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 24, 2025 ~ Singer, keyboardist, guitarist Roy Phillips, full name Roy Godfrey Phillips, passed away in Christchurch, New Zealand ~ Lead singer, organist of jazz and soul trio the Peddlers, which during its heyday also included bassist Tab Martin and drummer Trevor Morais. The trio issued their Live At The Pickwick debut album in 1966, and scored two hits in their native UK around the turn of the decade, Birth peaking at No.17, while its follow-up Girlie peaked at No.34. The latter would be a No.1 hit in New Zealand, where the trio would later score the top 20 hits Honey Come Back and Tell The World We're Not In. Following the trio's disbandement after about a decade together, Phillips issued his Mr Peddler solo debut album in 1976. Phillips would continue to record and perform to moderate success, mostly in New Zealand, his adopted home since the early 1980s ~ Phillips was born in 1941
April 24, 2024 ~ Keyboardist Mike Pinder, full name Michael Thomas Pinder, passed away in California, USA ~ Founding member of the Moody Blues, remaining with the band from its inception in 1964 through the recording of the band's ninth album, Octave, in 1978. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Let Me Go, Stop, The Best Way To Travel, The Sun Is Still Shining, Procession, Lost In A Lost World, When You're A Free Man and One Step Into The Light ~ Pinder was born in 1941April 24, 2023 ~ Singer Lilian Day Jackson passed away in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Stepdaughter of iconic jazz drummer Art Blakey. Co-lead singer of early 1980s Dutch disco outfit Spargo along with keyboardist Ellert Driessen, the group known best for songs such as Head Up To The Sky, One Night Affair, Just For You, and Hip Hap Hop. The band's You & Me debut single, noted for its call and response vocals, would reach No.1 in the Netherlands and remains a radio staple to this day ~ Jackson was born in 1960
April 24, 2022 ~ Singer, comedian, human rights activist Willi Resetarist, also known under the moniker Dr Kurt Ostbahn, passed away in Vienna, Austria ~ Member of Schmetterlinge, with whom he reached 17th place in the 1977 Eurovision Songfestival with the song Boom Boom Boomerang representing Germany. Best known for developing his alter ego Dr Kurt Ostbahn in the mid-1980s, an excessive personality with an intense stage presence. Resetarits is also known as a radio host, comedian, and a human rights activist ~ Resetarits was born in 1948
April 24, 2021 ~ Mezzo-soprano, dramatic soprano opera, concert, lieder singer Christa Ludwig passed away in Klosterneuburg, Austria ~ Daughter of baritone, tenor singer Anton Ludwig and mezzo-soprano Eugenie Besalla-Ludwig. Married to bass-baritone Walter Berry from 1957 to 1970. Enjoyed a career spanning over four decades starting in the late 1940s. Known for her performances of opera, lieder, religious works including oratorio, masses and passions. Closely associated with the Vienna State Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. Has also worked with the Oper Frankfurt, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the Royal Opera House ~ Ludwig was born in 1926April 24, 2020 ~ R&B, disco, funk bandleader, singer, drummer, songwriter, producer Hamilton Bohannon, mononymously known as Bohannon, passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Recorded over a dozen albums from the early 1970s through the 1980s. Best known for Let's Start The Dance of the 1978 album Summertime Groove, the single would reach top 10 Billboard R&B ~ Bohannon was born in 1942
April 24, 2020 ~ Country, gospel, southern gospel singer Harold Reid passed away in Staunton, Virginia, USA ~ Bass singer, one of only two actual brothers in the band called the Statler Brothers, the other being lead singer Don Reid. No band member actually has the surname Statler. Started out singing gospel, at one point named themselves the Kingsmen and changed the name when the garage rock band Kingsmen became well known with their 1963 Louie Louie. The group gravitated towards more secular country throughout the years but would include at least one gospel song on each album. They would reach the top 10 of the country charts regularly from the mid 1960s through the late 1980s with songs such as Flowers On The Wall, You Can't Have Your Cake And Edith Too, Do You Remember These, I'll Go To My Grave Loving You, Do You Know You Are My Sunshine, You'll Be Back Every Night In My Dreams, Elizabeth, and More Than A Name On The Wall ~ Reid was born in 1939April 24, 2019 ~ Hervé Fomeri, commonly known as rock & roll singer, actor Dick Rivers, passed away in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France ~ Along with Johnny Hallyday one of the artists credited with bringing rock & roll to France. Influenced by Elvis Presley Took his stage name after “Deke Richards”, the character Elvis portrayed in his 1957 Loving You film. Briefly the lead singer of Les Chats Sauvages before venturing into a solo career by the early 1960s ~ Fomeri born in 1945
