Sunday, October 23, 2022

The Birth of Rock and Roll: The Top 100 Songs

Rock ‘n’ Roll’s Origins:

Top 100 Songs

The initial intent behind this list was to pinpoint a few key candidates in the birth of rock and roll. As one can see by the multiple resources at the bottom of this page (which includes an entire box set and book devoted to the topic), there is no definitive agreement. In addition, efforts to create a list of candidates for first rock song so regularly crossed over with lists of early rock and roll songs that this became an amalgamation of the two. In other words, this evolved from not just a look at the birth of rock and roll but a glimpse of its “toddler years,” if you will, as well. That leaves it up to you, the reader, to form your own opinions aout which songs are the most important in the early development of rock and roll.

Click here to see other genre-specific song lists.

  1. Bill Haley & the Comets “We’re Gonna Rock Around the Clock” (1954)
  2. Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats “Rocket 88” (1951)
  3. Chuck Berry “Johnny B. Goode” (1958)
  4. Little Richard “Tutti Frutti” (1955)
  5. Elvis Presley “That’s All Right, Mama” (1954)
  6. Jerry Lee Lewis “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” (1957)
  7. Wynonie Harris “Good Rockin’ Tonight” (1948)
  8. Carl Perkins “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956)
  9. Elvis Presley “Hound Dog” (1956)
  10. Big Joe Turner “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” (1954)

  11. Little Richard “Good Golly Miss Molly” (1958)
  12. Buddy Holly & the Crickets “That’ll Be the Day” (1957)
  13. Ritchie Valens “La Bamba” (1958)
  14. Buddy Holly & the Crickets “Peggy Sue” (1957)
  15. Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers “Why Do Fools Fall in Love?” (1956)
  16. Jerry Lee Lewis “Great Balls of Fire” (1957)
  17. Chuck Berry “Maybellene” (1955)
  18. Fats Domino “The Fat Man” (1950)
  19. The Penguins “Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)” (1954)
  20. Elvis Presley “Heartbreak Hotel” (1956)

  21. The Chords “Sh-Boom” (1954)
  22. The Everly Brothers “Wake Up Little Susie” (1957)
  23. Elvis Presley “Jailhouse Rock” (1957)
  24. Fats Domino “Blueberry Hill” (1956)
  25. Bo Diddley “Bo Diddley” (1955)
  26. Eddie Cochran “Summertime Blues” (1958)
  27. Lloyd Price “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” (1952)
  28. Chuck Berry “Rock and Roll Music” (1957)
  29. Fats Domino “Ain’t That a Shame” (1955)
  30. Danny & the Juniors “At the Hop” (1957)

  31. The Crows “Gee” (1954)
  32. Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton “Hound Dog” (1953)
  33. Johnny Cash “I Walk the Line” (1956)
  34. Trixie Smith “My Man Rocks with Me One Steady Roll” (1922)
  35. Jimmy Preston & His Prestonians “Rock the Joint” (1949)
  36. Elvis Presley “All Shook Up“ (1957)
  37. The Everly Brothers “Bye Bye Love” (1957)
  38. The Dominoes “Sixty Minute Man” (1951)
  39. The Platters “Only You (And You Alone)” (1955)
  40. Little Richard “Long Tall Sally” (1956)

  41. The Platters “The Great Pretender” (1955)
  42. The Big Bopper “Chantilly Lace” (1958)
  43. Dion & the Belmonts “A Teenager in Love” (1959)
  44. Arthur Crudup “That’s All Right, Mama” (1946)
  45. Elvis Presley “Don’t Be Cruel” (1956)
  46. Chuck Berry “Roll Over Beethoven” (1956)
  47. Sam Cooke “You Send Me” (1957)
  48. The Dell-Vikings “Come Go with Me” (1957)
  49. The Everly Brothers “All I Have to Do Is Dream” (1958)
  50. The Champs “Tequila” (1958)

  51. Louis Jordan “Saturday Night Fish Fry” (1949)
  52. Ray Charles “What’d I Say” (1959)
  53. Wild Bill Moore “We’re Gonna Rock, We’re Gonna Roll” (1947)
  54. The Flamingos “I Only Have Eyes for You” (1959)
  55. Freddie Slack & Ella Mae Morse “The House of Blue Lights” (1946)
  56. The Coasters “Yakety Yak” (1958)
  57. Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps “Be-Bop-A-Lula” (1956)
  58. Little Richard “Lucille” (1957)
  59. The Five Satins “In the Still of the Nite (I’ll Remember)” (1956)
  60. The Diamonds “Little Darlin’” (1957)

  61. Bobby Darin “Mack the Knife” (1959)
  62. John Lee Hooker “Boogie Chillen’” (1949)
  63. Hank Williams “Your Cheatin’ Heart” (1953)
  64. Les Paul & Mary Ford “How High the Moon” (1951)
  65. Bill Haley & His Saddlemen “Crazy Man Crazy” (1953)
  66. The Isley Brothers “Shout (Parts 1 and 2)” (1959)
  67. Ella Fitzgerald “Rock It for Me” (1938)
  68. Hank Williams “Move It on Over” (1947)
  69. Arthur Smith & His Cracker Jacks “Guitar Boogie” (1948)
  70. Chuck Berry “Sweet Little Sixteen” (1958)

