May 25, 1984 ~ Marion Elise Ravn, commonly known as singer, songwriter Marion Raven, born ~ Half of pop duo M2M, the other half being Marit Larsen. Released solo debut, Here I Am, in 2005. Has written for Pixie Lott, Maria Arredondo, Lindsay Lohan, and Tanita Kolsas. Worked with producers such as Max Martin and Rami and musician such as Chantal Kreviazuk, Raine Maida, Meat Loaf, and others
May 25, 1978 ~ Rock, post-grunge singer, guitarist Todd Whitener born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Joined Dead Reckoning in 1995, upon Whitener's entry in the band they would rename themselves Days Of The New. The following year their eponymous Days Of The New debut album would go platinum and the band would be booked as opening act for Metallica. By the turn of the century Whitener would form Tantric, known best for their 2009 Mind Control album
May 25, 1976 ~ Rock, alternative country, country rock singer, guitarist, mandolinist, songwriter Cody Canada, full name Cody Jay Canada, born in Pampa, Texas, USA ~ Frontman of rockers Cross Canadian Ragweed, spearheading the red dirt rise in Oklahoma and Texas. Active since the mid-1990s the band has recorded about half a dozen studio albums through their disbandement in 2010 and is especially acclaimed for the 2004 album Soul Gravy. Canada has since fronted the Departed, best known for their 2011 This Is Indian Land debut album
May 25, 1975 ~ Rock, noise rock bassist Brian Gibson born ~ Formed the duo Lightning Bolt with drummer, singer Brian Chippendale. The band is known for their guerilla-style live performances, where they typically play on the ground rather than a stage, with the crowd gathered around them. Though the band's sound is loud and agressive, they cites Philip Glass and Sun Ra as influences. A fingerstyle bassist, Gibson has cited the Who-bassist John Entwistle as an influence. They have recorded over half a dozen albums, starting in the late-1990s, and is especially acclaimed for Wonderful Rainbow released in 2003
May 25, 1975 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist Hayden Chisholm born in Otahuhu, New Zealand ~ Worked with Marcus Schmickler, Nils Wolgram, John Taylor, Felix Pan, Adrian Brendel, Burnt Friedman, Jochen Rückert, Antonis Anissegos, Jaki Liebezeit, Claudio Bohorquez, Mauricio Kagei, Rebecca Horn, David Sylvian, Sebastian Gramms, Nine Horses, Dejan Terzic, John Goldsby, Thorsten Wollmann, Dan Sperber, Juergen Friedrich, Nautilus, Wour Gooris, Tilo Weber, and others
May 25, 1974 ~ Pop, rock singer, guitarist, songwriter James Reid born in Christchurch, New Zealand ~ Co-founding member, frontman of the Feelers, one of the best-selling New Zealand pop, rock acts. Starting in the late-1990s songs such as Space Cadet, Venus, Pull The Strings, Astronaut, and One World have all reached the top 10 in their native New Zealand
May 25, 1974 ~ Petter Alexis Askergren, mononymously known as rapper Petter, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Kickstarted the Swedish hip-hop boom with his debut album 1998's Mitt Sjatte Sinne and its follow-up 1999's Bananrepubliken, both of which reached Platinum status. Reached the Swedish top 10 with singles such as Vinden Har Vant, Saker En Ting, Sa Klart, Det Gar Bra Nu and Logiskt
May 25, 1973 ~ Delmar Drew Arnaud, commonly known as rapper, songwriter, producer Daz Dillinger, born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Helped bring West coast rap and gangsta rap to the mainstream. Formed the production duo Tha Dogg Pound with rapper Kurupt. co-produced on several pivotal albums including Dr Dre's 1992 The Chronic, Snoop Dogg's 1993 Doggystyle, Tupac Shakur's 1996 All Eyez On Me. As a solo artist has been releasing album since the late-1990s
May 25, 1969 ~ Guitarist Glen Drover born in Ottawa, Canada ~ Best known as guitarist for King Diamond from 1998 through 2000, notably present on the House Of God, and lead guitarist for Megadeth from 2004 through 2008, the latter of which also included his brother drummer Shanw Drover. Drover has subsequently worked with Metalusion, Testament, Queensrÿche, and Walls Of Blood. The siblings also formed the nucleus of Eidolon, who released over half a dozen albums starting with their Zero Hour debut album
