April 15, 1990 ~ Sharon Kovacs, mononymously known as singer Kovacs, born in Baarlo, the Netherlands ~ Cites Betty Davis, Etta James and Tina Turner as influences. Drew critical comparison to Amy Winehouse, Portishead and Shirley Bassey. Her 2014 My Love debut EP made her a darling of radio station 3FM and subsequently of NPO Radio 6. A full-length debut album, Shades Of Black, followed the next year
April 15, 1988 ~ Singer, songwriter Andrés Cuervo born in Barranquilla, Colombia ~ Released his Tras De Ti debut album in 2008 and has recorded to commercial succes since. Known for songs such as Como Yo Te Quiero, La Receta, Viviria Bien, Te Extrano, Destino Casualidad, and Luna Cuentale ~ Cuervo passed away in 2022
April 15, 1988 ~ Eliza Sophie Caird, commonly known as soul, R&B, indie pop, pop singer, pianist, songwriter Eliza Doolittle, born in Westminster, UK ~ Debuted in 2010 with the eponymous Eliza Doolittle album which spawned the singles Skinny Genes and Pack Up, the latter of which reached the UK top 10. Also known as featured vocalist on Disclosure's You & Me, a hit in 2013
April 15, 1986 ~ Esther Renay Dean, commonly known as singer, songwriter, actress Ester Dean, born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA ~ As a solo artist known for her 2009 single Drop It Low featuring Chris Brown. Best known as a songwriter for artists such as Rihanna (Rude Boy), the Jonas Brothers, Fifth Harmony, Mary J Blige, Kelly Clarkson (Mr Know It All), Esmée Denters, Katy Perry (Firework), Christina Aguilera, OneRepublic, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj (Super Bass), and Old Dominion
April 15, 1983 ~ Country singer, songwriter Margo Price, full name Margo Rae Price, born in Aledo, Illinois, USA ~ Member of Buffalo Clover. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Midwest Farmer's Daughter, in 2016. Cites Janis Joplin, Bobbie Gentry, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton as influences
April 15, 1983 ~ Singer Matt Cardle born in Southampton, UK ~ Member of Darwyn. Member of Seven Summers. Rose to fame winning the 7th season of The X-Factor talent contest in 2010. His subsequent solo single, When We Collide, would top the charts in the UK and Ireland. Also noted for Loving You with former the Spice Girls-singer Melanie C, a UK top 20 hit in 2013
April 15, 1982 ~ Post-hardcore, emo, indie rock, alternative rock, pop rock Anthony Green born in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Active since the late 1990s as lead singer for a number of bands including Audience Of One, Jeer At Rome, Zolof The Rock & Roll Destroyer, High And Driving, Saosin, the Sound Of Animals Fighting, Circa Survive, and LS Dunes. Has also recorded well over half a dozen studio albums as a solo artist, starting with Avalon released in 2008
April 15, 1980 ~ Blues rock, garage rock, alternative rock, indie rock drummer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist Patrick Carney, full name Patrick James Carney, born in Akron, Ohio, USA ~ Best known as drummer for critics darlings the Black Keys, alongside guitarist, singer Dan Auerbach. The duo is acclaimed for the mid-2000s albums Thickfreakness and Rubber Factory. Guested on the Rentals 2014 Lost In Alphaville album. Carney has also served as producer for the likes of the Sheepdogs, Tennis, the Black Lips, Tobias Jesso Jr, Karen Elson, and Michelle Branch, whom he would marry in 2019
April 15, 1978 ~ Songwriter, guitarist, singer Chris Stapleton born in Staffordsville, Kentucky, USA ~ Member of Steeldrivers. Made a name for himself as a songwriter, writing or co-writing songs for Darryl Worley, Josh Turner (Your Man), Trace Adkins, Kenny Chesney (Never Wanted Nothing More), Blake Shelton, Alan Jackson, Luke Bryan (Drink A Beer), and George Strait (Love's Gonna Make It Alright), prior to debuting as a singer in 2015 with the album Traveller. Stapleton has since racked up well over half a dozen Billboard Country top 20 hits, including the charttoppers Starting Over and You Should Probably Leave
