June Birthdays

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June 1

Susi Beatty

b. 1962 in Alexandria, VA
country singer
"Hard Baby to Rock" (#71c 1989), "Heart From a Stone" (#65c 1990), "Can't Trust My Heart" (1990), "It'll All Work Out" (1990), "If This Ain't Love" (1990)

Johnny Bond (Cyrus Whitfield Bond)

b. 1915 in Enville, OK – d. 12 Jun 1978 in Burbank, CA (heart attack)
country/pop singer
instrument: guitar
"The Road is Way Too Long" (1941), "I'm a Prisoner of War" (1942), "The Daughter of Jole Blon" (#4c 1947), "Divorce Me C.O.D." (#4c 1947), "So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed" (#3c 1947), "Oklahoma Waltz" (#9c 1948), "Tennessee Saturday Night" (#11c 1949), "Till the End of the World" (#12c 1949), "Love Song in 32 Bars" (#8c 1950), "Sick, Sober and Sorry" (#7c 1951), "Tennessee Walking Horse" (1951), "Let Me Go, Devil" (1953), "Six of One, Half a Dozen of the Other" (1955), "The Little Rock and Roll" (1956), "Honky-Tonk Fever" (1957), "Hot Rod Lincoln" (#33 1960, Pop One-Hit Wonder), "Five-Minute Love Affair" (1960), "Sadie Was a Lady" (1961), "Three Sheets in the Wind" (#30c 1963, he co-wrote), "Ten Little Bottles" (#43, #2c 1965, he wrote), "The Great Figure Eight Race" (1965), "Side Car Cycle" (1966), "First Rose" (1967), "I'm Gonna Raise Cain (While I'm Able)" (1968), "Down to Your Last Fool" (1968), "The Girl Who Carried a Torch for Me" (1970), "Here Come the Elephants" (1970)
in trios with Jimmy Wakely and Scotty Harrell, known variously as The Bell Boys, Jimmy Wakely Trio and Johnny Bond and the Cimarron Boys
session musician
songwriter, wrote The Texas Playboys' "We Might as Well Forget it" (#2c 1944); Slim Whitman's "Tomorrow Never Comes" (#27c 1970); Porter Wagoner's "Your Old Love Letters" (#10c 1961); Ernest Tubb's "I'll Step Aside" (#4c 1947)
actor; author

Pat Boone (Charles Eugene Patrick Boone)

b. 1934 in Jacksonville, FL (grew up in Nashville, TN)
pop/country singer
"Gee Whitakers" (1955), "Ain't That a Shame" (#1 1955), "At My Front Door" (#7 1955), "I Almost Lost My Mind" (#1 1956), "Long Tall Sally" (#8 1956), * "Don't Forbid Me" (#1 1957), "Bernadine" (#14 1957), "Why, Baby, Why?" (#5 1957), "Anastasia" (#37 1957), "Love Letters in the Sand" (#1 1957), "Remember You're Mine" (#6 1957), "April Love" (#1 1957), "If Dreams Come True" (#7 1958), "Stardust" (#2 1958), "It's Too Soon to Know" (#4 1958), "With the Wind and Rain in Your Hair" (#21 1959), "Welcome, New Lovers" (#18 1960), "Spring Rain" (1960), "Moody River" (#1 1961), "Pictures in the Fire" (1961), "Big Cold Wind" (#19 1961), "I'll See You in My Dreams" (#32 1962), "Speedy Gonzales" (#6 1962), "Rainy Days (Are Made for Lonely People)" (1965), "Judith" (1966), "What if They Gave a War and Nobody Came?" (1967), "Deafening Roar of Silence" (1968), "M.I.A./P.O.W." (1971), "Everything Begins and Ends With You" (1973), "Indiana Girl" (1975), "Oklahoma Sunshine" (1976), "U.F.O." (1976), "Texas Woman" (#34c 1976), "Colorado Country Morning" (#60c 1980)
duet with Shirley Boone, "I'd Do it With You" (#84c 1975)
actor; author
descendant of Daniel Boone; md. to Shirley Foley (daughter of Red Foley) (1953- ); father of Debby Boone
see Pat Boone

Charlene (Charlene Marilynn D'Angelo

b. 1950 in Hollywood, CA
pop/R&B/country singer
"It Ain't Easy Comin' Down" (#97 1977), "Freddie" (#96 1977), "I've Never Been to Me" (#97 1977, re-release #3, #60c 1982, Pop One-Hit Wonder)
duet with Stevie Wonder, "Used to Be" (#46 1983)
md. 1st to music producer, Larry Duncan; md. 2nd to Jeff Oliver
see Charlene on Wikipedia

Richard Comeaux

b. 1961 in LA
country singer
instrument: pedal steel guitar
with River Road, "I Broke It, I'll Fix it" (#48c 1997), "Nickajack" (#37c 1997), "Wishful Thinkin'" (1997), "As if You Didn't Know" (1997), "Somebody Will" (#51c 1998), "Breathless" (#41c 2000)
with Lil' Band O' Gold, "First You Cry" (2000), "In Another Time" (2000), "7 Nights 2 Rock" (2000)
session musician
see River Road on Wikipedia

Hazel Dickens

b. 1935 in Mercer County, WV
folk/bluegrass/country singer
instruments: guitar, bass
"Old Calloused Hands" (1980), "Lost Patterns" (1980), "Only the Lonely" (1983), "Hills of Home" (1983, she wrote), "Play Us a Waltz" (1986), "Don't Bother to Cry" (1986), * "A Few Old Memories" (1987, she wrote), "Do Memories Haunt You?" (1987)
duets with Alice Gerrard, "Don't Put Her Down, You Put Here There" (1973, she wrote), "Gallop to Kansas" (1973), "You Gave Me a Song" (1973), "West Virginia, My Home" (1975, she wrote), "Beaufort County Jail" (1975)
songwriter

Ronnie Dunn (Ronnie Gene Dunn)

b. 1953 in Coleman, TX
country singer
instruments: guitar, bass
"It's Written All Over Your Face" (#59c 1983), "She Put the Sad in All His Songs" (#59 1984)
founding member of Brooks and Dunn, * "Brand New Man" (#1c 1991, he co-wrote), * "My Next Broken Heart" (#1c 1991, he co-wrote), "Neon Moon" (#1c 1992, he wrote), * "Boot Scootin' Boogie" (#50, #1c 1992, he wrote), "Hard-Workin' Man" (#4c 1993, he wrote), "We'll Burn That Bridge" (#2c 1993, he co-wrote), "She Used to Be Mine" (#1c 1993, he wrote), * "Rock My World (Little Country Girl)" (#97, #2c 1994), "She's Not the Cheatin' Kind" (#1c 1994, he wrote), "That Ain't No Way to Go" (#1c 1994, he co-wrote), "Little Miss Honky-Tonk" (#1 1995, he wrote), "You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone" (#1c 1995, he co-wrote), "My Maria" (#79, #1c 1996), "I Am That Man" (#2c 1996), * "My Love Will Follow You" (1996), "A Man This Lonely" (#1c 1996, he co-wrote), "Honky-Tonk Truth" (#3c 1997, he co-wrote), "He's Got You" (#2c 1998, he co-wrote), "How Long Gone" (#1c 1998), "Born and Raised in Black and White" (1998), "Husbands and Wives" (#36, #1c 1998), "I Can't Get Over You" (#51, #5c 1999, he co-wrote), "Ain't Nothin' 'Bout You" (#25, #1c 2001), * "Only in America" (#33, #1c 2001, he co-wrote), * "My Heart is Lost to You" (#48, #5c 2002), "The Long Goodbye" (#39, #1c 2002, he co-wrote), "Red Dirt Road" (#25, #1c 2003, he co-wrote), "You Can't Take the Honky-Tonk Out of the Girl" (#39, #3c 2004), "That's What it's All About" (#2c 2004, he co-wrote), "Independent Trucker" (2004), "It's Getting Better All the Time" (#1c 2005, he co-wrote), * "Play Something Country" (#37, #1c 2005, he co-wrote), "Believe" (#60, #8c 2006, CMA single of the year 2006), "Proud of the House We Built" (#57, #4c 2007), "Put a Girl in it" (#54, #3c 2008), "Texas Women (Don't Stay Lonely Long)" (2008)
Brooks and Dunn duet with Reba McEntire, "If You See Him, If You See Her" (#1c 1998)
Brooks and Dunn duet with Vince Gill and Sheryl Crow, "Building Bridges" (#66, #4c 2006)
duet with Rebecca Lynn Howard, "If I Could Only Win Your Love" (2003)
songwriter
backup singer with Ashley Monroe, Keith Urban, and others
md. to Janine (1989- )
see Brooks and Dunn

Andy Griffith (Andy Samuel Griffith)

b. 1926 in Mount Airy, NC
country musician, instruments: guitar, ukulele
"Make Yourself Comfortable" (#26 1955, One-Hit Wonder), "What it Was Was Football" (1958), "Police Department Blues" (1959), "The Preacher and the Bear" (1959)
actor, comedian
md. to Barbara Bray Edwards (1949-72); md. to Solica Cassuto (1973-81); md. to Cindi Knight (1983- )

Dan Hamilton (Daniel Robert Hamilton)

b. 1946 in Spokane, WA - d. 23 Dec 1994 (stroke)
rock/pop singer
instrument: guitar
with The T-Bones, "No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach's in)" (#3 1965), "Sippin' and Chippin'" (#62 1966), "Proper Thing to Do" (1967)
founding members of Hamilton, Joe Frank, and Reynolds (1970-75), "Annabella" (1971), "Don't Pull Your Love (Out)" (#4 1970), "Fallin' in Love" (#1 1975)
founding member of Hamilton, Joe Frank and Dennison (1976- ), "Don't Fight the Hands (That Need You)" (1976)
songwriter
see Hamilton, Joe Frank, and Reynolds

Lisa Hartman-Black (Lisa Hartman)

b. 1956 in Houston, TX
country/rock singer
"He Ain't You" (1976), "Kentucky Rainbows" (1976), "Walk Away" (1979), "Steal Away Again" (1979), "Games" (1982), "'Til My Heart Stops Beating" (1987)
duets with Clint Black, "When I Say I Do" (#31, #1c 1999), "Easy for Me to Say" (#27c 2001)
actress
md. to Clint Black (1991- )

Ray Heatherton

b. 1909 in NJ - d. 15 Aug 1997
pop/jazz/swing
"I Am the Merry Mailman" (1938), "The Pirate Parrot" (1956), "Alfred the Airsick Eagle" (1956, he wrote)
with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra (1931- )
songwriter
served in the Marines during WWII
md. to Davenie Ross Watson (1941-87, her death)
father of actress/dancer, Joey Heatherton
see Ray Heatherton on Wikipedia

Wayne Kemp

b. 1941 in Greenwood, AR (grew up in OK)
country/honky-tonk singer
instrument: lead guitar
"They're Tearin' Our Little House Down" (1964), "Watch That First Step" (1966), "Won't You Come Home (and Talk to a Stranger)" (#61c 1969, he wrote), "Kentucky Sunshine" (#53c 1973), "She Knows When You're on My Mind Again" (1973), "Darlin'" (#53c 1972), "Honky-Tonk Wine" (#17c 1973), "Listen" (#32c 1974), "I Should Have Watched That First Step" (#71c 1976), "Your Wife is Cheatin' on Us Again" (#35c 1981, he co-wrote)
session musician with George Jones, Patsy Cline, Conway Twitty, and others
songwriter, wrote Conway Twitty's "That's When She Started to Stop Loving You" (#3c 1970), "Next in Line" (#1c 1968); Johnny Cash's "One Piece at a Time" (#1c 1976); Ricky Van Shelton's "I'll Leave This World Loving You" (#1c 1988); Faron Young's "I Just Came to Get My Baby" (#8c 1968); Moe Bandy and Joe Stampley's "Tell Ole 'I Ain't Here', He Better Get on Home" (#11c 1980); George Jones' "The Love Bug" (#6c 1965); co-wrote George Strait's "The Fireman" (#5c 1985); Johnny Paycheck's "I'm the Only Hell (My Mama Ever Raised)" (#8c 1977)

Gene Moore (Eugene Moore)

b. 1948 - d. Jun 1990
rockabilly musician, instrument: guitar
founding member of The Ramrods (1956-63), "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky" (#30 1961, One-Hit Wonder), "Loch Lomond Rock" (1961), "Zig Zag" (1961), "War Cry" (1962)
cousin of Vincent Lee Bell

Alanis Morissette (Alanis Nadine Morissette)

b. 1974 in Ottawa, Canada
rock/pop singer
instruments: guitar, harmonica, keyboards, flute
"You Oughta Know" (#6 1995), "Hand in My Pocket" (#15 1995), "Ironic" (#5 1996), "You Learn" (#6 1996), "Head Over Feet" (#3 1996), "Uninvited" (#4 1998), "Thank U" (#17 1998), "Unsent" (#58 1999), "Hands Clean" (#23 2002)
songwriter
music producer
actress
see Alanis Morissette

Wayne Nelson

b. 1950 in Kansas City, MO (grew up in IL)
rock singer
instrument: bass
with Jim Messina's band
with Little River Band (1980-96, 1999- ), replaced George McArdle on bass then became lead singer), "The Night Owls" (#6 1981), "Take it Easy on Me" (#10 1981), "Man on Your Mind" (#14 1982), "The Other Guy" (#11 1982), "We Two" (#22 1983), "You're Driving Me Out of My Mind" (#35 1983), "Every Time I Turn Around" (1990, he co-wrote), "I Dream Alone" (1990), "Parallel Lines" (1991)
songwriter
see Little River Band

Nelson Riddle (Nelson Smock Riddle, Jr.)

b. 1921 in Oradell, NJ – d. 6 Oct 1985 in Los Angeles, CA (liver disease)
pop/jazz musician, instrument: trombone
founding member and leader of Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra, "Lisbon Antigua" (#1 1955), "Route 66 Theme" (#30 1962), "Our Houseboat on the Hudson" (1964), "Thoroughly Modern Millie" (1967), "See the Cheetah" (1967)
arranger
served in the Merchant Marines (1943-44), served in the Army during WWII (1945-46)
md. 1st to Doreen Moran (1945-70); md. 2nd to Naomi Tenenholtz (1970-85, his death)
see Nelson Riddle

Linda Scott (Linda Joy Sampson)

b. 1945 in Queens, NY
pop singer
* "I've Told Every Little Star" (#3 1961), "Three Guesses" (1961), "Starlight, Starbright" (#44 1961), "Don't Bet Money, Honey" (#9 1961, she wrote), "I Don't Know Why" (#12 1961), "Count Every Star" (#41 1962), "Yessirree" (#60 1962), "Town Crier" (1962), "I Left My Heart in the Balcony" (1962), "Lopsided Love Affair" (1962), "Never in a Million Years" (#56 1962), "I Know it, You Know it" (1963), "Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?" (#100 1964), "Everybody Stopped Laughing at Jane" (1964), "They Don't Know You" (1967)
backup singer on Lou Christie's "I'm Gonna Make You Mine" (#10 1969), and others
songwriter

Nick Todd (Nicholas Boone)

b. 1935 in Jacksonville, FL
pop singer
"The Honey Song" (1957), "Plaything" (#41 1957), "I Do" (1957), "At the Hop" (#21 1958, One-Hit Wonder), "Ever Since I Met Lucy" (1958), "Too Much Rosita" (1958), "Twice As Nice" (1959), "Each Moment" (1960)
younger brother of Pat Boone

Dale Warren (Jimmie Dale Warren or Dale Henry Warren)

b. 1925 in Summerville, KY or Rockford, IL
country singer
instrument: bass
with Riders of the Purple Sage
with Sons of the Pioneers (1952- , replaced Ken Curtis), "If You Would Only Be Mine" (1954), "The Tennessee Rock and Roll" (1955), "The Three of Us" (1955), "A Fiddle, a Rifle, an Axe and a Bible" (1958), "Blue Shadows on the Trail" (1959), "Riders in the Sky" (1959), "San Antonio Rose" (1968), "I'll Hold You in My Heart" (1968), "Pretty Painted Ladies" (1976)
The Sons of the Pioneers and Rex Allen, Jr., "Can You Hear Those Pioneers?" (#17c 1976)
md. to Margie Ann DeVere
see The Sons of the Pioneers on CMT.com

June 2

Johnny 'Bee' Badanjek (John Badanjek)

b. 1948 (grew up in Detroit, MI)
rock singer
instruments: drums, percussions
founding member of The Rockets (1972-83), "Fastest Thing in Detroit" (1977), "Oh, Well" (#30 1979), "Turn up the Radio" (1979), "Can't Sleep" (#51 1979), "Desire" (#70 1980), "Sally Can't Dance" (1980), "Tired of Wearing Black" (1981), "Rollin' by the Record Machine" (1982), "Born in Detroit" (1982), "Rock 'n' Roll Girl" (1982)
founding member of Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels (1966-67, and reunions), "Jenny Take a Ride" (#10 1965), "Little Latin Lupe Lu" (#17 1966), "Devil with a Blue Dress on" (#4 1966), "Good Golly, Miss Molly" (1966), "Sock it to Me, Baby" (#6 1967), "Box of Old Roses" (1972)
session drummer on Alice Cooper' "Welcome to My Nightmare" (#45 1975); The Edgar Winter Group's "Free Ride" (#14 1973); and others
songwriter
artist
see Johnny Badanjek
see The Rockets on Wikipedia

Carl Butler (Carl Robert Butler)

b. 1924/27 in Knoxville, TN – d. 4 Sep 1992 in Franklin, TN (heart attack)
country/bluegrass singer
instrument: acoustic guitar
"Country Mile" (1951), "You Can't Insure a House of Dreams" (1953), "I Just Said Goodbye to My Dreams" (1954), "Borrowed Love" (1955), "Baby, I'm a Waitin'" (1958)
duets with Pearl Dee Jones, "Honky-Tonkitis" (#25c 1961), "Don't Let Me Cross Over" (#88, #1c 1962), "Too Late to Try Again" (#9c 1963, he wrote), "I'm Hanging up the Phone" (#14c 1964), "Loving Arms" (#14c 1964), "Forbidden Street" (#23c 1964), "Just Thought I'd Let You Know" (#22c 1965), "I Never Got Over You" (#46c 1968), "If Only I'd Met You First" (1968)
backup singer with The Bailey Brothers, and others
songwriter, wrote Ricky Skaggs' "Crying My Heart Out Over You" (#1c 1981); Carl Smith's "If Teardrops Were Pennies" (#8 1951)
served in the military during WWII
md. to singer, Pearl Dee Jones (1952-89, her death)
his pallbearers included: Jack Greene, Carl Smith, Ricky Skaggs, George Jones, and Marty Stuart

Dan Cahoon (Daniel Cahoon)

b. 1983 in Woods Cross, UT
country/Christian singer
founding member of Marshall Dyllon (2000-01), "Closer to Heaven" (2000), "Live it Up" (#37c 2000), "You" (#47c 2001), "She Ain't Gonna Cry" (#44c 2001)
see Marshall Dyllon on Wikipedia

Johnny Carter

b. 1934 in Chicago, IL
rock/R&B singer (tenor)
founding member of The Flamingos (1952-56), "A Kiss from Your Lips" (1956)
lead tenor of The Dells (1960- , replaced Johnny Funches), "There is" (#20 1967), "Stay in My Corner" (#10 1968), "Always Together" (#18 1968), "Oh, What a Night" (#10 1969 remake), "Love is Blue" (#22 1969), "The Love We Had Stays on My Mind" (#30 1971)
The Dells backing Barbara Lewis, "Hello, Stranger" (#3 1963)
backup for Dinah Washington (1961-62)
songwriter
served in the military (1957- )
cousin of Paul Wilson
see The Dells

Jimmy Castor

b. 1943 in New York, NY
doo-wop/novelty singer
instruments: sax, percussions
"Poor Loser" (1963), "Oh, Suzzana" (1963), "Hey, Leroy, Your Mama's Callin' You" (#31 1967), "Just You, Girl" (1967)
founding member and lead of The Jimmy Castor Bunch (1968-75), "Rattlesnake" (1968), "Troglodyte (Cave Man)" (1972), "It's Just Begun" (1972), "Potential" (1975), "King Kong" (1975), "Don't Do That" (1979)
duet with Joyce Sims, "Love Makes a Woman" (1988)
session musician on Dave Cortez' "Rinky Dink" (#10 1962); and others
songwriter
arranger; music producer

Denise Ferri

b. 1944 in Belleville, NJ
pop singer
founding member of The Delicates, "Black and White Thunderbird" (1959, she co-wrote), "My First Date" (1959), "Too Young to Date" (1960), "I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)" (1961), "Not Tomorrow" (1961)
backup singer on Lou Christie's "Lightnin' Strikes" (#1 1966), and others
songwriter
see The Delicates

Willie Guest (William Guest)

b. 1941 in Atlanta, GA
R&B/soul singer
founding member of The Five Dutones, (1957-66), "Shake a Tail Feather" (#51 1963), "Divorce Court" (1963), "Monkey See, Monkey Do" (1964), "We Want More" (1965)
with Gladys Knight and the Pips, "Every Beat of My Heart" (#6 1961), "Letter Full of Tears" (#19 1961), "A Love Like Mine" (1963), "Just Walk in My Shoes" (1966), "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" (#2 1967), "The End of Our Road" (#15 1968), "Friendship Train" (#17 1969), "The Nitty Gritty" (#19 1969), "If I Were Your Woman" (#9 1970), "I Don't Want to Do Wrong" (#17 1971), "Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)" (#2 1973), "Daddy Could Swear, I Declare" (#19 1973), "Midnight Train to Georgia" (#1 1973), "On and on" (#5 1974), "I've Got to Use My Imagination" (1973), "The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me" (#3 1974), "Try to Remember" (#11 1975), "Landlord" (1980), "Love Overboard" (#13 1988)
cousin of Gladys Knight
see Gladys Knight and the Pips

Bill Goodwin

b. 1930 in Cumberland, TN
country singer
"Your Lying Ways" (1958), "Second in Your Heart" (1958), "Too Many Heartaches Already" (1962), "The Stand-In" (1963), "Shoes of a Fool" (#17c 1963), "The Saddest Eyes" (1964), "The House at 103" (1964), "I'm the Most Successful Failure" (1967), "The Mail She's Waiting For" (1967), "Top Dog" (1968), "Empty Sunday Sundown Train" (1969), "Arkansas Soul" (1970)

Anthony Armstrong Jones (Ronnie Jones)

b. 1949 in Ada, OK - d. 18 Jun 1996 in Shreveport, LA
country/pop singer
"Be Quiet Mind" (1968), "Proud Mary" (#22c 1969), "All My Tomorrows" (1969), "New Orleans" (#28c 1969), "Take a Letter, Maria" (#8c 1970), "Sweet Caroline" (#40c 1970), "I'm Gonna Stop Loving You (or Die Trying)" (1971), "Colorado Calling" (1972), "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" (#33c 1973), "Tequila Sunrise" (1975), "Those Eyes" (#74c 1986)
pro golfer
brother of Beverly (Jones) Johnson (aka Beverly Eagle)

Jimmy Jones

b. 1937 in Birmingham, AL
pop/doo-wop singer (falsetto)
"Whenever You Need Me" (1959), "Handy Man" (#2 1960, he wrote), "Good Timin'" (#3 1960), "That's When I Cried" (1960), "The Nights of Mexico" (1962), "I Will, I Will" (1962), "No Insurance (For a Broken Heart)" (1963), "Don't You Just Know it?" (1966), "Do it Yourself" (1974)
with The Pretenders, "Plain Old Love" (1956), "Blue and Lonely" (1958), "With All My Heart" (1960)
songwriter

Charles Miller

b. 1939 in Olathe, KS (grew up in Long Beach, CA) - d. in Jun 1980 in Los Angeles, CA (murdered in a street robbery)
rock/soul singer
instruments: sax, flute, clarinet, piano, guitar, percussions
founding member of Night Shift (1969- )
with War, "The Cisco Kid" (#2 1973, he co-wrote), "Low Rider" (#35 1975, he co-wrote), "Why Can't We Be Friends?" (#6 1975, he co-wrote), "Summer" (#7 1976), "L.A. Sunshine" (#45 1977, he co-wrote)
'War' stands for 'Wild and Reckless'
session musician
songwriter
his murder was never solved
see War on Wikipedia

Rusty Milner

b. 1958
country/rock musician, instrument: guitar
lead guitar with The Marshall Tucker Band (1984- , replaced Toy Caldwell), "Hangin' Out in Smokey Places" (#44c 1987), "Dancin' Shoes" (1988), "Stay in the Country" (1990), "Chase the Memory" (1990), "And the Hills" (1990), "Country Road" (1990), "Why Can't You Love Me?" (1990), "Destruction" (1990), "Love Will" (1990, he wrote), "Driving You Out of My Mind" (#68c 1992), "Full Moon Rising" (1992), "Two Hearts Fallen" (1992), "Walk Outside the Lines" (#71c 1993), "Daddy's Eyes" (1993), "The First to Say Goodbye" (1993, he wrote), "If That isn't Love" (1993), "Lost in Time" (1993), "I Like Good Music" (1997), "Love I Gave to You" (1998), "Long Goodbye" (1998), "Ways of a Woman" (1998), "Southern Belle" (1998), "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?" (1999), "His Eye is on the Sparrow" (1999), "Down This Road Before" (2004), "Angel (With a Honky-Tonk Heart)" (2004)
songwriter
see The Marshall Tucker Band

Sammy Turner (Samuel Black)

b. 1932 in Paterson, NJ
R&B/pop singer
"Thunderbolt" (1959), "Sweet Annie Laurie" (1959), "Lavender Blue (Dilly Dilly)" (#3 1959), "Always" (#19 1959), "Symphony" (#82 1959), "Paradise" (#46 1960), "I'd Be a Fool Again" (1960), "Raincoat in the River" (1961)

Charlie Watts (Charles Robert Watts)

b. 1941 in London, England
rock/jazz musician, instruments: drums, percussions
with The Rolling Stones (1963- ), "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (#1 1965), "She Said Yeah" (1965), "As Tears Go By" (1965), "Get Off My Cloud" (#1 1965), "Oh Baby (We've Got a Good Thing Goin')" (1965), "Paint it Black" (#1 1966), "19th Nervous Breakdown" (1966), "Ruby Tuesday" (#1 1967), "Stray Cat Blues" (1968), "Honky-Tonk Woman" (#1 1969), "Moonlight Mile" (1971), "Can't You Hear Me Knocking?" (1971), "Brown Sugar" (#1 1971), "Tumbling Dice" (#7 1972), "Angie" (#1 1973), "Start Me Up" (#2 1981), "Under Cover of the Night" (#9 1983), "Mixed Emotions" (#5 1989)
with Rocket 88
artist
md. to Shirley Ann Shephard (1964- )
throat cancer survivor since 2004
see The Rolling Stones on Wikipedia
see Charlie Watts

Otis Williams

b. 1936 in Cincinnati, OH
doo-wop/country singer
founding member of The Charms (1953-55), "Lovin' Baby" (1953, he wrote), "Fifty-Five Seconds" (1954), "Hearts of Stone" (#15 1954), "Ling Ting Tong" (#26 1955), "Two Hearts and Two Kisses" (1955)
founding member of Otis Williams and His Charms (1956- ), "That's Your Mistake" (1955), "Ivory Tower" (#11 1956), "Talking to Myself" (1957), "One Kind Word From You" (1957), "Dynamite Darling" (1957), "I Knew it All the Time" (1959), "Tears of Happiness" (1959), "Love Don't Grow on Trees" (1965), "Ain't Gonna Walk Your Dog No More" (1966)
founding member of Otis Williams and the Midnight Cowboys, "I Wanna Go Country" (#72c 1971), "How I Got to Memphis" (1971)
the country album was recorded because of a bet
backup singer on Little Willie John's "Fever" (#24 1956)
arranger; music producer
minor league baseball player
served in the Army (1960-62)

Gene Wooten

b. 1952 in Franklinton, NC - d. 7 Nov 2001 in Nashville, TN (lung cancer)
bluegrass/country/rock singer
instruments: dobro, slide guitar, bass
"Coyote Song (aka Montana Cowboy)" (1994), "Don't Look Now" (1994)
with Country Gazette (1984-1991), "Sweet Allis Chalmers" (1982), "Money in the Mail" (1982), "Cabin on a Mountain" (1986), "Right Before My Eyes" (1986), "Tallahassee" (1987), "Rosa Lee McFall" (1990), "Anywhere the Wind Blows" (1990), "Get Up There and Dance" (1990)
with The Osborne Brothers (1991-2001), "Lorena" (1994), "The Waltz You Saved for Me" (1994)
session musician with The McCoury Brothers, Lonesome Standard Time, Patty Loveless, Steve Earle, Alan Munde, and others
see Country Gazette on CMT.com

Earl Young

b. 1940 in Philadelphia, PA
soul/R&B/rock musician, instrument: drums
founding member of The Trammps, "Hold Back the Night" (1975), "Disco Inferno" (#11 1977)
founding member of MFSB
The Three Degrees and MFSB, "Love is the Message" (#85 1974), "TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)" (#1 1974)
session musician on Cliff Nobles and Co.'s "The Horse" (#2 1968), and with The Intruders, The O'Jays, Teddy Pendergrass, Village People, and others

June 3

Lillian Briggs (Lillian Biggs)

b. 1932/34 in Allentown, PA - d. 11 Apr 1998 in Miami Beach, FL (lung cancer)
pop/rockabilly singer
instrument: trombone
"I Want You to Be My Baby" (#18 1955, One-Hit Wonder), "It Could've Been Me" (1955), "Give Me a Band and My Baby" (1955), "The Teens in Jeans from New Orleans" (1956), "She Sells Sea Shells" (1957), "Boogie Blues" (1957), "Will We Meet Again?" (1958), "I've Got Your Heart" (1958), "Follow the Leader" (1959), "Be Mine" (1960)
actress
her aptly name yacht, Monkey Business, is where former senator, Gary Hart, had his tryst with Donna Rice

Mike Clarke (Michael James Dick)

b. 1946 in Spokane, WA – d. 19 Dec 1993 in Treasure Island, FL (liver failure)
rock/country/folk singer
instrument: drums
founding member of The Byrds (1964-69, 1972), "Mr. Tambourine Man" (#1 1965), * "Turn! Turn! Turn!" (#1 1965), "Eight Miles High" (#14 1966), "So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star" (#29 1967), "Renaissance Fair" (1967), "Ballad of Easy Rider" (#65 1969), "Cowgirl in the Sand" (1972)
with the Flying Burrito Brothers (1969-71, after the first album), "Tried So Hard" (1971), "Just Can't Be" (1971), "Colorado" (1971)
founding member and drummer with Firefall (1974-80), "You Are the Woman" (#9 1976), "Just Remember I Love You" (#11 1977), "Strange Way" (#11 1978)
session musician with The Gosdin Brothers, Rick Roberts, Jerry Jeff Walker, Gene Clark, and others
artist

Mike Dennis (Mike Freda)

b. 1943 in Philadelphia, PA
rock/R&B singer
founding member and second tenor of The Dovells (1960- ), "Letters of Love" (1960), "The Bristol Stomp" (#2 1961), "Do the Continental" (#37 1962), "Bristol Twistin' Annie" (#27 1962), "Hully Gully Baby" (#25 1962), "Kissin' in the Kitchen" (1962), * "You Can't Sit Down" (#3 1963), "You Can't Run Away From Yourself" (1963), "Watusi With Lucy" (1964), "Happy Birthday Just the Same" (1964), "Dragster on the Prowl" (1964)
The Dovells sang backup on Chubby Checker's "Let's Twist Again" (#8, #26c 1961)

Charles Fizer

b. 1940 in Jackson, MS - d. 14 Aug 1965 (shot during the Watts riots on the way to a rehearsal)
doo-wop singer (tenor)
founding member of The Olympics (1957-58, 1959-65), "Western Movies" (#8 1958), "(I Wanna) Dance with the Teacher" (#71 1958), "Big Boy Pete" (#50 1960), "(Baby) Hully Gully" (#72 1960), "Shimmy Like Kate" (#42 1960), "Dance By the Light of the Moon" (#47 1960), "Dodge City" (1960), "The Bounce" (#40 1963), "A New Dancin' Partner" (1963), "Good Lovin'" (#81 1965)

Josh Graham

b. 1973 in Bakersfield, CA
country/rock musician, instrument: guitar
founding member of Smokin' Armadillos (1992- ), "My Girlfriend Might" (1995), "Red Rock" (1995), "Let Your Heart Lead Your Mind" (#53c 1996), "Love of a Lifetime" (1996), "I Don't Want No Part of it" (#64c 1998), "You Were a Mountain" (2003), "Is That Askin' Too Much?" (2003)

Brad Griffis

b. b. 1957 in Grand Rapids, MI (grew up in Evansville, IN)
country/Christian singer
instrument: bass guitar
founding member of Atlanta (1983- ), "Atlanta Burned Again Last Night" (#9c 1983), "Dixie Dreaming" (#11c 1983), "Sweet Country Music" (#5c 1984), "Pictures" (#35c 1984), "Wishful Drinkin'" (#22c 1984), "Sweet Was Our Rose" (1984), "Sweet-Eyed Georgia Girl" (1984)
with Reverence
songwriter

Dan Hill (Daniel Hill, Jr.)

b. 1954 in Toronto, Canada
pop singer
"Growing Up" (#67 1975), * "Sometimes When We Touch" (#3 1977, he wrote), "All I See is Your Face" (#41 1978), "Never Thought (That I Could Love)" (#43 1987, he wrote), "Unborn Heart" (1989)
duet with Vonda Shepard, "Can't We Try?" (#6 1987, he wrote)
songwriter
music producer
see Dan Hill

Eddie Holman

b. 1946 in Norfolk, VA (grew up in NY)
soul/pop singer
instruments: keyboards, guitar
"Go Get Your Own" (1963), "She's Beautiful" (1963), "This Can't Be True" (1965), "Am I a Loser from the Start?" (1966), "You Know That I Will" (1966), "Somewhere Waits a Lonely Girl" (1967), "I'm Not Gonna Give Up" (1968), "Cathy Called" (1970), "Hey There, Lonely Girl" (#2 1970), "Love Story" (1971), "Stranded in a Dream" (1972), "I'll Call You Joy" (1972), "You're My Lady (Right or Wrong)" (1974), "This Will Be a Night to Remember" (1977), "You Make My Life Complete" (1977)
songwriter
Baptist minister
see Eddie Holman

Too Slim Labour (Frederick Owen Labour)

b. 1948 in Grand Rapids, MI
country singer
instruments: stand-up bass, guitar, accordion
founding member of Riders in the Sky (1977- ), "Bluebonnet Lady" (1979), "Don't Fence Me in" (1979), "Prairie Serenade" (1982), "Back in the Saddle Again" (1982), "Cowboy on the Highway" (1986), "Sundown Blues" (1988), "Singing a Song to the Sky" (1989), "Ride with the Wind" (1991), "One Little Coyote" (1991), "Biscuit Blues" (1991), "The Cowboy's in Love" (1994), "The Whispering Wind" (1995), "(I Got Spurs That) Jingle, Jangle, Jingle" (1996), "Down the Lullaby Trail" (1997), "A Hundred and Sixty Acres" (1998), "Heading for Texas" (1998), "The Prairie Dog Christmas Ball" (1999), "We're Burnin' Moonlight" (2002), "Katherine's Waltz" (2002)
with Dickey Lee's band
songwriter
actor
has a Masters degree in Wildlife Management
see Riders in the Sky

Curtis Mayfield

b. 1942 in Chicago, IL – d. 26 Dec 1999 in Roswell, GA (diabetes)
soul/gospel singer
instrument: guitar
"Don't Worry (if There's a Hell Below We're All Going to Go)" (1968), "We're a Winner" (1971), "Freddie's Dead" (#4 1972), "Superfly" (#8 1972), "Future Song" (1973), "Love Me" (1975), "Just Want to Be with You" (1977)
founding member and lead of The Impressions (1958-70), "For Your Precious Love" (#11 1958), "Come Back, My Love" (1958), "Meanwhile, Back in My Heart" (1959), "Say That You Love Me" (1959), "Gypsy Woman" (#20 1961, he wrote), "Sad, Sad Girl and Boy" (1963), "It's All Right" (#4 1963, he wrote), "Keep on Pushing" (#10 1964, he wrote), "I Made a Mistake" (1964), "Amen" (#7 1964), "Talking about My Baby" (#12 1964), "You Must Believe Me" (#15 1964), "Long, Long Winter" (1964), "Woman's Got Soul" (#29 1965), "People Get Ready" (#14 1965), "We're a Winner" (#14 1968), "Choice of Colors" (#21 1969), "Just Before Sunrise" (1969), "Check Out Your Mind" (#28 1970)
session musician with Gene Chandler, Major Lance, and others
songwriter, wrote Major Lance's "The Monkey Time" (#8 1963); Gene Chandler's "Nothing Can Stop Me" (#18 1965); Jerry Bulter's "He Will Break Your Heart" (#7 1960)
music producer
he continued to record even after he became a quadriplegic in 1990 after high winds blew a lighting tower over on him at a Brooklyn, NY concert
see Curtis Mayfield on SoulWalking

Jamie O'Neal (Jamie Murphy)

b. 1968 in Sydney, Australia (grew up in the U.S.)
country singer
* "There is No Arizona" (#40, #1c 2001, she co-wrote), * "No More Protecting My Heart" (2001), * "When I Think about Angels" (#35, #1c 2001, she co-wrote), "Trying to Find Atlantis" (#86, #18c 2004), * "Somebody's Hero" (#51, #3c 2005, she co-wrote)
songwriter
md. to recording engineer, Rodney Good (2000- )
see Jamie O'Neal

Larry Parks

b. 1959 in Stockton, CA
country/rock singer
instruments: guitar, fiddle
with Boy Howdy (1990-96), "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again" (1991), "A Cowboy's Born With a Broken Heart" (#12c 1993), "She'd Give Anything" (#4c 1994), "They Don't Make 'Em Like That Anymore" (#2c 1994), "True to His Word" (#23c 1995), "She Can't Love You" (#48c 1995)
brother of Cary Parks; son of bluegrass fiddler, Ray Parks; md. to Tracy (1995- )
see Boy Howdy

Billy Powell (William Norris Powell)

b. 1952 in Corpus Christi, TX
rock/country musician, instruments: keyboards, piano
with Lynyrd Skynyrd (1972-77, and reunions), "Sweet Home Alabama" (#8 1971), "Tuesday's Gone" (1973), "Freebird" (#19 1974), "Saturday Night Special" (#27 1975), "Double Trouble" (#80 1976), "Give Me Back My Bullets" (1976), "What's Your Name?" (#13 1977), "You've Got the Right" (1978)
he was seriously injured in the crash that killed other Lynyrd Skynyrd members in 1977
founding member of the Rossington Collins Band (1979-81), "Don't Misunderstand Me" (1980)
founding member of the new Lynyrd Skynyrd (1987- ), "Pure and Simple" (1991), "Can't Take That Away" (1993), "We Ain't Much Different" (1997), "Blame it on a Sad Song" (1997), "Life's Lessons" (2003)
see Lynyrd Skynyrd

Boots Randolph (Homer Louis Randolph III)

b. 1925/27 in Paducah, KY (grew up in Cadiz, KY) - d. 3 Jul 2007 in Nashville, TN (brain hemorrhage)
pop/jazz/country musician, instrument: tenor sax
"Red Light" (1960), "Fancy Dan" (1961), "Yakety Sax" (#35 1963, One-Hit Wonder), "Shadow of Your Smile" (#93 1966), "Hey, Mister Sax Man" (1964), "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen" (1964), "I'll Just Walk Away" (1966), "Anna" (1970)
session musician on Roy Orbison's "Oh, Pretty Woman" (#1 1964, #89c 1990), "Mean Woman Blues" (#5 1963), "Blue Bayou" (#29 1963), "In Dreams" (#7 1963); Al Hirt's "Java" (#4 1964); Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" (#14 1960); Johnny Tillotson's "Poetry in Motion" (#2 1961); Connie Francis' "Vacation" (#9 1962); and with The Everly Brothers, and others
songwriter
served in the Army during WWII
md. to Dee Baker (1948- )
see Boots Randolph

Margie Rayburn

b. 1924 in Madera, CA - d. 14 Jun 2000 (heart attack)
pop singer
"Every Minute of the Day" (1956), "Walking Around in a Dream" (1957), "Smoochin'" (1957), "I'm Available" (#9 1957, One-Hit Wonder), "Saving My Kisses" (1958), "And He Told Me a Lie" (1958), "Unexpectedly" (1959), "A Boy and a Girl" (1959), "Maid of Honor" (1960), "Bobby is My Hobby" (1962), "Maker of Raindrops and Roses" (1965), "Play No. 10 on the Juke Box" (1966)
with The Sunnysiders, "Hey, Mister Banjo" (#12 1955, One-Hit Wonder), "Zoom Zoom Zoom" (1955)
with the Ray Anthony Orchestra

June 4

Kasey Chambers

b. 1976 in Mount Gambier, Australia
country singer
instruments: guitar, keyboards
* "This Flower" (2000), "You Got the Car" (2000), "Don't Go" (2000), "Runaway Train" (2001), "Not Pretty Enough" (2002), "Tear-Stained Eyes" (2002), "Barricades and Brick Walls" (2002)
md. to Cori Hopper (2002- ); md. to singer/songwriter, Shane Nicholson (2006- )
see Kasey Chambers

Juanita Cowart

b. 1944 in Inkster, MI
R&B/pop singer
founding member of The Marvelettes (1961-65), "Please, Mister Postman" (#1 1961, she co-wrote), "Twistin' Postman" (#34 1962), "Beechwood 4-5789" (#17 1962), "Playboy" (#7 1962), "Locking up My Heart" (#25 1963), "Tie a String Around My Finger" (1963), "Too Many Fish in the Sea" (#25 1964), "I'll Keep Holding on" (#34 1965)
songwriter
md. to Mr. Motley
left The Marvelettes because of problems with depression

Clarence Dixon (Clarence T. Dixon)

b. 1923 in NC - d. 25 Jun 1992
pop/doo-wop singer (baritone)
founding member of The Four Knights (1943-63), "I Love the Sunshine of Your Smile" (#23 1951), "Sin" (#14 1952), "Oh, Happy Day" (#8 1953), "I Get So Lonely (When I Dream about You)" (#2 1954), "Foolish Tears" (1958), "Things to Do Today" (1959)
The Four Knights sang backup on Nat King Cole's "A Blossom Fell" (#2 1955), "That's All There is to That" (#16 1956), and others
see The Four Knights

Freddy Fender (Baldemar Garza O. Huerta)

b. 1937 in San Benito, TX - d. 14 Oct 2006 in Corpus Christi, TX (lung cancer)
country/Tex-Mex/swamp-pop singer
instruments: guitar, bass
"I Can't Remember When I Didn't Love You" (1960), "Coming Home Soon" (1963), "Bye Bye, Little Angel" (1966), "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" (#1c 1975, she co-wrote), "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" (#1, #1c 1975, CMA single of the year 1975), "Secret Love" (#20, #1c 1975), "Since I Met You, Baby" (#45, #10c 1975), "You'll Lose a Good Thing" (#32, #1c 1976), "Vaya Con Dios" (#7c 1976), "Livin' it Down" (#2c 1976), "The Rains Came" (#4c 1977), "If You're Looking for a Fool" (#34c 1978), "Sweet Summer Day" (1979)
founding member of The Texas Tornados (1990- ), "(Hey Baby) Que Paso" (1990), "Laredo Rose" (1990), "She Never Spoke Spanish to Me" (1990), "Did I Tell You?" (1991), "Hanging on by a Thread" (1992), "A Little Bit is Better Than Nada" (1996)
songwriter
served in the Marines
his step-daughter Maria donated a kidney for his 2002 transplant; he had a liver transplant in 2004
quote by Freddy Fender: "Whenever I run into prejudice. I smile and feel sorry for them, and I say to myself, There's one more argument for birth control."

