August 20, 1992 ~ Singer, actress Demi Lovato born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Started as an actress in several Disney productions, notably 2008's Camp Rock and its 2010 sequel Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. Got her first taste of Billboard success duetting with Joe Jonas on This Is Me, taken from Camp Rock soundtrack. The single would reach the American top 10. Released her pop-rock debut album Don't Forget the same year and has been recording to commercial success since. Known for songs such as Here We Go Again, Skyscraper, Heart Attack, Cool For The Summer and Sorry (Not Sorry)
August 20, 1980 ~ Folk, pop singer, songwriter Jenn Grant born in Charlottetown, Canada ~ Influenced by Kate Bush. Performed for a time in her early teens but stopped due to severe stage fright. Would start performing again in her early 20s, initially with the Heavy Blinkers. Would debut as a solo artist with the independently released EP Jenn Grant & Goodbye Twentieth Century in 2005. Released her full-length debut album, Orchestra For The Moon, in 2007 which featured the Blinkers, Ron Sexsmith, Matt Mays, and Jill Barber. Has performed and recorded steadily since, working with artists such as Buck 65, Doug Paisley, Justin Rutledge, Tanya Davis, and with producer Daniel Ledwell. She married Ledwell in 2011. Her song Dreamer is the theme song of CBC's TV series Heartland
August 20, 1979 ~ Jazz-pop singer, songwriter Jamie Cullum born in Rochford, UK ~ Released his debut album, Heard It All Before, in 1999 on a budget of only £480 with 500 copies made. Has recorded steadily since to critical acclaim and commercial succes. Cullum has covered songs originally by the White Stripes, Kanye West, Massive Attack, Pharrell Williams, Rihanna, the Pussycat Dolls, Radiohead, Gnarls Barkley, Elton John, Justin Timberlake, John Legend, Joy Division, Lady Gaga, and others.
August 20, 1977 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Aaron Watson, full name James Aaron Watson, born in Amarillo, Texas, USA ~ Influenced by George Jones and Merle Haggard. Well over a dozen albums to his name, starting with Singer Songwriter released in 1999. Gained wider attention with his 2002 Shut Up And Dance and its 2004 follow-up The Honky Tonk Kid, the latter produced by Asleep At The Wheel frontman Ray Benson and featuring backing vocals by musical hero and influence Willie Nelson. Well-known songs include Hearts Breaking Across Texas, Rollercoaster Ride, That Look, and Outta Style
August 20, 1977 ~ James Lloyd, commonly known as rapper, songwriter Lil' Cease, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Key member of Junior Mafia, notably present on Players Anthem of the group's 1995 Conspiracy debut album. As a solo artist known for his 1999 Wonderful World Of Cease A Leo album. Has worked with Lil' Kim, Mase, SWV, Kelly Price, Notorious BIG, Mobb Deep, Fabolous, and others
August 20, 1974 ~ Alternative rock, punk rock drummer, percussionist Andy Strachan, full name Andrew Douglas Strachan, born in Adelaide, Australia ~ Best known as a member of the Living End, initially joining the band as a temporary fill-in for Travis Demsey and becoming an official full member by 2002. Present on albums such as Modern Artillery, State Of Emergency, White Noise, and The Ending Is Just The Beginning. Has also worked with Poxsii Barccs, Alcotomic, Pollyanna, and guested on albums by Jimmy Barnes, and Ash Grunwald
August 20, 1974 ~ Kenneth Doniell Moore, commonly known as rapper Big Moe, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Co-founding member of DJ Screw's Screwed Up Click, considered one of the pivotal Southern rap acts. Released his City Of Syrup solo debut album in 2000. Best known for his 2003 single Just A Dog taken of the Moe Life album ~ Moore passed away in 2007
August 20, 1970 ~ Singer, guitarist, producer Fred Durst, full name William Frederick Hurst, born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Best known as frontman of rap-rock outfit Limp Bizkit. Has ventured into films as both an actor and a film director. Collaborated with Korn, Soulfly, Methods Of Mayhem, Run-DMC, Rock, Corey Feldman and others
