1991
American rapper and singer Young Thug. In 2017 he featured on the hit song ‘Havana’ by Cuban pop singer Camila Cabello, which became his first No.1 single on the US Billboard chart.
1980
Bob Hardy, bassist with Scottish indie rock band Franz Ferdinand, who were the winners of the 2004 Mercury Music Prize for their self-titled debut album.
1980
Venessa Carlton, (2002 UK No.6 single ‘A Thousand Miles’).
1972
Emily Robison, singer-songwriter with The Chicks. With sales of 27.2 million albums in the US alone, they have become one of the top-selling all-female bands and biggest selling country groups in America. Robinson also formed Court Yard Hounds with her sister and fellow Chicks member, Martie Maguire.
1967
MC. Remedee, Cookie Crew, (1988 UK No.5 single ‘Rock Da House’).
1964
Matt Lukin, bassist with American alternative rock band Mudhoney. Their early releases on the Sub Pop label were massively influential on the Seattle music scene.
1960
Drummer Chris Pedersen (of Camper Van Beethoven and Monks of Doom) is born in Great Lakes, Illinois.
1958
Madonna, (Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone), singer, actress. First hit was the 1984 UK No.6 single ‘Holiday’. With sales of over 300 million records worldwide, Madonna is certified as the best-selling female recording artist of all time by Guinness World Records. She is the most successful solo artist in the history of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and holds the record for the most No.1 singles by a female artist in Australia, Canada, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
1957
Tim Farriss, guitarist from Australian rock band INXS, who had the 1988 UK No.2 & US No.1 single ‘Need You Tonight’. Their 1987 album Kick has sold over 10m copies in the US alone and features four Top 10 singles; ‘Need You Tonight,’ ‘Devil Inside’, ‘New Sensation,’ and ‘Never Tear Us Apart.’ INXS has sold over 55 million records worldwide.
1953
James Taylor, Kool & The Gang, (1981 US No.1 & UK No.7 single, Celebration. 1984 UK No.2 single ‘Joanna’, and over 15 other top 40 hits).
1949
Scott Asheton, drums, Iggy Pop And The Stooges, (1973 album ‘Raw Power’). He died on 15th March 2014.
1948
Barry Hay, Golden Earring, (1974 UK No.7 & US 13 single ‘Radar Love’).
1946
Gordon Fleet, The Easybeats, (1966 UK No.6 & 1967 US No. 16 single ‘Friday On My Mind’).
1945
Gary Loizzo, from American rock band American Breed who scored the 1967 US No.5 single ‘Bend Me, Shape Me’, (a hit on the British charts for the British group Amen Corner).
1945
Kevin Ayers, singer, songwriter, and founder member of Soft Machine, who had the 1970 UK No.18 album, ‘Third’. Ayers who was a major influential force in the English psychedelic movement died on 18th February 2013.
1942
Robert “Squirrel” Lester, second tenor in the Chicago-based singing group The Chi-Lites that charted 21 songs in the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Chart. Their major hits came in 1971 and 1972, with ‘Have You Seen Her’ and ‘Oh Girl’. He died on 21 January 21, 2010.
1934
R&B/Pop singer and actress Ketty Lester is born Revoyda Frierson in Hope, Arkansas. Known for her 1962 hit “Love Letters.”
1931
Traditional Pop/Swing singer Eydie Gorme is born in The Bronx, New York. She died on August 10, 2013.
1915
Singer, Al Hibbler, (1955 UK No.2 & US No.3 single ‘Unchained Melody’). The American baritone vocalist, sang with Duke Ellington’s orchestra before having several pop hits as a solo artist. Died April 24, 2001.