  71. Joe Liggins & His Honeydrippers “The Honeydripper” (1945)
  72. Chuck Berry “School Days” (1957)
  73. Ray Charles “I Gotta Woman” (1955)
  74. Hank Ballard & the Midnighters “Work with Me, Annie” (1954)
  75. Del Shannon “Runaway” (1961)
  76. Johnny Cash “Folsom Prison Blues’ (1955)
  77. Huey “Piano” Smith & His Clowns “Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie-Woogie Flu” (1957)
  78. The Platters “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” (1958)
  79. Roy Brown “Good Rockin’ Tonight” (1948)
  80. The Boswell Sisters “Rock and Roll” (1934)

  81. Stick MgGhee “Drinking Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee” (1949)
  82. The Drifters “Money Honey” (1953)
  83. Tampa Red & Georgia Tom “It’s Tight Like That” (1928)
  84. Elvis Presley “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956)
  85. James Brown “Please, Please, Please” (1956)
  86. Bobby Day “Rockin’ Robin” (1958)
  87. Buddy Holly & the Cickets “Rave On” (1958)
  88. Lloyd Price “Stagger Lee” (1958)
  89. Shirley & Lee “Let the Good Times Roll” (1956)
  90. The Marcels “Blue Moon” (1961)

  91. The Clovers “Love Potion No. 9” (1959)
  92. The Monotones “Book of Love” (1958)
  93. Bobby Freeman “Do You Want to Dance?” (1958)
  94. Bobby Darin “Splish Splash” (1958)
  95. Phil Phillips & the Twilights “Sea of Love” (1959)
  96. Ruth Brown “Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean” (1953)
  97. Eddie Cochran “C’mon Everybody” (1958)
  98. Ritchie Valens “Donna” (1958)
  99. Conway Twitty “It’s Only Make Believe” (1958)
  100. Fats Domino “I’m Walkin’” (1957)

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First posted 4/13/2020; last updated 10/23/2022.

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Saturday, October 22, 2022

Top 100 Songs from 1920-1929

Top 100 Songs of the Decade:

1920-1929

These are the top 100 songs from the 1920s according to Dave’s Music Database. Rankings are figured by combining sales figures, chart data, radio airplay, video airplay, streaming figures, awards, and appearances on best-of lists.

Check out other “songs of the decade” lists here.

1. Bessie Smith with Louis Armstrong “St. Louis Blues” (1925)
2. Al Jolson “Swanee” (1920)
3. Gene Austin “My Blue Heaven” (1927)
4. Thomas “Fats” Waller “Ain’t Misbehavin’” (1929)
5. Paul Whiteman “Whispering” (1920)
6. Al Jolson "April Showers” (1922)
7. Marion Harris “Tea for Two” (1925)
8. Vernon Dalhart “The Prisoner’s Song” (1925)
9. Ben Selvin “Dardanella” (1920)
10. Isham Jones “It Had to Be You” (1924)

11. Paul Whiteman with Bing Crosby “Ol’ Man River” (1928)
12. Cliff Edwards “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” (1928)
13. George Olsen with Fran Frey, Bob Rice & Edward Joyce “Always” (1926)
14. Al Jolson “Sonny Boy” (1928)
15. Ben Selvin “Blue Skies” (1927)
16. Van & Schenck “Ain’t We Got Fun?” (1921)
17. Gertrude Lawrence “Someone to Watch Over Me” (1927)
18. Paul Whiteman” Three O’Clock in the Morning” (1922)
19. Ben Bernie “Sweet Georgia Brown” (1925)
20. Nick Lucas “Tip-Toe Thru the Tulips with Me” (1929)

21. Paul Whiteman with George Gershwin “Rhapsody in Blue” (1924)
22. Van & Schenck “Carolina in the Morning” (1923)
23. Gene Austin “My Melancholy Baby” (1928)
24. Al Jolson with Isham Jones “California, Here I Come” (1924)
25. Bessie Smith “Down Hearted Blues” (1923)
26. Gene Austin “Bye Bye, Blackbird” (1926)
27. Gene Austin with Billy Carpenter “Yes Sir! That’s My Baby” (1925)
28. Marion Harris “The Man I Love” (1928)
29. Paul Whiteman “My Mammy” (1921)
30. Cliff Edwards “Singin’ in the Rain” (1929)

31. Billy Jones “Yes! We Have No Bananas” (1923)
32. Eddie Cantor “If You Knew Susie Like I Know Susie” (1925)
33. Wendall Hall “It Ain’t Gonna Rain No Mo’” (1924)
34. Paul Whiteman with Franklyn Baur “Valencia (A Song of Spain)” (1926)
35. Ben Selvin “Manhattan” (1925)
36. Paul Whiteman “What’ll I Do?” (1924)
37. Eddie Cantor “Makin’ Whoopee” (1929)
38. Eddie Cantor “Margie” (1921)
39. Paul Whiteman “The Japanese Sandman” (1920)
40. Isham Jones with Ray Miller & Frank Bessinger “I’ll See You in My Dreams” (1925)

41. Ben Bernie with Scrappy Lambert & Billy Hillpot “Ain’t She Sweet?” (1927)
42. Paul Whiteman “Somebody Loves Me” (1924)
43. Arthur Gibbs & His Gang “Charleston” (1924)
44. Fanny Brice “My Man (Mon Homme)” (1922)
45. Gene Austin with Nat Shilkret & Viola Klaiss “Ramona” (1928)
46. Al Jolson “All Alone” (1925)
47. Paul Whiteman with Jack Fulton, Charles Gaylord, & Austin Young “The Birth of the Blues” (1926)
48. Al Jolson “Toot, Toot, Tootsie! (Goo’bye)” (1922)
49. Marion Harris “Look for the Silver Lining” (1921)
50. Whisperin’ Jack Smith “Me and My Shadow” (1927)

