Music Makers Encyclopedia: B

Click on a letter to choose an act ("S" for Bruce Springsteen, "B" for Beatles, etc.). Shown with the act are its major awards, short bios for select acts (generally adapted from Joel Whitburn’s Pop Memories 1890-1954 and Top Pop Singles: Billboard books), and links to albums and songs reviewed by the DMDB.

Eric B. & Rakim

Song(s):
Paid in Full (Seven Minutes of Madness) (1987)
Follow the Leader (1988)

Album(s):
Paid in Full (1987)

Ruth B

Song(s):
Dandelions (2022)

Stevie B

Song(s):
Because I Love You (The Postman Song) (1990)

Baauer

Song(s):
Harlem Shake (2013)

Bob Babbitt

Harry Babbitt

Song(s):
Jingle, Jangle, Jingle (1942) – see Kay Kyser
He Wears a Pair of Silver Wings (1942) – see Kay Kyser
On a Slow Boat to China (1948) – see Kay Kyser

Milton Babbitt

Album(s):
Philomel: For Soprano (1964)

Babyface

R&B singer/songwriter ("When Can I See You") born Kenneth Edmonds on 4/10/1959 in Indianapolis, IN.

Song(s):
This Is for the Lover in You (1996)
How Come, How Long (with Stevie Wonder, 1996)

Album(s):
Love, Marriage & Divorce (2014) – see Toni Braxton

Babyface Leroy Trio

Song(s):
Rollin’ and Tumblin’ (1950)

Baby Keem

Song(s):
Family Ties (with Kendrick Lamar, 2021)

Babylon Zoo

Song(s):
Spaceman (1996)

The Babys

Rock group (1974-81). John Waite (v/b: 74-81), Michael Corby (k/g: 74-78), Tony Brock (d: 74-81, 13-), Wally Stocker (g: 74-81, 13-), Jonathan Cain (k: 78-81), Ricky Phillips (b: 78-81), Joey Sykes (g: 13-), John Bisaha (v/b: 13-). Waite, Cain, and Phillips were also bandmates in Bad English.

Song(s):
Isn’t It Time (1977)

Baccara

Song(s):
Yes Sir, I Can Boogie (1977)

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach

German classical pianist and composer born 3/8/1714 in Weimar, Germany. Died 12/14/1788

Johann Sebastian Bach

Classical composer born 3/21/1685 in Eisenach, Germany. Died 7/28/1750.

Song(s):
Ave Maria (Bach/Charles Gounod; 1859)
Ave Maria (1936) – see Marian Anderson

Classical Work(s):
Toccata and Fugue for Organ in D minor (1708)
Violin Sonata No. 1 (1720)
Sonatas and Partitas for Violin (1720)
Brandenburg Concertos (1719-21)
Cello Suites (1717-23)
Violin Concerto No 2 in E major (1723)
St. Matthew Passion (1736)
Goldberg Variations (1741)
The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I (1742)
Musikalisches Opfer (The Musical Offering) (1747)
Mass in B Minor (1748)
The Art of the Fugue (Die Kunst der Fuge) (1750)

Burt Bacharach

Pianist, composer, and producer born 5/12/1928 in Kansas City, MO. Died 2/8/2023. Frequently partnered with lyricist Hal David. Through 2014, Bacharach had written 73 Top 40 hits in the U.S. and 52 Top 40 hits in the U.K.

DMDB podcast: Remembering Burt Bacharach: His Top 10 Songs

Songs written by Burt Bacharach:
Top 50 Songs (1985) – see Dionne Warwick
God Give Me Strength (1996) – see Elvis Costello

Song(s) written with Hal David:
Don’t Make Me Over (1962) – see Dionne Warwick
Walk on By (1964) – see Dionne Warwick
What the World Needs Now (1965) – see Jackie DeShannon
Alfie (1967) – see Dionne Warwick
This Guy’s in Love with You (1968) – see Herb Alpert
I Say a Little Prayer (1968) – see Aretha Franklin
Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head (1969) – see B.J. Thomas
They Long to Be Close to You (1970) – see The Carpenters

Song(s) written with Carole Bayer Sager:
Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do) (1981) – see Christopher Cross
That’s What Friends Are For (1985) – see Dionne Warwick
On My Own (1986) – see Patti LaBelle

Albums:
Promises, Promises (composed with Hal David, musical: 1969)
The Look of Love: The Collection (various artists, box: 1957-96, released 1996)

The Bachelors

Song(s):
Diane (1964)

Randy Bachman

Rock guitarist with Bachman-Turner Overdrive.

Bachman-Turner Overdrive

Song(s):
You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet (1974)
Takin’ Care of Business (1974)
Hey You (1975)

Backstreet Boys

Pop vocal group from Orlanda, Florida. Active: 1993-2005. Members: Nick Carter, Howie Dourough, Brian Littrell, A.J. McLean, and Kevin Richardson

Song(s):
As Long As You Love Me (1997)
I Want It That Way (1999)
Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely (1999)
Shape of My Heart (2000)
Incomplete (2005)

Album(s):
Backstreet Boys (international version, 1996)
Backstreet Boys (U.S. version, 1997)
Backstreet’s Back (1998)
Millennium (1999)
Black & Blue (2000)

Bad Brains

Song(s):
Pay to Cum (1980)
Banned in D.C. (1982)
I Against I (1986)

Album(s):
Bad Brains (1982)
Rock for Light (1982)

Bad Bunny

Song(s):
Te Boté (2017) – see Casper Magico
Mayores (2017) – see Becky G
I Like It (2018) – see Cardi B
Callaíta (with Tainy, 2019)
MIA (with Drake, 2018)
No Me Conoce (2019) – see Jhay Cortez
Dakiti (with Jhay Cortez, 2020)
Yonaguni (2021)
Tití Me Preguntó (2022)
Me Porto Bonito (with Chencho Corleone, 2022)
Ojitos Lindos (with Bomba Estero, 2022)
Efecto (2022)

Album(s):
YHLQMDLG (2020)
Un Verano Sin Ti (2022)

Bad Company

English rock supergroup formed by members of Free, Mott the Hoople, and King Crimson. Named after a 1972 Jeff Bridges movie. Active: 1973-2992 Members: Paul Rodgers (v: 73-82, 99, 02), Mick Ralphs (g – Mott the Hoople: 70-73; Bad Company: 73-92?), Simon Kirke (d: Free: 68-73; Bad Company: 73-02), Raymond "Boz" Burrell (b – King Crimson: 71-72; Bad Company: 73-87,99), Brian Howe (v: 86-95), Paul Cullen (b: 90-92), Geoffrey Whitehorn (g: 90-92), Dave "Bucket" Colwell (g: 92-), Rick Wills (b: 92-98), Robert Hart (v: 95-), Dave "Bucket" Colwell (g: 92-02), Robert Hart (v: 95-96), Jaz Lochrie (b: 02).

