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 5, 1971 ~ Jared Hennegan, commonly known as alternative rock, punk rock, rap rock bassist Jared Hasselhoff, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Member of the Bloodhound Gang from 1995 through 2015, first appearing on the band's 1996 One Fierce Beer Coaster sophomore album. The band is perhaps best known for The Bad Touch, a 1999 top 10 hit across Europe
August 5, 1969 ~ Singer, actor Diego Schoening born in Mexico City, Mexico ~ Member of teen pop group Timbiriche from 1981 until its disbandement in 1994, recording well over a dozen albums with the band including the Platinum albums Timbiriche VII and its follow-up Timbiriche VIII & IX. Schoening has recorded two albums as a solo artist, Voy A Mi and Lo Que Soy released respectively in 1999 and 2009, has appeared in over half a dozen musical stage productions, and acted in telenovelas and filmsAugust 5, 1967 ~ Aston George Taylor Jr, commonly known as DJ, rapper, producer, actor Funkmaster Flex, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of Flip Squad. As a solo artist released his full-length The Mix Tapes solo debut album in 1995. Has collaborated with the Gehtto Celebs, the Wu-Tang Clan, the Ruff Ryders, LL Cool J, Mary J Blige, DMX, Faith Evans, and Fat Joe
August 5, 1966 ~ Alternative metal, punk rock, grunge bassist Jennifer Finch born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as a member of all-female punk rock outfit L7, considered an outlier in grunge and riot grrrl music. The band is especially acclaimed for their 1992 Bricks Are Heavy album. Finch has also worked with the Pandoras, OtherStarPeople, the Shocker, and has occasionally ventured into acting. Early on in her career Finch played bass in Sugar Babydoll, which also included then-unknown Courtney Love and future Babes In Toyland-founder Kat Bjelland. Finch has also been romantically involved with Dave Grohl and Billy Corgan
August 5, 1966 ~ Jazz, crossover jazz guitarist, conductor, composer Roberto Tola born in Sassan, Italy ~ Child prodigy. Began studying music at just six years old, Conservatory four years later. Worked with conductors including Colin Towns, Carla Bley, Giorgio Gaslini, Bruno Tommaso, Roberto Pregadio, with singers such as Jill Saward, Norma Winstone, David Linx, Gegè Telesforo, trumpeters such as Flavio Boltro, Paolo Fresu, Enrico Rava and Tom Harrell, bassist Steve Swallow, saxophonists including Bob Mintzer of the Yellowjackets fame, Andy Sheppard and Maurizio Gianmarco, andwith pianists such as Riccardo Zegna and Antonello SalisAugust 5, 1965 ~ Saxophonist, composer Jeff Coffin born in Massachusetts, USA ~ Has been releasing solo albums since the late 1990s. Member of Béla Fleck's backing unit the Flecktones. Member of the Dave Matthews Band, eventually replacing the late founding member LeRoi Moore. Has also collaborated with Jeff Babko, Vinnie Colaiuta, the Everyone Orchestra, Jonathan Scales, JD Souther, Boyd Tinsley, Jon Foreman, Justin Townes Earle, Cage The Elephant, Ingrid Jensen, Snarky Puppy, and David Crosby
August 5, 1964 ~ Rapper Adam Yauch, also known as MCA, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Founding member of pivotal hip-hop group the Beastie Boys, known best for their 1987 Billboard top 10 single (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party). The band was responsible for making hip-hop a valid genre for white artists and drew from originally white genres including rock and punk ~ Yauch passed away in 2012August 5, 1962 ~ Jazz drummer Alan Jones born in Longview, Washington, USA ~ Over half a dozen albums as a leader, starting with Unsafe released in 1998. Frequently collaborated with Andy Middleton, David Friesen, Randy Porter, and Wayne Darling
August 5, 1961 ~ Violinist, songwriter Mark O'Connor born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Merges from bluegrass, country, jazz, classical. Over 40 albums to his name over a four decade career. Toured with renowned jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli in his teens. Has collaborated with Béla Fleck, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer, and Yo-Yo MaAugust 5, 1960 ~ Pop, R&B songwriter, producer Tony Haynes born ~ Wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by artists such as Evelyn Champagne King, Karyn White, Earth Wind & Fire, the Spinners (Send A Little Love), Philip Bailey, Jennifer Holliday, A Taste Of Honey, the Temptations (Runnin'), Patrice Rushen, the Pointer Sisters (Flirtatious), Johnny Kemp, the SOS Band (One Of Many Nights), Kool & the Gang, the Isley Brothers, Al Jarreau, Regina Belle, Chanté Moore, Jade, Brenda Holloway, Beau Williams (Danger Zone), and George Duke
