Pick a Day

Music History Events: Births

April 6, 1937 Country musician Merle Haggard is born in Oildale, California. For the first years of his life, he lives in an abandoned boxcar that his father converted into a home.

March 24, 1937 Soul musician Billy Stewart is born in Washington, D.C.

March 22, 1937 Country/pop singer Johnny Ferguson is born in Nashville, Tennessee.

March 20, 1937 Country performer Jerry Reed is born Jerry Reed Hubbard in Atlanta, Georgia.

March 20, 1937 R&B singer Joe Rivers (of Johnnie & Joe) is born in Charleston, South Carolina.

March 19, 1937 R&B singer Clarence "Frogman" Henry, known for the 1961 hit "(I Don't Know Why) But I Do," is born in New Orleans, Louisiana.

February 14, 1937 Bluesman Magic Sam (Samuel Maghett) is born in Mississippi.

February 10, 1937 Roberta Flack is born in rural Black Mountain, North Carolina. She teaches music before releasing her first album in 1969, when she's 32. In the '70s, she lands three #1 hits: "Killing Me Softly With His Song," "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Feel Like Makin' Love."

February 1, 1937 Don Everly of The Everly Brothers is born Isaac Donald Everly in Brownie, Kentucky. Two years later, brother Phil is born.

February 1, 1937 Ray "Eye Patch" Sawyer (of Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show) is born in Chickasaw, Alabama.

January 8, 1937 Shirley Bassey is born in Cardiff, Wales. Known for recording several of the James Bond themes in the '60s and '70s.

January 7, 1937 Paul Revere (keyboardist for Paul Revere & the Raiders) is born Paul Revere Dick in Harvard, Nebraska.

January 6, 1937 R&B singer-songwriter Doris Troy is born Doris Elaine Higginsen in The Bronx, New York.

December 17, 1936 Tommy Steele is born Thomas William Hicks in Bermondsey, London, England.

December 5, 1936 Chad Mitchell (of the Chad Mitchell Trio) is born in Portland, Oregon.

November 28, 1936 Jazz drummer Roy McCurdy (of Blood, Sweat & Tears) is born in Rochester, New York.

November 19, 1936 Ray Collins (vocalist, percussionist for Mothers of Invention) is born in Pomona, California.

November 18, 1936 Jazz trumpeter Don Cherry is born in Oklahoma. He'll soon move to Los Angeles, California, where he is influenced by a vibrant jazz scene.

November 16, 1936 R&B singer Winfred "Blue" Lovett (of The Manhattans) is born in Jersey City, New Jersey.

November 14, 1936 R&B singer Cornell Gunter (of The Platters, The Coasters) is born in Coffeyville, Kansas.

November 14, 1936 Freddie Garrity of Freddie & the Dreamers is born in Crumpsall, Manchester, England.

November 12, 1936 R&B singer Charlotte Davis (of The Tune Weavers, known for the 1957 hit "Happy, Happy Birthday Baby") is born.

November 12, 1936 Mort Shuman, singer-songwriter and pianist, is born in Brooklyn, New York City. Known for co-writing '60s rock 'n roll hits like "Viva Las Vegas."

November 9, 1936 Mary Travers (of Peter, Paul and Mary) is born in Louisville, Kentucky.

November 6, 1936 Jim Pike (of The Lettermen) is born in the US.

November 5, 1936 "Stand By Your Man" songwriter Billy Sherrill is born in Phil Campbell, Alabama.

November 1, 1936 R&B singer Zephire "Andre" Williams is born in Bessemer, Alabama. Known for the 1957 hit "Bacon Fat," he also co-wrote "Shake A Tailfeather" by The Five Du-Tones.

October 28, 1936 Charlie Daniels is born Charles Edward Daniels in Wilmington, North Carolina.

October 24, 1936 Bill Wyman, the Rolling Stones bass player from 1962-1993, is born William George Perks in South London, England.

September 25, 1936 Delta blues musician Roosevelt "Booba" Barnes is born in Longwood, Mississippi.