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 16, 2026 ~ Songwriter Billy Steinberg, full name William Endfield Steinberg, passed away in Brentwood, California, USA ~ Rose to fame in the 1980s as songwriting partner of Tom Kelly. The pair has penned or co-penned hits such as Like A Virgin for Madonna, True Colors for Cyndi Lauper, Eternal Flame for the Bangles, and So Emotional for Whitney Houston, all of which reached No.1 Billboard Hot 100. Others who recorded songs written or co-written by Steinberg include Pat Benatar, France Joli, Roy Orbison (I Drove All Night), REO Speedwagon, Chaka Khan, Exposé, Divinyls (I Touch Myself), Bette Midler, the Pretenders (I'll Stand By You), the Corrs, Ace Of Base, Melanie C, and Demi Lovato ~ Steinberg was born in 1950February 16, 2024 ~ Cynthia Sue Strother, commonly known as singer Cynthia Bell, passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Formed the sibling duo the Bell Sisters with her baby sister Edith Bell, adopting their mother's maiden name as stage names. The duo would be discovered in 1951 performing Bermuda, written by Cynthia, on a local Los Angeles TV show. Music publisher Joe Happy Goday would take an interest in the sibling act and had them record the track. The single would reach top 10 on the pop charts the following year, and eventually sell a million copies. The sisters would have two more hits, Wheel Of Fortune which scratched the top 10, and Piece A'Puddin' which reached top 20 ~ Strother was born in 1935
February 16, 2024 ~ Rockabilly, roots rock singer, guitarist Dexter Romweber, full name John Michael Dexter Romweber, passed away ~ Iconic figure in underground roots rock, rockabilly circles since the mid-1980s. Cited by the White Stripes guitarist Jack White as a major influence. Best known for founding rockabilly revivalists Flat Duo Jets with Chris Crow Smith, naming themselves after Gene Vincent's Gretsch Duo Jet guitar. The band recorded close to a dozen albums, and are especially acclaimed for their 1990 eponymous Flat Duo Jets album, and its 1992 follow-up Go Go Harlem. Romweber also formed Dex Romweber Duo with his older sister drummer Sara Romweber, their full-length Ruins Of Berlin debut album released in 2009, and has recorded several albums as a solo artist ~ Romweber was born in 1966
February 16, 2024 ~ Greg Hinz, commonly known as hard rock, heavy metal drummer Fritz Hinz, passed away ~ Longtime member of Canadian heavy metal outfit Helix, present on most of the band's best known including their Walking The Razor's Edge album which spawned Rock You, their biggest hit. Hinz remained with the band from 1983 through 1996, rejoining in 2009. Hinz quietly retreated from the band in 2023 as cancer treatments began, his medical condition kept quiet at his request. Following his death, Helix frontman Brian Vollmer described Hinz as a brother, the funniest guy you'd ever want to meet, and the consummate rock drummer: “He loved his drums and he loved drumming and performing. He took great pride in everything he did.” ~ Hinz was born ca.1956
February 16, 2024 ~ Poet, radio host, jazz scholar, music critic Reuben Jackson passed away in Washington, USA ~ Known for his encyclopedic knowledge of jazz music and culture. Served as curator of the Duke Ellington Collection at the Smithsonian Institution for over two decades, a position he called “a job of a lifetime”. Hosted Friday Night Jazz for most of the 2010s, aired on Vermont Public Radio. An accomplished music critic, Jackson has written for the Washington Post, Jazz Times, Down Beat, and All About Jazz, his reviews regularly featured on NPR's All Things Considered radio show. Jackson is also known as a poet, his most recent bundle Scattered Clouds published in 2019 ~ Jackson was born in 1956
February 16, 2023 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Alberto Radius passed away in Rome, Italy ~ Co-founded Formula 3 with Gabriele Lorenzi and Toni Cicco. The band is known for a string of early 1970s hits including Questo Folle Sentimento, Lo Ritorno Solo, and Eppur Mi Son Scordato Do Te. Radius has also recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Radius released in 1972, collaborated with Lucio Battisti, Milva, and Giuni Russo, and formed the late 1980s group Cantautores ~ Radius was born in 1942
February 16, 2023 ~ Carmen Domenic Licciardello, commonly known as Christian singer, rapper, songwriter Carman, passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ One of the all-time most successful Christian performers with about two dozen albums to his name, selling over an estimated 10 million copies, starting in the early 1980s. Became a born-again Christian after seeing Andráe Crouch in concert. Noted for his operatic, story-driven songs. Especially acclaimed for his 1988 live album Live Radically Saved and Addicted To Jesus. Licciardello is also known as a frequent host on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, notably on its flagship program Praise The Lord ~ Licciardello was born in 1956
