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, 1979 ~ Brandy Rayana Norwood, mononymously known R&B, soul, hip-hop singer, songwriter, actress Brandy, born in McComb, Mississippi, USA ~ Especially popular from the mid 1990s throught the early 2000s. Best known for songs such as I Wanna Be Down, Baby, The Boy Is Mine with Monica, Have You Ever and What About Us. Has collaborated with Boyz II Men's Wanya Morris, Tamia, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Mase, Kanye West, Chris Brown, and Chance the RapperFebruary 11, 1978 ~ Rakeem Calief Myer, commonly known as rapper Roc Marciano, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of Busta Rhymes's hip-hop outfit Flipmode Squad, leaving in 2002 to form underground rap group the UN. Released his full-length Marcberg solo debut album in 2010. Has also collaborated with Pete Rock, the Wu-Tang Clan, Gangrene, Action Bronson, the Alchemist, Evidence, Marco Polo, GZA, Consequence, and the Large Professor
February 11, 1977 ~ Alternative rock, rap rock, nu metal, alternative metal guitarist, keyboardist, singer Mike Shinoda, full name Michael Kenji Shinoda, born in Panorama City, California, USA ~ Co-founding member, primary songwriter for Linkin Park, known best for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits In The End, What I've Done, and New Divide. Fronted the hip-hop driven side project Fort Minor. Served as producer for artists such as Lupe Fiasco, Styles Of Beyond, and the X-Ecutioners
February 11, 1976 ~ Jazz singer Gretchen Parlato born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Daughter of studio bassist Dave Parlato. Influenced by Latin jazz, bossa nova, and scat singing, Parlato has recorded consistently since the mid 2000s, praised for her intimate style and chameleon-like ability and particularly acclaimed for her In A Dream sophomore album. She has guested on albums by the likes of the Sugarplastic, Terence Blanchard (Flow), Lionel Loueke, (Virgin Forest), Kendrick Scott, Morrie Louden, Kenny Barron, Massimo Biolcati, Jovino Santos Neto, Esperanza Spalding (Chamber Music Society), Terri Lyne Carrington, Marcus Miller (Renaissance), Dayna Stephens, Gerald Clayton, and Keiko Matsui. Parlato cites Getz/Gilberto, a collaborative album by Stan Getz and João Gilberto, as one of the albums that first turned her onto music, once remarking: “I was flipping through my mom's record collection and the cover of the 1963 Getz/Gilberto album struck me. The cover had an image of an abstract painting. I took out the album and put it on and I heard Gilberto's voice, and the texture and simplicity of the music struck me, even at 13 years old. That was definitely a turning point.”
February 11, 1976 ~ Alternative rock, garage rock, shoegaze singer, guitarist, bassist, trombonist, keyboardist Peter Hayes born in New York Mills, Minnesota, USA ~ Influenced by flamenco, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd. Briefly a member of neo-psychedelic rock band the Brian Jonestown Massacre during the late 1990s, present on the Give It Back album. Best known as co-founding member of the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, including on the UK top 20 albums Take Them On (On Your Own), How, and Baby 81
February 11, 1975 ~ Disco group KC & the Sunshine Band release Get Down Tonight, lifted off their eponymous KC & the Sunshine Band sophomore album ~ Noted for its distinctive intro, utilising a guitar solo rendered at double-speed with another guitar playing at regular speed in the background, an unusual effect for a disco track. Get Down Tonight is a straightforward dance banger, in which the protagonist tries to persuade a girl to do some dancing, followed by some lovemaking. Lead singer Harry Wayne Casey would later elaborate on how the song came to be: “I love to dance, and so do other people. Do a little dance, make a little love, get down tonight. It was just a story about life, about the things that one likes to do.” Get Down Tonight would be the first major hit for the band, a No.1 hit in Canada and America and is cherished to this day as one of the finest dancefloor fillers of its day. Through the end of the decade, KC & the Sunshine Band would score four more Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits, That's The Way (I Like It), (Shake Shake Shake) Shake Your Booty, I'm Your Boogie Man, and Please Don't Go, all of which were written by Casey and bassist, producer Richard Finch
February 11, 1974 ~ R&B, neo soul singer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, percussionist, saxophonist, songwriter Michael Eugene Archer, commonly known as D'Angelo, born in Richmond, Virginia, USA ~ Ushered in the neo soul movement with his acclaimed Brown Sugar debut album, released in 1995. Would gain a devoted following despite long intermissions between releases. Well-known songs include Brown Sugar, Cruisin', Lady, and Untitled (How Does It Feel). Guested on albums by the Roots, Lauryn Hill (The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill), Method Man, Angie Stone, the Wu-Tang Clan, Common, and Erykah Badu (Mama's Gun) ~ Archer passed away in 2025
