Music Makers Encyclopedia: D

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.

Chuck D

Rap singer/songwriter born Carlton Douglas Ridenhour on 8/1/1960 in Queens, NY. With Public Enemy.

Daddy Cool

Song(s):
Eagle Rock (1971)

Album(s):
Daddy Who?...Daddy Cool (1971)

Daddy Yankee

Song(s):
Shaky Shaky (2016)
Andas en Mi Cabeza (2016) – see Chino & Nacho
Despacito (2017) – see Luis Fonsi
Dura (2018)
Con Calma (with Snow, 2019)

Daft Punk

Song(s):
Around the World (1997)
Stronger (2007) – see Kanye West
Get Lucky (with Pharrell Williams, 2013)
Starboy (2016) – see The Weeknd

Album(s):
Homework (1997)
Discovery (2001)
Alive (2007)
Random Access Memories (2013)

Brann Dailor

Dick Dale

Guitarist born Richard Anthony Mansour on 5/4/1937 in Boston, MA. Known as “The King of the Surf Guitar.”

Song(s):
Let’s Go Trippin’ (1961)
Misirlou (1962)

Vernon Dalhart

American country singer/songwriter born Marion Try Slaughter on 4/6/1883. Died 9/14/1948

Song(s):
Tuck Me to Sleep in My Old ‘Tucky Home (1921)
The Prisoner's Song (1925)

Dalida

Roger Daltrey

Rock singer born 3/1/1944 in East Acton, London, England. With The Who. Also a solo artist.

Jerry Dammer

Member of The Specials.

The Damned

Song(s):
New Rose (1976)

Album(s):
Damned Damned Damned (1977)
Machine Gun Etiquette (1979)

Vic Damone

Singer born Vito Rocco Farinola 6/12/1928 in Brooklyn, NY. Died 2/11/2018.

Song(s):
You’re Breaking My Heart (1949)
On the Street Where You Live (from My Fair Lady, 1956)

D’Angelo

Song(s):
Untitled (How Does It Feel) (2000)
Really Love (2015)

Album(s):
Brown Sugar (1995)
Voodoo (2000)
Black Messiah (2014)

Billy Daniels

Charlie Daniels (Band)

Country singer and fiddler player born 10/28/1936 in Wilmington, NC.

Song(s):
The Devil Went Down to Georgia (1979)

Hart P. Danks

Danny & the Juniors

Song(s):
At the Hop (1957)
Rock and Roll Is Here to Stay (1958)

The Ken Darby Singers

Song(s):
When You Wish Upon a Star (from Pinocchio, 1940) – see Cliff Edwards
Give a Little Whistle (from Pinocchio, with the Cliff Edwards, 1940)
White Christmas (1942) – see Bing Crosby
Sunday, Monday or Always (1943) – see Bing Crosby
Now Is the Hour (Maori Farewell Song) (1948) – see Bing Crosby

Terence Trent D’Arby

Album(s):
Introducing the Hardline According to… (1987)

Bobby Darin

Pop singer born Walden Robert Cassotto on 5/14/1936 in East Harlem, NY. Worked as a songwriter and singer in the famed Brill Building. Died 12/20/1973.

Song(s):
Splish Splash (1958)
Mack the Knife (1959)

Joe Darion

Song(s):
The Impossible Dream (from Man of La Mancha, 1966) – see Jack Jones

Album(s):
Man of La Mancha (cast: 1965) – see Mitch Leigh

The Darkness

Song(s):
I Believe in a Thing Called Love (2002)
Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End) (2003)

Album(s):
Permission to Land (2003)

Daughtry

Song(s):
It’s Not Over (2006)
Home (2007)

Album(s):
Daughtry (2006)

David David

One-time rock collaboration between David Baerwald and David Rickett.

Song(s):
Welcome to the Boomtown (1986)

Album(s):
Boomtown (1986)

Craig David

Song(s):
7 Days (2000)

Hal David

Songwriter born Harold Lane David on 5/25/1921 in New York, NY. Died 9/1/2012. Frequently worked with Burt Bacharach. They were one of the songwriting teams who worked out of the legendary Brill Building.

Song(s) written by Hal David:
Top 40 Songs
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
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

Mack David

Dave Davies

Ray Davies

Rock singer and guitarist born on 6/21/1944 in Fortis Green, London, England. With the Kinks.

Benny Davis

Song(s):
Baby Face (with Jan Garber, 1926)

Clive Davis

Record producer and executive born 4/4/1932 in Brooklyn, NY. President of Columbia Records from 1967-72. Founder/president of Arista Records from the late 1970s to 2000. Founder of J Records. Chairman and CEO of RCA Music Group from 2003-08. Has produced albums for Air Supply, Lynn Anderson, Kelly Clarkson, Kenny G, Whitney Houston, Leona Lewis, Barry Manilow, Santana, Carly Simon, Rod Stewart, Luther Vandross, and Dionne Warwick.

Albums produced by Davis:
The Bodyguard (soundtrack; 1992) – see Various Artists
Supernatural (1999) – see Santana
Breakaway (2004) – see Kelly Clarkson

Jimmie Davis

Song(s):
You Are My Sunshine (1940)

Reverend Gary Davis

Blues guitarist, singer, and harmonica player born 4/30/1896 in Laurens, SC. Died 5/5/1972.

Mac Davis

Country singer/songwriter born Morris Mac Davis on 1/21/1942 in Lubbock, TX.

