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 11, 2024 ~ Lloyd Arrington Sparks, commonly known as singer, guitarist, banjoist, songwriter Randy Sparks, passed away in San Diego, California, USA ~ Founded the New Christy Minstrels, most acclaimed for their 1962 Presenting The New Christy Minstrels debut album, and for often-covered songs such as Green Green, Saturday Night and Today written or co-written by Sparks. The band is also especially noted for including Barry McGuire and for launching the careers of John Denver and Kenny Rogers. Sparks also founded the Back Porch Majority, initially intended as a rehearsal space for the Minstrels, yet the group would become successful on its own, recording about half a dozen albums. A 1964 review by the New York Times would read: “The Minstrels maintain the sort of bubbling good spirits that ought to be bottled and sold at every supermarket in the land. They suggest a Norman Rockwell portrait of nine youths who are smiling their way through song and life” ~ Sparks was born in 1933
February 11, 2023 ~ Humberto Waldemar Asdrubal Baeza Fernández, commonly known as folk singer, songwriter Tito Fernández, passed away in Puerto Montt, Chile ~ Over 40 albums to his name since the early 1970s. Although following the 1973 military coup his left-leaning albums would be censored, and he would be banned from performing live and even briefly detained, Fernández did have fans within the military and right-wing circles. Well-known songs include Casa Nueva, Me Gusta El Vino, Los Versos De Mi Compadre, Salud, and En Un Principio Y Siempre ~ Fernández was born in 1942February 11, 2022 ~ Drummer, percussionist, vibraphonist Chet McCracken, full name Chet Eugene McCracken, passed away in West Hills, California, USA ~ Member of the Doobie Brothers during the late 1970s and early 1980s replacing original drummer John Hartman. Present on albums such as One Step Closer, Can't Let It Get Away, and Olana. In-demand session musician, appearing on albums by America (Hat Trick), Nick Gilder, TG Sheppard, Stevie Nicks (The Wild Heart), Joe Walsh, and Warriors Path. Has recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Flight To Moscow, released in 1990 ~ McCracken was born in 1952
February 11, 2021 ~ Singer Antonis Kalogiannis passed away in Kaisariana, Greece ~ Actively recording since the mid 1960s, initially with the help of composer Mikis Theodorakis. Exiled during the reign of Greece's military junta, known for recording protesting songs among others collaborating with Maria Farantouri. Established himself as a popular balladeer in the 1980s ~ Kalogiannis was born in 1940
February 11, 2019 ~ Singer, film and stage actress, TV show host Armida Siguion-Reyna passed away in Makati, Philippines ~ Sang leading roles in operas such as Rigoletto, La Traviata, Pagliacci, and The Merry Widow. Acted in well over two dozen feature films. Hosted Aawitan Kita, which aired for over 30 years making it one of the longest-running musical TV shows of the Philippines ~ Siguion-Reyna was born in 1930
February 11, 2019 ~ Soul, R&B singer, songwriter Harvey Scales passed away in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA ~ Influenced by James Brown. Formed and fronted Harvey Scales & the 7 Sounds, known for their sole hit single Get Down released in 1967. The single's B-side, Love-Itis, would later be notably covered by the J Geils Band. Others who have recorded songs written or co-written by Scales include the Dells, the Dramatics, Tavares, Jesse James, the O'Jays, and notably Johnnie Taylor, the latter reaching the No.1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 with Disco Lady released in 1976 ~ Scales was born in 1940
February 11, 2018 ~ Vito Rocco Farinola, commonly known as balladeer Vic Damone, passed away in Miami Beach, Florida, USA ~ Damone reportedly has recorded some 2,000 songs. Best known for hits such as I Have But One Heart, You're Breaking My Heart, On The Street Where You Love, My Truly Truly Fair, Tzena Tzena Tzena, and My Heart Cries For You ~ Farinola was born in 1928February 11, 2014 ~ Hildur Alice Hilson, commonly known as singer, actress Alice Babs, passed away in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Internationally best known as a jazz singer and for representing Sweden at the first Eurovision Songfestival held in 1958, finishing in 4th place with Lilla Stjärna. Has also sung Swedish folklore, Elizabethan repertoire and opera ~ Nilsen was born in 1924
February 11, 2013 ~ Classical, rock, progressive rock guitarist Kevin Peek passed away in Perth, Australia ~ Co-founded short-lived psychedelic pop band the James Taylor Move. Member of the Quartet, known for the single Now. Sessioned for the New Seekers, Mary Hopkin, Cliff Richard, Manfred Mann, Lulu, Tom Jones, Jeff Wayne, Shirley Bassey, and the Twilights. However, Peek is perhaps best known as a member of progressive rock outfit Sky, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums from its inception in 1979 until the early 1990s. Sky is best known for Toccata, a 1980 UK top 5 hit lifted off their Sky 2 sophomore album ~ Peek was born in 1946
