Music Makers Encyclopedia: F

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.

The Faces

British rock group which evolved from The Small Faces. 1969-1975. Rod Stewart (v), Ronnie Wood (g), Ronnie Lane (b), Ian McLagan (k), Kenney Jones (d).

Donald Fagen

Jazz-rock singer/songwriter and keyboardist born 1/10/1948 in Passaic, New Jersey. With Steely Dan.

Album(s):
The Nightfly (1982)

John Fahey

Fingerstyle guitarist and composer who pioneered the steel-string acoustic guitar as a solo instrument. Born 2/28/1939 in Washington, D.C.. Died 2/22/2001.

Album(s):
Blind Joe Death (1959)

Sammy Fain

Fairfield Four

Song(s):
Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around (1947)

Fairground Attraction

Song(s):
Perfect (1988)

Album(s):
The First of a Million Kisses (1988)

Fairport Convention

Songs):
Who Knows Where the Time Goes? (1969)

Album(s):
Unhalfbricking (1969)
Liege and Lief (1969)
Full House (1970)

Faith No More

Song(s):
Epic (1990)
RV (1992)
Superhero (2015)

Album(s):
The Real Thing (1989)
Live at Brixton Academy (live, 1991)
Angel Dust (1992)
King for a Day, Fool for a Lifetime (1995)
Album of the Year (1997)
Sol Invictus (2015)

Percy Faith

Bandleader born 4/7/1908 in Toronto, Ontario. Died 2/9/1976.

Song(s):
Where Is Your Heart (Song from "Moulin Rouge") (Percy Faith with Felicia Sanders, 1953)
Theme from "A Summer Place" (1960)
We Need a Little Christmas (1966)

Falco

Song(s):
Rock Me Amadeus (1986)

Joseph Falcon

Song(s):
Allons a Lafayette (1928)

The Falcons

Song(s):
You're So Fine (1959)

Brian Fallon

Lead singer of Gaslight Anthem.

Album(s):
Painkillers (2016)

Jimmy Fallon

Song(s):
Sexy as I Know It (live as Neil Young with Bruce Springsteen, 2012)
Whip My Hair (live as Neil Young with Bruce Springsteen, 2012)

Agnetha Faltskog

Swedish pop singer born 4/5/1950. With Abba.

The Fall

Song(s):
Senior Twilight Stock Replacer (2008)

Album(s):
Dragnet (1979)
Hex Enduction Hour (1982)
This Nation's Saving Grace (1985)
Extricate (1990)

Fall Out Boy

Song(s):
My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light 'Em Up) (2013)

Georgie Fame

Song(s):
The Ballad of Bonnie & Clyde (1967)

Family of the Year

Song(s):
Hero (2012)

Cecil Fanning

Song(s):
A Perfect Day (1911)

Fantasia

Song(s):
I Believe (2004)

Donna Fargo

Song(s):
The Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A. (1972)

Album(s):
The Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A. (1972)

John Farnham

Song(s):
Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head (1970)
You're the Voice (1986)

Album(s):
Whispering Jack (1986)
Age of Reason (1988)

Christine Farnon

Geraldine Farrar

Song(s):
My Old Kentucky Home (1910)

Dionne Farris

Song(s):
I Know (1995)

Fastball

Song(s):
The Way (1998)

Faster Pussycat

Song(s):
House of Pain (1989)

Fatboy Slim

Song(s):
Praise You (1999)
Weapon of Choice (2001)

Album(s):
You've Come a Long Way, Baby (1998)

Gabriel Fauré

Classical composer.

Album(s):
Requiem in D minor (1900)

Edward M. Favor

Song(s):
Say Au Revoir, But Not Goodbye (1894)
Daisy Bell (A Bicycle Built for Two) (1894)
My Best Girl's a New Yorker (1895)

Fear

Album(s):
The Record (1982)

The Feelies

Song(s):
Away (1988)

Album(s):

Crazy Rhythms (1980)

Feist

Song(s):
1234 (2007)

Album(s):

The Reminder (2007)

Jose Feliciano

Guitarist and composer born Jose Monserrate Feliciano Garcia on 9/10/1945 in Lares, Puerto Rico.

Song(s):
Feliz Navidad (1970)

Freddy Fender

Country singer/songwriter born Baldemar Garza Huerta on 6/4/1937 in San Benito, TX. Died 10/14/2006.

Song(s):
Before the Next Teardrop Falls (1975)
Wasted Days and Wasted Nights (1975)

Leo Fender

Frederick Fennell and the Cleveland Symphonic Winds

Album(s):
Holst: Suite No. 1 in E-Flat, Suite No. 2 in F / Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks / Bach: Fantasia in G (1978)

Fergie

Pop singer born Stacy Ann Ferguson on 3/27/1975 in Hacienda Heights, California. With the Black Eyed Peas.

