January 30, 1989 ~ Blues-rock, roots rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Samantha Fish born in Kansas City, Kansas, USA ~ Sister of singer Amanda Fish. Draws from blues, rock, country, R&B and bluegrass. Cites Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tom Petty and the Rolling Stones as influences. First gained attention with her 2009 Live Bait album and has been recording steadily since. Has worked with Cassie Taylor, Dani Wilde, Devon Allman, Mike Zitto, Luther Dickinson, and others
January 30, 1984 ~ Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter, actor Kid Cudi, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Rose to fame in 2008 with his debut single Day 'n Nite, included on his 2009 full-length debut album Man On The Moon (The End Of Day). Has recorded steadily since to commercial success and critical acclaim. Has collaborated with Kanye West, Common, MGMT, Ratatat, King Chip, Too $hort, Pharrell Williams, Travis Scott, Eminem, David Guetta, Snoop Dogg, Rihanna, and Steve Aoki
January 30, 1975 ~ Power pop, pop punk, dance rock singer, guitarist, pianist Yumi Yoshimura born in Osaka, Japan ~ Forms the pop duo PUFFY with Ami Onuki, with whom she recorded a little over a dozen albums. They are best known for a string of late 1990s singles, including Kore Ga Watashi No Ikuru Michi, Circuit No Musume, and Nagisa Ni Matsuwaru Etc all reaching the No.1 spot in their native Japan. To avoid confusion with singer, rapper, producer Sean Combs, who at the time also used the moniker Puffy, the duo used the moniker Puffy AmiYumi for their American releases. Briefly married to singer Takanori Nishikawa around the turn of the century, with whom she has one son
January 30, 1968 ~ Avant-garde, alternative rock, punk rock, heavy metal, rock bassist, double bassist, singer Trevor Dunn born in Eureka, California, USA ~ Rose to fame in the 1990s as co-founding member of experimental band Mr Bungle, remaining with the band from 1985 through 2000 and rejoining in 2019. Has collaborated with a host of acts from as many genres, including fronting his own avant-garde jazz-rock outfit the Trio-Convulsant as well as collaborate with Secret Chiefs 3, Tomahawk, Nels Cline, the Fantomas, the Melvins, Erik Friedlander, Eyvind Kang, Afro-Mystik, the Tin Hat Trio, Tipsy, Bureau of Atomic Tourism, and excessively with John Zorn
January 30, 1967 ~ Keyboardist, bassist, guitarist, percussionist, producer, songwriter James Poyser, full name James Jason Poyser, born in Sheffield, UK ~ Member of the Roots. Member of the Soultronics. Producer, songwriter, session musician. Has co-written songs for Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill (Superstar), Common, and Mariah Carey. Other notable collaborations include Teddy Pendergrass, Jermaine Dupri, Phyllis Hyman, Kelly Price, Eric Benét, Musiq Soulchild, Guru, d'Angelo, Jill Scott, Talib Kweli, Jazzyfatnastees, Anthony Hamilton (Comin' From Where I'm From), Joss Stone, Estelle, and Nikka Costa (Can'tneverdidnothin)
January 30, 1967 ~ Heavy metal singer Jay Gordon born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Founder, lead singer of metal outfit Orgy, known for their 1998 Candyass debut album which spawned the hits Stitches and a cover of New Order's Blue Monday. The band has released subsequent recordings but would be unable to replicate the success of their debut album
January 30, 1963 ~ Punk rock bassist Joe Escalante, full name Joseph Patrick Escalante, born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Sole constant member of punk rockers the Vandals, initially starting on drums and later moving to bass. The band is best known for their humorous approach and song subjects rather than the typical social and political topics addressed by most punk bands of the time. Also a member of the Smiths-tribute band Sweet And Tender Hooligans, radio host, TV director and executive
January 30, 1959 ~ Singer Jody Watley born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, the Jackson 5, Roberta Flack, Grace Jones, Nancy Wilson. Rose to fame as member of Shalamar, remaining with the group from 1977 through 1983, present on songs such as The Second Time Around, For The Lover In You and A Night To Remember. Released her eponymous Jody Watley solo debut album in 1987, spawning the hit Looking For A New Love. Also known for songs such as Some Kind Of Lover, Real Love, Everything. Has also worked with Musical Youth, Gary Langan, Anne Dudley, JJ Jeczalik, George Michael, Eric B & Rakim, and others
