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 21, 2024 ~ Singer, guitarist, banjoist Alex Hassilev passed away in Burbank, California, USA ~ Blessed with a rich, robust baritone voice, Hassilev would rise to fame as co-founding member of pop folk trio the Limeliters. Hassilev and Glenn Yarbrough were performing regularly at their own club the Limelite in Aspen, when they were approached by Lou Gottlieb with the idea of forming a trio to work as a demo band for the Kingston Trio. However, their voices blended together so well that the three decided to venture out on their own. Their 1961 sophomore album, Tonight In Person recorded live at the Ash Grove, Hollywood, would propel the group to national fame with the album staying on the charts for over a year and peaking at No.5 Billboard Hot 200. A contemporary review by the Los Angeles Times stated the Limeliters have “a certain musical and verbal finesse which places them above and beyond their many contemporaries.” In contrast to their on-stage harmony, the three singers would regularly clash off-stage, earning them the nickname “the Bicker Brothers” and according to their then-manager Ken Kragen the band were breaking up every day they were in existence. The group was especially popular through 1963, at the height of their fame putting out records every few months while still touring extensively with over 300 dates per year. The band disbanded in 1965 and have reconvened from time to time ~ Hassilev was born in 1932
April 21, 2024 ~ Guitarist, singer, producer Jean-Marie Aerts, full name Jean-Marie René Albert Aerts, full name Jean-Marie René Albert Aerts, passed away in Leuven, Belgium ~ Influenced by Vince Taylor, Jimi Hendrix, and Jan Akkerman. First gained attention in the mid 1970s, backing the likes of Raymond van het Groenewoud, Johan Verminnen, and Bert de Coninck, yet would rise to fame as a member of TC Matic, one of the quintessential Belgian rock bands of the 1980s. The band, best known for launching the career of lead singer Arno, recorded four albums through the mid-1980s and is especially remembered for songs such as Oh La La La and Putain Putain. Following the band's disbandement, Aerts has recorded as a solo artist, and served as producer for a wide array of Belgian and Dutch artists including Absynthe Minded, Urban Dance Squad, Jo Lemaire, Tom Wolf, Kris de Bruyne, and Gorki ~ Aerts was born in 1951
April 21, 2023 ~ Post-punk, avant-funk, industrial singer, songwriter Mark Stewart passed away ~ Pioneer of post-punk and industrial hip-hop. Co-founding member of the Pop Group, drawing from punk, dub, funk, and free jazz, and best known for the singles She Is Beyond Good And Evil and We Are All Prostitutes. Following the band's disbandement in the early 1980s Stewart has recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with the likes of Trent Reznor, Tricky, Massive Attack, and Primal Scream ~ Stewart was born in 1960
April 21, 2021 ~ Pop, rock singer, guitarist Les McKeown, full name Leslie Richard McKeown, passed away in London, UK ~ Best known as lead singer of the Bay City Rollers from late 1973, replacing Gordon Clark, through 1978. Present on hits such as Bye Bye Baby, Give A Little Love, Love Me Like I Love You and I Only Want To Be With You. After the band disbanded in 1978 has recorded over half a dozen solo albums, starting with All Washed Up released in 1979 ~ McKeown was born in 1955
April 21, 2020 ~ Florian Schneider-Esleben, commonly known as krautrock, synth-pop, electropop, art pop keyboardist, guitarist, percussionist, saxophonist, singer Florian Schneider, passed away in Düsseldorf, Germany ~ Co-founded pivotal electronic outfit Kraftwerk in 1970 with Ralf Hutter. The band is widely considered innovators and pioneers of electronic music and among the first successful acts to popularize the genre. Key albums include Autobahn, Trans-Europe Express, Man Machine, and Computer World. Schneider departed the band in 2008 ~ Schneider was born in 1947
April 21, 2016 ~ Lonnie McIntosh, commonly known as rock, blues-rock, blue-eyed soul, country, gospel, rockabilly guitarist, singer Lonnie Mack, passed away in Smithville, Tennessee, USA ~ Influenced by Merle Travis, Les Paul, T-Bone Walker, Ray Charles, and Martha Carson. Acclaimed for his 1963 The Wham Of That Memphis Man album, considered a landmark album influential on blue-eyed soul and rock guitar. Over the decades has faded in and out of the spotlight due to his constant switching between genres. Cited as influence by artists as diverse as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, Ray Benson, Bootsy Collins, Wayne Perkins, Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Danny Gatton. Has opened for the Doors and Crosby Stills & Nash. Sessioned for James Brown, Freddie King, Joe Simon, Albert Washington, Dobie Gray, Ronnie Hawkins, and artist-charmaines] ~ McIntosh was born in 1941
April 21, 2016 ~ Prince Rogers Nelson, commonly known as singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Prince passed away in Chanhassen, Minnesota, USA ~ Known for his eclectic work and flamboyant stage performances. Wrote his first song, Funk Machine, at age 7. Incorporated just about every genre including funk, rock, R&B, new wave, soul, psychedelica and pop. Debuted at age 17 with the album For You (1978). Ruled from the 1980s onwards with albums such as Purple Rain, Parade, and Sign O' The Times ~ Prince was born in 1958