Song(s):
Big Girls Don't Cry (Personal) (2007)

Album(s):
The Dutchess (2006)

Ajejandro Fernández

Vicente Fernández

Ferrante & Teicher

Song(s):
Theme from "Exodus" (1960)

Bryan Ferry

Singer/songwriter and musician born 9/26/1945 in Washington County, Durham. With Roxy Music. Also a solo artist.

Fetty Wap

Song(s):
Trap Queen (2014)

Arthur Fiedler

Classical conductor born on 12/17/1874 in Boston, MA. Died 7/10/1979.

Song(s):
Jalouise (with the Boston Pops Orchestra, 1935)

Arthur Fields

Song(s):
Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning (1918)
Ja Da (Ja Da, Ja Da, Jing Jing Jing) (1919)
Sleepy Time Gal (1926) – see Ben Bernie

Dorothy Fields

Songwriter born 7/15/1905 in Allenhust, NJ. Died 3/28/1974.

Song(s) written by Fields:
I Can't Give You Anything But Love (1928) – see Cliff Edwards
On the Sunny Side of the Street (1930) – see Ted Lewis
I'm in the Mood for Love (1935) – see Little Jack Little
The Way You Look Tonight (1936) – see Fred Astaire
A Fine Romance (1936) – see Fred Astaire

Album(s):
Redhead (composed with Albert Hague, musical: 1959)

Shep Fields

Bandleader born Saul Feldman on 9/12/1910 in Brooklyn, NY. Died 2/23/1981.

Song(s):
Did I Remember? (with Charles Chester, 1936)
In the Chapel in the Moonlight (1936)
Easy to Love (1936)
That Old Feeling (with Bob Goday, 1937)
Thanks for the Memory (with Bob Goday, 1937)
South of the Border (Down Mexico Way) (with Hal Derwin, 1939)

Anton Fier

Rock drummer with the Feelies, Pere Ubu, and Golden Palominos.

5th Dimension

R&B vocal group formed in Los Angeles, CA. Townson and Davis had been with groups in St. Louis. First called the Versatiles. McCoo and Davis were married in 1969 and recorded as a duo since 1976.

Active: 1966-1978 Members: Marilyn McCoo (Hi-Fi's; 5th Dimension), Billy Davis Jr., Florence LaRue, Lamont McLemore (Hi-Fi's; 5th Dimension), and Ron Townson

Song(s):
Up, Up and Away (1967)
Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (from Hair, 1969)

Fifth Harmony

Song(s):
Worth It (with Kid Ink, 2015)
Work from Home (with Ty Dolla $ign, 2016)

50 Cent

Rap singer born Curtis James Jackson III on 7/6/1975 in South Jamaica, Queens, NY.

Song(s):
In Da Club (2002)
Candy Shop (with Olivia, 2005)
Hate It or Love It (with the Game, 2005)

Album(s):
Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003)
The Massacre (2005)

Filter

Song(s):
Hey Man, Nice Shot (1995)

Fine Young Cannibals

Song(s):
She Drives Me Crazy (1989)

Album(s):
The Raw and the Cooked (1989)

Finger Eleven

Song(s):
Paralyzer (2007)

Neil Finn

Neil Finn's DMDB profile page

DMDB podcast: The Best of Crowded House and Neil Finn

New wave/pop singer/songwriter and musician born Neil Mullane Finn on 5/27/1958 in Te Awamutu, New Zealand. Member of Split Enz (77-84) with his brother Tim Finn. They also recorded together as a duo. Fronted Crowded House (85-96, 07-10), Pajama Club, and was a touring member of Fleetwood Mac (2018-19).

Song(s):
Neil & Tim Finn: Top 100 Songs
I Got You (1980) – see Split Enz
Don't Dream It's Over (1986) – see Crowded House
Better Be Home Soon (1988) – see Crowded House
Silent House (2007) – see Crowded House
Song of the Lonely Mountain (2012)

Album(s):
Dizrhythmia (1977) – see Split Enz
Frenzy (1979) – see Split Enz
True Colours (1980) – see Split Enz
Corroboree (1981) – see Split Enz
Time and Tide (1982) – see Split Enz
Conflicting Emotions (1983) – see Split Enz
See Ya Round (1984) – see Split Enz
Crowded House (1986) – see Crowded House
Temple of Low Men (1988) – see Crowded House
Woodface (1991) – see Crowded House
Together Alone (1993) – see Crowded House
Finn (aka 'Finn Brothers') (with Tim Finn, 1995)
Recurring Dream – The Very Best of (compilation: 1986-96) – see Crowded House
Try Whistling This (1998)
One Nil (2001)
7 Worlds Collide (live with various artists, 2001)
Everyone Is Here (with Tim Finn, 2004)
Time on Earth (2007) – see Crowded House
The Sun Came Out (with various artists, 2009)
Intriguer (2010) – see Crowded House
Pajama Club (2011)
Dizzy Heights (2014)
Lightsleeper (with Liam Finn, 2018)
Dreamers Are Waiting (2021) – see Crowded House

Tim Finn

Check out DMDB actpage here.

