February 9, 1981 ~ James Owen Sullivan, commonly known as drummer, keyboardist, singer the Rev, born ~ Influenced by Frank Zappa, King Crimson, Vinnie Paul, Mike Portnoy, Dave Lombardo, Lars Ulrich, Terry Bozzio. Best known as drummer, singer, co-founding member of heavy metal outfit Avenged Sevenfold, for whom he wrote or co-wrote songs such as A Little Piece Of Heaven, Afterlife, Unbound (The Wild Ride), and Welcome To The Family. Lead singer for avant-garde metal band Pinkly Smooth. Also briefly played the drums for ska punk group the Suburban Legends during the late 1990s ~ Sullivan passed away in 2009
February 9, 1975 ~ Country producer Dave Brainard, full name David Gregory Brainard, born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ As a songwriter had his songs recorded by Neal McCoy, Sammy Kershaw, Kellie Coffey, Ricochet, Tebey Ottoh, Brooks & Dunn. As a producer worked with Jerrod Niemann, Brandy Clark, Ray Scott, Jamey Johnson, Sunny Sweeney, Jamie Kent, Western Underground, and others
February 9, 1971 ~ Experimental, avant-garde, rock guitarist Xabier Iriondo born in Milan, Italy ~ Best known for his association with alternative rock band Afterhours from the early 1990s through the early 2000s, first appearing on the 1993 album Pop Kills Your Soul. Released his solo Irrintzi debut album in 2012
February 9, 1970 ~ Jazz singer Eldbjørg Raknes born in Midsund, Norway ~ Sister of bassist Steinar Raknes. Eldbjørg is known for her a-cappella performances and improvisational skills. She has worked with artists such as Jon Balke, Anders Jormin, Bendik Hofseth, Christian Wallumrød, Arve Henriksen, Ketil Bjørnstad, Stale Storløkken, and others
February 9, 1963 ~ Indie pop, indie rock guitarist David Rotheray born in Hull, UK ~ Best known as lead guitarist for the Beautiful South, known for a string of hits starting in the late 1990s including the UK top 10 hits A Song For Whoever, You Keep It All In, A Little Time, Don't Marry Her, and Perfect 10. Rotheray also formed Homespun, releasing three albums in the 2000s
February 9, 1963 ~ James Travis Tritt, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, banjoist, songwriter Travis Tritt born in Marietta, Georgia, USA ~ Debuted in 1987 with the Proud Of The Country album. Known for hit singles such as Help Me Hold On, Anymore, Can I Trust You With My Heart, Foolish Pride, Best Of Intentions, and others
February 9, 1962 ~ Keith Daniel Kozacik, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Catfish Keith, born in East Chicago, Indiana, USA ~ Hailed as a master of the resonator guitar. Influenced by Buddy Guy, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Son House. Debuted in 1984 with the Catfish Blues album and has toured and recorded since
February 9, 1962 ~ Alternative rock, post-punk, power pop singer, guitarist, songwriter, film and TV composer Craig Northey born in Port Moody, Canada ~ Member of Odds, known for songs such as It Falls Apart, Eat My Brain and Someone Who's Cool. After the band's disbandement in 199 has released solo work, composed for film and TV and collaborated with Colin James, Rosanne Cash, Glen Phillips, Sharkskin, Jesse Valenzuela, and others
February 9, 1961 ~ Flutist, saxophonist Steve Wilson born in Hampton, Virginia, USA ~ As a teenager accompanied singer Stephanie Mills. Has since recorded as a leader, as sideman, and has held several teaching positions. Member of Out Of The Blue. Performed and recorded with artists such as Lionel Hampton, the Dave Holland Quintet, Chick Corea, Yoko Kanno (on Kanno's 1998 debut LP Song To Fly), Billy Drummond Jr, Joe Henderson, Ronny Jordan, Christian McBride, Neal Smith, Gerald Wilson, and others. Formed the Steve Wilson Quartet in 1997, which performed for over a decade and recorded two albums. Headed the Generations
February 9, 1958 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion saxophonist Bill Evans born in Clarendon Hills, Illinois, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Plays a wide variety of genres, including bluegrass and funk. Best known as a jazz, jazz fusion saxophonist. Influenced by Michael Brecker, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Stan Getz, Steve Grossman. Has worked with Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, John McLaughlin's the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Michael Franks, Willie Nelson, Mick Jagger, Les McCann, Randy Brecker, Medeski Martin & Wood, Victor Bailey, Béla Fleck, Sam Bush, Bruce Hornsby, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Lee Ritenour
