BB King's 100th Birthday + Local Covers

September 16, 2025 would have been American Blues Superstar B.B. King's 100th birthday.

Biographic Highlights (From Wikipedia)

• Born Riley B. King in Itta Bena, Mississippi (September 16, 1925)
• Followed cousin Bukka White to Memphis, Tennessee (1946)
• Performed on Sonny Boy Williamson's radio program on KWEM in West Memphis
• Worked at WDIA radio station as a singer and disc jockey where he was given the nickname "Beale Street Blues Boy", later shortened to "Blues Boy" and finally to "B. B."
• First single, Mistreated Woman (1950)
  
  
  
  Links: B.B. King, More BB King Stories, Video above courtesy of B.B. King
  
  
• Released first charting single (#1 Billboard R&B) 3 O'Clock Blues (1951)
  
  
  
  Video above courtesy of Ron Levy
  
  
• First album Singin' the Blues (1956)
• Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame (1980)
• He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1987)
• Died at age 89 (May 14, 2015)

Local Covers

Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman Stories, Video above courtesy of Steve Strongman - Topic

Links: Spencer Mackenzie, More Spencer Mackenzie Stories, Video above courtesy of pierre bertrand

More 100th Birthdays

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Jimmy Reed's 100th Birthday

Today (September 6, 2025) would have been American Blues Legend Jimmy Reed's 100th birthday.

Biographical highlights (from Wikipedia)

• Born Mathis James Reed in Dunleith, Mississippi (Sept 6, 1925)
• Moved to Chicago (1943)
• Signed to Vee-Jay Records (1953)
• Released first single High and Lonesome (1953)
  
  
  
  Links: Jimmy Reed, More Jimmy Reed Stories, Video above courtesy of TheBluesfan12
  
  
• Released hi first hit single You Don't Have to Go (1955)
  
  
  
  Video above courtesy of Jimmy Reed
  
  
• Released first album, I'm Jimmy Reed (1958)
• Passed away (August 29, 1976)
• Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame (1980)

Here's a video of the late, great Mel Brown (who moved to Kitchener later in life) covering Jimmy's Baby What Do You Want Me To Do.

Links: Mel Brown, More Mel Brown Stories, Video above courtesy of GitarCarl

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Oscar Peterson's 100th Birthday

August 15, 2025 would have been Canadian Jazz legend Oscar Peterson's 100th birthday.

Biographic Highlights (From Wikipedia)

• Born Oscar Emmanuel Peterson in Montreal (August 15, 1925)
• Won the national music competition organized by the CBC (1940)
• Released first recordings: I Got Rhythm and The Sheik of Araby (1945)
  
  
  
  Links: Oscar Peterson, More Oscar Peterson Stories, Video above courtesy of Overjazz
  
  
• First Album: Piano Solos (1950)
• Plays with Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich on The Drum Battle (1952)
• Plays with Count Basie on Basie Jazz (1952)
• Releases Louis Armstrong Meets Oscar Peterson (1959)
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  Links: Louis Armstrong, More Louis Armstrong Stories, Video above courtesy of Jazz & Blues
  
  
• Received Order of Canada, Officer (1972)
• 1st Grammy (of 8): Best Jazz Performance by a Group The Trio (ft guitarist Joe Pass, and bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen)(1975)
  
  
  
  Links: Joe Pass, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Video above courtesy of Joseph Passadena
  
  
• Inducted into Canadian Music Hall of Fame (1978)
• Received Order of Canada, Companion (1984)
• Honoured on Austrian postage stamps (2003)
• Honoured on Canada Post stamps (2005)
• Died of kidney disease at his home in Mississauga (December 23, 2007)
• Canada's Walk of Fame (2013)
• Documentary Oscar Peterson: Black + White released (2021)
• A "Heritage Minute" about him was created (2021)
  
  
  
  Links: Heritage Minutes, Video above courtesy of Historica Canada
  
  
• Featured on a commemorative loonie (2022)

More 100th Birthdays

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Bill Haley's 100th Birthday

 Today (July 6, 2025) would have been American early rock legend Bill Hayley's 100th birthday.

