March 6, 1991 ~ Lexus Arnel Lewus, commonly known as producer, songwriter Lex Luger, born in Suffolk, Virginia, USA ~ Influenced by Dr Dre, Shawty Redd, Drumma Boy, Jazze Pha, and the Heatmakers. Co-founded production team 808 Mafia with Southside. Also half of Low Pros, the other half being A-Trak. Collaborated with Waka Flocka Flame, Kanye West, Rick Ross, MC Hammer, Ace Hood, Soulja Boy, Chingy, Sean Garrett, Fabolous, Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean, Wale, Juicy J, Snoop Dogg, 2 Chainz, and others
March 6, 1991 ~ Tyler Gregory Okonma, commonly known as rapper, singer, producer, songwriter, actor Tyler the Creator, born in Ladera Heights, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of music collective Odd Future. Initially gained attention with his horrorcore-influenced sound and violent lyrics, over time moving more towards a friendlier alternative hip hop style. Has recorded as a solo artist since the late 2000s, a full-length Goblin debut album released in 2011. Perhaps best known for the late 2010s, early 2020s singles Earfquake featuring Playboi Carti, and WusYaName featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again & Ty Dolla $ign
March 6, 1978 ~ Rock, indie rock pianist, organist, arranger, film composer Nate Walcott, full name Nathaniel Clifford Walcott, born in Albany, New York, USA ~ Member of Bright Eyes. Touring keyboardist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers from 2016 through 2019. Film composer, notably for the 2014 The Fault In Our Stars feature film. In-demand collaborator, has worked with the Mystic Valley Band, James Mercer, Danger Mouse, Mystic, Rilo Kiley, She & Him, U2, Beck, Jason Mraz, Maroon 5, the Shins, and others
March 6, 1977 ~ Warren Anderson Mathis, commonly known as rapper Bubba Sparxxx, born in LaGrange, Georgia, USA ~ Known for songs such as Deliverance and Ugly, both featuring Timbaland, and Ms New Booty featuring Ying Yang Twins and Mr Collipark, the latter a Billboard top 10 hit in 2006. Has also worked with Petey Pablo, Danny Boone, Jadakiss, Justin Timberlake (Right For Me), Big Boi, the Lacs, Shane Dollar, and others
March 6, 1974 ~ Indie rock, art rock, progressive rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist Guy Garvey, full name Guy Edward John Garvey, born in Bury, UK ~ Best known as lead singer, guitarist for Elbow, a band active since the early 2000s scoring UK hits such as Asleep In The Back, Fallen Angel, Grounds For Divorce and One Day Like This. Produced I Am Kloot's 2001 Natural History debut album
March 6, 1972 ~ Paul Lannoy, commonly known as DJ, rapper, radio personality Troubleman, born ~ Has worked with Kick The Bass, Rhyme Cut Core, 't Hof Van Commerce. Resident DJ at several Gent nightclubs including Culture Club and Decandance. Co-hosts the hiphop radio show Bounce on Studio Brussel
March 6, 1967 ~ Constance Elaine Womack, commonly known as actress, singer Connie Britton, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known as an actress for film and TV. Portrayed the role of country singer Rayna James in the ABC/ CMT musical drama series Nashville from 2012 to 2018. Reached the Billboard Country top 40 with the duets No One Will Ever Love You with Charles Esten and Wrong Song with Hayden Panettiere, both taken from the Nashville series
March 6, 1967 ~ Folk, folk-pop, pop rock singer, actor, TV personality Thomas Acda born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Rose to fame as half of Acda & De Munnik, the other half being Paul de Munnik, known for songs such as Niet Of Nooit Geweest, Ren Lenny Ren, 't Is Stil (Aan De Overkant), Als Het Vuur Gedoofd Is, Het Regent Zonnestralen and Mooi Liedje
March 6, 1966 ~ William Reese Owsley III, mononymously known as power pop, rock, bluegrass singer, guitarist Owsley, born in Anniston, Alabama, USA ~ Influenced by Kiss, Todd Rundgren, Chet Atkins, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Johnson. Founded the Semantics with Millard Powers, a power pop outfit that also included Jody Spence and Ringo Starr's son Zak Starkey. Critically acclaimed for a handful of solo albums starting with the eponymous Owsley album in 1999. Served as touring guitarist with Amy Grant and Shania Twain. Has also worked with Vince Gill, Michael W Smith, Chris Rodriguez, DC Talk, the Neville Brothers, Wynonna Judd, Faith Hill, Michael McDonald, Charlotte Church, Natalie Grant, James Ingram, Rodney Crowell, the Katinas, Graham Colton, Kenny Loggins, and others ~ Owsley passed away in 2010
