March 21, 1997 ~ Martina Stoessel Muziera, commonly known as actress, singer, dancer, model, songwriter Tini, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Child actress, starting her career in the Argentine children's TV series Patiteo Feo in 2007. Would rise to fame as a teenager, portraying the lead role in the Disney telenovela Violetta and subsequently the series' sequel movie. As a singer released her Tini (Martina Stoessel) debut album in 2015 and has recorded mostly to commercial succes since. Well known for songs such as Fresa with Lalo Ebratt, Oye with Sebastián Yatra, Ella Dice with Khea, Miénteme with María Becerra, Bar with L-Gante, and La Triple T
March 21, 1972 ~ William Paul Mitchell, commonly known as rapper, producer the Large Professor, born in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Founding member of underground hip-hop group the Main Source. Mentor and frequent collaborator of Nas. As a producer worked with Busta Rhymes, the X-Ecutioners, Tragedy Khadafi, Big Daddy Kane, Mobb Deep, and A Tribe Called Quest
March 21, 1968 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist Andrew Copeland born in Gainesville, Florida, USA ~ Co-founding member of Sister Hazel. The band was founded in Gainesville, Florida, in 1993 and named for a local missionary Sister Hazel Williams who ran a homeless shelter. Drawing from southern rock, folk rock and jangle pop the band would grow a devoted local fanbase with spirited poppy songs. Best known for their 1997 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit All For You. Other well known songs include Champagne High, Change Your Mind, and Karaoke Song, the latter featuring guest vocalist Darius Rucker
March 21, 1966 ~ Christopher Edward Martin, commonly known as DJ, producer DJ Premier, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Regarded as one of the most important hip-hop producers. Known for sampling jazz, funk and soul. Formed the hip-hop duo Gang Starr with rapper Guru. Has worked with Anderson Paak, Ludacris, Dr Dre, Royce da 5'9", Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Common, d'Angelo, Joey Badass, Kanye West, KRS One, the LOX, and Mobb Deep
March 21, 1963 ~ Singer, pianist, guitarist Shawn Lane born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Worked with Ringo Starr, the Highwaymen, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Reggie Young, Joe Walsh, Jonas Hellborg, Black Oak Arkansas, Tommy Aldridge, Andy Tanas, Chris Craig, Savage Innocence, Billy Batte, Kinley Wolf, Jim Dandy Mangrum, the Willys, Sam Bryant, Jeff Sipe, DDT, Luther Dickinson, Anders Johansson, Wei Wei, Félix Sabal-Lecco, Steve Ferrone, Andrea Marchesini, Toy Caldwell, Jimi Jamison, Calvin Russell, Chris LeDoux, the North Mississippi Allstars, and Richard Hallebeek ~ Lane passed away in 2003
March 21, 1962 ~ Pop, rock, folk guitarist Shlomi Bracha born in Tel Aviv, Israel ~ Best known as guitarist for Mashina, considered one of the most influential Israeli pop rock bands drawing from a wide array of influences including ska, reggae, punk rock, new wave, psychedelic rock, pop rock, grunge, and Middle Eastern elements. Well known songs include Rakevet Laila Le-Kahir, basically an hommage to Madness' Night Boat To Cairo, Geveret Sarah Hashschena which drew heavily from Bob Dylan's Hurricane, Ha'Amuta Le-Heker Hatmuta, and Miflatzot Ha-Tehila. Bracha has also collaborated with Rami Fortis, and recorded as a solo artist
March 21, 1961 ~ James McDonnell, commonly known as Slim Jim Phantom, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Spearheaded the early-1980s neo-rockabilly movement as a co-founding member of the Stray Cats alongside Brian Setzer and Lee Rocker. The band is known for songs such Runaway Boys, Rock This Town, Stray Cat Strut, and She's Sexy + 17. Parallel and following the band's heyday McDonnell has worked with a wide array of artists, including Jerry Lee Lewis, Col Parker, supergroup Dead Men Walking, and rockabilly supergroup Head Cat. Married to actress Britt Ekland from 1984 through 1992, with whom he has one son. Married to the Eagles Of Death Metal touring bassist Jennie Vee since 2020
March 21, 1959 ~ Jazz saxophonist Renato D'Aiello born in Naples, Italy ~ Worked with Giovanni Tommaso, Sax Appeal, Gilad Atzmon, Mark Bassey, Gene Calderazzo, John Critchinson, Keith Copeland, Eddie Duran, Art Farmer, Bruce Forman, Patrice Galas, Steve Grossman, Gary Husband, Duffy Jackson, Kirk Lightsey, Alain Jean-Marie, Sal Nistico, Roland Prince, Spike Robinson, and Clare Teal
