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 27, 1977 ~ Singer Jimmy Buffett marries Jane Slagsvol ~ Previously married to Margie Washichek for two years, Jimmy Buffett marries his second wife, Jane Slagsvol. The couple would have three children, the third adopted in 1994
August 27, 1977 ~ Mason Durell Betha, commonly known as rapper, songwriter Mase, born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Released his full-length debut album, Harlem World, in 1997. Three of the album's singles would reach top 10 of the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, namely Feel So Good featuring Kelly Price, What You Want featuring Total and Lookin' At Me featuring Puff Daddy. Has also collaborated with the Notorious BIG, Tasha Holiday, Brian McKnight, Blackstreet, Cam'ron, Busta Rhymes, DMX, Nelly, Fat Joe, French Montana, and Eric Bellinger
August 27, 1977 ~ Jazz drummer Quincy Davis born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA ~ Brother of pianist Xavier Davis, with whom he has also collaborated. Sporadically recorded as a leader, notably the 2003 Life In The Key Of Q album. An in-demand sideman from the late 1990s onward, Davis has appeared on albums by Steve Talaga, Holly Holmes, Greg Glassman (Onward And Upward), Tom Harrell, Matt Munister, Gregg August (Late August), Randy Napoleon, Vincent Gardner, Sachal Vasandani, Peter Zak (Seed Of Sin), Daniela Schächte, Bobby Watson, Andrea Wright, David Gibson, Walt Weiskopf, and Aaron Diehl
August 27, 1972 ~ James Moyer Franks, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter Jimmy Pop, born in Trappe, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, primary songwriter of the Bloodhound Gang, merging pink rock, alternative hip-hop, rapcore, funk metal and electronic rock with a dose of humor. Well known songs include Fire Water Burn, Foxtrot Uniform Charlie, Ballad Of Chasey Lain and their best known The Bad Touch. The latter would become a top 10 hit across Europe, including reaching the No.1 spot in Germany, Italy, Ireland
August 27, 1971 ~ Lilian Hardin, commonly known as pianist, singer, songwriter Lil' Armstrong, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Second wife of Louis Armstrong, whom she convinced to leave King Oliver's band and pursue a solo career. As a composer known for songs such as Strutting With Some Barbecue, Don't Jive Me, Two Deuces, Knee Drops, Doing The Suzie Q, Just For A Thrill (a 1959 hit for Ray Charles), Clip Joint, Bad Boy, the latter notably covered by Ringo Starr in 1978 ~ Armstrong was born in 1898
August 27, 1970 ~ Jason Dwight Campsall, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter Jason McCoy, born in Barrie, Canada ~ Member of country-rock outfit the Road Hammers from 2005 through 2010. The band is known for songs such as I'm A Road Hammer, East Bound And Down, Nashville Bound, Girl On The Billboard, and I've Got The Scars To Prove It, all of which would reach top 10 in the country charts in the band's native Canada. Has recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Greatest Times Of All released in 1989. The singles This Used To Be Our Town, Learning A Lot About Love, and Candle, all take of his his eponymous 1995 sophomore Jason McCoy album would all top the country chartsAugust 27, 1968 ~ Bassist Nicolas Thys born in Brussels, Belgium ~ Worked with Toots Thielemans, Garrett List, Judy Niemack, Mark Turner, Ivan Paduart, Kris Defoort, Kenny Werner, Mike Stern, KD's Decade, Felix Simtaine, Tomas & Co, the Brussels Jazz Orchestra, Octun, Jason Seizer, and Bill Carrothers
August 27, 1968 ~ Electronic composer, producer Uwe Schmidt born in Frankfurt-am-Main, West Germany ~ Also known under the monikers Lassigue Bendthaus, Atom, Atom Heart, and Señor Coconut. Considered “the Father of Electrolatino” for his role in electronic music, inspired by early house. Actively recording since the mid-1980s, starting with the full-length Matter. Has collaborated with Bill Laswell, Tetsu Inoue, Haruomi Hosono. Served as remixer for the likes of Depeche Mode, Cesária Évora, Sketch Show, Moreno Veloso, and Merzbow
August 27, 1965 ~ Johnny Rowan, commonly known as rock drummer Blackie Onassis, born ~ Member of Urge Overkill, first appearing on the band's 1991 The Supersonic Storybook album. The band is widely known for their single Sister Havana and their Neil Diamond-cover Girl You'll Be A Woman Soon. The latter would be used for the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino's 1994 Pulp Fiction cult film ~ Rowan passed away in 2023August 27, 1965 ~ Bo Martin Erik Erikson, commonly known as eurodance singer E-Type, born in Uppsala, Sweden ~ Scored a number of top 10 hits in his native Sweden, starting in the mid 1990s. Among his best known songs are This Is The Way, Free Like A Flying Demon, Calling Your Name, Angels Crying, Campione 2000, and Paradise
