January 15, 1988 ~ Sonny John Moore, commonly known as DJ, producer, singer Skrillex, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by artists as diverse as Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, the Doors, Aphex Twin, and Daft Punk. Lead singer of post-hardcore outfit From First To Last, present on the albums Dear Diary (My Teen Angst Has A Body Count) and Heroine leaving the band in 2007. Member of Dog Blood. Formed the duo Jack Ü with Diplo. Active as a solo artist, remixer, producer going by the moniker Skrillex since the late-2000s. As a producer, Skrillex has worked on tracks by MIA, Craig David, Incubus, Justin Bieber (Where R U Now), the Weeknd, XXXTentacion, Ed Sheeran (Take Me Back To London), Lady Gaga, and Juice WRLD
January 15, 1987 ~ Pop-rock, celtic folk, country singer, songwriter Andrea Begley born in Pomeroy, Northern Ireland ~ Winner of the 2nd series of talent show The Voice UK aired on BBC One in 2013
January 15, 1981 ~ Armando Christian Perez, commonly known as MC, rapper, singer, songwriter Pitbull, born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Emerged in the early 2000's recording reggaeton and Latin hip-hop. Released his full-length MIAMI debut album, produced by Lil' Jon, in 2004 and has recorded to commercial succes since. Best known for his 2009 breakthrough single I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) which would reach top 10 across the globe including in the Netherlands, the UK and America. Has collaborated with T-Pain, Ne-Yo, Afrojack, Nayer, Shakira, Christina Aguilera (Feel This Moment), Danny Mercer, Ke$ha (Timber), Jennifer Lopez (On The Floor), J Balvin, Ty Dolla $ign, Enrique Iglesias (I Like It), Usher, and Havana Brown
January 15, 1979 ~ Singer, songwriter, model Karen Elson, full name Karen Jill Elson, born in Oldham, UK ~ Best known as a supermodel, discovered at age 16. As a singer known for founding and fronting cabaret troupe and cover band the Citizens Band. Released a solo debut album, The Ghost Who Walks, in 2010. Married to the White Stripes-guitarist Jack White from 2005 to 2013, with whom she has two children
January 15, 1979 ~ D'Juan Montrel Hart, commonly known as rapper Young Dro, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Debuted in 2001 with the I Got That Dro album. Would first gain attention with his 2006 major label debut Best Thang Smokin' which included the Billboard top 10 hit Shoulder Lean featuring TI. Has also worked with PSC, Yung LA, Yung Joc, Kia Shine, Mike Epps, DJ Khaled, Keyshia Cole, Iggy Azalea, E-40, and Gorilla Zoe
January 15, 1975 ~ Patrick Denard Douthit, commonly known as hip-hop producer 9th Wonder, born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA ~ Worked with Little Brother, Mary J Blige, Destiny's Child, J Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Erykah Badu, Ludacris, Mac Miller, David Banner, Lecrae, Jill Scott, Big Boi, Rapsody, 2 Chainz, Nipsey Hussle, and Anderson Paak
January 15, 1975 ~ Tom Jenkinson, commonly known as uitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer Squarepusher, born in Chelmsford, UK ~ Draws from drum and bass, IDM, jazz, electroacoustic music and other idioms. Active since the mid-1990s. Best known for a number of mid to late-2000s albums, notably 2004's Ultravisitor which reached the top 10 of the American dance album charts
January 15, 1972 ~ Steve McCutcheon, commonly known as producer, songwriter Steve Mac, born in Surrey, UK ~ In-demand songwriter, producer with over two dozen UK No.1 hits to his name. First gained attention in the early-1990s writing and producing Nomad's I Wanna Give You Devotion, a hit across Europe. Would go on to write and produce for artists including Westlife (Queen Of My Heart), JLS, James Blunt (When I Find Love Again), Shakira, Jess Glynne, Demi Lovato, Ed Sheeran (The Shape Of You), Clean Bandit, Rita Ora (Your Song), P!nk, 5 Seconds Of Summer (Want You Back), Little Mix, Marshmello (Here With Me), Kelly Clarkson, and the Chainsmokers
January 15, 1970 ~ Folk, alternative country singer, songwriter, actor Will Oldham, full name Joseph Will Oldham, born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Draws from Americana, folk, roots, country, punk, and indie rock. Best known as frontman and constant member of Palace, recording four albums during under variations of the Palace moniker. Recorded well over a dozen albums as a solo artist since, mostly going by the moniker Bonnie Prince Billy, especially acclaimed for the 1997 Joya album. Had his songs covered by Tender Mercy, Calexico, Iron & Wine, Alexis Taylor, Johnny Cash (I See A Darkness), and BMX Bandits