March 6, 1964 ~ Donald Ralph Ewing, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter Skip Ewing born in Redlands, California, USA ~ Best known for a string of late 1980s country top 10 hits including I Don't Have Far To Fall, Burnin' A Hole In My Heart and It's You Again. Also wrote the Kenny Rogers-songs Listen To The Rain and If I Were A Painting, both of the 1990 Love Is Strange album
March 6, 1962 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Frank Navetta born in Manhattan Beach, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Descendents. Remained with the band through their debut single Ride The Wild which Navetta wrote, the 1981 EP Fat EP and their debut LP Milo Goes To College the next year. Rejoined the Descendents on the 1996 album Everything Sucks the next year. Navetta wrote or co-wrote some of the bands best known songs such as Mr Bass, Statue Of Liberty, My Dad Sucks, and Rockstar ~ Navetta passed away in 2008
March 6, 1958 ~ Country guitarist Redd Volkaert born in Vancouver, Canada ~ Considered among the top Telecaster guitarists in Western swing and honky tonk. Best known for his association with Merle Haggard. Has sessioned for Johnny Paycheck, George Jones, Ray Price, Clinton Gregory, Dale Watson, and Lacy J Dalton. Has also recorded as a solo artist, especially acclaimed for the albums No Stranger To A Tele and Reddhead
March 6, 1954 ~ Kimmie Ray Willingham, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter, actress Kimmie Rhodes, born in Wichita Falls, Texas, USA ~ Actively recording since the early 1980s. Protegé of Willie Nelson. Duetted with Waylon Jennings, Townes Van Zandt, Emmylou Harris, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Benmont Tench, Delbert McClinton, and others. Has also worked with Joe Ely, Cowboy Jack Clement, Gillian Welch, Johnny Goudie, and others
March 6, 1952 ~ Pianist Marielle Labèque born in Bayonne, France ~ Half of the Labèque Sisters, an internationally acclaimed piano duo with her sister Katia Labèque, best known for their 1980- recording of George Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue. Also played traditional classical repertoire, jazz, ragtime, flamenco, pop, and experimental rock
March 6, 1951 ~ Bassist, singer, songwriter Milan Hlavsa, also known as Milan Mejla Hlavsa, born in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Influenced by the Velvet Underground and Frank Zappa. Co-founding member and primary songwriter for the Plastic People Of The Universe, a band that notably served as inspiration for the anti-establishment movement Charter 77. Two years after its inception the band would be stripped of their professional license to perform, effectively outlawing them, and most of its members would be arrested and tried. These arrests and trials helped convice Vaclav Havel to take action against the communist government, leading to the foundation of Charter 77 which aimed to persuade the government to follow the UN Declaration of Human Rights and the Helsinki Accords. Following their release from prison the band would perform discreetly. In 1988 all restrictions against the band would be lifted ~ Hlavsa passed away in 2001
March 6, 1951 ~ Blues, blues-rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Walter Trout born in Ocean City, New Jersey, USA ~ Backed musicians such as John Lee Hooker, Percy Mayfield, Big Mama Thornton, Joe Tex, and others. Lead guitarist for Canned Heat from 1981 through 1984. Member of John Mayall's blues outfit the Bluesbreakers from 1984 through 1989. Over a dozen albums to his name as solo artist, at times backed by the Walter Trout Band or the Free Radicals, starting with the acclaimed 1989 Life In The Jungle album
March 6, 1948 ~ Singer, pianist, songwriter Peter McCann born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA ~ Wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by Stark & McBrien, Jennifer Warnes (Right Time Of The Night), Buck Owens, Julio Iglesias, Kenny Rogers, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs, Crystal Gayle, Millie Jackson, Earl Thomas Conley, Janie Fricke (She's Single Again), Louise Mandrell, Pake McEntire, KT Oslin, Mickey Gilley, Bailey & the Boys, and others
