March 8, 1988 ~ Benjamin Joseph Levin, commonly known as producer, DJ, songwriter Benny Blanco born in Reston, Virginia, USA ~ Frequent collaborator and protegé of Dr Luke. As a recording artist known for songs such as Eastside featuring Halsey and Khalid, I Found You featuring Calvin Harris, Better To Lie featuring Jesse Rutherford & Swae Lee, and Roses featuring Juice WRLD. As a producer and songwriter has also worked with Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Maroon 5, Ke$ha, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Sia, the Weeknd, Tory Lanez, Wiz Khalifa, Kanye West, and J Balvin
March 8, 1988 ~ Glen Earl Boothe, commonly known as hip-hop producer, songwriter Knxwledge, born in Freehold Township, New Jersey, USA ~ Draws from jazz, soul, old-school hip-hop, rap. Half of the duo NxWorries, the other half being Anderson Paak. Released his official full-length debut album, Klouds, in 2010. Produced Kendrick Lamar's Momma from the 2015 album To Pimp A Butterfly. Has also worked with Blu, Joey Badass, Quelle Chris, Homeboy Sandman, Omarion, Ghostface Killah, Earl Sweatshirt, Prodigy, Action Bronson, and Elijah Boothe
March 8, 1979 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, indie pop singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter Andy Ross born in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known as member of OK Go since 2005. joining as replacement for Andy Duncan. Present on the albums Of The Blue Colour Of The Sky and Ghosts
March 8, 1979 ~ Post-hardcore, post-punk, emo, indie rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Geoff Rickly, full name Geoffrey William Rickly, born in Dumont, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known as lead singer of rock outfit Thursday, member of hardcore punk band the United Nations, and member of alternative rock group No Devotion. Produced My Chemical Romance's 2002 I Brought You My Bullets (You Brought Me Your Love) debut album. Guested on recordings by Murder By Death, the Blackout Pact, Touché Amoré, and Man Overboard
March 8, 1979 ~ Soul, R&B singer Shola Ama born in London, UK ~ Released her full-length Much Love debut album in 1997, which included the UK top 10 hits You're The One I Love and You Might Need Somebody, the latter originally recorded by Turley Richards and notably covered by Randy Crawford, Joe Walsh, and others. Also known for the modest 1999 hit till Believe, one of the first records produced by the Norwegian production team Stargate
March 8, 1979 ~ Singer, TV and radio personality Zena McNally born in Birmingham, UK ~ Early member of pop, R&B group Mis-Teeq, appearing on their 2000 debut single Why but leaving before the debut album was released. As a solo artist McNally released only a few singles off of a sole album to limited commercial succes
March 8, 1978 ~ Power metal keyboardist Manuel Ramil born in Ares, Spain ~ Best known as keyboardist of Warcry. Influenced by Dream Theater, Yngwie Malmsteen, Angra, Symphony X, Kamelot. Co-founded Sauze. Has also worked with Torquemada, Fake Intermission, Avalanch, and others
March 8, 1978 ~ John Matthews, commonly known as producer, songwriter Ricardo Autobahn, born ~ Member of the Cuban Boys. Member of Spray. Half of Rik & Daz, the other half being Daz Sampson. Also worked with Lolly Pop, Helen Love, Nathalie Archangel, Jane Nadler, Christopher Anton, and others
March 8, 1977 ~ Folk, alt-country, indie rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Rocky Votolato born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Co-founding member of indie rock band Waxwing, which also included his brother guitarist Cody Votolato, merging straight up rock with post-hardcore earning them a solid fanbase. Enjoyed a parallel solo career, with about a dozen albums to his name starting with the eponymous Rocky Votolato released in 1999
March 8, 1977 ~ Tedashii Lavoy Anderson, monoymously known as Christian rapper, singer Tedashii, born in Lutkin, Texas, USA ~ Member of 116 Clique, active with the ensemble since the 2008 Unashamed Tour. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album Kingdom People released in 2006. Well known songs include Dark Days Darker Nights featuring Britt Nicole, and Nothing I Can't Do featuring Lecrae & Trip Lee. Has also collaborated with Folk Angel, J'son, KB, the Family Force 5, Crowder, and others
