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.
February 1, 1983 ~ Psychedelic rock, neo-psychedelia, indie pop, progressive rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, percussionist, songwriter Andrew VanWyngarden, full name Andrew Wells VanWyngarden, born in Columbia, Missouri, USA ~ Formed MGMT with Benjamin Goldwasser, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums. The duo is especially acclaimed for their 2010 Congratulations sophomore album. Also worked with Glitter Penis, Accidental Mersh, Blikk Fang, and as a solo artist under the moniker Gentle Dom
February 1, 1981 ~ Rock, alternative rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Gustaf Norén, full name Erik Gustaf David Norén, born in Borlange, Sweden ~ Named Sweden's sexiest man by Plaza Kvinna in 2016. Perhaps best known as co-leader, alongside Björn Dixgård, of Mando Diao from 1999 through 2015, known best for their 2004 Hurricane Bar breakout album and 2012's Infruset. Has also collaborated with his brother singer, guitarist, percussionist Viktor Norén including in State Of Sound, Caligola, with Eric Saade, and ventured into acting
February 1, 1981 ~ Singer Steve Winwood releases While You See A Chance, lifted off his Arc Of A Diver sophomore album ~ Steve Winwood had enjoyed commercial success while still in his teens as a member of the Spencer Davis Group, known for the hits Gimme Some Lovin' and I'm A Man, and critical acclaim with both Traffic and Blind Faith. Yet as a solo artist, Winwood still had to make a mark for himself. Winwood's 1977 eponymous Steve Winwood debut album did reasonably well on the charts, yet less than expected, but its singles Hold On and Time Is Running Out failed to reach the charts on either side of the pond. It would be his sophomore album, for which Winwood played all instruments himself, that would give him his first major hit as a solo artist, While You See A Chance peaking at No.7 Billboard Hot 100. All songs on the album were written by Winwood and Will Jennings, marking the start of a fruitful collaboration. Jennings had previously co-written hits such as Barry Manilow's Looks Like We Made It and the Crusaders' Street Life. Later on, Jennings would co-write Winwood's Higher Love and Roll With It, as well as hits such as Didn't We Almost Have It All for Whitney Houston, Tears In Heaven for Eric Clapton, and My Heart Will Go On for Céline Dion
February 1, 1980 ~ Singer Pastelle LeBlanc born ~ Formed folk group Vishtèn with Emmanuelle LeBlanc and instrumentalist Pascal Miousse. The band has recorded about half a dozen albums since the mid 2000s and is best known for their acclaimed Horizons, released in 2018 ~ LeBlanc passed away in 2022
February 1, 1975 ~ Antwan André Patton, commonly known as rapper, producer, songwriter, actor Big Boi born in Savannah, Georgia, USA ~ Half of hip-hop duo OutKast, the other half being Dré, known for songs such as Ms Jackson, Hey Ya, The Way You Move and Roses. Released his solo debut album, Sir Lucious Left Foot (The Son Of Chico Dusty), in 2010. As a solo artist best known for Shutterbugg featuring Cutty and All Night featuring Lunchmoney Lewis. Has also worked with Dungeon Family, the Purple Ribbon All-Stars, Raekwon, Mary J Blige, UGK, Kelly Rowland, Goodie Mob, Fantasia, Janelle Monáe, Danger Mouse, and Gorilla Zoe
February 1, 1974 ~ Pop rock outfit the Doobie Brothers release their What Where Once Vices Are Now Habits album ~ The band's previous album, 1973's The Captain And Me, had spawned the hit singles Long Train Runnin' and China Grove which both reached top 20 Billboard Hot 100. When none of the first three singles from What Where Once Vices Are Now Habits reached top 30, Warner Brothers decided to re-release the band's 1971 non-charter Nobody debut single. It would soon be overshadowed by What Where Once Vices Are Now Habits's fourth and final single, Black Water, the band's first Billboard Hot 100 charttopperFebruary 1, 1974 ~ Metal guitarist, producer Kurt Ballou born in Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known as guitarist of hardcore punk outfit Converge. Has also worked with the Huguenots, Blue/Green Heart, Kid Kilowatt, Cave In, Supermachiner, Curl Up And Die, the New Idea Society, and Pygmy Lush
February 1, 1973 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Sarah McLeod, full name Sarah Yvette McLeod, born in Adelaide, Australia ~ Fronted the Superjesus, known best for their 1997 single Down Again. Debuted as a solo artist with the 2005 Beauty Was A Tiger album, which included the Chris Cheney-duet Private School Kid
