January 25, 1981 ~ Alicia Augelio Cook, commonly known as R&B, soul, neo soul singer, pianist Alicia Keys, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Married to Swizz Beatz since 2010. Influenced by Igor Stravinsky. Debuted with the critically acclaimed Songs In A Minor in 2001, which sold 16 million copies and spawned the Billboard No.1 hit Fallin'. Her sophomore album, 2003's The Diary Of Alicia Keys, produced the hits You Don't Know My Name, If I Ain't Got You and Diary. Subseqent hits would include My Boo with Usher, No One, and the Jay-Z-collaboration Empire State Of Mind. Keys has also notably collaborated with Bono, Beyoncé, Maxwell, Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Angie Stone, Eve, and Alejandro Sanz
January 25, 1976 ~ Pop, rock singer, poet Anabel Bosch, full name Ana Isabel Ramirez Bosch, born in Manila, Philippines ~ First gained attention in the late-1990s singing with Tropical Depression. Would go on to work with with Elektrikoolaid, Spy, and Analog. Also involved with the women's poetry movement Romancing Venus. Bosch passed away at age 32 following a brain aneurysm ~ Bosch passed away in 2009
January 25, 1974 ~ Rock singer, keyboardist, songwriter Emily Haines, full name Emily Savitri Haines, born in New Delhi, India ~ Lead singer of indie rock outfit Metric, known best for Help I'm Alive of their 2009 Fantasies breakout album. Member of loose collective Broken Social Scene from 2001 through 2005, present on the band's 2005 eponymous Broken Social Scene album, their best known. Haines has also recorded as a solo artist and guested on recordings by Delerium, Jason Collett, K-OS, the Crystal Method, and Todor Kobakov
January 25, 1969 ~ Death metal, heavy metal singer Dave Ingram, full name Dave Richard Bjerregaard Ingram, born in Birmingham, UK ~ First gained attention as member of Benediction, joining the band in 1990 as replacement for Mark Barney Greenway and remaining through 1998. Member of Bolt Thrower from 1998 through 2004. Has also worked with Downlord, Down Among The Dead Men, Echelon, Warlord, and Hail Of Bullets
January 25, 1963 ~ Pop, pop rock singer Suzanne Klemann born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Along with sister Monique Klemann key member of pop outfit Lois Lane, known for late-1980s, 1990s hits such as It's the First Time, Fortune Fairytales, Qualified and perhaps their best known Tonight. Also sang with Girls Wanna Have Fun
January 25, 1956 ~ New wave, ska guitarist, singer Andy Cox born in Birmingham, UK ~ Co-founded the Beat with Dave Wakeling. The band is known for early-1980s hits such as The Tears Of A Clown, Hands Off She's Mine, Mirror In The Bathroom and Too Nice To Talk To, all of which reached the UK top 10. Co-founded the Fine Young Cannibals in 1985, known for songs such as Johnny Come Home, Suspicious Minds, Ever Fallen In Love, She Drives Me Crazy and Good Thing, the latter two top 10 hits on both sides of the Atlantic
January 25, 1943 ~ Gerhard Höllerich, commonly known as schlager singer, actor Roy Black, born in Bobingen, Germany ~ Took his stage name for his black hair color and his idol Roy Orbison. Started singing rock & roll but soon switched to romantic songs pressed by his manager, first gaining attention with the 1966 single Ganz In Weiss which sold over one million copies. Black would go on to become one of Germany's most beloved schlager singers, scoring hits well into the 1980s ~ Höllerich passed away in 1991
January 25, 1939 ~ Giorgio Gaberscik, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Giorgio Gaber, born in Milan, Italy ~ Began playing guitar at age 15 to prevent paralysis, a recommendation made by a doctor. Pioneered the genre Teatro Canzone. Recorded over two dozen albums. Well-known songs include Benzina E Cerini, Mai Mai Mai (Valentina), E Allora Dai, and Non Arrosire. Internationally perhaps best known for writing and first recording Far Finta Di Essere Sani, covered in English as Tomorrow's Got To Be Sunny by Tony Orlando & Dawn in 1975 ~ Gaberscik passed away in 2003
