August 16, 1991 ~ Jeffery Lamar Williams, commonly known as hip hop, trap, mumble rap, progressive hip hop rapper Young Thug, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Best known for his 2020 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Go Crazy featuring Chris Brown, Williams is considered one of the most influentual hip hop artists of his generation, noted for his eccentric vocal style and fashion sense. Actively recording since the early 2010s, a string of mixtapes and singles leading up to his full-length So Much Fun debut album in 2019
August 16, 1986 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Ashton Shepherd, full name Ashton Delilah Shepherd, born in Coffeeville, Alabama, USA ~ Known for Takin' Of This Pain and Sounds So Good of her 2008 Sounds So Good debut album and Look It Up of her 2011 Where Country Grows sophomore album
August 16, 1980 ~ Chris Moore, commonly known as hip-hop, alternative hip-hop rapper, producer Atari Blitzkrieg, born ~ In-demand collaborator. As a solo artist released his full-length Kick Punch Fight Rhyme debut album in 2009
August 16, 1980 ~ Heavy metal, groove metal bassist, guitarist, singer Jared MacEachern born in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA ~ Best known as singer and rhythm guitarist of Sanctity. Joined Machine Head in 2013, replacing Adam Duce
August 16, 1973 ~ Rock, alternative rock, psychedelic rock singer Jason Sebastian Russo born ~ Member of Mercury Rev from 1994 through 2001. Also worked with Hopewell and Common Prayer
August 16, 1972 ~ Rock guitarist Erin Smith born ~ Formed all-female trio Bratmobile with singer Allison Wolfe and drummer Molly Neuman, spearheading the riot grrrl movement of the 1990s. The band is known for the albums Pottymouth, Ladies Women & Girls, and Girls Get Busy. During the band's hiatus Smith and Wolfe formed Cold Cold Hearts, known for their sole eponymous Cold Cold Hearts album released in 1997
August 16, 1969 ~ Singer, pianist, organist, songwriter, author David Zollo born in Iowa City, Iowa, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for his 2002 The Big Night album. In-demand sideman present on albums by Bo Ramsey, Dick Prall, Todd Snider (Viva Satellite), Dave Moore, Accident Clearinghouse, Brother Tucker, Patrick Brickel, the Pines, and Greg Brown
August 16, 1968 ~ Guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, programmer, producer, engineer, singer Dave Trumfio born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Formed the 1990s new wave outfit the Pulsars with his brother drummer Harry Trumfio. Has also played with Ashtray Boy, the Mekons, Sally Timms. As a producer and engineer has worked with Evil Beaver, Wilco, Alternative TV, the Young Marble Giants, the Pretty Things, OK Go, Patrick Park, the Aluminum Group, the Baldwin Brothers, Franklin Bruno, Built To Spill, the Jesus & Mary Chain, the Rentals, Papa Vs Pretty, and others
August 16, 1967 ~ Singer, songwriter, actor Donovan Leitch Jr born in London, UK ~ Son of 1960s singer Donovan. Member of hard rock band Camp Freddy. Member of neo-glam pop band Nancy Boy. The latter also included Jason Nesmith, son of the Monkees singer Michael Nesmith
August 16, 1965 ~ Schlager, pop singer, songwriter Jari Sillanpää, full name Jari Veikko Sillanpää, born in Ludvika, Sweden ~ Released his eponymous Jari Sillanpää in 1996. Internationally best known for representing Finland in the 2004 Eurovision Songfestival with Takes 2 To Tango, which reached 14th place
August 16, 1959 ~ Jazz leader saxophonist Ellery Eskelin born in Wichita, Kansas, USA ~ Over two dozens albums to his name as a leader. Closely associated with Andrea Parkins and Jim Black. In-demand sideman, has worked with Joey Baron, Mark Helias, Gerry Hemingway, Marc Ribot, David Liebman, Han Bennink, Sylvie Courvoisier, Bobby Previte, Daniel Humair, Open Loose, Bobby Previte, and others