February 9, 1947 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Joe Ely born in Amarillo, Texas, USA ~ Admired by peers. Draws from honky-tonk, country, tex-mex, and rock & roll. Member of cult outfit the Flatlanders alongside regular collaborators Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock. As a solo artist well over a dozen albums to his name, especially acclaimed for Honky Tonk Masquerade released in 1978. Sang backing vocals on the Clash single Should I Stay Or Should I Go taken of the band's 1981 Combat Rock album. Has also frequently worked with supergroup Los Super Seven, and appeared on recordings by Robert Earl Keen, Kimmie Rhodes, Syd Straw, Uncle Tupelo, the Chieftains, Rosie Flores, James McMurtry, and others
February 9, 1947 ~ Singer Major Harris born in Richmond, Virginia, USA ~ Sang with R&B, doo-wop units such as the Charmers, the Teenagers, the Jarmels, and Nat Turner's Rebellion, before joining the Delfonics, taking over from Randy Cain. Harris remained with the group from 1971 through 1974, their most productive period. Following his departure, Harris has recorded four albums as a solo artist, starting with My Way which spawned his biggest hit Love Won't Let Me Wait, a 1975 Billboard R&B charttopper ~ Harris passed away in 2012
February 9, 1947 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter, poet, author Ole Paus, full name Ole Christian Paus, born in Oslo, Norway ~ Actively recording since the early 1970s. Regarded as Norway's premier troubadour, described as the Norwegian counterpart to Bob Dylan and as “the Voice of the Nation”. Best known for songs such as Innerst I Sjelen and Engler I Sneen. Frequent collaborator of Ketil Bjørnstad. Father of classical composer Marcus Paus, with whom he has also worked ~ Paus passed away in 2023
February 9, 1946 ~ Pop singer, songwriter Georg Kajanus, full name George Johan Tjegodiev Kajanus, born in Trondheim, Norway ~ Member of UK folk band Eclection. Best known as co-founding member, lead singer for Sailor, remaining with the band through 1977. During his tenure with the band Kajanus also wrote most of the band's best-known including the hits A Glass Of Champagne and Girls Girls Girls. Following his departure from the band Kajanus has worked with DATA, Shigeru Umebayashi, Noir, and composed documentary soundtracks
February 9, 1945 ~ Musical composer Henry Krieger born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for composing the score to the 1981 Broadway musical Dreamgirls, with lyrics by Tom Eyen. It would earn Krieger a Tony Award nomination for Best Score, and the 2006 film adaptation garnered him another three Academy Award nominations for Best Song. The musical is inspired by the show business aspirations of R&B acts such as the Shirelles, James Brown, and Jackie Wilson, and especially the Supremes as the story line tells of a pseudo-fictional young black female singing trio called the Dreams who become superstars. Other notable musicals written or co-written by Krieger include Tap Dance Kid, and Side Show
February 9, 1943 ~ R&B, soul singer, songwriter Barbara Lewis born in Salem, Michigan, USA ~ Active since the early 1960s. First gained attention with My Heart Went Do Dat Da, a regional hit in the Detroit area. Would follow up with her Hello Stranger debut album, which spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Hello Stranger. Subsequent hits included Baby I'm Yours, Make Me Your Baby, and Make Me Belong To You
February 9, 1943 ~ Joseph Frank Pesci, commonly known as actor, singer Joe Pesci, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known as an actor, notably in the 1990 film Goodfellas earning him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Has also released a number of albums as a singer, starting with Little Joe Sure Can Sing in 1968
February 9, 1942 ~ Carole Joan Klein, commonly known as songwriter, singer Carole King, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ As a solo singer has over two dozen albums to her name, breaking through with her 1971 Tapestry album setting the bar for all future female singer-songwriters. Has sold over 75 million albums. As a songwriter rose to fame in the early 1960s co-writing numerous hit songs with her then-husband Gerry Goffin, including for the Drifters (Some Kind Of Wonderful), the Everly Brothers, the Animals, Little Eva (The Loco-motion), Gene Pitney, Aretha Franklin ((You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman), Paul Anka, the Crystals, Bobby Vee, Betty Everett, the Monkees, the Ronettes, the Shirelles (Will You Love Me Tomorrow), and others
February 9, 1940 ~ Drummer Brian Bennett born in London, UK ~ Active since the late 1950s. Backed Marty Wilde as a member of the Wildcats. Briefly worked with Tommy Steele. Best known as a member of Cliff Richard's backing unit the Shadows, joining the band in 1961 as the replacement for Tony Meehan. Released his Change Of Direction solo debut album in 1967, consisting of jazz music
