March 2, 1997 ~ Rebbeca Marie Gomez, commonly known as singer, actress Becky G, born in Inglewood, California, USA ~ Discovered by producer Dr Luke who caught one of her online videos. Collaborated with will.i.am, Cody Simpson, Cher Lloyd, and Pitbull. Debuted in 2013 with the single Becky From The Block, its title a nod to Jennifer Lopez' 2002 single Jenny From The Block. Gomez is best known for her 2014 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 Shower, which sold two million copies. Subsequent hits included Can't Stop Dancin', Lovin' So Hard and Break A Sweat
March 2, 1983 ~ Aron Erlichmann, commonly known as rapper, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist Deuce, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Founding member of rap rock band the Hollywood Undead, present on the albums Swan Songs and its follow-up Desperate Measures. Erlichman had released several solo EP's while still in the band, and after departing the Hollywood Undead in 2010 released his full-length Nine Lives solo debut album, which spawned the modest hit America
March 2, 1980 ~ Ska singer, trumpeter, guitarist Vincent Walker, full name Vincent Francis Walker, born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Best known as member of ska band the Suburban Legends, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums. Walker started as a trumpeter and guitarist with the band, and took over as lead singer after the departure of Tim Maurer in 2005. Walker has also worked with the side project blues outfit Personal Satisfaction and was a member of the Littlest Man Band
March 2, 1977 ~ Singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter Chris Martin, full name Christopher Anthony John Martin, born in Devon, UK ~ Frontman of Coldplay, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with Parachutes released in 2000. The band has sold over 100 million records worldwide and is known for hits such as Yellow, In My Place, Clocks, Viva La Vida, and Paradise
March 2, 1975 ~ Jaime Meline, commonly known as rapper, songwriter, producer El-P, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Key figure in alternative hip-hop since the early 1990s. Member of Company Flow. Formed the duo Run The Jewels with rapper Killer Mike. Co-founder of Definitive Jux record label. As a solo artist critically acclaimed for a number of underground hip-hop albums, starting with Fantastic Damage released in 2002. Has served as producer for the likes of Aesop Rock, Cage, Mr Lif, and others
March 2, 1971 ~ Clifford Smith, commonly known as rapper, producer Method Man born in Hempsted, New York, USA ~ Took his stage name after the 1979 martial arts film Method Man. Won a Grammy Award for his 1996 I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need To Get By duet with Mary J Blige which interpolates his own All I Need with the Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell duet You're All I Need To Get By. Best known as co-founding member of quintessential hip-hop collective the Wu-Tang Clan, with whom he recorded well over half a dozen albums starting with the highly acclaimed Enter The Wu-Tang album released in 1993. Smith has also regularly collaborated with bandmate Redman, as well as with d'Angelo, Toni Braxton, and Busta Rhymes, and ventured into acting appearing in several films and TV series
March 2, 1968 ~ Jazz drummer, composer Clarence Penn, full name Clarence Lacquese Penn, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Studied, and subsequently worked with pianist Ellis Marsalis. Backed singer Betty Carter during the early 1990s. Has recorded several albums as a leader, starting with Penn's Landing released in 1997. An in-demand sideman, Penn has also appeared on albums by Joshua Redman, Javon Jackson, Steps Ahead, Cyrus Chestnut, Joey Calderazzo, Roseanna Vitro (Passion Dance), Tim Warfield (Cool Blue), Kevin Mahogany, Loston Harris, Jon Faddis, Nnenna Freelon (Maiden Voyage), Melissa Walker, Ronny Jordan (A Brighter Day), Makoto Ozone, Paquito d'Rivera, Walt Weiskopf, Chris Minh Doky, Gary Burton, Richard Galliano, and Steven Santoro
March 2, 1967 ~ Soul, R&B, reggae singer, producer Dennis Seaton born in Birmingham, UK ~ Rose to fame as frontman of Musical Youth, best known for their Pass The Dutchie hit single which stormed charts across Europe when Seaton was only 15. Seaton would pursue a solo career by the late 1980s but despite quality material, including songwriting help from Stevie Wonder, his solo career never took off