Miles Davis

Innovative jazz trumpeter born Miles Dewey Davis III on 5/26/1926 in Alton, IL. Died 9/28/1991 of a stroke and pneumonia. Influenced the jazz fusion movement. (Billy Eckstine’s Orchestra: 44; Six Brown Cats: 44; with Charlie Parker: 45-46 and Coleman Hawkins; own quintet: 55-). Band members in his quintet included Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. Married to actress Cicely Tyson from 1981-88.

Song(s):
Ko-Ko (1945) – see Charlie Parker
So What (1959)
Blues in Green (with Bill Evans, 1959)
All Blues (1959)
Freddie Freeloader (1959)

Album(s):
Birth of the Cool (1950)
Miles Ahead (with Gil Evans, 1957)
Round About Midnight (1957)
Milestones (1958)
Porgy and Bess (with Gil Evans, 1958)
Relaxin’ (1958)
Kind of Blue (1959)
Sketches of Spain (with Gil Evans, 1960)
Miles Smiles (1966)
In a Silent Way (1969)
Bitches Brew (1970)

Sammy Davis, Jr.

Pop singer born 12/8/1925 in Harlem, NY. Died 5/16/1990.

Song(s):
What Kind of Fool Am I? (1962)

The Spencer Davis Group

Song(s):
Gimme Some Lovin' (1966)

Tyrone Davis

R&B singer (“Are You Serious?”) born 5/4/1938 in Greenville, MS. Died 2/9/2005.

Walter Davis

Doris Day

Actress and singer born Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff on 4/3/1922 in Cincinnati, OH.

Song(s):
Sentimental Journey (1945) – see Les Brown
It's Magic (1948)
Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered (from Pal Joey, 1950)
Secret Love (1954)
Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Que Sera) (1956)

Album(s):
Young Man with a Horn (soundtrack with Harry James, 1950)
Love Me or Leave Me (soundtrack, 1955)

Edith Day

Song(s):
Alice Blue Gown (1920)

Daya

Song(s):
Don’t Let Me Down (2016) – see the Chainsmokers

The Daydreamers

Song(s):
How High the Moon (1947) – see Ella Fitzgerald

John Deacon

Dead Boys

Song(s):
Sonic Reducer (1977)

Album(s):
Young, Loud & Snotty (1977)

Dead Kennedys

American hardcore punk band formed in San Francisco, CA. Active: 1978-86, 2001- Members: Jello Biafra (v: 78-86), East Bay Ray (g: 78-86, 01-), Klaus Flouride (b: 78-86, 01-), 6025 (rhythm g: 78-79), Ted (d: 78-79), D.H. Peligro (d: 79-86, 01-), Brandon Cruz (v: 01-03), Jeff Penalty (v: 03-08), Dave Scheff (d: 08), Ron “Skip” Greer (v: 08-), Greg Reeves (b: 10-11)

Song(s):
California Über Alles (1979)
Holiday in Cambodia (1980)
Nazi Punks Fuck Off (1981)

Album(s):
Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables (1980)
Plastic Surgery Disasters (1982)

Dead or Alive

Song(s):
You Spin Me Round Like a Record (1985)

Kim Deal

Jimmy Dean

Country singer born 8/10/1928 in Plainview, TX. Died 6/13/2010.

Song(s):
Big Bad John (1961)

Death Cab for Cutie

Speech Debelle

Album(s):
Speech Therapy (2009)

Claude Debussey

Classical composer born Achille-Claude Debussy on 8/22/1862 in Saint-Germain-enLaye, Seine-et-Oise, France. Died 3/25/1918.

Album(s):
Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun (Prelude L'Apres Midi d'un Faune) (1894)
Pelléas et Mélisande (opera: 1902)
La Mer (ballet, 1905)
Preludes (24) for Piano, Books I & II (1909-1913)

Kiki Dee

Song(s):
Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (1976) – see Elton John

Deee-Lite

Song(s):
Groove Is in the Heart (1990)

Deep Purple

British pioneer heavy-metal group (1968-1976, 1984-1998). Members: Ritchie Blackmore (g: 68-75, 84-93), Rod Evans (v: 68-69), Jon Lord (k: 68-76, 84-98), Nicky Simper (b: 68-69), Ian Paice (d: 68-76, 84-98, 03-05, 13), Ian Gillan (v: 69-73, 84-89, 92-98, 03-05, 13), Roger Glover (b: 69-76, 84-98, 03-05, 13), David Coverdale (v: 73-76), Glenn Hughes (v/b: 73-76), Tommy Bolin (g: 75-76), Joe Lynn Turner (v: 89-92), Joe Satriani (g: 93-94), Steve Morse (g: 94-98, 03-05, 13), Don Airey (k: 03-05, 13). Also check out spin-off groups Rainbow (which included Blackmore, Glover, and Turner) and Whitesnake (Coverdale, Lord, Paice, and Glover).

Song(s):
Highway Star (1972)
Smoke on the Water (1973)

Album(s):
In Rock (1970)
Machine Head (1972)
Made in Japan (live, 1972)

Rick Dees & His Cast of Idiots

Song(s):
Disco Duck (1976)

Def Leppard

Hard rock group formed in Sheffield, England. One of the premiere groups in the ‘80s pop-metal craze often referred to as “hair bands”.

