July 24, 1984 ~ Pop, R&B singer Dhani Lennevald, full name John Dhani Lennevald, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Rose to prominence as member of the A-Teens, originally an ABBA-tribute band known for a number of late-1990s, early-2000s Swedish top 10 hits including Mamma Mia, Super Trouper, Upside Down and Floorfiller. Released his Girls Talk solo debut album in 2004. Has since worked as a producer, collaborating with Måns Zelmerlöw, Anton Ewald and with Carl Falk
July 24, 1982 ~ Christian metal guitarist, singer Ryan Helm born in Nevada, Missouri, USA ~ Member of Ascendicate, present on the band's 2009 To Die As Kings album. Subsequently joined Demon Hunter as replacement for co-founding member Don Clark, appearing on the band's 2010 The World Is A Thorn before departing on amicable terms. Helm has since worked with Damien Deadson, initially a Helm side project to take a break from guitar playing and pursue singing instead, resulting in the A Warm And Dark Embrace debut album released in 2012
July 24, 1980 ~ Metalcore guitarist, singer Joel Stroetzel, full name Joel Michael Stroetzel, born ~ Influenced by Slayer, Anthrax, and Ozzy Osbourne-guitarist Zakk Wylde. Stroetzel first gained attention as a member of Aftershock, known for their 2000 Through The Looking Glass album. When the band folded, Stroetzel formed Killswitch Engage with co-guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz and former Aftershock-bassist Mike D'Antonio. The band has recorded over half a dozen albums since, noted most for The End Of Heartache and the eponymous Killswitch Engage, released respectively in 2004 and 2009
July 24, 1979 ~ Jazz singer, composer Heidi Skjervee born in Rennebu, Norway ~ Worked with the Trondheim Voices, the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, Northern Alliance, and others prior to recording wih her own ensembles at times featuring artists such as Kjetil Elde, Ole Morten Vågan, Truls Rønning, Espen Reinertsen, Erlend Slettevol, and Roger Arntzen
July 24, 1979 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Jerrod Nieman born in Harper, Kansas, USA ~ Influenced by Whitey Shafer, Dean Dillon, Paul Overstreet. In-demand songwriter. Has co-written That Girl Is A Cowboy, Midnight Sun and the Chris LeDoux-tribute song Good Ride Cowboy for Garth Brooks. Others who have recorded his songs include Lee Brice, Blake Shelton, Diamond Rio, the Cadillac Three, Mark Chesnutt, Neal McCoy, and others. As a singer active since his 1999 Long Hard Road debut album. Best known for his 2012 hit Shinin' On Me and Drink To That All Night the following year
July 24, 1976 ~ Indie rock, alternative rock, pop, dance singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Johnny McDaid born in Derry, Northern Ireland ~ Member of Snow Patrol, joining the band in 2011 and first appearing on the Fallen Empires album. Previously worked with Vega4, perhaps best known for Life Is Beautiful of their You And Others sophomore album. In-demand songwriter, collaborating with the likes of Birdy, P!nk, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, and specifically Ed Sheeran, co-writing a vast amount of the latter's songs including Galway Girl
July 24, 1970 ~ Singer, songwriter Anja Garbarek born in Oslo, Norway ~ Daughter of jazz saxophonist Jan Garbarek. Debuted with the album Velkommen Inn in 1992. Has been recording regularly since. Worked with Steve Wilson, Mark Hollis, Satyricon, Rita Marcotulli, Robert Wyatt, Wibutee, and Steve Jansen
July 24, 1970 ~ Ellie Papathanasopoulou, commonly known as laika, folk, dance-pop singer Elli Kokkinou, born in Athens, Greece ~ Active since the mid-1990s. Among Greece's most popular contemporary singers. Best known for her the albums Sto Kokkino released in 2003 and Ta Genethia Mou released in 2011
