February 15, 1984 ~ Singer, guitarist Gary Clark Jr born in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Hip-hop influenced hybrid merging blues, rock and soul. Debuted in 2001 with the album Worry No More. Best known for songs such as Ain't Messin' Around, The Healing and perhaps his best-known the Beatles-cover Come Together. The latter would be used as the closing theme of the Justice League film. Has collaborated with Booker T Jones, The-Dream, Talib Kweli, Childish Gambino, Tom Morello, and others
February 15, 1979 ~ Hardcore punk, grindcore, dark wave singer, keyboardist Wesley Eisold born in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA ~ Lead singer of synth-pop darkwave band Cold Cave. Lead singer of hardcore punk outfit American Nightmare, briefly known as Give Up The Ghost. Has previously worked with Some Girls, XO Skeletons, and Ye Olde Maids
February 15, 1978 ~ Indie pop, indie rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Courtney Jaye born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Released her Traveling Light debut album in 2005. Best known for a number of songs featured in TV and film soundtracks, notably Can't Behave from the Aquamarine teen comedy film and several songs, including Who Wants To Date A Rockstar, from TV series such as Laguna Beach (The Real Orange County). Has collaborated with the Jayhawks's Gary Louris, Sugarland's Kristen Hall, Rhett Miller, Tift Merritt, the Indigo Girls's Emily Saliers, Thad Cockrell, Butch Walker, and others
February 15, 1976 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, nu metal singer, guitarist, bassist, percussionist Brandon Boyd, full name Brandon Charles Boyd, born in Van Nuys, California, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of Incubus, known for songs such as Drive, Megalomaniac, Anna-Molly, Love Hurts, and Adolescents. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album The Wild Trapeze released in 2010, and collaborated with Sons Of The Sea, Snot, and Ben Kenney
February 15, 1974 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Kathryn Williams born in Liverpool, UK ~ Over a dozen albums to her name, starting with Dog Leap Stairs released in 1999. Has collaborated with Chris Difford, Ted Barnes, Thea Gilmore, John Martyn, Joel Salakula, Tobias Froberg, Ed Harcourt, James Yorkston, Marry Waterson, Boo Hewerdine, and others
February 15, 1974 ~ Renee Ilene Sandstrom, commonly known as singer, child actress Renee Sands, born in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known for her role as Renee on the children's musical TV series Kids Incorporated. Alongside several of her costars also a member of the band Wild Orchid for the entirety of their existence from 1990 to 2003
February 15, 1968 ~ Fabienne Demal, commonly known as singer, songwriter Axelle Red, born in Hasselt, Belgium ~ Debuted with the album Sans Plus Attendre in 1993. Best known for songs such as Sensualité and Manhattan Kaboul, the latter a duet with Renaud. Worked with Steve Cropper, Isaac Hayes, Youssou n'Dour, Charles Aznavour, Francis Cabrel, Stephan Eicher, Sylvia Vartan, Arno, Tom Barman, Peter Gabriel, Michael Toles, Lester Snell, Jeff Anderson, and Damon Duewhite
February 15, 1964 ~ Producer, bassist, drummer, saxophonist Brad Wood born in Rockford, Illinois, USA ~ In-demand producer. Notably produced or co-producer Liz Phair's Exile In Guyville, Placebo's eponymous Placebo debut album, Veruca Salt's American Thighs, Ben Lee's Grandpa Would, Sunny Day Real Estate's Diary. Has also worked with Red Meat, Touché Amoré, Skating Polly, Say Anything, Pete Yorn, Shrimp Boat, Calamity Jane, Mama Tick, Whale, Better Than Ezra, the Bangles, Sherwood, Casey, and others
February 15, 1959 ~ Singer, guitarist Ali Campbell, full name Alistair Ian Campbell, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Lead singer, songwriter, longtime member of UB40, known for hits such as Red Red Wine, I Got You Babe featuring Chrissie Hynde, Don't Break My Heart, Homely Girl, Kingston Town, and I Can't Help Falling In Love With You
