June 17, 1987 ~ Rapper, singer Kendrick Lamar, full name Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, born in Compton, California, USA ~ Member of hip hop supergroup Black Hippy alongside Ab-Soul, Jay Rock and Schoolboy Q. Influenced by Tupac Shakur, Notorious BIG, Jay-Z, Nas, Eminem. As a solo artist broke through to mainstream with his 2012 Good Kid MAAD City sophomore album. Best known for hits such as Swimming Pools (Drank), Humble, Loyalty featuring Rihanna, Love featuring Zacari, All The Stars with SZA, Pray For Me featuring the Weeknd, and others
June 17, 1983 ~ Jazz trumpeter Jaimie Branch, full name Jaimie Breezy Branch, born in Huntington, New York, USA ~ Leader and sidewoman. Cites Don Cherry, Axel Dörner, Booker Little and Miles Davis as influences. Formed the trio Princess with bassist Toby Summerfield and drummer Frank Rosaly. Has also worked with Ken Vandermark, Atlas Moth, Chad Taylor, Weasel Walter, Josh Berman, Jason Nazary, Jeb Bishop, and others ~ Branch passed away in 2022
June 17, 1983 ~ Singer, songwriter Lee Ryan born in Chatham, UK ~ Rose to fame as member of boy band Blue, known for the UK charttopppers Too Close, If You Come Back and Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word featuring Elton John. After the band disbanded released his eponymous Lee Ryan debut album in 2005, which spawned the UK top 20 hits Army Of Lovers, Turn Your Car Around and When I Think Of You
June 17, 1982 ~ Keyboarist, accordionist, guitarist, singer Kathryn Calder, full name Kathryn Jane Calder, born in Victoria, Canada ~ Married to producer Colin Stewart. Best known as member of the New Pornographers, initially filling in for Neko Case for live performances and becoming a full member in 2006. Calder has also formed the duo Frontperson with Mark Andrew Hamilton, was a member of the Immaculate Machine, and recorded as a solo artist starting with the album Are You My Mother released in 2010
June 17, 1974 ~ Anthony Henderson, commonly known as rappert Krayzie Bone, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Founding member of hip-hop group Bone-Thugz-n-Harmony, which also included Layzie Bone, Krayzie Bone, Wish Bone and Flesh-n-Bone. The group would be discovered by NWA's Eazy E and release a debut EP in 1994 which spawned the hit Thuggish Ruggish Bone featuring Shatasha Williams. Subsequent hits included 1st Of Da Month, Tha Crossroads, Look Into My Eyes and I Tried featuring Akon. Also recorded as a solo artist, starting with his 1999 Thug Mentality, featuring guests such as Mo Thugs, Mariah Carey, Big Pun, Fat Joe, Cuban Link, E-40, Kurupt, Naughty By Nature and Snoop Dogg. Guested on Chamillionaire's Grammy Award-winning Ridin' in 2006
June 17, 1967 ~ Country songwriter Rivers Rutherford, full name Melvern Rivers Rutherford II, born in Germantown, Tennessee, USA ~ In-demand songwriter active since the 1990s. Songs written or co-written by Rutherford that have reached the top of the Billboard Country charts include Real Good Man for Tim McGraw, If You Ever Stop Loving Me for Montgomery Gentry, When I Get Where I'm Going for Brad Paisley, Living In Fast Forward for Kenny Chesney, and Ladies Love Outlaws for Trace Adkins. Others who have recorded his songs include Brooks & Dunn, Mark Wills, Jamie O'Neal, Carrie Underwood, Gretchen Wilson, Chuck Wicks, Darius Rucker, and Lady Antebellum
June 17, 1965 ~ Progressive rock, post-prog singer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, mandolinist, percussionist David Longdon born in Nottingham, UK ~ Best known as lead singer of progressive rock band Big Big Train, joining the band in 2009 and first appearing on the acclaimed The Underfall Yard album. As a solo artist known for the 2004 Wild River album. Has also worked with Louis Philippe, the Tangent, the Charlatans, Dave Kerzner, and others ~ Longdon passed away in 2021