July 24, 1969 ~ Singer, actress, dancer Jennifer Lopez, full name Jennifer Lynn Lopez, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Gained attention in the early-1990s acting in various films, notably starring in the leading role in the Selena 1997 bio-pic of the same name. As a singer best known for her first two albums, On The 6 released in 1999 and its equally successful sophomore album J Lo two years later. Has since become a pop cultural icon. Known best for songs such as If You Had My Love, Waiting For Tonight, Love Don't Cost A Thing, I'm Real, Jenny From The Block featuring Jadakiss and Styles and On The Floor featuring Pitbull
July 24, 1968 ~ Eric Pastore, commonly known as neo-prog, progressive rock, hard rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, drummer, songwriter Eric Blackwood, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Best known as a key member, co-lead singer of progressive rock outfit Edison's Children, co-founded with Pete Trewavas. The band is known for their science-fiction oriented concept albums, musically drawing from influences such Pink Floyd, Porcupine Tree, Genesis, and Rush. Pastore is also an honorary member of Marillion, touring with the band since 2005 and a special effects technician for TV series including 30 Rock, Law & Order SVU, and America's Next Top Model
July 24, 1963 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Kalle Vilpuu born in Estonia ~ Perhaps best known as guitarist for Ultima Thule, one of the most influential Estonian rock bands. Has also worked with House Of Games and Seitsmes Meel. Released his Silver Lining solo album in 2013, consisting entirely of instrumental tracks drawing from hard rock, jazz-rock and progressive rock
July 24, 1962 ~ Jazz guitarist Andrei Ryabov born in Leningrad, USSR ~ Worked with Jim Hall, Tal Farlow, Joe Pass, Attila Zoller, Gene Bertoncini, Titi Paulus, Dave Brubeck, David Friesen, Dusko Gojkovic, John Stowell, Roger Frampton, Sal Nistico, Richie Cole, Billy Taylor, Ted Dunbar, Yusef Lateef, Ted Levine, and David Goloschekin
July 24, 1962 ~ R&B, pop, funk singer, keyboardist, guitarist, percussionist, songwriter Toshinobu Kubota born in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan ~ Pioneered Japanese hip-hop and soul, drawing from funk, pop, R&B and go-go. Influenced by Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Sly Stone. Best known for songs such as Dance If You Want It, Missing, Love Rain (Koi No Ame), You Were Mine and La La La Love Song
July 24, 1961 ~ Drummer, artist manager Paul Geary born in Medford, Massachusetts, USA ~ Co-founding member, drummer for Extreme, present on the band's first three albums. They are best known for their 1990 Pornografifitti sophomore effort, which spawned the band's two biggest hits. More Than Words reached top 10 in over half a dozen countries, including the top spot on the American Billboard Hot 100, while its follow-up Hole Hearted peaked at No.4. Geary left the band in 1994, succeeded by Michael Mangini, to pursue a career in artist management. Geary's first signing was Godsmack in 1995, followed by names such as the Smashing Pumpkins, Alter Bridge, Creed, the Scorpions, Fuel, Steel Panther, Jason Bonham, Hoobastank, and Joe Perry
July 24, 1959 ~ Leo Williams, commonly known as pop, rock bassist Leo E-Zee Kill Williams, born in Saint Andrew, Jamaica ~ Member of early-1980s reggae punk fusion band Basement 5. Member of the short-lived TRAC, and subsequently its successor Big Audio Dynamite, with whom he recorded four albums through the band's initial disbandement in 1990. The band was fronted by Mick Jones, formerly of the Clash, and is especially acclaimed for its debut album This Is Big Audio Dynamite and its successor No 10 Upping St. The former would spawn two UK top 30 hits, E Is MC Squared and Medicine Show. After its disbandement, the band would be revived as Big Audio Dynamite II without Williams. Williams would go on to work with dub and reggae-infused electronic music group Dreadzone, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums
