Kenneth J. Alford

Frederick Joseph Ricketts was an English composer of marches for band. Under the pen name Kenneth J. Alford, he composed marches which are considered to be great examples of the art. He was a Bandmaster in the British Army, and Royal Marines Director of Music. Conductor Sir Vivian Dunn called Ricketts "The British March King". Ricketts' frequent use of the saxophone contributed to its permanent inclusion in military bands. His best known work is the "Colonel Bogey March".

21 February 1881

Born on the same birth day (21 February): Alan Rickman • Andy Ellis (rugby union) • Brendan Sexton III • Chuck Palahniuk • Dorothy Blum • Hans Erni • John Haden Badley • José Zorrilla • Lucille Bremer

Born in the same month (February 1881): Alexei Rykov • Anna Pavlova • Carlo Carrà • Eleanor Farjeon • Fernand Léger • Joseph B. Ely • L. E. J. Brouwer • Mary Carson Breckinridge • Orval Overall • Sveinn Björnsson • Tip Snooke • William Z. Foster