Pick a Day

Music History Events: Births

January 18, 1943 English composer/keyboardist Dave Greenslade is born in Woking, Surrey, England.

January 17, 1943 '60s singer Chris Montez is born Ezekiel Christopher Montanez in Los Angeles, California.

January 16, 1943 Ronnie Milsap is born in Robbinsville, North Carolina. He becomes country music's first successful blind singer, starting with his first chart-topper, "Pure Love," in 1974.

January 9, 1943 Kenneth "Wally" Kelly, tenor vocalist in The Manhattans, is born in Jersey City, New Jersey.

January 8, 1943 Lee Jackson of The Nice is born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

January 8, 1943 Marcus Hutson of The Whispers is born in St. Louis, Missouri.

January 7, 1943 Country singer Leona Williams is born Leona Belle Helton in Vienna, Missouri. She writes the Merle Haggard hits "Someday When Things Are Good" and "You Take Me For Granted."

January 3, 1943 Songwriter and musician Van Dyke Parks, known for his work with The Beach Boys, is born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

December 31, 1942 Andy Summers (guitarist for The Police) is born Andrew James Somers in Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, England. The self taught guitarist, renowned for his use of modern electronic effects, is also a talented photographer and publishes several books of behind-the-scenes shots of the band recording and performing.

December 30, 1942 Michael Nesmith (of The Monkees) is born Robert Michael Nesmith in Houston, Texas.

December 27, 1942 Mike Heron (of Incredible String Band) is born James Michael Heron in Edinburgh, Scotland.

December 21, 1942 Carla Thomas, the "Queen of Memphis Soul," is born in Memphis, Tennessee, to R&B singer Rufus Thomas and his wife, Lorene.

December 17, 1942 Paul Butterfield (of Paul Butterfield Blues Band) is born in Chicago, Illinois.

December 15, 1942 Dave Clark (of The Dave Clark Five) is born in Tottenham, North London, England.

December 4, 1942 Chris Hillman (of The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Byrds) is born in Los Angeles, California.

December 4, 1942 Bob Mosley (bass player for Moby Grape) is born in Paradise Valley, California.

December 2, 1942 Ted Bluechel Jr. (drummer, guitarist for The Association) is born in San Pedro, California.

November 29, 1942 Felix Cavaliere (keyboardist for The Rascals) is born in Pelham, New York.

November 27, 1942 Jimi Hendrix is born Johnny Allen Hendrix in Seattle, Washington.

November 25, 1942 Folk singer Bob Lind is born in Baltimore, Maryland.

November 24, 1942 Billy Connolly, musician, actor, and comedian, is born in Anderston, Glasgow, Scotland. After a stint as a welder, he pursues a career as a folk singer with The Humblebums, featuring Gerry Rafferty.

November 22, 1942 Stephen Caldwell (of The Orlons) is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

November 22, 1942 Floyd Sneed (drummer for Three Dog Night) is born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

November 20, 1942 "Spirit In The Sky" singer Norman Greenbaum is born in Malden, Massachusetts.

November 17, 1942 Bob Gaudio (of The Four Seasons) is born in the Bronx, New York, but would be raised in Bergenfield, New Jersey. His first taste of fame came at age 15 from co-writing the Royal Teens' hit "Short Shorts."

November 13, 1942 Blues singer and guitarist John Hammond Jr. is born in New York City, New York.

November 12, 1942 R&B singer Arthur "Pooch" Tavares (of Tavares) is born in Providence, Rhode Island.

November 8, 1942 Johnny Perez (drummer for the Sir Douglas Quintet) is born San Antonio, Texas.

November 7, 1942 Rock singer Johnny Rivers is born John Henry Ramistella in New York City but shortly moves to Baton Rouge, where he is influenced by the Louisiana music scene.

October 27, 1942 Country singer Lee Greenwood is born Melvin Lee Greenwood in Los Angeles, California, but grows up on a poultry farm in Sacramento.