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.

Chad Wackerman

Richard Wagner

Classical composer and pianist born Wilhelm Richard Wagner on 5/22/1813 in Leipzig, Germany. Died 2/13/1883.

Album(s):
Der Fliegende Hollander (aka 'The Flying Dutchman') (opera: 1843)
Tannhauser (opera: 1845)
Lohengrin (opera: 1850)
Tristan Und Isolde (opera, 1859)
Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg (The Master-Singers of Nuremburg) (opera: 1868)
The Ring Cycle (Der Ring Des Nibelungen) (opera, 1848-1874)

Robert Wagner

Porter Wagoner

Country singer born 8/12/1927 in West Plains, MO. Recorded as a duo with Dolly Parton from 1967-1976. Died 10/28/2007.

Bea Wain

Song(s):
My Reverie (1938) – see Larry Clinton
You Go to My Head (1938) – see Larry Clinton
Heart and Soul (1938) – see Larry Clinton
Love Is Here to Stay (1938) – see Larry Clinton
Deep Purple (1939) – see Larry Clinton
Over the Rainbow (1939) – see Larry Clinton

John Waite

Rock singer/songwriter born 7/4/1952 in Lancaster, Lancashire, England. With the Babys (74-81) and Bad English.

Song(s):
Missing You (1984)
When I See You Smile (1989) – see Bad English

The Waitresses

Song(s):
Christmas Wrapping (1981)

Tom Waits

Gravelly-voiced monolgue song stylist/actor/songwriter/experimental rocker born 12/7/1949 in Pamona, CA in the back of a taxicab. Appeared in movies Rumblefish, Down by Law, Ironweed, and Dracula. Married Irish playwright Kathleen Brennan on 12/13/91 with whom he co-wrote the 1988 musical Frank’s Wild Years. Composed the movie soundtracks One from the Heart and Night on Earth.

Song(s):
Downtown Train (1985)

Album(s):
Swordfishtrombones (1983)
Rain Dogs (1985)
Mule Variations (1999)

Jimmy Wakely

American country singer born 2/16/1914. Died 9/23/1982.

Song(s):
Slipping Around (1949) – see Margaret Whiting

Rick Wakeman

Rock keyboardist born 5/18/1949 in Perivale, London, England. Best known for his work with Yes (1971-74, 1976-80, 1990-92, 1995-96, 2002-04).

Albums Featuring Wakeman:
Space Oddity (aka "Man of Words, Man of Music") (1969) – see David Bowie
Fragile (1971) – see Yes
Hunky Dory (1971) – see David Bowie
Close to the Edge (1972) – see Yes
Tales from Topographic Oceans (1973) – see Yes
Going for the One (1977) – see Yes
Tormato (1978) – see Yes
Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (1989) – see Yes
Union (1991) – see Yes
Keys to Ascension/Keys to Ascension 2 (1996/1997) – see Yes

Bob Walkenhorst

American roots-rock singer/songwriter born 6/1/1953. In the group Phantasia (1971-72), the Walkenhorst Brothers (1977), and the trio Steve, Bob & Rich (1983-85) which evolved into Rainmakers (1986-). Has also collaborated with his daughter Una and Jeff Porter.

Check out Bob Walkenhorst’s DMDB profile page here.

Song(s):
The Top 100 Songs of the Rainmakers & Bob Walkenhorst
Primitivo Garcia (2003)
For Tomorrow (with Una Walkenhorst, 2018)

Album(s):
The Beginner (2003)
No Abandon (with Jeff Porter, 2009)
For Tomorrow (with Una Walkenhorst, 2018)
A Thousand Words (2021)

Alan Walker

Song(s):
Faded (2015)

Albertina Walker & the Caravans

Song(s):
Lord, Keep Me Day by Day (1959)

Billy Walker

Country singer born William Marvin Walker on 1/14/1929 in Ralls, TX. Died 5/21/2006.

Cindy Walker

Frank Walker

George Walker

Song(s):
Good Morning, Carrie (1902) – see Bert Williams

Joe Louis Walker

Junior Walker (& the All-Stars)

American R&B singer born 6/14/1931. Died 11/23/1995.

Song(s):
Shotgun (1965)

Summer Walker

Album(s):
Over It (2019)

T-Bone Walker

Blues singer/songwriter, guitarist, and pianist born Aaron Thibeaux Walker on 5/28/1910 in Linden, TX. Died 3/6/1975.

Song(s):
Mean Old World (1942)
Call It Stormy Monday (1948)

Album(s):
The Complete 1940-1954 (1954)
T-Bone Blues (1959)

Jo Walker-Meador

Walk the Moon

Song(s):
Shut Up and Dance (2014)

Sippie Wallace

Blues singer born Beulah Belle Thomas on 11/1/1898 in Plum Bayou, Jefferson County, AR. Died 11/1/1986.

Fats Waller

Jazz singer, composer, and musician born Thomas Wright Waller on 5/21/1904 in New York City, NY. Died 12/15/1943. One of the country’s most popular entertainers in the 1930s, with his playful, high-spirited vocals, distinctive stride piano style, and jazz accompaniment. Worked as a piano and organ accompanist during the 1920s until his first big break, collaborating on Broadway musical scores Keep Shufflin’ and Hot Chocolates (including his classic "Ain’t Misbehavin’"). Bill Coleman (trumpet), Gene Sedric (clarinet/tenor sax) and Rudy Powell (clarinet) were his top sidemen. Died shortly after his hit movie appearance in Stormy Weather. The late-‘70s hit Broadway musical Ain’t Misbehavin’ celebrated his great songs and spirit.

Song(s):
Ain’t Misbehavin’ (1929)
Honeysuckle Rose (1935)
It's a Sin to Tell a Lie (1936)
Two Sleepy People (1938)
Jitterbug Waltz (1942)

Album(s):
Ain’t Misbehavin’ (cast: 1978)

The Wallflowers

Song(s):
One Headlight (1996)
6th Avenue Heartache (1996)

Album(s):
Bringing Down the Horse (1996)

Wall of Voodoo

Song(s):
Mexican Radio (1983)

Van "Piano Man" Walls

Joe Walsh

Rock singer/songwriter and guitarist with the James Gang and the Eagles. Also a solo artist.

Song(s):
Rocky Mountain Way (1973)

Bruno Walter

Wang Chung

Song(s):
Dance Hall Days (1984)

War

Latin-style funk band formed in Long Beach, CA. Eric Burdon’s backup band until 1971. Active: 1969- Members: Lonnie Jordan (k), Howard Scott (g), Charles Miller (sax; fatally shot by a robber in 1980), Morris "B.B." Dickerson (b: 69-79), Harold Brown (?: 69-), and Thomas "Papa Dee" Allen (percussion; died onstaqge on 8/30/88 of a brain hemorrhage), and Lee Oskar (harmonica), Alice Tweed Smyth (v: 78-82), Luther Rabb (b – Ballin’ Jack; War: 79-), Pat Rizzo (horns: 79-), Ron Hammond (percussion – Aalon; Ballin’ Jack; War: 79-), Rae Valentine (94), Charles Green (94), Kerry Campbell (94), Tesuya Nakamura (94), and Sal Rodriquez (94).