January 30, 1959 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Mark Eitzel, full name John Mark Eitzel, born ~ Best known as lead singer of American Music Club. Active since the 1980s, having worked with the Cowboys, the Naked Skinnies, the Toiling Midgets, the Undertow Orchestra, and others. As a solo artist known for his 1997 West album on which all songs were co-written by REM-guitarist Peter Buck, and for its 1998 follow-up Caught In A Trap And I Can't Back Out Cause I Love You Too Much Baby which featured Sonic Youth-drummer Steve Shelley and Yo La Tengo-bassist James McNew
January 30, 1951 ~ Rock, progressive rock, space rock, gothic rock, post-punk, punk rock drummer Andy Anderson born ~ Best known for his associations with Steve Hillage and the Cure, present on the latter's The Top and Concert albums as well as on the singles The Love Cats and Caterpillar. Briefly played with Hawkwind. Has also worked with the Techno Twins, Mother Gong, the Gun Club, Edwyn Collins, Peter Gabriel, Iggy Pop, Mike Oldfield, Pink Flamingos, and Midge Ure ~ Anderson passed away in 2019
January 30, 1951 ~ Drummer, singer Phil Collins, full name Philip David Charles Collins, born in Chiswick, UK ~ Influenced by Ringo Starr, Buddy Rich and by the Action-drummer Roger Powell. Rose to fame in the 1970s as drummer and lead singer of Genesis. Debuted as a solo artist in the early 1980s, critically acclaimed for first two solo albums, Face Value and Hello I Must Be Going, and reaching superstar fame with 1985's No Jacket Required. Known for hits such as In The Air Tonight, You Can't Hurry :pve, Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now), Easy Lover with Philip Bailey, One More Night, A Groovy Kind Of Love and Another Day In Paradise. Has collaborated with Marilyn Martin, David Crosby, Lil' Kim, and others
January 30, 1949 ~ Funk, R&B, soul, pop trumpeter, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist, singer, songwriter William King, full name William Atwell King, born in Tuskegee, Alabama, USA ~ Founding and constant member of the Commodores, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums starting with Machine Gun in 1974. King co-wrote several of the band's best known including the Billboard Hot 100 top hits Brick House and Lady You Bring Me Up, the latter co-written with Harold Hudson and his then-wife Shirley Hanna-King. The band scored close to a dozen top 10 hits including Sweet Love, Easy, Sail On, Still, and Nightshift. Besides playing several instruments, King also serves as the band's choreographer
January 30, 1947 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Steve Marriott, full name Stephen Peter Marriott, born in Plashet, UK ~ Became a popular mod style icon in Britain. Member of the Small Faces from 1965 through 1968, and again from 1975 through 1978. Member of Humble Pie from 1969 through 1975, and again from 1979 through 1983. In his later life Marriott would grow disillusioned with the music industry and turn away from mahor record labels, returning to relative obscurity playing in pubs and clubs around London and Essex ~ Marriott passed away in 1991
January 30, 1944 ~ Drummer Roger Humphries born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Began playing drums at 4. Went professional at 14. Led ensemble at Carnegie Hall at 16. Played with Stanley Turrentine, Horace Silver, including on the quintessential LP Song For My Father, and with Ray Charles. Released some albums under his own name. Sideman, session musician for the likes Lee Morgan, Grant Green, Billy Taylor, Bill Doggett, Benny Green, Lionel Hampton, Coleman Hawkins, Barry Harris, Clark Terry, JJ Johnson, Billy Preston, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie, Jack McDuff, Gene Harris, George Harris, George Benson, Jon Faddis, Slide Hampton, Johnny Griffin, Herbie Mann, Randy Brecker, Joe Williams, Milt Jackson, Jimmy Witherspoon, Hubert Laws, Dwayne Dolphin, the Isley Brothers, and Illinois Jacquet
January 30, 1942 ~ Singer Martyn Jerel Buchwald, commonly known as Marty Balin, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Co-founding member, co-lead singer of the Jefferson Airplane. Notable co-writing credits include Comin' Back To Me, Today and Volunteers. Co-wrote and guested on Airplane spinoff group Jefferson Starship's power ballad Caroline. Has also worked with the Town Criers, Bodaccious DF, the KBC Band. As a solo artist scored a 1981 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit with Hearts ~ Balin passed away in 2018
January 30, 1941 ~ Edlin Terry, commonly known as jazz alto, tenor saxophonist Buddy Terry, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Recorded for about a decade in the 1960s through the 1970s. A handful of albums under his own name for Prestige Records and Mainstream Records as a leader. As sideman for Art Blakey, Billy Hawks, Richard Groove Holmes, Harold Mabern, Joe Morello, Alphonse Mouzon, and for Freddie Roach. Terry was also a member of Swingadelic from 2000 to 2010
