July 26, 1993 ~ Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr, commonly known as hip-hop, grime, R&B rapper, singer, songwriter Stormzy, born in Croydon, UK ~ Released his full-length Gang Signs & Prayer debut album to critical acclaim and commercial success, spawning the UK top 10 singles Big For Your Boots and Blinded By Your Grace Pt.2 featuring MNEK. Other well known songs include Vossi Bop, Own It featuring Ed Sheeran & Burna Boy and Audacity featuring Headie One
July 26, 1989 ~ Singer, pianist, dancer Travis Garland born ~ Member of boy band NLT. The band is known for a number of singles, notably the Timbaland-produced She Said I Said (Time We Let Go). A full-length Not Like Them album was scheduled, pushed back, and eventually cancelled altogether as the band lacked success and disbanded by the late 2000s. Garland would release his eponymous Travis Garland solo debut album in 2013
July 26, 1985 ~ Leslie Jonathan Mampe Jr, commonly known as hip hop, crunk, trap rapper Da LES, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Ushered in a new fun era of rap in South Africa, characterized by his cool kid demeanor and college swag aesthetic. Member of Jozi. Best known for his 2013 solo single Heaven featuring AKA and Maggz
July 26, 1984 ~ Folk pop, indie rock singer, songwriter Alex Parks, full name Alexandra Rebecca Parks, born ~ First gained attention in 2003 winnning the talent show Fame Academy. Subsequently released her Introduction album, which reached double platinum in the UK and spawned the hit singles Maybe That's What It Takes and Cry
July 26, 1984 ~ Arthur Eversole, commonly known as hip-hop, crunk rapper, songwriter Archie Eversole, born in West Germany ~ Best known for his 2002 single We Ready taken of his lone solo album Ride Wit Me Dirty South Style. Though only a minor hit the single would be adopted as an anthem by the Kansas City Royals. Eversole was found suffering from gunshot wounds at a gas station, later dying from his injuries. His brother, Alexander Kraus, was arrested and charged with his murder ~ Eversole passed away in 2022
July 26, 1980 ~ Alternative rock, punk rock, hardcore, skate punk, heavy metal guitarist, singer Dave Baksh, full name David Nizam Baksh, born in Ajax, Canada ~ Best known as lead guitarist for rock outfit Sum 41, departing the band in 2006 to form Brown Brigade. Baksh has also worked with Organ Thieves, and Black Cat Attack
July 26, 1979 ~ Autistic savant, musical prodigy, pianist, keyboardist Derek Paravicini born in Reading, UK ~ Child prodigy. Has perfect pitch and can play any piece of music after hearing it only once. Gave his first mahor public performance at age 9, playing with the Royal Philharmonic Pops Orchestra at the Barbican Hall, London. Released his Echoes Of The Sounds album in 2006. Subject of various documentaries and TV shows, including an episode of Channel 5's Extraordinary People dubbing him “the Musical Genius”
July 26, 1972 ~ Music journalist Neil Kulkarni born in Coventry, UK ~ Following his tenure as a staff writer for Melody Maker from 1993 through 2000, Kulkarni freelanced for publications such as Uncut, Vox, Spin, The Guardian, The Quietus, and DJ Magazine. Kulkarni has also authored several books, starting with Hip Hop Bring The Noise (The Stories Behind The Biggest Songs) published in 2004. Kulkarni focused primarily on hip hop and metal. Upon hearing of his death at age 51, Clash Magazine called him “one of the sharpest pens of his generation” ~ Kulkarni passed away in 2024
July 26, 1970 ~ Singer, violinist, guitarist, bassist, pianist, songwriter Joan Wasser born in Biddeford, Maine, USA ~ Worked with the Dambuilder, Black Beetle, Antony & the Johnsons, and Those Bastard Souls prior to venturing out on her own. Has released over half a dozen albums as a solo artist merging classic soul with experimental influences, usually going by the moniker Joan as Police Woman, starting with Real Life released in 2006. In-demand sidewoman, present on albums by Guillemots, Paul Englishby, Placebo (MTV Unplugged), Gorillaz, and Eliades Ochoa
