January 23, 1998 ~ Jahsen Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, commonly known as rapper XXXTentacion, born in Plantation, Florida, USA ~ Best known for songs such as Falling Down, Look At Me, Changes, Arms Around You, Jovelyn Flores, and Sad. Had his debut album, 2017's 17, enter the Billboard Hot 200 chart at No.2 and his sophomore album, 2018's Question Mark enter at No.1. Collaborated with artists such as Cracka Paul, Kodak Black, Noah Cyrus, Sizzla, Skye Edwards, and others. Shot to death as victim in a robbery at age 20 ~ Onfroy passed away in 2018
January 23, 1991 ~ Mackenzie Scott, commonly known as indie rock, folk, alternative rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Torres, born in Orlando, Florida, USA ~ Critically described as heiress to PJ Harvey and Cat Power. Cites Broadway theatre, Brandi Carlile, and Fleetwood Mac as influences. Praised for the maturity of her songwriting. Has recorded about half a dozen albums, starting with the independently released eponymous Torres in 2013
January 23, 1985 ~ Singer, model, songwriter Donnie Klang, full name Donald Joseph Klang, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Best known as contestant on reality show, talent show Making The Band 4. Released his debut album, Just A Rolling Stone, in 2008. His sole single, Take You There, stalled at No.10 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Billboard Hot 100 chart
January 23, 1982 ~ Stanley Petey Cox, commonly known as rappper, songwriter Mistah FAB, born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Leading figure of the hyphy scene. Over a dozen albums to his name starting with Nig-Latin released in 2002. Has collaborated with Snoop Dogg, Too $hort, E-40, BoB, Eric Bellinger, DJ Fresh, G-Stack, Turf Talk, and others
January 23, 1982 ~ Patrick Baril, commonly known as producer, DJ Statik Selektah, born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, USA ~ Formed hip-hop group 1982 with rapper Termanology. Founder of Showoff Records. Has been recording as a solo artist since 2007, starting with the album Spell My Name Right (The Album). Has also collaborated with Saigon, Freeway, Freddie Foxxx, Freddie Gibbs, Slaine, Action Bronson, Jared Evan, Bun B, Curren$y, Paul Wall, CJ Fly, and others
January 23, 1978 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Josh Thompson born in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, USA ~ Released his debut album, Way Out There, in 2010. Also known as a songwriter, wrote or co-wrote songs for Jason Aldean (Any Ol' Barstool), Blake Shelton, Justin Moore, Brad Paisley (A Man Don't Have To Die), Darius Rucker, and others
January 23, 1976 ~ Jazz pianist Harmen Fraanje born in Roosendaal, the Netherlands ~ Leader and sideman. Debuted in 2004 with the album Sonatala, featuring guitarist Nelson Veras, drummer Matthieu Chazarenc and bassist Hein van de Geyn. Has also worked with Ernst Reijseger, Mola Sylla, Toma Gouband, Brice Soniano, Guilhem Verger, Malik Mezzadri, Fredrik Ljungkvist, Clemens van der Feen, Flin van Hemmen, Michael Moore, Mats Eilertsen, and others
January 23, 1975 ~ Indie rock, alternative rock basisst, keyboardist, guitarist, singer Nick Harmer, full name Nicholas Scott Harmer, born in Landstuhl, West Germany ~ Bassist for Death Cab For Cutie, known for songs such as Soul Meets Body, I Will Follow You In The Dark, I Will Possess Your Heart, and You Are A Tourist
January 23, 1974 ~ Electronic, trip-hop, alternative rock singer, guitarist, mandolinist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist Chris Corner, full name Christopher Anthony Corner, born in Middlesbrough, UK ~ Founding member of Sneaker Pimps, known for UK top 30 hits such as 6 Underground, Spin Spin Sugar, and Post-Modern Sleaze. Active as a solo artist since 2004 under the moniker IAMX
January 23, 1974 ~ Luis Raul Marrero, commonly known as Christian hip-hop, reggaeton rapper, producer, songwriter Funky, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico ~ Over half a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, starting with Funkytown released in 2002. In-demand collaborator and producer, has worked with the likes of 116 Clique, Marcos Wit, Jesús Adrián Romero, Manny Montes, Julissa, Musiko, Alex Zurdo, and others
