Born on this day ...

[CRAZY-HORSE]

PETER WOLF (J Geils Band)  73 today

my favourite of theirs:

[Music Head]

Edie Brickell (52)
Mrs. Paul Simon

[Ruby]

Edward ‘Ted’ McKenna was born on this day in 1950, in Lennoxtown, East Dunbartonshire, Scotland – sadly he passed away on 19 January this year during a routine operation to correct a hernia. He was 68.

Ted McKenna was a drummer and percussionist, he also played the double bass and piano and had some formal music tuition to his credit, including a year of studies under the wing of a big band veteran. He was in The Sensational Alex Harvey Band and played with Rory Gallagher and Gary Moore, Greg Lake, Michael Schenker and Ian Gillan among others. In addition to having his own bands from time to time and recording one or two live albums, as well as the inevitable session work in the rock arena, he occasionally made a foray into jazz and blues with various artists – doesn’t appear he was short of work and he certainly seems to have been well liked. Most recently he was a member of Band of Friends, who from what I can tell are (still) a touring tribute band focusing on Rory Gallagher's music.
 
With Mr Gallagher …. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lROruo8G7Yo, and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkT1gP0SysU
 
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrZ9lcXskrg
 
…. and with Greg Lake (and Gary Moore) ….

[Music Head]

James Taylor (70)

[Ruby]

Kipp Lennon was born Christopher on this day in 1960, in Venice, California, USA. He was renamed Kippy by one of his siblings on his first day home from hospital and that just stuck! He is the last born of 11 children - six girls and five boys. Four of his sisters are (or were - I’m sure they’ll have retired by now) The Lennon Sisters, and he and one brother as well as two Lennon cousins are in the band Venice (along with other non-family members) which was originally formed by Kipp and his cousin Michael. Kipp’s role is songwriter, singer and percussionist.

The family suffered a tragedy at the hands of a stalker who was obsessed with one of the daughters, Peggy, and who lay in wait for and shot their father dead – he had perceived William Lennon (who was 53 at the time) to be standing in the way of his completely imagined relationship with Peggy. Said stalker took his own life a couple of months later, presumably before being brought to justice since he purportedly used the same weapon for the act.

Venice has been hugely successful as a live act and they have released around 13 albums. David Crosby is a longstanding champion of the band – they sing harmonies (Kipp and cousin Michael sharing lead vocals) which are quite reminiscent of CSN, and they also seem to do a lot of covers.

Kipp Lennon has appeared on one of Crosby’s albums, he toured with Roger Waters’ in The Wall singing backing vocals, and has also contributed to various other film and TV productions, including The Simpsons. From what I can gather Venice has a new album due out shortly – Jacaranda Street.

Random picks as I’m not familiar with their material …

“Trying To Find America” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVq3Muj9dpA

This is from the new album, Jacaranda Street – “My Love Waits For Me” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUJ-KWcnFFE (I’m getting a teeny tiny Gerry Rafferty sound here in places, not overall)

A foot stomping, full orchestra version of “Ohio” with the Croz himself – not terribly mournful - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kInBqFUNnow

And “Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This” …

[Music Head]

Michael Murphy (74)

[Music Head]

Sly Stone (75)

funk before George Clinton

[Music Head]

Jerry Jeff Walker (77)

writer of this classic

[Music Head]

Eddie Money (70)

never liked this guy
but here you go

[Music Head]

Roger Whittaker (83)

always love this
one of mom's favorites