August 24, 1997 ~ DJ, singer, producer, songwriter Alan Walker, full name Alan Olav Walker, born in Northampton, UK ~ Best known for his 2015 single Faded, reaching platinum in 14 countries
August 24, 1986 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Aaron Lee Tasjan born ~ Worked with Semi Precious Weapons, Kevin Kinney, Tony Visconti, the New York Dolls, Everest, Jack White, Sean Lennon, Clem Burke, Ian McLagan, Nigel Harrison, and Lilly Hiatt
August 24, 1970 ~ Country, country-pop singer Kristyn Osborn, full name Kristyn Robyn Osborn, born ~ Member of sibling outfit SheDaisy, alongside Kassidy Osborn and Kelsi Osborn, known for songs such as Little Good-byes, This Woman Needs, Passenger Seat, Come Home Soon, Don't Worry 'Bout A Thing, all of which reached top 20 of the Billboard Country charts between the late-1990s and mid-2000s
August 24, 1964 ~ Bluegrass mandolinist, singer, songwriter Alan Bibey born in Walnut Cove, North Carolina, USA ~ Worked with New Quicksilver, IIIrd Tyme Out, Lou Reid, Carolina, Blueridge, Grasstowne, Wayne Benson, Terry Baucom, Jerry Douglas, Tony Rice, Kenny Smith, Sammy Shelor, Ronnie McCoury, Radim Zenkl, Emory Lester, Wayne Benson, Dan Tyminski, Ray Legere, Larry Richardson, Mark Newton, Herschel Sizemore, John Lawless, Dwight McCall, Carrie Hassler, Steve Gulley, Phil Leadbetter, Stuart Wyrick, the Wilson Banjo Company, and Mike Bentley
August 24, 1961 ~ Thrash metal, crossover thrash, hardcore punk singer, songwriter Kurt Brecht, full name Kurt Preston Brecht, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Best known as lead singer and along with guitarist Spike Cassidy the only other constant member of crossover thrash outfit DRI. Has also worked with Pasadena Napalm Division and provided guest vocals on the track Silent Spring for Dave Grohl's side project Probot
August 24, 1960 ~ Singer, actress Selma Reis born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Best known as an actress known for roles in telenovelas and miniseries. Debuted as a singer with the eponymous Selma Reis album in 1987 and has recorded steadily since ~ Reis passed away in 2015
August 24, 1957 ~ Rock, pop, new wave singer, keyboardist, guitarist, TV personality Marcel Vanthilt, full name Marcel Céline Gerard Edgard Vanthilt, born in Lommel, Belgium ~ First gained attention in the early-1980s as frontman of Arbeid Adelt, known for songs such as De Dag Dat Het Zonlicht Niet Meer Scheen, Death Disco and Stroom. Also worked with the Yéh-Yéhs, known for their sole single The 7 Kings Of Rock & Roll, and with the Employees. Would go on to present a wide array of TV programs for both Dutch and Belgian TV stations
August 24, 1955 ~ R&B, pop singer, guitarist, dancer, choreographer, songwriter Jeffrey Daniel, full name Jeffrey Glenn Daniel, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of Shalamar, best known for their 1979 The Second Time Around hit single which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Has worked with Michael Jackson, serving as co-choreographer on the videos of Bad and Smooth Criminal
August 24, 1953 ~ Tenor saxophonist Ron Holloway, full name Ronald Edward Holloway, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Influenced by Willis Jackson, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Miles Davis. Worked with Warren Haynes, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Dizzy Gillespie, Gil Scott-Heron, Root Boy Slim, Freddie Hubbard, the Sex Change Band, Osiris Marsh, the Allman Brothers Band, Gov't Mule, and Devon Allman