Active: 1977- Members: Joe Elliott (v), Steve Clark (g: 77-91; died on 1/8/91 of alcohol-related respiratory failure), Pete Willis (g: 77-82), Rick Savage (b), Rick Allen (d; lost left arm in an auto accident on 12/31/84), Phil Collen (g: 82-), Vivian Campbell (g: 92-)

Song(s):
Bringin’ on the Heartbreak (1981)
Photograph (1983)
Rock of Ages (1983)
Pour Some Sugar on Me (1987)

Album(s):
High ‘N’ Dry (1981)
Pyromania (1983)
Hysteria (1987)

Tony Defries

Music manager for David Bowie.

Desmond Dekker

Song(s):
The Israelites (1969)

Reginald DeKoven

Del Amitri

Rock band formed in Glasgow, Scotland. 1980-2002. Fronted by Justin Currie. The only other member to be featured on all the band’s albums was guitarist/songwriter Iain Harvey.

Song(s):
Del Amitri/Justin Currie: Top 30 Songs
Kiss This Thing Goodbye (1989)

Album(s):
Del Amitri (1985)
Waking Hours (1989)
Change Everything (1992)
Twisted (1995)
Some Other Sucker’s Parade (1997)
Can You Do Me Good? (2002)

Eddie DeLange

Delaney & Bonnie

Album(s):
On Tour (& Friends live with Eric Clapton, 1969)

Alicia Delarrocha

Classical pianist.

De La Soul

Song(s):
Me, Myself and I (1989)

Album(s):
3 Feet High and Rising (1989)
De La Soul Is Dead (1991)

Dorothy DeLay

The Delfonics

The Dells

Song(s):
Oh What a Nite (1956)

Delmore Brothers

Song(s):
Hillbilly Boogie (1946)
Blues Stay Away from Me (1949)

Brad Delp

Rock singer born 6/12/1951 in Boston, MA. Committed suicide on 3/9/2007. With Boston (76-78,86,97,02), with Barry Goudreau (80, 04), Orion the Hunter (84), and RTZ (89-91,98).

Album(s):
Delp & Goudreau (with Barry Goudreau, 2004)

Lana Del Rey

Song(s):
Video Games (2011)

Album(s):
Born to Die (2012)

The Del-Vikings

Song(s):
Come Go with Me (1957)
Whispering Bells (1957)

Jim Denny

Will Denny

Song(s):
Any Old Place I Hang My Hat is “Home Sweet Home” to Me (1901)

John Densmore

John Denver

Country/adult-contemporary singer/songwriter born Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. on 12/31/1943 in Roswell, NM. Died 10/12/1997.

Song(s):
Take Me Home, Country Roads (1971)

Album(s):
Greatest Hits (compilation: 1969-72, released 1973)
Back Home Again (1974)

Gene DePaul

Depeche Mode

All-synthesized rock group formed in Basildon, England. Name is French for fast fashion.

Active: 1980- Members: Dave Gahan (v) and synthesizer players Martin L. Gore, Vince Clarke (80-82), and Andy Fletcher. Alan Wilder (82-95) replaced Clarke.

Song(s):
Just Can’t Get Enough (1981)
People Are People (1985)
Personal Jesus (1989)
Enjoy the Silence (1990)

Album(s):
Black Celebration (1986)
Violator (1990)

James DePreist

Derek & the Dominos

Rock supergroup (1970-71). Eric Clapton (v/g), Duane Allman (g), Bobby Whitlock (k/g), Carl Radle (b), and Jim Gordon (d).

Song(s):
Layla (1971)

Album(s):
Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs (1970)

Edouard de Reszke

Song(s):
Canzone del Porter (from Martha vo Flotow) (1903)

Peter DeRose

Jason Derulo

Song(s):
Swalla (with Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign, 2017)

Hal Derwin

Song(s):
South of the Border (Down Mexico Way) (1939) – see Shep Fields

Sugar Pie Desanto

The Descendents

Album(s):
Milo Goes to College (1982)

Jackie DeShannon

Song(s):
What the World Needs Now (1965)
Bette Davis Eyes (1981) – see Kim Carnes

Destiny’s Child

Song(s):
Bills, Bills, Bills (1999)
Say My Name (1999)
Independent Women (2000)
Bootylicious (2001)

Album(s):
The Writing’s on the Wall (1999)
Survivor (2001)

Buddy DeSylva

Songwriter, film producer, and record executive born George Gard DeSylva on 1/27/1895 in New York City, NY. Also known as B.G. DeSylva. Founded Capitol Records with Johnny Mercer. Died 7/11/1950.

Songs written by DeSylva:
Top 25 Songs
Look for the Silver Lining (1921) – see Marion Harris
April Showers (1922) – see Al Jolson

Devo

Song(s):
Whip It (1980)

Album(s):
Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo (1978)
Duty Now for the Future (1979)
Freedom of Choice (1980)

Frank DeVol’s Orchestra

Song(s):
Nature Boy (with Nat “King” Cole, 1948)

Al Dexter

Song(s):
Pistol Packin' Mama (1943)

Dexy's Midnight Runners

Song(s):
Come on Eileen (1982)

Album(s):
Searching for the Young Soul Rebels (1980)

Dennis DeYoung

Born 2/18/1947

Rock singer and keyboardist with Styx (71-84,90-99). Also a solo artist (84-).

