May 24, 1984 ~ Singer, songwriter Ina Wroldsen, full name Ina Christine Wroldsen born in Sandefjord, Norway ~ Formed the electropop duo Ask Embla with producer, songwriter Arnthor Birgisson. Also an in-demand songwriter, songs written or co-written by Wroldsen being recorded by the likes of Shontelle, Shakira, Jess Glynne, Clean Bandit (Rockabye), Sean Paul, David Guetta, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato (Lionheart), Calvin Harris, Tinie Tempah, Olly Murs, the Pussycat Dolls, the Saturdays, Leona Lewis, One Direction, and others
May 24, 1976 ~ Keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, programmer, producer Alessandro Cortini born in Bologna, Italy ~ Best known as touring member of industrial metal band Nine Inch Nails from 2005 through 2008 and again since 2013. Frontman of electronic-alternative band SONOIO. Founding member of Modwheelmood. Has also worked with the Mayfield Four, Ladytron, Muse, and How To Destroy Angels
May 24, 1976 ~ Terrance Quaites, commonly known as R&B singer, songwriter TQ, born in Mobile, Alabama, USA ~ Best known for his 1998 debut single Westside, reaching top 10 across Europe, top 20 in America. Throughout the early 2000s several subsequent singles including Summertime featuring Another Level, Daily and Let's Get Back To Bed Boy featuring Sarah Connor would chart reasonably well in the UK but fail to chart on the Billboard Hot 100
May 24, 1967 ~ Rapper Dwight Arrington Myers, commonly known as Heavy D, born in Mandeville, Jamaica ~ Best known as frontman of Heavy D & the Boyz, which also included G-Whiz, Trouble T-Roy, and Eddie F. Also known for a number of notable guest appearances including on Janet Jackson's Alright (1989), one of the earliest rap appearances on a pop record, and on Michael Jackson's Jam (1992). Reportedly instrumental in getting Andre Harrell to sign Sean Combs as well as Jodeci ~ Myers passed away in 2011
May 24, 1963 ~ Keyboardist Vivian Trimble, full name Vivian Elizabeth Trimble, born in New York, New York ~ Keyboardist for all-female quartet Luscious Jackson, known best for their 1996 Fever In Fever Out sophomore album. Also worked with Jill Cunniff under the moniker the Kostars, and formed the duo Dusty Trails with Josephine Wiggs ~ Trimble passed away in 2023
May 24, 1962 ~ Jazz guitarist Ben Monder born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Debuted in 1995 with his Flux album teaming up with drummer Jim Black and bassist Drew Gress. Has also worked with Lee Konitz, David Bowie, Paul Motian, David Binney, George Garzone, John Hollenbeck, Marc Johnson, Guillermo Klein, Rebecca Martin, Donny McCaslin, Charles Pillow, Tim Riles, Kendra Shank, Toots Thielemans, Kenny Wheeler, Frank Kimbrough, and Miguel Zenon
May 24, 1961 ~ Smooth jazz, R&B saxophonist, singer Walter Beasley born in El Centro, California, USA ~ Released his eponymous Walter Beasley debut album in 1987 and has recorded steadily to commercial succes since becoming one of the best-selling African-American saxophonists by the late 1990s
May 24, 1960 ~ Keyboardist Guy Fletcher, full name Guy Edward Fletcher, born in Maidstone, UK ~ Member of the Dire Straits from 1984 until the band's disbandement in 1995, first appearing on the UK and USA charttopping Brothers In Arms album. In-demand session musician appearing on records by Aztec Camera, Mick Jagger, Bryan Ferry, Tina Turner, Randy Newman, Heather Nova, Mark Knopfler, and others. Has also released a number of solo albums, starting with Inamorata released in 2008
May 24, 1956 ~ Drummer, bandleader, songwriter Larry Blackmon born in New York, New York, USA ~ Founder, lead singer, frontman of Cameo, initially named the New York City Players in honor of the Ohio Players. Praised for the widely imitated snare drum sound as heard on hits such as Word Up and Candy. Blackmon also guested on albums by Ry Cooder (1987's Get Rhyth,) and Cyndi Lauper (1989's A Night To Remember) and co-produced Eddie Murphy's 1989 So Happy album
May 24, 1955 ~ Singer, songwriter Rosanne Cash born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Daughter of Johnny Cash and Vivian Liberto Cash-Distin. Often classified as a country artist yet draws from a wide array of genres including folk, rock and blues. Released her eponymous Rosanne Cash debut album in 1978 and has recorded to critical acclaim and devoted fanbase since. Best known for her 1981 Seven Year Ache, which included the Billboard Country No.1 hits My Baby Thinks He's A Train, Blue Moon With A Heartache and the title track Seven Year Ache which also crossed over to the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Married to singer Rodney Crowell from 1979 to 1992, with whom she has three daughters. Cash is also an in-demand collaborator appearing on recordings by Guy Clark, Vince Gill, Lyle Lovett, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Marc Cohn, the Chieftains, and others
