March 29, 1994 ~ Choi Jin-ri, commonly known as K-pop singer, actress Sulli, born in Busan, South Korea ~ Member of girl group fx, known for songs such as Nu Abo, Pinocchio (Danger), Electric Shock, and Rum Pum Pum Pum. Jin-ri has ventured into acting and released her sole solo album, Goblin, in 2019 ~ Jin-ri passed away in 2019
March 29, 1990 ~ Justin Rafaek Quiles Rivera, commonly known as reggaeton singer, songwriter Justin Quiles, born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA ~ In-demand songwriter. Artists who have recorded songs written or co-written by Quiles include J Balvin, Lil' Jon, Maluma, Yandel and Karol G. As a solo artist debuted in 2015 with the album Carpe Diem
March 29, 1983 ~ Indie rock, electronic guitarist, drummer Luiza Sá, full name Luiza da Silva e Sá, born ~ Constant member of Cansei de Ser Sexy, active from the early 2000s through early 2010s and regarded as one of the premier bands of the Brazilian new rave scene. Internationally the band is best known for singles such as Alala, Let's Make Love And Listen To Death From Above, and Music Is My Hot Hot Sex
March 29, 1981 ~ Pop singer Mattias Andréasson born in Vasterås, Sweden ~ Member of boy band EMD, alongside Erik Segerstedt and Danny Saucedo. All three members had been contestants on the Swedish edition of Idol in the mid-2000s. The group is best known for singles such as All For Love, Let Me Love You, Alone, and Baby Goodbye, all of which Swedish No.1 hits taken of the band's 2008 A State Of Mind debut album
March 29, 1981 ~ Actress, singer Megan Hilty, full name Megan Kathleen Hilty, born in Bellevue, Washington, USA ~ Rose to prominence for her roles in several Broadway musicals, notably Wicked, 9 To 5 (The Musical), and Noises Off. Has also worked as actress and voice actress for TV and film
March 29, 1976 ~ Marcus Lakee Edwards, commonly known as rapper Lil' Keke, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Member of Southern rap collective Screwed Up Click. As a solo artist has recorded prolifically since his 1997 Don't Mess Wit Texas debut album. Collaborated with Bun B, Paul Wall, Big Hawk, Chamillionaire, and others
March 29, 1969 ~ Country singer, keyboardist Brady Seals born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for his 1997 The Truth debut album which included the modest hit single Another Year Another Me. Rose to fame as co-lead singer of Little Texas from 1988 through 1994, known for Billboard Country top 10 hits such as Some Guys Have All The Love, You And Forever And Me, What Might Have Been, God Blessed Texas, My Love, Kick A Little and Amy's Back In Austin. Founded Hot Apple Pie in known for their eponymous sole Hot Apple Pie album spawning the modest Billboard Country hit Hillbillies
March 29, 1969 ~ Pianist, songwriter, producer Jason Rebello, full name Jason Mathew Rebello, born in Carshalton, UK ~ Influenced by Herbie Hancock and McCoy Tyner. Had his solo debut, 1990's Clearer View, produced by Wayne Shorter. Also worked with Jean Toussaint, Tommy Smith, Branford Marsalis, Sting, Jeff Beck, Chaka Khan, Des'ree, Mica Paris, Carleen Anderson, Manu Katché, Peter Gabriel, and others
March 29, 1968 ~ Singer, guitarist Sue Foley born in Ottawa, Canada ~ Member of Blues Caravan. Over a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with 1992's Young Girl Blues. Has guested on recordings by Mark Hummel, Wayne Hancock, Lazy Lester, Big Dave McLean, Candye Kane, Lee Holmes, and others
March 29, 1967 ~ Jam band, alternative rock, blues rock singer, harmonica player, guitarist John Popper born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of Blues Traveler, writing or co-writing the majority of the band's material. Released his Zygote solo debut album in 1999. Has collaborated with the Spin Doctors, the Dave Matthews Band, Phish, the Allman Brothers Band, Eric Clapton, BB King, Jason Mraz, John Mayer, Karl Denson, Frogwings, and others
March 29, 1961 ~ Gospel singer Alfreda McCrary born ~ Member of traditional black gospel, contemporary urban gospel outfit the McCrary Sisters alongside siblings Ann McCrary, Deborah McCrary and Regina McCrary. The group has recorded a number of albums, starting with Our Journey released in 2010, as well as provided backing vocals for artists such as Carrie Underwood (Choctaw County Affair), Margo Price (Do Right By Me), and Allison Russell (All Of The Women)