August 5, 1959 ~ Dance-pop, synth-pop, new wave singer Pete Burns, full name Peter Jozzeppi Burns, born in Port Sunlight, UK ~ Founded Nightmares In Wax by the late 1970s. The band would reach mainstream succes after renaming themselves Dead Or Alive, best known for their UK No.1 hit You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) of their 1984 Youthquake sophomore album. The single would also reach top 10 across Europe, and remains a radio staple to this day as one of the era's most vibrant songs. The band would continue to chart throughout the end of the decade, notably with singles such as Lover Come Back To Me, In Too Deep, and Something In My House ~ Burns passed away in 2016August 5, 1955 ~ Maria Do Carma Miranda Da Cunha, commonly known as samba singer, dancer, actress Carmen Miranda, passed away in Beverly Hills, California, USA ~ Nicknamed “the Brazilian Bombshell”. Rose to stardom with her 1930 recording of Tai (Pra Voce Gostar De Mim). Performed on Broadway and in over a dozen Hollywood films from 1940 through the mid 1950s ~ Miranda was born in 1909
August 5, 1953 ~ Classical violinist, conductor András Ligeti born in Pécs, Hungary ~ Closely associated with the Hungarian State Opera House, serving as concert master and conductor from 1977 through 1985, and with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra from 1985 through 1993. Has also worked with the Dresden Philharmonic, the Oslo Philharmonic, the Bergen Symphony, and the Orchestra de la Suisse Romande ~ Ligeti passed away in 2021
August 5, 1953 ~ Jazz, traditional pop singer Doris Day records Secret Love at Warner Bros Studios, Burbank, California ~ Written by Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster for the 1953 musical film Calamity Jane starring Doris Day. Released as a single, b/w The Deadwood Stage, the following October Day's single would reach No.1 on the pop charts. Over the years would be covered by country artists such as Slim Whitman and Freddy Fender, R&B singer Billy Stewart and British pop singer Kathy Kirby, becoming a signature tune for the latter. Day's version would be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999
August 5, 1951 ~ Blues singer, guitarist Elmore James records Dust My Broom at Ivan Scott's Radio Service, Jackson, Mississippi ~ Produced by Lillian McMurry. Though Elmore James is listed as sole songwriter, the song actually traces back to I Believe I'll Dust My Broom, recorded by Robert Johnson in 1936. Influential on several generations of musicians. Notably covered by Ike & Tina Turner as a 1966 single, and by ZZ Top for their 1979 Degüello album
August 5, 1949 ~ Rock, jazz saxophonist Robbie Jansen, full name Robert Edward Jansen, born in Cape Town, South Africa ~ Member of the Pacific Express. Would go on to work with Dollar Brand and saxophonist Basil Coetzee. Would become a leading figure by the 1970s in Cape Jazz. Has also worked with Johnny Clegg, Sipho Mchunu, and Juluka (Universal Men). Especially acclaimed for his 2006 solo album Nomad Jez. His international career suffered a blowback in 2007 when on doctor's orders he could no longer travel due to a respitory condition, and forced to cancel a European tour ~ Jansen passed away in 2010
August 5, 1948 ~ Bassist, guitarist, trumpeter, keyboardist, drummer David Hungate, full name William David Hungate, born in Troy, Missouri, USA ~ Best known as member of Toto from 1976 through 1982, present on the band's first four albums which spawned Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits such as Hold The Line, Rosanna, and Africa. Hungate has also appeared on albums by Mecca, Joe Cocker, Boz Scaggs (Silk Degrees), JD Souther, Deniece Williams, Michael Martin Murphey, Alice Cooper (From The Inside), Neil Sedaka, Kim Carnes, Rickie Lee Jones, Barbra Streisand, Olivia Newton-John, Joe Nichols, Juice Newton, Jackie DeShannon, Mark Chesnutt, Bette Midler, Leo Sayer, Glen Campbell, Dolly Parton, Rosanne Cash, and the Pointer SistersAugust 5, 1947 ~ Gary Stephen Anderson, commonly known as singer, guitarist Angry Anderson, born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Best known as frontman, lead singer of blues-infested hard rock outfit Rose Tattoo, present on some of the band's best known including Bad Boy For Love, We Can't Be Beaten, I Wish and Calling. Has also worked with Buster Brown and the Party Boys. As a solo artist best known for the singles Suddenly and Bound For GLORY
August 5, 1947 ~ Rock guitarist Greg Leskiw, full name Gregory Leskiw, born in Brandon, Canada ~ Best known as a member of the Guess Who from 1970 through 1972, present on the albums Share The Land, So Long Bannatyne, and Rockin'. Following his departure from the band Leskiw would play with Crowcuss and Kilowatt. Leskiw also operated Vox Pop Studios from 1986 through 1997, a popular recording studio for Winnipeg-based groups such as the Crash Test Dummies and New Meanies
