June 21, 1985 ~ Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, commonly known as barqoue pop, dream pop singer, songwriter Lana Del Rey born in Lake Placid, New York, USA ~ Debuted in 2010 with her eponymous Lana Del Rey debut album and has recorded consistently since, noted for her stylized, cinematic quality and exploration of themes of sadness, tragedy and melancholia. Well known song include Young & Beautiful, Summertime Sadness with Cedric Gervais, West Coast, Don't Call Me Angel with Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus
June 21, 1982 ~ Actor, TV personality, singer, songwriter Rob Mills born in Melbourne, Australia ~ First gained attention in 2003, reaching the finals of the talent contest Australian Idol. Would release his sole album, Up All Night, the following year. The album spawned Ms Vanity, which reached top 10 in his native Australia. Mills would go on to work mostly in TV as a hostm actor, and singer for a variety of TV shows, ranging from hidden camera shows to TV quizzes. Mills has also worked in the musical theatre, portraying roles in productions of Grease, Hair, and Wicked
June 21, 1981 ~ Demetrius Lee Stewart, commonly known as producer, rapper, songwriter Shawty Redd, born ~ Trap pioneer known for his horror-influenced melodies. Has worked with artists such as Gucci Mane, Drama, Yo Gotti, Young Jeezy, Lil' Jon, TI, Snoop Dogg, Pusha T, Tha Dogg Pound, Pastor Troy, and Hurricane Chris
June 21, 1977 ~ Pop, pop rock, art rock singer, songwriter, actress Sarah Slean born in Pickering, Canada ~ Has recorded over half a dozen albums, ranging from cabaret-influenced as on her independently released 1998 Blue Parade debut album to adult contemporary and classical on the 2020 Sarah Slean & Symphony Novia Scotia album. Specifically acclaimed for her 2004 Day One album and its 2008 follow-up The Baroness
June 21, 1976 ~ Singer, songwriter Jarle Bernhoft, full name Jerle Norman Bernhoft-Sjødin, born in Nittedal, Norway ~ Member of Explicit Lyrics and subsequently of Span, recording two albums with each. Active as a solo artist since 2008, his first three solo albums all reaching top 5 in his native Norway. Well-known songs include Streetlights, the Tears For Fears-cover Shout, Choices, C'mon Talk, and Stay With Me
June 21, 1976 ~ Alternative rock, alternative metak, nu metal guitarist, songwriter Mike Einziger, full name Michael Aaron Einziger, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of Incubus, a band known for merging hard rock riffs with pop-flavored melodies. The band has recorded over half a dozen albums since the mid-1990s, and is especially acclaimed for their 2001 album Morning View and its 2004 follow-up A Crow Left Of The Murder. The single Drive of their 1999 Make Yourself would reach top 10 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Einziger has also co-written DJ Avicii's Wake Me Up, and has collaborated with a wide array of artists including Agent Sparks, Thirty Seconds To Mars, MellowHype, the Internet, Chuck Inglish, David Guetta, Tyler the Creator, Joy Williams, and Damian Marley
June 21, 1972 ~ Alt country, folk, rock, roots pop singer, songwriter Allison Moorer born in Mobile, Alabama, USA ~ Sister of Shelby Lynne. Released her Alabama Song debut album in 1998. its lead single, A Soft Place To Fall, would be used in the soundtrack of The Horse Whisperer and be nominated for an Academy Award. Has recorded to critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase since. Has collaborated with Kid Rock, Steve Earle, David Byrne, the Chieftains, and Josh Turner
