Pick a Day

Born on January 25

1980 Alicia Keys is born Alicia Augello Cook in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, New York. Her background as a classically trained pianist influences her stage name. "It's like the piano keys," she explains, "And it can open so many doors." Her first album, Songs In A Minor, featuring her own compositions, goes to #1 in 2001.

1971 Grace Slick and Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane welcome a baby girl they name "God." Her name is later changed to "China," and as "China Kantner" she becomes a VJ on MTV.

1958 Gary Tibbs (bass guitarist for Adam & The Ants, Roxy Music) is born in Northwood, London, England.

1957 Edmund Sylvers of The Sylvers is born in Memphis.

1956 Andy Cox (guitarist for Fine Young Cannibals) is born in Birmingham, England.

1950 Michael Cotten (of The Tubes) is born in Kansas City, Missouri.

1938 Blues singer Etta James, known for the enduring ballad "At Last," is born Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles, California.More

1929 Singer/actress Elizabeth Allen is born Elizabeth Ellen Gillease in Jersey City, New Jersey.

1925 Jazz pianist Barbara Carroll is born Barbara Carole Coppersmith in Worcester, Massachusetts.

1915 Folk singer Ewan MacColl is born James Henry Miller in London. In 1957 he takes an hour to write "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" for a play his mistress is appearing in and, 15 years later, it becomes a #1 hit for Roberta Flack.

1913 Polish composer Witold Lutoslawski is born.

1897 Blind Willie Johnson, known best for "Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground," is born in Pendleton, Texas.More