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 17, 1959 ~ Singer, guitarist Chuck Berry records Almost Grown in Chicago, Illinois ~ Written by Chuck Berry. Produced by Leonard Chess and Phil Chess. Released as a double A-side paired with Little Queenie later the same year. Aside from Berry's usual line-up consisting of pianist Johnnie Johnson, bassist Willie Dixon and drummer Fred Below, the song features backing vocals from Etta James and a young, then-unknown Marvin Gaye. The song would also be used in the 1973 coming-of-age comedy-drama American Graffiti directed by George Lucas
February 17, 1956 ~ Pop rock, power pop singer, guitarist, mandolinist, keyboardist Jeffrey Foskett born in San Jose, California, USA ~ Member of 1970s outfit the Pranks. Best known for his association with Brian Wilson, serving as touring and session musician for Wilson solo and the Beach Boys since the 1980s. Has also recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with the 1996 Thru My Window album regarded by some as “the best Beach Boys album they never recorded”, and has toured or recorded with Jeff Larson, John Blakeley, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Nancy Sinatra, and Harry Shearer ~ Foskett passed away in 2023
February 17, 1955 ~ Singer Frank Sinatra records In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning at KHJ Studios, Hollywood, USA ~ Written by David Mann and Bob Hilliard. Reportedly actually written during a post-midnight session at Hilliard's New Jersey home. Included on the 1955 In The Wee Small Hours it would become one of Frank Sinatra's best known. Over the years the song would be recorded by numerous artists including Johnny Mathis, Ella Fitzgerald, Julie London, Gerry Mulligan, Astrud Gilberto, Carly Simon, Barbra Streisand, Keith Jarrett, and Jamie CullumFebruary 17, 1952 ~ Rocksteady, reggae singer, songwriter Bruce Ruffin born in St Catherine, Jamaica ~ Worked with Byron Lee, the Dragonaires, the Techniques (wrote Love Is Not A Gamble), Pat Kelly, Winston Riley, Junior Menns, Leslie Kong, Herman Chin Loy, and Lloyd Charmers. As a solo artist best known for his 1972 crossover hit Mad About You, a top 10 hit in the UK
February 17, 1952 ~ Jazz, rock bassist Vladimir Padrunek born in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Rose to fame in the early 1970s as member of Jazz Q, with whom he recorded the albums Pozorovateina and Symbiosis. Was forbidden to travel to non-communist countries due to his father's previous involvement in the political upheaval of 1968, and would be replaced on tours to the West. Co-founded Energit with Vladimir Misik, known for their eponymous 1976 Energit debut album. Has also worked with Exit, Ota Petrina, Abraxas, and Moby Dick ~ Padrunek passed away in 1991
February 17, 1949 ~ Singer, drummer, songwriter Doyle Bramhall born in Texas, USA ~ Father of singer, guitarist Doyle Bramhall II. Member of the Chessmen who once opened for Jimi Hendrix. Formed Texas Storm with Jimmie Vaughan. Formed the Nightcrawlers, teaming up with Jimmie's younger brother Stevie Ray Vaughan and Marc Benno. As a solo artist especially noted for his 1994 Bird Nest On The Ground debut album, his gravelly voice critically compared to Bob Seger ~ Bramhall passed away in 2011
February 17, 1949 ~ Guitarist Fred Frith in Heathfield, UK ~ Founding member of avant-rock group Henry Cow. Also known for his associations with Art Bears, Massacre, and the Skeleton Crew. Appears on over an estimated 400 recordings. As a leader, solo artist especially acclaimed for the 1987 Nous Autres album. Has worked with artists such as Robert Wyatt, Derek Bailey, the Residents, Lol Coxhill, John Zorn, Brian Eno, Bill Laswell, Jad Fair, the ARTE Quartett, and Bob Ostertag. Served as producer for the likes of Curlew, the Muffins, Etron Fou Leloublan, and the OrthotonicsFebruary 17, 1949 ~ Harvey Jett, commonly known as guitarist, banjoist, pianist, singer Harvey Burley Jett, born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA ~ Original member of Black Oak Arkansas. Jett was present on most of the band's best known, including their most acclaimed album High On The Hog released in 1973, and was replaced by Jimmy Soybean Henderson in 1974 ~ Jett passed away in 2022
