July 2, 1993 ~ Rapper, singer, songwriter Vince Staples, full name Vincent Jamal Staples, born in Compton, California, USA ~ Member of hip-hop trio the Cutthroat Boyz alongside Aston Matthews and Joey Fatts. Critically acclaimed for his 2015 Summertime '06 debut album. Best known for his 2017 Big Fish single
July 2, 1991 ~ Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter Burna Boy, born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria ~ Rose to fame in 2012 on the strength of his Like To Party debut single, followed by the full-length LIFE released the following year. Has recorded to commercial succes since and guested on recordings by Fall Out Boy and Ed Sheeran
July 2, 1989 ~ Devin Star Tailes, commonly known as singer, rapper, songwriter, model, radio host Dev, born ~ Discovered by the Cataracs, who guested on her 2010 Bass Down Low debut single. Featured vocalist on Far East Movement's Like A G6 hit single the same year. Would release her The Night When The Sun Came Up the next year. Has worked with 2 Chainz, Sage The Gemini, JLS, Enrique Iglesias, Eric Saade, Demi Lovato, NERVO, and others
July 2, 1988 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Amelia Meath, full name Amelia Randall Meath, born ~ Known for her secretive, intimate songwriting. Formed the trio Mountain Men with Molly Sarlé and Alexandra Sauser-Monnig, known for their self-released 2010 Made The Harbor album. Formed the duo Sylvan Esso with Nick Sanborn, releasing their eponymous Sylvan Esso in 2014
July 2, 1985 ~ Actress, singer Ashley Tisdale, full name Ashley Michelle Tisdale, born in Monmouth County, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known as an actress, starring in the Disney TV show The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody and all three films of the High School Musical series. As a singer known for her 2007 Headstrong debut album, awarded gold certification in the USA, its singles He Said She Said and its follow-up Not Like That particularly well-received in Germany
July 2, 1983 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Michelle Branch, full name Michelle Jaquet DeSevren Branch, born in Sedona, Arizona, USA ~ Best known for two critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums from the early 2000s, 2001's The Spirit Room and 2003's Hotel Paper, reaching the charts with singles such as All You Wanted and Are You Happy Now. Collaborated with Carlos Santana, with Jessica Harp as a country-pop duo the Wreckers, and guested on records by Timbaland, Chris Isaak, Dwight Yoakam, and Patrick Carney
July 2, 1979 ~ Conductor, pianist, composer Brett Mitchell born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Closely associated with the Houston Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Colorado Symphony. Has guest conducted renowned orchestras such as the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the St Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic
July 2, 1979 ~ Composer, producer Nick Lloyd Webber, full name Nicholas Lloyd Webber, born ~ Son of musical composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. Best known for scoring the BBC drama Love Lies & Records. Other well known compositions include a theatrical and symphonic production of The Little Prince based on the book of the same name by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, and the 2017 musical Fat Friends The Musical ~ Webber passed away in 2023
July 2, 1978 ~ Alternative rock, punk rock, hard rock drummer Frank Zummo born ~ Co-founding member of Street Drum Corps, with whom he recorded four albums through the early 2010s. Joined Sum 41 in 2015, taking over for original drummer Steve Jocz, and first appearing on the 2016 13 Voices album. Zummo has also guested on recordings by TheStart, Dead By Sunrise, Krewella, and Ray Volpe, and filled in for Tommy Lee in 2009 for a string of Mötley Crüe shows
July 2, 1977 ~ Pop singer Erin Anttila, full name Erin Helena Maureen Anttila, born ~ Formed the pop outfit Nylon Beat with Jonna Kosonen, gaining attention through the TV show Kiitorata. They are known for a string of top 10 hits in their native Finland during the late 1990s and early 2000s including Viimeinen, Viha Ja Rakkaus, and Anna Mulle. Anttila has subsequently recorded as a solo artist, releasing her Hunningolla debut album in 2011
