August 6, 1984 ~ Glenn De Randamie, commonly known as MC, rapper Typhoon, born in t Harde, the Netherlands ~ Member of Rudeteenz. Collaborated with Opgezwolle. Released his solo debut Tussen Licht En Lucht. Known for the philosophical nature of his lyrics
August 6, 1983 ~ Rock, experimental rock, free jazz, noise rock, avant-garde, punk jazz, trip hop drummer, accordionist Balázs Pándi born in Budapest, Hungary ~ In-demand collaborator. Has worked with Venetian Snares, Otto von Schirach, To Live And Shave In LA, the Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble, Zu, Marco Eneidi, Merzbow, Ivo Perelman, Lee Ranaldo, Wadada Leo Smith, and Roswell Rudd
August 6, 1978 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer Andreas Oberg born in Stockholm ~ Describes his music as a mix of jazz, funk, soul, Latin and Brazilian music. Has worked with Viktoria Tolstoy, Svante Thuresson, the Resonance Big Band, Barbara Hendricks, Hank Jones, Les Paul, Eros Ramazzotti, Toots Thielemans, and Namie Amuro
August 6, 1978 ~ Leslie Edward Pridgen, commonly known as rapper Freeway, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Rose to prominence in the 2000s as member of rap group State Property led by Beanie Sigel and known for their 2003 Can't Stop Won't Stop, Billboard Hot 100 top 20 single. As a solo artist best known for his Philadelphia Freeway debut album released the same year. Has collaborated with Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Jermaine Dupri, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, LL Cool J, Nate Dogg, Snoop Dogg, DJ Drama, Kool G Rap, Ghostface Killah, and others
August 6, 1977 ~ Rock, country rock singer Terry McDermott born in Aberdeen, UK ~ As a solo artist reached 2nd place, behind singer Cassadee Pope, in the third season of NBC's talent show The Voice aired in 2012. Was a member of Driveblind and of Lotus Crush
August 6, 1976 ~ Bassist Bob Fairfoull, full name Robert James Fairfoull, born ~ Member of indie rock outfit Idlewild from 1997 through 2002, appearing on the albums Hope Is Important, 100 Broken Windows, and The Remote Part. Following his departure from the band Fairfoull joined rock band Degrassi
August 6, 1973 ~ Pop, dream pop, dance pop, folk singer, keyboardist, songwriter Donna Lewis born in Cardiff, UK ~ Best known for her 1996 I Love You Always Forever hit single, an international hit including top 10 positions in America and her native UK. Also worked with Art Of Noise, Dino Lenny, Ryan Farish, Chute, David Baron
August 6, 1972 ~ Singer Geri Halliwell, full name Geraldine Estelle Halliwell, born in Watford, UK ~ Member of 1990s girl group the Spice Girls, dubbed Ginger Spice, known for songs such as Wannabe, Who Do You Think You Are, Spice Up Your Life and Viva Forever. Halliwell has also recorded a number of albums as a solo artist. Her 1999 Schizophonic solo debut album spawned three UK No.1 hits, Mi Chico Latino, Lift Me Up and Bag It Up
August 6, 1971 ~ Isaac Freeman, commonly known as rapper, promoter, radio personality Fatman Scoop, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his 2003 club favorite Be Faithful. Has collaborated with artists such as Lil' Jon, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Pitbull, Skrillex, and others
August 6, 1969 ~ Steven Paul Smith, commonly known as singer, songwriter Elliott Smith, born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Member of Heatmiser. Gained attention with the song Miss Misery, included on the soundtrack for Good Will Hunting, was nominated for an Oscar. Primarily a guitarist, Smith also plays piano, clarinet, bass, harmonica, drums and percussion ~ Smith passed away in 2003