August 27, 1965 ~ Indie rock, sadcore, country bassist Mike Johnson born in Grants Pass, Oregon, USA ~ Fronted punk outfit Snakepit until its disbandement in 1989. Member of Dinosaur Jr during the 1990s, present on the albums Where You Been, Without A Sound, and Hand It Over. Frequent collaborator of Mark Lanegan, appearing on about half a dozen of the alternative rock singer's albums including the acclaimed Whiskey For The Holy Ghost. Johnson has also recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Where Am I released in 1994. Johnson was briefly married to bassist, singer Leslie Hardy of all-female Seattle outfit Juned
August 27, 1965 ~ Jazz guitarist, producer, composer Rez Abbasi born in Karachi, Pakistan ~ Worked with Kiran Ahluwalia, Billy Hart, DD Jackson, Dave Liebman, Dave Pietro, Gary Thomas, Gary Versace, Kenny Werner, Marvin Smith, Rick Margitza, Sunny Jain, Tim Hagans, Tony Malaby, Mike Clark, and Adam Rudolph
August 27, 1964 ~ Michael Alec Anthony West, commonly known as jungle producer, toaster Rebel MC, born in Islington, UK ~ Popularized the term “jungle”. Co-founded Double Trouble with Karl Brown and Leigh Guest, known for the late 1980s recordings Just Keep Rockin' and Street Tuff. Debuted as a solo artist in 1990 with the Rebel Music album
August 27, 1961 ~ Rock, heavy metal, southern rock drummer Mark McConnell, also known as Mark Bam-Bam McConnell, born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ First gained attention in the mid-1980s, replacing original drummer Roxy Petrucci in hard rock, glam metal outfit Madam X. At the time, the band was fronted by singer Sebastian Bach, with whom McConnell would team up several times over the course of his career including on Bach's solo albums Bring 'Em Bach Alive and Forever Wild. McConnell is also known as a member of Blackfoot in the 2000s, and subsequently the Southern Rock Allstars. Other associations include Warp Drive (Gimme Gimme), the Comatones, Cryptonaut, Future Urban Zoo, and Native Sun ~ McConnell passed away in 2012
August 27, 1961 ~ Gospel, R&B singer Yolanda Adams, full name Yolanda Yvette Adams, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Dubbed “the First Lady of Modern Gospel”. Debuted in 1987 with the album Just As I Am. Crossover appeal and became known to listeners outside gospel with 1999's Mountain High Valley Low, collaborating with Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Warryn Campbell and Keith Thomas. Best known for songs such as I Believe I Can Fly featuring Gerald Levert, Someone Watching Over You and perhaps her best known Open My Heart
August 27, 1959 ~ Latin pop singer, actress Daniela Romo born in Mexico City, Mexico ~ Influenced by Rocio Dúrcal, whom she credits as an inspiration to become a singer and actress. Made her film debut in La Casa Del Pelicano at age 17. As a singer worked with Lolita de la Colina, Adrian Posse, and Silvetti. Known for songs such as Mentiras, Yo No Te Pida La Lune, the gay anthem Coco Loco, Adelante Corazón, and Todo Todo TodoAugust 27, 1959 ~ Pianist, keyboardist Frode Fjellheim born in Mosjoen, Norway ~ Best known for penning Eatnemen Vuelle, which was later adapted to become the opening number of the animated feature film Frozen. Co-founded Transjoik, active since the mid 1990s. Has also recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with Ulla Pirttijärvi-Länsman, Barut, Mari Boine, and Anne Vada
August 27, 1956 ~ Bassist Glen Matlock born in Paddington, UK ~ Original bassist for the Sex Pistols. Co-wrote the majority of the songs on their sole Never Mind The Bollocks (Here's The Sex Pistols) album, though Matlock is only present on the tracks Anarchy In The UK and God Save The Queen as he left the band early in the recording process. Matlock has recorded with various artists, notably the Rich Kids known for their 1978 UK top 30 hit Rich Kids, as well as with the Vicious White Kids, Iggy Pop, the Damned, and the International Swingers
August 27, 1955 ~ Laura Ingrid Thérèse Fijgi, commonly known as singer Laura Fygi, born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Member of girl group Centerfold, with whom she scored several hits in the Netherlands during the 1980s including notably the top 10 hit Dictator. After her tenure with the disco-tinged pop group, Fygi established herself as a versatile jazz, pop-jazz singer praised for the warmth and depth of her sultry voice, with about a dozen albums to her name starting with Introducing released in 1991. Earning some level of international acclaim, she would go on to work with the likes of Toots Thielemans, Johnny Griffin, Michel Legrand, Clark Terry, and the Pasadena Roof Orchestra
