December 3, 1989 ~ Indie rock, indie pop bassist, guitarist Garron DuPree born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Joined indie pop outfit Eisley in 2005 at the age of 15, then consisting of his cousins Chauntelle DuPree, Stacy DuPree, Weston DuPree and Sherri DuPree. Present on all of the band's recordings since their 2007 Combinations sophomore album. Joined Say Anything in 2013. DuPree has also served as recording engineer for Anberlin, Perma, David Upp, and Crimson Arrow
December 3, 1984 ~ Hind Laroussi Tahiri, mononymously known as pop, R&B singer Hind, born in Gouda, the Netherlands ~ First gained attention in the 2003 edition of the talent show Idols, reaching third place behind Jamai Loman and runner-up Jim Bakkum. Subsequently released her Around The World debut album later the same year. Best known for songs such as All Over Again, Weak and Give Me A Sign. Represented the Netherlands in the 2008 edition of the Eurovision Songfestival with Your Heart Belongs To Me, but failed to reach the finals
December 3, 1983 ~ Pop rock, country pop singer, guitarist, pianist, trumpeter Andy Grammer, full name Andrew Charles Grammer, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Cites influences as diverse as Jason Mraz, Coldplay, OneRepublic, Common, Lauryn Hill, and Jay-Z. Released his eponymous Andy Grammer debut album in 2011, and has recorded steadily since. The single Honey I'm Good taken off his Magazines Or Novels sophomore album reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Other well known songs include Fine By Me, Miss Me, Good To Be Alive, and Fresh Eyes
December 3, 1975 ~ Alternative metal, groove metal, experimental rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter Todd Smith born in Rockville, Maryland, USA ~ Best known for fronting Dog Fashion Disco. Has also recorded as a solo artist going by the moniker El Creepo, starting with the eponymous El Creepo album released in 2009, and worked with the Alter Boys, Polkadot Cadaver, Knives Out, and others
December 3, 1974 ~ R&B, soul, pop singer Trina Braxton, full name Trina Evette Braxton, born in Severn, Maryland, USA ~ Member of sibling outfit the Braxtons, releasing their sole album So Many Ways in 1996. The So Many Ways title single would be the only single charting on the Billboard Hot 100, stalling in the high 80s, yet the band would attract enough attention to launch the solo career of Toni Braxton
December 3, 1973 ~ Indie rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist Amy Millan born in Toronto, Canada ~ Member of Stars, joining the band in 1999 when most of their Nightsongs debut album was already recorded limiting Millan's involvement to singing lead on Toxic Holiday. The band would breakthrough with their Set Yourself On Fire album released in 2004, Millan notably present on the album's single Ageless Beauty. Married to Stars bandmate Evan Cranley, with whom she has two children. Touring member for Broken Social Scene. Has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing her Honey From The Tombs debut album in 2006
December 3, 1970 ~ Singer, mandolinist, songwriter Amy Helm born in Woodstock, New York, USA ~ Daughter of singer Libby Titus and the Band drummer Levon Helm. Has also played in her father's bands the Midnight Ramble Band and Ollabelle. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Didn't It Rain in 2015, backed by artists such as John Medeski, Bill Payne and Catherine Russell. Has also collaborated with Donald Fagen, Mercury Rev, Christine Lavin, Kenny White, Sean Costello, the Holmes Brothers, Ben Sidran, Matt Andersen, Ninni Poijarvi, Rosanne Cash, Tracy Bonham, Colin Linden, Doyle Bramhall II, Tyler Chester, Jennifer Condos, Jay Bellerose, Allison Russell, JT Nero, and Adam Minkoff
December 3, 1965 ~ Latin rock, hard rock, rock guitarist, keyboardist Juan Valdivia born ~ Dubbed “El Maestro” by his fans. Rose to fame as a member of Héroes del Silencio, a band considered pivotal to 1990s Spanish rock. Present on albums such as El Mar No Cesa, Senderos De Traición, El Espíritu Del Vino, and Avalancha. Following the band's disbandement in the late 1990s has recorded his solo artist, releasing his Trigonometralia debut album in 2001