July 24, 1958 ~ Andonis Michaelides, commonly known as bassist, singer Mick Karn, born in Nicosia, Cyprus ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of new wave outfit Japan. The band is best known for Ghosts, a UK No.5 hit off Tin Drum, the band's fifth and final album released in 1981. Other well known songs include Quiet Life, Visions Of China, Cantonese Boy, Life In Tokyo, and Nightporter. A decade after the band folded, the original line-up reunited under the monniker Rain Tree Crow to record the eponymous Rain Tree Crow album which cracked the UK top 40. Karn has also recorded as a solo artist, and collaborated with the likes of Gary Numan, playing bass and saxophone on Numan's UK top 10 hit She's Got Claws, Masami Tsuchiya, Akiko Yano, Dali's Car, Midge Ure, Kate Bush, David Torn, and Joan Armatrading ~ Karn passed away in 2011
July 24, 1957 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Pam Tillis, full name Pamela Yvonne Tillis, born in Plant City, Florida, USA ~ Active since the early 1980s, initially recording pop material to little commercial success. Tillis would breakthrough after switching to country, her 1991 Put Yourself In My Place sophomore album spawning the hit singles Don't Tell Me What To Do, One Of Those Things, and Maybe It Was Memphis, all of which reached top 10 Billboard Country. Tillis would continue to regularly reach the higher echelons of the country charts through the end of the decade, and earn critical acclaim especially for the 1994 Sweetheart's Dance album. Songs co-written by Tillis have been recorded by Janie Fricke, Suzy Bogguss, Highway 101 (Rough And Tumble Heart), Juice Newton, Conway Twitty (Hearts Breakin' All Over Town), and Michelle Wright. Tillis is the daughter of renowned country singer Mel Tillis, and was married to songwriter Bob DiPiero for most of the 1990s
July 24, 1955 ~ Joseph Reynaerts, mononymously known as pop singer Reynaert, born in Seraing, Belgium ~ Internationally best known for representing Belgium at the 1988 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 18th place with Laissez Briller Le Soleil. Other well known songs include Cerf-volant and Pas Assez ~ Reynaerts passed away in 2020
July 24, 1953 ~ Funk, R&B guitarist Garry Shider, full name Garry Marshall Shider, born in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA ~ Backed gospel artists such as Shirley Caesar, the Five Blind Boys and the Mighty Clouds Of Joy in his youth. Best known for his association with funk icon George Clinton, serving as guitarist and music director for P-Funk, Parliament and Funkadelic for 15 years starting in the early-1970s. Notably present on songs such as Cosmic Slop, Gettin' To Know You and One Nation Under A Groove ~ Shider passed away in 2010
July 24, 1953 ~ Bebop, jazz trumpeter Jon Faddis born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Mentored by Dizzy Gillespie. Has worked with George Benson, Anthony Braxton, Kenny Burrell, Michel Camilo, Ron Carter, Hank Crawford, Bo Diddley, Charles Earland, Gil Evans, Jerry Fielding, the Players Association, Grant Green, Michael Franks, Richard Groove Holmes (New Groove), Billy Joel, Chaka Khan, Odonel Levy, Les McCann, Tina Turner, Jack McDuff, Mick Jagger (Primitive Cool), Jimmy McGriff, Patti Austin (The Real Me), Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton, Charles Mingus, Phoebe Snow, Blue Mitchell, David Fathead Newman, Carly Simon, Oscar Peterson, Lalo Schifrin, Paul Simon (Graceland), Lonnie Liston Smith, Leon Spencer, Bette Midler, Gábor Szabó, Charles Tolliver, Cedar Walton, Lou Reed (Sally Can't Dance), Gerald Wilson, and Tatsuro Yamashita
July 24, 1951 ~ John Phlip Cawthra, commonly known as guitarist, bassist, singer Gypie Mayo, born in Subiton, UK ~ Member of Dr Feelgood from 1977 through 1981. Co-wrote the band's best known, the UK top 10 hit Milk And Alcohol, with Nick Lowe. Also present on songs such as She's A Wind Up, Down At The Doctor's, As Long As The Price Is Right and Put Him Out Of Your Mind. Mayo also worked with a latter day incarnation of the Yardbirds from 1996 through 2004 ~ Cawthra passed away in 2013
