoother version of reggae was dubbed Lovers
Rock, and Isaacs was given the nickname Cool Ruler for his mellow
music, which became popular in the U.K. At the time, he was
considered just as popular as Marley and Jimmy Cliff. On the cusp of
success, Isaacs began a 20-year battle with drug abuse, which saw him
sidelined for most of the 1980s and 1990s. He also lost most of his
teeth as his health began to decline. In recent years, the singer
managed to kick his habit and began recording again. His 2008 album,
Brand New Me, would be his last. (cbc news)
26th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT MUSIC:
157:
LOUIS
"SATCHMO" ARMSTRONG (1900-1971)
1897
Black
Invention:
Steam Table, George W. Kelley. (sc)
1912
Mahalia
Jackson,
"Queen of the Gospel Song", born in New Orleans, La.
Jackson grew up in the "Black Pearl" section of the
Carrollton neighborhood of Uptown New Orleans, Louisiana, and began
singing in a Baptist church. In 1927 she moved to Chicago, Illinois,
where she sang with The Johnson Brothers, one of the earliest
professional gospel groups. The Johnson Brothers broke up in the
mid-1930s, and Jackson began her solo career, recording for Decca in
1937. The result, "God's Gonna Separate the Wheat from the
Tares", was only a moderate success, but Jackson became a
popular concert draw. She experienced a recording hiatus until 1946
when she signed with Apollo Records, releasing several singles that
are now highly regarded, though sales were sluggish at the time.
"Move on up a Little Higher" (1948) became a huge success,
however, and stores could not stock enough of it to meet demand.
Jackson rocketed to fame in the U.S. and soon after in Europe. "I
Can Put My Trust in Jesus" won a prize from the French Academy,
and "Silent Night" was one of the best-selling singles in
the history of Norway. She began a radio series on CBS and signed to
Columbia Records in 1954. With her mainstream success came an
inevitable backlash from gospel purists who felt she had watered down
her sound for popular accessibility. Jackson's career in the late
1950s and early 1960s continued to rise when she recorded with Percy
Faith, and performed at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival and the
inauguration of John F. Kennedy. She also sang at the funeral of her
friend Martin Luther King, Jr. The late 1960s saw a downturn in her
popular success. She ended her career with a concert in Germany in
1971; when she returned, she made one of her final television
appearances on The Flip Wilson Show. In the mid-1960s, Jackson and
country commediene Minnie Pearl were convinced by Nashville
entrepreneur John Jay Hooker to lend their names to chains of fried
chicken resturants to compete with Kentucky Fried Chicken aimed at
their respective predominantly black and white entertainment
audiences. Jackson's chain used the memorable tag line "It's
Glori-fried!" The venture collapsed amid claims of accounting
irregularities, stock-price fixing, and other fraud, but a long U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission investigation showed that neither
Jackson nor Pearl had any involvement in, or knowledge of, the
wrongdoing. One "Mahalia Jackson's Fried Chicken" outlet
still remains in Nashville as of 2006 and enjoys considerable success
and local fame in the vicinity of the Tennessee State University
campus. Jackson died in Chicago on January 27, 1972, of heart failure
and diabetes at the age of 60. She was buried in Providence Memorial
Park in Metairie, Louisiana. She was posthumously inducted into the
Gospel Music Association's Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1978. (mn-cf-wickpedia)
1919
Edward
W. Brooke,
first African American elected to the U.S. Senate as a Republican
since Reconstruction, is born in Washington, D.C., USA. (tr-iokts)
1940
Eddie
Henderson,
horn player born. Eddie Henderson was one of the few trumpeters who
was strongly influenced by Miles Davis' work of his early fusion
period. He grew up in San Francisco, studied trumpet at the San
Francisco Conservatory of Music, but was trained to be a doctor when
