February 23, 1998 ~ K-pop singer Kevin Moon born in Gwangju, South Korea ~ First gained attention as a contestant on the 6th and final season of the talent show Kpop Star. Though eliminated from the contest early on would go on to sing for the soundtrack of Saimdang (Light's Diary) the following year. Best known as a member of K-pop boy band the Boyz, present on the 2021 hit Maverick
February 23, 1986 ~ Pop singer Ola Svensson, full name Ola Nils Hakan Svensson, born in Lund, Sweden ~ First gained attention as contestant on the talent show Swedish Idol in 2005, reaching 8th place. Released his debut album, Given To Fly, the following year. Best known for songs such as Rain, Natalie, SOS, Sky's The Limit, Unstoppable (The Return Of Natalie) and Overdrive
February 23, 1986 ~ Holly Brook Hafermann, commonly known as singer, songwriter Skylar Grey, born in Mazomanie, Wisconsin, USA ~ Debuted in 2006 with the album Like Blood Like Honey. Co-wrote Love The Way You Lie, a 2010 hit for Eminem and Rihanna. Has guested on recordings by Fort Minor, Dr Dre, Nicki Minaj. Has written for artists such as Kehlani, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Nick Jonas, Céline Dion, Cee Lo Green, and others
February 23, 1984 ~ Benjamin Laub, commonly known as rapper, producer Grieves, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Indepedently released his full-length Irreversible debut album in 2007. First gained serious attenttion with his 2011 Together/Apart album featuring guest appearances from Brother Ali and Krukid. Has also collaborated with Kublakai, MC Lars, Transit, Horrorshow, Atmosphere, Watsky, Spose, and others
February 23, 1978 ~ René Pérez Joglar, commonly known as rapper, singer Residente, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico ~ Co-founding member of alternative rap band Calle 13, known best for songs such as Atrévete-te-te, Suave, Pa'l Norte featuring Orishas, and No Hay Nadie Como Tú featuring Café Tacuba. Has released his eponymous Residente solo debut album in 2017
February 23, 1977 ~ Electronic, breakbeat, house, alternative dance DJ, producer DJ Hyper born ~ Released his full-length We Control debut album in 2006, featuring the Prodigy members Leeroy Thornhill and Jim Davies. Has remixed for artists such as BT and Paul van Dyk. Hyper's music has been used in video games and TV series including Orange Is The New Black and Leftovers
February 23, 1976 ~ Fado singer Katia Guerreiro, full name Katia Duarte D'Almeida D'Oliveira Rosado Guerreiro, born in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa ~ Born to Portuguese parents. Sang with Tuna Médica and Os Charruas while in medical school. Has recorded over half a dozen albums as a fado singer, starting with 2001's Fado Maior, while still working part-time as a doctor
February 23, 1975 ~ Jazz saxophonist Wayne Escoffery born in London, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Carl Allen, Eric Reed, the Mingus Big Band, Ralph Peterson, Ben Riley, Ron Carter, Rufus Reid, Bill Charlap, Bruce Barth, Jimmy Cobb, Eddie Henderson, Mary Stallings, Cynthia Scott, Nancie Banks, Laverne Butler, his wife Carolyn Leonhart, the Monk Legacy Septet, Monty Alexander, Amina Figarova, the Tom Harrell Quintet, and others
February 23, 1973 ~ Alternative rock, pop rock keyboardist, guitarist Lars-Olof Johansson born in Huskvarna, Sweden ~ Member of the Cardigans, known for a number of 1990s hits including Lovefool, My Favorite Game, Erase-Rewind and the Talking Heads-cover Burning Down The House, the latter a collaboration with Tom Jones of Jones's 1999 Reload album. Johansson has also worked with acoustic country band Up The Mountain
February 23, 1968 ~ Hardcore punk, heavy metal drummer, singer, bassist, guitarist Chris Reifert born ~ Considered a pioneer of death metal and death doom. Drummed on Death's 1987 Screams Bloody Gore debut album. Founded, drummed, sang in Autopsy. Has also worked with Abscess, Ravenous, Doomed, Eat My Fuk, Painted Doll, Violation Wound, Machetazo, Immortal Fate, Nuclear Death, Cathedral, and others
