July 9, 1986 ~ Singer, rapper, dancer, actress Kiely Williams born in Alexandria, Virginia, USA ~ Member of 3LW, known for their No More Baby (I'ma Do Right) hit single of their eponymous 2000 3LW debut album. Member of the Cheetah Girls. Released her Circle Game debut album in 2008
July 9, 1984 ~ Pop rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Jacob Hoggard, full name Jacob William Hoggard, born in Surrey, Canada ~ First gained attention in 2004, reaching third place in the talent contest Canadian Idol. Would subsequently form pop rock outfit Hedley, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums. The band is best known for their On My Own debut single which would top the charts in their native Canada. Subsequent top 10 hits include For The Nights I Can't Remember, Never Too Late, Cha-ching, Perfect, Invincible, Kiss You Inside Out, Anything, and Crazy For You
July 9, 1977 ~ Operatic tenor Gregory Carroll born in Des Moines, Washington, USA ~ Described as an extremely promising heldentenor his career was cut short, dying at age 35 of a heart attack. Known for roles in Giuseppe Verdi's Luisa Miller with the Chautauqua Opera, Ruggero Leoncavallo's Pagliacci with the Opera Lyric Ottawa, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's The Magic Flute with the Canadian Opera Company. Carroll has also performed with the Seattle Opera, the Puget Sound Opera, the Opera Cleveland, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the Norwegian National Opera ~ Carroll passed away in 2013
July 9, 1976 ~ Folk, folk-pop rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Craig Cardiff born in Waterloo, Canada ~ As a solo artist has well over a dozen albums to his name starting with 1997's Judy Garland (You're Never Home) album. Describes his music as “folk with a dash of sing-along and storytelling,” drawing from a multitude of singer-songwriter genres including fol, country, pop, traditional pop, show tunes and rock.
July 9, 1976 ~ Alterntive rock, post-grunge guitarist Dan Estrin born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of Hoobastank, known for songs such as Running Away, Disappear, If I Were You, So Close So Far and The Reason, the latter reaching the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 in 2003
July 9, 1975 ~ John Anthony Gillis, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter Jack White, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Hailed as one of the premier guitarists of the 2000s. Rose to prominence with the White Stripes, known for songs such as Seven Nation Army, The Hardest Button To Button, Icky Thump and You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You're Told). Married to drummer Meg White from 1996 to 2000, to singer Karen Elson from 2005 to 2013. Has recorded as a solo artist, starting with the Blunderbuss album released in 2012, and with Goober & the Peas, the Raconteurs, Dead Weather, Loretta Lynn, the Von Bondies, Whirlwind Heat, the Muldoons, Wanda Jackson, and others
July 9, 1975 ~ Pop, dance, R&B singer Jessica Folcker, full name Jessica Elisabeth Angelique Folcker, born in Taby, Sweden ~ Released her Jessica debut album in 1998. The album would spawn her two biggest hits, Tell Me What You Like and How Will I Know Who You Are, both of which would reach top 10 in her native Sweden and chart reasonably well across Europe. Folcker is also well known as featured vocalist on Crack It (Something Going On), a 2002 top 10 hit for the Bomfunk MC's in Scandinavia and parts of Europe
July 9, 1974 ~ Producer, songwriter, label executive Dave Cobb born in Savannah, Georgia, USA ~ Best known as an Americana, country producer and songwriter. Worked with Highwomen, Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, John Prine, Shooter Jennings, the Oak Ridge Boys, Anderson East, Lady Gaga, and others
July 9, 1972 ~ Ska, punk, punk metal drummer Ara Babajian born in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Has worked with Agent 99, Leftöver Crack, the Slackers, King Django, Ruder Than You, the Trick Babys, the SKAndalous All-Stars, Sic & Mad, and Star-Fucking Hipsters
July 9, 1972 ~ Drummer Stanton Moore born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Founding member of Galactic. Has also recorded as a solo artist and is an in-demand collaborator working in a wide variety of genres ranging from jazz funk to heavy metal. Has worked with Robert Walter, Corrosion Of Conformity, Garage A Trois, Bonerama, Bobby Previte, Joe Jackson, Walter Wolfman Washington, and others