he permanently chose music. Henderson worked with John Handy, Tyrone
Washington, and Joe Henderson, in addition to his own group. He
gained some recognition for his work with the Herbie Hancock Sextet
(1970-1973), although his own records (which utilized electronics)
tended to be commercial. After Hancock broke up his group, Henderson
worked with Art Blakey and Mike Nock, recorded with Charles Earland,
and later, in the 1970s, led a rock-oriented group. In the '90s, he
returned to playing acoustic hard bop (touring with Billy Harper in
1991) while also working as a psychiatrist. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music
Guide (mn-cl-answers.com)
1951
Bootsy Collins,
born William Collins in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Collins was bass
player with James Brown's JB's between '69-'71. Later with Funkadelic
and Bootsy's Rubber Band. Bootsy is a funk/R&B
bassist/singer/bandleader. He formed his first group, the
Pacesetters, in 1968, featuring Phelps "Catfish" Collins
(his brother; guitar), Frankie "Kash" Waddy (drums), and
Philippe Wynne. From 1969 to 1971, the group functioned as James
Brown's backup band and was dubbed the JB's. In 1972, Bootsy joined
George Clinton's Parliament/Funkadelic. He launched Bootsy's Rubber
Band as a spin-off of P-Funk in 1976, the band including his brother
Phelps, Waddy, Joel "Razor Sharp" Johnson (keyboards), Gary "Mudd-Bone"
Cooper (drums), and Robert "P-Nut" Johnson (vocals), along
with "the Horny Horns." (He was sometimes billed alone as
Bootsy, and sometimes as William "Bootsy" Collins.) Signing
to Warner Bros., he enjoyed the first of his 15 R&B singles-chart
entries in 1976 with "Stretchin' Out (In a Rubber Band)."
His most successful singles were "The Pinocchio Theory"
(1977) and the chart-topping "Bootzilla" (1978). He also
released six albums on Warners through 1982, including the
gold-sellers Ahh...the Name Is Bootsy Baby! (1977) and Bootsy? Player
of the Year (1978), then took a six-year recording hiatus, and
returned on Columbia in 1988 with the appropriately named What's
Bootsy Doin'? In 1989, Bootsy was a member of the Bootzilla Orchestra
on Malcolm McLaren's album Waltz Dancing. In 1990, Bootsy was a
featured guitarist and bassist with the dance music trio Deee-Lite.
Bootsy's New Rubber Band released Blasters of the Universe on August
2, 1994. Straight Outta P University followed four years later. ~
William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide (mn-answers.com)
1990
Zuzu
Bollin,
journeyman jump-blues singer/guitarist, real name A.D. Bollin, born
in Frisco, Texas, USA. (Dies in West Dallas, Texas, USA). (mn-rs)
1997
Kim Weston, vintage Tamla-Motown star makes her second interview for
PCRL bringing the listeners up to date on her life via interviewee
Bill Randle. One of Kim's songs was used by The Black Panther
Movement as an anthem. Kim also devotes much of her time to community
workshops etc, the group Body was one of her prodigies. (mn-br)
2005
David
Townsend of
80's soul band Surface found dead. Vocalist/writer/producer known
for such lush ballads as "Happy," "Closer Than
Friends," "Shower Me With Your Love" and "The
First Time," was found dead inside his Northridge, California
home Wednesday night by a close friend. The cause of death was
unknown. Townsend was 50. Townsend was the son of the late
songwriter/producer Ed Townsend. (EWeb)
2010
James
Phelps
dies. b. 2nd April 1932, Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.A. d. 26th
October 2010, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. Soul and Gospel
vocalist, James Phelps has died. He was 78. James suffered
complications as a result of diabetes. He recorded the song, 'Love Is
A Five Letter Word', and worked with The Gospel Songbirds, The Holy
Wonders, The Soul Stirrers, The Clefs Of Calvary, Lou Rawls and Sam
Cooke. (soulwalking)
27th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT MUSIC:
158:
DUKE
ELLINGTON (1899-1974)
1891
Black
Invention,
D.B. Downing, inventor, awarded a patent for his street letter box.