August 20, 1968 ~ Guitarist, composer Frode Barth born in Lorenskog, Norway ~ Worked with Oscar Peterson, Reggie Workman, Arthur Maia, Robertinho Silva, Toninho Horta, Kjell Karlsen, Trygve Seim, Terje Venaas, Harald Johnsen, Celio de Cravalho, Alf Kjellman, Pal Thowsen, Arild Andersen, Jon Eberson, Per Oddvar Johansen, Steve Bloom, Jane Vespestad, and others
August 20, 1966 ~ Daarrell Lance Abbot, commonly known as groove metal, southern metal, thrash metal, heavy metal guitarist, singer Dimebag Darrell, born in Ennis, Texas, USA ~ Son of country producer Jerry Abbott, brother of drummer Vinnie Paul. Influenced by Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, ZZ Top, and especially Kiss and Van Halen. Best known as guitarist, and alongside his brother co-founder of quintessential metal bands Pantera and Damageplan. Noted for his guitar solos on the former's Walk, Cemetery Gates and Floods. Abbott never received any formal guitar training. Shot and killed by a deranged fan at age 38 during a nightclub performance in Columbus, Ohio. Abbott was buried in a Kiss casket donated by Gene Simmons with a 1979 Bumblebee guitar donated by Eddie Van Halen ~ Abbott passed away in 2004
August 20, 1965 ~ Jeff Carmichael, commonly known as rapper Jay Supreme, born in Paterson, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known as co-frontman of Eurodance group Culture Beat, scoring international hits with singles such as Mr Vain, World In Your Hands and Crying In The Rain. Subsequently collaborated with Rappers Against Racism and released a sole solo single in 2000, Your Love Encore featuring Cheryl Lynn
August 20, 1965 ~ Lawrence Parker, commonly known as MC, rapper KRS One, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Formed Boogie Down Productions with Scott La Rock. As a solo artist known for songs such as Sound Of Da Police, Love's Gonna Getch (Material Love), My Philosophy, Step Into A World (Raptures Delight) and The MC
August 20, 1961 ~ Jazz trumpeter Byron Stripling, full name Lloyd Byron Stripling, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Lead trumpeter and soloist with Count Basie's orchestra. Has also worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Louie Bellson, Buck Clayton, Gerry Mulligan, JJ Johnson, Jim Hall, Sonny Rollins, Paquito d'Rivera, Freddy Cole, Jack McDuff, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the GRP All-Star Big Band, the New York Pops, the Boston Pops Orchestra, and others
August 20, 1959 ~ Jazz bassist, composer Gaute Storaas born in Bergen, Norway ~ Brother of pianist Vigleik Storaas. As a composer best known for his work for TV and film, notably scoring the soundtrack of the Elias & The Treasure Of The Sea animated feature film. Has arranged for rock and jazz artist including Dimmu Borgir, Turbonegro, Sissel Kyrkjebø, M2M, Espen Lind, and others
August 20, 1958 ~ José Fernández Torres, commonly known as flamenco, jazz guitarist Tomatito, born in Fondón, Spain ~ First gained attention backing flamenco singer Camarón de la Isla. Released his Rosas Del Amor debut album in 1987 and has recorded to critical acclaim since. Has collaborated with Paco de Lucia, Michel Camilo, Josep Pons, and others
August 20, 1957 ~ Drummer, guitarist Gary Mudbone Cooper born in Kansas City, Kansas, USA ~ Closely associated with George Clinton, present on a string of 1970s Parliament and Funkadelic albums including Mothership Connection, Hardcore Jollies, and Motor Booty Affair. Has also worked with several Clinton alumni appearing on Fred Wesley's A Blow For Me A Toot For You album, Eddie Hazel's Game Dames And Guitar Thangs, and Bootsy Collins' Bootsy (Player Of The Year). Cooper also formed the short-lived mid-1980s duo Sly Fox with Michael Camacho, known for their Let's Go All The Way single which would reach top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic
