About maketodayrock.com: We celebrate musicians' birthdays, remember those we've lost, and highlight key moments in music such a release dates, chart peak dates, or anything else tied to a specific date. Pick any day from the menu in the top right. The front page shows recent obituaries.
April 13, 1966 ~ Rock, roots rock, blues rock guitarist, slide guitarist Marc Ford born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Lead guitarist of the Black Crowes from 1992 through 1996, first appearing on the band's sophomore Southern Harmony & The Musical Companion album. Ford has also worked with Bunring Tree, Magpie Salute, Ben Harper, Izzy Stradlin, and Gov't Mule
April 13, 1966 ~ Jazz pianist, guitarist, saxophonist, bassist Miles Black born in Port Alberni, Canada ~ Has recorded over a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, starting with Purple Phase released in 1991. Member of Skywalk and of Altered Laws. Also closely associated with singer Glenda Rae, with whom he reportedly has co-written over an estimated 300 songs. Other notable associations include Robin Shier, John Singer (Global Motion), Keith Copeland, Martha Lorin (Come Walk With Me), and Chris Gestrin
April 13, 1964 ~ British pop group the Hollies record Here I Go Again at EMI Studios, London, UK ~ Written by Mort Shuman and Clive Westlake. Produced by Ron Richards. The band's first original single, the previous four all covers. Released the following May, b/w Baby That's All, it would reach top 10 in their native UK. The American release, featuring a cover of Little Richard's Lucille on the flip side, would fail to chart
April 13, 1962 ~ Funk rock, punk rock, alternative rock guitarist, sitarist, singer Hillel Slovak born in Haifa, Israel ~ Co-founding member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, departing the band before the recording of their debut album, rejoining for the next two albums Freaky Styley and The Uplift Mofo Party Plan. Following Slovak's overdose death at age 26 the band have written several songs as tributes to Slovak, including Knock Me Down, My Lovely Man, and Feasting On The Flowers ~ Slovak passed away in 1988April 13, 1961 ~ Voice actress, singer Liz Callaway born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for providing the singing voices for female characters in a number of animated feature films including Anastasia, Swan Princess, Beauty & The Beast, Pocahontas and perhaps most notably providing the singing voice of Jasmine in the Aladdin sequels The Return Of Jaffar and Aladdin And The King Of Thieves
April 13, 1959 ~ In its 6th week on the charts, Come Softly To Me by the Fleetwoods hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Originally titled Come Softly, label owner Bob Reisdorff changed it to Come Softly To Me as he thought the original title might be too obvious and risqué for its day. The song was sung a capella with minimal arrangment and no drums, the only percussion provided by Gary Troxel shaking his car keys in a closed hand. Noted in-house musician Bonnie Guitar, a respected singer and songwriter herself, is heard on guitar. Come Softly To Me would be the band's first of two charttoppers, followed by Mr Blue later the same year. The title phrase “Come softly to me” never appears in the lyrics. The teenage trio was originally named Two Girls And A Guy, but changed their named to the Fleetwoods, a more commercially viable name, as they all had the same phone exchange, Fleetwood
April 13, 1958 ~ Jazz pianist David Ornette Cherry born in Watts, California, USA ~ Son of revered jazz trumpeter, cornetist Don Cherry. Named after iconic saxophonist Ornette Coleman. Starting in the late 1990s, Cherry has recorded about a dozen albums drawing from world music and jazz, starting in the late 1990s. Especially acclaimed for the albums Organic Groove and Cherry Extract, released respectively in 2000 and 2007 ~ Cherry passed away in 2022
April 13, 1957 ~ Keyboardist, singer Wayne Lewis born in White Plains, New York, USA ~ Co-lead singer of R&B outfit Atlantic Starr, a band founded by siblings Wayne, David Lewis, and Jonathan Lewis. Influenced by 1970s soul and funk acts such as Earth Wind & Fire, the Commodores, and LTD, Atlantic Starr would become one of the top R&B acts of the 1980s by adding an updated urban contemporary touch. The band would be especially popular from the early through the mid 1980s, scoring a run of five consecutive albums to reach top 10 on the Billboard R&B charts starting with 1981's Radiant, the band's third studio album and first of three produced by James Anthony Carmichael, who had previously worked as arranger, engineer, or producer with acts such as Michael Jackson, the Jackson 5, the Temptations, the Commodores, GC Cameron, and Diana Ross. Over the course of their career, Atlantic Starr would score about a dozen Billboard R&B top 10 hits, three of which also reached top 10 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Lewis co-wrote a significant portion of the band's biggest hits, including When Love