April 21, 2015 ~ Singer Wally Lester, full name Walter Paul Lester Jr, passed away in Southport, North Carolina, USA ~ Original member of doo-wop outfit the Skyliners, known for songs such as This I Swear, Pennies From Heaven, It Happened Today, Close Your Eyes, Comes Love and their best known Since I Don't Have You, the latter reaching the Billboard top 20 in 1958 ~ Lester was born in 1941
April 21, 2013 ~ Rock, new wave singer, songwriter Chrissy Amphlett, full name Christine Joy Amphlett, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Founding member, frontwoman of Divinyls, known for the international hit I Touch Myself, which reached top 10 in America, the UK and in the band's native Australia ~ Amphlett was born in 1959
April 21, 2009 ~ Singer Katy Perry releases Waking Up In Vegas, lifted off her One Of The Boys album ~ Written by Katy Perry, Desmond Child, and Andreas Carlsson. Produced by Greg Wells, who also played all instruments. The song tells of a road trip to Las Vegas, a city described by Perry as “an iconic place where lots of trouble goes down, (and Waking Up In Vegas is) a fun song about getting into trouble and not regretting it.” Peaking at No.9, Waking Up In Vegas would be the third Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit off her One Of The Boys major label debut album, preceded by I Kissed A Girl and Hot n Cold which reached No.1 and No.3 respectively
April 21, 2008 ~ Singer Al Wilson, full name Allen LaMar Wilson, passed away in Fontana, California, USA ~ After serving in the military, Wilson relocated to Los Angeles, toured the local nightclubs and was a member of Jewels, then the Rollers, followed by the Souls. Signed with artist manager Marc Gordon, who secured an audition for Johnny Rivers. It led to a record deal with Soul City with Rivers producing the sessions that yielded 1966's The Snake, which would become a Northern soul anthem and remains popular to this day. Wilson is also remembered for Show And Tell, a 1973 Billboard No.1 hit ~ Wilson was born in 1939
April 21, 2007 ~ John Baslington Lyde, commonly known as guitarist Lobby Loyde, passed away in Melbourne, Australia ~ First gained attention in the 1960s as a member of the Purple Hearts, known for their 1966 single Early In The Morning, and subsequently of Wild Cherries, known for the hit single That's Life. Would go on to become a leading figure in the 1970s Australian pub rock scene, notably as a member of Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs. Has also recorded as a solo artist, and collaborated with the likes of Coloured Balls, and briefly with Rose Tattoo ~ Loyde was born in 1941
April 21, 2003 ~ Eunice Kathleen Waymon, commonly known as R&B, jazz, blues, gospel singer, pianist, civil rights activist Nina Simone, passed away in Carry-le-Rouet, France ~ Fused gospel and jazz with classical. Over 40 albums to her name. Dubbed “the High Priestess of Soul”. Praised for her ability to play three-part counterpoint, both her hands and her voice each following a different yet complementary melody line. Known for songs such as I Loves You Porgy, I Put A Spell On You, Feelin' Good, Wild Is The Wind, Sinnerman, Ain't Got No (I Got Life) and My Baby Just Cares For Me ~ Simone was born in 1933
April 21, 2001 ~ Baritone singer David Hollestelle passed away in Hilversum, the Netherlands ~ Father of bassist Jan Hollestelle and guitarists Hans Hollestelle and David Hollestelle. Best known as a fine interpreter of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, and Felix Mendelssohn ~ Hollestelle was born in 1916April 21, 2000 ~ Singer Neal Matthews passed away in Brentwood, Tennessee, USA ~ Member of the Jordanaires from 1949 until his death in 2000, a vocal group known best for backing artists such as Patsy Cline, Red Foley, Johnny Horton, Ferlin Husky, Jim Reeves, and George Jones. The group is especially known for their association with Elvis Presley, backing Presley on some of his best known including It's Now Or Never, Return To Sender, Can't Help Falling In Love, Are You Lonesome Tonight, and (Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I ~ Matthews was born in 1929
April 21, 1998 ~ Jazz singer Helen Ward passed away in Arlington, Virginia, USA ~ Worked with Benny Goodman, Hal McIntyre, Harry James, Teddy Wilson, Hoagy Carmichael, Lionel Hampton, Red Norvo, Gene Krupa, Joe Sullivan, Roy Eldridge, Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer, and Peanuts Hucko ~ Ward was born in 1913
April 21, 1996 ~ Rock & roll, R&B singer George Lanius passed away ~ Lead singer for one-hit wonder quintet the Crescendos, known for their 1957 Oh Julie hit. The single would reach top 10 on both the Billboard R&B and all-genre Billboard Hot 100 charts and sell over one million copies, earning the group a gold record. The group would record several other singles which failed to chart and disband by the end of the decade ~ Lanius was born in 1939
