August 19, 1994 ~ Rapper, DJ, model Chynna Rogers, full name Chynna Marie Rogers, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Influenced by Fall Out Boy, Panic At The Disco, Paramore. Closely associated with A$AP Mob. As a solo artist known for a handful of mid-2010s EP's and singles, notably 2013's Selfie and 2014's Glen Coco ~ Rogers passed away in 2020
August 19, 1986 ~ Singer, songwriter Christina Perri, full name Christina Judith Perri, born in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Had her debut single Jar Of Hearts featured on the TV series So You Think You Can Dance in 2010. It led to a record deal with Atlantic Records, the debut EP The Ocean Way Sessions released by the end of the year. Her full-length debut album, 2011's Lovestrong would reach platinum status
August 19, 1983 ~ Melissa Morgan Higgins, commonly known as pop, rock, indie singer, pianist, guitarist, songwriter Missy Higgins, born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Cites Patty Griffin, Ron Sexsmith, Rufus Wainwright, Paul Kelly, Sarah McLachlan as influences. Released her debut single, Scar, in 2004 to critical acclaim and commercial success. Released a full-length debut album, The Sound Of White, later the same year and has recorded steadily since. Also known for songs such as Steer, Where I Stood and Everyone's Waiting
August 19, 1980 ~ Pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Darius Campbell-Danesh born in Glasgow, UK ~ First gained attention as a contestant on the talent contest Popstars in 2001, reaching the finals and then turning down the record deal. His Colourblind debut single would reach No.1 in the UK. Has released two full-length albums consisting mostly of self-penned material, Dive In in 2002 and Live Twice in 2004. Ventured into musicals, performing in the productions of Chicago and Guys And Dolls, and later into opera, starting with winning the talent contest Popstar To Operastar in 2010 ~ Campbell-Danesh passed away in 2022
August 19, 1970 ~ Hardcore punk, heavy metal, punk rock drummer Anthony Tiny Biuso born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Member of TSOL, the Dickies, Hed PE. Also worked with MC Ren, Dizzy Reed, Anthony Gallo, Gina Schock, Moby, Laura Dawn, and Willie Basse
August 19, 1970 ~ Rock bassist, guitarist, singer Arjan Pronk born in Luttenberg, the Netherlands ~ Frontman and eponym of Pronk. Has also worked with Bökkers, the Prodigal Sons and with 16Down
August 19, 1969 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Clay Walker, full name Ernest Clayton Walker Jr, was born in Beaumont, Texas, USA ~ Has charted over 30 singles on the Billboard Country charts since releasing his eponymous Clay Walker debut album in 1993, including the No.1 hits Live Until I Die, Dreaming With My Eyes Open, This Woman And This Man and Rumor Has It
August 19, 1969 ~ Nathaniele Dawayne Hale, commonly known as singer Nate Dogg born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA ~ Member of the hip-ho trio 213, alongside Snoop Dogg and Warren G. Best known for duetting with Warren on Regulate, a hit in 1994. Also worked with Dr Dre (The Chronic), 50 Cent, Eve, Thug Life, Kurupt, Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch, Shade Heist, Fabolous, Shaquille O'Neal, Jermaine Dupri, WC, Mark Ronson, Memphis Bleek, Tupac Shakur, Eminem, Don Diablo, and others ~ Hale passd away in 2011
August 19, 1968 ~ Rock drummer, percussionist Jeff Burrows, full name Jeffrey John Burrows, born in Windsor, Canada ~ Influenced by jazz drummers such Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa and Max Roach, Gene Krupa, Max Roach, and rock drummers such as Rush's Neil Peart and the Police's Stewart Copeland. Member of Canadian rock outfit Tea Party, known for songs such as Temptation, Psychopomp, Heaven Coming Down and The Messenger. Also worked with Crash Karma
