December 11, 1996 ~ Actress, singer Hailee Steinfeld born in Tarzana, California, USA ~ Started her acting career at age 10. Received an Academy Award in 2010 for Best Supporting Actress in the drama western film True Grit. As a singer released her debut EP, Haiz, in 2015. Known for songs such as Love Myself and Starving with Grey featuring Zedd. Has also Guested on recordings by Prince Fox, Drax Project, and others
December 11, 1973 ~ Dante Terrell Smith, commonly known as alternative hip-hop, progressive rap singer, rapper, keyboardist, bassist, drummer, songwriter, actor Mos Def, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Got his start in music in the mid-1990s as member of short-lived sibling group Urban Thermo Dynamics, appearing on recordings by the Bush Babees and De La Soul. Subsequently formed the duo Black Star with Talib Kweli, releasing their eponymous Black Star debut album in 1998. Released his Black On Both Sides solo debut album the following year and has recorded to critical acclaim since. Well known songs include Body Rock featuring Q-Tip and Tash, Ms Fat Booty, Jam On It, and Oh No with Pharoahe Monch featuring Nate Dogg. Smith is also known as an actor, appearing in films such as The Italian Job and TV series such as Dexter and House.
December 11, 1972 ~ Jazz tenor saxophonist, composer JD Allen born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Worked with George Cables, Betty Carter, Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette, Frank Foster, Butch Morris, David Murray, Wallace Roney, Lucian Ban, Cindy Blackman, Gerald Cleaver, Dave Douglas, Orrin Evans, Duane Eubanks, Marcus Gilmore, Russell Gun, Winard Harper, Elisabeth Kontomanou, Meshell Ndegeocello, Jeremy Pelt, Eric Revis, Lisa Hilton, Nigel Kennedy, Jameo Brown, Tarbaby, Ozan Musluoglo, and others
December 11, 1971 ~ Jazz vibraphonist, composer Mattias Ståhl born in Oskarshamn, Sweden ~ Leader and sideman. Besides vibraphone plays marimbar, glockenspiel, clarinet, harmonica, keyboards and percussion. Known for his 2001 Ståhls Blå debut album. Has worked with Eirik Hegdal, Cecilia Persson, the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, Lennart Åberg, Bengt Berger, Fredrik Nordström, Lina Nyberg, Alberto Pinton, Per Tjernberg, Anglès, and others.
December 11, 1968 ~ Bluegrass fiddler, guitarist, banjoist, mandolinist Ron Stewart born in Paoli, Indiana, USA ~ Worked with Curly Seckler, the Kentucky Ramblers, the Lynn Morris Band, Time Stands Still, JD Crowe, Dan Tyminski, the Boxcars, the Seldom Scene, Don Rigsby, Rhonda Vincent, Audie Blaylock, Ginny Hawker, Jeannie Kendall, Bradley Walker, Tony Trischka, Lou Reid, the Spinney Brothers, and others
December 11, 1968 ~ Skate punk, speed metal, stoner rock bassist Shaun Ross born in Venice, California, USA ~ Influenced by a wide array of artists ranging from punk and hard rock to soul, funk and fusion. Notable influences include Rudimentary Peni, Sly & the Family Stone and Deep Purple. Member of crossover thrash band Excel from 1985, replacing Ricky Palamino, until its disbandement a decade later. Present on all of the band's three studio albums starting with the band's 1987 Split Image debut
December 11, 1967 ~ Antoine Carraby, commonly known as DJ, turntablist, rapper, producer DJ Yella, born in Compton, California, USA ~ Member of the Wreckin' Crew. Joined quintessential rap group NWA in 1987, noted for their influential 1988 Straight Outta Compton debut album. AFter the band broke up would stay on as staff producer with Ruthless Records, working with artists such as JJ Fad, Yomo & Maulkie, Eazy E, Bone Thugs 'n Harmony, Menajahtwa, and others. Released his One Mo Nigga Ta Go solo debut album in 1996, after which he retired from music to pursue a career as an adult film director and producer
December 11, 1967 ~ Michael Beck, commonly known as DJ, MC Michi Beck, born in Stuttgart, West Germany ~ Member of Die Fantastischen Vier. Forms the duo Turntablerocker with Thomas Burchia. Released his Weltweit solo debut album in 1998, featuring Afrob, Max Herre, MC René, and notably international stars Wyclef Jean, Melle Mel and Scorpio. The track Für Immer features American R&B singer Yvette Michelle