Song(s):
Bad Company (1974)
Can’t Get Enough (1974)
Feel Like Making Love (1975)
Shooting Star (1975)
How About That (1992)

Album(s):
Bad Company (1974)
Straight Shooter (1975)
The Original Bad Company Anthology (compilation: 1974-99, released 1999)

Baddiel & Skinner

Song(s):
Three Lions (Baddiel & Skinner with the Lightning Seeds, 1996)

Bad English

Rock supergroup (1987-1991). John Waite, Jonathan Cain, Deen Castronovo, Ricky Phillips, and Neal Schon. Waite, Cain, and Phillips were in The Babys together. Cain and Schon were bandmates in Journey.

Song(s):
When I See You Smile (1989)

Badfinger

Song(s):
No Matter What (1970)
Come and Get It (1970)
Day After Day (1971)

Badly Drawn Boy

Song(s):
Stone on the Water (2000)
Something To Talk About (2002)
The Long Way Round (2006)

Album(s):
The Hour of the Bewilderbeast (2000)

Bad Religion

Song(s):
American Jesus (1993)

Album(s):
Suffer (1988)

Erykah Badu

Song(s):
On and On (1997)
You Got Me (1999) – see The Roots
Bag Lady (2000)
Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip Hop) (with Common, 2002)

Album(s):
Baduizm (1997)

David Baerwald

DMDB profile page.

Rock singer/songwriter born July 11, 1960 in Oxford, OH. (v – Sensible Shoes: 81-82; David David: 86; solo: 90-). Part of the Tuesday Night Music Club that crafted Sheryl Crow’s multi-platinum debut album of the same name. He has also composed music for films, including Reality Bites Clueless, Grace of My Heart, Hurlyburly, and The Pledge. His song "Come What May," from Moulin Rouge, was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Song in a Motion Picture.

Song(s):
Welcome to the Boomtown (1986) – see David David
A Friend Like Our Dear Stranger (1999)
If Wishes Were Horses (2004)
Why Not Me (2005)
I Won’t Back Down (2006)

Album(s):
Boomtown (1986) – see David David
Bedtime Stories (1990)
Triage (1992)
A Fine Mess (1999)
Here Comes the New Folk Underground (2002)
Hellbound Train (EP, 2016)
Hard Times (EP, 2017)
Reckless Boy (EP, 2018)

Joan Baez

Folk singer/songwriter born 1/9/1941 in Staten Island, NY.

Song(s):
Silver Dagger (1960)
We Shall Overcome (1963)
Where Have All the Flowers Gone (1965)
There But for Fortune (1965)
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (1971)
Diamonds and Rust (1975)

Album(s):
Joan Baez (1960)

The Baha Men

Who Let the Dogs Out? (2000)

DeFord Bailey

Song(s):
Pan American Blues (1927)

Mildred Bailey

American jazz singer born 2/27/1907. Died 12/12/1951.

Song(s):
All of Me (1932) – see Paul Whiteman
Rockin’ Chair (1937)
Says My Heart (1938) – see Red Norvo
Please Be Kind (1938) – see Red Norvo
Darn That Dream (1940) – see Benny Goodman

Pearl Bailey

American big band singer born 3/29/1918. Died 8/17/1990.

Song(s):
Takes Two to Tango (1952)
Best of Friends (from The Fox and the Hound, 1981)

Philip Bailey

R&B singer/songwriter and percussionist born 5/8/1951 in Denver, CO. With Earth, Wind & Fire.

Song(s):
Easy Lover (with Phil Collins, 1984)

Merril Bainbridge

Song(s):
Mouth (1995)

Eugenie Baird

Song(s):
My Heart Tells Me (Should I Believe My Heart?) (1943) – see Glen Gray

Ian Bairnson

Rock guitarist born John Bairnson on 8/3/1953 in Lerwick, Shetland Isles, Scotland. Died 4/7/2023. With Pilot, the Alan Parsons Project (1975-87), and Keats (1984).

Bakar

Song(s):
Hell N Back (2019)

Anita Baker

R&B singer born 1/26/1958 in Toledo, OH.

Song(s):
Sweet Love (1986)
Caught Up in the Rapture (1986)
Giving You the Best That I Got (1988)
Body and Soul (1994)

Album(s):
Rapture (1986)
Rhythm of Love (1994)

Chet Baker

Jazz trumpeter and singer born Chesney Henry Baker, Jr. on 12/23/1929 in Yale, OK. Died 5/13/1988.

Song(s):
Let’s Get Lost (1943)
My Funny Valentine (from Babes in Arms, with Gerry Mulligan, 1953)

Elsie Baker (aka "Edna Brown")

Song(s):
I Love You Truly (1912)
Play a Simple Melody (1916) – see Billy Murray
The Missouri Waltz (Hush-a-Bye Ma Baby) (1917)

George Baker Selection

Song(s):
Una Paloma Blanca (1975)

Ginger Baker

Rock drummer born Peter Baker in Lewisham, London on 8/19/1939. Died 10/6/2019. Worked with Blues Incorporated (62), Graham Bond Organization (63), Cream (66-69), Blind Faith (69), Airforce (70), C.C.S., Baker Gurvitz Army (74), Energy, Nutters, Hawkwind, Atomic Rooster, Masters of Reality (92-93), BBM: 94. Also recorded as a solo artist.

The DMDB Blog:
Blind Faith released its only album: July 21, 1969 (7/21/12)

LaVern Baker

American R&B singer born Delores Evans on 11/11/1929 in Chicago, IL. Died 3/10/1997.

Song(s):
Soul on Fire (1953)
Tweedle Dee (1955)
Jim Dandy (1956)
Jim Dandy Got Married (1957)
I Cried a Tear (1958)

Album(s):
Real Gone Gal (1984)

Mickey Baker

Marty Balin

Rock singer/songwriter and guitarist born Martyn Jerel Buchwald on 1/30/1942 in Cincinnati, OH. Died 9/27/2018. With Jefferson Airplane (1965-71, 1989) and Jefferson Starship (1975-79; 1995-).

Ernest Ball

Songs Written by Ball:
Will You Love Me in December As You Do in May? (1907) – see Haydn Quartet
Mother Machree (1911) – see John McCormack
Mother Machree (1911) – see Will Oakland
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling (1913) – see Chauncey Olcott
A Little Bit of Heaven (Shure, They Call It Ireland) (1915) – see George MacFarlane
Goodbye, Good Luck, God Bless You (Is All That I Can Say) (1916) – see Henry Burr

Kenny Ball

Song(s):
Midnight in Moscow (& His Jazzmen, 1961)

Florence Ballard

R&B singer born Florence Glenda Chapman on 6/30/1943 in Detroit, MI. Died 2/22/1976. With the Supremes.

Glen Ballard

Best known for composing songs with Alanis Morissette.

