July 25, 1979 ~ Leonard Grant, commonly known a rapper Uncle Murda, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ First gained attention as featured vocalist on Brooklyn of Fabolous' 2007 From Nothin' To Somethin' album. Has also collaborated with French Montana, 50 Cent, Bobby Shmurda, Casanova, 6ix9ine, Statik Selektah, Memphis Bleek, Busta Rhymes, Lloyd Banks, Raekwon, Waka Flocka Flame, Styles P, Jadakiss, E-40, and others
July 25, 1974 ~ Electronic keyboardist, guitarist, bassist Daniel Hunt born in Liverpool, UK ~ Co-founding member, principal songwriter of electronic outfit Ladytron, earning a cult following by paying hommage to retro styles such as new wave and Krautrock. The band has recorded well over half a dozen albums, starting with the acclaimed 604 released in 2001. Hunt has also served as producer for artists such as Christina Aguilera, Marina Ribatski, and notably bandmate Helen Marnie, producing the latter's 2013 Crystal World solo debut album, and worked on a number of soundtracks
July 25, 1971 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Roger Creager born in Corpus Christi, Texas, USA ~ Aimed to become a country singer since age 6. Recorded over half a dozen albums, starting with Having Fun All Wrong released in 1998. Well-known songs include The Everclear Song, I Got The Guns, Long Way To Mexico, and I'm From The Beer Joint
July 25, 1968 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, soft rock, synth-pop, new wave singer, keyboardist, songwriter John Grant, full name Jon William Grant, born in Buchanan, Michigan, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer, primary songwriter of alternative rock outfit the Czars, with whom he recorded half a dozen albums including the critically acclaimed Before (But Longer) released in 2004. Following the band's disbandement in the mid-2000s Grant took a pause from music before releasing his Queen Of Denmark solo debut album in 2010
July 25, 1966 ~ Rock, alternative rock, punk rock bassist Maureen Herman born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Member of all-female rock trio Babes In Toyland with guitarist Kat Bjelland and drummer Lori Barbero, joining the band in 1992 replacing original bassist Michelle Leon. Present on the band's 1992 Fontanelle sophomore album and its 1995 follow-up and final album Nemesisters. Following the band's initial disbandement has worked as editor for Musician magazine, freelanced for Rolling Stone, and founded her own Pollyanna company focusing on music management, booking, promotion, publicity, and music publishing
July 25, 1963 ~ Emival Eterno da Costa, commonly known as sertanejo singer Leonardo, born in Goianápolis, Brazil ~ Formed the sibling duo Leandro & Leonardo with his brother Leonardo. Coming from a poor background the duo would relentlessly play bars while holding day jobs. After self-releasing their first two albums, the brothers would first gain attention with their 1989 Leandro & Leonardo Vol.3 album. By the early-1990s the brothers would have their own weekly TV show, aired nationally, and sell million of records. The siblings have sold over 17 million records, their 1990 Leandro & Leonardo Vol.3 album marked as the all-time best-selling Brazilian sertanejo album. Following Leandro's death of cancer at age 36, Leonardo continued to record as a solo artist starting with the album Tempo released in 1999
July 25, 1962 ~ Blues harpist, singer, guitarist Robert Lucas born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Played the blues harmonica backing artists such as Bernie Pearl, Big Joe Turner, George Harmonica Smith, Pee Wee Creighton, Lowell Fulson, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Percy Mayfield, and others. Founded Luke & the Locomotives. Fronted Canned Heat from the mid- to late-1990s ~ Lucas passed away in 2008
July 25, 1961 ~ Actress, singer Bobbi Eakes, full name Bobbie Diane Eakes, born in Warner Robins, Georgia, USA ~ Beauty queen, made the top 10 at the 1983 Miss America contest. Best known as a TV actress, notably starring in the soap operas The Bold & The Beautiful and All My Children. Sang with girl group Big Trouble, duetted with Jeff Trachta, guested on Collin Raye's 2000 single Tired Of Loving You and released a number of solo albums
July 25, 1958 ~ Thurston Joseph Moore, commonly known as alternative rock, noise rock, avant-rock, post-punk singer, guitarist, bassist, drummer, songwriter Thurston Moore, born in Coral Gabes, Florida, USA ~ Best known as core member of Sonic Youth, acclaimed for albums such as Daydream Nation and Goo. Has also worked with Chelsea Light Moving, Pvre Matrix, Twilight, Jim Sauter, Nels Cline, Don Fleming, Backbeat Band, Ciccone Youth, the Coachmen, the Dim Stars, Rodney & the Tube Tops, Wylde Ratttz, yokokimthurston, and others
July 25, 1954 ~ Rock guitarist, keyboardist Ken Greer, full name Kenneth William Greer, born ~ Co-founding member of Red Rider, later known as Tom Cochrane & Red Rider, known best for the Canadian top 10 single Big League of their 1988 Victory Day album. Has also worked with Big Faith, Hunter-Greer, Lawrence Gowan, and with country outfit the Road Hammers
