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 2, 2026 ~ Charles Negron II, commonly known as pop rock, soft rock, blue-eyed soul singer Chuck Negron, passed away ~ Co-founding member of Three Dog Night, serving as one of the band's three main vocalists. Sang lead on One, Easy To Be Hard, Joy To The World, Pieces Of April, An Old Fashioned Love Song and The Show Must Go On ~ Negron was born in 1942
February 2, 2024 ~ Wayne Kambes, commonly known as punk rock, proto-punk guitarist, singer Wayne Kramer, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of MC5, one of the rawest and most outspoken bands in American rock. They are especially acclaimed for their 1969 Kick Out The Jams debut album, widely regarded as a forerunner to proto-punk and punk nearly a decade later. After two more albums, both of which sold poorly, the band disbanded in 1972. Kramer struggled through the remainder of the decade, before reemerging in the 1980s and 1990s. Kramer has also worked with Johnny Thunders, Was (Not Was), Bad Religion, and Dodge Main, recorded as a solo artist, and reignited MC5 in the 1990s with a rotating line-up. Upon hearing of his death, Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello commented: “His band the MC5 basically invented punk rock music. Wayne came through personal trials of fire with drugs and jail time and emerged a transformed soul who went on to save countless lives through his tireless acts of service.” ~ Kambes was born in 1948
February 2, 2023 ~ Charles J Thornton Jr, commonly known as jazz drummer Butch Miles, passed away in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Cites Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa and Jo Jones as influences. Leader and sideman. Noted especially for his 1995 Cookin' album, accompanied by trumpeter Randy Sandke, saxophonist Harry Allen, guitarist Howard Alden, and bassist Frank Tate. Has collaborated with the likes of Dave Brubeck, Ella Fitzgerald, Danny Moss (Weaver Of Dreams), Sammy Davis Jr, Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne, Tony Bennett, Gerry Mulligan, Woody Herman, and Wild Bill Davison ~ Thornton was born in 1944February 2, 2019 ~ Singer, guitarist Arunendu Das passed away in Kolkata, India ~ The first person to compose Bengali lyrics written specifically to be accompanied by guitar and as such a pioneer of Bengali songwriting ~ Das was born ca.1938
February 2, 2019 ~ Blues, R&B, jazz pianist Bill Sims Jr passed away ~ Member of Jacksonian Blues. Member of doo-wop influenced the Four Mints from 1971 through 1976. Founded the avant-garde jazz outfit the Lamorians in 1976. Subsequently founded the blues band the Cold Blooded Blues Band. Would release his Blues Before Sunrise debut album in 1992 ~ Sims was born in 1949February 2, 2016 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Marcus Turner, full name Marcus William Turner, passed away in Otago Peninsul, New Zealand ~ Member of High Country. Co-founding member of the Chaps. Also known for two solo albums, 1983's The Best Is Yet To Come and 2005's Laid Down, showcasing both tongue-in-cheek comedy and sensitive introspective songs ~ Turner was born in 1956
February 2, 2015 ~ Dominick Newton, commonly known as rapper the Jacka, passed away in Oakland, California, USA ~ Member of rap group Mob Figaz. Over half a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, his best known being 2011's Flight Risk. Over the course of his career has collaborated with Ampichino, Berner, Andre Nickatina, Blanco, and Lee Majors. Shot and killed at age 37, his murder unresolved to this day ~ Newton was born in 1977
February 2, 2015 ~ Saxophonist, singer Zane Musa passed away in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA ~ As a solo artist known for his 2005 Introducing Zane Musa album. As a sideman present on recordings by Jon Bare, Joe Firstman (The War Of Women), Phil Ranelin (Inspiration), Chris Pierce, Dave Tough, Austin Peralta, Oya, Arturo Sandoval, Natasha Agrama, and Gueorgui Linev (Moving On). Musa passed away at age 36, following a fall from a parking structure ~ Musa was born in 1979