Hank Ballard (& The Midnighters)

R&B singer/songwriter born John Henry Kendricks on 11/18/1927 in Detroit, Michigan. Died 3/2/2003.

Song(s):
Work with Me Annie (The Midnighters, 1954)
The Twist (1960)

Smith Ballew & His Orchestra

Song(s):
Time on My Hands (You in My Arms) (1930)

The Balloon Farm

Song(s):
A Question of Temperature (1968)

J. Balvin

Song(s):
Ay Vamos (2014)
Mi Gente (with Willy William & Beyoncé, 2017)
I Like It (2018) – see Cardi B
X (2018) – see Nicky Jam
Con Altura (2019) – see Rosalia
China (2019) – see Anuel AA
La Canción (with Bad Bunny, 2019)
No Me Conoce (2019) – see Jhay Cortez

Michael Balzary

– see Flea

Afrika Bambaataa (& The Soul Sonic Force)

Song(s):
Planet Rock (1982)
Looking for the Perfect Beat (1982)

Perry Bamonte

Rock guitarist and keyboardist born 9/3/1960 in London, England. With The Cure (1990-2005, 2022-).

Bananarama

Song(s):
Cruel Summer (1983)
Venus (1986)
I Heard a Rumour (1987)

The Band

Americana/folk-rock group first formed as Bob Dylan’s backing band The Hawks. Active: 1967-1978 Members: Levon Helm (d – Jungle Bush Beaters; Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks: 58-63; Levon & The Hawks; Canadian Squires; with Bob Dylan as The Hawks: 65, 73-74; The Band: 67-78; 83; 93), Robbie Robertson (b/rhythm g – Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks: 59-63; Levon & The Hawks; Canadian Squires; with Bob Dylan as The Hawks: 65-67, 73-74; The Band: 67-76; solo), Rick Danko (died 12/10/99; b: Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks: 61-63; Levon & The Hawks; Canadian Squires; with Bob Dylan as The Hawks: 65-67, 73-74; The Band: 67-78; 83; 93), Richard Manuel (died in 1986; p/backing v: Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks: 61-63; Levon & The Hawks; Canadian Squires; with Bob Dylan as The Hawks: 65-67, 73-74; The Band: 67-76; 83), Garth Hudson (k: Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks: 61-63; Levon & The Hawks; Canadian Squires; with Bob Dylan as The Hawks: 65-67, 73-74; The Band: 67-76; 83; 93) , Jim Weider (93), Randy Ciarlante (93), and Richard Bell (93)

Song(s):
The Weight (1968)
I Shall Be Released (1968)
Long Black Veil (1968)
Tears of Rage (1968)
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (1969)
Up on Cripple Creek (1969)
King Harvest Will Surely Come (1969)
Rag Mama Rag (1969)
Arcadian Driftwood (1975)
Mother (live, 1990) – see Roger Waters

Album(s):
The Basement Tapes (1967) – see Bob Dylan
Music from Big Pink (1968)
The Band (1969)
Planet Waves (1974) – see Bob Dylan
The Last Waltz (live, 1976)

Band Aid

An all-star benefit recording organized by Bob Geldof to assist famine relief in Ethiopia. Includes Paul Young, Culture Club’s Boy George & Jon Moss, George Michael, Sting, Phil Collins, Duran Duran, Bananarama, Spandau Ballet, Paul Weller, Boomtown Rats, Kool & the Gang members, U2, Ultravox, Status Quo, and Heaven 17.

Song(s):
Do They Know It’s Christmas? (1984)
Do They Know It’s Christmas (Band Aid 20, 2004)

The DMDB Blog:
Live Aid: July 13, 1985 (7/13/11)

Band of Horses

Song(s):
The Funeral (2006)
Laredo (2010)

The Band Perry

Song(s):
If I Die Young (2010)
All Your Life (2010)
Better Dig Two (2012)
Done (2013)

Banda el Recodo de Cruz Lizárraga

Martin Bandier

Moe Bandy

Country singer born Marion Franklin Bandy, Jr. on 2/12/1944 in Meridian, Mississippi.

Song(s):
It’s a Cheatin’ Situation (1979)
Just Good Ol’ Boys (with Joe Stampley, 1979)
I Cheated Me Right Out of You (1979)

Bangles

Pop-rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. Susanna Hoffs (v/rhythm g: 81-89, 98-), Debbi Peterson (d/v: 81-89, 98-), Vicki Peterson (g/v: 81-89, 98-), Michael Steele (b/v: 83-89, 98-05), Annette Zilinskas (b/v: 81-83, 14, 18-).

DMDB podcast: The Best of the Bangles & Susanna Hoffs, 1981-2023

Song(s):
Hero Takes a Fall (1984)
Manic Monday (1986)
Walk Like an Egyptian (1986)
Following (1986)
Hazy Shade of Winter (1987)
Eternal Flame (1988)
Something to Believe In (1988)
Song for a Good Son (2003)

Album(s):
All Over the Place (1984)
Different Light (1986)
Everything (1988)
Doll Revolution (2003)
Sweetheart of the Sun (2011)

Bessie Banks

Song(s):
Go Now (1964)

Tony Banks

Rock keyboardist born 3/27/1950 in East Hoathly with Halland, England. With Genesis (1966-2000, 2006-07, 2020-22).

Song(s):
Shortcut to Somewhere (with Fish, 1986)
Another Murder of a Day (with Fish, 1991)

Buju Banton

Album(s):
’Til Shiloh (1995)

Chris Barber

Song(s):
Petite Fleur (Chris Barber’s Jazz Band, 1959)

Samuel Barber

Classical composer born Samuel Osborne Barber II on 3/9/1910 in West Chester, PA. Died 1/23/1981.

Song(s):
Adagio for Strings (1938)

Album(s):
Violin Concerto Op. 14 (1941)

Bardot

Song(s):
Poison (2000)

Bobby Bare

Country singer/songwriter born Robert Joseph Bare on 4/7/1935 in Ironton, OH. Father of musician Bobby Bare, Jr.

Song(s):
500 Miles (1963)
Detroit City (1963)
Marie Laveua (1974)

Sara Bareilles

Song(s):
Love Song (2007)

Barenaked Ladies

Song(s):
If I Had a $1,000,000 (1992)
Brian Wilson (1992)
One Week (1998)
It’s All Been Done (1998)
The Big Bang Theory Theme (2007)

Album(s):
Gordon (1992)
Snack Time! (2008)

Gene Barge

Sabine Baring-Gould

Song(s):
Onward Christian Soldiers (1871) – see Arthur Sullivan

Travis Barker

Rock drummer with Blink-182.

Chuck Barksdale

R&B bass singer born Charles Barksdale on 1/11/1935 in Chicago, IL. Died 5/15/2019. With The Dells.

