April 11, 1996 ~ Pop, alternative R&B singer, songwriter Summer Walker, full name Summer Marjani Walker, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Gained attention in the late-2010s with a remix of her single Girls Need Love featuring Drake. Would release her full-length Over It debut album in 2019, earning universal critical acclaim. The album reached top 10 on the Billboard Hot 200 album chart as would her sophomore Still Over It album in 2021
April 11, 1994 ~ Duncan de Moor, commonly known as singer, pianist, songwriter Duncan Laurence, born in Spijkenisse, the Netherlands ~ Best known for winning the 2019 Eurovision Songfestival representing the Netherlands with the self-penned Arcade
April 11, 1987 ~ Joscelyn Eve Stoker, commonly known as singer, songwriter Joscelyn Eve Stoker, commonly known as Joss Stone, born in Cardiff, UK ~ Rose to fame with her 2003 The Soul Sessions, cementing her status the next year with the sophomore Mind Body & Soul album the next year. Known for songs such as Super Duper Love, You Had Me, Right To Be Wrong and Don't Cha Wanna Ride. Member of supergroup Superheavy alongside Mick Jagger, Dave Stewart, AR Rahman and Damian Marley
April 11, 1987 ~ Valerie Anne Poxleitner, commonly known as electropop singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter Lights, born in Timmins, Canada ~ Active since the late-2000s, releasing her full-length The Listening debut album in 2009. Best known for songs such as Drive My Soul, Saviour, Up We Go, and Love Me featuring Felix Cartal
April 11, 1986 ~ Black gospel, urban contemporary gospel singer, songwriter Amber Bullock, full name Amber Brianna Lawrence-Bullock, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ First gained attention winning the 4th season of the BET talent show Sunday Best aired in 2011. Subsequently released her Thank You debut EP later the same year, followed by her full-length So In Love debut album the following year
April 11, 1984 ~ Durval de Lima Junior, commonly known as singer, drummer, guitarist, songwriter Junior Lima born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ First gained attention as half of Sandy & Junior, the other half being his sister Sandy. The duo would lead the wave of late-1990s teen pop artist, noted for albums such as 1999's As Quatro Estações and 2000's Quatro Estações (O Show) ranking among Brazil's all-time best-selling albums
April 11, 1978 ~ Jazz guitarist Jakob Bro born in Denmark ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name as a leader, especially acclaimed for the albums Gefion, Returnings, and Bay Of Rainbows. Notable credits as a sideman include appearing on Paul Motian's Garden Of Eden and on Tomasz Stańko's Dark Eyes. Jas also worked with Paul Bley, Chris Cheek, Andrew d'Angelo, Bill Frisell, George Garzone, Lee Konitz, Oscar Noriega, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ben Street, David Virelles, and Kenny Wheeler
April 11, 1977 ~ Daniel Edward Stein, commonly known as DJ, producer DJ Fresh, born in UK ~ Member of drum and bass collective Bad Company. As a solo artist best known for his early-2010s singles Louder featuring Sian Evans and Hot Right Now featuring Rita Ora
April 11, 1976 ~ Cory Brandan Putman, commonly known as metalcore singer, guitarist, bassistinger Cory Brandan, born ~ Lead singer for metalcore band Norma Jean since 2004, replacing Josh Scogin. Co-founding member of mathcore outfit Eso Charis, which also included his brother drummer Matthew Putman. Has also worked with Living Sacrifice, Uses Fire, Fear Is The Driving Force, Radio Sky, Handshake Murders, Hundred Suns, and Orphan Twin. Guested on recordings by Spoken, Unearth, Stray From The Path, Le Castle Vania, Silent Planet, and My Epic
April 11, 1974 ~ Heavy metal guitarist Alexander Kuoppala born in Kuusamo, Finland ~ Rhythm guitarist for Finnish metal band Children Of Bodom from 1995 through 2003. Has also worked with Timo Rautiainen and with Valonkantajat
April 11, 1974 ~ Lavell William Crump, commonly known as rapper, producer, actor David Banner, born in Brookhaven, Mississippi, USA ~ Half of rap duo Crooked Lettaz, the other half being Brad Franklin. Producer, worked with Trick Daddy, Lil' Boosie, Lil' Wayne, the Ruff Ryders, Nappy Roots, TI, Jibbs, Mary Mary, Maroon 5, Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Jill Scott, Ne-Yo, and others