March 29, 1960 ~ Bassist Dylan Taylor born in Norfolk, Virginia, USA ~ Worked with Lee Konitz, Freddie Hubbard, Mose Allison, Larry Coryell, Tom Lawton, Bobby Zankel, the Warriors Of The Wonderful Sound, Khan Jamal, Kelly Meashey, 53 Stations, and others. Taylor released an album as a leader, Sweeter For The Struggle in 2013
March 29, 1960 ~ Tejano, Latin pop singer Oscar de la Rosa, full name Oscar de la Rosa Gonzales, born ~ Lead singer of La Mafia, which also included his brother guitarist Leonardo Gonzales. The band has recorded over three dozen albums since the early 1980s and is most acclaimed for the mid-1990s albums Vida and Un Million De Rosas
March 29, 1959 ~ Peretz Bernstein, commonly known as singer Perry Farrell born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Frontman of alternative rock band Jane's Addiction, critically acclaimed for the albums Nothing's Shocking and its follow-up Ritual De Lo Habitual. Founding the Lollapalooza festival, initially a 1991 farewell tour for his band which evolved into a four-day festival held in Chicago with up to 400,000 visitors each July. Farrell also fronted Porno For Pyros in the 1990s, Satellite Party in the 2000s, and has recorded as a solo artist
March 29, 1956 ~ Singer, A&R scout Patty Donahue born in USA ~ Best known for fronting the Waitresses. Also worked with Chris Butler, Alice Cooper, and others. Later became a talent scout and A&R representative for MCA Records ~ Donahue passed away in 1996
March 29, 1956 ~ Lincoln Valentine Scott, commonly known as reggae, dub drummer Style Scott, born in Chapelton, Jamaica ~ Drummer for Roots Radics, which served as the rhythm section of many top notch Jamaican stars including Bunny Wailer, Israel Vibration and Gregory Isaacs. Later teamed up with British dub producer Adrian Sherwood to form the core of Dub Syndicate. Also drummed on Revenge Of The Mozabites, the 1979 debut album of Suns Of Arqa ~ Scott passed away in 2014
March 29, 1954 ~ Josina van de Wijdeven, commonly known as pop singer José Hoebee, born in Best, the Netherlands ~ Original member of Luv' alongside Marga Scheide and Patty Brard, known best for U.O.Me (You Owe Me), You're The Greatest Lover, Trojan Horse, Casanova. After the band's disbandement scored a handful of solo hits under the moniker José, notably I Will Follow Him and Secret Love. Has also duetted with Ron Brandsteder and with Bonnie St Claire. Married to producer Will Hoebee, with whom she has one son
March 29, 1951 ~ Jaroslaw Smietana, commonly known as jazz guitarist, composer, bandleader Jarek Smietana, born in Krakow, Poland ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Art Farmer, Freddie Hubbard, Eddie Henderson, Vladislav Sendecki, Joe Zawinul, Janusz Muniak, Gary Bartz, Carter Jefferson, Vince Mendoza, John Abercrombie, Hamiet Bluiett, Idris Muhammad, Ronnie Burrage, Harvie Swartz, Mike Stern, Jack Wilkins, Zbigniew Seifert, Cameron Brown, Andy McKee, Greg Brandy, David Gilmore, Nigel Kennedy, Didier Lockwood, Jerry Goodman, Eddie Henderson, John Abercrombie, John Purcell, and others ~ Smietana passed away in 2013
March 29, 1950 ~ Singer, harpist Mory Kanté born in Albadaria, French Guinea ~ Best known for Yé Ké Yé Ké, a top 10 hit throughout Europe in 1987, topping the singles charts in several countries including the Netherlands. Also a member of the Rail Band taking over as lead singer in 1973 when Salif Kreita left ~ Kanté passed away in 2020
March 29, 1949 ~ Punk rock, new wave, post-punk keyboardist Dave Greenfield, full name David Paul Greenfield, born in Brighton, UK ~ Longtime member of the Stranglers joining the band within a year of its formation and remaining until his death 45 years later. Wrote Golden Brown, which was first dismissed by the band but would become one of their greatest hits ~ Greenfield passed away in 2020