January 15, 1966 ~ Lisa Veléz, commonly known as R&B, pop, freestyle singer Lisa Lisa, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Discovered while still in her teens by New York-based songwriter, producer team Full Force, who got her signed to Columbia Records on the stipulation that the label not team her up with other producers. Full Force's breakthrough hit was UTFO's Roxanne Roxanne. As it worked in a song title, they figured it might also work in a moniker and they gave Velez the moniker Lisa Lisa. Velez recorded a number of albums fronting Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam starting in the mid-1980s. They are best known for their Spanish Fly sophomore album issued in 1987, which spawned the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits Head To Toe and Lost In Emotion. After the group's popularity waned by the early-1990s, Velez has recorded as a solo artist albeit it to lesser success. Full Force enjoyed success from the 1980s onwards writing and producing for acts such as Samantha Fox, James Brown, the Force MD's, Wild Orchid, the Backstreet Boys (All I Have To Give), NSYNC, Lil' Kim, Rihanna, and Black Eyed Peas (Don't Phunk With My Heart), yet during the 1980s Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam were the team's biggest act
January 15, 1965 ~ Alternative metal, progressive metal, progressive rock guitarist Adam Jones, full name Adam Thomas Jones, born in Park Ridge, Illinois, USA ~ Best known as member of Tool. Has also worked with Electric Sheep, Tom Morello, Jello Biafra, and Puscifer
January 15, 1964 ~ Wes Madiko, mononymously known as pop singer Wes, born in Cameroon ~ Best known for In Youpendi of The Lion King II soundtrack and Alane, the latter reaching top 10 across Europe in 1997 including No.1 spots in France and the Netherlands. Has also worked with French world fusion outfit Deep Forest ~ Madiko passed away in 2021
January 15, 1962 ~ Machida Yasushi, commonly known as punk rock singer, poet, author, actor Ko Machida, born in Osaka, Japan ~ First gained attention founding and fronting Inu, known for their 1981 album Meshi Kuuna. Would go on to released several albums with various backing units, enjoying a cult following and critical acclaim. Also known as a poet and author starting with Kuge, a collection of poems, released in 1992
January 15, 1959 ~ Bassist, singer Pete Trewavas born in Middlesbrough, UK ~ Influenced by Paul McCartney. Best known as member of Marillion joining the band in 1982, replacing Diz Minnitt, known for a string of impressive 1980s albums including Fugazi, Misplaced Childhood and Clutching At Straws. Member of progressive rock group Transatlantic. Co-founded Kino, which also includes John Mitchell, John Beck, and Chris Maitland. Formed the duo Edison's Children with Eric Blackwood
January 15, 1957 ~ Nigel Trubridge, commonly known as clarinetist, saxophonist Horace Trubridge or Horatio Hornblower, born in Shoreham-by-Sea, UK ~ Member of Rocky Sharpe & the Razors. Co-founding member of 1970s doo-wop revival outfit the Darts, for whom he wrote a vast amount of their material including the hit Get It
January 15, 1954 ~ Rock, pop bassist Nels Busch born in Nijmegen, the Netherlands ~ Co-founded 1970s group Elevator. Co-founded Frank Boeijen Groep, known for songs such as Linda, Doe Iets, Zwart Wit and Kronenburg Park. Following the band's disbandement in the early-1990s Busch has worked with Kali Tichi, Aesun, Taste Of Ruby. Busch is also an accomplished painter
January 15, 1953 ~ Club DJ, artist manager, label executive Rob Gretton born in Wyhenshawe, UK ~ Leading figure in late-1970s Manchester punk scene. Manager of Joy Division and New Order. Label co-owner of Factory Records for which Gretton signed artists such as Section 25, X O Dus, Crispy Ambulance, the Stockholm Monsters, Minny Pops, the Names, Quando Quango, Wake, 52nd Street, and the Happy Mondays ~ Gretton passed away in 1999
