August 18, 1988 ~ Kwon Ji-yong, commonly known as rapper, singer, producer, songwriter, fashion designer G-Dragon, born in Seoul, South Korea ~ Known as “the King of K-pop”. Leader of hip-hop boy band the Big Band. Debuted as a solo artist in 2009 with the album Heartbreaker, which became the best-selling album by a Korean soloist, and has recorded to commercial succes since
August 18, 1984 ~ Jazz, avant-garde jazz, post-bop pianist John Escreet born in Doncaster, UK ~ Debuted as a leader with his Consequences album released in 2008, accompanied by saxophonist David Binney, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, bassist Matt Brewer and drummer Tyshawn Sorey. Has also worked with Wayne Krantz, Ari Hoenig, Adam Rogers, Chris Potter, Seamus Blake, and Antonio Sánchez
August 18, 1978 ~ Comedian, actor, singer, arranger Andy Samberg born in Berkeley, California, USA ~ Cast member and writer for the NBC comedy series Saturday Night Live. Member of musical comedy troupe the Lonely Island alongside Akive Schaffer and Jorma Taccone. Also well known as an actor for film and TV, perhaps most notably on Brooklyn Ninety-Nine
August 18, 1971 ~ Richard David James, commonly known as electronic, ambient, IDM, experimental producer, DJ, keyboardist Aphex Twin born in Limerick, UK ~ Regarded as one of the most important artists in contemporary electronic music, active in styles such as techno, ambient, and jungle. Cited as an influence by Daft Punk's Thomas Bangalter, Limp Bizkit's Wes Borland, Skrillex, the Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante, and Tame Impala's Kevin Parker. Especially acclaimed for his 1992 Selected Ambient Works 85-92 debut album
August 18, 1969 ~ Erik Schrody, commonly known as rock-rapper Everlast, born in Valley Stream, New York, USA ~ Member of hip hop trio House Of Pain, known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Jump Around of their eponymous 1992 House Of Pain debut album. As a solo artist especially acclaimed for his 1998 Whitey Ford Sings The Blues album merging rap with rock guitars, the album spawning the radio hits What It's Like and Ends. Also well known for collaborating with Carlos Santana on Put Your Lights On of Santana's 1999 The Supernatural album
August 18, 1962 ~ Bluegrass singer, guitarist, mandolinist Audie Blaylock born in El Paso, Texas, USA ~ Spent most of the 1980s backing Jimmy Martin. Would go on to work with Red Allen, Lynn Morris, Harley Allen, Rhonda Vincent, Michael Cleveland, Patrick McAvinue, Michael Martin Murphey, and Bobby Osborne. Released his Trains Are The Only Way To Fly solo debut album in 2001 and has recorded as solo artist and with his backing unit Redline since ~ Blaylock passed away in 2024
August 18, 1962 ~ Twin siblings singer Jayney Klimek and keyboardist, composer Johnny Klimek born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Both siblings were co-founding members of the Other Ones, best known for the 1987 hit Holiday. Jayney would go on to guest on recordings by Tony Banks, Paul van Dyk, Alphaville and Terranova. Johnny would go on to work in the Berlin underground scene and write or co-write a number of film scores, often partnering up with Reinhold Heil, notably the 2012 Cloud Atlas
August 18, 1957 ~ Contemporary classical composer, conductor Tan Dun born near Changsha, China ~ Leading contemporary classical composer. As a child fascinted by the rituals and ceremonies of the village shaman, typically set to music made with natural objects such as rocks and water. Due to the bans enacted during China's Cultural Revolution he was discouraged from pursuing a career in music and was sent to work as a rice planter. Self-taught on traditional string instruments he was however selected to study at the Beijing Conservatory. Influenced by Toru Takemitsu, George Crumb, Chou Wen-Chung, and through studies in America composers such as Philip Glass, John Cage, Meredith Monk, Steve Reich. Would go on to compose operas, orchestral works, symphonies, concertos, chamber music. Earned widespread acclaim after composing the score for the 2000 Crouching Tiger (Hidden Dragon) film, earning several awards including an Academy Award
August 18, 1956 ~ Bass guitarist, double bassist, keyboardist Tony Garnier born in St Paul, Minnesota, USA ~ Best known as longtime Bob Dylan sideman starting in 1989. Also worked with Asleep At The Wheel, the Lounge Lizards, Tom Waits, Loudon Wainwright III, Paul Simon, Marc Ribot, Eric Andersen, Chris O'Connell, David Johanson, the Saturday Night Live Band, and others
