February 13, 1988 ~ Pop singer, dancer, actor Aston Merrygold, full name Aston Iain Merrygold, born in Peterborough, UK ~ Member of boy band JLS, runner-up to singer Alexandra Burke in the 2008 edition of the talent show The X-Factor. The band would score five UK No.1 hits, Beat Again, Everybody In Love, The Club Is Alive, Love You More, and She Makes Me Wanna. Merrygold has released several singles as a solo artist, notably Get Stupid reaching the top 30 in 2015. His planned solo debut album would remain shelved
February 13, 1979 ~ Singer, songwriter Natalie Stewart born ~ Rose to fame in the early-2000s as half of the R&B duo Floetry alongside Marsha Ambrosius. The duo is best known for the singles Floetic, Say Yes and Getting Late of their 2002 Floetic debut album and have collaborated with artists such as Jill Scott, Queen Latifah, Common, the Roots and Bilal. Stewart released her Floetic Soul solo debut album in 2010. Married to the Stone Roses-drummer Robbie Maddix in 2017
February 13, 1978 ~ Doom metal, gothic metal guitarist Hamish Glencross born in UK ~ Briefly worked as an actor, notably in the children's drama Children's Ward, prior to switching to music. Best known as rhythm guitarist for metal band My Dying Bride, remaining with the band from 2000 through 2014, first appearing on the acclaimed The Dreadful Hours album
February 13, 1978 ~ Drummer, producer Stephan Ebn born in Kelheim, Germany ~ Worked with Gianna Nannina, the Middle Of The Road, Lynn Anderson, Helmut Zerlett, Kimberley Dahme, Jon Walmsley, Johan Eliasson, Wolfgang Lackerschmid, Bill Molenhof, Claus Stotter, Jorg Widmosser, Laura Pausini, and others
February 13, 1974 ~ Pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Robbie Williams, full name Robert Peter Williams, born in Stoke-on-Trent, UK ~ Rose to fame as a member of boy band Take That, known for songs such as Pray, Babe and Back For Good. Became a superstar in UK and Europe as a solo artist, known for songs such as Let Me Entertain You, She's The One, Rock DJ, The Road To Mandalay, Radio, Rudebox, Candy, and others
February 13, 1972 ~ Bassist, songwriter Todd Harrell born in Escatawpa, Mississippi, USA ~ Member of 3 Doors Down, with whom he recorded five albums including the band's 2000 The Better Life debut album which spawned the hit Kryptonite hit. Harrell would be fired from the band in 2013 after being charged with wehicular homicide, and was replaced by Justin Biltonen. While under the influence of prescription medication Harrell had caused an accident driving at high speed on I-40, which cause the death of 47 year old Paul Shoulders Jr. Harrell would be sentenced to two years imprisonment and six years probation
February 13, 1969 ~ Caron Nimon Rayford, commonly known as soul blues singer, songwriter Sugaray Rayford, born in Smith County, Texas, USA ~ Member of Aunt Kizzy's Boys, present on the albums Trunk Full Of Blues and its follow-up It's Tight Like That. Self-released his Blind Alley debut album in 2010 and has continued to record to critical acclaim backed by guests such as Kim Wilson, Kid Andersen, Sugar Ray Norcia, Bob Corritore, and others. Has also worked with the Mannish Boys, notably on the band's 2013 Double Dynamite debut album
February 13, 1965 ~ Jazz saxophonist Ole Mathisen born in Sandefjord, Norway ~ Brother of bassist Per Mathisen, guitarists Nils Mathisen and Hans Mathisen. Worked with artists such as Paula Cole, Louie Vega, Omar Hakim, Darryl Jones, Hiram Bullock, Tom Coster, Mark Egan, Mino Cinélu, Peter Erskine, Eddie Gomez, Badal Roy, Rufus Reid, Ron Carter, Grady Tate, Claudio Roditi, Will Lee, Lavern Baker, Abraham Laborile Sr, Randy Brecker, Gil Goldstein, Lew Soloff, Tiger Okoshi, Michael Gibbs, Harvie Swartz, Jon Christensen, Gary Husband, Bill Bruford, Kenny Barron, Bob Moses, Jeff Berlin, Hilton Ruiz, Peter Wettre, Adam Nussbaum, Frankie Valli, Dream Theater, and others
February 13, 1961 ~ Henry Lawrence Garfield, commonly known as hardcore punk, alternative metal singer Henry Rollins, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Member of short-lived hardcore punk band State Of Alert. Fronted Black Flag from 1981 through 1986, leading 1980s LA punk outfit acclaimed for their Damaged debut album. Starting in the mid-1980s has released well over two dozen albums as a solo singer, a spoken word artist, and with the Rollins Band. Also known as an actor and activist for various causes, most vocally for gay rights
February 13, 1958 ~ Bassist, mandolinist, guitarist David McLaughlin born in Washington DC, USA ~ Incorporated Bill Monroe's style into progressive bluegrass. Worked with Johnson Mountain Boys, Lynn Morris, Josh Crowe, the Springfield Exit, the Stony Point Quartet, the McCoury Brothers, Hazel Dickens, Tony Trischka, Gloria Belle, Marshall Wilborn, Patrick McAvinue, and others
