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, 1980 ~ Singer, keyboardist, guitarist, percussionist Alexis Taylor born in London, UK ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of 2000s synth-pop, alternative dance outfit Hot Chip, known for songs such as Over & Over, The Boy From School and the UK top 10 hit Ready For The Floor. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the Rubbed Out album released in 2008, and plays keyboards in the About Group
April 20, 1980 ~ Composer, pianist Katherine Kennicott Davis passed away in Littleton, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known for penning The Little Drummer Boy, one of the best known Christmas songs recorded by the Trapp Family Singers, Harry Simeone Chorale, Johnny Cash, the Lennon Sisters, Bing Crosby, Joan Baez, and José Feliciano ~ Davis was born in 1892
April 20, 1980 ~ Jazz bassist Ronnie Boykins passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his association with pianist Sun Ra. Also worked with Muddy Waters, Johnny Griffin, Jimmy Witherspoon, Bill Barron, Elmo Hope, Archie Shepp, the Free Jazz Society, John Hicks, the Melodic Art-Tet, Roger Blank, Charles Bracken, Ahmed Abdullah, Steve Lacy, Denis Charles, Mary Lou Williams, Marion Brown, Sarah Vaughan, Hajj Daoud Haroon, George Benson, Bill Dixon, Eric Kloss, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Sam Rivers, Arthur Blythe, and John Ore ~ Boykins was born in 1935
April 20, 1979 ~ Drummer Kenneth Kapstad born in Lokken, Norway ~ Best known as drummer for the Gate and God Seed. Also worked with Motorpsycho, Animal Alpha, Goat the Head, Monolithic, Dadafon, Cucumber, the African Pepperbirds, Martin Hagfors, Moster, the Grand General, Resjemhela, Spidergawd, and 22April 20, 1979 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Luke Reynolds, full name Lucas Fitzpatrick Reynolds, born in Cornwall, Vermont, USA ~ Formed Blue Merle. Also worked with Sharon van Etten, Neko Case, Miranda Lambert, Rayland Baxter, Omar Rodríguez-López, Willie Nelson, Guster, Charlie Worsham, the Yellowbords, Brett Dennen, Belle Brigade, Tim O'Brien, and August Rush
April 20, 1978 ~ Douglas Cook, commonly known as singer, guitarist, mandolinist, keyboardist, songwriter Clay Cook, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Formed the duo Lo-Fi Masters with classmate John Mayer. Co-wrote several songs for Mayer's first two albums including No Such Thing, Comfortable and Man On The Side. Cook has also worked with the Marshall Tucker Band, Sugarland, Shawn Mullins, the Wood Brothers, Y-O-U and notably with the Zac Brown Band. As a solo artist has over half a dozen albums to his name, starting with Lead Me On released in 2001April 20, 1976 ~ William Max Geserick, commonly known as jazz drummer, producer Carlo Krahmer, passed away in London, UK ~ Worked with Johnny Claes, Claude Bampton, George Shearing, and others ~ Geserick was born in 1914
April 20, 1975 ~ Michael Santiago Render, commonly known as MC, rapper Killer Mike, born in Adamsville, Georgia, USA ~ First gained attention guesting on the OutKast album Stankonia released in 2000 and on the duo's Grammy Award-winning single The Whole World released the following year. Has since gone on to release about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Monster released in 2003, and collaborate with the likes of Three 6 Mafia, Shawty Lo, TI, and Bun BApril 20, 1975 ~ Keyboardist, bassist Martin Crandall, full name Martin Lesley Crandall, born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA ~ Member of indie rock band the Shins from 1998 until his dismissal in 2009. Present on the band's first three albums, including the highly acclaimed Oh Inverted World debut album released in 2001
April 20, 1973 ~ Gabriele Ponty, commonly known as DJ, producer Gabry Ponte, born in Turin, Italy ~ Rose to fame in the late 1990s as member of Eiffel 65, known for their 1998 hit Blue (Da-ba-dee) which hit the top 10 across continental Europe, the UK and America. Subsequent releases, such as Too Much Heaven and Move Your Body, would also become hits in Europe but fail to chart in America
April 20, 1973 ~ Alternative rock, hip-hop, darkwave singer, MC, guitarist, keyboardist Justin Warfield, full name Justin Evan Warfield, born ~ Member of One Inch Punch, known for their sole Tao Of The One Inch Punch album released in 1996. Formed the darkwave band She Wants Revenge with Adam Bravin, best known for Tear You Apart of their eponymous 2006 She Wants Revenge debut album. As a solo artist best known for his 1993 hip-hop flavored My Field Trip To Planet 9 debut album co-produced by QDIII and Prince PaulApril 20, 1972 ~ Tara Leigh Patrick, commonly known as glamour model, actress, singer, TV personality Carmen Electra, born in Sharonville, Ohio, USA ~ Released her sole eponymous Carmen Electra album in 1993, produced by Prince. Best known as cultural pop icon, glamour model and notably as an actress for TV and film. In later years would occasionally return to singing, guesting with the Pussycat Dolls from time to time and releasing handful of singles during the 2010s