August 20, 1952 ~ Singer Doug Fieger born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Best known as rhytm guitarist and lead vocalist of the Knack, best known for their 1979 hit My Sharone co-written by Fieger. Fieger was also a member of Sky, has played with Triumvirat, produced Mystery Pop 's Rubber City Rebels debut LP, guested on Was (Not Was)'s 1983 LP Born To Laugh, provided lead vocals on Bruce Kullick's Dirty Girl, and recorded two solo albums namely 1999's First Things First and 2010's Hankerings, the latter a Hank Williams tribute released shortly after Fieger's death ~ Fieger passed away in 2010
August 20, 1948 ~ Organist, songwriter Lanier Greig born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Member of Neal Ford & the Fanatics, known for a handful of mid- to late 1960s singles and a sole eponymous album, regarded by aficionados as early key recordings in the pyschedelic rock era. Well known songs include I Can''t Go On, Good Men and Woman ~ Greig passed away in 2013
August 20, 1947 ~ Singer, songwriter David Lasley, full name David Eldon Lasley, born in Branch, Michigan, USA ~ Member of the Pousette-Dart Band. Member of Rosie. As a solo artist scored a Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit with If I Had My Wish Tonight in 1982. Songs written or co-written by Lasley have been recorded by Rita Coolidge, Patti Labelle (Come What May), Kiki Dee, Valerie Carter, Maxine Nightingale (Lead Me On), Boz Scaggs, Peter Allen, Norman Connors, the Pointer Sisters (Got To Find Love), Sarah Dash, Amy Keys, and Bonnie Raitt (I Ain't Gonna Let You Break My Heart Again) ~ Lasley passed away in 2021
August 20, 1947 ~ Trombonist, brass player, songwriter James Pankow born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Founding member of Chicago. Wrote or co-wrote several Chicago songs including Make Me Smile, Colour My World, Just You 'n Me, Old Days and Feelin' Stronger Every Day. Sang lead on You Are On My Mind from 1976's Chicago X and on Till The End Of Time from 1977's Chicago XI. Scored most of the band's brass arrangements. Guested on Three Dog Night's 1969 top 20 hit Celebrate, on several tracks of the Bee Gees 1979 Spirits Having Flown album and on several Toto albums, notably the 1982 Grammy Award-winning Toto IV
August 20, 1944 ~ Jazz drummer Terry Clarke, full name Terence Michael Clarke, born in Vancouver, Canada ~ Worked with Chris Gage, Dave Robbins, John Handy, the 5th Dimension, Rob McConnell, the Boss Brass, Ed Bickert, Ruby Braff, Jim Galloway, Sonny Greenwich, Jay McShann, Emily Remler, Frank Rosolino, Jim Hall, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Eddie Daniels, Oliver Jones, Roger Kellaway, Helen Merrill, Ken Peplowski, Joe Roccisano, Free Trade, Ed Bickert, Oliver Jones, Oscar Peterson, Buddy Tate, and others
August 20, 1943 ~ Oliver Haydn Whigham III, commonly known as jazz trombonist Jiggs Whigham, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Stan Kenton, the Berlin Jazz Orchestra, Carl Fontana, Peter Herbolzheimer, Paul Kuhn, Bud Shank, the Globe Unity Orchestra, Art Farmer, Bert Kaempfert, Joe Pass, Allen Farnham, Frank Rosolino, Johnny Richards, Kurt Edelhagen, Harry Allen, and others
August 20, 1942 ~ Singer, songwriter Isaac Hayes, full name Isaac Lee Hayes Jr, born in Covington, Tennessee, USA ~ Southern soul icon, session musician, songwriter, producer at famed Stax/Volt label oft in collaboration with David Porter, writing songs for Sam & Dave and Carla Thomas. Influenced by Percy Mayfield, Big Joe Turner, James Brown, Jerry Butler, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, Marvin Gaye, the Chamber Brothers and Sly & the Family Stone. Worked with Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Donald Byrd, Linda Clifford, Albert King, William Bell, Dionne Warwick, Rufus Thomas, Eddie Floyd, and others. As a solo artist best known for pivotal late 1960s, early 1970s albums such as Hot Buttered Soul, Black Moses and the score of blaxploitation film Shaft. Received an Oscar for Best Original Song for the track Theme From Shaft. Would later embrace disco on albums such as Chocolate Chip and Disco Connection. Would resurge in the 1990s lending his voice to South Park's Chef ~ Hayes passed away in 2008
