December 26, 1990 ~ Andrew Dennis Biersack, commonly known as singer, pianist, actor Andy Biersack, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Lead singer, founding and sole constant member of rock outfit the Black Veil Brides, best known for their 20212 single In The End. Debuted as a solo artist in 2016 with the album The Shadow Side, released under the moniker Andy Black
December 26, 1990 ~ Nicholas D Miller, commonly known as future bass, trap, dubstep producer, DJ Illenium, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Released his full-length debut album, Ashes, in 2016. Best known for songs such as Feel Good with Griffin featuring Daya, Gold (Stupid Love) with Excision featuring Shallows, Good Things Fall Apart with Jon Bellion, Takeaway with the Chainsmokers featuring Lennon Stella, Nightlight, and others
December 26, 1990 ~ Rapper, singer, songwriter Jon Bellion, full name Jonathan David Bellion, born in Long Island, New York, USA ~ Debuted in 2016 with the album The Human Condition, which would debut at No.5 Hot 200. Co-wrote The Monster, a 2012 hit for Eminem and Rihanna. Co-wrote and produced Trumpets. Has also collaborated with Zedd, BoB, and opened for twenty one pilots. As a solo artist best known for the single All-Time Low
December 26, 1979 ~ Guitarist, singer Chris Daughtry born in McLeansville, North Carolina, USA ~ Influenced by Creed, Live, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, the Stone Temple Pilots, Bon Jovi. First gained serious attention as a contestant on the 5th season of American Idol in 2006, reaching 4th place. Offered the frontman spot for Fuel, at the time lacking a lead singer, but declined. Lead singer, eponym of Daughtry, releasing their eponymous Daughtry debut album in 2006. Has previously worked with Cadence and with Absent Element
December 26, 1979 ~ Marco Bruno, commonly known as hip-hop producer Marco Polo, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Released his solo debut Port Authority album in 2007. Has collaborated with or produced artists such as Torae, Ruste Juxx, Masta Ace, Sadat X, Pumpkinhead, Heltah Skeltah, Braille, KRS One, Verbal Kent, Talib Kweli, Vinnie Paz, Snak The Ripper, Phonte, and others
December 26, 1979 ~ Christine Clements, commonly known as dubstep, ambient, IDM singer, keyboardist, programmer, producer Vaccine, born ~ One of the first women to be signed to a dubstep related label, Hotflush Recordings, a genre dominated by males. Influenced by Nine Inch Nails, Akira Yamaoke, Portishead, Massive Attack, and Tricky. Has been releasing 12" recordings since the mid-2000s, starting with Wishful Thinking b/w Signal To Noise, leading up to her Decryption EP in 2014 ~ Clements passed away in 2023
December 26, 1971 ~ Singer, actor, songwriter Jared Leto, full name Jared Joseph Leto, born in Bossier City, Louisiana, USA ~ Started as an actor for TV in the mid-1990s. Also known as lead vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and primary songwriter of Thirty Seconds To Mars, which he co-founded in 1998, scoring hits from the mid-2000s onwards including From Yesterday, Kings And Queens, This Is War, Walk On Water and Dangerous Night
December 26, 1970 ~ Electronic, trip hop, pop drummer Dave Westlake born ~ First gained attention as member of Sneaker Pimps, remaining with the band from 1997 through 2002. Subsequently formed Trash Money with bandmate Joe Wilson. Westlake has also worked with Ultrafox and musical comedy act the Mighty Boosh, and composed for film and TV
December 26, 1970 ~ Indie rock, indie pop singer, guitarist, bassist, percussionist, songwriter James Mercer, full name James Russell Mercer, born in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA ~ Influenced by the Smiths, the Cure, Echo & the Bunnymen, the Beatles, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark. Co-founded Flake Music, known for their acclaimed 1999 When You Land Here It's Time To Return album. Co-founding and sole constant member, lead singer, guitarist, primary songwriter of the Shins. Collaborated with Danger Mouse under the group moniker Broken Bells, releasing their eponymous Broken Bells debut album in 2010
December 26, 1969 ~ Engineer, producer Caleb Southern, full name Caleb August Southern, born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA ~ Best known for his association with Ben Folds Five, serving as producer for the albums Ben Folds Five, Whatever And Ever Amen, and The Unauthorized Biography Of Reinhold Messner. Has also worked, either as engineer or producer, with acts such as Metal Flake Mother, Antiseen, Dillon Fence, Flat Duo Jets, Jennyandkind, the Archers of Loaf (Icky Mette), Geezer Lake, Superchunk, Capsize 7, Zen Frisbee, Tom Freund, and Shark Quest ~ Southern passed away in 2023
December 26, 1967 ~ Singer Audrey Wiggins born in Asheville, North Carolina, USA ~ Formed the sibling duo John & Audrey Wiggins with her brother John Wiggins. The duo recorded two albums, spawning a string of modest country hits in the mid-1990s including Falling Out Of Love, She's In The Bedroom Crying, Somewhere In Love and their best known Has Anybody Seen My Amy