March 21, 1956 ~ Electronic, industrial, techno keyboardist, sampler, guitarist, saxophonist, songwriter Richard H Kirk born in Sheffield, UK ~ Rose to fame in the 1970s as key member of seminal industrial group Cabaret Voltaire, remaining with the band until its disbandement in 1994. Has also enjoyed a parallel solo career, releasing his Disposable Half-Truths solo debut album in 1980. Has recorded extensively in the 1990s using a variety of monikers, prompting critics to describe him as “techno's busiest man” ~ Kirk passed away in 2021
March 21, 1952 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal, glam metal drummer Andy Parker, full name Andrew Maynard Parker, born in Cheshunt, UK ~ Co-founding member of UFO, acclaimed for their 1979 Strangers In The Night album regarded by some as one of the greatest yet criminally overlooked live rock albums of the 1970s
March 21, 1951 ~ R&B, soul, disco singer Russell Thompkins Jr, full name Russell Allen Thompkins Jr, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Original lead singer for the Stylistics, with whom he scored a string of early to mid-1970s hits including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles You Are Everything, Betcha By Golly Wow, I'm Stone In Love With You, and Break Up To Make Up. Thompkins departed the group in 2000. Released his sole A Matter Of Style solo album in 2002. Teamed up with Blue Magic-singer Ted Mills and the Delfonics-singer William Poogie Hart for the album All The Way From Philadelphia released in 2007 under the moniker the 3 Tenors of Soul
March 21, 1951 ~ Blues harpist, singer William Clarke born in Inglewood, California, USA ~ Worked with George Harmonica Smith, Hollywood Fats, Junior Watson, Rick Holmstrom, John Marx, Craig Printup, Steve Samuels, Joel Foy, Alex Schultz, Ronnie Earl, Al Blake, Barry Levenson, Kid Ramos, Jeff Ross, Willie Brinlee, Bill Stuve, Tyler Pederson, Jerry Monte, Brian Fahey, Perry Lopez, and Rob Rio ~ Clarke passed away in 1996
March 21, 1950 ~ Guitarist, singer Roger Hodgson, full name Charles Roger Pomfret Hodgson, born in Portsmouth, UK ~ Member of short-lived late-1960s group Argosy, which also included a then-unknown Elton John, and known best for their sole single Mr Boyd b/w Imagine. Best known as co-frontman, co-founding member for Supertramp, co-writing the majority of the band's best known with Rick Davies including Dreamer, School, Crime Of The Century, Bloody Well Right, The Logical Song, Take The Long Way Home, Goodbye Stranger, and It's Raining Again. Following his departure from the band in 1983 Hodgson has recorded as a solo artist, starting with In The Eye Of The Storm released in 1984
March 21, 1949 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Åge Aleksandersen born in Namsos, Norway ~ Member of Prudence. Active as a solo artist since the mid-1970s and known best for songs such as Lys Og Varme, Fire Pills Og En Pizza and Rosalita
March 21, 1949 ~ Edward Joseph Mahoney, commonly known as pop, rock singer, songwriter Eddie Money, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Debuted in 1977 with the eponymous Eddie Money album. Would enjoy popularity during the 1970s and 1980s with songs such as Baby Hold On, Two Tickets To Paradise, Maybe I'm A Fool, Think I'm In Love, Take Me Home Tonight, I Wanna Go Back, Walk On Water and Peace In Our Time ~ Mahoney passed away in 2019
March 21, 1948 ~ Country singer, songwriter Keith Jamieson, full name Keith Ross Jamieson, born in Goondiwindi, Australia ~ Influenced by Slim Dusty, Buddy Williams, Tex Morton, Stan Coster. Has worked in manual day jobs most of his life such as coal miner and taxi driver while writing and performing his songs on the side. Actively recording since the late-1970s. Known for songs such as Good Morning Australia, Bush Ballad Rock and One Tree Plain ~ Jamieson passed away in 2022
March 21, 1947 ~ Folk, pop, rock, psychedelica singer, songwriter, producer Kazuhiko Kato born in Fushimi-ku, Japan ~ Member of the Folk Crusaders, known for their 1967 psychedelic hit Kaettekita Yopporai (I Only Live Twice). Would go on to become an in-demand producer working with the likes of Shigeru Izumiya, Mariya Takeuchi, Takuro Yoshida. Also founded the Sadistic Mika Band, which included his wife Mika Fukui, known for their 1974 landmark album Kurofune. Also founded Vitamin Q ~ Kato passed away in 2009
March 21, 1946 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Ray Dorset born in Ashton, UK ~ Best known as founding member and primary songwriter of Mungo Jerry, writing or co-writing most of the band's material including In The Summertime, Baby Jump, Lady Rose, You Don't Have To Be In The Army To Fight The War, Long Legged Woman Dressed In Black and Hello Nadine. Also penned Feels Like I'm In Love, a 1980 UK No.1 hit for disco singer Kelly Marie
