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Born On This Day In Music, June 17th
1989
Pop singer Simone Battle is born in Los Angeles, California. She was a finalist on The X Factor in 2011 and a member of the girl group G.R.L. from 2012 until her death in 2014. The group was best known for their singles “Vacation”, “Ugly Heart” and “Wild Wild Love” with Pitbull. Battle was found dead on September 5, 2014, at the age of 25. The cause of death was ruled as suicide.
1987
Kendrick Lamar American hip hop artist. At 8 years old, he watches Tupac Shakur and Dr. Dre film their “California Love” video in his neighborhood and decides he wants to be a rapper. Lamar is also known as a member of the West Coast hip hop supergroup Black Hippy. At the 57th Annual Grammy Awards (2015), Lamar won Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for his single, “i”.
1983
Lee Ryan, singer with English boyband, Blue who had the 2002 UK No.1 single ‘If You Come Back’. The group also worked alongside artists such as Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Lil’ Kim.
1972
Ricardo Rikrot, UK singer, who had the 2000 UK and US No.1 single with Shaggy ‘It Wasn’t Me’.
1969
Kevin Thornton, from American R&B group Color Me Badd who had the 1991 UK No.1 single ‘I Wanna Sex You Up’, and the 1991 US No.1 single ‘I Adore Mi Amor’.
1965
Richard Hynd, drummer from Scottish pop rock band Texas who had the 1997 UK No.3 single ‘Say What You Want’, and the 1997 UK No.1 album White On Blonde which has been certified six-times platinum in the UK.
1962
Bap Kennedy, singer, songwriter from Belfast, Northern Ireland, noted for his collaborations with Steve Earle, Van Morrison, Shane MacGowan and Mark Knopfler, as well as for writing the song ‘Moonlight Kiss’ which was on the soundtrack for the film Serendipity. Kennedy who was in the rock band Energy Orchard died on 1 November 2016 in Belfast in hospice care from pancreatic and bowel cancer.
1958
Jello Biafra, from Dead Kennedys the American punk rock band that formed in San Francisco. The band was one of the first American hardcore bands to make a significant impact in the United Kingdom.
1957
Philip Chevron, guitarist from Irish-British Celtic punk band The Pogues who scored the 1987 UK No.8 single ‘The Irish Rover’ and the 1987 UK No.2 single with Kirsty MaCcoll, ‘Fairytale Of New York’. Chevron died on October 8, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland from oesophageal cancer at age 56.
1952
Austin, Texas-based drummer Mike Buck who was a member of The Fabulous Thunderbirds who had two hit songs in the 1980s, ‘Tuff Enuff’ and ‘Wrap It Up.’
1951
Pop singer Lenny LeBlanc is born in Leominster, Massachusetts. As a member of the duo LeBlanc & Carr, he’s part of the 1977 hit “Falling.
1947
British singer and songwriter Paul Young, from Sad Cafe, who had the 1979 UK No.3 single ‘Every Day Hurts’. With Mike and the Mechanics he scored the 1989 UK No.2 single ‘The Living Years’, (with Paul Carrick on lead vocals). He made his debut during the 60s in the British beat group the Toggery Five. Young died on 15th July 2000 from a sudden heart attack.
1947
American singer and keyboardist Gregg Rolie who has been a member of Santana and Journey. He joined Carlos Santana and others to form the Santana Blues Band in 1965. As a co-founding member of Santana, Rolie was part of the band’s first wave of success, including an appearance at Woodstock in 1969 and central roles in several hit albums.
1945
Eric McCredie, bassist, founding member of the group Middle of the Road, is born in Partick, Glasgow, Scotland. Middle of the Road struck gold when Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep stayed at the top of the charts for five weeks in 1971. Died in his sleep in Glasgow, October 6, 2007.
1944
Chris Spedding, session guitarist. Worked with Donovan, David Essex, Lulu, Dusty Springfield, Jack Bruce, Eno, Bryan Ferry, The Wombles. Solo, (1975 UK No.14 single ‘Motor Biking’). Also a member of The Sharks.
1943
Barry Manilow is born Barry Alan Pincus in Brooklyn, New York. Despite never wanting to be an entertainer, he becomes one of the best-selling artists in the world as a famous soft-rock balladeer. ‘ Manilow has scored over 25 US Top 40 singles selling over 75 million records worldwide. Had the 2006 US No.1 album The Greatest Songs of the Fifties.
1942
Norman Kuhlke, from British Merseybeat band The Swinging Blue Jeans who had the 1964 UK No.2 single ‘Hippy Hippy Shake’ and the hit and ‘You’re No Good’.
1940
Bass player Chuck Rainey is born Charles Walter Rainey III in Cleveland, Ohio. Performed and recorded with many well-known acts, including Aretha Franklin, Steely Dan, and Quincy Jones. Rainey is credited for playing bass on more than 1,000 albums, and is one of the most recorded bass players in the history of recorded music.
1939
Dave Alldred, drummer for The Rhythm Orchids, Dickie Doo & the Don’ts, is born.
1938
Percussionist Farrell Morris is born in Waxahachie, Texas. He becomes a major Nashville session musician, playing on such classics as Alabama’s “Song Of The South,” Ray Price’s “For The Good Times,” Elvis Presley’s “Way Down” and Garth Brooks’ “Standing Outside The Fire”. Died October 4, 2012.
1930
Cliff Gallup, guitarist from Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps who had the 1956 US No.7 & UK No.16 single ‘Be-Bop-A-Lula’. Gallup died of a heart attack on October 9th 1988.
1910
Red Foley is born in Blue Lick, Kentucky. Following his sentimental hit about his dog, “Old Shep,” he becomes a major figure on the Grand Ole Opry in the 1940s and ’50s. He enters the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1967. Died: September 19, 1968.
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