New Featured Unknown/Underrated Song of the Rock Era: "Rolene" by Moon Martin

Sometimes, it's a mystery why some songs don't attract the attention of others.  This song by Moon Martin made him a One-Hit Wonder, only because radio ignored this song.  Martin wrote "Bad Case of Loving You" for Robert Palmer, but only reached #30 with "Rolene".

"Rolene"

by Moon Martin

Lyrics by Moon Martin

 

Come on, operator

Gimme Rolene on my line

She know what I need

To ease a cravin in my spine

A cheerleaders smile

Tijuana style

Your daddy ay be judge

Sure know how to nudge

 

All right, Rolene

Rolene,

 Rolene

 

Well, I`ve been living

So white and clean

That uh, Jack

It`s made me mean

 

Well, I need Rolene`s

Smooth, round thigh

Like a rush

 to get me high

 

I give it my best shot

Honey, all I got

My name may not be Hud

Show you I`m no dud

 

All right, Rolene

Rolene,

Rolene

 

You know my baby`s love

Just like a sweet velvet glove

Honey, crack that whip You make me bite my lip

 

All right, Rolene

Rolene,

Rolene

I said R-o-l-e-n-e, Rolene

This Date in Rock Music History: February 22

 
1956:  A handsome singer with a great voice first was heard on the radio this week as he debuted on the chart with his first single--Elvis Presley and "Heartbreak Hotel".  And history was made.

1958:  The movie The Big Beat, an Alan Freed project starring Fats Domino, the Diamonds and the Del-Vikings, debuted in Detroit, Michigan.

1960:  Dinah Washington & Brook Benton were at #1 on the R&B chart for a third week with "Baby (You've Got What It Takes)", on the way to having one of The Top R&B Songs of All-Time*.

1960:  Percy Faith had a relatively brief climb to #1 (seven weeks) with "The Theme from 'A Summer Place'".
1962:  Elvis reigned on the U.K. chart with the double-sided "Rock-A-Hula Baby"/"Can't Help Falling In Love".
1963:  The Beatles began the Northern Music Publishing Company with Dick James.  However, the initial deal maintained that James and his partner, Charles Silver, always had one more share than John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and manager Brian Epstein combined.  This fact would have a devastating effect on Lennon and McCartney in later years. 
1963:  "Please Please Me" by the Beatles achieved #1 in the U.K.
1964:  Meet the Beatles!  was #1 on the Album chart for the second week while Introducing...the Beatles moved from 22 to 3.
1964:  The song that really got the Beach Boys' careers kick started--"Fun, Fun, Fun", moved from #69 to #27.

                   The Four Seasons were one of the pre-Beatles acts that stayed strong...

1964:  "I Want To Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles spent a fourth week at #1 with "She Loves You" by the Beatles second.  The Four Seasons moved impressively from 11 to 3 with their latest--"Dawn (Go Away)".  Lesley Gore's #2 smash "You Don't Own Me" was behind that trio while the instrumental "Java" from Al Hirt was up to #6.  The rest of the Top 10:  Major Lance with "Um" five times, the Rip Chords and "Hey Little Cobra", the Rivieras warmed up as "California Sun" moved from 14-8, the Tams had "What Kind Of Fool (Do You Think I Am" and Diane Renay moved from 21 to 10 with "Navy Blue".







1965:  The Beatles flew to the Bahamas to begin filming their second movie, Help!  (Note:  Several websites report that the group began filming on this date.  The truth is that the Beatles flew there on February 22, and began filming at New Providence Island in the Bahamas on February 23, according to the book 'The Beatles Diary Volume 1:  The Beatles Years' by Barry Miles.)   
1967:  The Beatles recorded the piano chord for "A Day In The Life" at EMI Studios on Abbey Road in London.  John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and Mal Evans, road manager of the group, all simultaneously played an E major chord on separate pianos, hitting the chord as hard as possible.  As the sound diminished, faders were increased, to the point that at the end of the chord, the studio air conditioners can be heard.  It took nine takes to achieve the desired sound.  Take seven was the longest at 59 seconds, but take nine was judged to be the best.  Producer George Martin then used three overdubs to thicken the sound. 
1968:  Genesis released their first single "The Silent Sun".
1969:  The Beatles began recording the album Abbey Road with the track "I Want You (She's So Heavy)".
1969:  Sly & the Family Stone took over at #1 on the R&B chart with "Everyday People".






