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 19, 1980 ~ Singer Johnny Logan wins the 25th edition of the Eurovision Songfestival held in Dublin, Ireland ~ Representing Ireland, Johnny Logan wins with the song What's Another Year written by Shay Healy. Runner-ups were Germany's Katja Ebstein with Theater in second place, and the UK's Prima Donna with Love Enough For Two in third. Seven years later, Logan would win the annual contest for the second time, this time with the self-penned Hold Me Now
April 19, 1980 ~ Country outfit the Oak Ridge Boys release Trying To Love Two Women, lifted off their Together album ~ The vocal group was able to use their church-borrowed harmonies to sing about infidelities as well, giving a special twist to secular songs. Trying To Love Two Women, written by noted songwriter Sonny Throckmorton, tells of a man trying to juggle two romantic relationships at once, where “one has (his) money, the other's got (his) heart”. Issued as the lead single off their Together album, Trying To Love Two Women would be the band's third Billboard Country No.1 hit, preceded by I'll Be True To You and Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Daylight. Throckmorton was a formidable singer in his own right, but would be best known as a songwriter who up to this point in his career had his songs recorded by the likes of Jean Shepard, Ray Price, Merle Haggard (If We're Not Back In Love By Monday), Tommy Overstreet, Jerry Lee Lewis (Middle Age Crazy), Kenny Rogers, and John ConleeApril 19, 1980 ~ British outfit the Specials become the first ska band to guest on the American satirical TV show Saturday Night Live ~ The band perform Gangsters and Too Much Too Young on the show. Despite their performance wowing the crowd, neither the band nor the ska revival, an early 1980s phenomenon in the UK, take off in America. In their native UK, the band would score about half a dozen top 10 hits through the mid 1980s, including the 1981 UK No.1 hit Ghost Town
April 19, 1977 ~ Bluegrass bassist Alan Bartram born in Huntington, West Virginia, USA ~ Best known as a member of the Del McCoury Band since 2005 and the Travelin' McCourys since 2009. Also worked with the Infamous Stringdusters, appearing on the band's 2007 Fork In The Road album
April 19, 1976 ~ Luis Diaz, commonly known as radio DJ, VJ, artist manager, producer Cipha Sounds, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Best known as a radio DJ and MTV VJ, Diaz also has own artist management agency, Jack Move Inc. The first artist he signed was the R&B duo Nina Sky. Diaz has worked as an A&R executive for Rawkus Records, Tommy Boy Records and for Star Trak Entertainmen. Since 2006 Diaz and Solitair form a hip-hop/R&B production duo working with artists such as Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes, and Trey SongzApril 19, 1975 ~ With four albums under their belt, power pop pioneers the Raspberries announce their split ~ Known for their clean-cut public image, the band would initially be considered “uncool”. However, over time they earned recognition for having pioneered power pop in the early 1970s, a genre that would take off after the band's disbandement. The band had recorded four albums, starting with 1972's Raspberries, and are known best for songs such as Go All The Way, I Wanna Be With You, and Overnight Sensation (Hit Record). Following the band's disbandement, lead singer Eric Carmen embarked on a successful solo career, scoring soft rock, pop rock hits through the late 1980s, his best known being the ballad All By Myself, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit for Carmen and covered by over 150 artists
April 19, 1974 ~ Folk, art-rock, psychedelic rock guitarist, harpist, pianist Josephine Foster born in Colorado, USA ~ Originally aspired to become an opera singer. Would emerge in the 2000s with home-recorded albums, influenced by Tin Pan Alley, German lieder. folk and psychedelic rock. Especially acclaimed for 2008's This Coming Gladness, 2009's Graphic As A Star, and 2013's I'm A Dreamer
