September 17, 1994 ~ Salah Abdi Abdulle, commonly known as hip hop rapper, songwriter Dree Low, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Catapulted to national fame with his 2019 No Hasta Manana debut album and has recorded to commercial success since. Well-known songs include Min Niva featuring Einár, Pippi, XO featuring Yasin, and Ice Cream featuring Greekazo
September 17, 1985 ~ Gospel, R&B singer, songwriter Zacardi Cortez, full name Zacardi Renye Louis Cortez, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Mentored and influenced by John P Kee. Backed James Fortune on the 2007 The Transformation album. As a solo artist known for the 2012 The Introduction and its 2014 follow-up Reloaded, both of which would reach top on the Billboard Gospel charts
September 17, 1981 ~ Stephen Kawaleet, commonly known as alternative hip-hop rapper Arabesque, born in Toronto, Canada ~ As a solo artist best known for his 2002 Choked Up single. Has toured with Sean Paul and collaborated with Rah Digga
September 17, 1978 ~ Actor, singer Nick Cordero, full name Nicholas Eduardo Albert Cordero, born in Hamilton, Canada ~ Best known for his roles in the 2014 production of Bullets Over Broadway, portraying the role of Cheech earning a Tony Award nomination. Has also acted in non-musical roles for TV and film ~ Cordero passed away in 2020
September 17, 1975 ~ Robert Alan Diaz, commonly known as freestyle rapper Pumpkinhead, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Redman, Leaders Of The New School, Doug E Fresh, Tupac Shakur. Guested on recordings by Immortal Technique and Jean Grae. Debuted with a full-length album, The Old Testament, in 2001 ~ Diaz passed away in 2015
September 17, 1974 ~ Apani N Smith, commonly known as MC, rapper Apani B, born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Worked with Organized Konfusion, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, and MF Doom. As a solo artist debuted with the album Rhyme Related in 1999
September 17, 1969 ~ Warren Sabir McGlone, commonly known as hip-hop MC Steady B, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Among the first wave of Philadelphia-area emcees to gain notoriety in the mid-1980s. Known for songs such as Take Your Radio, Fly Shanté featuring Roxanne Shanté, and Just Call Us Def. Formed hardcore hip-hop outfit CEB with Cool C and Ultimate Eaze in the early-1990s. Currently serving a life sentence for his role in a botched armed robbery and second-degree murder of polive officer Lauretha Vaird. The crime would inspire the G Love & Special Sauce song Slipped Away (The Ballad Of Lauretha Vaird) of the 1997 Yeah It's That Easy album
September 17, 1968 ~ Shon Adams, commonly known as hyphy, hip-hop producer, rapper E-A-Ski, born ~ Has released a number of EPs in the 1990s, his full-length The Resume solo debut album as late as 2010. Best known as producer for Spice 1, including the 1993 187 He Wrote album, and for Luniz, the hip hop duo's 1995 Operation Stackola album reaching Platinum certification. Has also worked with the likes of Master P, Ice-T, Ice Cube, B-Legit, Messy Marv, Too $hort, and MC Ren
September 17, 1966 ~ Douglas Davis, commonly known as rapper and human beatbox Doug E Fresh, born in Barbados ~ Known as the “Human Beatbox” Davis was a pioneer of beatboxing, mimicking drums and various special effects solely using mouth, lips, throat and a microphone. As a member of the Fresh Crew he appeared on two songs, The Show and La-di-da-di, which launched Davis into stardom. Both songs, especially the 12" versions, are now considered early hip-hop classics
September 17, 1965 ~ Guitarist, singer Guy Picciotto, full name Guy Charles Picciotto, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Best known as guitarist and singer in Fugazi and the Rites Of Sping. Has also collaborated with Mats Gustafsson, Vic Chesnutt, Gossip, Blonde Redhead, the Blood Brothers, the Downtown Boys, Xylouris-White, and others
September 17, 1964 ~ Country singer, songwriter Marty Dodson born in Apple Valley, California, USA ~ Had his songs recorded by the likes of Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney (Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven), George Strait, the Oak Ridge Boys, Plain White T's, Saving Jane, Rascal Flatts, Lonestar, Billy Currington (Must Be Doin' Somethin' Right), Craig Morgan, Joe Cocker, and others
September 17, 1963 ~ Jazz drummer Jeff Ballard born in Santa Cruz, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Fly, Ray Charles, Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Reid Anderson, Brad Mehldau, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Mark Turner, Miguel Zenón, Eli Degibri, Joshua Redman, the Electric Band, Larry Grenadier, Avishai Cohen, Ted Nash, and others
September 17, 1962 ~ Mark Anthony Luhrmann, commonly known as film director, writer, music producer, singer Baz Luhrmann born in Sydney, Australia ~ Most active as a film director, the commercially most successful Australian director. Serves as music producer on all of his films soundtracks and as writer on some individual tracks. Also known for 1997 single Everybody's Free To Wear Sunscreen which would chart in over a dozen countries, reaching the No.1 spot in several including the UK and Ireland