August 6, 1966 ~ Violinist Regina Carter born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Classically trained since an early age. Studied piano, violin, viola, oboe. Has worked with the youth division of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Civic Orchestra, Brainstorm, Straight Ahead, String Trio Of New York, Aretha Franklin, Lauryn Hill, Mary J Blige, Billy Joel, Dolly Parton, Max Roach, Oliver Lake, Kenny Barron, Elliott Sharp, Cassandra Wilson, Eddie Palmieri, Wynton Marsalis, and others
August 6, 1965 ~ Jazz saxophonist, producer Ravi Coltrane born in Long Island, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Son of saxophonist John Coltrane and harpist Alice Coltrane. Has worked with the Blue Note 7, Ralph Alessi, Cindy Blackman, Terence Blanchard, Billy Childs, Steve Coleman, Scott Colley, Jack DeJohnette, Flying Lotus, Elvin Jones, Ryan Kisor, Tisziji Muñoz, Luis Perdomo, Bob Thiele, Yosuke Yamashita, and others
August 6, 1961 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Victor Goines born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Worked with Terence Blanchard, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ruth Brown, Ray Charles, Bo Diddley, Bob Dylan, Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Green, Lionel Hampton, Freddie Hubbard, BB King, Lenny Kravitz, Branford Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis Jr, James Moody, Dianne Reeves, Marcus Roberts, Diana Ross, Eric Clapton, Wycliffe Gordon, Stevie Wonder, and others
August 6, 1959 ~ R&B, dance, house, soul singer, pianist, songwriter Joyce Sims born in Rochester, New York, USA ~ Best known for her 1988 hit Come Into My Life, produced by Kurtis Mantronik. Also made the R&B charts with songs such as All And All, Walk Away and, collaborating with Jimmy Castor, Love Makes A Woman. Also worked with Junior Vasquez, Glen Frisica, Maxi Priest, and others ~ Sims passed away in 2022
August 6, 1958 ~ R&B, soul bassist, singer Randy DeBarge, full name William Randall DeBarge, born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA ~ Member of family outfit DeBarge. Sang co-lead on the band's first hit, I Like It released in 1982 and co-written with brother El DeBarge. Randy remained with the band until its disbandement in the early 1990s
August 6, 1957 ~ Dennis Smith, commonly known as reggae DJ, producer Dennis Alcapon, born in Clarendon, Jamaica ~ Known for recordings such as Marker Version, Spanish Amigo, Shades Of Hudson, Revelation Version, Maca Version, The Sky's The Limit, and others. As a producer worked with Dennis Brown, Augustus Pablo, and Delroy Wilson
August 6, 1957 ~ Singer, bassist, guitarist Eddie Mooney born in Stoke-on-Trent, UK ~ Member of the Dakotas. Best known as lead singer of the Fortunes, joining the band in 2008 replacing the late Rod Allen
August 6, 1955 ~ Earl Smith, commonly known as reggae, dub guitarist, bassist, percussionist, singer Earl Chinna Smith, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Best known for his work with the Soul Syndicate. In-demand collaborator and sideman, appeared on over an estimated 500 albums. Notable collaborations include Augustus Pablo, Horace Andy, King Tubby, Max Romeo (Revelation Time), John Holt, Dillinger (Bionic Dread), Burning Spear (Man In The Hills), Bob Marley, Inner Circle, Bunny Wailer, Gregory Isaacs, Jimmy Cliff, Mikey Dread (Dread At The Controls), Black Uhuru, Sugar Minott, Alpha Blondy, Lauryn Hill (The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill), and Amy Winehouse
August 6, 1954 ~ Blues guitarist Corey Stevens born in Centralia, Illinois, USA ~ Early on in his career would be critically compared to Stevie Ray Vaughan. Recorded about a dozen albums, best known for his 1995 Blue Drops Of Rain debut album and its 1997 The Road To Zen follow-up
August 6, 1953 ~ Pop singer Stella Maessen born in Zandvoort, the Netherlands ~ Formed Hearts Of Soul with siblings Bianca Maessen and Patricia Maessen, known for their 1970 Eurovision Songfestival entry Waterman which reached 7th place for the Netherlands. Sang backup for Belgian singer Sharif Dean, including on the ballad Do You Love Me. The siblings would also work together in the Dream Express, with whom she reached 7th place at the 1977 Eurovision Songfestival with A Million In 1 2 3 representing Belgium. Maessen would again represent Belgium at the 1982 Eurovision Songfestival, this time as a solo artist, and reach 4th place with Si Tu Aimes Ma Musique. Subsequent solo singles included Can't Live On Memories and Flashlight
