March 30, 1995 ~ Errol Bellot, commonly known as singer, rapper, songwriter Kojo Funds, born in London, UK ~ Blends West African and Caribbean music with rap, dancehall and pop. Featured on Yxng Bane's Fine and on Mabel's Finders Keepers. As a solo artist known for his 2018 Golden Boy debut album, which spawned the UK top 30 single Check featuring Raye
March 30, 1993 ~ Larissa de Macedo Machado, commonly known as singer Anitta, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Influenced by Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Sandy. Broke through with her debut single, Show Das Poderosas, in 2013 followed by a full-length debut album, Anitta, later the same year. Has been recording since. Collaborated with Becky G, Ozuna, Natti Natasha, Maluma, J Balvin, Jhama, Alesso, Prince Roy, and Black Eyed Peas
March 30, 1991 ~ Nathan John Feuerstein, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter NF, born in Gladwin, Michigan, USA ~ Scored a number of rap hits on Christian charts starting in the early 2010s, including Wait, I Just Wanna Know, Warm Up and perhaps his best-known Let You Down, the latter also reaching the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 top 20
March 30, 1990 ~ Thomas Rhett Akins Jr, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter Thomas Rhett, born in Valdosta, Georgia, USA ~ Son of singer Rhett Akins. Debuted in 2013 with the It Goes Like This and has since scored over a dozen top 10 hits on the Billboard Country charts including It Goes Like This, Die A Happy Man, Craving You featuring Maren Morris and What's Your Country Song. Has also written songs for Jason Aldean, Lee Brice, Florida Georgia Line, and others
March 30, 1986 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Robin Pecknold born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Best known as singer, main songwriter of indie band the Fleet Foxes, with whom he has recorded four albums merging country-rock and British folk-rock influences. The band is especially acclaimed for their 2008 eponymous Fleet Foxes debut album. The band is perhaps best known for White Winter Hymnal, covered by over a dozen artists including Birdy, Kim Wilde, and Pentatonix. Pecknold has also recorded as a solo artist, including under the moniker White Antelope, co-wrote the soundtrack to the 2012 Birth Story (Ina May And The Farm Midwives) film, and wrote the score for the off-Broadway play Wyoming written by his cousin Brian Watkins
March 30, 1984 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Justin Moore, full name Justin Cole Moore, born in Poyen, Kansas, USA ~ Released his full-length eponymous Justin Moore debut album in 2009 and has recorded consistently since. Best known for his 2009 single Small Town USA, which would top Billboard's country charts. Other well known songs include If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away, Till My Last Day, Somebody Else Will, The Ones That Didn't Make It Back and Why We Drink
March 30, 1983 ~ Singer, guitarist Scott Moffatt, full name Scott Andrew Moffatt, born in Whitehorse, Canada ~ Lead guitarist, singer for sibling teen pop outfit the Moffatts, alongside younger triplet brothers Clint Moffatt, Bob Moffatt, and Dave Moffatt. The brothers started their career while all still not in their teens yet, making them the all-time youngest Canadian band to sign a contract, and were initially marketed as a country act. In light of the success of bands such as the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC, however, they soon made the move to pop. The group is best known for I'll Be There For You of their 1998 Chapter I (A New Beginning) album and the Canadian No.1 hit single Bang Bang Boom of the follow-up Submodalities released two years later. It would be the band's last album
March 30, 1979 ~ Pianist, singer, songwriter Norah Jones, full name Geethali Norah Jones Shankar, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Daughter of sitarist Ravi Shankar. Drew comparisons to Billie Holiday early on in her career for her repertoire and voice. Debuted in 2002 with the Come Away With Me album and has recorded to critical acclaim since. Has collaborated with Peter Malick, the Little Willies, Willie Nelson, Danger Mouse, Puss 'n Boots, and others
March 30, 1979 ~ Singer, rapper, songwriter, actor Simon Webbe born in Manchester, UK ~ Member of boy band Blue, known best for a string of early 2000s hits. The band's first three albums all topped the UK albums charts. Well known songs include Too Close, If You Come Back and Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word featuring Elton John. The band disbanded in 2005 but has reunited since and represented England at the 2011 Eurovision Songfestival with the song I Can which reached 11th place. Webbe has recorded as a solo artist during and after the band's hiatus, starting with 2005's Sanctuary which included the hits Lay Your Hands and No Worries