April 15, 1968 ~ Jazz pianist, composer John Blum born in New York, New York, USA ~ Regarded as a hybrid of McCoy Tyner and Cecil Taylor, having studied with the latter. Has recorded about half a dozen albums as a leader, starting with Naked Mirror released in 2002. As a sideman has performed or recorded with the likes of Butch Morris, Darius Jones, Hamid Drake, Han Bennink, Mat Maneri, Peter Brötzmann, Raphe Malik, Roy Campbell Jr, Sunny Murray, Steve Swell, Tony Buck, and Wilber Morris
April 15, 1966 ~ Pop, dance-pop singer Samantha Fox, full name Samantha Karen Fox, born in London, UK ~ Page 3 girl that became one of the most popular pin-ups of the 1980s. As a singer known for a string of mid to late 1980s hits, regularly hitting the higher echelons of the charts in the UK and continentel Europe with songs such as Touch Me (I Want Your Body), Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now and Naughty Girls Need Love Too
April 15, 1965 ~ Bassist, songwriter Graeme Clark born in Glasgow, UK ~ Founding member of Wet Wet Wet, known best for their 1987 hit Wishing I Was Lucky of their Popped In Souled Out debut album. Other well known songs include Sweet Little Mystery, Angel Eyes (Home And Away), With A Little Help From My Friends and Goodnight Girl
April 15, 1962 ~ Ivor Neville Kamen, commonly known as model, singer, songwriter Nick Kamen, born in Essex, UK ~ Known for the 1980s singles Each Time You Break My Heart and I Promised Myself, both of which reached top 10 across Europe. The former was produced and written by Stephen Bray and Madonna, the latter also providing backing vocals. In his native UK Kamen is best known for appearing in a Levi's 501 television commercial ~ Kamen passed away in 2021
April 15, 1962 ~ Singer, actress Sally Ann Triplett born in London, UK ~ Best known for her appearances at the Eurovision Songfestival, first as lead female vocalist of Prima Donna in 1980 reaching third place with Love Enough For Two, and again two years later as half of the duo Bardo reaching seventh place with One Step Further. Also known as a stage actress, singer in numerous West End musicals including productions of Follies, Grease, Cats, and Mamma Mia
April 15, 1956 ~ Jazz bassist James Cammack born ~ Cites Israel Crosby, George Duvivier, and Milt Hinton as influences. Best known for his association with Ahmad Jamal. Also worked with Malachi Thompson, Alexis Cole, Larry Coryell, Bernard Pretty Purdie, Howard Johnson, Shahin Novrasli, Roberto Tarenzi, Jorge Rossy, and others
April 15, 1955 ~ Jazz, pop, rock guitarist Jeff Golub born in New York, New York, USA ~ Over a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, drawing from jazz, R&B, and pop. Especially noted for the 1990s albums Naked City and Out Of The Blue. In-demand sideman from the 1980s onward, appearing on albums by the likes of the Chieftains, Rod Stewart (Tonight I'm Yours), Billy Squier, Peter Wolf (Come As You Are), David Broza, Palace, Tina Turner, Kane Roberts (Saints & Sinners), Willie & Lobo, Cheryl Wheeler, Bryan Savage (Cat Food), Rick Braun (Body And Soul), Ashford & Simpson, John Waite, and Gato Barbieri ~ Golub passed away in 2015
April 15, 1955 ~ Blues, R&B, rock guitarist, singer Tommy Castro born in San Jose, California, USA ~ Active since the 1970s. Solo records since the mid-1990s. Cites guitarists such as Mike Bloomfield, Elvin Bishop, Eric Clapton, BB King, Buddy Guy, Elmore James, and Freddie King, and singers such as Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett and James Brown as influences. Had artists such as John Lee Hooker, Charlie Musselwhite, Marcia Ball, Tab Benoit, Joe Bonamassa, the Holmes Brothers, Magic Dick, Mike Zitto, Danielle Nicole, and David Hidalgo guest on his albums
April 15, 1953 ~ Classical, contemporary classical clarinetist David Campbell born ~ Widely regarded as one of the finest clarinetists of his generation. Closely associated with Peter Maxwell Davies, serving as a member of the Fires Of London chamber ensemble. Has also worked with the London Sinfonietta, the Endymion Ensemble, and Lontano. Premiered a number of works specifically written for him, notably Peter Lieuwen's concerto River Of Crystal Light and Michael Stimpson's The Sun And The Moon