Leroy Hutson

b. 1945 in Newark, NJ
soul/R&B singer
instrument: keyboards
"So in Love with You" (1973, he co-wrote), "I'll Be There, I'll Still Care" (1973, he co-wrote), "Feel the Spirit" (1976, he wrote), "I Do, I Do (Want to Make Love to You)" (1976, he co-wrote), "Blackberry Jam" (1976, he wrote), "Where Did Love Go?" (1978), "Closer to the Source" (1978, he co-wrote)
lead singer of The Impressions (1971-73, replaced Curtis Mayfield), "This Love's for Real" (1972), "Thin Line" (1973)
duets with Deborah Rollins as Sugar and Spice
songwriter
arranger; music producer
see Leroy Hutson on Wikipedia

Linda Martell (Thelma Bynem)

b. 1941 in Leesville, SC
country/soul singer
"Color Him Father" (#22c 1969), "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" (#33c 1970), "Bad Case of the Blues" (#58c 1970), "I Almost Called Your Name" (1970)
first black singer to perform at the Grand Ole Opry

Jimmy McCulloch

b. 1953 in Glasgow, Scotland - d. 27 Sep 1979 in London, England (heroin overdose)
rock musician, instruments: electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass
founding member of Thunderclap Newman (1969-71), "Something in the Air" (#37 1969, One-Hit Wonder), "The Reason" (1970), "Hollywood Dream" (1970), "Accidents" (1970), "Wilhelmina" (1970)
with Stone the Crows
with Wings (1974-77), "Band on the Run" (#1 1974), "Junior's Farm" (#3 1974), "Listen to What the Man Said" (#1 1975), "Silly Love Songs" (#1 1976), "Let 'em in" (#3 1976), "Maybe I'm Amazed" (#10 1977)
session musician with John Entwistle, Peter Frampton, and others

Michelle Phillips (Holly Michelle Gilliam)

b. 1944 in Long Beach, CA
folk singer
"No Love Today" (1976)
founding member of The Mamas and the Papas (1965-68), * "California Dreamin'" (#4 1966, she co-wrote), "I Saw Her Again (Last Night)" (#5 1966), "Monday, Monday" (#1 1966), "John's Music Box" (1967), * "Creeque Alley" (#5 1967, she co-wrote), * "Dedicated to the One I Love" (#2 1967)
backup singer on Belinda Carlisle's "Heaven is a Place on Earth" (#1 1987)
songwriter
actress
md. to singer, John Phillips (1962-70); md. to actor, Dennis Hopper (1970); md. to Robert Burch (1978-80)
mother of Chynna Phillips
see Dream a Little Dream
see The Mamas and the Papas

Texas Ruby (Ruby Agnes Owens)

b. 1908/10 in Wise County, TX – d. 29 Mar 1963 in Wise County, TX (house fire)
country/folk singer
"Don't Let Your Man Get You Down" (1948), "Even Though I'll Shed a Million Tears" (1948), "I'll Take Back All I Said" (1948), "The Letter That Broke My Heart" (1948), "Ain't You Sorry That You Lied?" (1948), "Hold Fast to the Right" (1963), "Love Me Now" (1963)
duet with Curly Fox, "Front Door Key" (1963)
duet with Zeke Clements, "Pride of the Prairie" (1949)
md. to fiddle player, Curly Fox (1937-63, her death); sister of songwriter, Tex Owens
she died in a fire that started when she fell asleep smoking

Gordon Waller (Gordon Trueman Riviere Waller)

b. 1945 in Scotland
pop singer
instrument: guitar
"The Lady in the Window" (1969), "I Was a Boy When You Needed a Man" (1969), "You're Gonna Hurt Yourself" (1970)
founding member of Peter and Gordon (1960-68), * World Without Love" (#1 1964), "Nobody I Know" (1964), "I Don't Want to See You Again" (#16 1964), "True Love Ways" (#14 1965), "To Know You is to Love You" (#24 1965), "Woman" (#14 1966), "Lady Godiva" (1966), "Knight in Rusty Armour" (#15 1966), "Sunday for Tea" (#31 1967)
songwriter
see Peter and Gordon

Toni Wine

b. 1947 in Washington Heights, NY
pop singer
instrument: piano
"The Thirteenth Hour" (1964), "Only Fools" (1964), "He's Not You" (1970), "Take a Little Time Out for Love" (1970)
with The Archies, * "Sugar, Sugar" (#1 1969), "Jingle, Jangle" (#10 1969), she was the voice of both Veronica and Betty on the songs
backup singer on Gene Pitney's "It Hurts to Be in Love" (#7 1967); Tony Orlando and Dawn's "Candida" (#3 1971, she co-wrote); and others
songwriter, co-wrote The Mindbenders' "Groovy Kind of Love" (#2 1966), "Ashes to Ashes" (#44 1966); Bobby Bare and Skeeter Davis' "Your Husband, My Wife" (#22c 1970)
md. to music producer, Chips Moman

June 5

Floyd Butler

b. 1941 in San Diego, CA – d. 29 Apr 1990 (heart attack)
soul/pop/rock singer
founding member of The Friends of Distinction (1968-75, and reunions), "Grazin' in the Grass" (#3 1969), "Going in Circles" (#15 1969), "Love Me or Let Me Be Lonely" (#6 1970), "Time Waits for No One" (#60 1970)
see The Friends of Distinction on Wikipedia

Suzanne Cox (Marla Suzanne Cox)

b. 1967 in Springhill, LA
bluegrass/country/gospel singer
instrument: mandolin
with The Cox Family, "My Favorite Memory" (1993), "Backroads" (1993), "Another Lonesome Morning" (1995), "Love of a Lifetime" (1996), "I am Weary (Let Me Rest)" (2000), "Will There Be Stars in My Crown?" (2000)
daughter of Willard Cox

Gail Davies (Patricia Gail Dickerson)

b. 1948 in Broken Bow, OK (grew up in WA)
country/rock singer
instrument: guitar
"No Love Have I" (#26c 1978), "(Someone is Looking For) Someone Like You" (#11c 1979, she wrote), "Blue Heartache" (#7c 1979), "Like Strangers" (#21c 1980), "Good Lovin' Man" (#21c 1980), "I'll Be There (if You Ever Want Me)" (#4c 1981), "Grandma's Song" (#9c 1981, she wrote), "Dawn" (#17 1982), "'Round-the-Clock Lovin'" (#9c 1982), "You're a Hard Dog (to Keep Under the Porch)" (#18c 1983), "Jagged Edge of a Broken Heart" (#20c 1984), "Breakaway" (#15c 1985), "Waiting Here for You" (#50c 1989, she wrote)
founding member of Wild Choir, "Next Time" (#51c 1986, she co-wrote), "Heart to Heart" (#40c 1986)
duet with Emmylou Harris, "It's a Lonely, Lonely World" (#5c 1981)
duet with Ricky Scaggs, "It's You Alone" (#55c 1984)
duet with Dolly Parton, "Unwed Fathers" (#56 1985)
songwriter
md. to Rob Price
daughter of singer, Tex Dickerson; mother of singer, Chris Scruggs
see Gail Davies

Jerry 'Carrot Top' Dykes

b. 1927 in TX
country singer
"Why Do I Love You?" (1958)
founding member of Jerry Dykes and the Western Ramblers
with The Confederates, "Black Bear" (1966), "Itchin'" (1966)
founding member of Countrypolitan (1968- )
songwriter

Tom Evans (Thomas Evans)

b. 1947 in Liverpool, England - d. 19 Nov 1983 in London, England (suicide)
rock singer
instruments: rhythm guitar, bass
with The Iveys (1967-69), "Maybe Tomorrow" (#67 1968, he wrote), "And Her Daddy's a Millionaire" (1969)
founding member of Badfinger (1970-75, and reunions), "Come and Get it" (#10 1970), "No Matter What" (#8 1970), "It Had to Be" (1970), "Day after Day" (#4 1972), "Baby Blue" (#14 1972), "Love is Gonna Come at Last" (#69 1979), "Hold on" (#56 1981, he wrote)
session musician on Ringo Starr's "It Don't Come Easy" (#4 1971); and with George Harrison, John Lennon, and others
songwriter
hung himself from a tree in his backyard
see Badfinger

Bill Hayes (William Foster Hayes III)

b. 1925 in Harvey, IL
pop singer
"I Knew an Old Lady" (1954), "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" (#1 1955), "White Buffalo" (1955), "Trail's End" (1956), "Wringle, Wrangle" (#33 1957), "Bop Boy" (1958)
actor
served in the Navy Air Corp (1943-44)
md. 1st to Mary Hobbs (1947- ); md. to actress, Susan Seaforth (1974- )

Shorty Horton (Brantley Moses Horton, Jr.)

b. 1921 in Portsmouth, VA - d. 11 Nov 1974
rock musician, instrument: stand-up bass
founding member of Link Wray and the Raymen (1955- ), "Rumble" (#16 1958), "Rawhide" (#23 1959), "Ain't That Lovin' You, Babe?" (1960), "Right Turn" (1960), "Danger, One-Way Love Affair" (1961), "Big City after Dark" (1962), "Dance Contest" (1962), "The Black Widow" (1963), "Jack the Ripper" (#64 1963), "My Beth" (1963), "Steel Trap" (1963), "Ace of Spades" (1965), "Juke Box Mama" (1971), "Crowbar" (1971), "Don't" (1979), "Switchblade" (1979)
with The Vince Maloy Trio
received a Purple Heart for service in the military in France and Germany during WWII
see Link Wray

Vaughn Horton (George Vaughn Horton)

b. 1911 in Broad Top, PA - d. 28 Feb 1988 in New Port Richey, FL (heart attack)
bluegrass/country singer
instruments: steel guitar, mandolin
with The Texas Rangers (1946)
founding member of The Pinetoppers (1927- ), "Huckleberry Boogie" (1950), "Buffalo Gals" (1950), "Bluebonnet Schottische" (1950), "Flying Eagle Polka" (1950), "Mockin' Bird Hill" (#3c 1951, he wrote), "Maple Leaf Waltz" (1951), "Waltz of the Roses" (1951), "Jolly Cop Polka" (1952), "Bye Bye, My Baby" (1955), "Home in the Hills" (1955)
songwriter, wrote "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas"; Little Jimmie Dickens' "Hillbilly Fever" (#3c 1950); Sons of the Pioneers' "Teardrops in My Heart" (#4c 1947, #7c 1948); Johnny Bond's "Till the End of the World" (#12c 1949); co-wrote Red Foley's "Sugarfoot Rag" (#4c 1950); The Ink Spots' "Address Unknown" (#1 1939); Lenny Dee's "Plantation Boogie" (#19 1955)
coal miner
brother of Roy Horton

Brian McKnight

b. 1969 in Buffalo, NY
pop/R&B/soul singer
instruments: guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussions, piano, various horns
"One Last Cry" (#13 1993), "Crazy Love" (#45 1995), "You Should Be Mine (Don't Waste Your Time)" (#17 1997), * "Back at One" (#2 1999), "Love of My Life" (#51 2001)
duet with Vanessa Lynne Williams, "Love is" (#3 1993)
songwriter
music producer; arranger

Don Reid (Donald Sidney Reid)

b. 1945 in Staunton, VA
country singer
instrument: piano
lead singer with The Statler Brothers (1960- , replaced Joe McDorman), "Flowers on the Wall" (#4, #2c 1965), "You Can't Have You Kate and Edith Too" (#10c 1967), * "Pictures" (#13c 1971, he co-wrote), "Bed of Rose's" (#58, #9c 1971), * "Do You Remember These?" (#2c 1972, he co-wrote), * "The Class of '57" (#6c 1972, he co-wrote), "Whatever Happened to Randolph Scott?" (#22c 1974, he co-wrote), * "Susan When She Tried" (#15c 1974, he wrote), * "All-American Girl" (1975, he co-wrote), "I'll Go to My Grave Loving You" (#93, #3c 1975, he wrote), * "Thank God I've Got You" (#10c 1976, he wrote), "Hat and Boots" (1976), * "Your Picture in the Paper" (1976, he wrote), "Silver Medals and Sweet Memories" (#18c 1977, he wrote), * "I Was There" (#8c 1977), * "Do You Know You Are My Sunshine?" (#1c 1978, he co-wrote), "Who Am I to Say" (#3c 1978), * "Some I Wrote" (#17c 1978, he co-wrote), * "The Official Historian of Shirley Jean Berrell" (#5c 1979, he co-wrote), "Here We Are Again" (#11c 1979, he wrote), * "How to Be a Country Star" (#7c 1979, he co-wrote), * "(I'll Even Love You) Better Than I Did Then" (#8c 1980, he co-wrote), "Charlotte's Web" (#5c 1980), * "We Got Paid by Cash" (1980), * "Don't Forget Yourself" (#13c 1980, he wrote), * "Years Ago" (#12c 1981, he wrote), * "Dad" (1981), "You'll Be Back (Every Night in My Dreams)" (#3c 1982), "Whatever" (#7c 1982, he co-wrote), "Elizabeth" (#1c 1984, he wrote), "A Child of the Fifties" (#17c 1983), "Atlanta Blue" (#3c 1984, he wrote), "Hello, Mary Lou" (#3c 1985), "My Only Love" (#1c 1986), "Too Much on My Heart" (#1c 1986), "Count on Me" (#5c 1986, he wrote), "Forever" (#7c 1987), "I'll Be the One" (#10c 1987, he co-wrote), "Let's Get Started if We're Gonna Break My Heart" (#12c 1988, he co-wrote), "More Than a Name on the Wall" (#6c 1989)
songwriter
younger brother of Harold Reid
see The Statler Brothers

Freddie Stone (Frederick Stewart)

b. 1946 in Dallas, TX or Vallejo, CA
R&B/rock/pop/gospel singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of Sly and the Family Stone (1966-75), "Dance to the Music" (#8 1968), "Everyday People" (#1 1969), "Hot Fun in the Summer Time" (#2 1969), "Thank You" (#1 1970), "Family Affair" (#1 1971), "Runnin' Away" (#23 1972), "If You Want Me to Stay" (#12 1973), "Thankful 'n' Thoughtful" (1973)
Sly and the Family Stone performed at Woodstock
songwriter
brother of Rosie and Sly Stone, cousin of Larry Graham
see Sly and the Family Stone

John Stone (John Wesley Stone)

b. 1972 (grew up in Dogtown, AL)
country/rockabilly/bluegrass singer
instruments: guitar, bass, harmonica, piano
* "Shame on Me" (2004, he wrote)
songwriter
served in the Army for 8 years as an M-1 tank gunner in Desert Shield and Desert Storm

June 6

Peter Albin

b. 1944 in San Francisco, CA
rock/folk singer
instruments: bass, guitar
founding member of Big Brother and the Holding Company (1966-68, and reunions), "Bye Bye, Baby" (1968), "Pieces of My Heart" (#12 1968, One-Hit Wonder)
founding member of the All Star Band (1972-73), "Sweet Marie" (1972)
session musician
songwriter

Jackie Allen

b. 1943
rock/pop singer
founding member of The Secrets (1962-65), "The Boy Next Door" (#18 1963, One-Hit Wonder), "Learnin' to Forget" (1963), "Hey, Big Boy" (1964), "The Other Side of Town" (1964), "He's the Boy" (1964), "He Doesn't Want You" (1964), "Here He Comes Now" (1964)
md. to Earl Schwegler
see The Secrets on Spectropop

Gary 'U.S.' Bonds (Gary Anderson)

b. 1939 in Jacksonville, FL
rock/R&B singer
"New Orleans" (#6 1960), * "Quarter to Three" (#1 1961), "School is Out" (#5 1961), "Dear Lady Twist" (#9 1962), "Twist, Twist Senora" (#9 1962), "Seven-Day Weekend" (#27 1962), "Copy Cat" (#92 1962), "Do the Limbo" (1963), "No More Homework" (1963), "My Sweet Ruby Rose" (1964), "Due to Circumstances Under My Control" (1966), "This Little Girl" (#11 1981), "Out of Work" (#21 1982)
songwriter
see Gary 'U. S.' Bonds

Lisa Brokop (Lisa Ann Brokop)

b. 1973 in British Columbia, Canada
country singer
instrument: guitar
"I'm Leaving You for Me" (1993), "You Already Drove Me There" (1994), "Give Me a Ring Sometime" (#52c 1994), "Take That" (#52c 1995), "She Can't Save Him" (#55c 1996), "West of Crazy" (1996), "How Do I Let Go?" (#59c 1998, she co-wrote), "When You Get to Be You" (#64c 1998), "Ain't Enough Roses" (#65c 1999, she co-wrote), "I'd Like to See You Try" (2000), "Something Undeniable" (2000), "Lime Green Pacer" (2005), "What I'd Miss" (2005)
songwriter
actress
see Lisa Brokop

Charlie Cline

b. 1931 in Basiden, WV (grew up near Gilbert, WV) - d. 20 Nov 2004 in Jasper, AL
bluegrass/country musician, instruments: fiddle, mandolin
with The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers (1946-49, and reunions)
with The Sunny Mountain Boys (1950-51)
with Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys (1952-53), "In the Pines" (1952), "Mighty Pretty Waltz" (1952), "Letter from My Darlin'" (1952), "Country Waltz" (1953)
cousin of Ezra Cline; younger brother of Curly Ray Cline

Doug Dugger (Lloyd Dwight Dugger aka 'The Chaplain of Country Music)

b. 1925 in Springfield, MO (grew up near Tarkio, MO) - d. 26 May 2005 in Missoula, MT (congestive heart failure)
country/gospel singer
instruments: bass, banjo
"Bummin' Around" (1956), "The Deck of Cards" (1956)
with T. Texas Tyler's band (1946-55), "The Deck of Cards" (#2c 1948), "Daddy Gave My Dog Away" (#10c 1948), "My Bucket's Got a Hole in it" (#5c 1949), and others
songwriter
served in the Navy during WWII (1943-46)
md. to Dorothy Olsen (1944- )

Frank Gallop

b. 1900 - d. 1988
novelty singer
"I Beg Your Pardon" (1958), "The Ballad of Irving" (#34 1966, One-Hit Wonder), "Would You Believe?" (1966), "One Love I'll Never Forget" (1966)
actor

Bryan Grassmeyer

b. 1954 in NE
country/rock singer
instrument: bass

Freedom Road

with The Gibson/Miller Band (1992- ), "Big Heart" (#37c 1993), "High Rollin'" (#20c 1993), "Texas Tattoo" (#22c 1993), "Stone Cold Country" (#40c 1993), "Red, White and Blue Collar" (#59c 1994), "Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to Be Cowboys" (#49c 1994), "All Because of You" (1994), "Sudden Stop" (1994)
session musician with Vince Gill, Suzy Bogguss, and others
see The Gibson/Miller Band on WikipediA

Henri Harrison

b. 1943
pop/rock musician, instrument: drums
founding member of The New Vaudeville Band (1966-70), "Winchester Cathedral" (#1 1966, One-Hit Wonder), "Peek-a-Boo" (1967), "Amy" (1967), "Green Street Green" (1967)
"Winchester Cathedral" was done by session musician, Henri was the only one to be both on the hit and in the band that formed later
with Bob Kerr's Whoopee Band
session musician

Howie Kane (Howard Kirshenbaum)

b. 1942
rock/pop singer
with Jay and the Americans (1961- ), "She Cried" (#5 1962), "Only in America" (#25 1963), "Come a Little Bit Closer" (#3 1964), "Cara Mia" (#4 1965), "Let's Lock the Door (and Throw Away the Key)" (#11 1965), "Livin' Above Your Head" (1966), "Some Enchanted Evening" (#13 1965), "Crying" (#25 1966), "Sunday and Me" (#18 1965), "This Magic Moment" (#6 1968), "Walkin' in the Rain" (#19 1969)
mortician
see Jay and the Americans

Uncle Kracker (Matthew Shafer)

b. 1974 in Mount Clemens, MI
rock/country/blues singer
* "Follow Me" (#5 2000), "Aces and Eights" (2000), "In a Little While" (2002)
duet with Dobie Gray, "Drift Away" (2003), "Don't Know How (Not to Love You)" (2004), "Rescue" (2004)
duet with Kenny Chesney "When the Sun Goes Down" (#1c 2004)
DJ
see Uncle Kracker

Banana Levinger (Lowell Levinger, III)

b. 1946 in Cambridge, MA
rock/bluegrass musician, instruments: guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass
"Ocean of Diamonds" (1972)
founding member of The Youngbloods (1965-72), "Grizzly Bear" (#52 1967), "Get Together" (#62 1967, re-release #5 1969, One-Hit Wonder), "Euphoria" (1967), "Darkness, Darkness" (1969), "Sunlight" (1969)
with The Trolls, "Every Day, Every Night" (1966), "I Got to Have You" (1968), "Don't Come Around" (1968)
session musician
see The Youngbloods

Holly Near

b. 1949 in Ukiah, CA
folk singer
"Simply Love" (1978), "Imagine My Surprise" (1978), "Wrap the Sun Around You" (1981), "Sky Dances" (1989)
songwriter
actress
social activist
see Holly Near

Rick Nesta

b. 1949
rock/pop/R&B musician, instrument: rhythm guitar
founding member of The Music Explosion (1966-68), "Little Bit o' Soul" (#2 1967), "Sunshine Games" (#63 1967), "We Gotta Go Home" (1967), "Rewind" (1968), "Road Runner" (1968), "Dazzling" (1968), "Jack in the Box" (1968)
md. to Lori Letizia

Joe Stampley

b. 1943 in Springhill, LA
country/honky-tonk/soul singer
instruments: piano, guitar, ukulele
"Glenda" (1959), "Creation of Love" (1961), "Take Time to Know Her" (#74c 1970), "Two Weeks and a Day" (1971), "Hello, Operator" (#75c 1971, he co-wrote), "If You Touch Me (You've Got to Love Me)" (#9c 1972, he co-wrote), "Soul Song" (#37, #1c 1972), "Weatherman" (1973), "I'm Still Loving You" (#3c 1974), "Take Me Home to Somewhere" (#5c 1974), "Penny" (#8c 1974), "Dallas Alice" (1975), "Roll on, Big Mama" (#1c 1975), "All These Things" (#1c 1976), "You Make Life Easy" (#61c 1976, he co-wrote), "There She Goes Again" (#11c 1977), "Red Wine and Blue Memories" (#6c 1978), "If You've Got Ten Minutes (Let's Fall in Love)" (#6c 1978), "Do You Ever Fool Around?" (#5c 1979), "I Don't Lie" (#12c 1979), "I'm Gonna Love You Back to Loving Me Again" (#9c 1981), "The Jukebox Never Plays 'Home Sweet Home'" (1981), "I Didn't Know You Could Break a Broken Heart" (#30c 1982), "Double Shot (of My Baby's Love)" (#8c 1983)
with The Uniques, "Chocolate Bar" (1962), "Times Change" (1963), "Not Too Long Ago" (1965), "You Ain't Tuff" (1966), "All I Took Was Love" (1968), "It Hurts Me to Remember" (1968), "Eunice" (1970)
duets with Moe Bandy, "Just Good Ol' Boys" (#1c 1979), "Tell Ole I Ain't Here, He Better Get on Home" (#11c 1980), "Honky-Tonk Queen" (#12c 1981), "Where's the Dress?" (#8c 1984)
duet with Jessica Boucher "Memory Lane" (#39c 1984)
songwriter
see Joe Stampley

Levi Stubbs (Levi Stubbles)

b. 1936 in Detroit, MI
pop singer
lead singer and founding member of The Four Tops (1954-2000), "Couldn't it Be You?" (1956), "Baby, I Need Your Lovin'" (#11 1964), "Sad Souvenirs" (1965), "Something about You" (#19 1965), "It's the Same Old Song" (#5 1965), "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" (#1 1965), "Reach Out, I'll Be There" (#1 1966), "Shake Me, Wake Me" (#18 1966), "Bernadette" (#4 1967), "Standing in the Shadows of Love" (#6 1967), "You Keep Running Away" (#19 1967), "If I Were a Carpenter" (#20 1968), "Walk Away, Renee" (#14 1968), "Yesterday's Dreams" (1968), "The Key" (1969), "Ain't No Woman (Like the One I Got)" (#4 1973), "Seven Lonely Nights" (1975), "Runnin' from Your Love" (1975), "When She Was My Girl" (#11 1981), "I Just Can't Walk Away" (1983), "Sing a Song of Yesterday" (1985), "Indestructible" (#35 1988)
The Four Tops and The Supremes, "Together We Can Make Such Sweet Music" (1970), "You Gotta Have Love in Your Heart" (1971)
he was the voice of the man-eating plant in Little Shop of Horrors
pallbearer for Florence Ballard
brother of Joe Stubbs
see The Four Tops on SoulWalking

Terry Williams

b. 1947 in Hollywood, CA
folk/rock/country singer
with The New Christy Minstrels, "Everybody Loves Saturday Night" (1963), "Green, Green" (#14 1963), "Today" (#17 1964)
founding member of The First Edition (1967- ), "Shadow in the Corner of Your Mind" (1967), "Homemade Lies" (1968), "Just Dropped in (To See What Condition My Condition Was in)" (#5 1968), "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town" (#6, #39c 1969), "But You Know I Love You" (#19 1969), "Ruben James" (#26 1969), "Something's Burning" (#11 1970), "I'm Gonna Sing You a Sad Song, Susie" (1970, he wrote), "Tell it All, Brother" (#17 1970), "Heed the Call" (#33 1970), "Someone Who Cares" (#51 1971)
songwriter
see The First Edition on Wikipedia
see The New Christy Minstrels

Curtis Wright

b. 1955 in Huntington Mills, PA
country singer
instrument: guitar
"She's Got a Man on Her Mind" (#38c 1990, he co-wrote), "Hometown Radio" (#59c 1992), "If I Could Stop Lovin' You" (#53c 1993, he co-wrote)
with The Super Grit Cowboy Band, "Carolina By the Sea" (#64c 1981), "She is the Woman" (#48c 1982)
founding member of Orrall and Wright (1994), "If You Could Say What I'm Thinking" (#70c 1994, he co-wrote), "She Loves Me Like She Means it" (#47c 1994), "The Last Time I Loved Like That" (1994)
with Pure Prairie League (1998- )
with Shenandoah (1999- ), "What Children Believe" (#65c 2000)
backup singer for Vern Gosdin, and others
songwriter, co-wrote Shenandoah's "Next to You, Next to Me" (#1c 1990), "Rock My Baby" (#2c 1992)
see Pure Prairie League
see Shenandoah

June 7

Speedy Acquaye (Neeomi Acquaye)

b. 1931 in Ghana, Africa - d. 15 Sep 1993
R&B/rock/pop musician, instrument: percussions
with Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames (1962-66), "Yeh, Yeh" (#21 1965), "Blue Monday" (1965), "Get Away" (#70 1966), "Sitting in the Park" (1966)
with Ginger Baker's Air Force (1970), "Man of Constant Sorrow" (#86 1970), "Don't Care" (1970), "Sweet Wine" (1970)
session musician with Ronnie Scott, Rod Stewart, Small Faces, and others
actor; dancer

Larry Boone

b. 1956 in Cooper City, FL
country singer
instrument: guitar
"She's the Trip That I've Been on" (#52c 1986), "Roses in December" (#44c 1988), "Don't Give Candy to a Stranger" (#10c 1988, he co-wrote), "I Just Called to Say Goodbye Again" (#16c 1988), "Wine Me Up" (#19c 1989), "To Be with You" (#34c 1991)
songwriter, wrote Kathy Mattea's "Burnin' Old Memories" (#1c 1988); Lonestar's "Everything's Changed" (#1c 1998); Don Williams' "Old Coyote Town" (#5c 1989)
actor

Oscar Broadway

b. 1910 (grew up in Charlotte, NC) - d. 31 Oct 1978
pop/doo-wop singer (bass)
founding member of The Four Knights (1943-65), "I Love the Sunshine of Your Smile" (#23 1951), "Sin" (#14 1952), "Oh, Happy Day" (#8 1953), "I Get So Lonely (When I Dream about You)" (#2 1954)
The Four Knights sang backup on Nat King Cole's "A Blossom Fell" (#2 1955), "That's All There is to That" (#16 1956), and others
see The Four Knights

Michael Cartellone

b. 1962 in Cleveland, OH
rock/country musician, instrument: drums
with the new Lynyrd Skynyrd (1999- ), "Life's Lessons" (2003)
with Damn Yankees
session musician
songwriter
artist
see Lynyrd Skynyrd

Tal Farlow (Talmage Holt Farlow)

b. 1921 in Greensboro, NC - d. 25 Jul 1998 in New York, NY (esophageal cancer)
jazz/bee-bop musician, instrument: guitar
"Meteor" (1957, he wrote), "Taking a Chance on Love" (1957), "Stella by Starlight" (1958), "Darn That Dream" (1969)
founding member of The Tal Farlow Quartet, "Splash" (1954, he wrote)
founding member of The Tal Farlow Trio, "Isn't it Romantic?" (1956)
with Artie Shaw's Gramercy Five (1953)
with The Red Norvo Trio (1949-53)
songwriter
sign painter

Glen Gray (Glen Gray Knoblaugh aka Spike Knobloch)

b. 1906 in Metamora, IL - d. 23 Aug 1963 in Plymouth, MA (cancer)
jazz/swing musician, instruments: tenor sax, alto sax
founding member and leader of The Casa Loma Orchestra (1929-45), "Lucky Me, Lovable You" (1929), "Casa Loma Stomp" (1930), "Dust" (1930), "Smoke Rings" (1931, he wrote), "Clarinet Marmalade" (1931), "After Tonight" (1932), "Sweet Madness" (1933), "Dixie Lee" (1933), "A Hundred Years from Today" (1934), "Rose of the Rio Grande" (1936), "Study in Brown" (1937), "Shades of Hades" (1937), "Sunrise Serenade" (#1 1939)
songwriter
arranger

Wylie Gustafson (Wylie Galt Gustafson)

b. 1961 in Conrad, MT
country/western swing singer, yodeler
instruments: bass, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo
founding member of Wylie and the Wild West Show (1989- ), "All Hat, No Cattle" (1992, he wrote), "Black Boots and Blue Jeans" (1992, he wrote), "Jingle, Jangle, Jingle" (1996), "Big Sky Lullaby" (1998, he wrote), "Sage and Sand" (2000), "He's a Cowboy" (2000), "The Gal Who Invented Kissin'" (2001), "When I'm Ridin' I'm Right" (2001, he co-wrote), "Saddle Broncs and Sagebrush" (2004, he co-wrote), "The Hooves of the Horses" (2004), "Leather Lover" (2004), "Bucking Horse Moon" (2007), "True Love Travels on a Gravel Road" (2007)
songwriter
music producer
rancher; rodeo rider
see Wylie and the Wild West Show

Tom Jones (Thomas Jones Woodward)

b. 1940 in Pontypridd, Wales
pop/soul singer
instrument: drums
"What's New, Pussycat?" (#3 1965), "It's Not Unusual" (#10 1965), "With These Hands" (#27 1965), "Green Green Grass of Home" (#11 1966), "Detroit City" (#27 1967), "Delilah" (#15 1968), "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" (#6 1969), "Love Me Tonight" (#13 1969), "Without Love (There is Nothing)" (#5 1970), "I (Who Have Nothing)" (#14 1970), "She's a Lady" (#2 1971), "Say You'll Stay Until Tomorrow" (#1c 1976), "Darlin'" (#19c 1981), "A Woman's Touch" (#16c 1982), "Touch Me (I'll Be Your Fool Once More)" (#4c 1983), "I've Been Rained on, Too" (#13c 1984), "Give Her All the Roses (Don't Wait Until Tomorrow)" (#48c 1985)
md. to Linda Trenchard (1957- )
see Tom Jones

Dean Martin (Dino Paul Crocetti)

b. 1917 in Steubenville, OH – d. 25 Dec 1995 in Beverly Hills, CA (lung cancer and emphysema)
pop/swing singer
"My Own, My Only, My All" (1950), "You and Your Beautiful Eyes" (1951), "Meanderin'" (1951), "Never Before" (1952), "Sailor's Polka" (1952), "I Know a Dream When I See One" (1952), "Memories Are Made of This" (#1 1956), "Return to Me" (#4 1958), "My Rifle, My Pony and Me" (1959), "Sparklin' Eyes" (1961), "Everybody Loves Somebody" (#1 1964), "The Door is Still Open to My Heart" (#6 1964), "You'll Always Be the One I Love" (1964), "Houston" (#21 1965), "I Will" (#10 1965), "Come Running Back" (#35 1966), "Somewhere There's a Someone" (#32 1966), "Chapel in the Moonlight" (#25 1967), "I Can't Help Remembering You" (1967), "When the Red Red Robin Comes Bob Bob Bobbin' Along" (1973), "My First Country Song" (#35c 1983)
comedian; actor
served in the Army (1944-45)
md. 1st to Elizabeth Anne 'Betty' McDonald (1941-49); md. 2nd to Jeannie Bieggers (1949-73); md. 3rd to Catherine Mae Hawn (1973-76)
see the Dean Martin Fan Center

Alice McLain

b. 1957 in Hindman, KY
bluegrass/folk/country singer
instrument: mandolin, bass
founding member of The McLain Family Band (1968-88 and reunions), "Please, Mister Sunshine" (1973), "Silver Creek" (1973), "Sweet Tomorrow" (1973), "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart" (1985), "Kentucky Wind" (1985), "You're Why I Try" (1985), "Big Hill" (1986), "Fair Jenny" (1986), "Going to Boston" (1986), "Yesterdays Waltz" (1986)
teacher
md. to musician, Al White

JaMell 'Bull' Parks (James Lafayette Parks)

b. 1945
soul singer
founding member of Bull and the Matadors (1966- ), "The Funky Judge" (#39 1968, One-Hit Wonder), "Move with the Groove" (1969), "You Decide" (1969)

MC Potts (Mary Christina Potts)

b. 1968 in OH
country singer
"Just Enough to Go on" (1996, she co-wrote), "Why Do I Do This to Me?" (1996, she co-wrote), "Back When" (1996), "Straight to You" (1996)
songwriter

Teddy Redell (Teddy Delano Reidel)

b. 1937 in Quitman, AR
pop singer
instrument: piano
"Before it Began" (1959), * "I Just Want to Hold You" (1960), "Judy" (1960), "I See the Moon" (1967), "Too Young to Die" (1979), "Remember Me" (2002), "Half a Mind to Leave You" (2002)
songwriter
served in the Army (1960-62)
see Teddy Redell

Jack Ryland

b. 1949 - Dec 1996
rock musician, instrument: bass
with Three Dog Night (1974-77, replaced Joe Schermie), "The Show Must Go on" (#4 1974), "Sure As I'm Sitting Here" (#16 1974), "'Til the World Ends" (#32 1975)
session musician
see Three Dog Night

Joey Scarbury

b. 1955 in Ontario, CA (grew up in Thousand Oaks, CA)
pop/rock/country singer
"Mixed-Up Guy" (1971), "Believe it or Not" (#2 1981), "Everything But Love" (1981, he co-wrote), "Some of My Old Friends" (1981), "Stolen Night" (1981), "When She Dances" (#49 1981), "The River's Song" (#76c 1984)
backup singer with Loretta Lynn, and others
songwriter, co-wrote The Oak Ridge Boys' "No Matter How High" (#1c 1989)

Wynn Stewart (Wynnford Lindsey Stewart)

b. 1934 near Morrisville, MO – d. 17 Jul 1985 in Hendersonville, TN (heart attack)
country singer
instrument: guitar
"I've Waited a Lifetime" (1954), "Waltz of the Angels" (#14c 1956), "Wishful Thinking" (#5c 1960, he wrote), "One More Memory" (1961), "Another Day, Another Dollar" (#27c 1962, he co-wrote), "Slightly Used" (1963), "I Keep Forgettin' That I Forgot about You" (#43c 1965), "Girl in White" (1967), "Ol' What's Her Name" (1967), * "It's Such a Pretty World Today" (#1c 1967), "Cause I Have You" (#9c 1967, he co-wrote), "I Won't Live That Long" (1967, he wrote), "If Tomorrow Could Be Yesterday" (1968, he wrote), "It's a Beautiful Day" (#13c 1970), "I Was the First One to Know" (1971), "It's Raining in Seattle" (#62c 1973), "Lonely Rain" (#80c 1975), "After the Storm" (#8c 1976), "Sing a Sad Song" (#19c 1976, he wrote), "Eyes Big As Dallas" (#37c 1979), "I Was Raised Down on the Farm" (1979), "Wait Til I Get My Hands on You" (#98c 1985)
founding member of Wynn Stewart and the Tourists, "Love's Gonna Happen to Me" (#7c 1968), "Something Pretty" (#10c 1968)
duet with Jan Howard, "Wrong Company" (#26c 1960)
duets with Jackie Burns, "Breakin' the Rules" (1961)
songwriter
see Wynn Stewart

Dave Torbert

b. 1948 - d. 7 Dec 1982
country/rock singer
instruments: bass, harmonica, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, rhythm guitar, piano
New Riders of the Purple Sage (1970-73, replaced Phil Lesh), "Louisiana Lady" (1971), "Last Lonely Eagle" (1971), "Runnin' Back to You" (1972), "California Day" (1972, he wrote), "On My Way Back Home" (1972, he wrote), "Lonesome L.A. Cowboy" (1973)
founding member of Kingfish (1976-78)
with Horses (1969)
session musician with Bob Weir, Grateful Dead, and others
songwriter
see New Riders of the Purple Sage

Clarence White (Clarence Joseph LeBlanc)

b. 1944 in Lewiston, ME (grew up in CA) – d. 14 Jul 1973 in Palmdale, CA (run over by a drunk driver)
country/rock/bluegrass singer
instruments: acoustic guitar, mandolin
with The Country Boys (1954- ), "I'm Head Over Heels in Love with You" (1959)
The Country Boys became The Kentucky Colonels
with The Reasons aka Nashville West
guitarist with The Byrds (1969-72), "This Wheel's on Fire" (1969), "Candy" (1969), "Ballad of Easy Rider" (#65 1969), "There Must Be Someone" (1969), "Cowgirl in the Sand" (1972)
sessionist with The Everly Brothers, Rick Nelson, Joe Cocker, Rita Collidge, Arlo Guthrie, and others
songwriter

Amy Wooley

b. 19?? in Cleveland, OH
country/folk singer
"Have a Heart" (1981), "Ain't No Reason to be Teasin'" (1981), "If My Heart Had Windows" (# 51 1982)
backup singer
songwriter

June 8

Davie Allan

b. 1943 in Los Angeles, CA
rock musician, instrument: guitar
"War Path" (1964), "Beyond the Blue" (1964), "It's the Little Things You Do" (1972), "And Evil Did, Too" (1973)
founding member of Davie Allan and the Arrows (1964- ), "Rebel (Without a Cause)" (1964), "Tomahawk" (1965, he co-wrote), "Apache '65" (#64 1965), "Wild Angels" (#99 1966), "Last Ride" (1966, he co-wrote), "The Devil's Rumble" (1966), "Hell Rider" (1966), "The Ghost Story" (1966), "The Chase" (1966, he co-wrote), "Loser's Lament" (1966), "The Unknown Rider" (1966, he co-wrote), "Rockin' Angel" (1966, he co-wrote), "Cycle Party" (1966, he co-wrote), "Blues' Theme" (#37 1967, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "William Tell" (1967, he co-wrote), "Devil's Angels" (#97 1967), "Sorry 'Bout That" (1967), "Cody's Theme" (1967), "Blue Rides Again" (1968), "Cycle-Delic" (1968), "Wild in the Streets" (1968), "Moonfire" (1968), "Dawn at Wounded Knee" (1972), "Touch Too Much" (1974), "We Can Make it Together" (1974), "Flashback" (1984), "Chopper" (1995), "Open Throttle" (1995), "Make Love, Not War" (1995), "Shape of Things to Come" (1998), "Vanishing Breed" (1998)
founding member of The Buddies, "Wanda on Her Honda" (1965, he wrote), "Skateboard, U.S.A." (1965, he co-wrote), "Sidewalk Surfin' Scene" (1965, he co-wrote), "Ski Jump" (1965, he wrote), "Ski City U.S.A." (1965), "Mean Little Monza" (1965), "Sickle Riders Rule" (1965), "Yamaha" (1965, he co-wrote), "Little BSA" (1965), "Speedway" (1965)
session musician
songwriter
see Davie Allan

