June 13, 1986 ~ Pop singer, songwriter, model, actor, TV personality Måns Zelmerlöw, full name Måns Petter Albert Sahlén Zelmerlöw, born in Lund, Sweden ~ Internationally best known for the 2015 Eurovision Songfestival winner Heroes written by Anton Hård af Segerstad, Joy Deb and Linnéa Deb
June 13, 1985 ~ Demario Monte Thornton, commonly known as R&B singer, actor Raz-B, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Founding member of R&B boy band B2K, best known for their 2002 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 Bump Bump Bump featuring Puff Daddy
June 13, 1984 ~ Drummer Grant Hutchison born in Selkirk, UK ~ Best known as member of Frightened Rabbit alongside his brother Scott Hutchison
June 13, 1978 ~ Jason Paul Brown, commonly known as singer, rapper Jason J Brown, born in Aldershot, UK ~ Member of boy band 5ive, known for a string of UK top 10 hits including Slam Dunk Da Funk, When The Lights Go Out, Got The Feelin', Everybody Get Up, Until The Time Is Through and Keep On Movin'. The band was formed by the same management team that was behind the Spice Girls.
June 13, 1976 ~ Kimberley Gail Marsh, commonly known as actress, singer, TV personality, songwriter Kym Marsh, born in Merseyside, UK ~ Sang backing vocals for Matt Darey, Freaky Realistic and Hemstock & Jennings prior to auditioning for the reality show Popstars in 2000. Selected as one of five singers for the girl group Hear'say, who would score the UK No.1 hits Pure & Simple and The Way To Your Love. After Marsh left the group in early 2002 auditions would be held but the group split up later the same year before adding a replacement singer. Marsh would release her Standing Tall solo album in 2003, reaching the UK top 10 with Cry and Come On Over. Has ventured into an acting career since, most notably on the soap opera Coronation Street from 2006 through 2019
June 13, 1972 ~ Fiddler, pianist, singer Natalie Macmaster, full name Natalie Ann Macmaster, born in Troy, Canada ~ Married to fiddler Donnell Leahy. Released her Four On The Floor in 1989 at age 16. Has collaborated with Yo-Yo Ma, Bruce Guthro, Cookie Rankin, Alison Krauss, and others
June 13, 1970 ~ Singer Cheryl Gamble born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Best known as a member of R&B trio SWV, which recorded five albums and disbanded in 1998. Gamble would go on to pursue a solo career as a gospel singer, releasing her debut album, Hot Coko, in 1999. Gamble has also collaborated with LSG, Johnny Gill, Tevin Campbell, Onitsha, Jon B, Jay-Z, Keith Sweat (My Valentine), Jeff Bradshaw, Donald Lawrence, MC Lyte, Will Smith (Men In Black), Kirk Franklin, Eve, Fantasia, Faith Evans, Lil' Mo, and with Youthful Praise
June 13, 1970 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist Rivers Cuomo born in New York, New York, USA ~ Lead vocalist, songwriter of Weezer. Influenced by the Beach Boys, the Beatles, Kiss, Nirvana, Giacomo Puccini, Green Day, Jane's Addiction, Cat Stevens, Lou Barlow, the Who, the Pixies, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Sonic Youth. Dropped out of Harvard University to release the band's sophomore album. The album, 1996's Pinkerton, would be poorly received but is now seen as hallmark of the 1990s. Cuomo would re-enroll, and graduate, Harvard in 2008
June 13, 1969 ~ James Leland Walters Jr, commonly known as actor, singer Jamie Walters, born in Marblehead, Massachusetts, USA ~ Actor with roles in Beverly Hills 90210 and The Heights. As a singer best known fo his 1992 hit single How Do You Talk To An Angel
June 13, 1968 ~ Rock, alternative rock, folk rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter David Gray, full name David Peter Gray, born in Sale, UK ~ Released his Century Ends debut album in 1993. Broke through with his fourth album, White Ladder, which upon its initial 1998 release failed to chart but would gain global attention upon its 2000 re-release. The album would eventually reach top 40 in America and top the UK charts. Gray is best-known for songs such a Babylon, Please Forgive Me and The One I Love
June 13, 1967 ~ Alternative country singer, guitarist, keyboardist Richard Julian born in Arden, Delaware, USA ~ Member of the Little Willies, which also included Norah Jones, known for 2006's eponymous The Little Willies and 2012's For The Good Times albums
