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 19, 1977 ~ In its 14th week on the charts, Blinded By The Light by Manfred Mann's Earth Band hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ First recorded by Bruce Springsteen. As label executive Clive Davis felt what was to become Springsteen's 1973 Greetings From Asbury Park NJ debut album still needed a hit single, Springsteen specifically wrote Blinded By The Light for that purpose. Issued as the album's lead single it failed to chart though. Springsteen would go on, however, to amass well over a dozen Grammy Awards and sell close to an estimated 150 million records over the course of his career, making him one of the all-time best selling male singers. Yet, he would never score a Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit and Springsteen's first few singles never charted at all. But when English pop rock outfit Manfred Mann's Earth Band covered it, Blinded By The Light would reach No.1. It remains the only song written by Springsteen to ever reach the top of the American chartsFebruary 19, 1976 ~ Folk, folk rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Teddy Thompson born in London, UK ~ Son of singers Richard Thompson and Linda Thompson, brother of singer Kamila Thompson. Released his eponymous Teddy Thompson debut album in 2000. Would reach the UK top 10 with his fourth album, A Piece Of What You Need released in 2008
February 19, 1975 ~ Hard rock, alternative metal, alternative rock drummer Daniel Adair, full name Daniel Patrick Adair, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Member of 3 Doors Down from 2002 through 2005. Following his departure from the band, Adair joined Nickelback, first appearing on the 2005 All The Right Reasons album. Adair has also worked with Martone, Suspect, Theory Of A Deadman, Burn Halo, and Kranky Bear
February 19, 1975 ~ Actress, singer Katja Schuurman born in Bunnik, the Netherlands ~ Sister of singer, actress Birgit Schuurman. Best known as actress. As a singer known for Ademnood, released under the moniker Linda Roos & Jessica with her Goede Tijden Slechte Tijden co-stars Babette van Veen and Guusje Nederhorst, the trio using the names of their characters on the show for the group moniker. The 1995 single was intended as a gimmick but would reach No.1 on the Dutch charts, featured backing vocals by Trijntje Oosterhuis, and was produced by the hitmaking duo Fluitsma & Van Tijn
February 19, 1974 ~ Sibling outfit the Jackson 5 release Dancing Machine, title track and lead single off the album of the same name ~ The eighth and final top 10 hit for the Motown sibling outfit, peaking at No.2 Billboard Hot 100. The band's producer Hal Davis said he came up with the idea after a woman on the label's staff would repeatedly come into his office and dance when he was playing music. “She's a dancing machine,” he told Don Fletcher, another songwriter at the label. Building on the title, Davis, Fletcher, and guitarist Dean Parks wrote the song. Michael Jackson and Jermaine Jackson share lead vocals. The former has cited the song as one of his favorites, and the track would serve as a precursor to his dance-flavored solo material from the late 1970s and early 1980sFebruary 19, 1974 ~ Progressive metal, power metal singer, drummer Todd La Torre born in St Petersburg, Florida, USA ~ Lead singer of progressive metal band Queensrÿche joining the band in 2012, replacing Geoff Tate. Has previously worked with Crimson Glory and Rising West. Released his Rejoice In The Suffering solo debut album in 2021. La Torre has also guested on recordings by Craig Blackwell, Tommy Vitaly, Dark Matter, and the Metal Church
February 19, 1973 ~ Classical flutist Elaine Shaffer passed away in London, UK ~ Student of William Kincaid. Shaffer played with the Kansas City Philharmonic, was principal flute of the the Houston Symphony, and worked as a soloist playing festivals with violinist Yehudi Menuhin, pianist Hephzibah Menuhin, and harpsichordist George Malcolm. Composer Ernest Bloch dedicated two works to her, Suite Modale and Two Last Poems (Maybe) ~ Shaffer was born in 1925
February 19, 1973 ~ Classical violinist Joseph Szigeti passed away in Lucerne, Switzerland ~ Child prodigy enjoying an international career since his early teens. Dubbed “the Scholarly Virtuoso.” Performed regularly and recorded extensively from the 1920s until retiring from music altogether in 1960. Had several notable pieces composed especially for him such as Ernest Bloch's Violin Concerto, Béla Bartók's Rhapsody No.1 and Eugène Ysaÿe's Solo Sonata No.1 ~ Szigeti was born in 1892
February 19, 1972 ~ In its 12th week on the charts, It's Four In The Morning by Faron Young hits No.1 Billboard Country ~ Although Faron Young had regularly reached the higher echelons of the charts, the Jerry Chesnut-penned It's Four In The Morning would be his first Billboard Country No.1 hit since Hello Walls a little over a decade earlier. The song would also do well in the UK, where it reached No.3 on the pop charts, then a rarity for a country song. Chesnut had previously written hits for the likes of Del Reeves, Roy Drusky, Jerry Lee Lewis (Another Place Another Time), Bob Luman, George Jones (A Good Year For The Roses), and Tammy Wynette
