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 10, 1979 ~ In its 8th week on the charts, Every Which Way But Loose by Eddie Rabbitt hits No.1 Billboard Country ~ Written over the phone by Milton Brown, Steve Dorff and Snuff Garrett to be used as the theme song to the film of the same name, a comedy featuring Clint Eastwood as a truck driver and bare knuckle fighter who partnered up with an orangutan named Clyde. The songwriters knew virtually nothing about the film, yet managed to capture the essence of the film's side plot. Eddie Rabbitt was contracted to record the song, and it would become one of his earliest hits. Released prior to the film's nationwide premiere, the single would debut at No.18 Billboard Country, at the time a record, and reached the top spot in its eighth week. Every Which Way But Loose would also reach No.30 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100February 10, 1978 ~ William Omar Landrón Rovera, commonly known as reggaeton singer Don Omar, born in Villa Palmeras, Puerto Rico ~ Released his full-length debut album, The Last Don, in 2003. Best known for songs such as Pobre Diabla, Donqueo, Reggaeton Latino, Angelito, Danza Kuduro featuring Lucenzo, Hasta Qua Salga El Sol, and Zumba
February 10, 1978 ~ Glam rock, hard rock, pop rock outfit Queen release Spread Your Wings, lifted off their News Of The World album ~ Written by bassist John Deacon. Reportedly, the band released Spread Your Wings as a single because they regretted releasing Tie Your Mother Down as a single from A Day At The Races over Deacon's You And I. The single would reach top 40 in the band's native UK, top 30 in Germany and the Netherlands. Spread Your Wings was not released in North America, however, the live version from Live Killers would be used as the B-side to the 1979 Crazy Little Thing Called Love single, which reached No.1 Billboard Hot 100
February 10, 1977 ~ Singer Rosanna Tavarez born in Washington Heights, New York, USA ~ Member of Eden's Crush, a girl group consisting of contestants on the 2001 edition of the reality TV franchise Popstars. The band's debut single Get Over Yourself would reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Following the disbandement of the group shortly thereafter Tavarez has worked as a TV host and released a limited number of recordings under the moniker Chana, most notably the 2008 Manos Arriba EPFebruary 10, 1977 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Shahin Novrasli born in Baku, Azerbaijan ~ Married to classical singer Natavan Novrasli, with whom he has two children. Influenced by Ahmad Jamal, Oscar Peterson, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea. Has been recording steadily since his 2000 Jz'mu debut album collaborating with musicians such as Nathan Peck, Sasha Mashin, James Cammack, and Irakli Kolava
February 10, 1976 ~ Singer, songwriter, author Vanessa Da Mata born in Mato Grosso, Brazil ~ Released her eponymous Vanessa Da Mata debut album in 2002. Best known for her 2007 Sim. Scored the No.1 hits Ai Ai Ai, Boa Sorte and Amado, all topping the charts in her native Brazil. Her songs have also been recorded by Maria Bethânia (A Forca Que Nunca Seca), Daniela Mercury (Vlagem), and Ana Carolina (Me Sento Na Rua)
February 10, 1975 ~ Rock, garage rock, avant-punk, protopunk bassist Dave Alexander, full name David Michael Alexander, passed away in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA ~ Original bassist of Iggy Pop's band the Stooges. Appeared on the band's first two albums, 1969's The Stooges and 1970's Fun House. Co-penned a number of the band's best known, notably We Will Fail, Little Doll, Dirt and 1970. Fired from the band in 1970 after showing up drunk for a live date. Alexander would die five years later, making it to the notorious 27 Club alongside Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and Jim Morrison ~ Alexander was born in 1947February 10, 1972 ~ Andrew Carthy, commonly known as electronica, trip hop, house, nu jazz, down tempo producer, DJ Mr Scruff, born in Macclesfield, UK ~ Took his stage name for his “scruffy” facial hair. Released his full-length eponymous Mr Scruff debut album in 1997 and has been recording steadily since. Has collaborated with DJ Spooky, Tony D, Fingathing, Quantic, Kirsty Almeida, Roots Manuva, and Braintax
February 10, 1970 ~ Power pop guitarist, pianist, organist Kenny Howes born in Mulberry, Florida, USA ~ Active since the late 1980s, primarily as a power pop guitarist yet also drawing from a wide array of genres including rockabilly, garage, psychedelic pop, and indie rock. About half a dozen albums to his name, starting with Nothing Wrong With That released in 1995. Has also collaborated with Casper & the Cookies, Orange Hat, Hautewerk, the Popdudes, and Pat DiNizio
