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 22, 1975 ~ Classical violist, composer Lionel Tertis passed away in Wimbledon, UK ~ One of the first viola players to achieve international fame. Premiered works by Arnold Bax, Frank Bridge, Benjamin Dale, and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Formed the Chamber Music Players alongside William Murdoch, Albert Sammons, and Lauri Kennedy ~ Tertis was born in 1876
February 22, 1975 ~ Pop, new wave, synth-pop singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter Sébastien Tellier born in Le Plessus-Blouchard, France ~ Sings in French, English, Italian. Released his solo debut album, L'Incroyable Vérité, in 2001. Composed several soundtracks, notably 2007's Narco. Represented France in the 2008 Eurovision Songfestival with Divine reaching 19th place, the first French entry largely sung in English. Produced and wrote songs for burlesque artist Ditta von Teese. Has collaborated with Mr Oizo, Guy Manuel de Homem-Christo, Jean-Michel Jarre, MGMT, and Christophe
February 22, 1974 ~ James Hillier Blount, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter James Blunt, born in Idworth, UK ~ Rose to fame with his 2004 debut Back To Bedlam album, one of the best-selling albums in UK chart history and spawning hits such as Goodbye My Lover and You're Beautiful. Has recorded to critical acclaim and commercial success since. Also known for later hits such as 2003's 1973 and 2013's Bonfire Heart. Has collaborated with Laura Pausini, Robin Schulz, and Lost FrequenciesFebruary 22, 1973 ~ Alternative metal, alternative rock, post-grunge drummer, keyboardist Scott Phillips, full name Thomas Scott Phillips, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Self-taught drummer. Influenced by Will Calhoun, Matt Cameron, Lars Ulrich, John Bonham, Mike Portnoy, Neil Peart. Co-founded Creed. Co-founded Alter Bridge. Co-founded Projected. Has also worked with Submersed and with supergroup Projected
February 22, 1971 ~ Jazz alto saxophonist Derek Humble passed away ~ Worked with Kathy Stobart, Vic Lewis, Jack Parnell, Ronnie Scott, Tony Crombie, Victor Feldman, Arnold Ross, Kenny Graham, Jimmy Deuchar, Oscar Rabin, Kurt Edelhagen, Heinz Kretschmar, Dusko Gojkovic, Kenny Clarke, Francy Boland, Gordon Beck, and Phil Seamen ~ Humble was born ca.1930February 22, 1970 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Laurent Coq born in Marseille, France ~ Leader active since the late 1990s. Worked with Jean Christophe Beney, Jules Bikoko Bi Njami, Danie Garcia Bruno, Philippe Soirat, Dave El Malek, Olivier Zanot, Reuben Rogers, Otis Brown III, Damion Reid, Miguel Zenón, Dana Leong, Dan Weiss, Sam Sadigursky, Christine Correa, and Ralph Lavital
February 22, 1969 ~ Progressive rock, progressive metal, jazz fusion, folk rock keyboardist Joakim Svalberg born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Joined progressive metal band Opeth in 2011, first appearing on the 2014 Pale Communion album. Has also worked with Qoph, Yngwie Malmsteen's backing unit Rising Force, and elGamo
February 22, 1969 ~ Jazz keyboardist, pianist Stale Storløkken born in Dombas, Norway ~ Co-founded Veslefrekk with Arve Henriksen and Jarle Vespestad, later renamed to Supersilent. One third of BOL, alongside his wife Tone Ase and Tor Haugerud. Also played with Gunnar Andreas Berg, Eldbjørg Raknes, Audun Kleive, Thomas Stronen, Elephant9, Terje Rypdal, and Christian Wallumrød
February 22, 1967 ~ Jazz bassist, guitarist Audun Erlien born in Oslo, Norway ~ Worked with Knut Reiersrud, Bendik Hofseth, Jonas Fjeld, Rick Danko, Eric Andersen, David Lindley, Henry Kaiser, Deeyah Khan, Vidar Busk, Anja Garbarek, Silje Nergaard, Alex Rosen, Ciwan Haco, Earl Wilson, Grethe Svensen, Øystein Sevåg, Carsten Loly, Ole Paus, Karl Seglem, Patrik Shaw Iversen, Anita Skorgan, SIri Christensen, Jacob Young, May Britt Haug, Knut Halmrast, Lakki Patey, Kristin Skaare, Jan Eggum, Lars Lillo Stenberg, Frode Alnæs, Nils Petter Molvær, Dhafer Youssef, Eivind Sarset, Jarle Bernhoft, Mathias Eick, and Lisa BonnerFebruary 22, 1965 ~ Michael McCarthy, commonly known as producer, engineer Mike McCarthy, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Closely associated with Spoon, producing and mixing several of the band's albums including the acclaimed 2005 Gimme Fiction album. Other credits include work on albums by Holly Dunn, Doug Stone, KT Oslin, Waylon Jennings (The Eagle), Mark Chesnutt, Lee Ann Womack (Something Worth Leaving Behind), and Patty Griffin
