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 (see more here), short bios for select acts (generally taken or adapted from Joel Whitburn’s Pop Memories 1890-1954 and Top Pop Singles: Billboard books), and links to all albums reviewed here at the DMDB.
A B C D E
F G H I J
K L M N O
P Q R S T
U V W X Y
Z VARIOUS ARTISTS
You can also check the search engine for names, albums, songs, and other content on this site:
Born: Herman Poole Blount on 5/22/1914 Died: 5/30/1993
American jazz bandleader, composer, and pianist.
Album(s):
Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra, Vol. 1 (1965)
Born: 11/27/1941 Died: 5/7/1998
American country singer.
Racey
Song(s):
Lay Your Love on Me (1978)
Born: 4/1/1873 in Russia Died: 3/28/1943
Classical composer, pianist, and conductor.
Album(s):
Piano Concerto No. 2 (1901)
Piano Concerto No. 3 (1909)
Schumann: Carnaval Op. 9 (1929)
Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini (1934)
About: Alternative-rock group fronted by Jack White.
Album(s):
Broken Boy Soldiers (2006)
About: Experimental-rock group formed in Oxford, England.
Active: 1989- Members: Thom Yorke (v), brothers Jonny Greenwood (g) and Colin Greenwood (b), Ed O’Brien (g), and Phil Selway (d)
Song(s):
Creep (1992)
Fake Plastic Trees (1995)
Just (1995)
Street Spirit (Fade Out) (1996)
Paranoid Android (1997)
Karma Police (1997)
Album(s):
Pablo Honey (1993)
The Bends (1995)
OK Computer (1997)
Kid A (2000)
Amnesiac (2001)
Hail to the Thief (2003)
In Rainbows (2007)
King of Limbs (2011)
James Rado
Album(s):
with Galt MacDermot/Gerome Ragni (composers) – Hair (1967/1979) cast/ST
Raekwon
Album(s):
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx (1995)
Gerry Rafferty
Song(s):
Baker Street (1978)
Song(s):
Killing in the Name (1993)
Bulls on Parade (1996)
Album(s):
Rage Against the Machine (1992)
Evil Empire (1996)
The Battle of Los Angeles (1999)
Gerome Ragni
Album(s):
with Galt MacDermot and James Rado (composers) – Hair (1967/1979) cast/ST
Born: Allah Rakha Rahman on 1/6/1966 in India Died: --
Film composer.
Hard rock group. Offshoot of British heavy metal pioneer group Deep Purple (Blackmore, Glover, & Turner were members of both groups).
Active: 1975-1984, 1995 Members: Led by Ritchie Blackmore (g: 75-84, 95) with Elf band members Ronnie James Dio (v: 75-79), Mickey Lee Soule (k: 75), and Gary Driscoll (d: 75). Other members over the years: Craig Gruber (b: 75), Jimmy Bain (b: 76-78?), Tony Carey (k: 76-78), and Cozy Powell (d: 76-80), Bob Daisley (b: 78-79), David Stone (k: 78-79), Graham Bonnet (v: 79-80), Roger Glover (b: 79-83), Don Airey (k: 79-83), Joe Lynn Turner (v: 80-84), Bobby Rondinelli (d: 80-83), David Rosenthal (k: 83-84), Chuck Burgi (d: 83-84), Doogie White (v: 95), John O’Reilly (d: 95), Greg Smith (b: 95), Paul Morris (k: 95).
Album(s):
Rising (1976)
Chuck Rainey
Born: Gertrude Pridgett on 4/26/1886 Died: 12/22/1939
American blues singer.
Song(s):
See See Rider Blues (1925)
Prove it on Me Blues (1928)
Ralph Rainger
Album(s):
The Rainmakers (1986)
Tornado (1987)
The Good News and the Bad News (1989)
Flirting with the Universe (1994)
Skin (1997)
25 On (2011)
The DMDB Blog:
When the Rainmakers Came to Town (4/7/2011), also on Facebook.
Born: 11/8/1949 Died:
Blues-rock singer and guitarist.
Song(s):
Angel from Montgomery (1971)
Something to Talk About (1991)
Album(s):
Nick of Time (1989)
Longing in the Their Hearts (1994)
Born: 10/28/1963 Died:
Italian singer/songwriter.