January 15, 1952 ~ Cellist Melvyn Gale born ~ Worked with the London Palladium Orchestra, the London Youth Symphony Orchestra, as well as with several West End shows. To pop audiences best known for his association with the Electric Light Orchestra, replacing Mike Edwards in 1975 and remaining with the band through 1979, present on some of the band's best-selling albums including A New World Record and Out Of The Blue
January 15, 1952 ~ Eduardo Beilinson, commonly known as rock guitarist Skay Beilinson, born ~ Influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Keith Richards, Buddy Guy, Vanilla Fudge. Considered one of the premier Argentinian guitarists. Co-founding member of Los Redondos, a band credited with shaping Argentinian rock. Has also recorded as a solo artist and worked with acts such as La Cofradia De La Flor Solar, Edelmiro Molinari, Pedro Conde, and El Soldado
January 15, 1951 ~ Singer Martha Davis, full name Martha Emily Davis, born in Berkeley, California, USA ~ Lead singer of the Motels, known for Only The Lonely and Suddenly Last Summer both of which reached Billboard top 10 in the early-1980s
January 15, 1949 ~ Daniel Le Bras, commonly known as Celtic rock, folk guitarist Dan Ar Braz, born in Quimper, France ~ Perhaps best known for organizing L'Heritage Des Celtes, merging traditional music with modern rock elements. The band initially was a one-time collaboration of over 70 musicians brought together especially for the 1992 Festival De Cornoaille but its succes spawned several critically well-received albums. Has recorded as a solo artist and worked with the likes of Alan Stivell, Fairport Convention, John Kirkpatrick, and Jean-Jacques Goldman
January 15, 1948 ~ James Reginald Riley, commonly known as jazz fusion, R&B percussionist Juma Santos, born in Massachusetts, USA ~ Enjoyed a career spanning four decades in jazz, fusion and R&B. Perhaps best known for touring with trumpeter Miles Davis for about a year and appearing on the seminal Bitches Brew jazz fusion album released in 1970. Other notable credits include Compost, Roy Ayers (He's Coming), Paul Pena, Andy Pratt (Andy Pratt), Larry Young, Michael Gibbs, David Sanborn, Chico Freeman, Freddie Hubbard, and Taj Mahal ~ Riley passed away in 2007
January 15, 1948 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Ronnie Van Zant, full name Ronald Wayne Van Zant, born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Founding member, lead singer of Southern rock outfit Lynyrd Skynyrd and present on songs such as Sweet Home Alabama, Free Bird and Saturday Night Special. Van Zant died in a 1977 plane crash which also killed bandmates Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines, their road manager Dean Kilpatrick, the pilot and co-pilot ~ Van Zant passed away in 1977
January 15, 1947 ~ Producer, songwriter Pete Waterman born in Coventry, UK ~ One third of hugely successful Stock-Aitken-Waterman producer, songwriter trio, alongside Mike Stock and Matt Aitken, scoring numerous Eurobeat and pop hits from the mid-1980s through the early-1990s with artists such as Kylie Minogue (I Should Be So Lucky), the Dolly Dots, Rick Astley (Never Gonna Give You Up), Sinitta, Errol Brown, Bananarama (Venus), Judas Priest, Divine (You Think You're A Man), Mel & Kim (Respectable), Pepsi & Shirlie, Donna Summer (This Time I Know It's For Real), Samantha Fox, Hazell Dean (Whatever I Do), and Jason Donovan
January 15, 1946 ~ Songwriter, singer Bobby Bloom born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ One-hit wonder known for Montego Bay, co-written with and produced by Jeff Barry. The song would reach top 10 in Canada, the UK and America. Bloom's follow-up to Montego Bay, the single Heavy Makes You Happy, would fail to make much of an impression but would become a hit for the Staple Singers in 1971. Bloom also co-wrote Mony Mony for Tommy James & the Shondells, Sunshine for the Archies and Do It In The Name Of Love for the Monkees as well as several other tracks of the latter's Changes album ~ Bloom passed away in 1974
January 15, 1946 ~ Classical pianist Joseph Kalichstein born in Tel Aviv, Palestine ~ Concerto, recital, chamber music pianist. Has collaborated with conductors such as André Previn, Daniel Barenboim, Pierre Boulez, Zubin Mehta, Leonard Slatkin. Closely associated with violinist Jaime Laredo and Sharon Robinson, the trio having performed at the inauguration of President Jimmy Carter, having recorded works of Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Johannes Brahms and Maurice Ravel, and having works written especially for them by the likes of Richard Danielpour, John Corigliano and Daron Hagen ~ Kalichstein passed away in 2022