Edward Shippen Barnes

Song(s):
Angels We Have Heard on High (paraphrased by James Chadwick and arranged by Barnes, 1862)

Jimmy Barnes

Song(s):
Working Class Man (1985)
Good Times (1987) – see INXS
Too Much Ain’t Enough (1987)

Album(s):
For the Working Class Man (1985)

Prentiss Barnes

R&B singer born 4/12/1925 in Magnolia, MS. Died 10/1/2006. With The Moonglows.

Charlie Barnet

Jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader born 10/26/1913 in New York City, NY. Died 9/4/1991.

Song(s):
Cherokee (Indian Love Song) (1939)
Where Was I? (with Mary Ann McCall, 1940)
I Hear a Symphony (with Bob Carroll, 1941)
Skyliner (1944)

Courtney Barnett

Song(s):
Dead Fox (2015)
Pedestrian at Best (2015)
Over Everything (2017) – see Kurt Vile

Album(s):
Sometimes I Sit and Think and Sometimes I Just Sit (2015)
Tell Me How You Really Feel (2018)

Barney

Song(s):
I Love You (1992)

The Barracudas

Song(s):
I Wish It Could Be 1965 Again (1981)

Antonio Aguilar Barraza

Aston "Family Man" Barrett

Gabby Barrett

Song(s):
I Hope (with Charlie Puth, 2019)
The Good Ones (2020)

Album(s):
Goldmine (2020)

Syd Barrett

Psychedelic rock singer and guitarist with Pink Floyd born Roger Keith Barrett on 1/6/1946 in Cambridge, England. Died 7/7/2006.

Song(s):
Octopus (1969)
Opal (1969)

Album(s):
The Madcap Laughts (1970)
Barrett (1970)

The DMDB Blog:
Syd Barrett showed up while Pink Floyd recorded a tribute to him: June 5, 1975 (6/5/12)

Blue Barron

Big band leader born Harry Freidman on 11/19/1913 in Cleveland, OH. Died 7/16/2005.

Song(s):
Cruising Down the River on a Sunday Afternoon (1949)

Jeff Barry

Pop singwriter born Joel Adleberg on 4/3/1938 in Brooklyn, NY. Often worked with wife Ellie Greenwich as one of the famous Brill Building songwriting teams.

Song(s) He Wrote or Co-Wrote:
Top 30 Songs
Be My Baby (1963) – see the Ronettes
Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home) (1963) – see the Crystals
Leader of the Pack (1964) – see the Shangri-La’s
Do Wah Diddy Diddy (1964) – see Manfred Mann
Chapel of Love (1964) – see the Dixie Cups
River Deep, Mountain High (1966) – see Tina Turner
Sugar, Sugar (1969) – see the Archies
I Honestly Love You (1974) – see Olivia Newton-John

John Barry

Song(s):
The James Bond Theme (1962)

Frank Barsalona

Lionel Bart

Song(s):
As Long As He Needs Me (from Oliver!, 1960) – see Shirley Bassey

Album(s):
Oliver! (musical: 1960, movie: 1968)

Dave Bartholomew

R&B songwriter and producer born 12/24/1920 in Edgard, LA. Died 6/23/2019. Co-wrote the majority of Fats Domino’s hits.

Song(s):
The Fat Man (1949) – see Fats Domino
My Ding-a-Ling (1952)
Ain’t That a Shame (aka "Ain’t It a Shame") (1955) – see Fats Domino
Walking to New Orleans (1960) – see Fats Domino
I Hear You Knocking (1970) – see Dave Edmunds

Béla Bartók

Classical composer and pianist born Béla Viktor János Bartókon 3/25/1881 in Hungary. Died 9/26/1945.

Album(s):
The String Quartets (1908-39)
Contrasts for Violin, Clarinet, & Piano (1940)
Concerto for Orchestra (1944)
The Quartets (1950)

Eileen Barton

Song(s):
If I Knew You Were Comin’ I’d’ve Baked a Cake (with New Yorkers, 1950)

Karl Bartos

Electronica percussionist and keyboardist born Karlheinz Bartos on 5/31/1952 in Marktschellenberg, West Germany. With Kraftwerk (1975-1991).

Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock

Song(s):
It Takes Two (1988)

Basement Jaxx

Song(s):
Where’s Your Head At? (2001)

Album(s):
Kish Kash (2004)

Count Basie

Jazz big band leader and pianist born William James Basie on 8/21/1904 in Red Bank, NJ. Died 4/26/84 of pancreatic cancer. Learned music and piano from mother, organ from Fats Waller. First recorded with own band in 1937 for Decca. Appeared in many movies and toured into the ‘70s.

Song(s):
One O’Clock Jump (1937)
Jumpin’ at the Woodside (1938)
Lester Leaps In (1939)
Open the Door, Richard (1947)
Everyday I Have the Blues (with Joe Williams on vocals, 1955)
April in Paris (1956)

Album(s):
The Complete Atomic Basie (compilation, 1957)
Ella and Basie! (1963) – see Ella Fitzgerald

Toni Basil

Song(s):
Mickey (1982)

James Baskett

Song(s):
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah (1946)

Fontella Bass

Song(s):
Rescue Me (1965)
Don’t Mess Up a Good Thing (with Bobby McClure, 1965)

Ralph Bass

Shirley Bassey

Pop singer born Shirley Veronica Bassey in Tiger Bay, Cardiff, Wales on 1/8/1937.

Song(s):
As Long As He Needs Me (from Oliver!, 1960)
Goldfinger (1964)
Never Never Never (Grande Grande Grande) (1973)

Bastille

Song(s):
Pompeii (2013)
Happier (2018) – see Marshmello

Katharine Lee Bates

Song(s) written by Bates:
America the Beautiful (music: Bates, words: Samuel A. Ward,1895)
America the Beautiful (1910) – see Louise Homer
America the Beautiful (1972) – see Ray Charles

Bat for Lashes

Song(s):
Daniel (2009)

Jon Batiste

Album(s):
We Are (2021)

Bauhaus

Goth-rock band formed in Northampton, England. 1978-1983 . Members: Daniel Ash (g/sax), Kevin Haskins (d), David J (b), Peter Murphy (v). Ash and Haskins formed Love & Rockets in 1985.

Song(s):
Bela Lugosi’s Dead (1979)
She’s in Parties (1983)

Franklyn Baur

Valencia (A Song of Spain) (1926) – see Paul Whiteman
Russian Lullaby (1927)
Just a Memory (1927)
Sweet Sue, Just You (1928) – see Ben Pollack

Jeff “Skunk" Baxter

Rock guitarist born 12/13/1948 in Washington, DC. With Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers (1974-79, 87, 92).

Les Baxter

Jazz/big band leader born 3/14/1922 in Mexia, TX. Died 1/15/1996.