Biographic Highlights (From Wikipedia)

• Born William John Clifton Haley in Highland Park, Michigan (July 6, 1925)
• 1st performance:  Bethel Junior baseball event, (he was 13 years old) (1938)
• Formed Bill Haley's Saddlemen (1949)
• The Saddlemen were renamed Bill Haley and His Comets (1952)
• Released Crazy Man, Crazy, considered to be the first Rock N Roll record by many. (1953)
• Released his biggest hit Rock Around the Clock (1954)
• Rock Around the Clock was re-released and became a number 1 hit (July 9, 1955)
• First rock act on the Ed Sullivan Show (August 7, 1955)
• Starred in Rock Around the Clock, the first rock musical film. (March 21, 1956)
• Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1960)
• Performed for Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Variety Performance (November 26, 1979)
• Passed away at age 55 (February 9, 1981)
• Inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame (1987)
• The Comets inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame (2012)

Below is a video of local artist Bill Culp covering a Haley classic.

Links: Bill Culp, More Bill Culp Stories, Video above courtesy of Manuela Rieck

And now two videos from the man himself.

 Video above courtesy of The78Prof

Links: Bill Haley, More Bill Haley Stories, Video above courtesy of Release - Topic

More 100th Birthdays

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Jimmy Rogers' 100th Birthday - Covers by Jack de Keyzer + Suzie Vinnick

Today (June 3, 2024) would have been American Blues legend Jimmy Rogers' 100th birthday.

Biographic Highlights (From Wikipedia)

• Born James Arthur Lane in New Ruleville, Mississippi (June 3, 1924)
• Recorded as a harmonica player and singer for the Harlem record label (1946)
• Joined the Muddy Waters band (1947)
• Recorded That's Alright as a solo performer on Chess Records (1950)
• Worked briefly with Howling Wolf (1960's)
• First album (compilation of Chess recordings): Chicago Bound (1970)
• Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame (1995)
• Passed away on December 19, 1997

Below are a few local musicians covering Jimmy's songs.

Links: Jack de Keyzer, More Jack de Keyzer Stories, Video above courtesy of Jack de Keyzer

Links: Suzie Vinnick, More Suzie Vinnick Stories, Video above courtesy of Suzie Vinnick - Topic

A video from the man himself:

Links: Jimmy Rogers, More Jimmy Rogers Stories,  Video above courtesy of Jimmie Rodgers

More 100th Birthdays

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Sarah Vaughan's 100th Birthday (ft Covers by Chantal Chamberland)

Today (March 27, 2024) would have been American Jazz legend Sarah Vaughan's 100th birthday.

Biographic Highlights (From Wikipedia)

• Born in Newark, New Jersey (March 27, 1924)
• Won top prize at the Apollo Theater Amateur Night contest (1942)
• Started working with Earl Hines' band (April 4, 1943)
• Started solo career in 1945
• Started radio show, Songs by Sarah Vaughan (1949)
• Release first solo album: Sarah Vaughan (1950) 
• Received star on Hollywood Walk of Fame (1985)
• Inducted into the American Jazz Hall of Fame (1988)
• Passed away on April 3, 1990
• Album Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown and the single If You Could See Me Now inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame (1999)
• Single Tenderly  inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame (2019)

Below are a few local musicians covering songs that Sarah made famous.

Video above courtesy of Chantal Chamberland - Topic

Links: Chantal Chamberland, More Chantal Chamberland Stories, Video above courtesy of Chantal Chamberland - Topic

And now a song from the lady herself

Links: Sarah Vaughan, Video above courtesy of Sarah Vaughan - Topic

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Otis Spann's 100th Birthday Including a Cover by Steve Strongman

Today (March 21, 2024) would have been American Blues legend Otis Spann's 100th birthday (depending on which source you believe).