April 11, 1974 ~ Pop punk, punk rock, alternative rock, alternative metal singer, guitarist, keyboardist Tom Thacker, full name Thomas Arnold Thacker, born in Langley, Canada ~ Lead singer, lead guitarist, co-founding member of punk rock, punk revival outfit Gob, known for songs such as I Hear You Calling, Soda, and Banshee Song. Has also worked with Sum 41, starting as touring rhythm guitarist in 2006 and as official member since 2009, for whom he co-wrote Screaming Bloody Murder of their 2011 albums of the same name
April 11, 1972 ~ Producer, guitarist, songwriter Klas Ahlund born in Sweden ~ Co-founded the Teddybears alongside his brother Joakim Ahlund. As a producer and songwriter has worked with artists such as Robyn, the Sugababes, Jordin Sparks, Eagle Eye Cherry, Kylie Minogue, the Bo Jaspers Orkester, Britney Spears, Melody Club, Katy Perry, Madonna, Ghost, Thomas Rusiak, Linda Sundblad, I Blame Coco, Swedish House Mafia, Mika, Usher, Tove Lo, Alesso, Ellie Goulding, Charli XCX, Paloma Faith, and others
April 11, 1970 ~ Alternative rock bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer Justin Fisher born in Mansfield, Connecticut, USA ~ Best known as bassist for Nerf Herder, present on the albums How To Meet Girls and American Cheese. Touring bassist for the Rentals. Lead singer, guitarist, primary songwriter for Psoma. Has also worked with Avant Garde, which also included a then-unknown Rivers Cuomo, as well as with Matt Sharp, AM Radio, Shufflepuck, and Ridel High
April 11, 1970 ~ Producer, percussionist Remi Kabaka Jr born ~ Best known as drummer for Damon Albarn's virtual band Gorillaz. Has also worked with Albarn on other projects including DRC and Africa Express. Kabaka is also a manager for Steve Lazarides's London art gallery, which regularly exhibits work by street artist Banksy
April 11, 1970 ~ Eurodance singer Sannie Charlotte Carlson born in Skælsor, Denmark ~ Fronted the Larry Pignagnoli and Davide Riva produced Italian dance outfit Whigfield, known for 1990s singles such as Another Day, Sexy Eyes and Saturday Night, the latter topping charts across Europe in 1993
April 11, 1969 ~ Pop singer, drummer, guitarist, keyboardist, clarinetist, songwriter Chisato Moritaka born in Osaka, Japan ~ Influenced by Pink Lady, Janet Jackson, the Beatles. Dubbed “the Dance Queen” Moritaka has released her New Season debut album in 1987 and has recorded to commercial succes through the end of the century, selling over 5 million albums. Differs from other female pop singers that she mostly writes her own lyrics, often collaborating with songwriter Hideo Saito. Well known songs include Ame, Kaze Ni Fukarete, Suteki Na Tanjobi, Jin Jin Jingle Bell, and La La Sunshine
April 11, 1966 ~ Singer, actress, songwriter Lisa Stansfield, full name Lisa Jane Stansfield, born in Manchester, UK ~ Member of the Blue Zone. Known for her debut album, 1989's Affection, and its hit single All Around The World. Also known for songs such as This Is The Right Time, Change, Time To Make You Mine and In All The Right Places
April 11, 1965 ~ Heavy metal drummer, guitarist, singer Tom Hunting born ~ Despite taking a hiatus from the band twice, first in 1989 for medical reasons to be replaced by John Tempesta, and again in 2005 to be replaced by Paul Bostaph, Hunting is the last remaining original member of thrash metal band Exodus. He has played with the band on over half a dozen albums including the acclaimed Fabulous Disaster. Hunting has cited Creedence Clearwater Revival, John Bonham, Keith Moon, Neil Peart, and Clive Burr as his main influences
April 11, 1964 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Steve Azar, full name Stephen Thomas Azar, born in Greenville, Mississippi, USA ~ Debuted in 1996 with his Heartbreak Town. Best known for I Don't Have To Be Me 'Til Monday, a country top 10 hit of his 2002 Waitin' On Joe sophomore album
April 11, 1963 ~ Guitarist, singer Nigel Pulsford born in Newport, UK ~ Co-foundinhg member, lead guitarist for Bush, remaining with the band through 2002, present on the albums Sixteen Stone, Razorblade Suitcase, The Science Of Things, and Golden State. Pulsford has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing his Heavenly Toast On The Paradise Road album in 1999, and served as producer for Furlined, Emma Holland, and Dave Giles
