Singers Born on December 30th

December 30th may be the day they hand out the extra vocal chords and musical talent they just happen to have laying around because an awful lot of singers were born on December 30th. Two of them were even in the same singing group!

Bo Diddley, celebrated for his major influence in the birth and fusion of the blues and rock and roll, was born on December 30, 1928 in Mississippi. Bo passed away in 2009.

Country singer, Skeeter Davis was born in Kentucky in 1935. She held the distinction of being the only country artist to ever appear on the "Midnight Special," a musical showcase for popular artists in the 70s and 80s. Skeeter sold over a million records with her 1963 crossover hit "End of the World." She passed away in 2004.

Rocker, Del Shannon, had a string of 60s hits beginning with 1961's "Runaway." The phenomenal success of that tune was followed up with more hits like "Hats Off to Larry" and "Little Town Flirt." Del Shannon was born in 1934 and died in 1990.

The oldest living singer on my birthday list for December 30th is singer, actor and dancer, Russ Tamblyn, who most famously sang, acted and danced in the role of Jets' gang leader, Riff, in the film "West Side Story" (1961). Another great role where Russ displayed his incredible talents was as Gideon, the youngest Pontipee brother, in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" (1954). These days, Russ, who was born in Los Angeles in 1934, generally gets referred to as Amber Tamblyn's father.

Next we have Noel Paul Stookey, who was born in 1937, and was one-third of the folk trio, Peter, Paul and Mary, with major hits like "Puff, the Magic Dragon" and "Leaving on a Jet Plane." He was the tall guy who generally performed in between Mary Travers and Peter Yarrow. Sadly, Mary Travers passed away in the fall of 2009. Peter and Paul continued to perform as solo artists.

Singer, songwriter and musician, Michael Nesmith, was born in Houston in 1942. Mike's name usually brings to mind The Monkees and Liquid Paper (his mother invented it), but Mike also wrote "A Different Drum," one of Linda Ronstadt's first hits.

A few years later in Manchester, England in 1945, they handed out some of that extra singing talent to David Thomas Jones, who would grow up to be a Monkee, too. Known by his nickname, Davy Jones was just about the biggest teen idol of the late 60s.

Patti Smith, the "Godmother of Punk" was born in Chicago in 1946. Patti, whose most famous songs are "Because the Night" and "Gloria," fused rock music with poetry. Michael Stipe of R.E.M. credits Patti with inspiring him to form a band.

Jeff Lynne was born in England in 1947. His outstanding musical gifts include songwriting, composing, singing and playing guitar. Jeff became famous as the leader of the Electric Light Orchestra and he was also a co-founder and member of The Traveling Wilburys. He also got into record producing for such artists as The Beatles, Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys), Roy Orbison, Del Shannon and Tom Petty.

Rounding out the December 30th singers birthday brigade are: country singer, Suzy Bogguss, born in 1956; the multi-talented comedienne, Tracy Ullman, who had six top hits in the UK in a two- years span, born in 1959; Jason "Jay Kay" Cheetham, lead singer of English acid jazz band, Jamiroquai, born in 1969; and Tyrese, singer, actor and rapper, was born in 1978. This musical trend continued into the 80s with Tim G. Lopez, lead guitarist and singer for the Plain White T's being born in 1980; British songstress, Ellie Goulding was born in 1986; and Scottish singer, Leon Jackson, who won the 4th season of the British talent show "The X Factor," was born in 1988.

Maybe they should have a "December 30th Factor" show for singers.

You don't have to believe in my theory that they were handing out extra helpings of singing talent, but if you find it interesting, do check out the birth section of December 26th on Wikipedia sometime. Apparently, they've been handing out extra helpings of political leadership abilities on that date!

Sources: Embedded