April 1940 in Music

Events in Music

  • Apr 16 Heitor Villa-Lobos' opera "Izaht" premieres in Rio de Janeiro
  • Apr 23 Dance hall fires kills 198 in Natchez, Mississippi

Music releaseMusic Recording

Apr 28 Glenn Miller records "Pennsylvania 6-5000"

Big Band Leader and Jazz Composer Glenn Miller
Big Band Leader and Jazz Composer
Glenn Miller

Birthdays in Music

  • Apr 4 Sharon Sheeley, American songwriter (Somethin' Else), born in Los Angeles, California (d. 2002)
  • Apr 5 Aliza Kashi, Israeli actress and singer (Merv Griffin regular), born in Israel
  • Apr 7 Jan Wilhelm Morthenson, composer
  • Apr 7 Patricia Paay, Dutch singer (You are not hip)

Person of interestHerbie Hancock

Apr 12 Herbie Hancock, American pianist (I Thought it Was You), born in Chicago, Illinois

Musician and Composer Herbie Hancock
Musician and Composer
Herbie Hancock
  • Apr 13 Lester Chambers, Ms, vocalist (Chamber Brothers-Time Has Come Today)
  • Apr 17 Billy Fury [Ronald Wycherley], English singer (When Will You Say I Love You), born in Liverpool, England (d. 1983)
  • Apr 17 Anja Silja, German soprano
  • Apr 19 Genya Ravan, American vocalist (Goldie & the Gingerbreads, Ten Wheel Drive)
  • Apr 25 O B McClinton, [Burnett], country singer (Keep your arms around me)
  • Apr 26 Giorgio Moroder, producer/singer/songwriter (Cat People, Top Gun), born in Ortisei, Italy

Deaths in Music

  • Apr 6 Andres Isasi, composer, dies at 49