August 16, 1958 ~ Madonna Louise Ciccone, mononymously known as pop singer, actress Madonna, born in Bay City, Michigan, USA ~ Pop icon of the video age, dubbed “the Queen of Pop” and one of the all-time best-selling artists. Has recorded well over a dozen albums, rising to world fame with a string of 1980s albums including the acclaimed Like A Virgin, True Blue, and Like A Prayer. Starred in over a dozen feature films, notably Desperately Seeking Susan, the bio-documentary Madonna (Truth Or Dare) chronicling her own behind the scenes life, and Evita. Has scored about three dozen Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits over the course of her career, including the No.1 hits Like A Virgin, Papa Don't Preach, Who's That Girl, Vogue, Justify My Love, and Music
August 16, 1954 ~ Pop, rock, folk singer, guitarist, pianist Deborah Holland born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Rose to fame in the mid-1980s as lead singer of Animal Logic, which also included the Police's Stewart Copeland. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with 1994's Freudian Slip, and formed the folk trio the Refugees with Cindy Bullens and Wendy Waldman
August 16, 1953 ~ R&B, funk singer James JT Taylor born in Morristown, New Jersey, USA ~ Lead singer of Kool & the Gang from 1979 through 1988, rejoining in 1995. Present on some of the band's best-known including Ladies Night, Too Hot, Celebration, Get Down On It, Joanna, Fresh and Cherish
August 16, 1953 ~ Miroslav Aleksic, commonly known as rock bassist, singer Misa Aleksic, born in Belgrade, FPR Yugoslavia ~ Influenced by Grand Funk Railroad, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin. Co-founded Riblja Corba in 1978 with Bora Dordevic, considered one of the most important and influential Yugoslavian rock acts ~ Aleksic passed away in 2020
August 16, 1951 ~ Blues, folk-blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Eric Bibb, full name Eric Charles Bibb, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Folk and world music-influenced blues guitarist recording since the early 1970s. Best known for a number of 1990s, 2000s acclaimed albums featuring high-profile collaborators including Mavis Staples, Taj Mahal, Odetta, Guy Davis, Charlie Musselwhite, and others
August 16, 1950 ~ Jazz drummer Alvin Queen born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Has been playing professionally since age 16. Has worked with Ruth Brown, Don Pullen, Wild Bill Davis, Benny Green, Tiny Grimes, Billy Cobham, Horace Silver, George Benson, Charles Tolliver, Michael Brecker, Kenny Drew, Oscar Peterson, Bennie Wallace, Dusko Gojkovic, Johnny Griffin, George Coleman, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Horace Parlan, and John Hicks
August 16, 1949 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Bill Spooner, also known as William Sputnik Spooner, born in Phoenix, Arkansas, USA ~ Co-founded the Tubes, best known for their 1983 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit She's A Beauty of their Outside Inside album. The song was co-written by Toto's Steve Lukather
August 16, 1948 ~ Singer Barry Hay, full name Barry Andrew Hay, born in Faisabad, India ~ Frontman of the Golden Earring, active from 1961 through 2021. The band is regarded as one of the most successful Dutch bands especially acclaimed for their energetic live shows. Well known songs include Dong-dong-diki-digi-dong, Another 45 Miles, She Flies On Strange Wings, Bombay, Long Blond Animal, Twilight Zone, The Devil Made Me Do It, Candy's Going Bad, When The Lady Smiles, Going To The Run. Internationally best known for Radar Love, which reached Billboard Hot 100 top 20 in 1974
August 16, 1948 ~ Bassist Joey Spampinato born in New York, New York, USA ~ Married to singer, trumpeter Kami Lyle. Previously married to country singer Skeeter Davis. Best known as co-founding member, co-lead singer, songwriter for NRBQ, a band known for their energetic brand of rock & roll drawing from country, jazz, pop and rockabilly and especially acclaimed for the albums At Yankee Stadium, Kick Me Hard, and Tiddlywinks. In-demand guest, appearing on albums such as Keith Richards' Talk Is Cheap, Eric Clapton's 24 Nights, Bonnie Raitt's Fundamental
