Music Makers Encyclopedia: L

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, and links to albums and songs reviewed by the DMDB.

Patti LaBelle

R&B singer born Patricia Louise Holt-Edwards on 5/24/1944 in Philadelphia, PA.

Song(s):
Lady Marmalade (LaBelle, 1974)
On My Own (with Michael McDonald, 1986)

Art Laboe

Radio DJ.

Labrinth

Song(s):
Earthquake (with Tinie Tempah, 2011)
Beneath Your Beautiful (with Emeli Sande, 2012)

Steve Lacy

Song(s):
Bad Habit (2022)

Lady Antebellum

Song(s):
I Run to You (2009)
Need You Now (2009)
American Honey (2010)
Our Kind of Love (2010)
Just a Kiss (2011)
We Owned the Night (2011)
Downtown (2013)
Compass (2013)
Bartender (2014)
What if I Never Get Over You (2019)
Champagne Night (2020)

Album(s):
Need You Now (2010)
Own the Night (2011)

Lady Gaga

Dance-pop singer/songwriter born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta on 3/28/1986 in New York City, NY.

Links: official site - Facebook - Wikipedia

Song(s):
Just Dance (with Colby O'Donis, 2008)
Poker Face (2008)
Bad Romance (2009)
Telephone (with Beyoncé, 2009)
Born This Way (2011)
Shallow (with Bradley Cooper, 2018)
Always Remember Us This Way (2018)
Rain on Me (with Ariana Grande, 2020)

Album(s):
The Fame (2008)
The Fame Monster (2009)
Born This Way (2011)
A Star Is Born (soundtrack with Bradley Cooper, 2018)

Natalia Lafourcade

Pop-rock/folk singer/songwriter born María Natalia Lafourcade Silva on 2/26/1984 in Mexico City, Mexico. Has won two Grammys and fourteen Latin Grammys.

L.A. Guns

Song(s):
The Ballad of Jayne (1990)

Denny Laine

Progressive rock guitarist born Brian Frederick Hines on 10/29/1944 in Tyseley, Birmingham, England. With The Moody Blues (1964-66), Ginger Baker’s Air Force, and Wings.

Frankie Laine

Pop singer born Frank Paul Lovecchio on 3/30/1913 in Chicago, IL. Died 2/6/2007. Found favor with black and white audiences and whose popularity lasted well into the rock era. His swirling musical melodramas made him one of the top singing stars of the decade after World War II. To L.A. in the early 1940s. First recorded for Exclusive in 1945. With Johnny Moore's Three Blazers. Signed to the Mercury Label in 1947.

Song(s):
That’s My Desire (1947)
That Lucky Old Sun (with Jud Conlon's Rhythmaires/Harry Geller's Orchestra/Carl Fischer Orchestra, 1949)
Mule Train (& the Muleskinners, 1949)
The Cry of the Wild Goose (with Harry Geller’s Orchestra, 1950)
I Believe (1953)
Tell Me a Story (1953)
Answer Me, Lord Above (1953)

Shona Laing

Song(s):
Glad I'm Not a Kennedy (1988)
South (1988)

Album(s):
South (1989)

Greg Lake

Progressive rock singer and bassist born 11/10/1948 in Bournemouth, England. Died 12/8/2016. With King Crimson (69-70); Emerson, Lake & Palmer (70-79, 92); solo: 81; Emerson, Lake & Powell (86).

Song(s):
I Believe in Father X-Mas (1975)

Lakeside

Song(s):
Fantastic Voyage (1980)

Lake Street Dive

Song(s):
Hypotheticals (2021)

Kendrick Lamar

Rap singer born Kendrick Lamar Duckworth on 6/17/1987 in Compton, CA.

Songs):
Fuckin’ Problems (2012) – see A$AP Rocky
Money Trees (with Jay Rock, 2012)
I (2014)
Alright (2015)
Don't Wanna Know (2016) – see Maroon 5
Goosebumps (2016) – see Travis Scott
Humble (2017)
Love (with Zacari, 2017)
DNA (2017)
All the Stars (with SZA, 2018)
King’s Dead (with Jay Rock, Future, & James Blake, 2018)
Family Ties (2021) – see Baby Keem
The Heart Part 5 (2022)

Album(s):
Good Kid, m.A.A.D. City (2012)
To Pimp a Butterfly (2015)
Damn. (2017)

Joseph Lamb

Song(s):
Top Liner Rag (1916)

Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross

Album(s):
Sing a Song of Basie (1957)

Kit Lambert

Record producer, label owner, and manager born Christopher Sebastian Lambert on 5/11/1935 in Knightsbridge, London, England. Died 4/7/1981. Manager for the Who.

Louis Lambert

Song(s) written by Lambert (as Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore):
When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again (1863)

Miranda Lambert

Country singer born 11/10/1983 in Longview, TX. Married to country singer Blake Shelton from 2011 to 2015. Has recorded as a solo artist and with the group Pistol Annies. Has won more Academy of Country Music Awards than any artist in history.

Song(s):
The House That Built Me (2009)
Heart Like Mine (2009)
Over You (2011)
Mama’s Broken Heart (2011)
Automatic (2014)
Something’ Bad (with Carrie Underwood, 2014)
Tin Man (2017)
Bluebird (2019)
Drowns the Whiskey (2018) – see Jason Aldean

Album(s):
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2007)
Revolution (2009) Four the Record (2011)
Platinum (2014)
The Weight of These Wings (2016)
Wildcard (2019)

Scrappy Lambert

Song(s):
Ain't She Sweet (1927) – see Ben Bernie
Ramona (1928)
My Angel (Angela Mia) (1928)

Bob Lamm

Song(s):
Near You (1947) – see Francis Craig

Robert Lamm

Jazz-rock keyboardist and singer/songwriter born 10/13/1944 in Brooklyn, NY. With Chicago (1967-).

Ray LaMontagne

Song(s):
Beg, Steal or Borrow (& the Pariah Dogs, 2010)
Strong Enough (2020)

Jon Landau

Music critic, manager, and record critic born 5/14/1947 in New York City, NY. Manager for Bruce Springsteen and head of the nominating committee for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

John Records Landecker

Art Landry

Song(s):
Dreamy Melody (1923)

Burton Lane

Songwriter born Morris Hyman Kushner on 2/12/1912 in New York City, NY. Died 1/5/1997.

Song(s):
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (from On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, performed by John Cullum, 1965) – see Alan Jay Lerner

Album(s):
Finian’s Rainbow (musical: 1947)
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (composed with Alan Jay Lerner, musical: 1965)

Nathan Lane

Song(s):
Hakuna Matata (with Ernie Sabella, Jason Weaver, & Joseph Williams; 1994)

Ronnie Lane

Rock bassist born 4/1/1946 in Plaistow, Essex, England. Died 6/4/1997. With The Small Faces (1965-69, 1975) and The Faces (1969-73).

Jonny Lang

Song(s):
Lie to Me (1997)

Album(s):
Lie to Me (1997)

k.d. lang

Song(s):
Constant Craving (1992)
Atomic Number (with Neko Case & Laura Viers, 2016)

Album(s):
Ingenue (1992)
Case/Lang/Viers (with Neko Case & Laura Viers 2016)

Thomas Lang

Session drummer and multi-instrumentalist born 8/5/1967 in Vienna, Austria. Worked with Robert Fripp, Peter Gabriel, Robbie Williams, and others.

