Doc Rock Presents,

 "THE DEAD ROCK STARS CLUB"

The 1950's and earlier

 Welcome to the club rock stars are dying to get into. Rock and Roll may never die but rock stars do !
 This site is  a list of dead rock stars, dead people associated with rock and dead people whose music helped influence and create rock (which I feel includes Jazz and Country artists), sorted by the date of their demise. This is a tribute to them.

LONG LIVE ROCK !!

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1788

Charles Wesley - Died 3-29-1788 in London, England ( Gospel ) Born 12-18-1707 in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England - Organist and composer - (Wrote lyrics for, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "Christ The Lord Is Risen Today") - Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1800

William Billings - Died 9-26-1800 in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. ( Psalms - Hymns - Military Songs ) Born 10-7-1746 in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. - Composer and singer - (He wrote, "Chester") - Inventor of fuguing songs - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1864

Stephen Foster (Stephen Collins Foster) - Died 1-13-1864 - After striking his head during a fall ( Folk - Pop ) Born 7-4-1826 in Lawrenceville, PA, U.S. - Singer and composer - (He wrote,"Oh! Susanna", "Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair" and "Camptown Races").

1869

Louis Moreau Gottschalk - Died 12-18-1869 in Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Possibly of Yellow fever - Born 5-8-1829 in New Orleans, LA, U.S.  - Pianist and composer - (He wrote,"Bamboula" and "Morte") - His works, although classical, reflect a blend of African and Caribbean styling with some saying, the earliest hints of jazz.

1876

P. P. Bliss (Philip Paul Bliss) - Died 12-29-1876 - A trestle fractured and the train he was in plunged 70 feet ( Gospel ) Born 7-9-1838 - Composer (He wrote, "Hold The Fort" and "Almost Persuaded").

1879

Edouard-Leon Scott de Martinville - Died 4-26-1879 - Born 4-25-1817 - Inventor of earliest sound recording device, the phonautograph - This device recorded someone singing, "Au Clair de la Lune" from 1860 which is  the earliest known recording of a human voice and the earliest known recording of music although it was not able to play back what it recorded - Using the help of a computer the song was played back for the first time in 2008.

1884

Henry Clay Work - Died 6-8-1884 in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. - Born 10-1-1832 in Middletown, Connecticut, U.S. - Songwriter - (He composed, "My Grandfather's Clock" and "The Ship That Never Returned") - His home was a stop on the Underground Railroad helping the escape of several thousand slaves - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1892

Patrick S. Gilmore (Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore) - Died 9-24-1892 in St. Louis, MO - Born 12-25-1829 in Ballygar, County Galway, Ireland - Composer, bandmaster and cornet player - (Wrote the lyrics for, "When Johnny Comes Marching Home") -  Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1893

J.S. Pierpont (James Lord Pierpont) - Died 8-5-1893 in Winter Haven, FL, U.S. - Born 4-25-1822 in Medford, MA, U.S. - Organist and music director - (He wrote, "Jingle Bells" and "Kitty Crowe") - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1894

Adolph Sax (Antoine Joseph Sax) Died 2-4-1894 in Paris, France - Born 11-6-1814 in Dinant, Belgium - Inventor of the saxophone.

1895

Samuel Francis Smith - Died 11-16-1895 in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. ( Hymns ) - Born 10-21-1808 in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. - Composer - (He wrote, "America" and "The Morning Light Is Breaking") - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1896

Francis J. Child (Francis James Child)  - Died 9-11-1896 ( Folklorist ) Born 2-1-1825 in Boston, MA, U.S. - He edited the five volume series, "The English And Scottish Popular Ballads".

1899

Robert Lowry - Died 11-25-1899 in Plainfield, NJ, U.S. ( Gospel - Hymns ) Born 3-12-1826 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - Composer - (He wrote, "Where Is My Boy Tonight?" and co-wrote, "I Need Thee Every Hour") - His songs have been sung by Michael Bruce, Graham Kendrick, Doris Day, Jimmie Davis and The Forbes Family - He set to music many of Fanny Jane Crosby's poems.

1902

Septimus Winner (aka Alice Hawthorne) - Died 11-22-1902 ( Composer ) Born 5-11-1827 - (He wrote, "Whispering Hope" and many children's songs including, "Ten Little Injuns" and "Listen To The Mocking Bird") - His songs have been recorded by Lester Flatt, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Hank Snow, Jim Reeves and Pat Boone.

1903

Samuel A. Ward (Samuel Augustus Ward) - Died 9-28-1903 in Newark, NJ, U.S. - Born 12-28-1847 in Newark, NJ, U.S. - Organist and composer - (He wrote, "Materna" for which Katharine Lee Bates' lyrics where used with the song becoming, "America The Beautiful") -  Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Hart P. Danks (Hart Pease Danks) - Died  11- 20-1903 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - Born 4- 6-1834 in New Haven, CT, U.S. - Composer and choirmaster - (He wrote, "Lake Street" and "Don’t Be Angry With Me, Darling") - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1904

Dan Emmett (Daniel Decatur Emmett) - Died 6-28-1904 ( Composer ) Born 10-29-1815 in Mount Vernon, Ohio, U.S. - Sang and played banjo and fiddle - (He wrote, "Turkey In The Straw" and "Dixie").

1906

Paul Dresser (Johann Paul Dreiser Jr.) - Died 1-30-1906 in New York, NY, U.S. - Born 4-21-1859 in Terre Haute, Indiana, U.S. - Composer and singer - (He wrote, "On The Banks Of The Wabash" and "The Curse Of The Dreamer") - Worked with The Billy Rice Minstrels - Co-founder of the music publishing firm, Howley, Haviland & Dresser -  Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1907

Will S. Hays (William Shakespeare Hays) - Died 7-23-1907 in Louisville, KY, U.S. ( Country ) Born 7-19-1837 in Louisville, KY, U.S. - (He wrote, "Evangeline" and "Mollie Darling") - His songs have been recorded by Hank Snow, Eddy Arnold and The Sons Of The Pioneers.

1908

Blind Tom (aka Thomas Wiggins) (Thomas Greene Bethune) - Died 6-13-1908 - Stroke (Composer)  Born 5-25-1849 - Pianist - (He composed,"Battle Of Manassas" and "Virginia Polka").

1909

Francisco Tarrega - Died 12-15-1909 in Barcelona, Spain ( Composer ) Born 11-21-1852 in Villarreal, Castellón - Guitarist -  (He wrote, "Recuerdos de la Alhambra" and "Adelita") - His songs have been recorded by Chet Atkins and Mike Oldfield.

1910

Julia Ward Howe - Died 10-17-1910 in South Portsmouth, RI, U.S. - Born 5-26-1819 in New York, NY, U.S. - (She wrote, "Battle Hymn Of The Republic") - National Women's Hall Of Fame Inductee and Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1911

George Walker - Died 1911 - Syphilis? ( Pop - Ragtime ) Singer and songwriter (He did,"Good Morning, Carrie" with Bert Williams).

Karl Hoschna - Died 12-22-1911  in New York, NY, U.S. ( Pop ) Born 8-16-1877 in Kuschwarda, Bohemia  - Songwriter (He co-wrote, "Cuddle Up A Little Closer") Worked with Otto Harbach.

1912

Wallace Hartley - Died 4-14-1912 - Drowned or froze ( Band Leader ) Born 6-2-1878 in Lancashire, England - He was the band leader on the Titanic as it sunk, with the band supposedly playing "Nearer  My God, To Thee" as it did.

Frantisek Kmoch - Died 4-30-1912 in Kolin, Czechoslovakia (at the time Austro-Hungary) ( Brass Music - Pop ) Born 8-1-1848 in Zasmuky u Kolina, Czechoslovakia (at the time Austro-Hungary) - Composer and orchestra leader (He wrote, "Koline, Koline", "Jarabacek" and "Andulko safarova").

1914

George W. Johnson - Died 1914 ( Novelty ) (He did, "The Laughing Song" and "The Mocking Bird") Worked with Len Spencer and Billy Williams.

Len Spencer - Died 12-15-1914 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Novelty - Tin Pan Alley ) Born 1-12-1867 in Washington, D.C., U.S. - Worked with Ada Jones and George W. Johnson.

1915

Fanny Crosby (Frances Jane Crosby) - Died 2-12-1915 in Bridgeport, CN, U.S. ( Hymnist - Poet ) Born 3-24-1820 in Putnam County, NY, U.S. - (She Co-wrote,"Safe In The Arms Of Jesus" and "Blessed Assurance") Many of her poems were set to music by Robert Lowry .

Joe Hill (Joel Emmanuel Haaglund) (aka Joseph Hillstrom) - Died 11-19-1915 in Salt Lake City, UT - Executed by firing squad over the objections of many people including President Woodrow Wilson ( Folk ) Born 1-7-1879 in Gävle, Sweden - Singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist - (He wrote, "The Rebel Girl" and "Down In The Old Dark Mills").

1916

Mildred Hill (Mildred Jane Hill) - Died 1916 ( Composer ) Born 1859 - She was a co-writer of, "Happy Birthday To You" (The song most of you sing at someone's birthday party) - Originally titled, "Good Morning To All", the words to the song were changed without the composers permission, which was later proved in court. Royalties are still paid whenever the song is played commercially.

Julius Fucik (Julius Ernst Wilhelm Fucik) - The Bohemian Sousa - Died 9-15-1916 in Berlin, Germany - Illness - Born 7-18-1872 in Prague, Austro-Hungary ( Pop - Brass ) played bassoon and violin - (Wrote, "Entry Of The Gladiators") - Composed over 300 marches, polkas and waltzes.

1917

Scott Joplin - Died 4-1-1917 New York, NY, U.S. ( Ragtime ) Born between June 1867 and mid-January 1868 in Texas, U.S. - Pianist - (He composed,"The Entertainer" and "Maple Leaf Rag") - Was the leader of The Texas Medley Quartet - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1918

Oriville Gibson - Died 1918 - Born 1865 in Chateagay, NY, U.S. - Founder of Gibson  Guitars.

1919

James Reese Europe - Died 5-19-1919 in Boston, MA, U.S. - Stabbed in the neck by a band member ( Big Band ) Born 2-22-1881 in Mobile, AL, U.S. - Conductor for James Reese Europe's 369th U.S. Infantry "Hell Fighters" Band (They did,"On Patrol In No Man's Land" and "Jazz Baby").

1920

Billy Marrero - Died 1920 ( Jazz ) Born 1874 - Played string bass - Father of bass player Eddie Marrero.

1921

Tony Jackson - Died 4-20-1921 - Syphilis ( Blues - Ragtime ) Born 6-5-1876 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Sang and played piano - (He wrote, "The Naked Dance" and co-wrote, "Pretty Baby") - Worked with The Whitman Sisters.

1922

Bert Williams - Died 3-4-1922 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Pop - Ragtime ) Born 11-12-1874 in Nassau, Bahamas - Singer and songwriter (He did,"Good Morning, Carrie" with George Walker, "Nobody" and "When The Moon Shines On The Moon Shine").

Ada Jones - Died 5-22-1922 in Rocky Mount, NC, U.S. ( Ragtime - Pop - Ballards ) Born 6-1-1873 in Oldham, Lancashire, England - Singer - (She sang, "Cross My Heart And Hope To Die" and "I Just Can't Make My Eyes Behave") - Worked with Walter Van Brunt and Len Spencer.