Biography highlights (from Wikipedia)

• March 21, 1924 (or 1930): Born James in Mississippi (Jackson or Belzoni depending on the records)
• Moved to Chicago (1946) 
• Became Muddy Waters' piano player (1952)
• Work on albums with Chuck Berry (1950's)
• Released solo single "It Must Have Been the Devil" with B.B. King and Jody Williams (1954)
• Released debut solo album Otis Spann is the Blues (1960)
• Worked on albums by Buddy Guy, Big Mama Thornton, Peter Green, and Fleetwood Mac (late 1960's)
• Passed away in 1970.

Below is a Otis Spann cover from Hamilton's Steve Strongman & Friends

Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman Stories, Video above courtesy of Michael Bathurst

Then we have two videos from the man himself.

Video above courtesy of Otis Spann - Topic

Links: Otis Spann, Video above courtesy of Otis Spann - Topic,  More 100th birthdays

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Slim Harpo's 100th Birthday including Local Covers (Jack de Keyzer, Tim Gibbons, Frankie & Jimmy)

Today (January 11, 2024) would have been American Blues Legend Slim Harpo's 100th birthday.

Biography highlights (from Wikipedia)

• January 11, 1924: Born James Isaac Moore in in Lobdell, Louisiana
• First performed under the name of Harmonica Slim but had to change it due to a similarly named musician. 
• Played with his brother-in-law Lightnin' Slim
• 1957: Started recording career with first single: I'm a King Bee / I Got Love if You Want It (Excello Records)
• Ran a trucking business while performing.
• January 31, 1970: Passed away

Here's a trio of local covers:

Links: Jack de Keyzer, More Jack de Keyzer Stories, Video above courtesy of Jack de Keyzer

Links: Tim Gibbons, More Tim Gibbons Stories, Video above courtesy of Tim Gibbons

Links: Frankie and Jimmy, More Frankie and Jimmy Stories, Video above courtesy of Frankie Jimmy

And a video from the man himself!

Links: Slim Harpo, More Slim Harpo Stories/Covers, Video above courtesy of Slim Harpo - Topic, More 100th birthdays

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Hank Williams' 100th Birthday with Local Covers

Today (September 17, 2023) would have been American country legend Hank Williams' 100th birthday.

Biography highlights, courtesy of Wikipedia

• Born Hiram Williams in Alabama (September 17, 1923)
• Started his career playing radio stations and local venues (late 1930's)
• Released first single Never Again (Will I Knock on Your Door) (1947)
• Released over of Lovesick Blues, his first country #1
• Died aged 29: January 1, 1953
• 1967: Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame

Here are a few covers of Hank's songs.

Links: Ginger St. James, More Ginger St. James Stories, Video above courtesy of S Blanchard

Links: Sarah Beatty, More Sarah Beatty Stories, Video above courtesy of Misha Fotos

A now one from the man himself

Links: Hank Williams, More Hank Williams Stories/Covers, Video above courtesy of Hank Williams, More 100th birthdays

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Jim Reeves' 100th Birthday + Local Covers

Today (August 20, 2023) would have been American country singer Jim Reeves' 100th birthday.

Biography highlights

• Born James Travis Reeves (August 20, 1923)
• 1955-1958: Guest hosted many episodes of TV show, Ozark Jubilee.
• Nicknames Gentleman Jim
• Early 60's: Was more popular in South Africa than Elvis  and recorded several albums in the Afrikaans language.
• Died: July 31, 1964
• 1967: Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame

Here are a few covers of songs that Jim recorded. Courtesy of local artist Victor Morgado

Links: Victor Morgado,  Video above courtesy of VictorMMorgado

Links: Victor Morgado, Video above courtesy of VictorMMorgado

And a song from the man himself

Links: Video above courtesy of TheQueenOfCountry, More 100th birthdays

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Charles M Schulz's 100th Birthday!

In honour of what would have been Charlie Brown/Peanuts cartoonist Charles M Schulz's 100th birthday, here are a few musical numbers inspired by his creations.

Links: Amy Di Nino, More Amy Di Nino Stories, Video above courtesy of Kitchener Public Library

Links: Royal Guardsmen, Video above courtesy of tomtakenator

Video above courtesy of BroadwayJLM

More 100th Birthdays

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Celebrate Judy Garland's 100th Birthday with Local Covers and More!

