May 19, 1992 ~ Pop singer, songwriter Sam Smith, full name Samuel Frederick Smith, born in London, UK ~ Cites Adele and Amy Winehouse as primary influences. Released his In The Lonely Hour debut album in 2014, which included the UK top 10 hits Money On My Mind, Stay With Me, I'm Not The Only One and Like I Can. Has continued to record to commercial succes, songs such as The Writing's On The Wall, Too Good At Goodbyes, Promises with DJ Calvin Harris, Unholy with Kim Petras all reaching the No.1 spot in the singer's native UK
May 19, 1981 ~ Mario Sentell Giden Mims, commonly known as rapper Yo Gotti, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Well over half a dozen albums to his name, starting with Youngsta's On A Come Up released in 1996 under the moniker Lil Yo. Best known for his 2017 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 single Rake It Up, a collaborative effort with Mike Will Made It featuring Nicki Minaj. Founded the Collective Music Group record label, whose roster includes artists such as Moneybagg Yo, 42 Dugg, Blac Youngsta, EST Gee, and Mozzy
May 19, 1979 ~ Waylon Albright Jennings, commonly known as singer, guitarist Shooter Jennings, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Son of country singers Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter. Over half a dozen albums to his name since the mid-2000s, especially acclaimed for Family Man and its follow-up The Other Life. Has recorded with both his parents as well as with George Jones, Stargunn, Ted Russel Kamp, Deana Carter, Ike Reilly, Bucky Covington, Patty Griffin, Fifth On The Floor, Lukas Nelson, Wanda Jackson, Asleep At The Wheel, and Billy Ray Cyrus
May 19, 1972 ~ Pop singer Jenny Berggren, full name Jenny Cecilia Berggren, born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Rose to fame as co-lead singer of eurodance, dance-pop act Ace Of Base, alongside Linn Bergren, her older sister. Berggren wrote or co-wrote several of the band's songs including Ravine, Wave Wet Sand and Experience Pearl. As a solo artist, Berggren scored a top 20 hit in her native Sweden with Here I Am, taken off My Story, Berggren's only solo album released in 2010
May 19, 1971 ~ Producer, songwriter Peter Boström, also known under the moniker Bassflow, born ~ Internationally best known for co-writing Loreen's Euphoria with Thomas Gustafsson, the 2012 Eurovision Songfestival winner for Denmark. The same year another entry co-written by Boström, Norway's Tooji with Stay, also made the final but would end in last place with only 7 points. Other artists who recorded his songs include Bosson, Basic Element, Petrus, E-Type, Ola Svensson, Martin Stenmarck, Carola, Charlotte Perrelli, Lovestoned, Marie Serneholt, Alcazar, Eric Saade, Danny Saucedo, Camilla Brinck, and Daze
May 19, 1970 ~ Alternative rock, britpop drummer Stuart Cable, full name Stuart James Cable, born in Aberdare, UK ~ Co-founding member of the Stereophonics, remaining with the band through 2003. Present on most of the band's best known including UK top 10 hits such as The Bartender And The Thief, Just Looking, Pick A Part That's New, Handbags And Gladrags, and Maybe Tomorrow ~ Cable passed away in 2010
May 19, 1968 ~ Bassist, film, TV director Jesse Peretz born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA ~ Founding member of alternative rock band the Lemonheads, leaving shortly before the release of their 1992 breakthrough It's A Shame About Ray album. After his amical departure Peretz would go on to direct for TV and film as well as music videos, including several for his former band and artists such as Jack Black, Nada Surf and the Breeders. Won a Grammy Award directing the Learn To Fly music video for the Foo Fighters
May 19, 1968 ~ Electronica, techno singer, guitarist, keyboardist Paul Hartnoll born in Dartford, UK ~ Formed electronic dance duo Orbital with his brother Phil Hartnoll, known for UK top 20 hits such as The Box, Satan Live, The Saint and Style. Hartnoll has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album The Ideal Condition released in 2007, and worked with Haunted House