June 21, 1970 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Eric Reed born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Wynton Marsalis, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Black Note, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Robert Stewart, Irvin Mayfield, Cassandra Wilson, Mary Stallings, Clark Terry, Dianne Reeves, Elvin Jones, Ron Carter, Paula West, Benny Carter, Christian McBride, the Arkadia Jazz All-Stars, and others
June 21, 1970 ~ PEter I Phillips, commonly known as producer, DJ, rapper Pete Rock, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Half of acclaimed duo Pete Rock & CL Smooth, the other half being CL Smooth, known for their 1991 EP All Souled Out and its full length follow-up 1992's Mecca & The Soul Brothers Album. Renowned producer, remixer, collaborator played a pivotal role from the 1990s forward merging jazz and hip-hop. Has worked with artists such as YG'z, Heavy D & the Boyz, Brand Nubian, EPMD, Public Enemy, Doug E Fresh, Redman, K Solo, House Of Pain, Run-DMC (incuding the pivotal 1993 song Down With The King), Naughty By Nature, Nas (The World Is Yours), AZ, Jamal, Rakim, Monica, Common, Lost Boyz, Slick Rick, Inspectah Deck, Phife Dawg, Busta Rhymes, Spinderella, Keith Murray, Mr Cheeks, Roc Marciano, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Keyshia Cole, Talib Kweli, Skyzoo, Termanology, Method Man, Ras Kass, Cypress Hill, Kurupt, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Torae, NORE, Mack Wilds, Sadat X, the LOX, De La Soul, and others
June 21, 1969 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist Pat Sansone, full name Patrick Anthony Sansone, born in Meridian, USA ~ Influenced by the Beatles, the Beatles, the Who. Founded Autumn Defense in 1999, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums since. Best known perhaps for his association with Wilco, joining the band on their 2004 A Ghost Is Born tour following the departure of Leroy Bach. Sansone would also work with the band on the albums Sky Blue Sky, Wilco, and The Whole Love, also co-producing the latter. As an in-demand session musician, collaborator, and ocassional producer Sansone has also worked with Garrison Starr, the Squirrel Nut Zippers, Ryan Adams (Heartbreaker), Swan Dive (June), Josh Rouse, Andrew Bird, Will Kimbrough, Richard Swift, Mavis Staples (You Are Not Alone), Kim Richey, and Jamie Lidell
June 21, 1968 ~ George Spivey, commonly known as hip-hop DJ, producer DJ Scratch, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ One third of pivotal early hip-hop trio EPMD alongside Erick Sermon and PMD, known for their 1988 acclaimed and highly influential Strictly Business debut album. Spivey would go on to become an in-demand producer, working with artists such as Das EFX, Busta Rhymes, Rampage, Method Man, Redman, Pharoahe Monch, Funkmaster Flex, LL Cool J, Guru (Jazzmatazz Vol.3 Streetsoul), the Roots, Talib Kweli, Snoop Dogg, Fabolous, Beanie Sigel, the Wu-Tang Clan, and others
June 21, 1968 ~ Singer Sonia Marina Clarke, commonly known as Sonique born in London, UK ~ First gained attention as member of S'Express, present on the band's 1991 Intercourse sophomore album. Rose to fame as a solo artist in the early-2000s, known for songs such as It Feels So Good, Sky, I Put A Spell On You and Can't Make Up My Mind
June 21, 1964 ~ Jazz double bassist Philippe Aerts born ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Ivan Paduart, Tony Levin, Bert Joris, Charles Loos, Diederik Wissels, Nathalie Loriers, Michel Herr, Jacques Pelzer, Steve Houben, Philip Catherine, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Richard Galliano, Gary Burton, and others
