August 1, 1993 ~ Sammy Renders, commonly known as DJ, producer Sam Feldt, born in Boxtel, the Netherlands ~ First gained attention with a remake of Robin S's Show Me Love which would reach No.4 UK, No.21 in the Netherlands, in 2015. The next year a follow-up single, Summer On You would reach the Dutch top 10, peaking at No.4, and be awarded Platinum status. Feldt released his full-length debut album, Sunrise, in 2017
August 1, 1982 ~ Violinist, singer, composer Caroline Shaw, full name Caroline Adelaide Shaw, born in Greenville, North Carolina, USA ~ At 30 became the youngest recipient of Pullitzer Prize for Music, awarded for her composition Partita For 8 Voices recorded with the vocal ensemble Roomful Of Teeth. Others who recorded her works include So Percussion, the Brentano String Quartet, the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, and others
August 1, 1981 ~ Singer, guitarist Ashley Parker Angel born in Redding, California, USA ~ Best known as member of boy band O-Town from 2000 through 2003, present on the band's first two albums including on the 2001 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit All Or Nothing. Released his The Soundtrack To Your Life in 2006 and has ventured into acting
August 1, 1977 ~ Robert Zemichiel, commonly known as rapper, actor Afrob, born in Venice, Italy ~ Active since the mid-1990s, initially working with acts such as Massive Töne, Freundeskreis, and the Spezializtz. Released his Rolle Mit Hip Hop (Rolle Mit Hip Hop) solo debut album in 1999, which would reach top 20 in his adopted homeland Germany, and has recorded over half a dozen albums since frequently collaborating with the likes of Ferris MC, Samy Deluxe, and D-Flame
August 1, 1976 ~ Symphony Taylor, commonly known as producer, DJ, turntablist DJ Symphony, born ~ Best known for his association with several the Wu-Tang Clan members, notably serving as touring DJ for Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, and GZA. Taylor has also collaborated with Digital Underground, DJ Scratch, Nas, the Alchemist, Mobb Deep, KRS One, 2 Chainz, Snoop Dogg, and Yelawolf
August 1, 1975 ~ Jazz drummer, composer Håkon Mjåset Johansen born in Trondheim, Norway ~ Worked with Come Shine, the Urban Connection, Motif, the Svein Olav Herstad Trio, Excess Luggage, Håvard Stubø, IPA, Hegge, the Oddbjorn Blindheim Trio, the Håvard Wilk Trio, Jon Larsen, Kjersti Stubø, Steinar Raknes, and others
August 1, 1971 ~ Singer, songwriter George Ducas born in Texas City, Texas, USA ~ Known for recordings such as 1994's Lipstick Promises, 1997's Where I Stand and 2013's 4340. Has also written or co-written songs for others including Garth Brooks, Randy Travis (Just Call Me Lonesome), the Dixie Chicks, Trisha Yearwood, Gary Allan, the Randy Rogers Band (Kiss Me In The Dark), George Jones, the Eli Young Band, Josh Thompson (Won't Be Lonely Long), Sara Evans (Real Fine Place To Start), and others
August 1, 1964 ~ Singer, songwriter Adam Duritz born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Best known as co-founding singer, frontman, main songwriter of rock band the Counting Crows. Debuted in 1993 with August & Everything After which hit the US top 5 and spawned a number of successful singles including Round Here and Mr Jones. The band would record to both critical acclaim and commercial success ever since. Duritz has also released records as a solo artist as well as guested on albums by the Wallflowers, Ryan Adams, Peter Stuart, Live, Dashboard Confessional, and Nanci Griffith
August 1, 1964 ~ Alternative rock, post-rock, slowcore guitarist, drummer Chris Brokaw born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his associations with Come and Codeine. Has also recorded as a solo artist as well as with Pullman, Snares & Kites, the New Year, the Empty House Cooperative, Consonant, Dirtmusic, Wrekmeister Harmonies, Geoff Farina, Martha's Vineyard Ferries, David Michael Curry, and others
