August 11, 1994 ~ Indie pop singer, guitarist, pianist Alejandro Aranda born in Pomona, California, USA ~ Reached 2nd place in the 17th season of American Idol in 2019, losing to singer Laine Hardy. Following his success on the show, Aranda released his Exit Form debut album to moderate success. Aranda would continue to record into the 2020s to limited success
August 11, 1985 ~ Rapper Asher Roth, full name Asher Paul Roth, born in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Released his Asleep In The Bread Aisle debut album in 2009. Best known for his hit I Love College. Has collaborated with Big Prime, Blended Babies, Curren$y, BoB, NERD, and Lupe Fiasco
August 11, 1983 ~ Christopher James Gholson, commonly known as producer, rapper, songwriter Drumma Boy, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Son of clarinetist G James Gholson, who was the first Afro-American to hold first chair position with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. As a solo artist known best for his 2009 Welcome II My City album. As a producer active since the early-2000s, becoming one of the most sought-after hip-hop producers by the mid-2000s. Has worked with acts such as Boyz n Da Hood, Young Jeezy, Pastor Troy, Yo Gotti, Playaz Circle, TI, Gucci Mane, E-40, Soulja Boy, Gorilla Zoe, Yung Joc, 2 Chainz, Bun B, Lil' Jon, Usher, Kid Ink, Wiz Khalifa, Young Buck, and others
August 11, 1982 ~ Country, roots rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Justin Wells, full name Justin William Wells, born in Bossier City, Louisiana, USA ~ Co-founding member of Fifth On The Floor, with whom he recorded the albums The Color Of Whiskey, Dark And Bloody Ground, and Ashes & Angels. Following the band's disbandement in 2015 Wells has recorded as a solo artist, starting with Dawn In The Distance released in 2016
August 11, 1977 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Gemma Hayes born in Ballyporeen, Ireland ~ Released her acclaimed Night On My Side debut album in 2002 and has recorded consistently since. Has also worked with the collective Cake Sale and with Paul Noonan's Printer Clips side project
August 11, 1976 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, synth-pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Ben Gibbard, full name Benjmain Gibbard, born in Bremerton, Washington ~ Best known as lead singer, guitarist of indie rock outfit Death Cab For Cutie. Half of electronica duo the Postal Service, the other half being producer Dntel. Has also released solo albums and worked with All-Time Quarterback, Pinwheel, Dntel, Kind Of Like Spitting, and with Jay Farrar
August 11, 1976 ~ Progressive rock, jam band guitarist, singer, songwriter Brendan Bayliss born in South Bend, Indiana, USA ~ Co-founding member of Umphreys McGee, active since the late-1990s. The band draws from a wide array of genres and is influenced by the Police, the Beatles and Led Zeppelin
August 11, 1970 ~ Alternative rock, shoegazing singer, bassist, guitarist, songwriter Andy Bell, full name Andrew Piran Bell, born in Cardiff, UK ~ Helped develop shoegaze as a key member of Ride, best known for the 1992 UK top 10 hit Leave Them All Behind. Member of Oasis from 1999 until its disbandement in 2009, first appearing on the 2002 Heathen Chemistry album. Has also recorded as a solo artist, scored the soundtrack for the 2015 short film Midnight Of My Life, served as producer for the Kynd and the Weeping Willows, and worked with Hurricane No.1 and Beady Eye
August 11, 1969 ~ Rapper Didier Awadi born in Dakar, Senegal ~ Key figure in African hip hop. Co-founding member of Positive Black Soul alongside Amadou Barry. The group perform in English, French and Wolof, incorporate traditional Senegalese instruments, and are known for their political and social commentary. Awadi has also recorded as a solo artist
August 11, 1968 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Charlie Sexton, full name Charles Wayne Sexton, born in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for his 1985 Beat's So Lonely hit. Best known as a member of rock, blues-rock outfit the Arc Angels, debuting in 1992 with the acclaimed eponymous Arc Angels album. Has also served in Bob Dylan's backing band from 1999 through 2002, including on Dylan's 2001 Love & Theft “comeback” album
August 11, 1967 ~ Enrique Ortiz De Landazuri Izarduy, commonly known as Latin rock, hard rock, indie rock singer, guitarist, bassist, percussionist Enrique Bunbury, born ~ Rose to fame as lead singer for Héroes del Silencio, with whom he recorded about a dozen albums including the acclaimed Para Siempre released in 1998. The band is considered to be one of the few that have defined Spanish rock and are known for their intricate lyrics, complicated arrangements and precise rhythms. Bunbury has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the Radical Sonora album in 1997