Song(s):
Gigi (1953)
April in Portugal (1953)
I Love Paris (from Can-Can, 1954)
The High and the Mighty (1954)
Unchained Melody (1955)
Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White (1955)
The Poor People of Paris (1956)

James Bay

Song(s):
Let It Go (2014)
Hold Back the River (2014)

Bay City Rollers

Song(s):
Bye Bye Baby (1975)
Saturday Night (1976)
Money Honey (1975)

Album(s):
Bay City Rollers (1976)

Eddie Bayers

Session drummer born 1/28/1949 in Patuxent, MD. Has played on 300 gold and platinum albums. Received the Academy of Country Music "Drummer of the Year Award" for fourteen years. Has also won the Nashville Music Awards "Drummer of the Year" three times.

Nora Bayes

Vaudevillian singer and performer born Eleanora Sarah Goldberg on 10/8/1880 in Joliet, IL. Died 3/9/1928. Married to Jack Norworth from 1908-13.

Song(s):
Shine on, Harvest Moon (1909) – see Harry MacDonough
Over There (1917)
How Ya Gonna Keep ‘Em Down on the Farm After They’ve Seen Paree? (1919)
Make Believe (1921)
Lovin’ Sam, the Sheik of Alabam’ (1923)

Thomas Haynes Bayly

Songs by Bayly (music and words):
Long Long Ago (1843)

Eric Bazilian

Rock singer/songwriter and musician born 7/21/1953 in Philadelphia, PA. Founding member of the Hooters ("And We Danced", "Day by Day"). He was also part of the one-time Largo project. Wrote "One of Us" for Joan Osborne and co-wrote "Kiss the Rain" for Billie Myers. Also wrote or co-wrote songs for Bon Jovi, Journey, Cyndi Lauper, Amanda Marshall, Ricky Martin, the Scorpions, Patty Smyth, Ronnie Spector, Robbie Williams, and others.

DMDB podcast: The Best of Eric Bazilian and the Hooters

Song(s):
Hooters/Eric Bazilian: Top 50 Songs
All You Zombies (1983) – see Hooters
One of Us (1995) – see Hooters
Morning Buzz (2007) – see Hooters
White Jeans (2007) – see Hooters

Album(s):
Amore (1983) – see Hooters
Nervous Night (1985) – see Hooters
One Way Home (1987) – see Hooters
Zig Zag (1989) – see Hooters
Out of Body (1993) – see Hooters
Largo (1998) – see Largo
The Optimist (2000)
A Very Dull Boy (2002)
Time Stand Still (2007) – see Hooters
Five by Five (EP, 2010) – see Hooters
What Shall Become of the Baby (with Mats Wester, 2012)
Bazilian (2021)

Bazzi

Song(s):
Mine (2017)

The Beach Boys

Pop/rock vocal harmony group (and initiators of surf-rock) formed in Hawthorne, California. 1961-. Known in high school as Kenny & the Cadets, Carl & the Passions, then The Pendletones. Brothers Brian Wilson (leader/composer/producer/b/k: 61-85,96,12), Carl Wilson (g; died in 1998), and Dennis Wilson (g: 61-83; drowned in 1983) with cousin Mike Love (v/sax: 61-), Al Jardine (g: 61-)

Jardine was briefly replaced by David Marks (g: 62-63). Brian quit touring in December 1964 to focus on developing music in the studio. He was replaced on tour by Glen Campbell (k: 64-65) and then Bruce Johnston (k: 65-). Campbell and Johnston were also members of Sagittarius. After Carl’s death in 1998, Mike Love continued to helm a touring group billed as the Beach Boys. In 2012, Love reunited with Brian and Jardine for an album and tour.

Song(s):
The Beach Boys: Top 100 Songs
Surfin’ Safari (1962)
Surfin’ U.S.A. (1963)
In My Room (1963)
Little Deuce Coupe (1963)
Little Saint Nick (1963)
I Get Around (1964)
Don’t Worry Baby (1964)
Fun, Fun, Fun (1964)
Wendy (1964)
When I Grow Up to Be a Man (1964)
California Girls (1965)
Barbara Ann (1965)
Help Me Rhonda (1965)
Kiss Me Baby (1965)
God Only Knows (1966)
Sloop John B (1966)
Wouldn’t It Be Nice (1966)
Good Vibrations (1966)
Heroes and Villains (1967)
Cotton Fields (1969)
Surf’s Up (1971)
Sail on Sailor (1973)
Kokomo (1988)

Album(s):
Best of (compilation, 1965)
Endless Summer (compilation: 1962-65, released 1974)
Pet Sounds (1966)
Smile (1967) – see Brian Wilson
Friends (1968)
Sunflower (1970)
Surf’s Up (1971)
20 Golden Greats (compilation, 1976)
Good Vibrations: Thirty Years of the Beach Boys (box: 1961-88, released 1993)
Very Best of (compilation: 1962-88, released 2001)
The Sounds of Summer – The Very Best of (compilation: 2003)
That’s Why God Made the Radio (2012)

Beach House

Album(s):
Teen Dream (2010)

Frank Beard

Rock drummer born 6/11/1949 in Frankston, Texas. With ZZ Top (1969-).

Beastie Boys

Active: 1979- Members: King Ad-Rock (Adam Howovitz), MCA (Adam Yauch), and Mike D (Michael Diamond)

New-York-based white rap group who started out making party music, but grew to earn critical acclaim for musical experimentation. 1986 debut album License to Ill was the first #1 rap album. Horovitz is the son of playwright Israel Horovitz and married actress Ione Skye (daughter of Donovan). Trio's DJ, Doctor Dre, became co-host of Yo! MTV Raps. Beastie stands for Boys Entering Anarchistic States Towards Internal Excellence.

Song(s):
You Gotta Fight for Your Right to Party (1986) k and Roll Hall of Fame: Songs That Shaped Rock" href="https://davesmusicdatabase.blogspot.com/2004/11/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-500-songs.html">
Paul Revere (1986)
Girls (1987)
Shake Your Rump (1989)
Hey Ladies (1989)
Sabotage (1994)
Intergalactic (1998)
Ch-Check It Out (2004)

Album(s):
Licensed to Ill (produced by Rick Rubin, 1986)
Paul's Boutique (1989)
Check Your Head (1992)
Ill Communication (1994)
Hello Nasty (1998)

The DMDB Blog:
Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys, dead at 47 (5/4/12)

The Beat

- see The English Beat

The Beatles

The world's best-selling group of all time. Formed in Liverpool, England. Active 1960 to 1970. Members: John Lennon (v/g), Paul McCartney (v/g; switched to b 4/61), George Harrison (g/v), and Ringo Starr (d/v – Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, Beatles: 8/62 to 4/70). Earlier members included Stu Sutcliffe (b – left in April 1961), and Pete Best (d: 8/60-8/62), as well as John Lowe (piano) and Colin Hanton (d) who were in early version known as the Quarrymen.

