Music History Events: Births
August 16, 1953 Singer James "J.T." Taylor is born in Laurens, South Carolina. He joins Kool & the Gang in 1979, leading them into a new era with hits like "Celebration" and "Cherish." He leaves for a solo career in 1988.
August 5, 1953 Singer Samantha Sang is born Cheryl Lau Sang in Melbourne, Australia.
August 3, 1953 Ian Bairnson (guitarist for Pilot, The Alan Parsons Project) is born in Lerwick, Shetland Isles, Scotland.
August 1, 1953 Blues guitarist/singer Robert Cray is born in Columbus, Georgia.
July 31, 1953 Cellist Hugh McDowell (of Electric Light Orchestra) is born in Hampstead, London, England.
July 29, 1953 Rush frontman Geddy Lee is born Geddy Lee Weinrib in Willowdale, Ontario, Canada.
July 29, 1953 Patti Scialfa (Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band) is born in Deal, New Jersey.
July 21, 1953 Eric Bazilian (frontman for The Hooters) is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
July 15, 1953 Alicia Bridges is born in Lawndale, North Carolina. Known for the disco hit "I Love The Nightlife (Disco 'Round)."
July 14, 1953 Maurice Starr, creator of the boy bands New Edition and New Kids On The Block, is born Larry Johnson in Florida. Starr also produces both groups and writes many of their songs.
July 11, 1953 Singer Peter Brown ("Do Ya Wanna Get Funky with Me") is born in Blue Island, Illinois.
July 6, 1953 Nanci Griffith is born in Seguin, Texas.
June 30, 1953 Hal Lindes (guitarist for Dire Straits from 1980-1985) is born in Monterey, California.
June 29, 1953 Men at Work frontman Colin Hay is born in Kilwinning, Scotland. He moves Down Under with his family when he's 14.
June 12, 1953 Rock and roll singer Rocky Burnette, son of rock and roll pioneer Johnny Burnette, is born Jonathan Burnette in Memphis, Tennessee.
June 8, 1953 Bonnie Tyler is born Gaynor Hopkins in Skewen, Neath, Wales.
June 8, 1953 Jeff "Worzel" Rich (drummer for Status Quo, The Climax Blues Band) is born in Hackney, London, England.
June 7, 1953 South African musician Johnny Clegg (of Johnny Clegg & Juluka) is born in Bacup, Lancashire, England. He moves to South Africa at six years old.
June 4, 1953 Jimmy McCulloch (guitarist for Thunderclap Newman, lead guitarist, bassist for Wings) is born in Dumbarton, Scotland.
June 1, 1953 Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn is born Ronald Gene Dunn in Coleman, Texas.
May 29, 1953 Danny Elfman (lead singer-songwriter for Oingo Boingo) is born in Los Angeles, California. Also an award-winning film composer, he is known for his work on Batman (1989) and the TV series Desperate Housewives.
May 23, 1953 Rick Fenn (guitarist for 10cc) is born in England.
May 17, 1953 George "Lightnin' Licks" Johnson, guitarist in The Brothers Johnson, is born in Los Angeles.
May 16, 1953 Richard Page (lead singer of Mr. Mister) is born in Keokuk, Iowa.
May 15, 1953 Rock composer Mike Oldfield is born in Reading, Berkshire, England.
May 9, 1953 John "Rhino" Edwards (bass guitarist for Status Quo) is born in Chiswick, London, England.
May 8, 1953 Billy Burnette (guitarist for Fleetwood Mac) is born Dorsey William Burnette III in Memphis, Tennessee.
May 8, 1953 Drummer Alex Van Halen, who along with his younger brother Eddie forms Van Halen, is born in Nijmegen, Netherlands.
May 3, 1953 Bruce Hall (bassist for REO Speedwagon) is born in Champaign, Illinois.
April 30, 1953 Merrill Osmond (of The Osmonds) is born in Ogden, Utah.
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