April 24, 2017 ~ Classical soprano singer Agnes Giebel passed away in Cologne, Germany ~ Predominantly sang sacred works such as cantatas, oratorios, and masses. Considered one of the premier interpreters of her generation of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, yet was equally proficient in the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven, Gustav Mahler, and George Frideric Handel. Giebel has recorded with numerous renowned orchestras and choirs including the New Philharmonia Orchestra, the Bavarian Radio Orchestra, the Thomanerchor Leipzig, and the Montiverdi-Chor, under the direction of conductors such as Otto Klemperer, Eugen Jochum, Kurt Thomas, Hans Stadlmair, Kurt Redel, Rafael Kubelik, and Günther Ramin ~ Giebel was born in 1921
April 24, 2016 ~ Paul Williams, commonly known as singer Billy Paul, passed away in Blackwood, New Jersey, USA ~ Scored a 1972 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit with Me & Mrs Jones, to this day one of the most cherished songs of the era. Also well known for his War Of The Gods album, released the following year, blending conventional pop, soul, and funk with electronic and psychedelic elements. Would continue to record well into the 1980s, but was unable to repeat his earlier chart success. Hugely influential on Questlove, who called him “one of the criminally unmentioned proprietors of socially conscious post-revolution 1960s civil rights music.” ~ Paul was born in 1934April 24, 2015 ~ Frankie Lee Jones, commonly known as soul blues, electric blues singer, songwriter Frankie Lee, passed away in Sacramento, California, USA ~ Recorded half a dozen albums. notably 1984's The Ladies And The Babies setting the stage for a resurgence of artists straddling the area between soul and blues. Drew comparisons to Otis Redding. Has backed Albert Collins from the mid to late 1960s ~ Jones was born in 1941
April 24, 2008 ~ Joseph Francis Giuffre, commonly known as saxophonist, arranger, composer Jimmy Giuffre, passed away in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA ~ Leader an sideman. Worked with Jimmy Giuffre 3, Woody Herman (wrote The Four Brothers), Howard Rumsey, the Lighthouse All-Stars, Shorty Rogers, Shelly Manne, Jim Hall, Ralph Peña, Jim Atlas, Bob Brookmeyer, Buddy Clark, Steve Swallow, Kiyoshi Tokunaga, Randy Kaye, Herb Ellis, Lee Konitz, Paul Bley, Chet Baker, Elmer Bernstein, Ray Brown, Peggy Connely, Buddy DeFranco, Shelly Manne, Helen Merrill, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Lennie Niehaus, Anita O'Day, Bill Russo, Sonny Stitt, and Duane Tatro ~ Giuffre was born in 1921April 24, 2007 ~ Country, country-pop singer Carrie Underwood releases her I'll Stand By You charity single ~ Originally a mid 1990s top 20 hit on both sides of the Atlantic for the Pretenders, written by Tom Kelly, Billy Steinberg, and the band's lead singer Chrissie Hynde, in which the singer pledges love and assistance to a loved in hard times. Carrie Underwood would cover the song as a charity single for the American Idol charity special, Idol Gives Back, aired in April 2007. All proceeds benefitted the Charity Projects Entertainment Fund, aiding people in poverty in both Africa and the USA, including those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Underwood's single reached top 10 Billboard Country. Singer Shakira would also cover the tune for a charity project, performed live on the Hope For Haiti Now telethon and included on the project's accompanying album following the 2010 Haiti earthquake
April 24, 2001 ~ Albert George Hibbler, commonly known as singer Al Hibbler passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Started professionally with Dub Jenkins. Also sang with Jay McShann before moving on to the Duke Ellington Orchestra with whom he would stay for eight years. Considered among the best of Duke Ellington's male vocalists, he would be featured on songs such as Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me, I Ain't Got Nothing But The Blues and on I'm Just A Lucky So And So. Hibbler left Duke in 1951 due to a dispute over wages. He would continue to sing in bands, including with Johnny Hodges and with Count Basie, before reaching solo success in the mid 1950s with songs such as Unchained Melody, He, 11th Hour Medley, and Never Turn Back. By the end of the decade Hibbler became active in the civil rights movement and the notoriety of his activism discouraged major labels. Frank Sinatra nevertheless supported Hibbler and signed him to his label but Hibbler would only sporadically record afterwards ~ Hibbler was born in 1915
