1999 – Lil Nas X
American rapper, singer and songwriter Lil Nas X, (born Montero Lamar Hill). He came to international attention for his 2019 country rap single ‘Old Town Road‘, which reached No.1 on the US Billboard chart and remained there for nineteen weeks, the only song to do so since the chart started in 1958. In June 2019, Nas X came out as gay, the only artist ever to have done so while having a No.1 record.
1987 – Jesse McCartney
Jesse McCartney, American singer, actor. Member of the boy band Dream Street, (2005 Australian No.1 & US & UK Top 20 hit single ‘Beautiful Soul’). Co-wrote ‘Bleeding Love’ a hit for Leona Lewis.
1987 – Jazmine Sullivan
American singer-songwriter Jazmine Sullivan. Her debut single ‘Need U Bad’, produced by Missy Elliott, reached No.1 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. At thirteen, she sang with Stevie Wonder at his grandson’s birthday.
1986 – Leighton Meester
Actor Leighton Meester is born in Fort Worth, Texas. She takes a role in the 2010 movie “Country Strong,” earning a gold single for a duet with Garrett Hedlund, “Give In To Me”.
1980 – Albert Hammond Jr
Albert Hammond Jr, guitarist from American rock band The Strokes who had the 2001 UK No.14 single ‘Last Nite’ and the 2001 UK No.2 album Is This It.
1978 – Rachel Stevens
Rachel Stevens, from English pop group S Club 7 who had the 1999 UK No.1 single ‘Bring It All Back’. Their 2000 UK No.1 album 7 spent over a year on the UK chart. The group was formed in 1998 and quickly rose to fame by starring in their own BBC television series, Miami 7. As a solo artist she had the 2003 UK No.2 single ‘Sweet Dreams My LA Ex’.
1977 – Gerard Way
Gerard Way, singer, songwriter with American rock band My Chemical Romance who had the 2006 UK No.1 single ‘Welcome to the Black Parade’, and the 2006 US No.2 album The Black Parade.
1969 – Kevin Martin
Kevin Martin lead vocalist of Candlebox, is born in Elgin, Illinois.
1961 – Mark Kelly
Mark Kelly, keyboardist from British rock band Marillion who had the 1985 UK No.2 single ‘Kayleigh’. The band achieved eight Top Ten UK albums between 1983 and 1994, including a No.1 album in 1985 with Misplaced Childhood.
1953 – Hal Ketchum
Singer/songwriter Hal Ketchum is born in Greenwich, New York. He joins the Grand Ole Opry in 1994 on the back of such melodic singles as “Small Town Saturday Night,” “Past The Point Of Rescue” and “Sure Love”.
1950 – Peter Wood
Keyboardist Peter Wood (Roger Waters’ backing group, The Bleeding Heart Band) is born in Middlesex, England.
1948 – Phillip Wright
Phillip Wright, from Paper Lace who scored the 1974 UK No.1 single ‘Billy Don’t Be A Hero’, and the 1974 US No.1 single ‘The Night Chicago Died’.
1948 – Dave “Chico” Ryan
Rock ‘n roll singer Dave “Chico” Ryan of The Happenings, Sha Na Na, Bill Haley & His Comets, is born in Arlington, Massachusetts.
1946 – Les Gray
Les Gray, singer with English glam rock band Mud who had the 1974 UK No.1 single ‘Tiger Feet‘ which was the UK’s best-selling single of 1974 plus 14 other UK Top 40 singles. Gray died from throat cancer on 21 Feb 2004 aged 57.
1945 – Emil Stucchio
Rock ‘n roll singer Emil Stucchio (of The Classics) is born in New York.
1944 – Gene Parsons
Drummer Gene Parsons is born in Los Angeles. He joins The Byrds, pivotal in the development of country-rock, beginning with the 1969 album “Dr. Byrd & Mr. Hyde.” He leaves in 1972, following the album “Further Along”.
1943 – Terry Knight
Music producer Terry Knight (Grand Funk Railroad, Bloodrock) is born Richard Terrance Knapp in Lapeer, Michigan. Died November 1. 2004
1933 – Paula Stewart
Broadway singer Paula Stewart is born in Chicago. She’s destined to become the first wife of Burt Bacharach, who earns country hits as the songwriter of such titles as “Only Love Can Break A Heart,” “The Story Of My Life” and “Any Day Now”.
1932 – Carl Perkins
American singer-songwriter Carl Perkins who had the 1956 US No.2 & UK No.10 single ‘Blue Suede Shoes.’ Perkins’ songs were recorded by Elvis Presley, The Beatles and Johnny Cash. Paul McCartney claimed that “if there were no Carl Perkins, there would be no Beatles.” Perkins died on 19th Jan 1998 aged 65.
1921 – George David Weiss
Pop songwriter George David Weiss is born in New York City. The author of “What A Wonderful World” and “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” he also writes the country hits “I’ll Never Be Free” and “I Can’t See Me In Your Eyes Anymore”. He died August 23, 2010.
