August 17, 2000 ~ Gazzy Garcia, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter Lil' Pump, born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ First gained attention with the 2017 single Gucci Gang of his debut Lil' Pump album. Also known for I Love It, Esskeetit, Drug Addicts, Butterfly Door, Racks On Racks, Be Like Me and Welcome To The Party
August 17, 1988 ~ Gary Maurice Lucas Jr, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter Joyner Lucas, born in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA ~ First gained attention with his 2015 single Ross Capicchioni in 2015. Also known for a number of popular remixes, notably Lil' Pump's Gucci Gang, 21 Savage's Bank Account, Kendrick Lamar's DNA. Released his full-length solo debut album, ADHD, in 2020
August 17, 1988 ~ Singer Natalie Sandtorv born in Ålesund, Norway ~ Married to drummer Ole Mofjell. Best known for fronting Morning Has Occurred. Also worked with Polygon Junx, John Hegre, Thore Warland, Marte Eberson, Kjetil Moster, Karl Seglem, and Steve Beresford
August 17, 1986 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer Sam Mehran, also known as Sam Meringue, born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Co-founded punk band the Test Icicles, drawing from post-hardcore, dance-punk and indie rock. As a solo artist ventured into more lo-fi oriented music, influenced by Ariel Pink and R Stevie Moore, recording under several monikers. Critically acclaimed for a series of recordings under the moniker Outer Limit Recordings ~ Mehran passed away in 2018
August 17, 1980 ~ Carl Anthony Falk-Gramer, commonly known as pop, dance-pop, Europop producer, songwriter Carl Falk, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Has worked with Demi Lovato, One Direction, 5 Seconds Of Summer, Nicki Minaj, Ellie Goulding, Madonna, Avicii, Ariana Grande, Charlie Puth, Jason Derülo, Westlife, and Iggy Azalea
August 17, 1980 ~ Lene Marlin Pederson, commonly known as singer, pianist, guitarist, songwriter Lene Marlin, born in Tromsø, Norway ~ Released her Playing My Game debut album in 1999. Her Unforgivable Sinner debut single would be the all-time fastest-selling single in Norway. Other songs, such as Where I'm Headed used in the film Mauvaises Frequentations, and Sitting Down Here would both do well internationally. Marlin would continue to record throughout the 2010s, all of her albums reaching top 5 in her native Norway
August 17, 1979 ~ Rock, alternative country, folk singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Justin Jones, full name Justin Phillip Jones, born ~ Described as electrified country and roots-rock. Recorded his 2004 Blue Dreams debut album in one single day, just himself and his guitar. Perhaps best known for his Fading Light released in 2012
August 17, 1978 ~ Soprano singer, actress Vibeke Stene born in Sokndal, Norway ~ Member of Tristania from 1997 through 2007, considered one of the premiere goth metal bands. Stene has recorded about half a dozen albums with the band, including Illumination which is generally considered the band's masterpiece. Stene has guested on recordings by Green Carnation, Samael, and Plutho, and returned from semi-retirement in 2020 with doom metal outfit Veil Of Secrets
August 17, 1973 ~ Violinist Daniel Hope born in Durban, South Africa ~ Best known as member of the Beaux Arts Trio from 2002 through its disbandement in 2008. Also recorded as a solo artist. Music director of the Zurich Chamber Orchestra and subsequently of the New Century Chamber Orchestra
August 17, 1970 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Peter Martin born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Christian McBride, Victor Goines, Johnny Griffin, Reuben Rogers, Wynton Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, Joshua Redman, Dianne Reeves, Rodney Whitaker, Terence Blanchard, Betty Carter, Roy Hargrove, Ellis Marsalis Jr, David Sanborn, and Stanley Turrentine
