Musical Birthday Notes – December 28th

  • Johnny OtisR&B singer/composer/arranger/band leader/disk jockey/talent scout/producer/TV host/artist/author/journalist/minister/impresario/piano/vibraphone/drums – known as the original “King of Rock & Roll” – “Godfather of Rhythm & Blues” – hits include – Willie and The Hand Jive – (12/28/1921 – 1/17/2012)
  • Roebuck “Pops” Staples – singer/songwriter/guitarist – patriarch of – The Staple Singers – hits include – I’ll Take You There – Lets Do It Again – (12/28/1914 – 12/19/2000)
  • Young Jessie (Obie Jessie) – R&B-soul-jazz singer/songwriter – associated acts include – The CoastersThe Flairs – 1936
  • Charles Neville – R&B-funk-soul saxophone/vocals – The Neville Brothers – (12/28/1938 – 4/26/2018)
  • Allan Schwartzberg – drummer/record producer – associated acts include – MountainJames BrownPeter GabrielLinda Ronstadt – and many others – 1942
  • Chas Hodges – singer/piano/guitar/bass/banjo – Chas & Dave – (12/28/1943 – 9/22/2018)
  • Dwight Bement – saxophone – Gary Puckett & The Union Gap – hits include – Young Girl – Over You – Lady Willpower – 1945
  • Edgar Winter singer/songwriter/producer – legendary rock and blues guitarist also plays saxophone, keyboards and percussion – best know for instrumental – Frankenstein – 1946
  • Dick Diamonde – Dutch-Australian bassist – founding member of – The Easybeats – group hits include – Friday On My Mind – 2005 Aria Hall of Fame – 1947
  • Mary Weiss – pop singer – best known as lead vocalist for 60’s group – The Shangri-Las – their hits include – Leader Of The Pack – Remember (Walking In The Sand) – solo artist – (12/28/1948 – 1/19/2024)
  • Alex Chilton – singer/songwriter/guitar/producer – The Box TopsBig Star – (12/28/1950 – 3/17/2010)
  • Michael Gibbons – lead vocals/trumpet – Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods – hits include – Billy Don’t Be A Hero – Who Do You Think You Are – (12/28/1956 – 4/2/2016)
  • Joe Diffie multi-award winning country singer/songwriter – hits include – Third Rock From the Sun – Pick-Up Man – Home – Bigger Than The Beatles – Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox (If I Die) – John Deere Green – (12/28/1958 – 3/29/2020)
  • Mike McGuire – drummer/backing vocals – country group – Shenandoah – group hits include – Two Dozen Roses – The Church on Cumberland Road – Janie Bakers Love Slave – 1958
  • Marty Roe – rhythm guitar/lead singer of country group – Diamond Rio – hits include – Meet In the Middle – Beautiful Mess – One More Day – I Believe – 1960
  • Paul “Wags” Wagstaff – guitarist – associated acts include – Paris AngelsBlack GrapeHappy Mondays – 1964
  • John LegendR&B singer/songwriter/producer/pianist – hits include – All Of Me – Ordinary People – 1978
  • Frank Turner – punk-folk singer/songwriter/guitar/piano/harmonica – Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls – 1981

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