June 26, 1993 ~ Ariana Grande-Butera, commonly known as pop singer Ariana Grande, born in Boca Raton, Florida, USA ~ Debuted on Broadway at age 15 in the musical 13. Would rise to fame as actres in the Nickelodeon series Victorious and am & Cat. Released her full-length Yours Truly in 2013, which included the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit The Way featuring Mac Miller. Has recorded to commercial succes since. Well known songs include Problem featuring Iggy Azalea, Break Free featuring Zedd, Love Me Harder with the Weeknd, Focus, Dangerous Woman, No Tears Left To Cry, God Is A Woman, Thank U (Next), 7 Rings, Boyfriend with Social House, and Positions
June 26, 1993 ~ Preston Oshita, commonly known as hip hop rapper Towkio, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Member of the Savemoney collective. Active as a solo artist since the early-2010s, releasing a number of EPs leading up to his full-length WWW debut album in 2018. Perhaps best known for guesting on Chance the Rapper's 2016 Juke Jam single which also featured Justin Bieber
June 26, 1990 ~ Martrel Reeves, commonly known as rapper Fat Trel, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Known for 2010s singles such as Make It Clap, She Fell In Love and Broccoli Freestyle. Collaborated with Wale, Red Cafe, Chief Keef, Smoke DZA, Master P, Fredo Santana, Young Chop, Rick Ross, Young Thug, Juicy J, French Montana, and others
June 26, 1983 ~ Andrew Heissler, commonly known as blues, folk, country, swing, jazz singer, guitarist, mandolinist, songwriter Pokey LaFarge, born in Bloomington, Illinois, USA ~ Given the nickname “Pokey” by his mother who who scold him to hurry as a child. Influenced by blues artists such as Skip James, Robert Wilkins, and Sleepy John Estes. After hearing country icon Bill Monroe at age 16 traded in his guitar for a mandolin. Released his Marmalade debut album in 2006 and has recorded steadily since
June 26, 1973 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Gretchen Wilson born ~ Debuted in 2004 with the Grammy Award-winning single Redneck Woman, lead single of her debut album Here For The Party. Has been recording to critical acclaim since. Known for songs such as Here For The Party, Homewreckin' and Work Hard Play Harder. Guested on Hank Williams Jr's 2006 single That's How They Do It In Dixie and on Big & Rich's 2011 single Fake ID
June 26, 1971 ~ Charles Stewart, commonly known as rapper Chali 2na, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Known for his rapid rap delivery style. Best known as a member of the Jurassic 5, known for the track Improvise, and as member of Ozomatli. Stewart has also recorded as a solo artist, startin with the album Real As It Gets released in 2003
June 26, 1971 ~ Rock, hard rock, stoner rock singer, guitarist Ruben Block born in Lier, Belgium ~ Co-founding member, lead singer, frontman of Triggerfinger, known best for their 2012 Lykke Li-cover I Follow Rivers which topped the charts in both the Netherlands and the band's native Belgium. Block has also worked with Franky & the Rednecks, Sin Alley, Angelico, Rick de Leeuw, Jan Hautekiet, and others
June 26, 1970 ~ Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr, commonly known as producer, label executive Irv Gotti, born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Co-founded Murder Inc label. Produced artists such as Mic Geronimo, Jay-Z, Amil, Ja Rule, Foxxy Brown, DMX, Aaliyah, Christina Milian, Ashanti, Jennifer Lopez, Eve, Memphis Bleek, Kanye West, Charlie Wilson, and others
June 26, 1969 ~ Alternative rock, art rock, electronic bassist Colin Greenwood, full name Colin Charles Greenwood, born in Oxford, UK ~ Co-founding member of Radiohead, known for songs such as Creep, Street Spirit (Fade Out), Paranoid Android and There There
June 26, 1961 ~ Pop rock, new wave, synth-pop singer, actress Terri Nunn, full name Terri Kathleen Nunn, born in Baldwin Hills, California, USA ~ Lead singer, frontwoman of Berlin, best known for their 1986 Billboard Hot 100 charttopper Take My Breath Away. The song was writte by Giorgio Moroder and Tom Whitlock for the Top Gun and would receive both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Original Song. Previously, in 1976 Nunn auditioned for the role of Princes Leia in Star Wars but the role went to Carrie Fisher
June 26, 1960 ~ Jazz guitarist Zachary Breaux, full name Zachary Charles Breaux, born in Port Arthur, Texas, USA ~ Influenced by George Benson and Wes Montgomery. Has recorded three albums as a leader, starting with Groovin' in 1992. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Randy Weston, Roy Ayers, Guru (Jazzmatazz Vol.1), Steps Ahead, and Ronny Jordan (A Brighter Day) ~ Breaux passed away in 1997