April 20, 1971 ~ Pop, country pop singer Glen Campbell records The Last Time I Saw Her at TTG Recording Studio, Hollywood, California ~ Written and previously recorded by Gordon Lightfoot for his 1968 Did She Mention My Name album. Recorded by Glen Campbell for his 1968 Did She Mention My Name album, and again for his 1971 The Last Time I Saw Her album. Released as a single, paired with Bach Talk on the flip side, in June 1971
April 20, 1971 ~ Alternative rock, emo, indie rock bassist, guitarist, singer Mikey Welsh, full name Michael Edward Welsh, born in Syracuse, New York, USA ~ Best known for his association with Weezer, joining the band in 1998 replacing original bassist Matt Sharp. Present on the Weezer (Green Album) album released in 2001. Had previously played with Left Nut, Heretix, Jocobono, Juliana Hatfield. In 2001, Welsh suffered a mental breakdown and retired from music shortly thereafter ~ Welsh passed away in 2011
April 20, 1970 ~ Jazz double bassist, singer, composer, arranger Avishai Cohen born in Kibbutz Kabri, Israel ~ Worked with Chick Corea, Dor Daniel, Nital Herhkovits, Bobby McFerrin, Roy Hargrove, Herbie Hancock, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Nnenna Freelon, Paquito d'Rivera, Claudia Aruna, Alicia Keys, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Israel Symphony Orchestra, Mark Giuliana, Danilo Pérez, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Seamus Blake, and Amos Hoffman
April 20, 1969 ~ William Benjamin Jr, commonly known as R&B, jazz drummer Benny Benjamin, also known as Papa Zita, passed away in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Influenced by Buddy Rich and Tito Puente. First drummer of Motown house band the Funk Brothers, appearing on tracks by Barrett Strong, the Miracles (Going To A Go-Go), the Contours, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder (Uptight (Everything's Alright)), and Gladys Knight & the Pips. Towards the end of the 1960s, Benjamin would increasingly struggle with drugs and alcohol addiction, which seriously hindered his career. Benjamin died following a stroke at age 43 ~ Benjamin was born in 1925
April 20, 1968 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones record Jumpin' Jack Flash ~ Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Produced by Jimmy Miller who also provided backing vocals. Line-up consisted of Mick Jagger lead vocals and maracas, Keith Richards, guitar, bass and backing vocals, Brian Jones rhythm guitar, Bill Wyman hammond and Charlie Watts drums. Released later the same year as a single with Child Of The Moon on the B-side. It would become a concert favorite as well as one of their regularly covered songs, with adaptations by artists as diverse as Thelma Houston, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Johnny Winter and Leon Russell
April 20, 1967 ~ Drummer Mike Portnoy, full name Michael Stephen Portnoy, born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of progressive metal band Dream Theater, with whom he recorded 10 albums including the highly influential and acclaimed Images And Words, A Change Of Seasons and Train Of Thought before departing the band after over two decades. Has since formed several new bands, perhaps most notably hard rock unit the Adrenalin Mob, progressive rock band Flying Colors, and power trio Winery Dogs
April 20, 1965 ~ Rockers the Yardbirds record Heart Full Of Soul at Advision Sound, London, UK ~ Penned by Graham Gouldman. Produced by Giorgio Gomelsky. The first single after Jeff Beck replaced Eric Clapton as lead guitarist, the latter having left because of the musical direction of the group. The song is praised especially for Beck's use of the fuzz box, and for introducing Indian-influenced guitar stylings. The band had actually first recorded the song with a sitar player performing the instrumental figures, though as they were not content with the outcome Beck developed the part on electric guitar to emulate the sitar. Paired with Steeled Blues on the flip side, the single would reach top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic and has since become one of the band's best known and most beloved songs