Song(s):
Slippin’ into Darkness (1971)
Low Rider (1975)

Album(s):
The World Is a Ghetto (1972)
Anthology (compilation: 1970-94)

Anita Ward

Song(s):
Ring My Bell (1979)

Bill Ward

Rock drummer with Black Sabbath (68-80,83-86,97-99).

Clara Ward & the Ward Singers

Song(s):
How I Got Over (1950)

Helen Ward

Song(s):
These Foolish Things Remind Me of You (1936) – see Benny Goodman
Goody Goody (1936) – see Benny Goodman
The Glory of Love (1936) – see Benny Goodman

Samuel A. Ward

Song(s) written by Ward:
America the Beautiful (1895) – see Katherine Lee Bates

Shayne Ward

Song(s):
That’s My Goal (2005)

Andy Warhol

Steve Wariner

Country singer born 12/25/1954 in Noblesville, IN.

Fred Waring

Musician born Frederick Malcolm Waring 6/9/1900 in Tyrone, PA. Died 7/29/1984.

Song(s):
Sleep (1923)
Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life (with Tom Waring, 1928)
Little White Lies (with Clare Hanlon, 1930)
I Found a Million Dollar Baby in a Five and Ten Cent Store (with Clare Hanlon, 1931)

Tom Waring

Song(s):
Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life (1928) – see Fred Waring

Janne Warman

Rock keyboardist with Children of Bodom and Warmen.

Jennifer Warnes

Pop/AC singer born on 3/3/47 in Seattle and raised in Orange County, CA. Lead actress in the L.A. production of Hair. Also recorded as Jennifer Warren and simply as Jennifer.

Song(s):
It Goes Like It Goes (1979)
Up Where We Belong (with Joe Cocker, 1982)
I’ve Had the Time of My Life (with Bill Medley, 1987)

The War on Drugs

Song(s):
Under the Pressure (2014)

Album(s):
Lost in the Dream (2014)

Warrant

Song(s):
Down Boys (1988)
Heaven (1989)
Cherry Pie (1990)
Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1990)

Diane Warren

Pop songwriter born Diane Eve Warren on 9/7/1956 in Van Nuys, CA.

Song(s) written by Warren:
Diane Warren: Top 30 Songs
Look Away (1988) – see Chicago
Because You Loved Me (1996) – see Celine Dion
Un-Break My Heart (1996) – see Toni Braxton
How Do I Live (1997) – see LeAnn Rimes
I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (1998) – see Aerosmith

The DMDB Blog:
Best-of List: The Top 30 Songs by Diane Warren (10/30/11)

Harry Warren

Album(s):
42nd Street (composed with Al Dubin, cast: 1980)

Rusty Warren

Album(s):
Knockers Up! (1960)

Dee Dee Warwick

Dionne Warwick

R&B/pop singer born Marie Dionne Warwick on 1212/1940 in East Orange, NJ. In church choir from age 6. With the Drinkard Singers gospel group. Formed the Gospelaires trio with sister Dee Dee Warwick and their aunt Cissy Houston. Attended Hartt College of Music in Hartford, CT. Did much backup work in NY during the late ‘50s. Added an "e" to her last name for a time in the mid-70s. Was composers Burt Bacharach’s and Hal David’s main "voice". Co-hosted TV’s Solid Gold (80-81,85-86). Has hosted TV informercials for the Psychic Friends Network since the early ‘90s. Is a cousin of Whitney Houston.

Song(s):
Don’t Make Me Over (1962)
Walk on By (1964)
Alfie (1967)
That's What Friends Are For (Dionne & Friends: Elton John, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, 1985)

Dinah Washington

R&B/blues singer born Ruth Lee Jones on 8/29/1924 in Tuscaloosa, AL. Died 12/14/1963.

Song(s):
Am I Asking Too Much (1948)
Teach Me Tonight (1954)
What a Diff'rence a Day Makes (1959)
Unforgettable (1959)

Grover Washington, Jr.

Song(s):
Just the Two of Us (with Bill Withers., 1981)

Justine "Baby" Washington

Kamasi Washington

Album(s):
Heaven and Earth (2018)

Ned Washington

The Waterboys

Song(s):
The Whole of the Moon (1985)
Fisherman’s Blues (1988)

Dick Waterman

Ethel Waters

American blues singer born 10/31/1896. Died 9/1/1977.

Song(s):
Dinah (1926)
Am I Blue? (1929)
Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin’ All the Time) (1933)

Muddy Waters

Blue singer, guitarist, and harmonica player born McKinley Morganfield on 4/4/1915 (some sources say 1913) in Rolling Fork, MS. Died 4/30/1983. Pivotal figure in the development of the Chicago blues style. Self-taught harmonica in the early 1920s, guitar in the early ‘30s. First recorded for Library of Congress in 1941. Moved to Chicago in 1943.

Song(s):
I Feel Like Going Home (1948)
I Can’t Be Satisfied (1948)
Rollin’ Stone (1950)
Hoochie Coochie Man (1954)
I Just Want to Make Love to You (1954)
Mannish Boy (1955)
Got My Mojo Working (1957)
You Shook Me (1962)

Album(s):
Best of (compilation: 1947-55, released 1958) – see His Best 1947-55
His Best 1947-55 (compilation: 1947-55, released 1997)
At Newport (live, 1960)
Folksinger (1964)
The Real Folk Blues (compilation: 1947-64, released 1966)
Down on Stovall’s Plantation (1966)
McKinley Morganfield (aka "Muddy Waters") (1971)
The Anthology 1947-1972 (compilation: 1947-72)
The Chess Box (box: 1947-72, released 1989)
Can’t Get No Grindin’ (1973)
Hard Again (1977)
The Complete Plantation Recordings (1993)

Roger Waters

Rock singer/songwriter and bassist born George Robert Waters on 9/6/1944 in Great Bookham, Surrey, England. With Pink Floyd. Also a solo artist.

Song(s):
Folded Flags (1986)
Mother (live with Sinéad O’Connor & The Band, 1990)
What God Wants (1992)
Each Small Candle (live, 2000)
Smell the Roses (2017)
Déjà Vu (If I Had Been God) (2017)

Album(s):
The Wall: Live in Berlin (live with various artists, 1990)
Amused to Death (1992)
Is This the Life We Really Want? (2017)

Doc Watson

Bluegrass guitarist and vocalist born 3/3/1923. Died 5/29/2012.

Song(s):
Black Mountain Rag (1964)

Album(s):
Doc Watson (1964)

Gene Watson

Country singer born Gary Gene Watson on 10/11/1943 in Palestine, TX.

Johnny "Guitar" Watson

Blues guitarist born John Watson, Jr. on 2/3/1935 in Houston, TX. Died 5/17/1995.

Mike Watt

Andre Watts

Charlie Watts

Rock drummer born 6/24/1941 in London. With Blues Incorporated, The Rolling Stones (63-), and Wille & the Poorboys (85).