Today (June 10, 2022) would have been American singer/actress Judy Garland's 100th birthday.

Biography highlights

• Born Frances Ethel Gumm (June 10, 1922)
• Made film debut in the short The Big Revue (1929)
• Signed with MGM (1935)
• Signed recording contact with Decca Records at 13
• Starred as Dorothy in the movie classic Wizard of Oz (1939)
• Gave birth to daughter Liza Minnelli (March 29, 1946)
• Recorded Miss Show Business, her first solo album.
• Starred in The Judy Garland Show on TV (1961)
• Passed away of an overdose (June 22, 1969)

Below are covers of her songs by Beamsville songstress Melissa-Marie Shriner

Video above courtesy of Melissa-Marie Shriner

Links: Louisa O'Keane, Video above courtesy of Melissa-Marie Shriner

We asked Melissa-Marie for her thoughts on Judy:

As I watched the Wizard of Oz as an 8 year old child, and heard Judy Garland singing Over the Rainbow for the first time, I knew right then and there, I wanted to be a singer when I grew up. It was a defining moment in my life - she inspired me to become a singer and performer.

Links: Melissa-Marie Shriner, More Melissa-Marie Shriner Stories

Here is local musicologist Mike Daley with a question and answer session about the legendary lady.

Links: Mike Daley, More Mike Daley Stories, Video above courtesy of Mike Daley 

Now a song from the lady herself . . . 

Links: Judy Garland, Video above courtesy of Judy Garland - Topic, More 100th Birthdays

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Doris Day's 100th Birthday! Covers by Kitchener's Mary-Catherine Pazzano

Today (April 3, 2022) would have been American singer/actress Doris Day's 100th birthday.

Biography highlights

• Born Doris Mary Anne Kappelhoff (April 3, 1922)
• Began career as a big band singer (1939)
• Had  two No. 1 hits, Sentimental Journey and My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time with Les Brown & His Band of Renown (1945)
• Started film career with film career with Romance on the High Seas (1948)
• Starred in the sitcom The Doris Day Show (1968–1973)
• Received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2008)
• Passed away (May 13, 2019)

Below are covers by Kitchener songstress Mary-Catherine Pazzano, who recently performed an amazing show dedicated to Doris Day.

Mary's Thoughts on Doris Day:

Doris Day's intimacy with a lyric knows no peer. I was first introduced to her as a comedic actress in Pillow Talk, but my ventures into her musical films and recordings reveal one of the finest singers of her time, and a stellar interpreter of the Great American Songbook. It's a true privilege to get to honour her on the eve of her 100th birthday.

Links: Mary-Catherine Pazzano, Videos above courtesy of Mary-Catherine Pazzano

Now a song from the lady herself . . . 

Links: Doris Day, Video above courtesy of mohamed farouk, More 100th Birthdays

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Celebrating Black History Month! Videos Honouring Lincoln Alexander

This year (2022) on January 21, it would have been the 100th birthday of Hamilton's Lincoln Alexander.

Biographical Highlights

• Born (January 21, 1922)
• Joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (1942)
• Studied Economics and History at McMaster University (1946-1949)
• Married Yvonne "Tody" Harrison (1948)
• Formed Duncan & Alexander, one the first inter-racial law partnerships in Canada (1950's-Early 60s)
• Became first black member of Parliament (1968)
• Appointed Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (1985)
• Published his autobiography Go to School, You're a Little Black Boy: The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander: A Memoir (2006)
• Died at age 90 (October 19, 2012)
• January 21 proclaimed Lincoln Alexander Day in Ontario (2013)

Here are two songs about this legendary man.

Links: D.O. Gibson, Video above courtesy of D.O. Gibson

Links: Bruce Simpson, Video above courtesy of Bruce Simpson

Learn more about Mr. Alexander below.

