December 27, 1998 ~ Emani Johnson, commonly known as R&B singer Emani 22, born ~ First gained attention in 2018 collaborating with Trippie Redd on the tracks Emani's Interlude and Fire Starter. As a solo artist known for songs such as Heartbreak Hotel, Better Days and Dripomatic. Ironically died at age 22, the same number she used in her stage name, having released her full-length The Color Red debut album just the year before ~ Johnson passed away in 2021
December 27, 1986 ~ Metal guitarist, graphic designer Chris Rörland born ~ Best known as member of Swedish heavy metal outfit Sabaton, joining the band in 2012 alongside Thorbjörn Englund as replacements for Rikard Sundén and Oskar Montelius. First appeared on the 2014 Heroes album. Previously Rörland had worked with TME, Cronan, and Nocturnal Rites
December 27, 1984 ~ Marcus Ramone Cooper Sr, commonly known as R&B, hip-hop, pop singer, keyboardist, songwriter Pleasure P, born ~ Member of Pretty Ricky through 2007, known for a number of mid-2000s hits including Grind With Me, Your Body and On The Hotline. Released his The Introduction Of Marcus Cooper solo debut album in 2009, which spawned the Billboard R&B top 10 hits Boyfriend #2 and Under. Cooper reunited with Pretty Ricky in 2014
December 27, 1979 ~ Country, country pop singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Walker Hayes, full name Charles Edgar Walker Hayes, born in Mobile, Alabama, USA ~ Released his Reason To Rhyme debut album in 2011. Would gain serious attention in 2017, the single You Broke Up With Me reaching top 10 on the Billboard Country charts. Subsequent hits include Fancy Like and AA. Co-wrote and guested on Colt Ford's Dirty Side of Ford's 2014 Thanks For Listening album. Co-wrote Eat Sleep Love You Repeat, recorded by Rodney Atkins later the same year
December 27, 1973 ~ Singer, pianist, guitarist, bassist, percussionist, songwriter Alexi Murdoch born in London, UK ~ First gained attention in 2002 with his self-released Four Songs EP. Would release a critically acclaimed full-length album, Time Without Consequences, in 2006 drawing comparisons to late singer, songwriter Nick Drake
December 27, 1972 ~ Guitarist, cellist, pianist, songwriter Matt Slocum born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known as lead guitarist of Sixpence None The Richer and along with singer Leigh Nash the only constant members. Slocum is the principal songwriter of the band including writing the band's best known 2002's Breathe Your Name and the 1998 global hit Kiss Me, the latter reaching top 10 across the globe including in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. Has also worked with Love Coma, Over The Rhine, the Astronaut Pushers, Viva Voce, Julie Miller, Plumb, Wes King, Switchfoot, Hammock, the Lost Dogs, the Choir, Threefold, Brooke Waggoner, Chris Rice, and others.
December 27, 1960 ~ Gospel singer, bassist Fred Hammond, full name Frederick William Hammond, born in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ One of the most popular figures in contemporary Christian music. Draws from a variety of styles including R&B, hip-hop, pop and disco. Played bass in the Winans. Member of Commissioned. Also records as a solo artist since the early-1990s
December 27, 1960 ~ Martin Glover, commonly known as rock, post-punk, experimental rock bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, producer Youth, born ~ Founding member, bassist of Killing Joke, leaving the band in 1982 before they would hit mainstream success in the mid-1980s. As a collaborator, label founder, producer and remixer Youth would later turn to dub, ambient, techno, house and electronica. Has worked with Fireman, Kate Bush, Guns 'n Roses, Primal Scream, Art Of Noise, Crowded House, Zoe, PM Dawn, Erasure, U2, Bananarama, INXS, and Suns Of Arqa
December 27, 1957 ~ Progressive metal drummer Jerry Gaskill, full name Jerry Wayne Gaskill, born ~ Co-founding member of King's X. Has also worked with Phil Keaggy, Doug Pinnick, the Galactic Cowboys, Jay Hooks, Ty Tabor, Black Sugar Transmission, Poundhound, and others. Released his Come Somewhere solo debut album in 2004, singing lead and playing guitar and drums
December 27, 1956 ~ Pianist, comedian Erik Brey, full name Erik Johannes Maria Breij, born in The Hague, the Netherlands ~ Founded cabaret group Purper with Haye van der Heyden, Jan Dagevos and Willem Gulcher, remaining with the group throughout its entire existence from 1980 to 1996
December 27, 1952 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, pianist David Knopfler born in Glasgow, UK ~ Co-founded the Dire Straits, which also included his older brother Mark Knopfler, appearing on on the band's first two albums, 1978's Dire Straits and 1979's Communiqué. Released his solo debut album, Release, in 1983 and has been recording steadily since
