Thursday, December 1, 2022

December: Music Makers' Birthdays

Music Makers’ Birthdays: December

Click on any date below to see music makers’ birthdays on that day. Click here to return to the main music makers’ birthday page. 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.

December 1

Tyler Joseph (1988). Rock singer/songwriter and rapper with Twenty One Pilots (“Stressed Out,” “Ride,” “Heathens”) born in Columbus, Ohio.
Julee Cruise (1956)
Jaco Pastorius (1951). American jazz bassist. Born John Francis Anthony Pastorius III. Died 9/21/1987.
Gilbert O'Sullivan (1946). Irish singer/songwriter (“Along Again (Naturally)”) born Raymond Edward O’Sullivan.
Bette Midler (1945). American singer (“The Rose,” “Wind Beneath My Wings”) and actress born in Honolulu, HA.
John Densmore (1944). Rock drummer born in Los Angeles, CA. With The Doors (The Doors).
Billy Paul (1934). American singer (“Me and Mrs. Jones”). Born Paul Williams.
Lou Rawls (1933). Soul/blues singer (“You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine”) born in Chicago, Illinois. Died 1/6/2006.
Ray Henderson (1896). Tin Pan Alley songwriter (“Bye Bye Blackbird,” “Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue,” “Sonny Boy”) born Raymond Brost in Buffalo, NY. Died 12/31/1970.

December 2

Charlie Puth (1991). Singer/songwriter (“See You Again,” “I Hope”) born in Rumson, New Jersey.
Britney Spears (1981). Pop singer (“Baby…One More Time,” “Oops! I Did It Again,” “Toxic”) born in McComb, Mississippi.
Nelly Furtado (1978). Singer (“I’m Like a Bird,” “Promiscuous,” “Say It Right”) born in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Nate Mendel (1968). Rock bassist born Nathan Gregor Mendel in Richland, WA. With the Foo Fighters (“Everlong”).
Rick Savage (1960). Rock bassist born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. With Def Leppard (Pyromania).
Maria Callas (1923). Opera singer born in Manhattan, New York. Died 9/16/1977.
Pop Staples (1915). Guitarist.
Adolph Green (1914). Lyricist and playwright (On the Town, Singin’ in the Rain, The Band Wagon) born in the Bronx, NY. Often collaborated with Betty Comden.

December 3

Daniel Bedingfield (1979)
Montell Jordan (1971). R&B singer (“This Is How We Do It”).
Ozzy Osbourne (1948). Heavy metal singer born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham, England. With Black Sabbath (“Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” “War Pigs”) and a solo singer (“Crazy Train”).
Gerhart Thrasher (1928). R&B singer born in Wetumpka, AL. With the Drifters. Died November 1977.
Andy Williams (1927). Singer born Howard Andrew Williams in Walt Lake, IA. Died 9/25/2012.
Ferlin Husky (1925). Country singer born in Cantwell, MO. Died 3/17/2011.
Connee Boswell (1907). Singer born Constance Foore Boswell in Kansas City, MO. Died 10/11/1976.

December 4

Jay-Z (1969). Rapper (“99 Problems,” The Blueprint) and businessman born Shawn Corey Carter in Brooklyn, NY. Married to Beyoncé.
Gary Rossington (1951). Rock songwriter and guitarist born in Jacksonville, FL. With Lynyrd Skynyrd (“Free Bird,” “Sweet Home Alabama”). Died 3/5/2023.
Southside Johnny (1948). American singer/songwriter who fronted Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes. Born John Lyon.
Chris Hillman (1944). Folk-rock bassist born in Los Angeles, CA. With the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers.
Dennis Wilson (1944). Rock drummer and singer/songwriter born in Inglewood, CA. With the Beach Boys (“Good Vibrations,” Pet Sounds). Died 12/28/1983.
Freddy Cannon (1940). American musician (“Tallahassee Lassie”) born Frederick Anthony Picariello.
Francis Goelet (1926). Music patron born in Bourdeaux, France. Died 5/21/1998.

December 5

Johnny Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls) (1965)
Jim Messina (1947). Rock singer/songwriter and musician born in Maywood, CA. With Buffalo Springfield, Poco, and Loggins & Messina.
Rick Wills (1947). Rock bassist born in Cambridge, England. With Peter Frampton, Roxy Music, The Small Faces, David Gilmour, Foreigner, and Bad Company.
J.J. Cale (1938). American blues-rock guitarist born John W. Cale.
Little Richard (1932). R&B/early rock-n-roll singer and pianist (“Tutti Frutti,” “Long Tall Sally,” “Lucille,” “Good Golly Miss Molly”) born Richard Wayne Penniman in Macon, Georgia. Died 5/9/2020.
Reverend James Cleveland (1931). American gospel singer. Died 2/9/1991.
Sonny Boy Williamson II (1899). American blues harmonica player and singer/songwriter (“Don’t Start Me Talkin’,” “Help Me”) born Alex “Rice” Miller. Died 5/25/1965.