February 17, 1948 ~ Rock, blues, country rock singer, guitarist, banjoist Broderick Smith born in Hertfordshire, UK ~ Appeared in a 1973 Australian production of rock opera Tommy, portraying the role of Mr Walker. Member of the Adderley Smith Blues Band, the Dingoes, and Carson. Perhaps best known for his 1981 hit Faded Roses with Broderick Smith's Big Combo ~ Smith passed away in 2023February 17, 1948 ~ José Rómulo Sosa Ortiz, commonly known as singer, guitarist, bassist José José, born in Mexico City, Mexico ~ Jazz, bossa nova, Latin pop, bolero, mariachi balladeer with stunning tenor vocal ability. Rose to international fame, including non-Spanish-speaking countries in the 1980s. Dubbed “the Prince of Song”. Worked with Armando Manzanero, Camilo Sesto, Juan Gabriel, Lani Hall, Marco Antonio Muñiz, Raúl Di Blasio, and Alejandra Avalos ~ Sosa passed away in 2019
February 17, 1947 ~ Geraldine Ann Pasquale, commonly known as pop, rock & roll singer Dodie Stevens, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for Pink Shoe Laces, recorded at age 12. The song would reach the Billboard top 10 in 1959. Dodie would follow up with several charting singles throughout the early 1960s, notably Yes I'm Lonesome Tonight and Merry Merry Christmas Baby, but would be unable to replicate the succes of Pink Shoe Laces
February 17, 1947 ~ Jazz drummer Jimmy Madison born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Has played drums in public since age 12. Has backed, recorded and toured with artists such as Don Goldie, Lionel Hampton, Marian McPartland, James Brown, Bobby Hackett, Joe Farrell, David Matthews, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Carmen McRae, Harold Danko, Chet Baker, Urbie Green, Michel Legrand, Don Sebesky, George Benson, Nina Simone, Lee Konitz, Hod O'Brien, Art Farmer, Mark Murphy. Has led ensembles which included sidemen such as Tom Harrell, Harold Danko, Phil Markowitz, Larry Schneider, Andy Laverne, Dan Wall, Mike Richmond, Bill Evans, Kenny Barron, Dennis Irwin, Gene Perla, Jon Burr, Ron McClure, Janet Lawson, Chip Jackson, Ricky Ford, Jack Walrath, David Schnitter, Paul Nash, Stanley Turrentine, Maceo Parker, Red Rodney, and Steve GilmoreFebruary 17, 1946 ~ Alice Donadel, commonly known as singer, songwriter Alice Dona, born in Maisons-Alfort, France ~ Known for a string of early 1960s hits including Demain J'Ai Dix-sept Ans, Mon Train De Banlieue and perhaps her best known Avec Toi
February 17, 1944 ~ Singer Bing Crosby records Amor ~ Originally a Spanish song, music by Gabriel Ruiz with lyrics by Ricardo López Méndez. Translated to English, lyricist Sunny Skylar. Recorded by numerous artists, the Bing Crosby single featuring Long Ago And Far Away on the flip side would reach top 10 on the pop charts
February 17, 1944 ~ Jazz, rock, classical, new age oboist, saxophonist, keyboardist Karl Jenkins, full name Karl William Pamp Jenkins, born in Swansea, UK ~ Co-founding member of Nucleus. Member of new age act Adiemus, known for the new age albums Palladio, Armed Man and Requiem. Also a member of jazz-rock band Soft Machine from 1972 through 1984February 17, 1944 ~ Producer, songwriter Larry Mizell born ~ Co-founding member of vocal jazz quartet the Vanlords, which also included his brother Fonce Mizell. Best known as a producer and songwriter, again in tandem with his brother, producing numerous albums for Blue Note Records setting the tone for 1970s jazz fusion sound and scoring pivotal R&B hits including A Taste Of Honey's Boogie Oogie Oogie, LTD's Love Ballad and Mary Wells' Gigolo
February 17, 1943 ~ Armand John Piron, commonly known as jazz violinist, bandleader AJ Piron, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Popular dancebandleader. Best known for I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate and The Purple Rose Of Cairo. Employed sidemen such as Lorenzo Tio, John Lindsay, and Peter Bocage ~ Piron was born in 1888
February 17, 1941 ~ Charles Everett Paxton, commonly known as saxophonist, songwriter Charles Packy Axton, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Son of Stax/Volt co-founder Estelle Axton. Active since the late 1950s. Member of the Royal Spades, which also included Steve Cropper and Donald Duck Dunn. The band would eventually rename themselves the Mar-keys, known for the 1961 Last Night Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit. Member of the Packers, known for the 1965 single Hole In The Wall which reached top 10 Billboard R&B ~ Axton passed away in 1974