February 16, 2023 ~ R&B singer Chuck Jackson passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Scored a string of 1960s Billboard R&B hits including I Don't Want To Cry, I Wake Up Crying, Tell Him I'm Not Home, Beg Me, and his signature song and biggest hit Any Day Now. The latter, an original hit for Jackson in 1962, was one of the first successes for songwriter Burt Bacharach co-written with Bob Hilliard, covered by over 50 artists including Tom Jones, Carla Thomas, Percy Sledge, Elvis Presley, and James Brown. Previously Jackson had sung with the Del Vikings, singing lead on the 1957 Willette single ~ Jackson was born in 1937
February 16, 2021 ~ Ray David Grammont, commonly known as reggae singer Tonton David, passed away in Nancy, France ~ Soul-influenced raggamuffin singer, actively recording since his 1991 Le Blues De La Racaille debut album. Touching on social subjects, including unemployment, poverty and racism, he became a figurehead for a generation of disenchanted French youth. Well known songs include Peuples Du Monde, Sur Et Certain, Chacun Sa Route, Pour Tout Le Monde Pareil, and Fugitifs with rai singer Cheb Mami ~ Grammont was born in 1967
February 16, 2020 ~ Singer Pearl Carr, full name Pearl Lavinia Carr, passed away in London, UK ~ Formed a duo with her husband Teddy Johnson. Prior to their marriage in 1955 both had been successful solo performers, but teamed up they would enjoy their greatest success as regular performers on stage and in a variety of British TV shows throughout the 1950s and early 1960s. Internationally the couple are best known for representing their native UK at the 1959 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching second place with Sing Little Birdie. Later Johnson commented that upon winning the national finals, they had never heard of the international contest and had no idea they were going to have to represent their country: “We had no idea whatsoever. They gave us the dates for Cannes and I just hoped we had them available. As it happened, we did.” ~ Carr was born in 1921
February 16, 2019 ~ Singer Ken Nordine passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known as narrator and voice-over artist featured in commercials and movie trailers. To music audiences known for his association with the beat and jazz-and-poetry movements. Notably present as the voice-over on Billy Vaughn's Shifting Whispering Sands, a surprise Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit in 1962 ~ Nordine was born in 1920
February 16, 2018 ~ Singer Barbara Alston passed away in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA ~ Member of the Crystals from 1961 through 1964, present on songs such as There's No Other Like My Baby, Uptown, He's Sure The Boy I Love, Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home), and Then He Kissed Me ~ Alston was born in 1943February 16, 2018 ~ Mezzo-soprano singer Heli Laats passed away in Tallinn, Estonia ~ Married to conductor, pianist Peeter Saul. Best known for songs such as Laats Tsirkus, Kaunid Balerlinid, and Oma Laulu Ei Leia Ma Ules. Worked with the Emil Laansoo Ensemble, the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, the Eesti Raadio Women's Trio, Mikk Mikiver, Uno Loop, and Jaak Joala ~ Lääts was born in 1932
February 16, 2015 ~ Lesley Sue Goldstein, commonly known as singer, songwriter Lesley Gore, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Discovered by Quincy Jones. Broke through with It's My Party at age 16. Also known for songs such as Judy's Turn To Cry, She's A Fool, You Don't Own Me, Maybe I Know, and California Night ~ Goldstein was born in 1946February 16, 2014 ~ Guitarist Gert Krawinkel, also known as Kralle Krawinkel, passed away in Landkreis Cuxhaven, Germany ~ Active since the mid 1960s. Founded folk, progressive rock outfit Cravinkel, recording two albums in the early 1970s. Best known as member of new wave band Trio, enjoying popularity for most of the 1980s. Has also recorded as a solo artist, perhaps most notably duetting with Nena on 'n Zentimeter Liebe ~ Krawinkel was born in [artist-gert-krawinkel]
