Musical Birthdays & Deaths by Month

January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

April 1
Birthdays :
John Barbata 1945 – Drummer w/The Turtles, Jefferson Airplane/Starship and others
Rudy Isley 1939 – Founding member of The Isley Brothers
Phil Margo 1942 – The Tokens
Ronnie Lane 1946 (d.1977) – Founding member of The Small Faces & Faces
Jimmy Cliff 1948 – Reggae singer/songwriter/musician/actor
Gil Scott-Heron 1949 (d.2011) – Soul singer/musician/jazz poet
Jeff Porcaro 1954 (d.1992) – Founding member of Toto/session drummer

Deaths :
Marvin Gaye 1984 (b.1939) – R & B singer/songwriter/musician
Nigel Preston 1992 (b.1959) – Founding member of The Cult/drummer

April 2
Birthdays :
Marvin Gaye 1939 (d.1984) – R & B singer/songwriter/musician
Leon Russell 1942 – Singer/songwriter/musician
Larry Coryell 1943 – Jazz fusion guitarist
Kurt Winter 1946 (d.1997) – Guitarist/songwriter with The Guess Who
Emmylou Harris 1947 – Singer/songwriter/musician
David Robinson 1949 – Drummer with The Cars, The Modern Lovers
Leon Wilkenson 1952 (d.2001) – Bass player with Lynyrd Skynyrd
Greg Camp 1967 – Founding member/guitarist/songwriter of Smash Mouth

Deaths :
Buddy Rich 1987 (b.1917) – Jazz drummer/bandleader

April 3
Birthdays :
Doris Day 1922 – Singer/actress
Don Gibson 1928 (d.2003) – Songwriter/country musician
Jeff Barry 1938 – Singer/songwriter/record producer
Jan Berry 1941 (d.2004) – Singer/songwriter of Jan & Dean
Philippe Wynne 1941 (d.1984) – R & B singer of The Spinners
Wayne Newton 1942 – Singer/entertainer
Richard Manuel 1943 (d.1986) – Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist of The Band
Tony Orlando 1944 – Lead singer of Tony Orlando & Dawn
Dee Murray 1946 (d.1992) – Bass player with Elton John
Richard Thompson 1949 – Singer/songwriter/guitarist of Fairport Convention & solo
Sebastian Bach 1968 – Lead singer of Skid Row

Deaths :
Sarah Vaughan 1990 (b.1924) – Jazz singer
Homer Banks 2003 (b.1941) – Singer/songwriter/record producer for Stax Records

April 4
Birthdays :
Muddy Waters 1913 (d.1983) – Blues singer/songwriter/guitarist
Sharon Sheeley 1940 (d.2002) – Songwriter for Ricky Nelson, Glen Campbell, Eddie Cochran
Dave Hill 1946 – Guitarist/backing singer for Slade
David “Pick” Withers 1948 – Original drummer for Dire Straits
Berry Oakley 1948 (d.1972) – Founding member/bassist of The Allman Brothers Band
Reg Isidore 1949 (d.2009) – Drummer with Robin Trower, Richard Wright, Peter Green
Pete Haycock 1951 – Founding member/singer/guitarist of Climax Blues Band
Gary Moore 1952 (d.2011) – Guitarist/singer with Thin Lizzy, Skid Row, Colosseum II
Nigel Preston 1959 (d.1992) – Founding member/drummer of The Cult
Mike Starr 1966 (d.2011) – Bassist for Alice In Chains

April 5
Birthdays :
Tony Williams 1928 (d.1992) – Lead singer of The Platters
Peter Grant 1935 (d.1995) – Music manager of The Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin, Bad Company
Ronnie White 1939 (d.1995) – C0-founder/songwriter/musician of The Miracles
Dave Swarbrick 1941 – Singer/songwriter/musician with Fairport Convention & others
Allan Clarke 1942 – Founding member/singer of The Hollies
Dave Holland 1948 – Drummer with Trapeze and Judas Priest
Agnetha Faltskog 1950 – Singer/songwriter/record producer with Abba
Mike McCready 1966 – Lead guitarist/songwriter with Pearl Jam

Deaths :
Kurt Cobain 1994 (b.1967) – Singer/songwriter/guitarist with Nirvana
Layne Staley 2002 (b.1967) – Singer/songwriter with Alice In Chains
Bob “The Bear” Hite 1981 (b.1943) – Singer/songwriter with Canned Heat
Cozy Powell 1998 (b.1947) – Drummer with Rainbow, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath & others
Gene Pitney 2006 (b.1940) – Singer/songwriter/sound engineer
Mark St. John 2007 (b.1956) – Guitarist with KISS

