Dr. Rock's Blog & Roll

Here's a sampling of the best music ever made! - great albums from the 60s, 70s and 80s rock and pop which were released this week (and some related albums of note):


Jan 30

● The Kingston Trio ------ Make Way ► Folk-Pop >> 1961
● The Rolling Stones ------ The Rolling Stones No. 2 ► Blues-Rock >> 1965
● The Velvet Underground ------ White Light/White Heat ► Alt. Rock >> 1968
● Moby Grape ------ Moby Grape '69 ► Psychedelic Rock (SFO) >> 1969
● T. Rex ------ Futuristic Dragon ► Glam Rock >> 1976
● Blue Öyster Cult ------ Club Ninja ► Metal >> 1986
● The Blue Nile ------ Hats ► Synth/Dream-Pop >> 1989
● New Order ------ Technique ► Alt Pop-Rock >> 1989
● Free Kitten ------ Nice Ass ► Indie Rock >> 1995
● Ministry ------ Filth Pig ► Industrial Metal >> 1996


Jan 31

● Tony Bennett ------ The Movie Song Album ► Easy Listening >> 1966
● Al Green ------ Let's Stay Together ► Soul (Southern) >> 1972
● Christopher Cross ------ Another Page ► Pop-Rock, Soft >> 1983
● Curtis Mayfield ------ BBC Radio 1 In Concert ► Soul/Funk >> 1994
● Tori Amos ------ Under The Pink ► AA Pop-Rock >> 1994


Feb 01

● The Doors ------ Morrison Hotel ► Blues-Rock >> 1970
● The Doobie Brothers ------ What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits ► Pop-Rock >> 1974
● Girl ------ Sheer Greed ► Heavy Metal/Glam-Metal >> 1980
● Earthstar ------ Atomkraft? Nein, Danke! ► Kosmische Musik >> 1981
● Eric Clapton ------ Money And Cigarettes ► Blues-Rock >> 1983
● Tesla ------ The Great Radio Controversy ► Hard Rock >> 1989
● Accept ------ Objection Overruled ► Heavy Metal/Kraut Metal >> 1993
● Paul McCartney ------ Off The Ground ► Pop-Rock >> 1993
● Fugees ------ Blunted On Reality ► Rap/Contemporary R&B >> 1994
● Green Day ------ Dookie ► Alt Pop-Rock >> 1994
● Blondie ------ No Exit ► Pop-Rock >> 1999
● Dr. John ------ Duke Elegant ► New Orleans R&B >> 2000
● The Beach Boys ------ Greatest Hits Volume Three: Best of the Brother Years 1970–1986 ► Pop-Rock >> 2000
● Jack Johnson ------ Brushfire Fairy Tales ► AA Folk-Rock >> 2001
● Jack Johnson ------ Sleep Through The Static ► AA Folk-Rock >> 2008


Feb 02

● Lynyrd Skynyrd ------ Gimme Back My Bullets ► Southern Rock >> 1976
● Genesis ------ A Trick Of The Tail [UK] ► Prog Rock >> 1976
● Stiff Little Fingers ------ Inflammable Material ► Punk-Rock >> 1979
● Iron Maiden ------ Killers ► Heavy Metal >> 1981
● The Style Council ------ Cost Of Loving ► Synth-Pop >> 1987
● Expose ------ Exposure ► Dance-Pop >> 1987
● The Psychedelic Furs ------ Midnight To Midnight ► New Wave Post-Punk >> 1987
● Lita Ford ------ Lita ► Hard Rock >> 1988
● Brian May ------ Back To The Light ► Hard Rock >> 1993
● Belly ------ Star ► Alt Rock/Dream Pop >> 1993
● Pavement ------ Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain ► Indie Rock/Noise Rock >> 1994
● Built To Spill ------ Keep It A Secret ► Indie Rock/Pop-Rock >> 1999


Feb 03

● The Beatles ------ Twist And Shout ► Pop-Rock >> 1964
● Jethro Tull ------ This Was ► Prog Rock >> 1969
● The Byrds ------ Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde ► Country-Rock >> 1969
● Rainbow ------ Difficult To Cure ► Hard Rock >> 1981
● Earth ------ Earth 2 ► Drone Doom Rock >> 1993
● Energy Orchard ------ Pain Killer ► Alt Indie Rock >> 1995
● David Bowie ------ Earthling ► Techno Rock >> 1997
● Texas ------ White On Blonde ► Blues-Rock >> 1997
● Various Artists ------ Blues Brothers 2000 [Sndtrk] ► Blues-Rock >> 1998
● Pearl Jam ------ Yield ► Hard Rock >> 1998
● Incubus ------ A Crow Left Of The Murder… ► Funk Metal >> 2004


Feb 04

● The Strawbs ------ Grave New World ► Prog. Rock >> 1972
● Elvis Presley ------ Aloha From Hawaii: Via Satellite ► Contemporary Adult Pop-Rock >> 1973
● Fleetwood Mac ------ Rumours ► Pop-Rock >> 1977
● The Buggles ------ The Age Of Plastic ► New Wave Power Pop >> 1980
● The Ramones ------ End Of The Century ► Punk-Rock >> 1980
● Echo & The Bunnymen ------ Porcupine ► Post-Punk >> 1983
● Widespread Panic ------ Space Wrangler ► Southern Rock >> 1988
● Bob Marley & The Wailers ------ Talkin' Blues ► Roots Reggae >> 1991
● Widespread Panic ------ Bombs & Butterflies ► Southern Rock >> 1997
● Silverchair ------ Freak Show ► Grunge Rock >> 1997
● Tony Bennett ------ Tony Bennett On Holiday ► Easy Listening >> 1997


Feb 05

● Barclay James Harvest ------ Once Again ► Prog Rock >> 1971
● Minnie Riperton ------ Stay In Love ► Soul-Pop >> 1977
● The Bee Gees ------ Spirits Having Flown ► Disco >> 1979
● The Cure ------ Boys Don't Cry ► Post-Punk >> 1980
● Queen ------ Innuendo ► Glam Rock >> 1991
● Nirvana ------ Hormoaning ► Grunge >> 1992
● Deep Purple ------ Purpendicular ► Hard Rock >> 1996
● Belinda Carlisle ------ Voila ► Pop-Rock >> 2007

Labels: albums released by date, albums released by year, Albums Released This Week, rock album history, rock album release dates, rock album release history, rock albums by date, rock albums by year

Happy Birthday this week to:

Jan 29
1933 ● Alexandre "Sacha" Distel → French jazz-pop singer, guitarist, TV actor and songwriter, wrote Tony Bennett's "The Good Life" (#18, 1965), died on 7/22/2004 following years of failing health
1936 ● James Jamerson → Bassist in Motown house band The Funk Brothers, which provided nearly all instrumentation behind every Motown hit, died from a heart attack on 8/2/1983
1943 ● Kenneth "Tony" Blackburn → Brit light pop singer, "So Much Love" (UK Top 40, 1969), then pirate radio and first BBC Radio 1 disc jockey
1943 ● Mark Wynter (Terry Lewis) → Early 60s, pre-Beatles Brit pop-rock singer, "Venus In Blue Jeans" (UK #4, 1962)
1944 ● Andrew Loog Oldham → The Rolling Stones' first manager, producer and promoter, 1964-68, launched the Immediate Records label in 1965 which enjoyed 24 UK Top 50 hits with artists like Jimmy Page, John Mayall, Eric Clapton, The Nice, Rod Stewart and others
1947 ● David Byron (David Garrick) → Lead singer for hard/prog rock Spice, renamed Uriah Heep, "Easy Livin'" (#39, 1972), fired for erratic behavior in 1976, went solo but died of alcohol-induced liver failure on 2/28/1985
1952 ● Tommy Ramone (Tom Erdelyl) → Drummer for seminal punk rock band The Ramones, "Rockaway Beach" (#66, 1978)
1953 ● Louie Perez → Guitar and vocals for Grammy-winning Chicano/roots rock Los Lobos, "La Bamba" (#1, 1987), then Latin Playboys and Seguida
1954 ● Rob Manzoli → Vocals and guitar for Euro-dance-pop trio Right Said Fred, "I’m Too Sexy" (#1, 1992)
1961 ● David Baynton-Power → Drummer for Brit folk-pop alt rock James, "Laid" (Modern Rock #3, 1993)
1961 ● Eddie Jackson → Bassist for progressive pop-metal Queensrÿche, "Silent Lucidity" (#9, 1991)
1961 ● Pauline Henry → Lead vocals for dance-pop trio The Chimes, "1-2-3" (Dance/Club #1, 1990)
1962 ● Marcus Charles Vere → Synthesizer and keyboards for Brit dance-pop-funk Living In A Box, "Living In A Box" (#17, 1987)
1964 ● Roddy Frame → Founder, leader, guitarist, singer and songwriter for Scot New Wave pop-rock Aztec Camera, "The Crying Scene" (Modern Rock #3, 1990)
1968 ● Richard Battersby → Drummer for hard rock/raunchy The Wildhearts, "Sick Of Drugs" (UK #14, 1996)
1981 ● Jonny Lang (Jon Gordon Langseth, Jr.) → Teenage prodigy blues-rock singer, songwriter and guitarist, "Still Rainin'" (Mainstream Rock #8, 1998)
1982 ● Adam Lambert → Flamboyant, androgynous stage actor, American Idol runner-up (2009) and neo-goth pop singer, "Whataya Want From Me" (#10, 2010)
1987 ● Ashley Grace Pérez Mosa → Mexican-American singer and songwriter, with sister Hanna in contemporary Latin pop-rock duo Ha*Ash, "No Te Quiero Nada" (Latin Pop #6, 2008)