1927
Ruby
Dee,
actor and civil rights activist, is born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Ruby Dee has been a star of stage and screen since her 1946 Broadway
debut in Anna Lucasta. She has since appeared hundreds of times in
plays, movies and television shows, frequently co-starring with her
husband, actor Ossie Davis. The pair, married since 1948, are also
famous for their off-screen activism and work on behalf of
African-Americans in the performing arts. Dee's films include The
Jackie Robinson Story (1950), A Raisin in the Sun (1961, with Sidney
Poitier), Do the Right Thing (1988, directed by Spike Lee) and Baby
Geniuses (1999). In 2004 Dee and Davis were honored by the Kennedy
Center for their contributions to the performing arts in America...
In 1998 Dee published a collection of writings, My One Good Nerve...
In 2000 she and Davis published their autobiography, With Ossie and
Ruby: In This Life Together. (tr-iokts-answers.com)
1955 2,000
women demonstrate
against the pass laws in Pretoria, South Africa (9th. August 1956
20,000 women take a petition to the Prime Minister some with children
on their backs!). (mn)
1960
Ben E. King Cuts First Solo Sides.
Ben E. King completes his first recording session as a solo artist
after leaving The Drifters, the groups he had fronted since July
1958. After singing lead on such magnificent classics as 'There Goes
My Baby, (US top 3),'Dance With Me', 'This Magic Moment', 'Save The
last Dance For Me'(a US No.1) and 'I Count The Tears', King had been
fired from The Drifters by George Tredwell, after King wanted a wage
increase to reflect his success. (mn-jt)
1997 Pop
Star Haunts Nightclub.
The ghost of Ken Snakehips Johnson who died on stage while performing
at the Cafe' de Paris in London during the blitz in 1940 was seen to
walk through the cellar walls in 40's style clothes. (tr-voice)
28th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT MUSIC:
159:
MARIAN
ANDERSON
(1902- )
1798
Levi
Coffin,
founder of "Underground Railroad", is born, New Garden,
N.C., U.S.-died Sept. 16, 1877, Cincinnati, Ohio) U.S. abolitionist.
Despite little formal education, he became a teacher. As a devout
Quaker, he opposed slavery. In 1826 he moved to Newport, Ind., where
he made his home into a depot of the Underground Railroad and used
much of his wealth as a merchant to help the escaping slaves. In 1847
he moved to Cincinnati, where he opened a store selling goods made
only by free labour. He continued his work with the Underground
Railroad until the outbreak of the American Civil War; he then worked
to aid liberated slaves. (tr-iokts-answers.com)
1862
The first Kansas Coloured Volunteers fight a victorious battle at
Island Mound, Mo., USA.
1909
Willie
Hatcher,
Soul vocals, b. Clarksdale, MS, USA. (raised in Cleveland, OH, USA) nfo.net
1927
Cloe Laine (born
Clementia Cinah Campbell) born in Southhall, Middlesex. Jazz scat
actor.In 1979 Laine was made an Officer (OBE) of the Order of the
British Empire for services to music. In the 1997 New Year's Honours
list, Laine's membership of the order was upgraded to Dame Commander,
and she became Dame Cleo Laine DBE (the female equivalent of a
knighthood). In the 2006 New Years Honours list, her husband John
Dankworth was made a knight bachelor, becoming Sir John
Dankworth. (nationmaster/wickpedia)
1931
Harold Raymond Battiste, Jr.,
composer/arranger/performer/reeds/piano/teacher, b. New Orleans, LA,
USA. In 1949, after graduating from Booker T. Washington High School,
Battiste attended New Orleans' Dillard University, earning a B.S. in
Music in 1953. As a studio arranger/producer, his work includes
Barbara George's "I Know", Sonny and Cher's "I Got You
Babe", Joe Jones' "You Talk Too Much", and Lee
Dorsey's "Ya Ya". Battiste introduced New Orleans artist
Mac Rebbenack as "Dr. John" to the world, producing his
first albums. Later, Battiste spent thirty years in Los Angeles,
including fifteen years with Sonny and Cher. Besides his musical
scoring and conducting for film and TV, Battiste has been a lecturer
