January 20, 1995 ~ Jo Vaughn Virginie Scott, commonly known as rapper, producer, songwriter Joey Badass, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Founding member of hip-hop collective Pro-Era. As a solo artist best known for Devastated and Rockabye Baby featuring Schoolboy Q. Has also collaborated with Statik Selektah, Snakehips, Westside Boogie, A$AP Rocky, and others
January 20, 1988 ~ Keytarist, singer Victoria Asher, full name Victoria Jane Asher, born ~ Daughter of Peter Asher of British pop duo Peter & Gordon. Best known as keytarist for Cobra Starship from 2007 through 2015, with whom she scored the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Good Girls Go Bad and You Make Me Feel. Asher has also worked with Optimo and Not In Town, and self-released her solo debut single, Protect This Love, in 2016
January 20, 1987 ~ Multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter Peter Broderick born in Searsmont, Maine, USA ~ Brother of Heather Woods Broderick. Worked with M Ward, Zooey Deschanel, Dolorean, Horse Feathers, Norfolk & Western, Loch Lomond, Laura Gibson, Efterklang, de Machinefabriek, Neon Dance, and others
January 20, 1986 ~ Producer, songwriter Kane Churko, full name Kane Gregory Churko, born in Regina, Canada ~ Best known for his work with artists such as Ozzy Osbourne, Papa Roach, Modern Science, Five Finger Death Punch, Gemini Syndrome, In This Moment, Hellyeah, Robert John Mutt Lange, Eric Valentine, Bob Dylan, Maroon 5, Smash Mouth, Hinder, the Corrs, the Vamps, Skillet, Jason Hook, and others
January 20, 1986 ~ Psychedelic pop, neo-psychedelia, synth-pop singer, guitarist, drummer, bassist, keyboardist Kevin Parker, full name Kevin Richard Parker, born in Sydney, Australia ~ Frontman of Tame Impala, known for songs such as Patience, Borderline, It Might Be Time, Posthumous Forgiveness, Breathe Deeper, and Is It True. Has also worked with the Dee Dee Dums, Pond, Mink Mussel Creek, Melody's Echo Chamber, Space Lime Peacock, Canyons, Discodeine, Kevin Spacey. Served as producer for artists such as Mark Ronson, Lady Gaga, Kanye West, Travis Scott, the Flaming Lips, and others
January 20, 1985 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Brantley Gilbert, full name Brantley Keith Gilbert, born in Jefferson, Georgia, USA ~ Co-wrote Jason Aldean's My Kinda Party and Dirt Road Anthem. Released his debut album, A Modern Day Prodigal Son, in 2009. Known for songs such as Country Must Be Country Wide, You Don't Know Her Like I Do, Bottoms Up, One Hell Of An Amen, The Weekend and What Happens In A Small Town with Lindsay Ell
January 20, 1984 ~ Pianist, singer, songwriter, producer Bonnie McKee born in Vacaville, California, USA ~ Debuted as a solo artist with the album Trouble in 2004 after which she was dropped by her label for underperforming. McKee would go on to focus on songwriting, especially in partnership with Katy Perry, scoring numerous hits for Perry (California Gurls, Last Friday Night (TGIF), Roar), Taio Cruz (Dynamite), Cher, Britney Spears (Hold It Against Me), Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert (Chokehold), Carly Rae Jepsen, Rita Ora, Ke$ha (C'mon), Charlie Puth, Ava Max, and others
January 20, 1981 ~ Metal drummer Martin Marthus Skaroupka born in Brno, Czech Republic ~ Best known as member of Cradle Of Filth, joining in 2006 as replacement for Adrian Erlandsson. Has also worked with Animal Farm, Pink Chubby Guitar, Scharnhorst, Pluggulp, Inner Fear, Happy Death, Entralis, Titanic, and others
January 20, 1981 ~ Guitarist, singer Nathan Connolly born in Belfast, Northern Ireland ~ Best known as lead guitarist and backing vocalist of Snow Patrol, joining the band in 2002 prior to recording their major label debut, 2003's The Final Straw. Present on UK top 10 hits such as Run, You're All I Have, Chasing Cars, Signal Fire and Take Back The City