June 21, 1964 ~ Guitarist Porter Howell born in Longview, Texas, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead guitarist of country outfit Little Texas remaining with the band from 1988 through 1997 and rejoining in later years. The band is known for a number of 1990s country hits including You And Forever And Me, What Might Have Been, God Blessed Texas, Kick A Little, Amy's Back In Austin, Life Goes On and perhaps their best known My Love, the latter topping the Billboard Country charts in 1994
June 21, 1962 ~ Jazz guitarist Andrew Cheshire born in Arverne, New York, USA ~ As a leader over a dozen albums to his name starting in the mid-1990s, especially acclaimed for Another View released in 1997 and its follow-up Water Street Revival released the following year. Has guested on albums by Don Friedman, Eric Wood, and Gonad Jones
June 21, 1961 ~ Bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist, singer Kip Winger, full name Charles Frederick Kip Winger, born in Denver, USA ~ Studied classical music after hearing the music of composers such as Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, and Igor Stravinsky. First gained serious attention co-writing Bang Bang for KIX's 1985 Midnite Dynamite album. Backed Alice Cooper on the albums Constrictor and Raise Your Fist And Yell. Frontman and eponym of Winger, with whom he recorded three albums. Has also worked with Fiona, the Mob, and Blackwood Creek, has recorded as a solo artist, wrote the classical symphonic work Ghosts which was premiered by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, and composed the musical thriller Get Jack. Winger dated supermodel Rachel Hunter during the late-1980s, who would marry Rod Stewart after breaking up with Winger
June 21, 1961 ~ José-Manuel Thomas Arthur Chao, commonly known as worldbeat, ska singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter Manu Chao, born in Paris, France ~ Rose to fame as co-founding member, frontman of Mano Negra, known for songs such as Pa Essez De Toi, Sidi H'Bibi and perhaps their best known King Of Bongo. Released his Clandestino solo debut album in 1998
June 21, 1959 ~ Progressive rock keyboardist, singer Andy Tillison born ~ Formed Parallel Or 90 Degrees with guitarist, singer Guy Manning. Best known for forming the Tangent. The band's 2003 The Music That Died Alone debut album was originally intended as a Tillison solo project yet the band has continued to record to critical acclaim since, and is especially acclaimed for their 2006 A Place In The Queue album
June 21, 1959 ~ Country singer Kathy Mattea born in South Charleston, South Carolina, USA ~ Discovered by noted country producer Byron Hill. Started out as a songwriter and demo singer, signed to Mercury Records in 1983. Released her eponymous debut LP in 1984. Musicians who have guested on her albums include Béla Fleck, Don Williams, Tim O'Brien, Mark O'Connor, Charlie McCoy, Jerry Douglas, Ray Flacke, Trisha Yearwood, Emmylou Harris, Karla Bonoff, Hal Ketchum, Abe Laboriel Jr, Jim Keltner, Duke Levine, Kim Richey, Michael McDonald, Suzy Bogguss. Mattea is married to songwriter Jon Vezner. She is also known for her roles in AIDS activism
June 21, 1959 ~ Marcella Levy, commonly known as pop, rock, R&B, soul singer, guitarist, songwriter Marcella Detroit, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Co-wrote Eric Clapton's 1977 hit Lay Down Sally. Released her Marcella solo debut album in 1982. Formed Shakespears Sister with former Bananarama-singer Siobhan Fahey, known for their 1992 hit Stay which reached top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic
June 21, 1957 ~ Drummer Mark Brzezicki born in London, UK ~ Brother of bassist Steve Brzezicki. Best known as a member of Big Country from 1982 through 1989, rejoining in later years. Present on most of the band's best known including the UK top 10 hits Wonderland and Look Away. Has also guested on albums by Pete Townshend (Empty Glass), Frida, Simon Townshend, the Cult (Love), Midge Ure, Tom Cochrane, Joan Armatrading, and Fish
