December 20, 1990 ~ Singer, actress Joanne Novelle Levesque, commonly known as JoJo, born in Brattleboro, Vermont, USA ~ First gained attention in 2003 as a contender on the TV show America's Most Talented Kids. Would release her eponymous debut album, Jojo, the next year which included the hit single Leave (Get Out). Has been recording to critical acclaim and commercial succes since. Has also ventured into acting
December 20, 1985 ~ Heavy metal, hard rock, gunge drummer, guitarist, singer, songwriter Paul Wandtke born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known as member of heavy metal outfit Bedlem. Lead singer, guitarist of grunge band the Dead Original. Has also worked with Trivium, Kill Hannah, and the Nirvana-tribute band Smells Like Nirvana
December 20, 1981 ~ Indie rock, indie pop, indie folk singer, keyboardist, bassist, guitarist, songwriter, producer Patrick Damphier, full name Patrick Kane Damphier, born in Amsterdam, New York, USA ~ Has worked in a variety of roles, session and studio musician, producer, with artists such as the Mynabirds, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Thayer Sarrano, Tim Easton, the Arcs, Paper Rival, Photo Ops, Houndmouth, Fences, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Mikaela Davis, Night Beds, Ruby Boots, Oh Mercy, the Sun Seeker, and others
December 20, 1977 ~ Jazz, bossa nova pianist, keyboardist, arranger, composer David Feldman born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Leader and sideman. Has worked with Joca Perpignan, Paulo Levi, Paula Morelenbaum, Scott Feiner, Noa, Adam Dunning, Yotam Silberstein, the Ensemble PHOENIX, and others
December 20, 1977 ~ Rock, alternative rock drummer Kerem Kabadayi born in Ankara, Turkey ~ Member of Decision. Co-founded Mor Ve Otesi, releasing their Sehir debut album in 2008. Internationally the band is best known for representing their native Turkey at the 2008 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 7th place with the song Deli
December 20, 1976 ~ Ambient, electronica bassist James Elliott, full name James Lanier Elliott, born in Kentucky, USA ~ Member of the School of Seven Bells and Bear In Heaven. As a solo artist usually goes by the moniker Atelia. Noted for his 2007 Formal Sleep featuring contributions from David Grubbs, David Daniell, John Philpot and Sadek Bazaraa
December 20, 1972 ~ Heavy metal, black metal bassist, guitarist Anders Odden born in Stavanger, Norway ~ Co-founding member of Cadaver, ORDER, Magenta, Doctor Midnight & the Mercy Cult. Member of Satyricon since 2009. Guested with Celtic Frost, the Young Gods, Ministry, Apoptygma Berzerk, and Pigface
December 20, 1972 ~ Indie rock, folk singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Emma Pollock born ~ Co-founding member of the Delgados, the Burns Unit, the Fruit Tree Foundation. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Watch The Fireworks released in 2007
December 20, 1968 ~ Songwriter, producer Billy Mann born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ As a songwriter or producer Mann has worked with artists such as P!nk, John Legend, Céline Dion, Take That, the Backstreet Boys, Cher, David Guetta, Kelly Rowland, Jessica Simpson, Ricky Martin, Anastacia, Art Garfunkel, Sting, Joss Stone, Robyn, Grover Washington Jr, Chaka Khan, Michael Bolton, Josh Groban, Boyzone, Paula Abdul, Helene Fischer, Cher Lloyd, Hilary Duff, Jennifer Brown, and others
December 20, 1966 ~ Singer Chris Robinson, full name Christopher Mark Robinson born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Founding member, lead singer of the Black Crowes, known for songs such as Jealous Again, the Otis Redding-cover Hard To Handle, She Talks To Angels, Remedy and Thorn In My Pride
December 20, 1963 ~ Ian Garfield Hoxley, commonly known as rock singer, DJ, producer Mary Byker born in Leicester, UK ~ Lead singer of Gaye Bykers On Acid, Pigface, Hyperhead, Apollo 440, Hoodlum Priest, Pop Will Eat Itself, Am I Dead Yet, Eye To Eye, and Maximum Roach