February 15, 1958 ~ Jazz keyboardist Adam Holzman born in New York, New York, USA ~ Son of Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman. Leader and sideman. Worked with Bob Belden, Tom Browne, Wayne Escoffery, Charles Fambrough, Anton Fig, Robben Ford, Jane Getter, Randy Hall, Ray Manzarek, Jason Miles, Marcus Miller, Michel Petrucciani, Wallace Roney, Steps Ahead, Grover Washington Jr, Lenny White, Ray Wilson, Steven Wilson, Miles Davis, Dennis Chambers, and Rush
February 15, 1954 ~ Pop singer Marga Scheide, full name Margareth Scheide, born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Rose to fame as original member of Luv' alongside José Hoebee and Patty Brard, known best for U.O.Me (You Owe Me), You're The Greatest Lover, Trojan Horse and Casanova. Following the band's heyday Scheide has recorded with Duo Deuce and released a handful of solo singles, notably Love Symphony, I'll Sing You A Song and Dance On
February 15, 1953 ~ Progressive rock, jazz fusion guitarist John Goodsall born in Pennsylvania, USA ~ Playing professionally since age 15. Worked with Babylon, Juicy Lucy, Colosseum and the Alan Bown Set early on in his career. Best known for his stints with Atomic Rooster and with Brand X which also included drummer Phil Collins. Has also worked with Zoo Drive, Bill Bruford, the Fire Merchants, the Long Beach Mercenaries, Tami Lynn, Franz Pusch, Leon Alvarado, Cymbalic Encounters, and others ~ Goodsall passed away in 2021
February 15, 1951 ~ Pop, adult contemporary singer, pianist, songwriter, actress Melissa Manchester born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Discovered by Barry Manilow. Sang backup for Bette Midler. Closely associated with Carole Bayer Sager, co-writer of a number of early Manchester songs. Released her debut album, Home To Myself, in 1973. Known best for songs such as Midnight Blue, Don't Cry Out Loud and You Should Hear How She Talks About You
February 15, 1950 ~ Classical trumpeter, cornetist Guy Touvron born in Vichy, France ~ Accomplished soloist. Renowned interpreter of baroque composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Tomaso Albinoni, and Giuseppe Torelli, and contemporary classical music. Premiered trumpet concerts written by Ivan Jevtic, Jacques Loussier, and François Rauber. Principal trumpeter for the Orchestre National De Lyon and the French Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. Formed the Guy Touvron Brass Ensemble by the early 1970s ~ Touvron passed away in 2024
February 15, 1949 ~ Singer, songwriter Billy Nicholls born in London, UK ~ Perhaps best known for I Can't Stop Loving You (Though I Try), notably covered by Leo Sayer, and for writing several tracks for the film McVicar including Roger Daltrey's hit Without Your Love. Has worked with a wide array of artists ranging from big band to rock including Oscar Rabin, the Squadronaires, Deep End, Pete Townshend, the Who, the Nice, and others
February 15, 1949 ~ Conductor Hans Graf born in Marchtrenk, Austria ~ Debuted at the Vienna State Opera in 1981 conducting Igor Stravinsky's Petrouchka. Would go on to work with the Boston Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestram, and others. Also noted as the music director of the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg from 1984 through 1994, where he recorded the complete symphonies of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
February 15, 1948 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist Keith Gemmell born in London, UK ~ Best known as member of art rock band Audience. Also a member of the short-lived Sammy, whose sole album Sammy was produced by Deep Purple's Ian Gillan. Has also worked with Roy Young, Eddie Thornton, Rico Rodriguez, the Pasadena Roof Orchestra, and others ~ Gemmell passed away in 2016
February 15, 1947 ~ Arnoldus Treffers, commonly known as rock singer Arnie Treffers, born in Assen, the Netherlands ~ Fronted Long Tall Ernie & the Shakers, known for the 1977 international hit Do You Remember. Also worked with its predecessor the Moans ~ Treffers passed away in 1995