New wave singer/songwriter and musician born Brian Timothy Finn on 6/25/1952 in Te Awamutu, New Zealand. Founding member of Split Enz (77-84), which also included his younger brother Neil Finn. The two also collaborated and worked together on one Crowded House album (91). He launched a solo career in 1983.

Song(s):
Neil & Tim Finn: Top 100 Songs
I Got You (1980) – see Split Enz
Salt to the Sea (2006)
The Saw & the Tree (2008)

Album(s):
Beginning of the Enz (1973) – see Split Enz
Mental Notes (1975) – see Split Enz
Dizrhythmia (1977) – see Split Enz
Frenzy (1979) – see Split Enz
True Colours (1980) – see Split Enz
Corroboree (1981) – see Split Enz
Time and Tide (1982) – see Split Enz
Conflicting Emotions (1983) – see Split Enz
Escapade (1983)
Big Canoe (1986)
Tim Finn (1989)
Woodface (1991) – see Crowded House
Before and After (1993)
Finn (aka 'Finn Brothers') (with Neil Finn, 1995)
Say It Is So (2000)
Feeding the Gods (2001)
Everyone Is Here (with Neil Finn, 2004)
Imaginary Kingdom (2006)
The Conversation (2008)
North, South, East, West…Anthology (compilation: 1975-2009, released 2009)
The View Is Worth the Climb (2011)

Finn Brothers

- see Neil Finn and Tim Finn

Melanie Fiona

Song(s):
Fool for You (2011) – see Cee-Lo Green

Ted Fio Rito

Song(s):
I'll String Along with You (with Muzzy Marcellino, 1934)

Firehouse

Song(s):
Don't Treat Me Bad (1991)
Love of a Lifetime (1991)

Fireside Theatre

Album(s):
Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers (1970)

The Firm

English hard-rock supergroup (1984-86): Paul Rodgers (v), Jimmy Page (g), Tony Franklin (b), and Chris Slade (d).

Song(s):
Radioactive (1985)

Carl Fischer's Orchestra

Song(s):
That Lucky Old Sun (1949) – see Frankie Laine

Lisa Fischer

Song(s):
How Can I Ease the Pain? (1991)

Fish

Neo-progressive rock singer born Derek Dick on 4/25/58 in Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland. With Marillion (81-88) and then a solo artist (89-). Got nickname from a landlady who accused him of wallowing in the bath like a fish.

DMDB profile page

• DMDB podcast: The Best of Marillion – The Fish Era, 1981-1988

Song(s):
Fish/Marillion: Top 100 Songs
Shortcut to Somewhere (1986) – see Tony Banks
Script for a Jester's Tear (1983) – see Marillion
Fugazi (1984) – see Marillion
She Chameleon (1984) – see Marillion
Kayleigh (1985) – see Marillion
Childhood's End? (1985) – see Marillion
Incommunicado (1987) – see Marillion
Going Under (1987) – see Marillion
Sugar Mice (1987) – see Marillion
Tux On (1987) – see Marillion
Warm Wet Circles (1987) – see Marillion
Cliché (1990)
A Gentleman’s Excuse Me (1990)
Another Murder of a Day (1991) – see Tony Banks
Solo (1993)
Kayleigh (acoustic, 1996)
Sugar Mice (acoustic, 1996)
This Party’s Over (2020)

Album(s):
Fish/Marillion: Top 20 Albums
Script for a Jester's Tear (1983) – see Marillion
Fugazi (1984) – see Marillion
Misplaced Childhood (1985) – see Marillion
Clutching at Straws (1987) – see Marillion
Best of Both Worlds: Disc 1 (compilation: 1982-88, released 1997) – see Marillion
Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors (1990)
Internal Exile (1991)
Songs from the Mirror (1993)
Suits (1994)
Sunsets on Empire (1997)
Kettle of Fish (compilation: 1989-98, released 1998)
Raingods with Zippos (1999)
Fellini Days (2001)
Field of Crows (2004)
Bouillabaisse (compilation: 1985-2004, released 2005)
Return to Childhood (live – recorded 2005, released 2006)
13th Star (2007)
A Feast of Consequences (2013)
A Parley with Angels (EP, 2018)
The Last Straw (live – recorded 2018, released 2022)
Weltschmerz (2020)

Eddie Fisher

Pop singer born Edwin Jack Fisher on 8/10/1928 in Philadelphia, PA. Died 9/22/2010. At age 18, he was singing with Buddy Morrow's band, and in 1949 got his first nationwide exposure on Eddie Cantor's radio show. A year later he was a popular sensation. Married to Debbie Reynolds, then Elizabeth Taylor. Appeared in several '50s movies and his own TV series.

