August 5, 1997 ~ Actress, singer Olivia Holt, full name Olivia Hastings Holt, born in Germantown, Tennessee, USA ~ Rose to fame as an actress in a variety of Disney series. As a singer active since the mid-2010s, releasing a number of EPs and notably the modest dance hit Generous. Would make her Broadway-debut in a 2023 production of the musical Chicago, portraying the role of Roxie Hart
August 5, 1984 ~ Singer, actress, TV personality Helene Fischer born in Krasnoyarsk, Soviet Union ~ Dubbed “the Queen of Schlager” with over 15 million records sold. Especially known for her 2013 Farbenspiel album. Songs such as Atemlos Durch Die Nacht, Herzbeben, Achterbahn, and Vamos A Marte featuring Luis Fonsi would all reach top 10 in her adopted homeland Germany. Has duetted with the likes of Eros Ramazzotti, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bolton, and Robbie Williams
August 5, 1981 ~ Singer, rapper Travie McCoy born in Geneva, New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founded Gym Class Heroes with Matt McGinley. As a solo artist best known for the 2010 hit Billionaire featuring Bruno Mars. Has also worked with T-Pain, the Smeezingtons, the Stereotypes, Lucas Secon, Josh Abraham, Cobra Starship, Kelly Rowland, Tyga, Cassie Davis, Claude Leitte, Lil' Wayne, Jessica Jarrell, Taio Cruz, Iyaz, le Deuce, Stooshe, Olly Murs, Jake Miller, and others
August 5, 1975 ~ Post-britpop, alternative rock, indie rock guitarist Dan Hipgrave, full name Daniel Hipgrave, born in Brighton, UK ~ Member of Toploader, known for hits such as Dancing In The Moonlight, Achilles Heel and Just Hold On all taken off the band's 1999 Orka's Big Moka debut album. Although their 2002 sophomore Magic Hotel album would reach top 5 in the band's native UK, the band would be dropped by their label. Shortly thereafter the band disbanded citing “personal differences” within the band before reforming in 2009
August 5, 1975 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Toby Martin born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Fronted indie rock outfit the Youth Group from 1996 to 2009. The band has been critically compared to Teenage Fanclub, Pavement, and Death Cab For Cutie, and is especially acclaimed for their 2006 Casino Twilight Dogs album. Martin has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing his Love's Shadow solo debut during the band's hiatus
August 5, 1974 ~ Gothic metal, symphonic black metal guitarist, songwriter Knut Magne Valle born in Gjerstad, Norway ~ Member of avant-garde metal outfit Arcturus since 1995, present on the band's most acclaimed The Sham Mirrors album released in 2002. Has also briefly worked with experimental electronica unit Ulver, appearing on and co-producing the band's 1998 Themes From William Blake's The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell album. Has also worked with artists such as Fleurety, Ancestral Legacy, Aura Noir, Ragnarok, and Mayhem
August 5, 1974 ~ Simon James Dawbarn, commonly known as pop, dance-pop singer, dancer Spike Dawbarn, born in Warrington, UK ~ Member of boy band 911, known for a string of British hits in the mid to late 1990s, including Don't Make Me Wait, The Day We Find Love, Bodyshakin', All I Want Is You, More Than A Woman, and perhaps their best-known A Little Bit More
August 5, 1971 ~ Jared Hennegan, commonly known as alternative rock, punk rock, rap rock bassist Jared Hasselhoff, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Member of the Bloodhound Gang from 1995 through 2015, first appearing on the band's 1996 One Fierce Beer Coaster sophomore album. The band is perhaps best known for The Bad Touch, a 1999 top 10 hit across Europe
