January 26, 1983 ~ Alonzo Keith Mathis Jr, commonly known as MC Gorilla Zoe, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Member of rap group Boyz n Da Hood, replacing Young Jeezy in 2006. Released his Welcome To The Zoo debut album in 2007, which spawned the modest hit Hood Nigga. Collaborated with Yung Joc on Coffee Shop and Bottle Poppin'. Has alos collaborated with Lil' Wayne, Rick Ross, Cheri Dennis, Santigold, T-Pain, Juicy J, and others
January 26, 1983 ~ Rory William Quigley, commonly known as hip-hop producer Harry Fraud, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Fixture in the New York underground scene. Reached mainstream succes producing French Montana's Shot Caller single. Has also worked with Smoke DZA, Curren$y, Juicy J, Wiz Khalifa, the Weeknd, Troy Ave, NORE, Rich the Kid, Jack Harlow, and others
January 26, 1976 ~ Gospel singer, keyboardist, songwriter Tye Tribbett, full name Tyrone Tribbett, born in Camden, New Jersey, USA ~ Choir director, founder of Greater Anointing, recording since 2000 and best known for their Grammy Award-winning Greater Than album released in 2013. Tribett and his wife are pastors of the LiVe Church in Orlando, Florida
January 26, 1971 ~ Ambient, drone sampler, theremin player, guitarist Helge Sten born in Roros, Norway ~ Married to singer Susanna Wallumrød. Best known for a collection of works, released as a box set in 2004 under the moniker Deathprod. Member of Supersilent. Staff producer with the Rune Grammofon label, working with artists such as Motorpsycho and Biosphere
January 26, 1970 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock singer, guitarist, drummer Louis Schefano born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Co-founding and constant member of alternative rock band Remy Zero. The band first gained attention opening for Radiohead on the American leg of the The Bends tour. Commercially best known for their 1998 Villa Elaine sophomore album and for Save Me, used as the theme song for superhero TV series Smallville, of their third and final album Golden Hum. Schefano has also worked with Verbena, Little Red Rocket, his once-girlfriend Maria Taylor, and recorded as a solo artist
January 26, 1968 ~ Flavio Basso, commonly known as singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter Jupiter Apple, was born in Porto Alegre, Brazil ~ Influenced by Paul McCartney, Syd Barrett, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger. Founding member of rock, rockabilly band TNT, present on songs such Entra Nessa and Estou Na Mão. Co-founding member of Os Cascavelletes, known for Nega Bombom and Oce Me Deixa Insano. Released his A Setima Efervescenia solo debut album 1997 ~ Basso passed away in 2015
January 26, 1964 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Wendy Melvoin, full name Wendy Ann Melvoin, born ~ Daughter of jazz pianist Mike Melvoin. Best known for her association with Prince, appearing on albums such as 1999, Purple Rain, Around The World In A Day, and Sign O' The Times. Formed the duo Wendy & Lisa with Lisa Coleman, known for their hit single Waterfalls of the 1987 eponymous Wendy & Lisa album. Has also worked with Seal, Doyle Bramhall II, Meshell Ndegeocello, kd Lang, Sheryl Crow (The Globe Sessions), Neil Finn, Los Lobos, Liz Phair, Gwen Stefani, Nikka Costa (Can'tneverdidnothin), and Rob Thomas
January 26, 1963 ~ Singer Andrew Ridgeley born in Windlesham, UK ~ Half of 1980s pop duo Wham, the other half being George Michael, known for hits such as Young Guns (Go For It), Wham Rap (Enjoy What You Do), Bad Boys, Club Tropicana, Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, Careless Whisper, Freedom and Edge Of Heaven, all of which the UK top 10. As a solo artist released a handful of recordings, his highest charting being 1990's Shake which stalled at No.56 UK