Mutt Lange

Rock and pop producer born Robert John Lange on 11/11/1948 in Mufulira, Northern Ireland. Has written songs for and/or produced AC/DC, Bryan Adams, Michael Bolton, Boomtown Rats, the Cars, Def Leppard, Celine Dion, Foreigner, Lady Gaga, Maroon 5, Muse, Nickelback, Billy Ocean, and Britney Spears. Also married and produced country star Shania Twain (1993-2010).

Significant Songs Written and/or Produced by Lange:
Top 100 Songs
Highway to Hell (1979) – see AC/DC
You Shook Me All Night Long (1980) – see AC/DC
Back in Black (1980) – see AC/DC
Urgent (1981) – see Foreigner
Waiting for a Girl Like You (1981) – see Foreigner
Juke Box Hero (1981) – see Foreigner
Photograph (1983) – see Def Leppard
Drive (1984) – see The Cars
Pour Some Sugar on Me (1987) – see Def Leppard
Love Bites (1987) – see Def Leppard
When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going (1985) – see Billy Ocean
Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car (1988) – see Billy Ocean
(Everything I Do) I Do It for You (1991) – see Bryan Adams
All for Love (1993) – see Bryan Adams
Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman? (1995) – see Bryan Adams
You’re Still the One (1997) – see Shania Twain
Man! I Feel Like a Woman! (1997) – see Shania Twain

Albums Predominantly Written and/or Produced by Lange:
Top 20 Albums
Highway to Hell (1979) – see AC/DC
Back in Black (1980) – see AC/DC
Foreigner 4 (1981) – see Foreigner
Pyromania (1983) – see Def Leppard
Hysteria (1987) – see Def Leppard
The Woman in Me (1995) – see Shania Twain
Come on Over (1997) – see Shania Twain
Up! (2002) – see Shania Twain

Frances Langford

Song(s):
Falling in Love with Love (from The Boys from Syracuse, 1939)

Daniel Lanois

Producer born 9/19/1951 in Hull, Quebec, Canada. Worked with Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, and U2.

Angela Lansbury

Song(s):
Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Mario Lanza

Opera singer born 1/31/1921. Died 10/7/1959.

Song(s):
Be My Love (1950)
The Loveliest Night of the Year (1951)
Serenade (from The Student Prince, 1955)

Album(s):
The Great Caruso (soundtrack: 1951)
The Student Prince (soundtrack: 1954)

Mario Quintero Lara

Largo

This was a one-time project produced by Rick Chertoff and Rob Hyman. Eric Bazilian and David Forman were co-writers on the project. The album included appearances from Levon Helm, Hooters, Cyndi Lauper, Taj Mahal, and Joan Osborne. Hyman and Bazilian were in the Hooters together.

Album(s):
Largo (1998)

Julius LaRosa

Songs(s):
Eh Cumpari (1953)

La Roux

Song(s):
In for the Kill (2009)

Milt and Bill Larsen

Jonathan Larson

Musical theater composer born 2/4/1960 in White Plains, NY. Died 1/25/1996.

Songs(s):
Seasons of Love (Rent Cast, musical: 1996, soundtrack: 2005)

Album(s):
Rent (musical: 1996; soundtrack: 2005)

Nicolette Larson

Song(s):
Lotta Love (1978)

Zara Larsson

Song(s):
Never Forget You (with MINEK, 2015)
Lush Life (2016)
Symphony (with Clean Bandit, 2017)

The La’s

Song(s):
There She Goes (1988)

Album(s):
The La’s (1990)

Denise LaSalle

R&B singer/songwriter and record producer born Ora Denise Allen on 7/16/1939 in Leflore County, Mississippi. Died 1/8/2018.

Song(s):
Trapped by a Thing Called Love (1971)

Las Ketchup

Song(s):
Aserejé (The Ketchup Song) (2002)

The Last Poets

Song(s):
Wake Up, N*ggers (1970)

Album(s):
This Is Madness (1971)

Latimore

Latto

Song(s):
Big Energy (2021)

Harry Lauder

Song(s):
I Love a Lassie (My Scotch Bluebell) (1907)

Cyndi Lauper

Pop singer born 6/22/1953 in Queens, NY.

Song(s):
Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1983)
Time After Time (1983)
Money Changes Everything (1984) True Colors (1986)
I Drove All Night (1989)

Album(s):
She’s So Unusual (1983)
Kinky Boots (musical: 2012)

The DMDB Blog:
Cyndi Lauper landed Grammy nominations in the Big Four categories: January 10, 1985

Morten Lauridsen

Lauv

Song(s):
I Like Me Better (2018)

Bettye LaVette

R&B singer/songwriter born Betty Jo Haskins on 1/29/1946 in Muskegon, Michigan.

Avril Lavigne

Pop singer born 9/27/1984 in Bellville, Ontario.

Song(s):
Complicated (2002)
I’m with You (2002)
Sk8er Boi (2002)
Keep Holding On (2006)
Girlfriend (2007)

Album(s):
Let Go (2002)
Under My Skin (2004)

Don Law

Bob Lawrence

Song(s):
If I Love Again (1933) – see Paul Whiteman
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (from Roberta, 1958) – see Paul Whiteman
Wagon Wheels (1934) – see Paul Whiteman

Gertrude Lawrence

Song(s):
Someone to Watch Over Me (1927)
Getting to Know You (1951)
Shall We Dance? (with Yul Brynner, 1951)

Jack Lawrence

Steve Lawrence

Adult contemporary singer born Sidney Liebowitz on 7/8/1935 in Brooklyn, NY.

Vicki Lawrence

Song(s):
The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia (1973)
He Did with Me (1973)

Sam Lay

Blues-rock drummer born 3/20/1935 in Birmingham, AL. Died 1/29/2022. With Paul Butterfield Blues Band.

Chris Layton

Blues-rock drummer born 11/16/1955 in Corpus Christi, TX. With Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble.

LCD Soundsystem

Song(s):
Losing My Edge (2002)
Daft Punk Is Playing at My House (2005)
All My Friends (2007)

Album(s):
LCD Soundsystem (2005)
Sound of Silver (2007)
This Is Happening (2010)
American Dream (2017)

Silas Leachman

Song(s):
Dem Golden Slippers (1894)

Mike Leadbitter

Bernie Leadon

Country-rock singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist born 7/19/1947 in Minneapolis, MN. With Hearts & Flowers (1967-68), Dillard & Clark (1968-69), the Flying Burrito Brothers (1969-71) and the Eagles (1971-75).

Vicky Leandros

The Leaves

Song(s):
Hey Joe (1966)

Simon Le Bon

New wave singer born 10/27/1958 near Bushey, Hertfordshire, England. With Duran Duran (1978-) and Arcadia (1985-86).

Ernesto Lecuona

Led Zeppelin

DMDB profile page

DMDB podcast: The 50th Anniversary of Led Zeppelin IV

British heavy-metal rock supergroup first known as the New Yardbirds. Their U.S. tour in 1973 broke many box office records. Formed own Swan Song label in 1974. In concert movie The Song Remains the Same in 1976. Led Zeppelin’s most famous song, "Stairway to Heaven," was never released as a single, but is considered one of the most popular album tracks of all time. Active: 1968-80 Members: Robert Plant (v: 68-80), Jimmy Page (g: 68-80), YardbirdsJohn Paul Jones (b/k: 68-80), John "Bonzo" Bonham (d: 68-80).

