September 15, 1987 ~ Alexander Ray Torres, commonly known as metalcore, post-hardcore guitarist Alex Torres born ~ Worked with Eyes Set To Kill, present on the band's 2006 When Silence Is Broken The Night Is Torn EP. Member of Greeley Estates from 2007 through 2010. Member of Alesana, joining the band in 2010 as replacement for Jake Campbell. Member of the Dead Rabbitts
September 15, 1986 ~ George Virden Watsky, mononymously known as alternative hip-hop, slam poetry rapper, singer, songwriter Watsky, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Best known for his 2011 viral video Pale Kid Raps Fast, featuring his trademark chopping style. Has recorded over half a dozen albums, starting with the eponymous Watsky released in 2011. In 2020 Watsky set the Guinness World Record for longest rapping marathon, rapping for 33 hours 33 minutes and 19 seconds
September 15, 1980 ~ Sertanejo singer Fernando Fakri de Assis born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Known as the “Soracaba” in Fernando & Soracaba, a duo he formed with Fernando Zorzanello Bonifácio. Active since the mid-2000s the duo enjoys popularity in their native Brazil and is known for songs such as Paga Pau, Madri, Férias Em Salvador, É Tenso, Mô, and Bobeia Pra Ver
September 15, 1978 ~ Pop rock guitarist, violist, percussionist, singer, songwriter Zach Filkins, full name Zachary Douglas Filkins, born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA ~ Co-founding member of OneRepublic, for whom he co-wrote songs such as All Fall Down, Prodigal, Say (All I Need), Sleep, Something's Not Right Here, Stop And Stare, Tyrant, and Won't Stop. The band has released about half a dozen albums, starting with Dreaming Out Loud released in 2007, and is perhaps best known for 2013's Counting Stars, a top 10 hit in several countries including the Netherlands, UK, and their native USA
September 15, 1975 ~ Ole Anders Olsen, commonly known as singer, guitarist, keyboardist Andy LaPlegua, born in Fredrikstad, Norway ~ Influenced by David Bowie, Motörhead, Prince, the Cure, the Dead Kennedys. Lead singer, co-founding member of Icon Of Coll, Combichrist, Panzer AG
September 15, 1969 ~ Heavy metal, punk, blues singer, guitarist, actress Ani Kyd born in Ontario, Canada ~ Had her 2005 Evil Needs Candy Too debut album produced by Jello Biafra. Has also collaborated with Fuel Injected 45, THOR, Approach The Throne, Paul Hyde, Sandy Scofield, Strapping Young Lad, and Devin Townsend
September 15, 1967 ~ Trumpeter, bandleader, arranger, composer Alan Baylock born in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known as chief arranger for the Airmen Of Note jazz ensemble for over two decades. Has also worked with the One O'Clock Lab Band, Maynard Ferguson, and the Pete Elfman Big Band
September 15, 1967 ~ Singer Amy Keys born ~ Recorded a sole solo album, Lover's Intuition released in 1989. In-demand session and touring backing singer. Has toured with Johnny Hallyday, and with Toto. Present on albums by Stevie Wonder, Phil Collins, Rod Piazza, Julio Iglesias, Curt Smith, Sylvia Vartan, Jason Mraz (Love Is A Four Letter Word), Ringo Starr, Barbra Streisand, Stewart Copeland, and Korn
September 15, 1967 ~ Metal, glam metal, hard rock bassist Jerry Dixon, full name Jerry Lawrence Dixon, born in Pasadena, California, USA ~ Co-founding and constant member of Warrant. The band is best known for their first three albums, Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich and Cherry Pie both reaching Platinum, while their third Dog Eat Dog would reach Gold certification. Songs such as Heaven, Cherry Pie, and I Saw Red would all reach top 10 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts
September 15, 1961 ~ Rock singer, guitarist Gustavo Cordera, full name Gustavo Edgardo Cordera, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Best known as co-founding member, frontman of rock band Bersuit Vergarabat, remaining with the band from 1987 until 2009. They are best known for their 2004 La Argentinidad Al Palo album. Cordera released his solo debut album, Suelta, in 2009
September 15, 1960 ~ Michel Dorge, commonly known as drummer Mitch Dorge, born in Winnipeg, Canada ~ Member of the Crash Test Dummies from 1991 through 2002, rejoining in later years. Present on the band's best known including the band's 1993 God Shuffled His Feet sophomore album, which included the hit Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm, and its follow-up A Worm's Life released in 1996. Dorge released his sole solo album, As Trees Walking, in 2002
September 15, 1958 ~ Gary Miller, commonly known as punk rock guitarist, keyboardist Dr Know, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Best known as member of punk rock outfit Bad Brains. Has occasionally worked with others, notably Mos Def, Coheed & Cambria on the track Time Consumer, and with the Deftones
September 15, 1956 ~ Jacqueline Maureen Graham, commonly known as singer, songwriter Jaki Graham, born in Birmingham, UK ~ First gained serious attention in 1985 duetting with David Grant on Could It Be I'm Falling In Love. Graham would go on to score about half a dozen UK top 20 hits, including Round And Around and Set Me Free. Her 1994 Chaka Khan-cover Ain't Nobody would be a club hit in America