May 24, 1949 ~ Country songwriter, producer Don Cook, full name Don Kirby Cook, born in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Renowned songwriter. Artists who recorded songs written or co-written by Cook include Barbara Mandrell, Kenny Rogers (I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again), John Conlee (Lady Lay Down), Rex Allen Jr, the Oak Ridge Boys, Conway Twitty (In My Dreams), Lee Greenwood, Keith Whitley (I Get The Picture), Gary Morris, Michael Johnson, George Jones, John Schneider, Reba McEntire (Just Across The Rio Grande), George Strait, Michael Martin Murphey, Mark Collie, Brooks & Dunn, and others
May 24, 1947 ~ Drummer, guitarist, singer, songwriter Albert Bouchard, full name Albert Thomas Bouchard, born in Watertown, New York, USA ~ Founding member of the Blue Öyster Cult. Brother of bassist Joe Bouchard. Also worked with the Mamas & the Papas, Herman's Hermits, Peter Noone, the Spencer Davis Group, Mike Watt, Richie Stotts, Gumball, Fabienne Shine, Maria Excomunikata, Heads-up, David Roter, the Brain Surgeons, the X Brothers, Helen Wheels, Underbelly, Les Braunstein, David Hirschberg, Jesús Adrián Romero, and Dennis Dunaway
May 24, 1947 ~ Country singer, songwriter Mike Reid, full name Michael Barry Reid, born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Former professional football player, retiring from sports in 1974 Co-wrote Ronnie Milsap's Grammy Award-winning Stranger In My House. As a singer known for a string of late 1980s, early 1990s hits including Till You Were Gone, As Simple As That, I'll Stop Loving You and perhaps his best-known Walk On Faith, the latter topping the Billboard Country chart in 1990
May 24, 1945 ~ Pop, rock, comedy pop singer, pianist, bassist, guitarist Dave Peacock, full name David Victor Peacock, born in Enfield, UK ~ Best known as half of Chas & Dave from 1974 until the death of Chas Hodges in 2018. Has also worked with a host of others including Black Claw, Spike Island, Françoise Hardy, Mick Greenwood, Magna Carta, Prelude, Teresa Brewer, Oliver Nelson, Les Walker, Labi Siffre, Mike Berry, Tony Ashton, Dave Edmunds, and others
May 24, 1945 ~ Jazz, soul, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Terry Callier, full name Terrence Orland Callier, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Childhood friend of Curtis Mayfield, Major Lance and Jerry Butler. Started in doo-wop bands in his teens. Influenced by John Coltrane. Wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by HP Lovecraft (Spin Spin Spin, It's About Time) and by the Dells (The Love We Had Stays On My Mind). Worked with George Benson, Gil Scott-Heron, Paul Weller, Massive Attack, the Juju Orchestra, Hardkandy, Nujabes, Koop, Beth Orton, the Urban Species, and others ~ Callier passed away in 2012
May 24, 1944 ~ Singer, songwriter Susana Baca born in Chorrullos, Peru ~ Leading figure in the revival of Afro-Peruvian music. Actively recording since the late 1980s. Earned international acclaim with a series of albums on David Byrne's Luaka Bop label, starting with the eponymous Susana Baca produced by Greg Landau. Best known for Maria Lando. Briefly served as Peru's Minister of Culture in 2011, resigning due to a cabinet reshuffle in December
May 24, 1941 ~ Robert Allen Zimmerman, commonly known as singer, guitarost, songwriter Bob Dylan born in Duluth, Minnesota, USA ~ Quintessential protest singer. Cultural icon. Broke through as a songwriter with his 1963 The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan sophomore album and has recorded steadily since. Acclaimed for quintessential songs such as Blowin' In The Wind, The Times They Are A-Changin', Like A Rolling Stone, Positively 4th Street, Rainy Day Women #12 & 35, Just Like A Woman, All Along The Watchtower, Lay Lady Lay, Knockin' On Heaven's Door, It Ain't Me Babe, Hurricane, and others
May 24, 1941 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Tony Valentino born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of 1960s garage rock group the Standells, best known for their 1965 hit Dirty Water. The group would serve as inspiration to 1970s punk bands such as the Sex Pistols and the Ramones