August 6, 1952 ~ Guitarist, producer Tony Gilkyson, full name Anthony Gilkyson, born in Hollywood ~ Member of Lone Justice. Member of X, joining the band in 1986 as replacement for Billy Zoom. As a producer worked with Exene Cervenka, Eleni Mandell, Chuck E Weiss and with Dave Alvin
August 6, 1952 ~ Vincent John Kusano, commonly known as glam metal, heavy metal, hard rock guitarist Vinnie Vincent born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA ~ Member of Kiss during the early 1980s, appearing on the albums Creatures Of The Night and Lick It Up. Vincent would have some minor hits in the late 1980s fronting his own Vinnie Vincent Invasion, and has guested on albums by Laura Nyro, Was (Not Was), and the Bangles
August 6, 1946 ~ Jazz fusion, progressive rock guitarist Allan Holdsworth born in Bradford, UK ~ Cited as influence by Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Yngwie Malmsteen and Tom Morello. Described as “the John Coltrane of the guitar” by Robben Ford. First gained attention as member of Igginbottom, known for their sole album Igginbottom's Wrench. Has also worked with Sunship, Nucleus, Tempest, Soft Machine, Tony Williams Lifetime, Pierre Moerlen, Jean-Luc Ponty, Bill Bruford, UK, Gordon Beck, Frank Gambale, Derek Sherinian, Alan Pasqua, Level 42, Gongzilla, Soft Works, and Stanley Clarke ~ Holdsworth passed away in 2017
August 6, 1946 ~ Singer Judy Craig born in New York, New York, USA ~ Original lead singer of girl group the Chiffons, known for 1960s hits such as He's So Fine, One Fine Day and My Boyfriend's Back. Craig left the group in 1969
August 6, 1944 ~ Horatios Adolphus Kelly, commonly known as rocksteady, reggae singer Pat Kelly, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Influenced by Sam Cooke. Replaced Slim Smith in the Techniques. Also worked with producers such as Bunny Lee, Lee Scratch Perry, Duke Reid, and Phil Pratt. As a solo artist best known for his 1969 recording of How Long Will It Take ~ Kelly passed away in 2019
August 6, 1942 ~ Avant-garde jazz saxophonist, flutist Byard Lancaster born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Co-founded the Sounds Of Liberation with Khan Jamal. Has also worked with artists such as McCoy Tyner, Archie Shepp, Elvin Jones, Sun Ra, Memphis Slim, Johnny Copeland, Arcana, Ronald Shannon Jackson, Odean Pope, Larry Young, and others ~ Lancaster passed away in 2012
August 6, 1941 ~ Jazz drummer Svein Christiansen born in Kolbotn, Norway ~ Worked with artists such as the Hot Saints, Oddvar Paulsen, Roy Hellvin, Helge Hurum, Fred Nøddelund, Frode Thingnæs, Einar Iversen, Egil Kapstad, Karin Krog, Terje Bjørklund, Laila Dalseth, Øystein Sevåg, Jens Wendelboe, Susanne Fuhr, Dag Arnesen, Bjørn Alterhaug, Helge Iberg, Svein Finjarn, Odd Børretzen, Bjørn Eidsvåg, Jan Eggum, Lars Klevstrand, Ryfylke Visegruppe, Trond Viggo Torgersen, the Oslo Filharmonien, the Tott Bergh Quintet, the Tine Asmundsen Trio, and others ~ Christiansen passed away in 2015
August 6, 1940 ~ Pianist, composer, arranger Egil Kapstad born in Oslo, Norway ~ Leader and sideman. Appears on over 60 albums. Worked with Karin Krog, Chet Baker, Red Mitchell, Bjørn Johansen, Bjarne Nerem, Jon Larsen, Magni Wentzel, Jan Erik Bold, Lars Klevstrand, Ole Paus, Rolf Jacobsen, Thorgeir Stubø, Per Husby, Laila Dalseth, Bjørn Alterhaug, Bodil Niska, Hilde Hefte, Ola Kvernberg, Staffan William-Olsson, Per Husby, Hilde Hefte, and others ~ Kapstad passed away in 2017
