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 20, 2026 ~ Singer, guitarist Alan Osmond, full name Alan Ralph Osmond, passed away in Lehi, Utah, USA ~ Eldest member of the Osmonds sibling outfit. Osmond was also helpful in advancing the solo careers of Donny Osmond and Marie Osmond, and was one of the producers for the Donny & Marie Show, which aired on ABC from 1976 through 1979. Yet, he is best remembered as creative leader, although he rarely sang lead, and producer of the family-friendly sibling outfit especially popular during the first half of the 1970s. Osmond has co-written several of the band's best known including Down By The Lazy River, Hold Her Tight, and Crazy Horses. Upon Osmond's passing, Marie Osmond commented how her brother had always been a natural leader: “Alan became our leader at age 12. How daunting that must have felt to have that immense responsibility, to lead at such a young age. But he never complained. He told me many times, ‘It felt like a mission, a long one, but I loved doing it’. And he did it for us and for all of you” ~ Osmond was born in 1949
April 20, 2026 ~ Guitarist, bassist, engineer, producer, studio owner Wayne Moss passed away in Madison, Tennessee, USA ~ Taking up the guitar at age 8, Moss would go on to become one of the most in-demand Nashville session musicians. Moss is also known as co-owner, alongside lifelong compadre Charlie McCoy, of Cinderella Sound, the oldest independent Nashville recording studio. Co-founder of Area Code 615 and Barefoot Jerry, two groups consisting of Nashville studio musicians. Moss is notably present on classic tracks such as Sheila (Tommy Roe), Oh Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison), I Want You and Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 (Bob Dylan), Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line (Waylon Jennings), Stand By Your Man (Tammy Wynette), The Chokin' Kind (Joe Simon), and Coat Of Many Colors, Jolene, and I Will Always Love You (Dolly Parton). Over the course of his lengthy career, Moss has also appeared on albums by Bob Luman, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Everly Brothers, Chet Atkins, Patsy Cline, Eddy Arnold, Loretta Lynn, Peter Paul & Mary, the Monkees, Porter Wagoner (The Cold Hard Facts Of Life), Nancy Sinatra (Country My Way), Buffy Sainte-Marie, Al Kooper (I Stand Alone), Willie Nelson, Charley Pride, Mickey Newbury (Looks Like Rain), Jerry Jeff Walker, Leo Kottke, the Oak Ridge Boys, Kris Kristofferson, and Billy Walker. Upon hearing of his passing, Kyle Young, the chief executive of the Country Music Hall of Fame, stated: “Wayne was a musical torchbearer and a creative pathfinder who left his own resounding stamp on music history.” Moss had been inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009 ~ Moss was born in 1938April 20, 2024 ~ Winston Anthony Morris, commonly known as reggae, dancehall, lovers rock singer Tony Tuff, passed away in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Formed the African Brothers with Sugar Minott and Derrick Bubbles Howard, known for songs such as Mysterious Nature, No Cup No Broke, and Party Night. After the trio disbanded in the mid 1970s, Morris has recorded as a solo artist into the 2000s. As a solo artist, Morris is perhaps best known for Water Pumpee and Mix Me Down, both produced by Henry Jujo Lawes ~ Morris was born in 1955
April 20, 2022 ~ David William Kearney, commonly known as blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Guitar Shorty, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Formative influence on a young Jimi Hendrix as well as Buddy Guy. As a solo artist debuted in 1957 with the single Irma Lee b/w You Don't Treat Me Right produced by Willie Dixon and featuring Otis Rush on second guitar. Over the course of his six-decade career Kearney has worked with Ray Charles, Guitar Slim, T-Bone Walker, Big Joe Turner, Little Richard, and Sam Cooke ~ Kearney was born in 1934April 20, 2019 ~ Morris Dollison Jr, commonly known as electric blues, gospel blues, soul singer, guitarist, songwriter Cash McCall, passed away in Merrillville, Indiana, USA ~ Best known for his 1966 R&B hit When You Wake Up. Co-wrote Otis Clay's It's Wonderful To Be In Love. Co-produced Howlin' Wolf's 1971 Message To The Young album. Co-produced Willie Dixon's 1988 Grammy Award-winning Hidden Charms album ~ Dollison was born in 1941