January 26, 1963 ~ Trevor Beresford Romeo, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer Jazzie B, born in Finsbury, UK ~ Founded Soul II Soul, known for hits such as Keep On Movin' and Back To Life (However Do You Want Me), the latter reaching the Billboard top 10. Jazzie has also produced or remixed tracks for Incognito, Maxi Priest, James Brown, Kym Mazelle, Cheryl Lynn, Teena Marie, Johnny Gill, Ziggy Marley, Nas and Destiny's Child
January 26, 1961 ~ Guitarist, producer Colin Cripps born in Hamilton, Canada ~ Member of Blue Rodeo, the Jim Cuddy Band, Crash Vegas, and of Junkhouse. As a producer known for his work with Kathleen Edwards, Big Wreck, Tom Wilson, Colin James, Craig Cardiff, Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, Stephen Fearing, Oh Susanna, the Headstones, Sarah McLachlan, Justin Rutledge, Bryan Adams, Collin Herring, Andrew Walker, Dawn Langstroth, and others
January 26, 1961 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal, glam metal singer, guitarist, songwriter Tom Keifer, full name Carl Thomas Keifer, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known as lead singer of Cinderella. The band released four studio albums, starting with Night Songs in 1985. In the mid-1990s Kiefer was diagnosed with paralysis of the left vocal cord and underwent several operations before having to learn how to sing again. Has reunited with Cinderella on occasion and released his solo debut album, The Way Life Goes, in 2013
January 26, 1958 ~ R&B, quiet storm singer Anita Baker, full name Anita Denise Baker, born in Toledo, Ohio, USA ~ One of the most popular quiet storm singers. Member of funk band Chapter 8, leaving the band in 1985 to focus on her solo career. Released her solo debut, Songstress, in 1983 and would rise to stardom with her sophomore Rapture album which spawned the Billboard top 10 hit Sweet Love. Also known for songs such as Ain't No Need To Worry with the Winans, Giving You The Best That I Got, Talk To Me and Body & Soul
January 26, 1957 ~ Saxophonist, keyboardist, director Mike Stevens, full name Michael William Stevens, born in Cambridgeshire, UK ~ Best known as Take That musical director. Also worked with 10cc, Barry White, Brenda Russell, Dionne Warwick, the Temptations, Bill Withers, Eurythmics, Mika, the Sugababes, James Morrison, Will Young, Geri Halliwell, Boyzone, B'witched, 911, 5ive, and others
January 26, 1955 ~ Rock, hard rock guitarist, songwriter Eddie Van Halen, full name Edward Lodewijk van Halen, born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Considered a virtuoso guitarist. Lead guitarist of Van Halen, which he founded with Mark Stone, David Lee Roth and brother Alex van Halen, known for songs such as Runnin' With The Devil, Eruption, Dance The Night Away, Jump, Panama, Why Can't This Be Love, and When It's Love. Van Halen has also worked with Gene Simmons, Nicolette Larson, Michael Jackson, Brian May, Sammy Hagar, Black Sabbath, Roger Waters, Steve Lukather, and LL Cool J ~ Van Halen passed away in 2020
January 26, 1953 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Lucinda Williams, full name Lucinda Gayle Williams, born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA ~ Draws from country, folk, rock. Debuted in 1979 with the Ramblin'. Would remain largely unnoticed until 1998's Car Wheels On A Gravel Road, making her a household name. Has released a string of critically acclaimed albums since. Has toured with Bob Dylan, the Allman Brothers Band, Tom Petty.
