1988
American musician Brittany Howard, best known as lead vocalist and guitarist of Alabama Shakes and Thunderbitch. Their second record, Sound & Color, released in 2015 debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200, and won four Grammy Awards.
1973
Lene G Nystrom, from Danish eurodance group Aqua, who scored the 1997 UK No.1 single ‘Barbie Girl’ a song that topped the charts worldwide.
1973
R&B singer LaTocha Scott (of Xscape) is born in Atlanta, Georgia.
1971
Jim Root, American musician, songwriter and guitarist, best known for being the lead guitarist for the American heavy metal band Slipknot and the former lead guitarist for the American alternative metal band Stone Sour.
1971
Tiffany, US singer (1987 US No.1 & 1988 UK No.1 single ‘I Think We’re Alone Now’).
1970 R&B singer Dion Allen (of Az Yet) is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Known for the song “Last Night” and the Chicago cover “Hard to Say I’m Sorry.”
1969
Badly Drawn Boy, (Damon Gough), singer, songwriter, 2002 UK No.9 single ‘You Were Right’, 2002 UK No. 10 album, ‘Have You Fed The Fish’.
1962
Sigtryggur Baldursson, drums, The Sugarcubes, (1992 UK No.17 single ‘Hit’).
1958
Robbie Nevil, singer, (1987 UK No.3 single ‘C’est La Vie’).
1956
Freddie Jackson, US soul singer, scored US 10 R&B No. 1’s. (“Rock Me Tonight”), born in Harlem, New York
1955
Phil Oakey singer, songwriter with The Human League. Formed in Sheffield, England in 1977 the group attained widespread commercial success with their third album Dare in 1981. The album contained four hit singles, including the UK/US No.1 hit ‘Don’t You Want Me’. The Human League has sold more than 20 million records worldwide.2 Oct 1952
John Otway, UK singer, songwriter, guitarist, (1977 UK No.27 single ‘Really Free’, with Wild Willy Barrett). 2002 UK No.7 single ‘Bunsen Burner’.
1951
Sting, (Gordon Sumner), singer, songwriter, The Police, (1983 UK & US No.1 single ‘Every Breath You Take’, plus 4 other UK No.1 singles). Solo, (1990 UK No.15 single ‘Englishman In New York’ plus over 15 other UK Top 40 singles). As a solo musician and a member of The Police, he received 16 Grammy Awards and has sold over 100 million records. He joins Toby Keith in the country charts on a remake of his song “I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying”
1951
Romina Power, American actress (Justine), Euro-pop singer, and daughter of Tyrone Power and Mexican actress Linda Christian, born in Los Angeles, California
1950
Mike Rutherford, guitar, Genesis, (1986 US No.1 single ‘Invisible Touch’, 1992 UK No.7 single ‘I Can’t Dance’ & 6 UK No.1 albums). & Mike And The Mechanics, (1989 US No.1 & UK No.2 single ‘The Living Years’).
1949
Richard Hell, vocals, The Voidoids, (1977 album ‘Blank Generation’ features the track ‘Love Comes In Spurts’).
1945
Don McLean is born in New Rochelle, New York. A pop and folk artist best known for his recording of “American Pie,” McLean earns a country hit in 1981 with his remake of Roy Orbison’s “Crying”. ‘American Pie’ was the1971 US & 1972 UK No.1 single , a song inspired by the death of Buddy Holly.
1941
Ron Meagher, The Beau Brummels, (1965 US No.8 single ‘Just A Little.’)
1939
Lolly Vegas, guitarist and singer with Redbone, who had the 1971 UK No.2 & US No.21 single ‘The Witch Queen Of New Orleans’ and the 1974 US No. 4 hit single, ‘Come and Get Your Love.’ Redbone are accredited in the NY Smithsonian as the first Native American rock/Cajun group to have a No.1 single in the United States and internationally. Jimi Hendrix stated that Lolly Vegas was his favorite guitar player and biggest influence in music. He died of cancer on 4 March 2010.
1933
David Somerville (original lead singer for The Diamonds) is born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.July 14, 2015.