December 6

Ulf “Buddha” Ekberg (1970). Swedish pop keyboardist with Ace of Base (“The Sign”).
David Lovering (1961). American rock drummer with the Pixies (Surfer Rosa, Doolittle).
Peter Buck (1956). Rock guitarist born in Berkeley, CA. With R.E.M. (“Radio Free Europe,” “Losing My Religion,” Automatic for the People).
Randy Rhoads (1956). Rock guitarist (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne) born Randall William Rhoads in Santa Monica, CA. Died 3/19/1982.
Linda Creed (1948). Songwriter and lyricist (“Betcha by Golly, Wow”) born in Philadelphia, PA. Worked with Thom Bell, Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Dusty Springfield. Died 4/10/1986.
Mike Smith (1943). Rock singer and keyboardist born Michael George Smith in London, England. With the Dave Clark Five.
Dave Brubeck (1920). Jazz pianist (“Take Five,” Time Out) born in Concord, California. Died 12/5/2012.
Alexander Sharp (1919). R&B tenor singer born in Baltimore, MD. With the Orioles. Died 1/3/1970.
Ira Gershwin (1896). Lyricist born Israel Gershowitz in New York, NY. Worked with his brother, composer George Gershwin (“I Got Rhythm,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” 1935’s Porgy and Bess). Died 8/17/1983.

December 7

Aaron Carter (1987). Pop singer born in Tampa, FL. Died 11/5/2022.
Sara Bareilles (1979)
Nicole Appleton (1974). Singer with All Saints born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Tim Butler (1958). Alternative-rock bassist with the Psychedelic Furs.
Tom Waits (1949). Singer/songwriter (“Downtown Train,” Swordfishtrombones, Rain Dogs) born in Pomona, California.
Harry Chapin (1942). Folk singer (“Cat’s in the Cradle”) born in New York City, New York. Died 7/16/1981.
Armando Manzanero (1935). Mayan musician, singer, composer, actor, and music producer born Armando Manzanero Canché in Ticul, Yucatán, Mexico. Died 12/28/2020.
Louis Prima (1910). American jazz/big band leader (“Buona Sera”). Died 8/24/1978.
Rudolf Friml (1879). Operetta/musical composer (The Firefly, Naughty Marietta) and a pianist born Rudolf Antonin Frymel in Prague, Bohemia. Died 11/12/1972.

December 8

Sam Hunt (1984). Countr singer/songwriter (“Body Like a Back Road”) born in Cedartown, Georgia.
Nicki Minaj (1982). Rap singer (“Super Bass,” “Starships”) born Onika Tanya Maraj on 12/8/1982 in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago.
Corey Taylor (1973). Heavy metal singer/songwriter born in Des Moines, Iowa. With Slipknot and Stone Sour (“Through Glass,” “Say You’ll Haunt Me”).
Sinéad O’Connor (1966). Alternative-rock singer/songwriter (“Nothing Compares 2 U”) born Sinéad Marie Bernadette O’Connor in Glenageary, County Dublin, Ireland.
Phil Collen (1957). Rock guitarist born in Hackney, London, England. With Def Leppard (Pyromania).
Warren Cuccurullo (1956). Rock guitarist born in Brooklyn, NY. With Frank Zappa Missing Persons and Duran Duran.
Nathan East (1955). Jazz/rock bassist (Eric Clapton, Herbie Hancock, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder) born in Philadelphia, PA.
Gregg Allman (1947). Rock musician born in Nashville, TN. With the Allman Brothers Band (“Whipping Post,” “Ramblin’ Man,” 1971’s At Fillmore East, 1972’s Eat a Peach). Died 5/27/2017.
George Baker (1944). Dutch musician (“Paloma Blanca”) born George Bouwens.
Jim Morrison (1943). Rock singer/songwriter and poet born in Melbourne, Florida. With The Doors (“Light My Fire,” “Hello I Love You,” The Doors). Died 7/3/1971.
Bobby Elliott (1941). Rock drummer born in Burnley, Lancashire, England. With the Hollies.
Jerry Butler (1939). R&B singer/songwriter born in Sunflower, MS. With the Impressions and a solo artist (“Only the Strong Survive”).
Sammy Davis, Jr. (1925). Pop singer (“The Candy Man,” “Me and My Shadow”) born in Harlem, NY. Died 5/16/1990.
Floyd Tillman (1914). Country musician.
James Brockman (1886). Vaudevillian comedian and songwriter (“I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles”) born Jacob Brachman in Russian Empire. Died 5/22/1967.
Jean Sibelius (1865). Classical composer born Johan Julius Christian Sibelius in Hämeenlinna, Finland. Died 9/20/1957.