December 11, 1961 ~ Bassist Darryl Jones born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for his association with the Rolling Stones, touring and recording with the band since 1993. Has also played with Miles Davis, Sting (Dream Of The Blue Turtles), Otis Clay, Herbie Hancock, Madonna, Eric Clapton, John Scofield, Hiram Bullock, Gil Evans, Steps Ahead, Peter Gabriel, Stone Raiders, Patti Labelle, Philip Bailey, Joan Armatrading (What's Inside), Joe Cocker, BB King, Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, Ziggy Marley, Neil Young, LeAnn Rimes (Remnants), and others
December 11, 1958 ~ Frank Carlton Serafino Feranna Jr, commonly known as heavy metal, hard rock, glam rock bassist, songwriter Nikki Sixx, born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Co-founding member, bassist, primary songwriter of Mötley Crüe, known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hits Smokin' In The Boys Room, Girls Girls Girls, Dr Feelgood, Without You, and Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away). Member of 58 alongside Dave Darling, Steve Gibb and Bucket Baker, known for their sole album Diet For A New America released in 2000. Founded supergroup Brides Of Destruction with Tracii Guns. Frontman and eponym of Sixx AM. Member of Spiders & Snakes. Has served as songwriter, producer for artists such as Lita Ford, Alice Cooper, Meat Loaf, Drowning Pool, and others
December 11, 1954 ~ Pop, R&B singer, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist Jermaine Jackson born in Gary, Indiana, USA ~ Member, co-lead singer of sibling outfit the Jackson 5 from 1964 through 1975, notably present on songs such as I Want You Back, ABC, I'll Be There, The Love You Save, Dancing Machine. Married to Hazel Gordy, daughter of Motown-founder Berry Gordy Jr, from 1973 to 1988 with whom he has three children. When his brothers decided to leave the label and continue as the Jacksons, Jermaine decided to stay citing loyalty to the company and would focus on his solo career. Well known solo songs include Let's Get Serious, Let Me Tickle Your Fancy featuring Devo, Dynamite, Do What You Do, and I Think It's Love. The 1984 Pia Zadora-duet When The Rain Begins To Fall would be an unexpected hit in Europe, topping the charts in France, Germany, and the Netherlands
December 11, 1954 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, percussionist, songwriter Vicki Randle born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Best known as the first permanent female member of the Tonight Show Band, starting in the early 1990s. Released her Sleep City solo debut album in 2007. In-demand backing singer, percussionist, present on recordings by Narada Michael Walden, Pharoah Sanders, Herbie Hancock, Angela Bofill, George Benson, Aretha Franklin (Who's Zoomin' Who), Pete Escovedo, Lyle Mays, Todd Rundgren (Nearly Human), Clarence Clemons, Sheila E, Céline Dion, and Stacy Lattisaw
December 11, 1951 ~ Philip Edney, commonly known as guitarist, keyboardist, singer Spike Edney, born in Portsmouth, UK ~ Musical director for Edwin Starr in the late 1970s. Worked with the Tymes, Ben E King, Queen (especially on live tours starting in 1984), Duran Duran, the Boomtown Rats, Dexys Midnight Runners, Bucks Fizz, Haircut 100, the Rolling Stones, and was a key member of Peter Green's comeback band the Peter Green Splinter Group. Formed the SAS Band (an acronym for Spike's All Stars) in 1994, which at times included stars such as Marillion's Fish, Leo Sayer, the Electric Light Orchestra's Roy Wood, Kiki Dee, Paul Young, Madness' Suggs, Lionel Richie, Bob Geldof and Toyah Willcox
December 11, 1949 ~ Indian classical music, jazz fusion saxophonist Kadri Gopalnath born in Kamataka, India ~ Active since the mid-1970s. Pioneered the use of the saxophone in Carnatic music, a genre originating from southern India. Mentored by singer TV Gopalkrishan. Acknowledged by singer Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer as a Carnatic genius. To Western audiences best known for his collaborations with saxophonist John Handy, the interest from the West leading to worlwide tours. Has also worked with flutist James Newton, and with saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa, notably working with the latter on the 2008 collaborative Kinsmen album ~ Gopalnath passed away in 2019