July 24, 1951 ~ Actress, singer, songwriter, model, activist Lynda Carter, full name Lynda Jean Cordova Carter, born in Phoenix, Arizona, USA ~ 1972 Miss World USA. Advocate and spokeswoman for several women's and gay rights groups. Best known for starring in title role of TV series Wonder Woman which aired from 1975 through 1979. Also appeared in other TV series, TV movies, feature films including Apocalypse Now. As a singer, songwriter released a full-length album, Portrait, in 1978 and has recorded steadily since. Hosted several musical TV shows throughout the 1980s
July 24, 1950 ~ William Evans, commonly known as bluegrass singer, banjoist, songwriter Dave Evans, born in Portsmouth, Ohio, USA ~ Noted for his powerful vocals and for bridging traditional and contemporary bluegrass. Has recorded well over half a dozen albums as a solo artist and with his backing unit the River Bend. Has collaborated with the likes of Larry Sparks, Josh Graves, Ralph Stanley, and Jim Lauderdale ~ Evans passed away in 2017
July 24, 1949 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Yves Duteil born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France ~ Has recorded about two dozen albums since the early-1970s. Well-known for songs such as Virages, J'Attends, Tisserand, Les Batignolles, and perhaps his best known Prendre Un Enfant of his 1977 Tarentelle album. Also known as an advocate for children's rights and the environment
July 24, 1948 ~ Jazz saxophonist Joe Giardullo born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Released his Gravity debut album in 1981, yet the album was overlooked and Giardullo would soon fade into obscurity only to reemerge in later years. Especially noted for his 2004 Falling Water album. Best known as regular collaborator of Joe McPhee, appearing on critically acclaimed albums such as In The Spirit and No Greater Love. Giardullo has also guested on albums by the Deep Listening Band, Mikhail Horowitz, Jack Wright, John Heward, and Dom Minasi
July 24, 1947 ~ Drummer Alan Whitehead born in Oswestry, UK ~ First played profesionally as drummer for Crispian St Peters. Best known as member of the Attack and of Marmalade, the latter scoring with songs such as Ob-la-di Ob-la-da and Reflections Of My Life. Left the band to pursue a career in artist management and has represented artists such as Lipps Inc, Mel & Kim, Modern Romance, Rikki Peebles, Amazula, and Belle Stars
July 24, 1947 ~ Rock drummer Chris Townson born in London, UK ~ Co-founding member of John's Children, named by the band's manager Simon Napier-Bell for their bass player John Hewlett so they wouldn't fire Hewlett. The band recorded one album, Orgasm, and earned a cult status for their wild stage antics. In fact, they were so wild they would be kicked off a tour opening for the Who, after their performance caused a riot in the crowd. Despite this incident, the Who would later call on Townson to fill in for an injured Keith Moon for four concerts. Following his tenure with John's Children, Townson played with several groups including Jook, Jet, and Radio Stars, before retiring from music altogether to pursue a career as an illustrator, and later social worker ~ Townson passed away in 2008
July 24, 1947 ~ Pop, rock, classical bassist Jan Hollestelle born in Den Helder, the Netherlands ~ Worked with the Torero's, Tower, Autopilot, Robinson Cruiser, Spin, Ekseption, the Cats, Margriet Eshuijs, Boudewijn de Groot, Nick Mackenzie, and others
July 24, 1947 ~ Classical pianist Peter Serkin, full name Peter Adolf Serkin, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Praised for his pristine playing and commitment to contemporary classical music. Has worked with renowned orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra under George Szell and the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy. Other notable credits include recording Johann Sebastian Bach's Goldberg Variations no less than five times, the first at age 18. Has worked with Claudio Abbado, James Levine, Yo-Yo Ma, Alexander Schneider, the Budapest Quartet, and others ~ Serkin passed away in 2020
