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.
August 18, 1964 ~ British pop band the Beatles kick off their North American tour at the Cow Palace, Daly City, California ~ The British pop rock group start the North American leg of their 1964 world tour, that started in Europe. The band would play 32 shows in 25 cities across the USA and Canada over 31 days. Most shows quickly sold-out, and attendance ranged from 4,000 in New York to 28,000 in Baltimore. Mobbing crowds necessitated enhanced security measures, including decoy limousines and and unlikely transportation for the band, such as delivery vans and ambulances
August 18, 1962 ~ Bluegrass singer, guitarist, mandolinist Audie Blaylock born in El Paso, Texas, USA ~ Spent most of the 1980s backing Jimmy Martin. Would go on to work with Red Allen, Lynn Morris, Harley Allen, Rhonda Vincent, Michael Cleveland, Patrick McAvinue, Michael Martin Murphey, and Bobby Osborne. Released his Trains Are The Only Way To Fly solo debut album in 2001 and has recorded as solo artist and with his backing unit Redline since ~ Blaylock passed away in 2024
August 18, 1962 ~ Soul, R&B, pop singer Dionne Warwick records Don't Make Me Over at Bell Sound Studios, New York, New York ~ Written and produced by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Released the following November as Dionne Warwick's debut single. It would reach top 10 on the Billboard R&B charts. The song remains a staple of soul radio and stands as one of the era's most defining and enduring classicsAugust 18, 1962 ~ Twin siblings singer Jayney Klimek and keyboardist, composer Johnny Klimek born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Both siblings were co-founding members of the Other Ones, best known for the 1987 hit Holiday. Jayney would go on to guest on recordings by Tony Banks, Paul van Dyk, Alphaville and Terranova. Johnny would go on to work in the Berlin underground scene and write or co-write a number of film scores, often partnering up with Reinhold Heil, notably the 2012 Cloud Atlas
August 18, 1957 ~ Contemporary classical composer, conductor Tan Dun born near Changsha, China ~ Leading contemporary classical composer. As a child fascinated by the rituals and ceremonies of the village shaman, typically set to music made with natural objects such as rocks and water. Due to the bans enacted during China's Cultural Revolution he was discouraged from pursuing a career in music and was sent to work as a rice planter. Self-taught on traditional string instruments he was however selected to study at the Beijing Conservatory. Influenced by Toru Takemitsu, George Crumb, Chou Wen-Chung, and through studies in America composers such as Philip Glass, John Cage, Meredith Monk, Steve Reich. Would go on to compose operas, orchestral works, symphonies, concertos, chamber music. Earned widespread acclaim after composing the score for the 2000 Crouching Tiger (Hidden Dragon) film, earning several awards including an Academy AwardAugust 18, 1956 ~ Bass guitarist, double bassist, keyboardist Tony Garnier born in St Paul, Minnesota, USA ~ Best known as longtime Bob Dylan sideman starting in 1989. Also worked with Asleep At The Wheel, the Lounge Lizards, Tom Waits, Loudon Wainwright III, Paul Simon, Marc Ribot, Eric Andersen, Chris O'Connell, David Johansen, and the Saturday Night Live Band
August 18, 1955 ~ Eduardo Santiago Rodriguez, commonly known as salsa singer Eddie Santiago, born in Toa Alto, Puerto Rico ~ Member of several groups, including Generación 2000, the Orquesta La Potente, the Orquesta Opus, and the Orquesta Saragüey, before venturing out on his own becoming one of the most popular salsa singers of the 1980s and 1990s. Well known for songs such as Tu Me Quemas, Qué Locura Enamorarme De Ti, Me Fallaste, Antidoto Y Veneno, Tu Me Haces Falta, and perhaps his best known LluviaAugust 18, 1954 ~ Angela Kiourtsaki, commonly known as laiko, pop singer Angela Dimitriou, born in Athens, Greece ~ Well over three dozen albums to her name, starting in the late 1970s. Enjoys popularity in her native Greece as well as in the Arab world, especially Egypt. Known for songs such as Margarites, Ana Bahebak Aktar with Amr Diab, and Fotia Sta Savvatovrada
August 18, 1953 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, producer David Benoit born in Bakersfield, California, USA ~ Influenced by Bill Evans. Over two dozen albums to his name, especially acclaimed for a string of late 1980s, early 1990s albums including Urban Daydreams, Waiting For Spring, and Inner Motion. Music director for the Pacific Vision Youth Orchestra and the Asia America Youth Orchestra. Has arranged and conducted for a wide array of pop and jazz artists including Russ Freeman, the Rippingtons, Kenny Loggins, Michael Franks, Patti Austin (The Real Me), Faith Hill, CeCe Winans, and Brian McKnight
