Albums Released This Week (June 18 – 24)

Here’s a sampling of the BEST music ever made! Great albums from the 60s, 70s and 80s rock and pop released this week (and some related albums of note):

June 18
1971 ● The Yardbirds —— Remember ► Blues Rock
1972 ● Elvis Presley —— Elvis: As Recorded Live At Madison Square Garden ► Rock n Roll
1973 ● Donny Hathaway —— Extension Of A Man ► Soul
1973 ● Joe Walsh —— The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get ► Blues-Rock
1976 ● Brand X —— Unorthodox Behavior ► Jazz-Rock Fusion
1979 ● John Mellencamp (John Cougar) —— John Cougar ► Roots Rock
1982 ● Fleetwood Mac —— Mirage ► Pop-Rock
1982 ● King Crimson —— Beat ► Prog Rock
1983 ● Pink Floyd —— Works ► Prog Rock
1984 ● Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds —— From Her To Eternity ► Post-punk Alt Rock
1984 ● Dolly Parton —— Burlap & Satin ► Country-Pop
1984 ● Elvis Costello And The Attractions —— Goodbye Cruel World ► Alt. Pop-Rock
1984 ● Rod Stewart —— Camouflage ► Blues-Rock
1985 ● “Weird Al” Yankovic —— Dare To Be Stupid ► Comedy/Parody
1990 ● Alias —— Alias ► Hard Rock
1991 ● 3rd Bass —— Derelicts Of Dialect ► Golden Age
1991 ● Cher —— Love Hurts ► Pop-Rock
1995 ● Blondie —— Beautiful: The Remix Album ► New Wave Pop-Rock
1996 ● Primitive Radio Gods —— Rocket ► Alt. Rock
1996 ● AFI —— Very Proud Of Ya ► Hardcore Punk
1996 ● Toni Braxton —— Secrets ► Soul-Pop
1996 ● Little Feat —— Live From Neon Park ► Southern Rock
1996 ● The Ramones —— Greatest Hits Live ► Punk-Rock
1996 ● Patti Smith —— Gone Again ► Heartland Rock
2001 ● Iggy Pop —— Beat ‘Em Up ► Alt. Rock / Punk
2002 ● Yes —— Symphonic Live ► Prog Rock
2013 ● Phish —— Ventura ► Prog Rock/Jam Band

June 19
1970 ● Diana Ross —— Diana Ross ► Soul – Motown
1973 ● Smokey Robinson —— Smokey ► Soul
1974 ● Marvin Gaye —— Marvin Gaye Live! ► Soul
1978 ● Trooper —— Thick As Thieves ► Hard Rock
1979 ● Lowell George —— Thanks, I’ll Eat It Here ► Country-Rock
1979 ● Blue Öyster Cult —— Mirrors ► Metal
1981 ● Oingo Boingo —— Only A Lad ► New Wave Ska-Pop
1984 ● Glenn Frey —— The Allnighter ► Pop-Rock
1984 ● The Rolling Stones —— Rewind (1971-1984) ► Blues-Rock
1987 ● John Waite —— Rover’s Return ► Power Pop
1988 ● Jimmy Page —— Outrider ► Blues-Rock
1989 ● Cher —— Heart Of Stone ► Pop-Rock
1995 ● Reef —— Replenish ► Brit Pop
2000 ● Duran Duran —— Pop Trash ► AA Pop-Rock
2001 ● 311 —— From Chaos ► Alt. Pop-Rock
2001 ● Loverboy —— Live, Loud And Loose (1982 – 1986) ► Arena Rock
2002 ● The Church —— Greatest Hits Acoustic ► Alt. Power Pop
2012 ● Richard Marx —— A Night Out With Friends ► Pop Acoustic

June 20
1966 ● The Beatles —— Yesterday…And Today ► Pop-Rock
1969 ● Cher —— 3614 Jackson Highway ► Pop-Rock
1969 ● Cher —— Chastity [Sndtrk] ► Pop-Rock
1969 ● Aretha Franklin —— Soft And Beautiful ► Soul
1969 ● Grateful Dead —— Aoxomoxoa ► Psychedelic Rock
1969 ● Otis Redding —— Love Man ► Memphis Soul
1974 ● Bob Dylan & The Band —— Before The Flood ► Folk-Rock
1975 ● Neil Young —— Tonight’s The Night ► Folk-Rock
1978 ● Foreigner —— Double Vision ► Arena Rock
1980 ● Blues Brothers —— Blues Brothers [Sndtrk] ► Blues-Rock
1980 ● Peter Frampton —— Rise Up ► Arena Rock
1985 ● Scorpions —— World Wide Live ► Heavy Metal/Kraut Rock
1988 ● Bobby Brown —— Don’t Be Cruel ► New Jack Swing
1988 ● Iggy Pop —— Instinct ► Alt. Rock / Punk
1988 ● Chicago —— Chicago 19 ► Jazz-Rock
1989 ● The Allman Brothers Band —— Dreams ► Southern Rock
1989 ● Prince —— Batman ► Dance-Pop
1995 ● Big Audio Dynamite —— F-Punk ► Dance-Rock
1995 ● Dusty Springfield —— A Very Fine Love ► Pop-Rock
2000 ● Ayreon —— Universal Migrator Part 1: The Dream Sequencer ► Heavy Metal/Prog Metal
2000 ● The Clarks —— Let It Go ► Heartland Rock
2000 ● Little Feat —— Chinese Work Songs ► Southern Rock
2006 ● Counting Crows —— New Amersterdam: Live At Heineken Music Hall ► AA Pop-Rock
2006 ● Guster —— Ganging Up On The Sun ► AA Pop-Rock
2006 ● Gram Parsons —— The Complete Reprise Sessions ► Country-Rock
2006 ● Pearl Jam —— Live At Easy Street ► Hard Rock
2006 ● Madonna —— I’m Going To Tell You A Secret ► Dance-Pop
2011 ● Weather Report —— Live In Offenbach 1978 ► Jazz-Rock Fusion

June 21
1965 ● The Byrds —— Mr. Tambourine Man ► Country-Rock
1968 ● John Mayall —— Bare Wires ► Blues-Rock
1969 ● Deep Purple —— Deep Purple ► Hard Rock
1971 ● Buck Owens —— Ruby ► Country-Rock/Bakersfield
1979 ● Mick Taylor —— Mick Taylor ► Blues-Rock
1982 ● Carpenters —— Ketteiban (The Definitive) [Japan] ► Easy Listening
1982 ● Crosby, Stills & Nash —— Daylight Again ► Folk-Rock
1985 ● Marilyn —— Despite Straight Lines ► New Wave Pop-Rock
1985 ● Mötley Crüe —— Theatre Of Pain ► Heavy Metal
1987 ● Judas Priest —— Priest…Live! ► Heavy Metal
1987 ● White Lion —— Pride ► Hard Rock/Hair Metal
1988 ● Big Daddy Kane —— Long Live The Kane ► Golden Age Rap
1990 ● Anita Baker —— Compositions ► Quiet Storm
1990 ● Poison —— Flesh & Blood ► Heavy Metal/Hair Metal
1990 ● Uncle Tupelo —— No Depression ► Alt. Country
1993 ● Manic Street Preachers —— Gold Against The Soul ► Hard Rock
1994 ● Bone Thugs-N-Harmony —— Creepin On Ah Come Up ► Gangsta Rap
1994 ● John Mellencamp —— Dance Naked ► Roots Rock
1994 ● James Taylor —— Best Live ► Folk-Rock
1999 ● Sinergy —— Beware The Heavens ► Heavy Metal/Power Metal
2005 ● John Hiatt —— Master Of Disaster ► Roots Rock
2005 ● New Order —— Best Remixes ► Alt Pop-Rock
2010 ● The Jackson 5 —— Live At The Forum ► Soul – Motown
2011 ● The Chain Gang of 1974 —— Wayward Fire ► Electronic Pop

June 22
1971 ● Joni Mitchell —— Blue ► Folk-Rock
1973 ● Diana Ross —— Touch Me In The Morning ► Soul – Motown
1974 ● Cat Stevens —— Saturnight (Live In Tokyo) ► Folk-Pop
1982 ● Oingo Boingo —— Nothing To Fear ► New Wave Ska-Pop
1987 ● Marillion —— Clutching At Straws ► Prog Rock
1988 ● Robert Palmer —— Heavy Nova ► Blue-Eyed Soul
1990 ● Manic Street Preachers —— New Art Riot ► Hard Rock
1992 ● Black Sabbath —— Dehumanizer ► Hard Rock
1993 ● Liz Phair —— Exile In Guyville ► Indie Rock
1993 ● Death —— Individual Thought Patterns ► Heavy Metal/Death Metal
1994 ● Collective Soul —— Hints, Allegations And Things Left Unsaid ► Southern Rock
1995 ● Ben Lee —— Grandpaw Would ► Indie Pop
1997 ● Gardenian —— Two Feet Stand ► Heavy Metal/Death Metal
1998 ● Anathema —— Alternative 4 ► Heavy Metal/Prog Metal
1998 ● Genesis —— Genesis Archive 1967-75 ► Prog Rock
1999 ● Blackalicious —— A2G ► West Coast Rap
1999 ● Natalie Cole —— Snowfall On The Sahara ► Soul-Pop
1999 ● Limp Bizkit —— Significant Other ► Rap-Metal
1999 ● Fleetwood Mac —— Shrine ’69 ► Blues-Rock
1999 ● The Pretenders —— Viva el Amor! ► Post-Punk
2000 ● Saint Etienne —— Sound Of Water ► Ambient/Trip Hop
2004 ● Motörhead —— Inferno ► Heavy Metal
2004 ● Scorpions —— Unbreakable ► Heavy Metal/Kraut Rock
2004 ● Wilco —— A Ghost Is Born ► Alt. Country-Rock
2004 ● Heart —— Jupiter’s Darling ► Album Rock
2004 ● Lynyrd Skynyrd —— Lynyrd Skynyrd Lyve: The Vicious Cycle Tour ► Southern Rock
2010 ● Cyndi Lauper —— Memphis Blues ► Blue-Eyed Soul
2010 ● Lynyrd Skynyrd —— Live From Freedom Hall ► Southern Rock
2010 ● Ozzy Osbourne —— Scream ► Hard Rock
2011 ● Yes —— Fly From Here ► Prog Rock

June 23
1964 ● Stevie Wonder —— Stevie At The Beach ► Soul – Motown
1971 ● The Byrds —— Byrdmaniax ► Country-Rock
1972 ● Jethro Tull —— Living In The Past [UK] ► Prog Rock
1973 ● Can —— Future Days ► Prog Rock/Ambient
1977 ● AC/DC —— Let There Be Rock ► Hard Rock
1979 ● ABBA —— Voulez-Vous ► Euro-Pop
1979 ● The Angels —— No Exit ► Hard Rock
1979 ● Teddy Pendergrass —— Teddy Pendergrass- Greatest Hits ► Soul-Pop
1980 ● Bob Dylan —— Saved ► Folk-Rock
1980 ● The Rolling Stones —— Emotional Rescue ► Blues-Rock
1981 ● Tom Tom Club —— Tom Tom Club ► Alt. Pop-Rock
1985 ● Fleetwood Mac —— Jumping At Shadows ► Blues-Rock
1986 ● Peter Cetera —— Soliture/Solitaire ► Pop-Rock
1986 ● David Bowie —— Labyrinth ► Glam Rock
1986 ● Rod Stewart —— Every Beat Of My Heart ► Pop-Rock
1987 ● Sammy Hagar —— I Never Said Goodbye ► Hard Rock
1992 ● Carcass —— Tools Of The Trade ► Heavy Metal/Death Metal
1992 ● Dr. John —— Goin’ Back To New Orleans ► New Orleans R&B
1992 ● Glenn Frey —— Strange Weather ► Pop-Rock
1992 ● The B-52’s —— Good Stuff ► New Wave Pop-Rock
1992 ● Jimmy Cliff —— Breakout ► Pop-Reggae
1992 ● Elton John —— The One ► Pop-Rock
1997 ● Billy Bragg & Wilco —— Mermaid Avenue ► Folk-Rock
1997 ● Sparks —— Plagarism ► Glam Rock
1997 ● Paul Weller —— Heavy Soul ► Blue-Eyed Soul
1998 ● Linda Ronstadt —— We Ran ► Pop-Rock
2009 ● Dinosaur Jr. —— Farm ► Alt. Rock
2009 ● Tonic —— A Casual Affair: The Best Of Tonic ► Alt/Roots Rock
2009 ● Cheap Trick —— The Latest ► Hard Rock/Power Pop
2009 ● John Mellencamp —— Life, Death, Live And Freedom ► Roots Rock
2014 ● Peter Gabriel —— Back To Front: Live In London ► Prog Rock
2015 ● Jerry Garcia Band —— On Broadway: Act One – October 28th, 1987 ► Roots Rock

June 24
1968 ● The Rascals —— Time Peace: The Rascals Greatest Hits ► Blue-Eyed Soul
1974 ● The Beach Boys —— Endless Summer ► Pop-Rock
1975 ● Average White Band —— Cut The Cake ► Funk
1977 ● James Taylor —— JT ► Folk-Rock
1979 ● The Who —— The Kids Are Alright [Sndtrk] ► British Rock
1980 ● Jackson Browne —— Hold Out ► Folk-Rock
1982 ● The Replacements —— Stink ► Alt. Pop-Rock
1984 ● Celtic Frost —— Morbid Tales ► Heavy Metal/Extreme Metal
1986 ● Soul Asylum —— Time’s Incinerator ► Alt. Pop-Rock
1988 ● Elton John —— Reg Strikes Back ► Pop-Rock
1991 ● Marillion —— Holidays In Eden ► Prog Rock
1991 ● America —— Encore: More Greatest Hits ► Folk-Rock
1993 ● The House Of Love —— Audience With The Mind ► Indie Rock
1996 ● Opeth —— Morningrise ► Heavy Metal/Doom Metal
1997 ● Del Amitri —— Some Other Sucker’s Parade ► Alt Pop-Rock
1997 ● Mötley Crüe —— Generation Swine ► Heavy Metal
1997 ● Testament —— Demonic ► Heavy Metal/Thrash Metal
2003 ● Michael McDonald —— Motown ► Blue-Eyed Soul
2003 ● Dion —— New Masters ► Pop-Rock
2003 ● Bob Marley & The Wailers —— Live At The Roxy ► Roots Reggae
2008 ● Mötley Crüe —— Saints Of Los Angeles ► Heavy Metal
2008 ● Peter Gabriel & Various Artists —— Big Blue Ball ► Prog Rock
2014 ● Phish —— Fuego ► Prog Rock/Jam Band
2014 ● The Band —— Carter Barron Amphitheater Washington, DC, July 17th, 1976 ► Folk-Rock
2016 ● Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers —— The Record Plant ’77 ► Album Rock
2016 ● Neil Young With Promise Of The Real —— Earth ► Folk-Rock

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This Week’s Birthdays (June 17 – 23)

Happy Birthday this week to:

June 17
1902 ● Sammy Fain / (Samuel E. Feinberg) → Broadway show songwriter and film score composer, penned the music for endearing popular songs, including “I Can Dream, Can’t I?” (1937) and “Tender Is The Night” (1962), won Oscars for “Secret Love” (1953) and “Love Is A Many Splendored Thing” (1955), scored film soundtracks for Alice In Wonderland (1951), Peter Pan (1953), April Love (1957) and the Broadway shows Hellzapoppin’ (1938), Christine (1960) and others, died from a heart attack on 12/6/1989, age 87
1910 ● Red Foley / (Clyde Julian Foley) → Pioneer country-pop crossover star in the post-WWII era with 56 Country Top 10 hits and 13 Pop Top 40 hits from 1944 to 1956, including “Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy” (#1, Country #1, 1950), continued to record and perform until his death from a heart attack after a show in Indiana on 9/19/1968, age 58
1916 ● Terry Gilkyson / (Hamilton H. Gilkyson III) → Folk-pop singer and songwriter, wrote “The Cry Of The Wild Goose” (#1, 1950) for Frankie Lane and songs used by other artists, sang with The Weavers on “On Top Of Old Smokey” (#2, 1953), formed influential but unheralded folk trio The Easy Riders in the mid-50s and co-wrote their big hit, the oft-covered “Marianne” (#3, 1957), wrote songs that were used in Disney films, died from complications of an aneurysm on 10/15/1999 , age 83
1918 ● Billy Garland / (William Jefferson Garland) → Blues guitarist, singer and songwriter in the 40s, “Got Nothing On Me” (1945), died in a car accident on 3/16/1960, age 41
1930 ● Cliff Gallup → Guitarist for rockabilly Gene Vincent And His Blue Caps, “Be-Bop-A-Lula” (#7, 1956), died of a heart attack on 10/9/1988, age 58
1937 ● Edward Farran → With his identical twin brother, Fred and brothers Tom and Scott Herrick, singer in pop cover quartet The Arbors (“The Letter,” #20, 1969), coached rock and pop singers with voice lessons and wrote and sang commercial jingles for three decades thereafter, died of kidney failure on 1/2/2003, age 65
1937 ● Fred Farran → With his identical twin brother, Ed and brothers Tom and Scott Herrick, singer in pop cover quartet The Arbors (“The Letter,” #20, 1969), stayed as a group after their fame ran out and wrote and recorded commercial jingles for three decades thereafter, died of pneumonia on 8/29/2011, age 74
1939 ● Dave Alldred → Drummer in 50s Tex-Mex rockabilly The Rhythm Orchids with Buddy Knox, “Party Doll” (#1, 1957), co-wrote “Click Clack” (#28, 1958) and performed the song and others in the pop band Dickey Doo & The Don’ts, continued to perform in the 90s
1940 ● Chuck Rainey → Jazz and R&B/soul-funk bassist for King Curtis‘ band, “Memphis Soul Stew” (#33, 1967), session work with Aretha Franklin and many others
1942 ● Norman Kuhlke → Drummer for British Invasion pop-rock The Swinging Blue Jeans, “Hippy Hippy Shake” (#21, 1964)
1943 ● Barry Manilow / (Barry Alan Pincus) → Highly successful adult contemporary/MOR singer, “I Write The Songs” (#1, 1976), songwriter, producer, conductor and stage performer
1944 ● Chris Spedding / (Peter Robinson) → Brit rock and jazz guitarist with several solo albums and a lone single, “Motorbikin'” (UK Top 20, 1975), but mainly known for sessions and touring with Harry Nilsson, John Cale, Roxy Music, Elton John and others, Greedy Bastards
1947 ● Gregg Rolie → Keyboardist and founding member of Latin-rock Santana, “Black Magic Woman” (#4, 1970) , then original lead singing for arena rock Journey, “Who’s Crying Now” (#4, 1981), currently frontman for the Gregg Rolie Band
1947 ● Paul Young → Singer and percussionist for Brit soft pop-rock Sad Café, “Every Day Hurts” (UK #3, 1979), then pop-rock Mike + The Mechanics, “All I Need Is A Miracle” (#5, 1986), died of a heart attack on 7/15/2000, age 53
1949 ● Russell Smith → Founding member, lead singer, guitarist and somgwriter for Grammy-winning Southern rock Amazing Rhythm Aces (“Third Rate Romance,” #14, Country #11, CAN #1), left the group in 1985 for a country music career as a solo artist (“I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight,” Country #37, 1989) and songwriter with four County #1 hits, including “Look Heart, No Hands” (Country #1, 1993) for Randy Travis
1951 ● Lenny LeBlanc → Guitarist, session musician, songwriter and one half of the light pop-rock duo LeBlanc & Carr (“Falling,” #13, 1977), as part of the Muscle Shoals Studios (Alabama) house band recorded with numerous top artists, including The Supremes, Ricky Scaggs, Roy Orbison, Amy Grant and others, switched to Christian music in the 80s and continues to record and produce music
1957 ● Philip Chevron → Guitarist for Irish folk-punk-rock The Pogues, “Tuesday Morning” (Rock #11, 1993)
1958 ● Jello Biafra / (Eric Boucher) → Lead singer and songwriter for controversial hard core punk rock Dead Kennedys, “Too Drunk To F**k” (UK #31, 1980), leading figure of the Green Party in the US
1960 ● Michael Monroe / (Matti Fagerholm) → Vocals for Finnish glam-punk-metal Hanoi Rocks, “Up Around The Bend” (1984)
1965 ● Richard Hynd → Drummer for Scottish blues-rock Texas, “In My Heart” (Alt Rock #14, 1991)
1969 ● Kevin Thornton → Vocals in a cappella hip hop harmony group Color Me Badd, “I Wanna Sex You Up” (#2, 1991)
1972 ● Rikrok / (Ricardo George Ducent) → London-born, Jamaican descent reggae singer and songwriter, “It Wasn’t Me” (#1, 2000)
1981 ● Ben Kweiler → Former teenage frontman for 90s post-grunge Radish, then solo, “Wasted & Ready” (Modern Rock #29, 2002) and two acclaimed Indie Top 10 albums, Ben Kweiler (#1, 2006 and Changing Horses (#8, 2009)
1983 ● Lee Ryan → Vocals in Brit R&B/soul-dance boy band Blue, “Too Close” (UK #1, 2001)
1987 ● Kendrick Lamar Duckworth → Grammy-winning hip hop solo artist (“Swimming Pools (Drank),” #17, Rap #1, 2012) and member of West Coast rap collaborative supergroup Black Hippy
1989 ● Simone Battle / (Simone Sherise Battle) → Actress and singer, The X Factor finalist in 2011 and member of pop girl group G.R.L. (“Ugly Heart,” #107, UK #11, 2014), committed suicide by hanging on 9/5/2014, age 25