June 17, 1964 ~ Pop punk, punk rock, indie rock, ska, power pop producer, engineer, drummer, bassist, guitarist, singer, songwriter Steve Kravac born ~ Best known as a producer serving for the likes of 7 Seconds, Guttermouth, Less Than Jake, Buck-O-Nine, Pepper, Home Grown, and others. As a recording artist released his Summer Bliss And Autumn Tears debut album in 1999 going by the moniker Steven Bradley, the album drawing critical comparison to Bob Mould, Elvis Costello, and Nick Lowe. The album featured guest musicians such as Wayne Kramer, Kevin Kane and pedal steel virtuoso Greg Leisz
June 17, 1962 ~ Vanda Maria Ribeiro Furtado Tavares de Vasconcelos, commonly known as pop, new wave, bubblegum pop singer, actress Lio, born in Mangalde, Portugal ~ Pop icon in France and her adopted homeland Belgium during the 1980s. First gained attention in the late 1970s as a member of synth-pop trio Telex. Released her eponymous Lio solo debut album in 1980. Best known for the singles Le Banana Split and Amoureux Solitaires, both songs becoming hits in France and Belgium
June 17, 1960 ~ Matti Fagelhorn, commonly known as glam punk, glam rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist, saxophonist, percussionist, songwriter Michael Monroe born in Helsinki, Finland ~ Rose to prominence as lead singer, frontman of Hanoi Rocks, regarded as one of the all-time most influential glam rock bands known for songs such as Love's An Infection, Malibu Beach, Until I Get You and Up Around The Bend
June 17, 1959 ~ Rock, punk rock, pop punk, post-punk, indie rock guitarist Bob Andrews, full name Robert Ian Andrews, born in Fulham, UK ~ Cited as an influence by Johnny Marr of the Smiths, and John Squire of the Stone Roses. First gained attention as a member of Generation X, which also included lead singer Billy Idol, with whom he recorded the albums Generation X and Valley Of The Dolls. Andrews subsequently worked with Empire, Westworld, Moondogg, and Speedtwinn
June 17, 1958 ~ Eric Reed Boucher, commonly known as singer Jello Biafra, born in Boulder, Colorado, USA ~ Best known as lead singer and primary songwriter for punk rock outfit the Dead Kennedys. The band would be pivotal to the development of American punk, and is known for biting social commentary often leading to controversy. Following the band's disbandement in the mid-1980s, Boucher has taken over the independent record label Alternative Tentacles, which he had founded with bandmate East Bay Ray. The band has reconvened yet without Biafra and has not released any new material. Biafra is also known as a political activist, and ran for the presidential nomination of the Green Party in 2000, losing out to Ralph Nader
June 17, 1957 ~ Philip Ryan, commonly known as singer, guitarist Philip Chevron born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Regarded as one of the most influential figures in Irish punk. Best known as lead guitarist of celtic punk rockers the Pogues. Chevron wrote several classic Pogues songs including Thousands Are Sailing and Lorelei. Previously fronted Radiators From Space ~ Ryan passed away in 2013
June 17, 1957 ~ Trumpeter Tom Varner born in Morristown, New Jersey, USA ~ Influenced by Ornette Coleman, Charles Mingus, Anthony Braxton, Steve Reich, Philip Glass. As a leader has over a dozen albums to his name since the early 1980s. Ind-demand sideman. Worked with Steve Lacy, Dave Liebman, George Gruntz, John Zorn, Bobby Watson, La Monte Young, Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Bobby Previte, Orange Then Blue, McCoy Tyner, Reggie Workman, Kenny Barron, Natalie Merchant, the Vienna Art Orchestra, and others
June 17, 1956 ~ New wave, pop rock singer, songwriter Lorraine Segato, full name Lorraine P Segato, born in Hamilton, Canada ~ Lead singer for the Parachute Club, one of the first Canadian pop acts to incorporate elements from world music. The band recorded three albums through the mid-1980s and is best known for the singles Rise Up, At The Feet Of The Moon, and Love Is Fire, the latter featuring duet guest vocalist John Oates. Segato has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Phoenix released in 1990