May 25, 1965 ~ Singer Simon Fowler, full name Simon Geoffrey Fowler, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Lead singer of pop, rock band Ocean Colour Scene, known for a string of mid-1990s UK hits including You've Got It Bad, The Day We Caught The Train, Circle, Hundred Mile High City, Traveller's Tune and Better Day. Fowler had previously fronted the short-lived band the Fanatics. Has also guested on recordings by Paul Weller, Alison Moyet, the Fine Young Cannibals and Kate Rusby and fronts the side project Merrymouth
May 25, 1960 ~ Hard bop, post-bop trumpeter Wallace Roney born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Studied with Clark Terry and Dizzy Gillespie. Also the only trumpeter personally mentored by Miles Davis. Leader and sideman. Made his recording debut at age 15. Has collaborated with Bill Hardman, Valery Ponomarev, Woody Shaw, Johnny Coles, Freddie Hubbard, Cedar Walton, Tony Williams, Art Blakey, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Geri Allen, Kenny Barron, Cindy Blackman, Joey DeFrancesco, Vincent Herring, James Spaulding, and others
May 25, 1958 ~ John William Weller, commonly known as singer, songwriter Paul Weller born in Woking, UK ~ Despite widespread critical acclaim Weller has remained a national, rather than international, star and even though he has been described by some as “the Godfather of Britpop” had trouble landing a record deal at the height of Britpop surge during the 1990s. Rose to fame as frontman of new wave, mod revival outfit the Jam, with whom he recorded half a dozen albums from 1977 through 1982. The band would score the UK No.1 hits Going Underground, Start, perhaps their best known Town Called Malice, and Beat Surrender. Enjoyed success with jazz-influenced blue-eyed soul band the Style Council during the 1980s before embarking on a solo career in the early-1990s with over a dozen albums to his name, including the acclaimed Wild Wood and Stanley Road
May 25, 1956 ~ Lincoln Barrington Minott, commonly known as reggae, dancehall, lovers rock singer, producer Sugar Minott, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Started as a member of the African Brothers, alongside Tony Tuff and Derrick Bubbles Howard. After the group disbanded in 1974 Minott would pursue a successful solo career. Credited for pioneering dancehall, a genre that would dominate the 1980s. Known for songs such as Hard Time Pressure, Not For Sale, In A Dis Ya Time and perhaps his biggest hit Good Thing Going. Has worked with renowned producers such a Mikey Dread, Sly & Robbie, Prince Jammy, and Donovan Germain ~ Minott passed away in 2010
May 25, 1952 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Zoraida Santiago born in Santurce, Puerto Rico ~ First gained attention in the late-1970s, joining Roy Brown in the ensemble Aires Bucaneros, writing or co-writing songs such as Prisa Loco, De La Tierra En Que Naci, and Canciones Para Vieques Appeared on the albums Aires Bucaneros and Casi Alba. Has subsequently recorded as a solo artist, noted for her 1982 Tiene Que Ser La Luna recording, worked in theatrical productions, and composed and recorded the soundtrack for the TV film Luisa Capetillo (Pasion De Justicia)
May 25, 1950 ~ Rock, progressive violinist, tambourinist, singer Robby Steinhardt, full name Robert Eugene Steinhardt, born in Mississippi, USA ~ Co-lead singer of Kansas from 1973 to 1982, rejoining in 1997. Present on the band's best known including Carry On Wayward Son, Point Of Know Return and Dust In The Wind. Also worked with Steinhardt-Moon and with the Stormbringer Band ~ Steinhardt passed away in 2021