Song(s):
I'm Walking Behind You (with Sally Sweetland & Hugo Winterhalter's Orchestra, 1953)
O Mein Papa (Oh My Papa) (with Hugo Winterhalter's Orchestra, 1953)

Album(s):
I'm in the Mood for Love (1952)

Fred Fisher

Fisk University Jubilee Quartet

Song(s):
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (1910) fcoa

Fitz & the Tantrums

Song(s):
Out of My League (2013)

Damon Che Fitzgerald

Rock drummer with Don Caballero.

Ella Fitzgerald

Jazz singer born 4/25/1918 in Newport News, VA. Died 6/15/1996. The most honored jazz singer of all time. Discovered after winning the Harlem Amateur Hour in 1934, she was hired by Chick Webb and in 1938 created a popular sensation with "A-Tisket, A-Tasket". Following Chick's death in 1939, Ella took over the band for three years. Winner of the Down Beat poll as top female vocalist more than 20 times, she remains among the undisputed royalty of 20th century popular music.

Song(s):
Goodnight My Love (1937) – see Benny Goodman
A-Tisket, A-Tasket (with Chick Webb & His Orchestra, 1938)
Rock It for Me (with Chick Webb's Orchestra, 1938)
It's Only a Paper Moon (with the Delta Rhythm Boys, 1945)
Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall (1944) – see the Ink Spots
How High the Moon (with the Daydreamers, 1947)
Baby, It's Cold Outside (1949)
Night and Day (1956)
Summertime (with Louis Armstrong, 1957)
Someone to Watch Over Me (1958)
The Man I Love (1959)
But Not for Me (1959)
Mack the Knife (1960)
Cheek to Cheek (with Louis Armstrong, 1956)

Album(s):
Sings the Cole Porter Songbook (1956)
Sings the Rogers and Hart Songbook (1956)
Ella & Louis (with Louis Armstrong, 1957)
Porgy and Bess (with Louis Armstrong, 1958)
Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook (1959)
In Berlin (1960)
Ella and Basie! (with Count Basie, 1963)

Five for Fighting

Song(s):
Superman (It's Not Easy) (2000)

The Five Keys

Five Man Electrical Band

Song(s):
Signs (1971)

The "5" Royales

The Five Satins

Song(s):
In the Still of the Nite (I'll Remember) (1956)
To the Aisle (1957)

5 Seconds of Summer

Song(s):
She Looks So Perfect (2014)
Youngblood (2018)

The Fixx

Song(s):
One Thing Leads to Another (1983)

FKA Twigs

Album(s):
LP1 (2014)

Roberta Flack

R&B/pop singer born 2/10/1937 in Black Mountain, NC.

Song(s):
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (1969)
Killing Me Softly with His Song (1973)
Feel Like Makin’ Love (1974)
Tonight I Celebrate My Love (1983) – see Peabo Bryson

Album(s):
First Take (1972)

Kirsten Flagstad

The Flaming Lips

Song(s):
Do You Realize? (2002)

Album(s):
The Soft Bulletin (1999)
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (2002)
Dark Side of the Moon (covers: 2010)
With a Little Help from My Friends (covers: 2014)

The Flamingos

Song(s):
Lovers Never Say Goodbye (1958)
I Only Have Eyes for You (1959)

Tommy Flanagan

Jazz pianist born 3/16/1930 in Detroit, MI. Died 11/16/2001.

Lester Flatt

Country/bluegrass singer born on 6/19/1914 in Duncan's Chapel, Overton County, TN. Died 5/11/1979. Half of Flatt & Scruggs duo with Earl Scruggs.

Flatt & Scruggs

Country/bluegrass duo of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs.

Song(s):
Foggy Mountain Breakdown (& the Foggy Mountain Boys, 1950)

Album(s):
Foggy Mountain Jamboree (with Earl Scruggs, 1957)
Foggy Mountain Banjo (with Earl Scruggs,, 1961)

Flea

Rock bassist born Michael Peter Balzary on 10/16/1962 in Melbournie, Victoria, Australia. With the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Fleet Foxes

Album(s):
Fleet Foxes (2008)
Helplessness Blues (2011)

Mick Fleetwood

Blues/rock drummer born Michael John Kells Fleetwood on 6/24/1947 in Redruth, Cornwall, England. Founding member of Fleetwood Mac (1967-).

Fleetwood Mac

Links: - official site - Facebook - Wikipedia

Check out the DMDB review of Fleetwood Mac: In Concert here.

Formed initially as a British blues group, but by 1975 the group had evolved into a California pop-rock group because of the additions of Buckingham and Nicks. Active: 1967- Members: Mick Fleetwood (d: 67-), John McVie (b: 67-), Peter Green (g: 67-70), and Jeremy Spencer (g: 67-71). Danny Kirwan (g: 68-72), Christine McVie (k/v: 68, 70-98, 2014-), Bob Welch (g: 71-74), Bob Weston (g: 72-73), Dave Walker (g: 72-73), Lindsey Buckingham (g/v: 75-87,97,03), Stevie Nicks (v: 75-91,97-), Billy Burnette (g/v: 87-93), Rick Vito (g/v: 87-91), Bekka Bramlett (v – The Zoo: 92; Fleetwood Mac: 93-95), Dave Mason (v/ percussion: 93-95), Neil Finn (v/g: 18-), Mike Campbell (g: 18-).