April 24, 2001 ~ Singer Janet Jackson releases All For You, her seventh studio album ~ Having worked out her personal issues such as depression, self-loathing and childhood traumas on her 1997 album The Velvet Rope, its follow-up All For You saw Janet Jackson return to more upbeat songs. Received to universal acclaim, the album is considered one of her sexiest albums and among the best of her career. All For You would be her fifth consecutive to top the American Billboard Hot 200 charts, a run that started with her 1986 Control breakout album, and reached top 5 in well over a dozen countries. Its lead single and title track All For You would become the singer's 10th and final Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit, holding the top spot for seven consecutive weeks making it the biggest hit of her career
April 24, 2000 ~ Country singer Alan Jackson releases It Must Be Love, lifted off his Under The Influence album ~ First recorded by Don Williams for his 1978 Expressions album. The Bob McDill-penned tune would notably be covered by Alan Jackson for his 2000 Under The Influence album which consisted entirely of covers. Three singles were drawn from the album, Pop A Top originally by Jim Ed Brown, The Blues Man originally by Hank Williams Jr, and It Must Be Love which was originally a Billboard Country No.1 hit for Don Williams back in 1979. Like the original, [artist-al-jackson]'s cover would also top the Billboard Country chart, making it the highest-charting single of the album
April 24, 1998 ~ Melvin Epstein, commonly known as jazz pianist, composer, arranger Mel Powell, passed away in Sherman Oaks, California, USA ~ Has worked with Bobby Hackett, George Brunies, Zutty Singleton, and notably Benny Goodman while still in his teens. Arranged Goodman tunes such as The Earl, Mission To Moscow, Clarinade, and Jersey Bounce. As a leader especially acclaimed for his 1942 The World Is Waiting album. From the early 1950s onwards, after studying with Paul Hindemith, Powell diverted his attention to classical music and only occasionally worked in jazz. As a composer best known for his Duplicates (A Concerto For Two Pianos And Orchestra), earning him a Pullitzer Prize in 1990 ~ Epstein was born in 1923
April 24, 1997 ~ Composer Robert Erickson passed away in San Diego, California, USA ~ One of the first American composers to create tape music, using the tape recorder as its central musical source. Influential on artists such as Morton Subotnick, Pauline Oliveros, Louise Spizizen, and Paul Dresher. Authored several books on music, perhaps most notably Sound Structure In Music published in 1975 ~ Erickson was born in 1917
April 24, 1991 ~ Singer Paula Abdul releases Rush Rush, lifted off her Spellbound sophomore album ~ Paula Abdul is perhaps best known for the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits Straight Up, Opposites Attract and Forever Your Girl, all lifted off her debut album. However, it was actually the ballad Rush Rush off her sophomore effort that would have the longest run at the Billboard Hot 100 top spot, holding the No.1 position for five consecutive weeks to eventually be bumped by EMF's Unbelievable. Rush Rush was written by Peter Lord, who co-produced the song with Vernon Jeffrey Smith. Lord had co-written the majority off Abdul's Spellbound album. The song is also noted for its accompanying video, which reimagined the 1955 cult classic Rebel Without A Cause and included a climactic street race. Opposite Abdul as Judy, the then-relatively unknown Keanu Reeves is featured in the role of Jim, played by James Dean in the original 1955 film
April 24, 1989 ~ Pop singer Cyndi Lauper releases I Drove All Night, lead single off her A Night To Remember album ~ Originally intended for Roy Orbison. Written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, who had previously written Lauper's True Colors Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit. Cyndi Lauper has stated she wanted to record I Drove All Night because she liked the idea “of a woman driving, of a woman in control.” The single would be warmly received by critics, several praising the maturity of her voice, reached No.6 Billboard Hot 100, and earned the singer a Grammy Award. Orbison did actually also record the song in 1987, a year before his death, but his recording was not released until 1992