51. George Olsen “Who?” (1926)
52. Jan Garber with Benny Davis “Baby Face” (1926)
53. Ruth Etting “Love Me or Leave Me” (1929)
54. Henry Burr “My Buddy” (1922)
55. Isham Jones “Wabash Blues” (1921)
56. Ted Lewis & His Band “When My Baby Smiles at Me” (1920)
57. Ethel Waters “Am I Blue?” (1929)
58. Jimmie Rodgers “Blue Yodel #1 (T for Texas)” (1928)
59. Ray Miller & His Orchestra “The Sheik of Araby” (1922)
60. Ted Lewis “All by Myself” (1921)

61. Al Jolson “I’m Sitting on Top of the World” (1926)
62. Paul Whiteman “Wang Wang Blues” (1920)
63. Ted Weems “Somebody Stole My Gal” (1924)
64. Mamie Smith & Her Jazz Hounds “Crazy Blues” (1920)
65. Ben Selvin “Chicago (That Toddlin’ Town)” (1922)
66. Ed Gallagher & Al Shean “Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Shean – ‘Positively, Mr. Gallagher?’” (1922)
67. Guy Lombardo with Weston Vaughan “Charmaine!” (1927)
68. Louis Armstrong “West End Blues” (1928)
69. Billy Murray with Ed Smalle “That Old Gang of Mine” (1923)
70. Fanny Brice “Second Hand Rose” (1922)

71. Charles Harrison “I’ll Be with You in Apple Blossom Time” (1920)
72. Paul Whiteman “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” (1923)
73. Paul Whiteman “Stumbling” (1922)
74. Rudy Vallee “Honey” (1929)
75. Paul Whiteman “Say It with Music” (1921)
76. Gene Austin “Carolina Moon” (1929)
77. Fred Waring with Tom Waring “Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life” (1928)
78. Gene Austin with Nat Shilkret’s Orchestra “Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue” (1926)
79. Isham Jones “Swingin’ Down the Lane” (1923)
80. Marion Harris “I’m Just Wild about Harry” (1922)

81. Paul Whiteman with Jack Fulton, Charles Gaylord, & Austin Young “Among My Souvenirs” (1928)
82. Al Jolson “When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin’ Along” (1926)
83. Ben Bernie with Arthur Fields “Sleepy Time Gal” (1926)
84. John Steel “The Love Nest” (1920)
85. The Carter Family “Wildwood Flower” (1928)
86. Louise Homer “America the Beautiful” (1925)
87. Maurice Chevalier “Louise” (1929)
88. Benny Krueger “I Cried for You” (1923)
89. Paul Whiteman with the Rhythm Boys “Side by Side” (1927)
90. Paul Whiteman “Linger Awhile” (1924)

91. Paul Whiteman “Hot Lips (He's Got Hot Lips When He Plays Jazz)” (1922)
92. Helen Kane with Leonard Joy’s Orchestra “I Wanna Be Loved by You” (1928)
93. Vincent Lopez “I Want to Be Happy” (1924)
94. Al Jolson “Avalon” (1920)
95. Peerless Quartet “Way Down Yonder in New Orleans” (1922)
96. Ben Pollack with Franklyn Baur “Sweet Sue, Just You” (1928)
97. Paul Whiteman with Jack Fulton “Lover, Come Back to Me” (1929)
98. Paul Whiteman “Oh, Lady Be Good” (1925)
99. Aileen Stanley “Everybody Loves My Baby” (1925)
100. Leo Reisman with Ran Weeks “With a Song in My Heart” (1929)

Resources/Related Links:

First posted 4/4/2012; last updated 10/22/2022.

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One-Hit Wonders

One-Hit Wonders:

Top 100 Songs

I am consistently annoyed by lists of supposed one-hit wonders. Inevitably, there are acts that are definitely NOT one-hit wonders. Some of the most glaring examples I’ve seen in different articles are Survivor (“Eye of the Tiger” #1, “Burning Heart” #2, top ten hits with “The Search Is Over,” “High on You,” and “Is This Love”), Toto (“Africa” #1, “Rosanna” #2, top tens with “Hold the Line” and “I Won’t Hold You Back”), and Sugarloaf (top ten hits with “Green-Eyed Lady” and “Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You”). There are also a couple of acts who certainly are best known for certain songs, but did have other hits. Aha (“Take on Me” #1, “The Sun Always Shines on TV” top 20) and The Knack (“My Sharona” #1, “Good Girls Don’t” #11) are the first two that come to mind.

It begs the question – how does one even definte a “hit”? For the purposes of this post, the focus is exclusively on the U.S. Billboard pop charts from 1890 to present. One could argue that a true one-hit wonder has only graced the Hot 100 once. However, this post will focus on acts which have only hit the top 40 once since songs lower than that arguably didn’t achieve familiarity with a general audience.

