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 2, 1981 ~ Actress, singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter, actress Bethany Joy Lenz born in Hollywood, Florida, USA ~ First gained attention as an actress, notably portraying the role of Linda Halleck the 1996 Thinner based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. As a singer released her Preincarnate debut album in 2002. Formed the duo Everly in 2008 with lifelong friend Amber Sweeney. Wrote and produced the musical The Notebook based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. Married to Enation keyboardist Michael Galeotti from 2005 until 2011, the couple have one daughter
April 2, 1980 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Kip Moore, full name Kipling Christian Moore, born in Tifton, Georgia, USA ~ Released his full-length Up All Night debut album in 2012, reaching Billboard Country top 10 and RIAA Platinum status. Has recorded to commercial succes since. Known for songs such as Beer Money, Hey Pretty Girl, More Girls Like You and perhaps his best known Somethin' 'Bout A Truck, the latter reaching top of the country charts in 2011. Songs written or co-written by Moore have also been recorded by Frankie Ballard, Thompson Square, and James WesleyApril 2, 1979 ~ Keyboardist Jesse Carmichael born in Boulder, Colorado, USA ~ Member of Kara's Flowers. Founding member, keyboardist of Maroon 5 known for hits such as This Love, Makes Me Wonder, Moves Like Jagger featuring Christina Aguilera, One More Night, Animals, Sugar, Don't Wanna Know featuring Kendrick Lamar, Girls Like You featuring Cardi B and Memories, all of which reached Billboard top 5
April 2, 1974 ~ Soul, R&B, pop singer Dionne Warwick and vocal group the Spinners record the collaborative Then Came You ~ Written by Sherman Marshall and Philip Pugh. Produced by Thom Bell. The collaboration with the Spinners proved to be a success for Dionne Warwick. Released the following July, the single would become a hit, reviving Warwick's then-ailing career. The song would top the Billboard Hot 100 chartsApril 2, 1974 ~ Singer, guitarist Håkan Hellström, full name Håkan Georg Hellström, born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Drummer for indie pop band Broder Daniel from 1988 through 1994, rejoining the band from 1997 through 2003 as bassist. Also briefly played with alternative rock band Honey Is Cool. As a solo artist released his Kann Ingen Sorg For Mig Goteborg debut album in 2000 and has recorded consistently since to commercial succes
April 2, 1971 ~ R&B, soul, pop singer, TV, radio personality Traci Braxton, full name Traci Renee Braxton, born in Severn, Maryland, USA ~ Member of sibling outfit the Braxtons, alongside Towanda Braxton, Trina Braxton, Toni Braxton and Tamar Braxton, known for their 1990 single Good Life which although unsuccessful spawned oldest sister Toni's career. As a solo artist best known for the Last Call single of her 2014 Crash & Burn solo debut album ~ Braxton passed away in 2022
April 2, 1967 ~ Guitarist, singer Greg Camp, full name Gregory Dean Camp, born in West Covina, California, USA ~ Best known as founding member for Smash Mouth, and serving as primary songwriter penned songs such as Walkin' On The Sun, All Star, and Then The Morning Comes. Following his departure from the band in 2014 has recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with the likes of Maids Of Honor and the Selectrics
April 2, 1967 ~ Paul Edward Huston, commonly known as DJ, rapper, songwriter, producer Prince Paul, born in Amityville, New York, USA ~ DJ for Stetsasonic, especially acclaimed for their 1988 In Full Gear album. Would go on to become a highly in-demand and influential producer and remixer, credited with reshaping hip-hop. Has worked on albums by MC Lyte, De La Soul (3 Feet High & Rising), Queen Latifah (All Hail The Queen), Boogie Down Productions, Handsome Boy Modeling School (So How's Your Girl), Gravediggaz, the Beastie Boys, Method Man, and Big Daddy Kane. As a solo artist best known for his A Prince Among Thieves featuring an all-star cast released in 1997, one of the few hip-hop concept albums and regarded a masterpiece to this dayApril 2, 1966 ~ Garnet Damion Smith, commonly known as reggae singer Garnett Silk, born in Manchester, Jamaica ~ Praised for his emotive, powerful and smooth voice. Emerged as a rising star in the early 1990s, only to have his career cut short by an early death trying to save his mother in a house fire. Well known songs include Hello Mama Africa, Lord Watch Over Our Shoulders, and Love Is The Answer ~ Smith passed away in 1994
