This Day In Music: June 20
June 19 ~ Birthdays/All ~ June 21
 
June 20, 1992 ~ Dominic Wynn Woods, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter Sage The Gemini, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Released his full-length Remember Me debut album in 2014. Best known for his 2013 single Gas Pedal featuring iamsu. Appears on Flo Rida's 2014 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit GDFR
 
June 20, 1987 ~ Gospel singer, actress, songwriter Kierra Sheard, full name Kierra Valencia Sheard, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Daughter of gospel singer Karen Clark Sheard. Portrayed the role of her mother in the bio-pic The Clark Sisters (First Ladies Of Gospel). As a singer debuted with the album I Owe You in 2004. Best known for songs such as You Don't Know, Why Me, Praise Him Now and It Keeps Happening
 
June 20, 1986 ~ Latin pop, pop drummer, guitarist, singer Joy Huerta, full name Tirzah Joy Huerta Uecke, born in Mexico City, Mexico ~ Forms the sibling duo Jesse & Joy with pianist, guitarist Jesse Huerta, known for songs such as Corre, La De La Mala Suerte, Quien Se Queda El Perro, Llorar featuring Mario Domm, Ecos De Amor, No Soy Una De Esas featuring Alejandro Sanz, 3AM featuring Gente De Zona, Te Esperé, Mañana Es Too Late featuring J Balvin, all of which reached the No.1 spot in their native Mexico
 
June 20, 1985 ~ Indie pop, alternative pop singer Caroline Polachek, full name Caroline Elizabeth Polachek, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founded indie pop outfit Chairlift, known for the sleeper hit Bruises. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with her Arcadia album released in 2014. In-demand collaborator, has worked with Blood Orange, Fischerspooner, Christine & the Queens, Charli XCX, Grimes, and PC Music
 
June 20, 1983 ~ Pop, rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, actress Grace Potter, full name Grace Evelyn Potter born in Waitsfield, Vermont, USA ~ Released her Red Shoe Rebel debut album in 2002. Best known for her association with country singer Kenny Chesney, recording several successful duets including You & Tequila and Wild Child. Has also notably collaborated with the Flaming Lips. As a solo artist pehaps best known for her Stealers Wheel-cover Stuck In The Middle With You, used as the theme song for the Netflix series Grace & Frankie
 
June 20, 1982 ~ Elliot John Gleave, commonly known as singer, producer, songwriter Example, born in London, UK ~ First gained attention with his 2010 Won't Go Quietly sophomore album, which included the UK top 10 hit Won't Go Quietly and Kickstarts. Would subsequently reach the higher echelons of the charts with songs such as Changed The Way You Kiss Me, Stay Awake, Say Nothing and One More Day (Stay With Me)
 
June 20, 1980 ~ Erik Vincent Stephens, commonly known as producer Apollo Brown, born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA ~ Member of hip-hop group the Ugly Heroes, teaming up with Red Pill and Verbal Kent. Has collaborated with Guilty Simpson, OC, Ras Jass, Skyzoo, Planet Asia, Ghostface Killah, Big Pooh, Joell Ortiz and others
 
June 20, 1979 ~ Guitarist Charlotte Hatherley, full name Charlotte Franklin Hatherley, born in London, UK ~ First gained attention as member of alternative rock band Ash. After leaving the band in 2006 has worked with Bryan Ferry, KT Tunstall, Bat For Lashes, Cold Specks, Rosie Lowe, Birdy, NZCA Lines, Nakhane, and others
 
June 20, 1977 ~ Guitarist Aaron Dugan born in USA ~ Worked with Roots Tonic, Matisyahu, Trevor Hall, Bootsy Collins, Amy Carrigan, John Zorn, Maya Dunietz, Chris Tunkel, Mark Giuliana, Bill Laswell, Sly & Robbie, Anders Nilson, Jaymay, Mat Maneri, Andrew d'Angelo, Cyro Baptista, Tim Lefebvre, Zeena Parkins, Nir Felder, Jeff Arnal, Mike Pride, Jason Fraticelli, and Tim Keiper
June 20, 1977 ~ Ryan Anthony Massaro, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Amos Lee, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Draws from folk, rock, pop and soul. Has opened for artists such as Norah Jones, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Paul Simon, Merle Haggard, Adele, the Avett Brothers. Released his eponymous Amos Lee debut album in 2005. Best known for his 2011 Mission Bell album
 