This leaves more than 2400 eligible songs with some definite surprises. Jimi Hendrix, Carl Perkins, Lou Reed (all on this list), and Dr. John (“Right Place Wrong Time”), Grateful Dead (“Touch of Grey”), Public Enemy (“Give It Up”), Roxy Music (“Love Is the Drug”), Rush (“New World Man”), The Small Faces (“Itchycoo Park”), and Frank Zappa (“Valley Girl”) only had one top 40 hit each despite the legendary status which got them inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Other acts like Beck; Oasis; and T-Rex (all on this list); along with Garth Brooks (“Lost in You”); Kate Bush “Running Up That Hill”); Emerson, Lake & Palmer (“From the Beginning”); Lefty Frizzell (“I Want to Be with You Always”); Merle Haggard (“If We Make It Through December”); Iggy Pop (“Candy”); Method Man (“I'll Be There for You / You're All I Need to Get By”); Shinedown (“Second Chance”); Weezer (“Beverly Hills”); The White Stripes (“Icky Thump”); and Warren Zevon (“Werewolves of London”) have plenty of success, but multiple chart hits on the top 40 eluded them.

Finally, there are some acts who have plenty of chart experience yet still qualify as one-hit wonders. For example, U.S.A. for Africa (“We Are the World”) and Band Aid (“Do They Know It’s Christmas?”) were one-time collaborations of multiple artists with plenty of chart experience. There are also artists like Bill Medley (“I’ve Had the Time of My Life”) who had plenty of chart experience as part of the Righteous Brothers, but had never charted as a solo act.

If a song is marked with an asterisk (*), that indicates that the song is the only top 40 hit for the lead act, but that the supporting act has other top 40 hits.

Check other lists based on charts, sales, and airplay here.

1. Mark Ronson “Uptown Funk!” (with Bruno Mars, #1, 2014) *
2. Sinéad O’Connor “Nothing Compares 2 U” (#1, 1990)
3. Luis Fonsi “Despacito” (with Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber, 2017, #1) *
4. Gotye with Kimbra “Somebody That I Used to Know” (#1, 2011)
5. Gnarls Barkley “Crazy” (#2, 2006)
6. The Jimi Hendrix Experience “All Along the Watchtower” (#20, 1968)
7. Los Del Rio “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” (#1, 1995)
8. Oasis “Wonderwall” (#8, 1995)
9. Coleman Hawkins “Body and Soul” (#13, 1940)
10. USA for Africa “We Are the World” (#1, 1985)

11. Soft Cell “Tainted Love” (#8, 1981)
12. The Verve “Bitter Sweet Symphony” (#12, 1997)
13. Dexy’s Midnight Runners “Come on Eileen” (#1, 1983)
14. Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers “Why Do Fools Fall in Love?” (#6, 1956)
15. Debby Boone “You Light Up My Life” (#1, 1977)
16. The Penguins “Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)” (#8, 1954)
17. Daft Punk with Pharrell Williams “Get Lucky” (#2, 2013)
18. Carl Perkins “Blue Suede Shoes” (#2, 1956)
19. Buffalo Springfield “For What It’s Worth” (#7, 1966)
20. Lipps Inc. “Funkytown” (#1, 1980)

21. Frankie Goes to Hollywood “Relax” (#10, 1983)
22. Lou Reed “Walk on the Wild Side” (#16, 1972)
23. Beck “Loser” (#10, 1993)
24. Wild Cherry “Play That Funky Music” (#1, 1976)
25. The Sugarhill Gang “Rapper’s Delight” (#36, 1979)
26. Amy Winehouse “Rehab” (#9, 2006)
27. James Blunt “You’re Beautiful” (#1, 2004)
28. Band Aid “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” (#13, 1984)
29. Terry Jacks “Seasons in the Sun” (#1, 1974)
30. Knickerbocker Quartet “Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag and Smile, Smile, Smile” (#1, 1917)

31. Daniel Powter “Bad Day” (#1, 2005)
32. Domenico Modugno “Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blue)” (#1, 1958)
33. Sir Mix-A-Lot “Baby Got Back” (#1, 1992)
34. Harry Simeone Chorale “The Little Drummer Boy” (#13, 1958)
35. Cee-Lo Green “Fuck You (aka “Forget You”)” (#2, 2010)
36. The Chords “Sh-Boom” (#5, 1954)
37. Bill Medley “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” (with Jennifer Warnes, #1, 1987) *
38. Lee Ann Womack & the Sons of the Desert “I Hope You Dance” (#14, 2000)
39. Big Joe Turner “Shake, Rattle and Roll” (#22, 1954)
40. Free “All Right Now” (#4, 1970)

41. Snow Patrol “Chasing Cars” (#5, 2006)
42. Magic! “Rude” (#1, 2013)
43. The Lumineers “Ho Hey” (#3, 2012)
44. Dave Brubeck Quartet “Take Five” (#25, 1959)
45. T-Rex “Get It On (Bang a Gong)” (#10, 1971)
46. Lou Bega “Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of…)” (#3, 1999)
47. Walter Huston “September Song” (#12, 1939)
48. Don Azpiazu & Arturo Machin “The Peanut Vendor (El Manicero” (#1, 1930)
49. Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps “Be-Bop-A-Lula” (#7, 1956)
50. Van McCoy “The Hustle” (#1, 1975)

51. Jimmy Boyd “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” (#1, 1952)
52. OMI “Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix)” (#1, 2014)
53. Tammy Wynette “Stand by Your Man” (#19, 1968)
54. Anton Karas “The Third Man Theme” (#1, 1950)
55. Mungo Jerry “In the Summertime” (#3, 1970)
56. Passenger “Let Her Go” (#5, 2012)
57. Carl Douglas “Kung Fu Fighting” (#1, 1974)
58. Regina Belle “A Whole New World” (with Peabo Bryson, #1, 1992) *
59. Hoobastank “The Reason” (#2, 2003)
60. M.I.A. “Paper Planes” (#4, 2007)