September 17, 1962 ~ Benjamin Winans, commonly known as gospel, R&B singer BeBe Winans, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Comes from the musical Winans family of which many members are noted gospel artists. BeBe is best known as half of Bebe & CeCe Winans, the other half being his sister CeCe Winans, known for songs such as Heaven, Addictive Love, and It's OK
September 17, 1961 ~ Progressive metal singer, guitarist, songwriter Ty Tabor born in Pearl, Mississippi, USA ~ Lead guitarist, co-lead singer for progressive metal outfit King's X, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums since the early-1980s. The band is known for their expansive heavy metal sound, drawing from funk, soul, gospel, and progressive rock, and especially acclaimed for their 1989 Gretchen Goes To Nebraska album . Tabor has also recorded prolifically as a solo artist, starting with Naomi's Solar Pumpkin released in 1997, and collaborated with the likes of Carmine Appice, Neal Casal, Gregg Bissonette, Platypus, Jughead, Lillian Axe, and Queensrÿche
September 17, 1959 ~ Keyboardist, songwriter, producer Will Gregory, full name William Owen Gregory, born in Bristol, UK ~ Best known as lead keyboardist, producer of electronic music duo Goldfrapp, the other half being Alison Goldfrapp. Also worked with Peter Gabriel, the Cure, Portishead, Tori Amos, Paula Rae Gibson, the London Sinfonietta, Tears For Fears, the Loggerheads, Gas Giants, and others
September 17, 1957 ~ Conductor, music director Michael Morgan, full name Michael DeVard Morgan, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Started playing the piano at age 8. Was conducting two orchestras by age 12, one at his church and one in high school. Best known for his association with the Oakland East Bay Symphony, signing on as music director in 1991 and remaining until his death. Has guest conducted the New York Philharmonic, the New York City Opera, the San Francisco Symphony, the Washington National Opera, and others ~ Morgan passed away in 2021
September 17, 1956 ~ Power pop, alternative rock drummer, guitarist, singer Gil Ray, full name George Gilbert Ray, born ~ Member of Game Theory from 1985 through 1989. Member of Loud Family. Has also recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with the Happy Eggs, Fade To Black, Shiny Wet Parts, and with the Rain Parade ~ Ray passed away in 2017
September 17, 1956 ~ Roots rock, alternative country singer, bassist, guitarist, songwriter Tom Stevens, full name Thomas Howard Stevens, born ~ Member of the Long Ryders, joining the band shortly after the release of their 10-5-60 debut EP replacing original member Des Brewer. Though the band never became a household name they would prove to be influential on later cowpunk, blending a punk attitude with late-1960s country rock. Stevens would also work with Danny & Dusty, the Byrds-singer Gene Clark, Junk Yard Love, and record about half a dozen solo albums and EPs ~ Stevens passed away in 2021
September 17, 1953 ~ Andrew MacDonald, commonly known as heavy metal guitarist Duck MacDonald, born in Auburn, New York, USA ~ Best known as member of Blue Cheer from 1989 through 1992 appearing on the albums Blitzkrieg Over Nuremberg and Highlights And Lowlives. Also co-founded Bible Black with Gary Driscoll and Craig Gruber. Worked with the Rods, Kim Simmonds, Playground, Thrasher, Lone Rager, and others
September 17, 1953 ~ Rock drummer Steve Williams born in UK ~ Joined Welsh rockers Budgie in the mid-1970s, first appearing on the 1975 Bandolier and has remained with the band since. Also worked with Lowlife and with covers band Mr Hate
September 17, 1952 ~ Country guitarist, keyboardist, mandolinist, banjoist, singer Steve Sanders born in Richland, Georgia, USA ~ Best known as member of the Oak Ridge Boys, joining the band in 1987 replacing William Lee Golden and remaining through 1995. Present on songs such Gonna Take A Lot Of River, Bridges And Walls, Beyond Those Years and Lucky Moon ~ Sanders passed away in 1998
September 17, 1951 ~ R&B, soul singer Theryl Declouet born ~ Lead singer of Galactic, present on the band's first four studio albums until leaving the band in 2004 for health reasons. Previously, Declouet has recorded as a solo artist using the moniker House Man in the late-1980s ~ DeClouet passed away in 2018
September 17, 1950 ~ John Waldo Waybill, commonly known as singer, producer Fee Waybill, born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Best known as lead singer and songwriter of the Tubes. Released a solo debut, Read My Lips, in 1984. Also worked, mainly as producer and sometimes as collaborator, with artists such as Toto, Richard Marx, Billy Sherwood, and Bryan Adams