Group managed by Brian Epsteinthrough 1967 and produced by George Martin. First U.S. tour in 2/64. Won the 1964 Best New Artist Grammy Award. Starred in movies A Hard Day's Night (1964), Help! (1965), Magical Mystery Tour (1967), and Let It Be (1970). Also contributed soundtrack to animated Yellow Submarine (1968). Own Apple label in 1968. McCartney publicly announced group's dissolution on 4/10/70.

DMDB profile page
DMDB podcast: Paul McCartney – The Best of the Beatles, 1962-1970
DMDB podcast: Celebrating the Beatles’ Revolver Album
The Beatles’ singles

Song(s):
The Beatles: Top 100 Songs
Cry for a Shadow (with Tony Sheridan, 1961)
Love Me Do (1962)
Please Please Me (1963)
Twist and Shout (1963)
I Saw Her Standing There (1963)
Do You Want to Know a Secret? (1963)
You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me (1963)
From Me to You (1963)
She Loves You (1963)
I Want to Hold Your Hand (1963)
All My Loving (1963)
Boys (1963)
Roll Over Beethoven (1963)
Please Mr. Postman (1963)
Can’t Buy Me Love (1964)
A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
I Feel Fine (1964)
She’s a Woman (1964)
And I Love Her (1964)
If I Fell (1964)
I Should Have Known Better (1964)
Eight Days a Week (1964)
Long Tall Sally (1964)
I Call Your Name (1964)
Rock and Roll Music (1964)
Ticket to Ride (1965)
Help! (1965)
I’m Down (1965)
Yesterday (1965)
Act Naturally (1965)
We Can Work It Out (1965)
Day Tripper (1965)
In My Life (1965)
Michelle (1965)
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (1965)
Nowhere Man (1965)
It’s Only Love (1965)
Paperback Writer (1966)
Rain (1966)
Eleanor Rigby (1966)
Yellow Submarine (1966)
Got to Get You into My Life (1966)
Tomorrow Never Knows (1966)
Here, There and Everywhere (1966)
Taxman (1966)
She Said She Said (1966)
For No One (1966)
Strawberry Fields Forever (1967)
Penny Lane (1967)
A Day in the Life (1967)
With a Little Help from My Friends (1967)
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (1967)
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite (1967)
She’s Leaving Home (1967)
Without You Without You (1967)
All You Need Is Love (1967)
Baby You’re a Rich Man (1967)
Hello Goodbye (1967)
I Am the Walrus (1967)
Christmas Time Is Here Again (1967)
Hey Jude (1968)
Revolution (1968)
While My Guitar Gently Weeps (1968)
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da (1968)
Lady Madonna (1968)
Blackbird (1968)
Helter Skelter (1968)
Sexy Sadie (1968)
It’s All Too Much (1969)
Hey Bulldog (1969)
Get Back (with Billy Preston, 1969)
Don’t Let Me Down (1969)
The Ballad of John and Yoko (1969)
Something (1969)
Come Together (1969)
Here Comes the Sun (1969)
I Want You (She’s So Heavy) (1969)
Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End (1969)
Let It Be (1970)
The Long and Winding Road (1970)
Across the Universe (1970)
I Me Mine (1970)
Free As a Bird (1995)

Album(s):
The Beatles: Top 10 Albums
Please Please Me (1963)
Introducing the Beatles (1963)
The Early Beatles (recorded 1962-63, released 1965)
With the Beatles (1963)
Meet the Beatles (1964)
The Beatles' Second Album (1964)
A Hard Day's Night (UK version, 1964)
A Hard Day's Night (U.S. version, soundtrack: 1964)
Something New (1964)
Beatles for Sale (1964)
Beatles '65 (1964)
The Capitol Albums, Vol. 1 (box: 1963-64, released 2004)
Beatles VI (1965)
Help! (UK version, 1965)
Help! (U.S. version, soundtrack: 1965)
Past Masters 1 (compilation: 1962-65, released 1988)
Rubber Soul (UK version, 1965)
The Capitol Albums, Vol. 2 (box: 1962-65, released 2006)
Revolver (UK version, 1966)
1962-1966 (aka 'The Red Album') (compilation: 1962-66, released 1973)
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
The Beatles (aka 'The White Album') (1968)
Abbey Road (1969)
Hey Jude (compilation: 1970)
Let It Be (1970)
1967-1970 (aka 'The Blue Album') (compilation: 1967-70, released 1973)
Ballads (compilation, 1981)
20 Greatest Hits (compilation: 1962-1970, released 1982)
Past Masters 2 (compilation: 1966-70, released 1988)
Anthology 1 (archives: 1958-64, released 1995)
Anthology 2 (archives: 1964-68, released 1996)
Anthology 3 (archives: 1968-70, released 1996)
1 (compilation: 1962-70, released 2000)
In Mono (box: 1962-70, released 2009)

The DMDB Blog/Facebook Note(s):
John Lennon and Paul McCartney met for the first time: July 6, 1957 (7/6/12)
The Beatles' First Recording Session: June 22, 1961 (6/22/11)

Beats International

Song(s):
Dub Be Good to Me (featuring Lindy Layton, 1990)

The Beau Brummels

Song(s):
Laugh Laugh (1965)

Carter Beauford

Rock drummer with Dave Matthews Band.

The Beau-Marks

Song(s):
Clap Your Hands (1960)

Kathryn Beaumont

Song(s):
The Unbirthday Song (with Jerry Colonna & Ed Wynn, from Alice in Wonderland, 1951)
In a World of My Own (et Chorus, from Alice in Wonderland, 1951)
You Can Fly! You Can Fly! You Can Fly! (et al, from Peter Pan, 1953)

Sidney Bechet

Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, bandleader, and composer born 5/14/1897 in New Orleans, LA. Died 5/14/1959.

Song(s):
Summertime (1939)
Blue Horizon (1944)

Beck

Alternative-rock singer/songwriter and musician born Bek David Campbell on 7/8/1970 in Los Angeles, CA.

Song(s):
Loser (1993)
Where It’s At (1996)
The New Pollution (1996)
Lost Cause (2002)
Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime (2004)
Dreams (2015)
Up All Night (2017)
Uneventful Days (2019)

Album(s):
Mellow Gold (1993)
Odelay (1996)
Mutations (1998)
Midnite Vultures (1999)
Sea Change (2002)
Morning Phase (2014)
Colors (2017)

Jeff Beck

Rock guitarist born Geoffrey Arnold Beck on 6/24/1944 in Wallington, Surrey, England. Died 1/11/2023. With the Yardbirds (65-67), Jeff Beck Group (67-72), and the The Honeydrippers (84).

DMDB Podcast: Remembering Jeff Beck, 1944-2023

Song(s):
Top 30 Songs
Beck’s Bolero (1968)

Jeff Beck Group

Rock group formed in London, England. 1967-1972. Helmed by Jeff Beck (g: 67-72). Members included Clive Chaman (b: 70-72), Aynsley Dunbar (d: 67), Nicky Hopkins (k: 67-70), Alex Ligertwood (v: 70-72), Max Middleton (k: 70-72), Tony Newman (d: 69-70), Cozy Powell (d: 70-72), Rod Stewart (v: 67-69), Bobby Tench (v/g: 71-72), Mickey Waller (d: 68-69), Ronnie Wood (b: 67-69). Stewart and Wood also worked together in The Faces.