August 5, 1969 ~ Singer, actor Diego Schoening born ~ Member of teen pop group Timbiriche from 1981 until its disbandement in 1994, recording well over a dozen albums with the band including the Platinum albums Timbiriche VII and its follow-up Timbiriche VIII & IX. Schoening has recorded two albums as a solo artist, Voy A Mi and Lo Que Soy released respectively in 1999 and 2009, has appeared in over half a dozen musical stage productions, and acted in telenovelas and films
August 5, 1967 ~ Aston George Taylor Jr, commonly known as DJ, rapper, producer, actor Funkmaster Flex, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of Flip Squad. As a solo artist released his full-length The Mix Tapes solo debut album in 1995. Has collaborated with the Gehtto Celebs, the Wu-Tang Clan, the Ruff Ryders, LL Cool J, Mary J Blige, DMX, Faith Evans, Fat Joe, and others
August 5, 1966 ~ Alternative metal, punk rock, grunge bassist Jennifer Finch born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as a member of all-female punk rock outfit L7, considered an outlier in grunge and riot grrrl music. The band is especially acclaimed for their 1992 Bricks Are Heavy album. Finch has also worked with the Pandoras, OtherStarPeople, the Shocker, and has occasionally ventured into acting. Early on in her career Finch played bass in Sugar Babydoll, which also included then-unknown Courtney Love and future Babes In Toyland-founder Kat Bjelland. Finch has also been romantically involved with Dave Grohl and Billy Corgan
August 5, 1966 ~ Jazz, crossover jazz guitarist, conductor, composer Roberta Tola born in Sassan, Italy ~ Child prodigy. Began studying music at just six years old, Conservatory four years later. Worked with conductors including Colin Towns, Carla Bley, Giorgio Gaslini, Bruno Tommaso, Roberto Pregadio, with singers such as Jill Saward, Norma Winstone, David Linx, Gegè Telesforo, trumpeters such as Flavio Boltro, Paolo Fresu, Enrico Rava and Tom Harrell, bassist Steve Swallow, saxophonists including Bob Mintzer of the Yellowjackets fame, Andy Sheppard and Maurizio Gianmarco, pianists such as Riccardo Zegna and Antonello Salis, and others
August 5, 1965 ~ Saxophonist, composer Jeff Coffin born in Massachusetts, USA ~ Has been releasing solo albums since the late 1990s. Member of Béla Fleck's backing unit the Flecktones. Member of the Dave Matthews Band, eventually replacing the late founding member LeRoi Moore. Has also collaborated with Jeff Babko, Vinnie Colaiuta, the Everyone Orchestra, Jonathan Scales, JD Souther, Boyd Tinsley, Jon Foreman, Justin Townes Earle, Cage The Elephant, Ingrid Jensen, Snarky Puppy, David Crosby, and others
August 5, 1964 ~ Rapper Adam Yauch, also known as MCA, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Founding member of pivotal hip-hop group the Beastie Boys, known best for their 1987 Billboard top 10 single (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party). The band was responsible for making hip-hop a valid genre for white artists and drew from originally white genres including rock and punk ~ Yauch passed away in 2012
August 5, 1961 ~ Violinist, songwriter Mark O'Connor born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Merges from bluegrass, country, jazz, classical. Over 40 albums to his name over a four decade career. Toured with renowned jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli in his teens. Has collaborated with Béla Fleck, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer, Yo-Yo Ma, and others
August 5, 1960 ~ Pop, R&B songwriter, producer Tony Haynes born ~ Wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by artists such as Evelyn Champagne King, Karyn White, Earth Wind & Fire, the Spinners (Send A Little Love), Philip Bailey, Jennifer Holliday, Taste Of Honey, the Temptations (Runnin'), Patrice Rushen, the Pointer Sisters (Flirtatious), Johnny Kemp, the SOS Band (One Of Many Nights), Kool & the Gang, the Isley Brothers, Al Jarreau, Regina Belle, Chanté Moore, Jade, Brenda Holloway, Beau Williams (Danger Zone), George Duke, and others