July 9, 1970 ~ Adesola Adesimbo Idowu, commonly known as rapper, producer, songwriter Weird MC, born in UK ~ Influenced by Fela Kuti, Miriam Makeba, Queen Latifah, Jimi Hendrix. Debuted in 1992 with the single I Wanna Make You Jack. Released a full-length album, Simply Weird, in 1996 mixing American-style hip-hop and Afrobeat. Critics would deem the commercially unsuccessful album ahead of its time. Has worked with JJC Skillz, Femi Kuti, and with Kween
July 9, 1969 ~ John Percy Simon, commonly known as rapper Percee P, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Described as the “legendary lyricist of the subterranean” by Unkut. Percee P has collaborated with artists such as Lord Finesse, Kool Keith, the Jurassic 5, Aesop Rock, Jedi Mind Tricks, Jaylib, Wildchild, DJ Babu, Dudley Perkins, and others. Percee's debut album, 2007's Perseverance, was produced by Madlib and featured contributions by Diamond D, Guilty Simpson, and Prince Po
July 9, 1965 ~ Bassist, guitarist, singer Frank Bello. full name Francis Charles Joseph Bello, born ~ Originally a roadie and guitar technician for heavy metal, thrash metal band Anthrax, becoming a full-fledged playing member soon after the release of the band's 1984 Fistful Of Metal taking over for Dan Lilker
July 9, 1964 ~ Courtney Michelle Harrison, commonly known as alternative rock, punk rock singer, songwriter Courtney Love born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Married to Nirvana-frontman Kurt Cobain from 1992 until his death in 1994. Frontwoman of Hole, known for songs such as Doll Parts, Celebrity Skin and Malibu. As an actress earned a Golden Globe award for her role as Althea Leasure in the 1996 The People vs Larry Flint feature film
July 9, 1961 ~ Country, rock singer, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Ronnie Bowman born ~ Member of the Lonesome River Band from 1990 through 2001. Appears on John Fogerty's 1997 Blue Moon Swamp album. Has also recorded as a solo artist, notably 1994's Cold Virginia Night which featured guests such as Alison Krauss, Del McCoury, Tony Rice. Other artists who have guested on Bowman's albums include Jerry Douglas, Barry Bales, Don Reno, John Jarvis. In-demand songwriter, has penned or co-penned songs for Chris Stapleton, Lee Ann Womack (The Healing Kind), Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Jake Owen, Ralph Stanley, the Grascals, Irene Kelley, and others
July 9, 1960 ~ Drummer Charles Gavin, full name Charles de Souza Gavin, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Cites the Police's Stewart Copeland, Rush's Neil Peart, Cream's Ginger Baker, and Led Zeppelin's John Bonham as influences. Longtime member of rock band Titas, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums from 1985 through 2010 including the acclaimed Cabeça Dinossauro, O Blésq Blom, and Titas Acústico MTV
July 9, 1959 ~ Darren Henley, commonly known as punk rock drummer DH Peligro, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Joined the Dead Kennedys in 1981 as replacement for Bruce Seslinger, appearing on the albums Plastic Surgery Disasters, Frankenchrist and Bedtime For Democracy. Briefly played with the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1988. Frontman and eponym of Peligro, known for the albums Peligro, Welcome To America and Sum Of Our Surroundings ~ Henley passed away in 2022
July 9, 1959 ~ Rock, post-punk, new wavbe, alternative rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter Jim Kerr born in Glasgow, UK ~ Co-founding member, lead singer, frontman of new wave band the Simple Minds, known best for songs such as Promised You A Miracle, Waterfront, Don't You (Forget About Me), Alive And Kicking, Sanctify Yourself and perhaps their best known Belfast Child. Married to the Pretenders-singer Chrissie Hynde from 1984 to 1990, with whom he has one daughter. Married to actress, singer Patsy Kensit from 1992 to 1996, with whom he has one son
July 9, 1959 ~ Rock singer, guitarist John Eddie born in Richmond, Virginia, USA ~ Sang backup on Bryan Adams' 1984 Somebody hit single. Released his eponymous John Eddie in 1986, spawning the modest hit Jungle Boy. Frequently records with several members of the E Street Band. Occasionally sits in with Bruce Springsteen. Has opened for Bob Seger and the Kinks
July 9, 1959 ~ Mark Peter Sinclair Almond, commonly known as synth-pop, new wave singer, guitarist, songwriter Marc Almond, born in Southport, UK ~ Formed the synth-pop duo Soft Cell with David Ball, known for 1980s songs such as Bedsitter, Say Hello Wave Goodbye, Torch, What, and perhaps their best known Tainted Love which reached top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. As a solo artist best known for his 1989 Something's Gotten Hold On My Heart duet with Gene Pitney