April 20, 2018 ~ Singer Ariana Grande releases No Tears Left To Cry, lead single off her Sweetener album ~ The singer's first single since the Manchester Bombing that killed 22 concertgoers outside of one of her concerts, No Tears Left To Cry would be widely praised by critics for its optimistic message, the singer imploring her audience to move on from the pain. Although Ariana Grande doesn't directly reference the heinous terrorist attack, the lyrics are clear: “right now I'm in a state of mind, I wanna be in like all the time, ain't got no tears left to cry, so I'm pickin' it up, I'm pickin' up”. No Tears Left To Cry would debut and peak at No.3 Billboard Hot 100, making it her fourth lead single off an album to debut inside the top 10. Previously, The Way off her Yours Truly debut album, Problem off My Everything, and Dangerous Woman off the album of the same name had all also debuted inside the Billboard Hot 100 top 10April 20, 2018 ~ Tim Bergling, commonly known as producer and DJ Avicii, passed away in Muscat, Oman ~ Rose to prominence with the 2011 single Levels. Also known for songs such as Wake Me Up, Hey Brother, Addicted To You, and I Could Be The One ~ Bergling was born in 1989
April 20, 2017 ~ Singer Cuba Gooding Sr passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of Main Ingredient, remaining with the band through 1977. Sang lead on some of the band's greatest hits including Everybody Plays The Fool and Just Don't Want To Be Lonely. Gooding joined the band as a backing singer and took over lead vocals after lead singer Donald McPherson passed away of leukemia in 1971. Gooding released two solo albums in the late 1970s through early 1980s ~ Gooding was born in 1944
April 20, 2010 ~ Electropop, dance-pop singer Ke$ha releases Your Love Is My Drug, lifted off her Animal debut album ~ A top 10 hit in over half a dozen countries, including a No.4 spot on the American Billboard Hot 100 charts. The singer notably performed the song alongside her Billboard Hot 100 No.1 debut single Tik Tok on Saturday Night Live, covered in glow in the dark tribal-like make-up. Described by Ke$ha as a “pretty happy song” with some dark undertones, the song's inspiration came from a relationship with an ex-boyfriend, written about the couple's codependency. When asked about the final line of the song, “I like your beard”, the singer explained: “I've always been into bearded dudes. Hello, I'm from Nashville, I'm into hillbillies. The redneck look is hot right now, and that's great for me. I'm over dudes trying to look like they're in boy bands”
April 20, 2007 ~ Pianist Andrew Hill passed away in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA ~ While in his early teens, Hill was encouraged to further himself in music by Earl Hines, and composer Bill Russo, the latter introducing him to classical composer Paul Hindemith with whom Hill studied for two years. Gigged with visiting jazz musicians including Miles Davis and Charlie Parker. Hill has recorded well over two dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, notably Judgement, his 1965 Point Of Departure masterpiece, and Passing Ships, and has served as sideman on quintessential albums by Walt Dickerson (To My Queen), Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Joe Henderson, Hank Mobley (No Room For Squares), Bobby Hutcherson (Dialogue), Tony Williams (Emergency), Joe Chambers, and Sam Rivers ~ Hill was born in 1931
April 20, 2003 ~ Theodore Marcus Edwards, commonly known as tenor saxophonist Teddy Edwards, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Edwards played with a host of leading jazz musicians including Charlie Parker, Roy Milton, Wynonie Harris, Vince Guaraldi, Joe Castro, Ernie Andrews, Dexter Gordon (notably on the 1947 seminal album The Duel), Houston Person, Benny Goodman, rocker Tom Waits (with whom Edwards toured on the Heartattack And Vine tour), Sonny Criss, Richard Groove Holmes, Milt Jackson, Hank Jones, Julie London, Shelly Manne, Les McCann, Howard McGhee, Freddie Redd, Max Roach, Clifford Brown, Jimmy Smith, Leroy Vinnegar, and Gerald Wilson ~ Edwards was born in 1924
April 20, 2002 ~ In its 10th week on the charts, Foolish by Ashanti hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Co-written by Ashanti, the singer's debut single would spent 10 consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Due to heavily sampling DeBarge's Stay With Me, Mark DeBarge and Bunny DeBarge are given co-writing credit. The single would be an international hit, also reaching top 10 in Australia, the Netherlands, and the UK. It would also earn the singer a nomination for Best Female R&B Performance at the 2003 Grammy Awards, yet lose out to Mary J Blige's He Thinks I Don't Know. Ashanti would have a few more Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits through the mid 2000s, yet Foolish remained her sole charttopper