June 17, 1954 ~ Producer, A&R executive David Bendeth, full name David Jonathan Bendeth, born in Stoke Newington, UK ~ Has recorded a number of albums with his the David Bendeth Band prior to turning to producing, songwriting and serving as A&R executive for various labels. In-house songwriter for Chrysalis from 1987 through 1990. In-house producer, A&R executive for BMG Canada from 1987 through 1995, for whom he signed acts such as the Cowboy Junkies, the Crash Test Dummies, and Prairie Oyster. In one capacity or another Bendeth has worked with SR-71, Treble Charger, Bruce Hornsby, Parmalee, Ima Robot, Paramore, Breaking Benjamin, Of Mice & Men, and Sleeping With Sirens
June 17, 1954 ~ Gospel singer Deborah McCrary born ~ Member of traditional black gospel, contemporary urban gospel outfit the McCrary Sisters alongside siblings Ann McCrary, Regina McCrary and Alfreda McCrary. The group has recorded a number of albums, starting with Our Journey released in 2010, as well as provided backing vocals for artists such as Carrie Underwood (Choctaw County Affair), Margo Price (Do Right By Me), and Allison Russell (All Of The Women) ~ McCrary passed away in 2022
June 17, 1952 ~ Drummer Mike Buck born in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Active since his mid-teens, backing musicians such as Robert Ealey, Ray Sharpe, Johnny Carroll. Member of blues-rock outfit the Fabulous Thunderbirds, present on the band's 1979 Girls Go Wild debut album and its follow-up What's The Word. Formed the LeRoi Brothers with Steve Doerr and Don Leady. Has also worked with Roky Erickson, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Roy Head, Lazy Lester, Toni Price, Doug Sahm, the Juke Jumpers, and Omar & the Howlers
June 17, 1951 ~ Soft rock singer, songwriter Lenny LeBlanc born in Leominster, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known for the 1977 single Falling with collaborator Pete Carr, recorded under the moniker Leblanc & Carr. Has also recorded as a solo artist and is an in-demand session musician for artists such as Hank Williams Jr, Crystal Gayle, Etta James, Shenandoah, Ricky Skaggs, Sawyer Brown, Amy Grant, Roy Orbison, and others. In 1980 LeBlanc became a born-again Christian and has been focusing on contemporary Christian music since
June 17, 1950 ~ Rock guitarist Dany Lademacher, full name Daniel Germain Jean Lademacher, born in Etterbeek, Belgium ~ Best known as member of Herman Brood's backing unit the Wild Romance. Co-wrote several of Brood's best-known songs including Saturday Night, Never Be Clever and I Don't Need You. Also worked with Kleptomania, Bart Peeters backing band the Radios, Innersleeve, Vitesse, the Paris Dandies, and others. Declined Mark Knopfler's offer to join the Dire Straits
June 17, 1949 ~ Country guitarist, singer, songwriter Russell Smith, full name Howard Russell Smith, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Lead singer of the Amazing Rhythm Aces. Member of Run C&W. Released a handful of solo albums, starting with his eponymous Russell Smith debut album in 1978. As a solo artist best known for his 1989 I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight single. Found his biggest success as a songwriter, penning or co-penning songs for Randy Travis (Look Heart No Hands), T Graham Brown (Don't Go To Strangers), Don Williams (Heartbeat In The Darkness), Ricky Van Shelton (Keep It Between The Lines), Mel McDaniel (Big Ole Brew), and others ~ Smith passed away in 2019
June 17, 1947 ~ Keyboardist, songwriter Gregg Rolie, full name Gregg Alan Rollie, born in Passaic, New Jersey, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of Santana, remaining with the band through 1972 and present on pivotal albums such as Santana and Abraxas. Co-founding member, lead singer of Journey, remaining with the through 1980 and present on the band's most acclaimed album Evolution released in 1979. Fronted rock outfit the Storm. Worked with Ringo Starr's Ringo Starr & his All-Starr Band