August 5, 1959 ~ Dance-pop, synth-pop, new wave singer Pete Burns, full name Peter Jozzeppi Burns, born in Port Sunlight, UK ~ Founded Nightmares In Wax by the late 1970s. The band would reach mainstream succes after renaming themselves Dead Or Alive, best known for their UK No.1 hit You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) of their 1984 Youthquake sophomore album. The single would also reach top 10 across Europe, and remains a radio staple to this day as one of the era's most vibrant songs. The band would continue to chart throughout the end of the decade, notably with singles such as Lover Come Back To Me, In Too Deep, and Something In My House ~ Burns passed away in 2016
August 5, 1953 ~ Classical violinist, conductor András Ligeti born in Pécs, Hungary ~ Closely associated with the Hungarian State Opera House, serving as concert master and conductor from 1977 through 1985, and with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra from 1985 through 1993. Has also worked with the Dresden Philharmonic, the Oslo Philharmonic, the Bergen Symphony, and the Orchestra de la Suisse Romande ~ Ligeti passed away in 2021
August 5, 1949 ~ Robert Edward Jansen, commonly known as rock, jazz brass player, saxophonist Robbie Jansen, born in Cape Town, South Africa ~ Member of the Pacific Express. Would go on to work with Dollar Brand and saxophonist Basil Coetzee. Would become a leading figure by the 1970s in Cape Jazz. Has also worked with Johnny Clegg, Sipho Mchunu, Juluka (Universal Men), and others. Especially acclaimed for his 2006 solo album Nomad Jez. His international career suffered a blowback in 2007 when on doctor's orders he could no longer travel due to a respitory condition, and forced to cancel a European tour ~ Jansen passed away in 2010
August 5, 1948 ~ Bassist, guitarist, trumpeter, keyboardist, drummer David Hungate, full name William David Hungate, born in Troy, Missouri, USA ~ Best known as member of Toto from 1976 through 1982, present on the band's first four albums. Has also worked with Mecca, Joe Cocker, Boz Scaggs (Silk Degrees), JD Souther, Deniece Williams, Michael Martin Murphey, Alice Cooper (From The Inside), Neil Sedaka, Kim Carnes, Rickie Lee Jones, Barbra Streisand, Olivia Newton-John, Joe Nichols, Juice Newton, Jackie DeShannon, Mark Chesnutt, Bette Midler, Leo Sayer, Glen Campbell, Dolly Parton, Rosanne Cash, the Pointer Sisters, and others
August 5, 1947 ~ Gary Stephen Anderson, commonly known as singer, guitarist Angry Anderson, born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Best known as frontman, lead singer of blues-infested hard rock outfit Rose Tattoo, present on some of the band's best-known including Bad Boy For Love, We Can't Be Beaten, I Wish and Calling. Has also worked with Buster Brown and the Party Boys. As a solo artist best known for the singles Suddenly and Bound For GLORY
August 5, 1947 ~ Rock guitarist Greg Leskiw, full name Gregory Leskiw, born in Brandon, Canada ~ Best known as a member of the Guess Who from 1970 through 1972, present on the albums Share The Land which spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Share The Land, So Long Bannatyne, and Rockin'. Following his departure from the band Leskiw would play with Crowcuss and Kilowatt. Leskiw also operated Vox Pop Studios from 1986 through 1997, a popular recording studio for Winnipeg-based groups such as the Crash Test Dummies and New Meanies