August 19, 1966 ~ Country, neo-traditionalist country, country-pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Lee Ann Womack born in Jacksonville, Texas, USA ~ Best known for her 2000 crossover hit I Hope You Dance. Debuted in 1997 with the eponymous Lee Ann Womack album which reached Platinum status and spawned the Billboard Country top 10 singles The Fool and You've Got To Talk To Me. Has recorded to critical acclaim and commercial succes since. Has collaborated with Willie Nelson, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Vince Gill, Asleep At The Wheel, Rhett Akins, George Strait, Dolly Parton, Gene Watson, Joe Nichols, Alan Jackson, Randy Houser, Martina McBride, Rodney Crowell, Don Henley, John Prine, and others
August 19, 1963 ~ Rolf Magnus Joakim Larsson, commonly known as glam metal, rock, pop rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, violinist Joey Tempest, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Fronted Europe, best known for hits such as Rock The Night, The Final Countdown, Cherokee and Superstitious. Released his solo debute album, A Place To Call Home, in 1995
August 19, 1962 ~ Gypsy jazz guitarist Angelo Debarre born in St Denis, France ~ Leader and sideman. Active since the mid-1980s. Has woriked with Florin Niculescu, Tim Kliphuis, Bratsch, Thomas Dutronc, the Hot Club de Norvege, Romane, and Jimmy Rosenberg
August 19, 1959 ~ Heavy metal singer Steve Grimmett born in Swindon, UK ~ Member of short-lived rock outfit Medusa before rising to fame as lead singer for Grim Reaper, joining the band in 1982. Present on the band's best known including the hits See You In Hell, Fear No Evil and Rock You To Hell, all of which gained notoriety in the 1990s after being used in the popular Beavis & Butthead animated series. Grimmett has also appeared on recordings by Chateaux, Onslaught, Lionsheart, Cradle Of Filth, and others ~ Grimmett passed away in 2022
August 19, 1955 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, R&B, funk, rock guitarist Dean Brown born in Châteauroux, France ~ One of the most respected jazz guitarists of his generation, praised for his virtuosity and innovative approach. Has recorded five albums as a leader, starting with Here in 2000, often featuring all-star casts of regular collaborators. As a sideman, Brown has appeared on albums by Vital Information, Billy Cobham, Kirk Whalum (And You Know That), Bob James (Grand Piano Album), Steps Ahead, the Brecker Brothers, Marcus Miller (Tales), Till Brönner, Roberta Flack, Ricky Peterson (Souvenir), David Sanborn, Nelson Rangell (Always), Jason Miles, and Joe Zawinul ~ Dean passed away in 2024
August 19, 1954 ~ Jazz trumpeter, arranger, composer Tim Hagans born in Dayton, Ohio, USA ~ Influenced by Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and by Thad Jones. Worked with Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Dexter Gordon, Kenny Drew, Horace Parlan, Maria Schneider, the Yellowjackets, Steps Ahead, the Secret Society, Gary Peacock, Bob Belden, Randy Brecker, Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman, Peter Erskine, Rufus Reid, Marc Copland, Ernie Wilkins, Bob Mintzer, Maria Schneider, Steve Slagle, Vic Juris, Mark Masters, Andy Laverne, Ron McClure, Jon Gordon, John Fedchock, Orange Then Blue, Judi Silvano, Roseanna Vitro, Steve Rochinski, Kenny Burrell, Gordon Brisker, Charles Pillow, Don Braden, Jarmo Savolainen, Joey Calderazzo, Hal Galper, Jim Nolet, Rodney Jones, Don Sebesky, Nils Landgren, Scott Kinsey, Charles Blenzig, Grachan Moncur III, Magos Herrera, and others
August 19, 1952 ~ Pianist, organist, bassist Bruce Katz born ~ Has been releasing solo records since the early-1990s. Also worked with Big Mama Thornton, Barrence Whitfield, Ronnie Earl, Delbert McClinton, Duke Robillard, Joe Louis Walker, Debbie Davies, David Fathead Newman, John Hammond Jr, Gregg Allman, Butch Trucks, Randy Ciarlante, Jimmy Bennett, Marty Ballou, and Peter Bennett