August 11, 1967 ~ Saxophonist, composer Petter Wettre born in Sandefjord, Norway ~ Worked with Øystein Sevåg, Shirley Bassey, Graffitti, Horns For Hire, the Oslo Groove Company, the Norske Store Orkester, Torbjørn Sunde, Havard Wilk, Terje Gewelt, Per Oddvar Johansen, Jarle Vespestad, Per Oddvar Johansen, Jon Christensen, Ingebrigt Håker Flatan, Arild Andersen, Per Zanussi, Jons Westergaard, Anders Mogensen, Erlend Slettevol, Kim Johannesen, George Garzone, Oliver Lake, Kresten Osgood, Audun Kleive, Dave Liebman, Joey DeFrancesco, Kenny Wheeler, Adam Nussbaum, Manu Katché, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Jan Garbarek, Paal Nilssen-Love, Frode Berg, Helge Sunde, Marilyn Mazur, and others
August 11, 1962 ~ Bassist, novelist Bragi Olafsson born ~ Bassist of the Sugarcubes, a band best known for launching the career of singer Björk. Among the band's best known are songs such as Birthday, Coldsweat and Regina. Olafsson is also known as a novelist, playwright and poet, nominated twice for the Icelandic Literature Prize
August 11, 1961 ~ Saxophonist Donny McCaslin, full name Donald Paul McCaslin, born in Santa Clara, California, USA ~ Over a dozen albums to his name as a leader, Appears on David Bowie's final studio album, Blackstar, recorded just prior to Bowie's death in 2016. Has also worked with Lan Xang, Dave Douglas, Fahir Atakoglu, Luis Bonilla, Tyler Collins, Terence Trent d'Arby, Steve Hass, Bobby McFerrin, Maria Schneider, Steps Ahead, Sun Kil Moon, Luciana Souza, and others
August 11, 1959 ~ Singer, guitarist Gustavo Cerati, full name Gustavo Adrián Cerati, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Formed pioneering Latin rock band Soda Stereo with Charly Alberti and Zeta Bosio. Influenced by the Beatles, the Police, the Cure, Television, Elvis Costello, Squeeze, Pink Floyd and Queen, the band would become the best-selling rock band in Argentina with some 25 million records sold. Well known songs include Zoom, Cuando Pase El Temblor, En La Ciudad De La Furia, Persiana America and De Musica Ligera ~ Cerati passed away in 2014
August 11, 1958 ~ John Joseph Wardle, commonly known as bassist Jah Wobble, born in Stepney, UK ~ Rose to fame as member of reggae and world music-infused punk, punk rock group Public Image Ltd, which he co-founded with Johnny Rotten. Wrote or co-wrote a vast amount of the band's early material, notably Public Image and Dreadlock Don't Deal In Wedlock. Left the band after their 1979 Metal Box sophomore album. Would go on to work with a wide array of artists including the Human Condition, U2's the Edge, Invaders Of The Heart, Brian Eno, Baaba Maal, Chaka Demus, Damage Manual, Massive Attack, Afro Celt Sound System, Primal Scream, and others
August 11, 1956 ~ Chicago blues, electric blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Billy Flynn born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA ~ Influenced by Luther Allison, John Littlejohn, and by Mighty Joe Young. Worked with Bryan Lee, Little Smokey Smothers, Mark Hummel, Willie Kent, Snooky Pryor, Big Bill Morganfield, John Brim, Jody Williams, Little Arthur Duncan, Deitra Farr, Billy Boy Arnold, Sunnyland Slim, Bob Stroger, and Barrelhouse Chuck
August 11, 1954 ~ David Ian Jackson, commonly known as singer, pianist, saxophonist, songwriter Joe Jackson, born in Burton-upon-Trent, UK ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name, starting with Look Sharp released in 1979. Over the course of his career Jackson has straddled new wave, pop rock, jazz-oriented pop, jump blues, and film music, while remaining critically acclaimed throughout. Well-known songs include Sunday Papers, Is She Really Going Out With Him, It's Different For Girls, Jumpin' Jive, Steppin' Out, Breaking Us In Two, and You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want. Jackson also produced The Keys Album, the sole album of power pop group the Keys released in 1981, guested on Joan Armatrading's 1985 Secret Secrets album, and collaborated with Suzanne Vega on the single Left Of Center as used in the Pretty In Pink soundtrack
August 11, 1954 ~ Vibraphonist Steve Nelson born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Has recorded as a leader since the mid-1980s. Has worked with Dave Holland, Kenny Barron, Mulgrew Miller, David Fathead Newman, Johnny Griffin, Jackie McLean, the Arkadia Jazz All-Stars, Cyrus Chestnut, Billy Drummond, Ray Drummond, Houston Person, James Spaulding, Chip White, and others.
