Mohair Slim / Blue Juice Calendar / 30 April
Blue Juice Calendar · On this day

30 April

Musicians born and died on 30 April: 12 births, 13 deaths and 5 recording milestones from blues, R&B, soul, jazz, gospel, reggae and ska.

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Born12

  • 1885Lucie E. Campbellcomposer · Duck Hill, MSDied 3 January 1963 · Gospel
  • 1896Rev. Gary Davisbanjo, guitar, harmonica, piano, vocal · Laurens, SCDied 5 May 1972 · Blues · Gospel · Vocalion Rec’s
  • 1906Theo WadeDJ, vocal · Palestine, ARDied 21 February 1980 · Gospel · Spirit of Memphis
  • 1915Mabel Scottvocal · Richmond, VADied 20 July 2000 · Gospel · R&B · Exclusive Rec’s
  • 1917Frankie Lee Simsguitar, vocal · Dallas, TXDied 10 May 1970 · Blues · Specialty Rec’s
  • 1930Bobby Marchan (Oscar James Gibson Marchan)vocal · Youngstown, OHDied 5 December 1999 · R&B · Soul · Clowns
  • 1931Jimmie Lee "Lonesome" Robinsonguitar · Chicago, ILDied 6 July 2002 · Blues
  • 1936Robert J. "Bobby" Greggband-leader, drums, producer · Philadelphia, PADied 3 May 2014 · R&B · Rock · Bobby Gregg and His Friends, Steve Gibson and Red Caps, Hawks, Cameo-Parkway
  • 1939Margaret Ann Lewissongwriter, vocal · Snyder, TXDied 29 March 2019 · Rock · Ram Records, Louisiana Hayride, Thunderbolts
  • 1941Coke Escovedopercussion · Los Angeles, CADied 13 July 1986 · Jazz · R&B · Soul · Santana
  • 1944Andy Kulbergbass, flute · Buffalo, NYDied 28 January 2002 · Blues · Blues Project
  • 1954Rev. Thomas Whitfieldproducer · Detroit, MIDied 20 June 1992 · Gospel

Died13

  • 1970Hall Johnsonarranger, composer, conductor, violin · New York, NYBorn 12 March 1888 · aged 82 · Gospel · Hall Johnson Choir
  • 1983Muddy Waters (McKinley Morganfield)guitar, vocal · Westmont, ILBorn 4 April 1915 · aged 68 · Blues
  • 1992Ella Tatecomposer, vocal · Memphis, TNBorn 2 July 1934 · aged 57 · R&B
  • 2000Robert Elliot "Jonah" Jonestrumpet · New York, NYBorn 31 December 1909 · aged 90 · Jazz · Cab Calloway, Stuff Smith
  • 2005Duchess (Norma-Jean Wofford-Richardson)guitar · Fontana, CAR&B · Bo Diddley
  • 2005The Duchess (Norma-Jean Wofford)guitar · Fontana, CAR&B · Bo Diddley
  • 2007Zoletta Lynn "Zola" Taylorvocal · Riverside, CABorn 17 March 1938 · aged 69 · Complications of pneumonia · R&B · Platters, Shirley Gunter & the Queens
  • 2015Ben E. King (Benjamin Earl Nelson King)guitar, vocal · Hackensack, NJBorn 28 September 1938 · aged 76 · R&B · Soul · Drifters
  • 2019Jerry SchollvocalBorn 12 November 1941 · aged 77 · R&B · Mello Kings
  • 2020Tony Oladipo Allendrums, songwriter · Paris, FranceBorn 20 July 1940 · aged 79 · Aortic aneurysm · Jazz · Africa ’70, Koola Lobitos, Good, the Bad & the Queen, Rocket Juice & the Moon
  • 2024Duane Eddyguitar · Franklin, TNBorn 26 April 1938 · aged 86 · Cancer · R&B · Ray Sharpe
  • 2025Joe Louis Walkercomposer, guitar, producer · Poughkeepsie, NYBorn 25 December 1949 · aged 75 · Cardiac-related illness · Blues
  • 2026Bobby Murrayguitar, producerBorn 9 June 1953 · aged 72 · Blues · Murray Brothers Rec’s

Events5

  • 1962Chris Kenner records 'Land of 1000 Dances' (Instant/Atlantic).
  • 1966'Get Ready' by The Temptations (Gordy) reaches No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart (1 week at the top).
  • 1974Ronnie Foster records the first session for 'On the Avenue' (Blue Note) at Electric Lady Studios, New York City.
  • 1976Bob Marley and the Wailers' album 'Rastaman Vibration' (Island) is released.
  • 1977'You're My Life' by Barry Biggs (Dynamic) peaks at No. 36 on the UK Singles Chart.