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 22, 1961 ~ Andrés Calamaro Massel, commonly known as Latin rock, alternative rock, pop rock, rock & roll singer, pianist, guitarist, bassist Andrés Calamaro, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Rose to fame with Los Rodriguez, scoring hits in Spain and Latin America during the 1990s. Also known as a solo artist with over two dozen album to his name prior and after his stint with the band
August 22, 1961 ~ Pop-rock, Paisley underground, jangle pop bassist, drummer Debbi Peterson, full name Deborah Mary Peterson, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as drummer of all-female 1980s band the Bangles which also included her sister guitarist Vicki Peterson. Sang lead on their singles Going Down To Liverpool and Be With You. After the band broke up in 1990 pursued a solo career and formed the duo Kindred Spirit with River City People's Siobhan Maher
August 22, 1961 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Roland Orzabal born in Portsmouth, UK ~ Co-founded Tears For Fears, known for hits such as Mad World, Shout and Everybody Wants To Rule The World
August 22, 1959 ~ Floyd Elliot Wray, commonly known as country singer Collin Raye born in De Queen, Kansas, USA ~ Formerly going under the moniker Bubba Wray and member of country band the Wrays. Released his solo debut album, All I Can Be, in 1991. His first four albums would reach Platinum certification in the USA. Known for songs such as In This Life, Little Rock, On The Verge, I Can Still Feel You and Couldn't Last A MomentAugust 22, 1958 ~ Progressive rock guitarist, singer Alan Morse born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as sole constant member of Spock's Beard, a band co-founded by his brother Neal Morse. In addition to guitar, Morse plays bass, cello, keyboards, percussion and theremin. Has also worked with Chad & Jeremy, Spencer Davis, and with Spock bandmate Ryo Okumoto
August 22, 1958 ~ Guitarist Vernon Reid, full name Vernon Alphonsus Reid, born in London, UK ~ Rose to fame as co-founding member, primary songwriter for Living Colour, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums. The band is considered one of the most exciting rock acts of the late 1980s, drawing from rock, punk rock, R&B, and jazz, and is especially acclaimed for their 1988 Vivid double platinum debut album. Reid has also worked with Bill Frisell, John Zorn, Mick Jagger (Primitive Cool), Public Enemy, Janet Jackson, Jack Bruce, Bernie Worrell, Garland Jeffreys (Don't Call Me Buckwheat), Jack DeJohnette, Whitney Houston, Marcus Miller, Spearhead, DJ Logic, and Joe Lynn TurnerAugust 22, 1957 ~ Country, country rock, rock & roll singer, guitarist Duane Jarvis born in Astoria, Oregon, USA ~ Influenced by the Who, the Kinks, the Rolling Stones. Co-wrote Lucinda Williams' Still I Long For Your Kiss of Williams' acclaimed Car Wheels On A Gravel Road album. Actively recording as a solo artist since the 1990s. Has worked with Peter Case, Rosie Flores, John Prine, Amy Rigby, and Dwight Yoakam ~ Jarvis passed away in 2009
August 22, 1957 ~ Singer, songwriter Holly Dunn, full name Holly Suzette Dunn, born in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Country singer with ten albums to her name. Charting singles since the mid-1980s including Are You Ever Gonna Love Me, You Really Had Me Going, Love Someone Like Me, There Goes My Heart Again (co-written with then unknown Joe Diffie), It's Always Gonna Be Someday, and A Heart Full Of Love. Sang with Kenny Rogers on Maybe, with John Michael Montgomery on A Face In The Crowd ~ Dunn passed away in 2016
August 22, 1953 ~ Ellen Lucille Thomas, commonly known as Hi-NRG, disco singer Evelyn Thomas, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Discovered by British producer Ian Levine, who was scouting the USA for gospel and soul singers to promote in the UK. Thomas has recorded four albums from the late 1970s through the mid-1980s and is known for songs such as Weak Spot, Masquerade, the Supremes-cover Reflections, Standing At The Crossroads, and perhaps her best known High Energy, the latter a 1984 club hit on both sides of the Atlantic ~ Thomas passed away in 2024August 22, 1952 ~ Blues guitarist Debbie Davis born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Besides her solo work, releasing albums since the mid 1990s, best known for backing Albert Collins. Also worked with Maggie Mayall & the Cadillacs, Fingers Taylor, Ladyfinger Revue, Tommy Shannon, Chris Layton, Coco Montoya, J Geils, and Duke Robillard