Jeff Wayne

Album(s):
War of the Worlds (1978)

Mabel Wayne

The Weather Girls

Song(s):
It’s Raining Men (1982)

Weather Report

Song(s):
Birdland (1977)

Album(s):
Heavy Weather (1977)

Jim Weatherly

The Weavers

Song(s):
Goodnight Irene (with the Gordon Jenkins’ Orchestra, 1950)
On Top of Old Smoky (with Terry Gilkyson, 1951)

Album(s):
At Carnegie Hall (live, 1957)
Best of the Decca Years (compiliation, 1996)

Chick Webb

Jazz big band leader and drummer born William Henry Webb on 2/10/1905 in Baltimore, MD. Died 6/16/1939.

Song(s):
A-Tisket, A-Tasket (1938) – see Ella Fitzgerald

Clifton Webb

Song(s):
Easter Parade (1933) – see Leo Reisman

Jimmy Webb

Songwriter born Jimmy Layne Webb on 8/15/1946 in Elk City, OK.

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber

Musical theater composer born on 3/22/1948 in Kensington, London, England.

Songs written with Tim Rice:
I Don’t Know How to Love Him (from Jesus Christ Superstar, 1971) – see Yvonne Elliman
I Don’t Know How to Love Him ( from Jesus Christ Superstar, 1971) – see Helen Reddy
Superstar (from Jesus Christ Superstar, 1971) – see Ben Vereen
Close Every Door (from Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, 1972)
Don’t Cry for Me Argentina (from Evita, 1976) – see Julie Covington
Don’t Cry for Me Argentina (from Evita, 1996) – see Madonna

Other Songs by Webber:
Memory (from Cats, written with T.S. Eliot, 1981) – see Barbara Streisand
Music of the Night (from The Phantom of the Opera, performed by Michael Crawford, 1986)
All I Ask of You (from Phantom of the Opera, 1986) – see Sarah Brightman
The Phantom of the Opera (from The Phantom of the Opera, 1986)

Album(s):
Jesus Christ Superstar (composed with Tim Rice; studio: 1970, cast: 1971: soundtrack: 1973)
Evita (composed with Tim Rice; 1976, stage debut: 1978, soundtrack: 1996)
Cats (composed with T.S. Eliot, cast, 1981)
Phantom of the Opera (composed with Charles Hart/Richard Stilgoe, cast, 1986)
Phantom of the Opera – Highlights (1988)
Sunset Boulevard (composed with Don Black & Christopher Hampton, cast: 1993)

Ben Webster

Jazz musician born Benjamin Francis Webster on 3/27/1909 in Kansas City, MO. Died 9/20/1973. Les

Paul Francis Webster

Dave Weckl

The Weeknd

Song(s):
Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey) (2014)
Can’t Feel My Face (2015)
The Hills (2015)
Starboy (with Daft Punk, 2016)
I Feel It Coming (2016)
Blinding Lights (2019)

Album(s):
Trilogy (2012)
Beauty Behind the Madness (2015)
Starboy (2016)
After Hours (2020)

Ran Weeks

Song(s):
With a Song in My Heart (1929) – see Leo Reisman

Ted Weems

Bandleader and musician born Wilfred Theodore Wemyes on 9/26/1901 in Pitcaim, PA. Died 5/6/1963. Led Chicago-based dance band whose blockbuster 1947 hit "Heartaches" was a 14-year-old reissue. Perry Como got his first major exposure with the band in the late ‘30s.

Song(s):
Somebody Stole My Gal (1924)
My Baby Just Cares for Me (1930)
Heartaches (with Elmo Tanner, 1947)

Weezer

Song(s):
Buddy Holly (1994)
Undone (The Sweater Song) (1994)
Pork and Beans (2008)
Africa (2018)

Album(s):
Weezer (aka "The Blue Album") (1994)

Wei Wei

Mongolian/Chinese Mandopop singer born Zhang Ju Xia Wei on 8/21/1963.

Cynthia Weil

Songwriter born 10/18/1940 in New York City, NY. Worked frequently with Barry Mann, whom she married in 1961. Worked in the legendary Brill Building, known for housing some of pop music history’s most famous songwriters and publishers.

Songs written by Cynthia Weil:
Top 30 Songs
On Broadway (1963) – see the Drifters
You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (1964) – see Righteous Brothers

Scott Weiland

Rock singer born Scott Richard Kline on 10/27/1967 in San Jose, California. Died 12/3/2015 in Bloomington, Minnesota, from a drug overdose. With Stone Temple Pilots (1992-2003, 2008-13), Velvet Revolver (2003-08), and Magnificent Bastards (1995). Also recorded as a solo artist.

Song(s):
Scott Weiland: Top 20 Songs
Plush (1992) – see Stone Temple Pilots
Creep (1992) – see Stone Temple Pilots
Plush (acoustic, 1993) – see Stone Temple Pilots
Interstate Love Song (1994) – see Stone Temple Pilots
12 Gracious Melodies (1994) – see Stone Temple Pilots
Sour Girl (1999) – see Stone Temple Pilots
Fall to Pieces (2004) – see Velvet Revolver
The Last Fight (2007) – see Velvet Revolver

Kurt Weill

Classical songwriter born Kurt Julian Weill on 3/2/1900 in Dessau, Germany. Died 4/3/1950.

Song(s) composed by Weill:
Mack the Knife (1955) – see Louis Armstrong
Mack the Knife (1959) – see Bobby Darin
Mack the Knife (1960) – see Ella Fitzgerald

Album(s):
The Threepenny Opera (1928)
Lost in the Stars (composed with Maxwell Anderson, cast, 1949) – see Kurt Weill

George Wein

Max Weinberg

Rock drummer with Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band.

Bobby Weinstein

Frank Weir

Song(s):
The Happy Wanderer (1954)

George David Weiss

Gillian Welch

Album(s):
Time (The Revelator) (2001)

Pete Welding

Lawrence Welk

Jazz/big band leader born 3/11/1903 in Strasburg, ND. Died 5/17/1992. Hosted his own music TV show.

Song(s):
Calcutta (1961)

Album(s):
Calcutta! (1961)

Paul Weller

English alternative rock singer/songwriter and guitarist born John William Weller, Jr. on 5/27/1958 in Woking, Surrey, England. With The Jam ("A Town Called Malice", All Mod Cons) and The Style Council ("Shout to the Top") before becoming a solo artist (1995’s Stanley Road).

Song(s):
Wild Wood (1993)

Album(s):
Stanley Road (1995)

Junior Wells

Blues singer and harmonica player born Amos Wells Blakemore, Jr. on 12/9/1934 in Memphis, TN. Died 1/15/1998.

Song(s):
Messin’ with the Kid (with Buddy Guy, 1970)

Album(s):
Hoodoo Man Blues (1965)
It’s My Life, Baby! (1966)
Blues Hit Big Town (1977)

Kitty Wells

Country singer born Ellen Muriel Deason on 8/30/1919 in Nashville, TN. Died 7/16/2012.

Song(s):
It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels (1952)

Mary Wells

Song(s):
My Guy (1964)

E.W. "Bud" Wendell

Percy Wenrich

Song(s) by Wenrich:
Peaches and Cream (1906) – see Len Spencer
Moonlight Bay (1912) – see American Quartet

Pete Wentz

Reinald Werrenrath

Baritone singer born 8/7/1883 in Brooklyn, New York. Died 9/12/1953. With the Haydn Quartet, Orpheus Quartet (1914-19), and Victor Opera Quartet.

