November 26, 2002 ~ Country singer, songwriter, actor Baylee Littrell, full name Baylee Thomas Wylee Littrell, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Son of the Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell. Has opened for his father's act as early as age nine, usually playing two songs. Cites Tim McGraw, George Strait, Florida Georgia Line and Johnny Cash as influences. Released his 770 Country debut album in 2019, featuring songs written by Gary Baker, Tyler Hubbard and Littrell himself
November 26, 1990 ~ Jahmaal Noel Fyffe, commonly known as rapper, songwriter Chip, born in Tottenham, UK ~ Collaborated with artists such as Skepta, TI, Meek Mill, Young Adz. As a solo artist released his I Am Chipmunk debut album in 2009 which spawned the UK top 10 hits Diamond Rings featuring Emeli Sandé, Look For Me featuring Talay Riley, Until You Were Gone featuring Esmée Denters and Oopsy Daisy, the latter a UK No.1 hit.
November 26, 1990 ~ Singer Rita Ora, full name Rita Sahatciu Ora, born in Pristina, Kosovo ~ Debuted in 2012 with the album Ora which spawned the hit singles Rip and How We Do (Party). Has worked with Tinie Tempah, Chris Brown, Sigma, Liam Payne, Cardi B, Bebe Rexha, Charli XCX, Kygo, Tiësto, Jonas Blue, DJ Fresh, Iggy Azalea, Avicii, and others
November 26, 1988 ~ Alternative rock, experimental rock, pop singer, guitarist, keyboards, producer, songwriter Blake Harnage, full name Blake Preston Harnage, born in Stuart, Florida, USA ~ Known for his association with artists such as PVRIS, Hands Like Houses, All-Time Low, With Beating Hearts, and notably experimental rock band Versa, co-founding the latter with singer Sierra Kay in 2013
November 26, 1981 ~ Rock drummer Julian Doro born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Co-founding member of garage rock band the Whigs, debuting in 2005 with the Give 'Em All A Big Fat Lip album. Has briefly toured with the Eagles Of Death Metal, including at the Bataclan Theatre in Paris during the 2015 terrorist attacks. 90 concert visitors were killed, all band members survived the attacks
November 26, 1981 ~ Singer Natasha Bedingfield, full name Natasha Anne Bedingfield, born in London, UK ~ Released her debut album, Unwritten, in 2004. Known for songs such as These Words, I Wanna Have Your Babies, Soulmate, Love Like This, and Pocketful Of Sunshine
November 26, 1976 ~ Tsidi Ibrahim, commonly known as MC, actress, producer Jean Grae, born in Cape Town, South Africa ~ Daughter of Sathima Bea Benjamin and Abdullah Ibrahim. Worked with Ground Zero, Natural Resource, Pumpkinhead, Atmosphere, the Roots, Talib Kweli, Herbaliser, Royce da 5'9", Phonte, Masta Ace, Yordul Mega, Mos Def, Styles P, Pharoahe Monch, Immortal Technique, Cannibal Ox, Wale, and DJ Jazzy Jeff
November 26, 1976 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Joe Nichols, full name Joseph Edward Nichols, born in Rogers, Kansas, USA ~ Known for songs such as Brokenheartsville, She Only Smokes When She Drinks, What's A Guy Gotta Do, Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off, I'll Wait For You, Gimmie That Girl, and Sunny And 75. Has collaborated with Jasmine Rae, Meghan Patrick, Dolly Parton, Gene Watson, Col Ford, the Grascals, Randy Travis, and Lucy Hale
November 26, 1975 ~ Jazz guitarist Arne Jansen born in Kiel, West Germany ~ Leader and sideman. Initially influenced by pop and rock artists such as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, the Beatles, the Dire Straits, Jimi Hendrix, and eventually jazz artists such as Pat Metheny and John Scofield. Got his start in music as a member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra Of Germany in the late-1990s. Actively recording since the early-2000s, both as a member of Firomanum which also included Eva Kruse, Niels Klein and Nils Tegen, and as leader of his own Arne Jansen Trio, the latter especially acclaimed for the 2014 The Sleep Of Reason (Ide To Goya) album
November 26, 1975 ~ Khaled Mohamed Khaled, commonly known as DJ, producer DJ Khaled, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Member of Terror Squad. Released his solo debut album, Listennn (The Album), in 2006 and has recorded consistenly since. Known for songs such as I'm So Hood, I'm The One, Wild Thoughts, No Brainer, Greece, and Popstar. Has collaborated with Shawty Lo, Kanye West, Fat Joe, Meek Mill, Jennifer Lopez, T-Pain, Trick Daddy, Rick Ross, Plies, Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, Lil' Wayne, Drake, and others