July 24, 1946 ~ René Villard, commonly known as pop singer Hervé Vilard, born in Paris, France ~ Shot to fame with his 1965 debut single Capri C'Est Fini, an international hit which would sell 3 million copies. Would go on to record about a dozen albums, enjoying popularity both in his native France as well as Latin America singing in both French and Spanish. Well-known songs include Nous, Reviens, and Méduterranéenne
July 24, 1942 ~ Heinz Burt, mononymously known as bassist, singer Heinz, born in Detmold, Germany ~ Protégé of producer, engineer Joe Meek who would style his image. Member of the Tornados, known for their instrumental hit Telstar. As a solo artist best known for Just Like Eddie, a tribute to Heinz's biggest influence Eddie Cochran produced by Meek ~ Burt passed away in 2000
July 24, 1940 ~ Jazz saxophonist Kim Richmond born in Champaign, Illinois, USA ~ Played piano and clarinet before settling on the saxophone as his primary instrument. Active since the mid-1960s working with Stan Kenton, Louie Bellson, and Lalo Schifrin prior to venturing out on his own by the late-1980s. Richmond has recorded over half a dozen albums as a leader, noted specifically for Passages released in 1992. Closely associated with Bob Florence, with whom he recorded about a dozen albums since the early-1980s including Magic Time, State Of The Art, and Funupsmanship. An in-demand sideman in bop, post-bop, neo-bop, and pop, Richmond has appeared on albums by Clare Fischer, Buddy Greco, Pat Longo, Gordon Brisker, Osamu Kitajima, John Rapson, Carla Helmbrecht (One For My Baby), Dr John, John LaBarbera (On The Wild Side), Chris Walden (No Bounds), Gary Urwin (Kindred Spirits), Diana Krall (From This Moment On), Michael Bolton, and Neil Young (Storytone)
July 24, 1940 ~ R&B keyboardist, singer Rex Garvin born in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Although he had little commercial success at the time, Garvin is fondly remembered by soul aficionados for a number of 1960s singles including most notably Sock It To 'Em JB released in 1966, its title a nod to both James Brown and the then-popular James Bond film franchise. Other well known songs include Oh Yeah, Soul Food, I Gotta Go Now (Up On The Floor), and You Don't Need No Help (You Can Sock It To Yourself). Garvin is also known for writing Over The Mountain (Across The Sea), a 1957 hit for Johnnie & Joe, later covered by over a dozen artists including the Crew Cuts, the Orlons, and Bobby Vinton ~ Garvin passed away in 2013
July 24, 1939 ~ Jazz saxophonist Charles McPherson born in Joplin, Missouri, USA ~ Bebop torchbearer remaining relevant for five decades. Rose to fame backing bassist Charles Mingus, taking over for Eric Dolphy in the early-1960s and appearing on over a dozen albums since including the acclaimed Pithecanthropus Erectus, Mysterious Blues, and Reincarnation Of A Lovebird. McPherson has recorded some two dozen albums as a leader, noted specifically Be-Bop Revisited, Free Bop, and Come Play WIth Me. As a sideman, McPherson has appeared on albums by Eric Dolphy (Candid Dolphy), Art Farmer, Pat Bowie, Don Patterson, Barry Harris (Bull's Eye), Eddie Jefferson (Come Along With Me), Bobby Jones, Red Rodney, Charles Tolliver (Impact), Sam Jones, Kenny Drew, and Larry Vuckovich
July 24, 1935 ~ Max Duane Barnes, commonly known as country songwriter Max D Barnes, born in Hard Scratch, Iowa, USA ~ Noted songwriter who penned or co-penned songs for Conway Twitty (Red Necking Love Making Night), Delbert McClinton (Every Time I Roll The Dice), Keith Whitley (Ten Feet Away), Randy Travis (Storms Of Life, I Won't Need You Anymore (Always & Forever)), Vern Gosdin (Chiseled In Stone, If You're Gonna Do Me Wrong Do It Right), Pam Tillis (Don't Tell Me What To Do), Vince Gill (Look At Us), and Eddy Raven (Joe Knows How To Live) ~ Barnes passed away in 2004
July 24, 1922 ~ Operatic bass-baritone Bernard Ladysz born in Wilno, Poland ~ Member of the Polish resistance during World War II. Performed in the world premiere of The Devils Of Loudon with the Hamburg State Opera. Appeared alongside Maria Callas in a 1959 recording of Lucia Di Lammermoor conducted by Tullio Serafin. Played title roles in Don Giovanni and Boris Gudonov ~ Ladysz passed away in 2020