February 16, 2014 ~ Singer, guitarist, producer, songwriter Ray Kennedy, full name Raymond Louis Kennedy, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Prolifent in numerous genres including R&B, pop, rock, jazz and country. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Sail On Sailor for the Beach Boys and Everytime I Think Of You and Isn't It Time for the Babys. As a recording artist recorded his first single, 1965's Number 5 Gemini, with a then-unknown Kenny Gamble. Has worked with Gerry Mulligan, Jay David, Dizzy Gillespie, JJ Johnson, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Brenda Lee, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Wilson Pickett, Traffic's Dave Mason, Sly & the Family Stone, the Beach Boys singer Brian Wilson, Jeff Beck, Barry Goldberg, Maurice White, Aerosmith, Michael Schenker, Engelbert Humperdinck, Wayne Newton, Tanya Tucker, Bill Champlin, Willie Nelson, Mick Fleetwood, KGB, Group Therapy, and Jon & Ray ~ Kennedy was born in 1946February 16, 2013 ~ Anthony Esmond Sheridan McGinnity, commonly known as singer Tony Sheridan, passed away in Hamburg, Germany ~ Known for his early 1960s singles My Bonnie and Ain't She Sweet, both of which featured the Beatles, then relatively unknown, as Sheridan's backing band ~ McGinnity was born in 1940
February 16, 2006 ~ Blues, R&B drummer Clifton James passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for backing Bo Diddley on his most pivotal recordings alongside maracas player Jerome Green and bassist Roosevelt Jackson. Diddley once commented James was the one who did the original Diddley beat. James has also worked with Memphis Slim, Elmore James, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Koko Taylor, Buddy Guy, and the Chicago Blues All-Stars ~ James was born in 1936
February 16, 2004 ~ Doris Elaine Higginson, commonly known as singer, songwriter Doris Troy passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Best known for her 1963 soul hit Just One Look. Discovered by James Brown. Wrote Dee Clark's How About That. Original member of the Sweet Inspirations alongside Dionne Warwick, Cissy Houston and Dee Dee Warwick. Sang backup with Solomon Burke, the Drifters, the Rolling Stones (You Can't Always Get What You Want), Carly Simon (You're So Vain), Pink Floyd (on The Dark Side Of The Moon album), Humble Pie, Kevin Ayers, Edgar Broughton, George Harrison, Johnny Hallyday, Vivian Stanshall, Dusty Springfield, Nick Drake, and Junior Campbell ~ Troy was born in 1937
February 16, 2002 ~ Robert L Williams, commonly known as R&B singer, songwriter Billy Ward, passed away in Inglewood, California, USA ~ Fronted Billy Ward & the Dominoes, known for 1950s hits such as Do Something For Me, Sixty Minute Man, Have Mercy Baby, Rags To Riches, and Star Dust. The band also served as a launching pad for singers Clyde McPhatter and Jackie Wilson ~ Ward was born in 1921
February 16, 1999 ~ Mary Elizabeth Roché, commonly known as jazz, blues, big band singer Betty Roché, passed away in Pleasantville, New Jersey, New Jersey ~ Best known for her association with Duke Ellington, notably on Take The A-Train. Roché has also worked with the Savoy Sultans, Lester Young, Hot Lips Page, Thelonious Monk, Kenny Clarke, Earl Hines, Charles Brown, and Clark Terry ~ Roché was born in 1918
February 16, 1999 ~ Marie Ulven Ringheim, commonly known as indie pop, lo-fi, bedroom pop, dream pop singer, guitarist, keyboardist Girl In Red, born in Horten, Norway ~ First gained attention with her EPs Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 in respectively 2018 and 2019. Quickly became a queer icon on the strength of songs such as I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend and We Fell In Love In October. Released her full-length If I Could Make It Go Quiet album in 2021
February 16, 1996 ~ Walter Brown McGhee, commonly known as blues guitarist Brownie McGhee, passed away in Oakland, California, USA ~ Influenced by Blind Boy Fuller. Best known for his association with blues harpist Sonny Terry, the duo performing and recording to critical acclaim for some four decades starting in the 1940s. The duo are especially known for the albums Brownie McGhee & Sonny Terry Sing released in 1958, and Brownie McGhee & Sonny Terry At The 2nd Fret released in 1963. At some point the two would become so annoyed with each other they did not speak to one another at all, yet they maintained a professional relationship working together on stage and in the studio ~ McGhee was born in 1915February 16, 1994 ~ Amanda Koci, commonly known as pop, dance-pop singer, songwriter Ava Max, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA ~ Known for songs such as Sweet But Psycho and Kings & Queens, both of which reached the Billboard top 20. Released her full-length debut album, Heaven & Hell, in 2020. Has collaborated with Project 46, AJ Mitchell, David Guetta, and Thomas Rhett
February 16, 1994 ~ Saxophonist Jimmy Powell, full name James Theodore Powell, passed away ~ In-demand sideman, present on over an estimated 100 albums since the 1940s. Especially acclaimed for his work with Count Basie in the mid 1940s, and Dizzy Gillespie in the 1950s, including on the 1957 At Newport album. Other notable associations include Billie Holiday, Billy Eckstine, Don Byas, Hal Cornbread Singer, Illinois Jacquet, Betty Carter, Otis Redding, and Bernard Pretty Purdie, notably present on the latter's 1974 Soul Is Pretty Purdie album ~ Powell was born in 1914