1923

B.C. Unseld (Benjamin Carl Unseld) - Died 1923- Born 10-18-1843 - Music teacher, singer, composer, and publisher - (Co-wrote, "Twilight Is Stealing") - Editor of The Musical Visitor - Worked for The Biglow & Main Company, The Fillmore Music House and The Lorenz Publishing Company -  Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1924

Victor Herbert - Died 5-26-1924 in New York, NY, U.S. - Coronary arrest - Born 2-1-1859 in Dublin, Ireland - Played piano, cello, flute and piccolo and was a composer - (He wrote, "Babes In Toyland" and "Naughty Marietta") - He was a founder of The American Society Of Composers, Authors And Publishers -  Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

A.J. Showalter (Anthony Johnson Showalter) - Died 11-16-1924 in Chattanooga, TN, U.S. - Born 5-1-1858 in Cherry Grove, VA, U.S. - (Co-wrote, "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms") - Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1925

Emmett Hardy (Emmett Louis Hardy) - Died 6-16-1925 in Gretna, New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Tuberculosis ( Jazz ) Born 6-12-1903 in Gretna, LA, U.S. - Cornet and banjo player - Was a member of The New Orleans Rhythm Kings - Worked with Papa Laine's Band and Norman Brownlee's Orchestra.

Edna Hicks (Edna Landreaux) - Died 8-16-1925 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Burned in domestic accident ( Blues ) Born 10-14-1895 in  New Orleans, La, U.S. - Singer and musician - (She did, "Hard Luck Blues" and "Poor Me Blues") - Half sister of singer, Lizzie Miles.

1926

Hersal Thomas - Died 7-3-1926 in Detroit, MI, U.S. - Food poisoning ( Blues ) Born circa 1909 in Houston, TX, U.S. - Pianist and composer - (He did, "Suitcase Blues") - Worked with his sister Sippie Wallace and with Hociel Thomas, Lilian Miller, Sodarisa Miller and Louis Armstrong .

1927

Louis Cottrell Sr. - Died 10-17-1927 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. ( Jazz - Blues ) Born 12-25-1878 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Played clarinet and drums - Worked with Sweet Emma Barrett, Manuel Perez, John Robichaux, Jim Robinson and his son Louis Cottrell Jr. .

Florence Mills (aka Blackbird and Queen Of Happiness) - Died 11-1-1927 - Appendicitis ( Blues ) Born 1-25-1895 in Washington, D.C. or Virginia, U.S. - Singer (She did,"I'm A little Blackbird Looking For A Bluebird" in the revue Blackbirds) Was one of The Mills Trio with her sisters - Worked with Ada "Bricktop" Smith and Cora Green as The Panama Trio .

1928

Stump Evans (Paul Anderson Evans) Died 8-29-1928 in Douglas, KS, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 10-18-1904 in Lawrence, KS, U.S. - Played saxophone - Worked with Louis Armstrong, Johnny Dodds and King Oliver.

Mayeus Lafleur - Died 10-28-1928 - He was shot while aiding a friend who had been shot ( Cajun ) Born 1906 in Mamou, Louisiana, U.S. - Sang and played accordion - Worked with Leo Soileau.

1929

Granville Wood - Died 1929 ( Musician ) Born 1832 - Was a melodeon and piano maker.

Clarence "Pinetop" Smith - Died 3-15-1929 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Hemorrhaged after being accidently shot by a man while trying to break up a fight ( Blues - Boogie Woogie ) Born 6-11-1904 in Troy, Alabama, U.S. - (He recorded, "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie", "I Got More Sense Than That" and "I'm Sober Now") - Credited with creating boogie woogie and being the first to recorded it.

Katharine Lee Bates - Died 3-28-1929 in Wellesley, Massachusetts - Born 8-12-1859 in Falmouth, Massachusetts - Writer and poet - She wrote the words for, "America The Beautiful" - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Don Murray - Died 6-2-1929 - Car accident ( Jazz ) Born 6-7-1904 - Played clarinet - Worked with Ted Lewis, Joe Venuti, Benny Goodman, Adrian Rollini and Chauncey Morehouse.

Henri Berger (Heinrich August Wilhelm Berger) - Died 10-14-1929 in Honolulu - Born 8-4-1844 in Berlin, Prussia (now Germany) - Composer, arranger and bandmaster - (He wrote, "Sweet Lei Lehua" and "Hawai i Pono i") -  Led The King's Band which was renamed The Royal Hawaiian Band - Hawaiian Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Little Katie Crippen (aka Ella White) - Died 11-25-1929 in New York, NY, U.S. - Cancer ( Blues ) Born 11-17-1895 in Philadelphia, U.S. - Singer - Worked with Fletcher Henderson .

Blind Lemon Jefferson (aka Deacon L.J. Bates) - Died 12-?-1929 in Chicago, IL, Ill., U.S. - Exposure following a heart attack on the streets (Blues ) Born 7-11-1897 or 1893 in Couchman, Texas, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He recorded, "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean" and "That Black Snake Moan") Blues Foundation's Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1930

Johnny Burke - Bard of Prescott Street - Died 1930 ( Folk ) Born 1851 - Musician and songwriter - (He wrote, "The Night Paddy Murphy Died" and "Cod Liver Oil").

Henry Creamer - Died 10-14-1930 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Pop ) Born 6-21-1879 in Richmond, VA, U.S. - Singer, songwriter and dancer (He co-wrote, "Way Down Yonder In New Orleans" and "If I Could Be With You") Worked with Turner Layton, J.C. Johnson and Jimmy Johnson.

Charles K. Harris (Charles Kassel Harris) - Died 12-22-1930 in New York, NY, U.S. - Born 5-1-1867 in Poughkeepsie, NY, U.S. - Played banjo and was a songwriter - (He wrote, "After The Ball" and "Hello Central, Give Me Heaven") - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1931

Henry Kimball - Died 1931 ( Jazz ) Born 1878 - Played string bass - Worked with Fate Marable.

Charlie Poole - Died 5-?-1931 in Eden, NC, U.S. - Heart failure ( Bluegrass ) Born 3-22-1892 in Randolph County, NC - Sang and played banjo - Was a member of The North Carolina Ramblers (They did, "Don't Let Your Deal Go Down" and "White House Blues").

Buddy Petit (aka Buddie Petit) (Joseph Crawford) - Died 7-4-1931 ( Jazz ) Born between 1887 and 1897 in White Castle, LA, U.S. - Played cornet - Played for The Young Olympia Band and worked with  Jimmie Noone, Jelly Roll Morton, The Black And Tan Orchestra and Frankie Dusen.
 

Leon Bix Beiderbecke - Died 8-6-1931 - Pneumonia ( Jazz ) Born 3-10-1903 in Davenport, Iowa, U.S. (He did, "Singing The Blues" and "In A Mist") Was a member of The Wolverines, Bix Beiderbecke And The Chicago Cornets,  Bix Beiderbecke And His Gang and Bix, Tram & Eddie.

Thomas Edison (Thomas Alva Edison)- Died 10-18-1931 ( Inventor ) Born 2-11-1847 in Milan, Ohio, U.S. - Invented the phonograph (record player) in 1877 which he called the "Talking Machine" - He was the first to record and playback the human voice, "Mary Had A Little Lamb".

Barbecue Bob (Robert Hicks) - Died 10-21-1931 - Pneumonia ( Blues ) Born 9-11-1902 in Walnut Grove, Georgia, U.S. - Singer and guitarist (He recorded, "She Shook Her Gin" and "Darktown Gamblin' ").

Buddy Bolden (Charles Joseph Bolden) - Died 11-4-1931 in Jackson, LA, U.S. ( Jazz - Dance - Blues ) Born 9-6-1877 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Cornet player - A pioneer of Jazz music.

1932

Evan Thomas - Died 1932 ( Jazz ) Bandleader - Worked with Bunk Johnson.

John Hughes - Died 1932 in Tonteg - Born 1873 - (Wrote the hymn, "Cwm Rhondda").

Joseph Kekuku - Died 1-16-1932 in Boston, MA, U.S. - Born 1874 in La'ie, O'ahu, HI - Considered to be the inventor of the steel guitar - Steel Guitar Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Frank Teschemacher - Died 2-29-1932 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Car crash ( Jazz ) Born 3-13-1906 in Kansas City, MO, U.S. - Played clarinet and saxophone - Worked with Ben Pollack, Red Nichols, Bud Freeman, Muggsy Spanier and  Gene Krupa.

James "Bubber" Miley - Died 5-20-1932 - Tuberculosis ( Jazz ) Born 4-3-1903 in Aiken, SC, U.S. - Played trumpet - Was the leader of Bubber Miley & His Mileage Makers - Worked with Duke's Jungle Band, Duke Ellington, Elmer Snowden's Washingtonians, Leo Reisman ("What Is This Thing Called Love") and Cootie Williams.

Reginald Aubrey Fessenden -  The Father Of Radio - Died 7-22-1932 ( Inventor ) Born 10-6-1866 in Knowlton, Quebec, Canada - Was the first voice to be heard and the first to play music on the radio.

1933

Blind Blake (Born Arthur Phelps or Arthur Blake) (aka Blind Arthur, Gorgeous Weed, Billy James and Blind George Martin) - Died between 1933-1940 in Jacksonville, FL, U.S. ( Blues ) Born early 1890's in Jackson, Florida or Georgia Sea Islands - Guitarist and singer - (He recorded, "West Coast Blues" and "Police Dog Blues") - Blues Foundation's Hall Of Fame Inductee .

Eddie Lang (Salvatore Massaro) - Died 3-26-1933 - Complications following a tonsillectomy ( Jazz ) Born 10-25-1902 in Philadelphia- Pioneer of plectrum guitar playing (He did,"Eddie's Twister" "Church Street Sobbin' Blues") .

Jimmie Rodgers (James Charles Rodgers) - The Singing Brakeman, Father of Country Music - Died 5-26-1933  - Tuberculosis ( Country - Blues ) Born   9-8-1897 in Pine Springs, Mississippi, U.S. (He did,"Blue Yodel" and "Waitin' For A Train")  The Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and  "The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee".

Freddie Keppard (aka Freddy Keppard) - Died 7-15-1933 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Tuberculosis ( Jazz ) Born 2-15-1889 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Played the Cornet - Was a member of The Olympia Orchestra, The Original Creole Band, Doc Cook's Dreamland Orchestra,  The Jazz Cardinals ("Stock Yard Strut"), Ollie Powers and Charles Elgar.

Charles Tindley (Rev. Dr. Charles Albert Tindley) - The Prince of Preachers - Died 7-26-1933 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. ( Gospel ) Born 7-7-1851 in Berlin, MD, U.S. - Composer - (He wrote, "I Shall Overcome" and "Stand By Me") - Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1934

Alcide "Yellow" Nunez - Died 9-2-1934 ( Jazz ) Born 3-17-1884 in New Orleans Member of The Original Dixieland Jazz Band (They recorded, "La St. Louis Blues" and "Royal Garden Blues") - The 1st jazz band to make records.

Russ Columbo (Ruggiero Eugenio di Rodolpho Colombo) - Died 9-2-1934 - Accidental shooting ( Orchestral Pop - Jazz ) Born 1-14-1908 in Camden, NJ, U.S. - (He sang, "Prisoner Of Love" and "You Call It Madness (But I Call It Love)").

Charley Patton - Died 4-28-1934 - Heart condition ( Delta Blues ) Born 4-?-1891 in Indianola, Mississippi, U.S. - Might be the first rock & roller (He did, "Revenue Man Blue" and "Oh Death") - Blues Foundation's Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1935

Simon Marrero - Died 1935 ( Jazz ) Born 1897 - Played string bass - Worked with Papa Celestin and Dave Nelson.

Clara Smith - Queen of the Moaners - Died 2-2-1935 in Detroit, MI, U.S. - Heart disease ( Blues ) Born circa 1894 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, U.S. - Singer - (She did, "Awful Moaning Blues" and "Every Woman's Blues") - Worked with Fletcher Henderson, Louis Armstrong and Coleman Hawkins.