Jan 30
1928 ● Ruth Brown (Ruth Alston Weston) → R&B/soul singer, Atlantic Records' (the "House That Ruth Built") top-selling 1950s artist, "Teardrops In My Eyes" (R&B #1, 1950), died 11/17/2006 following a stroke and heart attack
1936 ● Horst Jankowski → German pianist and composer of easy listening and light space rock pop pieces, "A Walk In The Black Forest" (#12, 1965), died of cancer on 6/29/1998
1941 ● Joe Terranova → Baritone and bass vocalist for rock 'n roll Danny & The Juniors, "At The Hop" (#1, 1958)
1942 ● Marty Balin (Martyn Jere Buchwald) → Vocals and guitar for psych-rock Jefferson Airplane, "White Rabbit" (#8, 1967), then mainstream arena rock Jefferson Starship, "Miracles" (#3, 1975), then light pop-rock solo career, "Hearts" (# 8, 1981)
1943 ● Sandy Deane (Yaguda) → Vocals for clean cut pop-rock Jay & The Americans, "Cara Mia" (#4, 1965) and nine other Top 30 hits
1947 ● Steve Marriott → Guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, founder and leader of Brit raunch/psych-pop-rock The Small Faces, "Itchycoo Park" (#16, 1968), then blues-rock Humble Pie, "30 Days In The Hole" (1972) and solo, died in a house fire on 4/20/1991
1949 ● William King → Trumpet, guitar and synthesizers for Grammy-winning Motown R&B/soul-funk Commodores, "Three Times A Lady" (#1, 1978) and "Nightshift" (#3, 1985)
1951 ● Marv Ross → Guitarist for sax pop-rock Quarterflash, "Harden My Heart" (#3, 1981)
1951 ● Phil Collins → Drums, piano, vocals and songwriter for prog-rock Genesis, "Invisible Touch" (#1, 1986), then pop-adult contemporary solo career, "A Groovy Kind Of Love " (#1, 1988), TV and stage actor
1952 ● Steve Bartek → At age 16 played flute and percussion on first album by Strawberry Alarm Clock but couldn't join the band (too young), joined 80s New Wave ska-revival quirky synth-pop Oingo Boingo, "Weird Science" (Dance/Club #21, 1985)
1959 ● Jody Watley → Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and producer, first as lead vocals for disco trio Shalamar, "The Second Time Around" (#8, 1979), then solo "Real Love" (#1, 1987), wrote "Sweet Sixteen" for Destiny's Child, record producer, founder of Avitone Records, fashion designer and fitness DVD host
1959 ● Mark Eitzel → Guitarist, singer, chief songwriter and frontman for critically acclaimed but light selling alt pop-rock American Music Club (1991 album Everclear), disbanded AMC for a jazz-pop solo career
1964 ● Angie Stone (Angela Laverne Brown) → R&B/neo-soul singer, songwriter, keyboardist with urban soul-pop Vertical Hold, "Seems You're Much Too Busy" (Top 40, 1993) then solo, "Wish I Didn't Miss You" (Dance/Club #1, 2002), has written hits for Mary J. Blige and D'Angelo
1964 ● Marcel Karl Jacob → Swedish bass guitarist in hard rock/melodic metal Talisman and Last Autumn's Dream, committed suicide on 7/21/2009

Jan 31
1906 ● Roosevelt "The Honeydripper" Sykes → Boogie-blues piano player, known for pounding 8-bar rhythms and risqué lyrics, wrote several blues standards, including "Night Time Is The Right Time" (1937), died from a heart attack on 7/17/1983
1921 ● Mario Lanza (Alfredo Arnold Cocozza) → 1940s opera tenor, post-WW II film actor and 50s pop singer, "Be My Love" (1950), died of pulmonary embolism on 10/7/1959
1928 ● Harold "Chuck" Willis → The "King of the Stroll", R&B/blues-rock singer, songwriter and guitarist best known for his cover of "C.C. Rider" (#12, R&B #1, 1957), also wrote and recorded his own compositions, died from peritonitis on 4/10/1958
1946 ● Terry Kath → Founder and guitarist for pop-rock/horn band Chicago, "Saturday In The Park" (#3, 1972), accidentally shot himself dead in game of Russian Roulette on 1/23/1978
1951 ● Harry Wayne "K.C." Casey → Founder and frontman for R&B/soul-disco-funk kings KC & The Sunshine Band, "That's The Way (I Like It)" (#1, 1975) and five other #1 hits
1951 ● Phil Manzanera (Targett-Adams) → Lead guitarist from 1972-83 for prog rock Roxy Music, "Love Is The Drug" (#30, 1976), then solo and collaborative work with Steve Winwood, David Gilmour and others, wrote 14-part radio program The A-Z Of Great Guitarists
1952 ● William "Curly" Smith → Drummer for hard rock Jo Jo Gunne, "Run Run Run" (#27, 1972), then sessions, played with reunited psych-rock Spirit and arena rock Boston between 1994 and 2000
1954 ● Adrian Vandenburg (Adje Van Den Berg) → Dutch guitarist and co-writer for hard rock Whitesnake, "Here I Go Again" (#1, 1987), painter
1956 ● Johnny Rotten (John Joseph Lydon) → Lead singer for premier punk rockers the Sex Pistols, "God Save The Queen" (UK #2, 1977), then founded post-punk Public Image Ltd., "This Is Not A Love Song" (UK #5, 1983)
1961 ● Lloyd Cole → Singer, songwriter, guitarist and frontman for Brit pop-rock Lloyd Cole & The Commotions, "Lost Weekend" (UK #17, 1985), solo
1964 ● Jeff Hanneman → Co-founder and lead guitar for "Big Four" thrash metal Slayer, "Hate Worldwide" (#2, 2009)
1966 ● Al Doughty (Alan Jaworski) → Bassist for techno-electronic pop-dance Jesus Jones, "Right Here, Right Now" (#2, 1991)
1967 ● Chad Channing → First drummer for grunge rock Nirvana, played on debut indie label album Bleach, left the band in 1990, worked with The Methodists, East Of The Equator and Redband, now with Before Cars
1967 ● Jason Cooper → Joined post-punk art-glam-goth rock The Cure, "The 13th" (Hot Dance #11, 1996) in 1995
1967 ● Michael John "Fat Mike" Burkett → Founder and bassist for punk-pop NOFX and punk cover band Me First And The Gimme Gimmes, founded independent record label Fat Wreck Chords and the 2004 anti-George W. Bush crusade Rock Against Bush
1970 ● Amelia Fiona "Minnie" Driver → Grammy- and Emmy-nominated film and TV actress, singer and songwriter, light pop 2004 album Everything I’ve Got In My Pocket
1981 ● Justin Timberlake → Vocals for teen dance-pop harmony boy band *NSYNC, "It's Gonna Be Me" (#1, 2000), multi-platinum solo vocalist, "Cry Me A River" (#3, 2003), TV actor, tabloid star