February 10, 1966 ~ James Johnson, commonly known as jazz drummer, singer Osie Johnson, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Recorded a handful of albums as a leader, including the acclaimed The Happy Jazz Of Osie Johnson released in 1957. Best known as an in-demand session drummer until his death from kidney failure at age 43. Present on albums by Billy Bauer, Illinois Jacquet (The Kid And The Brute), Milt Hinton, Coleman Hawkins, Manny Albam, Urbie Green, Betty Carter, Freddie Green (Natural Rhythm), Jimmy Raney, Dinah Washington (The Swingin' Miss D), Joe Puma, Pee Wee Russell (Swingin' With Pee Wee), Paul Desmond, Oliver Nelson, Mose Allison (I Don't Worry About A Thing), Wes Montgomery, and Quincy Jones ~ Johnson was born in 1923
February 10, 1964 ~ Saxophonist, bandleader, composer Dave Pietro born in Southborough, Massachusetts, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Toshiko Akiyoshi, Woody Herman, Lionel Hampton, Maynard Ferguson, Maria Schneider, the VIllage Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, John Fedchock, Mike Holober, Anita Brown, Pete McGuinness, Jim Widner, Arturo O'Farrill, Paul Anka, Louie Bellson, Blood Sweat & Tears, Bobby Caldwell, Ray Charles, Rosemary Clooney, Harry Connick Jr, Michael Feinstein, Chaka Khan, Liza Minnelli, James Naughton, John Pizzarelli, the Dave Matthews Band, Sandip Burman, Dave Holland, Kenny Werner, Ben Monder, Brian Blade, Scott Colley, Scott Wendholt, uduca Fonseca, Helio Alves, and Pete McCann
February 10, 1962 ~ Heavy metal bassist Cliff Burton, full name Clifford Lee Burton, born in Castro Valley, California, USA ~ Member of Metallica from 1982 until his death while on tour in 1986. Appears on the band's first three albums, Kill 'Em All, Ride The Lightning and Master Of Puppets. Had previously worked with Angels Of Misfortune, EZ-Street, Spastik Children, and Trauma ~ Burton passed away in 1986
February 10, 1962 ~ Pietro Pelù, commonly known as alternative rock, hard rock, post-punk, pop rock singer, songwriter Piero Pelù born in Florence, Italy ~ Member of Litfiba from the early 1980s through the late 1990s. Rekeased his full-length Né Buoni Né Cattivi solo debut album in 2000 and has been recording consistently as a solo artist sinceFebruary 10, 1961 ~ Singer, guitarist Malcolm Black, full name Malcolm James Prentice Black, born ~ Singer, guitarist of Netherworld Dancing Toys. Studied law. Worked as a music consultant representing artists such as Straitjacket Fits, the Chills, and the Verlaines. Went on to head A&R for Sony Music New Zealand where he worked with Che Fu, Dave Dobbyn, and Bic Runga. Left Sony in 2009 to work in artist management including for Crowded House and Neil Finn ~ Black passed away in 2019
February 10, 1961 ~ Jazz trumpeter, hornist, composer, arranger Paolo Fresu born in Berchidda, Italy ~ Leader and sideman. Debuted in 1985 with the Ostinato album. Has collaborated with Carla Bley, Piero Umiliani, Aldo Romani, Michel Balatino, Glenn Ferris, Jon Balke, Pierre Favre, Erik Marchand, David Linx, Diederik Wissels, Gianluca Petrella, Natacha Atlas, Joe Barbieri, and Ralph Towner
February 10, 1960 ~ Mark Ramos Nishita, commonly known as producer, keyboardist Money Mark, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Best known for his association with the Beastie Boys from 1992 through 2011. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Mark's Keyboard Repair in 1995, a collection of pop-funk songs. Has worked with Beck, Omar Rodríguez-López, Damo Suzuki, the Rolling Stones, Iggy Pop, Nile Rodgers, Yoko Ono, Carlos Santana, Lee Scratch Perry, Jorge Ben, Danger Mouse, Moby, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the Mars Volta
February 10, 1958 ~ Producer, songwriter Walter Afanasieff born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Best known for his longtime association with Mariah Carey, co-producing and co-writing for Carey for several years. Has also worked with Richard Marx, Thalia, Lionel Richie, Luther Vandross, George Benson, Destiny's Child, Kenny G, Michael Bolton, Toni Braxton, Johnny Mathis, Kenny Loggins, Barbra Streisand, Christina Aguilera, and Ricky MartinFebruary 10, 1950 ~ Visual artist, singer Lonnie Holley, full name Lonnie Bradley Holley, born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Best known as a visual artist creating sculptures and assemblages from found materials. Active as a musician since the mid 2000s, initially improvsing in an Alabama church using nothing more than a keyboard and a microphone. Has released about half a dozen critically acclaimed albums, starting with his 2012 Just Before Music debut album