August 22, 1952 ~ Label executive, concert promoter, film producer Michael Gudinski, full name Michael Solomon Gudinski, born in Caulfield, Australia ~ Leading figure in the Australian music business. Founded the Mushroom Records label in 1972. Incremental to the careers of the MacKenzie Theory, Skyhooks, the Choirboys, Kylie Minogue, Split Enz, Eskimo Joe, and Evermore ~ Gudinski passed away in 2021
August 22, 1952 ~ Rock, poto-punk, garage rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Peter Laughner, full name Peter Ravenscoft Laughner, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Influenced by Lou Reed, Robert Johnson, Woody Guthrie, Tom Verlaine. Described as “probably the single biggest catalyst in the birth of Cleveland's alternative rock scene in the mid 1970s.” Perhaps best known for his work with Rocket From The Tombs and with Pere Ubu ~ Laughner passed away in 1977August 22, 1948 ~ Guitarist David Marks, full name David Lee Marks, born in Newcastle, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Early member of the Beach Boys, appearing on the band's first four albums, 1962's Surfin' Safari and 1963's Surfin' USA, Surfer Girl and Little Deuce Coupe. Left the band in 1963 due to personal issues with the band's manager. Has since worked with Casey Kasem, Delaney & Bonnie and Warren Zevon, among others
August 22, 1947 ~ Donna Jean Thatcher, commonly known as folk-rock, psychedelia singer Donna Jean Godchaux, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Best known as a member, singing backing and lead vocals, of the Grateful Dead from 1972 through 1979. Started as a backing and session singer for various artists recording in Muscle Shoals Studios. Sang backup on Percy Sledge's 1966 When A Man Loves A Woman, and on Elvis Presley's 1969 Suspicious Minds. Also heard as session singer on recordings by Boz Scaggs, Duane Allman, Cher, Joe Tex, and Neil Diamond. Married future fellow Dead bandmate Keith Godchaux in 1970. The couple also played with the Jerry Garcia Band and released an album of their own, Keith & Donna, in 1975. Returning the favor Jerry Garcia also guested on the couple's album. Donna would marry bassist Jeff Mattson after her husband's death in 1980. Continues to record and perform with her own band which includes Mattson, as well as occasionally guest on recordings by Bob Weir, Steve Kimock, and the New Riders Of The Purple Sage ~ Thatcher passed away in 2025
August 22, 1945 ~ Singer Frank Sinatra records Day By Day ~ Written by Axel Stordahl, Paul Weston, Sammy Cahn. One of Frank Sinatra's early key recordings, released as a single in January 1946. The same year it would also be recorded by Jo Stafford, Doris Day, and Bing Crosby
August 22, 1942 ~ Guitarist Joe Chambers born in Scott County, Mississippi, USA ~ Member of psychedelic soul band the Chamber Brothers, known for incorporating elements of traditional gospel and blues, psychedelica and rock into soul. The band, which also includes his siblings bassist George Chambers and harmonica player Lester Chambers, has recorded half a dozen albums and is best known for their 1968 eleven-minute single Time Has Come Today, which reached No.11 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Chambers passed away in 2024
August 22, 1941 ~ Keyboardist, organist Edwin Birdsong born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Enjoyed little chart success but remembered for a handful of experimental funk, disco recordings including Cola Bottle Baby and Rapper Dapper Snapper, sampled by respectively Daft Punk in Harder Better Faster Stronger and Gang Starr in Skills. Birdsong also produced three Roy Ayers albums ~ Birdsong passed away in 2019
