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 18, 1968 ~ Saxophonist Jukka Perko born in Huttinen, Finland ~ Leader and sideman. Internationally best known for his association with Dizzy Gillespie, backing Gillespie on European and American tours. Has also worked with the UMO Jazz Orchestra, McCoy Tyner, Red Rodney, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, the Helsinki Philharmonic, and Iiro Rantala
February 18, 1968 ~ Rock singer, drummer, guitarist, keyboardist, trumpeter Yoshimi P-We born in Okayama, Japan ~ Longtime drummer of rock unit the Boredoms, known for critically acclaimed albums such as Soul Discharge and Pop Tatari. Also fronts all-female band OOIOO, has recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, and guested on recordings by God Is My Co-Pilot, the El Caminos, and the Flaming LipsFebruary 18, 1966 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones kick off their tour at the Commemorative Auditorium Showgrounds, Sydney, Australia ~ The band play some 18 shows across Australia and New Zealand through the beginning of March. The set list included Mercy Mercy, Not Fade Away, The Spider And The Fly, 19th Nervous Breakdown, and (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
February 18, 1966 ~ R&B girl group the Supremes release I Hear A Symphony, their eighth studio album ~ Initially intended to consist solely of covers of pop standards, the album's working title There's A Place For Us, aiming to further bridge the gap between traditional pop music and Motown's brand of R&B. The album did contain some standards such as Stranger In Paradise from the 1953 Kismet musical and With A Song In My Heart, as well as a cover of the Beatles hit Yesterday, yet the album is best known for its two singles, both penned by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland Jr. The title track and lead single I Hear A Symphony reached No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The second single, My World Is Empty Without You, peaked at No.5
February 18, 1965 ~ Andre Romelle Young, commonly known as rapper, producer Dr Dre, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of the World Class Wreckin' Cru. Member of pivotal rap outfit NWA. Dominated the Golden Age of Rap as a solo artist, collaborator and producer, notably with the quintessential The Chronic album released in 1992. Has worked with Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur, LL Cool J, Eminem, Eve, Mary J Blige, Missy Elliott, 50 Cent, Jay-Z, and Alicia KeysFebruary 18, 1964 ~ Alternative dance, alternative rock singer, guitarist, bassist Tommy Scott born in Liverpool, UK ~ Lead singer for Liverpool indie band Space. The band has recorded about half a dozen albums but is best known for their first two, 1996's Spiders and 1998's Tin Planet. The two albums spawned the UK top 10 hits Me And You Versus The World, Avenging Angels, and The Ballad Of Tom Jones
February 18, 1962 ~ Bluegrass mandolinist, fiddler, guitarist, singer Don Rigsby, full name Donald Glen Rigsby, born in Isonville, Kentucky, USA ~ Worked with Charlie Sizemore, Vern Gosdin, the Bluegrass Cardinals, and JD Crowe. Perhaps best known as member of the Lonesome River Band, present on the albums One Step Forward, Finding The Way, and Talkin' To Myself. Also worked with Longview, Rock County, Midnight Call, Flashback, recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, and served as producer for Dave Evans, Josh Williams, and Larry Sparks
February 18, 1961 ~ Singer Del Shannon releases Runaway, lifted off his Runaway With Del Shannon album ~ A massive hit, Runaway would catapult Del Shannon to international fame as the single topped the American Billboard Hot 100 for four consecutive weeks and the UK charts for three, also becoming the biggest seller of the year in Britain. Over the next few years, Shannon would score two more Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits, Hats Off To Larry reaching No.5, and Keep Searchin' (We'll Follow The Sun) at No.9. Although he is still remembered for Runaway to this day, Shannon himself actually preferred the original single's B-side Jody, which he has called his favorite song he ever recorded
