Pick a Day

Music History Events: Births

December 8, 1939 Jerry Butler (lead singer of The Impressions) is born in Sunflower, Mississippi. He moves to Chicago, where he sings in a church choir with future bandmate Curtis Mayfield.

December 6, 1939 '60s teen idol Steve Alaimo, who becomes host of Dick Clark's Where the Action Is, is born in Omaha, Nebraska.

December 1, 1939 Dianne "Dee Dee" Lennon is born in Venice, California. She and her sisters form the pop vocal group The Lennon Sisters, known for the 1956 hit "Tonight, You Belong To Me."

November 29, 1939 Domenico "Meco" Monardo is born in Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania. His space disco version of the Star Wars Theme / Cantina Band hits #1 in 1977.

November 28, 1939 Gary Troxel (of The Fleetwoods) is born in Centralia, Washington.

November 26, 1939 Doo-wop singer Dave White of Danny and the Juniors is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He co-writes the group's "At the Hop" and Lesley Gore's "You Don't Own Me."

November 24, 1939 Guitarist Jim Yester (of The Association) is born in Birmingham, Alabama.

November 23, 1939 Betty Everett ("The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)") is born in Greenwood, Mississippi.

November 19, 1939 Soul singer Warren "Pete" Moore (of Smokey Robinson & The Miracles) is born in Detroit, Michigan.

November 12, 1939 Ruby Nash Curtis (of Ruby & the Romantics) is born in Akron, Ohio.

November 10, 1939 Rock singer Tommy Facenda is born in Portsmouth, Virginia.

October 30, 1939 Grace Slick (of Jefferson Airplane) is born in Highland Park, Illinois.

October 28, 1939 Jim Post of Friend & Lover is born in Houston, Texas.

October 23, 1939 Soul singer/guitarist Charlie Foxx is born in Greensboro, North Carolina.

October 9, 1939 Blues/soul singer O.V. Wright is born Overton Vertis Wright in Lenow, Tennessee. Among others, known for the 1964 hit ballad "That's How Strong My Love Is," covered the following year by Otis Redding.

October 7, 1939 Colin Cooper (vocalist, saxophonist and harmonica player for The Climax Blues Band) is born in Stafford, England.

October 5, 1939 Musician/dancer Abi Ofarim is born Abraham Reichstadt in Safed, British Mandate of Palestine. Known for the 1967 Barry Gibb-penned song "Morning of My Life," later recorded by the Bee Gees.

October 2, 1939 Lolly Vegas (guitarist/vocalist for Redbone) is born Candido Vasquez in Coalinga, California. One of the biggest acts of Native American heritage, Redbone has a huge hit in 1974 with "Come and Get Your Love."

September 29, 1939 Songwriter Tommy Boyce (Boyce & Hart) is born Sidney Thomas Boyce in Charlottesville, Virginia. Co-wrote the Monkees' "Last Train to Clarksville."

September 23, 1939 Blues guitarist Roy Buchanan is born in Ozark, Arkansas.

September 13, 1939 Saxophonist/composer Dave Quincy (of Manfred Mann) is born in the UK.

September 2, 1939 R&B singer Bobby Dickey (of James & Bobby Purify) is born in Tallahassee, Florida.

September 2, 1939 Soul singer Sam Gooden (of The Impressions) is born in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

August 31, 1939 Jerry Allison (drummer for The Crickets) is born in Hillsboro, Texas. Co-wrote the Buddy Holly hits "That'll Be the Day" and "Peggy Sue."

August 26, 1939 Doo-wop singer Fred Milano (of The Belmonts) is born in New York City. Belmont Avenue, the Bronx street where he grew up, inspired the group's name.

August 21, 1939 Country singer Harold Reid (of The Statler Brothers) is born in Staunton, Virginia. He co-wrote many of the group's hits, including "Bed of Rose's" and "Do You Know You Are My Sunshine."

August 19, 1939 Ginger Baker (drummer for Cream) is born Peter Edward Baker in Lewisham, South London, England.

August 18, 1939 Pop singer Johnny Preston is born in Port Arthur, Texas.

August 11, 1939 Rockabilly guitarist Ronnie Dawson is born in Dallas, Texas. He makes a name on the local scene in the '50s and '60s but becomes much more visible during the rockabilly resurgence of the '90s.

August 9, 1939 Billy Henderson, a founding member of The Spinners, is born in Detroit, Michigan.