August 5, 1947 ~ Richard Dean Zehringer, commonly known as rock, blues, pop rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Rick Derringer, born in Fort Recovery, Ohio, USA ~ Rose to fame as co-founding member, lead singer of the McCoys, known for their 1965 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Hang On Sloopy. The band is also known for serving as backing unit for Johnny Winter. Derringer would also go on to work with Winter's brother Edgar Winter, including producing the hit singles Frankenstein and Free Ride. Derringer recorded over a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with All American Boy in 1973, formed the short-lived supergroup Derringer Bogert & Appice, and guested on albums by Alice Cooper (Killer), Todd Rundgren (Something/Anything), Steely Dan, Dan Hartman, Bette Midler, Kiss, Donald Fagen (The Nightfly), Bonnie Tyler, Barbra Streisand, Cyndi Lauper (True Colors), Grayson Hugh, and Joe Bonamassa ~ Zehringer passed away in 2025
August 5, 1947 ~ Pop, rock, blues, R&B, jazz, country bassist Willie Weeks born in Salemburg, North Carolina, USA ~ One of the most in-demand session and touring bassists. Cites Ron Carter, Motown stalwart James Jamerson, and Ray Brown as his main influences. Noted for his three minute plus bass solo on Voices Inside (Everything Is Everything) off of Donny Hathaway's 1972 Live album. Has guested on half a dozen of George Harrison's solo albums, starting with Dark Horse released in 1974, Harrison held Weeks in such high regard that, when asked about a reunion of the Beatles, he stated he would “rather have Weeks on bass than Paul McCartney”. Over the course of his career, Weeks has appeared on albums by Herbie Mann, Gloria Jones, Stevie Wonder (Innervisions), Rod Stewart, Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones (It's Only Rock And Roll), Bobby Womack, Randy Newman (Good Old Boys), David Bowie, James Taylor, Leon Russell, Maria Muldaur (Sweet Harmony), Al Jarreau, Steve Winwood, Lenny Williams, Joe Walsh (But Seriously Folks), Rickie Lee Jones, Delbert McClinton (Keeper Of The Flame), Chaka Khan, the Doobie Brothers, Rosanne Cash, Jimmy Buffett, Etta James, John Mellencamp, Vince Gill (Pocket Full Of Gold), Eric Gale, Wynonna Judd, John Michael Montgomery, and Tammy WynetteAugust 5, 1946 ~ Rock, classical keyboardist, songwriter Rick van der Linden born in Badhoevedorp, the Netherlands ~ Fused rock and classical music. Worked with Ekseption, Trace, Mistral, Session, Brand X, Phil Collins, Deep Purple, Joachim Kühn, Jack Lancaster, Conny Vandenbos, Vangelis, Rein van den Broek, Chris Hinze, Pim Jacobs, Louis van Dijk, Astrid Nijgh, Jan Akkerman, and Kaz Lux ~ Van der Linden passed away in 2006
August 5, 1944 ~ Classical, film composer Christopher Gunning born in Cheltenham, UK ~ To pop and rock audiences perhaps best known for the distinctive string arrangement on Colin Blunstone's 1972 hit Say You Don't Mind, and for the arrangements on several of singer Lynsey de Paul's singles including Won't Somebody Dance With Me and My Man And Me. However, Gunning is primarily a composer for orchestra, Gunning also serving as conductor with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for several of his symphonies, and a prolific TV and film composer including for nearly all of the Agatha Christie's Poirot TV films, the mystery series Rosemary & Thyme, and well over a dozen feature films including notably Under Suspicion, Firelight, and the Edith Piaf biopic La Vie En Rose, the latter of which earned Gunning a BAFTA Award ~ Gunning passed away in 2023
August 5, 1943 ~ Jewel Faye Smith, commonly known as singer Sammi Smith, born in Orange, California, USA ~ One of the few women in 1970s outlaw country. Best known for her 1971 country-pop hit Help Me Make It Through The Night, written by Kris Kristofferson. The single would top the Billboard Country charts, peak at No.8 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, and earn Smith a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. Throughout the early 1980s, Smith would continue to regularly reach the higher echelons of the country charts with songs such as Then You Walk In, I've Got To Have You, The Rainbow In Daddy's Eyes, and Today I Started Loving You Again. Smith has three children with her first husband steel guitarist Bob White, and one son with her second husband guitarist Jody Payne ~ Smith passed away in 2005August 5, 1943 ~ Singer, songwriter Terry Dolan born ~ Founder, frontman of Terry & the Pirates. Influenced by Leadbelly, Hank Williams, Wanda Jackson, Carl Perkins. Opened for artists such as Taj Mahal, Blue Cheer, BB King, and Elvin Bishop ~ Dolan passed away in 2012