February 23, 1967 ~ Conductor, violinist Alan Gilbert born in New York, New York, USA ~ Music director of the New York Philharmonic from 2009 through 2017. Has also worked with the Cleveland Orchestra, the Santa Fe Orchestra, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, the NDR Symphony Orchestra, and the Metropolitan Opera
February 23, 1967 ~ Drummer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, singer, producer Chris Vrenna born in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Founded electronic band Tweaker. Played drums for Nine Inch Nails from 1989 through 1997. Played keyboards and percussion for Marilyn Manson from 2004 through 2011. Briefly a member of Die Warzau and Stabbing Westward. In-demand producer for acts such as the Smashing Pumpkins, U2, Skinny Puppy, Gary Numan, Scar The Martyr, David Sylvian, Mudvayne, Megadeth, Rammstein, Metallica, Weezer, David Bowie, Slipknot, Rob Zombie, Green Day, Adema, the Wallflowers, and others
February 23, 1967 ~ Classical, avant-garde jazz, experimental, punk, post-punk pianist, singer, songwriter Thollem McDonas born ~ Eclectic solo musician and in-demand collaborator, covering a wide array of genres ranging from classical to free jazz and from experimental to punk rock. About half a dozen albums as a solo artists, starting in the mid-2000s. Founded the Estamos Ensemble, premiering original compositions by composers such as Nels Cline, Pauline Oliveros, Vinny Golia, and Ana Lara. Founded Tsigoti, an anarcho-punk group serving as a musical mouthpiece for his political activism. Other notable credits include the Debussy Project and the Hand To Man Band with Mike Watt, John Dieterich and Tim Barnes
February 23, 1963 ~ Fiddler, guitarist Erik Hokkanen born in Clearwater, Florida, USA ~ Active since the mid-1980s. Draws from a wide variety of genres including old-time music, jazz, classical, country, rock, roots music. First gained attention backing Gary P Nunn touring the Southwest. Recorded his first album, Erik & the Offbeats, in 1987 under the group monniker Erik & the Offbeats and has recorded consistently since both as a solo artist and fronting several bands. Has collaborated with Joanne Shenandoah, the Mad Cat Trio, the Bad Livers, Junior Brown and Wayne Hancock
February 23, 1963 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock keyboardist Rob Collins, full name Robert James Collins, born in Rowley Regis, UK ~ Keyboardist, primary songwriter for the Charlatans, present on all of the band's five albums. Arrested and charged with armed robbery of an off-licence in 1992. Collins claimed to have no foreknowledge of the robbery until he heard a gunshot inside the shop and his friend exited. Would plead guilty to assisting an offender after the offence and serve four months in prison. Shortly before the recordings for the band's fifth album, Tellin' Stories, were finished Collins died in a car crash near Rockfield Studios ~ Collins passed away in 1996
February 23, 1958 ~ David Alan Batt, commonly known as art pop, new wave, ambient pop singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter David Sylvian, born in Lewisham, UK ~ Rose to fame as frontman and primary songwriter of Japan, a pivotal band on the early-1980s New Romantic scene best known for songs such as Quiet Life, Ghosts and I Second That Emotion. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Brilliant Trees released in 1984, and collaborated with the likes of Ryuichi Sakamoto, Robert Fripp, Holger Czukay, Jon Hassell, Fennesz, Nine Horses, and others
February 23, 1957 ~ Singer Ria Brieffies, full name Maria Petronella Brieffies, born in Lutjebroek, the Netherlands ~ Best known as member of pop girl group the Dolly Dots. The band would score numerous top 10 hits in the Netherlands, starting in the late 1970s, including Tell It All About Boys, Hela-do-ladi-do, STOP, Do You Wanna Wanna, She's A Liar, Dreaming Of You, and What A Night. After the groups disbandedment has released a handful of solo recordings, notably the 1989 single Love Always Finds A Reason, a duet with Glenn Medeiros. Briefly toured with her own jazz band, het Ria Brieffies Kwintet, before retiring from music in the 1990s ~ Brieffies passed away in 2009