Song(s):
Fleetwood Mac: Top 100 Songs
Black Magic Woman (1968)
Say You Love Me (1975)
Go Your Own Way (1976)
Dreams (1977)
Don't Stop (1977)
You Make Loving Fun (1977)
Little Lies (1987)

Album(s):
Fleetwood Mac (1975)
Rumours (1977) Tusk (1979)
Mirage (1982)
Tango in the Night (1987)
Greatest Hits (compilation: 1975-88, released 1988)
25 Years: The Chain (box: 1967-92, released 1992)
Say You Will (2003)
Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie (2017) – see Lindsey Buckingham

The Fleetwoods

Song(s):
Mr. Blue (1959)
Come Softly to Me (1959)

Renée Fleming

Operatic soprano singer born 2/14/1959 in Indiana, Pennyslvania. Won four Grammys. Has recorded music for movie soundtracks, including Oscar Best Picture winners The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King and The Shape of Water.

Leon Fliesher

Flipper

Album(s):
Album Generic (1982)

A Flock of Seagulls

Song(s):
I Ran (So Far Away) (1982)

Floetry

Song(s):
Say Yes (2003)

Florence the Machine

Song(s):
Dog Days Are Over (2008)

Album(s):
Lungs (2009)
Ceremonials (2011)
How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful (2015)

Flo Rida

Song(s):
Low (with T-Pain, 2007)
Right Round (with Ke$ha, 2009)
Wild Ones (with Sia, 2011)
Whistle (2012)
My House (2015)

Florida Georgia Line

Song(s):
Cruise (with Nelly, 2012)
This Is How We Roll (with Luke Bryan, 2013)
H.O.L.Y. (2016)
Meant to Be (2017) – see Bebe Rexha

Album(s):
Here's to the Good Times (2012)
Anything Goes (2014)

Florida State University AcaBelles

Song(s):
Royals (2013)

Carlisle Floyd

Eddie Floyd

Song(s):
Knock on Wood (1966)

King Floyd

Song(s):
Groove Me (1970)

Flying Burrito Brothers

Song(s):
Sin City (1969)

Album(s):
The Gilded Palace of Sin (1969)
Burrito Deuxe (1970)

The Flys

Song(s):
Got You Where I Want You (1998)

Foals

Song(s):
Spanish Sahara (2010)

Dan Fogelberg

Folk/adult contemporary singer/songwriter born 8/13/1951 in Peoria, IL. Died 12/16/2007.

John Fogerty

Rock singer and guitarist born 5/28/1945 in Berkeley, CA. With Creedence Clearwater Revival ("Proud Mary", "Bad Moon Rising", "Fortunate Son").

Album(s):
Wrote a Song for Everyone (with various artists, 2013)

Foghat

Song(s):
Slow Ride (1975)

Jim Foglesong

Ben Folds

Song(s):
Underground (1995)
Brick 1997)
The Luckiest (2001)

Red Foley

Country singer born Clyde Julian Foley on 6/17/1910 in Fort Wayne, IN. Died 9/19/1968.

Song(s):
Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy (1950)
Peace in the Valley (with the Sunshine Boys, 1951)

Luis Fonsi

Song(s):
Despacito (with Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber, 2017)
Échame La Culpa (with Demi Lovato, 2017)

DJ Fontana

Rock drummer born 3/15/1931. Died 6/13/2018. With Elvis Presley.

Fontane Sisters

Song(s):
A – You're Adorable (The Alphabet Song) (1949) – see Perry Como
Hearts of Stone (1954)

Foo Fighters

Rock group formed in 1994 by Dave Grohl (vocals, guitar), Pat Smear (guitar: 1995-97, 2010-), Nate Mendel (bass: 1995-), William Goldsmith (drums: 1995-97), Taylor Hawkins (drums, backing vocals: 1997-2022; died 3/25/2022), Franz Stahl (guitar, backing vocas: 1997-99), Chris Shiflett (guitar, backing vocals: 1999-), Rami Jaffee (keyboards: 2017-).

Song(s):
This Is a Call (1995)
Big Me (1995)
Monkey Wrench (1997)
Everlong (1997)
My Hero (1997)
Baker Street (1998)
Learn to Fly (1999)
All My Life (2002)
Times Like These (2002)
Darling Nikki (2003)
Best of You (2005)
DOA (2005)
The Pretender (2007)
Long Road to Ruin (2007)
Walk (2011)
Something from Nothing (2014)

Album(s):
Foo Fighters (1995)
The Colour and the Shape (1997)
There is Nothing Left to Lose (1999)
One by One (2002)
Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (2007)
Wasting Light (2011)

Emile Ford & the Checkmates

Song(s):
What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For? (1959)

Lita Ford

Song(s):
Kiss Me Deadly (1988)
Close My Eyes Forever (with Ozzy Osbourne, 1988)

Mary Ford

Singer born Iris Colleen Summers on 7/7/1924 in El Monte, CA. Died 9/30/1977.

