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, 1979 ~ Avant-garde jazz, experimental, soul, funk bassist, producer, label executive Michael Janisch born in Red Wing, Minnesota, USA ~ Worked with the Transatlantic Collective, Kristjan Randalu, John Escreet, Dan Tepfer, Jason Rebello, Quentin Collins, Jay Phelps, Ambrose Akinmusire, Avishai Cohen, Colin Stranahan, Paul Wiltgen, Walter Smith III, Patrick Cornelius, Jonathan Blake, Aaron Goldberg, Phil Robson, Mike Moreno, Lee Konitz, Jeff Williams, Joe Lovano, Dianne Reeves, Seamus Blake, George Garzone, Aaron Parks, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Mark Turner, Kenny Wheeler, Quincy Jones, Evan Parker, Gary Husband, Shirley Horn, Gary Burton, Ingrid Jensen, Wynton Marsalis, Kurt Elling, and Roy Hargrove
February 2, 1979 ~ John Simon Ritchie, commonly known as bassist, singer Sid Vicious, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Despite an early death at age 21 remains an icon of punk subculture, serving as bassist for short-lived yet pivotal punk band the Sex Pistols known for their sole Never Mind The Bollocks (Here's The Sex Pistols) album released in 1977. Prior to his tenure with the Pistols Ritchie has worked with the Flowers Of Romance which also included Keith Levene and Viv Albertine ~ Ritchie was born in 1957
February 2, 1977 ~ Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoli, mononymously known as pop, rock, Latin pop singer, guitarist, percussionist, keyboardist, songwriter Shakira, born in Baranquilla, Columbia ~ Made her recording debut at age 13. Has sold over 75 million records, making her one of all-time best-selling international artists and by far the best-selling female Latin artist. Broke the English-language market with her fifth album, 2001's Laundry Service spawning the global hits Whenever Wherever and Underneath Your Clothes. Has since continued to grace the higher echelons of charts world-wide with both English and Spanish-language records. Well known songs include Hips Don't Lie featuring Wyclef Jean, Beautiful Liar featuring Beyoncé, Loca and ChantajeFebruary 2, 1976 ~ Kiam Akasi Holley, commonly known as rapper Capone, born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Best known as half of 1990s hip-duo Capone 'n Noreaga, the other other half being rapper NORE, best known for their 1997 single Closer featuring Nneka which reached the top 10 of the American rap charts. As a duo they have collaborated with Havoc, Mobb Deep, Faith Evans, Foxxy Brown, and Clinton Sparks
February 2, 1975 ~ Colin Craig Hatchman, commonly known as rock drummer Col Hatchman, born in Brisbane, Australia ~ Broke the Guinness Book Of World Records as “Loudest drummer in the World” in 2006, the sound measuring at 137.2 dBA. Member of Little Hornet during the 1990s. Drummer and lead singer of Blue Australia. Member of the Screaming Jets from 2001, replacing Craig Rosevaer, through 2004. Subsequently joined the Dirty Skanks.