Jean-Philippe Rameau
Born: 5/19/1951 Died: 4/15/2001
American punk-rock singer and guitarist with the Ramones.
Born: 1/5/1934 in South Africa Died: 3/30/2013
About: Producer for Billy Joel.
About: Punk rock group formed in New York City, NY.
Active: 1974-1996 Members: Joey Ramone (v; born Jeffrey Hyman on 5/19/52; died 4/15/01), Dee Dee Ramone (b – Ramones: 74-89; solo as rapper Dee Dee King; Chinese Dragons; born Douglas Colvin on 9/18/52), Johnny Ramone (g; born John Cummings on 10/8/51), Tommy Ramone (d/manager: 74-77; born Tom Erydelyi on 1/29/52), Marky Ramone (d – Voidoid; Ramones: 74-83,87-; born Marc Bee), Richie Ramone (d – Velveteens; Ramones: 83-87; born Richard Beau), C.J. Ramone (b: 88-; born Christopher John Ward).
Song(s):
Blitzkrieg Bop (1976)
Sheena Is a Punk Rocker (1977)
I Wanna Be Sedated (1978)
Album(s):
Ramones (1976)
Rocket to Russia (1977)
The DMDB Blog:
The Ramones’ first gig at CBGB: August 16, 1974 (8/16/11)
Rancid
Album(s):
And Out Come the Wolves (1995)
Teddy Randazzo
Shabba Ranks
Album(s):
As Raw As Ever (1991)
The Rapture
Song(s):
House of Jealous Lovers (2002)
Rascal Flatts
Song(s):
Bless the Broken Road (2004)
The Rascals – see The Young Rascals
Born: 3/7/1875 in Ciboure, France Died: 1937
Classical composer.
Album(s):
Daphnis et Chloé (1912) classical ballet
Boléro (1928) classical ballet
Born: 12/22/1933 Died: 1/6/2006
Blues/soul singer.
Born: 1/10/1927 Died: 2/24/1990
Musician.
Song(s):
Cry (with the Four Lads, 1951)
Just Walkin’ in the Rain (1956)
Born: 8/22/1959 Died:
American country singer.
Don Raye
Andy Razaf
Real McCoy
Song(s):
Another Night (1993)
Malcolm John Rebennack, Jr. – see Dr. John
Noel Redding
Born: 9/9/1941 in Dawson, GA Died: in a plane crash on 12/10/67 in Lake Monona in Madison, WI
Soul singer/songwriter/producer/pianist. First recorded with Johnny Jenkins & the Pinetoppers in 1960. Killed in plane crash along with four members of the Bar-Kays.
Song(s):
I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (1965)
Shake (1965)
Try a Little Tenderness (1966)
Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay (1968)
Album(s):
Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul (1965)
Otis! The Definitive Otis Redding (1993)
The DMDB Blog:
Otis Redding was killed in a plane crash: December 10, 1967 (12/10/11)
Born: 10/25/1941 Died:
Pop singer.
Song(s):
I Am Woman (1972)
The Red Crayola (aka “The Red Krayola”)
Album(s):
The Parable of Arable Land (1967)
About: Rap-styled alternative funk-rock group based out of Los Angeles, CA.
Active: 1983- Members: Anthony Kiedes (v), Michael “Flea“ Balzay (b: 83-), Hillel Slovak (g: 84-88; died of a heroin overdose on 6/25/88 at age 26), Jack Irons (d: 84-88), John Frusciante (g: 88-92, 99-09), Zander Schloss (b: 92), Arik Marshall (d: 92), Jesse Tobias (d: 92), Dave Navarro (g: 94-97), Chad Smith (d: 95-; Chickenfoot), Josh Klinghoffer (g: 2009-)
Song(s):
Give It Away (1991)
Under the Bridge (1992)
Scar Tissue (1999)
Californication (2000)
Dani California (2006)
Album(s):
Blood Sugar Sex Magik (produced by Rick Rubin, 1991)
Californication (produced by Rick Rubin, 1999)
By the Way (produced by Rick Rubin, 2002)
Stadium Arcadium (produced by Rick Rubin, 2006)
The DMDB Blog:
Red Hot Chili Peppers release Blood Sugar Sex Magik: September 7, 1991 (9/7/11)
Redman
Song(s):
Dirrty (with Christina Aguilera, 2002)
Song(s):
There’s a Long, Long Trail (with James F. Harrison, 1915)
Jerry Reed
Born: Jerry Reed Hubbard on 3/20/1937 Died: 9/1/2008
American country singer and guitarist.
