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 5, 2025 ~ Bassist Dave Allen, full name David Geoffrey Allen, passed away ~ Rose to fame as original member of quintessential post-punk group Gang Of Four, with whom he recorded two albums before departing the band in the early 1980s. Although the band seldom reached the singles charts, their highest-charting being At Home He's A Tourist which peaked at No.58 on the British charts, they are considered hugely influential on later alternative rock acts including REM, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Melvins, and Nirvana, the latter's frontman Kurt Cobain once stating his band started as “a Gang Of Four and Scratch Acid ripoff”. In particular Gang Of Four's 1979 Entertainment debut album is regularly cited as one of the premier politically conscious post-punk albums of its day, with the band's popularity resurging in the early 2000s. Following his departure from the band, Allen formed Shriekback with Barry Andrews, founded the World Domination Recordings label, served as vocalist and primary songwriter for the Elastic Purejoy, played bass guitar in Low Pop Suicide, and formed King Swamp with several regular collaborators. In later years, Allen has served in several roles on the business side of the music industry, including at companies such as Apple Music and Beats Music. Allen has on occasion reunited with Gang Of Four during the mid to late 2000s ~ Allen was born in 1955
April 5, 2024 ~ Carl Jeffrey Snare, commonly known as hard rock, glam metal, pop rock singer CJ Snare, passed away in Orlando, Florida, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of Firehouse, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with their eponymous Firehouse debut album released in 1990. The band is best known for the singles Don't Treat Me Bad, Love Of A Lifetime, and When I Look Into Your Eyes, the latter two both reaching top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Snare had been diagnosed with cancer and had taken a hiatus from the band in 2023, but was expected to make a full recovery and return to the band for a series of shows in 2024. Upon his death, the band issued a statement describing Snare as “arguably one of the best vocal talents of a generation, touring the world with Firehouse non stop the past 34 years“, also adding “Reach for the sky, CJ!” referencing their 1992 song Reach For The Sky ~ Snare was born in 1959
April 5, 2023 ~ Soul singer, keyboardist Booker Newberry III passed away ~ Member of Sweet Thunder, known for Baby I Need Your Love Today. Member of Impact. As a solo artist best known for Love Town, which reached the UK top 10 in 1983 ~ Newberry was born in 1956April 5, 2023 ~ Jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger Dusko Gojkovic passed away in Munich, Germany ~ As a leader perhaps best known for his 1994 Soul Connection album, featuring guests such as Tommy Flanagan, Jimmy Heath, and Mickey Roker. In-demand sideman, appearing on albums by the likes of Woody Herman, Francy Boland, Tete Montoliu, Klaus Doldinger, and Maynard Ferguson ~ Gojkovic was born in 1931
April 5, 2023 ~ Jazz bassist Harrison Bankhead, full name Harrison Napoleon Bankhead III, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Avant-garde leaning bassist. As a leader known for his acclaimed Morning Sun Harvest Moon album released in 2011. Closely associated with Malachi Thompson, backing the trumpeter on over half a dozen albums starting in the early 1990s. Has also frequently worked with 8 Bold Souls, including on the ensemble's 2000 Last Option masterpiece, and guested on albums by Edward Wilkerson Jr, Michael Mason, Don Bennett, Joel Brandon, and Fred Anderson ~ Bankhead was born in 1955
April 5, 2022 ~ Robert Louis Ridarelli, commonly known as pop, rock & roll singer, drummer, actor Bobby Rydell passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Early 1960s teen idol best known for songs such as Wild One, Swingin' School and Volare, all of which reached Billboard Hot 100 top 10. Appeared in the 1963 feature film Bye Bye Birdie based on the stage play of the same name ~ Ridarelli was born in 1942
April 5, 2022 ~ Conductor, violinist, composer Boris Brott passed away in Hamilton, Canada ~ One of Canada's internationally most acclaimed conductors having conducted on stages around the world including New York's Carnegie Hall and London's Covent Garden. Founder and artistic director of the National Academy Orchestra of Canada ~ Brott was born in 1944