August 24, 1952 ~ R&B, jazz, soul blues singer, songwriter Vaneese Thomas born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Daughter of Rufus Thomas. Sister of Carla Thomas and Marvell Thomas. Best known for her 1987 hit Let's Talk It Over. As a songwriter had her work recorded by Patti Austin (A Candle, Rain Rain Rain), Freddie Jackson (Just Like The First Time), Larry Coryell (This Love Of Ours), Melba Moore (A Lot Of Love), and Diana Ross (One Shining Moment). Also an in-demand session singer appearing on records by Lenny White, Bob James, Carl Anderson, Beau Williams, Joe Cocker, Sarah Dash, Luciano Pavarotti, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Céline Dion, Eric Clapton, Carly Simon, and Dr John
August 24, 1950 ~ Gospel singer Ann McCrary born ~ Member of traditional black gospel, contemporary urban gospel outfit the McCrary Sisters alongside siblings Deborah McCrary, Regina McCrary and Alfreda McCrary. The group has recorded a number of albums, starting with Our Journey released in 2010, as well as provided backing vocals for artists such as Carrie Underwood (Choctaw County Affair), Margo Price (Do Right By Me), and Allison Russell (All Of The Women). Ann McCrary has also served as session vocalist for numerous gospel artists
August 24, 1949 ~ Donald Gregory Mattern, commonly known as DJ, remixer, producer Junior Vasquez, born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Frequent collaborator of Shep Pettibone. Worked with Madonna, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, MC Hammer, Prince, the Pet Shop Boys, Lisa Lisa, Cher, Cyndi Lauper, and Wild Orchid
August 24, 1947 ~ Drummer Jimmy Fox, full name James Kent Fox, born ~ Co-founding and sole constant member of the James Gang, best known for their 1970 James Gang Rides Again sophomore album which spawned the modest hit Funk No.49. At the time the band was fronted by singer Joe Walsh. The album would reach top 20 in both Canada and the USA
August 24, 1945 ~ Jazz drummer Bryan Spring born ~ Worked with Don Weller, Art Themen, Mark Edwards, Andy Cleyndert, Bill Le Sage, Alan Skidmore, Klaus Doldinger, Stan Tracey, Tubby Hayes, Dick Morrisey, Bobby Wellins, Frank Ricotti, Keith Tippett, Nucleus, and Hannibal Lokumbe
August 24, 1945 ~ Singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter Ken Hensley, full name Kenneth William David Hensley, born in Plumstead, UK ~ Best known as member of Uriah Heep, for which Hensley wrote or co-wrote a vast amount fo their best known songs including Lady In Black, Easy Livin', Stealin' and Look At Yourself. Also worked with the Gods, Head Machine, Toe Fat, Weed, Blackfoot, and John Lawton ~ Hensley passed away in 2020
August 24, 1945 ~ Saxophonist, flutist, songwriter Malcolm Duncan, also known as Molly Duncan, born in Montrose, UK ~ Founding member of funk, pop, R&B outfit the Average White Band from 1972 to 1983, present on the acclaimed albums AWB which spawned the hit Pick Up The Pieces and Cut The Cake. Also worked with Ray Charles, Tom Petty, Buddy Guy, Ben E King, the Dire Straits, Bryan Ferry, Marvin Gaye, Chaka Khan, Knee Deep, and Cold Sweat & the Horny Horns ~ Duncan passed away in 2019
August 24, 1943 ~ Guitarist John Cipollina born in Berkeley, California, USA ~ Showed great promise as a classical pianist in his youth, but switched to guitar at age 12. Perhaps best known as co-founder and lead guitarist for seminal 1960s psychedelic rock outfit Quicksilver Messenger Service, remaining with the band through the mid-1970s. They are especially acclaimed for their eponymous 1968 Quicksilver Messenger Service debut album and its follow-up Happy Trails released the following year. Though not as commercially successful as peers the Jefferson Airplane the band is credited for helping start and define the genre. Cipollina has also worked with Brewer & Shipley, Papa John Creach, Mickey Hart, Copperhead, Terry & the Pirates, Nick Gravenites, Dinosaurs, Merrell Fankhauser, and Zero, and has recorded a sole solo album, John Cipollina's Raven, released in 1980 ~ Cipollina passed away in 1989