Feb 01
1934 ● Bob Shane → Vocals and guitar for folk-pop The Kingston Trio, "Tom Dooley" (#1, 1958) and nine other Top 40 hits
1937 ● Don Everly → Singer with younger brother Phil in folk-rock The Everly Brothers, "All I Have To Do Is Dream" (#1, 1958) plus more than 25 other Top 40 hits
1937 ● Ray "Dr. Hook" Sawyer → Frontman and vocals for AM pop-rock Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show, "Sylvia's Mother" (#5, 1972) plus nine other Top 40 hits
1938 ● Jimmy Carl Black (James Inkanish, Jr.) → Drummer and vocals for Frank Zappa-led satirical rock group The Mothers Of Invention, "Brown Shoes Don't Make It" (1967), toured with Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band, died from lung cancer on 11/1/2008
1939 ● Joe Sample → Jazz-fusion keyboardist and composer with The Jazz Crusaders (The Crusaders after 1971), "Street Life" (#36, 1979), solo
1947 ● Normie Rowe → Top Australian pop singer of the early 60s, "Que Sera Sera" (Aus #1, 1965), drafted into military service and failed to regain his popularity following discharge
1948 ● Rick James (James Ambrose Johnson, Jr.) → R&B/disco vocalist, dancer and bandleader, "Super Freak" (#16, 1981), plus 3 other R&B #1 hits in the 70s and 80s, found dead at home of cardiac failure on 8/6/2004
1950 ● Mike Campbell → Guitarist and long-time key collaborator with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, "Free Fallin'" (#7, 1989), co-songwriter with Don Henley and others, producer, member of Mudcrutch
1951 ● Fran Christina → Drummer for blues-boogie-rock Fabulous Thunderbirds, "Tuff Enuff" (#10, 1986)
1951 ● Rich Williams → One-eyed lead guitarist and occasional co-writer for prog/heartland rock Kansas, "Carry On Wayward Son" (#11, 1976)
1957 ● Dennis Brown → The "Crown Prince of Reggae", prolific reggae/lovers rock singer, "Money In My Pocket" (UK #14, 1977), died on 7/1/1999 from complications of a heart attack and cocaine abuse
1964 ● Jani Lane (John Kennedy Oswald) → Lead singer for glam-rock/pop-metal Warrant, "Heaven" (#2, 1989), solo
1968 ● Lisa Marie Presley → The "Princess of Rock 'n' Roll," only child of Elvis, occasional TV actor and pop singer, "Lights Out" (Adult Top 40 #18, 2003), married Michael Jackson in 1994, divorced on 12/10/1995
1969 ● Patrick Wilson → Drummer for post-grunge alt pop-rock Weezer, "Beverly Hills" (#10, 2005), now fronts The Special Goodness and has toured with Elton John since 1994
1971 ● Ron Welty → Drummer for 90s punk revival The Offspring, "Gone Away" (Mainstream Rock #1, 1997), left to form alt rock Steady Ground in 2003
1975 ● Big Boi (Antwan Andre Patton) → Rapper, songwriter, record producer and actor, half of hip hop duo OutKast, "Ms. Jackson" (#1, 2001) and "Hey Ya" (#1, 2004)
1978 ● Jeff Conrad → Drummer for pop-rock Big City Rock then power pop/indie rock Phantom Planet, "California" (Modern Rock #35, 2002)
1990 ● Laura Marling → Brit neo-folk singer and songwriter, solo and collaboration with indie folk Noah And The Whale, "5 Years Time" (UK #7, 2007)

Feb 02
1927 ● Stan Getz → Renowned jazz saxophonist know as "The Sound" for his warm and lyrical tone, "The Girl From Ipanema" (#5, 1964)
1934 ● Clyde "Skip" Battin → Bassist, backing vocalist and occasional songwriter for The Byrds, Flying Burrito Bros., New Riders Of The Purple Sage, plus session work for country rock bands, solo work, died on 7/6/2003 from complications of Alzheimer's disease
1940 ● Alan Caddy → Guitarist for Brit instrumental rock 'n' roll The Tornados, "Telstar" (#1, 1962), the first major US hit by a British group, then solo and sessions for Kiki Dee, The Pretty Things, Spencer Davis Group, Dusty Springfield and others, died on 8/16/2000
1942 ● Graham Nash → Guitarist, singer and songwriter with pop-rock The Hollies, "Bus Stop" (#5, 1966), left in 1968 to found Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, "Just A Song Before I Go" (#7, 1977), duets with David Crosby, solo
1943 ● Peter Macbeth (McGrath) → Bass guitar for Brit blue-eyed R&B/soul-pop The Foundations, "Baby Now That I've Found You" (#11, 1967)
1945 ● Ronald Goodson → Trumpets for blue-eyed soul one hit wonder John Fred & His Playboy Band, "Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)" (#1, 1968), died 11/4/1980
1946 ● Homer Howard Bellamy → Guitar, mandolin and vocals for country-pop sibling duo The Bellamy Brothers, "Let Your Love Flow" (#1, 1976)
1947 ● Peter Lucia → Drummer for bubblegum-pop Tommy James & The Shondells, "Hanky Panky" (#1, 1966), later psych-pop, "Crimson And Clover" (#1, 1968)
1948 ● Alan McKay → Guitarist for R&B/soul-dance-pop Earth, Wind & Fire, "Shining Star" (#1, 1975)
1949 ● Ross Valory → Bassist in blues-rock then psych-rock then pop-rock Steve Miller Band, "The Joker" (#1, 1974), then Journey, "Who's Crying Now" (#4, 1981)
1963 ● Eva Cassidy → Mixed-genre vocal interpreter of American classics and pop tunes including "Over The Rainbow" (1992), had three UK #1 albums posthumously, died from cancer on 11/2/1996
1964 ● Charlie Heather → Drummer for alt folk-Celtic rock The Levellers, "Just The One" (UK #12, 1995)
1966 ● Robert DeLeo → Bassist for alt hard rock Stone Temple Pilots, "Interstate Love Song" (#18, 1994)
1966 ● Steve Firth → Bassist for post-Brit-pop Embrace, "Natures Law" (Download #2, 2006)
1969 ● John Spence → Original vocalist for "Third Wave" ska-rock No Doubt, "Don't Speak" (Adult Top 40 #1, 1997), committed suicide on 12/21/1987 before the band's first audition with a record company
1971 ● Ben Mize → Drummer for alt-rock Counting Crows, "Mr. Jones" (Modern Rock #2, 1994)
1975 ● Billy Mohler → Bassist for post-grunge alt rock The Calling, "Wherever You Will Go" (#5, 2001)
1977 ● Shakira Isabell Mebarak Ripoll → Colombian-born R&B/contemporary pop singer, "Hips Don't Lie" (worldwide #1, 2006)

