March 26, 1986 ~ Singer, producer, songwriter Eric Bellinger, full name Eric Bellinger Jr, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Songs written or co-written by Bellinger include Usher's Lemme See, Chris Brown's New Flame, Tank's You Don't Know, Justin Bieber's Right Here, Trey Songz's Disrespectful, Fantasia's So Much To Prove, Brandy's Without You, and Kid Ink's Rollin'
March 26, 1981 ~ Indie folk, country folk singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter, playwright Anaïs Mitchell born ~ Critically compared to Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Gillian Welch. Over half a dozen albums to her name, starting with The Song They Sang (When Rome Fell) released in 2002. Acclaimed for her 2010 album Hadestown, featuring guest appearances by Ani DiFranco, Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, Ben Knox Miller and the Haden Triplets. The album would be reworked into a stage musical which ran on Broadway in 2019, awarded with eight Tony Awards including for Best Musical. Member of Bonny Light Horseman, releasing their eponymous Bonny Light Horseman debut album in 2020
March 26, 1977 ~ Jazz guitarist Håvard Stubø born in Narvik, Norway ~ Worked with Tore Johansen, Roger Arntzen, Trond Sverre Hansen, Atle Nymo, Andreas Amundsen, Jørn Øien, Knut Riisnæs, Torbjörn Zetterberg, Håkon Mjåset Johansen, Jupiter, Magnus Forsberg, Steinar Nickelsen, Jonas Kullhammar, Roger Arntzen, Torstein Lofthus, Daniel Franck, Tord Ronning Krogtoft, Tomasz Stańko, Jimmy Owens, Arve Henriksen, Olavi Louhivuori, Marita Røstad, Jazz & Fly Fishing, and others
March 26, 1975 ~ Terius Gray, commonly known as rapper Juvenile, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Member of Hot Boys. Debuted as a solo artist with the full-length Being Myself album in 1995. First gained serious attention with his third album, 1998's 400 Degreez which spawned the Billboard top 20 hit Back That Azz Up featuring Lil' Wayne and Mannie Fresh. Also known for his 2004 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 Slow Motion featuring Soulja Slim. Has also worked with Birdman, Shawty Lo, Rick Ross, BG, Rich Gang, G-Eazy, and others
March 26, 1968 ~ Guitarist, singer James Iha, full name James Yoshinobu Iha, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member of alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins, remaining with the band until its initial disbandement in 2000. Present on acclaimed albums such as 1993's Siamese Dream and its 1995 Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness follow-up. Iha rejoined the Pumpkins in 2018. Has also worked with A Perfect Circle and the supergroup Tinted Windows. In-demand producer, remixer, collaborator for the likes of Midnight Movies, Isobel Campbell, Whiskeytown and REM's Michael Stipe
March 26, 1968 ~ Country singer, songwriter Kenny Chesney, full name Kenneth Arnold Chesney, born in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA ~ One of the most successful crossover country artists. Sold over 30 million albums. Debuted in 1994 with the album In My Wildest Dreams. Known for songs such as How Forever Feels, You Had Me From Hello, She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy, Don't Happen Twice, The Good Stuff, No Shoes No Shirt No Problems, Who You'd Be Today, The Boys Of Fall, American Kids and Here And Now. Collaborated with Jimmy Buffett, Tim McGraw, Tracy Lawrence, Uncle Kracker, Reba McEntire, and others
March 26, 1961 ~ Drummer Chris Mars, full name Christopher Edward Mars, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Best known as drummer of alternative rock band the Replacements from 1979 through 1990, acclaimed for the mid-1980s albums Let It Be Me and Tim. Early member of supergroup Golden Smog, present on the band's 1992 debut EP On Golden Smog. Active as a solo artist since his 1992 Horseshoes And Hand Grenades album
March 26, 1956 ~ Country singer Charly McClain, full name Charlotte Denise McClain, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Debuted in 1976 with the Here's Charly McClain album of which several singles would be released, most of which failed to make a serious impression. First hit the country top 10 with That's What You Do To Me of her 1978 sophomore Let Me Be Your Baby album. Would go on to regularly hit the higher echelons of the country charts throughout the mid-1980s with songs such Men, Who's Cheatin' Who, Sleepin' With The Radio On, Dancing Your Memory Away, the McClain/ Mickey Gilley duet Paradise Tonight, and perhaps her best-known Radio Heart. Married country singer, former soap actor Wayne Massey in 1984, with whom she also scored several duet hit singles, notably With Just One Look In Your Eyes and You Are My Music (You Are My Song)
