Album(s):
Calcutta! (1961)
Born: John William Weller on 5/27/1958 Died:
English alternative rock singer/songwriter and guitarist 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)
Born: Amos Wells Blakemore, Jr. on 12/9/1934 in Memphis, TN Died: 1/15/1998
American blues singer and harmonica player.
Album(s):
Hoodoo Man Blues (1965)
Blues Hit Big Town (1977)
It’s My Life, Baby! (year?)
Born: 8/30/1919 Died:
Country singer.
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
Pete Wentz
Born: 10/11/1932 Died: 9/4/1991
American country singer.
Born: 6/8/1977 Died:
Rap singer and producer.
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)
Run This Town (2009) - see Jay-Z
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
Album(s):
The College Dropout (2004)
Late Registration (2005)
Graduation (2007)
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)
Yeezus (2013)
Paul Westerberg
Cliff Weston
Song(s):
Alone (1936) – see Tommy Dorsey
Kim Weston
Born: Paul Westein on 3/12/1912 Died: 9/20/1996
American jazz/big band leader.
Song(s):
Dream (with the Pied Pipers, w. Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen, 1945)
Born: 6/12/1949 in Willington, Derbyshire, England Died: 1/31/2017
About: Rock singer and bassist in King Crimson (b/v: 73-75) and Asia (v: 81-90, 07-17).
Wet Wet Wet
Song(s):
Love Is All Around (1994)
Born: Gerald Wexler on 1/10/1917 in the Bronx in New York City, NY Died: 8/15/2008
American R&B producer who 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!
Song(s):
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (1984)
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
Whigfield
Song(s):
Saturday Night (1994)
The Whispers
Alan White
Born: 9/12/1944 Died: 7/4/2003
R&B singer.
Song(s):
You’re the First, the Last, My Everything (1974)
Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe (1974)
Album(s):
Ultimate Collection (compilation, 1988)
Born: Booker T. Washington White on 11/12/1909 in Houston, MI Died:
American blues guitarist and singer.
Song(s):
Fixin’ to Die (1940)
Album(s):
Parchman Farm (year?)
Born: 7/9/1975 Died:
American rock singer and guitarist 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)
Born: 12/19/1941 in Memphis, TN Died: 2/3/2016
About: Founder of Earth, Wind & Fire. Chicago-bred singer/songwriter/producer/percussionist/kalimba player. Session drummer for Chess records; Ramsey Lewis Trio; Salty Peppers.
Born: 3/28/1890 in Denver, CO Died: 12/29/1967
The most popular bandleader of the pre-swing era. Played violin and viola in the Denver & San Francisco Symphony Orchestras before forming his band in 1919 featuring Henry Busse (trumpet) and Frede Grofe (piano/arranger). Almost immediately after the blocbuster debut hit “Whispering,” the Whiteman band became the dominant force in American popular recording, with a staggering profusion of hits. Whiteman’s historic premiere of George Gershwin’s classic “Rhapsody in Blue,” his late-’20s addition of Bix Beiderbecke and other jazz greats, and his introduction to America of Bing Crosby, solidified his stature in popular music history.
Song(s):
Whispering (1920)
The Japanese Sandman (1920)
Wang-Wang Blues (1920)
My Mammy (1921)
Say It with Music (1921)
Stumbling (1922)
Hot Lips (He's Got Hot Lips When He Plays Jazz) (1922)
Three O'Clock in the Morning (1922)
What'll I Do? (w. Irving Berlin, 1924)
Rhapsody in Blue (1924) – see George Gershwin
Somebody Loves Me (w. George Gershwin, 1924)
Linger Awhile (1924)
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)
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)
Lover, Come Back to Me (with Jack Fulton, 1929)
Without a Song (with Bing Crosby, 1929)
Great Day (with Bing Crosby, 1929)
Grand Canyon Suite (1931)
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (with Bob Lawrence, w. Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach, 1933)
Lover (with Jack Fulton, 1933)
You’re the Top (w. Cole Porter, 1934)
Anything Goes (w. Cole Porter, 1934)
The DMDB Blog:
Best-of List: Bing Crosby’s First Trip to #1 – and Paul Whiteman’s Top 100 Songs (3/31/12)
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.
About: 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):
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
Born: 5/12/1940 Died: 9/16/2008
American R&B songwriter and producer best known for his work with Motown.
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
Born: 7/22/1924 Died:
Country musician.
Song(s):
Come Rain or Come Shine (1946)
A Tree in the Meadow (1948)
Slipping Around (with Jimmy Wakely, 1949)
Baby, It’s Cold Outside (1949) – see Johnny Mercer
Richard Whiting
Born: 1/20/1924
Country singer.
