May 26

Victor Herbert was an Irish-American musician born in 1859, trained at the Stuttgart Conservatory. He moved to the United States in 1886 and gained fame as a cellist and conductor. Herbert composed over 40 operettas, including "Babes in Toyland" and "The Red Mill". In 1900, he co-founded the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) to secure royalties for creators. As ASCAP's first president, he led efforts to reform copyright law and ensure fair compensation for composers. His melodic compositions and advocacy laid the foundations for modern American musical theater.

Jimmie Rodgers was born in 1897 and became one of the first stars of country music. Renowned for his distinctive yodeling and guitar skills, he recorded classics like "Blue Yodel" and "T for Texas". Rodgers blended elements of blues, folk, and gospel to create a fresh, authentic sound that resonated widely. His recording sessions and tours in the late 1920s earned him national fame and influenced emerging artists. Dubbed the "Father of Country Music", he was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Rodgers' pioneering style laid the groundwork for modern country, folk, and Americana genres.

Alice Tegnér was a prominent Swedish organist and composer whose melodies have become staples of children's music. Born in Karlshamn in 1864, she studied at the Stockholm Conservatory and later served as organist at Norrköping Church. Throughout her career, Tegnér published several influential songbooks including 'Sjung med oss, Mamma'. Her compositions such as 'Mors lilla Olle' and 'Ekorrn satt i granen' continue to be cherished in Sweden. Aside from composing, she taught piano and voice, shaping generations of young musicians. Tegnér's work played a vital role in the development of Swedish music education. Her legacy endures through school programs and family sing-alongs. She passed away on May 26, 1943, leaving a lasting imprint on Scandinavian musical culture.

Born in 1940 in Ossining, New York, Sharrock began playing guitar in his teens. He emerged in the late 1960s as one of the few guitarists exploring free jazz with artists like Pharoah Sanders. Sharrock's aggressive, feedback-driven style broke convention and influenced noise rock and avant-garde scenes. He released several solo albums, including Black Woman and Ask the Ages, featuring virtuosity and emotion. His collaborations spanned jazz, rock, and spoken word, showcasing versatility and innovation. Sharrock died in 1994, but his boundary-pushing legacy continues to inspire experimental musicians.

Born in 1906 in Kansas City, Missouri, Freleng joined Walt Disney Studios before moving to Warner Bros. He became a leading animator and director for the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons. Freleng created or developed characters such as Bugs Bunny, Tweety, Sylvester, and Yosemite Sam. His timing, musical sense, and comedic direction earned him four Academy Awards. After leaving Warner Bros., he co-founded DePatie–Freleng Enterprises, producing the Pink Panther series. Freleng's influence on animation endures through the beloved characters and groundbreaking cartoons.

Born in Basel in 1906, Sacher founded the Basel Chamber Orchestra in 1926 and later the Collegium Musicum Zürich. He championed contemporary music, commissioning works from composers such as Béla Bartók, Igor Stravinsky, and Pierre Boulez. His Swiss-based foundation amassed one of the world's largest collections of modern music manuscripts. Sacher's ensembles were acclaimed for their refined interpretations and helped shape the post-war European chamber music scene. Through his philanthropy, he provided enduring support for new music, influencing generations of musicians and composers.

Ruth Laredo (née Meckler; 1937–2005) was an American pianist known for her commanding performances and passion for Chopin and Rachmaninoff. She gained the moniker "America's First Lady of the Piano" for her virtuosity and expressive depth. Laredo recorded acclaimed cycles of the works of Scriabin and Rachmaninoff, earning critical praise and international recognition. As a dedicated educator, she served on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music, nurturing aspiring pianists. Her legacy endures through her recordings and the many students she inspired.

Jack Edward Oliver (1942–2007) was an English cartoonist best known for his work in the comic magazine Whizzer and Chips. His distinctive art style brought beloved characters to life through witty storylines and bold illustrations. Oliver's contributions to British comics spanned decades, influencing both readers and aspiring artists. He also worked as a caricaturist and design consultant, showcasing his versatile talent. His playful creativity and keen sense of humor left a memorable mark on the British comics scene.

Leo Dillon (1933–2012), together with his wife Diane, formed the celebrated illustration team Dillon 2. They won the 1976 Caldecott Medal for "Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears" and received multiple honors for their artwork. Dillon’s illustrations drew on global artistic traditions, blending folklore, mythology, and modern design. His creative output included book covers, magazine illustrations, and album art, showcasing a broad visual storytelling range. He also lectured on illustration techniques and mentored emerging artists. His timeless images continue to inspire readers and illustrators around the world.

Born in London in 1937, Jim Unger relocated to Canada in the early 1970s and launched the comic strip 'Herman' in 1974. The panel quickly gained popularity for its offbeat humor and quirky takes on everyday situations. Syndicated internationally, 'Herman' appeared in hundreds of newspapers and spawned several book collections. Unger won the National Cartoonists Society Newspaper Panel Cartoon Award in 1982. After an initial retirement in 1992, he revived 'Herman' in the late 1990s and continued to sketch daily until his passing. His work remains celebrated for its timeless wit and distinctive artistic style. Unger died in 2012, leaving behind a legacy of laughter.

Born in 1925, Otto Muehl studied at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna before co-founding the radical Viennese Actionism group in the 1960s. His early work broke boundaries by using the human body, fluids, and public spaces in provocative actions and performances. Muehl later established an artist commune that experimented with communal living and artistic expression. His paintings and films explored themes of freedom and social critique, drawing both acclaim and controversy. Despite legal troubles later in life, his work has been exhibited in major museums across Europe. Muehl’s influence on performance and process art continues to be recognized by contemporary artists. He died in 2013, leaving a legacy of bold experimentation.

Born in Tehran, Hooshang Seyhoun studied architecture in Europe before returning to Iran as a leading modernist architect. He designed iconic monuments, including the mausoleums of Avicenna and Nader Shah, and taught at the University of Tehran, founding its Faculty of Fine Arts. Following the Iranian Revolution, Seyhoun emigrated to Canada, where he continued creating sculptures and paintings while lecturing on architecture and art history. His work seamlessly integrated traditional Persian elements with contemporary forms, earning him recognition in both Iran and Canada.