March 26, 1956 ~ Music journalist, author, songwriter, producer Paul Morley, full name Paul Robert Morley, born in Farnham, UK ~ Perhaps best known as a music journalist, writing for NME from 1977 through 1983 and a wide range of publications since as well as authoring about a dozen books. Member of synth-pop unit Art Of Noise, present on the band's 1984 Who's Afraid Of The Art Of Noise debut album. Co-founded ZTT Records label with producer Trevor Horn, for whom he helped advance the career of the label's then-biggest act Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Morley has also served as band manager and is a regular appearance on TV and radio shows. Formed the band Infantjoy, known for their 2005 Where The Night Goes album. Morley was married to singer Propaganda-singer Claudia Brücken for some time, with whom he has two children
March 26, 1955 ~ Arild Staffan Moller, commonly known as guitarist, keyboardist, composer Ale Möller, born in Scania, Sweden ~ Draws from jazz, traditional Scandinavian music and world music. Active as a solo artist since the earlyu 1980s. Prolific on several instruments including trumpet, bouzouki, mandola, flute, dulcimer, harp, harmonica. Has worked with Frifot, Filarfolket, Aly Bain, Bruce Molsky, Lena Willemark, Jonas Knutsson, Thomas Ringdahl, and Mikis Theodorakis
March 26, 1955 ~ Dean Rutherford, commonly known as country singer, songwriter Dean Dillon born in Lake City, Tennessee, USA ~ Revered by peers. Released about half a dozen albums since the early 1980s including two collaborative albums with Gary Stewart. Especially acclaimed as a songwriter. Songs written or co-written by Dillon have been recorded by Barbara Mandrell (Bedroom Reunion), George Strait (The Chair, Ocean Front Property, Drinkin' Man), David Allan Coe (Tennessee Whiskey, Alabama, Hank Williams Jr, Mark Chesnutt (She Never Got Me Over You), Conard Hunley, Brooks & Dunn, Keith Whitley (Miami My Amy), Vern Gosdin (Set 'Em Up Joe), the Marshall Tucker Band, Toby Keith (Get My Drink On), Kenny Chesney, and others
March 26, 1953 ~ Singer, flutist, keyboardist, songwriter Billy Lyall born in Edinburgh, UK ~ Early member of the Bay City Rollers from 1969 through 1971. Co-founding member of Pilot known for the early 1970s hits January, Magic, Just A Smile and Call Me Round. Keyboardist of Dollar from 1978 to 1982. Guested with the Alan Parsons Project and Runner. Lyall recorded one solo album, Solo Casting, released in 1979 ~ Lyall passed away in 1989
March 26, 1952 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist John Batdorf born ~ As a child aspired to become a professional baseball player but osteomyelitis, an infection of the bones, crushed his dreams. While in a full-body cast for a year picked up a guitar out of boredom and decided to become a musician. Formed the duo Batdorf & Rodney with Mark Rodney, known for their moderate 1975 hit Somewhere In The Night. Co-founded Silver, known for their 1976 Billboard top 20 hit Wham Bam
March 26, 1952 ~ Bryan Lamont Yoho, commonly known as country, southern rock drummer, songwriter Monte Yoho, born in Lakeland, Florida, USA ~ Member of the Outlaws, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums including their best-known, 1975's eponymous Outlaws which included their greatest hit There Goes Another Love Song co-written by Yoho. Yoho also backed bandmate Henry Paul on his solo albums and as a member of Blackhawk
March 26, 1950 ~ Jazz double bassist Nobuyochi Ino born in Japan ~ Active since the early-1970s. Has worked with Motohiko Hino, Terumasa Hino, Kosuke Mine, Akira Miyazawa, Masahiko Satoh, Hidefumi Toki, Kazumi Watanabe, Masayuki Takayanagi, Aki Takase, Lester Bowie, Alexander von Schlippenbach, Sunny Murray, Elvin Jones, the Four Sounds, Masahiko Togashi, and others