August 19, 1952 ~ Country singer, songwriter Don Schlitz born in Durham, North Carolina, USA ~ Perhaps best known for writing The Gambler, a 1978 crossover hit for Kenny Rogers. Others who recorded songs written or co-written by Schlitz include Alabama, Mark Chesnutt, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Kathy Mattea, the Bellamy Brothers, Sara Evans, Michael Johnson, Randy Travis (Forever And Ever Amen), Lorrie Morgan, the Judds, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Keith Whitley (When You Say Nothing At All), the Kendalls, Loretta Lynn, Collin Raye, Reba McEntire (One Promise Too Late), George Strait, Ty Herndon, John Conlee, Pam Tillis, Restless Heart, the Oak Ridge Boys, Lee Ann Womack (Why They Call It Falling), the Forester Sisters, and others
August 19, 1948 ~ Jazz guitarist Ron Escheté, full name Ronald Patrick Escheté, born in Houma, Louisiana, USA ~ Influenced by Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, Howard Roberts. Leader and sideman. Worked with Ray Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson, Diana Krall, Dave Pike, Ernestine Anderson, Joey DeFrancesco, the Four Freshmen, Warne Marsh, Jack McDuff, Don Rader, Charlie Shoemake, Andy Simpkins, Keely Smith, and others
August 19, 1948 ~ Susan Pesklevits, commonly known as pop, easy listening, country pop singer, songwriter Susan Jacks, born in Saskatoon, Canada ~ Rose to fame with the Poppy Family, a pop trio which also included Terry Jacks with whom she would be married from 1967 through 1973. The band is best known for their 1969 single Which Way You Going Billy, a top 10 hit across the globe including America and the UK. Following the band's disbandement in 1972, both Pesklevits and Jacks would record as solo artists, the pair on occasion guesting on eachother's solo outings. As a solo artist Pesklevits is best known for the singles You Don't Know What Love Is and I Thought Of You Again, both reaching the top 10 in her native Canada ~ Pesklevits passed away in 2022
August 19, 1947 ~ Progressive rock keyboardist Alan Gowen born in North Hampstead, UK ~ Important figure in Canterbury scene. Best known for founding Gilgamesh in 1973 and founding National Health in 1975, departing the latter in 1977 but briefly returning for their 1978 eponymous National Health debut album. Has also worked with Assagai, Sunship, and Soft Heap. Gowen passed away of leukaemia at age 33 ~ Gowen passed away in 1981
August 19, 1947 ~ Symphony conductor, trumpeter Gerard Schwarz born in Weehawken, New Jersey, USA ~ Closely associated with the Seattle Symphony with whom he made over 100 recordings including works composed by Walter Piston, Howard Hanson and Alan Hovhaness
August 19, 1945 ~ Pop rock, psychedelic rock, jazz rock guitarist Brian Godding born in Monmouth, UK ~ Member of 1960s rock outfits the Blossom Toes and BB Blunder before John McLaughlin's Extrapolation album turned him to jazz. Member of Keith Tippett's 1970s band Centipede. Member of jazz fusion group Mirage. Frequent collaborator of Mike Westbrook. Frequent songwriting partner of Kevin Coyne. Has also worked with Julie Driscoll, Solid Gold Cadillac, Annette Peacock, and Lol Coxhill. Godding released his sole solo album, Slaughter On Shaftesbury Avenue, in 2004 ~ Godding passed away in 2023
August 19, 1945 ~ Singer Ian Gillan born in Chiswick, UK ~ Known for his powerful and wide-ranging vocals. Lead singer for Deep Purple, remaining with the band from 1969 through 1973, from 1984 through 1989, and rejoining in 1992. Has recorded over a dozen albums with the band including a string of acclaimed early to mid-1970s albums such as Deep Purple In Rock, Fireball, Machine Head, and Made In Japan. Has recorded over a dozen albums as a solo artist or with backing units the Ian Gillan Band and Gillan. Briefly a member of Black Sabbath, present on the 1983 Born Again album. Sang the role of Jesus on the original 1970 album recording of Jesus Christ Superstar, recording his entire vocal contributions in a mere three hours