June 13, 1963 ~ Bassist, singer, songwriter Paul De Lisle, full name Paul Gerald De Lisle, born in Exeter, Canada ~ Bassist of Smash Mouth, known for their 1999 single All Star. He and singer Steve Harwell are the band's only two constant members since its inception in 1994
June 13, 1963 ~ Heavy metal, post-grunge, nu metal, alternative metal bassist, guitarist Robbie Merrill born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, USA ~ Co-founding member of Godsmack, critically compared to grunge icons Alice In Chains and heavy metal band Metallica. The band has recorded well over half a dozen albums, starting with All Wound Up released in 1998 and is best known for their 2003 release Faceless which debuted atop the Billboard Hot 200 albums chart. Member of supergroup Another Animal, a side project recycling left-over songs from the sessions for IV. Although Merrill is righthanded he plays lefthanded due to a birth defect that renders him unable to move the middle finger of his left hand
June 13, 1959 ~ Pop, rock guitarist Paul van Bruystegem born in Leuven, Belgium ~ Member of Triggerfinger. Has also worked with the Wolf Banes, Beverly Jo Scott, the Popgun, Big Bill, Neeka, and others. Has also served as producer, working with acts such as Horses On Fire, Guy Swinnen, Psycho 44, Troubleman, the DeVilles, and others
June 13, 1958 ~ R&B, soul, funk, disco, hip-hop singer Val Young, full name Valaria Marie Young, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Best known as a touring and session back-up singer. Discovered by George Clinton. Sang with the Brides Of Funkenstein, Roy Ayers, the Gap Band (I Don't Believe You Want To Get Up And Dance (Oops Upside Your Head)), Rick James, Mary Jane Girls, Bobby Brown, Bobby Womack, Kurtis Blow, Dr Dre, Glenn Medeiros, Snap (The World In My Hands), Wayman Tisdale, Snoop Dogg (Change Gone Come), Evelyn Champagne King, El DeBarge, Miki Howard, Gerald Levert, Teena Marie, Tupac Shakur (To Live & Die In LA), MC Eiht, Eddie Murphy, Teddy Riley, Michael Bivins, Jay Tee, Nate Dogg (Never Leave Me Alone), Warren G, and others. Released two albums as a solo artist on Motown label, 1985's Seduction containing the modest R&B charts hit If You Should Ever Be Lonely and Private Conversations released in 1987
June 13, 1957 ~ Singer, songwriter Michele Zarrillo born in Rome, Italy ~ Actively recording since the 1980s. Best known for songs such as Una Rosa Blue, Cinue Giorni, L'Elefante E La Farfalla and La Notte Dei Penseiro. Has written songs for Ornella Vanoni, Renato Zero, and others
June 13, 1955 ~ Barry White, commonly known as soul, R&B singer Barrence Whitfield born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Chose his stagename, taking on the moniker of famed Motown producer Norman Whitfield, in order not to be confused with superstar Barry White. Debuted in 1984 with the Barrence Whitfield & The Savages album and has recorded consistently since. Has built a reputation as an energetic live performer opening for artists including Bo Diddley, Tina Turner, George Thorogood, Robert Cray, and Solomon Burke
June 13, 1953 ~ Jazz singer, songwriter, actress Susanne Fuhr born in Oslo, Norway ~ Fronted the SF Band. Worked with Bent Patey, Rune Klakegg, Åge Røthe, Brynjulf Blix, Sveinung Hovensjø, Svein Christiansen, Dag Arnesen, Bjørn Kjellemyr, Olga Konkova, Per Mathisen, and others
June 13, 1951 ~ Guillermo Santana, commonly known as Latin rock, rock, blues rock guitarist Jorge Santana born in Autlán de Navarro, Mexico ~ Brother of renowned guitarist Carlos Santana, with whom he also toured appearing on Santana's 1993 Sacred Fire (Live In South America) live album. Has also worked with Malo, with the Fania All-Stars, and has released a number of solo albums starting with the eponymous Jorge Santana album released in 1978 ~ Santana passed away in 2020
June 13, 1950 ~ Ramon Wayne McGuire, commonly known as rock, pop singer, guitarist Ra McGuire, born in Vancouver, Canada ~ Founding member, lead singer of Trooper, known for General Hand Grenade, The Moment That It Takes and Janine, the latter a top 10 hit in the band's native Canada in 1975