February 19, 1972 ~ Jazz, hard bop trumpeter Lee Morgan, full name Edward Lee Morgan, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ One of hard bop's most revered musicians. Perhaps best known for his 1963 crossover hit The Sidewinder. As a leader acclaimed for a string of mid 1950s to mid 1960s albums including Peckin' Time, Lee-Way and Tom Cat. As a sideman, Morgan appeared on albums by Hank Mobley, Dizzy Gillespie (At Newport), Benny Golson, Tina Brooks (Minor Move), Art Blakey, Curtis Fuller, Wayne Shorter (Blues A La Carte), Art Farmer, Wynton Kelly, Quincy Jones (The Birth Of A Band), John Coltrane, Grachan Moncur III, Jackie McLean, Freddie Hubbard, Bud Shank, McCoy Tyner (Tender Moments), and Dr Lonnie Smith. Morgan was shot and killed at age 33 by his wife, who would briefly serve time in prison ~ Morgan was born in 1938
February 19, 1971 ~ Rock, indie rock, folk metal drummer Keith Baxter born in Morecambe, UK ~ Co-founded thrash metal Aphasia while still in his teens. Perhaps best known as member of folk metal pioneers Skyclad from 1990 through 1995, first appearing on the 1991 The Wayward Sons Of Mother Earth album. Subsequently worked with 3 Colours Red until its disbandement in 1999. Formed Elevation with bandmate Pete Vuckovic. Has also briefly worked with Therapy and with Baby Judas ~ Baxter passed away in 2008
February 19, 1971 ~ Jazz, post-bop pianist Luis Perdomo born in Caracas, Venezuela ~ Influenced by Bud Powell, Oscar Peterson, McCoy Tyner, Paul Bley, and Herbie Hancock. Perdomo claimed to have had his first paying gig as early as at age 12. Spent his teens playing his native Caracas, and relocated to America where he studied both jazz and classical and eventually became a fixture on the New York jazz scene. Perdomo has recorded over half a dozen albums as a leader, starting with Focus Point in 2005, and appeared on albums by the likes of Yordano, Marlon Simon (Rumaba A La Patato), Ralph Irizarry (Best Kept Secret), Miguel Zenón, Ray Barretto, Ravi Coltrane, Brian Lynch (Conclave), Dafnis Prieto, Gregg August (One Piece), Conrad Herwig, Ben Wolfe (No Strangers Here), and Magos Herrera. Of the early days, Perdomo has said: “I used to play, in addition to Juan Sebastian Bar, with a lot of jazz artists. I also had a real good pop gig that was paying a lot of money. I was doing fairly well, but I always thought I was a big fish in a small pond. I didn't want to do that. I wanted to come to New York. I sold all my equipment and moved”February 19, 1971 ~ Singer Paul McCartney releases Another Day as a stand-alone single ~ Paul McCartney's first solo single following the disbandement of the Beatles, Another Day would be poorly received by critics, Rolling Stone even going so far as to call it “irrelevant”, yet Another Day managed to reach No.5 on the American Billboard Hot 100, No.2 in his native UK, and No.1 in Ireland. At the height of their acrimony, McCartney's former bandmate John Lennon would take a stab at him referencing McCartney's solo debut single with the lyrics “the only thing you done was Yesterday, and since you're gone you're just another day” in How Do You Sleep. However, the two would later resume their friendship. Critical dismissal would become somewhat of a pattern throughout McCartney's solo career, especially in comparison to other members of the Beatles, yet both as a solo artist and with his 1970s pop rock outfit Wings, McCartney became one of the most commercially successful artists
February 19, 1970 ~ Singer, actor Danny de Munk born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Rose to fame at age 12 in the title role in Ciske de Rat, noted for his performance of Ik Voel Me Zo Verdomd Alleen. The song, written by Karin Loomans and Herman van Veen, would top the Dutch charts and make De Munk an instant star. Would go on to mainly perform in stage musicals and venture into acting for film and TV on occasion
February 19, 1968 ~ Mark Anthony Morales, commonly known as hip-hop, new jack swing rapper, songwriter, producer Prince Markie Dee, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Rose to fame as member of the Fat Boys, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums. They are considered a pioneering rap group, known best for songs such as Wipeout and Twist. Following the group's disbandement, Morales has recorded two albums as a solo artist, Free issued in 1992 and Love Daddy three years later, yet he would become best known as a producer and songwriter, including notably producing Mary J Blige's acclaimed What's The 411 debut album. Other notable associations include Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Craig Mack and Marc Anthony. Morales passed away of congestive heart failure, one day short of his 53rd birthday ~ Morales passed away in 2021