August 5, 1947 ~ Richard Dean Zehringer, commonly known as rock, blues, pop rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Rick Derringer born in Fort Recovery, Ohio, USA ~ Rose to fame as co-founding member, lead singer of the McCoys, known for their 1965 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Hang On Sloopy. The band is also known for serving as backing unit for Johnny Winter. Derringer would also go on to work with Winter's brother Edgar Winter, including producing the hit singles Frankenstein and Free Ride. Derringer recorded over a dozen albums, starting with All American Boy in 1973, formed the short-lived supergroup Derringer Bogert & Appice, and guested on albums by Alice Cooper (Killer), Todd Rundgren (Something/Anything), Steely Dan, Dan Hartman, Bette Midler, Kiss, Donald Fagen (The Nightfly), Bonnie Tyler, Barbra Streisand, Cyndi Lauper (True Colors), Grayson Hugh, and Joe Bonamassa
August 5, 1947 ~ Bass guitarist Willie Weeks born in Salemburg, North Carolina, USA ~ In-demand session and touring bassist. Cites Ron Carter, James Jamerson and Ray Brown as influences. Has worked with Eric Clapton, Gregg Allman, David Bowie, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Roy Buchanan, Jimmy Buffett, Kevin Chalfant, Buddy Guy, Hank Crawford, Robert Cray, Pino Daniele, Bo Diddley, the Doobie Brothers, Aretha Franklin, Vince Gill, Isaac Hayes, George Harrison, Donny Hathaway, Etta James, Billy Joel, Rickie Lee Jones, Wynonna Judd, Chaka Khan, BB King, Lyle Lovett, Gail Davies, David Lee Roth, Michael McDonald, Don McLean, John Mayer, John Mellencamp, Bette Midler, Randy Newman, Pino Palladino, John Scofield, Carly Simon, Soulive, Rod Stewart, the Rolling Stones, James Taylor, Richard Thompson, Joe Walsh, Bobby Womack, Leon Russell, Steve Winwood, Stevie Wonder, Ronnie Wood, Eikichi Yazawa, Lou Fellingham, Boz Scaggs, Rufus Thomas, Gypsy, LeAnn Rimes, Rodney Crowell, Tanya Tucker, Rosanne Cash, Gloria Gaynor, Kenny Rogers, Peter Cetera, Vince Gill, Maria Muldaur, JJ Cale, Herbie Mann, and numerous others
August 5, 1946 ~ Rock, classical keyboardist, songwriter Rick van der Linden born in Badhoevedorp, the Netherlands ~ Fused rock and classical music. Worked with Ekseption, Trace, Mistral, Session, Brand X, Phil Collins, Deep Purple, Joachim Kühn, Jack Lancaster, Conny Vandenbos, Vangelis, Rein van den Broek, Chris Hinze, Pim Jacobs, Louis van Dijk, Astrid Nijgh, Jan Akkerman, Kaz Lux, and others ~ Van der Linden passed away in 2006
August 5, 1944 ~ Composer Christopher Gunning born in Cheltenham, UK ~ Has composed concert works and for film and TV. To pop rock audiences perhaps best known for the distinctive string arrangement on Colin Blunstone's 1972 hit Say You Don't Mind, and for the arrangements on several of singer Lynsey de Paul's singles including Won't Somebody Dance With Me and My Man And Me. Among his notable credits are the soundtracks for films such as Under Suspicion, Firelight, and the 2007 Edith Piaf biopic La Vi En Rose, and TV series such as Rebecca ~ Gunning passed away in 2023
August 5, 1943 ~ Jewel Faye Smith, commonly known as singer Sammi Smith, born in Orange, California, USA ~ One of the few women in outlaw country during the 1970s. Best known for her 1971 country-pop hit Help Me Make It Through The Night, written by Kris Kristofferson. Married to Jody Payne, longtime backup guitarist for Willie Nelson. Previously married to Bob White, steel guitarist for Hank Thompson's backing unit Brazos Valley ~ Smith passed away in 2005
August 5, 1941 ~ Drummer, percussionist Airto Moreira, full name Airto Guimorvan Moreira, born in Itaiópolis, Brazil ~ Married to jazz singer Flora Purim, with whom he also collaborated. Over two dozen albums as a leader, especially acclaimed for Free, The Other Side Of This, and Samba De Flora. Member of samba jazz pioneers the Sambalanço Trio and of the Quarteto Novo before relocating to the USA. Frequently backed Miles Davis, starting on the seminal Bitches Brew jazz fusion album released in 1970. Other notable credits include Milton Nascimento (Courage), Wayne Shorter, Duke Pearson, John McLaughlin (My Goal's Beyond), Freddie Hubbard (Red Clay), Stanley Turrentine, Joe Henderson, the Weather Report, Grover Washington Jr, Randy Weston, Chick Corea (Return To Forever), Cannonball Adderley, George Benson, George Duke, Santana, Gato Barbieri (El Gato), Chaka Khan, Terumasa Hino, Paul Simon (Hearts And Bones), and Babatunde Olatunji