January 23, 1970 ~ DJ, producer Alex Gaudino, full name Alessandro Alfonso Fortunato Gaudino, born in Salerno, Italy ~ Known for dance hits such as Destination Unknown featuring Crystal Waters, Watch Out featuring Shena, I'm In Love (I Wanna Do It) featuring Maxine Ashley and What A Feeling featuring Kelly Rowland
January 23, 1968 ~ Punk rock, hardcore punk, skate punk singer Jason Sears, full name Jason Kemper Sears, born ~ Best known as co-founding member of Rich Kids On LSD, a band initially associated with the nardcore scene yet over time expanding to West Coast hardcore drawing from rock and heavy metal. The band is well known for their 1987 Rock 'n Roll Nightmare album ~ Sears passed away in 2006
January 23, 1967 ~ Rodney Dion Baker, commonly known as blues, soul blues, electric blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Ronnie Baker Brooks, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Son of Chicago blues icon Lonnie Brooks. Brother of blues guitarist Wayne Baker Brooks. Debuted in 1998 with the album Golddigger, produced by Janet Jackson. Best known for his third album, 2006's The Torch, produced by Jellybean Johnson and with contributions from his father, Eddy Clearwater, Jimmy Johnson, Willie Kent and Al Kapone
January 23, 1964 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Jonatha Brooke born in Illinois, USA ~ Draws from rock, folk, pop. Known for witty wordplay and complex harmonies. Formed the folk-rock duo the Story with Jennifer Kimball releasing two albums, namely 1991's Grace In Gravity and 1994's The Angel In The House. Debuted as a solo artist with her Plumb album in 1995 and has recorded steadily since. Has also guested on albums by Lisa Loeb, Chris Botti, and Patty Larkin
January 23, 1956 ~ Jazz, avant-garde, experimental rock singer, saxophonist, clarinetist Ralph Carney born in Akorn, Ohio, USA ~ Plays a multitude of instruments, including the obscure and unusual. Perhaps best known as Tom Waits's hornist, present on albums such as Rain Dogs, Bone Machine, and Mule Variations. Founding member of experimental rock outfit Tin Huey, best known for their 1979 Contents Dislodged During Shipment album. Recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Happiness Finally Came To Them released in 1987. In-demand sideman, present on recordings by Randy Vanwarmer, the B52's, Elvis Costello (King Of America), Galaxie 500, Marc Ribot, Oranj Symphonette, and Grant Lee Buffalo ~ Carney passed away in 2017
January 23, 1955 ~ Bassist Earl Falconer, full name Earl Acton Falconer, born in Meriden, UK ~ Best known as longtime member of UB40, present on all the band's best known including King, Red Red Wine, I Got You Babe featuring Chrissie Hynde, Don't Break My Heart, Sing Our Own Song, Kingston Town, and I Can't Help Falling In Love
January 23, 1954 ~ Singer, songwriter Franco de Vita born in Caracas, Venezuela ~ Debuted in 1984 with the eponymous Franco de Vita album, spawning the hits Somos Tres, No Hay Cielo and Un Buen Perdedor. First gained international attention in 1990 with No Basta of his Extranjero and has since regularly reached the higher echelons of the Billboard Latin singles charts. Has collaborated with Alejandro Fernández, Diego el Cigala, Wisin & Yandel, Tony Bennett, and others
January 23, 1954 ~ Singer, songwriter Greg Guidry, full name Gregory Mark Guidry, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Staff songwriter at CBS Records. Artists who have recorded his songs include the Climax Blues Band, Robbie Dupree, Exile, Johnnie Taylor, Sawyer Brown, Reba McEntire, and others. As a recording artist known for the hit singles Goin' Down and Into My Love, the latter a duet with his sister Sandy Guidry ~ Guidry passed away in 2003
January 23, 1954 ~ Bassist, songwriter, engineer Richard Finch, full name Richard Raymond Finch, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Best known as bassist, co-founding member of KC & the Sunshine Band. Co-wrote some of the band's biggest hits with Harry Wayne Casey including Shake Shake Shake (Shake Your Booty), Get Down Tonight, Please Don't Go, Boogie Shoes and I'm Your Boogie Man. The duo had also written hits for Betty Wright (Where is The Love) and George McCrae (Rock Your Baby)
January 23, 1953 ~ Singer Robin Zander, full name Robin Wayne Zander, born in Rockford, Illinois, USA ~ Lead singer, rhythm guitarist of arena rock outfit Cheap Trick, known for songs such as I Want You To Want Me (Live), The Flame, Don't Be Cruel, and Can't Stop Fallin' Into Love