April 5, 2022 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Paul Siebel, full name Paul Karl Siebel, passed away in Centreville, Maryland, USA ~ Critically acclaimed, once described by the New York Times as “a folk singer with a country and western bias, (who) sings in high nasal and hillbilly manner, rather like Bob Dylan singing in his early days”. Known for two early 1970s albums, Woodsmoke And Oranges and Jack-Knife Gypsy. Though Siebel never achieved mainstream success, he was held in the highest regard by peers. Perhaps best remembered for penning and first recording Louise, covered by over two dozen artists including Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, and Willy DeVille. Others who covered his songs include Marc Ellington, Jerry Jeff Walker (Then Came The Children), Emmylou Harris, and Waylon Jennings. Siebel was one of the artists referenced in Kris Kristofferson's The Pilgrim (Chapter 33), a song inspired by Kristofferson's own experience of living as a songwriter, as well as those of his often-unemployed peers ~ Siebel was born in 1937
April 5, 2019 ~ Guitarist, music journalist Davey Williams passed away in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Free improvisation, avant-garde guitarist. Member of Curlew. Closely associated with Ladonna Smith. Worked with the Salt & Pepper Soul Band, Transmuseq, Trains In Trouble, Bruce Hampton, OK Nurse, Fuzzy Songs, Say What, Jim Staley, and Ikue Mori. Co-founded Improviser, a journal of experimental music ~ Williams was born ca.1952
April 5, 2019 ~ Jose Pastor Lopez Pineda, commonly known as cumbia singer, songwriter Pastor Lopez passed away in Cucuta, Columbia ~ First gained serious attention teaming up with Nelson Henriquez in the early 1970s. Set out on his own shortly thereafter and has since recorded well over two dozen albums. Best known for interpretations of Peruvian cumbia traditionals including Carinito Sin Mi, Bonita Y Mentirosa and Traicionera ~ Pineda was born in 1944April 5, 2019 ~ Singer Shawn Smith passed away in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Cites Prince, Kiss, Stevie Wonder, Ice Cube, and Chris Cornell as influences. Member of Brad, Satchel, Pigeonhed, Malfunkshun, and the Twilight Singers. Has recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Let It All Begin released in 1999 ~ Smith was born in 1965
April 5, 2018 ~ Jazz pianist Cecil Taylor, full name Cecil Percival Taylor, passed away in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Classically trained. Pioneered free jazz. Notably influenced by Béla Bartók and Karlheinz Stockhausen. Possibly over a 100 albums as a leader or co-leader. Known for landmark albums such as Looking Ahead, Love For Sale, and Unit Structures. Has collaborated with the likes of Steve Lacy (The Straight Horn Of Steve Lacy), Buell Neidlinger, the Jazz Composers Orchestra, Max Roach, Mal Waldron (Update), and Evan Parker ~ Taylor was born in 1929April 5, 2017 ~ At age 73, singer Barry Manilow officially comes out as gay in a People interview ~ The singer, who would become known for hits such as Mandy, I Write The Songs, Can't Smile Without You, and Copacabana (At The Copa), had been married to his high-school sweetheart Susan Deixler, from 1964 until 1966. Barry Manilow would later state that, despite his later long-term relationship with a man, he had been in love with Deixler and the failure of his marriage was not related to issues of sexual orientation. Manilow began a relationship with TV executive and his future manager Garry Kief in 1978. The two married in 2014, after same-sex marriage became legal in California, but would keep the relationship private until their marriage made headlines in 2015. Two years later, Manilow officially came out as gay, telling People he was pleasantly surprised to find that his mostly female fan base was supportive of the marriage
April 5, 2016 ~ Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist Zena Latto passed away in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Member of the International Sweethearts Of Rhythm, one of the first all-female ensembles enjoyeing popularity during the big band era. Latto departed the band in the mid 1950s to found and front her own band the Modern Moods ~ Latto was born in 1925
April 5, 2015 ~ Singer, actress Julie Wilson, full name Julie May Wilson, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Widely regarded as “the Queen of Cabaret” with numerous roles in Broadway and West End productions since the late 1940s including in Three To Make Ready, Kiss Me Kate, South Pacific, The Pajama Game and Legs Diamond ~ Wilson was born in 1924
April 5, 2014 ~ Singer Jermain Jackman wins The Voice UK ~ Jackman wins the third season of talent show The Voice UK aired on BBC One. The other finalists were Christina Marie, Sally Barker, and Jamie Johnson. Following his win on the show, Jermain Jackman released his eponymous debut album the following year. Jackman is also known as a political activist, and has been quoted as saying he would like to become the first singing Prime Minister of the UK. In 2020, Jackman founded the 1987 Caucus, an organisation for young Black men in the British Labour party