August 22, 1941 ~ Keyboardist, producer, arranger Marvell Thomas, full name Ronald Marvell Thomas, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Son of singer Rufus Thomas. Brother of singers Carla Thomas and Vaneese Thomas. Reportedly the first pianist hired by Stax/Volt. Worked with the Triumphs, William Bell, Booker T Jones, Wilson Pickett, Clarence Carter, Eddie Hinton, Denise Lasalle, Johnnie Taylor, the Staple Singers, Little Milton, the Emotions, Albert King, Mavis Staples, Yvonne Elliman, Etta James, the Temptations, and Peabo Bryson. Co-produced and played on Isaac Hayes critically acclaimed Hot Buttered Soul album ~ Thomas passed away in 2017
August 22, 1939 ~ Maria del Pilar Garrido Corrales, commonly known as singer, actress, comedienne Pilita Corrales, born in Lahug, Philippines ~ Dubbed “Asia's Queen of Songs”, Corrales, widely celebrated for her vocal range and technique, sweet voice and longevity, has recorded well over a hundred albums over a career spanning six decades starting in the late 1950s. Well known songs include A Million Thanks To You, Rosas Pandan, and Kapantay Ay Langit ~ Corrales passed away in 2025
August 22, 1937 ~ Journalist, author, columnist, critic, radio and TV personality Johan Anthierens born in Machelen, Belgium ~ Hosted Charme Van Het Chanson on Belgian public radio, showcasing his knowledge of and love for chansons, especially the anarchic lyrics of Leo Ferré, Georges Brassens, and Jacques Brel. Regularly irritated the censors. Fired for reading the lyrics of Evviva Il Papa on-air, a banned song protesting the Pope. Fired as co-host of TV show Noord-Zuid after angering singer Vader Abraham to the point of the latter walking out. The other host, Mies Bouwman, was offered a new co-host but declined and the show would be canceled altogether ~ Anthierens passed away in 2000
August 22, 1936 ~ Bandleader, composer Chuck Brown, full name Charles Louis Brown, born in Gaston, North Carolina, USA ~ Known as “the Godfather of Go-Go”. Local celebrity in Washington DC. Elsewhere known for hits such as We Need Some Money and Bustin' Loose. Influential on the Soul Rebels Brass Band, Big G & the Backyard Band, the Junk Yard Band, Rare Essence, Experience Unlimited, Little Benny & the Master, and Trouble Funk ~ Brown passed away in 2012
August 22, 1936 ~ Guitarist, singer Delmare Allen Hawkins, commonly known as Dale Hawkins, born in St Mary Parish, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known for the 1957 swamp-blues classic Susie Q. Later turned label executive and producer, responsible for songs such as the Uniques' Not Too Long Ago, Five Americans' Western Union, and Bruce Channel's Hey Baby ~ Hawkins passed away in 2010August 22, 1928 ~ Songwriter Jerry Capehart, full name Jerry Neil Capehart, born in Goodman, Missouri, USA ~ Best known for co-writing Summertime Blues and C'mon Everybody with Eddie Cochran. Has also written Rosemary Clooney's Beautiful Brown Eyes and Glen Campbell's Turn Around Look At Me ~ Capehart passed away in 1998
August 22, 1928 ~ Composer Karlheinz Stockhausen born in Burg Modrath, Germany ~ Widely regarded as one of the most important, and controversial, composers of the 20th century. Although much of Stockhausen's extensive catalogue is too experimental for mainstream audiences, Stockhausen has been acknowledged as a pioneer of electronic music and controlled chance, earning him critical acclaim and his influence extending to a wide range of artists including Louis Andriessen, Miles Davis, Cecil Taylor, Charles Mingus, Herbie Hancock, Yusef Lateef, Anthony Braxton, Frank Zappa, Pink Floyd's Richard Wright and Roger Waters, the Jefferson Airplane, Can, Holger Czukay, Kraftwerk, and Björk ~ Stockhausen passed away in 2007
August 22, 1928 ~ Singer, bandleader Pacho Alonso born in Santiago, Cuba ~ Best known for his association with percussionist, composer Enrique Bonne, the duo credited with creating pilón, a musical form and dance. Alonso had first gained attention in the early 1950s as a vocalist for Mariano Mercerón's orchestra. Would team up with fellow orchestra members Fernando Alvarez and Benny Moré soon thereafter. As a bandleader, Alonso would enjoy popularity especially in his native Cuba during the late 1950s and 1960s, expanding his fanbase to an international audience n the 1970s. Artists who have recorded with Alonso's orchestra include Faustino Oramas, Ibrahim Ferrer, and Carlos Querol. Following Alonso's death at age 54, his son Pachito Alonso who had been with the band since the early 1970s took over leadership ~ Alonso passed away in 1982