March 2, 1965 ~ Jazz guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel born in Judenburg, Austria ~ Teams up with Slava Grigoryan and Ralph Towner in the trio the MGT Trio. Has also worked with Don Alias, Larry Grenadier, Tom Harrell, Kenny Wollesen, Patricia Barber, Marc Johnson, Paul Motian, Gary Peacock, Brian Blade, Brad Mehldau, Ambrose Akinmusire, and others
March 2, 1963 ~ Gregory Edward Hart, commonly known as blues singer, guitarist Alvin Youngblood Hart, born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Drew comparisons to Leadbelly and Spade Cooley. Debuted in 1996 with the album Big Mama's Door. Formed the South Memphis String Band in 2010 with Jimbo Mathus and Luther Dickinson
March 2, 1962 ~ John Francis Bongiovi Jr, commonly known as pop, rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Jon Bon Jovi born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, USA ~ Founder, frontman, eponym of Bon Jovi, known for hits such as You Give Love A Bad Name, Wanted Dead Or Alive, Bad Medicine, I'll Be There For You, Bed Of Roses, and Always
March 2, 1962 ~ Scott Monroe Sterling, commonly known as Scott La Rock, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Founding member of hip-hop group Boogie Down Productions, known for their 1987 Criminal Minded which is considered a classic in the genre and influential to this day
March 2, 1959 ~ Singer Larry Stewart born in Paducah, Kentucky, USA ~ Best known as lead singer of Restless Heart, leaving the band in 1993 to pursue a solo career and rejoining in 2002. As a solo artist best known for his country hit Alright Already. Co-wrote Faith Hill's But I Will with Troy Seals
March 2, 1958 ~ Singer Ellen Christi born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with Jaki Byard, Jeanne Lee, Galli Campi, the New York Artistic Collective, Jemeel Moondoc, Rahn Burton, Tom Bruno, William Parker, Lisa Sokolov, Hans Koch, Carlo Actis Dato, Enrico Fazzio, Guido Mazzori, Claudio Lodati, and others
March 2, 1957 ~ Reggae singer Rod Taylor born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Member of short-lived group the Aliens with Barry Brown and Johnny Lee. Debuted as a solo artist in 1975 with the single Bad Man Comes And Goes. Also worked with Bertram Brown's the Freedom Sounds collective. Would return as a solo artist at the turn of the 1980s, starting with the album If Jan Should Come Now and has been recording and performing regularly since
March 2, 1956 ~ Singer, drummer, keyboardist John Cowsill born in Newport, Rhode Island, USA ~ Member of family outfit the Cowsills. Plays percussion and sings backup on 867-5309/Jenny, the early 1980s sole hit for Tommy Tutone. Has backed Dwight Twilley. Joined the Beach Boys touring band in 2000. Married the Bangles-singer Vicki Peterson in 2003
March 2, 1956 ~ Hard rock bassist, guitarist, singer Mark Evans, full name Mark Whitmore Evans, born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Early member of AC/DC, remaining with the band from 1975 through 1977 and present on the albums TNT, High Voltage, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap and Let There Be Rock. Has also worked with artists such as Finch, Cheetah, Swanee, Heaven, the Party Boys, and others
March 2, 1955 ~ Dale Francis Bozzio, commonly known as rock, new wave, synth-pop singer Dale Bozzio born ~ Best known as lead singer of new wave outfit Missing Persons, which she co-founded with Warren Cuccurullo and then-husband Terry Bozzio. Also worked with Frank Zappa, notably on the pivotal albums Joe's Garage Acts I II & III and Thing Fish. Released her Riot In English solo debut album in 1988
March 2, 1955 ~ Songwriter, producer Kathleen Brennan, full name Kathleen Patricia Brennan, born in Cork, Ireland ~ Best known as co-writer and producer of the work of her husband Tom Waits, whom she married in 1980. Regarded as a catalyst for Waits's more expiramental work, especially albums such as Swordfishbones. Waits has described their collaboration as “one person holds the nail and the other one swings the hammer”
March 2, 1954 ~ Rock drummer Hunt Sales born ~ Worked with Todd Rundgren, his brother Tony Fox Sales, Runt, Iggy Pop (on the pivotal 1970s album Lust For Life), David Bowie's Tin Machine, Paris, Tender Fury, Bam Bam, Los Super Seven, Fiery Blue, and others. Has released a solo album, Get Your Shit Together, in 2019