December 20, 1961 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist, singer, songwriter Mike Keneally, full name Michael Joseph Keneally, born in Long Island, New York, USA ~ Best known for his association with Frank Zappa, starting on the 1988 tour and remaining until Zappa's death in 1993. Has recorded as a solo artist starting with the 1992 hat album. Has also worked with Steve Vai, Wadada Leo Smith, Ulver, Henry Kaiser, Prairie Prince, Andy West, Chris Opperman, and others
December 20, 1959 ~ R&B, soul singer Yvonne Gage born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ In-demand session singer for the likes of Captain Sky, Stevie Wonder, Michael McDonald, the Doobie Brothers, Céline Dion, R Kelly, Kem, Janelle Monáe, Kindred The Family Soul, and others. As a solo artist best known for her 1984 Don Burnside-produced Virginity album
December 20, 1957 ~ Singer, songwriter, actress, TV personality Anna Vissi born in Pyla, Cyprus ~ Active since the mid-1970s. Represented Greece at the 1980 Eurovision Songfestival with Autostop, reaching thirteenth place. Bercame a leading figure in 1990s rise of laika-pop. Known for songs such as Methismeni Politia, Oso Exo Foni, Pragmata, Stin Pira, and perhaps her best known Dodeka
December 20, 1957 ~ Bassist Mike Watt born in Portsmouth, Virginia, USA ~ Seminal post-punk bassist. Co-founding member of the Minutemen through 1985. Co-founding member of Firehose through 1994. Co-founding member of Dos. Released his Ball-Hog Or Tugboat solo debut album in 1994. Has also worked with art rock group Banyan, supergroup Big Walnuts Yonder, Black Gang, the Stooges, the Unknown Instructors, Wylde Ratttz, Floored By Four, Steve Mackay, the Hand To Man Band, Anywhere, CUZ, Sonic Youth, Porno For Pyros, and others
December 20, 1956 ~ Pop, pop rock keyboardist Åke Danielson born in Luleå, Sweden ~ Member of Time Bandits from 1981 through its disbandement in 1988, present on their best-known I'm Specialized In You. Has also worked with JP den Tex, Hein Offermans, Ernst Jansz, and Boudewijn de Groot
December 20, 1956 ~ Disco, R&B singer Anita Ward born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for Ring My Bell, a hit in 1979. Ward initially did not like the song but label owner Frederick Knight insisted on adding a dance track to her debut album Songs Of Love to capitalize on the disco trend. The single would top charts across the globe and remains a disco classic to this day. Ward continued to record, scoring a minor hit with Don't Drop My Love but was never able to repeat the succes of Ring My Bell
December 20, 1955 ~ Rock, punk, alternative rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Ed Kuepper, full name Edmund Kuepper, born in Bremen, West Germany ~ Co-founding member of punk band the Saints, post-punk group Laughing Clowns, grunge-infused rockers the Aints. As a solo artist best known for a string of acclaimed 1990s albums, notably Honey Steel's Gold released in 1991
December 20, 1952 ~ Folk guitarist, singer Eddie Allen born ~ Firmly rooted in the folk tradition of the Midwest, many of his songs describing the trials and tribulations of the working class. Has released two albums, The Trempealeau Hotel in 1985 and Faith In Gravity in 1990
December 20, 1951 ~ Pianist Brynjulf Blix born ~ Closely associated with jazz guitarist Terje Rypdal, including on the acclaimed 1975 Odyssey album. Blix has also worked with Anita Skorgan, Lion & The Lamb, Alex Naumik (Alex Beste), Terje Wilk, Bang 85, and Guttorm Guttormsen
December 20, 1950 ~ Rock, country, country rock drummer, songwriter Don Heffington born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of Lone Justice, best known for the singles Ways To Be Wicked and Shelter. Member of bluegrass outfit Watkins Family Hour. Has also recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with acts such as Lowell George, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne, Victoria Williams, the Wallflowers, the Jayhawks, Joanna Newsom, and others ~ Heffington passed away in 2021