March 30, 1976 ~ Choro, samba, jazz bandolim player Hamilton de Holanda born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Merges choro with contemporary jazz. Acclaimed for Bossa Negra released in 2015, a collaborative album with Diogo Nogueira. Has also worked with Yamandu Costa, Mike Marshall, Joel Nascimento, Marco Pereira, Brasilia Brasil, André Mehman, Stefano Bollani, João Bosco, and others
March 30, 1976 ~ Michael Ugochukwu, commonly known as rapper, producer Ruggedman, born in Nigeria ~ Actively recording since the turn of the 21st century, quickly becoming one of the most popular Nigerian artists. Has collaborated with international stars such as Sean Paul, Wyclef Jean, Akon, Maxi Priest, Kanye West, LL Cool J, T-Pain, Nas, and others
March 30, 1973 ~ Alex Michael Goldstein, commonly known as DJ, turntablist, remixer DJ AM, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Club DJ in Los Angeles. Member of Crazy Town from 1999 through 2001. Skyrocketed to fame by the mid-2000s, playing weekly sets in Las Vegas. Formed the duo TRV$DJAM with Travis Barker. Has remixed tracks recorded by Three 6 Mafia, Ashlee Simpson, Weezer, Guru Josh, and others ~ Goldstein passed away in 2009
March 30, 1968 ~ Pop, soft rock, chanson singer, songwriter Céline Dion, full name Céline Marie Claudette Dion born in Charlemagne, Canada ~ One of all-time best-selling and the best-selling Canadian artists with record sales exceeding 200 million. Actively recording since the early 1980s in both French and English. Known for international hits such as The Power Of Love, Because You Loved Me and her signature song My Heart Will Go On, the latter used as the theme of blockbuster film Titanic. Won the 1988 Eurovision Songfestival representing Switzerland with the song Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi
March 30, 1964 ~ Folk, folk-pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Tracy Chapman born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Known for her open, honest, introspective storyteling. Social activist. Rose to fame with her critically acclaimed eponymous 1988 Tracy Chapman debut album, which included her signature song Fast Car. Has recorded to critical acclaim since. Other well known songs include Give Me One Reason, Baby Can I Hold You, Crossroads and Telling Stories. Has duetted with BB King, Eric Clapton, Luciano Pavarotti and with Buddy Guy
March 30, 1957 ~ Jazz guitarist Dave Stryker born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for his associations with Stanley Turrentine, Jack McDuff and Kevin Mahogany. Has also worked with Eliane Elias, Javon Jackson, Andy Laverne, Jared Gold, Steve Slagle, Don Braden, Craig Handy, Royce Campbell, Bob Mintzer, Matthew Whitaker, and others
March 30, 1951 ~ Paul Leonard Prewer, commonly known as rock, pop rock, glam rock singer, songwriter Paul Da Vinci, born in Thurrock, UK ~ Best known as lead vocalist on the Rubettes 1974 hit Sugar Baby Love. As a solo artist known for Your Baby Ain't Your Baby No More released the same year. In-demand session singer, present on recordings by Gary Moore, Ringo Starr, Barry Blue, David Essex, Tight Fit, and others
March 30, 1951 ~ Rock singer, guitarist Wolfgang Niedecken born in Cologne, Germany ~ Lead singer, co-founding and sole constant member of BAP, known for songs such as Verdamp Lang Her, Kristallnaach, Alles Em Lot, and Weihnachtnaach featuring Nina Hagen, the latter is a German-language rendition of Fairytale Of New York originally by the Pogues. Niedecken has also recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, notably Leopardefell released in 1995 consisting solely of German-language covers of Bob Dylan songs
March 30, 1950 ~ Guitarist Dave Ball born in Handsworth, UK ~ Briefly a member of Procol Harum, joining the band in 1971 as replacement for Robin Trower and leaving in 1972 halfway through the sessions for the band's The Grand Hotel album. Present on the 1972 Procol Harum Live (In Concert With The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra) live album. Has also worked with Cozy Powell in the shortlived rock group Bedlam. Backed Long John Baldry on Baldry's Good To Be Alive album ~ Ball passed away in 2015
