April 24, 1987 ~ Indie folk, alternative rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Ben Howard, full name Benjamin John Howard, born in Bantham, UK ~ Self-released a number of EPs before debuting in 2011 with the album Every Kingdom, which would reach double Platinum status in the UK and spawn the UK top 10 hit Only Love. Has recorded consistently since. Joined A Blaze Of Feather in 2017
April 24, 1986 ~ Blues singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer Eli Cook born in Nelson County, Virginia, USA ~ Influenced by John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Soundgarden and Rage Against The Machine. Has been releasing records since the beginning of the millenium featuring guest appearances from artists such as Vinny Appice, Artimus Pyle, Tinsley Ellis, Eric Gales, Leslie West, Pat Travers, Harvey Mandel, Sonny Landreth, Rod Piazza, Reese Wynans, and others
April 24, 1984 ~ Bassist, guitarist, keyboardist Michael League born ~ Member of Bokante. Bandleader of funk collective Snarky Puppy, whose members and collaborators have included Bob Reynolds, Jamison Ross, het Metropole Orkest, Lalah Hathaway, Eva Celia, and others. As a sideman League worked with artists such as Walter Hawkins, Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Israel Houghton, Laura Mvula, Joe Walsh, Chris Thile, Michael McDonald, Terence Blanchard, Esperanza Spalding, Joshua Redman, Wayne Krantz, Chris Potter, Salif Kreita, Eliades Ochoa, Fatoumata Diawara, Bassekou Kouyate, Susana Baca, Kardes Turkuler, and others. As a producer League has worked with David Crosby, Becca Stevens, Banda Magda, Sirintip, Roosevelt Collier, Forq, Lucy Woodward, Bill Laurence, and others
April 24, 1984 ~ Patrick Martin Stumph, commonly known as alternative rock, pop punk, emo pop singer, guitarist Patrick Stump, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist of Fall Out Boy, known for songs such as Sugar We're Going Down, Dance Dance, This Ain't A Scene (It's An Arms Race) and Centuries. Also an acclaimed R&B infused solo singer, debuting in 2011 during the band's hiatus with the album Soul Punk
April 24, 1984 ~ Alternative rock, pop punk, power pop singer, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Tyson Ritter, full name Tyson Jay Ritter, born in Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA ~ Lead singer of alternative rock band All-American Rejects, known for hits such as Dirty Little Secret, Move Along, It Ends Tonight and Gives You Hell
April 24, 1982 ~ Pop, pop rock, country pop singer, songwriter, actress Kelly Clarkson, full name Kelly Brianne Clarkson, born in Fort Worth, Texas, USA ~ Rose to fame as winner of the 1st season of American Idol talent show in 2002 and has recorded to commercial succes and critical acclaim since. Known for songs such as Miss Independent, Breakaway, Since U Been Gone, Because Of You, My Life Would Suck Without You, Mr Know It All and What Doesn't Kill You. Has collaborated with Trisha Yearwood, Ben Haenow, Reba McEntire, Kaleb Lee, and others
April 24, 1980 ~ Jazz accordionist, singer, composer Vincent Peirani born in Nice, France ~ Internationally renowned accordionist. Leader and sideman. Founded Living Being quartet. Also known for collaborating with artists such as Denis Colin, François Jeanneau, Youn Sun Nah, Emile Parisien, Michel Portal, Louis Sclavis, Michael Wollny, Daniel Humair, Laurent Korcia, Yves Simon, Muriel Bloch, and others
April 24, 1979 ~ David Michael Porter, commonly known as experimental pop singer, songwriter Avey Tare, born in Maryland, USA ~ Co-founding member of experimental pop outfit Animal Collective, especially acclaimed for the album Merriweather Post Pavillion released in 2009. Has also recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with the likes of Eric Copeland, Angel Deradoorian, Kristin Anna Valtysdottir, Mickey Hart, Automine, and Terrestrial Tones