Born: 9/26/1925 Died: 8/29/1976
Blues singer and guitarist.
Song(s):
Big Boss Man (1961)
Bright Lights, Big City (year?)
Album(s):
I’m Jimmy Reed (1958)
Born: Louis Firbank on 3/2/1942 in Long Island, NY Died: --
Experimental rock singer/songwriter who established himself as “The Godfather of Punk” with art-rock group The Velvet Underground in the late 1960s before going solo in the 1970s.
Song(s):
Walk on the Wild Side (1973)
Perfect Day (written by Lou Reed, recorded by various artists, 1997)
Album(s):
Lou Reed (1972)
Transformer (1972)
Berlin (1973)
New York (1989)
Songs for Drella (with John Cale, 1990)
Reef
Album(s):
Glow (1997)
Born: 8/20/1923 Died: 7/31/1964
Country singer.
Song(s):
He'll Have to Go (1959)
About: R&B singer who got her start as a secretary with Motown.
Born: 7/18/1941 Died:
Song(s):
Heat Wave (1963)
Dancing in the Street (1964)
The DMDB Blog:
Martha & the Vandellas chart with “Dancing in the Street”: August 22, 1964 (8/22/11)
Refused
Album(s):
The Shape of Punk to Come: A Chimerical Bombation in 12 Bursts (1997)
Trovadores Regionales
Song(s):
Gregorio Cortez (1929)
Herb Rehbein
Steve Reich
Album(s):
Music for 18 Musicians (1978)
Carl Reiner
Album(s):
with Mel Brooks – 2000 and Thirteen (1973) comedy
Born: Jean Reinhardt 1/23/1910 in Belgium Died: 5/16/1953
Pioneering virtuoso jazz guitarist and composer. Invented a new style of jazz guitar technique sometimes known as “hot” jazz guitar.
Song(s):
Djangology (Quintette of the Hot Club of France featuring Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli, 1935)
Nuages (Django Reinhardt with Stéphane Grappelli and the Quintet of the Hot Club of France) (1946)
Born: 10/11/1897 Died: 12/18/1961
Bandleader.
Song(s):
What Is This Thing Called Love? (written by Cole Porter, 1930)
Night and Day (written by Cole Porter; performed with Fred Astaire, 1932)
Easter Parade (written by Irving Berlin; performed with Clifton Webb, 1933)
The Continental (You Kiss While You’re Dancing) (1934)
Cheek to Cheek (written by Irving Berlin; performed with Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers, 1935)
Rock group formed in Athens, GA. Developed huge following with college audiences in the early 1980s as one of the first "alternative rock" groups. R.E.M. is the abbreviation for Rapid Eye Movement, sleep’s dream stage. Buck, Mills, and Berry worked with Warren Zevon on the one-time collaboration Hindu Love Gods in 1990.
Active: 1980- Members: Michael Stipe (v), Peter Buck (g; also in Minus 5: 95), Mike Mills (b), and Bill Berry (d: 80-98).
Song(s):
Radio Free Europe (1983)
It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) (1987)
Losing My Religion (1991)
Man on the Moon (1992)
Everybody Hurts (1993)
Album(s):
Murmur (1983)
Reckoning (1984)
Fables of the Reconstruction (1985)
Life’s Rich Pageant (1986)
Document (1987)
Green (1988)
Out of Time (1991)
Automatic for the People (1992)
Monster (1994)
New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996)
The DMDB Blog/Facebook Note(s):
R.E.M. – Top 30 Songs
R.E.M. released Automatic for the People: October 6, 1992 (10/6/11)
Henri René
Song(s):
Ridin’ the Storm Out (live) (1977)
Keep on Loving You (1980)
Album(s):
Hi Infidelity (1980)
The DMDB Blog:
REO Speedwagon’s Hi Infidelity was released: November 21, 1980 (11/21/11)
The Replacements
Song(s):
I Will Dare (1984)
Unsatisfied (1984)
Bastards of Young (1985)
I’ll Be You (1989)
Album(s):
Let It Be (1984)
Tim (1985)
Harry Revel
Paul Revere & the Raiders
Song(s):
Just Like Me (1965)
Eben E. Rexford
Alvino Rey
Song(s):
Deep in the Heart of Texas (1941)
Born: 12/6/1956 in Santa Monica, CA Died: 3/19/1982
Rock guitarist with Quiet Riot and Ozzy Osbourne.