August 6, 1939 ~ William Nelson Sanders, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer Sonny Sanders, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Formed the Satintones, the first vocal group to be signed to Motown, in 1957 which also featured Robert Bateman, James Ellis, and Sammy Mack. Also sessioned as backup singer on You Got What It Takes (Marv Johnson), and Money (That's What I Want) (Barrett Strong). Left the label in 1960 but continued to work as arranger on Motown-tracks including Just Like Romeo And Juliet (the Reflections). Also worked with non-Motown artists such as producer Carl Davis, Mary Wells, Edwin Starr (arranged Agent Double-O-Soul), Jackie Wilson, Gene Chandler, the Chi-lites, and Tyrone Davis. Co-wrote Barbara Acklin's Am I The Same Girl with Eugene Record. Co-wrote Wilson Pickett's If You Need Me, later also recorded by Solomon Burke, and by the Rolling Stones ~ Sanders passed away in 2016
August 6, 1937 ~ Baden Powell de Aquino, commonly known as guitarist, composer Baden Powell, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Merges classical techniques with harmony and swing. Plays bossa nova, samba, Latin jazz. As a composer known for Abração Em Madrid, Braziliense, Consolaçao, Canto De Ossanho, and Samba Triste, the latter becoming a jazz standard. Worked with the Steve Bernard Orquestra, Ed Lincoln, Billy Blanco, Herbie Mann, Carlos Monteiro de Souza, Oscar Castro Neves, Stéphane Grappelli, and Herbie Mann ~ De Aquino passed away in 2000
August 6, 1937 ~ Bassist, double bassist Charlie Haden, full name Charles Edward Haden, born in Shenandoah, Iowa, USA ~ One of the most important post-bop jazz bassists with a career spanning five decades. Helped liberate the jazz bassist to free themselves from a strictly serving role. Closely associated with Ornette Coleman, including on the pivotal albums The Shape Of Jazz To Come, Change Of The Century, Free Jazz, The Art Of The Improvisers, and This Is Our Music. As a leader especially acclaimed for his 1970 The Liberation Music Orchestra album with backing unit the Liberation Music Orchestra and his 1987 Quartet West album with Quartet West. Has also worked with Paul Bley, John Coltrane (Live At The Village Vanguard), Denny Zeitlin, Roswell Rudd, the Jazz Composers Orchestra, Gato Barbieri, John McLaughlin, Paul Motian, Keith Jarrett (Backhand), Don Cherry, Art Pepper, Robert Wyatt (Ruth Is Stranger Than Fiction), Old And New Dreams, Pat Metheny (80-81), and John Scofield ~ Haden passed away in 2014
August 6, 1935 ~ Bluegrass mandolinist Herschel Sizemore, full name Herschel Lee Sizemore, born in Sheffield, Alabama, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for penning and first recording the mandolin instrumental Rebecca, named after his mother. Member of the Dixie Gentlemen from 1957 through 1965. Subsequently a member of the Shenandoah Cut-Ups, Country Grass which also included Ricky Skaggs, the Dixie Pals and the Bluegrass Cardinals. Guested on recordings by Rual Yarbrough, Jim Eanes, David Parmley, Curly Seckler, and others ~ Sizemore passed away in 2022
August 6, 1931 ~ Jazz saxophonist Jean-Louis Chautemps born in Paris, France ~ Initially studied medicine and law, yet chose a career in music. Got his first break working with pianist, bandleader Jef Gilson in 1950. Would go on to back stalwarts of French jazz such as Henri Renaud and Albert Nicholas. Has also worked with Claude Bolling, Sidney Bechet, Django Reinhardt, Chet Baker, Zoot Sims, Lester Young, Albert Ayler, Roy Eldridge, Philly Joe Jones, Lester Bowie, Martial Solal, and others. To pop audiences perhaps best known for appearing on Elton John's Honky Cat of the 1972 Honky Château album ~ Chautemps passed away in 2022