February 2, 2014 ~ William Alexander Anthony Clarke, commonly known as singer, guitarist Bunny Rugs, passed away in Orlando, Florida, USA ~ Half of the duo Bunny & Ricky. Member of Inner Circle. Best known as member of Third World, joining the band in 1976 replacing Milton Hamilton. Also worked with Lee Scratch Perry, the Wild Bunch, Yabby You, Papa San, Cobra, General Trees, Shabba Ranks, Gregory Isaacs, Tony Rebel, Sean Paul, Joe Frasier, Raw Edge, Wayne Marshall, Bounty Killer, Tappa Zukie, and Marcia Griffiths ~ Clarke was born in 1948February 2, 2008 ~ Bassist Yasushi Ozawa passed away ~ Closely associated with rock group Fushitsusha, appearing on over a dozen of the band's recordings since the late 1980s. Ozawa was also a member of free improvisation group Marginal Consort and has worked with East Bionic Symphonia, present on the eponymous 1976 East Bionic Symphonia album, and with Machine-Gun Tango ~ Ozawa was born ca.1958
February 2, 2007 ~ William Henderson, commonly known as singer, songwriter Billy Henderson, passed away in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA ~ Founding member of the Spinners, known for songs such as Could It Be I'm Falling In Love, the Dionne Warwick collaboration Then Came You, The Rubberband Man and It's A Shame co-written with Stevie Wonder, Syreeta Wright and Lee Garrett and notably reworked by Monie Love to It's A Shame (My Sister) in 1991 ~ Henderson was born in 1939February 2, 2007 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Eric von Schmidt passed away in Fairfield, Connecticut, USA ~ Considered one of the premier guitarists in the late 1950s, early 1960s folk boom. Best known for his composition Joshua Gone Barbados. Has worked with Richard Fariña and Bob Dylan. Had a parallel career as a painter, ilustrated children's books and created album covers for Joan Baez, John Renbourn, the Blue Velvet Band, and Reverend Gary Davis ~ Von Schmidt was born in 1931
February 2, 2007 ~ Pianist Joe Hunter, full name Joseph Edward Hunter, passed away in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Original member, pianist, band director of Motown house band the Funk Brothers from 1959 through 1964, replaced by Earl Van Dyke. Influenced by Art Tatum, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Nat King Cole. Appears on records such as Shop Around (the Miracles), Do You Love Me (the Contours), Heat Wave and Come And Get These Memories (Martha & the Vandellas) ~ Hunter was born in 1927
February 2, 2002 ~ Guitarist, arranger, composer Gerry Dialungana, full name Gerry Kassia Dialungana, passed away ~ Influenced by Nico Kasanda, whose style he emulated. Active since the early 1970s. Member of Les Malous. Member of Les Grand Maquisards. Perhaps best known as member of internationally acclaimed Congolese ensemble TPOK Jazz during the 1970s, writing or co-writing several of the band's songs including Tembe Luntadila, Kufwa Ntangu and Mukungu ~ Dialungana was born ca.1951
February 2, 1996 ~ Actor, singer, dancer Gene Kelly. full name Eugene Curran Kelly, passed away in Beverly Hills, California, USA ~ Pioneering choreographer, dancer. Credited with transforming the Hollywood musical as an artform. Made ballet commercially viable. Starred in numerous musical films of the 1940s and 1950s, perhaps best remembered for 1952's Singing In The Rain. Honored with several lifetime achievement awards, including an Academy Honorary Award in 1952 ~ Kelly was born in 1912February 2, 1994 ~ Jazz trumpeter Zilner Randolph, full name Zilner Trenton Randolph, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Father of jazz trumpeter Lucious Randolph. Best known for his association with Louis Armstrong, backing the trumpeter in the early 1930s. Co-wrote Old Man Mose, first recorded by Armstrong, later covered by dozens of artists including Teresa Brewer, Louis Prima, Connie Francis, and Kenny Ball. Randolph has also served as arranger for the likes of Earl Hines, Woody Herman, Fletcher Henderson, and Duke Ellington. From the 1940s onward, Randolph has focused mostly on teaching ~ Randolph was born in 1899