The Rhythm Boys
Song(s):
Three Little Words (w/ Duke Ellington, 1930)
Born: 11/10/1944 Died:
British lyricist.
Album(s):
Jesus Christ Superstar (composed with Andrew Lloyd Webber, 1970/1971/1973) studio/cast/ST
Evita (composed with Andrew Lloyd Webber, 1976) cast
The Lion King (composed with Elton John and Hans Zimmer, 1994) ST
The DMDB Blog:
Jesus Christ Superstar opened on Broadway: October 12, 1971 (10/12/11)
The Lion King soundtrack hit #1: July 16, 1994 (7/16/12)
Born: 9/30/1917 Died: 4/2/1987
American jazz drummer and orchestral leader. Considered by some to be the greatest drummer ever.
Born: 12/14/1932 Died: 7/25/1995
American country singer.
Song(s):
Behind Closed Doors (1973)
The Most Beautiful Girl (1973)
A Very Special Love Song (1974)
Album(s):
Behind Closed Doors (1973)
Born: 10/14/1940 Died:
British pop singer.
Song(s):
Move It (with the Drifters, 1958)
The Young Ones (with the Shadows, 1962)
Album(s):
Summer Holiday (with the Shadows, 1963)
Born: 12/18/1943 Died: Astonishingly, not yet.
Rock guitarist and songwriter with the Rolling Stones.
John Richbourg
Born: 6/20/1949 Died:
Pop/R&B singer and songwriter (Kenny Rogers’ “Lady”) who started with the Commodores (“Three Times a Lady”, “Still”) before going solo.
Song(s):
Lady (written by Richie, performed by Kenny Rogers; 1980)
Endless Love (with Diana Ross, 1981)
All Night Long (All Night) (1983)
Hello (1984)
Say You, Say Me (1985)
Album(s):
Can’t Slow Down (1983)
The DMDB Blog:
Lionel Richie and Diana Ross debuted with “Endless Love”: July 4, 1981 (7/4/12)
Harry Richman
Song(s):
Puttin' on the Ritz (written by Irving Berlin; performed with Harry Earl Burtnett & His Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel Orchestra, 1930)
Born: 6/1/1921 Died: 10/6/1985
Jazz/big band leader.
Song(s):
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, 1964)
Unchained Melody (1965)
The DMDB Blog:
The Righteous Brothers hit #1 with “Unchained Melody” more than 25 years after it first charted: October 27, 1990 (10/27/11)
Links:
- official site
- Facebook
- Wikipedia
About: Pop/R&B singer from Barbados. Youngest artist (age 23) in Billboard history to land 10 #1’s.
Born: 2/20/1988 Died: --
Song(s):
S.O.S. (Rescue Me) (2006)
Unfaithful (2006)
Don’t Stop the Music (2007)
Umbrella (with Jay-Z, 2007)
Disturbia (2008)
Run This Town (with Jay-Z & Kanye West, 2009)
Rude Boy (2009)
Love the Way You Lie (with Eminem, 2010)
All of the Lights (with Kanye West & Drake, 2010)
Only Girl in the World (2010)
What’s My Name? (Rihanna with Drake, 2010)
California King Bed (2010)
Man Down (2010)
We Found Love (Rihanna with Calvin Harris, 2011)
Where Have You Been (2011)
Diamonds (2012)
Album(s):
Good Girl Gone Bad (2007)
The DMDB Blog:
Eminem and Rihanna Hit #1 with “Love the Way You Lie”: July 31, 2010 (7/31/11)
Billy Riley & His Little Green Men
Song(s):
Red Hot (year?)
Jeannie C. Riley
Song(s):
Harper Valley P.T.A. (1968)
Born: 8/28/1982 Died:
Country singer.
Song(s):
Blue (1996)
How Do I Live (written by Diane Warren) (1997)
Album(s):
Blue (1996)
Blanche Ring
Song(s):
I’ve Got Rings on My Fingers (1909)
Born: Woodward Maurice Ritter on 1/12/1905 Died: 1/2/1974
Country singer.