Song(s):
Rose Marie (1955)
Roger Whittaker
Song(s):
The Last Farewell (1975)
Links:
DMDB page
- official site
- Facebook
- Wikipedia
About: 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):
I Can’t Explain (1965)
My Generation (1965)
Substitute (1966)
Pinball Wizard (1969)
Go to the Mirror Boy (1969)
Won't Get Fooled Again (1971)
Baba O'Riley (1971)
Behind Blue Eyes (1971)
Who Are You? (1978)
Album(s):
My Generation (1965)
A Quick One (1966)
Sell Out (1967)
Tommy (1969)
Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy (compilation: 1965-70)
Live at Leeds (1970) live
Who’s Next (1971)
Quadrophenia (1973)
By Numbers (1975)
Who Are You (1978)
Face Dances (1981)
It’s Hard (1982)
Endless Wire (2006)
The DMDB Blog/Facebook Note(s):
Best-of List: The Who: The Good, the Bad…and Their Top 30 Songs (6/27/12)
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 and Stephen Sondheim
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)
Alec Wilder
The Wildhearts
Album(s):
Earth Vs. the Wildhearts (1993)
Geeshie Wiley
Song(s):
Last Kind Word Blues
Leon Wilkeson
Born: 3/15/1975 Died:
Rap singer with Black Eyed Peas.
Song(s):
OMG (2010) – see Usher
Scream & Shout (with Britney Spears, 2012)
Born: 12/3/1927 Died: 9/25/2012
Adult contemporary singer.
Album(s):
Moon River & Other Great Movie Themes (1962)
Days of Wine and Roses (1963)
Born: Egbert Austin Williams in the 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)
When It’s All Goin’ Out and Nothin’ Comin’ In (1902)
Nobody (1906)
He’s a Cousin of Mine (1907)
Play That Barber-Shop Chord (1910)
Born: 10/16/1903 in Crawford, MI Died: 12/17/1982
American blues singer.
Song(s):
Baby Please Don’t Go (1941)
Album(s):
Piney Woods Blues (1958)
The Williams Brothers
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
Clarence Williams
Song(s):
Wild Cat Blues (1923)
Cliff Williams
Born: 5/27/1939 Died:
American country singer/songwriter (“I Believe in You”).
Born: Hiram King Williams on 9/17/23 in Mount Olive, Alabama Died: alcohol/drug abuse on 1/1/1953
Country singer/songwriter and guitarist. 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, 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):
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)
Turn Back the Years: The Essential Collection (1947-53) box
The DMDB Blog:
Hank Williams charts for the first time: August 9, 1947 (8/9/11)
Born: 5/26/1949 Died:
American country singer (“All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down”, “Are You Ready for Some Football? (Theme from Monday Night Football)”). Son of singer Hank Williams.
Song(s):
All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight (1984)
J. Mayo Williams
Joe Williams
Song(s):
Everyday I Have the Blues (1955) – see Count Basie
Born: 2/8/1932
Classical/film score composer.
Album(s):
Star Wars (soundtrack, 1977)
Larry Williams
Song(s):
Bony Maronie (year?)
Lucinda Williams
Song(s):
Pineola (1992)
Car Wheels on a Gravel Road (1998)
Album(s):
Lucinda Williams (1988)
Car Wheels on a Gravel Road (mixing by Rick Rubin, 1998)
Marion Williams
Song(s):
Packing Up (year?)
Born: 5/8/1910 Died: 5/28/1981
American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger.
Song(s):
Night Life (1930)
Paul Williams
Paul “Hucklebuck” Williams
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)
Ralph Vaughan Williams
About: Classical composer.
Born: 2/13/1974
British pop singer who started out with boy band Take That before becoming hugely successful international solo star.
Song(s):
Angels (1997)
She’s the One (1999)
Rock DJ (2000)
Album(s):
Life Thru a Lens (1997)
I’ve Been Expecting You (1998)
Greatest Hits (compilation, 2004)
Album(s):
Angola Prisoners’ Blues (Robert Pete Williams et al, 1959)
Born: Louis Weertz on 10/1/1924 Died:
American pop pianist.
Song(s):
Autumn Leaves (1955)
Born Free (1966)
Spencer Williams
Tex Williams
Song(s):
Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! That Cigarette (1947)
Born: 12/12/1945 Died: 2/23/1997
American jazz drummer.
Born: 3/18/1963 Died:
R&B singer and actress who was a former Miss America.
Song(s):
Save the Best for Last (1992)
Born: John Lee Williamson on 3/30/1914 in Jackson, TN Died: 6/1/1948
American blues singer.
Song(s):
Good Morning Little School Girl (1937)
Born: 12/5/1899 Died: 5/25/1965
Blues musician.
Album(s):
Down and Out Blues (1959)
Chuck Willis
Song(s):
C.C. Rider (1957)
Born: James Robert Wills on 3/6/1905 Died: 5/13/1975
American country songwriter and bandleader. 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?)
Born: Robert Meredith Reiniger on 5/18/1902 Died: 6/15/1984
Musical theater songwriter.
Album(s):
The Music Man (cast: 1957, soundtrack: 1962)
B.J. Wilson
Born: 6/20/1942 in Hawthorne, CA
About: Singer/songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist 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)
Dooley Wilson
Song(s):
As Time Goes By (1942)
Eileen Wilson
Song(s):
My Foolish Heart (1950) – see Gordon Jenkins
Born: 6/9/1934 Died: 1/21/1984
R&B singer who 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)
Born: 2/20/1937
Jazz singer.
Song(s):
How Glad I Am (1964)
Wilson Phillips
Song(s):
Hold On (1990)
Born: 11/24/1912 Died: 7/31/1986
Jazz/big band leader and pianist.
Bebe & Cece Winans
Song(s):
Addictive Love (1991)
Steve Winwood