61. House of Pain “Jump Around” (#3, 1992)
62. Kate Bush “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” (#3, 1985)
63. The Contours “Do You Love Me” (#3, 1962)
64. Chumbawamba “Tubthumping” (#6, 1997)
65. Silentó “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” (#3, 2015)
66. Donna Lewis “I Love You Always Forever” (#2, 1996)
67. Mott the Hoople “All the Young Dudes” (1972)
68. Hozier “Take Me to Church” (#2, 2013)
69. Devo “Whip It” (#14, 1980)
70. Bobby McFerrin “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” (#1, 1988)

71. Ed Gallagher & Al Shean “Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Shean” (#1, 1922)
72. Midnight Oil “Beds Are Burning” (#17, 1987)
73. Gorillaz “Feel Good Inc.” (with De La Soul, #14, 2005) *
74. Sonny James “Young Love” (#1, 1956)
75. Jeannie C. Riley “Harper Valley P.T.A.” (#1, 1968)
76. The Tornadoes “Telstar” (#1, 1962)
77. Paul Mauriat “Love Is Blue” (#1, 1967)
78. Buggles “Video Killed the Radio Star” (#40, 1981)
79. Foster the People “Pumped Up Kicks” (#3, 2010)
80. Sammi Smith “Help Me Make It Through the Night” (#8, 1971)

81. U.S. Naval Academy Band “Anchors Aweigh” (#13, 1906)
82. Everything But the Girl “Missing (Todd Terry Remix)” (#2, 1995)
83. Deee-Lite “Groove Is in the Heart” (#4, 1990)
84. Tag Team “Whoomp! (There It Is)” (#2, 1993)
85. Mahalia Jackson “Move on Up a Little Higher” (#21, 1948)
86. Bill Hayes “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” (#1, 1955)
87. Tones and I “Dance Monkey” (#4, 2019)
88. Thomas Bott “Love’s Old Sweet Song” (#1, 1892)
89. Mr. Acker Bilk “Stranger on the Shore” (#1, 1961)
90. Zager & Evans “In the Year 2525 (Exordium & Terminus)” (#1, 1969)

91. Lynn Anderson “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden” (#3, 1970)
92. Walk the Moon “Shut Up and Dance” (#4, 2014)
93. Bill Snyder “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” (#3, 1950)
94. The Youngbloods “Get Together” (#5, 1967)
95. Nena “99 Red Balloons” (#2, 1983)
96. Anita Ward “Ring My Bell” (#1, 1979)
97. Thin Lizzy “The Boys Are Back in Town” (#12, 1976)
98. 24K Goldn with Iann Dior “Mood” (#1, 2020)
99. Big Four Quartet “Goodbye Dolly Gray” (#1, 1901)
100. Glass Animals “Heat Waves” (#1, 2020)

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First posted 9/8/2019; last updated 10/22/2022.

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Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Billboard Hot 100: Longest Running Hits

Billboard Hot 100:

Longest Running Hits

These are the longest-running chart entries in the history of the Billboard Hot 100.

Check out other “Billboard: Best of” lists here.

Spotify Podcast:

Check out the Dave’s Music Database podcast episode Billboard Hot 100 Longest Chart Runs based on this list. It debuted October 19, 2022 at 7pm CST. New episodes based on Dave’s Music Database lists are posted every Tuesday at 7pm CST.

  • 91 weeks: Glass Animals “Heat Waves” (2020). Also holds the record for longest chart run before hitting #1 (59 weeks). *
  • 90 weeks: The Weeknd “Blinding Lights” (2019)
  • 87 weeks: Imagine Dragons “Radioactive” (2012)
  • 79 weeks: AWOL Nation “Sail” (2011)
  • 77 weeks: Dua Lipa with DaBaby “Levitating” (2020)
  • 76 weeks: Jason Mraz “I’m Yours” (2008)

  • 69 weeks: LeAnn Rimes “How Do I Live” (1997)
  • 69 weeks: The Weeknd with Ariana Grande “Save Your Tears” (2020)
  • 68 weeks: One Republic “Counting Stars” (2013)
  • 68 weeks: LMFAO with Lauren Bennett & GoonRock “Party Rock Anthem” (2011)
  • 65 weeks: Adele “Rolling in the Deep” (2010)
  • 65 weeks: Jewel “You Were Meant for Me”/ “Foolish Games” (1997)

  • 64 weeks: Carrie Underwood “Before He Cheats”
  • 63 weeks: Kid Laroi with Justin Bieber “Stay” (2020). 1st song in history to spend 40 consecutive weeks in the top 10.
  • 62 weeks: Gabby Barrett with Charlie Puth “I Hope” (2019)
  • 62 weeks: The Lumineers “Ho Hey” (2012)
  • 62 weeks: Lifehouse “You and Me” (2005)
  • 61 weeks: Post Malone “Circles” (2019)
  • 61 weeks: Imagine Dragons “Demons” (2013)
  • 60 weeks: Lady Antebellum “Need You Now” (2009)
  • 60 weeks: Los Del Rio “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” (1995)

* Still on chart as of this post.

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First posted 3/14/2022; updated 10/19/2022.