July 2, 1975 ~ Punk rock guitarist, singer Erik Ohlsson, full name Erik Hans Ohlsson, born in Örebro, Sweden ~ Co-founding member of punk rock outfit Millencolin, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with Tiny Tunes released in 1998. Ohlsson, who also works as a freelance graphic designer, has designed all of the band's artwork such as albums covers and band merchandize. The band is best known for the singles The Story Of My Life and Move Your Car, both taken of their Life On A Plate sophomore album and both singles reaching top 10 in the band's native Sweden
July 2, 1974 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Tim Christensen born in Copenhagen, Denmark ~ Influenced by the Beatles, Nick Drake, Neil Young, Cheap Trick, XTC, and Crowded House. Lead singer, guitarist for power rock trio Dizzy Mizz Lizzy, with whom he enjoyed success especially during the 1990s. Both the band's eponymous Dizzy Mizz Lizzy debut album and its Rotator follow-up would receive multiple Danish Grammy Awardsm both would receive multiple Platinum certifications. The band initially split up by the end of the decade but has since reunited. As a solo artist Christensen is perhaps best known for the singles Superior and Wonder Of Wonders, both of which reached top 20 in his native Denmark in the late 2000s
July 2, 1970 ~ Progressive rock, neo-psychedelia, art rock bassist Colin Edwin born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Best known as member of Porcupine Tree from 1993 through 2011. Has also worked with the Ex-Wise Heads, Random Noise Generator, Lorenzo Feliciati, Obake, Jon Durant, Gaudi and Metallic Taste Of Blood
July 2, 1970 ~ Simone Johnson, commonly known as singer, rapper Monie Love born in London, UK ~ Released her debut album, Down To Earth, spawning the singles Monie In The Middle and It's A Shame (My Sister), the latter sampling the Spinners' It's A Shame, written by Stevie Wonder and featuring Ultra Naté. Love subsequently collaborated with LA Reid, Kenneth Babyface Edmonds, Whitney Houston, Marley Marl, Prince, Inner City, Ras Kass, Adeva, Native Tongues, Queen Latifah, and others
July 2, 1968 ~ Singer, guitar, pianist, songwriter Andi Almqvist born ~ Known for his dark, cinematic sound and haunting lyrics. Has recorded about half a dozen albums starting with Can't Stop Laughing released in 2005. Collaborated with the likes of the Lancaster Orchestra, Svante Sjoblöm, and Richard Lindgren
July 2, 1968 ~ Heavy metal, groove metal drummer Tony Costanza born ~ Influenced by Dave Lombardo, Gene Hoglan, Terry Bozzio. Best known as original drummer of Machine Head, playing with the band in 1992 and 1993. Has also worked with Papsmear, Debris Inc, Crowbar, Area 51, Crisis, and others ~ Costanza passed away in 2020
July 2, 1967 ~ Producer, engineer Christoph H Muller born in Stuttgart, Germany ~ Best known as co-founder of the Gotan Project, teaming up with Eduardo Makaroff and Philippe Solai. Also collaborated with Gabriela Arnon, Ten Mother Tongues, Hans-Joachim Roedelius, Catherine Ringer, Roy Dubb, and others
July 2, 1965 ~ Bassist, singer Dave Parsons, full name David Guy Parsons, born in Hillingdon, UK ~ Best known as co-founding member, bassist for grunge outfit Bush, with whom he recorded four albums remaining with the band through 2002. Present on most of the band's best known including the UK top 10 hit Swallowed of their Razorblade Suitcase sophomore album. Previously Parsons had worked with punk group the Partisans and alternative rock band Transvision Vamp
July 2, 1956 ~ Margaretha Hendrika Maria Groeneveld, commonly known as pop singer Marga Bult, born in Lattrop, the Netherlands ~ Best known as member of girl group Babe, joining the band in 1981 as replacement for Gemma van Eck. The band would be known for a string of Dutch top 40 hits through the mid-1980s including I'm A Rocking Machine, Together In Love and Dolly The Doll. As a solo artist best known for her 1987 single Rechtop In De Wind. Bult would draw heavy criticism during the COVID pandemic for actively spreading numerous conspiracy theories
July 2, 1954 ~ Patrick Martin Cusack, commmonly known as bassist, songwriter Pete Briquette born in Ballyjamesduff, Ireland ~ Constant member of the Boomtown Rats, notably present on and co-writing Banana Republic and Like Clockwork. The only Rats member to frequently work on frontman Bob Geldof's solo albums after the band disbanded
