August 29, 1993 ~ Singer, songwriter Liam Payne born in Wolverhampton, UK ~ Best known as member of boy band One Direction. Debuted as a solo artist with the 2017 single Strip That Down featuring Quavo, a top 10 hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Has since also collaborated with Zedd, Rita Ora, J Balvin, French Montana, Jonas Blue, and others
August 29, 1986 ~ Singer Lea Michele born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Former Broadway child actress, appearing in stage productions of Les Miserables and Fiddler On The Roof. Best known as a member of Glee cast from 2009 to 2015. Released her solo debut album, Louder, in 2014
August 29, 1985 ~ Trombonist Achilles Liarmakopoulos born in Athens, Greece ~ Briefly played with the Greek Radio Symphony Orchestra prior to joining the Canadian Brass, with whom he has recorded and toured all over the world since 2011. As a solo artist best known for his 2011 Astor Piazzollo (Tango Distinto) album, the first full album to feature Astor Piazzolla's work on solo trombone. Formed Cuatrombon in 2018, which also features Jorge Glem, Manuel Rangle, and Bam Bam Rodriguez, known for their 2020 Volar album
August 29, 1982 ~ André Levins, commonly known as rapper A+, born in Hempstead, New York, USA ~ Released his debut album, The Latch-Key Child, at age 13. The album featured contributions from Mobb Deep and Q-Tip and would spawn the modest hit single All I See. Released a sophomore album three years later, Hempstead High, with guest appearances from DeBarge, Lost Boyz and Canibus. Its hit single, Enjoy Yourself, would reach the top 10 in the UK
August 29, 1982 ~ Singer, pianist, songwriter Dor Daniel born in Hod Hasharon, Israel ~ Rose to fame with Ahava Ktana, a song he had written at a young age and left in a drawer. Its success led to a songwriting deal with Helicon Records. Artists who have recorded Daniel's songs include Idan Yaniv, Hila Zaitun, Maya Bouskilla, and others
August 29, 1981 ~ Indie rock bassist, producer Chris Taylor born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Best known as indie rock outfit Grizzly Bear bassist. Also produced albums for artists including the Dirty Projectors, the Department Of Eagles, Twin Shadow, Kishi Bashi, the Morning Benders, and others
August 29, 1979 ~ Electronic producer, DJ, composer Chris Clark, full name Christopher Stephen Clark, born in St Albans, UK ~ Over a dozen albums to his name, starting with Clarence Park released in 2001. Also known as a remixer having taken on songs by Friendly Fires, Amon Tobin, PVT, Maxïmo Park, Massive Attack and Depeche Mode
August 29, 1974 ~ R&B, hip-hop, gospel singer, percussionist, producer Mario Winans born in Orangeburg, South Carolina, USA ~ Best known for I Don't Wanna Know, a Billboard top 10 hit in 2004. Alco co-wrote CeCe Winans, Grammy Award-winning Pray
August 29, 1973 ~ Rock singer, guitarist Vincent Cavanagh born in Liverpool, UK ~ Best known as co-founder and sole constant member of Anathema. Co-wrote a considerable amount of the band's material including Restless Oblivion, Re-connect, Leave No Trace, Balance and Thin Air
August 29, 1971 ~ Ingo Martens, commonly known as breakbeat, house, UK garage DJ, producer Azzido Da Bass, born ~ Important figure in the 1990s German techno scene. As a recording artist and producer best known for his association with Stevo Wilcken, scoring late 1990s, 2000s hits such as Dooms Night and Speed (Can You Feel It)
August 29, 1967 ~ Psychedelic rock, rock, anti-folk, experimental singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, cellist, percussionist Anton Newcombe, full name Anton Alfred Newcombe, born in Newport Beach, California, USA ~ Best known as co-founding and key member of the Brian Jonestown Massacre, writing or co-writing the majority of the band's material
August 29, 1967 ~ Alternative rock bassist, keyboardist, songwriter Rich Priske born in Vancouver, Canada ~ Worked with Art Bergmann, DSK, ShoCore, Chrome Dog, Bif Naked, the Real McKenzies, Florida Man, Matthew Good, Brooke Nolan, the Town Pants, Sex With Nixon, and others