April 24, 1977 ~ Punk rock, ska punk, metalcore, alternative rock drummer, guitarist, singer Derek Grant, full name Derek Richard Grant, born ~ Best known as drummer for punk rock outfit the Alkaline Trio, joining the band in 2001 as replacement for Mike Felumlee. First appeared on the album Good Mourning released in 2003. Also known for his associations with Dead Ending, Suicide Machines, Telegraph, Gyga, Thoughts Of Ionesco, Remainder, Walls Of Jericho, and Broken Spoke. Has filled in as guitarist for Face To Face and Gaslight Anthem. Has also released several solo recordings, mostly through online outlets, leading up to the full-length Breakdown studio album released in 2015
April 24, 1974 ~ Trumpeter, bandleader, composer, arranger Jordan McLean born in New Rochelle, New York, USA ~ Lead trumpeter of Afrobeat ensemble Antibalas. Has worked with David Byrne, Iron & Wine, Patti Smith, the Alabama Shakes, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, the Roots, Paul Simon, Rod Stewart, Beyoncé, Angélique Kidjo, Bosco Mann, Mark Ronson, Wyclef Jean, and others
April 24, 1973 ~ Alternative rock, alternative metal, post-grunge bassist, drummer Brian Marshall, full name Brian Aubrey Marshall, born in Jackson, Mississippi, USA ~ Influenced by Steve Harris, John Entwistle, Geddy Lee, John Paul Jones, and Doug Pinnick. Co-founding member of Creed, one of the most commercially successful rock bands of the late 1990s. Present on some of the band's best known including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Higher and With Arms Wide Open. Following his departure from the band in 2000 Marshall has worked with Alter Bridge
April 24, 1971 ~ Mariachi, Latin pop, pop singer Alejandro Fernández, full name Alejandro Fernández Abarca, born in Guadalajara, Mexico ~ Son of singer Vicente Fernández. One of the best-selling Latin music artist with record sales exceeding 20 million. Sang more traditional folk early on in his career, including mariachi and ranchera, but would eventually venture into pop and Latin pop reaching greater status
April 24, 1971 ~ Jasbinder Singh Mann, commonly known as alternative rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist Jas Mann, born in Dudley, UK ~ Member of indie pop band the Sandkings through 1992. Lead singer of Babylon Zoo, best known for their Spaceman single which would top the UK charts in 1996 after being used in a Levi's commercial. Other well known songs include Animal Army and The Boy With The X-Ray Eyes
April 24, 1964 ~ Bassist Paul Ryder, full name Paul Anthony Ryder, born in Manchester, UK ~ Founding member of pivotal Manchester band the Happy Mondays remaining with the band through 1993 and rejoining in later years. Present on the band's best-known including Step On, Kinky Afro and Loose Fit. Ryder has also ventured into acting, appearing in the films The Ghosts Of Oxford Street, Losing It and perhaps most notably 24 Hour Party People ~ Ryder passed away in 2022
April 24, 1963 ~ Alternative metal, funk metal, experimental rock, alternative rock, hardcore punk, avant-garde bassist, keyboardist, guitarist, producer Bill Gould born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known for his association with Faith No More, serving as the band's bassist and producer. They are best known for their 1990 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Epic and their 193 cover Easy, originally a hit for the Commodores. Gould has also worked with Brujeria, Jello Biafra, Milk Cult, and the Fear Factory, and served as producer for the likes of Naive, CMX (Vainajala, Beatsteaks, and Elvis Jackson
