Music History

Ronald Beitle, drummer with the American funk rock group Wild Cherry, was born. In 1976, the group had the US No. 1 single “Play That Funky Music”, which reached No. 7 in the UK.

English singer Sal Solo of Classix Nouveaux was born.

Stella Barker, a member of the British pop-rock group The Belle Stars, was born. The group had the 1983 UK hit "Sign Of The Times", which reached No. 3, and also became known for their cover of "Iko Iko", which appeared on the soundtrack of "Rain Man".

American guitarist Dawayne Bailey, who performed and recorded with Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band, Véronique Sanson and Chicago.

American musician, singer, songwriter and guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan was born in Dallas, Texas. He was the frontman of blues-rock trio Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble and was one of the most influential guitarists in the revival of interest in blues during the 1980s. He played on six songs on David Bowie's album Let's Dance, including the title track and “China Girl.” Vaughan died on August 27, 1990, at the age of 35 in a helicopter crash. His family successfully sued the company's operator for allowing an unfit pilot to fly in fog and received $2 million in damages. In the months following his death, more than 5.5 million of his albums were sold in the US.

American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist David Hidalgo of Los Lobos was born in Los Angeles, California. He became known as a co-founder of Los Lobos.

English musician James Fearnley was born in Worsley, Lancashire. He played accordion, guitar and foot-operated snare drum with the Irish-British Celtic punk band The Pogues, who scored the 1987 UK No. 8 single "The Irish Rover."

Longtime Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth was born in Bloomington, Indiana. Thanks to his distinctive extroverted personality, he became one of rock's most prominent frontmen and helped the band gain considerable attention in the early days of MTV. As a solo artist, he had hits such as “California Girls,” a cover of a Beach Boys song, and “Just Like Paradise.”

An American drummer, producer, and member of the band Garbage was born in Viroqua, Wisconsin. He produced, among others, Nirvana's album „Nevermind“, as well as recordings by The Smashing Pumpkins and Sonic Youth.

English drummer and percussionist Charlie Morgan was born in London. He worked with Tom Robinson Band, Kate Bush, Elton John, Orleans, Paul McCartney and Tina Turner, among others.

English multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Colin Moulding was born in Swindon. He became known as a member of XTC.

Saxophonist and composer Alan Wilkinson was born in Ilford, England.

Jeffrey Daniel, R&B singer of Shalamar, was born in Los Angeles, California. The group became known for songs including „The Second Time Around“ and „A Night to Remember“ and helped introduce body-popping to the U.K.

Bassist and singer Bruce Foxton of The Jam was born in Woking, England.

Rob Hirst, drummer of Midnight Oil, was born.

English guitarist, singer and co-founder of the punk rock band Sex Pistols Steve Jones was born in Hammersmith, London.

American singer and songwriter Howard Hewett was born in Akron, Ohio. He became famous as the lead singer of Shalamar.

Philip Oakey, singer and songwriter of The Human League, was born in Oadby, Leicestershire, England. The band, formed in Sheffield in 1977, achieved major commercial success with the 1981 album Dare and the hit “Don't You Want Me,” which reached No. 1 in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma was born.

Singer-songwriter Jane Siberry is born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is known for songs including “Mimi on the Beach,” “I Muse Aloud,” “One More Colour,” and “Calling All Angels.”

Kirk Brandon, English singer, songwriter, and guitarist best known for his work with Theatre of Hate and Spear of Destiny, was born in London.

Alister "Ali" Score, drummer with A Flock Of Seagulls, was born in Beverley, Yorkshire, England.

English singer, guitarist and songwriter Christopher Foreman, also known as Chrissy Boy, was born in London. He became famous as the guitarist of the ska band Madness.

Bassist and keyboard player Tony Garnier was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He is best known as Bob Dylan's longtime sideman, having played with him since 1989.

Chris Biondo, a guitarist and producer who worked with Eva Cassidy. Eva Cassidy is described as the only performer to have three posthumous UK No. 1 albums: Songbird (2001), Imagine (2002) and American Tune (2003). In 2001, she also had the UK No. 42 single “Over The Rainbow”.

English songwriter and producer Matt Aitken was born in Coventry, England. He was part of the Stock, Aitken and Waterman production team, one of the most successful songwriting and production teams, which created more than 100 UK Top 40 hits, including Rick Astley's “Never Gonna Give You Up”.

English musician and bassist Glen Matlock, the original bassist and founding member of the punk band Sex Pistols, was born in Paddington, London. He is credited as the writer of ten of the twelve songs on their only official studio album, “Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols”. He later played with the band Rich Kids.

Jazz saxophonist Elton Dean, a member of Soft Machine, was born.

Swedish guitarist, singer and songwriter Roine Stolt was born.

American songwriter, musician and producer Diane Warren was born in Van Nuys, California. She has written more than 80 US Top 20 hits and is known, among other songs, as the writer of “I Don't Want To Miss A Thing” for Aerosmith, “How Do I Live” for LeAnn Rimes, “Un-Break My Heart” for Toni Braxton, “If I Could Turn Back Time” for Cher and “Because You Loved Me” for Céline Dion. She is also the writer of nine songs that reached No. 1 on the charts.

Soul and R&B singer Freddie Jackson was born in Harlem, New York. He began his professional career in the late 1970s with the California funk group Mystic Merlin. He became known for the hits “Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake),” “Have You Ever Loved Somebody,” and “Jam Tonight.”

Mojo Nixon, the American singer and guitarist best known for the song “Elvis Is Everywhere,” was born on August 2, 1957.

Dennis Drew, founding member and keyboardist of alternative rock group 10,000 Maniacs, was born in Jamestown, New York.

Tim Farriss, guitarist for the Australian rock band INXS, was born in Perth, Western Australia.

Budgie, drummer of Siouxsie and the Banshees, was born.

Kim Sledge of Sister Sledge was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Country singer and songwriter Holly Dunn was born in San Antonio, Texas. She became best known for her No. 1 singles “You Really Had Me Going” and “Are You Ever Gonna Love Me”.

Founding member, rhythm guitarist and principal songwriter of the punk rock band The Undertones, John O'Neill was born in Derry, Northern Ireland. He wrote songs including “Teenage Kicks”, “Jimmy Jimmy”, “Here Comes the Summer” and “You've Got My Number”.

Drummer and singer Regina "Gina" Schock was born in Baltimore, Maryland. She became known as a member of the all-female rock band The Go-Go's. In 1982, the group had the U.S. single "We Got The Beat" at No. 2 and the British hit "Our Lips Are Sealed".

English singer, songwriter and guitarist Glenn Tilbrook was born in Woolwich, London. He became best known as the frontman and founding member of Squeeze. The group's well-known songs include "Tempted", "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)", "Cool for Cats" and "Up the Junction".

Cuban-American singer, songwriter and actress Gloria Estefan, whose real name is Gloria Fajardo, was born in Havana, Cuba. She joined Miami Sound Machine in 1977 and married its leader Emilio Estefan the following year. She became known in Latin pop and also successfully reached English-speaking audiences with hits including “Conga,” “Anything For You” and “Coming Out Of The Dark.”

Keyboardist, songwriter and film music composer Steve Porcaro was born in Hartford, Connecticut. He became known as a founding member of the rock band Toto.

Suzanne Freytag of the group Propaganda was born.