March 26, 1950 ~ Singer Teddy Pendergrass, full name Theodore DeReese Pendergrass, born in Kingstree, South Carolina, USA ~ Made his name in 1972, at age 21, as singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, particularly with two songs originally intended for other artists. Vocal group the Dells passed on I Miss You, so Kenny Gamble build the song to suit Pendergrass. It's follow-up, If You Don't Know Me By Now was intended for Patti Labelle's R&B unit Marmalade, but they had to pass due to scheduling conflicts. Stayed with the band through 1975. Pendergrass would release his solo debut album, Teddy Pendergrass, in 1977. It would go platinum on the strength of the disco hit I Don't Love You Anymore. Would continue to regularly reach the top 10 of Billboard's R&B charts throughout the early 1990s with songs such as Close The Door, Love TKO, Hold Me (a 1984 ballad duet with Whitney Houston), Joy, and It Should've Been You ~ Pendergrass passed away in 2010
March 26, 1949 ~ Jonathan James English, commonly known as singer, songwriter Jon English, born in London, UK ~ Worked with Zenith, Sebastian Hardie, Marcia Hines, Mario Millo and others and starred in several musicals including the Australian version of Jesus Christ Superstar. As a solo artist best known for Australian top 20 hits such as Turn The Page, The Hollywood Seven, Words Are Not Enough, Six Ribbons and Hot Town. Outside Australia best known for the album The Calm Before The Storm released in 1980 ~ English passed away in 2016
March 26, 1948 ~ James Jeffrey Plewman, commonly known as progressive rock, electronic violinist, mandolinist Nash the Slash, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Played keyboards, glockenspiel, violin, mandolin. Draws from progressive rock, new wave, new age and punk rock. Founded and briefly fronted FM, leaving after the band's Black Noise 1976 debut album to resume a solo career, rejoining in later years. Known as a media-shy personality, appearing on-stage with his head wrapped in surgical bandages from 1979 onwards as to preserve his “anonimity” ~ Plewman passed away in 2014
March 26, 1948 ~ Patrick Anson Doheny, commonly known as pop, rock singer, guitarist Ned Doheny, born in Malibu, California, USA ~ The first artist signed to David Geffen's Asylum label. Released his eponymous Ned Doherty debut album in 1973. Known for songs such as I've Got Your Number, Get It Up For Love, and To Prove My Love. Guested on recordings by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, JD Souther, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne. Songs written by Doheny would be recorded by the Average White Band, Chaka Khan (What Cha' Gonna Do For My Love), Elkie Brooks, and others
March 26, 1948 ~ Keyboardist, pianist Richard Tandy born in Birmingham, UK ~ Key member of the Electric Light Orchestra present on nearly all of the band's recordings, helping define the band's unique sound through his palette of keyboards and serving as frontman Jeff Lynne's right hand and main arranger. The band is known for hits such as Can't Get It Out Of My Head, Evil Woman, Strange Magic, Telephone Line, Shine A Little Love, Don't Bring Me Down, Xanadu featuring Olivia Newton-John, and Hold On Tight
March 26, 1948 ~ Steven Victor Tallarico, commonly known as rock, hard rock singer Steven Tyler born in New York, New York, USA ~ Lead singer of Aerosmith, known for landmark albums such as Toys In The Attic, Rocks, Permanent Vacation, Get A Grip and Nine Lives. Tyler released a solo album, We're All Somebody From Somewhere, in 2016. Also an in-demand collaborator, appearing on recordings by Alice Cooper, P!nk, Eminem, Santana, Keith Anderson, Julian Lennon, Buddy Guy, Smokey Robinson, Hayden Panettiere, and others
March 26, 1947 ~ Pop singer John Rowles, full name JohN Edward Rowles, born in Whakatane, New Zealand ~ Internationally best known for his 1968 UK top 10 hit If I Only Had Time, a cover of Michel Fugain's Je N'Aurai Pas Le Temps written by Fugain and Pierre Delanoë. In his native New Zealand also known for the 1970 hit Cheryl Moana Marie
March 26, 1946 ~ Actor, singer Johnny Crawford, full name John Ernest Crawford, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as an actor, rising to prominence playing in the western TV series Rifleman which earned him an Emmy Award at age 13. Had a brief recording career during the early 1960s, scoring hits with songs such as Cindy's Birthday, Your Nose Is Gonna Grow, and Rumors ~ Crawford passed away in 2021