April 24, 1963 ~ Drummer, percussionist Horacio Hernandez born in Cuba ~ Worked with Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Roy Hargrove, Edward Simon, Michel Camilo, Joanne Bracken, Carlos Santana, Italuba, Eddie Palmieri, Alejandro Sanz, Yerba Buena, Kazumi Watanabe, Fahir Atakoglu, Meddy Gerville, Robby Ameen, Mariza, Kip Hanrahan, Zucchero, Salazh Trio, OSamu, and others
April 24, 1959 ~ Heavy metal singer Eric Wagner born ~ Best known as founding member, lead singer of Trouble, considered a pioneer in the doom metal genre. Wagner left he band in 1997 to rejoin in 2000, then leaving again in 2008 to be replaced by Kory Clarky. Wagner has also worked with Lid, Blackfinger, the Skull, and others ~ Wagner passed away in 2021
April 24, 1957 ~ David John Haskins, commonly known as singer, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter David J born in Northampton, UK ~ Best known as bassist for gothic rock band Bauhaus and Love & Rockets. Has also recorded as a solo artist, notably the David Bowie tribute song The Day That David Bowie Died, composed soundtracks for a number of plays and films, and wrote and directed his own plays, notably Silver For Gold (The Odyssey Of Edie Sedgwick) and The Chanteuse And The Devil's Muse
April 24, 1954 ~ Raymond Ian Burns, commonly known as singer Captain Sensible, born in Balham, UK ~ Co-founding member, bassist, guitarist of the Damned, known best for their cult debut single New Rose, Love Song and perhaps their best-known Eloise, the latter reaching the UK top 10 in 1986. As a solo artist known for Happy Talk and Glad It's All Over, both of which reached the UK top 10
April 24, 1954 ~ Bassist, singer Jack Blades, full name Jack Martin Blades, born in Palm Desert, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of supergroup Damn Yankees, scoring an early 1990s Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit with High Enough. Also well known as a member of Rubicon and Night Ranger, and for his association with Tommy Shaw recording under the moniker Shaw-Blades. Has written or co-written songs recorded by Aerosmith, Cher, Journey (Higher Place), Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, Roger Daltrey, and others. Has also recorded as a solo artist, and collaborated with Mötley Crüe, Tak Matsumoto Group, the Revolution Saints, Ringo Starr, and others
April 24, 1951 ~ Jean-Jacques Ferret, commonly known as virtuoso jazz guitarist, composer, arranger Boulou Ferre, born in Paris, France ~ Comes from a family of musicians, his father Matelo Ferret, and his uncle, Baro Ferret, both played with Django Reinhardt's the Quintette du Hot Club. Played with John Coltrane at age 13. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Boulou With the Paris All-Stas in 1966, backed by Michel Gaudry, Maurice Vander, and Eddy Louiss. Also worked with Dexter Gordon, Patrice Caratini, Philly Joe Jones, Bob Reid, Chet Baker, Steve Lacy, Gunter Hampel, Kenny Clarke, Warne Marsh, Svend Asmussen, Louis Vola, the Corporation Gypsy Orchesta, Steve Potts, Christian Escoudé, Takashi Kako, Babik Reinhardt, Philippe Combelle, Christone Astorfi, Alain Jean-Marie, with his brother Elios Ferre, and others
April 24, 1951 ~ Debra Piazza, commonly known as blues pianist Honey Piazza born ~ Best known for co-founding the Mighty Flyers with her husband singer Rod Piazza, known for their energetic blues hybrid, drawing from jump blues, West Coast blues and Chicago blues
April 24, 1949 ~ Bluegrass mandolinist, singer Larry Rice, full name Larry Prentis Rice, born in Danville, Virginia, USA ~ Member of the Rice Brothers alongside his brothers Tony Rice, Ron Rice, Wyatt Rice. Has also worked with JD Crowe, Dickey Betts, Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen, and others ~ Rice passed away in 2006