May 19, 1967 ~ Alessia Quilni, commonly known as eurodance, dance-pop, house singer Alexia, born in La Spezia, Italy ~ Sang backing vocals for Ice MC, notably on the hit Think About The Way. As a solo artist known for a number of Italian top 10 hits, with 1997's Uh La La La also reaching top 10 in several other countries
May 19, 1967 ~ Guitarist Michael Lee Firkins born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Draws from bluegrass, country, blues, jazz, rock. Noted for his high-speed fingerpicking. Influenced by Jerry Reed, Chet Atkins, Danny Gatton. Debuted in 1990 with the eponymous Michael Lee Firkins album and has recorded to a devoted fanbase since
May 19, 1962 ~ Guitarist Iain Harvie, full name Iain Wallace Harvie, born in Glasgow, UK ~ Besides bassist, lead singer Justin Currie the only other constant member of Del Amitri. The band enjoyed popularity across Europe, scoring a string of 1990s hits including Nothing Ever Happens, Spit In The Rain, Always The Last To Know, Driving With The Brakes On, Not Where It's At, and Don't Come Home Too Soon. The single Roll To Me of their 1995 Twisted album would also reach top 10 on the American Billboard Hot 100 chart. Harvie has also served as producer for the likes of Eileen Rose and the Maccabees
May 19, 1961 ~ Producer, pianist, composer, arranger Allen Farnham born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Worked with Drew Gress, Jamey Haddad, Susannah McCorkle, Tom Harrell, Joe Lovano, Dick Oatts, Rufus Reid, Mel Tormé, Masahiro Yoshida, Roseanna Vitro, Mark Sherman, and John Fedchock
May 19, 1961 ~ Andrew Stammers, commonly known as punk rock, post-punk bassist, singer Stan Stammers, born in Saffrom, UK ~ Turned down an offer to join the UK Subs, preferring to join Theatre Of Hate instead. The short-lived band would be best known for their Westworld album produced by the Clash's Mick Jones, its Westworld title track reaching the top 40. Following the band's disbandement in 1983 formed Spear of Destiny. Has also worked with the Straps, Crazy Pink Revolvers, and the Plastic Eaters
May 19, 1957 ~ Rock, folk rock singer, guitarist, pianist James Reyne, full name James Michael Nugent Reyne, born in Lagos, Nigeria ~ Co-founding and constant member of the Australian Crawl, known for songs such as Downhearted, Things Don't Seem and perhaps their best known Reckless (Don't Be So), the latter reaching top of the charts in their native Australia in 1983. Has also recorded as a solo artist, noted for the top 10 hits Fall Of Rome and Hammerhead both taken of his 1987 eponymous James Reyne debut album, and with the short-lived early-1990s pop rock unit the Company Of Strangers
May 19, 1954 ~ John Webb McMurry, commonly known as rock & roll singer, guitarist, actor Webb Wilder, born in Hattlesburg, Mississippi, USA ~ Fuses rock & roll with the Ventures-surf and Duane Eddy-twang. The character “Webb Wilder” was first created for a 1981 short comedy film about a private investigator who fell out of the 1950s and happened to also be a musician. The name stuck and McMurry has been recording consistently since the 1980s
May 19, 1953 ~ Blues, blues-rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Jimmy Thackery born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Longtime and co-founding member of blues, roots rock band the Nighthawks, leaving the band in 1986 to focus on his solo career. Over two dozen albums to his name, starting with 1985's Sideways In Paradise with frequent collaborator John Mooney. Has also worked with Tom Principato, David Raitt, Tab Benoit, Cate Brothers, and others
May 19, 1951 ~ Music journalist, author Colin Irwin, full name Colin Lester Irwin, born in Chertsey, UK ~ Best known as journalist and editor for Melody Maker from the mid-1970s through the mid-1980s. Would go on to work as a music critic for the Guardian, Mojo, the Daily Telegraph, the Independent, and other publications. Has authored a number of books, including biographies of the Dire Straits, ABBA, and Leonard Cohen ~ Irwin passed away in 2022