Album(s):
One Hundred Years from Now (2007)

David Diamond

Neil Diamond

Adult-contemporary/pop singer born 1/24/1941 in Brooklyn, NY. His real name is Neil Diamond, however he considered changing his name to Noah Kaminsky early in his career. Worked as songplugger/staff writer in NYC; also wrote under pseudonym Mark Lewis. Worked in the Brill Building, legendary for housing some of pop music’s most successful songwriters and publishers. First record for Duel in 1961. Wrote for the Monkees TV show. Wrote score for the movie Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Starred in and composed the music for The Jazz Singer in 1980.

Songs Written and Recorded by Diamond:
Sweet Caroline (1969)
Cracklin’ Rosie (1970)

Diamond Songs as Recorded by Others:
I'm a Believer (the Monkees, 1966)
I’ll Come Running (Cliff Richard, 1967)
The Boat That I Row (Lulu, 1967)
Kentucky Woman (Deep Purple, 1968)
He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother (the Hollies, 1969)
Sweet Caroline (Elvis Presley, 1970)
And the Grass Won’t Pay No Mind (Mark Lindsay (of Paul Revere & the Raiders), 1970)
Red Red Wine (UB40, 1983)
Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon (Urge Overkill, 1994)
Solitary Man (Johnny Cash, 1994)

Album(s):
Hot August Night (live, 1972)
Serenade (1974)
12 Songs (produced by Rick Rubin, 2005)

Diamond Head

Song(s):
Am I Evil? (1987)

Diamond Rio

The Diamonds

Song(s):
Little Darlin’ (1957)

Little Jimmy Dickens

Bruce Dickinson

Bo Diddley

Blues guitarist born Ellas Otha Bates on 12/30/1928 in McComb, MS. Died 6/2/2008.

Song(s):
Bo Diddley (1955)
I’m a Man (1955)
Who Do You Love (1956)

Diddy – see Puff Daddy

Dido

Song(s):
Thank You (2000)
Stan (2000) – see Eminem
White Flag (2003)

Album(s):
No Angel (1999)
Life for Rent (2003)

Rene Dietrich

Song(s):
My Own Iona (1917) – see Horace Wright

Howard Dietz

Difford & Tilbrook

Duo of Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, both members of British new wave group Squeeze.

Album(s):
Difford & Tilbrook (1984)

Chris Difford

New wave singer/songwriter born 11/4/1954 in Greenwich, United Kingdom. One of two members of the new wave band Squeeze to last through every incarnation of the group.

Album(s):
Difford & Tilbrook (1984)
I Didn’t Get Where I Am (2002)
The Last Temptation of Chris (2008)

Digital Underground

Song(s):
The Humpty Dance (1990)

Dean Dillon

The Dils

Song(s):
I Hate the Rich (1978)

Klaus Dinger

Mark Dinning

Song(s):
Teen Angel (1959)

Dinosaur Jr.

Song(s):
Freak Scene (1988)

Album(s):
You’re Living All Over Me (1987)

Ronnie James Dio

Born Ronald Padavona on 7/10/42 in Portsmouth, NH. Died 5/16/2010

Heavy-metal rock singer and bassist. Elf (70-75), Rainbow (75-79), Black Sabbath (79-83,92, 06-10), Dio (83-02).

Song(s):
Rainbow in the Dark (1983)
Holy Diver (1983)

Album(s):
Holy Diver (1983)

Dion (& the Belmonts)

R&B/doo-wop singer born Dion Francis DiMucci on 7/18/1939 in the Bronx, NY. With the Belmonts. Also recorded solo.

Song(s):
I Wonder Why (with the Bemonts, 1958)
A Teenager in Love (with the Belmonts, 1959)
Where or When (1959)
Runaround Sue (1961)
The Wanderer (1961)
Abraham, Martin and John (1968)

Celine Dion

Pop/adult contemporary singer born in Charlemagne, Quebec on 3/30/1968. Youngest of 14 children.

Song(s):
Beauty and the Beast (with Peabo Bryson, 1991)
The Power of Love (1993)
Think Twice (1994)
Because You Loved Me (1996)
It’s All Coming Back to Me Now (1996)
My Heart Will Go On (1997)

Album(s):
The Colour of My Love (1993)
Falling into You (1996)
Let’s Talk about Love (1997)
All the Way…A Decade in Song (compilation: 1991-99, released 1999)
A New Day Has Come (2002)

Joe DiPietro

Album(s):
Memphis (cast: 2009) – see David Bryan

Dire Straits

Rock group formed in London. Mark Knopfler and Fletcher were also in Notting Hillbillies together.

Active: 1977-1991 Members: Mark Knopfler (v/g: 77-86,91), David Knopfler (g: 77-80), John Illsley (b: 77-), Pick Withers (d: 77-83), Hal Lindes (g: 80-85), Alan Clark (k: 82-), Terry Williams (d: 83-), Guy Fletcher (g: 84-86,91?), Chris White (saxophone: 91), Paul Franklin (pedal steel g: 91), Danny Cummings (percussion: 91), Phil Palmer (g: 91), and Chris Whitten (d)

Song(s):
Sultans of Swing (1979)
Romeo and Juliet (1981)
Money for Nothing (1985)

Album(s):
Dire Straits (1978)
Making Movies (1980)
Love Over Gold (1982)
Alchemy (live, 1984)
Brothers in Arms (1985)
Money for Nothing (compilation: 1978-85, released 1988)
On Every Street (1991)

Mike Dirnt

Discharge

Album(s):
Hear Nothing, Say Nothing, See Nothing (1982)