April 24, 1949 ~ Singer, songwriter Véronique Sanson, full name Véronique Marie Line Sanson, born in Boulogne-Billancourt, France ~ Debuted in 1972 with the album Amoureuse to become one of France's most popular artists of the 1970s redefining the French chanson. Romantically involved with singer Michel Berger from 1967 through 1972. Married to singer Stephen Stills from 1973 to 1979, with whom she has one son
April 24, 1946 ~ Double bassist, composer Stafford James born in Evanston, Illinois, USA ~ Also plays the violin. Switched to bass before starting his professional career. Worked with Pharoah Sanders, Monty Alexander, Sun Ra, Alice Coltrane, Albert Ayler, Melba Moore, David Frost, Artie Johnson, Diahann Carroll, Fred Travalena, Rashied Ali, Roy Ayers, Al Haig, Barry Harris, Andrew Hill, Andrew Cyrille, Chico Hamilton, Gary Bartz, Art Blakey, the Jazz Messengers, Frank Strozier, Harold Mabern, Louis Hayes, Jimmy Heath, Mulgrew Miller, Akua Dixon, Barney Wilen, Freddie Hubbard, Onaje Allan Gumbo, Ronnie Burrage, Richard Davis, Ray Mantilla, Warren Smith, Gary Bartz, Dexter Gordon, Bill Hardman, Louis Hayes, Lavelle, Cecil Payne, Oliver Lake, and others
April 24, 1945 ~ Jazz, world percussionist, guitarist Collin Walcott born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Member of Oregon. Member of Codona. Present on the 1972 Miles Davis album On The Corner. Has also worked with David Amram, Don Cherry, Larry Coryell, Egberto Gismonti, Paul Winter, and others ~ Walcott passed away in 1984
April 24, 1945 ~ Hervé Fomeri, commonly known as rock & roll singer, actor Dick Rivers, born in Nice, France ~ Along with Johnny Hallyday one of the artists credited with bringing rock & roll to France. Influenced by Elvis Presley Took his stage name after “Deke Richards”, the character Elvis portrayed in his 1957 Loving You film. Briefly the lead singer of Les Chats Sauvages before venturing into a solo career by the early 1960s ~ Fomeri passed away in 2019
April 24, 1945 ~ Drummer Doug Clifford born in Palo Alto, California, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member of Creedence Clearwater Revival and as a member of 1990s reincarnation Creedence Clearwater Revisited. Clifford also guested on albums by Mark Spoelstra, Tom Fogerty, Don Harrison, Sir Douglas Quintet, Billy C Farlow, and Greg Kihn.
April 24, 1944 ~ Bernard St Clair Lee, commonly known as St Clair Lee, born in California, USA ~ Best known as singer of the Hues Corporation, scoring a Billboard top 10 hit with their single Rock The Boat taken of their 1973 Freedom For The Stallion album. Previously the band had contributed to the Blacula soundtrack, a 1973 blaxploitation version of the classic Dracula tale ~ Lee passed away in 2011
April 24, 1944 ~ Producer Tony Visconti, full name Anthony Edward Visconti, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Produced close to a dozen T.Rex albums, including the acclaimed masterpiece Electric Warrior. Best-known perhaps for his work with David Bowie, producing a dozen of the singer's albums including The Man Who Sold The World, Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps), and Blackstar. Has also served as producer or co-producer for the likes of Badfinger, the Strawbs, Argent, Sparks, Thin Lizzy, Iggy Pop (The Idiot), Elaine Page, the Boomtown Rats, the Stranglers, John Hiatt (All Of A Sudden), the Manic Street Preachers, Alejandro Escovedo, Kaiser Chiefs, Esperanza Spalding, and others
April 24, 1943 ~ Singer, arranger Richard Sterban born in Camden, New Jersey, USA ~ Member of country, gospel quartet the Oak Ridge Boys, joining the band in 1972 and noted for his vocal bass solo on the band's 1981 smash hit Elvira. Prior to joining the band Sterban sang with JD Sumner & the Stamps, a vocal group backing Elvis Presley