July 9, 1958 ~ Rock guitarist, bassist, singer Bruce Waibel, full name Bruce Kenneth Waibel, born in Livingston, New Jersey, USA ~ Started as a roadie for Gregg Allman before becoming a full band member, first on guitar, later bass guitar. Has also worked with the Marshall Tucker Band, Captain Beyond, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Derringer, and was a member of rock band Firehouse from 2000 to 2003, present on the album O2 ~ Waibel passed away in 2003
July 9, 1957 ~ Frederick John Elgersma, commonly known as alternative country singer, guitarist, songwriter Fred Eaglesmith, born in Caistor, Canada ~ Active since the early-1980s with well over a dozen albums to his name. Praised for his literate songwriting, his songs compact stories marked by plot twists and surprise endings depicting rural life, tragedy and love lost. Especially acclaimed for a string of mid- to late-1990s albums, notably 1997's Lipstick Lies & Gasoline and 1999's masterpiece 50 Odd Dollars
July 9, 1955 ~ Punk rock, ska punk guitarist, bassist, singer Eric Melvin, full name Eric Scott Melvin, born ~ Co-founding member of pivotal punk rock band NOFX, noted for writing a vast amount of the band's signature guitar riffs such as the intro on Leave It Alone and for his distinctive backing vocals dubbed “the Mel Yell” by fans. Also a co-founding member of Punk Rock Karaoke alongside Steve Soto and Greg Hetson, as well as an occasional touring member of Me First & the Gimme Gimme's
July 9, 1955 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist Jan Kåre Hystad born in Stord, Norway ~ Brother of saxophonist Ole Jacob Hystad, with whom he also worked. Leader and sideman. Worked with the Bergen Big Band, Terje Rypdal, Karin Krog, Dag Arnesen, Frank Jacobsen, Sigurd Ulveseth, Jan Eggum, the Kaizers Orchestra, and others
July 9, 1953 ~ Jazz guitarist Doug Munro, full name Doug Anthony Munro, born in Yonkers, New York, USA ~ Over a dozen albums to his name as a leader, especially acclaimed for his 1990 When Dolphins Fly debut album and his 1997 Shootin' Pool At Leo's album. Served as producer and arranger for artists such as Cissy Houston, the Skatalites, the SKAndalous All-Stars, Dr Lonnie Smith, and extensively for the Vitamin String Quartet
July 9, 1952 ~ Pop pianist, songwriter, TV personality John Tesh, full name John Frank Tesh, born in Garden City, New York, USA ~ Known for his grand-scale instrumental music as well as his career in radio and television, se4rving as a news and sports anchor and notably hosting Intelligence For Your Life on both radio and TV. Got his first concert experience backing his close friend Yanni, after asking him if he could join the band to learn from the experience. Tesh has recorded over two dozen albums starting in the late-1980s and is most acclaimed for 1994's Sax By The Fire and the live album Live At Red Rocks released the following year
July 9, 1947 ~ Singer, producer, songwriter Haruomi Hosono born in Minato, Japan ~ Rose to prominence as founding member of Happy End and the Yellow Magic Orchestra. Would go on to become one of Japan's most influential musicians and producers, helping shape the sound of Japanese pop for decades. Considered a pioneer in electronic music. Has worked as a solo artist, composed for film, and produced artists such as Miharu Koshi, Sheena & the Roketts, Sandii & the Sunsetz, Chisato Moritaka, Seiko Matsuda, and others
July 9, 1946 ~ Ronald Belford Scott, commonly known as hard rock singer Bon Scott born in Forfar, UK ~ Replaced Dave Evans as AC/DC lead singer in 1974 and remained with the band until his untimely death in 1980. Present on all the band's early albums, in retrospect seen as some of the band's best and classics in the genre, including 1977's Let There Be Rock and 1979's Highway To Hell. Has previously worked with acts such as the Spektors, the Valentines and Fraternity ~ Scott passed away in 1980
July 9, 1946 ~ John Graham Mitchell, commonly known as drummer Mitch Mitchell, born in Ealing, UK ~ Best known for his association with Jimi Hendrix, chosen over Aynsley Dunbar by way of a toin coss at his audition. Backed Hendrix at the famed Monterey Pop Music Festival in 1967 and at the 1969 the Woodstock Music and Art Fair. Appeared on the albums Are You Experienced, Axis (Bold As Love), and Electric Ladyland ~ Mitchell passed away in 2008
July 9, 1944 ~ Foster MacKenzie III, commonly known as singer, guitarist Root Boy Slim, born in Asheville, North Carolina, USA ~ Best known for founding and fronting the Sex Change Band, with whom he enjoyed a dedicated fan base in the Washington DC and adjacent Maryland area. The band is best known for their Gary Katz-produced Root Boy Slim & The Sex Change Band With The Rootettes debut album, which included their best known song Boogie Till You Puke. Following his graduation MacKenzie once climbed over the White House fence. The United States Secret service apprehended him and he told officers he was looking for the center of the universe. The incident, brought on by a psychotic break, would lead to a stay at a mental hospital and a diagnosis of schizophrenia, for which he would be medicated the rest of his life ~ MacKenzie passed away in 1993
