October: Music Makers' Birthdays

Music Makers’ Birthdays: October

Click on any date below to see music makers’ birthdays on that day. Note: Names listed in bold have had dates verified with at least two sources to (hopefully) ensure accuracy. Please email Dave’s Music Database with any corrections. Click here to return to the main music makers’ birthday page. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 -- -- -- --

October 1 Youssou N’Dour (1959) Senegalese singer. Donny Hathaway (1945). R&B singer and producer bornin Chicago, IL. Died 1/13/1979. Scott McKenzie (1944). Singer (“San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)”). Jerry Martini (1942). R&B saxophonist born in Denver, CO. With Sly & the Family Stone (1969’s Stand!). Julie Andrews (1935). Actress and singer born Julia Elizabeth Wells in Watton-on-Thames, England. Best known for movie musicals (1956’s My Fair Lady, 1964, Mary Poppins, 1965’s The Sound of Music). Albert Collins (1932). Texas blues guitarist (1978’s Ice Pickin’). Died 11/24/1993. Richard Harris (1930). Irish actor and one-hit wonder (“MacArthur Park”). Died 10/25/2002. Roger Williams (1924). American pop pianist (“Autumn Leaves”) born Louis Weertz. Vladimir Horowitz (1903). Classical pianist (Carmen) born in Kiev, Russia. Died 11/5/1989. October 2 Tiffany (1971). California pop singer (“I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Could’ve Been”). Born Tiffany Renee Darwish. Robbie Nevil (1958). Pop singer (“C’est La Vie”). Freddie Jackson (1956). American R&B singer (“Hey Lover”). Philip Oakey (1955). English singer with Human League (“Don’t You Want Me”). Sting (1951). Rock singer/songwriter and musician born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner in Wallsend, Northumberland, England. With the new wave/rock group The Police (“Roxanne,” “Every Breath You Take,” 1983’s Synchronicity) and then later a solo artist (“If You Love Somebody Set Them Free,” 1985’s The Dream of the Blue Turtles). Mike Rutherford (1950). Rock bassist born in Guildford, UK. With Genesis (The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, “Invisible Touch”) and Mike + the Mechanics (“The Living Years,” “Silent Running”). Richard Hell (1949). Punk-rock singer/songwriter and bassist with Television, the Heartbreakers, and the Voidoids (1977’s Blank Generation). Born Richard Meyers. Chris LeDoux (1948). Mississippi country singer. Died 3/9/2005. Don McLean (1945). Pop/folk singer/songwriter (“American Pie”) born in New Rochelle, NY. October 3 Ashlee Simpson (1984). Pop singer. Sister of singer Jessica Simpson. Josh Klinghoffer (1979). Rock guitarist born in Santa Monica, CA. With the Red Hot Chili Peppers. India.Arie (1975). Singer. Kevin Richardson (1971). Singer with the Backstreet Boys (“I Want It That Way”). Gwen Stefani (1969). Pop/ska singer born in Fullerton, CA. With No Doubt (“Just a Girl,” “Don’t Speak,” 1995’s Tragic Kingdom) and a solo artist (“Hollaback Girl”). Married to rock singer Gavin Rossdale (2002-2016) and country singer Blake Shelton (2021-). Tommy Lee (1962). Greek-born American rock drummer with Mötley Crüe (Dr. Feelgood). Stevie Ray Vaughan (1954). Blues-rock guitarist (1983’s Texas Flood) born in Dallas, TX. Brother of musician Jimmie Vaughan. Died 8/27/1990. Lindsey Buckingham (1949). Rock singer/songwriter and guitarist born in Palo Alto, CA. With Fleetwood Mac (“Go Your Own Way,” Rumours). Chubby Checker (1941). R&B singer and early rock ‘n’ roller (“The Twist”) born Ernest Evans in Spring Gully, SC. Eddie Cochran (1938). Early rock-n-roll singer and guitarist (“Summertime Blues”) born in Albert Lea, MN. Died 4/17/1960. Steve Reich (1936). New York composer (My Name is). Johnny Burke (1908). Songwriter (“Swinging on a Star”) born in Antioch, CA. Died 2/25/1964. October 4 Jon Secada (1961). Singer. Chris Lowe (1959). English keyboardist with the Pet Shop Boys (“West End Girls,” “What Have I Done to Deserve This?,” 1991’s Discography). Barbara K. MacDonald (1958). Rock musician with Timbuk 3 (“The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades”). Dottie West (1932). Country singer. October 5 Paul Thomas (1980). American rock bassist with Good Charlotte. Bob Geldof (1951). English rock singer with the Boomtown Rats (“I Don’t Like Mondays”) and star of 1982 movie Pink Floyd: The Wall. Also organizer of Band Aid and Live Aid. Brian Johnson (1947). Rock singer born in Dunston, UK. With AC/DC (“You Shook Me All Night