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 4, 1977 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Andrew Carlton born in Phoenix, Arizona, USA ~ Best known for the modest radio hit Hold Me Up of the 1999 Hold Me Up album, and for the single Jesus Hold Me of his 2004 Falling In album
April 4, 1977 ~ Jazz trumpeter, hornist Julius Watkins passed away in Short Hills, New Jersey, USA ~ The definitive master of the French horn. Occasionally recorded as a leader, noted especially for the mid 1950s two-volume set Julius Watkins Sextet. Co-led Les Jazz Modes with Charlie Rouse, recording about half a dozen albums from 1955 through 1959. In-demand sideman, present on quintessential jazz recordings by Thelonious Monk (We See), Milt Jackson, Benny Golson (New York Scene), Oscar Pettiford (Deep Passion), Quincy Jones, Miles Davis (Porgy & Bess), Art Farmer (Brass Shout), Randy Weston (Uhuru Afrika), Les Spann, Benny Bailey, Jimmy Heath, Phil Woods (Right Of Swing), Cal Massey, John Coltrane (Africa/Brass), Oscar Peterson, Freddie Hubbard, Gil Evans, Kenny Burrell (Guitar Forms), Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Pharoah Sanders (Karma), Charles Mingus (Let My Children Hear Music), and McCoy Tyner ~ Watkins was born in 1921April 4, 1975 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Miranda Lee Richards born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Taught to play Mazzy Star songs by Metallica's Kirk Hammett. Briefly worked with the Brian Jonestown Massacre before debuting in 2001 with the The Herethereafter. Influenced by Neil Young, John Lennon, the Rolling Stones, Blondie, Beck and the Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde
April 4, 1974 ~ Hip-hop, R&B singer, songwriter André Dalyrimple born in Long Island, New York, USA ~ Member of sibling outfit Soul 4 Real, known for their 1995 Candy Rain debut album which included the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hits Candy Rain and Every Little Thing I Do
April 4, 1973 ~ The Elvis Presley Aloha From Hawaii concert, recorded three months earlier, is aired for the first time in the USA ~ The concert that took place at the Honolulu International Center, Honolulu, would be aired live to audiences in Asia and Oceania, and presented with a delay in Europe. In America, NBC opted to air a ninety-minute TV special of the concert some two and a half months later, to avoid a programming conflict with Super Bowl VII and the Elvis On Tour film playing in cinemas at the time. The ratings are hugh, with a third of American households tuning in to watch the concert. The accompanying double-LP would reach No.1 on the Billboard Hot 200, his first No.1 album since 1965 and the last during Elvis Presley's lifetime
April 4, 1973 ~ R&B, gospel singer, songwriter Kelly Price, full name Kelly Cherelle Price, born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Debuted as a solo artist in 1998 with the acclaimed The Soul Of A Woman album. Known for songs such as Friend Of Mine featuring R Kelly and Ronald Isley, As We Lay, You Should've Told Me, and Not My Daddy featuring Stokley Williams & Mint Condition. Price is also an in-demand backing singer for a wide array of R&B and hip-hop artists, and has appeared on tracks by Mariah Carey (Fantasy), Faith Evans, Aretha Franklin, the Notorious BIG (Mo Money Mo Problems), Brian McKnight, SWV, Mase (Feel So Good), and Whitney Houston (Heartbreak Hotel)April 4, 1972 ~ Sibling outfit the Jackson 5 release Little Bitty Pretty One, lead single off their Lookin' Through The Windows album ~ Written and first recorded by Bobby Day in 1957, popularized by Thurston Harris whose cover reached top 10 on both the R&B and pop charts the same year. The cover by the Jackson 5 would reach No.13 Billboard Hot 100, and No.8 Billboard R&B. Prior to the Jackson siblings, Frankie Lymon, Clyde McPhatter, the Dave Clark Five, and Wayne Cochran had all each also recorded the song. The first hit version, the 1957 rendition by Thurston Harris, would be used in the soundtrack to the 1983 Christine horror film
April 4, 1972 ~ R&B, jazz, hip-hop, neo soul, spoken word singer, songwriter Jill Scott born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Discovered by Questlove. Emerged in the early 2000s as one of alternative hip-hop's, spoken word's most independent women. Known for songs such as A Long Walk, The Way, Golden, So In Love featuring Anthony Hamilton, and Blessed. Ventured into acting by 2007, noted for her role as the second wife of singer James Brown in the 2014 bio-pic Get On Up