March 29, 1949 ~ Saxophonist Michael Brecker, full name Michael Leonard Brecker, born in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Brother of Randy Brecker, with whom he regularly worked including under the moniker the Brecker Brothers. Member of Dreams. In-demand session musician and sideman, appearing on albums by Horace Silver, Billy Cobham, Lou Reed (Berlin), Donald Fagen, Eric Clapton, John Lennon (Mind Games), Aerosmith (Get Your Wings), Dan Fogelberg, Steely Dan (Gaucho), Frank Zappa, Bruce Springsteen (Born To Run), Chaka Khan (Chaka), the Blue Öyster Cult, Patti Austin, Art Garfunkel (Fate For Breakfast), Chick Corea, Billy Joel (An Innocent Man), George Benson, Aretha Franklin (Aretha), Charles Mingus, Max Roach, the Dire Straits (Brothers In Arms), Michael Franks, Carly Simon, McCoy Tyner, and numerous others ~ Brecker passed away in 2007
March 29, 1948 ~ Alternative country singer, guitarist Johnny Dowd born in Fort Worth, Texas, USA ~ Drew comparisons to Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Captain Beefheart. Actively recording since the late 1990s. Has collaborated with Jim White, Willie B, Jackie Leven, het Beukorkest, Anna Coogan, and others
March 29, 1947 ~ Rock, pop rock singer, keyboardist, songwriter Bobby Kimball, full name Robert Troy Kimball, born in Grange, Texas, USA ~ Member of SS Fools. Rose to fame as lead singer of Toto from 1977 through 1984 and again from 1998 through 2008. Present on most of the band's best-known including the band's first four albums, spawning hits such as Hold The Line, Rosanna, Africa and I Won't Hold You Back. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Rise Up released in 1994, and collaborated with the Far Corporation, Yoso, and Kimball Jamison
March 29, 1947 ~ Rock & roll, rockabilly, neo-rockabilly singer Robert Gordon, full name Robert Ira Gordon, born in Bethesda, Maryland, USA ~ Influenced by Elvis Presley, Gene Vincent, Jack Scott, Billy Lee Riley, Eddie Cochran. First gained attention with a number of 1960s songs with the Confidentials, notably It's Summertime, Money and There's Something On Your Mind. In the 1970s Gordon briefly strayed into punk rock, singing with Tuff Darts, before returning to rock & roll, neo-rockabilly. As a solo artist noted for the 1978 Fresh Fish Special album featuring Link Wray and the 1996 The Humbler (Live) album which also featured Danny Gatton ~ Gordon passed away in 2022
March 29, 1945 ~ John David Percy Keen, commonly known as singer, keyboardist, drummer, songwriter Speedy Keen, born in Ealing, UK ~ Best known as member of Thunderclap Newman, for whom he wrote the band's UK No.1 hit Something In The Air of their sole Hollywood Dream album released in 1970. The band was formed by label executive, producer Kit Lambert and Pete Townshend specifically to showcase the talents of Keen, Jimmy McCulloch and Andy Newman. Previously Keen shared a flat with and served as driver for Townshend. Keen had also written Armenia City In The Sky for Townshend's band the Who, the song included on their 1967 The Who Sell Out. Keen would go on to record two albums as a solo artist, Previous Convictions and Y' Know Wot I Mean, and work as a session musician ~ Keen passed away in 2002
March 29, 1944 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Terry Jacks, full name Terrence Ross Jacks, born in Winnipeg, Canada ~ Best known for Seasons In The Sun, an international hit in 1974. The song was based on Rod McKuen's re-write of Jacques Brel's Le Moribond and originally intended for the Beach Boys with Jacks tapped as producer
March 29, 1943 ~ Allan Peter Stanley Kowbell, commonly known as rock, soft rock, country rock singer, guitarist, bassost, keyboardist, accordionist, songwriter Chad Allan, born in Winnipeg, Canada ~ Founded Al & the Silvertones in the early 1960s with Randy Bachman. The band would eventually evolve into the Guess Who. Allan is present on the band's It's Time album, yet departed the band in 1966 prior to their rise to international fame. Allan and Bachman would again team up in Brave Belt, a predecessor to Bachman-Turner Overdrive, and is present on the band's Brave Belt and Brave Belt II albums
