Mohair Slim / Blue Juice Calendar / 17 April
Blue Juice Calendar · On this day

17 April

Musicians born and died on 17 April: 11 births, 10 deaths and 3 recording milestones from blues, R&B, soul, jazz, gospel, reggae and ska.

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Born11

  • 1901Clifford Gibsonguitar · Louisville, KYDied 21 December 1963 · Blues · Victor Rec’s
  • 1901Willie Guy Raineyguitar · Calhoun Cty, ALDied 23 August 1983 · Blues
  • 1924Chuck Higginssaxophone · Gary, INDied 14 September 1999 · R&B
  • 1925Milton Joseph "Smokes" Wellsbass, vocal · Monmouth, ILDied 3 December 2015 · R&B · Soul · Showmen
  • 1926Sam Carrdrums · Marvell, ARDied 21 September 2009 · Blues · Earwig, Jelly Roll Kings
  • 1933Byther Smithguitar · Monticello, MSDied 10 September 2021 · Blues · Bullseye Blues, Jsp
  • 1936Alexander "Pete" Gravesvocal · Bessemer, ALDied 15 October 2006 · R&B · Moonglows
  • 1940Charles Irwinproducer · Jamestown, NYSoul · Persuaders
  • 1943Alfredo Gutiérrezaccordion, arranger, band-leader, composer, vocal · Sabanas de Beltrán, ColombiaFolk · Los Corraleros de Majagual, Los Pequeños Vallenatos, Alfredo Gutiérrez y sus Estrellas, Discos Fuentes
  • 1947Chris Bartleyvocal · New York, NYDied 26 October 2009 · R&B · Soul · Soulful Inspirations
  • 1954Michael Sembelloguitar, producer · Philadelphia, PASoul · Stevie Wonder

Died10

  • 1960Eddie Cochran (Edward Ray Cochrane Cochran)guitar, vocal · Bath, EnglandBorn 3 October 1938 · aged 21 · Car accident · R&B · Summertime Blues
  • 1964Noah Ryderpiano · Norfolk, VABorn 10 April 1914 · aged 50 · Gospel · Deep River Boys
  • 1967Henry "Red" Allentrumpet, vocal · New York, NYBorn 7 January 1908 · aged 59 · Jazz · R&B
  • 1983“Big” Bill HillDJ · Chicago, ILBorn 6 April 1914 · aged 69 · Blues · R&B
  • 1987Carlton Barrettdrums · Kingston, JamaicaBorn 17 December 1950 · aged 36 · Homicide · Reggae · Wailers
  • 1988George WilliamsconductorBorn 5 November 1917 · aged 70 · Jazz · Satisfiers
  • 1990Ernie Leanerlabel-owner · Kalamazoo, MIBlues · Soul · One-Der-Ful!/mar-V-Lus/m-Pac Recs, Vee Jay Rec's
  • 2003Earl King (Earl Silas Johnson King)composer, guitar, piano, vocal · New Orleans, LABorn 7 February 1934 · aged 69 · R&B · The Kings
  • 2013Joya Landis (Wanda Jeanne Vann)vocal · Lawrence, KSBorn 26 October 1936 · aged 76 · Reggae · Ska · Treasure Isle
  • 2016Warren DavisvocalBorn 1 March 1939 · aged 77 · R&B · Monotones

Events3

  • 1952Howlin' Wolf records 'Everybody's In The Mood' at Sun Studios for Chess. .
  • 1961'One Mint Julep' by Ray Charles (Impulse!) reaches No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart (1 week at the top).
  • 1973Lou Donaldson records the first session for 'Sassy Soul Strut' (Blue Note).