May 24, 1940 ~ Guitarist Jay Berliner born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for his 1972 Bananas Are Not Created Equal album. In-demand collaborator, session musician, sideman. Notable album appearances include Charles Mingus' The Black Saint & The Sinner Lady, Van Morrison's Astral Weeks and Harry Belafonte's Play Me. Other collaborations include Herbie Mann, Laura Nyro, Grady Tate, Airto Moreira, Jackie & Roy, George Benson (White Rabbit), Grover Washington Jr (Soul Box), Milt Jackson, Ron Carter, Joe Farrell, Stéphane Grappelli, Carly Simon, Deodato, Harry Connick Jr, and James Galway
May 24, 1938 ~ Holger Schüring, commonly known as bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist, singer Holger Czukay, born in Gdansk, Poland ~ Co-founding member of krautrock outfit Can, known for bridging the gap between pop and avant-garde. Czukay remained with the band through 1977 and rejoined on occasion in later years ~ Schüring passed away in 2017
May 24, 1938 ~ Cecil Bustamente Campbell, commonly known as singer, songwriter Prince Buster, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Highly influential on later reggae and ska artists. Helped define Jamaica's sound through a number of quintessential recordings in the 1960s, including Madness, The Ten Commandments Of Man, One Step Beyond, Al Capone, and Whine And Grine. His career slowed down in the 1970s to be rediscovered in the 1980s covered by British artists such as Madness and the Specials ~ Campbell passed away in 2016
May 24, 1937 ~ Saxophonist Archie Shepp born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Helpful in the development of avant-garde jazz. Has worked with Cecil Taylor, John Tchicai, Don Cherry, Roswell Rudd, Reggie Workman, Charles Moffett, Dave Burrell, Sunny Murray, Clifford Thornton, Horace Parlan, John Coltrane, Chet Baker, Frank Zappa, and Joachim Kühn
May 24, 1937 ~ Jazz drummer Charly Antolini born in Zurich, Switzerland ~ Worked with Sidney Bechet, Bill Coleman, Oscar Klein, Werner Keller, Peter Witte, Horst Jankowski, Erwin Lehn, Eugen Cicero, Kurt Edelhagen, Peter Herbolzheimer, Max Greger, Steve Hooks, Andrei Lobanov, David Gazarov, Rocky Knaur, Len Skeat, Brian Lemon, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Barbara Dennerlein, Albert Mangelsdorff, Earl Hines, Roy Eldridge, Jimmy Giuffre, Art Farmer, Oliver Nelson, Art van Damme, Stuff Smith, Braden Powell, Dick Morrisey, Dirk Raufeisen, Jimmy Woode, Herman Rarebell, Pete York, and others
May 24, 1936 ~ Avant-garde, minimalist composer, pianist, guitarist, drummer, poet Harold Budd, full name Harold Montgomery Budd, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by John Cage and Morton Feldman. Emerged from the 1960s California avant-garde community. Known for works such as The Oak Of The Golden Dream, Madrigals Of The Rose and Pavillion Of Dreams, the latter released as his 1978 debut album produced by Brian Eno. Has also worked with Robin Guthrie, Andy Partridge, John Foxx, Jah Wobble, and others ~ Budd passed away in 2020
May 24, 1935 ~ Pianist, singer Valerie Capers born in New York, New York, USA ~ Classically trained. Blind since the age of 6 learned to read braille music notation and memorize all pieces before playing them. Well-known for composing the Christmas cantata Sing About Love, which incorporated elements from jazz, gospel, blues, and classical music, the song cycle Song Of The Season, and Sojourner about the life of civil rights activist Sojourner Truth. Capers would describe the latter as an operatorio, a term she coined to describe the combination of opera and oratorio
May 24, 1919 ~ Herbert Bernfield, commonly known as saxophonist, clarinetist, bandleader Herbie Fields, born ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for his rendition of Dardanella. Worked with Raymond Scott, Lionel Hampton, Neal Hefti, Bill Evans, Eddie Bert, Bernie Glow, Manny Albam, Al Klink, Marty Napoleon, Serge Chaloff, Frank Rosolino, Jim Aton, Tiny Kahn, and others ~ Bernfield passed away in 1958
May 24, 1901 ~ Jazz pianist Frank Signorelli born in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founded the Original Memphis Five, for whom he also co-wrote Sioux City Sue. Would go on to work with the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, Adrian Rollini, Eddie Lang, Bix Beiderbecke, Matty Malneck, Dick Stabile, Phil Napoleon, and Miff Mole. As a songwriter perhaps best known for co-writing songs such as A Blues Serenade (Johnny Sylvester, Glenn Miller, Bing Crosby), Little Buttercup (I'll Never Be The Same) (Joe Venuti, Nat King Cole, Coleman Hawkins), and Park Avenue Fantasy (Paul Whiteman, Morton Gould) ~ Signorelli passed away in 1975