December 9

Tré Cool

Green Day

Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)

Dookie

American Idiot

Jakob Dylan (The Wallflowers) (1970)
Brian Bell (1968). Member of alternative-rock group Weezer (“Buddy Holly”).
Nick Seymour (1958). Rock musician with Crowded House (1991’s Woodface).
Donny Osmond (1957). Pop singer born in Ogden, Utah. Worked with his siblings in the Osmond Brothers (“One Bad Apple”) and recorded as a solo artist (“Puppy Love,” “Young Love”).
Joan Armatrading (1950). Singer/songwriter (“Love and Affection,” “Drop the Pilot”) born in St. Kitts in the West Indies.
Dennis Dunaway (1946). Rock bassist born in Cottage Grove, OR. With Alice Cooper (“I’m Eighteen,” “School’s Out”).
Neil Innes (1944). Writer, comedian, and musician born in Danbury, Essex, England. Worked with the Bozno Dog Doo-Dah Band, the Rutles, and Monty Python. Died 12/29/2019.
Sammy Strain (1939). R&B tenor singer born in Brooklyn, NY. With Little Anthony & the Imperials (1958-72, 1992-2005) and the The O’Jays (1975-92).
David Houston (1938). Country singer born Charles David Houston in Bossier City, LA. Died 11/30/1993.
Freddy Martin (1906). Bandleader and tenor saxophonist born Frederick Alfred Martin in Cleveland, OH. Died 9/30/1983.

December 10

Teyana Taylor (1990). Singer/songwriter born Teyana Meshay Jacqueli Shumpert in Harlem, New York.
Meg White (1974). Drummer with the White Stripes (“Fell in Love with a Girl,” “Seven Nation Army,” 2001’s White Blood Cells).
Morton Gould (1913). Composer, conductor, arranger, and pianist born in Richmond Hill, NY. Died 2/21/1996.
Harold Adamson (1906). Lyricist (I Love Lucy theme song) born in Greenville, NY. Died 8/17/1980.
Lew Brown (1893). Lyricist (“Don’t Sti Under the Apple Tree,” “The Birth of the Blues”) for Broadway shows and Hollywood films. Born Louis Brownstein. Died 2/5/1958.

December 11

Justin Currie (1964). Rock singer/songwriter and bassist born in Glasgow, Scotland. With Del Amitri (“Roll to Me,” “Kiss This Thing Goodbye”) and a solo artist.
DJ Yella (1961). Rapper born Antoine Carraby in Los Angeles, CA. With N.W.A.
Nikki Sixx (1958). Rock drummer with Mötley Crüe (Dr. Feelgood).
Jermaine Jackson (1954). R&B singer/songwriter born in Gary, Indiana. With The Jackson 5 (“I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The Love You Save,” “I’ll Be There”) and a solo artist (“Let’s Get Serious”).
Brenda Lee (1944). Country, pop, and rockabilly singer (“I’m Sorry”) born Brenda Mae Tarpley in Atlanta, GA.
Frank J. Wilson (1941). American singer (“Last Kiss”) born John Frank Wilson. Died 10/4/1991.
David Gates (1940). American singer/songwriter, guitarist, and keyboardist with Bread.
Tyner McCoy (1938). American jazz pianist.
Rita Moreno (1931). Actress, singer, and dancer (West Side Story) born Rosa Dolores Alverio Marcano in Humacao, Puerto Rico. Has won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and a Tony (EGOT).
Big Mama Thornton (1926). American R&B singer (“Hound Dog”) born Willie Mae Thornton. Died 7/25/1984.
Pérez Prado (1916). Cuban jazz/big band leader and pianist. Died 9/14/1989.
Elliott Carter, Jr. (1908). Modernist composer born in New York City, NY. Died 1/5/2012.
Hector Berlioz (1803). Classical composer (Symphonie Fantastique) born in La Côte-Saint-André, France. Died 3/8/1869.

December 12

Sheila E. (1957). R&B singer (“The Glamorous Life”) and drummer born Sheila Cecelia Escovedo in Oakland, California.
Dickey Betts (1943). Rock guitarist born Forrest Richard Betts in West Palm Beach, FL. With the Allman Brothers Band (“Whipping Post,” 1971’s At Fillmore East1972’s Eat a Peach).
Dionne Warwick (1940). R&B singer (“Walk on By,” “That’s What Friends Are For”) born Marie Dionne Warrick in East Orange, NJ.
Connie Francis (1937). Pop singer (“Who’s Sorry Now?,” “Where the Boys Are”) born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero in Newark, New Jersey.
Obadiah Carter (1925). R&B singer born in Spartanburg, SC. With The Five Royales. Died 6/30/1994.
Frank Sinatra (1915). Traditional pop crooner (“All or Nothing at All,” “I’ll Never Smile Again,” “I’ll Be Seeing You,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Strangers in the Night,” “My Way,” “New York, New York,” 1956’s Songs for Swingin’ Lovers) born Francis Albert Sinatra in Hoboken, New Jersey. Died 5/14/1998.