Walt Disney

Song(s):
Top 100 Disney Songs
Whistle While You Work (from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 1937) – see Seven Dwarfs
When You Wish Upon a Star (from Pinocchio, 1940) – see Cliff Edwards
Pink Elephants on Parade (by Disney Chorus, from Dumbo, 1941)
Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah (from Song of the South, 1946) – see James Baksett
Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah (from Song of the South, 1946) – see Johnny Mercer
The Ballad of Davy Crockett (from TV’s Davy Crocket, 1955) – see Bill Hayes
It’s a Small World After All (Disneyland Chorus, 1964)
Supercalifragilisticexpalidocious (from Mary Poppins, 1965) – see Julie Andrews
Winnie the Pooh (by the Disney Studio Chorus, from Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree, 1966)
Beauty and the Beast (from Beauty and the Beast, 1991) – see Celine Dion
A Whole New World (from Aladdin, 1992) – see Peabo Bryson
Can You Feel the Love Tonight (from The Lion King, 1994) – see Elton John
Circle of Life (from The Lion King, 1994) – see Elton John
Let It Go (from Frozen, 2013) – see Idina Menzel

Album(s):
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (soundtrack: 1938)
Fantasia (Leopold Stokowski & Philadelphia Orchestra, soundtrack, 1940)
Mary Poppins (soundtrack, 1964)
The Lion King (soundtrack: 1994, cast: 1997) – see Elton John
High School Musical (TV soundtrack, 2006)
High School Musical 2 (TV soundtrack, 2007)
Frozen (soundtrack, 2013)

Disturbed

Song(s):
The Sound of Silence (2015)

Dixie Chicks

Song(s):
Wide Open Spaces (1998)
Not Ready to Make Nice (2006)

Album(s):
Wide Open Spaces (1998)
Fly (1999)
Home (2002)
Taking the Long Way (produced by Rick Rubin, 2006)

The Dixie Cups

Song(s):
Chapel of Love (1964)

The Dixie Hummingbirds

Song(s):
Amazing Grace (1946)
I’ll Live Again (1949)
Let’s Go Out to the Programs (1953)

Floyd Dixon

Mort Dixon

Willie Dixon

Blues bassist born 7/1/1915 in Vicksburg, MS. Died 1/29/1992.

Album(s):
I Am the Blues (year?)
The Chess Box (compilation with various artists: 1951-69, released 1988)

Dizzee Rascal

Song(s):
Fix Up Look Sharp (2003)

Album(s):
Boy in Da Corner (2003)

DJ Casper

Also known as Mr. C the Slide Man.

Song(s):
Cha Cha Slide (2000)

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince

- see Will Smith

DJ Khaled

Song(s):
I’m the One (with Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, & Lil Wayne (2017)

DJ Shadow

Album(s):
Endtroducing… (1996)

DJ Snake

Song(s):
Lean On (2015) – see Major Lazer
Let Me Love You (with Justin Bieber, 2016)
Taki Taki (with Selena Gomez, 2018)

DMX

Album(s):
It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot (1998)
And Then There Was X (1999)

Ken Dodd

Song(s):
Tears (1965)

Bill Doggett

Song(s):
Honky Tonk (1956)

Pete Doherty

Song(s):
For Lovers (with Wolfman, 2004)

Dokken

Song(s):
Alone Again (1984)
In My Dreams (1985)

Thomas Dolby

Song(s):
She Blinded Me with Science (1982)

Joe Dolce

Song(s):
Shaddap You Face (1980)

Eric Dolphy

Jazz musician born 6/20/1928 in Los Angeles, CA.

Album(s):
Out to Lunch! (1964)

Placido Domingo

Opera singer born José Plácido Domingo Embil on 1/21/1941 in Madrid, Spain.

Album(s):
The Three Tenors in Concert/Mehta (live, opera: 1990) – see Luciano Pavarotti

Fats Domino

R&B/early rock and roll singer/songwriter and pianist born Antoine Dominique Domino, Jr. on 2/26/1928 in New Orleans, LA. Died 10/24/2017. Has sold some 60 million records.

Song(s):
The Fat Man (1949)
Ain't That a Shame (aka "Ain't It a Shame") (1955)
Blueberry Hill (1956)
I’m Walkin’ (1957)
Walking to New Orleans (1960)

The Dominoes

Active: 1950-62 Members: Clyde McPhatter (50-53), Charlie White (50-52), Joe Lamont, Bill Brown (50-52), Bill Ward (piano), David McNeil (52-?), James Van Loan (52-?), Jackie Wilson (53-57), and Eugene Mumford (57-62).

R&B vocal group from New York City. A fluctuating lineup saw a dozen top ten R&B hits in the ‘50s fronted by five different singers.

Song(s):
Sixty Minute Man (1951)
Stardust (1957)

Al Donahue

Jeepers Creepers (Al Donahue with Paula Kelly, 1938)

Walter Donaldson

Song(s) written/co-written by Donaldson:
Carolina in the Morning (1923) – see Van & Schenck
Yes Sir, That’s My Baby (1925) – see Gene Austin
Love Me or Leave Me (1929) – see Ruth Etting
Makin’ Whoopee (1929) – see Eddie Cantor
Little White Lies (1930) – see Fred Waring

Lonnie Donegan

Song(s):
Rock Island Line (1956)

Gaetano Donizetti

Album(s):
L’Elisir d'Amore (The Elixir of Love) (opera: 1832)
Lucia di Lammermoor (opera: 1835)

Donovan

Folk-rock singer/songwriter (“Mellow Yellow”, “Catch the Wind”) and guitarist born Donovan Phillips Leitch on 5/10/1946 in Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame says his song “Sunshine Superman” single handedly ignited the psychedelic revolution.

