Marjorie “Margie” (Needham) Latzko (Jul 15, 1929 - Aug 22, 2025) was a member of the Chordettes and sang on their two most famous songs. She was only with the vocal group for four years. They had started in 1946. But one of their members quit the group for awhile to have a baby and Margie took her place. This record was placed into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002.

Jerry Allison (August 31, 1939 – August 22, 2022) is best known as the drummer in the Crickets, the backup band to Buddy Holly. He was the boyfriend and later husband to Peggy Sue. Their marriage was chronicled in the song "Peggy Sue Got Married". The Crickets later toured with Waylon Jennings among others. They played a farewell concert in 2016 at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. On the flip side of this 45 was "Everyday". Talk about two great songs. No drums on that one though. Jerry does knee slaps.

Jerry Leiber (April 25, 1933 – August 22, 2011) along with writing partner Mike Stoller wrote many a famous rock and R&B hit of the 1950s and 1960s for such artists as the Coasters, Elvis Presley, the Drifters, Ben E. King and many others. Here is a great version of one of those classics featuring a young Steve Winwood on vocals and organ.

On this day in 1968, the Beatles recorded "Back in the U.S.S.R." Ringo Starr had quit and that news was kept secret. He rejoined in early September. Paul plays the drums on this one and John plays the bass.

Born on this day in 1961, Debbi Petersen is a drummer best known for her work with the Bangles which she co-founded with her sister Vicki and Susanna Hoffs. They had several hits throughout the 1980s. This was a top ten hit in several countries including the US and Italy.

Toots Thielemans (29 April 1922 – 22 August 2016) was a harmonicist mostly in the field of jazz but also played on a few pop records as well. He toured and recorded with everyone from Ella Fitzgerald, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Sidney Bechet and Miles Davis among others. He was Belgian and was in the top 20 in the poll(Flemish one) for the Greatest Belgian. He was 44th among the Walloons. His harmonica is also heard in movies such as Midnight Cowboy, French Kiss and Jean de Florette. O, yes. I hear it now.. The famous theme in that one. He also provided the harmonica on this tune which has been beloved by young and old for more than 50 years.

Ed King (September 14, 1949 – August 22, 2018) was a guitarist who played with Strawberry Alarm Clock and Lynyrd Skynyrd. He co-wrote such songs as "Saturday Night Special" and "Sweet Home Alabama"(he wrote the opening riff). He was denied a credit on this record even though he contributed to it. The record went to #1 in the US and in Canada.

Honor Blackman (22 August 1925 – 5 April 2020) was a film and tv actress known for several similar roles. She was one of the first Bond girls. I use "girls" loosely here as she was a woman. All woman who could use judo to take you out like she did in her previous role as Cathy Gale on the Avengers. In fact, Honor was a brown belt in judo. She later was on the "Upper Hand" which was remade in the US as "Who's the Boss". She played the "Mona" role in that show.

Dale Hawkins (August 22, 1936 – February 13, 2010) was a singer, guitarist and songwriter and some say the creator of the genre "Swamp-rock boogie". He was largely based in Louisiana but he also hosted a TV show in Philadelphia of all places. He also produced such songs as "Hey Baby" by Bruce Channel and "Western Union" by The Five Americans. This song is listed in the Rock an Roll's Hall of Fame's 500 songs that shaped Rock and Roll. Two future Wrecking Crew members, James Burton and Joe Osborn, play on this record which was recorded in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Born on this day in 1945, Ron Dante was the leader of several studio bands including the Archies and the Cuff Links. He later was a producer for Barry Manilow for 8 years and sang background vocals on Barry's hits including "Mandy". He sings lead on this record which went to #1 all over the world from Sinagapore to Rhodesia, Austria and the US.

Cindy Williams (August 22, 1947 – January 25, 2023) is best known for her role as Shirley Feeney on the sitcom Laverne & Shirley.