Song(s):
How High the Moon (1951) – see Les Paul
Mockin' Bird Hill (1951) – see Les Paul
Vaya Con Dios (May God Be with You) (1953) – see Les Paul

“Tennessee” Ernie Ford

Country singer born Ernest Jennings Ford on 2/13/1919 in Bristol, TN. Died 10/17/1991.

Song(s):
Sixteen Tons (1955)
Give Me Your Word (1955)

Album(s):
Hymns (1957)

Whitey Ford

Comedian, radio host, and banjo player born Benjamin Francis Ford on 5/12/1901. Died 6/20/1986. Known as "The Duke of Paducah."

Foreigner

British-American rock group formed in New York City. Became one of the prominent "arena rock" bands in the 1970s and '80s. Gagliardi and Greenwood later formed Spys.

Active: 1976-1995 Members: Mick Jones (g: 76-95), Lou Gramm (v: 76-91, 92-95), Ian McDonald (g/k: 76-80), Ed Gagliardi (b: 76-79), Al Greenwood (k: 76-80), Dennis Elliott (d: 76-92), Rick Wills (b: 79-92), Johnny Edwards (v – Montrose: 87; Foreigner: 91-92)

Song(s):
Hot Blooded (1978)
Double Vision (1978)
Waiting for a Girl Like You (1981)
Juke Box Hero (1981)
I Want to Know What Love Is (1984)
That Was Yesterday (1984)

Album(s):
Foreigner (1977)
Double Vision (1978)
Head Games (1979)
4 (1981)
Records (compilation: 1976-82, released 1982)
Agent Provocateur (1984)
The Definitive Collection (compilation: 1977-92, released 2006)

4 Non Blondes

Song(s):
What's Up? (1993)

George Forrest

Album(s):
Kismet (musical: 1953) – see Alexander Borodin

Helen Forrest

Song(s):
Taking a Chance on Love (1940) – see Benny Goodman
I Had the Craziest Dream (1942) – see Harry James
I've Heard That Song Before (1943) – see Harry James
Long Ago and Far Away (1944) – see Dick Haymes

Jimmy Forrest

Song(s):
Night Train (1952)

David Foster

Songwriter (Chicago’s “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” John Parr’s “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion)”) and producer born 11/1/1949 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Fred Foster

Stephen Foster

Songwriter born 7/4/1826 in Lawrenceville, PA. Died 1/13/1864. The pre-eminent songwriter in the United States in the 19th century. Known as "The Father of American Music."

Song(s) written by Foster:
Oh Susanna (1846)
Camptown Races (Gwine to Run All Night) (1850)
The Old Folks at Home (Swanee River) (1851)
My Old Kentucky Home (1853)
The Old Folks at Home (Swanee River) (1892) – see Len Spencer
My Old Kentucky Home (1898) – see Edison Male Quartette
The Old Folks at Home (Swanee River) (1900) – see Vess Ossman
The Old Folks at Home (Swanee River) (1904) – see Haydn Quartet
The Old Folks at Home (Swanee River) (1905) – see Louise Homer
My Old Kentucky Home (1910) – see Geraldine Farrar
The Old Folks at Home (Swanee River) (1915) – see Alma Gluck

Foster the People

Song(s):
Pumped Up Kicks (2010)

The Foundations

Song(s):
Build Me Up Buttercup (1968)

Fountains of Wayne

Song(s):
Stacy's Mom (2003)

The Four Aces

Song(s):
Three Coins in the Fountain (1954)
Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955)

The Four Lads

Song(s):
Cry (1951) – see Johnnie Ray
Round and Round (1957)

The Four Modernaires

Song(s):
Chattanooga Choo Choo (1941) – see Glenn Miller

The Four Seasons

Vocal group formed in Newark, N.J. Numerous personal changes from 1971 on. Group had been doing session work for their producer Bob Crewe and took their name from a New Jersey bowling alley.

Active: 1961-84 Members: Frankie Valli (v: 61-), Nick DeVito (Variatones: 55-56; Four Lovers: 56-59) and brother Tommy DeVito (Variatones: 55-56; Four Lovers: 56-61; Four Seasons: 61-71) with Hank Majewski (Variatones: 55-56; Four Lovers: 56-61?), Bob Gaudio (k/songwriter – Royal Teens; Four Lovers: 59-61; Four Seasons: 61-72), Nick Massi (61?-65), Charlie Calello (65-?), Joe Long (?)

