Happy Birthday to:

King of Pop Michael Jackson (1958; d. 2009)

Authentic soul music and superstar musical performances are the consistent theme and backdrop for the side-splitting comedy, Soul Men, starring entertainment icons Bernie Mac, who passed away on August 9,

Nikka Costa has always seemed to thrive on a certain sense of freedom. It's no wonder, that when Nikka set out to create a record on her own terms and as an independent artist finally free of major label confines,

Happy Birthday to Simple Plan bassist David Desrosiers (1980), actress Carla Gugino (1971), singer Me'Shell NdegeOcello (1969), Cocteau Twins singer Elizabeth Fraser (1963), actress Rebecca De Mornay (1962), King of Pop Michael Jackson (1958),

Marilyn Monroe was originally christened Norma Jean. Archibald Leach opted for the more debonair nom de guerre Cary Grant. At the age of 10,

Amy Winehouse stole the show at the 50th Grammy Awards, winning five top honors. Kanye West was nominated for eight awards and went home with four prizes, including Rap Album, Rap Performance and Rap Song; Bruce Springsteen picked up three, including Best Rock Song. The White Stripes, Justin Timberlake and Mary J. Blige all won two.

Happy Birthday to Simple Plan bassist David Desrosiers (1980), actress Carla Gugino (1971), singer Me'Shell NdegeOcello (1969), Cocteau Twins singer Elizabeth Fraser (1963), actress Rebecca De Mornay (1962), King of Pop Michael Jackson (1958), TV host Robin Leach (1941), film directors Joel Schumacher and William Friedkin (1939), actor Elliott Gould (1938), Arizona senator John McCain (1936), singer Dinah Washington (1924; d. 1963), musician Charlie Parker (1920; d. 1955), "The Jeffersons" star Isabel Sanford (1917; d. 2004), actor George Montgomery (1916; d. 2000), and "Casablanca" actress Ingrid Bergman (1915; d. 1982).

Say the name "Chaka" and most folks in the know instantly think of a woman who has made an indelible and lasting impression on the music scene of the past three decades.

New York-based Svoy was born in a small port city in the Russian Far East and has let music lead him on an incredible journey, from the late night piano musings of his next door neighbor, to the Russian Academy of Music to study with the legendary and beloved Russian bebop pianist Igor Bril.

In 2004, John Legend (then known primarily as an in-demand all-star studio session man) stepped into the solo spotlight as a premier singer-songwriter-pianist-performer in his own right with his debut album Get Lifted. Driven in part by the hit singles "Ordinary People" and "Used To Love U," Get Lifted was a critical and commercial triumph, earning John an astounding eight Grammy nominations -- he won Best New Artist, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance ("Ordinary People") and Best R&B album -- and selling more than three million copies worldwide.