April 15, 1952 ~ Bluegrass mandolinist, fiddler, banjoist, guitarist Sam Bush, full name Charles Samuel Bush, born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA ~ Regarded as one of the originators of progressive bluegrass. Actively performing since his early teens. Member of the Bluegrass Alliance, which reformed as the New Grass Revival in late 1971. With the band going through numerous personnel changes, Bush would remain the sole constant member. At times the band included renowned banjoist Béla Fleck, bassist John Cowan and guitarist Pat Flynn. Bush has recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist and collaborated with the likes of Doc Watson, Strength In Numbers, Edgar Meyer, David Grisman, Tony Rice, and Marc Broussard
April 15, 1951 ~ Singer, songwriter, poet Pavel Zajicek born in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Founded DG 307 with bassist Milan Hlavsa. Named after the code for the psychiatric diagnosis that would exempt young men from compulsory military service, the band was one of the bands outlawed and persecuted by the communist regime. Zajicek would grow into one of the prominent figures of the Czech underground scene. Zajicek was also involved in another band with Hlavsa, the Plastic People Of The Universe, for whom he co-wrote Apokalyptickej Pak. Having fled the regime Zajicek returned to his native Czechoslovakia after the the Velvet Revolution of the late 1980s, and reformed DG 307
April 15, 1948 ~ Rock, hard rock singer, songwriter Phil Mogg, full name Phillip John Mogg, born in Wood Green, UK ~ Co-founding and sole constant member, lead singer, main lyricist for UFO, initially a space rock outfit turning more towards rock and hard rock over the years. The band has been credited as a major influence on hard rock and heavy metal of the 1980s and 1990s, paving the way for acts such as Metallica, Iron Maiden, Guns 'n Roses, Alice In Chains, and Dio. Prior to his career in music Mogg was a junior boxing champion
April 15, 1947 ~ Conductor, operatic singer Michel Piquemal born in Paris, France ~ As a singer known for interpretations of Franz Liszt, Lalo Schifrin, Gioachino Rossini. As a conductor has worked with the Orchestra National De Lille, the Orchestre De Chambre De Paris, the Hungarian National Symphony, the Moroccan Philharmonic Orchestra, and others
April 15, 1947 ~ Songwriter, producer Mike Chapman born in Queensland, Australia ~ Frequent partner of Nicky Chinn. As songwriters and producers the pair is responsible for shaping the sound of 1970s UK pop and pop-rock, working with Smokie, the Sweet (Poppa Joe), Suzi Quatro (Devil Gate Drive), Mud (Tiger Feet) and Racey. Chapman, without Chinn, has also produced and written for artists such as Blondie (Heart Of Glass), the Knack, Agnetha Fältskog, the Divinyls, Pat Benatar, Tina Turner (The Best), Ace Of Base, and others
April 15, 1946 ~ Singer, actress, nvoelist, model Marsha Hunt born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Romantically involved with T.Rex-frontman Marc Bolan and the Rolling Stones-singer Mick Jagger, with whom she has one child. Reportedly the subject of the Stones song Brown Sugar. Has worked with Long John Baldry's band Bluesology before gaining serious attention portraying the role of Dionne in the 1967 UK production of the Hair musical. As a solo singer best known for appearing at the famed 1969 Isle Of Wight festival, her Tony Visconti-produced cover of Dr John's Walk On Gilded Splinters the same year and a subsequent 1971 Woman Child album, the latter again produced by Visconti
April 15, 1946 ~ Rock, blues guitarist, slide guitarist Mike McKenna born in Toronto, Canada ~ Especially admired for his slide guitar technique. Active since the early 1960s. Member of blues unit Luke & the Apostles, noted for opening for the Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead and best known for their 1967 Been Burnt hit. Briefly a member of the Ugly Ducklings. Closely associated with Joe Mendelson, including in the seminal the McKenna Mendelson Mainline known for their 1969 Stink landmark album. Has since worked with numerous acts including the Downchild Blues Band, the Guess Who, and Slidewinder