June 20, 1973 ~ Camillo Wong Moreno, commonly known as alternative metal, alternative rock, post-metal, nu metal singer, guitarist, songwriter Chino Moreno, born in Sacramento, California, USA ~ Lead singer, primary lyricist for metal outfit the Deftones. Described by some as “the Radiohead of Metal” the band has recorded since the mid-1990s and is especially acclaimed for their 2000 White Pony album. Moreno has also worked with the side projects Team Sleep, Crosses, and Palms
 
June 20, 1971 ~ Jeordie Osbourne White, commonly known as alternative metal, industrial metal bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer Twiggy Ramirez, born ~ Influenced by the likes of Mötley Crüe. Best known for his association with Marilyn Manson, initially in the side project Mrs Scabtree and as a full member with Manson's band from 1993 through 2002. Present on some of the band's best known including the acclaimed 1996 Antichrist Superstar. White has also worked with A Perfect Circle, toured with Nine Inch Nails, fronts his own Goon Moon, and rejoined Manson in later years, both on tour and on record
 
June 20, 1970 ~ Musical composer, lyricist, playwright Jason Robert Brown born in Ossining, New York, USA ~ Best known for writing the musicals Parade and The Bridges Of Madison County, both of which earned him a Tony Award. Has also written or co-written musicals such as Urban Cowboy, 13, Honeymoon In Vegas, and Mr Saturday Night
 
June 20, 1968 ~ Eric Dwayne Collins, commonly known as rapper, songwriter, producer RBX, born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Guested on the seminal golden age rap albums The Chronic by Dr Dre and Doggystyle by Snoop Dogg before leaving Death Row Records over what he perceived as dubious business practices, a subject covered on his AWOL solo single. Has since recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with The RBX Files released in 1995
 
June 20, 1967 ~ Bluegrass singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter Dan Tyminski, full name Daniel John Tyminski, born in Rutland, Vermont, USA ~ Member of Union Station, best known as backing unit for bluegrass, country, gospel fiddler, singer Alison Krauss. Tyminski has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the Green Mountain Bluegrass album released in 1985, and guested on DJ Avicii's Hey Brother 2013 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 single
 
June 20, 1963 ~ Composer Jeff Beal born in Hayward, California, USA ~ Has written over 30 concert works, orchestral, choral and dance compositions, some of which he has conducted with a variety of orchestras including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Also well-known as a film composer with over two dozen scores to his name, noted for the 2001 Pollock soundtrack
 
June 20, 1960 ~ New wave, new romantic, pop rock bassist John Taylor born in Solihull, UK ~ Co-founding member of Duran Duran, remaining with the band from 1978 through 1997. The band is known for a string of 1980s hits including Hungry Like The Wolf, Save A Prayer, Is There Something I Should Know, The Reflex, The Wild Boys, A View To A Kill, and Notorious. Taylor has also worked with supergroups Power Station and the Neurotic Outsiders, and recorded half a dozen albums as a solo artist starting with Feelings Are Good And Other Lies released in 1997
 
June 20, 1958 ~ Bernadette Jean Johnson, commonly known as guitarist Kelly Johnson, born in Edmonton, UK ~ Rose to fame as lead guitarist of all-female heavy metal outfit Girlschool from 1978 through 1984 and again from 1993 through 2000, present on hits such as Race With The Devil, Hit And Run and C'mon Let's Go ~ Johnson passed away in 2007
 
