July 4th

Musical Birthday Notes – July 4th

  • Ray Pillowcountry music singer/publisher/A&R rep – songs include – Thank You Ma’am – I’ll Take The Dog (w/Jean Shepard) – 1966 member of Grand Ole Opry – (7/4/1937 – 3/26/2023)
  • Bill Withersmulti-award winning R&B singer/songwriter/musician/producer/guitar/keyboards – hits include – Lean On Me – Ain’t No Sunshine – Just The Two Of Us – Lovely Day – Use Me – 2006 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award – 2007 Western Virginia Music Hall of Fame – 2015 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – (7/4/1938 – 3/30/2020)
  • Dave Rowberry – English singer/songwriter/piano/organ – The Animals – group hits include – We Gotta Get Out Of This Place – It’s My Life – Don’t Bring Me Down – See See Rider – (7/4/1940 – 6/6/2003)
  • Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson – singer/songwriter/guitar/harmonica – best known with – Canned Heat – group hits include – Going Up The Country – On The Road Again – (7/4/1943 – 9/3/1970)
  • Butch Miles (Charles J. Thornton Jr.) – jazz drummer – best known with – Frank SinatraElla FitzgeraldCount Basie Orchestra – 1944
  • Jeremy Spencer – British blues-rock singer/songwriter/guitar/piano – 1967-71 was an original member of – Fleetwood Mac – 1998 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – associated acts include folk trio – Steetley – 1948
  • Ralph Johnson – singer/songwriter/drums/percussion/keyboards – Earth, Wind & Fire – 2000 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – 1951
  • John Waite – English singer/songwriter/guitar/bass  – The Babys Bad Englishsolo artist – hits include – Missing You – When I See You Smile (with Bad English) – Isn’t It Time (with The Babys) – 1955
  • Thomas ‘Mensi’ Mensforth – original lead singer of English punk rock band – Angelic Upstarts – (7/4/1956 – 12/10/2021)
  • Deon Estusbassist/singer/songwriter – best known with – Wham!George Micheal – (4/7/1956 – 10/11/2021)
  • Kirk Pengilly – Australian saxophonist/guitar/flute/percussion/backing vocals – INXS – 1958
  • Bill McCorvey – country singer/songwriter/guitar – Pirates Of The Mississippi – group hits include – Feed Jake – Honky Tonk Blues – Til I’m Holding You Again – 1959
  • Michael Sweet – rock singer/songwriter/guitarist/piano/producer – associated acts include – StryperBoston – Sweet & Lynch – 1963
  • Mark Slaughter – singer/songwriter/musician/producer – Slaughter – Vinnie Vincent Invasion – 1964
  • Andrew Creeggan – Canadian guitar/piano/accordion/drums/percussion – best known with – Barenaked Ladies – group hits include – One Week – It’s All Been Done – associated acts include – The Brothers Creeggan – 1971
  • William Goldsmith – drummer – associated acts include – Foo Fighters – Sunny Day Real Estate – Brawley Banks – 1972
  • Stephen McNally – English pop singer/songwriter/guitar -associated acts include – BBMak– 10 Reasons To Live – 1978