July 26, 1970 ~ Fernando Corona, commonly known as electronica, ambient, conntemporary classical composer, pianist, cellist, keyboardist Murcof, born in Tijuana, Mexico ~ Draws from classical, ambient, minimalism, drone, and experimental. Has recorded over half a dozen albums since the early 2000s, especially acclaimed for his 2004 Utopia album. Has collaborated with Erik Truffaz, Vanessa Wagner, Jean-Michel Jarre, and the Nortec Collective
July 26, 1965 ~ Singer, songwriter Fay Victor born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Originally a jazz singer, Victor has also worked in blues, opera, free improvisins, avant-garde, and modern classical music. Has worked with Randy Weston, Roswell Rudd, Anthony Braxton, Misha Mengelberg, Vijay Iyer, Tyshawn Sorey, Wadada Leo Smith, Nicole Mitchell, Marc Ribot, Martine Syms, Daniel Carter, William Parker, Darius Jones, Wolter Wierbos, Ab Baars, Joe Morris, Sam Newsome, Reggie Nicholson, and others
July 26, 1961 ~ Keiko Doi, commonly known as smooth jazz, new age keyboardist, composer Keiko Matsui, born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Member of Cosmos. Some two dozen albums to her name as a solo artist starting with A Drop Of Water released in 1987. Has also worked with Kazu Matsui, Mariko Tone, Akira Asakura, Bob James, Jason Miles, and others
July 26, 1959 ~ Steven Murphy, commonly known as singer, bassist, actor, poet Steve Evets, born in Salford, UK ~ Member of the Fall, initially reciting his poetry at some of the band's gigs becoming a full-fledged member in 2000 taking over bass duties from Jim Watts. After his departure in 2002 formed his own Dr Freak's Padded Cell. As an actor noted for his roles in the 20008 film Summer and Looking For Eric the next year
July 26, 1956 ~ Country producer Scott Hendricks born in Clinton, Oklahoma, USA ~ Has produced artists such as Restless Heart, John Michael Montgomery, Brooks & Dunn, Trace Adkins, Alan Jackson, Faith Hill, Blake Shelton, Jana Kramer, Dan & Shay, Michael Ray, William Michael Morgan, Tegan Marie, and others
July 26, 1956 ~ Jazz rock guitarist Wayne Krantz born in Corvallis, Oregon, USA ~ Over half a dozen albums to his name since the early 1990s, especially acclaimed for 2 Drink Minimum recorded live at 55 Bar featuring backing from bassist Lincoln Goines and drummer Zach Danziger. Frequent collaborator of Leni Stern. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Victor Bailey, Michael Formanek (Wide Open Spaces), Harvie Swartz, Jasper van 't Hof, Steps Ahead, Nguyên Lê, Victor Bailey, David Binney, Donald Fagen (Morph The Cat), and Chris Potter
July 26, 1955 ~ Contemporary Christian singer Michele Pillar, full name Michele Diane Pillar, born ~ Recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist since the early 1980s. Best known for the moderate hit single What A Wonder, a collaborative effort with Phil Keaggy. Has also worked with Larry Carlton, the Maranatha Singers, and 4play
July 26, 1955 ~ Punk, rock, alternative rock singer, songwriter Ron Peno, full name Ronald Stephen Valentino Peno, born in Gosford, Australia ~ Member of a number of short-lived punk groups through the early 1980s including the Hellcats, the 31st, and the Screaming Tribesmen. Best known as lead singer, constant member of Died Pretty, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with Free Dirt released in 1986. The band is perhaps best known for the single Harness Up which reached top 40 in their native Australia in 1993 ~ Peno passed away in 2023
July 26, 1952 ~ Guitarist Bob Bongo Starkie born ~ Member of Skyhooks from 1973 through 1980 and rejoining on occasion in later years. The band is best known for a string of mid-1970s Australian hits including Horror Movie, Ego Is Not A Dirty Word, All My Friends Are Getting Married, Million Dollar Riff, Blue Jeans and Women In Uniform
July 26, 1949 ~ Soukous guitarist Bopol Mansiamina born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic Of Congo ~ Actively recording since the late 1960s. Best known internationally for his work in the 1980s and early 1990s, both as a solo artist and as member of supergroup Les Quatre Etoiles. Has also worked with the Orchestre Bamboula, the Orchestre Rock-a-mambo, Nico Kasanda's African Fiesta Sukisa, the Orchestre Continental, Afrisa, TPOK Jazz, Ya Toupas, the African All-Stars, and others ~ Mansiamina passed away in 2021