August 17, 1969 ~ Singer Donnie Wahlberg, full name Donald Edmond Wahlberg Jr, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Co-founding member of boy band New Kids On The Block, known for a string of 1980s, early-1990s hits including the Billboard Hot 100 charttoppers I'll Be Loving You (Forever), Hangin' Tough, and Step By Step
August 17, 1969 ~ Kelvin Mercer, commonly known as singer, rapper Posdnuos, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Considered one of the most underrated MCs of all time. Member of De La Soul, widely acclaimed for their 1989 3 Feet High & Rising album. Has guested on recordings by Common, the Propellerheads, Mint Royale, Gorillaz, Masta Ace, Statik Selektah, Black Eyed Peas, and Phife Dawg
August 17, 1969 ~ Saxophonist Robert Stewart born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Worked with Roy Hargrove, Max Roach, McCoy Tyner, Bobby Hutcherson, Freddie Hubbard, Wynton Marsalis (Blood On The Fields), Milt Jackson, Billy Higgins, Jimmy Smith, Black Note, Delfeayao Marsalis, Winard Harper, Jeff Tain-Watts, Reginald Veal, Pharoah Sanders, Jon Faddis, Buddy Conner, and Paul Tillman Smith
August 17, 1968 ~ R&B, soul, hip hop singer Dave Hollister, full name David Le Chaine Hollister, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Member of Blackstreet, joining the band as replacement for original member Joseph Stonestreet prior to the release of their 1994 eponymous Blackstreet album. The band would reach Billboard Hot 100 top 10 with the singles Before I Let You Go and No Diggity featuring Dr Dre & Queen Pen. Hollister also guested on the Tupac Shakur singles Brenda's Got A Baby and Keep Ya Head Up. As a solo artist best known for his 2000 Chicago '85 (The Movie) album
August 17, 1967 ~ Kevin Max Smith, commonly known as Christian pop, alternative rock singer Kevin Max, born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA ~ Best known as a member of DC Talk. Following the band's indefinite hiatus has released about a dozen albums as a solo artist. Fronted Audio Adrenaline from 2012 through 2014
August 17, 1966 ~ Singer, bassist, songwriter Jill Cunniff born in New York, New York, USA ~ Formed Luscious Jackson with singer, guitarist Gabby Glaser in 1991, Cunniff serving as the band's main songwriter, bassist, lead singer. Member of the Kostars, known for the 1996 Klassics With A K album. Formed Cooler Kids in 2002. Released her City Beach solo debut album in 2007
August 17, 1964 ~ Colin James Munn, commonly known as rock, blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Colin James, born in Regina, Canada ~ Got his big break opening for Stevie Ray Vaughan in 1984, given only a few hours notice as the scheduled act did not show. Following the performance Vaughan invited him to stay on for the remainder of the tour. James would release his eponymous Colin James debut album in 1988, produced by Vaughan, and has recorded well over a dozen albums since. Best known for songs such as Voodoo Thing, Just Came Back, Cadillac Baby, Surely (I Love You), Freedom, and Saviour, all of which reached top 20 in the singer's native Canada
August 17, 1964 ~ Singer Maria McKee, full name Maria Luisa McKee, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Half-sister of Love's Bryan MacLean. Co-founded cowpunk outfit Lone Justice, with whom she recorded two albums. Wrote A Good Heart, a UK No.1 hit for Feargal Sharkey. Sang backup for Robbie Robertson on his eponymous 1987 Robbie Robertson album. As a solo artist recorded about half a dozen albums, starting with Maria McKee released in 1989. Best known for her 1990 hit Show Me Heaven and If Love Is A Red Dress (Hang Me In Rags), used respectively for the films Days Of Thunder and Pulp Fiction