June 18
1913 ● Sammy Cahn / (Samuel Cohen) → LA-based musician, songwriter and Tin Pan Alley-style lyricist for romantic films and Broadway shows, wrote or co-wrote dozens of popular songs, including the enduring and oft-covered “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” (Vaughan Moore, #1, 1946), collaborated on multiple hits by Frank Sinatra, including “All The Way” (#1, 1957), died from congestive heart failure on 1/15/1993, age 79
1938 ● Sugarcane Harris / (Don Francis Bowman Harris) → Guitarist, pianist and half the 50s rock ‘n’ roll duo Don & Dewey, switched to electric violin and did session work for Little Richard, John Mayall, Frank Zappa and others, died from pulmonary disease on 11/30/1999, age 61
1942 ● Paul McCartney → The most successful rock composer of all time, with John Lennon co-wrote 21 US #1 and has over 30 US #1 singles as a solo artist and frontman for his band Wings
1942 ● Richard Perry → Highly successful and popular record producer with twelve gold discs, label owner (Planet Records, 1978-83), worked with Captain Beefheart, The Pointer Sisters, Diana Ross, Leo Sayer, Carly Simon, Ringo Starr, Barbra Streisand and others
1942 ● Carl Radle → Bass guitarist for Derek & The Dominos, Eric Clapton band, Delaney & Bonnie, sessions for George Harrison, died of kidney failure on 5/30/1980, age 37
1944 ● Sandy Posey → Session vocalist for Elvis Presley, Percy Sledge (backing vocals on “When A Man Loves A Woman,” #1, 1966) and others, then pop singer, “Born A Woman” (#12, 1966) and three more Top 40 hits in the 60s, turned to countrypolitan pop in the 70s and scored six Country Top 40 hits, continued to record and perform into the 00s
1944 ● Rick Griffin / (Richard Alden Griffin) → Cartoonist, graphic artist and pioneering designer of psychedelic posters and album covers, including work for the Grateful Dead, the Fillmore West, Jimi Hendrix and others, frequent contributor to Zap Comix magazine, died in a motorcycle accident on 8/18/1991, age 47
1952 ● Ricky Gazda → Trumpets for New Jersey rock ‘n roll bar band Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes (“Talk To Me,” 1978) and later as a member of The Miami Horns, the touring and session recording horn section that backed Bruce Springsteen, Little Steven, <, Sheryl Crow and many others
1953 ● Jerome Smith → Rhythm guitar for R&B/soul-disco-funk kings KC & The Sunshine Band, “That’s The Way (I Like It)” (#1, 1975) and five other #1 hits, died in a construction site accident on 7/28/2000, age 47
1961 ● Alison Moyet → Bluesy-voiced Brit pop-rock singer in synth-pop duo Yazoo, “Nobody’s Diary” (Dance/Club #1, 1983), solo, “Invisible” (#31, 1985)
1963 ● Dizzy Reed / (Darren Arthur Reed) → Keyboards for hard rock Guns N’ Roses, “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (#1, 1988)
1969 ● Sice / (Simon Rowbottom) → Guitarist and vocals for 90s Brit guitar-pop The Boo Radleys, “Barney (…And Me)” (Alt Rock #30, 1994)
1971 ● Nathan Morris → Baritone for R&B/urban soul a cappella Boyz II Men, “End Of The Road” (#1, 1992)
1973 ● Gary Stringer → Vocals for hard-edged Brit pop Reef, “Place Your Hands” (Mainstream Rock #29, 1997) from the UK #1 album Glow
1973 ● Ray LaMontagne → Folk, folk-rock and folk-blues singer, songwriter and guitarist with five studio LPs, including Gossip In The Grain (#3, 2008), and multiple singles (“Beg, Steal Or Borrow,” AAA #1, 2010)
1975 ● Sikk The Shocker / (Vyshonne King Miller) → Vocals for gangsta rap trio The Real Untouchables (TRU), “I Always Feel Like” (#71, Rap #11, 1997), solo, “It Ain’t My Fault” (#18, R&B #5, Rap #1, 1998)
1976 ● Blake Shelton → Country-pop crossover singer, songwriter and TV show star, “Austin” #18, Country #1, 2001) and 19 other Country #1 hits plus 13 other Pop Top 40 hits, judge of music competition shows Nashville Star, Clash Of The Choirs and The Voice

June 19
1902 ● Guy Lombardo / (Gaetano Alberto Lombardo) → Canadian-American easy listening violinist and bandleader, formed big band The Royal Canadians with three brothers and several other musicians in the 20s and became known for nearly 50 years of New Years Eve radio and then TV broadcasts, moonlighted as a hydroplane speedboat racer, won the Gold Cup and every other trophy in the field, died from a heart attack on 11/5/1977, age 75
1914 ● Lester Flatt → Legendary and musically prodigious bluegrass guitarist, cohort of Earl Scruggs in the Foggy Mountain Boys and in duo Flatt & Scruggs, died of heart failure on 5/11/1979, age 64
1925 ● Charlie Drake / (Charles Edward Spungall) → Brit comedian, children’s songwriter, TV actor and BBC program host, and (in the U.S.) one hit wonder novelty song singer, “My Boomerang Won’t Come Back” (#21, UK #14, 1962), died in his sleep on 12/23/2006, age 81
1936 ● Tommy DeVito → Founding member, guitarist and singer for Top 40 pop vocal quartet The Four Seasons, “Big Girls Don’t Cry” (#1, 1962), left in 1971 and sold his stake in the group to cover gambling and tax debts
1936 ● Shirley Goodman → One half of 50s teen R&B/pop male-female contrasting duet-style Shirley & Lee, “Let The Good Times Roll” (#20, R&B #1, 1956), resurfaced as lead singer for one hit wonder, pre-disco dance-pop Shirley & Company, “Shame Shame Shame” (#12, 1974), died on 7/5/2005, age 69
1939 ● Al Wilson → R&B/smooth soul vocalist, “Show and Tell” (#1, 1973), died of kidney failure on 4/21/2008, age 68
1942 ● Spanky McFarlane / (Elaine McFarlane) → Frontwoman and lead vocals for sunny folk-pop Spanky & Our Gang, “Sunday Will Never Be The Same” (#9, 1967), joined the reformed The Mamas & The Papas in 1982
1944 ● Robin Box → Lead guitar for Brit pre-fab pop White Plains, “My Baby Loves Lovin'” (#13, 1970)
1945 ● Robert Palmer, Jr. / (Robert Franklon Palmer, Jr.) → Musician, journalist, author and rock music critic, played clarinet in 60s jazz-rock The Insect Trust, covered rock music for the New York Times and Rolling Stone magazine in the 70s and 80s, produced blues albums and published books in the 80s and 90s, died from liver disease on 11/20/1997, age 52
1948 ● Nick Drake → Dark-themed, multi-instrumentalist Brit folk-rock singer/songwriter, notable album Pink Moon (1972), committed suicide on 11/25/1974, age 26
1950 ● Ann Wilson → With younger sister Nancy, co-frontwoman for hard AOR rock Heart, “These Dreams” (#1, 1986)
1953 ● Larry Dunn / (Larry Dunn (Lawrence Dunhill)) → Keyboards, synthesizer and musical director for R&B/soul-dance-pop Earth, Wind & Fire, “Shining Star” (#1, 1975)
1954 ● Lou Pearlman / (Louis Jay Pearlman) → Record producer, band manager and fraudster known first as the manager of 90s boy bands Backstreet Boys (“Quit Playing Games )With My Heart),” #2, UK #2, 1996) and NSYNC (“Bye Bye Bye,” $1, UK #3, 2000), later achieved infamy as the perpetrator of a $300 million Ponzi scheme, tried and convicted in 2008, sentenced to 25 years in prison, where he died from a heart attack on 8/19/2016, age 62
1957 ● Maxi Jazz / (Maxwell Fraser) → Rapper in electronic house-pop club quartet Faithless, “Insomnia” (Dance/Club #1, 1997)
1959 ● Marty DeBarge / (Mark DeBarge) → With his sister and three brothers, vocals in R&B/urban contemporary dance-pop sibling quintet Debarge, “All This Love” (#17, 1983)
1960 ● Dennis Fuller → With Edem Ephraim, one half of Brit/Austrian dance-europop London Boys, “London Nights” (UK #2, 1989), died with Ephraim in a car collision on 1/21/1996, age 36
1962 ● Paula Abdul → Former L. A. Laker cheerleader and rock/pop stage and video dance choreographer turned hugely successful dance-pop diva, “Opposites Attract” (#1, 1989) and five other US #1 hits, producer and judge on the TV show American Idol
1963 ● Simon Wright → Drummer for hard rock AC/DC starting in 1983, left in 1989 to join heavy metal Dio
1964 ● Brian Vander Ark → Frontman, guitar and vocals for alt/indie pop-rock The Verve Pipe, “The Freshmen” (#5, 1997)
1970 ● Brian “Head” Welch / (Brian Welch) → Guitarist for Nu metal Korn, “Here To Stay” (Mainstream #4, 2002), solo
1976 ● Scott Avett / (Scott Yancey Avett) → With brother Seth, frontman and guitarist in progressive folk-rock quartet The Avett Brothers (Ain’t No Man,” AAA #1, Alt Rock #28, 2016), also paints and runs an art gallery in North Carolina
1983 ● Macklemore / (Ben Haggerty) → Rapper and songwriter, both as a solo artist and in collaboration with Ryan Lewis as the duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, the pair had back-to-back debut singles, “Can’t Hold Us” (#1, 2011) and “Thrift Shop” (#1, 2013), and four Grammy Awards in 2014

June 20
1907 ● Jimmy Driftwood / (James Corbitt Morris) → Legendary and prolific country, folk-pop and roots rock songwriter, wrote thousands of songs (of which some 300 were recorded), often with American history themes such as the oft-covered “The Battle Of New Orleans” (Johnny Horton, #1, 1959), died of a heart attack on 7/12/1998, age 91
1920 ● Danny Cedrone / (Donato Joseph Cedrone) → Rock ‘n’ roll guitarist with Bill Haley & His Comets, played lead on all their hits including “Rock Around The Clock” (#1, 1955), died instantly from a broken neck after falling down a staircase on 6/7/1954 at age 34 and never knew his role in the birth of rock ‘n’ roll
1924 ● Chet Atkins / (Chester Burton Atkins) → Eleven-time Grammy-winning country-pop guitarist, songwriter, sessionman, producer and solo artist, “Yakety Axe” (Country #4, 1965), created the smoother “Nashville Sound” blending country and pop, died from a brain tumor on 6/30/2001, age 77
1928 ● Eric Dolphy → avant-garde “free jazz” flute, alto sax and clarinet musician, influenced jazz-rock fusionists, died suddenly from a diabetic coma on 6/29/1964, age 36
1936 ● Billy Guy → Bass singer for R&B/doo wop/soul-pop The Coasters, “Yakety Yak” (#1, 1958), solo comedy album plus producer, died in his sleep of a probable heart attack on 11/5/2002, age 66
1936 ● Mickie Most / (Michael Peter Hayes) → Producer for The Animals, Herman’s Hermits, The Nashville Teens, Lulu and Jeff Beck, formed RAK Records in 1969 and issued hits for Hot Chocolate, Mud and Suzi Quatro, died of cancer on 5/30/2003, age 66
1937 ● Jerry Keller → One hit wonder pop singer/songwriter, “Here Comes Summer” (#14, UK #1, 1959), wrote several minors hit for others and soundtracks, TV commercial jingle vocalist
1942 ● Brian Wilson → Leader, keyboards, bass guitar, lead and backing harmony vocals and chief songwriter for surf-pop-rock The Beach Boys, “Good Vibrations” (#1, 1966), referred by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as “one of the few undisputed geniuses in popular music”
1945 ● Anne Murray → Grammy-winning, Nova Scotia-born country-pop and adult contemporary singer, “You Needed Me” (#1, 1978)
1948 ● Alan Longmuir → Bassist for Scottish teen-pop Bay City Rollers, “Saturday Night” (#1, 1976)
1948 ● Don Airey → Long and varied journeyman career as keyboard sessionman and bandmember for Hammer, Rainbow, Gary Moore, Ozzy Osbourne, Jethro Tull, Colosseum II, Whitesnake, Judas Priest and others, with Deep Purple since 2002
1949 ● Lionel Richie → Saxophone and vocals for R&B/soul-funk The Commodores, “Three Times A Lady” (#1, 1978), then hugely successful R&B-pop/adult contemporary solo career beginning with “Endless Love” (#1, 1981), the first of 13 straight Top 10 hits, five of which were #1
1954 ● Michael Anthony / (Michael Anthony Sobolewski) → Founding member and only bassist for hard rock megastars Van Halen, “Jump” (#1, 1984), co-founded blues-funk-rock supergroup Chickenfoot in 2008, markets a line of hot sauces and related products named Mad Anthony
1958 ● Simon Underwood → Bassist for post-punk Pigbag, “Papa’s Got A Brand New Pigbag” (Dance/Club #56, UK #3, 1981)
1958 ● Kelly Johnson → Founding member, vocals and lead guitar for early all-girl heavy metal group Painted Lady, which became Girlschool, “Hit And Run” (UK #32, 1981), died of spinal cancer on 7/15/2007, age 49
1960 ● Chris Gibson → Percussion and vocals with brothers Patrick and Alex in R&B/disco-salsa The Gibson Brothers, “Cuba” (Dance/Club #9, 1979)
1960 ● John Taylor → Bassist for New Wave pop-rock Duran Duran, “Hungry Like The Wolf” (#3, 1982) and “(Reach Up For The) Sunrise” (Dance/Club #1, 2001), co-founded The Power Station, “Some Like It Hot” (#6, 1985) and mid-90s supergroup Neurotic Outsiders, “Jerk” (Mainstream Rock #31, 1996), plus solo, ” I Do What I Do” (Theme from 9-1/2 Weeks) (#23, 1986)
1967 ● Jerome Fontamillas → Guitars, keyboards and vocals with several industrial and alt rock bands in the 90s, in 2000 joined Grammy-winning alt rock/Christian rock Switchfoot, “Meant To Live” (#18, Modern Rock #5, 2004)
1968 ● Murphy Karges → Bassist for funk-pop-rock Sugar Ray, “Fly” (#1, 1997)
1971 ● Twiggy Ramirez / (Jeordie Osbourne White) → Bassist for industrial-pop-metal/shock rock Marilyn Manson, “The Dope Show” (Mainstream Rock #12, 1998), later Nine Inch Nails touring band, A Perfect Circle and Goon Moon
1972 ● Chino Moreno → Vocals for Grammy-winning alt heavy metal Deftones, “Change (In The House Of Flies)” (Mainstream Rock #9, 2000), ranked #51 in Hit Parader magazine’s Top 100 Metal Vocalists of All Time
1977 ● Amos Lee / (Ryan Anthony Massaro) → School teacher and bartender turned folk, rock and soul singer-songwriter, toured as an opening act for numerous top artists, including Bob Dylan, Norah Jones, Merle Haggard and Van Morrison, his Mission Bell album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart in 2011
1979 ● Charlotte Hatherly → Founding member, guitar and backing vocals for Irish neo-punk/pop-rock Ash, “Goldfinger” (UK #5, 1996)

June 21
1926 ● Nick Noble / (Nicholas Valkan) → Pop and easy listening singer with several Top 40 hits in the 50s and 60s, including “A Fallen Star” (#22, 1957) and a minor but near-career reviving country-pop crossover hit, “Stay With Me” (AC #38, Country #40, 1978), died on 3/24/2012, age 85
1932 ● Lalo Schifrin → Argentinean-born, Grammy-winning pianist, conductor, composer and arranger of TV and film soundtracks, including “Mission: Impossible” (Adult Contemporary #7, 1968), “Jaws” (Disco #5, 1976) and the theme song to Mannix (1967-1975), also worked with Clint Eastwood to compose the scores to several films in the Dirty Harry series
1932 ● Carl White → Lead vocals and songwriter for 60s R&B/doo wop two hit wonder quartet The Rivingtons, co-wrote their novelty pop classics “Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow” (#48, 1962) and “The Bird’s The Word” (#52, 1963), died from acute tonsillitis on 1/7/1980, age 47
1942 ● O.C. Smith / (Ocie Lee Smith) → Jazz vocalist in Count Basie‘s band, then country-R&B-pop solo singer, “Little Green Apples” (#2, 1968), later became a pastor and church leader, died on 11/23/2001, age 59
1944 ● Philip John Hiseman / (Jon Hiseman) → British jazz-, blues- and progressive rock drummer, recording engineer, producer and prolific music publisher, often in collaboration with his wife, saxophonist and composer Barbara Thompson, replaced Ginger Baker (who joined with Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton in Cream) in 1966 in John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, left to form prog rock Colosseum, (album Valentyne Suite, UK #15, 1969) and Tempest in 1971, formed Colosseum II in 1976, after 1979 worked with various jazz-rock ensembles until reuniting the original Colosseum in 1994 for two decades, continued to record and perform up to his suffering complications from brain tumor surgery and dying several weeks later on 6/12/2018, age 73
1944 ● Miquel Vicens Danus → Bassist for Spanish rock ‘n roll band Los Bravos, “Black Is Black” (US #4, 1966), the first US Top 10 hit by a Spanish band
1944 ● Ray Davies → Founding member, frontman, guitar, vocals and songwriter for British Invasion pop-rock The Kinks, “Lola” (#9, 1970) and “Come Dancing” (#6, 1983)
1946 ● Brenda Holloway → Second-tier Motown Records R&B/soul singer, “Every Little Bit Hurts” (#13, 1964), left the label in the late 60s for “religious reasons” and to raise a family, released a one-off gospel album in 1980, returned to recording and performing on the revival circuit and continues as of 2015
1947 ● Joey Molland / (Joseph Charles Molland) → Guitar, vocals and songwriter for Brit power pop Badfinger, “Come And Get It” (#7, 1970), has performed in various incarnations of the band for four decades
1949 ● Greg Munford → Lead vocals for 60s psych-pop-rock Strawberry Alarm Clock, “Incense And Peppermints” (#1, 1967)
1950 ● Joey Kramer / (Joseph Michael Kramer) → Long-time drummer for Grammy-winning, venerable hard rockers Aerosmith, “Dream On” (#6, 1976), “Angel” (#3, 1988), “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” (#1, 1998), “Baby, Please Don’t Go” (Mainstream Rock #7, 2004)
1951 ● Alan Silson → Lead guitar and vocals for pop-rock Smokie, “Living Next Door To Alice” (#25, UK #3, 1977)
1951 ● Nils Lofgren → Rock guitarist, pianist, songwriter and vocals, joined Neil Young‘s Crazy Horse in 1968, from 1971 to 1974 recorded four albums with his own band, Grin, solo, “Valentine”, (Mainstream Rock #37, 1991), joined Bruce Springsteen‘s E Street Band in 1984 and is a two-time member with Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band
1957 ● Mark Brzezicki → Drummer for Scottish art-folk-rock Big Country, “In A Big Country” (Mainstream Rock #3, 1983), also stints with The Cult, Ultravox and Procol Harum, plus session work for The Pretenders, Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and others
1959 ● Kathy Mattea → Grammy-winning bluegrass and country-pop singer/songwriter, “Goin’ Gone” (Country #1, 1987) and 13 other Country Top 10 singles
1959 ● Marcella Detroit / (Marcella Levy) → Back-up singer for Eric Clapton, then vocalist and songwriter in R&B/synth-pop duo Shakespear’s Sister, “Stay” (#4, 1992), sessions, solo
1967 ● Tim Simenon → Hip hop producer, co-produced for Neneh Cherry and Seal, composer and frontman for one man electronic/sampladelic Bomb The Bass, “Beat Dis” (Dance/Club #1, 1988)
1968 ● Sonique / (Sonia Clarke) → Brit dance-pop diva and DJ, first with dance-pop acid house S’Express, “Theme From S’Express” (Dance/Club #1, 1988), then solo, “Feels So Good” (#8, Dance/Club #1, 2000)
1969 ● Pat Sansone → Multi-instrumentalist for alt country-rock Wilco, “Outtasite (Outta Mind)” (Mainstream Rock #22, 1997)
1975 ● Justin Cary → Bassist for Christian pop-rock Sixpence None The Richer, “Kiss Me” (#2, 1998)
1976 ● Michael Aaron Einziger → Guitarist for alt-metal Incubus, “Drive” (#9, 2001)
1981 ● Brandon Flowers → Vocals and keyboards for pop-alt hard rock The Killers, “Mr. Brightside” (#10, 2005)
1985 ● Lana Del Ray / (Elizabeth Grant) → Model, guitarist and trip hop/house singer, “Summertime Sadness” (#6, 2012)