December 11, 1948 ~ Keyboardist Erwin Musper born in The Hague, the Netherlands ~ Member of Partner, known best for their 1978 hit Kayuta Hill. Would go on to become an in-demand producer working with Toontje Lager, Herman Brood, Zinatra, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, the Scorpions, Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Anouk, and others
December 11, 1946 ~ Pianist, producer Tony Brown born in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA ~ Raised in a strict religious household was forbidden to listen to secular music in his youth. Would go on to become a session and touring pianist for the likes of the Oak Ridge Boys, Elvis Presley, and Emmylou Harris. Turned to producing in the 1980s, working with acts such as George Jones, Jimmy Buffett, Nicolette Larson, Steve Wariner, Steve Earle (Guitar Town), Lyle Lovett, Nanci Griffith, Reba McEntire, and Patty Loveless
December 11, 1944 ~ Brenda Mae Tarpley, commonly known as rock & roll, rockabilly, country-pop singer Brenda Lee born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Popular 1950s, 1960s singer, dubbed “Little Miss Dynamite” for her physique. Best known for songs such as Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree, Sweet Nothin's, That's All You Gotta Do, I'm Sorry, I Want To Be Wanted, Emotions, Dum Dum, Fool No.1, Break It To Me Gently, Everybody Loves Me But You, All Alone Am I, Losing You, and others
December 11, 1944 ~ Singer, actor Gianni Morandi, full name Gian Luigi Morandi, born in Monghidore, Italy ~ Active since the early 1960s. Sold an estimated 50 million recordings. Internationally best known for representing Italy at the 1970 Eurovision Songfestival with Occhi Di Ragazza which ranked 8th out of 12. Resurged in the 1980s. Also known as an actor for TV and up to about 20 feature films.
December 11, 1942 ~ Singer, songwriter Ananda Shankar born in Almra, British Raj ~ Bengali musician best known for fusing Western and Eastern musical styles, including on sitar-based renditions of rock songs such as the Rolling Stones-cover Jumpin' Jack Flash and the Doors-cover Light My Fire of his acclaimed 1970 eponymous Ananda Shankar debut album ~ Shankar passed away in 1999
December 11, 1938 ~ Jazz, avant-garde jazz pianist McCoy Tyner, full name Alfred McCoy Tyner, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ One of the most celebrated and influential jazz pianists of his generation, credited with redefining the sound of modern jazz piano. Closely associated with John Coltrane, backing Coltrane from the early 1960s until Coltrane's death in 1967 including on pivotal albums such as Live At The Village Vanguard, Ballads, Live At Birdland, Crescent, and A Love Supreme. Over 60 albums to his name as a leader or co-leader, remaining relevant across the decades with acclaimed albums such as Live At Newport and Tender Moments in the 1960s, Sahara and Enlightenment in the 1970s, Dimensions and Double Trios in the 1980s, and The Turning Point and Infinity in the 1990s ~ Tyner passed away in 2020
December 11, 1937 ~ Bobbe Gorin Long, commonly known as jazz pianist Beegie Adair, born in Barren County, Kentucky, USA ~ Session musician at WSM-TV station, including on the Johnny Cash Show from 1969 through 1971 accompanying artists such as Chet Atkins, Dolly Parton, Dinah Shore and Peggy Lee. Formed the Beegie Adair Trio with bassist Roger Spencer and percussionist Chris Brown recording jazz standards from Richard Rodgers, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin. Cites George Shearing, Oscar Peterson and Chet Baker-pianist Russ Freeman as influences ~ Long passed away in 2022
December 11, 1937 ~ Classical hornist, pianist, composer Jan Bach born in Forrest, Illinois, USA ~ Somewhat overlooked composer known for both his seriousness and humor. Wrote for orchestra, chamber music, opera. Perhaps best known for compositions such as Horn Concerto, The French Suite and the opera The Student From Salamanca, which premiered at the New York City Opera in 1980 ~ Bach passed away in 2020
