February 4, 2021 ~ R&B singer Jessie Smith passed away ~ Best known as original member of the Ikettes during the mid-1960s, backing the duo of Ike Turner & Tina Turner. As a solo artist known for her 1961 My Baby Has Gone single. Has also sang backup for artists such as Al Kooper, Bryan Ferry, Dr John (In The Right Place), Gloria Jones, José Feliciano, Johnny Bristol, Leon Ware, and others ~ Smith was born ca.1941
February 4, 1991 ~ Pop, jazz singer Kate Davis, full name Kathryn L Davis, born in West Linn, Oregon, USA ~ Played violin and bass in the Portland Youth Philharmonic. Actively recording as a singer since the late-2000s, venturing from jazz to indie pop and rock. Especially acclaimed for the album Trophy released in 2019
February 4, 1986 ~ Drummer, pianist, singer Jackie Barnes born in Sydney, Australia ~ Half-brother of singer Jimmy Barnes, with whom he also worked. Member of sibling outfit the Tin Lids. In-demand touring and session musician, has worked with Rose Tattoo, Diesel, Keith Urban, Jonathan Cain, Neal Schon, Steve Morse, Joe Bonamassa, Andrew Roachford, Little Steven, the Dead Daisies, Shannon Noll, the Wiggles, Glenn Hughes, and others
February 4, 1978 ~ Marcelo de Souza Camelo, commonly known as folk rock, alternative rock, samba, bossa nova, contemporary classical singer, guitarist, bassist Marcelo Camelo, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Lead guitarist, primary songwriter of Los Hermanos, known for among others Samba A Dois and Anna Julia, the latter notably covered by Jim Capaldi. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Sou released in 2008. Married to singer Mallu Magalhães, his bandmate in Banda Do Mar
February 4, 1977 ~ Glam punk, indie pop, indie rock, noise pop, noise rock, shoegazing bassist, drummer, guitarist, singer Emil Nikolaisen born in Moi, Norway ~ Lead singer, guitarist of alternative rock outfit Serena-Maneesh. Has also worked with Silver, Loch Ness Mouse, Royal, and Extol. Has served as producer for artists such as Arabrot, Carmen Villain, Okkultokrati, Elvira Nikolaisen, Maria Solheim, and others
February 4, 1977 ~ Singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter Gavin Degraw born in South Fallsburg, New York, USA ~ Rose to fame in the early-2000s, especially noted for I Don't Want To Be of his 2003 Chariot debut album. Other well known songs include Follow Through, In Love With A Girl, Not Over You, Soldier and Sweeter. Nominated for a Grammy Award for the Colbie Caillat-duet We Both Know used in the 2013 Safe Haven film
February 4, 1975 ~ Dennis Rink, commonly known as rap, hip-hop DJ, producer Man!ak, born in Zaandam, the Netherlands ~ Best known for producing Dansplaat, a 2001 hit in the Netherlands and Belgium for Brainpower. Also collaborated with the latter in the rap, hip-hop quartet ADHD. Has also released several singles under the moniker Man!e and worked as a producer with Skate The Great, Lexay, Lex Boogie, and others
February 4, 1975 ~ Singer, model, songwriter, actress Natalie Imbruglia born in Sydney, Australia ~ Actress, notably featured in the Australian soap Neighbours in the early-1990s. As a singer released her debut album, Left Of The Middle, in 1997. It would spawn the international hit Torn. Imbruglia has been recording to critical acclaim and commercial success since
February 4, 1974 ~ Guitarist Jeff Schroeder, full name Jeffrey Kim Schroeder, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Ace Frehley, Jeff Beck, Slash, Pete Townshend, Brad Laner, Lee Ranaldo, Thurston Moore, Tom Verlaine, Richard Lloyd, Carrie Brownstein, J Mascis. Best known as member of the Smashing Pumpkins, joining as touring member in 2007 becoming a full-pledged member later on. Also worked with the Lassie Foundation, the Violet Burning, and with the Night Dreamer
February 4, 1971 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter David Garza born in Irving, Texas, USA ~ Debuted in 1991 with his Just Say Love album and has recorded extensively ever since. Has collaborated with Juliana Hatfield, Rhett Miller, Fiona Apple, Revolting Cocks, John Legend (Sun Comes Up), Watkins Family Hour, and others