August 29, 1966 ~ Singer Shawn Camp born in Perryville, Kansas, USA ~ As a recording artist known as a member of the Earls Of Leicester and of Silver Scooter. Backed musicians such as the Osborne Brothers, Alan Jackson, Trisha Yearwood. As a solo artist known for a handful of modest country hits, most notably Fallin' Never Felt So Good and Confessin' My Love. Achieved his biggest succes as a songwriter wrting or co-writing hits for artists such as Garth Brooks (Two Piña Coladas), Brooks & Dunn (How Long Gone), Josh Turner (Would You Go With Me), George Strait (River Of Love), and for Billy Currington (Love Done Gone)
August 29, 1964 ~ Perru McKissack, commonly known as singer Pebbles, born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Best known for a string of late 1980s top hits such as Girlfriend, Mercedes Boy and Giving You The Benefit
August 29, 1963 ~ Singer, songwriter Elizabeth Fraser, full name Elizabeth Davidson Fraser, born in Grangemouth, UK ~ Member of the Cocteau Twins. Also worked with This Mortal Coil, Massive Attack (notably on the hit Teardrop), Craig Armstrong, Peter Gabriel, Sam Lee (The Moon Shines Bright), Damon Reece, Ian McCulloch, the Wolfgang Press, and others
August 29, 1960 ~ Earl Thomas Bridgeman, commonly known as blues singer, songwriter Earl Thomas, born ~ Debuted in 1991 with the acclaimed album Blue Not Blues. Had his songs covered by Tom Jones, Etta James (I Sing The Blues), Solomon Burke, and Screamin' Jay Hawkins
August 29, 1959 ~ Sadenia Reader, commonly known as singer, songwriter Eddi Reader, born in Glasgow, UK ~ Member of Fairground Attraction. Sang backup for punk band Gang Of Four. Worked with with Eurythmics, the Waterboys, Billy Mackenzie, John Foxx, Alison Moyet, Vladimir Cosma, Mark E Nevin, and others
August 29, 1958 ~ Jazz, funk trumpeter Jesse McGuire born in Phoenix, Arizona, USA ~ Worked with Tower Of Power, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis, and others
August 29, 1958 ~ Singer, dancer, songwriter Michael Jackson, full name Michael Joseph Jackson, born in Gary, Indiana, USA ~ Considered one of the most important cultural icons of the twentieth century. Dubbed “the King of Pop”. Child star as a member of sibling oufit the Jackson 5, known for songs such as I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save and I'll Be There. Debuted as a solo artist with 1972's Got To Be There, quicly followed by Ben, its title track Ben becoming a massive global hit. Shot to mega stardom in the late 1970s with the Off The Wall containing songs such as Don't Stop Til You et Enough and Rock With You. Dominated the 1980s with a string of subsequent hit albums which to this day still rank among all-time best-selling albums, notably Thriller and Bad, spawning numerous hit singles and it's accompanying music videos transforming the medium music video to an art form. Well known songs from this period include Billie Jean, Wanna Be Startin' Something, PYT (Pretty Young Thing), Thriller, Bad, The Way You Make Me Feel, Dirty Diana and Smooth Criminal. Jackson would continue to hit the charts well into the 1990s scoring hits with Black or White, Remember The Time, You Are Not Alone, You Rock My World, but starting in the late 1980s his career would be overshadowed by an array of controversies over his changing appearance, extravagant behavior earning him the nickname “Wacko Jacko” such as having a personal theme park and zoo built or allegedly sleeping in a bubble, never-proven allegations of child abuse and legal and financial battles ~ Jackson passed away in 2009
August 29, 1958 ~ Percussionist, songwriter Peter Ulrich born in Perivale, UK ~ Best known as member of Dead Can Dance, starting on the band's eponymous Dead Can Dance debut album. Also worked with This Mortal Coil, the Wolfgang Press, and others. Released his solo debut album, Pathways And Dawns, in 1999
August 29, 1956 ~ Keyboardist, arranger, songwriter Dan Truman born in St George, Utah, USA ~ Core member of Diamond Rio, known for a number of Billboard Country top 10 hits starting in the early 1990s including Meet In The Middle, Norma Jean Riley, Love A Little Stronger, Walkin' Away, How Your Love Makes Me Feel, One More Day, Beautiful Mess and I Believe
