December 16, 1997 ~ Singer Zara Larsson born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ First gained attention as a contestant on the Swedish talent show Talang in 2008. Released a debut EP, Introducing, in 2013. Its accompanying single Uncover would top the charts throughout Scandinavia. Larsson's full-length debut album, 2017's So Good, would spawn several international hit singles including Lush Life, Symphony and Never Forget You. The latter would reach No.13 on the American Billboard Hot 100
December 16, 1985 ~ Raven-Symoné Christina Pearman, commonly known as actress, R&B singer Raven-Symoné born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Started as a child actress, notably on The Cosby Show, Hangin' With Mr Cooper and the Disney series That's So Raven. As a singer debuted at age 7 with the album Here's To New Dreams, spawning the modest hit That's What Little Girls Are Made Of featuring Missy Elliott. Continues to enjoy a successful career, mostly as an actress for TV and film, and a modest career as a solo singer and as a member of the Cheetah Girls
December 16, 1984 ~ Derek Johnson Jr, commonly known as Christian hip-hop rapper, singer Derek Minor, born in Pontiac, Michigan, USA ~ Member of 116 Clique. Active as a solo artist since 2008. Best known for songs such as Who You Know, Change The World featuring Hollyn, and Fresh Prince. Has guested on recordings by Chris Cobbins, Tedashii, Lecrae, J'son, Aaron Cole, and others
December 16, 1982 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwrite Chris Scruggs, full name Christopher Alan Davies Scruggs, born ~ Son of songwriter Gary Scruggs and singer, songwriter Gail Davies. Paternal grandson of banjo player Earl Scruggs. Maternal grandson of country singer Tex Dickerson. Multi-instrumentalist, guitar, bass, mandolin, fiddle, drums. Best known as guitarist and co-lead singer of BR549 from 2002 to 2005. Wrote the band's Tangled In The Pines. In-demand sideman. Has worked with Charlie Louvin, Andrew Bird, Ray Price, Robbie Fulks, Giant Sand, Peter Noone, Bobby Bare, Michael Nesmith, She & Him, Suzy Bogguss, Marty Stuart, and others. Released his first solo album, Anthem, in 2009
December 16, 1982 ~ Country singer, guitarist Frankie Ballard, full name Frank Robert Ballard IV, born in Battle Creek, Michigan, USA ~ Debuted with the eponymous Frankie Ballard album in 2011. Best known for songs such as Helluva Life, Sunshine & Whiskey and Young And Crazy, all of which reached the Billboard Country top 10 and all included on Ballard's sophomore Sunshine & Whiskey album released in 2014
December 16, 1981 ~ Pastor, worship, contemporary Christian music singer, songwriter Eddie Kirkland, full name William Edward Kirkland Jr, born in Tarrant, Texas, USA ~ Not to be confused with namesake electric blues guitarist, singer Eddie Kirkland. Founder and pastor of Parish Anglican Church, Atlanta, Georgia. As a singer has released a number of EPs starting in the late 2000s and the full-length Kings & Queens album in 2012
December 16, 1981 ~ Emmanuel Rodriguez, commonly known as Christian rap, reggaeton singer Manny Montes born in Puerto Rico ~ Actively recording since the early 2000s, first gaining attention guesting on Double Impact's Mas Que Vencedores of their Juventud Despierta debut album. Released his own Realidadas debut album the following year. Has recorded prolifically since and has become an in-demand collaborator working with the likes of 116 Clique, Funky, Redimi2, Alex Zurdo, Indiomar, Farruko, Mexicano 777, and others
December 16, 1975 ~ Alternative rock, punk rock, post-hardcore singer, drummer, guitarist, songwriter Benjamin Kowalewicz born in Montreal, Canada ~ Member of To Each His Own which changed their name to Pezz, known for their 1998 Watoosh album, and later still again changed their name to Billy Talent. Guested on recordings by Cancer Bats, Anti-Flag, K-OS, and Emigrate
December 16, 1975 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist, singer Jake Cinninger, full name Jacob Alan Cinninger, born in Nilese, Michigan, USA ~ Joined jam band Umphreys McGee in 2000 as second lead guitarist, the other being original member, singer Brendan Bayliss. Influenced by Joe Pass, Tommy Emmanuel, Chris Poland, Randy Rhoads, George Benson, David Gilmour, Frank Zappa, and Roy Buchanan