April 19, 1974 ~ Jazz singer Madeleine Peyroux born in Athens, Georgia, USA ~ Moved to Paris, France, at 13. Sang with Paris street musicians two years later. Member of the Lost Wandering Blues & Jazz Band. Released her debut, Dreamland, in 1996 backed by James Carter, Cyrus Chestnut, Leon Parker, Vernon Reid, and Marc Ribot. She would go on to work with producers such as Larry Klein and Craig Street, her releases featuring contributions from kd Lang, Walter Becker, Charlie Drayton, Meshell Ndegeocello, Jenny Scheinman, and Allen Toussaint
April 19, 1970 ~ Luis Miguel Gallego Basteri, commonly known as Latin pop, bolero, mariachi singer, pianist Luis Miguel, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico ~ Cultural icon throughout Latin America. Nicknamed “the Sun of Mexico” after “mi sol”, the pet name given to him by his mother. Performs in a wide array of styles including pop, boleros, tango, jazz and mariachi. Known for songs such as Ahore Te Puedes Marchar, La Incondicional, Fria Como El Viento, Inolvidable, No Se Tu, Por Debajo De La Mea, and O Tu O Ninguna
April 19, 1968 ~ Rebekka Ruth Lazone Bramlett, commonly known as rock, pop, country singer, songwriter Bekka Bramlett, born in Westwood, California, USA ~ Daughter of Delaney Bramlett and Bonnie Bramlett of Delaney & Bonnie. Worked with Fleetwood Mac, Mick Fleetwood's the Zoo, Billy Burnette, Faith Hill, Robert Plant, Warrant, Trace Adkins, Faster Pussycat, Vince Gill, Sam Moore of Sam & Dave, Richie Sambora, Joe Cocker, Bad Company, Iris DeMent, Delbert McClinton, Jonny Lang, Kenny Rogers, Flaco Jiménez, Mark Selby, the Derailers, Hal Ketchum, Jessica Andrews, Brooks & Dunn, the Mavericks, Wynonna Judd, Etta James, Deana Carter, Montgomery Gentry, Trisha Yearwood, Jamie Oldaker, Amy Grant, Bob Seger, Trace Adkins, LeAnn Rimes, John Oates, and Buddy Guy
April 19, 1968 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter David Ryan Harris born in Evanston, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Prince. Fronted Follow For No, Dionne Farriss (with whom he has a daughter, rapper Yung Baby Tate), Brendan O'Brien, Kenny Creswell, Johnny Colt, the Brand New Immortals, John Mayer, Dave Matthews, Santana, Nick Jonas, Amali Ward, and Richie SamboraApril 19, 1968 ~ Producer, trance DJ Paul Oakenfold born in Mile End, UK ~ DJ, producer. Especially in-demand as a remixer for artists including U2, Madonna, Britney Spears, Massive Attack, the Cure, New Order, the Rolling Stones, and the Stone Roses
April 19, 1967 ~ Dorothy Snowden Williams, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Dar Williams, born in Mount Kisco, New York, USA ~ Active since the mid-1980s, building a solid reputation in the coffeehhouses circuit, through regular appearances on public radio and as opening act for artists such as Joan Baez, with whom she also duetted on the 1995 album Ring Them Bells. Would release a number of cassettes and EP's before releasing her full-length The Honesty Room debut album in 1993
April 19, 1966 ~ Singer, songwriter, lyricist Benoît David, full name Benoît Gérard Guy David, born in Montreal, Canada ~ Fronted Mystery from 1999 through 2012. Best known as lead singer of progressive rock band Yes from 2008 through 2012, replacing founding member Jon Anderson. Retired from music for health reasonsApril 19, 1966 ~ Singer Wanda Jackson records Tears Will Be The Chaser For Your Wine in Nashville, Tennessee ~ Written by Leroy Goates and Dale Davis. Produced by Ken Nelson. Would be included on Wanda Jackson's 1966 Reckless Love Affair album and released as a single the next November, paired with the album's title track on the B-side
April 19, 1965 ~ Pop singer Bobby Vinton releases his L-O-N-E-L-Y single off the Bobby Vinton Sings For Lonely Nights album ~ Described by Cashbox as “a lyrical, slow-moving heartfelt tearjerker on which the Bobby Vinton plaintively offers six reasons for his unhappiness”, the self-penned tune, released as a single paired with Graduation Tears on the flip side, would reach top 30 Billboard Hot 100 and top the charts in CanadaApril 19, 1965 ~ Operatic soprano singer, actress Natalie Dessay born in Lyon, France ~ Describes herself as a “singing actress” and best known for portraying the role of Olympia in a 1992 production of the opera The Tales Of Hoffmann with the Paris Opera. Has also worked with renowned orchestras such as the Vienna State Opera, the Opera-Comique, the Opera Of Chicago, the Opera De Montreal and the Metropolitan Opera
