October 26th

Natalie Merchant
Keith Urban
Mahalia Jackson
Al Casey
Kristen Hall
Bootsy Collins
The Roches

Musical  Birthday Notes – October 26th

  • Mahalia Jackson – New Orleans gospel singer – referred to as “The Queen of Gospel” – (10/26/1911 – 1/27/1972)
  • Neal Matthews, Jr. – country singer – The Jordanaires – best known for backing up Elvis Presley – (10/26/1929 – 4/21/2000)
  • Al Casey – guitarist – session musician – The Wrecking Crew – Rockabilly Hall of Fame – associated acts include – The Beach Boys – Duane Eddy –  (10/26/1936 – 9/17/2006)
  • John “Jabo” Starks – funk-blues drummer – best known with – James Brown – 10/26/1937 – 5/1/2018)
  • Mike Piano – folk rock group – The Sandpipers –  group is best known for 1970 hit – Come Saturday Morning – 1944
  • Alan Henderson – bassist – Them – group hits include – Gloria – Here Comes The Night – Mystic Eyes – (10/26/1944 – 4/9/2017)
  • Keith Hopwood – singer/songwriter/composer/producer – best known as rhythm guitar and backing vocals for 60’s pop group – Herman’s Hermits – 1946
  • Bootsy Collins – singer/songwriter/musician – best known for bass and vocals with – James Brown – Parliament-Funkadelic – solo artist – 1997 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – 1951
  • Maggie Roche – folk-rock singer/songwriter – associated acts include – The Roches – (10/26/1951- 1/21/2017)
  • David Was (David Weiss) – musician – Was Not Was – group hits include – Walk The Dinosaur – 1952
  • Keith Strickland – multi-instrumentalist/composer – founding member of – The B-52’s – group hits include – Love Shack – Rock Lobster – Roam – 1953
  • Kristen Hall – country singer/songwriter/mandolin/acoustic guitar – founding member of – Sugarland – solo artist – 1962
  • Natalie Merchant – alt-rock singer/songwriter/musician – 10,000 Maniacs – group hits include – These Are Days – What’s The Matter Here – Trouble Me – Candy Everybody Wants – solo artist – hits include – Wonder – Jealousy – Kind And Generous – 1963
  • Keith Urban – multiple award winning country singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer/TV personality – hits include – Blue Ain’t Your Color – Somebody Like You – Without You – You Gonna Fly – Sweet Thing – 1967
  • Mark Barry – pop singer – BBMak – group hits include – Back Here – Still On Your Side – Out Of My Heart (Into Your Head) – 1978