January 30, 1940 ~ Electronic composer, flutist David C Johnson born in Batavia, New York, USA ~ Closely associated with Karlheinz Stockhausen, starting as assistant producer for the 1967 Hymnen. In following years Johnson would also be involved in premieres of several of Stockhausen's or Stockhausen-directed works. Has collaborated with Holger Czukay, Irmin Schmidt, Michael Karoli and Jaki Liebezeit in what was to become Can, but departed the group in 1969 disappointed at their growing influences. Member of cooperative the Oeldorf Group ~ Johnson passed away in 2021
January 30, 1939 ~ Folk, pop, Latin jazz singer, percussionist, songwriter Norma Tanega, full name Norma Cecilia Tanega, born in Vallejo, California, USA ~ Best known for Walkin' My Cat Named Dog, an international hit in 1966 nearing the top 20 in America and Britain and reaching top 10 in Canada. Wrote or co-wrote a number of songs recorded by Dusty Springfield including No Stranger Am I, The Colour Of Your Eyes, Earthbound Gypsy and Midnight Sounds. Has collaborated with Hybridvigor, the Latin Lizards, John Zeretzke, Brian Ransom, Baboonz, Steve Rushingwind Ruiz, and others ~ Tanega passed away in 2019
January 30, 1936 ~ Andres Holten, commonly known as singer, songwriter Dries Holten, born in Cimahi, Dutch East Indies ~ Half of Sandra & Andres, the other half being Sandra Reemer. The duo would reach 4th place at the 1972 Eurovision Songfestival, representing the Netherlands, with their performance of Als Het Om De Liefde Gaat. Holten would later team up with Rosy Pereira forming the duo Rosy & Andres ~ Holten passed away in 2020
January 30, 1936 ~ Pianist, composer Horst Jankowski born in Berlin, Germany ~ Classically trained pianist best known for his easy listening music, starting with the 1965 global hit Walk In The Black Forest followed by a string of successful albums throughout the 1970s consisting mostly of easy listening covers of pop and rock hits ~ Jankowski passed away in 1998
January 30, 1935 ~ Edward Brian Hayes, commonly known as jazz saxophonist, flutist, vibraphonist Tubby Hayes, born in St Pancras, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Ronnie Scott, Jimmy Deuchar, the Jazz Couriers, Kenny Baker, Bert Ambrose, Kurt Edelhagen, Paul Gonsalves, Dave Brubeck, Johnny Dankworth, James Moody, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Jack Costanzo, Victor Feldman, Dizzy Reece, Stan Tracey, and others ~ Hayes passed away in 1973
January 30, 1928 ~ Classical timpanist Elayne Jones, full name Elayne Viola Jones, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Broke racial barriers in classical music. Closely associated with the New York City Opera, playing with the orchestra for about a decade starting in the late 1940s. Has also worked with the New York Metropolitan, the American Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and notably as principal cellist with the San Francisco Symphony under the direction of Leopold Stokowski starting in 1972, the latter making her the first African-American to achieve such a position with a major orchestra ~ Jones passed away in 2022
January 30, 1921 ~ Jazz pianist Bernie Leighton born in West Haven, Connecticut, USA ~ Active since the late 1930s. Leader and sideman. Worked with Bud Freeman, Leo Reisman, Raymond Scott, Benny Goodman, Dave Tough, Billie Holiday, Neal Hefti, Artie Shaw, John Serry Sr, James Moody, Bob Wilber, Tony Bennett, Gerry Mulligan, Mark Murphy, Charlie Parker, Jack Teagarden, and Cal Tjader ~ Leighton passed away in 1994
January 30, 1911 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Joe Darion born in New York, New York, USA ~ Musical theater lyricist best known for the 1965 musical Man Of La Mancha. Co-wrote Changing Partners, a 1954 No.3 Billboard hit for Patti Page, with Larry Coleman. Versions by Bing Crosby, Kay Starr and Dinah Shore would also reach the top 20. A notable cover can also be found on pop singer Elvis Costello's 2009 Secret Profane & Sugarcane, serving as the album's closing track ~ Darion passed away in 2001
January 30, 1911 ~ Trumpeter Roy Eldridge, full name David Roy Eldridge, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Noted for his sophisticated use of harmony and his virtuosic solos. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the swing era. Has worked with Gene Krupa, Benny Carter, Teddy Wilson, Ike Quebec, Cecil Payne, Wilbur de Paris, Helen Ward, Zoot Sims, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Jo Jones, Big Joe Turner, Harry Sweets Edison, Count Basie, Coleman Hawkins, Johnny Hodges, Illinois Jacquet, Buddy Tate, Lester Young, Ben Webster, and others ~ Eldridge passed away in 1989