January 25, 1939 ~ Gloria Jean Brown, commonly known as soul singer Tami Lynn, born in Gert Town, Louisiana, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for her 1971 single I'm Gonna Run Away From You, penned by Jerry Wexler and Bert Berns. Sang backup for the Rolling Stones on the acclaimed Exile On Main St and on all of Dr John's albums. Opened for John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald ~ Lynn passed away in 2020
January 25, 1938 ~ Jamesetta Hawkins, commonly known as singer Etta James, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Bridged the gap between R&B and rock & roll. Active since the mid-1950s. Known for songs such as All I Could Do Was Cry, The Wallflower (Roll With Me Henry), At Last, Trust In Me, Tell Mama, Something's Got A Hold On Me, I'd Rather Go Blind, and I Just Want To Make Love To You. Worked with Johnny Otis, Bobby Murray, Harvey Fuqua, Chuck Berry (sang back-up on Berry's Back In The USA), Gabriel Mekler, Sugar Pie DeSanto, and others ~ Hawkins passed away in 2012
January 25, 1938 ~ Singer, songwriter, poet, actor Vladimir Vysotsky, full name Vladimir Semyonovich Vysotsky born in Moscow, Soviet Union ~ Widely known for his unique singing style and lyrics, dressing social and political commentary in humorous wit. Though largely ignored and forbidden to release his songs by the cultural establishment remained popular and had a lasting effect on Soviet culture. Has written an estimated 1,000 songs, yet as most of were passed on through amateur vinyl and tape recordings he died without any official album release. Well-known songs include Farewell To Mountains, I Don't Like, Capricious Horses, Morning Gymnastics, and The Lyrical Song ~ Vysotsky passed away in 1980
January 25, 1933 ~ Malcom Simmons, commonly known as Chicago blues harpist, singer, songwriter Little Mack Simmons, born in Twist, Arkansas, USA ~ Childhood friend of James Cotton. Recorded a number of obscure singles in the 1950s and 1960s before, aside from an occasional album, semi-retiring from music for the ministry. Surfaced in the 1990s starting with 1995's High & Lonesome resulting in a string of well-received albums through the end of the decade
January 25, 1931 ~ Music manager, lyricist, music publisher, label executive Stig Anderson, full name Stig Erik Leopold Anderson, born in Hova, Sweden ~ Prolific songwriter enjoying popularity throughout the 1960s, his songs recorded by the likes of Lill Babs, Brita Borg, Lena Anderson, and others. Best known for managing pop band ABBA. Co-founded Polar Music label ~ Anderson passed away in 1997
January 25, 1929 ~ Bebop, hard bop saxophonist Benny Golson born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ One of the most significant contributors to the development of hard bop, initially known more as a sideman and songwriter before leading or co-leading his own ensembles. Has written numerous standards including Stable Mates (Miles Davis), Whisper Not (Lee Morgan), Blues March (Gigi Gryce), and Along Came Betty (Art Blakey). As a leader best known for his 1957 New York Scene album. Co-founded and co-led the Jazztet with Art Farmer, acclaimed for early-1960s albums such as Meet The Jazztet, Blues On Down, and Another Git Together. In-demand sideman, present on quintessential albums by the likes of Dinah Washington (The Swingin' Miss D), Johnny Griffin, Dizzy Gillespie, Jim Hall, Paul Chambers, Abbey Lincoln (It's Magic), Curtis Fuller, Milt Jackson (Bags' Opus), Blue Mitchell (Out Of The Blue), Jimmy Cleveland, Buddy Rich (Richcraft), Quincy Jones, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Charles Mingus, Shirley Scott, Sam Jones (The Chant), Slide Hampton, Red Holloway, and Sarah Vaughan ~ Golson passed away in 2024