February 2, 1970 ~ Violinist, singer, songwriter, actress Anne Harris born in Yellow Springs, Ohio, USA ~ About half a dozen albums to her name starting with the eponymous Anne Harris album released in 2001. Draws from a wide array of genres including folk-rock, soul, chamber music and traditional Celtic music. Has collaborated with Otis Taylor, Cathy Richardson, and Jefferson Starship
February 2, 1968 ~ Vocal duo Simon & Garfunkel record a full version of Mrs Robinson, fragments of the song previously used in the 1967 film The Graduate ~ Written by Paul Simon. Produced by the duo and Roy Halee. Writing of the song was begun before the 1967 film The Graduate, which prominently featured fragments of what was then a work in progress. The duo's final 1968 version would be released as a single, featuring Old Friends (Bookends) on the B-side, in April 1968 and became the duo's second Billboard Hot 100 charttopper. The song would also be included on the duo's fourth studio album BookendsFebruary 2, 1968 ~ Conductor, musical director Tullio Serafin passed away in Rome, Italy ~ Leading opera conductor known for reviving many 19th century bel canto operas by Vincenzo Bellini, Gioachino Rossini, and Gaetano Donizetti. Closely associated with La Scala, the Teatro Colón, and the Metropolitan Opera. Incremental to the careers of Rosa Ponselle, Magda Olivero, Joan Sutherland, Renata Tebaldi, and most notably Maria Callas ~ Serafin was born in 1878
February 2, 1966 ~ Jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist Greg Gisbert, full name Gregory Lyle Gisbert, born in Mobile, Alabama, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Convergence, Buddy Rich, Frank Tiberi, John Fedchock, Gary Burton, Lew Anderson, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Frank Wess, Clark Terry, Mickey Tucker, Buck Clayton, Danny D'Imperio, Norman Simmons, John Hicks, Joe Roccisano, Chuck Bergeron, Loren Schoenberg, Ken Peplowski, Carol Sloane, and Susannah McCorkle
February 2, 1966 ~ Bassist, keyboardist, singer Robert DeLeo, full name Robert Emile DeLeo, born in Montclair, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known as bassist for the Stone Temple Pilots, which also includes his brother guitarist Dean DeLeo. The band is known for songs such as Vasoline, Interstate Love Song, Big Bang Baby, and Between The Lines. Has also worked with Talk Show, Army Of Anyone, the Deleo Brothers, Kings Of Chaos, and with supergroup the Hollywood Vampires
February 2, 1963 ~ Singer, guitarist Eva Cassidy, full name Eva Marie Cassidy, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Debuted in 1992 with the album The Other Side, a duet album with the Godfather of Go-Go Chuck Brown. Rose to fame after her death, notably through the compilation album Songbird, gaining critical acclaim and fans such as Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney ~ Cassidy passed away in 1996
February 2, 1962 ~ R&B singer Benny Spellman records Lipstick Traces On A Cigarette ~ Written and produced by Allen Toussaint. Benny Spellman's only hit record. Backing vocals provided by Irma Thomas and Willie Harper. Covered by the O'Jays, the American Breed, Ringo Starr, Snooks Eaglin, and Delbert McClinton. The single's flip side, Fortune Teller, was also written by Toussant
February 2, 1959 ~ Osvaldo Lenine Macedo Pimentel, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Lenine, born in Recife, Brazil ~ Actively recording since the early 1980s, first collaborating with Lula Queiroga, then with Marcos Suzano. Rose to national prominence in the 1990s merging rock with elements from frevos and maracatus. Gained international attention with his 2001 Falange Cabal due to a guest appearance by Living Colour. Has also worked with Dionne Warwick, Gilberto Gil, Sérgio Mendes, and Tim Maia
February 2, 1956 ~ Jazz saxophonist, arranger, composer Jean-Marc Padovani born in Villeneuve-les-Avignon, France ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for his Tres Horas De Sol album, released in 1988. Has collaborated with the likes of André Jaume, Jean-Louis Chautemps, Claude Barthélemy, Louis Sclavis, Michel Godard, Mal Waldron, Enrico Rava, Jean-François Jenny-Clark, and Paul Motian
February 2, 1954 ~ Guitarist, singer Graeme Taylor born in Stockwell, UK ~ Lead guitarist for medieval-influenced rock band Gryphon from 1973 through 1975, present on Gryphon, Midnight Mushrumps, Red Queen To Gryphon Three and Raindance. Has also worked with several leading 1970s folk bands, perhaps most notably the Albion Band
February 2, 1953 ~ Jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger Jean Loup Longnin born in Paris, France ~ Worked with the Jazzerinos, the Dixie Cats, Milt Buckner, Chris Woods, Rhoda Scott, Jef Gilson, Roger Guérin, Eric Le Lann, Michel Legrand, Daniel Huck, Kenny Clarke, Martial Solal, Stéphane Grappelli, Michel Petrucciani, Eddy Louiss, Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, Randy Brecker, Clark Terry, and Stan Getz