June 13, 1949 ~ Singer, guitarist Dennis Locorriere, full name Dennis Michael Locorriere, born in Union City, New Jersey, USA ~ Lead singer of Dr Hook & the Medicine Show, known for songs such as Sylvia's Mother, The Cover Of The Rolling Stone, Only Sixteen, A Little Bit More, Sharing The Night Together, When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman, Better Love Next Time, Sexy Eyes and Baby Makes Her Blue Jeans Talk
June 13, 1949 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist Red Symons, full name Redmond Symons, born in Brighton, UK ~ Member of Skyhooks from 1970 through 1977, present on some of the band's best-known including Horror Movie and Ego Is Not A Dirty Word
June 13, 1947 ~ Jazz pianist Harold Danko born in Ohio, USA ~ Danko worked with Woody Herman, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Lee Konitz, Rich Perry, Rufus Reid, Kirk Lightsey, Jeff Hirshfield, Edward Simon, Gregory Herbert
June 13, 1947 ~ Bassist John Kahn born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ In-demand session musician from the mid-1960s onwards. Has worked with Mike Bloomfield, Nick Gravenites, John Lee Hooker, Tom Fogerty, Al Kooper, Jackie DeShannon, Otis Rush, Brewer & Shipley including on the 1971 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit One Toke Over The Line, and with once-girlfriend Maria Muldaur. Perhaps best known as regulator collaborator of Jerry Garcia in the bands the Jerry Garcia Band, Old & In The Way, Legion Of Mary, and Reconstruction ~ Kahn passed away in 1996
June 13, 1947 ~ Country singer Mary Lou Turner born in Hazard, Kentucky, USA ~ First gained attention in the early 1970s as a regular appearance on Wheeling Jamboree radio show. Became the “girl singer” alongside Bill Anderson on The Bill Anderson Show TV show in 1974 taking over for Jan Howard. Would record two duet albums with Anderson, the 1976 single Sometimes reaching the No.1 spot on the Billboard Country charts. As a solo singer charted with songs such as It's Different With You and Love It Away
June 13, 1946 ~ Singer, guitarist Henk Wijngaard born in Stadskanaal, the Netherlands ~ Active since the mid-1970s with over 40 albums to his name. A former trucker himself he is best known for his trucking-themed repertoire. Well known songs include Met De Vlam In De Pijp, Container-song, Hé Suzie and Ik Moet Nog Wat Jaren Mee
June 13, 1946 ~ Conductor, arranger, composer Paul Buckmaster born in London, UK ~ Best known for his orchestral collaborations with a wide array of jazz, pop and rock musicians including David Bowie, Elton John, Harry Nilsson, the Rolling Stones, Carly Simon, Shawn Phillips, Miles Davis, Stevie Nicks, Lionel Richie, Céline Dion, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Rogers, Guns 'n Roses, Taylor Swift, Train, and Heart ~ Buckmaster passed away in 2017
June 13, 1943 ~ R&B, funk singer, songwriter Arlester Dyke Christian born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Fronted Dyke & the Blazers, best known for the 1969 singles We Got More Soul and Let A Woman Be A Woman. At the time of his death, killed in a reportedly drug-related shooting at 27, Christian was preparing for a tour with superstar Barry White ~ Christian passed away in 1971
June 13, 1942 ~ Singer James Carr born in Coahoma, Mississippi, USA ~ Protégé of Otis Redding. Turned down by Stax/Volt. Forever remembered among R&B and soul aficionados for his 1967 original recording of The Dark End Of The Street, penned by Chips Moman and Dan Penn, and considered one of the greatest soul songs of all time. Also revered for his lesser known work such as various earlier Goldwax singles and the critically acclaimed LP You Got My Mind Messed Up. Carr suffered from bipolar disorder for most of his life which would seriously hinder his career ~ Carr passed away in 2001
June 13, 1941 ~ Esther Zaied, commonly known as Esther Ofarim, born in Zafed, Israel ~ Came in 2nd at 1963 edition of Eurovision Songfestival, representing Switzerland with the song T En Va Pas. Also known as half of husband-wife duo Esther & Abi Ofarim, known for 1960s hits such as Noch Einem Tanz, Cinderella Rockafella and Morning Of My Life, the latter written by the Bee Gees
