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, 1956 ~ Singer Exene Cervenka born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ One of the most recognisable frontwomen in punk, punk rock. Best known as lead singer of X, especially acclaimed for their 1980 Los Angeles debut album produced by the Doors-keyboardist Ray Manzarek. Has also fronted the Original Sinners. Has provoked controversy for her conspiracy theories, claiming the 2014 Isla Vista shootings were a hoax designed to bring about stricter gun control laws
February 1, 1955 ~ Progressive rock keyboardist Nick Magnus born in Emsworth, UK ~ Member of 1970s symphonic rock band the Enid. Has notably worked with Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett, appearing on half a dozen of Hackett's solo albums. Has also worked with Autumn, scored the music to the horror film Bloody New Year, released several solo albums starting with the 1993 Straight On Till Morning album, and served as producer for Celtic Spirit, Amoure and for Gordon Reid
February 1, 1954 ~ Actor, singer, guitarist, writer Bill Mumy, full name Charles William Mumy Jr, born in San Gabriel, California, USA ~ Former child actor, active since age 6. As a musician plays banjo, bass, guitar, harmonica, keyboards, mandolin, percussion. Has worked with America, toured Shaun Cassidy, played with Rick Springfield in the film Hard To Hold, and recorded as a solo artist. Formed the duo Barnes & Barnes with singer and childhood friend Robert Haimer, adopting the personae of Art & Artie Barnes, twin brothers existing in alternate dimensions, and known for their 1978 novelty recording Fish HeadsFebruary 1, 1954 ~ Gary Arthur McDaniel, commonly known as punk rock bassist Chuck Dukowski, born in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member of Black Flag, remaining with the band from 1977 through 1983. They are one of the first hardcore punk acts and considered pioneers of post-hardcore. Dukowski wrote or co-wrote some of the band's best known including My War, The Bars, I Love You, and Modern Man. Left the band shortly before the release of the sophomore My War, yet stayed on as band manager. Has also worked with October Faction, SWA, Würm, and with the Chuck Dukowski Sextet, the latter also including his wife Lora Norton and stepson Milo Gonzalez
February 1, 1951 ~ Composer, conductor Michael Jeffrey Shapiro born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Prolific composer wrote in mumerous forms including opera, symphonies, concerti, chamber music and choral music. Has worked with with the Chappaqua Orchestra, the Zurich Opera, Teresa Stratas, José Ferrer, János Starker, Marin Alsop, Sergiu Comissiona, Tim Fain, Alexis Cole, Clamma Dale, the Houston Symphony, the United States Navy Band, and the Hawthorne String Quartet
February 1, 1951 ~ Clyde Vernon Landreth, commonly known as slide guitarist, singer Sonny Landreth, born in Carlton, Mississippi, USA ~ Known as “the King of Slydeco” and praised by Eric Clapton and one of the most advanced and under-appreciated guitarists in the world. Strongly influenced by zydeco. First white member to play in Clifton Chenier's backing unit the Red Hot Louisiana Band. Gained serious attention with a string of 1990s albums, notably 1995's South Of I-10. Has worked with Marti Jones, Alain Bashung, Mark Knopfler, Gov't Mule, Buckwheat Zydeco, John Hiatt, Johnny Winter, and Eli Cook
February 1, 1950 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Mike Campbell born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of Mudcrutch, the band that launched the career of Tom Petty and predecessor to Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers of which Campbell also was a key member and co-writer. Petty songs co-written by Campbell include Here Comes My Girl, Refugee, Runnin' Down A Dream and I Don't Wanna Fight. Co-wrote and played on Don Henley's The Boys Of Summer. Guested on most of Stevie Nicks' solo albums. Briefly a member of Fleetwood Mac, replacing Lindsey Buckingham on their 2018-19 world tour. Has recorded sporadically as a solo artist, fronted the side project the Dirty Knobs, and guested on recordings by Dwight Twilley, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Brian Setzer, Randy Newman, Warren Zevon, Bob Seger, Joe Cocker, Jackson Browne, the Wallflowers, the Dixie Chicks, the Dandy Warhols, and Chris StapletonFebruary 1, 1949 ~ Bassist Klaasje van der Wal born in The Hague, the Netherlands ~ Co-founded short-lived 1960s garage rock, rock outfit the Kick. Worked with the Davies, known for supporting acts such as the Small Faces and the Who. Best known as co-founding member of Shocking Blue, for whom he came up with the band name, and present on hits such as Send Me A Postcard, Never Marry A Railroad Man and their best known Venus. Left the band in 1971 to be succeeded by Henk Smitskamp ~ Van der Wal passed away in 2018