December 13

Taylor Swift (1989). Country/pop singer (“Love Story,” “You Belong with Me,” “Shake It Off,” “Blank Space,”) born in Reading, PA. Won Album of the Year Grammys for Fearless (2008), 1989 (2014), and Folklore (2020).
Amy Lee (1981). Goth-rock singer with Evanescence (“Bring Me to Life”).
Tom DeLonge (1975). Amiercan singer and guitarist with Blink-182 (“All the Small Things,” “What’s My Age Again?,” “Dammit (Growin’ Up)”) and Angels & Airwaves.
Danny Lohner (1970). Industrial rock bassist and guitarist born in Corpus Christi, TX. With Nine Inch Nails.
Jamie Foxx (1967). Actor, comedian, and singer/songwriter (“Slow Jamz,” “Gold Digger”) born Eric Marlon Bishop in Terrell, Texas.
John Anderson (1954). Country singer (“Swingin’”) born in Apopka, FL.
Berton Averre (1954). Rock singer with the Knack (“My Sharona”).
Randy Owen (1949). Country singer and guitarist born in Fort Payne, AL. With Alabama (“Mountain Music”).
Tom Verlaine (1949). Rock guitarist with Television (Marquee Moon) born Thomas Miller in Morristown, New Jersey.
Lester Bangs (1948). American music journalist who wrote for Creem and Rolling Stone. Has been called “America’s Greatest Rock Critic.” Died 4/30/1982.
Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (1948). Rock guitarist born in Washington, D.C. With Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers.
Ted Nugent (1948). Rock guitarist (“Cat Scratch Fever,” “Wango Tango”) born in Redford, MI.
Irving Azoff (1947). Record executive and manager born in Danville, Illinois. Worked with Christina Aguilera, Bon Jovi, the Eagles, Journey, Maroon 5, Steely Dan, Van Halen, and more.
Lou Adler (1933). Record and film producer born in Chicago, Illinois. Co-owner of the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, California. Worked with the Grass Rotts, Jan & Dean, the Mamas & the Papas, and Carole King, including her Album of the Year Grammy-winning Tapestry.

December 14

Randy Owens (1949). American country singer and guitarist with Alabama.
Cliff Williams (1949). Rock bassist born in Romford, UK. With AC/DC (“You Shook Me All Night Long,” Highway to Hell, Back in Black).
Charlie Rich (1932). Country singer (“Behind Closed Doors,” “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World”) born in Colt, AR. Died 7/25/1995.
Clark Terry (1920). Jazz trumpeter born in St. Louis, MO. Died 2/21/2015.
Jerry Daniels (1915). R&B tenor singer. With the Ink Spots. Died 11/7/1995.

December 15

Paul Simonon (1955). Rock bassist born in Thornton Heath, Croydon, England. With The Clash (1977’s The Clash, London Calling).
Carmine Appice (1946). American drummer with Vanilla Fudge and Cactus.
Dave Clark (1939). Rock songwriter and drummer born in Tottenham, Middlesex, England. With the Dave Clark Five.
Cindy Birdsong (The Supremes) (1939)
Johnny Moore (1934). R&B singer born John Darrel Moore in Selma, AL. With the Drifters (“Under the Boardwalk”). Died 12/30/1998.
Alan Freed (1921). Early rock-n-roll radio DJ born Albert James Freed in Windber, PA. Died 1/20/1965.
Stan Kenton (1911). Jazz bandleader born in Wichita, KS. Died 8/25/1979.
John Hammond (1910). Blues producer born John Henry Hammond II in New York City, NY. Worked with Count Basie, Bob Dylan, Billie Holiday, and Bruce Springsteen. Died 7/10/1987.

December 16

Michael McCary (1971). American R&B bass singer with Boyz II Men.
Billy Gibbons (1949). Rock singer and guitarist born William Frederick Gibbons in Houston, TX. With ZZ Top (“La Grange,” “Tush,” Eliminator).
Benny Andersson (1946). Singer/songwriter born Göran Bror Benny Andersson in Vällingby, Stockholm, Sweden. With Abba (“Dancing Queen”).
Tony Hicks (1945). Rock guitarist born Anthony Christopher Hicks in Nelson, UK. With The Hollies.
Noël Coward (1899). Playwright, composer, director, actor, and singer born in Teddington, Middlesex, England. Died 3/26/1973.