June 22
1913 ● Dotty Todd / (Doris Dabb) → With her husband in one hit wonder pop singing duo Art & Dotty Todd, “Chanson D’Amour” (“Love Song”) (#6, 1958), continued to perform on radio and in Las Vegas cabarets until retiring in 1980, died from natural causes on 10/10/2007, age 87
1927 ● Remo Delmo Belli → Creator of the less expensive, more durable synthetic drumhead cover in the late 50s, which launched thousands of 60s garage bands and fueled the rock ‘n’ roll boom, died from pneumonia on 4/25/2016, age 88
1930 ● Roy Drusky → Countrypolitan music singer and songwriter with twelve Country Top 10 hits in the 60s and 70s but only one crossover single, “Three Hearts In A Triangle” (#35, Country #2, 1961), died from lung cancer on 9/23/2004, age 74
1936 ● Kris Kristofferson → Grammy-winning country singer/songwriter, wrote “Me & Bobby McGee” (Janis Joplin, #1, 1971), solo artist, “Why Me” (#16, Country #1, 1973), film actor in many top films and roles, including A Star Is Born (1976) opposite Barbra Streisand, husband of folkie Rita Coolidge from 1973 to 1980
1937 ● Chris Blackwell → Highly-influential Brit music executive and producer, founder of fiercely independent Island Records, which forged the early careers of Traffic, Bob Marley, Grace Jones, U2 and countless other rock acts, founded Mango Records and Palm Records, currently oversees Jamaican resort properties and philanthropic organizations
1942 ● Deodato / (Eumir Deodato de Almeida) → Brazilian multi-instrumentalist producer and arranger known for mixing rock, R&B/funk and heavy Latin influences in a crossover orchestral jazz sound, scored several instrumental pop and disco dance-pop hits in the 70s and 80s, including a rendition of “Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001)” (#2, 1973), also arranged and produced hundreds of albums for multiple artists over three decades through the 00s
1944 ● Peter Asher → With Gordon Waller, one half of the acclaimed British Invasion pop-rock duo Peter & Gordon, “A World Without Love” (#1, 1964) and nine other Top 30 hits in the mid-60s, manager, record producer and one-time head of Apple Records
1944 ● Bill Thompson → Manager for psychedelic rock Jefferson Airplane (“Somebody To Love,” #5, 1967) through successful but turbulent times from 1968 to 1972, stayed with the band members for various solo projects, including folk-rock Hot Tuna (LP Burgers, 1972) and reformation as electric folk/pop-rock Jefferson Starship (“Miracles,” #3, 1975) and spinoff pop-rock Starship (“We Built This City,” #1, 1985), died of a heart attack on 1/12/2015, age 70
1947 ● Howard Kaylan / (Howard Kaplan) → With long-time collaborator Mark Vollman, co-founder and vocals for pop-rock The Turtles, “Happy Together” (#1, 1967), then Frank Zappa-led satirical rock group The Mothers Of Invention, “Brown Shoes Don’t Make It” (1967), formed Flo & Eddie with Vollman, continues with him in TV, film, radio and reconstituted Turtles projects
1948 ● Todd Rundgren → Guitarist, singer/songwriter, bandleader for pop-rock The Nazz, “Hello It’s Me” (#71, 1969) and Utopia, “Set Me Free” (#27, 1980), solo, “I Saw The Light” (#16, 1972), member of The New Cars, “Not Tonight” (2006) and producer of albums by Meat Loaf, The Band, Badfinger and Grand Funk Railroad, among others
1949 ● Alan Osmond → Vocals for family-oriented light pop-rock The Osmonds, ten US Top 40 singles including “One Bad Apple” (#1, 1971)
1953 ● Cyndi Lauper → Nasally-voiced, rag-tag early MTV star pop-rock girl solo singer, “Time After Time” (#1, 1983)
1956 ● Derek Forbes → Bassist for Scottish New Wave pop-rock Simple Minds, “(Don’t You) Forget About Me” ($1, 1985)
1956 ● Green Gartside / (Paul Julian Strohmeyer) → Wales-born founding member, frontman, songwriter, vocals and only constant member of left-wing post-punk then pop-punk Scritti Politti, “Perfect Way” (#11, Dance/Club #6, 1985)
1957 ● Gary Beers → Bassist for Aussie New Wave dance-groove-pop INXS, “Need You Tonight” (#1, 1987)
1958 ● Ruby Turner → Jamaican-born R&B/soul singer, backing vocals for R&B/reggae UB40 and Culture Club, then solo, “It’s Gonna Be Alright” (R&B #1, Dance/Club #5, 1989)
1959 ● Alan Anton / (Alan Alizojvodic) → Bassist for Canadian alt-art-country-blues-rock Cowboy Junkies, “Sweet Jane” (Modern Rock #5, 1989)
1961 ● Jimmy Somerville → Lead vocals and songwriter for early-out gay synth-pop Bronski Beat, “Smalltown Boy” (#48, Dance/Pop #1, 1984), then vocals for outwardly gay dance-pop The Communards, “Don’t Leave Me This Way” (#40, Dance/Club #1, 1986)
1962 ● Stephen Vaughan → Bassist for alt rock/punk-revival trio PJ Harvey, “Sheela-Na-Gig” (Alt Rock #9, 1991)
1964 ● Bobby Gillespie → Drummer for Scottish alt-pop-rock Jesus And Mary Chain, “Sometimes Always” (Modern Rock #4, 1994), then founding member, guitar and vocals for jangle pop/dance fusion Primal Scream, “Movin’ On Up” (Modern Rock #2, 1992)
1964 ● Dicky Barrett / (Richard Michael Barrett) → Frontman and lead vocals for ska punk The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, “The Impression That I Get” (Top 40 #17, Modern Rock #1, 1997), radio DJ, TV voice-over artist and announcer for the Jimmy Kimmel Show
1964 ● Mike Edwards → Vocals for techno-electronic pop-dance Jesus Jones, “Right Here, Right Now” (#2, 1991)
1965 ● Tommy Cunningham → Drummer for Scottish pop-rock Wet Wet Wet, “Love Is All Around” (#41, UK #1, 1994)
1970 ● Steven Page → Guitar and vocals for Canadian alt-rock Barenaked Ladies, “One Week” (#1, 1998)
1973 ● Chris Traynor → Guitarist and co-founder of post-hardcore Orange 9mm, then joined alt heavy metal Helmet, “Exactly What You Wanted” (Mainstream Rock #19, 1997), worked with alt-rock Bush, “The People That We love” (Mainstream Rock #10, 2001), studio soundtrack sessions for Blue Man Group, touring and sessions with Blur, Rival Schools, Katy Perry and others
1976 ● Sally Polihronas → Singer in pre-fab Aussie all-girl pop vocal quintet Bardot, “Poison” (Aus. #1, 2000)
1981 ● Chris Urbanowicz → Guitarist for 00s punk revival/indie rock Editors, “Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors” (UK #7, 2007)

June 23
1907 ● Eddie Pola / (Sydney Edward Pollacsek) → Radio and TV program producer, actor and songwriter best known for co-writing several enduring pop tunes with George Wyle, including “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” (1963), retired from the industry and taught elementary school music, died on 111/3/1995, age 88
1929 ● June Carter Cash / (Valerie June Carter) → Singer, songwriter, actress and country music matriarch, The Carter Family, solo, “Jackson” (Country #2, 1967), duets with her husband Johnny, the “Man in Black”, died on 5/15/2003, age 73
1937 ● Niki Sullivan → Original member, rhythm guitar and backing vocals for Buddy Holly‘s backing group, The Crickets, co-wrote and/or sang on many of Holly‘s hit songs before leaving the band in 1957, died of a heart attack on 4/6/2004, age 66
1938 ● Alan Vega / (Boruch Alan Bermowitz) → Singer and guitarist with Martin Rev in highly influential, confrontational, proto-punk/minimalist duo Suicide, their eponymous debut album (1977) is considered a landmark of electronic music and a precursor to post-punk industrial rock, died in his sleep on 7/16/2016, age 78
1940 ● Stuart Sutcliffe / (Stuart Fergusson Victor Sutcliffe) → First Beatles bassist for 18 months in 1960-61, left the band when the others returned to England in July 1961 and remained in Hamburg, Germany where he died from a brain hemorrhage on 4/10/1962, age 21
1940 ● Adam Faith / (Terence Nelhams-Wright) → Brit teen-idol pop singer, “What Do You Want” (UK #1, 1959) and 10 other UK Top 10 hits, successful TV, film and stage actor with multiple roles, later became a largely unsuccessful financial advisor, died of a heart attack on 3/8/2003
1941 ● Robert Hunter → Folk-bluegrass musician, singer, songwriter and poet best known as the Grateful Dead‘s lyricist, solo folk-country-rock artist
1944 ● Rosetta Hightower / (Rosetta Jeanette Hightower) → Lead vocals for mixed gender R&B doo-wop quartet The Orlons, “The Wah-Watusi” (#2, R&B #5, 1962), left the group in the late 60s for session work in England with Joe Cocker, John Lennon and others, died from a brain hemorrhage on 8/2/2014, age 70
1945 ● Paul Goddard → Founding member and bassist for Southern rock Atlanta Rhythm Section (“Imaginary Lover, #7, 1978), died from cancer on 4/29/2014, age 68
1955 ● Glenn Danzig / (Glenn Allen Anzalone) → Multi-instrumentalist singer, songwriter and founder/bandleader for hardcore “horror” punk The Misfits, “Dig Up Her Bones” (1997), left in 1983 to form heavy/death metal Samhain and later blues-metal Danzig, now runs an adult-entertainment comics magazine
1956 ● Randall Darius Jackson → Session bass guitarist, bandmember for Carlos Santana and Jerry Garcia, record producer, label executive, solo artist and now judge on popular TV show American Idol
1957 ● Lee John / (John Leslie McGregor) → Vocals for R&B/electro-dance-soul Imagination, “Just An Illusion” (Dance/Club #15, 1982)
1960 ● Brendan O’Brien → Former Atlanta Rhythm Section guitarist and sessionman turned highly regarded and successful record producer and music company executive, worked with Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Red Hot Chili Peppers and others, won a Grammy Award for Bruce Springsteen‘s The Rising (2002) and produced thirteen other Billboard #1 albums
1962 ● Richard Coles → Multi-instrumentalist for outwardly gay dance-pop The Communards, “Don’t Leave Me This Way” (#40, Dance/Club #1, 1986), now an ordained priest and BBC radio host
1962 ● Steve Shelley → Drummer for alt rock/avant-garde Sonic Youth, “100%” (Modern Rock #4, 1992)
1965 ● Bonehead Arthurs / (Paul Arthurs) → Guitar for Grammy-nominated Brit pop Oasis, “Wonderwall” (#8, 1996), the band had 22 consecutive UK Top 10 hits, left the band in 1999
1966 ● James MacPherson → Drummer for alt rock The Breeders, “Cannonball” (#44, 1993)
1966 ● Mark Chadwick → Guitar and vocals for alt folk-Celtic rock The Levellers, “Just The One” (UK #12, 1995)
1975 ● KT Tunstall / (Kate Victoria Tunstall) → Scottish singer/songwriter and guitarist, “Black Horse & The Cherry Tree” (#20, Adult Top 40 #9, 2006)
1977 ● Jason Mraz → Grammy-winning contemporary pop-rock singer/songwriter, “I’m Yours” (#6, 2008)
1980 ● Jessica Taylor → Singer for teen dance-pop Liberty X, “Just A Little” (UK #1, 2002)
1981 ● Antony Costa → Vocals in Brit R&B/soul-dance boy band Blue, “Too Close” (UK #1, 2001)
1984 ● Duffy / (Aimée Ann Duffy) → Grammy-winning Welsh singer-songwriter, “Mercy” (Adult Top 40 #9, 2008)

Albums Released This Week (June 11 – 17)

Here’s a sampling of the BEST music ever made! Great albums from the 60s, 70s and 80s rock and pop released this week (and some related albums of note):

June 11
1965 ● Them —— The Angry Young Them [UK] ► Garage Rock
1966 ● The Ventures —— Go With The Ventures! ► Rock n Roll Instrumental
1969 ● Three Dog Night —— Suitable For Framing ► Blue-Eyed Soul
1976 ● Carpenters —— A Kind Of Hush ► Soft Rock
1979 ● The Knack —— Get The Knack ► Power Pop
1980 ● Burning Spear —— Social Living ► Roots Reggae
1981 ● Def Leppard —— High ‘N’ Dry ► Hard Rock
1982 ● Eddie Money —— No Control ► Album Rock
1982 ● REO Speedwagon —— Good Trouble ► Arena Rock
1990 ● Crosby, Stills & Nash —— Live It Up ► Folk-Rock
1991 ● Natalie Cole —— Unforgetable…With Love ► Soul-Pop
1991 ● Aaron Neville —— Warm Your Heart ► Pop-Soul
1991 ● Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark —— Sugar Tax ► New Wave Synth Pop
1991 ● Lynyrd Skynyrd —— Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991 ► Southern Rock
1993 ● Harem Scarem —— Mood Swings ► Hard Rock/Glam Metal
1996 ● Ash —— 1977 ► Punk-Pop
1996 ● George Clinton & The P-Funk All-Stars —— T.A.P.O.A.F.O.M. (The Awesome Power Of A Fully-Operational Mothership) ► Funk/Hip Hop
2002 ● Gregg Allman —— No Stranger To The Dark: The Best Of Gregg Allman ► Southern Rock
2002 ● Korn —— Untouchables ► Post-Grunge/Nu Metal
2002 ● The Tragically Hip —— In Violet Light ► Folk-Rock
2002 ● Various Artists —— Melody [Sndtrk] ► Pop-Rock
2002 ● David Bowie —— Heathen ► Glam Rock
2002 ● The Who —— The Ultimate Collection ► British Rock
2010 ● Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers —— Mojo ► Album Rock
2013 ● Goo Goo Dolls —— Magnetic ► Alt Pop-Rock/Post-Grunge
2013 ● Queen —— Icon ► Glam Rock

June 12
1959 ● Bo Diddley —— Go Bo Diddley ► Blues-Rock
1959 ● Chuck Berry —— Chuck Berry Is On Top ► Rock n Roll
1970 ● Jimi Hendrix —— Band Of Gypsys [UK] ► Psychedelic Rock
1972 ● John Lennon & Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band —— Some Time In New York City ► Pop-Rock
1977 ● Teddy Pendergrass —— Teddy Pendergrass ► Soul-Pop
1979 ● Carly Simon —— Spy ► Pop-Rock
1984 ● Howard Jones —— Human’s Lib ► New Wave Synth-Pop
1988 ● Gregg Allman —— Just Before The Bullets Fly ► Southern Rock
1990 ● Bad Company —— Holy Water ► Hard Rock
1995 ● Fugazi —— Red Medicine ► Post Hardcore Rock ‘N’ Roll
1996 ● Sloan —— One Chord To Another [Canada] ► Alt Indie Rock
2000 ● Peter Gabriel —— OVO (Millennium Dome Show) [Sndtrk] ► Prog Rock
2001 ● Asia —— Asia Live ► Prog Rock
2001 ● Manfred Mann’s Earth Band —— Wired ► Art Rock
2001 ● Electric Light Orchestra —— Zoom ► Pop-Rock
2001 ● Roxy Music —— Concerto ► Prog Rock
2001 ● Roxy Music —— Vintage ► Prog Rock
2006 ● The Stranglers —— The Very Best of The Stranglers ► Punk-Rock
2007 ● Steely Dan —— 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best Of Steely Dan ► Jazz-Rock
2008 ● Coldplay —— Viva La Vida ► Alt. Rock/Brit Pop
2012 ● The dB’s —— Falling Off The Sky ► Power Pop
2012 ● Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ —— Songs From The Laundromat ► Southern Rock
2012 ● Rush —— Clockwork Angels ► Prog/Art Rock

June 13
1965 ● The Yardbirds —— For Your Love ► Blues Rock
1966 ● Aretha Franklin —— Soul Sister ► Soul
1972 ● Carpenters —— A Song For You ► Soft Rock
1975 ● Jefferson Starship —— Red Octopus ► Arena Rock
1977 ● The Beatles —— Live! At The Star-Club In Hamburg, Germany ► Pop-Rock
1978 ● Natalie Cole —— Natalie Live! ► Soul-Pop
1979 ● The Cars —— Candy-O ► New Wave Pop-Rock
1979 ● Joni Mitchell —— Mingus ► Folk-Rock
1983 ● Stevie Ray Vaughan And Double Trouble —— Texas Flood ► Blues-Rock
1983 ● Donna Summer —— She Works Hard For The Money ► Disco
1986 ● Manfred Mann’s Earth Band —— Criminal Tango ► British Rock
1987 ● Elton John —— Elton John Live In Australia With The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra ► Pop-Rock
1988 ● Paula Abdul —— Forever Your Girl ► Dance-Pop
1988 ● Buzzcocks —— Let We Forget ► Punk-Rock
1988 ● Steel Pulse —— State Of Emergency ► Roots Reggae
1989 ● Mary Chapin Carpenter —— State Of The Heart ► Country-Folk
1989 ● Kon Kan —— Move To Move ► Synth-Pop
1990 ● Mariah Carey —— Mariah Carey ► Pop-Rock
1995 ● Alanis Morrisette —— Jagged Little Pill ► AA Pop-Rock
1995 ● Bjork —— Post ► Alt Pop-Rock
1995 ● Paula Abdul —— Head Over Heels ► Dance-Pop
1995 ● Fear Factory —— Demanufacture ► Industrial Metal
1995 ● Pink Floyd —— Pulse ► Prog Rock
1995 ● The Police —— Live! ► New Wave Pop-Rock
1996 ● Apocalyptica —— Plays Metallica By Four Cellos ► Heavy Metal/Neo-Classical Metal
1996 ● Jesse Colin Young —— Sweet Water ► Folk-Rock
2000 ● Bon Jovi —— Crush ► Arena Rock
2000 ● B.B. King & Eric Clapton —— Riding With The King ► Blues
2005 ● Rory Gallagher —— Big Guns: The Very Best Of Rory Gallagher ► Blues-Rock
2006 ● Joan Jett & The Blackhearts —— Sinner ► Hard Rock
2006 ● John Fogerty —— The Long Road Home – In Concert ► Folk-Rock
2006 ● Billy Joel —— 12 Gardens Live ► Pop-Rock
2006 ● Poco —— Alive In The Heart Of The Night ► Country-Rock
2006 ● Rush —— Grace Under Pressure Tour ► Prog/Art Rock

June 14
1965 ● The Beatles —— Beatles VI ► Pop-Rock
1968 ● Iron Butterfly —— In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida ► Psychedelic Rock
1968 ● Aretha Franklin —— Aretha Now ► Soul
1970 ● Grateful Dead —— Workingman’s Dead ► Folk-Rock
1971 ● Emerson, Lake & Palmer —— Tarkus ► Prog Rock
1972 ● Simon & Garfunkel —— Greatest Hits ► Folk-Pop
1974 ● Barclay James Harvest —— Everyone Is Everybody Else ► Prog Rock
1975 ● Todd Rundgren —— Initiation ► Pop-Rock
1976 ● Chicago —— Chicago X ► Jazz-Rock
1977 ● Barbra Streisand —— Streisand Superman ► Easy Listening
1980 ● Blue Öyster Cult —— Cultosaurus Erectus ► Metal
1982 ● Various Artists —— Metal Massacre ► Heavy Metal
1982 ● Pete Townshend —— All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes ► Prog Rock
1985 ● Corey Hart —— Boy In The Box ► Pop-Rock
1988 ● Status Quo —— Ain’t Complaining ► Blues-Rock
1989 ● Billy Squier —— Hear & Now ► Hard Rock
1990 ● Mike Oldfield —— Amarok ► Progressive Rock
1993 ● Gloria Estefan —— Mi Terra ► Latin Pop
1993 ● The Palace Brothers —— There Is No-One What Will Take Care Of You ► Indie Rock
1994 ● Arrested Development —— Zingalamaduni ► Trad. Rap
2004 ● Blondie —— Singles Box ► New Wave Pop-Rock
2005 ● Foo Fighters —— In Your Honor ► Grunge Rock
2005 ● Indigo Girls —— Rarities ► Folk-Rock
2005 ● The Everly Brothers —— Too Good To Be True ► Pop-Rock
2010 ● Oasis —— Time Flies…1994-2009 ► Alt. Pop-Rock/Britpop