July 25, 1951 ~ Bassist, songwriter Verdine White born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known as longtime bassist for Earth Wind & Fire. Influenced by Louis Satterfield, James Jamerson, Paul McCartney, and Gary Karr. Has also guested on records by Ramsey Lewis, Gene Harris, the Emotions, Deniece Williams, Jennifer Lopez, Solange, Flo Rida, Kelly Clarkson, and others
July 25, 1950 ~ Bassist Mark Clarke born in Liverpool, UK ~ Member of Colosseum in 1970 and 1971. Subsequently briefly a member of Uriah Heep, for whom he co-wrote The Wizard of the 1972 Demons & Wizards album. Recorded two studio albums with Tempest. Co-founded Natural Gas. Has also worked with Mountain, Ian Hunter, Torque, and with JCM
July 25, 1947 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Bob Franke, full name Robert James Franke, born in Hammtramck, Michigan, USA ~ Active since the late-1960s. Known for songs such as The Great Storm Is Over, Hard Love, and For Real. Had his songs covered by Kathy Mattea, June Tabor, Garnet Rogers, Claudia Schmidt, Tony Rice, John McCutcheon, and Peter Paul & Mary
July 25, 1946 ~ Percussionist José Areas, full name José Octavio Areas Davila, born in Leon, Nicaragua ~ Best known as timbales and conga drums player for Santana from 1969 through 1977. Present on the band's most acclaimed albums including 1969's Santana, 1970's Abraxas and 1977's Moonflower. Released a sole solo album, José Chepito Areas, in 1974. Also backed John Lee Hooker on the 1989 The Healer album
July 25, 1946 ~ Alpharita Constantia Anderson, commonly known as singer Rita Marley born in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba ~ Widow of Bob Marley. Member of the Soulettes, which also included Constantine Walker and Marlene Gifford. Backup singer in the Wailers. Post-Wailers Rita would team up with fellow Wailers singers Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt as vocal group the I-Threes
July 25, 1945 ~ Rock trumpeter, pianist Jim Price, full name James William Price, born in Fort Worth, Texas, USA ~ Toured with the Rolling Stones and appeared on albums such as Sticky Fingers, Exile On Main St and Goat's Head Soup. As a session musician has also worked with acts such as Delaney & Bonnie (Accept No Substitute), Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Joe Cocker (Mad Dogs & Englishmen), Barbra Streisand, and others. Has also recorded as a solo artist, served as a producer for Wayne Shorter, Jennifer Warnes, David Bromberg and others, and orchestrated, conducted, composed for film and TV
July 25, 1942 ~ Guitarist, songwriter, arranger Bruce Woodley born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Founding member and main songwriter of the Seekers teaming up with former schoolmates Athol Guy and Keith Potger. As a songwriter Woodley had his songs recorded by artists such as the Strangers (Lady Scorpio), Zoot (Monty And Me), Hans Poulsen (Boom Sha-la-la-lo), Cyrkle (Red Rubber Ball), Simon & Garfunkel (Cloudy), and Herman's Hermits (Rattler)
July 25, 1941 ~ Manuel Charlton, commonly known as guitarist, singer Manny Charlton, born in Linea de la Concepion, Spain ~ Founding member, lead guitarist of Nazareth remaining with the band through 1990. Initially hired by Guns 'n Roses to produce what would become their Appetite For Destruction debut album, yet after commitments called Charlton back to the UK the band would hire Mike Clink to produce the final cut. Has released over a dozen solo albums, starting with 2004's Say The Word, and collaborated with Neil Miller, From Behind, Tim Bogert, Walfredo Reyes Jr, Steven Adler, Vivian Campbell, and Robyn Delarenzo ~ Charlton passed away in 2022
July 25, 1938 ~ Jazz bassist Günter Lenz born in Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany ~ Played the guitar before taking up the bass. First gained attention in the early-1960s backing Albert Mangelsdorff. Would go on to work with Krzysztof Komeda, notably on the 1965 Astigmatic album, Barney Wilen, George Russell, Leon Thomas, Kurt Edelhagen, Peter Herbolzheimer, Chet Baker, Coleman Hawkins, Oliver Nelson, and Benny Bailey. Lenz is perhaps best known as a member of the HR Jazz Ensemble, and as a founder of 1970s jazz-fusion group Springtime. In the 2000s, Lenz served as bass professor at the Musikhochschule Stuttgart, Germany
July 25, 1934 ~ Trumpeter, drummer Don Ellis, full name Donald Johnson Ellis, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Tommy Dorsey, Louis Armstrong, and Dizzy Gillespie. Well over two dozen albums to his name as a leader, including the soundtracks to The French Connection and Ruby. Ellis first gained attention in the early-1960s New York avant-garde jazz scene, appearing on albums by Charles Mingus, Eric Dolphy, and George Russell, and leading sessions with sidemen such as Jaki Byard, Ron Carter, and Steve Swallow. Ellis would go on to work with several Third Stream projects, merging jazz and classical, and later still explore Eastern music, notably founding the Hindustani Jazz Sextet, considered the first band of its kind in America. To rock audiences, Ellis is perhaps best known for playing the trumpet on Brown Shoes Don't Make It on Frank Zappa's 1967 Absolutely Free album, and for opening for the likes of the Grateful Dead in the early-1970s. Ellis has a strong influence on those with whom he worked, many of his sidemen later becoming stars in their own right. Saxophonist Jim Snodgrass once remarked: “I think in many ways Don was a teacher. One thing his music taught me that I could play anything I absolutely had to” ~ Ellis passed away in 1978