August 11, 1949 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Eric Carmen, full name Eric Howard Carmen, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Rose to fame as frontman and primary songwriter of power pop unit the Raspberries, known best for Go All The Way, I Wanna Be With You, and Overnight Sensation (Hit Record). Following the band's disbandement in the mid-1970s, Carmen embarked on a solo career, scoring several soft rock hits through the late-1980s including Never Gonna Fall In Love Again, Change Of Heart, Hungry Eyes, and Make Me Lose Control. Carmen's best known, the 1975 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit All By Myself, would be covered by over 150 artists including Carmen McRae, Stanley Turrentine, Hank Williams Jr, Brotherhood Of Man, Shirley Bassey, Sheryl Crow, and Céline Dion. Carmen also wrote Hey Deanie, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit for Shaun Cassidy, and co-wrote Almost Paradise, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit for Ann Wilson & Mike Reno lifted off the Footloose soundtrack ~ Carmen passed away in 2024
August 11, 1946 ~ Country singer John Conlee, full name John Wayne Conlee, born in Versailles, Kentucky, USA ~ Worked as a mortician and radio DJ before pursuing a career as a singer. Has recorded about a dozen albums, starting with Rose Colored Glasses released in 1978. Would regularly reach the higher echelons of the Billboard Country charts, the singles Lady Lay Down, Backside Of Thirty, Common Man, I'm Only In It For The Love, In My Eyes, As Long As I'm Rockin' With You, and Got My Heart Set On You all reaching the No.1 spot
August 11, 1946 ~ Rock, blues keyboardist, organist Michael Fonfara born in Stevensville, Canada ~ Classically trained pianist, known for his association with the short-lived and underrated the Electric Flag, including on the acclaimed A Long Time Comin' album, Rhinoceros, with whom he recorded three albums, and as a sideman for Lou Reed for most of the 1970s including on the albums Coney Island Baby and The Bells, generally considered two of Reed's best. A versatile and in-demand sideman throughout his career, Fonfara has also appeared on albums by the likes of David Ackles, Alan Gerber, Foreigner (Records), Amos Garrett, Andrew Odom (Goin' To California), the Downchild Blues Band, Snooky Pryor, Willie Big Eyes Smith, and Fathead ~ Fonfara passed away in 2021
August 11, 1944 ~ Saxophonist, flutist Davey Payne, full name David Stanley Payne, born in Willesden, UK ~ Best known as a member of Ian Dury's backing unit Blockhead, noted for his saxophone solo on Hit Me With Your Rhythm Sticks. Has also worked with Wreckless Eric, Kilburn & the High Roads, and with singer Nico, appearing on the latter's 1981 Drama Of Exile album
August 11, 1943 ~ Bassist Jim Kale born in Winnipeg, Canada ~ Best known as original bassist of the Guess Who, remaining with the band from its inception in 1962 through 1972. Present on the band's best known songs including American Woman which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970. After the band's disbandement in 1975. Kale performed with several line-ups using the unclaimed band name. Kale was also a member of Scrubbaloe Caine, known for their sole album, Round One, released in 1973
August 11, 1943 ~ Producer, songwriter Kenny Gamble born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Formed the famed Gamble & Huff producer, songwriter duo with Leon Huff, credited with shaping the Philly soul in the 1970s. Have worked with artists such as the Intruders, Jerry Butler, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes (If You Don't Know Me By Now), Joe Simon, the O'Jays (Back Stabbers), the People's Choice, Billy Paul (Am I Black Enough For You), Lou Rawls, MFSB (TSOP (The Sound Of Philadelphia)), the Jacksons, Teddy Pendergrass, and others
August 11, 1940 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer Peter King, full name Peter John King, born in Kingston-upon-Thames, UK ~ Worked with Johnny Dankworth, Maynard Ferguson, Tubby Hayes, Harry South, Stan Tracey, the Brussels Big Band, Ray Charles, Philly Joe Jones, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Red Rodney, Hampton Hawes, Nat Adderley, Al Haig, John Burch, Bill Watrous, Dick Morrisey, Tony Kinsey, Bill Le Sage, Jimmy Witherspoon, Joe Williams, Jon Hendricks, Anita O'Day, Everything But The Girl, Ben Watt, Tete Montoliu, Jimmy Witherspoon, and others ~ King passed away in 2020