March 21, 1945 ~ Rosemary Stewart, commonly known as soul, funk, psychedelic soul singer, keyboardist, songwriter Rose Stone born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Member of Sly & the Family Stone, founded by her brothers Freddie Stone and frontman Sly Stone and known for pivotal funk hits such as Dance To The Music and Everyday People. After the band's dissolution in 1975 Rose married manager, producer Bubba Banks and has released a handful of solo recordings under the moniker Rose Banks. Has also duetted with Robbie Williams on the song Revolution of his 2002 Escapology album, and on occasion backed Elton John
March 21, 1944 ~ Rock, country rock, roots rock singer, guitarist, bassist, banjoist, mandolinist, songwriter David Lindley, full name David Perry Lindley, born in San Marino, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of Kaleidoscope, with whom he recorded four albums. Following the band's disbandement in 1970 would go on to become an in-demand touring and session musician. Closely associated with Jackson Browne, appearing on key albums such as For Everyman, Late For The Sky, The Pretender, and Running On Empty. Over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting in the early-1980s and noted especially for El Rayo X and Win This Album. Has also appeared on albums by America, Terry Reid, Linda Ronstadt (Heart Like A Wheel), Rod Stewart (Atlantic Crossing), Joe Walsh, Warren Zevon, Dolly Parton (Here You Come Again), Karla Bonoff, Marshall Crenshaw, Bob Dylan, Shawn Colvin, and Bruce Springsteen ~ Lindley passed away in 2023
March 21, 1943 ~ Victor Anthony Stanshall, commonly known as inger, trumpeter, trombonist, guitarist, mandoliinist, banjoist, keyboardist, flutist, perucssionist, songwriter Vivian Stanshall, born in Shillingford, UK ~ Member of the Bonzo Dog Band. Released his Men Opening Umbrellas Ahead solo debut album in 1974. Has had artists such as Eric Clapton, Keith Moon and John Entwistle guest on his solo recordings. Has also collaborated with Grimms, Mike Oldfield (Tubular Bells), Jim Capaldi, Ronnie Wood, Graham Bond, and Robert Calvert ~ Stanshall passed away in 1995
March 21, 1942 ~ Jazz, gospel pianist, organist, singer Amina Claudine Myers born in Blackwell, Kansas, USA ~ Actively recording since the late-1970s. Has worked with Muhal Richard Abrams, the Art Ensemble Of Chicago, Arthur Blythe, Third Rail, Lester Bowie, Greg Osby, Henry Threadgill, and James Blood Ulmer
March 21, 1940 ~ James Solomon McDonald, commonly known as Solomon Burke, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Incremental in development of 1960s soul, especially acclaimed for a string of early-1960s albums including If You Need Me, I Almost Lost My Mind and Rock 'n Soul. Co-wrote and first recorded Everybody Needs Somebody To Love, later covered by artists such as the Rolling Stones, Wilson Pickett, and the Blues Brothers. Other well known songs include Cry To Me, Just Out Of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms), and Got To Get You Off My Mind. Burke would also be one of the first R&B, soul artists to cover a Bob Dylan tune, namely Maggie's Farm which served as the flip side of the 1965 single Tonight's The Night ~ Burke passed away in 2010
March 21, 1938 ~ Folk, pop singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Luigi Tenco was born in Cassine, Italy ~ Also known under the alias Gigi Mai. Member of I Cavaliere, alongside Giampiero Reverberi and Enzo Jannacci. Debuted as a solo artist in 1961 with the single Quando, followed by the full-length album Baliate E Canzoni the next year. Became an icon of love and despair after his alleged suicide at age 28, the exact circumstances of his death still questioned to this day ~ Tenco passed away in 1967
March 21, 1936 ~ Beat, rock & roll singer, guitarist Brian Casser, also known as Cass and Casey Jones, born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK ~ Active since the late-1950s fronting several short-lived Liverpool-based bands, noted most for their line-ups. Fronted Nightsounds in the early-1960s, which also included Albert Lee. Fronted Casey Jones & the Engineers, which briefly included Eric Clapton and Tom McGuinness who both left after a few performances ~ Casser passed away in 2022
March 21, 1936 ~ Jazz pianist Brian Dee, full name Brian Colin Dee, born in London, UK ~ Worked with the Jazz Five, Ben Webster, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Benny Carter, Harry Sweets Edison, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Chet Baker, Al Grey, Sonny Stitt, Victor Feldman, Joe Newman, Ted Heath, Don Lusher, Laurie Johnson, Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Johnny Mercer, Elton John, Peggy Lee, Frankie Laine, Joe Williams, Jimmy Witherspoon, Mark Murphy, Cleo Laine, and Annie Ross