January 26, 1951 ~ Bassist, keyboardist Andy Hummel, full name John Andrew Hummel, born in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known as original drummer of Big Star, appearing on two of their three albums, No.1 Record and Radio City. Wrote or co-wrote several of the band's songs including The India Song, Way Out West, Life's White, What's Going Ahm, The Back Of A Car, and Daisy Glaze ~ Hummel passed away in 2010
January 26, 1950 ~ Ratislav Delmas, commonly known as rock drummer, singer Rasa Delmas, born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia ~ Joined YU Grupa in 1972, a band credited with pioneering the fusion of rock with elements of traditional Balkan music. Present on some of their best known including Trka, Cudna Suma, More and the cultballad Crni Leptir. Had previously worked with Mobi Dik, Pop Masina and Siluete. Following his departure from Grupa in 1976 Delmas would found and front rock band Zebra, known for the singles Moja Mala Zebra and Ma Ko Si Ti ~ Delmas passed away in 2021
January 26, 1948 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Aki Takase born in Osaka, Japan ~ Classically trained. Leader and sidewoman. Actively recording since the late-1970s Takase has collaborated with Lester Bowie, Sheila Jordan, Dave Liebman, John Zorn, her husband Alexander von Schlippenbach, Eugene Chadbourne, Han Bennink, Evan Parker, Paul Lovens, Fred Frith, Maria João, Louis Sclavis, David Murray, Rudi Mahall, Cecil McBee, Bob Moses, Reggie Workman, Karl Berger, Wilbert de Joode, Sven Ake Johansson, and numerous others
January 26, 1947 ~ Anargyros Koulouris, commonly known as guitarist Silver Koulouris, born in Piraeus, Greece ~ Member of progressive rock, baroque pop outfit Aphrodite's Child, which also included Demis Roussos, known for a number of late-1960s, early-1970s hits of which Rain And Tears, It's Five O'Clock and Spring Summer Winter And Fall would chart well across Europe including top 10 positions in Italy and the Netherlands
January 26, 1943 ~ Jean Audrey Caliste, commonly known as soul, R&B, funk singer Jean Knight, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Known for her Stax/Volt single Mr Big Stuff, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit in 1971. The single sold two million copies and was nominated for a Grammy Award but lost to Aretha Franklin's Bridge Over Troubled Water though. Knight would continue to record into the 1980s but was unable to repeat her earlier success ~ Knight passed away in 2023
January 26, 1943 ~ Producer, songwriter Thom Bell, full name Thomas Randolph Bell, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Important figure in 1970s Philly soul. Closely associated with the Delfonics, co-writing songs such as La La Means I Love You, Ready Or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide From Love), and Didn't I Blow Your Mind This Time. Closely associated with the Stylistics, co-writing songs such as You Are Everything, People Make The World Go Round, and Stop Look Listen To Your Heart. Others who recorded his songs include Brooks O'Dell, Tommy Hunt, Connie Stevens, the Intruders, the Spinners (I'll Be Around), Ronnie Dyson, MFSB, Johnny Mathis, Elton John, the Love Dimension, the O'Jays, the Temptations, and Phyllis Hyman ~ Bell passed away in 2022
January 26, 1939 ~ Marshall Philip Leibowitz, commonly known as guitarist, singer Marshall Leib, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as member of the Teddy Bears, which also included a then-unknown Phil Spector, known for their 1958 hit To Know Is To Love Him. The song would mark the beginning of Spector's hit-making career as a producer and songwriter ~ Leibowitz passed away in 2002
January 26, 1937 ~ Jazz drummer Ronnie Stephenson born in Sunderland, UK ~ Initially aimed to become a tap dancer like his idol Gene Kelly but was given a drum kit at age 14 and was playing semi-professionally a year later. Frequently backed his brothers pianists Bill Stephenson and Bob Stephenson, before gaining serious attention touring with singer Lita Roza. Stephenson would go on to become one of the most in-demand British jazz drummers of the 1960s, well known for his stints with Johnny Dankworth and Stan Tracey, working with the latter in the house band at Ronnie Scott's renowned London jazz club including accompanying numerous visiting American jazz icons. Stephenson has appeared on albums by Wes Montgomery, Tubby Hayes (100% Proof), JJ Jackson, Ray Warleigh, Rolf Kühn, Victor Feldman, the NDR Bigband, Benny Golson, and Cleo Laine ~ Stephenson passed away in 2002