July 2, 1952 ~ Boogie rock, boogie woogie pianist Gene Taylor born in Norwalk, California, USA ~ Briefly a member of Canned Heat from 1974 through 1976. Has also worked with Big Joe Turner, T-Bone Walker, James Harman, the Blasters, the Downchild Blues Band, the Fabulous Thunderbirds (Roll Of The Dice), the Red Devils, Kim Wilson (That's Life, Tiger Man), Charlie Musselwhite, Jackson Delta, Amos Garrett, Dwight Yoakam (Guitars Cadillacs Etc Etc), John Hammond Jr, and others ~ Taylor passed away in 2021
July 2, 1952 ~ Percussionist Jamey Haddad, full name Jamey George Haddad, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Worked with Paul Simon, Dave Liebman, Paul Winter, Joe Lovano, Allen Farnham, Carly Simon, Betty Buckley, Rabih Abou Khalil, Simon Shaheen, Marbin, Trichy Sankaran, Osvaldo Golijov, Nguyên Lê, Badi Assad, Steve Shehan, Esperanza Spalding, Elliot Goldenthal, Nancy Wilson, the Wayfaring Strangers, Steve Gadd, Laszlo Gardony, Joanne Brackeen, and others
July 2, 1949 ~ Composer, conductor David Eaton born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Best known for his longtime association with the NEw York Symphony, serving as its music director since the mid-1980s. Conductor of the Goldman Band during the late 1990s. Has guest conducted with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Tapei City Symphony Orchestra, and the Orquestra Sinfonic Nacional de Guatemala. Also known as an advocate for peace and interreligious reconciliation, co-founder and President of the Peace Music Foundation, and awarded honorate doctorate degrees from the Universidad Metropolitana de Asuncion and the Unification Theological Seminary for his efforts to promote peace through the art of music
July 2, 1949 ~ Drummer, singer Joe English born ~ Member of Paul McCartney's 1970s outfit Wings from 1975 through 1977, present on the albums Venus And Mars and Wings At The Speed Of Sound. Sang lead vocals on the track Must Do Something About It taken of the latter album. Subsequently worked with Sea Level through 1980, first appearing on the 1978 On The Edge album. Became a born-again Christian by the early 1980s and is currently involved with the Word Of Faith Fellowship church
July 2, 1947 ~ Saxophonist Reggie Houston born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known for his association with Fats Domino, backing Domino for nearly two continuous decades starting in 1983. Has also worked with Dr John, Ziggy Modeliste, the Neville Brothers, Mary Flower, the Indigo Girls, John Koerner, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and others
July 2, 1945 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal, acid rock, psychedelic rock, blues rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Randy Holden born ~ Influenced by the Rolling Stones-guitarist Keith Richards, leading him to experiment with distortion and feedback. Perhaps best known as member of acid rock outfit Blue Cheer, present on the band's 1969 New Improved album. As a solo artist best known for his 1970 Population II album, considered a precursor to doom metal. Has also worked with the Fender IV, Sons Of Adam, and the Other Half
July 2, 1940 ~ Classical hornist Dale Clevenger born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known as principal hornist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1966 through 2013. Has also notably worked with the American Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Leopold Stokowski, Symphony Of The Air and the Kansas City Philharmonic ~ Clevenger passed away in 2022
July 2, 1937 ~ Keyboardist, clarinetist, arranger Dee Palmer born in Hendon, UK ~ Arranged Bert Jansch's Nicola album released in 1967. Would go on to arrange and conduct for Jethro Tull, starting with the band's This Was 1968 debut album and subsequently all albums through the mid 1970s. Would become a full band member, performing keyboards and arranging, starting on the 1977 Songs From The Wood album. In the late 1990s Palmer, born David Victor Palmer, came out as transgender and legally change her name to Dee
July 2, 1934 ~ Dionysius O'Brien, commonly known as folk, pop singer, pianist, guitarist, producer, songwriter Tom Springfield born in London, UK ~ Brother of Dusty Springfield, with whom he also worked in the Springfields. After the band disbanded would go on to produce and write for the Seekers, including their biggest hits such as Georgy Girl, I'll Never Find Another You and A World Of Our Own. Also wrote or co-wrote for others, including Summer Is Over for Frank Ifield, Adios Amour (Goodbye My Love) recorded by José Feliciano, and Losing You for his sister