June 21, 1956 ~ Elnora Jean Wallace, commonly known as blues singer, songwriter Nora Jean Bruso, born in Greenwood, Mississippi, USA ~ Active since her late teens, performing with Scottie & the Oasis and notably Jimmy Dawkins including on the 1991 Kant Sheck Deez Bluze album. Retired from music by 1992 to raise her two sons, yet reemerged a decade later to record a number of solo albums, starting with her Nora Jean Bruso Sings The Blues album released in 2003
June 21, 1955 ~ Pop, folk, soft rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist Henry Priestman, full name Henry Christian Priestman, born in Kingston-upon-Hull, UK ~ Member of late-1970s power pop outfit Yachts, with whom he opened for the Who on their 1979 European tour. Co-founded It's Immaterial. Co-founded the Christians, known for the 1988 UK No.1 hit Harvest For The World. Priestman would go on to work as a session musician, notably with Bette Bright and Badger, produce Mark Owen's 2003 In Your Own Time album, and record as a solo artist
June 21, 1954 ~ Horace Swaby, commonly known as roots reggae, dub producer, pianist, keyboardist Augustus Pablo born in St Andrew, Jamaica ~ Popularised the use of the melodica in reggae. Best known for his 1976 King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown, a landmark album in dub music. Has worked with Mikey Chung, Clive Chin (Java), Lee Scratch Perry, Fred Locks, Dillinger, I-Roy, the Impact All-Stars, Paul Blackman, the Heptones, Bob Marley, Delroy Wilson, Junior Delgado, and Horace Andy. Also played to melodica on Primal Scream's 1997 Star single ~ Swaby passed away in 1999
June 21, 1951 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Nils Lofgren born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Well-known for his association with Bruce Springsteen as a member of Springsteen's backing unit the E Street Band since 1984 and appearing on over a dozen of the band's albums. Also a member of Neil Young's backing unit Crazy Horse, present on pivotal albums such as After The Gold Rush and Tonight's The Night. Formed and fronted Grin, known for a number of highly acclaimed early-1970s albums, notably 1+1 released in 1972. Has also worked with Lou Reed, appearing on the 1979 The Bells album for which Lofgren co-wrote Stupid Man, With You, and City Lights, and with Lou Gramm, appearing on the singer's 1987 Ready Or Not solo debut album
June 21, 1950 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, arranger Dave Bass born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Worked with Brenda Lee, Bobby McFerrin, Jackie Ryan, Babatunde Lea, Ad Infinitum, Ernie Watts, Gary Brown, Mary Stallings, Phil Woods, Ignacio Berroa, Conrad Herwig, Harvie S, Karrin Allyson, and others
June 21, 1950 ~ Joseph Michael Kramer, commonly known as rock drummer Joey Kramer, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of Aerosmith, known for songs such as Dream On, Walk This Way, Angel, Rag Doll, Love In An Elevator, Janie's Got A Gun, Cryin', I Don't Want To Miss A Thing and Jaded
June 21, 1950 ~ Rock, folk rock, soft rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Vasilis Papakonstantinou born in Greece ~ Influenced by Mikis Theodorakis. Early on in his career lived abroad, performing for Greek students and immigrants protesting the ruling military junta in his native Greece. Following the fall of the dictatorship in 1974 returned to Greece and embarked on a successfull singing career, recording prolifically starting with his 1974 Ta Agrotika debut album.