April 20, 1963 ~ Norman Swan, commonly known as hard rock, heavy metal singer, guitarist Kal Swan, born in Glasgow, UK ~ Best known as lead singer for Bad Moon Rising, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums from the early 1990s through the mid 2000s. The band, which also notably featured guitarist Doug Aldrich, would reach superstar status in Japan. Previously Swan had worked with Kuni, Tytan, and Lion
April 20, 1960 ~ Jazz, blues pianist, guitarist John Altenburgh born in Wausau, Wisconsin, USA ~ Altenburgh began his professional music career playing pop and rock, notably with the Wisconsin outfit Bad Habit, in his late teens and early twenties yet turned away from rock after disillusionement with the music industry to found his own label and focus on jazz and blues instead. Altenburgh's compositions have frequently been used in soundtracks and as theme songs for radio and TV programs. Altenburgh has recorded well over a dozen albums either as a solo artist or fronting the blues unit Johnny & the Mo-tones, and is especially acclaimed for his 1993 Generations album which has been described by some as contemporary and funky yet boppish in spots. Besides issuing his own albums on Altenburgh Records, he has served as producer for the label's artists including Naima, Gary Brunotte, Mark Ladley (Strictly Business), John Greiner (Shades), Petrified Alien Brain, Mike Metheny (Street Of Dreams), Gary Silvis, Bob Kase (Weaver Of Dreams), and Dennis Mitcheltree. Altenburgh is also a historian associated with the Marathon County Historical Museum, whom he has advised on historical rock & roll exhibitions, and is a founding member of the Rock & Roll Revival Committee of WisconsinApril 20, 1958 ~ Blues harpist, guitarist, singer, songwriter Gary Primich, full name Gary Alan Primich, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for his 1995 Mr Freeze album. Member of the Mannish Boys alongside Jimmy Carl Black. Has also worked with Steve James, Omar & the Howlers, John Juke Logan, Marcia Ball, Ruthie Foster, Nick Curran, and Jimmie Vaughan ~ Primich passed away in 2007
April 20, 1957 ~ Hubertus Richenel Baars, mononymously known as singer Richenel, born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Best known as a disco singer, later ventured into dance, lounge and jazz. Member of disco outfit Luxor. As a solo artist, Richenel debuted in 1984 with the single Statue Of Desire, which failed to chart. His sophomore single, 1985's L'Esclave Endormi, became a UK hit. It drew the attention of producer, songwriting duo Fluitsma & Van Tijn with whom he scored several Dutch top 40 hits such as Temptation, Don't Save Your Love and his biggest hit Dance Around The World. The latter would reach No.9 in the Netherlands as well as chart well in Italy, Germany, and across Scandinavia. Other notable recordings include Secret Wish, which was later covered by the SOS Band, Are You Just Using Me written by George Michael, and Oasis and Fascination, the latter two of which became hits on the French dance charts and in New York's underground club scene ~ Baars passed away in 2020
April 20, 1955 ~ Karl Walter Ahlertich Buskohl, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter Carl Carlton, born in Ihrhove, West Germany ~ Worked with Mink DeVille, Robert Palmer, the Animals, Herman Brood, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Peter Maffay, Udo Lindenberg, Joe Cocker, Keb' Mo, Jimmy Barnes, Eric Burdon, Mother's Finest, the Simple Minds, Alannah Myles, Ellen Foley, Klaus Voormann, Long Tall Ernie & the Shakers, and Vitesse
April 20, 1951 ~ Singer Luther Vandross, full name Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr, born in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Session, backing singer for artists such as Todd Rundgren, Judy Collins, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Ben E King, and Donna Summer. Fronted Change. As a solo artist best known for songs such as Never Too Much, Here And New, Any Love, Power Of Love (Love Power), I Can Make It Better, For You To Love, Superstar, and Always And Forever. Duetted with Cheryl Lynn, Beyoncé and Mariah Carey ~ Vandross passed away in 2005
April 20, 1951 ~ Flutist, dancer, songwriter, teacher Robert Tree Cody born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Of Dakota and Maricopa heritage Cody is considered a master of the Native American flute with about a dozen albums to his name starting in the early 1990s. Especially acclaimed for his 1993 Dreams From The Grandfather album. Cody has also guested on albums by William Eaton, the Phoenix Chorale, the Rippingtons (Topaz), and Ruben Romero ~ Cody passed away in 2023