December 27, 1951 ~ Singer, songwriter Karla Bonoff born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of Bryndle. Especially known as a songwriter, writing songs covered or originally recorded by artists such as Bonnie Raitt (Home), Linda Ronstadt (Someone To Lay Down Beside Me), Wynonna Judd (Tell Me Why), Lynn Anderson (Isn't It Always Love), and others. As a solo artist best known for Personally, a Billboard top 20 hit in 1982
December 27, 1950 ~ Hariklia Roupaka, commonly known as folk, rebetiko, laiko, entehno singer Haris Alexiou, born in Tebes, Greece ~ Over 30 albums to her name, considered one of the most popular Greek singers with record sales trailing only behind George Dalaras and Yiannis Parios. Well known songs include O Fantaros, Ola Se Thymizoun, Fevgo, Ximeroni, I Agapi Ine Zali, Nefeli's Tango, and others
December 27, 1950 ~ Drummer Terry Bozzio, full name Terry John Bozzio, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Best known for his association with Frank Zappa, appearing on over two dozen of the latter's albums including Sheik Yerbouti, Joe's Garage Acts I II & III and Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar. Has also worked with Missing Persons, 10cc (Deceptive Bends), the Brecker Brothers, UK, Robbie Robertson (Robbie Robertson), Gary Wright, Debbie Harry, Jeff Beck, Mark Isham, the Lonely Bears, Steve Vai, Duran Duran, Bozzio Levin Stevens, the Explorers Club, the Knack, Omar & the Howlers, Pat Mastelotto, the Fantomas, BPM, and others
December 27, 1949 ~ Rock, blues guitarist Wally Gonzalez born in Manila, Philippines ~ Leading figure in Pinoy rock, especially as co-founder of the Juan de la Cruz Band which at the height of its succes also included Mike Hanopol and Pepe Smith. The band is best known for Himig Nation of the 1973 landmark album of the same name. Has also recorded as a solo artist, notably Wally's Blues of his 1978 On The Road album, and was involved with a number of Pinoy bands from the 1990s forward serving as a mentor to numerous emerging talents ~ Gonzalez passed away in 2021
December 27, 1948 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Les Taylor, full name Leslie Christopher Taylor, born in Oneida, Kentucky, USA ~ Lead singer, rhythm guitarist of Exile from 1980 to 1989 and rejoining in 1995. As a solo artist known for songs such as I Gotta Mind To Go Crazy. Has also written or co-written songs recorded by Shelby Lynne, Janie Fricke (It Ain't Easy Bein' Easy), Travis Tritt
December 27, 1948 ~ Engineer, producer Martin Birch born in Woking, UK ~ Renowned hard rock, metal engineer, producer known for his work with artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Jeff Beck, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Wishbone Ash, Rainbow, Ronnie James Dio, the Blue Öyster Cult, Iron Maiden, Skid Row, Toad, Gary Moore, Roger Glover, Cozy Powell, the Michael Schenker Group, and others ~ Birch passed away in 2020
December 27, 1947 ~ Alan Bruce Galuten, commonly known as pianist, guitarist, producer, orchestrator, songwriter Albhy Galuten, born in Hartsdale, New York, USA ~ In-demand producer. Closely associated with the Bee Gees, producing or co-producing several of the band's best known including You Should Be Dancing, How Deep Is Your Love, Stayin' Alive, Night Fever, Too Much Heaven, Tragedy, and Love You Inside Out. Other notable credits include Jellyfish, Frankie Valli (Grease), Barbra Streisand (Guilty), Dionne Warwick (Heartbreaker), Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Samantha Sang, Diana Ross (Chain Reaction), Eric Clapton, and Jesse Ed Davis
December 27, 1944 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Mick Jones born in Portsmouth, UK ~ Active since the early-1960s. Member of Nero & the Gladiators, known for the minor UK hits Entry Of The Gladiators and In The Hall Of The Mountain King. Sessioned for Françoise Hardy, Sylvia Vartan, Johnny Hallyday, including writing Je Suis Né Dans La Rue and A Tout Casser for Hallyday. Best known as co-founding and sole constant member of Foreigner, writing or co-writing a vast amount of the band's material including their best known I Want To Know What Love Is. Released a sole solo album, the eponymous Mick Jones, in 1989. Co-wrote Bad Love of Eric Clapton's 1989 Journeyman album. Has served as producer for Van Halen (5150), Bad Company, Billy Joel (Storm Front), Tina Arena, and for the Cult