June 21, 1947 ~ Guitarist Joey Molland, full name Joseph Charles Molland, born in Edge Hill, UK ~ Best known as a member of Badfinger from 1969 through 1974, present on the band's best known albums including the acclaimed No Dice and its follow-up Straight Up. Has also guested on George Harrison's All Things Must Pass and John Lennon's Imagine, and formed Natural Gas with Jerry Shirley in late 1974
June 21, 1947 ~ Heavy metal, hard rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist Nicky Moore, full name Nicholas Charles Moore, born ~ Best known as a member of Samson, joining the band in 1982 replacing Bruce Dickinson and first appearing on the Before The Storm album. Member of Mammoth. Has also worked with Hackensack, Tiger, Mister Big Stuff, From Behind, and others. Would gravitate towards a more bluesy sound with his own bands the Nicky Moore Band and especially Nicky Moore's Blues Corporation ~ Moore passed away in 2022
June 21, 1945 ~ Punk rock producer, music promoter, label executive Marc Zermati born in Algiers ~ Co-founded Skydog label. Organised tours for the Clash, Dr Feelgood, Eddie & the Hot Rods. Has produced artists such as Motörhead, Wayne Kramer, Bebe Buell, Iggy Pop, the Flamin' Groovies, Flambeurs, the CFM Band, 54 Nude Honeys, and others ~ Zermati passed away in 2020
June 21, 1944 ~ Philip John Hiseman, commonly known as drummer Jon Hiseman born in Woolwich, UK ~ Married to saxophonist Barbara Thompson from 1967 until his death in 2018. Studied violin and piano as a child, taking up drums in his early teens. Active since the mid-1960s. Took over for Ginger Baker in the Graham Bond Organisation. Played with John Mayall's the Bluesbreakers on the 1968 Bare Wires album. Co-founded quintessential jazz-rock, progressive rock unit Colosseum, critically acclaimed for the late-1960s albums Those Who Are About To Die Salute You and Valentyne Suite. Formed early-1970s progressive rock outfit Tempest, with whom he recorded two albums. Has also worked with the New Jazz Orchestra, Keef Hartley, Dick Heckstall-Smith, the United Jazz+Rock Ensemble, and John McLaughlin, and occasionally recorded as a solo artist ~ Hiseman passed away in 2018
June 21, 1944 ~ Singer, songwriter Ray Davies, full name Raymond Douglas Davies, born in Muswell Hill, UK ~ Lead singer, main songwriter of quintessential British band the Kinks, known for songs such as You Really Got Me, All Day And All Of The Night, A Well Respected Man, Dedicated Follower Of Fashion, Sunny Afternoon, Waterloo Sunset, The Death Of A Clown and Lola
June 21, 1942 ~ Jazz trumpeter Ditlef Eckhoff born in Stokke, Norway ~ Worked with Einar Iversen, Kristian Bergheim, Arlid Wikstron, Egil Kapstad, Egil Johansen, Phil Woods, George Russell, Dizzy Gillespie, Red Mitchell, Kenny Drew, Dexter Gordon, Horace Parlan, Knut Riisnæs, Ole Jacob Hansen, Eivin Sannes, Kaj Hartvigsen, Eric Reed, Mats Eilertsen, Jan Erik Kongshaug, Sture Janson, Terje Rypdal, and others
June 21, 1941 ~ John Junla Jones Jr, commonly known as blues, soul blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Johnny Yard Dog Jones, born in Crawfordsville, Arkansas, USA ~ Influenced by Robert Johnson, T-Bone Walker, OV Wright, Johnnie Taylor, and the Spirit Of Memphis Quartet. Released his sole solo album, the critically acclaimed Ain't Gonna Wory, as late as 1996 at age 55 ~ Jones passed away in 2015
June 21, 1941 ~ R&B, gospel singer Mitty Collier, full name Mitty Lene Collier, born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Known for a string of early to mid-1960s singles, including I'm Your Part Time Love, No Faith No Love, Sharing You and perhaps her best known I Had A Talk With My Man
June 21, 1939 ~ Maria Rosa Marco Poquet, commonly known as singer Salomé, born in Barcelona, Spain ~ Internationally best known for being joint winner at 1969 Eurovision Songfestival held in Madrid with Vivo Cantando. Allegations of foul play were made as dictator Franco wanted Spain to win. Four winners tied for the No.1 spot, the others being Lenny Kuhr with De Troubadour for the Netherlands, Frida Boccara with Un Jour Un Enfant for France and Lulu with Boom Bang-a-bang for the UK