Feb 03
1928 ● Frankie Vaughan (Frank Abelson) → Brit film actor and popular singer known as "Mr. Moonlight", recorded over 80 singles, including "Green Door" (UK #2, 1956), died 9/17/1999 of heart failure
1928 ● Michael Valentine "Val" Doonican → Irish folk-pop/easy listening singer and TV host, "Walk Tall" (UK #3, 1964)
1935 ● Johnny "Guitar" Watson → Electric blues guitarist and songwriter, "Space Guitar" (1954) turned R&B/funk-rocker, "A Real Mother For Ya" (#41, R&B #5, 1977), collapsed and died on stage in Japan on 5/17/1996
1940 ● Angelo d'Aleo → Vocals for R&B doo wop Dion & The Belmonts, "Runaround Sue" (#1, 1961)
1943 ● Dennis Edwards → Three-stint member (1968-77, 1979-83, 1992-present) and frequent lead vocalist of R&B giants The Temptations, "My Girl" (#1, 1965) and Grammy-winning "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" (#1, 1972)
1943 ● Eric Haydock → Original bassist for British Invasion pop-rock The Hollies, "Bus Stop" (#5, 1966), fired in 1966 after questioning the manager's honesty, started unsuccessful solo career
1943 ● Shawn Phillips → 60s folk-rock pioneer singer/songwriter, collaborated with Donovan, sang on The Beatles' "Lovely Rita (Meter Maid)", issued light space rock albums and singles in the 70s, including "Lost Horizon" (#63, 1973)
1945 ● Johnny Cymbal (John Hendry Blair) → Scottish-born pop singer, songwriter and producer, sang "Mr. Bass Man" (#16, 1963) as himself and "Cinnamon" (#11, 1968) using his brother's name, Derek, later a country songwriter based in Nashville, died of a heart attack on 3/16/1993
1946 ● Stan Webb → Guitar, vocals and frontman for Brit blues-rock Chicken Shack (featured keyboard player and future Fleetwood Mac member Christine Perfect), "I'd Rather Go Blind" (UK #14, 1969)
1947 ● Dave Davies → Founder (with brother Ray), lead guitarist, backing vocalist and occasional songwriter for The Kinks, "Lola" (#9, 1970), #88 on Rolling Stone magazine's 100 greatest guitarists list
1947 ● Melanie Safka → 60s folk-pop "flower power" singer, songwriter and Woodstock veteran, "Brand New Key" (#1, 1971) and five other early 70s Top 40 hits
1949 ● Arthur "Killer" Kane → Bass guitar for proto-glam-rock New York Dolls, "Personality Crisis" (1973), died 7/13/2004 from complications from leukemia
1951 ● Jeanette Hutchinson → Vocals for R&B/soul-gospel sister trio The Emotions, "Best Of My Love" (#1, 1977)
1956 ● Lee Ranaldo → Co-founder and guitarist for alt rock/avant-garde Sonic Youth, "100%" (Modern Rock #4, 1992)
1959 ● Laurence "Lol" Tolhurst → Founding member and former drummer for post-punk art-glam-goth rock The Cure, "Friday I'm In Love" (Modern Rock #1, 1992), left in 1989, currently with wife Cindy Levinson in alt rock Levinhurst
1960 ● Tim Chandler → Bassist in alternative Christian rock bands Daniel Amos, The Swirling Eddies and The Choir
1965 ● Nick Hawkins → Guitarist for Big Audio Dynamite II, "Rush" (Modern Rock #1, 1991), left in 1997 for solo writing and production career, died of heart attack on 10/10/2005
1970 ● Richie Kotzen → Guitarist for glam-metal Poison, "Stand" (Mainstream Rock #15, 1993), then joined pop-metal "shredder" band Mr. Big and jazz-rock fusion Vertu with former Return To Forever rhythm section Stanley Clarke and Lenny White
1982 ● Jessica Harp → With Michelle Branch, one half of the country-pop duo The Wreckers, "Leave The Pieces" (#34, Country #1, 2006), briefly solo then retired in 2010 to concentrate on songwriting for other artists
1990 ● Sean Kingston (Kisean Jamal Anderson) → Jamaican-born dancehall/reggae-pop rapper, "Beautiful Girls" (#1, 2007)

Feb 04
1941 ● John Steel → Original drummer for British Invasion hard/blues-rock The Animals, "House Of The Rising Sun" (#1, 1964), left in 1966
1944 ● Florence LaRue → Vocals for mainstream R&B/soul-pop The 5th Dimension, "Aquarius" (#1, 1967)
1947 ● Marguerite "Margie" Ganser → With twin sister Mary Ann, vocals for quintessential girl group quartet The Shangri-Las, "Leader Of The Pack" (#1, 1964), died of breast cancer on 7/28/1996
1947 ● Mary Ann Ganser → With twin sister Margie, vocals for quintessential girl group quartet The Shangri-Las, "Leader Of The Pack" (#1, 1964), died of a drug overdose on 3/14/1970
1948 ● Alice Cooper (Vincent Damon Furnier) → Singer and frontman for campy glam-rock the Earwigs and Alice Cooper Band, "School's Out" (#7, 1972)
1950 ● James Dunn → Vocals for R&B/Philly soul The Stylistics, "You Make Me Feel Brand New" (#2, 1974) plus 15 R&B Top 40 singles
1951 ● Phil Ehart → Co-founder, continuous member and drummer for prog/heartland rock Kansas, "Carry On Wayward Son" (#11, 1977), now manages the group's affairs
1952 ● Jerry Shirley → Drummer for Brit blues-rock Humble Pie, "30 Days In The Hole" (1972), sessions and collaborations, re-formed Humble Pie in 80s
1960 ● Tim Booth → Founding member and lead singer for Brit alt pop-rock James, "Sit Down" (UK #2, 1991) and "Laid" (Modern Rock #3, 1994), left in 2001 solo career, rejoined in 2007
1962 ● Clint Black → Trad-country-pop crossover guitarist and singer/songwriter, "When I Said I Do" (#31, Country #1, 1999)
1963 ● Kevin Samuel "Noodles" Wasserman → Lead guitar and backing vocals for punk/metal The Offspring, "Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)" (Mainstream Rock #5, 1998)
1968 ● Steve Queralt → Bassist for Brit neo-psych shoegazing band Ride, "Twisterella" (Modern Rock #12, 1992)
1975 ● Natalie Imbruglia → Aussie-born actress, model and alt pop-rock singer, "Torn" (#1, 1997)
1975 ● Rick Burch → Bassist for alt rock/neo-punk Jimmy Eat World, "The Middle" (#5, Adult Top 40 #2, 2002)
1976 ● Cam'ron (Cameron Giles, aka "Killa Cam") → Grammy-nominated rapper and actor, founded The Diplomats and The U.N., solo, "Oh Boy" (#4, 2002)
1977 ● Gavin DeGraw → Blue-eyed soul and pop-rock singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist, "I Don't Want To Be" (#10, 2004)
1982 ● Kimberly Wyatt → Singer, songwriter, dancer, model, actress and choreographer best known as a former member of the Pussycat Dolls, left in 2010 and continues to perform fronting Her Majesty & The Wolves

Labels: musician birthday, pop star birthdays, rock birthday history, rock birthdays this week, rock birthdays today, rock musician birthdays, rock star birthdays, This Week's Birthdays

Here's a sampling of the best music ever made! - great albums from the 60s, 70s and 80s rock and pop which were released this week (and some related albums of note):


Jan 23

● The Supremes ------ The Supremes Sing Holland-Dozier-Holland ► Soul - Motown >> 1967
● Family ------ A Song For Me ► Prog Rock >> 1970
● Rick Wakeman ------ The Six Wives Of Henry VIII ► Prog Rock >> 1973
● The Kinks ------ Schoolboys In Disgrace ► Rock >> 1976
● David Bowie ------ Station To Station ► Glam Rock >> 1976
● Pink Floyd ------ Animals ► Prog Rock >> 1977
● Elvis Costello ------ Trust ► Alt. Pop-Rock >> 1981
● David Crosby ------ Oh Yes I Can ► Folk-Rock >> 1989
● Stabbing Westward ------ Wither Blister Burn & Peel ► Industrial Rock >> 1996
● John (Cougar) Mellencamp ------ Freedom's Road ► Roots Rock >> 2007
● Little Feat ------ Rocky Mountain Jam ► Southern Rock >> 2007


Jan 24

● Cass Elliott ------ Cass Elliott ► Pop-Rock/Folk-Rock >> 1972
● Michael Jackson ------ Got To Be There ► Soul - Motown >> 1972
● Aretha Franklin ------ Young, Gifted And Black ► Soul >> 1972
● Debbie Gibson ------ Electric Youth ► Pop-Rock >> 1989
● Skid Row ------ Skid Row ► Heavy Metal >> 1989
● Underworld ------ Dubnobasswithmyhead ► Techno Trance >> 1994
● David Crosby ------ It's All Coming Back To Me Now… ► Folk-Rock >> 1995


Jan 25

● Cilla Black ------ Cilla ► Brit Invasion Pop >> 1965
● John Phillips ------ John Phillips (John, The Wolf King Of L.A.) ► Country-Rock >> 1970
● Cher ------ Take Me Home ► Pop-Rock >> 1979
● Phil Collins ------ No Jacket Required ► Pop-Rock >> 1985
● Gary Moore ------ After The War ► Roots Rock (Irish) >> 1989
● Sarah McLachlan ------ Touch ► Folk-Rock >> 1989
● Kenny G ------ The Collection ► Jazz-Pop >> 1993
● Peter Frampton ------ A Day In The Sun ► Arena Rock >> 1994
● New Kids On The Block ------ Face The Music ► Teen Dance-Pop >> 1994
● Alice In Chains ------ Jar Of Flies ► Heavy Metal/Grunge Metal >> 1994
● Meat Puppets ------ Too High To Die ► AA Pop-Rock >> 1994
● Dimmu Borgir ------ Stormblåst ► Heavy Metal/Black Metal >> 1996
● Shpongle ------ Are You Shpongled? ► Psychedelic Ambient >> 1998
● Blindside ------ A Thought Crushed My Mind ► Post Hardcore Punk >> 2000
● D'Angelo ------ Voodoo ► Neo-Soul/Funk >> 2000