February 9, 1939 ~ Barry Imberman, commonly known as songwriter, pianist, singer Barry Mann born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ As a singer best known for the 1961 novelty song Who Put The Bomp (In The Bomp Bomp Bomp) co-written with Gerry Goffin, parodying the nonsensical lyrics of doo-wop genre. Best known as a songwriter, often teaming up with Cynthia Weil, with over 600 songs to his name. Well known songs include I Love How You Love Me (the Paris Sisters), Uptown (the Crystals), On Broadway (the Cookies, Bobby Darin), Saturday Night At The Movies (the Drifters), You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (the Righteous Brothers, Pat Boone, Gladys Knight), Walking In The Rain (the Ronettes), We Gotta Get Outta This Place (the Animals), and Kicks (Paul Revere & the Raiders)
February 9, 1937 ~ Jazz double bassist Len Skeat born in East London, UK ~ Worked with Mel Tormé, Ben Webster, Billy Eckstine, Lionel Hampton, Scott Hamilton, Helen Merrill, Lou Rawls, Harry Sweets Edison, Denny Wright, Digby Fairweather, Spike Robinson, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Stéphane Grappelli, Dick Morrisey, Bill Watrous, Randy Sandke, Eddie Thompson, Charly Antolini, and others
February 9, 1936 ~ John Leroy Eastman Jr, commonly known as singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter Johnny Heartsman, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for his 1957 R&B hit Johnny's House Party. Also known for songs such as Paint My Mailbox Blue and Heartburn. Has backed artists such as Jimmy McCracklin, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Big Mama Thornton, Roy Agee, Jimmy Wilson, Johnny Fuller, Al King, Tiny Powell, and Joe Simon. As a songwriter wrote for artists such as Jesse James (Are You Gonna Leave Me), Roy Buchanan (Goose Grease), John Hammond Jr (Got To Find My Baby), Amos Garrett (Move On Down The Line), and others ~ Eastman passed away in 1996
February 9, 1932 ~ Inventor, composer, educator Herbert Deutsch born in Hempstead, New York, USA ~ Best known for co-inventing the Moog synthesizer with Robert Moog in 1964. The instrument would be adopted by rock and pop acts including the Doors, the Grateful Dead, the Rolling Stones, and the Beatles. It would also become a key instrument in 1970s progressive rock, used by acts such as Yes, Tangerine Dream, and Emerson Lake & Palmer. Deutsch was also a dedicated educator, serving as professor of electronic music and composition at Hofstra University for over 50 years from the early 1970s until his death at age 90 ~ Deutsch passed away in 2022
February 9, 1914 ~ Country, honky tonk singer Ernest Tubb, full name Ernest Dale Tubb, born in Crisp, Texas, USA ~ Quintessential country singer. Worked with Jimmie Rodgers, his backing unit the Texas Troubadours, Owen Bradley, the Andrews Sisters, Red Foley, the Wilburn Brothers, Loretta Lynn, and others. Known for songs such as Walking The Floor Over You, Try Me One More Time, Rainbow At Midnight, Slippin' Around, Throw Your Love My Way, Fortunes In Memories, Counterfeit Kisses, and Thanks A Lot ~ Tubb passed away in 1984
February 9, 1910 ~ Herbert Lee Holland, commonly known as swing trumpeter Peanuts Holland, born in Norfolk, Virginia, USA ~ Worked with Alphonso Trent, Al Sears, the Jeter-Pillars Orchestra, Willie Bryant, Jimmie Lunceford, Coleman Hawkins, Fletcher Henderson, Charlie Barnet, Don Redman, Don Byas, Buck Clayton, Guy Lafitte, Mezz Mezzrow, Don Redman, Stuff Smith, Kay Starr, and others ~ Holland passed away in 1979
February 9, 1909 ~ Maria Do Carma Miranda Da Cunha, commonly known as samba singer, dancer, actress Carmen Miranda, born in Marco De Canaveses, Portugal ~ Nicknamed “the Brazilian Bombshell”. Rose to stardom with her 1930 recording of Tai (Pra Voce Gostar De Mim). Performed on Broadway and in over a dozen Hollywood films from 1940 through the mid-1950s ~ Miranda passed away in 1955
February 9, 1902 ~ Jazz singer, bandleader, composer Blanche Calloway, full name Blanche Dorothea Jones Calloway, born in Rochester, New York, USA ~ Older sister of Cab Calloway, on whom she had a profound influence. First woman to lead an all-male orchestra. Has worked with Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle in the 1921 Shuffle Along musical. Other collaborations include Louis Armstrong, Cozy Cole, Chick Webb, Andy Kirk, Ben Webster, Bennie Moten, Zack Whyte, and others ~ Calloway passed away in 1978
February 9, 1900 ~ Bassist Walter Page, full name Walter Sylvester Page, born in Gallatin, Missouri, USA ~ Led the Blue Devils. Also worked with the Count Basie Orchestra, Jimmy Rushing, Buster Smith, Lester Young, Hot Lips Page, Jo Jones, Freddie Green, Jimmy McPartland, Eddie Condon, Ruby Braff, Roy Eldridge, Vic Dickenson, Buck Clayton, and others ~ Page passed away in 1957
February 9, 1885 ~ Composer Alban Berg, full name Alban Maria Johannes Berg, born in Vienna, Austria ~ Despite a relatively small oeuvre remembered as one of the most important 20th century composers known for merging Romantic lyricism with the twelve-tone technique. Best known for his 1924 opera Wozzeck, his 1926 Lyric Suite for strings and his 1935 Violin Concerto ~ Berg passed away in 1935