February 13, 1956 ~ Peter Woodhead, commonly known as post-punk, new wave, alternative rock, synth-pop, alternative dance bassist Peter Hook, born in Salford, UK ~ Co-founding member of Joy Division, known best for their 1980 Love Will Tear Us Apart single. Following lead singer Ian Curtis's suicide the band would continue as New Order, scoring UK top hits such as Blue Monday, True Faith, and World In Motion. Has also toured with Durutti Column, and recorded with Revenge, Monaco, and Satellite Party, notably present on the latter's Wish Upon A Dogstar and Kinky, and others
February 13, 1955 ~ Akiko Suzuki, commonly known as jazz, funk, pop, synth-pop singer, keyboardist Akiko Yano, born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Debuted in 1976 with the album Japanese Girl and has recorded prolifically since. Drew comparisons to Kate Bush and regarded as one of major musical talents of Japanese pop. Has worked with the Yellow Magic Orchestra, Swing Out Sister, Pat Metheny, the Chieftains, Lyle Mays, David Sylvian, Toninho Horta, Mino Cinélu, Charlie Haden, Peter Erskine, Anthony Jackson, Bill Frisell, Thomas Dolby, Quruli, and Rei Harakami
February 13, 1955 ~ Frederick Brandon Williams, commonly known as hip-hop, dance rapper, singer Freedom Williams, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Lead vocalist of 1990s dance outfit C+C Music Factory, known for hits such as Here We Go (Let's Rock & Roll), Things That Make You Go Hmmm and their best known Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)
February 13, 1952 ~ Fingerstyle guitarist Alex de Grassi born in Yokosuka, Japan ~ Actively recording since the 1970s, highly admired by peers for his virtuoso fingerpicking technique
February 13, 1952 ~ Bassist Ed Gagliardi, full name Edward John Gagliardi, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Original bass player for Foreigner, present on the albums Foreigner and Double Vision, fired in 1979. Co-founded the band Spys in 1981 with former Foreigner-keyboardist Al Greenwood. Spys released just two albums, Spys and Behind Enemy Lines, but would be widely acclaimed for setting the tone for many 80s synth-rock bands. Gagliardi, who was right-handed, played the bass left-handed out of admiration for Paul McCartney ~ Gagliardi passed away in 2014
February 13, 1952 ~ Bassist Paul Jeffreys, full name Paul Avon Jeffreys, born in Oxford, UK ~ Member of Cockney Rebel from 1972 through 1974, present on the albums The Human Menagerie and The Psychomodo. Jeffreys subsequently played with Be Bop Deluxe, the Warm Jets and the Electric Eels. Newlyweds Jeffreys and Rachel Jeffreys were among the over 250 killed in the Lockerbie plane bombing, just as they embarked on their honeymoon ~ Jeffreys passed away in 1988
February 13, 1950 ~ Singer, keyboardist, flutist Peter Gabriel, full name Peter Brian Gabriel, born in London, UK ~ Rose to fame in the 1970s as lead singer of progressive rock band Genesis, leaving the band in 1975. Released his solo debut album Peter Gabriel/Car in 1977. Best known for songs such as Solsbury Hill, Games Without Frontiers, Shock The Monkey, Sledgehammer, Don't Give Up with Kate Bush, Steam, and others
February 13, 1949 ~ Judith Aileen Dyble, commonly known as singer, pianist, songwriter Judy Dyble, born in London, UK ~ Best known as co-founding member of Fairport Convention, present on the band's 1968 eponymous Fairport Convention debut album. Also worked with Giles Giles & Fripp and made up half of the duo Trader Horne, the other half being Jackie McAuley ~ Dyble passed away in 2020
February 13, 1942 ~ Peter Halsten Thorkelson, commonly known as guitarist Peter Tork, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Best known as a member of mid- to late-1960s sit-com and band the Monkees. Post-Monkees Tork has worked as an actor, collaborated with George Harrison, released a notable 1994 album (Stranger Things Have Happened), and toured with his blues band Shoe Suede Blues ~ Thorkelson passed away in 2019
February 13, 1938 ~ Carmela Bizman, commonly known as singer, actress Carmela Corren, born in Tel Aviv, Mandatory Palestine ~ Enjoyed popularity in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria since the early-1960s. Represented Austria in the 1963 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 7th place with the song Vielleicht Geschieht Ein Wunder. Corren would record well over a dozen albums through the late-1970s ~ Bizman passed away in 2022
February 13, 1938 ~ Country, folk singer Larry Cunningham born in Clooneen, Ireland ~ Leading figure of the 1960s, 1970s showband scene. First Irish artist to break into the UK charts, his Tribute To Jim Reeves with the Mighty Avons reaching the top 10 in 1965. Their Lovely Leitrim released later the same year would reach No.1. Cunningham would front the Country Blue Boys from 1969 through the mid-1970s, scoring hits with songs such as Slaney Valley and This Time Of The Year ~ Cunningham passed away in 2012