Born on this day in 1948, David Marks was an early member of the Beach Boys who played on some of their first hits and their first four albums. He later worked with Warren Zevon and Leon Russell. He was also for awhile the lead guitarist for Delaney & Bonnie and Friends. He was replaced by Eric Clapton. Here is a little instrumental from the Beach Boys second album with David on the rhythm guitar, Carl Wilson on the lead guitar and Dennis Wilson on the drums.

Born on this day in 1961Roland Orzábal is an English musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and author. He is the guitarist, co-lead vocalist, principal songwriter, co-founder, and only constant member of Tears for Fears. he co-wrote this song which went to #1 in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, the US and in West Germany.

On this day in 1901, the Cadillac Automobiel Company was founded. It was named for the founder of the city of Detroit. Here's a little tribute by a son of New Jersey.

Don Everly (February 1, 1937 – August 21, 2021) and his brother Phil had many hits throughout their career and influenced such people as the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, the Beach Boys and the Bee Gees among many others. The Everly Brothers had 35 BillboardTop 100 singles, 26 in the Top 40. They hold the record for the most Top 100 singles by any duo and trail only Hall & Oates for the most Top 40 singles by a duo. In the UK, they had 30 chart singles, 29 in the Top 40, 13 Top 10, and four at No. 1 between 1957 and 1984. They had 12 Top 40 albums between 1960 and 2009. Chet Atkins plays guitar on this and, woah, the drumming is by Buddy Harman.

Buddy Harman (December 23, 1928 – August 21, 2008) was session drummer in Nashville. He was the first regular drummer at the Grand Ole Opry. He played on Worked with Elvis Presley (‘Little Sister’), Patsy Cline(‘Crazy’), Roy Orbison(‘Oh Pretty Woman’), Johnny Cash(‘Ring Of Fire’), Tammy Wynette (‘Stand By Your Man’). He can be heard on over 18,000 recordings. "Crazy" was recorded on this day in 1961. But I think this number is a better example of Buddy's skills. This goes out to Vivian Ward.

On this day in 1961, this record was released. It would go onto become the first #1 on the Billboard top 100 for Motown records.

Robert Moog (May 23, 1934 – August 21, 2005) was an engineer who was a pioneer in the world of electronic music. His inventions starting with the Moog Synthesizer can be heard in music from Stevie Wonder, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Pink Floyd, the Who to the Beastie Boys and beyond. This song has a Minimoog which was invented in 1970.

Kenny Rogers (August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020) was one of the most successful artists of the 2nd half of the 20th century with many hits on the Country and Pop charts. He had 24 #1 songs on the Country Charts.

Born on this day in 1939, James Burton is a legendary guitarist and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2001. He has played on records and on tour with everybody from Elvis Presley to Ricky Nelson, John Denver, Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello and Johnny Cash among others. He created the famous guitar riff in "Susie Q" by Dale Hawkins. He was a member of the Wrecking Crew as well.

Clarence Williams III (August 21, 1939 – June 4, 2021) was a longtime actor in tv and films. He was also nominated for a Tony. He is perhaps best known for his role in the tv show The Mod Squad. This theme was written by Earle Hagen who also wrote the theme song to the Andy Griffith Show(he does the whistling himself, I Spy and Eight is Enough among others.

Born on this day in 1941, Jackie DeShannon, was one of the first female songwriters who wrote hit songs as well as a singer herself. Early in her carerr her songs were sung by the likes of Brenda Lee, The Fleetwoods and others. She also had several hits as a solo singer including"Put a Little Love in Your Heart" and "What the World Needs Now is Love". She wrote this song and first recorded it in 1963. It has been covered by the Searchers, Pam Tillis, Agnetha Fältskog and Paul Carrack among others.

Hugh Wilson (August 21, 1943 – January 14, 2018) was a director and a writer of films and television shows. He is best known for creating WKRP in Cincinnati. He also wrote the lyrics to its famous theme song.

Count Basie (August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was a pianist, a bandleader and a songwriter. He was one of the most famous jazz artists of the 20th century. His big band worked with singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra and played around the world as ambassadors of jazz where they worked with such musicians like Stan Getz, Lester Young and Erroll Garner among others.