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Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Mercury Prize for Album of the Year, 1992-2022

Mercury Prize:

Album of the Year, 1992-2022

This annual award is presented to the best album released in the United Kingdom by a British or Irish act. It was created in 1992 by Jon Webster in association with the British Phonographic Industry and British Assocation of Record Dealers as an alternative to the Brit Awards.

Check out other album of the year awards here.

  • 2022: Little Simz Sometimes I Might Be Introvert
  • 2021: Arlo Parks Collapsed in Sunbeams
  • 2020: Michael Kiwanuka Kiwanuka

  • 2019: Dave Psychodrama
  • 2018: Alice Wolf Visions of a Life
  • 2017: Sampha Process
  • 2016: Skepta Konnichiwa
  • 2015: Benjamin Clementine At Least for Now
  • 2014: Young Fathers Dead
  • 2013: James Blake Overgrown
  • 2012: Alt-J An Awesome Wave
  • 2011: PJ Harvey Let England Shake
  • 2010: The XX XX

  • 2009: Speech Debelle Speech Therapy
  • 2008: Elbow The Seldom Seen Kid
  • 2007: Klaxons Myths of the Near Future
  • 2006: Arctic Monkeys Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not
  • 2005: Antony & the Johnsons I Am a Bird Now
  • 2004: Franz Ferdinand Franz Ferdinand
  • 2003: Dizzee Rascal Boy in Da Corner
  • 2002: Ms. Dynamite A Little Deeper
  • 2001: PJ Harvey Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea
  • 2000: Badly Drawn Boy The Hour of the Bewilderbeast

  • 1999: Talvin Singh OK
  • 1998: Gomez Bring It On
  • 1997: Roni Size/Reprazent New Forms
  • 1996: Pulp Different Class
  • 1995: Portishead Dummy
  • 1994: M People Elegant Slumming
  • 1993: Suede (aka “London Suede”) Suede (charted 3/29/93)
  • 1992: Primal Scream Screamadelica

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First posted 12/30/2020; last updated 10/18/2022.

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Sunday, October 16, 2022

Earworms: Top 100 Songs

Earworms:

Top 100 Songs

The term “earworm” refers to a song which gets stuck in one’s head. It may be a song that has been overplayed to the point of being an annoying nuisance. It may be a song that is just so catchy that one can’t stop humming it. Sometimes a song manages to be both at once.

More than 80 lists were aggregated to create this list. The majority were focused on songs which were considered annoying (51) while the others were lists specifically where songs were identified as earworms or catchy.

Click here to see other genre-specific song lists.

1. The Baha Men “Who Let the Dogs Out?” (2000)
2. Aqua “Barbie Girl” (1997)
3. Los Del Rio “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” (1995)
4. Hanson “Mmmbop” (1997)
5. Carly Rae Jepsen “Call Me Maybe” (2011)
6. Spice Girls “Wannabe” (1996)
7. Black Eyed Peas “My Humps” (2005)
8. Lou Bega “Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit of…)” (1999)
9. Psy “Gangnam Style” (2012)
10. Justin Bieber with Ludacris “Baby” (2010)

11. Billy Ray Cyrus “Achy Breaky Heart” (1992)
12. Eiffel 65 “Blue (Da Ba Dee)” (1999)
13. Rebecca Black “Friday” (2011)
14. Rednex “Cotton Eye Joe” (1994)
15. Pharrell Williams “Happy” (2013)
16. Chumbawamba “Tubthumping” (1997)
17. Crazy Frog “Axel F” (2005)
18. James Blunt “You’re Beautiful” (2005)
19. Starship “We Built This City” (1985)
20. Europe “The Final Countdown” (1986)

21. Idina Menzel “Let It Go” (2013)
22. Village People “Y.M.C.A.” (1978)
23. Toni Basil “Mickey” (1981)
24. Journey “Don’t Stop Believin’” (1981)
25. Nickelback “Photograph” (2005)
26. Rick Astley “Never Gonna Give You Up” (1987)
27. Marc Ronson & Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk!” (2014)
28. Ylvis “The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)” (2013)
29. Meghan Trainor “All About That Bass” (2014)
30. Lady Gaga “Poker Face” (2008)

31. Bobby McFerrin “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” (1988)
32. Celine Dion “My Heart Will Go On” (1997)
33. Queen “Bohemian Rhapsody” (1975)
34. The Proclaimers “I’m Gonna Be 500 Miles” (1988)
35. Beyoncé “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” (2008)
36. Taylor Swift “Shake It Off” (2014)
37. The Disneyland Boys Choir “It’s a Small World After All” (1964)
38. Culture Club “Karma Chameleon” (1983)
39. Pinkfong! “Baby Shark” (2016)
40. Wham! “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” (1984)

41. Vanilla Ice “Ice Ice Baby” (1990)
42. Sisqó “Thong Song” (2000)
43. Right Said Fred “I’m Too Sexy” (1991)
44. Bon Jovi “Livin’ on a Prayer” (1986)
45. Gwen Stefani “Hollaback Girl” (2004)
46. Cher “Believe” (1998)
47. OutKast “Hey Ya!” (2003)
48. Miley Cyrus “Party in the U.S.A.” (2009)
49. Willow Smith “Whip My Hair” (2010)
50. Britney Spears “Baby One More Time” (1998)