February 22, 1964 ~ Pop-punk, rock drummer, bassist, singer Atsuko Yamano born in Osaka Prefecture, Japan ~ Co-founded all-female alternative rock, underground garage rock band Shonen Knife in 1981 with her sister Naoko Yamano and their friend Michie Nakatani. The band would be heavily influenced by 1960s girl groups, the Beach Boys, and early punk rock acts such as the Ramones. The band would gather a cult following, enjoy international success and be admired by the likes of renowned BBC-radio DJ John Peel, Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore and perhaps most notably Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain
February 22, 1964 ~ Electronica, drum and bass, house, trance, trip hop, soul, funk singer Diane Charlemagne born in Manchester, UK ~ Lead singer for funk outfit 52nd Street, taking over for Beverley McDonald in 1984, and present on perhaps the band's best known Tell Me How It Feels. Lead singer for the Urban Cookie Collective, known for the 1990s hits The Key The Secret and Feels Like Heaven. Guest vocalist on Goldie's Inner City Life. Frequently backed Moby on tours. Charlemagne has also worked with Satoshi Tomiie, Calibre, Scape, Netsky, and the Memory Notes ~ Charlemagne passed away in 2015February 22, 1961 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Akira Takasaki born in Osaka, Japan ~ Rose to prominence in the 1970s as co-founding member of Lazy, named after the Deep Purple-song of the same name. After the band disbanded in 1981 Takasaki would go on to play lead guitar with Loudness, the first Japanese heavy metal act to be signed to a major label. Takasaki would record well over two dozen albums with the band, earning international acclaim
February 22, 1961 ~ Composer, pianist, conductor Lowell Liebermann born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ First played Carnegie Hall at age 16, performing his Piano Sonata Op.1. Would go on to compose numerous acclaimed works, including symphonies, ballets and opera combining traditionall tonality with adventories harmonies
February 22, 1956 ~ Singers Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly record True Love for the High Society musical romantic comedy film ~ Written by Cole Porter. Produced by Johnny Green. Recorded for inclusion in the film High Society. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Paired with Crosby's Well Did You Evah on the flip side, the Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly duet reached top 10 on the pop charts both in the UK and America. Over the years, True Love would be covered by over 300 artists including Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, Patsy Cline, the Everly Brothers, George Harrison, and Kiki Dee & Elton JohnFebruary 22, 1953 ~ Punk rock, post-punk bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer Graham Lewis born in Grantham, UK ~ Co-founding member of Wire, acclaimed for their 1977 Pink Flag debut album. The album would be considered pivotal to the development of art punk and post-punk. Has also worked with Dome, Duet Emmo, Cupol, Where Everything Falls Out, He Said Omala, Halo, and FITTED
February 22, 1950 ~ Neil Andrew Megson, commonly known as bassist, singer Genesis P Orridge, born in Manchester, UK ~ Singer, multi-instrumentalist, poet, performance artist, occultist. Identifies as third gender with the preferred pronouns “s/he” and “h/er”. Iconic within avant-garde art scene. Often referred to as “Godparent of Industrial Music”. Founded Coum Transmissions artist collective in 1969. Best known for fronting Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV. Also worked with Thee Majesty, Splinter Test, and Pigface ~ Megson passed away in 2020February 22, 1948 ~ Jazz drummer, composer Joe LaBarbera born in Mount Morris, New York, USA ~ Brother of saxophonist Pat LaBarbera and trumpeter John LaBarbera and appears on recordings with both. Joe is best known for his association with pianist Bill Evans. Has also worked, both as leader and sideman, with artists such as Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Bill Cunliffe, Chuck Mangione, Bud Shank, Kim Richmond, and Terry Trotter
February 22, 1948 ~ Teolinda Joaquina de Sousa Lanca, commonly known as folk, fado, pop singer Linda de Suza, born in Beringal, Portugal ~ Best known for Tiroli Tirola, a top 10 hit in France in 1980. Sings in Portuguese and French, the language of her adopted homeland since the 1970s. Dubbed “the Amália of France” after fado singer and influence Amália Rodrigues, to whom she paid tribute in her song Amália. Recorded over a dozen albums since the late 1970s. Especially acclaimed for her A L'Olympia live album, released in 1983 ~ De Sousa passed away in 2022
