On This Day

May 1899 in Music History

Birthdays in Music

  • May 6 Billy Cotton, British bandleader and entertainer, born in Smith Square, London (d. 1969)

Person of interestFred Astaire

May 10 Fred Astaire, American tap dancer, presenter and actor (Easter Parade, Swingtime), born in Omaha, Nebraska (d. 1987)

Actor and Dancer Fred Astaire
Actor and Dancer
Fred Astaire
  • May 14 Stelios Perpiniadis, Greek folk singer, songwriter and guitarist, born in Tinos
  • May 25 Kazi Nazrul Islam, Bengali poet, musician, revolutionary and philosopher, born in Asansol, Burdwan, Bengal Presidency, British India (d. 1976)

Deaths in Music

  • May 29 Frantz Jehin-Prume, Canadian violinist and composer, dies at 60