March 8, 1976 ~ Gareth Michael Coombes, commonly known as Britpop, alternative rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Gaz Coombes born in Oxford, UK ~ Lead singer, frontman of Supergrass, known for songs such as Going Out, Richard III, Sun Hits The Sky and Moving all of which reached the UK top 10
March 8, 1974 ~ Drummer, guitarist, keyboardist, singer Adam Ficek, full name Adam Steven Ficek, born in Bletchley, UK ~ Member of the Mains Ignition. Member of the White Sport. Recorded as a solo artist using the moniker Roses Kings Castles, starting in 2008. Perhaps best known for his association with Babyshambles, joining the band in 2005 and present on the albums Down In Albion, The Blinding and the acclaimed Shotters Nation released in 2007
March 8, 1973 ~ Amel Eliza Stowell, commonly known as singer Amel Larrieux, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Formed Groove Theory with Bryce Wilson, rising to fame in the mid-1990s with hits such as the 1995 Billboard top 10 hit Tell Me. Influenced by Ella Fitzgerald, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Jimi Hendrix, Patrice Rushen. Released her Infinite Possibilities solo debut album in 2000. Has collaborated with Guru, the Roots, Soulive, and Stanley Clarke
March 8, 1971 ~ Rock bassist, songwriter Jason Slater born ~ Briefly a member of Third Eye Blind, leaving the band shortly after recording their demo. Would go on to work with acts such as the Snake River Conspiracy, the Band Of Flakes, Revenge Of The Triads and Brougham. Has also worked as producer for artists such as Interstate '76, Earshot and notably Queensryche ~ Slater passed away in 2020
March 8, 1970 ~ Lolita Shanté Gooden, commonly known as hip-hop singer, rapper Roxanne Shanté, born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Member of the Juice Crew. Released her full-length solo debut album, Bad Sister, in 1989. Has collaborated with Sparky D, Steady B, UTFO, Marley Marl, MC Shan, and others
March 8, 1970 ~ Neo-soul, funk singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, saxophonist, percussionist, songwriter Van Hunt born in Dayton, Ohio, USA ~ Influenced by the Isley Brothers, Curtis Mayfield, Thelonious Monk, Iggy Pop, David Bowie, and Neil Young. Released his eponymous Van Hunt debut album in 2004. Most acclaimed for his What Were You Hoping For album released in 2011. Perhaps best known for collaborating with John Legend and Joss Stone on the 2005 rendition of Family Affair for the Different Strokes By Different Folks Sly & the Family Stone tribute album, the recording earning them a 2007 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group
March 8, 1966 ~ Christian rock, rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, producer Bob Herdman, full name Robert Vaughn Herdman, born ~ Following a stint in the Army Herdman convinced friends Mark Stuart and Barry Blair to record two songs for which he had written lyrics. The song My God would draw the attention of label executive Ron Griffin who signed the band, then named A-180. Renamed to Audio Adrenaline they would become one of the best known bands in Christian music, selling over three million records. Well known songs include Big House, Walk On Water, People Like Me, Hands And Feet, and Leaving 99
March 8, 1962 ~ Mark Brown, commonly known as R&B, funk, rock, soul bassist, singer, producer Brownmark, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Influenced by Larry Graham, Louis Johnson, Jaco Pastorius, Verdine White, and Bootsy Collins. Early member of Prince's backing band the Revolution, appearing on albums such as Controversy, Purple Rain, Around The World In A Day, and Parade. Post-Prince Brown has achieved minor succes fronting the funk-rock outfit Mazarati, known for their sole eponymous Mazarati album released in 1986. Though not a commercial succes the album is considered a cult classic. Brown also served as producer for Stacy Lattislaw, Chico DeBarge, and Lakeside
March 8, 1958 ~ Gary Anthony James Webb, commonly known as new wave, pop rock singer, bassist, songwriter, producer Gary Numan born in Hammersmith, UK ~ First gained attention as frontman of Tubeway Army, known best for their single Are Friends Electric. Debuted as a solo artist in 1979 with the album The Pleasure Principle spawning the hit Cars