February 4, 1970 ~ Producer, label founder James Murphy born in Princeton, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known as the man behind LCD Soundsystem. Has recorded and collaborated under numerous monnikers. Influenced by Liquid Liquid, the B52's, Talking Heads, the Fall, Siouxsie & the Banshees, the Velvet Underground, Yes, David Bowie, Daft Punk, and Can. Has worked with Britney Spears, Arcade Fire, Gorillaz, André 3000, Pulp, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Pony, Speedking, and others
February 4, 1970 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, percussionist Keller Williams born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, USA ~ Described by some as a one-man jam band drawing from bluegrass, folk, alternative rock, reggae, dance, jazz, funk, and other idioms. Well over a dozen albums to his name starting in the mid-1990s, especially acclaimed for the albums Spun and its follow-up Breathe. Has collaborated with artists such as the String Cheese Incident, Jeff Austin, Keith Moseley, the Travelin' McCourys, Julian Casellas, the Rhythm Devils, and others
February 4, 1969 ~ Barbara Augustine Nederhorst commonly known as actress, singer Guusje Nederhorst, born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Best known as actress. As a singer known for Ademnood, released under the moniker Linda Roos & Jessica with her Goede Tijden Slechte Tijden co-stars Babette van Veen and Katja Schuurman. The 1995 single was intended as a gimmick but would reach No.1 on the Dutch charts, featured backing vocals by Trijntje Oosterhuis and was produced by Fluitsma & Van Tijn. Nederhorst was married to singer Dinand Woesthoff from 2003 until her death the following year, the couple have one son ~ Nederhorst passed away in 2004
February 4, 1968 ~ Bass guitarist Tim Lefebvre born in Foxboro, Massachusetts, USA ~ Has worked with a wide range of musicians in rock, jazz, fusion, electronica and R&B including Sting, Elvis Costello, David Bowie (including on 2016's Blackstar released two days before Bowie's death), Empire Of The Sun, Sleepy Jackson, Wayne Krantz, Patti Austin, John Mayer, Jovanotti, Chuck Loeb, Mark Giuliana, Jamie Cullum, Chris Botti, Knower, and the Tedeschi-Trucks Band
February 4, 1964 ~ Tim Ryan Rouillier, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter Tim Ryan, born in St Ignatius, Montana, USA ~ As a solo artist known for a number of 1990s albums, starting with the eponymous 1990 Tim Ryan album which spawned the modest country hit Dance In Circles. Also known as a songwriter, wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by George Strait, Randy Travis, Phil Vassar (Last Day Of My Life), Deana Carter, Ty Herndon, and others
February 4, 1963 ~ Rock drummer Bryan Mantia, full name Bryan Kei Mantia, born in Cupertino, California, USA ~ Influenced by James Brown, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix. First gained attention in the early-1990s as member of Praxis, playing alongside Bill Laswell, Bernie Worrell, Bootsy Collins and Buckethead. Developed a continuing relationship with the latter, playing on a number of his solo albums including Monsters And Robots, Colma and The Cuckoo Clocks Of Hell. Has also worked with Primus, Godflesh, Tom Waits (Mule Variations), Serj Tarkian, Guns 'n Roses, Science Faxtion, and Travis Dickerson
February 4, 1963 ~ Kevin John Wasserman, commonly known as punk rock, skate punk, alternative rock guitarist Noodles, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Lead guitarist for the Offspring. Allegedly in the band because at the time he was the only one old enough to provide alcohol for the others. The band is known for songs such as Come Out And Play, Self Esteem, Gone Away, Pretty Fly For A White Guy, Why Don't You Get A Job, Original Prankster, Hit That, Hammerhead, and You're Gonna Go Far Kid
February 4, 1962 ~ Singer Clint Black born in Long Branch, New Jersey, USA ~ Debuted in 1989 with the album Killin' Time. All four of the album's singles, namely A Better Man, Killin' Time, Nobody's Home and Walkin' Away, would top the country charts both in America and Canada. Black would continue to regularly reach the higher echelons of the charts up till the turn of the century with songs such as Loving Blind, When My Ship Comes In, the Wynonna Judd-duet A Bad Goodbye, A Good Run Of Bad Luck, Summer's Comin', Like The Rain, Nothin' But The Taillights, and the endearing love duet When I Said I Do with his wife Lisa Hartman-Black