Jan 26

● Simon & Garfunkel ------ Bridge Over Troubled Water ► Folk-Pop >> 1970
● Chicago ------ Chicago II ► Jazz-Rock >> 1970
● Elton John ------ Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player ► Pop-Rock >> 1973
● Deep Purple ------ Who Do We Think We Are ► Hard Rock >> 1973
● Generation X ------ Valley Of The Dolls ► Punk Rock >> 1979
● Janet Jackson ------ Control: The Remixes ► Dance-Pop >> 1987
● Public Enemy ------ Yo! Bum Rush the Show ► Hip Hop >> 1987
● David Lee Roth ------ Skyscraper ► Hard Rock >> 1988
● Emerson, Lake & Palmer ------ Live At The Royal Albert Hall ► Prog Rock >> 1993
● The Bouncing Souls ------ Maniacal Laughter ► Punk Rock >> 1996
● Foxy Brown ------ Chyna Doll ► Hip Hop >> 1999
● Dan Swanö ------ Moontower ► Progressive Death Metal >> 1999
● Napalm Death ------ Words From The Exit Wound ► Heavy Metal/Grindcore >> 1999
● Mariah Carey ------ Playlist: The Very Best Of Mariah Carey ► Pop-Rock >> 2010


Jan 27

● The Beach Boys ------ 20/20 ► Pop-Rock >> 1969
● Queen ------ Flash Gordon [Sndtrk] ► Glam Rock >> 1981
● The B-52's ------ Mesopotamia ► New Wave Pop-Rock >> 1982
● John Lennon ------ Milk & Honey ► Pop-Rock >> 1984
● Frank Zappa ------ Does Humor Belong In Music? ► Comedy Rock >> 1986
● The Replacements ------ Don't Tell A Soul ► Alt. Pop-Rock >> 1989
● Slaughter ------ Stick It To Ya ► Hair Metal >> 1990
● Therapy? ------ Pleasure Death ► Alt Metal/Noise Rock >> 1992
● The Human League ------ Octopus ► Synth-Pop >> 1995
● Reef ------ Glow ► Brit Pop >> 1997
● Dixie Chicks ------ Wide Open Spaces ► Country-Rock >> 1998
● Edguy ------ Theater Of Salvation ► Heavy Metal/Power Metal >> 1999
● The Cure ------ Join The Dots: B-Sides & Rarities, 1978-2001 ► Post-Punk >> 2004
● Twista ------ Kamikaze ► Midwest Rap >> 2004
● Bruce Springsteen ------ Working On A Dream ► Heartland Rock >> 2009


Jan 28

● Gentle Giant ------ Playing The Fool [UK] ► Prog Rock >> 1977
● J. Geils Band ------ Love Stinks ► Blues-Rock >> 1980
● Triumph ------ Never Surrender ► Arena Rock >> 1983
● David Lee Roth ------ Crazy From The Heat ► Hard Rock >> 1985
● Black Sabbath ------ Seventh Star ► Hard Rock >> 1986
● Rick Astley ------ Hold Me In Your Arms ► Dance-Pop >> 1989
● Guns N' Roses ------ Lies, The Drugs, The Sex ► Hard Rock >> 1991
● The Afghan Whigs ------ Congregation ► Post-Punk >> 1992
● Current 93 ------ Of Ruine Or Some Blazing Starre ► Industrial/Experimental >> 1994
● Pat Boone ------ In A Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy ► MOR Jazz-Pop >> 1997
● Built To Spill ------ Perfect From Now On ► Indie Rock/Pop-Rock >> 1997
● Lou Reed ------ The Raven ► Art Rock >> 2003


Jan 29

● Miles Davis ------ Filles De Kilimanjaro ► Electric Jazz/Fusion >> 1969
● Buzzcocks ------ Love Bites ► Punk-Rock >> 1997
● Shalamar ------ Friends ► Disco >> 1982
● Huey Lewis & The News ------ Picture This ► Pop-Rock >> 1982
● Yello ------ Stella ► Electro Synth-Pop >> 1985
● Fish ------ Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors ► Prog Rock >> 1990
● The Divinyls ------ Divinyls ► Post-Punk Pop-Rock >> 1991
● Gloria Estefan ------ Into The Light ► Latin Pop >> 1991
● Chicago ------ Twenty 1 ► Jazz-Rock >> 1991
● Susanna Hoffs ------ When You're A Boy ► Pop-Rock >> 1991
● Prince ------ The Truth ► Soul-Funk >> 1998
● Blackmail ------ Science Fiction ► Post-Grunge/Kraut Rock >> 1999

Labels: albums released by date, albums released by year, Albums Released This Week, rock album history, rock album release history, rock albums by date, rock albums by year, rock albums releases

Happy Birthday this week to:

Jan 22
1931 ● Sam Cooke → Pioneering R&B/soul singer, songwriter, record executive and civil rights activist, "You Send Me" (#1, 1957), shot and killed during an altercation with his landlord on 12/11/1964
1940 ● Addie "Mickie" Harris → Vocals for Brill Building pop, girl-group-defining The Shirelles, "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" (#1, 1961), died of a heart attack on stage during an oldies circuit performance on 6/10/1982
1946 ● Malcolm McLaren → Brit performer, impresario and solo artist, "Double Dutch" (UK #3, 1983), manager of the Sex Pistols and New York Dolls, died of cancer 4/8/2010
1949 ● Nigel Pegrum → Drummer for Brit raunch/psych-pop-rock The Small Faces, "Itchycoo Park" (#16, 1968), then prog-rock Uriah Heep, art-rock Gnidrolog and folk-rock Steeleye Span, producer and session drummer
1949 ● Steve Perry (Stephen Ray Pereira) → Lead singer for arena rock Journey beginning in 1977, "Who's Crying Now" (#4, 1981), then solo, "Oh, Sherrie" (#3, 1986), then re-formed Journey 1996, "When You Love A Woman" (Adult Contemporary #1, 1996)
1952 ● Teddy Gentry → Founding member, bass and background vocals for country-pop-rock Alabama, "Love In The First Degree" (#15, 1982)
1960 ● Michael Hutchence → Founding member, lead singer, songwriter and 20-year frontman for Aussie New Wave dance-groove-pop INXS, "Need You Tonight" (#1, 1987), found dead on 11/22/1997 in a Sydney hotel room after an apparent suicide
1965 ● Andrew Roachford → Frontman, vocals and keyboards for Brit urban contemporary R&B Roachford, "Cuddly Toy (Feel For Me)" (# 25, UK #4, 1989)
1965 ● D.J. Jazzy Jeff (Jeffrey Allen Townes) → R&B/hip hop artist, record producer, turntablist and actor, with Will Smith in duo D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, "Summertime" (#4, 1991)
1965 ● Steve Adler → Drummer (1985-90) for hard rock Guns N' Roses, "Sweet Child O' Mine" (#1, 1988), then Road Crew and Adler's Appetite
1969 ● Marc Gay → Vocals for R&B/urban contemporary soul quartet Shai, "If I Ever Fall In Love" (#2, 1992)
1981 ● Ben Robert Moody → Founder, vocals, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist for Grammy-winning goth-pop-metal Evanescence, "Bring Me To Life" (#5, 2003)
1981 ● Willa Ford (Amanda Lee Williford Modano) → Dance-pop singer, songwriter, model, TV and film actress, "I Wanna Be Bad" (Top 40 Mainstream #11, 2001)
1985 ● Orianthi Panagaris → Aussie singer, songwriter and guitarist, "According To You" (#17, 2009), played for Prince and was Michael Jackson's lead guitarist for the ill-fated This Is It tour