Song(s):
Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page, & Robert Plant: Top 100 Songs
Dazed and Confused (1969)
Communication Breakdown (1969)
Whole Lotta Love (1969)
Ramble On (1969)
Heartbreaker / Living Loving Maid (She’s Just a Woman) (1969)
Immigrant Song (1970)
Hey Hey What Can I Do (1970)
Since I’ve Been Loving You (1970)
Gallows Pole (1970)
Stairway to Heaven (1971)
Rock and Roll (1971)
Black Dog (1971)
Going to California (1971)
The Battle of Evermore (1971)
When the Levee Breaks (1971)
Over the Hills and Far Away (1973)
D’yer Mak’er (1973)
The Song Remains the Same (1973)
Kashmir (1975)
Trampled Under Foot (1975)
Achilles Last Stand (1976)
Nobody’s Fault But Mine (1976)
All My Love (1979)
Hot Dog (1979)

Album(s):
Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page, & Robert Plant: Studio Albums Ranked
Led Zeppelin I (1969)
Led Zeppelin II (1969)
Led Zeppelin III (1970)
Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
Early Days (compilation: 1969-71, released 1999)
How the West Was Won (live box, recorded 1972, released 2003)
Houses of the Holy (1973)
Physical Graffiti (1975)
Presence (1976)
In Through the Out Door (1979)
Led Zeppelin (box: 1969-79, released 1990)
Remasters (compilation: 1969-79, released 1992)
Latter Days (compilation: 1972-79, released 2000)
The Complete Studio Recordings (box: 1969-79, released 1993)
Mothership (compilation: 1969-79, released 2007)
Celebration Day (live – recorded 2007, released 2012)

The DMDB Blog/Facebook Note(s):
The Beginning and End of Led Zeppelin: July 7 (7/7/11)

Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter

Blues/folk singer/songwriter born Huddie William Ledbetter on 1/20/1888 (according to US Census in 1910 and 1930) near Mooringsport, LA. Died 12/6/1949. On his World War II draft registration, Leadbelly listed his birth date as 1/23/1889 and other sources cite even different dates. Nickname, which he spelled as Lead Belly, has stories of several possible origins, but is most likely a pronunciation of his last name with a Southern accent. Was first recorded by archivist John Lomax and his son Alan, who were touring the south to collect field recordings for the Library of Congress. They discovered Leadbelly in prison and made a recording of his petititon for release to the Governor of Texas on the flip side of Leadbelly’s recording of "Goodnight Irene."

Song(s):
Goodnight Irene (1933; also see The Weavers)
The Midnight Special (1934)
Rock Island Line (1942)

Album(s):
Negro Sinful Songs (1939)
Last Sessions (box: 1948)

Amos Lee

Song(s):
Arms of a Woman (2005)
Windows Are Rolled Down (2011)

Beverly Lee

R&B singer born 8/3/1941 in Passaic, NJ. With The Shirelles.

Brenda Lee

Country singer born Brenda Mae Tarpley on 12/11/1944 in Atlanta, GA.

Song(s):
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree (1958)
I’m Sorry (1960)
Sweet Nothin’s (1960)
Fool #1 (1961)

Curtis Lee & the Halos

Song(s):
Pretty Little Angel Eyes (1961)

Geddy Lee

Progressive rock singer, bassist, and keyboardist born Gary Lee Weinrib on 7/29/1953 in Willowdale, Ontario, Canada. With Rush (1969-2015).

Song(s):
The Top 59 Rush Songs

Johnny Lee

Song(s):
Lookin’ for Love (1980)
One in a Million (1980)
Bet Your Heart on Me (1981)
The Yellow Rose (with Lane Brody, 1984)
You Could’ve Heard a Heart Break (1984)

Julia Lee & Her Boy Friends

Song(s):
King Size Papa (1948)

Peggy Lee

Traditional pop singer born Norma Deloris Egstrom on 5/26/1920 in Jamestown, ND. Died 1/21/2002.

Song(s):
Jersey Bounce (1942) – see Benny Goodman
Somebody Else Is Taking My Place (1942) – see Benny Goodman
Why Don’t You Do Right? (1943) – see Benny Goodman
Golden Earrings (1947)
Manana Is Soon Enough for Me (1948)
He’s a Tramp (from Lady and the Tramp, 1955)
Siamese Cat Song (from Lady and the Tramp, 1955)
Fever (1957)
Is That All There Is? (1969)

Album(s):
Black Coffee (1953)

Swae Lee

Song(s):
Unforgettable (2017) – see French Montana

Tommy Lee

Rock drummer with Motley Crue.

Will Lee

Howard Leese

Rock guitarist and keyboardist born 6/13/1951 in Hollywood, CA. With Heart.

The Left Banke

Song(s):
Walk Away Renee (1966)

Leftfield

Album(s):
Leftism (1995)

Bill Legend

Glam-rock drummer born William Arthur Fifield on 5/8/1944 in Barking, Essex, England. With T-Rex (1970-73).

John Legend

Singer/songwriter born John Roger Stephens on 12/28/1978 in Springfield, OH.

Song(s):
Ordinary People (with will.i.am, 2004)
Save Room (2006)
Shine (with the Roots, 2010)
All of Me (2013)
Glory (2014) – see Common
Like I’m Gonna Lose You (2015) – see Meghan Trainor

Album(s):
Get Lifted (2004)
Wake Up! (with the Roots, 2010)
Bigger Love (2020)

The Legendary Stardust Cowboy

Song(s):
Paralyzed (1968)

Michel Legrand

Lotte Lehmann

Tom Lehrer

Album(s):
Song by Tom Lehrer (1953)

Jerry Leiber

Songwriter and record producer born Jerome Leiber on 4/25/1933 in Baltimore, MD. Died 8/22/2011. Most notable work with partner Mike Stoller. They were one of the songwriting teams to work in the legendary Brill Building, known for housing some of pop music history’s most famous songwriters and publishers.

Songs written with Mike Stoller:
Leiber & Stoller: Top 50 Songs
Hound Dog (1953) – see Big Mama Thornton
Hound Dog (1956) – see Elvis Presley
Searchin’ (1957) – see the Coasters
Young Blood (1957) – see the Coasters
Jailhouse Rock (1957) – see Elvis Presley
Yakety Yak (1958) – see the Coasters
Kansas City (1959) – see Wilbert Harrison
Love Potion No. 9 (1959) – see the Clovers
There Goes My Baby (1959) – see the Drifters
Spanish Harlem (1960) – see Ben E. King
Stand by Me (1961) – see Ben E. King
On Broadway (1963) – see the Drifters
Is That All There Is? (1969) – see Peggy Lee

Album(s):
Smokey Joe’s Café (composed with Mike Stoller, musical: 1995)

Carolyn Leigh

Mitch Leigh

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

Album(s):
Man of La Mancha (composed with Joe Darion, musical: 1965)

Damien Leith

Song(s):
Night of My Life (2006)

Iry LeJeune

Song(s):
Evangeline Special (1948)
Love Bridge Waltz (1948)

Paul Lekakis

Song(s):
Boom Boom (Let’s Go Back to My Room) (1987)

The Lemonheads

Song(s):
My Drug Buddy (1992)
Into Your Arms (1993)

The Lemon Pipers

Song(s):
Green Tambourine (1967)

Len

Song(s):
Steal My Sunshine (1999)

John Lennon

Rock singer/songwriter and guitarist born John Winston Lennon on 10/9/1940 in Liverpool, England. Shot to death by an obsessed fan on 12/8/80 in NYC. Founding member of the Beatles. Married Cynthia Powell on 8/23/62; had son Julian Lennon. Divorced on 11/8/68. Met Yoko Ono in 1966; married her on 3/20/69. Had son Sean Lennon. Formed Plastic Ono Band in 1969. To NYC in 1971. Fought deportation from USA from 1972-76 , until he was granted a permanent visa.