August 27, 1953 ~ Alexandar Zivojinovic, commonly known as guitarist Alex Lifeson born in Fernie, Canada ~ Co-founding member of Rush, and along with lead singer Geddy Lee the only other member to appear on every album. Although at times scorned by critics for commercialising progressive rock, the band enjoyed a cult following, their fans once dubbed “the Trekkies of Rock” by Rolling Stone, and have sold over 40 million albums over their lengthy career starting in the late 1960s. The band enjoyed popularity especially during the 1980s and 1990s, with about a dozen of their albums reaching the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 200 charts. The early 1980s albums Moving Pictures and Signals as well as Clockwork Angels released in 2012 have topped the charts in their native Canada. The band, inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2013, has been cited as an influence by numerous artists including Alice In Chains, Dream Theater, Iron Maiden, Living Colour, the Manic Street Preachers, Metallica, Pearl Jam, the Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, and ToolAugust 27, 1953 ~ Rock guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, singer Johnne Sambataro born in Florida, USA ~ Has toured and recorded with a wide range of artists including Andy Gibb, Barry Gibb, Stephen Stills, Peter Frampton (Premonition), Meat Loaf, John Parr, Zakk Wylde, McGuinn Clark & Hillman, and Firefall. Sambataro recorded a solo solo album, Me Myself & I released in 2011
August 27, 1953 ~ Laurence Mark Wisefield, commonly known as rock, hard rock, progressive rock, art rock guitarist Laurie Wisefield, born in East London, UK ~ Member of progressive rock outfit Home, with whom he recorded the early 1970s albums Pause For A Hoarse Horse, Home, and The Alchemist. However, when Ted Turner departed Wishbone Ash in 1974, the band's guitarist and singer Andy Powell snatched up Wisefield to take his place. Wisefield would remain with the band through the 1980s, recording over half a dozen albums starting with There's The Rub. Subsequently, Wisefield has worked with Tina Turner, Joe Cocker, and Roger ChapmanAugust 27, 1951 ~ New age, world fusion, fingerstyle guitarist, banjoist, flutist, keyboardist, percussionist Paul Adams born in Kokomo, Indiana, USA ~ Originally an ethnomusicology student and luthier, known for building stringed instruments such as guitars, banjos, basses, and dulcimers, Adams got his start as a recording artist in the late 1980s, releasing his highly acclaimed Various Waves debut album in 1989. Has since released close to a dozen albums, drawing from new age, jazz, and world music. Though not a household name, Adams is revered by critics and well known for his collaborations including with the likes of Elizabeth Geyer, David Hoffman, flutist Pravin Godkhindi, former Gentle Giant guitarist Gary Green, and Alp Akmaz
August 27, 1950 ~ Guitarist, singer John Turnbull, full name John George Turnbull, born in Newcastle-upon-Thyne, UK ~ Member of the Chosen Few and its successor psychedelic rock unit Skip Bifferty, known for their sole eponymous Skip Bifferty album released in 1968. When the band folded over management disputes, Turnbull would join bandmates singer Graham Bell and keyboardist Mick Gallagher in Bell & Arc. Turnbull would however become best known as a member of Ian Dury's backing unit the Blockheads, including on key albums such as New Boots & Panties, Do It Yourself, and Laughter. A prolific session musician, Turnbull has also appeared on albums by Glencoe, Gary Shearston, Nick Lowe (Jesus Of Cool), Paul Young, Londonbeat, World Party (Egyptology), the Spiritual Cowboys, and Bob Geldof
August 27, 1950 ~ Bassist Neil Murray, full name Philip Neil Murray, born in Edinburgh, UK ~ Originally played drums before taking up the bass. Influenced by Jeff Beck, Jack Bruce, James Jamerson, and Tim Bogert. Best known as a member of Whitesnake from 1977 through 1987, with whom he recorded well over half a dozen albums including their best known, 1984's Slide It In and their eponymous Whitesnake album released in 1987. Previously Murray had briefly played with Gilgamesh in the early 1970s, served as touring member for Cozy Powell's rock unit Hammer, and was a member of jazz-rock group Colosseum II. Following his decade-long tenure with Whitesnake, Murray has appeared on the 1990 Tyr album by Black Sabbath, as well as on several of Queen guitarist Brian May's solo albums, and worked with Peter Green, the Company Of Snakes, and the Michael Schenker Group