June 13, 1941 ~ Marvin Tarplin, commonly known as R&B, soul guitarist Marv Tarplin, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Member of the Miracles from the 1950s through 1973. Co-wrote several of the band's best-known, notably The Tracks Of My Tears, My Girl's Gone, I Like It Like That, Going To A Go-Go and The Love I Saw In You Was Just A Mirage. Also co-wrote a number of well known R&B songs for others including Marvin Gaye's Ain't That Peculiar and I'll Be Doggone ~ Tarplin passed away in 2011
June 13, 1940 ~ Robert William Woodman, commonly known as pop rock, rock & roll drummer Bobbie Clarke, born ~ Important figure in early British rock & roll active since the late 1950s. Has drummed with Eric Delaney, Vince Eager, Marty Wilde, Johnny Hallyday, and briefly Deep Purple, serving as the latter's first drummer. Perhaps best known for several stints with Vince Taylor. Clarke's autobiography, Bobbie Clarke Playboy & Showman, would be published posthumously in 2017 ~ Woodman passed away in 2014
June 13, 1940 ~ R&B singer, songwriter, producer Bobby Freeman, full name Robert Thomas Freeman, born in Alameda County, California, USA ~ Member of doo-wop outfit the Romancers. As a solo singer best known for two top 10 hits, 1958's Do You Want To Dance and 1964's Come On And Swim. Both songs would reach No.5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The former, Dance, would later be covered by a wide array of artists including Del Shannon, the Beach Boys, Johnny Rivers, Bette Midler, John Lennon, Cliff Richard, T.Rex, the Mamas & the Papas, Bobby Vee, the Ramones, and others ~ Freeman passed away in 2017
June 13, 1937 ~ Hard bop alto saxophonist Frank Strozier born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Harold Mabern, George Coleman, Booker Little, Miles Davis, Roy Haynes, Chet Baker, Shelly Manne, Don Ellis, the New York Jazz Repertory Company, Horace Parlan, Woody Shaw, Oliver Nelson, Booker Ervin, McCoy Tyner, Sonny Stitt, Louis Hayes, Stafford James, and others
June 13, 1934 ~ Drummer Uriel Jones born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Member of Motown house band the Funk Brothers, initially hired as a fill-in for Benny Benjamin eventually taking on bigger role through the early-1970s. Appears on records such as the Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell duet Ain't No Mountain High Enough, the Temptations hits Cloud Nine and Ain't Too Proud To Beg, the Miracles' I Second That Emotion, and Stevie Wonder's For Once In My Life ~ Jones passed away in 2009
June 13, 1931 ~ Jazz pianist, organist George Arvanitas born in Marseille, France ~ Influenced by Bud Powell and Bill Evans. Worked with Art Farmer, Louis Hayes, Dexter Gordon, Johnny Griffin, Yusef Lateef, Ted Curson, Jacky Samson, and others ~ Arvanitas passed away in 2005
June 13, 1929 ~ Hornist Alan Civil born in Northampton, UK ~ Closely associated with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Known especially for his recording of Benjamin Britten's Serenade For Tenor Horn And Strings. To pop audiences known for guesting on the Beatles-tracks For No One of the 1966 Revolver album, and A Day In The Life of the Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album the following year ~ Civil passed away in 1989
June 13, 1928 ~ Blues singer, guitarist, pianist Lafayette Thomas, full name Lafayette Jerl Thomas, born in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA ~ Rooted in church choir and introduced to blues guitar by his uncle, blues singer Jesse Thomas. Active since the late 1940s, backing artists such as Jimmy McCracklin, Sammy Price, Memphis Slim, Little Brother Montgomery, and recording from time to time as a solo artist. Especially noted for appearing on the 1968 LC Robinson-album Oakland Blues alongside Robinson and Dave Alexander ~ Thomas passed away in 1977
June 13, 1927 ~ Jazz guitarist Attila Zoller, full name Attila Cornelius Zoller, born in Visegrad, Hungary ~ Leader and sideman. Fled Soviet-occupied Hungary. Studied under Jim Hall. Roommate of Ornette Coleman. Has worked with Jutta Hipp, Hans Koller, Herbie Mann, Lee Konitz, Albert Mangelsdorff, Benny Goodman, Stan Getz, Red Norvo, Jimmy Raney, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Shirley Scott, Cal Tjader, Jimi Hendrix, Don Friedman, Tommy Flanagan, and George Mraz ~ Zoller passed away in 1998