January 23, 1951 ~ Singer Angela Carrasco, full name Angela Altagracia Carrasco, born in Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic ~ First gained attention in the 1970s playing Maria Magdalena alongside Camilo Sesto in the first Spanish version of Jesus Christ Superstar. Would go on to score hits in Europe, Latin America and the USA with songs such as Carino Mio, Quererte A Ti and perhaps her best known Boca Rosa
January 23, 1950 ~ Bassist Bill Cunningham born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Founding member of the Box Tops through 1969, leaving the band to return to school to get a music degree. Would go on to work in classical music, notably the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, while sessioning for artists such as Eddy Arnold, Van Cliburn, Isaac Hayes, Dionne Warwick and others throughout his college days
January 23, 1950 ~ Rock, pop rock keyboardist, organist, accordionist Danny Federici, full name Daniel Paul Federici, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Founding member of Bruce Springsteen's backing unit the E Street Band. Also worked with Steel Mill, Joan Armatrading, Graham Parker, Gary US Bonds, Garland Jeffreys, and others ~ Federici passed away in 2008
January 23, 1949 ~ Big band, jazz trumpeter Dave Stahl born in Reading, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Leader and sideman. To pop rock audiences perhaps best known for his association with Blood Sweat & Tears from 1995 through the turn of the milennium. Has worked with Woody Herman, Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Liza Minnelli, Frank Sinatra, Chaka Khan, and others
January 23, 1949 ~ Twin brothers Noel Duggan and Pádraig Duggan born in Gweedore, Ireland ~ Both singers and guitarists, Pádraig also played mandolin. Rose to fame as members of Clannad, known best for Theme From Harry's Game which reached top 10 in both the UK and the band's native Ireland. The brothers took a hiatus after the band's acclaimed 1998 Landmarks album, releasing their own Rubicon album in 2005 to critical acclaim featuring guests such as Moya Brennan, Finbar Furrey and Orla Fallon ~ Pádraig passed away in 2016, Noel passed away in 2022
January 23, 1948 ~ Singer Anita Pointer, full name Anita Marie Pointer, born in East Oakland, California, USA ~ Founding member of sibling outfit the Pointer Sisters, known for songs such as Yes We Can Can, Fairytale, Fire, He's So Shy, Slow Hand and I'm So Excited. Pointer also duetted with Earl Thomas Conley on Too Many Times, a Billboard Country top 10 hit in 1986. Released a solo album, Love For What It Is, the following year which included the Philip Bailey-duet The Pledge and the moderately successful singles Overnight Success and More Than A Memory ~ Pointer passed away in 2022
January 23, 1948 ~ Rock bassist, talent manager Glenn Wheatley, full name Glenn Dawson Wheatley, born in Brisbane, Australia ~ First gained attention as member of pop-rock band Masters Apprentices from 1968 through 1972, present on some of the band's best known songs including Turn Up Your Radio and Because I Love You. As a talent manager best known for managing John Farnham. Wheatley mortgaged his own house to finance Farnham's 1986 comeback album Whispering Jack, the album would spend nearly half a year on the number one spot on the Australian album charts and spawn the international hit single You're The Voice ~ Wheatley passed away in 2022
January 23, 1941 ~ Perry Carlton Buie, commonly known as songwriter, music promotor, manager Buddy Buie, born in Marianna, Florida, USA ~ Closely associated with Roy Orbison, the Atlanta Rhythm Section, and perhaps most notably with Classics IV for which he wrote or co-wrote songs such as Spooky, Stormy and Traces. Other artists who recorded his songs include Tommy Roe (Party Girl), Gloria Estefan, Wynonna Judd, Garth Brooks (Mr Midnight), Travis Tritt, David Sanborn, Santana, and John Legend ~ Buie passed away in 2015