December 3, 1963 ~ Bassist, singer Joe Lally, full name Joseph Francis Lally, born in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA ~ Best known as bassist, co-founding member of post-hardcore outfit Fugazi. Has also recorded as a solo artist, formed the instrumental trio the Messthetics with guitarist Anthony Pirog and drummer Brendan Canty, and toured with Capillary Action and the Melvins
December 3, 1961 ~ Rock guitarist Marcelo Fromer born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Co-founding member of Titas, one of the most popular Brazilian rock bands. Passed away hit by a motorcyclist while jogging, one day before recording of the band's thirteenth album A Melhor Banda De Todos Os Tempos Da Ultima Semana were set to begin ~ Fromer passed away in 2001
December 3, 1960 ~ Guitarist, producer Rolf Ellmer, full name Rolf Johannes Ellmer, born ~ Trance pioneer. Regular collaborator of Rolf Ellmer, the duo releasing records under several monikers including Tokyo Ghetto Pussy, Storm and most successfully as Jam & Spoon. Well known songs include dance tracks such as Right In The Night (Fall In Love With Music), Kaleidoscope Skies, and Be Angeled. Ellmer also formed the dance, techno duo Dance 2 Trance with DJ Dag Lerner, and served as producer for the likes of Enigma, Moby, and Frankie Goes To Hollywood
December 3, 1959 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Maarten Peters born in Nijmegen, the Netherlands ~ Fingerpicking guitarist. Fronted Maarten Peters & the Dream. Member of Frank Boeijen Groep from 1984 through 1986. Backed Margriet Eshuijs. Wrote songs for Rob de Nijs, Liesbeth List, Manuela Kemp, and for Willeke Alberti
December 3, 1959 ~ Singer Nol Havens, full name Arnoldus Ignatius Maria Josephus Havens, born in Tilburg, the Netherlands ~ Frontman, lead singer of VOF De Kunst, known for the 1980s hits Suzanne and Eén Kopje Koffie
December 3, 1956 ~ Composer, drummer, vibraphonist Rob Waring born in Yonkers, New York, USA ~ A resident of Oslo since the early 1980s, Waring has played with the finest of Norway's thriving jazz scene, including Frank Jacobsen, Carl Morten Iversen, Søyr, Erik Wøllo, Espen Rud, Torgrim Sollid, Rune Klakegg, Tone Hulbækmo, Arve Moen Bergset, Kjell Samkopf, Morten Halle, Skruk, Jon Larsen, and others
December 3, 1954 ~ Bassist, singer Paul Gregg born ~ Co-founding and constant member of country outfit Restless Heart, known for a string of Billboard Country hits from the mid-1980s through the 1990s. Have topped the country charts with That Rock Won't Roll, Why Does It Have To Be (Wrong Or Right), Wheels, The Bluest Eyes In Texas, and A Tender Lie. 1987's country charttopper I'll Still Be Loving You and 1992's When She Cries have also crossed over to the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 peaking at respectively No.33 and No.11
December 3, 1952 ~ Guitarist Duane Roland born in Jeffersonville, Indiana, USA ~ Member of Southern rock band Molly Hatchet from its inception in the mid-1970s until 1990. Co-wrote a number of the band's best known including Bloody Reunion and Boogie No More. Has subsequently played with the Southern Rock Allstars and Gator Country ~ Roland passed away in 2006
December 3, 1951 ~ Jazz guitarist, keyboardist, singer, songwriter Barry Finnerty, full name Michael Barry Finnerty, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Active since the late 1960s, starting out as a member of Beefy Red for a number of years before establishing himself as an in-demand touring and session musician. Present on albums by Chico Hamilton, Hubert Laws, the Funk Factory, Ray Barretto, Taj Mahal, Joe Sample, the Crusaders (Street Life), Miles Davis (The Man With The Horn), the Brecker Brothers, Vital Information, and Eliane Elias. Finnerty has also recorded a handful of albums as a solo artist, and authored two jazz education books, The Serious Jazz Practice Book in 2006 and The Serious Jazz Book II two years later, as well as a semi-autobiographical novel loosely based on his life in New York in the mid-1990s