Alex Band (Alexander Max Band)

b. 1981 in Los Angeles, CA
rock singer
instruments: guitar, piano, sax
"It Doesn't Get Better Than This" (2007, he wrote)
founding member of The Calling, * "Wherever You Will Go" (#5 2002), "Adrienne" (2002), "Could it Be Any Harder?" (2002), "Our Lives" (2004), "Things Will Go My Way" (2004)
session musician
songwriter
raises money to support organ donation
md. to actress, Jennifer Sky (2004- )

Clyde Beavers

b. 1932 in Tennega, GA
country/rockabilly singer
"Crying for My Baby" (1957), "Black Knee Socks" (1958), "Here I Am Drunk Again" (#13c 1960), "Still Loving You" (#27c 1963), "That's You (and What's Left of Me)" (#47c 1966), "Thirty-Two Years" (1966), "How Can Anything So Wonderful Be So Wrong?" (1971), "I Will Love You Til I Die" (1972), "Broken Wings Can't Fly" (1972)
DJ

Amy Dalley

b. 1970 in Kingsport, TN
country singer
"Love's Got an Attitude (it is What it is)" (#28c 2003, she co-wrote), "I Think You're Beautiful" (#43c 2003, she co-wrote), "Men Don't Change" (#23c 2004, she co-wrote), "I Would Cry" (#29c 2005, she co-wrote), "Good Kind of Crazy" (#60c 2007), "Let's Try Goodbye" (2007)
songwriter

James Darren (James William Ercolani)

b. 1936 in Philadelphia, PA
pop/rock singer
"Traveling Down a Lonesome Road" (1960), "Goodbye, Cruel World" (#3 1961), "You Are My Dream" (1961), "Conscience" (#11 1962), "Her Royal Majesty" (#6 1962), "Mary's Little Lamb" (#39 1962), "Millions of Roses" (1965), "All" (#35 1967), "Cherie" (1967), "Wheeling, West Virginia" (1970), "As Long as You Love Me" (1971), "Sleepin' in a Bed of Lies" (1977), "You Take My Heart Away" (1977), "Let Me Take You in My Arms Again" (#53 1978)
actor
md. to Gloria Terlitsky (1955-59), md. to Evy Norlund (1960- )
see James Darren

Steve Fromholz (Steven Fromholz)

b. 1945 in Temple, TX
country/rock singer
"White China Canyons" (1982, he co-wrote), "The Angel" (1982, he wrote), "Kansas Legend" (1970, he wrote), "Man With the Big Hat" (1970), "Dear Darcie" (1976)
with The Michael Murphey Trio
backup singer
songwriter
served in the Navy
actor; poet
white-water rafting guide
see Steve Fromholz

Sherman Garnes (Sherman Marlow Garnes)

b. 1940 in NY – d. 26 Feb 1977 in NY (during open heart surgery)
doo-wop/rock singer (bass)
founding member of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers (1955-57), * "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" (#6 1956), "I Want You to Be My Girl" (#13 1956), "Who Can Explain?" (1956), "The ABC's of Love" (1956), "I Promise to Remember" (1956), "Paper Castles" (1957), "Miracle in the Rain" (1957)
founding member of The Teenagers (1958-77)
see Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers

Fuzzy Haskins (Clarence Haskins)

b. 1941 in Elkhorn, WV
doo-wop/soul singer
instruments: guitar, drums
"Cookie Jar" (1976, he wrote), "Sometimes I Rock and Roll" (1976, he wrote), "I Can See Myself in You" (1976, he wrote), "This Situation Called Love" (1978), "Things We Used to Do" (1978, he wrote)
founding member of The Parliaments (1955- ), "You're Cute" (1962), "That Was My Girl" (1966), "I Can Feel the Ice Melting" (1967), "Look at What I Almost Missed" (1968), "A New Day Begins" (1969) (he was not on "(I Wanna) Testify")
founding member of Funkadelic
music producer; arranger
see The Parliaments on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Adolph Hofner

b. 1916 in Moulton, TX (grew up in San Antonio) - d. 2 Jun 2000 in San Antonio, TX (lung cancer)
western swing/country singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of Adolph Hofner and the San Antonians (1939- ), "Will You Think of Me?" (1947), "Tickle Toe Polka" (1948), "Kelley Waltz" (1949), "Julinda Polka" (1949), "Darlin', You're All the World to Me" (1949), "In My Heart and on My Mind" (1950), "Pipeliner Blues" (1962)
founding member of Jimmie Revard's Oklahoma Playboys

Matt Kaminsky (Matthew Kaminsky)

b. 1971 in Long Island, NY (grew up in Palm Springs, CA)
rock/novelty singer
instrument: keyboards
founding member of The Four Postmen (1992- ), "Mailman Song" (1993), "31 Cents" (1993), "It's All about Me" (1997), "Four Years of High School Spanish" (1997), "The Chainsaw Juggler" (2001), "The Three Postmen" (2004), "No One Thinks the Way I Do" (2004)
actor; comedian
md. to actress Dotty Coloroso (1994- )
see The Four Postmen

Monty Kelly

b. 1910 in Oakland, CA - d. 15 Mar 1971
pop musician, instrument: trumpet
founding member and lead of Monty Kelly and His Orchestra, "Doreen" (1953), "Tropicana" (#19 1953), "Three O'Clock in the Morning" (#21 1953), "Take Me to Far Away Places" (1955), "Summer Set" (#30 1960), "Amelia" (1960)
session musician with Al Martino, and others
songwriter, wrote The Sandpipers' "Guantanamera" (#9 1966); The Four Aces' "Melody of Love" (#3 1955)

Chuck Negron (Charles Negron)

b. 1942 in Buffalo, NY (grew up in the Bronx, NY)
pop/rock singer
"Still in Your Heart" (1995), "I Feel Free" (1995), "Never Was My Plan" (1999), "Soul to Soul" (1999)
founding member of Three Dog Night (1968-77), "One" (#5 1969), "Eli's Coming" (#10 1969), "Easy to Be Hard" (#4 1969), "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)" (#1 1970), "Out in the Country" (#15 1970), "I Can Hear You Calling" (1970), "My Impersonal Life" (1971), "Pieces of April" (1971), "Liar" (#7 1971), * "Joy to the World" (#1 1971), "Never Been to Spain" (#5 1971), "An Old-Fashioned Love Song" (#4 1972), "Black and White" (#1 1972), "Shambala" (#3 1973), "The Show Must Go on" (#4 1974), "Sure As I'm Sitting Here" (#16 1974), "'Til the World Ends" (#32 1975)
songwriter
see Three Dog Night

Vernon Oxford

b. 1941 in Rogers, AR (grew up in Wichita, KS)
honky-tonk/country singer
instruments: fiddle, guitar
"Watermelon Time in Georgia" (1965), "Let's Take a Cold Shower" (1966), "Field of Flowers" (1967), "Little Sister, Throw Your Red Shoes Away" (1967), "Woman, Let Me Sing You a Song" (1967), "Old Folks' Home" (1967), "That's the Way I Talk" (1967), "Baby Sister" (1974), "Shadows of My Mind" (#54c 1976), "Redneck!" (#17c 1976), "A Good Old-Fashioned Saturday Night Honky-Tonk Barroom Brawl" (#55c 1977), "His and Hers" (1980), "Everything But You" (1981)
songwriter

Larry Palumbo

b. 1941 - d. 1960
doo-wop singer (baritone)
founding member of The Earls (1957-60), "Spinnin'" (1957), "Believe Me, My Love" (1957)
served in the Army, either died when his parachute didn't open during a training exercise OR died from a blood clot caused by jumping
see Larry Chance and the Earls on Wikipedia

Tony Rice (David Anthony Rice)

b. 1951 in Danville, VA (grew up in CA)
country/bluegrass singer (tenor)
instrument: acoustic guitar
"I Think it's Going to Rain Today" (1984), "Is That So?" (1987), "Brother to the Wind" (1988), "Changes" (1988)
with The Bluegrass Alliance (1970-71)
founding member of The Rice Brothers, "Don't Think Twice" (1989), "All That You Ask" (1994), "That's When I'll Stop Loving You" (1994)
founding member of The Grisman Quintet (1975-79)
founding member of The Bluegrass Album Band (1980-89)
with J. D. Crowe and the New South (1972-75, 1978), "Ten Degrees and Getting Colder" (1973), "You Can Share My Blanket" (1973), "I'm Walkin'" (1975), "Will You Be Lonesome, Too?" (1978), "My Window Faces the South" (1978)

Boz Scaggs (William Royce Scaggs)

b. 1944 in Canton, OH (grew up in Dallas, TX)
rock/folk/soul singer
instruments: guitar, keyboards
"Lowdown" (#3 1976), "What Can I Say?" (1977), "JoJo" (#17 1980), "Breakdown Dead Ahead" (#15 1980), "Look What You've Done to Me" (1980), "Miss Sun" (1981), "Heart of Mine" (#35 1988), "But Beautiful" (2003), "Never Let Me Go" (2003), "Fade into Light" (2005)
founding member of the Steve Miller Band (1968- ), "Sittin' in Circles" (1968), "Living in the U.S.A." (#49 1968), "Quicksilver Girl" (1968), "Song for Our Ancestors" (1969), "Going to the Country" (#69 1970), "Nothing Lasts" (1972), "The Joker" (#1 1973), "Fly Like an Eagle" (#2 1976), "Rock 'N' Me" (#1 1976), "Sweet Maree" (1976), "Jet Airliner" (#8 1977), "Heart Like a Wheel" (#24 1981)
songwriter
music producer
see Boz Scaggs
see the Steve Miller Band on Wikipedia

John Sharkey

b. 1946 in Los Angeles, CA
rock musician, instruments: guitar, keyboards
founding member of Syndicate of Sound (1964-70, and reunions), "Little Girl" (#8 1966, One-Hit Wonder), "So Alone" (1966), "That Kind of Man" (1967), "Brown Paper Bag" (1969)
see Syndicate of Sound

Sunday Sharpe

b. 1946 in Orlando, FL
country singer
"I Gave All I Had to Him" (1974), "I'm Having Your Baby" (#11c 1974), "Mister Songwriter" (#47c 1975), "Another Lonely Night" (1975), "A Little at a Time" (#18c 1976), "Hold on Tight" (#45c 1977)
songwriter

Nancy Sinatra (Nancy Sandra Sinatra)

b. 1940 in Jersey City, NJ
pop singer
"Cuff Links and a Tie Clip" (1961), "These Boots are Made for Walkin'" (#1 1966), "Friday's Child" (#36 1966), "How Does That Grab You, Darlin'?" (#7 1966), "Hutchinson Jail" (1966), "Leave My Dog Alone" (1966), "Sugar Town" (#5 1966), "Lightning's Girl" (#24 1967), "Love Eyes" (#15 1967), "The Highway Song" (1969), "How Are Things in California?" (1970)
duet with Frank Sinatra, * "Something Stupid" (#1 1967)
duets with Lee Hazlewood, "Summer Wine" (#49 1966), "Jackson" (#14 1967), "Lady Bird" (#20 1967), "Some Velvet Morning" (#26 1968), "She Won't" (1968)
duet with Mel Tillis, "Texas Cowboy Night" (#23c 1981)
actress
daughter of Frank Sinatra
md. to Tommy Sands (1960-65), md. to Hugh Lambert (1970-85, his death)
see Nancy Sinatra

James Sylvers (James Jonathan Sylvers)

b. 1955
R&B/soul singer
founding member of The Sylvers (1971- ), "Fool's Paradise" (1972), "Wish That I Could Talk to You" (#77 1972), "Stay Away from Me" (1973), "Through the Love in My Heart" (1973), "Boogie Fever" (#1 1976), "Cotton Candy" (#57 1976), "Hot Line" (#5 1976), "High School Dance" (#17 1977), "Any Way You Want Me" (1977), "Mahogany (Do You Know)?" (1979)
see The Sylvers on soulwalking

Derek Trucks

b. 1979 in Jacksonville, FL
country/rock/blues musician, instruments: guitar, slide guitar
founding member of the Derek Trucks Band (1994- ), "Footprints" (1997), "Pleasant Gardens" (1998, he co-wrote), "So Close, So Far Away" (2002)
with the Allman Brothers Band (1999- , replaced Jack Pearson), "The High Cost of Low Living" (2003), "Old Friend" (2003), "Who to Believe" (2003)
he is in both his band and Allman Brothers
songwriter
md. to singer/guitarist, Susan Tedeschi (2001- )
nephew of Butch Trucks
see The Allman Brothers

Bonnie Tyler (Gaynor Hopkins)

b. 1951 in Wales
pop/rock/country singer
"It's a Heartache" (#3, #10c 1978), "My Guns Are Loaded" (#86c 1979), "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (#1 1983), "Faster Than the Speed of Night" (1983), "Holding Out for a Hero" (#34 1984), "If You Were a Woman (and I Was a Man)" (#77 1986), "Rebel Without a Clue" (1986), "Against the Wind" (1991), "From the Bottom of My Lonely Heart" (1993), "Making Love Out of Nothing at All" (1995), "Against All Odds" (2003)
md. to Robert Sullivan (1973- )
see Bonnie Tyler

Mack Vickery (Willard Mack Vickery aka Vic Vickers)

b. 1938 in Town Creek, AL (grew up in Adrian, MI) - d. 21 Dec 2004 in Nashville, TN (heart attack)
country/rock singer
instrument: acoustic guitar
"Goin' Back to St. Louis" (1960), "Actions Speak Louder Than Words" (1964), "Bell Bottom Jeans" (1966), "Ishabilly" (#49c 1977), "Here's to the Horses" (#94c 1977), "Fool Proof" (2001)
recorded as Atlanta James, "That Kind of Fool" (#95c 1974)
songwriter, wrote Jerry Lee Lewis' "Rockin' My Life Away" (#18c 1979); Johnny Paycheck's "I'm the Only Hell (My Mama Ever Raised)" (#8c 1977); Ricky Van Shelton's "I'll Leave This World Loving You" (#1c 1988)
co-wrote George Strait's "The Fireman" (#5c 1985); Tanya Tucker's "The Jamestown Ferry" (#5c 1972); Vern Gosdin's "Right in the Wrong Direction" (#10c 1990); Becky Hobbs' "Jones on the Jukebox" (#31c 1988); Moe Bandy and Becky Hobbs' "Let's Get Over Them Together" (#10c 1983); Waylon Jennings' "The Eagle" (#22c 1991)

Sara Watkins

b. 1981
folk/bluegrass/country singer
instruments: fiddle, ukulele
founding member of Nickel Creek (1989- ), "When You Come Back Down" (#48c 2000), "Reasons Why" (2000), "Smoothie Song" (2002), "This Side" (#56c 2002), "Seven Wonders" (2002), "When in Rome" (2005), "Somebody More Like You" (2005), "Best of Luck" (2005), she co-wrote), "First and Last Waltz" (2005, she co-wrote)
session musician with Hank Williams, Jr., Bela Fleck, Mandy Moore, and others
songwriter
sister of Sean Watkins
see Nickel Creek

Bob Weaver

b. 1939 in Jackson, AL
rockabilly singer
founding member of Travis and Bob, "Tell Him No" (#8 1959, One-Hit Wonder), "We're Too Young" (1959), "Little Bitty Johnny" (#95 1959), "Lover's Rendezvous" (1959), "That's How Long" (1960), "Pocahontas" (1960)

June 9

Johnny Ace (John Marshall Alexander, Jr.)

b. 1929 in Memphis, TN – d. 25 Dec 1954 (accidental shooting)
blues/soul singer
instrument: piano
"Follow the Rule" (1952), "Aces Wild" (1953), "Saving My Love for You" (1954), "Please Forgive Me" (1954), "Pledging My Love" (#17 1955, One-Hit Wonder), "Still Love You So" (1956)
founding member of The Beale Streeters, "I.O.U. Blues" (1952), "My Song" (1952), "The Clock" (1953)
duet with Willie Mae 'Big Mama' Thornton, "Yes, Baby" (1954)
served in the Navy during WWII
shot himself in the head while playing Russian Roulette (or just playing with a gun) backstage at Houston's City Auditorium, he died the next day

George Bunnell

b. 1949 in Lawrence, MA
country/rock singer
instruments: bass, rhythm guitar
with Strawberry Alarm Clock (1967-68, and reunions, joined after the song "Incense and Peppermints"), "Strawberries Mean Love" (1967), "Tomorrow" (#23 1968), "Sit With the Guru" (#65 1968), "Barefoot in Baltimore" (#67 1968), "Sea Shell" (1968)
with Grey Dogs
songwriter
see Strawberry Alarm Clock on Wikipedia

Willard Cox (Willard Lawrence Cox)

b. 1937 in Cotton Valley, LA
bluegrass singer
instrument: fiddle
with The Cox Family, "My Favorite Memory" (1993), "Backroads" (1993), "Another Lonesome Morning" (1995), "Love of a Lifetime" (1996), "I am Weary (Let Me Rest)" (2000), "Will There Be Stars in My Crown?" (2000)
father of Sidney, Evelyn and Suzanne Cox

Billy C. Farlow

b. 1949 in Greensburg, IN (grew up in Decatur, AL)
western swing/blues singer
instruments: harmonica, guitar
"The Rain Don't Fall on Me" (2006)
with Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen (1969-76), "Hot Rod Lincoln" (#9, #51c 1972, One-Hit Wonder), "Truck-Stop Rock" (1972), "It Should've Been Me" (1972), "That's What I Like about the South" (1975)
founding member of Billy C and the Sunshine, "Watch My .38" (1976), "If You Don't Wanna Boogie (Don't Waste My Time)" (1979)
duets with Rich Kirch, "Southern Moon" (2005, he wrote), "Crack in the Wall" (2005, he wrote)
songwriter
md. to Peggy Jones

Billy Hatton (William Hatton)

b. 1941 in Liverpool, England
rock musician, instrument: bass
founding member of The Fourmost (1961-69), "Hello, Little Girl" (1963), "A Little Lovin'" (1964), "Here, There and Everywhere" (1966)
see The Fourmost

Jon Lord (Jon Douglas Lord)

b. 1941 in Leicester, England
rock/blues musician, instruments: piano, Hammond organ, keyboards
founding member of Deep Purple (1968-76, 1984-2001), "Hush" (#4 1968), "Kentucky Woman" (1968), "Speed King" (1970, he co-wrote), "Highway Star" (1972, he co-wrote), "Lazy" (1972, he co-wrote), "Smoke on the Water" (#4 1973, he co-wrote), "Woman from Tokyo" (1973, he co-wrote), "Smooth Dancer" (1973, he co-wrote), "Might Just Take Your Life" (1974, he co-wrote), "Comin' Home" (1975), "Perfect Strangers" (1984), "Wasted Sunsets" (1984), "Too Much is Not Enough" (1990), "Breakfast in Bed" (1990), "The Battle Rages on" (1993), "Anya" (1993, he co-wrote), "A Touch Away" (1996, he co-wrote), "Watching the Sky" (1998, he co-wrote)
with Whitesnake (1978-83)
session pianist on The Kinks' "You Really Got Me" (#7 1964); and others
songwriter
md. to Vickie Lord (twin sister of Ian Paice's wife)
see Whitesnake
see Deep Purple
see Deep Purple on classic bands.com

Les Paul (Lester William Polfus)

b. 1915/16 in Waukesha, WI - 13 Aug 2009
pop/jazz singer
instruments: guitar, harmonica, banjo
"Rumors are Flying" (#1 1946), "What is This Thing Called Love?" (#11 1948)
duets with Mary Ford, "How High the Moon" (#1 1951), "Mockin' Bird Hill" (#2, #7c 1951), "The World is Waiting for the Sunrise" (#2 1951), "Vaya Con Dios (May God Be with You)" (#1 1953), "Hummingbird" (#7 1955), "Texas Lady" (1955), "Cinco Robles (Five Oaks)" (#35 1957)
duet with Bing Crosby, "It's Been a Long, Long Time" (#1 1945)
duet with The Andrews Sisters, "Rumors are Flying" (#4 1946)
songwriter
arranger
invented the slide-body electric guitar and designed other guitars
designed the first 8-track tape recorder
md. to singer, Colleen Summers (aka Mary Ford) (1949-63)
when an auto accident in 1948 shattered his right arm and elbow, he had the surgeons set it at an angle that allowed him to continue playing his guitar

Herb Remington (Herbert Leroy Remington)

b. 1926 in Mishawaka, IN
country/Western Swing musician, instruments: steel guitar, pedal steel guitar, guitar, bass, ukulele
"Station Break" (1957), "Remington Ride" (1959), "Soft-Shoe Slide" (1961), "Light Touch" (1965), "Westphalia Waltz" (1975), "Early Morning Blues" (1977), "Ramona" (1979), "I-45 North" (1984), "Call Me Collect" (1987), "Once in a While" (1995), "Daisy Mae" (1999)
with Bob Wills' Texas Playboys (1945-49), "Smoke on the Water" (#1c 1945), "Stars and Stripes on Iwo Jima" (#1c 1945), "Hang Your Head in Shame" (#3c 1945), "Texas Playboy Rag" (#2c 1945), "You Don't Care What Happens to Me" (#5c 1945), "Nobody's Darling But Mine" (1945), "Silver Dew on the Bluegrass Tonight" (#1c 1945), "Texas Two-Step" (1945), "White Cross in Okinawa" (#1c 1946), "New Spanish Two-Step" (#1c 1946), "Stay a Little Longer" (#2c 1946), "Spanish Fandango" (1947), "Can't Get Enough of Texas" (1947), "Sugar Moon" (#1c 1947), "Bubbles in My Beer" (#4c 1948), "Keeper of My Heart" (#8c 1948), "Thorn in My Heart" (#10c 1949)
duet with Mark Remington, "Nineteen Kinds of Hell" (1984), "Blue Sunshine" (1984)
duets with Route 66, "Across the Alley from the Alamo" (1998), "Take Me Back to Tulsa" (1998)
songwriter
guitar designer
see The Texas Playboys

Wild Jimmy Spruill (James Spruill)

b. 1934 in Fayetteville, NC - d. 3 Feb 1996 in Washington, DC (heart attack)
blues/rock musician, instrument: guitar
"Honky-Tonk Huckle-Buck" (1957), "Hard Grind" (1959), "Kansas City March" (1959), "Raisin' Hell" (1961), "Slow Draggin'" (1962), "Scratch 'N' Twist" (1962), "Cut and Dried" (1964)
session musician on Wilbur Harrison's "Kansas City" (#1 1959); Dave 'Baby' Cortez's "The Happy Organ" (#1 1959); "Bobby Lewis' "Tossin' and Turnin'" (#1 1961); The Shirelles' "Dedicated to the One I Love" (#3 1961); Buster Brown's "Fannie Mae" (#38 1960); The Storey Sisters' "Bad Motorcycle" (#45 1958); and with Elmore James, Little Anthony and the Imperials, and others
interior decorator

Jackie Wilson (Jack Leroy Wilson)

b. 1934 in Detroit, MI – 21 Jan 1984/89
R&B/pop singer
"Lonely Teardrops" (#7 1959), "That's Why (I Love You So)" (#13 1959), "I'll Be Satisfied" (#20 1959), "(You Were Made For) All My Love" (#12 1960), "Talk That Talk" (#34 1960), "Night" (#4 1960), "A Woman, a Lover, a Friend" (#15 1960), "Alone at Last" (#8 1960), "Night" (#4 1960), "My Empty Arms" (#9 1961), "Please Tell Me Why" (#20 1961), "I'm Comin' on Back to You" (#19 1961), "Years from Now" (#37 1961), "The Greatest Hurt" (#34 1962), "Baby Workout" (#5 1963), "Call Her Up" (1964), "Whispers (Gettin' Louder)" (#11 1966), "The Fairest of Them All" (1966), "(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher" (#6 1967), "I Get the Sweetest Feeling" (#34 1968), "With These Hands" (1969), "This Love is Real" (1970), "Let This Be a Letter (to My Baby)" (1970), "Don't Burn No Bridges" (1975), "It Only Happens When I Look at You" (1977)
recorded as Sonny Wilson, "Rainy Day Blues" (1952), "Bulldozer Blues" (1952)
with The Dominoes (1953-56, replaced Clyde McPhatter), "The Bells" (1953), "Ringing in a Brand New Year" (1953), "You Can't Keep a Good Man Down" (1953), "Until the Real Thing Comes Along" (1954), "The Handwriting on the Wall" (1954), "Give Me You" (1955), "Bobby Sox Baby" (1956), "Treasure of Love" (#16 1956), "St. Therese of the Roses" (#27 1956)
he was in a coma for 8 years before he died after a heart attack during a show caused him to fall and hit his head
see The Dominoes

Nathaniel 'Buster' Wilson

b. 1934 - d. Apr 1980 (murdered)
rock/doo-wop singer (bass)
with Cornell Gunter's Coasters, "Shoppin' for Clothes" (1970), "Down in Mexico" (1975), "Love in My Heart" (1975)
with The Hollywood Saxons (1957-196?), "Please Be My Love Tonight" (1958), "Home on the Range" (1958), "It's You" (1963), "Laughing Girl" (1963)
served in the military (195?-57)
he was shot and dismembered by the Coasters' manager who thought he was going to reveal some illegal activity; his body was found in 1982 in a canyon near Modesto, CA

June 10

Ed Burleson (Bennett Edward Burleson IV)

b. 1969 in Denison, TX
country singer
instrument: rhythm guitar
"It All Started and Ended with You" (1999), "Clinging to You" (1999), "My Perfect World" (1999), "I Can Be Lonely by Myself" (2001), "Going Home to Texas" (2001), "No Closin' Time" (2001), "Long Distance Love" (2004), "Loneliness" (2004), "The Cold Hard Truth" (2005), "Heart-Break Highway" (2005), "Honky-Tonk Heart" (2005)
songwriter
rodeo rider

Roy Chaney

b. 1948 in Indianapolis, IN
pop singer
instrument: bass
founding member of The Count Five (1964-69), "Psychotic Reaction" (#5 1966, One-Hit Wonder), "Revelation in Slow Motion" (1968), "Mailman" (1969)
founding member of The Count, "See You in the Morning" (2002), "I'm in Love Again" (2002), "Can't Sleep" (2002)
songwriter
see The Count Five

Judy Garland (Frances Ethel Gumm)

b. 1922 in Grand Rapids, MN - d. 22 Jun 1969 in London, England (accidental overdose of barbiturates)
pop singer
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (1939), "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (1944), "I Could Go on Singing" (1963)
actress, played 'Dorothy' in The Wizard of Oz
md. to David Rose (1941-45), md. to Vincente Minnelli (1945-52), md. to Sidney Luft (1952-65), md. to Mark Herron (1965-67), md. to Mickey Deans (1969)
mother of Liza Minnelli and Lorna Luft
see the Judy Garland Database

Bounce Gregory (Gerald Davis Gregory)

b. 1934 in Madison, IL - d. 12 Feb 1999 in IN (brain cancer)
doo-wop singer (bass)
founding member of The Spaniels (1953-98), "Bounce" (1953), "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight" (#24 1954, he wrote), "You Painted Pictures" (1955), "Why Won't You Dance?" (1956), "You Gave Me Peace of Mind" (1956), "These Three Words" (1959), "Bus Fare Home" (1960), "Fairytales" (1970), "She Sang to Me" (1974)
see The Spaniels on R&B Notebooks

Brian Hofeldt

b. 1967
country musician, instrument: lead guitar
founding member of Two Hoots and a Holler
founding member of The Derailers (1994- ), "One Hundred Percent Pure Fool" (1996), "No One to Talk to But the Blues" (1997), "The Right Place" (#71c 1999), "Lost and Found" (1999), "Your Guess is As Good As Mine" (2001), "Leave a Message" (2003), "Whole Other World" (2003)
see The Derailers

Mickey Jones

b. 1941 in Houston, TX
folk/rock/country musician, instrument: drums
"She Loves My Troubles Away" (#94c 1979), "A Song a Day Keeps the Blues Away" (#85c 1989), "Bigger Man Than Me" (#80c 1989)
founding member of The First Edition (1967-75), "Shadow in the Corner of Your Mind" (1967), "Homemade Lies" (1968), "Just Dropped in (to See What Condition My Condition Was in)" (#5 1968), "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town" (#6, #39c 1969), "But You Know I Love You" (#19 1969), "Ruben James" (#26 1969), "Something's Burning" (#11 1970), "I'm Gonna Sing You a Sad Song, Susie" (1970), "Tell it All, Brother" (#17 1970), "Heed the Call" (#33 1970), "Someone Who Cares" (#51 1971)
session musician with Trini Lopez, Johnny Rivers, Bob Dylan, and others
actor
see The First Edition on Wikipedia

Shirley Owens (aka Shirley Owens Alston)

b. 1941 in Passaic, NJ
R&B/pop singer
"I Do Love You" (1975), "I'd Rather Not Be Loving You" (1975)
founding member and lead of The Shirelles (1958-75), "I Met Him on a Sunday" (1958), "A Teardrop and a Lollipop" (1959), "Tonight's the Night" (#39 1960), "The Dance is Over" (1960), * "Baby, it's You" (#8 1961), * "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" (#1 1961), * "Mama Said" (#4 1961), "Dedicated to the One I Love" (#3 1961), * "Soldier Boy" (#1 1962), "Welcome Home, Baby" (#22 1962), * "Foolish Little Girl" (#4 1963), "Don't Say Goodnight and Mean Goodbye" (#26 1963), "Everybody Loves a Lover" (#19 1963), "31 Flavors" (1963), "Not for All the Money in the World" (1963), "Shh, I'm Watching the Movie" (1965), "Bright Shiny Colors" (1967), "Last-Minute Miracle" (1967), "Wild and Sweet" (1968)
md. to Mr. Alston, md. to Mr. Reeves
see The Shirelles

Tom Schuyler

b. 1952 in Union, MS or Bethlehem, PA
country/folk/pop singer
"A Little at a Time" (#49c 1983), "Brave Heart" (#43c 1983)
founding member of Schuyler, Knobloch and Overstreet (1986-87), "Baby's Got a New Baby" (#1c 1986), "You Can't Stop Love" (#9c 1986, he co-wrote)
with Schuyler, Knobloch and Bickhardt (1987- ), "Givers and Takers" (#8c 1987), "You Take Me Home" (1987, he co-wrote), "(There Ain't) No Easy Horses" (#19c 1987), "This Old House" (#24c 1987, he co-wrote), "American Steel" (1987)
songwriter, co-wrote Lacy J. Dalton's "16th Avenue" (#7c 1982)

Janet Vogel

b. 1942 in Pittsburgh, PA – d. 21 Feb 1980 (suicide using carbon monoxide)
pop singer (tenor)
founding member of The Skyliners (1958-63, 1970- ), "Since I Don't Have You" (#12 1959, he co-wrote), "This I Swear" (#26 1959, he co-wrote), "It Happened Today" (#59 1959), "Pennies from Heaven" (#24 1960), "Lorraine From Spain" (1960), "I'll Close My Eyes" (1961), "Our Day is Here" (1976), "We've Got Love on Our Side" (1978), "You're My Christmas Present" (1990), "Another New Year's Eve" (2005), "Who Knows I Love You?" (2005), "I'll Never Start to Stop Lovin' You" (2005)
md. to Mr. Rapp
see The Skyliners

Howlin' Wolf (Chester Arthur Burnett)

b. 1910 in West Point, MS – d. 10 Jan 1976 (kidney failure)
blues singer
instruments: guitar, harmonica
"Crying at Daybreak" (1951), "I Want Your Picture" (1951), "Baby, Ride With Me (Ridin' in the Moonlight)" (1951), "Morning at Midnight" (1951), "Saddle My Pony" (1952), "Driving This Highway" (1952), "Worried All the Time" (1952), "Getting Old and Grey" (1952), "The Wolf is at Your Door" (1952), "The Sun is Rising" (1952), "Dorothy Mae" (1952), "Highway, My Friend" (1953), "Just My Kind" (1953), "Forty-Four" (1954), "I Asked for Water (She Gave Me Gasoline)" (1956), "You Ought to Know" (1956), "Smokestack Lightnin'" (1956, he wrote), "I Ain't Superstitious" (1962), "Built for Comfort" (1963), "Hidden Charms" (1963), "Tell Me What I've Done" (1965), "I Walked From Dallas" (1965), "My Mind is Ramblin'" (1966), "Wild Ramblin'" (1966), "Mary Sue" (1969), "Hard Luck" (1970), "Call Me the Wolf" (1972)
songwriter
served in the Army during WWII
he was 6'6" tall
see Howlin' Wolf

June 11

Bill Albaugh (William E. Albaugh)

b. 1946-48 in England - d. 20 Jan 1999
folk/rock/pop singer
instrument: drums
founding member of The Lemon Pipers, (1966-69), "Through with You" (1967), "Rice is Nice" (#46 1967), "Blueberry Blue" (1967), "Green Tambourine" (#1 1968, One-Hit Wonder), "No Help From Me" (1968)

Wilma Burgess (Wilma Charlene Burgess)

b. 1939 in Orlando, FL - d. 26 Aug 2003 in Nashville, TN (heart attack)
country/pop singer
"You Can't Stop My Heart From Breaking" (1965), "Baby" (#7c 1966), "Don't Touch Me" (#12c 1966), "Turn Around Teardrops" (1966), "Wait Til the Sun Comes Up" (1966), "Misty Blue" (#4c 1966), "Fifteen Days" (#24c 1967), "Tear Time" (#15c 1967)
duets with Bud Logan, "Wake Me into Love" (#14c 1974), "The Best Day of the Rest of Our Love" (#53c 1974)

Mike Daly

b. 1955 in Cleveland, OH
country/rock musician, instrument: steel guitar
founding member of The Gibson/Miller Band (1990- ), "Big Heart" (#37c 1993), "High Rollin'" (#20c 1993), "Texas Tattoo" (#22c 1993), "Stone Cold Country" (#40c 1993), "Red, White and Blue Collar" (#59c 1994), "Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to Be Cowboys" (#49c 1994), "All Because of You" (1994), "Sudden Stop" (1994)
see The Gibson/Miller Band on WikipediA

Joey Dee (Joseph DiNicola)

b. 1940 in Passaic, NJ
rock singer
"(Bad) Bulldog" (1961), "These Memories" (1961), "Put Your Heart in it" (1967)
founding member and lead of Joey Dee and the Starliters (1958- ), "Face of an Angel" (1958), "Peppermint Twist" (#1 1962, he co-wrote), "Hey, Let's Twist" (#20 1962), "Shout" (#6 1962), "What Kind of Love is This?" (#18 1962), "Help Me Pick Up the Pieces" (1963), "Dancing on the Beach" (1966), "She's So Exceptional" (1966)
songwriter
actor
see Joey Dee and the Starliters on Wikipedia

Scotty Emerick

b. 1973 in Hollywood, FL
country singer
instrument: guitar
"The Coast is Clear" (#47c 1947, he co-wrote), "The Watch" (#43c 2004, he co-wrote), "What's Up With That?" (#59c 2006)
duets with Toby Keith, "I Can't Take You Anywhere" (#91, #24c 2003, he co-wrote), "Hurtin' All Over" (2007), "Love Me Like My Dog Does" (2007)
backup singer with Toby Keith and others
songwriter, co-wrote Toby Keith's "I'm Just Talkin' About Tonight" (#27, #1c 2001), "I Love This Bar" (#26, #1c 2003), "As Good as I Once Was" (#28, #1c 2005), "A Little Too Late" (#2c 2006); Toby Keith and Willie Nelson's "Beer for My Horses" (#22, #1c 2003; Sawyer Brown's "I Don't Believe in Goodbye" (#4c 1995)

Danny Frazier

b. 19?? in CA (grew up in Kerrville, TX)
country/rock/blues singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of Frazier River (1991- ), "Everything About You" (1996), "Birmingham Steel" (1996), "She Got What She Deserves" (#57c 1996), "Tangled up in Texas" (#67c 1996)
founding member of The Danny Frazier Band, "Matters of the Heart" (2005), "Hard World to Love in" (2005), "Hell to Pay" (2005), "That's What You Do" (2005), "Love Don't Get No Better Than This" (2005)
songwriter

Brother Dave Gardner

b. 1926 in Jackson, TN - d. 22 Sep 1983 (heart attack)
country/novelty singer
instrument: drums
"White Silver Sands" (#22 1958, One-Hit Wonder), "Mad Witch" (1958), "Coward at the Alamo" (1961), "You Are My Love" (1961)
duet with Dee Dee Ford, "I Need Your Lovin'" (#20 1962)
comedian; actor

Johnny Neel

b. 1954 in Wilmington, DE
country/rock/blues singer
instruments: keyboards, harmonica, harp
"Gun Metal Blue" (2005), "Cross My Mind" (2005), "Strange Way" (2005)
with the Allman Brothers Band (1989-90), "Good Clean Fun" (1990, he co-wrote), "Seven Turns" (1990), "It Ain't Over Yet" (1990)
founding member of The Criminal Element
founding member of the Johnny Neel Band
session keyboardist with Willie Nelson, Dickey Betts, and others
songwriter
he has been blind since infancy
see The Allman Brothers
see Johnny Neel

Pookie Hudson (Thornton James Hudson)

b. 1934 in Des Moines, IA (grew up in Gary, IN) - d. 16 Jan 2007 in MD (cancer of the thymus)
doo-wop singer
"This Gets to Me" (1966), "All the Places I've Been" (1966)
founding member of The Spaniels (1953-66, 1969- ), "Bounce" (1953), "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight" (#24 1954, he wrote), "You Painted Pictures" (1955), "Why Won't You Dance?" (1956), "You Gave Me Peace of Mind" (1956), "These Three Words" (1959), "Bus Fare Home" (1960), "Fairytales" (1970), "She Sang to Me" (1974)
see The Spaniels on R&B Notebooks

Lonnie Irving

b. 1932 in Stoneville, NC - d. 2 Dec 1960 (leukemia)
country singer
"Pinball Machine" (#13c 1960, he wrote), "I Got the Blues on My Mind" (1960), "An Old-Fashioned Love" (1960), "I Wish I Had My Heart Back" (1960)
songwriter

Smilin' Jay McDowell (Jay Michael McDowell)

b. 1969 in Bedford, IN
country musician, instruments: upright bass, guitar
with BR5-49 (1995-2001), "Cherokee Boogie" (#44c 1996), "Even if it's Wrong" (#68c 1996), "Uneasy Rider" (2000)
with Hellbilly

Bruce Robison

b. 1966
country singer
"Not Forgotten You" (1996), "I Dream, Too" (1998), "Drivin' All Night Long" (1999), "Long Way from Anywhere" (1999), "Can't Get There from Here" (2001), "Friendless Marriage" (2001), "You Really Let Yourself Go" (2006), "All Over But the Cryin'" (2006), "When it Rains" (2007), "23A" (2007)
songwriter
see Bruce Robison

Jud Strunk (Justin Roderick Strunk, Jr.)

b. 1936 in Jamestown, NY (grew up in Buffalo, NY) - d. 15 Oct 1981 in ME (plane crash)
country/novelty singer
instrument: banjo
"Next Door Neighbor's Kid" (#86c 1973, he wrote), "A Daisy a Day" (#14, #33c 1973, he wrote), "The Runaway" (1973), "The Biggest Parakeets in Town" (#51c 1975, he wrote), "Pamela Brown" (#88c 1976)
backed by his band Coplin Kitchen (1977)
songwriter
comedian
environmentalist
he had a heart attack while taking off in his own plane, causing it to crash
see Jud Strunk

Donnie Van Zant

b. 1952 in Jacksonville, FL
rock/country singer
founding member of .38 Special, "Hold on Loosely" (#27 1981), "Caught up in You" (#10 1982), "If I'd Been the One" (#19 1983), "Back Where You Belong" (#20 1984), "Like No Other Night" (#14 1986), "Second Chance" (#6 1989), "The Sound of Your Voice" (#33 1991)
founding member of Van Zant (1985- ), "You've Got to Believe in Love" (1985), "Rage" (1998), "Help Somebody" (#66, #8c 2005), "Nobody's Gonna Tell Me What to Do" (#16c 2005), "Things I Miss the Most" (#59c 2006), "That Scares Me" (#50c 2007), "Goes Down Easy" (#45c 2007)
brother of Ronnie and Johnny Van Zant
see .38 Special

June 12

Barry Bailey

b. 1948 in Doraville, GA
rock/country musician, instrument: guitar
with The Atlanta Rhythm Section, "Georgia Rhythm" (1976), "So into You" (#7 1977), "Imaginary Lover" (#7 1978), "I'm Not Gonna Let it Bother Me Tonight" (#14 1978), "Silver Eagle" (#75c 1980), "Alien" (#29 1981)
songwriter
see the Atlanta Rhythm Section

Len Barry (Leonard Borisoff)

b. 1942 in Philadelphia PA
rock/soul singer
"1-2-3" (#2 1965), "Bullseye" (1965), "Like a Baby" (#27 1966), "Somewhere" (#26 1966), "Happily Ever After" (1966), "It's That Time of Year" (1966), "All Those Memories" (1967), "The Rainy Side of the Street" (1967), "4-5-6 (Now I'm Alone)" (1968), "In My Present State of Mind" (1970)
founding member and lead singer of The Dovells (1960-64, and reunions), "Letters of Love" (1960), "The Bristol Stomp" (#2 1961), "Do the Continental" (#37 1962), "Bristol Twistin' Annie" (#27 1962), "Hully Gully Baby" (#25 1962), "Kissin' in the Kitchen" (1962), * "You Can't Sit Down" (#3 1963), "You Can't Run Away From Yourself" (1963), "Watusi With Lucy" (1964), "Happy Birthday Just the Same" (1964), "Dragster on the Prowl" (1964)
The Dovells sang backup on Chubby Checker's "Let's Twist Again" (#8, #26c 1961)
songwriter

