May 20, 1993 ~ Pop singer, songwriter Matt Terry, full name Matthew James Terry, born in Broomely, UK ~ Winner of the thirteenth edition of The X-Factor in 2016. Would subsequently release his debut single When Christmas Comes Around, reaching the UK top 10. A full-length debut album, Trouble, would follow the next year
May 20, 1987 ~ Pop, jazz singer, songwriter Ingrid Helena Havik born in Ålesund, Norway ~ Best known as lead singer of Highasakite. Previoulsy a member of Your Headlights Are On. Also guested on A-ha's MTV Unpluggd (Summer Solstice) album
May 20, 1985 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Jon Pardi, full name Jonathan Ryan Pardi, born in Dixon, California, USA ~ Opened for Dierks Bentley in 2010. Released his full-length Write You A Song debut album in 2012, its single Up All Night reaching top 10 on the Billboard Country charts. Subsequent hit would include Head Over Boots, Dirt On My Boots, Heartache On The Dance Floor, Night Shift, Heartache Medication and Ain't Alway The Cowboyss
May 20, 1984 ~ Singer, actress Naturi Naughton, full name Naturi Cora Maria Naughton, born in East Orange, New Jersey, USA ~ Formed R&B group 3LW alongside Adrienne Bailon and Kiely Williams, known for singles such as No More Baby (I'ma Do Right), Playas Gon' Play and I Do (Wanna Get Close To You) featuring P Diddy and Loon. Also known as an actress, notably portraying the role of Lil' Kim in Notorious, a bio-pic about the life of rapper Notorious BIG
May 20, 1981 ~ Pop, dance-pop singer Sean Conlon, full name Sean Kieran Conlon, born in Leeds, UK ~ Member of boy band 5ive, known for a string of UK top 10 hits including Slam Dunk Da Funk, When The Lights Go Out, Got The Feelin', Everybody Get Up, Until The Time Is Through and Keep On Movin'. The band was formed by the same management team that was behind the Spice Girls. Conlon would be the first to leave, splitting from the band in 2001 six months before they would disband
May 20, 1973 ~ Singer, actress Elsa Lunghini born in Paris, France ~ Daughter of actor, photographer, songwriter George Lunghini. Debuted with the 1986 single T'En Va Pas of the La Femme De Ma Vie soundtrack. It would reach the top position on the French charts, making the then-13 year old Lunghini the youngest person to achieve this feat. A full-length debut album, Ela, followed in 1988 and spawned the hits Quelque Chose Dans Mon Coeur, Jour De Neige, Jamais Nous, A La Meme Heure Dans Deux Ans and Un Roman D'Amitié, the latter a duet with Glenn Medeiros and all reaching the top 10 in France. Lunghini has recorded consistenly since and ventured into a parallel acting career in film and TV
May 20, 1972 ~ Trevor George Smith Jr, commonly known as rapper, MC Busta Rhymes born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Given his nickname by Public Enemy's Chuck D after NFL wide receiver George Buster Rhymes. Original member of Leaders Of The New School, noted for their guest appearance on A Tribe Called Quest's Scenario. Has recorded close to a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with The Coming released in 1996 which spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Woo-hah (Got You All In Check). Subsequent hits would include Dangerous, Turn It Up (Remix), What's It Gonna Be featuring Janet Jackson, and I Know What You Want featuring Mariah Carey
May 20, 1972 ~ Singer Sibongiseni Shabalala, full name Sibongiseni Lucas Shabalala, born in Ladysmith, South Africa ~ Member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo since 1993, a popular ensemble led by his father Joseph Shabalala. Has also formed the crossover band Shabalala Rhythm in 1998 with his brother Thamsanqa Shabalala and guitarist Maqhinga Radebe, known for the albums Ubuhie Bakho and Vuma
May 20, 1966 ~ Jazz guitarist Sheryl Bailey born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Worked with Vince Loving, George Colligan, Glenn Cashman, Chris Battistone, Dave Ephross, Jon Seligman, Lenny Robinson, Chris Berger, Ashley Turner, Sunny Jain, Gary Versace, Ian Froman, the Three Rivers Jazz Orchesra, Jim Guerra, Eric Defae, Rick Matt, Jim Germann, Steve Hawk, Joe Herndon, Steve McKnight, James Moore, Ralph Guzzi, Reggie Watkins, Clayton Dewalt, Ross Garin, Christopher Carson, Paul Thompson, David Glover, Ron Oswanski, Harvie S, and others
