August 12, 1993 ~ Park Sun-young, commonly known as K-pop singer, actress Luna, born in Seoul, South Korea ~ Member of girl group fx, known for songs such as Nu Abo, Pinocchio (Danger), Electric Shock, and Rum Pum Pum Pum. Sun-young has also starred in musicals, released her Free Somebody solo debut EP in 2016, and ventured into acting for film and TV
August 12, 1988 ~ Hip-hop rapper, keyboardist, guitarist, producer Erick Elliott, commonly known as Erick Arc Elliott, born in Brooklyn, USA ~ Best known as member and producer of hip-hop trio the Flatbush Zombies. Has also worked with the Underachievers, Pro-Era, MC Chaussin, A$AP Mob, Bodega Bamz, Action Bronson, James Blake, and others
August 12, 1986 ~ Pop, soul singer, songwriter, TV personality Alessandra Amoroso born in Galatina, Italy ~ Winner of the 2009 edition of the talent show Amici Di Maria De Filippe. Has recorded consistly to commercial succes since. In 2014 became the first female Italian artist to win the MTV Europe Music Award for Best European Act. Best known for songs such as Immobile, Stupida, Senza Nuvole, La Mia Storia Con Te and Amore Puro, all of which reached top 10 in her native Italy
August 12, 1986 ~ Pop singer Chiara Galiazzo born in Padua, Italy ~ First gained attention in 2012, winning the 6th edition of Italian talent show The X-Factor. Her subsequent debut single, Due Respiri was written by Eros Ramazzotti and would debut atop the Italian charts. Would follow up with her full-length debut album Un Posto Nei Mondo the following year and has recorded consistently since
August 12, 1982 ~ Punk rock, rock & roll singer, guitarist, drummer, actor Ian Blackwood born in Burlington, Canada ~ Brother of singers Sarah Blackwood and Jen Blackwood. Best known as guitarist, singer of punk rock outfit the Artist Life. Blackwood has also worked with Jersey, Fullblast, Always Outnumbered, and This Is The Noise
August 12, 1979 ~ Sertanejo, country singer João Neto, full name João Neto Nunes Golás, born in Goiânia, Brazil ~ Formed the duo João Neto & Frederico with Frederico, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums. The duo is perhaps best known for their 2004 Se Não Foi Por Amor debut album, internationally perhaps for their 2012 Lê Lê Lê single
August 12, 1977 ~ Dominick Newton, commonly known as rapper the Jacka, born in Pittsburg, California, USA ~ Member of rap group Mob Figaz. Over half a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, his best-known being 2011's Flight Risk. Over the course of his career has collaborated with Ampichino, Berner, Andre Nickatina, Blanco, Lee Majors, and others. Shot and killed at age 37, his murder unresolved to this day ~ Newton passed away in 2015
August 12, 1976 ~ Rock, indie pop, experimental keyboardist, guitarist, trumpeter, bassist Adam Deibert, also known as Prince Adam, born ~ Member of the Aquabats from 1994 through 2004, present on the band's acclaimed albums The Return Of The Aquabats, The Fury Of The Aquabats, and Aquabats Vs The Floating Eye Of Death. Deibert has also worked with Digital Unicorn, known for their sole Theirs Travel Began And Loaded The Dream album released in 2001, and recorded as a solo artist
August 12, 1976 ~ Mikko Viljami Lindström, commonly known as rock, hard rock, heavy metal guitarist, bassist, singer Linde Lindström, born in Klaukkala, Finland ~ Influenced by Black Sabbath and Steve Vai. Best known as guitarist of gothic rock band HIM, one of the most successful Finnish bands of all-time. Fronts his own band Daniel Lioneye. Member of the Flat Earth. Member of supergroup WhoCares, which also includes noted guitarist Tony Iommi
August 12, 1975 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Dean Brody born in Smithers, Canada ~ Released his eponymous Dean Brody debut album in 2009. Has regularly reached the higher echelons of the Canadian country charts since. Well known songs include Dirt Road Scholar, Canadian Girls, Bounty, Time, 8th Day and Canadian Summer
August 12, 1972 ~ Teren Delvon Jones, commonly known as alternative hip-hop rapper, singer, producer, songwriter Del The Funky Homosapien, born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Began his career in music writing for Da Lench Mob, closely associated with his cousin rapper Ice Cube. The latter would help him secure a record deal of his own, leading to the 1991 Wish My Brother George Was Here album. Jones is best known as a member of Gorillaz. Has also worked with Deltron 3030, Tame One, Souls of Mischief, NASA, Parallel Thought, Marcus D, the Hieroglyphics, Dinosaur Jr, and others