August 11, 1940 ~ Hoboist, conductor Werner Herbers born in Bilthoven, the Netherlands ~ Married to violinist Vera Beths. Principal hoboist for the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and the Concertgebouw Orchestra. Co-artistic director for the Nederlands Blazer Ensemble from 1962 through 1988. Founded the Ebony Band, known for bringing forgotten or overlooked composers from the Interbellum to the public's attention and especially composers persecuted or killed by the Nazis ~ Herbers passed away in 2023
August 11, 1937 ~ Sheldon Talmy, commonly known as producer Shel Talmy, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Got his start in music in the early-1960s, working with acts such as Marketts, the Castells, René Hall, and Robert Bumps Blackwell. Rose to fame in the mid-1960s, becoming a pivotal independent producer in Britain when a five-week vacation turned into an extended stay. Notable recordings from the mid- to late-1960s include the landmark My Generation album by the Who, about half a dozen albums by the Kinks, including You Really Got Me, Kinda Kinks, and Kinkdom, the Pentangle debut album The Pentangle, and singles such as Friday On My Mind by the Easybeats, Just Like A Woman by Manfred Mann, and If Paradise Is Half As Nice by Amen Corner. From the 1970s onward, Talmy would be less prolific, yet still produce for acts such as Ralph McTell, the Band Of Joy, the Small Faces, and the Damned. Upon his death, a prepared statement by Talmy was released which among other things read: “I've had a good run, and I am delighted it lasted as long as it did” ~ Talmy passed away in 2024
August 11, 1936 ~ Rockabilly singer, guitarist Clyde Stacy, full name Haskell XClyde Stacy, born in Eufala, Oklahoma, USA ~ Credited as a founder of the “Tulsa sound” and known for a handful of 1950s singles, notably So Young released in 1957. Stacy has opened for artists such as Elvis Presley and Patsy Cline, eventually mostly retiring from music by the mid-1970s ~ Stacy passed away in 2013
August 11, 1934 ~ John Anthony Pompeo, commonly known as jazz drummer, vibraphonist Johnny Rae, born in Saugus, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Herb Pomeroy, George Shearing, Johnny Smith, Ralph Sharon, Cozy Cole, Herbie Mann, Cal Tjader, Stan Getz, Gábor Szabó, Charlie Byrd, Earl Hines, Art van Damme, Barney Kessel, Mark Levine, Poncho Sanchez, Ernestine Anderson, Charles Kynard, Buddy Collette, Anita O'Day, Mary Stallings, and others ~ Pompeo passed away in 1993
August 11, 1933 ~ Label executive Walter Yetnikoff born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Executive with CBS Records for nearly two decades starting in 1971, rising to president and CEO by the mid-1970s. Signed artists such as James Taylor and Paul McCartney. Helped advance the careers of Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Earth Wind & Fire, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand, Gloria Estefan, and others ~ Yetnikoff passed away in 2021
August 11, 1930 ~ Composer Heinz Werner Zimmermann born in Freiburg-im-Breisgau, Germany ~ Focused on composing contemporary sacred music. Director of the Spandauer Kirchemusikschule from 1963 through 1976, subsequently composition teacher at the Frankfurt University Of Music And Performing Arts through 1996. Best known for his Missa Profana, premiered in 1980. Other works include The Bible Of Spirituals, Te Deum, and Symphonia Sacra ~ Zimmermann passed away in 2022
August 11, 1926 ~ Ed Tigner Jr, commonly known as traditional pop, blues pianist, keyboardist, vibraphonist, singer Eddie Tigner, born in Macon, Georgia, USA ~ Worked with the Ink Spots. Backed Elmore James. Would be an in-demand solo performer for most of his life, yet would not release any albums until well into his seventies. Released his Route 66 debut album in 2003, its follow-up Slippin' In released in 2009 ~ Tigner passed away in 2019
August 11, 1925 ~ Jazz, blues, R&B drummer Philip Paul born in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Backed artists such as Arthur Prysock, Sonny Stitt, Bud Powell and Dizzy Gillespie early on in his career playing at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. Scouted by Tiny Bradshaw in the early-1950s. Would go on to become the studio drummer for King Records by 1952, appearing on over 350 recordings including by artists such as Hank Ballard (The Twist), Milt Buckner, Little Willie John (Fever), Grandpa Jones, Wynonie Harris (Good Rockin' Tonight), Cowboy Copas, Bonnie Lou, and just about every Freddie King record including Hide-away and Tore Down. Notable collaborations outside the King Records-label include John Lee Hooker, Albert King, Otis Big Smokey Smothers, Nat Adderley, Herbie Mann and Roy Meriwether ~ Paul passed away in 2022