June 26, 1957 ~ Patricia Smyth, commonly known as singer Patty Smyth, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Rose to fame as frontwoman of Scandal, best known for their 1984 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit The Warrior. Released her Never Enough solo debut album in 1987. Duetted with Don Henley on Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough and with James Ingram on Look What Love Has Done
June 26, 1956 ~ Jazz pianist Bill Cunliffe, full name William Henry Cunliffe Jr, born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, USA ~ Influenced by the 5th Dimension, Burt Bacharach, Herb Alpert, Oscar Peterson, becoming a “jazz player overnight” after hearing the latter. Has worked with Frank Sinatra, Woody Shaw, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson, James Moody, Buell Neidlinger, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, John Patitucci, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Joe LaBarbera
June 26, 1956 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Chris Isaak, full name Christopher Joseph Isaak, born in Stockton, California, USA ~ Roots rock, rockabilly crooner, guitarist. Debuted in 1985 with the critically acclaimed Silvertone album. Drew comparisons to Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley and Ricky Nelson. Has a solid and devoted cult following. Admired by peers. Became a household name on the strength of Wicked Game of his 1989 Heart Shaped World album, the single would reach the American top 10. Also known for songs such as Blue Hotel, Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing and Somebody's Crying. Film director David Lynch is a big fan of his and has used his music in several projects including Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me in which Isaak was also given an acting role
June 26, 1955 ~ Punk rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Ivan Julian born in Washington DC, USA ~ Influenced by Jimi Hendrix. Co-founding member of Richard Hell & the Voidoids, best known for their 1976 song Blank Generation which is said to have inspired the Sex Pistols track Pretty Vacant. Julian co-wrote Liars Beware and Betrayal Takes Two. Following the band's disbandement in 1980 Julian has also worked with the Outsets, the Lovelies, the Clash, and others.
June 26, 1955 ~ Jazz, avant-garde jazz drummer Joey Baron, full name Bernard Joseph Baron, born in Richmond, Virginia, USA ~ Celebrated drummer with about a dozen albums to his name as leader or co-leader. In-demand sideman. Closely associated with Bill Frisell and John Zorn. Present on albums by Carmen McRae, Bill Henderson, Lew Tabackin (My Old Flame), Fred Hersch, Enrico Pieranunzi, Toots Thielemans (Do Not Leave Me), Roseanna Vitro, Marian McPartland, Pat Martino, Tim Berne, Laurie Anderson, David Sanborn, Masada, Misha Mengelberg, David Bowie, Arto Lindsay, and John Scofield
June 26, 1955 ~ Singer, guitarist Mick Jones born in Brixton, UK ~ Best known as co-founding member, co-leader of the Clash, with whom he recorded five albums. After his departure from the band in 1983 founded Big Audio Dynamite, known for the 1991 UK No.1 hit Rush. Jones has also worked with Carbon/Silicon, Gorillaz, the Justice Tonight Band, the Wallflowers, the Flaming Lips, and the Avalanches. Occasionally Jones served as producer, notably for Ellen Foley's 1981 Spirit Of St Louis sophomore album, Ian Hunter's Short Back 'n Sides album released the same year, and the Libertines' 2002 Up The Bracket debut album
June 26, 1954 ~ Jazz guitarist Øystein Norvoll born in Tromsø, Norway ~ Married to singer Marit Sandvik. Influenced by Barney Kessel and Jim Hall. Worked with Hallgeir Pedersen, Jan Arvid Johansen, Jørn Øien, Asbjørn Johanesen, Konrad Kaspersen, Trond Sverre Hansen, Oddmund Finnseth, Randy Johnston, Jon Gordon, and others
June 26, 1953 ~ Bassist Ralph Ezell, full name Ralph Daniel Ezell, born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA ~ Member of Shenandoah from 1984 through 1996 and again from 2002 until his death in 2007. The band is known for country hits such as The Church On Cumberland Road, Sunday In The South, Two Dozen Roses, Next To You Next To Me and If Bubba Can Dance I Can Too ~ Ezzell passed away in 2007