May 25, 1949 ~ R&B, soul, dance, house singer, songwriter Colonel Abrams, his real name, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Played guitar and keyboards for Heavy Impact. Fronted 94 East, a Minneapolis-based funk unit best remembered for including a then-unknown teenage Prince as its lead guitarist. As a solo artist Abrams is known for a string of 1980s singles including Trapped, which did especially well in Europe, and the Billboard R&B top 10 hits I'm Not Gonna Let You and How Soon We Forget. Upon his death at age 67 on Thanksgiving Day, renowned producer Jellybean, known for Madonna's Holiday and Whitney Houston's Love Will Save The Day, would comment: “It's a sad day for the House music community.” ~ Abrams passed away in 2016
May 25, 1948 ~ Hard rock, glam metal, soft rock singer Klaus Meine born in Hannover, Germany ~ Frontman, lead singer of the Scorpions and along with guitarist Rudolf Schenker the only other member to appear on every album. The band is best known for their 1974 single Still Loving You and 1991's Wind Of Change, the latter reaching the top 10 of the American Billboard Hot 100
May 25, 1943 ~ Mirriam Johnson, commonly known as country, outlaw country singer, pianist, songwriter Jessi Colter, born in Phoenix ~ One of the few female artists to emerge from the outlaw country movement. After meeting Waylon Jennings, whom she later married, decided to pursue a career in music and debuted in 1970 with the album A Country Star Is Born, produced by Jennings and Chet Atkins. Widely known for her 1975 hit single I'm Not Lisa, which crossed over to the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Has collaborated extensively with Jennings, notably on the Elvis Presley cover Suspicious Minds
May 25, 1943 ~ Actress, singer Leslie Uggams, full name Leslie Marian Uggams, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for her role as Kizzy Reynold in the 1977 Roots TV miniseries. Previously acclaimed for portraying the lead role of Georgina in the 1967 Broadway musical Hallelujah Baby earning her a Theatre World Award as well as a Tony Award. Has also recorded as a singer since the late-1950s
May 25, 1942 ~ Drummer Brian Davison born in Leicester, UK ~ Member of the Mark Leeman Five from 1963 until its disbandement in 1966. Best known for his association with pioneering progressive rock outfit the Nice from 1968 through 1969, present on the band's acclaimed 1969 eponymous Nice album. The band is also noted for launching the career of Keith Emerson. Davison has also worked with PP Arnold, Rod Stewart, Every Which Way, Refugee, and Gong ~ Davison passed away in 2008
May 25, 1941 ~ Rock & roll, garage rock, beat guitarist, singer Arthur Sharp born in Woking, UK ~ Member of the Nashville Teens from 1962 through 1972, best known for the 1964 UK top 10 hits Google Eye and Tobacco Road, the latter also reaching top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band is also noted for backing Jerry Lee Lewis in Hamburg, captured on the Live At The Star Club album which is considered by many to be one of the all-time best live albums
May 25, 1940 ~ Singer Peppino Gagliardi born in Naples, Italy ~ Enjoyed popularity in his native Italy especially during the 1970s. Well-known songs include T'Amo Et T'Amerò, Settembre, Come Le Viole, and Come Un Ragazzino. His Che Vuole Questa Musica Stasera would become one of his internationally best known, frequently used in soundtracks including the 1974 original film Scent Of A Woman ~ Gagliardi passed away in 2023
May 25, 1939 ~ Actress, singer Dixie Carter, full name Dixie Vriginia Carter, born in McLemoresville, Tennessee, USA ~ Made her stage debut in a 1960 production of Carousel, her Broadway debut in the 1974 musical Sextet. Best known for her roles on TV, notably the sitcom Designing Women, the drame series Family Law and as guest actress on Desperate Housewives, receiving a 2007 Emmy Award for the latter ~ Carter passed away in 2010
May 25, 1939 ~ Jazz, experimental trombonist Phil Ranelin born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Long remained underappreciated. Co-founded the avant-garde jazz ensemble the Tribe with Wendell Harrison. Sessioned for Motown including on Stevie Wonder recordings. Has also worked with Freddie Hubbard, Freddie Redd and appears on the Red Hot Chili Peppers eponymous the Red Hot Chili Peppers 1984 debut album