August 24, 1938 ~ Pop, rock, bluegrass, classical, folk guitarist Mason Williams, full name Mason Douglas Williams, born in Abilene, Texas, USA ~ Best known for his 1968 instrumental Classical Gas. Member of the Hootenairs. Wrote for the Kingston Trio. Worked with Mannheim Steamroller, the Oregon Symphony, Edward Ruschka, Smother Brothers, Jennifer Warnes, Byron Berline, the Wayfarers Trio, and Zoe McCulloch
August 24, 1928 ~ Edith Gormezano, commonly known as singer Eydie Gormé, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Sang with Tommy Tucker, Tex Beneke, and with Steve Lawrence, staff writer at The Tonight Show. Lawrence and Gormezano were married in 1957 and would perform and record to critical acclaim and commercial succes since. As a solo singer Gormé is known for songs such as Too Close For Comfort, Love Me Forever, Blame It On The Bossa Nova, and We Can Make It Together ~ Gormezano passed away in 2013
August 24, 1924 ~ Robert Lamar Thompson, commonly known as composer, arranger, bandleader Bob Thompson, born in San Jose, California, USA ~ Popular bandleader from the 1950s through the 1980s. Leading figure in exotica and space age pop. Has worked with artists such as Rosemary Clooney, Mae West, Julie London, Bing Crosby, the Andrews Sisters, Duane Eddy, Judy Garland, and Phil Ochs ~ Thompson passed away in 2013
August 24, 1915 ~ Swing, jump blues, R&B singer, guitarist Wynonie Harris born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Closely associated with Lucky Millinder. Considered a precursor to rock & roll, enjoying a streak of hits from the mid-1940s through the early-1950s. Particularly influential on Elvis Presley, who covered his 1948 hit Good Rockin' Tonight. Other well known songs include Who Threw The Whiskey In The Jar, Playful Baby, All She Wants To Do Is Rock, and Sittin' On It All The Time ~ Harris passed away in 1969
August 24, 1905 ~ Pianist, bandleader Alphonso Trent born in Fort Smith, Kansas, USA ~ Worked with Eugene Cook, Synco Six, Terrence Holder, Alex Hill, Stuff Smith, Snub Mosley, Charlie Christian, Harry Sweets Edison, Mouse Randolph, and Peanuts Holland ~ Trent passed away in 1959
August 24, 1905 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Arthur Crudup, full name Arthur William Crudup, born in Forest, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known for writing and first recording That's All Right, My Baby Left Me and So Glad You're Mine, all later recorded by Elvis Presley ~ Crudup passed away in 1974
August 24, 1904 ~ Henry Franklin Smith, commonly known as jazz saxophonist Buster Smith, born in Alsdorf, Texas, USA ~ Instrumental 1930s saxophonist. Mentor to Charlie Parker. Recorded just one album as a leader, 1959's The Legendary Buster Smith. Worked with Hot Lips Page, the Oklahoma City Blue Devils, Lester Young, Count Basie, Jimmy Rushing, Emir Coleman, Pete Johnson, Eddie Durham, Don Redman, Duke Ellington, Earl Hines, and Ella Fitzgerald ~ Smith passed away in 1991
August 24, 1903 ~ Jazz stride pianist, bandleader Claude Hopkins, full name Claude Driskett Hopkins, born in Alexandria, Virginia, USA ~ Worked with Wilbur Sweatman, Sidney Bechet, Edmond Hall, Jabbo Smith, Vic Dickenson, Ovie Alston, Fernando Arbello, Shirley Clay, Arville Harris, Red Allen, Cozy Cole, Bud Freeman, Coleman Hawkins, Lonnie Johnson, and Ma Rainey ~ Hopkins passed away in 1984