April 7, 2000 ~ Alexander Woods, commonly known as rapper Big Scarr, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Influenced by Kodak Black and Boosie Badazz. Best known for Solcy Boyz and its follow-up Solcy Boyz 2, both songs featuring Pooh Shiesty and Foogiano with the latter also featuring Tay Keith. Released his Big Grim Reaper debut mixtape in 2021 ~ Woods passed away in 2022
April 7, 1992 ~ Singer, actress Alexis Jordan born in Columbia, South Carolina, USA ~ Contestant on the 1st season of talent show America's Got Talent in 2006 at age 14. Even though she was eliminated from the show subsequent Youtube uploads would garner enough views to draw attention form the production team Stargate and rapper Jay-Z who would sign her to their StarRoc label. Jordan's 2010 debut single Happiness would reach top 10 across Europe, including No.1 positions in the Netherlands and Norway. A full-length eponymous Alexis Jordan debut album would be released the next year
April 7, 1991 ~ Singer Anne-Marie Nicholson, mononymously known simply as Anne-Marie, born in Essex, UK ~ First gained attention appearing as featured vocalist on songs such as Clean Bandit's 2016 hit Rockabye. Released her full-length Speak Your Mind in 2018, spawning the UK top 20 hits Alarm and Ciao Adios. Also known for subsequent hit recordings such as Friends featuring Marshmello, 2002, Rewrite The Stars featuring James Arthur, and Don't Play featuring KSI and Digital Farm Animals
April 7, 1984 ~ R&B, pop singer Yonah Higgins, full name Yonah Mawusi Higgins, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Formed the sibling outfit Cleopatra with Zainam Higgins and lead singer Cleo Higgins. The band's 1998 debut album Comin' Atcha would include the UK top 10 singles Cleopatra's Theme, Life Ain't Easy, and the the Jackson 5-cover I Want You Back. They would release their follow-up album, Steppin' Out, in 2000 but fail to repeat their earlier succes
April 7, 1982 ~ Pop, R&B singer Kelli Young born in Derby, UK ~ Lead singer of pop group Liberty X from 2001 until its disbandement in 2007. The band was comprised of the five finalists of ITV talent show Popstars and scored the UK top 10 hits Thinking It Over, Just A Little, Got To Have Your Love, Holding On For You, Being Nobody featuring Richard X, Song 4 Lovers, and A Night To Remember
April 7, 1981 ~ Zydeco accordionist, singer Chris Ardoin born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA ~ Helped shape nouveau zydeco, injecting elements of hip-hop, reggae and R&B into traditional zydeco. Formed Double Clutchin' with his elder brother drummer Sean Ardoin, debuting with the That's Da Lick album in 1994. The band was renamed to NuStep in the early 2000s and is still fronted by Chris
April 7, 1978 ~ Singer, songwriter Duncan James ~ Member of boy band Blue, known best for a string of early 2000s hits. The band's first three albums all topped the UK albums charts. Well known songs include Too Close, If You Come Back and Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word featuring Elton John. The band disbanded in 2005 but has reunited since and represented England at the 2011 Eurovision Songfestival with the song I Can which reached 11th place
April 7, 1975 ~ Electropop, ambient, trip hop singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Karin Dreijer born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Formed the duo the Knife with her brother Olof Dreijer, best known for Heartbeats of their sophomore Deep Cuts album released in 2003. Recorded as a solo artist, going by the moniker Fever Ray, noted for her 2008 If I Had A Heart single which was used in TV series such as Person Of Interest, Breaking Bad and Wentworth. Dreijer also guested on Röyksopp's What Else Is There of their 2005 The Understanding album
April 7, 1972 ~ Nelson Diaz Martinez, commonly known as reggaeton DJ, producer DJ Nelson, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico ~ Member of loose club-centered collective the Noise. Helpful in developing and popularizing reggaeton. Has worked with Don Chezina, Ivy Queen, Francisco Saldaña, Victor Cabrera, Noriega. Released his solo debut album, The Flow, in 2007. Perhaps best known for producing Pasarela featuring Dálmata, released in 2007