Song(s):
Sherry (1962)
Big Girls Don't Cry (1962)
Walk Like a Man (1963)
December 1963 (Oh What a Night) (1975)

The Four Tops

Detroit R&B vocal group formed in 1953 as the Four Aims. First recorded for Chess in 1956, then Red Top and Columbia, before signing with Motown in 1963. Group had no personnel changes since its formation in 1953 until 1997. Members: Levi Stubbs (born 6/6/1936, died 10/17/2008), Renaldo "Obie" Benson (born 6/14/1936, died 7/1/2005), Lawrence Payton (born 3/2/1938, died 6/20/97), and Abdul "Duke" Fakir (born 12/26/1935).

Song(s):
Baby, I Need Your Loving (1964)
I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) (1965)
Reach Out (I'll Be There) (1966)
Standing in the Shadows of Love (1966)
Bernadette (1967)
If I Were a Carpenter (1967)

Album(s):
Second Album (1965)

Charles Fox

Inez Fox

Jamie Foxx

Song(s):
Slow Jamz (2003) – see Twista
Gold Digger (2005) – see Kanye West
Blame It (with T-Pain, 2008)

Peter Frampton

Rock singer and guitarist born 4/22/1950 in Bromley, Kent, England. With Humble Pie and The Herd before going solo ("Baby, I Love Your Way", "Show Me the Way", "Do You Feel Like You Do").

Song(s):
Do You Feel Like We Do (1973)
Show Me the Way (1975)
Baby I Love Your Way (1975)

Album(s):
Frampton Comes Alive! (live, 1975)

Zino Francescatti

Connie Francis

Pop singer born Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero on 12/12/1938 in Newark, NJ.

Song(s):
Who's Sorry Now (1958)
Stupid Cupid (1958)
Carolina Moon (1958)
My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own (1960)

David "Panama" Francis

J.L. Frank

Frankie Goes to Hollywood

Song(s):
Relax (1983)
Two Tribes (1984)

Aretha Franklin

Check out DMDB actpage here.

R&B singer born 3/25/1942 in Memphis, TN. Known as "The Queen of Soul." Her father was a Baptist preacher and Aretha got her start in the church choir, first recording as a gospel artist from 1956-60. Signed with Columbia Records in 1960 and recorded secular music. Went to Atlantic Records in 1966 and Arista Records in 1980. Died August 16, 2018.

Song(s):
Aretha Franklin: Top 50 Songs
I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (1967)
Respect (1967)
You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman (1967)
Chain of Fools (1967)
I Say a Little Prayer (1968)
Think (1968)
Rock Steady (1971)
Freeway of Love (1985)

Album(s):
I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (1967)
Lady Soul (1968)
Young, Gifted and Black (1971)
Aretha's Greatest Hits (compilation: 1971)
Amazing Grace (1972)
Queen of Soul: The Very Best of (compilation: 1967-74; released 1994)
Sparkle (1976)
Jump to It (1982)
Queen of Soul: The Atlantic Recordings (box: 1967-77, released 1992)

The DMDB Blog:
Aretha Franklin held her first Atlantic Records recording session: January 27, 1967 (1/27/12)

Melvin Franklin

R&B singer born David Melvin English on 10/12/1942 in Montgomery, Alabama. Died 2/23/1995. With the Temptations (1960-1994).

Tony Franklin

Rock bassist born 4/2/1962 in Derby, England. With the Firm (84-86) and Blue Murder (88-94).

Michael Franti & Spearhead

Song(s):
Everyone Deserves Music (2003)
The Sound of Sunshine (2010)
Life Is Better with You (2013)
Once a Day (with Sonna Rele, 2015)
This World Is So Fucked Up But I Ain't Ever Givin' Up on It (2019)
You're Number One (2019)

Album(s):
All People (2013)
Soul Rocker (2016)
Stay Human Vol. II (2019)

Franz Ferdinand

Song(s):
Take Me Out (2004)

Album(s):
Franz Ferdinand (2004)
You Could Have It So Much Better (2005)
Tonight (2009)

Andy Fraser

The Fray

Song(s):
How to Save a Life (2005)
You Found Me (2008)

Album(s):
How to Save a Life (2005)

Stan Freberg

Song(s):
St. George and the Dragonet (with Daws Butler & June Foray, 1953)

Album(s):
Presents the United States of America (1961)

Freddie & the Dreamers

Song(s):
I'm Telling You Now (1966)

Free

Song(s):
All Right Now (1970)

Album(s):
Fire and Water (1970)

Alan Freed v

Radio DJ born Albert James Freed on 12/15/1921 in Windber, PA. Died 1/20/1965. Credited with coining the term "rock and roll." He came to Cleveland's WXEL-TV in April 1950 and began his late-night, rock-n-roll-themed Moondog show on WJW radio in July 1951. He went to New York in 1954 and left the business in 1959 after involvement in a payola scandal.

