August 9, 1985 ~ Actress, singer Anna Kendrick, full name Anna Cooke Kendrick, born in Portland, Maine, USA ~ Started as a child actress in theater productions. Ventured into film and TV. Starred in the 1998 Broadway musical High Society. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the 2009 comedy-drama Up In The Air. As a singer scored a Billboard top 10 hit with Cups in 2013 from the Pitch Perfect soundtrack
August 9, 1980 ~ Pop, rock singer Rachel Kramer born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands ~ First gained attention in 2001 through the reality show and talent contest Starmaker, leading to the band K-otic known for songs such as Damn I Think I Love You, Falling and I Surrender. As a solo artist best known for her Rascal Flatts-cover What Hurts The Most first performed on the 2009 talent contest The X-Factor
August 9, 1973 ~ Folk, pop, art-pop singer, guitarist, keyboardist, banjoist, vibraphonist Carwyn Ellis, full name Carwyn Meurig Ellis, born ~ Best known as frontman of alternative pop rock band Colorama. Has also worked with the Pretenders, Edwyn Collins, Bendith, Saint Etienne, Sarah Cracknell, Gemma Ray, Rails, Fabienne Delsol, Raf Rundell, Nev Cottee, Emma Tricca, Dan Sartain, Lay Low, Pete Molinari, James Hunter, Simon Scott, Bap Kennedy, Proud Mary, the North Mississippi Allstars, Southern Fly, UNKLE, and others
August 9, 1971 ~ Dedrick D'mon Rolison, commonly known as rapper Mack 10, born in Inglewood, California, USA ~ Debuted as a solo artist with the full-length eponymous album Mack 10 in 1995. Member of hip-hop supergroup Westside Connection, alongside WC and Ice Cube. Has collaborated with Michel Pras, Warren G, the Delinquents, Kurupt, Lil' Wayne, MC Eiht, Krayzie Bone, E-40, DJ Quik, and others
August 9, 1970 ~ Bassist, singer, producer Arion Salazar born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of Third Eye Blind, remaining with the band through 2006 and present on the band's first three albums including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Semi-charmed Life, How's It Going To Be and Jumper
August 9, 1970 ~ Singer, producer, songwriter Joakim Ahlund born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Best known as lead singer of the Caesars. Member of Smile, Les Big Byrd, and alongside his brother Klas Ahlund of the Teddybears. As a producer and songwriter Ahlund has worked with Giorgio Moroder, Cheryl (I Don't Care), Charli XCX, Robyn, Petite Meller, Sia, Cee Lo Green, Theophilus London, the Brian Jonestown Massacre, Iggy Pop, Håkan Hellström, Chrissie Hynde, and others
August 9, 1968 ~ Jazz trombonist Frank Lacy born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Worked with Illinois Jacquet, Art Blakey, Lester Bowie, Marty Ehrlich, the Soultronics, Michael Formanek, Slide Hampton, Roy Hargrove, the Mingus Big Band, Rufus Reid, Henry Threadgill, Steve Turre, McCoy Tyner, Bobby Watson, David Murray, Superblue, Carla Bley, Ronnie Burrage, Ralph Peterson Jr, Jazzmeia Horn, and others
August 9, 1964 ~ Heavy metal singer, bassist, songwriter Denis Bélanger born in Jonquière, Canada ~ Best known as co-founding member, lead singer of Voivod, remaining with the group from 1982 through 1994 and rejoining in 1992. During his hiatus from the band formed Union Made. Has also collaborated with Dave Grohl, singing lead vocal on the track Dictatosaurus for Grohl's side project Probot
August 9, 1963 ~ Singer, actress Whitney Houston, full name Elizabeth Whitney Houston, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Daughter of singer Cissy Houston. Goddaughter of Darlene Love. Married to singer Bobby Brown from 1992 to 2007. Her debut single, duetting with Teddy Pendergrass on 1984's Hold Me, would fail to reach the American top 40. Yet her debut album, 1985's eponymous Whitney Houston would make her an instant star with nearly every single topping the Billboard Hot 100. Houston would go on to become one of the most popular and at least for the next decade or so one of the best-selling female R&B artists. Known for songs such as You Give Good Love, The Greatest Love Of All, One Moment In Time, I Know Him So Well), I'm Your Baby Tonight, the Dolly Parton cover I Will Always Love You and It's Not Right But It's Okay. Houston would continue to record but as of the early 2000s would rarely hit the top of the singles charts, her career overshadowed by drug abuse and highly publicized marital problems ~ Houston passed away in 2012