April 6
Birthdays :
Merle Haggard 1937 – Country singer/songwriter/guitarist
Christopher Franke 1953 – Musician/composer with Tangerine Dream, wrote Babylon 5 music
Warren Haynes 1960 – Guitarist/singer/songwriter with Allman Brothers Band & Gov’t Mule

Deaths :
Wendy O. Williams 1998 (b.1949) – Lead singer with The Plasmatics
Tammy Wynette – 1998 (b.1942) – Country music singer/songwriter
Niki Sullivan 2004 (b.1937) – Guitarist & original member of Buddy Holly’s Crickets

April 7
Birthdays :
Billie Holiday 1915 (d.1959) – Jazz singer/songwriter
Ravi Shankar 1920 (d.2012) – Indian musician/composer
Charlie Thomas 1937 – R & B singer with The Drifters
Spencer Dryden 1938 (d.2005) – Drummer with Jefferson Airplane & others
Mick Abrahams 1943 – Original guitarist with Jethro Tull & Founded Bloodwyn Pig
Patricia Bennett 1947 – Singer with The Chiffons
John Oates 1949 – Singer/songwriter/guitarist with Hall & Oates
Bruce Garry 1951 (d.2006) – Drummer with The Knack
Janis Ian 1951 – Folk singer/songwriter/guitarist

Deaths :
Andy Johns 2013 (b.1952) – Engineer/producer for Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones & many more

April 8
Birthdays :
Keith “Keef” Hartley 1944 (d.2011) – Drummer/bandleader of Keef Hartley Band
Steve Howe 1947 – Guitarist/songwriter/producer with Yes, Asia, GTR
Mel Schacher 1951 – Bass player of Grand Funk Railroad
Glen Burtnik 1955 – Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist with Styx
Izzy Stradlin 1962 – Co-founder/guitarist/songwriter of Guns N’ Roses & his own band
Julian Lennon 1963 – Singer/musician
Paul Gray 1972 (d.2010) – Bassist/songwriter of Slipknot

Deaths :
Malcolm McLaren 2010 (b.1946) – Singer/songwriter/band manager of The Sex Pistols

April 9
Birthdays :
Carl Perkins 1932 (d.1998) – Rockabilly singer/songwriter/guitarist
Mark Kelly 1961 – Keyboardist with Marillion

Deaths :
Dave Prater 1988 (b.1937) – R & B singer of Sam & Dave (the original Blues Brothers)
Mae Boren Axton 1994 (b.1917) – Co-wrote “Heart Break Hotel” (mother of Hoyt Axton)

April 10
Birthdays :
Sheb Wooley 1921 (d.2003) – Singer/songwriter/actor wrote “The Purple People Eater”
Ricky Valance 1939 – Singer best known for “Tell Laura I Love Her”
Bunny Livingstone 1947 – Singer/songwriter/percussionist & original member of  The Wailers
Burke Shelley 1947 – Singer/songwriter/bassist of Budgie
Brian Setzer 1959 – Singer/songwriter/guitarist of the Stray Cats & Brian Setzer Orchestra
Katrina Leskanich 1960 – Singer/guitarist for Katrina & The Waves

Deaths :
Stu Sutcliffe 1962 (b.1940) – Musician best know as the original bassist for The Beatles
Little Eva 2003 (b.1943) – R & B/pop singer best known for “The Loco-Motion”

April 11
Birhdays :
Bob Harris 1946 – Radio presenter best known as host of The Old Grey Whistle Test on BBC2
Stuart Adamson 1958 (d.2001) – Singer/guitarist Founded The Skids & Big Country
Joss Stone 1987 – Soul singer/songwriter/actress

Deaths :
June Pointer 2006 (b.1953) – Founding member & lead singer of The Pointer Sisters

April 12
Birthdays :
Tiny Tim 1932 (d.1996) – Singer/ukelele player/musical archivist
Herbie Hancock 1940 – Keyboardist/composer/band leader
John Kay 1944 – Singer/songwriter/musician for Steppenwolf
David Cassidy 1950 – Singer/songwriter/guitarist/actor with The Partridge Family
Pat Travers 1954 – Singer/songwriter/guitarist of the Pat Travers Group
Vince Gill 1957 – Country singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist

April 13
Birthdays :
Bill Conti 1942 – Composer/conductor best know for the “Rocky” Theme
Jack Casady 1944 – Bass player best known for work with Jefferson Airplane
Lowell George 1945 (d.1979) – Singer/songwriter/guitarist with Little Feat
Al Green 1946 – R & B singer/songwriter/producer
Max Weinberg 1951 – Drummer for Bruce Springsteen & Conan O’Brien
Jimmy Destri 1954 – Keyboardist/musician in the band Blondie
Hillel Slovak 1962 (d.1988) – Founding member/guitarist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Marc Ford 1966 – Singer/songwriter/guitarist formerly of Black Crowes

Deaths :
Johnnie Johnson 2005 (b.1924) – Pianist best know for his work with Chuck Berry
Cliff Davies 2008 (b.1948) – Drummer worked with Roy Young, If, Ted Nugent, GFR

April 14
Birthdays :
Loretta Lynn 1932 – Country music singer/songwriter
Tony Burrows 1942 – Pop singer best known for “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)” with Edison Lighthouse, was also the singer for White Plains and their biggest hit “My Baby Loves Lovin'”
Ritchie Blackmore 1945 – Songwriter/guitarist best known for Deep Purple & Rainbow

Deaths :
Pete Farndon 1983 (b.1952) – Founding member/bassist of The Pretenders

April 15
Birthdays :
Bessie Smith 1894 (d.1937) – Blues-Jazz singer/actress
Roy Clark 1933 – Country singer/performer/multi-instrumentalist
Dave Edmunds 1944 – Singer/guitarist/record producer
Woolly Wolstenholme 1947 (d.2010) – Singer/keyboardist with Barclay James Harvest
Phil Mogg 1948 – Singer/songwriter with UFO

Deaths :
Joey Ramone 2001 (b.1951) – Singer/songwriter of punk band the Ramones
John Fred 2005 (b.1941) – Singer/songwriter with his Playboys best known for “Judy In Disguise”

April 16
Birthdays :
Henry Mancini 1924 (d.1994) – Composer/arranger/conductor best known for the “Pink Panther Theme”
Rudy Pompilli 1926 (d.1976) – Tenor saxophonist with Bill Haley & The Comets
Bobby Vinton 1935 – Pop singer best known for “Blue Velvet”
Dusty Springfield 1939 (d.1999) – Pop-soul singer/record producer
“Lonesome” Dave Peverett 1943 (d.2000) – Founder/singer/rhythm guitarist with Foghat, was previously a member of Savoy Brown
Gerry Rafferty 1947 (d.2011) – Singer/songwriter/guitarist with Stealers Wheel & solo, “Baker Street”
Lee Kerslake 1947 – Drummer/songwriter with Uriah Heep & Ozzy Osbourne
Terry Lavitz 1956 (d.2010) – Jazz-rock fusion keyboardist with Dixie Dregs
Bill Spooner 1949 – Guitarist/songwriter/founder of The Tubes
John Bentley 1951 – Bassist for the band Squeeze
Jason Scheff 1962 – Bassist/singer/songwriter for Chicago

Deaths :
Skip Spence 1999 (b.1946) – Singer/songwriter/guitar, Co-founder Moby Grape, also played with Quicksilver Messenger Service & Jefferson Airplane

April 17
Birthdays :
Don Kirshner 1934 (d.2011) – Publisher/producer/manager of The Monkees, Archies, Kansas, also known for Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert
Billy Fury 1940 (d.1983) – Singer/songwriter/musician/actor, had 24 hits in the 60’s
Roy Estrada 1943 – Co-founder of Little Feat, bassist/singer with Frank Zappa
Jan Hammer 1948 – Keyboardist/songwriter/composer/producer, started with Mahavishnu Orchestra, wrote “Miami Vice Theme” & “Crockett’s Theme”
James Keenan 1964 – Singer/songwriter, formed the band Tool with Adam Jones

Deaths :
Eddie Cochran 1960 (b.1938) – Guitar/singer/songwriter and rock and roll pioneer who, in his brief career, had a lasting influence on rock music as we know it today. His rockabilly songs, such as “C’mon Everybody”, “Somethin’ Else”, and “Summertime Blues”, captured teenage frustration and desire in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.
Felix Pappalardi 1983 (b.1939) – Bass.singer/songwriter/producer who was best known as the bassist for Mountain, and as producer for who was often called the fourth member of Cream
Linda McCartney (nee Eastman) 1998 (b.1941) – Photographer/musician/animal rights activist. Married Paul McCartney in 1969 and later joined his band Wings and became Lady McCartney in 1997 when Paul was knighted.
Danny Federici 2008 (b.1950) – was best known as the longtime organ, glockenspiel, and accordion player for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band.