January 15, 1946 ~ Songwriter Ron Davies, full name Ronny Wayne Davies, born ~ Son of country singer Tex Dickerson. Brother of singer, songwriter Gail Davies. Released two albums as a recording artist, Silent Song Through The Land and UFO. Best known as a songwriter. Three Dog Night, Long John Baldry, David Bowie, Dave Edmunds and Shelby Lynne all covered his It Ain't Easy. Other well known Davies songs include Long Hard Climb (covered by Maria Muldaur), The Man I Used To Be (Jerry Jeff Walker) and Waiting On A Dark Eyed Girl (the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) ~ Davies passed away in 2003
January 15, 1944 ~ Singer, songwriter Joan Marie Johnson born ~ Original member of the Dixie Cups alongside her cousins Barbara Ann Hawkins and Rosa Lee Hawkins, best known for their 1964 million-seller Chapel Of Love ~ Johnson passed away in 2016
January 15, 1943 ~ Producer, songwriter Fonce Mizell born in Englewood, New Jersey, USA ~ Co-founding member of vocal jazz quartet the Vanlords, which also included his brother Larry Mizell. Best known as a producer and songwriter, again in tandem with his brother, producing numerous albums for Blue Note Records setting the tone for 1970s jazz fusion sound and scoring pivotal R&B hits including A Taste Of Honey's Boogie Oogie Oogie, LTD's Love Ballad and Mary Wells' Gigolo. Fonce was also a member of Motown's producer, songwriter collective the Corporation alongside Berry Gordy Jr, Freddie Perren and Deke Richards, responsible for all of the Jackson 5's early hits including I Want You Back, ABC and The Love You Save ~ Mizell passed away in 2011
January 15, 1941 ~ Don van Vliet, commonly known as singer, songwriter Captain Beefheart, was born in Glendale, California, USA ~ Backed by the Magic Band recorded some dozen albums drawing from blues, free jazz, rock, and avant-garde. Critically acclaimed, especially for the albums Safe As Milk and Trout Mask Replica. Worked with Alexis Shouffer, Frank Zappa, John French, Denny Walley, Jeff Cotton, Jerry Handley, Bruce Botnick, Bill Harkleroad, Gary Marker, and Mark Boston ~ Van Vliet passed away in 2010
January 15, 1938 ~ Bluegrass banjoist, songwriter, publisher Pete Kuykendall born in Washington DC, USA ~ Co-founded Bluegrass Unlimited in 1966 becoming its main editor in 1970. Instrumental in the formation of the International Bluegrass Music Association in 1985. As a musician best known as a member of the Country Gentlemen in the late-1950s and for penning a number of bluegrass standards including Down Where The Still Waters Flow, I Am Weary (Let Me Rest) and Remembrance Of You ~ Kuykendall passed away in 2017
January 15, 1936 ~ Edward Jessie Bivins Jr, commonly known as R&B, soul singer, songwriter Edward Sonny Bivins born in Macon, Georgia, USA ~ Member of the Manhattans, best known for their 1976 hit Kiss And Say Goodbye. Wrote the band's There's No Me Without You, a 1973 Billboard R&B top 10 hit ~ Bivins passed away in 2014
January 15, 1930 ~ Blues guitarist Earl Hooker, full name Earl Zebedee Hooker, born in Quitman County, Mississippi, USA ~ Influenced by T-Bone Walker and Robert Nighthawk. Worked with Sonny Boy Williamson II, Junior Wells, John Lee Hooker, Kansas City Red, Johnny O'Neal, Little Sammy Davis, Boyd Gilmore, Pinetop Perkins, the Dells, Arbee Stidham, Lorenzo Smith, Harold Tidwell, Little Arthur Duncan, Lillian Offitt, Magic Sam, AC Reed, Ricky Allen, Reggie Guitar Boyd, Jackie Brenston, Carey Bell, Geno Skaggs, Andrew Odom, Freddie Roulette, and Jimmy Witherspoon ~ Hooker passed away in 1970
January 15, 1930 ~ Jazz pianist, singer, arranger Onzy Matthews, full name Onzy Durrett Matthews Jr, born in Fort Worth, Texas, USA ~ As a leader known for the mid-1960s albums Blues With A Touch Of Elegance and Sounds For The 60's. Closely associated with Duke Ellington orchestra during the 1960s and 1970s. Also especially noted as arranger, conductor, pianist for the 1963 Lou Rawls album Black And Blue, and as arranger, conductor for the Richard Groove Holmes album Book Of The Blues Vol.1 the following year. Other notable associations include Kenny Dorham, Curtis Amy, Gene Shaw, Dexter Gordon, and specifically Ray Charles, working in one capacity or another on a string of the latter's mid-1960s albums ~ Matthews passed away in 1997