March 26, 1944 ~ R&B, soul, pop, disco singer Diana Ross born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Rose to fame as lead singer of the Supremes, Motown's most successful act and one of all-time best-selling girl groups scoring a dozen Billboard No.1 hits including Where Did Our Love Go, Baby Love, Stop In The Name Of Love, I Hear A Symphony and You Can't Hurry Love. Ross left the band in 1970 to go on as a hugely successful solo artist noted for hits such as Touch Me In The Morning, Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To), Love Hangover and Upside Down. Starred in the film version of The Wiz alongside protegé and friend Michael Jackson. Duetted with Marvin Gaye on You're A Special Part Of Me and My Mistake Was To Love You, duetted with Lionel Richie on Endless Love
March 26, 1942 ~ Producer, pianist, songwriter Larry Butler born in Pensacola, Florida, USA ~ Best known for his association with Kenny Rogers, producing albums such as Kenny Rogers, The Gambler, and Gideon. As a producer or songwriter Butler is also responsible for a wide array of hits including for BJ Thomas (Hey Won't You Play Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song), Jean Shepard (Seven Lonely Days), Charlie Rich (You're Gonna Love Yourself In The Morning), John Denver (Some Days Are Diamonds), Debby Boone { Are You On The Road To Loving Me Again), Billie Jo Spears (Blanket On The Ground), and Don McLean (Crying). Earlier Butler hit the charts as a member of Ronny & the Daytonas (GTO) and the Gentrys (Keep On Dancing, Every Day I Have To Cry Some). Has also worked as a session pianist for artists such as Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty (Hello Darlin'), George Jones, Bobby Goldsboro (Honey), Roger Miller, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Lynn Anderson ~ Butler passed away in 2012
March 26, 1940 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter John Sterling born in Durham, North Carolina, USA ~ Released two solo albums, 1980's Long Time Gone and 1982's Waiting On A Southern Train. Member of the Seldom Scene. Member of the Ready Section. Worked with Mike Auldridge, Ben Eldridge, Carl Jackson, Carolina Star, Emmylou Harris, Lowell George, Buddy Emmons, Claire Lynch, the Nash Ramblers, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and others ~ Starling passed away in 2019
March 26, 1940 ~ Jazz flutist, saxophonist Lew Tabackin born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Married to pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi with whom he co-led ensembles since the 1970s. Influenced by sax players Al Cohn and Coleman Hawkins and flutists such as William Kincaid, Julius Baker, and Jean Pierre Rampal. Tabackin has played with artists such as Tal Farlow, Chuck Israels, Elvin Jones, Donald Byrd, Roland Hanna, Doc Severinsen, Shelly Manne, Billy Higgins, Clark Terry, Don Friedman, Benny Carter, Duke Pearson, Maynard Ferguson, Jimmy Knepper, Tom Waits (on the 1976 LP Small Change), Freddie Hubbard, Howard Alden, and others
March 26, 1934 ~ Actor, director, screenwriter Alan Arkin, full name Alan Wolf Arkin, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Best known for his career in the film industry, working in a variety of roles over a career spanning seven decades and awarded an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Little Miss Sunshine. Also enjoyed some succes as a singer and guitarist as a member of 1950s folk group the Tarriers and children's folk group the Baby Sitters
March 26, 1934 ~ Jazz drummer Donald Bailey, full name Donald Orlando Bailey Sr, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for backing organist Jimmy Smith from the mid-1950s through the mid-1960s, including on the seminal A New Sound A New Star album released in 1958. Has also worked with the likes of Hampton Hawes (The Seance), the Three Sounds, Roy Ayers, Harold Land (The Peace-Maker), Jimmy Rowles, Mundell Lowe, Blue Mitchell, Carmen McRae, Charles McPherson, and Bebop & Beyond ~ Bailey passed away in 2013
March 26, 1931 ~ Producer, pianist, vibraphonist, songwriter, arranger Charles Stepney born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Co-founded Rotary Connection with Marshall Chess and produced most of the band's output. Would go on to produce a host of artists including Rotary-lead singer Minnie Riperton, the Dells, Earth Wind & Fire, Terry Callier, Ramsey Lewis, Maurice White, Marlena Shaw, Deniece Williams, the Soulful Strings, Howlin' Wolf, the Emotions, and others ~ Stepney passed away in 1976