February 23, 1955 ~ Pop, synth-pop, new wave singer, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter Howard Jones, full name John Howard Jones, born in Southampton, UK ~ Helped define the British pop in the 1980s, starting with his 1984 Human's Lib debut album. Best known for songs such as What Is Love, Like To Get To Know You Well and Things Can Only Get Better
February 23, 1954 ~ Rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Louis Bertignac born in Oran, French Algeria ~ Member of Shakin' Street. Co-founding member of Téléphone, known for French top 10 hits such as Un Autre Monde and Le Jour S'Est Levé. Founded Louis Bertignac & les Visiteurs. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the Tony Visconti-produced Elle Et Louis album released in 1993. Produced, arranged, played guitar on Carla Bruni's 2003 Quelqu'un M'A Dit debut album
February 23, 1953 ~ Reggae, gospel singer, guitarist, songwriter Carlene Davis born in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica ~ Active since her mid-teens. Member of pop trio the Toreadores while living in England. Pursued a solo career while living in Canada, gaining attention after relocating to Jamaica in the 1980s. Scored local hits with songs such as Peace And Love, Like Old Friends, It Must Be Love, Dial My Number and Going Down To Paradise. Duetted with Gregory Isaacs on Feeling Irie of Isaacs' 1985 Private Beach Party album. Has turned to gospel music after recovering from breast cancer in the late 1990s, her 2000 single This Island Needs Love becoming a hit in several Caribbean countries
February 23, 1952 ~ Kayokyoku, folk, rock, enka singer, guitarist, songwriter Miyuki Nakajima born ~ Critically described as Japan's female Bob Dylan. Active since the mid-1970s rose to fame with her breakout hit The Parting Song in 1977. Has recorded over three dozen albums, enjoying popularity especially during the 1980s. Well-known songs include Akuyo, Yuwaku, Unrequited Love, Shallow Sleep, Between The Sky And You, and Wanderer's Song
February 23, 1950 ~ Progressive rock, experimental, pop rock bassist, keyboardist John Greaves born in Prestatyn, UK ~ Early member of Henry Cow, remaining with the band from 1969 through 1976. Would subsequently work with Peter Blegvad, National Health, François Ovide, the Penguin Café Orchestra, Lodge, the Flying Lizards, Roxongs, Jazzsongs, and others
February 23, 1950 ~ Glam rock, hard rock bassist, keyboardist, singer Steve Priest, full name Stephen Norman Priest, born in Hayes, UK ~ Bassist of the Sweet, known for songs such as Funny Funny, Little Willy, The Ballroom Blitz, Fox On The Run and Love Is Like Oxygen. Would serve as lead singer in a reunited Sweet later on ~ Priest passed away in 2020
February 23, 1950 ~ Contemporary Christian pianist, singer, conductor Tom Howard born ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, starting in the late 1970s. Also closely associated with Thomas Kinkade. Has collaborated with the likes of Larry Norman, the Salvation Air Force, Dennis Litchfield, Mark Heard, Randy Stonehill, Darrell Mansfield, Wendell Burton, Phil Keaggy, Sixpence None The Richer, Cindy Morgan, Bob Carlisle, Dolly Parton, Allison Moorer, and others ~ Howard passed away in 2010
February 23, 1949 ~ R&B, pop, soul singer Larry Demps born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Nicknamed “Squirrel” Demps was a co-founding member of the Dramatics, remaining with the band from 1964 through 1981, rejoining in later years. Present on the band's best-known including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get and In The Rain both taken of their 1971 Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get album
