July 8, 1992 ~ Synth-pop, indie pop, dance-pop singer, songwriter, model, actress Sky Ferreira, full name Sky Tonia Ferreira, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Released her Night Time My Time debut album in 2013. Best known for songs such as One and Obsession. Has collaborated with Primal Scream, the Virgins, the Bloody Beetroots, G-Dragon, Ariel Pink, the Jesus & Mary Chain, Beck, Jon Brion, Shirley Manson, and others
July 8, 1984 ~ Jazz double bassist Jo Skaansar born in Oslo, Norway ~ Leader and sideman. Released his Den Blåaste Natt debut album in 2010 featuring backing from Ine Hoem, Espen Berg, Hayden Powell. Has also worked with Ole Børud, Haakon Ellingsen, Morten Reppesgard, Espen Rudd, Lady Hardanger, the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, Melanie Scholtz, and others
July 8, 1980 ~ Jazz drummer, bandleader, composer Kendrick Scott born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Has worked with the Jazz Crusaders, Pat Metheny, Joe Lovano, Kenny Garrett, Dianne Reeves, Lizz Wright, Gretchen Parlato, Terence Blanchard, Aaron Parks, Rober Glasper, Charles Lloyd, Reuben Rogers, Mike Moreno, Romain Collin, and others
July 8, 1980 ~ Drummer, composer Tyshawn Sorey born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Has worked with artists such as Wadada Leo Smith, Steve Coleman, Anthony Braxton, John Zorn, Steve Lehman, Joey Baron, Muhal Richard Abrams, Pete Robbins, Cory Smythe, Kris Davis, Vijay Iyer, Dave Douglas, Butch Morris, Sylvie Courvoisier, Armen Donelian, Ingrid Laubrock, Roscoe Mitchell, Craig Taborn, and others
July 8, 1975 ~ Guitarist Elias Viljanen, full name Elias Einari Johannes Viljanen, born in Finland ~ Cites Kiss, Metallica, Slayer and Whitesnake as main influences. Best known as member of Sonata Arctica, joining the band in 2007 as replacement for Jani Liimatainen. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with 2002's Taking The Lead album, and has worked with Arched, the Mess, Black Bay, the Twilight Lamp and with Depravity
July 8, 1974 ~ Gordana Trzan, commonly known as pop, dance-pop singer, actress, TV personality Goca Trzan, born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia ~ Rose to fame as member of 1990s dance-pop outfit Tap 011 with whom she recorded four albums. Released her U Niskom Letu solo debut album in 1999. Trzan is also known as an actress for film and TV
July 8, 1973 ~ Upright bassist, composer Magne Thormodsæter born in Bergen, Norway ~ Worked with Terje Rypdal, Stale Storløkken, Paolo Vinaccia, Karin Krog, John Surman, the Bergen Big Band, Helén Eriksen, the Qvales Ensemble, Vamp, Nathalie Nordnes, Anne Gravir Klykken, and others
July 8, 1970 ~ Bek David Campbell, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Beck born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Sonf of conductor, arranger David Campbell. Rose to fame in 1990s with a unique variation of hip-hop and folk-influenced lo-fi drawing from numerous other styles including funk, soul, alternative rock, country and psychedelia. Best known for critically acclaimed albums such as Mellow Gold which contained the breakthrough hit Loser, and Odelay, Midnite Vultures, and Sea Change
July 8, 1970 ~ Death metal singer George Corpsegrinder Fisher born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Lead singer of several well known metal bands, namely Cannibal Corpse, Paths Of Possession and metal supergroup Serpentine Dominion. Known for the size of his neck which Fisher himself explains is due to a combination of headbanging and weightlifting. Has also worked with Monstrosity, Suffocation, Suicide Silence, the Voodoo Gods, Dethklok, Igorrr, and others
July 8, 1970 ~ Nicole Gilbert, commonly known as R&B, gospel, soul singer Nicci GIlbert, born in Detroit, Michigan, Michigan, USA ~ Lead singer of R&B girl group Brownstone, known for their 1995 hit If You Love Me. Following the disbandement of the group in 1997 Gilbert would venture into acting. Gilbert released a solo album, Grown Folks Music, in 2005