June 20, 1956 ~ Drummer, producer Anton Fier born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ In-demand collaborator in experimental rock, jazz and alternative rock. Member of the Lounge Lizards, the Feelies, Lodge, and briefly Richard Hell & the Voidoids. Co-founded critically acclaimed the Golden Palominos known for their impressive revolving line-ups. Has also notably worked with Pere Ubu, Bill Laswell, Bob Mould, Jack Bruce, Kenji Suzuki, Ex-Blank-Ex, the Styrenes, and John Zorn ~ Fier passed away in 2022
 
June 20, 1954 ~ Hard rock, rock bassist Michael Anthony born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known as bassist for Van Halen from 1974 through 2006 replaced by Wolfgang Van Halen, with whom he recorded close to a dozen albums. The band is best known for a string of 1980s hits, including Jump, Panama, Why Can't This Be Love, and When It's Love. Anthony has also worked with Sammy Hagar, short-lived supergroup Planet Us, and Chickenfoot
 
June 20, 1952 ~ Rock, pop keyboardist, producer Rob van Donselaar born in Hilversum, the Netherlands ~ Worked with the Bintangs, the Oscar Benton Blues Band, Vitesse, the Wild Onions, the Prodigal Sons, Rowwen Hèze, Doe Maar, the Analogues, Danny Vera, Hallo Venray, Clouseau, Kadanz, Marcel de Groot, Henny Vrienten, Abel, Paul de Leeuw, Guus Meeuwis, Trijntje Oosterhuis, and others
 
June 20, 1949 ~ Keyboardist, singer Bob Andrews, full name Robert Charles Andrews, born in Leeds, UK ~ Member of early pub rock outfit Brinsley Schwarz. Following the band's disbandement in 1975 joined Graham Parker's backing unit the Rumour. Co-produced Carlene Carter's eponymous 1978 Carlene Carter debut album with former bandmate Brinsley Schwarz. Produced Jona Lewie's Stop The Cavalry UK top 10 single
June 20, 1949 ~ Singer, songwriter Lionel Richie, full name Lionel Brockman Richie Jr, born in [where-tuskegee-al-usa], Alabama, USA ~ Rose to fame as key member of funk, R&B band the Commodores to venture out on his own becoming one of the 1980s most successful R&B balladeers. Known for songs such as Endless Love with Diana Ross, Truly, All Night Long (All Night), Hello, Say You Say Me, Dancing On The Ceiling and Ballerina Girl
 
June 20, 1946 ~ Classical pianist André Watts born in Nuremburg, Germany ~ Recorded a wide variety of repertoire, concentrating on Romantic composers such as Frédéric Chopin and Franz Liszt, yet also included George Gershwin. Has worked with renowned orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, the National Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra ~ Watts passed away in 2023
 
June 20, 1945 ~ Pop, country pop, soft rock singer. guitarist, songwriter Anne Murray, full name Morna Anne Murray, born in Spring Hill, Novia Scotia, Canada ~ Married to producer Bill Langstroth since 1975, with whom she has two children. Their daughter Dawn Langstroth is also a singer. Recorded well over 2 dozen albums starting with What About Me in 1968. First female Canadian singer to top the Billboard Hot 100, achieving this feat with her You Needed Me single in 1978. Other well known songs include Danny's Song, You Won't See Me, I Just Fall In Love Again and Shadows In The Moonlight
 
June 20, 1942 ~ Singer, songwriter Brian Wilson, full name Brian Douglas Wilson, born in Hawthorne, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Beach Boys. Widely considered one of the greatest American pop composers of the 20th century, especially acclaimed for the masterpiece Pet Sounds album
 
June 20, 1940 ~ Producer Bob Porter born in Wellesleys, Massachusetts, USA ~ Studio wizzard responsible for remastering and reissuing hundreds of classic jazz, blues, and R&B recordings by the likes of Duke Ellington, Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Ray Charles, and Richard Groove Holmes. Porter has also worked as a radio host and editor for magazines such as Down Beat and Cashbox ~ Porter passed away in 2021
 