August 9, 1963 ~ Singer, guitarist Zentaro Watanabe born ~ First gained attention in the 1980s as guitarist of Shijin No Chi. Formed the duo Oh Penelope with former bandmate Mutsuji Tsuji. Active as a producer since the 1990s, responsible for tracks such as Chara's Yasashii Kimochi, Hitomi's Love 2000 and Ikimonogakari's Hana Wa Sakura Kimi Wa Utsukushi ~ Watanabe passed away in 2021
August 9, 1962 ~ Rock keyboardist Dan Donovan born in London, UK ~ Married to actress, singer Patsy Kensit from 1988 to 1991. Best known as member of Big Audio Dynamite, fronted by the Clash-guitarist Mick Jones. Briefly a member of Sisters Of Mercy during the early 1990s. Founding member of Dreadzone
August 9, 1959 ~ Kurtis Walker, commonly known as rapper, DJ, producer Kurtis Blow, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his sophomore single The Breaks released in 1980, the first rap record to reach Gold status. Other notable songs include Party Time and If I Ruled The World. Blow has also worked with Run-DMC and the Fat Boys. Known as an outspoken advocate against racism. Currently Walker, a reborn Christian, serves as a minister in the Hip Hop Church in Harlem
August 9, 1957 ~ Jazz pianist Danilo Rea born in Vicenza, Italy ~ Worked with Chet Baker, Lee Konitz, Steve Grossman, Mimmo Canero, Phil Woods, Art Farmer, New Perigeo, Curtis Fuller, Kenny Wheeler, Domenico Modugno, Pino Daniele, Riccardo Cocciante, Gianni Morandi, New Perigeo, Giovanni Tommaso, Roberto Gatto, Lingomania, Marco Volpe, Massimo Urbani, the Pentarte Ensemble, Pietro Tonolo, Paolo Damiani, Nicola Stilo, Doctor 3, Massimo Moriconi, Aldo Romano, Maria Pia de Vito, the Crew, Lillo Quarantino, Gino Paoli, Mina, Paolo Damiani, Ramin Bahrami, and others
August 9, 1954 ~ Drummer Pete Thomas, full name Peter Michael Thomas, born in Hillsborough, UK ~ Closely associated with Elvis Costello since his key role in Elvis Costello & the Attractions. Member of Squeeze, Works Progress Administration and of Jackshit. Has sessioned for a host of artists including Suzanne Vega, Neil Finn, Richard Thompson, Vonda Shepard, Mikel Erentxun, Sheryl Crow, Fito Paez, Joaquin Sabina, Los Lobos, Wild Colonials, Wendy James, Tasmin Archer, John Paul Jones, Elliott Smith, Kina Grannis, Tammy Lang, Arctic Monkeys, Jake Bugg, Leeroy Stagger, Matthew Sweet, Tracy Bonham, Susanna Hoffs, Rufus Wainwright, Bonnie Raitt, Daniel Powter, Rickie Lee Jones, Jackson Browne, Amos Lee, Randy Newman, and others
August 9, 1949 ~ Rock, pop, country percussionist, singer, songwriter, actress Brie Howard born in Stockton, California, USA ~ Worked with Carole King, Ringo Starr, the Electric Light Orchestra, Keith Moon, the Temptations, Jimmy Buffett's backing unit the Coral Reefer Band, Melissa Manchester, Janiva Magness, Glen Campbell, Martin Mull, Kiki Dee, Jack Wagner, Robert Palmer, Robbie Nevil, Duran Duran, Fanny, American Girls, the Boxing Gandhis, and others
August 9, 1949 ~ Gaspard Wuta Mayi, commonly known as rumba singer, songwriter Wuta Mayi, born in Kinshasa, Congo ~ Member of seminal Congolese outfit TPOK Jazz from 1974 through 1982. Following his departure from the ensemble Mayi has recorded as a solo artist, and served as member of supergroup Les Quatre Etoiles and subsequently Kékélé
August 9, 1947 ~ R&B, soul singer, songwriter Barbara Mason born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Known for a number of 1960s, 1970s hits, notably 1965's self-penned Yes I'm Ready. Other well known songs include Sad Sad Girl, Oh How It Hurts and the Curtis Mayfield-cover Give Me Your Love, the latter produced by Mayfield
August 9, 1947 ~ Songwriter, producer Buddy Cannon born in Lexington, Tennessee, USA ~ Father of songer Melonie Cannon and of songwriter Marla Cannon Goodman. Best known as producer for Kenny Chesney. As a songwriter Cannon had his work recorded by artists such as Vern Gosdin, George Strait (Give It Away), Billy Ray Cyrus, Mel Tillis, and others. As a producer he has worked with Chely Wright, Reba McEntire, George Jones, Louise Mandrell, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and others
August 9, 1947 ~ Lee Audrey Nelms, commonly known as electric blues, soul blues, soul, R&B singer, songwriter Trudy Lynn, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Actively performing since the mid-1960s, including backing guitarist Albert Collins and opening for Ike & Tina Turner. Known for her powerful, emotive vocals. Did not start her recording career until the late 1980s, and has recorded about a dozen albums since merging Southern soul with blues. Especially acclaimed for her 1993 I'll Run Your Heart Away album
