The blues guitarist George “Buddy” Guy was born on July 30, 1936 and reared on a farm without modern conveniences near Lettsworth, Louisiana, to Sam Guy and Isabel Williams Guy, sharecroppers. There were five children, one of which was his fellow bluesman Phil Guy. Buddy … Read MoreBuddy Guy (1936- )
Virtuoso technician Classical, jazz, composer Nestor Miguel Torres was born on April 25, 1957, in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, to Nestor Torres Sr., pianist and vibraphone, and Ana E. Salcedo Baldovino-Torres. His first percussion and piano teacher was his father. However, Torres, skipping two grades, began … Read MoreNestor Torres (1957- )
Composer, lyricist, baritone Brook Benton, who sang R&B and ballads, was born on September 19, 1931, in Camden, South Carolina, as Benjamin Franklin Peay to Willie Peay, a United Methodist Minister, pianist, and choirmaster in Lugoff, South Carolina, and Mattie Hill Peay, a gospel singer … Read MoreBrook Benton (1941-1988)
Musician Theodore DeReese Pendergrass, known popularly as Teddy Pendergrass, was born on March 26, 1950, to Ida Geraldine (Epps) and Jesse Pendergrass in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father left the family when Pendergrass was young and was killed in 1962. Pendergrass began singing at the age … Read MoreTheodore “Teddy” Pendergrass (1950-2010)
Rock artist, lyricist, actor Leonard Albert Kravitz was born on May 26, 1964, in Manhattan, New York, to Roxie Albertha Roker, an actress from Miami, Florida, and Sy Kravitz, a filmmaker from Brooklyn. At three he began exhibiting music talents by creating syncopated rhythms beating … Read MoreLenny Kravitz (1964 – )
Legendary Composer, singer, lyricist Mary Wells was born Mary Esther Wells on May 13, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan to Arthur Wells and Geneva Campbell Wells. Her brothers were Thomas and Fletcher. When she was two years old, Wells was diagnosed with spinal meningitis and partial … Read MoreMary Wells (1943-1992)
Brandon Paak Anderson, better known as Anderson .Paak, is an American rapper, songwriter, producer, and drummer. Born on February 8, 1986, in Oxnard, California, Paak has become widely respected in the music industry as a multi-talented, up and coming artist. He is bi-racial, his father … Read MoreAnderson .Paak (1986 – )
Melissa Viviane Jefferson is an American flutist, songwriter, rapper, and singer who performs under the name Lizzo. Jefferson was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 27, 1988 to Michael Jefferson and Shari Johnson-Jefferson. The family of five lived in Detroit until Jefferson was nine years … Read MoreLizzo (Melissa Jefferson) (1988- )
Actor Justin “Jussie” Smollett was born in Santa Rosa, California, on June 21, 1982, to a biracial family. His father, Joel Smollett, is Jewish, and his mother, Janet Smollett, is African American. The couple have five other children: Jake, Jojo, Jocqui, Jurnee, and Jazz, but … Read MoreJustin “Jussie” Smollett (1982- )
Gilbert Edward Noble was a pianist, producer, professor, news anchor, television host, and documentarian. His entry into media was largely due to the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements. Born in Harlem, New York on February 22, 1932 to Jamaican parents Iris Villiers Noble, a … Read MoreGil Noble (1932-2012)