July 25, 1930 ~ Annabelle McCauley Allan Short, commonly known as singer, actress Annie Ross, born in Mitcham, UK ~ At age 14, Ross won a songwriting contest with her composition Let's Fly, the song would be recorded by Johnny Mercer. She would go on to form the vocal jazz trio Lambert Hendricks & Ross with Dave Lambert and Jon Hendricks, with whom she recorded half a dozen albums through the early-1960s. Pianist Count Basie was so impressed with the trio's 1957 Sing A Song Of Basie debut album, featuring vocal renditions of Basie standards, that he happily joined them for their Sing Along With Basie sophomore album released the next year. The trio would be voted Best Vocal Group by readers of Down Beat for four consecutive years, starting in 1959, and are especially acclaimed for their 1961 High Flying With Lambert Hendricks & Ross album, which earned them a Grammy Award for Best Performance by a Vocal Group. After Ross's departure in 1962, the two remaining members would seek a replacement in Yolande Bavan, renaming themselves to Lambert Hendricks & Bavan. Any hopes of a reunion of the original trio ended with Lambert's death in a road accident in 1966 ~ Short passed away in 2020
July 25, 1925 ~ William Benjamin Jr, commonly known as R&B, jazz drummer Benny Benjamin, also known as Papa Zita, born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Influenced by Buddy Rich and Tito Puente. First drummer of Motown house band the Funk Brothers, appearing on tracks by Barrett Strong, the Miracles (Going To A Go-Go), the Contours, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder (Uptight (Everything's Alright)), and Gladys Knight & the Pips. Towards the end of the 1960s, Benjamin would increasingly struggle with drugs and alcohol addiction, which seriously hindered his career. Benjamin died following a stroke at age 43 ~ Benjamin passed away in 1969
July 25, 1907 ~ Saxophonist Johnny Hodges born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA ~ Alongside Benny Carter considered one of the definitive alto sax players of the big band era. Started playing with artists such as Lloyd Scott, Sidney Bechet, Luckey Roberts, Chick Webb. Joined Duke Ellington on the recommendation of Ellington's clarinetist Barney Bigard. Hodges would become one of the most prominent players in Duke's ensemble. With the exception of the period 1951 through 1955, when he led his own band, Hodges played with Ellington from 1928 to his death in 1970. Signature pieces would include Confab With Rab, Jeep's Blues and Hodge Podge. Hodges's death prompted Ellington to remark the band “would never sound the same.” ~ Hodges passed away in 1970
July 25, 1897 ~ Blues guitarist, country blues pioneer Sylvester Weaver born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Country blues pioneer. Backed Sara Martin on early-1920s recordings such as Longing For Daddy Blues and I've Gotta Leave My Daddy Behind. Also worked with Walter Beasley, and Helen Humes ~ Weaver passed away in 1960
July 25, 1895 ~ Jazz clarinetist, violinist Darnell Howard born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Regarded as a skilled soloist, influenced by Jimmie Noone, Howard has enjoyed a lengthy career as a sideman and occasional leader starting in his mid-teens. Played the violin, notably backing WC Handy, before taking up the reeds. Howard would go on to work with Charlie Elgar, King Oliver, Erskine Tate, Fletcher Henderson, Coleman Hawkins, Kid Ory, Muggsy Spanier, Bob Scobey, Don Ewell, Elmer Snowden, and Burt Bales. Howard is perhaps best known for his stint with Earl Hines for most of the 1930s, including notably playing the violin on the 1933 Cavernism recording ~ Howard passed away in 1966
July 25, 1894 ~ Singer, actor Walter Brennan, full name Walter Andrew Brennan, born in Lynn, Massachusetts, USA ~ As a singer best known for a number of early-1960s singles, notably Dutchman's Gold, Old Rivers, Mama Sang A Song. Best known as an actor, won an Academy Award thrice for his roles in Come & Get It, Kentucky and The Westerner ~ Brennan passed away in 1974
July 25, 1894 ~ Yvonne Wigniolle, commonly known as singer, actress Yvonne Printemps born in Ermont, France ~ Operette, stage, screen singer and actress renowned internationally in the early 20th century, known for her warm singing and personal charm. Performed on stages in Paris, London's West End and New York's Broadway ~ Wigniolle passed away in 1977