May 19, 1951 ~ Drummer Gary McCracken born in Sarnia, Canada ~ Best known as member of rock outfit Max Webster from 1976 through 1981, with whom he recorded six albums. Co-wrote and sang lead on the band's 1979 A Million Vacations hit single. McCracken has also worked with Triumph, Wrabit, and Klaatu, and released his sole Audioscapes solo album in 2000
May 19, 1951 ~ Jeffrey Ross Hyman, commonly known as punk rock singer Joey Ramone, born in Forest Hills, New York, USA ~ Became a countercultural icon as frontman of 1970s punk rock band the Ramones, known for songs such as Blitzkrieg Bop, Sheena Is A Punk Rocker, Rockaway Beach and perhaps their best known Rock 'n Roll High School ~ Hyman passed away in 2001
May 19, 1950 ~ TV personality, actor, singer Ron Brandsteder, full name Ronald Brandsteder, born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Best known as a game show host and frequent comic partner of André van Duin. As a singer best known for duetting with Bonnie St Claire on the 1976 Dutch top 10 hit Dokter Bernard and for duetting with former Luv'-singer José Hoebee on the 1984 Leonard Cohen-cover So Long Marianne
May 19, 1949 ~ Joseph Michael Hill, commonly known as blues-rock, rock bassist, guitarist, singer Dusty Hill, born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Brother of guitarist Rocky Hill, his bandmate in American Blues. Would rise to fame as member of ZZ Top, known for songs such as La Grange, Tush, Arrested For Driving While Blind, Cheap Sunglasses, Gimme All Your Lovin', Legs, Rough Boy, and Velcro Fly ~ Hill passed away in 2021
May 19, 1949 ~ Rock, hard rock, proto-punk, progressive rock guitarist, bassist, singer Larry Wallis born in UK ~ Best known as member of the Pink Fairies, notably present on the 1973 album Kings Of Oblivion for which Wallis wrote or co-wrote all songs. Briefly an early member of Motörhead during the mid-1970s, appearing on the 1975 album On Parole which would remain unreleased until 1979. Wallis has also worked with Shagrat, Blodwyn Pig, the Deviants, Steve Peregrin Took, UFO, Lee Brilleaux, and others. Has recorded sporadically as a solo artist and served as in-house producer for Stiff Records, working with artists such as Wreckless Eric (A Louder Silence), the Adverts, and Mick Farren ~ Wallis passed away in 2019
May 19, 1948 ~ Model, singer, actress Grace Jones, full name Grace Beverly Jones, born in Spanish Town, Jamaica ~ Influenced artists such as Annie Lennox, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Róisín Murphy, and Nile Rodgers. Emerged from the late-1970s New York disco scene, darling of the Studio 54 crowd as wel as of leading fashion houses. Would move to a new wave style by the early-1980s drawing from reggae, funk, post-punk, club, dance and pop. Best known for songs such as La Vie En Rose, Pull Up To The Bumper, I've Seen That Face Before and Slave To The Rhythm. Jones has also guested on tracks by Thompson Twins, Arcadia, Lil' Kim (Revolution), Gorillaz, Beyoncé, and Janelle Monáe
May 19, 1948 ~ Saxophonist Tom Scott, full name Thomas Wright Scott, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Son of film, TV composer Nathan Scott. Well over a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, starting with The Honeysuckle Breeze released in 1967. Despite his absence from either movie a co-founding member of the Blues Brothers, with whom he recorded five albums. Wrote the theme songs for the TV series Starsky & Hutch and The Streets Of San Francisco. In-demand session musician, notable credits include the sax solos on Wings' Listen To What The Man Said and Whitney Houston's Saving All My Love For You and the lyricon on Michael Jackson's Billie Jean. Has also appeared on albums by the likes of Jan & Dean, Otis Spann, Harry Nilsson, Joni Mitchell (For The Roses), Billy Preston, America, Ringo Starr (Ringo), Bonnie Raitt, Barbra Streisand, George Harrison (Dark Horse), Gregg Allman, Tom Waits (The Heart Of Saturday Night), Neil Diamond, Hall & Oates, Boz Scaggs (Silk Degrees), Steely Dan (Aja), Elvin Bishop, Rod Stewart (Blondes Have More Fun), the Muffins, Thijs van Leer, Randy Newman, Art Garfunkel (Fate For Breakfast), Captain & Tennille, Minnie Riperton, Dolly Parton, Blondie (Autoamerican), Al Jarreau, Pat Benatar, Dan Fogelberg, Lee Ritenour, Nona Hendryx, Toto, Pink Floyd, Joyride, Richard Marx, and Julio Iglesias