June 26, 1951 ~ Television personality, columnist, singer Lance Loud, full name Alanson russell loud, born in San Diego, California, USA ~ Best known for his appearance in the 1973 reality show An American Family documenting his coming out, making Loud an icon in the gay community. Fronted underground outfit the Mumps, which at times also included future Iggy Pop-guitarist Rob Duprey and future Patti Smith-drummer Jay Dee Daugherty ~ Loud passed away in 2001
June 26, 1949 ~ Adrian Curtis Gurvitz, commonly known as rock, pop rock singer, guitarist, pianist, producer, songwriter Adrian Gurvitz, born in Stoke Newington, UK ~ Member of Gun, Three Man Army, Baker Gurvitz Army. As a solo artist known for his 1982 Classsic single. In-demand collaborator, songwriter, producer. Has worked with Rupert's People, Hot Chocolate (Friend Of Mine), Eddie Money (The Love In Your Eyes), REO Speedwagon, Henry Lee Summer, Kenny G (Breathless), Aaron Neville, Steve Perry, Youssou n'Dour, CeCe Winans (Looking Back At You), Bent, Bob Sinclar, Pixie Lott, and Andra Day
June 26, 1947 ~ Country singer Renée Martel born in Drummondville, Canada ~ Daughter of country singer Marcel Martel. Dubbed “the Queen of Quebec Country” and best known for a number of late-1960s hits including Liverpool, Je Vais A Londres and Johnny Angel ~ Martel passed away in 2021
June 26, 1946 ~ Singer, songwriter Brenda Holloway born in Atascadero, California, USA ~ Known for a strong of late-1960s singles including Every Little Bit Hurts, When I'm Gone and perhaps her best known You've Made Me So Very Happy. Holloway co-wrote the latter, which would later be notably covered by Blood Sweat & Tears. Disillusioned by the music industry she largely retired from music by the early-1970s
June 26, 1944 ~ Saxophonist, flutist, singer Arthur Doyle born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Worked with Gladys Knight, Pharoah Sanders, Sun Ra, Noah Howard, Milford Graves, Alan Silva, the Blue Humans, the Celestial Communication Orchestra, Rudolph Gret, Konx, Sunny Murray, and Hamid Drake ~ Doyle passed away in 2014
June 26, 1943 ~ Clive Powell, commonly known as singer, keyboardist Georgie Fame, born in Leigh, UK ~ One of the first white musicians to be influenced by ska, alongside genres such as jazz and blues. Known for the 1960s UK No.1 hits Yeh Yeh, Get Away, and The Ballad Of Bonnie & Clyde. In-demand sideman and collaborator, having worked with the likes of Andy Fairweather Low, Eric Clapton, Joan Armatrading, Craig Nuttycombe, Van Morrison, Bill Wyman, and others
June 26, 1942 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Gilberto Gil, full name Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira, born in Salvador, Brazil ~ Draws from rock, samba, world music, reggae, soul, disco. Key figure of the late-1960s. Frequent collaborator of Caetano Veloso. Acclaimed for his 1977 Refavela album incorporating African rhythms and a landmark album in Afro-Brazilian music
June 26, 1942 ~ Blues-rock, rock bassist Larry Taylor, full name Samuel Lawrence Taylor, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Bassist and occasional guitarist for Canned Heat through 1970, appearing on the albums Canned Heat, Boogie With Canned Heat, Living The Blues, and Hallelujah. Taylor was present for the performances at the Monterrey International Pop Festival in 1967 and the Woodstock Music and Art Fair in 1969. Taylor is also closely associated with the Monkees, with whom he recorded five albums and notably present on Last Train To Clarksville, the band's last major hit, and with John Mayall, joining Mayall's backing unit the Bluesbreakers after his departure from Canned Heat. Taylor has also appeared on albums by Don Sugarcane Harris, Albert King, Leo Kottke, Chuck E Weiss, John Lee Hooker (The Healer), Charlie Musselwhite, JJ Cale, Tom Waits (Mule Variations), Candye Kane, Kelly Joe Phelps, and Tracy Chapman. Taylor's older brother Mel Taylor is the drummer for surf outfit the Ventures ~ Taylor passed away in 2019
June 26, 1939 ~ George Timothy Braithwaite, commonly known as soul jazz saxophonist George Braith, born ~ Known for playing multiple horns at once, a technique pioneered by Rahsaan Roland Kirk. As a leader especially acclaimed for his 1967 Musart album. Has guested on albums by Big John Patton, Roy Ayers, Grant Green, and Bertha Hope. Braith is featured in a mosaic in the 72nd Street station of the New York subway
June 26, 1938 ~ R&B, soul, pop, sunshine pop singer Billy Davis Jr born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Married to singer Marilyn McCoo, his bandmate in the 5th Dimension. The couple also scored a number of hits as a duo including I Hope We Get To Love In Time, You Don't Have To Be A Star (To Be In My Show), My Reason To Be and Saving All My Love For You, the latter later notably covered by Whitney Houston