November 26, 1973 ~ Heavy metal, hard rock, power metal, symphonic metal guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, banjoist, singer Magnus Karlsson born in Höör, Sweden ~ Influenced by Steve Morse, Allan Holdsworth, Steve Vai. Rose to fame as co-founding member of the Last Tribe, acclaimed for the early-2000s albums The Ritual, Witch Dance and The Uncrowned. Closely associated with Starbreaker and Primal Fear. Noted as main songwriter and producer for Heart Healer, a project intending to be the first metal opera, the eponymous Heart Healer album released in 2021. Has also worked with Charade, Midnight Sun, Tony O'Hara, Greenhouse, Planet Alliance, the Codex, Bob Catley, Ralf Scheepers, Kimball Jamison, Phenomena, Ginevra, and others
November 26, 1965 ~ Blues, electric blues, blues-rock guitarist, singer Bernard Allison born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Son of blues guitarist Luther Allison. Has worked with Koko Taylor, Johnny Winter, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Toby Lee Marshall, Larry McCray, Carl Weathersby and and Lucky Peterson. Has been releasing solo records since the early-1990s
November 26, 1963 ~ Guitarist, singer Adam Gaynor born ~ Best known as rhythm guitarist and backing singer of Matchbox Twenty from 1995 through 2005, appearing on their first three albums
November 26, 1962 ~ Country singer Linda Davis, full name Linda Kaye Davis, born in Dodson, Texas, USA ~ Known best for Some Things Are Meant To Be and the Reba McEntire-duet Does He Love You. Wife of country singer Lang Scott. Mother of country singer Hillary Scott
November 26, 1946 ~ Actor, singer Brian Hibbard born in Ebbw Vale, UK ~ Co-founding member of a capella ensemble the Flying Pickets, present on the band's 1984 Lost Boys debut album which included the hit Only You. Originally recorded by Yazoo, the Pickets cover would be more successful than the original and reach top 10 across Europe including the No.1 spot in Germany, Ireland, and their native UK. Ruling prime minister Margaret Thatcher would proclaim the song to be her favorite. The band itself was known for its socialist views. Hibbard would depart the band in 1986 to focus on his acting career ~ Hibbard passed away in 2012
November 26, 1946 ~ Martin Barnes, commonly known as pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Martin Lee, born in London, UK ~ Initially hired as a staff writer by music publisher Tony Hiller, yet when it turned out Lee could also sing Hiller asked him to join Brotherhood Of Man, a group managed by Hiller. The group would become best known for Save Your Kisses For Me, a delightfully cheerful ditty co-written by and featuring Lee on lead vocals chosen to represent the UK at the 1976 Eurovision Songfestival. Following their win at the contest, leaving France's Catherine Ferry and Monaco's Mary Christy respectively in second and third place, the song would reach No.1 in over half a dozen countries including the Netherlands, Norway, and the UK. Over the next few years, Brotherhood Of Man scored several more hits at home, notably Angelo and Figaro, before their popularity waned. Despite not recording since the early 1980s, the band continued to perform to enthousiastic crowds until retiring in 2020 ~ Barnes passed away in 2024
November 26, 1946 ~ Singer, guitarist, producer, songwriter Ray Kennedy, full name Raymond Louis Kennedy, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Prolifent in numerous genres including R&B, pop, rock, jazz and country. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Sail On Sailor for the Beach Boys and Everytime I Think Of You and Isn't It Time for the Babys. As a recording artist recorded his first single, 1965's Number 5 Gemini, with a then-unknown Kenny Gamble. Has worked with Gerry Mulligan, Jay David, Dizzy Gillespie, JJ Johnson, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Brenda Lee, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Wilson Pickett, Traffic's Dave Mason, Sly & the Family Stone, the Beach Boys singer Brian Wilson, Jeff Beck, Barry Goldberg, Maurice White, Aerosmith, Michael Schenker, Engelbert Humperdinck, Wayne Newton, Tanya Tucker, Bill Champlin, Willie Nelson, Mick Fleetwood, KGB, Group Therapy, Jon & Ray, and others ~ Kennedy passed away in 2014