February 15, 1947 ~ Contemporary classical, minimalist composer, conductor John Adams, full name John Coolidge Adams, born in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA ~ Holds six honorary doctorates. Wrote over 60 major compositions. Best known for pieces such as Shaker Loops, Harmonielehre, Short Ride In A Fast Machine and On The Transmigration Of Souls, the latter a Pullitzer Prize-winning composition commemorating the victims of the 9/11 attacks
February 15, 1947 ~ Singer, actress Wenche Myhre, full name Wenche Synnove Myhre, born in Kjelsås, Norway ~ Sings in Norwegian, Danish, Swedish and German. First gained international attention in 1968, representing Germany in the Eurovision Songfestival with the song Ein Hoch De Liebe reaching 6th place. Also known for songs such as Beiss Nicht Gleich In Jeden Apfel, Komm Allein, Er Steht Im Tor, Er Hat Ein Knallrotes Gummiboot, Eine Mark Fur Charlie and Lass Mein Knie Joe, all of which reached the German top 10
February 15, 1945 ~ Ricardo Maldonado Morales, commonly known as salsa singer, pianist, composer Richie Ray, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Half of the famed duo Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz, the other half being Bobby Cruz. The duo would become one of the most beloved and influential salsa duo's known for songs such as Aguzate, Sonida Bestial, Amparao Arrebato, El Diferente, Mi Bandera and A Mi Manera, the latter a translation of the French song Comme D'Habitude best known in the English version as My Way recorded by Frank Sinatra and numerous others
February 15, 1944 ~ Rock drummer Mick Avory, full name Michael Charles Avory, born in Hampton Court, UK ~ Member of early 1960s outfit Bobby Angelo & the Tuxedos, known for the modest UK hit Baby Sittin'. Reportedly rehearsed a number of times with what would later become the Rolling Stones. Best known as longtime member of the Kinks, joining the band briefly after its formation in 1964 replacing Micky Willet. With the exception of some early hits, such as You Really Got Me, which would generally feature session drummers Avory appeared on most of the band's best-known. After his departure from the Kinks in 1984 Avory has played with the Kast Off Kinks, Shut Up Frank, the Animals, and others
February 15, 1941 ~ Songwriter, producer, singer Brian Holland born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ One third of renowned Motown songwriting, production team Holland-Dozier-Holland, responsible for numerous hits by artists such as Martha & the Vandellas (Heat Wave), the Andantes, the Supremes (Stop In The Name Of Love), Mary Wells, the Four Tops, the Isley Brothers, Stevie Wonder, Brenda Holloway, Marvin Gaye (How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You), the Elgins, Honey Cone, and others
February 15, 1939 ~ Alvin Welch, commonly known as pop singer Alvin Cash, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Fronted Alvin Cash & the Crawlers, known for mid 1960s recordings such as the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit Twine Time, The Barracuda, The Philly Freeze, and Keep On Dancing. Following the band's disbandement by the late 1960s, Cash has recorded a handful of singles as a solo artist, and acted in several blaxploitation films including Pete Wheatstraw and Black Bart ~ Welch passed away in 1999
February 15, 1937 ~ Jazz pianist Kirk Lightsey born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Sideman and leader. Has worked with artists such as Yusef Lateef, Betty Carter, Pharoah Sanders, Bobby Hutcherson, Sonny Stitt, Chet Baker, Kenny Burrell, Dexter Gordon, the Leaders, Harold Danko, Jimmy Raney, Clifford Jordan, Woody Shaw, David Murray, Joe Lee Wilson, Louis Stewart, Adam Taubitz, Harold Land, Gregory Porter, Ricky Ford, Sonny Fortune, Rufus Reid, and others