June 26, 1937 ~ Reginald Workman, commonly known as jazz, avant-garde jazz, hard bop bassist, double bassist Reggie Workman born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for his associations with John Coltrane, including on the albums My Favorite Things and Olé Coltrane, and with Art Blakey. Over half a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, especially acclaimed for the mid-1990s albums Summit Conference and Cerebral Caverns. Member of Trio 3. Also frequently collaborated with Archie Shepp, Herbie Mann, and Mal Waldron. Other notable associations include Donald Byrd, Duke Jordan, Gigi Gryce, Grant Green, Freddie Hubbard (Hub-Tones), Wayne Shorter (Night Dreamer), Booker Ervin, Roy Ayers, Pharoah Sanders, Max Roach, and Alice Coltrane
June 26, 1935 ~ Pianist, singer Theophilus Beckford born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Considered a pioneer of Jamaican music, especially noted for helping define ska. As a solo artist,Beckford is best known for Easy Snappin', a hit in 1959. Worked with Stanley Motta, Coxsone Dodd, Duke Reid, Prince Buster, Leslie Kong, Clancy Eccles, Junior Byles, and the GG All-Stars ~ Beckford passed away in 2001
June 26, 1934 ~ Country, bluegrass mandolinist Frank Wakefield, full name Franklin Delano Roosevelt Wakefield, born in Emory Gap, Tennessee, USA ~ Learned the harmonica, guitar, and bass as a child, switching to mandolin in his mid-teens, Wakefield would eventually become one of the most acclaimed and innovative mandolinists, expanding the range of the instrument. Has recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist, most noted for Frank Wakefield With Country Cooking released in 1972. An in-demand collaborator and sideman, Wakefield is especially known for his work with Red Allen, Jimmy Martin, the Greenbriar Boys, and Ralph Stanley. In the 1960s, Wakefield has also made strides in the classical world, composing classical mandolin sonatas and arranging classical pieces for traditional bluegrass instruments, leading to performances with the New York Philharmonic, then led by Leonard Bernstein, and guest appearances with the Boston Pops. To rock audiences, Wakefield is well known for touring with Jerry Garcia, as well as with the New Riders Of The Purple Sage, and for opening for the Grateful Dead. Wakefield has also recorded with Don McLean, David Grisman (Early Dawg), the all-star outfit the Bluegrass Mandolin Ensemble (Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza), and Bill Jorgenson ~ Wakefield passed away in 2024
June 26, 1930 ~ James Deuchar, commonly known as jazz trumpeter, arranger Jimmy Deuchar, born in Dundee, UK ~ Taught the trumpet by John Lynch. Rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s, to become regarded as one of Britain's premier bebop trumpeters. As a leader, especially renowned for his eponymous 1953 Jimmy Deuchar album. Closely associated with Tubby Hayes, and the Clarke-Boland Big Band, recording over half a dozen albums with each. An in-demand sideman into the 1990s, Deuchar has appeared on albums by Victor Feldman, Georgie Fame, Mark Murphy, Charlie Watts (Live At Fulham Town Hall), Jack Sharpe, Chris Barber, the Jazz Couriers, Monica Zetterlund, Ronnie Scott, Johnny Keating, Allen Eager, and Zoot Sims ~ Deuchar passed away in 1993
June 26, 1928 ~ Jazz saxophonist Don Lanphere, full name Donald Gale Lanphere, born in Wenatchee, Washington, USA ~ Burst onto the New York scene in his late teens with a series of impressive recordings including with Fats Navarro, Woody Herman, Artie Shaw, Claude Thornhill, Charlie Barnet, and Billy May, before disappearing from view after a drug bust. For some two decades, Lanphere either ran the family music store or was out of music altogether, before making a remarkable comeback recording some dozen albums from the early-1980s until his death, including the acclaimed Into Somewhere, Don Still Loves Midge, and Lopin', the latter featuring Bud Shank and Denney Goodhew ~ Lanphere passed away in 2003
June 26, 1927 ~ Lucy Ardans, commonly known as pianist, conductor Lucy Scarbrough, born in Encino, New Mexico, USA ~ A lifelong admirer of Frédéric Chopin, Scarbrough is perhaps best known for founding the El Paso Chopin Festival. As a conductor most closely associated with the El Paso Opera and the El Paso Civic Orchestra, working with the latter for some three decades ~ Scarbrough passed away in 2020