at several colleges including Southern University, UCLA and USC,
Mozartium Music School in Innsbruck, Austria and Le Torri Montanare
in Lancano, Italy. In 1989, he joined Ellis Marsalis on the Jazz
Studies faculty of the University of New Orleans. He has tutored many
music professionals. In 1998, the Mayor of the City of New Orleans,
Marc Morial, issued a proclamation officially naming his birthday as
'Harold Battiste Day'. Over his career, Batrtiste has received the
Beau Arts Award, the Governor's Arts Lifetime Achievement Award, the
Mayor's Arts Award, and many others. (nfo.net)
1934
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity is incorporated. (tr-iokts)
1965
Earl
Bostic,
saxophonist player dies. He played in big bands during the Swing era
and led his own small groups from 1945, on the King label from 1949
to 1963, and very successfully: in the early 50s nearly every juke
box in a black neighbourhood had Bostic records on it, and many a
white box as well!, Flamingo was a No.1 R&B hit in 1951 and many
followed. (mn-jt)
1967
Jody Edwards,
vaudeville singer dies. He was part of Butterbeans & Susie duo in
the 1920s, spicing home-spun satirical skits on marriage and other
male-female relationships with blues songs. The duo made a number of
Okeh Records in the mid and late 20s and frequently travelled the
Blues booking circuits. (mn-rs)
1998
Janet Jackson's Star Spangled Album.
Rhythm Nation 1814, Janet Jackson's follow-up to her chart topping
1987 album Control, also reached No.1 in the USA. 1814 was a
reference to the year that The Star Spangled Banner was composed (US
National Anthem). (mn-jt)
29th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT MUSIC:
160:
ULYSSES
KAY (1917-
)
1945
Melba
Moore,
soul singer born in New York City, New York, USA. Based in New York
Moore first attracted attention in the Broadway production of Hair.
Although she has continued her thespian inclinations, winning an
award for her performance in the musical Purlie, Moore reached the UK
Top 10 in 1976 with This Is It. (mn-cl)
1949
Olonzo G. Moron from Virgin Islands becomes the first black
president of Hampton Institute, Va., USA.
1961
Randy
Jackson,
singer/percussionist born. When the Jackson 5 departed Motown
Records in 1976 Randy Jackson replaced his brother Germaine as the
group signed to Epic Records as the Jackson's. (mn-jt)
1968
James Brown record's Give It Up Or Turn It Loose at Criteria Studios,
Miami, Florida, USA. Reaches N0.1 in R&B chart. (mn)
1969
Johnson Products Company of Chicago, Ill, the largest African
American hair care products manufacturer, is incorporated. (tr-iokts)
2000
Resurection 2000 march in Trafalgar square, London at 11 am, the
Black United Front (Final Call To The Nation Of Islam and
friends)calls for 144,000 all family members to march together. (mn)
2000
Charlcote and Longleat Towers,
Lee Bank, Birmingham, UK were dynamited to the ground together at
12:20 pm. PCRL had used these these blocks as studio's in the 1990's.
On the day their were approximately 200 people working on the
project, along with 1,000 residents that were evacuated. 600 Heras
Fence Panels had to be erected and dismantled on the same day. With
all organisation and members of the partnership, this undoubtedly
ensured the satisfactory conclusion of the demolition, which finally
took less than five seconds. A very special thanks to the hundreds
of people that allowed us to broadcast from their flats over the last
20 years - we could't have done it without your help. (mn-coleman
& co)
2006
Trevor
Berwick,
boxer murdered. Police arrested a 20-year-old man in connection with
the murder of former heavyweight champion Trevor Berbick, the
Associated Press reported today. Berbick, believed to be 52, was
found beaten to death yesterday morning near his home in Portland,
Jamaica, 80 miles east of Kingston, the wire service said. The
suspect wasn't identified, AP said, citing Les Green, Jamaica's
assistant police commissioner. Police got more information from
witnesses and found the murder weapon today, AP said, citing Green.