February 4, 1960 ~ Singer, songwriter Tim Booth, full name Timothy John Booth, born in Bradford, UK ~ Lead singer for James, with whom he has recorded over a dozen albums since its inception in the mid-1980s. In their early days the band would be critically compared to the Smiths, strengthened by Morrissey's endorsement of the group, but by the mid-1990s the band would come into their own, known for their ringing guitar pop, reflective lyrics, and Booth's dramatic stylings. They are especially acclaimed for albums such as Seven, Laid, and their 2001 masterpiece Pleased To Meet You
February 4, 1955 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist, singer, songwriter, engineer, producer Tim Thorney born ~ Co-wrote most of Lisa Dal Bello's 1981 Drastic Measures album. Singer, keyboardist for the Front, known for the early-1980s albums Gina's At A Party and Underworld. Has recorded as a solo artist, most notably the 1993 Fortunate Home single which reached top 20 of the Canadian country charts. Co-produced Jimmy Rankin's 2001 Song Dog debut album and its follow-up Handmade. Co-produced Alanis Morissette's 2004 So-Called Chaos album ~ Thorney passed away in 2021
February 4, 1954 ~ Singer, harmonica player Curtis Salgado born in Everett, Washington, USA ~ Reportedly one of the artists, along with Charlie Musselwhite, cited as inspiration for the Blues Brothers' characters. Closely associated with Robert Cray, singing and playing harmonica with the Robert Cray Band through 1982. Would go on to front Roomful Of Blues. Has briefly worked with Santana. Also known for fronting his own bands, starting with Curtis Salgado & The Stilettos released in 1991
February 4, 1953 ~ Jazz trombonist John Rapson born in Gary, Indiana, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Vinny Golia, Tim Berne, Walter Thompson, Bobby Bradford, John Carter, Wayne Peet, Alex Cline, Roberto Miguel Miranda, Ken Filiano, John Fumo, Kim Richmond, Steve Fowler, Bill Roper, Anthony Braxton, Ed Blackwell, Jay Hoggard, Allen Lowe, and others
February 4, 1953 ~ Masanori Takahashi, commonly known as electronic, world, new age keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, flutist, percussionist, songwriter Kitaro, born in Toyohashi, Japan ~ About two albums to his name since the late-1970s. Regarded as one of the premier new-age artists. Best known for his 1999 album Thinking Of You. Also noted for composing the soundtrack for the 1993 Heaven & Earth film. Has worked with the Far East Family Band, Klaus Schulze, Mickey Hart, Jon Anderson, and others
February 4, 1953 ~ Rock, pop, soul singer, songwriter Tatsuro Yamashita born in Toshima, Japan ~ Considered one of the premier artists in Japanese soft rock. Best known for Christmas Eve, which has returned to the charts each year for over 35 consecutive years. Frequently worked with his wife, singer Mariya Takeuchi, notably on Plastic Love
February 4, 1952 ~ Drummer Jerry Shirley born in London, UK ~ Perhaps best known as member of Humble Pie, present on the band's best known including the albums As Safe As Yesterday Is, Smokin' and Eat It. Has also worked with Natural Gas, Fastway, Waysted, Syd Barrett, John Entwistle, Sammy Hagar, Benny Mardones, and others
February 4, 1950 ~ Rock drummer Mick Woodmansey, also known as Michael Woody Woodmansey, born in Driffield, UK ~ Closely associated with David Bowie, present on the albums The Man Who Sold The World, Hunky Dory, The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars and Aladdin Sane. Has also worked with Art Garfunkel, the Cybernauts, 3-D, Holy Holy, and others. Woodmansey published his autobiography, Spider From Mars (My Life With David Bowie), in 2016
February 4, 1949 ~ Drummer Roy Yeager born in Greenwood, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known as a member of the Atlanta Rhythm Section from 1979 through 1983. Had previously worked with the Out Of Its, the Crackerjacks, Lobo, and with singer Joe South. Would resettle to Nashville in the 1980s, found his own recording studio and venture into producing