Dottie West

Country singer born Dorothy Marie Marsh on 10/11/1932 in Smithville, TN. Died 9/4/1991.

Kanye West

Rap singer, producer, and record executive (Roc-A-Fella) born Kanye Omari West on 6/8/1977 in Atlanta, GA.

Song(s):
Slow Jamz (2003) – see Twista
Through the Wire (2003)
Jesus Walks (2004)
Gold Digger (with Jamie Foxx, 2005)
Diamonds from Serra Leone (2005)
Stronger (with Daft Punk, 2007)
Good Life (with T-Pain, 2007)
Heartless (2008)
Run This Town (2009) - see Jay-Z
Forever (2009) – see Drake
All of the Lights (with Drake & Rihanna, 2010)
E.T. (2010) – see Katy Perry
Runaway (with Pusha T, 2010)
Niggas in Paris (2011) - see Jay-Z
Four Five Seconds (2015) – see Rihanna

Album(s):
The College Dropout (2004)
Late Registration (2005)
Graduation (2007)
808’s and Heartbreak (2008)
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)
Watch the Throne (2011) – see Jay-Z
Yeezus (2013)

West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band

Song(s):
Shifting Sands (1967)

Thomas P. Westendorf

Song(s) written by Westendorf:
I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen (1875)
I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen (1916) – see Walter Van Brunt

Paul Westerberg

Cliff Weston

Song(s):
Alone (1936) – see Tommy Dorsey

Kim Weston

Paul Weston

American jazz/big band leader born Paul Westein on 3/12/1912. Died 9/20/1996.

Song(s):
Dream (with the Pied Pipers, 1945)
Come Rain or Come Shine (1946) – see Margaret Whiting

John Wetton

Rock singer and bassist born 6/12/1949 in Willington, Derbyshire, England. Died 1/31/2017. In King Crimson (b/v: 73-75) and Asia (v: 81-90, 07-17).

Wet Wet Wet

Song(s):
Love Is All Around (1994)

Jerry Wexler

Record executive and producer born Gerald Wexler on 1/10/1917 in the Bronx, NY. Died 8/15/2008. Signed and/or produced Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Led Zeppelin, the Allman Brothers, Wilson Pickett, and Dusty Springfield. Credited with coining the term "rhythm and blues." With Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegun, he built Atlantic Records into a major record company.

Tina Weymouth

Wham!

British pop duo comprised of George Michael and Andrew Ridgely.

Song(s):
The Wham Rap (1983)
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (1984)
Careless Whisper (1984) – see George Michael
Last Christmas (1984)
Everything She Wants (1985)

Album(s):
Make It Big (1984)

Anna Wheaton

Song(s):
Till the Clouds Roll By (with James Harrod, 1917)

Peetie Wheatstraw

Blues singer born William Bunch on 12/21/1902 in Ripley, TN. Died 12/21/1941.

Wheatus

Song(s):
Teenage Dirtbag (2000)

When in Rome

Song(s):
The Promise (1989)

Whigfield

Song(s):
Saturday Night (1994)

The Whispers

Alan White

Barry White

R&B singer and producer born Barry Eugene Carter on 9/12/1944 in Galveston, TX. Died 7/4/2003.

Song(s):
Love’s Theme (Love Unlimited Orchestra, 1973)
You’re the First, the Last, My Everything (1974)
Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe (1974)

Album(s):
Ultimate Collection (compilation, 1988)

Bukka White

Blues guitarist and singer born Booker T. Washington White on 11/12/1909 in Houston, MI. Died 2/26/1977.

Song(s):
Fixin’ to Die (1940)

Album(s):
Parchman Farm (year?)

Jack White

Check out DMDB actpage here.

Rock singer and guitarist born John Anthony Gillis on 7/9/1975 in Detroit, Michigan. With the White Stripes, one of the prominent garage rock revival bands of the early 21st century. He also helmed the Ractoneurs and the Dead Weather.

Song(s):
Portland, Oregon (with Loretta Lynn, 2004)

Album(s):
Blunderbuss (2012)

The DMDB Blog:
Jack White on track for first #1 album (5/1/12)

Josh White

Karyn White

Song(s):
The Way You Love Me (1988)

Maurice White

Chicago-bred singer/songwriter/producer/percussionist/kalimba player born 12/19/1941 in Memphis, TN. Died 2/3/2016. Founder of Earth, Wind & Fire. Session drummer for Chess records; Ramsey Lewis Trio; Salty Peppers.

White Lion

Song(s):
Wait (1987)
When the Children Cry (1987)

Paul Whiteman

Big-band leader Paul Whiteman was born on 3/28/1890 in Denver, Colorado, to musical parents. His mother was a former opera singer and his father supervised music for the Denver Public Schools for 50 years. He died 12/29/1967. The media called him "The King of Jazz" although critics said his music lacked the improvisational techniques associated with the genre. In Joel Whitburn’s Pop Memories 1890-1954, he’s called "the most popular bandleader of the pre-swing era."

Whiteman joined the Denver Symphony Orchestra as a viola player in 1907 and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in 1914. In 1918, he conducted a 12-piece U.S. Navy band. He moved to New York City in 1920 and directed groups up to 35 at a time when most dance bands consisted of 6-10 men. He worked with RCA Victor (20-28, 31-37), Columbia (28-30), and Capitol. He produced more than 600 recordings and provided music for six Broadway shows. He launched the career of Bing Crosby, who sang with the orchestra from 1925 to 1930.

Song(s):
Paul Whiteman: Top 100 Songs
Whispering (1920)
The Japanese Sandman (1920)
Wang Wang Blues (1920)
My Mammy (1921)
Say It with Music (1921)
Song of India (1921)
Stumbling (1922)
Hot Lips (He's Got Hot Lips When He Plays Jazz) (1922)
Three O’Clock in the Morning (1922)
I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise (1922)
Do It Again (1922)
Parade of the Wooden Soldiers (1923)
Bambalina (1923)
What'll I Do? (1924)
Rhapsody in Blue (1924) – see George Gershwin
Somebody Loves Me (1924)
Linger Awhile (1924)
Limehouse Blues (1924)
Oh, Lady Be Good (1925)
All Alone (1925)
The Birth of the Blues (with Jack Fulton, Charles Gaylord, & Austin Young, 1926)
Valencia (A Song of Spain) (with Franklyn Baur, 1926)
Side by Side (with the Rhythm Boys, 1927)
In a Little Spanish Town (with Jack Fulton, 1927)
My Blue Heaven (1927)
Among My Souvenirs (with Jack Fulton, Charles Gaylord, & Austin Young, 1928)
My Heart Stood Still (with Al Rinker, Jack Fulton, Charles Gaylor, & Austin Young, 1928)
Together (with Jack Fulton, 1928)
My Angel (Angela Mia) (1928)
Lover, Come Back to Me (with Jack Fulton, 1929)
Without a Song (with Bing Crosby, 1929)
Great Day (with Bing Crosby, 1929)
Body and Soul (1930)
Grand Canyon Suite (1931)
Willow Weep for Me (with Irene Taylor, 1932)
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (with Bob Lawrence, 1933)
Lover (with Jack Fulton, 1933)
You’re the Top (with Peggy Healy, 1934)
Anything Goes (1934)
My Romance (1936)