March 30, 1949 ~ Actress, folk, blues, pop singer, songwriter Dana Gillespie, full name Richenda Antoinette de Winterstein Gillespie, born in Woking, UK ~ Recording since her mid-teens, with a repertoire ranging from folk and teen-pop to blues. Starred in the original London production of Jesus Christ Superstar as Mary Magdalena. Had Jimmy Page guest on her 1968 Foolish Seasons debut album. Backed David Bowie on It Ain't Easy of Bowie's The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars album. Member of the Mojo Blues Band
March 30, 1949 ~ Lili-Marlene Premilovich, commonly known as new wave, post punk, gothic rock singer Lene Lovich, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Best known for Lucky Number of her 1978 Stateless debut album, the single reaching top 10 in the UK. The song would be notably covered by Nina Hagen, retitled to Wir Leben Immer Noch, for her Unbehagen album. Lovich would release three more albums through the late 1980s before semi-retiring from music, returning in 2005 with the album Shadows And Dust
March 30, 1948 ~ Blues, blues-rock, rock & roll guitarist, slide guitarist, singer, songwriter Dave Hole, full name Robert David Hole, born in Heswall, UK ~ Influenced by Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Elmore James. Best known for two 1990s albums, 1995's Steel On Steel and 1997's Ticket To Chicago. Regarded as one of Australia's top blues guitarists, especially proficient on the slide guitar, on par with guitar virtuosos such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and Albert King
March 30, 1947 ~ Pianist Marilyn Crispell born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Leader and sidewoman. Closely associated with Anthony Braxton, especially during the 1980s and 1990s. has also worked with Cecil Taylor, Wadada Leo Smith, Reggie Workman, Roscoe Mitchell, Quartet Noir, Andrea Centazzo, Barry Guy, Steve Lacy, Joe Lovano, Ivo Perelman, and others
March 30, 1946 ~ Raymond Lema Ansi Nzinga, commonly known as pianist, guitarist, songwriter Ray Lema, born in Cattlier, Belgian Congo ~ Initially aimed to become a priest and entered the seminary in 1957 where his musical talent would be recognized. Would leave the seminary in the early 1960s and by the 1970s would beome a leading figure in world music, blending sacred music, Western rock and jazz and African heritage.
March 30, 1945 ~ Guitarist, singer Eric Clapton, full name Eroc Patrick Clapton, born in Ripley, UK ~ Early member of the Yardbirds. Briefly worked with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, present on The Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton which is generally regarded as one of the best John Mayall albums. Formed Cream with drummer Ginger Baker and bassist Jack Bruce, a trio credited with reshaping blues and rock. Formed supergroup Blind Faith with Baker, Steve Winwood and Ric Grech. Has recorded close to two dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with the eponymous Eric Clapton released in 1970. Known for songs such as the the JJ Cale-cover After Midnight, Layla with his backing unit Derek & the Dominos, the Bob Marley-cover I Shot The Sheriff which helped boost reggae, Wonderful Tonight, and Tears In Heaven. Later in his career drew ire and ridicule for racist remarks and his staunch antivax views during the COVID pandemic
March 30, 1944 ~ Singer, songwriter Javier Krahe, full name Francisco Javier Krahe de Salas, born in Madrid, Spain ~ As a songwriter strongly influenced by Georges Brassens and Leonard Cohen. Member of La Mandragora alongside Joaquin Sabina and Alberto Pérez. As a solo artist has well over a dozen albums to his name, starting with Valle De Lagrimas released in 1980 ~ Krahe de Salas passed away in 2015
March 30, 1943 ~ Singer Jay Traynor born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Member of the Mystics, singing lead on Somewhere Over The Rainbow and Blue Star. Co-founding member, original lead singer of Jay & the Americans, present on the band's 1962 She Cried debut album. Has subsequently recorded as a solo artist, noted for his Up & Over single ~ Traynor passed away in 2014
March 30, 1942 ~ Country singer Bobby Wright, full name John Robert Wright, born in Charleston, West Virginia, USA ~ Son of singers Johnnie Wright and Kitty Wells. Known for a number of recordings from the mid-1960s through the late 1970s, his highest-charting being Here I Go Again of the 1971 album of the same name reaching top 20 on the Billboard Country charts