April 5, 2014 ~ Soul jazz, hard bop trombonist Wayne Henderson passed away in Culver City, California, USA ~ Co-founded soul jazz group the Jazz Crusaders, remaining with the band through its name change to the Crusaders and departing the band in 1976. Has also served as producer for Wilton Felder (Bullitt), Monk Montgomery (It's Never Too Late), Ronnie Laws (Pressure Sensitive), Caldera (Caldera), Pleasure (Accept No Substitutes), and Gábor Szabó (Faces) ~ Henderson was born in 1939
April 5, 2012 ~ Banjoist, fiddler, mandolinist Barney McKenna, full name Bernard Noel McKenna, passed away in Howth, Ireland ~ Co-founding member of the Dubliners, one of the most beloved Irish groups enjoying international popularity over a career spanning over five decades. Infusing traditional folk with a rock & roll feel, they are best known for songs such as Seven Drunken Nights, Hand Me Down My Bible and Free The People. McKenna has also guested on recordings by Elvis Costello, the Chieftains, Christy Moore (Whatever Tickles Your Fancy), Melody Gardot, and Damien Dempsey ~ McKenna was born in 1939
April 5, 2012 ~ Guitar amplifier builder Jim Marshall passed away in Milton Keynes, UK ~ Pioneer of guitar amplification, dubbed “the Father of Loud”. Founded Marshall Amplification in 1962, known for manufacturing guitar amplifiers regarded among the best available, used by the biggest names in rock. Marshall was awarded an OBE, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, in 2003 for ”services to the industry and charity” ~ Marshall was born in 1923
April 5, 2009 ~ Jazz trumpeter Dave Burns, full name David Phillip Burns, passed away in Freeport, New York, USA ~ Recorded occasionally as a leader, noted most for his 1964 Warming Up album. Active since the early 1940s, Burns has worked with artists such as the Savoy Sultans, Dizzy Gillespie (In Paris), Art Blakey, Duke Ellington, George Wallington, James Moody (Hi-Fi Party), Art Taylor (AT's Delight), Milt Jackson, Al Grey (Having A Ball), Willie Bobo, Lou Donaldson, Dave Pike (Manhattan Latin), Mal Waldron, Solomon Burke (King Solomon), and Eddie Jefferson ~ Burns was born in 1924
April 5, 2006 ~ Singer, songwriter Gene Pitney, full name Gene Francis Alan Pitney, passed away in Cardiff, UK ~ Known for songs such as Town Without Pity, The Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance, Only Love Can Break A Heart, 24 Hours From Tulsa, I'm Gonna Be Strong, and Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart. Scored a UK top 10 hit with That Girl Belongs To Yesterday, the first Mick Jagger/Keith Richards-penned song to reach the UK top ten. Wrote or co-wrote several classic pop, rock & roll songs for artists including Bobby Vee (Rubber Ball), Roy Orbison, Ricky Nelson (Hello Mary Lou), and the Crystals (He's A Rebel) ~ Pitney was born in 1940April 5, 2005 ~ Soul, R&B, pop singer Grant Kitchings passed away ~ Best known for his 1970s stint in the Drifters, then led by Johnny Moore. Co-wrote Country To The City, She Never Talked To Me, and Beautiful Music. Present on hits such as Kissin' In The Back Row Of The Movies and Down On The Beach Tonight ~ Kitchings was born in 1938
April 5, 2004 ~ Singer, rapper Akon releases Locked Up featuring Styles P, lifted off his Troubles debut album ~ The song tells of a drug runner who ends up incarcerated, Akon drawing from his own experiences as he was imprisoned for three years for car theft. His time “locked up” would be a turning point for the singer, as he decided this was not what he wanted his life to be. The label chose Locked Up as the debut album's lead single to first give him street cred and then work towards building crossover appeal with subsequent singles. Locked Up would reach top 20 in over half a dozen countries, including the No.8 spot on the American Billboard Hot 100 and the No.4 spot in the UK
April 5, 2002 ~ Singer Layne Staley, full name Layne Rutherford Staley passed away in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Original lead singer of Alice In Chains, acclaimed for their sophomore single, 1991's Man In The Box, and their 1994 EP Jar Of Flies. Also worked with Pearl Jam's Mike McCready, Screaming Trees' Barrett Martin and the Walkabouts' John Baker Saunders in the side project Mad Season. Staley struggled with depression and drug addiction for much of his life. Died from an overdose at age 34 ~ Staley was born in 1967
April 5, 1998 ~ Colin Trevor Flooks, commonly known as drummer Cozy Powell, passed away near Bristol, UK ~ Named himself after jazz drummer Cozy Cole. One of the most respected session drummers in British rock. As a solo artist, known for his 1973 drum instrumental Dance With The Devil, which reached UK No.3. Powell has appeared on albums by Jeff Beck (Rough And Ready), Murray Head, Donovan, Bedlam, Graham Bonnet, Rainbow, Robert Plant (Pictures At Eleven), Jon Lord, Brian May, Whitesnake (Slide It In), Roger Daltrey, Warlock, Hot Chocolate, Cinderella, Gary Moore, and Black Sabbath ~ Flooks was born in 1947