June 15
1965 ● Golden Earring —— Just Earr-ings ► Hard Rock
1966 ● The Temptations —— Getting’ Ready ► Soul – Motown
1968 ● Jeremy Dormouse —— Toad ► Folk-Rock
1971 ● Jackie DeShannon —— Songs ► Pop-Rock
1972 ● Golden Earring —— Together ► Hard Rock
1973 ● Manfred Mann’s Earth Band —— Messin’ ► Prog Rock
1974 ● John Denver —— Back Home Again ► Folk-Pop
1978 ● Bob Dylan —— Street Legal ► Folk-Rock
1979 ● Joy Division —— Unknown Pleasures ► Post-Punk
1979 ● America —— Silent Letter ► Folk-Rock
1979 ● Dire Straits —— Communique ► Post-Punk Pop-Rock
1981 ● Duran Duran —— Duran Duran ► Synth-Pop
1982 ● Steve Miller —— Abracadabra ► Album Rock
1984 ● John Waite —— No Brakes ► Power Pop
1987 ● King Diamond —— Abigail ► Heavy Metal
1989 ● Nirvana —— Bleach ► Grunge
1993 ● Ozzy Osbourne —— Live & Loud ► Hard Rock
1993 ● Pete Townshend —— Psychoderelict ► Prog Rock
1993 ● Neil Young —— Unplugged ► Folk-Rock
1994 ● Golden Earring —— Face It ► Hard Rock
1994 ● Joan Jett & The Blackhearts —— Pure And Simple ► Hard Rock
1994 ● Pansy Division —— Deflowered ► Punk/Queercore
1998 ● Roxy Music —— Concert Classics ► Prog Rock
1999 ● Dokken —— Erase The Slate ► Heavy Metal
1999 ● Sarah McLachlan —— Mirrorball ► Folk-Rock
1999 ● Cheap Trick —— Music For Hangovers ► Hard Rock/Power Pop
1999 ● Santana —— Supernatural ► Jazz-Rock Fusion
2004 ● Phish —— Undermind ► Prog Rock/Jam Band
2004 ● Fleetwood Mac —— Live In Boston ► Pop-Rock
2009 ● Aretha Franklin —— A Deeper Love: The Best Of Aretha Franklin ► Soul
2009 ● Queen —— The Singles Collection: Volume 2 ► Glam Rock
2010 ● Chris Isaak —— Live At The Fillmore ► Adult Contemporary
2010 ● John Mellencamp —— On Rural Route 7609 ► Roots Rock

June 16
1969 ● Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band —— Trout Mask Replica ► Avant-Gard
1970 ● Grand Funk Railroad —— Closer To Home ► Hard Rock
1971 ● Elvis Presley —— Love Letters From Elvis ► Rock n Roll
1971 ● Three Dog Night —— Golden Biscuits ► Blue-Eyed Soul
1972 ● Roxy Music —— Roxy Music ► Prog Rock
1978 ● Olivia Newton-John —— Grease [Sndtrk] ► Country-Pop
1978 ● Ringo Starr —— Bad Boy ► Pop-Rock
1980 ● Carly Simon —— Come Upstairs ► Pop-Rock
1981 ● Carpenters —— Made In America ► Easy Listening
1983 ● Ringo Starr —— Old Wave ► Pop-Rock
1986 ● The Smiths —— The Queen Is Dead ► Alt. Pop-Rock
1991 ● Big Audio Dynamite II —— The Globe ► Dance-Rock
1991 ● Type O Negative —— Slow, Deep And Hard ► Heavy Metal/Goth Metal
1992 ● Peter Cetera —— World Falling Down ► Pop-Rock
1992 ● Taj Mahal —— Taj’s Blues ► Folk-Blues
1995 ● Michael Jackson —— HIStory: Past, Present, Future, Book I ► Dance-Pop
1997 ● Radiohead —— OK Computer ► Alt. Pop-Rock
1998 ● Neil Finn —— Try Whistling This ► Alt. Pop-Rock
1998 ● Aaron Carter —— Aaron Carter ► Teen Dance-Pop
1998 ● Ringo Starr —— Vertical Man ► Pop-Rock
1998 ● Little Feat —— Under The Radar ► Southern Rock
2004 ● The Jellybricks —— Power This ► Alt. Pop-Rock
2005 ● Shpongle —— Nothing Lasts…But Nothing Is Lost ► Pop-Rock
2009 ● George Harrison —— Let It Roll: Songs By George Harrison ► Pop-Rock
2009 ● Don Henley —— The Very Best Of Don Henley ► Country-Rock
2015 ● James Taylor —— Before This World ► Folk-Rock

June 17
1961 ● Elvis Presley —— Something For Everybody ► Pop-Rock
1969 ● Elvis Presley —— From Elvis In Memphis ► Blue-Eyed Soul
1972 ● Eagles —— Eagles ► Country-Rock
1976 ● LaBelle —— Chameleon ► Funk
1977 ● Crosby, Stills & Nash —— CSN ► Folk-Rock
1978 ● David Gilmour —— David Gilmour ► Prog Rock
1985 ● Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark —— Crush ► New Wave Synth Pop
1987 ● The Replacements —— Pleased To Meet Me ► Alt. Pop-Rock
1987 ● Natalie Cole —— Everlasting ► Soul-Pop
1991 ● Cher —— Love Hurts [UK] ► Pop-Rock
1991 ● Foreigner —— Unusual Heat ► Arena Rock
1991 ● Van Halen —— For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge ► Hard Rock
1994 ● Ghost —— Temple Stone ► Neo-Psychedelia
1997 ● 38 Special —— Resolution ► Southern Rock
1997 ● Blink-182 —— Dude Ranch ► Punk-Pop
1997 ● Megadeth —— Cryptic Writings ► Heavy Metal
1997 ● 10,000 Maniacs —— Love Among The Ruins ► Folk-Rock
1997 ● Neil Young & Crazy Horse —— Year Of The Horse ► Folk-Rock
2002 ● Peter Gabriel —— Long Walk Home [Sndtrk] ► Prog Rock
2003 ● Sam Cooke —— Portrait of a Legend 1951 – 1964 ► Soul
2003 ● Finger Eleven —— Finger Eleven ► Alt. Rock
2003 ● Bryan Adams —— Live At The Budokan ► Pop-Rock
2003 ● Steve Winwood —— About Time ► Album Rock
2008 ● Judas Priest —— Nostrodamus ► Heavy Metal
2008 ● Rick Springfield —— Playlist: The Very Best Of Rick Springfield ► Power Pop
2011 ● Bon Iver —— Bon Iver, Bon Iver ► Dream Pop
2013 ● Bob Dylan —— A Long Time A Growin’ – Volume 1-5 ► Folk-Rock
2014 ● David Gray —— Mutineers ► AA Pop-Rock

This Week’s Birthdays (June 10 -16)

Happy Birthday this week to:

June 10
1910 ● Howlin’ Wolf / (Chester Arthur Burnett) → Highly influential blues guitarist, harpist and songwriter, “Smokestack Lightning” (R&B #8, 1956), died from cancer on 1/10/1976, age 65
1922 ● Judy Garland / (Frances Ethel Gumm) → Grammy-winning singer and film actress, “(Somewhere) Over The Rainbow” (1939), played Dorothy in the Wizard Of Oz (1939), released the comeback album Judy At Carnegie Hall (Billboard #1, 1961), died 7/22/1969 from a barbiturate overdose, age 47
1941 ● Shirley Alston Reeves / (Shirley Owens) → Vocals for first rock-era girl group The Shirelles, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” (#1, 1960), solo
1941 ● Mickey Jones → Session and tour drummer for Kenny Rogers, Johnny Rivers, Trini Lopez and Bob Dylan‘s first electric band on the 1966 world tour, left music in the mid-70s and became a successful film and TV character actor, best known for his roles on ABC’s Home Improvement (1991-99) and FX’s Justified (2011-14), died following a long, unspecified illness on 2/7/2018, age 76
1942 ● Janet Vogel → Vocals in R&B/doo wop quintet The Skyliners, “Since I Don’t Have You” (#12, 1959), committed suicide on 2/21/1980, age 37
1961 ● Kelley Deal → Lead guitar and backing vocals for alt rock The Breeders, “Cannonball” (#44, Modern Rock #2, 1993), solo, identical twin of bandmate Kim Deal
1961 ● Kimberly Anne Deal → Bass guitar and backing vocals for influential alt rock Pixies, “Velouria” (Modern Rock #4, 1990), then co-founder, rhythm guitar and vocals for alt rock The Breeders, “Cannonball” (#44, Modern Rock #2, 1993), identical twin of bandmate Kelley Deal
1961 ● Mark Shaw / (Mark Robert Tiplady) → Vocals for New Wave synth-pop-soul Then Jerico, “The Motive” (UK #18, 1987)
1961 ● Maxi Priest / (Max Alfred Elliott) → The “King of Lovers Rock”, Jamaican-born Brit contemporary R&B and reggae star, “Close To You” (#1, 1990)
1964 ● Emma Anderson → Guitarist for alt pop/shoegazing band Lush, “Sweetness & Light” (Modern Rock #4, 1990)
1964 ● Jimmy Chamberlain → Drummer for alt/prog rock/metal band Smashing Pumpkins, “1979” (#12, 1996)
1965 ● Joey Santiago → Filipino-American lead guitarist and songwriter for influential alt rock Pixies, “Velouria” (Modern Rock #4, 1990), following the band’s breakup formed alt rock The Martinis with his wife, Linda Mallari and composed film scores until the Pixies reformed in 2004
1967 ● Human Beat Box / (Darren Robinson) → Oversized vocalist in hip hop/beatbox pioneers The Fat Boys “Wipe Out” (#12, 1987), died of an obesity-induced heart attack on 12/10/1995, age 28
1968 ● The D.O.C. / (Tracy Lynn Curry) → Gangsta rapper with hip hop group Fila Fresh Crew, co-wrote songs for gangsta rap group N.W.A., then solo, “It’s Funky Enough” (Rap #1, 1988) from the #20 album No One Can Do It Better
1969 ● Dan Lavery → Bass and background vocals for Grammy-nominated alt/roots rock Tonic, “If You Could Only See” (Mainstream Rock #1, 1997)
1971 ● JoJo Hailey / (Joel “JoJo” Hailey) → With brother Cedric, vocals in R&B/electro-dance “bad boy” quartet Jodeci, “Lately” (#4, 1993), left with Cedric to form romantic soul duo K-Ci & JoJo, “All My Life” (#1, 1998)
1973 ● Faith Renée Evans → R&B/contemporary soul-pop singer with 11 singles in the R&B Top 10, including “Love Like This” (#7, 1998), widow of rapper Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace, her tribute to him, “I’ll Be Missing You” (#1, 1997) with Puff Daddy and 112 won a 1997 Grammy Award
1973 ● LeMisha Grinsted → Vocals with sister Irish in hip hop R&B/dance-pop trio 702, “Where My Girls At?” (#4, 1999), American Music Awards “Best New Soul/R&B Artist” for 2000
1987 ● Tinchy Stryder / (Kwasi Danquah) → Garage/grime rap singer, “Number 1” (UK #3, 2009)

June 11
1934 ● “Pookie” Hudson / (James Hudson) → Frontman and lead vocals for pioneer R&B/doo wop The Spaniels, “Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight” (R&B #5, 1954), died of cancer on 1/16/2007, age 72
1936 ● Jud Strunk / (Justin Strunk, Jr.) → One hit wonder country-pop singer, comedian and humorous songwriter with the novelty hit “Daisy A Day” (#14, AC #4, 1973), semi-regular on TV comedy show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In in the 70s, died when he suffered a heart attack while piloting a small plane which crashed on takeoff on 10/15/1981, age 45
1940 ● Joey Dee / (Joseph DiNicola) → Frontman and lead vocals for early rock ‘n’ roll Joey Dee & The Starlighters, the house band at New York’s Peppermint Lounge, “The Peppermint Twist” (#1, 1962) and “Shout” (#6, 1962)
1947 ● Glenn Leonard → Vocals for R&B giants The Temptations, “My Girl” (#1, 1965) and Grammy-winning “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” (#1, 1972), solo
1947 ● Richard Palmer-James → Lyricist for prog/space-rock King Crimson, “The Court Of The Crimson King” (#80, 1970), lyricist and guitar for prog-art-pop-rock Supertramp, “The Logical Song” (#6, 1979)
1948 ● Skip Alan / (Alan Ernest Skipper) → Drummer for raunchy R&B/blues-rock British Invasion band The Pretty Things, “Don’t Bring Me Down” (UK #10, 1964)
1949 ● Frank Beard → Drummer for venerable Texas blues/boogie rock trio ZZ Top, “Legs” (#8, 1984)
1951 ● Lynsey De Paul / (Lyndsey Monkton Rubin) → Brit R&B/disco singer and songwriter, “Sugar Me” (UK #5, 1972), first woman to win an Ivor Novello award for songwriting, “Won’t Somebody Dance With Me?” (Best Ballad, 1974)
1952 ● Donnie Van Zant / (Donald Newton Van Zant) → Lead vocals and frontman for Southern arena rockers .38 Special, “Hold On Loosely” (Mainstream Rock #3, 1981), then Van Zant, brother of deceased Lynyrd Skynyrd frontman Ronnie Van Zant
1960 ● David Baerwald → One-half of New wave synth-pop duo David & David, “Welcome To The Boomtown”(Top Rock #8, 1986)
1960 ● Nick “The Head” Hallam / (Nick Hallam) → Producer, co-founder of Gee Street Records and co-leader of Brit hip hop/electro-dance Stereo MCs, “Step It Up” (#58, Dance/Club #25, 1992)
1961 ● Rob B. / (Robert Charles Birch) → Co-founder of Gee Street Records and co-leader/vocals for Brit hip hop/electro-dance Stereo MCs, “Step It Up” (#58, Dance/Club #25, 1992)
1976 ● Tai Anderson → Bassist in Grammy-winning Christian rock quartet Third Day, “Born Again” (Hot Christian Songs #3, 2009)

June 12
1909 ● Archie Bleyer / (Archibald Martin Bleyer) → Songwriter, bandleader, musical director for Arthur Godfrey‘s radio and TV programs from 1946 to 1953, pop recording artist (“The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane”, #26, 1954), producer (The Everly Brothers), Cadence Records owner (Andy Williams, The Chordettes, Johnny Tillotson, Lenny Welch and others), husband of Chordette Janet Ertel and father-in-law of Phil Everly, died from the effects of Parkinson’s disease on 3/20/1989, age 79
1914 ● Bill Kenny → The “Godfather of Doo-Wop,” guitarist and tenor vocals for pioneering black R&B/doo wop group The Ink Spots, “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” (#2, R&B #1, 1943), continued with various incarnations of the group through the 50s and followed with a successful solo career and host of his own musical variety show, died from respiratory illness on 3/23/1978, age 63
1928 ● Vic Damone / (Vito Rocco Farinola) → Prototypical Italian/American pop and Big Ban crooner with a smooth, resonant baritone and several Top 10 hits, including “You’re Breaking My Heart” (#1, 1949) and “On The Street Where You Live” (#4, 1958), made a highly successful transition to TV variety shows, movies and Las Vegas nightclubs when rock ‘n’ roll eclipsed pop balladeers, continued to perform until 2001, died from respiratory failure on 2/11/2018, age 89
1930 ● Jim Nabors / (James Thurston Nabors) → Opera, gospel and pop singer with a booming baritone voice and dozens of albums, including six gold or platinum awards and a lone minor hit, “Love Me With All Your Heart” (CB #111, 1966), better known as the lovable, bumbling bumpkin Gomer Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show (1962-1964) and Gomer Pyle M.C. (1964-1969), and for singing the unofficial state anthem “Back Home In Indiana” before the start of the Indianapolis 500 auto race in nearly every year from 1972 to 2014, died from auto-immune system complications on 11/30/2017, age 87
1932 ● Charlie Feathers / (Charles Arthur Feathers) → Influential but unheralded blues, country and rockabilly singer and songwriter, early fixture at Sun Records where he recorded several singles and co-wrote Elvis Presley‘s “I Forgot To Remember To Forget” (Country #1, 1955), left for rivals Meteor and King Records in the late 50s and cut several now-classic rockabilly singles, died following a stroke on 8/29/1998, age 66
1937 ● Chips Moman / (Lincoln Wayne Moman) → Grammy-winning songwriter, producer and music executive, left Stax Records in 1964 to found American Sound Studios, produced over 100 hits in the 60s and 70s, including “Keep On Dancing” by The Gentrys (#4, 1965), “The Letter” by The Box Tops (#1, 1967) and “In The Ghetto” by Elvis Presley (#3, 1969), co-wrote the Grammy-winning “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” for B.J. Thomas (#1, 1975), moved to Nashville and country music and recorded hits for many top artists, including “You Were Always On My Mind” for Willie Nelson (#5, Country #1, 1982), died from emphysema on 6/13/2016, age 79
1941 ● Chick Corea / (Armando Anthony Corea) → Grammy-winning jazz and electric jazz fusion pianist/synthesizer musician, composer, bandleader, played with Miles Davis, Stanley Clarke, Bobby McFerrin and others, solo
1941 ● Roy Harper → Brit songwriter and folk-psych-rock singer, lead vocals on Pink Floyd‘s “Have A Cigar” (1975), Led Zeppelin‘s “Hat’s Of To Roy Harper” is a tribute to him
1942 ● Len Barry / (Leonard Borisoff) → Lead and tenor vocals for doo wop a cappella harmony turned early garage-rock/dance craze The Dovells, “Bristol Stomp” (#2, 1961), then blue-eyed Philly soul singer, “1-2-3” (#2, R&B #11, 1965)
1943 ● Reg Presley / (Reginald Maurice Ball) → Lead singer for 60s garage/proto-punk/”caveman rock” The Troggs, “Wild Thing” (#1, 1966), used royalties from his composition “Love Is All Around” (Wet Wet Wet, Adult Contemporary #8, 1994) to fund research into crop circles and other paranormalities and publish a book, Wild Things They Don’t Tell Us, in 2002, died from lung cancer on 2/4/2013, a age 69
1944 ● Howard Cowart → Blue-eyed soul one hit wonder John Fred & His Playboy Band, “Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)” (#1, 1968)
1948 ● Barry Bailey → Lead guitarist for Southern rock Atlanta Rhythm Section, “Imaginary Lover” (#7, 1978)
1949 ● John Wetton / (John Kenneth Wetton) → Bassist, songwriter and vocals for blues/art rock Family, “In My Own Time” (UK #4, 1971), “In My Own Time” (UK #4, 1971), then joined a revamped prog rock King Crimson in 1972 and appeared on three albums, played with Roxy Music, Uriah Heep, U.K. and Wishbone Ash before co-founding mainstream pop-rock Asia (“Heat Of The Moment,” #4, UK #46, 1982), collaborated with others and issued 20-odd solo albums in the 90s and 00s, died from colon cancer on 1/31/2017, age 67
1951 ● Bun E. Carlos / (Brad Carlson) → Drummer for power pop Cheap Trick, “I Want You To Want Me” (#7, 1979) and “The Flame” (#1, 1988)
1951 ● Brad Delp → Lead vocals for 70s-80s arena rock Boston, “More Than A Feeling” (#5, 1976), committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning in at his home in New Hampshire on 3/9/2007, age 55
1952 ● Junior Brown / (Jamieson Brown) → Country-rock bandleader and guitarist known for playing a “gut-steel” hybrid of electric and lap steel guitars, played with Asleep At The Wheel, solo albums since 1990
1952 ● Peter Farndon → Bassist for post-punk New Wave hard pop-rock The Pretenders, “Back On The Chain Gang” (#5, 1982), fired from the band in late 1982, died from a drug overdose on 4/14/1983, age 30
1953 ● Rocky Burnette / (Jonathan Burnette) → Rowdy, high energy rockabilly revival singer and songwriter, “Tired Of Toein’ The Line” (#8, 1980), son of legendary Johnny
1959 ● John Linnell / (John Sidney Linnell) → Keyboards, accordion and saxophone for alt pop-rock They Might Be Giants, “Birdhouse In Your Soul” (#3, Modern Rock, 1990)
1960 ● Meredith Ann Brooks → Pop-rock singer, songwriter and guitarist, “Bitch” (#2, 1997)
1960 ● Michael Hausman → Drummer for New Wave synth-pop-rock ‘Til Tuesday, “Voices Carry” (#8, 1985), artist manager
1962 ● Grandmaster Dee / (Drew Carter) → Vocals for rap/R&B “new jack swing” Whodini, “Five Minutes Of Funk” (1984) from the acclaimed album Escape
1965 ● Robin Wilson → Vocals and guitar for power-pop Gin Blossoms, “Found Out About You” (Modern Rock #1, 1994), solo
1968 ● Bobby Sheehan / (Robert Vaughan Sheehan) → Bassist for blues-rock jam band Blues Traveler, “Run-Around” (#8, 1995), died of a drug overdose on 8/20/1999, age 31
1969 ● Bardi Martin → Bassist for grunge-rock Candlebox, “Far Behind” (#18, 1994)
1972 ● Bounty Killer / (Rodney Basil Price) → Jamaican reggae and dancehall singer, “Deadly Zone” (#79, Rap #8, 1998)
1977 ● Kenny Wayne Shepherd / (Kenny Wayne Brobst) → Self-taught blues-rock guitarist and singer/songwriter, “Blue On Black” (Mainstream Rock #1, 1997)
1979 ● Robyn / (Robin Miriam Carlsson) → Swedish dance/pop singer, “Do You Know (What It Takes)” (#7, 1997)