May 20, 1963 ~ Rock, pop singer, keyboardist, songwriter Darian Sahanaja born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Wondermints, acclaimed for their 1995 eponymous The Wondermints debut album. Also well known for sequencing and arranging the fragments of the unfinished the Beach Boys Smile into a completed work. Served as music consultant on the 2014 Brian Wilson biopic Love & Mercy
May 20, 1962 ~ Jazz drummer Ralph Peterson Jr born in Pleasantville, New Jersey, USA ~ Started drumming at age 3, later also taking up the trumpet inspired by his father's record collection, specifically players such as Dizzy Gillespie and Clifford Brown. Early on in his career, Peterson sat in with Art Blakey and toured with the likes of Jon Faddis, Stanley Turrentine, and Dianne Reeves. Peterson would go on to record some two dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, starting in the late 1980s, and is specifically acclaimed for the albums Ralph Peterson Presents The Fo'tet and Ornettology. As a sideman, Peterson has regularly recorded with David Murray, Uri Caine, Orrin Evans, and Wayne Escoffery ~ Peterson passed away in 2021
May 20, 1961 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, pianist, songwriter Dan Wilson born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Member of Semisonic. Acclaimed solo artist. In-demand songwriter and collaborator. Worked with P!nk, Adele, Taylor Swift, Phantogram, John Legend, the Dixie Chicks, Chris Stapleton, Trip Shakespeare, and others
May 20, 1960 ~ Saxophonist Tore Brunborg born in Trondheim, Norway ~ Has worked with Bugge Wesseltoft, Havard Wilk, Audun Kleive, Anders Jormin, Diederik Wissels, Arild Andersen, Pat Metheny, Per Jorgensen, Geir Lysne, Mikhail Alperin, Bjørn Alterhaug, Jan Gunnar Hoff, Jarle Vespestad, Jon Christensen, Jon Balke, Nils Petter Molvær, Vigleik Storaas, Bo Stief, Billy Cobham, Masqualero, Manu Katché, Yelena Eckemoff, and others
May 20, 1959 ~ Singer, guitarist, tambourinist, songwriter Susan Cowsill born in Canton, Ohio, USA ~ Youngest member of family outfit the Cowsills from 1967 through 1971, first appearing on the band's 1968 We Can Fly sophomore album. Backing singer for the likes of Dwight Twilley, the Smithereens, Carlene Carter, Mike Zitto, Hootie & the Blowfish. Member of the Continental Drifters, with whom she recorded four albums from the early 1990s through 2002. Formed the duo the Psycho Sisters with Drifters bandmate Vicki Peterson. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Just Believe It released in 2005
May 20, 1958 ~ Punk rock, new wave guitarist, singer, songwriter, actress Jane Wiedlin, full name Jane Marie Genevieve Wiedlin, born in Oconomowoc, Michigan, USA ~ Member of all-female punk rock, punk-pop band the Go-Go's, known for Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hits such as We Got The Beat, Vacation and Head Over Heels. Co-wrote the band's Our Lips Are Sealed with the Fun Boy Three's Terry Hall, with whom she had what she described as a “short but dramatic romance.” Wiedlin is also known as an animal rights activist and actress with roles in the 1985 black comedy film Clue, 1986's Star Trek IV (The Voyage Home), 1987's Sleeping Beauty and perhaps most notably portraying Joan Of Arc in 1989's Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
May 20, 1956 ~ Reggae keyboardist Tyrone Downie born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Best known for his association with Bob Marley, joining the Wailers in the mid-1970s and first appearing on the 1976 Rastaman Vibration album. Has also worked with the Impact All-Stars, the Abyssinians, Beenie Man, Black Uhuru, Buju Banton, Peter Tosh, Tom Tom Club, Burning Spear, Steel Pulse, Alpha Blondy, and others ~ Downie passed away in 2022