Archie Bleyer

b. 1909 in Queens, NY – d. 20 Mar 1989 in Sheboygan, WI (Parkinson's Disease)
pop/rock/country singer
instrument: piano
"Hernando's Hideaway" (#2 1954), "The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane" (#17 1954), "The Rockin' Ghost" (#61 1956), "You Tell Me Your Dreams (I'll Tell You Mine)" (1956), "Amber" (1957), "Sunrise Serenade" (1962)
The Archie Bleyer Orchestra was backup on The Everly Brothers' "Let it Be Me" (#7 1960); and others
backup singer on The Chordettes' "Mister Sandman" (#1 1954)
arranger
md. to singer, Janet Ertel of The Chordettes (1954- ); father-in-law of Phil Everly

Junior Brown (Jamieson Brown)

b. 1952/53 in Kirksville, IN or Cottonwood, AZ
country/Texas swing singer
instruments: guitar, steel guitar, piano
"Guit with it" (1993), "Highway Patrol" (#73c 1995), "Venom Wearin' Denim" (1996, he wrote), "My Wife Thinks You're Dead" (#68c 1996, he wrote), "Our First Bluebonnet Spring" (2001), "Kansas City Blues" (2001), "Monkey-Wrench Blues" (2004), "Hill Country Hot Rod Man" (2004)
songwriter
he and Michael Stevens invented a double-neck guitar in 1985
md. to Tanya Rae (1988- )
see Junior Brown

Rocky Burnette (Jonathan Burnette)

b. 1953 in Memphis, TN
country singer
instruments: guitar
"Tired of Toein' the Line" (#8 1980, he wrote), "In the Middle of the Night" (1982), "Crosswinds" (1982)
session musician
songwriter
son of Johnny Burnette

Bun E. Carlos (Brad Carlson)

b. 1951 in Rockford, IL
rock musician, instrument: drums
founding member of Cheap Trick (1973- ), "I Want You to Want Me" (#7 1979), "Dream Police" (1979), "Don't Be Cruel" (#4 1988), "The Flame" (#1 1988), "Can't Stop Fallin' into Love" (#12 1990)
session musician
songwriter
he is left-handed but plays guitar with either

Lyn Collins

b. 1948 in Lexington, TX (grew up in Abilene, TX) – d. 13 Mar 2005 in Pasadena, CA (cardiac arrest)
soul singer
"Unlucky in Love" (1962), "Wheels of Life" (1971), "Think (About it)" (1972), "Reach Out for Me" (1972), "Ain't No Sunshine" (1972), "Take Me Just as I Am" (1973)
backup singer with James Brown, Rod Stewart, and others

Harold Cowart

b. 1944 in Baton Rouge, LA
rock/R&B musician, instruments: bass, trumpet
with John Fred and His Playboy Band (1964-70), "Can't I Get a Word in?" (1966), "Agnes English" (1967), "Up and Down" (1967), "Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)" (#1 1968, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Hey, Hey Bunny" (#57 1968), "Silly Sarah Carter" (1969)
session musician

Vic Damone (Vito Rocco Farinola)

b. 1928 in Brooklyn, NY
pop singer
"I Have But One Heart" (#7 1947), "You Do" (#7 1947), "You're Breaking My Heart" (#1 1949), "Again" (#6 1949), "Tzena, Tzena, Tzena" (#7 1950), "My Heart Cries for You" (#4 1950), "My Truly, Truly Fair" (#4 1951), "Here in My Heart" (#8 1952), "Ebb Tide" (#10 1953), "On the Street Where You Live" (#4 1956), "An Affair to Remember" (#16 1957), "I'm Gonna Miss You" (1964), "You Were Only Fooling (While I Was Falling in Love)" (#30 1965), "On the South Side of Chicago" (1967)
duets with Jane Powell, "Sometimes I'm Happy" (1955), "I Know That You Know" (1955)
actor
served in the Army (1951-53)
md. 1st to actress, Anna Maria Pierangeli (1954-58); md. 2nd to Judith Rawlins; md. 4th to singer, Diahann Carroll (1987-96); md. 5th to singer, Rena Rowan
see Vic Damone

Charlie Feathers (Charles Arthur Feathers)

b. 1932 near Holly Springs, MS – d. 29 Aug 1998 (stroke)
rockabilly singer
instrument: guitar
"I've Been Deceived" (1955), "Peepin' Eyes" (1955), "A Wedding Gown of White" (1955), "Can't Hardly Stand it" (1956), "Tongue-Tied Jill" (1956), "Too Much Alike" (1957), "Nobody's Darling" (1963), "She Done Gone" (1964), "Tear it Up" (1968), "Cherry Wine" (1968), "Uh Huh, Honey" (1973), "Long Time Ago" (1973)
session musician
songwriter, co-wrote Elvis Presley's "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" (#1c 1956)
see the Charlie Feathers Discography

Ronnie Gaylord (Ronald L. Fredianelli aka Ronnie Vincent)

b. 1930 in Detroit, MI – d. 25 Jan 2004 in Reno, NV (cancer)
pop singer
"Cuddle Me" (#13 1954), "Am I Lonely?" (1954), "Don't You Forget about Me" (1954)
founding member of The Gaylords (1949-54, 1958-76), "Tell Me You're Mine" (#2 1953), "Spinning a Web" (1953), "Isle of Capri" (1954), "The Strings of My Heart" (1954), "The Little Shoemaker" (1954), "Veni-Vidi-Vici" (1954), "Love I You (You I Love)" (1954), "From the Vine Came the Grape" (#7 1954), "Homin' Pigeon" (1959), "Carina" (1960), "Daisy, You're Driving Me Crazy" (1961)
with Gaylord and Holiday (1976-2003)
served in the army (1954-57)
father of guitarist, Anthony Fredianelli

Betty Harris

b. 1941 in Orlando, FL (grew up in AL)
soul singer
"Cry to Me" (#23 1963, One-Hit Wonder), "It's Dark Outside" (1963), "His Kiss" (#89 1964), "What a Sad Feeling" (1965), "I Don't Want to Hear it" (1966), "Twelve Red Roses" (1966), "Nearer to You" (#85 1967), "Mean Man" (1968), "What'd I Do Wrong?" (1968), "There's a Break in the Road" (1969), "I'll Be a Liar" (1969)
duet with Lee Dorsey, "Love Lots of Lovin'" (#110 1968)
duet with James Carr, "I'm a Fool for You" (#97 1967)

Rebecca Holden

b. 1958 in Austin, TX
country singer
"The Truth Doesn't Always Rhyme" (#82c 1989), "License to Steal" (#78c 1989), "The Highway Runs Both Ways" (1993), We Fell in Love Anyway" (1993) "I'm in Love and He's in Dallas" (1993), "This World Needs a Rehearsal" (2003)
songwriter
actress
see Rebecca Holden

Penny Jay (Helen Florence Moyers aka 'Little Miss Helen')

b. 1927 in Nashville, TN - d. 29 Mar 2006 in Knoxville, TN
country/bluegrass/gospel singer
instrument: bass
"Those Kinds of Girls" (1961), "You Gave My Wedding Rings Away" (1961), "Just Over the Line" (1963), "He Talked Me into Loving Him"
with Jimmy Martin's band
songwriter, co-wrote Carl and Pearl Butler's "Don't Let Me Cross Over" (#1c 1962); Skeeter Davis' "Set Him Free" (#5c 1959); Jimmy Martin's "Widow Maker" (#19c 1964)

Bill Kenny

b. 1914 - d. 25 Mar 1978
R&B/pop singer
"Once" (1951), "My First and My Last Love" (1951), "Stranger in the City" (1952), "If I Forget You" (1952), "The Flower and the Weed" (1955)
lead singer of The Ink Spots (1936-51, replaced Jerry Daniels), "Address Unknown" (#1 1939), "If I Didn't Care" (#2 1939, re-release #1 1946), "Do I Worry?" (1940), "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano" (#4 1940), "We Three (My Echo, My Shadow, and Me)" (#1 1941), "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire" (#4 1941), "Shout, Brother, Shout" (1942), "The Gypsy" (#1 1946), "To Each His Own" (#1 1946)
The Ink Spots with Ella Fitzgerald, "I'm Making Believe" (#1 1944), "I'm Beginning to See the Light" (#5 1945)
poet
twin brother of Herb Kenny

Herb Kenny (Herbert Cornelius Kenny)

b. 1914 in Philadelphia, PA - d. 11 Jul 1992 in MD
R&B singer (bass)
with The Ink Spots (1945-51, replace Cliff Givens), "The Gypsy" (#1 1946), "To Each His Own" (#1 1946)
The Ink Spots with Ella Fitzgerald, "I'm Beginning to See the Light" (#5 1945)
with The Herb Kenny Trio
with The Rockets, "Calling You" (1952, he co-wrote)
songwriter
twin brother of Bill Kenny

T.J. Klay

b. 19?? in Sioux City, IA
country/blues/rock singer
instruments: mandolin, harmonica
"Back in America" (2007), "40-Something Years" (2007), "Innocence Dies Again" (2007)
founding member of Western Flyer (1992-97), "Western Flyer" (#61c 1994), "She Should've Been Mine" (#62c 1994), "I Would Give Anything" (1994), "Cherokee Highway" (#75c 1995), "Liar's Moon" (1994), "What Will You Do with M-E?" (#21c 1996)
see T.J. Klay

David Nelson

b. 1943 in San Fransisco, CA
country/rock/folk/bluegrass singer
instruments: lead guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin
founding member of The Papermill Creek Rounders
founding member of New Riders of the Purple Sage (1969-82, 2005- ), "Louisiana Lady" (1971), "Last Lonely Eagle" (1971), "Runnin' Back to You" (1972), "California Day" (1972), "On My Way Back Home" (1972), "Lonesome L.A. Cowboy" (1973), "Sunday Susie" (1974), "Neon Rose" (1974), "Farewell, Angelina" (1975), "Strangers on a Train" (1975), "Annie May" (1976), "Fifteen Days Under the Hood" (1976), "(Just) Another Night in Reno" (1977), "Till I Met You" (1977), "Green Eyes a Flashing" (1977), "Echoes" (1977), "The Way She Dances" (1980), "Day-Dreamin' Girl" (1980), "Saralyn" (1980)
founding member of the David Nelson Band (1994- )
session musician with Grateful Dead, and others
see New Riders of the Purple Sage
see The David Nelson Band

Dale Rossington (Dale Krantz)

b. 1952
rock/country singer
founding member of the new Lynyrd Skynyrd (1987- ), "Pure and Simple" (1991), "Can't Take That Away" (1993), "We Ain't Much Different" (1997), "Blame it on a Sad Song" (1997), "Life's Lessons" (2003)
md. to musician, Gary Rossington (1982- )
see Lynyrd Skynyrd

Reg Presley (Reginald Maurice Ball)

b. 1941 in Hampshire, England
rock singer (bass)
"Lucinda Lee" (1969)
founding member and lead singer of The Troggs, "Lost Girl" (1966), * "With a Girl Like You" (#29 1966), "Wild Thing" (#1 1966), "Hi Hi Hazel" (1967), "As I Ride By" (1967), "Girl in Black" (1967), "Cousin Jane" (1968), * "Love is All Around" (#7 1968, he wrote), "Sweet Madelaine" (1970)
songwriter

John Wetton (John Henry Wetton)

b. 1949 in Derbyshire, England
rock singer
instruments: bass, guitar
"Caught in the Crossfire" (1980), "Right Where I Wanted to Be" (1995), "Battle Lines" (1995), "Crime of Passion" (1995), "I Can't Lie Anymore" (1999)
with King Crimson (1972-74)
with Uriah Heep
founding member of Asia (1981-90, and reunions), "Only Time Will Tell" (#17 1982), "Heat of the Moment" (#4 1982), "Don't Cry" (#10 1983), "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes" (#34 1983), "Go" (#46 1985), "Days Like These" (#64 1990)
duets with Geoff Downes, "Please Change Your Mind" (2005), "Meet Me at Midnight" (2005)
session musician
songwriter
see Asia on Wikipedia
see King Crimson on Wikipedia

June 13

Phil Bodner (Philip L. Bodner)

b. 1919 in Waterbury, CT
swing/jazz musician, instruments: clarinet, flute
"Have You Met Miss Jones" (1980), "Fine and Dandy" (1980)
founding member and leader of The Brass Ring (mostly a studio group), "The Dis-Advantages of You" (#36 1967)
with J.J. Johnson's band (1965-68)
session musician with Benny Goodman, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, and others
songwriter

James Carr

b. 1942 near Clarksdale, MS (grew up in Memphis, TN) - d. 7 Jan 2001 (lung cancer)
soul/blues/country/gospel
"Only Fools Run Away" (1965), "Pouring Water on a Drowning Man" (#85 1966), "You've Got My Mind Messed Up" (#63 1966), "The Dark End of the Street" (#77 1967), "That's What I Want to Know" (1967, he co-wrote), "Stronger Than Love" (1968), "That's the Way Love Turned Out for Me" (1968), "These Ain't Teardrops" (1969), "You Gotta Love Your Woman" (1991), "Lack of Attention" (1991)
with The Harmony Echoes
diet with Betty Harris, "I'm a Fool for You" (#97 1967)
he suffered from bipolar disorder
see James Carr on WikipediA

Jason Michael Carroll

b. 1978 in Houston, TX (grew up in Franklinton, NC)
country singer
"Alyssa Lies" (#58, #5c 2007, he wrote), "Let it Rain" (2007, he co-wrote), "Livin' Our Love Song" (#58, #5c 2007, he co-wrote), "I Can Sleep When I'm Dead" (#41c 2008, he co-wrote)
songwriter
see Jason Michael Carroll

Bo Donaldson (Robert Walter Donaldson)

b. 1950/54 in Cincinnati, OH
pop singer
instruments: keyboards, trumpet
founding member of Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods (1965-78, 1996- ), "My Days Are Numbered" (1968), "I'm on the Outside Looking in" (1970), "Special Someone" (#64 1972), "Billy, Don't Be a Hero" (#1 1974), "Who Do You Think You Are?" (#15 1974), "The Heartbreak Kid" (#39 1974), "House on Telegraph Hill" (1975), "Our Last Song Together" (#95 1975), "Give Me Some Time" (1977)
founding member of The Bo Donaldson Band, "Love Spirit Lady" (1978)

Slim Dusty (David Gordon Kirkpatrick)

b. 1927 in New Wales, Australia – d. 19 Sep 2003 in Sydney, Australia (kidney cancer)
country singer
instruments: guitar, steel guitar, fiddle
"A Pub with No Beer" (1959), "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" (1962), "Little Boy Lost" (1962), "The Silver in My Mother's Hair" (1962), "Old Love Letters" (1963), "Snowy River" (1963), "A Town Like Alice" (1963), "Sun Valley Rose" (1964), "Morning Mail" (1966), "Two Little Girls in Blue" (1967), "An Old-Fashioned Locket" (1967), "Missouri Waltz" (1968), "Somewhere Up in Queensland" (1969), "Ribs Cooked on the Coals" (1969), "The Road is Still My Home" (1970), "Ramblin' Shoes" (1972), "Boots of Many Colors" (1972), "The Saddle is His Home" (1973), "The Dog Who Stole My Hat" (1973), "A Friend Indeed" (1973), "Silver Spurs" (1975), "Faded Coat of Blue" (1975), "Rodeo Riders" (1976), "Althea" (1977), "Streets of Sydney" (1977), "Stock Horses" (1977), "The Rose in Her Hair" (1977), "About This Hat" (1977), "The Soldier's Wife" (1979), "Spirit of Australia" (1979), "Many Yesterdays Ago" (1979), "Give My Regards to Edna" (1980), "No Place on Earth Like Australia" (1981), "I Haven't Changed a Bit" (1983), "Dogs, Dust and Diesel" (1984), "Three Hundred Horses" (1984), "The Ace of Hearts" (1985), "That Was Years Ago" (1985), "The Frog" (1985), "Where the Desert Flowers Bloom" (1985), "Boxing Kangaroo" (1985), "Why Don't You Just Go Fishing?" (1986), "There's a Rainbow Round My Memories" (1987), "Baking a Brownie" (1988), "I Love My Truck" (1989), "The Only Time a Fisherman Tells the Truth" (1990), "Lace-Up Shoes" (1990), "Life Behind the Windshield" (1992), "Hard and Calloused Hands" (1992), "Rock 'n' Roll in a Cowboy Hat" (1995), "Going to the Barn Dance Tonight" (1995), "Me and Matilda" (1995), "Jessie Dear" (1995), "A Bad Day's Fishing" (2000), "Saddle Up and Ride" (2001), "Finney's Home Brew" (2001), "The Old Saddle" (2001), "I'm Gonna Take My Dog for a Run" (2002), "Just an Old Cattle Dog" (2002)
songwriter
md. to singer/songwriter Joy McKean (1951- ); father of singer, Anne Kirkpatrick

Bobby Freeman

b. 1940 in San Francisco, CA
soul/rock singer
instrument: piano
"Do You Want to Dance?" (#5 1958, he wrote), "Betty Lou Got a New Pair of Shoes" (#37 1958), "Mary Ann Thomas" (1959), "A Love to Last a Lifetime" (1959), "First Day of Spring" (1960), "(I Do the) Shimmy, Shimmy" (#37 1960), "She Said She Wants to Dance" (1961), "She's a Hippie" (1963), "C'mon and Swim" (#5 1964), "S-W-I-M" (#56 1964), "The Shadow of Your Love" (1966), "I Got a Good Thing" (1967), "Lies" (1967), "Susie Sunshine" (1969), "Everything's Love" (1973)
with The Romancers, "House Cat" (1956), "I Did the Wrong Thing" (1965), "Tell Her I Love Her" (1965), "She Took My Oldsmobile" (1966)
dancer
songwriter

Glen Garrison

b. 1941 in Searcy, AR - d. 1971
country singer
"Lovin' Lorene" (1958), "Pony-Tail Girl" (1959), "Green to Blue" (1966), "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" (#48c 1968), "Wild Wild Rose" (1968), "Your Side of Me" (1968), "Put Your Trust in Me" (1969)

Ron Gathers (Ronald Gathers)

b. 1941
doo-wop/soul singer
founding member of The Versitiles (1958-62), "I'll Whisper in Your Ear" (1960), "Just Words" (1962)
founding member of The Majors (1961- ), "A Wonderful Dream" (#22 1962, One-Hit Wonder), "A Little Bit Now (and a Little Bit Later)" (1962), "She's a Troublemaker" (1962), "One Happy Ending" (1963)

John Kahn

b. 1947 - d. 30 May 1996 in Mill Valley, CA (drug overdose)
rock musician, instruments: bass, acoustic stand-up bass, organ
with The Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band (1987-88), "Oh the Wind and Rain" (1988), "The Girl at the Crossroads Bar" (1988)
with The Jerry Garcia Band (1970-87), "Let it Rock" (1974), "Midnight Town" (1974), "That's What Love Will Make You Do" (1976), "After Midnight" (1976), "Lonesome and a Long Way from Home" (1976), "Cats Under the Stars" (1978), "Rhapsody in Red" (1978), "Love in the Afternoon" (1978), "Simple Twist of Fate" (1980), "Tiger Rose" (1980), "Waiting for a Miracle" (1991), "Tangled up in Blue" (1991)
session musician with Jackie DeShannon, the Grateful Dead, John Lee Hooker, Al Kooper, Mike Bloomfield, and others

Dennis Locorriere (Dennis Michael Locorriere)

b. 1949 in Union City, NJ
folk/country/rock singer
instruments: guitar, bass guitar, drums
"Sylvia's Mother" (2000), "The Right to Walk Away" (2000), "The Truth" (2005), "Guess Again" (2005)
founding member and lead singer with Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show (1968-85), Sylvia's Mother" (#1 1972), "The Cover of Rolling Stone" (#6 1972), "Four Years Older Than Me" (1972), "Carry Me, Carrie" (1973), "Only Sixteen" (#6 1976), "A Little Bit More" (#11 1976), "If Not You" (#55 1976, he wrote), "Sharing the Night Together" (#6, #50c 1978), "When You're in Love with a Beautiful Woman" (#6 1979), "All the Time in the World" (#54 1979), "Better Love Next Time" (#12 1980), "Sexy Eyes" (#5 1980), "Years from Now" (#51 1980), "Baby Makes Her Blue Jeans Talk" (#25 1982), "Chained to Your Memory" (1982)
backup singer with Randy Travis, and others
songwriter
see Dennis Locorriere

Terry MacNeil (Terence Alan MacNeil)

b. 1944 in Wichita, KS
rock musician, instrument: guitar
founding member of Sopwith Camel (1965-67), "Hello, Hello" (#26 1967, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Postcard From Jamaica" (1967, he co-wrote), "Saga of the Lowdown Letdown" (1967), "Maybe in a Dream" (1967, he co-wrote), "Walk in the Park" (1967)
songwriter
sculptor
he became a Hindu in 1979 and changed his name to Nandi Devam
see Sopwith Camel

Marv Tarplin (Marvin Tarplin)

b. 1941 in Atlanta, GA
R&B musician, instruments: guitar, drums
with Smokey Robinson and the Miracles (1960-73), "Who's Loving You?" (1960), "Come on, Do the Jerk" (1961), "Shop Around" (#2 1961), "If Your Mother Only Knew" (1962), "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" (#8 1962), "Mickey's Monkey" (#8 1963), "I've Gotta Dance to Keep from Crying" (#35 1963), "I Like it Like That" (#27 1964), "Ooo Baby Baby" (#16 1965), "My Girl Has Gone" (#14 1965, he co-wrote), "The Tracks of My Tears" (#16 1965, he co-wrote), "(Come 'Round Here) I'm the One You Need" (#17 1966), * "I Second That Emotion" (#4 1967), "More Love" (#23 1967), "Yester Love" (#31 1968), "Special Occasion" (#26 1968), "If You Can Want" (#11 1968), "Abraham, Martin and John" (#33 1969), "Baby Baby Don't Cry" (#8 1969), "Doggone Right" (1969), "The Tears of a Clown" (#1 1970), "Flower Girl" (1971)
session musician on Marvin Gaye's "One More Heartache" (#29 1966, he co-wrote)
songwriter, co-wrote Marvin Gaye's "Ain't That Peculiar" (#8 1965), "I'll Be Doggone" (#8 1965); Smokey Robinson's "Cruisin'" (#4 1979), "Being with You" (#2 1981)
see The Miracles on Wikipedia

Mary Lou Turner

b. 1947 in Hazard, KY (grew up in Dayton, OH)
country/pop singer
"It's Different with You" (#25c 1976), "Love it Away" (#30c 1976), "The Man Still Turns Me on" (#93c 1977), "You Can't Remember and I Can't Forget" (1979)
duets with Bill Anderson, "Sometimes" (#1c 1975), "That's What Made Me Love You" (#7c 1976), "Where Are You Going, Billy Boy?" (#18c 1977), "Just Enough to Make Me Want it All" (1978)

Howard Vokes

b. 1931 in Clearfield, PA
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Death on the Highway" (1963), "The Miner" (1963), "Cyclone of Rye Cove" (1964), "His Last Ride" (1964), "Tomorrow is My Last Day" (1964), "Child Without a Name" (1964), "Break the News (But Break it Gently)" (1972, he co-wrote)
songwriter
music producer

Si Zentner (Simon H. Zentner)

b. 1917 in New York, NY - d. 31 Jan 2000 in Las Vegas, NV (leukemia)
jazz musician, instrument: trombone
"Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer" (1966), "Warning Shot" (1967)
founding member of the Si Zentner Band (1959-65), "I've Found a New Baby" (1960), "Up a Lazy River" (1961), "Broken Date" (1963), "A La Mode" (1963), "Spanish Rice" (1964), "Fat Cat" (1965)
session musician with Les Brown, Harry James, Jimmy Dorsey, and others
played at Disneyland's Carnation Plaza Gardens for 25 years
see Si Zentner at Space Age Pop

June 14

Rod Argent (Rodney Terence Argent)

b. 1945 in Hertfordshire, England
rock singer
instruments: piano, keyboards
founding member and keyboardist of The Zombies (1962-1968, and reunions), "She's Not There" (#2 1964, he wrote), "Tell Her No" (#6 1965, he wrote), "A Rose for Emily" (1968), "Friends of Mine" (1968), "Imagine the Swan" (1969), "Time of the Season" (#3 1969, he wrote)
founding member and leader of Argent (1968-76), "Lonely Hard Road" (1970), "Sleep Won't Help Me" (1971, he co-wrote), "Hold Your Head Up" (#5 1972, he co-wrote), "Be My Lover, Be My Friend" (1972, he co-wrote), "God Gave Rock and Roll to You" (1973)
session keyboardist with The Who, Roger Daltrey, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Gary Moore, and others
sessionist
songwriter
see The Zombies
see Argent

Obie Benson (Renaldo Benson)

b. 1936/37 in Detroit, MI – d. 1 Jul 2005 in Detroit, MI (lung cancer)
doo-wop/pop/soul singer (baritone)
founding member of The Four Tops (1954-2005), "Couldn't it Be You?" (1956), "Baby, I Need Your Lovin'" (#11 1964), "Sad Souvenirs" (1965), "Something about You" (#19 1965), "It's the Same Old Song" (#5 1965), "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" (#1 1965), "Reach Out, I'll Be There" (#1 1966), "Shake Me, Wake Me" (#18 1966), "Bernadette" (#4 1967), "Standing in the Shadows of Love" (#6 1967), "You Keep Running Away" (#19 1967), "If I Were a Carpenter" (#20 1968), "Walk Away, Renee" (#14 1968), "Yesterday's Dreams" (1968), "The Key" (1969), "Ain't No Woman (Like the One I Got)" (#4 1973), "Seven Lonely Nights" (1975), "Runnin' from Your Love" (1975), "When She Was My Girl" (#11 1981), "I Just Can't Walk Away" (1983), "Sing a Song of Yesterday" (1985), "Indestructible" (#35 1988)
The Four Tops and The Supremes, "Together We Can Make Such Sweet Music" (1970), "You Gotta Have Love in Your Heart" (1971)
songwriter, wrote Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On?" (#2 1971)
pallbearer for Florence Ballard
see The Four Tops on soulwalking

Janie Black

b. 1944
country singer
"You Better Not Do That" (1960), "Only Girls Can Tell" (1960), "I'm Gonna Make it Happen" (1961), "A Heartache Grows" (1961)
duets with Jeanne Black, "You'll Find Out" (1960), "Journey of Love" (1960), "Sleep Walkin'" (1960)
sister of Jeanne Black

Chad Cromwell

b. 1957 in Paducah, KY (grew up in Memphis, TN)
country/rock/folk singer
instrument: drums
with Jack Ingram's Beat up Ford Band (2002), "Goodnight, Moon" (2002)
with Joe Walsh's band (1986)
session musician on Trisha Yearwood's "Georgia Rain" (#78, #15c 2005); Gretchen Wilson's "All Jacked Up" (#42, #8c 2005), "I Don't Feel Like Loving You Today" (#22c 2005); and with Neil Young, Richard Bennett, Tony Brown, Willie Nelson, Mark Knopfler, and others
see Jack Ingram

Garland Green

b. 1942 in Dunleith, MS
soul singer
instrument: piano
"Girl, I Need You" (1967), "Jealous Kind of Fella" (#20 1969, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Don't Think That I'm a Violent Guy" (#42 1969), "Plain and Simple Girl" (1970), "80 - 90 - 100 MPH" (1972), "If a Dream Goes By" (1972), "You and I Go Good Together" (1974), "Ask Me for What You Want" (1977), "You Color My World" (1987)
songwriter

Burl Ives (Burle Icle Ivanhoe Ives)

b. 1909 near Hunt, IL – d. 14 Apr 1995 in Anacortes, WA (mouth cancer)
folk singer
instruments: guitar, banjo
"Riders in the Sky (Cowboy Legend)" (#8c 1949), "Big Rock Candy Mountain" (1950), "Foggy, Foggy Dew" (1952), "One Hour Ahead of the Posse" (1952), "When I Was Single" (1956), "Ten Thousand Miles (I'm Going Away)" (1958), * "Shanghaied" (1961), * "Mary Ann Regrets" (#39, #12c 1962), "A Little Bitty Tear" (#9, #2c 1962), "Call Me Mister In-Between" (#19, #3c 1962), "Funny Way of Laughin'" (#10, #9c 1962), "I Found My Best Friend in the Dog Pound" (1963), "Pearly Shells" (#60 1964), "Lower Forty" (1964), * "Holly Jolly Christmas" (1964), * "Little Drummer Boy" (1964), "Girl Sittin' Up in a Tree" (1965), "Hollow Words (Empty Phrases)" (1967), "Real Roses" (1970), * "Silver Bells" (1995)
duet with Grady Martin, "Wild Side of Life" (#6c 1952)
folk song collector
actor; author
served in military (1942-43)
md. to Helen Peck Ehrlich (1945- )
see Burl Ives

Jimmy Lea (James Whild Lea)

b. 1949 in West Midlands, England
rock singer
instruments: violin, piano, bass, guitar, keyboards
founding member of Slade (1966-91), "My Oh My" (#37 1983), * "Run Run Away" (#20 1984)
songwriter
md. to Louise Ganner (1963- )

Barry 'the Fish' Melton

b. 1947 in Brooklyn, NY
country singer
instrument: guitar
founding member and lead guitarist of Country Joe and the Fish (1965- ), "Fixin'-to-Die Rag" (1967), "Maria" (1967), "Not So Sweet, Martha Lorraine" (1967), "Rock and Roll Soul" (1967), "Masked Marauder" (1969)
Country Joe and the Fish, performed at Woodstock
founding member of the All Star Band (1972-73), "Sweet Marie" (1972)
with The Dinosaurs
songwriter
actor
attorney; public defender in Yolo County, CA
see Country Joe and the Fish

Jack Pearson

b. 1960 in Nashville, TN
country/rock/blues singer
instrument: guitar
"My Old Friend" (1994), "Just for a Little While" (1994), "Never Alone" (1999), "And Now You Know" (1999)
with the Allman Brothers Band (1993, 1997-99, 2005, replaced Warren Haynes)
session musician with Delbert McClinton, Jimmy Buffett, Chirs LeDoux, Lee Ann Womack, Faith Hill, and others
songwriter
music producer
see The Allman Brothers
see Jack Pearson

Junior Walker (born Oscar G. Mixon, changed to Autry De Walt Walker, Jr.)

b. 1931 in Blytheville, AR (grew up in South Bend, IN) – d. 23 Nov 1995 in Battle Creek, MI (cancer)
R&B singer
instrument: sax
"I'm So Glad" (1975), "You're No Ordinary Woman" (1976)
founding member of Junior Walker and the All Stars (1958-79), "Cleo's Mood" (1963), "Brainwasher" (1963), "Shotgun" (#4 1965, he wrote), "Do the Boomerang" (#36 1965), "Shake and Fingerpop" (#29 1965), "I'm a Road Runner" (#20 1966), "How Sweet it is (to Be Loved by You)" (#18 1966), "Pucker up, Buttercup" (#31 1967), "Come See about Me" (#24 1967), "What Does it Take to Win Your Love?" (#4 1969), "These Eyes" (#16 1969), "Gotta Hold on to This Feeling" (#21 1970), "Walk in the Night" (#46 1972)
played sax on Foreigner's "Urgent" (#4 1981); and others
see Junior Walker and the All Stars

June 15

Tony Ardoin

b. 1964
country singer
instruments: acoustic guitar, electric guitar
with River Road, "I Broke It, I'll Fix it" (#48c 1997), "Nickajack" (#37c 1997), "Wishful Thinkin'" (1997), "As if You Didn't Know" (1997), "Somebody Will" (#51c 1998), "Breathless" (#41c 2000)
see River Road on Wikipedia

Michael Britt (Michael Wayne Britt)

b. 1966 in Fort Worth, TX
country singer
instrument: lead guitar
founding member of Lonestar (1992- ), "Tequila Talkin'" (#18c 1995), "No News" (#1c 1996), "Runnin' Away with My Heart" (#8c 1996, he co-wrote), "Heartbroke Every Day" (#18 1996), Come Cryin' to Me" (#1c 1997), "You Walked in" (#93, #12c 1997), "Everything's Changed" (#95, #2c 1998), "Say When" (#13c 1998), * "Amazed" (#1, #1c 1999), "Smile" (#39, #1c 2000), "Tell Her" (#39, #1c 2000), "What about Now?" (#30, #1c 2000), * "I'm Already There" (#24, #1c 2001), "With Me" (#63, #10c 2001), "Unusually Unusual" (#66, #12c 2002), * "Not a Day Goes By" (#36, #3c 2002), "My Front Porch Looking in" (#23, #1c 2003), "Walking in Memphis" (#61, #8c 2003), "Mr. Mom" (#33, #1c 2004), "Let's Be Us Again" (#38, #4c 2004, he wrote), "What I Miss the Most" (2004, he wrote), "Class Reunion (That Used to Be Us)" (#97, #16c 2005), "You're Like Coming Home" (#63, #8c 2005), "I'll Die Tryin'" (#43c 2005), "Mountains" (#85, #14c 2006)
songwriter
see Lonestar

Terri Gibbs (Teresa Fay Gibbs)

b. 1954 in Miami, FL (grew up in Augusta, GA)
country/Christian singer
instruments: piano, keyboards
* "Somebody's Knockin'" (#13, #8c 1981, One-Hit Wonder), "I'm a Lady" (1981), "Mis'ry River" (#12c 1982), "Ashes to Ashes" (#19c 1982), "Over Easy" (1983), "Anybody Else's Heart But Mine" (#17c 1983), "Promised Land" (1987)
songwriter
md. to David Daughtry (1988- )
she has been blind since birth

Brad Gillis

b. 1957
rock singer
instrument: guitar
with Rubicon
founding member of Night Ranger (1982- ), "Don't Tell Me You Love Me" (#40 1983), "Sister Christian" (#5 1984), "When You Close Your Eyes" (#14 1984), "Sentimental Street" (#8 1985), "Four in the Morning" (#19 1985), "Goodbye" (#17 1985)
songwriter
see Brad Gillis
see Night Ranger

Noddy Holder (Neville John Holder)

b. 1946 in West Midlands, England
rock singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of Slade (1966-91), "Merry Xmas Everybody" (1973, he co-wrote), "My Oh My" (#37 1983), * "Run Run Away" (#20 1984)
duet with Anna Ford, "You Drive Me Crazy" (1983)
songwriter
DJ; actor
md. 2nd to Suzan Price (2004- )

Brett James

b. 1968 in Columbia, MO
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Female Bonding" (#60c 1995, he wrote), "If I Could See Your Love" (1968, he co-wrote), "Worth the Fall" (#73c 1995, he wrote), "Just Like We Never Happened" (1995, he wrote), "Chasin' Amy" (#34c 2002), "After All" (#39c 2003)
songwriter, co-wrote Jessica Andrews' "Who I Am" (#28, #1c 2001); Martina McBride's "Blessed" (#31, #1c 2002); Carrie Underwood's "Jesus, Take the Wheel" (#20, #1c 2005); Kenny Chesney and Uncle Kracker's "When the Sun Goes Down" (#26, #1c 2004)
music producer

Waylon Jennings (Waylon Arnold/Aaron Jennings)

b. 1937 in Littlefield, TX – d. 13 Feb 2002 in Chandler, AZ (complications of diabetes)
country/honky-tonk singer
instruments: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass
"Jole Blon" (1959), "Another Blue Day" (1961), "That's the Chance I'll Have to Take" (#49c 1965), "I Wonder Just Where I Went Wrong" (1965), "Anita, You're Dreaming" (#17c 1966, he co-wrote), "Silver Ribbons" (1966), "(That's What You Get) For Lovin' Me" (#9c 1966), "Love of the Common People" (#67c 1967), "Yours, Love" (#5c 1968), "Six Strings Away" (1968), "Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line" (#2c 1968), "Something's Wrong in California" (#19c 1969), "Brown-Eyed Handsome Man" (#3c 1970), "The Taker" (#5c 1970), "33rd of August" (1970), "Don't Let the Sun Set on You in Tulsa" (#16c 1970), "Shadows of the Gallows" (1970), "Cedartown, Georgia" (#14c 1971), "Mississippi Woman" (#14c 1971), * "Ladies Love Outlaws" (1972), "Pretend I Never Happened" (#6c 1972), "Good-Hearted Woman" (#3c 1972, he co-wrote), "Honky-Tonk Heroes" (1973), "San Francisco Mabel Joy" (1973), "This Time" (#1c 1974, he wrote), "Ramblin' Man" (#1c 1974), "Rainy Day Woman" (#2c 1974, he wrote), "Dreaming My Dreams with You" (#10c 1975), "Are You Sure Hank Done it This Way?" (#60, #1c 1975, also #49c 1980, he wrote), "Are You Ready for the Country?" (#7c 1976), "Can't You See?" (#4c 1976), "Luckenbach, Texas" (#25, #1c 1977), "The Wurlitzer Prize (I Don't Want to Get Over You)" (#1c 1977), "I've Always Been Crazy" (#1c 1978, he wrote), "Amanda" (#54, #1c 1979), Come with Me" (#1c 1979), "Lonesome, On'ry and Mean" (1979), "Ain't Living Long Like This" (#1c 1980), "Good Ol' Boys" (#21, #1c 1980, he wrote), "Just to Satisfy You" (#52, #1c 1982), "Lucille" (#1c 1983), "I May Be Used (But Baby I Ain't Used Up)" (#4c 1984), "Drinkin' and Dreamin'" (#2c 1985), "Waltz Me to Heaven" (#10c 1985), "Working Without a Net" (#7c 1986), "Will the Wolf Survive?" (#5c 1986), "Rose in Paradise" (#1c 1987), "My Rough and Rowdy Ways" (#6c 1987), "Wrong" (#5c 1990), * "Where Corn Don't Grow" (#67c 1990), "The Eagle" (#22c 1991), "You'll Never Take Texas Out of Me" (1998)
with The Crickets
duet with Johnny Cash, "There Ain't No Good Chain Gang" (#2c 1978)
duet with Anita Carter, "I Got You" (#4c 1968)
duets with Jessi Colter, "Suspicious Minds" (#25c 1970, #2c 1976), "Wild Side of Life/It Wasn't God Who Made Honky-Tonk Angels" (#10c 1981), "Storms Never Last" (#17c 1981)
duets with Willie Nelson, "Just to Satisfy You" (#1 1982, he co-wrote), "Good-Hearted Woman" (#25, #1c 1976, he co-wrote, CMA single of the year 1976), "Mamas, Don't Let You're Babies Grow up to Be Cowboys" (#42, #1c 1978), "(Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay" (#13c 1982), "Take it to the Limit" (#8c 1983), "If I Can Find a Clean Shirt" (#51c 1991, he co-wrote), "Tryin' to Outrun the Wind" (1991)
with The Highwaymen, * "The Highwayman" (#1c 1985), "Desperadoes Waiting for a Train" (#15c 1985), "Silver Stallion" (#25c 1990)
duet with Hank Williams, Jr., "The Conversation" (#15c 1983, he co-wrote)
duet with Hank Williams, Jr. and Ernest Tubb, "Leave Them Boys Alone" (#6c 1983)
duet with David Lynn Jones, "High-Ridin' Heroes" (#14c 1988)
songwriter
DJ; actor
md. 2nd to Lynn Jones; md. 4th to Jessi Colter (1969- )
brother of Tommy Jennings; father of Shooter Jennings
he was the bass player on Buddy Holly's last tour but gave up his seat on the plane to the Big Bopper who wasn't feeling well
quote by Waylon Jennings: "Honesty is something you can't wear out."

