August 8, 1986 ~ Actress, singer, model Jackie Cruz born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Best known as an actress, notably portraying the role of Marisol Gonzales in the Netflix series Orange Is The New Black. Member of girl group Krush Velvet while still in high school, though the band would fail to release any records. As a solo singer, Cruz independently released her Hollywood Gypsy debut EP and has recorded a handful of singles since
August 8, 1985 ~ David Lehre, commonly known as pop singer, actor, director Chad Future, born ~ Member of boy band Heart2Heart, a group mentored by former NSYNC member Lance Bass who also appeared in the video for the band's Facebook Official debut single. As a solo artist Lehre is best known for creating English-language covers of K-pop songs originally by EXO, BigBang, and BAP
August 8, 1981 ~ Singer, rapper, producer Bradley McIntosh, full name Bradley John McIntosh, born in Lambeth, UK ~ Member of S Club 7, known for a number of UK hits starting in 1999, notably Bring It All Back, You're My Number One, Never Had A Dream Come True, Don't Stop Movin' and Have You Ever
August 8, 1977 ~ Gospel, R&B, funk, soul pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph, full name Robert Jermaine Randolph, born in Irvington, New Jersey, USA ~ Acclaimed steel guitarist active since the early 2000s, usually with his backing unit the Family Band. Influenced by secular artists such as Earth Wind & Fire and Sly & the Family Stone. Has opened for Eric Clapton and worked with producers such as T-Bone Burnett. Has guested on recordings by Soulive, the Dave Matthews Band, Buddy Guy, Ringo Starr, Third Day, Robbie Robertson, Randy Bachman, Sawyer Brown, and others
August 8, 1976 ~ Singer, songwriter Drew Lachey born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Member of 98°, which also included his brother Nick Lachey. The band is known for a string of late 1990s hits including Because Of You, The Hardest Thing, Thank God I Found You featuring Mariah Carey & Joe and Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche), all of which reached top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart
August 8, 1976 ~ Joshua Scott Chasez, commonly known as pop, dance-pop dancer, singer JC Chasez, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Cast member of Mickey Mouse Club. Rose to fame as member of late 1990s boy band NSYNC, known for songs such as I Want You Back, (God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time On You, Music Of My Heart with Gloria Estefan, It's Gonna Be Me and This I Promise You. After the band folded in the early 2000s, Chasez has written and produced for artists such as Girls Aloud, Basement Jaxx, David Archuleta and Matthew Morrison, and has recorded as a solo artist starting with Schizophrenic released in 2004
August 8, 1973 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Mark Wills, full name Daryl Mark Williams, born in Cleveland, Tennessee, USA ~ Released his eponymous Mark Wills debut album in 1996. Best known for its follow-up album 1998's Wish You Were Here, all of its five singles reaching Billboard Country top 10 including the charttopping title track Wish You Were Here. Two songs originally recorded by Wills, Somebody and What Hurts The Most, would also both reach the No.1 spot in the cover versions of respectively Reba McEntire and Rascal Flatts
August 8, 1970 ~ Gina Mary Gardiner, commonly known as singer Gina G, born in Brisbane, Australia ~ Australian singer represented England at the 1996 Eurovision Songfestival held in Oslo with the song Ooh Aah (Just A Little Bit). The song would reach 2n place, losing out to Ireland's entry of Eimar Quinn performing The Voice. Gina's Ooh Aah would top the English charts though as well as crack the American top 20. She is also known for songs such as I Belong To You, Fresh, Ti Amo and Gimme Some Love, all mid to late-1990s UK top 30 hits
August 8, 1962 ~ Mohandas Dewese, commonly known as rapper, singer Kool Moe Dee, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced artists such as Big Daddy Kane, the Beastie Boys, KRS One, Will Smith, Tupac Shakur, and others. Member of 1980s outfit the Treacherous Three. Regarded as one of the pioneers of new jack swing. As a solo artist best known for songs such as Go See The Doctor, Wild Wild West, Let's Go and I Go To Work
