Blues legend Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup was born today in 1905 (d. 1974). He’s best-known for a song he wrote that became Elvis Presley’s first hit, “That’s All Right, Mama.”
Blues-belter Wynonie Harris was born today in 1915 (d. 1969). Wynonie was also an influence on Elvis and, like Big Boy, a precursor of the mid-’50s explosion of rock music.
Piano maestro Louis Teicher, one half of the Ferrante and Teichner duo, was born today in 1924 (d. 2008). Although nearly forgotten today, their lush piano ballads were high on the pop charts in the ’50s and ’60s.
Tobacco fiend Tex Williams was born today in 1917 (d. 1985, but not of lung cancer).
Rudy Lewis of The Drifters was born today in 1936. He died tragically at the young age of 27 in 1964. Rudy sang lead on the two cuts below.
Notorious drummer of The Who, Keith Moon, was born today in 1946 (d. 1978). He also died young at the age of 32. Useless Factoid: Moon suggested the band name Led Zeppelin to Jimmy Page.