Long,” Back in Black). Steve Miller (1943). Rock singer (“Fly Like an Eagle,” “Abracadabra”) born in Milwaukee, WI. Billy Lee Riley (1933). R&B singer/songwriter and producer born in Pocahontas, AR. With Booker T. & the MGs. Died 8/2/2009. October 6 Tommy Stinson (1966). Minnesota rock bassist with the Replacements. Matthew Sweet (1964). Alternative-rock singer. Kevin Cronin (1951). Illinois rock singer and rhythm guitarist for REO Speedwagon (1980’s Hi Infidelity). Milton Ager (1893). Composer (“Ain’t She Sweet,” “Happy Days Are Here Again”) born in Chicago, IL. Died 1979. October 7 Lewis Capaldi (1996). Singer (“Someone You Loved”) born in Glasgow, Scotland. Taylor Hicks (1976). Season 5 American Idol winner. Toni Braxton (1968). R&B singer/songwriter (“Un-Break My Heart,” Toni Braxton, Secrets) born in Severn, MD. Thom Yorke (1968). Experimental-rock singer/songwriter born Thomas Edward Yorke in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England. With Radiohead (The Bends, OK Computer). Simon Cowell (1959). TV personality (American Idol, The X Factor) born in Lambeth, London, England. Yo-Yo Ma (1955). Grammy-winning cellist born in Paris, France. Ricky Phillips (1953. Rock bassist born in Mount Pleasant, IA. With The Babys, Bad English, Coverdale/Page, and Styx. Tico Torres (1953). Rock drummer born Hector Juan Samuel Torres in New York City, NY. With Bon Jovi (Livin’ on a Prayer,” “You Give Love a Bad Name”). John Mellencamp (1951). Rock singer/songwriter (“Jack and Diane,” “Hurts So Good,” 1982’s American Fool, Scarecrow) born in Seymour, IN. Also worked as John Cougar. Kevin Godley (1945). English rock singer with 10cc. Al Martino (1927). Singer (“Here in My Heart,” “Spanish Eyes,” “Volare”) and actor born Alfred Cini in Philadelphia, PA. Died 10/13/2009. Vaughn Monroe (1911). Baritone singer, trumpeter, and big band leader (“Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” “There! I’ve Said It Again,” “Ballerina,” “Riders in the Sky (A Cowboy Legend)”) born in Akron, OH. Died 5/21/1973. Frank Croxton (1877). Singer and actor born in Paris, KY. Died 9/4/1949. William Billings (1746). Hymn composer (“Rose of Sharon”) born in Boston, MA. Died 9/26/1800. October 8 Bruno Mars (1985). Singer (“Just the Way You Are (Amazing),” “Grenade,” “Uptown Funk”) born Peter Gene Hernandez in Honolulu, Hawaii. Robert “Kool” Bell (1950). R&B singer/songwriter and bassist born Robert Earl Bell in Youngstown, OH. With Kool & the Gang (“Ladies’ Night,” “Celebration”). Johnny Ramone (1948). Punk-rock guitarist born John William Cummings in Long Island, NY. With the Ramones (1976’s Ramones). Died 9/15/2004. Fred Cash (1940). R&B singer born in Chattanooga, TN. With the Impressions. Nora Bayes (1880). Singer (“How Ya Gonna Keep ‘Em Down on the Farm?,” “Shine on, Harvest Moon”) born Eleanor “Dora” Goldberg in Joliet, IL. Died 3/19/1928. October 9 Sean Ono Lennon (1975). Son of musicians John Lennon and Yoko Ono and a musician himself. PJ Harvey (1969). Alternative-rock singer/songwriter (1992’s Dry born Polly Jean Harvey in Bridport, Dorset, England. Sharon Osbourne (1952). Wife and manager of singer Ozzy Osbourne. Born in Brixton, London, England. Jackson Browne (1948). Rock singer/songwriter (1977’s Running on Empty) born Clyde Jackson Browne in Heidelberg, Germany. Jeannie C. Riley (1945). Texas singer (“Harper Valley P.T.A.”). John Entwistle (1944). Rock bassist and singer/songwriter born in Chiswick, England. With The Who (“My Generation,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” “Pinball Wizard,” 1965’s My Generation, 1969’s Tommy, 1971’s Who’s Next). Died 6/27/2002. Nona Hendryx (1944). New Jersey R&B singer with LaBelle (“Lady Marmalade”). John Lennon (1940). Rock singer/songwriter, musician, and peace activist born in Liverpool, England. With the Beatles (“Strawberry Fields Forever,” “Come Together,” Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, The White Album, Abbey Road). Later a solo artist (“Imagine,” “Just Like Starting Over,” 1971’s Imagine). Died 12/8/1980. October 10 Mya (1979). Singer. Michael Bivens (1968). R&B musician with Bell Biv Devoe. Martin Kemp (1961). British bassist with Spandau Ballet. Kirsty MacColl (1959). English singer. Died 12/18/2000. Tanya Tucker (1958). Country singer (“Just Another Love,” “Strong Enough to Bend”) born in Seminole, TX. David Lee Roth (1955). Rock singer with Bloomington, IN. With Van Halen (“Jump,” 1978’s Van Halen) and also a solo act. Midge