August 29, 1956 ~ Jazz guitarist Doug Raney born in New York, New York, USA ~ Son of guitarist Jimmy Raney. Worked with Al Haig, Chet Baker, George Cables, Joey DeFrancesco, Kenny Drew, Tal Farlow, Tomas Franck, Dexter Gordon, Johnny Griffin, Billy Hart, Hank Jones, Clifford Jordan, Duke Jordan, Jesper Lundgaard, Red Mitchell, Adam Nussbaum, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Horace Parlan, Bernt Rosengren, Jesper Thilo, Thorgeir Stubø, and others ~ Raney passed away in 2016
August 29, 1956 ~ Alternative rock guitarist Jeff Walls, full name Jeffrey Kermit Walls, born ~ Co-founding member of 1980s alternative rock outfit Guadalcanal Diary, best known for their 1987 2x4 album which was hailed by some critics as one of the best albums of the 1980s ~ Walls passed away in 2019
August 29, 1955 ~ Singer, keyboardist, songwriter Diamanda Galás born in San Diego, California, USA ~ Avant-garde confrontational performer with well over a dozen albums to her name since the early 1980s. Cites artists as diverse as Maria Callas, John Lee Hooker, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, and Jimi Hendrix as influences. Especially acclaimed for the 1986 album The Divine Punishment and the 1991 album Plague Mass (1984 End Of The Pandemic). Well-known for addressing a range of political and social issues
August 29, 1954 ~ Francis McIntyre, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Greg Keelor born in Inverness County, Canada ~ Best known as member of Blue Rodeo. Has also worked with Crash Vegas, Melissa McLelland, the Unintended, Cuff The Duke, and others
August 29, 1954 ~ Jazz singer, pianist, voice teacher Stephanie Nakasian born in Washington DC, USA ~ Worked with Jon Hendricks, Hod O'Brien, the Jim Cullum Jazz Band, Bob Dorough, Sal Soghoian, and others
August 29, 1951 ~ Guitarist Geoff Whitehorn, full name Geoffrey Charles Whitehorn, born in London, UK ~ Joined If in 1971, appearing on their last two albums. Member of Crawler from 1976 to 1979. Member of the Shortlist from 1979 to 1988. Joined Procol Harum in 1991. Has also worked with artists such as Bad Company, Jethro Tull, Kevin Ayers, Elkie Brooks, the Who, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Paul McCartney, and others
August 29, 1948 ~ Violinist, keyboardist Simon House born in Nottingham, UK ~ CLassically trained. Best known as key member of space rock band Hawkwind, staying with the band from 1974 to 1978. Left to join David Bowie's backing band. Has also worked with High Tide, Denny Gerrard, the Third Ear Band, Michel Moorcock, Robert Calvert, Japan, David Sylvian, Thomas Dolby, Mike Oldfield, Magic Muscle, Nik Turner, the Anubian Lights, Ade Shaw, Judy Dyble, Nektar, and released various solo recordings
August 29, 1945 ~ Keyboardist, organist, bassist Chris Copping born in Southend, UK ~ Member of Procol Harum from 1969 through 1977, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums starting with Home. Previously Copping had played with the Paramounts in the early 1960s, worked for the government, and received a chemistry degree. Following his departure from the band, shortly before the band disbanded altogether, Copping relocated to Australia where he continued to play and compose including for a number of short films
August 29, 1945 ~ Jazz drummer Trevor Richards, full name Trevor Hamilton Edward Richards, born ~ Worked with Zutty Singleton, the Olympia Brass Band, Louis Nelson, Alton Purnell, Freddie Kohlmann, Albert Nicholas, Benny Waters, Art Hodes, Ralph Sutton, Jacques Gauthe, Clive Wilson, and others
August 29, 1943 ~ Richard Bernard Halligan, commonly known as pianist, trombonist, flutist, producer, arranger Dick Halligan, born in Troy, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of Blood Sweat & Tears. Wrote Redemption and Lisa Listen To Me. Trombonist on the band's 1968 Child Is Father To The Man debut album, switched to piano and flute after Al Kooper left. Remained with the band through 1971, leaving after the BS&T 4 album. Worked as a film composer and performer since ~ Halligan passed away in 2022