February 18, 1960 ~ Siblings the Everly Brothers record When Will I Be Loved ~ Written by Phil Everly. Produced by Wesley Rose. Released as a single, b/w Be-bop-a-lula, the following May it would reach top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. Backing musicians include Chet Atkins, Hank Garland, Luther Brandon guitars, Floyd Chance bass, Buddy Harman drums, Floyd Cramer piano. Singer Linda Ronstadt would take her cover version to No.2 Billboard Hot 100 in 1975February 18, 1959 ~ Composer Erich Zeisl passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Of Jewish descent fled Austria in the 1930s, first to Paris and eventually to America. Best known for his work in Hollywood, scoring the music for films such as The Postman Always Rings Twice and Abbott And Costello Meet The Invisible Man. Has also written chamber music, ballets, operas, concertos, and orchestral music ~ Zeisl was born in 1905
February 18, 1959 ~ R&B singer, pianist Ray Charles records What'd I Say ~ Produced by Jerry Wexler. Released in July 1959, Part II on the flip side. The song grew from a spontanuous bit Ray Charles played at his live sets, just entertaining the crowd if they still had some time left. It became such a concert favorite that Charles quickly decided to record it. Banned by radio stations for being too sexually charged, lifting the ban only after white artists charted with cover versions. Considered by some to be the first soul song, fusing R&B with elements from rhumba and gospel. Generally seen as one of the most influential songs in rhythm and blues. Would earn Charles his first gold record and for the remainder of his career Charles would close every concert with this tuneFebruary 18, 1958 ~ Dirk Blanchaert, commonly known as rock singer, guitarist Dirk Blanchart, born in Ghent, Belgium ~ Co-founding member of Luna Twist, known best for the early 1980s hit African Time. Ventured out on his own by the mid-1980s with over a dozen albums to his name since. A number of his songs are considered classics of Belgian rock popular to this day, notably Fool Yourself Forever, No Regrets and L'Amour Ca Va
February 18, 1958 ~ Gary Charles Samuelson, commonly known as heavy metal, speed metal drummer Gar Samuelson, born in Dunkirk, New York, USA ~ Member of the New Yorkers during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Best known as member of Megadeth from 1984 through 1987. Present on the band's first two albums, 1985's Killing Is My Business (And Business Is Good) and 1986's Peace Sells (But Who's Buying). Fired from the band for his problematic substance abuse and for once too often pawning the band's equipment for drug money. Following his departure Samuelson would play with Fatal Opera, which also included his brother Stew Samuelson, until his death ~ Samuelson passed away in 1999
February 18, 1956 ~ Bluegrass singer, guitarist Dudley Connell born in Scherr, West Virginia, USA ~ Co-founded Johnson Mountain Boys. Also well known as member of Longview, and the Seldom Scene. Noted for his collaborative albums with Don Rigsby, Meet Me By The Moonlight and Another Saturday Night released respectively in 1999 and 2001. Also worked with the Stony Point Quartet, Seneca Rocks, Phyllis Boyens, Delia Bell, Tony Trischka, Larry Stephenson, Butch Robins, Stephen Wade, Bill Kirchen, Patrick McAvinue, and Margot Leverett
February 18, 1956 ~ Composer Gustave Charpentier passed away in Paris, France ~ Best known for his 1900 opera Louise, which launched the career of soprano Mary Garden. A realistic portrait of Parissien working-class, Louise is popular to this day and would be regarded as a key piece in verismo opera ~ Charpentier was born in 1860February 18, 1956 ~ Singer, actor, songwriter Ted Gärdestad, full name Ted Arnbjörn Gärdestad, born in Sollentuna, Sweden ~ Debuted in 1971 with the single Hela Världen Runt. Worked extensively with all four members of ABBA throughout the 1970s, releasing a number of successful Swedish albums making him the 2nd best-selling artist at Polar Music ~ Gärdestad passed away in 1997
February 18, 1955 ~ Brian Robertson, commonly known as punk rock bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer Brian James, born in Hammersmith, UK ~ Member of proto-punk bands London SS and the Subterraneans and glam rock outfit Bastard. Best known as member of the Damned and primary songwriter for their first two albums, Damned Damned Damned and Music For Pleasure, before departing the band in 1977. Subsequently co-founded Lords Of The New Church with Stiv Bators, remaining with the band through its disbandement in 1989. James has also recorded as a solo artist, noted most for the singles Ain't That A Shame and Why Why Why, both of which featured the Police drummer Stewart Copeland ~ Robertson passed away in 2025February 18, 1955 ~ Singer, songwriter, stage and screenwriter Miles Tredinnick born in Warrington, UK ~ Also known under the moniker Riff Regan. Co-founding member, lead singer of 1970s rock band London, a popular live act with record sales lagging. The band would also include future Culture Club-drummer Jon Moss. As a solo artist Tredinnick would record a handful of singles and later become a stage and screenwriter