Several residents said the suspect and Berbick were involved in a
land dispute, AP said. Berbick, who was convicted in the U.S. for
sexual assault, grand theft and burglary after his retirement from
boxing, was Muhammad Ali's final opponent in 1981, AP said. Funeral
arrangements haven't been announced by his family, AP said. (bloomberg.com)
30th.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT MUSIC ends:
161:
LEONTYNE
PRICE (1927)
David
Walker, free-born black, was the first to attack slavery though the press.
1925
Tommy
Ridgley,
pianist born in Shrewsbury, La, USA. His career begun when he
won a talent contest in 1949 and was hired by Dave Bartholomew to
sing in front of his band. (mn-rs)
1939
Eddie
Holland
brother of Brian Holland and 1/3 of (Holland/Dozier/Holland) Motown's
most successful production team born in Detroit, Michigan, USA. (mn)
1941
Otis Williams,
Temptations singer born Otis Miles in Tyler, Alabama, USA and moved
to Detroit at the age of one. Otis is the one with the deeeep voice.
He is also the only original member of The Temptations still alive! (mn)
1960
Byron
Burke
member of the soul group Ten City born. The Chicago vocal group Ten
City was one of the few house units to enjoy mainstream exposure
during the late '80s and early '90s. Originally called Ragtyme, the
trio was formed by vocalist Byron Stingily, guitarist Herb Lawson,
and keyboard player Byron Burke, all under the aegis of producer
extraordinaire Marshall Jefferson. After signing with Atlantic in the
late '80s, Ten City's debut LP, Foundation, included the singles
"Right Back to You" and "That's the Way Love Is,"
both of which received a good response in R&B and dance circles.
State of Mind and No House Big Enough followed in 1990 and 1992,
though Atlantic dropped them soon after. Just after release from
their contract, the single "Fantasy" (written with Masters
at Work) did well on the club scene, but by the time Ten City
released their third album, That Was Then, This Is Now, the buzz had
disappeared. The group rapidly disintegrated, though Stingily went on
to a solo career. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide (mn-jt)
1960
Tex
Johnson,
reggae singer/producer born in St. Vincent, West Indies. Emigrated
to the UK with family in the 1960's. 'I wanna Hold You All Night
Long' was his first recording. He then started the Discootex label.
First single 'Pillow Talk' was a massive hit in 1981. He continues to
produce and release lovers compilations, keeping reggae sweet and
clean. (mn-cl)
1962
Courtney
Andrew Walsh,
Right-hand bat, right-arm fast bowler for Gloucestershire is born in
Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. County debut: 1984; County cap: 1985;
Test debut: 1984-5; Tests: 93; One-Day Internationals: 176; 509
wickets in a season: 2; 100 wickets in a season: 2. (cm-mn)
1979
Richard Arrington is elected the first black Mayor of Birmingham,
Alabama, USA.
1991
BET Holdings Inc. becomes the first-African American company listed
on the New York Stock Exchange. (tr-iokts)
2008
Mike
Terry
dies. Born Andrew Alexander Terry July 1940, Texas. His father ran Terry's
Records there, but they later moved to Detroit. Mike played
baritone sax on many Motown classics including most of the rare
Detroit Northern soul classics too. He later concentrated on
arranging music. Many of his tracks were made to perfection before
the artistes even sang on them. PCRL via Bill Randal made a 60 minute
programme about him when he returned to Detroit after a 20 year
absence in 1992. (achieve MD 900 - mn)
31st.
OCTOBER
BLACK
HEROES PAST & PRESENT (VISUAL ARTS starts:)
162:
ROBERT
DUNCANSON (1821-1871)
1893
William Henry Lewis,
football player at Havard, named All-American.
1899
Black Inventions: Switching
Device for Railways. William F. Burr.