March 8, 1958 ~ Glam rock, gothic rock, post-punk, trance, psychedelic trance singer, DJ Olli Wisdom, full name Oliver John Wisdom, born in London, UK ~ Fronted UK punk band the Unwanted. Member of early 1980s glam, gothic rock outfit the Specimen. Would go on to become a pioneer of psychedelic trance, using the moniker Space Tribe from the mid-1990s on, influenced by electro-driven psychedelic sounds he first encountered on his travels to Asia ~ Wisdom passed away in 2021
March 8, 1957 ~ Jazz pianist, arranger, conductor Billy Childs, full name William Edward Childs, born ~ Influenced by Herbie Hancock, Keith Emerson, Chick Corea, Paul Hindemith, Maurice Ravel, Igor Stravinsky. Worked with JJ Johnson, Freddie Hubbard, Sting, Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Botti, Gladys Knight, Michael Bublé, David Foster, Phil Ramone, and Claudia Acuna
March 8, 1957 ~ Heavy metal, hard rock drummer Clive Burr, full name Clive Ronald Burr, born in East Ham, UK ~ Member of Samson. Best known as drummer for Iron Maiden from 1979 through 1982, replaced by Nicko McBrain. Present on the band's first three albums, namely Iron Maiden, Killers and the band's breakthrough album The Number Of The Beast. Co-wrote Gangland of the latter album. Following his departure from the band Burr has played with Trust, Alcatrazz, supergroup Gogmagog, Dee Snider, and others. Burr retired from music by the late 1990s, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis ~ Burr passed away in 2013
March 8, 1954 ~ Rita Maria Crudgington, commonly known as pop singer Cheryl Baker, born in London, UK ~ Member of Bucks Fizz from 1981 through 1993, present on most of the band's best-known including the 1981 Eurovision Songfestival winner Making Your Mind Up, The Land Of Make Believe, and My Camera Never Lies
March 8, 1950 ~ Rock, pop rock singer Seid Memic born in Travnik, Yugoslavia ~ First gained attention as lead singer of rock band Teska Industrija, present on the band's Ho Ruk debut album. Active as a solo artist since the late 1970s. Internationally perhaps best known for representing his native Yugoslavia at the 1981 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 15th place with Lejla which remains a favorite in Balkan countries
March 8, 1949 ~ Singer, songwriter Antonello Venditti born in Rome, Italy ~ Became famous for the social themes of his songs. Debuted in 1972 with Theorius Campus. The album, a joint effort with Francesco de Gregori, initially sold poorly but did contain Roma Capoccia which would later become one of Venditti's most famous songs
March 8, 1949 ~ Rock, progressive rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Dave Lambert born ~ Best known for his association with the Strawbs, playing with the band from 1972 through 1978, rejoining in later years. Present on a string of acclaimed albums including Grave New World, Bursting At The Seams, Hero And Heroine, and Ghosts. Lambert has also worked with Fire, the King Earl Boogie Band, and with Chas Cronk, and recorded as a solo artist
March 8, 1948 ~ Margaret Annemaria Battavio, commonly known as pop singer Little Peggy March, born in Lansdake, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for I Will Follow Him, a million-seller hit in 1963. Would continue to record to moderate European succes into the 1970s
March 8, 1948 ~ Guitarist, singer Mell Galley, full name Melville John Galley, born in Cannock, UK ~ Best known as longtime member of Trapeze. Has also worked with Finders Keepers appearing on the 1968 single Sadie The Cleaning Lady. Other collaborations include Glenn Hughes, Deep Purple, Whitesnake, Phenomena and Cozy Powell ~ Galley passed away in 2008
March 8, 1947 ~ Rock guitarist, producer Earle Mankey born ~ Founding member, guitarist of Sparks, known for songs such as This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us and The Number One Song In Heaven. Also an in-demand producer for acts including 20/20, the Runaways, Concrete Blonde, Jumpin' Jimes, the Long Ryders, the Three O'Clock, the Tearaways, the Conditionz, Kristian Hoffman, and others
March 8, 1947 ~ Guitarist Mike Allsup. full name Michael Rand Allsup, born in Modesto, California, USA ~ Early member of Three Dog Night, remaining with the band through 1975 and present on songs such as One, Easy To Be Hard, Mama Told Me Not To Come, Joy To The World, Black & White, Shambala and The Show Must Go On
