January 26th

Huey “Piano” Smith
Eddie Van Halen
Lucinda Williams
Thom Bell
Anita Baker
Hoobastank
Payton Smith
Adam Rafferty
Tom Keifer
Derek Holt
Wham!
Jean Knight

Musical Birthday Notes – January 26th

  • Huey “Piano” Smith – New Orleans R&B pianist – best known for – Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu – (1/26/1934 – 2/13/2023)
  • Gary McSpadden – gospel singer/songwriter/producer/TV host/pastor – associated acts include – The Oak Ridge Boys – Bill Gaither Trio – The Imperials – awards include – 1989 Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame – 1998 -1999 – 2000 Gospel Music Hall of Fame – (1/26/1943 – 4/15/2020)
  • Jean Knight – New Orleans R&B-soul-funk singer – best known for 1971 hit – Mr. Big Stuff – (1/26/1943 – 11/22/2023)
  • Thom Bell – Jamaican born-American singer/songwriter/pianist/producer/arranger/composer – (1/26/1943 – 12/22/2022)
  • Corky Laing – Canadian drummer/songwriter – best known with rock group – Mountain – 1948
  • Derek Holt – keyboards/guitar/bass guitar/singer – best known as a founding member of British blues rock group – Climax Blues Band – writer and lead vocalist on their 2nd biggest hit – I Love You – 1949
  • Andy Hummel – bassist/singer/songwriter – Big Star – (1/26/1951 – 7/19/2010)
  • David Briggs – Australian singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer – best known with – Little River Band from 1976 to 1981 – hits include – Lonesome Loser (writer) – Happy Anniversary (co-writer) – Lady – Cool Change – 1951
  • Billy Greer – rock bassist/vocals – associated acts include – Kansas – Streets – Native Window – Seventh Key – 1952
  • Lucinda Williams – multi-award winning singer/songwriter/acoustic guitar – Louisiana native – 1953
  • Eddie Van Halen – guitarist/keyboards/songwriter/producer/arranger  – Van Halen – considered to be one of the greatest and most influential guitarists of the 20th century – 2007 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – (1/26/1955 – 10/6/2020)
  • Anita Baker – multi-award winning R&B singer/songwriter – hits include – Sweet Love – Caught Up In The Rapture – 1958
  • Norman Hassan – British singer/trombone/percussion – UB40 – group hits include – Red Red Wine – 1958
  • Charles “Charlie” Gillingham – keyboards/multi-instrumentalist – associated acts include – Counting Crows – Train – 1960
  • Tom Keifer – singer/guitarist/songwriter – best known with metal group – Cinderella – solo artist – 1961
  • Andrew Ridgeley – English pop singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer – Wham! – hits include – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go – Careless Whisper – 1963
  • Adam Rafferty – jazz guitarist – known for his unique pop song arrangements of artists such as – Stevie Wonder – The Beatles – Michael Jackson – as well as his beatboxing skills while playing guitar – 1969
  • Kirk Franklin – Grammy winning gospel singer/songwriter/pianist – 1970
  • Chris Hesse – drummer/backing vocals – Hoobastank – group best known for the 2003 hit – The Reason – 1974
  • Willie Adler – metal guitarist – best known with – Lamb Of God – 1976
  • Dante DeCaro – Canadian guitarist/songwriter – associated acts include – Hot Hot Heat – Wolf Parade – Johnny and The Moon – 1988
  • Matt Heafy – metal guitarist/singer – best known with – Trivium – 1986
  • Payton Smith – country rock singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist – songs include – Run Girl – Need You To Not – 2000