February 4, 1948 ~ Vincent Furnier, commonly known as singer Alice Cooper, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Dubbed “the Father of Shock-Rock” emerged in the late-1960s, early-1970s pioneering a macabre and theatrical brand of rock drawing from horror films, hard rock, heavy metal, glam rock, garage rock. Would adopt the original band name, Alice Cooper, for his own on-stage persona. Known for songs such as I'm Eighteen, Under My Wheels, School's Out, No More Mr Nice Guy, Halo Of FLies, Only Women Bleed, Welcome To My Nightmare, How You Gonna See Me Now, Poison and Hey Stoopid
February 4, 1947 ~ Dwight David Turner, commonly known as soul singer Spyder Turner, born in Beckley, West Virginia, USA ~ Sang backup for R&B outfits such as the Stereophonics and for the Fabulous Counts. Scored a 1967 R&B hit with Stand By me, a tongue-in-cheek cover of the Ben E King tune imitating not only King, but Smokey Robinson, Chuck Jackson and other soul singers as well. The single would cross over to the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, reaching the top 20. Also co-wrote Do Your Dance, a hit for Rose Royce in 1977
February 4, 1945 ~ Tenor saxophonist John Stubblefield born ~ Worked with the World Saxophone Quartet, Reggie Workman, McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, George Russell, Nat Adderley, Kenny Barron, Lester Bowie, the Mingus Big Band, Anthony Braxton, Stanley Cowell, Miles Davis, Billy Hart, Louis Hayes, Julius Hemphill, Joseph Jarman, Victor Lewis, Sam Rivers, and others ~ Stubblefield passed away in 2005
February 4, 1944 ~ Pop, rock drummer, singer Grant Serpell, full name Stephen Grant Serpell, born in Maidenhead, UK ~ Member of jazz-rock outfit Affinity, known for their sole eponymous Affinity album released in 1970. Subsequently rose to fame as a member of Sailor from 1973 through 1979, present on both the band's UK top 10 hits A Glass Of Champagne and Girls Girls Girls
February 4, 1943 ~ Keyboardist, producer Barry Beckett, full name Barry Edward Beckett, born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Co-founded the famed Muscle Shoals Studios and served as member of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. Appears on recordings by Etta James, Bob Seger, Joan Baez, Vince Gill, Kim Carnes, Boz Scaggs, Mark Knopfler, Mavis Staples, Wilson Pickett, Steve Cropper, Levon Helm, Aretha Franklin, John Prine, Kenny Chesney, Chely Wright, Paul Simon, JJ Cale, Rosanne Cash, Michael Martin Murphey, Rod Stewart, Linda Ronstadt, and Bob Dylan. A&R executive for Warner Bros Records, Nashville division in the 1980s ~ Beckett passed away in 2009
February 4, 1943 ~ Session guitarist Jimmy Johnson, full name Jimmy Ray Johnson, born in Sheffield, Alabama, USA ~ In-house session guitarist for FAME Studios during the 1960s. Co-founded Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in 1969. Present on recordings by Arthur Conley, Percy Sledge (When A Man Loves A Woman), Clarence Carter, Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin (I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You), James & Bobby Purify, King Curtis, Patti Labelle, Etta James, Otis Rush, Cher, Boz Scaggs, Arif Mardin, Ronnie Hawkins, Herbie Mann, Lulu, Cowboy, the Rolling Stones (Brown Sugar), the Staple Singers, Laura Nyro, Bobby Womack, Joe Tex, Jimmy Cliff, Bob Seger, Eddie Floyd, the Dells, Johnnie Taylor, Orleans, Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, Don Covay, Joe Simon, Millie Jackson, Rod Stewart, Bonnie Bramlett, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dr Hook, Joe Cocker, Bob Dylan, and others ~ Johnson passed away in 2019
February 4, 1941 ~ Rock guitarist, sitarist, singer Mike Deasy, full name Michael William Deasy, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Toured with Ritchie Valens. Has also worked with the Coasters, Duane Eddy, and Eddie Cochran. Following the latter's death in 1960 would become an in-demand session musician. Present on the Beach Boys 1966 landmark Pet Sounds album. Present on Elvis Presley's Elvis '68 Comeback Special. Other notable credits include Irene Kral, the Beach Boys (Pet Sounds), the Monkees, Tommy Roe (It's Now Winter's Day), the Gosdin Brothers, the 5th Dimension, Townes Van Zandt, Thelma Houston (Sunshower), Harry Nilsson, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Rivers, and Billy Joel