Jan 23
1910 ● Jean Baptiste "Django" Reinhardt → Belgian-born gypsie-blooded influential jazz guitar virtuoso, composer and bandleader (Quintette Du Hot Club De France with Stephane Grappelli), many of his popular works are jazz/swing standards, including "Minor Swing" and "Daphne," died from a stroke on 5/16/1953
1944 ● Jerry Lawson → Lead vocals, arranger and producer for a capella The Persuasions, "Chain Gang" (1971), then solo, now with a capella Talk Of The Town
1948 ● Anita Pointer → R&B/soul-pop-disco-dance sister act The Pointer Sisters, "Slow Hand" (#2, 1981)
1950 ● Bill Cunningham → Bass, piano and backing vocals for short-lived blue-eyed soul The Box Tops, "The Letter" (#1, 1967)
1950 ● Danny Federici → Over 40 year friendship and professional association with Bruce Springsteen, played keyboards for Bruce's Steel Mill, Child and The E Street Band, died of melanoma (skin cancer) on 4/17/2008
1953 ● Robin Zander → Lead vocals and rhythm guitar for power pop Cheap Trick, "I Want You To Want Me" (#7, 1979) and "The Flame" (#1, 1988)
1954 ● Richard Finch → Co-founder, producer and bassist for R&B/soul-disco-funk kings KC & The Sunshine Band, "That's The Way (I Like It)" (#1, 1975) and five other #1 hits
1955 ● Reggie Calloway → Multi-instrumental founder and leader (with brother Vincent) of synth-dance-funk Midnight Star, "Operator" (#18, R&B #1, 1990), left to form bro-duo Calloway "I Wanna Be Rich" (#2, 1990)
1957 ● Earl Falconer → Bass and vocals for multiracial reggae-pop UB40, "Red Red Wine" (#1, 1988) and over 30 other Top 40 hits
1971 ● Marc K. Nelson → R&B/urban and jazz fusion singer and songwriter, original member of Boyz II Men, left for solo career, "I Want You" (R&B #26, 1991)
1974 ● Kita (Sampsa Astala) → Drummer for Finnish heavy metal monster-masked Lordi, winners of the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest with "Hard Rock Hallelujah"
1975 ● Nicholas Harmer → Bassist for indie pop/rock Death Cab For Cutie, "Soul Meets Body" (Modern Rock #5, 2005)

Jan 24
1933 ● Ezekial "Zeke" Carey → Founding member and second tenor for sophisticated group harmony R&B/doo wop The Flamingos, "I Only Have Eyes For You", (#11, R&B #3, 1959), died 12/24/1999
1936 ● Doug Kershaw → Cajun country-rock singer/songwriter, bandleader and fiddler, "Louisiana Man" (Country #10, 1961)
1939 ● Ray Stevens (Harold Ray Ragsdale) → Grammy-winning country-pop and often novelty singer, songwriter and producer, "Everything Is Beautiful" (#1, 1970)
1941 ● Aaron Neville → New Orleans R&B/soul-funk singer, "Tell It Like It Is" (R&B #1, 1966), then formed The Neville Brothers, "Yellow Moon" (1989), then solo again, including duets with Linda Ronstadt, "Don't Know Much" (Adult Contemporary #1, 1989)
1941 ● Neil Diamond → Often called the "Jewish Elvis," prolific songwriter, singer and guitarist "Cracklin' Rose" (#1, 1970), plus dozens of Top 40 hits and those covered by others, from The Monkees ("I'm A Believer," #1, 1966) to Deep Purple ("Kentucky Woman," #38, 1968)
1947 ● Warren Zevon → Sardonic singer/songwriter with 15 solo albums and multiple Top 40 hits, including "Werewolves Of London" (#21, 1978), died from asbestos-related lung cancer on 9/7/2003
1949 ● John Belushi → TV and film actor, singer, portrayed "Joliet Jake" Blues in the Saturday Night Live skit and spin-off band The Blues Brothers, "Soul Man" (#14, 1979), died from drug overdose 3/5/1982
1953 ● Matthew Wilder (Weiner) → One hit wonder singer/songwriter, started in early 70s folk-pop duo Matthew & Peter, then pop-rock solo "Break My Stride" (#5, 1983), now record producer
1958 ● Julian Miles "Jools" Holland → Pianist, producer, singer, composer and bandleader, including keyboards for New Wave pop-rock Squeeze, "Tempted" (Mainstream Rock #8, 1981)
1963 ● Keech Rainwater → Drummer for cross-over country-rockers Lonestar, "Amazed" (#1, 1999)
1974 ● Christopher River Hesse → Drummer for post-grunge indie pop-rock Hoobastank, "The Reason" (#2, 2004)
1975 ● Paul Marazzi → Vocals for Brit-Norwegian pop-rock boy band A1, "Same Old Brand New You" (UK #1, 2000)

Jan 25
1915 ● Ewan MacColl → Influential Brit folk revival singer, songwriter, poet and producer, wrote Grammy-winning "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" for Roberta Flack (#1, 1972), died on 10/22/1989 from complications following heart surgery
1931 ● Stig Anderson → Songwriter, producer and manager for Swede superstar pop-rock ABBA, co-wrote several of their biggest hits, including "Dancing Queen" (#1, 1977), died of a heart attack on 9/12/1997
1938 ● Etta James (Jamesetta Hawkins) → Versatile Grammy-winning blues, gospel, R&B/soul and jazz singer, "Tell Mama" (#23, R&B #10, 1968) and the enduring ballad "At Last" (#47, R&B #2, 1961), died on 1/20/2012 from complications of leukemia
1949 ● John Cooper Clarke → The "Bard of Salford", performance poet laureate of the punk movement, "Gimmix" (UK #39, 1979), opened tours for the Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks and Elvis Costello, continues to contribute to poetry journals
1950 ● Michael Cotten → Synthesizers for camp-rock pop-rock satirists The Tubes, "She's A Beauty" (#10, 1978)
1953 ● Malcolm Green → Drummer for New Wave pop-rock Split Enz, "I Got You" (UK #12, 1980)
1956 ● Andy Cox → Guitarist and co-founder of ska revivalist mixed-race The English Beat in 1978, then moved with bandmates to form Fine Young Cannibals, "She Drives Me Crazy" (#1, 1989)
1958 ● Gary Tibbs → Actor and journeyman bass guitarist for Roxy Music, The Vibrators, post-punk New Wave glam-pop Adam & The Ants, "Goody Two Shoes" (#12, 1982), Code Blue and The Fixx
1962 ● Peter Coyle → Vocals for New Wave/New Romantic pop-rock The Lotus Eaters, "The First Picture Of You" (UK #15, 1983), solo
1963 ● Carl Fysh → Vocalist for Brit soul/pop boy band Brother Beyond, "The Harder I Try" (UK #2, 1988)
1971 ● China Wing Kantner → Daughter of Jefferson Airplane' Grace Slick and Paul Kantner, TV and film actress, former MTV VJ
1973 ● Chris Wilkie → Guitarist and vocals for electro-dance-dream pop Dubstar, "Stars" (UK #15, 1996)
1977 ● Christian Ingebrigtsen → Vocals for Brit-Norwegian pop-rock boy band A1, "Same Old Brand New You" (UK #1, 2000)
1981 ● Alicia Keys (Alicia Auguello Cook) → Nine-time Grammy-winning R&B/neo-soul singer, "Fallin'" (#1, 2001) and ten other Top 40 hits, TV and film actress, philanthropist