August 12, 1969 ~ Jean-Guy Kastner, commonly known as hardcore punk, alternative rock guitarist, singer, songwriter John Kastner, born in Beaconsfield, Canada ~ Lead singer for hardcore punk outfit the Asexuals from 1983 through 1987, present on the albums Be What You Want and Contemporary World. Following his departure from the band founded the Doughboys, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums through the mid-s1990s. Founded alternative rock band All Systems Go with Frank Daly and Mark Arnold, recording through the mid-2000s. Kastner also released a solo album, 2006's Have You Seen Lucky, wrote music for film and TV, and has collaborated with the Mega City Four, Mark Lanegan, Men Without Hats, and Bran Van 3000
August 12, 1961 ~ Dansband, schlager, pop rock singer, songwriter Lars Diedricson born ~ Member of Snowstorm. Member of Don Patrol. Internationally perhaps best known for co-writing Take Me To Your Heaven with lyricists Gert Lengstrand and Marcos Ubeda, which performed by Charlotte Perrelli would win the 1999 Eurovision Songfestival for Sweden ~ Diedricson passed away in 2017
August 12, 1961 ~ Lawrence Hayward, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Lawrence, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Sole constant member, lead singer of Felt, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums including the highly acclaimed The Strange Idols Pattern And Other Short Stories. The band would enjoy a cult following and has been cited as an influence by Belle & Sebastian, the Charlatans, and the Manic Street Preachers. Following the band's disbandement Hayward has fronted Denim, with whom he recorded two albums, and Go-Kart Mozart, the latter renamed to Mozart Estate in 2023
August 12, 1960 ~ Rock, R&B singer, guitarist, songwriter Toshiki Kadomatsu born in Tokyo, Japan ~ While still in college debuted in 1981 with the single Yokohama Twilight Time followed by the full-length Sea Breeze album. Has recorded consistently since to commercial success and critical acclaim, with well over two dozen albums to his name. Kadomatsu has alse served as producer for other acts, notably producing albums such as Anri's Timely and Miho Nakayama's Catch The Nite which included the hit You're My Only Star
August 12, 1959 ~ Composer Terry Oldfield born in Palmers Green, UK ~ Brother of composer Mike Oldfield and singer Sally Oldfield. Served as roadie for the Byrds. Best known as a composer for film and TV, composing the music for over 50 productions including the BBC show Great Railway Journeys Of The World. Earned Emmy Award nominations for his scores to Land Of The Tiger and Twilight Of The Dreamtime
August 12, 1958 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, arranger, producer Charles Blenzig born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Worked with Michael Brecker, Marcus Miller, Bill Evans, Hiram Bullock, Lew Soloff, Kenwood Dennard, Eddie Gomez, Dave Weckl, Joe Locke, Harvey Mason, Joe Beck, Jovanotti, Michael Franks, Jay Azzolina, Ricky Sebastian, Michael Treni, Vinnie Cutro, Takeshi Itoh, Norman Headman, Mike Fahn, Jack Lee, and others
August 12, 1950 ~ Thomas August Darnell Browder, commonly known as singer, bandleader, songwriter August Darnell born in Montreal, Canada ~ Founded Dr Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, known for their 1976 Cherchez La Femme disco hit featuring singer Cory Daye. Subsequently formed Kid Creole & the Coconuts with Coati Mundi and Adriana Kaegi, merging disco with Latin American influences as evidenced in early 1980s club hits such as I'm A Wonderful Thing, Stool Pigeon, Annie I'm Not Your Daddy and Endicott
August 12, 1950 ~ Dorothy Peoples, commonly known as gospel singer Dottie Peoples, born in Dayton, Ohio, USA ~ Dubbed “the Songbird of the South” with a vocal range of soprano to alto. Mostly known as a gospel singer but did dabble in jazz, singing with Richard Groove Holmes for a number of years in the 1970s. Perhaps best known for her 1987 Surely God Is Able album. Has collaborated with Dorothy Norwood, Shirley Caesar, Kirk Franklin, and others
August 12, 1949 ~ Alexandra Sandøy, commonly known as pop, rock, funk, disco singer Alex Naumik, born in Vilnius, Lithuanian SSR ~ Known for her versatile singing voice, spanning four octaves. Exiled to Siberia with her family during the Stalinist era. Collaborated with Agnieszka Osiecka and Adam Slawinski while living in Poland. Resumed her music career in the 1970s, by now living in Norway. Eponym and frontwoman of Alex, acclaimed for their 1976 eponymous Alex debut album, regarded as the first Norwegian funk-rock album. Has also worked with David Foster, Andráe Crouch, the Police's Andy Summers, Glen Matlock ~ Sandøy passed away in 2013