August 19, 1945 ~ Roberto Sánchez-Ocampo, commonly known as singer Sandro de América, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Considered a pioneer of Argentine rock for being one of the first rock artists to sing in Spanish. Has recorded well over 40 albums since the mid-1940s. Well-known songs include Dame Fuego, Penumbras, Mi Amigo El Puma, Tengo, Una Muchacha Y Una Guitarra, and perhaps his biggest hit Rosa Rosa, the latter selling two million copies. At the height of his popularity, Sánchez-Ocampo would be critically compared to Elvis Presley in his native Argentina ~ Sánchez-Ocampo passed away in 2010
August 19, 1944 ~ Edward Garvin Futch, commonly known as country singer, songwriter Eddy Raven born ~ Enjoyed his biggest popularity from the mid to late-1980s. Draws from country, country pop, Cajun, reggae. Has written for Don Gibson, Randy Cornor, Jeannie C Riley, Connie Smith, the Oak Ridge Boys. As a singer best known for I Got Mexico, Shine Shine Shine, I'm Gonna Get You, Joe Knows How To Live, In A Letter To You and Bayou Boys, all of which topped the Billboard Country charts
August 19, 1943 ~ William Howard Ashton, commonly known as Merseybeat, pop singer Billy J Kramer, born in Bootle, UK ~ Fronted Billy J Kramer & the Dakotas, managed by the Beatles-manager Brian Epstein. Scored a string of early 1960's UK hits with Do You Want To Know A Secret, Bad To Me and I'll Keep You Satisfied, all penned by John Lennon & Paul McCartney
August 19, 1942 ~ Rock, pop rock bassist, guitarist, singer Dave Morgan, full name David Raymond Morgan, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Member of the Uglys from 1967 through 1969. Member of spin-off act Balls alongside Steve Gibbons and Trevor Burton. Briefly a member of Magnum, departing the band prior to their debut album. Worked with the Electric Light Orchestra, appearing on the 1983 Secret Messages album. Formed the duo Tandy & Morgan with keyboardist Richard Tandy, known for their 1986 Earthrise concept album. Morgan has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the Morgan released in 1971
August 19, 1940 ~ Rock & roll, R&B, soul, pop drummer Bob Kuban born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Drummer, bandleader of Bob Kuban & the In-Men, known for the 1966 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit Look Out For The Cheater. Considered a one-hit wonder the band would actually subsequently chart two more singles, The Teaser and a cover of the Beatles-song Drive My Car but these would stall in the bottom end of the charts
August 19, 1940 ~ Traditional pop, reggae, vocal jazz singer Johnny Nash. full name John Lester Nash Jr, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ One of the first non-Jamaican artists to record in Jamaica. Best known for I Can See Clearly Now, a Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit in 1972. Other well known songs include Let's Move And Groove, the Sam Cooke-cover Wonderful World, and Let's Go Dancing ~ Nash passed away in 2020
August 19, 1939 ~ Peter Edward Baker, commonluy known as rock drummer Ginger Baker, born in Lewisham, UK ~ Regarded by some as rock's first superstar drummer, especially for his role in the short-lived but quintessential 1960s trio Cream alongside bassist Jack Bruce and guitarist Eric Clapton. Drew from jazz and African rhythms. Has also worked with Blues Incorporated, the Graham Bond Organisation, and Blind Faith. Also noted for founding and fronting Ginger Baker's Air Force in the 1970s. Would go on to become an in-demand collaborator in rock, world music and jazz, working with acts such as Fela Kuti, Atomic Rooster, Hawkwind, Masters Of Reality, Bill Laswell, Charlie Haden, and Bill Frisell ~ Baker passed away in 2019
August 19, 1937 ~ Contemporary classical, jazz trombonist, conductor, composer William Motzing, full name William Edward Motzing Jr, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ As a trombonist has worked with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Kai Winding, Jon Eardley, Gerry Mulligan, Bill Russo, and Sal Salvador through the early-1970s. Would find his greatest fame after relocating to Australia, becoming an in-demand film and TV composer with over 30 soundtracks to his name including Newsfront, Young Einstein and The Quiet American. Arranger and conductor on a number of Australian hits including Peter Allen's I Still Call Australia Home, Sherbet's Howzat, INXS' The Swing, and Billy Field's Bad Habits ~ Motzing passed away in 2014