June 13
1913 ● Ben Raleigh → Prolific pop lyricist, wrote “Tell Laura I Love Her” for Ray Peterson (#7, 1960) and the theme song “Scooby Doo, Where Are You?” to the Hanna-Barbera cartoon show, died in a home fire on 2/26/1997, age 83
1934 ● Uriel Jones → Drummer in Motown house band The Funk Brothers, which provided nearly all instrumentation behind every Motown hit, died from a heart attack on 3/24/2009, age 74
1940 ● Bobby Freeman / (Robert Thomas Freeman) → Dance craze R&B/soul-pop singer and songwriter who wrote and recorded the enduring hit, “Do You Want To Dance” (#5, 1958) while still a teenager, the song has been covered in multiple variations by TThe Beach Boys, John Lennon, The Ramones, Bette Midler and others, died following a heart attack on 1/23/2017, age 76
1941 ● Marv Tarplin / (Marvin Tarplin) → Session guitarist and songwriter for Motown Records, collaborated with Smokey Robinson, co-wrote and played on many R&B hits, including “Tracks Of My Tears” (#16, R&B #2, 1965) for The Miracless, left Motown in 1973 to work with Robinson in his solo career for the next 35 years, died from unspecified causes on 9/30/2011 , age 70
1942 ● James Carr → Underappreciated R&B/Southern soul singer, “Dark End Of The Street” (#77, R&B #10, 1967), died of lung cancer on 1/17/2001, age 58
1943 ● Esther Ofarim → One half of Israeli folk-pop-rock vocal duo Esther & Abi, “Cinderella Rockafeller” (UK #1, 1968)
1943 ● Dyke Christian / (Arlester Christian) → Bassist, singer and frontman for 60s R&B/funk Dyke And The Blazers, the early backing band for The O’Jays, wrote “Funky Broadway” for Wilson Pickett (#8, Soul #1, 1967), had several minor hits with his band until he was shot to death on a Phoenix, AZ street on 3/13/1971, age 27
1946 ● Paul Buckmaster / (Paul John Buckmaster) → Composer, conductor and arranger best known for a nearly 50 year career creating the orchestral arrangements to well-known pop, rock, jazz and country hits by multiple artists, including David Bowie‘s “Space Oddity” (#124, UK #5, 1969), Elton John‘s “Your Song” (#8, UK #7, 1970), Carly Simon‘s “You’re So Vain” (#1, UK #1, 1972) ), plus albums by Grateful Dead (Terrapin Station, 1977), Counting Crows (Recovering The Satellites, 1996), Guns ‘N Roses (Chinese Democracy, 2008), Heart (Beautiful Broken, 2016) and many others, died from undisclosed causes on 11/7/2017, age 71
1947 ● John Kahn → Bass guitarist and session musician in the 60s and 70s for Mike Bloomfield, Brewer & Shipley, Maria Muldaur and others, best known for his 25 year collaboration with the Grateful Dead‘s Jerry Garcia in multiple projects, including The Jerry Garcia Band, bluegrass Old & In The Way, acoustic duo Garcia & Kahn plus other efforts with Merle Saunders and Howard Wales, died in his sleep on 5/30/1996, age 48
1949 ● Dennis Locorriere → Guitarist for AM pop-rock Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show, “Sylvia’s Mother” (#5, 1972) plus nine other Top 40 hits
1951 ● Howard Leese → Guitar and keyboards for hard rock Heart, “These Dreams” (#1, 1986)
1954 ● Bo Donaldson / (Robert Donaldson) → Pop-rock singer, keyboardist, trumpeter and frontman for The Heywoods, “Billy Don’t Be a Hero” (#1, 1974)
1954 ● Jorge Santana → Bandleader and guitarist for Latino rock Malo, “Sauvecito” (#18, 1972)
1957 ● Rolf Brendel → Drummer for German pop-rock band Nena, “99 Luftballons” (#2, 1984)
1963 ● Paul DeLisle → Bassist for neo-garage/quirky Smash Mouth, “Walkin’ On The Sun” (Adult Top 40 #1, 1997)
1963 ● Robbie Merrill → Bassist for hard rock Godsmack, “Straight Out Of Line” (Mainstream #1, 2003)
1968 ● David Gray → Brit singer/songwriter and guitarist, “Babylon” (Adult Top 40 #8, 2000)
1968 ● Deneice Pearson → Vocals for Brit family R&B/dance-pop quintet 5 Star, “Can’t Wait Another Minute” (#41, Dance/Club #7, 1986) and fifteen Top 40 singles in native England
1969 ● Søren Rasted → Co-founder, keyboards and drum machine for Danish dance-pop Aqua, “Barbie Girl” (#7, 1997), which drew a lawsuit from Mattel for its sexual content, solo, producer, actor
1970 ● Rivers Cuomo → Singer, songwriter, guitarist and leader for post-grunge alt rock Weezer, “Beverly Hills” (#10, 2005)
1978 ● J Brown / (Jason Paul Brown) → Vocals for pre-fabricated hip hop dance-pop boy band quintet Five, “When The Lights Go Out” (#10, UK #4, 1998)
1981 ● Kymberley Marsh → Singer for pre-fab mockstar dance-pop Hear’Say, “Pure And Simple” (UK #1, 2001), quit the group in 2002 to pursue an acting career
1985 ● Raz-B / (De’Mario Monte Thornton) → Vocals for R&B/hip hop urban boy band B2K, “Bump, Bump, Bump” (#1, 2002)

June 14
1909 ● Burl Ives → Grammy-winning, grandfatherly folk singer, “A Little Bitty Tear” (#9, 1962), stage and screen actor, writer, radio personality, died from mouth cancer on 4/14/1995, age 85
1929 ● Cy Coleman / (Seymour Kaufman) → Child-prodigy classical pianist turned jazz-pop artist and Tony Award-winning composer for Broadway and films, wrote music for multiple stage hits, including “If My Friends Could See Me Now” and “Big Spender” for Sweet Charity (1966), and the latter for Shirley Bassey (UK #21, 1967), scored music for the films Father Goose (1964), Power (1986) and others, periodically recorded solo albums and charted a lone hit, “Chloe” (Disco #8, 1975), died from a heart attack on 11/18/2004, age 75
1931 ● Junior Walker / (Autry DeWalt Mixon, Jr.) → Saxophonist and founder/frontman for R&/pop-soul Junior Walker & The All Stars, “Shotgun” (#4, 1965), solo and sessions, died of cancer on 11/23/1995, age 64
1936 ● Obie Benson / (Renaldo Benson) → Vocals for six decade R&B/soul vocal quartet The Four Tops, “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)” (#1, 1966), co-wrote Marvin Gaye‘s hit “What’s Goin’ On” (#2, 1971), died of lung cancer on 7/1/2005, age 69
1937 ● Chuck Berghofer / (Charles Curtis Berghofer) → Jazz and pop bassist, as a member of several 60s jazz ensembles played with Jack Shelton, Rahsaan Roland Kirk and other luminaries, member of the acclaimed Wrecking Crew group of L.A. studio musicians, played the bass solo on Nancy Sinatra‘s “These Boots Are Made For Walkin'” (#1, 1966), appeared on numerous film soundtracks, recently worked with Christine Aguilera, Michael Feinstein and others
1943 ● Spooner Oldham / (Dewey Lindon Oldham) → Keyboardist, songwriter and session musician, worked at FAME and Muscle Shoals Studios in Alabama and appears on hundreds of songs and albums, including hits by Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Percy Sledge and countless others, co-wrote “Cry Like A Baby” for The Box Tops (#2, 1968), moved to Los Angeles in the 80s and continues to record and tour with artists including Neil Young and Drive-By Truckers
1945 ● Rod Argent → Founding member, songwriter and keyboardist for underappreciated art-pop rock The Zombies, “Time Of The Season” (#3, 1969), frontman for hard/art rock Argent, “Hold Your Head Up” (#5, 1972), now a TV and film composer
1947 ● The Fish / (Barry Melton) → Co-founder and original guitarist for psych-country-protest-rock Country Joe & The Fish, “I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ to Die Rag” (1967), later co-founded San Francisco neo-psych-rock supergroup The Dinosaurs, retired public defender in California
1949 ● Alan White → Drummer for Plastic Ono Band and John Lennon, “Instant Karma!” (#3, 1970), played with George Harrison and joined Ginger Baker’s Air Force, replaced Bill Bruford in 1972 in archetypal, pioneer progressive rock band Yes, “Owner Of A Lonely Heart” (#1, 1983) and has played on every Yes album since
1949 ● Jim Lea → Bass, piano, violin, vocals and songwriting for Brit glam-metal Slade, “Run Runaway” (#20, 1984)
1958 ● Nick Van Ede → Vocals for New Wave pop-rock Cutting Crew, wrote “(I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight” (#1, 1987)
1961 ● Boy George / (George O’Dowd) → Androgynous frontman and lead singer for New Wave pop-rock Culture Club, “Karma Chameleon” (#1, 1984), solo, “The Crying Game” (#15, 1993)
1963 ● Chris DeGarmo → Guitarist for progressive pop-metal Queensrÿche, “Silent Lucidity” (#9, 1991)
1966 ● Matt Freeman → Bassist in punk rock revival Rancid, “Time Bomb” (Modern Rock #8, 1995)
1969 ● MC Ren / (Lorenzo Patterson) → Member of controversial/influential gangsta rap quintet N.W.A., “Express Yourself” (Hot Dance #38, 1989), solo, “Same Old Shit” (Rap #11, 1993)
1970 ● Chris Chaney → Bassist for alt rock/post-punk Jane’s Addiction, “Been Caught Stealing” (Mainstream Rock #29, 1990)
1971 ● Billie Myers → Pop, jazz and world music singer/songwriter, “Kiss The Rain” (#15, 1998)
1983 ● Siobhan Donaghy → Vocals in Brit multi-racial pop girl group Sugababes, “Hole In The Head” (Dance/Club #1, 2004)

June 15
1910 ● David Rose → Emmy-winning composer, pianist and orchestra leader whose best known compositions include the jazzy instrumental “The Stripper” (#1, 1962), wrote film scores for Hollywood and many TV shows, including Bonanza and Little House On The Prairie, led the house band for The Red Skelton Show for 21 years, died of natural causes on 8/23/1990, age 80
1921 ● Errol Garner → Virtuoso jazz and swing pianist, wrote the jazz standard, oft-covered and Grammy Hall of Fame song “Misty” (1954) and issued multiple jazz and jazz-pop albums, died of lung cancer on 1/2/1977, age 55
1929 ● Nigel Pickering → Founding member, songwriter, rhythm guitarist and vocals for sunny folk-pop Spanky & Our Gang, “Sunday Will Never Be The Same” (#9, 1967), died from liver cancer on 5/5/2011, age 81
1937 ● Waylon Jennings → Grammy-winning “outlaw” country guitarist, singer and songwriter, started in the Buddy Holly Band, solo, “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” (#42, Country #1, 1978), formed mythic country supergroup The Highwaymen, “Highwayman” (Country #1, 1985), died from complications of diabetes on 2/13/2002, age 64
1941 ● Harry Nilsson / (Harry E. Nilsson, III) → Grammy-winning folk-pop singer, songwriter and guitarist, “Everybody’s Talkin” (#6, 1969) from the movie Midnight Cowboy, and “Without You” (#1, 1972), died of heart failure on 1/15/1994, age 52
1943 ● Muff Winwood / (Mervyn Winwood) → Bassist for Brit pop-rock Spencer Davis Group, “Gimme Some Lovin”” (#7, 1967), producer, record executive, older brother of Steve Winwood
1943 ● Johnny Hallyday / (Jean-Phillipe Smet) → The “Elvis Presley of France” and one of the most successful pop music artists of all time, sold over 110 million albums over 50+ years in the French speaking world but with little attention everywhere else, recorded more than three dozen French Top 10 hits, including “Viens Danser Le Twist” (FR #1, 1961), a cover of Chubby Checker‘s “Let’s Twist Again” (#8, UK #7, 1961) and “Mon Plus Beau Noel” (FR #1, 2005), at varying times Jimmy Page, Peter Frampton and Foreigner‘s Mick Jones played on his records, died from lung cancer on 12/6/2017, age 74
1944 ● Eddie Hinton → Songwriter, session guitarist and member of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (also known as The Swampers), the renowned studio musician ensemble that recorded hundreds of songs and albums at Muscle Shoals Studio in Alabama, including hits by Aretha Franklin, The Staple Singers, Paul Simon, Lynyrd Skynyrd and countless others, wrote the Dusty Springfield hit “Breakfast in Bed” (#91, 1969) and other songs, died from a heart attack on 7/28/1995, age 51
1946 ● Demis Roussos / (Artemios Roussos) → Operatic-voiced Greek singer and bassist with prog-rock Aphrodite’s Child, solo, “L.O.V.E. Got A Hold On Me” (Dance/Club #26, 1978)
1946 ● Janet Lennon → With her sisters, vocals in semi-religious pop vocal quartet The Lennon Sisters (“Tonight You Belong To Me,” #15, 1956), performed regularly on TV variety shows, including The Lawrence Welk Show from 1955 to 1968, continues to record and perform as a trio in the 10s
1946 ● Leo Nocentelli → Guitarist in New Orleans soul-funk The Meters, “Chicken Strut” (1970), backing guitarist for Robert Palmer, Dr. John and others, continues to perform with the band and as solo artist through the 10s
1946 ● Noddy Holder / (Neville Holder) → Guitar and vocals for Brit glam-metal Slade, “Run Runaway” (#20, 1984), TV actor, radio and TV presenter
1949 ● Michael Lutz → Guitarist for Detroit rock ‘n’ roll band Brownsville Station, “Smokin’ In The Boys Room” (#3, 1973)
1949 ● Russell Hitchcock → Vocals for Aussie light pop-rock Air Supply, “The One That You Love” (#1, 1981)
1949 ● Meri Wilson (Edgmon) / (Meri Wilson Edgmon) → Model, sometime actress and one hit wonder singer/songwriter known for her double entendre smash “Telephone Man” (#18, UK #6, 1977), recorded one album of additional novelty-pop songs with mixed reviews and returned to singing jingles and modeling, died in a one car accident on an icy Georgia road on 12/28/2002, age 53
1951 ● Steve Walsh → Co-lead singer and keyboardist for prog/heartland rock Kansas, “Carry On Wayward Son” (#11, 1977), then Streets
1954 ● Terri Gibbs / (Teresa Fay Gibbs) → Blind-from-birth child prodigy keyboardist and country-pop-gospel singer, “Somebody’s Knockin'” (#13, Country #8, 1980)
1956 ● Bernie Shaw → Canadian vocalist for Brit hard/prog rock Spice, renamed Uriah Heep, “Easy Livin'” (#39, 1972)
1956 ● David Hinds → Rhythm guitar and lead vocals for roots reggae Steel Pulse, “Prodigal Son” (UK #35, 1978)
1957 ● Brad Gillis → Guitarist in one hit wonder pop-rock Rubicon, “I’m Gonna Take Care Of Everything” (#28, 1978), then Night Ranger, “Sister Christian” (#5, 1984) and Ozzy Osbourne‘s band
1958 ● Neil Arthur → Singer for New Wave synth-pop duo Blancmange, “Don’t Tell Me” (UK #8, 1984)
1963 ● Scott Rockenfield → Drummer for progressive pop-metal Queensrÿche, “Silent Lucidity” (#9, 1991)
1966 ● Michael Britt → Lead guitar and backing vocals for cross-over country-rockers Lonestar, “Amazed” (#1, 1999)
1966 ● Rob Mitchell → Principal songwriter and lead guitarist for Christian pop-rock Sixpence None The Richer, “Kiss Me” (#2, 1998)
1969 ● Ice Cube / (O’Shea Jackson) → Founding member of controversial/influential gangsta rap quintet N.W.A., “Express Yourself” (Hot Dance #38, 1989), solo rapper, “Check Yo Self” (#20, Rap #1, 1993)
1970 ● Chi Cheng → Chinese-American bassist for Grammy-winning alt heavy metal Deftones, “Change (In The House Of Flies)” (Mainstream Rock #9, 2000)
1976 ● Dryden Vera Mitchell → Vocals for alt rock Alien Ant Farm, “Smooth Criminal” (#23, 2001)
1976 ● Gary Lightbody → Guitar and vocals for Irish alt rock Snow Patrol, “Chasing Cars” (#5, 2006)
1981 ● Billy Martin → Guitar and keyboards for post-grunge punk-pop Good Charlotte, “The Anthem” (Alt Rock #10, 2003)
1985 ● Nadine Coyle → Singer in pre-fab all-girl Euro-pop vocal group Girls Aloud, “Sound Of The Underground” (UK #1, 2002)

June 16
1934 ● Carl “Little Caesar”Burnett / (Carl Burnett) → Frontman and lead vocals for late doo wop era one hit wonder Little Caesar & The Romans, “Those Oldies But Goodies (Remind Me Of You)” (#9, 1961)
1939 ● Crash Craddock / (Billy Wayne Craddock) → 50s teen-pop turned country-pop singer, “Rub It In” (#16, Country #1, 1974) and 18 other Country Top 20 singles in the 70s
1941 ● Lamont Dozier → Motown Records‘ musical arranger and producer with the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting team, co-wrote many hits for The Supremes, The Four Tops, Martha & The Vandellas, The Isley Brothers and others
1942 ● Edward Levert → Vocals for R&B/Philly soul giants The O’Jays, “Love Train” (#1, 1973)
1942 ● John Rostill → Composer and bassist, early career in backing bands for touring artists including The Everly Brothers and Tommy Roe plus a stint in the Zoot Money Quartet (with future Police guitarist Andy Summers), joined instrumental pop-rock The Shadows (“Foot Tapper,” UK #1, 1963) in the early 60s, wrote or co-wrote a number of hits for The Shadows and other artists, including “Let Me Be There” for Olivia Newton-John (#6, 1973), died from electrocution in his home recording studio on 11/26/1973, age 31
1945 ● Ivan Lins → Latin Grammy-winning Brazilian jazz-pop vocalist with a 40-year recording history and multiple covers of his compositions by a diverse and growing group of artists, including Elle Fitzgerald, Sting, Dave Grusin, Michael Bublé and many others
1945 ● Rudolph Damiani → Founding member and drummer for 60s Boston-based garage rock The Remains (“Don’t Look Back,” 1966), the band received critical acclaim, appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and Hullabaloo, and opened for The Beatless’ 1966 tour but gained little commercial success and disbanded in 1966, died of a cerebral hemorrhage on 2/23/2014, age 68
1946 ● Ian Matthews / (Iain Matthew McDonald) → Irish guitarist and songwriter with renowned Brit folk-rock Fairport Convention, “Si Tu Dos Partir” (UK #21, 1969), formed light pop-folk-rock Southern Comfort, “Woodstock” (#23, 1970), solo, “Shake It” (#13, 1979)
1949 ● Peppy Castro / (Emil Thielheim) → Guitar and vocals for early psychedelic rock Blues Magoos, “(We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ Yet” (#5, 1967), later formed pop-rock Balance, “Breaking Away” (#22, 1981)
1950 ● James Smith → Vocals for R&B/Philly soul The Stylistics, “You Make Me Feel Brand New” (#2, 1974) plus 15 R&B Top 40 singles
1952 ● Gino Vannelli → Canadian soft rock singer/songwriter, “People Gotta Move” (#22, 1974) and “Living Inside Myself” (#6, 1981)
1953 ● Ian Mosley → Drummer for Brit prog-rock revival group Marillion, “Kayleigh” (Mainstream Rock #14, 1985)
1953 ● Malcolm Paul Mortimer → Drummer for Gentle Giant, Mick Jagger band, Ian Dury and others, session work
1954 ● Garry Roberts / (Garrick “Garry” Roberts) → Guitarist for Irish pop-punk Boomtown Rats, “I Don’t Like Mondays” (#73, 1979) and “Rat Trap” (UK #1, 1979), the first rock song by an Irish band to reach #1 in the UK
1958 ● Patrick Waite → With brother Junior, bass guitar and vocals for ska/reggae band Musical Youth, “Pass The Dutchie” (#10, 1982), died from hereditary heart failure while in police custody for drug charges on 2/13/1993, age 34
1971 ● 2Pac / (Lesane Parish Crooks) → Dancer and rapper for Digital Underground, then solo gangsta rapper, “California Love” (#31, 1996), died following a drive-by shooting on the Las Vegas strip on 9/13/1996, age 25
1987 ● Diana DeGarmo → American Idol runner-up, Broadway actress, solo teen-pop singer, “Dreams” (#14, 2004)

Albums Released This Week (June 4 – 10)

Here’s a sampling of the BEST music ever made! Great albums from the 60s, 70s and 80s rock and pop released this week (and some related albums of note):

June 04
1969 ● Johnny Cash —— At San Quentin ► Classic Country
1976 ● Donovan —— Slow Down World ► Folk-Rock
1977 ● The Moody Blues —— Caught Live + 5 ► Psychedelic Rock
1980 ● The Kinks —— One For The Road ► Pop-Rock
1983 ● Motörhead —— Another Perfect Day ► Heavy Metal/Speed Metal
1984 ● Bruce Springsteen —— Born In the U.S.A. ► Album Rock
1990 ● Wire —— Manscape ► Post-Punk
1991 ● Indigo Girls —— Back On The Bus, Y’all ► Folk-Rock
1991 ● Kool Moe Dee —— Funke, Funke Wisdom ► Rap
1991 ● Paul McCartney —— Unplugged (The Official Bootleg) ► Pop-Rock
1993 ● Bratmobile —— Pottymouth ► Punk/Riot Grrl
1994 ● Zard —— Oh My Love ► Pop-Rock
1996 ● Squirrel Nut Zippers —— Hot ► Swing Revival
1996 ● Bryan Adams —— 18 Til I Die ► Pop-Rock
1996 ● Jimmy Buffett —— Banana Wind ► Folk-Rock
1996 ● Metallica —— Load ► Heavy Metal
2001 ● The Smiths —— The Very Best Of The Smiths ► Alt. Pop-Rock
2002 ● Grand Funk Railroad —— Live: The 1971 Tour ► Hard Rock
2007 ● The Clash —— The Singles (2007) ► Punk
2007 ● Paul McCartney —— Memory Almost Full ► Pop-Rock
2012 ● Heart —— Strange Euphoria ► Album Rock