December 20, 1950 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist, violinist Ferus Mustafov, also known as King Ferus Mustafov, born in Stip, Yugoslavia ~ Active since the late 1960s. Considered a leading figure in Balkan folk, gypsy, and Rom music, enjoying popularity especially in his native Macedonia. Credited as one of the artists to have brought international attention to Balkan music. Internationally perhaps best known for his 1995 King Ferus album ~ Mustafov passed away in 2023
December 20, 1948 ~ Engineer, producer Alan Parsons born in London, UK ~ Studio engineer and producer honed his skills on pivotal albums such as Abbey Road by the Beatles and The Dark Side Of The Moon by Pink Floyd. As a musician and recording artist became a household name with the Alan Parsons Project from the mid-1970s forward, working with a revolving set of studio musicians. Best known for songs such as Games People Play, Time, Eye In The Sky and Don't Answer Me, all of which reached the Billboard top 20
December 20, 1948 ~ Ohannes Tuncboyaci, commonly known as pop bassist, keyboardist, guitarist, producer, songwriter Onno Tunç, born in Istanbul, Turkey ~ Brother of singer Arto Tuncboyaciyan. Active since the 1960s. Known for songs such as Suc Bende, O Hep Bana, Iki Tas Çorba, Bize Gidelim, and Aya Benzer. Has collaborated with Emin Findikoglu, Özdemir Erdogan, Nilüfer, Bülent Ortaçgil, Ajda Pekkan, Nükhet Duru, Askin Nur Yengi, Zuhal Olcay, and with Sezen Aksu ~ Tunçboyaci passed away in 1996
December 20, 1947 ~ Psychedelic rock, rock, jazz fusion bassist Doug Lubahn born ~ Perhaps best known for his session work for the Doors, starting on the Strange Days album. The band offered Lubahn a permanent spot in the band but he declined. Co-founding member of Clear Light, known for their sole eponymous Clear Light album released in 1967. Founded jazz-rock unit Dreams with Jeff Kent. Bassist and co-lead vocalist for Pierce Arrow for whom Lubahn wrote Treat Me Right, later a Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit for Pat Benatar. Lubahn has also worked with Riff Raff, Billy Squier, and Ted Nugent ~ Lubahn passed away in 2019
December 20, 1946 ~ Per-Åke Tommy Persson, commonly known as blues, reggae singer, guitarist, songwriter Peps Persson born in Klippan, Sweden ~ Early on in his career played mostly blues-tinted songs, would gravitate more towards reggae from the mid-1970s on. Known for having reworked many famous blues and reggae hits, including originals from Muddy Waters, Elmore James and Bob Marley, into Swedish
December 20, 1945 ~ Peter George John Criscuola, commonly known as rock, hard rock drummer, singer, actor Peter Criss born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of Kiss, remaining with the band through 1980 playing only one song, his own composition Dirty Livin', on the 1979 Dynasty album. Present on the band's best-known including Rock & Roll All Nite, Calling Dr Love, I Was Made For Lovin' You and Sure Know Something. Released his eponymous Peter Criss debut album in 1978. Has also worked with the Barracudas, the Keep, Balls Of Fire, Criss-Penridge Alliance, Chelsea, Criss, and others
December 20, 1944 ~ Drummer, percussionist, producer Bobby Colomby born in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of jazz-rock fusion outfit Blood Sweat & Tears, present on hits such as And When I Die, You've Made Me So Very Happy and Spinning Wheel. Has also worked with John Cale, Terry Riley, Jaco Pastorius, the Jacksons (producing the 1978 Destiny album), Eddie Palmieri, Richard Marx, Paula Cole, Jeff Lorber, and others