1900 Ethel
Waters,
singer and actor, is born in Chester, Pa., USA. Ethel Waters
was an African American singer and actress famous for her style of
"blues" as well as for leading the way for black
entertainers of her time. Her career peaked during the roaring `20s
and continued throughout the 1930s during which time she completed
the majority of her 259 recordings. Waters is best known for her
performance of "Stormy Weather" at the Cotton Club in New
York City as well as the role of Hagar in On with the Show; she is
also known for writing two critically acclaimed autobiographies, His
Eye is on the Sparrow, which focuses on her beginnings and
achievements as an entertainer, and To Me It's Wonderful, which
describes her participation in the Billy Graham Crusades that she
toured with in her later years. (tr-iokts)
1934
Norman
Beaton
(uk actor) born. Dies 13 dec 1994. Desmonds, Little Napoleons. Norman
Lugard Beaton was born in Georgetown Guyana to William Beaton was a
civil servant, and Ada. Beaton attended Queen's College in Guyana
until he was expelled for truancy and bad grades. He was given a
second chance at the Government Teachers' Training College and
graduated with distinction. Beaton taught School and played with the
calypso band The Four Bees before leaving Guyana for London in
1960. He took a job in the shipping department of a bookshop
until his wife and children arrived in London. He then landed a job
as a teacher in Liverpool, becoming the first black teacher to be
employed by the Liverpool Education Authority. Beaton would soon
become frustrated with his job as a teacher and began writing plays,
his first play the musical Jack of Spades centered on the doomed
relationship between a black man and a white woman. The moderate
success gave Beaton enough confidence to give up teaching to
concentrate on the theater. He moved first to Bristol and then to
Sussex where he he played the leading role in a musical he had
written, Sit Down Banna at the Connaught Theatre. This was the
beginning of his acting career. In the early seventies, Beaton began
to perform in plays in London's West End, in 1970 he played the role
of Ariel Shakespeare's The Tempest, which he described in his
autobiography as "the most important role of my acting
career." In 1975, he helped to establish the Black Theatre of
Brixton. In 1976, Beaton broke into television in the series The
Fosters, however it was his 6 year run (starting in 1988) on Desmonds
as the title character that would become his most well known. In 1991
he appeared as a guest on the Bill Cosby show, he also appeared in
several movies including The Mighty Quinn (1989). After years of hard
living took began taking it’s toll on his health, he flew back
to Guyana in 1994 collapsed at the airport and died a few hours later
at the age of 60. He is survived by 5 children from 3 marriages.
(nationmaster/carib hall of fame)
1952
Bernard
Edwards
bassist/songwriter/producer born today. With Niles Rogers they
started as the Big Apple Band in the early 70's, but went on to big
success with Chic, Sister Sledge and Diana Ross. Edwards's bass licks
went on to be some of the most copied/sampled lines of the 1980's
along with James Brown. Listen to the introduction on Dance, Dance,
Dance by Chic to hear his style. (mn-jt)
1992
Lennox Lewis wins Heavyweight title - but not in the ring.
1997
Little Richie, PCRL DJ appears at Birmingham Magistrate Court
and pleads guilty to the Illegal broadcasting charges made against
him. He is given £3,010 fine with costs plus two years probation
and a 100 hours community work. (mn)
1998
Founding Congress, Britain's first political party for people of
African origin organises a two day event, at the New Initiatives,55
Wellington Road, London, NW1. Guest speakers included Myrna Simpson
(Mother of Joy Gardener) and Neville Laurence. (mn-bb7)
2006 South
Africa's last hardline white president, PW Botha, has died at the
age of 90.
Security staff at his home on the southern Cape coast were quoted as
saying that he died on Tuesday at 6pm GMT. Captain Frikkie Lucas
said: "Botha died at home, peacefully." Mr Botha led the
country through its worst racial violence and deepest international
isolation. Nicknamed the "Old Crocodile" for his feared
temper, he served as head of the white racist government from 1978 to
1989. Throughout his leadership he resisted mounting pressure to
release South Africa's most famous political prisoner, Nelson
Mandela. Mr Mandela was freed by Mr Botha's successor, FW de Klerk,
in 1990. In 1998 the Truth and Reconciliation Commission declared Mr
Botha guilty of gross human rights violations by ordering killings
and bombings. But his failing health helped him escape prosecution
and he spent his final years in seclusion at a seaside resort. (yahoo)