      Harrison's great song highlights 'The White Album'.

1969:  For the eighth week in a row, The White Album by the Beatles was #1.  Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell was second on this day with the Soundtrack to "Yellow Submarine" third.  TCB from Diana Ross & the Supremes with the Temptations fell while the Greatest Hits by the Association was #5.  The rest of the Top 10:  the great self-titled Blood, Sweat & Tears, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida from Iron Butterfly, Elvis by Elvis Presley, Crimson & Clover from Tommy James & the Shondells entered the Top 10 and another one from Diana Ross & the Supremes & the Temptations, called Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations, was #10.






1969:  "Proud Mary" by CCR moved from 21 to 9 on this date.













1971:  Three Dog Night released the single "Joy To The World".











1971:  George Harrison released the single "What is Life".
1974:  Alvin Lee performed a solo concert at the Rainbow Theatre in London.
1975:  "Nightingale" by Stanley, Idaho's Carole King was the new #1 Adult song.
1975:  AWB by the Average White Band was the new #1 album with Bob Dylan's excellent Blood on the Tracks moving up to challenge.  Former #1 Heart Like a Wheel from Linda Ronstadt was third, followed by Miles of Aisles and Jethro Tull's War Child.  The rest of the Top 10:  B.T. Express with Do It ('Til You're Satisfied), Elton John's 1969 album Empty Sky became a Top 10 album six years later, what with Elton's huge mid-70's success, Rufusized by Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan, Barry Manilow II was #9 and Grand Funk edged up with All the Girls in the World Beware!!!






1975:  "Lady Marmalade" was the toast of the town as Labelle reached #1 on the R&B chart.
1975:  B.J. Thomas had a lot on his mind, and succinct titles weren't part of it.  His new song "(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" moved from #81 to #44.  











                           Grand Funk had a great sound with this one...

1975:  The Average White Band received more good news as their single "Pick Up The Pieces" went to #1.  The Eagles were ready to make their move with "Best Of My Love" while Grand Funk's great song "Some Kind Of Wonderful" moved to #3.  The Doobie Brothers were next with "Black Water" and Olivia Newton-John proved she was for real as "Have You Never Been Mellow" vaulted from 18 to 5.  The rest of the Top 10:  America's "Lonely People", Frankie Valli was up to #7 with "My Eyes Adored You", former #1 "You're No Good" by Linda Ronstadt tumbled, John Lennon's "#9 Dream" was, um, #9 and Stanley, Idaho's Carole King took "Nightingale" to #10.






1976:  Florence Ballard of the Supremes died of cardiac arrest from a blood clot of one of her coronary arteries at the age of 32 in Detroit, Michigan.  (Note:  some websites erroneously report her death as February 21.  According to the books 'Motown:  The Golden Years:  More than 100 Rare Photographs' by Bill Dahl and 'The Encyclopedia of Sixties Cool:  A Celebration of the Grooviest People' by Chris Strodder, Ballard entered Mt. Carmel Mercy Hospital in Detroit on February 21, and died the next morning.)  

 

 

1978:  The members of the Police appeared as blondes in a commercial for Wrigley's chewing gum and decided to keep their new looks.
1979:  Journey entered into a sponsorship with Budweiser.
1980:  Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow appeared at The Royal Highland Exhibition Hall in Edinburgh, Scotland.

1986:  "Sara" by Starship took over as the #1 Adult Contemporary song.





 

1986:  Two new acts both reached the Top 10 on this date.  The Dream Academy was at #7 with "Life In A Northern Town" while Mike + the Mechanics placed "Silent Running" at #8.
1988:  Stevie Wonder received the 1998 MusiCares Person of the Year award.
1989:  In one of the biggest blunders ever by the Grammy Awards, they included a Heavy Metal category and then gave the Grammy to Jethro Tull.  Do the Grammy people even have a clue what music is?

1989:  Tracy Chapman won the Grammy for Best New Artist.
 

1989:  Bobby McFerrin won Record and Song of the year for "Don't Worry, Be Happy" at the Grammys.
1992:  TLC appeared on the radio for the first time as their debut single "Ain't 2 (sic) Proud 2 (sic) Beg" first appeared on the charts.

