On October 19, 2025, Anthony Claiborne Jackson died aged 73. He was musician (electric bass, contrabass, guitar), bassist, regarded as “one of the masters of the instrument”. He performed live in more than 30 countries and recorded in more than 3000 sessions on more than 500 albums, with Al Di Meola, Billy Paul, Carlos Garnett, Roberta Flack, Patti Austin, Alex Bugnon, Michel Camilo, Jorge Dalto, Mandoki Soulmates, Will Downing, Carlos Franzetti, Jun Fukamachi, Eric Gale, Terumasa Hino, Garland Jeffreys, Chaka Khan, Steve Khan, Tania Maria, Harvey Mason, Michel Petrucciani, Buddy Rich, Lee Ritenour, Mike Stern, Hiromi Uehara, Grover Washington Jr., Monty Alexander, Peter Allen, Gabriela Anders, Ashford & Simpson, Fahir Atakoglu, Anita Baker, Bob Baldwin, Gato Barbieri, Thereza Bazar, Jim Beard, Bee Gees, George Benson, Warren Bernhardt, Randy Bernsen, Rory Block, Perry Botkin Jr., Ralph Bowen, Till Brönner, Peabo Bryson, Jimmy Buffett, Dina Carroll, Dennis Chambers, Sandeep Chowta, John Clark, Norman Connors, Chick Corea, Hank Crawford, Randy Crawford, Lou Courtney, Eddie Daniels, Michael Davis, Rainy Davis, Eumir Deodato, Devonsquare, Paul Dresher, Ned Rothenberg, Gene Dunlap, Eliane Elias, Pee Wee Ellis, Jon Faddis, Donald Fagen, Joe Farrell, Rachelle Ferrell, Barry Finnerty, Sonny Fortune, Hiroshi Fukumura, Four Tops, Henry Gaffney, Carlos Garnett, Stephane Grappelli, Urbie Green, Michael Gregory, Dave Grusin, Kit Hain, Delores Hall, Lionel Hampton, Gene Harris, Takehiro Honda, Lena Horne, Miki Howard, Bobbi Humphrey, Phyllis Hyman, Masaru Imada, Freddie Jackson, Joe Jackson, Rebbie Jackson, Al Jarreau, Quincy Jones, Ryo Kawasaki, Earl Klugh, Kahoru Kohiruimaki, Wayne Krantz, Bireli Lagrene, Yusef Lateef, Webster Lewis, Dave Liebman, Reggie Lucas, Ralph MacDonald, Teo Macero, Madonna, Teena Marie, Sleepy Matsumoto, Maureen McGovern, Sergio Mendes, Pat Metheny, Bette Midler, Barry Miles, Russell Morris, Gerry Mulligan, Milton Nascimento, David “Fathead” Newman, Maxine Nightingale, Claude Nougaro, The O’Jays, Jeffrey Osborne, Phil Perry, Peter, Paul & Mary, Esther Phillips, Simon Phillips, Noel Pointer, Jesse Rae, Ernest Ranglin, Lou Rawls, Jess Roden, Diana Ross, Ray Russell, Sam & Dave, David Sanborn, Arturo Sandoval, Alejandro Sanz, Lalo Schifrin, Helen Schneider, John Scofield, John Sebastian, Doc Severinsen, Carly Simon, Edward Simon, Paul Simon, Simon & Garfunkel, Kathy Sledge, Lonnie Liston Smith, Steve Smith, Phoebe Snow, Bert Sommer, David Spinozza, Steely Dan, Jeremy Steig, Charles Sullivan, Ximo Tebar, Nino Tempo, John Tropea, Michal Urbaniak, Dave Valentin, Luther Vandross, Harold Vick, Roch Voisine, Martha Wash, Kazumi Watanabe, Sadao Watanabe, Frank Weber, Dave Weckl, James D-Train Williams, Vanessa Williams, Nancy Wilson, Bernie Worrell and Akiko Yano. As co – leader Jackson released three albums.