August 8, 1961 ~ David Howell Evans, commonly known as rock, pop rock guitarist the Edge, born in Barkings, UK ~ Co-founding member of U2, known for pivotal albums such as 1987's The Joshua Tree, 1988's Rattle & Hum and 1991's Achtung Baby. By estimation the band has sold over 150 million records since their inception in the early 1980s. Evans also composed the soundtrack for The Captive released in 1986. Has co-written the song GoldenEye with bandmate Bono for the James Bond-film of the same name. The duo also wrote, and were featured on She's A Mystery To Me included on Roy Orbison's final studio album Mystery Girl recorded shortly before Orbison's untimely death
August 8, 1957 ~ Alternative rock, janglo pop keyboardist Dennis Drew, full name Dennis Arnold Drew, born in Jamestown, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member 10,000 Maniacs, known for songs such as What's The Matter Here, Trouble Me, These Are Days, Candy Everybody Wants and Because The Night. Drew, bassist Steve Gustafson and guitarist John Lombardo are the three remaining original members, playing with the band since its inception in 1981
August 8, 1953 ~ Songwriter, singer Todd Cerney, full name Todd David Cerney, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Member of 1990s outfit Toast teaming up with former Bread members Jimmy Griffin, Robb Royer and Larry Knechtel. Best known as a songwriter. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as I'll Fall In Love Again (Steve Carlisle), The Blue House Of Broken Hearts (Levon Helm), Too Late (the Kendalls), I'll Still Be Loving You (Restless Heart), Notorious (Loverboy), Let Go (Cheap Trick), If Ever A Love There Was (the Four Tops), Forget About Love (Eddie Money), Don't Stop Now (the Cover Girls), No Mercy (Ty Herndon), Good Morning Beautiful (Steve Holy), Blues Is My Business (Etta James), Tell Me That You Love Me (Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton), and Keep On Rolling (Bo Bice). Cerney also played guitar, mandolin, keyboards and sang with some of the aforementioned as well as with the Dixie Chicks, the Nashville Songwriters Band, and others ~ Cerney passed away in 2011
August 8, 1952 ~ Drummer Anton Fig born in Cape Town, South Africa ~ In-demand session drummer. Well known for his work with Kiss, Ace Frehley and with Paul Shaffer in the house band on David Letterman's late-night TV talk show. Has also worked with Spider, Warren Zevon, BB King, Peter Frampton, Joan Armatrading, Cyndi Lauper, John Waite, Joe Bonamassa, Madonna, Gary Moore, Joe Satriani, Paul Butterfield, Chris Spedding, Paul Simon, Jennifer Rush, Mick Jagger, and Joe Cocker
August 8, 1952 ~ Country singer, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Gary Baker born in Niagara Falls, New York, USA ~ Member of Leblanc & Carr's backing band. Member of country-pop outfit the Shooters. Backed Marie Osmond. Would find his greatest successes as a songwriter, especially known for co-writing I Swear with regular songwriting partner Frank J Myers. The song would be an 1993 hit for both John Michael Montgomery and R&B outfit All 4 One, later covered by numerous artists. Others who recorded songs co-written by Baker include Tanya Tucker (Wings), Gary Morris, Alabama, Tracy Lawrence, Reba McEntire (One Honest Heart), and Lonestar
August 8, 1951 ~ Trumpeter Laurie Frink, full name Laurie Ann Frink, born in Pender, Nebraska, USA ~ Worked with Mel Lewis, Gerry Mulligan, George Russell, Benny Goodman, Buck Clayton, Bob Mintzer, Maria Schneider, John Hollenbeck, Darcy James Argue, Ryan Truesdell, Jentsch Group Large, and others ~ Frink passed away in 2013
August 8, 1950 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Jamie O'Hara born ~ Noted for penning Grandpa Tell Me 'Bout The Good Old Days, a 1986 Grammy Award-winning hit for the Judds. Formed the duo the O'Kanes with Kieran Kane, known for songs such as Can't Stop My Heart From Loving You. Has also recorded as a solo artist and written for artists such as Shelby Lynne, Ronnie McDowell (Older Women), Gary Allan, Trisha Yearwood, and others ~ O'Hara passed away in 2021
August 8, 1950 ~ Liberatori DeVitto, commonly known as pop, pop rock, rock drummer Liberty DeVitto, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as drummer for Billy Joel for over three decades starting on Turnstiles album released in 1976. Has also worked with Carly Simon, Phoebe Snow, Karen Carpenter, Stevie Nicks, Meat Loaf, and others