August 20, 1941 ~ Free jazz, avant-garde drummer Milford Graves born in New York, New York, USA ~ Widely considered a pioneer of free jazz, counted among the flashiest of drummers and considered pivotal to jazz drumming in the 1960s, noted for including Asian and African rhythms into his playing. As a leader especially acclaimed for his Stories album, released in 2000. Regularly collaborated with Paul Bley, Albert Ayler, and the New York Art Quartet. An in-demand sideman active until his death at age 79, Graves has also appeared on albums by Giuseppi Logan (The Giuseppe Logan Quartet), Montego Joe, Miriam Makeba (Makeba Sings), Sonny Sharrock, Andrew Cyrille, Kenny Clarke, Anthony Braxton (Beyond Quantum), and Wadada Leo Smith ~ Graves passed away in 2021
August 20, 1939 ~ Jazz trumpeter Enrico Rava born in Trieste, Italy ~ Started on trombone, changed to trumpet after hearing Miles Davis. Has worked with John Abercrombie, Andrea Centazzo, Gil Evans, Richard Galliano, Joe Henderson, Joe Lovano, Pat Metheny, Michel Petrucciani, Cecil Taylor, Miroslav Vitous, Carla Bley, Lee Konitz, Jeannie Lee, Paul Motian, Roswell Rudd, Stefano Bollani, Gato Barbieri, Aldo Romano, Eberhard Weber, and others
August 20, 1934 ~ Peter E Kleinow, commonly known as guitarist Sneaky Pete Kleinow, born ~ Influenced by Jerry Byrd. Best known as member of pivotal country-rock outfit the Flying Burrito Brothers from 1968 through 1971, present on all of the original band's three albums including the landmark The Gilded Palace Of Sin album. Also worked with several of the band's reunion line-ups and spin-off bands. In-demand session guitarist, steel guitarist with a host of rock, folk, country artists including Joe Cocker, Dillard & Clark, Delaney & Bonnie (To Bonnie From Delaney), the Byrds, Linda Ronstadt, Little Feat, Jackson Browne (Jackson Browne), Rita Coolidge, John Lennon (Mind Games), Ringo Starr, Stevie Wonder (Songs In The Key Of Life), the Golden Palominos, and Leonard Cohen ~ Kleinow passed away in 2007
August 20, 1933 ~ Rockabilly guitarist, producer Roland Janes born in Brookings, Arkansas, USA ~ Best known for his association with Cowboy Jack Clement and for his work as producer and session musician at Sun Records through 1963. Worked with artists such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Billy Lee Riley, Charlie Rich, Sonny Burgess, and others ~ Janes passed away in 2013
August 20, 1931 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, arranger Alain Goraguer born in Rosny-sous-Bois, France ~ Best known for his associations with Boris Vian and Serge Gainsbourg. Also composed, arranged for Jean Ferrat, Serge Reggiani, and Nana Mouskouri. Conducted the orchestra for France Gall's 1965 Eurovision Songfestival-winning performance of Poupée De Cire (Poupée De Son) ~ Goraguer passed away in 2023
August 20, 1931 ~ Francis Cappucio, commonly known as jazz, pop, rock drummer, percussionist, vibraphonist Frank Capp, born in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA ~ Co-led the Capp-Pierce Juggernaut with pianist Nat Pierce from 1975 until Pierce's death in 1992. Had been active in music since the early 1950s, initially gaining attention as a member of Stan Kenton's orchestra. In-demand session musician in jazz, pop, and rock. Present on albums by Art Pepper, Benny Goodman, André Previn, Henry Mancini (The Music From Peter Gunn), Dinah Shore, Sonny & Cher, Nancy Sinatra, the Beach Boys (Pet Sounds), the Monkees, Frank Zappa, Harry Nilsson, Bette Midler, Tina Turner (Simply The Best), and John Denver ~ Cappucio passed away in 2017