April 11, 1961 ~ Rock guitarist, bassist Doug Hopkins, full name Douglas Owen Hopkins, born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Co-founded Gin Blossoms, present on the band's first two albums. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Hey Jealousy, Found Out About You, Hold Me Down, and Lost Horizons. Also co-founded the Chimeras, remaining only shortly with the band, departing after a poor live performance. Suffering from mental health issues and depression and struggling with alcoholism Hopkins committed suicide at age 32 ~ Hopkins passed away in 1993
April 11, 1960 ~ Singer Angelia Maria Sylvers born ~ Member of popular 1970s sibling R&B outfit the Sylvers, known for songs such as Fools Paradise, Boogie Fever and Hot Line
April 11, 1958 ~ Singer, guitarist Stuart Adamson, full name William Stuart Adamson, born in Manchester, UK ~ Co-founding member of punk rock, new wave unit the Skids, known best for their 1979 UK top 10 hit Into The Valley co-written by Adamson. Following his departure from the band in 1981 Adamson would form and front Big Country, scoring several top 10 hits through the mid-1980s including Wonderland and Look Away. The band would retain a cult following throughout the late-1990s. In the early-2000s Adamson formed the alternative country duo the Raphaels with Marcus Hummon, known for their sole Supernatural released in 2001. The band only played a handful of sets, with Adamson failing to show up for a concert date. He was found dead in a Hawaii hotel room after hanging himself with an electrical chord ~ Adamson passed away in 2001
April 11, 1958 ~ Rock, blues rock guitarist Vjatseslav Kobrin, also known as Slavka Kobrin, born in Cherepovets, Russia ~ Considered one of the premiere guitarists to come out of Russia. Founded rock group Rok-Steyabr in the late-1970s. Would go on to collaborate with Yuri Shevchuk, DDT, the Magnetic Band, and Jaak Joala. Co-founding member, songwriter for Ultima Thule, one of the most influential Estonian bands of the 1980s and 1990s ~ Kobrin passed away in 2016
April 11, 1957 ~ Country, bluegrass, rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Jim Lauderdale born in New York, New York, USA ~ A singer's singer, highly admired by peers. Anticipated the Americana movement, merging country, pop, rock, blues, and folk. Over 30 albums to his name starting with 1991's Planet Of Love produced by Rodney Crowell and John Leventhal. Guested on albums by Dwight Yoakam, Carlene Carter, Sara Evans, Lucinda Williams (Car Wheels On A Gravel Road), and Buddy Miller. Had his songs recorded by George Strait, Gary Allan, Elvis Costello, Blake Shelton, the Dixie Chicks, Vince Gill, and Patty Loveless
April 11, 1957 ~ Ska, new wave singer, percussionist, trumpeter Neville Staple, full name Neville Eugenton Staple, born in Manchester Parish, Jamaica ~ Member of the Coventry Automatics, initially as the band's roadie. The band would be renamed to the Specials in 1979 and score seminal UK hits such as Message To You Rudy, Too Much Too Young, Do Nothing, Stereotype, Rat Race, and their best known Ghost Town. Subsequently formed the Fun Boy Three with bandmates Lynval Golding and Terry Hall, the trio known for The Lunatics Have Taken Over The Asylum and the Bananarama collaboration It Ain't What You Do (It's The The Way That You Do It). Staple has also recorded as a solo artist, noted for the album The Rude Boy Returns released in 2004 featuring guests such as the Clash-guitarist Mick Jones and the Damned-drummer Rat Scabies
April 11, 1955 ~ Edna Maria Nazario Figueroa, commonly known as singer, songwriter, actress Ednita Nazario, born in Ponce, Puerto Rico ~ Active since the early-1970s. Over two dozens albums to her name. Best known for songs such as Aprendere, Lo Que Son Las Cosas and Tres Deseo
April 11, 1955 ~ Singer, songwriter Michael Callen born in Rising Sun, Indiana, USA ~ Diagnosed with AIDS in the early-1980s became a pioneering activist raising awareness of the disease. Member of a capella quintet the Flirtations. Has recorded two solo albums, Purple Heart released in 1988 and Legacy released posthumously in 1996 ~ Callen passed away in 1993