Calls, Circles, Touch A Four Leaf Clover, Secret Lovers, and Always. The band would fall out of favor in the 1990s with the emergence of new jack swing, yet continued to perform in various incarnations. Their sole Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit, Always lifted off their 1987 All In The Name Of Love album, remains a wedding favorite to this day ~ Lewis passed away in 2025April 13, 1956 ~ Rock, progressive rock guitarist, singer, author Davor Slamnig born in Zagreb, Croatia ~ Best known as a member of cult band Buldozer, present on the band's 1980 Izlog Jeftinih Slatkisa album. Co-wrote songs such as Karlo, Slovinjak Punk, and Zene I Muskarci. Released his Mira Furlan I Orkestar Davora Slamniga solo debut album in 1982. Also well known as an author, noted for his Topli Zrak novel published in 2002
April 13, 1955 ~ Bassist, songwriter Louis Johnson born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of the Brothers Johnson, known for 1970s hits such as I'll Be Good To You, Strawberry Letter 23 and Stomp. In-demand session musician, notably present on songs such as Michael Jackson's Don't Stop Till You Get Enough and Billie Jean, Michael McDonald's I Keep Forgetting Every Time You're Near, and George Benson's Give Me The Night. Also appeared on albums by Billy Preston, Bobby Womack, Grover Washington Jr (Feels So Good), Bill Withers, Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, the Pointer Sisters, the Crusaders, Patti Austin (Every Home Should Have One), the Passage, Lee Ritenour, Donna Summer, James Ingram, Peabo Bryson, the Jacksons (Victory), Aretha Franklin (Who's Zoomin' Who), the Isley Brothers, George Duke, and Brian McKnight ~ Johnson passed away in 2015April 13, 1955 ~ Christian singer, guitarist, pianist Steve Camp born in Wheaton, Illinois, USA ~ Revered Christian singer with about two dozen albums to his name, starting with Sayin' It With Love released in 1978. Duetted with Michele Pillar on Love's Not A Feeling, and with BeBe Winans on Do You Feel Their Pain. Also frequently collaborated with Rob Frazier, Scott Wesley Brown, and with keyboardist Michael Omartian
April 13, 1953 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion guitarist, composer Grant Geismann born in Berkeley, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Played guitar on the theme of comedy drama TV series Monk. Has worked with Gerald Wilson, Louie Bellson, Chuck Mangione, Pete Christlieb, Sheila E, Miki Howard, Quincy Jones, Diane Schuur, Van Dyke Parks, David Benoit, Ringo Starr, Robbie Williams, and Liza Minnelli
April 13, 1953 ~ Drummer Tom Olstad born in Gjøvik, Norway ~ Worked with Harald Gunhus, Guttorm Guttormsen, Atle Hammer, Carl Magnus Neumann, Odd Riisnæs, Christian Reim, Karin Krog, Brinck Johnson, Merethe Mikkelsen, Sverre Kjelsberg, Magni Wentzel, Kjell Karlsen, Paul Weeden, Art van Damme, Benny Bailey, Art Farmer, Kenny Drew, James Moody, and Eddie Harris
April 13, 1952 ~ Latin jazz, jazz singer, guitarist Rosa Passos born in Salvador, Brazil ~ Debuted in 1979 with the Recriação album and has recorded to critical acclaim and international succes since with some two dozen albums to her name. The 2004 re-release of her sophomore Amorosa album would earn her attention in America. Has worked with Lula Galvao, Ron Carter, and Paquito d'Rivera
April 13, 1951 ~ R&B, soul singer Peabo Bryson born in Greenville, South Carolina, USA ~ Especially known for a number of romantic duets with female singers, notably Tonight I Celebrate My Love with Roberta Flack. Other duet partners included Natalie Cole, Minnie Riperton, Melissa Manchester, Chaka Khan, and Regina Belle. As a solo artist, Bryson is known for songs such as Feel The Fire, I'm So Into You and perhaps his best known If Ever You're In My Arms Again, the latter a 1984 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit
April 13, 1947 ~ Athanasios Mikroutsikos, commonly known as entekhno pianist Thanos Mikroutsikos, born in Patra, Greece ~ Considered one of the most important contemporary Greek composers. Known for his left-leaning politics and activism, persecuted by the Greek military junta, serving as politician including as Deputy Minister of Culture after the restoration of democracy. As a recording artist released his Politika Tragoudia debut album in 1975. Would continue to record to critical acclaim and become an in-demand composer, his songs recorded by the likes of Maria Dimitriadi, Haris Alexiou, Manolis Mitsias, Dimitris Mitropanos, George Dalaras, and Vasilis Papakonstantinou ~ Mikroutsikos passed away in 2019
April 13, 1946 ~ Rock, garage rock, proto-punk singer, guitarist Roy Loney born ~ Influential on punk and power-pop. Original lead singer of the Flamin' Groovies, remaining with the band from 1965 through 1971. Present on the band's first three critically acclaimed albums, namely Supersnazz, Flamingo and Teenage Head ~ Loney passed away in 2019April 13, 1946 ~ William Henry Bell, commonly known as composer, conductor WH Bell, passed away in Gordon's Bay, South Africa ~ Principal of the South African College Of Music, Cape Town, from 1912 through 1935. As a composer wrote operas, orchestral, symphonic and chamber music. Perhaps best remembered for South African Symphony and Viola Concerto ~ Bell was born in 1873