April 7, 1965 ~ Gypsy jazz, swing, jazz fusion guitarist Sylvain Luc born in Bayonne, France ~ Praised for his fingerstyle playing technique. About a dozen albums to his name as a leader or solo artist since the early 1990s, especially noted for the 2002 album Trio Sud featuring regular collaborators bassist Jean-Marc Jafet and drummer André Ceccarelli, and Solo Ambre released in 2005. An in-demand sideman, Luc has guested on albums by Patrick Bruel, Françoise Hardy, Charles Aznavour, Lokua Kanza, Biréli Lagrène, Didier Lockwood, Richard Bona, Vincent Peirani, and Juan Carmona ~ Luc passed away in 2024
April 7, 1965 ~ Guitarist, bassist Victor Krummenacher born in Riverside, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of Camper Van Beethoven, as well as offshoots Monks of Doom and Third Mind. Has recorded close to a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Out In The Heat released in 1995. Recorded half a dozen albums with Eugene Chadbourne and appears on recordings by the Wrestling Worms, Jonathan Segel, Dent, and Greg Lisher
April 7, 1964 ~ Singer Mark Kibble born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of a capella gospel quartet Take 6, known for integrating jazz with spiritual and inspirational music. The band has collaborated with Ray Charles, Gordon Goodwin, Don Henley, Whitney Houston, Quincy Jones, Queen Latifah, the Manhattan Transfer, Johnny Mathis, CeCe Winans, Stevie Wonder, and numerous others
April 7, 1962 ~ Pedal steel guitarist Robby Turner born ~ Best known for his close association with Waylon Jennings. Also worked with George Jones, Chet Atkins, Loretta Lynn, BB King, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Frank Sinatra, Herbie Hancock, Ray Charles, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, the Highwaymen, Toy Caldwell, Gin Blossoms, Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jeff Foxworthy, Jim Lauderdale, Travis Tritt, Kieran McGee, John Prine, Tanya Tucker, Chely Wright, David Ball, Matt King, Deryl Dodd, Sara Evans, Rodney Crowell, Charlie Robison, Mark Chesnutt, Pam Tillis, the Dixie Chicks, Gary Allan, Rodney Carrington, Claudia Church, Shooter Jennings, Tony Joe White, Steve Forbert, the Wrights, the Oak Ridge Boys, Whiskey Myers, the Burns Sisters, Colter Wall, and others
April 7, 1960 ~ Violinist, electric violinist Tracy Silverman born in Peekskill, New York, USA ~ First gained attention in the mid-1990s as a member of the Turtle Island String Quartet. As a leader or co-leader recorded over half a dozen albums, notably Trip To The Sun released in 1999. Has appeared on albums by Tony Trischka, Sunita Staneslow, Marc Puricelli, Bobby Vega, David Tanenbaum, Jim Brickman, Darol Anger, Garrison Keillor, and Eclectica
April 7, 1951 ~ Jazz, hard bop saxophonist Bob Berg, full name Robert Berg, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Closely associated with Horace Silver and Cedar Walton in the 1970s, and Miles Davis for most of the 1980s. Recorded about a dozen albums as a leader, notably New Birth released in 1978. An in-demand sideman, valued for his expressive style, Berg has guested on albums by Idris Muhammad (House Of The Rising Sun), Tom Harrell, Sam Jones (Something In Common), Kenny Drew, Billy Higgins (Soweto), the Players Association (We Got The Groove), Mike Wofford, Tom Harrell, Randy Brecker (Live At Sweet Basil), Doug Munro, Chroma, Barbara Dennerlein, Joe Chambers (Phantom Of The City), Chick Corea, Marc Copland (Stompin' With Savoy), and Larry Coryell ~ Berg passed away in 2002
April 7, 1951 ~ Drummer Bruce Gary born in Burbank, California, USA ~ Perhaps best known as member of the Knack, including on the hit My Sharona. Has also workled with Albert Collins, Jack Bruce, Mick Taylor, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Stephen Stills, Rod Stewart, Bette Midler, Bang, Harry Nilsson, Sheryl Crow, Albert King, John Lee Hooker, and others ~ Gary passed away in 2006
April 7, 1951 ~ Janis Eddy Fink, commonly known as folk-pop, soft rock singer, songwriter Janis Ian born in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced by folk pioneers such as Joan Baez and Odetta. Wrote and first recorded her debut single, Society's Child (Baby I've Been Thinking), at age 14. It became a Billboard top 20 hit in 1967 upon its second re-release in 1967. Best known for her single At Seventeen, a Billboard top 10 hit in 1975