August 17, 1962 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal guitarist, singer Gilby Clarke born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ First gained attention in the 1980s as lead guitarist for Candy. Probably best known for his 3-year stint with Guns 'n Roses, joining the band in 1991 as replacement for Izzy Stradlin and present on The Spaghetti Incident album. Would go on to record as a solo artist, as well as collaborate with Slash's Snakepit, Kat Men, Heart, Nancy Sinatra, Kathy Valentine, MC5, and others, and form supergroup Rock Star Supernova
August 17, 1961 ~ Saxophonist Everette Harp born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Best known as a member of Jazz-Funk-Soul, a trio which also included guitarist Chuck Loeb and keyboardist Jeff Lorber and known for their eponymous Jazz-Funk-Soul jazz-funk-soul-album] album released in 2014. Has also guested on recordings by Marcus Miller, Kenny Loggins, Billy Joel, Regina Belle, and Yolanda Adams
August 17, 1960 ~ Pianist, keyboardist Lisa Coleman born ~ Backed Prince from 1979 through 1986, including on albums such as Dirty Mind, Controversy, 1999, Purple Rain, and Around The World In A Day. Formed the duo Wendy & Lisa with Wendy Melvoin, known for the hit single Waterfalls of their 1987 eponymous Wendy & Lisa album. Has also worked with Doyle Bramhall II, kd Lang, Neil Finn (Try Whistling This), Los Lobos, and Gwen Stefani
August 17, 1960 ~ Jazz singer, guitarist, composer, arranger Maria Pia de Vito born in Naples, Italy ~ Worked with the Art Ensemble Of Chicago, Michael Brecker, Uri Caine, Peter Erskine, Paolo Fresu, Billy Hart, Maria João, Dave Liebman, Gianluigi Trovesi, Steve Turre, Miroslav Vitous, Joe Zawinul, Colin Towns, John Taylor, Rito Marcotulli, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, Danilo Rea, Enzo Pietropaoli, Paolo Damiani, Pietro Tonolo, Giorgio Gaslini, Diederik Wissels, and David Linx
August 17, 1960 ~ Singer Stephan Eicher born in Munchenbuchsee, Switzerland ~ Influenced by Jacques Dutronc, Georges Brassens, Serge Gainsbourg, Patti Smith, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan. Member of Grauzone. Also worked with Philippe Dijan, Manu Katché, and Pino Palladino
August 17, 1959 ~ Fiddler Sue Draheim born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Worked with the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, the Bay Area Women's Philharmonic, Frank Zappa, Gael Alcock, Jim Bamford, Mac Benford, Will Spires, Sam Chatmon, the California Sheiks, John Renbourn, Keshav Sathe, Jacqui McShee, Wizz Jones, Marc Ellington, John Martyn, Albion Country Band, Steve Ashley, John Cohen, David Grisman, Jody Stecher, Craicmore, Stuat Rojstaczer, the Golden Bough, Gwydion Pendderwen, Richard Thompson, and Kathy Kallick ~ Draheim passed away in 2013
August 17, 1958 ~ Singer, drummer Belinda Carlisle, full name Belinda Jo Carlisle, born in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Member of punk rock outfit the Germs, going by the moniker Dottie Danger. Rose to fame as co-founding member of all-female rock, new wave outfit the Go-Go's, best known for their 1981 Beauty & The Beat album which is considered a landmark album in American new wave. After the band folded in 1985 Carlisle ventured out on her own scoring radio-friendly hits such as Mad About You, Heaven Is A Place On Earth, I Get Weak and Circle In The Sand
August 17, 1957 ~ Rock singer Alen Islamovic born in Bihal, Yugoslavia ~ Fronted Divlje Jagode from 1979 through 1986. Fronted Bijelo Dugme from 1986 through 1989. Has also recorded as a solo artist worked with Sanja Dolezal, Lepa Brena, Indira Radic, and Srcani Udar
August 17, 1957 ~ Oud player, composer Rabih Abou Khalil born in Beirut, Lebanon ~ Mixes traditional Arab music with jazz, rock and classical. Earned praise as a “world musician before the term became a label.” has worled with Alexander Balanescu, Luciano Biondini, Milton Cardona, Sonny Fortune, Michel Godard, Joachim Kühn, Howard Levy, Charlie Mariano, Gabriele Mirabassi, Glen Moore, Mark Nauseef, Setrak Sarkissian, Ramesh Shotham, Steve Swallow, Glen Velez, and Kenny Wheeler