December 3, 1951 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Kimberley Rew born ~ Best known as a member of Katrina & the Waves for which he also wrote the band's biggest hits Walking On Sunshine and 1997 Eurovision Songfestival winning tune Love Shine A Light. Member of Robyn Hitchcock-fronted outfit the Soft Boys from 1978 to 1981, for which he wrote Going Down To Liverpool later famously covered by the Bangles. In 2007 Céline Dion would record Rew's composition That's Just The Woman In Me. Rew also worked with Lonely starting in the late-1980s and Jack starting in 2004
December 3, 1948 ~ Rock, folk rock, blues rock violinist, bassist Jan Hruby born in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Member of Reprocity through the 1960s. Member Etc through the early 1980s. Member of Framus Five, notably present on the album Kolej Yesterday. Member of Cundrgrund. Has also worked with Dagma Andrtova-Vonkoca, Jazz Q, C&K Vocal, Hana Hegerová, Kukulin, and others
December 3, 1948 ~ John Michael Osbourne, commonly known as hard rock singer, songwriter Ozzy Osbourne born in Birmingham, UK ~ Rose to fame as lead vocalist of Black Sabbath, remaining with the band from its inception in 1970 until 1979, fired for alcohol abuse. Would go on to release over a dozen solo albums, many of them reaching multiple Platinum status. Known for songs such as Crazy Train, Flying High Again, Bark At The Moon, Shot In The Dark, No More Tears, Perry Mason, and Changes with daughter Kelly Osbourne
December 3, 1948 ~ Christian rock singer, bassist Rick Cua born in Syracuse, New York, USA ~ Member of Southern rock band the Outlaws from 1980 through 1983, leaving the band to pursue a career in Christian rock. Best known for the 1985 album You're My Road and the 1988 album Can't Stand Too Tall
December 3, 1947 ~ Drummer John Wilson born in Belfast, Northern Ireland ~ Briefly a member of Them, present on the band's Them Again sophomore album released in 1966. Has also worked with the Taste alongside Rory Gallagher, Stud, the Misfits, Skid Row, and others
December 3, 1944 ~ Paul Oscar Beuselinck, commonly known as actor, singer Paul Nicholas, born in Peterborough, UK ~ Played in productions of Hair, Fresh Hair and Cats. As a solo artist best known for a number of mid-1970s UK hits, namely Reggea Like It Used To Be, Dancing With The Captain and Grandma's Party. His single Heaven On The 7th Floor would reach the Billboard top 10 in 1977
December 3, 1944 ~ Ralph May, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Ralph McTell, born in Farnborough, UK ~ Influenced by Blind Blake, Robert Johnson, Blind Willie McTell. Best known for songs such as From Clare To Here and The Streets Of London, the latter covered by over two hundred artists
December 3, 1944 ~ Country songwriter Roger Bowling, full name Roger Dale Bowling, born in Helton, Kentucky, USA ~ Perhaps best known for co-writing Lucille, a Billboard Country No.1 hit, Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit and the first UK charttopper for Kenny Rogers in 1977. Rogers had previously recorded The Coward Of The County and The Ghost Of Another Man, both co-written by Bowling. Bowling also wrote or co-wrote several songs for Billie Jo Spears including There's More To A Tear Than Meets The Eye, '57 Chevrolet and her biggest hit Blanket On The Ground. Others who recorded his songs include the Oak Ridge Boys (Dig A Little Deeper In The Well), Hank Thompson, Dottie West (The Lovin' Kind), Del Reeves, Freddie Hart, George Jones & Tammy Wynette (Southern California), Charlie Rich, and others. Sadly Bowling committed suicide at age 38, being diagnosed with terminal cancer a year earlier ~ Bowling passed away in 1982
December 3, 1943 ~ Singer, guitarist, saxophonist,poet, songwriter Mike Hart, full name Michael William Hart, born ~ Founded early 1960s R&B band the Roadrunners. Departed the band in 1965 to join poetry and music collective the Liverpool Scene. Released his Mike Hart Bleeds solo debut album in 1969, produced by John Peel ~ Hart passed away in 2016