August 1, 1963 ~ Artis Leon Ivey Jr, commonly known as pop-rap, G-funk, hip-hop rapper, singer, songwriter Coolio born in Monessen, Pennsylvania, USA ~ First gained attention as a member of gangsta rap outfit WC & the Maad Circle alongside WC and Crazy Toones. Would become a household name as a solo artist, best known for his 1995 hit Gangsta's Paradise, a No.1 hit in over a dozen countries including the USA, the UK and the Netherlands. Stevie Wonder was credited as co-writer as the song drew heavily from Wonder's Pastime Paradise. Other well known songs include Fantastic Voyage, 1-2-3-4 (Sumpin' New) and C U When U Get There ~ Ivey passed away in 2022
August 1, 1960 ~ Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, commonly known as Chuck D, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member, leader of Public Enemy, pivotal in developing socially conscious, politcally motivated hip-hop. Member of Confrontation Camp. Member of Prophets Of Rage. Has also collaborated with a wide array of artists including Rage Against The Machine, Anthrax and Sonic Youth
August 1, 1959 ~ Glam metal, hard rock, heavy metal singer, guitarist, keyboardist Joe Elliott, full name Joseph Thomas Elliott, born in Sheffield, UK ~ Lead singer for Def Leppard, with whom he recorded about a dozen albums. The band is best known for the acclaimed 1983 Pyromania album and its 1984 follow-up Hysteria. The latter would spawn the UK top 10 hit Animal. Elliott has also worked with Down 'n Outz, Kings Of Chaos, and the Cybernauts
August 1, 1959 ~ Guitarist, turntablist Otomo Yoshihide born in Yokohama, Japan ~ Rose to prominence as leader of experimental rock group Ground Zero. Would go on to become an in-demand collaborator, renowned film composer and pioneer in live electronic music. Has worked with Junji Hirose, Yuji Katsui, Carl Stone, Yasuhiro Otani, Tetuzi Akiyama, Cathode, ISO, Filament, the New Jazz Quintet, and others
August 1, 1958 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Robert Buck, full name Robert Norman Buck, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Guitarist, co-founding member of 10,000 Maniacs, and as songwriter wrote or co-wrote some of the band's best known songs including What's The Matter Here, Hey Jack Kerouac, You Happy Puppet, and These Are Days ~ Buck passed away in 2000
August 1, 1957 ~ Blues, soul, gospel singer, songwriter Deitra Farr born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Sang lead on Mill Street Depo's 1976 single You Won't Support Me. Member of Mississippi Heat during the early to mid-1990s. Debuted as a solo artist in 1997 with the acclaimed The Search Is Over album
August 1, 1953 ~ Blues, soul blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Robert Cray, full name Robert William Cray, born in Columbus, Ohio, USA ~ Best known for his crossover hit Smoking Gun of his 1986 Strong Persuader. Backed Chuck Berry in the Hail Hail Rock 'n Roll. Backed Tina Turner in her Break Every Rule TV special. Opened for Eric Clapton. Worked with John Lee Hooker on the 1992 Boom Boom album, notably the guitar solo on the track Baby Lee. Has also worked with Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland
August 1, 1951 ~ Rock, indie rock, alternative rock, American producer, engineer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, drummer, singer Mark Hallman born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA ~ Closely associated with Carole King, appearing on half a dozen of her albums. Has also worked with Dan Fogelberg, Ani DiFranco, Omar & the Howlers, Eliza Gilkyson, the Heartless Bastards, and others
August 1, 1951 ~ Rock guitarist, singer Tim Bachman, full name Timothy Gregg Bachman, born in Winnipeg, Canada ~ Co-founding member of Bachman-Turner Overdrive, present on the band's first two albums Bachman Turner Overdrive and Bachman Turner Overdrive II. The latter would spawn the singles Let It Ride and Takin' Care Of Business, both of which reached top 10 in the band's native Canada ~ Bachman passed away in 2023
