July 2nd

Musical Birthday Notes – July 2nd

  • Marvin Rainwatercountry-rockabilly singer/songwriter – songs include – Gonna Find Me A Bluebird – Nothin’ Needs Nothin’ (Like I Need You) – Whole Lotta Woman – (7/2/1925 – 9/17/2013)
  • Billy Usselton – jazz saxophone/clarinet/oboe – associated acts include – Tommy Dorsey – Sonny Dunham – Ray Anthony – Bill Harris – (7/2/1926 – 9/5/1994)
  • Lee Allen – jazz saxophonist – best known from the New Orleans rock scene in the 50’s – associated acts include – Little RichardFats DominoShirley & Lee – (7/2/1927 – 10/18/1994)
  • Ahmad Jamal – award winning jazz pianist/composer/bandleader/educator – (7/2/1930 – 4/16/2023)
  • Sammy Turnerpop singer – best known for 1959 hit – Lavender-Blue – 1932
  • Tom Springfield – award winning English singer/songwriter/guitar/piano – best known with – The Springfields – which included his sister – the late Dusty Springfield – group hits include – Silver Thread And Golden Needles – (7/2/1934 – 7/27/2022)
  • Dee Palmer – keyboardist/clarinet/composer/arranger – best known with Jethro Tull from 1972 to 1980 – group songs include – Aqualung – Thick As A Brick – Bungle In The Jungle – 1937
  • Paul Williams – R&B-soul-pop singer – original lead vocalist for – The Temptations – 1989 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – 1999 Vocal Group Hall of Fame – 2013 Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame – (7/2/1939 – 8/17/1973)
  • William Guest – R&B-pop singer/songwriter/producer – 1996 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of – Gladys Knight & The Pips – (7/2/1941 – 12/24/2015)
  • Johnny Colla – guitarist/saxophonist/singer/songwriter – founding member of – Huey Lewis & The News – co-writing credits include – The Heart Of Rock & Roll – If This Is It – The Power Of Love – Back In Time – associated acts include – Sly and The Family Stone – Van Morrison – 1952
  • Roy “The Professor” Bittan – keyboardist/accordion/songwriter/session musician – best known with – Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band – 2014 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – 1949
  • Joe Puerta bassist/vocals – co-founder of – Ambrosia – group hits include – Holdin’ On To Yesterday – Biggest Part Of Me – How Much I Feel – associated acts include – Sheena EastonBruce Hornsby and The Range – 1951
  • Gene Taylor – boogie rock piano/guitar – best known as pianist with – The Fabulous Thunderbirds – associated acts include – The Blasters – Canned HeatBig Joe TurnerT-Bone Walker – (7/2/1952 – 2/20/2021)
  • Pete Briquette – Irish bassist/keyboardist/composer/backing vocals – Boomtown Rats – Bob Geldof’s band – 1954
  • Jeff Cooper – guitarist/keyboardist – Midnight Star – group hits include – No Parking On The Dance Floor – 1956
  • Dave Parsons – British bassist – known as the original bassist of grunge band – Bush – associated acts include – The Partisans – Transvision Vamp – 1965
  • Colin Edwin – Australian bassist – best known with progressive rock group – Porcupine Tree – 1970
  • Monie Love (Simone Johnson) – British rapper/radio personality – albums include – In A Word Or 2 – Down To Earth – 1970
  • William “Rocky” Gray – drums/guitar/multi-instrumentalist/backing vocals – numerous act associations including – Evanescence – Living Sacrifice – Solus Deus – 1974
  • Michelle Branch – multi-award winning pop/country singer/songwriter/guitarist – solo artist – hits include – Everywhere – All You Wanted – Goodbye To You – Are You Happy Now – Breathe – The Wreckers – hits include – Leave The Pieces – My, Oh My – 1983
  • Ashley Tisdale pop singer/actress/model/producer – albums include – Headstrong – Guilty Pleasure – Symptoms – 1985
  • Ruth B – Canadian R&B singer/songwriter/pianist – songs include – Lost Boy – Dandelions – 1995
  • Caroline Kolepop singer/songwriter/guitar – songs include – Freaking Out! – Missing Each Other – Easy – 1997