January 20, 1974 ~ Rock, pop rock singer, guitarist Paskal Jakobsen born in Vlissingen, the Netherlands ~ Co-founded BLØF, known for songs such as Liefs Uit London, Wat Zou Je Doen, Dansen Aan Zee, Alles Is Liefde, Vandaag and Zoutelande. Co-wrote Rob de Nijs' Wat Als Later Nu Is with Danny Vera. Has also collaborated with Fernando Lameirinhas, Cristina Branco, Mark King, Henny Vrienten, Frank Boeijen, and others
January 20, 1973 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer, actor Benjamin Biolay born in Villefanche-sur-Saône, France ~ Brother of singer Coralie Clément, whose albums he produced. Has also written, arranged or produced for artists such as Keren Ann, Henri Salvador, Juliette Gréco, Julien Clerc, Françoise Hardy, Vanessa Paradis. As a singer and solo artist has recorded since the early 2000s, known best for albums such as 2009's La Superbe, 2012's Vengeance and 2020's Grand Prix, all of which reached top 10 of the French album charts
January 20, 1971 ~ Singer, songwriter Gary Barlow born in Cheshire, UK ~ Best known as lead singer of boy band Take That. Released his solo debut album, The Open Road, in 1997, which spawned the hit singles Forever Love and Love Won't Wait. Has collaborated with Chris Martin, Ellie Goulding, Midge Ure, Michael Bublé, Agnetha Fältskog, Jörgen Elofsson, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and others. Has produced and/or written for Matt Cardle, Robbie Williams, Westlife, Lily Allen, Elton John, Olly Murs, T-Pain, Will Young, N-Dubz, Lawson, Shirley Bassey, Donny Osmond, Delta Goodrem, Elaine Page, and others
January 20, 1971 ~ Progressive rock, metal, experimental rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Paul Masvidal, full name Paul Albert Masvidal, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico ~ Cites Andrés Segovia, Django Reinhardt, Jimmy Page, Alex Lifeson, Eddie Van Halen, Scott Henderson and Warren Cuccurullo as influences. Founding member of Cynic, remaining with the band for three decades. Has also worked in side projects and as a collaborator with acts including Æon Spoke, Onward With Love, Crypha, Seaweed, Death, Gordian Knot, Persefone, Neil Grant, and others
January 20, 1971 ~ Ahmir Khalib Thompson, commonly known as drummer, DJ, producer, actor Questlove, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Co-founding member, co-frontman of the Roots, known best as the house band for Jimmy Thompson's late night show. The band is critically acclaimed for their jazz-influenced approach to hip-hop and has recorded about a dozen albums since the early 1990s. Notable singles include What They Do featuring Raphael Saadiq and You Got Me featuring Erykah Badu and Eve. Questlove has also served as producer for the likes of Elvis Costello, Common, d'Angelo, Jill Scott, Bilal, Jay-Z, Nikka Costa, Booker T Jones, Al Green, Amy Winehouse, John Legend, and others
January 20, 1971 ~ Jazz composer, pianist Zoe Rahman born in Chichester, UK ~ Leader and sidewoman. Over half a dozen albums since the early 2000s as a solo artist, leader or co-leader. Noted specifically for the 2013 collaborative album Unison with bassist, saxophonist George Mraz. Rahman has also worked with Courtney Pine, Clark Tracey, the Soothsayers, Keziah Jones, David Walcott, Mekaal Hasan, Reem Kelani, Tony Bianco, Natacha Atlas, and Brigitte Escobar
January 20, 1969 ~ Bassist, songwriter Nicky Wire born in Tredegar, UK ~ Member and primary lyricist of alternative rock band the Manic Street Preachers, known for songs such as A Design For Life, If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next, You Stole The Sun From My Heart, The Masses Against The Classes, So Why So Sad, The Love Of Richard Nixon and Your Love Alone Is Not Enough, all of which reached the British top 10. Wire released a solo album, I Killed The Zeitgeist, in 2006
January 20, 1966 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist Lewis Taylor, full name Andrew Lewis Taylor, born in London, UK ~ Worked with psychedelic rock band the Edgar Broughton Band. Released two psychedelia albums in the 1980s, Laugh Yourself Awake and What Lovely Melodies, using the moniker Sheriff Jack. Moved into neo-soul in the 1990s issuing several albums under his birth name, starting with the eponymous Lewis Taylor in 1996. Retired from music in the mid 2000s