1992:  Paul Young reached #1 on the AC chart with "What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted".

1992:  Shakespear's Sister took over at #1 for an eight-week run at the top with "Stay".

1992:  It was obvious by now that Garth Brooks had himself a classic, with the #1 album for the 13th week--Ropin' the Wind.  




 

1993:  Radiohead released their debut album--Pablo Honey.
1993:  Bruce Dickinson, lead singer of Iron Maiden, announced he was leaving the band to pursue a solo career. He returned in 1999.

1994:  Papa John Creach, the violinist with Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna, died of heart failure in Los Angeles at age 76.
1997:  Blur's self-titled album topped the U.K. chart.
 1997:  No Doubt had the #1 U.K. song--"Don't Speak".
1997:  "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls reached #1 after just five weeks.  That ended an 11-week run at the top for Toni Braxton's "Un-Break My Heart", tied for the seventh-longest stint in the Rock Era.







                 "Love Thing" helped the Spice Girls make a splash.

1997:  Tragic Kingdom by No Doubt returned to #1 on the Album chart for the ninth week.  Other albums of note:  Secrets from Toni Braxton was #3, Celine Dion was still at #5 after 48 weeks with Falling Into You, newcomers the Spice Girls debuted at #6 with their first album Spice and Jewel was headed back up after 52 weeks with the sensational Pieces of You.
1999:  And the Beat Goes On..., the story of Sonny & Cher, premiered on ABC-TV.

2000:  Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton and Lauryn Hill were among the people gathered at a church in Los Angeles to honor Curtis Mayfield, the late singer-songwriter who died in December.

2001:  The Beatles were the top money-earners of 2000, bringing in $50 million.  This despite the fact that they hadn't been together for 30 years.




 

2002:  Little Richard received an NCAACP Image Award.

2004:  Bobby Vinton collapsed onstage while performing at the American Music Theatre in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  He recovered backstage and refused hospitalization.

2005:  After lead singer Josh Homme was found coughing up blood in his hotel room in Paris, France, Queens of the Stone Age canceled their European tour.  Homme was suffering from a serious lung infection.

2005:  Brian "Head" Welch, founding member of Korn, left the group.

2006:  Sheryl Crow had minimally invasive surgery in Los Angeles after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

2008:  Jaheim had the #1 album with Ghetto Classics.
2009:  Earth, Wind & Fire performed at the White House in Washington, D.C. for a dinner of United States Governors.
2010:  Sam Moore of Sam & Dave ("Soul Man") received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.








2011:  Adele released the album 21 in the United States.  The singer and album would go on to revitalize rock and bring it out of years of mediocrity.









2011:  The Monkees announced that Michael Nesmith has rejoined the group and they were getting back together for a tour in honor of the group's 45th anniversary.









2012:  The Spice Girls reunited for a spectacular performance at the Closing Ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Born This Day:
1923:  Norman "Hurricane" Smith, engineer of all the EMI studio recordings by the Beatles until 1965 and an artist ("Oh Babe, What Would You Say" in 1972), was born in Edmonton, Middlesex; died March 3, 2008 in East Sussex, England.






1927:  Guy Mitchell (real name Albert Cernik), who had one of the biggest hits early in the Rock Era ("Singing The Blues" from 1955), was born in Detroit, Michigan; died July 1, 1999 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Note:  several websites report that Mitchell was born on February 27, but according to 'The BBC', the newspaper 'The Guardian', and the books 'Encyclopedia of Music in the 20th Century' by Lol Henderson and Lee Stacey and 'The Dude Martin Band Story' by Jim Goggin, he was born on February 22.  Some websites say he died on July 2.  The official website for Mitchell, the newspaper 'The Los Angeles Times' and the two books listed above also confirm that Mitchell died on July 1)
1936:  Ernie K. Doe ("Mother-In-Law") was born in New Orleans, Louisiana; died of kidney and liver failure after years of alcoholism on July 5, 2001 in New Orleans.

1938:  Bobby Hendricks, a lead singer of the Drifters, was born in Columbus, Ohio.