December 17

Sarah Dallin (1961). English pop singer with Bananarama.
Bob Stinson (1959). American alternative-rock guitarist with the Replacements. Died 2/18/1995.
Mike Mills (1958). Rock bassist and keyboardist born in Orange County, CA. With R.E.M. (“Radio Free Europe,” “Losing My Religion,” Automatic for the People).
Paul Rodgers (1949). Rock singer/songwriter born in Middlesbrough, UK. With Free (“All Right Now”) and Bad Company.
Paul Butterfield (1942). Rock singer and harmonica player born in Chicago, IL. With the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Died 5/4/1987.
Eddie Kendricks (1939). R&B singer born Edward James Kendrick in Union Springs, AL. With The Temptations (“The Way You Do the Things You Do,” “Get Ready,” “Just My Imagination”) and a solo singer (“Keep on Truckin’”). Died 10/5/1992.
Art Neville (Neville Brothers) (1937)
Ray Noble (1903). Bandleader, composer, and arranger born in Brighton, Sussex, England. Died 4/3/1978.
Arthur Fiedler (1874). American classical conductor. Died 7/10/1979.
Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770). Classical composer and pianist (1806’s Violin Concerto in D Major) born in Bonn, Germany. Died 3/26/1827.

December 18

Billie Eilish (2001). Singer/songwriter (“Bad Guy”) born Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell in Los Angeles, CA.
Christina Aguilera (1980). Pop singer (“Genie in a Bottle,” “What a Girl Wants,” “Beautiful”) born in Staten Island, New York. Won Grammy for Best New Artist in 1999.
Sia (1975). Singer (“Chandelier,” “Cheap Thrills”) born Sia Kate Isobelle Furler in Adelaide, Australia.
DMX (1970)
Elliot Easton (1953). New wave guitarist born Elliot Steinberg in Brooklyn, NY. With The Cars (“Just What I Needed,” “My Best Friend’s Girl”).
Bobby Keys (1943). Saxophone player born in Slaton, TX. Died 12/2/2014.
Keith Richards (1943). Rock guitarist born in Dartford, England. With The Rolling Stones (“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main Street).
Chas Chandler (1938). Rock bassist born Bryan James Chandler in Heaton, Newcastle, England. With the Animals (“The House of the Rising Sun”). Also the manager for Jimi Hendrix and Slade. Died 7/17/1996.
Allen Klein (1931). Manager (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones) born in Newark, NJ. Died 7/4/2009.
Fletcher Henderson (1897). American jazz bandleader and pianist. Died 12/28/1952.

December 19

Limahl (Kajagoogoo) (1958)
Janie Fricke (1947). American country singer.
Alvin Lee (1944). English rock guitarist and singer with Ten Years After.
Zal Yankovsky (1944). Rock guitarist born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. With the Lovin’ Spoonful. Died 12/13/2002.
Maurice White (1941). R&B singer born in Memphis, TN. With Earth, Wind & Fire (1975’s That’s the Way of the World). Died 2/4/2016.
Phil Ochs (1940). Folk singer born in El Paso, Texas. Died 4/9/1976.
Robert Sherman (1925). Composer (Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book) born in New York City, NY. Died 3/6/2012.
Professor Longhair (1918). Blues musician born Henry Roeland Byrd in Bogalusa, LA. Died 1/30/1980.
Edith Piaf (1915). Singer (“La Vie En Rose”) born Édith Giovanna Gassion in Paris, France. Died 10/10/1963.

December 20

JoJo (1990)
Chris Robinson (1966) Rock singer with the Black Crowes (“Hard to Handle”) born in Marietta, Georgia.
Billy Bragg (1957). Alternative rock singer/songwriter born in Barking, Essex, England.
Anita Ward (1957). American disco singer (“Ring My Bell”).
Alan Parsons (1948). Producer/engineer (The Beatles’ Abbey Road, Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon) and musician (Alan Parsons Project) born in London, England.
Peter Criss (1945). Rock drummer born George Peter John Criscuola in Brooklyn, NY. With Kiss (Destroyer).
Kim Weston (1939). Musician.
Ted Fio Rito (1900). Composer (“I’ll String Along with You,” “June in January”), orchestra leader, and keyboardist born Teodorico Salvatore Fiorito in Newark, NJ. Died 7/22/1971.

December 21

Michael Tilson Thomas (1944). Conductor, pianist, and composer born in Los Angeles, CA.
Carl Wilson (1942). Rock guitarist born in Hawthorne, CA. With the Beach Boys (“Good Vibrations,” Pet Sounds). Died 2/6/1998.
Frank Zappa (1940). Experimental rock singer and musician (Hot Rats, We’re Only in It for the Money) born in Baltimore, Maryland. Died 12/4/1993.
Freddie Hart (1926). American country singer/songwriter.

