April 18, 2003 ~ Singer, actress Sophia Grace Browlee born in Essex, UK ~ Half of Sophia Grace & Rosie, the other half being her cousin Rosie McClelland, becoming a Youtube sensation after posting a cover of Nicki Minaj's Super Bass. The pair would also become regular guests on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, eventually hosting their own segment, primarily interviewing musicians, and serving as red carpet events correspondents
April 18, 1989 ~ Singer, actress, fashion designer Jessica Jung born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Rose to fame as member of K-pop girl group Girls' Generation. Has also released a number of solo EPs and singles, starting with her 2016 EP With Love J which included the Korean top 10 hit Fly featuring Fabolous. Also known as an actress, novelist and fashion designer establishing her own Blanc & Eclare brand
April 18, 1979 ~ Carl Abou Samah, commonly known as pop, R&B, soul, fusion singer, guitarist, pianist Karl Wolf, born in Beirut, Lebanon ~ Has recorded over half a dozen albums, starting with Behind The Face released in 2006. Best known for his 2008 single Africa of his Bite The Bullet sophomore album. The single, a reworking of the 1982 Toto hit, would reach top 10 in Canada, his adopted homeland since age 16
April 18, 1977 ~ Rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Phil Jamieson, full name Philip William Jamieson, born in Hornsby, Australia ~ Co-founding member, lead singer, guitarist for alternative rock outfit Grinspoon. The band is known for songs such as Just Ace, Chemical Heart, Lost Control, and Hard Act To Follow
April 18, 1976 ~ Singer Pedro Mariano, full name Pedro Camargo Mariano, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Son of pianist, arranger Cesar Camargo Mariano and singer Elis Regina, brother of singer Maria Rita and producer João Marcelo Boscoli. With the latter formed the 1990s band Confraria. Over half a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, starting with Pedro Camargo Mariano released in 1997
April 18, 1975 ~ Indie rock, folk rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer, songwriter Joel Plaskett, full name William Joel Macdonald Plaskett, born in Lunenberg, Canada ~ Lead singer for alternative rock outfit Thrush Hermit, with whom he recorded albums Sweet Homewrecker and Clayton Park. Also co-founded Neuseiland, merging conventional pop song structure with krautrock experimentation and reggae mixing techniques and known for their sole eponymous Neuseiland album released in 1999. Has also recorded over half a dozen albums with the Joel Plaskett Emergency, notably 2003's Truthfully Truthfully album, and over half a dozen albums as a solo artist
April 18, 1974 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Mark Tremonti, full name Mark Thomas Tremonti, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Co-founding member of Creed, regarded as one of the major acts of the post-grunge movement. The band's Higher, With Arms Wide Open, My Sacrifice and One Last Breath would all reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Co-founded Alter Bridge in 2004, acclaimed especially for their 2013 Fortress album. Frontman and eponym of Tremonti, with whom he recorded since 2012. Has released a solo album of Frank Sinatra-songs, Tremonti Sings Frank Sinatra, in 2022
April 18, 1974 ~ R&B singer Trina Powell born ~ Sister of singer Jesse Powell. Formed the sibling duo Trina & Tamara with her sister Tamara Powell, as a duo known best for being featured on the 1997 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit My Love Is The Shhh by Somethin' For The People. The sisters recorded their own sole album, the eponymous Trina & Tamara in the late 1990s, which spawned the Billboard R&B top 20 hit What'd You Come Here For produced by Curt Wilson
April 18, 1972 ~ Rock, country singer, harmonica player, author JD Wilkes born in Baytown, Texas, USA ~ Best known as lead singer for rockabilly, blues, rock band the Legendary Shack Shakers. Also noted as an in-demand harmonica player, present on recordings by Merle Haggard, Sturgill Simpson, John Carter Cash, Mike Patton, and Hank Williams III
April 18, 1971 ~ Fred Lee Scruggs Jr, commonly known as hardcore rapper, producer, actor Fredro Starr, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of pivotal hardcore rap group Onyx, best known for their 1993 hit single Slam. As a solo artist debuted in 2001 with the album Firestarr. Also known as an in-demand actor for TV and film with over 50 acting credits to his name
April 18, 1964 ~ Mark Berry, commonly known as dancer, percussionist Bez, born in Salford, UK ~ Rose to fame as percussionist, dancer, and de facto mascot of rave band the Happy Mondays, known for a string of early 1990s hits including the UK top 10 singles Step On and Kinky Afro. After the band disbanded, Berry joined Mondays bandmate Shaun Ryder in Black Grape, remaining with the band through 1997
April 18, 1964 ~ Rock bassist, guitarist, keyboardist Carl Øyvind Apeland born ~ Best known as member of Vamp. Wrote or co-wrote several of the band's best-known including Somar I Hekken, Ingeborg, Sirkus Av Fys and Svin På Skog