Tonni Kalash

b. 1937 in San Francisco, CA - d. 15 May 2001
jazz musician, instrument: trumpet
founding member of the Tijuana Brass, "The Lonely Bull (El Solo Torro)" (#6 1962), "All My Loving" (1964), "Mae" (1965), "A Taste of Honey" (#7 1965), "The Work Song" (#18 1966), "Zorba the Greek" (#11 1966), "Spanish Flea" (#27 1966), "What Now, My Love?" (#24 1966), "Casino Royale" (#27 1967), "This Guy's in Love With You" (#1 1968)
in some cases session musicians played on the Tijuana Brass recordings in place of band members
session musician
see Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass

Janet Lennon (Janet Elizabeth Lennon)

b. 1946 in Los Angeles, CA
pop singer
founding member of The Lennon Sisters (1955- ), "Tonight You Belong to Me" (#15 1956, with Lawrence Welk's orchestra), "Shake Me I Rattle" (1957), "Graduation Dance" (1958), "Slumber Party" (1959), "Hundred and One in the Sun" (1959), "I Walked with the Wind" (1960), "Darlin' Meggie" (1961), "On the Double" (1961), "Lida Rose" (1962), "Little Lady Make Believe" (1964), "I'm Coming Back to You" (1969), "I'm So Glad That You Found Me" (1968)
Lennon Sisters and Larry Dean, "Bubble Gum" (1958)
sister of Dianne, Peggy and Kathy Lennon
md. 1st to Lee Bernhardi (1966-7?); md. 2nd to John Bahler (1976- )

Nilsson (Henry Edward Nilsson III aka Johnny Niles)

b. 1941 in Brooklyn, NY – d. 15 Jan 1994 (heart attack)
pop/rock singer
instruments: piano, guitar
"I'm Gonna Lose My Mind" (1964), "Freckles" (1967), "She Sang Hymns Out of Tune" (1967), "Everybody's Talkin'" (#6 1969), "(I Guess) the Lord Must Be in New York City" (#34 1969), "Me and My Arrow" (#34 1971, he wrote), "Without You" (#1 1972), "Coconut" (#8 1972, he wrote), "Spaceman" (#23 1972), "Jump into the Fire" (#27 1972)
songwriter, several of his songs were used in the soundtrack for the movie You've Got Mail

Leo Nocentelli

b. 1946 in New Orleans, LA
R&B musician, instrument: guitar
founding member of The Meters (1965-77), "Cissy Strut" (#23 1969), "Sophisticated Cissy" (#34 1969), "Ann" (1969), "Ride Your Pony" (1970), "Britches" (1970), "Tippi-Toes" (1970), "Groovy Lady" (1971), "Sassy Lady" (1971), "People Say" (1974), "Lovin' You is on My Mind" (1974), "Out in the Country" (1975), "You're a Friend of Mine" (1975), "Mister Moon" (1976), "Find Yourself" (1976)
The Meters played backup for Paul McCartney, Labelle, and others
songwriter

Leon Payne (Leon Roger Payne)

b. 1917 in Alba, TX - d. 11 Sep 1969 in San Antonio, TX
country singer
instruments: guitar, piano, drums
"I Miss That Gal" (1949), "I Love You Because" (#1c 1950, he wrote), "I'm a Lone Wolf" (1950), "You Can't Lean on Me" (1956), "Mitzie McGraw" (1960), "With Half a Heart" (1960), "September Memory" (1963), "They'll Never Take Her Love From Me" (1963), "Then I Cried" (1963), "Six Foot Six" (1964)
with Bob Wills' Texas Playboys (1938), "San Antonio Rose" (1938), "Maiden's Prayer" (1938)
founding member of The Lone Star Buddies (1948- )
songwriter, wrote George Jones' "You've Still Got a Place in My Heart" (#3c 1984); Hank Williams' "Lost Highway" (#12c 1949)
he was blind from early childhood
md. to Myrtie Velma Courmier
see The Texas Playboys

Nigel Pickering

b. 1929 in Pontiac, MI
folk/rock singer
instrument: rhythm guitar
founding member of Spanky and Our Gang (1965-69), "Sunday Will Never Be the Same" (#9 1967), "Making Every Minute Count" (#22 1967), "Lazy Day" (#14 1967), "Sunday Mornin' in the Spring" (#30 1968), "Like to Get to Know You" (#17 1968), "Give a Damn" (#43 1968), "Three Ways from Tomorrow" (1968), "Without Rhyme or Reason" (1969), "And She's Mine" (1969)
see Spanky and Our Gang

Doug Roberts

b. 1941 – d. 18 Nov 1981
rock musician, instrument: drums
with The Fireballs (1963- , replaced Eric Budd), "My Heart is Free" (1963), "Sugar Shack" (#1 1963), "Daisy Petal Pickin'" (#15 1964), "Daytona Drag" (1964), "Thunder 'n' Lighting" (1964), "Cinnamon Cindy" (1965), "Wild Roses" (1966), "Shy Girl" (1967), "Bottle of Wine" (#9 1968), "Three Minutes' Time" (1968), "Light in the Window" (1969), "Watch Her Walk" (1969)
see The Fireballs

David Rose

b. 1910 in London, England (grew up in Chicago, IL) – d. 23 Aug 1990 in Burbank, CA (heart disease)
pop singer
instrument: piano
founding member and leader of David Rose and His Orchestra, "Holiday for Strings" (#2 1943, he co-wrote), "Poinciana" (#11 1944), "The Magic Music Box" (1955), * "The Stripper" (#1 1962, he wrote)
songwriter
arranger
md. 1st to actress, Martha Raye (1938-41); md. 2nd to actress, Judy Garland (1941-45); md. 3rd to Betty Bartholomew

Terry Smith

b. 1960 in Reidsville, NC
country musician, instrument: bass
with the Mike Snider String Band, "Denver Belle" (2000), "If You Had What I've Got" (2000), "Born to Shop" (2000), "Squirrel Hunter" (2002)
session musician
see the Mike Snider String Band

Jeff Stevens

b. 1959 in Alum Creek, WV
country/rock singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of Jeff Stevens and the Bullets (1975-90), "Darlington County" (#69c 1986), "Geronimo's Cadillac" (#53c 1987), "You're in Love Alone" (#61c 1987)
songwriter, co-wrote Alabama's "Reckless" (#1c 1993); Tracy Byrd's "Big Love" (#3c 1997), "I Wanna Feel That Way Again" (#9c 1998); Clay Walker's "If You Ever Feel Like Lovin' Me Again" (#27c 2001); Tim McGraw's "Back When" (#30, #1c 2004); George Strait's "Carrying Your Love with Me" (#1c 1997), "True" (#2c 1998), "Carried Away" (#1c 1996); Atlanta's "Atlanta Burned Again Last Night" (#9c 1983), "Sweet Country Music" (#5c 1984)
brother of Warren Stevens; cousin of Terry Dotson

Tommy Vaden (Henry Newton Vaden)

b. 1925 in Nashville, TN - d. 16 Oct 2004 (prostate cancer)
western swing musician, instrument: fiddle
with The Texas Playboys (1967-68), "Born to Love You" (1968)
with Hank Snow's Rainbow Ranch Boys (1949-66), "I'm Movin' on" (#1c 1950), "The Golden Rocket" (#1c 1950), "The Rumba Boogie" (#1c 1951), "A Fool Such As I" (#3c 1952), "Music Makin' Mama from Memphis" (#4c 1952), "The Gold Rush is Over" (#2c 1952), "Lady's Man" (#2c 1952), "I Went to Your Wedding" (#3c 1952), "When Mexican Joe Met Jolie Blon" (#6c 1953), "The Gal Who Invented Kissing" (#4c 1953), "I Don't Hurt Anymore" (#22, #1c 1954), "Let Me Go, Lover" (#1c 1955), "Yellow Roses" (#3c 1955), "Born to Be Happy" (#5c 1955), "Cryin', Prayin', Waitin', Hopin'" (#7c 1955), "Would You Mind?" (#3c 1955), "Mainliner (the Hawk with Silver Wings)" (#5c 1955), "Hula Rock" (#5c 1956), "Conscience, I'm Guilty" (#4c 1956), "These Hands" (#5c 1956), "A Tangled Mind" (#4c 1957), "Stolen Moments" (#7c 1957), "My Arms Are a House" (#8c 1957), "The Last Ride" (#3c 1959), "Chasin' a Rainbow" (#6c 1959), "Miller's Cave" (#3c 1960), "From a Beggar to a King" (#5c 1961), "I've Been Everywhere" (#68, #1c 1962), "Ninety Miles an Hour (Down a Dead-End Street)" (#2c 1963), "The Wishing Well" (#7c 1965), and others
session musician with Webb Pierce, Jim and Jesse, and others
see The Texas Playboys

Steve Walsh

b. 1951 in St. Joseph, MO
rock singer
instrument: keyboards
"So Many Nights" (1980), "Rebecca" (2000, he co-wrote), "Mascara Tears" (2000, he wrote), "Kansas" (2000, he co-wrote), "Hell is Full of Heroes" (2005), "After" (2005)
lead singer with Kansas (1973-81, 1986-), "Point of No Return" (#28 1977), "Carry on Wayward Son" (#11 1977), "Dust in the Wind" (#6 1978), "People of the Southwind" (#23 1979), "All I Wanted" (#19 1986), "Cold Grey Morning" (1995)
with Streets (1982- )
session musician
songwriter
see Kansas
see Steve Walsh

Bob White (Floyd L. White)

b. 1932 in Jenny Lind, AR - d. 21 Nov 2003 in Fort Smith, AR
western swing musician, instruments: 10-string pedal steel guitar, fiddle
with The Texas Playboys (1950-52), "Ida Red (Likes the Boogie)" (#10c 1950), "Faded Love" (#8c 1950), "Sittin' on Top of the World" (1951)
with Hank Thompson's Brazos Valley Boys (1952- ), "The Wild Side of Life" (#1c 1952), "Rub-a-Dub-Dub" (#1c 1953), "Yesterday's Girl" (#8c 1953), "New Green Light" (#7c 1954), "If Lovin' You is Wrong" (#12c 1955), "Most of All" (#6c 1955), "Don't Take it Out on Me" (#5c 1956), and others
see The Texas Playboys

Meri Wilson

b. 1949 in Japan (grew up in Marietta, GA) - d. 28 Dec 2002 in Americus, GA (auto accident)
country/pop/novelty singer
instruments: piano, guitar
"Telephone Man" (#18, #50c 1977, she wrote), "Itinerary" (1977, she wrote), "Peter, the Meter Reader" (1981, she co-wrote), "My Heart Walkin'" (1981, she co-wrote), "Internet Man" (1999), "My Valentine's Funny" (2002), "The Spelling Song" (2002), "The Phone Book" (2002)
songwriter

Muff Winwood (Mervyn Winwood)

b. 1943 in Birmingham, England
rock/soul singer
instrument: bass
founding member of The Spencer Davis Group (1963-67), "Somebody Help Me" (#47 1966), "Keep on Running" (1966), "Trampoline" (1966), "Blues in F" (1967), "Gimme Some Lovin'" (#7 1967), "I'm a Man" (#10 1967), "Sanity Inspector" (1967)
songwriter
music producer
brother of Steve Winwood
see the Spencer Davis Group

June 16

Billy 'Crash' Craddock (William Wayne Craddock)

b. 1939 in Greensboro, NC
country/pop/rockabilly singer
instrument: guitar
"Lulu Lee" (1958), "One Last Kiss" (1960), "Truly True" (1961), "One Heartache Too Many" (1964), "My Baby's Got Flat Feet" (1964), "Teardrops on Your Letter" (1965), "Two Arms Full of Lonely" (1966), "There Ought to Be a Law" (1966), "The Love We Live Without" (1967), "Anything That's Part of You" (1968), "Knock Three Times" (#3c 1971), "Dream Lover" (#5c 1971), "Ain't Nothin' Shakin' (But the Leaves on the Trees)" (#10c 1972), "I'm Gonna Knock on Your Door" (#5c 1972), "Afraid I'll Want to Love Her (One More Time)" (#22c 1972), "Home is Such a Lonely Place to Go" (1973), "Till the Water Stops Runnin'" (#8c 1973), "Sweet Magnolia Blossom" (#3c 1974), "Rub it in" (#16, #1c 1974), * "Stay a Little Longer in Your Bed" (1975), "Ruby Baby" (#33 #1C 1975), "Still Thinkin' 'Bout You" (#4c 1975), * "Easy As Pie" (#54, #2c 1975), "Walk Softly" (#7c 1976), "Has a Cat Got a Tail?" (1976), "You Rubbed it in All Wrong" (#4c 1976), "Broken Down in Tiny Pieces" (#1c 1976), "A Tear Fell" (#7c 1976), "The First Time" (#10c 1977), "I Cheated on a Good Woman's Love" (#4c 1978), "If I Could Write a Song As Beautiful As You" (#4c 1979), "Sea Cruise" (#50c 1980), "Real Cowboy" (#20c 1980), "I Just Need You for Tonight" (#11c 1981)
songwriter
he was a stock car racer but his nickname came from his technique as a football running back in high school
cousin of Gene Vincent

Larry Dunn

b. 1953 in CO
soul/pop/rock/jazz musician, instrument: keyboards
with Earth, Wind and Fire (1972- , and reunions), "Keep Your Head to the Sky" (#52 1973), "Mighty Mighty" (#29 1974), "Devotion" (#33 1974), "That's the Way of the World" (#12 1975), "Shining Star" (#1 1975), "Sing a Song" (#5 1975), "Getaway" (#12 1976), "You Can't Hide Love" (1976), "Serpentine Fire" (#13 1977), "Got to Get You into My Life" (#9 1978), "September" (#8 1978), "After the Love Has Gone" (#2 1979), "Let Me Talk" (#44 1980), "Let's Groove (Tonight)" (#3 1981), "Fall in Love with Me" (#17 1983), "System of Survival" (#60 1987), "Sunday Morning" (#53 1993)
with Devoted Spirits
songwriter
music director; arranger; music producer
see Earth, Wind, and Fire

Karen Gray

b. 1943
rock/pop singer
founding member and lead singer of The Secrets (1962-65), "The Boy Next Door" (#18 1963, One-Hit Wonder), "Learnin' to Forget" (1963), "Hey, Big Boy" (1964), "The Other Side of Town" (1964), "He's the Boy" (1964), "He Doesn't Want You" (1964), "Here He Comes Now" (1964)
md. to Earl Cipriani
see The Secrets on Spectropop

Little Caesar Johnson (David Caesar Johnson)

b. 1934 in Chicago, IL
doo-wop singer
founding member of Little Caesar and the Romans (1961-62, 1975- ), * "Those Oldies But Goodies (Remind Me of You)" (#9 1961, One-Hit Wonder), "She Don't Wanna Dance" (1961), "Hully Gully Again" (1961), "Memories of Those Oldies But Goodies" (#101 1961)

Eddie Levert

b. 1942 in Bessemer, AL (grew up in Canton, OH)
soul/rock/blues singer
founding member and lead singer of The O'Jays (1963-77), "Lonely Drifter" (#93 1963), "The Storm is Over" (1964), "Lipstick Traces" (1965), "I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow (Than I Was Today)" (#66 1967), "One-Night Affair" (#68 1969), "Deeper (in Love with You)" (#64 1970), "Back Stabbers" (#3 1972), "Love Train" (#1 1972), "992 Arguments" (#57 1972), "Time to Get Down" (#33 1973), "Don't You Know a True Love (When You See Her)?" (1974), "Put Your Hands Together" (#10 1974), "For the Love of Money" (#9 1974), "I Love Music" (#5 1975), "Give the People What They Want" (#45 1975), "Livin' for the Weekend" (#20 1976), "Message in Our Music" (#49 1976), "Use Ta Be My Girl" (#4 1978), "Forever Mine" (#28 1980), "Girl, Don't Let it Get You Down" (#55 1980)
songwriter
music producer
father of singer, Gerald Levert; md. 2nd to Raquel Capelton

Ian Matthews (Iain Matthew McDonald)

b. 1946 in Lincolnshire, England
rock/folk/country/rockabilly singer
instrument: acoustic guitar
"Never Ending" (1971, he wrote), "Little Known" (1971, he wrote), "The Only Dancer" (1971), "Morning Song" (1971, he wrote), "Things You Gave Me" (1972), "Leaving Alone" (1973, he wrote), "I Don't Wanna Talk about it" (1974), "Gimme an Inch" (#13 1979, One-Hit Wonder)
with Fairport Convention (1968-69), "I Don't Know Where I Stand" (1968), "One Sure Thing" (1968), "Throwaway Street Puzzle" (1968), "Eastern Rain" (1969), "Book Song" (1968, he co-wrote)
founding member of Plainsong, "For the Second Time" (1972, he wrote), "Louise" (1972), "Side Roads" (1972, he wrote)
founding member of Matthews' Southern Comfort, "Thoughts for a Friend" (1969), he wrote), "Please Be My Friend" (1969, he wrote), "Blood Red Roses" (1969, he wrote), "Southern Comfort" (1969), "Sylvie" (1970), "For Melanie" (1970), "Woodstock" (#23 1971, One-Hit Wonder)
with Pyramid
songwriter
see Ian Matthews

Robbie Montgomery (Robbie Marie Montgomery)

b. 1940 in Columbus, MS (grew up in St. Louis, MO)
soul singer
with The Ikettes (1961-65), "I'm Blue (The Gong-Gong Song)" (#19 1962), "Camel Walk" (1964), "Peaches 'N' Cream" (#36 1965)
The Ikettes were backup for Ike and Tina Turner
founding member of The Mirettes (1966-70), "He's Alright with Me" (1966), "Now That I've Found You Baby" (1967), "Play Fair" (1968)
with Dr. John's Nighttrippers (1971-79)
founding member of Robbie's Dangerous Curves
backup singer on Ike and Tina Turner's "A Fool in Love" (#27 1961); and with Barbara Streisand, Earl Hooker, Burt Bacharach, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, the Rolling Stones, and others
owns a soul food restaurant in St. Louis
she has asthma

Matt Noveskey (William Matthew Noveskey)

b. 1976 (grew up in MI)
rock singer
instruments: guitar, bass
with Blue October (1999-2003, 2005- ), "Independently Happy" (2000), "The Answer" (2000), "Amnesia" (2000), "Balance Beam" (2000), "Razorblade" (2003), "A Quiet Mind" (2003), * "Into the Ocean" (#53 2006), "Hate Me" (#31 2006), "She's My Ride Home" (2006), "What if We Could" (2006), "Everlasting Friend" (2006), "X Amount of Words" (2006), "You Make Me Smile" (2006, he wrote)
founding member of (a+)machines
session musician
songwriter
music producer

Pete Rivera (Peter Hoorelbeke)

b. 1945
rock/soul singer
instrument: drums
"Talk to the World" (1990), "Standing in the Rain" (1990)
founding member of Rare Earth (1967-74, 1977-83), "When Joannie Smiles" (1970), "(I Know) I'm Losing You" (#7 1970), "Get Ready" (#4 1970), "Born to Wander" (#17 1971), "I Just Want to Celebrate" (#7 1971), "Hey, Big Brother" (1971), "Hum Along and Dance" (1973), "Warm Ride" (1978)
founding member of The Sunliners (1961-66), "All Alone" (1965)
with The Classic Rock All-Stars
see Rare Earth on Wikipedia
see Peter Rivera

Emil Thielhelm (aka Peppy Castro)

b. 1949
pop/rock singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of The Blues Magoos (1964-81), "(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet" (#5 1967, One-Hit Wonder), "There's a Chance We Can Make it" (1967), "Pipe Dream" (1967), "One by One" (1967)
with Balance

June 17

Aaron Clark

b. 1977
country singer
instrument: electric bass
founding member of The Clark Family Experience (1993- ), "Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch" (#80, #18c 2001), "To Quote Shakespeare" (#51c 2001), "Just Emily" (2001), "Standin' Still" (#36c 2001), "Going Away" (#44c 2002), "It'll Always Be You" (2002)
brother of Alan, Adam, Ashley, Andrew, and Austin Clark
see The Clark Family Experience on Wikipedia

Edward Farran (Edward John Elias)

b. 1937 in Grand Rapids, MI - d. 2 Jan 2005 (kidney failure)
founding member of The Arbors (1961-2005), "A Symphony for Susan" (#51 1966), "Love is the Light" (1966), "Dreamer Girl" (1967), "Graduation Day" (1967), "The Letter" (#20 1969, One-Hit Wonder), "Julie, I Tried" (1970)
twin brother of Fred Farran

Fred Farran (Fred Elias)

b. 1937 in Grand Rapids, MI
founding member of The Arbors (1961-2005), "A Symphony for Susan" (#51 1966), "Love is the Light" (1966), "Dreamer Girl" (1967), "Graduation Day" (1967), "The Letter" (#20 1969, One-Hit Wonder), "Julie, I Tried" (1970)
twin brother of Edward Farran

Red Foley (Clyde Julian Foley aka 'Founding Father of Country Music')

b. 1910 in Blue Lick, KY (grew up near Berea, KY) - d. 19 Sep 1968 in Fort Wayne, IN (heart attack)
country singer
instruments: harmonica, guitar, string bass
"Old Shep" (1941, re-recorded 1946, he wrote about his German Shepard, 'Hoover'), "Smoke on the Water" (#1c 1944), "I Never Let You Worry My Mind" (#5c 1942, he co-wrote), "New Jolie Blon" (#1c 1947), "Never Trust a Woman" (#2c 1947, he co-wrote), "Tennessee Border" (#3c 1949), "Tennessee Saturday Night" (#1c 1949), "Candy Kisses" (#4c 1949), "Sunday Down in Tennessee" (#3c 1950), "Mississippi" (#1c 1950), "Sugarfoot Rag" (#4c 1950), "Cincinnati Dancing Pig" (#2c 1950), "Careless Kisses" (#8c 1950), "Hot Rod Race" (#7c 1950), "Chattanooga Shoeshine Boy" (#1, #1c 1950), "Birmingham Bounce" (#1c 1950), "Peace in the Valley" (#5c 1951, first million-selling gospel song), "Hobo Boogie" (#8 1951), "Alabama Jubilee" (#3c 1952), "Midnight" (#1c 1953), "Pinball Boogie" (1954), "Don't Blame it on the Girl" (1956), "Fate" (1958), * "Brighten the Corner Where You Are" (1959), "Travelin' Man" (#29c 1959)
with The Cumberland Ridge Runners, "I'll Be All Smiles Tonight" (1933), "Lonesome Valley Sally" (1934), "My Ozark Mountain Home" (1934)
duets with Ernest Tubb, "Goodnight, Irene" (#1c 1950), "Tennessee Border No. 2" (#2c 1950), "The Strange Little Girl" (#9c 1951), "It's the Mileage That's Slowing Us Down" (1954)
duets with Betty Foley, "As Far As I'm Concerned" (#8c 1954), "Satisfied Mind" (#3c 1955)
backed by the Lawrence Welk Orchestra, "Shame on You" (#1c 1945), "At Mail Call Today" (#3c 1945)
backed by The Anita Kerr Singers, "Stranded in Deep Water" (1953), "Hearts of Stone" (#4c 1955), "With You Beside Me" (1958)
duets with Kitty Wells, "One by One" (#1c 1954), "As Long As I Live" (#3c 1955), "No One But You" (#3c 1956), "Make Believe (Till We Can Make it Come True)" (#6c 1961), "I'm Counting on You" (#6c 1957), "You and Me" (#3c 1961), "Happiness Means You" (#43c 1967)
songwriter
actor
md. to Eva Overstake (19??-51, she killed herself when she found out about his affair with Sally Sweet); md. to Sally Sweet (1952- )
father of Betty Foley; father-in-law of Pat Boone (md. Shirley Foley)
see The Cumberland Ridge Runners on Hillbilly-Music dawt com

James Gadson (James Edward Gadson)

b. 1939 in Kansas City, MO
soul/rock singer
instrument: drums
founding member of The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band (1968-71), "Do Your Thing" (#11 1969), "Till You Get Enough" (#67 1969), "Love Land" (#16 1970), "Express Yourself" (#12 1970), "Road Without an End" (1970), "Solution for Pollution" (1971), "Your Love (Means Everything to Me)" (#12 1971)
with Bill Wither's band (1972-73)
session musician on Dyke and the Blazers' "We Got More Soul" (1969), "Let a Woman Be a Woman, Let a Man Be a Man" (1969)
see The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band on Wikipedia

Cliff Gallup (Clifton Elwood Gallup)

b. 1930 - d. 9 Oct 1988 in Norfolk, VA (heart attack)
rock/rockabilly musician, instrument: electric guitar
founding member and lead guitarist of Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps (1956), "Be-Bop-a-Lula" (#7 1956, he co-wrote), "Race with the Devil" (#96 1956), Blue Jean Bop" (#49 1956), "Waltz of the Wind" (1956), "Pink Thunderbird" (1956)
founding member of Carolina Charlie and the Four C's, "Mean" (1966, he wrote)
songwriter
see Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps

Terry Gilkyson (Hamilton Henry Gilkyson, III)

b. 1916 in Phoenixville, PA - 15 Oct 1999 in Austin, TX (aneurysm)
folk/pop singer
"Fast Freight" (1951)
instrument: guitar
with The Easy Riders (1953-59), "Marianne" (#4 1957, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "So True Blues" (1959)
The Easy Riders backing Dean Martin, "Memories Are Made of This" (#1 1956, he co-wrote)
duets with The Weavers, "Across the Wide Missouri" (1951), "On Top of Old Smokey" (#2 1951)
session musician on Frankie Laine's "Love is a Golden Ring" (#10 1957), and others
songwriter, wrote Tennessee Ernie Ford's "Cry of the Wild Goose" (#15, #2c 1950); co-wrote The Brothers Four's "Greenfields" (#2 1960)
actor
served in the Army Air Corp during WWII
father of guitarist, Tony Gilkyson, and singer/songwriter Eliza Gilkyson
see Terry Gilkyson and the Easy Riders

Gerry Granahan (aka Jerry Grant)

b. 1939 in Pittston, PA or England
pop/rock/novelty singer
instrument: drums
"Confess it to Your Heart" (1958), "I'm Afraid You'll Never Know" (1958), "Let the Rumors Fly" (1959), "A Ring, a Bracelet, a Heart" (1959), "Where's the Girl?" (1960), "Dance, Girl, Dance" (1961), "Dancing Man" (1961), "Racing Fever" (1964), "Sophia" (1964)
recorded as Jerry Grant, "Someday, Maybe Tonight" (1957), "No Chemise, Please" (#23 1958, One-Hit Wonder)
founding member of Dickie Doo and the Don'ts, "Flip-Top Box" (1958), "Leave Me Alone (Let Me Cry)" (1958), "Dear Heart, Don't Cry" (1959), "Click Clack" (#28 1959, he co-wrote), "Don't Count Me Out" (1965)
songwriter
music producer

Norman Kuhlke

b. 1942 in Liverpool, England
rock musician, instrument: drums
founding member of The Swinging Blue Jeans (1958-67), "Dizzy Chimes" (1961), * "Hippy Hippy Shake" (#24 1964, One-Hit Wonder), "Promise You'll Tell Her" (1964), "Rumors, Gossip, Words Untrue" (1966), "Don't Go Out in the Rain" (1967)
see The Swinging Blue Jeans

Johnny Lageman

b. 1942
rock musician, instrument: rhythm guitar
founding member of The Duals, "Stick Shift" (#25 1961, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Running Water" (1961, he co-wrote), "Cha Cha Guitars" (1961, he co-wrote), "Music Appreciation" (1961, he co-wrote), "The Big Race" (1964)
songwriter

Lenny LeBlanc

b. 1951 in Leominster, MA (grew up in Daytona, FL)
rock/country/Christian singer
instruments: bass
"Rainy Nights" (1976), "Rag Doll" (1976), "Dance Around the Campfire" (1976), "Pure in Heart" (1991), "Above All" (1999)
founding member of LeBlanc and Carr, "Falling" (#1 1978, he co-wrote), "Midnight Light" (1978)
session musician and backup singer with Amy Grant, Hank Williams, Jr., Roy Orbison, Joan Baez, Crystal Gayle, Roy Orbison, Sawyer Brown, Etta James, Temptations, and others
songwriter, wrote Sawyer Brown's "Treat Her Right" (#3c 1996)
see Lenny LeBlanc

Barry Manilow (Barry Alan Pinkus)

b. 1946 in Brooklyn, NY
pop singer
instrument: piano
"Mandy" (#1 1975), "It's a Miracle" (#12 1975), "Could it Be Magic?" (#6 1975), "Tryin' to Get the Feeling Again" (#10 1976), "This One's for You" (#29 1976), "Weekend in New England" (#10 1976), "Storybook Children" (#23 1977), "Looks Like We Made it" (#1 1977), "It's Just Another New Year's Eve" (1977), "I Write the Songs" (#1 1976), "Can't Smile Without You" (#3 1978), "Even Now" (#19 1978), "Somewhere in the Night" (#9 1979), "Ships" (#9 1979), "When I Wanted You" (#20 1979), "I Don't Want to Walk Without You" (#36 1980), "I Made it Through the Rain" (#10 1980), "The Old Songs" (#15 1981), "Somewhere Down the Road" (#21 1981), "Memory" (#39 1982), "Let's Hang on" (#32 1982), "Some Kind of Friend" (#26 1983), "Read 'em and Weep" (#18 1983), "When October Goes" (1984), "In Search of Love" (1985), "Keep Each Other Warm" (1989), "If You Remember Me" (1990), "Once in Love With Amy" (1991)
songwriter
arranger; music producer
md. to Susan Deixler (1964-66)
Manilow was his mother's maiden name
see Barry Manilow

Red Murrell (Joyce Wayne Murrell)

b. 1921 in Willow Springs, MO
country/western swing singer
instrument: rhythm guitar
"The Way She Got Away" (1955, he wrote), "Good Old Country Moon" (1955)
founding member of Red Murrell and His Ozark Playboys
with Jack Guthrie's Oklahomans (1944-46), "Welcome Home, Stranger" (1944), "Oklahoma Hills" (#1c 1945), "I'm Brandin' My Darlin' with My Heart" (#5c 1945), "Oklahoma's Calling" (1946), "In the Shadows of My Heart" (1946), "The Clouds Rained Trouble Down" (1946), "Oakie Boogie" (#3c 1947)
session musician with Merle Travis, Cliffie Stone, and others
songwriter
DJ

Gregg Rolie

b. 1947 in England
rock singer
instrument: keyboards
"Close My Eyes" (1985), "The Hands of Time" (1987), "I Will Get to You" (1987), "I Couldn't Lie to You" (1987)
founding member of Journey (1973-80), "Wheel in the Sky" (#57 1978), "Any Way You Want it" (#23 1980)
founding member of Santana
founding member of Bad English, "Price of Love" (1990)
see Gregg Rolie

Russell Smith (Howard Russell Smith)

b. 1949 in Nashville, TN
country/rock/pop singer
instruments: guitar, harmonica
"Your Eyes" (1978), "Someday We Will" (1978), "Honky-Tonk Freeway" (1978), "The Colorado Side" (1989), "This Little Town" (1989), "Walk These Hills" (2002), "What I Learned from Loving You" (2002)
founding member of The Amazing Rhythm Aces (1974-80, 1994- ), "Third-Rate Romance" (#14, #11c 1975), "Amazing Grace (Used to Be Her Favorite Song)" (#9c 1976), "Dancin' the Night Away" (1976), "If I Just Knew What to Say" (1976), "The End is Not in Sight (The Cowboy Tune)" (#12c 1976), "Ashes of Love" (#100c 1978), "Whispering in the Night" (1979), "I Musta Died and Gone to Texas" (#77c 1980), "Waitin' on Sundown" (1997), "Cold, Cold Rain" (1997), "I Feel Forever" (1997), "Out of the Storm" (1997)
founding member of Run C&W (1993-95), "Ballad of the Burns Brothers" (1995), "Itchy Twitchy Spot" (1995, parody of "Achy Breaky Heart")
backup singer
songwriter

Earl Taylor

b. 1929 in Lee County, VA
bluegrass singer
instrument: mandolin
founding member of Earl Taylor and the Stoney Mountain Boys (1957- ), "Short Life of Trouble" (1959), "Foggy Mountain Top" (1959), "White House Blues" (1959), "Lonely Heart" (1962), "The Children Are Crying" (1962), "Gatherin' Flowers from the Hillside" (1967), "Ain't Nobody Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone" (1967), "Tragic Romance" (1976)
Earl Taylor and the Stoney Mountain Boys were the first bluegrass act to perform at Carnegie Hall

Paul Young

b. 1947 in Manchester, England – d. 15 Jul 2000 (heart attack)
rock singer
instrument: percussions
"You Ain't Gonna Get to California" (1973), "Guess it Doesn't Matter Anymore" (1979), "Second Chance" (1984)
with Sad Café, "Love Will Survive" (1978, he wrote), "Shellshock" (1978, he co-wrote), "Every Day Hurts" (1979, he co-wrote), "I Wish This Night Would Never End" (1979, he co-wrote), "Strange Little Girl" (1979), "Misunderstanding" (1981, he co-wrote)
founding member and lead of Mike and the Mechanics (1985-2000), "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)" (#6 1985), "All I Need is a Miracle" (#5 1986), "Taken in" (#32 1986), "The Living Years" (#1 1989), "Let's Pretend it Didn't Happen" (1991)

June 18

Carlo Driggs

b. 1949 in Havana, Cuba (grew up in NY)
rock singer
instrument: drums
founding member of Kracker, "Because of You" (#30 1972)
lead singer of Paul Revere and the Raiders (1982- )
with Foxy, "Get Off" (#9 1978, he wrote), "It's Happening" (1978, he wrote), "Tena's Song" (1978)
songwriter
see Paul Revere and the Raiders'

John Evans

b. 1947 in Memphis, TN
pop/soul singer
instruments: keyboards
founding member of The Box Tops (1967-68, 1996-99), "The Letter" (#1 1967), "Neon Rainbow" (#24 1967), * "Cry Like a Baby" (#2 1968), "The Door You Closed to Me" (1968), "Fields of Clover" (1968)
session musician
songwriter
network administrator
see The Box Tops

Rick Gazda

b. 1952
rock/soul/blues singer
instrument: trumpet
founding member of The Miami Horns (1976- )
founding member of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (1975-81), "I Don't Want to Go Home" (1976), "This Time it's for Real" (1977), "Love on the Wrong Side of Town" (1977), "When You Dance" (1977), "Hearts of Stone" (1978), "All I Want is Everything" (1979)
see Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes

Marty Haggard

b. 1958 in Bakersfield, CA
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Charleston Cotton Mill" (#85c 1981), "Talkin' Blue Eyes" (#62c 1986), "Trains Make Me Lonesome" (#57c 1988), "Borders and Boundaries" (1996), "You're My Reason Why" (1996)
actor; minister
son of Merle Haggard
couldn't perform from 1988-92 because of injuries suffered in an auto accident

Tim Hunt

b. 1967 in Cincinnati, OH
country/rock singer
instrument: acoustic guitar
founding member and lead singer with Yankee Grey (1997-2002), "All Things Considered" (#54, #8c 1999, he wrote), "I Should Have Listened to Me" (1999), "That Would Be Me" (1999), "This Time Around" (#43c 2000, he co-wrote), "Another Nine Minutes" (#74, #15c 2000), "Not That Way for Everyone" (2002), "Friends" (2002)

Tommy Hunt (Charles James Hunt)

b. 1933 in Pittsburgh, PA
soul singer
"Human" (1960), "Make the Night a Little Longer" (1961), "The Door is Open" (1962), "Words Can Never Tell it" (1967), "Sunshine Girl" (1976)
with The Flamingos (1957-60 and reunions), "Jerri Lee" (1957), "Lovers Never Say Goodbye" (#52 1958), "I Only Have Eyes for You" (#11 1959), "At the Prom" (1959), "Time Was" (#45 1959), "Mio Amore" (#74 1959), "Nobody Loves Me Like You" (#30 1960), "Your Other Love" (#54 1960), "You, Me, and the Sea" (1960)

Kay Kyser (James Kern Kyser)

b. 1905 in Rocky Mount, NC - 24 Jul 1985
pop/jazz/swing singer
founding member and leader of the Kay Kyser Band, "Cry, Baby, Cry" (#3 1938), "Three Little Fishes" (#1 1939), "The Umbrella Man" (#1 1939), "With the Wind and the Rain in Your Hair" (#4 1940), "Tennessee Fish Fry" (#9 1940), "(Lights Out) Til Reveille" (#1 1941), "(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) the White Cliffs of Dover" (#1 1942), "Who Wouldn't Love You?" (#1 1942), "Jingle, Jangle, Jingle" (#1 1942), "He Wears a Pair of Silver Wings" (#1 1942), "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition" (#1 1942), "Strip Polka" (#1 1942), "Let's Get Lost" (#4 1943), "Bell Bottom Trousers" (#3 1945), "Ole Buttermilk Sky" (#1 1946), "The Old Lamp Lighter" (#3 1946), "The Woodpecker Song" (#1 1948), "On a Slow Boat to China" (#2 1948)
md. to actress/model, Georgia Carroll (1944-85, his death)
see Kay Kyser

Paul McCartney (James Paul McCartney)

b. 1942 in Liverpool, England
rock singer
instruments: guitar, keyboards, bass, drums, piano, trumpet, mandolin
"Another Day" (#5 1971), "One More Kiss" (1973), "Sally G" (#51c 1975), "Coming Up" (#1 1980), "Take it Away" (#10 1982), "No More Lonely Nights" (#6 1984), "Spies Like Us" (#7 1985), "My Brave Face" (#25 1989), "Dance Tonight" (#69 2007)
with The Quarrymen
with The Moondogs
with Silver Beatles
with The Beatles (1962-70), "You'll Be Mine" (1960), "Cayenne" (1960), * "P.S. I Love You" (1962, he wrote), * "Anna (Go to Him)" (1963), "She Loves You" (#1 1963), "Can't Buy Me Love" (#1 1964), * "Love Me Do" (#1 1964, he co-wrote), * "Please, Please Me" (#3 1964), * "Twist and Shout" (#4 1964), "A Hard Day's Night" (#1 1964), "I Saw Her Standing There" (#14 1964, he co-wrote), "Do You Want to Know a Secret?" (#9 1964, he co-wrote), "I Want to Hold Your Hand" (#1 1964, he wo-wrote), "I Feel Fine" (#1 1965), "Eight Days a Week" (#1 1965), "Ticket to Ride" (#1 1965), "Help!" (#1 1965), "Yesterday" (#1 1965, he wrote), "Yellow Submarine" (#2 1966), "We Can Work it Out" (#1 1966, he wrote), "Paperback Writer" (#1 1966, he wrote), "When I'm Sixty-Four" (1967, he wrote), "Penny Lane" (#1 1967, he wrote), "All You Need is Love" (#1 1967), "I Am the Walrus" (1967), "Rocky Raccoon" (1968, he wrote), "Hello, Goodbye" (#1 1968, he wrote), "Hey Jude" (#1 1968, he wrote), "Come Together" (#1 1969), "Let it Be" (#1 1970, he wrote), "The Long and Winding Road" (#1 1970)
on 4 Apr 1964 The Beatles had the top 5 singles on the Billboard charts
The Beatles with Billy Preston, "Get Back" (#1 1969)
The Beatles with Tony Sheridan, "Ain't She Sweet?" (1962), "Sweet Georgia Brown" (1962), "Nobody's Child" (1962), "My Bonnie (Lies Over the Ocean)" (#26 1964)
founding member and lead singer of Wings (1971-81), "My Love" (#1 1973), "Live and Let Die" (#2 1973), "Band on the Run" (#1 1974), "Junior's Farm" (#3 1974), "Listen to What the Man Said" (#1 1975), "Silly Love Songs" (#1 1976), "Let 'em in" (#3 1976), "Maybe I'm Amazed" (#10 1977), "With a Little Luck" (#1 1978), "Goodnight Tonight" (#5 1979), "Coming Up" (#1 1980)
duet with Stevie Wonder, "Ebony and Ivory" (#1 1982)
session musician on Ringo Starr's "You're Sixteen" (#1 1973)
songwriter, wrote Peter and Gordon's "Woman" (#14 1966) (under the name Bernard Webb)
actor; producer
animal rights activist
md. to photographer, Linda Eastman (1969-98, her death); md. 2nd to model, Heather Mills (2002- )
he was left-handed
see The Beatles
see Paul McCartney

Bill Morrison

b. 1940 in Mattoon, IL
rockabilly singer
instrument: guitar
"Baby, Be Good" (1960, he wrote), "Tenderly" (1960, he wrote), "The One I Left Behind" (1960, he wrote), "I Know I'll Go to Heaven (I've Been Through Hell with You)" (1970), "Dial a Heartbreak" (1970)
served in the Navy (1958-61)
see Bill Morrison

Sandy Posey (Sandra Lou Posey)

b. 1944 in Jaspar, AL (grew up in West Memphis, AR)
country/pop singer
"Born a Woman" (#12 1966), "Single Girl" (#12 1966), "Blue is My Best Color" (1966), "I Take it Back" (#12 1967), "What a Woman in Love Won't Do" (#31 1967), "Silly Boy, Silly Girl" (1968), "All Hung up in Your Green Eyes" (1968), "Bring Him Safely Home to Me" (#18c 1972), "Why Don't We Go Somewhere and Love?" (#51c 1972), "Happy, Happy Birthday Baby" (#36c 1972), "Don't" (#39c 1973), "Long Distance Kissing" (1976), "Born to Be with You" (#21c 1978), "Love is Sometimes Easy" (#26c 1979, she wrote), "Can't Get Used to Sleeping Without You" (#88c 1983), "Put Your Arms Around Me" (2001)
backup singer on Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman" (#1 1966); and with Bobby Goldsboro, Tommy Roe, Elvis Presley, and others
md. to Wade Cummings
see Sandy Posey on Wikipedia

Johnny Pearson

b. 1925 in Derbyshire, England
pop musician, instruments: piano, harpsichord
founding member of Sounds Orchestral (1964- ), "To Wendy With Love" (1964), "Cast Your Fate to the Wind" (#10 1965, One-Hit Wonder)
with the Johnny Pearson Orchestra, "Sleepy Shores" (1972)
session musician
songwriter

Carl Radle

b. 1942 in Tulsa, OK or Oklahoma City, OK – d. 30 May 1980 in England (kidney failure from alcoholism and drug use)
rock/blues musician, instrument: bass
with Derek and the Dominos, "Thorn Tree in the Garden" (1970), "Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad?" (1970), "Tell the Truth" (1970), "Layla" (#10 1972)
session musician with Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Delaney and Bonnie, Eric Clapton, Art Garfunkel, and others
see Derek and the Dominos on Wikipedia

Julie Reeves

b. 1974 in Ashland, KY
country singer
* "Do You Think about Me?" (1999), "If I'd Never Loved You" (1999), "It's about Time" (#51c 1999), "Trouble is a Woman" (#39c 1999), "What I Need" (#38c 2000)
duet with Bill Engvall, "Shoulda Shut Up" (#51c 2000)
songwriter
md. to Cledus T. Judd

Blake Shelton

b. 1976 in Ada, OK
country singer
instrument: guitar
* "Austin" (#18, #1c 2001), "All Over Me" (#18c 2002, he co-wrote), * "The Baby" (#28, #1c 2002), "When Somebody Knows You That Well" (#37c 2004), "Some Beach" (#28, #1c 2004), "Goodbye Time" (#10c 2005), "Nobody But Me" (#60, #4c 2006), "Don't Make Me" (#79, #12c 2007)
songwriter
md. to Kaynette (2003-06)
see Blake Shelton

Jim Stephens (aka Jimmy Stevens)

b. 1942
rock/do-wop/folk singer
"Love Dreams" (1961), "A Funny Thing Happened" (1963), "That's Where the Difference Lies" (1963)
founding member and lead singer of The Safaris (1959-61, and reunions), "Image of a Girl" (#6 1960, One-Hit Wonder), "Girl with the Story in Her Eyes" (#85 1960, he co-wrote), "Soldier of Fortune" (1961), "My Image of a Girl (is You)" (1989)
songwriter
brother of Julie Stephens aka Julie Stevens

Robert Thursby

b. 1947
doo-wop singer (tenor)
founding member of The Velvets (1958- ), * "Tonight (Could Be the Night)" (#26 1961, One-Hit Wonder), "Laugh" (#90 1961), "Lana" (1961), "Who Has the Right?" (1961), * "Let the Good Times Roll" (1962), "The Lights Go on, the Lights Go off" (1962), "Be Ever Mine" (1962), "Let the Fool Kiss You" (1964)

