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Chad Wackerman
Born: Wilhelm Richard Wagner on 5/22/1813 in Germany Died: 2/13/1883
Classical composer and pianist.
Album(s):
Tristan Und Isolde (1865) opera
Der Ring Des Nibelungen (The Ring Cycle) (1848-1874) opera
Robert Wagner
Born: 8/12/1927 Died: 10/28/2007
Country singer.
Song(s):
Green, Green Grass of Home (1965)
Bean Wain
Song(s):
Deep Purple (with Larry Clinton, 1939)
Born: 12/7/1949 in Pamona, CA in the back of a taxicab Died: --
Gravelly-voiced monolgue song stylist/actor/songwriter/experimental rocker. 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)
Born: 2/16/1914 Died: 9/23/1982
American country singer.
Song(s):
Slipping Around (with Margaret Whiting, 1949)
Born: 6/1/1953 Died: --
American roots-rock singer/songwriter with the Rainmakers.
Album(s):
The Beginner (2003)
No Abandon (with Jeff Porter, 2009)
Born: 1/14/1929 Died: 5/21/2006
American country singer.
Cindy Walker
George Walker
Song(s):
Good Morning, Carrie (with Bert Williams, 1902)
Born: 6/14/1931 Died: 11/23/1995
American R&B singer.
Song(s):
Shotgun (1965)
Born: Aaron Walker on 5/28/1910 Died: 3/6/1975
American blues singer/songwriter, guitarist, and pianist.
Song(s):
Call It Stormy Monday (1948)
Album(s):
The Complete 1940-1954 (1954)
T-Bone Blues (1959)
Jo Walker-Meador
Born: 12/15/1928 Died: 5/5/2008
American country/pop singer.
Sippie Wallace
Born: Thomas Wright Waller on 5/21/1904 in New York City, NY Died: 12/15/1943
American jazz singer, composer, and musician. 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)
The Wallflowers
Song(s):
One Headlight (1996)
Van “Piano Man” Walls
Bruno Walter
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).
About: Latin-style funk band formed in Long Beach, CA. Eric Burdon’s backup band until 1971.
Song(s):
Slippin’ into Darkness (1971)
Album(s):
The World Is a Ghetto (1972)
Anthology (1970-94) G
Bill Ward
Song(s):
How I Got Over (year?)
Helen Ward
Song(s):
These Foolish Things Remind Me of You (with Benny Goodman, 1936)
Samuel A. Ward
Member of ABBA.
Born: 12/25/1954 Died:
American country singer.
Born: 6/9/1900 Died: 7/29/1984
Musician.
Song(s):
Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life (with Tom Waring, 1928)
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 (with Fred Waring, 1928)
Jennifer Warnes
Born: 3/3/1947 in Seattle, WA
About: 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):
Up Where We Belong (with Joe Cocker, 1982)
I've Had the Time of My Life (with Bill Medley, 1987)
Born: 9/7/1956 in Van Nuys, CA Died:
American pop songwriter.
Song(s) written by Warren:
Look Away (Chicago, 1988)
Because You Loved Me (Celine Dion, 1996)
Un-Break My Heart (Toni Braxton, 1996)
How Do I Live (LeAnn Rimes, 1997)
I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (Aerosmith, 1998)
The DMDB Blog:
Best-of List: The Top 30 Songs by Diane Warren (10/30/11)
Harry Warren
Dee Dee Warwick
Born: Marie Dionne Warwick on 1212/40 in East Orange, NJ Died: --
About: R&B/pop singer. 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 (written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, 1962)
Walk on By (written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, 1964)
Alfie (written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, 1967)
That's What Friends Are For (Dionne Warwick & Friends: Elton John, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder; written by written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, 1985)
Born: 8/29/1924 Died: 12/14/1963
R&B/blues singer.
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
Ned Washington
Dick Waterman
Born: 10/31/1896 Died: 9/1/1977
American blues singer.
Song(s):
Dinah (1926)
Am I Blue? (1929)
Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin' All the Time) (1933)
Born: McKinley Morganfield on 4/4/1915 * in Rolling Fork, MS Died: 4/30/1983
Blues vocalist/guitarist/harmonica player. 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.
* Some sources list his birthdate as 4/4/1913, but MuddyWaters.com says 4/4/1915.