July 9, 1941 ~ R&B singer, songwriter Donald McPherson born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Co-founding member of Main Ingredient, present on songs such as You've Been My Inspiration, Spinning Around (I Must Be Falling In Love) and the McPherson-penned Black Seeds Keep On Growing. McPherson died unexpectedly of leukemia at age 29, Cuba Gooding Sr taking his place as lead singer in the band ~ McPherson passed away in 1971
July 9, 1940 ~ Singer John Salvato born in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA ~ Co-founding member of doo-wop outfit the Duprees, known for 1960s songs such as My Own True Love, Have You Heard, and perhaps their best known You Belong To Me, the latter a favorite with doo-wop and R&B aficionados to this day
July 9, 1938 ~ Film composer Paul Chihara, full name Paul Seiko Chihara, born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Composer-in-residence of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Composer-in-residence of the San Francisco Ballet for about a decade. Composed for numerous films including I Never Promised You A Rose Garden, Crackers, Crossing Delancey and for the 1990 Broadway-production Shogun The Musical
July 9, 1935 ~ Free jazz saxophonist, bassist, singer Frank Wright born in Grenada, Mississippi, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Drew comparisons to Albert Ayler. Got his start as backing bassist for Rosco Gordon, Bobby Blue Bland and BB King before switching to saxophone. Has worked with Larry Young, Noah Howard, Sunny Murray, Henry Grimes, Eddie Gale, Jimmy Lyons, Andrew Cyrille, Cecil Taylor, the Art Ensemble Of Chicago, Bobby Few, Peter Brötzmann, Hans Dulfer, Louis Moholo, and others ~ Wright passed away in 1990
July 9, 1935 ~ Singer Mercedes Sosa, full name Haydée Mercedes Sosa, born in Tucuman, Argentina ~ Dubbed “La Negra”, considered one of the premier exponents of nueva cancion updating traditional folk. Refused to leave the country after the military coup in 1976 and would eventually be arrested by the Videla regime during a show along with all the concert-goers. Best known for her Gracias A La Vida signature song. International pressure would lead to her release and she Sosa spent a number of years in exile. Has collaborated with a host of Argentinian and international stars including Martha Argerich, Andrea Bocelli, David Broza, Jaime Roos, Joan Baez, Francis Cabrel, Lucio Dalla, Gal Costa, Lucecita Benítez, Charly García, Nana Moskouri, Pablo Milanés, Milton Nascimento, Pata Negra, Luciano Pavarotti, Shakira, Sting, Caetano Veloso, and others ~ Sosa passed away in 2009
July 9, 1934 ~ Jazz drummer Colin Bailey, full name Colin James Bailey, born in Swindon, UK ~ Worked with Winifred Atwell, Bryce Rohde, the Australian Jazz Quartet, Vince Guaraldi (Jazz Impressions Of Black Orpheus), Clare Fischer, Joe Pass, Miles Davis, Benny Goodman, George Shearing, Frank Sinatra, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Ed Shaughnessy, Richie Cole, Jimmy Rowles, Red Mitchell, Stefan Scaggiari, Ron Affiff, Weslia Whitfield, and others ~ Bailey passed away in 2021
July 9, 1930 ~ Louis Isidore Bregman, commonly known as arranger, conductor Buddy Bregman, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ First gained attention arranging the Cheers' Bazoom I Need Your Lovin', the first major hit for songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Would go on to become orchestra leader for CBS Radio and by age 25 head Verve's A&R department. Has arranged and conducted for Rosemary Clooney, Anita O'Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Toni Harper, Jane Powell, Ricky Nelson, Fred Astaire, and Gogi Grant ~ Bregman passed away in 2017
July 9, 1929 ~ Jazz singer, cornetist, trumpeter Alex Welsh born in Edinburgh, UK ~ Influenced by Chris Barber. Worked with Archie Semple, Lennie Hastings, Earl Hines, Red Allen, Peanuts Hucko, and Ruby Braff ~ Welsh passed away in 1982
July 9, 1929 ~ Bluegrass, country, gospel mandolinist, fiddler, guitarist, singer Jesse McReynolds, full name Jesse Lester McReynolds, born in Coeburn, Virginia, USA ~ Known for his innovative technique on the mandolin. Formed the duo Jim & Jesse with his brother Jim McReynolds, recording and performing from the 1950s until Jim's death in 2002. Guested on the Doors' 1969 Soft Parade album. Has also recorded with Bill Monroe and with bluegrass supergroup the Masters ~ McReynolds passed away in 2023