March 8, 1947 ~ Pop, rock guitarist Phil Sawyer born ~ Active since the mid-1960s. Member of Les Fleur De Lys. Member of the Cheynes, which also included a then-unknown 15-year-old Mick Fleetwood. Member of Shotgun Express, again with Fleetwood and a then-unknown Rod Stewart. Briefly a member of the Spencer Davis Group, appearing on the 1968 With Their New Face album. The album spawned a couple of minor hits including Don't Want You No More later notably covered by the Allman Brothers Band. Subsequently worked as songwriter and producer for several artists, including Sandie Shaw, and for TV and radio commercials, documentaries, and feature films. Has released a number of new-age albums, using the moniker Beautiful World, in the 1990s following the success of two songs, Wonderful World and In Existence, he wrote for the shampoo brand Timotei
March 8, 1946 ~ Country rock, pop rock bassist, guitarist, singer, songwriter Randy Meisner, full name Randall Herman Meisner, born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, USA ~ Member of Poco, appearing on the band's 1969 Pickin' Up The Pieces but departing the band before its release. Leaving in high spirits his image was removed from the painting on the album's cover and replaced with a dog. Member of the Stone Canyon Band, present on the albums In Concert At The Troubadour 1969 and Rudy The Fifth. Best known for co-founding the Eagles, for whom he wrote or co-wrote and sang lead on songs such as Take It To The Limit, Try And Love Again, Is It True, Take The Devil, Tryin', and Certain Kind Of Fool. Citing “exhaustion” Meisner left the band in 1977. Meisner released his eponymous Randy Meisner solo debut album the following year ~ Meisner passed away in 2023
March 8, 1945 ~ Pop, rock singer, drummer Micky Dolenz, full name George Michael Dolenz Jr, born in Tarzana, California, USA ~ Member of the Monkees. Sang lead on Last Train To Clarksville, Pleasant Valley Sunday and I'm A Believer
March 8, 1943 ~ Andrew Raeburn Semple, commonly known as pop, merseybeat singer, guitarist Shel Macrae, born in Burbank, UK ~ Member of the Fortunes from 1966 through 1977, present on the early 1970s UK top 10 hits Freedom Come Freedom Go and Storm In A Teacup ~ Semple passed away in 2022
March 8, 1943 ~ Charles Emanuel Sherrell, commonly known as R&B, funk bassist, guitarist, keyboardist Sweet Charles Sherrell, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for backing James Brown for the better part of two decades starting in 1968. Credited by Brown with being the first bassist to incorporate techniques such as thumping on the strings, essential to Brown's evolution from soul to funk. Notably present on Brown hits such as Say It Loud I'm Black And I'm Proud, Mother Popcorn and Give It Up Or Turn It Loose. Sherrell also recorded the unsuccessful For Sweet People From Sweet Charles solo album, backed Al Green, and worked with several Brown alumni including Marva Whitney, Lyn Collins, and extensively with Maceo Parker including on the latter's Funk Overload album ~ Sherrell passed away in 2023
March 8, 1941 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Franco D'Andrea, full name Francesco D'Andrea, born in Merano, Italy ~ Leader and sideman. Recorded an estimated 200 albums. Worked with Pergeo, Gato Barbieri, Steve Lacy, Dave Liebman, John Surman, Kenny Wheeler, Phil Woods, Ernst Reijseger, Slide Hampton, Frank Rosolino, Conte Candoli, Max Roach, Lee Konitz, Johnny Griffin, Tony Scott, Han Bennink, Dave Douglas, Nunzio Rotondo, Bruno Tommaso, Franco Tonani, Mark Helias, Barry Altschul, Tino Tracanna, Stephen Schertler, Bill Elgart, Hein van de Geyn, Enrico Rava, Miroslav Vitous, Daniel Humair, Steven Bernstein, Phil Woods, and others
March 8, 1939 ~ Operatic tenor, conductor Robert Tear born in Barry, UK ~ First gained attention in the mid-1960s performing in a number of Benjamin Britten operas, starting with The Rape Of Lucretia with the English Opera Group. Britten was so thrilled with Tear that he wrote two roles with Tear's voice in mind, namely Misael in The Burning Fiery Furnace and the title role in The Prodigal Son. Tear is also closely associated with the Royal Opera House, remaining with the company from the 1970s until his retirement in 1999. In the 1980s Tear conducted the London Mozart Players, the English Chamber Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Philharmonia Orchestra ~ Tear passed away in 2011