November 26, 1945 ~ Jazz guitarist Jim Mullen born in Glasgow, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Known for his distinctive style, picking with the thumb rather than a plectrum. Guested on two pivotal albums by Pete Brown & Piblokto, namely Things May Come And Things May Go But The Art School Dance Goes On Forever and Thousands On A Raft. Member of Brian Auger's the Oblivion Express. Member of Kokomo. Toured with the Average White Band. Critically acclaimed as co-leader of jazzz funk outfit Morrissey-Mullen alongside Dick Morrisey, known for their call-and-response interaction between saxophone and guitar. Has also collaborated with Mose Allison, Hamish Stuart, Joanna Eden, Tam White, Jimmy Witherspoon, Terry Callier, Frank Holder, Chris Rea, and others
November 26, 1945 ~ Bassist John McVie born in London, UK ~ Member of John Mayall's John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers from 1964 through 1967 including on the acclaimed The Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton album. Longtime member of Fleetwood Mac, joining the band shortly after its formation in 1967, and along with drummer Mick Fleetwood one of only two members to appear on every album since. Married to Christine McVie from 1968 to 1977, who would also join the band
November 26, 1944 ~ Singer Jean Terrell born in Belzoni, Mississippi, USA ~ Joined the Supremes in 1970, taking over for Diana Ross who left to pursue a solo career. Remained with the band through 1973. Present on songs such as Up The Ladder To The Roof, Everybody's Got The Right To Love, Stoned Love, Nathan Jones and Floy Joy
November 26, 1944 ~ Pianist, composer Terry Waldo born in Ironton, Ohio, USA ~ Best known for his role in reviving interest in ragtime, starting in the 1970s. Has worked with Gene Mayl, Kid Thomas Valentine, Johnny Wiggs, Turk Murphy, Pops Foster, Lu Watters, Wally Rose, Clancy Hayes, Edith Wilson, Leon Redbone, and especially mentor Eubie Blake
November 26, 1944 ~ Dansband, pop, schlager songwriter Torgny Söderberg, full name Sten Torgny Söderberg, born in Varberg, Sweden ~ Best known as co-writer of 1984 Eurovision Songfestival winner Diggi-loo Diggi-ley by Herrey's, lyrics written by Britt Lindeborg ~ Söderberg passed away in 2022
November 26, 1942 ~ Researcher, author Olof Björner born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Known to Bob Dylan aficionados for meticulously documenting over four decades of Dylan's history of live performances and studio recordings in thirteen volumes of Olof's Files (A Bob Dylan Performance Guide) published by Hardinge Simpole ~ Björner passed away in 2023
November 26, 1940 ~ Folk guitarist Davey Graham, full name David Michael Gordon Graham,, born in Leicestershire, UK ~ Best known for his acoustic instrumental Anji. Influential on guitarists such as Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, John Martyn, Paul Simon, Jimmy Page ~ Graham passed away in 2008
November 26, 1940 ~ Folk singer Ray Fisher, full name Ray Galbraith Fisher born in Glasgow, UK ~ Critically acclaimed folk singer, hailed by the Scotsman as “perhaps the best known Scots folksinger of her generation” and by the Guardian as “one of Britain's great interpreters of traditional song” ~ Fisher passed away in 2011
November 26, 1939 ~ Jazz saxophonist Art Themen, full name Arthur Edward George Themen, born in Manchester, UK ~ Former surgeon turned jazz professional. Influenced by Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins, Coleman Hawkins, Evan Parker, and by John Coltrane. Has worked with Lionel Grigson, Dave Gelly, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Jack Bruce, Alexis Korner, the Peter Stuyvesant Jazz Orchestra, Al Haig, Jamil Nasser, Peter King, Howard Riley, Mornington Lockett, Don Weller, Spike Wells, Michael Garrick, Ian Carr, Graham Collier, Stan Tracey, Nat Adderley, Red Rodney, George Coleman, and John Critchinson
