Born On This Day In Music: October 23

23 Oct 1985
R&B singer Miguel is born Miguel Jontel Pimentel in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California.

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23 Oct 1972
Richard McNamara, guitarist from English alternative rock band Embrace, who had the 2006 UK No. 2 single ‘Natures Law’, the 2006 UK No.1 album This New Day and two other UK No.1 albums.

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23 Oct 1964
Roberto Trujillo, bassist, Suicidal Tendencies, Infectious Grooves, Black Label Society, Jerry Cantrell, and Ozzy Osbourne’s band before joining Metallica in 2003.

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23 Oct 1959
Weird Al Yankovic, minor US hits parodying songs such as ‘Eat It’, Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat it’ and ‘Like A Surgeon’, ( Madonna’s ‘Like A Virgin’).

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23 Oct 1957
Kelly Marie, singer who had the 1980 UK No.1 single ‘Feels like I’m In Love’, which was written by Ray Dorset of Mungo Jerry.

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23 Oct 1956
Dwight Yoakam, country singer, actor and film director, who is most famous for his pioneering country music which has sold over 25 million records with 5 Billboard No.1 Albums, 12 Gold Albums, and 9 Platinum Albums. Yoakam is the most frequent musical guest in the history of The Tonight Show and has also starred in many films, most notably in critically acclaimed performances as an ill-tempered, abusive, live-in boyfriend in Sling Blade.

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23 Oct 1953
Pauline Black, singer from 2 Tone ska revival band Selecter who had the 1979 UK No.8 single ‘On My Radio’.

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23 Oct 1949
English guitarist Michael Burston. He played with Motorhead from 1984 to 1995. He died at the age of 61 following heart complications on 9 July 2011.

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23 Oct 1949
Rosa Lee Hawkins from American pop music girl group The Dixie Cups best known for a string of hits including their 1964 million-selling record ‘Chapel of Love’, ‘People Say’, and ‘Iko Iko’. She died on 11 January 2022.

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23 Oct 1947
English rock bassist Greg Ridley with Spooky Tooth and a founder member of Humble Pie, who had the 1969 UK No.4 single ‘Natural Born Bugie’. Ridley died on 19th November 2003 of pneumonia aged 56.

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23 Oct 1943
Barbara Ann Hawkins from American pop music girl group The Dixie Cups, best known for a string of hits including their 1964 million-selling record ‘Chapel of Love’, ‘People Say’, and ‘Iko Iko’.

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23 Oct 1940
English musician Freddie Marsden who with Gerry And The Pacemakers had the 1963 UK No.1 single ‘How Do You Do It’ and the 1965 US No.6 single, ‘Ferry Cross The Mersey’. In common with The Beatles they came from Liverpool, were managed by Brian Epstein, and were recorded by George Martin. Died December 9, 2006

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23 Oct 1940
American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer Ellie Greenwich. With Phil Spector and Jeff Barry she wrote or co-wrote many hits including ‘Da Doo Ron Ron’, ‘Be My Baby’ ‘Then He Kissed Me’, ‘Do Wah Diddy Diddy’, ‘Leader of the Pack, and ‘River Deep – Mountain High’ among others. She died of a heart attack on 26 August 2009 age 68.

Tina Turner – River Deep Mountain High

Writers: Jeff Barry, Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich

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23 Oct 1927
Jazz alto saxophonist William “Sonny” Criss is born in Memphis, Tennessee. He would go on to play with the likes of Charlie Parker, Johnny Otis, and Billy Eckstine. Died November 19, 1977.