Welp, we’ve survived through October. It’s been a bit of a brutal slog of a year. But there’s postseason baseball. Hockey season just started. Basketball season will start in a few weeks.
October is also a busy month in music history.
- The legendary Donny Hathaway was born 81 years ago on October 1
- The Human League‘s Philip Oakey celebrated his 71st birthday on October 2
- Sting celebrated his 75th birthday on October 2
- Motley Crüe co-founder and drummer Tommy Lee celebrated his 64th birthday on October 3
- Chubby Checker, one of the pioneers of rock ‘n’ roll and R&B celebrated his 85th on October 3
- One of the greatest guitarists and bluesmen ever, Stevie Ray Vaughan was born 72 years ago on October 3
- The Roots‘ Black Thought, arguably one of the greatest living emcees celebrated his 53rd birthday on October 3
- AC/DC‘s Brian Johnson celebrated his 79th birthday on October 5
- Singer/songwriter, actor and television personality Toni Braxton celebrated her 59th birthday today
- Radiohead and The Smile frontman Thom Yorke celebrated his 58th birthday on October 7
- One of this country’s finest and somewhat under-appreciated, underrated singer/songwriters, and one of my personal favorites, John Mellencamp celebrated his 75th birthday on October 7
- Kool and the Gang founder Robert “Kool” Bell celebrated his 76th birthday on October 8
- PJ Harvey celebrates her 57th birthday today
- The Who bassist John Entwistle was born 82 years ago on October 9
- The legendary John Lennon was born 86 years ago on October 9
- David Lee Roth, one of the greatest rock/metal frontman to ever live, and a member of the most beloved Van Halen lineup, ever, celebrated his 72nd birthday today
- Thelonious Monk was one of the most dynamic and eccentric figures in jazz was born 109 years ago on October 10
- MC Lyte is one of the pioneers of hip-hop and just as important, one of the greatest emcees to ever do it, male, female or non-binary celebrated her 56th birthday on October 11.
- Hall & Oates‘ Daryl Hall celebrated his 80th birthday on October 11
- The legendary Art Blakey, was born on this day 107 years ago on October 11
- The Smithereens‘ founder and first frontman, Pat DiNizio was born 71 years ago on October 12
- Sam Moore, best known for being one-half of the legendary soul and R&B duo Sam and Dave, was born 91 years ago on October 12
- Sammy Hagar, one of rock’s great frontmen celebrated his 79th birthday on October 13
- Thomas Dolby, who had a smash-hit with 1982’s “She Blinded Me With Science” celebrates his 68th birthday today
- Art Tatum, one of the greatest jazz pianists to ever live was born 117 years ago today.
- The godfather of Afrobeat, Fela Kuti was born 88 years ago on October 15
Jazz great Roy Hargrove was born 57 years ago on this day. We tragically lost him back in 2018 at the all too young age of 49.
I was very lucky to catch him at Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStageon an incredible bill that featured Gabriel Garzon-Montano and Meshell Ndegeocello back in 2015.
So today, let’s remember and celebrate this massively talented man and his remarkable work.
Happy birthday, brother! Happy birthday, wherever you are!
____
The Joy of Violent Movement is a completely independent and completely D.I.Y. media outlet. Over the course of this site’s 16 year history, I’ve used my fiercely independent stance to cover music with an eclectic and global perspective that a lot of other publications just don’t have — and will likely never have.
To that end, I could use your support to continue to keep bringing you my unique global perspective on music. There are a number of ways that you can support this work.
I’ve been told that some people would prefer to make a one-time donation because it’s easy and less of an obligation. So, if you’re able to make a one-time donation, there’s a donation box below.
Make a one-time donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
If you can give more regularly, please feel free to check out my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement.
Anything you can give is very much appreciated. It can and does make a real difference, y’all.
I know that a lot of folks are struggling to make ends meet in an uncertain and tumultuous economic climate. So there are other, non-financial ways in which you can support this work.
You can follow me on the following social platforms:
X/Twitter: @yankee32879 and @joyofviolent
Instagram: @william_ruben_helms
Threads: @william_ruben_helms
Bluesky: @williamrubenhelms.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement
As always, if there are posts that you dig, share them with your friends. The more eyeballs on my work, the better.