April 2, 1962 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor Billy Dean, full name William Harold Dean Jr, born in Quincy, Florida, USA ~ First gained attention after appearing on the talent show Star Search in 1988. Released his Young Man debut album in 1990 and would subsequently regularly reach the country charts throughout the 1990s with songs such as Somewhere In My Broken Heart, If There Hadn't Been You, We Just Disagre, It's What I Do and That Girl's Been Spyin' On MeApril 2, 1956 ~ Producer Ibrahima Sylla born in Ivory Coast ~ Helped define popular African music. Founded Syllart Records. Has worked with Africando, Youssou n'Dour, Les Quatre Etoiles, Oumou Dioubate, Baaba Maal, Bako Dagnon, Ismaël Lô, Pape Seck, Oumou Sangaré, Gnossàs Pedro, Kouyate Sory Kandia, Bembeya Jazz, Fanta Damba, Alpha Blondy, and Miriam Makeba ~ Sylla passed away in 2013
April 2, 1954 ~ Disco, dance producer, DJ, remixer Walter Gibbons born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ One of the most important club DJs, remixers of the 1970s and early 1980s. Influential on Frankie Knuckles and Larry Levan. Early pioneer of beat-mixing. Among the first to incorporate elements of dub reggae into dance music.. Regular DJ at Manhattan club Galaxy 21. Produced and remixed Double Exposure's 12" Ten Percent, the first commercially available 12" ~ Gibbons passed away in 1994
April 2, 1950 ~ Sound engineer Dave Smith, full name David Joseph Smith, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Dubbed “the father of MIDI” for his pivotal role in the development of MIDI, a standard interface protocol for electronic instruments and pro audio equipment. Graduated from UC Berkeley with degrees in Computer Science and Electronic Engineering. Founded the Sequential Circuits company in the mid 1970s, the company quickly becoming one of the most successful synthesizer manufacturers. Best remembered for designing the Prophet 5, the first commercial polyphonic and microprocessor-controlled synthesizer ~ Smith passed away in 2022April 2, 1950 ~ Singer Eleanor Barooshian, also known as Chelsea Lee or Eleanor Baruchian, born in Weehawken, New Jersey, USA ~ Member of 1960s group the Cake. Toured with Dr John. Member of Ginger Baker's Air Force. Collaborated with Tetsu Yamauchi. The Kevin Ayers-song Eleanor's Cake (Which Ate Her) of the 1970 LP Joy Of A Toy is about Barooshian ~ Barooshian passed away in 2016
April 2, 1947 ~ Country, country-pop, pop, folk-pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Emmylou Harris born in Birmingham, Louisiana, USA ~ Active since the late 1960s. Acclaimed especially for a string of quintessential 1970s albums setting the bar for female singers, notably 1975's Pieces Of The Sky and Elite Hotel and 1977's Luxury Liner. Employed a young and then-unknown Rodney Crowell early on in his career. In-demand collaborator, worked with Gram Parsons, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Mark Knopfler, and Willie Nelson
April 2, 1945 ~ Schlager, pop singer, songwriter, actor Jürgen Drews, full name Jürgen Ludwig Drews, born in Nauen, Germany ~ Dropped out of medical school to pursue a career in music. Best known as a member of the Les Humphries Singers. As a solo artist topped the German charts with Ein Bett Im Kornfield, a German-language cover of the Bellamy Brothers' Let Your Love Flow. Scored a moderate 1981 US hit with Don't Want No-body, peaking in the low 70s of the Billboard Hot 100, later covered by Toni Basil who renamed the song Nobody
April 2, 1943 ~ Lorenz Albert Van DeLinder III, commonly known as jazz, jazz fusion, pop rock, classical guitarist Larry Coryell, born in Galveston, Texas, USA ~ Influenced by jazz musicians such as Kenny Burrell, Red Norvo and Wes Montgomery as well as by classical composers such as Béla Bartók, Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. Over 80 albums to his name as a leader. Member of the Free Spirits prior to backing Chico Hamilton in the late 1960s, replacing Gábor Szabó. Closely associated with childhood friend Mike Mandel and drummer Alphonse Mouzon. Formed the Guitar Trio with John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucia. Has also worked with Herbie Mann, Charles Mingus, Fuse One, Don Sebesky, Chet Baker, Randy Brecker, the 5th Dimension, Sonny Rollins, Michal Urbaniak, and Eddie Cleanhead Vinson ~ Van DeLinder passed away in 2017April 2, 1942 ~ Jazz, blues pianist Eddie Heywood Sr passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Popular during the 1910s and 1920s. Accompanied singers such as Mamie Smith, Sara Martin, and Alger Texas Alexander. One of the first black performers to record outside of Chicago or New York, recording the self-penned The Pawn Shop Blues in 1923 in Atlanta, Georgia, featuring vocalist Lucille Bogan. Heywood also taught his son, Eddie Heywood Jr, to play the piano, who would later go on to become a professional musician himself. Junior is perhaps best remembered for penning the jazz standard Canadian Sunset, recorded by over two hundred artists ~ Heywood was born ca.1901