Song(s):
John Lennon: Top 40 Songs
Give Peace a Chance (1969)
Cold Turkey (1969)
Instant Karma (We All Shine On) (1970)
God (1970)
Working Class Hero (1970)
Imagine (1971)
Gimme Some Truth (1971)
Happy X-Mas (War Is Over) (with Yoko Ono, 1971)
Jealous Guy (1971)
How Do You Sleep? (1971)
Mind Games (1973)
Whatever Gets You Through the Night (1974)
#9 Dream (1974)
Stand by Me (1975)
Just Like Starting Over (1980)
Woman (1980)
Beautiful Boy (1980)
Nobody Told Me (1984)

Album(s):
Plastic Ono Band (1970)
Imagine (1971)
Shaved Fish (compilation: 1969-74, released 1975)
Double Fantasy (with Yoko Ono, 1980)
The Collection (compilation: 1969-80, released 1982)
Lennon Legend: The Very Best of (compilation: 1969-80, released 1997)

The DMDB Blog:
John Lennon and Paul McCartney met for the first time: July 6, 1957 (7/6/12)

Julian Lennon

Song(s):
Saltwater (1991)

The Lennon Sisters

Annie Lennox

New-wave singer/songwriter born 12/25/1954 in Aberdeen, Scotland. With Tourists (1976-80) and Eurythmics (1980-90, 1999-2005) and later a solo artist.

Song(s):
Eurythmics/Annie Lennox: Top 30 Songs
Put a Little Love in Your Heart (1988) – see Al Green
Why (1992)
Walking on Broken Glass (1992)
No More "I Love You’s" (1995)
Into the West (2003)

Album(s):
Diva (1992)

J.B. Lenoir

Blues guitarist and singer born 5/5/1929 in Monticello, Mississippi. Died 4/29/1967.

Tania León

Cuban-born American composer, conductor, and educator.

Jack Leonard

Born 2/10/1913 in Brooklyn, NY. Died 6/17/1988. Primary vocalist for Tommy Dorsey in the later part of the 1930s.

Song(s):
Marie (1937) – see Tommy Dorsey
The Lady Is a Tramp (1937) – see Tommy Dorsey
All the Things You Are (1939) – see Tommy Dorsey
Our Love (1939) – see Tommy Dorsey
Indian Summer (1939) – see Tommy Dorsey

Patrick Leonard

Songwriter/keyboardist/film composer/music producer born 3/14/1956 in Crystal Falls, Michigan. Best known for work with Madonna. Has also worked with Bryan Adams, Jeff Beck, Peter Cetera, Leonard Cohen, Bryan Ferry, Fleetwood Mac, Michael Jackson, Jewel, Elton John, Julian Lennon, Pink Floyd, Robbie Robertson, Rod Stewart, and Roger Waters. Half of duo Toy Matinee with Kevin Gilbert.

Rugerro Leoncavallo

Song(s):
Pagliacci, Act I: Vesti La Giubba (On with the Play) (1907) – see Enrico Caruso

Album(s):
Pagliacci (The Clowns) (1892)

Alan Jay Lerner

Musical theater composer born 8/31/1918 in New York City, NY. Died 6/14/1986. Worked with Frederick Loewe.

Song(s) written with Frederick Loewe:
Almost Like Being in Love (from Brigadoon, 1947) – see Frank Sinatra
On the Street Where You Live (from My Fair Lady, 1956) – see Vic Damone
I Could Have Danced All Night (from My Fair Lady, 1956) – see Julie Andrews
Wouldn’t It Be Loverly (from My Fair Lady, 1956) – see Julie Andrews
If Ever I Would Leave You (from Camelot, 1960) – see Robert Goulet
Camelot (from Camelot soundtrack: 1967) – see Richard Harris

Song(s) written with Burton Lane:
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (from On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, performed by John Cullum, 1965)

Album(s) written with Frederick Loewe:
Brigadoon (musical: 1947)
My Fair Lady (musical: 1956)
My Fair Lady (soundtrack: 1964)
Gigi (soundtrack: 1958, musical: 1973)
Camelot (musical: 1960, soundtrack: 1967)
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (musical: 1965) – see Burton Lane

The DMDB Blog:
My Fair Lady opened on Broadway: March 15, 1956 (3/15/12)

Phil Lesh

Rock bassist born 3/15/1940 in Berkeley, CA. With Grateful Dead.

Edgar Leslie

Bobby Lester

R&B tenor singer born in 1930 in Louisville, KY. Died 10/15/1980. With The Moonglows.

Ketty Lester

Song(s):
Love Letters (1962)

Lazy Lester

Le Tigre

Song(s):
Deceptacon (1999)

The Lettermen

Letters to Cleo

Song(s):
Here and Now (1995)

Oscar Levant

Steven Levenson

Album(s):
Dear Evan Hansen (composed with Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, musical: 2015)

Levert

Song(s):
Casanova (1988)

Eddie Levert

R&B singer born 6/16/1942 in Bessemer, AL. With The O’Jays.

James Levin

Tony Levin

Adam Levine

Pop-rock singer/songwriter born 3/18/1979 in Los Angeles, CA. With Kara’s Flowers (1994), which later became Maroon 5 (2001-). Was one of the original judges on the TV music talent show The Voice.

Song(s):
Stereo Hearts (2011) – see Gym Class Heroes

James Levine

Jules Levy

Song(s):
My Country ‘Tis of Thee (1893)

Aaron Lewis

Song(s):
Outside (live with Fred Durst, 2000)
Am I the Only One (2021)

Barbara Lewis

Song(s):
Hello Stranger (1963)
Make Me Your Baby (1965)

Bobby Lewis

Song(s):
Tossin’ and Turnin’ (1961)

Dean Lewis

Song(s):
Be Alright (2018)

Donna Lewis

Song(s):
I Love You Always Forever (1996)

Furry Lewis

Song(s):
Kassie Jones (1928)

Gary Lewis & the Playboys

Song(s):
This Diamond Ring (1965)
Save Your Heart for Me (1965)
Green Grass (1966)

Huey Lewis & the News

Rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 1979. The original members consisted of Huey Lewis (v/harmonica), Sean Hopper (k), Bill Gibson (d), and Johnny Colla (g/sax), Mario Cipollina (b: 79-95), and Chris Hayes (g: 79-01).

Song(s):
Do You Believe in Love? (1982)
Bad Is Bad (1983)
The Power of Love (1985)
Stuck with You (1986)
Naturally (1986)
Perfect World (1988)
Cruisin’ (Huey Lewis with Gwyneth Paltrow, 2000)

Album(s):
Sports (1983)
Fore! (1986)
Weather (2020)

Jerry Lee Lewis

Early rock and roll singer and pianist born 9/29/1935 in Ferriday, LA. Played piano since age 9, professionally since age 15. Nicknamed "The Killer." First recorded for Sun in 1956. Appeared in the movie Jamboree! in 1957. Career waned in 1958 after marriage to 13-year old cousin, Myra Gale Brown, daughter of his bass player. Made comeback in country music in 1968. Charted 65 country hits, 1957-89. Cousin to country singer Mickey Gilley and TV evangelist Jimmy Swaggart.