December 22

Meghan Trainor (1993). Singer/songwriter (“All About That Bass”) born in Nantucket, MA.
DaBaby (1991). Rapper (“Rockstar”) born Jonathan Lyndale Kirk in Cleveland, Ohio.
Jordin Sparks (1989). Singer.
Richey Edwards (1967). Alternative-rock rhythm guitarist and lyricist with Manic Street Preachers. Missing and presumed dead since 2/1/1995.
Luther Campbell (1960). Rapper with 2 Live Crew born in Miami, Florida.
Maurice Gibb (1949). Pop/disco singer born in Douglas, Isle of Man, England. In the Bee Gees (“How Deep Is Your Love,” “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” Saturday Night Fever soundtrack) with his brothers. Died 1/12/2003.
Robin Gibb (1949). Pop/disco singer born in Douglas, Isle of Man, England. In the Bee Gees (“How Deep Is Your Love,” “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” Saturday Night Fever soundtrack) with his brothers. Died 5/20/2012.
Rick Nielsen (1946). Rock guitarist born in Elmhurst, IL. With Cheap Trick (“I Want You to Want Me,” “The Flame”).
André Kostelanetz (1901). Russian orchestral music conductor and arranger. One of the pioneers of easy listening music. Died 1/13/1980.
Edgard Varèse (1883). Composer born Edgard Victor Achille Charles Varèse in Paris, France. Died 11/8/1965.
Giacomo Puccini (1858). Composer born Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini in Lucca, Italy. Died 11/29/1924.

December 23

Dev Hynes (1985). Singer/songwriter and producer born David Joseph Michael Hynes in Ilford, London, England. Produced Blondie, Mariah Carey, the Chemical Brothers, Florence + the Machine, Haim, Carly Rae Jepsen, Kylie Minogue, Harry Styles, and more.
Montsho Eshe (1974). American dancer with Arrested Development (“Tennessee,” “Mr. Wendal”) born Temelca Gaither.
Eddie Vedder (1964). Grunge-rock singer/songwriter/musician born Edward Louis Severson III in Evanston, Illinois. With Pearl Jam (“Jeremy,” 1991’s Ten) and Temple of the Dog.
Dave Murray (Iron Maiden) (1958)
Bruce Hornsby (1955)
Adrian Belew (1949)
Robbie Dupree (1946)
Tim Hardin (1940). American musician. Died 12/29/1980.
Jorma Kaukonen (1940). Rock guitarist born in Washington, DC. With Jefferson Airplane (“White Rabbit,” Surrealistic Pillow) and Hot Tuna.
Chet Baker (1929). Jazz trumpeter and singer born Chesney Henry Baker, Jr. in Yale, Oklahoma. Died 5/13/1988.

December 24

Ricky Martin (1971). Latin/pop singer (“Livin’ La Vida Loca”) born in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Ryan Seacrest (1974). Radio and TV personality born in Atlanta, GA.
Gary Valentine (1955). New wave bassist born Gary Joseph Lachman in Bayonne, NJ. With Blondie.
Lemmy (1945). Heavy metal singer and bassist born Ian Fraser Kilmster in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. With Motörhead (1981’s No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith).
Dave Bartholomew (1920). R&B songwriter (Fats Domino’s “Ain’t It a Shame”) and producer born in Edgard, LA. Died 6/23/2019.
Lalo Guerrero (1916). Guitarist, singer, and farm labor activist born Eduardo Guerrero Jr. in Tucson, AZ. Died 3/17/2005.

December 25

Armin van Buuren (1976). DJ, record producer, songwriter, and musician born Armin Joseph Daniel Jacobus van Buuren in Leiden, Netherlands.
Dido (1971). Singer/songwriter (“Thank You,” “White Flag”) born Florian Cloud de Bounevialle O'Malley Armstrong in Kensington, London, England.
Shane McGowan (1957). Rock singer/songwriter and guitarist with the Pogues born in Pembury Ireland.
Annie Lennox (1954). New wave singer born in Aberdeen, Scotland. With the Eurythmics (“Sweet Dreams Are Made of This,” “Here Comes the Rain Again”) and a solo artist.
Steve Wariner (1954). Country singer born in Noblesville, IN.
Barbara Mandrell (1948). Country singer born in Houston, TX.
Jimmy Buffett (1946). Singer/songwriter (“Margaritaville”) born in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Noel Redding (1945). Rock bassist born David Noel Redding in Folkestone, England. With the Jimi Hendrix Experience (Are You Experienced?, Electric Ladyland).
O’Kelly Isley (1937). R&B singer/songwriter (“Shout,” “Twist and Shout,” “This Old Heart of Mine”) born in Cincinnati, OH. Died 12/25/1937. With the Isley Brothers.
Chris Kenner (1929). American musician (“Land of 1000 Dances”). Died 1/25/1976.
Tony Martin (1913). Actor and traditional pop singer born Alvin Morris in San Francisco, CA. Died 7/27/2012.
Cab Calloway (1907). Jazz singer and bandleader born Cabell Calloway III in Rochester, New York. Died 11/18/1994.
Nat Shilkret (1889). Composer, conductor, and musician born Naftule Schüldkraut in New York City, NY. Died 2/18/1982.
Patrick Gilmore (1829). Composer (“Famous 22nd Regiment March”) and bandmaster born Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore in Ballygar, County Galway, Ireland. Died 9/24/1892.