August 8, 1950 ~ R&B, soul, funk drummer, percussionist Willie Hall, full name Willie Clarence Halll, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Closely associated with the Bar-kays, and especially Stax/Volt, serving as session musician for the label for about a decade starting in the late 1960s. Took over for Al Jackson Jr in Booker T & the MG's following Jackson's death, appearing on the album Universal Language before the band disbanded. Well-known as a member of the Blues Brothers, including in the films That Girl Belongs To Yesterday] and its sequel Blues Brothers 2000. Notably present on several of Isaac Hayes's most acclaimed albums including Hot Buttered Soul, Black Moses, and Shaft. Also present on albums by Mavis Staples, Albert King, Rufus Thomas (Do The Funky Chicken), David Porter, Luther Ingram, Little Milton, Tracy Nelson, the Manhattan Transfer, Levon Helm (Levon Helm), Steve Cropper, and Al Green
August 8, 1949 ~ R&B, soul singer Airrion Love born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Member of the Monarchs. Co-founding member of the Stylistics, known for a string of 1970 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits including You Are Everything, Betcha By Golly Wow, Break Up To Make Up and You Make Me Feel Brand New. The latter featured Love as co-lead singer
August 8, 1949 ~ Actor, singer Keith Carradine born in San Mateo, California, USA ~ Best known as an actor. As a singer known for two 1970s albums, namely I'm Easy and Lost & Found. The self-penned title track of the former, I'm Easy, was used in the Robert Altman-film Nashville and earned Carradine an Academy Award for Best Best Original Song
August 8, 1944 ~ Folk, folk rock, country, soft rock singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Michael Johnson, full name Michael Jay Johnson, born in Alamosa, Colorado, USA ~ Over a dozen albums to his name starting with 1973's There Is A Breeze. Best known for his 1978 hit Bluer Than Blue, which would reach top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. Would continue to record and regularly reach the higher echelons of the Billboard Country charts, including the top 10 hits Give Me Wings, The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder, Crying Shame, Whisper Your Name, That's That ~ Johnson passed away in 2017
August 8, 1942 ~ Rock, pop rock, hard rock bassist, singer John Gustafson, full name John Frederick Gustafson, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Renowned bassist worked with the Big Three, the Merseybeats, Roger Glover, Ian Gillan, Quatermass, Roxy Music (Love Is The Drug), Juan Martin, Steve Hackett, Gordon Giltrap, and others ~ Gustafson passed away in 2014
August 8, 1941 ~ Juan Peña Fernández, commonly known as flamenco guitarist, singer El Lebrijano, born in Lebrija, Spain ~ Acclaimed flamenco-fusion musician active since the early 1950s, initially as an accompaniest and later turning to singing. Closely associated with Paco de Lucia. As a solo artist known for pivotal flamenco albums such as Casablanca, Open Doors and Encuentros ~ Fernández passed away in 2016
August 8, 1939 ~ Singer Philip Balsley born in Augusta Country, Virginia, USA ~ Member of the Statler Brothers, one of the longest-running country acts active from the 1960s through the 1990s. Well known songs include Flowers On The Wall, Bed Of Rose's, Do You Remember These, Class Of '57, I'll Go To My Grave Loving You, Do You Know You Are My Sunshine, You'll Be Back Every Night In My Dreams, My Only Love and Too Much On My Heart
August 8, 1938 ~ Concetta Rosalie Ann Ingolia, commonly known as actress, singer Connie Stevens born in New York, New York, USA ~ Debuted as an actress in 1957 in the film Young And Dangerous. Released her Concetta debut album the following year. Guested on Edd Byrnes' 1959 hit Kookie Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb). Scored a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit with Sixteen Reasons in 1960
August 8, 1937 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter, poet, author Bruno Lauzi born in Asmara, Italian Eastern Africa ~ Renowned singer with over two dozen albums to his name starting in the 1960s. Well known songs include Ritornerai, Amore Caro Amore Bello, Onda Su Onda and Genova Per Noi. Had his songs recorded by the likes of Sergio Endrigo, Ivana Spagna, Mia Martini, Georges Moustaki, Ornella Vanoni, and others. Briefly pursued a political career in the 1980s, but without much success. Also known as an author with over half a dozen publications to his name, both poetry and prose ~ Lauzi passed away in 2006
