August 15th

Musical Birthday Notes – August 15th

  • Rose Maddoxcountry singer/songwriter/fiddler – fronted the Maddox Brothers & Rose band called “The Most Colorful Hillbilly Band in America – solo artist – several duets with Buck Owens – (8/15/1925 – 4/15/1998)
  • Oscar “O.P.” Petersonjazz pianist/composer – dubbed “Maharaja of the keyboard” by Duke Ellington – (8/15/1925 – 12/23/2007)
  • Bill Pinkney – R&B singer/performer – The Drifters – 1988 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – (8/15/1925 – 7/4/2007)
  • Robert Lee “Bobby” Helms rockabilly singer – best known for – Fraulein – My Special Angel – and the holiday classic – Jingle Bell Rock – (8/15/1933 – 6/19/1997)
  • Floyd Ashton – singer – The Tams – best known for 1964 hit – What Kind Of Fool (Do You Think I Am) – 1933
  • Bobby Byrd – R&B-soul singer/songwriter/bandleader/talent scout/producer/musician – The Famous Flames – also known for discovering James Brown – 2012 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – (8/15/1934 – 9/12/2007)
  • Nesbert “Stix” Hooper – jazz drummer – best known as a founding member of – The Crusaders – 1938
  • Sister Janet Mead – Australian Catholic nun/singer/pianist – best known for 1974 pop-rock singing version of – The Lord’s Prayer – (8/15/1938 – 1/26/2022)
  • Norma Waterson – English folk singer/songwriter – best known an original member of – The Watersons – (8/15/1939 – 1/30/2022)
  • Don Rich (Donald Eugene Ulrich) – guitar/fiddle/vocals – helped develop the Bakersfield sound in the early 60’s as a member of Buck Owens backing band The Buckaroos – (8/15/1941 – 7/17/1974)
  • Pete York – British drummer – original member of – The Spencer Davis Group –  numerous artist associations including – Eric Clapton’s Powerhouse – 1942
  • Frederick KnightR&B singer/songwriter/producer – best known for – I’ve Been Lonely For So Long – 1944
  • Jimmy Webb songwriter/composer/singer – best known for writing – By The Time I Get To Phoenix – Wichita Lineman – by Glen Campbell – The Highwayman – by Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson – 1946
  • Gerardo “Jerry” Valez – percussion/congas/drums/harmonica/vocals – Spyro Gyra – also known for his performance with Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock – 1947
  • Tom Johnston – singer/songwriter/guitarist – co-founder of – The Doobie Brothers – hits include – Listen To The Music – Long Train Runnin’ – China Grove – 2004 Vocal Group Hall of Fame – 2020 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – associated acts include – The Tom Johnston Band – 1948
  • Kate Taylorsinger/songwriter – best known for – It’s In His Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song) – younger sister of singer/songwriter James Taylor – 1949
  • Billy Griffin – singer/songwriter – best known for replacing Smokey Robinson as lead singer of The Miracles in 1972 – 1950
  • Tommy Aldridge – rock drummer – associated acts include – Black Oak Arkansas Pat Travers BandOzzy Osbourne Gary MooreWhitesnakeTed NugentThin Lizzie – Vinnie Moore – Yngwie Malmsteen – 1950
  • Bobby Caldwellblue-eyed soul singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist – best known for 1978 hit – What You Won’t Do For Love – (8/15/1951 – 3/14/2023)
  • Vinnie Denunzio – drummer – associated acts include – The FeeliesThe Aquanettas – Richard Lloyd – 1956
  • Matt Johnson – singer/songwriter/guitar/piano/organ/percussion – best known with – The The – 1961
  • Paul Jefferson – country singer/songwriter – best known for 1996 song – Check Please – and for co-writing Aaron Tippin‘s 1995 #1 hit – That’s As Close As I’ll Get To Loving You – married to country singer – Lisa Brokop – 1961
  • Marcia Schofield – keyboards/percussion/vocals – best known with – The Fall – 1962
  • Bernard Fanning – singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist – best known with – Powderfinger – solo artist – 1969
  • Michael Graham – singer/songwriter/musician/producer/actor – Boyzone – 1972
  • Tim Foreman – bassist – award winning alt-rock Christian rock group – Switchfoot – 1978
  • Danelle Leverett – singer/guitar/banjo/harmonica – The JaneDear Girls – group hits include – Wildflower – 1983
  • Ted Dwane – British bassist/songwriter/singer/multi-instrumentalist – Mumford & Sons – associated acts include – Moulettes – 1984
  • Dave Welsh – guitar/bass – multi-award winning band – The Fray – group hits include – How To Save A Life – Over My Head – You Found Me – 1984
  • Joe Jonas – pop singer/songwriter/producer/musician/actor  – Jonas Brothers DNCE – 1989
  • Alex Shelnut – drummer – A Day To Remember – 1990
  • Dani Washington – drummer – award winning Welsh pop-punk band – Neck Deep – 1994
  • Tristan Evans – drummer/backup vocals/producer – The Vamps – 1994