February 11, 2012 ~ Singer, actress Whitney Houston, full name Elizabeth Whitney Houston, passed away in Beverly Hills, California, USA ~ Daughter of singer Cissy Houston. Goddaughter of Darlene Love. Married to singer Bobby Brown from 1992 to 2007. Her debut single, duetting with Teddy Pendergrass on 1984's Hold Me, would fail to reach the American top 40. Yet her debut album, 1985's eponymous Whitney Houston would make her an instant star with nearly every single topping the Billboard Hot 100. Houston would go on to become one of the most popular and at least for the next decade or so one of the best-selling female R&B artists. Known for songs such as You Give Good Love, Greatest Love Of All, One Moment In Time, I Know Him So Well), I'm Your Baby Tonight, the Dolly Parton cover I Will Always Love You and It's Not Right But It's Okay. Houston would continue to record but as of the early 2000s would rarely hit the top of the singles charts, her career overshadowed by drug abuse and highly publicized marital problems ~ Houston was born in 1963
February 11, 2011 ~ Singer Katy Perry releases ET featuring Kanye West, lifted off her Teenage Dream album ~ Built on a beat originally intended for rap outfit Three 6 Mafia, Katy Perry would later recall to MTV News how the song came to be: “I remember writing with Max Martin and Dr Luke, and there's this producer they wrote with, named Ammo, and they were just showing me different samples of songs or tracks or beats, and they accidentally pulled up this beat, and it was for Three 6 Mafia. I heard it and I always knew I wanted to write this futuristic, alienistic song, and they pulled it up and I was like, ‘Wait, I can wrap my head around this. I know this seems like a long shot, but I think I have the perfect material to put on top of this sound.’ And I did, and it really worked out perfectly.”. Preceded by California Gurls, Teenage Dream, and Firework, ET would be the singer's fourth consecutive single off Teenage Dream to top the American Billboard Hot 100. Its followup Last Friday Night (TGIF) would also reach No.1
February 11, 2011 ~ Singer Lady Gaga releases Born This Way, lead single off her sophomore album of the same name ~ Similar in both subject and style to Express Yourself by Madonna, of whom Lady Gaga is a big fan, Born This Way serves as an unapologetic anthem for all who do not meet societal expectations or conventions, sending the message it is okay to be whoever you are. Born This Way would top the charts in well over a dozen countries, including six consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 in the singer's native America, and has been adopted in particular by the LGBQT community
February 11, 2003 ~ Jazz pianist Michel Graillier passed away in Paris, France ~ Classically trained pianist. Drummer for yéyé group les Chaps during his mid-teens. Turned to jazz in the late 1960s, notably working with Aldo Romano and Jean-François Jenny-Clark. Also closely associated with violinist Jean-Luc Ponty. Recorded about a dozen albums as a leader, starting with Pianos Puzzle released in 1970. Internationally perhaps best known for backing Chet Baker during the 1980s, appearing on about half a dozen of the singer, trumpeter's albums including the acclaimed Mr B and Candy. Graillier has also guested on albums by the likes of Steve Lacy, Steve Grossman, Jacques Thollot, Stephen McCraven, Barney Wilen, Riccardo del Fra, Daniel Humair, Jacques Vidal, François Jeanneau, and Stella Vander ~ Graillier was born in 1946
February 11, 1999 ~ John Arthur Byard, commonly known as jazz pianist, saxophonist Jaki Byard, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Known for his eclectic style, drawing from everything from ragtime to free jazz. Worked with Maynard Ferguson and Charles Mingus before venturing out on his own. His initial early 1960s recordings as a leader would not sell particularly well but would be widely acclaimed by critics and peers. In-demand sideman, appearing on albums by Charlie Mariano, Serge Chaloff, Herb Pomeroy, Eric Dolphy (Outward Bound), Herb Ellis, Honi Gordon (Honi Gordon Sings), Charles Mingus (The Black Saint & The Sinner Lady), Booker Ervin, Sam Rivers, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Quincy Jones (Smackwater Jack), and Archie Shepp ~ Byard was born in 1922
February 11, 1997 ~ Nsikayesizwe David Junior Ngcobo, commonly known as hip-hop, trap rapper, singer, producer Nasty C, born in Diepkloof, South Africa ~ Released a number of mixtapes starting in the early-2010s, leading up to in his full-length Bad Hair debut album in 2016. Best known for the songs Juice Back, Hell Naw, SMA featuring Rowlene, and Lemons (Lemonade) with AKA which all reached top 10 in his native South-Africa. Has also collaborated with Buffalo Souljah, French Montana, and with Major Lazer