March 2, 1954 ~ Singer, songwriter Robert Haimer, also known as Artie Barnes, born ~ Formed the duo Barnes & Barnes with actor, singer, multi-instrumentalist, childhood friend Bill Mumy. The duo adopted the personae of Art & Artie Barnes, twin brothers existing in alternate dimensions, and is best known for their 1978 novelty recording Fish Heads ~ Haimer passed away in 2023
March 2, 1951 ~ Ferenc Balázs, commonly known as rock singer, keyboardist, songwriter Fecó Balázs, born in Budapest, Hungary ~ Member of Neoton Familia. Member of Taurus, generally regarded as Hungary's first hard rock band. Founded rock band Koral, one of the most popular Hungarian bands of the 1980s ~ Balázs passed away in 2020
March 2, 1950 ~ Rock, progressive rock bassist, guitarist, singer Helmut Köllen born in Cologne, Germany ~ Best known as bassist for Triumvirat during the mid-1970s, replacing Hans-Georg Pape. Present on band's best known albums, starting with Illusions On A Double Dimple released in 1974 and its follow-up Spartacus released the following year. Köllen sole solo album, You Won't See Me, would be released posthumously after his death at age 27 ~ Köllen passed away in 1977
March 2, 1950 ~ Singer, drummer Karen Carpenter, full name Karen Anne Carpenter, born in New Haven, Connecticut, USA ~ Praised for her three-octave vocal range. Alongside pianist, singer Richard Carpenter formed the sibling duo the Carpenters, known for a string of lush soft-rock hits, mostly in the 1970s, including Billboard top 10 hits such as (They Long To Be) Close To You, We've Only Just Begun, Rainy Days And Mondays, the Leon Russell & Bonnie Bramlett-penned Superstar, Yesterday Once More and Top Of The World ~ Carpenter passed away in 1983
March 2, 1948 ~ Jazz fusion, rock, pop guitarist Larry Carlton born in Torrence, California, USA ~ Renowned session musician. Member of the Wrecking Crew, 4play, and of the Crusaders. Appeared on hundreds of recordings by artists such as Barney Kessel, Wes Montgomery, BB King, Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Bobby Blue Bland, Sammy Davis Jr, Paulinho Da Costa, the 5th Dimension, Herb Alpert, Christopher Cross, Dolly Parton, Andy Williams, the Partridge Family, Mike Post, Donald Fagen, Townes Van Zandt, Eumir Deodato, Aaron Neville, Michael McDonald, and others
March 2, 1948 ~ Jazz double bassist Phil Bowler born ~ Headed his own quartet, Pocket Jungle, in the early 1990s. As a sideman played with Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Hugh Masekela, Joe Lee Wilson, Wynton Marsalis, Big Nick Nicholas, Slide Hampton, Jon Faddis, Ralph Peterson Jr, Donald Harrison, Terence Blanchard, Carla White, Sal Salvador, Newman Taylor Baker, Max Roach, Jackie McLean, and others
March 2, 1948 ~ Blues rock, rock guitarist, singer Rory Gallagher, full name William Rory Gallagher, born in Ballyshannon, Ireland ~ Guitar virtuoso rooted in blues. Founded 1960s band the Taste. Best known as a solo artist, debuting in 1971 with the eponymous Rory Gallagher album. Influenced artists such as The Edge, Slash, Johnny Marr, Janick Gers, Alex Lifeson, Glenn Tipton, Gary Moore, Joe Bonamassa ~ Gallagher passed away in 1995
March 2, 1947 ~ Anders Sture Torbjörn Rogefeldt, commonly known as singer, guitarist Pugh Rogefeldt, born in Vasterås, Sweden ~ Active since the late 1960s. At the time one of the few to sing in Swedish. Known for songs such as Små Latta Moln, Här Kommer Natten, Föräldralåten, Hog Farm, Dinga Linga Lena, and Stockholm. Passionate about old Norse religion, a subject which frequently showed up in his music ~ Rogefeldt passed away in 2023
March 2, 1946 ~ Eli Tatarsky, commonly known as R&B guitarist, songwriter, arranger, producer Bobby Eli, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Lead guitarist, co-founding member of seminal Philadelphia studio band MFSB. In-demand songwriter, producer, wrote or co-wrote hits such as Main Ingredient's Just Don't Want To Be Lonely, Major Harris' Love Won't Let Me Wait, and Fat Larry's Band's Zoom. Others who have recorded his songs include Wilson Pickett, Blue Magic, Engelbert Humperdinck, Atlantic Starr, and the Dells. As a studio guitarist Tatarsky has appeared on recordings by Billy Paul, the O'Jays, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Marlena Shaw, the Stylistics, the Delfonics, Barbara Mason, the People's Choice, the Salsoul Orchestra, the Trammps, the Whispers, Ronnie Dyson, First Choice, Grace Jones, Gloria Gaynor, and McFadden & Whitehead ~ Tatarsky passed away in 2023