April 24, 1942 ~ Barbara Joan Streisand, commonly known as singer, stage and film actress Barbra Streisand, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ One of the few to hold what is commonly abbreviated to an “EGOT”, having been awarded an Emmy Award, Grammy Award, Oscar and Tony Award. Has scored nearly a dozen No.1 albums and nearly half a dozen singles over a decade spanning seven decades. Best known for songs such as The Way We Were, the Neil Diamond-penned You Don't Bring Me Flowers and No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) with Donna Summer
April 24, 1940 ~ Guitarist George Tomsco born ~ Co-founding and longtime member of the Fireballs, named for Jerry Lee Lewis's rock & roll classic Great Balls Of Fire and known for songs such as Torquay, Quite A Party and perhaps their best-known Sugar Shack, the latter topping the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963
April 24, 1940 ~ Harry Samuel Paris, commonly known as singer, actor Michael Parks, born in Corona, California, USA ~ Best known as an actor, star of the Then Came Bronson TV series, acclaimed for his role of Adam in the 1966 film The Bible (In The Beginning}. As a singer admired by peers and enjoys a cult following. Best known for the 1969 Closing The Gap debut album and its follow-up 1970's Long Lonesome Highway, it's title-track Long Lonesome Highway reaching the Billboard top 20 ~ Parks passed away in 2017
April 24, 1937 ~ Tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson born in Lima, Ohio, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Influenced by Charlie Parker. Drew from bebop, R&B, Latin jazz, avant-garde. Worked with Chick Corea, Kenny Dorham, McCoy Tyner, Bob Cranshaw, Cedar Walton, Ron Carter, Wynton Kelly, Herbie Hancock, Woody Shaw, Lenny White, Charlie Haden, Joachim Kühn, Rufus Reid, Freddie Hubbard, Grant Green, Freddie Roach, Horace Silver, Duke Pearson, Joe Zawinul, George Benson, Flora Purim, JJ Johnson, Wynton Marsalis, Renee Rosnes, Roy Hargrove, and others ~ Henderson passed away in 2001
April 24, 1931 ~ Songwriter Clint Ballard Jr, full name Clinton Conger Ballard Jr, born in El Paso, Texas, USA ~ Wrote two major hits, Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders' The Game Of Love and Linda Ronstadt's You're No Good, the latter originally recorded by Dee Dee Warwick but the bigger hit for Ronstadt though. Other artists who have recorded his songs include Walter Jackson, Gene McDaniels, Johnny Tillotson, the Tremeloes, Ricky Nelson, the Hollies (I'm Alive), Jan & Dean, Jimmy Jones (Good Timin'), the Zombies, Alvin Stardust, the Kalin Twins, Billy Eckstine, Nancy Wilson, Malcolm Vaughan (Ev'ry Hour Ev'ry Day Of My Life), the Swinging Blue Jeans, Johnny Burnette, Louis Prima, Connie Francis, Frankie Laine, Frankie Avalon (Ginger Bread), Bobby Rydell, Patti Page, Arthur Prysock, and others ~ Ballard passed away in 2008
April 24, 1930 ~ Jazz pianist Frank Strazzeri born in Rochester, New York, USA ~ Active since the early 1950s, backing visiting musicians such as Roy Eldridge and Billie Holiday while still living in his native Rochester. Relocated to New Orleans by the mid-1950s, where he played Dixieland with Sharkey Bonano and Al Hirt prior to venturing into bebop with the likes of Charlie Ventura and Woody Herman. Relocating once again, this time to Los Angeles, Strazzeri became an in-demand session musician from the early 1960s onward, appearing on albums by Curtis Amy, Herb Ellis, Carmell Jones, and Roy Haynes. Strazzeri has recorded over a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, and is especially acclaimed for Wood Winds West released in 1992. To pop rock audiences Strazzeri is best known for touring with Elvis Presley in the early 1970s, including for several Madison Square Garden dates and the 1973 Aloha From Hawaii worldwide telecast ~ Strazzeri passed awayin 2014