December 11, 1935 ~ Steel guitarist Tom Brumley, full name Thomas Rexton Brumley, born in Stella, Missouri, USA ~ Son of renowned gospel singer, songwriter, music publisher Albert E Brumley. Known best for his longtime association with Buck Owens, including on key recordings such as I've Got A Tiger By The Tail, Act Naturally and notably Together Again. Also worked with Ricky Nelson, Chris Hillman, the Desert Rose Band, Glen Campbell, Guthrie Thomas, Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakam, Chris Isaak, Waylon Jennings, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Ray Price, Rod Stewart, the Light Crust Doughboys, and others ~ Brumley passed away in 2009
December 11, 1931 ~ Singer Benny Spellman born in Pensacola, Florida, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for his 1962 single Lipstick Traces On A Cigarette b/w Fortune Teller, both songs written by Allen Toussaint. Also worked with Earl King, Huey Piano Smith, Ernie K-Doe, Wilson Pickett, the Neville Brothers, and the O'Jays ~ Spellman passed away in 2011
December 11, 1926 ~ Willie Mae Thornton, commonly known as singer Big Mama Thornton born in Ariton, Alabama, USA ~ Influenced by Memphis Minnie, Bessie Smith, the Dixie Hummingbirds, and Mahalia Jackson. Best known for first recording the Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller song Hound Dog, later made famous by Elvis Presley, and Ball And Chain, later made famous by Janis Joplin. Has performed and recorded with artists such as Buddy Guy, Fred Below, Eddie Boyd, Jimmy Lee Robinson, Big Walter Horton, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Muddy Waters, Sammy Lawhorn, James Cotton, Otis Spann, Luther Guitar Junior Johnson, Francis Clay, George Harmonica Smith, Doug Macleod, Bee Houston, Steve Wachsman, Todd Nelson, Bill Potter, Bruce Sieverson, JD Nicholson, and Aretha Franklin ~ Thornton passed away in 1984
December 11, 1924 ~ Jazz trumpeter, bandleader Nunzio Rotondo born in Palestrina, Italy ~ Worked with Louis Armstrong, Flavio Ambrosetti, Bill Coleman, Roy Eldridge, Duke Ellington, Zoot Sims, Toots Thielemans, Gil Cuppini, Robert Nicolosi, Romano Mussolini, Gato Barbieri, Franco D'Andrea, Pierre Favre, Mal Waldron, and others ~ Rotondo passed away in 2009
December 11, 1908 ~ Modernist composer Elliott Carter, full name Elliott Cook Carter Jr, born in New York, New York, USA ~ One of the premier American modernist composers of the late 20th century, merging elements of European and American modernism. Composed orchestral, vocal, instrumental works and chamber music. Perhaps best known for his String Quartet No.2, earning him a 1960 Pullitzer Prize ~ Carter passed away in 2012
December 11, 1899 ~ Tango conductor, violinist, composer Julio de Caro born ~ Brother of pianist, composer Francisco de Caro, with whom he regularly collaborated. Influenced by Juan Carlos Cobián, Roberto Firpo, Eduardo Arolas. The latter would offer De Caro a position in his orchestra after an impromptu performance in 1917, giving him his start in music. By the mid-1920s De Caro would lead his own band with a recording contract with RCA-Victor. Over the course of his career De Caro would work with numerous artists, notably Osvaldo Fresedo, Minotto di Cicco, Edmundo Rivero and Pedro Maffia ~ De Caro passed away in 1980
December 11, 1890 ~ Charles Romuald Gardès, commonly known as tango singer, songwriter, actor Carlos Gardel, born in Toulouse, France ~ Dubbed “the King of Tango” and generally acknowledged as the most popular tango singer of the first half of the 20th century. Noted for his baritone voice and dramatic phrasing. Co-wrote a vast amount of his material with lyricist Alfredo Le Pera, many songs becoming staples of the genre. Well known songs include El Dia Que Me Quieras, Por Una Cabeza and Volver. Died at the height of his fame in an airplane crash, alongside frequent collaborator Le Pera, becoming the archetypical tragic hero ~ Gardès passed away in 1935