Leroy Carr - Died 4-29-1935 in Indianapolis, IN, U.S. - Nephritis ( Blues ) Born 3-27-1905 in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. - Singer, songwriter and pianist - (He did,"Six Cold Feet In The Ground" and "Corn Likker Blues") - Blues Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Bennie Moten (Benjamin Moten) - Died 4-2-1935 - Botched tonsillectomy ( Jazz ) Born 11-13-1894 in Kansas City, MO, U.S. (His band did, "South" and "Moten Swing") Was the leader of Bennie Moten & The Kansas City Orchestra - Worked with Hot Lips Page, Ben Webster and Eddie Barefield.

Carlos Gardel (Charles Romuald Gardes) - The King Of Tango - El Zorzal Criollo - Died 6-24-1935 in Medellin, Colombia - His plane collided with another on takeoff ( Tango ) Born 12-11-1890 in Toulouse, France - Singer - (He did, "Mi Noche Triste" and "Mi Buenos Aires Querido") - Worked with José Razzano.

Guillermo Barbieri (Guillermo Desiderio Barbieri) - Died 6-24-1935 in Medellin, Colombia - His plane collided with another on takeoff ( Tango - Folk ) Born 9-25-1894 in San Cristobal, Buenos Aires-  Guitarist, singer and composer - Worked with Felix Rodríguez, Carlos Gardel, Pedro Vallarino and The Gardel-Razzano Duo.

A'ngel Domingo Riverol  - Died 6-26-1935 in Medellin, Colombia - His plane collided with another on takeoff ( Tango ) Born 10-1-1893 in Buenos Aires - Guitarist - Worked with Carlos Gardel.

Ballard MacDonald - Died 11-17-1935 in Forest Hills, NY, U.S. - Born 10-15-1882 in Portland, OR, U.S. - Lyricist - (Co-wrote, "Second Hand Rose" and "Here Comes Charlie") - Collaborated with Con Conrad, Walter Donaldson, Sigmund Romberg, Albert Von Tilzer, Jesse Greer, Joe Meyer, James Hanley, George Gershwin, Victor Herbert, Harry Carroll and Lewis Muir  - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1936

George Thomas (George Washington Thomas Jr.) - Died 1936 in Washington, DC, U.S. or 3-?-1930 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. ( Blues ) Born 1885 in Houston, TX, U.S. - Pianist and songwriter - Worked with his sister, Sippie Wallace and his brother, Hersal Thomas - Father of singer and pianist, Hociel Thomas.

Francis O'Neill - Died 1936 ( Folkologist ) Born 1848 in Tralibane, County Cork - Played the flute - He is credited with collecting about 3,500 Irish songs that might have otherwise been lost.

Harry B. Smith (Harry Bache Smith) - Died 1-3-1936 in Atlantic City, NJ, U.S. - Born 12-28-1860 in Buffalo, NY, U.S. -  Writer, lyricist and composer - (Co-wrote, "Bright Eyes" and "The Land Of Let's Pretend") - Collaborated with Ted Snyder, Reginald De Koven, Jerome Kern, Sigmund Romberg and Victor Herbert - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

John Mills Jr. - Died 1-24-1936 - Tuberculosis ( Swing - Pop - Jazz - R&B ) Born 2-1-1911 in Piqua, Ohio, U.S. - Was one of The Mills Brothers (They recorded."Tiger Rag" and "Goodbye Blues").

Sam Morgan - Died 2-25-1936 ( Jazz ) Born 12-18-1887 - Played the cornet and trumpet - Leader of The Sam Morgan Band (They did,"Sing On" and "Bogalusa Strut") and The Magnolia Brass Band - Worked with Jim Robinson.

Milton Brown - Died 4-12-1936 - Car crash ( Western Swing ) He was 32 years old - Was the singer for The Musical Brownies - Worked with The Light Crust Doughboys.

Johnny Black - Died 6-9-1936 ( Composer ) Born 9-30-1891 in St. Louis, MO, U.S. (He wrote "Dardanella" and "Paper Doll").

Dr. Humphrey Bate - Died 6-12-1936 ( Country ) Born 5-25-1875 in Castallian Springs, TN, U.S. - Played harmonica - Was a member of The Possum Hunters (They recorded, "Take Your Foot Out Of The Mud " and "Ham Beats All Meat").

1937

Jimmy Johnson - Died 1937? ( Jazz ) Born 1876 - Played the string bass - Worked with Buddy Bolden.

Posey Rorer - Died 1937 - Heart attack ( Bluegrass ) Played fiddle - Was a member of The North Carolina Ramblers (They did,"Don't Let Your Deal Go Down" and "White House Blues").

Alex Hill (William A. Hill) - Died 2-1-1937 in Little Rock, AR, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 4-19-1906 in Little Rock, AR, U.S. - Pianist - Worked with Fats Waller, Eddie Condon, Jimmy Wade's Dixielanders and Jimmie Noone's Apex Club Orchestra.

George Gershwin (Jacob Gershvin) - Died 7-11-1937 - Brain tumor ( Composer ) Born 9-26-1898 in New York, NY, U.S. (He wrote,"I'll Build A Stairway To Paradise" and Al Jolson's, "Swanee").

Johnny Dunn - Died 8-20-1937 - Tuberculosis ( Jazz ) Born 2-19-1897 in Memphis, TN, U.S. - Played trumpet - He was the leader of The Original Jazz Hounds and The New Yorkers - Worked with W.C. Handy ("Sergeant Dunn's Bugle Call Blues"), Edith Wilson, Noble Sissle, Jelly Roll Morton, Mamie Smith, James P. Johnson and Fats Waller.

Bessie Smith - Queen of the Blues, Empress of the Blues - Died 9-26-1937 - Bled to death after a car accident ( Blues - Jazz ) Born 4-15-1894 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S. (Recorded, "Downhearted Blues" and "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out") Blues Foundation's Hall Of Fame Inductee - "Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee".

Joe "Fox" Smith - Died 12-2-1937 ( Jazz ) Born 6-28-1902 in Ripley, OH, U.S. - Played cornet and trumpet - Worked with Bessie Smith, The Black Swan Jazz Masters, Mamie Smith, Allie Ross and McKinney's Cotton Pickers - Son of trumpet player, Luke Smith Sr. and brother of trumpet player, Russell Smith.

1938

Papa Charlie Jackson (William Henry Jackson) - Died 1938 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - ( Blues ) Born circa 1890 in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. - (He recorded, "Papa's Lawdy Blues" and "Airy Man Blues" ) - Worked with Ida Cox, Blind Blake, Ma Rainey, Big Bill Broonzy and Hattie McDaniel.

King Oliver (Joseph Oliver) - Died 4-10-1938 in Savannah - Bronchial asthma ( Jazz ) Born 5-11-1885 in Louisiana, U.S. - Played cornet - Was the leader of the first great New Orleans Jazz Band (They did, "Louisiana Snake Rag" and "Dippermouth Blues").

James Johnson (James Weldon Johnson) - the Renaissance Man -  Died 6-26-1938 in Wiscasset, ME, U.S. - His car was hit by a train - Born 6-17-1871 in Jacksonville, FL, U.S. - Lyricist, author, editor, professor and lawyer - (He co-wrote, "Lift Every Voice and Sing") - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Robert Johnson (Robert Leroy Johnson) - King Of The Delta Blues - Died 8-16-1938 in Greenwood, MS, U.S. - Poisoned with strychnine laced whiskey by a jealous husband ( Blues ) Born 5-8-1911 in Hazelhurst, Mississippi, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, "Stones In My Passway" and "Love In Vain") - Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee and Blues Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Jess Young - 12-31-1938 ( Country ) Born 10-23-1883 in Flat Rock, AL, U.S. - Fiddler and guitarist (He recorded, "Maybelle Rag" and "Are You From Dixie").

1939

Herschel Evans - Died 2-9-1939 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 3-9-1909 in Denton, TX, U.S. - Saxophonist - Worked with Lionel Hampton, Buck Clayton, Count Basie and Troy Floyd.

William Morgan Ramsey - Died 3-12-1939 in Little Rock, AR, U.S. ( Gospel ) Born 8-24-1872 in Bell County, TX,U.S. - Singer and songwriter - (He wrote, "He Whispers Sweet Peace To Me" and "Some Glad Day") - Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Tee Tot Payne (Rufus Payne) - Died 3-17-1939 in Montgomery, Ala., U.S. ( Blues ) Born 1884 in Lowndes County - Played guitar and piano - Credited with starting Hank Williams' musical career.

Tommy Ladnier (Thomas J. Ladnier) - Died 6-4-1939 in New York, NY, U.S. - Heart attack ( Jazz - Blues ) Born 5-28-1900 in Florence, LA, U.S. - Played trumpet - Worked with Charlie Creath, Ollie Powers, Lovie Austin's Blues Serenaders, Fate Marable, Benny Peyton, Sidney Bechet, Noble Sissle, Fletcher Henderson and King Oliver.

Chick Webb (William Henry Webb) - Died 6-16-1939 - After a major operation ( Jazz ) Born 2-10-1909 in Baltimore, MD, U.S. - Drummer and bandleader (His band did,"A Tisket-A-Tasket" with Ella Fitzgerald and "T'aint What You Do (It's The Way That You Do It)") Worked with Benny Carter, Louis Jordan and Johnny Hodges.

Ma Rainey  (Gertrude Melissa Nix Pridgett) -  Mother of the Blues - Died 12-22-1939  - Heart attack ( Blues ) Born 4-26-1886 in Columbus, Georgia, U.S - (She recorded,"Big Boy Blues" and "Broken Hearted Blues") Was a member of The Rabbit Foot Minstrels - She worked with Louis Armstrong and Fletcher Henderson - Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1940

John Baltzell - Died 1940 ( Country ) Born 9-23-1860 in Knox County, OH, U.S. - Fiddler.

Jack Pettis (John Barton Pettis or John Baber Pettis) - Died 1-1-1940 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 1-1-1891 in Alton, Illinois, U.S. - Played clarinet and saxophone - Worked with The New Orleans Rhythm Kings, Tommy Dorsey, The Whoopee Makers, Jack Teagarden, Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller.

Arthur Whetsol - Died 1-5-1940 ( Jazz ) Born in Punta Gorda, FL, U.S. - Played trumpet - Worked with Duke Ellington and Elmer Snowden.

Rudy Weidoft - Died 2-18-1940 - Cirrhosis of the liver ( Jazz ) Born 1893 in Detroit Michigan, U.S. - Sax player (He did,"Sax-o-phobia").

Guy Kelly - Died 2-24-1940 in Chicago, Ill., U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 11-22-1906 in Scotland, LA, U.S. - Played trumpet - Worked with Toots Johnson, Half Pint Jaxon, Papa Celestin, Kid Howard, Jimmie Noone and Albert Ammons.

Johnny Dodds - Died 8-8-1940 in Chicago, Ill., U.S. ( Blues - New Orleans Jazz ) Born 4-12-1892 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Recorded with Oliver's Creole Jazz Band, Jelly Roll Morton and  Louis Armstrong.

Billy Jones - Died 11-23-1940 ( Jazz ) Singer - Worked with Fletcher Henderson, Louis Armstrong, Charlie Green, Kaiser Marshall,  Isham Jones and Charlie Dixon.

Ted Bates - Died 12-13-1940 in Lake Muskoka - His plane collided with another ( Big Band ) He was 27 years old - Played saxophone - Worked with The Len Hopkins Orchestra.

1941

Blind Boy Fuller (Fulton Allen) (aka Brother George) - Died 2-13-1941 - Blood poisoning ( Blues ) Born 1907 in Wadesboro, North Carolina, U.S. (He did,"Piccolo Man" and " Red River Blues").

George Beauchamp (George D. Beauchamp) - Died 1941 Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - While deep sea fishing - Born 1899 in Texas, U.S. - Played steel guitar - Invented musical instruments and was a co-founder of The National Stringed Instrument Corporation and Rickenbacker - Created the frying pan electric guitar.

Ken Johnson (Kendrick Reginald Huymans Johnson) - Died 3-8-1941 ( Jazz ) Born 6-22-1917 in Georgetown, Guyana - Drummer and band leader.