Ure (1953). Scottish rock musician with Ultravox. John Prine (1946). Illinois folk singer (1971’s John Prine). Keith Reid (1946). English lyricist with Procol Harum (“A Whiter Shade of Pale”). Ben Vereen (1946). Florida actor and dancer (Pippin, Roots). Huey “Piano” Smith (1924). Rock musician (“Rockin’ Pneumonia and Boogie Woogie Flu”). Thelonious Monk (1917). Jazz pianist and composer (1947’s Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 1) born in Rocky Mount, NC. Died 2/17/1982. Ivory Joe Hunter (1914). American R&B musician. Died 11/8/1974. Johnny Green (1908). Oscar-winning songwriter (“Coquette,” “Body and Soul,” 1961’s West Side Story, 1963’s Bye Bye Birdie, 1968’s Oliver!) born John Waldo Green in New York City, NY. Also Guy Lombardo’s arranger. Died 5/15/1989. Giuseppe Verdi (1813). Italian classical composer. Died 6/27/1901. October 11 Cardi B (1992). Rapper (“Bodak Yellow,” “I Like It,” “WAP”) born Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar in Manhattan, New York City, New York. MC Lyte (1971) Jon Moss (1957). Pop drummer with Culture Club. Andrew Woolfolk (1950). R&B saxophonist born in San Antonio, TX. With Earth, Wind & Fire (“Shining Star,” “Best of My Love,” “After the Love Has Gone,” That’s the Way of the World). Died 4/24/2022. Daryl Hall (1948). Blue-eyed soul singer, guitarist, and keyboardist born Daryl Franklin Hohl in Pottstown, PA. Half of duo Hall & Oates (“I Can’t Go for That,” “Maneater”). Gene Watson (1943). Country singer (“Heartaches,” “Love and Stuff”) born in Palestine, TX. Dottie West (1932). Country singer/songwriter (“What Are We Doin’ in Love”) born Dorothy Marie Marsh in Smithville, TN. Died 9/4/1991. Art Blakey (1919). Jazz drummer and bandleader (“Moanin’,” A Night at Birdland) born in Pittsburgh, PA. Worked with the Jazz Messengers. Died 10/16/1990. Jerome Robbins (1918). Dancer/choreographer (West Side Story). Leo Reisman (1897). Violinist and bandleader (“What Is This Thing Called Love?,” “Night and Day,” “Easter Parade,” “Cheek to Cheek”) born in Boston, MA. Died 12/18/1961. October 12 Martie Maguire (1969). Country singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with the Dixie Chicks (1998’s Wide Open Spaces, 1999’s Fly, 2002’s Home, 2006’s Taking the Long Way) and Court Yard Hounds. Born Martha Elenor Erwin. Jeff Keith (1958). Rock singer with Tesla. Pat DiNizio (1955). Rock singer with The Smithereens. Rick Parfitt (1948). English guitarist with Status Quo. Born Richard Harrison. Melvin Franklin (1942). R&B singer born David Melvin English in Montgomery, AL. With The Temptations (“My Girl”). Died 2/23/1995. Sam Moore (1935). R&B singer born Samuel David Moore in Miami, FL. With duo Sam & Dave (“Soul Man”). Luciano Pavarotti (1935). Operatic tenor born in Modena, Italy. Died 9/6/2007. Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872). English composer (Hugh the Drover). Died 8/26/1958. October 13 Ashanti (1980). R&B singer/songwriter (“Foolish”) born Ashanti Shequoiya Douglas on 10/13/1980 in Glen Cove, NY. Marie Osmond (1959). American singer (“Paper Roses”) from famous Osmond singing family. John Ford Coley (1951). Rock musician in duo with England Dan. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (1948). Pakistani Qawwali singer. Died 8/16/1997. Sammy Hagar (1947). Rock singer and guitarist born in Salinas, CA. With Montrose, Van Halen (“Why Can’t This Be Love”), and Chickenfoot. Also a solo act (“I Can’t Drive 55”). Nicknamed “The Red Rocker.” Robert Lamm (1944). Jazz-rock singer/songwriter and keyboardist born in Brooklyn, NY. Founding member of Chicago (“If You Leave Me Now”). Graham Simpson (1943). Art-rock bassist born in Manchester, England. With Roxy Music. Died 4/17/2012. Paul Simon (1941). Folk-rock singer born in Newark, NJ. Half of duo Simon & Garfunkel (“The Sound of Silence,” “Mrs. Robinson,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Bridge Over Troubled Water) and a successful solo artist (“50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” Graceland). Shirley Caesar (1938). Gospel singer born in Durham, NC. Often called “The First Lady of Gospel Music.” Nana Mouskouri (1934). Greek singer (“Try to Remember”) who has sold 200-300 million records worldwide. Born Ioánna Moúschouri. Ray Brown (1926). American jazz string bassist and bandleader. Performed with Dizzy Gillespie in the late 1940s. Died 2002. Art Tatum (1909). Jazz pianist and composer (“Tea for Two,” “Sweet Lorraine”) born