Song(s):
High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me, Oh, My Darlin') (1952)
Born: John Henry Ramistella on 11/7/1942 in New York City, NY Died:
Pop singer/songwriter.
Born: 1/10/1924 Died: 8/16/2007
American jazz drummer.
Album(s):
The Quintet (Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Charles Mingus, & Max Roach) – Jazz at Massey Hall (live, 1953)
with Clifford Brown– Clifford Brown and Max Roach (1954)
About: Country music session pianist. Blind since 4 because of a knife accident, learned to play piano at age seven when he attended the Nashville School for the Blind. In 1959, he played on his first of hundreds of professional recordings – George Jones’ “White Lightning”, his first #1 hit. Robbins went on to work with Patsy Cline, Porter Wagoner, Ray Price, Dolly Parton, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan (on the classic Blonde on Blonde album), Connie Smith, Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, and Travis Tritt. He has played on classic hits such as Charlie Rich’s “Behind Closed Doors” and Crystal Gayle’s “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.” In 1976, Robbins won the CMA Instrumentalist of the Year award and in 2000 he received the CMA Musician of the Year Award. In 2007, he was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame. His nickname, “Pig,” came from him sneaking through a fire escape at school and playing when he wasn’t supposed to. Robbins’ supervisor said, he got as dirty as a pig.
Born: Martin David Robinson on 9/26/1925 in Glendale, AZ Died: 12/8/1982 of heart failure
About: Country singer/songwriter and guitarist. Father of Ronny Robbins. Served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-47. Hosted Western Caravan TV show in Phoenix in 1951. Joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1953. Acted in the movies Road to Nashville and Guns of a Stranger. Hosted TV’s Marty Robbin’s Spotlight in 1977. Died of heart failure on 12/8/1982.
Song(s):
Singing the Blues (1956)
El Paso (1959)
My Woman, My Woman, My Wife (1970)
Bob Roberts
Song(s):
Ragtime Cowboy Joe (1912)
Eck Robertson
Song(s):
Arkansaw Traveler (1922)
Sallie Gooden (1922)
Robbie Robertson
Born: 4/9/1898 Died: 1/23/1976
American singer, actor, and civil rights activist.
Song(s):
Ol’ Man River (written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II, 1932)
Album(s):
Ballad for Americans (1940)
Leo Robin
Bobby Robinson
Album(s):
I Hear Some Blues Downstairs (1977)
Born: 2/19/1940
R&B singer/songwriter with The Miracles (55-72) and later a solo artist. Wrote many hit songs for the group and other Motown artists.
Song(s):
Shop Around (with the Miracles, 1960)
You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me (with the Miracles, 1962)
The Tracks of My Tears (with the Miracles, 1965)
Going to a Go-Go (with the Miracles, 1965)
The Tears of a Clown (with the Miracles, 1967)
Sylvia Robinson
Robson & Jerome
Song(s):
Unchained Melody/The White Cliffs of Dover (1995)
I Believe/Up on the Roof (1995)
About: Producer for Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, and Metallica.
Pete Rock & CL Smooth
Song(s):
They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) (1992)
Rocket from the Crypt
Album(s):
Scream, Dracula, Scream! (1995)
Born: 9/8/1897 Died: 5/26/1933
American country singer/songwriter.
Song(s):
Blue Yodel #1 (T for Texas) (1928)
In the Jailhouse Now (1928)
Blue Yodel #9 (Standing on the Corner) (1928)
Born: 12/17/49 in Middlesbrough, Cleveland, England
Rock singer with Free (1968-73), Bad Company (73-82,99,02), The Firm (84-86), The Law (91), and Queen (2004-09)
Born: 6/28/1902 Died: 12/30/1979
Musical theater songwriter.
Song(s) written by Rodgers:
My Funny Valentine (performed by Hal McIntyre; written with Lorenz Hart; 1945)
Blue Moon (performed by the Marcels; written with Lorenz Hart; 1961)
Album(s):
Oklahoma! (with Oscar Hammerstein II, 1943/1955) cast/ST
Carousel (with Oscar Hammerstein II, 1945/1956) cast/ST
South Pacific (with Oscar Hammerstein II, 1949/1958) cast/ST
The King and I (with Oscar Hammerstein II, 1951/1956) cast/ST
Pal Joey (with Lorenz Hart, soundtrack, 1957)
Flower Drum Song (cast, written with Oscar Hammerstein II, 1959)
The Sound of Music (with Oscar Hammerstein II, 1959/1965) cast/ST
The DMDB Blog:
The Sound of Music soundtrack hits #1: November 13, 1965 (11/13/11)
Born: 12/10/1951 Died:
American country singer.