1943:  Mick Green, guitarist of Johnny Kidd & the Pirates, was born in Matlock, Derbyshire, England; died January 11, 2010 of heart failure in Essex.

1943:  Louise Lopez of Odyssey ("Native New Yorker"

1945:  Oliver ("Jean" and "Good Morning Starshine") was born in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina; died from lung cancer February 12, 2000 in Shreveport, Louisiana.

1953:  John Sparks, guitarist of Dr. Feelgood

1973:  Scott Phillips, co-founder and drummer of Creed, was born in Valdosta, Georgia.




 

 

1974:  James Blunt ("You're Beautiful" from 2006) was born in Tidworth, Wiltshire, England.

1979:  Tom Higgenson, vocalist and guitarist of the Plain White T's

This Date in Rock Music History: February 21

1952:  Jerry Lee Lewis married his first wife at the age of 17.

1958:  The first Flying V guitar, by Gibson, was shipped from a factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
1961:  The hard-working Beatles performed three concerts in one day, their usual lunchtime gig at the Cavern Club, then at the Cassanova Club later that evening before a final show at Litherland Town Hall in Liverpool, England.
1964:  The Echoes, a new group from New York City, recruited an unknown piano player named Billy Joel.  Joel had seen the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show, and was inspired to start a rock & roll career and find a band.  (Note:  Joel's website and WINS Radio in New York City list the year as 1963, but of course the Beatles' debut appearance was in February of 1964, and Billy himself confirmed to 'Billboard' in an interview that he joined the Echoes in 1964.)





 

1966:  The Rascals released the single "Good Lovin'".














1966:  The Lovin' Spoonful released the single "Daydream".









1966:  The Beatles released the single "Nowhere Man".

1968:  McGraw-Hill publishing company outbid eight other competitors for the rights in the United States to Hunter Davies' authorized biography of the Beatles.  McGraw-Hill paid $150,000.

1970:  The Jackson 5 made their television debut on American Bandstand.
1970:  Simon & Garfunkel rose to #1 in the U.K. with their album Bridge Over Troubled Water.  The album went to #1 eight different times and spent a total of 41 weeks at the top.
1970:  Dionne Warwick had one of her biggest career hits with "I'll Never Fall In Love Again", which remained at #1 on the Adult chart for a third week.
1970:  Sly & the Family Stone made it three weeks at #1 on the R&B chart with "Thank You".







1970:  Elvis Presley had been recording for 15 years and on this date, "Kentucky Rain" was one of the hottest songs, moving from 96 to 40.









   And "Travelin' Band" sounds as good now as it did in 1970...

1970:  Sly & the Family Stone remained on top with "Thank You".  Eddie Holman was a surprising second with "Hey There Lonely Girl" while Simon & Garfunkel moved from 13 to 3 in just their third week with "Bridge Over Troubled Water".  The former #1 "I Want You Back" by the Jackson 5 was now fourth with CCR's great double-sided hit "Travelin' Band"/"Who'll Stop The Rain" moving from 9 to 5.  The rest of an excellent Top 10:  "No Time" from the Guess Who, B.J. Thomas and his #1 classic "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head", the Temptations remained in the #8 position with "Psychedelic Shack", the Shocking Blue's former #1 "Venus" and Brook Benton headed into the Top 10 with "Rainy Night In Georgia".
1970:  Led Zeppelin II was the top album for the sixth week, but former #1 Abbey Road by the Beatles had good staying power, remaining second.  The top new entry in the Top 10 was Chicago II, which moved from 44 to 9 in its second week.

  1973:  The Edgar Winter Group released the single "Frankenstein".










        Fleetwood Mac had kicked it up a notch for this album...

1976:  Desire by Bob Dylan was #1 for a third week on the Album chart, holding off Still Crazy After All These Years by Paul Simon, although Paul's was the better album.  Gratitude from Earth, Wind & Fire held on to third with Station to Station by David Bowie another pretender to the crown.  Chicago IX, the group's Greatest Hits package, was at #5.  The rest of the Top 10:  Peter Frampton's solo release Frampton Comes Alive! was on fire, moving from 22-6, the self-titled Fleetwood Mac, which had fallen off the chart on October 4, was back with a vengeance, moving from 15-7, ELO's new release Face the Music, Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes moved into the Top 10 with Wake Up Everybody.
1976:  The Four Seasons had the top U.K. song with "December, 1963 (Oh What A Night)".

