Pick a Day

Music History Events: Births

June 4, 1941 Linda Martell, the first Black woman to land songs on the Country chart and the first to play the Grand Ole Opry, is born Thelma Bynem in Leesville, South Carolina. She releases just one album but influences singers like Beyoncé, who includes Martell on her 2024 album Cowboy Carter.

June 2, 1941 The Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts is born Charles Robert Watts in London.

June 2, 1941 R&B singer William Guest (of Gladys Knight & The Pips) is born in Atlanta, Georgia.

May 29, 1941 Roy Crewdson (guitarist for Freddie & the Dreamers) is born in England.

May 26, 1941 Art Sharp (former lead vocalist, guitarist for Nashville Teens) is born in Woking, Surrey, England.

May 23, 1941 "General" Norman Johnson (frontman for Chairmen of the Board) is born in Norfolk, Virginia.

May 21, 1941 Ronald Isley (of The Isley Brothers) is born in Cincinnati, Ohio.

May 17, 1941 Malcolm Hale (lead guitarist for Spanky & Our Gang) is born in Butte, Montana.

May 13, 1941 Rock and roll pioneer Ritchie Valens is born Richard Steven Valenzuela in Pacoima, California.

May 13, 1941 Rock and roll singer and guitarist Joe Brown is born in Swarby, Lincolnshire, England.

May 11, 1941 Eric Burdon (lead singer of The Animals) is born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

May 9, 1941 Peter Birrell (bass guitarist for Freddie & the Dreamers) is born in Manchester, Lancashire, England.

May 9, 1941 Doo-wop singer Danny Rapp (of Danny & the Juniors) is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

May 8, 1941 Soul singer John Fred (of John Fred & His Playboy Band) is born John Fred Gourrier in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

May 4, 1941 Singer and violinist David LaFlamme (of It's a Beautiful Day) is born Gary Posie in New Britain, Connecticut.

May 4, 1941 Motown songwriter Nick Ashford (Ashford & Simpson) is born in Fairfield, South Carolina.

April 30, 1941 Rock and roller Johnny Farina (of Santo & Johnny) is born in Brooklyn, New York.

April 28, 1941 Ann-Margret is born in Sweden. She has a few hits as a singer but is best known for her movie roles, which include Bye Bye Birdie and Viva Las Vegas, which she stars in with Elvis Presley.

April 26, 1941 R&B singer Claudine Clark, known for composing and performing the 1952 hit "Party Lights," is born in Macon, Georgia.

April 9, 1941 Country singer Kay Adams, known for the 1966 hit "Little Pink Mack," is born Princetta Kay Adams in Knox City, Texas.

April 8, 1941 Soul singer J.J. Jackson, known for the 1966 crossover hit "But It's Alright," is born Jerome Louis Jackson in Gillett, Arkansas.

April 5, 1941 Folk musician Dave Swarbick (of Fairport Convention) is born in New Malden, England.

April 4, 1941 R&B singer Major Lance, known for hits like "The Monkey Time" and "Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um," is born in Winterville, Mississippi.

April 3, 1941 Surf rocker Jan Berry (of Jan & Dean) is born William Jan Berry in Los Angeles, California.

March 30, 1941 Graeme Edge of The Moody Blues is born in Staffordshire, England.

March 28, 1941 Charlie McCoy (of Area Code 615) is born in Oak Hill, West Virginia. As a session musician, he works with Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Loretta Lynn, among others.

March 22, 1941 Jeremy Clyde of Chad & Jeremy is born in Dorney, Buckinghamshire, England.

March 21, 1941 Record producer/songwriter John Boylan is born in New York City. He manages Linda Ronstadt and co-produces Boston's first album.

March 20, 1941 Vito Picone (lead singer of The Elegants) is born in South Beach, Staten Island, New York.

March 18, 1941 Wilson Pickett is born in Prattville, Alabama.