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Johann Strauss I (March 14, 1804 – September 25, 1849; Johann Baptist Strauß, Johann Strauss (Vater); also Johann Baptist Strauss, Johann Strauss, Sr., the Elder, the Father), was an Austrian Romantic composer famous for his waltzes, and for popularizing them alongside Joseph Lanner, thereby setting the foundations for his sons to carry on his musical dynasty. His most famous piece is probably the Radetzky March (named after Joseph Radetzky von Radetz), while his most famous waltz is probably the Lorelei Rheinklänge, Op. 154.

To this day the Loreley-Rhein-Klänge is considered to be the most successful set of waltzes by Johann Strauss the Elder. At the same time the work received a somewhat low-key reception at its first performance on 19 August 1843. Admittedly, one chronicler felt obliged to report that: 'the repeat performance' of the new waltzes was 'vehemently demanded', yet had implied nothing more than that the new piece had not been a failure. Joseph Lanner's magnum opus, his set of waltzes Die Schönbrunner, which had been launched only ten months earlier, had roused a lot more enthusiasm. As soon as the first bars of that work were heard rapturous applause broke out and the public called for it to be played three or four more times. The differing reaction to these two masterpieces is probably due to the respective composition of the crowds being present. While Die Schönbrunner were first performed in a Lanner benefit concert in the down-to-earth setting of the Fünfhauser beer hall, the Loreley-Rhein-Klänge waltzes were heard for the first time in a charity concert for a children's hospital sponsored by the Archduchess Sophie on the classy Wasserglacis (an area of what today is the Stadtpark), where a restrained group of listeners had gathered. However, this new set of waltzes quickly established itself as Strauss's undisputed showstopper, not surpassed until his Radetzky March half a decade later.

The Lorelei (German: Loreley, German pronunciation: [loːʁəˈlaɪ]) is a rock on the eastern bank of the Rhine near St. Goarshausen, Germany, which soars some 120 metres above the waterline. It marks the narrowest part of the river between Switzerland and the North Sea, and is the most famous feature of the Rhine Gorge, a 65 km section of the river between Koblenz and Bingen that was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in June 2002. A very strong current and rocks below the waterline have caused many boat accidents there.

Lorelei is also the name of a feminine water spirit, similar to mermaids or Rhine maidens, associated with this rock in popular folklore and in works of music, art and literature.

Ryland Peter "Ry" Cooder (born March 15, 1947)[1] is an American guitarist, singer and composer. He is known for his slide guitar work, his interest in roots music from the United States, and, more recently, his collaborations with traditional musicians from many countries.

Henry Haag “Harry” James (March 15, 1916 – July 5, 1983) was an actor and musician best known as a trumpeter who led a swing band during the Big Band Swing Era of the 1930s and 1940s. He was especially known among musicians for his astonishing technical proficiency as well as his superior tone.