August 29, 1943 ~ Singer, guitarist, composer Edu Lobo born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Achieved fame in 1960s as part of the bossa nova movement. Known for compositions such as Upa Neguinho, Pra Dizer Adeus, Chora Bandido A Historia De Lily Braun Beatriz and others. Has worked with, has his composition seen performed or recorded by artists such as Toots Thielemans, Marcos Valle, Elis Regina, Silvia Telles, Sérgio Mendes, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Milton Nascimento, Maria Bethânia, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Caetano Veloso, Monica Salmaso, Sarah Vaughan, Earth Wind & Fire, Caterina Valente, and others
August 29, 1942 ~ Guitarist, bassist Sterling Morrison, full name Holmes Sterling Morrison Jr, born in East Meadow, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Velvet Underground, present on the band's first four albums starting with the acclaimed Velvet Underground & Nico debut album released in 1967. Unlike his bandmates Lou Reed, John Cale, Moe Tucker, and Nico, Morrison has never recorded as a solo artist ~ Morrison passed away in 1995
August 29, 1940 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion saxophonist, flutist, clarinetist Bennie Maupin born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ About half a dozen albums as leader or co-leader, notably with the quartet Almanac which also included Cecil McBee, Mike Nock and Eddie Marshall. Perhaps best known for appearing on the seminal Miles Davis Bitches Brew jazz fusion album released in 1970, and for his longtime association with Herbie Hancock, including on the albums Mwandishi and Head Hunters. Other notable collaborations include Freddie Hubbard, McCoy Tyner (Tender Moments), Horace Silver (Serenade To A Soul Sister), Lee Morgan, Jack DeJohnette, Andrew Hill, Eddie Henderson (Realization), Sonny Rollins, Freddie Hubbard, and the Essence Of Funk
August 29, 1936 ~ Pianist Clara Sverner born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Over two dozen albums to her name. Frequent collaborator of Paulo Moura. Credited for popularizing the works of composer Glauco Velasquez. Also hailed as an interpreter of Almeida Prado, Gilberto Mendes, Ronaldo Miranda, and others
August 29, 1935 ~ Singer, percussionist, songrwriter, producer Bob Markley, full name Robert H Markley, born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Founded psychedelic rock band the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band. The band is best known for their 1968 album Volume 3 (A Child's Guide To Good And Evil), considered a landmark album in psychedelic rock ~ Markley passed away in 2003
August 29, 1933 ~ Singer, pianist, actor Ramses Shaffy born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France ~ Emerged from the 1960s to become one of the Netherlands' most beloved singers. Known for songs such as Sammy, We Zullen Doorgaan, Pastorale with Liesbeth List, Laat Me and perhaps his best-known Zing Vecht Huil Bid Lach En Bewonder. Many of his songs remain popular to this day ~ Shaffy passed away in 2009
August 29, 1932 ~ Jazz saxophonist, flutist Jerry Dodgion born in Richmond, California, USA ~ Worked with Rudy Salvini, Gerald Wilson, Vernon Alley, Billie Holiday, Benny Carter, Red Norvo, Benny Goodman, Oliver Nelson, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Herbie Hancock, Duke Pearson, Blue Mitchell, Count Basie, Marian McPartland, Sonny Clark, Charlie Mariano, Randy Brecker, Lou Donaldson, Bobby Hackett, JJ Johnson, Etta Jones, Yusef Lateef, Blue Mitchell, Quincy Jones, Wes Montgomery, Shirley Scott, Jimmy Smith, Stanley Turrentine, and others ~ Dodgion passed away in 2023