September 17, 1948 ~ Bassist, singer Julien Tarquin born in Marigot, Martinique ~ Member of pop unit La Compagnie Créole, founded in 1975. The band originally sang in Creole but quickly adopted French as their main language. Known for their feel-good, happy-go-lucky vibe they have recorded about two dozen albums and would enjoy popularity in the Francophone world and beyond especially in the 1980s, reportedly selling over 60 million records over the course of their career. Well-known songs include Vive Le Douanier Rousseau, C'est Bon Pour Le Moral, Le Bal Masqué, Ça Fait Rire Les Oiseaux, and Ma Première Biguine-Partie
September 17, 1944 ~ Rock singer, guitarist Les Emmerson, full name Robert Leslie Emmerson, born ~ Best known as lead singer, guitarist of Five Man Electrical Band, known for songs such as Absolutely Right and I'm A Stranger Here, and its predecessor the Staccatos. Wrote Signs, one of the band's best known, later notably covered by Tesla. As a solo artist known for Cry Your Eyes Out, Watching The World Go By, and Control Of Me ~ Emmerson passed away in 2021
September 17, 1939 ~ Singer Shelby Flint born in North Hollywood, California, USA ~ Best remembered for the 1960s singles Angel On My Shoulder and Cast Your Fate To The Wind. Has also sung for a number of soundtracks, notably Do You Remember Me (Lila's Theme) for Snoopy Come Home and Someone's Waiting For You for the Disney animated feature film The Rescuers. Singer Joni Mitchell once proclaimed that early in her career she wanted to sound just like Flint
September 17, 1929 ~ Jazz, R&B, hard bop saxophonist Curtis Peagler born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Influenced by Charlie Parker, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Louis Jordan. Recorded a handful of albums as a leader, most notably I'll Be Around released in 1986. Perhaps best known for his association with the Modern Jazz Disciples, appearing on the albums Modern Jazz Disciples and Right Down Front. Other notable collaborations include Count Basie, Teresa Brewer, Big Joe Turner, Jimmy Smith, Wynonie Harris, Ella Fitzgerald, and Ray Charles ~ Peagler passed away in 1992
September 17, 1929 ~ Sylvester Austin, commonly known as saxophonist Sil Austin, born in Dunnellon, Florida, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Cites Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Sonny Stitt as major influences. Active since the 1940s. Has worked with Roy Eldridge, Cootie Williams and Tiny Bradshaw before setting out on his own, scoring jazzified hits of pop tunes such as Danny Boy, Slow Walk and My Mother's Eyes ~ Austin passed away in 2002
September 17, 1927 ~ Jazz bassist Earl May, full name Earl Charles Barrington May, born in New York, New York, USA ~ One of the most prolific jazz bassists of the postwar era, known for his rich, round sound. Active on the New York club circuit since the early-1950s, backing artists such as Lester Young, Billy Taylor, Gloria Lynne, and Charles Mingus, to become one of the busiests bassists by the end of the decade. Notably present on key albums by Chet Baker, John Coltrane (Lush Life), and Buddy Rich (Driver). Ventured into soul-jazz by the 1960s, gracing albums by Stanley Turrentine, Shirley Scott, and Lou Donaldson. May continued to perform well into the 2000s, passing away at age 80 of a heart attack just days after his last performance ~ May passed away in 2008
September 17, 1926 ~ William Patton Black Jr, commonly known as bassist Bill Black, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known as bassist backing Elvis Presley in Presley's early years. Black later formed Bill Black's Combo with whom he achieved moderate succes with songs such as White Silver Sands, Blue Tango, and Hearts Of Stone. The combo at one time or another included musicians such as Reggie Young, Chips Moman, Tommy Cogbill and William Martin Willis ~ Black passed away in 1965
September 17, 1926 ~ Eugene McDuff, commonly known as keyboardist, organist, bassist Jack McDuff, born in Champaign, Illinois, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Acclaimed for early-1960s albums such as Brother Jack, The Honeydripper and Brother Jack Meets The Boss. Employed a young George Benson early on in the latter's career. Also worked with Joe Farrell, Willis Jackson, Red Holloway, Joe Dukes, Jimmy Witherspoon, Leo Wright, Kenny Burrell, Pat Martino, David Fathead Newman, Cecil Bridgewater, and Houston Person ~ McDuff passed away in 2001
September 17, 1923 ~ Singer, songwriter Hank Williams born in Georgianna, Alabama, USA ~ Despite a relatively short career, ended abruptly by his untimely death, one of the most important and influential singers and songwriters of the 20th century. Known for classics such as Hey Good Looking, Your Cheatin' Heart, and I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. Williams never learned to read music ~ Williams passed away in 1953
September 17, 1901 ~ Songwriter Stuart Gorrell, full name Stuart Graham Steven Gorrell, born in Knox, Indiana, USA ~ Remembered for co-writing Georgia On My Mind, composed and first recorded by Hoagy Carmichael. The song has become a standard recorded by numerous artists, notably Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Willie Nelson. Gorrell wrote the lyrics in a single night after hearing Carmichael play the new composition at a party and never wrote another lyric in his life ~ Gorrell passed away in 1963