March 6, 1947 ~ Drummer Eric Gravatt, full name Eric Kamay Gravatt, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Member of the Weather Report from 1972 through 1974, appearing on the albums I Sing The Body Electric, Live In Tokyo and Sweetnighter. Also worked with Byard Lancaster, Lloyd McNeill, Julian Priester, Eddie Henderson, Joe Henderson, McCoy Tyner, Tony Hymas, and others
March 6, 1946 ~ Guitarist David Gilmour, full name David Jon Gilmour, born in Cambridgeshire, UK ~ Best known as longtime member of Pink Floyd, present on pivotal albums such as The Dark Side Of The Moon, Wish You Were Here and The Wall. Would take over leadership of the group after Roger Waters' departure in 1985. Discovered Kate Bush and produced her 1978 The Kick Inside debut album. Also worked with artists such as Paul McCartney, Arcadia, Berlin, John Martyn, Grace Jones, Elton John, Eric Clapton, BB King, Seal, Tom Jones, Kirsty Maccoll, the Who, Pete Townshend, Supertramp, Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson, Alan Parsons, Peter Cetera, Bryan Ferry, and others
March 6, 1944 ~ Claire Mary Teresa Rawstron, commonly known as mezzo-soprano, soprano singer Kiri te Kanawa, born in Gisborne, New Zealand ~ Sang opera, traditional pop, recitals, musical theatre. Worked with the Santa Fe Opera, the Opera National De Lyon, the Metropolitan Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Vienna State Opera, La Scala, the San Francisco Opera, the Houston Grand Opera, and others
March 6, 1944 ~ Singer Mary Wilson born in Greenville, Mississippi, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Supremes and the last original member to leave the group, staying on through 1977. Sang lead on songs such as Baby Don't Go, Come And Get These Memories, Can't Take My Eyes Off You, A Heart Like Mine and Early Morning Love ~ Wilson passed away in 2021
March 6, 1942 ~ Jazz trumpeter Charles Tolliver born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Leader and sideman. First gained attention backing Jackie McLean in the mid-1960s. Recorded as a leader since the late 1960s. Has worked with Roy Ayers, Gary Bartz, Booker Ervin, Louis Hayes, Andrew Hill, Oliver Nelson, Max Roach, Horace Silver, McCoy Tyner, Gerald Wilson, and others
March 6, 1942 ~ Jazz, bossa nova singer Flora Purim born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Dubbed “the Queen of Brazilian Jazz” in her native Brazil. Well over two dozen albums to her name since the early 1960s, acclaimed for a string of mid-1970s albums including 500 Miles High and Encounter. Internationally best known as a co-founding member of Chick Corea's pioneering jazz-fusion unit Return To Forever, which also included her husband drummer Airto Moreira. Guested on albums by the likes of Hermeto Pascoal, Duke Pearson, Santana (Welcome), George Duke, Joe Sample, Michael Franks, Azymuth (Flame), and Ivo Perelman
March 6, 1941 ~ Singer, keyboardist Don Lewis born ~ Best known for creating an instrument called the LEO, short for Live Electronic Orchestra, which integrated multiple instruments under a single controller and predated the MIDI controller by ten years. As a musician has collaborated with artists such as Quincy Jones, Sérgio Mendes, and Michael Jackson. Opened for the Beach Boys on their 1974 tour ~ Lewis passed away in 2022
March 6, 1941 ~ Free jazz, avant-garde jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Peter Brötzmann born in Remscheid, Germany ~ Leading figure in European free jazz, active since the late 1960s. Over 50 albums to his name as a leader. Closely associated with Han Bennink, including in the ensemble the ICP Orchestra. Other collaborations include Cecil Taylor, Keiji Haino, Willem Breuker, Bill Laswell, Mats Gustafsson, Ken Vandermark, Joe McPhee, Paal Nilssen-Love, Steve Swell, Fred Van Hove, the Globe Unity Orchestra, Ginger Baker, Don Cherry, Misha Mengelberg, Evan Parker, and others ~ Brötzmann passed away in 2023
March 6, 1940 ~ Rockabilly singer, guitarist Billy Adams, full name Willie Murray Adams, born in Redbush, Kentucky, USA ~ Influenced by Elvis Presley. Founded and fronted the Rock-a-teers at age 14. Known for songs such as You Heard Me Knocking, True Love Will Come Your Way, You Gotta Have A Duck Tail and perhaps his best-known, the 1957 recording of Rock Pretty Mama which wwould become considered a seminal rockabilly classic by critics. Re-emerged in the early 2000s, the critically acclaimed Legacy album bringing him back in the spotlight ~ Adams passed away in 2019