August 8, 1937 ~ Singer, songwriter, poet, actor Cornelis Vreeswijk born in IJmuiden, the Netherlands ~ Emigrated to Sweden at age 12. Regarded as one of Sweden's most influential troubadours. Played Pontius Pilate in the Swedish version of Jesus Christ Superstar. Influenced by Josh White, Georges Brassens, Leadbelly. Known for songs such as Angbatsblus (Steam Boat Blues), Jubelvia For Fiffiga Nanette (Joyful Song For Clever Nanette), Polaren Par My Buddy Par, and Blues For Fatumeh. Renowned interpreter of the songs of Michael Bellman, Evert Taube, and of Lars Forssell. In the Netherlands best known for a handful of Dutch songs, especially 1972's Veronica, picked up by pirate radio station Veronica, and 1966's De Nozem & De Non (The Greaser & The Nun. The latter initially made little impact, yet has since become a classic ~ Vreeswijk passed away in 1987
August 8, 1936 ~ Pop singer, songwriter, actor Erol Büyükburç born in Adana, Turkey ~ Well known for the early 1960s self-penned Little Lucy, considered a milestone in Turkish pop music. Until then most pop songs would be covers of popular Western songs. Büyükburç would continue to record well into the 1970s, but is perhaps better known as an actor appearing in some two dozen films ~ Büyükburç passed away in 2015
August 8, 1933 ~ Joseph Arrington Jr, commonly known as singer Joe Tex, born in Rogers, Texas, USA ~ Popular Southern soul singer, drew from funk, country, gospel and R&B. Best known for songs such as Hold What You've Got, Skinny Legs And All, I Gotcha and Ain't Gonna Bump No More With No Big Fat Woman ~ Tex passed away in 1982
August 8, 1932 ~ Dorothy Jeanne Thompson, commonly known as harpist Dorothy Ashby, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Hailed as one of the most accomplished jazz harpists, establising the harp as a valid improvisational instrument. Has recorded about a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, especially noted for the late 1950s albums The Jazz Harpist and Hip Harp. An in-demand sidewoman in jazz and R&B, Ashby has guested on albums by Bill Withers, Bobbi Humphrey, Minnie Riperton (Adventures In Paradise), Sonny Criss, Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder (Songs In The Key Of Life), Stanley Turrentine, the Gap Band, the Manhattan Transfer, Freddie Hubbard, Billy Preston, Bobby Womack (The Poet), and Hubert Laws ~ Thompson passed away in 1986
August 8, 1932 ~ Country singer, songwriter Mel Tillis born in Tampa, Florida, USA ~ Active since the 1950s, most successfuly during the 1970s. Member of Old Dogs. Employed sidemen such as Buddy Cannon, Paul Franklin and Hoot Hester in his backing band the Statesiders. Father of singer Pam Tillis. As a singer known for songs such as I Ain't Never, Good Woman Blues, Coca Cola Cowboy, Life Turned Her That Way, Heaven Everyday and The Arms Of A Fool. As a songwriter Tillis had his songs recorded by a wide array of country artists including Webb Pierce (I'm Tired). Ray Price, Brenda Lee, Bobby Bare (Detroit City), Tom Jones, Wanda Jackson, Stonewall Jackson, Charley Pride (Snakes Crawl At Night), Kenny Rogers (Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town), the Hacienda Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, Gram Parsons, Barbara Mandrell, Jamey Johnson, Waylon Jennings (Mental Revenge), Ricky Skaggs, Randy Travis, and others ~ Tillis passed away in 2017
August 8, 1928 ~ Jazz, swing clarinetist, saxophonist, flutist Don Burrows, full name Donald Vernon Burrows, born in Sydney, Australia ~ Closely associated with James Morrison. Also worked with George Golla, Ed Gaston, Alan Turnbull, Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie, Nat King Cole, Oscar Peterson, Tony Bennett, Stéphane Grappelli, Cleo Laine, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Kevin Hunt, and others ~ Burrows passed away in 2020
August 8, 1928 ~ Singer, songwriter Simon Diaz, full name Simon Narciso Diaz Marquez, born in Babracoas, Venezuela ~ Penned Caballo Viejo, which was recorded by the Gipsy Kings as Bamboleo. Other artists who recorded songs written or co-written by Díaz include Plácido Domingo, Ray Conniff, Julio Iglesias, Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Ivan Lins, Cheo Feliciano, Juan Gabriel, Maria Dolores Pradera, Tania Libertad, Ry Cooder, Devendra Banhart, and others ~ Díz passed away in 2014
August 8, 1927 ~ Basil Philip Kirchinsky, commonly known as drummer, composer Basil Kirchin, born in Blackpool, UK ~ Son of bandleader Ivor Kirchin. Drummed in his father's big band starting at age 13. A number of early 1950s recordings by the Kirchin Band would be produced by George Martin who would later go on to work extensively with the Beatles. Kirchin would go on to score films and experiment with electronic music through use of tape manipulation with sounds of birds, insects and other animals. Has worked with Harry Roy, Teddy Foster, Jack Nathan, Ted Heath, Keith Herd, Big Jim Sullivan, Tubby Hayes. His electronic music influenced later stars such as Brian Eno and David Byrne ~ Kirchin passed away 2005