January 15, 1928 ~ Country, rockabilly guitarist Joe Pennington, full name Joseph Lephmon Pennington, born in Plant City, Florida, USA ~ Best known as member of Hank Williams' backing unit the Drifting Cowboys through 1949. Has subsuquently worked with Lefty Frizzell. As a solo artist known for a number of 1950s rockabilly singles under the moniker Joe Penny, notably Bip A Little (Bop A Lot) released in 1958 ~ Pennington passed away in 2020
January 15, 1922 ~ Singer, stage and film actress Thelma Carpenter born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ To pop audiences best known for portraying the role of the Good Witch of the North in the 1978 movie version of The Wiz. Previously a child prodigy. Hosting her own radio show by her teens. As a singer worked with Teddy Wilson, Coleman Hawkins, Count Basie, Eddie Cantor, and Duke Ellington ~ Carpenter passed away in 1997
January 15, 1921 ~ Itzchol Reev Smolover, commonly known as tenor, director Ray Smolover, born ~ Best known as founder and director of the Opera theater Of Westchester. Though primarily performing music by others Smolover composed several pieces, including a cantate and several art songs. Smolover also served as executive VP of American Conference Of Cantors for over three decades ~ Smolover passed away in 2015
January 15, 1920 ~ R&B, jazz guitarist, vibraphonist Dave Hamilton, full name David Lewis Hamilton, born in Savannah, Georgia, USA ~ Member of the Helen Pennington Quartet, the Noc-Tunes, the Peppers. In-demand session musician since the late-1950s, appearing on recordings by Jackie Wilson (Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want To Meet), Lonely Teardrops), John Lee Hooker (Boom Boom), Marvin Gaye (Stubborn Kind Of Fellow), Mary Wells (My Guy). Released his Blue Vibrations solo debut album in 1964 ~ Hamilton passed away in 1994
January 15, 1915 ~ Musicologist Alan Lomax born in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Known as one of the most important musicologists, along with his father John Avery Lomax, and director of the Archive of American Folk Song at the Library of Congress ~ Lomax passed away in 2002
January 15, 1909 ~ Jazz, swing, Dixieland drummer Gene Krupa, full name Eugene Bertram Krupa, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Leader and sideman. One of the first superstar drummers. Influenced by Tubby Hall, Zutty Singleton, Baby Dodds. Noted for his drum solos on the 1937 Benny Goodman recording of Sing Sing Sing (With A Swing) as well as on the 1938 Live At Carnegie Hall performance. Has worked with Red McKenzie, Eddie Condon, Martha Tilton, Tommy Dorsey, Charlie Ventura, and Eddie Shu ~ Krupa passed away in 1973
January 15, 1904 ~ Edgar DeLange Moss, commonly known as bandleader, lyricist Eddie DeLange, born in Long Island, New York, USA ~ Frequent songwriting collaborator of Irving Mills, Will Hudson and Jimmy van Heusen. Songs written or co-written by DeLange include Solitude (Louis Armstrong, Etta Jones), Shake Down The Stars (Bob Crosby, Glenn Miller, Ella Fitzgerald), The Man With The Horn (Boyd Raeburn, Anita O'Day, Nina Simone), The Blues Are Brewin' (Billie Holiday), Whatever Happened To You (Xavier Cugat), Lost April (Nat King Cole, Frankie Carle), Just As Though You Were (Tommy Dorsey, the Ink Spots) ~ Moss passed away in 1949
January 15, 1899 ~ Cellist Hans Münch-Holland, full name Hans Rudolph Münch-Holland, born in Bern, Germany ~ Active since the 1920s. Longtime member of the Strub Quartet, remaining with the quartet from 1939 through 1953. Has also worked with the Stuttgart Chamber Trio, the Staatstheater Stuttgart, the Gewandhausorchestrer, and the Leipzig Trio ~ Münch-Holland passed away in 1971
January 15, 1882 ~ Harry Haley McClaskey, commonly known as singer, radio personality, producer Henry Burr, born in St Stephen, Canada ~ Enjoyed popularity from the early-1900s onwards. Known for songs such as Just A Baby's Prayer At Twilight, I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now, When I Lost You, and In The Shade Of The Apple Tree. McClaskey also formed the duo Campbell & Burr, the pair known for songs such as The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine, Somebody's Waiting For Someone, and I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles ~ McClaskey passed away in 1941