April 7, 1951 ~ Country drummer, singer John Dittrich born in Union, New Jersey, USA ~ Co-founding, longtime member of Restless Heart, best known for a string of 1980s country hits That Rock Won't Roll, I'll Still Be Loving You, Why Does It Have To Be (Wrong Or Right), The Bluest Eyes In Texas and A Tender Lie
April 7, 1949 ~ Eddie Wilbur Rich, commonly known as rock, blues, R&B bassist, guitarist, singer Billy Rich, born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Best known for backing Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Miles, and especially Taj Mahal. Also worked with 7 Wonders Combo, the Whispers, John McLaughlin, Paul Butterfield's 1970s band Better Days, and with Geoff Muldaur
April 7, 1949 ~ Tyrone Garfield Kersey, commonly known as keyboardist, arranger, producer, songwriter Ron Kersey, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Member of the Trammps, co-wrote their smash hit Disco Inferno. Also worked with MFSB, the Salsoul Orchestra, Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls, the O'Jays, and others. Produced Stephanie Mills's I Have Learned To Respect The Power Of Love. Co-wrote Stacy Lattisaw's Every Drop Of Your Love, co-wrote Evelyn Champagne King's Send For Me ~ Kersey passed away in 2005
April 7, 1948 ~ Carol Strickland, commonly known as disco singer Carol Douglas, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Best known for her recording Doctor's Orders, a pioneering disco hit which reached the Billboard top 20 in 1974. Subsequent singles throughout the 1970s, such as Midnight Love Affair, Night Fever and Burnin', would reach the higher echelons of the dance charts
April 7, 1948 ~ Drummer Dallas Taylor, full name Dallas Woodrow Taylor Jr, born in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Member of late 1960s psychedelic rock band Clear Light. Best known for appearing on Crosby Stills & Nash's 1969 eponymous Crosby Stills & Nash debut album and its follow-up acclaimed 1970 landmark Déjà Vu album. Has also worked with Stephen Stills, including in Manassas, guested on the Byrds' 1973 The Byrds reunion album, played with Van Morrison at the 1974 Montreux Festival, and toured with Paul Butterfield ~ Taylor passed away in 2015
April 7, 1948 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter John Oates born in New York, New York, USA ~ Half of Hall & Oates, the other half being Daryl Hall, known for hits such as Rich Girl, Kiss On My List, Private Eyes, I Can't Go For That (No Can Do), Maneater, Out Of Touch, Adult Education, and others. Released a number of solo albums, starting with Phunk Shui in 2002. Guested on Handsome Boy Modeling School's Greatest Mistake alongside Jamie Cullum
April 7, 1948 ~ R&B, soul, disco singer, trumpeter, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter Ronnie Wilson born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Gap Band, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums. The band, formed in 1967, is centered around brothers Ronnie, Charlie Wilson and Robert Wilson, and known for their infectuous bass-heavy sound. Even though their earlier efforts did not catch on, they would be pivotal to developing the funk sound of the 1970s and 1980s with Billboard R&B top 10 hits such as Shake, Oops Upside Your Head, Burn Rubber On Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me), Yearning For Your Love, Early In The Morning, You Dropped A Bomb On Me and Beep-a-freak. Nirvana-drummer Dave Grohl credits the band for inspiring the drum intro on Smells Like Teen Spirit ~ Wilson passed away in 2021
April 7, 1947 ~ Florian Schneider-Esleben, commonly known as krautrock, synth-pop, electropop, art pop keyboardist, guitarist, percussionist, saxophonist, singer Florian Schneider, born in Badem-Württemberg, Germany ~ Co-founded pivotal electronic outfit Kraftwerk in 1970 with Ralf Hutter. The band is widely considered innovators and pioneers of electronic music and among the first successful acts to popularize the genre. Key albums include Autobahn, Trans-Europe Express, Man Machine, and Computer World. Schneider departed the band in 2008 ~ Schneider passed away in 2020