February 17, 1941 ~ Jazz double bassist Herbie Lewis, full name Herbert Prince Lewis, born in Pasadena, California, USA ~ Among the top bassists of the bop era, closely associated with McCoy Tyner, Les McCann, and Jackie McLean. Lewis has also appeared on albums by Harold Land, Shirley Scott (Hip Soul), Richard Groove Holmes, Stanley Turrentine (That's Where It's At), Gerald Wilson, Bobby Hutcherson, Sam Rivers, Freddie Hubbard, the Jazz Crusaders, Cedar Walton, Tete Montoliu (Lunch In LA), Sonny Stitt, Sonny Simmons, and Eddie Harris ~ Lewis passed away in 2007
February 17, 1940 ~ Singer, songwriter Gene Pitney, full name Gene Francis Alan Pitney, born in Hartford, Connecticut, USA ~ Known for songs such as Town Without Pity, The Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance, Only Love Can Break A Heart, 24 Hours From Tulsa, I'm Gonna Be Strong, and Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart. Scored a UK top 10 hit with That Girl Belongs To Yesterday, the first Mick Jagger/Keith Richards-penned song to reach the UK top ten. Wrote or co-wrote several classic pop, rock & roll songs for artists including Bobby Vee (Rubber Ball), Roy Orbison, Ricky Nelson (Hello Mary Lou), and the Crystals (He's A Rebel) ~ Pitney passed away in 2006
February 17, 1940 ~ Ranchera singer, songwriter, actor Vicente Fernández, full name Vicente Fernández Gómez, born in Guadalajara, Mexico ~ Cultural icon with over 30 films to his name, over 50 albums with a total sales of an estimated 50 million copies. Best known for Volver Volver, notably covered by both Nana Moskouri and Ry Cooder. Other well known songs include El Rey, Dos Corazones, Aunque Mal Paguen Ellas, Que Sepan Todos, Yo Quiero, Aca Entre Nos, Miseria, and No Te Vayas. His son, Alejandro Fernández, would also become a popular singer ~ Fernández passed away in 2021
February 17, 1938 ~ Charles Wilburn Trent, commonly known as bluegrass, country banjoist, dobroist, mandolinist, bassist, guitarist, songwriter Buck Trent, born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA ~ Most revered for his work as a banjo player. Invented the electric banjo. Plays lead guitar on both Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You and Jolene. Other notable collaborations include Bill Monroe during the early 1960s, backing Porter Wagoner for about a decade, and as a regular on Roy Clark's musical variety TV shows The Roy Clark Show and Hee Haw. Trent also toured the Soviet Union with Clark in 1976, the first Soviet tour of any American country music act. As a solo artist Trent is perhaps most acclaimed for the album The Sound Of Bluegrass Banjo released in 1962 ~ Trent passed away in 2023February 17, 1938 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, arranger John Coates Jr born in Trenton, New Jersey, USA ~ Worked with Wendell Marshall, Kenny Clarke, Rudy van Gelder, Charlie Ventura, Barry Miles, Eddie Gomez, Ron Carter, Woody Shaw, Harry Leahey, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, Kai Winding, Urbie Green, Pepper Adams, Coleman Hawkins, Clark Terry, Doc Severinsen, Phil Woods, Marvin Stamm, and Bill Watrous ~ Coates passed away in 2017
February 17, 1936 ~ Actor, singer John Leyton, full name John Dudley Leyton, born in Frinton-on-Sea, UK ~ As a singer best known for the 1961 Joe Meek-produced Johnny Remember Me which would reach the top of the UK charts despite being banned by BBC for its death references. His follow up single, Wild Wind, reached No.2. As an actor known for roles in The Great Escape, East Of Java and Telstar, the latter a biopic on Meek in which Leyton himself was portrayed by Callum Dixon
February 17, 1935 ~ John Bush Shinn III, commonly known as country, honky-tonk, western swing singer, guitarist, drummer, fiddler, songwriter Johnny Bush, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Nicknamed “the Country Caruso”, after singer Enrico Caruso. Wrote and first recorded Whiskey River, later successfuly covered by Willie Nelson. First gained attention when he joined Ray Price's backing unit the Cherokee Cowboys in 1963. Debuted as a solo artist with the album The Sound Of A Heartache in 1967 and has been recording to critical acclaim and commercial succes since ~ Shinn passed away in 2020