August 12, 1949 ~ Guitarist, singer Mark Knopfler born in Glasgow, UK ~ Frontman and along with bassist John Illsley the only other constant member of the Dire Straits, with whom he recorded half a dozen albums. The band is regarded as one of the premier 1980s British bands, drew from country, folk, blues rock, pop, and jazz, and is best known for their 1985 Brothers In Arms album. The singles Sultans Of Swing, Money For Nothing, and Walk Of Life, would all reach top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. Following the band's initial disbandement in 1988 Knopfler has recorded prolifically as a solo artist, composed several soundtracks including The Princess Bride, and worked with the Notting Hillbillies, Chet Atkins, and Emmylou Harris
August 12, 1947 ~ Bassist, guitarist Ian Rilen, full name Ian William Rilen, born ~ Best known as member of Rose Tattoo. Rilen wrote their best known song Bad Boy For Love but left the band prior to its release. The single was produced by Vanda & Young, known for their close association with AC/DC. Rilen also played with Band Of Light, the Blue Aliens, Blackfeather, Sardine V, Hell To Pay, X, Skindiver, and with the Illustrated Men ~ Rilen passed away in 2006
August 12, 1947 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter, poet Joaquín Carbonell, full name Joaquín Carbonell Marti, born in Alloza, Spain ~ Active since the 1970s with over a dozen albums to his name. Important figure in the new Aragonese song movement, along with mentor José Antonio Labordeta. Known for songs such as Amor Tu Donde Estas, Cancion Para Un Invierno, Cancion Para Dimitris and Mientes ~ Carbonell passed away in 2020
August 12, 1945 ~ Rock, art rock, glam rock, chamber pop, power pop keyboardist, songwriter Ron Mael, full name Ronald David Mael, born in Culver City, California, USA ~ Keyboardist, main songwriter of Sparks, which he co-founded with his brother singer Russell Mael. The band is known for 1970s hits such as This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us, Amateur Hour, Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth, Something For The Girl With Everything and Beat The Clock
August 12, 1944 ~ Percussionist Larry Troutman born in Hamilton, Ohio, USA ~ Member of Zapp, fronted by his younger brother singer Roger Troutman, known for 1980s funk, R&B hits such as More Bounce To The Ounce, Dance Floor, I Can Make You Dance and Computer Love. Troutman shot and killed his brother Roger in an apparent murder-suicide. The band would disband after the death of the two brothers ~ Troutman passed away in 1999
August 12, 1943 ~ Guitarist, banjoist, singer Geoff Muldaur born in Pelham, New York, USA ~ Founding member of the Jim Kweskin Jug Band. Also worked with Paul Butterfield's backing unit Better Days from 1972 through 1976, as well as with Bobby Charles, Jerry Garcia, Eric von Schmidt, Bonnie Raitt, John Cale, Stephen Bruton, Cindy Cashdollar, Suzy Thompson, Johnny Nicholas, Bruce Hughes, and others
August 12, 1943 ~ Lesley Cox, commonly known as singer, songwriter Lesley Duncan, born in Stockton-on-Tees, UK ~ Considered one of Britain's first female singer-songwriters. Active since the early-1960s. Known for songs such as Everything Changes, Sing Children Sng, and Love Song. Sang backup for Dusty Springfield and Pink Floyd. Sang lead on the Alan Parsons Project's If I Could Change Your Mind ~ Cox passed away in 2010
August 12, 1941 ~ Terence Perkins, commonly known as rock & roll, pop singer Craig Douglas, born in Newport, UK ~ Popular during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Best known for his Sam Cooke-cover Only Sixteen, which would top the UK charts in 1959 and sell more copies in the UK than the original. Other well known songs include Pretty Blue Eyes, The Heart Of A Teenage Girl, Hundred Pounds Of Clay and When My Little Girl Is Smiling
August 12, 1940 ~ Composer, conductor Alexander Yossifov born in Sofia, Bulgaria ~ As a composer known for writing chamber music, symphonies and the Back To The Beginning opera. Perhaps best known for the composition Prelude And Fuga No.2. As a conductor best known for his association with the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra ~ Yossifov passed away in 2015
August 12, 1940 ~ Swamp pop, country, rockabilly singer, guitarist Rod Bernard, full name Rodney Ronald Louis Bernard, born in Opelousas, Louisiana, USA ~ Cited as a major influence by artists such as CC Adcock, Marc Broussard, Zachary Richard. Formed the 1960s swamp-pop band the Shondells with Warren Storm and Skip Stewart. As a solo artist turned to country by the 1970s. Especially acclaimed for his 1976 album Boogie In Black & White, a collaboration with Clifton Chenier considered a landmark album for its blend of Cajun and black Creole influences ~ Bernard passed away in 2020