April 18, 1958 ~ Bassist, songwriter Les Pattinson, full name Leslie Thomas Pattinson, born in Ormskirk, UK ~ Co-founding member of Echo & the Bunnymen, best known for their 1983 Porcupine album which spawned the band's first UK top 10 hit in The Cutter. Pattinson remained with the band through 1993 and rejoined in later years
April 18, 1954 ~ Jazz, Latin jazz percussionist, keyboardist Andy Narell born in New York, New York, USA ~ Founded the Steel Bandits, a novelty steelpan band. Also known as a solo artist, starting with 1979's Hidden Treasures album and has recorded extensively since. Joined the Caribbean Jazz Project in 1995, which also included Paquito d'Rivera. Has also worked Béla Fleck, Darol Anger, Aretha Franklin, Jimmy Haslip, Boney James, Biréli Lagrène, Patti Labelle, Marcus Miller, Taj Mahal, Toto, Spyro Gyra, and Narada Michael Walden
April 18, 1953 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, rock, pop drummer Danny Gottlieb, full name Daniel Richard Gottlieb, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Co-founding member of the Pat Metheny Group. Co-founding member of Elements. Briefly a member of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, present on the band's 1984 Mahavishnu album. Has also worked with Gary Burton, Michael Franks, Second Story Television, Gil Evans, Al di Meola, Joe Beck, the Blues Brothers, George Gruntz, Nguyên Lê, Kenneth Sivertsen, Sting, Steven Curtis Chapman, and others
April 18, 1953 ~ Singer, songwriter Larry Cassidy born in Blackpool, UK ~ Formed and fronted the Blackpool outfit Section 25, which also featured his brother drummer Vin Casidy and guitarist Paul Wiggin. The band would go on to work with producers such as Joy Division's singer Ian Curtis, Rob Gretton, Martin Hannett, and New Order's Bernard Sumner ~ Cassidy passed away in 2010
April 18, 1953 ~ Actor, singer Rick Moranis born in Ottawa, Canada ~ Best known as an actor, appearing in films such as Ghostbusters, Brewster's Millions and Honey I Shrunk The Kids. Also half of musical comedy duo Bob & Doug McKenzie in the 1980s. As a solo singer recorded a handful of albums, starting with You Me The Music & Me released in 1989
April 18, 1952 ~ Pop, palingpop singer, guitarist Piet Keizer born ~ Member of the Q-Tips. Member of the Cats since 1972, previously having worked as a roadie for the band. Initially promoted to singer, guitarist as a temporary replacement for Cees Veerman who suffered throat problems yet remained with the band until its disbandement two years later. Sang lead on the tracks Linda and Going Home
April 18, 1949 ~ Conductor Andrew Powell born ~ Closely associated with the Alan Parsons Project, credited as arranger, conductor and composer on almost all of the Alan Parsons Project's album. Produced Kate Bush's 1989 The Kick Inside debut album. Has also worked with Chris De Burgh, Nick Heyward, Michael Crawford, Elaine Page, the Hollies. Composed for film and TV, notably the films Ladyhawke and Rocket Gibraltar. Conducted renowned orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
April 18, 1946 ~ Singer, saxophonist Lennie Baker born in Whitman, Massachusetts, USA ~ Member of 1950s rock group Danny & the Juniors. Member of Sha Na Na, touring with the band and appearing on the TV series of the same name. Also appears in Grease, singing lead vocals on the band's performance of Blue Moon ~ Baker passed away in 2016
April 18, 1945 ~ R&B, funk, soul guitarist, singer Charles Love, full name Charles Dee Love Jr, born in Salina, Kansas, USA ~ Constant member of R&B, funk outfit Bloodstone. The band has recorded about a dozen albums, starting with their eponymous Bloodstone in 1972 which spawned their only Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Natural High. Songs such as Never Let You Go, Outside Woman, and We Go A Long Way Back would reach top 10 Billboard R&B ~ Love passed away in 2014
April 18, 1943 ~ Drummer Clyde Stubblefield born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for backing James Brown from the mid-1960s through the early-1970s, including on songs such as Cold Sweat, There Was A Time, I Got The Feeling, Ain't It Funky Now, Mother Popcorn, and Give It Up Or Turn It Loose. Also worked with fellow the JB's members Bootsy Collins, Maceo Parker and John Jabo Starks, with Steve Skaggs, Luther Allison, Cris Plat, Randy Sabien, the Common Faces, Neo, Richard Mazda, Fred Wesley, Ben Sidran, and Garbage ~ Stubblefield passed away in 2017
April 18, 1943 ~ Bassist Tony Reeves born in New Eltham, UK ~ Member of John Mayall's seminal blues outfit the Bluesbreakers, present on the 1968 album Bare Wires. Co-founding member of Colosseum, present on the critically acclaimed albums Those Who Are About To Die Salute You and its follow-up Valentyne Suite. Other notable credits include the New Jazz Orchestra, John Martyn, Sandy Denny, Greenslade, and Curved Air