DMDB podcast: Remembering Jerry Lee Lewis

Song(s):
Crazy Arms (1956)
Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On (1957)
You Win Again (1957)
Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Breathless (1958)
High School Confidential (1958)
What’d I Say (1961)
To Make Love Sweeter for You (1968)
One Has My Name (1969)
There Must Be More to Love Than This (1970)
Would You Take Another Chance on Me (1971)
Chantilly Lace (1972)

Album(s):
The Complete Million Dollar Session (Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins & Elvis Presley; recorded 1956, released 1987) – see Johnny Cash
Live at the Star Club, Hamburg (live, 1964)

Leona Lewis

Song(s):
A Moment Like This (2006)
Bleeding Love (2007)

Album(s):
Spirit (2007)

Ramsey Lewis Trio

Song(s):
The In Crowd (1965)

Rudy Lewis

R&B singer born 8/23/1936 in Philadelphia, PA. Died of a heart attack on 5/20/1964. With The Drifters (1960-64).

Sam Lewis

Shari Lewis

The Song That Never Ends (1968)

Ted Lewis

Bandleader, clarinetist, and singer born Theodore Friedman on 6/6/1890 in Circleville, OH. Died 8/25/1971. Sometime songwriter (his theme "When My Baby Smiles at Me") whose showmanship was honed during early years in vaudeville. His famous slogan was "Is everybody happy?"

Song(s):
When My Baby Smiles at Me (1920)
Margie (1921)
All by Myself (1921)
Ma, He’s Making Eyes at Me (1921)
I Wonder What’s Become of Sally (1924)
O Katharina! (1925)
Some of These Days (1927) – see Sophie Tucker
On the Sunny Side of the Street (1930)
Just a Gigolo (1931)
In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town (1932)
Lazy Bones (1933)

Terry Lewis

R&B songwriter and producer born 11/24/1956 in Omaha, NE.

Song(s) written by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis:
Top 50 Songs

George Leybourne

Song(s) written by Leybourne with Alfred Lee:
The Man on the Flying Trapeze (1868)

John Leyton

Song(s):
Johnny Remember Me (1961)

J. Aldrich Libbey

Song(s):
On a Sunday Afternoon (1902)

Liberace

Pianist born Wladziu Valentino Liberace on 5/16/1919 in West Allis, WI. Died 2/4/1987. Known for his flamboyant dress and style.

The Libertines

Garage-rock revival band formed in London in 1997. Carl Barât (vocals, guitar), Pete Doherty (vocals, guitar), John Hassall (bass: 1999-), Gary Powell (drums: 2001-), Johnny Borrell (bass: 1998-99), Paul Dufour (drums: 2000).

Song(s):
What a Waster (2002)
Time for Heroes (2002)
Up the Bracket (2002)
Don’t Look Back into the Sun (2003)
Can’t Stand Me Now (2004)

Album(s):
Up the Bracket (2002)
The Libertines (2004)

Liberty X

Song(s):
Just a Little (2002)

Lick the Tins

Song(s):
Can’t Help Falling in Love (1987)

Goddard Lieberson

Record executive born 4/5/1911 in Hanley, Staffordshire, England. Died 5/29/1977. President of Columbia Records (1956-71, 1973-75) and the Recording Industry Association of America (1964-). Produced the very first cast album, 1938’s The Cradle Will Rock.

Jaki Liebezeit

Rock drummer with Can.

Lifehouse

Song(s):
Hanging by a Moment (2000)
You and Me (2005)

Alex Lifeson

Progressive-rock guitarist born Aleksandar %u017Divojinovi%u0107 on 8/27/1953 in Fernie, British Columbia, Canada. With Rush (1969-2015).

Joe Liggins & His Honeydrippers

Song(s):
Pink Champagne (1950)
The Honeydripper (1945)

Enoch Light with Terry Snyder & the All-Stars

Album(s):
Persuasive Percussion (1960)

Gordon Lightfoot

Singer/songwriter born 11/17/1938 in Orilla, Canada. He has had songs recorded by Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Sarah McLachlan, Barbra Streisand, Peter Paul & Mary, Harry Belafonte, Jane’s Addiction, Richie Havens, Glen Campbell, Toby Keith, Anne Murray, Nana Mouskouri and George Hamilton IV. ^SH Five Grammy nominations. 17 Juno Awards in his native Canada. Inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Died 5/1/2023.

Song(s):
Early Morning Rain (1966)
If You Could Read My Mind (1970)
Sundown (1974)
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald (1976)

Lighthouse Family

Song(s):
High (1998)

Album(s):
Ocean Drive (1995)

The Lightning Seeds

Song(s):
The Life of Riley (1992)
Three Lions (Baddiel & Skinner with the Lightning Seeds, 1996)

Lil Baby

Song(s):
Drip Too Hard (with Gunna, 2018)
Yes Indeed (with Drake, 2018)

Album(s):
My Turn (2020)

Lil Jon (& the East Side Boyz)

American rap singer born Jonathan Mortimer Smith on 1/27/1971

Song(s):
Get Low (with the East Side Boyz & Ying Yang Twins, 2003)
Lovers and Friends (with Usher & Ludacris, 2004)
Yeah! (2004) – see Usher
Turn Down for What (2013) – see DJ Snake

Lil’ Kim

Rap singer/songwriter born Kimberly Denise Jones on 7/11/1975 in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NY.

Song(s):
No Time (with Puff Daddy, 1996)

Steve Lillywhite

Rock producer born in Egham, Surrey, England on 3/15/1955. Has worked with the Counting Crows, Peter Gabriel, the Dave Matthews Band, Morrissey, the Psychedelic Furs, the Rolling Stones, Simple Minds, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Talking Heads, U2, and XTC.

Lillywood & the Prick

Song(s):
Prayer in C (with Robin Schulz, 2014)

Lil Mosey

Song(s):
Blueberry Faygo (2020)

Lil Nas X

Rapper born Montero Lamar Hill on 4/9/1999 in Lithia Springs, GA.

Song(s):
Old Town Road (with Billy Ray Cyrus, 2018)
Panini (2019)
Montero (Call Me by Your Name) (2021)
Industry Baby (with Jack Harlow, 2021)

Album(s):
Montero (2021)

Lil Peep

Song(s):
Falling Down (with XXXtentacion, 2018)

Lil Pump

Song(s):
Gucci Gang (2017)

Lil Tecca

Song(s):
Ran$om (2019)

Lil Uzi Vert

Song(s):
Bad and Boujee (2016) – see Migos
XO Tour Llif3 (2017)

Album(s):
Luv Is Rage 2 (2017)
Eternal Atake (2020)

Lil Wayne

Rapper born Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. on 9/27/1979 in New Orleans, LA.