August 17, 1956 ~ Producer, engineer Chris Tsangarides, full name Christopher Andrew Tsangarides, born ~ Made a name for himself in 1980s and 1990s metal and hard rock, producing albums such as Anvil's Metal On Metal, Thin Lizzy's Thunder And Lightning, and Judas Priest's Painkiller. Has also produced for artists, including outside metal, such as Money, Gary Moore, Tygers Of Pan Tang, Japan, Y&T, Lords Of The New Church, Spider, Killing Joke, Black Sabbath, Bruce Dickinson (Tattooed Millionaire), Concrete Blonde (Bloodletting), Helloween, and Yngwie Malmsteen ~ Tsangarides passed away in 2018
August 17, 1955 ~ Bassist, singer, songwriter Colin Moulding, full name Colin Ivor Moulding, born in Swindon, UK ~ One of the core members of rock outfit XTC, for whom he wrote some of the band's earliest hits including Life Begins At The Hop, Making Plans For Nigel, and Generals And Majors
August 17, 1955 ~ Jazz singer, composer, arranger Grazyna Augscik born in Stupsk, Poland ~ Over a dozen solo albums to her name, starting in the late-1980s. Draws from Polish folk, Latin American music and klezmer. Has collaborated with Michal Urbaniak, Jim Hall, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Jay Azzolina, John Medeski, Patricia Barber, Paul Wertico, Bobby Enriquez, Terry Callier, John McLean, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and Robert Irving III
August 17, 1955 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Kevin Welch, full name Kevin Stephen Welch, born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Has written or co-written songs recorded by the likes of Reba McEntire, Bobby Bare, Mac Davis, the Judds (I Wish She Wouldn't Treat You That Way), Moe Bandy, Don Williams, Gail Davies, Jimmie Dale Gilmore (Headed For A Fall), Joy Lynn White, Kelly Willis (That'll Be Me), and Gary Morris. Co-founded the indie label Dead Reckoning Records. As a solo artist known for songs such as Stay November, Till I See You Again, and Praying For Rain. Closely associated with Fats Kaplin and Kieran Kane, the trio recording three albums starting with You Can't Save Everybody released in 2004
August 17, 1954 ~ Guitarist, pianist, singer, songwriter Eric Johnson born in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Renowned guitarist drawing from a wide array of idioms including rock, blues, jazz, folk, classical, new age, and country. Influenced by Mike Bloomfield, Chet Atkins, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Wes Montgomery, Jerry Reed, and Django Reinhardt. As a solo artist about a dozen albums to his name, starting with Tones released in 1986. Especially acclaimed for his 1990 Ah Via Musicom and its Grammy Award-winning single Cliffs Of Dover
August 17, 1953 ~ Singer, songwriter Kevin Rowland born in Wolverhampton, UK ~ Member of Lucy & the Lovers. Member of the Killjoys, known for their 1977 Johnny Won't Get To Heaven single. Rose to fame as lead singer, front man for Dexys Midnight Runners, scoring a string of 1980s hits including the UK top 10 hits Geno, There There My Dear, Come On Eileen, and Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)
August 17, 1952 ~ Composer, music director Heiner Goebbels born in Neustadt-an-der-Weinstrasse, Germany ~ Closely associated with Alfred Harth, with whom he co-founded wind band the Sogenanntes Linksradikales Blasorchester and avant-rock group Cassiber. As a composer best known for Surrogate Cities, Hashirigaki, and Stifters Dinge
August 17, 1949 ~ John Thomas Hashian, commonly known as drummer Sib Hashian, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Early member of Boston. Present on the band's first two albums, 1976's eponymous Boston and its 1978 Don't Look Back follow-up. Hashian would leave the band upon the return of original drummer Jim Masdea ~ Hashian passed away in 2017
