April 17, 1989 ~ Singer, songwriter Avi Kaplan, full name Avriel Benjamin Kaplan, born in Visalia, California, USA ~ Best known as member of a cappela group Pentatonix, remaining with the group through 2017. Has since released a number of singles and EPs as a solo artist
April 17, 1988 ~ Christian hip-hop singer, producer Andy Mineo born in Syracuse, New York, USA ~ Member of rap group Fat Camp, known for their 2006 The Food album. After rededicating his life to Christ would focus on Christian hip-hop, perhaps most notably as a member of hip-hop collective 116 Clique
April 17, 1980 ~ Pop rock, rock singer, guitarist, songwriter David Otero, full name David Otero Martin, born in Madrid, Spain ~ Member of El Canto De Loco. The band recorded half a dozen studio albums, starting with the eponymous El Canto Del Loco released in 2000 and is best known for their 2005 Zapatillas which included the charity single Despiértame. The proceeds of the single and a portion of the album's revenues would go to victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. Following the band's disbandement in 2010 Otero has recorded as a solo artist, initially going by the moniker El Pescao and dropping the alias in 2017
April 17, 1979 ~ Giuseppa Gaetana Ferreri, commonly known as singer, songwriter Giusy Ferreri, born in Palermo, Italy ~ First gained attention in 2008, coming in second in the Italian edition of the talent show The X-Factor. Released her Non Ti Scordar Di Me debut album later the same year and has recorded consistently since. Well known songs include Non Ti Scordar Di Me, Novembre, Ma Il Cielo E Sempre Piu Blu, and Il Mare Immenso. Has collaborated with a wide array of Italian singers including Ornella Vanoni, Claudio Baglioni, Tiziano Ferro, J-Ax, and Giuliano Sangiorgi
April 17, 1979 ~ Pop, art rock, indie rock, jazz, free jazz singer, songwriter Hanne Hukkelberg born in Kongsberg, Norway ~ Actively singing from a young age. Member of influential doom metal band Funeral while still in high school, featured on the band's In Fields Of Pestilent Grief sophomore album. Following her studies at the the Norwegian Academy Of Music released her Little Things debut album in 2004 and has recorded to critical acclaim since
April 17, 1979 ~ Clarinetist, saxophonist, composer Sam Sadigursky born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Brad Mehldau, Milt Hinton, Charlie Byrd, Bob Florence, the Spirals, the Mingus Orchestra, Gabriel Kahane, Fred Hersch, Tom Jones, Darcy James Argue, Linda Oh, Anat Fort, Joe Phillips, Red Baraat, Nico Muhly, Judd Greenstein, Jamie Baum, Eiji Kitamura, Bill Berry, Jake Hanna, Edmar Castaneda, Luia Pulido, Toto la Momposina, Sofia Rei, Emilio Teubal, Sebastian Cruz, Becca Stevens, Wendy Gilles, Christine Correa, Michel Leonhart, Gary Wang, Sunny Jain, Richie Barshay, Jacob Sacks, Andrea Tierra, Gene Segal, Jeremy Flower, Alejandro Florez, Marvin Diz, Jean Chaumont, and others
April 17, 1976 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Gord Bamford born in Traralgon, Australia ~ One of the most decorated country singers to emerge from Canada's music scene in the 2000s. Over half a dozen albums to his name, starting with God's Green Earth released in 2001. Well known songs include Blame It On That Red Dress, Little Guy, Leaning On A Lonesome Song, When Your Lips Are So Close, Don't Let Her Be Gone, Livin' On Summertime, and Dive Bar
April 17, 1976 ~ Miguel Orlando Collins, commonly known as reggae, dancehall singer Sizzla, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ One of the most popular and certainly most prolific contemporary reggae artists with over 50 solo albums to his name. Has collaborated with Big Lean, Rick Ross, DJ Khaled, and others
April 17, 1974 ~ Singer, fashion designer, TV personality Victoria Beckham, full name Victoria Caroline Beckham, born in Goff's Oak, UK ~ Member of the Spice Girls, dubbed Posh Spice, and remaining with the band throughout its entire existence. Present on hits such as Wannabe, Say You Will Be There and 2 Become 1. Released a sole solo album, the eponymous Victoria Beckham, in 2001 and has gone on to become a fashion designer and TV personality. Married to soccer player David Beckham since 1999