June 13, 1927 ~ David Gordon Kirkpatrick, commonly known as guitarist, singer Slim Dusty, born in Nulla Nulla Creek, Australia ~ Country singer, songwriter, producer. Australian cultural icon, especially representative of the bush life and bush poets ~ Kirkpatrick passed away in 2003
June 13, 1918 ~ William M Moore, commonly known as R&B, jazz saxophonist Wild Bill Moore, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ As a solo artist scored a moderate R&B hit with We're Gonna Rock We're Gonna Roll in 1948, the single later regarded by some as one of the earliest rock and roll recordings. In-demand sideman in blues, R&B, and jazz, working with the likes of Slim Gaillard, Jack McVea, Big Joe Turner, Dexter Gordon, and Helen Humes, including on the latter's 1945 Be-Baba-Leba hit. To later audiences perhaps best known for backing Marvin Gaye on the 1971 masterpiece album What's Going On, notably present on the track Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) ~ Moore passed away in 1983
June 13, 1917 ~ Clarinetist Phil Bodner born in Waterbury, Connecticut, USA ~ Worked with Benny Goodman, Miles Davis, Gil Evans, Brass Ring, Oliver Nelson, JJ Johnson, Oscar Peterson, Yusef Lateef, Peanuts Hucko, Wild Bill Davison, Ralph Sutton, Van McCoy (The Hustle), Marty Napoleon, Mel Lewis, George Duvivier, Milt Hinton, Bobby Rosengarden, Derek Smith, Johnny Varo, and others ~ Bodner passed away in 2008
June 13, 1908 ~ Jazz clarinetist Clarence Hutchenrider born in Waco, Texas, USA ~ Member of the Casa Loma Orchestra led by Glen Gray. A lung illness paused Hutchenrider's career from the mid-1940s through the mid-1950s. In later years Hutchenrider would work in the New York area, most notably with the Gully Low Band in the 1980s ~ Hutchenrider passed away in 1991
June 13, 1905 ~ Adolphus Anthony Cheatham, commonly known as swing, dixieland, big band trumpeter, bandleader Doc Cheatham, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Influenced by Henry Busse, Johnny Dunn, Louis Armstrong. Worked with Ma Rainey, Bobby Lee, Wilbur de Paris, Marion Handy, McKinney's Cotton Pickers, Benny Carter, Teddy Wilson, Fletcher Henderson, Claude Hopkins, Pérez Prado, Marcelino Guerra, Ricardo Ray, Machito, Benny Goodman, and others ~ Cheatham passed away in 1997
June 13, 1903 ~ John Collins Fulton, commonly known as trombonist, singer, songwriter Jack Fulton, born in Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Sang with Paul Whiteman's orchestra from 1925 through 1933, present on songs such as Cuban Love Song, How Deep Is The Ocean, and Touch Of Your Hand. As a songwriter Fulton has co-written songs such as Until recorded by Tommy Dorsey, Mrs Santa Claus recorded by Nat King Cole, and Wanted recorded by Perry Como ~ Fulton passed away in 1993
June 13, 1892 ~ Jazz pianist, bandleader, composer, producer Richard M Jones, full name Richard Marigny Jones, was born ~ Perhaps best known for penning Trouble In Mind, first recorded by Thelma La Vizzo with Jones on piano, quickly becoming a standard recorded by Georgia White, Dinah Washington, Nina Simone, and others. Jones is also especially noted for producing Louis Armstrong's famed the Hot Five and the Hot Seven recordings. Other notable associations include Joe Oliver, John Robichaux, AJ Piron, and Papa Celestin ~ Jones passed away in 1945
June 13, 1886 ~ Drummer, pianist, bandleader Art Hickman, full name Arthur George Hickman, born ~ Worked with Ben Black, Earl Burtnett, Fred Coffman, Clyde Doerr, Frank Ellis, Dick Noolan, Ed Fitzpatrick, Jess Fitzpatrick, Roy Fox, Roy Hoback, Vic King, Lou Marcasie, Hank Miller, Mark Moica, Bert Ralton, Juan Ramos, Forrest Ray, Walt Rosemar, Bela Spiller, Dick Winfree, Flo Ziegfield and others ~ Hickman passed away in 1930
June 13, 1880 ~ Vincenzo Cacioppo, commonly known as pianist, violinist, bandleader, songwriter Vincent Rose, born in Palermo, Italy ~ Popular 1920s, 1930s bandleader. Wrote over 200 songs including Paul Whiteman's Linger Awhile, Kay Kyser's The Umbrella Man, and perhaps most notably Blueberry Hill, the latter first recorded in 1940 by Swing And Sway with Sammy Kaye but best known as a 1956 hit and signature song for Fats Domino ~ Cacioppo passed away in 1944