August 19, 1933 ~ Jazz, folk accordionist, saxophonist Asmund Bjørken born in Verdal, Norway ~ Leader and sideman. Has worked with Karl Holst, Kjell Johansen, Bjørn Alterhaug, Ove Bjørken, Rolf Skogstad, Egil Kapstad, Rowland Greenberg, and Erling Aksdal ~ Bjørken passed away in 2018
August 19, 1928 ~ Singer, actor Lars Lönndahl, full name Lars Gunnar Lönndahl, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Dubbed “the Swedish Frank Sinatra” scoring well over a dozen No.1 hits in his native country through the late-1960s including Tangokavaljeren, That's Amore, Cindy Mon Cindy, Tulpaner Från Amsterdam, Volare (I Det Blå), Midnattstango, and Tusen Och En Natt ~ Lönndahl passed away in 2022
August 19, 1926 ~ Anna Maria Palmen, commonly known as singer Annie Palmen, born in IJmuiden, the Netherlands ~ Represented her native the Netherlands at the 1963 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching tied thirteenth place with the song Een Speeldoos. The other contestant reaching thirteenth place was Laila Halme, who represented Finland with Muistojeni Laulu (The Song Of My Memories) ~ Palmen passed away in 2000
August 19, 1923 ~ Jazz, swing, stride pianist Dill Jones, full name Dillwyn Owen Paton Jones, born in Newcastle Emlyn, UK ~ Initially followed in his father's footsteps, pursuing a career in banking. Following a stint in the Navy, however, Jones enrolled at the Trinity College of Music, London, yet before completing his studies became a professional pianist, working with the likes of Harry Parry and Vic Lewis, including on the luxury liner the Queen Mary, sailing between New York and Southampton which gave him the chance to visit the jazz clubs in New York. Jones relocated to America by the early-1960s, to become an in-demand pianist working with Gene Krupa, Jimmy McPartland, and Bill Pemberton. Jones is also particularly known as a member of the JPJ Quartet, alongside Pemberton, Oliver Jackson, and Budd Johnson. Jones also regularly returned to play his native UK, one performance solliciting producer Hank O'Neal to say: “To me, Dill always sounded like a musical version of Dylan Thomas. He plays the piano the same as Thomas reads his poetry. And in Dill's case, it is his own songs he plays best, much the same as Thomas's finest reading were of his own work” ~ Jones passed away in 1984
August 19, 1922 ~ Léon Schlienger, commonly known as songwriter Noël Regney, born in Strasbourg, France ~ Best known for penning Do You Hear What I Hear with his then-wife and regular songwriting partner Gloria Shayne Baker. The song would first be recorded by Harry Simeone Chorale in 1962 and became a Christmas standard covered by over an estimated 500 artists including the New Christy Minstrels, Pat Boone, Johnny Mathis, Gladys Knight, the Carpenters, and Whitney Houston. Other songs written by the duo include Jo Stafford's Sweet Little Darlin', Bobby Vinton's Rain Rain Go Away, Ginny Arnell's I Wish I Knew What Dress To Wear, and Wilma Burgess' You Can't Stop My Heart From Breaking ~ Schlienger passed away in 2002
August 19, 1919 ~ Drummer, percussionist Alodipu Adeoya Campbell, commonly known as Ambrose Campbell, born in Lagos, Nigeria ~ After relocating to the UK at the end of World War II, Campbell became a pioneering force in world music before the phrase was coined, leading Britain's first-ever black band the West African Rhythm Brothers, drawing from juju, calypso, mento, and swing. Campbell would be hailed by world music's first superstar Fela Kuti, and counted the UK's most iconic jazzmen of the time, including Ronnie Scott, Tubby Hayes, and Phil Seaman, among his fans. Campbell performed with his band through the 1960s, before recording a sole solo album, Highlife Today, and eventually relocating to America, where he would tour and record with Leon Russell, who referred to Campbell as his “spiritual adviser”, including on the 1979 One For The Road collaborative album by Russell and Willie Nelson. Campbell returned to live in the UK in the mid-2000s, shortly before his death ~ Campbell passed away in 2006