February 10, 1949 ~ Bruno Le Forestier, commonly known as singer, songwriter Maxime Le Forestier, born in Paris, France ~ Formed the 1960s duo Cat & Maxime with his sister Catherine Le Forestier, one of the first acts to cover songs of Egyptian-French singer Georges Brassens. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Mon Frere, which included several songs now regarded as part of the French folklore such as San Francisco and Comme Un Arbre. Has recorded steadily since to critical acclaim
February 10, 1949 ~ Drummer, singer Nigel Olsson born in Merseyside, UK ~ Best known for his longtime association with singer Elton John starting in the late 1960s, and along with bassist Dee Murray credited for helping John create his unique sound. Present on key albums such as Tumbleweed Connection, Honky Château, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Captain Fantastic & The Brown Dirt Cowboy. In-demand session musician, worked with the likes of Linda Ronstadt, Neil Sedaka, Jimmy Webb, Barbi Benton, Rod Stewart, Leo Sayer, Eric Carmen, and Kenny Rogers. Olsson has also recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, his best known being Nigel released in 1979 spawning the modest hits Dancin' Shoes and Little Bit Of SoapFebruary 10, 1948 ~ Hannis Mikael Waldermar Walli, commonly known as drummer, guitarist Hasse Walli, born in Helsinki, Finland ~ Son of bandleader Aarno Walli and singer Marie Strandberg. Active as a drummer since the 1960s in bands such as Danny & the Islanders, the Electric Five, Nameless. Switched to guitar when joining the Typhoons. First gained serious attention playing with Jormas in 1966. Subsequently co-founded the Blues Section, considered a seminal band in late 1960s Finnish rock. Would go on to work with Tapani Kansa, Kirka, Piirpauke, and record as a solo artist
February 10, 1947 ~ Bassist, pianist Chris Ethridge, full name John Christopher Ethridge, born in Meridian, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known for his association with Gram Parsons, serving as a member of the International Submarine Band and the Flying Burrito Brothers. Co-wrote Hot Burrito No.1 and Hot Burrito No.2 for the latter. Ethridge would go on to become an in-demand session and touring musician for numerous country-tinged acts, including eight years with Willie Nelson. Ehtridge has also worked with the likes of Nancy Sinatra, Judy Collins, Johnny Winter, Ry Cooder, Leon Russell, Randy Newman, Linda Ronstadt, the Byrds, and Jackson Browne ~ Etheridge passed away in 2012
February 10, 1946 ~ Bassist, guitarist, singer Kenny Edwards, full name Kenneth Michael Edwards, born in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Best known for his associations with Linda Ronstadt and Karla Bonoff. Founding member of the Stone Poneys. Founding member of Bryndle. Has also worked with Emmylou Harris, Stevie Nicks, JD Souther, Don Henley, Brian Wilson, Warren Zevon, Art Garfunkel, Vince Gill, Mac McAnally, David Lee Murphy, Jennifer Warnes, Danny Kortchmar, Lowell George, Glen Phillips, Natalie D Napoleon, Nina Gerber, Bobby Kimmel, Wendy Waldman, Rita Coolidge, BW Stevenson, Andrew Gold, Iain Matthews, Bonnie Raitt, Ringo Starr, the Brothers FIgaro, the Williams Brothers, Wynonna Judd, Dorothy Moskowitz, Antara & Delilah, and Dick Annegarn ~ Kimmel passed away in 2010
February 10, 1945 ~ Geraldine Milligan, commonly known as R&B, disco singer Geraldine Hunt, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Enjoyed moderate success on the R&B and dance charts from the 1970s through the early 1980s. Well known songs include the Charlie Hodges duet You And I, the Supremes cover Baby I Need Your Loving, You Brought Joy and perhaps her best known Can't Fake The Feeling, the latter topping the Billboard Dance charts in 1980 ~ Milligan passed away in 2022
February 10, 1944 ~ Peter Richard Woolnough, commonly known as pop singer, pianist, songwriter Peter Allen born in Tenterfield, Australia ~ First gained attention as half of the Allen Brothers, the other half being Chris Bell and actually not his brother. As a solo artist best known for his 1976 hit I Go To Rio of his Taught By Experts album. Also known for co-writing Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do), an Academy Award-winning 1981 hit for Christopher Cross used in the film Arthur starring Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli ~ Woolnaugh passed away in 1992
February 10, 1944 ~ Bassist Rufus Reid born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Closely associated with Dexter Gordon. Has collaborated with hundreds of others including Kenny Barron, Jane Ira Bloom, Kenny Burrell, Donald Byrd, George Cables, Jack DeJohnette, Art Farmer, the Asian-American Jazz Trio, Dan Faulk, Frank Foster, Stan Getz, Benny Golson, Barry Harris, Frank Wess, Eddie Harris, Jimmy Heath, Andrew Hill, Bobby Hutcherson, the Jazztet, JJ Johnson, Etta Jones, Frank Kimbrough, Lee Konitz, Tete Montoliu, Ralph Moore, Joe Newman, Claude Roditi, Michel Sardaby, Rob Schneiderman, Jack Sheldon, and John Stubblefield