January 20, 1966 ~ Tracy Richard Irving Ulrich, commonly known as hard rock, glam metal guitarist, singer Tracii Guns, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of Guns 'n Roses, shortly after its inception replaced by Slash. Also worked with the LA Guns, Brides Of Destruction, Contraband, the League Of Gentlemen, Gilby Clarke, the Devil City Angels, Poison, Quiet Riot, Hollywood Rose, and others
January 20, 1966 ~ Christian singer, guitarist, songwriter Wes King born in Winder, Georgia, USA ~ Best known for his 1993 album The Robe and its follow-up Common Creed, the latter spawning the modest hits Life Is Precious, The Love Of Christ, and Common Creed. Has guested on recordings by Phil Keaggy, Kim Hill, Julie Miller, Cindy Morgan, and Carmen Liana
January 20, 1965 ~ R&B, dance, house, soul singer Heather Small born in UK ~ Lead singer of M-People, known for a string of UK 1990s dance, dance-pop hits including One Night In Heaven, Moving On Up, Don't Look Any Further, Renaissance, Sight For Sore Eyes, Search For The Hero, Just For You and Angel St. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Proud in 2000
January 20, 1965 ~ Singer John Michael Montgomery born in Danville, Kentucky, USA ~ Brother of singer Eddie Montgomery, with whom he also worked. As a solo artist debuted in 1992 with the Life's A Dance album and has since regularly reached the higher echelons of the country charts with singles such as I Love The Way You Love Me, I Swear, Be My Baby Tonight, If You've Got Love, I Can Love You Like That, Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident), Little Girl, and others
January 20, 1960 ~ Jazz drummer, composer Jeff Tain-Watts born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ~ Leader and sideman. Has worked with Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Betty Carter, Michael Brecker, Alice Coltrane, Ravi Coltrane, Troy Roberts, Robin Eubanks, Harry Connick Jr, Kenny Kirkland, Terence Blanchard, Sonny Fortune, Kenny Garrett, Conrad Herwig, McCoy Tyner, John Beasley, and others.
January 20, 1960 ~ Composer, organist Nils-Henrik Asheim born in Oslo, Norway ~ Known for chamber music, orchestral works, musical theater, saced music and electronic music. Frequent collaborator of Anne-Lise Berntsen. In the jazz and electronica idions has worked with Paal Nilssen-Love, Frode Gjerstad, Lasse Marhaug, and is known as founder of the improvisational collective the Stavanger Kitchen Orchestra
January 20, 1960 ~ Bassist Scott Thunes born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ In-demand session bassist worked with Wayne Kramer, Andy Prieboy, Frank Zappa (most of the 1980s including on the albums Them Or Us and The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life), Mike Keneally, Fear, the Waterboys, Big Bang Beat, the Mother Hips, Heavy Bones, and others
January 20, 1958 ~ Dub producer Adrian Sherwood, full name Adrian Maxwell Sherwood, born in London, UK ~ Best known as a dub producer working with artists such as Prince Far I, Little Axe, Mikey Dread, Bim Sherman, Lee Scratch Perry, Style Scott, Suns Of Arqa and others. Thriving force behind Dub Syndicate. Has also worked outside the dub and reggae idiom, especially as a remixer. Member of Tackhead collective. Has worked with Coldcut, Depeche Mode, Primal Scream, Pop Will Eat Itself, Sinéad O'Connor, Skinny Puppy as well as artists such as Ministry, Cabaret Voltaire, KMFDM, and Nine Inch Nails
January 20, 1957 ~ Saxophonist Andy Sheppard born in Warminster, UK ~ Leader and sideman. First gained attention in the late 1970s as a member of Sphere. Released his eponymous Andy Sheppard debut album in 1987, produced by and featuring Steve Swallow. In-demand sideman, worked with Lumière, Urban Sax, Keith Tippett, Nana Vasconcelos, John Parricelli, Carla Bley, Gil Evans, George Russell, Han Bennink, Claude Deppa, Gary Valente, John Martyn, Judie Tzuke, the Blue Aeroplanes, Barbara Dennerlein, Peter Erskine, Tore Johansen, Lee Morgan, Sylvain Sylvain, and Trio Libero