April 11, 1954 ~ Progressive rock, art-rock guitarist, lutenist, songwriter Francis Lickerish, full name John Francis Lickerish, born in Cambridge, UK ~ Co-founding member of art rock outfit the Enid, present on the band's first four albums. Guested on Kim Wilde's Kids In America hit single. After departing the band in 1980 has returned to college and worked in the fields of adult addiction and family services. Returned to music in the 2000s, founding the folk rock band Secret Green, known for their 2009 To Wake The King debut album
April 11, 1951 ~ Guitarist Paul Fox born in UK ~ Best known as founding member of UK punk outfit Ruts. Also a member the Dirty Strangers, who recorded two albums featuring guests Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood. Worked with the Choir Militia, the Screaming Lobsters, the Fluffy Kittens, Mat Sargent, the Riffs, and others ~ Fox passed away in 2007
April 11, 1950 ~ Singer Maria Dimitriadi born in Athens, Greece ~ Sister of singer Aphrodite Manou. Regarded as one of the finest interpreters of Mikis Theodorakis and Thanos Mikroutsikos. Known for songs such as O Levidis, Gia Tin Eleni, Evgenia, and Ena Proino (Anabel) ~ Dimitriadi passed away in 2009
April 11, 1949 ~ Roger Pritchard, commonly known as singer, songwriter Lee Sheriden, born in Horfield, UK ~ Member of Brotherhood Of Man, known for winning the 1976 Eurovision Songfestival with Save Your Kisses For Me which Sheriden co-wrote
April 11, 1943 ~ Jazz double bassist Jacky Samson born in Paris, France ~ Worked with Georges Arvanitas, François Biensan, Milt Buckner, Jimmy Dawkins, Maynard Ferguson, Francois Guin, Slide Hampton, Michel Hausser, Guy Lafitte, Jean-Claude Naude, and others
April 11, 1941 ~ Tenor Arthur Davies born in Wrexham, UK ~ Worked with with the Royal Opera London, the English National Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Cincinnati Opera, the Bolshoi Theatre, the Leipzig Opera, the Municipal theater of Santiago, the New Orleans Opera, Teatro Nacional de Sao Carlos, de Vlaamse Opera, and the Teatro Colón ~ Davies passed away in 2018
April 11, 1939 ~ Songwriter, singer Freddie Gorman, full name Frederick Cortez Gorman, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-writing the Marvelettes' Please Mr Postman, an early hit for the Motown label. The song would be covered by numerous artists including the Beatles, Helen Shapiro, and the Carpenters. Other songs co-written by Gorman include I Want A Guy recorded by the Supremes, and Let Somebody Love Me recorded by Chuck Jackson ~ Gorman passed away in 2006
April 11, 1939 ~ Luther Johnson, commonly known as Chicago blues singer, guitarist Luther Guitar Junior Johnson, born in Itta Bena, Mississippi, USA ~ Active since the late-1950s, building up an impressive resume backing numerous blues giants before embarking on a respectable solo career by the mid-1970s. Profited from the 1990s blues boom, attracting a wider audience with a string of acclaimed albums showcasing a soulful voice and solid guitar playing. Notable releases include I Want To Groove With You, Slammin' On The West Side, and Live At The Rynborn. As a sideman Johnson is present on albums by John Lee Hooker, Otis Spann, Muddy Waters (The Unk In Funk), the Nighthawks, Big Leon Brooks (Let's Go To Town), and Willie Kent ~ Johnson passed away in 2022
April 11, 1938 ~ Operatic bass singer Kurt Moll born in Buir, Germany ~ Acclaimed for his restrained basso profondo voice. Closely associated with the Cologne Opera. Has also worked with the Mainz Opera, the Wuppertal Opera, the Hamburg State Opera, the San Francisco Opera, and others ~ Moll passed away in 2017
April 11, 1937 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor Yuzo Kayama born in Yokohama, Japan ~ As a musician perhaps best known for his 1960s instrumental surf recordings, notably Black Sand Beach and Kimi To Itsumademo, the latter selling two million copies. Also well known as an actor with well over a dozen film credits to his name
April 11, 1936 ~ Jaime Sabater, commonly known as boogaloo, salsa singer, percussionist Jimmy Sabater, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Willie Bobo, Uba Nieto, Papi Pagani. Rose to fame as a member of the Joe Cuba Sextet in the 1960s and 1970s, present on songs such as To Be With You and Salsa Y Bembe. After his departure from the band in 1977 has recorded as a solo artist, and collaborated with the like of Al Levy, Charlie Palmieri, José Mangual Jr, Bobby Cruz, and others. His son, Jimmy Sabater Jr, is a bandleader and trumpeter ~ Sabater passed away in 2012