August 18, 1953 ~ R&B, funk, soul singer, bassist, percussionist Marvin Isley born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Best known as a member of the Isley Brothers since the early 1970s. Co-wrote several of the band's best known including Fight The Power, The Pride, and Between The Sheets. Member of Isley-Jasper-Isley, a side project known for the 1985 hit Caravan Of Love. Isley retired from music for medical reasons by the late 1990s ~ Isley passed away in 2010August 18, 1950 ~ Rock, pop rock drummer Dennis Elliott, full name Dennis Leslie Elliott, born in London, UK ~ Original drummer for rock outfit Foreigner, departing the band in the early 1990s to pursue a career as a wood sculptor. Present on most of the band's best known including Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles such as Cold As Ice, Hot Blooded, Waiting For A Girl Like You, I Want To Know What Love Is, and Say You Will
August 18, 1949 ~ Bassist, guitarist, singer, songwriter Nigel Griggs born in Hatfield, UK ~ Brother of drummer Paul Griggs. Perhaps best known as member of Split Enz, joining the band in 1977 in time for their Dizrythmania album and remaining through the band's split in 1984. Present on most of the band's best known including My Mistake, I Got You, Six Months In A Leaky Boat, and Message To My Girl. Has also worked with the Cortinas and Octopus, Carmen, Khan, Schnell Fenster, and recorded as a solo artist
August 18, 1945 ~ Singer Barbara Harris, full name Barbara Ann Harris born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, USA ~ Lead singer for R&B girl group the Toys which also included June Montiero and Barbara Parritt, known for their 1965 hit recording A Lover's Concerto which reached the top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. Its follow-up, 1966's The Attack featured in the beach movie It's A Bikini World, would also reach the Billboard Hot 100 top 20
August 18, 1945 ~ Singer Sarah Dash born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Closely associated with Patti LaBelle, as a member of both the Blue-belles and Labelle including on the 1974 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Lady Marmalade. Has released a number of solo albums, starting with the 1978 eponymous Sarah Dash which spawned the disco hit Sinner Man. Guested on recordings by the O'Jays, Nile Rodgers, the Marshall Tucker Band, David Johansen, and notably on the Rolling Stones' 1989 Steel Wheels as well as on Keith Richards' 1992 Main Offender solo album ~ Dash passed away in 2021
August 18, 1945 ~ Guitarist Vince Melouney born in Sydney, Australia ~ Best known for his association with the Bee Gees, recording with the band from 1967 through 1967 during the band's initial period of success. Has also worked with the Vibratones, Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs, Fanny Adams, and the Cleves
August 18, 1944 ~ Jazz trumpeter, hornist, trombonist Oscar Brashear born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ In-demand sideman influenced by Lee Morgan, Woody Shaw, and Freddie Hubbard. Present on albums by John Lee Hooker, Count Basie (Standing Ovation), Oliver Nelson, Donny Hathaway (Everything Is Everything), Bobby Hutcherson, Moacir Santos, Hampton Hawes, Bonnie Raitt (Takin' My Time), Gene Harris, Harold Land, Nat Adderley, Willie Hutch, Ry Cooder (Paradise & Lunch), Patrice Rushen, Tom Waits (The Heart Of Saturday Night), Horace Silver, Oliver Nelson, Earth Wind & Fire (That's The Way Of The World), Neil Diamond, Carmen McRae, Alice Coltrane, Marvin Gaye (I Want You), Maria Muldaur, BB King, Patti LaBelle, Sadao Watanabe, Rodney Franklin, Rick James (Bustin' Out Of L Seven), Tavares, the Crusaders (Street Life), Randy Crawford, Con Funk Shun, Was (Not Was) (What Up Dog), Zoot Sims, and Natalie Cole ~ Brashear passed away in 2023
August 18, 1943 ~ Colin David Tooley, commonly known as singer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist Carl Wayne born in Winson Green, UK ~ Influenced by Elvis Presley, Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent. Best remembered as lead singer of the Move, known for 1960s hits such as Night Of Fear, I Can Hear The Grass Grow, Flowers In The Rain, The Fire Brigade and perhaps their best known Blackberry Way. Has also worked with the Vikings, the Hollies, and the Electric Light Orchestra. As a solo artist known for the minor hit You're A Star and for rejecting Sugar Baby Love, which then served as breakout hit for the Rubettes ~ Wayne passed away in 2004