September 15, 1952 ~ Rock drummer, singer Kelly Keagy, full name Kelly Dean Keagy, born in Eugene, Oregon, USA ~ Touring member of Rubicon. Along with guitarist Brad Gillis the only other member to have played in every incarnation of Night Ranger, best known for their Billboard top 10 hits 1984's Sister Christian and 1985's Sentimental Street, both with lead vocals by Keagy. Other well known songs include When You Close Your Eyes, Four In The Morning (I Can't Take It Anymore) and Goodbye. Also worked with King Of Hearts, the Mob and guested on bandmate Gillis' 1993 solo debut Gilrock Ranch
September 15, 1950 ~ Anthony Lacen, commonly known as tubist, bandleader Tuba Fats Lacen, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Worked with the Young Tuxedo Brass Band, Ernest Doc Paulin, the Onward Brass Band, the Treme Brass Band, and the Olympia Brass Band. Lacen was married to blues shouter Linda Young ~ Lacen passed away in 2004
September 15, 1947 ~ William Taylor Bryans, commonly known as funk, rock, world drummer, singer, engineer, producer, songwriter, film composer Billy Bryans, born in Montreal, Canada ~ Cited by renowned producer Daniel Lanois as an inspiration. Well-known for his association with the Downchild Blues Band, including producing the band's first notable hit Flip Flop & Fly. Co-founding member of the Parachute Club. Especially noted for producing Lillian Allen's award-winning albums Revolutionary Tea Party and Conditions Critical. Co-wrote the soundtrack to the 1989 thriller Office Party. Also noted for helping promote Latin music in Canada in the 2000s, advancing the careers of Laura Fernandez, Aline Morales, and Alex Cuba ~ Bryans passed away in 2012
September 15, 1945 ~ Opera singer Jessye Norman, full name Jessye Mae Norman, born in Augusta, Georgia, USA ~ Debuted with the Deutsche Oper Berlin in 1968 following winning an ARD International Music Competition. Would go on to sing with renowned orchestras including La Scala, the Opera Company Of Philadelphia, the Metropolitan Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Paris Opera, and the Royal Opera ~ Norman passed away in 2019
September 15, 1941 ~ Singer Signe Anderson born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Original singer for the Jefferson Airplane. Present on their debut album Jefferson Airplane Takes Off, notably on her signature song Chauffeur Blues. Left the band in late 1966, replaced by Grace Slick ~ Anderson passed away in 2016
September 15, 1940 ~ Mariachi, norteño singer Cornelio Reyna, full name Cornelia Reyna Cisneros, born in Reynosa, Mexico ~ Formed Los Relámpagos Del Norte with Ramón Ayala, known for songs such as Mil Noches, Tu Traicion, Lagrimas De Mi Bario and their best known Ya No Llores. Active as a solo artist since the early-1970s, appearing in over 30 films and recording some 60 albums. Notable hits include Me Sacaron Del Tenampa, Lagrimas De Mi Barrio and Me Caiste Del Cielo ~ Reyna passed away in 1997
September 15, 1940 ~ Pianist, singer Jimmy Gilmer born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Fronted Jimmy Gilmer & the Fireballs, known for Sugar Shack which reached No.1 Billboard Hot 100 in 1963. Other well known songs included Daisy Petal Pickin' and Bottle Of Wine ~ Gilmer passed away in 2024
September 15, 1938 ~ Songwriter, producer Sylvia Moy born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Best known as staff songwriter at Motown, especially closely associated with Stevie Wonder. Moy co-wrote songs such as My Cherie Amour, I Was Made To Love Her, and Never Had A Dream Come True for Stevie Wonder, Honey Chile and Love Bug (Leave My Heart Alone) for Martha & the Vandellas, and It Takes Two for Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston ~ Moy passed away in 2017
September 15, 1933 ~ Traditional pop, doo-wop tenor singer Pat Barrett born ~ Member of Canadian vocal quartet the Crew Cuts, known for their mid-1950s string of hits including Sh'boom, Earth Angel, Ko-ko-mo I Love You So, Angels In The Sky and Gum Drop ~ Barrett passed away in 2016
September 15, 1931 ~ Label executive Jac Holzman born ~ Label executive asssociated with Elektra Records and Nonesuch Records. Signed acts such as the Doors, Love, Josh White, Carly Simon, the Stooges, MC5, Harry Chapin, Bread, and others
September 15, 1928 ~ Julian Edwin Adderley, commonly known as jazz, hard bop, soul jazz saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, born in Tampa, Florida, USA ~ Best known for his 1966 soul jazz single Mercy Mercy Mercy, which became a surprise crossover hit reaching top 20 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Closely associated with Miles Davis, notably on the quintessential jazz albums Milestones and Kind Of Blue. Davis in turn backed Adderley on his acclaimed 1958 Somethin' Else album. Adderley has also worked with his brother Nat Adderley, Charles Lloyd, Yusef Lateef, Bobby Timmons, Victor Feldman, Joe Zawinul, George Duke, Walter Booker, and Victor Gaskin ~ Adderley passed away in 1975