July 9, 1929 ~ Producer, singer, songwriter Lee Hazlewood, full name Barton Lee Hazlewood, born in Mannford, Oklahoma, USA ~ Widely acclaimed as genius, ranked among America's all-time greatest songwriters. Best known for his work producing Duane Eddy in the 1950s and collaborating with Nancy Sinatra in the 1960s including producing and writing These Boots Are Made For Walkin'. As a solo artist best known for his output in the 1960s, often described as cowboy psychedelia. Once described as the world's cheeriest fatalist, especially due to his 1969 masterpiece Trouble Is A Lonesome Town. Hazlewood would retire from music by the early-1970s ~ Hazlewood passed away in 2007
July 9, 1927 ~ Edmund Dantes Urick, commonly known as traditional pop singer, actor Ed Ames, born in Malden, Massachusetts, USA ~ Member of family outfit the Ames Brothers, known for a number of 1950s hits including Rag Mop, Sentimental Me, Can Anyone Explain (No No No), Undecided, The Man With The Banjo, The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane and Tammy. Ames is also well known as an actor, noted for portraying Mingo in the TV series Daniel Boone ~ Ames passed away in 2023
July 9, 1924 ~ Organist, composer Pierre Cochereau, full name Pierre Eugène Charles Cochereau, born in Saint-Mandé, France ~ Best known as organist of the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris from 1955 until his death nearly three decades later. Regarded as one of the greatest organists and improvisers of his day. After his death the Conservatory of Nice would be renamed in his honour ~ Cochereau passed away in 1984
July 9, 1923 ~ Lois LaVerne Williamson, commonly known as country singer Molly O'Day, born in Pike County, Kentucky, USA ~ After some limited success in local dances and radio bands, notably with Johnnie Bailes first gained serious attention in 1940 teaming up with Lynn Davis & his Forty Niners, marrying Lynn Davis within a few months. In 1945 the band would be renamed to the Cumberland Mountain boys to be quickly discovered by renowned music publisher Fred Rose. Successes such as Six More Miles, The Tramp On The Street and Singing Waterfall quickly followed. Recorded and toured throughout the 1960s, retiring from the stage by the 1960s to focus on singing in churches and do evangelistic work despite attempts by among others Ralph Stanley to lure her back to the stage ~ Williamson passed away in 1987
July 9, 1921 ~ Jazz drummer Irv Kluger born ~ Played violin before learning drums. Mostly active during the 1940s. Worked with Georgie Auld, Bob Chester, Freddie Slack, Dizzy Gillespie, Boyd Raeburn, Bobby Byrne, Herbie Fields, Stan Kenton, Artie Shaw, Tex Beneke, the Gramercy Five, Dave Pell, Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Pete Rugolo, and others ~ Kluger passed away in 2006
July 9, 1916 ~ Pianist, songwriter Joe Liggins born in Seminole, Oklahoma, USA ~ Architect, along with artists such as Roy Milton, of the small-band jump blues. Co-founded and fronted Honeydrippers, best known for their 1945 smash hit Honeydripper. Other notable recordings include Got A Right To Cry, Tanya, Blow Mr Jackson, Little Joe's Boogie, and Pink Champagne. ~ Liggins passed away in 1987
July 9, 1915 ~ Composer David Diamond, full name David Leo Diamond, born in Rochester, New York, USA ~ Classical composer best known for 1944's Rounds for string orchestra. Composed symphonies, concertos, chamber music, piano pieces and vocal music. Honorary composer-in-residence of the Seattle Symphony ~ Diamond passed away in 2005
July 9, 1890 ~ Walter Henry Heath, commonly known as songwriter Hy Heath, born ~ Frequent songwriting partner of the likes of Johnny Lange and Fred Rose. Co-wrote Mule Train, used in the 1950 film Singing Guns where it was sung by Vaughn Monroe. It would earn Heath an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song, losing out to Mona Lisa from Captain Carey USA. Heath also co-wrote Take These Chains From My Heart with Fred Rose, originally recorded by Hank Williams and covered by well over a hundred artists including Ray Charles, George Jones, Don Gibson, and Glen Campbell. Others who recorded songs co-written by Heath include Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Jordan, Kitty Wells, and Joni James ~ Heath passed away in 1965
July 9, 1869 ~ Composer, conductor, violinist Arnold Volpe passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Composed mainly chamber music, including string quartets and mazurkas for violin and orchestra ~ Volpe passed away in 1940