April 17, 1970 ~ Reginald Noble, commonly known as rapper Redman born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Closely associated with Method Man. Known for songs such as Put It Down, Funkorama, and Whateve Man. Also worked with Def Squad, Christina Aguilera, K Solo, Erick Sermon, Busta Rhymes, Toni Braxton, EPMD, Jodeci, Shaquille O'Neal, Lords Of The Underground, DJ Honda, the Notorious BIG, Kris Kross, Tupac Shakur, KRS One, A Tribe Called Quest, Montell Jordan, the Beastie Boys, Slick Rick, Chico DeBarge, Cee Lo Green, the Wu-Tang Clan, Lil' Kim, De La Soul, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Naughty By Nature, Joe Budden, Dr Dre, Raekwon, Sheek Louch, Tony Touch, Bun B, E-40, and others
April 17, 1967 ~ Indie rock singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Liz Phair born in New Haven, Connecticut, USA ~ Rose to fame with her 1993 Exile In Guyville debut album, dubbed by some critics as the female version of the Rolling Stones 1971 Exile On Main St. Has recorded to critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase since
April 17, 1967 ~ Drummer Matt Chamberlain born in San Pedro, California, USA ~ Toured with Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians and appeared on the band's 1990 Ghost Of A Dog sophomore album. Served as touring drummer for Pearl Jam for about three weeks in 1991, replacing original drummer Dave Krusen. Co-founded jazz fusion outfit Critters Buggin with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums starting with 1994's Guest. Closely associated with Tori Amos, appearing on over half a dozen of the singer's albums including the acclaimed From The Choirgirl Hotel released in 1998. Has also appeared on albums by the Wallflowers, Chris Isaak, Fiona Apple (Tidal), Chris Isaak, Macy Gray, the Wallflowers (Bringing Down The Horse), Stevie Nicks, Shelby Lynne, David Bowie, Brad Mehldau, Brandi Carlile, John Mayer, Bruce Springsteen (Wrecking Ball), Of Montreal, Randy Newman, Peter Gabriel, Rufus Wainwright, and others
April 17, 1967 ~ Reggae, ska, dub bassist, producer, engineer Victor Rice born in Syosett, New York, USA ~ Bassist with about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, acclaimed for his 1999 Victor Rice At Version City, and several notable session credits including with Scofflaws, Glenn Branca, Sloan Wainwright, Everlast (Eat At Whitey's), and the Toasters. Relocating to São Paulo in the early-2000s, Rice would become best known as leading dub and reggae technician, engineering, mixing and producing artists such as Mephiskapheles, the New York Ska Jazz Ensemble, the Bluebeats, One Groovy Coconut, the SKAndalous All-Stars, Corey Harris, and Elza Soares
April 17, 1961 ~ Actress, soprano singer Rebecca Luker born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Best known as a Broadway singer, actress starting in the late-1980s performing in productions of The Secret Garden, Show Boat, The Sound Of Music and Mary Poppins. Has also made solo recordings starting in the late-1990s, notably 1996's Rebecca Luker Sings Cole Porter album, and has acted in film and TV productions ~ Luker passed away in 2020
April 17, 1958 ~ Guitarist Chieli Minucci born in Huntington, New York, USA ~ Best known as frontman of Special EFX. Has also collaborated with a wide array of artists including Céline Dion, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Mark Anthony, Jessica Simpson, Anastacia, Roseanna Vitro, Marion Meadows, Jay Beckenstein, Gerald Veasley, Kirk Whalum, Jeff Lorber, Norman Brown, Bennie Willias, Lao Tizer, Nestor Torres, Mindi Abair, Rick Braun, Jeff Andrews, Nick Collone, Omar Hakim, Bob Baldwin, Heather Mullen, the Backstreet Boys, Donna Summer, Linda Clofalo, Peter Primamore, True Vbe, Jewel, Chaka Khan, Angela Bofill, Ginette Reno, SOLA, Nicole Renee, Noel Pointer, Belle Stars, Roberta Flack, Cheryl Lynn, BB&Q Band, High Fashion, and others
April 17, 1957 ~ Lance Taylor, commonly known as rapper Afrika Bambaataa, born in New York, New York, USA ~ One of the originators of breakgbeat DJing, influential on hip-hop. Best known for a number of 1980s electro tracks including Planet Rock, Looking For The Perfect Beat, and Just Get Up And Dance
April 17, 1957 ~ Vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, producer Mark Sherman born in New York, New York, USA ~ A multi-instrumentalist revered in various circles including classical, jazz, pop. Sherman worked with conductors such as Leonard Bernstein, Georg Solti, Zubin Mehta, and Herbert von Karajan. Appeared on numerous film and Broadway soundtracks. In-demand sideman and collaborator Sherman has worked with artists such as Kenny Barron, Peggy Lee, Wynton Marsalis, Joe Lovano, Michael Brecker, Michael Bolton, Natalie Cole, Michael McDonald, Joe Beck, Maureen McGovern, Larry Coryell, Rodney Jones, Gloria Lynne, Jennifer Holliday, Tony Bennett, Ann Hampton Callaway, Laverne Butler, Ruth Brown, Liza Minnelli, and others