1976:  Art Garfunkel scored a #1 on the Adult chart this week with "Break Away".

1976:  Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan moved to #1 on the R&B chart with their sweet song "Sweet Thing".

                           ELO with one of their biggest hits...

1976:  Paul Simon told of all the ways people took the easy way out with "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover", the #1 song for a third week.  Rhythm Heritage was a factor with "Theme From 'S.W.A.T.'" and Hot Chocolate was a steady third with "You Sexy Thing".  Donna Summer's "Love To Love You Baby" was next, followed by another hormone-driven song, "Love Machine" from the Miracles.  The rest of the Top 10:  Barry Manilow and "I Wrote The Songs", Eric Carmen vaulted from 14 to 7 with his first solo hit "All By Myself", Neil Sedaka was back with "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do", the Eagles' latest smash "Take It To The Limit", one of The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era*, moved into the Top 10 and ELO remained at #10 with "Evil Woman".






1977:  The Eagles released the single "Hotel California" (Please click on "Skip Ad" after five seconds...)  (Note:  some websites naively list March 12 as the release date.  "Hotel California" debuted on the Singles chart on February 26.  It is physically impossible for a song to debut on the Singles chart if it has not been released as a single.)
1977:  Neil Diamond's live concert television special aired on NBC.











1978:  Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams released the single "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late".
1980:  Janet Vogel of the Skyliners ("Since I Don't Have You") committed suicide at age 37.
1980:  Fleetwood Mac began a 16-show tour of Australia and New Zealand at the Entertainment Centre in Perth.  The group had kicked off their worldwide Tusk tour on October 26, 1979 at the Minidome in Pocatello, Idaho.

1981:  Prince appeared on Saturday Night Live on NBC.

1981:  Phil Collins debuted at #1 on the U.K. Album chart with Face Value.

1981:  Ronnie Milsap crossed over for a great #1 Adult Contemporary song--"Smoky Mountain Rain".






   
             She don't remember the Queen of Soul? You've got to be kidding!

1981:  Dolly Parton completed the climb to #1 with "9 To 5".  Eddie Rabbitt was one step away with "I Love A Rainy Night" while former #1 "Celebration" by Kool & the Gang was now third and John Lennon's posthumous release "Woman" was #4.  The rest of the Top 10:  Blondie with "The Tide Is High", REO Speedwagon's "Keep On Loving You", Styx entered the Top 10 with "The Best Of Times", Delbert McClinton with "Giving It Up For Your Love", Dan Fogelberg moved in to #9 with "Same Old Lang Syne" and Steely Dan remained in the #10 spot with "Hey Nineteen".







                                        "Tough Guys"...

1981:  REO Speedwagon, which had toiled for ten years with little success, finally was rewarded as Hi Infidelity became the #1 album.  Double Fantasy from John Lennon dropped while "The Jazz Singer" Soundtrack  by Neil Diamond remained in the #3 spot.  Pat Benatar's excellent Crimes of Passion was fourth with Styx rising a spot with Paradise Theater.  The rest of the Top 10:  the Police with Zenyatta Mondatta, Blondie's Autoamerican, Kenny Rogers' Greatest Hits captured the #8 position, AC/DC was at #9 after 27 weeks with Back In Black and Stevie Wonder closed the list with Hotter Than July.








1982:  Murray "the K" Kaufman, the disc jockey who is believed to have been the first DJ in America to play a Beatles song and who promoted the Beatles' first tour, died of cancer in Los Angeles at age 60.
1986:  Pat Boone was a guest star on The Fall Guy on ABC-TV.
1987:  Sylvester Stone (of Sly & the Family Stone) was thrown in jail on drug charges.
1987:  Bobby Rydell and Fabian appeared on The Facts of Life on NBC-TV.
1987:  Ben E. King had the new #1 song in the U.K. as "Stand By Me", which was featured in the movie of the same name, was re-released.
1987:  Lionel Richie, one of the most successful Adult Contemporary artists of all-time, remained at #1 for the third straight week with "Ballerina Girl".






1987:  The Bangles were off and running with "Walking Down Your Street"--their latest moved from 95 to 71.