August 1, 1951 ~ Rock, hard rock, heavy metal, blues rock, funk rock, jazz fusion guitarist Tommy Bolin, full name Thomas Richard Bolin, born in Sioux City, Iowa, USA ~ Member of Zephyr from 1969 through 1971. Member of the James Gang, present on and writing or co-writing most of the material on the albums Bang and Miami. Guested on Billy Cobham's Spectrum. Member of Deep Purple, replacing Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 until the band's disbandement the next year. As a solo artist known for the pivotal 1970s albums Teaser and Private Eyes ~ Bolin passed away in 1976
August 1, 1949 ~ James Dennis Carroll, commonly known as author, poet, singer, songwriteringer, songwriter Jim Carroll born in New York, New York, USA ~ Author, poet, punk musician. Fronted Jim Carroll Band. Best known for his autobiography Basketball Diaries, which inspired a 1995 film of the same name featuring Leonardio Dicaprio as Carroll. Collaborated with the Velvet Underground, the Blue Öyster Cult, Lou Reed, Boz Scaggs, and Pearl Jam ~ Carroll passed away in 2009
August 1, 1947 ~ Pop, pop rock, disco singer, conductor, arranger, songwriter, composer Luc Smets, full name Luc Jan Frans Smets, born in Leuven, Belgium ~ Member of 1960s pop group Pebbles, for whom he co-wrote their biggest hit Seven Horses In The Sky. Co-founded Shampoo. Member of disco unit the Dream Express, with whom he reached 7th place at the 1977 Eurovision Songfestival representing Belgium with the song A Million In 1 2 3. Smets has also composed for film and TV ~ Smets passed away in 2023
August 1, 1946 ~ Raymond Burrell, commonly known as guitarist, bassist, singer Boz Burrell, born in Lincolnshire, UK ~ Member of King Crimson in the early 1970s, appearing on the albums Islands and Earthbound. Founding member of Bad Company. Also worked with Tea Time 4, Kenny Lynch, Elkie Brooks, Feel For Soul, King Crimson, Roger Chapman, Alvin Lee, Ruby Turner, Duster Bennett, Peter Sinfield, Snape, Jon Lord, Boxer, and others ~ Burrell passed away in 2006
August 1, 1942 ~ Gloria Jean Williamson, commonly known as singer Gloria Williams, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Original lead singer of the Del-fi's alongside Annette Beard, Rosalind Ashford and notably Martha Reeves, scoring a minor hit with I'll Let You Know. Williams would eventually become disillusioned and leave the group. The remaining trio would become known as Martha & the Vandellas ~ Williams passed away in 2000
August 1, 1942 ~ Rock, psychedelic rock, jam guitarist, singer, songwriter Jerry Garcia, full name Jerome John Garcia, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Best known as co-founding and key member of the Grateful Dead, known for their excessive touring building a devoted cult following. The band scored a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit with A Touch Of Grey in 1987. Garcia has also worked with several Dead-side projects and is an in-demand collaborator. Has worked with the Jerry Garcia Band, Legion Of Mary, the New Riders Of The Purple Sage, Reconstruction, the Hart Valley Drifters, the Warlocks and with Old & In The Way ~ Garcia passed away in 1995
August 1, 1941 ~ Songwriter, screenwriter Etienne Roda-Gil was born in Septfonds, France ~ Best known as regular songwriting partner of Julien Clerc, co-penning a significant amount of Clerc's songs from the late 1960s forward including La Cavalerie, Ce N'Est Rien, Dance S'Y, and one of his best-known This Melody. Others who have recorded songs co-written by Roda-Gil include Barbara, Claude François, Riccardo Cocciante, Vanessa Paradis (Joe Le Taxi), and Johnny Hallyday ~ Roda-Gil passed away in 2004
August 1, 1941 ~ Ney de Souza Pereira, commonly known as folk rock, pop rock singer Ney Matogrosso, born in Bela Vista, Brazil ~ Considered one of Brazil's all-time greatest singers noted for his countertenor voice. Rose to fame in the early 1970s as member of glam rock outfit Secos & Molhados. As a solo artist known for songs such as Bandolero, Nao Existe Pecasi Ao Sol Do Equador, Pro Debaxo Dos Panos, Tanto Amar, Ando Melo Desligado, Sanguie Latino, Vereda Tropical and perhaps his best-known America Do Sul