April 4, 1970 ~ Jazz, pop, folk, country singer Rebekka Bakken born in Lier, Norway ~ Praised for her three-octave vocal range. Generally regarded as a jazz singer though Bakken herself rejects the characterization. Active since the early 2000s. Has collaborated with Wolfgang Muthspiel, Julia Hülsmann, and Christof LauerApril 4, 1967 ~ Songwriter Al Lewis passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Not to be confused with either the Welch singer Al Lewis or the banjoist Al Lewis. Songwriter most active from the 1920s through the 1950s. Primarily a lyricist, working in partnership with songwriters such as Al Sherman and Abner Silver. Known, among others, for co-writing Fats Domino's Blueberry Hill, Rudy Vallée's 99 Out Of A 100 and Little Anthony & the Imperials's Tears On My Pillow ~ Lewis was born in 1910
April 4, 1967 ~ Guitarist Jeff Parker born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Founding member of Isotope 217 and the Chicago Underground Quartet. Member of post-rockers Tortoise, first appearing on the 1998 TNT album. Has also worked with the Association For The Advancement Of Creative Musicians, Ernest Dawkins, Brian Blade, Joshua Redman, Meshell Ndegeocello, Joey DeFrancesco, Carmen Lundy, the Exploding Star Orchestra, and Jason Moran
April 4, 1966 ~ Mark D Ross, commonly known as MC, rapper Brother Marquis, born in Rochester, New York, USA ~ Member of rap group 2 Live Crew, known for their humor and sexually explicit lyrics. Marquis recorded about half a dozen albums with the band, including As Nasty As They Wanna Be which spawned the hit Me So Horny, and Banned In The USA, of which the title track became the band's highest charting Billboard Hot 100 single, peaking at No.20. Ross departed the band in the early 1990s, and initially ventured into stand-up comedy. Ross also notably guested on Ice-T's 99 Problems off his 1993 Home Invasion album. Reportedly, the song was inspired by an off-the-cuff remark Ross made, “Man, I got 99 problems, but a bitch ain't one”. After Ice-T completed the song, he invited Ross to do a verse. A remake of the song by Jay-Z, recorded for The Black Album released in 2004, would become a major hit ~ Ross passed away in 2024
April 4, 1966 ~ Alternative rock bassist Mike Starr, full name Michael Christopher Starr, born in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA ~ Best known as member of Alice In Chains from its inception in 1987 until early 1993, departing the band just as they were reaching their biggest success. Starr was present on the band's first two albums, 1990's Facelift and its 1992 Dirt follow-up, the latter spawning the hit singles Rooster and Down In A Hole. Subsequently Starr worked with Sun Red Sun, which also included former Black Sabbath members Ray Gillen and Bobby Rondinelli ~ Starr passed away in 2011
April 4, 1966 ~ Singer Neil Diamond releases Solitary Man, lead single off his The Feel Of Neil Diamond debut album ~ Neil Diamond had issued a handful of stand-alone singles, yet Solitary Man, issued as the lead single off his debut album, would be the first to chart. Alas, the song would stall at No.55 Billboard Hot 100. However, a few years later Diamond had scored several top 10 hits and Bang would re-issue Solitary Man. This time it fared better, and by the summer of 1970s the single nearly cracked the American top 20 peaking at No.21. The song has been described as a “ballad of a loner looking for love” and over time became to be regarded not only as one of Neil Diamond's best but also one of his most personal and brutally honest. In a 2005 retrospective, Rolling Stone wrote: “Solitary Man remains the most brilliantly efficient song in the Diamond collection. There's not a wasted word or chord in this two-and-a-half minute anthem of heartbreak and self-affirmation, which introduced the melancholy loner persona that he's repeatedly returned to throughout his career.” Surpassed most likely only by Sweet Caroline, Solitary Man has also become one of Diamond's most covered songs, recorded by over an estimated 80 artists including Cliff Richard, BJ Thomas, Johnny Rivers, TG Sheppard, Chris Isaak, and perhaps most notably by Johnny Cash for his 2000 American III (Solitary Man) albumApril 4, 1964 ~ British pop, rock group the Beatles occupy the top five positions on the American Billboard Hot 100 chart ~ As Can't Buy Me Love jumps up from No.27 to the top position in its second week on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the British group dominate the American charts, holding the five top five positions on the charts. Please Please Me is at No.5, I Want To Hold Your Hand at No.4, She Loves You positioned at No.1 the previous week is at No.3, and Twist & Shout at No.2