Jan 26
1926 ● Ronnie Hilton (Adrian Hill) → Brit 50s pop crooner, "No Other Love" (UK #1, 1956) plus 21 other Top 40 hits during the onslaught of rock 'n' doll, BBC radio host of the weekly show Sounds of the Fifties, died of a stroke on 2/21/2001
1934 ● Huey "Piano" Smith → New Orleans "good time" R&B/rock 'n roll pianist, "Rockin' Pneumonia" (R&B #5, 1957), wrote and played on Frankie Ford's "Sea Cruise" (#14, 1959)
1945 ● Ashley "Tyger" Hutchings → Bassist for renowned Brit folk-rock revival bands Fairport Convention, "Si Tu Dos Partir" (UK #21, 1969) and Steeleye Span, "All Around My Hat" (UK #5, 1975)
1946 ● Deon Jackson → R&B/soul singer and songwriter, "Love Makes The World Go 'Round" (#11, 1966)
1948 ● Laurence Gordon "Corky" Laing → Drummer for power rock trio Mountain, "Mississippi Queen" (#21, 1970), then West, Bruce & Laing, solo and collaborations
1949 ● Derek Holt → Guitar and keyboards for Brit blues-rock Climax Blues Band, "Couldn't Get It Right" (#3, 1977)
1951 ● Andy Hummell → Bassist in quintessential power pop cult band Big Star, "September Gurls" (1974, Rolling Stone #178), died from cancer on 7/19/2010
1951 ● David Briggs → Guitarist and songwriter for Aussie pop/rockers Little River Band, wrote "Lonesome Loser" (#6, 1979), now recording engineer and producer
1953 ● Lucinda Williams → Underappreciated country-folk-roots rock singer and songwriter, "Car Wheels On A Gravel Road" (1998) from the Grammy-winning album of the same name
1955 ● Edward Lodewijk "Eddie" Van Halen → Top rock guitarist, frontman, songwriter and vocals for hard rock megastars Van Halen, "Jump" (#1, 1984), solo, collaborations and film score compositions, uncredited guitar solo on Michael Jackson's "Beat It" (#1, 1983)
1958 ● Anita Baker → Grammy-winning R&B/quiet storm singer, "Sweet Love" (#8, 1986)
1958 ● Norman Hassan → Percussion, trombone and vocals for multiracial reggae-pop UB40, "Red Red Wine" (#1, 1988) and over 30 other Top 40 hits
1963 ● Andrew Ridgeley → Vocals for New Wave pop-rock boy band Wham!, "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (#1, 1984) and 6 other US Top 10 hits
1963 ● Jazzie B. (Trevor Beresford Romeo) → DJ, mixmaster, producer and founding member of R&B/dance-pop Soul II Soul, "Back To Life" (#4, 1989)
1964 ● Susannah Melvoin → Vocalist, songwriter and actress, backing singer for Prince, Eric Clapton, Roger Waters and Wendy & Lisa
1966 ● Pim Jones → Guitarist for Scottish contemporary pop-rock Hipsway, "The Honeythief" (#19, 1986)
1970 ● Kirk Franklin → Contemporary gospel singer, songwriter and bandleader, "Looking For You" (#61, 2005)
1972 ● Ya Kid K (Manuela Barbara Kamosi Moaso Djogi) → Belgian studio-based electro-dance-pop "house" music Technotronic, wrote lyrics and sang vocals on "Pump Up The Jam" (#2, 1989), solo

Jan 27
1918 ● Elmore James → The "King of the Slide Guitar," highly influential blues slide guitarist, singer and songwriter, "It Hurts Me Too" (R&B #15, 1960), covered by Jimi Hendrix, The Allman Brothers Band and many others, died from heart failure on 5/24/1963
1919 ● David Seville (Rosdom Sipan "Ross" Bagdasarian) → Armenian-American actor, pianist, singer and songwriter, "Witch Doctor" (#1, 1958), creator of novelty pop Alvin & The Chipmunks, "The Chipmunk Song" (#1, 1958), died of a heart attack on 1/16/1972
1930 ● Bobby "Blue" Bland (Robert Calvin Bland) → R&B/soul-blues-gospel singer and Lifetime Grammy winner, "That's The Way Love Is" (#33, R&B #1, 1963) and 43 other R&B Top 40 hits
1931 ● Rudy Maugeri → Baritone for Canadian pop cover vocal quartet The Crew Cuts, "Sh-Boom" (#1, 1954), died on 5/7/2004
1937 ● Bruce Tate → Baritone singer for one hit wonder R&B/doo wop vocals The Penguins, "Earth Angel" (#8, 1954), one of the earliest pop crossover hits, died on 6/20/1973
1944 ● Kevin Coyne → Underappreciated Brit blues-rock singer, songwriter and bandleader, "Marlene" (1973), poet, author and painter, died of lung failure on 12/2/2004
1944 ● Nick Mason → Drummer and only constant member of space rock Pink Floyd since it formed in 1965, "Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)" (#1, 1979), auto racing driver
1946 ● Nedra Talley → Backing vocals for pop-rock girl group The Ronettes, "Be My Baby" (#2, 1963)
1948 ● Kim Gardner → Bassist in British Invasion pop-rock The Thunderbirds (with Ron Wood), then formed art rock Ashton, Gardner & Dyke, "Resurrection Shuffle" (#40, UK #3, 1971), then sessions and L.A. pub owner, died of cancer on 10/24/2001
1951 ● Brian Downey → Drummer for underrated Irish hard rock Thin Lizzy, "The Boys Are Back In Town" (#12, 1976)
1951 ● Seth Justman → Keyboards and vocals for boogie-blues-rock 'n roll bar band J. Geils Band, wrote "Centerfold" (#1, 1982)
1955 ● Richard Young → Rhythm guitar and vocals for Southern honky tonk-blues-country rock Kentucky Headhunters, "Oh, Lonesome Me" (Country #8, 1990)
1957 ● Janick Robert Gers → Guitarist for Brit heavy metal Iron Maiden, "Wasting Love" (Mainstream Rock #15, 1992)
1961 ● Gillian Gilbert → Keyboards, guitar and vocals for New Wave synth-dance-pop New Order, "Blue Monday" (Dance #5, 1983), formed The Other Two with husband Stephen Morris, "Selfish" (Dance/Club #6, 1993)
1961 ● Margo Timmins → Lead vocalist for Canadian alt-art-country-blues-rock Cowboy Junkies, "Sweet Jane" (Modern Rock #5, 1989)
1961 ● Martin Degville → Lead singer and co-writer for New Wave glam-punk Sigue Sigue Sputnik, "Love Missile F1-11" (Dance/Club #50, UK #3, 1986)
1964 ● Miguel John "Migi" Drummond → Drummer for Brit teen-pop blue-eyed soul Curiosity Killed The Cat, "Down To Earth" (UK #3, 1986)
1968 ● Mike Patton → Vocals for influential metal/funk/hip hop/punk fusion band Faith No More, "Epic" (#9, 1990)
1968 ● Tricky (Adrian Nicholas Matthews-Thaws) → Rap singer with innovative trip hop Massive Attack, "Safe From Harm" (Dance #32, 1991), then solo, "Milk" (UK #10, 1996)
1970 ● Mark Trojanowski → Drummer for Southern folk-rock Sister Hazel, "All For You" (#11, 1997)
1974 ● Mark Owen → Lead vocals and primary songwriter for Brit teen new jack R&B/soul-pop Take That, "Back For Good" (#7, UK #1, 1995), plus ten other UK #1 hits, solo, "Child" (UK #3, 1996) and five other UK Top 30 hits