September 15, 1923 ~ Jazz double bassist Arvell Shaw born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Best known for his association with Louis Armstrong, intermittently working with Armstrong from the mid-1940s through the mid-1950s, including for the acclaimed 1956 High Society musical comedy film. Other associations include Teddy Wilson, Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins (Lover Man), Herb Hall, Dorothy Donegan (The Many Faces Of Dorothy Donegan), and Rahsaan Roland Kirk ~ Shaw passed away in 2002
September 15, 1921 ~ Jazz arranger, composer Gene Roland born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ As a bandleader known for his sole Jazzville Vol.4 album released in 1957. Best known for his association with Stan Kenton, serving as one of only two arrangers to write for Kenton in all four decades of the band's existence, the other being Ken Hanna. Roland plays piano, trumpet, trombone, and mellophonium, and has worked with Lionel Hampton, Lucky Millinder, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Jimmy Giuffre, Woody Herman, Georgie Auld, Count Basie, Charlie Barnet, Claude Thornhill, and Artie Shaw ~ Roland passed away in 1982
September 15, 1918 ~ Julius Russell, commonly known as comedian, poet, dancer Nipsey Russell, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Best known as a TV personality appearing on numerous game shows from the 1960s through the 1990s and a regular on Late Night With Conan O'Brien during the show's early years. To pop audiences known for starring as the Tin Man in the 1978 film version of The Wiz alongside Ted Ross, Michael Jackson and Diana Ross ~ Russell passed away in 2005
September 15, 1915 ~ Jazz guitarist Al Casey, full name Albert Aloysius Casey, born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Child prodigy. Played violin and ukelele before settling on guitar. Best known for his association with pianist Fats Waller, backing Waller from 1933 until his death in 1943. Also worked with Fletcher Henderson, King Curtis, Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson, Helen Humes, and recorded over half a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader ~ Casey passed away in 2005
September 15, 1913 ~ Roger Ramirez, commonly known as jazz pianist, composer Ram Ramirez, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico ~ Co-wrote Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be), a jazz standard most closely associated with Billie Holiday. Worked with Monette Moore, Rex Stewart, Sid Catlett, Willie Bryant, Ella Fitzgerald, Frankie Newton, Charlie Barnet, John Kirby, Duke Ellington, T-Bone Walker, and others ~ Ramirez passed away in 1994
September 15, 1907 ~ Big band bandleader, arranger, composer Larry Wagner born in Ashland, Oregon, USA ~ Best known for his association with Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra including writing or co-writing hits such as Whistler's Mother-in-law, No Name Jive and Turn Back The Hands Of Time ~ Wagner passed away in 2002
September 15, 1906 ~ Walter E Rollins, commonly known as songwriter Jack Rollins, born in Scottdale, Arizona, USA ~ Best known for co-writing the Christmas classic Frosty The Snowman with Steve Nelson, first recorded by Gene Autry in 1950, and covered by hundreds of artists including Nat King Cole, Perry Como, Ella Fitzgerald, the Ronettes, Brenda Lee, the Jackson 5, and Lynn Anderson. Other songs co-written by Rollins include Peter Cottontail (Mervin Shiner, Jimmy Wakely, Rosemary Clooney), A Prison Without Walls (Eddy Arnold, Little Roy Wiggins), Heart Of A Clown (Wade Ray, Sammi Smith, Willie Nelson), and I Don't Hurt Anymore (Hank Snow, Dinah Washington, Janis Martin) ~ Rollins passed away in 1973
September 15, 1903 ~ Singer, songwriter, fiddler, music publisher Roy Acuff, full name Roy Claxton Acuff, born in Maynardville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for co-founding Nashville music publishers Acuff/Rose Music together with Fred Rose, quintessential music publishers to the country genre, and responsible for advancing the careers of artist sich as Hank Williams, Roy Orbison, the Everly Brothers and others ~ Acuff passed away in 1992
September 15, 1890 ~ Composer, pianist Frank Martin born in Geneva, Switzerland ~ Wrote for orchestra, ballet, chamber music, organ, choral music, operas. Closely associated with Emile Jacques-Dalcroze. Founded the Chamber Music Society Of Geneva ~ Martin passed away in 1974
September 15, 1876 ~ Bruno Schlesinger, commonly known as conductor, pianist, composer Bruno Walter, born in Berlin, Germany ~ Widely considered one of the great conductors of the 20th century. Fled Germany in 1933, naturalized French citizen in 1938, settled in America the next year. Has worked closely with Gustav Mahler. Held positions at prestigious orchestras including the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Salzberg Festival, the Vienna State Oper, and the Deutsche Oper Berlin ~ Schlesinger passed away in 1962