February 1, 1948 ~ Singer, oud player, violinist, mandolinist, composer John Bilezikjian born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Considered a masterful oud player, known for his contributions to world music and impressive collaborations. Sings in Armenian, English, Turkish, and Assyrian. As a solo artist best known for his 1998 Dantz Fever. Has played with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Cohen (I'm Your Man), Plácido Domingo, Luis Miguel, Prince Diabate, Robert Palmer, the Brothers Of The Baladi (Hope), and Armen Chakmakian ~ Bilezikjian passed away in 2015
February 1, 1948 ~ James Ambrose Johnson Jr, commonly known as singer, producer Rick James, born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Went AWOL in the 1960s, fleeing to Canada where he founded the Mynah Birds, which also included Neil Young in its line-up. As a solo artist best known for mixing funk, disco, rock and new wave, starting in the late 1970s. Became a household name with his 1981 Street Songs album, which spawned hits such as Give It To Me Baby and Super Freak. Took Teena Marie under his wing, producing her 1979 Wild & Peaceful debut album ~ James passed away in 2004February 1, 1946 ~ Singer Chris Clark, full name Christine Elizabeth Clark, born in Santa Cruz, California, USA ~ Best known to soul aficionados for two classic Northern Soul tracks, 1965's Do Right Baby Do Right and 1966's Love's Gone Bad. Also co-wrote the screenplay for the 1972 Lady Sings The Blues film, a biographical film about jazz singer Billie Holiday starring Diana Ross as Holiday
February 1, 1944 ~ Jazz, R&B saxophonist, pianist Ari Brown born ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with McCoy Tyner, Don Patterson, Sonny Stitt, Lester Bowie, the Association For The Advancement Of Creative Musicians, Von Freeman, Bobby Watson, Anthony Braxton, Elvin Jones, and Malachi Thompson
February 1, 1941 ~ Bluegrass bassist, upright bassist Tom Gray born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Regarded as one of the finest bluegrass bassists. Recorded about half a dozen albums with the Country Gentlemen, one of the first progressive bluegrass acts, including the acclaimed 1963 album On The Road. Recorded about a dozen albums with the Seldom Scene during the 1970s and 1980s. Has appeared on numerous albums by the likes of Mike Auldridge, Jaime Brockett, Tony Rice, Bill Keith, John Starling, Bryan Bowers, John McCutcheon, Bryan Bowers, Gary Ferguson, Bill Emerson, and Linda Ronstadt
February 1, 1940 ~ Jazz drummer James Black, full name James Norbert Black, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Active since late 1950s, started out in New Orleans R&B ensembles to eventualy gravitate towards jazz. Worked with artists such as Nat Perrilliat, Roy Montrell, Ellis Marsalis Jr (notably writing Monkey Puzzle and Dee Wee), Nat Adderley, Cannonball Adderley, Joe Jones, Horace Silver, Lionel Hampton, Yusef Lateef, Freddie Hubbard, Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Charles Neville, Earl Tubinton, the Dukes Of Dixieland, Eddie Bo, Cassandra Wilson, Frank Tapani, Wynton Marsalis, Germaine Bazzle, and Finger Eleven ~ Black passed away in 1988
February 1, 1939 ~ Pop singer, drummer, songwriter Claude François, full name Claude Antoine Marie François, born in Ismalia, Egypt ~ Known for Comme D'Habitude, co-written with Jacques Revaux, later translated into English as My Way, best known as recorded by Frank Sinatra. Sold some 70 million records and said to be “the French equivalent of the Beatles, meaning the great talent of a generation” by former French President Valéry Giscard D'Estaing. Known for songs such as Le Téléphone Pleure, Le Lundi Au Soleil, Magnolias For Ever, Alexandrei Alexandra and Cette Année La. Accidentally electrocuted at age 39 as he was about to embark for America ~ François passed away in 1978
February 1, 1939 ~ Singer, actor Dario Campeotto born in Frederiksberg, Denmark ~ Actively performing since his early teens. Internationally best known for representing his native Denmark at the 1961 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 5th place with Angelique. Following its success Campeotto would continue to record, as well as play in theatrical plays, operettas, revues, and films ~ Campeotto passed away in 2023
February 1, 1939 ~ Delano Floyd McCoury, commonly known as bluegrass, country guitarist, banjoist, singer Del McCoury born in Bakersville, North Carolina, USA ~ Father of mandolinist Ronnie McCoury and banjoist Rob McCoury, both of whom back their father as members of the Del McCoury Band. Worked with the Bluegrass Boys, the Dixie Pals, Mac Wiseman, Doc Watson, Steve Earle, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and Audie Blaylock
