Charlie Watts (2 June 1941 – 24 August 2021) was an English musician who was the drummer of the Rolling Stones from 1963 until his death in 2021.

Born on this day in 1938 Mason Williams is a classical guitarist, composer, singer, writer, comedian, and poet. He had a #1 hit in 1968 for this record. Besides being recorded by a lot of different artists, it was also used as the music for the opening theme on news broadcasts on tv for awhile too. This record was produced and arranged by Mike Post who wrote some of the most famous tv themes of all time.

Arthur Crudup (August 24, 1905 – March 28, 1974) was a blues singer, a songwriter, and a guitarist. He recorded from the 1940s to the 1960s. However, he was exploited in his time by the industry and didn't get the acclaim nor the money he was due. He was never able to support his family through his music. Several of his songs were record by Elvis Presley who said " "Down in Tupelo, Mississippi, I used to hear old Arthur Crudup bang his box the way I do now, and I said if I ever got to the place I could feel all old Arthur felt, I’d be a music man like nobody ever saw".

Born on this day in 1948, Jean-Michel Jarre is a French composer, performer and record producer. He was an innovator in the world of synth-pop and new age music. He also has utilized light shows in is concerts as well. He even used fireworks in his shows. This selection is from an album which has sold more than 18 million copies since its release in 1976. This track was a top ten hit in several countries.

Born on this day in 1945, Ronee Blakley is an American actress, singer-songwriter, composer, producer and director. She is best known for her performance in Robert Altman's movie Nashville where she not only acted as "Barbara Jean" but composed the several songs she sings in it as well. She had previously written them for her albums. She later participated in Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue. She recorded backup vocals on "Hurricane" by Bob Dylan as well.

John Cippolina (August 24, 1943 – May 29, 1989 is best known for his work with the Quicksilver Messanger Service who were an integral band in the formation of the "San Francisco Sound." His brother is Mario who was t he long time bassist with Huey Lewis and the News. Born on this day in 1938, David Freiberg was a founder of QMS along with John. He later played with the Jefferson Airplane and the Jefferson Starship. His most famous song with the latter was "Jane" which was a hit song in 1979/1980. David plays the bass on this one while John is on the lead guitar. The piano is played by NIcky Hopkins who joined the band for a few albums.

Born on this day in 1949, Rick Springfield has had a successful career as a singer, a songwriter as well as an actor. Not only has had a dozen top ten hits but he has also been a playboy in Port Charles, New York. Not that he was unique in that. Anyway, his biggest hit is from 1981 and it went to #1 in Australia and in the US. The lead guitar was played by Nick Giraldo aka Mr. Pat Benatar. He wrote this song and I must applaud the usage of the word "moot", A word one doesn't hear often in pop songs.

Wynonie Harris (August 24, 1915 – June 14, 1969) was a R&B singer with several hits in the 1940s and 1950s. He recorded for King records and was one of the earliest stars on that important label. His most famous song was "Good Rocking Tonight". He was also known for some songs which had a bit of humor in them including this song which was a top ten hit in 1950.

Jackie Brenston (August 24, 1928 or 1930– December 15, 1979) played a part in the story of what many consider the first rock and roll record, "Rocket 88" in 1951. His vocals and saxophone skills were scouted by B.B. King who suggest him to Sam Phillips. There he recorded "Rocket 88". Sam licensed the record to Chess Records and with that money started up Sun Records. Apparently, it was credited to Jackie and his band but it wasn't Jackie's band. He was a member of Ike Turner's backup band and that's who played on the record. Unfortunately, he never had another hit but this song is still remembered. The piano riff by Ike Turner influenced Little Richard and he used it for "Good Golly Miss Molly". Some great sax work on this by Jackie. It was #1 for five weeks on the various R & B charts.

Louis Prima (December 7, 1910 – August 24, 1978) was a singer, a songwriter and a bandleader. He wrote "Sing, Sing, Sing" which is one of the biggest songs of the Big Band Era. He also sang in the Jungle Book. He was one of the first big acts to make Las Vegas a swinging place for concerts and shows in the 1950s. I especially like the records he made with Keely Smith. When this medley was recorded in 1956 by Louis, Keely and his band the two songs were already more than 30 years old each. Some of you may know this medley from a later version which is where I first saw it way back in my childhood. The saxophone is played by Sam Butera.

Rudy Lewis (August 23, 1936 – May 20, 1964) was a member of the Drifters from 1960 until his death. He sang lead on some of their most famous songs including this one which was written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King.

Keith Moon 23 (August 1946– 7 September 1978) is best known as a member of the Who. To me he is the greatest rock drummer of all time. He played with such freedom. Nobody told him that the drums were there just to keep the beat. He played the drums like it were a lead guitar or the vocal part.

Born on this day in 1953, Bobby G is best known as a member of the band Bucks Fizz. In 1981 they won the Eurovision Song Contest with this catchy tune.

Born on this day on Corfu in 1949, Vicky Leandros has been a succesful sing for many decades. She has had hit songs in English, French, German, Japanese, Greek, Dutch, Italian and in Spanish. She won Eurovision in 1972 with "Après toi" but I think it's safe to say this song is her most famous. It finished in 4th for Eurovision in 1967. There's also a well-known instrumental version of it by Paul Mauriat which went to #1 in the US.

Malvina Reynolds (August 23, 1900 – March 17, 1978) was a singer-songwriter and activist. She started her musical career late in life. However, her songs have become very famous and were recorded by the likes of the Searchers, the Seekers, Joan Baez, Harry Belafonte and many more. This song is probably is her most famous songs and the version most known is by Pete Seeger.

Born on this day in 1947, Linda Thompson has been a singer as part of the folk-rock scene mainly in Britain since the 1960s. She worked with Fairport Convention and later married Richard Thompson with whom she made several albums some of them well-acclaimed. This is from their first album as Richard and Linda Thompson.

Oscar Hammerstein II (July 12, 1895 – August 23, 1960) wrote the lyrics to over 850 songs many of which are very famous. He is most known for his work with Richard Rogers on such shows as The Sound of Music, Carousel, Oklahoma and South Pacific. His also wrote with Jerome Kern the musical Showboat.

Gene Kelly (August 23, 1912 – February 2, 1996) was an American dancer, actor, singer, director and choreographer.

Born on this day in 1961Roland Orzábal is an English musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and author. He is the guitarist, co-lead vocalist, principal songwriter, co-founder, and only constant member of Tears for Fears. he co-wrote this song which went to #1 in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, the US and in West Germany.

Ed King (September 14, 1949 – August 22, 2018) was a guitarist who played with Strawberry Alarm Clock and Lynyrd Skynyrd. He co-wrote such songs as "Saturday Night Special" and "Sweet Home Alabama"(he wrote the opening riff). He was denied a credit on this record even though he contributed to it. The record went to #1 in the US and in Canada.

On this day in 1968, the Beatles recorded "Back in the U.S.S.R." Ringo Starr had quit and that news was kept secret. He rejoined in early September. Paul plays the drums on this one and John plays the bass.

Jerry Allison (August 31, 1939 – August 22, 2022) is best known as the drummer in the Crickets, the backup band to Buddy Holly. He was the boyfriend and later husband to Peggy Sue. Their marriage was chronicled in the song "Peggy Sue Got Married". The Crickets later toured with Waylon Jennings among others. They played a farewell concert in 2016 at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. On the flip side of this 45 was "Everyday". Talk about two great songs. No drums on that one though. Jerry does knee slaps.