August 1, 1938 ~ Piper, bodhran player Paddy Moloney born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Leader of the Chieftains, which he co-founded in 1962 with Seán Potts and Michael Tubridy. The band has recorded over 40 albums, all of which featuring Moloney, and is especially known for their vast work of collaborations including with artists such as Elvis Costello, Ry Cooder, Rosanne Cash, Béla Fleck, James Galway, Art Garfunkel, Mark Knopfler, Emmylou Harris, Mick Jagger, and others ~ Moloney passed away in 2021
August 1, 1936 ~ Ska, rocksteady, reggae DJ, percussionist, singer, producer Uziah Thompson, also known as Uziah Sticky Thompson, born in Mannings Mountain, Jamaica ~ In-demand session musician and sideman. Appeared on classic recordings by the Skatalites, notably Ball Of Fire, El Pussy Cat Ska and Guns Of Navarone. Would go on to work with Joe Gibbs, Big Youth, Dennis Brown, the Congos, Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Jimmy Cliff, Black Uhuru, Grace Jones, Joe Cocker, Serge Gainsbourg, Sinéad O'Connor, Stephen Marley, the GG All-Stars, and others ~ Thompson passed away in 2014
August 1, 1930 ~ Actor, dancer, choreographer, singer, director, painter Geoffrey Holder, full name Geoffrey Lamont Holder, born in Port Of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago ~ Principal dancer for the Metropolitan Ballet before starting a film career, first appearing on-screen in the 1957 film Carib Gold. Best known for portraying Baron Samedi in the Bond film Live & Let Die in 1973 ~ Holder passed away in 2014
August 1, 1910 ~ Loreto Domenic Fraieli, commonly known as songwriter Jimmie Crane, born ~ Best remembered for co-penning Hurt with Adolph Jacobs, an early 1960s smash hit and signature song for Timi Yuro. The song has been covered by over a 100 artists including Marty Robbins, Dinah Washington, Bobby Vinton, Billie Jo Spears, and Elvis Presley. Others who have recorded songs written or co-written by Crane include Denise Lor, Al Martino, Connee Boswell (If I Give My Heart To You), Connie Francis, and Joni James ~ Fraieli passed away in 1998
August 1, 1910 ~ Pianist, conductor, arranger, film composer Walter Scharf born in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Helped orchestrate the George Gershwin Broadway-musical Girl Crazy, accompanied singer Helen Morgan, pianist and arranger for singer Rudy Vallée. Hollywood film composer, music director since the early 1930s, with over 100 film credits to his name including The Nutty Professor, several Elvis Presley films starting with Loving You, Barbra Streisand's Funny Girl, and the original 1971 version of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Composed for dozens of TV series ~ Scharf passed away in 2003
August 1, 1899 ~ Hans Wilhelm Steinberg, commonly known as conductor, violinist, pianist William Steinberg, born in Cologne, Germany ~ Violinist with the Cologne Opera Orchestra fired for using his own bowings, but quickly rehired as an assistant. Music director for the Frankfurt Opera, notably conducting the world premiere of Arnold Schoenberg's Von Heute Auf Morgen in 1930. Of Jewish descent Steinberg would be relieved from his post in 1933, the Nazi brownshirts literally storming in and lifting the baton out of his hand. Relocated to British Mandate of Palestine, current day Israel, by 1936, and to America two years later, finding employ as Arturo Toscanini's assistant for the NBC Symphony Orchestra. Best known for his tenure with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, serving as its music director from 1952 through 1976. Has also guest conducted most major US orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, as well as a wide array of foreign orchestras ~ Steinberg passed away in 1978