May 22, 1991 ~ Kim Jun-myeon, commonly known as K-pop singer, songwriter, actor Suho, born in Seoul, South Korea ~ Fronted boy band EXO, enjoying popularity in Japan and their native South Korea throughout the 2010s. Well-known songs include December 2014 (The Winter's Tale), Love Me Right, Monster, and Ko Ko Bop. Jun-myeon has also ventured into acting and recorded as a solo artist, starting with the EP Self Portrait released in 2020
May 22, 1990 ~ Rapper, singer, songwriter Adrian Marcel, full name Adrian Marcel Hutton, born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Protégé of Raphael Saadiq. Known for his single 2AM, a gold-certified hit in 2014
May 22, 1983 ~ Singer, keyboardist Salvador Santana born in Marin County, California, USA ~ Son of renowned guitarist Carlos Santana. Co-wrote his father's Grammy Award-winning El Farol of the 1999 The Supernatural album. Influenced by his father as well as artists such as John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Thelonious Monk, Oscar Peterson, Atmosphere, Ozomatli. Best known for his 2010 Keyboard City sophomore album co-produced by Del The Funky Homosapien, the Beastie Boys' Money Mark and the Wu-Tang Clan's GZA
May 22, 1981 ~ Singer Su-Elise Nash, full name Su-Elise Michelle Nash born in Dulwich, UK ~ Alongside Sabrina Washington and Su-Elise Nash a member of Mis-Teeq from its inception in 1999 to its disbandement in 2005. The band would score a string of UK top 10 hits including Why, All I Want, B With Me and Scandalous, the latter also reaching the American top 40
May 22, 1973 ~ Rock, alt-country singer, guitarist Dallas Good born ~ Son of bluegrass autoharpist Bruce Good. Founded the Sadies in 1994 with his brother Travis Good, Sean Dean and Mike Bellitsky. The band is known for their blend of punk, country, Americana, surf and garage rock and acclaimed for their 1998 Precious Moments debut album and their 2006 In Concert (Volume One) live album. The band has served as Neko Case's backing band and collaborated with the likes of Neil Young, the Mekons, Kurt Vile, and Buffy Sainte-Marie ~ Good passed away in 2022
May 22, 1973 ~ R&B, soul singer Donell Jones born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Debuted in 1996 with his My Heart album, broke through with its follow-up Where I Wanna Be released in 1999 which included the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit U Know What's Up featuring Lisa Left-Eye Lopes. Has also collaborated with Styles P, Fat Joe, Big Pun, Jermaine Dupri, Clipse, David Banner, Jon B, and others
May 22, 1972 ~ Rock guitarist, keyboardist, singer Declan Burke born in Limerick, Ireland ~ Member of Darwin Radio. Member of neo-progressive rock supergroup Frost, appearing on the albums Experiments In Mass Appeal and The Philadelphia Experiment. Has also worked with Audioplastik and Dilemma, and recorded a number of albums as a solo artist, starting with Destroy All Monsters released in 2010
May 22, 1969 ~ Producer, DJ Carl Craig born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Leading DJ in the second wave of Detroit techno during late-1980s and 1990s. Known under a variety of monnikers, most notably Innerzone Orchestra. Has remixed for Maurizio, Theo Parrish, Tori Amos, Depeche Mode
May 22, 1967 ~ Rock bassist Dan Roberts born in Winnipeg, Canada ~ Joined the Crash Test Dummies in time for their 1991 The Ghosts That Haunt Me. The band, fronted by his brother Brad Roberts, would score a number of top 10 hits in their native Canada including Superman's Song, Swimming In Your Ocean, Afternoons And Coffeespoons, The Ballad Of Peter Pumpkinhead, He Liked To Feel It, and Keep A Lid On Thngs. Oddly enough, Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm of their 1993 God Shuffled His Feet sophomore album would become their biggest international hit including reaching top 10 on Billboard Hot 100 but only reached top 20 in Canada. A keen photographer Roberts' work also used as the artwork for the band's albums Jingle All The Way and I Don't Care That You Don't Mind