Album(s):
Masterpieces (compilation: 1920-27, released 2015)

The DMDB Blog:
Best-of List: Bing Crosby’s First Trip to #1 – and Paul Whiteman’s Top 100 Songs (3/31/12)

White Reaper

Song(s):
Might Be Right (2019)

Whitesnake

Hard-rock group (1977-90, 97, 06-). Members: David Coverdale (v), Roger Glover (b: 77), Jon Lord (k: 78-84), and Ian Paice (d: 79-81), Mick Moody (g: 77-83), Deslie Harper (b: 77), Tim Hinkley (k: 77), Simon Phillips (d: 77), Ron Aspery (sax: 77), Bernie Marsden (g: 78-81), Neil Murray (b: 78-81), Brian Johnson (k: 78, 84-85), David Dowell (d: 78-79), Pete Solley (k: 78), Mel Galley (g: 82-85), Colin "Bomber" Hodgkinson (b: 82-84), Cozy Powell (d: 82-85), John Sykes (g: 84-88), Vivian Campbell (g: 87-88), Steve Vai (g: 89-90), Adrian Vandenberg (g: 89-90), Rudy Sarzo (b: 89-90), Aynsley Dunbar (d: 89-90), Tommy Aldridge (d: 89-90). Coverdale, Glover, Lord, & Paice were in Deep Purple.

Song(s):
Here I Go Again (1987)
Still of the Night (1987)
Is This Love (1987)

The White Stripes

One of the most important bands in the early 21st century. Helmed a garage rock revival. Active: 1997-2011 Members: Jack White (v/g/k) and Meg White (d)

Song(s):
Hotel Yorba (2001)
Fell in Love with a Girl (2002)
Seven Nation Army (2003)

Album(s):
The White Stripes (1999)
De Stijl (2000)
White Blood Cells (2001)
Elephant (2003)
Get Behind Me Satan (2005)
Icky Thump (2007)

Verdine White

David Whitfield

Song(s):
Cara Mia (1954) – see Mantovani

Norman Whitfield

R&B songwriter and producer born 5/12/1940 in Harlem, NY. Died 9/16/2008. Best known for his work with Motown acts such as The Temptations and Gladys Knight & the Pips.

Song(s) written by Norman Whitfield with Barrett Strong:
Ain't Too Proud to Beg (1966) – see the Temptations
I Heard It Through the Grapevine (1968) – see Marvin Gaye
War (1970) – see Edwin Starr
Just My Imagination Running Away with Me (1971) – see the Temptations
Papa Was a Rollin' Stone (1972) – see the Temptations

Margaret Whiting

Country musician born 7/22/1944 in Detroit, Michigan. Died 1/10/2011.

Song(s):
Come Rain or Come Shine (with the Paul Weston Orchestra, 1946)
A Tree in the Meadow (1948)
Slipping Around (with Jimmy Wakely, 1949)
Baby, It’s Cold Outside (1949) – see Johnny Mercer

Richard Whiting

Slim Whitman

Country singer born Otis Dewey Whitman, Jr. on 1/20/1923 in Tampa, FL. Died 6/19/2013.

Song(s):
Rose Marie (1955)

Roger Whittaker

Song(s):
The Last Farewell (1975)

The Who

DMDB Profile page

Rock group formed in London. Developed stage antics of destroying their instruments. 1969 rock opera album Tommy became a movie in 1975. 1973 rock opera album Quadrophenia became a movie in 1979. The Who’s biographical movie The Kids Are Alright was released in 1979. Eleven fans trampled to death at 12/3/79 Cincinnati concert. Regrouped at "Live Aid" in 1986 and reunited again in 1989 for a 25th anniversary tour. Reunion tours in 1996, 1997, and 2002 also. Daltrey, Townshend, & Entwistle were all in The Detours together and then Moon joined them and they became The Who; briefly changing their name to The High Numbers before reverting back to The Who.

Active: 1964-82, 1989, 1996-97, 2002, 2006- Members: Roger Daltrey (v: 64-82, 89, 06-), Pete Townshend (g/v: 64-82, 89, 06-), John Entwistle (b/v: 64-82, 89), Keith Moon (d: 64-78), Kenney Jones (d: 78-82, 89), Zak Starkey (d: 06), Pino Palladino (b: 06), John "Rabbit" Bundrick (k: 06), Simon Townshend (backing v: 06)

Song(s):
The Who: Top 100 Songs
My Generation (1965)
I Can’t Explain (1965)
The Kids Are Alright (1965)
Substitute (1966)
I Can See for Miles (1967)
Magic Bus (1968)
Pinball Wizard (1969)
See Me, Feel Me (1969)
Go to the Mirror Boy (1969)
Won’t Get Fooled Again (1971)
Baba O’Riley (1971)
Behind Blue Eyes (1971)
Love Reign O’er Me (1973)
Who Are You? (1978)
All This Music Must Fade (2019)

Album(s):
The Who: Studio Albums Ranked
My Generation (1965)
A Quick One (1966)
Sell Out (1967)
Tommy (1969)
Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy (compilation: 1964-70, released 1971)
Live at Leeds (live, 1970)
Who’s Next (1971)
Quadrophenia (1973)
By Numbers (1975)
Who Are You (1978)
Hooligans (compilation: 1965-78, released 1981)
Greatest Hits (compilation: 1965-78, released 1983)
Face Dances (1981)
Who’s Better Who’s Best (compilation: 1954-81, released 1988)
My Generation: The Very Best of (compilation: 1965-81, released 1996)
It’s Hard (1982)
The Ultimate Collection (compilation: 1964-82, released 2002)
Who’s Last (live, 1984)
30 Years of Maximum R&B (box: 1964-91, released 1994)
Lifehouse (2000) – see Pete Townshend
Then & Now (compilation: 1964-2003, released 2004)
Endless Wire (2006)
Greatest Hits (compilation: 1964-2006, released 2009)
Hits 50! (compilation: 1964-2014, released 2014)
Who

The DMDB Blog/Facebook Note(s):
Now Presenting the Half Time Show Starring the Theme Songs of CSI (2/8/10)

Richard Wilbur

Album(s):
Candide (cast: 1956) – see Leonard Bernstein

Wilco

Album(s):
Being There (1996)
Mermaid Avenue (with Billy Bragg, 1998)
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002)

Wild Cherry

Song(s):
Play That Funky Music (1976)

Kim Wilde

Song(s):
Kids in America (1981)

Alec Wilder

Gene Wilder

Song(s):
Puttin’ on the Ritz (with Peter Boyle, 1974)

The Wildhearts

Album(s):
Earth Vs. the Wildhearts (1993)

Geeshie Wiley

Song(s):
Last Kind Word Blues

Peter J. Wilhousky

Song(s) written by Wilhousky with M. Leontovich:
Carol of the Bells (1919)

Leon Wilkeson

Will.i.am

Rap singer with Black Eyed Peas. Born William James Adams on 3/15/1975 in Los Angeles, CA.

Song(s):
OMG (2010) – see Usher
Hall of Fame (2012) – see The Script

Willy William

Song(s):
Mi Gente (2017) – see J. Balvin

Andy Williams

Adult contemporary singer born Howard Andrew Williams on 12/3/1927 in Walt Lake, IA. Died 9/25/2012.