February 1, 1972 ~ Operatic soprano Taryn Fiebig born in Perth, Australia ~ Principal soprano with the Opera Australia since 2005, known for roles in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's La Clemenzia Di Tito, The Marriage Of Figaro, Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute, Henry Purcell's Didi And Aeneas, Gioachino Rossini's La Cenerentola, and Giacomo Puccini's La Bohème. Married baritone Jud Arthur in 2015, previously Fiebig had been married to composer Iain Grandage ~ Fiebig passed away in 2021
February 1, 1971 ~ Hilliard Goldsmith, commonly known as lyricist Bob Hilliard, passed away in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Enjoyed his first big success in the mid 1940s co-writing The Coffee Song, recorded by Frank Sinatra. Sinatra also recorded his In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning. Other well known songs co-written by Hilliard include Bouquet Of Roses (Eddy Arnold), Careless Hands (Sammy Kaye), Dear Hearts And Gentle People (Dinah Shore), Please Stay (the Drifters), Any Day Now (Chuck Jackson), and Our Day Will Come (Ruby & the Romantics) ~ Goldsmith was born in 1918
February 1, 1969 ~ Jazz saxophonist Joshua Redman born in Berkeley, California, USA ~ Son of saxophonist Dewey Redman, whom he cites as an influence alongside John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman and Cannonball Adderley as well as artists outside jazz such as the Beatles, Aretha Franklin, the Temptations, Prince, the Police and Led Zeppelin. As a leader, Redman is especially acclaimed for his 1993 Wish album. Closely associated with James Farm and the SF Jazz Collective. Along with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Redman was immortalized in the animated children's TV show Arthur in 1999, where their characters were rumored to get into a fight. Redman also appeared in the 1998 film Blues Brothers 2000 as member of the fictitious supergroup the Louisiana Gator Boys performing the songs How Blue Can You Get and New Orleans
February 1, 1969 ~ Alternative rock, power pop, pop punk, indie rock, geek rock, emo, pop rock drummer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, singer, songwriter Patrick Wilson, full name Patrick George Wilson, born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Took up the drums after visiting a Van Halen concert at age 15. Best known as co-founding and longtime member of Weezer, for whom he co-wrote songs such as The World Has Turned And Left Me Here, Surf Wax America and My Name Is Jonas and wrote In The Mall and Automatic. Fronts his own band, the Special Goodness, for which he writes songs, sings lead vocals and plays the majority of instruments. Wilson guested on the Rentals debut album The Return Of The Rentals released in 1995
February 1, 1969 ~ In its 8th week on the charts, Crimson And Clover by Tommy James & the Shondells hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Intended to move the band away from singles to album rock, with the band's frontman also aiming to take more creative control, this psychedelic slice was written by lead singer Tommy James and drummer Peter Lucia. James came up with the title first, and then took two attempts to write a song around two of his favorite things, crimson being his favorite color, clover his favorite flower. Later, James recalled: “Actually, it was one morning as I was getting up out of bed, and it just came to me, those two words. And it sounded so poetic. I had no idea what it meant, or if it meant anything. They were just two of my favorite words.” It would become the band's biggest hit, selling over 5 million copies, and their second and final American No.1 hit. Over the years, the song has been covered by numerous artists, including Joan Jett, Cher, and Prince, and has remained one of the best remembered and cherished late 1960s hits, popular to this day
February 1, 1968 ~ Singer, songwriter Lisa Marie Presley born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Only child of rock & roll icon Elvis Presley. Has recorded a number of albums as a singer, starting with To Whom It May Concern in 2003. Also known for a number of much-publicized romances and marriages to entertainers including Danny Keough, Michael Jackson, John Oszajca, and Michael Lockwood. Joined Scientology in 1977 but left in 2014 and has since voiced discontent with the cult ~ Presley passed away in 2023
February 1, 1967 ~ Psychedelic rock, folk rock outfit the Jefferson Airplane release their Surrealistic Pillow album ~ With new members Grace Slick and drummer Spencer Dryden, the band managed to create the first psychedelic blockbuster album. Showcasing Slick's distinctive voice and what is considered the classic Jefferson line-up, the album would reach top 10 Billboard Hot 200, and spawn the quintessential 1960s hits Somebody To Love and White Rabbit, both of which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100. To this day the album is considered one of the most important to come out of the 1960s, arguably unmatched in capturing the spirit of the era and San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury countercultureFebruary 1, 1966 ~ Electronic, house DJ, producer Laurent Garnier born in Boulogne-Billancourt, France ~ Started as club DJ in the late 1980s at the Hacienda, the Rex Club and L'an-Fer before gradually moving into recording. Released his full-length solo album, Shot In The Dark, in 1995. Best known for songs such Crispy Bacon and The Man With The Red Face