August 18, 1940 ~ Adam Matyszkowicz, commonly known as jazz, classical pianist, composer Adam Makowicz, born in Hnojnik, Poland ~ Classically trained yet gravitated towards jazz against the cultural restrictions of the Communist regime. Resettled in America in the mid 1970s, banned by the Polish government during the 1980s. Over 30 albums to his name starting in the early 1970s, consisting of works by Frédéric Chopin, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, and Richard RodgersAugust 18, 1940 ~ Autoharp player Bryan Bowers born in Yorkstown, Virginia, USA ~ Credited with introducing the autoharp to a new generation of musicians. Released his acclaimed The View From Home debut album in 1977, featuring guests such as the New Grass Revival's Sam Bush and Courtney Johnson. Also well known for his 1982 For You album
August 18, 1939 ~ Actor, comedian, singer Harald Heide-Steen Jr born in Oslo, Norway ~ Son of actor Harald Heide-Steen. Best known as an actor, noted for his role as Dynamitt Harry in the Olsenbanden film series. As a singer known for a handful of albums, starting with Harald Synger Griseviser released in 1970, and for frequently collaborating with Rolv Wesenlund ~ Heide-Steen passed away in 2008
August 18, 1939 ~ Soul, R&B singer Maxine Brown, full name Maxine Ella Brown, born in Kingstree, South Carolina, USA ~ As a teenager started out in gospel groups such as the Angelairs and the Royaltones. Debuted with the self-penned All In My Mind, a smash hit on the R&B charts, crossing over to the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 reaching the top 20. Also known for songs such as Funny, It's Gonna Be Alright, the Gerry Goffin/Carole King-penned Oh No Not My Baby, and a string of duets with Chuck Jackson such as Something You Got, Hold On I'm Coming and Daddy's Home. Many of Brown's recordings featured backing vocals by Cissy Houston and the Sweet Inspirations. Brown also closely worked with then-unknown songwriters Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson
August 18, 1938 ~ Producer, songwriter Allen Reynolds born in North Little Rock, Kansas, USA ~ Perhaps best known for his association with Crystal Gayle, credited with developing her signature soft rock sound writing and producing songs such as Wrong Road Again, Somebody Loves You, and Ready For The Times To Get Better. Others who have recorded songs written or co-written by Reynolds include the Vogues (Five O'Clock World), Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs, Dickey Lee, Don Williams (I Recall A Gypsy Woman), Charley Pride, Bob McDill (Catfish John), Waylon Jennings (Dreaming My Dreams Of You), Len Chip Hawkes, and Juice NewtonAugust 18, 1928 ~ Earlington Carl Tilghman, commonly known as R&B, doo-wop singer Sonny Til, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Lead singer, sole constant member of doo-wop outfit the Orioles, known for songs such as It's Too Soon To Know, Tell Me So, Forgive And Forget, Lonely Christmas, Baby Please Don't Go, and perhaps their biggest hit Crying In The Chapel, the latter topping the Billboard R&B charts in 1953 ~ Tilghman passed away in 1981
August 18, 1920 ~ Donald Douglas Lamond, commonly known as jazz, swing, bebop, big band drummer Don Lamond, born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA ~ Active from the 1940s through the early 1980s. Leader and sideman. Has worked with Woody Herman, Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Benny Goodman, Ruby Braff, the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, Sonny Stitt, Johnny Guarnieri, Jack Teagarden, Quincy Jones, Count Basie, Red Norvo, Maxine Sullivan, and Bucky Pizzarelli ~ Lamond passed away in 2003
August 18, 1918 ~ Gilbert Vandine Houston, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Cisco Houston, born in Wilmington, Delaware, USA ~ Closely associated with Woody Guthrie, touring with Guthrie as early as the late 1930s and joining him in the Almanac Singers later. As a solo artist known for songs such as Great July Jones, Crazy Heart, What Did The Deep Blue Sea Say and Dollar Down. Influential on later folk singers, some of which recorded tribute songs such as Tom Paxton (Fare Thee Well Cisco), Peter La Farge (Cisco Houston Passed This Way) and Tom McGrath (Blues For Cisco Houston) ~ Houston passed away in 1961