Song(s):
Plynth (Water Down the Drain) (1969)

Walter Becker

Rock singer/songwriter and guitarist born 2/20/1950 in Queens, NY. Died 9/3/2017. With Steely Dan.

Daniel Bedingfield

Song(s):
Gotta Get Thru This (2001)

Natasha Bedingfield

Song(s):
Unwritten (2004)

Bee Gees

Pop/disco trio from Manchester, England. Active: 1966-2001 Members: brothers Barry and twins Maurice and Robin. First performed 12/55. To Australia in 1958; performed as the Gibbs, later as BG's, finally the Bee Gees. Returned to England in 2/67. In 1969, each tried a solo career. Reunited the next year. Best known for 1977's Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. Younger brother, Andy, was a successful solo singer (died 3/10/88).

Song(s):
Gibb Brothers: Top 100 Songs
Spicks and Specks (1966)
To Love Somebody (1967)
New York Mining Disaster 1941 (1967)
The Lights Went Out in Massachusetts (1967)
Words (1968)
I Started a Joke (1968)
I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You (1968)
The First of May (1969)
Lonely Days (1970)
How Can You Mend a Broken Heart (1971)
Jive Talkin’ (1975)
You Should Be Dancing (1976)
How Deep Is Your Love (1977)
Stayin’ Alive (1977)
Night Fever (1977)
More Than a Woman (1977)
Too Much Heaven (1978)
Tragedy (1979)
Love You Inside Out (1979)
You Win Again (1987)

Album(s):
Saturday Night Fever (soundtrack: 1977) – see Various Artists
Spirits Having Flown (1979)
Timeless: The All-Time Greatest Hits (compilation: 1966-87, released 2017)

Ludwig Van Beethoven

Classical composer and pianist born 12/17/1770 in Germany. Died 3/26/1827.

Album(s):
Piano Concerto No. 1 (1797)
Piano Concerto No. 2 (1789)
Piano Sonata No. 14 ("Moonlight") (1798)
Piano Sonata No. 8 "Pathetique" (1799)
Piano Concerto No. 3 (1800)
Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major (Kreutzer) (1803)
Symphony No. 3 in E-flat "Sinfonia Eroica" (1804)
Piano Sonata No. 23 (1805)
Fidelio (opera, 1805)
Piano Concerto No. 4 (1806)
Violin Concerto in D Major (1806)
String Quartet No. 7 in F major (1806)
String Quartet No. 8 in E minor (1806)
String Quartet No. 9 in C major (1806)
Symphony No. 4 in B flat major (composed 1806, premiered 1807)
Symphony No. 5 in C minor (1808)
Symphony No. 6 "Pastoral" (1808)
Egmont Overture (1810)
String Quartet No. 10 in Eb major (Harp) (1809)
Piano Concerto No. 5 (1811)
Symphony No. 7 (1813)
Symphony No. 8 in F major (composed 1812, premiered 1814)
Piano Sonatas (32) (1795-1822)
Symphony No. 9 (1824)
The 9 Symphonies (1800-1824)
String Quartet No. 12 in E flat (1824)
String Quartet No. 13 in B flat (1825)
String Quartet No. 14 in C sharp (1826)
String Quartet No. 15 in A minor (1825)
String Quartet No. 16 in E major (1826)
The String Quartets (16) (1826)

The DMDB Blog:
Beethoven's 5th and 6th Symphonies performed for first time: December 22, 1808 (12/22/11)

Lou Bega

Song(s):
Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit of…) (1999)

Bix Beiderbecke

Jazz cornetist, pianist, and composer born Leon Bismark Beiderbecke on 3/10/1903 in Davenport, IA. Died 8/6/1931.

Song(s):
Singin' the Blues (with Frankie Trumbauer & His Orchestra, 1927)
In a Mist (1928)

Harry Belafonte

Musician, actor, and social activitist born Harold George Bellanfanti, Jr. on 3/1/1927 in Harlem, NY. Died 4/25/2023.

Song(s):
Mary’s Boy Child (1956)
The Banana Boat Song (Day-O) (1957)

Album(s):
Calypso (1956)
At Carnegie Hall (live, 1959)

Adrian Belew

Rock singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist born Robert Steven Belew on December 23, 1949 in Covington, Kentucky. With King Crimson (1981-2009). Has also worked as a solo artist and musician with Laurie Anderson, David Bowie, Nine Inch Nails, Paul Simon, Talking Heads, and Frank Zappa.

Song(s):
Shoe Salesman (1990)

Al Bell

Record executive, producer, and songwriter born Alvertis Isbell on 3/15/1940 in Brinkley, Arkansas. Executive and co-owner of Stax Records.

Archie Bell & the Drells

Song(s):
Tighten Up (1968)

Robert "Kool" Bell

Singer/songwriter and bassist with Kool & the Gang. Born 10/8/1950 in Youngstown, OH.

Ronald Bell

Singer/songwriter and saxophonist with Kool & the Gang. Born 11/1/1951 in Youngstown, OH. Died 9/9/2020.

Thom Bell

William Bell

Song(s):
You Don’t Miss Your Water (1962)
Everybody Loves a Winner (1967)
Private Number (with Judy Clay, 1968)
I Forgot to Be Your Lover (1968)

Bellamy Brothers

Song(s):
Let Your Love Flow (1976)
If I Said You Have a Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me (1979)
Sugar Daddy (1980)
Dancin’ Cowboys (1980)
Do You Love As Good As You Look (1981)
For All the Wrong Reasons (1982)
Redneck Girl (1982)
When I’m Away from You (1983)
I Need More of You (1985)
Too Much Is Not Enough (1986)
Kids of the Baby Boom (1987)

Matt Bellamy

Bell Biv DeVoe

Song(s):
Poison (1990)
Do Me! (1990)

Regina Belle

Song(s):
A Whole New World (1992) – see Peabo Bryson

Belle & Sebastian

Song(s):
The State That I Am In (1996)
It Could Have Been a Brilliant Career (1998)

Album(s):
If You're Feeling Sinister (1996)

Belle Epoque

Song(s):
Black Is Black (1977)

Vincenzo Bellini

Classical composer.

Song(s):
Casta Diva (1929)

Album(s):
Norma (opera, 1831)

The Bell Notes

Song(s):
I've Had It (1959) Louie Bellson

Jazz/big band drummer and bandleader.

Joe Belmont

Song(s):
Listen to the Mocking Bird (aka "The Mocking Bird") (1899)

Arnold Belnick

Jesse Belvin

Song(s):
Goodnight My Love (1956)

Pat Benatar

Rock singer born Patricia Mae Andrzejewski on 1/10/1953 in Greenpoint, NY.