Song(s):
I Feel Like Going Home (1948)
Rollin’ Stone (1950)
Hoochie Coochie Man (1954)
Mannish Boy (1955)
Got My Mojo Working (1957)
Album(s):
Best of (1954)
At Newport (1960) live
Down on Stovall’s Plantation (1966)
McKinley Morganfield (aka “Muddy Waters”) (1971)
The Anthology 1947-1972 (1947-72) Gx2
The Chess Box (1972)
Can’t Get No Grindin’ (1973)
The Complete Plantation Recordings (1993)
The DMDB Blog:
Muddy Waters performed at Newport: July 3, 1960 (7/3/12)
Born: 9/6/1944 Died:
Rock singer/songwriter and bassist with Pink Floyd. Also a solo artist.
Album(s):
Amused to Death (1992)
Born: 3/3/1923 Died:
Bluegrass guitarist and vocalist.
Song(s):
Black Mountain Rag (1964)
Born: 10/11/1943 Died:
American country singer.
Born: 2/3/1935 Died: 5/17/1995
Blues guitarist.
Mike Watt
Born: 6/24/1941 in London
Rock drummer with Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated, the Rolling Stones (63-), and Wille and the Poorboys (85).
Mabel Wayne
Weather Report
Song(s):
Birdland (1977)
A Remark You made (1977)
Album(s):
Heavy Weather (1977)
The Weavers
Song(s):
Goodnight Irene (with The Gordon Jenkins’ Orchestra, 1950)
On Top of Old Smoky (1951)
Album(s):
At Carnegie Hall (1957) live
Born: William Henry Webb on 2/10/1905 Died: 6/16/1939
American jazz big band leader and drummer.
Song(s):
A-Tisket, A-Tasket (with Ella Fitzgerald, 1938)
Clifton Webb
Song(s):
Easter Parade (written by Irving Berlin, performed with Leo Reisman, 1933)
Born: 8/15/1946 Died:
Songwriter.
Born: 3/22/1948 Died:
Musical theater composer.
Album(s):
Jesus Christ Superstar studio/cast/ST (with Tim Rice, 1970/1971/1973)
Evita (composed with Tim Rice, 1976) cast
Cats (composed with T.S. Eliot, 1981) cast
Phantom of the Opera (composed with Charles Hart/Richard Stilgoe, 1986) cast
The DMDB Blog:
Jesus Christ Superstar opened on Broadway: October 12, 1971 (10/12/11)
Phantom of the Opera opened on Broadway: January 26, 1988 (1/26/12)
Joan Weber
Song(s):
Let Me Go Lover (1954)
Paul Francis Webster
Dave Weckl
Born: Wilfred Theodore Wemyes on 9/26/1901 Died: 5/6/1963
American bandleader and musician who 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)
Heartaches (with Elmo Tanner, 1947)
Weezer
Song(s):
Buddy Holly (1994)
Album(s):
Weezer (aka “The Blue Album”) (1994)
Born: Zhang Ju Xia Wei on 8/21/1963 Died:
Mongolian/Chinese Mandopop singer.
Born: 10/18/1940 Died:
American rock songwriter, most famously with partner Barry Mann.
Songs written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil:
On Broadway (performed by the Drifters, written with Jerry Leiber, 1963)
You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (performed by the Righteous Brothers, 1964)
Album(s):
The Threepenny Opera (1928)
Max Weinberg
Bobby Weinstein
George David Weiss
Pete Welding
Born: 3/11/1903 in South Dakota Died: 5/17/1992
Jazz/big band leader and host of his own music TV show.
Song(s):
Calcutta (1961)
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 (with Twista & Jamie Foxx, 2003)
Through the Wire (2003)
Jesus Walks (2004)
Gold Digger (with Jamie Foxx, 2005)
Diamonds from Serra Leone (2005)
Stronger (2007)
Good Life (with T-Pain, 2007)
Run This Town (with Jay-Z & Rihanna, 2009)
All of the Lights (with Drake & Rihanna, 2010)
Album(s):
The College Dropout (2004)
Late Registration (2005)
Graduation (2007)
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)
Paul Westerberg
Cliff Weston
Song(s):
Alone (with Tommy Dorsey, 1936)
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, written by Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen, 1945)
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!