February 11, 1991 ~ Folk pop, indie pop singer Sierra Deaton born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Formed the duo Alex & Sierra with Alex Kinsey, gaining attention winning the third season of the US edition of talent contest The X-Factor USA aired on Fox in 2013. They would release a full-length album, It's About Us, the following year spawning the modest hit Scarecrow. Following the duo's split Deaton has recorded as a solo artist, releasing her Don't Hurt debut single in 2018. Deaton has been dating 5 Seconds Of Summer lead singer Luke Hemmings since 2018
February 11, 1988 ~ Guitarist, arranger, songwriter René Hall, full name René Joseph Hall, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known for his 1958 recording Twitchy. In-demand session musician and arranger for the likes Earl Hines, Plas Johnson, Earl Palmer, Otis Blackwell, Babette Bain, Johnny Burnette, Ernie Fields, Larry Williams, Ike & Tina Turner, Marvin Gaye, and Bobby Womack. Arranged some of Sam Cooke's best known including A Change Is Gonna Come ~ Hall was born in 1912February 11, 1987 ~ Singer Clémentine Delauney born in Lyon, France ~ Co-founded all-female band Exit Eden in 2017, known for rock, metal covers of pop songs originally by artists such as Rihanna, the Backstreet Boys, Madonna, Adele, and Lady Gaga. Delauney had previously sung backup with acts such as Serenity, Visions Of Atlantis, and Melted Space
February 11, 1986 ~ Indie rock, electro, pop punk singer, bassist, guitarist, flutist, keyboardist Robin Hawkins born ~ Lead singer, bassist for the Automatic, playing a variety of other instruments, noted for his flute playing on the song Gold Digger. The band has released three albums in the mid- to late 2000s and is perhaps best known for the UK top 10 hit Monster of their 2006 Not Accepted Anywhere debut album
February 11, 1985 ~ Singer, pianist, guitarist, songwriter William Beckett born in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA ~ Co-founded the Academy Is with guitarist Mike Carden, both serving as primary songwriters. Beckett has also released a number of solo EP's starting in 2012 and guested on recordings by Fall Out Boy, Gym Class Heroes, Cobra Starship, Good Charlotte, Hey Monday, and Demi LovatoFebruary 11, 1984 ~ Singer, songwriter Aubrey O'Day, full name Aubey Morgan O'Day, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Best known as a member of Danity Kane, known for singles such as Show Stopper, Ride For You and Damaged. As a solo artist released two singles, 2011's Automatic and 2012's Wrecking Ball and a 2013 EP Between Two Evils. Featured vocalist on recordings by Cupid, Donnie Klang and Donnie Wahlberg
February 11, 1984 ~ In its 14th week on the charts, After All by Ed Bruce peaks at No.4 Billboard Country ~ Written by Ed Bruce and his wife and regular songwriting partner Patsy Bruce, the love song finds the narrator reflecting back on a lifelong marriage: “After all these years after all the joys and tears, after all is said and done after most of everything we knew is gone, I still love you.” However, the Bruces' marriage wouldn't last. After 22 years together, Ed filed for divorce in 1987 charging Patsy with “cruel and inhumane treatment”
February 11, 1984 ~ Post-hardcore, emo, experimental rock, alternative rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, bassist Matt Good, full name Matthew Aaron Good, born in Valrico, Florida, USA ~ Lead guitarist, lead singer, sole constant member of post-hardcore outfit From First To Last since its inception in 1999. Has also worked with the Color Of Violence and DRUGS. Served as producer for the likes of Chivalry Is Dead, Capture, Veil Of Maya, the Memphis May Fire, Whitney Peyton, and Asking Alexandria
February 11, 1981 ~ Kelendria Trene Rowland, commonly known as R&B, soul singer Kelly Rowland, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Rose to fame as member of Destiny's Child. Released her solo debut album, Simply Deep, while still a member of the band, spawning the hits Stole, Can't Nobody and Dilemma featuring Nelly. After the band disbanded in 2006 has released more solo work, notably the international hits Like This and Work, and has ventured into acting and televisionFebruary 11, 1980 ~ Rock, punk, pop guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, trombonist, singer Chris Catalyst born ~ Perhaps best known as guitarist for Sisters Of Mercy from 2005 replacing Chris Sheehan through 2019. Founded and fronted the Eureka Machines. Has also worked with Ugly Kid Joe, Ginger Wildheart, Terrorvision, the Professionals, Mariachi El Bronx, the Scaramanga Six, and the God Damn Whores