Celebrating remarkable people who got their start right here in the Queen City. Brian McKnight: Born, June 5, 1969 

Buffalo’s Voice for the Soul 

Brian McKnight grew up in Buffalo in a family steeped in music and faith — his grandfather was a local pastor, and it was in those church pews that he first fell in love with singing. He taught himself piano, guitar, and trumpet, absorbing the gospel, jazz, and soul traditions woven into the fabric of Western New York. Inspired by his older brother Claude, a member of the Grammy-winning vocal group Take 6, Brian signed his first record deal at just 19 and released his self-titled debut in 1992. The heartfelt single “One Last Cry” cracked the Top 20 and introduced the world to his signature sound: velvety, romantic, and deeply felt.

An R&B Legacy Built Song by Song 

Over the following decades, McKnight became one of R&B’s most enduring voices. Hits like “Anytime,” “Back at One,” and the Vanessa Williams duet “Love Is” showcased his remarkable vocal range and gift for emotional storytelling. His 1999 album Back at One sold over three million copies and cemented his place among the genre’s greats. Through it all, Buffalo remains central to who he is — the source of his grounding, his faith, and his soul. 

Jim Burt: Born, June 7, 1959 

Undrafted, Undeterred 

Jim Burt grew up in Orchard Park, just outside Buffalo, where he played high school football alongside future NFL and professional wrestling stars. When no team drafted him out of college, he didn’t fold — he signed as a free agent 

with the New York Giants and earned everything the hard way. A ferocious nose tackle at 6’1″ and 255 pounds, Burt carved out a reputation as one of the most punishing interior defenders in the game. His 1986 Pro Bowl season was the highlight of a breakout year that saw the Giants dismantle the San Francisco 49ers 49–3 in the NFC Divisional Playoffs — a game in which Burt’s bone-rattling hit on Joe Montana helped set the tone — before winning Super Bowl XXI. 

Mark Gangloff: Born, June 8, 1982 

From Western New York to Olympic Gold 

Mark Gangloff spent his early years in Amherst, a Buffalo suburb, before his family relocated to Ohio when he was 12. But the work ethic instilled during those Western New York years never left him. Competing as a breaststroke specialist, Gangloff reached the pinnacle of his sport at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where he earned a gold medal as part of the U.S. 4×100 medley relay team. He returned to the Olympic stage four years later in Beijing and

claimed a second gold, further cementing his place among the finest American swimmers of his era. 

A Legacy in the Water 

Beyond the medals, Gangloff became a role model for younger athletes and a respected voice in the U.S. swimming community. His story — from the suburbs of Buffalo to the Olympic podium — remains a compelling blueprint for what talent and relentless dedication can produce. 

Emily Regan: Born, June 10, 1988 

A Walk-On Who Walked Away with Gold 

Emily Regan grew up in Buffalo before heading to Michigan State University, where she walked on to the rowing team in 2006 with no scholarship and no guarantee of a future in the sport — just curiosity and a

competitive instinct. Her talent made itself known quickly. After college, she joined the U.S. Rowing Team in 2010 and worked her way onto the international stage, competing at the highest levels of the sport with the same grit that defines her hometown. 

Buffalo’s Champion on the Water 

Regan’s rise from a Buffalo kid who hadn’t touched a rowing shell until college to an Olympic champion is one of the more unlikely and inspiring arcs in the city’s athletic history. She has spoken openly about how Buffalo’s sense of community and blue-collar determination shaped her character — and her performances on the water reflect every bit of that foundation.