Music History

Rhythm and blues singer and songwriter Percy Mayfield was born, known for the songs “Please Send Me Someone to Love” and “Hit the Road Jack.”

Influential jazz saxophonist, bandleader, and composer Charlie Parker, nicknamed Bird, was born in Kansas City, Kansas. He developed the innovative style known as bebop, which influenced musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis.

Guitarist Al Caiola, who frequently worked as a session musician in the 1950s, was born in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Richard Adler, Broadway lyricist and composer, was born in New York City.

Herb Ellis, acclaimed jazz guitarist and member of the Oscar Peterson Trio, was born in Farmersville, Texas.

Jazz and blues musician Buddy Collette, a tenor saxophonist, flutist and clarinetist and a founding member of the Chico Hamilton Quintet, was born in Los Angeles, California.

Baskytarista, aranžér a kapelník big bandu Warren Covington se narodil ve Filadelfii v Pensylvánii.

Country singer Webb Pierce was born in West Monroe, Louisiana. He became known, among other things, for his popular version of “In the Jailhouse Now” from 1955.

Jimmy McCracklin was born in St. Louis, Missouri, although some sources list Helena, Arkansas, as his birthplace. He became known as an American pianist, songwriter, and singer, with hits including “The Walk” and “Just Got To Know”.

American actress Nancy Kulp, who also had experience in musical theater, was born.

Composer Ron Grainer was born in Queensland, Australia. He is known, among other things, as the composer of the famous Doctor Who theme.

Ernie Freeman, bandleader and pianist, was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He also worked as a session musician and contributed to recordings including Dean Martin's "Everybody Loves Somebody" and Frank Sinatra's "That's Life".

American actress Martha Stewart, born Martha Ruth Stewart Haworth, was born in Bardwell, Kentucky. She grew up in Brooklyn and later also worked as a singer and as an actress in film and television.

Blues singer Jimmy Witherspoon was born in Gurdon, Arkansas.

American country and pop singer and songwriter Jim Reeves was born in Galloway, Texas. He was among the first country artists to achieve significant success in pop as well. He became known for the 1957 hit “Four Walls”; in 1960 he had the U.S. No. 2 hit “He'll Have To Go”, and in 1966 the UK No. 1 hit “Distant Drums”. He died on July 31, 1964, in a single-engine aircraft crash in dense fog.

Roland Janes, an American rockabilly guitarist and music producer, was born. From 1956 to 1963 he worked with Sun Records and became a regular session guitarist on recordings by Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich, Sonny Burgess and others. He died on October 18, 2013, aged 80.

Louis Gottlieb, double bassist and bassist with The Limeliters, was born in Los Angeles, California.

Hugh Gordon Stoker, singer with The Jordanaires, who among others backed Elvis Presley, was born in Gleason, Tennessee.

Jazz singer Joya Sherrill was born in Bayonne, New Jersey. She became known, among other things, for the song “I'm Beginning to See the Light” with the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

Louis Teicher of the piano duo Ferrante & Teicher was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

American singer and pianist Dinah Washington, born Ruth Lee Jones, was born in Chicago. In 1959, she had the US single "What A Diff'rence A Day Makes" at No. 8, and in 1960 she recorded two successful duets with Brook Benton, "Baby (You've Got What It Takes)" and "A Rockin' Good Way (To Mess Around and Fall in Love)". She died on December 14, 1963, at the age of 39.

American pianist Roger Williams was born. He had 22 hit singles and 38 successful albums.

Songwriter Felice Bryant, born Matilda Genevieve Scaduto, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. With her husband Boudleaux Bryant, she wrote several hits for The Everly Brothers, including “All I Have to Do Is Dream”, “Wake Up Little Susie” and “Bye Bye Love”, as well as “Love Hurts” and “Raining in My Heart” for Buddy Holly.

Singer and talk-show host Mike Douglas was born in Chicago.

Willie “Bill” Pinkney, a singer and founding member of The Drifters, was born in Dalzell, South Carolina.

Jazz pianist and composer Oscar Peterson was born in Montreal, Canada. He later became a seven-time Grammy Award winner.

American country singer, songwriter, and guitarist Billy Grammer was born in Benton, Illinois. He became particularly known for his million-selling 1959 hit “Gotta Travel On”.

Singer, dancer, and actor Donald O'Connor was born in Chicago, Illinois. He became famous for his role in the film “Singin' in the Rain” alongside Gene Kelly.

American bandleader and film music composer Hugo Montenegro was born. In 1968, he had a UK number-one and US number-two hit with a cover of Ennio Morricone’s main theme from the film The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. He also composed the music for the 1969 western Charro! starring Elvis Presley.

English pop pianist and composer Russ Conway was born in Bristol as Trevor Hebert Stanford. He became best known for the singles “Side Saddle” and “Roulette”, which reached number one on the charts.

Country singer and songwriter Hank Thompson was born in Waco, Texas. His work inspired Thomas Cobb’s novel Crazy Heart and the 2009 film of the same name starring Jeff Bridges.

American blues musician and songwriter Jimmy Reed was born in Dunleith, Mississippi. He became famous for songs including "Big Boss Man", "Baby What You Want Me to Do" and "Bright Lights, Big City". In 1964, he had the UK hit "Shame, Shame, Shame", which reached No. 45. He strongly influenced The Rolling Stones, and Elvis Presley recorded his song "Baby What You Want Me to Do". Reed died on August 29, 1976.

Tony Bennett, born Anthony Dominick Benedetto, was born in Astoria, Queens, New York City.

American jazz singer and pianist Jeri Southern, born Genevieve Lillian Hering, was born in Royal, Nebraska.

Voice actor and recording artist Stan Freberg was born in Pasadena, California.

Jazz trombonist Urbie Green was born in Mobile, Alabama.

R&B singer and songwriter Joe Jones was born, best known for the hit “You Talk Too Much.”

Jazz trombonist Frank Rosolino was born in Detroit, Michigan.

American jazz singer Irene Reid was born.

American pianist, composer, and actor Max Morath, nicknamed “Mr. Ragtime”, was born in Colorado Springs.

Violinist Cyril Reuben was born in England. He later performed with the London Symphony Orchestra.

American jazz double bassist Ray Brown was born. He was known for his long-standing collaborations with Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald. He was also a founding member of the group that later evolved into the Modern Jazz Quartet.

Country singer and television host Porter Wagoner was born; he later introduced Dolly Parton on his television show.

Country singer Jimmy C. Newman was born near Big Mamou, Louisiana. He became known for the 1957 hit "A Fallen Star".

Tommy Evans, a singer with the American doo-wop and R&B group The Drifters, was born. He was a member of the lineup that released the 1957 hit “Fools Fall in Love.”

American jazz and pop singer and actor Al Martino, born Jasper Cini, was born in Philadelphia. In 1952, he had the US and UK No. 1 hit “Here in My Heart” and portrayed singer Johnny Fontane in the 1972 film The Godfather.

American jazz saxophonist Curtis Amy was born. In the mid-1960s, he served for three years as musical director of Ray Charles's orchestra and later worked as a session musician. He played on recordings including The Doors' "Touch Me," Carole King's Tapestry album and early Lou Rawls albums. He also worked with Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell and Smokey Robinson. He died on June 5, 2002, at the age of 74.