March 2, 1945 ~ Clarinetist, comedian, radio and television personality Christian Morin born in Bordeaux, France ~ Best known as game show host, enjoying popularity in the 1980s . Has released a handful of recordings as a clarinetist and starred in the the 1982 musical comedy Envoyez La Musique alongside Annie Cordy
March 2, 1942 ~ Lewis Allan Reed, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Lou Reed, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ First gained attention as guitarist, singer, principal songwriter of the influential 1960s outfit the Velvet Underground, writing or co-writing some of the band's best-known including All Tomorrow's Parties, Waiting For The Man and Venus In Furs. Reed would go on to become one of the most celebrated solo artists of the 1970s, acclaimed for albums such as Transformer, Rock 'n Roll Animal and Coney Island Baby. Well known songs include Walk On The Wild Side, Satellite Of Love, Sweet Jane and Perfect Day ~ Reed passed away in 2013
March 2, 1938 ~ Singer Lawrence Payton, full name Lawrence Albert Payton, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Key member of the Four Tops, credited with most of the band's vocal arrangements. Sang lead on songs such Until You Love Someone and Feel Free. The group stayed together in its original line-up, consisting of Payton, Levi Stubbs, Duke Fakir and Renaldo Benson, for well over three decades from the mid-1960s until Payton's death. Well known songs include Baby I Need Your Lovin', I Can't Help Myself (Sugarpie Honey Bunch), Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever, Reach Out I'll Be There, Bernadette, Ain't No Woman Like The One I've Got, and others ~ Payton passed away in 1997
March 2, 1936 ~ Bassist Buell Neidlinger born in Toronto, Canada ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Anthony Braxton, Cecil Taylor, Darol Anger, Rubén Blades, Natalie Cole, Ry Cooder, Elvis Costello, Earth Wind & Fire, Richard Greene, Jimmy Giuffre, Leo Kottke, Steve Lacy, Roy Orbison, Jean-Luc Ponty, Frank Zappa, Van Dyke Parks, Bonnie Raitt, Peter Rowan, Ringo Starr, Barbra Streisand, Cecil Taylor, and others
March 2, 1934 ~ Joyce Reba Luttrell, commonly known as country, southern gospel singer, songwriter Dottie Rambo, born in Madisonville, Kentucky, USA ~ Member of Singing Rambos, alongside husband Buck Rambo and daughter Reba Rambo. Best known as a songwriter with reportedly over 2,500 songs to her name. Artists who recorded Rambo's songs include Solomon Burke, Johnny Cash, Carol Channing, Barbara Fairchild, Larry Gatlin, Crystal Gayle, Vince Gill, Wanda Jackson, George Jones, Alison Krauss, Jerry Lee Lewis, Barbara Mandrell, Bill Monroe, the Oak Ridge Boys, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Jeannie C Riley, Connie Smith, Hank Snow, Mel Tillis, Rhonda Vincent, Porter Wagoner, Dottie West, and others ~ Rambo passed away in 2008
March 2, 1934 ~ Jazz double bassist Doug Watkins born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Known best as accompaniest to hard bop artists such as Donald Byrd and Jackie McLean. Original member of Art Blakey's pivotal unit the Jazz Messengers, notably on the At The Café Bohemia series. Appeared on albums by Hank Mobley, Horace Silver, Gene Ammons (Jammin' With Gene), Sonny Rollins (Saxophone Colossus), Horace Silver, Kenny Burrell, Phil Woods, Lee Morgan (Candy), Herbie Mann, Yusef Lateef (Jazz Mood), Thad Jones, Frank Wess, Art Farmer, Wilbur Harden (Mainstream), Tina Brooks, Benny Golson (Gettin' With It), Big Joe Turner, Coleman Hawkins (In A Mellow Tone), Charles Mingus (Oh Yeah), Red Garland, and Mal Waldron ~ Watkins passed away in 1962
March 2, 1930 ~ Harvey Zimmerman, commonly known as songwriter Bill Giant, born ~ Best known for co-writing some 40 songs for Elvis Presley, usually with Bernie Baum and Florence Kaye. Well known songs include Fountain Of Love, Roustabout, Paradise Hawaiian Style, Edge Of Reality and notably You're The Devil In Disguise. Others who recorded his songs include Mickey Denton, the Everly Brothers (That's Old Fashioned (That's The Way Love Should Be)), and Gene Chandler ~ Giant passed away in 1987
