| 1826 | Stephen Foster, Songwriter of about 200 songs - "Camptown Races". He is one of the most enduring figures in 19th century American music; a status borne out by the fact that he and his music are still being discussed in the 21st century. He died in 1864.
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| 1893 | Maurice Durand, Traditional jazz trumpeter from New Orleans, Louisiana. Early in his musical career he performed with the 'Onward Bass Band' and the 'Tuxedo Brass Band'. Throughout the 1920's he also led his own group. He moved to California and died there in November, 1961.
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| 1895 | Steve Angrum, Traditional jazz clarinetist from New Roads, Louisiana. He was a member of the Elton Theodore Band until the mid-twenties. After that he worked regularly with Kid Howard, Kid Clayton and Charlie Love. Later, during the 1950's he played with Louis Keppard, and 'Sweet' Emma Barrett at the Happy Landing. Angrum died in New Orleans in November of 1961.
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| 1910 | 'Champion' Jack Dupree, Barrelhouse pianist from down home New Orleans. He was a formidable contender in the ring before he shifted his focus to pounding the piano instead, Champion Jack Dupree often injected his lyrics with a rowdy sense of down-home humor. But there was nothing lighthearted about his rock-solid way with a boogie; when he shouted "Shake Baby Shake," the entire room had no choice but to acquiesce. He died in 1992.
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| 1911 | Mitch Miller, For almost 15 years, beginning in 1950, Mitch Miller was a major force in the recording industry. Not only was he one of the most most powerful men in that industry, as the head of A&R (artists and repertory) at Columbia Records, but he was one of the most popular recording artists at Columbia Records, responsible for dozens of chart singles and also hosting his own top-rated network television show. (114) |
| 1921 | Annie Turner, A blues singer and a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. She is probably most well-known for her association with Little Brother Montgomery, but she also recorded with Big Joe Williams, Robert Nighthawk, Sonny Boy Williamson and many other blues performers. (104) |
| 1923 | Wendell DuConge, A saxophonist and a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. He was a 3rd generation New Orleans family musician. He played on Jazz records between 1951 and 1958, which numbered about 20 recording sessions. He then spent a long tenure with Fat Domino. He also recorde with T-Bone Walker. Wendell passed away in 1980 (102) |
| 1937 | Ray Pillow, Singer - "Take Your Hands Off My Heart". He was also a songwriter best known as a prominent publisher renowned for his rare gift of matching performers with high-quality songs right for their style.
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| 1938 | Bill Withers, Grammy Award winning songwriter and singer - "Ain't No Sunshine".
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| 1944 | (Chicago) Bob Nelson, A Harmonicist, singer, songwriter and a native of Bogalusa, Louisiana. His father, Versie Nelson, played upright bass and harmonica, where Bob learned his chops a a youngster. He was encouraged to play and influenced by his fathers friends Slim Harpo, Lazy Lester and Jimmy Reed. He went to chicago in the 1960's, where he performed with Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Earl Hooker and Muddy Waters. Throughout his career he has toured with Luther "Snake Boy" Johnson, Tinsley Ellis and John Lee Hooker. (81) |
| 1951 | Smoky Greenwell, A harmonica player from Michigan. He learned to play in the 1970's, and his career as a first-call sessions player began at Sam Phillips' Sun Studios. He came to New Orleans in 1981 for an engagement at the now legendary (and defunct) Old Absinthe Bar and decided to stay. Since that time, he has shared stages with Snooks Eaglin, Marc Adams, Eddie Bo, "Big" Al Carson, Brint Anderson, Jumpin' Johnny Sansone, Coco Robicheaux and many others. (74) |
| 1953 | Kirk (Jelly Roll) Johnson), A studio hamonica player and a native of Lake Charles, Louisiana. After touring with several rock, blues and country groups, he settled in Knoxville to work with the Tommy Cole Band. He settled in Nashville in 1984, and began a recordong career, which has now included recordings with Trisha Yearwood, Kenny Rogers, Etta James, Guy Clark, Lee Ann Womack, Travis Tritt, Shania Twain, The Judds, Alan Jackson and many others. he can be heard on over 50 gold and platinum albums, including three Grammy winning albums by Randy Travis. (72) |
| 1955 | John Waite, As a solo artist and as the lead singer of the "Babys" and "Bad English", he was a fixture album-oriented rock radio stations during the '70s and '80s. Waite had a talent for power ballads and driving arena-rock, occasionally touching on New Wave-styled power-pop, as well.
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| 1980 | Shamarr Allen, A trumpeter and a native of the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana. He was a member if the Rebirth Brass Band, and is a solo artist. Additionally, he's contributed to performances and recordings by Patti LaBelle, Lenny Kravitz, Harry Connick Jr., Branford Marsalis, Willie Nelson, Ray Price, Leon Russell, and R.E.M.
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