Tag Archives: Bette Midler
Rick Derringer
On May 26, 2025, Richard Dean Zehringer aka Rick Derringer, died aged 77. He was musician (guitar), singer and composer, member of McCoys, DNA, Derringers, Derringer Bogert and Appice, recorded and performed with Edgar Winter, Steely Dan, Cyndi Lauper, Ringo Starr, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Johnny Winter, Richie Havens, Thomas Jefferson Kaye, Dan Hartman, Bette Midler, Todd Rundgren, Eddie Schwartz, Donald Fagen, Eye to Eye, Kiss, Bonnie Tyler, Barbra Streisand, Neil Sedaka, Rosie Vela, Grayson Hugh, Peter Frampton, Joe Bonamassa, Ronnie Montrose and Jon Anderson. As leader, Derringer released fourteen studio and two live albums.
Bette Midler: The Divine Miss M
On November 7, 1972, “Atlantic” label released “The Divine Miss M”, the debut Bette Midler studio album. It was recorded 1971 – 1972, at “Atlantic Recording Studios” in New York City, and was produced by Ahmet Ertegun, Barry Manilow. Geoffrey Haslam and Joel Dorn. The album was certified Platinum in US and Canada.
Personnel:
- Bette Midler – lead vocals
- Dickie Frank – guitar
- David Spinozza – guitars
- Don Arnone – guitar
- Dick Hyman – piano
- Barry Manilow – piano
- Pat Rebillot – piano
- Ron Carter – bass guitar
- Michael Federal – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Milt Hinton – bass
- Ted Sommer – drums
- Ray Lucas – drums
- Kevin Ellman – drums
- Ralph MacDonald – percussion instruments
- Cissy Houston – backing vocals
- Tender Loving Care (Renelle Broxton, Diedre Tuck, Beverly McKenzie) – backing vocals
- Gail Kantor – backing vocals
- Melissa Manchester – backing vocals
- Merle Miller – backing vocals
- Gene Orloff – violin
- Emanuel Green – violin
- Selwart Clarke – viola
- Kermit Moore – cello
- Thom Bell – horn and string arrangements
- Barry Manilow – arranger, conductor
- William S. Fischer – string arrangement
- Marty Nelson – vocal arranger
- Arif Mardin – arrangements
- Lew Hahn – engineer
- Richard Amsel – illustration
- Richard Mantel – art direction, design
- Kenn Duncan – photography
- Geoffrey Haslam, Lew Hahn, Bob Liftin – remix
Track listing:
- Do You Want to Dance – Bobby Freeman
- Chapel of Love – Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, Phil Spector
- Superstar – Bonnie Bramlett, Leon Russell
- Daytime Hustler – Jeff Kent
- Am I Blue – Harry Akst, Grant Clarke
- Friends (Session 1) – Mark Klingman, Buzzy Linhart
- Hello in There – John Prine
- Leader of the Pack – George Morton, Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich
- Delta Dawn – Larry Collins, Alex Harvey
- Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy – Don Raye, Hughie Prince
- Friends (Session 2) – Mark Klingman, Buzzy Linhart
Michael Lang
On August 5, 2022, Michael Anthony Lang died aged 80. He was musician (piano, keyboards, organ, synthesizer) and composer, recorded more than 2500 film scores, and worked with some of the biggest names of modern music such as Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, John Lennon, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Vince Gill, Milt Jackson, Lee Konitz, Diana Krall, Arturo Sandoval, Josh Groban, Frank Zappa, Lee Ritenour, Oliver Nelson, Bud Shank, Kenny Rogers, Barbra Streisand, Solomon Burke, Tom Waits, Peggy Lee, Vanessa Williams, Jose Feliciano, Bette Midler, Russell Watson, Michael Bolton, Don Ellis, Robbie Williams, Paul Anka, Sarah Vaughan, Amy Grant, Willie Nelson, Natalie Cole, Dusty Springfield, Melissa Manchester, Neil Diamond, Shelly Manne and Stan Kenton.
Bette Midler: Songs for the New Depression
On January 8, 1976, “Atlantic” label released “Songs for the New Depression”, the third Bette Midler studio album. It was recorded 1972 – 1976, at “Secret Sound Studio” New York, N.Y., “Electric Lady” and “Media Sound Studios” in New York, N.Y., “Atlantic Recording Studios” in New York, N.Y., and was produced by Bette Midler, Joel Dorn, Ahmet Ertegün, Arif Mardin, Mark “Moogy” Klingman, and Jack Malken.