March 2, 1923 ~ Producer, label executive Orrin Keepnews born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ One of the most respected jazz producers. The Bill Evans composition Re: Person I Knew is a tribute to Keepnews, the title an anagram of his name. Keepnews has produced numerous albums, including for Kenny Drew, Randy Weston (Jazz A La Bohemia), Mundell Lowe, Sonny Rollins (The Sound Of Sonny), Coleman Hawkins, Joe Albany (Right Combination), Wilbur Ware, Thelonious Monk (Brilliant Corners), Phineas Newborn Jr, Benny Golson, Abbey Lincoln (It's Magic), Max Roach, Charlie Byrd, Johnny Griffin, Blue Mitchell (Out Of The Blue), Nat Adderley, Sam Jones (The Soul Society), Bobby Timmons, Jimmy Heath, Wes Montgomery (Movin' Along), Julian Priester, René Thomas, Barry Harris, Teri Thornton, Odetta (Odetta And The Blues), Junior Mance, Art Blakey (Caravan), Lee Konitz, and Joe Henderson ~ Keepnews passed away in 2015
March 2, 1922 ~ Musicologist, conductor, radio producer Denis Stevens, full name Denis William Stevens, born in High Wycombe, UK ~ Co-founded the Ambrosian Singers with John McCarthy, a choral group known best for their association with the BBC. The group would also serve as a training ground for artists such as Heather Harper, Dorothy Dorow, Margaret Price, Robert Tear, and John Shirley-Quirk ~ Stevens passed away in 2004
March 2, 1921 ~ Composer, conductor, orchestrator, songwriter Dick Hazard, full name Richard Hazard, born in Trenton, New Jersey, USA ~ Film and TV composer known for scoring the music for TV series such as Mission Impossible, Mannix, The Partners and films such as Some Call It Loving and With This Ring ~ Hazard passed away in 2000
March 2, 1915 ~ Conductor, composer, musicologist Anthony Lewis, full name Anthony Carey Lewis, born in Bermuda ~ Co-founder and first chief editor of Musica Brittanica. Professor of music at the University of Birmingham and principial of the Royal Academy of Music, London. As a conductor played a key role in the baroque music revival of the mid 20th century. Well-known recording include Henry Purcell's Didi And Aeneas, George Frideric Handel's Sosarme, and Jean-Philippe Rameau's Hippolyte Et Aricie ~ Lewis passed away in 1983
March 2, 1912 ~ Theodore Dudley Saunders, commonly known as jazz, R&B drummer, vibraphonist, bandleader Red Saunders, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Worked with Stomp King, Ira Coffey, Curtis Mosby, Tiny Parham, Albert Ammons, Delbert Bright, Leon Washington, Porter Kilbert, Sonny Cohn, Ike Perkins, Riley Hampton, Joe Williams, Mac Easton, Johnny Pate, Sun Ra, T-Bone Walker, Big Joe Turner, Sugar Chile Robinson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Willie Mabon, Little Brother Montgomery, Lavern Baker, Dolores Hawkins, Guy Warren, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Woody Herman, Art Hodes, and others ~ Saunders passed away in 1981
March 2, 1909 ~ Jazz bassist, banjoist, singer Narvin Kimball born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Kimball emerged as one of the premier musicians from the 1920s New Orleans jazz scene, with an impressive lengthy career. Son of string bassist Henry Kimball. Married to pianist Jeanette Kimball during the 1930s. Has worked with the likes of Fate Marable, Papa Celestin, and Sidney Desvigne, and Alvin Alcorn. Struggled through the Depression era gigging at night while working a regular day job as a postman. From the 1960s onward, Kimball has been closely associated with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, serving as one of its co-founding and longtime members ~ Kimball passed away in 2006
March 2, 1900 ~ Songwriter Kurt Weill, full name Kurt Julian Weill born in Dessau, Germany ~ Leading stage composer best known for his association with Bertolt Brecht and especially known for co-writing The Threepenny Opera which included Mack The Knife which has become a standard recorded by numerous artists including Louis Armstrong, Bobby Darin, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Dave Van Ronk, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Tony Bennett, Bing Crosby, Nick Cave, Dr John, Michael Bublé, and others ~ Weill passed away in 1950
March 2, 1892 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Mort Dixon born in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-wrote songs such as The Lady In Red (Xavier Cugat, Louis Prima), Nagasaki (the Ipana Troubadours, Fletcher Henderson, Nat Gonella), I Wish I Was In Peoria (the Olympic Dance Orchestra, Ed Smalle), I Found A Million Dollar Baby (Waring's Pennsylvanians, Bing Crosby, Victor Young), Bye Bye Blackbird (Sam Lanin, Gene Austin, Irving Kaufman) ~ Dixon passed away in 1956