April 15, 1945 ~ Piper Liam O'Flynn born in Kill, Ireland ~ Influenced by Willie Clancy and Séamus Ennis. Best known as a solo artist and as key member of Planxty. Also worked with Christy Moore, Dónal Lunny, Andy Irvine, Kate Bush (including on the 1982 album The Dreaming), Mark Knopfler, the Everly Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Mike Oldfield, Mary Black, Enya, Sinéad O'Connor, Nigel Kennedy, Rita Connolly, Matt Molloy, Bill Whelan, and others ~ O'Flynn passed away in 2018
April 15, 1943 ~ Samuel McClain, commonly known as soul-blues singer, songwriter Mighty Sam McClain, born in Monroe, Louisiana, USA ~ Got his first success with the releases Give It Up To Love in 1992 and Keep On Movin' in 1995. Earned critical praise for his 2000 album Blues For The Soul. Went on to collaborate with Iranian singer Mahsa Vahdat and later Ramy Essam ~ McClain passed away in 2015
April 15, 1942 ~ Erik Sven Fernström, commonly known as rockabilly, rock singer, actor Jerry Williams, was born in Solna, Sweden ~ Lead singer for 1960s outfit the Violents, known best for their Darling Nelly Grey hit single. Worked with Roadwork throughout the 1970s. As a solo artist best known for Did I Tell You, a No.1 hit in his native Sweden in 1989 ~ Fernström passed away in 2018
April 15, 1940 ~ Painter, light designer, singer Marian Zazeela born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Singer and light artist with 1960s experimental collective the theater Of Eternal Music, which at times also included John Cale. The ensemble is also said to have inspired Andy Warhol. Also known for her work with her husband minimalist composer La Monte Young
April 15, 1939 ~ Guitarist Adolph Jacobs, also known as Al Jacobs, born in Pineland, Texas, USA ~ Best known as an original member of the Coasters. Also worked with Vernon Green, the Medallions, Johnny Guitar Watson, Larry Williams, Little Richard (on the 1972 Second Coming album), Will Dub Jones, Elliot Shavers, Don & Dewey, and Billy Lamont. Jacobs is also known as a songwriter, specifically remembered for co-writing Hurt with Jimmie Crane, a smash hit and signature song for Timi Yuro and covered by over 100 artists ~ Jacobs passed away in 2014
April 15, 1939 ~ Reginald Leonard Smith, commonly known as pop singer Marty Wilde, born in London, UK ~ One of the first British pop stars to emulate American rock & roll, often with covers of American hits. Father of pop singers Ricky Wilde and Kim Wilde. Member of Wild Cats. Known for late 1950s, early 1960s UK hits such as Endless Sleep, Donna, Bad Boy. Wilde penned the latter, which would notably be covered by Robin Luke, Françoise Hardy, and by Nirvana
April 15, 1937 ~ Country, rockabilly singer, guitarist, songwriter Bob Luman, full name Robert Glynn Lyman, born in Blackjack, Texas, USA ~ Tried out for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but as he was not selected turned to music instead of professional baseball. Has recorded over a dozen albums since the early 1960s. Best known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Let's Think About Living and for Red Cadillac And A Black Mustache. Luman has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1965 ~ Luman passed away in 1978
April 15, 1933 ~ Jazz, R&B conductor, pianist, composer, arranger, producer Horace Ott born in St Matthews, South Carolina, USA ~ Songwriter, arranger for the Shirelles, Jackie Wilson, Don Covay, Hank Ballard, Dee Clark, Sam Cooke, Solomon Burke, Doris Troy, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Eric Burdon, Bessie Banks, George Benson, Mary Wells, Jimmy McGriff, Houston Person, Bernard Pretty Purdie, Rusty Bryant, Gil Scott-Heron, Junior Parker, Lou Donaldson, Richard Groove Holmes, the Stylistics, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr, the Village People (arranged all of the band's early hits including YMCA, Macho Man, In The Navy), Etta Jones, Dakota Staton, Joe Thomas, and others
April 15, 1933 ~ Guitarist Roy Clark, full name Roy Linwood Clark, born in Meherrin, Virginia, USA ~ Inlfuential figure in country music, best known as host of the variety TV show Hee Haw which ran from 1969 through 1997. Also a singer, guitarist, banjoist with over two dozen albums to his name, starting in the early 1960s. Best known for songs such as Tips Of My Fingers, Yesterday When I Was Young, Thank God And Greyhound and Somewhere Between Love And Tomorrow ~ Clark passed away in 2018