Born: 5/9/1942 in Atlanta, GA Died:
American pop singer/songwriter and guitarist.
Ginger Rogers
Song(s):
Cheek to Cheek (written by Irving Berlin) (Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers with Leo Reisman's Orchestra, 1935)
Jimmy Rogers
Album(s):
Chicago Bound (1976)
Julie Rogers
Song(s):
The Wedding (1964)
Born: Kenneth Donald Rogers on 8/21/1938 in Houston, TX
About: One of the most successful country singers of all time. Recorded predominantly as a solo artist throughout his career, but also with The Scholars (58), the Bobby Doyle Three, Kirby Stone Four (mid-‘60s), New Christy Minstrels (mid-‘60s), and The First Edition (67-73).
Song(s):
Lucille (1977)
You Decorated My Life (1979)
The Gambler (written by Don Schlitz, 1978)
Lady (written by Lionel Richie, 1980)
Islands in the Stream (with Dolly Parton, 1983)
Album(s):
The Gambler (1978)
Greatest Hits (1977-80)
The DMDB Blog:
Kenny Rogers topped the pop charts with “Lady”: November 15, 1980 (11/15/11)
Born: 11/5/1911 Died: 7/6/1998
American country singer and guitarist.
Song(s):
Happy Trails (with Dale Evans, 1948)
Links:
DMDB page
- official site
- Facebook
- Wikipedia
About: Revered as the world’s all-time greatest rock and roll band. Formed in London. Took their name from a Muddy Waters song. Promoted as the bad boys in contrast to the Beatles.
Active: 1963- Members: Mick Jagger (v: 63-), Keith Richards (g: 63-), Dick Taylor (b – Little Boy Blue & the Blue Boys, Rolling Stones: 63), Mick Avory (d – Rolling Stones: 63), Brian Jones (g: 63-69), Bill Wyman (b: 63-92), Charlie Watts (d: 63-), Ian Stewart (piano), Mick Taylor (g: 69-75), Ronnie Wood (g: 75-), Darryl Jones (b: 94-95)
Song(s):
The Last Time (1965)
Time Is on My Side (1965)
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (1965)
Get Off of My Cloud (1965)
Paint It, Black (1966)
Jumpin' Jack Flash (1968)
Sympathy for the Devil (1968)
Honky Tonk Women (1969)
You Can't Always Get What You Want (1969)
Gimme Shelter (1969)
Brown Sugar (1971)
Angie (1973)
Miss You (1978)
Start Me Up (1981)
Album(s):
England’s Newest Hit Makers (aka ‘The Rolling Stones’) (1964)
12 x5 (1964)
Now!, aka 'No. 2' (1965)
Out of Our Heads (1965)
December's Children…and Everybody's (1965)
Aftermath (1966)
Big Hits – High Tides and Green Grass (compilation, 1964-66)
Between the Buttons (1967)
Their Satanic Majesties Request (1967)
Beggars Banquet (1968)
Let it Bleed (1969)
Through the Past Darkly – Big Hits, Volume 2 G (1966-69)
Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out (1970) live
Sticky Fingers (1971)
Hot Rocks Gx2 (1964-71)
More Hot Rocks – Big Hits & Fazed Cookies Gx2 (1963-69)
The Singles Collection – The London Years box (1963-71)
Exile on Main Street (1972)
Goats Head Soup (1973)
It's Only Rock and Roll (1974)
Made in the Shade G (1971-74)
Black and Blue (1976)
Time Waits for No One G (1971-77)
Some Girls (1978)
Emotional Rescue (1980)
Sucking in the Seventies G (1974-80)
Tattoo You (1981)
Undercover (1983)
Rewind G (1971-84)
Dirty Work (1986)
Steel Wheels (1989)
Jump Back G (1971-89)
Voodoo Lounge (1994)
Bridges to Babylon (1997)
Forty Licks Gx2 (1964-2002)
A Bigger Bang (2005)
The DMDB Blog:
Best-of List: The Rolling Stones’ Top 100 Songs (7/27/12)
The Rolling Stones played their first gig: July 12, 1962 (7/12/12)
The Rolling Stones Hit #1 for the First Time: July 18, 1964 (7/18/11)
The Rolling Stones charted with “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”: June 12, 1965 (6/12/12)
Death at the Altamont Festival: December 6, 1969 (12/6/11)
Born: Theodore Walter Rollins on 9/7/1930 Died:
American jazz saxophonist.