February 15, 1924 ~ Antoinette Ardizzone, commonly known as singer Toni Arden, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Sang with big bands in the 1940s, including with Al Trace, Joe Reichman, Ray Bloch and Shep Fields. Turned to traditional pop starting in the early 1950s, scoring solo hits such as I'm Yours, Kiss Of Fire, Too Young, I Can Dream Can't I and perhaps her biggest hit Padre, a million-seller in 1958 ~ Arden passed away in 2012
February 15, 1918 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Hank Locklin, full name Lawrence Hankins Locklin, born in McLellan, Florida, USA ~ One of country's earliest honky tonk singers. Influential on later generations. Known for songs such as Please Help Me I'm Falling, Send Me The Pillow You Dream On, Geisha Girl, Happy Journey, and Fraulein. Locklin's songs have been covered by artists such as Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Roy Rogers, Dwight Yoakam, Dean Martin and others ~ Locklin passed away in 2009
February 15, 1916 ~ Easy listening, jazz pianist, conductor, arranger, composer Ronnie Aldrich, full name Ronald Frank Aldrich, born in Erith, UK ~ Prolific pianist recording extensively from the 1940s onwards, notably with his orchestra the Squadronaires. Also worked with the BBC Radio Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Radio Orchestra, served as musical director at Thames Television and is perhaps best known as musical director of Benny Hill Show ~ Aldrich passed away in 1993
February 15, 1915 ~ Jazz trumpeter Taft Jordan born in Florence, South Carolina, USA ~ Started with the Washboard Rhythm Kings. Well-known for his stint with Chick Webb, serving in Webb's orchestra for about a decade starting in the early 1930s. As a leader best known for his 1961 album Taft Jordan Plays Duke Ellington. Also present on albums by Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Big Joe Turner, Miles Davis (Sketches Of Spain), and Louis Armstrong ~ Jordan passed away in 1981
February 15, 1907 ~ Organist, composer Jean Langlais, full name Jean François-Hyacinthe Langlais III, born in La Fontenelle, France ~ Served as church organist for the the Basilica of Sainte-Clotilde in Paris from 1945 until 1988, a post previously held by César Franck and Charles Tournemire. In-demand concert organist, touring extensively across Europe and America. Prolific composer, mainly of choral music yet has also written orchestral works and chamber music, and best known for his masses Messe Solennelle, Missa Salve Regina and Missa In Simplicitate ~ Langlais passed away in 1991
February 15, 1905 ~ Hyman Arluck, commonly known as songwriter Harold Arlen, born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best known for co-writing several songs for the 1939 film Wizard Of Oz with lyricist Yip Harburg including Over The Rainbow. Arlen wrote or co-wrote over 500 songs, some of its best known include That Old Black Magic (Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald), I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues (Lillian Shade, Billie Holiday, Sam Cooke), Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea (Aida Ward, Louis Armstrong, Carmen McRae), Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive (Johnny Mercer, Bing Crosby, Ella Mae Morse), Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home (Ruby Hill, Pearl Bailey, Barbra Streisand), Let's Take The Long Way Home (Jo Stafford, Dinah Shore, the Ames Brothers), and One For My Baby And One More For The Road (Lena Horne, Fred Astaire, Harry Belafonte) ~ Arluck passed away in 1986
February 15, 1893 ~ Songwriter Walter Donaldson born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Popular songwriter of the 1910s through the 1940s, addding several classics to the Great American Songbook. Songs written or co-written by Donaldson include Did I Remember (Tommy Dorsey, Patti Page, Nancy Wilson), At Sundown When Love Is Calling Me (Bert Kaplan, Mildred Bailey, Teresa Brewer), My Baby Just Cares For Me (Ted Weems, Count Basie, Nina Simone), Love Me Or Leave Me (Ruth Etting, Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee), Yes Sir That's My Baby (Gene Austin, Jack Hylton, Nat King Cole) ~ Donaldson passed away in 1947