April 2, 1942 ~ Claude Russell Bridges, commonly known as pianist, bassist, guitarist, hornist, singer Leon Russell, born in Lawton, Oklahoma, USA ~ Legendary rock & roll session pianist, songwriter, producer, appearing on hundreds of albums since the late 1950s. As a solo artist over two dozen albums to his name. Noted especially for his 1970 eponymous Leon Russell solo debut album, featuring guests such as Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison, and including the track A Song For You which has been covered by over 200 artists including Donny Hathaway, and for his 1973 Hank Wilson's Back album. Artists who have recorded songs written or co-written by Russell include Joe Cocker (Delta Lady), Delaney & Bonnie, Freddie King (Palace Of The King), Helen Reddy, and Lee Rocker ~ Bridges passed away in 2016
April 2, 1941 ~ Singer, songwriter Sonny Throckmorton born in Carlsbad, New Mexico, USA ~ Though a fine singer in his own right, specifically noted for I Wish You Could Have Turned My Head (And Left My Heart Alone), Throckmorton is best known as a songwriter, his songs recorded by the likes of Jean Shepard, Roy Drusky (I'm Knee Deep In Loving You), Ray Price, Johnny Duncan, Merle Haggard (If We're Not Back In Love By Monday), Tommy Overstreet, Jerry Lee Lewis (Middle Age Crazy), Kenny Rogers, Moe Bandy (It's A Cheating Situation), John Conlee, TG Sheppard, Reba McEntire, George Strait, and the Judds
April 2, 1940 ~ Jazz, jazz-rock keyboardist Dave MacRae, full name David Scott MacRae, born in Auckland, New Zealand ~ Briefly a member of Matching Mole. Member of Nucleus, present on the the 1973 Labyrinth. Also worked with Buddy Rich, Clark Terry, Jon Hendricks, Elton Dean, Back Door, Robert Wyatt, Richard Sinclair, Allan Holdsworth, Ronnie Scott, and Clifford JordanApril 2, 1940 ~ Jazz tenor saxophonist Sal Nistico, full name Slavatore Nistico, born in Syracuse, New York, USA ~ Worked with Woody Herman, Count Basie, Carl Fontana, Nat Pierce, Michael Moore, Nat Adderley, Don Ellis, Buddy Rich, Stan Tracey, Joe Haider, Fritz Pauer, Johnny Griffin, Roman Schwaller, Paul Grabowsky, Roberto DiGiola, Thomas Stabenow, Joris Dudil, Mario Gonzi, Curtis Fuller, Helen Merrill, Pony Poindexter, and Sarah Vaughan ~ Nistico passed away in 1991
April 2, 1939 ~ Singer Marvin Gaye, full name Marvin Pentz Gay Jr, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Quintessential R&B singer helped shape Motown sound in the 1960s. Redefined R&B in the early 1970s incorporating social commentary, especially on the 1971 landmark album What's Going On. Influential on later subgenres such as quiet storm and neo-soul. Well known songs include Pride & Joy, How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You), I'll Be Doggone, Ain't That Peculiar, You're All I Need To Get By, What's Going On, Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology), Let's Get It On and Sexual Healing. Shot to death by his father trying to intervene in a fight between his parents ~ Gay passed away in 1984
April 2, 1938 ~ Hard bop, avant-garde trumpeter Booker Little born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Revered and influential trumpeter with an impressive resume despite a career cut short by an untimely death at 23. Leader and sideman. Influenced by Sonny Rollins and Clifford Brown, both of which he also worked with. Also worked with John Coltrane (Africa/Brass), Max Roach, Eric Dolphy (Far Cry), Johnny Griffin, Julian Priester, Don Friedman, Ron Carter, Art Davis, Teddy Charles, Slide Hampton, Bill Henderson, and Frank Strozier ~ Little passed away in 1961
April 2, 1935 ~ Benjamin Moten, commonly known as jazz, stride pianist Bennie Moten, passed away in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Active since the early 1920s. Helped define the riffing style that would come to define many of the 1930s big bands. Known for songs such as Kansas City Shuffle, South, Moten Swing and Prince Of Wails. Moten's orchestra at times included sidemen such as Count Basie, Walter Page, and Hot Lips Page early on in their careers ~ Moten was born in 1893
April 2, 1935 ~ Warner McPherson, commonly known as country, country blues, gospel singer Warner Mack, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Active from the 1950 through the 1970s, enjoying his biggest successes in the 1960s. Well known songs include Is It Wrong (For Loving You), Sittin' In An All-nite Cafe, The Bridge Washed Out, Sittin' On A Rock (Cryin' In A River), Talkin' To The Wall, It Takes A Lot Of Money, How Long Will It Take and Leave My Dream Alone ~ McPherson passed away in 2022