June 05
1961 ● The Kingston Trio —— Goin’ Places ► Folk-Pop
1962 ● Elvis Presley —— Pot Luck ► Rock n Roll
1970 ● Barclay James Harvest —— Barclay James Harvest ► Prog Rock
1970 ● Procol Harum —— Home ► Prog Rock
1979 ● J. Geils Band —— Best Of The J. Geils Band ► Blues-Rock
1981 ● George Harrison —— Somewhere In England ► Pop-Rock
1982 ● Blondie —— The Hunter ► New Wave Pop-Rock
1982 ● Heart —— Private Audition ► Album Rock
1985 ● Five Star —— Luxury Of Life ► Pop-Rock
1986 ● Alphaville —— Afternoons In Utopia ► New Wave Synth-Pop
1989 ● Peter Gabriel —— Passion: Music For The Last Temptation Of Christ [Sndtrk] ► Prog Rock
1989 ● Paul McCartney —— Flowers In The Dirt ► Pop-Rock
1990 ● New Kids On The Block —— Step By Step ► Teen Dance-Pop
1991 ● Trooper —— Ten ► Hard Rock
1995 ● Van Morrison —— Days Like This ► Folk-Rock
2000 ● Kasey Chambers —— The Captain ► Country-Rock
2001 ● Asia —— Aura ► Prog Rock
2001 ● John Mayer —— Room For Squares ► Folk-Pop
2001 ● Radiohead —— Amnesiac ► Alt. Pop-Rock
2001 ● Lucinda Williams —— Essence ► Alt. Country
2001 ● Blue Öyster Cult —— Curse Of The Hidden Mirror ► Metal
2001 ● Styx —— Styx World: Live 2001 ► Prog/Art Rock
2003 ● Metallica —— St. Anger ► Heavy Metal
2007 ● Poison —— Poison’d! ► Heavy Metal/Hair Metal
2007 ● The Police —— The Police ► New Wave Pop-Rock
2007 ● Bruce Springsteen With The Sessions Band —— Live In Dublin ► Folk-Rock
2012 ● The Beach Boys —— That’s Why God Made Radio ► Pop-Rock
2012 ● Neil Young & Crazy Horse —— Americana ► Roots Rock

June 06
1967 ● Moby Grape —— Moby Grape ► Psychedelic Rock (SFO)
1970 ● The Soft Machine —— Third ► Psychedelic Rock
1972 ● David Bowie —— The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars ► Glam Rock
1972 ● Looking Glass —— Looking Glass ► Pop-Rock
1975 ● Carpenters —— Horizon ► Soft Rock
1975 ● The Rolling Stones —— Made In The Shade ► Blues-Rock
1978 ● The Cars —— The Cars ► New Wave Pop-Rock
1980 ● Toyah —— The Blue Meaning ► Punk Rock
1981 ● The Psychedelic Furs —— Talk, Talk, Talk ► Post-Punk New Wave
1981 ● Siouxsie And The Banshees —— Juju ► Post-Punk
1983 ● Crosby, Stills & Nash —— Allies ► Folk-Rock
1986 ● Randy Travis —— Storms Of Life ► Trad Country
1987 ● Heart —— Bad Animals ► Album Rock
1988 ● Scritti Politti —— Provision ► New Wave/Synth-Pop
1988 ● The Moody Blues —— Sur La Mer ► Prog Rock
1989 ● Jackson Browne —— World In Motion ► Folk-Rock
1989 ● Van Morrison —— Avalon Sunset ► Folk-Rock
1989 ● Queen —— The Miracle ► Glam Rock
1989 ● Stevie Ray Vaughan And Double Trouble —— In Step ► Blues-Rock
1995 ● Laura Branigan —— The Best Of Branigan ► Dance-Pop
1995 ● The Innocence Mission —— Glow ► Alt Pop-Rock
1995 ● Soul Asylum —— Let Your Dim Light Shine ► Alt. Pop-Rock
1995 ● Paul Revere & The Raiders —— The Essential Ride ’63-’67 ► Pop-Rock
1996 ● Belle & Sebastian —— Tigermilk ► Chamber Pop
1997 ● The Gathering —— Nighttime Birds ► Alt Rock/Prog Metal
1998 ● Steely Dan —— Members Edition ► Jazz-Rock
2000 ● Alice Cooper —— Brutal Planet ► Hard Rock
2000 ● The Tragically Hip —— Music @ Work ► Folk-Rock
2000 ● Steve Earle —— Transcendental Blues ► Alt. Country
2005 ● Coldplay —— X&Y ► Alt. Rock/Brit Pop
2005 ● Kraftwerk —— Minimum-Maximum ► Techno-Rock
2006 ● Cheap Trick —— Rockford ► Hard Rock/Power Pop
2006 ● Elvis Costello And Allen Toussaint —— The River In Reverse ► Jazz-Soul
2011 ● Iron Maiden —— From Fear To Eternity: The Best Of: 1990-2010 ► Heavy Metal
2011 ● New Order —— Total: From Joy Division To New Order ► Alt Pop-Rock

June 07
1972 ● Carlos Santana & Buddy Miles —— Live! ► Jazz Fusion
1974 ● Cilla Black —— In My Life ► Pop-Rock
1976 ● Lou Rawls —— All Things In Time ► Soul (Philly)
1976 ● The Beatles —— Rock & Roll Music ► Pop-Rock
1982 ● Stray Cats —— Built For Speed ► Rockabilly
1982 ● Chicago —— Chicago 16 ► Jazz-Rock
1983 ● The Fleshtones —— Hexbreaker! ► Punk-Rock
1985 ● Sister Sledge —— When The Boys Meet The Girls ► Disco
1988 ● EPMD —— Strictly Business ► East Coast Rap
1990 ● Tiamat —— Sumerian Cry ► Heavy Metal/Death Metal
1993 ● Tears For Fears —— Elemental ► New Wave Synth-Pop
1994 ● Boston —— Walk On ► Arena Rock
1995 ● Paul Weller —— Stanley Road ► Rock ‘N’ Soul
1996 ● Robert Miles —— Dreamland ► Electro-Dream Trance
1999 ● Paul Butterfield’s Better Days —— Live At Winterland Ballroom ► Blues-Rock
1999 ● Therion —— Crowning Of Atlantis ► Heavy Metal/Symphonic Metal
2004 ● Mike + The Mechanics —— Rewired ► Brit Pop-Rock
2005 ● Bush —— The Best Of ’94 – ’99 ► Grunge Rock
2008 ● My Morning Jacket —— Evil Urges ► Indie Rock/Neo-Psychedlia
2011 ● Alice Cooper —— Old School: 1964-1974 ► Hard Rock
2011 ● Tedeschi Trucks Band —— Revelator ► Blues-Rock
2011 ● Neil Young With The International Harvesters —— A Treasure ► Folk-Rock

June 08
1961 ● Marvin Gaye —— The Soulful Moods Of Marvin Gaye ► Soul – Motown
1963 ● The Ventures —— Ventures Play The Country Classics ► Rock n Roll Instrumental
1970 ● Bob Dylan —— Self Portrait ► Folk-Rock
1973 ● Bobby Womack —— The Facts Of Life ► Soul-Funk
1976 ● Carly Simon —— Another Passenger ► Pop-Rock
1977 ● Trooper —— Knock ‘Em Dead Kid ► Hard Rock
1979 ● Paul McCartney & Wings —— Back To The Egg ► Pop-Rock
1982 ● Survivor —— Eye Of The Tiger ► Album Rock
1984 ● Siouxsie And The Banshees —— Hyaena ► Glam Rock
1985 ● Bob Dylan —— Empire Burlesque ► Folk-Rock
1990 ● José José —— En Las Buenas…Y En Las Malas ► Latin Pop
1993 ● Urge Overkill —— Saturation ► Alt Hard Rock
1993 ● Van Morrison —— Too Long In Exile ► Folk-Rock
1994 ● Faith No More —— Angel Dust ► Hard Rock
1994 ● 2 Live Crew —— Back At Your Ass For The Nine-4 ► East Coast Rap
1995 ● Black Sabbath —— Forbidden ► Hard Rock
1998 ● The Delgados —— Peloton ► Indie Pop-Rock
1998 ● Brandy Norwood —— Never Say Never ► New Jack Swing
1999 ● Red Hot Chili Peppers —— Californication ► Alt. Funk-Rock
1999 ● The Apples In Stereo —— Her Wallpaper Reverie ► Indie Pop-Rock/Power Pop
1999 ● Def Leppard —— Euphoria ► Hard Rock
1999 ● Joan Jett & The Blackhearts —— Fetish ► Hard Rock
2004 ● The Calling —— Two ► Post-Grunge Alt. Rock
2004 ● Various Artists —— Girls With Guitars ► Pop-Rock
2004 ● The Gremlins —— Coming Generation: The Complete Recordings 1965-1968 ► Garage Rock/Psych Pop

June 09
1969 ● Bonzo Dog Band —— Urban Spaceman ► Psychedelic Rock (Comedy)
1972 ● Jeff Beck Group —— The Jeff Beck Group [UK] ► Blues-Rock
1972 ● King Crimson —— Earthbound ► Prog Rock
1977 ● J. Geils Band —— Monkey Island ► Blues-Rock
1978 ● The Rolling Stones —— Some Girls ► Blues-Rock
1978 ● The Moody Blues —— Octave ► Prog Rock
1979 ● Nick Lowe —— Labour Of Lust ► Pub Rock
1983 ● Peter Gabriel —— Plays Live ► Prog Rock
1983 ● Diana Ross —— Ross ► Soul – Motown
1983 ● Frank Zappa —— London Symphony Orchestra, Vol. 1 ► Classical Fusion
1984 ● Eurythmics —— Touch Dance [UK] ► New Wave Synth-Pop
1986 ● Genesis —— Invisible Touch ► Prog Rock
1987 ● Goo Goo Dolls —— Goo Goo Dolls ► Alt Pop-Rock/Post-Grunge
1987 ● Diana Ross —— Red Hot Rhythm & Blues ► Pop-Soul
1992 ● Deicide —— Legion ► Heavy Metal/Death Metal
1992 ● Del Amitri —— Change Everything ► Alt Pop-Rock
1997 ● Buzzcocks —— Chronology ► Punk-Rock
1998 ● Brandy Norwood —— Never Say Never ► Hip Hop-Soul
1998 ● David Lee Roth —— DLR Band ► Hard Rock
1998 ● John Fogerty —— Premonition ► Folk-Rock
2008 ● Whitesnake —— 30th Anniversary Collection ► Arena Rock
2009 ● Black Sabbath —— Greatest Hits ► Hard Rock
2009 ● Elvis Costello —— Secret, Profane & Sugarcane ► Country-Rock
2015 ● Sparks —— FFS ► Glam Rock

June 10
1963 ● Patsy Cline —— The Patsy Cline Story ► Country-Pop
1966 ● Carcass —— Swansong ► Heavy Metal/Death Metal
1966 ● Elvis Presley —— Paradise, Hawaiian Style [Sndtrk] ► Pop-Rock
1968 ● The Beach Boys —— Friends ► Pop-Rock
1972 ● LaBelle —— Moon Shadow ► Funk
1975 ● Eagles —— One Of These Nights ► Country-Rock
1980 ● Bob Marley & The Wailers —— Uprising ► Roots Reggae
1982 ● Rainbow —— Straight Between The Eyes ► Hard Rock
1983 ● The Kinks —— State Of Confusion ► British Rock
1983 ● Stevie Nicks —— The Wild Heart ► Pop-Rock
1983 ● Rod Stewart —— Body Wishes ► Pop-Rock
1985 ● The Beach Boys —— The Beach Boys ► Pop-Rock
1985 ● R.E.M. —— Fables Of The Reconstruction ► Alt. Pop-Rock
1985 ● Talking Heads —— Little Creatures ► New Wave Art-Rock
1986 ● Candlemass —— Epicus Doomicus Metallicus ► Heavy Metal/Doom Metal
1988 ● Hall & Oates —— Ooh Yeah! ► Pop-Rock
2003 ● Annie Lennox —— Bare ► Adult Alternative Pop-Rock
2003 ● Fountains Of Wayne —— Welcome Interstate Managers ► Power Pop
2003 ● Eddie Money —— The Essential Eddie Money ► Album Rock
2003 ● Radiohead —— Hail To The Thief ► Alt. Pop-Rock
2003 ● Heart —— Alive In Seattle ► Album Rock
2003 ● Steely Dan —— Everything Must Go ► Jazz-Rock
2008 ● Walter Becker —— Circus Money ► Jazz-Rock
2008 ● The Tubes —— Goin’ Down The Tubes ► Alt. Rock
2013 ● Black Sabbath —— 13 ► Hard Rock
2014 ● The Who —— Quadrophenia Live In London ► British Rock
2016 ● Motörhead —— Clean Your Clock ► Heavy Metal

This Week’s Birthdays (June 3 – 9)

Happy Birthday this week to:

June 03

1906 ● Josephine Baker / (Freda Josephine McDonald) → Legendary chanson-singing dancer and actress of the 20s and 30s, one of the most successful African American entertainers of her time, left the demeaning U.S. vaudeville circuit for the open-minded Parisian cabaret scene, became a French citizen, a star and a voice against prejudice while performing exotic dances in risqué costumes (or none at all), starred in movies alongside Bob Hope, Fanny Brice and others, became an outspoken figure in the American Civil Rights movement of the 60s, died from a cerebral hemorrhage on 4/12/1975, age 68
1924 ● Jimmy Rogers / (James A. Lane) → Chicago-style blues guitarist, singer and harmonica player in Muddy Waters‘ band and with Little Walter Jacobs plus solo, “Walking By Myself” (R&B #14, 1957) and multiple albums including the posthumous Blues Blues Blues (1998) featuring Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Taj Mahal and others, died from colon cancer on 12/19/1997, age 73
1926 ● Allen Ginsburg / (Irwin Allen Ginsburg) → Poet, leading figure in the Beat Generation of the 50s and frequent participant in various hippie events in the 60s, author of the epic poem “Howl,” longtime friend of Bob Dylan with whom he often collaborated with poetry set to music, died from liver cancer on 4/5/1997, age 70
1927 ● Boots Randolph / (Homer Randolph III) → Tenor saxophonist and major contributor to the “Nashville Sound” of pop flavoring within country music in the 50s, 60s and 70s, as a solo artist scored 14 Billboard Top 200 albums and the Top 40 single “Yakety Sax” (#35, 1963), died following a brain hemorrhage a month after the release of his final studio album on 7/3/2007, age 80
1940 ● Charles Fizer / → Tenor vocals for 50s/60s doo wop quartet The Olympics (“Western Movies,” #8, R&B #7, 1958), the band’s string of hits largely dried up after he was shot and killed by police during the Watts Riots in Los Angeles on 8/14/1965, age 25
1942 ● Curtis Mayfield / → R&B/soul giant, singer, songwriter and composer, member of The Impressions, “It’s All Right” (#4, R&B #1, 1963), solo, “Freddie’s Dead” (#4, R&B #2, 1972), wrote dozens of R&B and pop hits for others, died on 12/26/1999 after years of steadily declining health following an on-stage accident in 1980, age 57
1943 ● Mike Dennis / → Second tenor for doo wop a cappella harmony turned early garage-rock/dance craze The Dovells, “Bristol Stomp” (#2, 1961)
1946 ● Ian Hunter / (Ian Patterson) → Founding member, songwriter, keyboards and lead singer for early Brit glam-rockers Mott The Hoople, “All The Young Dudes” (#37, 1972), then solo, “Cleveland Rocks” (1979), wrote the book Diary Of A Rock ‘n’ Roll Star (1974)
1946 ● Eddie Holman / → Philly soul, pop and gospel tenor vocalist best known for “Hey There Lonely Girl” (#2, R&B #4, 1970), largely disappeared from the music business in the 80s, became an ordained Baptist minister and occasionally performed into the 00s
1946 ● Michael Clarke / (Michael Dick) → Drummer for seminal country-rock The Byrds, “Mr. Tambourine Man” (#1, 1965), then Flying Burrito Bros. and light country rock Firefall, “You Are The Woman” (#9, 1976), died of liver failure on 12/19/1993, age 47
1947 ● Dave Alexander / → Original bassist for influential proto-punk The Stooges, “I Wanna Be Your Dog” (1969), died from pulmonary edema on 2/10/1975, age 27
1947 ● Mickey Finn / (Michael Hearne) → Percussion for proto-glam-rock T. Rex, “Bang A Gong (Get It On)” (#10, 1971), died from suspected liver and kidney failure on 1/11/2003, age 55
1950 ● Florian Pilkington-Miksa / → Original drummer for Brit prog/avant-garde rock Curved Air, “Back Street Luv” (UK #4, 1974), played in Kiki Dee‘s band, rejoined Curved Air in 2008
1950 ● Niecy Williams / (June Deniece Chandler) → Grammy-winning R&B/soul-funk singer and songwriter, worked as a backing singer with Stevie Wonder‘s group Wonderlove, then solo, “Let’s Hear It For The Boy” (#1, 1984)
1950 ● Suzi Quatro / (Susan Kay Quatrocchio) → Bass guitarist, singer, songwriter, bandleader, iconoclastic if not well-known female rocker, “Stumblin’ In” (#4, 1979)
1952 ● Billy Powell / → Keyboards for raunchy Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Sweet Home Alabama” (#8, 1974), died after suffering a heart attack on 6/28/2009, age 56
1954 ● Dan Hill / → Canadian folk-pop singer/songwriter, “Sometimes When We Touch” (#3, 1978)
1956 ● Danny Wilde / → Singer, songwriter and guitarist for legendary power pop bands The Quick, Great Buildings and The Rembrandts, “I’ll Be There For You” (#17, 1995), the theme song from the TV show Friends
1962 ● David Cole / → Songwriter, vocals, producer and one half of the R&B/electro-dance-pop team C+C Music Factory, “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” (#1, 1990), producer for Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and others, died from complications of AIDS and spinal meningitis on 1/25/1995, age 32
1964 ● Kerry King / → Rhythm guitar for “Big Four” thrash metal Slayer, “Hate Worldwide” (#2, 2009)
1965 ● Mike Gordon / → Bass, banjo, piano, harmonica and percussion for improv-rock jam band Phish, “Free” (Mainstream Rock #11, 1996), solo and award-winning filmmaker
1968 ● Samantha Sprackling / → Vocals for Brit techno-pop Republica, “Drop Dead Gorgeous” (Modern Rock #39, 1997)
1971 ● Ariel Hernandez / → With twin brother Gabriel, vocals in dance-pop trio No Mercy, “Where Do You Go” (#5, 1996)
1971 ● Gabriel Hernandez / → With twin brother Ariel, vocals in dance-pop trio No Mercy, “Where Do You Go” (#5, 1996)
1974 ● Kelly Jones / → Vocalist for Welsh alt rock/trad rock Stereophonics, “Have A Nice Day” (Modern Rock #26, UK #5, 2001)
1985 ● Tavion La’Corey Mathis / → Singer for Miami-based R&B/hip-hop quartet Pretty Ricky, “Grind With Me” (#7, 2005)