March 21, 1935 ~ Classical guitarist Antonio Membrado born in Madrid, Spain ~ Mentored by Andrés Segovia. Known for his renditions of works by Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Heitor Villa-Lobos. Noted for accompanying Paco Ibáñez on his 1964 Paco Ibáñez debut album released in 1964. Also regarded a master of the laúd, an instrument of the cittern family popular in Spanish folk ~ Membrado passed away in 2016
March 21, 1935 ~ Tenor singer, conductor Nigel Rogers, full name Nigel David Rogers, born in Wellington, UK ~ Sang in German, French, Italian, English. Over 70 albums to his name, mostly early music, baroque and sacred music including works by Claudio Monteverdi, George Frideric Handel, Henry Purcell and Johann Sebastian Bach ~ Rogers passed away in 2022
March 21, 1929 ~ Blues guitarist, singer Otis Big Smokey Smothers born in Lexington, Mississippi, USA ~ Brother of Little Smokey Smothers. Member of Howlin' Wolf's backing band from the mid-1950s onwards including on pivotal recordings such as Who's Been Talking, Tell Me, Change My Way, Natchez Burning and I Asked For Water. Also worked with Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, Bo Diddley, Ike Turner, JT Brown, Freddie King, Johnny Jones, Little Walter, Willie Dixon, Johnny Wiliams, Lester Davenport, Arthur Big Boy Spires, Earl Hooker, and Henry Strong ~ Smothers passed away in 1993
March 21, 1919 ~ Gospel singer, pianist, songwriter Robert Anderson born in Anguilla, Mississippi, USA ~ Backed Roberta Martin as a member of the Roberta Martin Singers from 1933 through 1941 and rejoining in later years. Formed and led early-1950s outfit the Caravans. As a solo artist best known for his self-penned Oh Lord Is It I, later notably covered by Mahalia Jackson ~ Anderson passed away in 1995
March 21, 1918 ~ Charles Phillip Thompson, commonly known as swing, bebop pianist, organist, composer, arranger Sir Charles Thompson, born in Springfield, Ohio, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Earl Bostic, Coleman Hawkins, Bennie Moten, Count Basie, Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Miles Davis, JC Heard, Lucky Millinder, Illinois Jacquet, Vic Dickensen, Buck Clayton, Dodo Greene, Joe Newman, Paul Quinichette, Harold Ashby, Paul Gonsalves, Ike Quebec, and Harry Sweets Edison ~ Thompson passed away in 2016
March 21, 1902 ~ Trombonist Santo Pecora born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Active from the early-1920s onwards. Sang with bandleaders Johnny de Droit and Leon Roppolo. Toured with singer Bee Palmer. Joined the New Orleans Rhytm Kings in the mid-1920s. Later he worked with Sharkey Bonano and Wingy Manone. Pecora remained a staple of the local scene into the 1960s ~ Pecora passed away in 1984
March 21, 1902 ~ Edward James House Jr, commonly known as Delta blues guitarist, singer Son House born in Riverton, Mississippi, USA ~ Influential slide guitarist helped develop Delta Blues. Praised for his rhythmic drive, vocal power and emotional intensity. Influenced Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. Known for pre-war releases such as My Black Mama, Preachin' The Blues and Dry Spell Blues. Rediscovered in the 1960s wave of blues revival ~ House passed away in 1988
March 21, 1893 ~ Maude Elsie Aileen Muggeridge, commonly known as singer Aileen Stanley, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ One of the most popular singers of the 1920s. Started in vaudeville with her older brother Stanley Muggeridge. Known for songs such as My Mammy, Sweet Indiana Home, When My Sugar Walks Down The Street, Carolina In The Morning, and Singin' The Blues ~ Muggeridge passed away in 1982
March 21, 1893 ~ Armenter Chatmon, commonly known as blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Bo Carter born in Bolton, Mississippi, USA ~ Brother of fiddler Lonnie Chatmon and bassist Sam Chatmon, both of which bandmates in the Mississippi Sheiks alongside their friend guitarist, singer Walter Vinson. Carter was known for his bawdy songs, as evidenced in songtitles such as Let Me Roll Your Lemon, Please Warm My Wiener and My Pencil Won't Write Anymore, and for being one of the first to record Corrine Corrina in 1928. The latter would become a standard recorded by blues, jazz, western swing, folk, country and rock artists including Tampa Red, Big Joe Turner, Red Nichols, Cab Calloway, Art Tatum, Clayton McMichen, Milton Brown, Bob Wills, Rising Sons, Eric Clapton (as Alberta Alberta), Willie Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Asleep At The Wheel, Brooks & Dunn, and others ~ Chatmon passed away in 1964