January 23, 1940 ~ Singer, songwriter Areski Belkacem, monomonously known as Areski, born in Versailles, France ~ Best known for his association with Jacques Higelin and Brigitte Fontaine. Dubbed “the Prince consort of French chanson”. Has recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with and written for artists such as Barbara, Georges Moustaki, Sapho, Jean-Claud Vannier, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Antoine Duhamel, Sonic Youth, Richard Galliano, Christophe, and Grace Jones
January 23, 1940 ~ Funk, R&B, soul singer Jimmy Castor, full name James Walter Castor, born in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Best known for songs such as Hey Leroy Your Mama's Calling You, It's Just Begun, The Bertha Butt Boogie and his biggest hit Troglodyte Cave Man. Also worked with the Teenagers, Jimmy & the Juniors, the Fatback Band, and with Joyce Sims ~ Castor passed away in 2012
January 23, 1940 ~ Songwriter, singer Joe Dowell born in Bloomington, Indiana, USA ~ Best known for his 1961 rendition of Wooden Heart, the first US No.1 single for Smash Records. Followed up with the lesser hits The Bridge Of Love and Little Red Rented Rowboat. Dowell wanted to be a songwriter in his own right but was contractually required to sing music owned by his label's parent company Mercury Records. Dowell was eventually dropped by the label and has recorded sporadically since including folk and gospel ~ Dowell passed away in 2016
January 23, 1940 ~ John Bright Russell, commonly known as singer, songwriter, comedian Johnny Russell, born in Moorhead, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known for co-writing Act Naturally, made famous by Buck Owens, later one of the few covers ever done by the Beatles. Other artists who have recorded Russell's songs include Burl Ives, Jim Reeves, Jerry Garcia, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, George Strait, and others. As a singer Russell is mostly known for songs such as Rednecks White Socks & Blue Ribbon, The Baptism Of Jesse Taylor, Catfish John, and Hello I Love You ~ Russell passed away in 2001
January 23, 1934 ~ Jazz trombonist, bandleader, arranger Raymond Droz born in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland ~ Worked with Claude Albert, Charly Antolini, Jean-Pierre Bionda, Raymond Court, Pierre Favre, Kurt Edelhagen, Ted Haenzi, Clark Terry, Heinz Kretschmar, Bill Ramsey, Buck Clayton, Rex Stewart, Othella Dallas, Gabriela Schaaf, the New Zurich Jazztet, and others ~ Droz passed away in 2000
January 23, 1933 ~ Dolores Conchita Figueros Del Rivero, commonly known as actress, dancer, singer Chita Rivera born in Washington DC, USA ~ Known for roles in Broadway musicals such as West Side Story, Chicago and Kiss Of The Spider Woman. Three-time Tony Award-recipient, including one for Lifetime Achievement.. First Latino-American to receive a Kennedy Center Honor
January 23, 1932 ~ Conductor, arranger, composer George Tipton, full name George Aliceson Tipton, born ~ Best known for his work with Harry Nilsson, working as an arranger and conductor on Nilsson's albums from 1967 through 1971 including on the hit Everybody's Talking. Tipton is also known for his work for film and TV including for the series Soap and Empty Nest, and has arranged and conducted for pop artists such as Jan & Dean, José Feliciano (Light My Fire), and the Sunshine Company ~ Tipton passed away in 2016
January 23, 1930 ~ Trombonist, bandleader Erich Kleinschuster born in Graz, Austria ~ Worked with Fridl Althaler, the International Youth Band, Johannes Fehring, Friedrich Gulda, Stan Getz, Astrud Gilberto, George Gruntz, Peter Herbolzheimer, Gerry Mulligan, Toots Thielemans, and others. Conducted the 1972 and 1976 editions of Eurovision Songfestival ~ Kleinschuster passed away in 2018
January 23, 1930 ~ Operatic soprano Teresa Zylis-Gara born in Landwarow, Poland ~ Enjoyed a major international career spanning four decades debuting in 1956 at the Opera Krakowski. Acclaimed for her 1965 performance at the Glyndebourne Festival in Der Rosenkavalier opposite Montserrat Caballé. Has worked with the Oper Dortmund, the Deutsche Oper Am Rhein, and perhaps most notably with the Metropolitan Opera from 1970 through 1984 ~ Zylis-Gara passed away in 2021
January 23, 1929 ~ Cassietta Baker, commonly known as gospel singer, songwriter Cassietta George, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Influenced by Clara Ward. Best known as a member of Albertina Walker's backing unit the Caravans. Wrote songs such as To Whom Shal I Turn, and I Believe In Thee ~ Baker passed away in 1995