April 7, 1947 ~ Michele Cléberte Tort, commonly known as pop singer Michèle Torr, born ~ Internationally best known for representing Luxembourg in the 1966 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 10th place with Ce Soir J T'Attendais, and representing Monaco in the 1977 edition, reaching 4th place with Une Petite Française. Has recorded well over two dozen albums, starting with Dans Mes Bras Oublie Ta Peine released in 1964
April 7, 1946 ~ Drummer Bill Kreutzmann born in Palo Alto, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Grateful Dead, remaining with the pivotal jam band throughout its entire three decade existence. The band is best known for a string of acclaimed albums throughout the mid-1970s, including Anthem Of The Sun, Workingman's Dead, and American Beauty, earning them a devoted following dubbed “Deadheads”
April 7, 1944 ~ Jazz saxophonist Pat LaBarbera, full name Pascel Emmanuel LaBarbera born in Mount Morris, New York, USA ~ Brother of trumpeter John LaBarbera and drummer Joe LaBarbera. Leader and sideman. Closely asociated with drummer Buddy Rich, backing Rich from 1967 to 1973. Has also worked with Woody Herman, Louie Bellson, Santana, Elvin Jones, and others
April 7, 1943 ~ Guitarist, singer Mick Abrahams, full name Michael Timothy Abrahams, born in Luton, UK ~ Original guitarist for Jethro Tull, artistic differences with Ian Anderson prompting his departure shortly after the release of their 1968 This Was debut album. Subsequently founded and fronted Blodwyn Pig, their 1969 Ahead Rings Out debut album widely regarded as an important contribution to the late 1960s boom of UK blues rock. Has also recorded over a dozen albums as a solo artist
April 7, 1938 ~ Bebop, hard bop, post-bop trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, full name Frederick Dwayne Hubbard, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Closely associated with Art Blakey, backing Blakey in the Jazz Messengers for most of the 1960s including on albums such as Mosaic, Caravan and Free For All. Over 50 albums as leader or co-leader, especially acclaimed for Open Sesame, Ready For Freddie and Backlash. In-demand sideman appearing on some of most important jazz albums from the late 1950s onwards including by JJ Johnson, Eric Dolphy (Outward Bound), Tina Brooks, Jackie McLean (Bluesnik), Dexter Gordon, Ornette Coleman (Free Jazz), John Coltrane, Oliver Nelson (The Blues And The Abstract Truth), Herbie Hancock (Takin' Off), Willie Bobo, Wayne Shorter (The All Seeing Eye), Max Roach, Quincy Jones (Walking In Space), George Benson, Don Sebesky, and Milt Jackson (Sunflower). To pop audiences perhaps best known for his trumpet playing on Zanzibar of Billy Joel's 1978 52nd Street album ~ Hubbard passed away in 2008
April 7, 1938 ~ Bassist Spencer Dryden, full name Spencer Charles Dryden, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his association with psychedelic rock outfit the Jefferson Airplane, remaining with the band from 1966 through 1970 including on the band's masterpiece Surrealistic Pillow which spawned the hits Somebody To Love and White Rabbit. Member of country rock band the New Riders Of The Purple Sage from 1971 through 1977, after which he became the band's manager. Has also worked with the Peanut Butter Conspiracy and rock supergroup Dinosaurs ~ Dryden passed away in 2005
April 7, 1937 ~ R&B singer Charlie Thomas born in Lynchburg, Virginia, USA ~ When music manager George Treadwell fired his group in 1958, the entire line-up of the the Five Crowns including Thomas would be hired to constitute the new line-up of the Drifters. Sang lead on Sweets For My Sweet and When My Little Girl Is Smiling ~ Thomas passed away in 2023
April 7, 1935 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Bobby Bare, full name Robert Joseph Bare Sr, born in Ironton, Ohio, USA ~ Active since the early 1960s. Known best for his signature song 500 Miles Away From Home, which crossed over to the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 peaking at No.10 in 1963. Father of singer Bobby Bare Jr. Member of late 1990s country supergroup Old Dogs which also included Jerry Reed, Mel Tillis and Waylon Jennings
April 7, 1932 ~ Calvin Grant Shofner, commonly known as country singer, guitarist Cal Smith born in Gans, Oklahoma, USA ~ Member of Ernest Tubb's backing unit the Texas Troubadours from 1960 through 1969. As a solo artist known best for Country Bumpkin and It's Time To Pay The Fiddler, both hits in 1974. Other well known recordings of his include She Talked A Lot About Texas, I Just Came Home To Count The Memories and Come See About Me ~ Shofner passed away in 2013
