August 23, 1997 ~ Miles Parks McCollum, commonly known as producer, rapper Lil' Yachty, born in Mableton, Georgia, USA ~ Known for songs such a One Night, Minnesota, Peek-a-boo featuring Migos, Oprah's Bank Account with DaBaby. Has also worked with Dram, Carnage, Leaf, Charli XCX, T-Pain, Macklemore, Calvin Harris, Steve Aoki, and others
August 23, 1989 ~ Lianne Charlotte Barnes, commonly known as indie folk, soul singer, guitarist, songwriter Lianne La Havas born in London, UK ~ Known for songs such as Lost & Found, Is Your Love Big Enough and What You Don't Do. Has worked with Gareth Malone, Tourist, Prince, Alt-J, Aqualung, Rudimental, Rober Glasper, Mr Jukes, Jacob Collier, and others
August 23, 1988 ~ Margaret Osborn, commonly known as electronic, electropunk singer, songwriter Alice Glass, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Best known as co-founding member, frontwoman of Crystal Castles, with whom she recorded the acclaimed albums Crystal Castles, Crystal Castles II, and Crystal Castles III before departing the band in 2014. Has since recorded as a solo artist and guested on recordings by Dreamcrusher, Pabllo Vitar, and Pussy Riot
August 23, 1986 ~ Eddy Brace Rashid MacDonald, commonly known as pop, R&B, hip-hop singer Brace, born in Soerabaja, Indonesia ~ As a solo artist best known for his 2005 single Vraag Jezelf Eens Af. Guested on Moppie recorded by Lange Frans & Baas B. Guested on Ik Ben Je Zat recorded by Ali B. Has also worked with the D-Men
August 23, 1984 ~ Joseph Talbot, commonly known as punk rock, post-punk, post-hardcore, indie rock singer, songwriter Joe Talbot, born in Newport, UK ~ Cites the Strokes, Thom Yorke, Joy Division and the Fall as major influences. Co-founding member, frontman of IDLES, best known for their 2020 Ultra Mono album which topped the UK charts. Has collaborated with Anna Calvi, Jehnny Beth, Turbowolf, and others
August 23, 1979 ~ Bilal Sayeed Oliver, mononymously known as R&B, hip-hop, neo soul, funk, jazz singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter Bilal born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Discovered by Aaron Comess of the Spin Doctors. Known for his wide vocal range. Drew comparisons to Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Sly & the Family Stone, Prince, Curtis Mayfield. In-demand collaborator, worked with Kendrick Lamar, Common, Erykah Badu, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Guru, J Dilla, Rober Glasper, the Roots, Jermaine Dupri, Dr Dre, Talib Kweli, Jaguar Wright, Tweet, and Lupe Fiasco
August 23, 1978 ~ Indie rock, alternative rock, garage rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, songwriter Julian Casablancas, full name Julian Fernanda Casablancas, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced by the Doors, Lou Reed, Bob Marley, Nirvana, Pearl Jam. Frontman and primary songwriter of the Strokes, known for songs such as Last Nite, Juicebox and Bad Decisions. Formed Voidz in 2013. Has collaborated with the Queens Of The Stone Age, Daft Punk, Santigold, Pharrell Williams, Danger Mouse, the Exhibition, and others
August 23, 1978 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, gospel, R&B clarinetist, keyboardist Shaun Martin born in Dallas, USA ~ Member of jazz fusion band Snarky Puppy. Music director for gospel singer Kirk Franklin. Also worked with Anthony Evans, Crystal Aikin, Colourphonics, Erykah Badu, Guru, N'Dambi, Donnie McClurkin, Myron Butler, Doc Powell, Tamela Mann, TD Jakes, Amber Bullock, James Fortune, Tasha Page-Lockhart, Geoffrey Golden, David Crosby, Ledisi, Larnell Lewis, Brian Courtney Wilson, Kurt Carr, and others
August 23, 1970 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Brad Mehldau born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Started as a member of Joshua Redman's mid 1990 quartet, alongside bassist Christian McBride and drummer Brian Blade. Would go on to lead his own ensembles working with sidemen such as Larry Grenadier, Jorge Rossy, Perico Sambeat, Jeff Ballard, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Jim Keltner, Jon Brion, Matt Chamberlain, Ambrose Akinmusire, Kurt Elling, and others. Would incorporate Beatles-esque elements in jazz, branch out to rock as well as classical music, working with and writing for Renée Fleming and tour with guitarist Pat Metheny