June 26, 1926 ~ Fiddler Kenny Baker, full name Kenny Clayton Baker, born in Burdine, Kentucky, USA ~ Influenced by Marion Sumner, Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli. Considered one of the most infuential fiddlers in bluegrass. Best known as a member of the Bluegrass Boys, backing Bill Monroe for over two decades starting in 1957, his characteristic long-bow style adding a smoothness and clarity to the band's sound. Baker has recorded about a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, notably 1955's Baker's Dozen featuring a young Sam Bush, and has appeared as a sideman on numerous albums including by Josh Graves, Buck White, Charlie McCoy (Harpin' The Blues), Tom T Hall, Mac Wiseman, the Osborne Brothers (The Bluegrass Collection), Pete Wernick, Dry Branch Fire Squad, Alison Krauss (Two Highways), the Masters, the Yellowjackets (Greenhouse), Mark O'Connor, John Lee Hooker (Don't Look Back), and Bill Jorgenson ~ Baker passed away in 2011
June 26, 1925 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, arranger Ken Moule, full name Kenneth John Moule, born in Barking, UK ~ Got his start in his music in the 1940s, backing the likes of Johnny Dankworth, Oscar Rabin, Remo Cavalotti, Bobby Kevin, Bert Ambrose, and Frank Weir. As a composer, Moule is perhaps best known for the suite Jazz At The Toad released in 1958, based on the Kenneth Grahame children's book The Wind In The Willows. From the mid-1950s through the early-1980s, Moule led a number of ensembles employing sidemen such as Cab Kaye, George Chisholm, Lennie Bush, Allan Ganley, Don Rendell, and Kenny Wheeler. In the late-1970s, Moule notably served as the music arranger for the BBC drama series Secret Army, also appearing as Paul, the restaurant pianist, in several episodes ~ Moule passed away in 1986
June 26, 1915 ~ Singer, songwriter Joan Whitney, full name Joan Whitney Kramer, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Student of vocal coach Alex Kramer, whom she eventually married. As a husband-wife songwriting team they would become known for penning a number of hits, notably the 1947 Jimmy Dorsey-hit High On A Windy Hill. Other successes would include Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens for Louis Jordan, Deep As The River for Harry Belafonte and Love Somebody for Buddy Clark and Doris Day ~ Whitney passed away in 1990
June 26, 1905 ~ Stella Gloria Crowson, commonly known as jazz singer Teddy Grace, born in Arcadi, Louisiana, USA ~ Radio singer working with big bands led by Bob Crosby, Paul Whiteman, Al Katz, Tommy Christian, and Mal Hallett for most of the 1930s. Recorded for Decca Records from 1937 to 1940 working with sidemen such as Bobby Hackett, Jack Teagarden, Charlie Shavers, Buster Bailey, Pee Wee Russell, and Bud Freeman. Joined the Women's Army Corps in 1940, sang at war bond rallies, lost her voice and was unable to speak for years, never again sang ~ Crowson passed away in 1992
June 26, 1903 ~ James Burke Oden, commonly known as blues singer, pianist, songwriter St Louis Jimmy Oden, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for his 1941 single Goin' Down Slow. His friend and frequent collaborator Muddy Waters would record Oden's Take The Bitter With The Sweet and Soon Forgotten. Has also worked with Roosevelt Sykes, Guitar Pete Franklin, Sunnyland Slim, Otis Spann, and others ~ Oden passed away in 1977
June 26, 1902 ~ Classical tenor Hugues Cuénod, full name Hugues-Adhémar Cuénod, born in Corseaux-sur-Vevey, Switzerland ~ Helpful in reviving interest in Baroque music. Active since the 1920s, initially as a concert recitalist. Would go on to enjoy an international career in opera, operetta and musical theatre, praised for his diction and technique. Has sung with La Scala, the Royal Opera House, and holds the record for the oldest person to debut at the Metropolitan Opera, appearing as Emperor Altoum in Giacomo Puccini's Turandot in 1987 at the age of 84 ~ Cuénod passed away in 2010
June 26, 1901 ~ Albert Irving Silverman, commonly known as songwriter, lyricist Al Stillman, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best known for co-writing I Believe, recorded by Jane Froman, Mahalia Jackson, Elvis Presley, the Rascals, and Loretta Lynn, and for co-writing Home For The Holidays, recorded by Perry Como, Lorne Greene, Johnny Tillotson, and the Carpenters. Others who recorded his songs include Ray Kinney, Tommy Dorsey, the Four Lads, Pat Boone, and Cher ~ Silverman passed away in 1979