January 23, 1928 ~ Actress, novelist, playwright, songwriter Françoise Dorin, full name Françoise Andrée Renée Dorin, born in Paris, France ~ Enjoyed her peak popularity in the 1970s. Authored some 30 plays and over two dozen books. To music audiences best known for co-writing Que C'Est Trist Venise with Charles Aznavour, first recorded by Aznavour in 1964 and covered by Simone, Gigliola Cinquetti, Mario Pelchat, and Julien Clerc. Dorin also co-wrote N'Avoue Jamais, performed by Guy Mardel at the 1965 Eurovision Songfestival reaching third place ~ Dorin passed away in 2018
January 23, 1927 ~ Gospel singer, choir director, arranger, composer Alex Bradford born in Bessemer, Alabama, USA ~ Influenced artists such as Little Richard, Bob Marley and Ray Charles. Backed Roberta Martin and Mahalia Jackson before venturing out on his own, founding the Bradford Singers and later the Bradford Specials. Best known for his 1954 Too Close To Heaven single, which sold over a million copies and achieved Gold status ~ Bradford passed away in 1978
January 23, 1926 ~ Hard bop, West Coast jazz double bassist Curtis Counce was born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Active since the mid-1940s. Leader and sideman. Worked with Shorty Rogers, Stan Kenton, Shelly Manne, Lyle Murphy, Teddy Charles, Clifford Brown, Harold Land, Jack Sheldon, Carl Perkins, Frank Butler, Elmo Hope, Buddy Collette, Maynard Ferguson, Jimmy Giuffre, Illinois Jacquet, Stan Kenton, Johnny Otis, and others ~ Counce passed away in 1963
January 23, 1916 ~ Classical cellist Gabor Rejto born in Budapest, Hungary ~ Studied with Pablo Casals. Best known as co-founding member of the Alma Trio, remaining with the ensemble from 1942 until its disbandement in 1976. Has also worked with Yaltah Menuhin, the Paganini Quartet, the Hungarian Quartet, and others ~ Rejto passed away in 1987
January 23, 1915 ~ Charles Artice Glenn, commonly known as country singer, songwriter Artie Glenn, born ~ Best remembered for writing Crying In The Chapel. The song would first be a hit as recorded by his son Darrell Glenn in 1953, despite the recording being only intended as a demo version to get it published. It would be covered by a number of artists during the 1950s, notably Ella Fitzgerald, Eddy Arnold, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. The song would however become most closely associated with Elvis Presley who recorded three takes in 1960, shelved them for five years as he was unhappy with the takes and had a million-seller with the single in 1965 ~ Glenn passed away in 1994
January 23, 1915 ~ George Dorman Carry, commonly known as jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Scoops Carry, born ~ Brother of guitarist, bandleader Ed Carry. Has worked with Cassino Simpson, the Midnight Revellers, Boyd Atkins, Lucky Millinder, Zutty Singleton, Fletcher Henderson, Roy Eldridge, Art Tatum, Horace Henderson, Darnell Edward, Earl Hines, and others ~ Carry passed away in 1970
January 23, 1910 ~ Jean Reinhardt, commonly known as gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt born in Liberchies, Belgium ~ Icon of Gypsy jazz. Regarded as one of the most important jazz guitarists in history. Founded the Quintette du Hot Club with violinist Stéphane Grappelli. Recorded with Coleman Hawkins and Benny Carter. Toured with Duke Ellington. As a composer revered for songs such as Minor Swing, Daphne, Djangology, Swing '42 and Nuages ~ Reinhardt passed away in 1953
January 23, 1908 ~ Jacinto Chabania, commonly known as jazz alto saxophonist Jerry Blake, born in Gary, Indiana, USA ~ Played violin before switching to reeds. Worked with the Sells Fioto Circus Band, Al Wynn, Bobby Lee, Charles Turner, Sam Wooding, Chick Webb, Zack Whyte, Don Redman, Willie Lewis, Claude Hopkins, Fletcher Henderson, Cab Calloway, Count Basie, Earl Hines, Lionel Hampton, and others ~ Chabania passed away in 1961
January 23, 1752 ~ Pianist, conductor, composer Muzio Clementi, full name Muzio Filippo Vincenzo Francesco Saverio Clementi, born in Rome, Italy ~ Influenced by Domenico Scarlatti, Joseph Haydn, Johann Sebastian Bach, Ignazio Cirri. Dubbed “the Father of the Piano” best known for his piano sonatas, especially Sonatinis Op.36, which would serve as a model for both contemporary and later composers ~ Clementi passed away in 1832