April 20, 1993 ~ Singer Janet Jackson releases That's The Way Love Goes, lead single off her Janet album ~ One of Janet Jackson's signature songs, which has earned universal critical acclaim both at the time of its release and retrospectively, That's The Way Love Goes has more than held up the test of time and remains popular to this day. At the time of its release, the single reached top 10 in over a dozen countries including No.1 in Canada, the Netherlands, and America, and earned the singer a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song. The song has been cited as an inspiration by later artists including Britney Spears, Alicia Keys, Destiny's Child, and Nelly Furtado. the LA Times has named the song “one of the most endearing pieces of romantic pop confection of the 1990s”, and Billboard classified it as “a sexual awakening for both Jackson and American culture”April 20, 1992 ~ Country singer Alan Jackson releases Midnight In Montgomery, lifted off his Don't Rock The Jukebox sophomore album ~ There have been numerous tributes recorded commemorating Hank Williams, and Midnight In Montgomery, written by Alan Jackson and Don Sampson, ranks among the best of them. The song, a restrained, acoustic ballad featuring a particularly fascinating, haunting storyline, finds the singer en route to Mobile, Alabama, for a New Year's Eve show but making a stop at a Montgomery gravesite where he encounters the ghost of Hank Williams who thanks him for paying tribute. Williams passed away on New Year's Day and is buried in Montgomery, Alabama. Although Williams' career was brief, passing away at age 29 in 1953, he is considered one of the greatest American icons of the 20th century with an influence on country music still felt to this day. Other noteworthy Williams tributes include Hank And Lefty Raised My Country Soul as recorded by Stoney Edwards, If You Don't Like Hank Williams by Kris Kristofferson, Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way by Waylon Jennings, Long White Cadillac by the Blasters, and Has Anybody Here Seen Hank by the Waterboys. Jackson's Midnight In Montgomery reached No.3 Billboard Country
April 20, 1992 ~ Blues guitarist, singer Johnny Shines, full name John Ned Shines, passed away in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA ~ Influenced by Robert Johnson, whom he also backed on tours. As a solo artist has recorded a number of records from the mid 1940s onwards which were all shelved. Would continue to play locally and release records from time to time though most were unsuccessful. Got his big break in 1966 when some of his performances were included on the Chicago/The Blues Today album series in the mid 1960s. Has released a number of fondly remembered albums since. Also backed musicians such as Big Walter Horton, Willie Dixon, and Robert Lockwood Junior ~ Shines was born in 1915
April 20, 1991 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Steve Marriott, full name Stephen Peter Marriott, passed away in Arkesden, UK ~ Became a popular mod style icon in Britain. Member of the Small Faces from 1965 through 1968, and again from 1975 through 1978. Member of Humble Pie from 1969 through 1975, and again from 1979 through 1983. In his later life Marriott would grow disillusioned with the music industry and turn away from mahor record labels, returning to relative obscurity playing in pubs and clubs around London and Essex ~ Marriott was born in 1947April 20, 1985 ~ Singer, songwriter Chris Jones, full name Christopher Anthony Jones, born ~ Best known as featured vocalist on trance DJ Armin Van Buuren's 2008 single Going Wrong. Jones has also worked with DJ Roger Shah, Within Temptation, Ferry Corsten, and formed the rock band Neverlanded with Van Buuren's brother Eller van Buuren