April 18
Birthdays :
Paul A. Rothchild 1935 (d.1995) – Producer best known for his work with The Doors & early Paul Butterfield
Glen Hardin 1939 – Pianist/arranger has worked with Elvis Presley, John Denver, Ricky Nelson & others
Mike Vickers 1940 – Flautist/guitar/saxophone with Manfred Mann
Skip Spence 1946 (d.1999) – Singer/songwriter/guitar, Co-founder Moby Grape, also played with Quicksilver Messenger Service & Jefferson Airplane
Nigel Harrison 1951 – Bass player for Blondie
Mike Mangini 1963 – Drummer for Dream Theater, has also played with Steve Vai, Extreme, Annihilator
Mark Tremonti 1974 – Lead guitarist/songwriter for Creed

Deaths :
Storm Thorgerson 2013 (b.1944) – Graphic designer who founded the graphic art group Hipgnosis. He was  best known for his work for rock artists such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Scorpions, Peter Gabriel, Genesis, Europe, Catherine Wheel, Bruce Dickinson, Dream Theater and others

April 19
Birthdays :
Alexis Korner 1928 (d.1984) – Founder/singer/songwriter/guitarist of Blues Incorporated, is often referred to as the “Founding Father of British Blues”
Alan Price 1942 – Singer/songwriter best known as the original keyboardist for The Animals
Mark Volman 1947 – Founder/singer/songwriter/guitarist of The Turtles (Flo & Eddie), also known for his work with Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention
Tony Martin 1957 – Singer/songwriter best known for his work with Black Sabbath
Bekka Bramlett 1968 – Singer/songwriter with Fleetwood Mac, has also worked with Buddy Guy, Faith Hill, Robert Plant and others

Deaths :
Greg Ham 2012 (b.1953) – Songwriter/sax player/multi-intrumentalist for Men at Work
Levon Helm 2012 (b.1940) – Drummer/singer/songwriter/multi-intrumentalist for The Band

April 20
Birthdays :
Jimmy Winston 1945 – Was the original keyboardist with the Small Faces
Craig Frost 1948 – Keyboardist/songwriter best known for his work with Grand Funk Railroad, is currently with Bob Seger
Luther Vandross 1951 (d.2005) – R & B singer/songwriter/record producer
Mike Portnoy 1967 – Co-founder/former drummer/producer/vocals of Dream Theater
Mikey Welsh 1971 (d.2011) – Best known as the former bassist of Weezer
Stephen Marley 1972 – Artist/producer and member of Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers

Deaths :
Steve Marriot 1991 (b.1947) – Singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer of the Small Faces and later with Humble Pie
Bert Weedon 2012 (b.1920) – Guitarist whose style was very influential in the 1950’s-60’s to such people as Eric Clapton, Brian May, The Beatles, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page & many others

April 21
Birthdays :
Iggy Pop 1947 – Singer/songwriter with his band The Stooges, is often referred to as the Godfather of punk rock
John Weider 1947 – Guitar/bass/violin, best known as the bass player for the band Family
Robert Smith 1959 – Lead singer/songwriter/guitar for The Cure, also played for Siouxsie & The Banshees
Michael Timmins 1959 – Lead guitarist/songwriter for Canadian band The Cowboy Junkies

Deaths :
Sandy Denny 1978 (b.1947) – Folk singer/songwriter best known for her work with Fairport Convention, was the only guest vocalist on a Led Zeppelin studio album when she sang on “The Battle of Evermore”
Nina Simone 2003 (b.1933) – Jazz-R & B singer/songwriter/pianist/arranger
Neal Matthews Jr. 2000 (b.1929) – Singer who achieved fame with The Jordanaires who were most famous for being the backup group for Elvis Presley

April 22
Birthdays :
Glen Campbell 1936 – Country singer/guitarist/television host
Charles Mingus Jr. 1922 (d.1979) – Double jazz bassist/composer/bandleader
Jack Nitzsche 1937 (d.2000) – Arranger/producer/songwriter/film score composer, known for work with Phil Spector, Rolling Stones, Neil Young and many others
Howard Wyeth 1944 (d.1996) – Drummer best known for his work with Bob Dylan, Robert Gordon, Link Wray, Joni Mitchell & others
Peter Frampton 1950 – Singer/songwriter/guitarist with The Herd, Humble Pie and others, most famous for his breakthrough album “Frampton Comes Alive”
Paul Carrack 1951 – Singer/songwriter/musician came to prominence with Ace, also worked with Roxy Music, Squeeze, Roger Waters, BBC has called him “The Man with the Golden Voice”