Song(s):
Moon River (1962)
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (1963)

Album(s):
Moon River & Other Great Movie Themes (1962)
Days of Wine and Roses (1963)

Bert Williams

Vaudeville entertainer born Egbert Austin Williams in Nassau, Bahamas on 11/12/1875. Died 3/4/1922. Preeminent entertainer and comedian of the Vaudeville era and the best-selling black recording artist before 1920.

Song(s):
Good Morning, Carrie (with George Walker, 1902)
Nobody (1906)
He’s a Cousin of Mine (1907)
Play That Barber-Shop Chord (1910)

Evan Williams

Because (1910)

Big Joe Williams

Blues singer born Joseph Lee Williams on 10/16/1903 in Crawford, Mississippi. Died 12/17/1982.

Song(s):
Baby Please Don’t Go (1935)
Highway 49 (1935)

Album(s):
Piney Woods Blues (1958)

The Williams Brothers

Twin brothers Andrew and David Williams born February 22, 1959 in Henderson, Nevada. Nephews of singer Andy Williams. Sister Victoria is also a musician. First recorded as teen idols in the early 1970s.

Song(s):
Can’t Cry Hard Enough (1991)
It’s a Wonderful Life (1991)
Miss This World (1991)

Album(s):
Two Stories (1987)
The Williams Brothers (1991)
Harmony Hotel (1993)

The Williams Brothers Quartet

Song(s):
Swinging on a Star (1944) – see Bing Crosby

Christopher Williams

Song(s):
I’m Dreamin’ (1991)

Clarence Williams

Song(s):
Wild Cat Blues (1923)

Cliff Williams

Don Williams

Country singer/songwriter ("I Believe in You") born 5/27/1939 in Floydada, TX. Died 9/8/2017.

Album(s):
I Believe in You (1981)

Hank Williams

Country singer/songwriter and guitarist born Hiram King Williams on 9/17/1923 in Mount Olive, AL. Died from alcohol/drug abuse on 1/1/1953. Hosted own radio show on WSFA in Montgomery; billed as "The Singing Kid." Formed his own band, The Drifting Cowboys, as a teenager. Married Audrey Sheppard in 1944; their son is country singer Hank Williams, Jr. First recorded for Sterling in 1946. Regular on the Louisiana Hayride from 1948-49; with the Grand Ole Opry from 1949-52. In 1952, he divorced Audrey, was fired from the Opry in August, and married Billie Jean Jones Eshlimar, who later married Johnny Horton. Also recorded as Luke the Drifter.

Song(s):
Move It on Over (1947)
Honky Tonkin’ (1948)
Lovesick Blues (1949)
I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry (1949)
Cold, Cold Heart (1951)
Hey, Good Lookin’ (1951)
Jambalaya on the Bayou (1952)
Your Cheatin’ Heart (1953)

Album(s):
40 Greatest Hits (compilation: 1947-53, released 1978)
Turn Back the Years: The Essential Collection (box: 1947-53)

The DMDB Blog:
Hank Williams charts for the first time: August 9, 1947 (8/9/11)

Hank Williams, Jr.

Country singer ("All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down," "Are You Ready for Some Football? (Theme from Monday Night Football)") born Randall Hank Williams on 5/26/1949 in Shreveport, LA. Son of singer Hank Williams.

Song(s):
All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight (1984)

Album(s):
Born to Boogie (1987)

J. Mayo Williams

Jody Williams

Joe Williams

Song(s):
Everyday I Have the Blues (1955) – see Count Basie

John Williams

Classical/film score composer born John Towner Williams on 2/8/1932 in Floral Park, NY.

Song(s):
Star Wars (Main Title) (1977)

Album(s):
Star Wars IV: A New Hope (soundtrack, 1977)

Larry Williams

Song(s):
Bony Maronie (1957)

Lucinda Williams

Song(s):
Pineola (1992)
Car Wheels on a Gravel Road (1998)
Righteously (2003)

Album(s):
Lucinda Williams (1988)
Car Wheels on a Gravel Road (mixing by Rick Rubin, 1998)

Marion Williams

Song(s):
Packing Up (1958)

Mary Lou Williams

Jazz pianist, composer, and arranger born Mary Elfrieda Scruggs on 5/8/1910 in Atlanta, GA. Died 5/28/1981.

Song(s):
Night Life (1930)

Album(s):
Zodiac Suite: Town Hall Concert (1945)

Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs

Song(s):
Stay (1960)

Paul Williams

Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams

Pharrell Williams

R&B/pop singer born Pharrell Lanscilo Williams on 4/5/1973 in Virginia Beach, VA.

Half of The Neptunes production team.

Song(s):
Drop It Like It’s Hot (2004) – see Snoop Dogg
Money Maker (2006) – see Ludacris
Blurred Lines (2013) – see Robin Thicke
Get Lucky (2013) – see Daft Punk
Happy (2013)

Album(s):
GIRL (2014)

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Classical composer born 10/12/1872 in Down Ampney, Gloucestershire, England. Died 8/26/1958.

Robbie Williams

Pop singer born Robert Peter Williams on 2/13/1974 in Stoke-on-Tent, Staffordshire, England. Started out with boy band Take That before becoming hugely successful international solo star.

Song(s):
Angels (1997)
Strong (1998)
She’s the One (1999)
Rock DJ (2000)

Album(s):
Life Thru a Lens (1997)
I’ve Been Expecting You (1998)
Greatest Hits (compilation: 1997-2004, released 2004)

Robert “Pete" Williams

Album(s):
Angola Prisoners’ Blues (Robert Pete Williams et al, 1959)

Roger Williams

Pianist born Louis Jacob Weertz on 10/1/1924 in Omaha, NE. Died 10/8/2011.

Song(s):
Autumn Leaves (1955)
Born Free (1966)

Spencer Williams

Tex Williams

Song(s):
Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! That Cigarette (1947)

Tony Williams

Jazz drummer born Anthony Tillmon Williams on 12/12/1945 in Chicago, IL. Died 2/23/1997.

Vanessa Williams

R&B singer and actress who was a former Miss America. Born Vanessa Lynn Williams on 3/18/1963 in Chappaqua, NY.

Song(s):
Save the Best for Last (1992)
Colors of the Wind (1995)

Sonny Boy Williamson #1

Blues singer born John Lee Williamson on 3/30/1914 in Jackson, TN. Died 6/1/1948.

Song(s):
Good Morning Little School Girl (1937)

Sonny Boy Williamson #2

Blues musician born Aleck Ford on 12/5/1899 in Tallahatchie County. Died 5/25/1965. Also known as Rice Miller and Aleck Miller.

Song(s):
Eyesight to the Blind (1951)
Help Me (1963)

Album(s):
Down and Out Blues (1959)

Allee Willis

Chuck Willis

Song(s):
It’s Too Late (1956)
C.C. Rider (1957)

Wallace Willis

Song(s) written by Willis:
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (arranged by Henry Thacker Burleigh, 1873)
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (1910) – see Fisk University Jubilee Quartet
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (1926) – see Paul Robeson

The Willows

Song(s):
Church Bells May Ring (1956)

Bob Wills (& His Texas Playboys)

Country songwriter and bandleader born James Robert Wills on 3/6/1905 in Limestone, TX. Died 5/13/1975. Called "The King of Western Swing."