February 2, 1993 ~ Violinist, conductor Alexander Schneider passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Led the the Norddeutscher Rundfunk Orchestra from 1929 to 1932. Of Jewish descent lost his job as a result of the Nazi campaign against Jews, eventually fleeing Germany by the mid 1930s. Member of the Budapest Quartet through 1944. Turned down offers from the Metropolitan Opera, the Pro Arte String Quartet and the Paganini Quartet. Would go on to work with the Schneider Quartet, the New York Quartet, Pablo Casals, the New York String Orchestra, the Brandenburg Ensemble, and Arthur Rubinstein ~ Schneider was born in 1908
February 2, 1991 ~ Singer, keyboardist, songwriter Charlie Puth, full name Charles Otto Puth Jr, born in Rumson, New Jersey, USA ~ First gained attention on Youtube with viral videos leading to mainstream exposure. Released his full-length Nine Track Mind debut album in 2016. Known for hit singles such as Marvin Gaye featuring Meghan Trainor, We Don't Talk Anymore featuring Selena Gomez, and Attention. As a songwriter, producer, remixer or collaborator has also worked with 5 Seconds Of Summer, Wiz Khalifa (See You Again), Gabby Barrett, and Sasha SloanFebruary 2, 1990 ~ Jazz drummer Mel Lewis passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Active since the 1950s. Well known for co-leading the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra with Thad Jones. In-demand sideman, worked with Stan Kenton, Herbie Mann, Pepper Adams, Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan, Sonny Stitt, Bob Brookmeyer, Benny Carter, Kenny Burrell, Manny Albam, Eric Dolphy, and Jimmy Knepper ~ Lewis was born in 1929
February 2, 1989 ~ Joshua Howard Luellen, commonly known as producer, songwriter Southside, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Half of producer, songwriter team 808 Mafia, the other half being Lex Luger. Worked with Waka Flocka Flame, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Rick Ross, BoB, Wale, Meek Mill, Lil' Scrappy, Machine Gun Kelly, Pusha T, Young Thug, Wale, Big Sean, Roscoe Dash, Frenchie, Ace Hood, Cash Out, 2 Chainz, Young Scooter, Travis Scott, Zona Mann, G-Eazy, Jeezy, Future, Drake, Schoolboy Q, Lil Durk, Kodak Black, 21 Savage, A$AP Mob, Ty Dolla $ign, and Lil' Uzi Vert
February 2, 1987 ~ Producer, label executive Alfred Lion passed away in San Diego, California, USA ~ Co-founded the Blue Note record label in 1939, recording Albert Ammons and Meade Lux Lewis as their first artists in January 1939. The same year Sidney Bechet's version of Summertime would be the label's first hit. Over the years the label would become a defining force in blues and jazz ~ Lion was born in 1908February 2, 1987 ~ Blues organist, pianist, saxophonist Claude Papesch born in New Plymouth, New Zealand ~ First gained attention working with Johnny Devlin in the late 1950s. Would go on to perform multiple roles in both the New Zealand and Australian music scenes, perhaps most notably briefly as a member of Chain on Mr Time and as co-founding member of Savage Rose
February 2, 1987 ~ Patrick Cairns Hughes, commonly known as jazz double bassist, composer, arranger, music journalist Spike Hughes, passed away in Ringmer, UK ~ Has been cited by some as Britain's first jazz composer. Known for compositions such as Who Is Sylvia, Pictures Unframed and I Scream Too Much. Later on in his career would focus on writing for radio, music journalism and turn to classical music, including writing several operas. As a musician worked with Constant Lambert, William Walton, Hyam Greenbaum, Jack Hylton, Coleman Hawkins, and Red Allen ~ Hughes was born in 1908
February 2, 1982 ~ Singer, songwriter Aimee Allen born in Missoula, Montana, USA ~ Leads the Interrupters. Also collaborated with Sublime with Rome, Tim Armstrong, Billie Joe Armstrong, Linda Perry, Lee Scratch Perry, Jimmy Cliff, Scott & Aimee, the Unwritten Law, Noilse, and DJ Ashba
February 2, 1980 ~ Radric Delantic Davis, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter Gucci Mane, born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Along with TI and Young Jeezy helped pioneer the trap music subgenre. Debuted with the Trap House album in 2005 and has recorded extensively since. Best known for songs such as Spotlight featuring Usher, Get The Bag featuring Migos, and Wake Up In The Sky featuring Bruno Mars & Kodak Black