April 24, 1989 ~ Singer Stevie Nicks releases Rooms On Fire, lead single off her The Other Side Of The Mirror album ~ With Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks had scored a massive success in the UK with the album Tango In The Night two years earlier, which spawned the top 10 hits Big Love, Little Lies, and Everywhere. However, British listeners had somehow overlooked her solo work. She had already scored four American top 10 hits since 1981, Stop Draggin' My Heart Around, Leather And Lace, Stand Back, and Talk To Me, yet none of her solo singles made a serious impact on the British charts. Rooms On Fire would be her first major hit in the UK, peaking at No.16 on the British charts. The parent album also did well, reaching No.3 in the UK, higher than in America. The Other Side Of The Mirror would remain her highest-charting album to date in several other European countries as well, including Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands
April 24, 1987 ~ Indie folk, alternative rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Ben Howard, full name Benjamin John Howard, born in Bantham, UK ~ Self-released a number of EPs before debuting in 2011 with the album Every Kingdom, which would reach double Platinum status in the UK and spawn the UK top 10 hit Only Love. Has recorded consistently since. Joined A Blaze Of Feather in 2017
April 24, 1986 ~ William James Basie, commonly known as pianist, bandleader Count Basie, passed away in Hollywood, Florida, USA ~ Iconic figure in jazz. Originally wanted to play the drums, but disillusioned others were better switched to piano at age 15. Gigged extensively as a young pianist, hanging with the likes of Sonny Greer, Willie The Lion Smith, James P Johnson, Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller. Would get his first experience as bandleader temporarily taking over for Bennie Moten, who was voted out. By the mid 1930s Basie would start his own orchestra. Mentored many future stars in the Count Basie Orchestra. At times his sidemen included Lester Young, Herschel Evans, Freddie Green, Buck Clayton, Harry Sweets Edison, Al Grey, Helen Humes, and Thelma Carpenter. His orchestra would often accompany noted jazz and blues singers of the day, Basie preferred blues, such as Billie Holiday, blues shouter Jimmy Rushing, and Big Joe Turner. Basie would lead the orchestra for nearly five decades ~ Basie was born in 1904April 24, 1986 ~ Blues singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer Eli Cook born in Nelson County, Virginia, USA ~ Influenced by John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Soundgarden and Rage Against The Machine. Has been releasing records since the beginning of the millenium featuring guest appearances from artists such as Vinny Appice, Artimus Pyle, Tinsley Ellis, Eric Gales, Leslie West, Pat Travers, Harvey Mandel, Sonny Landreth, Rod Piazza, and Reese Wynans
April 24, 1984 ~ Bassist, guitarist, keyboardist Michael League born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Member of Bokante. Bandleader of funk collective Snarky Puppy, whose members and collaborators have included Bob Reynolds, Jamison Ross, het Metropole Orkest, Lalah Hathaway, and Eva Celia. As a sideman League worked with artists such as Walter Hawkins, Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Israel Houghton, Laura Mvula, Joe Walsh, Chris Thile, Michael McDonald, Terence Blanchard, Esperanza Spalding, Joshua Redman, Wayne Krantz, Chris Potter, Salif Kreita, Eliades Ochoa, Fatoumata Diawara, Bassekou Kouyate, Susana Baca, and Kardes Turkuler. As a producer, League has worked with David Crosby, Becca Stevens, Banda Magda, Sirintip, Roosevelt Collier, Forq, Lucy Woodward, and Bill LaurenceApril 24, 1984 ~ Patrick Martin Stumph, commonly known as alternative rock, pop punk, emo pop singer, guitarist Patrick Stump, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist of Fall Out Boy, known for songs such as Sugar We're Going Down, Dance Dance, This Ain't A Scene (It's An Arms Race) and Centuries. Also an acclaimed R&B infused solo singer, debuting in 2011 during the band's hiatus with the album Soul Punk
April 24, 1984 ~ Alternative rock, pop punk, power pop singer, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Tyson Ritter, full name Tyson Jay Ritter, born in Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA ~ Lead singer of alternative rock band All-American Rejects, known for hits such as Dirty Little Secret, Move Along, It Ends Tonight and Gives You Hell