June 20, 1939 ~ Alvin Lee Johnson, commonly known as singer, pianist Al Johnson, born ~ Not to be confused with Al Johnson, lead singer of Unifics. Johnson credits James Sugarboy Crawford, Fats Domino and Smiley Lewis as influences and recorded his first songs, Ole Time Talking and I've Done Wrong, in 1956. Johnson is best known for his 1960 release of Piano Carnival Time, produced by Joe Ruffino, which would become one of the most played and requested classics of the New Orleans Mardi Gras
June 20, 1939 ~ Folk singer, guitarist, banjoist Bob Neuwirth born ~ Underground cult hero. Influential on close friend and associate of Bob Dylan, with whom he also played including in the 1967 tour documentary Don't Look Back. Assembled Dylan's backing band for the 1975 Rolling Thunder Revue tour. Perhaps best remembered for co-writing Mercedes Benz with Michael McClure and Janis Joplin, the latter first recording the song as the B-side to Cry Baby released in 1971. Recorded five albums through the late 1990s, starting with his eponymous Bob Neuwirth debut in 1974. Collaborated with John Cale on the 1994 collaborative Last Day On Earth album. Songs written or co-written by Neuwirth have been recorded by Kristofferson, Peter Case, T-Bone Burnett, Robert Earl Keen, and Todd Snider ~ Neuwirth passed away in 2022
 
June 20, 1938 ~ Jazz, pop, rock guitarist Dennis Budimir, full name Dennis Matthew Budimir, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Active since his mid-teens, initially focused on jazz working with artists such as Don Cherry, Ken Hanna, Harry James, Chico Hamilton, Bud Shank, and Peggy Lee through the early 1960s. After a stint in the military toured with Bobby Troup before settling in Los Angeles to become an in-demand session musician. Appeared frequently on albums by the 5th Dimension, Harry Nilsson, Quincy Jones, the Partridge Family, and Sérgio Mendes. Other notable collaborations include Bobby Darin, Milt Jackson, Gene Ammons, Glen Campbell, Neil Diamond, Cass Elliott, Randy Newman (Good Old Boys), Cher, Barbra Streisand, Judy Collins, Rodney Franklin, Melissa Manchester, Barry Manilow, Ringo Starr, Lou Rawls, Bette Midler, Amy Grant, and Lee Ann Womack. Has also recorded about half a dozen albums as a leader or solo artist, starting with The Creeper released in 1965 ~ Budimir passed away in 2023
June 20, 1938 ~ Michael Peter Hayes, commonly known as producer, label executive Mickie Most, born in Aldershot, UK ~ Produced singles such as the Animals' debut single Baby Let Me Take You Home, Brenda Lee's Is It True and What'd I Say, Donovan's Sunshine Superman and Mellow Yellow, Lulu's To Sir With Love, the Seekers' The Days Of My Life an Nancy Sinatra's The Highway Song. Worked with Jeff Beck on the albums Truth and Beck-ola. Continued into the 1970s producing acts such as Alexis Korner's CCS, Smokie, Hot Chocolate, Julie Felix, Suzi Quatro (Can The Can, Devil Gate Drive), Mud (Tiger Feet), and others. Discovered Kim Wilde singing background vocals for her father and Most immediateley scored with Kids In America, launching Kim's career. Most's son Calvin Hayes is a member of pop group Johnny Hates Jazz, also signed to Most's RAK Records. Other acts that Most worked with throughtout the years include Terry Reid, the She Trinity, New World, Duncan Browne, Cozy Powell, Tam White, and Chris Spedding ~ Hayes passed away in 2003
 
June 20, 1937 ~ Easy listening, traditional pop singer, songwriter Jerry Keller born in Fort Smith, Kansas, USA ~ Member of the Tulsa Boy Singers. As a solo artist best known for the self-penned Here Comes Summer, which reached top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1959. Co-penned Almost There recorded by Andy Williams, How Does It Go recorded by Ricky Nelson, and Turn Down Day recorded by Cyrkle
 