July 8, 1969 ~ Yune Sugihara, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer, actor, writer, activist Sugizo, born in Hadano, Japan ~ Lead guitarist, violinist of rock band Luna Sea since 1989. Over half a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, starting with Truth released in 1997 and known best for the single Lucifer. Soundtrack composer. Has also worked with acts such as Juno Reactor, the Japanese supergroup SKIN, X-Japan, Shag and with STK. Also known for his political views and his anti-war, anti-nuclear and environmental activism
July 8, 1967 ~ Jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist, drummer Stephane Belmondo born in Hyeres, France ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with René Urtreger, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Pierre Michelot, Al Levitt, Laurent Cugny, Kirk Lightsey, Pierre Boussaguet, Jacky Terrasson, Tom Harrell, Michel Legrand, Stéphane Grappelli, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Al Foster, Mark Turner, Lew Tabackin, Donald Brown, Franck Amsallem, Jean-Louis Rassinfosse, Philip Catherine, Yusef Lateef, Milton Nascimento, Yael Naïm, Aldo Romano, Avishai Cohen, Francois Theberge, Valery Graschaire, Eric Legnini, Sophie Alour, Nu Tropic, Kayna Samet, Claude Nougaro, Jean-Louis Murat, André Ceccarelli, Frederic Galliano, Jean-Michel Pilc, Elisabeth Kontomanou, Alain Bashung, Peter Kingsbery, and others
July 8, 1964 ~ Reginald Joseph Ossé, commonly known as hip-hop music attorney, executive, journalist, author Combat Jack, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Legal intern for Def Jam Recordings. Would go on to become a music attorney, representing artists such as Jay-Z, Damon Dash, Clark Kent, Nice & Smooth, Ski Beatz, and others. Authored Bling (The Hip-Hop Jewellry Book), published in 2006, about hip-hop's fascination with jewellry. Turned podcast pioneer hosting the Combat Jack Show from the early-2010s forward ~ Ossé passed away in 2017
July 8, 1962 ~ Rock, folk, pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Joan Osborne, full name Joan Elizabeth Osborne, born in Anchorage, Kentucky, USA ~ Active since the late-1980s, performing extensively at open mic nights and touring smaller venues slowly building a devoted following. Broke through with her 1995 Relish album which included the hit single One Of Us penned and originally recorded by Eric Bazilian. Would go on to record to critical acclaim drawing from a wide variety of genres including blues, folk, rock, country and R&B. Member of Trigger Hippy from 2014 through 2018
July 8, 1961 ~ Keyboardist, bassist Andy Fletcher, full name Andrew John Leonard Fletcher, born in Nottingham, UK ~ Co-founded Composition Of Sound with Martin Gore and Vince Clarke. After the addition of David Gahan the band would be renamed to Depeche Mode, releasing their Speak & Spell debut album in 1981. The band would go on to become one of the leading and most certainly longest-running acts in synth-pop, new wave, dance-rock, and score hits such as Just Can't Get Enough, Everything Counts, People Are People, Personal Jesus, Enjoy The Silence and Condemnation ~ Fletcher passed away in 2022
July 8, 1961 ~ Toby Keith Covel, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, actor Toby Keith, born in Clinton, Oklahoma, USA ~ Tried out for the Oklahoma Outlaws professional football team but did not make the team. Had promised himself to have a recording contract by age 30, or give up on music as a career. Keith released his eponymous Toby Keith debut album in 1993, which included his Should've Been A Cowboy Billboard Country No.1 debut single. Keith would go on to record some twenty-odd albums and sell over 40 million records. Became a household name with Courtesy Of The Red White And Blue (The Angry American), released in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. Over the course of his career, Keith would rack up over a dozen Billboard Country No.1 hits including You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This, the Willie Nelson-duet Beer For My Horses, Love Me If You Can, She Never Cried In Front Of Me, and Made In America ~ Covel passed away in 2024