May 22, 1966 ~ Angel Cereceda Orrego, commonly known as rock, jazz guitarist Angel Parra Jr, born in Santiago, Chile ~ Son of singer, songwriter Angel Parra. Considered one of Chile's most foremost guitarists, drawing from jazz, rock and folk. Member of rock band Los Tres for over two decades. Has also recorded as a solo artist, with his jazz trio the Angel Parra Trio, and recorded half a dozen albums with his father
May 22, 1966 ~ R&B, soul, new jack swing singer Johnny Gill born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Lead singer of new jack swing outfit New Edition, the band name being a reference to the Jackson 5 and the Jacksons, and known for hits such as Cool It Now, If It Isn't Love and I'm Still In Love With You. Also a member of supergroup LSG alongside Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat, whose 1997 Levert Sweat Gill debut album spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit My Body. Gill also recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with 1983's eponymous Johnny Gill, and notably collaborated with Stacy Lattisaw on the Perfect Combination album released in 1984
May 22, 1962 ~ Jazz saxophonist Andy Middleton born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Actively recording since the early-1990s. Well over half a dozen albums to his name as a leader. especially acclaimed for the album The European Quartet Live released in 2007. Has backed artists such as Stefan Bartus, Kenny Wheeler, Owen Howard, Renee Rosnes, Maria Schneider, Ron van Stratum, Joey Calderazzo, and Piotr Wojtasik
May 22, 1962 ~ Alternative rock singer, guitarist Jesse Valenzuela born ~ Co-founding member of Gin Blossoms, initially as lead vocalist, switching to guitar in 1988. Released his Tunes Young People Will Enjoy solo debut album in 2002. Co-wrote and performed Not A Lot Goin' On with Craig Northey, which is used as the theme song of the Canadian sitcom Corner Gas
May 22, 1960 ~ Heavy metal, thrash metal, Christian metal singer, drummer, songwriter Ted Kirkpatrick was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA ~ Briefly served as touring drummer for doom metal outfit Trouble, but was unable to meet the band's touring schedule. Co-founded Christian metal unit Tourniquet with Guy Ritter and Gary Lenaire, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums. Kirkpatrick has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Ode To A Roadkill released in 2010 ~ Kirkpatrick passed away in 2022
May 22, 1959 ~ Steven Patrick Morrissey, mononymously known as alternative rock singer, songwriter Morrissey born in Manchester, UK ~ Fronted 1970s punk band the Nosebleeds. Lead singer of the Smiths which he co-founded with Johnny Marr in 1982, known for pivotal 1980s, 1990s hits such as Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now, Sheila Take A Bow, Girlfriend In A Coma and This Charming Man. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Viva Hate in 1988. Acclaimed for his 1992 Your Arsenal album, regarded as one of the most influential 1990s British releases. Morrissey would cause signifant controversy from the mid-2010s onwards as a staunch supporter of Brexit, a bizarre self-published 2018 interview in which he claimed “ Adolf Hitler was a liberal lefty”, support for farright movements and suggesting COVID-19 conspiracy theories
May 22, 1958 ~ Gospel singer Regina McCrary born ~ Member of traditional black gospel, contemporary urban gospel outfit the McCrary Sisters alongside siblings Ann McCrary, Deborah McCrary and Alfreda McCrary. The group has recorded a number of albums, starting with Our Journey released in 2010, as well as provided backing vocals for artists such as Carrie Underwood (Choctaw County Affair), Margo Price (Do Right By Me), and Allison Russell (All Of The Women). Regina has also toured as backing singer with singer, guitarist Bob Dylan from the late-1970s through 1985
May 22, 1957 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist Anne Grete Preus born in Haugesund, Norway ~ Member of Veslefrikk. Member of Can Can. Has recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, acclaimed especially for her Millimeter released in 1994 ~ Preus passed away in 2019
