August 31st

Musical Birthday Notes – August 31st

  • “Spider” John Koerner – blues guitarist/singer/songwriter/harmonica – part of group – Koerner, Ray & Glover – 1983 named Best Folk Group by the Minnesota Music Academy – 1985 inducted in the Minnesota Music Academy Hall of Fame – 1938
  • Jerry Allison – drummer/songwriter – Buddy Holly & The Crickets – co-writer of – That’ll Be The Day – Peggy Sue – 2007 Musicians Hall of Fame – 2012 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – (8/31/1939 – 8/22/2022)
  • Bob Welch – singer/songwriter/guitar/bass – Fleetwood Mac – Paris – solo artist – hits include – Sentimental Lady – Ebony Eyes – Precious Love – Hot Love, Cold World – (8/31/1946 – 6/7/2012)
  • Van Morrison – Northern Irish multi-award winning singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist – hits include – Brown Eyed Girl – Wild Night – Moondance – Domino – 1993 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – 2003 Songwriters Hall of Fame – 2017 Americana Music Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting – 1945
  • Ricky Gardiner – Scottish guitarist/composer – associated acts include – David BowieIggy Pop – (8/31/1948 – 5/13/2022)
  • Rudolph Schenker – German guitarist/bassist/vocalist/songwriter – founder of – The Scorpions – associated acts include – UFO – 1948
  • Rick Robertscountry-rock singer/songwriter/musician – was founding member and lead vocalist of – Firefall – associated acts include – The Flying Burrito Brothers – 1949
  • Bruce Soboroff – keyboards/vocals – sunshine pop band – The Buckinghams – group hits include – Kind Of A Drag – Don’t You Care – Mercy, Mercy, Mercy – 1952
  • Anthony “Anto” Thistlethwaite – British folk-rock multi-instrumentalist – founding member of – The Waterboys – associated acts include Irish rock band – The Saw Doctors – 1955
  • Glenn Tilbrook – English singer/songwriter/guitar/keyboards – SqueezeDifford & Tilbrook – Glenn Tilbrook and The Fluffers – solo artist – 1957
  • Gina Schock – drummer – The Go-Go’s – 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – group hits include – We Got The Beat – Vacation – Our Lips Are Sealed – 1957
  • Tony DeFranco – pop singer – The DeFranco Family – group hits include – Heartbeat It’s A Lovebeat – Abra-Ca-Dabra – 1959
  • Chris Whitley blues-rock singer/songwriter/guitarist/banjo/dobro – songs include – Big Sky Country – Phone Call From Leavenworth – Living With The Law – (8/31/1960 – 11/20/2005)
  • Bruce Guthro – Canadian singer/songwriter/musician – associated acts include – Scottish Celtic rock band – Runrig – (8/31/1961 – 9/5/2023)
  • David Chastain – metal guitar/bass/keyboards/vocals/producer/talent manager – owner of Leviathan Records – associated acts include – Spike – CJSS – Chastain – Zanister – Southern Gentlemen – 1963
  • Larry Waddell – piano/keyboards – R&B/funk band – Mint Condition – group hits include – U Send Me Swingin’ – What Kind Of Man Would I Be? – Nothing Left To Say – 1963
  • Gene Hoglan – metal drummer – known as – The Atomic Clock – The Human Drum Machine – associated acts include – Dark AngelFear FactoryViking – 1967
  • Jeff Russo – singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer/composer – founding member of – Tonic – group hits include – Open Up Your Eyes – If You Could Only See – Take Me As I Am – Release Me – founding member of acoustic rock group – Low Stars – 1969
  • Reb Beach – rock guitarist/vocals – associated acts include – WhitesnakeWingerDokkenThe Mob – 1963
  • Debbie Gibsonpop singer/songwriter/producer/actress/TV personality – hits include – Foolish Beat – Out Of The Blue – Lost In Your Eyes – Only In My Dreams – 1970
  • Craig Nicholls – Australian singer/songwriter/guitarist – alt-rock band – The Vines – 1977
  • Simon Neil – Scottish alt-rock singer/songwriter/guitarist – associated acts include – Biffy Clyro – Marmaduke Duke – 1979
  • Andy States – indie-pop singer/guitar – CRUISR – group songs include – Go For It – Mind Eraser – Get Out – 1985
  • Riley McDonough – lead singer/songwriter/bass/guitar – pop-rock band – Before You Exit – 1995