February 18, 1953 ~ Pop, rock drummer Derek Pellicci, full name Derek Allan Pellicci, born in London, UK ~ Co-founding member of the Little River Band, remaining with the band through 1984. Present on some of the band's best known including It's A Long Way There, Help Is On Its Way, Reminiscing and Cool Change. Has also worked with John Farnham, Colin Hay, Renée Geyer, and Yosui Inoue
February 18, 1953 ~ Robin Peter Kendall Bachman, commonly known as drummer, percussionist Robbie Bachman, born in Winnipeg, Canada ~ Brother of guitarists Randy Bachman and Tim Bachman. Member of Brave Belt. Best known for his tenure with Bachman-Turner Overdrive, along with bassist Fred Turner and brothers Randy and Tim. The band has scored a string of 1970s hits, many radio staples to this day. Well known songs include Let It Ride, Takin' Care Of Business, You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet, and Roll On Down The Highway ~ Bachman passed away in 2023
February 18, 1952 ~ Judy Kay Newton, commonly known as pop, country-pop singer, songwriter Juice Newton born in Lakehurst, New Jersey, USA ~ Debuted in 1975 with the Juice Newton & Silver Spur album. Best known for a string of 1980s hits, both on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 and on Billboard's country charts. Well known songs include Angel Of The Morning, Queen Of Hearts, The Sweetest Thing (I've Ever Known), Love's Been A Little Bit Hard On Me and Break It To Me Gently. Has collaborated with Eddie Rabbitt, Bob Welch, Carla Olson, and Willie NelsonFebruary 18, 1952 ~ Veronica Crawford, commonly known as jazz, R&B singer Randy Crawford, born in Macon, Georgia, USA ~ Enjoyed her greatest successes in Europe. To American audiences best known for guesting on the Crusaders hit Street Life and for duetting with Rick Springfield on Taxi Dancing, the latter originally released as the B-side to Springfield's Bop Till You Drop. First gained attention singing with jazz artists such as George Benson and Cannonball Adderley. As a solo artist known best for 1980s releases such as One Day I'll Fly Away, Rainy Night In Georgia and Almaz
February 18, 1949 ~ Percussionist, singer Guy Bevert born in Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe ~ Member of pop unit La Compagnie Créole, founded in 1975. The band originally sang in Creole but quickly adopted French as their main language. Known for their feel-good, happy-go-lucky vibe they have recorded about two dozen albums and would enjoy popularity in the Francophone world and beyond especially in the 1980s, reportedly selling over 60 million records over the course of their career. Well-known songs include Vive Le Douanier Rousseau, C'est Bon Pour Le Moral, Le Bal Masqué, Ça Fait Rire Les Oiseaux, and Ma Première Biguine-Partie
February 18, 1948 ~ Drummer, singer Keith Knudsen born in Le Mars, Iowa, USA ~ Best known as member of rock outfit the Doobie Brothers remaining with the band from 1973 through 1982, rejoining in 1993. First appeared on the What Where Once Vices Are Now Habits album released in 1974. Founded country rock band Southern Pacific with Brothers bandmate John McFee, known for songs such as Reno Bound, New Shade Of Blue, Honey I Dare You, and Any Way The Wind Blows ~ Knudsen passed away in 2005February 18, 1947 ~ Singer Amaya Uranga, full name Amaya Uranga Amezaga, born in Bilbao, Spain ~ Co-founding member of Mocedades, singing lead on some of the band's best known including Tomame O Dejame and Eres Tu. The latter song would reach 2nd place in the 1973 Eurovision Songfestival. Uranga departed the band in 1984 to pursue a solo career and has since also worked with El Consorcio
February 18, 1947 ~ Keyboardist, singer, songwriter Dennis DeYoung born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Founding member, lead singer and keyboardist of rock band Styx, remainining with the band through 1984, rejoining several times in later years. Present on hit recordings such as Sail Away, Renegade, Blue Collar Man (Long Nights) and perhaps their best known Babe