Personnel:
- Bette Midler – lead and backing vocals, assistant engineer
- Glaswegians Orchestra – arranged and conducted by Arif Mardin
- Moogy Klingman – piano, electric piano, RMI Computer keyboard, Mini Korg synthesizer, harmonica, arranger and conductor
- Ralph Schuckett – acoustic piano, clavinet, organ, Sound City piano, harmonium, string ensemble, arranger, conductor
- Bob Dylan – vocals
- Dick Hyman – piano
- David Spinozza – guitar
- Jerry Friedman – guitar
- Todd Rundgren – guitar, backing vocals
- Dave Webster – slide guitar
- Rick Derringer – pedal steel guitar
- Eric Weissberg – banjo, mandolin
- Don Brooks – harmonica
- Sivuca – accordion
- Dominic Cortese – accordion
- Boris Matusewitch – concertina
- John Siegler – bass guitar
- Milt Hinton – acoustic bass, bass guitar
- John Miller – acoustic bass
- Teddy Sommer – drums, percussion
- Mark Rosengarden – drums, percussion
- Steve Gadd – drums
- John Wilcox – drums
- Barbara Burton – percussion
- Angel Allende – percussion
- Jack Malken – additional percussion
- Norman Pride – conga
- Randy Brecker – horns, trumpet solo
- Michael Brecker – horns
- Barry Rogers – horns
- Mel Davis – trumpet
- William Siapin – flute
- John Lissauer – saxophone, chimes, arranger, conductor
- David Nadien – strings
- Barry Finclair – strings
- Raul Poliakin – strings
- Tony Posk – strings
- Gene Orloff – strings
- Harry Lookofsky – strings
- Charles McCracken – strings
- Jessy Levy – strings
- Harry Lookofsky – violin
- Matthew Raimondi – violin
- Emanuel Green – violin
- Kenny Kosek – fiddle
- Luther Vandross – arranger, backing vocals
- Dianne Sumler – backing vocals
- David Lasley – backing vocals
- Erin Dickins – backing vocals
- Annie Sutton – backing vocals
- Donny Beard – backing vocals
- Charlotte Crossley – backing vocals
- Leata Galloway – backing vocals
- Ben Harney – backing vocals
- Rhetta Hughes – backing vocals
- Thomas Moore – backing vocals
- Ula Hedwig – backing vocals
- Sharon Redd – backing vocals
- Ramona Stubblefield – backing vocals
- Clifford Townsend – backing vocals
- Revelation – backing vocals
- Rosie – backing vocals
- Gotham – backing vocals
- Arif Mardin – arranger, conductor, backing vocals, remix
- Marty Nelson – vocal arranger
- Jack Malken – recording, remix engineer
- Lew Hahn – recording, remix engineer
- Jan Rathbun – engineer
- Gerry Block – engineer assistant
- Dave Wittman – engineer assistant
- Richard Amsel – inner sleeve illustration
- Michaele Vollbracht – shopping bag
- Kenn Duncan – poster photography
- Deborah Turbville – photography
Track listing:
- Strangers in the Night – Bert Kaempfert, Charles Singleton, Eddie Snyder
- I Don’t Want the Night to End – Phoebe Snow
- Mr. Rockefeller – Jerry Blatt, Bette Midler
- Old Cape Cod – Claire Rothrock, Allan Jeffrey, Milton Yakus
- Buckets of Rain – Bob Dylan
- Love Says It’s Waiting – Nick Holmes
- Shiver Me Timbers / Samedi et Vendredi – Tom Waits, Bette Midler, Moogy Klingman
- No Jestering – Carlton Malcolm
- Tragedy – Gerald Nelson, Fred Burch
- Marahuana – Arthur Jonston, Sam Coslow
- Let Me Just Follow Behind – Moogy Klingman
Whitey Glan
On November 7, 2017, Pentti “Whitey” Glan died aged 71. He was musician (drums), member of the band The Rogues (later Mandala), performed and recorded with Bette Midler, John Kay, American Flyer, Bush, Klaatu, Anne Murray, Domenic Trolano, David Wilcox, Downchild Blues Band, Alice Cooper, and Lou Reed.