April 17, 1956 ~ Label executive, producer Louil Silas Jr born ~ Founded and headed the Silas Records label, known for advancing the careers of Jesse Powell, Keke Wyatt, London Jones, Tricky Stewart, Aaron Hall, Keith Washington, and perhaps most notably Chanté Moore ~ Silas passed away in 2001
April 17, 1956 ~ Singer Valorie Jones born ~ One third of sibling outfit the Jones Girls, alongside Shirley Jones and Brenda Jones. Served as backup singers for Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, Aretha Franklin, Linda Clifford, and Tower Of Power. On their own they would score a number of modest hits on Billboard's R&B charts from the late-1970s through the mid-1980s including You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else, Dance Turned Into Romance and I Just Love The Man ~ Jones passed away in 2001
April 17, 1955 ~ Peter Campbell McNeish, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Pete Shelley, born in Leigh, UK ~ Formed punk, punk rock outfit the Buzzcocks with Howard Devoto, best known for their 1978 Ever Fallen In Love With Someone You Shouldn't've hit single. As a solo artist best known for Homosapien, title track of his 1981 Homosapien album ~ Shelley passed away in 2018
April 17, 1954 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, jazz funk guitarist Dewayne McKnight, full name Dewayne Stephen McKnight, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of Herbie Hancock's backing unit the Headhunters from 1975 through 1978. Also closely associated with funk icon George Clinton as a member of Clinton's loose collectives Parliament, Funkadelic and the P-Funk All-Stars from 1978 through 2008. Briefly played with the Red Hot Chili Peppers after original guitarist Hillel Slovak's death in 1988, quickly replaced by John Frusciante
April 17, 1954 ~ Frank LaRocca, commonly known as rock drummer, producer Frankie LaRocka, born ~ Briefly a member of Scandal, appearing on the band's eponymous Scandal debut EP released in 1982. Has also drummed for Bon Jovi, David Johanson, Bryan Adams, and John Waite. Would go on to serve as A&R executive and producer, noted for signing the Spin Doctors and producing the band's 1991 Pocketful Of Kryptonite album ~ LaRocca passed away in 2005
April 17, 1954 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Michael Sembello, full name Michael Andrew Sembello, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for his 1983 hit song Maniac taken of his solo debut album Bossa Nova Hotel and featured in Flashdance soundtrack. Previously a studio musician, featured on the Stevie Wonder albums Fulfillingness' First Finale and Songs In The Key Of Life, notably playing the guitar lead on Contusion and co-writing Saturn. Wrote Carousel, intended for Michael Jackson's Thriller (replaced by Human Nature). Produced Jennifer Batten's 1992 Above Below & Beyond solo debut album as well as Valeria Lynch's 1994 Caravana de Sueños album
April 17, 1953 ~ Drummer, singer Noel Crombie born in Wellington, New Zealand ~ Constant member of Split Enz, known for songs such as My Mistake, I Got You, One Step Ahead, History Never Repeats, Six Months In A Leaky Boat, and Message To My Girl. Following the group's disbandement, Crombie formed Schnell Fenster but would depart the band before their debut album was released
April 17, 1952 ~ Singer, bassist Jerry Knight born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Founding member of Raydio, which also included Ray Parker Jr, best known for Jack And Jill, You Can't Change That and perhaps their best known A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do). Also half of Ollie & Jerry, the other half being drummer Ollie E Brown, known for Breaking (There Is No Stopping Us) which was used as the theme song to the 1984 Breakin' feature film and would reach the Billboard top 10. Knight has also written and produced for artists such as the Whispers, Patrice Rushen, DeBarge, Howard Hewett, Elkie Brooks, and others ~ Knight passed away in 1996
April 17, 1950 ~ Jazz drummer Robert Jospé born in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Co-led jazz fusion outfit Cosmology which also included Dawn Thompson and John d'Earth, known for their eponymous Cosmology album released in 1977. Recorded about half a dozen albums as a leader, notably Blue Blaze released in 1999. Formed the Robert Jospé Express in 2012, which also included the Dave Matthews Band-keyboardist Butch Taylor. Jospé has also collaborated with Barbara Martin, John McCutcheon, Peter Kater, and Kim Rosen