Jan 28
1927 ● Ronnie Scott (Ronald Schatt) → Influential Brit postwar jazz tenor saxophonist and night club owner/operator, died on 12/23/1996 from an accidental overdose of barbiturates
1929 ● Bernard Stanley "Acker" Bilk → Brit easy listening clarinetist with highest selling instrumental single of all time, "Stranger On The Shore" (#1, 1962)
1936 ● Jack Scott (Giovanni Dominico Scafone, Jr.) → Canadian rock 'n roll, rockabilly and country-pop singer with eight Top 40 singles in less than 3 years, including "Burning Bridges" (#3, 1960)
1941 ● King Tubby (Osbourne Ruddock) → Jamaican electronics and sound engineer, pioneer in developing the "dub" subgenre of reggae music and remixes, shot dead in an apparent robbery outside his home on 2/6/1989
1943 ● Dick Taylor → Guitarist for The Rolling Stones until 1962, then moved to British Invasion raunchy rock 'n roll The Pretty Things, "Don't Bring Me Down" (UK #10, 1964)
1944 ● Brian "Chambers" Keenan → Drummer for early Brit pop-rock Manfred Mann, "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" (#1, 1964), then psychedelic soul-rock The Chambers Brothers, "Time Has Come Today" (#11, 1968), died of heart attack on 10/5/1985
1945 ● Robert Wyatt → Original drummer for psych-art-jazz-prog rock fusion Soft Machine, left to form Matching Mole, then solo career as a singer/songwriter, "Shipbuilding" (UK #36, 1983)
1946 ● Rick Allen → Bassist for short-lived blue-eyed soul The Box Tops, "The Letter" (#1, 1967)
1951 ● William "Billy Bass" Nelson → Original bassist for R&B/funk giants Funkadelic, "One Nation Under A Groove" (#28, 1978), left for solo and session work
1959 ● Dave Sharp (David Kitchingman) → Guitarist for post-punk anthem rockers The Alarm, "Sold Me Down The River" (Mainstream Rock #2, 1989), solo
1962 ● Leslie Ann "Sam" Phillips → Backing vocalist turned Christian pop then alt rock singer/songwriter, "Holding On To The Earth" (Modern Rock #22, 1989), wife of T. Bone Burnett
1963 ● Dan Spitz → Lead guitarist for speed/thrash metal Anthrax, "Only" (Mainstream #26, 1993), brother of Black Sabbath bassist Dave Spitz
1968 ● DJ Muggs (Lawrence Muggerud) → DJ for Latino R&B/hip hop Cypress Hill, "Insane In The Brain" (#19, 1994)
1968 ● Rakim (William Michael Griffin, Jr.) → Rapper, hip hop duo with Eric B., "Move The Crowd" (Dance #3, 1988), author, poet, MC, solo, "When I B On The Mic" (Rap #20, 1999)
1968 ● Sarah McLachlan → Grammy-winning Canadian singer/songwriter, "Adia" (#3, 1998), organized the Lilith Fair music festival/tour for female musicians and groups
1975 ● Lee Latchford-Evans → Vocals and dance routines for pre-fab Brit dance-pop group The Steps, "5, 6, 7, 8" (UK #14, 1997)
1977 ● Joey Fatone → Baritone for teen dance-pop harmony boy band *NSYNC, "It's Gonna Be Me" (#1, 2000)
1977 ● Raphael "Tweety" Brown → Vocals for R&B/urban contemporary duo Next, "Too Close" (#1, 1998)
1980 ● Nick Carter → Singer, songwriter, actor, lead vocals for pop-dance-hip hop Backstreet Boys, "Quit Playing Games With My Heart" (#2, 1997), older brother of Aaron Carter

Labels: pop star birthdays, rock birthday history, rock birthdays today, rock musician birthdays, rock star birthdays, This Week's Birthdays

Here's a sampling of the best music ever made! - great albums from the 60s, 70s and 80s rock and pop which were released this week (and some related albums of note):


Jan 16

● ZZ Top ------ ZZ Top's First Album ► Blues-Rock >> 1971
● Blue Öyster Cult ------ Blue Öyster Cult ► Metal >> 1972
● Michael Jackson ------ Forever, Michael ► Soul >> 1975
● The Temptations ------ A Song For You ► Soul - Motown >> 1975
● Bob Dylan ------ Desire ► Folk-Rock >> 1976
● Wang Chung ------ Points On The Curve ► New Wave/Dance-Pop >> 1984
● Peter Murphy ------ Deep ► Goth Rock >> 1990
● Joan Jett ------ The Hit List ► Hard Rock >> 1990
● The Knack ------ Serious Fun ► Power Pop >> 1991
● Siouxsie And The Banshees ------ The Rapture ► Alt. Rock >> 1995
● Cibo Matto ------ Viva! La Woman ► Trip Hop >> 1996
● America ------ Here & Now ► Folk-Rock >> 2007


Jan 17

● Simon & Garfunkel ------ Sounds Of Silence ► Folk-Pop >> 1966
● Aretha Franklin ------ Soul '69 ► Soul >> 1969
● Joni Mitchell ------ Court And Spark ► Folk-Rock >> 1974
● Bob Dylan ------ Planet Waves ► Folk-Rock >> 1974
● Bob Dylan ------ Blood On The Tracks ► Folk-Rock >> 1975
● John Foxx ------ Metamatic ► New Wave Electronic Pop >> 1980
● Black Sabbath ------ Live Evil ► Hard Rock >> 1983
● Smokey Robinson ------ Yes It's You Lady ► Soul - Motown >> 1983
● Sting ------ The Soul Cages ► Pop-Rock >> 1991
● Green Day ------ Kerplunk ► Alt. Rock >> 1992
● The Roots ------ Do You Want More?!!!??! ► Jazz Rap >> 1995
● Explosions In The Sky ------ How Strange, Innocense ► Instrumental >> 2000
● Pearl Jam ------ Live On Ten Legs ► Hard Rock >> 2011


Jan 18

● Smokey Robinson ------ Deep In My Soul ► Soul/Quiet Storm >> 1977
● Diana Ross ------ An Evening With Diana Ross ► Soul - Motown >> 1977
● Gentle Giant ------ Playing The Fool ► Prog Rock >> 1977
● Warren Zevon ------ Excitable Boy ► Pop-Rock >> 1978
● Sheena Easton ------ Take My Time ► Pop-Rock >> 1981
● Jean-Luc Ponty ------ Mystical Adventures ► Jazz-Rock Fusion >> 1982
● Bryan Adams ------ Cuts Like A Knife ► Pop-Rock >> 1983
● Soul Asylum ------ Made To Be Broken ► Alt. Rock/Garage Rock >> 1986
● AC/DC ------ Blow Up Your Video ► Hard Rock >> 1988
● ZZ Top ------ Antenna ► Blues-Rock >> 1994
● Mark Lanegan ------ Whiskey For The Holy Ghost ► Roots Rock >> 1994
● Gotthard ------ G. ► Hard Rock >> 1996


Jan 19

● The Manhattan Transfer ------ Pastiche ► Jazz-Pop >> 1978
● Frank Zappa ------ Sleep Dirt ► Art Rock >> 1979
● The Pretenders ------ Pretenders ► Post-Punk >> 1980
● Styx ------ Paradise Theater ► Prog/Art Rock >> 1981
● Megadeth ------ So Far, So Good…So What! ► Heavy Metal >> 1988
● Fairport Convention ------ Jewel In The Crown ► Folk-Rock >> 1995
● Roanne Cash ------ The Wheel ► Country-Folk >> 1993
● Extreme ------ Waiting For The Punchline ► Pop-Metal >> 1995


Jan 20

● The Beatles ------ Meet the Beatles! ► Pop-Rock >> 1964
● The Rolling Stones ------ Between the Buttons [UK] ► Blues-Rock >> 1967
● Jerry Garcia ------ Garcia ► Album Rock >> 1972
● Jimmy Buffett ------ Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes ► Folk-Rock >> 1977
● Gerry Rafferty ------ City To City ► Pop-Rock >> 1978
● Journey ------ Infinity ► Prog/Art Rock >> 1978
● XTC ------ White Music ► New Wave Pop-Rock >> 1978
● The Oak Ridge Boys ------ American Made ► Country-Pop >> 1983
● Def Leppard ------ Pyromania ► Hard Rock >> 1983
● Bruce Willis ------ The Return Of Bruno ► Pop-Soul >> 1987
● Daft Punk ------ Homework [UK] ► House >> 1997
● Ace Frehley ------ Loaded Deck ► Pop-Metal >> 1998
● Air ------ Moon Safari ► Chillout >> 1998


Jan 21

● Them ------ Them Again [UK] ► Garage Rock >> 1966
● Canned Heat ------ Boogie With Canned Heat ► Folk-Rock >> 1968
● Simon & Garfunkel ------ The Graduate [Sndtrk] ► Folk-Pop >> 1968
● Ashford & Simpson ------ So So Satisfied ► Soul/Quiet Storm >> 1977
● Split Enz ------ True Colours ► New Wave Pop-Rock >> 1980
● Loudness ------ The Law Of The Devil's Land ► Heavy Metal/Japanese Metal >> 1983
● Eurythmics ------ Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) ► New Wave Synth-Pop >> 1983
● Bon Jovi ------ Bon Jovi ► Hard Rock >> 1984
● The Pretenders ------ Learning To Crawl ► Post-Punk >> 1984
● Slick Shoes ------ Slick Shoes ► Pop Punk >> 1997


Jan 22

● Dr. John ------ Gris-Gris ► Soul-Blues >> 1968
● Aretha Franklin ------ Lady Soul ► Soul >> 1968
● Spirit ------ Spirit ► Psychedelic Rock >> 1968
● Chagall Guevara ------ Chagall Guevara ► Contemporary CCM >> 1991

Labels: albums released by date, albums released by year, Albums Released This Week, rock albums by date, rock albums by year, rock albums releases