                                   "Wanted Dead or Alive"...

1987:  Bon Jovi held off everyone for a seventh week at #1 on the Album chart with their breakthrough album Slippery When Wet.  The Way It Is from Bruce Hornsby & the Range at 4, Different Light at #5 after 56 weeks for the Bangles, Invisible Touch from Genesis at #7 and Fore!  by Huey Lewis & the News at #10 were other noteworthy albums.
1990:  Bonnie Raitt was the winner of four awards at the Grammys, including Album of the Year for Nick of Time.
1990:  In yet another blunder by the Grammy Awards, Milli Vanilli won the Best New Artist award.  It was later admitted that they were not the vocalists on the album, and their award was vacated.  (Note:  several websites report that the duo won the award on February 22.  The Grammy Awards were presented on February 21, according to the newspaper 'The New York Times'.)









1995:  Joan Osborne released the single "One Of Us".












1995:  Bruce Springsteen performed live with the E Street Band for the first time in seven years at the Tramps nightclub in New York City.
1998:  Celine Dion owned the #1 U.K. song with "My Heart Goes On", which became the world's best-selling single of the year.






                            Rob Thomas and Matchbox 20 with "' A.M.'...

1998:  Yield by Pearl Jam debuted at #2 on the Album chart.  Matchbox 20 (#6) was still in the Top 10 after 49 weeks with Yourself or Someone Like You, Savage Garden (#8) was hanging in there after 43 weeks and Will Smith entered the Top 10 with Big Wilie Style.











2001:  U2 captured Grammys for Record and Song of the Year with "Beautiful Day".
2003:  Ringo Starr started the record label Pumkinhead (correct spelling), geared towards new artists.
2004:  Charlotte Church turned 18, thus gaining control of a trust fund of her earnings that had reached $30 million.









2009:  The Fray had the #1 album with their self-titled debut.
2012:  Fun. released the album Some Nights.


Born This Day:
1933:  Nina Simone (real name Eunice Waymon) was born in Tryon, North Carolina; died of cancer in Carry le Rouet, France on April 21, 2003.
1938:  Bobby Charles ("See You Later, Alligator") was born in Abbeville, Louisiana; died January 14, 2010.

1943:  David Geffen, music industry executive, founder of Asylum Records who signed the Eagles, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Joni Mitchell and Jackson Browne and also founder of his own Geffen Records who signed Donna Summer, Aerosmith, Toni Braxton, Mary J. Blige, Enya, Guns N' Roses, Don Henley and Sonic Youth, was born in Brooklyn, New York.  (Note:  some websites list his birthplace as Borough Park, New York, others as New York City.  Borough Park is the name of a neighborhood--neighborhoods are not official places of birth.  Geffen was born in Brooklyn, according to 'CNN'.)
1946:  Paul Newton, original bassist of Uriah Heap, was born in Andover, Hampshire, England.
1949:  Jerry Harrison, songwriter, keyboardist and guitarist of the Talking Heads, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
1951:  Vince Welnick, keyboardist of the Tubes and the Grateful Dead, was born in Phoenix, Arizona; committed suicide in Forestville, California on June 2, 2006 after battling depression for 10 years.  (Note:  some websites list his birthday as February 22--it was February 21, according to his official website.)
1956:  Lester Hunt, songwriter and guitarist who joined the Climax Blues Band in 1985, was born in Stretford, Manchester, England.
1958:  Mary Chapin-Carpenter was born in Princeton, New Jersey.
1961:  Ranking Roger (real name Roger Charlery), vocalist of the Beat, General Public and the Fine Young Cannibals, was born in Birmingham, England.  
1967:  Michael Ward, guitarist of the Wallflowers, was born in Los Angeles.

1969:  James Dean Bradfield, lead guitarist and lead singer of the Manic Street Preachers, was born in Pontypool, Wales.

1970:  Eric Wilson, bassist of Sublime, was born in Long Beach, California.  (Note:  some websites list his birthday as February 22, and others say he was born in 1969.  There are no credible sources for any date, but our best research indicates he was born on February 21, 1970.)

1986:  Charlotte Church was born in Llandaff, Cardiff, Wales.
1989:  Corbin Bleu of High School Musical was born in Brooklyn, New York.