29 Feb 1984
American musician, singer, and songwriter, Mark Foster best known as the lead singer of the band Foster the People. Their single ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance in 2012. He wrote ‘Forever Winter’ covered by Taylor Swift on her album Red (Taylor’s Version).
29 Feb 1976
Ja Rule, US rapper, (Jeffrey Atkins) who had the 2001 UK No.4 with Jennifer Lopez, ‘I’m Real’, and the 2002 US No.1 & UK No.6 single ‘Always On Time’, and the 2001 US No.1 album ‘Pain Is Love’.
29 Feb 1972
American vocalist David Williams best known as the original lead singer for the rock band Drowning Pool. On 14 August 2002, Williams was found dead in the band’s tour bus in Manassas, Virginia. An autopsy established that he had died from heart failure caused by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease), which went undiagnosed until his death.
29 Feb 1972
Saul Williams, most known for his blend of poetry and hip-hop. Williams had the 2007 album ‘The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust!’
29 Feb 1940
Gretchen Christopher from American group The Fleetwoods who had the 1959 US No.1 & UK No.6 single ‘Come Softly To Me’.
Feb 29, 1936
Keyboard player Charles Cochran is born in Midway, Pennsylvania. He becomes a prominent Nashville session musician, playing on hits by Crystal Gayle, Waylon Jennings, Charley Pride, Johnny Cash and Don Williams. Died June 7, 2007 in a two-car crash in Nashville,Tennessee, after a driver ran a stop sign.
29 Feb 1916
Dinah Shore is born Frances Rose Shore in Winchester, Tennessee. She starts out as a successful singer in the Big Band era before becoming a popular TV host. She died February 24, 1994.
29 Feb 1904
Jimmy Dorsey, alto saxophonist, clarinettist, bandleader, and brother of trombonist-bandleader Tommy Dorsey. Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra had 103 chart hits in the US, including 12 number ones. Their biggest hit was ‘Amapola’ in 1941, featuring the vocals of Bob Eberly and Helen O’Connell. It was number one for ten weeks. He died on 12 June 1957 age 53.