June 19

Glen Allred (Glennan Allred)

b. 1934 in Monroe, TN
country/gospel singer (baritone)
instrument: guitar
with The Gospel Melody Quartet which became The Florida Boys Quartet (1952- )
The Spirit of Dixie Trio
with The Florida Boys (1952- )
with The Oak Ridge Quartet (1951-52), "Dig a Little Deeper (in God's Love)" (1951), "Peace in the Valley" (1951)
The Oak Ridge Quartet later became The Oak Ridge Boys

Bobby Borchers

b. 1952 in Cincinnati, OH (grew up in KY)
country singer
"They Don't Make 'Em Like That Anymore" (#32c 1976), "Whispers" (#12c 1976), "Cheap Perfume and Candlelight" (#7c 1977), "I Promised Her a Rainbow" (#18c 1977), "That's the Only Way to Say Good Morning" (1977), "Brass Buckles" (1977), "I Like Ladies in Long Black Dresses" (#23c 1977), "Sweet Fantasy" (#20c 1978), "I Just Wanna Feel the Music" (#43c 1979), "(I Remember When I Thought) Whiskey Was a River" (#86c 1987, he wrote)
songwriter

Norman Bullock

b. 1932 in KY
country/rockabilly singer
backed by The Southerneers, "Lies, Lies, Lies" (1956, he wrote), "Moanin' the Blues" (1956)
songwriter

Matt Cartsonis

b. 1959 in Philadelphia, PA (grew up in Litchfield Park, AZ)
country/bluegrass/folk singer
instruments: bass, guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, piano, accordion
"Leavin' Home" (2001), "Yuletide in the Double-Wide" (2001), "Speed Trap (Out of State Cars)" (2001)
bassist with Bryndle (1995, 2001), "On the Wind" (1995), "Under the Rainbow" (1995), "Til the Storm Goes By" (1995), "Forever Ride" (2001), "All I Need to Know" (2001)
session musician
songwriter
music producer
see Matt Cartsonis

Tommy DeVito

b. 1928/36 in Belleville, NJ
pop singer
instrument: guitar
lead guitarist with The Four Seasons (1961-1971), "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" (#23 1962), "Sherry" (#1 1962), "Big Girls Don't Cry" (#1 1962), "Walk Like a Man" (#1 1963), "Candy Girl" (#3 1963), "Marlena" (#36 1963), "Ronnie" (#6 1964), "Rag Doll" (#1 1964), "Lucky Ladybug" (1964), "Dawn (Go Away)" (#3 1964), "Save it for Me" (#10 1964), "Stay" (#16 1964), "Let's Hang on" (#3 1965), "Bye Bye, Baby (Baby Goodbye)" (#12 1965), "Working My Way Back to You" (#9 1966), "Let's Ride Again" (1967), "C'mon, Marianne" (#9 1967)
with The Four Lovers, "You're the Apple of My Eye" (#62 1956), "The Girl in My Dreams" (1956), "Shake a Hand" (1957)
The The Four Seasons recording as The Wonder Who?, "Don't Think Twice" (#12 1965), "Sassy" (1965)
actor
see The Four Seasons

Charlie Drake (Charles Edward Springall)

b. 1925 in London, England - d. 23 Dec 2006 (stroke)
novelty singer
"Carolina in the Morning" (1953), "My Boomerang Won't Come Back" (#21 1962, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "I've Lost the End of My Yodel" (1963), "The Reluctant Tight-Rope Walker" (1964)
songwriter
comedian; actor; author
see Charlie Drake

Lester Flatt (Lester Raymond Flatt)

b. 1914 near Duncan's Chapel, TN – d. 11 May 1979
bluegrass/country/folk singer
instruments: guitar, mandolin
"I Can't Tell the Boys from the Girls" (1971), "Before You Go" (1974)
duet with Mac Wiseman, "Me and Your Memory" (1972)
with Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys (1945-48), "Kentucky Waltz" (#3c 1946), "Footprints in the Snow" (#5c 1946), "Blue Moon Over Kentucky" (1947), "My Rose of Old Kentucky" (1948), "Sweetheart, You Done Me Wrong" (#11c 1948)
founding member of Flatt and Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys (1949-69), "Cabin on the Hill" (#9c 1959, he co-wrote), "Crying My Heart Out Over You" (#21c 1960), "Go Home" (#10c 1961), "Ballad of Jed Clampett" (#44, #1c 1963), "Pearl, Pearl, Pearl" (#8c 1963), "You Are My Flower" (#12c 1964), "Petticoat Junction" (#14c 1964), "California Uptight Band" (#20c 1967)
founding member of The Nashville Grass (1969-79)
songwriter
see Flatts and Scruggs
see The Blue Grass Boys

Shirley Goodman (Shirley Mae Goodman aka Shirley Goodman Pixley)

b. 1936 in New Orlean, LA - d. 5 Jul 2005 in Los Angeles (stroke)
rock/R&B singer
with Shirley and Lee (1951-63), "So in Love" (1953), "Let the Good Times Roll" (#20 1956, she co-wrote), "When I Saw You" (1957), "I Want to Dance" (1957), "My Last Letter" (1962), "Dancing World" (1963), "The Brink of Disaster" (1963), "Somebody Put a Jukebox in the Study Hall" (1963)
founding member of Shirley and Jesse
founding member and lead of Shirley and Company, "Shame, Shame, Shame" (#12 1975)
backup singer for Sonny and Cher, The Rolling Stones, and others
songwriter
see Shirley Goodman on SpectroPop

Don 'Sugarcane' Harris (aka Don Bowman)

b. 1938 in Pasadena, CA - d. 30 Nov 1999
blues/rock musician, instruments: violin, electric violin, guitar
"Desiree" (1970), "Where's My Sunshine?" (1972), "Horizon" (1972), "Cup Full of Dreams" (1973), "Midnight Walk" (1974), "Lila Faye" (1975)
with the Pure Food and Drug Act
with The Squires (1954-55), "Sindy" (1955), "Sweet Girl" (1955)
founding member of Don and Dewey, "Jelly Bean" (1957), "Miss Sue" (1957), "Soul Motion" (1962), "Stretchin' Out" (1962), "Annie Lee" (1964)
session musician with The Mothers of Invention, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, and others
songwriter, co-wrote The Premiers' "Farmer John" (#19 1964); Donny and Marie Osmond's "I'm Leaving it All up to You" (#4, #17c 1974); The Olympics' "Big Boy Pete" (#50 1960)
see Don and Dewey

Guy Lombardo (Gaetano Alberto Lombardo)

b. 1902 in Ontario, Canada – d. 5 Nov 1977 in Houston, TX
jazz/pop musician, instrument: violin
leader of Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians, "A Cottage for Sale" (#4 1930), "A Little Kiss Each Morning" (#11 1930), "Have a Little Faith in Me" (#3 1930), "I Still Get a Thrill (Thinking of You)" (#5 1930), "You're Driving Me Crazy (What Did I Do)" (#1 1930), "By the River Sainte Marie" (#1 1931), "Goodnight, Sweetheart" (#1 1931), "Paradise" (#1 1932), "We Just Couldn't Say Goodbye" (#1 1932), "Stormy Weather" (#2 1933), "The Last Roundup" (#1 1933), "What's the Reason (I'm Not Pleasin' You)?" (#1 1935), "Red Sails in the Sunset" (#1 1935), "When Did You Leave Heaven?" (#1 1936), "Boo Hoo" (#1 1937), "A Sailboat in the Moonlight" (#1 1937), "September in the Rain" (#1 1937), "It Looks Like Rain in Cherry Blossom Lane" (#1 1937), "Penny Serenade" (#1 1939), "Intermezzo" (#1 1941), "Together" (#7 1944), "Bell Bottom Trousers" (#2 1945), "A Little on the Lonely Side" (#5 1945), "Anniversary Song" (1947), "Managua, Nicaragua" (#1 1947), "The Third Man Theme" (#1 1950), "Petite Waltz" (#22 1950), "Enjoy Yourself" (1950), "Harbor Lights" (#2 1950)
hydroplane racer

Elaine 'Spanky' McFarlane

b. 1942 in Peoria, IL
folk/rock singer
founding member and lead singer of Spanky and Our Gang (1965-69), "Sunday Will Never Be the Same" (#9 1967), "Making Every Minute Count" (#22 1967), "Lazy Day" (#14 1967), "Sunday Mornin' in the Spring" (#30 1968), "Like to Get to Know You" (#17 1968), "Give a Damn" (#43 1968), "Three Ways from Tomorrow" (1968), "Without Rhyme or Reason" (1969), "And She's Mine" (1969)
see Spanky and Our Gang

Doug Stone (Douglas Jackson Brooks)

b. 1956 in Atlanta, GA (grew up in Newnan, GA)
country/pop singer
instruments: drums, guitar, bass, fiddle, keyboards, dobro
"I'd Be Better Off (in a Pine Box)" (#4c 1990), "Fourteen Minutes Old" (#6c 1990), "These Lips Don't Know How to Say Goodbye" (#5c 1991), "In a Different Light" (#1c 1991), "I Thought it Was You" (#4c 1991), "A Jukebox with a Country Song" (#1c 1992), "Come in Out of the Pain" (#3c 1992), "Warning Labels" (#4c 1992), "Too Busy Being in Love" (#1c 1993), "Why Didn't I Think of That?" (#1c 1993), "I Never Knew Love" (#81, #2c 1994), "Addicted to a Dollar" (#4c 1994, he co-wrote), "Faith in Me, Faith in You" (#13c 1995), "Born in the Dark" (#12c 1995), "Make Up in Love" (#19c 1999), "POW 369" (2002), "Nice Problem" (2007)
songwriter
mechanic; actor
had quadruple bypass surgery 1992 and a heart attack in 1995
md. to Beth Snyder (1996- )
see Doug Stone on Wikipedia

Al Wilson

b. 1939 in Meridian, MS
R&B/pop singer
instrument: drums
"The Snake" (#27 1968), "Lodi" (#67 1969), "Show and Tell" (#1 1973), "La La (Peace Song)" (#30 1974), "I Won't Last a Day Without You" (#70 1975), "I've Got a Feeling (We'll Be Seeing Each Other Again)" (#29 1976), "Count the Days" (1979)
served in the Navy (1959-61)

June 20

Chet Atkins (Chester Burton Atkins aka 'Mister Guitar')

b. 1924 in Luttrell, TN – d. 30 Jun 2001 in Nashville, TN (lung cancer)
country/folk singer
instruments: guitar, fiddle, banjo
"Sweet Bunch of Daisies" (1951), "Your Mean Little Heart" (1951), "Hybrid Corn" (1951), "You're Always Brand New" (1951), "Gallopin' Guitar" (1952), "Rustic Dance" (1952), "City Slicker" (1953), "Downhill Drag" (1954), "Kentucky Derby" (1954), "Mister Sandman" (#13c 1955), "Colonial Ballroom" (1957), "One Mint Julep" (#73 1959), "Windy and Warm" (1961), * "Yakety Axe" (#98, #4c 1965), "Prissy" (#30c 1966), "Rhythm Guitar" (1966), "Huntin' Boots" (1968), "Love Beads" (1970), "Steeplechase Lane" (1970), * "Red, White and Blue Medley" (1972), "Fiddling Around" (#75c 1973)
duets with Hank Snow, "Silver Bell" (#15c 1955), "The Convict and the Rose" (1964)
duet with Ray Charles and George Jones, "We Didn't See a Thing" (#6c 1984)
session musician on Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" (#1, #1c 1956); Hank Williams' "Your Cheatin' Heart" (#1c 1953); The Everly Brothers' "Wake up, Little Susie" (#1 1957), "Bye Bye, Love" (#2 1957); and with Roy Orbison, and others
songwriter
music producer, arranger
guitar designer
quote by Chet Atkins: Years from now, after I'm gone someone will listen to what I've done and know I was here. They may not know or care who I was, but they'll hear my guitars speaking for me.
see Chet Atkins

Lala Brooks (Delores Brooks)

b. 1947 in Brooklyn, NY
pop/R&B singer
lead singer for The Crystals (1961-6?, 1971-73), "Dreams and Wishes" (1961), "Uptown" (#13 1962), "Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home)" (#3 1963), * "Then He Kissed Me" (#6 1963), "All Grown Up" (1964)
"He's a Rebel" and "He's Sure the Boy I Love" were credited to The Crystals' but were by Darlene Love backed by The Blossoms
md. to jazz musician, Leo Morris (1966- )
her mother was Native American
see The Crystals

Danny Cedrone (Donato Joseph Cedrone)

b. 1920 in Jamesville, NY (grew up in Philadelphia, PA) - d. 17 Jun 1954 in Philadelphia, PA (fell down a flight of stairs and broke his neck)
rock/jazz/rockabilly singer
instruments: guitar, electric guitar, bass, violin, banjo
founding member of The Esquire Boys, "If it's Love You Want to Borrow" (1953)
session musician on Bill Haley and His Saddlemen's "Rocket 88" (1951), "Rock the Joint" (1952); Bill Haley and the Comets' "Rock Around the Clock" (#1 1955, he was paid $21 for the guitar solo), "Shake, Rattle and Roll" (#7 1954)
md. to Carmela "Millie" Cassella (1939-54, his death)
see Danny Cedrone on The Rockabilly Hall of Fame

Evelyn Cox (Evelyn Marie Cox)

b. 1959 in Springhill, LA
bluegrass singer
instrument: guitar
with The Cox Family, "My Favorite Memory" (1993), "Backroads" (1993), "Another Lonesome Morning" (1995), "Love of a Lifetime" (1996), "I am Weary (Let Me Rest)" (2000), "Will There Be Stars in My Crown?" (2000)
daughter of Willard Cox

Jimmie Driftwood (James Corbett Morris)

b. 1907 near Mountain View, AR - d. 12 Jul 1998 in Fayetteville, AR (heart attack)
country/folk singer
instrument: guitar
"The Land Where the Bluegrass Grows" (1959), "Battle of New Orleans" (#24c 1959, he wrote), "Billy Yank and Johnny Reb" (1961, he wrote), "Driftwood at Sea" (1962), "In a Cotton Shirt and a Pair of Dungarees" (1962), "Long Chain" (1963, he wrote), "Down in Arkansas" (1963, he wrote), "Mixed-Up Family" (1963), "That's the Way They Do in Arkansas" (1963)
songwriter, wrote Eddy Arnold's "Tennessee Stud" (#48, #5c 1959); "Hawkshaw Hawkins' "Soldier's Joy" (#87, #15c 1959)
environmentalist
md. to Cleda Azalea Johnson (1936-98, his death)
see Jimmie Driftwood

Billy Guy (Frank William Phillips)

b. 1936 in Itasca, TX (grew up in Hollywood, CA) – d. 5 Nov 2002 in Las Vegas, NV (heart attack)
R&B/novelty/rock singer (baritone)
"As Quiet As it's Kept" (1963), "It Don't Take Much" (1963), "I'm Sorry about That" (1967)
founding member and lead singer of The Coasters (1956-73), * "Yakety Yak" (#1 1958), * "Charlie Brown" (#2 1959), "Along Came Jones" (#9 1959), "Poison Ivy" (#7 1959), "Searchin'" (#3 1957), "Wake Me, Shake Me" (#51 1960, he wrote), "Little Egypt (Ying-Yang)" (#23 1961)
founding member of Billy Guy and the Coasters, "You Move Me" (1975)
with Bip and Bop, "Ding Ding Dong" (1955)
songwriter

Jerry Keller (Jerry Paul Keller)

b. 1937/38 in Fort Smith, AR
pop singer
"Here Comes Summer" (#14 1959, One-Hit Wonder, he wrote), "White for You, Blues for Me" (1960), "Some Summer" (1963), "What Happens When He Comes Home?" (1963), "You're Leanin' on My Mind" (1967)
songwriter, co-wrote Andy Williams' "Almost There" (#67 1964); Cyrkle's "Turn Down Day" (#16 1966)
actor

Anne Murray (Morna Anne Murray)

b. 1945 in Nova Scotia, Canada
country/pop singer
instruments: guitar, ukulele, piano
* "Snow Bird" (#8, #10c 1970), * "Cotton Jenny" (#71, #11c 1972), * "Danny's Song" (#7, #10c 1973), "Son of a Rotten Gambler" (#5c 1974), "You Won't See Me" (#8 1974), "Love Song" (#12, #5c 1974), "Walk Right Back" (#103, #4c 1978), * "You Needed Me" (#1, #4c 1978), * "Broken-Hearted Me" (#12, #1c 1979), * "I Just Fall in Love Again" (#12, #1c 1979), "Shadows in the Moonlight" (#25, #1c 1979), "I'm Happy Just to Dance with You" (#64, #23c 1980), * "Could I Have This Dance?" (#33, #1c 1980), * "Daydream Believer" (#12, #3c 1980), "Blessed are the Believers" (#34, #1c 1981), * "Another Sleepless Night" (#44, #4c 1982), * "A Little Good News" (#74, #1c 1983, CMA single of the year 1984), * "Somebody's Always Saying Goodbye" (#7c 1983), * "Just Another Woman in Love" (#1c 1984), * "Time Don't Run Out on Me" (#2c 1985), * "Now and Forever (You and Me)" (#92, #1c 1986), "My Life's a Dance" (#26c 1986), "Are You Still in Love with Me?" (#20c 1987), "Feed This Fire" (#5c 1990), * "Over You" (1994), "Sentimental Favorite" (1994)
duet with Dave Loggins, * "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do" (#103, #1c 1984), He Thinks I Still Care" (#1c 1974)
duet with Bill Withers, "Lean on Me" (#1 1972)
duet with Aaron Neville, "That's What My Love is For" (1996)
duet with Kenny Rogers, "If I Ever Fall in Love Again" (#28c 1989)
gym teacher
md. to Bill Langstroth
see Anne Murray

Pam Perry

b. 1960 in OH
country/bluegrass singer
instruments: lead guitar, mandolin
founding member of Wild Rose (1987-91), Breakin' New Ground" (#15c 1989), "I Can't Lose What I Never Had" (1989), "Go Down Swingin'" (#38c 1990), "Hit the Highway" (1990), "Straight and Narrow" (#73c 1991), "Listen to Your Heart" (1991)
with The New Coon Creek Girls

Ben Peters (Ben James/Joseph Peters)

b. 1933 near Hollandale, MS - d. 25 May 2005 in Nashville, TN (pneumonia)
country singer
instrument: sax
"San Francisco is a Lonely Town" (#46c 1969, he wrote), "You're the Happy Song I Sing" (1969), "Can't Get Over You" (1970), "Would You Still Love Me?" (#92 1973, he wrote)
songwriter, wrote Kenny Rogers' "Daytime Friends and Nighttime Lovers" (#28, #1c 1977); Johnny Rodriguez's "Love Put a Song in My Heart" (#1c 1975); Eddy Arnold's "Turn the World Around" (#1c 1967); Charley Pride's "Kiss an Angel Good Morning" (#1c 1971), "It's Gonna Take a Little Bit Longer" (#1c 1972), "More to Me" (#1c 1977), "You're So Good When You're Bad" (#1c 1982), "Burgers and Fries" (#2c 1978); Roy Drusky's "If the Whole World Stopped Lovin'" (#12c 1967); Brenda Lee's "Tell Me What it's Like" (#8c 1979); John Conlee's "Before My Time" (#2c 1979)
co-wrote Freddy Fender's "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" (#1, #1c 1975)
served in the Navy as a pilot

Lionel Richie (Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr.)

b. 1949 in Tuskegee, AL
soul/R&B/pop singer (tenor)
instruments: piano, keyboards, sax
"Easy" (#1 1977, he wrote), "Do it to Me" (#1 1982, he wrote), "Truly" (#1 1982, he wrote), "You Are" (#4 1983, he wrote), "All Night Long (All Night)" (#1 1983, he wrote), "Running with the Night" (#7 1983, he wrote), "My Love" (#5 1983, he wrote), "Stuck on You" (#3, #24c 1984, he wrote), "Penny Lover" (#1 1984, he wrote), "Hello" (#1 1984, he wrote), "Say You, Say Me" (#1 1985, he wrote), "Dancing on the Ceiling" (#2 1986, he wrote), "Ballerina Girl" (#7 1986, he wrote), "Love Will Conquer All" (#1 1986, he wrote), "My Destiny" (#7 1992, he wrote)
founding member and lead singer of The Commodores (1968-82), "Machine Gun" (#22 1974), "Slippery When Wet" (#19 1975, he wrote), "Sweet Love" (#5 1976, he wrote), "Just to Be Close to You" (#7 1976, he wrote), "Brick House" (#5 1977, he co-wrote), "Fancy Dancer" (#39 1977), Easy" (#4 1977), * "Three Times a Lady" (#1 1978, he wrote), "Still" (#1 1979, he wrote), "Sail on" (#4 1979, he wrote), "Heroes" (#54 1980), "Lady" (#8 1981)
duet with Diana Ross, "Endless Love" (#1 1981, he wrote), "Oh, No" (#4 1981, he wrote)
duet with Alabama, "Deep River Woman" (#10c 1987, he wrote)
with USA for Africa, "We Are the World" (#1 1985, he co-wrote)
songwriter
music producer
md. to Brenda Harvey (1975-91), md. to Diane Alexander (1996-2004)
see The Commodores

Napoleon XIV (Jerry Samuels)

b. 1938 in NY
novelty/pop singer
* "They're Coming to Take Me Away" (#3 1966, One-Hit Wonder, he wrote), "Bats in My Belfry" (1966), "I Live in a Split-Level Head" (1966), "I Owe a Lot to Iowa" (1966), "Let's Cuddle Up in My Security Blanket" (1966), "The Nuts on My Family Tree" (1966)
recorded as Jerry Samuels, "Can You Dig it?" (1974, he wrote)
recorded as Jerry Simms, "Treasure Supreme" (1961, he wrote), "Dancing Partners" (1959)
songwriter, co-wrote Sammy Davis, Jr.'s "The Shelter of Your Arms" (#17 1964)
sound engineer; music producer

Eddy Shaver (John Edwin Shaver)

b. 1962 – d. 31 Dec 2000 (accidental heroin overdose)
country/rock musician, instruments: electric guitar, acoustic guitar
founding member of Shaver (1993-2000), "When the Fallen Angels Fly" (1993), "Tramp on Your Street" (1993), "Live Forever" (1993, he co-wrote), "Georgia on a Fast Train" (1993), "Oklahoma Wind" (1993), "Yesterday Tomorrow Was Today" (1996), "The First and Last Time" (1996), "Thunderbird" (1999), "She Can Dance" (1999), "Heart to Heart" (1999, he wrote)
session musician with Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and others
son of songwriter, Billy Joe Shaver

T Texas Tyler (David Luke Myrick)

b. 1916 near Mena, AR – d. 28 Jan 1972 in Springfield, MO (stomach cancer)
country/gospel/western swing singer
instrument: guitar
"Beautiful Morning Glory" (1945), "The Deck of Cards" (#2c 1948, he wrote), "Daddy Gave My Dog Away" (#10c 1948), "My Bucket's Got a Hole in it" (#5c 1949), "Old Country Church" (1950), "I Was the Last One to Know" (1952), "Pie A La Mode" (1954), "Let the Teardrops Fall" (1958), "Shake Em up Rock" (1958), "Texas Boogie Woogie" (1966), "I Still Love You (By the Way)" (1966)
with The Oklahoma Melody Boys, "Guitar Boogie Woogie" (1946), "Filipino boy" (#5c 1946)
duet with Jimmy Dean, "Bummin' Around" (#5c 1953)
songwriter
actor; minister
served in the Army (1942-46)

Brian Wilson (Brian Douglas Wilson)

b. 1942 in Hawthorne, CA
rock singer
instruments: bass, keyboards
"Caroline, No" (#32 1966, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Let's Go to Heaven in My Car" (1986), "Love and Mercy" (1988, he wrote), "Being with the One You Love" (1989), "Til I Die" (1995, he wrote), "Gettin' in Over My Head" (2004, he co-wrote), "Don't Let Her Know She's an Angel" (2004, he wrote)
founding member and lead singer of The Beach Boys (1961-72), "409" (1962), * "Surfin' Safari" (#14 1962), * "Surfin' USA" (#3 1963), * "Shut Down" (#23 1963), * "Surfer Girl" (#7 1963), * "Little Deuce Coupe" (#15 1963), * "Be True to Your School" (#6 1963), * "Fun, Fun, Fun" (#5 1964), "This Car of Mine" (1964), * "I Get Around" (#1 1964), "When I Grow up (to Be a Man)" (#9 1964), "Dance, Dance, Dance" (#8 1964), * "Do You Wanna Dance?" (#12 1965), "Help Me, Rhonda" (#1 1965), * "California Girls" (#3 1965), "The Little Girl I Once Knew" (#20 1965), * "Barbara Ann" (#2 1966), "Pet Sounds" (1966), "Wouldn't it Be Nice?" (#8 1966), "Good Vibrations" (#1 1966), "Heroes and Villains" (#12 1967), "I Can Hear the Music" (#24 1969), "The Nearest Faraway Place" (1970)
founding member of The Timers, "Competition Coupe" (1963)
duet with Elton John, "How Could We Still Be Dancin'?" (2004, he co-wrote)
duet with Paul McCartney, "A Friend Like You" (2004, he co-wrote)
songwriter, co-wrote The Hondells' "Little Honda" (#9 1964)
music producer
brother of Carl and Dennis Wilson, cousin of Mike Love, he never surfed
after years of drug abuse and emotional problems he was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type
see the Beach Boys
see Brian Wilson

Dal Winslow

b. 1942
rock singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of Jim Thaxter and the Travelers, "Sally Jo" (1960), "Cyclone" (1960)
founding member of The Trashmen (1962-68, and reunions), "Surfin' Bird" (#4 1964), "Bird Dance Beat" (#30 1964), "Church Key" (1964), "Bird Bath" (1964), "Lost Angel" (1965), "Some Lies" (1966), "Address Enclosed" (1968)

June 21

Eddie Adcock (Edward Windsor Adcock)

b. 1938 in Scottsville, VA
country/bluegrass/folk singer
instruments: string banjo, guitar
founding member of The Country Gentlemen (1959-70), "Backwoods Blues" (1958), "Darling Alalee" (1960), "Helen" (1960), "Letter to Tom" (1960), "Drifting Too Far" (1960), "Remembrance of You" (1961), "Midnight Moon" (1963), "I'd Like to Come Back As a Song" (1963), "Copper Kettle" (1963), "Bringing Mary Home" (#43c 1965), "Going to the Races" (1969)
with The Clinton Special (under the name 'Clinton Codack')
founding member of II Generation (1971- )
with Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys (1958), "Brand New Shoes" (1958), "Sally Jo" (1958)
session musician
race car driver whose car was named 'Mr. Banjo'; semi-pro boxer
md. to guitarist, Martha Hearon (1974- )
see The Blue Grass Boys
see Charlie Waller

Chris Britton (Charles Christopher Britton)

b. 1945 in England
rock musician, instruments: guitar
founding member of The Troggs (1966-69, and reunions), "Lost Girl" (1966), * "With a Girl Like You" (#29 1966), "Wild Thing" (#1 1966), "Hi Hi Hazel" (1967), "As I Ride By" (1967), "Girl in Black" (1967), "Cousin Jane" (1968), * "Love is All Around" (#7 1968)

Miguel Vicens Danus (Miguel Luis Vincens Danus)

b. 1944 in Majorca
pop/rock musician, instrument: bass guitar
founding member of Los Bravos (1965-69), "Black is Black" (#4 1966, One-Hit Wonder), "I Don't Care" (1966), "Bring a Little Lovin'" (#51 1968)
see Los Bravos on Wikipedia

Ray Davies (Raymond Douglas Davies)

b. 1944 in London, England
rock singer
instrument: rhythm guitar
"Lonely Hearts" (1985), "Going Solo" (1985), "Tired of Waiting" (1998, he wrote), "Is There Life after Breakfast?" (2006, he wrote), "Run Away from Time" (2006, he wrote), "Thanksgiving Day" (2006)
founding member and least singer of The Kinks (1963-94), "You Really Got Me" (#7 1964), "All Day and All of the Night (#7 1965), "Tired of Waiting for You" (#6 1965), "I'm Not Like Everybody Else" (1966), "Sittin' on My Sofa" (1966), "A Well-Respected Man" (#13 1966), "Dedicated to the Followers of Fashion" (#36 1966), "Dead-End Street" (#73 1967), "Phenomenal Cat" (1968), "Picture Book" (1969), "Brainwashed" (1969), "Victoria" (1969), "Lola" (#9 1970), "Juke Box Music" (1977), "A Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy" (#30 1978), "State of Confusion" (1983), "Come Dancing" (#6 1983), "Don't Forget to Dance" (#29 1983)
songwriter
music producer; author
brother of Dave Davies

Leon Everette (Leon Everette Baughman)

b. 1948/49 in Aiken, SC (grew up in Queens, NY)
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Where the Daisies Grow Wild" (1977), "Don't Feel Like the Lone Ranger" (#33c 1979), "I Love That Woman (Like the Devil Loves Sin)" (#38c 1980), "Giving up Easy" (#5c 1980), "I Don't Want to Lose" (#30c 1980)
backed by his band Hurricane, "Midnight Rodeo" (#9c 1981), "Hurricane" (#4c 1981), "If I Keep on Going Crazy" (#11c 1981), "Soul Searchin'" (#10c 1982), "Just Give Me What You Think is Fair" (#7c 1982), "Shadows of My Mind" (#15c 1983), "My Lady Loves Me (Just As I Am)" (#9c 1983), "The Lady, She's Right" (1983), "A Shot in the Dark" (#30c 1984), "I Could'a Had You" (#6c 1984), "Til a Tear Becomes a Rose" (#44c 1985), "Still in the Picture" (#56c 1986)
songwriter
served in the Navy (1970-72)

Brenda Holloway

b. 1946 in Atascadero, CA (grew up in Los Angeles, CA)
soul/pop singer
instrument: violin
"Echo" (1962), "I'll Always Love You" (#60 1963), "Every Little Bit Hurts" (#13 1964), "When I'm Gone" (#25 1965), "Operator" (#78 1965), "How Many Times Did You Mean it?" (1965), "You Can Cry on My Shoulder" (1965), "You've Made Me So Very Happy" (#39 1967, she co-wrote), "Just Look What You've Done" (#69 1967), "Let Love Grow" (1972), "Some Quiet Place" (1972), "Think it Over (Before You Break My Heart)" (1999), "I'll Keep You Dry Through the Rain" (1999)
duet with Hal Davis, "Unless I Have You" (1963)
duet with Robert Jackson, "I Get a Feeling" (1963)
backup singer with Joe Cocker, Barry White, and others
songwriter

Porter Howell (Porter Carlton Howell)

b. 1964/65 in Longview, TX (or b. in Houston, grew up in Longview)
country singer
instruments: lead guitar, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, 6-string bass
founding member, singer and lead guitarist with Little Texas (1988-97, 2004- ), "Some Guys Have All the Love" (#8c 1991), "What Were You Thinkin'?" (#17c 1992), "You and Forever and Me" (#5c 1992), "I'd Rather Miss You" (#16c 1993), "Stop on a Dime" (#14c 1993), "God Blessed Texas" (#55, #4c 1993), "What Might Have Been" (#74, #2c 1993), "My Love" (#83, #1c 1993), "Cut-Off Jeans" (1993), "Kick a Little" (#5c 1994), "Amy's Back in Austin" (#4c 1995), "Life Goes on" (#5 1995), "You Gotta Wanna Win" (1996), "Country Crazy" (#44c 1996), "Bad for Us" (#45c 1997), "Kiss the Girl" (#52c 1997)
md. to Angela (1988- )
see Little Texas

Jerimy Koeltzow (Jeremy Pat Koeltzow)

b. 1977 in Hobart, OK
country/rock singer
instruments: drums, guitar, piano
with South Sixty-Five, "Baby's Got My Number" (#60c 1998), "Love Will Last" (1998), "No Easy Goodbye" (#56c 1999), "Random Act of Senseless Kindness" (#55c 1999), "Even if" (2001), "All I Ever Did" (2001), "I Swear to You" (2001)
see South Sixty-Five on CMT.com

Kathy Mattea (Kathleen Alice Mattea)

b. 1959 in South Charleston, WV (grew up in Cross Lanes, WV)
country/folk singer
instrument: guitar
"Street Talk" (#25c 1983), "He Won't Give in" (#22c 1985), "Love at the Five and Dime" (#3c 1986), "Walk the Way the Wind Blows" (#10c 1986), "You're the Power" (#5c 1987), "Untold Stories" (#4c 1988), "Goin' Gone" (#1c 1988), "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses" (#1c 1988, CMA single of the year 1988), "Life As We Knew it" (#4c 1988), "Come from the Heart" (#1c 1989), "Burnin' Old Memories" (#1c 1989), "She Came from Fort Worth" (#2c 1990), "Time Passes By" (#7c 1991), "Asking Us to Dance" (#27c 1991), "Lonesome Standard Time" (#11c 1992), "Walking Away a Winner" (#3c 1994), "455 Rocket" (#21c 1997), "Ashes in the Wind" (2002), "Junkyard" (2002)
duet with Michael McDonald, "Among the Missing" (#73c 1999)
backup singer for Bobby Goldsboro, and others
songwriter
social activist
md. to Jon Vezner (1988- )
see Kathy Mattea

Joey Molland (Joseph Charles Molland)

b. 1947/48 in England
rock singer
instruments: guitar, keyboards
with The Masterminds (1965-66), "She Belongs to Me" (1965)
with Gary Walker and the Rain (1967-69)
founding member of Badfinger (1970-75, and reunions), "Come and Get it" (#10 1970), "No Matter What" (#8 1970), "It Had to Be" (1970), "Day after Day" (#4 1972), "Love is Gonna Come at Last" (#69 1979, he wrote), "Hold on" (#56 1981)
songwriter
see Badfinger

Allison Moorer

b. 1972 in Mobile, AL (grew up in Frankville, AL)
country singer
instruments: guitar, piano
"A Soft Place to Fall" (#73c 1998, she co-wrote), "Alabama Song" (1998), "Send Down an Angel" (#66c 2000, she co-wrote), "Think it Over" (#57c 2001, she co-wrote)
duet with Kid Rock, "Picture" (#33c 2002)
songwriter
md. to Doyle 'Butch' Primm; md. to Steve Earle (2005- )
younger sister of singer, Shelby Lynne
see Allison Moorer

Greg Munford

b. 1949 in Los Angeles, CA
country/rock singer
founding member of Shapes of Sound
with The Sixpence, "Can't Explain" (1966), "Fortune Teller" (1966), "Heart Full of Rain" (1967)
session lead singer on Strawberry Alarm Clock' "Incense and Peppermints" (#1 1967); and others
see Strawberry Alarm Clock on Wikipedia

Mike Ramsden (Michael John Ramsden)

b. 1943 in Devon, England - d. 17 Jan 2004 in Devon, England (kidney disease)
folk/rock/pop singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of The Silkie, "Close the Door Gently" (1965), "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" (#10 1965, One-Hit Wonder), "City Winds" (1965, he co-wrote), "The Keys to My Soul" (1966)
songwriter
md. to Sylvia Tatler (1966-2004, his death)

Eddie Rivers

b. 19?? in Beaver Dam, WI
western swing singer
instruments: steel guitar, piano, tenor sax, trumpet
"Open Up Your Door" (#98c 1977), "You Won the Battle" (#93c 1989)
with Ida Red
with The Western Box Turtles
with Asleep at the Wheel (2004- ), "Texas, Me and You" (2005)
prison guard
see Asleep at the Wheel

O.C. Smith (Ocie Lee Smith)

b. 1932 in Mansfield, LA – d. 23 Nov 2001 in Los Angeles, CA (heart attack)
pop/soul/jazz singer
"Lighthouse" (1957), "If You Don't Love Me" (1957), "Song of the Dreamer" (1959), "Well, I'm Dancin'" (1960), "Beyond the Next Hill" (1966), "The Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp" (#40 1968), "Little Green Apples" (#2 1968), "Daddy's Little Man" (1969), "La La (Peace Song)" (1974), "Together" (1977)
with The Count Basie Orchestra (1961-63)
served in the Air Force (1953-56)

Carl White

b. 1932 – d. 7 Jan 1980 (complications of sickle cell anemia)
R&B/doo-wop/rock singer
founding member of The Sharps (1954, 1956-58), "Our Love is Here to Stay" (1957)
The Sharps sang backup on Thurston Harris' "Little Bitty Pretty One" (#6 1957); Duane Eddy's "Rebel Rouser" (#6, #17c 1958)
with The Lamplighters (1956), "Hug a Little, Kiss a Little" (1956)
lead singer with The Rivingtons (1962- ), "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" (#48 1962, he co-wrote), "Kickapoo Joy Juice" (1962), "The Bird's the Word" (#52 1963), "Cherry" (1963), "I Love You Always" (1964), "Just Got to Be More" (1965), "A Rose Growing in the Ruins" (1966)
see The Rivingtons on Wikipedia

June 22

Verne Allison

b. 1936 in Chicago, IL
soul/rock/R&B singer (tenor)
founding member and second tenor of The Dells (1952- ), "Oh, What a Nite" (#4 1956), "There is" (#20 1967), "Stay in My Corner" (#10 1968), "Always Together" (#18 1968), "Oh, What a Night" (#10 1969 remake), "Love is Blue" (#22 1969), "The Love We Had Stays on My Mind" (#30 1971)
The Dells backing Barbara Lewis, "Hello, Stranger" (#3 1963)
backup for Dinah Washington (1961-62)
see The Dells

Peter Asher

b. 1944 in London, England
rock singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of Peter and Gordon (1960- ), * World Without Love" (#1 1964), "Nobody I Know" (1964), "I Don't Want to See You Again" (#16 1964), "True Love Ways" (#14 1965), "To Know You is to Love You" (#24 1965), "Woman" (#14 1966), "Lady Godiva" (#6 1966), "Knight in Rusty Armour" (#15 1966), "Sunday for Tea" (#31 1967)
songwriter
music producer
see Peter and Gordon

Jeff Beck (Geoffrey Arnold Beck)

b. 1944 in England
rock/blues musician, instrument: electric guitar
"You Know What I Mean" (1975, he co-wrote), "Freeway Jam" (1975), "The Pump" (1980), "You Never Know" (1980), "People Get Ready" (1985), "Another Place" (1999), "Even Odds" (1999), "Hot Rod Honeymoon" (2003, he co-wrote), "Plan B" (2003, he co-wrote)
lead guitarist with The Yardbirds (1965-66, replaced Eric Clapton), "For Your Love" (#6 1965), "Heart Full of Soul" (#9 1965), "Shapes of Things" (#11 1966), "I'm Not Talking" (1966), "Over, Under, Sideways, Down" (#13 1966), "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago" (#30 1966)
founding member of Jeff Beck Group (1966-72)
session musician with Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart, and others
he has noise-induced tinnitus
see The Yardbirds
see Jeff Beck

Roy Drusky (Roy Frank Drusky, Jr.)

b. 1930 in Atlanta, GA – d. 23 Sep 2004 in Portland, TN (emphysema or lung cancer)
country/pop/gospel singer
instruments: guitar, piano, clarinet, drums
"Mumbling to Myself" (1955), "Three Blind Mice" (1956), "Just about That Time" (1959), "Another (Just Like Me)" (#2c 1960, he co-wrote), "Anymore" (#3c 1960, he co-wrote), "I'd Rather Loan You Out" (#10c 1961, he co-wrote), "Three Hearts in a Tangle" (#35, #2c 1961, Pop One-Hit Wonder), "Second-Hand Rose" (#3c 1963), "Summer, Winter, Spring and Fall" (#41c 1964), "(From Now On) All My Friends Are Gonna Be Strangers" (#6c 1965), "Rainbows and Roses" (#20c 1966), "If the Whole World Stopped Lovin'" (#12c 1967), "You Better Sit Down, Kids" (#28c 1968), "Where the Blue and Lonely Go" (#10c 1969), "Such a Fool" (#7c 1969, he co-wrote), "Long Long Texas Road" (#5c 1970), "All My Hard Times" (#9c 1970), "Red Red Wine" (#17c 1973), "I Must Be Doin' Something Right" (#32c 1973)
duet with Priscilla Mitchell, "Yes, Mr. Peters" (#1 1962)
duet with Kitty Wells, "I Can't Tell My Heart That" (#26c 1960)
songwriter, co-wrote Faron Young's "Alone with You" (#51, #1c 1958), "Country Girl" (#1c 1959)
music producer
actor
served in the Navy
see Roy Drusky on Wikipedia

Cal Green

b. 1935 in Dayton, TX (grew up in Houston, TX) - d. 4 Jul 2004 in Lake View Terrace, CA (aneurysm)
blues/jazz singer
instrument: guitar
"The Big Push" (1958), "I Can Hear My Baby Calling" (1958), "What Makes Your Pretty Head So Hard?" (1988), "White Pearl" (1988)
with The Midnighters (1954-59), "Work with Me, Annie" (#22 1954), "Rock and Roll Wedding" (1955), "Moonrise" (1955), "Partners for Life" (1956), "Let Me Hold Your Hand" (1957), "Rain Down Tears" (1959)
session musician with Ray Charles, Lou Rawls, Marvin Gaye, and others
md. 1st to Louvenia Lewis; md. 2nd to Gina Green
see Hank Ballard and the Midnighters

Barry Hutchens

b. 19?? in Sandy Ridge, NC
country/rock singer
founding member of The Hutchens, "Even Fools Get Lucky Sometimes" (1995), "Knock, Knock" (#56c 1995), "That Train Don't Stop Here Anymore" (1995), "She Just Wants to Dance" (1995), "I'd Know" (1995)

Larry Junstrom

b. 1949
rock/country musician, instrument: bass
founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd (1965-71), Sweet Home Alabama" (#8 1971)
founding member of .38 Special (1975- ), "Hold on Loosely" (#27 1981), "Caught up in You" (#10 1982), "If I'd Been the One" (#19 1983), "Back Where You Belong" (#20 1984), "Like No Other Night" (#14 1986), "Second Chance" (#6 1989), "The Sound of Your Voice" (#33 1991)
see Lynyrd Skynyrd
see .38 Special