June 21, 1938 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Don Black, full name Donald Blackstone, born in Hackney, London, UK ~ Best known for his association with Andrew Lloyd Webber and for co-writing the Bond themes Thunderball, Diamonds Are Forever and The Man With The Golden Gun with John Barry. Artists who have recorded songs co-written by Black include Charles Strouse, Matt Monro, Quincy Jones, Henry Mancini, Meat Loaf, Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson, AR Rahman, Marvin Hamlisch, and others
June 21, 1936 ~ Lyric tenor Charles Burles born in Marseille, France ~ Active since the late-1950s. Best known for his association with the Opera De Marseille, debuting as Almaviva in The Barber Of Seville in 1959. Has also notably worked with the Opera-Comique and the Paris Opera. As a recording artist best known for a number of EMI opera and operetta recordings usually partnering with Maddy Mesplé ~ Burles passed away in 2021
June 21, 1936 ~ Francisco Angel Bastar, commonly known as percussionist, bandleader, songwriter Kako, born in Santurce, Puerto Rico ~ Considered one of the most important timbaleros. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Kako y Su Cumbo Vol 1 in 1961. Has worked with Arsenío Rodriguez, Tito Puente, Ismael Rivera, Willie Colón, Mon Rivera, the Alegre All-Stars, and others ~ Bastar passed away in 1994
June 21, 1932 ~ Boris Claudio Schifrin, commonly known as pianist, conductor, composer, arranger Lalo Schifrin born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Best known for his work for TV and film soundtracks, notably for Mission Impossible, Bullitt, Enter The Dragon, and the Dirty Harry series of films. Has also worked with Cannonball Adderley, Maurice André, Count Basie, Louie Bellson, Luiz Bonfá, Candido Camero, the Three Tenors, Stan Getz, Eddie Harris, Al Hirt, Astor Piazzolla, Sarah Vaughan, Cal Tjader, and extensively with Dizzy Gillespie
June 21, 1932 ~ R&B, soul singer OC Smith, full name Ocie Lee Smith, born in Mansfield, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known for his 1968 recording of Little Green Apples, which reached the Billboard Hot 100 top 10. Other well known songs include The Son Of Hickory Holler's Tramp, Friend Lover Woman Wife, Daddy's Little Man and Baby I Need Your Loving ~ Smith passed away in 2001
June 21, 1931 ~ John Worsley, commonly known as singer, songwriter Les Vandyke, born in Battersea, UK ~ First gained attention as a songwriter in the late-1950s, penning the UK No.1 hits What Do You Want and Poor Me for Adam Faith. Would go on to become an in-demand songwriter especially successful throughout the 1960s. His songs have been recorded by the Raindrops, Marty Wilde, Al Saxon, Craig Douglas, John Barry, Bobby Vee, Eden Kane, the Viscounts, Jet Harris, Petula Clark, the Roulettes, Tommy Steele, Bobby Rydell, Chubby Checker, Freddie & the Dreamers, Maureen Evans, Herman's Hermits, Scott McKenzie, the Foundations, Shirley Bassey, Jackie Trent, Barbra Streisand, Jimmy Helms, and others ~ Worsley passed away in 2021
June 21, 1929 ~ Abdel Halim Ali Shabana, commonly known as singer, conductor, actor Abdel Halim Hafez, born in El Sharqia, Egypt ~ Considered one of the all-time greatest Egyptian singers dubbed “the Dark-Skinned Nightingale” with over 80 million records sold. Known for patriotic songs, some of his songs reaching the status of anthem during the 2011 Egyptian Revolution. Well known songs include El Massih, Ahwak, Fatet Ganbena, Gabbar, Habibati Man Takoon and Aadah Al Nahar. In the Western world best known when two bars of his Khosara were used by Jay-Z in the 2000 hit Big Pimpin' featuring UGK ~ Shabana passed away in 1977