Song(s):
Sunshine Superman (1966)

Album(s):
Sunshine Superman (1966)

Jason Donovan

Song(s):
Especially for You (1988) – see Kylie Minogue

The Doobie Brothers

Song(s):
What a Fool Believes (1979)

Album(s):
Best of the Doobies (compilation: 1972-76, released 11/20/76)

The Doors

Active: 1965-71 Members: Jim Morrison (v: 65-71), Ray Mazarek (k), Robbie Krieger (g), John Densmore (d)

Rock group formed in Los Angeles, CA.

Song(s):
Light My Fire (1967)
The End (1967)
L.A. Woman (1971)
Riders on the Storm (1971)

Album(s):
The Doors (1967)
Strange Days (1967)
Waiting for the Sun (1968)
The Soft Parade (1969)
Morrison Hotel/Hard Rock Café (1970)
L.A. Woman (1971)
The Best of the Doors (compilation: 1966-71, released 1987)

The Dorsey Brothers

Song(s):
It’s the Girl (with the Boswell Sisters, 1931)
Lullaby of Broadway (with Bob Crosby, 1935)
Chasing Shadows (with Bob Eberly, 1935)

Jimmy Dorsey

Bandleader born 2/29/1904 in Shenandoah, PA. Died 6/12/1957. Used his vast skills as alto-saxophonist and clarinetist with a multitude of bands during the late ‘20s and early ‘30s. He and his brother Tommy played with the California Ramblers, Charleston Chasers, Jean Goldkette, Red Nichols, and Paul Whiteman, among others. Jimmy also recorded with Ted Lewis and Ben Selvin. When Tommy walked out on the Dorsey Brothers band in 1935, most of the members stayed with Jimmy. It was the vocals of Bob Eberly and Helen O’Connell which swept the band onto a remarkable wave of popularity in the early ‘40s.

Song(s):
Is It True What They Say About Dixie (with Bob Eberly, 1936)
Too Marvelous for Words (1937) – see Bing Crosby
The Breeze and I (with Bob Eberly, 1940)
Amapola (Pretty Little Poppy) (with Bob Eberly & Helen O'Connell, 1941)
Green Eyes (Aquellos Ojos Verdes) (with Bob Eberly & Helen O'Connell, 1941)
Maria Elena (with Bob Eberly, 1941)
I Hear a Rhapsody (with Bob Eberly, 1941)
Tangerine (with Bob Eberly & Helen O’Connell, 1942)
Brazil (1942)
Besame Mucho (Kiss Me Much) (with Bob Eberly & Kitty Kallen, 1944)

Thomas A. Dorsey

Gospel singer born Thomas Andrew Dorsey on 7/1/1899 in Villa Rica, GA. Died 1/23/1993.

Song(s):
Take My Hand, Precious Lord (1932)
If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again (1934)

Album(s):
et al – Precious Lord: New Recordings of the Great Gospel Songs… (1973)

Tommy Dorsey

Links: - Bio at SwingMusic.net - Facebook - Wikipedia

Bandleader Thomas Francis Dorsey, Jr. was born on 11/19/1905 in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. He died on 11/26/1956. Known as the “Sentimental Gentleman of Swing,” he is considered among the greatest trombonists in jazz history.

He and his older brother Jimmy worked in bands led by Jean Goldkette, Vincent Lopez, Red Nichols, Nat Shilkret, Rudy Vallee, and Paul Whiteman. They also worked with the California Ramblers (25-27), Charleston Chasers, and formed their own Dorsey Brothers Orchestra (34-35). Tommy formed his own band in 1935 out of the remains of Joe Haymes’ band. Sy Oliver worked as an arranger for the band and Frank Sinatra (40-42) recorded with Dorsey as a vocalist.

Song(s):
The Music Goes 'Round and 'Round (with Edythe Wright, 1935)
Alone (Tommy Dorsey with Cliff Weston, 1936)
I’m Getting Sentimental Over You (1936)
Marie (with Jack Leonard, 1937)
Song of India (1937)
Once in a While (1937)
The Lady Is a Tramp (with Jack Leonard, from Babes in Arms, 1937)
Music, Maestro, Please (Tommy Dorsey with Edythe Wright, 1938)
All the Things You Are (with Jack Leonard, 1939)
I’ll Never Smile Again (with Frank Sinatra & the Pied Pipers, 1940)
There Are Such Things (with Frank Sinatra & the Pied Pipers, 1942)
Opus No. 1 (1945)

Album(s):
Greatest Hits (compilation: 1935-50; released 2010)

Steve Dorff

Neal Doughty

Rock keyboardist with REO Speedwagon.

Carl Douglas

Song(s):
Kung Fu Fighting (1974)

Michael Douglas

Song(s):
Ole Buttermilk Sky (1946) – see Kay Kyser

Steve Douglas

Tom Dowd

Producer born 10/20/1925 in Manhattan, NY. Died 10/27/2002. Initially wanted to be a nuclear physicist research specialist. As an Atlantic Records staff engineer and producer, he embraced technology like the use of stereo and eight-track recording machines. At Atlantic, he recorded, and occasionally produced, artists like Ray Charles, John Coltrane, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, and Otis Redding. Later he also helped create the sounds of the Allman Brothers Band, Cream, Dusty Springfield, Rod Stewart, Bette Midler, and Chicago.