July 26, 1949 ~ Jazz saxophonist Larry Schneider born in Long Island, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Billy Cobham, Horace Silver, Jim McNeely, Mike Richmond, Bill Evans, Hein van de Geyn, John Abercrombie, François Jeanneau, the Orchestra National de Jazz, Marc Ducret, Francois Mechali, Alain Soler, André Jaume, Eric Barrett, Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Jody Watley, Chris Potter, and others
July 26, 1949 ~ Drummer, guitarist Roger Taylor, full name Roger Meddows Taylor, born in Kingslynn, UK ~ Best known as core member of Queen. Co-wrote songs such as These Are The Days Of Our Lives, Innuendo, Under Pressure, Radio Ga Ga, The Invisible Man, One Vision. Has also worked with Eric Clapton, Roger Waters, Roger Daltrey, Robert Plant, Phil Collins, Kansas, Elton John, Gary Numan, Shakin' Stevens, the Foo Fighters, Steve Vai, Cyndi Almouzni, Bon Jovi. Has served as producer for Virginia Wolf, Jimmy Nail, Magnum. Also recorded as a solo artist, starting with 1977's Fun In Space
July 26, 1948 ~ Blues rock, jazz rock, rock guitarist Lubos Andrst born in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Influential guitarist best known as key figure in the 1990s, 2000s Czech blues, electric blues and blues-rock scenes. Has also played jazz, acoustic jazz, jazz fusion dating back to the 1960s as a member of acts such as Framus Five, Jazz Q and Energit. Also collaborated with Emil Viklický, Marta Kubisová, Collegium Musicum (Divergencie), Jan Hruby, Michal Prokop, and others ~ Andrst passed away in 2021
July 26, 1947 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Al Anderson, full name Alan Gordon Anderson, born in Windsor, Connecticut, USA ~ Fronted Wildweeds, known for No Good To Cry. Lead guitarist of NRBQ. In-demand songwriter who wrote for artists such as Carlene Carter, Alabama, Vince Gill, Diamond Rio, Tim McGraw (The Cowboy In Me), Linda Davis, Jimmy Buffett (License To hill), Joe Diffie, Ty England, the Farm, Hot Apple Pie, Hal Ketchum, Patty Loveless, the Mavericks, Delbert McClinton, the Oak Ridge Boys, LeAnn Rimes, Bonnie Raitt, LeAnn Rimes, and Lari White
July 26, 1944 ~ Betty Mabry, commonly known as funk, R&B, soul, rock singer, songwriter Betty Davis, born in Durham, North Carolina, USA ~ Recognised as one of the most influential voices in funk. Raised on BB King, Jimmy Reed, Elmore James. Befriended Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone. Married to Miles Davis from 1967 to 1969. Briefly dated Eric Clapton but refused to collaborate with him because his work was too banal ~ Mabry passed away in 2022
July 26, 1943 ~ Andrea Marie Truder, commoly known as singer Andrea True, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for her 1976 disco hit More More More (Part 1). Other notable songs include NY (You Got Me Dancing) and What's Your Name (What's Your Number). Truder worked an adult film actress before turning to singing ~ Truder passed away in 2011
July 26, 1943 ~ Singer Mick Jagger born in Dartford, UK ~ Quintessential rock & roll frontman, co-founded the Rolling Stones with classmate Keith Richards. Ventured into acting, starting with 1970's Performance and Ned Kelly. Member of Superheavy
July 26, 1941 ~ Darlene Wright, commonly known as singer, actress Darlene Love born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of the Blossoms. Closely associated with producer Phil Spector, Love sang backup for many 1950s and 1960s artists including Sam Cooke, Dionne Warwick, Bill Medley, the Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, the Ronettes, Bobby Pickett, Frank Sinatra, the Crystals, and Sonny & Cher