June 17, 1947 ~ Pop rock, soft rock singer, guitarist, bassist, percussionist Paul Young born in Benchill, UK ~ Not to be confused with his namesake Paul Young. Active since the 1960s. Member of the Toggery Five,m known for the single I'm Gonna Jump. Best known as a member of 1980s band Mike + the Mechanics, notably present on Word Of Mouth, Taken In, Nobody's Perfect and on the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit All I Need Is A Miracle. Has also worked with the Young Brothers, Gyro and with Sad Cafe ~ Young passed away in 2000
June 17, 1946 ~ Brian John Cole, commonly known as pedal steel guitarist BJ Cole, born in Enfield, UK ~ Rose to prominence as member of Conchise in the early 1970s. Considered one of Britain's finest pedal steel guitarists. In-demand session musician proficient in a wide range of styles including rock, pop, jazz, experimental and country. Recorded as a solo artist and guested on recordings by Humble Pie, Dave Edmunds, Trapeze, Uriah Heep, Elton John (Tiny Dancer), Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Hallyday, Kiki Dee, Roger Daltrey, T.Rex, Procol Harum, Deacon Blue (Chocolate Girl), the Walker Brothers, Joan Armatrading (Down To Zero), Olivia Newton-John, Alan Parsons, Gerry Rafferty, the Moody Blues, David Sylvian, the Stranglers, kd Lang, Jimmy Nail, Björk, the Selecter, John Cale, Sting, Depeche Mode, the Pet Shop Boys, Devon Sproule, REM, Matt Berry, and others
June 17, 1944 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Chris Spedding, full name Christopher John Spedding, born in Staveley, UK ~ One of the UK's most in-demand studio musicians with a career spanning five decades. Member of several rock bands including Battered Ornaments, Nucleus, and Greedy Bastards. Produced the very first demos for the Sex Pistols. Over a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Songs Without Words released in 1970. Scored the 1975 UK top 20 hit Motor Bikin'. Guested on albums by the likes of Jack Bruce (Songs For A Tailor), Mike Batt, Julie Driscoll, Elton John (Madman Across The Water), Linda Lewis, Harry Nilsson, Donovan, Brian Eno (Here Come The Warm Jets), John Cale, Jim Capaldi, Ginger Baker, Bryan Ferry, Art Garfunkel, Joan Armatrading (Me Myself I), Nina Hagen, Paul McCartney (Tug Of War), Roger Daltrey, and others
June 17, 1943 ~ Barry Alan Pincus, commonly known as soft rock singer, pianist, songwriter Barry Manilow born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Scored over four dozen top 40 singles on the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts during a decade spanning five decades. Sold over 85 million records. Best known for songs such as Mandy, Could It Be Magic, I Write The Songs, Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again, Looks Like We Made It, Can't Smile Without You and Copacabana (At The Copa). Has served as producer for Bette Midler, Dionne Warwick, Nancy Wilson and Sarah Vaughan
June 17, 1940 ~ Charles Walter Rainey III, commonly known as pop, rock, jazz fusion, R&B bassist, singer Chuck Rainey born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Session musician. First gained attention sessioning on various recordings by the Young Rascals, first and perhaps most notably on the band's 1967 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Groovin'. Has also recorded as a solo artist and guested on recordings by Louis Armstrong, Gato Barbieri, George Benson, Donald Byrd, Joe Cocker, the Crusaders, King Curtis, Aretha Franklin, Gene Harris, Etta James, Quincy Jones, David Fathead Newman, Steely Dan, Sadao Watanabe, Ernie Wilkins, Cannonball Adderley, Mose Allison, Brook Benton, Randy Brecker, James Brown, Tim Buckley, Paul Butterfield, Valerie Carter, Fats Domino, Roberta Flack, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Albert King, Al Kooper, Nils Lofgren, Melissa Manchester, Bette Midler, Ry Cooder, Blue Mitchell, and others