April 19, 1965 ~ Marion Hugh Knight Jr, commonly known as label executive Suge Knight, born in Compton, California, USA ~ Hugely influential in hip-hop and gangsta rap. Co-founded Death Row Records, the label responsible for the boom in the golden age of rap producing classic albums such as Dr Dre's 1992 The Chronic and Snoop Dogg's 1993 Doggystyle. Other artists rising to fame under the direction of Knight include MC Hammer, the DOC, Daz Dillinger, Kurupt and perhaps most notably Tupac Shakur. Knight is currently serving a 28-year sentence for voluntarily manslaughter and will be eligble for parole in 2037April 19, 1964 ~ Drummer Dawn Richardson born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of the 4 Non Blondes from 1991 through 1994. Present on the band's sole album Bigger Better Faster More, which spawned the hit What's Up. Following the band's disbandement Richardson has worked with Kindness, Loud Family, the Martinis, Bad Radio, Mental 99, Tracy Chapman, and Penelope Houston
April 19, 1963 ~ Pianist, conductor, composer Graham Fitkin born in Cornwall, UK ~ Minimalist, postminimalist. Influenced by a wide array of artists as diverse as Igor Stravinsky, Pierre Boulez, Frank Sinatra, the Smiths, Wire, the Pet Shop Boys, Louis Andriessen. Composer-in-residence at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. Noted for compositions such as the jazz- and rock-influenced Hook and Stub incorporating electronic instruments
April 19, 1962 ~ Pop, surf outfit the Beach Boys record Surfin' Safari at Western Studios, Los Angeles, California ~ Written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love. Produced by Murry Wilson. Released the following June it would reach top 20 Billboard Hot 100. Issued as the band's sophomore single, the flip side 409 recorded during the same sessionApril 19, 1960 ~ Ariel Eduardo Rotenberg Gutkin, commonly known as rock guitarist, pianist, singer Ariel Rot, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ First gained attention in the late 1970s and early 1980s as member of Tequila, known for songs such as Salta, Quiero Besarte, Me Vuelvo Loco, and Rock And Roll En La Plaza Del Pueblo. Subsequently recorded as a solo artist and with Los Rodriguez from 1990 through 1996
April 19, 1958 ~ Singer, guitarist, producer Randy Hall born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ As a solo artist released two albums, 1984's I Belong To You and 1988's I Love You Like A Stranger. Worked with Miles Davis, notably arranging the 1981 album The Man With The Horn. Also worked with the Dells, Darryl Jones, Jean-Paul Bourelly, DATA, AL7, Felton Crews, Pleasure, Ray Parker Jr, and Steve Reid
April 19, 1958 ~ Steven Bernard Hill, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer Stevie B, born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA ~ Influential in late 1980s freestyle and Hi-NRG scene. Known for songs such as I Wanna Be The One, In My Eyes, Love Me For Life, I'll Be By Your Side, Love And Emotion and especially the 1987 club smash Party Your Body and Because I Love You (The Postman Song), the latter a Billboard Hot 100 No.1 in late 1990
April 19, 1957 ~ Sampler Bob Ostertag, full name Robert Ostertag born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA ~ Experimental sampler, sound artist, keyboardist. About a dozen solo albums to his name. Admired by Fred Frith and Robert Fripp, the latter once describing Ostertag as “the only guy on synthesizer who interests me.” Has collaborated with Frith, Ned Rothenberg, John Zorn, Otomo Yoshihide, Anthony Braxton, and Eugene Chadbourne
April 19, 1957 ~ Anthony Philip Harford, commonly known as heavy metal singer Tony Martin, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Best known as lead singer for Black Sabbath from 1987 through 1991, and again from 1993 through 1997. Has recorded about half a dozen albums with the band, including the acclaimed Headless Cross album released in 1989. Has recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with 1992's Back Where I Belong, and has worked with Forcefield, Misha Calvin, Rondinelli, and M 3