Mohair Slim / Blue Juice Calendar / 8 May
Blue Juice Calendar · On this day

8 May

Musicians born and died on 8 May: 8 births, 14 deaths and 3 recording milestones from blues, R&B, soul, jazz, gospel, reggae and ska.

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Born8

  • 1910Mary Lou Williamsarranger, piano · Atlanta, GADied 28 May 1981 · Jazz · Andy Kirk
  • 1911Robert Leroy Johnsonguitar, vocal · Hazlehurst, MSDied 16 August 1938 · Blues
  • 1925Luke "Long Gone" Milesguitar · Lachute, LADied 22 November 1987 · Blues
  • 1929Arnold S. Caplinlabel-owner · Brooklyn, NYDied 25 December 2009 · Blues · Jazz · Biograph Rec’s
  • 1943Paul Samwell-Smithbass · Twickenham, EnglandBlues · Yardbirds
  • 1946Joy SimpsonvocalDied 26 May 1987 · Gospel
  • 1951Phillip Baileyvocal · Denver, COSoul · Earth Wind & Fire
  • 1954Phil Wigginsharmonica · Washington, DCDied 7 May 2024 · Blues · Cephas & Wiggins

Died14

  • 1962Gene Dennisharmonica · Chicago, ILBorn 20 January 1920 · aged 42
  • 1967Laverne AndewsvocalBorn 6 July 1911 · aged 55 · Jazz · Andrews Sisters
  • 1983Wendell Phillips Culleytrumpet · Los Angeles, CABorn 8 January 1906 · aged 77 · Jazz
  • 1985Harold JohnsonvocalBorn 4 July 1931 · aged 53 · Cancer · R&B · Crickets, Mellows
  • 1988Nappy Lamarebanjo, guitar · Newhall, CABorn 14 June 1907 · aged 80 · Jazz
  • 1989Joseph Boatnervocal · Laconia, NHBorn 27 September 1918 · aged 70 · Jazz · Ink Spots
  • 1994Geraldine BarnesGospel
  • 1995Marshal Royalsaxophone · Inglewood, CABorn 5 December 1912 · aged 82 · Cancer · Jazz
  • 1999Leon Thomascomposer, vocal · Bronx, NYBorn 4 October 1937 · aged 61 · Heart failure · Jazz
  • 2005Johnny Moore (soul singer)vocal · Chicago, ILBorn 1 September 1940 · aged 64 · Heart attack · Soul
  • 2007Carson Whitsettcomposer, keyboards, producer · Nashville, TNBorn 1 May 1945 · aged 62 · Brain cancer · Soul · Booker T. & Mgs
  • 2011Cornell Dupreeguitar, vocal · Fort Worth, TXBorn 19 December 1942 · aged 68 · Emphysema · Jazz · R&B · Soul · King Curtis
  • 2023Gerald Simsarranger, composer, guitar · Burien, WABorn 5 January 1940 · aged 83 · Alzheimer's disease · Soul · Daylighters
  • 2025Johnny Parthlabel-owner · Vienna, AustriaBorn 11 January 1930 · aged 95 · Blues · Jazz · Document Rec’s

Events3

  • 1951Elmore James records 'Dust My Broom' in Jackson MS for Trumpet Recs
  • 1963Major Lance records 'Monkey Time' for Okeh in Chicago (produced by Carl Davis, arranged by Johnny Pate).
  • 1966Wilson Pickett’s initial Muscle Shoals session - ‘Land of 1000 Dances’.