January 20, 1954 ~ Jazz guitarist, composer, arranger Steve Rochinski, full name Stephen James Rochinski, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Worked with Tal Farlow, Attila Zoller, Jimmy Raney, Pete Candoli, Conte Candoli, Tim Hagans, Joe Lovano, Greg Hopkins, Gary Foster, Pat Harbison, Jeff Sherman, Hal Melia, Chip Stephens, Hank Marr, Brad Goode, Joe Hunt, Scott Lee, Walt Weiskopf, Wade Beach, Amy Shook, Jeff Antoniuk, Tony Martucco, Chuck Redd, Richard Evans, Bob Freedman, Anthony Tillman, Andrei Ryabov, and others
January 20, 1954 ~ R&B, disco, soul, funk singer, songwriter Stuart Bascombe born in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Member of Black Ivory, known for 1970s Billboard R&B hits such as Don't Turn Around, You & I, I'll Find A Way, and Time Is Love. Co-wrote Raekwon's Criminology of the 1995 Only Built 4 Linx album. Co-wrote Q-Tip's Gettin' Up of the 2008 The Renaissance album
January 20, 1953 ~ Jazz, pop, rock singer, bassist, pianist, guitarist Billy Field, full name William Bruce Field, born in Wagga Wagga, Australia ~ Active since the late 1960s. Member of King Fox, known for the 1972 single I Think You're Fine. Released his Bad Habits solo debut album in 1981, which spawned the hit singles Bad Habits and You Weren't In Love With Me both of which reached top 10 in his native Australia. Has recorded to moderate succes since as a solo artist, serves as producer, and runs his own recording studio Paradise Studios
January 20, 1952 ~ Ann Allen, commonly known as cajun, folk singer, guitarist, accordionist, fiddler Ann Savoy, born ~ Married to accordionist Marc Savoy, her bandmate in the Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band and the Savoy Family Band. The couple's sons Joel Savoy and Wilson Savoy also play in the latter. Also a member of all-female band the Magnolia Sisters
January 20, 1952 ~ Blues, blues-rock singer, guitarist John Campbell, full name John Allen Campbell, born in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA ~ Member of short-lived power trio Junction alongside Tim Delaney and Jack Haupt. As a solo artist best known for a number of late 1980s, early 1990s hard-edged, raw albums, notably the acclaimed One Believer album released in 1991 ~ Campbell passed away in 1993
January 20, 1952 ~ Stanley Bert Eisen, commonly known as hard rock, rock guitarist, singer Paul Stanley born in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founder, guitarist, co-lead singer of Kiss, known for 1970s hits such as Rock & Roll All Nite, Beth, Hard Luck Woman, Calling Dr Love, and perhaps their best-known I Was Made For Lovin' You
January 20, 1948 ~ Singer Tony Pantano born in Messina, Italy ~ Active since his mid-teens. Fronted Isy & the Dynamics during the mid-1960s, known for the single One Night. Fronted Sammy &; the Dolphins, with whom he recorded the EP The Dolphins At Sergio's Rendezvous. As a solo artist known for the early 1970s singles Every Time You Touch Me and Tonight, both of which modest hits in his adopted homeland Australia ~ Pantano passed away in 2023
January 20, 1947 ~ Guitarist, composer Chris Karrer born in Kempten, West Germany ~ Co-founding member of Amon Düül and its commercially more successful successor Amon Düül II, the latter especially known for a number of soundtracks most notably Niklashauser Fart and San Domingo. Though primarily active as a guitarist, Karrer also plays oud, saxophone, and violin. Karrer has also recorded as a solo artist, and worked with Embryo, Popol Vuh, Uli Trepte, and Guru Guru ~ Karrer passed away in 2024