July 2, 1928 ~ Jazz pianist Richard Wyands born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Sideman and leader. Played with Vernon Alley, Carmen McRae, Roy Haynes, Charles Mingus, Jerome Richardson, Gigi Gryce, Kenny Burrell, Gene Ammons, Benny Carter, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Teddy Edwards, Frank Foster, Freddie Hubbard, Etta Jones, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Oliver Nelson, Houston Person, Jerome Richardson, James Spaulding, Buddy Tate, with Illinois Jacquet, and with Kenny Burrell
July 2, 1927 ~ Big band saxophonist Charlie Kennedy, full name Charles Sumner Kennedy, born ~ Worked with Louis Prima, Gene Krupa, Terry Gibbs, Charlie Ventura, Flip Phillips, Chico O'Farrill, Bill Holman, Terry Gibbs, June Christy, Med Flory, Dizzy Gillespie, Neal Hefti, Chubby Jackson, Shelly Manne, Anita O'Day, Art Pepper, Zoot Sims, and others ~ Kennedy passed away in 2009
July 2, 1927 ~ Saxophonist Lee Allen born in Pittsburg, Kansas, USA ~ Best known as a mentor and eventually member of the Blasters. Has also worked with Paul Gayten, Dave Bartholomew, Fats Domino, Lloyd Price, Earl King, Huey Piano Smith, Professor Longhair, T-Bone Walker, Big Joe Turner, Dr John, Buddy Miles, the Stray Cats, and others ~ Allen passed away in 1994
July 2, 1925 ~ Marvin Karlton Rainwater, commonly known as country, pop, rockabilly singer, songwriter Marvin Rainwater, born in Wichita, Kansas, USA ~ Best known for a number of late 1950s hits, notably Gonna Find Me A Bluebird, Whole Lotta Woman and Nothin' Needs Nothin' (Like I Need You). UK guitarist Hank Marvin chose his stage name in honor of Rainwater ~ Rainwater passed away in 2013
July 2, 1916 ~ Curtis Wain Gates, commonly known as singer, actor Ken Curtis, born in Lamar, Colorado, USA ~ Best known as actor, notably portraying the role of Festus Haggen on the CBS western TV series Gunsmoke. Sang with Tommy Dorsey's band in the early 1940's joining the ensemble as replacement for Frank Sinatra. Also lead singer of pivotal country group the Sons Of The Pioneers from 1949 through 1952 including on the hits Room Full Of Roses and Ghost Riders In The Sky ~ Gates passed away in 1991
July 2, 1914 ~ Conductor Frederick Fennell born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Praised by some as the most famous band conductor since John Philip Sousa. Well known for his association with the Eastman Wind Ensemble. Has also worked with renowned ensembles such as the Boston Pops Orchestra, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, and others ~ Fennell passed away in 2004
July 2, 1910 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Earl Robinson, full name Earl Hawley Robinson, born ~ Father of jazz clarinetist Perry Robinson. Influenced by classical music and folk artists such as Woody Guthrie, Paul Robeson, and Pete Seeger. Penned and first recorded The Houdr I Live In, which would be covered by Frank Sinatra, Sam Cooke, Sarah Vaughan, Mahalia Jackson, and Kim Weston. Co-penned Ballad For Americans, which would become a signature for Robeson. Blacklisted during the MacCarthy era for his membership of the Communist Party ~ Robinson passed away in 1991
July 2, 1905 ~ Jazz bandleader, saxophonist Harlan Leonard born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Playing professionally since age 17 starting with serving under Bennie Moten and eventually leading the band's reed section. Active as a bandleader since the early 1930s. Once employed Charlie Parker but fired him after just weeks for lack of discipline. Has also worked with Thamon Hayes, Vic Dickenson, Myra Taylor, Tadd Dameron. Would retire from music by the mid-1940s and has worked in banking and with the IRS for the remainder of his life ~ Leonard passed away in 1983
July 2, 1894 ~ Songwriter, singer, pianist Turner Layton, full name John Turner Layton Jr, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Best known as a songwriter, frequent collaborator of Henry Creamer. Co-wrote the standard After You've Gone, first popularized by Sophie Tucker and also recorded by Marion Harris, Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong, Django Reinhardt, Sonny Stitt, Peggy Lee, Phil Collins, and others. Also co-wrote Way Down Yonder In New Orleans, recorded by Frankie Trumbauer, Paul Whiteman, Bing Crosby, Freddy Cannon, Patti Page, Jan & Dean, and others ~ Layton passed away in 1978