March 26, 1929 ~ Jazz saxophonist Maurice Simon, full name Maurice James Simon, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Worked with Russell Jacquet, Teddy Edwards, Charles Mingus, Wild Bill Davis, Chico Hamilton, Sonny Stitt, Leo Parker, Charles Thompson, Al Lucas, Shadow Wilson, Gerald Wilson, Snooky Young, Red Kelly, Melba Liston, Dexter Gordon, Ernie Freeman, Red Callender, JC Heard, Fats Domino, Papa John Creach, Big Maybelle, Faye Adams, Bumble Bee Slim, Percy Mayfield, BB King, and others ~ Simon passed away in 2019
March 26, 1925 ~ Jazz saxophonist, flutist James Moody born in Savannah, Georgia, USA ~ Well over three dozen albums to his name as a leader since the late 1940s, best known for his unexpected 1956 hit Moody's Mood For Love off the album of the same name. As a sideman, Moody has guested on albums by Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie (In Paris), Al Haig, Eddie Lockjaw Davis (Bacalao), Hank Crawford, Eddie Jefferson (Letter From Home), Wes Montgomery, Charlie Parker, Count Basie, Dexter Gordon (The Tower Of Power), Cedar Walton, Charles Mingus (Let My Children Hear Music), Aretha Franklin, Coleman Hawkins, Elvin Jones, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, George Benson (Give Me The Night), and Karin Krog ~ Moody passed away in 2010
March 26, 1924 ~ Milton Aubrey Moore, commonly known as tenor saxophonist, bandleader Brew Moore, born in Indianola, Indiana, USA ~ Moore recorded as a leader starting in 1948, Brew Moore & his Playboys, and played as a sideman with Machito, Claude Thornhill, Kai Winding, Stan Getz, George Wallington, and others. Moore left New York in 1953, relocated to the West Coast and dropped out of the scene by the end of the 1950s. He would later resurface in Denmark where he would continue to perform for the rest of his life teaming up with artists such as Kenny Drew, Sahib Shihab, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, and Alex Riel ~ Moore passed away in 1973
March 26, 1916 ~ Conductor, composer Harry Rabinowitz born in Johannesburg, South Africa ~ Closely associated with the BBC, conducting the BBC Revue Orchestra for most of the 1950s and serving as music director for BBC Television Light Entertainment for most of the 1960s. Also worked with the Boston Pops Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and others. Conducted numerous film scores including Chariots Of Fire, The English Patient and The Talented Mr Ripley ~ Rabinowitz passed away in 2016
March 26, 1916 ~ Big band, swing, jazz, traditional pop bandleader, arranger, composer Vic Schoen, full name Victor Schoen, born ~ Worked with Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Les Brown, Woody Herman, Gene Krupa, George Shearing, Jimmie Lunceford, Ray McKinley, Benny Carter, Louis Prima, Russ Morgan, Guy Lombardo, Carmen Cavallaro, Carmen Miranda, Gordon Jenkins, Joe Venuti, Victor Young, Arthur Fiedler, the Boston Pops Orchestra, the Andrews Sisters, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Rosemary Clooney, Dick Haymes, Ella Fitzgerald, Maurice Chevalier, Mildred Bailey, Peggy Lee, Patti Page, the McGuire Sisters, Kay Starr, and others ~ Schoen passed away in 2000
March 26, 1915 ~ Joseph Edward Filippelli, commonly known as jazz, swing, jump blues saxophonist, clarinetit Flip Phillips, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Best known for his work with Norman Granz's Jazz At The Philharmonic concerts from the mid-1940 to the late 1950s. As a leader recorded extensively in the 1940s and 1950s, working with sidemen such as Buddy Morrow, Tommy Turk, Kai Winding, Sonny Criss, Ray Brown, Shelly Manne, and others. Backed singer Billie Holiday on her Billie Holiday Sings album released in 1952 ~ Phillips passed away in 2001
March 26, 1907 ~ Film composer, songwriter Leigh Harline, full name Leigh Adrian Harline, born in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA ~ First gained attention as film composer working with Disney, including on the original versions of Disney's first animated feature-length film 1937's Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs and 1940's Pinocchio. Would go on to work with other studios, scoring soundtracks for movies such as Mr Bug Goes To Town, Monkey Business, True Story, and The Wonderful World Of The Brothers Grimm ~ Harline passed away in 1969