Album(s):
Saxophone Colossus (1956)
Sigmund Romberg>
Harold Rome
The Ronettes
Song(s):
Be My Baby (1963)
Roni Size/Reprazent
Album(s):
New Forms (1997)
About: Producer for Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse, and Adele.
Mick Ronson
Born: 7/15/1946 Died:
Adult contemporary singer.
Song(s):
When Will I Be Loved (1975)
Somewhere Out There (with James Ingram, 1986)
Album(s):
Heart Like a Wheel (1974)
George F. Root
The Roots
Song(s):
Shine (with John Legend, 2010)
Born: William Bruce Rose, Jr. on 2/6/1962 Died: --
American rock singer/songwriter and keyboardist with Guns N’ Roses.
Billy Rose
David Rose
Song(s):
Holiday for Strings (1943)
Fred Rose
Vincent Rose
Wesley Rose
Born: 3/26/1944 Died: --
R&B singer who earned her fame with The Supremes in the 1960s before going solo in the 1970s.
Song(s):
Ain't No Mountain High Enough (written by Ashford & Simpson, 1970)
Upside Down (1980)
I’m Coming Out (1980)
Endless Love (with Lionel Richie, 1981)
Album(s):
Lady Sings the Blues (soundtrack, 1972)
The DMDB Blog:
Lionel Richie and Diana Ross debuted with “Endless Love”: July 4, 1981 (7/4/12)
Jerry Ross
Shirley Ross
Song(s):
Thanks for the Memory (with Bob Hope, 1939)
Born: 4/29/1907 in France Died: 9/26/1983
Swing musician.
Gioacchino Rossini
Composer.
Album(s):
Il Barbiere di Siviglia (“The Barber of Seville”) (1816)
Mstislav Rostropovich
Born: 10/10/1955
American rock singer with Van Halen (“Running with the Devil”, “Jump”). Later a solo artist (“California Girls”, “Yankee Rose”).
Song(s):
Just a Gigolo/I Ain’t Got Nobody (1985)
Johnny Rotten – see John Lydon
Andy Rourke
Roxette
Song(s):
It Must Have Been Love (1990)
English art-rock band.
Active: 1971-83 Members: Bryan Ferry (v/k), Brian Eno (71-73), Phil Manzanera (g), and Andy MacKay (horns)
Song(s):
Virginia Plain (1972)
Love Is the Drug (1975)
More Than This (1982)
Album(s):
Roxy Music (1972)
For Your Pleasure (1973)
Stranded (1974)
Siren (1975)
Avalon (1982)
Normie Rowe
Song(s):
Que Sera Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be) (1965)
Kelly Rowland
Song(s):
Dilemma (with Nelly, 2002)
Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
Song(s):
Amazing Grace (1972)
RTZ – see Boston
Album(s):
Lost and Found archives (1989)
Return to Zero (1991)
Lost (1998)
Born: 1/28/1887 Died: 12/20/1982
Polish classical pianist.
Born: 3/10/1963 Died:
American record producer best known for his work with heavy metal groups and rap artists. He also revived the career of Johnny Cash in the 1990s.