August 11, 1921 ~ Jazz drummer Eldridge Freeman born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Sideman. Brother of guitarist George Freeman and saxophonist Von Freeman. Worked with Hampton Hawes in the mid-1950s, alongside Red Mitchell and Jim Hall. Also worked with both his brothers, various line-ups under the guidance of Herb Geller, with Charlie Parker shortly before Parker's death, and with Kenny Mann ~ Freeman passed away in 2006
August 11, 1920 ~ Michael Delaney Dowd Jr, commonly known as big band era singer, actor, TV personality Mike Douglas, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for his The Mike Douglas Show talk show, which aired for two decades starting in the early-1960s. Previously Douglas has worked as a nightclub singer, was a staff singer for Chicago-based WMAQ-TV, and served in the big band of Kay Kyser notably present on the mid-1940s hits Ole Buttermilk Sky and The Old Lamp-Lighter ~ Dowd passed away in 2006
August 11, 1919 ~ June Marvel Cowen, commonly known as actress, big band singer June Hutton, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Sister of singer Ina Ray Hutton. Married to arranger Axel Stordahl. Joined the Pied Pipers in 1944 replacing Jo Stafford, remaining with the band for six years including on the hit single Dream. Has also worked with the Winston Trio, the Quintones, the Sande Williams Band, the Stardusters, and Gordon Macrae ~ Cowen passed away in 1973
August 11, 1917 ~ Pianist Hélène Boschi born in Lausanne, Switzerland ~ Had a dual career as both a teacher and performer, recording artist for most of her career. Closely associated with the French national TV station RTF, serving as soloist with the network's orchestra from 1955 through 1965. Had several works written especially for her including Luigi Dallapiccola's Quaderno Musicale De Annalibera, Fernando Lopes-Graça's 3rd Sonata, Claude Ballif's 4th Sonata, and Karel Husa's Piano Concertino ~ Boschi passed away in 1990
August 11, 1916 ~ Actor, singer Benny Lee born in Glasgow, UK ~ Best known as an actor. As a singer known for songs such as Enjoy Yourself It's Later Than You Think, the Guy Mitchell-cover Pretty Little Black-eyed Susan and the Hank Williams-cover Your Cheatin' Heart. Has worked with Johnny Claes, Sid Phillips, and Joy Nichols ~ Lee passed away in 1995
August 11, 1908 ~ Clarinetist, saxophonist Russell Procope born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his association with Duke Ellington, remaining with the Duke Ellington Orchestra from 1946 through to Ellington's death in 1974. Has also worked with Billy Freeman, Jelly Roll Morton, Benny Carter, Chick Webb, Fletcher Henderson, Tiny Bradshaw, Teddy Hill, King Oliver, Willie Bryant, Dizzy Gillespie, Johnny Hodges, Billy Strayhorn, and others ~ Procope passed away in 1981
August 11, 1904 ~ Pianist Jess Stacy, full name Jesse Alexandria Stacy, born in Bird's Point, Missouri, USA ~ Influenced by Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines. Best known for his association with Benny Goodman during the late-1930s, including performing at Goodman's famed 1938 Carnegie Hall concert. Also worked with Nelson Riddle, Bix Beiderbecke, Eddie Condon, Bud Freeman, George Gershwin, Lionel Hampton, Billie Holiday, Gene Krupa, Jack Teagarden, and Horace Heidt ~ Stacy passed away in 1995
August 11, 1894 ~ Pianist, conductor, composer Wilhelm Grosz, also known as Hugh Williams, born in Vienna, Austria ~ Artistic manager of Ultraphone Gramophone company in the mid-1920s. Conductor of the Kammerspiele Theater in Vienna. Forced to flee to England by the mid-1930s because of the Nazi takeover. Has composed operas, ballets, chamber music and orchestral music. Best known for co-penning a number of standards, notably Red Sails In The Sunset (Lew Stone, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole), Harbour Lights (Roy Fox, Rudy Vallée, Guy Lombardo, Dinah Washington), and Tomorrow Night (Henry Russell, Horace Heidt, Jimmy Dorsey, Patti Page) ~ Grosz passed away in 1939
August 11, 1890 ~ Jazz drummer, bandleader Charles Edward Kerr born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity in the 1920s and 1930s. Has worked with sidemen such as Tommy Dorsey, Stan Keller, Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang. Kerr retired form music by the late-1940s to open his own furniture store in Miami ~ Kerr passed away in 1976