July 8, 1961 ~ Singer Xabiiba Cabdilaahi born in Djibouti, French Somaliland ~ Active since the early-1980s. Became a dominant figure in the Djiboutian music scene from the 1990s forward, known for using satire, metaphor and historical allusions to convey complex themes in an understandable manner. Best known for songs such as Geesi, Farsamo, and Bashahaygow ~ Cabdilaahi passed away in 2020
July 8, 1958 ~ Drummer, singer Fred Young born in Glasgow, UK, USA ~ Co-founding member of country rock, Southern rock outfit the Kentucky Headhunters, which also includes his brother guitarist, lead singer Richard Young, known best for their 1989 Pickin' On Nashville debut album which spawned the country hit singles Dumas Walker, Oh Lonesome Me and Rock 'n Roll Angel
July 8, 1958 ~ Guitarist Jim Campilongo born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Influenced by artists as diverse as the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, John Coltrane, John McLaughlin, Roy Buchanan. Active as a solo artist since the mid-1990s with well over a dozen albums to his name. Member of the Little Willies alongside Norah Jones. In-demand collaborator, worked with Cake, JJ Cale, Steve Cardenas, Nels Cline, Charlie Hunter, Sunny Ozell, Peter Rowan, Martha Wainwright, Gillian Welch, Steve Cardenas, and others
July 8, 1953 ~ Jazz drummer Ignacio Berroa born in Havana, Cuba ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Haden, Kip Hanrahan, Enrique Jorrin, Tito Puente, Paquito d'Rivera, Silvio Rodriguez, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Hilton Ruiz, Steve Turre, McCoy Tyner, Don Lanphere, Patato Valdés, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Danilo Pérez, Giovanni Hidalgo, Richie Zellon, Lalo Schifrin, Luis Perdomo, and others
July 8, 1953 ~ Classical concert pianist John Bell Young born in New York, New York, USA ~ Acclaimed for his performances and recordings of the works of Russian composer Alexander Scriabin, earning the approval of Scriabin's daughters. Consultant to the first Scriabin International Piano Competition in Moscow in 1995, where a special prize was awarded in his name. Also known as a music critic and author. Retired from performing following a stroke in 2013, yet continued to mentor young aspiring artists ~ Young passed away in 2017
July 8, 1952 ~ Rock bassist, music journalist Aleksandr Lipnitsky, full name Aleksandr Davidovich Lipnitsky, born in Moscow, Russia ~ Member of Soviet alternative rock group Zvuki Mu, which he co-founded in 1983 with lead singer Pyotr Mamonov and Aleksey Bortniychuk. The band is known for their absurdist lyrics and explosive on-stage presence. Lipnitsky remained with the band until 1990. Also known as a music journalist, specialized in jazz, and radio and TV host ~ Lipnitsky passed away in 2021
July 8, 1949 ~ Cellist Colin Walker born ~ To pop, rock audiences best known for playing on Starry Eyed & Laughing's 1975 album track Fool's Gold and for briefly playing with the Electric Light Orchestra from 1972 through 1973, replacing Hugh McDowell. After leaving ELO Walker joined the the Royal Opera House orchestra
July 8, 1947 ~ Rockabilly, rock & roll pianist, songwriter Bobby Sowell, full name Robert G Lee Sowell, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Moved from rockabilly in the 1950s via rock & roll in the 1960s to country from the 1970s onwards. Influenced by Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Muddy Waters, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Floyd Cramer. Has worked with artists such as the Red Notes, Ronnie Scaife, Barry Sowell, the Crackerjacks, Bobby Whitlock, Roy Yeager, Eddie Slusser, and Bill Humble
July 8, 1947 ~ Jonathan Ledingham, commonly known as folk-rock singer, bassist, songwriter Jonathan Kelly born in Droghgeda, Ireland ~ Member of Humpy Bong, known for their 1970 single Don't You Be Too Long. Member of Outside, which also included future stars Snowy White and Chaz Jankel. Has also worked with Eric Clapton and Tim Staffell. Kelly has also released a number of solo albums before mostly retiring from music by 1976