Howard Kaylan (Howard Lawrence Kaplan)

b. 1947 in the Bronx, NY (grew up in Westchester, CA)
rock singer
instrument: sax
founding member of The Turtles (1964-70, and reunions), "It Ain't Me, Babe" (#8 1965), "Let the Cold Winds Blow" (1965), "Wanderin' Kind" (1966), "Outside Chance" (1966), "You, Baby" (#20 1966), "Rugs of Woods and Flowers" (1967), "Happy Together" (#1 1967), "She'd Rather Be with Me" (#3 1967), "You Know What I Mean" (#12 1967), "She's My Girl" (#14 1967), "Elenore" (#6 1968), "You Showed Me" (#6 1969)
with The Mothers of Invention (1970-72, and reunions), "Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue" (1970), "Tuna Fish Promenade" (1971), "Dental Hygeine Dilemma" (1971), "Magdalena" (1972, about abuse)
founding member of Flo and Eddie, "Illegal, Immoral, and Fattening" (1974, he co-wrote), "Cheap" (1974, he co-wrote), "Moving Targets" (1976, he co-wrote), "Best Possible Me" (1976, he co-wrote)
songwriter
actor; author
see The Mothers of Invention on Wikipedia
see The Turtles

Kris Kristofferson (Kristoffer Kristofferson)

b. 1936 in Brownsville, TX
country/folk singer
instrument: acoustic guitar
* "Jody and the Kid" (1971, he wrote), * "Loving Her was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)" (#26, #4c 1971, he wrote), "Why Me?" (#16, #1c 1973, he wrote), "Sweet Susannah" (1974), "Who's to Bless and Who's to Blame?" (1975), "You Show Me Yours (and I'll Show You Mine)" (1976), "Prove it to You One More Time" (1979), "Nobody Loves Anybody Anymore" (#68c 1981, he co-wrote), "I'll Take Any Chance I Can with You" (1981), "They Killed Him" (#67c 1987), "What about Me?" (1986), "The Eagle and the Bear" (1990)
duets with Rita Coolidge, "A Song I'd Like to Sing" (#49, #92c 1973, he wrote), "Loving Arms" (#86, #98c 1973), "From the Bottle to the Bottom" (1973, he wrote), "Love Please" (1974)
duet with Willie Nelson, "How Do You Feel about Foolin' Around?" (#46c 1984)
with The Highwaymen, * "The Highwayman" (#1c 1985), "Desperadoes Waiting for a Train" (#15c 1985), "Silver Stallion" (#25c 1990)
songwriter, wrote Dave Dudley's "Vietnam Blues" (#12c 1966), Johnny Cash's "Sunday Morning Comin' Down" (#46, #1c 1970); Sammi Smith's "Help Me Make it Through the Night" (#8, #1c 1970); Ronnie Milsap's "Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends" (#95, #1c 1974); "Ray Price's "For the Good Times" (#11, #1c 1970), "I Won't Mention it Again" (#42, #1c 1971); "Johnny Duncan's "Stranger" (#4c 1976)
co-wrote Jerry Lee Lewis' "Once More with Feeling" (#1c 1970), Christy Lane's "One Day at a Time" (#1c 1980), "Waylon Jennings' "The Taker" (#5c 1970)
actor
Army captain and helicopter pilot
Rhodes Scholar; has a master's degree in English Lit
human rights activist; peace activist
md. 1st to Fran Beir (1961-69); md. 2nd to singer, Rita Coolidge (1973-80); md. 3rd to Lisa Meyers (1983- )
quote by Kris Kristofferson: "I think between us, Bill Clinton and I have settled any lingering myths about the brilliance of Rhodes scholars."
see Kris Kristofferson

Cyndi Lauper (Cynthia Anne Stephanie Lauper)

b. 1953 in New York, NY
pop singer
* "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" (#2 1983), "Time after Time" (#1 1984, she wrote), "She Bop" (#3 1984), "All Through the Night" (#5 1984), "I'll Kiss You" (1984), "True Colors" (#1 1986), "Change of Heart" (#3 1986), "I Drove All Night" (#6 1989), "Water's Edge" (2005)
songwriter
see Cyndi Lauper

Alan Osmond (Alan Ralph Osmond)

b. 1949 in Ogden, UT
country/pop singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of The Osmond Brothers, "One Bad Apple" (#1 1971), "Double Lovin'" (#14 1971), "Chilly Winds" (1971), "Yo-Yo" (#3 1971), "Down by the Lazy River" (#4 1972), "Crazy Horses" (1972), "Love Me for a Reason" (1974), "I'm Still Gonna Need You" (1975), "I Can't Live a Dream" (1976), "Never Ending Song of Love" (1982), "I Think About Your Lovin'" (#17c 1982), "She's Ready for Someone to Love Her" (#67c 1983), "Where Does an Angel Go When She Cries?" (#43c 1984), "If Every Man Had a Woman Like You" (#39c 1984)
songwriter
md. to Suzanne Pinegar (1974)
he has multiple sclerosis
see The Osmond Family

Leon Rosselson

b. 1934 in England
folk singer
instruments: acoustic guitar, piano
"Invisible Married Breakfast Blues" (1977), "The World Turned Upside Down" (1985), "Perspectives" (1998), "Somebody's Stolen the End of My Dream" (1998), "Bad Driver" (2000), "Child Killers" (2000), "It's Just the Song" (2000)
songwriter
children's book author

Dotty Todd (Doris Dabb)

b. 1923 in Elizabeth, NJ - d. Dec 2000 (Alzheimer's disease)
pop singer
instrument: piano
"I Came to Say Goodbye" (1961)
duets with Art Todd, "Chanson d'Amour (Song of Love)" (#6 1958, One-Hit Wonder), "Along the Trail With You" (1957), "Straight as an Arrow" (1959), "Wonderful, Lovable You" (1959)
md. to Art Todd (1951-2000, his death); they met when they were accidentally booked into the same hotel room

June 23

June Carter-Cash (Valerie June Carter)

b. 1929 in Maces Spring, VA – d. 15 May 2003 in Nashville, TN (shortly after open-heart surgery)
country singer
instruments: mandolin, banjo, autoharp, guitar
"Root Hog or Die" (1950), "Jukebox Blues" (#10c 1953), "He Don't Love Me Anymore" (1955), "Baby, I Tried" (1956), "The Heel" (1961), "Overalls and Dungarees" (1962), "Everything Ain't Been Said" (1965), "Straw Upon the Wind" (1971), "A Good Man" (#27c 1971), "Losin' You" (1975), "Diamonds in the Rough" (1999), "Tiffany Anastasia Lowe" (1999)
duets with Johnny Cash, "It Ain't Me, Babe" (#4c 1965), "Jackson" (#2c 1967), "Long-Legged Guitar Pickin' Man" (#6c 1967), "If I Were a Carpenter" (#36, #2c 1970), "If I Had a Hammer" (#29 1972), "Life Has it's Little Ups and Downs" (1973), "We're for Love" (1973)
duets with Homer and Jethro, "Baby, it's Cold Outside" (#9c 1949), "The Wedding of Hillbilly Lilli Marlene" (1949), "The Huckle Buck" (1949), "She Loves to Cry" (1951), "Knock-Kneed Suzie" (1951)
founding member of The Carter Sisters, "Corina" (1939), "My Life with You" (1951)
The Carter Sisters and Maybelle Carter, "The Sun's Gonna Shine in My Back Door" (1952), "Are You Afraid to Remember Me?" (1954)
The Carter Sisters and Carl Smith, "I'll Be Listening" (1953), "Love, Oh Crazy Love" (1954)
duet with Helen Carter, "My Gold Watch and Chain" (1939)
songwriter, co-wrote Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" (#17, #1c 1963)
actress; comedian; author; philanthropist
md. 1st to singer, Carl Smith (1952-56); md. 2nd to police officer, Edwin Nix (1957-66)
md. to Johnny Cash (1968-2003, her death); they met backstage at the Grand Ole Opry in July 1956, he proposed to her on stage during a performance in Canada; they had one son, John Carter Cash
see The Carter Family

Adam Faith (Terence Nelhams-Wright aka Terry Nelhams)

b. 1940 in West London, England - d. 8 Mar 2003 in Staffordshire, England (heart attack)
pop singer
"From Now Until Forever" (1959), "From Now Until September" (1960), "Someone Else's Baby" (1960), "Don't That Beat All?" (1962), "Made for Me" (1963)
backed by The Roulettes, "Message to Martha" (1964), "What Now?" (1964), "(If You Want Me) it's Alright" (#31 1965, One-Hit Wonder), "Talk about Love" (#97 1965), "Hand-Me-Down Things" (1965), "Idle Gossip" (1966)
music producer; actor
md. to Jackie Irving (1967- )
see Adam Faith

Paul Goddard

b. 1945 in Rome, GA
rock/country musician, instrument: bass
with The Atlanta Rhythm Section, "Georgia Rhythm" (1976), "So into You" (#7 1977), "Imaginary Lover" (#7 1978), "I'm Not Gonna Let it Bother Me Tonight" (#14 1978), "Silver Eagle" (#75c 1980), "Alien" (#29 1981)
see the Atlanta Rhythm Section

Rosetta Hightower

b. 1944 in Philadelphia, PA
rock/soul/pop singer
"What a Day it's Been" (1971), "True Love Adventure" (1971)
founding member and lead singer of The Orlons (1960-68), "The Wah Watusi" (#2 1962), "Don't Hang Up" (#4 1962), "Please Let it Be Me" (1962), "Them Terrible Boots" (1963), "South Street" (#3 1963), "Not Me" (#12 1963), "Crossfire" (#19 1963), "Shimmy Shimmy" (#66 1964), "Knock, Knock" (#64 1964), "Everything Nice" (1964), "Envy (in My Eyes)" (1965), "Once Upon a Time" (1967)
The Orlons sang backup on Dee Dee Sharp's "Mashed Potato Time" (#2 1962), "Gravy (for My Mashed Potatoes)" (#9 1962)
backup singer with Joe Cocker, and others
md. to Ian Green

Milt Hinton (Milton John Hinton aka 'the Judge')

b. 1910 in Vicksburg, MS (grew up in Chicago, IL) - d. 19 Dec 2000 in Queens, NY
jazz/swing musician, instrument: double bass
"It Had to Be You" (1964), "Mona's Feeling Lonely" (1984, he wrote), "Time after Time" (1989), "Now's the Time" (1989)
founding member of The Trio, "I'll Remember April" (1977), "Right Here, Right Now" (1977), "Sweet Lorraine" (1994), "Cute" (1994), "Shiny Stockings" (1994)
founding member of The Milt Hinton Quartet
duets with Jane Jarvis, "Undecided" (1984), "Cut Glass" (1984)
with Cab Calloway's band (1933-51)
with Louis Armstrong's band (1952-55), "When it's Sleepy Time Down South" (#19 1952)
session musician with Chuck Berry, John Coltrane, Bing Crosby, Paul McCartney, The Drifters, The Coasters, and others
photographer
see Milt Hinton

Robert Hunter (Robert Burns)

b. 1941 in San Luis Obispo, CA
rock/bluegrass singer
instruments: mandolin, guitar, upright bass
"Arizona Lightning" (1974, he wrote), "Ariel" (1975, he wrote), "Box of Rain" (1980, he co-wrote), "Better Bad Luck" (1984, he wrote), "13 Roses" (1984, he wrote), "Aim at the Heart" (1986, he wrote)
session musician
songwriter, co-wrote The Grateful Dead's "Truckin'" (#68 1970)
poet
he was involved in testing for LSD and other psychedelic chemicals in the early 1960's

Pake McEntire (Dale Stanley McEntire)

b. 1953 in Chockie, OK
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Every Night" (#20c 1986), "Savin' My Love for You" (#3c 1986), "Bad Love" (#12c 1986), "Heart vs. Heart" (#25c 1987), "Too Old to Grow Up Now" (#46c 1987)
songwriter
rodeo rider; rancher
older brother of Reba McEntire

Keith Palmer (Bryon Keith Palmer)

b. 1957 in Hayti, MO (grew up in Corning, AR) - d. 13 Jun 1996 in White House, TN (cancer)
country singer
"Don't Throw Me in the Briarpatch" (#17, #54c 1991), "That's Enough to Keep Me Hangin' on" (1991), "Forgotten But Not Gone" (#8, #60c 1992)
backup singer with Bobby Vinton, and others
songwriter, wrote Reba McEntire's "For My Broken Heart" (#1c 1991)
see Keith Palmer

Paul Peek (Paul Edward Peek, Jr.)

b. 1937 in Atlanta, GA or High Point, NC - d. 3 Apr 2001 (cirrhosis or the liver)
rock/rockabilly singer
instruments: rhythm guitar, steel guitar
"I'm Not Your Fool Anymore" (1958), "Gee, But I Miss That Girl" (1959), "A Miss is As Good As a Mile" (1962), "You're Just in Love" (1963), "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" (#91 1966), "Out Went the Lights of My World" (1969)
founding member of Paul Peek and His Peek-a-Boos, "Sweet Skinny Jenny" (1958), "The Rock-a-Round" (1958)
with Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps (1957, replaced Willie Williams), "Wear My Ring" (1957), "Red Bluejeans and a Pony Tail" (1957), "Lotta Lovin'" (#13 1957), "Cat Man" (1957)
see Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps

Niki Sullivan (Nick Sullivan)

b. 1937 in Southgate, CA (grew up in Lubbock, TX) - d. 6 Apr 2004 in Sugar Creek, MO (heart attack)
rock singer
instrument: rhythm guitar
"It's All Over" (1958), "Three Steps to Heaven" (1958)
with The Crickets (1957), * "Rock Around with Ollie Vee" (1957), "Mailman, Bring Me No More Blues" (1957), * "That'll Be the Day" (#1 1957), * "Not Fade Away" (1957), * "Oh, Boy" (#10 1957), * "Words of Love" (1957), * "Tell Me How" (1957), * "Lookin' for Someone to Love" (1957)
founding member of The Plainsmen (1958)
founding member of The Hollyhawks (1960), "When Came the Fall" (1960), "I Cry All the Time" (1960)
with The Whitesidewalls
songwriter
distant cousin of Buddy Holly

Stuart Sutcliffe (Stuart Fergusson Victor Sutcliffe)

b. 1940 in Edinburgh, Scotland – d. 10 Apr 1962 in Germany (stroke)
rock musician, instrument: bass guitar
with The Beatles (1958-62), "You'll Be Mine" (1960), "Cayenne" (1960)
artist
see Stuart Sutcliffe

Diana Trask

b. 1940 near Melbourne, Australia
country/jazz/soul singer
instrument: piano
"Long Ago Last Summer" (1960), "Lock, Stock and Teardrops" (#70c 1968), "Hold on to What You've Got" (#59c 1968), "The Staying Kind" (1969), "A Stronger Hand to Hold" (1970), "Beneath Still Waters" (#38c 1970), "We've Got to Work it Out Between Us" (#30c 1972), "It Meant Nothing to Me" (#33c 1972), "Say When" (#15c 1973), "World of the Missing" (1973), "It's a Man's World (if You Have a Man Like Mine)" (#20c 1973), "When I Get My Hands on You" (#16c 1974, she co-wrote), "Lean it All on Me" (#13c 1974), "If You Wanna Hold on (Hold on to Your Man)" (1974), "Oh, Boy" (#21c 1975), "This Must Be My Ship" (#62c 1981), "Stirrin' up Feelin's" (#74c 1981)
songwriter
md. to Tom McEwen

Zeb Turner (William Howard Grishaw)

b. 1915 in Lynchburg, VA - d. 10 Jan 1978 (cancer)
country/honky-tonk/folk singer
instrument: guitar
"Tennessee Boogie" (#11c 1949, he wrote), "Never Been So Lonesome" (1950), "Outside Your Picture Frame" (1950), "Love That Will Never Be" (1952), "I Lost Everything" (1952), "I'm in Love with Someone (Who Can't Belong to Me)" (1953), "It Just Tears Me All to Pieces" (1961)
with The Hi Neighbor Boys, "Guitar Fantasy" (1938)
founding member of The Turner Brothers, "Fallen Trees Waltz" (1950)
session musician with Red Foley, Hank Williams, and other
songwriter, co-wrote Eddy Arnold's "It's a Sin" (#1c 1947)
brother of Zeke Turner (James Grishaw)

Dallas Wayne

b. 19?? in Springfield, MO
country/honky-tonk singer
instruments: acoustic guitar, bass guitar, double bass
"Old 45's" (2000), "Raelene Wheeler" (2000), "She'll Go Down (in Honky-Tonk History)" (2000), "I Hit the Road (and the Road Hit Back)" (2001), "I'm Gonna Break Some Promises Tonight" (2001), "Bouncin' Beer Cans Off the Jukebox" (2001), "Tell it to the Jukebox" (2005), "3:30 in the Afternoon" (2005)
songwriter
DJ; actor
see Dallas Wayne

June 24

Bukka Allen

b. 1967 in Los Angeles, CA
country/rock/bluegrass singer
instruments: piano, keyboards, Hammond B-3 organ, accordion
"Where We Belong" (1998), "Where Are You Now?" (1998), "Land of Dreams" (1998), "Cadillac Hotel" (2005, he wrote), "Confidante" (2005, he wrote)
with Jack Ingram's Beat up Ford Band, "Goodnight, Moon" (2002), "Wherever You Are" (#63, #1c 2005)
with Ian Moore's backup band
session musician
songwriter
son of songwriter, Terry Allen

Gene Austin (Lemuel Eugene Lucas)

b. 1900 in Gainesville, TX (grew up in Minden, LA) - d. 24 Jan 1972 in Palm Springs, CA (lung cancer)
pop singer
instruments: piano, guitar
"Yes Sir, That's My Baby" (#1 1925), "Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue" (#1 1926), "Bye Bye, Blackbird" (#1 1926), "My Blue Heaven" (#1 1927), "Tonight You Belong to Me" (#1 1927), "Forgive Me" (#1 1927), "Sunday" (1927), "Ramona" (#1 1928), "Jeannine (I Dream of Lilac Time)" (#1 1928), "Carolina Moon" (#1 1929), "She's Funny That Way" (#3 1929), "Please Don't Talk about Me When I'm Gone" (#3 1931), "Riding Around in the Rain" (1934, he wrote), "Can't Shake the Sands of Texas from My Shoes" (1948)
duet with Carson Robison, "Way Down Home" (1925)
his recording of "Did You Ever See a Dream Walking?" was on the soundtrack of the movie Green Mile
songwriter, co-wrote Gale Storm's "I Hear You Knocking" (#2 1956)
actor
served in the Army (1916-19), first helping capture Pancho Villa and then in France during WWI
md. 1st to dancer, Kathryn Arnold; md. 2nd to Agnes Antelline (1933-40); md. 3rd to actress, Doris Sherrell (1940-46); md. 4th to singer, LouCeil Hudson (1949-66); md. 5th to Gigi Theodorea (1967-72, his death)
he is a descendant of Sacajawea
he is distantly related to singer, Tommy Overstreet and a godfather to singer, David Houston
Austin was his step-father's last name
see Gene Austin

Oz Bach (Paul Michael Bach)

b. 1939 in Huntington, WV - d. 21 Sep 1998 in Asheville, NC (lung cancer)
folk/rock singer
instruments: bass, guitar
founding member of Spanky and Our Gang (1965-67, and reunions), "Sunday Will Never Be the Same" (#9 1967), "Making Every Minute Count" (#22 1967), "Lazy Day" (#14 1967)
session musician
comedian; actor
see Spanky and Our Gang

Johnnie Bailes (John Jacob Bailes)

b. 1918 - d. 21 Dec 1989
country/gospel singer
instrument: guitar
"I Owe it to My Heart" (1957), "So Much" (1958), "It's Bound to Happen" (1958)
founding member of The Bailes Brothers, "Search for a Soldier's Grave" (1945), "We're Living in the Last Days Now" (1947, he wrote), "The Drunkard's Grave" (1948, he co-wrote), "I Want to Be Loved (But Only by You)" (1948, he co-wrote), "I Guess I'll Go on Dreaming" (1948, he co-wrote), "Whiskey is the Devil (in Liquid Form)" (1948, he co-wrote), "You'll Always Be the Only One" (1949, he co-wrote), "Daniel Prayed" (1951), "The Future Holds Nothing" (1952)
songwriter
see The Bailes Brothers on CMT.com

Colin Blunstone (or Blynstone)

b. 1945 in Hertfordshire, England
rock/pop singer
"Say You Don't Mind" (1971), "Caroline, Goodbye" (1971, he wrote), "I Don't Believe in Miracles" (1972), "Keep the Curtains Closed Today" (1974, he wrote), "What is Love?" (1995, he co-wrote), "If I Said" (1995), "Don't Let the Darkness Touch You" (1998, he co-wrote), "Till We Try Again" (1998, he co-wrote)
lead singer and founding member of The Zombies (1962-1968), "She's Not There" (#2 1964), "Tell Her No" (#6 1965), "A Rose for Emily" (1968), "Friends of Mine" (1968), "Imagine the Swan" (1969), "Time of the Season" (#3 1969)
songwriter
see The Zombies
see Colin Blunstone

Arthur Brown (Arthur Wilton-Brown)

b. 1944 in Yorkshire, England
R&B singer
"Quietly with Tact" (1975), "Need to Know" (1977), "She's on My Mind" (1977), "Storm Clouds" (1979), "Faster Than the Speed of Light" (1979)
lead and founding member of The Crazy World of Arthur Brown (1967-69), "Fire" (#2 1968, One-Hit Wonder, he co-wrote), "Time/Confusion" (1968, he co-wrote)
founding member of Kingdom Come (1970-72), "No Time" (1972, he co-wrote), "Triangles" (1972, he co-wrote), "Superficial Roadblocks" (1972, he co-wrote), "Traffic Light Song" (1973, he co-wrote)
known for wearing heavy make-up and a fiery helmet while performing
actor

Joey Castle (Joseph John Castaldo)

b. 1942 in the Bronx, NY – d. 15 Dec 1978 (brain cancer)
rockabilly singer
"That Ain't Nothing But Right" (1958), "Come a Little Bit Closer, Baby" (1958), "Rock and Roll Daddy-O" (1959)
recorded as Cliff Rivers, "Marsha" (1963), "True Lips" (1973)
music producer

Mick Fleetwood (Michael John Kells Fleetwood)

b. 1942 in London, England
rock/blues musician, instruments: drums, percussions
"You Weren't in Love" (1981), "Amelle (Come on, Show Me Your Heart)" (1981), "I Want You Back" (1983), "I Give" (1983), "The Night and You" (1992), "Where the Wind Blows" (2004)
founding member of Fleetwood Mac (1967-80, and reunions), "Jigsaw Puzzle Blues" (1968), "No Place to Go" (1969), "Oh Well" (#55 1969), "Rattlesnake Shake" (1969), "Say You Love Me" (#11 1976), "You Make Loving Fun" (#9 1977), "Go Your Own Way" (#10 1977), "Dreams" (#1 1977), "Don't Stop" (#3 1977), "Sara" (#7 1980), "Hold Me" (#4 1982), "Little Lies" (#4 1987)
actor
md. to Jenny Boyd (1970- ); md. to Sara Recor (1988- ); md. to Lynn Frankel (1995- )
became a U.S. citizen in 2006

Gary Grantham

b. 19?? in Torrance, CA (grew up in Manhattan Beach, CA)
country/bluegrass singer
instruments: guitar, harmonica
with The High Lonesome, "True Believer" (1995, he co-wrote), "Mustang Thang (1995, he co-wrote), "Something Wild" (1995, he co-wrote), "World Fall Apart" (1995, he co-wrote), "Lone Star" (1995, he co-wrote)
founding member of The Long Run (1999- )
songwriter
actor

Connie Hall (Inez Kerr)

b. 1929 in Walden, KY (grew up in Cincinnati, OH)
country singer
"I'm the Girl in the USA" (1958), "The Bottle or Me" (#20c 1959), "There's Poison in Your Hand" (#25c 1960, she wrote), "It's Not Wrong" (#17c 1960, reply to Warner Mack's "Is it Wrong for Loving You?"), "Sleep, Baby, Sleep" (#20c 1961), "Sittin' Out the Last Dance" (1961), "We Don't Have Much in Common (Anymore)" (1962), "You're the Only Good Thing" (1962), "Fool Me Once" (#14c 1963), "I Reserve the Right" (1964), "My Old Shoes" (1965)
duet with Jimmy Skinner, "We've Got Things in Common" (1958)
songwriter

Phil Harris (Wonga Philip Harris)

b. 1904 in Linton, IN (grew up in Nashville, TN) – d. 11 Aug 1995 in Palm Springs, CA (heart attack)
novelty/jazz singer
instrument: drums
"What Have We Got to Lose?" (1933), "Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette" (#8 1947), "The Thing" (#1 1950), "Walk With a Wiggle" (1950), "Look Out Stranger, I'm a Texas Ranger" (1951), "Potato Chips" (1952), "Take Your Girlie to the Movies" (1954), "The Persian Kitten" (1958)
founding member and leader of Phil Harris and His Orchestra, "It's a Rainy Day" (1933), "Black-Eyed Susan Brown" (1933), "Woodman, Spare That Tree" (1948), "44 Sycamore" (1948), "Minnie the Mermaid" (1948)
songwriter
actor
served in the Navy during WWII (1942-45)
md. 1st to actress, Marcia Ralston (1927-1940); md. 2nd to singer/actress, Alice Faye (1941-95, his death)

Bruce Johnston (born Benjamin Baldwin, adopted as Bruce Arthur Johnston)

b. 1942 in Peoria, IL
rock/pop singer
instrument: keyboards
"Do the Surfer Stomp" (1962), "Pyjama Party" (1963), "Deidre" (1977), "Disney Girls" (1977)
off and on member of The Beach Boys (1965-72, and reunions), "Help Me, Rhonda" (#1 1965), "Good Vibrations" (#1 1966), * "California Girls" (#3 1965), and others
lead singer with The Rip Chords, "Gone" (#83 1963), "Hey, Little Cobra" (#4 1963), "Three-Window Coupe" (#28 1964)
with The Vettes, "Little Ford Ragtop" (1964)
with The Sidewalk Surfers, "Skate Board" (1965)
with The Kustom Kings, "In My '40 Ford" (1964), "Clutch Rider" (1964)
duets with Terry Melcher as Bruce and Terry, "I Saw Her First" (1959), "Custom Machine" (#85 1964), "Summer Means Fun" (#72 1964), "Girl, it's All Right Now" (1966), "Take it to Mexico" (1975)
session musician on Sandy Nelson's "Teen Beat" (#4 1959); and with Ritchie Valens, The Everly Brothers, Eddie Cochran, and others
songwriter, wrote Barry Manilow's "I Write the Songs" (#1 1976)
see the Beach Boys

Rushton Moreve (John Rushton Moreve aka John Russell Morgan)

b. 1946/48 in Los Angeles, CA - d. 1 Jul 1981 in Los Angeles, CA (motorcycle accident)
rock backup signer
instrument: electric bass
founding member of Steppenwolf (1967-68, 1978), "Born to Be Wild" (#2 1968), "Magic Carpet Ride" (#3 1968, he co-wrote)
songwriter
see Steppenwolf

Gene Mumford (Eugene Mumford)

b. 1925 - d. 10 May 1977 (pneumonia complicated by diabetes and alcoholism)
R&B singer
founding member and lead singer of The Larks (1950-52, 1953-55), "Eyesight to the Blind" (1951), "Hopefully Yours" (1951), "Little Sidecar" (1951), "I Don't Believe in Tomorrow" (1951), "My Lost Love" (1952), "How Long Must I Wait for You?" (1952), "Lucy Brown" (1952)
lead singer of The Dominoes (1957-58), "Without Love (There is Nothing)" (#19 1957), "Deep Purple" (#20 1957), "Star Dust" (#12 1957)
see The Dominoes

Steuart Smith

b. 1952 in Baltimore, MD
country/rock singer
instruments: electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, harmonica, piano, organ
with The Eagles (2002- , replaced Don Felder)
session musician on Vince Gill's "When Love Finds You" (#3c 1995), Rodney Crowell's "Many a Long and Lonesome Highway" (#3c 1990), The Jenkins' "Getaway Car" (#38c 2004); and with Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill, Wynonna Judd, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and others
songwriter
actor
see The Eagles

Chris Wood (Christopher Gordon Blandford Wood)

b. 1944 in Birmingham, England - d. 12 Jul 1983 in Birmingham, England (pneumonia and liver failure)
rock musician, instruments: sax, flute, keyboards
founding member of Traffic (1967-75), "Paper Sun" (#94 1967), "Hole in My Shoe" (1967), "Withering Tree" (1968), "Feelin' Alright" (1968), "Empty Pages" (#74 1970), "Rock and Roll Stew" (#93 1971), "Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory" (1973), "Evening Blue" (1973), "Walking in the Wind" (1974)
session musician with Jimi Hendrix, Small Faces, and others
songwriter
md. to singer, Jeanette Jacobs (1969-7?)
see Traffic

June 25

Eddie Floyd (Eddie Lee Floyd)

b. 1935 in Montgomery, AL (grew up in Detroit, MI)
soul/R&B singer
"Will I Be the One?" (1962), "Never Get Enough of Your Love" (1964), "Drive on" (1965), "Knock on Wood" (#28 1966, he co-wrote), "Raise Your Hand" (1967, he co-wrote), "Holding on With Both Hands" (1968), "I Never Found a Girl (to Love Me Like You Do)" (1968), "Bring it on Home to Me" (#17 1968), "Don't Tell Your Mama (Where You've Been)" (1969), "Laurie" (1970), "Never Too Old" (1977)
founding member and lead of The Falcons (1955-65), "This Day" (1956), "You're So Fine" (#17 1959, One-Hit Wonder), "Just for Your Love" (1959), "Waiting for You" (1960), "I Found a Love" (#75 1962), "Let's Kiss and Make Up" (1963), "You're on My Mind" (1965)
duet with Mavis Staples, "Never, Never Let You Go" (1969)
songwriter, wrote Sam Cooke's "Bring it on Home to Me" (#13 1962); co-wrote Wilson Pickett's "634-5789 (Soulsville, USA)" (#13 1966); Rufus Thomas' "The Breakdown" (#31 1971)

Mike Francis (Michael Francis)

b. 1951 in Yuma, AZ
western swing musician, instrument: sax, clarinet
with Asleep at the Wheel (1985-2001), "House of Blue Lights" (#17c 1987), "Way Down Texas Way" (#39c 1987), "Hot Rod Lincoln" (#65c 1988), "Walk on By" (#55c 1988), "Keepin' Me Up Nights" (#54c 1990), "Dance With Who Brung You" (#71c 1991), "Red Wing" (1993), "The End of the Line" (1999)
see Asleep at the Wheel

Mike Kroeger (Michael Douglas Henry Kroeger)

b. 1972 in Alberta, Canada
rock/country singer
instrument: bass guitar
founding member of Nickelback (1995- ), "How You Remind Me" (2002), "Never Again" (2002), "Someday" (#7 2003), "Photograph" (#2 2005), * "Far Away" (#8 2006), "Rockstar" (#6 2006), "If Everyone Cared" (#17 2007), "Side of a Bullet" (2007)
songwriter
half-brother of Chad Kroeger
see Nickelback

Allen Lanier

b. 1946 in Long Island, NY
rock singer
instruments: rhythm guitar, lead guitar, keyboards
founding member and keyboardist with Blue Öyster Cult (1970-85, 1988- ), "Hot Rails to Hell" (1973), "(Don't Fear) the Reaper" (#12 1976), "Burnin' for You" (#40 1981), "Take Me Away" (1983), "Dancing in the Ruins" (1985)
songwriter
see Blue Öyster Cult

Tim Malchak

b. 1957 in Binghamton, NY
country/Christian singer
instrument: guitar
"Easy Does it" (#68c 1987, he co-wrote), "Lucky Eyes" (1987), "Colorado Moon" (#37c 1987, he wrote), "Restless Angel" (#39c 1987, he wrote), "It Goes Without Saying" (#35c 1988), "Not a Night Goes By" (#43c 1988), "Not Like This" (#70c 1989, he co-wrote), "If You Had a Heart" (#54c 1989, he co-wrote), "For One Night" (1994), "Some Bridges Just Won't Burn" (1996), "Dancing with You and the Moon" (1996)
duets with Dwight Rucker as Malchak and Rucker (the first black/white duo to have a country chart hit), "Just Like That" (#92c 1984), "Why Didn't I Think of That?" (#67c 1984), "I Could Love You in a Heartbeat" (#69c 1985), "Let Me Down Easy" (#67c 1986, he wrote)
songwriter

Harold Melvin

b. 1939 in Philadelphia, PA - d. 24 Mar 1997
soul/doo-wop singer
founding member of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes (1954-96), "My Hero" (#78 1960), "Get Out (and Let Me Cry)" (1965), "If You Don't Know Me by Now" (#3 1972), "I Miss You" (#58 1972), "The Love I Lost" (#7 1973), "Satisfaction Guaranteed (or Take Your Love Back)" (#58 1974), "Don't Leave Me This Way" (1975), "Wake up Everybody" (#12 1975), "Bad Luck" (#15 1975), "Reaching for the World" (#74 1977)
see Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes

Peggy Scott (Peggy Stoutmeyer aka Peggy Scott-Adams)

b. 1948 in Opp, AL
soul/blues singer
"Every Little Bit Hurts" (1969), "You Can Never Get Something for Nothing" (1969), "Bill" (#87 1997), "Spousal Abuse" (1997), "When I'm with You" (2000), "Mr. Right or Mr. Wrong" (2001), "Your Divorce Has Been Denied" (2001)
duets with JoJo Benson, "Pickin' Wild Mountain Berries" (#27 1968), "Lover's Holiday" (#31 1968), "Soulshake" (#37 1969)

Carly Simon (Carly Elisabeth Simon)

b. 1945 in New York City, NY
pop/rock singer
instruments: guitar, piano
"That's the Way I Always Heard it Should Be" (#10 1971), "You're So Vain" (#1 1972), "Attitude Dancing" (#21 1975), "Look Me in the Eyes" (1976), "Nobody Does it Better" (#2 1977), "You Belong to Me" (#6 1978), "Vengeance" (#48 1979), "Jesse" (#11 1980), "Tired of Being Blonde" (1985), "Coming Around Again" (#18 1986)
founding member of The Simon Sisters, "Winkin, Blinkin, and Nod" (#73 1964), "Cuddle Bug" (1964)
duets with James Taylor, "Mockingbird" (#5 1974), "Devoted to You" (#33c 1978)
songwriter
author
md. to singer, James Taylor (1972-83); md. to author, James Hart (1987-2007)
see Carly Simon

Matt Thompson

b. 1973 in Norwell, MA
country/rock singer
instruments: drums, percussions
founding member of The Thompson Brothers Band, "The Rain Came Down" (1996), "Drive Me Crazy" (#56c 1997), "A Million Miles Away" (1998, he co-wrote), "Back on the Farm" (#58c 1998), "Run Away with You" (1998, he co-wrote), "Painful Days and Sleepless Nights" (1998)
brother of Andy Thompson

Clint Warwick (Albert Clinton Eccles)

b. 1940 in Birmingham, England – d. 15 May 2004 in Birmingham, England (liver disease)
rock singer
instrument: bass
founding member of The Moody Blues (1964-66), "Go Now" (#10 1965), "From the Bottom of My Heart" (#93 1965), "Thank You, Baby" (1966)
carpenter
see The Moody Blues
see The Moody Blues on Wikipedia

June 26

Billy Davis, Jr.

b. 1940 in St. Louis, MO
rock/R&B singer
"Three Steps from True Love" (1974), "I've Been Thinking about You" (1986)
founding member of The Fifth Dimension (1965-75), "I'll Be Lovin' You Forever" (1966), "Paper Cup" (1967), "Go Where You Wanna Go" (#16 1967), "Up, up and Away" (#7 1967), "Stoned Soul Picnic" (#3 1968), "Sweet Blindness" (#13 1968), "California Soul" (#25 1969), "Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine in" (#1 1969), "Wedding Bell Blues" (#1 1969), "Blowing Away" (#21 1970), "A Love Like Ours" (1970), "One Less Bell to Answer" (#2 1970), "Love's Lines, Angles and Rhymes" (#19 1971), "Never, My Love" (#12 1971), "(Last Night) I Didn't Get to Sleep at All" (#8 1972), "If I Could Reach You" (#10 1972), "Everything's Been Changed" (1973), "Lean on Me Always" (1974), "Speaking with My Heart" (1975)
with The Emeralds, "That's the Way it's Got to Be" (1959), "Rumblin' Tumblin' Baby" (1960), "I'm Gonna Ask That Boy to Dance" (1964)
duets with Marilyn McCoo, "There's Got to Be a Happy Ending" (1975), "You Don't Have to Be a Star (to Be in My Show)" (#1 1976), "Your Love" (#15 1977), "Look What You've Done to My Heart" (1977), "My Reason to Be is You" (1977), "I Got the Words, You Got the Music" (1978), "Shine on Silvery Moon" (1978), "I Believe in You and Me" (1983)
actor
served in the Army
md. to Marilyn McCoo (1969- , got married in a hot air balloon)
see Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr.