June 20, 1934 ~ Anne-Marie Beugras, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Anne Sylvestre, born in Lyon, France ~ Active since the 1950s starting in cabarets. Discovered by Michel Valette. Had her Porteuse D'Eau covered by Jean-Claude Pascal, retitled to La Terre. Recorded for a wide range of audiences, and touched on a wide variety of subjects, ranging from children's music to love songs and socially conscious material. Has collaborated with Isabelle Aubret, Pauline Julien, and Michele Bernard ~ Beugras passed away in 2020
June 20, 1934 ~ Louis Thomas Watts, commonly known as blues, R&B, rock & roll singer Kid Thomas, born in Sturgis, USA ~ Best known for his 1959 George Motola-produced recording Rocking This Joint To-nite. Would continue to record into the mid-1960s but would be unable to replicate its success. Also worked with Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Bo Diddley, and Hound Dog Taylor ~ Watts passed away in 1970
 
June 20, 1933 ~ Songwriter Ben Peters, full name Ben James Peters, born in Greenville, Mississippi, USA ~ As a recording artist known for his sole charting single San Francisco Is A Lonely Town. Revered as a songwriter, writing or co-writing numerous hits for a host of artists, mostly in the country idiom, including Eddy Arnold, Lynn Anderson, Duane Dee and Freddy Fender (both recorded Before The Next Teardrop Falls), Johnny Rodriguez, Kenny Rogers (Daytime Friends), Charlie Rich, John Conlee, the Bellamy Brothers, Roy Drusky, Brenda Lee, Jerry Lee Lewis (Before), Boris Gardiner (I Wanna Wake Up With You), Val Doonican, David Frizzell, Charley Pride (Kiss An Angel Good Morning), and numerous others ~ Peters passed away in 2005
June 20, 1933 ~ Leslie Johnson, commonly known as singer and blues harpist Lazy Lester, born in Torras, California, USA ~ Known for songs such as I'm A Lover Not A Fighter, I Hear You Knocking and Sugar Coated Love. Worked with Slim Harpo, Lightning Slim, Katie Webster, Mike Buck, Sue Foley, Gene Taylor, Kenny Neal, Lucky Peterson, Jimmie Vaughn. Had his songs covered by the Kinks, the Flamin' Groovies, Freddy Fender, Dwight Yoakam, Dave Edmunds, Raful Neal, Anson Funderburgh, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and others ~ Johnson passed away in 2018
 
June 20, 1932 ~ Composer Mzilikazi Khumalo, full name James Steve Mzilikazi Khumalo, born in Natal, South Africa ~ Known for compositions such as Ma Ngificwa Ukufa premiered in 1959, the cantate Ushaka Kasengzangakohna, and the opera Princess Magogo Kadinuzulu, the latter would be the first opera in the Zulu language ~ Khumalo passed away in 2021
 
June 20, 1931 ~ Composer Arne Nordheim born ~ Composed for stage, orchestral works, chamber music, choral works, and for film and TV. Well-known composition include String Quartet, the song ccylce Aftonland (Evening Land), Canzona Per Orchestra, and perhaps his best known Epitaffio Per Orchestra E Nastro Magnetico published in 1963. Nordheim's popularity grew immensely after Frank Zappa visited Denmark in 1973 and told journalists he wanted to meet Nordheim. The two would later develop a longtime friendship ~ Nordheim passed away in 2010
 
June 20, 1929 ~ Classical pianist Ingrid Haebler born in Vienna, Austria ~ Made her first public performance at age 11. One of several Austrian musicians to experiment with period instruments, notably recording Johann Christian Bach's keyboard concertos on a fortepiano. Also well-known for her recordings of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven ~ Haebler passed away in 2023
 