April 15, 1931 ~ Johnny Jones, commonly known as singer, songwriter Little Sonny Jones, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Released a handful of New Orleans blues singles, starting with Do You Really Love Me in 1953, but failed to reach the charts. Would serve however as opening act for Fats Domino through 1961 and regularly perform at the annual the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival ~ Jones passed away in 1989
April 15, 1930 ~ Irving Herbert Pomeroy III, commonly known as teacher, bandleader, trumpeter Herb Pomeroy born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA ~ Toured with Lionel Hampton and Stan Kenton. Recorded over half a dozen albums as a leader, noted especially for Life Is A Many Splendered Gig released in 1958. Sideman on recordings by Charlie Mariano, Serge Chaloff, Irene Kral (The Band And I), John Lewis (The Wonderful World Of Jazz), Anita O'Day (All The Sad Young Men), Donna Byrne, and Greg Abate. Music director for the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble, a role he held for over two decades. Taught at the Berklee School Of Music and the Lennox School Of Music. His students included Toshiko Akiyoshi, Gary Burton, Gary McFarland, and Miroslav Vitous ~ Pomeroy passed away in 2007
April 15, 1930 ~ Jazz, classical, pop rock bassist Richard Davis born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ As a solo artist acclaimed for his 1971 The Philosophy Of The Spiritual album. Best known for his contributions to Eric Dolphy's 1964 Out To Lunch album, Andrew Hill's Point Of Departure the following year, and Van Morrison's 1968 album Astral Weeks. Other notable collaborations include touring with Sarah Vaughan during the late 1950s, classical performances with conductors such as Igor Stravinsky, Leonard Bernstein and Pierre Boulez, and guesting on pop and rock albums such as Bruce Springsteen's Greetings From Asbury Park NJ and Born To Run, Paul Simon's There Goes Rhymin' Simon, Melissa Manchester's Bright Eyes, and Bonnie Raitt's Streetlights ~ Davis passed away in 2023
April 15, 1924 ~ Violinist, conductor Neville Marriner born in Lincoln, UK ~ Worked with the London Symphony Orchestra, Thurston Dart, Peter Gibbs, the Philharmonia Orchestra, Reginald Jacques, Boyd Neel, the London Mozart Players, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, the Gulbenkian Orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic, and others ~ Marriner passed away in 2016
April 15, 1923 ~ Cornetist, trumpeter James F Burke, full name James Francis Burke, born in Port Jefferson, New York, USA ~ Though he only had the use of one arm considered among the premier cornet virtuosos of his day. Principal cornetist of the Goldman Band from 1943 through 1974. Principal trumpeter with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra from 1943 through 1949. Co-founded the All-Star Concert Band with tubist Harvey Phillips, known for the albums The All-Star Concert Band released in 1960 and The Burke-Phillips All-Star Concert Band the following year ~ Burke passed away in 1981
April 15, 1905 ~ Jazz guitarist Bernard Addison, full name Bernard Sylvester Addison, born in Annapolis, Maryland, USA ~ Worked with Louis Armstrong, Adelaide Hall, Fletcher Henderson, Bubber Miley, Art Tatum, Fats Waller, Red Allen, Coleman Hawkins, Horace Henderson, Freddie Jenkins, Sara Martin, Jelly Roll Morton, Mamie Smith, Benny Carter, Mezz Mezzrow, Stuff Smith, the Mills Brothers, Billie Holiday, Sidney Bechet, the Ink Spots, and Eubie Blake ~ Addison passed away in 1990
April 15, 1894 ~ Singer Bessie Smith born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA ~ Most popular female blues singer of the 1920 and 1930s, dubbed “the Empress of Blues”. Known for recordings such as Downhearted Blues, Gulf Coast Blues and Cake Walking Babies (From Home). Worked with Ma Rainey, Alberta Hunter, Ethel Waters, Louis Armstrong, Coleman Hawkins, Fletcher Henderson, James P Johnson, and the Dorsey Brothers ~ Smith passed away in 1937