51. Ricky Martin “Livin’ La Vida Loca” (1999)
52. Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee “Despacito” (2017)
53. Queen “We Are the Champions” (1977)
54. Michael Jackson “Beat It” (1982)
55. Barney “I Love You” (1992)
56. Las Ketchup “The Ketchup Song (Asereié)” (2002)
57. Michael Jackson “Billie Jean” (1982)
58. Queen “We Will Rock You” (1977)
59. OMI “Cheerleader (Felx Jaehn remix)” (2014)
60. Paul Anka with Odia Coates “You’re Having My Baby” (1974)

61. Silentó “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” (2015)
62. Rick Dees & His Cast of Idiots “Disco Duck” (1976)
63. Starland Vocal Band “Afternoon Delight” (1976)
64. Survivor “Eye of the Tiger” (1982)
65. Oasis “Wonderwall” (1995)
66. Shari Lewis “The Song That Never Ends” (1968)
67. Smash Mouth “All Star” (1999)
68. Kylie Minogue “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” (2001)
69. The Beatles “Yellow Submarine” (1966)
70. Daft Punk with Pharrell Williams “Get Lucky” (2013)

71. O-Zone “Dragostea Din Tei” (2004)
72. The B-52’s “Love Shack” (1989)
73. Soulja Boy Tell’em “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” (2007)
74. USA for Africa “We Are the World” (1985)
75. LMFAO with Lauren Bennett & GoonRock “Party Rock Anthem” (2011)
76. The Ting Tings “That’s Not My Name” (2008)
77. Rocky Horror Picture Show “The Time Warp” (1973)
78. Tag Team “Whoomp! (There It Is)” (1993)
79. Haddaway “What Is Love?” (1993)
80. Mariah Carey “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (1994)

81. Lil Nas X with Billy Ray Cyrus “Old Town Road” (2018)
82. The Venga Boys “We Like to Party!” (1999)
83. Whitney Houston “I Will Always Love You” (1992)
84. Piko-Taro “PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen)” (2016)
85. Crash Test Dummies “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm” (1993)
86. Hampton the Hampster “Hamster Dance” (2000)
87. Gloria Gaynor “I Will Survive” (1978)
88. The Muppets “Mahna Mahna” (1993)
89. Gummibär “I’m a Gummy Bear (The Gummy Bear Song)” (2007)
90. The Tokens “The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh)” (1961)

91. Lipps Inc. “Funkytown” (1979)
92. Lady Gaga “Bad Romance” (2009)
93. Rihanna with Jay-Z “Umbrella” (2007)
94. Lorde “Royals” (2013)
95. One Direction “What Makes You Beautiful” (2011)
96. Tones and I “Dance Monkey” (2019)
97. 4 Non Blondes “What’s Up?” (1993)
98. Neil Diamond “Sweet Caroline” (1969)
99. Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (1987)
100. Morris Albert “Feelings” (1975)

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First posted 10/16/2022.

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Wednesday, October 5, 2022

James Bond Movie Themes Ranked

October 5 is official “Global James Bond Day” in honor of the world premiere of the first James Bond film, Dr. No, in 1962 on this date. That makes October 5, 2022 the 60th anniversary. In honor of this milestone, Dave’s Music Database has ranked all of the theme songs from the 26 James Bond films. First is a listing of the films chronologically followed by the ranked list.

Click here to see other genre-specific song lists.

Spotify Podcast:

Check out the Dave’s Music Database podcast episode James Bond Theme Songs: Top 20 which references songs on this list. Premiere: October 4, 2022 at 7pm CST. New episodes based on Dave’s Music Database lists are posted every Tuesday at 7pm CST.

Chronological Order of Movies + Box Office:

The box office figures are adjusted for inflation to 2005 numbers. They come from the Wikipedia page “List of James Bond films.”

1. Dr. No (1962): $448.8 million
2. From Russia with Love (1963): $543.8 million
3. Goldfinger (1964): $820.4 million
4. Thunderball (1965):$848.1 million
5. You Only Live Twice (1967): 514.2 million
6. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) $291.5 million
7. Diamonds Are Forever (1971): $442.5 million
8. Live and Let Die (1973): $460.3 million
9. The Man with the Golden Gun (1974): $334.0 million
10. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977): $533.0 million

11. Moonraker (1979): $535.0 million
12. For Your Eyes Only (1981): $449.4 million
13. Octopussy (1983): $373.8 million
14. Never Say Never Again (1983): ?
15. A View to a Kill (1985): $275.2 million
16. The Living Daylights (1987): $313.5 million
17. License to Kill (1989): $250.9 million
18. GoldenEye (1995): $518.5 million
19. Tomorrow Never Dies (1997): $463.2 million
20. The World Is Not Enough (1999): $439.5 million

21. Die Another Day (2002): $465.4 million
22. Casino Royale (2006): $589.4 million
23. Quantum of Solace (2008): $514.2 million
24. Skyfall (2012): $943.5 million
25. Spectre (2015): $725.5 million
26. No Time to Die (2021): $582.0 million

Rank Order of Theme Songs:

1. Live and Let Die (1973): Paul McCartney & Wings “Live and Let Die”
2. Skyfall (2012): Adele “Skyfall”
3. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977): Carly Simon “Nobody Does It Better”
4. A View to a Kill (1985): Duran Duran “A View to a Kill”
5. Goldfinger (1964): Shirley Bassey “Goldfinger”
6. For Your Eyes Only (1981): Sheena Easton “For Your Eyes Only”
7. Die Another Day (2002): Madonna “Die Another Day”
8. No Time to Die (2021): Billie Eilish “No Time to Die”
9. Quantum of Solace (2008): Jack White & Alicia Keys “Another Way to Die”
10. The Living Daylights (1987): aha “The Living Daylights”