August 18, 1955 ~ Eduardo Santiago Rodriguez, commonly known as salsa singer Eddie Santiago, born in Toa Alto, Puerto Rico ~ Member of several groups, including Generación 2000, the Orquesta La Potente, the Orquesta Opus, and the Orquesta Saragüey, before venturing out on his own becoming one of the most popular salsa singers of the 1980s and 1990s. Well known for songs such as Tu Me Quemas, Qué Locura Enamorarme De Ti, Me Fallaste, Antidoto Y Veneno, Tu Me Haces Falta, and perhaps his best known Lluvia
August 18, 1954 ~ Angela Kiourtsaki, commonly known as laiko, pop singer Angela Dimitriou, born in Athens, Greece ~ Well over three dozen albums to her name, starting in the late-1970s. Enjoys popularity in her native Greece as well as in the Arab world, especially Egypt. Known for songs such as Margarites, Ana Bahebak Aktar with Amr Diab, and Fotia Sta Savvatovrada
August 18, 1953 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, producer David Benoit born in Bakersfield, California, USA ~ Influenced by Bill Evans. Over two dozen albums to his name, especially acclaimed for a string of late-1980s, early-1990s albums including Urban Daydreams, Waiting For Spring, and Inner Motion. Music director for the Pacific Vision Youth Orchestra and the Asia America Youth Orchestra. Has arranged and conducted for a wide array of pop and jazz artists including Russ Freeman, the Rippingtons, Kenny Loggins, Michael Franks, Patti Austin (The Real Me), Faith Hill, CeCe Winans, and Brian McKnight
August 18, 1953 ~ R&B, funk, soul singer, bassist, percussionist Marvin Isley born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Best known as a member of the Isley Brothers since the early-1970s. Co-wrote several of the band's best known including Fight The Power, The Pride, and Between The Sheets. Member of Isley-Jasper-Isley, a side project known for the 1985 hit Caravan Of Love. Isley retired from music for medical reasons by the late-1990s ~ Isley passed away in 2010
August 18, 1950 ~ Rock, pop rock drummer Dennis Elliott, full name Dennis Leslie Elliott, born in London, UK ~ Original drummer for rock outfit Foreigner, departing the band in the early-1990s to pursue a career as a wood sculptor. Present on most of the band's best known including Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles such as Cold As Ice, Hot Blooded, Waiting For A Girl Like You, I Want To Know What Love Is, and Say You Will
August 18, 1949 ~ Bassist, guitarist, singer, songwriter Nigel Griggs born in Hatfield, UK ~ Brother of drummer Paul Griggs. Perhaps best known as member of Split Enz, joining the band in 1977 in time for their Dizrythmania album and remaining through the band's split in 1984. Present on most of the band's best known including My Mistake, I Got You, Six Months In A Leaky Boat, and Message To My Girl. Has also worked with the Cortinas and Octopus, Carmen, Khan, Schnell Fenster, and recorded as a solo artist
August 18, 1945 ~ Singer Barbara Harris, full name Barbara Ann Harris born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, USA ~ Lead singer for R&B girl group the Toys which also included June Montiero and Barbara Parritt, known for their 1965 hit recording A Lover's Concerto which reached the top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. Its follow-up, 1966's The Attack featured in the beach movie It's A Bikini World, would also reach the Billboard Hot 100 top 20
August 18, 1945 ~ Singer Sarah Dash born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Closely associated with Patti Labelle, as a member of both the Blue-belles and Labelle including on the 1974 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Lady Marmalade. Has released a number of solo albums, starting with the 1978 eponymous Sarah Dash which spawned the disco hit Sinner Man. Guested on recordings by the O'Jays, Nile Rodgers, the Marshall Tucker Band, David Johanson, and notably on the Rolling Stones' 1989 Steel Wheels as well as on Keith Richards' 1992 Main Offender solo album ~ Dash passed away in 2021
August 18, 1945 ~ Guitarist Vince Melouney born in Sydney, Australia ~ Best known for his association with the Bee Gees, recording with the band from 1967 through 1967 during the band's initial period of success. Has also worked with the Vibratones, Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs, Fanny Adams, the Cleves, and others