March 29, 1943 ~ Country singer Randy Barlow born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Emcee and road manager for Dick Clark's Caravan Of Stars tour in the mid-1960s. As a recording artist has recorded a handful of albums from the mid-1970s through the early 1980s. Best known for his 1978 Fall In Love With Me sophomore album. All three of the album's singles, Slow And Easy, No Sleep Tonight and Fall In Love With Me Tonight, would reach top 10 Billboard Country ~ Barlow passed away in 2020
March 29, 1943 ~ Songwriter, TV personality Shay Healy born ~ Wrote Johnny Logan's What's Another Year, Ireland's 1980 Eurovision Songfestival winner. Wrote or co-wrote several musicals, notably 2005's The Wiremen and 1977's The King, the latter about the life of Elvis Presley and premiered just two month's after Presley's death ~ Healy passed away in 2021
March 29, 1943 ~ Evángelos Odysseás Papathanassiou, commonly known as pianist, keyboardist, composer Vangelis, born in Agria, Greece ~ Member of Aphrodite's Child, acclaimed for their 1972 666 album which is considered a landmark album in progressive, psychedelic rock. Formed the duo Jon & Vangelis with Yes lead singer Jon Anderson. Acclaimed film composer, noted for the soundtracks to Blade Runner, 1492 (Conquest Of Paradise) and Chariots Of Fire. The latter, released in 1981, would earn Papathanassiou an Academy Award for Best Original Score ~ Papathanassiou passed away in 2022
March 29, 1940 ~ Astrud Evangelina Weinert, commonly known as bossa nova, jazz singer Astrud Gilberto, born in Salvador, Brazil ~ Best known for her contributions to the 1963 Getz/Gilberto album, a collaborative album by Stan Getz and her then-husband João Gilberto, singing lead on two of the the album's tracks including the hit The Girl From Ipanema. Released her solo debut album The Astrud Gilberto Album in 1965 and has recorded well over a dozen albums since ~ Gilberto passed away in 2023
March 29, 1940 ~ Richard Graham Sarstedt, commonly known as pop rock singer, guitarist, actor Eden Kane, born in New Delhi, British India ~ Teen idol known for a string of early 1960s UK top 10 hits including Get Lost, Forget Me Not, I Don't Know Why, Boys Cry and perhaps his best-known I Ask You, the latter topping the charts in 1961
March 29, 1940 ~ Singer Raymond Davis born in Sumter, South Carolina, USA ~ Best known for his longtime association with George Clinton, co-founding member of the Parliaments, worked with Funkadelic and Parliament. Briefly a member of a latter-day incarnation of the Temptations, taking over for the late Melvin Franklin and present on the 1995 For Lovers Only album ~ Davis passed away in 2005
March 29, 1938 ~ Operatic tenor William Brown born in Jackson, Mississippi, USA ~ Worked with the Baltimore Opera Company, the Little Orchestra Society, the Lake George Opera, the New York City Opera, the Connecticut Opera, the New York Philharmonic, and others ~ Brown passed away in 2004
March 29, 1934 ~ Delme Jones, commonly known as operatic baritone Delme Bryn-Jones, born in Brynamman, UK ~ Originally a coal miner, abandoned his work as well as a prospect of a potential rugby career to study music. Debuted in 1959 with the Sadler's Wells Theatre in 1959. Would go on to work with the New Opera Company, the Welsh National Opera, the San Francisco Opera, and others ~ Jones passed away in 2001
March 29, 1925 ~ Composer Lyudmila Lyadova, full name Lyudmila Aleskeevna Lyadova, born in Sverdlovsk, Russia ~ Daughter of violinist Alexei Lyadov and singer Julia Lyadova. Sang with her mother starting in World War II as entertainment for the Russian troops, continuing to perform as a duo through the early 1950s. Has since worked as a composer, often collaborating with lyricist, poets such as Sergey Mikhalkov, Yevgeny Yevtusenko, Vladimir Petrov. Known for works such as Spanish Dance, Volga Suite, Concert Polka, The Great Battle and The Tale Of Eremu Daniel And Evil Forces ~ Lyadova passed away in 2021
March 29, 1924 ~ Twin sisters Ginger Dinning and Jean Dinning born ~ Members of sibling outfit the Dinning Sisters, alongside older sister Lou Dinning, known for late 1940s top 20 hits such as My Adobe Hacienda, I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now, I Beg Your Pardon and Buttons And Bows ~ Jean passed away in 2011, Ginger in 2013