March 6, 1939 ~ Rogelia Medina Romero, commonly known as salsa, guaracha, son, guajira singer Canelita Medina, born ~ Mother of singer Trina Medina. Influenced by Celia Cruz. Considered one of the supreme voices in son montuno, with some two dozen albums to her name over a career spanning five decades. Well known songs include Quiéreme, Canto A La Guaira, and Triumphant Night ~ Medina passed away in 2023
March 6, 1939 ~ Jerry Naylor Jackson, commonly known as country, rock & roll singer, guitarist Jerry Naylor, born in Chalk Mountains, Texas, USA ~ Lead singer of post-Buddy Holly rock & roll band the Crickets from 1961 through 1964, present on the 1961 UK top 10 hit Don't Ever Change. As a solo artist best known for his 1974 Billboard Country top 40 hit Is This All There Is To A Honky Tonk ~ Jackson passed away in 2019
March 6, 1937 ~ Steel guitarist, producer Ben Keith born in Fort Riley, Kansas, USA ~ Best known for his work with Neil Young, starting on 1971 LP Harvest, continues to back Young on tour and record since. Keith also worked as a session musician and producer with artists such as Terry Reid, Todd Rundgren, Lonnie Mack, the Band, Blue, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Paul Butterfield, JJ Cale, Linda Ronstadt, Warren Zevon, Ian & Sylvia, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Anne Murray, Ringo Starr, and with Jewel, producing her debut album Pieces Of You in 1995 ~ Keith passed away in 2010
March 6, 1937 ~ Composer, conductor Paul Méfano born in Basra, Iraq ~ Founded contemporary classical ensemble the Ensemble 2e2m in 1972, with which he he has premiered more than 500 works by young composers such as Stéphane de Gérando, Thierry Blondeau, Michael Finnissy, Bruce Mather, and Claude Lefebvre, as well as older composers including Morton Feldman and John Cage ~ Méfano passed away in 2020
March 6, 1934 ~ Jazz, R&B trumpeter, bassist Paul Brown born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Perhaps best known for founding the Monday Night Jazz Series in 1967. Held annualy in Hartford, Connecticut, it is recognized as the oldest and longest-runing free festival for jazz in the United States. As a musician started out on trumpet, later switching to bass. Has collaborated with a wide array of artists from jazz and R&B including Mickey Fields, Lloyd Price, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Lavern Baker, Clyde McPhatter, the Platters, Fats Domino, George Benson (George Benson Cookbook), Bobby Hebb, and others ~ Brown passed away in 2016
March 6, 1934 ~ Joe Cecil Simpson, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, banjoist, fiddler, mandolinist, keyboardist, songwriter Red Simpson, born in Highley, Arizona, USA ~ Known for his trucking themed songs, notably Roll Truck Roll, Highway Patrol, and Diesel Smoke (Dangerous Curves) during the 1960s. His I'm A Truck released in 1971 reached Billboard Country top 10. Also known as a songwriter, his songs recorded by Merle Haggard, Bobby Durham, and especially Buck Owens, the latter recording over a dozen songs penned by Simpson including Close Up The Honky Tonks ~ Simpson passed away in 2016
March 6, 1930 ~ Conductor, violinist Lorin Maazel, full name Lorin Varencove Maazel, born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France ~ Child prodigy praised for his perfect pitch. Has his first conducting lesson at age seven, debuting at age 8 conducting the University of Idaho Orchestra. Would go on to serve as music director for the Cleveland Orchestra, the Orchestre National de France, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and others ~ Maazel passed away in 2014
March 6, 1927 ~ Banjoist Doug Dillard born in Salem, Missouri, USA ~ Pioneering country-rock banjoist. Influenced by Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, Don Reno. Founding member of the Ozark Mountain Boys. Member of the Dixie Ramblers, the Dillards, the Folkswingers. Toured Europe as member of the Byrds. Especially praised as a key member of Dillard & Clark, which played an important role in popularizing country rock, and included Gene Clark, Bernie Leadon, Mike Clark, and Byron Berline as band members ~ Dillard passed away in 2012
March 6, 1925 ~ Opal Jean Amburgey, commonly known as country singer, songwriter Jean Chapel, born in Neon, Kentucky, USA ~ Also known under the moniker Mattie O'Neil. Member of sibling outfit the Sunshine Sister Band. Married to singer Salty Holmes from 1947 until 1956, the duo working together under the moniker Mattie & Salty. As a solo singer recorded a number of rockabilly singles in the mid-1950s, notably Welcome To The Club. Following her divorce from Holmes she would focus on songwriting, her songs recorded by artists such as Eddy Arnold (Lonely Again), Dean Martin (Lay Some Happiness On Me), and Jerry Wallace (To Get To You) ~ Amburgey passed away in 1995