Deaths :
Felice Bryant 2003 (b.1925) – Country-pop songwriter with husband Diadorius Bryant, their songs have been recorded by the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, The Beatles, Bob Dylan & many others
Richie Havens 2013 (b.1941) – Folk singer/songwriter/guitarist known for his intense and rhythmic guitar style and for his opening performance at the 1969 Woodstock Festival

April 23
Birthdays :
Roy Orbison 1936 (d.1988) – Singer/songwriter/guitar/harmonica best known for his distinctive & powerful voice
Ray Peterson 1939 (2005) – Pop singer best known for his song “Tell Laura I Love Her”
Captain Sensible 1954 – Singer/songwriter/bass that co-founded the group The Damned
Steve Clark 1980 (d.1991) – Singer/songwriter/guitarist for Def Leppard

Deaths :
Johnny Thunders 1991 (b.1952) – Punk rock guitarist/singer/songwriter with the New York Dolls and later with The Heartbreakers and solo

April 24
Birthdays :
Barbara Streisand 1942 – Singer/songwriter/actress/film producer/director
Doug Clifford 1945 – Drummer best known for his work with Creedence Clearwater Revival
St. Clair Lee (Ann Kelly)1944 (d.2011) – R & B singer with The Hues Corporation who were best known for their hit “Rock The Boat”
Glenn Cornick 1947 – Original bass player for Jethro Tull and then formed Wild Turkey
Nigel Harrison 1951 – Best known as the bass player for Blondie
Jack Blades 1954 – Bassist/lead singer with Night Ranger and founding member of Damn Yankees
David J 1957 – Bass player for goth rock band Bauhaus and also Love & Rockets
Brian Marshall 1973 – Songwriter and best known as the bassist and Co-founder of Creed & Alter Bridge

Deaths :
Pete Ham 1975 (b.1947) – Singer/songwriter/guitar who was best know for his work with Badfinger

April 25
Birthdays :
Ella Fitgerald 1917 (d.1966) – Jazz vocalist with a 3 octave voice, also known as the “First Lady of Song”and the “Queen of Jazz”
Albert King 1923 (d.1992) – Blues guitarist/singer/songwriter, known as “The Velvet Bulldozer” and was a major influence on many blues guitarists
Jerry Leiber 1933 (d.2011) – Songwriter/record producer with his partner Mike Stoller, their most famous songs include “Hound Dog”, “Jailhouse Rock”, “Don’t”, “Kansas City”, “Stand By Me”
Tony Christie 1943 – Singer/songwriter/actor best known for the song “Is This The Way to Amarillo”
Stu Cook 1945 – Bass player with Creedence Clearwater Revival
Bjorn Ulvaeus 1945 – Singer/songwriter/composer/producer/musician with Swedish band Abba
Michael Brown 1949 – Keyboardist/principal songwriter with The Left Banke who were best known for their hit song “Walk Away Renee”
Steve Ferrone 1950 – Drummer for the Average White Band, has also played with Slash, Chaka Khan, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and others
Fish (Derek Dick) 1958 – Singer/lyricist best known as lead singer with Marillion
Eric Avery 1965 – Songwriter and former bass player for Jane’s Addiction

Deaths :
Poly Styrene 2011 (b.1957) – Singer/songwriter best known for her work in punk band X-Ray Spex
Bobby “Boris” Pickett 2007 (b.1938) – Singer and Co-writer of the 1962 novelty song “Monster Mash”

April 26
Birthdays :
Duane Eddy 1938 – Guitarist/composer best known for his “twangy” sound on “Rebel Rouser”, “Peter Gunn”, and “Because They’re Young”
Maurice Williams 1938 – R & B singer with his band The Zodiacs, best known for their hit song “Stay” which was the shortest song to ever reach #1
Giorgio Moroder 1940 – Songwriter/record producer of Donna Summer, Sparks, David Bowie, Blondie, Japan and many others
Bobby Rydell 1942 – Singer best known for his 1960’s hits “Wild One” & “Volare” and was considered at the time a “Teen Idol”
Gary Wright 1943 – Singer/songwriter/keyboardist with the band Spooky Tooth, solo work with his hits “Dream Weaver” & “Love is Alive”, also played piano on George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” album and with a few others
Roger Taylor 1960 – Drummer with the band Duran Duran