December 3, 1942 ~ Pianist, conductor, arranger, film composer Michel Rubini born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Producer, conductor, arranger for Motown. In-demand session musician. In-demand touring musician for the likes of Ray Charles, Frank Zappa, Barbra Streisand. Organist on Frank Sinatra's That's Life, pianist on Strangers In The Night. Arranger, conductor on Sonny & Cher's A Cowboy's Work Is Never Done, arranged Cher's Don't Hide Your Love, arranged Maureen McGovern's I Won't Last A Day Without You. Along with Howard Blake and Danny Jaeger wrote the soundtrack to the 1983 erotic horror movie The Hunger. Other notable film and TV credits include films such as Manhunter, Nemesis and TV shows such as The Hitchhiker, the soap opera Capitol and Tales From The Crypt
December 3, 1940 ~ Kenneth Alan James Hawker, commonly known as pop singer, songwriter, producer Ken Lewis, born ~ Closely associated with John Carter, the duo serving as songwriters and producers for a host of mostly UK artists from the early 1960s through the mid-1970s. Well-known songs penned or co-penned by the duo include That's What I Want (the Marauders), Is It True (Brenda Lee), Funny How Love Can Be (the Ivy League), Can't You Hear My Heartbeat (Herman's Hermits), Peek-a-boo (the New Vaudeville Band), Let's Go To San Francisco (the Flower Pot Men), and Knock Knock Who's There (Mary Hopkin) ~ Hawker passed away in 2015
December 3, 1936 ~ Nikolas Kostantinos Venetoulis, commonly known as producer, A&R executive Nick Venet, born ~ Perhaps best remembered for signing the Beach Boys to Capitol Records and producing the band's early material such as Surfin' Safari. In one capacity or another has also worked with a wide array of others including Glen Campbell, Jim Croce, Bobby Darin, the Hondells, the Kingston Trio, the Lettermen, Ricky Nelson, Lou Rawls, the Stone Poneys, Linda Ronstadt, the Walker Brothers, Timi Yuro, and others ~ Venetoulis passed away in 1998
December 3, 1932 ~ Jazz bassist Bob Cranshaw, full name Melboure Robert Cranshaw, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Though never a household name, revered among jazz aficionados for his consistent excellence, timing, and versatility. Best known for his longtime association with Sonny Rollins, including on albums such as The Sound Of Sonny, The Bridge, and What's New. Cranshaw can also be heard on albums by the likes of Cy Touff, Sonny Criss, Wayne Shorter (Second Genesis), Sonny Red, Carmen McRae, Lee Morgan, Junior Mance (Junior's Blues), Donald Byrd, Barry Harris, Charlie Rouse, Lee Morgan (The Sidewinder), Pepper Adams, Ben Webster, Grant Green (Solid), Shirley Scott, Joe Henderson (Inner Urge), Milt Jackson, Johnny Lytle, Betty Carter, Wes Montgomery (Bumpin'), Jackie McLean, Bobby Hutcherson, Freddie Hubbard, Hank Mobley (A Slice Of The Top), Grady Tate, Yusef Lateef, Horace Silver (Serenade To A Soul Sister), Duke Pearson (Now Hear This), and George Benson ~ Cranshaw passed away in 2016
December 3, 1932 ~ Singer, radio, TV personality Corry Brokken, full name Cornelia Maria Brokken, born in Breda, the Netherlands ~ Debuted in 1952 with the song I Apoligize. Internationally best known for winning the 1958 Eurovision Songfestival with Net Als Toen. Brokken also represented the Netherlands in the 1957 edition with Voorgoed Voorbij and in the 1959 edition with Heel De Wereld. Would go on to become a well known radio and TV presenter, study law and later become a lawyer and eventually a judge ~ Brokken passed away in 2016
December 3, 1932 ~ Ralph Joseph Reynolds, commonly known as singer Jody Reynolds, born in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Best known for The Endless Sleep, a top 10 hit in 1958. Its follow-up, Fire Of Love, would chart significantly less but eventually become a blues-punk classic and later be covered by MC5 and the Gun Club ~ Reynolds passed away in 2007
December 3, 1932 ~ Jazz trumpeter, cornetist Webster Young born in Columbia, South Carolina, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Known for his lyrical style. Has worked with John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Hampton Hawes, Jackie McLean, Ike Turner, Lester Young, Bud Powell, Paul Quinichette, Joe Puma, Mal Waldron, Ed Thigpen, Earl May, Ray Draper, and others ~ Young passed away in 2003