August 17, 1947 ~ Guitarist Gary Talley born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Lead guitarist for 1960s pop rock outfit the Box Tops, known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits The Letter and Cry Like A Baby. Starting in the early-1970s Talley has worked with artists such as Pat Boone, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Dobie Gray, Billy Joe Royal, Willie Nelson, Tammy Wynette, and Waylon Jennings
August 17, 1946 ~ Trombonist, bandleader, arranger, producer Juan Pablo Torres, full name Juan Pablo Torres Morell, born in Puerto Padre, Cuba ~ Regarded as one of the finest trombonists in Afro-Cuban jazz. Director of Algo Nuevo. Member of seminal Cuban outfit Irakere since the mid-1980s, led by Chucho Valdes ~ Torres passed away in 2005
August 17, 1944 ~ Folk, rock, pop drummer John Seiter born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Brother of drummer Jimmi Seiter. First gained attention as member of Spanky & Our Gang, joining the band in 1967 and present on the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hits Lazy Day and Like To Get To Know You. Following the band's disbandement in 1968 Seiter joined the Turtles, appearing on their final Turtle Soup released in 1969. Has also worked with Rosebud, Aztec Two-Step, Jane Getz, Tom Waits, and the Conception Corporation
August 17, 1943 ~ Blues singer, guitarist Dave Ray, full name James David Ray, born in St Paul, Minnesota, USA ~ Closely associated with John Koerner and Tony Glover, the trio recording and performing in various configurations, in solo turns and duets, but rarely as a trio. Ray suggested that it would be more accurate to refer to them not as Koerner Ray & Gloever, but rather Koerner and/or Ray and/or Glover. As a trio noted for appearing at the Newport Folk Festival in 1964, captured on the Newport Folk Festival 1964 (Evening Concerts III) album. In later years they would occasionally perform together, until Ray's death in the early-2000s ~ Ray passed away in 2002
August 17, 1939 ~ Blues, Chicago blues, electric blues singer, guitarist Luther Allison, full name Luther Sylvester Allison, born in Widener, Arkansas, USA ~ Member of family gospel group the Southern Travellers. Member of 1950s band the Rolling Stones, which also included his brothers Ollie Allison and Grant Allison, later renamed to the Four Jivers. Backed blues singers such as Howlin' Wolf and Freddie King. Has also worked with Jimmy Dawkins, Magic Sam, Otis Rush, James Cotton, Shakey Jake Harris, Sunnyland Slim. As a solo artist actively recording since his 1969 acclaimed Love Me Mama solo debut album ~ Allison passed away in 1997
August 17, 1935 ~ James Ellis, commonly known as blues singer, guitarist Jimmy Preacher Ellis, born in Foreman, Arkansas, USA ~ Member of the Travelling Four during the mid-1950s. As a solo artist known for a number of singles starting in the mid-1960s, including I'm Gonna Do It By Myself, Can't Work And Watch You, and Work With What You Got
August 17, 1934 ~ João Donato de Oliveira Neto, commonly known as pianist, accordionist, composer João Donato, born in Rio Branco, Brazil ~ Leader and sideman. Helped shape Brazilian jazz and bossa nova. Active since the early-1950s. Well-known songs include Sambou Sambou, Vento Do Canavial (Sugarcane Breeze), Amazonas (Amazon), and Até Quem Sabe. Especially acclaimed for his 1965 The New Sound Of Brazil album. Has guested on albums by Mongo Santamaria, Astrud Gilberto (The Astrud Gilberto Album), Sérgio Mendes, Nana Caymmi, Gal Costa, Caetano Veloso, Eddie Palmieri (Eddie's Concerto), and Milton Nascimento ~ De Oliveira passed away in 2023
August 17, 1931 ~ Pianist Derek Smith born in London, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Influenced by Art Tatum. Member of Johnny Dankworth's orchestra before relocating to America. Would go on to work with the Modern Jazz Quartet, Benny Goodman, the Tonight Show Band, Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy DeFranco, Louie Bellson, Ben E King, Stanley Turrentine, Milt Hinton, and Clark Terry