June 04

1937 ● Freddy Fender / (Baldemar Garza Huerta) → Grammy-winning Hispanic country, rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll crossover singer and songwriter, his biggest hit “Before The Next Teardrop Falls” (#1, Country #1, 1975) came after a near career-ending stint in prison for marijuana possession, in the 90s joined supergroups The Texas Tornados and Los Super Seven, died from lung cancer on 10/14/2006, age 69
1940 ● Cliff Bennett / → Early beat/rock ‘n’ roll singer and bandleader for The Rebel Rousers, lone hit was a cover of the Lennon/McCartney tune “Got To Get You Into My Life” (UK #6, 1966)
1944 ● Michelle Phillips / (Holly Michelle Gilliam) → Vocals for folk-pop The Mamas & The Papas, “Monday Monday” (#1, 1966), wife of late bandmate John Phillips, film and TV actress, solo artist and backing vocals on various songs and albums by Belinda Carlisle, Cheech & Chong, the movie soundtrack to California Dreaming (1979), and others
1944 ● Roger Ball / → Saxophonist for Scottish blue-eyed soul Average White Band, “Pick Up The Pieces” (#1, 1974)
1945 ● Anthony Braxton / → Jazz and experimental jazz fusion multi-reedist, bandleader and composer with over 100 albums in a nearly 50 year career, currently a college music professor
1945 ● Gordon Waller / → With Peter Asher, one half of the acclaimed British Invasion pop-rock duo Peter & Gordon, “A World Without Love” (#1, 1964) and nine other Top 30 hits in the mid-60s, died of a heart attack on 7/17/2009, age 64
1953 ● Jimmy McCulloch / → Scottish rock guitarist and backing vocalist for one hit wonder Brit psych-pop, Pete Townshend-produced Thunderclap Newman, “Something In The Air” (#37, UK #1, 1969), later gigged with John Mayall and Stone The Crows, sessions for John Entwhistle, Peter Frampton and others, played lead guitar for Paul McCartney‘s Wings 1974-77, died from heart failure due to a heroin overdose on 9/27/1979, age 26
1954 ● Raphael Ravenscroft / → Welsh session saxophonist, composer and author, recorded the sax break on Gerry Rafferty‘s “Baker Street” (#2, 1975), receiving only an hours’ union wages and no royalties, later worked with Pink Floyd, ABBA, Robert Plant, America and many other artists, and composed film scores and advertising jingles until his death from a heart attack on 10/19/2014, age 60
1956 ● Reeves Gabrels / → Multi-genre American virtuoso guitarist, composer and songwriter, collaborated with David Bowie (1987-2000) in Tin Machine, film score musician/producer, multiple session and other collaborative works
1958 ● Gordon Russell / → Lead guitar for the mid-80s lineup of Brit pub-rock Dr. Feelgood, “Milk And Alcohol” (UK #9, 1979)
1958 ● Selwyn Brown / → Vocals and keyboards for roots reggae Steel Pulse, “Prodigal Son” (UK #35, 1978)
1961 ● El Debarge / (Eldra Patrick Debarge) → With his sister and three brothers, vocals in R&B/urban contemporary dance-pop sibling quintet Debarge, “All This Love” (#17, 1983)
1962 ● Steve Grimes / → Guitarist for Brit synth-pop The Farm, “Groovy Train” (#41, Dance/Club #4, 1991)
1964 ● Chris Kavanagh / → Drummer for New Wave glam-punk Sigue Sigue Sputnik, “Love Missile F1-11” (Dance/Club #50, UK #3, 1986)
1974 ● Stefan Lessard / → Bassist for pop-funk-rock jam band Dave Matthews Band, “Don’t Drink The Water” (#4, 1998)
1976 ● Kasey Chambers / → Australian country-rock crossover singer/songwriter with three successive Australian #1 albums and seven Aussie Top 10 hits, including “Not Pretty Enough” (Australia #1, 2002)
1987 ● Mollie King / (Mollie Elizabeth King) → Singer, songwriter and member of electro-pop girl-group The Saturdays, “Missing You” (UK #3, 2010), signed a solo contract with Island Records in 2015
1990 ● Zachary Farro / → Drummer for alt rock/pop-punk Paramore, “Misery Business” (#27, 2007)

June 05

1926 ● Bill Hayes / → Country-pop singer, “The Ballad Of Davy Crockett” (#1, 1955), has played the character Doug Williams on the soap opera Days Of Our Lives continuously since 1970
1941 ● Floyd Lawrence Butler / → Vocalist for pop-rock vocal group The Friends Of Distinction, “Grazing In The Grass” (#3, 1969), died after a heart attack on 4/29/1990, age 48
1942 ● Gary DeCarlo / (Gary Richard DeCarlo) → Lead singer on the one hit wonder but enduring sports anthem “Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)” (#1, 1969), a song attributed to the non-existent pop-rock band Steam, died from metastatic lung cancer on /28/2017, age 75
1943 ● Michael Davis / → Punk rock and heavy metal bass guitarist best known as an original member of Detroit proto-punk rockers MC5 (“Kick Out The Jams,” 1969), spent time in the 70s in a federal corrections facility on drug charges, paroled and wrote and performed with art noise Destroy All Monsters and other bands, became a visual and design artist, died of liver failure on 2/17/2012, age 68
1945 ● Don Reid / → Lead vocals in country-gospel-pop crossover harmonic quartet The Statler Brothers (“Flowers On The Wall,” #4, Country #2, 1965), he and his older brother, Harold were the only brothers in the group and no one was named Statler, following the band’s retirement in 2002 began writing fiction novels and autobiographies
1946 ● Freddie Stone / → Guitarist with his brother Sly and sisters Rosie and Vet in funk-rock Sly & The Family Stone, “Family Affair” (#1, 1971), now a California pastor
1946 ● John Du Cann / → Progressive rock guitarist, played with several hard rock bands and founded psych-rock Andromeda in the 60s, joined Atomic Rooster (“The Devil’s Answer,” UK #4, 1971) in 1970, then tried a solo career (“Don’t Be A Dummy,” UK #33, 1979) in between stints for Thin Lizzy and a reformed Atomic Rooster, died from a heart attack on 9/21/2011, age 65
1947 ● Laurie Anderson / → Multimedia avant-garde performance artist and one hit wonder pop-rock singer, “O Superman” (UK #2, 1981)
1947 ● Tom Evans / → Bass, vocals and founding member of Brit beat The Iveys, which evolved into power pop Badfinger, “Day After Day” (#4, 1972), committed suicide amidst the band’s legal and financial troubles on 11/9/1983, age 36
1948 ● Frank Eslersmith / → Keyboards for Aussie light pop-rock Air Supply, “The One That You Love” (#1, 1981), died on 3/1/1991, age 42
1950 ● Ronnie Dyson / (Ronald Dyson) → Lead actor/singer in the Broadway musical Hair, “Good Morning Starshine” (#3, 1969) and then Philly soul balladeer, “(If You Let Me Make Love To You Then) Why Can’t I Touch You?” (#8, R&B #9, 1970), died from heart failure on 11/10/1990, age 40
1954 ● Nicko McBrain / (Michael Henry McBrain) → Drummer for Brit heavy metal Iron Maiden, “Flight Of Icarus” (Mainstream Rock #8, 1983)
1954 ● Pete Erskine / (Peter Erskine) → Session percussionist and journeyman jazz and jazz-rock fusion session drummer, worked with Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Weather Report and the Brecker Brothers, among others
1956 ● Kenny G. / (Kenneth Bruce Gorelick) → Grammy-winning, hugely successful smooth jazz/adult contemporary saxophonist, composer and bandleader, “Songbird” (#4, 1987)
1956 ● Richard Butler / → Vocals and frontman for Brit New Wave post-punk The Psychedelic Furs, “Pretty In Pink” (#41, 1981), then formed Love Spit Love, “Am I Wrong?” (#83, 1994)
1964 ● Maggie Dunne / (Margaret Dunne) → Guitar and vocals for all-girl New Wave pop-punk quartet Fuzzbox (originally We’ve Got A Fuzz Box And We’re Gonna Use It), “International Rescue” (UK #11, 1989)
1965 ● Stefan Schönfeldt / → Bassist for Swedish alt rock The Wannadies, “You And Me Song” (UK #18, 1996)
1969 ● Brian McKnight / → Multi-instrumentalist producer and R&B/smooth soul singer and songwriter, “Back At One” (#1, 1999), collaborator with Mariah Carey, Vanessa Williams, Rascal Flatts, Christina Aguilera and many others, former talk radio host
1970 ● Clause Noreen / → Keyboardist for Danish dance-pop Aqua, “Barbie Girl” (#7, 1997), which drew a lawsuit from Mattel for its sexual content
1971 ● Marky Mark / (Mark Wahlberg) → Early member (with brother Donnie) of 90s teen-pop boy band New Kids On The Block, “Step By Step” (#1, 1990), left to front hip hop/pop-rap Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch, “Good Vibrations (#1, 1991), now an acclaimed film actor in Boogie Nights (1997), The Perfect Storm (2000), The Shooter (2007), The Fighter (2010) and others
1974 ● P-Nut Wills / (Aaron “P-Nut” Wills) → Bassist for alt-rock reggae-rap-metal 311, “All Mixed Up” (Modern Rock #4, 1996), solo, producer
1974 ● Dominic Chad / → Lead guitar and backing vocals for post-Brit-pop hard rock Mansun, “Wide Open Space” (Modern Rock #25, 1997)
1979 ● Pete Wentz / → Bassist for alt rock/punk-pop Fall Out Boy, “This Ain’t A Scene, It’s An Arms Race” (#2, 2007)
1981 ● Sebastien Lefebvre / → Rhythm guitar and backing vocals for French-Canadian pop-punk Simple Plan, “Perfect” (#24, Canada #5, 2003)
1990 ● Richard Sohl / → Keyboardist, songwriter and arranger known for his long-time association with punk-rock Patti Smith Group (“Because The Night,” #13, 1978), also session work with Iggy Pop, Nina Hagen and others, composed the score to the punk-rock docudrama Final Reward (1978)

June 06

1936 ● Levi Stubbs / (Levi Stubbles) → Vocals for six decade R&B/soul vocal quartet The Four Tops, “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)” (#1, 1966), died in his sleep on 10/17/2008
1939 ● Gary “U.S.” Bonds (Gary Levone Anderson) / (Gary Levone Anderson) → R&B/soul and rock ‘n’ roll singer and songwriter, “Quarter To Three” (#1, 1961) and “This Little Girl” (#11, 1981), age 72
1942 ● Howard Kane / (Howard Kirschenbaum) → Vocals for clean cut pop-rock Jay & The Americans, “Cara Mia” (#4, 1965) and nine other Top 30 hits
1943 ● Joe Stampley / → Louisiana blues-rock singer, songwriter and bandleader turned country star, fronted swamp rock The Uniques in the late 60s and sang lead on two minor hits, “Not Too Long Ago” (#66, 1965) and “All These Things” (#97, 1966), converted to honky tonk country with a recut of “All These Things” (Country #1, 1976) and 28 other Country Top 10 hits between 1971 and 1989
1944 ● Edgar Froese / → Founder, frontman, keyboards and guitarist of atmospheric space/new age electro-synth proto-Kraut rock Tangerine Dream, solo
1944 ● Peter Albin / → Guitarist for 60s Janis Joplin-fronted, psych-rock Big Brother & The Holding Company, “Piece Of My Heart” (#12, 1968) and her solo albums
1951 ● Dwight Twilley / → Power pop bandleader, singer and songwriter best known for his Top 20 hit “I’m On Fire” (#16, 1975) and an otherwise unremarkable career leading the Dwight Tilley Band plus solo efforts
1955 ● Mikel Wallace / → Keyboards for reggae/R&B-funk fusion band Third World, “Now That We’ve Found Love” (#47, R&B #9, 1979), shot dead on 7/6/1999, age 44
1959 ● Bobby Bluebell / (Robert Hodgens) → Guitar and frontman for Scottish jangle-pop-rock The Bluebells, “Young At Heart” (UK #1, 1993)
1960 ● Steve Vai / → Grammy-winning virtuoso rock guitarist, first with Frank Zappa‘s band, then hard rock Alcatrazz, David Lee Roth‘s band, Whitesnake, “Here I Go Again” (#1, 1987), plus numerous albums as solo and bandleader, “I Would Love To” (Mainstream Rock #38, 1990)
1961 ● Dee C. Lee / (Diane Catherine Sealy)) → Vocals for New Wave dance-pop Wham!, “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” (#1, 1984), left to join sophisti-pop-soul The Style Council, “My Ever Changing Moods” (#29, UK #5, 1984), then solo “See The Day” (UK #3, 1985)
1961 ● Tom Araya / (Tomas Enrique Araya) → Bass and vocals for “Big Four” thrash metal Slayer, “Hate Worldwide” (#2, 2009)
1964 ● Jay Dee Bentley / → Co-founder, bassist and songwriter for hardcore punk Bad Religion, “Infected” (Mainstream Rock #33, 1995)
1965 ● David White / → Guitar and vocals for Brit soul/pop boy band Brother Beyond, “The Harder I Try” (UK #2, 1988)
1966 ● Gary Newby / → Guitar, vocals and songwriting for Brit alt rock/power pop The Railway Children, “Every Beat Of The Heart” (Alt Rock #1, 1990)
1970 ● Munky Shaffer / (James Shaffer) → Guitarist for Nu metal Korn, “Here To Stay” (Mainstream #4, 2002)
1974 ● Uncle Kracker / (Matthew Shafer) → Long time vocals and DJ in Kid Rock‘s band, then rock/hip hop fusion solo career, “Follow Me” (#5, 2001), now country-rock, “Smile” (#31, 2009)
1978 ● Carl Barât / → Co-founder, vocals, lead guitar and songwriter for indie/punk revival The Libertines, “Can’t Stand Me Now” (UK #2, 2004), solo and pub owner
1978 ● Jeremy Gara / → Drummer for Grammy-winning Canadian alt/indie rock Arcade Fire, “Keep The Car Running” (Alt #32, 2007)
1984 ● Chris Tomson / → Drummer for New York indie Afro-pop/rock Vampire Weekend, “Cousins” (Alt Rock #18, 2009)
1987 ● Kyle Falconer / → Lead guitarist, songwriter and lead vocalist for Scottish retro-rock/ska punk The View, “Same Jeans” (UK #3, 2007)

June 07

1917 ● Dean Martin / (Dino Paul Crocetti) → Film, TV and stage actor, singer, “Memories Are Made Of This” (#1, 1956) and 15 other Top 40 singles, cultural icon and member of the Rat Pack, died of lung cancer on 12/25/1995, age 78
1940 ● Tom Jones / (Tom Woodward) → Grammy-winning, Welsh heartthrob vocalist “She’s A Lady” (#2, 1971) plus 15 other Top 40 singles and, in the 80s, nine Country Top 40 hits
1942 ● Gary Burger / → With four other American G.I.’s stationed in Germany, lead guitar for 60s avant-garde garage rock/proto-punk The Monks (1966 LP Black Monk Time), the band broke up in 1968 but reformed in 1999 when their album became a cult classic, died of pancreatic cancer on 3/17/2014, age 71
1944 ● Clarence White / (Clarence LeBlanc) → Acadian guitarist for progressive bluegrass sibling group Kentucky Colonels, then seminal country-pop-rock The Byrds, “Mr. Tambourine Man” (#1, 1965), session work for Jackson Browne, Randy Newman and others, killed by a drunken driver on 7/15/1973, age 29
1948 ● Dave Torbert / → Bass guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for Bay Area country-rock New Riders Of The Purple Sage, co-wrote “Contract” and many other NRPS songs, co-founded country-rock Kingfish with Matthew Kelly and Bob Weirr (Grateful Dead), died of a heart attack on 12/7/1982, age 34
1953 ● Johnny Clegg / → The “White Zulu”, guitarist, songwriter, co-founder and frontman for multiracial Afro-Euro-dance pop World music band Juluka and Zulu-dance-pop Savuka
1955 ● Joey Scarbury / → One hit wonder Canadian pop singer, “Theme From The Greatest American Hero (Believe It Or Not)” (#2, 1981)
1957 ● Paddy McAloon / (Patrick Joseph McAloon) → Guitar and vocals for Brit indie pop Prefab Sprout, “If You Don’t Love Me” (Dance/Club #3, 1992)
1958 ● Prince / (Prince Rogers Nelson) → Mega-talented, multi-instrumentalist songwriter, singer, actor, producer and pop-rock/soul-funk bandleader, “When Doves Cry” (#1, 1984) and 30 other Top 40 singles, seven Grammy Awards, an Academy Ward-winning movie, Purple Rain (1984) and multiple hits for others, including “Manic Monday” by The Bangles (#2, 1986), collapsed at home and died from a prescription painkiller overdose on 4/21/2016, age 57
1964 ● Ecstasy / (John Fletcher) → Vocals for rap/R&B “new jack swing” Whodini, “Five Minutes Of Funk” (1984) from the acclaimed album Escape
1966 ● Eric Kretz / → Drummer for alt hard rock Stone Temple Pilots, “Interstate Love Song” (#18, 1994)
1967 ● Dave Navarro / (David Michael Navarro) → Founding member and lead guitarist for alt rock/post-punk Jane’s Addiction, “Been Caught Stealing” (Mainstream Rock #29, 1990), in mid-90s joined funk-rock Red Hot Chili Peppers, released two solo albums with one Top 10 hit, “Rexall” (Mainstream Rock #9, 2001), in 2012 began as celebrity judge on the tattoo competition reality TV show Ink Master
1969 ● Skin Tyson / (Liam Sean Tyson) → Lead guitar for 90s alt rock Brit-pop Cast, “Flying” (UK #4, 1996), collaboration with Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin
1974 ● T-Low / (Terry Brown) → Vocals in contemporary R&B/smooth soul brother duo Next, “Too Close” (#1, 1998)
1985 ● Chaz Simo / (Charles Robert Simpson) → Guitar and vocals for Brit pop-punk boyband Busted, “You Said No” (UK #1, 2003)
1990 ● Iggy Azalea / (Amethyst Amelia Kelly) → Australian rapper, songwriter and fashion model, “Fancy” (#1, 2014) and three other US Top 40 hits

June 08

1918 ● Robert Preston / (Robert Meservy) → Tony-winning Broadway stage and screen (mostly Westerns) actor who landed the role of a lifetime as the lead in The Music Man on stage in 1957 and film in 1962, died of lung cancer on 3/21/87, age 68
1936 ● James Darren / (James William Ercolani) → Early pop-rock teen idol singer, “Goodbye Cruel World” (#3, 1961), film actor (Gidget, 1959, Venus In Furs, 1969 and others), TV actor in The Time Tunnel (1966-67) and T. J. Hooker (1982-85)
1940 ● Nancy Sinatra / → Sultry, sexy MOR pop singer, “These Boots Were Made for Walking” (#1, 1966), duet with father Frank “Somethin’ Stupid” (#1, 1967), the only father/daughter #1 hit ever
1940 ● Sherman Garnes / → Bass vocals for R&B/doo wop Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers, “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” (1956), died during open heart surgery on 2/26/1977, age 36
1941 ● Fuzzy Haskins / (Clarence Haskins) → Guitar and vocals for R&B/soul-funk (“P-Funk”) Parliament-Funkadelic, “One Nation Under A Groove” (#31, 1978)
1942 ● Chuck Negron / → Co-founder and one of three lead vocalists for top-tier pop-rock k Three Dog Night, “Joy To The World” (#1, 1971) and ten other Top 10 hits between 1969 and 1974
1944 ● Don Grady / (Don Louis Agrati) → TV actor, musician, singer and songwriter starting as a Mouseketeer on The Mickey Mouse Show and then as Robbie Douglas, the teenage heart-throb and oldest of three brothers on the 60s wholesome sitcom My Three Sons (1960-1972), joined short-lived, one hit wonder sunshine pop band The Yellow Balloon (“Yellow Balloon,” #25, 1967) and later wrote TV themes and soundtracks, died of bone cancer on 06/27/2012, age 68
1944 ● Boz Scaggs / (William Royce “Boz” Scaggs) → Guitarist, songwriter and vocalist, first with early Steve Miller Band, then a long solo career starting with “Lowdown” (#3, 1976) and “Lido Shuffle” (#11, 1977)
1947 ● Annie Haslam / (Anne Haslam) → Vocalist and songwriter best known for her 45 year tenure as lead singer for Brit folk/prog rock Renaissance (“Northern Lights,” UK #10, 1978), plus 18 solo albums and an annual Christmas concert in Sellersville near Philadelphia, PA
1947 ● Julie Driscoll / → Brit pop diva with Brian Auger & The Trinity, “This Wheel’s On Fire” (UK #5, 1968), solo prog rock albums, now jazz-improv vocals
1949 ● Jimmie King / → Guitarist and founding member of soul/funk The Bar-Kays, “Soul Finger” (#17, R&B #3, 1967), which also served as Stax Records‘ in-house session group and Otis Reddingg’s backing band, died in the Wisconsin plane crash that killed Redding and four Bar-Kays bandmates on 12/10/1967, age 18
1951 ● Bonnie Tyler / (Gaynor Hopkins) → Welsh-born raspy-voiced pop-rock solo singer, “Total Eclipse of the Heart” (#1, 1983), plus session backing vocals for Cher and others
1953 ● Jeff Rich / → Drummer for blues-rock Climax Blues Band and psych-boogie rock Status Quo, “Pictures Of Matchstick Men” (#12, 1968)
1954 ● Greg Ginn / → Founder, frontman, lead singer and principal songwriter for 80s nihilistic L.A. hardcore punk-rock Black Flag (“Thirty And Miserable,” 1981), ranked #99 on Rolling Stone magazine’s Top 100 guitarists of all time
1956 ● Steve Walwyn / (Stephen Martin Walwyn) → Lead guitarist since 1989 for Brit pub-rock Dr. Feelgood, “Milk And Alcohol” (UK #9, 1979)
1960 ● Mick Hucknall / (Michael James Hucknall) → Frontman, singer and songwriter for Brit soul-pop Simply Red, “Holding Back The Years” (#1, 1986), solo
1962 ● Nick Rhodes / (Nick Bates) → Keyboards for New Wave pop-rock Duran Duran, “Hungry Like The Wolf” (#3, 1982)
1965 ● Rob Pilatus / → Singer and one half of the scandalous, lip-synching dance-pop vocal duo Milli Vanilli, the pair were stripped of their 1989 Grammy Award when in 1990 it was revealed that they never actually sang on their albums or in concert, committed suicide on 4/2/1998, age 32
1966 ● Doris Pearson / → Vocals for Brit family R&B/dance-pop quintet 5 Star, “Can’t Wait Another Minute” (#41, Dance/Club #7, 1986) and fifteen Top 40 singles in native England
1967 ● Neil Mitchell / → Keyboards for Scottish pop-rock Wet Wet Wet, “Love Is All Around” (#41, UK #1, 1994)
1970 ● Nicci Gilbert / (Nichole Gilbert) → Vocals in urban contemporary R&B girl trio Brownstone, “If You Love Me” (#8, 1994), solo
1971 ● Jef Streatfield / → Guitarist for Brit hard/raunch rock The Wildhearts, “Sick Of Drugs” (UK #14, 1995)
1973 ● Gabe Ford / (Gabriel Ford) → Current drummer for Southern-fried blues-boogie rock Little Feat, “Dixie Chicken” (1973) and “Hate To Lose Your Lovin'” (Mainstream Rock #1, 1988) replacing founding drummer Richie Hayward, who left in 2009 with liver cancer
1977 ● Kanye West / → Hip hop producer for Jay-Z and others, then solo rap star, “Gold Digger” (#1, 2005), five-time Grammy winner in 2007
1979 ● Derek Trucks / → Blues-rock and world music guitarist and songwriter, nephew of Allman Brothers drummer Butch Trucks, frontman for Grammy-winning The Derek Trucks Band, member of The Allman Brothers Band since 1999, formed the Tedeschi Trucks Band in 2010 with wife Susan Tedeschi
1981 ● Alex Band / → Founder, vocals and leader of post-grunge alt rock The Calling, “Wherever You Will Go” (#5, 2001), solo
1985 ● Jamie Shaw / → Vocals in teen pop boy band One True Voice, “Sacred Trust / After You’re Gone” (UK #2, 2002)
1989 ● Richard Fleeshman / → English TV actor (Craig Harris on the long-running Coronation Street) and singer-songwriter, “Coming Down” (UK #78, 2007)