August 29, 1932 ~ Paolo Zavalloni, commonly known as pop, funk, soul, disco pianist, singer, songwriter Paolo Zavallone, born in Riccione, Italy ~ Active since the 1950s. Member of Henghel Gualdi's orchestra. Rose to fame in the 1970s as bandleader in several TV shows and composer and singer of their theme songs. Best known for his 1977 disco hit Amada Mia Amore Mio with El Pasador. Other well-known songs include Non-Stop, Kilimangiaro, and Papa Ha La Bua, Has also composed for others, notably Le Notti Lunghi for Adriano Celentano ~ Zavalloni passed away in 2023
August 29, 1929 ~ Gospel singer, songwriter, actress Albertina Walker born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by Mahalia Jackson. Known for songs such as Please Be Patient With Me, I Can Go To God In Prayer, The Best Is Yet To Come, The Impossible Dream, and Joy Will Come. Worked with the Pete Williams Singers, the Willie Webb Singers, the Robert Anderson Singers, the Caravans, James Cleveland, Bessie Griffin, Shirley Caesar, Dorothy Norwood, Inez Andrews, Loleatta Holloway, John McNell, Cassietta George, Delores Washington, the Cathedral Of Love Choir, Metro Mass Choir, the West Point Choir, the Sisters Of Glory, Thelma Houston, CeCe Peniston, Phoebe Snow, and Lois Walden ~ Walker passed away in 2010
August 29, 1927 ~ Jimmy Yves Newman, commonly known as country, cajun singer, guitarist, songwriter Jimmy C Newman, born in Mamou, Louisiana, USA ~ Influenced by Cajun music, the C in his artist name stands for Cajun. Enjoyed popularity in country scenes from the early 1950s through the 1960s. Regular performed at the Grand Ole Opry. Known for songs such as Cry Cry Darling, A Fallen Star, A Lovely Work Of Art, and DJ For A Day, all of which reached top on the Billboard Country charts ~ Newman passed away in 2014
August 29, 1927 ~ Thomas Raymond Kelly, commonly known as jazz double bassist Red Kelly, born in Shelby, Montana, USA ~ Worked with Charlie Barnet, Herbie Fields, Claude Thornhill, Red Norvo, Red Mitchell, Woody Herman, Dick Collins, Nat Pierce, Maynard Ferguson, Med Flory, Stan Kenton, Lennie Niehaus, the Modest Jazz Trio, Jim Hall, Harry James, and others ~ Kelly passed away in 2004
August 29, 1924 ~ Ruth Lee Jones, commonly known as singer, pianist Dinah Washington, born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA ~ Popular 1950s jazz singer, drew from blues, R&B, traditional pop. Debuted in 1944 with Evil Gal Blues. Also known for hits such as Ain't Misbehavin', Am I Asking Too Much, Baby Get Lost, I Wanna Be Loved, Cold Cold Heart, What A Difference A Day Makes, the Brook Benton duet Baby You've Got What It Takes, September In The Rain, and others. Worked with Lionel Hampton, Clifford Brown, Clark Terry, Cannonball Adderley, Ben Webster, and others ~ Jones passed away in 1963
August 29, 1924 ~ Singer, actress Maria Dolores Pradera born in Madrid, Spain ~ Recognised as one of the most admired voices in Spain and Latin America. Started as an actress in the 1950s. Focused on her music career since the 1960s, specializing in bolero, ballad, ronda, folk and other traditional idioms ~ Pradera passed away in 2018
August 29, 1922 ~ Jazz trumpeter Rolf Ericson born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Over half a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, most notably Stockholm Sweetnin' released in 1985. In-demand sideman, present on albums by the Lighthouse All-Stars, Chet Baker, Harold Land, Ernestine Anderson, Stan Kenton, Quincy Jones, Buddy Rich, Charles Mingus (The Black Saint & The Sinner Lady), Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster, and Monica Zetterlund ~ Ericson passed away in 1997
August 29, 1920 ~ Saxophonist Charlie Parker born in Kansas City, Kansas, USA ~ Pivotal be-bop pioneer. Helped change the image of a jazz musician from entertainer to intellectual. Best known for songs such as Yardbird Suite and Ornithology. Influenced by Count Basie, Bennie Moten, Buster Smith. Worked with Jay McShann (who gave Parker his nickname, Yardbird, usually shortened to Bird), Earl Hines, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Christian, Kenny Clarke, William Fleet, Miles Davis, Curley Russell, Max Roach, and others. Charlie Watts, drummer for the Rolling Stones, wrote the children's book Ode To A High Flying Bird as a tribute to Parker ~ Parker passed away in 1955