August 23, 1968 ~ Ayub Bey, commonly known as hip-hop rapper, MC, producer, songwriter Grand Daddy IU, born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Closely associated with the Juice Crew. Ghostwriter for Biz Markie and Roxanne Shanté. Has released a number of solo albums, starting with Smooth Assassin in 1990. Has worked with Das EFX, Heltah Skeltah, KRS One, Ice-T, Tupac Shakur, and others ~ Bey passed away in 2022
August 23, 1967 ~ Reggae singer Cedella Marley, full name Cedella Marley Minto1, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Daughter of reggae singers Bob Marley and Rita Marley. Best known for her association with brother Ziggy Marley's Melody Makers. The sibling outfit has recorded well over half a dozen albums and is perhaps best known for their Tomorrow People single of their 1988 Conscious Party album. As a solo artist Marley is best known for her 2017 single Could You Be Loved, a cover of her father's classic
August 23, 1963 ~ Punk rock, skate punk, hardcore punk, pop punk bassist, guitarist, singer Steve Soto born ~ Co-founded Agent Orange in 1979, one of the first punk rock outfits to draw heavily from surf music. Would depart the band the following year to co-found the Adolescents, serving as the band's bassist and sole constant member until his death in 2018. The band is especially acclaimed for their 1981 eponymous The Adolescents debut album, providing a blueprint for many California hardcore bands. Soto has also worked with Legal Weapon, Joyride, Manic Hispanic, supergroup 22 Jacks, and Punk Rock Karaoke ~ Soto passed away in 2018
August 23, 1962 ~ Singer Shaun Ryder, full name Shaun William George Ryder, born in Little Hulton, UK ~ Lead singer of the Happy Mondays, which also included his brother bassist Paul Ryder. The Madchester band is best known for songs such as best-known including Step On, Kinky Afro and Loose Fit. Shaun also co-founded Black Grape
August 23, 1960 ~ Hard rock, rock, blues-rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Gary Hoey born in Lowell, Massachusetts, USA ~ Auditioned in 1988 for Ozzy Osbourne, who needed a replacement for Jake E Lee, but the job went to Zakk Wylde. Formed Heavy Bones in 1990, which also included Joel Elis, Rex Tennyson and Frankie Banali. Debuted as a solo artist with the 1993 Animal Instinct album, which spawned the hit single Hocus Pocus, originally recorded by Dutch rockers Focus. Has been recording as a solo artist steadily since
August 23, 1959 ~ Singer, songwriter Edwyn Collins, full name Edwyn Stephen Collins, born in Edinburgh, UK ~ Lead singer of post-punk group Orange Juice. The band would be critically acclaimed for their 1980 debut single Fallin' And Laughin', which sold only 2,000 copies, and for their 1983 UK top 10 hit Rip It Up. Pursued a solo career after the band's split in 1985. Best known for A Girl Like You, an international hit in 1995
August 23, 1957 ~ Cellist Antonio Meneses born in Recife, Brazil ~ 1982 Tchaikowsky Competition winner. Member of the Beaux Arts Trio from 1998 until its disbandement in 2008. Has worked with renowned orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Concertgebouw Orchestra, Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra de la Suisse Romande, and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra
August 23, 1953 ~ Robert Alan Gubby, commonly known as pop singer Bobby G born in Epsom, UK ~ Member of Bucks Fizz, scoring hits with The Land Of Make Believe, My Camera Never Lies and perhaps their best-known the 1981 Eurovision Songfestival winner Making Your Mind Up. Gubby released one solo single, 1984's Big Deal, which was used as the theme to BBC's comedy-drama show Big Deal. Previously unreleased solo recordings would be included on Bucks Fizz compilation album in 2006