August 16, 1948 ~ Victor Hayden, commonly known as clarinetist, painter, producer the Mascara Snake, born ~ Cousin of Captain Beefheart. Appeared on Beefheart's 1968 LP Trout Mask Replica. Co-founded Alchemy Records. Served as A&R director for Pig Records. Also produced for Ever Rat Records and Subcore Records ~ Hayden passed away in 2018
August 16, 1946 ~ Drummer Gordon Fleet born in Bootle, UK ~ Original drummer of the Easybeats, known for songs such as She's So Fine, Come And See Her, Sorry and perhaps their best-known Friday On My Mind
August 16, 1945 ~ Chanson, pop, disco singer Annie Chancelll, born in Créteil, France ~ Scored numerous hits in her native France during the 1960s and 1970s, including L'Ecole Est Fnie, Vous Les Copains (a French cover of Manfred Mann's Do Wah Diddy Diddy), and Petite Fille De Francais Moyens. Internationally best known as the Sheila in Sheila & B Devotion. The 1977 single Love Me Baby became a club and chart hit across Europe. The 1979 single Spacer, a collaboration with Chic 's Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers, would make it across the Atlantic
August 16, 1944 ~ Singer, songwriter Kevin Ayers born in Herne Bay, UK ~ Important and influential figure in British progressive rock, psychedelic rock as a solo artist, in-demand collaborator and as founding and key member of Soft Machine. Worked with Brian Eno, Syd Barrett, Bridget St John, John Cale, Elton John, Robert Wyatt, Mike Oldfield, Ollie Halsall, Lol Coxhill, Zoot Money, and others ~ Ayers passed away in 2013
August 16, 1944 ~ Producer, songwriter Russ Titelman born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Got his start in music in the 1960s as rhythm guitarist in the house band for Shindig TV show. Sessioned for the likes of the Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield, Gary Lewis & the Playboys, Jackie DeShannon. As a producer closely associated with Randy Newman, producing or co-producing several Newman albums including Sail Away, Little Criminals and Trouble In Paradise. Other notable production credits include albums by Little Feat, Graham Central Station, Ry Cooder (Paradise & Lunch), James Taylor, Rickie Lee Jones, Gordon Lightfoot, Gary Wright, Chaka Khan (I Feel For You), George Benson, Patti Austin, Steve Winwood, Paul Simon (Graceland), Jude Cole, Phoebe Snow, the B52's (Good Stuff), Womack & Womack, Eric Clapton (From The Cradle), the Wondermints, the Bee Gees, and Milton Nascimento
August 16, 1942 ~ Barbara Ann Smith, commonly known as R&B singer, songwriter Barbara George born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known for the R&B crossover classic I Know (You Don't Love Me No More) of her sole mostly self-penned 1961 album of the same name. The single would make top 10 Billboard Hot 100 and top the Billboard R&B charts in 1961. The song would later be covered by Fats Domino, Cher, and Bonnie Raitt. Two subsequent singles, You Talk About Love and Send For Me (If You Need Some Lovin') would also chart but fail to reach the same level of succes ~ George passed away in 2006
August 16, 1942 ~ Robert Lester, commonly known as singer Robert Squirrel Lester, born in McComb, Mississippi, USA ~ Longtime member of the Chi-lites, best known for their 1972 Oh Girl Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit single. Other well known songs include (For God's Sake) Give More Power To The People, Have You Seen Her, Stoned Out Of My Mind, and Homely Girl ~ Lester passed away in 2010
August 16, 1940 ~ Thomas Harvey Bonniwell, commonly known as singer, songwriter Sean Bonniwell born in San Jose, California, USA ~ Frontman and thriving creative force of 1960s garage rockers the Music Machine, known for Talk Talk, a Billboard top 20 hit in 1966 ~ Bonniwell passed away in 2011
August 16, 1939 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Billy Joe Shaver born in Corsicana, Texas, USA ~ Revered working man's intellectual and storyteller. Had his songs recorded by Waylon Jennings (Honky Tonk Heroes), Elvis Presley, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Bobby Bare (Ride Me Down Easy), Tom T Hall, JD Crowe (To Be Loved By A Woman), Jerry Lee Lewis (Bottom Dollar), and others. Known for songs such as I Been To Georgia On A Fast Train, Live Forever, You Asked Me To, I'm Just An Old Chunk Of Coal (But I'm Gonna Be A Diamond Someday), You Just Can't Beat Jesus Christ and Old Five And Dimers Like Me. Has worked with Willie Nelson, Nanci Griffith, Chuck Leavell, Dickey Betts, Charlie Daniels, Flaco Jiménez, Al Kooper, and others ~ Shaver passed away in 2020