December 26

Chris Daughtry (1979). Rock singer (“It’s Not Over”) born in McLeansville, North Carolina. Finalist on TV’s American Idol in 2002.
Jared Leto (1971). Actor and singer/songwriter born in Bossier City, Louisiana. With the band Thirty Seconds to Mars.
Lars Ulrich (1963). Rock drummer born in Gentofte Muncipality, Germany. With Metallica (“One,” “Enter Sandman,” Metallica (The Black Album)).
Phil Spector (1939). Record producer and songwriter born in Bronx, New York. Died 1/16/2021. Originated the “Wall of Sound” production technique.
Abdul Fakir (1935). Musician with the Four Tops.

December 27

Hayley Williams (1988). Singer/songwriter born in Meridian, Mississippi.
Karla Bonoff (1952)
David Knopfler (1952). Rock guitarist born in Glasgow, Scotland. With Dire Straits (“Sultans of Swing”).
Terry Bozzio (1950). American drummer with Frank Zappa and Missing Persons.
Mick Jones (1944). Rock musician and songwriter born Michael Leslie Jones in Portsmouth, UK. With Spooky Tooth andForeigner).
Mike Pinder (1941). Progressive rock keyboardist born in Erdington, Birmingham, England. With The Moody Blues (Days of Future Passed).
Scotty Moore (1931). Early rock ‘n’ roll guitarist born Winfield Scott Moore III in Gadsen, TN. With Elvis Presley’s backing band, the Blue Moon Boys. Died 6/28/2016.
Sam Coslow (1902). Singer/songwriter, film producer, publisher and market analyst born in New York City, NY. Died 4/2/1982.

December 28

David Archuleta (1990). Singer born in Miami, Florida. Finished second on the seventh season of TV’s American Idol.
John Legend (1978). Singer (“All of Me”) born John Roger Stephens in Springfield, OH.
Alex Chilton (1950). Rock singer/musician born in Memphis, Tennessee. Died 3/17/2010. With the Box Tops (“The Letter”) and Big Star (1972’s #1 Record, 1974’s Radio City, 1978’s Third/Sister Lovers).
Hugh McDonald (1950). Rock bassist born in Philadelphia, PA. With Bon Jovi.
Edgar Winter (1946). American musician with the Edgar Winter Group.
Charles Neville (The Neville Brothers) (1938)
Dorsey Burnette (1932). Tennessee musician (“Tall Oak Tree”). Father of Billy Burnette. Died 8/19/1979.
Johnny Otis (1921). R&B singer (“Willie and the Hand Jive”), bandleader, and record producer born Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes. Has been called “The Godfather of Rhythm & Blues.” Died 1/17/2012.
Roebuck “Pops” Staples (1914). Gospel singer born in Winona, MS. With the Staple Singers. Died 12/19/2000.
Earl “Fatha” Hines (1903). American jazz pianist. Died 4/22/1983.
Roger Sessions (1896). Composer, teacher, and musicologist born in New York, NY. Died 3/6/1985.

December 29

Dallas Austin (1970). Songwriter and record producer (Madonna, TLC, Pink, Gwen Stefani) born in Columbus, GA.
Glen Phillips (Toad The Wet Sprocket) (1970)
Neil Giraldo (1955). Rock guitarist and husband of singer Pat Benatar. Born in Cleveland, OH.
Yvonne Elliman (1951). American singer (“If I Can’t Have You”).
Cozy Powell (1947). Rock drummer born in Cirencester, England. With Jeff Beck Group, Rainbow, Whitesnake, Emerson, Lake & Powell, and Black Sabbath. Died 4/5/1998.
Marianne Faithfull (1946). Singer (“As Tears Go By”) born in Hampstead, London, England.
Rick Danko (1943). Rock bassist and singer born in Blayney, Ontario, Canada. With The Band (“The Weight,” “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” “Up on Cripple Creek”). Died 12/10/1999.
Ray Thomas (1941). Musician (flute, harmonica, saxophone, percussion) born in Surrey, England. Died 1/14/2018. With The Moody Blues (Days of Future Passed).
Johnny Otis (1921). American musician (“Willie and the Hand Jive”). Born John Veliotes.
Pablo Casals(1876). Cellist born Pau Casals i Defilló in El Vendrell, Tarragona, Spain. Died 10/22/1973.
Frank Stanley (1868). Bass-baritone singer, stage performer, and banjoist born William Stanley Grinsted in Orange, NJ. With the Peerless Quartet. Died 12/12/1910.