August 6, 1930 ~ Anna Marie Wooldridge, commonly known as singer, songwriter, actress, civil rights advocate Abbey Lincoln, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by Billie Holiday. Married to drummer Max Roach from 1962 tot 1970, with whom she also sang including on the 1960 civil rights anthem We Insist. Recorded as a solo artist and guest vocalist from the mid-1950s onwards. Worked with artists such as Benny Carter, Marty Paich, Dave Liebman, Archie Shepp, Steve Coleman, Jerry González, Tarik Shah, Jackie McLean, Clark Terry, Stan Getz, Charlie Haden, Maxine Roach, Rodney Kendrick, Bobby Hutcherson, Victor Lewis, Kenny Barron, Eric Dolphy, Frank Morgan, Bheki Mseleku, Mal Waldron, and Cedar Walton ~ Wooldridge passed away in 2010
August 6, 1928 ~ Producer, manager Andy Warhol born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as film director, painter, visual arts artist leading in art pop movement. Also produced and managed the Velvet Underground in their early days. Warhol's production role amounted to little more than paying for the band's studio time and the relationship, especially with the band's frontman Lou Reed, would be seriously frailed after the band's debut album ~ Warhol passed away in 1987
August 6, 1928 ~ Jazz reedist Pierre Gossez born in Valenciennes, France ~ Worked with Noel Chiboust, Tony Muréna, Jacques Hélian, Michel Legrand, Martial Solal, Claude Bolling, Sonny Grey, Michel Hausser, André Hodeir, Ivan Jullien, Guy Lafitte, the Paris Jazz All-Stars, Maxim Saury, Dany Doris, Gunther Schuller, Bob Quibel, Solal, Jean-Michel Jarre (saxophone on 1986 album Rendez-Vous), and others
August 6, 1924 ~ R&B, doo-wop singer Jimmy Ricks, full name James Thomas Ricks, born in Adrian, Georgia, USA ~ Co-founded the Ravens with Warren Suttles and remained with the band through 1956. The doo-wop group would become one of the the most influential vocal quartets of the 1940s and early 1950s, known for songs such as Honey, Ole Man River, Write Me A Letter and Rock Me All Night Long ~ Ricks passed away in 1974
August 6, 1923 ~ John Russell Parnell, commonly known as producer, bandleader, drummer, composer Jack Parnell, born in London, UK ~ The “real” conductor of The Muppet Show Orchestra. Musical director for Benny Hill Show. Composed for TV, including well known themes for shows such as Father Brown, Family Fortunes and Love Story. Worked with Kenny Baker, Don Lusher, Betty Smith, Tony Lee, Tony Archer, Johnny Griffin, Ronnie Ross, Kathy Stobart, the London Big Band, and others ~ Parnell passed away in 2010
August 6, 1921 ~ William Marcel Collette, commonly known as flutist, saxophonist, clarinetist Buddy Collette, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ In 1949 Collette was the first black musician to be hired by a nationally broadcast TV studio orchestra, for You Bet Your Life hosted by Groucho Marx. The conductor received hate-mail for it, yet show, station and musicians stood by Collette. Collette also helped merge an all-black musicians union with an all-white one in the early 1950s. Over the course of his career Collette played with Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Nat King Cole, Nelson Riddle, Jim Hall, Fred Katz, Carson Smith, Ivie Anderson, Johnny Otis, Gerald Wilson, Ernie Andrews, Charles Mingus, Britt Woodman, John Anderson, Lucky Thompson, Teddy Edwards, Spaulding Givins, Oscar Bradley, Benny Carter, Percy Faith, Joe Liggins, Louis Jordan, and others ~ Collette passed away in 2010
August 6, 1917 ~ Actor, singer Robert Mitchum born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA ~ Best known as an actor. Also wrote and sang country, known for songs such as The Ballad Of Thunder Road, Little Old Win Drinker Me, and You Deserve Each Other ~ Mitchum passed away in 1997
August 6, 1906 ~ Trombonist Vic Dickenson born in Xenia, Ohio, USA ~ Made his recording debut as a vocalist with Luis Russell in 1930. Member of Blanche Calloway's orchestra in the early 1930s. Led his own bands from the mid 1940s to mid 1950s. Session man ever since working with such greats as Count Basie, Jimmy Rushing, Coleman Hawkins, Pee Wee Russell, Benny Carter, Lester Young, Sidney Bechet, and others ~ Dickenson passed away in 1984