Cléoma Falcon (Breaux) - Died 4-9-1941- Complications from car crash ( Cajun ) Born 5-27-1906  in Crowley, LA, U.S. - Guitarist and singer - (She recorded, "Allons à Lafayette" with her husband Joseph Falcon).

Al Bowlly (Albert Alick Bowlly) - Died 4-17-1941 - A german bomb exploded right outside of his apartment ( Swing - Pop ) Born 1-7-1899 in Mozambique - Was the leader of The Radio City Rhythm Makers and The Radio Stars With Two Guitars -  Worked with Jimmy Liquime, Fred Elizalde ("If I Had You") and Ray Noble.

Jelly Roll Morton (Ferdinand Joseph Lemott) - Died 7-10-1941 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. ( Early Jazz ) Born 10-20-1885 or 1890 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Singer, pianist and songwriter (He did, "Tom Cat Blues" and "Mournful Serenade") - Was the leader of Jelly Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers - Worked with Kid Ory, Johnny Dodds and Baby Dodds - Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee and Louisiana Blues Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Helen Morgan - Died 10-8-1941 ( Pop ) Singer (She sang, "My Bill" and "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man") - Worked with The Paul Whiteman Orchestra, Rodgers & Hart and  Bing Crosby.

Gus Kahn (Gustav Gerson Kahn) - Died 10-8-1941in Beverly Hills, CA, U.S. - Born 11-6-1886 in Koblenz, Germany - Musician and songwriter - (Wrote, "I'll See You In My Dreams") - Collaborated with his wife, Grace LeBoy Kahn and with Egbert van Alstyne ("Memories") - Worked with  Isham Jones, Walter Donaldson ("Makin' Whoopee!"), Ira Gershwin, Al Jolson and Buddy DeSylva - Worked on the Broadway scores, Kitty's Kisses and Whoopee! and the films, Flying Down To Rio and Ziegfeld Girl - The Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Chu Berry (Leon Brown Berry) - Died 10-31-1941 in Conneaut, OH, U.S. - Car accident ( Jazz ) Born 9-13-1908 in Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S. - Played clarinet, reeds and tenor saxophone - Worked with Perry's Broadway Buddies, Sammy Stewart, Cab Calloway, Benny Carter, Fletcher Henderson, Bessie Smith and Count Basie - Wheeling Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Amede Ardoin - Died 11-4-1941 ( Zydeco )  Born 1896 in L'Anse Rougeau, LA, U.S. - Accordion player (He did, "Amadie Two Step" and "Les Blues De Voyage").

Peetie Wheatstraw (William Bunch)- Died 12-21-1941 - His car was hit by a train ( Blues ) Born 12-21-1902 in Ripley, Tennessee, U.S. - Pianist and singer - (He did, "Sweet Home Blues" and "Four O'Clock In The Morning") - Worked with Charlie McCoy, Casey Bill Weldon, Bumble Bee Slim, Kokomo Arnold, Lonnie Johnson and Charley Jordan.

Karel Hasler - Died 12-22-1941 in Mauthausen, Germany - Killed by Nazis in a concentration camp (tied up under an icy shower) ( Chanson - Vaudeville - Cabaret ) Born 10-31-1879 in Zlichov u Prahy, Czechoslovakia (at the time Austro-Hungary) - Was a singer, songwriter and arranger - (He did, "Po Starych Zameckych Schodech" and "Ta Nase Pisnicka Ceska").

Mary Lewis  - Died 12-31-1941 ( Singer ) Born 1-7-1900.

1942

Jaroslav Jezek - Died 1-1-1942 in New York City, USA - Kidney illness ( Jazz - Classical ) Born 9-25-1906 in Prague, Czechoslovakia (at the time Austro-Hungary) - Was a piano player, composer and arranger - Worked with actors Jiri Voskovec and Jan Werich  - (Did, "Svet Patri Nam" and "Ezop A Brabenec").

Fred Fisher - Died 1-14-1942 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Pop ) Born 9-30-1875 in Cologne, Germany - Singer.

Charlie Christian - Died 3-2-1942 - Tuberculosis ( Jazz )  Born 7-29-1916 in Dallas, Texas, U.S. (He recorded, "Flying Home" and "Seven Come Eleven") - Pioneer of  the electric guitar - Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Joe Poston - Died 5-?-1942 ( Jazz ) Born 1895 in Alexandria, LA, U.S. - He was a member of  Jimmie Noone's Apex Club Orchestra - Worked with Doc Cook.

Bunny Berigan (Rowland Bernart Berrigan)- Died 6-2-1942 in New York, NY, U.S. - Cirrhosis of the liver ( Jazz ) Born 11-2-1908 in Hilbert, WI, U.S. - Trumpeter and singer - Played for Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Paul Whitman.

J.A. McClung (John Alexander McClung) - Died 7-23-1942 ( Gospel ) Born 1-1-1894 in Talihina, OK, U.S. - Singer and composer - He worked with The Hartford Quartet - (He wrote, "Standing Outside" and "Death Will Never Knock On Heaven's Door") - Owner and president of Hartford Musical Institute and co-owner of Hartford Music Company - He composed over 300 songs - Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Jimmy Blanton - Died 7-30-1942 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Tuberculosis ( Jazz ) Born 10-5-1918 in Chattanooga, TN, U.S. - Played bass - Worked with Duke Ellington ("Pitter Panther Patter"), The Jeter Pillars Orchestra and Fate Marable.

George M. Cohan - Died 11-5-1942 ( Composer ) Born 7-3-1878 in Providence, RI, U.S. (He wrote,"Who Could Ask for Anything More?" and "I'm A Yankee Doodle Dandy").

1943

A. J. Piron (Armand Piron) - Died 2-17-1943 ( Jazz ) Born 8-16-1888 - Violinist and band leader (He wrote,"I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate" but Louis Armstrong says he sold it to him) He was the leader of Piron's New Orleans Orchestra (They did,""Mama's Gone, Goodbye" and "New Orleans Wiggle") Worked with King Oliver, Lorenzo Tio Jr. and Sidney Bechet.

Alvin "Zue" Robertson - Died 1943 ( Jazz ) Born 3-7-1891 - Played trombone, piano and organ - Worked with Storyville, The Levee Serenaders (They did,"Mr. Jelly Lord" and "Midnight Mama"), The Olympia Band, Manuel Perez,  Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, W.C. Handy, Richard M. Jones and John Robichaux.

Tiny Parham (Hartzell Strathdene Parham) - Died 4-4-1943 ( Jazz - Blues ) Born 2-2-1900 in Winnipeg, Manitoda, Canada - Band leader and pianist (He did,"The Head-Hunter's Dream" and "Jogo Rhythm") Worked with Johnny Dodds, Punch Miller and Milt Hinton.

Min Leibrook - Died 6-8-1943 ( Jazz ) Born 1903 - Played Sax, tuba and bass - He worked with The Ten Foot Band, Paul Whiteman, Bix Beiderbecke and Lennie Hayton.

Corky Cornelius (Edward Cornelius) - Died 8-3-1943 ( Jazz ) Born 12-3-1914 in Indiana, U.S. - Trumpet player - Worked with Benny Goodman and Gene Krupa - He was married to singer Irene Daye.

Bill Gallaty Sr. - Died 9-?-1943 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 11-9-1880 - Trombonist - Worked with The Reliance Brass Band and led his own band - Father of trumpeter, Bill Gallaty Jr.

Charlie D. Tillman - Died 9-2-1943 in Atlanta, GA, U.S. ( Gospel ) Born 3-20-1861 in Tallasee, AL, U.S. - Singer, musician and songwriter - (He wrote, "The Old Time Religion" and "Life's Railway To Heaven") - Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Trixie Smith - Died 9-21-1943 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Blues ) Born 1895 in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - Singer - (She did, "Trixie's Blues" and "Railroad Blues") - Led Trixie Smith And Her Down Home Syncopators - Worked with Sidney Bechet and Jimmy Bythe And His Ragamuffins.

Fats Waller (Thomas Wright Waller) - Died 12-15-1943 - Pneumonia - Born 5-21-1904 in New York ( He did, "Ain't Misbehavin" and  "Your Feets Too Big") .

1944

Joe McMichael - Died 1944 - Fighting in World War II ( Pop ) Was a founding member of The Merry Macs (They did,"Mairzy Doats" and  "Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition") The group was originally know as The McMichaels, The Mystery Trio and The Personality Boys.

Bob Zurke - Died 2-16-1944 ( Jazz ) Born 1-17-1912 in Detroit, MI, U.S. - Pianist, singer and composer - Worked with Bob Crosby's Bobcats (They did, "Honky Tonk Blues").

Jimmie Noone - Died 4-19-1944 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Heart attack ( Jazz ) Born 4-23-1895 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Clarinetist - Was a member of Doc Cook's Dreamland Orchestra and the leader of Jimmie Noone's Apex Club Orchestra (They did, "Lorraine" and "Four Or Five Times") - Worked with Freddie Keppard, Joe Poston, Buddy Petit and Kid Ory - Father of Jimmie Noone Jr. of The Cheathams.

Vincent Rose - Died 5-20-1944 in Rockville Center, NY, U.S. ( Pop ) Born 6-13-1880 in Palermo, Italy - Bandleader, composer, pianist and violinist - (He wrote, "Whispering" and "Linger Awhile") - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Samuel W. Beazley - Died 9-16-1944 in Chicago, IL, U.S. ( Gospel ) Born 1873 in Sparta, VA, U.S. - Composer - (He wrote, "Jesus Paid It All" and "The Great Redeemer") - He composed about 5000 songs - Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Bedrich "Fricek" Weiss - Died 10-4-1944 in Osvetim, Poland - Gas chamber in a concentration camp ( Jazz - Swing ) Born 9-28-1919 in Prague, Czechoslovakia - Played trumpet, clarinet, alt sax and was a composer (He did, "Doktor Swing" and "Vlajici Satek"). While in the detention camp Terezin, he led Weisskvintet and The Ghetto Swingers - Later he was taken to Osvetim, where he refused to leave his father and both were sent to the gas chamber.

Orville "Hoppy" Jones - Died 10-18-1944 - Brain hemorrage ( R&B - Pop ) Born 2-17-1905 in Chicago, Ill, U.S. - Was a bass vocalist for The Ink Spots ( They recorded, " If I Didn't Care" and "My Prayer") "Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee".
 

Glenn Miller (Alton Glenn Miller) - Died 12-15-1944 - One theory on how he died is that his plane was accidentally hit by a bomb from a RAF bomber ( Jazz - Swing ) Born 3-1-1904 in Clarinda, Iowa, U.S. - Was the leader of The Glenn Miller Orchestra (They did, "Moonlight Serenade" and  "In the Mood") and The Army Air Force Band (They did a cover of, "St. Louis Blues March").

1945

Jules Allen (aka Longhorn Luke) - Died 1945 ( Country ) Born 4-1-1883 in Waxahachie, Ellis County, TX, U.S. - Singer and guitarist.

John McCormack (John Francis McCormack) - Died 1945 - ( Irish Folk - Opera ) Born 1884 in Ireland - Singer.

Al Dubin - Died 2-11-1945 in New York, NY, U.S. - Pneumonia ( Lyricist ) Born 6-10-1891 in Zurich, Switzerland - (He co-wrote, "I Only Have Eyes For You" and "A Cup Of Coffee, A Sandwich And You") - Worked with Harry Warren and Jimmy McHugh - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Clyde Hart - Died 3-19-1945 in New York, NY, U.S. - Tuberculosis ( Swing ) Born 2-24-1910 in Baltimore, MD, U.S. - Arranger and pianist - Worked with  Gene Coy, Jap Allen, Andy Kirk, Stuff Smith, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and many others.