December 26, 1966 ~ Alternative rock, alternative country singer, guitarist, songwriter Jay Farrar, full name Jay Stuart Farrar, born in Belleville, Illinois, USA ~ Co-founded Uncle Tupelo. Shortly after recording their 1993 Anodyne album, the band's fourth album, Farrar announced his departure from the band over artistic differences with co-leader Jeff Tweedy. Despite never achieving mainstream succes the band was hugely influential in 1990s alternative country, setting the bar for future artists merging elements of punk, folk, rock, and country. Farrar and Mike Heidorn would go on to form Son Volt, while the other Tupelo members formed Wilco. Farrar also recorded as a solo artist, noted for his 2001 Sebastopol album, and guested on recordings by Michelle Shocked (Arkansas Traveler), the Bottle Rockets, and Anders Parker
December 26, 1963 ~ Drummer Lars Ulrich born in Genlofte, Denmark ~ Co-founding member, drummer for Metallica, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with Kill 'Em All released in 1983. The band is considered one of “the Big Four” of thrash metal, alongside Megadeth, Anthrax, and Slayer, and known for songs such as Nothing Else Matters, Enter Sandman, Until It Sleeps, The Memory Remains, and Turn The Page
December 26, 1960 ~ Composer, conductor, flutist Caroline Charrière born in Fribourg, Switzerland ~ Founded all-female choir Choeur De Jade. Composed chamber music, choral music and orchestral pieces. Best known for the oratorio Le Livre De Job and Awakening, a composition for wind quintet ~ Charrière passed away in 2018
December 26, 1959 ~ Charles Henry Mosley III, commonly known as singer, guitarist Chuck Mosley, born in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Best known as frontman of Faith No More from 1984 to 1988, appearing on the albums We Care A Lot and Introduce Yourself. Formed Bad Brains. Formed Cement. Released solo albums backed by guests such as Jonathan Davis, John 5, Michael Carellone, Roddy Bottum, Imperial Teen, and Leah Lou. Joined industrial collective Primitive Race in 2017 ~ Mosley passed away in 2017
December 26, 1957 ~ Jazz trumpeter, composer Guy Barker born in Chiswick, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Wally Fawkes, Bob Nadkarni, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Johnny Dankworth, Gil Evans, Lena Horne, Bobby Watson, Clark Tracey, Ornette Coleman, Carla Bley, Georgie Fame, James Carter, Mike Westbrook, Frank Sinatra, Colin Towns, Natalie Merchant, ABC, The The, Haircut 100, Erasure, Chris Botti, Wham, Kajagoogoo, the Housemartins, Matt Bianco, Alphaville, the Style Council, the Moody Blues, Sting, Bucks Fizz, Mike Oldfield, Cleo Laine, Acoustic Alchemy, XTC, Stan Tracey, Perico Sambeat, Bernardo Sassetti, Geoff Gascoyne, Gene Calderazzo, and others
December 26, 1957 ~ Keyboardist, percussionist Jean-Marc Vivenza born in Marigot, Martinique ~ Member of pop unit La Compagnie Créole, founded in 1975. The band originally sang in Creole but quickly adopted French as their main language. Known for their feel-good, happy-go-lucky vibe they have recorded about two dozen albums and would enjoy popularity in the Francophone world and beyond especially in the 1980s, reportedly selling over 60 million records over the course of their career. Well-known songs include Vive Le Douanier Rousseau, C'est Bon Pour Le Moral, Le Bal Masqué, Ça Fait Rire Les Oiseaux, and Ma Première Biguine-Partie
December 26, 1956 ~ Michael Jones, commonly known as singer, multi-instrumentalist, producer, songwriter Kashif, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of BT Express through 1978, including on the hits Express and Do It (Till You're Satisfied). As a solo artist known for songs such as I Just Gotta Have You (Lover Turn Me On), Stone Love, Help Yourself To My Love, Edgartown Groove, and The Mood. As a producer, songwriter and/or musician worked with Stephanie Mills, George Benson (wrote and produced Inside Love), Evelyn Champagne King (wrote and produced I'm In Love), Johnny Kemp, Melba Moore, Dionne Warwick, Howard Johnson (produced So Fine), Giorge Pettus, Stacy Lattisaw, Melisa Morgan, Exposé, the Wootens, Freda Payne, then-newcomer Whitney Houston (produced You Give Good Love), Al Jarreau, and others ~ Jones passed away in 2016
December 26, 1954 ~ Jazz violinist, producer Noel Pointer born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ In-demand session musician in R&B, jazz, disco. Debuted as a solo artist with the Phantazia, which reached Platinum status. Notable guest appearance include Milira's Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) and Dianne Reeves' The Tracks Of My Tears, both covers of classics respectively Marvin Gaye and the Miracles. Has also worked with the Apollo Theater Orchestra, the Love Unlimited Orchestra, and the orchestra of several Broadway productions. One of the youngest ever to serve as music advisory panelist for the National Endowment For The Arts ~ Pointer passed away in 1994
December 26, 1954 ~ Paloma Romero, commonly known as punk rock, post-punk drummer Palmolive, born in Melilla, Spain ~ Co-founding member of the Slits, remaining with the band through 1978. Subsequently worked with the Raincoats, appearing on their eponymous 1979 The Raincoats debut album. Has also worked with the Flowers Of Romance, fired from the band after rejecting frontman Sid Vicious' avances.