January 25, 1927 ~ Pianist, singer, composer, arranger Antônio Carlos Jobim born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Widely regarded as “the Father of Bossa Nova” both as a performer and as a songwriter. Acclaimed for albums such as Black Orpheus with Luiz Bonfá, Wave, and Stone Flower. As a songwriter especially known for Desafinado, first recorded by João Gilberto in 1958 and covered by over 400 artists. Other well known songs written or co-written by Jobim include Outra Vez (Dick Farney, Elis Regina), Eu Não Existo Sem Você (Vanjo Orico, Elizete Cardoso), Por Causa De Voce (Silvia Telles, Marisa), and A Felicidade (Agostinho dos Santos, Billy Eckstine, Ella Fitzgerald) ~ Jobim passed away in 1994
January 25, 1919 ~ Producer, A&R executive, songwriter Norman Newell born in Plaistow, UK ~ Joined Columbia Records as staff producer in 1949 and would head the label during its most successful years. In-demand songwriter and lyricist, co-writing songs such as Portrait Of My Love (Matt Monro), Forget Domani (Katyna Ranieri), the White Rose Of Athens (Nana Mouskouri), and Après Toi (Vicky Leandros) ~ Newell passed away in 2004
January 25, 1917 ~ Jazz, R&B guitarist Floyd Smith, full name Floyd George Smith, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for Floyd's Guitar Blues, penned by Smith, recorded with Andy Kirk in 1939 and arguably the first hit record to feature a blues solo on electric guitar. Leader and sideman. Has worked with Eddie Johnson's Crackerjacks, the Jeter-Pillars Orchestra, the Sunset Royal Orchestra, the Clouds Of Joy, Django Reinhardt, Wild Bill Davis, Bill Doggett, and others. Has served as producer for Loleatta Holloway, notably the 1975 hit Cry To Me, whom he later married ~ Smith passed away in 1982
January 25, 1913 ~ Conductor, composer Witold Lutoslawski, full name Witold Roman Lutoslawski, born in Warsaw, Russian Empire ~ Among the major 20th century composers. Critically acclaimed as possibly the greatest Polish composer since Karol Szymanowski and possibly the greatest since Frédéric Chopin. Known best for his symphonies and concertos, notably Variations On A Theme By Paganini, and Concerto For Orchestra ~ Lutoslawski passed away in 1994
January 25, 1911 ~ Charles Valdes Parham, commonly known as jazz double bassist Truck Parham, born ~ Played drums before switching to bass. Professional boxer before he turned to music. Worked with Zack Whyte, Zutty Singleton, Roy Eldridge, Art Tatum, Bob Shoffner, Earl Hines, Jimmie Lunceford, Muggsy Spanier, Herbie Fields, Louie Bellson, Art Hodes, and others ~ Parham passed away in 2002
January 25, 1897 ~ Gospel blues singer, guitarist, evangelist Blind Willie Johnson born in Pendleton, Texas, USA ~ Known for a handful of late-1920s landmark recordings, considered influential on slide guitarists and gospel blues players. Best known for the hymn Dark Was The Night (Cold Was The Ground). Other well known songs include Nobody's Fault But Mine and John The Revelator. Johnsons songs would be rediscovered in the 1960s, finding a new audience with blues and rock artists. Bob Dylan covered Johnson's Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed retitled to Make Up My Dying Bed on his debut album. Others who covered his work would include the Soul Stirrers, the Staple Singers, Fairport Convention, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Tom Waits and Lucinda Williams ~ Johnson passed away in 1945
January 25, 1896 ~ Florence Winfrey, commonly known as cabaret singer, dancer, comedian Florence Mills, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Known for songs such as I'm A Little Blackbird Looking For A Bluebird and I'm Cravin' For That Kind Of Love. Sometimes referred to as “the Queen of Happiness”. Rose to prominence starring in the 1921 Broadway production of Shuffle Along ~ Winfrey passed away in 1927