Song(s):
Steel Guitar Rag (1936)
San Antonio Rose (1939)
New San Antonio Rose (1940)
Faded Love (1950)
Take Me Back to Tulsa (year?)

Meredith Willson

Musical theater songwriter born Robert Meredith Reiniger on 5/18/1902. Died 6/15/1984

Song(s):
Seventy Six Trombones (Robert Preston, from The Music Man, 1957)
Till There Was You (Anita Bryant, from The Music Man, 1959)

Album(s):
The Music Man (cast: 1957)
The Music Man (soundtrack: 1962)

Ann Wilson

Rock singer/songwriter born 6/19/1950 in San Diego, CA. Formed band Heart with sister Nancy Wilson in 1967.

B.J. Wilson

Brian Wilson

Singer/songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist born Brian Douglas Wilson on 6/20/1942 in Ingelwood, CA. With the Beach Boys (61-85, 96). His daughters, Carnie and Wendy, were in the pop group Wilson Phillips.

Album(s):
Smile (2004)
Reimagines Gershwin (2010)

Charlie Wilson

Dooley Wilson

Song(s):
As Time Goes By (1942)

Eileen Wilson

Song(s):
My Foolish Heart (1950) – see Gordon Jenkins

Gretchen Wilson

Album(s):
Here for the Party (2004)

Jackie Wilson

R&B singer born Jack Leroy Wilson, Jr. on 6/9/1934 in Detroit, Michigan. Died 1/21/1984. Had success with the Dominoes (53-57) before embarking on a solo career.

Song(s):
Lonely Teardrops (1958)
Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher (1967)

Nancy Wilson

Jazz singer born 2/20/1937 in Chillicothe, OH.

Song(s):
How Glad I Am (1964)

Nancy Wilson

Rock guitarist and singer born 3/16/1954 in San Francisco, CA. Formed band Heart with sister Ann Wilson in 1967.

Teddy Wilson

Jazz/big band leader and pianist born Theodore Shaw Wilson on 11/24/1912 in Austin, TX. Died 7/31/1986.

Song(s):
Sweet Lorraine (1935)

Wilson Phillips

Song(s):
Hold On (1990)
Release Me (1990)
Wilson Phillips (1990)

Bebe & Cece Winans

Song(s):
Addictive Love (1991)

Amy Winehouse

Links: - official site - Facebook - Wikipedia - All Music Guide

British blue-eyed soul singer with well-publicized battles with substance abuse. Born Amy Jade Winehouse on 9/14/1983 in London, England. Died 7/23/2011.

Song(s):
Rehab (2006)

Album(s):
Frank (2003)
Back to Black (2006)

The DMDB Blog:
Amy Winehouse Dead at 27 (7/23/11)

Winger

Song(s):
Seventeen (1988)
Headed for a Heartbreak (1988)
Miles Away (1990)

Wings

– see Paul McCartney

Septimus “Sep” Winner

Song(s) written by Winner:
Listen to the Mocking Bird (aka “The Mocking Bird”) (words: Winner as Alice Hawthorne, music: Richard Milburn; 1856)
O Where, O Where Has My Little Dog Gone (1864)
Listen to the Mocking Bird (aka “The Mocking Bird”) (1891) – see John Yorke Atlee
Listen to the Mocking Bird (aka “The Mocking Bird”) (1899) – see Joe Belmont
Listen to the Mocking Bird (aka “The Mocking Bird”) (1904) – see Frank Stanley
Listen to the Mocking Bird (aka “The Mocking Bird”) (1916) – see Alma Gluck

George Winston

Album(s):
December (1983)

The Winstons

Song(s):
Color Him Father (1969)

Edgar Winter Group

Song(s):
Frankenstein (1972)
Free Ride (1973)

Johnny Winter

Blues guitarist born John Dawson Winter III on 2/23/1944 in Beaumont, TX. Died 7/16/2014.

Album(s):
The Progressive Blues Experiment (1968)

Hugo Winterhalter

Song(s):
Canadian Sunset (1956)

Steve Winwood

Links: DMDB page - official site - Facebook - Wikipedia

Rock singer/songwriter and keyboardist born Stephen Lawrence Winwood on 5/12/1948 in Handsworth, Birmingham, England. With the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, and Blind Faith ("Can’t Find My Way Home"). Also a solo artist ("While You See a Chance").

Song(s):
Gimme Some Lovin’ (1966) – see Spencer Davis Group
Dear Mr. Fantasy (1967) – see Traffic
Can’t Find My Way Home (1969) – see Blind Faith
Valerie (1982)
Higher Love (1986)
Roll with It (1988)

Album(s):
Mr. Fantasy (1967) – see Traffic
Heaven Is in Your Mind (1968) – see Traffic
Blind Faith (1969) – see Blind Faith
John Barleycorn Must Die (1970) – see Traffic
The Finer Things (box: 1964-90, released 1995)

Wire

Song(s):
12 X U (1977)

Album(s):
Pink Flag (1977)

Nicky Wire

Mac Wiseman

Wisin y Yandel

Bill Withers

R&B singer/songwriter born William Harrison Withers, Jr. on 7/4/1938 in Slab Fork, WV.

Song(s):
Ain't No Sunshine (1971)
Lean on Me (1972)
Use Me (1972)
Lovely Day (1977)
Just the Two of Us (with Grover Washington, Jr., 1981)

Album(s):
Still Bill (1972)

Jimmy Witherspoon

R&B/blues singer born James Witherspoon on 8/8/1923 in Gurdon, AR. Died 8/18/1997.

Scott Wittman

Song(s):
You Can’t Stop the Beat (performed by Hairspray Cast, from Hairspray cast: 2002, soundtrack: 2007) – see Marc Shaiman

Album(s):
Hairspray (cast: 2003) – see Marc Shaiman

The Wizard of Oz Ensemble

Song(s):
Ding! Dong! The Witch Is Dead (1939)

Wiz Khalifa

Song(s):
Black and Yellow (2010)
Payphone (2012) – see Maroon 5
See You Again (with Charlie Puth, 2015)

Wizzard

Song(s):
I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday (1973)

Jah Wobble

Judd Woldin

Albums(s):
Raisin (composed with Robert Brittan, cast: 1973)

Wolf Alice

Album(s):
Visions of a Life (2017)

Wolfman

Song(s):
For Lovers (with Pete Doherty, 2004)

Chris Wolstenholme

Bobby Womack

R&B singer/songwriter ("It’s All Over Now") born Robert Dwayne Womack on 3/4/1944 in Cleveland, OH. Died 6/27/2014.

Album(s):
The Poet II (1984)
The Bravest Man in the Universe (2012)

Lee Ann Womack

Country singer/songwriter born 8/19/1966 in Jacksonville, TX.

Song(s):
I Hope You Dance (with Sons of the Desert, 2000)

Album(s):
There’s More Where That Came From (2005)

Stevie Wonder

Check out DMDB actpage here.