May 25, 1936 ~ Soul, R&B, disco singer Donnie Elbert born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Active from the mid-1950s throught the late-1970s. Member of 1950s doo-wop outfit the Vibraharps, known for songs such as Walk Beside Me. Debuted as a solo artist in 1957 with What Can I Do, which reached top 20 on the R&B charts. Best known for his 1971 single Where Did Our Love Go ~ Elbert passed away in 1989
May 25, 1936 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist Gary Foster, full name Norman Gary Foster, born in Leavenworth, Kansas, USA ~ Influenced by Stan Getz, Lester Young, Charlie Parker. Worked with Carol Burnett, Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand, Mel Tormé, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Frank Sinatra, Pat Williams, John Williams, Natalie Cole, Jerry Fielding, Cal Tjader, Marty Paich, Michael Bublé, Louie Bellson, Mike Barone, Clare Fischer, Marty Paich, Ed Shaughnessy, Rosemary Clooney, Shelly Manne, Sammy Nestico, Poncho Sanchez, Cal Tjader, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and others
May 25, 1936 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter, novelist, author Tom T Hall born in Olive Hill, Kentucky, USA ~ As a songwriter best known for penning Harper Valley PTA, originally recorded by Margie Singleton but a smash crossover hit for Jeannie C Riley who took it to the top of both Billboard Country and the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1968. Hall is praised as one of country's most literate songwriters, lovingly dubbed “the Storyteller” and has actually written a number of novels and short stories. As a singer has some 3 dozen albums to his name starting in the late-1960s. Especially known for songs such as The Ballad Of Forty Dollars, A Week In A County Jail, The Year Clayton Delaney Died, Old Dogs Children & Watermelon Wine, Ravishing Ruby and Faster Horses (The Cowboy And The Poet) ~ Hall passed away in 2021
May 25, 1929 ~ Belle Miriam Silverman, commonly known as opera singer Beverly Sills, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Popular from the 1950s through the 1970s. Sang a wide repertoire but best known for signature roles in Gaetano Donizetti's Lucia Di Lammermoor portraying the title role and La Fille Du Regiment portraying Maria. After retiring from singing in 1980 became the general manager of the New York City Opera ~ Sills passed away in 2007
May 25, 1926 ~ West Coast jazz trombonist Milt Bernhart born in Valparaiso, Indiana, USA ~ Worked with Stan Kenton, Frank Sinatra (including the solo on I've Got You Under My Skin), Benny Goodman, Chet Baker, Elmer Bernstein, Bing Crosby, Buddy Bregman, Sammy Davis Jr, Maynard Ferguson, Junior Mance, Johnny Mandel, Henri René, Pete Rugolo, Lalo Schifrin, the Three Sounds, and others ~ Bernhart passed away in 2004
May 25, 1925 ~ Classical pianist, composer Aldo Clementi born in Catania, Italy ~ Known for works such as Cantata, Episodi, and Sette Scene Da Collage. His music has been performed by ensembles such as Trio Accanto, Quatuor Bozzini, and the Ives Ensemble. Clementi is also known for teaching music theory at the University of Bolgona from 1971 through 1992 ~ Clementi passed away in 2011
May 25, 1924 ~ Avant-garde jazz saxophonist Marshall Allen, full name Marshall Belford Allen, born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Plays sax, flute, oboe, piccolo. Closely associated with Sun Ra, with whom he worked from 1958 until Ra's death in 1994. Also worked with Art Simmons, James Moody, Paul Bley, Babatunde Olatunji, John Gilmore, Henry Grimes, Terry Adams, Trey Anastasio, Surrender To The Air, Medeski Martin & Wood, Dave Soldier, and others