Video above courtesy of The Agenda with Steve Paikin

Video above courtesy of CHCH News

Video above courtesy of LincolnAlexanderLaw

Links: More Black History Month Videos, More 100th Birthdays

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Snooky Pryor's 100th Birthday

Yesterday (September 15, 2021) would have been American Blues legend Snooky Pryor's 100th birthday. Snooky performed with a number of local artists such as Mel Brown, Gary Kendall, John Lee and many others.

Biography highlights (from Wikipedia)

• Born in Lambert, Mississippi (September 15, 1921 - some sources say 1919)
• Played with Jimmy Rogers (mid 1930s)
• Moved to Chicago (approx. 1940)
• Recorded with Moody Jones and Floyd Jones (late 1940s)
• Recorded debut solo album, Snooky (1970)
• Passed away (October 18, 2006)

We asked a number of local artists about working with the legendary Bluesman.

Al Richardson (Mel Brown and the Homewreckers)

Snooky has an old-style approach, where he would drop beats at various places in a song, when he felt it. And he didn’t feel bound to do it in the same places from performance to performance, or take to take. This is very different from jazz-style improvisation which is much more about working within a pretty locked-down structure.

So here we were, just doing everything on ESP, and it went brilliantly. I think people often call it ‘flow’ and that’s exactly what we all had. Everything felt free but at the same time it like it was all inevitable. 

The only sad thing about it is that I’m probably one of the few people my age who got to come up in this traditional, apprenticeship kind of way, with guys like Snooky and (of course) Mel, who was already a generation younger than Snooky. I’m almost certainly one of the last who got to learn that way, and I’m eternally grateful that I did.

Jimmy Boudreau (Western Swing Authority) 

Andrew Galloway, owner of ElectroFi Records aked me to play on an album with Snooky.  Andrew introduced me to him on the sidewalk outside of the studio in Toronto.  Snooky shook my hand, looked me up and down, felt my bicep and said: 

"Yep.  He'll do!"

Mr. Pryor was a true gentleman.  Morally strong, never touched liquor.  Ever.  Some of my fondest memories in all my years playing drums come from my time with Mel Brown and Snooky Pryor.

Gary Kendall (Downchild)

Being able to meet Snooky Pryor, share his positive approach to life and play his deep blues was an extremely important part of my journey in the world of music. 

Click here for a 3 page story bout Gary's history with Snooky.

John Lee (Mel Brown and the Homewreckers)

Snooky was so much fun to play with.   The live recording we did at 'The Little Bighorn' really says it all.

Links: Kendall Wall Band, More Kendall Wall Stories, Morgan Davis, More Morgan Davis Stories, Video above courtesy of KendallWallBand

Links: Mel Brown, More Mel Brown Stories, Video above courtesy of ElectroFiRecords

Links: Snooky Pryor, More Snooky Pryor Stories, Video above courtesy of Snooky Pryor - Topic, More 100th Birthdays

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Remembering Maria da Luz Pinto 1921-2020

A message from Lou, our blogger:

Today, September 1, 2021 my beloved maternal grandmother, Maria da Luz Pinto would have turned 100 years old. Unfortunately, she passed away on December 13, 2020 from COVID complications. I miss her every day.

Maria da Luz was born in Portugal and had a hard life in her early years. She lived in poverty, raising five children, a lot of that time on her own. Despite all this, grandma was always one of the happiest people around. I remember her playfulness and how wonderfully fun she was. Grandma is a big part of the man I have become.

I will miss her beautiful smile and her childlike sense of fun.

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Big Walter Horton's 100th Birthday

Today (April 6, 2021) would have been American Blues legend Big Walter Horton's (aka Mumbles and Shakey) 100th birthday.