Deaths:
Phoebe Snow 2011 (b.1950) – Singer/songwriter/guitar who had a 4 octave voice and was best known for her 1975 hit song “Poetry Man”
George Jones 2013 (b.1931) – Country music singer/songwriter known for his long list of hit records, his distinctive voice and phrasing. He had 14 #1 Country hits starting with “White Lightning” (1959), “She Thinks I Still Care” (1962), up to “I Always Get Lucky with You” (1983) and many others in between

April 27
Birthdays :
Jerry Mercer 1939 – Drummer who was known for his work with Mashmakan and Roy Buchanan in the early 1970’s before joining April Wine
Gordon Haskell 1946 – Bassist/singer/songwriter came to prominence in the band Les Fleurs de Lys, appeared on the second and third King Crimson albums
Pete Ham 1947 (d.1975) – Singer/songwriter/guitar who was best know for his work with Badfinger
Kate Pierson 1948 – Founding member/singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist with The B-52’s
Paul “Ace” Frehley 1951 – Lead guitarist/songwriter best known for his work with KISS as “The Spaceman”, and later a solo career

April 28
Birthdays :
John Wolters 1945 (d.1997) – Drummer with Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show
Daisy Berkowitz (Scott Putesky) 1968 – Co-founder/lead guitarist with the band Marilyn Manson

Deaths :
Tommy Caldwell 1980 (b.1949) – Bassist and original front man for The Marshall Tucker Band

April 29
Birthdays :
Duke Ellington 1899 (d.1974) – Jazz composer/pianist/big band leader who wrote over 1,000 compositions and called his music “American Music” rather than jazz
Carl Gardner 1928 (d.2011) – Singer who was best known as the founder of The Coasters with their 1958 hit “Yakety Yak”
Joe Porcaro 1930 – Jazz drummer/percussionist, his 3 sons were all in the band Toto
Lonnie Donegan 1931 (d.2002) – Guitar/singer who was known as “The King of Skiffle” and is often cited as a major influence on the generation of British musicians who became famous in the 1960’s
Klaus Voorman 1938 – Bassist/record producer/graphic artist was best known for being the bassist for Manfred Mann and session work with many artists including all of The Beatles and was a member of the Plastic Ono Band. Designed artwork for the Bee Gees, and the Beatles “Revolver” album which won him a Grammy Award
Tammi Terrell 1945 (d.1970) – R & B singer/songwriter for Motown Records in the 1960’s most notably for a series of duets with singer Marvin Gaye
Tommy James 1947 – Pop singer/songwriter/producer best known as leader of the 1960s rock band Tommy James & The Shondells who had 2 #1 hits with “Hanky Panky” and “Mony Mony”
Francis Rossi 1949 – Lead singer & guitarist with Status Quo
Carnie Wilson 1968 – Singer/TV host best known as a member of the pop music group Wilson Phillips and is the daughter of Beach Boy Brian Wilson

Deaths :
Mick Ronson 1993 (b.1946) – Guitarist/singer/songwriter/arranger/producer who was best known for working with David Bowie as one of the “Spiders From Mars”, solo work and sideman work with Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Ian Hunter & others

April 30
Birthdays :
Johnny Horton 1925 (d.1960) – Country-Rockabilly singer/guitarist famous for his semi-folk, so-called “saga songs” which began the “historical ballad” craze of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s such as “The Battle of New Orleans”, “North to Alaska” and “Sink the Bismarck”
Willie Nelson 1933 – Country music singer/songwriter/producer/activist
Wayne Kramer 1948 – Guitarist/singer/songwriter/producer and Co-founder of Detroit rock band MC5 (Motor City 5), “Kick out the jams Motherf***ers” (I just love saying that)

Deaths :
Lester Bangs 1982 (b.1948) – Music critic/author who wrote for Creem and Rolling Stone magazines and was known for his leading influence in rock music criticism
Muddy Waters (McKinley Morganfield) 1983 (b.1913) – Blues Guitarist/singer/songwriter who is considered the “father of modern Chicago blues” and was a major inspiration for the British blues explosion in the 1960’s
Darrell Sweet 1999 (b.1947) – Co-founder and drummer for Scottish rock band Nazareth