December 20, 1943 ~ Walter Washington, commonly known as blues, funk, R&B singer, guitarist Walter Wolfman Washington, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Backed Lee Dorsey while stil in his teens. Formed the All Fools Band in the 1960s. Probably best known for his association with Johnny Adams, backing Adams for about two decades starting in the 1970s. Released his Rainin' In My Life solo debut album in 1981 and has recorded consistently since, about a dozen albums to his name heavily drawing on blues yet incorporating funk and R&B ~ Washington passed away in 2022
December 20, 1942 ~ Pianist, keyboardist, arranger, producer Larry Willis, full name Lawrence Elliott Willis, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Perhaps best known as a member of Blood Sweat & Tears from 1972 through 1977, first appearing on the New Blood album. Has also worked with Jackie McLean, Nat Adderley, Gary Bartz, Cindy Blackman, Carla Bley, Jerry González, Roy Hargrove, Louis Hayes, Jimmy Heath, Joe Henderson, Richard Groove Holmes, Clifford Jordan, Robin Kenyatta, Hugh Masekela, Carmen McRae, Lee Morgan, Alphonse Mouzon, David Fathead Newman, Woody Shaw, and others ~ Willis passed away in 2019
December 20, 1942 ~ Jazz keyboardist, composer, producer Pete Levin born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for his association with Gil Evans and with Jimmy Giuffre. Has also worked with Carla Bley, the Burbeck Brothers, Hiram Bullock, Jimmy Cobb, Billy Cobham, Willie Colón, Kal David, Miles Davis, Rachelle Ferrell, Bryan Ferry, Gregory Hines, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Annie Lennox, Chuck Mangione, Charles Mingus, Gerry Mulligan, Jaco Pastorius, Genya Ravan, Robbie Robertson, David Sanborn, John Scofield, Wayne Shorter, Paul Simon, Lew Soloff, John Tropea, Joe Louis Walker, Vanessa Williams, Lenny White, and others
December 20, 1939 ~ Banjoist, steel guitarist Bill Keith, full name William Bradford Keith, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Joined Bill Monroe's quintessential bluegrass outfit the Blue Grass Boys in 1963. Has collaborated with Ian & Sylvia, Clarence White, David Grisman, Tony Trischka, Red Allen, the Jim Kweskin Jug Band, Muleskinner, Jim Rooney, Peter Rowan, the Great Speckled Bird, the Bee Gees, Judy Collins, Marcel Dadi, and the Woodstock Mountain Revue ~ Keith passed away in 2015
December 20, 1939 ~ Agathie Natalie Weston, commonly known as R&B, soul singer Kim Weston, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Known for a string of late 1960s hits both as a solo artist, Love Me All The Way and Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While), as well as for her duets with Marvin Gaye, notably It Takes Two
December 20, 1938 ~ Composer John Harbison, full name John Harris Harbison, born in Orange, New Jersey, USA ~ Composed opera, ballet, orchestral, choral, chamber and vocal works. Perhaps best known for his Pullitzer Prize-winning 1987 The Flight Into Egypt composition. Also known for the opera The Great Gatsby which the Metropolitan Opera premiered in 1999. Married to violinist Rose Mary Harbison
December 20, 1936 ~ Singer Judy Henske, full name Judith Anne Henske, born in Chippawa Falls, Wisconsin, USA ~ Dubbed “the Queen of the Beatniks” by producer Jack Nitzsche. Joined the Whiskeyhill Singers in 1961, noted for their 1962 Dave Guard & The Whiskeyhill Singers album. Member of Rosebud. As a solo artist best known for her 1969 Farewell Aldebaran album drawing from folk, psychedelia and arty pop, with her then-husband Jerry Yester ~ Henske passed away in 2022
December 20, 1930 ~ Auburn Hare, commonly known as electric blues guitarist, singer Pat Hare, born in Chrry Valley, Arkansas, USA ~ Influential on rockabilly, on British invasion stars including the Rolling Stones and the Yardbirds, and through distorted power chord-driven usage of the electric guitar as early as the 1950s even seen as a precursor to heavy metal music. Served as sideman for Howlin' Wolf, James Cotton (notably the guitar solo on 1954's Cotton Crop Blues, with its use of heavily distorted power chords according to some a precursor to heavy metal), Muddy Waters, Bobby Blue Bland, Junior Parker, and others ~ Hare passed away in 1980
