Pick a Day

Music History Events: Births

May 13, 1941 Rock and roll pioneer Ritchie Valens is born Richard Steven Valenzuela in Pacoima, California.

May 13, 1941 Rock and roll singer and guitarist Joe Brown is born in Swarby, Lincolnshire, England.

May 11, 1941 Eric Burdon (lead singer of The Animals) is born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

May 9, 1941 Peter Birrell (bass guitarist for Freddie & the Dreamers) is born in Manchester, Lancashire, England.

May 9, 1941 Doo-wop singer Danny Rapp (of Danny & the Juniors) is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

May 8, 1941 Soul singer John Fred (of John Fred & His Playboy Band) is born John Fred Gourrier in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

May 4, 1941 Singer and violinist David LaFlamme (of It's a Beautiful Day) is born Gary Posie in New Britain, Connecticut.

May 4, 1941 Motown songwriter Nick Ashford (Ashford & Simpson) is born in Fairfield, South Carolina.

April 30, 1941 Rock and roller Johnny Farina (of Santo & Johnny) is born in Brooklyn, New York.

April 28, 1941 Ann-Margret is born in Sweden. She has a few hits as a singer but is best known for her movie roles, which include Bye Bye Birdie and Viva Las Vegas, which she stars in with Elvis Presley.

April 26, 1941 R&B singer Claudine Clark, known for composing and performing the 1952 hit "Party Lights," is born in Macon, Georgia.

April 9, 1941 Country singer Kay Adams, known for the 1966 hit "Little Pink Mack," is born Princetta Kay Adams in Knox City, Texas.

April 8, 1941 Soul singer J.J. Jackson, known for the 1966 crossover hit "But It's Alright," is born Jerome Louis Jackson in Gillett, Arkansas.

April 5, 1941 Folk musician Dave Swarbick (of Fairport Convention) is born in New Malden, England.

April 4, 1941 R&B singer Major Lance, known for hits like "The Monkey Time" and "Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um," is born in Winterville, Mississippi.

April 3, 1941 Surf rocker Jan Berry (of Jan & Dean) is born William Jan Berry in Los Angeles, California.

March 30, 1941 Graeme Edge of The Moody Blues is born in Staffordshire, England.

March 28, 1941 Charlie McCoy (of Area Code 615) is born in Oak Hill, West Virginia. As a session musician, he works with Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Loretta Lynn, among others.

March 22, 1941 Jeremy Clyde of Chad & Jeremy is born in Dorney, Buckinghamshire, England.

March 21, 1941 Record producer/songwriter John Boylan is born in New York City. He manages Linda Ronstadt and co-produces Boston's first album.

March 20, 1941 Vito Picone (lead singer of The Elegants) is born in South Beach, Staten Island, New York.

March 18, 1941 Wilson Pickett is born in Prattville, Alabama.

March 17, 1941 Paul Kantner, a founding member of Jefferson Airplane, is born in San Francisco.

March 15, 1941 Mike Love of The Beach Boys is born in Los Angeles.

March 12, 1941 Brian O'Hara (guitarist/vocalist for The Fourmost) is born in Dingle, Liverpool, England.

March 3, 1941 Mike Pender (vocalist for The Searchers) is born in Kirkdale, Liverpool, Lancashire, England.

February 24, 1941 Joanie Sommers is born Joan Drost in Buffalo, New York.

February 21, 1941 Bob Day (of the "Are You Sure?" singers The Allisons) is born in England.

February 18, 1941 Herman Santiago (of Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers) is born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and raised in Manhattan, New York.

February 18, 1941 Soul singer Irma Thomas is born in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Her first single, "(You Can Have My Husband but) Don't Mess with My Man," lands at #22 on the R&B chart in 1959.