June 21, 1928 ~ Tenor saxophonist Clifford Scott, full name Clifford Donley Scott, born in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Learned drums, piano and violin before switching to clarinet in his teens. Actively performing since the 1940s. Leader and sideman. Has backed artists such as Amos Milburn, Jay McShann, Lionel Hampton, Roy Milton, Bill Doggett (notably on Honky Tonk), Sonny Thompson, Jimmy Witherspoon, Gerald Wilson, Onzy Matthews, Ray Charles, Freddie King, Bobby Blue Bland, James Brown, Little Willie John, and others ~ Scott passed away 1993
June 21, 1924 ~ Jazz clarinetist Wally Fawkes, full name Walter Ernest Fawkes, born in Vancouver, Canada ~ Influenced by Sidney Bechet. Self-taught jazz clarinetist. First gained attention working with jazz revivalist George Webb in the 1940s. Would go on to work with Humphrey Lyttelton, who became a life-long friend. Has also collaborated with George Melly and John Chilton through the early-1970s. Also known as a political satirical cartoonist, noted for the comic Flook which ran in The Daily Mail for over three decades ~ Fawkes passed away in 2023
June 21, 1921 ~ Actress, singer, model Jane Russell, full name Ernestine Jane Geraldine Russell, was born in Bemidji, Minnesota, USA ~ Best known as an acclaimed actress and one of Hollywood's leading sex symbols of the 1940s and 1950s. As a singer best known for two 1947 singles backed by Kay Kyser and his orchestra, namely As Long As I Live and Boin-n-n-ng, and her 78rpm album Let's Put Out The Lights, released the same year ~ Russell passed away in 2011
June 21, 1910 ~ R&B singer Jewel King, full name Mary Jewel King, born in Texas, USA ~ Best known for her late-1940s hits such as 3x7=21. Worked with Cosimo Matassa, Dave Bartholomew, Herbert Hardesty, Alvin Tyler, Ernest McLean, Frank Fields, Earl Palmer, and others ~ King passed away in 1997
June 21, 1906 ~ Songwriter Harold Spina born ~ Composer, frequently collaborated with lyricists such as Johnny Burke, Joe Young, John Elliott and Bob Russell, responsible for songs such as Fats Waller's You're Not The Only Oyster In The Stew and My Very Good Friend The Milkman, Dinah Shore's It's So Nice To Have A Man Around The House and Patti Page's 1951 Billboard No.4 hit Would I Love You (Love You Love You), the latter also notably recorded by Doris Day, Tony Martin and Helen O'Connell ~ Spina passed away in 1997
June 21, 1904 ~ Morris Gittier, commonly known as songwriter, composer, lyricist Mack Gordon, born ~ Stage, film songwriter, lyricist. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song nine times. Won once, namely for You'll Never Know from the 1943 film Hello Frisco Hello, sung by Alice Faye ~ Gittier passed away in 1959
June 21, 1900 ~ Jazz trumpeter, cornetist Dewey Jackson born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Fixture on the St Louis jazz scene in the 1920s. An in-demand sideman, Jackson has worked with artists such as Tommy Evans, Charlie Creath, Fate Marable, Singleton Palmer, and Don Ewell. Though regarded as a legend for decades, Jackson only recorded sporadically as a leader, his Live At The Barrel 1952 album released posthumously in 2006 ~ Jackson passed away in 1994
June 21, 1891 ~ Violinist, conductor Herman Scherchen born in Berlin, Germany ~ Left Germany in 1933 in protest of the Nazi-regime. Would become a thriving force in Switzerland's Winterthur music scene. Known a champion of 20th-century composers including Richard Strauss, Anton Webern, Edgard Varèse, Iannis Xenakis, and others. Perhaps best known for his orchestral arrangement of The Art Of The Fugue, an unfinished work written by Johann Sebastian Bach near the end of his life ~ Scherchen passed away in 1966
June 21, 1879 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Henry Creamer, full name Henry Sterling Creamer, born in Richmond, Virginia, USA ~ Revered songwriter, often in partnership with James P Johnson, Bert Williams and most frequently with Turner Layton. Wrote or co-wrote early standards such as Strut Miss Lizzie (the Original Dixieland Jazz Band) After You've Gone (Campbell & Burr, Ruth Etting, Bessie Smith), Way Down Yonder In New Orleans (the Peerless Quartet, Dean Martin, Freddy Cannon, Dinah Shore, Jan & Dean), and others ~ Creamer passed away in 1930