R&B singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer born Stevland Hardaway Morris né Judkins on 5/13/1950 in Saginaw, Michigan. He was a child prodigy who was blind since shortly after his birth. He signed with Motown at age 11; initially doing backup work. He started recording in 1962 as "Little Stevie Wonder" and became the youngest artist (age 13) to top the Billboard Hot 100 with "Fingertips."

Married to Syreeta Wright from 1970-72. When he turned 21, he reworked his Motown contract for more artistic freedom. Near-fatal auto accident on 8/16/73. He has won 25 Grammys, the most ever by a solo artist.

Song(s):
Stevie Wonder: Top 100 Songs
Fingertips (Part 2) (1963)
Uptight (Everything’s Alright) (1965)
I Was Made to Love Her (1967)
Someday at Christmas (1967)
What Christmas Means to Me (1967)
For Once in My Life (1968)
My Cherie Amour (1969)
Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) (1970)
Superstition (1972)
You Are the Sunshine of My Life (1973)
Living for the City (1973)
Higher Ground (1973)
You Haven’t Done Nothin’ (1974)
I Wish (1976)
Sir Duke (1976)
Master Blaster (Jammin’) (1980)
Ebony and Ivory (1982) – see Paul McCartney
Used to Be (1982) – see Charlene
I Just Called to Say I Love You (1984)
Part-Time Lover (1985)
That's What Friends Are For (1985) – see Dionne Warwick
For Your Love (1995)
How Come, How Long (1996) – see Babyface
True to Your Heart (with 98 Degrees, from Mulan, 1998)

Album(s):
The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie (1962)
A Tribute to Uncle Ray (1962)
The 12 Year Old Genius Recorded Live (live, 1963)
With a Song in My Heart (1963)
Stevie at the Beach (1964)
Uptight, Everything’s Alright (1966)
Down to Earth (1966)
I Was Made to Love Her (1967)
Someday at Christmas (Christmas, 1967)
Greatest Hits (compilation: 1963-67, released 1968)
Eivits Rednow (1968)
For Once in My Life (1968)
My Cherie Amour (1969)
Signed, Sealed, & Delivered (1970)
Where I’m Coming From (1971)
Greatest Hits Volume 2 (compilation: 1967-71, released 1971)
Looking Back (compilation: 1962-71, released 1977)
Music of My Mind (1972)
Talking Book (1972)
Innervisions (1973)
Fulfillingness’ First Finale (1974)
Songs in the Key of Life (1976)
Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants (1979)
Hotter Than July (1980)
Musiquarium (compilation: 1971-82, released 1982)
The Woman in Red (soundtrack, 1984)
In Square Circle (1985)
Characters (1987)
Jungle Fever (soundtrack, 1991)
Conversation Peace (1995)
Song Review: A Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1965-96, released 1996)
At the Close of a Century (box: 1962-97, released 1999)
The Definitive Collection (compilation: 1962-98, released 2002)
A Time to Love (2005)
#1’s (compilation: 1962-2005, released 2007)

Donna Wood

Song(s):
I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire (1941) – see Horace Heidt

Ronnie Wood

Rock musician born Ronald David Wood on 6/1/1947 in Hillingdon, Middlesex, England. With The Birds (g: 64), The Creation, the Jeff Beck Group (b: 67-69), The Faces (b: 69-73), solo (74-), The Rolling Stones (75-).

Harry M. Woods

Ilene Woods

Song(s):
A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes (from Cinderella, 1950)
Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo (from Cinderella, 1950)
So This Is Love (from Cinderella, 1950)

Ren Woods & Ensemble

Song(s):
Aquarius (1979)

Sheb Wooley

Song(s):
The Purple People Eater (1958)

Eric Woolfson

Scottish singer/songwriter, musician born 3/18/1945. Died 12/2/2009. Co-founder of the Alan Parsons Project.

Album(s):
Freudiana (1990)
The Alan Parsons Project That Never Was (2009)
Edgar Allan Poe: A Musical (2009)

The DMDB Blog:
Farewell, Eric Woolfson (12/3/09), also on Facebook.

Victor Wooten

Henry C. Work

John W. Work III

John Wesley Work Jr.

Song(s) written by Work:
Go Tell It on the Mountain (1865)

World Famous Supreme Team

Song(s):
Hey DJ (1984)

Link Wray (& His Ray Men)

Singer/songwriter and guitarist born Fred Lincoln Wray, Jr. on 5/2/1929 in Dunn, NC. Died 11/5/2005.

Song(s):
Rumble (1958)

The Wrecking Crew

Wreckx-N-Effect

Song(s):
New Jack Swing (1989)

Betty Wright

Song(s):
Clean Up Woman (1971)
Where Is the Love (1975)

Edythe Wright

Song(s):
The Music Goes 'Round and 'Round (1935) – see Tommy Dorsey
Music, Maestro, Please (1938) – see Tommy Dorsey

Frank Edwin "Tré Cool" Wright III

Gary Wright

Song(s):
Dream Weaver (1975)
Love Is Alive (1975)

Richard Wright

Rock keyboardist and songwriter with Pink Floyd. Born Richard William Wright on 7/28/1945 in Hatch End, London, England. Died 9/15/2008.

Richard Wright

Broadway composer.

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

Samuel E. Wright

Song(s):
Under the Sea (from The Little Mermaid, 1989)
Kiss the Girl (from The Little Mermaid, 1989)

Stevie Wright

Song(s):
Evie (1974)

Allie Wrubel

Wu-Tang Clan

Song(s):
C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me) (1994)

Album(s):
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993)
Wu-Tang Forever (1997)

Robert Wyatt

Song(s):
Shipbuilding (1982)

Album(s):
Rock Bottom (1974)

Zakk Wylde

Bill Wyman

Rock bassist born 10/24/1936 in London. With the Rolling Stones (63-92), Wille and the Poorboys (85).

Tammy Wynette

Country singer born Virginia Wynette Pugh on 5/5/1942 in Tremont, Mississippi. Married to George Jones from 1969-75. Died 4/6/1998.

Song(s):
Stand by Your Man (1968)
D-I-V-O-R-C-E (1968)

Album(s):
D-I-V-O-R-C-E (1968)
Stand by Your Man (1969)

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.

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.

X

Song(s):
Johnny Hit and Run Paulene (1980)
Los Angeles (1980)

Album(s):
Los Angeles (1980)

X Ambassadors

Song(s):
Renegades (2015)

X-Ray Spex

Song(s):
Oh Bondage! Up Yours (1977)

Album(s):
Germ-Free Adolescents (1978)

Xscape

Female R&B group from Atlanta, GA. Formed in 1992. Members: Kandi Burruss, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle, LaTocha Scott, Tamera Coggins-Wynn, and Tamika Scott. Had top-10 po hits with “Just Kickin’ It,” “Understanding,” “Who Can I Run To,” “The Arms of the One Who Loves You,” and “My Little Secret.”

XTC

Song(s):
Dear God (1987)

Album(s):
Drums and Wires (1979)
Skylarking (1986)
Oranges and Lemons (1989)

The xx

Song(s):
I Dare You (2017)

Album(s):
XX (2009)

XXXtentacion

Song(s):
Jocelyn Flores (2017)
Sad! (2018)
Moonlight (2018) Album(s):
17 (2017)

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.