January 20, 1947 ~ Rock, country rock drummer, singer George Grantham born in Cordell, Oklahoma, USA ~ Member of Boenzee Cryque alongside Rusty Young. Best known as co-founding member of Poco, remaining with the band through 1977. Has also worked with the Flying Burrito Brothers, Steve Wariner, Ricky Skaggs, Ronnie McDowell
January 20, 1946 ~ Jazz pianist, arranger John Sheridan born in Columbus, Ohio, USA ~ Got turned on to jazz at age 8, hearing a recording of Benny Goodman's famed 1938 Carnegie Hall concert. Best known for his association with Jim Cullum, performing and recording with the cornetist for some two decades starting in the late 1970s. Has recorded about a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, noted especially for his 1997 Something Tells Me debut album and the 2004 Thanks A Million collaborative album with trumpeter Bob Barnard. Other notable collaborations include Banu Gibson (Livin' In A Great Big Way), Duke Heitger, Brian Ogilvie, Randy Reinhardts (As Long As I Live), and Ron Hockett ~ Sheridan passed away in 2021
January 20, 1945 ~ Art rock, pop rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Eric Stewart, full name Eric Michael Stewart, born in Droylsden, UK ~ Co-founding member of the Mindbenders remaining with the band through 1968, known best for The Game Of Love and Groovy Kind Of Love. Co-founding member of 10cc remaining with the band through 1995, present on the band's best-known including Donna, Rubber Bullets, Life Is A Minestrone, I'm Not In Love, The Things We Do For Love, Dreadlock Holiday, and others. Has also worked with Hotlegs, the Alan Parsons Project, Paul McCartney, and recorded as a solo artist. Served as producer for the likes of Neil Sedaka, Justin Hayward, John Lodge, Sad Cafe, Agnetha Fältskog, and others
January 20, 1944 ~ Charles Louis Domanico, commonly known as jazz, pop bass guitarist, double bassist Chuck Domanico, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Carmen McRae, Joni Mitchell, Taj Mahal, Diane Schuur, Natalie Cole, the Manhattan Transfer, Chet Baker, Henry Mancini, the Hindustani Jazz Sextet, Shelly Manne, Oliver Nelson, John Klemmer, Roger Kellaway, Barney Kessel, Art Pepper, Don Ellis, Bob Thiele, João Donato, Pisano & Ruff, Gerry Mulligan, Phoebe Snow, Rita Coolidge, Bobby Hutcherson, Louie Bellson, Sonny Criss, Shelly Manne, Wade Marcus, JD Souther, the Pointer Sisters, Herb Alpert, Freddie Hubbard, Patti Austin, Lou Rawls, Joe Sample, Bonnie Raitt, Julio Iglesias, Pat Benatar, Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Céline Dion, Dwight Yoakam, Lee Ann Womack, and others ~ Domanico passed away in 2002
January 20, 1943 ~ Pianist, singer David Libert born ~ Co-founding member of pop group the Happenings. The band was known for adding their own distinctive style to hits originally recorded by others, and enjoyed popularity especially during the mid-1960s. See You In September, Go Away Little Girl, I Got Rhythm, and My Mammy all reached top 20 Billboard Hot 100. Libert briefly served as manager for Rare Earth, and subsequently as tour manager for Alice Cooper during the first half of the 1970s, a time span generally considered Cooper's key period. After relocating to Los Angeles in 1976, Libert became a representative for artists such as George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Brian Auger, Vanilla Fudge, and Living Colour ~ Libert passed away in 2024
January 20, 1942 ~ Singer William Powell born in Canton, Ohio, USA ~ Lead singer for the O'Jays, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums. The band is best known for two major 1972 hits, Back Stabbers and Love Train. Both singles are cherished and remembered as some of the finest of the Philly soul era. Both would also reach No.1 on the Billboard R&B charts, as did later singles Give The People What They Want, I Love Music (Part I), Livin' For The Weekend, Message In Our Music, and Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet Tender Love). Following Powell's death at age 35 of cancer, the band would attract Sammy Strain, formerly of Little Anthony & the Imperials, and continued to record albeit it to lesser success ~ Powell passed away in 1977