June 20, 1928 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist Eric Dolphy, full name Eric Allan Dolphy Jr, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Pushed bop to its outer limits. Helped establish the bass clarinet as a viable jazz instrument. Extended the boundaries of the alto saxophone. During his lifetime released about half a dozen albums as a leader, with a multitude of recordings released posthumously. Especially acclaimed for the albums Looking Ahead and Out There, both released in 1960. Closely associated with Charles Mingus, John Coltrane and Booker Little. Also present on albums by Teddy Charles, Ernie Andrews, Chico Hamilton (Gong's East), Oliver Nelson (Screamin' The Blues), John Lewis, Eddie Lockjaw Davis (Trane Whistle), George Russell, Booker Little (Out Front), Max Roach, Ted Curson, Pony Poindexter (Pony's Express), Freddie Hubbard, and Andrew Hill (Point Of Departure. Dolphy passed away at age 36, most likely due to undiagnosed diabetes ~ Dolphy passed away in 1964
 
June 20, 1924 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Chet Atkins, full name Chester Burton Atkins, born in Luttrell, Tennessee, USA ~ Important behind the scenes country musician. Along with Owen Bradley and Bob Ferguson helped develop the Nashville sound. Highly admired as a guitarist. Influenced by Merle Travis, Django Reinhardt, George Barnes, Les Paul, Jerry Reed. Has collaborated with numerous artists, notably as a producer for Perry Como, Elvis Presley, Eddy Arnold, Don Gibson, Jim Reeves, Waylon Jennings ~ Atkins passed away in 2001
 
June 20, 1913 ~ Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist Al Gallodoro, full name Alfred J Gallodoro, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Praised as “the best sax player who ever lived” by bandleader Jimmy Dorsey. Best known for his longtime associations with Paul Whiteman and the NBC Symphony Orchestra led by Arturo Toscanini ~ Gallodoro passed away in 2008
 
June 20, 1907 ~ Paul Wesley Evans, commonly known as jazz, classical cornetist Doc Evans, born in Spring Valley, Minnesota, USA ~ Worked with the Carleton Collegians in college. Traded in his saxophone for cornet in the late 1920s. Performed and recorded as a leader, notably for Disc Records and Joco Records throught the 1950s. Founded the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra in the mid-1970s, which he conducted until his death a few years later ~ Evans passed away in 1977
June 20, 1907 ~ James Corbitt Morris, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist, banjoist, fiddler, songwriter Jimmie Driftwood born in Mountain View, Kansas, USA ~ Best known for penning and first recording The Battle Of New Orleans, based on the traditional Eighth Of January, and Tennessee Stud, both songs becoming country, folk standards covered by numerous artists. Driftwood reportedly adapted or wrote over an estimated 6,000 songs, hundreds of which have been recorded by the likes of Eddy Arnold, Odetta (He Had A Long Chain On), Porter Wagoner, Patrick Sky, Doc Watson, Malcolm Price (Get Along Yearlings), Country Joe McDonald, Sherwin Linton, Chris LeDoux, and Johnny Cash. Morris was also known as an environmental advocate, notably playing a major role in the preservation of the Blanchard Springs Caverns in the Ozark-St Francis National Forest in northern Arkansas ~ Morris passed away in 1998
June 20, 1907 ~ Jazz trumpeter Lammar Wright Sr born in Texarkana, Texas, USA ~ First gained attention playing with Bennie Moten's band in the 1920s, prior to relocating to New York by 1927 to join the Missourians, staying with the group after Cab Calloway became its leader, serving as lead trumpeter through the early 1940s. Wright has subsequently also worked with Don Redman, Claude Hopkins, Cootie Williams, Lucky Millinder, Sy Oliver, and Louis Armstrong, in addition to from time to time leading his own ensembles. Wright's sons Lammar Wright Jr and Elmon Wright would both follow in their father's footsteps, and become professional trumpeters ~ Wright passed away in 1973
 
June 20, 1899 ~ Opera, concert singer Helen Traubel, full name Helen Francesca Trubel, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Dramatic soprano best known for her roles in operas composed by Richard Wagner, notably as Brunnhilde in Die Walküre and as Isolde in Tristan Und Isolde. Closely associated with the Metropolitan Opera, singing with the orchestra from 1937 to 1953. Enjoyed a paralell career singing in nightclubs, musical theatre, TV and film ~ Traubel passed away in 1972