August 23, 1952 ~ Vasiliki Papathanasiou, commonly known as singer Vicky Leandros, born in Palaiokastritsa, Greece ~ Daughter of singer, songwriter Leo Leandros. Internationally best known for representing Luxembourg twice at the Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 4th place in 1967 with L'Amour Est Blue and winning in 1972 with Après Toi. Over the course of her career, starting in the mid-1960s, Leandros has recorded over 50 albums, singing in French, English, Spanish, and German
August 23, 1951 ~ Singer, producer, songwriter Mark Hudson, full name Mark Jeffery Anthony Hudson, born in Portland, Oregon, USA ~ First gained attenton as member of sibling outfit the Hudson Brothers alongside Bill Hudson and Brett Hudson, best known for their 1974 single So You're A Star. Would go on to work as an in-demand producer and songwriter. Co-wrote Aerosmith's Grammy Award-winning hit Livin' On The Edge. Produced a number of Ringo Starr albums, starting with 1998's Vertical Man. Also worked with Cher, the Scorpions, Ozzy Osbourne, Hanson, the Baha Men, Alice Cooper, Bon Jovi, and others
August 23, 1947 ~ Linda Pettifer, commonly known as folk rock singer Linda Thompson, born in London, UK ~ Married to folk singer Richard Thompson, with whom she also worked. Member of the Bunch, alongsde Sandy Denny and Ashley Hutchings, known for their sole album Rock On, released in 1972
August 23, 1947 ~ Country, countrypolitan singer, guitarist, songwriter Rex Allen Jr born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Son of singing cowboy Rex Allen. Debuted in 1971 with his Todays Generation album, which did not chart. Would enjoy chart succes starting with his 1974 Another Goodbye Song sophomore album. Well known songs include Goodbye, Can You Hear Those Pioneers, Two Less Lonely People, Lonely Street, Me And My Broken Heart and the Margo Smith-duet Cup Of Tea
August 23, 1947 ~ Jazz, classical guitarist, composer Terje Rypdal born in Oslo, Norway ~ Starting out in pop rock outfit the Vanguards, Rypdal would become one of the most important guitarists in Norway's jazz scene. Especially acclaimed for 1970s albums such as Odyssey and Waves. Appears on albums by George Russell, Lester Bowie, Jan Garbarek (Afric Pepperbird), Don Sugarcane Harris (Sugar Cane's Got The Blues), Michael Mantler (The Hapless Child And Other Inscrutable Stories), Barre Phillips, Jack DeJohnette, and Ketil Bjørnstad. Married to singer Inger Lise Anderson, father of guitarist Jakob Rypdal
August 23, 1946 ~ Rock, hard rock drummer Keith Moon, full name Keith John Moon, born in London, UK ~ Best known as drummer of the Who, as well as its predecessor the High Numbers. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as I Need You, Cobwebs And Strange, In The City, Girl's Eyes. Also worked with Jeff Beck (Beck's Bolero), the Plastic Ono Band, Ringo Starr, Curly Smith, Jim Keltner, and others ~ Moon passed away in 1978
August 23, 1943 ~ Giuseppe Prestipino Giarritta, commonly known as bassist, conductor, producer, composer, arranger Pino Presti, born in Milan, Italy ~ Worked with Mina, Astor Piazzolla, Gerry Mulligan, Quincy Jones, Wilson Pickett, Shirley Bassey, Franco Cerri, Aldemaro Romero, Tullio de Piscope, and others
August 23, 1941 ~ Edward O'Sullivan Lee, commonly known as reggae producer Bunny Lee, born in Jamaica ~ One of Jamaica's most important and influential producers from the late 1960s through the late 1970s, instrumental in the development of dub music. Started as a plugger in the early 1960s for producer Duke Reid, later for Leslie Kong. Would turn to engineering and producing records by 1967, his first hit record being Roy Shirley's Music Field. Founded his own label, Lee, producing artists such as Lloyd Jackson, Lester Sterling, Derrick Morgan, Slim Smith (Everybody Needs Love), the Uniques, Pat Kelly, Max Romeo, Delroy Wilson, Eric Donaldson (Cherry Oh Baby), John Holt, Johnny Clarke, Owen Gray, Cornell Campbell, King Tubby, and others ~ Lee passed away in 2020
August 23, 1939 ~ Terje Nielsen, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter Teddy Nelson, born in Bergen, Norway ~ Best known for his singles Diggy Liggy Lo, Bonde Ifrå Hamlagrø, Skilsmisseferd I Hardanger, internationally best known for his collaborations with country-pop singer Skeeter Davis ~ Nielsen passed away in 1992