June 17, 1939 ~ Producer, songwriter, singer Gerry Granahan born in Pittston, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for his work in the 1950 and 1960s. Demo singer for Elvis Presley. As a solo artist best known for his 1958 hit No Chemise Please. Also co-wrote and recorded Click Clack, released under the pseudonym Dickey Doo & the Dont's for contractual reasons. The single's succes would prompt Granahan to record several more using the same moniker, including Nee Nee Na Na Na Na Nu Nu, Leave Me Alone (Let Me Cry) and Teardrops Will Fall. Granahan would venture into producing by the 1960s, working with artists such as Fireflies, James Ray, Patty Duke, Jay & the Americans and notably produce the original version of the Wild Ones' Wild Thing, the latter later made famous by the Troggs ~ Granahan passed away in 2022
June 17, 1937 ~ Identical twin brothers singers Ed Farran and Fred Farran born ~ Members of the Arbors, known for a number of 1960s recordings including Symphony For Susan, Just Let It Happen, Graduation Day and perhaps their best-known The Letter, the latter a Billboard top 20 hit in 1968 and originally recorded by the Box Tops two years earlier ~ Ed passed away in 2003, Fred in 2011
June 17, 1935 ~ Margaret Seeger, commonly known as folk singer, banjoist, guitarist, pianist Peggy Seeger born in New York, New York, USA ~ Daughter of folklorist Charles Seeger and modernist composer Ruth Porter Crawford. Sister of singer Mike Seeger, half-sister of singer Pete Seeger. Married to singer Ewan MacColl, with whom she frequently collaborated, from 1977 until MacColl's death in 1977. Actively recording since the mid-1950s. Advocate of women's rights, many of her songs such as I'm Gonna Be An Engineer becoming anthems of the women's movement
June 17, 1930 ~ Guitarist Cliff Gallup born ~ Member of Gene Vincent's backing unit the Blue Caps through late 1956, appearing on some 35 tracks including Race With The Devil, Blue Jean Bop and Be-bop-a-lula. Regarded as one of early rock & roll's most technically proficient electric guitarists. Influential on Eric Clapton, Brian Setzer and Jeff Beck. At the request of his widow obituaries in local newspapers made no mention of his time with Vincent ~ Gallup passed away in 1988
June 17, 1920 ~ Pianist, keyboardist, bandleader Aubrey Adams, full name Aubrey Wellington Adams, born in St Andrew Parish, Jamaica ~ Worked with the Dewdroppers, Clue J & the Blues Blasters, Tommy McCook, Sonny Bradshaw, Roland Alphonso, Clancy Eccles, Pat Kelly, the Soul Defenders, Coxsone Dodd, Sonia Pottinger, Lynn Taitt, and Rico Rodriguez ~ Adams passed away in 1990
June 17, 1916 ~ Singer, songwriter Terry Gilkyson born in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Wrote and first recorded Cry Of The Wild Goose, later a hit for Frankie Laine. Wrote Tell Me A Story for Jimmy Boyd. Sang with the Weavers (On Top Of Old Smokey, Across The Wide Missouri). Formed the Easy Riders with Richard Dehr and Frank Miller, known for their major hit Marianne. Worked as Walt Disney Studios songwriter, including for animated movies Jungle Book and The Aristocats ~ Gilkyson passed away in 1999
June 17, 1911 ~ Walter D Williams Jr, commonly known as producer, label executive Dootsie Williams, born in Mobile, Alabama, USA ~ Leader of the Harlem Dukes in the 1940s. Would found the Blue Records label by the end of the decade. Has worked with Papa John Creach, the Penguins (Earth Angel), Redd Foxx, the Medallions, and others ~ Williams passed away in 1991
June 17, 1910 ~ Clyde Julian Foley, commonly known as country, gospel, rockabilly singer, guitarist, banjoist, songwriter Red Foley, born in Blue Lick, Kentucky, USA ~ Dubbed “Mr Country Music” Foley was one of the most popular country singers of the 1940s and 1950s, selling over 25 million records. His 1951 rendition of Peace In The Valley, originally recorded by Mahalia Jackson in 1937, would become one of the first gospel songs to sell over a million copies. Other well known songs include Smoke On The Water, Shame On You, New Jolie Blonde (New Pretty Blonde), Tennessee Saturday Night, Chattanooga Shoeshine Boy, Birmingham Bounce, Midnight and the Kitty Wells-duet One By One ~ Foley passed away in 1968