August 8, 1926 ~ Urban Clifford Green, commonly known as trombonist Urbie Green, born in Mobile, Alabama, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Appears on over 250 recordings. Two dozen albums to his own name. Influenced by Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Perry Como, and Louis Armstrong. Highly respected by fellow trombonists. Worked with Gene Krupa, Woody Herman, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Jack Jenney, Walter Wanderley, Herbie Mann, Manny Albam, Steve Allen, Count Basie, Ray Bryant, Trigger Alpert, Kenny Burrell, Buck Clayton, Ray Conniff, Paul Desmond, Gil Evans, Art Farmer, Aretha Franklin (Soul '69), Johnny Griffin, Billie Holiday (Lady In Satin), Milt Jackson, JJ Johnson, Quincy Jones, Blue Mitchell, Wes Montgomery, Sonny Stitt, Stanley Turrentine, Joe Wilder, Dinah Washington, Joe Newman, and others ~ Green passed away in 2018
August 8, 1921 ~ Country, honky-tonk singer, guitarist, songwriter Webb Pierce, full name Michael Webb Pierce, born in West Monroe, Louisiana, USA ~ Pivotal to development of honky tonk. Known for recordings such as In The Jailhouse Now, Love Love Love, There Stands The Glass, Wondering, and Teenage Boogie. The latter would be covered by T.Rex under the name I Love To Boogie, with songwriting credits not to Pierce but to Marc Bolan. Worked with artists such as Floyd Cramer, Faron Young, Tillman Franks, Doyle Wilburn, and Kitty Wells ~ Pierce passed away in 1991
August 8, 1920 ~ Jump blues singer Jimmy Witherspoon born in Gurdon, Kansas, USA ~ Active since the mid-1940s. In-demand singer worked with a host of artists including Teddy Weatherford, Jay McShann (notably on the 1949 recording of Ain't Nobody's Business), Jimmy Rowles, Earl Hines, Vernon Alley, Mel Lewis, Teddy Edwards, Gerald Wiggins, John Clayton, Paul Humphrey, Pepper Adams, Kenny Burrell, Harry Sweets Edison, Jimmy Smith, Long John Baldry, Junior Mance, Jimmy Woode, Kenny Clarke, Gerry Mulligan, Jim Mullen, Count Basie, Van Morrison, the Dutch Swing College Band, Gene GIlbeaux, Robben Ford, Russell Ferrante, Joe Sample, and others ~ Witherspoon passed away in 1997
August 8, 1913 ~ Arranger Axel Stordahl born in Staten Island, New York, USA ~ Credited with helping bring pop into the modern age. Perhaps best known for his work with Frank Sinatra in the 1940s. Co-wrote Day By Day, recorded by Sinatra, Jo Stafford, and Les Brown. Has also worked with Bing Crosby, Doris Day, Eddie Fisher, Dinah Shore, Nat King Cole, and Dean Martin ~ Stordahl passed away in 1963
August 8, 1910 ~ Lucius Venable Millinder, commonly known as swing, jump blues, R&B bandleader Lucky Millinder, born in Alliston, Alabama, USA ~ Could neither read nor write music, did not play any instrument. Yet rose to fame leading the Mills Blue Rhythm Band during the 1930s, at the time regarded as the greatest big band to play rhythm & blues employing numerous sidemen including Red Allen, Charlie Shavers, Harry Sweets Edison and JC Higginbotham influential to the dawn of rock & roll ~ Millinder passed away in 1966
August 8, 1907 ~ Saxophonist, bandleader, arranger, songwriter Benny Carter, full name Bennet Lester Carter, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Alto sax pioneer. Also played trumpet, clarinet, piano. Arranger, sideman. Worked with June Clark, Billy Paige, Earl Hines, the Wilberforce Collegians, Horace Henderson, the Paradise Ten, Charlie Johnson, Fletcher Henderson, McKinney's Cotton Pickers, Chu Berry, Sid Catlett, Cozy Cole, Bill Coleman, Ben Webster, Dicky Wells, Teddy Wilson, Red Allen, Dicky Wells, Wayman Carver, Coleman Hawkins, JC Higginbotham, Chu Berry, the BBC Big Band, Shad Collins, Sidney De Paris, Vic Dickenson, Freddie Webster, Eddie Barefield, Kenny Clarke, Dizzy Gillespie, JJ Johnson, Max Roach, Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, and numerous others ~ Carter passed away in 2003
August 8, 1904 ~ Pierre Paquet, commonly known as jazz trumpeter, arranger, composer Peter Packay, born in Brussels, Belgium ~ Despite an accident leaving him crippled in one arm decided to learn to play the trumpet. As a composer known for songs such as Alabama Mamma, The Blue Duke, Dixie Melody and Lullaby For A Mexican Alligator. Worked with the Varsity Ramblers, the Red Beans, David Bee, Packay's Swing Academy, and Billy Arnold ~ Paquet passed away in 1965