August 17, 1931 ~ Saxophonist, bandleader Floyd Newman born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ In-demand session musician closely associated with Stax/Volt, the Mar-keys, and the Memphis Horns. As a leader known for his 1963 single Frog Stomp b/w Sassy. Present on albums by the likes of BB King, Otis Redding (Otis Blue), Wilson Pickett, Etta James (Tell Mama), Aretha Franklin (Aretha Now), and Boz Scaggs ~ Newman passed away in 2023
August 17, 1924 ~ R&B guitarist, bandleader Edgar Blanchard, full name Edgar Vernon Blanchard, born in Grosse Tête, Louisiana, USA ~ Following his stint in the Army during World War II, Blanchard formed the Gondeliers named for his time in Italy. The band, notably featuring Roy Brown, would become well known in New Orleans for their gigs at the Down Beat Club and the Dew Dop Inn. Blanchard would also perform and record with others including Big Joe Turner, Ray Charles, Professor Longhair, Lloyd Price, Little Richard, Eddie Bo, and Clarence Frogman Henry. Blanchard is also known for appearing on the Ric-recordings of Johnny Adams during the late-1950s. Blanchard recorded a sole poorly-received album with the Gondeliers, Let's Have A Blast With The Gondeliers released in 1961, but would continue to perform with the band in New Orleans clubs through the mid-1960s ~ Blanchard passed away in 1972
August 17, 1922 ~ Jazz drummer Jack Sperling born ~ Worked with Bunny Berigan, Henry Mancini, Glenn Miller, Tex Beneke, Les Brown, Bob Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis Jr, Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, the Four Freshmen, Lena Horne, Peggy Lee, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Scatman Crothers, Pete Fountain, Abe Most, Dinah Washington, Teresa Brewer, Harry Belafonte, Chet Atkins, Wynona Carr, James Brown, Carmen McRae, Bob Florence, John Sheridan, and Don Fagerquist ~ Sperling passed away in 2004
August 17, 1921 ~ Country singer, harmonica player Wayne Raney born in Wolf Bayou, Arkansas, USA ~ Worked with the Delmore Brothers. As a solo artist best known for songs such as Lost John Boogie, The Jack & Jill Boogie, the 1949 hit Why Don't You Haul Off And Love Me, and for the 1959 Christian revival song We Need A Whole Lot More Jesus And A Lot Less Rock & Roll ~ Raney passed away in 1993
August 17, 1920 ~ Bassist George Duvivier born in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Coleman Hawkins, Lucky Millinder, Eddie Barefield, Jimmie Lunceford, Sy Oliver, Martial Solal, Bud Powell, Count Basie, Benny Carter, Benny Goodman, Chico Hamilton, Hank Jones, Shelly Manne, Oliver Nelson, Frank Sinatra, Clark Terry, Ben Webster, Bob Wilber, Soprano Summit, Pepper Adams, Manny Albam, Joe Albany, Ben E King (the 1961 album Spanish Harlem), Gene Ammons, Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, Mildred Anderson, George Benson, Louie Bellson, Bob Brookmeyer, Ruth Brown, Ray Bryant, Kenny Burrell, Arnett Cobb, Al Cohn, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Buddy DeFranco, Eric Dolphy, Art Farmer, Ronnie Foster, Bud Freeman, Stan Getz, Roland Hanna, Donna Hightower, Johnny Hodges, Etta Jones, Barry Manilow, Gerry Mulligan, Gil Melle, Moondog, Chico O'Farrill, Houston Person, Shirley Scott, Sonny Stitt, and Warren Vaché Jr ~ Duvivier passed away in 1985
August 17, 1919 ~ Jazz, swing, blues saxophonist, composer Irv Williams born ~ Backed artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Fletcher Henderson, Mary Lou Williams, Billy Eckstine. Turned down offers to tour with Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, preferring to play locally in the Twin Cities area and teach in public schools. Would continue to play at every local venue, backing visiting artists including Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, Johnny Hodges. Would release a string of albums in his eighties, notably 2006's Duo with regular collaborator pianist Peter Schimke ~ Williams passed away in 2019