Album(s):
Make It Big (1984)
Anna Wheaton
Song(s):
M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I (1917)
Till the Clouds Roll By (with James Harrod, 1917)
Peetie Wheatstraw
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)
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)
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)
I Love You (1924)
What'll I Do? (written by Irving Berlin, 1924)
Rhapsody in Blue (written by/performed with George Gershwin, 1924)
Somebody Loves Me (written by 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)
Among My Souvenirs (with Jack Fulton/Charles Gaylord/Austin Young, 1928)
Lover, Come Back to Me (with Jack Fulton, 1929)
Grand Canyon Suite (1931)
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (with Bob Lawrence, written by Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach, 1933)
Lover (with Jack Fulton, 1933)
You’re the Top (1934)
The DMDB Blog:
Paul Whiteman’s “Whispering” hit #1: October 30, 1920 (10/30/11)
Best-of List: Bing Crosby’s First Trip to #1 – and Paul Whiteman’s Top 100 Songs (3/31/12)
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
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:
Ain't Too Proud to Beg (written with Edward Holland Jr., performed by the Temptations; 1966)
I Heard It Through the Grapevine (written with Barrett Strong, performed by Marvin Gaye; 1968)
War (written with Barrett Strong, performed by Edwin Starr; 1970)
Just My Imagination Running Away with Me (written with Barrett Strong, performed by the Temptations; 1971)
Papa Was a Rollin' Stone (written with Barrett Strong, performed by the Temptations; 1972)
Born: 7/22/1924 Died:
Country musician.
Song(s):
A Tree in the Meadow (1948)
Slipping Around (with Jimmy Wakely, 1949)
Baby, It’s Cold Outside (with Johnny Mercer, 1949)
Richard Whiting
Born: 1/20/1924 Died: --
Country singer.
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 (1965-70) G
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)
The Who’s “Wont Get Fooled Again” Charts in the U.S.: July 17, 1971 (7/17/11)
The Who charted with “My Generation”: November 4, 1965 (11/4/11)
Richard Wilbur
Album(s):
Candide (composed with Leonard Bernstein & Stephen Sondheim, 1956) cast
Wilco
Album(s):
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002)
Wild Cherry
Song(s):
Play That Funky Music (1976)
Alec Wilder
The Wildhearts
Album(s):
Earth Vs. the Wildhearts (1993)
Leon Wilkeson
Born: 3/15/1975 Died:
Rap singer with Black Eyed Peas.
Song(s):
OMG (with Usher, 2010)
Born: 12/3/1927 Died: 9/25/2012
Adult contemporary singer.
Album(s):
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
Song(s):
Swinging on a Star (Bing Crosby with John Scott Trotter's Orchestra & the Williams Brothers Quartet, 1944)
The Williams Brothers
Album(s):
Two Stories (1987)
The Williams Brothers (1991)
Harmony Hotel (1993)
Clarence Williams
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)
Kaw-Liga (1953)
Album(s):
40 Greatest Hits (1947-53) Gx2
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):
Family Tradition (1979)
All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight (1984)
J. Mayo Williams
Joe Williams
Song(s):
Everyday I Have the Blues (with Count Basie, 1955)
Born: 2/8/1932 Died: --
Classical/film score composer.
Album(s):
Star Wars (1977) ST
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
Pharrell Williams
Song(s):
Drop It Like It’s Hot (with Snoop Dogg, 2004)
Money Maker (with Ludacris, 2006)
Ralph Vaughan Williams
About: Classical composer.
Born: 2/13/1974 Died: --
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)
Robert Pete Williams
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:
Musical theater songwriter.
Album(s):
The Music Man (1957/1962) cast/ST
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)
Dennis Wilson
Album(s):
Pacific Ocean Blue (1977)
Dooley Wilson
Song(s):
As Time Goes By (1943)
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 Died: --
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)
Links:
- official site
- Facebook
- Wikipedia
- All Music Guide
About: British blue-eyed soul singer with well-publicized battles with substance abuse.
Born: 9/14/1983 in Enfield, 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)
Wings – see Paul McCartney
Septimus “Sep” Winner
The Winstons
Song(s):
Color Him Father (1969)
Born: 2/23/1944 Died: --
Blues guitarist.
Hugo Winterhalter
Links:
DMDB page
- official site
- Facebook
- Wikipedia
Born: 5/12/1948 Died:
About: English blues-rock singer/songwriter and keyboardist with the Spencer Davis Group (“Gimme Some Lovin’”), Traffic (“Dear Mr. Fantasy”), and Blind Faith (“Can’t Find My Way Home”). Also a solo artist (“While You See a Chance”).