April 7, 1927 ~ Drummer, social activist Babatunde Olatunji born in Alido, British Nigeria ~ Leader and sideman. Admired by peers, especially John Coltrane who wrote and recorded the song Tunji as a tribute to Olatunji. Referenced by Bob Dylan in I Shall Be Free. Covered by Carlos Santana (Jing-go-la-ba). Worked with Cannonball Adderley, Horace Silver, Quincy Jones, Pee Wee Ellis, Stevie Wonder, Randy Weston, Max Roach, Abbey Lincoln, Mickey Hart, Airto Moreira, Muruga Booker, Sikiru Adepoju, Halim El-Dabh, Randy Weston, Max Roach, Kai Winding, Herbie Mann, Serge Gainsbourg, Richie Havens, Taj Mahal, and Tupac Shakur ~ Olatunji passed away in 2003
April 7, 1919 ~ Jump blues, R&B blues shouter Jimmy Nelson, also known as Jimmy T99 Nelson, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Mentored by Big Joe Turner, whose shouting style he emulated. Recorded a number of singles during the 1950s, most notably T-99 Blues which would top the Billboard R&B charts, Meet Me With Your Black Dress On, and Free And Easy Mind. Nelson would work day jobs through the 1970s, performing and sitting in with bands on occassion. As a singer would reemerge after Ace issued a compilation album of previously unreleased Nelson songs in the 1980s ~ Nelson passed away in 2007
April 7, 1918 ~ Michael Andrew Hucko, commonly known as big band clarinetist Peanuts Hucko, born in Syracuse, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Noted for his clarinet solo on Cole Porter's What Is This Thing Called Love. Worked with Charlie Spivak, Benny Goodman, Ray McKinley, Eddie Condon, Jack Teagarden, Louis Armstrong, Al Cohn, Warren Covington, the Lawson-Haggart Band, and others. Led the Glenn Miller Orchestra in the 1970s ~ Hucko passed away in 2003
April 7, 1917 ~ Robert David Mirsky, commonly known as arranger, producer Robert Mersey, born ~ Got his start in music in the 1950s, working as arranger with songwriter duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Would go on to work as arranger and producer at Columbia Records starting in the early 1960s, working with artists such as Andy Williams (Can't Get Used To Losing You), Barbra Streisand, Bobby Vinton, Dion (You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want To Do It)), Aretha Franklin, Mel Tormé, Julie Andrews, and Patti Page (You Can't Be True Dear) ~ Mirsky passed away in 1994
April 7, 1915 ~ Eleanora Fagan, commonly known as jazz, swing singer Billie Holiday, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Iconic singer pioneered jazz singing. Active from the mid-1930s until her death at age 44. Known for her emotive voice, tragic lifestory and struggles with men and substance abuse. Well known songs include What A Little Moonlight Can Do, A Fine Romance, I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Carelessly, Mean To Me, I'm Gonna Lock My Heart, Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be) and perhaps her best-known Strange Fruit ~ Fagan passed away in 1959
April 7, 1912 ~ Jacob Louis Schwartz, commonly known as songwriter Jack Lawrence, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Wrote All Or Nothing At All, Frank Sinatra's first solo hit. Co-wrote Tenderly, Sarah Vaughan's first hit. Others songs written or co-written by Lawrence include Music From Beyond The Moon (Vic Damone, Tony Martin), If I Didn't Care (the Ink Spots, Bob Crosby, the Platters, Brenda Lee), With The Wind And The Rain In Your Hair (Kay Kyser, Georgie Auld, Frances Langford), Yes My Darling Daughter (Dinah Shore, Eydie Gormé, Sandie Shaw), Tenderly (Dick Farney, Sarah Vaughan, Nat King Cole), and Foolin' Myself (Chick Bullock, Teddy Wilson) ~ Schwartz passed away in 2009
April 7, 1908 ~ Bandleader, conductor, composer Percy Faith born in Toronto, Canada ~ Popularized easy listening. Rose to fame in the 1950s. Closely associated with Mitch Miller. In-demand arranger for pop singers such as Tony Bennett, Doris Day, Johnny Mathis, Guy Mitchell. As a bandleader best known for Delicado, The Song From Moulin Rouge and Theme From A Summer Place ~ Faith passed away in 1976