July 26, 1941 ~ Bradford Steven Ellington, commonly known as jazz drummer Steve Ellington born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Picked up drums at 4, played with Ray Charles at 9. Continue on to play with Charles Brown, George Adams, Duke Pearson, Sam Rivers, June Christy, Joe Castro, Hampton Hawes, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Jackie McLean, Chet Baker, Stanley Turrentine, Mose Allison, Woody Shaw, Walter Davis Jr, Wilbur Ware, C-Sharpe, Billy Eckstine, Brick Jazz Funk Fusion, Art Farmer, Freddy Cole, Freddie Hubbard, Ike Isaacs, Maxine Sullivan, Harry Sweets Edison, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Dan Wall, Sonny Stitt, Dave Holland, Michel Petrucciani, Hal Galper, Steve Grossman, James Moody, Johnny Griffin, and others ~ Ellington passed away in 2013
July 26, 1940 ~ Apostolos Voskopoulos, commonly known as laika singer, songwriter, actor Tolis Voskopoulos, born in Kokkinia, Greece ~ Considered one of the legends of modern Greek music with over 40 albums to his name. Known for songs such as My Lonely Heart, I Drink To Her Health, I'm Beginning To Suspect and Out Of The Question ~ Voskopoulos passed away in 2021
July 26, 1939 ~ Blues drummer, singer Casey Jones born in Nitta Yuma, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known for his association with Albert Collins, appearing on albums such as Ice Pickin' and Frostbite, and Johnny Winter, backing Winter on albums such as Guitar Slinger and Serious Business. Has also recorded as a solo artist, acclaimed for his 1995 I-94 (On My Way To Chicago) album, and backed artists such as Earl Hooker, AC Reed, McKinley Mitchell, Muddy Waters, Lou Rawls, Otis Rush, and Lonnie Brooks ~ Jones passed away in 2017
July 26, 1938 ~ Robert Von Hebb, singer, commonly known as Bobby Hebb, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best remembered for his 1966 hit Sunny. Other notable songs include A Satisfied Mind and Love Me. Started working professionally with country artists such as Roy Acuff, and sang backup on Bo Diddley's Diddley Daddley, and replaced Mickey Baker in Mickey & Sylvia ~ Hebb passed away in 2010
July 26, 1938 ~ Joanne Grogan, commonly known as jazz pianist Joanne Brackeen, born in Ventura, California, USA ~ Leader and sidewoman. Influenced by Frankie Carle and Charlie Parker. Has played with Dexter Gordon, Teddy Edwards, Charles Brackeen, Chick Corea, Freddie McCoy, Ornette Coleman, Clint Houston, Eddie Gomez, John Patitucci, Jack DeJohnette, Cecil McBee, Billy Hart, Art Blakey, Stan Getz, Buddy Terry, Freddie Hubbard, and others
July 26, 1937 ~ Don Roscoe Joseph III, commonly known as pianist Rocky Frisco, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Best known as longtime pianist for JJ Cale. Also worked with Steve Pryor, the Empty Pockets, Brad Absher, Larry Spears, Susan Herndon, Lata Gouveia, Dustin Pittsley, Jesse Aycock, Rodney Lay, Widespread Panic, Dennis Crouch, Snuggle Naked, Tex Waggoner, and others ~ Joseph passed away in 2015
July 26, 1934 ~ Ioannes Spanos, commonly known as pianist, songwriter Giannis Spanos, born in Kiato, Greece ~ Scored the soundtrack to the 1971 Ekeino To Kalokain feature film. Served as pianist for the like of Serge Gainsbourg, Béatrice Arnac, and Juliette Gréco. As a songwriter had his compositions recorded by the likes of Keti Chomata, Giannist Poulopoulos, and Dimitris Mitropanos ~ Spanos passed away in 2019
July 26, 1933 ~ Victor Guillermo Toro, commonly known as guitarist, cuatro player Yomo Toro, born in Guanica, Puerto Rico ~ Known as “the King of the Cuatro” with a career spanning six decades starting in the 1940s. The cuatro is a stringed instrument of the guitar family, larger than a mandolin and containg ten strings which generate complex tones and multiple harmonic series. Toro is firmly grounded in traditional Puerto Rican and Mexican music, specifically jibaro, has recorded prolifically as a solo artist and is an in-demand sideman for a wide array of artists. Notable associations include Arsenío Rodriguez, Willie Colón, Héctor Lavoe, Rubén Blades, Harry Belafonte, Paul Simon, Linda Ronstadt, David Byrne, and the Fania All-Stars ~ Toro passed away in 2012