April 18, 1942 ~ Label executive Seymour Stein born in New York, New York, USA ~ Had the opportunity to sign Jimi Hendrix in 1966, yet decided against it after seeing Hendrix smash his guitar on-stage and argue with Stein's friend, model Linda Keith, on successive occasions. After positions at King Records and Billboard, Stein co-founded Sire Records with Richard Gottehrer in the mid-1960s. Would be incremental to the careers of pop, rock, and new wave artists of the 1970s and 1980s including the Ramones, Talking Heads, the Pretenders, Depeche Mode, the Cure, Ice-T, and Echo & the Bunnymen. Stein remained active with Sire Records and Warner Bros Records until his retirement in 2018 ~ Stein passed away in 2023
April 18, 1941 ~ Reggae singer Hortense Ellis born in Trenchtown, Jamaica ~ Sister of reggae singer, songwriter Alton Ellis. Toured with Byron Lee during the 1960s. As a solo artist worked with Jamaica's finest producers including Ken Lack, Coxsone Dodd, Duke Reid, Bunny Lee, and Lee Scratch Perry. Known for songs such as I'm Not Saying No At All, Hell And Sorrow, I Will Come Softly, Unexpected Places, Down Town TIng, and reggae covers of pop songs including Patti Labelle's Down The Aisle and Candi Staton's Young Hearts Run Free. Has worked with the Soul Syndicate, the Aggrovators, and the then-unknown Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare
April 18, 1941 ~ Clarinetist Murray Khouri born in Wellington, New Zealand ~ Classical clarinetist worked with orchestras such as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, the Royal Ballet Orchestra, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and conductors such as Leopold Stokowski, Pierre Boulez, Georg Solti, Bernard Haitink, Adrian Boult, and Eugen Jochem ~ Khouri passed away in 2018
April 18, 1939 ~ Rock & roll, rockabilly, country, country rock keyboardist, songwriter Glen Dee Hardin born in Wellington, Texas, USA ~ First gained attention playing in the house band at the Palomino Club, at the time considered Country music's most important West Coast club. Member of the house band on Shindig music variety show, aired on ABC during the mid-1960s. Would go on to become an in-demand songwriter and session pianist, working with the likes of Bing Crosby, Nancy Sinatra, Ricky Nelson, Buck Owens, Linda Ronstadt, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, John Denver, and others. Wrote Count Me In, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit for Gary Lewis & the Playboys. Closely associated with Elvis Presley, serving in Presley's backing unit the TCB Band from 1970 through 1976 and arranging songs such as The Wonder Of You, Let It Be Me, and I Just Can't Help Believin'. Backed Gram Parsons on the albums GP and its follow-up Grievous Angel. Member of Emmylou Harris's backing unit the Emmylou Harris Hot Band
April 18, 1931 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, arranger Willie Pickens born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA ~ Worked with Eddie Harris, Buddy DeFranco, Louie Bellson, Elvin Jones, Dan Shapera, Robert Shy, Nicholas Payton, Marian McPartland, George Mraz, Joe Farnsworth, Larry Gray, Milton Suggs, Bunky Green, Francine Griffin, Steve Grossman, Clark Terry, Frank Catalano, Von Freeman, Peter Lerner, Malachi Thompson, and others ~ Pickens passed away in 2017
April 18, 1924 ~ Singer Clarence Gatemouth Brown born in Vinton, Louisiana, USA ~ Plays guitar, fiddle, mandolin, violin and viola, harmonica, drums and percussion, sings and writes too. Blends just about every imaginable roots music into a high-energy, raw hybrid. Hates being called a “blues” musician ~ Brown passed away in 2005
April 18, 1918 ~ Jazz guitarist Tony Mottola born in Kearny, New Jersey, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Known for his 1968 easy listening hit This Guy's In Love With You. Worked with Carl Kress, John Serry Sr, Skitch Henderson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Urbie Green, Dick Hyman, Enoch Light, Charles Magnante, Joe Reisman, Doc Severinsen, Louie Bellson, Ray Conniff, Johnny Desmond, Neal Hefti, Cootie Williams, and others ~ Mottola passed away in 2004
April 18, 1902 ~ Bandleader, cornetist, songwriter Harry Owens, full name Harry Robert Owens, born in O'Neill, Nebraska, USA ~ Best known for leading the Royal Hawaiians. Probably best known for penning Sweet Leilani, first recorded by Ted Fio Rito in 1937 and covered by numerous artists including Bing Crosby for the film Waikiki Wedding. The song would earn Crosby his first gold record and be awarded an Academy Award for Best Song in 1938. Other songs written or co-written by Owens include Linger Awhile (Bailey's Lucky Seven, Fletcher Henderson, Sarah Vaughan), To You Sweetheart Aloha (Dick McIntyre, Louis Armstrong, the Ames Brothers), and Sing Me A Song Of The Islands (Ray Kinney, Alvino Rey, Bert Ambrose) ~ Owens passed away in 1986
April 18, 1882 ~ Conductor Leopold Stokowski born in London, UK ~ English conductor of Polish/Irish descent considered one of the leading conductors of the early and mid-20th century. Best known for his long association with the Philadelphia Orchestra and his appearance in the Disney-film Fantasia ~ Stokowski passed away in 1977