February 11, 1973 ~ Pianist Ethan Iverson born in Menomonie, Michigan, USA ~ Draws from a wide array of influences including classical, indie rock, and avant-garde. Best known for forming the jazz trio Bad Plus with bassist Reid Anderson and drummer David King, with whom he has recorded about a dozen albums since the turn of the century including the acclaimed The Bad Plus and These Are The Vistas. Iverson has also recorded as a leader, and appeared on albums by the New York Tango Trio, Patrick Zimmerli (Twelve Sacred Dances), Brian Woodbury, Phil Grenadier, Kurt Rosenwinkel (Heartcore), Billy Hart, Jamie Cullum, Brad Mehldau, Charlie Haden, Jim Hall, Donna Lewis (Brand New Day), and Diego UrcolaFebruary 11, 1973 ~ Singer, songwriter Trevor Guthrie born in Vancouver, Canada ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of soulDecision, best known for their 1999 Faded single which topped the charts in Canada. Has released a number of solo recordings since and collaborated with Armin Van Buuren (This Is What It Feels Like), Laidback Luke, Axwell Ingrosso, and Hardwell
February 11, 1972 ~ Pop, jazz singer, conductor, arranger Andrea Figallo born in Gorizia, Italy ~ Important figure in the a capella scene. Latter day member of British a capella ensemble the Flying Pickets, starting in the early 2000s. Member of German outfit Wise Guys from 2012 until its disbandement in 2016. Has worked as freelance conductor across Europe
February 11, 1971 ~ Harry Arnold Persson, commonly known as jazz saxophonist, bandleader Harry Arnold, passed away in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Worked with Thore Ehrling, the Swedish Radio Big Band, Arne Domnérus, Bengt Hallberg, Ake Persson, Benny Bailey, Quincy Jones, Ernestine Anderson, Lucky Thompson, Coleman Hawkins, Toots Thielemans, Tony Scott, and Stan Getz ~ Persson was born in 1920
February 11, 1967 ~ Jazz clarinetist, bandleader Edmond Hall passed away in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Leader and sideman Best known for his 1941 recording Profoundly Blue, considered a jazz classic. Worked with Billie Holiday, Sid Catlett, Ida Cox, Wild Bill Davison, Roy Eldridge, Bud Freeman, Hot Lips Page, Zutty Singleton, Art Tatum, Jack Teagarden, Big Joe Turner, Teddy Wilson, Louis Armstrong, Baby Dodds, and Eddie Condon ~ Hall was born in 1901
February 11, 1966 ~ Keyboardist, producer, songwriter Armen Chakmakian born in Glendale, California, USA ~ Member of Shadowfax from 1990 through 1995, including on the acclaimed 1992 Esperanto. Has released two albums as a solo artist, 19988's Ceremonies and 2004's Caravans, working with renowned backing musicians such as John Bilezikjian, Djivan Gasparyan, and Alex de Grassi
February 11, 1963 ~ British pop, rock group the Beatles record A Taste Of Honey at EMI Studios, London, UK ~ Originally written by Bobby Scott and Ric Marlow as a recurring instrumental for the 1960 Broadway play of the same name. The British pop group included Lenny Welch's adaptation in their repertoire from 1962 onwards, slightly changing the lyrics, and recorded the song for their Please Please Me debut album. Years later, in 1967 Paul McCartney would write Your Mother Should Know, which is based on a line taken from the same screenplay
February 11, 1963 ~ Folk singer Karen Matheson born in Taynuilt, UK ~ Frequently sings in Gaelic. Best known as lead singer of Capercaillie. Member of L'Heritage Des Celtes. Internationally perhaps best known for singing co-lead on the latter's Breton language song Diwanit Bugale reaching 19th place in the 1996 Eurovision Songfestival representing France. Matheson has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album The Dreaming Sea released in 1996
February 11, 1962 ~ Pop rock, heartland rock, country rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Sheryl Crow, full name Sheryl Suzanne Crow, born in Kennett, Missouri, USA ~ Sang backup on Michael Jackson's Bad world tour from 1987 through 1989. Also sang backup for Stevie Wonder, Belinda Carlisle, Jimmy Buffett, Don Henley. Rose to international stardom with her 1993 Tuesday Night Music Club solo debut album, which included the Billboard top 10 singles All I Wanna Do and Strong Enough. Over the course of her career Crow would go on to sell over 50 million records. Well known songs include If It Makes You Happy, My Favorite Mistake, Soak Up The Sun and The First Cut Is The Deepest. Has also guested on recordings by Salt-n-Pepa, Stevie Nicks, the Counting Crows, Kid Rock, Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill, Loretta Lynn, and Darius RuckerFebruary 11, 1960 ~ Smooth jazz guitarist Russ Freeman born in Galveston, Texas, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Cites George Benson and Larry Carlton as influences. Best known as founder and leader of the Rippingtons, which at times included sidemen such as David Benoit, Kenny G, Jeff Kashiwa, Tony Morales. Has also worked with Engelbert Humperdinck, Craig Chaquico, Steve Bailey, Brian Bromberg, Brandon Fields, Barry Manilow, Alphonse Mouzon, Emily Remler, and Tim Weisberg