December 16, 1974 ~ Rock, hard rock singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Damond Jiniya born in Palm Springs, California, USA ~ Best known for briefly fronting Savatage and for his work with electro-metal outfit Diet Of Worms from 1997 through 2004
December 16, 1974 ~ Heavy metal, power metal guitarist Daniel Antonsson born in Sweden ~ Member of Dimension Zero. Has also worked with Dark Tranquility, present on We Are The Void. Other associations include Soilwork, Pathos, Meridian Dawn, and supergroup Akani
December 16, 1973 ~ Marisa dos Neis Nuns, commonly known as fado singer Mariza, born in Maputo, Mozambique ~ Considered an important figure in the New Fado movement. Active since the late 1990s. Internationally renowned. Best known for songs such as Feira De Castro, O Tempo Não Para and Melhor De Mim
December 16, 1972 ~ Pop, R&B singer Michael McCary born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known as bass singer of R&B boy band Boyz II Men. known for hits such as Motownphilly, It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday, End Of The Road, I'll Make Love To You, On Bended Knee, Water Runs Dry, 4 Seasons Of Loneliness, One Sweet Day with Mariah Carey and Hey Lover with LL Cool J, all of which reached the Billboard top 10. McCary would leave the band in 2003 for medical reasons, the rest of the band continuing as a trio
December 16, 1971 ~ Matthias Paul, commonly known as trance, house, progressive house, electro house DJ, producer Paul van Dyk, born in Eisenhüttenstadt, East Germany ~ Best known for a number of late 1990s, early 2000 recordings, songs such as We Are Alive, Nothing But You featuring Hemstock & Jennings, The Time Of Our Lives featuring Vega4, and Wir Sind Wir featuring Peter Heppner all reaching the top 20 in his native Germany
December 16, 1969 ~ Heavy metal guitarist, bassist Marios Iliopoulos born in Thessaloniki, Greece ~ Co-founding member of melodic death metal band Nightrage. Has also worked with Exhumation, Dragonland, Dies Irae, Septic Flesh, Firewind, Mystic Prophecy, Universum, the Forsaken, and others
December 16, 1968 ~ R&B, soul, jazz, gospel singer Lalah Hathaway born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Daughter of singer Donny Hathaway. Debuted in 1990 with the album A Moment, spawning the hit Heaven Knows, and has recorded to mixed success since. Has collaborated with BEF (Family Affair), Grover Washington Jr, the Winans, Marcus Miller, Gerald Albright, Pete Escovedo, Wayman Tisdale, Roy Hargrove, David Sanborn, Ken Hirai, Donald Lawrence, Meshell Ndegeocello, George Benson, Kirk Whalum, Snarky Puppy, Dianne Reeves, Al Jarreau, Common, Kendrick Lamar, Terri Lyne Carrington, Gregory Porter, Charlie Wilson, Esperanza Spalding, José James, and others
December 16, 1963 ~ Jeffrey Lee Herndon, commonly known as country singer, bassist Jeff Carson, born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Sessioned and worked as a demo singer until his 1995 eponymous Jeff Carson debut album, which spawned three Billboard Country top 10 hits with Not On Your Love, The Car and Holdin' Onto Somethin'. Carson would be unable to repeat the succes but continued to record, reaching the country charts with songs such as Cheatin' On Her Heart, I Never Was The Same Again and Until We Fall Back In Love Again. Retired from music in 2009 to pursue a career in law enforcement ~ Herndon passed away in 2022
December 16, 1961 ~ Rhonda LaChanze Sapp, mononymously known as actress, singer, dancer LaChanze, born in St Augustine, Florida, USA ~ Probably best known for portraying the role of Celie in the 2005 Broadway-production of The Color Purple, earning her a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical the following year. Other stage productions featuring LaChanze include Once On This Island, Dessa Rose, If/Then and Summer (The Donna Summer Musical). Has also acted in TV series and films, including as voice actress
December 16, 1960 ~ Jazz trombonist Mike Fahn born in Huntington, New York, USA ~ Brother of actress, singer Melissa Fahn. Leader and sideman. Worked with Dick Berk, Bob Cooper, Jerry Vivino, Frank Strazzeri, Andy Simpkins, Andrew Hill, Tom Harrell, Chita Rivera, and others
December 16, 1960 ~ Cornetist, trumpeter, hornist Roger Webster born in Doncaster, UK ~ Acclaimed as one of the finest cornetists of his generation. Member of the Black Dyke Band from 1988 through 1993, rejoining in 2000. Also known for his association with the Grimethorpe Collery Band, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, and others