March 8, 1937 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Richard Fariña, full name Richard George Fariña, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Important Greenwich Village figure. Married to Carolyn Hester, later married to Joan Baez's sister Mimi Baez. Befriended Bob Dylan. Known for songs such as Pack Up Your Sorrows and Birmingham Sunday. Also known for his 1966 novel Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up To Me, the title taken from lyrics of Furry Lewis's I Will Turn Your Money Green. Died in a motorcycle accident two days after his novel was published ~ Fariña passed away in 1966
March 8, 1936 ~ Guitarist Gábor Szabó, full name Gábor István Szabó, born in Budapest, Hungary ~ Leader and sideman. Drew from jazz, pop, rock and tradional Hungarian folk. Wrote and first recorded Gypsy Queen, which was notably covered by Santana. Worked with Chico Hamilton, Gary McFarland, Ron Carter, Paul Desmond, Coke Escovedo, Charles Lloyd, and others ~ Szabó passed away in 1982
March 8, 1935 ~ Jazz, hard bop, post-bop saxophonist George Coleman, full name George Edward Coleman, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Influenced by Charlie Parker. Active since the early 1950s, backing musicians such as Ray Charles, BB King, Gene Ammons, Johnny Griffin. Best known for his work with Miles Davis, including on albums such as My Funny Valentine and Four & More, and Herbie Hancock, including on albums such as Maiden Voyage. Also present on albums by Lee Morgan (City Lights), Booker Little, Max Roach, Jimmy Smith (The Sermon), Frank Strozier, Howard McGhee, Slide Hampton (Exodus), Duke Pearson, Nina Simone, Lee Morgan, Elvin JonesHorace Silver, Johnny Hartman, and Charles Tolliver. Has also recorded as a leader or co-leader from the mid-1970s onwards, especially acclaimed for the albums Meditation and At Yoshi's
March 8, 1934 ~ Classical, TV, film composer John McLeod born in Aberdeen, UK ~ Had numerous of his works premiered by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Others who performed his compositions include the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Hallé Orchestra, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Well known works include Out Of The Silence, Percussion Concerto, Symphonies Of Stone And Water and Viola Concerto ~ McLeod passed away in 2022
March 8, 1931 ~ Drummer Lloyd Knibb born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Considered one of the most important and influential Jamaican drummers, credited with helping shape ska. Best known as longtime member of the Skatalites, starting in the 1960s. Got his start in music playing in jazz and swing bands, notably backing artists such as Val Bennett and Eric Dean. In-demand session musician, sought after by producers such as Coxsone Dodd, Prince Buster, Sonia Pottinger, and Duke Reid ~ Knibb passed away in 2011
March 8, 1927 ~ Jazz pianist, organist, director, arranger, composer Dick Hyman, full name Richard Hyman, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Especially known as an conductor, pianist, composer for a number of Woody Allen films. To pop audiences best known for the single The Minotaur, which reached the Billboard top 40 in 1969. Has worked with Joe Newman, Benny Powell, Frank Wess, Oscar Pettiford, Harry Sweets Edison, Coleman Hawkins, Hank Jones, Marian McPartland, Bob Wilber, Ruby Braff, Soprano Summit, Buddy Tate, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Urbie Green, Enoch Light, Wes Montgomery, Louie Bellson, Ruth Brown, JJ Johnson, Bette Midler, and others
March 8, 1900 ~ Jazz pianist Joe Robichaux born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Worked with Tig Chambers, Papa Celestin, Earl Humphrey, Lee Collins, the Black Eagles, Jones & Collins Astoria Hot Eight, Christina Gray, Eugene Ware, Alfred Guichard, Gene Porter, Ward Crosby, Chick Bullock, George Lewis, and others ~ Robichaux passed away in 1965
March 8, 1893 ~ John Smith Hurt, commonly known as piedmont blues, country blues, delta blues guitarist, singer Mississippi John Hurt, born in Teoc, Mississippi, USA ~ Known for songs such as Salty Dog, Candy Man, Ain't No Tellin', Frankie and Spike Driver Blues. Had his songs covered by Bob Dylan, Dave Van Ronk, Jerry Garcia, Beck, Doc Watson, John McCutcheon, Taj Mahal, Bruce Cockburn, Gillian Welch, Josh Ritter, and others ~ Hurt passed away in 1966