April 13, 1945 ~ Singer, guitarist, sitarist, flutist, saxophonist, songwriter Lowell George, full name Lowell Thomas George, born in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Active since the mid 1960s. Member of the Factory, known for their Smile Let Your Life Begin single. Backed Frank Zappa as member of the Mothers Of Invention. Best known for co-founding and fronting Little Feat, acclaimed for a string of 1970s albums including Little Feat, Sailin' Shoes, and Dixie Chicken ~ George passed away in 1979
April 13, 1944 ~ Bassist, guitarist, keyboardist Brian Pendleton born in Wolverhampton, UK ~ Co-founding member of the Pretty Things, remaining with the band through 1966. Present on the band's first two album's, The Pretty Things and its follow-up Get The Picture. Noted for his slide guitar playing and Rosalyn, the band's 1964 debut single ~ Pendleton passed away in 2001
April 13, 1944 ~ John William Casady, commonly known as bassist Jack Casady, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Member of the Jefferson Airplane from shortly after its inception in 1965 through 1972. Present on the band's best known including the era-defining Somebody To Love and White Rabbit of the seminal 1967 Surrealistic Pillow album. Co-founded Hot Tuna with Airplane bandmate Jorma Kaukonen in 1969, with whom he recorded about a dozen albums since including the acclaimed Burgers released in 1972. Regarded as one of the finest bassists to emerge from the 1960s psychedelic movemement, Casady has also appeared on albums by Country Joe & the Fish, Papa John Creach, SVT, the KBC Band, Warren Zevon (Transverse City), and Roky Erickson. Casady released his Dream Factor solo debut album in 2003
April 13, 1943 ~ Producer, band manager Guy Stevens born in East Dulwich, UK ~ Perhaps best remembered for producing London Calling, the third studio album by the Clash. The album, released in 1979, would reach top 10 in the band's native UK, and was the band's first to crack the top 30 on the American Billboard Hot 200 album chart. Associated with several labels over the course of his career, notably Sue Records and Island Records, other acts produced by Stevens include Alex Harvey, Larry Williams, Lee Dorsey, and Hapshash & the Coloured Coat, with Stevens also serving as the latter's manager. Stevens is also remembered for coming up with the band names for Procol Harum and Mott The Hoople ~ Stevens passed away in 1981April 13, 1942 ~ Producer, bassist, guitarist Alvin Ranglin born in May Pen, Jamaica ~ Member of the Maytones, including on the 1969 hit Loving Reggae. Founder of the GG Records label and member of house band the GG All-Stars, known for the hit Man From Carolina. Has also worked with artists such as Eric Donaldson, Max Romeo, the Ethiopians, U-Roy, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, and Barrington Levy
April 13, 1942 ~ Composer, conductor Bill Conti, full name William Conti, born in Providence, Rhode Island, USA ~ Best known for his film and TV scores including Rocky and some of its sequels, Karate Kid and all of its sequals, the Bond film For Your Eyes Only, the soap opera Dynasty, and the 1983 feature film The Right Stuff, the latter earning him an Academy Award for Best Original Score
April 13, 1942 ~ Skiffle, rock & roll pianist John Lowe, full name John Charles Duff Lowe, born in Liverpool, UK ~ By invite of Paul McCartney, Lowe played with the Quarrymen from 1958 through 1960, a band that would evolve into the Beatles. Lowe, known to friends as “Duff”, was present on the recordings of That'll Be The Day and In Spite Of All The Danger, for which he retained ownership. Lowe sold the songs to McCartney in 1981, the two tracks would be included on the Beatles Anthology Vol.1 compilation album released in 1995 ~ Lowe passed away in 2024April 13, 1942 ~ Singer, lutenist, guitarist Martin Best born ~ Known for his renditions of Renaissance music, minstrel songs and French troubadour songs, often in relation to the works of writer William Shakespeare. Closely associated with the Royal Shakespeare Company, serving with the company as actor, singer, composer for three decades starting in the mid 1960s
April 13, 1942 ~ Isham Russell Jones II, commonly known as jazz drummer Rusty Jones, born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA ~ Backed Judy Roberts during the late 1960s. Subsequently a member of George Shearing's trio for most of the 1970s, including on the albums As Requested, The Way We Are, and Continental Experience. Through his association with Shearing, Jones has also regularly worked with Stéphane Grappelli. Other notable credits include albums by Harvey Mandel, Frank Portolese, Ron Surace (The New Cool), Marc Pompe, Scott Hollman, Frank Catalano (Cut It Out), Eddie Picard, and Patrick Noland ~ Jones passed away in 2015