August 5, 1940 ~ Songwriter Bobby Braddock born in Auburndale, Florida, USA ~ Best known as a songwriter with songs recorded by the Statler Brothers, Tammy Wynette, George Jones, Nancy Sinatra, Johnny Duncan, Willie Nelson, Tanya Tucker, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tommy Overstreet, Lacy J Dalton, TG Sheppard, John Anderson, Mark Chesnutt, Tracy Lawrence, and others. Notably, discovered Blake Shelton, for whom Braddock wrote and produced
August 5, 1940 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Pat Upton born in Geraldine, Alabama, USA ~ Lead singer, guitarist, main songwriter for Spiral Starecase, known for songs such as Baby What I Mean, No One For Me To Turn To, and More Today Than Yesterday, the latter later also recorded by Sonny & Cher, Diana Ross, Goldfinger, Andy Williams, Lena Horne, and Patti Austin ~ Upton passed away in 2016
August 5, 1934 ~ Vernon Gosdin, commonly known as country, gospel, bluegrass, folk rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Vern Gosdin, born in Woodland, Alabama, USA ~ Influenced by the Louvin Brothers and the Blue Sky Boys. Co-founding member of the Hillmen. Formed the sibling duo the Gosdin Brothers with Rex Gosdin, noted for the acclaimed collaborative 1967 album Gene Clark With The Gosdin Brothers with Gene Clark. Best known as a solo artist, about a dozen albums to his name starting in the late 1970s. Well known songs include Hangin' On which featured Emmylou Harris on harmony vocals, Till The End, If You're Gonna Do Me Wrong Do It Right, I Can Tell By The Way You Dance (You're Gonna Love Me Tonight), Set 'Em Up Joe, Chiseled In Stone, Who You Gonna Blame It On This Time, and I'm Still Crazy. Gosdin's Is It Raining At Your House has been covered by Brad Paisley, That Just About Does It by Willie Nelson ~ Gosdin passed away in 2009
August 5, 1930 ~ Singer, actress, comedian Damita Jo DeBlanc, commonly known simply as Damita Jo, born in Austin, Texas, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for the early 1960s answer songs, namely I'll Save The Last Dance For You as a reply to the Drifters' Save The Last Dance For Me and I'll Be There as a reply to Ben E King's Stand By Me. Had sung with the Five Red Caps during the 1950s. Has also worked with Ray Charles, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Billy Eckstine and Bobby Tucker ~ DeBlanc passed away in 1998
August 5, 1915 ~ Guitarist Alfredo Gil, full name Alfredo Bojalil Gil, born in Tezutlian, Mexico ~ Founding member of Los Panchos, remaining with the band for about four decades starting in the 1940s. The band rose to fame in Latin America with their renditions of classic bolero, romantic ballads and folk songs and are considered one of the top musical trios and one the most influential Latin American artists of all time. The band joined forces with singer Eydie Gormé in the mid-1960s, resulting in a string of critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums ~ Gil passed away in 1999
August 5, 1887 ~ Pianist, singer, composer, actor Nat Ayer, full name Nathaniel Davis Ayer, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity especially in the UK throughout the late 1910s, performing and composing Edwardian musical comedy and revue. Best known for writing the West End hit musicals The Bing Boys Are Here, which spawned the hit If You Were The Only Girl In The World, and Yes Uncle ~ Ayer passed away in 1952