Song(s):
Georgia Bush (2006)
Lollipop (with Static Major, 2008)
A Milli (2008)
Swagga Like Us (2008) – see Jay-Z
Down (2009) – see Jay Sean
Forever (2009) – see Drake
6 Foot 7 Foot (with Cory Gunz, 2010)
Look at Me Now (2011) – see Chris Brown
Motivation (2011) – see Kelly Rowland
I’m on One (2011) – see DJ Khaled
The Motto (2011) – see Drake
How to Love (2011)
Love Me (with Drake & Future, 2013)
Sucker for Pain (with Wiz Khalifa & Imagine Dragons, 2016)
I’m the One (2017) – see DJ Khaled
What’s Poppin (2020) – see Jack Harlow

Album(s):
Tha Carter III (2008)
Tha Carter IV (2011)

Limp Bizkit

Song(s):
Nookie (1999)
Break Stuff (1999)
Take a Look Around (2000)
Rollin’ (Urban Assault Vehicle) (2000)
My Way (2000)
Wish You Were Here (live with Johnny Rzeznik, 2001)

Album(s):
Significant Other (1999)
Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water (2000)

Solomon Linda & the Evening Birds

Song(s):
Mbube (1939)

Udo Lindenberg

Song(s):
Berlin (1981)

Lindisfarne

Song(s):
Lady Eleanor

Linkin Park

Song(s):
In the End (2000)
One Step Closer (2000)
Crawling (2000)
Papercut (2000)
Points of Authority (2000)
Numb (2003)
Breaking the Habit (2003)
Somewhere I Belong (2003)
Faint (2003)
What I've Done (2007)
New Divide (2009)

Album(s):
Hybrid Theory (2000)
Meteora (2003)

Alfred Lion

Dua Lipa

Pop singer/songwriter born 8/22/1995 in London, England.

Song(s):
New Rules (2017)
Scared to Be Lonely (2017) – see Martin Garrix
IDGAF (2018)
One Kiss (2018) – see Calvin Harris
Don’t Start Now (2019)
Break My Heart (2020)
Levitating (with DaBaby, 2020)
Cold Heart (Pnau Remix) (2021) – see Elton John

Horst Lippmann

Lipps Inc.

Song(s):
Funkytown (1979)

Lipstick Killers

Song(s):
Hindu Gods of Love (1989)

Franz Liszt

Classical composer, pianist, and teacher born 10/22/1811 in Doborjan, Hungary. Died 7/31/1886. Known for his rhapsodies.

Album(s):
Piano Sonata in B Minor (1853)

Lit

Song(s):
My Own Worst Enemy (1999)

Little Anthony & the Imperials

R&B/doo-wop group formed in 1958 in Brooklyn, NY. Led by Little Anthony, born Jerome Anthony Gourdine on 1/8/1941 in New York, NY.

Song(s):
Tears on My Pillow (1958)
Goin’ Out of My Head (1964)

Little Baby Bum

Song(s):
Wheels on the Bus (2014)

Little Big Town

Song(s):
Pontoon (2012)
Girl Crush (2015)
Better Man (2016)

Little Caesar & the Romans

Song(s):
Those Oldies But Goodies Remind Me of You (1961)

Little Eva

Song(s):
The Loco-Motion (1962)
Keep Your Hands Off My Baby (1962)

Little Feat

Song(s):
Easy to Slip (1972)
Dixie Chicken (1973)
Fat Man in the Bathtub (1973)
Willin’ (1978)

Album(s):
Waiting for Columbus (live, 1978)

Little Willie Littlefield

Song(s):
K.C. Lovin’ (1952)

Little Jack Little

Song(s):
I’m in the Mood for Love (1935)

Little Milton

Blues guitarist and singer born James Milton Campbell, Jr. on 9/7/1934 in Inverness, Mississippi. Died 8/4/2005.

Little Mix

Song(s):
Black Magic (2015)
Shout Out to My Ex (2016)

Little Richard

R&B/early rock singer and pianist born Richard Wayne Penniman on 12/5/1932 in Macon, GA. Died 5/9/2020. One of the key figures in the transition from R&B to rock and roll. Talent contest win led to first recordings for RCA Victor in 1951. Worked with the Tempo Toppers from 1953-55. Appeared in three early rock and roll movies: Don’t Knock the Rock, The Girl Can’t Help It, and Mister Rock ‘n Roll; also in the 1986 comedy Down and Out in Beverly Hills. Earned theology degree in 1961 and was ordained a minister. Left R&B for gospel music, 1959-62, and again in the mid-‘70s.

Song(s):
Tutti Frutti (1955)
Long Tall Sally (1956)
Rip It Up (1956)
Slippin’ and Slidin’ (1956)
Lucille (1957)
Keep A-Knockin’ (1957)
The Girl Can’t Help It (1957)
Jenny Jenny (1957)
Send Me Some Lovin’ (1957)
Good Golly Miss Molly (1958)
I Don’t Know What You Got, But It’s Got Me (1965)

Album(s):
Here’s Little Richard! (1957)
Grooviest 17 Original Hits! (compilation: 1955-59)
The Georgia Peach (compilation: 1955-59)
18 Greatest Hits (compilation: 1985)
The Specialty Sessions (box set: 1955-64, released 1989)

Little River Band

Song(s):
Help Is on Its Way (1977)
Reminiscing (1978)
Cool Change (1979)
Lonesome Loser (1979)

Album(s):
Greatest Hits (compilation: 1975-82, released 1982)
Monsoon (1988)

Little Simz

Album(s):
Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (2022)

Little Walter Jacobs

Blues singer and harmonica player born Marion Walter Jacobs on 5/1/1930 in Marksville, LA. Died 2/15/1968.

Song(s):
Juke (1952)
Mean Old World (1952)
My Babe (1955)
Key to the Highway (1958)

Album(s):
His Best: Chess 50th Anniversary Collection (compilation: 1952-60, released 1997)

Live

Song(s):
Selling the Drama (1994)
I Alone (1994)
Lightning Crashes (1994)
Freaks (1997)
Heaven (2003)

Album(s):
Mental Jewelry (1991)
Throwing Copper (1994)
Secret Samadhi (1997)
Awake: The Best of (compilation, released 2004)

The Living End

Song(s):
Prisoner of Society (1998)

Alan Livingston

Jay Livingston

Jerry Livingston

Kerry Livgren

Rock keyboardist with Kansas.

Lizzo

Song(s):
Truth Hurts (2017)
Juice (2019)
About Damn Time (2022)

Album(s):
Cuz I Love You (2019)

LL Cool J

Rap singer born James Todd Smith on 1/14/1968 in Bay Shore, NY.

Song(s):
I Can’t Live without My Radio (1985)
Rock the Bells (1986)
I Need Love (1987)
Goin’ Back to Cali (1988)
Around the Way Girl (1990)
Mama Said Knock You Out (1991)
Hey Lover (with Boyz II Men, 1995)

Album(s):
Radio (1985)
Mama Said Knock You Out (1990)

LMFAO

Song(s):
Party Rock Anthem (with Lauren Bennett & GoonRock, 2011)
Sexy and I Know It (2011)

Lobo

Song(s):
I’d Love You to Want Me (1972)

Local H

Song(s):
Bound for the Floor (1996)

Hank Locklin

Song(s):
Let Me Be the One (1953)
Please Help Me, I’m Falling (1960)

Robert Lockwood Jr.

Blues guitarist born 3/27/1915 in Turkey Scratch, AR. Died 11/21/2006.

John Lodge

Progressive rock bassist born 7/20/1945 in Erdington, Birmingham, England. With The Moody Blues (1966-2018).

Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories

Song(s):
Stay (I Missed You) (1994)
I Do (1997)

Frank Loesser

Musical theater composer born 6/29/1910 in New York City, NY. Died 7/28/1969.

Song(s):
Top 30 Songs
Once in Love with Amy (from Where’s Charley?, 1949) – see Ray Bolger
Luck Be a Lady (from Guys and Dolls, 1950) – see Frank Sinatra

Album(s):
Guys and Dolls (musical: 1950)
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (musical: 1961)

Frederick Loewe

Musical theater composer born Freidrich Löwe on 6/10/1901 in Berlin, Germany. Died 2/14/1988. Worked with Alan Jay Lerner.