March 30, 1941 ~ Drummer Graeme Edge, full name Graeme Charles Edge, born in Rochester, UK ~ Drummer, co-founding member of the Moody Blues, best known for their 1964 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Go Now and the 1967 single Nights In White Satin. Edge wrote or co-wrote songs such as Late Lament, In The Beginning, Beyond, Balance and Procession. Following their 1974 world tour the band would go on a hiatus for a number of years, during which time Edge fronted the Graeme Edge Band, known for the albums Kick Off Your Muddy Boots and Paradise Ballroom. The former featured Ginger Baker co-drumming with Edge on the track Gew Janna Woman ~ Edge passed away in 2021
March 30, 1940 ~ Label executive, producer Charles Koppelman born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Member of the Ivy Three, known for their sole hit Yogi which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100 in 1960. Koppelman would go on to hold several executive positions at companies such as Columbia Music, CBS Records, and SBK Records ~ Koppelman passed away in 2022
March 30, 1938 ~ Enka singer Chiyoko Shimakura born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Dubbed “the Goddess of Enka” with a career spanning three decades starting with her 1955 Konoyo No Hana debut single. Well-known songs include Tokyo Kiddo, Ringo Oiwake, and Kawa No Nagare No Yoni ~ Shimakura passed away in 2013
March 30, 1935 ~ Electronic composer Gordon Mumma born in Framingham, Massachusetts, USA ~ Drew from Johann Sebastian Bach and Joseph Haydn as well as modern composers such as Béla Bartók, Arnold Schoenberg, Anton Webern and Charles Ives. Has collaborated with the likes of John Cage, David Tudor, and notably Robert Ashley. Resident composer with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company. Member of the Sonic Arts Union
March 30, 1935 ~ Jazz pianist, conductor Karl Berger, full name Karl Hans Berger, born in Heidelberg, Germany ~ About two dozen albums to his name as a leader, especially acclaimed for Transit released in 1987. Closely associated with Don Cherry and Ornette Coleman, founding the Woodstock-based Creative Music Studio study center with the latter in 1972. In-demand sideman, present on albums by the likes of Gato Barbieri, Lee Konitz, John McLaughlin, Marzette Watts, Sly & Robbie, Joe Lovano, Jeff Buckley (Grace), Better Than Ezra, Bill Laswell, Natalie Merchant (Ophelia), Angélique Kidjo, and Lil Haydn ~ Berger passed away in 2023
March 30, 1927 ~ Rafael Leon René, commonly known as R&B, rock & roll, jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, songwriter Googie René, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Son of producer, songwriter Leon René. Father of singer Chris René. Helped set up Class Records with his father and Preston Love, serving as the label's general manager. Appears on a number of the label's best-known, notably Bobby Day's signature tune Rockin' Robin. As a bandleader known for leading the Googie Rene Combo whose early 1960s recording are credited by some as the start of hipster lounge music, fusing jazz-infused pop with easy listening. Notable recording with the Combo include The Slide Part 1, Flapjacks Part 1 and Smokey Joe's La La ~ René passed away in 2007
March 30, 1924 ~ Violinist, conductor Robert Brink, full name Robert Greenleaf Brink, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Closely associated with harpsichordist Daniel Pinkham. Premierd works by Walter Piston, Henry Cowell, Alan Hovhaness. As a violinist served under conductors such as Serge Koussevitzky, Aaron Copland, Darius Milhaud. Founded the Boston Classical Orchestra, serving as its concertmaster until 1995. Also founded and conducted the Orchestra For The Art Of Music ~ Brink passed away in 2014
March 30, 1914 ~ John Lee Curtis Williamson, commonly known as blues harpist, singer, songwriter Sonny Boy Williamson I, born in Madison County, Tennessee, USA ~ Regarded as the premier blues harpist of his generation. Influential on post-war blues artists such as Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells, Sonny Terry, Little Walter, Snooky Pryor. Mentored Muddy Waters. Best known for his 1937 debut single Good Morning School Girl, which quickly became a blues standard covered by numerous artists ~ Williamson passed away in 1948
March 30, 1913 ~ Francesco Paolo LoVecchio, commonly known as singer Frankie Laine, was born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ In a career spanning seven decades drew from pop, jazz, gospel, country, folk, blues, R&B and other idioms to score numerous hits including That's My Desire, Shine, That Lucky Old Sun, Mule Train, Dream A Little Dream Of Me, Jezebel, Granada, Moonlight Gambler, High Noon, Stars Fell On Alabama, and others ~ Laine passed away in 2007