June 09

1891 ● Cole Porter / → Grammy-winning singer and composer, one of America’s greatest songwriters, wrote countless classic songs, including “Night And Day” (1932), “I Get A Kick Out Of You” (1934) and “Begin The Beguine” (1935), died of kidney failure on 10/15/1964, age 73
1915 ● Les Paul / (Lester William Polsfuss) → Immensely influential jazz and country-pop guitarist, singer and songwriter, recorded solo and with wife Mary Ford, “Hummingbird” (#7, 1955), inventor of the Gibson Les Paul solid-body electric guitar and developer of various playing and recording techniques, including “close miking,” overdubbing, echo delay and multitrack recording, died from severe pneumonia on 8/12/2009, age 94
1921 ● Dick Rowe / (Richard Paul Rowe) → Brit music producer and talent scout for Decca Records in the 50s and 60s, signed The Rolling Stones, The Moody Bluess, The Zombies, Tom Jones and many other top artists but famously declined to sign The Beatles following an audition in January 1962, produced multiple hits in the 60s before bowing out at the peak of his career, died from diabetes on 6/6/1986, age 65
1926 ● CeDell Davis / (Ellis CeDell Davis) → Delta blues guitarist who overcame childhood polio and constricted hands to play slide guitar with a butter knife, spent decades on the juke joint circuit in the South before being “discovered” by music writer Robert Palmer in the 80s, toured nationally and recorded several albums with his unique style and gritty singing, including a final album, Even The Devil Gets The Blues (2016) featuring Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, suffered a heart attack and died three days later on 9/27/2017, age 91
1929 ● Johnny Ace / (John Marshall Alexander, Jr.) → Young, gifted and promising R&B/blues balladeer with a posthumous hit (“Pledging My Love,” #17, R&B #1, 1955) and epitaph (Billboard magazine’s “most played artist of 1955”) after he shot himself to death playing Russian roulette backstage after a show in Houston on Christmas night, 12/25/1954, age 25
1934 ● Jackie Wilson / (Jack Leroy Wilson) → Prolific and important R&B-to-soul singer with 13 R&B Top 10 singles from 1957-75, including “Lonely Teardrops” (#7, 1959), suffered a massive heart attack on 9/29/1975 during a Dick Clark nightclub show, fell from the stage and lived 8 years in a coma until he died on 1/21/1984, age 49
1941 ● Billy Hatton / → Drummer and singer for Merseybeat pop-rock The Fourmost, “A Little Loving” (UK #6, 1964)
1941 ● Jon Lord / → Classically-trained keyboardist and session player, co-founded hard rock/prog rock Deep Purple, “Smoke On The Water” (#4, 1973), solo and Whitesnake, “Here I Go Again” (#1, 1987), age 71
1946 ● Stuart Edwards / → Lead guitar for studio-only pop-rock Edison Lighthouse, “(Love Grows) Where My Rosemary Goes” (#5, 1970)
1947 ● Mick Box / → Guitarist for hard rock Uriah Heep, “Easy Livin'” (#39, 1972), the only original member still active with the band
1947 ● Mitch Mitchell / (John Graham Mitchell) → Child actor and accomplished teenage jazz drummer turned rock stickman for pop-rock Georgie Fame (“The Ballad Of Bonnie & Clyde,” #7, CAN #1, UK #1, 1967) and then psych-rock Jimi Hendrix Experience (“Purple Haze,” US #65, UK #3, 1967), later in ITV’s Ready Steady Go! house band and various one-off projects, drummed in Hendrix Experience tribute tours and died in his sleep in a hotel room following one such show on 11/12/2008, age 61
1949 ● Billy C. Farlow / → Rockabilly, Western swing and country rock guitarist, singer, harmonica player and songwriter, formed Billy C. & The Sunshine in the 60s, joined country-rock/boogie/swing bar band Commander Cody And His Lost Planet Airmen, “Hot Rod Lincoln” (#9, 1972), left in 1976 to front his own bands and collaborate with others through to the 00s, including The Butterfield Blues Band drummer Sam Lay, continues to tour and record regularly
1949 ● Francis Monkman / → Multi-instrumental rock and classical composer, film score writer and co-founder of Brit prog/avant-garde rock Curved Air, “Back Street Luv” (UK #4, 1974)
1949 ● George Bunnell / → Bassist for 60s psych-pop-rock Strawberry Alarm Clock, “Incense And Peppermints” (#1, 1967)
1950 ● Trevor Bolder / → Bassist for David Bowie‘s early 70s glam-rock backing band, which became hard rock The Spiders From Mars, replaced John Wetton in Uriah Heep (1976-81), then replaced Wetton in Wishbone Ash, returned to Uriah Heep in 1983
1951 ● Peter Gill / → Drummer for Brit heavy metal Son Of A Bitch which became Saxon, “Power And The Glory” (#32, 1983) and punk-metal Motörhead, “Ace Of Spades” (UK #15, 1980)
1951 ● Terry Uttley / → Bass and vocals for pop-rock Smokie, “Living Next Door To Alice” (#25, UK #3, 1977)
1953 ● Errol Kennedy / → Vocals for R&B/electro-dance-soul Imagination, “Just An Illusion” (Dance/Club #15, 1982)
1954 ● Peter Byrne / → Songwriter and co-founder of New Wave synth-pop Naked Eyes, “(There’s) Always Something There To Remind Me” (#10, 1983), then formed Britpop duo Climie Fisher, “Love Changes (Everything)” (#23, 1988)
1962 ● Eddie Lundon / → Guitar and vocals for New Romantic/dance-pop China Crisis, “Wishful Thinking” (UK #9, 1984) and “Working With Fire And Steel” (Dance/Club #27, 1984)
1967 ● Dean Dinning / → Bassist for alt pop-rock Toad The Wet Sprocket, “All I Want” (#15, 1992), nephew of 50s pop-rocker Mark Dinning, “Teen Angel” (#1, 1960)
1967 ● Dean Felber / → Bass and vocals for 90s pop-rock quartet Hootie & The Blowfish, “Only Wanna Be With You” (#6, 1995), solo
1970 ● Ed Simons / → DJ and keyboards for dance-rock-rap fusion duo The Chemical Brothers, “It Began In Afrika” (Dance/Club #1, 2001)
1972 ● Wesley Reid Scantlin / → Co-founder, singer, songwriter and guitarist for post-grunge Puddle Of Mudd, “Blurry” (#5, 2001)
1978 ● Matthew Bellamy / → Guitar, vocals and keyboards for prog-glam-electronic rock Muse, “Uprising” (#37, 2009)
1980 ● James Walsh / → Singer, guitarist, pianist and frontman for post-Britpop Starsailor, “Silence Is Easy” (UK #9, 2003)
1983 ● Frankee / (Nicole Francine Aiello) → Hip hop/R&B urban contemporary singer, “F.U.R.B. (Fuck You Right Back)” (#63, Top 40 #29, 2004), a response to ex-boyfriend Eamon‘s single “Fuck It (I Don’t Want You Back)” (#16, 2004)

Albums Released This Week (May 28 – June 3)

Here’s a sampling of the BEST music ever made! Great albums from the 60s, 70s and 80s rock and pop released this week (and some related albums of note):

May 28
1971 ● Graham Nash —— Songs For Beginners ► Folk-Rock
1977 ● Peter Frampton —— I’m In You ► Arena Rock
1977 ● Cat Stevens —— Izitso ► Folk-Pop
1978 ● Streetheart —— Meanwhile Back In Paris ► Hard Rock/Prairie Rock
1982 ● Cher —— I Paralyze ► Pop-Rock
1982 ● Chic —— I Paralyze ► Pop-Rock
1982 ● Glenn Frey —— No Fun Aloud ► Pop-Rock
1982 ● Heatwave —— Current ► Funk/Disco
1989 ● The Jacksons —— 2300 Jackson Street ► Soul/pop
1991 ● Electronic —— Electronic ► Alt Dance/House
1991 ● Sam Phillips —— Cruel Intentions ► AltRock/Secular
1991 ● The Smashing Pumpkins —— Gish ► Hard Rock
1996 ● The Brian Jones Massacre —— Take It From The Man! ► Neo-Psychedelia
1996 ● The Anti-Nowhere League —— The Horse Is Dead ► Punk Rock
2011 ● Weather Report —— Live In Berlin 1975 ► Jazz-Rock Fusion
2012 ● The Who —— Pinball Wizard: The Collection ► British Rock
2013 ● John Fogerty —— Wrote A Song For Everyone ► Folk-Rock

May 29
1969 ● Crosby, Stills & Nash —— Crosby, Stills & Nash ► Folk-Rock
1976 ● Poco —— Rose of Cimarron ► Country-Rock
1981 ● Amy Grant —— Amy Grant In Concert ► Pop-Rock/Christian
1984 ● Tina Turner —— Private Dancer ► Pop-Rock
1985 ● Warlock —— Hellbound ► Heavy Metal/Kraut Metal
1986 ● Chris De Burgh —— Into The Light ► Soft Rock
1987 ● John Hiatt —— Bring The Family ► Roots Rock
1989 ● Trooper —— The Last Of The Gypsys ► Hard Rock
1991 ● Dismember —— Like An Ever Flowing Stream ► Heavy Metal/Death Metal
1995 ● Teenage Fanclub —— Grand Prix ► Power Pop
1995 ● Rod Stewart —— A Spanner In The Works ► Pop-Rock
2000 ● Bright Eyes —— Fevers And Mirrors ► Indie Rock/Pop-Rock
2001 ● Goo Goo Dolls —— What I Learned About Ego, Opinion, Art & Commerce ► Alt Pop-Rock/Post-Grunge
2002 ● Hammer, Jan —— Miami Vice: The Complete Collection [Sndtrk] ► Pop-Rock

May 30
1964 ● The Rolling Stones —— England’s Newest Hit Makers ► Blues-Rock
1966 ● The Kingston Trio —— Children Of The Morning ► Folk-Pop
1972 ● Bobby Womack —— Understanding ► Soul-Funk
1972 ● The Velvet Underground —— Live At Max’s Kansas City ► Alt. Rock
1973 ● George Harrison —— Living In The Material World ► Pop-Rock
1977 ● Heatwave —— Too Hot To Handle ► Funk/Disco
1979 ● Peter Frampton —— Where I Should Be ► Arena Rock
1980 ● Peter Gabriel —— Peter Gabriel [3] ► Prog Rock
1981 ● Echo & The Bunnymen —— Heaven Up Here ► Post-Punk
1984 ● Jefferson Starship —— Nuclear Furniture ► Arena Rock
1988 ● Bob Dylan —— Down In The Groove ► Folk-Rock
1988 ● Earth, Wind & Fire —— The Best Of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 ► Soul-Funk
1995 ● Eddie Money —— Love And Money ► Album Rock
1995 ● Kansas —— Freaks Of Nature ► Prog/Arena Rock
1997 ● Dimmu Borgir —— Enthrone Darkness Triumphant ► Heavy Metal/Black Metal
1998 ● Dredg —— Leitmotif ► Alt Rock/Experimental
2000 ● Billy Bragg & Wilco —— Mermaid Avenue Vol. II ► Folk-Rock
2000 ● Iron Maiden —— Brave New World ► Heavy Metal
2004 ● Frank Zappa —— Joe’s Corsage ► Art Rock
2005 ● Oasis —— Don’t Believe The Truth ► Alt. Pop-Rock/Britpop
2006 ● Manfred Mann’s Earth Band —— Alive In America ► Hard Rock
2006 ● The Radio Dept. —— Pet Grief ► Dream Pop

May 31
1965 ● Junior Walker & The All-Stars —— Shotgun ► Soul – Motown
1980 ● Whitesnake —— Ready An’ Willing ► Arena Rock
1983 ● Talking Heads —— Speaking In Tongues ► New Wave Art-Rock
1985 ● A-Ha —— Hunting High And Low ► Synth-Pop
1988 ● Boogie Down Productions —— By All Means Necessary ► East Coast Rap
1993 ● No Use For A Name —— The Daily Grind ► Punk-Rock
1994 ● Stone Temple Pilots —— Purple ► Arena Rock
1994 ● The Church —— Sometime Anywhere ► Alt. Power Pop
1994 ● Various Artists —— The Lion King: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [Sndtrk] ► Pop-Rock/World
1994 ● Elton John —— The Lion King [Sndtrk] ► Pop-Rock
1995 ● Gary Moore —— Blues For Greeny ► Roots Rock (Irish)
1999 ● Mike + The Mechanics —— M6 ► Brit Pop-Rock
2004 ● PJ Harvey —— Uh Huh Her ► Indie Rock
2005 ● The Butterfield Blues Band —— Live ► Blues-Rock
2005 ● Little Feat —— Barnstormin’ Live, Vol. 1 ► Southern Rock
2010 ● Queen —— The Singles Collection: Volume 3 ► Glam Rock

June 01
1959 ● The Kingston Trio —— At Large ► Folk-Pop
1963 ● The Ventures —— Bobby Vee Meets The Ventures ► Rock n Roll Instrumental
1966 ● The Hollies —— Would You Believe? ► Pop-Rock
1967 ● The Beatles —— Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band ► Pop-Rock
1970 ● The Monkees —— Changes ► Pop-Rock
1972 ● Gary Glitter —— Touch Me ► Glam Rock
1972 ● Aretha Franklin —— Amazing Grace ► Gospel-Soul
1974 ● Carpenters —— Big Star [Japan] ► Easy Listening
1974 ● James Taylor —— Walking Man ► Folk-Rock
1976 ● The Runaways —— The Runaways ► Punk Rock
1982 ● Genesis —— Three Sides Live ► Prog Rock
1982 ● The Rolling Stones —— Still Life ► Rock n Roll
1983 ● The Police —— Synchronicity ► New Wave Pop-Rock
1985 ● Sting —— The Dream Of The Blue Turtles ► Pop-Rock
1991 ● Massive Attack —— Blue Lines ► Trip-Hop
1993 ● Pat Benatar —— Gravity’s Rainbow ► Hard Rock
1995 ● Nine Inch Nails —— Further Down The Spiral ► Industrial Metal
1996 ● The Hives —— Oh Lord! When? How? ► Garage Rock
1998 ● Shed Seven —— Let It Ride ► Alt Rock
1999 ● Blaque —— Blaque ► Dance-Rap
1999 ● Spin Doctors —— Here Comes The Bride ► Alt Pop-Rock
1999 ● The Doobie Brothers —— Best Of The Doobie Brothers Live ► Pop-Rock
2000 ● Michelle Branch —— Broken Bracelet ► Alt Pop-Rock
2004 ● Jerry Garcia Band —— Pure Jerry: Theatre 1839, San Francisco, July 29 & 30, 1977 ► Roots Rock
2009 ● The Pretenders —— The Best Of The Pretenders ► Post-Punk
2009 ● Paul Simon —— This Better Be Good ► Folk-Pop
2010 ● Jack Johnson —— To The Sea ► AA Folk-Rock
2012 ● Richard Marx —— Inside My Head ► AA Pop-Rock

June 02
1958 ● The Kingston Trio —— The Kingston Trio ► Folk-Pop
1967 ● David Bowie —— David Bowie ► Pop-Rock
1967 ● The Small Faces —— From The Beginning ► British Rock
1974 ● Cockney Rebel —— The Psychomodo ► Glam Rock
1978 ● Bruce Springsteen —— Darkness On The Edge Of Town ► Album Rock
1978 ● Thin Lizzy —— Live And Dangerous ► Hard Rock
1978 ● Teddy Pendergrass —— Life Is A Song Worth Singing ► Soul-Pop
1980 ● Cold Chisel —— East ► Pub Rock
1980 ● Cheap Trick —— Found All The Parts [EP] ► Hard Rock/Power Pop
1987 ● Estefan, Gloria & The Miami Sound Machine —— Let It Loose ► Latin Pop
1992 ● Mariah Carey —— MTV Unplugged ► Pop-Rock
1992 ● Wilson Phillips —— Shadows And Light ► Pop-Rock
1993 ● Buzzcocks —— Trade Test Transmissions ► Punk-Rock
1997 ● Sarah Brightman —— Timeless ► Showtunes
1997 ● Bob Dylan —— The Best Of Bob Dylan, Vol. 1 ► Folk-Rock
1998 ● Brooks & Dunn —— If You See Her ► Country-Rock
1998 ● The Smashing Pumpkins —— Adore ► Hard Rock
1998 ● Lynyrd Skynyrd —— Lyve From Steel Town ► Southern Rock
2009 ● Iggy Pop —— Préliminaires ► Alt. Rock / Punk
2009 ● Neil Young —— The Archives Vol. 1 1963–1972 ► Folk-Rock
2015 ● Whitesnake —— Icon ► Arena Rock
2017 ● Lynyrd Skynyrd —— The Broadcast Archive Radio Broadcast 1975/1994 ► Southern Rock

June 03
1967 ● The Ventures —— Super Psychedelics ► Rock n Roll Instrumental
1969 ● Elton John —— Empty Sky ► Pop-Rock
1970 ● Deep Purple —— Deep Purple In Rock ► Hard Rock
1972 ● Pink Floyd —— Obscured By Clouds ► Prog Rock
1977 ● Bob Marley & The Wailers —— Exodus ► Roots Reggae
1978 ● Peter Gabriel —— Peter Gabriel [2] ► Prog Rock
1982 ● Raven —— Wiped Out ► Heavy Metal/NWOBHM
1982 ● George Strait —— Strait From The Heart ► Classic Country
1983 ● America —— Your Move ► Folk-Rock
1985 ● Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds —— The Firstborn Is Dead ► Post-punk Alt Rock
1985 ● Bryan Ferry —— Boys And Girls ► Prog. Rock
1986 ● Belinda Carlisle —— Belinda ► Pop-Rock
1986 ● Queen —— A Kind Of Magic ► Glam Rock
1990 ● Supertramp —— The Very Best Of Supertramp ► Prog/Art Rock
1991 ● Deacon Blue —— Fellow Hoodlums ► Alt. Pop-Rock
1991 ● Danii Minogue —— Love And Kisses ► Dance-Pop
1994 ● Bruce Dickinson —— Balls To Picasso ► Heavy Metal
1996 ● Manfred Mann’s Earth Band —— Soft Vengeance ► British Rock
1996 ● Tears For Fears —— Saturnine Martial & Lunatic ► New Wave Synth-Pop
1997 ● Natalie Cole —— This Will Be: Natalie Cole’s Everlasting Love ► Soul-Pop
1997 ● The Tearaways —— Ground’s The Limit ► Power Pop
1997 ● Pat Benatar —— Innamorata ► Hard Rock
1997 ● Rush —— Retrospective II ► Prog/Art Rock
1997 ● Steve Winwood —— Junction Seven ► Album Rock
1998 ● Rod Stewart —— When We Were The New Boys ► Folk-Rock
1999 ● Phish —— The Siket Disc [CC] ► Prog Rock/Jam Band
2003 ● Roy Buchanan —— American Axe: Live In 1974 ► Blues-Rock
2003 ● John Mellencamp —— Trouble No More ► Roots Rock
2003 ● Roxy Music —— Live ► Prog Rock
2008 ● Various Artists —— 90s Rock ► Rock
2008 ● Weezer —— Weezer (The Red Album) ► Alt. Rock/Power Pop
2008 ● Journey —— Revelation ► AOR Rock