December 20, 1924 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Arne Domnérus born in Sweden ~ Fixture on the European jazz scene during the 1950s and 1960s, and considered one of the prime Swedish bop saxophonists. As a leader especially acclaimed for albums such as 1950's Arne Domnérus And His Favourite Groups, andFragment released some three decades later. Closely associated with Rune Gustafsson, Bengt Hallberg, Harry Arnold, and Alice Babs. Domnérus has also guested on albums by Charlie Parker, Quincy Jones, Lars Gullin, James Moody, Ake Persson, Clifford Brown, Roy Haynes, Harry Arnold, Ernestine Anderson, Benny Golson, Jimmy Witherspoon, George Russell (New York Big Band), and Putte Wickman ~ Domnérus passed away in 2008
December 20, 1912 ~ Kermit Lane, commonly known as pianist Ken Lane, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Co-wrote Everybody Loves Somebody Sometimes, first recorded by Peggy Lee in 1947 and covered by well over 100 artists inlcuding Dinah Washington, Brenda Lee, Sarah Vaughan, and Frank Sinatra, probably most closely associated with the latter. Also well known as Dean Martin's accompaniest during the late 1960s and early 1970s on The Dean Martin Show aired on NBC. Composed the music for Lucy Gets Lucky, a 1975 TV movie starring Lucille Ball. Lane's daughter, Robin Lane is a rock singer ~ Lane passed away in 1996
December 20, 1907 ~ Singer, songwriter Al Rinker born in Tekoa, Washington, USA ~ Began in the early 1920s as a teen performing with Bing Crosby. By the mid-1920s the pair moved to LA, eventually forming the Rhythm Boys with Harry Barris. The vocal threesome sang with Paul Whiteman's big band for three years and on their own for about a year until Crosby went solo, effectively disbanding the group ~ Rinker passed away in 1982
December 20, 1900 ~ Theodore Salvatore Fiorito, commonly known as leader, keyboardist, composer Ted Fio Rito, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known for a number of mid-1930s hits including My Little Grass Shack In Kealakekua and I'll String Along With You. Composed over a hundred songs collaborating with lyricists such as Ernie Erdman, Gus Kahn, Sam Lewis, Cecil Mack, Albert von Tilzer, and Joe Young ~ Fiorito passed away in 1971
December 20, 1898 ~ Irene Marie Dunn, commonly known as actress, singer Irene Dunne, born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Best known as a popular actress during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Aspired to become an opera singer but rejected by the Metropolitan Opera reverted to singing in musicals, including Broadway productions until scouted by RKO. Made her screen debut in the 1930 musical film Leathernecking. To this day considered one of the finest actresses to have never been awarded an Academy Award ~ Dunn passed away in 1990
December 20, 1887 ~ Abraham Olshewitz, commonly known as songwriter, music publisher Abe Olman, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Down Among The Sheltering Palms (the Lyric Quartet, Sammy Kaye, the Chordettes), I'm Waiting For Ships That Never Come In (Nick Lucas, Bing Crosby, Ernest Tubb), Oh Johnny Oh Johnny (the Premier Quartet, the Andrews Sisters, Dottie Dillard), and Noah's Wife (Lived A Wonderful Life) (Eddie Cantor, the Hoosier Hot Shots, Tiny Hill) ~ Olshewitz passed away in 1984
December 20, 1871 ~ Composer, conductor Henry Kimball Hadley born in Somerville, Massachusetts, USA ~ As a composer best known for his overture In Bohemia and the symphonic poem Salome. As a conductor held positions at renowned orchestras such as the Seattle Symphony, the San Francisco Symphony, the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, the Manhattan Symphony Orchestra, and others. ~ Hadley passed away in 1937