December 16, 1959 ~ Jazz, rock, blues, pop violinist, guitarist Graham Clark, full name Graham Leslie Lionel Clark, born ~ Closely associated with Daevid Allen, working on several projects from the late 1980 through the 2010s. Has also worked with Andy Sheppard, Keith Tippett, Gong, Jah Wobble, Liz Fletcher, and others
December 16, 1959 ~ Drummer Stephen Irvine born in UK ~ Member of Lloyd Cole & the Commotions, known for mid-1980s songs such as Rattlesnakes and Lost Weekend. After the band disbanded in 1989 Irvine would go on to work with artists such as Del Amitri, Étienne Daho, Sarah Cracknell, Bloomsday, and others
December 16, 1954 ~ Bassist Joe Fonda born in Amsterdam, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Wadada Leo Smith, Anthony Braxton, the Fonda-Stevens Group, the Nu-Band, Barry Altschul, Fab Trio, the Michael Musillami Trio, Satoko Fujii, Remi Alvarez, Karl Berger, Roy Campbell Jr, Charlie Mariano, Conference Call, Archie Shepp, Mark Whitecage, and others
December 16, 1954 ~ Ivana Spagna., commonly known as club, dance, dance-pop singer Spagna, born in Veleggio sul Mincio, Italy ~ Rose to fame with mid to late-1980s dance-pop hits such as Easy Lady, Call Me, Why Me and Every Girl And By. Has also recorded songs by songwriters such as Diane Warren (There's A Love) and Elton John (Il Cercio Della Vita (Circle Of Life)). Had artists such as Brian Auger, Eumir Deodato, Dominic Miller, Lou Marini, Gregg Kofi Brown, Fabrizio Bosso, and Ronnie Jones guest on her albums
December 16, 1953 ~ Jazz clarinetist Allan Vaché born in Rahway, New Jersey, USA ~ Worked with Benny Goodman, Teddy Wilson, Lionel Hampton, Pete Fountain, Clark Terry, Benny Carter, Milt Hinton, Bob Haggart, Yank Lawson, Bucky Pizzarelli, Gene Krupa, Jake Hanna, Scott Hamilton, Herb Ellis, Bonnie Raitt, and Leon Redbone
December 16, 1952 ~ Punk, rock guitarist Alex Fergusson born ~ Member of the Nobodies. Formed punk band Alternative TV with Mark Perry in 1977. Subsequently a member of Psychic TV from 1981 through 1987. Has also served as producer for Orange Juice, the Go-Betweens, Dorothy Max Prior, and Gaye Bykers On Acid
December 16, 1951 ~ Daniel GP Middlebrook, commonly known as blues, gospel singer, guitarist Danny Brooks born in Toronto, Canada ~ Actively recording both as a member of several as bands and as a solo artist since the early 1970s. Plays in a wide variety of styles including blues, R&B, country and gospel. Has collaborated with the Mighty Jeremiahs, the Taildraggers, Garth Hudson, and others
December 16, 1951 ~ Folk rock, CCM singer, guitarist Mark Heard, full name John Mark Heard III, born in Macon, Georgia, USA ~ Acknowledged as a poetic songwriter displaying an honesty to the human condition uncommon in CCM, Heard has recorded over half a dozen albums prior to his death at age 40, following a heart attack on stage. Especially acclaimed for his 1982 Victims Of The Age album and Dry Bones Dance released eight years later. A valued sideman, collaborator, and occasional producer, Heard is also present on albums by Larry Norman, Phil Keaggy, Olivia Newton-John, Randy Stonehill (Return To Paradise), and Pierce Pettis ~ Heard passed away in 1992
December 16, 1949 ~ James Joshua Whiting, commonly known as blues harpist Sugar Blue, born in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best known for guesting on several of the Rolling Stones's tracks including Miss You, Some Girls, Send It To Me, Down In The Hole. Released his solo debut album, Crossroads, in 1979. Has worked with Louisiana Red, Mike Zwerin, Willie Dixon, Brownie McGhee, and others
December 16, 1946 ~ Keyboardist, singer, producer Benny Anderson, full name Göran Bror Benny Andersson, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Keyboardist, singer, songwriter of ABBA, rising to international stardom with their 1974 Eurovision Songfestival winner Waterloo. Would go on to become the most successful act in Eurovision history scoring international hits well into the 1980s with songs such as SOS, Mamma Mia, Fernando, Dancing Queen, Take A Chance On Me and Thank You For The Music
December 16, 1945 ~ Guitarist, banjoist, sitarist, mandolinist, singer Tony Hicks, full name Anthony Christopher Hicks, born in Nelson, UK ~ Lead guitarist, constant member of the Hollies, known for a string of 1960s UK hits including the top 10 singles Just One Look, Here I Go Again, I'm Alive, Look Through Any Window, I Can't Let Go, and On A Carousel. The singles Bus Stop, Stop Stop Stop, and Carrie Anne would also reach top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100