Biography highlights (from Wikipedia)

• Born in Horn Lake, Mississippi (April 6, 1921 but sources differ)
• First recordings were backing up Little Buddy Doyle (1930's)
• Replaced Junior Wells in the Muddy Waters Band for short period (1953)
• Played harmonica on Mean Mistreater for Johnny Winter's self-titled album (April 1969)
• Performed on Fleetwood Mac's Then Play On album (uncredited) (September 1969) In Chicago (December 1969)
• Backed up John Lee Hooker in the Blues Brothers film (1980).
• Died (December 8, 1981)
• Inducted in to the Blues Hall of Fame (1982)

Comments from local musicians

Sam De Rosa aka Sweet Sammy D

I have been stealing his licks since day one. Big Walter was the author of signature licks we all tried to emulate and still are.

Lester Smith

Big Walter had monster tone and power.  His solo in Jimmy Rogers Walking by Myself is one of the most iconic and skillful in blues history.  

Corey Lueck (Smoke Wagon Blues Band) 

To this day, Shakey is one of those essential harp players that well; make your head shake! And your feet stomp! It blows my mind how comfortable and big his sound always was in both first or second position. Not hard not to understand why Willie Dixon always said he was the best harp player ever.

Michael Reed aka Shrimp Daddy

Big Walter “Shakey” Horton... he hated that moniker... Big Walter was the proof that gear like Mics and Amps are not what create great tone.  When asked how he gets his sound Walter said “I get my tone from my hands.  A true master of the Harmonica Big Walter had the biggest tone and was an amazing player .

Jay Kipps

Big Walter / Shakey, could channel the sound of a full horn section thru his harmonica. First time I heard him I remember I threw my hands in the air and cheered like I scored a goal, he opened my mind to what you can do with this great little instrument. What a gift to us all he was.

Video above courtesy of MyMoppet52

Video above courtesy of Iago Israel

Video above courtesy of Walter Horton - Topic

Links: Big Walter Horton, More 100th Birthdays

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Lowell Fulson's 100th Birthday

Today (March 31, 2021) would have been American Blues great Lowell Fulson's 100th birthday.

Biography highlights (from Wikipedia)

• Born in Atoka, Oklahoma (March 31 1921)
• Played with a then-unknown Ray Charles (early 1940s)
• Recorded for Swing Time Records (1940s)
• Recorded for Chess Records (1950s)
• Wrote and recorded his biggest hit Reconsider Baby (1954)
• Died in Long Beach, California (March 7, 1999)

Comments from Gary Kendall (Downchild)

When I heard Lowell Fulson's Reconsider Baby in the 70's I was hooked. He was one of the best. Good eye for talent as well, I mean he hired Ray Charles.

Links: Lowell Fulson, Videos above courtesy of Lowell Fulson - Topic, More 100th Birthdays

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Carol Channing & Mario Lanza's 100th Birthday

Today (January 31, 2021) would have been the 100th birthday of Carol Channing and Mario Lanza. Both were famous American actors and musicians.

Carol Channing

Biography highlights from Wikipedia

• Born (January 31, 1921)
• Began starring in roles as a musical actress (1949)
• Won a Tony for Hello Dolly. (1964)
• Oscar nomination for Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967)
• Performed at the first Superbowl half-time show (1970)
• Received Lifetime Achievement Tony Award (1995)
• Passed away (January 15, 2019)

Links: Carol Channing,Videos above courtesy of Sun Record Company, More 100th Birthdays

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Mario Lanza

Biography highlights from Wikipedia

• Born (January 31, 1921)
• Made opera debut (1942)
• Signed movie contract with MGM (1947)
• Passed away (October 7, 1959)
• Movie debut with That Midnight Kiss (1949)

Links: Mario Lanza, Videos above courtesy of Richard Burton, More 100th Birthdays

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Roy Brown's 100th Birthday

Today (September 10, 2020) would have been American RnB legend Roy Brown's 100th birthday.

Biography Highlights (from Wikipedia)

• Born in Kinder, Louisiana (September 10, 1920) through some records do say 1925 instead.
• Became a professional boxer for a while (1940's)
• Won a singing contest at the Million Dollar Theater (1945)
• Recorded his biggest hit Good Rockin' Tonight (1948)
• Died of a heart attack (May 25, 1981)
• Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame (1981)

Links: Roy Brown, Videos above courtesy of Roy Brown - Topic, More 100th Birthdays

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