December 27, 1944 ~ Country, blues, roots singer, songwriter Tracy Nelson born in Madison, Michigan, USA ~ Member of folk outfit the Fuller Wood Singers and frontwoman of the Fabulous Imitations in her teens. Released her Deep Are The Roots solo debut album in 1965, backed by harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite. Member of Mother Earth with whom she first recorded the self-penned Down So Low, included on the band's Living With The Animals debut album. It would become a signature song for Nelson, recorded several times over the course of her career, and be covered by a host of female singers including Linda Ronstadt, Etta James, Diamanda Galás, Maria Muldaur, and Cyndi Lauper. Would continue to record as solo artist, take a lengthy hiatus in the 1980s, and make a comeback in the 1990s, notably with the acclaimed collaborative album Sing It with labelmates Marcia Ball and Irma Thomas
December 27, 1943 ~ Progressive rock, art rock guitarist, keyboardist, singer, songwriter Peter Sinfield, full name Peter John Sinfield, born in Putney, UK ~ Co-founded King Crimson, remaining with the band through its first four albums. The band is especially acclaimed for their 1969 In The Court Of The Crimson King debut album, widely considered one of the most influential albums in the progressive rock genre. Following his departure from King Crimson, Sinfield has produced Roxy Music's eponymous Roxy Music debut album, which included the hit single Virginia Plain, and has notably worked with Emerson Lake & Palmer. Sinfield would remain an in-demand songwriter, known for his use of surreal imagery, over time gravitating towards more pop-oriented artists. Artists who have recorded songs co-written by Sinfield include Angelo Branduardi, Leo Sayer, Bucks Fizz (The Land Of Make Believe), Five Star, Céline Dion, Nikka Costa, Cher (Heart Of Stone), and Agnetha Fältskog. Sinfield recorded one album as a solo artist, the overlooked Still released in 1973 ~ Sinfield passed away in 2024
December 27, 1942 ~ Singer, guitarist, mandolinist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter Mike Heron, full name James Michael Heron born in Edinburgh, UK ~ Co-founding and key member of the Incredible String Band, with whom he recorded about a dozen albums through the mid-1970s including the acclaimed The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter issued in 1968. While the Incredible String Band pioneered psychedelic folk, or as Heron has stated “the kind of music we felt was missing from our lives, that fitted with the hippy lifestyle”, Heron's solo outings were eclectic yet much more rock-oriented. Songs written by Heron and first recorded by the Incredible String Band have been covered by the likes of Alex Harvey (Maybe Some Day), Johnny McEvoy, Derek Brimstone, and Michael Martin Murphey. As a solo artist, Heron is especially known for his 1971 Smiling Men With Bad Reputations debut album, blending rock, folk and world music, backed by the day's finest musicians including Pete Townshend, Keith Moon, Ronnie Lane, Elton John, and Steve Winwood
December 27, 1941 ~ Keyboardist, saxophonist Les Maguire, full name Leslie Charles Maguire, born in Wallasey, UK ~ Played the saxophone for Liverpool pop group the Undertakers. Joined Gerry & the Pacemakers in 1961, replacing original pianist Arthur Mack, and remained with the band through 1966. Appeared on most of the band's best known including How Do You Do It, I Like It, You'll Never Walk Alone, Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying, and Ferry Cross The Mersey, all of which reached top 10 in the band's native UK ~ Maguire passed away in 2023
December 27, 1941 ~ Keyboardist Mike Pinder, full name Michael Thomas Pinder, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Founding member of the Moody Blues, remaining with the band from its inception in 1964 through the recording of the band's ninth album, Octave, in 1978. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Let Me Go, Stop, The Best Way To Travel, The Sun Is Still Shining, Procession, Lost In A Lost World, When You're A Free Man and One Step Into The Light ~ Pinder passed away in 2024
December 27, 1937 ~ Jazz drummer Bob French born ~ While not widely known outside New Orleans, French is nonetheless considered a key figure in the city's rich musical history. Organized an R&B band while in high school, which included Art Neville, Charles Neville, and Kidd Jordan. Recorded with the likes of Earl King, Snooks Eaglin, and Fats Domino during the 1960s. Led the the Tuxedo Jazz Band, previously led by his father banjoist Papa French, from 1977 until his death at age 74 ~ French passed away in 2012
December 27, 1933 ~ Guitarist, pedal steel guitarist John Hughey born in Elaine, Arkansas, USA ~ Influenced by Eddy Arnold's longtime steel guitarist Little Roy Wiggins. Best known for his decade-plus stint with Slim Rhodes and subsequently Conway Twitty for most of the 1970s and 1980s. Member of Nashville supergroup the Time Jumpers. As an in-demand session musician, Hughey has appeared on albums by Elvis Presley (From Elvis In Memphis), Tony Joe White, Alex Taylor (Dinnertime), Don McLean, Willie Nelson (Phases And Stages), Dickey Betts (Highway Call), Gary Stewart, Ronnie Milsap, Steve Wariner, Dolly Parton (White Limozeen), Vince Gill, and Marty Stuart ~ Hughey passed away in 2007