December 30

Wesley Schultz (1982). Singer and guitarist with the Lumineers (“Ho Hey”) born in Ramsey, New Jersey.
Jay Kay (1969). Singer born Jason Luis Cheetham in Stretford, England. With Jamiroquai.
Tracey Ullman (1959). Singer (“They Don’t Know”) and actress born in Slough, Buckinghamshire, England.
Chris Jasper (1951). R&B singer (“Caravan of Love”) and keyboardist born in Cincinnati, OH. With the Isley Brothers.
Jeff Lynne (1947). Rock singer and guitarist born in Shard End, Birmingham, England. With Electric Light Orchestra (“Don’t Bring Me Down”) and member of supergroup Traveling Wilburys.
Patti Smith (1946). Singer/songwriter and poet (“Because the Night,” 1975’s Horses) born in Chicago, Illinois.
Davy Jones (1945). Singer and actor born in Openhaw, Manchester, England. Died 2/29/2012. With the Monkees (“I’m a Believer”).
Michael Nesmith (1942). Actor, musician, and songwriter born Robert Michael Nesmith in Houston, Texas. Died 12/10/2021. With The Monkees (“I’m a Believer”).
Robert Quine (1942). Guitarist born in Akron, Ohio. Died 5/31/2004. Worked with Richard Hell & the Voidoids, Lou Reed, Brian Eno, Matthew Sweet, Lloyd Cole, Tom Waits, and others.
John Hartford (1937)
Paul Stookey (1937). Singer/songwriter.
Del Shannon (1934). Rock singer (“Runaway”) born Charles Weedon Westover in Grand Rapids, MI. Died 2/8/1990.
Skeeter Davis (1931)
Bo Diddley (1928). Rock/blues singer/songwriter (“Bo Diddley,” “I’m a Man,” “Who Do You Love,” “Mona”) born Ellas Otha Bates in McComb, Mississippi. Last name later changed to McDaniel. Died 6/2/2008.
Vincent Lopez (1895). Jazz bandleader born in Brooklyn, NY. Died 9/20/1975.

December 31

Psy (1977). South Korean singer (“Gangnam Style”) born Park Jae-sang.
Joe McIntyre (New Kids On The Block) (1972)
Scott Ian (1963). Heavy metal guitarist with Anthrax born Scott Ian Rosenfeld in Queens, New York.
Paul Westerberg (1959). Alternative-rock singer/songwriter and rhythm guitarist born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With the Replacements (“I’ll Be You,” “Bastards of Young”).
George Thorogood (1952). Blues-rock singer (“Bad to the Bone,” “I Drink Alone”) born in Wilmington, Delaware.
Tom Hamilton (1951). Rock bassist born in Colorado Springs, CO. With Aerosmith (“Dream On,” “Walk This Way,” “Sweet Emotion,” “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” Toys in the Attic, Permanent Vacation, Pump).
Donna Summer (1948). R&B/disco singer (“Hot Stuff,” “Bad Girls,” “On the Radio”) born LaDonna Adrian Gaines in Boston, Massachussetts. Died 5/17/2012.
Burton Cummings (1947). Rock singer and keyboardist born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. With the Guess Who (“American Woman,” “These Eyes”).
John Denver (1943). Country singer (“Take Me Home, Country Roads,” “Rocky Mountain High”) born Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. in Roswell, New Mexico. Died 10/12/1997.
Pete Quaife (1943). Bass guitarist born Peter Alexander Greenlaw Kinnes in Tavistock, Devon, England. With the Kinks (“You Really Got Me,” “All Day and All of the Night”). Died 6/23/2010.
Andy Summers (1942). New-wave rock guitarist born Andrew James Somers in Poulton-le-Fylde, UK. With The Police (“Every Breath You Take,” “Roxanne,” 1983’s Synchronicity).
Odetta (1930). Singer/songwriter, guitarist, actress, and civil rights activist born Odetta Holmes in Birmingham, AL. Died 12/2/2008.
Jule Styne (1905). Musical theater composer born Julius Kerwin Stein in London, England. Died 9/20/1994.
Nathan Milstein (1903). Violinist born in London, England. Died 12/21/1992.

This page last updated May 18, 2023.

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