July 8, 1947 ~ Antônio Carles Moreira Pires, commonly known as singer, guitarist Moraes Moreira, born in Ituaçu, Brazil ~ One of the most versatile songwriters in Brazilian rock, drawing from rock, samba, choro, balão and classical music. Co-founding member and along with Pepeu Gomes principal songwriter of Novos Baianos. The band is especially acclaimed for Acabou Chorare released in 1972, generally considered one of the all-time greatest and most influential albums in Brazilian rock. Moreira has also recorded well over two dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, starting with the eponymous Moraes Moreira album released in 1975 ~ Moreira passed away in 2020
July 8, 1944 ~ Jai Johanny Johanson, commonly known as percussionist Jaimoe, born in Gulfport, Mississippi, USA ~ Worked with Otis Redding and Sam & Dave as a touring drummer prior to founding the Allman Brothers Band with Duane Allman. Retired from the band in 1980 due to back problems, rejoining in later years. Also present on the Sea Level albums Sea Level and Cats On The Coast
July 8, 1944 ~ Guitarist Michael Dunford was born in Adlestone, UK ~ Early member of the Nashville Teens, briefly playing with the band in the early-1960s to be replaced by John Allen. Best known as key member of progressive rock band Renaissance, described as “her guiding light” by the band's singer Annie Haslam. The band is especially acclaimed for their mid-1970s work, notably the albums Turn Of The Cards and its follow-up Scheherazade And Other Stories ~ Dunford passed away in 2012
July 8, 1941 ~ Reggae engineer, producer, singer Lynford Anderson born in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica ~ As a singer best known for his 1968 single Pop A Top. The song would be used by Canada Dry in an advertising campaign in the 1970s. Best known as a gifted engineer, regarded as a genius by some, working extensively with producers such as Lee Scratch Perry and Byron Lee ~ Anderson passed away in 2020
July 8, 1940 ~ Rock, jazz bassist Roy Babbington born in Kempston, UK ~ Closely associated with the Canterbury scene. Best known for his stints with Soft Machine and Soft Machine Legacy. Has also worked with Delivery, Nucleus, Michael Gibbs, Keith Tippett, Centipede, Alexis Korner, Mike d'Abo, Chris Spedding, Harvey Andrews, Schunge, Solid Gold Cadillac, the Ovary Lodge, Judie Tzuke, Elvis Costello, Carol Grimes, Mose Allison, the BBC Big Band, Stan Tracey, Cherry Vanilla, Johnny Dankworth, John Harle, Trevor Herion, Magna Carta, Sal Nistico, Chris Youlden, and others
July 8, 1935 ~ Sidney Liebowitz, commonly known as singer, actor Steve Lawrence, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Formed the husband-wife duo Steve & Eydie with Eydie Gormé, known for songs such as We Got Us, I Want To Stay Here and I Can't Stop Talking About You. Both Gormé and Lawrence enjoyed parrallel solo careers, Lawrence regularly reaching the higher echelons of the charts with songs such as Go Away Little Girl, Pretty Blue Eyes, Footsteps and Party Doll. Lawrence appeared in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers, portraying the role of Maury Sline, manager and friend of the band ~ Liebowitz passed away in 2024
July 8, 1934 ~ Bluegrass singer, guitarist, banjoist Alice Gerrard born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Revered member of the folk and bluegrass scene since the mid-1960s. Duetted with Hazel Dickens. Member of the Strange Creek Singers with Dickens, Mike Seeger, Tracy Schwarz and Lamar Grier. Also recorded as a solo artist, noted for her Pieces Of My Heart album released in 1994
July 8, 1932 ~ Genaro Louis Vitaliano, commonly known as singer Jerry Vale, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Best known for charting the pop charts mostly with covers of romantic ballads, You Don't Know, Have You Looked Into Your Heart, as well as a number of classic Italian-American songs such as Amore Scusami, O Sole Mio, Volare, and Al-di-la ~ Vitaliano passed away in 2014