August 18, 1944 ~ Jazz trumpeter, hornist, trombonist Oscar Brashear born ~ In-demand sideman influenced by Lee Morgan, Woody Shaw, and Freddie Hubbard. Present on albums by John Lee Hooker, Count Basie (Standing Ovation), Oliver Nelson, Donny Hathaway (Everything Is Everything), Bobby Hutcherson, Moacir Santos, Hampton Hawes, Bonnie Raitt (Takin' My Time), Gene Harris, Harold Land, Nat Adderley, Willie Hutch, Ry Cooder (Paradise & Lunch), Patrice Rushen, Tom Waits (The Heart Of Saturday Night), Horace Silver, Oliver Nelson, Earth Wind & Fire (That's The Way Of The World), Neil Diamond, Carmen McRae, Alice Coltrane, Marvin Gaye (I Want You), Maria Muldaur, BB King, Patti Labelle, Sadao Watanabe, Rodney Franklin, Rick James (Bustin' Out Of L Seven), Tavares, the Crusaders (Street Life), Randy Crawford, Con Funk Shun, Was (Not Was) (What Up Dog), Zoot Sims, and Natalie Cole ~ Brashear passed away in 2023
August 18, 1943 ~ Colin David Tooley, commonly known as singer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist Carl Wayne was born in Winson Green, UK ~ Influenced by Elvis Presley, Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent. Best remembered as lead singer of the Move, known for 1960s hits such as Night Of Fear, I Can Hear The Grass Grow, Flowers In The Rain, The Fire Brigade and perhaps their best known Blackberry Way. Has also worked with the Vikings, the Hollies, and the Electric Light Orchestra. As a solo artist known for the minor hit You're A Star and for rejecting Sugar Baby Love, which then served as breakout hit for the Rubettes ~ Wayne passed away in 2004
August 18, 1940 ~ Adam Matyszkowicz, commonly known as jazz, classical pianist, composer Adam Makowicz, born in Hnojnik, Poland ~ Classically trained yet gravitated towards jazz against the cultural restrictions of the Communist regime. Resettled in America in the mid-1970s, banned by the Polish government during the 1980s. Over 30 albums to his name starting in the early-1970s, consisting of works by Frédéric Chopin, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, and Richard Rodgers
August 18, 1940 ~ Autoharp player Bryan Bowers born in Yorkstown, Virginia, USA ~ Credited with introducing the autoharp to a new generation of musicians. Released his acclaimed The View From Home debut album in 1977, featuring guests such as the New Grass Revival's Sam Bush and Courtney Johnson. Also well known for his 1982 For You album
August 18, 1939 ~ Actor, comedian, singer Harald Heide-Steen Jr born in Oslo, Norway ~ Son of actor Harald Heide-Steen. Best known as an actor, noted for his role as Dynamitt Harry in the Olsenbanden film series. As a singer known for a handful of albums, starting with Harald Synger Griseviser released in 1970, and for frequently collaborating with Rolv Wesenlund ~ Heide-Steen passed away in 2008
August 18, 1939 ~ John Preston Courville, commonly known as singer Johnny Preston, born in Port Arthur, Texas, USA ~ Best known for his 1960 hit Running Bear, written by the Big Bopper and featuring backing vocals by George Jones. Other Preston hits would include The Cradle Of Love and I'm Starting To Go Steady ~ Courville passed away in 2011
August 18, 1939 ~ Soul, R&B singer Maxine Brown, full name Maxine Ella Brown, born in Kingstree, South Carolina, USA ~ As a teenager started out in gospel groups such as the Angelairs and the Royaltones. Debuted with the self-penned All In My Mind, a smash hit on the R&B charts, crossing over to the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 reaching the top 20. Also known for songs such as FUnny, It's Gonna Be Alright, the Gerry Goffin/ Carole King-penned Oh No Not My Baby, and a string of duets with Chuck Jackson such as Something You Got, Hold On I'm Coming and Daddy's Home. Many of Brown's recordings featured backing vocals by Cissy Houston and the Sweet Inspirations. Brown also closely worked with then-unknown songwriters Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson
August 18, 1938 ~ Producer, songwriter Allen Reynolds born in North Little Rock, Kansas, USA ~ Perhaps best known for his association with Crystal Gayle, credited with developing her signature soft rock sound writing and producing songs such as Wrong Road Again, Somebody Loves You, and Ready For The Times To Get Better. Others who have recorded songs written or co-written by Reynolds include the Vogues (Five O'Clock World), Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs, Dickey Lee, Don Williams (I Recall A Gypsy Woman), Charley Pride, Bob McDill (Catfish John), Waylon Jennings (Dreaming My Dreams Of You), Len Chip Hawkes, and Juice Newton