Gus Edwards (Gus Simon) - The Star Maker - Died 11-7-1945 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Born 8-18-1879 in Hohensalza, Prussia - Singer and songwriter - (Co-wrote, "School Days (When We Were A Couple Of Kids)" and "By The Light Of The Silvery Moon") - Was a member of The Newsboys Quintet - Collaborated with Will Cobb and Edward Madden - Was a founder member of ASCAP - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Jerome Kern (Jerome David Kern) - Died 11-11-1945 in New York, NY, U.S. - Born 1-27-1885 in New York, NY, U.S. - Played piano and was a composer - (He wrote, "Ol' Man River" and "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes") - He composed over 700 songs.

Richard M. Jones - Died 12-9-1945 in Chicago, IL, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 6-13-1892 in Barton, LA, U.S. - Pianist, composer, arranger and producer (He composed,"Jazzin' Babies Blues" and "Trouble In Mind") - Worked with Oscar Celestin, The Eureka Brass Band and Clarence Williams.

Bobby Stark - Died 12-29-1945 ( Jazz ) Born 1-6-1906 in New York, U.S. - Played trumpet - Worked with Fletcher Henderson ("King Porter Stomp"), June Clark, The McKinney's Cotton Pickers, Chick Webb, Ella Fitzgerald and Garvin Bushell.

1946

Manuel "Manole" Perez - Died 1946 ( Jazz ) Born 12-28-1871- Band leader and cornet player - He worked with The Onward Brass Band, George Filhe, Charlie Elgar and The Imperial Orchestra.

Dr. Patty Hill (Patty Smith Hill) - Died 1946 - Born 1859 - Composer - She was a co-writer of, "Happy Birthday To You" (The song most of you sing at someone's birthday party) - Originally titled, "Good Morning To All", the words to the song were changed without the composers permission, which was later proved in court - Royalties are still paid whenever the song is played commercially.

Harry Von Tilzer (Harry Gumm, possibly Harry Gummblinsky) - Died 1-10-1946 in New York, NY, U.S. - Born 7-8-1872 in Detroit, MI, U.S. - Composer, pianist and publisher - (Co-wrote, "My Old New Hampshire Home" and "I Wonder If She's Waiting") - Collaborated with Arthur Lamb, Will A. Heelan, Will Dillon and Andrew B. Sterling - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Frederic Lee Beckett - Died 1-30-1946 ( Jazz ) Born 1-23-1917 in Nettleton, Mississippi, U.S. - Played trombone - Worked with Lionel Hampton, J .J .Johnson, Andy Kirk, Prince Stewart and Nat Towels.

Vincent Youmans (Vincent Millie Youmans) - Died 4-5-1946 in Denver, CO, U.S. -  Tuberculosis - Born 9-27-1898 in New York, NY, U.S. - Composer - (He co-wrote, "Flying Down To Rio", "I Want To Be Happy" and "Tea For Two") - Worked with Herbert Stothart, Edward Eliscu and Gus Kahn - Songwriter's Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Joe Tricky Sam Nanton - Died 7-20-1946 ( Jazz ) Born 2-1-1904 in New York, NY, U.S. - Played trombone - Worked with Duke Ellington, Thomas Morris, Cliff Jackson and Elmer Snowden.

Mamie Smith - Died 10-30-1946 ( Blues - Cabaret ) Born 5-26-1883 in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. - Singer - (She recorded,"Crazy Blues" and "It' s Right Here For You").

1947

Blind Willie Johnson - Died 1947 - Pneumonia ( Blues - Gospel ) Born 1902 in Marlin, Texas, U.S. (He recorded, "Lord, I Just Can't Keep From Cryin'" and "Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed") .

Joe Barocco - Died 1947 ( Jazz ) Born 10-16-1891 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Played bass and tuba - Worked with The Susquehanna Band, The Reliance Brass Band and Johnny Fischer's Brass Band.

Freddie Webster - Died 1947 in Chicago, Ill., U.S. - Heart attack or heroin overdose ( Jazz ) Born 1917 - Trumpeter - Worked with Jimmie Lunceford, Earl Hines, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Nance, Billy Eckstine, The Marion Sears Orchestra and Sarah Vaughan.

Peter "Doc" Clayton - Died 1-7-1947 - Tuberculosis ( Blues ) Born 4-19-1898 in Georgia (He recorded,"Ain't Gonna Drink No More" and "Angels In Harlem").

Fate Marable - Died 1-16-1947 in St. Louis, MO, U.S. - Pneumonia ( Jazz ) Born 12-2-1890 in Paducah, Kentucky, U.S. - Pianist and bandleader - (He did,"Frankie and Johnny" and "Pianoflage") He formed The Kentucky Jazz Band - Played on riverboats for decades - Worked with  Louis Armstrong, Johnny Dodds, Baby Dodds, Pops Foster, Zutty Singleton, Henry "Red" Allen and Gene Sedric.

Sonny Berman (Saul Berman) - Died 1-16-1947 in New York, NY, U.S. - Suicide, drug overdose ( Jazz ) Born 4-21-1925 in New Haven, CT, U.S. - Trumpet player - Worked with Woody Herman, Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman.

Jimmie Lunceford (James Melvin Lunceford) - Died 7-12-1947 - May have been poisoned by a racist restaurant owner or from a heart attack ( Swing ) Born 6-6-1902 in Fulton, MS, U.S. - Music teacher turned pro - Played piano and reeds.

Walter Donaldson - Died 7-15-1947 in Santa Monica, CA, U.S. - Born 2-15-1893 in Brooklyn, NY, U.S. - Composer - (He co-wrote, "My Blue Heaven", "Makin' Whoopee" and "Yes Sir, That's My Baby").

Son Bonds - Died 8-31-1947 - Shot ( Blues ) Born 3-16-1909 in Brownsville, Tennessee, U.S. (He did,"A Hard Pill To Swallow" and "Come Back Home").

1948

John Lomax - Died 1-26-1948 ( Folklorist ) Born 9-23-1867 in Goodman, Mississippi, U.S. - Collected about  ten thousand early folk and blues recordings for the Library of Congress

Sidney Arodin - Died 2-6-1948 ( Jazz ) Born 3-29-1901 in Westwego, Louisiana, U.S. - Played clarinet (He wrote,"Lazy River") Worked with Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Stein, Jimmy Durante and Wingy Manone.

Red McKenzie (William McKenzie) - Died 2-7-1948 in New York, NY, U.S. - Cirrhosis of the liver ( Jazz ) Born 10-14-1899 in St. Louis, MO, U.S. - Sang and played comb and kazoo and also was a Jazz promoter - Led The Mound City Blue Blowers (They did, "Hello Lola" and "One Hour") - Worked with The Paul Whiteman Orchestra and Eddie Condon.

Sonny Boy Williamson (John Lee Williamson) - Died 6-1-1948 - Died in a mugging ( Country Blues ) Born 3-30-1914 in Jackson, Tennessee, U.S. (He recorded, "Good Morning Little School Girl" and "Check Up on My Baby").

James Baskett - Died 7-9-1948 ( Pop ) Born 2-16-1904 (He sang,"Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah") He was Uncle Remus in The Disney film Song Of The South.

Lucille Bogan (Lucille Armstrong) (aka Bessie Jackson) - Died 8-10-1948 - Coronary sclerosis ( Blues ) Born 4-1-1897 in Amoury, Mississippi, U.S. (She did,"Shave 'Em Dry", "Don't Mean You No Good Blues" and "Women Won't Need No Men").

Mutt Carey (Thomas Carey) - Died 9-3-1948 in Elsinore, CA, U.S. ( New Orleans Jazz ) Born 8-28-1891 in Hahnville, LA, U.S. - Trumpet and cornet player - Worked with Kid Ory, The Crescent Orchestra and Spikes' Seven Pods Of Pepper Orchestra - Brother of trombonist, Jack Carey.

Vernon Dalhart (Marion Try Slaughter) (aka Hugh Lattimer, Vernon Dale, Bob White, Frank Evans, Al Craver, Tobe Little, Sid Turner and others) - Died 9-14-1948 - Heart failure ( Country ) Born 4-6-1883 in Jefferson, TX, U.S. - Singer (He did, "Wreck Of The Old 97" and "The Prisoners Song") "Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee".

Chano Pozo (Luciano Pozo Gonzales) - Died 12-2-1948 - Killed in a bar fight ( Latin Jazz ) Born 1-7-1915 in Havana, Cuba - Percussionist - Worked with Dizzy Gillespie ("Tin Tin Deo" and "Manteca").

Dave Tough - Died 12-9-1948 ( Jazz ) Born 4-26-1907 - Drummer - Worked with Benny
 Goodman, Red Nichols, Tommy Dorsey, Mezz Mezzrow, Woody Herman and Muggsy Spanier.

Wilton Crawley - Died 12-31-1948 ( Jazz ) Born 7-18-1900 in Smithfield, VA, U.S. - Songwriter, clarinetist and contortionist - (He did, "She's Got What I Need" and "You Oughta See My Gal") - Led Wilton Crawley And The Washboard Rhythm Kings - Worked witn Jelly Roll Morton, Pops Foster, Luis Russell and Henry Allen.

1949

Joe Holmes - Died 1949 ( Jazz ) Born 1897 in McComb, MS, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - Worked with Mal Hallet and Lizzy Borden.

Herschel Foshee - Died 1949 - Singer - Was a member of The Melody Boys Quartet and led The Hershel Foshee Junior Quartet.

Euday Bowman (Euday Louis Bowman)- Died 5-26-1949 in New York, NY, U.S. - Pneumonia ( Jazz ) Born 11-9-1887 in Fort Worth, TX, U.S. - Pianist - (He did, "12th Street Rag" which was also recorded by Walter "Pee Wee" Hunt).

George Bacquet - Died 1-14-1949 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 1880 - Clarinetist - Worked with The Onward Brass Band, Jelly Roll Morton, Bessie Smith, Sidney Bechet, Manuel Perez, John Robichaux and Buddy Bolden.

Irving Fazola (Irving Henry Prestopnik) - Died 3-20-1949 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. ( Jazz - Blues ) Born 12-10-1912 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Clarinetist and saxophonist - Worked with Gus Arnheim, Muggsy Spanier, Glenn Miller,  Bob Crosby, Jimmy McPartland, Teddy  Powell, Tony Almerico, Claude Thornhill, Horace Heidt, Candy Candido, Louis  Prima, Ben Pollack, Sharkey Bonano and Armand Hug.

Kid Rena (Henry Rena) - Died 4-25-1949 ( Jazz ) Born 8-30-1898 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Trumpet player - He formed The Pacific Brass Band  - Worked with Kid Ory and The Tuxedo Brass Band.

Arthur "Bud" Scott - Died 7-?-1949 ( Jazz ) Born 1-11-1980 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Guitarist and banjo player - Worked with Jelly Roll Morton, John Robichaux, Freddie Keppard, Johnny Dodds, Kid Ory and Louis Armstrong.

Bunk Johnson (William Geary Johnson) - Died 7-7-1949 in New Iberia, LA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 12-27-1889 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Trumpet  player (He did,"Storyville Blues" and "Moose March")  Worked with The Eagle Band and The Yerba Buena Jazz Band - Pioneered New Orleans Jazz.

Eddie DeLange - Died 7-13-1949 ( Jazz ) Born 1-12-1904 in Long Island City, NY, U.S. - Singer and song writer - (He wrote, "Solitude" and "Moonglow) - Worked with The Hudson-DeLange Orchestra.

Paul Mares - Died 8-18-1949 in Chicago, IL, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 6-15-1900 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Trumpeter - Was a member of New Orleans Rhythm Kings - Worked with Ragbaby Stevens, The Friars Society Orchestra and Tom Brown.

Big Eye Louis Nelson (Louis Nelson DeLisle) - Died 8-20-1949 ( Jazz ) Born 1-28-1880 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Played Clarinet, accordion, guitar, banjo and violin - Worked with Kid Rena, Buddy Bolden, King Oliver and Jelly Roll Morton.