May 19, 1948 ~ Trevor Gordon Grunnill, commonly known as soft rock, baroque pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Trevor Gordon, born in Blackpool, UK ~ Formed the late-1960s duo the Marbles with Graham Bonnet, scoring a UK top 10 hit with Only One Woman penned by the Bee Gees-siblings Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb ~ Grunnill passed away in 2013
May 19, 1947 ~ Rock bassist Steve Currie born in Grimsby, UK ~ Best known as member of T.Rex, joining in 1970 and remaining through 1976. Present on most of the band's best known including Hot Love, Bang-a-gong (Get It On), Telegram Sam and Metal Guru ~ Currie passed away in 1981
May 19, 1946 ~ Producer Trevor Veitch born in Vancouver, Canada ~ First gained attention as co-founding member of 1960s outfit 3's A Crowd, helpful in introducing jazz and eastern music influences in folk rock. Assisted on several early Rush albums, notably the band's 1970 eponymous Rush debut and 1972's Merrimack County playing guitar, mandocello and mandolin. Veitch has also worked with Laura Branigan, Donna Summer, Toni Basil, and Patty Brard
May 19, 1945 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Pete Townshend, full name Peter Dennis Townshend, born in Chiswick, UK ~ Co-founding member, guitarist, co-lead singer for the Who, one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s and 1970s with record sales exceeding 100 million copies. Well known songs include My Generation, Substitute, Pictures Of Lily, Pinball Wizard, and Won't Get Fooled Again. The band is especially acclaimed for their 1969 rock opera Tommy, and for the albums Who's Next and Quadrophenia. Townshend has also released about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Who Came First released in 1972, and collaborated with the likes ofd Ronnie Lane, David Gilmour, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, and Mick Jagger
May 19, 1940 ~ Milton Sims Newbury Jr, commonly known as country, folk, folk-rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Mickey Newbury, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Revered by peers. Acclaimed for a number of late-1960s, early-1970s albums especially 1972's Frisco Mabel Joy which included An American Trilogy, a song later popularized by Elvis Presley. Though Newbury never became a household name, several songs of his have become well known as recorded by others including Funny Familiar Forgotten Feelings (Don Gibson, Tom Jones), San Francisco Mabel Joy (the Box Tops, Waylon Jennings), Here Comes The Rain Baby (Roy Orbison, Eddy Arnold), Just Dropped In To See What Condition My Condition Was In (Jerry Lee Lewis, Kenny Rogers, Bettye LaVette), and Sweet Memories (Andy Williams, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles) ~ Newbury passed away in 2002
May 19, 1939 ~ Composer, keyboardist Richard Teitelbaum, full name Richard Lowe Teitelbaum, born ~ Pioneered brain-wave music. Known for his live electronic performances. Draws from worlds music using a variety of instruments. Especially acclaimed for Time Zones, a collaborative album with Anthony Braxton. Formed Musica Elettronica Viva with Alvin Curran and Frederic Rzewski, known best for their 1977 Unified Patchwork Theory exploring electro-acoustic and free improvisation jazz. Teitelbaum has also notably guested on recordings by Leroy Jenkins, Andrew Cyrille, Luc Houtkamp, Steve Lacy, and Alvin Lucier ~ Teitelbaum passed away in 2020