February 23, 1948 ~ Singer, songwriter George Gerdes born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Alumicron Fab Tabs, which also included Loudon Wainwright III. As a solo artist known for two 1970s albums, namely Obituary and its follow-up Son Of Obituary, praised by artists such as Joni Mitchell. Ventured into acting by the 1980s ~ Gerdes passed away in 2021
February 23, 1948 ~ Philippe de Chateleux de Villeneuve Bergermont de Duras, commonly known as singer, songwriter Philippe Chatel, born in Paris, France ~ Debuted in 1976 with the album Analyse. Best known for songs such as J' T'Aime Bien Lili, Ma Lycéene, Tout Quitter Mais Tout Emporter and Mister Hyde. Would gain international recognition in 1979 writing the musical comedy Emilie Jolie. It would be adapted to a later version in 1997 and into an animated edition, directed by Chatel, in 2011. Also known as a author, notably writing the Georges Brassens biography Brassens published in 1975 ~ De Chateleux passed away in 2021
February 23, 1948 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Thom Bresh, full name Thomas Charles Bresh, born in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Son of country singer Merle Travis. Member of rock & roll outfit the Crescents, known for their instrumental song Pink Dominos released in 1963. As a solo artist best known for his 1976 single Homemade Love, a Billboard Country top 10 hit of his full-length debut album of the same name. The follow-up, Sad Country Love Song, would reach the top 20. Bresh recorded two more albums over the next few years, generating a number of modest hits ~ Bresh passed away in 2022
February 23, 1945 ~ Rock drummer John Halsey born in London, UK ~ Best known as a member of the Rutles. Also worked with Timebox, Muff Winwood, Lou Reed (notably on Reed's Transformer album), Henry McCullough, Joan Armatrading, Roy Harper, Maddy Prior, Roger Chapman, Joe Cocker, the Scaffold, Grimms, Chris Jagger, Neil Innes, Vivian Stanshall, Joe Brown, Felders Orioles, Fatso, and others
February 23, 1944 ~ Keyboardist, pianist Florian Fricke born in Lindau-am-Bodensee, West Germany ~ Best known as keyboardist of krautrock group Popol Vuh, starting out on Moog synthesizers and switching to acoustic piano as the band evolved in a different direction. Also known for composing a number of soundtracks, most notably for film director Werner Herzog. Has also worked with Tangerine Dream, Renate Knaup, Gila, and others ~ Fricke passed away in 2001
February 23, 1944 ~ Singer, guitarist Johnny Winter, full name John Dawson Winter III, born in Beaumont, Texas, USA ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name since the late 1960s. When he burst onto the music scene, Winter would be hailed as “the next Jimi Hendrix” by some critics. Though Winter never fully met those near-impossible expectations, he established himself as an exceptionally talented guitarist in his own right. Cited as influence by the likes of Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden, and Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins. Especially acclaimed for the late 1960s, early 1970s albums Johnny Winter, Second Winter, and Johnny Winter And. Winter also produced the Muddy Waters albums Hard Again, I'm Ready, and Live, all of which were awarded a Grammy Award. Winter graced the cover of the very first issue of Guitar World in 1980, and in 1988 became the first white performer to be inducted into the the Blues Hall Of Fame ~ Winter passed away in 2014
February 23, 1938 ~ Singer Wilson Simonal, full name Wilson Simonal de Castro, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Popular 1960s singer relatively unknown outside of South America. Best known for his recordings of Pais Tropical and Sá Marina, both covered by Sérgio Mendes with the latter translated to English (Pretty World) ~ De Castro passed away in 2000