Henry Thacker Burleigh - Died 9-12-1949 ( Spirituals ) Born 12-2-1866 in Erie, PA, U.S. (He sang, "Deep River").

Buddy Clark (Samuel Goldberg) - Died 10-1-1949 - Plane crash ( Pop ) Born 7-26-1912 in Dorchester, MA, U.S. (He did, "Linda" which he wrote for Linda Eastman and "Spring Is Here") - Worked with Johnny Hodges, Doris Day and Dinah Shore.

Cryin' Sam Collins (aka Jim Foster) - Died 10-20-1949 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Heart disease ( Blues ) Born 8-11-1887 in Louisiana, U.S. - Singer and guitarist - (He did, "The Jail House Blues").

Stan King - Died 11-19-1949 ( Jazz ) Born 1900 - Drummer - Worked with Benny Goodman, Paul Whiteman, The California Ramblers and The Dorsey Brothers.

Albert Ammons (Albert C. Ammons) - Died 12-2-1949 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. ( Boogie Woogie ) Born 9-23-1907 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. - Pianist (He recorded,"Boogie Woogie Stomp" and "Cuttin' The Boogie") Father of Gene Ammons.

Leadbelly ( Huddie Ledbetter ) - The King of the Twelve-String Guitar - Died 12-6-1949 in New York, NY, U.S. - Lateral sclerosis  ( Folk - Blues ) Born 1-21-1888 in Shiloh, Louisiana, U.S. - Played guitar, mandolin and sang (He did,"Goodnight Irene" and "The Midnight Special") "Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee" and "Louisiana Blues Hall Of Fame Inductee".

Ivie Anderson - Died 12-28-1949  in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 7-10-1905 in Gilroy, CA, U.S. - Singer - She worked with Duke Ellington, Earl Hines, Curtis Mosby, Anson Weeks and Paul Howard's Quality Serenaders.

1950

Johnny Doran - Died 1-?-1950 ( Irish Folk ) Born 1907 or 1908 - He played the uilleann pipes (He did, "Rakish Paddy" and "My Love Is In America").

A Bing (aka Blind A Bing) (Hua Yanjun) - Died 1950 ( Chinese Folk ) Played the pipa and erhu - (He did, "Huge Waves Wash The Sand" and "Dragon Boat").

Sir Harry Lauder (Henry MacLennan Lauder) - Laird of the Music Hall - Died 2-26-1950 - Born 8-4-1870 in Portobello - Singer, songwriter and comedian - (He wrote, "Roamin' In The Gloamin' and "I Love A Lassie").

Joe McCoy - Died 1-28-1950 - Heart disease ( Blues ) Born 5-11-1905 in Raymond, Mississippi, U.S. (He did, "Oh Red" and "Yes I Got Your Woman").

Buddy Stewart - Died 2-1-1950 in Minnesota, U.S. - Car accident ( Jazz ) Born 1922 - Singer - Was a member of The Snowflakes - Worked with Glenn Miller, Claude Thornhill,  Dave Lambert, Gene Krupa, Charlie Ventura, Kai Winding, Anita O'Day and Charlie Barnet.

Ada Brown - Died 3-31-1950 - Kidney disease ( Blues ) Born 5-1-1890 in Kansas City .

Kurt Weill - Died 4-4-1950 ( R&B ) (Composer of, "Mack The Knife", "Alabama Song" and others).

Leo Watson - Died 5-2-1950 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Pneumonia ( Jazz ) Born 2-27-1898 in Kansas City, MO, U.S. - Singer, trombonist and drummer - Worked with The Whitman Sisters, John Kirby, The Spirits Of Rhythm, Artie Shaw, Slim Gaillard, Jimmy Mundy and Gene Krupa.

Bertha "Chippie" Hill - Died 5-7-1950 in New York, NY, U.S. - Hit & run accident ( Jazz - Blues ) Born 3-15-1905 in Charleston, South Carolina, U.S. - Singer and accordionist - (She did, "Atomic Blues" and "Blackmarket Blues") - Worked with Louis Armstrong, Jimmie Noone, Kid Ory and Tampa Red.

Burl "Jaybird" Coleman - Died 6-28-1950 - Cancer ( Blues ) Born 5-20-1896 in Gainsville, Alabama, U.S.

John Lindsay - Died 7-3-1950 ( Jazz ) Born 1894 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Played trombone and bass - Worked with Jimmie Noone, John Robichaux, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong and King Oliver - Brother of drummer Little Joe Lindsay and violinist Herb Lindsay.

Fats Navarro (Theodore Navarro) - Died 7-6-1950 in New York, NY, U.S. - Tuberculosis ( Jazz ) Born 9-24-1923 in Key West, FL, U.S. - Trumpet  and piano player - (He did, "Hollerin' and Screamin" and "Fat Girl") - Worked with Andy Kirk, Billy Eckstine,  Kenny Clarke's Bebop Boys, Coleman Hawkins, Lionel Hampton, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Sonny Rollins, Illinois Jacquet, Charlie Parker, Benny Goodman and Tadd Dameron.

B.G. DeSylva (George Gard DeSylva) (aka Buddy de Sylva) Died 7-11-1950 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. ( Pop - Tin Pan Alley ) Born 1-27-1895 in New York, NY, U.S. - Composer (He wrote, "California, Here I Come" and  Al Jolson's, "I'll Say She Does") - Worked with Ray Henderson and Lew Brown - He was a record executive at Capitol Records and producded Shirley Temple's films, "The Littlest Rebel" and "Poor Little Rich Girl".

"Papa" Charlie McCoy - Died 7-26-1950 - Paralytic brain disease ( Blues ) Born 5-26-1909 in Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.

Harry P. Guy - Died 9-?-1950 in Detroit, MI, U.S. ( Ragtime - Classical ) Born 7-17-1870 in Zainsville Ohio - Played piano, violin and pipe organ (He composed, "Echoes From The Snowball Club" and "The Flowret Waltz").

Al Killian - Died 9-5-1950 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Murdered by his landlord ( Jazz ) Born 10-15-1916 in Birmingham, AL, U.S. - Played Trumpet - Worked with Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, T-Bone Walker, Paul Robeson and Charlie Parker.

Al Jolson (Asa Yoelson) - The World's Greatest Entertainer - Died 10-23-1950 ( Minstrel - Traditional Pop ) Born 5-26-1885  in Seredzius, Lithuania - (He did,"Sonny Boy " and "Swanee ") He starred in The Jazz Singer - Worked with The Andrews Sisters, The Mills Brothers, Carl Fenton & His Orchestra and Johnny Mercer.

Tommy Gaither - Died 11-5-1950 - Car accident ( R&B ) Born 1927 in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. - Was a guitarist for The Vibranaires which became The Orioles (They recorded, "You Belong to Me" and "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me")  "Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee".

Raymond Grant, Jr. - Died 12-?-1950 ( R&B ) Born 6-16-1916 - Was a guitarist for The Four Vagabonds (They did,"It Can't Be Wrong").

Elmer "Coo Coo" Talbert - Died 12-13-1950 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 8-8-1900 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Played trumpet - Worked with Kid Rena and George Lewis.

1951

Mildred Bailey - Died 1951 ( Jazz ) Born 2-27-1907 in Tekoa, Wash., U.S. (Recorded,"Rockin' Chair" and "Please Be Kind" with her husband, the late Red Norvo).

Doc West (Harold West) - Died 1951 ( Jazz ) Born 1915 - Drummer - Worked with Roy Eldridge and Tiny Parham.

Cecil Gant (aka Gunter Lee Carr) - Died 2-4-1951 - Pneumonia or car crash ? ( Blues - R&B ) Born 4-4-1913 in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. (Recorded, "Cecil Boogie" and "Another Day -- Another Dollar").

Eddy Duchin - Died 2-9-1951 (Jazz - Pop ) Born 4-10-1910 - Pianist (He did remakes of,"My Blue Heaven" and "Three O'Clock In The Morning").

Jyotiprasad Agarwalla (aka Rupkonwar) - Died 2-17-1951 ( Composer - Poet ) Born 6-17-1903 (He wrote, "Karingarligiri" and "Rupalim").

Ivor Novello - Died 3-6-1951 ( Pop - Jazz ) Born 1-15-1893 in Cardiff - Composer - (He wrote, "Keep The Home Fires Burning" and " The Thought Never Entered My Head").

Big Sid Catlett (Sidney Catlett) - Died 3-25-1951 in Chicago, IL, U.S. - Heart attack ( Jazz ) Born 1-17-1910 in Evansville, IN, U.S. - Drummer - Worked with Darnell Howard, Benny Carter, McKinney's Cotton Pickers, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington.

Harry Choates (Harry H. Choates) - Died 7-7-1951 - May have died after an epileptic fit ( Cajun ) Born 12-26-1922 in either Rayne or New Iberia, Louisiana - Singer and song writer, he also played fiddle, accordion and guitar - (He did, "Jole Blon" and "Harry Choates Blues") - Was a member of The Melody Boys.

Egbert Van Alstyne (Egbert Anson Van Alstyne) - Died 7-9-1951 - Born 3-4-1878 in Marengo, Illinois, U.S. - Songwriter and pianist - Worked with Harry H. Williams (They co-wrote, "In The Shade Of The Old Apple Tree").

"Papa" Jimmy Yancey - Died 9-17-1951 - Diabetic stroke ( Boogie Woogie ) Born 2-20-1898 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. - (Recorded,"Yancey Stomp" and "35th and Dearborn") Was a groundskeeper for The Chicago White Sox for 25 years -  "Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee".

Charlie Creath (Charles W. Creath) - Died 10-23-1951 ( Jazz ) Born 12-30-1890 in Ironton, MO, U.S. - Played trumpet and was a band leader - Worked with his brother in-law Zutty Singleton and Lonnie Johnson.

Vic Berton (Victor Cohen) - Died 12-26-1951 in Hollywood, CA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 5-6-1898 in Chicago, Ill., U.S. - Drummer - (He co-wrote, "Sobbin' Blues") - Led Vic Berton And His Orchestra - Worked with John Philip Sousa's Navy Band, Red Nichols ("Washboard Blues"), Miff Mole ("Feelin' No Pain"), Joe Venuti, Charlie Charleston ("Red Hot Henry Brown"), Chick Bullock and Eddie Lang.

1952

Elmer Chambers - Died 1952 ( Jazz - Blues ) Born 1897 - Played trumpet - Worked with Fletcher Henderson Louis Armstrong, Alberta Hunter, Rosa Henderson, Clara Smith, Fats Waller, Sidney Bechet, June Cole and Ida Cox ("Gulf Coast Blues").

Curly Howard (Jerome Lester Horwitz) - Died 1-18-1952 - Following a series of strokes ( Swing ) Born 10-22-1903 in Bath Beach, Brooklyn, NY, U.S. - Was one of The Three Stooges (They did,"Swingin The Alphabet").

Edward Madden - Died 3-11-1952 in Hollywood, CA, U.S. - Born 7-17-1878 in New York, NY, U.S. - Lyricist - (Co-wrote, "By The Light Of The Silvery Moon" and "Red Rose Rag") - Collaborated with his wife Dorothy Jardon and with Louis Hirsch, Joseph Daly, Gus Edwards, Julian Edwards, Ben Jerome, Jerome Kern, Theodore Morse and Percy Wenrich - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Uncle Dave Macon (David Harrison Macon) (aka The Dixie Dew Drop) - Died 3-23-1952 ( Country ) Born 10-7-1870 - Fiddler - He lead The Fruit Jar Drinkers (They did,"Keep My Skillet Good And Greasy" and "Chewing Gum") Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Joe L. Frank - Died 5-4-1952 ( Country ) Born 4-15-1900 - Manager - Started the singing cowboy concept.