August 20, 1929 ~ Thomas Clague, commonly known as radio host, DJ Tom Clay, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Popular radio DJ remembered best for a number of controversies. Fired from his job at WWOL-AM-FM, Buffalo, after he pulled a stunt in which he played Bill Haley's Rock Around The Clock repeatedly from atop a billboard in Buffalo's Shelton Square. Would later be involved in the payola scandal of the late 1950s, and admitted to having accepted thousands of dollars for playing certain records WJBK, Cincinnati. Despite the controversies Clay would rise to popularity every time. Clay also released the What The World Needs Now Is Love/Abraham Martin & John collage single, mixing two popular records of the time with children's voices and excerpts from speeches by John F Kennedy, Robert F Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. The single would be a surprise hit and reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Clague passed away in 1995
August 20, 1927 ~ James Elbert Raney, commonly known as jazz guitarist Jimmy Raney, born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Best known for his early 1950s work with Red Norvo, replacing Tal Farlow in the Red Norvo Trio, and for backing Stan Getz during the same period. At home in various jazz idioms including cool jazz, bebop, post bop and hard bop. Has also worked with Artie Shaw, Woody Herman, Buddy DeFranco, Al Haig, Bob Brookmeyer, and others. Suffered from Ménière's disease which eventually led to near deafness in both ears. This did not stop him from playing however, hailed by The New York Times in his obituary as “one of the most gifted and influential postwar jazz guitarists” ~ Raney passed away in 1995
August 20, 1926 ~ Jazz trombonist Frank Rosolino born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Worked with Kenny Burrell, Paul Chambers, Tommy Flanagan, Hank Jones, Thad Jones, Elvin Jones, Bob Chester, Glen Gray, Tony Pastor, Peggy Lee, Mel Tormé, Quincy Jones, Shelly Manne, Francy Boland, Terry Gibbs, Stan Kenton, Pete Rugolo, Elmer Bernstein, Frank Capp, Benny Carter, Ray Charles, Paulinho Da Costa, Dizzy Gillespie, Chico Hamilton, Charlie Mariano, Anita O'Day, Buddy Rich, Frank Sinatra, Cal Tjader, Tower Of Power, Sarah Vaughan, and others ~ Rosolino passed away in 1978
August 20, 1923 ~ Country, country-pop singer Jim Reeves, full name James Travis Reeves, born in Galloway, Texas, USA ~ Charted records from the 1950s through the 1980s. Dubbed “Gentleman Jim”. Instrumental in creating the lush Nashville sound, reaching audiences outside country circles. First gained attention with the single Mexican Joe in 1953. Frequently worked with producer Steve Sholes early on in his career. Known for songs such as Welcome To My World, I Guess I'm Crazy, Blue Side Of Lonesome, and Make The World Go Away ~ Reeves passed away in 1964
August 20, 1905 ~ Weldon Leo Teagarden, commonly known as jazz, swing, dixieland trombonist, singer Jack Teagarden, born in Vernon, Texas, USA ~ Preeminent trombonist of the pre bebop era. Best known as a sideman in ensembles led by Paul Whiteman and Louis Armstrong. Has also worked with Peck Kelley, Benny Goodman, Bix Beiderbecke, Red Nichols, Jimmy McPartland, Mezz Mezzrow, Glenn Miller, Eddie Condon, Red Allen, Ben Pollack, and others. Notably present on the Red Allen Kid Ory & Jack Teagarden At Newport album, released on Verve in 1957 ~ Teagarden passed away in 1964
August 20, 1900 ~ Rhumba, zarzuela singer, pianist, actress Rita Montaner, full name Rita Aurelia Fulcida Montaner y Facenda, born in Guanabacoa, Cuba ~ Classically trained. One of Cuba's most beloved artists from the 1920s through the 1950s, also enjoying popularity in Europe and America. Best known for Afro-Cuban salon songs including The Peanut Vendor and Siboney ~ Montaner passed away in 1958
August 20, 1873 ~ William Henry Bell, commonly known as composer, conductor WH Bell, born in St Albans, UK ~ Principal of the South African College Of Music, Cape Town, from 1912 through 1935. As a composer wrote operas, orchestral, symphonic and chamber music. Perhaps best remembered for South African Symphony and Viola Concerto ~ Bell passed away in 1946