May 22, 1956 ~ Natalia Mikhailovna Schneiderman, commonly known as actress, keyboardist, singer Natasha Shneider, born in Riga, Latvia SSR ~ Best known as member of Eleven, which also included the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam-drummer Jack Irons. Shneider also appeared on Chris Cornell's 1999 Euphoria Morning solo album, worked with the Queens Of The Stone Age, and has worked as an actress for TV and film from time to time ~ Schneiderman passed away in 2008
May 22, 1955 ~ Guitarist Chalmers Alford, full name Chalmers Edward Alford, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Gospel guitar player from the 1960s through the 1980s including with the Mighty Clouds Of Joy. From the 1990s onwards productive in the neo-soul genre. Has worked with d'Angelo, Tony Toni Toné, the Soultronics, Questlove, James Poyser, Pino Palladino, Anthony Hamilton, Joss Stone, John Mayer, Mary J Blige, Raphael Saadiq, Roy Hargrove, the Roots, Vikter Duplaix, Evelyn Turrentine Agee, Norman Brown, the Bee Gees, Tupac Shakur, Al Green, and the Canton Spirituals ~ Alford passed away in 2008
May 22, 1953 ~ Jazz double bassist Jon Burr born in Huntington, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Jim McNeely, Warren Covington, Steve Grossman, Buddy Rich, Ted Curson, Art Farmer, Lee Konitz, Chet Baker, Horace Silver, Stan Getz, Tony Bennett, Jon Hendricks, Stéphane Grappelli, Dorothy Donegan, Roland Hanna, Eartha Kitt, Mark O'Connor, Jonathan Russell, and Howard Alden
May 22, 1952 ~ New wave, electronic, synth-pop singer, songwriter Christina Moser born in Milan, Italy ~ Formed the duo Chrisma with her husband Maurizio Arcieri, perhaps best known for collaborating with producer Nico Papathanassiou and Vangelis on the singles U and Amore as well as on their 1978 Chinese Restaurant album ~ Moser passed away in 2022
May 22, 1950 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Bernie Taupin, full name Bernard John Taupin, born in Lincolnshire, UK ~ Best known for his association with Elton John, having written the lyrics to most of Elton's songs. Has also co-written songs for others including Alice Cooper's How You Gonna See Me Now, Starship's We Built This City, Barry Ryan's Light In Your Heart and Emmylou Harris' A Love That Will Never Grow Old
May 22, 1949 ~ Rock singer, guitarist Johnnie Lovesin born in Val D'Or, Canada ~ Active since the late-1960s as lead singer of several bands, most notably the Invisible Band. As a solo artist known for a number of 1980s albums, starting with 1980s Set The Night On Fire, before a brain aneurysm would temporarily halt his career, Lovesin returned in 1996 with the album Ready To Rumble and would continue to perform, albeit it less frequent, well into the 2010s ~ Lovesin passed away in 2019
May 22, 1947 ~ Jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist, composer Franz Koglmann born in Molding, Austria ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Lee Konitz, Paul Bley, Bill Dixon, George Grawe, Andrea Centazzo, Theo Jörgensmann, Wolfgang Reisinger, Enrico Rava, Yitzhak Yedid, Ran Blake, John Lindberg, Steve Lacy, Michel Wintsch, Tony Coe, Oskar Aichinger, Rajsh Menta, Peter Herbert, James Emery, Hannes Enziberger, Gerry Hemingway, and others
May 22, 1947 ~ Martin James Norman Riley, commonly known as ska, reggae, rocksteady singer Jimmy Reilly, born ~ Father of singer Tarrus Riley. Co-founded the Sensations with Cornell Campbell, Buster Riley and Aaron Dego Davis, and present on mid-1960s hits such as Everyday Is Just A Holiday and Those Guys. Left the band in 1967 to join the Uniques, known for songs such as Watch This Sound and My Conversation. Would go on to record as a solo artist throughout the 1970s and 1980s, well known songs include Tell The Youths The Truth, Clean Up The Streets and perhaps his best known Sexual Healing, the latter a reggae-cover of the Marvin Gaye hit ~ Riley passed away in 2016
May 22, 1946 ~ Bassist Leon Francioli born in Lausanne, Switzerland ~ Founded Sunnymoon with Werner Ludi, Stephan Wittwer and Fredy Studer. Also worked with Beb Guérin, Pierre Favre, George Gruntz, Michel Portal, Jerry Chardonnens, Albert Mangelsdorff, Jean Francois Bovard, Francois Lindemann, Alex Theus, Joe McPhee, Mario Schiano, Daniel Bourquin, and others ~ Francioli passed away in 2016