February 22, 1947 ~ Jazz, smooth jazz, pop rock, R&B drummer Harvey Mason Sr, full name Harvey Williams Mason Sr, born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA ~ Over half a dozen albums as a leader, starting with Marching In The Street released in 1976. Best known as a versatile touring and session drummer closely associated with Erroll Garner, George Shearing, Herbie Hancock, and Freddie Hubbard. Has also appeared on albums by the likes of Phil Upchurch (Darkness Darkness), Carole King, Seals & Crofts, Charles Earland, Gene Harris, James Brown, Grover Washington Jr (Mr Magic), Donald Byrd, Patrice Rushen, Quincy Jones, George Benson, Phoebe Snow (It Looks Like Snow), the Brothers Johnson (Look Out For No.1), Seawind, Earth Wind & Fire, Sadao Watanabe, Aretha Franklin, Thijs van Leer, Chick Corea, Henry Mancini, Minnie Riperton (Minnie), Eric Gale, and Gil Scott-HeronFebruary 22, 1944 ~ Cornetist, trumpeter Mark Charig born in London, UK ~ Leader and sideman, session musician, collaborator, especially in-demand during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Notably present on several King Crimson tracks including Islands, Lizard and Fallen Angel. Has also worked with Long John Baldry, Bluesology, Soft Machine, Keith Tippett, Centipede, Red Brass, the London Jazz Composers Orchestra, Brotherhood Of Breath, Mike Osborne, and Maarten Altena
February 22, 1944 ~ Rock & roll guitarist Mick Green, full name Michael Robert Green, born in Matlock, UK ~ Active since the late 1950s. Influenced the Who's Pete Townshend and Dr Feelgood's Wilko Johnson. Played with Johnny Kidd & the Pirates from 1962 through 1964. Subsequently worked with Billy J Kramer's 1960s outfit the Dakotas. Would go on to play with Shanghai, Bryan Ferry, Van Morrison, Paul McCartney, and Robert Plant ~ Green passed away in 2010
February 22, 1939 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer Abraham Quintanilla, full name Abraham Isaac Quintanilla Jr, born in Corpus Christi, Texas, USA ~ Patriarch of the Quintanilla family, producer and thriving force behind the career of his daughter Selena who would become known as “the Queen of Tejano”. Selena, along with siblings AB Quintanilla and Suzette Quintanilla, sang in the family outfit from a young age. The band would perform at the family's restaurant, weddings, and clubs, yet initially was met with discrimination as they sang in English rather than Spanish. According to Abraham Quintanilla Mexican Americans would reject the group because they sang in English, while white audiences rejected them because they were Mexicans. However, label executive José Behar saw the crossover potential of Selena and signed her to Capitol Records in 1989, for whom she recorded both in English and Spanish. Selena would become one of the most celebrated Mexican-American entertainers of the late 20th century, acknowledged for catapulting the Tejano genre into the mainstream market. Selena scored about a dozen top 10 hits on the Billboard Latin charts until being shot and killed at age 23. Well known songs include Amor Prohibido, Bidi Bidi Bom Bom, No Me Queda Más, and Fotos Y Recuerdos ~ Quintanilla passed away in 2025
February 22, 1937 ~ Singer Bing Crosby and guitarist Lani McIntyre record Sweet Leilani ~ Written by Harry Owens. Previously recorded by Sol Ho'opi'i. Used in the 1937 Waikiki Wedding film, for which it as awarded an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Released the same year as a single, paired with Blue Hawaii, it would become one of the biggest hits of the year. The same day Bing Crosby and Lani McIntyre recorded Blue Hawaii, used as the single's flip side, which would inspire the Elvis Presley film Blue Hawaii and soundtrack album released in 1961February 22, 1932 ~ Gordon Mitchell, commonly known as jazz bassist Whitey Mitchell, born in Hackensack, New Jersey, USA ~ Active since the mid 1950s. Began on clarinet and tuba before settling on bass, the same instrument as his more famous brother Red Mitchell. First gained attention playing with the New York Jazz Ensemble. Would go on to guest on albums by Pete Rugolo, Herbie Mann, Betty Roché (Take The A Train), Candido, Jimmy Raney, Oscar Pettiford, and Buck Clayton ~ Mitchell passed away in 2009