December 3, 1931 ~ Mary Margaret Morgan, commonly known as singer, actress Jaye P Morgan born in Mancos, Colorado, USA ~ Known for 1950s hits such as Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries, The Longest Walk, Pepper Hot Baby, That's All I Want From You, and Two Lost Souls with Perry Como
December 3, 1925 ~ Singer, actor, guitarist Ferlin Husky, full name Ferlin Eugene Husky, born in Cantwell, Missouri, USA ~ Traditional honky-tonk, weeping country ballads, rockabilly, with some humorous novelty songs thrown in for good measure. Popular from the early-1950s forward. Had a then-unknown Elvis Presley open for him. Known for songs such as I Feel Better All Over More Than Anywhere Else, I'll Baby Sit With You, Gone, The Wings Of A Dove, The Waltz You Saved For Me, Once, and Just For You ~ Husky passed away in 2011
December 3, 1921 ~ Phyllis Smith, commonly known as soprano singer Phyllis Curtin, born in Clarksburg, Virginia, USA ~ Worked with the New England Opera Theatre, the New York City Opera, the NBC Opera Company, the Philadelphia Lyric Opera Company, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and others ~ Smith passed away in 2016
December 3, 1921 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer, label executive Quinton Claunch, full name Quinton Mavis Claunch, born in Tishomingo, Mississippi, USA ~ Befriended Sam Phillips in the late 1940s and sessioned on several of early Sun Records recordings, backing artists such as Carl Perkins, Charlie Feathers and Wanda Jackson. Co-wrote Daydreamin' for Bud Deckelman, later a hit for country singer Jimmy C Newman. Co-founded Hi-Records in the 1950s. Co-founded Goldwax Records in the 1960s, specializing in Southern soul and gospel ~ Claunch passed away in 2021
December 3, 1914 ~ Edward Cornelius, commonly known as trumpeter Corky Cornelius, born ~ Active since the early 1930s, working with Les Brown, Buddy Rogers, Frank Dailey, Benny Goodman, and the Casa Loma Orchestra. While working with Gene Krupa in the early 1940s, Cornelius met the band's singer Irene Daye whom he would marry soon after. Only a few years into the marriage, Cornelius passed away unexpectedly at age 53 of kidney cancer. His widow Daye would later marry trumpeter, bandleader Charlie Spivak ~ Cornelius passed away in 1943
December 3, 1914 ~ Neoclassical composer Irving Fine, full name Irving Gifford Fine, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Member of a group of mid-20th century composers sometimes referred to as the Boston School, which also included Arthur Berger, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Lukas Foss and Harold Shapero. Praised by Virgil Thomson for his “unusual melodic grace” and by Copland for his “elegance, style, finish and convincing continuity” ~ Fine passed away in 1962
December 3, 1910 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Rabon Delmore born in Elkmont, Alabama, USA ~ Formed the duo the Delmore Brothers with his brother Alton Delmore. The duo is known for songs such as Freight Train Boogie, Brown's Ferry Blues, Donna (Lay Down My Old Guitar), Fifteen Miles From Birmingham and perhaps their best known Blues Stay Away From Me. Artists who covered their songs include Johnny Burnette, Gene Vincent, the Louvin Brothers, Les Paul, Doc Watson, and the Everly Brothers ~ Delmore passed away in 1952
December 3, 1907 ~ Singer Connee Boswell born ~ One third of close harmony trio the Boswell Sisters, alongside siblings Martha Boswell and Helvetia Boswell, known for 1930s hits such as I Found A Million Dollar Baby In A Five An Ten Cent Store, Rock & Roll, The Object Of My Affection, Dinah, Alexander's Ragtime Band, and others ~ Boswell passed away in 1976
December 3, 1874 ~ Playwright, lyricist, screenwriter Arthur Wimperis, full name Arthur Harold Wimperis, born in London, UK ~ To musical audiences perhaps best known for co-writing the 1909 hit musical The Arcadians with composers Lionel Monckton and Howard Talbot, and co-writing the 1926 operetta Princess Charming with Albert Szirmai. With the advent of talking films Wimperis would venture into screenwriting for British and American films, notably winning an Academy Award for his contributions to the 1942 film Mrs Miniver ~ Wimperis passed away in 1953