Song(s):
Heartbreaker (1979)
Hit Me with Your Best Shot (1980)
Shadows of the Night (1982)
Anxiety (Get Nervous) (1982)
Love Is a Battlefield (1983)
We Belong (1984)

Album(s):
In the Heat of the Night (1979)
Crimes of Passion (1980)
Get Nervous (1982)
Live from Earth (live, 1983)
Tropico (1984)
35th Anniversary Tour (live, 2015)

Tex Beneke (& the Four Modernaires)

American jazz/big band leader born Gordon Beneke on 2/12/1914. Died 5/30/2000.

Song(s):
Chattanooga Choo Choo (1941) – see Glenn Miller
Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree with Anyone Else But Me (1942) – see Glenn Miller
I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo (1942) – see Glenn Miller
Five Minutes More (with Glenn Miller, 1946)

Alec Benjamin

Song(s):
Let Me Down Slowly (with Alessia Cara, 2019)

William "Benny" Benjamin

R&B drummer with the session group the Funk Brothers.

Estelle Bennett

R&B singer born 7/22/1941 in New York, NY. Died 2/11/2009. With The Ronettes.

Lauren Bennett

Song(s):
Party Rock Anthem (2011) – see LMFAO

Tony Bennett

Traditional pop singer born Anthony Dominick Benedetto on 8/3/1926 in Queens, NY. Worked local clubs while in high school, sang in U.S. Army bands. Breakthrough with Bob Hope in 1949 who suggested that he change his then-stage name, Joe Bari, to Tony Bennett. Audition record of "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" earned a Columbia contract in 1950. Appeared in the movie The Oscar.

Song(s):
Because of You (1951)
Cold, Cold Heart (1951)
Rags to Riches (1953)
Stranger in Paradise (1953)
Solitude (1958)
Climb Ev'ry Mountain (from The Sound of Music, 1959)
My Funny Valentine (1959)
Last Night When We Were Young (1959)
I Left My Heart in San Francisco (1962)
The Shadow of Your Smile (Love Theme from "The Sandpiper") (1965)
Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words) (1965)
For Once in My Life (1967)

Album(s):
MTV Unplugged (live, 1994)

George Benson

R&B singer and guitarist born 3/22/1943 in Pittsburgh, PA.

Song(s):
This Masquerade (1976)
Breezin’ (1976)
Greatest Love of All (1977)
On Broadway (live, 1978)
Give Me the Night (1980)
Turn Your Love Around (1981)

Album(s):
Breezin' (1976)

Jodi Benson

Song(s):
Poor Unfortunate Souls (with Pat Carroll, from The Little Mermaid, 1989)

Dierks Bentley

Country singer/songwriter born 11/20/1975 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Song(s):
What Was I Thinkin’ (2003)
Come a Little Closer (2005)
Settle for a Slowdown (2005)
Every Mile a Memory (2006)
Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go) (2006)
Feel That Fire (2008)
Sideways (2009)
Am I the Only One (2011)
Home (2011)
5-1-5-0 (2012)
I Hold On (2013)
Drunk on a Plane (2014)
Say You Do (2014)
Somewhere on a Beach (2016)
Different for Girls (with Elle King, 2016)
Woman, Amen (2018)
Living (2018)
Beers on Me (with Breland & Hardy, 2021)

Brook Benton

R&B musician and executive born Benjamin Franklin Peay on 9/19/1931 in Lugoff, SC. Died 4/9/1988.

Song(s):
It's Just a Matter of Time (1959)
Baby, You’ve Got What It Takes (1960) – see Dinah Washington
Rainy Night in Georgia (1970)

Alban Berg

Classical composer.

Album(s):
Wozzeck (opera, 1925)
Violin Concerto (1935)

Alan Bergman

Songwriter born 9/11/1925 in Brooklyn, New York. Married Marilyn Bergman in 1958. The two wrote songs together and have won two Oscars for Best Original Song.

Songs Written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman:
The Windmills of Your Mind (1968) – see Noel Harrison
The Way We Were (1973) – see Barbra Streisand
You Don't Bring Me Flowers (1978) – see Neil Diamond

Marilyn Bergman

Songwriter born 11/10/1929 in Brooklyn, NY. Married Alan Bergman in 1958. The two wrote songs together and have won two Oscars for Best Original Song.

Songs Written by Alan and Marilyn Bergman:
The Windmills of Your Mind (1968) – see Noel Harrison
The Way We Were (1973) – see Barbra Streisand
You Don't Bring Me Flowers (1978) – see Neil Diamond

Bunny Berigan

American big band leader born Bernard Roland Berigan on 11/2/1908.

Song(s):
I Can’t Get Started (1938)

Berlin

Song(s):
Sex (I’m A…) (1983)
The Metro (1983)
Masquerade (1983)
Take My Breath Away (1986)
Scream (2005)

Album(s):
Pleasure Victim (1982)
Love Life (1984)
Count Three and Pray (1986)
Voyeur (2002)
4 Play (2005)
Transcendance (2019)

Irving Berlin

DMDB profile page

Composer and lyricist born Israel Isidore Baline on 5/11/1888 in Tyumen, Russia. Died 9/22/1989. George Gershwin called him "the greatest songwriter who ever lived." Jerome Kern said, "Irving Berlin has no place in American music – he is American music." A 2001 Time magazine article estimated Berlin has written around 1250 songs. 25 have reached #1 on the pop charts. He wrote 17 complete scores for Broadway musicals and revues including Call Me Madam and Annie Get Your Gun. List of Berlin songs here.

Song(s) as a Songwriter:
Top 100 Songs
Alexander's Ragtime Band (1911) – see Arthur Collins
When the Midnight Choo Choo Leaves for Alabam’ (1913) – see Arthur Collins
When I Lost You (1913) – see Henry Burr
That International Rag (1914) – see Victor Military Band
I Want to Go Back to Michigan (Down on the Farm) (1914) – see Eldia Morris
Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning (1918) – see Arthur Fields
A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody (1919) – see John Steel
What'll I Do? (1924) – see Paul Whiteman
All Alone (1925) – see Al Jolson
All Alone (1925) – see John McCormack
All Alone (1925) – see Paul Whiteman
Always (1926) – see George Olsen
Blue Skies (1927) – see Ben Selvin
Puttin’ on the Ritz (1930) – see Harry Richman
How Deep Is the Ocean? (1932) – see Guy Lombardo
Easter Parade (1933) – see Leo Reisman
Cheek to Cheek (1935) – see Fred Astaire
Marie (1937) – see Tommy Dorsey
God Bless America (1939) – see Kate Smith
White Christmas (1942) – see Bing Crosby
There's No Business Like Show Business (1946) – see Ethel Merman
I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (1948) – see Les Brown