April 17, 1949 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Michael J Stull born in USA ~ Co-founding member of the Wackers, teaming up with Bob Segarini, Randy Bishop, Ernie Earshaw and Bill Trochim. Rumored to be considered Jim Morrison's replacement in the Doors when Morrison left for Paris in 1971. Perhaps just a rumor and the Doors would record without either Morrison or Stull. Still, four years later Stull would actually work on the Butts Band album Hear & Now, which also featured Doors members John Densmore and Robby Krieger ~ Stull passed away in 2002
April 17, 1949 ~ Producer, arranger, saxophonist Steve Singleton, full name Stephen Barry Singleton, born in Sheffield, UK ~ Co-founding member of 1980s new wave, pop outfit ABC, remaining with the band through 1983 and present on the UK top 10 hits Poison Arrow, The Look Of Love and All Of My Heart
April 17, 1948 ~ Keyboardist, songwriter Jan Hammer born in Prague, Czech Republic ~ To pop audiences best known for his TV and film scores, notably Miami Vice's Miami Vice Theme and Crockett's Theme, yet enjoyed a long career as in-demand session musician, collaborator and leader starting in the late-1960s. Member of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, present on the critically acclaimed albums The Inner Mounting Flame, Birds Of Fire and Between Nothingness And Eternity. Present on about half a dozen Jeff Beck albums, starting with Wired released in 1976. Also frequently collaborated with Al di Meola, including on Elegant Gypsy. Also present on albums by Jeremy Steig, Elvin Jones, Frank Foster, James Brown, Billy Cobham, the Fania All-Stars, Horacee Arnold, Tommy Bolin (Teaser), John Abercrombie (Timeless), Jack DeJohnette, Mick Jagger (She's The Boss), and Richard Clayderman
April 17, 1945 ~ Anthony Crane, commonly known as singer, guitarist Tony Crane, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Co-founded the Merseybeats, best known for their 1963 UK top 10 hit I Think Of You. The follow-up singles Don't Turn Around and Wishin' & Hopin' would reach top 20. After the band folded in 1966 Crane and bandmate Billy Kinsley would record as the vocal duo the Merseys, scoring a UK top 10 hit with the McCoys-cover Sorrow
April 17, 1943 ~ Singer Bobby Curtola, full name Robert Allen Curtola, born in Port Arthur, Canada ~ Bobby of Bobby & the Bobcats. As a solo singer known for a string of 1960s Canadian hits, occasionally crossing the border into American charts, including Hitchhiker, The Fortuneteller, Aladdin, Indian Giver, As Long As I'm Sure Of You, and Walking With My Angel ~ Curtola passed away in 2016
April 17, 1942 ~ Charles Anthony Williams, commonly known as jazz bassist Buster Williams, born in Camden, New Jersey, USA ~ Worked with Herbie Hancock, Larry Coryell, Sphere, Nancy Wilson, Gene Ammons, Sonny Stitt, Betty Carter, Sphere, the Mary Lou Williams Collective, Sarah Vaughan, Sathima Bea Benjamin, Shirley Horn, Carmen McRae, Roseanna Vitro, Helen Merrill, Nnenna Freelon, Jon Lucien, Champian Fulton, the Jazz Crusaders, McCoy Tyner, Dexter Gordon, Roy Ayers, Stanley Turrentine, Frank Foster, Illinois Jacquet, Mary Lou Williams, Kenny Barron, Jimmy Rowles, Steve Turre, Harold Land, Bobby Hutcherson, Cedar Walton, Billy Higgins, Cecil Payne, Houston Person, Emily Remler, Red Rodney, Chet Baker, and Woody Shaw
April 17, 1940 ~ Ronald Wycherley, commonly known as singer, songwriter Billy Fury, was born in Liverpool, UK ~ Popular 1960s singer known for songs such as Colette, Halfway To Paradise, Jealousy, Last Night Was Made For Love, Once Upon A Dream, Like I've Never Been Gone, When Will You Say I Love You, In Summer and In Thoughts Of You, all of which reached the British top 10 ~ Wycherley passed away in 1983
April 17, 1938 ~ Claus Herwig, commonly known as singer Teddy Parker, born in Brno, Czechoslovakia ~ Enjoyed popularity in his adopted homeland Germany in the 1960s. Best known for songs such Musikanten Der Liebe and Abends In Madrid both duets with Leonie Brückner, and as a solo artist known for Nachtexpress Nach St Tropez which topped the German charts for three weeks ~ Herwig passed away in 2021
April 17, 1936 ~ Anthony J Belluci, commonly known as singer, accordionist Tony Bellus, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for his 1959 self-penned Robbin' The Cradle. Bellus would continue to perform at nightclubs and restaurants well into the 1980s but would not repeat the chart succes of Robbin' The Cradle