August 19, 1918 ~ James George Hunter, commonly known as jazz pianist, singer Jimmy Rowles, born in Spokane, Washington, USA ~ Recorded prolifically as a leader or co-leader since the mid-1950s, especially noted for the early-1970s albums Some Other Spring and The Special Magic Of Jimmy Rowles. As a composer best known for The Peacocks, first recorded by Rowles and Stan Getz on their 1975 collaborative album it would go on to become a standard covered by over an estimated 200 artists. Rowles also served as accompanist of singers such as Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, and Carmen McRae, the latter once describing Rowles as “the guy every girl singer in her right mind would like to work with”. Over the course of his lenghty career, Rowles has guested on numerous recordings including by Benny Goodman, Harry Sweets Edison, Gerry Mulligan, Barney Kessel, Woody Herman, Red Norvo, Herbie Harper, Ray Brown, Benny Carter, Gene Krupa, Anita O'Day, Sammy Davis Jr, June Christy, Tony Bennett, Wayne Shorter, the 5th Dimension, the Monkees, Mundell Lowe, Buddy DeFranco, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Lee Konitz, and Pepper Adams ~ Hunter passed away in 1996
August 19, 1908 ~ Jazz, double bassist bassist Al Morgan, full name Albert Morgan, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Considered one of the finest bassist of the 1930s, able to play jazz, blues, and R&B. Started in music in the 1920s, playing the riverboats with Fate Marable and Sidney Desvigne before moving on to work with David Jones, Cecil Scott, and the Astoria Hot Eight. Perhaps best known for his stint with Cab Calloway in the mid-1930s, including on Minnie The Moocher, and for his association with Fats Waller. Other notable credits include Louis Armstrong, Les Hite, Zutty Singleton, Louis Jordan, Sabby Lewis, Coleman Hawkins, Don Byas, Jay McShann, Red Allen, and T-Bone Walker. From the 1950s through the 1970s, Morgan formed a duo with Buddy Banks ~ Morgan passed away in 1974
August 19, 1908 ~ Miko Stephanovic, commonly known as jazz bandleader, clarinetist, saxophonist Spud Murphy, born in Berlin, Germany ~ Studied clarinet, saxophone and trumpet. Started as saxophonist and arranger in the 1920s and 1930s working for artists such as Jimmy Joy, Ross Gorman, Slim Lamar, Austin Wylie, Jan Garber, Mal Hallett, and Joe Haymes. Stephanovic is also known as an educator and author having written over two dozen books on various topics in music ~ Stephanovic passed away in 2005
August 19, 1906 ~ Folk singer, guitarist, songwriter George S Davis born in La Follette, Tennessee, USA ~ Dubbed “the Singing Miner” for his day job as a coal miner. Known for pro union, laborer's songs including Buggerman In The Bushes, Coal Miner's Boogie and When Kentucky Had No Union Men. Claimed the Merle Travis hit and country standard Sixteen Tons was based on his composition Nine-to-ten Tons, though there is no evidence supporting this claim ~ Davis passed away in 1992
August 19, 1906 ~ Isham Johnson, commonly known as jazz drummer Manzie Johnson, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Played piano and violin before settling on drums. Perhaps best known for his stint with Don Redman in the 1930s, including in the 1934 Don Redman & his Orchestra film. Previously Johnson, considered a subtle accompanist, had worked with Fats Waller, James P Johnson, Willie Gant, Jelly Roll Morton, and Horace Henderson. Following his time with Redman, Johnson has also backed the likes of Willie Bryant, Lil' Armstrong, Mezz Mezzrow, Fletcher Henderson, Sidney Bechet, Happy Caldwell, and Red Allen, remaining an in-demand session musician through the 1960s. Johnson never recorded as a leader ~ Johnson passed away in 1971