May 22, 1942 ~ Keyboardist, percussionist, singer Calvin Simon, full name Calvin Eugene Simon, born in Beckley, West Virginia, USA ~ Closely associated with George Clinton, having served in the Parliaments, Parliament and Funkadelic. Ventured out on his own by the late-1970s, causing confusion when releasing the 1981 Connections And Disconnections with Fuzzy Haskins and Grady Thomas using the moniker Funkadelic. Co-founded Original P in 1998, performing until 2007. As a solo artist known for a number of gospel albums, notably Share The News released in 2004 ~ Simon passed away in 2022
May 22, 1941 ~ Singer Jackie Landry Jackson born ~ Member of short-lived girl group the Chantels, known for the million-seller Maybe which reached the Billboard top 20 in 1958. Subsequent recordings would chart considerably lower, if at all, and the group would be dropped by their label in 1959 ~ Jackson passed away in 1997
May 22, 1941 ~ Conductor, composer Sebastian Forbes born ~ Son of violist, arranger Watson Forbes. Brother of singer Rupert Forbes. Best known for his association with the Aeolian Singers. As a composer known for string quartets such as Symphony In Two Movements and Evening Canticles as well as numerous works for viola such as Crete Songs, Viola Fantasy and St Andrew Solo
May 22, 1939 ~ Jazz drummer, bandleader Dick Berk, full name Richard Alan Berk, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Ted Curson, Bill Barron, Charles Mingus, Mose Allison, Freddie Hubbard, Walter Bishop Jr, Milt Jackson, George Duke, Cal Tjader, Jean-Luc Ponty, Blue Mitchell, the Jazz Adoption Agency, Andy Martin, Mike Fahn, Nick Brignola, Jon Nagorney, Keith Saunders, Tad Weeds, John Patitucci, Don Friedman, and others ~ Berk passed away in 2014
May 22, 1937 ~ Rodolfo Enrique Cabral Camiñas, commonly known as singer, songwriter Facundo Cabral, born in La Plata, Argentina ~ Protested military dictatorships throughout Latin America through his music and activism from the 1970s onwards. Exiled from Argentina after the 1976 military coup. Named UNESCO Messenger of Peace in 1996. Well-known for songs such as No Soy De Aqui (Ni Soy De Allá) and Vuele Bajo. Had his songs covered by Jorge Cafrune, Alberto Cortez, Juan Luis Guerra, and Joan Manuel Serrat ~ Cabral passed away in 2011
May 22, 1935 ~ Jazz, pop, salsa trombonist Barry Rogers born ~ Influenced by Jack Teagarden, Lawrence Brown, JC Higginbotham. First gained attention working with Latin jazz musicians such as Eddie Palmieri, Willie Colón, Bobby Valentín, Marvin Santiago. Also noted for his association with pivotal jazz-rock outfit Dreams. Has also collaborated with Cachao, Machito, Manny Oquendo, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco, Pucho & his Latin Soul Brothers, White Elephant, the Fania All-Stars, George Benson, David Byrne, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Chaka Khan, Todd Rundgren, Carly Simon, and Grover Washington Jr ~ Rogers passed away in 1991
May 22, 1935 ~ Jazz, free jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist, pianist Giuseppi Logan born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Earl Bostic, Archie Shepp, Pharoah Sanders, Bill Dixon, Don Pullen, Eddie Gomez, Milford Graves, Dave Burrell, Byard Lancaster, Patty Waters, Roswell Rudd, and others ~ Logan passed away in 2020
May 22, 1934 ~ Bernard Nierow, commonly known as pianist, conductor Peter Nero, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Active since the mid-1950s. Has recorded over 50 albums. Considered one of the premier interpreters of George Gershwin. Founded the Philly Pops, serving as its director from 1979 through 2013. Also directed the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra during the 1990s ~ Nierow passed away in 2023
May 22, 1930 ~ Trumpeter, singer, bandleader Kenny Ball, full name Kenneth Daniel Ball, born in Essex, UK ~ Known for songs such as Samantha, Midnight In Moscow and The March Of The Siamese Children. Worked with Sid Phillips, Charlie Galbraith, Eric Delaney, Terry Lightfoot, the Jazzmen, Don Lushner, John Bennet, Andy Cooper, Ron Weatherbun, Johnny Parker, Hugh Ledigo, Paddy Lightfoot, Ron Bowden, Vic Pitt, John Benson, John Fenner, and others ~ Ball passed away in 2013