February 2, 1949 ~ Singer, songwriter Carmelo La Bionda born in Ramacca, Italy ~ Formed the sibling duo La Bionda, at times also known under the moniker DD Sound, with Michelangelo La Bionda, considered pioneers of the Italo disco genre. First gained attention penning Primo Sole Primo Fiore for Ricchi & Poveri in 1970. Other songs written or co-written by the duo include Neve Blanca Amica Gentile Se Vuoi for Mia Martini, Piccolo Uomo for Bruno Lauzi, and several 1980s songs for Righeira including Vamos A La Playa. As recording artists the brothers rose to fame after turning to disco in the mid- to late 1970s, scoring internationally with the singles Disco Bass and Burning Love. Other well known songs included Sandstorm, One For You One For Me and There For Me ~ La Bionda passed away in 2022February 2, 1949 ~ Bassist Ross Valory, full name Ross Lamont Valory, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Original bassist for Journey from 1973 through 1985 and again from 1995 through 2020. Present on most of the band's best known including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles Who's Crying Now, Don't Stop Believin', Open Arms, and Separate Ways (World's Apart). Valory has also worked with the Steve Miller Band, Todd Rundgren, the Storm, and the VU
February 2, 1948 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Al McKay born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ McKay started playing professionally as guitarist for the Ike & Tina Turner Revue at age 18. He is best known as a long-term member of Earth Wind & Fire and currently leads his own group, Al McKay's LA All-Stars, with several former EWF-members including Johnny Graham and Fred White. Also worked with Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band
February 2, 1945 ~ R&B singer Edna Wright born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Younger sister of singer Darlene Love. Married to producer Greg Perry. Lead singer of Honey Cone, known for their 1971 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Want-Ads. The follow-up singles Stick-up and One Monkey Don't Stop No Show also reached the top 20. Wright has also sung backup for artists such as the Righteous Brothers, Johnny Rivers, Ray Charles, U2, Kim Carnes, Aaron Neville, and Andráe Crouch ~ Wright passed away in 2020
February 2, 1942 ~ Rock, pop rock, folk rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Graham Nash born in Blackpool, UK ~ First gained attention as co-founding member of the Hollies, remaining with the band from 1962 through 1968 and present on UK top 10 hits such as Just One Look, I'm Alive and Bus Stop, the latter also reaching top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Alongside David Crosby, Stephen Stills and sometimes Neil Young formed supergroup Crosby Stills Nash & Young, acclaimed for their harmony vocals and pivotal 1970 Déjà Vu album. Half a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, starting with 1971's Songs For Beginners which includes his perhaps best known solo single Chicago
February 2, 1942 ~ Willie James Ulmer, commonly known as jazz, free funk, blues guitarist, singer James Blood Ulmer born in St Matthews, South Carolina, USA ~ Well over two dozen albums to his name as a leader. Formed the Music Revelation Ensemble, co-led with David Murray. Co-led Phalanx with saxophonist George Adams. In-demand sideman, has worked with Art Blakey, Joe Henderson, Paul Bley, Rashied Ali, Ornette Coleman, Hank Marr, John Patton, the Roots, the World Saxophone Quartet, and Ry Cooder
February 2, 1940 ~ Guitarist, producer Alan Caddy born in London, UK ~ Original member, lead guitarist of Johnny Kidd & the Pirates, known for their 1960 UK No.1 hit Shakin' All Over. Co-founding member of the Tornados, which would become the first British act to have a single reach the top of the charts on both sides of the Atlantic with their 1962 single Telstar. As a solo artist Caddy is known for his 1964 Tornado hit before venturing into producing, arranging and working as a session musician ~ Caddy passed away in 2000February 2, 1940 ~ Composer, conductor, violinist Arnold Volpe passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Composed mainly chamber music, including string quartets and mazurkas for violin and orchestra ~ Volpe was born in 1869
February 2, 1938 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Gene MacLellan born in Val D'Or, Canada ~ Member of Little Caesar & the Consuls. Known for songs such as The Call, Thorn In My Shoe, Pages Of Time, Lonesome River, and Shilo Song. As a songwriter had his songs recorded by Anne Murray (Snowbird), Loretta Lynn, Joan Baez, Elvis Presley (Put Your Hand In The Hand), Lynn Anderson, and Bing Crosby ~ MacLellan passed away in 1995