Song(s):
Valerie (1982)
Higher Love (1986)
Roll with It (1988)
The DMDB Blog:
Blind Faith released its only album: July 21, 1969 (7/21/12)
Wire
Album(s):
Pink Flag (1977)
Born: 7/4/1938 Died:
R&B singer/songwriter.
Song(s):
Ain't No Sunshine (1971)
Lean on Me (1972)
Just the Two of Us (with Grover Washington, Jr., 1981)
Born: 8/8/1923 Died: 1997
American R&B/blues singer.
Jah Wobble
Wolfman
Song(s):
For Lovers (with Pete Doherty, 2004)
Chris Wolstenholme
Born: 3/4/1944 Died:
R&B singer/songwriter (“It’s All Over Now”).
Album(s):
The Poet II (1984)
Lee Ann Womack
Song(s):
I Hope You Dance (with Sons of the Desert, 2000)
About: R&B singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. Blind since birth. Signed to Motown in 1960; did backup work. First recorded in 1962; named "Little Stevie Wonder" by Berry Gordy, Jr. Married to Syreeta Wright from 1970-72. Near-fatal auto accident on 8/16/73. Winner of 17 Grammy Awards.
Born: Stevland Hardaway Judkinss on 5/13/1950 in Saginaw, Michigan. Later changed last name to Morris. Died: --
Song(s):
Uptight (Everything's Alright) (1965)
Superstition (1972)
You Are the Sunshine of My Life (1973)
Living for the City (1973)
Master Blaster (Jammin’) (1980)
Ebony and Ivory (with Paul McCartney, 1982)
I Just Called to Say I Love You (1984)
That's What Friends Are For (Dionne Warwick & Friends: Elton John, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder; written by written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, 1985)
For Your Love (1995)
Album(s):
The Jazz Soul of Little Stevie (1962)
A Tribute to Uncle Ray (1962)
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 X (1967)
Eivits Rednow (aka “Alfie”) (1968)
For Once in My Life (1968)
My Cherie Amour (1969)
Signed, Sealed, & Delivered (1970)
Where I’m Coming From (1971)
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)
The Woman in Red (1984) ST
In Square Circle (1985)
Characters (1987)
Jungle Fever (1991) ST
Conversation Peace (1995)
A Time to Love (2005)
The DMDB Blog/Facebook Note(s):
13-Year-Old Stevie Wonder hits #1: August 10, 1963 (8/10/11)
Stevie Wonder – Top 50 Songs
Donna Wood
Song(s):
I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire (Horace Heidt with Larry Cotton, Donna Wood, & Don Juans; 1941)
Harry M. Woods
Eric Woolfson
Born: 3/18/1945 Died: 12/2/2009
Scottish singer/songwriter, musician, and co-founder of the Alan Parsons Project.
Album(s):
Freudiana (1990)
The Alan Parsons Project That Never Was (2009)
The DMDB Blog:
Farewell, Eric Woolfson (12/3/09), also on Facebook.
Victor Wooten
Henry C. Work
Born: 5/2/1929 Died: 11/5/2005
American singer/songwriter and guitarist.
Song(s):
Rumble (1958)
Betty Wright
Song(s):
Where Is the Love (1975)
Edythe Wright
Song(s):
The Music Goes 'Round and 'Round (with Tommy Dorsey, 1935)
Music, Maestro, Please (with Tommy Dorsey, 1938)
Frank Edwin “Tré Cool” Wright III
Born: 7/28/1945 in Hatch End, London Died: 9/15/2008
British rock keyboardist and songwriter with Pink Floyd.
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)
Robert Wyatt
Song(s):
Shipbuilding (1982)
Album(s):
Rock Bottom (1974)
Zakk Wylde
Bill Wyman
Born: 10/24/1936 in London
Rock bassist with the Rolling Stones (63-92), Wille and the Poorboys (85).
Born: Virginia Wynette Pugh on 5/5/1942 Died: 4/6/1998
American country singer.
Song(s):
D-I-V-O-R-C-E (1968)
Stand by Your Man (1968)
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.
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Last updated January 31, 2013. 
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Steve Winwood