11. Spectre (2015): Sam Smith “Writing’s on the Wall”
12. GoldenEye (1995): Tina Turner “GoldenEye”
13. Octopussy (1983): Rita Coolidge “All Time High”
14. Dr. No (1962): John Barry “The James Bond Theme”
15. Diamonds Are Forever (1971): Shirley Bassey “Diamonds Are Forever”
16. You Only Live Twice (1967): Nancy Sinatra “You Only Live Twice”
17. Thunderball (1965): Tom Jones “Thunderball”
18. Casino Royale (2006): Chris Cornell “You Know My Name”
19. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969): Louis Armstrong “We Have All the Time in the World”
20. Tomorrow Never Dies (1997): Sheryl Crow “Tomorrow Never Dies”

21. License to Kill (1989): Gladys Knight “License to Kill”
22. From Russia with Love (1963): John Barry “From Russia with Love”
23. Never Say Never Again (1983): Lani Hall “Never Say Never Again”
24. The World Is Not Enough (1999): Garbage “The World Is Not Enough”
25. Moonraker (1979): Shirley Bassey “Moonraker”
26. The Man with the Golden Gun (1974): Lulu “The Man with the Golden Gun”

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First posted 9/30/2022; last updated 10/5/2022.

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Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Loretta Lynn: Top 50 Songs

Loretta Lynn

Top 50 Songs

This country singer/songwriter was born Loretta Webb on April 14, 1932 in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky. She was 15 years old when she married Oliver Vanetta “Doolittle” Lynn. They were together until his death in 1996. She landed her first song on the country charts in 1960 and went on to have more than 50 top-10 hits on the country charts of which 24 went to #1. She also had 11 chart-topping country albums. The 1980 movie Coal Miner’s Daughter was based on Lynn’s life. Sissy Spacek won an Oscar for her portrayal of Lynn. She died on October 4, 2022.

For a complete list of this act’s DMDB honors, check out the DMDB Music Maker Encyclopedia entry.

Click here to see other acts’ best-of lists.

Awards:

Top 50 Songs

Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists, appearances on compilations and live albums by the featured act, and songs’ chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. Songs which hit #1 on the country chart are noted.

DMDB Top 2%:

1. Coal Miner’s Daugther (1970) #1 CW

DMDB Top 20%:

2. Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ with Lovin’ on Your Mind (1966) #1 CW
3. Portland, Oregon (with Jack White, 2004)

DMDB Beyond the Top 20%:

4. You Ain’t Woman Enough to Take My Man (1966)
5. The Pill (1975)
6. One’s on the Way (1971) #1 CW
7. Fist City (1968) #1 CW
8. You’re Lookin’ at Country (1971)
9. I’m a Honky Tonk Girl (1960)
10. Rated “X” (1972) #1 CW

11. Blue Kentucky Girl (1965)
12. Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man (with Conway Twitty, 1973) #1 CW
13. I Wanna Be Free (1971)
14. After the Fire Is Gone (with Conway Twitty, 1971) #1 CW
15. Dear Uncle Sam (1966)
16. Somebody Somewhere Don’t Know What He’s Missin’ Tonight (1976) #1 CW
17. Happy Birthday (1964)
18. Love Is the Foundation (1973) #1 CW
19. Wings Upon Your Horns (1969)
20. Lead Me On (with Conway Twitty, 1971) #1 CW

21. Wine, Women and Song (1964)
22. When the Tingle Becomes a Chill (1975)
23. Hey Loretta (1973)
24. Out of My Head and Back in My Bed (1977) #1 CW
25. The Other Woman (1963)
26. Trouble in Paradise (1974) #1 CW
27. As Soon As I Hang Up the Phone (with Conway Twitty, 1974) #1 CW
28. Your Squaw Is on the Warpath (1968)
29. Before I’m Over You (1963)
30. I Know How (1970)

31. Woman of the World (Leave My World Alone) (1969) #1 CW
32. Mr. and Mrs. Used to Be (with Ernest Tubb, 1964)
33. Success (1962)
34. You’ve Just Stepped in from Stepping Out on Me (1968)
35. Who’s Gonna Take the Garbage Out (with Ernest Tubb, 1969)
36. What Kind of Girl Do You Think I Am? (1967)
37. To Make a Man Feel Like a Man (1969)
38. You Wanna Give Me a Lift (1970)
39. The Home You’re Tearin’ Down (1965)
40. Red, White and Blue (1976)

41. Sweet Thang (with Ernest Tubb, 1967)
42. She’s Got You (1977) #1 CW
43. I Can’t Feel You Anymore 44. Feelins’ (with Conway Twitty, 1975) #1 CW
45. Here I Am Again (1972)
46. Wouldn’t It Be Great (1985)
47. It’s True Love (with Conway Twitty, 1980)
48. If You’re Not Gone Too Long (1967)
49. We’ve Come a Long Way (1978)
50. Somebody Led Me Away (1981)

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First posted 10/5/2022.
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Saturday, October 1, 2022

October: Music Makers' Birthdays

Music Makers Birthdays: October

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.

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

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). American rock singer/songwriter with Stone Temple Pilots (1992’s Core, 1994’s Purple) and Velvet Revolver.

    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 May 18, 2023.
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