April 20, 1985 ~ In its 13th week on the charts, Nightshift by the Commodores peaks at No.3 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written by Walter Orange, Franne Golde, and Dennis Lambert, the latter also serving as producer. A tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, referencing songs by both in the lyrics, the lead single and title track of the album of the same name would become the band's sole Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit of the post- Lionel Richie era, Richie having left the band in 1982 to pursue a solo careerApril 20, 1984 ~ Hardcore, queercore punk singer, guitarist Leslie Mah born ~ Pivotal to the development of queercore, a subculture of punk and punk rock distinguished by its discontent specifically of society disapproval of the gay community. Co-founded Anti-Scrunti Faction with Tracie Thomas. Co-founded Tribe 8 in 1988. Mah retired from music by the mid 1990s and is a professional tattoo artist in San Francisco
April 20, 1983 ~ Alela Diane Menig, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Alela Diane born in Nevada City, California, USA ~ Debuted with The Pirate's Gospel, initially self-released in 2004 to little attention, receiving critical acclaim upon its re-release two years later. Has recorded consistently to a growing fanbase since. Has worked with Headless Heroes, Josh Klinghoffer, and Joey Waronker
April 20, 1983 ~ Pop singer Erik Segerstedt, full name Mats Erik Segerstedt, born in Uddevalla, Sweden ~ First gained attention as runner-up in the 2006 Swedish edition of Idol talent show, losing out to Markus Fagervall. Would form the boy band EMD with Idol contestants Mattias Andréasson and Danny Saucedo, the singles All For Love, State Of Mind, Let Me Love You and Baby Goodbye all reaching the top of the charts in Sweden
April 20, 1983 ~ Pop, country singer Gaute Ormåsen born in Brumunddal, Norway ~ Reached second place on the 2003 edition of the talent contest Idols, aired on TV2. Would subsequently reach top 10 in his native Norway with Chasing Rainbows of his New Kid In Town debut album. Kjærlighet Er Mer Enn Forelske of his 2006 G For Gaute sophomore would also reach top 10. Internationally perhaps best known for forming the duo Subwoolfer with Ben Adams, the pair represented Norway in the 2022 Eurovision Songfestival and reached 6th place with Give That Wolf A BananaApril 20, 1983 ~ Progressive house, electro house DJ, producer Sebastian Ingrosso born in Nacka, Sweden ~ Alongside Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso a member of the house supergroup Swedish House Mafia. The trio would score a number of international dance hits throughout the 2010s, 2012's Don't You Worry Child a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit while One (Your Name), Miami 2 Ibiza and Antidote would do well across Europe
April 20, 1982 ~ Singer, pianist, songwriter Jacqueline Govaert born in Kaatsheuvel, the Netherlands ~ Rose to fame as lead singer and primary songwriter of rock, alternative rock outfit Krezip, with whom she recorded close to half a dozen albums during the 2000s, all of which reached top 10 in the Netherlands. They are especially known for songs such as I Would Stay, Out Of My Bed, All My Life, Sweet Goodbyes, and Lost Without You, many of their songs remaining popular to this day and considered part of the Dutch rock canon. After the band disbanded in 2009, Govaert has recorded as a solo artist, starting with her Good Life album released in 2010. Govaert has also collaborated with Ayreon, Relax, Beef, Armin Van Buuren, Fernando Lameirinhas, and Alain Clark. In the late-2010s, Krezip reunited. The band's name is an anagram of “perzik”, the Dutch word for “peach”
April 20, 1981 ~ Country singer Barbara Mandrell releases I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool, lead single off her Live album ~ In the early 1980s, country music had a sudden boost in popularity, in part due to the 1980 film Urban Cowboy. Songwriters Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan responded with the song I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool, which became a Billboard Country No.1 hit, her fourth, and signature song for Barbara Mandrell. In the song, the singer explains her relationship with country music as being authentic, and not something that's merely “cool”. Though released as the lead single off her Live album, the single was actually a studio recording with an audience applause mixed in over the track. The album track, however, was an actual live recording from a performance in Nashville, featuring an uncredited appearance from George Jones. Apparently either unaware or dismissive of Mandell's catalogue, country singer Dave Dudley would record an answer song titled I Was Country Before Barbara Mandrell suggesting artists like Mandrell were only cashing in on the fad. Dudley's 1982 single would fail to make the charts