April 21, 1994 ~ R&B singer Toni Braxton releases You Mean The World To Me, lifted off her eponymous Toni Braxton debut album ~ Teaming up with LaFace hitmakers Kenneth Babyface Edmonds and LA Reid suited Toni Braxton. You Mean The World To Me would be welcomed by critics, as Billboard described the song as a warm and fuzzy ballad with “finger-poppin' rhythms (that) give motion to a virtual mountain of slick synths”, and Cashbox was sure the “down-tempo soul burner” would be a sure hit. Peaking at No.7 Billboard Hot 100, You Mean The World To Me would become Braxton's third single off her eponymous debut album to reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100, preceded by Another Sad Love Song and Breathe Again
April 21, 1985 ~ Isador Minsky, commonly known as music publisher, composer, songwriter Irving Mills, passed away in Palm Springs, California, USA ~ Best known as music publisher, working with songwriters such as Zez Confrey, Sammy Fain, Harry Barris, Gene Austin, Hoagy Carmichael, Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields. Mills was incremental to the careers of artists such as Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Ben Pollack, Jack Teagarden, Benny Goodman, Will Hudson, and Raymond Scott ~ Mills was born in 1894
April 21, 1984 ~ Drummer, percussionist, composer Christian Lillinger born in Lübben, East Germany ~ Closely associated with Ernst-Ludwig Petrowsky. Formed Grund. Co-founded Amok Amor. Has also collaborated with the likes of Joachim Kühn, Beat Furrer, Miroslav Vitous, Dave Liebman, Wadada Leo Smith, Evan Parker, Joe Lovano, Peter Brötzmann, and Tony Malaby
April 21, 1984 ~ Sertanejo singer Fernando Zorzanello Bonifácio, also known as Fernando Zor, born in Ji-Parana, Brazil ~ Known as the “Fernando” in Fernando & Soracaba, a duo he formed with Fernando Fakri de Assis. Active since the mid 2000s the duo enjoys popularity in their native Brazil and is known for songs such as Paga Pau, Madri, Férias Em Salvador, É Tenso, Mô, and Bobeia Pra Ver
April 21, 1984 ~ In its 9th week on the chart, Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) by Phil Collins hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100, giving the Brit his first solo American charttopper ~ Originating from a song originally titled How Can You Just Sit There, which Phil Collins had written during the sessions for his 1981 Face Value solo debut album, Collins would adapt the song to be used as the theme to the neo-noir romantic thriller Against All Odds. The song tells of a protagonist who implores an ex-lover to “take a look at me now” while fully knowing reconciliation is “against all odds” but worth a gamble. Collins drew from personal experience, as he wrote the lyrics shortly after the breakup from his first wife. Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) would reach top 10 in over a dozen countries, including the No.1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, making it his first American charttopper. It would also be nominated for both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award, and earn the British singer a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
April 21, 1982 ~ Indie folk singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Chris Bathgate born in Pacatonica, Illinois, USA ~ Debuted in 2001 with the album Dead Eyed Stranger. Best known for his 2007 A Cork Tale Wake album. Drew comparisons to Sufjan Stevens, Iron & Wine, Damien Jurado
April 21, 1981 ~ Classical, classical crossover singer Mike Christie, full name Michael Philip Christie, born in Redhill, UK ~ Rose to fame as member of the pop-opera boy band G4, shooting to fame after reaching 2nd place on the ITV talent show The X-Factor in 2004. Their subsequent eponymous G4 would reach the top of the British album charts. Christie has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with his To The Fore album released in 2010 marking a departure from the classical crossover repertoireApril 21, 1979 ~ Singer, keyboardist, guitarist, producer, songwriter Alessandro del Vecchio born in Soma Lombardo, Italy ~ Producer at Frontiers Music label. Known for his collaborations with metal artists such as Jørn Lande, the Revolution Saints, Hardline, Fergie Frederiksen, Ted Polley, Kelly Keeling, Matt Sinnger, Silent Force, the Voodoo Circle, Graham Bonnet, Mr Big, Labyrinth, Alcatrazz, and Quiet Riot
April 21, 1979 ~ In its 13th week on the charts, Knock On Wood by Amii Stewart hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Originally a 1966 Billboard R&B No.1 hit for Eddie Floyd, who co-wrote the song with Steve Cropper, the song would be covered several times prior to Amii Stewart's late 1970s version, including as a duet by Otis Redding & Carla Thomas, and by David Bowie in 1974. The best known or at least commercially most successful version, however, is Amii Stewart's disco rendition, lifted off her debut album of the same name. Stewart's single topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart, sold over a million copies, and earned the singer a Grammy Award nomination. Stewart continued to record well into the 2000s, but would be unable to repeat her earlier success, charting only two other singles in the bottom half of the Billboard Hot 100