April 11, 1935 ~ Singer, songwriter Richard Berry born in Extension, Louisiana, USA ~ Member of a number of 1950s doo-wop groups including the Flairs, the Robins, the Penguins, the Cadets, the Chimes, the Crowns, the Five Hunters, the Rams, the Whips, and the Dreamers. Best known as author and original performer of Louie Louie, made famous by Kingsmen and covered by a host of artists including Paul Revere & the Raiders, Frank Zappa, the Beach Boys, the Kinks, the Sonics, Motörhead, Toots & the Maytals, Blondie, Nick Cave, Lou Reed, and others. Also wrote the often covered Have Love Will Travel ~ Berry passed away in 1997
April 11, 1935 ~ Pierre Kartner, commonly known as singer Vader Abraham, born in Elst, the Netherlands ~ Wrote over 1,600 songs. Known for his Smurf-themed songs, the 1971 Wilma Landkroon duet Zou Het Erg Zijn Lieve Opa, and for Het Kleine Café Aan De Haven, the latter covered over 250 times in various languages including by Engelbert Humperdinck (Little Cafe On The Harbour), Audrey Landers (My Favourite Cafe On The Harbour), Mireille Mathieu (Le Café De La Rue Amerique), Joe Dassin (Le Café Des Trois Colombes), and by Peter Alexander (Die Kleine Kneipe) ~ Kartner passed away in 2022
April 11, 1934 ~ Singer Cleotha Staples born in Drew, Mississippi, USA ~ Oldest sibling considered the backbone of family outfit the Staple Singers, best known for 1970s hits drawing from R&B and gospel. The group scored two Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits with 1972's I'll Take You There and 1973's If You're Ready Come Go With Me ~ Staples passed away in 2013
April 11, 1927 ~ Songwriter, lyricist, singer Alberto Testa born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Frequent collaborator of Tony Renis, with whom he wrote Quando Quando Quando first recorded by Renis and covered in Italian, German and English by numerous artists including Connie Francis, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Caterina Valente ~ Testa passed away in 2009
April 11, 1925 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist Emil Mangelsdorff born in Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany ~ Imprisoned by the Gestapo for playing jazz and eventually forced to enlist in Hitler's army. Brother of trombonist Albert Mangelsdorff. Has worked with Joe Klimm, Jutta Hipp, Atilla Zoller, George Gruntz, and others ~ Mangelsdorff passed away in 2022
April 11, 1918 ~ Jazz, R&B, soul double bassist, bassist Jimmy Lewis born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Not to be confused with namesake singer Jimmy Lewis of the Drifters. Active since the 1950s performing with the likes of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Cootie Williams, Billie Holiday, Ivory Joe Hunter. Moved to bass guitar during his time with King Curtis. Present on albums by Al Casey, Solomon Burke (If You Need Me), Willis Jackson, John Hammond Jr, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Wilson Pickett (In The Midnight Hour), Byrdie Green, Buddy Terry, Richard Groove Holmes, Charles Kynard (Afro-Disiac), Grant Green, Houston Person, Horace Silver, Boogaloo Joe Jones, and Tiny Grimes ~ Lewis passed away in 2000
April 11, 1912 ~ Jazz double bassist John Levy born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Worked with Ben Webster, Erroll Garner, Milt Jackson, Billie Holiday, George Shearing, and others. Ventured into the business end of music, acting as manager for artists such as Shearing, Nancy Wilson, Cannonball Adderley, Joe Williams, Shirley Horn, Jimmie Rayne, and Ramsey Lewis ~ Levy passed away in 2012
April 11, 1910 ~ Actor, singer, trumpeter Johnnie Davis, full name John Gustave Davis, born in Brazil, Indiana, USA ~ Scat singer. Worked with Leo Baxter and Fred Waring before finding employ in Hollywood in the late-1930s, notaby in the 1937 film Hollywood Hotel introducing the Johnny Mercer-penned Hooray For Hollywood. Davis would star in over a dozen films ~ Davis passed away in 1983
April 11, 1890 ~ William Henry Somers, commonly known as big band bandleader Debroy Somers, born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Popular from the 1920s through the 1940s. Noted for conducting the first British performance of George Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue in 1925, featuring the Savoy Orpheans with Gershwin himself on the piano ~ Somers passed away in 1952