August 9, 1943 ~ R&B, soul, pop singer Wanda Young, full name Wanda LaFaye Young, born in Inkster, Michigan, USA ~ Member of pivotal Motown girl group the Marvelettes. Sang backup on Please Mr Postman. Lead vocalist on songs such as Don't Mess With Bill, I'll Keep Holding On, and The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game. Young retired from music when the group disbanded in 1972 ~ Young passed away in 2021
August 9, 1942 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, new age drummer, pianist Jack DeJohnette born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Played R&B, hard bop, avant-garde, jazz fusion. Classically trained pianist, best known as and considered one of the premier drummers of the 1970s. Well over 30 albums as a leader, starting with The DeJohnette Complex released in 1968. Backed Miles Davis on albums such as Bitches Brew, Jack Johnson, Live/Evil and On The Corner. Has also appeared on albums by Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Chick Corea (Tones For Joan's Bones), Miroslav Vitous (Infinite Search), George Benson, Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Rollins (Next Album), Don Sebesky, Sadao Watanabe (Round Trip), Collin Walcott, John Abercrombie (Timeless), Ron Carter, Arthur Blythe, Chico Freeman (The Outside Within), Kenny Wheeler, Keith Jarrett, Bennie Wallace, Michael Brecker (Don't Try This At Home), and Eliane Elias
August 9, 1941 ~ Vivian Martin Prince, commonly known as drummer Viv Prince, born in Loughborough, UK ~ Perhaps best known as early member of the Pretty Things, appearing on the band's eponymous 1965 The Pretty Things debut album and its follow-up Get The Picture released later the same year. Known for his wild and eccentric behaviour, Prince is said to have inspired the Who-drummer Keith Moon. Following his departure from the band Prince has worked with Chicago Line, Bunch Of Fives, and Denny Laine
August 9, 1939 ~ William Henderson, commonly known as singer, songwriter Billy Henderson, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Founding member of the Spinners, known for songs such as Could It Be I'm Falling In Love, the Dionne Warwick collaboration Then Came You, The Rubberband Man and It's A Shame co-written with Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright and Lee Garrett and notably reworked by Monie Love to It's A Shame (My Sister) in 1991 ~ Henderson passed away in 2007
August 9, 1939 ~ Edward Rudolph Warren Jr, commonly known as jazz bassist Butch Warren, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Kenny Dorham, Charles Davis, Tommy Flanagan, Buddy Enlow, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Hank Mobley, Donald Byrd, Dexter Gordon, Joe Henderson, Jackie McLean, Stanley Turrentine, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Clark, Elmo Hope, Don Wilkerson, Grant Green, Slide Hampton, Booker Ervin, Bobby Timmons, Walter Bishop Jr, and others ~ Warren passed away in 2013
August 9, 1939 ~ James Timothy Shaw, commonly known as R&B, soul, funk singer, songwriter, producer Mighty Hannibal, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ As a solo artist known for The Biggest Cry, I Need A Woman (Cause I'm A Man), Baby Please Change Your Mind, I'm Coming Home, Hymn No.5, The Truth Shall Make You Free. Worked with the Overalls, Johnny Otis, Leon Russell, and others ~ Shaw passed away in 2014
August 9, 1939 ~ Odd Børre Sørensen, commonly known as pop singer Odd Børre, born in Harstad, Norway ~ Active mostly from the early 1960s until semi-retiring from music in 1970. Internationally best known for representing his native Norway in the 1968 Eurovision Songfestival contest, reaching thirteenth place with Stress ~ Sørensen passed away in 2023
August 9, 1928 ~ Coloratura soprano, musical theater singer Dolores Wilson, full name Dolores Mae Wilson born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Opera singer from the 1950s onwards working with the Metropolitan Opera, the Central City Opera, the Teatro Massimo, the Teatro Municipal, the Opera De Nice, and ohers. Turned to musical theater in the mid 1960s, starting with the original Broadway production of Fiddler On The Roof in 1965 ~ Wilson passed away in 2010
August 9, 1912 ~ Jazz, pop, film composer Bojan Adamic born in Ribnica, Austria ~ Member of the Slovenian resistance during World War II. First conductor of the RTV Slovenia Big Band, established in 1945. As a composer would venture from jazz to film scores, composing scores for over an estimated 200 films ~ Adamic passed away in 1995