July 24, 1922 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Lawton Williams born in Troy, Tennessee, USA ~ Penned Fraulein, a hit for Bobby Helms in 1957. Also wrote Hank Locklin's Paper Face and Geisha Girl, Jim Reeves' Senor Santa Claus, Floyd Tillman's It Just Tears Me Up, and Bobby Bare's Shame On Me. As a singer known for just two charting singles, Anywhere There's People and Everything's OK On The LBJ ~ Williams passed away in 2007
July 24, 1921 ~ Pianist, composer Billy Taylor born in Greenville, North Carolina, USA ~ Recorded prolifically since the mid-1940s, especially acclaimed for the albums Cross Section, My Fair Lady Loves Jazz, and Live At Storyville. Taylor is also particularly well known as an educator, broadcaster, lecturer, and founder of the Jazz Foundation Of America, an organization dedicated to saving the homes of jazz and blues musicians. According to jazz critic Leonard Feather, Taylor is “almost indisputably the world's foremost spokesman for jazz.” ~ Taylor passed away in 2010
July 24, 1921 ~ Operatic tenor Giuseppe di Stefano born in Motta Sant' Anastasia, Italy ~ Dubbed “the Golden Voice” and generally regarded as one of the all-time greatest Italian singer active from the 1940s through the 1990s. Served as an inspiration and role model for Luciano Pavarotti. Frequent counterpart to Maria Callas, notably in 1950s recordings of operas such as Lucia Di Lammermoor, Tosca, Pagliacci, and Rigoletto ~ Di Stefano passed away in 2008
July 24, 1917 ~ Conductor, trumpeter, composer, arranger Robert Farnon born in Toronto, Canada ~ Revered by his peers. Influential on Quincy Jones. Called “the greatest writer for strings in the world” by André Previn. Arranged and conducted for artists such as Frank Sinatra (Frank Sinatra Sings Great Songs From Great Britain), Lena Horne (Lena (A New Album), Tony Bennett (Snowfall), and Sarah Vaughan (Vaughan With Voices). Composed scores for over 40 movies. ~ Farnon passed away in 2005
July 24, 1916 ~ Big band singer Bob Eberly born in Mechanicville, New York, USA ~ Best known for his work with Jimmy Dorsey including on classics such as It's The Dreamer In Me, and for his duets with Helen O'Connell such as Green Eyes and Tangerine. Other notable recordings include Besame Mucho with Kitty Kallen and Love Letters with Enoch Light's Orchestra. Eberly's brother Ray Eberly is also a singer, known for his work with Glenn Miller ~ Eberly passed away in 1981
July 24, 1911 ~ Saxophonist, songwriter Guy Wood born in Manchester, UK ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-writing Till Then with Eddie Seiler and Sol Marcus, a hit for the Mills Brothers and covered by numerous artists including Ray Peterson, Sammy Davis Jr, James Brown, Al Martino, Pat Boone, Ruby & the Romantics, Michael Bublé, and others ~ Wood passed away in 2001
July 24, 1909 ~ Swing, jazz trumpeter Joe Thomas, full name Joseph Lewis Thomas, born in Webster Groves, Missouri, USA ~ One of the most in-demand trumpeters of the 1930s and 1940s. Worked with Cecil Scott, Fletcher Henderson, Fats Waller, Benny Carter, Joe Sullivan, Teddy Wilson, Claude Hopkins, Buck Clayton, Vic Dickenson, Coleman Hawkins, Rex Stewart, and others ~ Thomas passed away in 1984
July 24, 1904 ~ Film composer Leo Arnaud born in Lyon, France ~ Best known for composing Bugler's Dream, used as theme music for the Olympic games by networls ABC and NBC starting in 1964. Has worked as a film composer, arranger, orchestrator for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer from 1936 through 1966 ~ Arnaud passed away in 1991
July 24, 1880 ~ Composer Ernest Bloch born in Geneva, Switzerland ~ Regarded as on the all-time greatest Swiss composers. Composed for orchestra, piano, strings, cello, flute, chamber music. Especially noted for his Concerto Grosso No.1 for string orchestra with piano premiered in 1925 ~ Bloch passed away in 1959