December 26, 1951 ~ Guitarist, songwriter David Briggs born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Lead guitarist of the Little River Band from 1976 through 1981, wrote the hit single Lonesome Loser and co-wrote Happy Anniversary. Would go on to produce recordings for the Australian Crawl, Russell Morris and others
December 26, 1951 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, acid jazz guitarist, composer John Scofield born in Dayton, Ohio, USA ~ Over 40 albums to his name as a leader, starting with the eponymous John Scofield Live released in 1977. Draws from bebop, jazz fusion, funk, blues, R&B, rock. In-demand sideman. Notable collaborations include Charles Mingus (Three Or Four Shades Of Blues), Hal Galper (Ivory Forest), Miles Davis (Star People, Decoy, You're Under Arrest). Has also worked with artists such as Gerry Mulligan, Billy Cobham, Chet Baker, Urbie Green, Terumasa Hino, Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood, Miroslav Vitous, Zbigniew Seifert, Joe Beck, George Adams, Tal Farlow, McCoy Tyner, Jack DeJohnette, Gov't Mule, Roy Haynes, Scolohofo, Trio Beyond, and others
December 26, 1949 ~ Stride, R&B, folk pianist, guitarist George Winston born in Hart, Michigan, USA ~ Known for playing three distinctive styles, a melodic approach Winston dubs rural folk piano, stride piano influenced by Fats Waller and Teddy Wilson, and New Orleans R&B influenced by Professor Longhair and Henry Butler. Has released well over a dozen albums, starting with his overlooked Piano Solos debut album in 1972, later re-released as Ballads And Blues 1972. Primarily known as a pianist Winston also plays guitar and harmonica ~ Winston passed away in 2023
December 26, 1949 ~ Film composer, conductor, orchestrator Ira Newborn born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as a film composer, scoring the soundtracks for films such as Weird Science, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, the entire The Naked Gun series and Ace Ventura Pet Detective. Musical director for That Girl Belongs To Yesterday]. Has also worked on Broadway and with artists such as the Manhattan Transfer, Ray Charles, Billy Joel, and others
December 26, 1949 ~ Salsa trumpeter Luis Perico Ortiz born in San Juan, Puerto Rico ~ Worked with Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, the Fania All-Stars, Blondie, David Bowie, Ann-Margret, Dionne Warwick, Diahann Carroll, Trini López, Engelbert Humperdinck, the Puerto Rican Symphony Orchestra, Sammy Davis Jr, Tony Bennett, Paul Anka, the Supremes, and others
December 26, 1948 ~ Dolores de la Colina Flores, commonly known as singer, songwriter Lolita de la Colina, born in Tampico, Mexico ~ Artists who have recorded her songs include Manoella Torres, Lupita D'Alessio, José José, Daniela Romo, Stephanie Salas, Manolo Muñoz, Ana Gabriel, Maria Dolores Pradera, Gloria Lasso, María Jiménez, Verónica Castro, Manuel Mijares, Roberto Blades, Pepe Aguilar, Chavela Vargas, Marco Antonio Muñiz, and others
December 26, 1947 ~ R&B, funk bassist, singer George Porter Jr born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Co-founded the Meters with Art Neville, known best for their first two albums, eponymous The Meters and its Look-Kay Py Py follow-up, both released in 1969 and influential on funk artists such as George Clinton, Cameo, James Brown, Sly & the Family Stone. Has also worked with the 7 Walkers, Porter Batiste Stoltz, Wild Tchoupitoulas. In-demand collaborator and session musician, present on recordings by the Soul Rebels Brass Band, Dr John, Paul McCartney, Robbie Robertson, Willy DeVille, Patti Labelle, David Byrne, Johnny Adams, Earl King, Warren Haynes, Tori Amos, Snooks Eaglin, Solomon Burke, and others
December 26, 1947 ~ Salsa singer Marvin Santiago born in San Juan, Puerto Rico ~ Active since the late-1960s. Sang with Rafael Cortijo, starting on the Ahi Na Ma (Put It There) album singing lead vocals on the tracks Vasos En Colores and La Sonora De Felipe Rodriguez. Would go on to sing with Roberto Angleró, Bobby Valentín and with the Fania All-Stars before debuting as a solo artist in 1977 with the album De Los Soneros ~ Santiago passed away in 2004
