Peak UK Chart Position: #16 in March 1995.

On the day that saw the birth of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1756 (died December 5th 1791), these are the musical birthdays for January 27th:

• Mark Owen – born Mark Anthony Patrick Owen, Oldham, Lancashire, England – singer/songwriter/musician, is 45 today (with Take That, 12 UK number ones including “Babe” in 1993, “Patience” in 2006; solo: “Child” UK #3 in 1996, “Clementine” UK #3 in 1997)
• Tricky – born Adrian Nicholas Matthews Thaws, Bristol, England – producer/mixer/musician/rapper/actor, is 49 today (“The Hell EP” with the Gravediggaz UK #12 in 1995, “Pumpkin” #26 in 1995; with Garbage: “Milk” UK #10 in 1996)
• Gillian Gilbert – born Gillian Lesley Gilbert, Whalley Range, Manchester, England – musician/singer, turns 56 today (with New Order: “Blue Monday 1988” UK #3 in 1988, “Regret” UK #4 in 1993, “True Faith” UK #4 in 1987)
• Martin Degville – born in Walsall, West Midlands, England – fashion designer/musician, is 56 today (with Sigue Sigue Sputnik: “Love Missile F1-11” UK #3, “21st Century Boy” UK #20, both 1986)

Finally, Mike Patton – born Michael Allan Patton, in Eureka, California, United States – is 49 today. Best known as the lead vocalist of American rock band Faith No More, although over the years (particularly during the band’s hiatus) he has branched out into other genres of music, including opera, and movie soundtrack composing. Formed in 1979, Faith No More have scored two top ten hits in the UK – “Midlife Crisis” in 1992, and their cover of the Commodores’ “Easy” (re-titled to “I’m Easy”) which got to number three in 1993. Rather surprisingly, they have been much less successful in their native America, with only “Epic” (a track released twice in the UK) having any serious impact, getting to number nine in 1989.

Here’s their 1995 hit “Digging The Grave”, performed on MTV’s Most Wanted, which was hosted at the time (but not seen here) by the legendary Ray Cokes.