Song(s) written with Alan Jay Lerner:
Almost Like Being in Love (from Brigadoon, 1947) – see Frank Sinatra
On the Street Where You Live (from My Fair Lady, 1956) – see Vic Damone
I Could Have Danced All Night (from My Fair Lady, 1956) – see Julie Andrews
Wouldn’t It Be Loverly (from My Fair Lady, 1956) – see Julie Andrews
If Ever I Would Leave You (from Camelot, 1960) – see Robert Goulet
Camelot (from Camelot soundtrack: 1967) – see Richard Harris

Album(s) with Alan Jay Lerner:
Brigadoon (musical: 1947) – see Alan Jay Lerner
My Fair Lady (musical: 1956, soundtrack: 1964) – see Alan Jay Lerner
Gigi (soundtrack: 1958, musical: 1973) – see Alan Jay Lerner
Camelot (musical: 1960, soundtrack: 1967) – see Alan Jay Lerner

The DMDB Blog:
My Fair Lady opened on Broadway: March 15, 1956 (3/15/12)

Nils Lofgren

Rock guitarist and keyboardist born 6/21/1951 in Chicago, IL. With Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band.

Song(s):
I Don’t Want to Know (1975)

Logic

Song(s):
1-800-273-8255 (with Alessia Cara & Khalid, 2017)

Kenny Loggins

Pop-rock singer/songwriter born on 1/7/1948 in Everett, WA. Formed Loggins & Messina duo (71-77) with Jim Messina and then a solo act.

Song(s):
Danny’s Song (with Jim Messina, 1971)
Angry Eyes (with Jim Messina, 1972)
Whenever I Call You Friend (with Stevie Nicks, 1978)
What a Fool Believes (1978)
This Is It (1979)
Heart to Heart (1982)
Footloose (1984)

Danny Lohner

Rock bassist and guitarist born 12/13/1970 in Corpus Christi, TX. With Nine Inch Nails (1993-2003).

Alan Lomax

American folklorist and ethnomusicologist born 1/31/1915. Died 7/19/2002. Known for collecting field recordings of folk music. He and his father, John Lomax, recorded Muddy Waters, Leadbelly, and Woody Guthrie and exposed them to a greater audience.

Album(s):
Alan Lomax Collection Sampler (1997)

The DMDB Blog:
Alan Lomax Sets Out on His First Field Recordings: July 5, 1933

John Lomax

Teacher, pioneering musicologist, and folklorist born 9/23/1867 in Goodman, Mississippi. Died 1/26/1948. Embarked on a expedition with his son, Alan Lomax, in 1933 to make field recordings for the Library of Congress.

Carmen Lombardo

Song(s):
Sweethearts on Parade (1928) – see Guy Lombardo
You’re Driving Me Crazy (1930) – see Guy Lombardo
By the River St. Marie (1931) – see Guy Lombardo
There Ought to Be a Moonlight Savings Time (1931) – see Guy Lombardo
Sweet and Lovely (1931) – see Guy Lombardo
Goodnight Sweetheart (1931) – see Guy Lombardo
How Deep Is the Ocean? (1932) – see Guy Lombardo
Too Many Tears (1932) – see Guy Lombardo
Paradise (1932) – see Guy Lombardo
We Just Couldn’t Say Goodbye (1932) – see Guy Lombardo
The Last Round-Up (1933) – see Guy Lombardo
Stars Fell on Alabama (1934) – see Guy Lombardo
Red Sails in the Sunset (1935) – see Guy Lombardo
What’s the Reason I’m Not Pleasing You (1935) – see Guy Lombardo
Lost (1936) – see Guy Lombardo
When Did You Leave Heaven? (1936) – see Guy Lombardo
September in the Rain (1937) – see Guy Lombardo
A Sailboat in the Moonlight (1937) – see Guy Lombardo
So Rare (1937) – see Guy Lombardo

Dave Lombardo

Rock drummer with Slayer.

Guy Lombardo

Jazz/big band leader and violinist Gaetano Alberto "Guy" Lombardo was born on 6/19/1902 in London, Ontario, Canada. He died 11/5/1977. He and his brothers formed the Royal Canadians in 1924, billing themselves as "the sweetest music this side of heaven." Led the only dance band ever to sell more than 100 million records. Lombardo was called "Mr. New Year’s Eve" because of nearly a half-century of his band’s radio and television broadcasts to ring in the new year.

Song(s):
Guy Lombardo: Top 100 Songs
Charmaine! (with Weston Vaughan, 1927)
Sweethearts on Parade (with Carmen Lombardo, 1928)
You’re Driving Me Crazy (with Carmen Lombardo, 1930)
By the River St. Marie (with Carmen Lombardo, 1931)
There Ought to Be a Moonlight Savings Time (with Carmen Lombardo, 1931)
Sweet and Lovely (with Carmen Lombardo, 1931)
Goodnight Sweetheart (with Carmen Lombardo, 1931)
River Stay ‘Way from My Door (1932) – see Kate Smith
How Deep Is the Ocean? (with Carmen Lombardo, 1932)
Too Many Tears (with Carmen Lombardo, 1932)
Paradise (with Carmen Lombardo, 1932)
We Just Couldn’t Say Goodbye (with Carmen Lombardo, 1932)
The Last Round-Up (with Carmen Lombardo, 1933)
You’re Getting to Be a Habit with Me (1933) – see Bing Crosby
Stars Fell on Alabama (with Carmen Lombardo, 1934)
Winter Wonderland (1934)
What’s the Reason I’m Not Pleasing You (with Carmen Lombardo, 1935)
Red Sails in the Sunset (with Carmen Lombardo, 1935)
Lost (with Carmen Lombardo, 1936)
When Did You Leave Heaven? (with Carmen Lombardo, 1936)
When My Dream Boat Comes Home (1936)
Boo Hoo (1937)
September in the Rain (with Carmen Lombardo, 1937)
It Looks Like Rain in Cherry Blossom Lane (with Lebert Lombardo, 1937)
A Sailboat in the Moonlight (with Carmen Lombardo, 1937)
So Rare (with Carmen Lombardo, 1937)
Penny Serenade (1939)
Intermezzo (Souvenir De Vienne) (1941)
It’s Love, Love, Love (with Skip Nelson, 1944)
Christmas Island (1946) – see the Andrews Sisters
Managua, Nicaragua (1947)
Hop Scotch Polka (Scotch Hot) (1949)
The Third Man Theme (1950)

Album(s):
The Band Played On: 25 Number One Hits! (compilation: 1927-50, released 2002)

Lebert Lombardo

Song(s):
It Looks Like Rain in Cherry Blossom Lane (1937) – see Guy Lombardo

Julie London

Song(s):
Cry Me a River (1955)

Laurie London

Song(s):
He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands (1957)

Londonbeat

Song(s):
I’ve Been Thinking About You (1990)

Lone Justice

Song(s):
Ways to Be Wicked (1985)

Lonestar

Song(s):
No News (1996)
Come Cryin’ to Me (1997)
Amazed (1999)
Smile (1999)
What About Now (2000)
Tell Her (2000)
I’m Already There (2001)
My Front Porch Looking In (2003)
My Front Porch Looking In (2003)
Mr. Mom (2004)

Hubert Long

Shorty Long

Song(s):
Devil with the Blue Dress (1964)

Looking Glass

Song(s):
Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) (1972)

LooLoo Kids

Song(s):
Johny Johny Yes Papa (2016)

Charles H. Loomis

Song(s):
Yale Boola! (March and Two Step) (written with Allan M. Hirsch & G.L. Atwater Jr., 1901)

Israel "Cachao" López

Bassist and composer born 9/14/1918 in Habana ieja, La Habana, Cuba. Died 3/22/2008.