February 1, 1965 ~ Twin brothers guitarists, singers Brent Belke and Marc Belke born in Edmonton, Canada ~ Both brothers worked in punk rock outfits such as Live Sex Shows, SNFU, and the Wheat Chiefs. Brent also worked with the Existential Angst Party as well as compose for films. Marc worked with Bing Jesus and Based On A True Story
February 1, 1965 ~ Britpop, indie bassist, guitarist Steve Firth, full name Steven Mark Firth, born in Halifax, UK ~ Member of rock outfit Embrace, known for a string of hits starting in the late 1990s including the UK top 10 hits All You Good People, Come Back To What You Know, My Weakness Is None Of Your Business, Gravity, Nature's Law, and World At Your Feet
February 1, 1965 ~ Rock outfit the Yardbirds record For Your Love at IBC Studios, London, UK ~ Written by Graham Gouldman at age 18. The song marked a departure from the band's blues roots in favour of a more commercial pop rock sound. Recorded with Keith Relf and drummer Jim McCarty backed by session musician Ron Prentice on bowed bass, Denny Piercy on bongos, and Brian Auger on harpsichord. Band members Eric Clapton and Chris Dreja perform only during the song's middle break section. Following the session, Auger wondered: “Who, in their right mind, is going to buy a pop single with harpsichord on it?” The single would be the band's first top 10 hit in the UK, and their first top 10 hit in the USA
February 1, 1964 ~ Jazz, nu jazz, electronica pianist, composer, producer Bugge Wesseltoft, full name Jens Christian Bugge Wesseltoft, born in Porsgrunn, Norway ~ Leader and sideman. Son of jazz guitarist Erik Wesseltoft. Started in punk and pop bands, gravitated towards jazz under the influence of his father and brought modern techno and dance into jazz in the 1990s. Worked with Et Cetera, the Oslo Groove Company, Knut Riisnæs, Arild Andersen, Jan Garbarek, Terje Rypdal, Jon Eberson, Billy Cobham, Sidsel Endresen, Finn Coren, Bjørn Eidsvåg, Jan Eggum, Laurent Garnier, Knut Reiersrud, Øystein Sunde, Vamp, Rick Danko, Hanne Krogh, Susanne Lundeng, Marilyn Mazur, Solveig Slettahjell, Bengt-Arne Wallin, Wax Poetic, and Dhafer Youssef
February 1, 1964 ~ Singer Mario Pelchat born in Dolbeau-Mistassini, Canada ~ Performing since the early 1970s. Released his Je Suis Un Chanteur debut album in 1982 and has recorded steadily since. Starred in a number of theatrical productions, including Notre Dame De Paris, The Ten Commandments and Don Juan. Has collaborated with Maurane, Céline Dion, Michel LegrandFebruary 1, 1962 ~ Norman Fisher-Jones, commonly known as pop-rock, electronica, new wave, post-punk guitarist, bassist Noko, born in Bootle, UK ~ Active since the early 1980s in quite a number of bands starting with the short-lived Alvin the Aardvark & the Fuzzy Ants, championed by John Peel though they never released any material. Subsequently co-founded Dynamo Futurista and Umbrella. Would go on to work with a succession of artists including Pete Shelley, Howard Devoto, Adultery, Luxuria, Apollo 440, Stealth Sonic Soul, Maximum Roach, Magazine, Raw Chimp, Levyathan, SCISM, Am I Dead Yet, and the Buzzcocks
February 1, 1958 ~ Singer Elvis Presley records Wear My Ring Around Your Neck ~ Written by Bert Carroll and Russell Moody. Produced by Steve Sholes. The recording has Elvis Presley backed by guitarist Scotty Moore, drummer DJ Fontana, backing singers the Jordanaires, bass guitarist Bill Black and pianist Dudley Brooks. The single would be released the next April, with Don'tcha Think It's Time on the B-sideFebruary 1, 1958 ~ Thomas Peters, commonly known as singer, guitarist, keyboardist Tommi Stumpff, born in Düsseldorf, West Germany ~ Founded and fronted punk outfit KFC in the late 1970s. Would go on to record about a dozen solo albums as an EBM singer, starting with Zu Spät Ihr Scheisser released in 1982 ~ Peters passed away in 2023
February 1, 1957 ~ Reggae singer, guitarist Dennis Brown, full name Dennis Emmanuel Brown, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ First recorded while only 11 years old, to go on to release well over 50 albums over the course of his lengthy career. Dubbed “the Crown Prince of Reggae” by Bob Marley, who cited Brown as his favorite singer. Internationally, Brown is best known for songs such as Money In My Pocket, Love Has Found Its Way, Halfway Up Halfway Down and Senorita ~ Brown passed away in 1999