John Kirby - Died 6-14-1952 in Hollywood, CA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 12-31-1908 in Baltimore, MD, U.S. - Played tuba and bass - He was the leader of The John Kirby And His Sextet (They did,"It Feels Good" and "Jumpin' In The Pump Room") Was married to singer Maxine Sullivan.

R. E. Winsett (Robert Emmett Winsett) - Died 6-26-1952 in Dayton, TN, U.S. ( Gospel ) Born 1-15-1876 in Bledsoe County, TN, U.S. - Composer and publisher - (He wrote, "Jesus Is Coming Soon") - He wrote about 1,000 songs - Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Hociel Thomas - Died 8-22-1952 in Oakland, CA, U.S. - Heart disease ( Blues ) Born 7-10-1904 in Houston, Texas, U.S. - Singer and pianist - (She did, "Deep Water Blues" and "I Can't Feel Frisky Without My Liquor") - Daughter of pianist, George W. Thomas Jr. and niece of singer, Sippie Wallace - Worked with Louis Armstrong, Mutt Carey and Kid Ory's Creole Orchestra.

Gertrude Lawrence (Gertrud Alexandra Dagmar Klasen) - Died 9-6-1952 ( Cabaret - Nostalgia - Pop ) Born 6-4-1898 in London, England - Singer (She did,"How Could We Be Wrong?" and "An Hour Ago This Minute") Worked with  Noel Coward.

Leonard Bechet - Died 9-17-1952 ( Jazz ) Born 4-25-1877 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Trombonist - Brother of clarinet player Sidney Bechet.

Helen Desha Beamer (Helen Kapuailohia Desha Beamer) - Died 9-25-1952 - Born 9-8-1882 in Honolulu, Hawaii - Musician, singer and composer - (She did, "Ke Kali Nei Au" (The Hawaiian Wedding Song) with Sam Kapu) - Hawaiian Music Hall Of fame Inductee.

Hattie McDaniel - Died 10-26-1952 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. - Breast cancer - Born 6-10-1895 in Wichita, Kansas, U.S. - Singer and actress - Sang with Paul Robeson, Irene Dunne and Will Rogers - She acted in the film, Gone With The Wind for which she became the first black actress to win an Academy Award.

Mal Hallet - Died 11-20-1952 ( Jazz ) Led Mal Hallet & His Orchestra - Worked with Teddy Grace and Turk Murphy.

Rabon Delmore - Died 12-4-1952 in Athens, AL, U.S. ( Country ) Born 12-3-1916 in Elkmont, AL, U.S. - Singer songwriter and guitarist - Was one of The Delmore Brothers (They did, "Brown's Ferry Blues" and "Gonna Lay Down My Old Guitar") - Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Uncle John Wills (John Tomkins Wills) - Died 12-28-1952 in Tulsa, OK, U.S. - Heart attack ( Country ) Born 1880 in Grovesburg, TX, U.S. - Fiddler - Led Uncle John Wills And His Lone Star Rangers.

Fletcher Henderson (Fletcher Hamilton Henderson Jr.) - Died 12-29-1952 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 12-18-1897 in Cuthbert, GA, U.S. - Band Leader, arranger and Pianist (He did,"Christopher Columbus") Worked with Louis Armstrong, Rex Stewart, Joe Smith, Bobby Stark, Benny Goodman, Tommy Ladnier, Lucky Thompson and Cootie Williams to name a few.

Willie Lee Brown - Died 12-30-1952 - Heart disease ( Blues ) Born 8-6-1900 in Clarksdale, Mississippi, U.S. (He did,"Future Blues" and "M&O Blues").

1953

Arthur "Dooley" Wilson - Died 1953 ( Jazz ) Born 4-2-1894 in Tyler, TX, U.S. - Drummer - Was a member of The Red Devils - He played Sam the piano player in the movie Casablanca but his playing was dubbed as he couldn't play piano.

Bobby Strickland - Died 1953 ( Gospel ) Singer - Led Bobby Strickland's Crusaders Quartet.

Hank Williams ( Hiram Williams ) - Died 1-1-1953 - Heart attack ( Country & Western ) Born 9-17-1923 in Mt. Olive, Alabama, U.S. (He did,"Your Cheatin' Heart" and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry") He was a member of The Drifting Cowboys - Father of Hank Williams Jr. - "Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee" and "Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee".

Big Maceo ( Major Merriweather ) - Died 2-23-1953 - Stroke ( Blues ) Born 3-31-1905 in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - Singer and pianist - (He did, "Worried Life Blues" and  "Texas Stomp") - Blues Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Radim Drejsl - Died 4-20-1953 in Prague, Czechoslovakia - Suicide ( Pop ) Born 4-29-1923 in Dobruska, Czechoslovakia - After Communist political plot in 1948 he composed Soviet influenced community songs - (He wrote, "Armade Zdar", "Vlaj, Nase Vlajko" and "Rozkvetly Den").

Peter De Rose - Died 4-23-1953 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Jazz - Pop ) Born 3-10-1900 in New York, NY, U.S. - Pianist and songwriter - (Co-wrote, "Buena Sera" and "When Your Hair Has Turned To Silver") - Collaborating with Harry Richman, Carl Sigman, Jo Trent, Charles Tobias, Billy Hill, Bert Shefter, Al Stillman, Stanley Adams, Mitchell Parish, Benny Davis, Sammy Gallop and Sam Lewis - He and his wife ukulele player, May Singhi Breen appeared on NBC's, "Sweethearts Of The Air" for more than 15 years - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Django Reinhardt (Jean Baptiste Reinhardt) - Died  5-16-1953 - Stroke ( Jazz - Swing ) Born  1-23-1910 in Liverchies, Belgium (He did,"Daphne" and "Stomping At Decca") He recorded with Mel Powell, Peanuts Hucko and Ray McKinley.

Mila Spazierova-Hezka - Died 7-27-1953 in Ceske Budejovice, Czechoslovakia - Heart condition  ( Chanson ) Born 9-1-1901 in Ceske Budejovice - Singer - (She did, "Nocni motyl", "Cerna kocka" and "Ulicky v Soho").

Betty Jack Davis - Died 8-2-1953 -  Car crash - She recorded with Skeeter Davis as The Davis Sisters (although they weren't related).

Willie Love - Died 8-19-1953 - Bronchopneumonia ( Blues ) Born 11-4-1906 in Duncan, Mississippi, U.S.  (He recorded," Nelson Street Blues").

Carolina Slim (Edward P. Harris) (aka Lazy Slim Jim, Jammin' Jim, Paul Howard and Country Paul) - Died 10-22-1953 - Heart attack during back surgery ( Blues ) Born 8-22-1923 in Leasburg, North Carolina, U.S. (Recorded,"Black Cat Trail" and "I'll Never Walk In Your Door").

Sol Hoopii - The King of the Steel Guitar - Died 11-16-1953 in Seattle, WA, U.S. ( Hawaiian - Jazz - Blues ) Born 1902 1902 in Honolulu, HI - Played steel guitar - Worked with Bud Tutmarc, Glenwood Leslie and Lani McIntire - Steel Guitar Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Larry Shields - Died 11-21-1953 in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 9-13-1893 in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. -  Clarinetist - Member of The Original Dixieland Jazz Band (They did,"St. Louis Blues" and "Royal Garden Blues") The 1st jazz band to make records.

Samuel Kamaka (Samuel Kaialiilii Kamaka) - Died 12-15-1953 - Born 12-29-1890 in Waihee, Maui, HI - Founder of The Kamaka Ukulele and Guitar Works - Ukulele Hall Of Fame inductee.

1954

George Filhe - Died 1954 in Chicago, Ill., U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 11-13-1872 - Trombonist - Worked with The Coustaut-Desdunes Orchestra, The Onward Brass Band, The 'Peerless Orchestra, The Imperial Orchestra, Joe King Oliver, Manuel Perez, Sidney Bechet and Lawrence Duhe.

Paul Specht - Died 1954 ( Jazz ) Was the leader of Paul Specht & His Orchestra.

Dick Davis - Died 1-26-1954 ( Jazz ) Saxophonist - Worked with Danny Overbea, Al Hibbler and King Kolax.

Edwin Howard Armstrong - Died 2-1-1954 - Jumped from his 13th floor apartment window (Inventor) Born 12-18-1890 - He invented FM radio .

Lil Green - Died 4-14-1954 - Bronchial pneumonia ( Blues ) Born 12-22-1919 in Mississippi (Recorded,"Knockin' Myself Out" and "Romance In The Dark").

Alger "Texas"Alexander - Died  4-16-1954 - Syphilis ( Blues ) Born 9-12-1900 in Jewett, Texas, U.S. (He did,"Awful Moaning Blues" and "Blue Devil Blues").

Arthur Johnston - Died 5-1-1954 in Corona del Mar, CA, U.S. - Born 1-10-1898 in New York, NY, U.S. - Pianist and songwriter - (Co-wrote, "Cocktails For Two" and "Pennies From Heaven") -  Wrote music for the films, College Humor and Hello Everybody - Collaborated with Johnny Burke, Sam Coslow and Gus Kahn - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Henry Strong - Died 6-3-1954 - Stabbed by his girlfriend ( Blues ) Born 9-1-1928 in West Memphis, AR, U.S.

R.W. Blackwood - Died 6-24-1954 - Plane Crash ( Gospel ) Born 10-23-1921 in Ackerman, MS, U.S. - Was a member of The Blackwood Brothers.

Bill Lyles - Died 6-24-1954 - Plane Crash ( Gospel ) Was a member of The Blackwood Brothers.

Danny Cedrone (Donato Joseph Cedrone) - Died 7-17-1954 in Philadelphia, PA, U.S. - Fell down a flight of stairs ( Rock ) Born 6-20-1920 in Jamesville, NY, U.S. - (Played the guitar solo on Bill Haley And The Comet's, "Rock Around The Clock").

Hot Lips Page (Oran Thaddeus Page)- Died 11-5-1954 ( Blues - Jazz ) Born 1-27-1908 in Dallas, TX, U.S. - Was a member of Walter Page's Blue Devils, Artie Shaw's Orchestra and Count Basie's Orchestra.

Charlie Jordan - Died 11-15-1954 - Pneumonia ( Blues ) Born 1890 in Mabelvale, Arkansas, U.S. (He did,"Honeysucker Blues").

Oliver "Dink" Johnson - Died 11-29-1954 - Hemorrhage ( Blues ) Born 10-28-1892 in Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. (He did,"Dink's (Final) Blues").

Fred Rose - Died 12-1-1954 in Nashville, TN, U.S. - Heart attack ( Country ) Born 8-24-1898 in Evansville, IN, U.S. - Singer, pianist and songwriter - (He wrote,"No One Will Ever Know" and "We Live In Two Different Worlds") - Was a member of The Tune Peddlers - Produced Hank Williams ("Take These Chains From My Heart") - Worked with Roy Acuff - Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Oscar "Papa" Celestin - Died 12-15-1954 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 1-1-1884, Napoleonville, LA, U.S. - Trumpeter - Was a member of The Algiers Brass Band, The Olympia Band, The Tuxedo Brass Band and The Tuxedo Orchestra.

Lee Morse (Lena Corinne Taylor) - Died 12-16-1954 in Rochester, NY, U.S. ( Jazz - Blues ) Born 11-30-1897 in Portland, OR, U.S. - Played guitar, ukulele and kazoo and was a singer - (She did, "A Miss In Mississippi " and "Mail Man Blues") - Led Lee Morse And Her Bluegrass Boys.

Johnny Ace (John Marshall Alexander Jr.) - Died 12-25-1954 - Russian Roulette ( Rhythm & Blues ) Born 6-9-1929 in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. - (He did,"Pledging My Love" and "My Song") - Was a member of The Beale Streeters .

1955

Texas Alexander (Alger Alexander) - Died 1955 ( Blues ) Born 9-12-1900 in Jowett, Texas, U.S. (Recorded,"Penitentiary Moan Blues," and "Texas Troublesome Blues") Cousin Of Lightnin' Hopkins .