May 19, 1939 ~ Cornelius Fortune, commonly known as saxophonist, flutist Sonny Fortune, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Influenced by Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins, and John Coltrane. Rose to prominence backing Miles Davis in the mid-1970s, including on the albums Agharta and Pangaea. As a leader, Fortune has recorded over a dozen albums, notably It Ain't What It Was released in 1991. Fortune has also appeared on albums by George Benson, Mongo Santamaria, Pharoah Sanders, Roy Ayers, McCoy Tyner (Sahara), Leon Spencer, the Average White Band (AWB), Charles Mingus, Dom Um Romão, Kenny Barron, Herbie Mann, Nat Adderley, Mtume (You Me And He), Buddy Rich, Cindy Blackman, Mal Waldron, and Elvin Jones ~ Fortune passed away in 2018
May 19, 1938 ~ Jerry Marvin Stembridge, commonly known as guitarist, producer Chip Young, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ In-demand Nashville-based session guitarist turned producer. As a guitarist, Young has sessioned for the likes of Nancy Sinatra, Dolly Parton (Just Because I'm A Woman), Neon Philharmonic, Tony Joe White (Black And White), Bobby Bare, Elvis Presley (That's The Way It Is), Roger Miller, Tom T Hall, Charley Pride, Sir Douglas Quintet, Willie Nelson (Yesterday's Wine), Gordon Lightfoot, the Statler Brothers, Kris Kristofferson, Charlie McCoy, Carl Perkins, Waylon Jennings (Lonesome On'ry & Mean), Leon Russell, Guy Clark, the Oak Ridge Boys, Tanya Tucker, and the Allman Brothers Band. As a producer, he has worked with Billy Swan, Mickey Newbury, Joe Ely (Honky Tonk Masquerade), Gene Summer, and Michael Martin Murphey ~ Young passed away in 2014
May 19, 1938 ~ Country, bluegrass bassist, songwriter Rex Gosdin born in Randolph County, Alabama, USA ~ Member of the Hillmen, which also included Chris Hillman and his brother Vern Gosdin. The group played Southern California during the early-1960s but would fail to land a record deal. Rex would subsequently form the Gosdin Brothers with Vernon, the duo having some success with the songs Hangin' On and Till The End. They were also featured on Gene Clark's well-received Gene Clark With The Gosdin Brothers album released in 1967. Rex would go on to write songs for others, including co-writing If I Can't Have All Of You (Just Give Me What You Think Is Fair) for Ferlin Husky and Someday My Day Will Come for George Jones ~ Gosdin passed away in 1983
May 19, 1935 ~ Jazz bassist, double bassist Cecil McBee born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ First gained attention in the late-1950s backing Dinah Washington. McBee has recorded sporadically as a leader, notably 1977's From The Source and 1982's Flying Out, but is best known as a sideman, praised for his versatility, appearing on hundreds of albums. Notable credits include albums by George Bohanon, Denny Zeitlin (Cathexis), Jackie McLean (Action), Wayne Shorter (Et Cetera), Dannie Richmond, Andrew Hill, Charles Lloyd, Yusef Lateef, (The Blue Yusef Lateef), Sunny Murray, Leon Thomas, Roy Brooks, Sonny Simmons, Pharoah Sanders (Black Unity), Alice Coltrane, Joe Chambers, Sam Rivers (Streams), Woody Shaw, Lester Bowie, Charles Tolliver (Impact), Ted Curson, John Stubblefield, Chico Freeman, 360 Degree Music Experience, Charles McPherson, Archie Shepp, Stanley Cowell, Art Pepper (Winter Moon), Mal Waldron, Kip Hanrahan (Coup De Tête), Charlie Rouse, and Didier Lockwood
May 19, 1933 ~ Classical, film composer Antón García Abril born in Teruel, Spain ~ Composed chamber music, orchestral and vocal works. Also a prolific film composer with films such as Texas Adios, Awkward Hands and the Blind Dead series of films to his credit ~ Abril passed away in 2021
May 19, 1932 ~ Alma Angela Cohen, commonly known as traditional pop singer Alma Cogan, born in London, UK ~ Dubbed “the Girl with the Giggle in her Voice”, Cogan was the highest paid British female singer of her day. Known best for covers of popular American hits, especially those recorded by Rosemary Clooney, Teresa Brewer, Joni James and Dinah Shore. Would fall out of fashion by the 1960s, considered too square for the era. Well known songs include Bell Bottom Blues, Little Things Mean A Lot, I Can't Tell A Waltz From A Tango, and perhaps her best known Dreamboat, the latter topping the UK charts in in 1955 ~ Cohen passed away in 1966