Album(s):
Descargas – Cuban Jam Sessions in Miniature (with Su Ritmo Caliente, 1957)

Jennifer Lopez

Latin-pop singer and actress born on 7/24/1969 in the Bronx, NY. Later a judge on TV talent show American Idol.

Song(s):
If You Had My Love (1999)
Love Don’t Cost a Thing (2000)
I’m Real (with Ja Rule, 2001)
Ain’t It Funny (with Ja Rule & Caddillac Tah, 2001)
Jenny from the Block (with Styles & Jadakiss, 2002)
On the Floor (with Pitbull, 2011)

Robert Lopez

Album(s):
Avenue Q (composed with Jeff Marx, musical: 2003)
The Book of Mormon (composed with Trey Parker & Matt Stone, musical: 2011)

Trini Lopez

Song(s):
If I Had a Hammer (1963)
Lemon Tree (1965)

Vincent Lopez

Jazz/big band leader born 12/30/1895 in Brooklyn, NY. Died 9/20/1975.

Song(s):
I Want to Be Happy (1924)
What’ll I Do? (1924)
Show Me the Way to Go Home (1926)
Always (1926)
Blue Skies (1927)
Just a Memory (1927)
My Angel (Angela Mia) (1928)

Vini Lopez

Rock drummer born Vincent Lopez on 1/22/1949 in Neptune Township, NJ. With Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band.

Jon Lord

Rock keyboardist with Deep Purple (68-76, 84-98) and Whitesnake (78-84).

Tracy Lord

Doo-wop singer born in 1941 in Brooklyn, NY. With Little Anthony & the Imperials.

Lorde

Singer born Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor on 11/7/1996 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Song(s):
Royals (2013)
Team (2013)
Everybody Wants to Rule the World (2013)
Green Light (2017)

Album(s):
Pure Heroine (2013)
Melodrama (2017)

Lord Huron

Song(s):
The Night We Met (2015)

Lord Tariq

Song(s):
Déjà Vu (Uptown Baby) (with Peter Gunz, 1997)

Los Del Rio

Song(s):
Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix) (1995)

Los Lobos

Song(s):
Will the Wolf Survive? (1984)
One Time One Night (1987)
La Bamba (1987)

Los Panchos

Album(s):
Mexicantos (1945)

Joe Loss

Song(s):
South of the Border (Down Mexico Way) (1940)
Beer Barrel Polka (Roll Out the Barrel) (1940)
Blue Orchids (1940)
Til the Lights of London Shine Again (1940)
In the Mood (1942)
You’ll Never Know (1944)
No Other Love (1944)
Swinging on a Star (1945)
I’ll Be Seeing You (1945)
Chi-Baba, Chi-Baba (My Bambino Go to Sleep) (1948)
Say Something Sweet to Your Sweetheart (1949)
Far Away Placces (1949)
A Little Bird Told Me (1949)
My Foolish Heart (1950)

Lost Frequencies

Song(s):
Are You with Me? (2014)

Los Tigres Del Norte

Song(s):
Vivian los Mojados! (Long Live the Wetbacks) (1977)

Loud Luxury

Song(s):
Body (with Brando, 2017)

Lee Loughnane

Jazz-rock trumpeter born 10/21/1946 in Elmwood Palms, IL. With Chicago (1967-).

The Louvin Brothers

Country duo formed in Henagar, Alabama. Active 1940-1963. Comprised of Ira Louvin (born 4/21/1924 as Lonnie Loudermark; died 6/20/1965) and Charlie Louvin (born 7/7/1927 as Charlie Elzer Loudermilk; died 1/26/2011).

Song(s):
When I Stop Dreaming (1955)
I Don’t Believe You’ve Met My Baby (1956)

Demi Lovato

Song(s):
Échame La Culpa (2016) – see Luis Fonsi
Sorry Not Sorry (2017)

Love

Song(s):
My Little Red Book (1966)
7 and 7 Is (1966)
Alone Again Or (1967)
The Red Telephone (1967)
Andmoreagain (1968)

Album(s):
Da Capo (1967)
Forever Changes (1967)

Courtney Love

Lead singer of Hole. Married Kurt Cobain.

Darlene Love

Pop/R&B singer born Darlene Wright on 7/26/1938 in Los Angeles, CA. Fronted the Crystals (actually the Blossoms) on "He’s a Rebel" and Bob B. Soxx & the Blues Jeans on "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah."

Song(s):
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) (1963)
A Fine Fine Boy (1963)
Today I Met the Boy I’m Gonna Marry (1963)

Mike Love

Rock singer/songwriter born 3/15/1941 in Los Angeles, CA. Co-founded the Beach Boys in 1961 with his cousins Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson.

Monie Love

Song(s):
Ladies First (with Queen Latifah, 1990)

Love & Rockets

Song(s):
Holiday on the Moon (1986)
So Alive (1989)

The Loved Ones

Song(s):
The Loved One (1966)

Patty Loveless

Country singer born Patricia Lee Ramey on 1/4/1957 in Pikeville, KY. Had more than 40 country hits from 1985 to 2004 including #1 hits "Timber, I’m Falling in Love," "Chains," "Blame It on Your Heart," "You Can Feel Bad," and "Lonely Too Long."

Song(s):
Timber, I’m Falling in Love (1989)
Chains (1990)
Blame It on Your Heart (1993)
You Can Feel Bad (1995)
Lonely Too Long (1996)
Please Remember Me (1999) – see Tim McGraw
You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive (2001)

Album(s):
When Fallen Angels Fly (1994)

lovelytheband

Song(s):
Broken (2017)

Love Me

Song(s):
Beautiful Lie (2002)

Loverboy

Song(s):
Turn Me Loose (1980)
Working for the Weekend (1981)
Heaven in Your Eyes (1986)

Lyle Lovett

Alt-country singer/songwriter born 11/1/1957 in Houston, Texas.

DMDB profile page
DMDB podcast: The Best of Lyle Lovett, 1986-2022

Song(s):
Lyle Lovett: Top 50 Songs
She’s No Lady (1988)
Pontiac (1988)
She’s Hot to Go (1988)
If I Had a Boat (1988)
Nobody Knows Me (1989)
Friend of the Devil (1991)
Church (1992)
You’ve Got a Friend in Me (from Toy Story, 1995) – see Randy Newman
Step Inside This House (1998)
Till It Shines (with Keb’ Mo’, 1999)
12th of June (2022)

Album(s):
Lyle Lovett (1986)
Pontiac (1987)
Lyle Lovett and His Large Band (1989)
Here I Am: The Lyle Lovett Collection (compilation: 1986-91, released 1991)
Joshua Judges Ruth (1992)
I Love Everybody (1994)
Live in Texas (recorded 1995, released 1999)
The Road to Ensenada (1996)
Greatest Hits (compilation: 1986-96, released 2017)
Step Inside This House (1998)
Anthology Vol 1: Cowboy Man (compilation: 1986-2001, released 2001)
Smile: Songs from the Movies (compilation: 1992-2001, released 2003)
My Baby Don’t Tolerate (2003)
It’s Not Big, It’s Large (2007)
Natural Forces (2009)
Release Me (2012)
12th of June (2022)