July 8, 1930 ~ Keyboardist Earl Van Dyke born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Best known as main keyboardist for Motown house band the Funk Brothers during the late-1960s and early-1970s, taking over for Joe Hunter. Can be heard on classic songs such as the Four Tops' Bernadette, Marvin Gaye's I Heard It Through The Grapevine and the Temptations' Runaway Child Running Wild. Prior to his tenure with the Brothers Van Dyke worked as a jazz session organist with Blue Note Records artists such as Fred Jackson and Ike Quebec. Van Dyke is also known for his 1967 hit 6 By 6 ~ Van Dyke passed away in 1992
July 8, 1930 ~ Producer, songwriter, &R director, label executive Frank Slay, full name Frank Conley Slay Jr, born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Frequent songwriting partner of Bob Crewe during the late-1950s and 1960s, the pair being responsible for songs such as Silhouettes and Daddy Cool for doo-wop outfit the Rays, and Tallahassee Lassie for Freddy Cannon. Slay would become A&R director for Swan Records in 1961 and continue to work with Cannon. Other notable production credits include Strawberry Alarm Clock's Incense And Peppermints and Sugarloaf's Don't Call Us (We'll Call You), both of which reached the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 respectively in 1967 and 1974 ~ Slay passed away in 2017
July 8, 1927 ~ Country music publisher Bob Beckham, full name Robert Joseph Beckham, born in Stratford, Oklahoma, USA ~ Best known as head of Combine Music Publishing from 1964 through 1989. Mentor and father figure to numerous Nashville-based songwriters. Pivotal to the careers of Kris Kristofferson and Dennis Linde. Helpful to generations of others including Dolly Parton, Dennis Linde, Larry Gatlin, Tony Joe White, and Billy Swan ~ Beckham passed away in 2013
July 8, 1914 ~ Jazz, pop singer, bandleader Billy Eckstine, full name William Clarence Eckstine, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Influenced Earl Coleman, Johnny Hartman, Arthur Prysock, Lou Rawls. Known for songs such as Cottage For Sale, Prisoner Of Love and I Apologize. Employed and mentored sidemen sich as Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Charlie Parker, Fats Navarro, Sarah Vaughan, Tadd Dameron, Gil Fuller, and Jerry Valentine ~ Eckstine passed away in 1993
July 8, 1911 ~ Torch singer, songwriter, actress Gertrude Niesen born ~ Enjoyed popularity in the 1930s and 1940s performing in musicals and films. Best remembered for recording the first version of Smoke Gets In Your Eyes in 1933, penned by Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach and later covered by numerous artists including the Platters whose version topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1958 ~ Niesen passed away in 1975
July 8, 1908 ~ Saxophonist, bandleader Louis Jordan, full name Louis Thomas Jordan, born in Brinkley, Arkansas, USA ~ One of the all-time most successful African-American artists. Leading jump-blues innovator, known for his highly energetic hybrid of jazz, blues, and boogie-woogie, and considered a major influence on 1950s rock & roll and R&B. Known for songs such as Caldonia, Choo Choo Ch'boogie, Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens, Let The Good Times Roll, Beans And Corn Bread, and Saturday Night Fish Fry Parts 1 & 2 ~ Jordan passed away in 1975
July 8, 1892 ~ Ragtime, dixieland, blues pianist, songwriter J Russell Robinson born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Joined the Original Dixieland Jazz Band in 1919, replacing the late Henry Ragas. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Sapho Rags, Eccentric, Margie, Reefer Man and Singin' The Blues. Also worked with Lizzie Miles and Lucille Hegamin ~ Robinson passed away in 1963
July 8, 1872 ~ Harry Gumm, commonly known as composer, songwriter, vaudeville performer Harry von Tilzer born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Brother of songwriter Albert von Tilzer. Music publisher, partner of Shapiro-Bernstein Publishing Company. One of the most successful Tin Pan Alley songwriters of his time. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Cubanola Gilde, Old King Tut, Ragtime Goblin Man, They Always Pick On Me, I Want A Girl Just Like The Girl That Married Dear Old Dad, On The Old Fall River, and perhaps his biggest hit Bird In A Gilded Cage ~ Gumm passed away in 1946