March 29, 1924 ~ Country, rockabilly singer, guitarist, fiddler, songwriter Jimmy Work born in Akron, Ohio, USA ~ Best known for Making Believe, penned and recorded by Work in 1954. The song would become a country classic covered by numerous artists including Lefty Frizzell, Kitty Wells, Eddy Arnold, Wanda Jackson, Faron Young, Dolly Parton, Don Gibson, Ernest Tubb, and Emmylou Harris ~ Work passed away in 2018
March 29, 1918 ~ Singer, actress Pearl Bailey, full name Pearl Mae Bailey, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Vaudeville performer made her Broadway debut in St Louis Woman in 1946. Won a Tony Award for the title role in the original all-Black production of Hello Dolly ~ Bailey passed away in 1990
March 29, 1914 ~ Deasy Browning, commonly known as R&B pianist, singer Camille Howard, born in Galveston, Texas, USA ~ Member of Roy Milton's R&B outfit the Solid Senders, notably present on 1940s hits such as RM Blues and Thrill Me. Enjoyed a parallel solo career, often with Milton backing her, enjoying her first solo hit in 1948 with X-Temporaneous Boogie. Would enjoy about a dozen more hits through the early 1950s, including You Don't Love Me, Fiesta In Old Mexico, and Money Blues (If You Ain't Got No Money I Ain't Got No Use For You). With chart success diminishing in the face of the growth of rock & roll, Howard retired from music by the mid-1950s ~ Howard passed away in 1993
March 29, 1912 ~ Actor, songwriter Willy van Hemert, full name Willem Catharinus van Hemert, born in Utrecht, the Netherlands ~ Co-wrote two of the Dutch winning Eurovision Songfestival entries. 1957's Net Als Toen performed by Corry Brokken, co-written with Guus Jansen, and 1959's Een Beetje performed by Teddy Scholten, co-written with Dick Schallies ~ Van Hemert passed away in 1993
March 29, 1909 ~ Aubrey Wilson Mullican, commonly known as singer, pianist Moon Mullican, born in Polk County, Texas, USA ~ Influenced by blues artists such as Bessie Smith, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Leroy Carr, and by country musicians such as Jimmie Rodgers and Bob Wills. Dubbed “the King of the Hillbilly piano players” and hugely influential on rockabilly and country artists including Jim Reeves, Hank Williams, Bill Haley, Elvis Presley and especially Jerry Lee Lewis. Worked with Leon Selph, the Blue Ridge Playboys (Ain't You Kind Of Sorry), the Texas Wanderers (Truck Driver's Blues, I'll Keep On Loving You), the Sunshine Boys, Jimmie Davis, Black Boy Shine, Floyd Tillman, Ernest Tubb, Red Foley. As a solo artist best known for late 1940s, early 1950s recordings such as The Leaves Mustn't Fall, Hey Shah, You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry, Nine Tenths Of The Tennessee River and I Was Sorta Wonderin' ~ Mullican passed away in 1967
March 29, 1902 ~ Conductor Mario Rossi born in Bitetto, Italy ~ Closely associated with the RAI Orchestra, serving as chief conductor from 1946 through 1950 and elevating the orchestra to an international level. Also known for his recordings of Il Matrimonio Segreto, The Barber Of Seville, Don Pasquale, Un Ballo In Maschera, Otello, and Falstaff ~ Rossi passed away in 1992
March 29, 1901 ~ Clarinetist Sidney Arodin born in Westwego, Louisiana, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-penning Lazy River with Hoagy Carmichael, first recorded by Carmichael in 1930. The song has become a jazz standard covered by well over 300 artists including Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Gene Vincent, Louis Prima, Bobby Darin, Brenda Lee, and Count Basie. Arodin has been playing professionaly since his mid-teens, working with Johnny Stein, Jimmy Durante, Wingy Manone, Sharkey Bonano, the New Orleans Rhytm Kings, Albert Brunies, Monk Hazel, and Jones & Collins Astoria Hot Eight ~ Arodin passed away in 1948
March 29, 1878 ~ Albert Gumm, commonly known as songwriter Albert von Tilzer, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Brother of songwriter Harry von Tilzer. Wrote or co-wrote numerous hit songs including Alcoholic Blues, Honey Boy, I'll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time, and perhaps most notably Take Me Out To The Ball Game ~ Von Tilzer passed away in 1956