Arthur Tatum Jr. in Toledo, OH. Died 11/5/1956. October 14 Akon (1981). R&B singer (“Lonely,” “Smack That,” “Sexy Bitch”) born Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam in St. Louis, MO. Usher (1978). R&B singer (“U Got It Bad,” “Yeah!,” “Burn,” “My Boo”) born Usher Raymond III in Dallas, TX. Natalie Maines (1974). Country singer with Dixie Chicks (1998’s Wide Open Spaces, 1999’s Fly, 2002’s Home, 2006’s Taking the Long Way). Karyn White (1965). R&B singer (“Romantic”). A.J. Pero (1959). New York rock drummer with Twisted Sister (“We’re Not Gonna Take It”). Thomas Dolby (1958). Egyptian-born British singer (“She Blinded Me with Science”). Born Thomas Morgan Robertson. Marcia Barrett (1948). Jamaican singer with Boney M. Justin Hayward (1946). Progressive-rock singer/songwriter and guitarist born David Justin Hayward in Swindon, Wiltshire, England with The Moody Blues (1967’s Days of Future Passed). Dan McCafferty (1946). English rock singer with Nazareth. Cliff Richard (1940). Pop singer born Harry Rodger Webb in Lucknow, United Provinces, British India. Has been called “The English Elvis.” October 15 Ginuwine (1970) Brenda K. Starr (1966). Singer. Tito Jackson (1953). R&B singer born Toriano Adaryll Jackson in Gary, IN. With The Jackson 5 (“ABC,” “I Want You Back,” “I’ll Be There”). Chris DeBurgh (1948). Argentian singer (“The Lady in Red”). Born Christopher John Davidson. Richard Carpenter (1946). Connecticut musician in pop duo The Carpenters (“They Long to Be Close to You,” “We’ve Only Just Begun”) with sister Karen. Fela Kuti (1938). Nigerian afrobeat musician and composer. Died 8/2/1997. Barry McGuire (1935). Oklahoma singer (“Eve of Destruction”). October 16 John Mayer (1977). Pop-rock singer/songwriter (“No Such Thing,” “Daughters”) born in Bridgeport, CT. Wendy Wilson (1969). California pop singer with Wilson Phillips (“Hold On”). Daughter of Beach Boy Brian Wilson. Flea (1962). Rock bassist born Michael Peter Balzary in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. With Red Hot Chili Peppers (1991’s Blood Sugar Sex Magik). Bob Mould (1960). American alternative-rock singer/songwriter and guitarist with Hüsker Dü (1984’s 1991’s Zen Arcade) and Sugar. Gary Kemp (1959). British rock guitarist with Spandau Ballet (“True”). Tony Carey (1953). California rock musician. Cordell “Boogie” Mosson (1952). Funk bassist born Cardell Mosson in Plainfield, NJ. With Parliament/Funkadelic. Died 4/18/2023. Bob Weir (1947). Rock guitarist and singer/songwriter born in San Francisco, CA. With the Grateful Dead. Charles Frederick “C. Fred” Turner (1943). Canadian rock singer/songwriter and bassist with Bachman-Turner Overdrive (“Takin’ Care of Business,” “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet”). Nico (1938). German model and experimental-rock singer born Christa Päffgen. With the Velvet Underground (The Velvet Underground & Nico). Died 7/18/1988. Big Joe Williams (1903). American blues singer. Died 12/17/1982. October 17 Eminem (1972). Rapper (“Stan,” “Without Me,” “Lose Yourself,” “Love the Way You Lie”) born Marshall Bruce Mathers III in St. Joseph, Missouri. Wyclef Jean (1972). Rap artist and producer born Nel Ust Wyclef Jean in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti. With the Fugees (“Killing Me Softly”) and a solo artist. Ziggy Marley (1968) Alan Jackson (1958). Country singer/songwriter (“Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning,” “Don’t Rock the Jukebox,” “Chattahoochee”) born in Newnan, GA. Pino Palladino (1957). Rock bassist (Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, The Who) born Giuseppe Henry Palladino in Cardiff, Wales. Michael Hossack (1946). Rock drummer born in Paterson, NJ. With the Doobie Brothers. Died 3/12/2012. Gary Puckett (1942). American rock singer with Union Gap (“Young Girl”). Earl Thomas Conley (1941). Ohio country singer/songwriter (“Too Many Times”). Jim Seals (1941). Texas pop-rock singer with Seals & Croft (“Summer Breeze”). October 18 Zac Efron (1987). Star of High School Musical. Esperanza Spalding (1984). Jazz bassist and singer. Took home the Best New Artist Grammy in 2011. Ne-Yo (1979). Rapper born Shaffer Chimere Smith in Camden, AR. Wynton Marsalis (1961). Jazz trumpeter and composer born in New Orleans, LA. Gary Richrath (1949). Illinois rock guitarist with REO Speedwagon (“Keep on Lovin’ You,” “Ridin’ the Storm Out”). Laura Nyro (1947). Singer/songwriter (Blood, Sweat & Tear’s “And When