August 16, 1939 ~ Banjoist, steel guitarist, guitarist, dobroist, mandolinist Eric Weissberg born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Best known for his banjo solo in Dueling Banjos working with Steve Mandell, used as the theme for the 1972 film Deliverance. Co-founded bluegrass outfit the Greenbriar Boys, known for guesting on a number of Joan Baez albums starting with Joan Baez Vol.2 released in 1962 ~ Weissberg passed away in 2020
August 16, 1937 ~ Composer David Behrman born in Salzburg, Austria ~ Considered a pioneer in electronic, computer music. Co-founded the collective the Sonic Arts Union in 1966 with Robert Ashley, Alvin Lucier and Gordon Mumma. Especially acclaimed for his 1976 On The Other Ocean solo debut album, considered a landmark album in the genre
August 16, 1936 ~ Singer, songwriter Billy Roberts, full name William Moses Roberts Jr, born in Greenville, South Carolina, USA ~ Remembered for penning Hey Joe Where You Gonna Go, first recorded by the Leaves in 1965 but best known as recorded by Jimi Hendrix, retitled Hey Joe. The song has been covered by well over a hundred artists ~ Roberts passed away in 2017
August 16, 1935 ~ Anna Jean Harris, commonly known as jazz, R&B singer, actress Jean Dushon, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Influenced by Dinah Washington. Best known for the first version of For Once In My Life in 1966, later recorded by Connie Haines, Barbara McNair, and perhaps most notably by Stevie Wonder. Worked with Cootie Williams, Phil Spector, Lou Donaldson, Ramsey Lewis (including on More (Theme From Mondo Cane)), Herman Foster, Oliver Nelson, Ray Charles, Count Basie, and others
August 16, 1934 ~ Revoyda Frierson, commonly known as traditional pop, R&B singer, actress Ketty Lester born in Hope, Kansas, USA ~ As a singer best known for Love Letters, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit in 1962. Also known as an actress, notably as Hester-Sue Terhune in the TV series The Little House On The Prairie
August 16, 1930 ~ Guillermina Jimenez Chabolia, commonly known as singer, actress Flor Silvestre, born in Salamanca, Mexico ~ Sister of singers La Prieta Linda and Mary Jiménez. Dubbed “La Sentimental” for her melodious voice. As an actress appeared in over 70 films. As a singer best known for songs such as Imposible Olvidarte, Que Dios Te Perdone, Viejo Nopal, Guadalajara, Cielo Rojo, Carino Santo, Toda Una Vida, and Celosa ~ Chabolia passed away in 2020
August 16, 1929 ~ Modal jazz, cool jazz, post-bop pianist Bill Evans, full name William John Evans, born in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA ~ Classically trained, influenced by Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. Noted for his technical ability and sense of harmony. As a leader especially acclaimed for the early 1960s albums Portrait In Jazz, Explorations, and Sunday At The Village Vanguard. Revered sideman, appearing on albums by Charles Mingus, Jimmy Knepper, Chet Baker, Miles Davis (Kind Of Blue), Art Farmer, Tony Scott, Bob Brookmeyer, Cannonball Adderley, Oliver Nelson (The Blues And The Abstract Truth), Benny Golson, and Freddie Hubbard ~ Evans passed away in 1980
August 16, 1928 ~ Jazz pianist Carl Perkins born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Curtis Counce, Tiny Bradshaw, Big Jay McNeely, Miles Davis, Oscar Moore, Clifford Brown, Max Roach, Frank Morgan, Pepper Adams, Chet Baker, Victor Feldman, Dexter Gordon, Illinois Jacquet, Leroy Vinnegar, and others ~ Perkins passed away in 1958
August 16, 1923 ~ Electric blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Eddie Kirkland born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Influenced by Blind Blake. Worked with John Lee Hooker, Syd Nathan, Otis Redding, Muddy Waters, David Honeyboy Edwards, Foghat, Gregg Hoover, James Thacker, Darren Thiboutot, and others ~ Kirkland passed away in 2011