June 17, 1910 ~ Singer, pianist, dancer Sam Costa, full name Samuel Gabriel Costa, born in London, UK ~ Popular singer, crooner during Britain's dance band era, comic actor on the 1940s, 1950s Much Binding In The Marsh radio show. Has worked with Bert Firman, Jack Jackson, Lew Stone, Harry Leader, Maurice Winnick, Jay Wilbur, and others. Would work as a radio host, DJ from the 1950 onwards ~ Costa passed away in 1981
June 17, 1907 ~ Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, singer Gene Sedric, full name Eugene Hall Cedric, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Acquired the nickname “Honey Bear” for his camelhair coat. Closely associated with Fats Waller, a member of Fats Waller's Rhythm from 1934 through 1942. Also worked with the Kentucky Jazz Band, Charlie Creath, Fate Marable, Dewey Jackson, Ed Allen, Julian Arthur, Sam Wooding, Alex Hyde, Fletcher Henderson, Mezz Mezzrow, Don Redman, Phil Moore, Hazel Scott, Pat Flowers, Bobby Hackett, Jimmy McPartland, Conrad Janis, Dick Wellstood, and others ~ Sedric passed away in 1963
June 17, 1905 ~ Jazz pianist Don Kirkpatrick born in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA ~ Sideman, arranger. Worked with Chick Webb, Don Redman, Harry White, Elmer Snowden, Zutty Singleton, Mezz Mezzrow, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Cootie Williams, Bunk Johnson, Sidney Bechet, Wilbur de Paris, Doc Cheatham ~ Kirkpatrick passed away in 1956
June 17, 1902 ~ Jazz drummer Chris Columbus born in Greenville, North Carolina, USA ~ Active since the 1930s. Worked with Louis Jordan, Wild Bill Davis, Duke Ellington, Floyd Smith, Al Grey, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Buddy Tate, Milt Buckner, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Hammond Smith, and others. His son was Count Basie's drummer Sonny Payne ~ Columbus passed away in 2002
June 17, 1902 ~ Samuel E Feinberg, commonly known as singer, pianist, songwriter Sammy Fain, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best remembered for co-writing songs such as You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me (Ted Wallace, Maurice Chevalier, Benny Goodman), When I Take My Sugar To Tea (the Melotone Boys, the Casa Loma Orchestra, Milton Brown), That Old Feeling (Virginia Verrill, Shep Fields, Count Basie), Secret Love (Doris Day, Gogi Grant, Ray Anthony), April Love (Pat Boone, Connie Francis, Johnny Mathis), Tender Is The Night (Tony Bennett, Vic Damone, Billy Eckstine), and I'll Be Seeing You (Tamara, Dick Todd, Billie Holiday) ~ Feinberg passed away in 1989
June 17, 1899 ~ Jazz saxophonist Benny Krueger born ~ Briefly played with the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, appearing on a number of early 1920s recordings. Would go on to become a musical director and conductor for radio and TV working with artists such as Rudy Vallée and Bob Crosby. As a solo artist best known for I Cried For You and Wang Wang Blues (Saxopation). Also wrote Sunday, recorded by Pat Boone, Louis Jordan and most notably Lester Young ~ Krueger passed away in 1967
June 17, 1895 ~ Pianist, bandleader, arranger Sam Wooding, full name Samuel David Wooding, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Contemporary of Fletcher Henderson and Duke Ellington. Best known for bringing jazz, and big band ensembles to European audiences. In the 1926 became one of the first jazz artists to perform in Russia ~ Wooding passed away in 1985
June 17, 1882 ~ Composer Igor Stravinsky, full name Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky, born in Orahienbaum, Russia ~ Generally acknowledged as one of the most influential composers of the 20th century noted for his stylistic diversity. Rose to fame with three ballets, 1910's Firebird, 1911's Petrushka and 1913's The Rite Of Spring ~ Stravinsky passed away in 1971
June 17, 1818 ~ Composer Charles Gounod, full name Charles-François Gounod, born in Paris, France ~ Composed choral music, chamber music, song suites and operas, most notably Faust and Romeo Et Juliette. Influenced composers such as Jules Massenet, Gabriel Fauré, Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy ~ Gounod passed away in 1893