December 16, 1945 ~ Zelimir Bebek, commonly known as rock singer, guitarist, bassist, mandolinist Zeljko Bebek, born in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia ~ Lead singer of rock group Bijelo Dugme from 1974 through 1984. Has previously recorded with Kodeski and Jutro. As a solo artist has over a dozen albums to his name, his biggest solo hit being 2019's Dunavom
December 16, 1944 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, free jazz guitarist John Abercrombie, full name John Laird Abercrombie, born in Portchester, New York, USA ~ Became an in-demand session musician starting in the late 1960s with artists such as Gato Barbieri, Barry Miles, Gil Evans, the Brecker Brothers, Billy Cobham, Dreams. Closely associated with Jack DeJohnette. Over 50 albums to his name as leader or co-leader including 1976's Gateway and 1979's Abercrombie Quartet. Has worked with Jan Hammer, Ralph Towner, Richie Beirach, George Mraz, John Scofield, Tal Farlow, Vince Mendoza, Arild Andersen, Adam Nussbaum, Kenny Wheeler, Peter Erskine, John Patitucci, Marc Copland, Joe Beck, Robert Balzar, Franco Ambrosetti, Rudy Linka, Enrico Rava, Dr Lonnie Smith, Jan Garbarek, Bob Mintzer, and others ~ Abercrombie passed away in 2017
December 16, 1939 ~ Banjoist, fiddler, mandolinist Barney McKenna, full name Bernard Noel McKenna, born in Donnycarny, Ireland ~ Co-founding member of the Dubliners, one of the most beloved Irish groups enjoying international popularity over a career spanning over five decades. Infusing traditional folk with a rock & roll feel, they are best known for songs such as Seven Drunken Nights, Hand Me Down My Bible and Free The People. McKenna has also guested on recordings by Elvis Costello, the Chieftains, Christy Moore (Whatever Tickles Your Fancy), Melody Gardot, and Damien Dempsey ~ McKenna passed away in 2012
December 16, 1937 ~ Country singer, guitarist Jim Glaser, full name James William Glaser, born in Spalding, Nebraska, USA ~ Member of sibling outfit the Glaser Brothers, known for songs such as California Girl (And The Tennessee Square), Rings, Ain't It All Worth Living For, and Lovin' Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again), all of which reached top 20 Billboard Country top 20. Glaser has also recorded a handful of solo albums, his most successfull being his Man In The Mirror 1983 debut album which spawned the Billboard Country charttopper You're Gettin' To Me. Glaser was also the first to record Who Were You Thinkin' Of in 1979, notably covered by Sir Douglas Quintet, the Texas Tornados, and Billy Bacon & the Forbidden Pigs ~ Glaser passed away in 2019
December 16, 1937 ~ Joseph Carl Firrantello, commonly known as jazz, jazz funk, fusion, hard bop saxophonist, oboist, flutist, hornist Joe Farrell, born in Chicago Heights, Illinois, USA ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name as a leader, including the highly acclaimed Outback released in 1972. Member of Chick Corea's pioneering jazz-fusion outfit Return To Forever. To pop and rock audiences perhaps best known for guesting on tracks such as Aretha Franklin's Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do), and Santana's When I Look Into Your Eyes. Other notable credits include work with Stan Getz, Dizzy Reece (Asia Minor), Willie Bobo, Jaki Byard, Stanley Turrentine, Pearls Before Swine, Andrew Hill, Elvin Jones, Janis Ian (Who Really Cares), Hermeto Pascoal, Roberta Flack (Quiet Fire), James Brown, Hall & Oates, the Bee Gees, George Benson (Good King Bad), and Maynard Ferguson ~ Firrantello passed away in 1986
December 16, 1933 ~ John Robert Smith, commonly known as hard bop, soul jazz organist Johnny Hammond Smith, born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Active since the late 1950s. Renowned on the Hammond B-3 organ, earning him the nickname Hammond. As a leader best known for his 1971 Breakout album, and for collaborating with the Mizell Brothers on the mid-1970s albums Gambler's Life and Gears. In-demand collaborator, appearing on albums by Gene Ammons, Oliver Nelson, Byrdie Green, Freddie Hubbard (Red Clay), Billy Butler, Stanley Turrentine (Don't Mess With Mr T), and the CTI All-Stars ~ Smith passed away in 1997