I Die”) and pianist born Laura Nigro in the Bronx, NY. Died 4/8/1997. Cynthia Weil (1940). Rock songwriter born in New York City, NY. Collaborated with Barry Mann (the Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” the Drifters’ “On Broadway”). Chuck Berry (1926). Early rock ‘n’ roll singer and guitarist (“Johnny B. Goode,” “Roll Over Beethoven”) born Charles Edward Anderson Berry in St. Louis, MO. Died 3/18/2017. Lotte Lenya (1900). Starred in The Threepenny Opera by husband Kurt Weill. October 19 Pras Michel (1972). Musician with rap group The Fugees. Jennifer Holliday (1960) Michael Steele (1958). Bassist. Karl Wallinger (1957). Welsh rock musician with World Party. Patrick Simmons (1948). Rock singer and guitarist born in Aberdeen, WA. With the Doobie Brothers. Divine (1945). American female impersonator, singer, and actor. Born Harris Glenn Milstead. Jeannie C. Riley (1945). Country singer (“Harper Valley P.T.A.”). George McCrae (1944). American singer (“Rock Your Baby”). Peter Tosh (1944). Jamaican reggae musician with Bob Marley & the Wailers before becoming a solo act. Born Winston Hubert MacIntosh. Died 9/11/1987. Jim Reeves (1935). Rock musician. October 20 Snoop Dogg (1971). Rapper (on Dr. Dre’s “Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang,” Doggystyle) born Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. in Long Beach, CA. Dannii Minogue (1971). Australian singer. Sister of Kylie Minogue. Jim Sonefeld (1964). Rock musician with Hootie & The Blowfish (“Hold My Hand,” “Only Wanna Be with You”). Mark King (1958). Bassist and singer with Level 42 (“Something about You,” “Lessons in Love”). Ricky Byrd (1956). Rock guitarist born in the Bronx, NY. With Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (“I Love Rock and Roll”). Al Greenwood (1951). Rock keyboardist with Foreigner (“Feels Like the First Time”). Tom Petty (1950). Rock singer/songwriter and guitarist (“Refugee,” “Don’t Do Me Like That,” “Free Fallin’,” Damn the Torpedoes) born in Gainsville, FL. Died 10/2/2017. Wanda Jackson (1937). Rockabilly singer and guitarist (“Let’s Have a Party”) born in Maud, OK. Tom Dowd (1925). Record producer (Allman Brothers Band, Eric Clapton) born Thomas John Dowd in Manhattan, NY. Died 10/27/2002. Grandpa Jones (1913). Kentucky country musician (TV’s Hee Haw). Born Louis Marshall Jones. Charlie Fuqua (1910). R&B musician born in New Haven, CT. With the Ink Spots. Died 12/21/1971. Charles Ives (1874). Classical/experimental composer (Holiday Quick Step) born in Danbury, CT. Died 5/19/1954. October 21 Doja Cat (1995). American singer/songwriter and rapper (“Say So,” “Kiss Me More”) born Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini. Julian Cope (1957). Welsh rock singer and bassist with the Teardrop Explodes. Steve Lukather (1957). American rock guitarist with Toto (“Hold the Line,” “Rosanna,” “Africa”). Eric Faulkner (1955). Scottish pop-rock guitarist with the Bay City Rollers (“Saturday Night”). Charlotte Caffey (1953). New wave guitarist and keyboardist born in Santa Monica, CA. With the Go-Go’s (“We Got the Beat,” Beauty and the Beat). Brent Mydland (1952). Rock keyboardist born in Munich, Germany. With the Grateful Dead. Died 7/26/1990. Lux Interior (1946). American singer with the Cramps. Died 2/4/2009. Lee Loughnane (1946). Jazz-rock trumpeter born in Elmwood Palms, IL. With Chicago (“25 or 6 to 4,” “Saturday in the Park”). Elvin Bishop (1942). Blues-rock singer and guitarist born in Glendale, CA. With the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and a solo act (“Fooled Around and Fell in Love”). Steve Cropper (1941). Blues guitarist born in Dora, MO. With Booker T. & the MG’s. Manfred Mann (1940). South African-born British rock keyboardist best known for namesake rock band Manfred Mann (“Do Wah Diddy Diddy”) and later Manfred Mann’s Earth Band (“Blinded by the Light”). Born Michael Lubowitz. Celia Cruz (1925). Salsa singer born Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso in Havana, Cuba. Known as “The Queen of Salsa.” Died 7/16/2003. Dizzy Gillespie (1917). Jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer (“Night in Tunisia”) born John Birks Gillespie in Cheraw, SC. Died 1/6/1993. Owen Bradley (1915). Producer (Patsy Cline, Brenda Lee, Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty) born in Westmoreland, TN. Died 1/7/1998. Georg Solti (1912). Conductor born György Stern on Maros Utca, Budapest. Died 9/5/1997. Alexander