April 17, 1934 ~ Producer, label executive Don Kirshner, full name Donald Clark Kirshner, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for managing songwriting talent as well as a number of popular pop acts including the Monkees, Kansas, and the Archies. Along with partner Al Nevins co-owner of Aldon Music music publishers, which employed staff songwriters such as Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Neil Sedaka, Neil Diamond, Paul Simon, Phil Spector, Howard Greenfield, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Jack Keller, and others ~ Kirshner passed away in 2011
April 17, 1932 ~ Blues guitarist, singer Byther Smith, full name Byther Claude Earl John Smith, born in Monticello, Mississippi, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for a string of well-received 1980s albums. Active since the mid-1950s as a session and club performer, often besides his non-music day job. Has worked with Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Jimmy Reed, Junior Wells and perhaps most notably with Otis Rush, regularly playing rhythm guitar in Rush's backing bands during the 1960s ~ Smith passed away in 2021
April 17, 1930 ~ Engineer, producer Al Schmitt, full name Albert Harry Schmitt, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Multiple Grammy Awards to his name over a career starting in the 1960s as an apprentice of Tom Dowd. Has engineered and or produced albums by Henry Mancini, Cal Tjader, Sam Cooke, Hot Tuna, the Jefferson Airplane (Volunteers), Glenn Yarbrough, Steely Dan, Jackson Browne (Late For The Sky), Neil Young (On The Beach), George Benson, Dr John, Frank Sinatra, Thelonious Monk, Toto, Natalie Cole, Quincy Jones, Madonna, and Michael Jackson ~ Schmitt passed away in 2021
April 17, 1930 ~ Singer Alexander Graves born in Ohio, USA ~ Member of Harvey Fuqua's doo-wop outfit the Moonglows, best known for a string of 1950s Billboard R&B hits including Most Of All, We Go Together, See Saw, Please Send Me Someone To Love, and The Ten Commandments Of Love. Their best known, the original Sincerely co-written by Fuqua, would reach No.1 Billboard R&B and top 20 on the pop charts. It would notably be covered by the McGuire Sisters ~ Graves passed away in 2006
April 17, 1930 ~ Skiffle, ragtime, swing, blues, jazz bandleader, trombonist, double bassist Chris Barber, full name Donald Christopher Barber, born in Welwyn Garden, UK ~ Backed Lonnie Donegan on 1954's Rock Island Line, the single that launched Donegan's career. Best known for his 1956 recording of Sidney Bechet's Petite Fleur, which would sell over a million copies and reach top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. Arranged the first UK tours for American blues artists such as Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee and Muddy Waters. Pivotal to the development of 1960s British blues working with young talent such as Alexis Korner and John Mayall early on in their careers ~ Barber passed away in 2021
April 17, 1926 ~ Samuel Lee McCollum, commonly known as blues drummer Sam Carr, born in Marvell, Arkansas, USA ~ Best known as member of the Jelly Roll Kings. Also worked with T-Model Ford, Asie Payton, Robert Walker, Paul Wine Jones, Lonnie Shields, Sonny Boy Williamson II, David Honeyboy Edwards, Buddy Guy, the Delta Jukes, Dave Riley, and others ~ McCollum passed away in 2009
April 17, 1922 ~ Paul Thatcher Smith, commonly known as jazz, bebop pianist Paul Smith, born in San Diego, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Best known as accompanist, especially with Ella Fitzgerald. Has worked with Johnny Richards, Les Paul, Tommy Dorsey, Dizzy Gillespie, Anita O'Day, Buddy DeFranco, Louie Bellson, Steve Allen, Stan Kenton, Mel Tormé, and others ~ Smith passed away in 2013
April 17, 1917 ~ Ramó Santamaria Rodriguez, commonly known as percussionist, bandleader Mongo Santamaria, born in Havana, Cuba ~ Leading figure in the pachanga and boogaloo dance crazes of the 1960s. Would focus primarily on salsa and Latin jazz from the 1970s forward. Known for songs such as Para Ti and Watermelon Man, the latter written and originally recorded by Herbie Hancock ~ Santamaria passed away in 2003
April 17, 1882 ~ Classical pianist, composer Artur Schnabel born in Lipnik, Austria ~ Considered one of the most important pianists of the early 20th century. As a performer especially acclaimed as an interpreter of Ludwig van Beethoven and a champion of Franz Schubert. Founded the Schnabel Trio which also included Alfred Wittenberg and Anton Hekking ~ Schnabel passed away in 1951