Geoff Downes

Born 8/25/1952 in Stockport, England

Rock keyboardist with the Buggles (77-80), Yes (80), and Asia (81-).

K.K. Downing

Lamont Dozier

Singer/songwriter and producer born 6/16/1941 in Detroit, Michigan. Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland worked as a writing team for Motown for over ten years before leaving and forming Invictus/Hot Wax, where they continued their hitmaking ways until 1973, when Dozier started a solo career.

Songs Written by Holland-Dozier-Holland:
Top 100 Songs
Heat Wave (1963) – see Martha & the Vandellas
Where Did Our Love Go (1964) – see the Supremes
Baby, I Need Your Loving (1964) – see Four Tops
Baby Love (1964) – see the Supremes
Stop! In the Name of Love (1965) – see the Supremes
I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) (1965) – see Four Tops
You Can't Hurry Love (1966) – see the Supremes
Reach Out (I’ll Be There) (1966) – see Four Tops

Drake

Rapper/R&B singer born Aubrey Drake Graham on 10/24/1986 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Song(s):
What’s My Name? (2010) – see Rihanna
All of the Lights (2010) - see Kanye West
Hotline Bling (2015)
One Dance (2016)
Too Good (with Rihanna, 2016)
Work (2016) – see Rihanna
God’s Plan (2018)
Nice for What (2018)
In My Feelings (2018)
Sicko Mode (2018) – see Travis Scott

Album(s):
Take Care (2011)
Nothing Was the Same (2013)
If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late (2015)
Views (2016)
Scorpion (2018)

Alfred Drake

Oklahoma! (from Oklahoma!, 1943)

Ervin Drake

Nick Drake

Folk singer/songwriter and guitarist born on 6/19/1948 in Rangoon, Burma. Died 11/25/1974 from an overdose of an antidepressant

Album(s):
Five Leaves Left (1969)
Bryter Layter (1970)
Pink Moon (1972)

The DMDB Blog:
Nick Drake died: November 25, 1974 (11/25/11)

Dream Theater

Album(s):
Images and Words (1992)
Scenes from a Memory (Metropolis Part 2) (1999)

Dr. Dre

Rap singer/songwriter, producer, and record executive born Andre Romelle Young on 2/18/1965 in Compton, CA. Started as a member of the World Class Wreckin’ Cru and became famous with gangster rap group N.W.A. before having a successful solo career. Exec with Death Row Records.

Song(s):
Deep Cover (with Snoop Doggy Dogg, 1992)
Nuthin’ But a “G” Thang (with Snoop Doggy Dogg, 1993)
No Diggity (1996) – see Blackstreet
California Love (with Tupac Shakur and Roger Troutman, 1996)

Album(s):
The Chronic (1992)
2001 (1999)

Dresden Dolls

Song(s):
Sing (2006)

Paul Dresser

Popular songwriter, singer, and comedic actor who traveled in minstrel and medicine wagon shows and worked as a vaudeville performer.

Born Johann Paul Dreiser Jr. on 4/22/1858 in Terre Haute, Indiana. Died 1/30/1906

Song(s) written by Dresser:
Give Us Just Another Lincoln (1900)
My Gal Sal (1907) – see Byron Harlan

Kenny Drew

Jazz pianist.

Dave Dreyer

The Drifters

Vocal group formed on Atlantic. Numerous personnel changes over the years. Six different singers have sung on top 10 R&B hits for the group. Songwriters Leiber and Stoller produced their hits from 1959-63. Many personnel changes throughout career and several groups have used the name in later years.

Active: 1953- Members: Clyde McPhatter (v: 53-55), Bill Pinkney (53-58), Gerhart Thrasher (53-58), Andrew Thrasher (53-58); Johnny Moore (v: 55-58, 64-80), Ben E. King (v: 59-60), Rudy Lewis (60-64; died of a heart attack on 5/20/64 at age 27).

Song(s):
Money Honey (1953)
There Goes My Baby (1959)
Save the Last Dance for Me (1960)
Up on the Roof (1962)
On Broadway (1963)
Under the Boardwalk (1964)

Drive-By Truckers

Song(s):
The Perilous Night (2017)

Paquito D’Rivera

Dr. John

Singer/songwriter, pianist, and guitarist born Malcolm John Rebennack, Jr. on 11/21/1940 in New Orleans, LA. Works in multiple genres including blues, pop, jazz, Zydeco, boogie woogie, and rock. Worked originally as a prominent session musician but has recorded over 20 albums on his own.

Song(s):
Right Place Wrong Time (1973)

Dr. Luke

American songwriter and record producer born Lukasz Gottwald on 9/26/1973. Often worked with Max Martin writing and producing singles for Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry, and Ke$ha; the latter alleged sexual assault and abuse by Gottwald.