Ralph Ezell

b. 1953 in Union, MS
country musician, instrument: bass
founding member of Shenandoah (1985-96, 2002- ), "Stop the Rain" (#28c 1988), * "She Doesn't Cry Anymore" (#9c 1988), "The Church on Cumberland Road" (#1c 1989), * "Two Dozen Roses" (#1c 1989), "Sunday in the South" (#1c 1989), "Next to You, Next to Me" (#1c 1990), "When You Were Mine" (#38c 1991), "Rock My Baby" (#2c 1992), "Leavin's Been a Long Time Comin'" (#15c 1992), "I Want to Be Loved Like That" (#3c 1993), "If Bubba Can Dance (I Can Too)" (#1c 1994), "Darned if I Don't (Danged if I Do)" (#4c 1995), "All Over But the Shoutin'" (#43c 1996)
Shenandoah duet with Alison Krauss, "Somewhere in the Vicinity of the Heart" (#7c 1995)
see Shenandoah

Georgie Fame (Clive Powell)

b. 1943 in Lancashire, England
R&B/rock/pop/jazz singer
instruments: piano, organ, keyboards
"In the Meantime" (1965), "Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde" (#7 1968)
in Billy Fury's backup band (1961)
founding member of Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames (1962-66, 1974- ), "Yeh, Yeh" (#21 1965), "Blue Monday" (1965), "Get Away" (#70 1966), "Sitting in the Park" (1966), "Ozone" (1974), "Cat's Eyes" (1979, he wrote), "Cool Cat Blues" (1991, he co-wrote)
keyboardist with Van Morrison's backup band (1989-97), "Have I Told You Lately?" (#12 1989)
duets with Alan Price, "Rosetta" (1971), "Street Lights" (1973)
songwriter
music producer; actor
see Georgie Fame

Chris Isaak (Christoper Joseph Isaak)

b. 1956 in Stockton, CA
rockabilly/country/pop/blues singer
instrument: guitar
"Don't Make Me Dream about You" (1989), "Wicked Game" (#6 1991), "Can't Do a Thing (to Stop Me)" (1993), "San Francisco Days" (1993), "Somebody's Crying" (#45 1995), "Forever Blue" (1995), "Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing" (1999)
songwriter
actor
Golden Gloves champion boxer
see Chris Isaak

Larry 'The Mole' Taylor (Samuel Taylor)

b. 1942 in Brooklyn, NY
blues/rock musician, instruments: bass, lead guitar
member of Canned Heat (1967-71, 1994- ), "Bullfrog Blues" (1967), "On the Road Again" (#16 1968), "Going up the Country" (#11 1968), "Let's Work Together" (#26 1970), "Wooly Bully" (1971), "Long Way from L.A." (1971)
Canned Heat performed at Woodstock
session musician on The Monkees' "Last Train to Clarksville" (#1 1966), "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" (#20 1967); and with Jerry Lee Lewis, and others
younger brother of drummer, Mel Taylor
see Canned Heat

Gerry Van Kollenburg (Gerald Van Kollenburg)

b. 1946 in Chicago, IL
pop/rock/soul musician, instrument: lead guitar
founding member of The New Colony Six (1964-74), "I Confess" (#71 1965), "At the River's Edge" (1966), "Love You So Much" (#55 1966), "Accept My Ring" (1967), "My Dreams Depend on You" (1967), "I Will Always Think about You" (#22 1968), "Things I'd Like to Say" (#16 1968), "Girl Unsigned" (1968), "Hold Me with Your Eyes" (1968), "You Know Better" (1968), "I Could Never Lie to You" (1969), "Prairie Grey" (1969), "Roll on" (#56 1971), "Someone Sometime" (#109 1972)

Gretchen Wilson (Gretchen Frances Wilson)

b. 1973 in Pocahontas, IL (grew up in Granite City, IL)
country singer
instrument: guitar
* "Redneck Woman" (#22, #1c 2004, she co-wrote), "Here for the Party" (#39, #3c 2004, she co-wrote), "When I Think about Cheatin'" (#39, #4c 2005, she co-wrote), "Home Wrecker" (#56c, #2c 2005, she co-wrote), * "All Jacked Up" (#42, #8c 2005), "I Don't Feel Like Loving You Today" (#22c 2005), "One of the Boys" (#35c 2007)
duet with Merle Haggard, "Politically Uncorrect" (#23c 2006)
duet with John Rich, "Come to Bed" (#32c 2007)
songwriter
md. to Larry Rolens

June 27

Rosalie Allen (Julie Marlene Bedra)

b. 1924 in Old Forge, PA - d. 24 Sep 2003 in CA (congestive heart failure)
country singer, yodeler
instruments: guitar, mandolin
"I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart" (#5c 1946), "Guitar Polka (Old Monterrey)" (#3c 1946), "I've Paid for My Mistake" (1951), "Cranberry Kisses and Strawberry Hugs" (1951), "If You Don't Believe I'm Leavin' (Just Count the Days I'm Gone)" (1951), "It'd Surprise You" (1952), "Let Me Share Your Name" (1953)
duets with Elton Britt, "Tomorrow We'll Be Married" (1950), "Cotton Candy and a Toy Balloon" (1950), "Beyond the Sunset" (#7c 1950), "Quicksilver" (#3c 1950), "Just a Sailor's Sweetheart" (1951), "Home Came a Sailor" (1953)
songwriter
DJ

Elton Britt (James Britt Baker or James Elton Baker)

b. 1913 in Zack, AR – d. 22/23 Jun 1972 in McConnellsburg, PA (heart attack while driving)
country/honky-tonk singer, yodeler
instrument: guitar
"Gladiola Time" (1936), "In a Little Inn Way Out in Indiana" (1936), "There's a Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere" (#7 1943), "Wave to Me My Lady" (#3c 1946), "Detour" (#5c 1946), "Gotta Get Together with My Gal" (#4c 1946), "Someday (You'll Want Me to Want You)" (#2c 1946), "Blue Texas Moonlight" (#6 1946), "Chime Bells" (#2c 1948), "Candy Kisses" (#3c 1949), "Blueberry Lane" (1950), "The Tale a Sailor Told" (1951), "Kiss By Kiss" (1951), "Merry Texas Christmas, You All" (1952), "Korean Mud" (1953), "My Heart Was Made for You" (1953), "Absent-Minded Heart" (1955), "Uranium Fever" (1955), "Maybe I'll Cry Over You" (1956), "Patent Leather Boots" (1956), "Lost Highway" (1960), "Taller Than Trees" (1960), "The Jimmie Rodgers Blues" (#26c 1968)
duets with Rosalie Allen, "Tomorrow We'll Be Married" (1950), "Cotton Candy and a Toy Balloon" (1950), "Beyond the Sunset" (#7c 1950), "Quicksilver" (#3c 1950), "Just a Sailor's Sweetheart" (1951), "Home Came a Sailor" (1953)
songwriter
actor; author
md. 1st to Margaret Scott (1933-34, her death in an auto accident); md. 2nd to Jeannie Russell (1935-37, her death in childbirth); md. 3rd to Penny (1942-57); md. 4th to Janet Counts (1958-70)

Gary Crosby (Gary Evan Crosby)

b. 1934 in Los Angeles, CA - d. 24 Aug 1995 in Burbank, CA (lung cancer)
pop singer
instruments: bass, trumpet
"There's a Small Hotel" (1955), "What's Your Story, Morning Glory?" (1959), "Blues in the Night" (1959)
duet with Bing Crosby, "Simple Melody" (1950)
founding member of The Crosby Boys
actor
son of singers, Bing Crosby and Dixie Lee
md. to Barbara Cosentino (1960-81); md. to Andrea Claudio (1981- )
wrote a book in 1983 portraying his father as abusive; his father denied it but since two of Bing's other sons committed suicide you have to wonder

Mindanao 'Pop' Feller (Doroteo 'Moro' Maligmat)

b. 1924 in Manila
rock singer
founding member of The Rocky Fellers (1959-65), "Killer Joe" (#16 1963, One-Hit Wonder), "Great Big World" (1963, he co-wrote), "Nina" (1964)
songwriter
father of Albert, Eddie, Junior and Tony Feller

Roy Fox (Roy Dale Fox)

b. 19??
country/Christian singer (tenor)
instrument: harmonica
founding member of The Fox Brothers, "Turn My Life Around" (1996), "Cradle of Love" (1998), "Say it Now" (1998), "He Broke the Law" (2000), "Backslider's Prayer" (2000), "Yours" (2001), "Red, White and Blue" (2002), "In This House" (2002)
brother of Lynn and Randy Fox
comedian
see The Fox Brothers

Sally Gordon

b. 1946
pop singer
founding member of The Murmaids (1963-65), "Popsicles and Icicles" (#3 1963, One-Hit Wonder), "Blue Dress" (1963), "Heartbreak Ahead" (1964), "Stuffed Animals" (1965)

Bobby Harden (Bobby Lamoyne Harden)

b. 1935 in England, AR - d. 30 May 2006 (complications of carotid artery surgery
country/pop singer
"Except for One" (1969), "One Step" (#48 1975)
founding member of The Harden Trio, * "Tippy Toeing" (#44, #2c 1966, he wrote), "Sneaking 'Cross the Border" (#16c 1967, he wrote), "Everybody Wants to Be Somebody Else" (#47c 1968)
duet with Arleen Harden, "Who Loves You?" (#64c 1969)
duet with Karen Wheeler, "We Got Each Other" (1969)
songwriter, wrote Reba McEntire's "Today All Over Again" (#5c 1981); Mark Chesnutt's "Too Cold at Home" (#3c 1990), "Old Country" (#4c 1973); Loretta Lynn's "Home" (#10c 1975), "I've Got a Picture of Us on My Mind" (#5c 1979)
brother of Robbie and Arlene Harden; md. to Eva (1958-2006, his death)

Tony King

b. 1957 in NC
country singer
instrument: guitar
founding member of Matthews, Wright and King (1991- ), "The Power of Love" (#41c 1992), "Mother's Eyes" (#55c 1992), "Leavin' Reasons" (1992), "For a Moment There" (1992), "Every Time She Says Yes" (1992), "I Gotta Love" (#45c 1993), "Dream Seeker" (1993), "Every Step of the Way" (1993)
founding member of The Tennesseans, "Nineteen-Sixty Something Songwriter of the Year" (#81c 1978)
with Brooks and Dunn's backup band (1995- ), "Little Miss Honky-Tonk" (#1 1995), "You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone" (#1c 1995), "My Maria" (#79, #1c 1996), * "My Love Will Follow You" (1996), "A Man This Lonely" (#1c 1996), "Honky-Tonk Truth" (#3c 1997), "He's Got You" (#2c 1998), "How Long Gone?" (#1c 1998), "Born and Raised in Black and White" (1998), "Husbands and Wives" (#36, #1c 1998), "I Can't Get Over You" (#51, #5c 1999), "Ain't Nothin' 'Bout You" (#25, #1c 2001), * "Only in America" (#33, #1c 2001), * "My Heart is Lost to You" (#48, #5c 2002), "The Long Goodbye" (#39, #1c 2002), "Red Dirt Road" (#25, #1c 2003), "You Can't Take the Honky-Tonk Out of the Girl" (#39, #3c 2004), "That's What it's All About" (#2c 2005), "Independent Trucker" (2004), "Play Something Country" (#37, #1c 2005), "Believe" (#60, #8c 2006, CMA single of the year 2006), "Proud of the House We Built" (#57, #4c 2007), "Put a Girl in it" (#54, #3c 2008), "Texas Women (Don't Stay Lonely Long)" (2008)
with J.D. Crowe and the New South (1986), * "Say You Lied" (1986), "Belleville, Georgia" (1986), "Miner's Lady" (1986)
session musician with Reba McEntire, Chely Wright, Faith Hill, and others
see Brooks and Dunn

Ken Marvin (Lloyd Leslie George)

b. 1924 in Haleyville, AL - d. 16 Oct 1991
country singer
instruments: guitar, bass fiddle, banjo, mandolin
"Well Oh Well" (1950), "Tom Cattin' Around" (1951), "You Can't Pick All the Roses" (1951), "Let's Take the Long Way Home Tonight" (1951), "I'm Waiting Just for You" (1951), "When I Stop Loving You" (1952), "How Much Can a Heart Ache?" (1952), "Uh-huh, Honey" (1953), "How About a Date?" (1953), "Letter From Home" (1961)
recorded as Lloyd George, "Lucy Lee" (1962), "Sing Real Loud" (1962), "Frog Hunt" (1962)
founding member of Lonzo and Oscar (1944-50), "Old Buttermilk Sky" (1947), "Cornbread, 'Lasses, and Sassafras Tea" (1947, he co-wrote), "I'm My Own Grandpa" (#5c 1948), "Poppin' Bubble Gum" (1948), "Tickle the Tom Cat's Tail" (1949, he co-wrote)
session musician on Eddy Arnold's "That's How Much I Love You" (#2c 1946), "Chained to a Memory" (#3c 1946), "It's a Sin" (#1c 1947), "What is Life Without Love?" (#1c 1947); and with Roy Acuff, and others
DJ
comedian
md. to singer, Clyda Ogletree

Frank Mills

b. 1942 in Quebec, Canada
pop singer
instrument: piano
"Love Me, Love Me, Love" (#46 1972), "Poor Little Fool" (1972), "Music Box Dancer" (#3, #44c 1979, he wrote), "Peter Piper" (#56 1979)
with The Bells
songwriter
arranger
see Frank Mills

Lorrie Morgan (Loretta Lynn Morgan)

b. 1959 in Hendersonville, TN
country singer
instruments: guitar, piano
"Don't Go Changing" (#69c 1984), "Trainwreck of Emotion" (#20c 1988), "Dear Me" (#9c 1989), * "Gonna Leave the Light on" (1989), "Out of Your Shoes" (#2c 1989), "Five Minutes" (#1c 1990) * "He Talks to Me" (#4c 1990), "We Both Walk" (#3c 1991), "Except for Monday" (#4c 1991), "Something in Red" (#14c 1992), * "Watch Me (Walk Away)" (#2c 1992), "Half Enough" (#8c 1993), * "What Part of No (Don't You Understand)?" (#1c 1993), "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" (#1c 1995), "Back in Your Arms Again" (#4c 1995), "Good As I Was to You" (#4c 1997), "Go Away" (#3c 1997), "One of Those Nights Tonight" (#14c 1997)
duet with George Morgan (by overdubbing), "I'm Completely Satisfied With You" (#93c 1979)
duet with Keith Whitley, "Till a Tear Becomes a Rose" (#13c 1990)
duets with Sammy Kershaw, "Maybe Not Tonight" (#86, #18c 1999), "He Drinks Tequila" (#39c 2001)
duet with Jon Randall, "By My Side" (#18c 1996)
songwriter
actress
md. to Keith Whitley (1986-89, his death); md. to Brad Thompson (1991- ); md. to John Randall (1996-99); md. 5th to Sammy Kershaw (2001- )
daughter of singer, George Morgan
see Lorrie Morgan

Doc Pomus (Jerome Solon Felder)

b. 1925 in Brooklyn, NY – d. 14 Mar 1991 (lung cancer)
blues/pop/rock singer
"Blues Without Booze" (1945), "Blues in the Red" (1945), "Doc's Boogie" (1947, he wrote), "No Home Blues" (1950, he wrote), "Send for the Doctor" (1950), "Pool Playin' Baby" (1951), "Here Comes the Blues" (1955)
songwriter, co-wrote Fabian's "Turn Me Loose" (#9 1959); Andy Williams' "Can't Get Used to Losing You" (#2 1963); Them's "Here Comes the Night" (#24 1965); The Drifters' "This Magic Moment" (#16 1960), "Save the Last Dance for Me" (#1 1960); Dion and the Belmonts' "Teenager in Love" (#3 1959); Elvis Presley's "(Marie's the Name of) His Latest Flame" (#4 1961), "She's Not You" (#5 1962); Gene McDaniels' "Spanish Lace" (#31 1962)
used crutches and a wheelchair because of having polio as a child

Randy Ragsdale

b. 1972 in Enid, OK
country/rock musician, instrument; drums
founding member of Cross Canadian Ragweed (1994- ), "Nowhere Texas" (2001), "42 Miles" (2001), "Highway 377" (2001), "17" (#57c 2002), "Broken" (2002), "Constantly" (#57c 2004), "Alabama" (#46c 2005), "Fightin' For" (#39c 2005), "Late Last Night" (2005), "This Time Around" (#44c 2006), "I Believe You" (2007), "In Oklahoma" (2007)
Cross Canadian Ragweed duet with Lee Ann Womack, "Sick and Tired" (#46c 2004)

Buddy Red Bow (Warfield Richard Red Bow

b. 1949 (grew up in SD) - d. 28 Mar 1993
country/folk singer
instrument: guitar
"Pistolero" (1980), "Just Can't Take Anymore" (1980), "Myrna" (1980), "South Dakota Lady (Tina's Song)" (1980), "Run, Indian, Run" (1983, he wrote), "My Friend, the Buffalo" (1983), "Indian Love Song" (1983, he wrote), "Black Hills Dreamer" (1995, he co-wrote), "Winds of Life" (1995, he wrote), "Running on Love" (1995)
actor
Native American activist

Vitamin C (Colleen Ann Fitzpatrick)

b. 1970 in Old Bridge, NJ
pop singer
instrument: bass guitar
"Smile" (#21 1999), "Me, Myself, and I" (#36 1999), * "Graduation (Friends Forever)" (#12 2000), "The Itch" (#26 2000), "As Long as You're Loving Me" (2001)
with Eve's Plum (1991-98), "Blue" (1993), "I Want it All" (1993), "Wishing the Day Away" (1995)
dancer; actress
md. to guitarist, Michael Kotch (2004)

Doug Urie (Alfred Douglas Urie)

b. 1976 in Claremore, OK
country/rock singer
founding member of South Sixty-Five (1997-2001), "Baby's Got My Number" (#60c 1998), "Love Will Last" (1998), "No Easy Goodbye" (#56c 1999), "Random Act of Senseless Kindness" (#55c 1999), "Even if" (2001), "All I Ever Did" (2001), "I Swear to You" (2001)
see South Sixty-Five on CMT.com

Chris Ward (Christopher John Ward)

b. 1956/60 in NY
country singer
instrument: drums, guitar, mandolin, trumpet
"One Step Beyond" (1996), "Somewhere Between Goodbye and Gone" (1996), "Fall Reaching" (#68c 1996), "It All Started with a Lie" (1996), "Mary Ann is a Pistol" (1996), "Back to Earth" (1996, he co-wrote)
songwriter
rodeo rider
police officer
served in the Marines

Little Roy Wiggins (Ivan Leroy Wiggins)

b. 1926 in Nashville, TN – d. 3 Aug 1999 in Sevierville, TN
country musician, instrument: steel guitar
"Angel Hands" (1957), "Through the Night" (1962), "I'll Hold You in My Heart" (1974), "Molly Darlin'" (1974)
duets with George Morgan, "Somewhere Around Midnight" (#66c 1974), "In the Misty Moonlight" (#65c 1975)
with Eddy Arnold's backup band (1943-68), "It's a Sin" (#1c 1947), "Just a Little Lovin' (Will Go a Long, Long Way)" (#1c 1948), "I'll Hold You in My Heart (Till I Can Hold You in My Arms)" (#1c 1948), Texarkana Baby" (#1c 1948), "Anytime" (#1c 1948), "Bouquet of Roses" (#1c 1948), "Don't Rob Another Man's Castle" (#1 1949), "One Kiss Too Many" (#1c 1949), "I'm Throwing Rice (At the Girl I Love)" (#1c 1949), "Kentucky Waltz" (#1c 1951), "There's Been a Change in Me" (#1c 1951), "I Really Don't Want to Know" (#1c 1954), "Cattle Call" (#69, #1c 1955), "Just Call Me Lonesome" (#1c 1955), "Make the World Go Away" (#6, #1c 1965), "What's He Doing in My World?" (#60, #1c 1965), "I Want to Go with You" (#36, #1 1966), "Somebody Like Me" (#53, #1c 1966), Lonely Again" (#87, #1c 1967), "Turn the World Around" (#66, #1c 1967), "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" (#84, #1c 1968), "Here Comes Heaven" (#91, #2c 1968), and others
session musician

June 28

Ava Barber

b. 1954 in Knoxville, TN
country/pop singer
instruments: piano
"Waitin' at the End of Your Run" (#70c 1977), "Don't Take My Sunshine Away" (#69c 1977), "Bucket to the South" (#13c 1978), "You're Gonna Love Love" (#44c 1978), "I Think I Could Love You Better Than She Did" (#70c 1981)
founding member of Sweet Apple
md. to Roger Sullivan (1973- )
see Ava Barber

Bobby Bare, Jr.

b. 1966 in Nashville, TN (grew up in Hendersonville, TN)
country/rock singer
founding member of The Young Criminals Starvation League, I'll Be Around" (2003), "Your Favorite Hat" (2004), "Let's Rock and Roll" (2004), "Gun Show" (2006), "Back to Blue" (2006), "Snuggling World Championships" (2006)
duet with Bobby Bare, * Daddy, What if?" (#41, #2c 1973)
duet with Jeannie Bare, "Where'd I Come From?" (#41c 1974)
son of singers, Bobby and Jeannie Bare
see Bobby Bare, Jr.

Cathy Carr (Angelina Helen Catherine Cordovano)

b. 1936 in Bronx, NY - d. Nov 1988
pop singer
"Heartbroken" (1953), * "Ivory Tower" (#2 1956, One-Hit Wonder), "I Never Really Stopped Loving You" (1955), "Waltzing to the Blues" (1956), "Heart Hideaway" (1956), "Wild Honey" (1957), "Put Away the Invitation" (1958), "First Anniversary" (1959), "Personal Secret" (1959), "Someone Told You a Lie" (1961), "Should I Believe Him?" (1962), "Carpark" (1962), "Paper Heart" (1962), "The Next Time the Band Plays a Waltz" (1963), "The Ghost of a Broken Heart" (1963), "My Favorite Song" (1963)
backup singer
dancer; performed for the USO

Valerie Carr

b. 1936 in NY
R&B singer
"When the Boys Talk about the Girls" (#19 1958, One-Hit Wonder), "Every Hour, Every Day of My Life" (1959), "You Belong in Someone Else's Arms" (1959), "I'd Run All the Way" (1959), "I Left There Crying" (1961), "I Talked Too Much" (1961)
not sure if this is her birthday, it may have been confused with Cathy Carr

Bobby Harrison

b. 1943 in London, England
rock singer
instruments: drums
"Lime Street Blues" (1973), "Looking for a Friend" (1975, he co-wrote), "Little Linda Lovejoy" (1975, he co-wrote), "Nothing Stays the Same" (1986, he co-wrote), "The Hunter" (1986)
founding member of Procol Harum (1967), "Homburg" (#34 1967) (he was replaced by a session drummer on "A Whiter Shade of Pale")
Procol Harum was named for a Latin phrase that the founding members thought meant 'beyond these things'; an asteroid and and orchid have both been named after the band
founding member of Freedom (1970-72)
founding member of Snafu (1973-74)
session musician; backup singer
songwriter

Dave Knights (David John Knights)

b. 1945 in London, England
rock singer
instruments: bass, guitar
with Ruby (1974), "Someday I Will Return" (1974, he wrote), "Starshine" (1974), "Brown Eyes" (1974), "You Are Everything to Me" (1974, he wrote)
founding member of Procol Harum (1967-69), "A Whiter Shade of Pale" (1967), "Homburg" (#34 1967), "Rambling on" (1968), "Quite Rightly So" (1968), "She Wandered Through the Garden Fence" (1968), "Too Much between Us" (1969), "The Devil Came from Kansas" (1969), "A Salty Dog" (1969), "All This and More" (1969)
Procol Harum was named for a Latin phrase that the founding members thought meant 'beyond these things'; an asteroid and and orchid have both been named after the band
songwriter

Lloyd Maines

b. 1951 (grew up in TX)
country/rock musician, instrument: pedal steel guitar, Hawaiian guitar, dobro, guitar
"White Corn" (1997)
founding member and lead guitarist of The Maines Brothers Band (1976- ), "Dream Spinner" (1980), "Farm Road 40" (1980), "I Finally Got it Right" (1981), "On a Real Good Night" (1981), "Panhandle Dancer" (1982), "Flatland Farmer" (1982), "Easy to Love" (1982), "You Are a Miracle" (#85c 1984), "Everybody Needs Love on a Saturday Night" (#24c 1985), "Danger Zone" (#59c 1986), "River of Love" (1987), "Red Hot and Blue" (1987), "Dark Hearts" (1987), "Pink and Black Song" (1987), "You Can't Get the Hell Out of Texas" (1987), "Dry Land Farm" (1990), "Gonna Be a Cowboy" (1990), "Let the Rain Come Down" (1990)
with the John Ely Band
with Terri Hendrix' band (1997- ), "Places in Between" (2000), "Don't Pet the Dog" (2001), "My Own Place" (2001), "Truth is Strange" (2002), "Enjoy the Ride" (2004), "Long Ride Home" (2004), "Invisible Friend" (2005), "Car Car" (2005)
session steel guitarist with Joe Ely, Richard Buckner, Terry Allen, Radney Foster, and others
music producer
father of The Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines
see The Maines Brothers Band

George Morgan (George Thomas Morgan)

b. 1924/25 in Waverly, TN (grew up in Barberton, OH) – d. 7 Jul 1975 in Madiaon, TN (heart attack on stage after bypass surgery)
country singer
instrument: guitar
"Candy Kisses" (#1c 1949, he wrote), "Rainbow in My Heart" (#8c 1949, he wrote), "Please Don't Let Me Love You" (#9c 1949), "All I Need is More Lovin'" (#11c 1949), "Room Full of Roses" (#25, #4c 1949), "Cry-Baby Heart" (#5c 1949), "I Love Everything about You" (#4c 1949), "Almost" (#2c 1952), "Late Date" (1957), "Rockabilly Bungalow" (1958), "I'm in Love Again" (#3c 1959, he co-wrote), * "You're the Only Good Thing (That's Happened to Me)" (#4c 1960), "By the River of the Roses" (1965), "Shiny Red Automobile" (#58c 1967), "Sound of Goodbye" (#31c 1969), "Lilacs and Fire" (#17c 1970), "Red Roses from the Blue Side of Town" (#21 1973)
duet with Lorrie Morgan (by overdubbing her voice), "I'm Completely Satisfied With You" (#93c 1979)
duet with Marion Worth, "Slipping Around" (#23c 1964)
songwriter
father of singer, Lorrie Morgan

June 29

Leroy Anderson

b. 1908 in Cambridge, MA – d. 18 May 1975 in Woodbury, CT
pop musician, instruments: piano
founding member and leader of his Pops Concert Orchestra, "The Syncopated Clock" (#12 1951, theme song of The Late Show, he wrote), "Sleigh Ride" (1951, he co-wrote), "Belle of the Ball" (1951, he co-wrote), "The Waltzing Cat" (1952, he co-wrote), "A Christmas Festival" (#1 1952), "Blue Tango" (#1 1952, first instrumental to sell over a million copies, he wrote), "The Typewriter" (#21 1953, he wrote), "Horse and Buggy" (1953), "Forgotten Dreams" (1954, he co-wrote), "The Girl in Satin" (1954), "Sandpaper Ballet" (1955)
songwriter
served in the Army during WWII (1940-45)
md. to Eleanor Firke (1942- )
see Leroy Anderson

Leo Diamond

b. 1915 in New York, NY - d. 15 Sep 1966 in Los Angeles, CA
musician, instrument: harmonica
"Off Shore" (#14 1953, he wrote), "Lisbon" (1954), "Now is the Hour" (1955), "Music Box Tango" (1956), "The Skin Diver" (1956), "Sunrise in Texas" (1957)
founding member of Leo Diamond and His Orchestra, "Through the Lonely Night" (1960), "High on a Windy Hill" (1960)
founding member of The Solidaires
songwriter

Little Eva (Eva Narcissus Boyd)

b. 1945 in Belhaven, NC (grew up in Brooklyn, NY) – d. 10 Apr 2003 in Kinston, NC (cervical cancer)
rock/pop/R&B singer
* "The Locomotion" (#1 1962), "Keep Your Hands Off My Baby" (#12 1962), "Let's Turkey Trot" (#20 1963), "Some Kinda Wonderful" (1963), "Takin' Back What I Said" (1964), "Take a Step in My Direction" (1967), "Mama Said" (1969)
backup singer on Ben E. King's "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)" (#11 1962), Big Dee Irwin's "Swinging on a Star" (#38 1963)
see Little Eva

Porky Freeman (Quilla Hugh Freeman)

b. 1916 in Vera Cruz, MO
western swing/country musician, instrument: lead guitar
"Porky's Boogie Woogie" (1946), "I Had a Little Wife" (1950)
founding member of The Porky Freeman Trio, "Boogie Woogie Boy" (1945), "Pecos Polka" (1949)
with Jack Guthrie's Oklahomans (1944-46), "Welcome Home, Stranger" (1944), "Oklahoma Hills" (#1c 1945), "I'm Brandin' My Darlin' with My Heart" (#5c 1945), "Oklahoma's Calling" (1946), "In the Shadows of My Heart" (1946), "The Clouds Rained Trouble Down" (1946), "Oakie Boogie" (#3c 1947)
session musician with Jimmie Dolan, and others

Derv Gordon (Dervin Gordon)

b. 1948 in Jamaica
pop/rock singer
founding member of The Equals (1965- ), "Baby, Come Back" (#32 1966, One-Hit Wonder), "Another Sad and Lonely Night" (1967), "Hold Me Closer" (1967), "I Can't Let You Go" (1969), "After the Lights Go Down Low" (1969), "Diversion" (1973), "Put Some Rock and Roll in Your Soul" (1973)
twin brother of Lincoln Gordon

Lincoln Gordon

b. 1948 in Jamaica
pop/rock musician, instrument: guitar
founding member of The Equals (1965- ), "Baby, Come Back" (#32 1966, One-Hit Wonder), "Another Sad and Lonely Night" (1967), "Hold Me Closer" (1967), "I Can't Let You Go" (1969), "After the Lights Go Down Low" (1969), "Diversion" (1973), "Put Some Rock and Roll in Your Soul" (1973)
twin brother of Derv Gordon

Billy Hinsche (William Hinsche)

b. 1951 in the Philippines
pop singer
"Don't Know Why" (1971, he wrote), "Call in the Light" (1984), "Good Memory, Bad Feeling" (1990), "Tell Someone You Love Them" (2002, he wrote), "One More Night Alone" (2002, he wrote), "With This Heart" (2004), "Juliette" (2004, he wrote
founding member of Dino, Desi and Billy (1964-70), "I'm a Fool" (#17 1965), "If You're Thinkin' What I'm Thinkin'" (1966), "I Hope She's There Tonight" (1966), "Not the Lovin' Kind" (#25 1966), "Two in the Afternoon" (1967)
founding member of Ricci, Desi and Billy
songwriter
brother-in-law of Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys

Leonard Lee

b. 1935/36 in New Orleans, LA - d. 23/26 Oct 1976 (heart attack)
rock/R&B singer
"Tryin' to Fool Me" (1954), "When the Sun Goes Down" (1954)
with Shirley and Lee (1951-63), "So in Love" (1953), "Let the Good Times Roll" (#20 1956, she co-wrote), "When I Saw You" (1957), "I Want to Dance" (1957, he co-wrote), "My Last Letter" (1962), "Dancing World" (1963), "The Brink of Disaster" (1963), "Somebody Put a Jukebox in Study Hall" (1963)
songwriter, wrote Johnny Preston's "Feel So Fine (Feel So Good)" (#14 1960)
see Shirley and Lee

Ian Paice (Ian Anderson Paice)

b. 1948 in Nottingham, England
rock/swing/jazz musician, instrument: drums
founding member of Deep Purple (1968-76, 1984- ), "Hush" (#4 1968), "Kentucky Woman" (1968), "Speed King" (1970, he co-wrote), "Highway Star" (1972, he co-wrote), "Lazy" (1972, he co-wrote), "Smoke on the Water" (#4 1973, he co-wrote), "Woman from Tokyo" (1973, he co-wrote), "Smooth Dancer" (1973, he co-wrote), "Might Just Take Your Life" (1974, he co-wrote), "Comin' Home" (1975, he co-wrote), "Perfect Strangers" (1984), "Wasted Sunsets" (1984), "Too Much is Not Enough" (1990), "Breakfast in Bed" (1990), "The Battle Rages on" (1993, he co-wrote), "Anya" (1993), "A Touch Away" (1996, he co-wrote), "Watching the Sky" (1998, he co-wrote), "Sun Goes Down" (2003, he co-wrote), "Picture of Innocence" (2003, he co-wrote), "Don't Let Go" (2005, he co-wrote), "Clearly Quite Absurd" (2005, he co-wrote)
with Paice, Ashton, and Lord, "Remember the Good Times" (1976), "Dance with Me, Baby" (1976), "Arabella" (1977)
session musician with Paul McCartney, Jon Lord, Eddie Hardin, and others
he is left-handed and plays a totally left-handed drum setup
see Deep Purple
see Deep Purple on classic bands.com

Johnnie Louise Richardson

b. 1945 in Montgomery, AL - d. Oct 25 1988 in New York, NY (stroke)
R&B/rock singer
"My Dreams Have Been Bubbles" (1963), "Had it Not Been for Your Love" (1968), "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie" (1970)
with Johnnie and Joe, "I'll Be Spinning" (1957), "Over the Mountain, Across the Sea" (#8 1957, One-Hit Wonder), "I Want You Here Beside Me" (1960), "Why Do You Hurt Me So?" (1960), "You Can Always Count on Me" (1963), "My Ideal" (1963), "You're the Loveliest Song I Ever Heard" (1968)
with The Jaynetts, * "Sally Go 'Round the Roses" (#2 1963), "Keep an Eye on Her" (1963), "There's No Love at All" (1964), "Cry Behind the Daisies" (1964), "Who Stole the Cookie?" (1965)
The Jaynetts recorded as The Hearts, "Dear Abby" (1963)

Todd Sansom (Todd Michael Sansom)

b. 1978 in Stanardsville, VA
country/Christian musician
founding member of Marshall Dyllon (2000-01), "Closer to Heaven" (2000), "Live it Up" (#37c 2000), "You" (#47c 2001), "She Ain't Gonna Cry" (#44c 2001)
arranger
see Marshall Dyllon on Wikipedia
see Todd Sansom

Billy Storm (Billy Spicer aka Billy Fortune aka Billy Jones)

b. 1938 in Dayton, OH
"I've Come of Age" (#28 1959, One-Hit Wonder), "Emotion" (1959), "Vickie Lee" (1960), "Sure as You're Born" (1960), "Who'll Keep an Eye on Jane?" (1961), "3,000 Tears" (1961), "Puppy Love is Here to Stay" (1962), "A Million Miles from Nowhere" (1963), "Educated Fool" (1963), "Baby, Don't Look Down" (1964), "I Never Want to Dream Again" (1964), "Please Don't Mention Her Name" (1966)
founding member of The Valiants, "This is the Night" (1957), "Frieda, Frieda" (1958), "Please Wait for My Love" (1958), "We Knew" (1958), "Blue Jeans and a Pony Tail" (1961), "Love Comes in Many Ways" (1962), "You Are Sweeter Than Wine" (1962)
founding member of Billy Storm and the Squires (1958-59), "Every Word of the Song" (1958), "The Way to My Heart" (1958)

June 30

Florence Ballard (Florence Glenda Ballard aka 'Flo')

b. 1943 in Rosetta, MS (grew up in Detroit MI) – d. 22 Feb 1976 in Detroit, MI (cardiac arrest after years of alcoholism and addiction)
R&B/pop/soul singer
"Goin' Out of My Head" (1968), "Love Ain't Love (Until You Give it)" (1968), "Forever Faithful" (1968)
founding member of The Supremes (1961-67), "You Bring Back Memories" (1963), "Where Did Our Love Go?" (#1 1964), "Baby Love" (#1 1964), "Come See about Me" (#1 1964), "Stop! in the Name of Love" (#1 1965), "Back in My Arms Again" (#1 1965), "I Hear a Symphony" (#1 1965), "Nothing But Heartaches" (#11 1965), * "You Can't Hurry Love" (#1 1966), "You Keep Me Hangin' on" (#1 1966), "My World is Empty Without You" (#5 1966), "Love is Here and Now You're Gone" (#1 1967), "In and Out of Love" (#9 1967), * "The Happening" (#1 1967), "Reflections" (#2 1967)
md. to Thomas Chapman
see The Supremes

Gene Cotton

b. 1944 in Columbus, OH
pop/folk singer
"Sunshine Roses" (#79c 1974), "Deeper and Deeper" (1976), "You've Got Me Runnin'" (#33, #92c 1977), "Before My Heart Finds Out" (#23 1978), "Shine on" (1978), "If I Could Get You into My Life" (#75c, #78c 1982)
duet with Kim Carnes, "You're a Part of Me" (#36, #99c 1978)
songwriter
humanitarian

Brent Forston

b. 1947 in Greenville, SC
rock/pop/R&B singer
instruments: baritone sax, tenor sax, flute, keyboards
founding member of The Swingin' Medallions (1963-67, 2004- ), "Double Shot (of My Baby's Love)" (#17 1966, One-Hit Wonder), "She Drives Me Out of My Mind" (#71 1966), "Bow and Arrow" (1967)
founding member of Pieces of Eight (1967- ), "The Lonely Drifter" (1967), "Come Back, Girl" (1967), "I'd Pay the Price" (1968)
attorney, Assistant Attorney General for the state of SC 1973-77
see Swingin' Medallions

Terry Gregory (Theresa Ann Gregory)

b. 1956 in Washington, D.C. (grew up in MD and WV)
country/pop singer
"Just Like Me" (#16c 1981), "We'd Better Talk it Over" (1981), "I Know it By Heart" (1981), "I'm Still the Other Woman" (1982), "I Can't Say Goodbye to You" (#30c 1982), "I Never Knew the Devil's Eyes Were Blue" (#44c 1982), "Cowgirl in a Coupe DeVille" (#75c 1984), "Pardon Me, But This Heart's Taken" (#66c 1985), "Every Second Someone Breaks a Heart" (1985)
songwriter

Larry Hall (Lawrence Kendell Hall)

b. 1940/41 in Cincinnati, OH or Hamlett, OH - d. 24 Sep 1997 in OR (cancer)
pop singer
"Sandy" (#15 1960, One-Hit Wonder), "Rosemary" (1960), "I'll Stay Single" (1960), "Rebel Heart" (1961), "The One You Left Behind" (1961), "Lips of Wine" (1961), "Knick-Knack Shelf" (1960)

Larry Henley

b. 1941
pop singer
"Little Lips Tell Big Lies" (1963), "Conflicting Interests" (1963), "I'd Be Lyin'" (1965), "In the Hush of the Night" (1968), "Hello L.A., Bye Bye Birmingham" (1969), "Love Junky" (1975), "Tenderness Place" (1975), "I'll Come Running Back to You" (1975)
founding member of The Newbeats (1964-74), "Bread and Butter" (#2 1964), "Everything's Alright" (#16 1964), "Tough Little Buggy" (1964), "Break Away (From That Boy)" (#40 1965), "Run, Baby, Run (Back into My Arms)" (#12 1965), "A Patent on Love" (1966), "Crying My Heart Out" (1966), "My Yesterday Love" (1966), "Shake Hands (and Come Out Crying)" (1966), "Evil Eva" (1966), "Top Secret" (1967), "You and Me and Happiness" (1967), "It's Really Goodbye" (1967), "Ain't That Lovin' You, Baby?" (1968), "Michelle DeAnn" (1968), "I've Been a Long Time Loving You" (1968), "Remember Love" (1972)
songwriter, co-wrote Tammy Wynette's "Till I Get it Right" (#1c 1972), Bette Midler's "(You Are) the Wind Beneath My Wings" (#1 1989)

Lena Horne (Lena Mary Calhoun Horne)

b. 1917 in Brooklyn, NY - d. 9 May 2010
pop/jazz singer
"Love Me or Leave Me" (#19 1955), "If You Can Dream" (1956), "Running, Running, Running" (1956), "Where is Love?" (1962)
actress
civil rights activist
md. 1st to Louis Jordan (1937-44); md. 2nd to musician, Lennie Hayton (1947-71, his death)
see Lena Horne

Doyle Holly (Doyle Floyd Hendricks)

b. 1936 in Perkins, OK - d. 13 Jan 2007 in Nashville, TN (prostate cancer)
country singer
instruments: bass, rhythm guitar
"The Biggest Storm of All" (1969), "I'll Be Alright Tomorrow" (1970), "Queen of the Silver Dollar" (#29c 1973), "Lila" (#17c 1973), "Richard and the Cadillac Kings" (#53c 1975), "Hey, Ginny" (1976), "Too Much Me (Not Enough You)" (1988)
founding member of Vanishing Breed (1971- ), "What Price Gloria?" (1973), "Just Another Cowboy Song" (1974), "Lord, How Long Has This Been Going on?" (#58c 1974)
with Johnny Burnette's band (1961-63)
with The Buckaroos (1963-71), "I'm Coming Back Home to Stay" (#38c 1968), "Nobody But You" (#43c 1969)
The Buckaroos backing Buck Owens, "Act Naturally" (#1c 1963), "Love's Gonna Live Here" (#1c 1963), "Together Again" (#1c 1964), "I Don't Care (Just As Long As You Love Me)" (#92, #1c 1964), "My Heart Skips a Beat" (#94, #1c 1964), "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail" (#25, #1c 1965), "Before You Go" (#83, #1c 1965), "Only You (Can Break My Heart)" (#1c 1965), "Buckaroo" (#60, #1c 1965), "Waitin' in Your Welfare Line" (#57, #1c 1966), "Open up Your Heart" (#1c 1966), "Think of Me" (#74, #1c 1966), "Where Does the Time Go?" (#1c 1967), "Sam's Place" (#92, #1c 1967), "Your Tender Loving Care" (#1c 1967), "How Long Will My Baby Be Gone?" (#1c 1968), "Who's Gonna Mow Your Grass?" (#1c 1969), "Johnny B. Goode" (#1c 1969), "Tall Dark Stranger" (#1c 1969), and others
songwriter
comedian; oilfield worker
served in the Army (1953-57) in Okinawa and Korea
see Doyle Holly

Mike Lunsford

b. 1950 in Guyman, OK
country singer
instrument: guitar
* "While the Feeling's Good" (#56c 1975), * "Honey Hungry" (#16c 1976), "Stealin' Feelin'" (#28c 1977), * "You and Your Precious Love" (1977, he wrote), * "Tonight My Lady Learns to Love" (1977), "If There Ever Comes a Day" (#61c 1977, he co-wrote), * "How Can I Tell My Dreams (Not to Sleep with You)?" (1977), * "I'll Always Remember" (1977), * "Stumbled 'Round (and Fell in Love with You)" (1977), * "We Don't Want the World" (1977), "I've Never Cheated on You" (1977), "I Wish I'd Never Borrowed Anybody's Angel" (#91c 1978)
songwriter

Ed Rambeau (Edward Cletus Fluri)

b. 1943 in Hazelton, PA
rock/pop singer
"(Her Name is) Toni" (1961), "Skin Divin'" (1961), "Concrete and Clay" (#35 1965, One-Hit Wonder), "I Just Need Your Love" (1965, he co-wrote), "Don't Believe Him" (1965, he co-wrote), "Yesterday's Newspapers" (1966, he co-wrote)
duet with Marcy Jo, "The Car-Hop and the Hard-Top" (1963)
songwriter, co-wrote Diane Renay's "Blue, Navy Blue" (#6 1964), "Kiss Me, Sailor" (#29 1964); Mark Valentino's "The Push and Kick" (#27 1962); Englebert Humperdink's "If I Were You" (#10 1967)
actor; artist; photographer
see Ed Rambeau

Dean Reilly

b. 1926 in Auburn, WA
jazz/folk musician, instrument: bass
with The Vince Guaraldi Trio (1956-64), "Cast Your Fate to the Wind" (#22 1962, One-Hit Wonder)
with The Kingston Trio (1962-67), "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" (#21 1962), * "Ally, Ally, Oxen Free" (1963), "Greenback Dollar" (#21 1963), "Reverend Mr. Black" (#8 1963), "Desert Pete" (#33 1963)
with Whitfield
see The Kingston Trio

Glenn Shorrock (Glenn Barrie Shorrock)

b. 1944 in Kent, England (raised in Adelaide, Australia)
rock singer
instruments: guitar, keyboards
"Daydream Sunday" (1975), "Home on a Monday" (1977, he co-wrote), "Til I Loved You" (1983)
with Axiom (1969-71), "Samantha" (1970)
founding member and lead singer of The Little River Band (1975-1982, 1987-96), "It's a Long Way There" (#28 1976), "Help is on the Way" (#14 1977, he wrote), "Reminiscing" (#3 1978), "Happy Anniversary" (#16 1978), "Lady" (#10 1979), "Cool Change" (#10 1979, he wrote), "Lonesome Loser" (#6 1979), "The Night Owls" (#6 1981), "Take it Easy on Me" (#10 1981), "Man on Your Mind" (#14 1982), "The Other Guy" (#11 1982), "Every Time I Turn Around" (1990, he co-wrote), "I Dream Alone" (1990), "Parallel Lines" (1991)
songwriter
see Little River Band

Andy Scott (Andrew David Scott)

b. 1951 in Wrexham, Wales
pop/rock singer
instrument: lead guitar
"Lady Starlight" (1974), "Let Her Dance" (1984), "Invisible" (1984)
with Sweet (1970-81, 1985- ), * "Funny, Funny" (1971), "Little Willy" (#3 1973), "The Ballroom Blitz" (#5 1975), "Fox on the Run" (#5 1976, he co-wrote), "Action" (#20 1976), "Love is Like Oxygen" (#8 1978)
songwriter
see Sweet

Eddie Stoneman (Eddie Lewis Stoneman)

b. 1920 in Galax, TN - d. 14 Sep 2001 (cerebral hemorrhage)
country/bluegrass musician, instruments: guitar, banjo
with The Stoneman Family Band (1934, 1980)
duets with Ernest Stoneman, "Meet Me By the Seaside" (1934), "There's Somebody Waiting for Me" (1934)

June Valli

b. 1928/30 in the Bronx, NY – d. 12 Mar 1993
pop singer
"Always, Always" (1951), "Strange Sensations" (1952), "A Shoulder to Weep on" (1952), "Don't Forget to Write" (1953), "Old Shoes and a Bag of Rice" (1954), "Tell Me, Tell Me" (1954), "Don't Tell Me Not to Love You" (1955), "A Kiss Like Yours" (1955), "From the Wrong Side of Town" (1956), "I've Got Something in My Eye" (1956), "Street of Memories" (1957), "Strictly Sentimental" (1957), "Apple Green" (#29 1960), "Empty Rooms" (1964)
backed by the Hugo Winterhalter Orchestra, "I Understand" (#8 1954)

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