December 16, 1933 ~ Jazz guitarist Ron Anthony born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Influenced by Joe Negri. Best known for his association with George Shearing. Has also worked with Tex Beneke, Les Brown, Stan Kenton, Vic Damone, Bob Hope, and extensively with Frank Sinatra from the 1980s until Sinatra's death in 1998 ~ Anthony passed away in 2021
December 16, 1931 ~ Producer, label executive Shelby Singleton born in Waskom, Texas, USA ~ Producer at Mercury Records incremental to the careers of Leroy Van Dyke, Ray Stevens, Joe Dowell, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roger Miller, Charlie Rich, Dave Dudley, and Brook Benton. Started his own label by the early-1960s, scoring with hits such as Hey Paul Hey Paula by Paul & Paula and Harper Valley PTA by Jeannie C Riley. Bought Sun Records in 1969 ~ Singleton passed away in 2009
December 16, 1930 ~ Jazz flutist, clarinetist, saxophonist Sam Most, full name Samuel Most, born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Tommy Dorsey, Shep Fields, Boyd Raeburn, Don Redman, his brother Abe Most, Chris Connor, Paul Quinichette, Teddy Wilson, Louie Bellson, Clare Fischer, Stan Kenton, Lalo Schifrin, and others ~ Most passed away in 2013
December 16, 1923 ~ Pianist Menahem Pressler born in Magenburg, Germany ~ Fled Nazi Germany with his family after Kristallnacht. Best known as longtime member of the Beaux Arts Trio, the only member to play with the trio throughout its entire existence ~ Pressler passed away in 2023
December 16, 1918 ~ George Edward Ballard, commonly known as jazz drummer Butch Ballard, born in Camden, New Jersey, USA ~ Worked with Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Cootie Williams, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Pearl Bailey, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Arnett Cobb, Clark Terry, Shadow Wilson, Woody Herman, Harry Carney, Paul Gonsalves, Jimmy Hamilton, Billy Strayhorn, Kay Davis, Chubby Kemp, Wendell Marshall, John Coltrane, Freddie Green, Harry Sweets Edison, Clark Terry, Emmett Berry, Bardu Ali, Willie Cook, Cat Anderson, Arnett Cobb, Lucky Millinder, Bootsie Barnes, Bob Dorsey, Eddy Vincent, Mercer Ellington, the Philadelphia Legends Of Jazz Orchestra, and others ~ Ballard passed away in 2011
December 16, 1918 ~ Pierre Charles Marcel Napoleon Leroyer, commonly known as songwriter Pierre Delanoë born in Paris, France ~ Wrote thousands of songs recorded by Dalida, Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, Petula Clark, Johnny Hallyday, Joe Dassin, Michel Sardou, Mireille Mathieu. Co-wrote Et Maintenant with Gilbert Bécaud, its translation What Now My Love was recorded by Agnetha Fältskog, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, the Supremes, Sonny & Cher, the Temptations. Co-wrote Je T'Appartiens, translated to Let It Be Me recorded by the Everly Brothers, Tom Jones, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Nina Simone, and numerous others ~ Delanoë passed away in 2006
December 16, 1915 ~ Bandleader, pianist, arranger Marty Gold born in New York, New York, USA ~ Pianist, arranger for popular 1940s novelty danceband the Korn Kobblers. Perhaps best remembered for penning Tell Me Why, a 1951 hit record for the Four Aces ~ Gold passed away in 2011
December 16, 1908 ~ Jazz, blues, R&B bassist, tubist Quinn Wilson, full name Quinn Brown Wilson, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with Tiny Parham, Walter Barnes, Jelly Roll Morton, Erskine Tate, Earl Hines, Jimmie Noone, Lefty Bates, John Lee Hooker (including on the acclaimed The Folk Lore Of John Lee Hooker), Franz Jackson, and others ~ Wilson passed away in 1978
December 16, 1895 ~ Andriamananentena Paul Razafinkarefo, commonly known as songwriter, lyricist Andy Razaff, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Remembered for co-penning songs such as Honeysuckle Rose (Bert Stock, Mildred Bailey, Louis Jordan, Horace Henderson), S'posin' (Bob Haring, Rudy Vallée, Erskine Hawkins, the Chordettes), Keepin' Out Of Mischief Now (Louis Armstrong, Lee Wiley, Dinah Washington, Barbra Streisand), Stompin' At The Savoy (Judy Garland, Stan Kenton, Maxine Sullivan), You're Lucky To Me (Ethel Waters), The Joint Is Jumpin' (Fats Waller), and Ain't Misbehavin' (Margaret Simms & Paul Bass, the Charleston Chasers, Chester Gaylord) ~ Razafinkarefo passed away in 1973