Schneider (1908). Violinst, conductor, and educator born Abram Sznejder in Vilnius, Vilna Governorate, Russian Empire. Died 2/2/1993. October 22 Zac Hanson (1985). Oklahoma pop singer and drummer with his brothers in Hanson (“Mmmbop”). Shelby Lynne (1968). Virginia country singer (If I Could Bottle This Up). Shaggy (1968). Jamaican-American reggae singer (“It Wasn’t Me,” “Angel”) born Orville Richard Burrell. John Wesley Harding (1965). American folk singer/songwriter. Toby Mac (1964). American Christian singer/songwriter. Greg Hawkes (1952). New wave keyboardist and saxophone player born in Fulton, MD. With The Cars (“Shake It Up,” “Just What I Needed”). Eddie Brigati (1945). Rock singer/songwriter and percussionist born in Garfield, NJ. With the Rascals (“Groovin’,” “People Got to Be Free”). Leslie West (1945). American rock singer/songwriter and guitarist with Mountain (“Mississippi Queen”). Born Leslie Weinstein. Bobby Fuller (1942). Texas rock singer/songwriter and guitarist with the Bobby Fuller Four (“I Fought the Law”). Died 7/18/1966. Annette Funicello (1942). American Mouseketeer, singer, and actress in beach party movies. Dory Previn (1929). New Jersey pop singer/songwriter (Love Be My Cover) and poet. James Bland (1854). Songwriter (“Carry Me Back to Old Virginny”) and minstrel performer born in Flushing, NY. Died 5/5/1911. Franz Liszt (1811). Classical composer (Piano Sonata in B Minor), pianist, and teacher born in Doborján, Hungray. Known for his rhapsodies. Died 7/31/1886. October 23 Robert Trujillo (1964). Heavy metal bassist born Roberto Agustín Miguel Santiago Samuel Trujillo Veracruz in Santa Monica, CA. With Metallica. Weird Al Yankovic (1959). American parody singer (“Eat It,” “Fat,” “Smells Like Nirvana”) born Alfred Matthew Yankovic. Dwight Yoakam (1956). Country singer/songwriter and guitarist born in Pikeville, KY. Ellie Greenwich (1940). Singer/songwriter and record producer born Eleanor Louise Greenwich in Brooklyn, NY. Part of famed rock songwriting team with husband Jeff Barry (the Ronettes’ “Be My Baby,” Dixie Cups’ “Chapel of Love,” Manfred Mann’s “Do Wah Diddy Diddy,” Shangri-La’s “Leader of the Pack,” the Crystals’ “Da Doo Ron Ron,” Ike & Tina Turner’s “River Deep, Mountain High”). Died 8/26/2009. Yvonne Staples (1936). Gospel singer born in Chicago, IL. With the Staple Singers. Died 4/10/2018. October 24 Drake (1986). Rapper/singer (“Hotline Bling,” “One Dance,” “God’s Plan”) born Aubrey Drake Graham in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Monica (1980). American R&B singer/songwriter (“The Boy Is Mine”) and actress born Monica Denise Arnold. John Bettis (1946). Pop songwriter (Madonna’s “Crazy for You,” Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature,” the Pointer Sisters’ “Slow Hand,” Whitney Houston’s “One Moment in Time”) born in Long Beach, CA. Ted Templeman (1944). Record producer (Doobie Brothers, Van Halen) born Edward John Templeman in Santa Cruz, CA. Bill Wyman (1936). Rock bassist born William George Perks, Jr. in Lewisham, South London, England. With The Rolling Stones (“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main Street). The Big Bopper (1930). Texas early rock ‘n’ roll singer (“Chantilly Lace”). Born Jiles Perry Richardson. Died 2/3/1959. Sonny Terry (1911). American blues harmonica player. Died 3/12/1986. October 25 Ciara (1985). American singer (“Goodies”), dancer, and model born Ciara Princess Harris. Katy Perry (1984). Pop singer (“I Kissed a Girl,” “California Gurls,” “Firework,” “Roar,” “Dark Horse”) born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson in Santa Barbara, CA. Midori Goto (1971). Violinist born in Hikrakata, Osaka, Japan. Ed Robertson (1970). Canadian alternative rock singer/songwriter and guitarist with Barenaked Ladies (“One Week”). Speech (1968). American rapper with Arrested Development. Born Todd Thomas. Chad Smith (1961). Rock drummer born in Saint Paul, MN. With Red Hot Chili Peppers and Chickenfoot. Robbie McIntosh (1957). English rock guitarist and singer with The Pretenders. Also a session musician. Richard Lloyd (1951). American guitarist and singer/songwriter with Television. John Hall (1947). Rock musician with Orleans (“Still the One,” “Love Takes Time”). Glenn Tipton (1947). Heavy metal guitarist and keyboardist born in Blackheath, England. With Judas Priest (“Breaking the Law,” “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’”). Jon Anderson (1944). Prog-rock