February 23, 1934 ~ Singer Inger Berggren born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Best known for her renditions of Elisabeth Serenad and Sol Och Var. Berggren represented Sweden in the 1962 Eurovision Songfestival with the latter, reaching 7th place. She has also sung with Thore Ehrling, Simon Brehm and Gote Wilhelmsson
February 23, 1923 ~ Guitarist, banjoist, ukelele player Wout Steenhuis, full name Wouter Jan Jelmer Steenhuis, born in The Hague, the Netherlands ~ Member of the Dutch Resistance during World War II. Played in the the Dutch Swing College Band. Also a noted composer working under the pen name Jelmer. Co-wrote Stop, recorded by future Donna Summer producer Giorgio Moroder in 1966 ~ Steenhuis passed away in 1985
February 23, 1920 ~ Jazz, classical pianist Hall Overton, full name Hall Franklin Overton, born in Bangor, Michigan, USA ~ Married to singer, songwriter Nancy Overton. Spent the 1950s in jazz, rarely stepping into the spotlights but treasured as a sideman and particularly as an arranger for the likes of Stan Getz, Teddy Charles, Jimmy Raney, Red Mitchell, Jimmy Raney, and Thelonious Monk. Especially acclaimed for his orchestral arrangements for two of Monk's major dates, both captured on record, 1959's The Thelonious Monk Orchestra At Town Hall and 1963's Big Band And Quartet In Concert. In later years, Overton would focus primarily on classical music, both as an arranger and teacher. Overton also composed the opera Huckleberry Finn opera, premiered by the Juilliard Opera Company in 1971, a year prior to his death at age 52 ~ Overton passed away in 1972
February 23, 1918 ~ Harold Johnson, commonly known as jazz trumpeter Money Johnson, born in Tyler, Texas, USA ~ Active since the mid-1930s. Perhaps best known for backing Nat Towles. Worked with artists such as Charlie Christian, Henry Bridges, Horace Henderson, Count Basie, Cootie Williams, Lucky Millinder, Bull Moose Jackson throughout the 1940s, Louis Jordan, Lucky Thompson, Sy Oliver, Buddy Johnson, Cozy Cole, Mercer Ellington, Esther Phillips and Panama Francis throughout the 1950s. Member of the house band at the famed the Apollo Theatre in the 1960. Toured the USSR with Earl Hines in 1966. Would continue to record and perform until his death of a heart attack in 1978 ~ Johnson passed away in 1978
February 23, 1917 ~ Jazz pianist, arranger, composer John Benson Brooks born in Houlton, Maine, USA ~ Co-wrote Just As Though You Were Here with Eddie DeLange, a hit for Tommy Dorsey featuring Frank Sinatra as lead vocalist. Co-wrote You Came A Long Way (From St Louis) with Bob Russell, a 1948 single for Ray McKinley. Close friend of Gil Evans, who recorded Brooks' Sirhan's Blues and Where Flamingos Fly. Has also worked as arranger for artists such as Randy Brooks, Les Brown, Boyd Raeburn, and others ~ Brooks passed away in 1999
February 23, 1904 ~ Josiah Frazier, commonly known as jazz drummer Cie Frazier, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Considered one of the best New Orleans drummers of his generation with a career spanning six decades, taught to play the drums by Louis Cottrell Sr. Spent most of the 1920s in quintessential ensembles led by the likes of Papa Celestin and Sidney Desvigne, worked part-time during the 1930s, and saw his career resurge in the 1940s working with bandleaders such as Percy Humphrey and Kid Howard. Frazier is well known as the regular drummer for the Eureka Brass Band with whom he also made an appearance in the 1965 The Cincinnati Kid drama film, and for his association with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band well into the 1980s ~ Frazier passed away in 1985
February 23, 1685 ~ Baroque composer George Frideric Handel born in Halle, Brandenburg-Prussia ~ Well known for his oratorios, concerti grossi, organ concertos and operas. Has composed over 40 operas. Influenced later composers including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven. Perhaps best known for his 1742 oratoria Messiah and his 1749 suite Music For The Royal Fireworks ~ Handel passed away in 1759