Significant Albums Produced by Rubin:
LL Cool J Radio (1985)
Run-D.M.C. Raising Hell (1986)
Slayer Reign in Blood (1986)
Beastie Boys Licensed to Ill (1986)
Public Enemy – Yo! Bum Rush the Show (1987)
Public Enemy It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)
Slayer – South of Heaven (1988)
The Black Crowes Shake Your Money Maker (1990)
Slayer – Seasons in the Abyss (1990)
Red Hot Chili Peppers Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991)
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Greatest Hits (compilation, 1977-93)
Johnny Cash American Recordings (1994)
Lucinda Williams Car Wheels on a Gravel Road (mixing by Rubin, 1998)
Sheryl Crow The Globe Sessions (1998)
Red Hot Chili Peppers Californication (1999)
Johnny Cash American III: Solitary Man (2000)
Red Hot Chili Peppers By the Way (2002)
Jay-Z The Black Album (2003)
Johnny Cash American IV: The Man Comes Around (2002)
Neil Diamond 12 Songs (2005)
Red Hot Chili Peppers Stadium Arcadium (2006)
Dixie Chicks Taking the Long Way (2006)
Justin Timberlake FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006)
Metallica Death Magnetic (2008)
Adele 21 (2011)
The DMDB Blog:
Rick Rubin was born: March 10, 1963 (3/10/12)
Harry Ruby
Ruby & The Romantics
Phil Rudd
Jimmy Ruffin
Song(s):
What Becomes of the Broken Hearted (1966)
Rufus – see Chaka Khan
Song(s):
It’s Like That (1983)
Sucker MC’s (1983)
Rock Box (1984)
Walk This Way (with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler & Joe Perry, 1986)
It’s Like That (Run-D.M.C. vs. Jason Nevins, 1998)
Album(s):
Run-D.M.C. (1984)
Raising Hell (produced by Rick Rubin, 1986)
The DMDB Blog:
Run-D.M.C. charted with its remake of “Walk This Way”: July 26, 1986 (7/26/12)
Born: 6/22/1948 Died:
Rock singer/songwriter and keyboardist. Also a producer.
Album(s):
Something/Anything? (1972)
Arthur N. “Art” Rupe
About: Canadian power-rock trio formed in Toronto. Lee and Lifeson met in 8th grade. They started out playing English blues like the Yardbirds, John Mayall, and Cream and heavy metal from the Who to Led Zeppelin. Rush was built around Lee’s unique vocal style and Lifeson’s rhythm-lead techniques. When Peart joined, he brought a touch of art-rock a la Pink Floyd and King Crimson. His science fiction-inspired imagination fueled concept albums 2112, A Farewell to Kings, and Hemispheres. In the early 80’s, Rush became a premiere FM radio-oriented group with Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures, and Signals. Since then, Rush has become an album rock staple and consistent gold album seller. Only Kiss and Rush have had entire careers of 20+ albums that all have gone gold.
Active: 1969-96, 2002- Members: Geddy Lee (v/b: 69-96, 02-), Alex Lifeson (g: 69-96, 02-), John Rutsey (d: 69-74; left after first album), Neil Peart (d: 74-96, born 9/12/52).
Song(s):
The Spirit of Radio (1980)
Tom Sawyer (1981)
Album(s):
2112 (1976)
A Farewell to Kings (1977)
v
Hemispheres (1978)
Permanent Waves (1980)
Moving Pictures (1981)
The DMDB Blog:
Best-of List: Geddy Lee was born: July 29, 1953 / The Top 59 Rush Songs (7/29/12)
Bobby Rush
Jennifer Rush
Song(s):
The Power of Love (1985)
Born: 4/29/1934 in Mississippi Died: --
Blues guitarist and singer.
Song(s):
I Can’t Quit You Baby (1956)
Album(s):
Right Place, Wrong Time (1976)
Born: 8/26/1903 in Oklahoma City, OK Died:
Jazz/blues singer.
Bob Russell
Lillian Russell
Song(s):
Come Down Ma Evening Star (1912)
Born: Charles Russell Bridges on 4/2/1942 Died: --
American singer/songwriter (“Tight Rope”) and prominent session musician.
Born: 10/2/50 in Guildford, England Died: --
Rock guitarist/bassist with The Anon (65-66), which evolved into Genesis (66-97). Rutherford also helmed the group Mike + the Mechanics (85-04) and has recorded a couple solo albums.
The Ruts
Album(s):
The Crack (1979)
Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels
Song(s):
Devil with a Blue Dress On/Good Golly Miss Molly (1966)
Born: 8/23/1962 in Little Hulton, England Died:
Britpop singer/songwriter with Happy Mondays and Black Grape.
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 (see more here), short bios for select acts (generally taken or adapted from Joel Whitburn’s Pop Memories 1890-1954 and Top Pop Singles: Billboard books), and links to all albums reviewed here at the DMDB.
A B C D E
F G H I J
K L M N O
P Q R S T
U V W X Y
Z VARIOUS ARTISTS
You can also check the search engine for names, albums, songs, and other content on this site:
Last updated April 11, 2013. 
|
Righteous Brothers
Rihanna