August 16, 1922 ~ Pianist, organist, bandleader, arranger Ernie Freeman, full name Ernest Aaron Freeman, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Active since the 1940s, initially in jazz and later branching out into R&B and pop. Session musician on numerous 1950s R&B and rock & roll records, including on the Platters's The Great Pretender. Member of the Ernie Fields Orchestra, which became the house band for Rendezvous Records in 1958. Musical director of Reprise Records. Arranged virtually every recording for Snuff Garrett at Liberty Records. Conducted string arrangements for Simon & Garfunkel's acclaimed Bridge Over Troubled Waters album. Over the course of his career has worked, in one capacity or another, with Woody Herman, Dinah Washington, Earl Bostic, Plas Johnson, Earl Palmer, Duane Eddy, Bobby Byrd, Frank Sinatra, Connie Francis, Petula Clark, Julie London, Bobby Vee, Johnny Burnette, Gene McDaniels, Timi Yuro, Johnny Otis, Jimmy Witherspoon, Charlie Barnet, and numerous others ~ Freeman passed away in 1981
August 16, 1915 ~ Albert George Hibbler, commonly known as singer Al Hibbler born in Tyro, Mississippi, USA ~ Started professionally with Dub Jenkins. Also sang with Jay McShann before moving on to the Duke Ellington Orchestra with whom he would stay for eight years. Considered among the best of Duke Ellington's male vocalists, he would be featured on songs such as Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me, I Ain't Got Nothing But The Blues and on I'm Just A Lucky So And So. Hibbler left Duke in 1951 due to a dispute over wages. He would continue to sing in bands, including with Johnny Hodges and with Count Basie, before reaching solo success in the mid-1950s with songs such as Unchained Melody, He, 11th Hour Medley, and Never Turn Back. By the end of the decade Hibbler became active in the civil rights movement and the notoriety of his activism discouraged major labels. Frank Sinatra nevertheless supported Hibbler and signed him to his label but Hibbler would only sporadically record afterwards ~ Hibbler passed away in 2001
August 16, 1915 ~ Jazz trombonist, saxophonist Murray McEachern born in Toronto, Canada ~ Best known for his associations with Benny Goodman including on the pivotal 1937 recording of Sing Sing Sing (With A Swing) and with the Casa Loma Orchestra. Also worked with Lucio Agostini, Percy Faith, Jack Hylton, Phil Moore, and others ~ McEachern passed away in 1982
August 16, 1913 ~ Orchestrator, composer, songwriter Joseph J Lilley born in Providence, Rhode Island, USA ~ Best known for his work in various roles in Hollywood musicals, notably for Paramount Studios, since the early 1940s. Notable credits include Variety Girl, Mr Music, The Stooge and serving as musical director for a number of Elvis Presley films notably GI Blues, Blue Hawaii, Girls Girls Girls, and Fun In Acapulco ~ Lilley passed away in 1971
August 16, 1888 ~ Armand John Piron, commonly known as jazz violinist, bandleader AJ Piron, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Popular dancebandleader. Best known for I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate and The Purple Rose Of Cairo. Employed sidemen such as Lorenzo Tio, John Lindsay, and Peter Bocage ~ Piron passed away in 1943
August 16, 1884 ~ Vaudeville singer, dancer, songwriter George A Whiting born ~ As a performer toured with singer Sadie Burt, whom he later married. Best known for co-writing My Blue Heaven with Walter Donaldson. It would be a huge hit for Gene Austin in 1928, selling over 5 million copies, and become a standard ~ Whiting passed away in 1943
August 16, 1863 ~ Pianist, organist, conductor, composer Gabriel Pierné, full name Henri Constant Gabriel Pierné, born in Metz, France ~ Composed operas, chamber music, and choral and symphonic pieces. Perhaps best known for the oratario La Croisade Des Enfants. Other well-known pieces include Introduction Et Variations Sur Une Ronde Populaire for saxophone quartet, and the ballet Cydalise Et Le Chevre Pied which included Marche Des Petits Faunes ~ Pierné passed away in 1937