Mohair Slim / Blue Juice Calendar / 16 May
Blue Juice Calendar · On this day

16 May

Musicians born and died on 16 May: 14 births, 12 deaths and 1 recording milestone from blues, R&B, soul, jazz, gospel, reggae and ska.

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Born14

  • 1879Louis Sterlinglabel-owner · New York, NYDied 2 June 1958 · Emi Rec's
  • 1913Dr. C.J. Johnsonvocal · Douglasville, GADied 20 July 1990 · Gospel · Savoy Rec’s
  • 1913Woodrow Charles "Woody" Hermanband-leader, clarinet, saxophone · Milwaukee, WIDied 29 October 1987 · Jazz
  • 1916Dud Bascombtrumpet · Birmingham, ALDied 25 December 1972 · Jazz · Erskine Hawkins
  • 1919James Deshayguitar · Benoit, MSBlues
  • 1920G.P. Jacksonguitar · Alligator, MSDied 28 February 1990 · Blues
  • 1926Adolph Smithguitar · New Orleans, LADied 31 July 2004 · R&B · Spiders
  • 1930Betty Carter (Lillie Mae Jones Carter)vocal · Flint, MIDied 26 September 1998 · Jazz · Lionel Hampton
  • 1932Isaac "Red" Holtdrums, vocal · Rosedale, MSDied 23 May 2023 · Jazz · Soul · Ramsey Lewis
  • 1933Corinthian "Kripp" Johnsonvocal · Cambridge, MDDied 22 June 1990 · R&B · Del-Vikings
  • 1933Kripp Johnsonvocal · Cambridge, MDDied 22 June 1990 · R&B · Del-Vikings
  • 1936Joseph V. Rockcomposer · Pittsburgh, PADied 4 April 2000 · R&B · Skyliners
  • 1944Billy Cobhamdrums · PanamaJazz
  • 1947Barbara Lee Jonesvocal · New York, NYDied 15 May 1992 · R&B · Chiffons

Died12

  • 1953Django Reinhardtband-leader, guitarBorn 23 January 1910 · aged 43 · Jazz
  • 1975Mel Londoncomposer, producer · Chicago, ILBorn 9 April 1932 · aged 43 · Blues · R&B
  • 1979Roy Montrellband-leader, guitar · Amsterdam, HollandBorn 27 February 1928 · aged 51 · R&B · Fats Domino
  • 1981Ernie Freemanarranger, piano, producer · Hollywood, CABorn 16 August 1922 · aged 58 · Heart attack · Jazz · R&B · Ernie Freeman Combo
  • 1985Robert Shawpiano · Austin, TXBorn 9 August 1908 · aged 76 · Heart attack · Blues
  • 1989Bob SmithDJ · Vancouver, CanadaBorn 15 January 1920 · aged 69 · Jazz · Cbc Radio
  • 1989Eddie Brownebass · Bridgeport, CTJazz · Lucky Millinder
  • 1990Sammy Davis Jr.vocal · Beverly Hills, CABorn 8 December 1925 · aged 64 · Jazz
  • 1992Vee Lawnhurstcomposer, pianoBorn 24 November 1905 · aged 86 · Jazz · R&B · Louis Jordan
  • 1993Marvin Earl Johnsoncomposer, piano, vocal · Columbia, SCBorn 15 October 1938 · aged 54 · Stroke · R&B · Soul · Junior Serenaders
  • 2007Alphonse "Bois Sec" Ardoinaccordion · Eunice, LABorn 16 November 1915 · aged 91 · Natural causes · Zydeco
  • 2023Lester SterlingsaxophoneBorn 31 January 1936 · aged 87 · Jazz · Ska · Reggae · Skatalites

Events1

  • 1968The Gaylads record rock steady hit ‘ABC Rock Steady’ for Sonia Pottinger’s Gayfeet/High Note conglomerate.