Billy Moeller

Happy birthday to Billy Moeller, born this day in 1946! I believe that's him in this 1967 video of Whistling Jack Smith's completely insane #20 hit "I Was Kaiser Bill's Batman"--although that's not him on the record. Long story.

Jascha Heifetz

Happy birthday to the late Jascha Heifetz, born this day in 1902! Here's a film of him playing Paganini's Caprice no. 24, with some mindbending extended technique (see the passage beginning around 3:50 if you don't believe me).

Dana International

Happy birthday to Dana International, born this day in 1972! Here's the Eurovision-winning performance of "Diva," from 1998 (it starts about a minute in):

Graham Nash

Happy birthday to Graham Nash, born this day in 1942! Here's a live performance of "Bus Stop" by the Hollies in 1967:

Asya

Happy birthday to Asya of Smoosh, born this day in 1992! Here's the video for "Find a Way," from 2006.

Claude François

Happy birthday to the late Claude François, born this day in 1939! Here's an insane 1964 TV performance of "La petite mèche de cheveaux," probably best described as "the 'Thriller' video, if it had French bobbysoxers instead of zombies and 'Three Blind Mice' instead of 'Thriller.'"

Rick James

Happy birthday to the late Rick James, born this day in 1948! Here's a 1983 performance of his non-hit "New York Town," featuring some fantastic costumes.

Hildegarde

Happy birthday to the late (and incomparable) Hildegarde, born this day in 1906! Here's a 1935 newsreel (!) performance of her greatest hit, "Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup," written by her manager/lover Anna Sosenko.

Harry Wayne Casey

Happy birthday to Harry Wayne Casey, born this day in 1951! Here he is with a slightly pre-fame KC & the Sunshine Band--this is the 1974 video for "Queen of Clubs," which was a considerably bigger hit in the U.K. (where it kind of passed for glam) than in the U.S.

John Lydon

Happy birthday to John Lydon, born this day in 1956! Here's the video for PiL's "Public Image," from 1978. They're so young and well-mannered! And new wave!

Sasha Frere-Jones

Happy birthday to Sasha Frere-Jones, born this day in 1968! Here he is playing "Sleep Hold" with Ui in 2002.

Phil Manzanera

Happy birthday to Phil Manzanera, born this day in 1951! Here he is with Roxy Music, playing "Virginia Plain" in 1972. Love that outfit, but Eno's is even better...

Ruth Brown

Happy birthday to the late Ruth Brown, born this day in 1928! Here's a stellar live performance of "Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean," circa 1955.

Norma Tanega

Happy birthday to Norma Tanega, born this day in 1939! Here's a TV performance of her rather peculiar 1966 hit "Walkin' My Cat Named Dog."

Dorothy Love-Coates

Happy birthday to the late Dorothy Love-Coates, born this day in 1928! Here's a fantastic 1968 TV performance of "I'm Just Holding On" (a.k.a. "I Won't Let Go") with the Gospel Harmonettes.

Amii Stewart

Happy birthday to Amii Stewart, born this day in 1956! I probably could've found a video for a less obvious song than 1979's "Knock on Wood," but dear God, that costume... and those digital effects...

Felice Taylor

Happy birthday to Felice Taylor, born this day in 1948! Here's a homemade video for her 1967 single "I Feel Love Coming On."

Robert Wyatt

Happy birthday to the amazing Robert Wyatt, born this day in 1945! Here's his legendary performance of "I'm a Believer" in 1974, in a wheelchair, on Top of the Pops.

Rakim

Happy birthday to Rakim, born this day in 1968! Here's the 1987 video for "I Ain't No Joke."

Cornelius

Happy birthday to Cornelius, born this day in 1969! Here's the remarkable video for "Like a Rolling Stone"... which is not a cover.

Gillian Gilbert

Happy birthday to Gillian Gilbert, born this day in 1961! There are lots of great New Order videos, but here's the video for a fine and little-remembered song: "Tasty Fish," the 1991 debut single by The Other Two, her duo with Stephen Morris.