Pick a Day

Music History Events: Births

February 21, 1943 Record executive David Geffen, founder of Geffen Records and the film company DreamWorks, is born in Borough Park, Brooklyn.

February 19, 1943 Lou Christie ("Lightnin' Strikes") is born in Pennsylvania.

February 14, 1943 Folk singer Eric Andersen is born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but grows up in Snyder, New York.

February 14, 1943 Saxophone player Maceo Parker is born in Kinston, North Carolina. He becomes an integral part of James Brown's band, and also plays with Prince.

February 11, 1943 Blues singer Little Johnny Taylor is born in Arkansas.

February 10, 1943 Ral Donner, known for the 1961 hit "You Don't Know What You've Got (Until You Lose It)," is born in Norwood Park, Chicago.

February 9, 1943 Barbara Lewis is born in Salem, Michigan.

February 8, 1943 Creed Bratton of The Grass Roots is born William Charles Schneider in Los Angeles, California. Many know him for something else: he plays the character Creed on the US version of The Office.

February 6, 1943 "50s teen idol Fabian is born Fabiano Forte in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

February 5, 1943 Chuck Winfield (trumpet player for Blood, Sweat & Tears) is born.

February 3, 1943 Dennis Edwards (of The Temptations) is born in Fairfield, Alabama. He replaces lead singer David Ruffin in 1968.

February 3, 1943 Eric Haydock (original bass guitarist for The Hollies) is born in Stockport, Cheshire, England.

February 3, 1943 Folk rocker Shawn Phillips is born in Fort Worth, Texas. He starts his music career as a session musician for Donovan.

January 28, 1943 Dick Taylor (lead guitarist for The Pretty Things) is born in Dartford, Kent, England.

January 28, 1943 Brian Keenan (drummer for Manfred Mann, The Chambers Brothers) is born in New York.

January 26, 1943 Jean Knight is born Jean Caliste in New Orleans, Louisiana.

January 18, 1943 English composer/keyboardist Dave Greenslade is born in Woking, Surrey, England.

January 17, 1943 '60s singer Chris Montez is born Ezekiel Christopher Montanez in Los Angeles, California.

January 16, 1943 Ronnie Milsap is born in Robbinsville, North Carolina. He becomes country music's first successful blind singer, starting with his first chart-topper, "Pure Love," in 1974.

January 9, 1943 Kenneth "Wally" Kelly, tenor vocalist in The Manhattans, is born in Jersey City, New Jersey.

January 8, 1943 Lee Jackson of The Nice is born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

January 8, 1943 Marcus Hutson of The Whispers is born in St. Louis, Missouri.

January 7, 1943 Country singer Leona Williams is born Leona Belle Helton in Vienna, Missouri. She writes the Merle Haggard hits "Someday When Things Are Good" and "You Take Me For Granted."

January 3, 1943 Songwriter and musician Van Dyke Parks, known for his work with The Beach Boys, is born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

December 31, 1942 Andy Summers (guitarist for The Police) is born Andrew James Somers in Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, England. The self taught guitarist, renowned for his use of modern electronic effects, is also a talented photographer and publishes several books of behind-the-scenes shots of the band recording and performing.

December 30, 1942 Michael Nesmith (of The Monkees) is born Robert Michael Nesmith in Houston, Texas.

December 27, 1942 Mike Heron (of Incredible String Band) is born James Michael Heron in Edinburgh, Scotland.

December 21, 1942 Carla Thomas, the "Queen of Memphis Soul," is born in Memphis, Tennessee, to R&B singer Rufus Thomas and his wife, Lorene.

December 17, 1942 Paul Butterfield (of Paul Butterfield Blues Band) is born in Chicago, Illinois.

December 15, 1942 Dave Clark (of The Dave Clark Five) is born in Tottenham, North London, England.