April 4, 1963 ~ Jazz pianist, bandleader Benny Green born in New York, New York, USA ~ Classically trained. Drew comparisons to Bud Powell and Oscar Peterson, both of whom he cited as influences. Backed Joe Henderson and Woody Shaw while still in his teens. After relocating to New York, Green would hone his skills through the late 1980s, backing jazz veterans such as Betty Carter, Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, and Ray Brown. Released his debut as a leader, Prelude, in 1988, and has recorded well over a dozen albums since, often collaborating with Christian McBride, Carl Allen, and Russell Malone. Especially acclaimed for the albums That's Right and These Are Soulful Days, released respectively in 1993 and 1999
April 4, 1963 ~ Everton Bonner, commonly known as reggae singer Pliers, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Best known as half of reggae duo Chaka Demus & Pliers, the other half being DJ Chaka Demus, known for 1990s songs such as Murder She Wrote, Tease Me and She Don't Let Nobody
April 4, 1962 ~ Post punk, gothic rock, alternative rock bassist Craig Adams, full name Craig David Adams, born in Otley, UK ~ Member of Sisters Of Mercy from 1981 through 1985, present on the band's First And Last And Always debut album. Co-founding member of seminal gothic rock outfit the Mission, from 1985 through 1992 and rejoining in later years, present on the band's best known including the critically acclaimed God's Own Medicine debut album. Has also worked with the Expelaires, the Cult (The Cult), Coloursound, the Alarm, Spear of Destiny, and Theatre Of HateApril 4, 1960 ~ Michael Rea, commonly known as punk rock, hard rock guitarist, songwriter Michael Ray, born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Lead guitarist for punk rock band the Plasmatics, present on the 1987 Maggots (The Record) album. Also backed the band's lead singer Wendy O Williams on her solo albums, and has worked with Motörhead and Kiss, playing lead guitar on the latter's 1982 Creatures Of The Night on the tracks Keep Me Comin', Creatures Of The Night, I Still Love You, and War Machine
April 4, 1960 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Scott Miller, full name Scott Warren Miller, born in Sacramento, California, USA ~ Co-founded and fronted 1980s power pop, jangle pop outfit Game Theory, critically acclaimed for their 1986 Big Shot Chronicles and its follow-up Lolita Nation released the following year. Co-founded and fronted 1990s band Loud Family, especially known for their 1992 Plants And Birds And Rocks And Things debut album. Both bands were critics darlings, Miller's songwriting drawing comparison to Brian Wilson and Alex Chilton, and cult favorites, drawing a devout following yet never reaching mainstream succes ~ Miller passed away in 2013April 4, 1960 ~ Blues guitarist, country blues pioneer Sylvester Weaver passed away in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Country blues pioneer. Backed Sara Martin on early 1920s recordings such as Longing For Daddy Blues and I've Gotta Leave My Daddy Behind. Also worked with Walter Beasley, and Helen Humes ~ Weaver was born in 1897
April 4, 1959 ~ Guitarist, producer, songwriter John Whynot born in Calgary, Canada ~ Worked with Bruce Cockburn, Blue Rodeo, Lucinda Williams, Kathleen Edwards, Colin James, Change Of Heart, Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, Loreena Mckennitt, Big Wreck, the Pukka Orchestra, and Jim CuddyApril 4, 1957 ~ Vasileia Argyraki, commonly known as pop singer Bessy Argyraki, born in Athens, Greece ~ One of the most popular Greek singers during the 1970s and 1980s. Internationally perhaps best known for representing her native Greece at the 1977 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 5th place with the song Solfege alongside singer Pascalis, Marianna Toli and Robert Williams
April 4, 1957 ~ Guitarist Graeme Kelling, full name Graeme Hunter Kelling, born in Paisley, UK ~ Original guitarist with pop band Deacon Blue, present on all the band's four albums before their initial split. Co-wrote Loaded, the band's sophomore single taken of the Raintown debut album ~ Kelling passed away in 2004
April 4, 1956 ~ Jazz singer, guitarist, songwriter Allan Harris born in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Active since the mid 1990s. Best known for his 2006 Cross That River album and for the 2012 Convergence album, the latter a collaboration with pianist Takana Miryamoto. Has also collaborated with Claire Martin and with Richie Cole
April 4, 1956 ~ Jazz saxophonist Gary Smulyan born in Bethpage, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Influenced by Pepper Adams. Played with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Carla Bley, Jimmy Knepper, Mulgrew Miller, Tommy Flanagan, Ray Drummond, Dick Oatts, Cedar Walton, Joe Lovano, Joe Magnarelli, Mike LeDonne, Kenny Washington, Dominic Chianese, Benny Green, and Gerald Wilson