May 20, 1955 ~ Keyboardist, saxophonist, singer, songwriter Steve George born in Phoenix, Arizona, USA ~ Co-founding member, songwriter of Mr Mister with his childhood friend and Pages-bandmate singer Richard Page. In-demand collaborator, songwriter, session musician for artists including Al Jarreau, Patti Labelle, Meat Loaf, the Pointer Sisters, Barry Manilow, Kenny Loggins, Toto, and others
May 20, 1950 ~ Jazz drummer Victor Lewis born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with John Abercrombie, George Adams, Don Alias, Franco Ambrosetti, Kenny Barron, Gary Bartz, Andy Bley, Carla Bley, Paul Bley, Anthony Braxton, George Cables, James Carter, Marc Copland, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Art Farmer, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Steve Grossman, Mark Helias, Bobby Hutcherson, Jonny King, Oliver Lake, Hubert Laws, Dave Liebman, Abbey Lincoln, Carmen Lundy, Helen Merrill, Ralph Moore, David Murray, Judy Niemack, Charlie Rouse, Woody Shaw, David Sanborn, Lew Soloff, John Stubblefield, Charles Sullivan, Steve Swallow, Harvie Swarts, Lew Tabackin, Charles Tolliver, Steve Turre, Tom Varner, Randy Weston, Jack Walrath, Larry Willis, and others
May 20, 1946 ~ Cherilyn Sarkisian, commonly known as singer, actress Cher, born in El Centro, California, USA ~ Rose to fame as half of Sonny & Cher, the other half being singer and then-husband Sonny Bono, known for 1960s hits such as The Beat Goes On and I Got You Babe. Went on to become a solo singer with hits such as Gypsys Tramps & Thieves, Half-Breed and Dark Lady in the 1970s through I Found Someone, If I Could Turn Back Time and Love And Understanding in the 1990s
May 20, 1945 ~ Sertanejo, folk rock singer, guitarist Renato Teixeira, full name Renato Teixeira de Oliveira, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name, starting with Maranhão e Renato Teixeira released in 1969. Frequent collaborator of Sergio Reis, notably the 2015 Amizade Sincera II collaborative album, and Almir Sater. Wrote Romaria, a hit song for Elis Regina of her 1977 eponymous Elis Regina debut album and covered by numerous artists
May 20, 1944 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist Boudewijn de Groot, full name Frank Boudewijn de Groot, born in Jakarta, Indonesia ~ Pivotal Dutch singer, songwriter with a career spanning 5 decades. Slightly mischaracterised as “the Dutch Bob Dylan” on the basis of his 1966 protest song Welterusten Mijnheer De President. Well known songs include Noordzee, Een Meisje Van 16, Het Land Van Maas En Waal, Testament, Jimmy, Tante Julia, Een Wonderkind Van 50 and Avond
May 20, 1944 ~ John Robert Cocker, commonly known as singer Joe Cocker, born in Sheffield, UK ~ Known for songs such as With A Little Help From My Friends, The Letter, You Are So Beautiful, When The Night Comes, You Can Leave Your Hat On, Unchain My Heart, and others. Critically acclaimed, especially for his debut album, 1970's Mad Dogs & Englishmen. In-demand collaborator, worked with Leon Russell, Delaney & Bonnie, Silverhead, John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley, the Crusaders, Jennifer Warnes (the 1982 hit duet Up Where We Belong), Jimmy Barnes, BB King, Eros Ramazzotti, Tim Hinkley, Otis Thompson, Al Jarreau, and others ~ Cocker passed away in 2014
May 20, 1942 ~ Trumpeter, hornist Dan Jacobs, full name Dan Wright Jacobs, born in Bellaire, Michigan, USA ~ Has performed in over 500 shows of a touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar. In-demand session musician, has worked with the likes of John Pizzarelli, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Billy Dean, Mel Tormé, Linda Ronstadt, Gladys Knight, the Four Tops, and Al Green
May 20, 1942 ~ Pop singer Jill Jackson born in McCarney, Texas, USA ~ Formed the duo Paul & Paula, the other half being Ray Hildebrand, best known for their 1963 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Hey Paula. Given their stagename by label executive Shelby Singleton, arguing that it wouldn't make much sense for “Ray & Jill“ to sing “Hey hey Paul, hey hey Paula.”