February 1, 1939 ~ Singer, keyboardist, songwriter Joe Sample, full name Joseph Leslie Sample born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Father of bassist Nicklas Sample. Co-founded the Jazz Crusaders in 1960, initially a jazz band, venturing into R&B in the 1970s after their namechange to the Crusaders. Sample remained with the band through their final album in the early 1990s. The band is best known for their 1979 hit Street Life featuring Randy Crawford. Parallel to his career in the band has recorded as a solo artist, collaborated with the likes of Ray Brown, Shelly Manne and David T Walker, and guested on recordings by Miles Davis, George Benson, Jimmy Witherspoon, BB King, Eric Clapton, Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Anita Baker, the Supremes, the LA Express, Marvin Gaye, Minnie Riperton, Gene Ammons, Al Jarreau, Milt Jackson, Cher, Tina Turner, and Solomon Burke ~ Sample passed away in 2014
February 1, 1937 ~ Singer Don Everly, full name Isaac Donald Everly, born in Brownie, Kentucky, USA ~ Formed the sibling duo the Everly Brothers with his brother Phil Everly. Though following in the tradition of other sibling duos, such as the Delmore Brothers, the Everly's would become one of the best known sibling duos, drawing from rock & roll, country, and pop, and influential on country-rock. They duo scored about a dozen Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits starting in the late 1950s, including the charttoppers Wake Up Little Susie, All I Have To Do Is Dream, and Cathy's Clown ~ Everly passed away in 2021February 1, 1937 ~ Singer, percussionist, guitarist Ray Sawyer born in Chickasaw, Alabama, USA ~ Member of Dr Hook & the Medicine Show, known for songs such as Sylvia's Mother, The Cover Of The Rolling Stone, Only Sixteen, A Little Bit More, Sharing The Night Together, When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman, Better Love Next Time, Sexy Eyes and Baby Makes Her Blue Jeans Talk ~ Sawyer passed away in 2018
February 1, 1933 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, arranger Ray Santisi born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Played with Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Mel Tormé, Irene Kral, Herb Pomeroy, Natalie Cole, Buddy DeFranco, Gábor Szabó, Milt Jackson, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Carol Sloane, Clark Terry, Bob Brookmeyer, Benny Golson, Boots Mussulli, Shelly Manne, Donald Byrd, Kenny Burrell, Hank Mobley, Duke Jordan, and Bob Moses ~ Santisi passed away in 2014
February 1, 1933 ~ Saxophonist Sadao Watanabe born in Utsonomiya, Japan ~ Leader and in-demand sideman. Known for his bossa nova recordings. Backed John Coltrane on Japanese tours. Worked with Charlie Mariano, Jack DeJohnette, Miroslav Vitous, Chick Corea, Gary Peacock, Terumasa Hino, Cedar Walton, Chuck Rainey, Patrice Rushen, Michael Brecker, George Benson, Don Grusin, Herbie Hancock, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Randy Brecker, Dave Grusin, Randy Crawford, Chico Hamilton, Armando Peraza, Greg Phillinganes, Gábor Szabó, and Toquinho
February 1, 1927 ~ Country, folk, pop singer, songwriter Johnny Ashcroft, full name John Lewis Ashcroft, born in North Sydney, Australia ~ Married to country singer Gay Kayler, with whom he has also collaborated. Primarily a country and folk singer, songwriter, yet has also recorded pop, skiffle, jazz and even disco at time using the moniker the Baron. Known best for songs such as Little Boy Lost, Playground In My Mind, Big River, The Girl Behind The Bar and Bailing Up The Mail ~ Ashcroft passed away in 2021
February 1, 1923 ~ Blues singer, drummer, guitarist Leroy Foster, also known as Baby Face Leroy Foster, born in Algoma, Mississippi, USA ~ Known for a number of late 1940s, early 1950s recordings such as Locked Out Boogie, My Head Can't Rest Anymore, Pet Rabbit, Boll Weevil and Rolling & Tumbling (Part 1). Backed Muddy Waters in his formative years. Also worked with Sunnyland Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson I, Jimmy Rogers, Little Walter, Johnny Jones, and Lee Brown ~ Foster passed away in 1958
February 1, 1917 ~ Violinist, conductor Ed Simons born ~ Once the oldest active conductor in America with a career starting in the 1940s and continuing to conduct until his death aged 101. As a violinist he played with the American Ballet Theatre where he secretly studied the orchestral scores. Despite lack of conducting experience Max Goberman, the orchestra's conductor, gave him a chance. Simons would soon conduct musicals, including eight Broadway shows between 1948 and 1964, and would be hailed by the New York Times as “the best conductor in jazz.” ~ Simons passed away in 2018