February 19, 1966 ~ In its 9th week on the charts, Lightnin' Strikes by Lou Christie hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Christie's distinctive falsetto vocals and the way the song builds up set Lightnin' Strikes apart from contemporary songs, making it a hit. Lou Christie would later comment how label executive Lenny Shear initially dismissed the song, only to see it become Christie's biggest hit: “And they didn't even like it! Shear threw it in the wastebasket and said it was a piece of crap! So we put up our own money to get it played around the country, and it started taking off once it got played. Three months later, Lenny was taking a picture with me for Billboard magazine, handing me a gold record. I loved that”
February 19, 1965 ~ Drummer, singer Jonathan Fishman born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Influenced by John Bonham, Bill Bruford, Keith Moon. Best known as co-founding member of experimental rock, jam band Phish, earning critical acclaim and a cult following in the 1990s with a unique hybrid drawing from funk, progressive rock, psychedelica, folk, country, jazz, blues and pop. occasionally sang lead, on humurous covers such as the Prince-cover Purple Rain, the Neil Diamond-cover Cracklin' Rosie and the Will Smith-cover Gettin' Jiggy With It, as well as on some originals including Moma Dance, Taste and Ghost. Has also worked with Touchpants, Pork Tornado, the Jazz Mandolin Project and bandmate Trey Anastasio's side project the Ghosts Of The ForestFebruary 19, 1964 ~ Douglas Aldrich, commonly known as hard rock, heavy metal guitarist, bassist, singer Doug Aldrich, born in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA ~ Founded Burning Rain in 1998 with Keith St John. Has recorded as a solo artist, toured with Deep Purple-bassist, singer Glenn Hughes, worked with Lion, the House Of Lords, Hurricane, Bad Moon Rising, WASP, Dio, Whitesnake, the Revolution Saints, and since 2016 fronts the Dead Daisies
February 19, 1963 ~ Thomas Such, commonly known as black metal, speed metal singer, bassist Tom Angelripper, born in Gelsenkirchen, West Germany ~ Lead singer, bassist, primary songwriter, and sole constant member of thrash metal outfit Sodom, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums since the 1980s. Also known as a member of Helloween-bassist Markus Grosskopf's bass guitar-focused side project the Bassinvaders, known for their 2008 Hellbassbeaters album featuring four bass players and no other instruments
February 19, 1960 ~ Rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Momcilo Bajagic born in Bjelovar, Yugoslavia ~ Member of Riblja Corba from 1978 through 1984, writing or co-writing a vast amount of the band's material. Departed the band as his material did not fit the band's hard rock edge. Would go on to front Bajagi I Instruktori, which quickly became one of the most successful and influential rock bands on the Yugoslav and Serbian rock scene
February 19, 1959 ~ Close harmony singer Lewis James, full name Lewis Lyman James, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Active as a soloist and as a member of the Revelers, the Shannon Four and of the Criterion Trio. One of the most recorded artist from the end of World War I through the 1930s. Known for songs such as My Baby Boy, Till We Meet Again, What I'll Do, All Alone and Pal Of My Cradle Days ~ James was born in 1892
February 19, 1956 ~ Blues guitarist Alan Haynes born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Worked with artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Johnny Winter, Albert Collins, Albert King, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Robert Cray, Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Hooker, Otis Rush, Chris Layton, Preston Hubbard, Dave Lindholm, the Tubesnakes, and the Bluesknights
February 19, 1956 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Dave Wakeling born in Birmingham, UK ~ Co-founding member of pivotal ska, ska revival band the English Beat, known for about half a dozen UK hits through the mid-1980s including the top 10 hits The Tears Of A Clown, Hands Off She's Mine, Mirror In The Bathroom and Can't Get Used To Losing You. Formed General Public in 1984 with bandmate Ranking Roger, scoring moderate hits with 1984's Tenderness and 1994's I'll Take You There. Released a sole solo album, No Warning, in 1991February 19, 1956 ~ Marina Fiordelli, commonly known as pop, rock singer Fiordaliso, born in Placenza, Italy ~ Gained popularity in the early 1980s with songs such as Scappo Via and the reggae-rock ballad Una Sproca Poesia. Would go on to score hits such as Oramai, the Zucchero-penned Non Voglio Mica La Luna, and perhaps her best known the 1990 hit Cosa Ti Farei. Over time gradually moved away from music, focusing on her activities as actress and TV host
February 19, 1956 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Peter Holsapple born Newport, Rhode Island, USA ~ Best known for co-founding jangle pop band the dB's with Chris Stamey, becoming the band's main songwriter and singer after Stamey's departure. Toured with REM on their 1988 world tour and appeared on the band's 1991 Out Of Time album. Has also worked with the Continental Drifters and released a handful of solo recordings