January 20, 1941 ~ Singer, TV host Pierre Lalonde born in Montreal, Canada ~ Son popular 1940s singer Jean Lalonde. Pierre sings in both English and French starting in the early 1960s, has also recorded under the moniker Peter Martin and is known for a variety of TV shows including Le Jeunesse D'Aujourd'hui, The Peter Martin Show, Music Hop ~ Lalonde passed away in 2016
January 20, 1936 ~ Boogie-woogie, blues, jazz pianist Erwin Helfer born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Closely associated with singer Estelle Yancey. Perhaps best known for his 1976 Heavy Timbre (Chicago Boogie Piano) album, which included contributions from Blind John Davis, Sunnyland Slim, Willie Mabon, and Jimmy Walker
January 20, 1936 ~ Blues guitarist Luther Tucker born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Though he never acieved much fame considered one of the most prominent Chicago blues rhythm guitarists on par with Eddie Taylor, Jody Williams, Freddie Robinson. Has worked with BB King, Mel Brown, Pat Hare, Elmore James, Little Walter, Otis Rush, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, James Cotton, Elvin Bishop, and others ~ Tucker passed away in 1993
January 20, 1931 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Hachidai Nakamura born in Tsingtao, China ~ Chinese-born Japanese pianist and composer. Member of the Big Four, alongside Hidehiko Matsumoto, George Kawaguchi, and Mitsuru Ono. Has composed for Kyu Sakamoto, Saburo Kitajima, and others. Known in the US mostly for co-penning Sakamoto's Sukiyaki, a 1963 Billboard No.1 hit ~ Nakamura passed away in 1992
January 20, 1929 ~ Jazz, hard bop, post-bop drummer Jimmy Cobb, full name Wilbur James Cobb born in Washington DC, USA ~ Started in the early 1950s touring with Earl Bostic. Closely associated with Miles Davis from the late 1950s through the early 1960s including on seminal albums such as Porgy & Bess, Kind Of Blue and Sketches Of Spain. Has also worked with Dinah Washington (Dinah), Cannonball Adderley, Paul Chambers, Wayne Shorter, Art Pepper, John Coltrane (Giant Steps), Freddie Hubbard (Open Sesame), Howard McGhee, Wynton Kelly (Someday My Prince Will Come), Sonny Red, Wes Montgomery, Shirley Scott, Bunky Green (My Baby), Big Mama Thornton, Sarah Vaughan, Starbuck, and others. Later on in his career would record as a leader including tributes to Davis, Kelly, and Chambers ~ Cobb passed away in 2020
January 20, 1926 ~ Experimental pianist, composer David Tudor, full name David Eugene Tudor, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ One of the leading performers of avant garde piano. Premiered Pierre Boulez's Piano Sonata No.2 in the US. Had Karlheinz Stockhausen dedicate his Klavierstuck VI to him. Closely associated with John Cage, premiering several of Cage's works including Music Of Changes, Concert For Piano And Orchestra, and 4'33. Tudor also gave early performances of works by Morton Feldman, Earle Brown, Christian Wolff, and La Monte Young ~ Tudor passed away in 1996
January 20, 1924 ~ Songwriter Lee Pockriss, full name Lee Julian Pockriss, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ In-demand songwriter of the 1950s and 1960s, with several soundtracks and Broadway shows to his name. Perhaps best known for co-writing Perry Como's Catch A Falling Star, Brian Hyland's Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini, and the Cuff Links' Tracy. Others who have recorded his songs include Jerry Vale, Johnny Mathis, Anita Bryant (My Little Corner Of The World), Dodie Stevens, Shelley Fabares (Johnny Angel), Frankie Laine, the Rooftop Singers, and Clint Holmes (Playground In My Mind) ~ Pockriss passed away in 2011
January 20, 1923 ~ Pop, jazz singer Nora Brockstedt born in Oslo, Norway ~ Internationally best known for representing Norway twice at the Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 4th place in 1960 with Voi Voi and 7th place the following year with Sommer I Palma ~ Brockstedt passed away in 2015
