Pick a Day

Music History Events: Births

December 24, 1926 Lee Dorsey, known for his 1961 hit "Ya Ya," is born Irving Lee Dorsey in New Orleans, Louisiana. He befriends future rock and roll legend Fats Domino before moving to Portland, Oregon, at age 10.

December 23, 1926 Harold Dorman, known for the 1960 hit "Mountain of Love," is born in Drew, Mississippi.

December 21, 1926 Country singer-songwriter Freddie Hart is born Frederick Segrest in Loachapoka, Alabama. Known for the 1971 hit "Easy Loving."

December 11, 1926 R&B singer Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton is born in Ariton, Alabama. She was the first to record "Hound Dog," made famous by Elvis Presley.

December 10, 1926 Guitar Slim is born Eddie Jones in Greenwood, Mississippi.

November 18, 1926 Dorothy Collins is born Marjorie Chandler in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The Broadway actress hits #16 on the pop chart with "My Boy - Flat Top" in 1955.

November 2, 1926 Country musician Charlie Walker, known for the 1958 hit "Pick Me Up On Your Way Down," is born in Copeville, Texas.

November 1, 1926 Jazz alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson is born in Badin, North Carolina.

October 25, 1926 Jazz saxophonist Jimmy "Little Bird" Heath is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

October 18, 1926 Chuck Berry is born in St. Louis, Missouri.

October 14, 1926 Bill Justis, known for his 1957 hit "Raunchy," is born in Birmingham, Alabama, raised in Memphis, Tennessee.

October 6, 1926 Violinist Cyril Reuben is born in England. He would go on to play for the London Symphony Orchestra.

October 1, 1926 Ragtime performer Max Morath is born in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

September 26, 1926 Jazz singer/actress Julie London is born Gayle Peck in Santa Rosa, California. Known for her 1955 signature song, "Cry Me a River."

September 23, 1926 Jazz saxophonist John Coltrane is born in Hamlet, North Carolina.

September 17, 1926 Rock 'n Roller Bill Black is born in Memphis, Tennessee. He would later play slap bass in Elvis Presley's early trio, The Blue Moon Boys, before fronting his own Bill Black's Combo.

September 17, 1926 Jazz organist/bandleader Brother Jack McDuff is born Eugene McDuffy in Champaign, Illinois.

September 9, 1926 Jake Carey (bass singer for The Flamingos) is born in Pulaski, Virginia.

August 22, 1926 Jazz tenor vocalist Bob Flanigan (of The Four Freshmen) is born in Greencastle, Indiana.

August 20, 1926 Jazz trombonist Frank Rosolino is born in Detroit, Michigan.

August 14, 1926 Jazz singer/pianist Buddy Greco is born Armando Greco in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Recorded a popular cover of "The Lady Is a Tramp."

August 12, 1926 R&B singer-songwriter Joe Jones is born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Known for the 1960 hit "You Talk Too Much."

August 8, 1926 Jazz trombonist Urbie Green is born in Mobile, Alabama.

August 7, 1926 Voice actor/recording artist Stan Freberg is born in Pasadena, California.

August 5, 1926 Jazz singer/pianist Jeri Southern is born Genevieve Hering in Royal, Nebraska. Known for the 1957 hit "Fire Down Below."

July 14, 1926 Lowman "Pete" Pauling (songwriter, guitarist for The 5 Royales) is born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

June 21, 1926 '50s pop singer Nick Noble, known for "The Tip Of My Fingers" and "Moonlight Swim," is born Nicholas Valkan in Chicago, Illinois.

May 26, 1926 Miles Davis is born in Alton, Illinois.

May 3, 1926 Jazz trombonist Jimmy Cleveland, who would accompany Lionel Hampton, Miles Davis, and James Brown, is born in Wartrace, Tennessee.

April 5, 1926 Jazz drummer Stan Levey is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.