August 23, 1935 ~ Drummer Sam Lay born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Worked with Little Walter, Willie Dixon, Howlin' Wolf, Eddie Taylor, John Lee Hooker, Junior Wells, Bo Diddley, Magic Sam, Jimmy Rogers, Earl Hooker, Muddy Waters, Moon Dog Combo, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, the Siegel-Schwall Band, Mike Bloomfield, Johnnie Marshall, and others
August 23, 1934 ~ Trombonist Raul de Souza born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Leader and sideman. Known especially for his 1975 Colors and 1977 Sweet Lucy albums, both produced by George Duke. Has worked with Sérgio Mendes, Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, Milton Nascimento, Sonny Rollins, Hermeto Pascoal, Cal Tjader, Caldera, David Feldman, and others ~ De Souza passed away in 2021
August 23, 1933 ~ Pianist, composer Jure Robeznik born in Ljubljana, Yugoslavia ~ Despite the lack of formal musical education authored over a hundred and fifty musical works, focusing primarily on jazz and popular music. Robeznik was bestowed with a Kozina Award by the Society of Slovenian Composers in 2017 ~ Robeznik passed away in 2022
August 23, 1929 ~ Jazz saxophonist, jazz club manager Pete King, full name Peter Stephen George King, born in Bow, UK ~ Managed Ronnie Scott's noted Soho, London jazz club for fifty years. Played wih Jiver Hutchinson, George Evans, Oscar Rabin, Dill Jones, Lennie Bush, Tony Crombie, Jack Parnell, Victor Feldman, Philly Joe Jones, and others ~ King passed away in 2009
August 23, 1924 ~ Gospel, R&B, rock & roll singer, songwriter Wynona Carr, full name Wynona Merceris Carr, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Actively recording since the late 1940s initially to little success. Would fade into obscurity by the early 1960s only to be rediscovered in the 1990s with re-releases of old material ~ Carr passed away in 1976
August 23, 1923 ~ Songwriter Leo Leandros born in Astakos, Greece ~ Father of singer Vicky Leandros, for who he co-wrote the 1972 Eurovision Songfestival winner Après Toi. Other artists who recorded his songs include Julio Iglesias, Demis Roussos, Nana Mouskouri, Jairo, and others
August 23, 1917 ~ Sollie Paul Williams, commonly known as singer, actor Tex Williams born in Ramsey, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for he novelty hit Smoke Smoke Smoke That Cigarette. Also known for songs such as California Pola, That's What I Like About The West, Talking Boogie and Life Gets Tee-jus Don't It ~ Williams passed away in 1985
August 23, 1912 ~ Actor, singer, dancer Gene Kelly. full name Eugene Curran Kelly, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Pioneering choreographer, dancer. Credited with transforming the Hollywood musical as an artform. Made ballet commercially viable. Starred in numerous musical films of the 1940s and 1950s, perhaps best remembered for 1952's Singing In The Rain. Honored with several lifetime achievement awards, including an Academy Honorary Award in 1952 ~ Kelly passed away in 1996
August 23, 1900 ~ Composer, conductor, author Ernst Krenek, full name Ernst Heinrick Krenek, born in Vienna, Austria ~ Explored atonality and other modern styles. Perhaps best known for composing the opera Johnny Spielt Auf published in 1927. The work typified the cultural freedam of the golden era of the Weimar Republic. In the 1930s it would draw the ire of the Nazis, classifying it as degenerate music due to its jazz-influences. Krenek would leave Germany in 1933, settling in America a few years later ~ Krenek passed away in 1991
August 23, 1894 ~ Jazz double bassist, trombonist John Lindsay born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Worked with John Robichaux, AJ Piron, Dewey Jackson, Willie Hightower, Carroll Dickerson, Lil' Hardon, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Richard M Jones, Jimmie Noone, Punch Miller, Johnny Dodds, Bertha Hill, Georgia White, the Harlem Hamfats, Baby Dodds, and others ~ Lindsay passed away in 1950