March 6, 1919 ~ Bernard Weitzner, commonly known as songwriter Bernie Wayne, born in Paterson, New Jersey, USA ~ Perhaps best known for co-writing Blue Velvet with Lee Morris, first recorded by Tony Bennett in 1951 and covered by numerous artists including Arthur Prysock, the Moonglows, Bobby Vinton, Johnny Tillotson, Brenda Lee, and Don Cherry. Others who recorded his songs include Dinah Shore (Laughing On The Outside), the Orioles, the Fontane Sisters, the Crew Cuts, Nelson Riddle, Johnny Cymbal (Dum Dum Dee Dum), and Nat King Cole ~ Weitzner passed away in 1993
March 6, 1918 ~ Trumpeter Howard McGhee born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ One of the first bebop trumpeter. Influenced Fats Navarro. Leader and sideman. Worked with Lionel Hampton, Andy Kirk, Count Basie, Charlie Barnet, Charlie Parker, Milt Jackson, Illinois Jacquet, Horace Parlan, Kenny Clarke, Benny Bailey, Billy Eckstine, Johnny Hartman, Coleman Hawkins, Chubby Jackson, James Moody, André Previn, Mel Tormé, Wardell Gray, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Gerry Mulligan, Eddie Jefferson, Sonny Criss, Slim Gaillard, Gene Ammons, Woody Herman, Wynonie Harris, and others ~ McGhee passed away in 1987
March 6, 1914 ~ Gospel, R&B singer, radio DJ, concert promoter Thurman Ruth born in Newberry County, South Carolina, USA ~ Professionalized gospel, including having gospel singers perform at “sinful” venues to reach a new audience, and teach them to abide by theatrical rules. Forefather of R&B. Co-founded gospel quartet the Selah Jubilee Singers, best known for their pivotal 1941 recording of Just A Closer Walk With Thee. Left the group in 1949 to pursue a more secular musical path. Original member of vocal group the Larks, known for early 1950s songs such as When I Leave These Prison Walls, Eyesight To The Blind and Little Side Car ~ Ruth passed away in 2002
March 6, 1913 ~ Georgina Armour Allan, commonly known as actress, singer Ella Logan, born in Glasgow, UK ~ Made her recording debut in 1930 at age 17 as featured vocalist with Jack Hylton's orchestra on Moanin' Low and Can't We Be Friends. Would relocate to America by the mid-1930s, landing Broadway roles starting with 1934's Calling All Stars, feature in several Hollywood films, and perform in nightclubs. In the 1950s Logan's career would be hampered by the FBI, suspected of having communist ties. There was never any evidence found of these allegations ~ Allan passed away in 1969
March 6, 1910 ~ Floyd Holmes, commonly known as country guitarist, harmonica player Salty Holmes, born in Glasgow, Kentucky, USA ~ Virtuoso on the harmonica, specializing in the style known as “talking harp” which imitated the human voice. Formed the Kentucky Ramblers in 1930, who changed their name to the Prairie Ramblers. The band is best known for their featured vocalist Patsy Montana, whom they also backed on songs such as I Want To Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart. Through a friendship with Gene Autry Holmes also appeared in several Western movies, including Arizona Days and Saddle Leather Law. Holmes was married to singer Jean Chapel from 1947 through 1956, the couple also regulars on the Grand Ole Opry as Mattie & Salty ~ Holmes passed away in 1970
March 6, 1909 ~ Songwriter, music promoter Dave Clark born in Jackson, Tennessee, USA ~ Promoter for major African-American record labels from the late 1930s onwards, including for Decca Records, Duke/Peacock, Chess Records, Aladdin, Apollo, United, Stax, and others. As a songwriter perhaps best remembered for co-writing Why I Sing The Blues, recorded by BB King ~ Clark passed away in 1995
March 6, 1905 ~ Bandleader Bob Wills, full name James Robert Wills, born in Kosse, Texas, USA ~ Founded and led the Texas Playboys. Considered the co-founder of Western Swing, merging country, dance and jazz. Seen as “the King of Western Swing” although Spade Cooley also claimed the moniker. Known for recordings such as Steel Guitar Rag, New San Antonio Rose, Smoke On The Water, Stars And Stripes On Iwo Jima, New Spanish Two Step, Ida Red Likes The Boogie, Faded Love, and others ~ Wills passed away in 1975