July 26, 1931 ~ Label executive, producer, songwriter Fred Foster, full name Fred Luther Foster, born in Rutherford County, North Carolina, USA ~ Best known for co-penning Me & Bobby McGee with Kris Kristofferson, originally recorded by Roger Miller. The song would be covered by well over 200 artists, notably recorded by Janis Joplin mere days before her death and posthumously becoming her sole Billboard Hot 100 charttopper. Foster is also known as co-founder of Monument record label. As a label executive and producer he was helpful in advancing the careers of acts such as Kristofferson, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Billy Joe Shaver, Tony Joe White, the Gatlin Brothers, and others ~ Foster passed away in 2019
July 26, 1929 ~ Jazz drummer Charlie Persip born in Morristown, New Jersey, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Founded the Jazz Statesmen with Roland Alexander, Freddie Hubbard, and Ron Carter in 1960. Also leads Supersound. Worked with Tadd Dameron, Dizzy Gillespie, Harry Sweets Edison, Harry James, Lee Morgan, Dinah Washington, Melba Liston, Kenny Dorham, Zoot Sims, Red Garland, Gil Evans, Don Ellis, Eric Dolphy, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Gene Ammons, Sonny Rollins, Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Louis Jordan, Ernestine Anderson, Art Farmer, Randy Weston, Erroll Garner, Buddy Emmons, Slide Hampton, Pony Poindexter, Benny Golson, Sonny Stitt, and others
July 26, 1928 ~ Joseph Walter Jackson, commonly known as talent manager Joe Jackson, born in Fountain Hill, Arkansas, USA ~ Talent manager and patriarch of the Jackson family, which includes Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson. Manager for most Jackson-acts including the Jackson 5 and the Jacksons ~ Jackson passed away in 2018
July 26, 1928 ~ Contemporary classical composer Tadeusz Baird born in Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Poland ~ Critically regarded as successor to Alban Berg, Gustav Mahler, and Karol Szymanowski. Deported to Germany as a forced laborer at age 16, imprisoned in a concentration camp by the Nazi regime after a failed escape. After returning to his native Poland would found Group 49 with Kazimierz Serocki and Jan Krenz, a trio known for their socialist realism. Would turn to serialism in the 1950s. Composed symphonies, chamber music, for film and theatre, yet best known known for his numerous vocal cycles inspired by poetry ~ Baird passed away in 1981
July 26, 1917 ~ Roberta Louise Osborn, commonly known as singer Alberta Adams, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Half of Bluezettes, the other half being Chubby Newsom. Also worked with artists such as Duke Ellington, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Louis Jordan, Lionel Hampton, T-Bone Walker, Tiny Bradshaw, and Johnnie Bassett ~ Osborn passed away in 2014
July 26, 1914 ~ Trumpeter, bandleader Erskine Hawkins born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Vocalists who have sung with Hawkins' orchestra include Ida James, Delores Brown, and Della Reese. Best remembered as co-author of Tuxedo Junction, which would become a standard. Also known for songs such as Dolemite, Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams, and Bicycle Bounce ~ Hawkins passed away in 1993
July 26, 1903 ~ Composer, conductor Donald Voorhees born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Known for his early work for radio and TV, earning an Emmy Award-nomination for his work on the TV series the Bell Telephone Hour. Musical director of the radio and TV show Cavalcade Of America. Conductor and director of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra from 1951 through 1983 ~ Voorhees passed away in 1989
July 26, 1886 ~ Violet Mary Tipton, commonly known as singer, actress Violet Loraine, born in London, UK ~ Rose to fame portraying the female lead role of Emma in the 1916 musical revue The Bing Boys Are Here opposite George Robey. The pair's duet hit If You Were The Only Girl (In The World) would become a signature song of the era and over time endure as a pop standard ~ Tipton passed away in 1956
July 26, 1782 ~ Pianist, composer John Field born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Best known as inventor of the nocturne, a musical composition inspired by, or evocative of, the night. Admired by peers. Influenced many major composers including Frédéric Chopin, Johannes Brahms, Robert Schumann, and Franz Liszt ~ Field passed away in 1837