May 22, 1925 ~ Operatic tenor James King born in Dodge City, Kansas, USA ~ In-demand opera and concert singer enjoying popularity since the 1950s. Generally considered one of America's greatest heldentenors, known for roles in operas composed by Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss. Closely associated with the Metropolitan Opera, working with the renowned company for some three decades starting with his debut in the role of Florestan in Ludwig van Beethoven's sole opera Fidelio in 1966 ~ King passed away in 2005
May 22, 1924 ~ Chahnour Varenagh Aznavourian, commonly known as singer Charles Aznavour born in Paris, France ~ One of France's most popular singers dubbed France's Frank Sinatra. Has collaborated with Edith Piaf, Fred Astaire, Andrea Bocelli, Bing Crosby, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Dusty Springfield, Liza Minnelli, Mia Martini, Elton John, Dalida, Serge Gainsbourg, Josh Groban, Petula Clark, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, José Carreras, Nana Mouskouri, Julio Iglesias, Mireille Mathieu, Luciano Pavarotti, Céline Dion, Sting, Laura Pausini, Paul Anka, Plácido Domingo, and Youssou n'Dour ~ Azanavourian passed away in 2018
May 22, 1914 ~ Herman Poole Blount, commonly known as jazz bandleader, pianist, poet Sun Ra, born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Led the musical collective the Arkestra from the 1950s until his death in the early-1990s, drawing from a wide variety of jazz subgenres including ragtime, swing, bebop, free jazz, avant-garde and jazz fusion. Pioneered the use of electric keyboards and synthesizers. Blount has adamantly claimed to have had encounters with extra-terrestrials and have visited Saturn, a theme regularly adressed in his music ~ Blount passed away in 1993
May 22, 1913 ~ Jazz guitarist Art Ryerson born in Columbus, Ohio, USA ~ Emerged in the 1930s. Played acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo. Appears on the early recordings of Bill Haley including on Crazy Man Crazy, What'cha Gonna Do, Pat-a-cake and I'll Be True. Worked with Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Mildred Bailey, Ruby Braff, Erroll Garner, Lionel Hampton, Bobby Hackett, Ellis Larkins, Red Norvo, Anita O'Day, Hot Lips Page, Artie Shaw, Mel Tormé, Sarah Vaughan, Charlie Parker, Fats Waller, Elvis Presley, and Eartha Kitt ~ Ryerson passed away in 2004
May 22, 1910 ~ Aaron Gant, commonly known as blues pianist, singer Pinetop Sparks, born in Lee County, Mississippi, USA ~ Though Sparks died young, at a mere age 25, has left an indelible mark on blues for co-writing and first recording Every Day I Have The Blues in 1935. The song would go on to become a blues standard, especially after Memphis Slim's 1949 reworking. It has been covered by numerous artists, most notably Count Basie and several times by blues icon BB King. Sparks grave would be unmarked for nearly eight decades, before a fan club finally honored him laying a headstone on his grave marked with his name, birth and death dates, a keyboard and the epitaph “every day i have the blues” ~ Sparks passed away in 1935
May 22, 1891 ~ Jazz violinist, trombonist Eddie Edwards, full name Ernest Branford Edwards, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Worked with Papa Jack Laine, Ernest Giardina, Johnny Stein. Best known as early member of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, present on Livery Stable Blues considered one of the first commercially released jazz recordings. Also noted for penning the band's Sensation Rag, later covered by Bix Beiderbecke, Fletcher Henderson, Joe Venuti and notably performed by Benny Goodman at the landmark The Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert. Has also worked with Jimmy Durante, Larry Shields, Tony Sbarbaro, and J Russell Robinson ~ Edwards passed away in 1963
May 22, 1813 ~ Composer Richard Wagner, full name Richard Wilhelm Wagner born in Leipzig, Germany ~ Initially a composer in the Romantic tradition akin to Carl Maria von Weber and Giacomo Meyerbeer. Wagner would establish himself as an opera composer, known especially for the complex textures and rich harmonies of his compositions. Best known for writing the four-opera cycle The Ring Of The Nibelung ~ Wagner passed away in 1883