August 18, 1928 ~ Earlington Carl Tilghman, commonly known as R&B, doo-wop singer Sonny Til, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Lead singer, sole constant member of doo-wop outfit the Orioles, known for songs such as It's Too Soon To Know, Tell Me So, Forgive And Forget, Lonely Christmas, Baby Please Don't Go, and perhaps their biggest hit Crying In The Chapel, the latter topping the Billboard R&B charts in 1953 ~ Tilghman passed away in 1981
August 18, 1920 ~ Donald Douglas Lamond, commonly known as jazz, swing, bebop, big band drummer Don Lamond, born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA ~ Active from the 1940s through the early-1980s. Leader and sideman. Has worked with Woody Herman, Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Benny Goodman, Ruby Braff, the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, Sonny Stitt, Johnny Guarnieri, Jack Teagarden, Quincy Jones, Count Basie, Red Norvo, Maxine Sullivan, Bucky Pizzarelli, and others ~ Lamond passed away in 2003
August 18, 1918 ~ Gilbert Vandine Houston, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Cisco Houston, born in Wilmington, Delaware, USA ~ Closely associated with Woody Guthrie, touring with Guthrie as early as the late-1930s and joining him in the Almanac Singers later. As a solo artist known for songs such as Great July Jones, Crazy Heart, What Did The Deep Blue Sea Say and Dollar Down. Influential on later folk singers, some of which recorded tribute songs such as Tom Paxton (Fare Thee Well Cisco), Peter La Farge (Cisco Houston Passed This Way) and Tom McGrath (Blues For Cisco Houston) ~ Houston passed away in 1961
August 18, 1915 ~ Luis Martínez Griñán, commonly known as son cubano, guaracha, bolero pianist, arranger, composer Lilí Martínez, born in Guantanamo, Cuba ~ Though never achieving much fame outside his native Cuba considered perhaps the greates sonero pianist, cited as an influence by the likes of Chucho Valdes, Papo Lucca, and Eddie Palmieri. Has worked with Arsenío Rodriguez, the Conjunto Chappotin, the Estrellas De Chocolate, and los Diablos Rojos. Martínez never recorded as a leader and retired from music in 1967 ~ Martínez passed away in 1990
August 18, 1908 ~ Jazz, blues pianist Zinky Cohn born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Fixture on the 1920s, 1930s Chicago jazz scene, most closely associated with clarinetist Jimmie Noone. Cohn has also worked with Leon Washington, Frankie Franko, Punch Miller, Jabbo Smith, and notably accompanied Georgia White ~ Cohn passed away in 1952
August 18, 1907 ~ Bandleader, producer, engineer Enoch Light born in Canton, Ohio, USA ~ Classically trained violinist. Led various dance bands from the late-1920s onwards, most notably the Light Brigade. Pioneered the use of stereo recording and as a result received little airplay early on in his career, most stations broadcasting on the mono AM band ~ Light passed away in 1978
August 18, 1906 ~ Blues pianist, guitarist Curtis Jones born in Naples, Texas, USA ~ Best known for his recordings of Lonesome Bedroom Blues, Tin Pan Alley and Decoration Blues, the latter covered by Sonny Boy Williamson I. One of Jones' songs, Highway 51, was included on Bob Dylan's 1962 eponymous debut album Bob Dylan ~ Jones passed away in 1971
August 18, 1897 ~ Albert Wesley Wilson, commonly known as jazz pianist Buster Wilson, born ~ Worked with King Oliver, Dink Johnson, Charlie Lawrence, Mutt Carey, Jimmie Noone, Curtis Mosby, Paul Howard, Lionel Hampton, Les Hite, Jelly Roll Morton, Mutt Carey, Ed Garland, Jimmie Noone, Kid Ory, Bud Scott, and Zutty Singleton ~ Wilson passed away in 1949
August 18, 1872 ~ Marimba player, recording manager Harry Yerkes born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Though largely forgotten today considered by to have predated jazz fusion. Provided a link between ragtime and early jazz, many of his work better classified as light classical. Enjoyed popularity with a number of ensembles bearing his name, often playing a behind the scene role as band managaer, organizer, producer. Best known for founding the Yerkes Jazarim Orchestra and the Yerkes Marimbaphone Band, peaking in the late-1910s and early-1920s ~ Yerkes passed away in 1954