January 26, 1934 ~ Huey Pierce Smith, commonly known as R&B pianist Huey Piano Smith, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Helped develop a distinctive New Orleans piano sound. Influentual on artists such as Dr John and the Meters. Known for songs such as Little Liza Jane, Everybody's Whalin', The Rocking Pneumonia & The Boogie-Woogie Flu, Genevieve, Don't You Just Know It and Pop-eye. Backed Little Richard on his early Specialty Records recordings. Also worked with Guitar Slim, Lloyd Price, Earl King, Smiley Lewis, Bobby Marchan, Dave Bartholomew, and others ~ Smith passed away in 2023
January 26, 1932 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Claude Gray born in Henderson, Texas, USA ~ Paved the way for pop-oriented country artists. Dubbed “the Tall Texan”, Gray would become best known for his 1960 hit Family Bible, penned by Willie Nelson. Other well known songs include I'll Have Another Cup Of Coffee (Then I'll Go), My Ears Should Burn (When Fools Are Talked About), Knock Again True Love, I Never Had The One I Wanted and How Fast Them Trucks Can Go ~ Gray passed away in 2023
January 26, 1928 ~ Swing, big band trombonist Dick Nash, full name Richard Taylor Nash, born ~ Brother of saxophonist Ted Nash. Father of saxophonist Ted Nash. First call Hollywood session musician, especially associated with Henry Mancini. Also worked with Pete Rugolo, Lalo Schifrin, Erroll Garner, Oscar Peterson, Louie Bellson, Tex Beneke, Esquivel, Anita O'Day, Harry James, Nat King Cole, Mel Tormé, Art Pepper, Ray Anthony, Don Ellis, Pete Fountain, Jimmy Witherspoon, Teresa Brewer, Randy Crawford, Julio Iglesias, Sue Raney, Barry Manilow, Kenny Rogers, Paul Chihara, Julia Migenes, Sonny Criss, and others
January 26, 1913 ~ Edward Chester Babcock, commonly known as film, TV, theater composer Jimmy van Heusen, born in Syracuse, New York, USA ~ Quintessential composer. Won four Oscars for Best Original Song and close to a dozen nominations. Collaborated with lyricists such as Sammy Cahn, Johnny Burke, Eddie DeLange, David Kapp, Carl Sigman, Johnny Mercer, Phil Silvers, Buddy Kaye, and others ~ Babcock passed away in 1990
January 26, 1908 ~ Violinist Stéphane Grappelli born in Paris, France ~ Dubbed “the Grandfather of jazz violinists” and co-founder of the Quintette du Hot Club with Django Reinhardt. Acclaimed for albums such as Violins No End, Venupelli Blues, and Live In London. Grappelli had his compositions recorded by Charlie Byrd, Chet Atkins, Baden Powell, Jethro Burns, and Biréli Lagrène, and guested on albums by Duke Ellington, Svend Asmussen, Barney Kessel, Michel Legrand, Gary Burton, Paul Simon (Paul Simon), Gary Burton, the Rowans, David Grisman (Hot Dawg), and Mark O'Connor ~ Grappelli passed away in 1997
January 26, 1905 ~ Vaudeville pianist, songwriter Al Goodhart born in New York, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best known for co-writing I Apologize, a hit for Bing Crosby in 1931 and covered by numerous artists including Billy Eckstine, Jackie Wilson, Aretha Franklin, and Bobby Vinton. Other songs co-penned by Goodhart include Auf Wiedersehen My Dear (Jack Denny, Bert Ambrose, Russ Columbo), I Saw Stars (Freddy Martin, Joe Haymes, Etta Jones), and Serenade Of The Bells (Sammy Kaye, Jo Stafford, Gene Autry) ~ Goodhart passed away in 1955
January 26, 1905 ~ Maria Augusta Kutschera, commonly known as singer Maria von Trapp, born in Vienna, Austria ~ Stepmother and matriarch of the Trapp Family Singers. Wrote The Story Of The Trapp Family, published in 1949. The book would inspire the 1956 German film The Trapp Family which in turn inspired the 1959 Broadway musical The Sound Of Music by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II and its 1965 film version starring Julie Andrews ~ Kutschera passed away in 1987
January 26, 1900 ~ Country fiddler Clayton McMichen born in Allatoona, Georgia, USA ~ Founded the Home Town Boys. Worked with the Skillet Lickers, which also included Gid Tanner, one of the nation's most successful country acts of the 1920. As a solo artist known for recordings such as Sweet Bunch Of Roses and My Carolina Home. Wrote Peach Pickin' Time, a hit for Jimmie Rodgers ~ McMichen passed away in 1970