January 20, 1923 ~ Ottis Dewey Whitman Jr, commonly known as singer, songwriter Slim Whitman, born in Tampa, Florida, USA ~ Enjoyed a career spanning seven decades. Known for his yodeling and his high falsetto. Sold over 70 million records. Best known for songs such as Indian Love Call, Keep It A Secret, My Heart Is Broken In Three, Rose Marie, More Than Yesterday, and Something Beautiful To Remember. Opened for Elvis Presley in the 1950s ~ Whitman passed away in 2013
January 20, 1920 ~ Raymond Antinini, commonly known as bandleader Ray Anthony, born in Bentleyville, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Last surviving member of Glenn Miller Orchestra. Known for a number of early-1950s hits recorded with his own band, Bunny Hop, Hokey Pokey, and Theme From Dragnet. Married to singer, actress and model Mamie van Doren from 1955 to 1958
January 20, 1918 ~ Juan Garcia Equivel, commonly known as bandleader, pianist, composer Esquivel, born in Jiutepec, Mexico ~ Known for instrumental songs merging lounge music and jazz with a touch of Latin music. Sometimes referred to as “the King of Space Age Pop”. Best known for his rendition of Mucha Muchacha, later used in numerous movies including The Big Lebowski and Beavis And Butthead Do America ~ Esquivel passed away in 2002
January 20, 1896 ~ Nathan Birnbaum, commonly known as vaudevillian, comedian, singer George Burns born in New York, New York, USA ~ Formed the comedy duo Burns & Allen with his wife Gracie Allen, performing from the 1920s through the 1950s on radio, TV and film. Enjoyed a sudden career revival at age 79, winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1975 film The Sunshine Boys ~ Burns passed away in 1996
January 20, 1894 ~ Classical composer Walter Piston, full name Walter Hamon Piston Jr, born in Rockland, Maine, USA ~ Got his start in music playing piano and violin in dance bands and orchestras throughout the 1910, notably serving under Georges Longy. Following a stint in the US Army during World War I, studied music at Harvard, graduating summa cum laude and teaching at the same university from 1926 until his retirement in 1960. As a classical composer wrote for ballet, orchestral music, chamber music, choral music, and various instruments. Known for works such as Three Pieces For Flute Clarinet & Bassoon, Symphony No.1 and The Incredible Flutist ~ Piston passed away in 1976
January 20, 1888 ~ Huddie William Ledbetter, commonly known as guitarist, singer Lead Belly, born in Mooringsport, Louisiana, USA ~ One of the most important and influential pre-war blues, folk singers, guitarists known for songs such as Goodnight Irene, The Midnight Special, Cotton Fields and Boll Weevil. Ledbetter's songs have been covered by numerous artists including Moon Mullican, Frank Sinatra, Odetta, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Della Reese, Pete Seeger, the Staple Singers, Nina Simone, the Spencer Davis Group, Ry Cooder, and Taj Mahal. Singer Bob Dylan credits Ledbetter for getting him into folk music ~ Ledbetter passed away in 1949
January 20, 1876 ~ Pianist, composer Josef Hofmann, full name Josef Casimir Hofmann, born in Krakow, Poland ~ Son of pianist, conductor, composer Kazimierz Hofmann and singer Matylda Pindelska. Child prodigy, his series of concerts in his early teens drawing critical comparison to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Felix Mendelssohn. Would go on to compose well over a hundred works, many under the pseudonym Michel Dvorsky ~ Hofmann passed away in 1957
January 20, 1855 ~ Romantic composer Ernest Chausson, full name Amédée-Ernest Chausson, born in Paris, France ~ Died at age 44 in a biking accident, just as his career was about to take off. Influenced by Jules Massenet, with traces of Johannes Brahms. Known for orchestral works such as Viviane, Symphony In B Flat, and Poème for Violin & Orchestra, and his sole opera Le Roi Arthus ~ Chausson passed away in 1899