singer/songwriter born in Accrington, Lancashire, England. With Yes (1971’s Fragile). Kathy “Taffy” Danoff (1944). Washington D.C. singer with Starland Vocal Band (“Afternoon Delight”). Kati Kovács (1944). Hungarian singer. Helen Reddy (1941). Singer/songwriter (“I Am Woman,” “Delta Dawn”) and actress born Helen Maxine Lamond Reddy in Melbourne, Australia. Barbara Cook (1927). Tony-award winning actress and singer (The Music Man) born in Atlanta, GA. Died 8/8/2017. Earl Palmer (1924). R&B session drummer (Little Richard, Fats Domino, the Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’”) born in New Orleans, LA. Died 9/19/2008. Minnie Pearl (1912). Comedian and country singer (radio’s Grand Ole Opry, 1940-91, TV’s Hee Haw, 1969-91) born Sarah Ophelia Colley in Centerville, TN. Died 3/4/1996. Eddie Lang (1902). American jazz guitarist. Died 1933. Georges Bizet (1838). Composer and pianist (the opera Carmen) born in Paris, France. Died 6/3/1875. Johann Strauss II (1825). Austrian composer known as “The Waltz King”. Died 1899. October 26 Keith Urban (1967). Country singer/songwriter and guitarist (“Blue Ain’t Your Color”) born in Whangarei, Northland, New Zealand. Natalie Merchant (1963). American alternative-rock singer/songwriter and pianist with 10,000 Maniacs (“Like the Weather”) and then a solo artist. Keith Strickland (1953). Georgia new wave drummer and songwriter with the B-52’s (“Rock Lobster”). David Was (1952). American musician with Was (Not Was). Bootsy Collins (1951). Funk bassist and singer/songwriter born William Earl Collins in Cincinnati, OH. With Parliament/Funkadelic. Tommy Mars (1951). American keyboardist with Frank Zappa. Maggie Roche (1951). American rock singer with The Roches. Keith Hopwood (1946). English rhythm guitarist, keyboardist, and singer with Herman’s Hermits (“I’m into Something Good,” “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter,” “I’m Henry VII, I Am”). Charlie Barnet (1913). American jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader (“Cherokee”). Died 1991. Mahalia Jackson (1911). Gospel singer (“Move on Up a Little Higher,” “Whole World in His Hands”) born in New Orleans, LA. Considered one of the greatest of all time. Died 1/27/1972. October 27 Kelly Osbourne (1984). English singer, actress, TV personality, radio presenter and fashion designer. Daughter of heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne. Scott Weiland (1967). Rock singer born Scott Richard Kline in San Jose, CA. With Stone Temple Pilots (1992’s Core, 1994’s Purple) and Velvet Revolver. Died 12/3/2015. Simon Le Bon (1958). New wave singer born Simon John Charles Le Bon in Bushey, Hertfordshire, England. With Duran Duran (“Hungry Like the Wolf,” Rio). K.K. Downing (1951). Heavy-metal guitarist and songwriter born Kenneth Keith Downing, Jr. in West Bromwich, England. With Judas Priest (“Breaking the Law,” “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’”). Garry Tallent (1949). Rock bassist born in Detroit, MI. With Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band (Born to Run, Born in the U.S.A.). Lee Greenwood (1942). American country singer (“God Bless the U.S.A.”). Floyd Cramer (1933). Country singer and pianist (“Last Date,” “On the Rebound”) born in Shreveport, LA. Died 12/31/1997. Niccolò Paganini (1782). Italian violinist and composer. Considered the greatest violinist of all time. Died 1840. October 28 Frank Ocean (1987). R&B singer/songwriter and rapper (Channel Orange) born Christopher Breaux in Long Beach, California. Brad Paisley (1972). Country singer/songwriter and guitarist born in Glen Dale, WV. Ben Harper (1969). American singer/songwriter, guitarist and activist. Eros Ramazzotti (1963). Italian singer/songwriter. William Reid (1958). Scottish alternative rock singer/songwriter and guitarist with the Jesus and Mary Chain (1985’s Psychocandy). Stephen Morris (1957). English alternative-rock keyboardist and drummer with Joy Division and New Order. Dave Wyndorf (1956). American singer/songwriter and guitarist. Desmond Child (1953). Songwriter (Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name,” Aerosmith’s “Dude Looks Like a Lady,” Alice Cooper’s “Poison,” Michael Bolton’s “How Can We Be Lovers?,” Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca”) and producer born John Charles Barrett in Gainesville, FL. Thelma Hopkins (1948). Kentucky singer with Tony Orlando & Dawn (“Knock Three Times,” “Tie a Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Ole