Born On This Day In Music, April 21st

1963 – Johnny McElhone
Scottish guitarist and songwriter Johnny McElhone who with Altered Images had the 1981 UK No.2 single ‘Happy Birthday’. He joined Texas who had the 1997 UK No.3 single ‘Say What You Want’, and the 1997 UK No.1 album White On Blonde.

1960 – John Maher
John Maher, drummer with English punk rock group Buzzcocks who had the 1978 UK No.12 single ‘Ever Fallen In Love, With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve’.

1959 – Michael Timmins
Michael Timmins, guitarist with Canadian alternative country/blues/folk rock band, Cowboy Junkies.

1959 – Robert Smith
Singer, songwriter and musician Robert Smith with English rock band The Cure who had the 1989 US No.2 single ‘Love Song’, the 1992 UK No.6 single ‘Friday I’m In Love’, plus over 20 other UK Top 40 singles. He was also the lead guitarist for the band Siouxsie and the Banshees from 1982 to 1984.

1958 – Mike Barson
Mike Barson, keyboardist from English ska band Madness. They have had 15 singles reach the UK top ten, hits include ‘One Step Beyond’, ‘Baggy Trousers’, ‘Our House’ and ‘It Must Be Love’.

1951 – Nicole Barclay
Nicole Barclay, from American all-female band Fanny who were active in the early 1970s. They were one of the first notable rock groups to be made up entirely of women.

1948 – Paul Davis
Paul Davis, American singer and songwriter, best known for his radio hits and solo career which started worldwide in 1970. He had the 1977 US No. 7 hit ‘I Go Crazy’, which once held the record for the longest chart run on the Billboard Hot 100 with 40 weeks on the chart. He also had two No. 1 country hits as a guest vocalist on songs by Marie Osmond and Tanya Tucker. He died on 22 April 2008.

1947 – Alan Warner
Alan Warner, from British soul band The Foundations who scored the 1967 UK No.1 single ‘Baby Now That I’ve Found You’ and the 1969 US No.3 single ‘Build Me Up A Buttercup’. The group was the first multi-racial group to have a No.1 hit in the UK in the 1960s.

1947 – Iggy Pop
American singer-songwriter, musician and actor James Osterberg, (Iggy Pop). Member of The Stooges and solo artist, Pop is sometimes credited with the invention of stage diving. Hits include: ‘Lust for Life’, ‘The Passenger’, ‘Real Wild Child’, and ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’.

1947 – John Weider
John Weider, English rock musician who plays guitar, bass, and violin. He is best known as the guitarist for Eric Burdon & The Animals from 1966 to 1968. He was also the bass player for Family from 1969 to 1971.

1931 – Carl Belew
Country singer-songwriter Carl Belew, known for ’50s hits like “Am I That Easy To Forget” and “Lonely Street” (made popular by Andy Williams), is born in Salina, Oklahoma. He died October 31, 1990 in Salina, OK.

1919 – Don Cornell
American singer Don Cornell. His 1952 hit ‘I’ was the only single-character pop chart entry until Prince’s 1992 top 10 Billboard hit ‘7’. His 1954 single ‘Hold My Hand’ sold over one million copies and topped the UK Singles Chart. He died on 23 February 2004 age 84.

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