February 13, 1928 ~ Singer Dorothy McGuire, full name Ruby Christine McGuire, born in Middletown, Ohio, USA ~ Formed the sibling outfit the McGuire Sisters with Christine McGuire and Phyllis McGuire. The close-harmony vocal trio would first gain attention in 1952 through Arthur Godfrey's talent contest Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, after which Godfrey hired them for several of his other TV shows. The trio remained active through the late-1960s, and are well known for songs such as Goodnight Sweatheart Goodnight, Muskrat Ramble, It May Sound Silly, Something's Gotta Give, and He. The sisters would top the Billboard Hot 100 charts twice, first with Sincerely in 1955, and again with Sugartime two years later. They have performed for five American presidents, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George HW Bush ~ McGuire passed away in 2012
February 13, 1928 ~ Conductor, oboist, TV, film composer Gerald Fried born in New York, New York, USA ~ Well known for composing music for a number of 1960s, 1970s TV shows such as Gilligan's Island, The Man From UNCLE, Shotgun Slade, Star Trek, and notably Roots, receiving an Emmy Award for the latter. Composed for over a dozen feature films, among them several of Stanley Kubrick's early movies including Fear And Desire, Killer's Kiss, and Paths Of Glory ~ Fried passed away in 2023
February 13, 1927 ~ Bluegrass, country, gospel guitarist, singer Jim McReynolds, full name Jesse Lester McReynolds, born in Coeburn, Virginia, USA ~ Formed the duo Jim & Jesse with his brother Jesse McReynolds, recording and performing from the 1950s until Jim's death in 2002. The brothers were backed by the Virginia Boys, which at times included musicians such as Vassar Clements, Allen Shelton, Carl Jackson, Randall Franks, and others ~ McReynolds passed away in 2002
February 13, 1924 ~ Gene Urick, commonly known as traditional pop singer Gene Ames, born in Malden, Massachusetts, USA ~ Member of family outfit the Ames Brothers, known for a number of 1950s hits including Rag Mop, Sentimental Me, Can Anyone Explain (No No No), Undecided, The Man With The Banjo, The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane and Tammy ~ Urick passed away 1997
February 13, 1920 ~ Diadoros Boudleaux Bryant, commonly known as songwriter Boudleaux Bryant, born ~ Songwriter, usually in partnership with his wife Felice Bryant. Together they wrote some of Nashville's most enduring hits for artists such as Jimmy Dickens (Country Boy), Buddy Holly (Raining In My Heart), Gram Parsons (Love Hurts), Emmylou Harris (Like Strangers), Ricky Van Shelton (Loving Proof), Johnny O'Keefe (She Wears My Ring), and perhaps most extensively for the Everly Brothers (Bye Bye Love, Problems, Wake Up Little Susie). Other artists who have recorded their songs include Tony Bennett, Frankie Laine, Sonny James, Eddy Arnold, Bob Moore, Charley Pride, Nazareth, Jim Reeves, Leo Sayer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Simon & Garfunkel, Sarah Vaughan, the Grateful Dead, Elvis Costello, Count Basie, Dean Martin, Ray Charles, Joan Jett, Roy Orbison, Solomon King, Sue Thompson, and Dillard & Clarke ~ Bryant passed away in 1987
February 13, 1920 ~ Soprano singer Eileen Farrell born in Willimantic, Connecticut, USA ~ Active on the opera stage, in the musical theatre, as a concert singer with a career spanning six decades. Arguably credited for releasing the first successful opera crossover album in 1960, namely I Got A Right To Sing The Blues. Has worked with the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and Frank Sinatra ~ Farrell passed away in 2002
February 13, 1919 ~ Ernest Jennings Ford, commonly known as country, pop, gospel singer Tennessee Ernie Ford born in Bristol, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for his hit recordings Shotgun Boogie and Sixteen Tons. Also remembered for songs such as Smokey Mountain Boogie, I'll Never Be Free with Kay Starr, Tailor Made Woman with Joe Fingers Carr, Mister And Mississippi, Blackberry Boogie, and Hicktown ~ Ford passed away in 1991
February 13, 1912 ~ Jazz saxophonist, flutist, clarinetist Arthur Rollini, full name Arthur Francis Rollini, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Benny Goodman, including at the famed 1938 Carnegie Hall performance considered a milestone in big band history. Also worked with Richard Himber, Will Bradley, Wingy Manone, Joe Venuti, Lionel Hampton, Harry James, Louis Armstrong, Brad Gowans, Bunny Berigan, Jack Teagarden, and wioth his older brother Adrian Rollini ~ Rollini passed away in 1993