A music video birthday blog.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Anita Ward

Happy birthday to Anita Ward, born this day in 1956! Here's a soothing video of a disco ball accompanying her 1980 performance of "Don't Drop My Love." Yes, she did have another song...

Billy Bragg

Happy birthday to Billy Bragg, born this day in 1957! Here he is playing "The Milkman of Human Kindness" on TV in 1984.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Edith Piaf

Happy birthday to the late Edith Piaf, born this day in 1915! Here she is singing "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien" in 1961.

Phil Ochs

Happy birthday to the late Phil Ochs, born this day in 1940! Here he is playing "Here's to the State of Richard Nixon" in 1971.

Professor Longhair

Happy birthday to the late Professor Longhair, born this day in 1918! Here he is being backed up by the Meters on "Hey Little Girl," sometime around 1980, I'd imagine.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson

Happy birthday to the late Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, born this day in 1917! Here he is playing "Mr. Cleanhead"... sometime in the '70s, maybe?

Martha Johnson

Happy birthday to Martha Johnson, born this day in 1950! Here she is in Martha & the Muffins' 1984 video for "Black Stations White Stations."

Christina Aguilera

Happy birthday to Christina Aguilera, born this day in 1980! Here she is singing "Ain't No Other Man" in 2006.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Art Neville

Happy birthday to Art Neville, born this day in 1937! Here he is playing "Look-Ka Py Py" and "Jungle Man" with the Meters in 1974.

Eddie Kendricks

Happy birthday to the late Eddie Kendricks, born this day in 1939! Here he is singing "If You Let Me" in 1972.

Mike Mills

Happy birthday to Mike Mills, born this day in 1958! Here he is in R.E.M.'s 1991 video for "Near Wild Heaven."

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Noel Coward

Happy birthday to the late Noel Coward, born this day in 1899! Here he is performing "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" live on TV in 1955.

Benny Andersson

Happy birthday to Benny Andersson, born this day in 1946! Here he is playing "Wedding" with the Hep Stars, his pre-ABBA band.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Stan Kenton

Happy birthday to the late Stan Kenton, born this day in 1911! Here's his 1945 soundie for "It's Been a Long, Long Time," with June Christy singing.

Paul Simonon

Happy birthday to Paul Simonon, born this day in 1955! Here he is playing "Join the Professionals" with the Looters in 1982 (the Looters weren't exactly a real band, but hey...).

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Spike Jones

Happy birthday to the late Spike Jones, born this day in 1911! Here's his 1942 "Soundie" for "Clink! Clink! Another Drink."

Jane Birkin

Happy birthday to Jane Birkin, born this day in 1946! Here she is singing "Comment Lui Dire Adieu" with Françoise Hardy in 1976.