Bob Gordon - Died 1955 - Car accident ( Jazz ) Saxophonist - Worked with Jack Montrose.

Vernon Isley - Died 1955 - Bicycle accident ( Gospel - Soul - Rock ) Born 1942 in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. - Was one of The Isley Brothers - "Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee".

Gus Arnheim - Died 1-19-1955 ( Jazz - Orchestral Pop ) Worked with Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra and Bing Crosby.

Buck Washington - Died 1-31-1955 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 10-16-1903 in Louisville, KY, U.S. - Singer and pianist - Was half of Buck & Bubbles - Worked with Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong and Coleman Hawkins.

Ulysses "Ronnie" Hicks - Died 2-1-1955 - A rheumatic heart condition ( Doo-Wop - R&B ) Born 1933 - Was a singer for The Five Keys (They did,"Story Of Love" and "Teardrops In Your Eyes").

Charlie Parker "Bird" - Died 3-12-1955 - Heart failure ( Jazz - Be-bop ) Born 8-29-1920 in Kansas City - Saxophonist (He did,"Bird Gets The Worm" and "Stupendous").

Henry Busse (Henry Busse Sr.) - Died 4-23-1955 in Memphis, TN, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 5-19-1894 in Magdeburg, Germany - Trumpeter - Led Henry Busse And The Shuffle Rhythm Band - Worked with The Frisco Jass Band, The Paul Whiteman Orchestra (They did, "Hot Lips" and "Wang Wang Blues"), Tommy Dorsey and Jimmie Dorsey.

Sara Martin (aka Margaret Johnson and Sally Roberts) - The famous moanin' mama - Died 5-24-1955 in Louisville, KY, U.S. - Stroke ( Blues - Gospel ) Born 5-18-1884 in Louisville, KY, U.S. - Singer - Worked with Clarence Williams and King Oliver.

Wardell Gray - Died 5-25-1955 in Las Vegas, NV, U.S. ( Bop ) Born 2-13-1921 in Oklahoma City, OK, U.S. - Played saxophone - Worked with Earl Hines, Benny Goodman, Count Basie and Charlie Parker.

James Suggs - Died 6-19-1955 - Cancer ( Blues ) Born 3-9-1886 in Kosciusko, Mississippi, U.S.

Frank Stokes - Died 9-12-1955 - Uremia ( Blues ) Born 1-1-1888 in Whitehaven, Tennessee, U.S. -  Was 1/2 of The Beale Street Sheiks .

Iry LeJeune - Died 10-8-1955 - Hit by a car while changing a tire ( Cajun ) Born 10-28-1928 in Pointe Noir - Singer and accordion player (He did,"Evangeline Special" and "I Made A Big Mistake") Was the leader of Iry LeJune And His Lacassine Playboys - Worked with J. B. Fusilier and Virgil Bozman's Oklahoma Tornados (They did,"Love Bridge Waltz") Father of accordion player Eddie LeJeune.

Bob King - Died 10-14-1955 ( Gospel ) Born 7-22-1906 - Singer and guitarist - Was a member of The Soul Stirrers (They did, "All Right Now") - The Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Dick Twardzik (Richard Twardzik) Died 10-21-1955 in Paris, France while on a European tour with Chet Baker - Heroin overdose ( Jazz ) Born 1931 in Danvers, MA, U.S. - Pianist - Worked with Serge Chaloff, Charlie Parker, Charlie Mariano and Lionel Hampton.

Smilin' Eddie Varnado - Died 11-15-1955 ( Country ) Born 4-17-1927 - Musician and singer - Was a member of The Rhythm Roundup Boys - New Orleans Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

James P. Johnson (James Price Johnson) - Died 11-17-1955 in New York, NY, U.S. - Stroke ( Jazz - Stride ) Born 2-1-1894 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S. (He did,"Charleston" and "Old Fashioned Love") - Was the leader of James P. Johnson's Harmony Eight, Jimmy Johnson's Jazz Boys and Johnson's Jazzers - Worked with Ida Cox, Ethel Waters,  Fats Waller and Bessie Smith - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Charlie Cow Cow Davenport (Charles Edwards Davenport) - Died 12-3-1955 in Cleveland, OH, U.S. - Heart problems ( Blues ) Born 4-23-1894 in Anniston, Alabama, U.S. - Singer and pianist - (He did, "Atlanta Rag" and "Goin' Home Blues") - Led Davenport And Company - Worked with Dora Carr, Sam Price and Ivy Smith.

Homer Rodeheaver (Homer Alvan Rodeheaver) (aka Rody) - Died 12-18-1955 in Winona Lake, IN, U.S. - Heart failure ( Gospel ) Born 10-4-1880 in Cinco Hollow, OH, U.S. - Music director, publisher, singer and composer - Played cornet and trombone - (He did, "The Unclouded Day" and "The Great Judgement Morning") - Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1956

Bill Brown - Died 1956 ( R&B ) Born 1936 in New York - Was a singer for The Dominos.

Edward Ware - Died 1956 ( Pop - Spiritual ) Was a member of The Deep River Boys (They did, "Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered" and "The Mumbles Song").

Viola McCoy - Died 1956 ( Blues ) Born 1900 in Memphis, TN  (She did, "Laughin' Cryin' Blues" and "If You Want To Keep Your Daddy Home").

Louis Frazier - Died 1956 ( Doo-Wop ) Was a member of The Ravens.

Blind Alfred Reed - Died 1-17-1956 in Raleigh County, WV, U.S. ( Country ) Born 6-15-1880 in Floyd City, VA, U.S. - Snger, songwriter and fiddler - (He did, "How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?" and "Why Do You Bob Your Hair, Girls?").

Will Batts - Died 2-18-1956 - Stroke ( Blues ) Born 1-24-1904 in  Michigan (Benton Co), Mississippi, U.S.

Mort Dixon - Died 3-23-1956 in Bronxville, NY, U.S. - Born 3-20-1892 in New York, NY, U.S. - (Co-wrote, "Bye, Bye Blackbird" and "I’m Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover") - Collaborated with Allie Wrubel, Billy Rose, Harry Warren, Harry M. Woods and Ray Henderson - Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Adrian Rollini - Died 5-15-1956 in Homestead, FL, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 6-28-1904 in New York, NY, U.S. - Played vibraphone and sax - Led Adrian And His Tap Room Gang (They did, "Nagasaki" and "Bouncin' In Rhythm ") and Adrian's Ramblers (They did, "I Wish I Were Twins" and "The Better To Love You, My Dear") - Worked with The California Ramblers, Red Nichols, Frankie Trumbauer and Bix Beiderbecke - Brother of saxophone player Arthur Rollini.

Valaida Snow - Died 5-30-1956 - Cerebral hemorrhage backstage after a final curtain call ( Swing ) Born 6-2-1903 in Chattanooga, TN, U.S. - Singer and trumpet player (She did,"I Want A Lot Of Love" and "High Hat, Trumpet And Rhythm") Worked with Earl Hines and The Jimmy Mundy Orchestra ("Tell Me How Long The Train's Been Gone" and "When A Woman Loves A Man").

Walter Brown - Died 6-?-1956 in Lawton, AR, U.S. - Drug addiction ( Blues ) Born 8-17-1917 in Dallas, Texas, U.S. - Singer - (He did,"Confessin' The Blues" and "Inform Me Baby").

Frankie Trumbauer (aka Tram) - Died 6-11-1956 in Kansas City, MO, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 5-30-1901 in Carbondale, IL, U.S. - Played saxophone - Worked with The Benson Orchestra, The Three T's, Bix Beiderbecke ("Singin' The Blues") and Manny Klein.

Clifford Brown - Died 6-26-1956 in Bedford, PA, U.S. - Died in a car crash which also killed Richie Powell ( Be-Bop ) Born 11-30-1930 in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. - Trumpeter (He did,"Joyspring") Worked with Chris Powell's Blue Flames, Lionel Hampton, Art Blakey and Max Roach.

Richie Powell - Died 6-26-1956 in Bedford, PA, U.S. - Died in a car crash which also killed Clifford Brown ( Jazz ) Born 9-5-1931 in New York, NY, U.S. -  Pianist - Worked with Paul Williams and Johnny Hodges.

Albert Von Tilzer - Died 10-1-1956 ( Composer ) Born 3-29-1878, Indianapolis, Indiana , U.S. (He co-wrote,"Take Me Out To The Ball Game" and "Oh How She Could Yacki, Hacki, Wicki, Wacki, Woo")  Brother of composer Harry Von Tilzer.

Isham Jones - Died 10-19-1956 ( Jazz - Dance ) Born 1-31-1894 in Coalton, IA (He composed,"It Had To Be You" and "I'll See You In My Dreams") Worked with Louis Panico.

Tommy Johnson - Died 11-1-1956 - Heart attack ( Blues ) Born 1896 in Terry, Mississippi, U.S. (He did,"Big Fat Mama Blues" and "Canned Heat Blues") Blues Foundation's Hall of Fame Inductee.

Art Tatum (Arthur Tatum Jr.) - Died 11-5-1956 - Uremia ( Jazz - Swing ) Born 10-13-1909 in Toledo, Ohio, U.S. - Pianist (He recorded remakes of,"Tiger Rag" and "Humoresque").

Una Mae Carlisle - Died 11-7-1956 in New York, NY, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 12-25-1915 in Xenia, OH, U.S. - Singer and pianist (She did,"Tain't Yours" and "Teasin' Me") Worked with Lester Young and Fats Waller.

Victor Young - Died 11-11-1956 in Palm Springs, California, U.S. - Cerebral hemorrhage and stroke ( Pop - Light Music ) Born 8-8-1900 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. - Composer, arranger, violinist and conductor - (Composed, "When I Fall In Love" and "Love Letters") - Worked with Ted Fiorito and Bing Crosby - Scored music for the films, For Whom The Bell Tollsand Samson And Delilah -  Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Tommy Dorsey (Thomas Dorsey) - The Sentimental Gentlemen of Swing - Died 11-26-1956 in Greenwich, CT, U.S. - Choked to death ( Swing ) Born 11-19-1905 in Shenandoah, PA, U.S. - Leader of The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (They did, "Opus One") and Tom Dorsey And His Novelty Orchestra (They did, "You Can't Cheat A Cheater " and "Daddy Change Your Mind ") - Was a  member of  The Scranton Sirens and The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra - Worked with Jean Goldkette,  Glenn Miller, The Boswell Sisters, Bing Crosby and Paul Whiteman.

Lou Handman - Died 12-9-1956 in Flushing New York, U.S. - Born 9-10-1894 in New York, New York, U.S. - Composer and pianist - (He co-work, "Are You Lonesome Tonight" and "Two Ton Tessie") - Collaborated with lyricists Roy Turk, Archie Gottler and Harry Harris -  Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductee.

1957

Lonnie Baron - Died 1957 - Murdered ( Country - Rockabilly ) Born 1931 in Louisiana, LA, U.S. (He did,"You're Not The First Girl" and "Teenage Queen").

Tommy Braden - Died 1957 ( R&B - Jazz ) Was the lead vocalist for The Four Blazes (They did,"Mary Joe" and "Perfect Woman").

Clarence "Cripple" Lofton - Died 1-9-1957 - Blood clot ( Blues ) Born 3-28-1887 in Kingsport, Tennessee, U.S. (He did,"You've Done Tore Your Playhouse Down" and "Mercy Blues").

George Girard - Died 1-18-1957 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Cancer ( Jazz ) Born 10-7-1930 in Jefferson Parish, LA, U.S. - Played trumpet and sang - Was a member of The Basin Street Six - Worked with Phil Zito.

Alfred "Baby" Laine (aka Pantsy Laine) Died 3-1-1957 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. ( Jazz ) Born 7-12-1895 in New Orleans, LA, U.S. - Played cornet - Was the le