August 12, 1940 ~ Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen, full name Tony Oladipo Allen, born in Lagos, Nigeria ~ Rose to fame in the 1970s as a member of Fela Kuti's Africa '70. Would go on to collaborate with King Sunny Adé, Ray Lema, Manu Dibango, Sébastien Tellier, Damon Albarn and the Good The Bad & The Queen, Zap Mama, Flea, Rocket Juice & the Moon, Oumou Sangaré, and others ~ Allen passed away in 2020
August 12, 1939 ~ William Henry Adams Jr, commonly known as producer, label executive Gordon Keith, born ~ Best remembered for being the first to sign the Jackson 5, producing and recording the band's first songs including the band's very first single Big Boy paired with You Changed on the flip side released on the Steeltown Records label in 1968 ~ Adams passed away in 2020
August 12, 1939 ~ Schlager, pop singer Margot Eskens born in Duren, Germany ~ Popular during the 1950s and 1960s. Sold over 40 million records. Known for songs such as Moulin Rouge, Ich Mochte Heut Ausgehn, Tiritomba and perhaps her biggest hit Cindy Oh Cindy. Represented Germany in the 1966 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 10th place with Die Zeiger Der Uhr written by Walter Dobschinski and Hans Bradtke ~ Eskens passed away in 2022
August 12, 1937 ~ Texas blues, electric blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Roy Gaines, full name Roy James Gaines, born in Waskom, Texas, USA ~ Brother of blues saxophonist Grady Gaines. Released a handful of overlooked solo recordings in the mid-1950s but would spend most of his career backing others. Has worked with Bobby Blue Bland (It's My Life), Junior Parker, Big Mama Thornton, Roy Milton, Chuck Willis, T-Bone Walker, Ray Charles, the Everly Brothers, the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, and others. From the early 1980s on would record as a solo artist from time to time, perhaps most notably his 1982 Gainelining album containing the track A Hell Of A Night ~ Gaines passed away in 2021
August 12, 1930 ~ Pianist, drummer, bandleader Stan Greig, full name Stanley Mackay Greig, born in Joppa, UK ~ Founded and fronted the London Jazz Big Band and the Stan Greig Trio. Also worked with Sandy Brown, Ken Colyer, Humphrey Lyttelton, Bruce Turner, Al Fairweather, Dave Shepherd, Johnny Hawksworth, George Melly, Wally Fawkes, Charlie Watts, and others ~ Greig passed away in 2012
August 12, 1929 ~ Alvis Edgar Owens Jr, commonly known as singer, songwriter Buck Owens, born in Sherman, Texas, USA ~ Pioneered the Bakersfield sound, most evidently in songs such as The Streets Of Bakerfield. Also known for songs such as Above And Beyond, Foolin' Around, Under The Influence Of Love, Act Naturally, I've Got A Tiger By The Tail, and others. Hugely influential on future generations, most notably Dwight Yoakam, and the Derailers. Had his songs covered by Johnny Rivers (Under Your Spell Again), Emmylou Harris (Together Again), the Beatles (Act Naturally), Cake (Excuse Me I Think I've Got A Heartache), and others ~ Owens passed away in 2006
August 12, 1927 ~ Singer Porter Wagoner born in West Plains, Missouri, USA ~ Charted over eighty singles on the country charts. Known for songs such as Satisfied Mind, Misery Loves Company, I've Enjoyed This As Much As I Can, Sorrow On The Rocks, Green Green Grass Of Home, The Cold Hard Facts Of Life, and The Carroll County Incident. Discovered and introduced the world to Dolly Parton, with whom Porter sang several hit duets including Daddy Was A Old Time Preacher Man, Please Don't Stop Loving Me and Making Plans ~ Wagoner passed away in 2007
August 12, 1926 ~ Singer Joe Jones, full name Joseph Charles Jones, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Discovered the Dixie Cups. Discovered Shirley & Lee. Pianist and arranger for BB King. As a solo artist best known for the 1960 Billboard top 10 hit You Talk Too Much and the original recording of Carnival Time, the latter later successfuly covered by the Rivieras ~ Jones passed away in 2005
August 12, 1915 ~ Harold West, commonly known as jazz, R&B drummer Doc West, born in Wolford, North Dakota, USA ~ Active since the late 1930s. Worked with Tiny Parham, Erskine Tate, Roy Eldridge, Chick Webb, Hot Lips Page, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Tiny Grimes, Don Byas, Oscar Pettiford, Slam Stewart, Leo Watson, Wardell Gray, Billie Holiday, Erroll Garner, Big Joe Turner, Jay McShann, and others ~ West passed away in 1951