Ringo Starr: Ringo The 4th
On September 20, 1977, “Polydor” label released “Ringo the 4th”, the sixth Ringo Starr studio album. It was recorded February – June 1977, in Cherokee, Los Angeles, Atlantic, and New York City, and was produced by Arif Mardin.
Personnel:
- Ringo Starr– lead vocals, drums
- David Spinozza– guitar
- John Tropea– guitar
- Jeff Mironov – guitar
- Cornell Dupree– guitar
- Lon Van Eaton– guitar
- Dick Fegy – guitar
- Danny Kortchmar– guitar
- David Bromberg– guitar
- Tony Levin– bass guitar
- Chuck Rainey– bass guitar
- Hugh McDonald– bass guitar
- Don Grolnick– keyboards
- David Foster– keyboards, clavinet, piano
- Richard Tee– clavinet, piano
- Jeff Gutcheon – keyboards
- Ken Bichel– keyboards
- Steve Gadd– drums
- Michael Brecker– saxophone
- Randy Brecker– trumpet
- Don Brooks– harmonica
- Arnold McCuller – backing vocals
- Brie Howard– backing vocals
- David Lasley – backing vocals
- Debra Gray – backing vocals
- Duitch Helmer – backing vocals
- Jimmy Gilstrap – backing vocals
- Joe Bean – backing vocals
- Luther Vandross– backing vocals
- Lynn Pitney – backing vocals
- Marietta Waters – backing vocals
- Maxine Anderson – backing vocals
- Melissa Manchester– backing vocals
- Rebecca Louis – backing vocals
- Robin Clark– backing vocals
- Vini Poncia– backing vocals
- Bette Midler– backing vocals
Track listing:
- Drowning in the Sea of Love – Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff
- Tango All Night – Steve Hague, Tom Seufert
- Wings – Richard Starkey, Vini Poncia
- Gave It All Up – Richard Starkey, Vini Poncia
- Out on the Streets – Richard Starkey, Vini Poncia
- Can She Do It Like She Dances – Steve Duboff, Gerry Robinson
- Sneaking Sally Through the Alley – Allen Toussaint
- It’s No Secret – Richard Starkey, Vini Poncia
- Gypsies in the Flight – Richard Starkey, Vini Poncia
- Simple Love Song – Richard Starkey, Vini Poncia
Luther Vandross Jr.
On July 1, 2005, Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr. died aged 54. He was a singer, songwriter, and record producer who worked as a background vocalist for different artists including Todd Rundgren, Judy Collins, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Ben E. King, and Donna Summer. He was a member and lead singer of the band Change, and had a successful solo career, recorded sixteen albums and won four “Grammy Awards”.
Arif Mardin
On June 25, 2006, Arif Mardin died aged 74. He was music arranger and producer, worked at Atlantic Records for over 30 years, before moving to EMI. Mardin worked with many famous artists including Aretha Franklin, Queen, Anita Baker, Dionne Warwick, Bette Midler, Roberta Flack, Wilson Pickett, Average White Band, The Bee Gees, Chaka Khan, Laura Nyro, Hall & Oates, Phil Collins, Barbra Streisand and Norah Jones. Mardin won eleven “Grammy Awards”.
Tom Waits: Foreign Affairs
On September 13, 1977, “Asylum” label released “Foreign Affairs”, the fourth Tom Waits studio album. It was recorded July – August 1977, and was produced by Bones Howe.
Personnel:
- Tom Waits – vocals, piano
- Bette Midler– vocals
- Jim Hughart– bass
- Shelly Manne– drums
- Frank Vicari– tenor saxophone
- Jack Sheldon– trumpet
- Gene Cipriano – clarinet
Track listing:
All tracks by Tom Waits, except where noted.
- Cinny’s Waltz
- Muriel
- I Never Talk to Strangers
- Medley: Jack & Neal/California, Here I Come – California, Here I Come – Joseph Meyer, Al Jolsonand Buddy De Sylva
- A Sight for Sore Eyes
- Potter’s Field – lyrics by Tom Waits, music by Bob Alcivar
- Burma-Shave
- Barber Shop
- Foreign Affair
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