The DMDB Blog:
DJ Alan Freed hosted the first rock 'n' roll show: March 21, 1952 (3/21/12)

Arthur Freed

Album(s):
Singin' in the Rain (soundtrack: 1952) – see Nacio Herb Brown

Robert Freedman

Album(s):
A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder (musical: 2013)

Bobby Freeman

Song(s):
Do You Want to Dance? (1958)

Matt Freeman

Josh Freese

Rock drummer with Perfect Circle and Desert Sessions.

Ace Frehley

Rock guitarist born Paul Daniel Frehley on 4/27/1951 in the Bronx, New York. With Kiss (1973-1982, 1996-2002).

John French

Rock drummer with Captain Beefheart.

Frente!

Song(s):
Bizarre Love Triangle (1994)

Doug E. Fresh

Song(s):
La Di Da Di (with Slick Rick, 1985)
The Show (with the Get Fresh Crew, 1985)

Freshlyground

Song(s):
Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) (2010) – see Shakira

Glenn Frey

Country-rock singer/songwriter and guitarist born 11/6/1948 in Detroit, Michigan. Died 1/18/2016. With the Eagles. Also a solo artist ("The One You Love", "Smuggler's Blues", "The Heat Is On", "You Belong to the City").

Marty Friedman

Thrash metal guitarist born Martin Adam Friedman on 12/8/1962. With Megadeth (90-99).

Rudolf Friml

Robert Fripp

Born 5/16/1946 in Wimborne Minster, Dorset, England. Died

Progressive rock guitarist and composer with King Crimson (only consistent member throughout the band's career). Also a record producer.

Lefty Frizzell

Country singer born William Orville Frizzell on 3/31/1928 in El Dorado, AR. Died 7/19/1975.

Song(s):
If You've Got the Money, I've Got the Time (1950)
Long Black Veil (1959)

Jane Froman

Album(s):
With a Song in My Heart (soundtrack: 1952)

John Frusciante

Alternative-rock guitarist born 3/5/1970 in Queens, New York. With the Red Hot Chili Peppers (89-92, 98-09); also a solo artist.

Fucked Up

Album(s):
David Comes to Life (2011)

Fuel

Song(s):
Hemorrhage (In My Hands) (2000)

Fugazi

Song(s):
Waiting Room (1989)

Album(s):
13 Songs (1990)
Repeater (1990)

Fugees

Hip-hop trio comprised of Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill, and Pras Michel. Active: 1992-97. Released two albums.

Song(s):
Killing Me Softly (1996)
Ready or Not (1996)

Album(s):
The Score (1996)

Blind Boy Fuller

Blues musician born Fulton Allen on 7/10/1904 (or 1907) in Wadesboro, NC. Died 2/13/1941.

The Bobby Fuller Four

Song(s):
I Fought the Law (1966)

Simon Fuller

Talent manager and television producer born 5/17/1960 in British Cyprus. Created Pop Idol and American Idol. Manager for Spice Girls, Annie Lennox, Amy Winehouse, Carrie Underwood, and Kelly Clarkson.

Lowell Fulson

Song(s):
Reconsider Baby (1954)

Album(s):
Hung Down Head (1970)

Jack Fulton

Song(s):
The Birth of the Blues (1926) – see Paul Whiteman
Among My Souvenirs (1928) – see Paul Whiteman
My Heart Stood Still (1928) – see Paul Whiteman
Lover, Come Back to Me (1929) – see Paul Whiteman
Lover (1933) – see Paul Whiteman

Fun.

Song(s):
We Are Young (with Janelle Monáe, 2011)
Some Nights (2012)

Album(s):
Some Nights (2012)

Funkadelic

See Parliament/Funkadelic.

The Funk Brothers

Motown house band: Richard "Pistol" Allen (drums), Jack Ashford (percussion), Bob Babbitt (bass), William "Benny" Benjamin (drums), Eddie "Bongo" Brown (percussion), Dennis Coffey (guitar), Johnny Griffith (keyboards), Joe Hunter (keyboards), James Jamerson (bass), Uriel Jones (drums), Joe Messina (guitar), Melvin "Wah Wah Watson" Ragain (guitar), Earl Van Dyke (keyboards), Eddie "Chank" Willis (guitar).

Douglas Furber

The Bells of St. Mary's (written with A. Emmett Adams, 1917)

Furniture

Song(s):
Brilliant Mind (1986)

Nelly Furtado

Pop singer/songwriter born on 12/2/1978 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Song(s):
I’m Like a Bird (2000)
Powerless (Say What You Want) (2003)
Promiscuous (with Timbaland, 2006)
Say It Right (2006)

Album(s):
Loose (2006)

George Furth

Album(s):
Company (musical: 1970) – see Stephen Sondheim

Future

Rap singer born Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn on 11/20/1983 in Atlanta, GA.

Song(s):
Mask Off (2017)
Life Is Good (with Drake, 2020)

The Futureheads

Song(s):
Hounds of Love (2005)

Album(s):
The Futureheads (2004)

Future Islands

Song(s):
Seasons (Waiting on You (2014)

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.