May 25, 1921 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Hal David, full name Harold Lane David, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as songwriting partner of Burt Bacharach on songs such as Do You Know The Way To San Jose, Don't Make Me Over and Walk On By (Dionne Warwick), What's New Pussycat (Tom Jones), (They Long To Be) Close To You) (the Carpenters), One Less Bell To Answer (originally by Keely Smith, later a huge hit for the 5th Dimension), and The Look Of Love (Dusty Springfield). Also collaborated with other songwriters, Albert Hammond, Sherman Edwards, Paul Hampton, co-writing songs such as To All The Girls I've Loved Before (Willie Nelson & Julio Iglesias), Broken-hearted Melody (Sarah Vaughan), and Sea Of Heartbreak (Don Gibson) ~ David passed away in 2012
May 25, 1917 ~ Clarinetist, saxophonist Jimmy Hamilton born in Dillon, South Carolina, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Over half a dozen albums as a leader, especially noted for the Swing Low Sweet Clarinet album released in 1960. Best known as a longtime associate of Duke Ellington, replacing Barney Bigard in Duke's orchestra in 1943 and remaining with Ellington for over two decades appearing on over 40 albums including pivotal albums such as Ellington At Newport, Such Sweet Thunder, Black Brown & Beige, and Afro-Bossa. Hamilton has also worked with Lucky Millinder, Jimmy Mundy, Bill Doggett, Teddy Wilson, Eddie Heywood Jr, Yank Porter, and the Clarinet Summit ~ Hamilton passed away in 1994
May 25, 1915 ~ Jump blues guitarist, singer Gene Phillips, full name Eugene Floyd Phillips, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Known for songs such as Big Fat Mama, Big Legs, Fatso, and Punking Head Woman. Worked with Dewey Jackson, Jimmy Powell, Floyd Smith, Lorenzo Flennoy, the Ink Spots, the Mills Brothers, Lucky Thompson, Marshal Royal, Charles Mingus, Jake Porter, Al Wichard, Maxwell Davis, Jack McVea, Bumps Myers, Willard McDaniel, Lloyd Glenn, Bill Street, Art Edwards, and others ~ Phillips passed away in 1990
May 25, 1913 ~ Singer, actress Ginny Simms, full name Virginia Ellen Simms, born in San Antone, Texas, USA ~ As a singer most active from the mid-1930 through the mid-1940s, performing with big bands and with the likes of Dinah Shore, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, and Jo Stafford. As an actress appeared in some dozen movies from the late 1930 through 1951, when she retired ~ Simms passed away in 1994
May 25, 1910 ~ Elmer Terrell, commonly known as Pha Terrell, born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Discovered by Andy Kirk who hired Terrell as a vocalist for his group the Clouds Of Joy. Terrell stayed with Kirk from 1936 to 1941, including on songs such as Until The Real Thing Comes Along and I Won't Tell A Soul (I Love You) ~ Terrell passed away in 1945
May 25, 1893 ~ Country guitarist, singer Ernest Stoneman, full name Ernest Van Stoneman, born in Monarat, Virginia, USA ~ Early influential country singer, active since the mid-1920s. Resurfaced in the 1960s with the family outfit the Stonemans, known best for Tupelo County Jail, The Five Little Johnson Girls, Back To Nashville Tennessee and Christopher Robin ~ Stoneman passed away in 1968
May 25, 1878 ~ Luther Robinson, commonly known as tap dancer, actor, singer Bill Robinson, was born in Richmond, Virginia, USA ~ Has performed in minstrel shows, vaudeville, Broadway, and films. Perhaps best known for a series of 1930s films alongside Shirley Temple and for his role in the Broadway black revue Blackbirds Of 1928. Despite being the highest-paid African-American entertainer during the first half of the 20th century Robinson passed away penniless ~ Robinson passed away in 1949
May 25, 1877 ~ Vaudeville, traditional pop singer Billy Murray, full name William Thomas Murray, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ One of the most popular singers of the early 20th century. Dubbed “the Denver Nightingale” with a strong tenor voice and sometimes comical delivery. Known for songs such as You're A Grand Old Rag, Shine On Harvest Moon with Ada Jones, Stumbling and Tessie. Has also collaborated with Aileen Stanley, the Haydn Quartet, the American Quartet, and Elsie Baker ~ Murray passed away in 1954