December 26, 1947 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Penny Nichols born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Formed the duo the Greasy Mountain Butterballs with Kathy Smith, the duo toured Vietnam in 1966. Debuted as a solo artist with the Penny's Arcade album in 1967. Also worked with John McEuen, sang backup with Jimmy Buffett's the Coral Reefer Band, and was a member of jazzy outfit Black Imp. Married to actor, musician Harry Shearer from 1974 to 1977 ~ Nichols passed away in 2017
December 26, 1942 ~ Free funk, avant-garde jazz drummer Doug Hammond born ~ Worked with Earl Hooker, Sonny Rollins, Charles Mingus, Sammy Price, Donald Byrd, Wolfgang Dauner, Ornette Coleman, Steve Coleman, Nina Simone, Betty Carter, Marion Williams, Paquito d'Rivera, Arnett Cobb, James Blood Ulmer, Arthur Blythe, Kirk Lightsey, and others
December 26, 1942 ~ Singer Rob de Nijs born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Known for songs such as Ritme Van De Regen, Jan Klaassen De Trompetter, Malle Babbe, en Zondag
December 26, 1939 ~ Songwriter, lyricist, author Ken Howard, full name Kenneth Charles Howard, born in Worthing, UK ~ Frequent songwriting partner of Alan Blaikley. Well known songs include the UK No.1 hits Have I The Right for the Honeycombs and The Legend Of Xanadu for Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick & Tich. Others who recorded songs written or co-written by Howard include the Herd, Lulu, Engelbert Humperdinck, Rolf Harris, Elvis Presley (I've Lost You), the Bay City Rollers, Fiver, and Phil Collins. The duo also wrote for TV and musicals, notably the West End productions Mardi Gras and The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole
December 26, 1939 ~ Producer Phil Spector, full name Harvey Philip Spector, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ One of the most influential producers in pop music history, known for his Wagnerian approach to rock & roll. Active since the late-1950s, co-founding member, guitarist of the Teddy Bears and writing their 1958 Billboard No.1 hit To Know Is To Love Him. Founded Phillies Records in 1960, at the time becoming the youngest label owner to date at age 21. Scored numerous hits throughout the 1960s as writer, co-writer, producer of acts such as the Ronettes, the Crystals, the Righteous Brothers and Ike & Tina Turner. Produced the Beatles final album, Let It Be. Continued his chart succes in the 1970s with artists such as Leonard Cohen, Dion and the Ramones. Sentenced in 2009 to 19 years to life for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson ~ Spector passed away in 2021
December 26, 1935 ~ Abdul Kareem Fakir, commonly known as singer Duke Fakir, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Member of the Four Tops, an R&B outfit that recorded for over four decades in its original line-up. The quartet has recorded some two dozen albums since the mid-1960s, and are remembered for a vast body of work that includes Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits such as I Can't Help Myself (Sugarpie Honey Bunch), Reach Out I'll Be There, Standing In The Shadows Of Love, and Bernadette. At their induction in 1990, the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame stated “the only thing that can outlast the Four Tops' lineup is their incredible body of work”. Fakir was the last surviving member of the original quartet, and retired from performing the year before his death ~ Fakir passed away in 2024
December 26, 1934 ~ Cantastorie, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Otello Profazio, full name Otello Ermanno Profazio, born in Rende, Italy ~ Draws heavily from traditional folk of South Italy, especially Sicily and Calabria. Acclaimed for his 1964 Il Treno Del Sole album. Also known for the 1970s albums Il Brigante Musolino and Qua Si Campa D'Aria. Host of several TV music programs, notably Quando La Gente Canta aired on Secondo Canala ~ Profazio passed away in 2023
December 26, 1933 ~ Jazz guitarist Billy Bean, full name William Frederick Bean, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Charlie Ventura, Red Callender, Buddy Collette, Paul Horn, John Pisano, Bud Shank, Milt Bernhart, Les Elgart, Herb Geller, Lorraine Geller, Calvin Jackson, Zoot Sims, Tony Bennett, Hal Gaylor, Walter Norris, Stan Getz, Herbie Mann, John Lewis, Dennis Budimir, Buddy DeFranco, and Fred Katz ~ Bean passed away in 2012