Oak Tree”). Wayne Fontana (1945). British singer with The Mindbenders (“Groovy Kind of Love”). Graham Bond (1937). English R&B singer with the Graham Bond Organization. Died 5/8/1974. Charlie Daniels (1936). Country singer and fiddler (“The Devil Went Down to Georgia”) born in Wilmington, NC. October 29 Toni Childs (1957). Alternative-rock singer/songwriter (“Don’t’ Walk Away”) born in Orange, CA. Roger O’Donnell (1955). Goth-rock keyboardist born in East London, England. With The Cure. Kevin DuBrow (1955). American rock singer with Quiet Riot (“Cum on Feel the Noize”). Died 2007. David Paton (1949). Rock singer, guitarist and bassist. With Pilot (“It’s Magic”), The Alan Parsons Project, and Camel. James Williamson (1949). Proto-punk-rock guitarist born in Castroville, TX. With The Stooges. Peter Green (1946). Blues/rock guitarist and singer born Peter Allen Greenbaum. With Fleetwood Mac (“Black Magic Woman,” “Albatross,” “Oh Well”) from 1967-70. Died 7/25/2020. Melba Moore (1945). American R&B singer and actress. Denny Laine (1944). Rock guitarist born Brian Frederick Hines in Tyseley, Birmingham, England. With The Moody Blues, Ginger Baker’s Air Force, and Wings. Neal Hefti (1922). Nebraska bandleader, composer, arranger, and trumpeter (Kate Smith Show). Scored film themes for 1967’s Barefoot in the Park and 1968’s The Odd Couple. Died 2008. Daniel Decatur Emmett (1815). Composer (“Dixie”) and entertainer born in Mount Vernon, Knox County, OH. Founded the first troupe of blackface minstrels. Died 6/28/1904. October 30 Matthew Morrison (1978). Singer and actor on TV’s Glee. Snow (1969). Canadian reggae musician born Darrin O’Brien. Gavin Rossdale (1965). Rock singer/songwriter with Bush. Married to singer Gwen Stefani. Timothy B. Schmit (1947). Rock bassist and singer born in Oakland, CA. With Poco and the Eagles. Chris Slade (1946). Welsh rock drummer with Uriah Heep, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band (1971-78), The Firm (1984-86), AC/DC (1989-95), and Asia (2001-04). Otis Williams (1941). R&B baritone singer born in Texarkana, TX. The last surviving original member of The Temptations. Charles Fox (1940). Film and television composer (Love, American Style, The Love Boat, “Killing Me Softly with His Song”) born in New York City, NY. Eddie Holland (1939). Songwriter and producer born in Detroit, MI. Part of Motown’s Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting and production team (the Supremes’ “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Baby Love,” “Stop! In the Name of Love,” and “You Can’t Hurry Love”; the Four Tops’ “Baby, I Need Your Loving,” “I Can’t Help Myself,” and “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)”). Grace Slick (1939). Rock singer born Grace Barnett Wing in Highland Park, IL. With Jefferson Airplane (“Somebody to Love,” “White Rabbit,” Surrealistic Pillow), Jefferson Starship (“Jane”), and Starship (“We Built This City”). Clifford Brown (1930). American jazz trumpeter and composer. Died 6/26/1956. Patsy Montana (1908). American country singer/songwriter. Died 1996. October 31 Willow Smith (2000). American singer (“Whip My Hair”) and daughter of rapper/actor Will Smith. Linn Berggren (1970). Swedish singer with Ace of Base (“The Sign”). Born Malin Berggren. Vanilla Ice (1967). American rapper (“Ice Ice Baby”) born Robert Van Winkle. Ad-Rock (1966). Rapper and guitarist born Adam Keefe Horovitz in Manhattan, NY. With the Beastie Boys (“You Gotta Fight for Your Right to Party”). Annabella Lwin (1966). Anglo-Burmese singer/songwriter with Bow Wow Wow (“I Want Candy”). Darryl Worley (1964). American country singer. Johnny Marr (1963). English alternative-rock guitarist and songwriter with The Smiths (The Queen Is Dead). Born John Maher. Larry Mullen, Jr. (1961). Rock drummer born in Arlane, Dublin, Ireland. With U2 (The Joshua Tree). Bernard Edwards (1952). R&B bassist and producer born in Greenville, NC. With Chic (“Le Freak,” “Good Times”). Died 4/18/1996. Russ Ballard (1945). English rock guitarist and singer with Argent. Ali Farka Touré (1939). Malian singer and guitarist. Tom Paxton (1937). Folk singer/songwriter born in Chicago, IL. Illinois Jacquet (1922). American jazz saxophonist and bandleader born Jean-Baptiste Illinois Jacquet. Died 7/22/2004. Ethel Waters (1896). American blues and jazz singer (“Dinah,” “Am I Blue?,” “Stormy Weather”). Died 9/1/1977. This page last updated September 29, 2023.