May 20, 1940 ~ Frederick Earl Long, commonly known as R&B, soul singer Shorty Long, born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ First to record Devil With The Blue Dress On in 1964, which never charted but would be a hit for Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels two years later. Would reach the charts with later releases such as Function At The Junction, It's A Crying Shame, Chantilly Lace and perhaps his best-known Here Comes The Judge, the latter a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit in 1968. Long played a variety of instruments, including piano, drums and trumpet, and was the only Motown artist other than Smokey Robinson allowed to produce his own recordings ~ Long passed away in 1969
May 20, 1932 ~ Jazz, big band, pop pianist, bandleader, composer, arranger Bob Florence, full name Robert Chase Florence, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Child prodigy. Gave his first recital at age 7. Worked in bands led by Les Brown, Louie Bellson, and Harry James. Worked as arranger, conductor, bandleader for artists such as Count Basie, Sérgio Mendes, Joe Pass, Bud Shank. Sideman with Julie Andrews, Sue Raney, Joanie Sommers and others ~ Florence passed away in 2008
May 20, 1926 ~ Trombonist, singer Bill Pearce was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, USA ~ First gained serious attention working with evangelist Percy Crawford. Following a stint in the Army during World War II returned to college before turning to music yet again, working as a soloist and collaborating with the likes of Kurt Kaiser and the Melody Four, performing well into the 1990s ~ Pearce passed away in 2010
May 20, 1925 ~ Vic Urick, commonly known as traditional pop singer Vic Ames, born in Malden, Massachusetts, USA ~ Member of the Ames Brothers, consisting of four Urick brothers, their actual family name, raised on classical and operatic music. The sibling act would first perform as the Amory Brothers, and later shorten the name to the Ames Brothers. Active since the mid-1940s, the vocal group shot to national fame in 1949 following a performance on the musical radio quiz Sing It Again aired on CBS Radio, quickly becoming an in-demand nightclub act. The singles Rag Mop, Sentimental Me, and You You You all reached the top of the charts. They recorded well over a dozen albums through the early 1960s, at times backed by the orchestras of Hugo Winterhalter, Joe Reisman, Sid Ramin, before disbanding ~ Urick passed away in 1978
May 20, 1915 ~ Trumpeter, bandleader, musical director, arranger Bill McElhiney, full name William Krohmer McElhiney, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ One of the most prominent arrangers in Nashville during the 1960s and 1970s. Notable credits include arrangements on Brenda Lee's I'm Sorry, and the signature trumpet parts on Johnny Cash's Ring Of Fire. Has also worked with artists such as Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, Marty Robbins, Dolly Parton, Jim Reeves, Joni James, Connie Francis, Johnny Tillotson, and Tanya Tucker ~ McElhiney passed away in 2002
May 20, 1911 ~ Singer Helvetia Boswell born ~ One third of close harmony trio the Boswell Sisters, alongside siblings Martha Boswell and Connee Boswell, known for 1930s hits such as I Found A Million Dollar Baby In A Five An Ten Cent Store, Rock & Roll, The Object Of My Affection, Dinah, Alexander's Ragtime Band, and others ~ Boswell passed away in 1988
May 20, 1910 ~ Violinist Felix Galimir born in Vienna, Austria ~ Founded the Galimir Quartet in 1927 with his sisters, known for recording Alban Berg's Lyric Suite and Maurice Ravel's String Quartet. Would go on to work with the Vienna Philharmonic, the Palestine Symphony Orchestra, the NBC Symphony Orchestra, and others ~ Galimir passed away in 1999
May 20, 1901 ~ Jazz, boogie-woogie pianist, composer Jimmy Blythe, full name James Louis Blythe, born in South Keene, Kentucky, USA ~ Influenced Pinetop Smith and Albert Ammons. Best known for his 1924 recording Chicago Stomp, arguably the first boogie-woogie recording. Worked with Jimmy O'Bryant, Johnny Dodds, Ma Rainey, Jimmy Bertrand, Buddy Barton, Charlie Clark, Trixie Smith, and others ~ Blythe passed away in 1931