December 26, 1929 ~ Rachelle Zylberberg, commonly known as singer, nightclub manager Régine, born in Anderlecht, Belgium ~ Dubbed “the Queen of the Night” Zylberberg is best known as nightclub manager and owner, notably Chez Régine in 1950s Paris. Darling of the international jet set. Credited for inventing the modern day discotheque, growing weary of people always requesting the same songs and the silence between records, she replaced the jukebox by a disc jockey using two turntables. Has also recorded a number of albums as a torch singer and occasionally ventured into acting ~ Zylberberg passed away in 2022
December 26, 1926 ~ Composer Earle Brown born in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, USA ~ Established his own formal and notational systems. Creator of “open form” a style of musical construction that has influenced numerous composers including John Zorn. Among his best known compositions are December 1952, Available Forms I & II (Centering), and Cross Sections And Color Fields ~ Brown passed away in 2002
December 26, 1926 ~ Monte Rex Budwig, commonly known as jazz double bassist Monty Budwig, born in Pender, Nebraska, USA ~ In-demand sideman and collaborator, especially associated with Barney Kessel, Shelly Manne, and Vince Guaraldi. Budwig has also appeared on albums by Lennie Niehaus, Stan Getz, Woody Herman, Tal Farlow, Art Pepper, Frank Rosolino (Frank Rosolino Quintet), June Christy, Henry Mancini (The Music From Peter Gunn), Zoot Sims (Choice), Benny Goodman, Thelonious Monk (At The Blackhawk), Junior Mance, Sonny Criss (Rockin' In Rhythm), Jimmy Rowles, Mundell Lowe, Soprano Summit, Herb Ellis, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Al Cohn, and Lew Tabackin. Budwig recorded one album as a leader, the highly acclaimed Dig released in 1978 ~ Budwig passed away in 1992
December 26, 1915 ~ Jazz singer, pianist, songwriter Una Mae Carlisle was born in Zanesville, Ohio, USA ~ Has been performing publicly since age 3. Discovered by Fats Waller, a major influence and future collaborator of hers, while stil in her teens. Toured Europe in the 1930s. Has recorded with sidemen such as Lester Young, Benny Carter and John Kirby in the 1940s. As a songwriter perhaps best known for Walkin' By The River, originally recorded by Hal Kemp in 1940 and notably covered by Mitchell Ayres, Ella Fitzgerald and Della Reese. Married to John Bradford, owner of 1940s Harlem jazz club Gee-Haw Stables ~ Carlisle passed away in 1956
December 26, 1911 ~ Beecher Ray Kirby, commonly known as country guitarist, steel guitarist, dobroist, banjoist, singer Bashful Brother Oswald, born in Sevier County, Tennessee, USA ~ Popularized the resonator guitar and dobro. Original and sole constant member of Roy Acuff's backing unit the Smoky Mountain Boys, notably present on songs such as Precious Jewel, Wreck On The Highway, and Old Age Pension Check. In-demand session musician and collaborator, including with the all-star the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on the 1972 Will The Circle Be Unbroken album, and solo artist, recording about half a dozen albums starting with the eponymous Bashful Brother Oswald album released in 1962 ~ Kirby passed away in 2002
December 26, 1906 ~ Songwriter Morgan Lewis, full name William Morgan Lewis Jr, born in Rockville, Connecticut, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-writing How High The Moon with lyricist Nancy Hamilton, first featured in the 1940 Broadway revue Two For The Show by Alfred Drake and Frances Comstock. The song would become a jazz standard recorded by Benny Goodman, Stan Kenton, Les Paul & Mary Ford, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Marvin Gaye, Gloria Gaynor, Stéphane Grappelli, and others ~ Lewis passed away in 1968
December 26, 1902 ~ Delta blues, country blues, acoustic blues harpist, singer, guitarist JD Short born in Fort Gibson, Mississippi, USA ~ Cousin of Big Joe Williams and David Honeyboy Edwards. Plays a number of instruments including guitar, harmonica, piano, saxophone, drums. As a solo artist best known for songs such as Lonesome Swamp Rattlesnake and You're Tempting Me. Worked with the Neckbones, Henry Spaulding, Douglas Williams, Son House, and others. Re-emerged in the early-1960s blues revival ~ Short passed away in 1962