February 11, 1956 ~ Paul D Hudson, commonly known as hardcore punk singer, guitarist, bassist HR, born in London, UK ~ Quintessential figure in hardcore punk, helpful in the development of the genre. Lead singer of Bad Brains, which also includes his older brother drummer Earl Hudson. The band is known for their reggae-infused punk and especially acclaimed for the 1980s albums Bad Brains, I Against I, and Live. In his solo outings Hudson would gravitate more towards a mellower sound, more focused on reggae. Has also guested on recordings by Long Beach Dub All-Stars, Zion Train, POD, Ill Bill, Luicidal, and recorded well over a dozen albums as a solo artist
February 11, 1948 ~ Alfred Orlando Johnson, commonly known as singer Al Johnson born in Newport, Virginia, USA ~ Not to be confused with Louisiana singer and pianist Al Johnson. Founder and lead singer of Unifics, known for a handful of late 1960s minor hits including The Court Of Love and The Beginning Of The End. Johnson later released several solo albums, collaborated with jazz and soul producer Norman Connors, co-wrote Deniece Williams's We Have Love For You, and worked with the Whispers in the 1990s ~ Johnson passed away in 2013
February 11, 1947 ~ Singer, saxophonist, bassist, percussionist, keyboardist, songwriter Derek Shulman, full name Derek Victor Shulman, born in Glasgow, UK ~ Best known as co-founding member, lead singer of progressive rock outfit Gentle Giant from 1970 through 1980. After the band disbanded would go into music management, eventuallly becoming senior VP at Polygram Records where he signed acts such as Bon Jovi, Cinderella, and Enuff Z'nuff. Later held executive positions at ATCO Records and Roadrunner Records, where he worked with Dream Theater, Pantera, AC/DC, Bad Company, Slipknot, and NickelbackFebruary 11, 1945 ~ Singer Bing Crosby, backed by Xavier Cugat & orchestra, records You Belong To My Heart ~ Based on the popular bolero song Solamente Una Vez written by Agustín Lara, with English lyrics by Ray Gilbert. The English version would be used in Disney's 1945 animated film The Three Caballeros. Reaching the top of the pop charts Bing Crosby's version would be the biggest hit version, several others also recording the song the same year
February 11, 1944 ~ Singer Bing Crosby records I Love You ~ Written by Cole Porter for the 1944 Mexican Hayride. Recorded and released by Bing Crosby as a single it would reach the top of the charts. Other early versions of the song would be recorded by Tommy Tucker, Enric Madriguera, Jo Stafford, and Perry Como
February 11, 1944 ~ Jazz drummer Martin Drew born in Northampton, UK ~ Best known for his associations with Ronnie Scott and with Oscar Peterson. Also worked with Eddie Thompson, John Critchinson, Dick Morrisey, Jim Mullen, Mornington Lockett, Nigel Hitchcock, Steve Melling, Andrew Cleyndert, the New Couriers, Paul Morgan, Barney Kessel, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, JJ Johnson, Lee Konitz, Phil Woods, Ron Carter, Woody Herman, Peanuts Hucko, George Coleman, Ruby Braff, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Chet Baker, Dizzy Gillespie, Terence Blanchard, Arturo Sandoval, Alan Skidmore, Ken Peplowski, Monty Alexander, Milt Jackson, Chico Freeman, Johnny Griffin, Simon Spillett, Stanley Turrentine, Zoot Sims, Art Farmer, Plas Johnson, Scott Hamilton, and Toots Thielemans ~ Drew passed away in 2010
February 11, 1943 ~ Brass player Alan Rubin born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Trumpet, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet. Worked with the Saturday Night Live Band, the Blues Brothers, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Frank Zappa, Blood Sweat & Tears, Gil Evans, Eumir Deodato, Sting, Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, James Taylor, Frankie Valli, Eric Clapton, Billy Joel, BB King, Miles Davis, Yoko Ono, Peggy Lee, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Ray Charles, Cab Calloway, Dr John, Randy Weston, Hank Crawford, Johnny Hammond Smith, Hubert Laws, Odonel Levy, Don Sebesky, Gato Barbieri, Ron Carter, Dr Lonnie Smith, Patti Austin, Herbie Mann, Jimmy McGriff, Stanley Turrentine, Jimmy McGriff, Fred Lipsius, and Jimmy Buffett ~ Rubin passed away in 2011
February 11, 1943 ~ Johnny Lamont Merrett, commonly known as Blues, soul singer, guitarist, songwriter Little Johnny Taylor, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Member of gospel outfit the Mighty Clouds Of Joy. As a solo artist known for a number of 1950s, 1960s recordings, notably You'll Need Another Favor and Part Time Love, the latter topping the R&B charts in 1963 ~ Merrett passed away in 2002