December 27, 1931 ~ Pianist, composer Walter Norris born in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA ~ Considered a brilliant pianist, known for his harmonically complex yet melodic improvisations. Recorded about a dozen albums as a leader, notably Synchronicity and Winter Rose, the latter a collaborative effort with Aladar Pege. Over the course of his lengthy career, Norris has appeared on albums by Frank Rosolino, Jack Sheldon (The Quartet And The Quintet), Ornette Coleman, Pepper Adams (Julian), Chet Baker, Herb Geller, and Joe Pass. Norris relocated to Berlin, Germany, by the late 1970s, where he would spend the remainder of his life ~ Norris passed away in 2011
December 27, 1930 ~ Electric blues bassist, singer, songwriter Bob Stroger born in Hayti, Missouri, USA ~ Worked with Eddie King, Otis Rush, Jimmy Rogers, Eddie Taylor, Eddy Clearwater, Sunnyland Slim, Louisiana Red, Buster Benton, Homesick James, Mississippi Heat, Snooky Pryor, Odie Payne, Fred Below, Willie Big Eyes Smith, Billy Davenport, Willie Kent, Rufus Forman, and Mark Hummel
December 27, 1927 ~ Jazz bassist, tubist Bill Crow, full name William Orval Crow, born in Othello, Washington, USA ~ Best known for his longtime association with saxophonist Gerry Mulligan. Has also worked with Stan Getz, Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn, Clark Terry, Marian McPartland, JJ Johnson, Al Haig, Jimmy Cleveland, Milt Jackson, Benny Goodman, Mose Allison, Bob Wilber, Eddie Bert, and Jay McShann
December 27, 1919 ~ Mitchell W Wood, commonly known as jazz trombonist Booty Wood, born in Dayton, Ohio, USA ~ Active since the late-1930s. Sporadically recorded as a leader. Closely associated with Duke Ellington and Count Basie, recording over half a dozen albums with each. Has also guested on albums by Willis Jackson, Jimmy Hamilton (Swing Low Sweet Clarinet), Johnny Hodges, Maria Muldaur, Ella Fitzgerald, and Lionel Hampton ~ Wood passed away in 1987
December 27, 1917 ~ John Landry Boudreaux, commonly known as saxophonist, clarinetist Buddy Boudreaux, born in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, USA ~ Worked with Andy Williams, Bernadette Peters, Doc Severinsen, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Burt Bacharach, Johnny Mathis, the Four Tops, Bob Hope, George Burns, Joan Rivers, Tommy Dorsey, and Warren Covington ~ Boudreaux passed away in 2015
December 27, 1916 ~ Jazz violinist, double bassist Johnny Frigo, full name John Virgil Frigo, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Perhaps best remembered for writing Detour Ahead, a jazz standard recorded by Woody Herman, Billie Holiday, Patti Page, Irene Kral, and Anita O'Day. Has worked with Ken Nordine, Holly Cole, Audrey Morris, Claiborne Cary, Buddy Greco, Skeeter Davis, Monty Alexander, Skitch Henderson, Chad Mitchell, and Pee Wee King ~ Frigo passed away in 2007
December 27, 1907 ~ Jazz pianist, arranger Eddie Wilcox born in Method, North Carolina, USA, USA ~ Arranger for Jimmie Lunceford from the 1920s until Lunceford's death in 1947. Took over the orchestra, serving as co-leader with Joe Thomas, through the early-1950s. Founded R&B Raecox label in the 1950s. Also worked as executive for Riviera Records and Derby Records ~ Wilcox passed away in 1968
December 27, 1902 ~ Pop, show tunes songwriter Sam Coslow born in New York, New York, USA ~ Known for songs such as Sing You Sinners (the Harlem Hot Chocolates, Susan Hayward, Tony Bennett), Jammin' (Abe Lyman, Mike Riley), The Moon Song (Kate Smith, Wayne King, Doris Day), I Guess It Had To Be This Way (Bing Crosby, Champ Butler), True Confession (Dorothy Lamour, Connee Boswell) ~ Coslow passed away in 1982
December 27, 1901 ~ Maria Magdalene Dietrich, commonly known as actress, singer Marlene Dietrich, born in Schoneberg, Germany ~ Rose to fame as a stage and silent film actress in 1920s Berlin before moving to Hollywood becoming one of the highest-paid stars of the era. As a singer known for songs such as Falling In Love Again (Can't Help It), See What The Boys In The Back Room Will Have and perhaps her best known Lili Marlene ~ Dietrich passed away in 1992
December 27, 1887 ~ Gertrude Mary Astbury, commonly known as music hall singer, dancer Gertie Gitana, born in Longport, UK ~ Enjoyed popularity from the early-1900s, while still only in her mid-teens, until retiring from performing by the late-1930s. Well known as the Forces sweetheart during World War I, entertaining the wounded in hospitals. Best known for her signature song Nellie Dean, written by Harry Armstrong and Richard H Gerard ~ Astbury passed away in 1957