February 4, 1933 ~ Engineer, producer Fred Catero born ~ Active since the 1960s. Has worked with artists such as Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, Al Kooper, Linda Ronstadt, Mel Tormé, Tower Of Power, and Santana. Founded Catero Records in the 1980s, focusing on jazz acts such as Herbie Hancock, Ernie Mansfield, Laurie Antonioli and Paul Speer ~ Catero passed away in 2022
February 4, 1933 ~ Avant-garde pianist, composer Toshi Ichiyanagi born in Kobe, Japan ~ Married to Yoko Ono from 1956 to 1962. Considered one of the premier composers in Japan during the postwar era. Has written operas, orchestral works, chamber music, vocal works, electronic music, and soundtracks. Known for a wide range of influences, including Western-style classical music, avant-garde, and traditional Japanese music ~ Ichiyanagi passed away in 2022
February 4, 1931 ~ Rock & roll, R&B, pop saxophonist, singer Gil Bernal born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ In-demand session and touring saxophonist. First gained attention backing Lionel Hampton in the 1950s, alongside Quincy Jones and Jimmy Scott. Notable credits include the Coasters' 1957 hit single Searchin', the Robins' Riot In Cell Block No.9, and Duane Eddy's Rebel Rouser. Has also recorded a number of 1950s singles as a solo artist, notably The Eyes Of Love, It Sure Is Groovy and This Is Worth Fighting For ~ Bernal passed away in 2011
February 4, 1929 ~ Guitarist Paul Burlison born in Brownsville, Tennessee, USA ~ Rock & roll pioneer. Founding member of the Johnny Burnette Trio, which also included Dorsey Burnette and Johnny Burnette, known for songs such as Train On A Lonesome Track and Honey Hush. Credited with being one of the first guitarists to intentionally use effects such as distortion and feedback ~ Burlison passed away in 2003
February 4, 1929 ~ Classical clarinetist Stanley Drucker born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Best known for his longtime association with the New York Philharmonic, remaining with the orchestra from 1948 until his retirement in 2009. Active since his mid-teens, Drucker had previously worked with the Indianopolis Symphony Orchestra, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and others. Married to clarinetist Naomi Drucker, their son Leon is known as the Stray Cats-bassist Lee Rocker, their daughter Rosanne Drucker is an alternative country singer ~ Drucker passed away in 2022
February 4, 1924 ~ Blues, R&B pianist, singer, songwriter Bob Gaddy born in Vivian, West Virginia, USA ~ Known for recordings such as No Help Wanted, Blues Has Walked Into My Room, Rip & Run, I Love My Baby, Paper Lady and Operator, the latter penned by close friend Champion Jack Dupree. Gaddy worked with Larry Dale, Wild Jimmy Spruill, Sonny Terry and separately with Brownie McGhee ~ Gaddy passed away in 1997
February 4, 1915 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Ray Evans, full name Raymond Bernard Evans, born in Salamanca, New York, USA ~ Best known as songwriting partner of Jay Livingston. Together the pair won an Academy Award for Best Original Song three times, in 1948 for Buttons & Bows from the movie The Paleface, in 1950 for Mona Lisa from the movie Captain Carey USA and in 1956 for the song Que Sera Sera from the Hitchcock movie The Man Who Knew Too Much. The pair also wrote for numerous other films, TV series and stage musicals. Evans co-wrote over 700 songs, also collaborating with artists such as Michael Feinstein, Henry Mancini, Max Steiner, and Victor Young ~ Evans passed away in 2007
February 4, 1740 ~ Composer, poet Carl Michael Bellman born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Central figure in Swedish songs tradition and remains a powerful influence in Swedish music and literature. Mixed classical references with comic lyrics both regretting and celebrating sordid drinking and prostitution. Best known for two collections of poems set to music, namely Fredman's Songs and Fredma's Epistles ~ Bellman passed away in 1795