August 17, 1918 ~ Frieda Lipschitz, commonly known as singer Georgia Gibbs, born in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA ~ Versatile pop, pop-jazz singer enjoying her biggest success in the early to mid-1950s with songs such as If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked A Cake, While You Danced Danced Danced, Kiss Of Fire and Seven Lonely Days. Worked with Frankie Trumbauer, Tommy Dorsey, Hal Kemp, Artie Shaw, Earle Hagen, Bob Crosby, and Glenn Osser ~ Lipschitz passed away in 2006
August 17, 1918 ~ Jazz saxophonist Ike Quebec, full name Ike Abrams Quebec, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Worked with the Barons Of Rhythm, Frankie Newton, Hot Lips Page, Roy Eldridge, Trummy Young, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Carter, Coleman Hawkins, Cab Calloway, Sonny Clark, Grant Green, Jimmy Smith, and Dodo Greene ~ Quebec passed away in 1963
August 17, 1917 ~ R&B saxophonist, bandleader Frank Culley, full name Frank Windsol Culley, born in Petsworth, Virginia, USA ~ Recorded prolifically from the 1930s onwards, notably the late-1940s hits Cole Slaw, Floorshow and After Hour Session. Leader of the first houseband at Atlantic Records, a position he held from 1948 through 1951 ~ Culley passed away in 1991
August 17, 1917 ~ Blues shouter Walter Brown born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Best known as lead singer with Jay McShann's band in the 1940s, including on some of their best known including Confessing The Blues, which Brown co-wrote, and Hootie Blues. Left McShann to be replaced by Jimmy Witherspoon. Brown later also recorded with Tiny Grimes, to lesser succes ~ Brown passed away in 1956
August 17, 1916 ~ Folk singer, banjoist, songwriter Ola Belle Reed born in Lansing, North Carolina, USA ~ Formed the New River Boys & Girls with her brother Alex Campbell, known for songs such as Indecision, I Threw Away The Key, and You Led Me To The Wrong. Several songs written by Reed would become classics of the genre, perhaps most notably High On A Mountain recorded by Del McCoury, Hot Rize, Tim O'Brien, and Marty Stuart ~ Reed passed away in 2002
August 17, 1909 ~ Trumpeter, bandleader, arranger Larry Clinton born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Early on, while in his twenties, a popular arranger for dance orchestras including those led by Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Glen Gray, Louis Armstrong, and Bunny Berigan. As a bandleader recorded hits for the Victor Label label ranging from pop tunes and instrumentals penned by Clinton to swing adaptions of classical compositions (notably his 1938 hit My Reverie, an adaptation of Claude Debussy's Reverie with added pop lyrics sung by Bea Wain). Clinton served in the US Air Force during World War II as a pilot and resumed his career after the war, mostly leading studio bands up to the early-1960s ~ Clinton passed away in 1985
August 17, 1908 ~ Pianist, arranger Jimmy Sherman, full name James Benjamin Sherman, born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Started in dance bands in the late-1920s. Worked with Jimmy Gorham, Alphonso Trent, Peanuts Holland, Al Sears, Stuff Smith, Lil' Armstrong, Putney Dandridge, Mildred Bailey, Billie Holiday, and notably with the Charioteers as a full member from 1938 to 1952 ~ Sherman passed away in 1975
August 17, 1893 ~ Mary Jane West, commonly known as actress, singer, playwright, screenwriter Mae West, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Active as a vaudeville and stage entertainer before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the film industry. Would go on to become one of the most popular, as well as one of the most controversial, sex symbols of her day. Following her career as a movie actress would return to performing on stage, write plays, and record a number of rock & roll albums ~ West passed away in 1980