Mohair Slim / Blue Juice Calendar / 25 December
Blue Juice Calendar · On this day

25 December

Musicians born and died on 25 December: 29 births, 22 deaths and 1 recording milestone from blues, R&B, soul, jazz, gospel, reggae and ska.

Search the calendar

Born29

  • 1886Edward "Kid" Oryband-leader · La Place, LADied 23 January 1973 · Jazz
  • 1899Saul Teppercomposer · New York, NYDied 1 January 1987 · Jazz · R&B · Louis Jordan
  • 1903Bat "The Humming Bird" Robinsonpiano · Algiers, LADied 2 March 1957 · Blues
  • 1903J.B. Longarranger · Mint Hill, NCDied 25 February 1975 · Blues · Blind Boy Fuller
  • 1905Wayman A. Carversaxophone · Portsmouth, VADied 6 May 1967 · Jazz
  • 1905Willie "61" BlackwellpianoBlues
  • 1907Cabell "Cab" Calloway IIIband-leader, composer, drums, vocal · Rochester, NYDied 18 November 1994 · Jazz · Alabamians, Cab Jivers, Missourians
  • 1908Rabon Tarrantdrums, vocal · Ennis, TXDied 11 October 1975 · Jazz · Jack McVea
  • 1914Pat Jenkinstrumpet · Norfolk, VADied 2 September 2006 · Jazz
  • 1916Oscar Mooreguitar · Austin, TXDied 8 October 1981 · Jazz · R&B · Nat King Cole Trio
  • 1917Frank Pappalardicomposer, piano · Prividence, RIDied 24 May 1973 · Jazz · R&B · Louis Jordan
  • 1921Big Amos (Amos Patton)harmonicaBlues · Hi Rec’s
  • 1925Chris Woodssaxophone · Memphis, TNDied 4 July 1985 · Jazz · United Rec’s
  • 1926Rick Fayclarinet, saxophone · Evanston, ILDied 22 March 1999 · Jazz · R&B · Rick & Paul
  • 1927Ernie Andrewsvocal · Philadelphia, PADied 21 February 2022 · Blues · Jazz · R&B
  • 1929Billy Hortonvocal · Hickory, NCDied 23 December 1995 · R&B · Silhouettes
  • 1929Christopher Kennercomposer, vocal · Kenner, LADied 25 January 1976 · R&B
  • 1934Boyd Riversguitar · Pickens, MSDied 22 November 1993 · Blues · Gospel · L&r Rec’s
  • 1934McKinley Mitchellvocal · Jackson, MSDied 18 January 1986 · R&B · Soul
  • 1937O'kelly Isley Jr.vocal · Cincinnati, OHDied 31 March 1986 · R&B · Soul · Isley Brothers
  • 1941Eb Davisvocal · Elaine, ARBlues · Soul
  • 1941Ronnie Cubersaxophone · Brooklyn, NYDied 7 October 2022 · Jazz
  • 1944John Edwardsvocal · St. Louis, MODied 9 May 2025 · Soul · Spinners
  • 1945Clyde Wilsonvocal · Walhalla, SCDied 8 January 2011 · Soul · 100 Proof Aged In Soul
  • 1945Noel Reddingbass · Folkestone, EnglandDied 11 May 2003 · Blues · Hendrix
  • 1945Steve Mancha (Clyde Wilson Mancha)composer, producer, vocal · Walhall, SCDied 8 January 2011 · R&B · Soul · Holidays, Two Friends
  • 1946L.V. Johnsonguitar · Chicago, ILDied 22 November 1994 · R&B · Soul · Ichiban Rec’s
  • 1949Joe Louis Walkercomposer, guitar, producer · San Francisco, CADied 30 April 2025 · Blues
  • 1957Anthony Johnson (Roy Anthony Johnson)composer, vocal · Kingston, JamaicaReggae · Mystic I

Died22

  • 1954Johnny Ace (John Marshall Alexander Jr. Ace)vocal · Houston, TXBorn 9 June 1929 · aged 25 · Russian roulette · R&B
  • 1958Charles L. Cookepiano · Wurtsboro, NYBorn 3 September 1891 · aged 67 · Jazz
  • 1972Dud Bascombtrumpet · New York, NYBorn 16 May 1916 · aged 56 · Jazz · Erskine Hawkins
  • 1973Richard "Hacksaw" Harneyguitar, piano · Jackson, MSBorn 16 July 1902 · aged 71 · Blues · Jazz · Adelphi Rec’s
  • 1985Edward "Eddie" "Playboy" Taylorguitar, vocal · Chicago, ILBorn 29 January 1923 · aged 62 · Blues · Jimmy Reed
  • 1985George Rhodesarranger, piano · Los Angeles, CABorn 10 October 1918 · aged 67 · Jazz · R&B · Joe Thomas, Ravens
  • 1987Gene "Bowlegs" Millerarranger, trumpet · Memphis, TNBorn 27 May 1933 · aged 54 · R&B · Soul
  • 1987Nat Tarnopollabel-owner · Las Vegas, NVBorn 26 January 1931 · aged 56 · R&B · Soul · Brunswick Rec’s
  • 1988Lloyd Roweguitar · Los Angeles, CASoul · Ted Taylor
  • 1992Clarence M. KingBiographycoach, manager · Detroit, MISoul · Motown Rec's
  • 1992David A. YoungsaxophoneBorn 14 January 1912 · aged 80 · Jazz
  • 1994Eugene "Bird" DaughtryvocalBorn 29 October 1939 · aged 55 · Soul · Intruders
  • 1998Damita Jo (Damita Jo Dublanc Jo)vocal · Baltimore, MDBorn 5 August 1930 · aged 68 · Respiratory illness · R&B
  • 2002Deane Hawleyvocal · Staten Island, NYBorn 18 December 1937 · aged 65 · Pancreatic cancer · R&B
  • 2006James Brownband-leader, composer, drums, organ, vocal · Atlanta, GABorn 3 May 1933 · aged 73 · Congestive heart failure (pneumonia complications) · R&B · Soul
  • 2008Eartha Kittvocal · Weston, CTBorn 17 January 1927 · aged 81 · Colon cancer · Jazz
  • 2008Robert Wardguitar · Dry Branch, GABorn 15 October 1938 · aged 70 · Blues · R&B · Soul · Untouchables Rum Diary on Mohair Slim →
  • 2009Arnold S. Caplinlabel-owner · Pittsfield, MABorn 8 May 1929 · aged 80 · Blues · Jazz · Biograph Rec’s
  • 2014James O. Wheelerguitar · Chicago, ILBorn 28 August 1937 · aged 77 · Blues
  • 2016Alphonse Mouzondrums, piano · Granada Hills, CABorn 21 November 1948 · aged 68 · Cardiac arrest · Jazz
  • 2019Peanuts Whalumsaxophone, trumpetBorn 8 September 1928 · aged 91 · Jazz
  • 2022Luther"Guitar Jr" Johnsonguitar · Wildwood, FLBorn 11 April 1939 · aged 83 · Blues · Bullseye Blues

Events1

  • 1960Mary Wells debut on R&B chart with ‘Bye, Bye Baby’ one of Motown’s first releases.