November 26, 1939 ~ David Ernest White, commonly known as David White, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Member of Danny & the Juniors, known for hits such as Rock & Roll Is Here To Stay and At The Hop. Member of Spokesmen. Member of Crystal Mansion. Closely associated with John Madara, White and Madara writing and producing numerous record since the early-1960s, including The Fly (Chubby Checker), You Don't Own Me (Lesley Gore), 1-2-3 (Len Barry), Birthday Party, 442 Glenwood Avenue and Cold Cold Winter (the Pixies Three), Pop Pop Pop Pie (the Sherrys), and The Boy Next Door (the Secrets) ~ White passed away in 2019
November 26, 1939 ~ Jazz, schlager singer Greetje Kauffeld born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands ~ Represented the Netherlands in the 1961 edition of Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 10th place with Wat Een Dag. As a schlager singer especially popular in Germany. As a jazz singer has collaborated with Joey Bishop, Herb Ellis, Ray Brown, and others
November 26, 1939 ~ Anna Mae Bullock, commonly known as singer Tina Turner, born in Brownsville, Tennessee, USA ~ Rose to fame with her then-husband Ike Turner. The duo would score a string of hits from the early-1960s forward including A Fool In Love, It's Gonna Work Out Fine, Proud Mary, Nutbush City Limits and River Deep Mountain High. After her break from Ike in the mid-1970s Tina would launch one of the most impressive comebacks in rock history with her 1984 Private Dancer album spawning the hit What's Love Got To Do With It, her first and only Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit. Subsequent solo hits include We Don't Need Another Hero, Typical Male, I Don't Wanna Fight and the James Bond-theme GoldenEye. Has also acted in the Who's rock opera Tommy, Mad Max (Beyond Thunderdome) and The Last Action Hero. Retired from music after completing her 2009 Tina! (50th Anniversary Tour), one of the highest-grossing tours of all time ~ Bullock passed away in 2023
November 26, 1937 ~ Robert Andrew Kreinar, commonly known as rock, pop rock bassist Bob Babbitt, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ In-demand session musician. Best known as a member of Motown house band the Funk Brothers and for his stint in MFSB. Member of late-1960s rock band Scorpion. Has also worked with Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow, Gloria Gaynor, Alice Cooper, Del Shannon, Jim Croce, Dennis Coffey, Cindy Bullens, Phil Collins, and Marion James. Notably present on songs such as Edwin Starr's War, the Miracles' The Tears Of A Clown, Marvin Gaye's Inner City Blues, the Temptations' Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me), Diana Ross' Touch Me In The Morning, and Main Ingredient's Just Don't Want To Be Lonely ~ Kreinar passed away in 2012
November 26, 1937 ~ Singers, guitarists Jim Sundquist and Phil Humphrey born ~ Sundquist and Humphrey shared a birthday and formed the early-1960s duo the Fendermen, best known for their single Mule Skinner Blues which reached the Billboard top 10 in 1960 ~ Sundquist passed away in 2013, Humphrey in 2016
November 26, 1933 ~ Gospel, doo-wop, soul, R&B singer Garnet Mimms born in Ashland, Virginia, USA ~ Perhaps best known for fronting the Enchanters, known for first recording Cry Baby. The song, written by Bert Berns and Jerry Ragovoy, would reach top 10 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 and top the Billboard R&B charts. It would later become closely associated with Janis Joplin, who covered the track for her posthumously released 1971 Pearl album. Mimms has also worked with Evening Stars, the Gainors, and the Norfolk Four. As a solo artist best known for his 1965 single I'll Take Good Care Of You, which reached top 20 on the Billboard R&B charts, top 30 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100
November 26, 1932 ~ Composer Alan Stout, full name Alan Burrage Stout, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Contemporary classical composer known for his modernist style incorporating elements of 12-tone music as well as experimental styles. Has his compositions performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra ~ Stout passed away in 2018
November 26, 1927 ~ Songwriter Gwen Gordy born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Sister of Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. Married to singer, label executive Harvey Fuqua. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Lonely Teardrops (Jackie Wilson), All I Could Do Was Cry (Etta James), and Distant Lover (Marvin Gaye) ~ Gordy passed away in 1999