Song(s) produced and/or co-written by Dr. Luke:
Since U Been Gone (2004) – see Kelly Clarkson
Girlfriend (2007) – see Avril Lavigne
I Kissed a Girl (2008) – see Katy Perry
Hot n Cold (2008) – see Katy Perry
Tik Tok (2009) – see Ke$ha
California Gurls (2010) – see Katy Perry
Teenage Dream (2010) – see Katy Perry
Roar (2013) – see Katy Perry
Dark Horse (2013) – see Katy Perry
Sugar (2015) – see Maroon 5

Drummond

Song(s):
Daddy Cool (1971)

D12

Album(s):
Black Sunday (1993)

Al Dublin

Album(s):
42nd Street (cast: 1980) – see Harry Warren

Eddy Duchin

Jazz pianist and bandleader born Edwin Frank Duchin on 4/1/1909 in Cambridge, MA. Died 2/9/1951.

Song(s):
Let’s Fall in Love (with Lew Sherwood, 1934)
You Are My Lucky Star (with Lew Sherwood, 1935)

Duffy

Song(s):
Mercy (2008)

Album(s):
Rockferry (2008)

George Duke

Jazz pianist.

Vernon Duke

Song(s) by Duke:
I Can't Get Started (1938) – see Bunny Berigan

The Duke of Paducah

Aynsley Dunbar

Born 1/10/1946. Died

English rock drummer with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (66-67), the Jeff Beck Group (67), Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention, Journey (73-79), Jefferson Starship (79-82), Whitesnake (89-90), and more.

Brooks & Dunn

Song(s):
Boot Scootin’ Boogie (1991)

Donald “Duck” Dunn

American R&B bassist with Booker T & the MG’s born 11/24/1941.

Champion Jack Dupree

Album(s):
Blues from the Gutter (1958)

John Du Prez

Album(s):
Spamalot (cast: 2004) – see Eric Idle

Jermaine Dupri

Duran Duran

Synth-pop-dance group formed in Birmingham, England. Group named after a villain in the Jane Fonda movie Barbarella. Groups Arcadia and The Power Station are offshoots of Duran Duran.

Active: 1978- Members: Simon LeBon (v: 78-), Andy Taylor (g: 78-84), Nick Rhodes (k: 78-), John Taylor (b: 78-), Roger Taylor (d: 78-84). Warren Cuccurullo (g – Missing Persons, Duran Duran: 90-), Sterling Campbell (d – Duran Duran: 90-93, Soul Asylum: 95-)

Song(s):
Girls on Film (1981)
Hungry Like the Wolf (1982)
Rio (1982)
The Reflex (1984)
Ordinary World (1992)

Album(s):
Duran Duran (1981)
Rio (1982)
Greatest (compilation: 1980-97; released 1998)

Ian Dury (& the Blockheads)

Song(s):
Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick (1978)

Album(s):
New Boots and Panties!! (1977)

Antonin Dvorák

Classical composer born 9/8/1841 in Bohemia. Died 5/1/1904.

Album(s):
Symphony No. 9 in E minor “From the New World” (1893)
Cello Concerto in B Minor (1895)

Bob Dylan

Links: DMDB page - official site - Facebook - Wikipedia

Folk-rock singer/songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player born Robert Allen Zimmerman on 5/24/1941 in Duluth, Minnesota. Took stage name from poet Dylan Thomas. Gained a reputation as one of rock music’s greatest lyricists with his political and socially-conscious songs, even winning a Pulitzer Prize in 2008 for his lyrics.

He went to New York City in 1960 and worked in folk clubs in Greenwich Village. He signed to Columbia Records in October 1961. Retired briefly following a motorcycle accident on 7/29/1966. He was born into a Jewish family, but became a born-again Christian in the late ‘70s and released several gospel-oriented albums from 1979-81 before returning to more folk-rock oriented fare. He has steadily toured since the late 1980s on what has been dubbed the Never Ending Tour. Member of the supergroup The Traveling Wilburys (88-91).

Song(s):
Bob Dylan: Top 100 Songs
Bob Dylan Covers: Top 30 Songs
Blowin' in the Wind (1963)
The Times They Are A-Changin’ (1965)
Mr. Tambourine Man (1965)
Subterranean Homesick Blues (1965)
Like a Rolling Stone (1965)
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (1973)
Tangled Up in Blue (1975)
Not Dark Yet (1997)
Things Have Changed (2000)

Album(s):
Bob Dylan: Top 50 Albums
Bob Dylan (1962)
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (1963)
The Times They Are A-Changin’ (1964)
Another Side of Bob Dylan (1964)
Bringing It All Back Home (1965)
Highway 61 Revisited (1965)
Blonde on Blonde (1966)
The Bootleg Series, Vol. 4: Live 1966 – The “Royal Albert Hall Concert” (live, 1966)
Greatest Hits (compilation: 1962-66, released 1967)
The Basement Tapes (archives with The Band, 1967)
John Wesley Harding (1967)
Nashville Skyline (1969)
Self Portrait (1970)
New Morning (1970)
Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973)
Planet Waves (with The Band, 1974)
Blood on the Tracks (1975)
Desire (1976)
Street Legal (1978)
Slow Train Going (1979)
Saved (1980)
Shot of Love (1981)
Infidels (1983)
Empire Burlesque (1985)
Knocked Out Loaded (1986)
Down in the Groove (1988)
Oh Mercy (1989)
Under the Red Sky (1990)
Good As I Been to You (1992)
World Gone Wrong (1993)
Time Out of Mind (1997)
Love and Theft (2001)
Modern Times (2006)

The DMDB Blog/Facebook Note(s):
Bob Dylan goes electric: May 17, 1966 (5/17/12)

Click on a letter to choose a recording 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.