April 24, 1928 ~ Saxophonist Johnny Griffin born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Leading figure in hard bop. Leader and sideman. Worked with Lionel Hampton, Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Kenny Clarke, Joe Morris, John Coltrane, Hank Mobley, Clark Terry, Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones, Nat Adderley, Chet Baker, Count Basie, James Carter, Tadd Dameron, Dizzy Gillespie, Blue Mitchell, Ira Sullivan, Wes Montgomery, Randy Weston, and others ~ Griffin passed away in 2008
April 24, 1922 ~ Operatic baritone Matti Lehtinen born in Lappeenranta, Finland ~ Associated with the Cologne Opera from 1952 through 1955. Freelanced in opera, oratorio and lieder until 1963 before returning to his previous position at the Finnish National Opera, where over the years he appeared in over 60 operatic roles ~ Lehtinen passed away in 2022
April 24, 1921 ~ Jazz double bassist Aaron Bell, full name Samuel Aaron Bell, born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Lucky Millinder, Teddy Wilson, Billie Holiday (Lady Sings The Blues), Lester Young, Stan Kenton, Johnny Hodges, Cab Calloway, Carmen McRae, Ray Bryant, Dick Haymes, Duke Ellington, Sam Woodyard, Buck Clayton, Earl Hines, Friedrich Gulda, Sonny Stitt, Charles Thompson, Mose Allison, Harold Ashby, Mae Barnes, Urbie Green, Junior Mance, Sam Most, Jimmy Rushing (If This Ain't The Blues), Buddy Tate, Norris Turney, and Randy Weston ~ Bell passed away in 2003
April 24, 1916 ~ Guitarist, arranger Eldon Shamblin, full name Estel Eldon Shamblin, born in Clinton, Oklahoma, USA ~ Considered one of the premier electric guitarists in Western Swing. Influenced by Eddie Lang. Worked with the Alabama Boys, Bob Wills' backing unit the Texas Playboys, Merle Haggard's backing unit the Strangers, the Four Giants Of Swing, Leon McAuliffe, Tiny Moore, Willie Nelson, Joe Venuti, Mac Wiseman, the Tractors, Asleep At The Wheel, and others ~ Shamblin passed away in 1998
April 24, 1902 ~ Reuben Bloom, commonly known as songwriter Rube Bloom, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Frequent songwriting partner of Sammy Cahn, Ted Koehler, and notably Johnny Mercer. Songs co-written by Bloom include Day In Day Out (Bob Crosby, Artie Shaw, Frank Sinatra), Out In The Cold Again (Glen Gray, Ruth Etting, Billy Eckstine), Maybe You'll Be There (Gordon Jenkins, Kay Starr, June Christy), Give Me The Simple Life (Bing Crosby, Benny Goodman, Tony Bennett), and Don't Worry 'Bout Me (Katherine Perry, Les Brown, Ella Fitzgerald) ~ Bloom passed away in 1976
April 24, 1902 ~ Jazz violinist, double bassist, bandleader Vernon Andrade born in Panama ~ Popular during the 1920s and 1930s. Served under Deacon Johnson to go on to lead his own orchestra by the mid-1920s. Employed sidemen such as Pete Briggs, Ernest Hill, Zutty Singleton. Influenced later bandleaders such as Fletcher Henderson and Chick Webb ~ Andrade passed away in 1966
April 24, 1895 ~ Charles Pertum, commonly known as country blues singer, songwriter Charlie Specks McFadden, born in Quincy, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for his 1930 song Groceries On The Shelf (Piggly Wiggly). Has worked with Roosevelt Sykes and Lonnie Johnson, ~ Pertum passed away in 1966
April 24, 1892 ~ Myrtle Louise Lincoln, commonly known as violist, violinist, pianist, composer Louise Lincoln Kerr, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Known as “the Grand Lady of Music” with over 100 works to her name including symphonic tone poems, chamber music, orchestral works, concertos, and ballets. Helped co-found several orchestras and institutions, most notably the Phoenix Symphony. Well known compositions include Arizona Profiles, Enchanted Mesa and Tableau Vivant ~ Lincoln passed away in 1977