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 25, 1964 ~ British pop, rock group the Beatles record You Can't Do That at EMI Studios, London, UK ~ Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Produced by George Martin. Regarded by pop historians as one of Lennon's semi-autobiographical songs, the “jealousy” theme later revisited in Run For Your Life and as a solo artist in Jealous Guy. Released the following month as the B-side to Can't Buy Me Love
February 25, 1964 ~ Lyricist, songwriter Johnny Burke, full name John Francis Burke, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Songwriting partner of Harold Spina, Arthur Johnston, James Monaco, Jimmy van Heusen. Known for songs such as Swinging On A Star (Bing Crosby, June Christy, Frank Sinatra), Pennies From Heaven (Eddy Duchin, Jimmy Dorsey, Dinah Washington), Annie Doesn't Live Here Anymore (Guy Lombardo, Lew Stone, Eartha Kitt), Here's That Rainy Day (Dolores Gray), Peggy Lee, OC Smith), and Polka Dots And Moonbeams (Tommy Dorsey, Mel Tormé, Betty Roché) ~ Burke was born in 1908February 25, 1962 ~ Jazz, electronica percussionist, singer Snorre Bjerck, full name Snorre Bjartmann Bjerck, born in Florø, Norway ~ Member of Batagraf and of sami band Transjoik. Has also worked with Morton Harker, Sissel Kyrkjebø, Mari Boine, Nils Petter Molvær, Bjørn Eidsvåg, Sigvart Dagsland, Frode Alnæs, Eivind Sarset, Arve Henriksen, Nils-Olav Johansen, Tim Whelan, Trans-Global Underground, and Karoline Krüger
February 25, 1960 ~ Bassist, producer Mark Smith, full name Mark Alexander Smith, born ~ One-time bassist of mid-1980s synth-rockers Boys Don't Cry. Member of the Adam Phillips Band. Fronted the Futility Orchestra. In-demand session musician and producer, worked with a host of artists including the Waterboys, Leo Sayer, Gonzales, Percy Sledge, Terry Reid, Alvin Stardust, Chris Farlowe, Patricia Kaas, Bryan Ferry, Chris Spedding, Tony O'Malley, Barbara Dickson, Shania Twain, Zoot Sims, Neneh Cherry, Lionel Richie, Ronan Keating, Malcolm McLaren, Charlotte Church, Van Morrison, and George Michael ~ Smith passed away in 2009
February 25, 1959 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Mike Peters, full name Michael Leslie Peters, born in Prestatyn, UK ~ Lead singer of new wave band the Alarm, co-founded with guitarist Dave Sharp. The band recorded about half a dozen albums through the early 1990s, merging folk-punk with soaring rock, and is especially acclaimed for their 1985 Strength sophomore album. Well known songs include 68 Guns, Where Were You Hiding When The Storm Broke, Rain In The Summertime, and Sold Me Down The River. After the band's disbandement in 1991 Peters has recorded as a solo artist starting with the album Breathe in 1995, formed Coloursound, worked with supergroup Dead Men Walking, and toured with Big Country ~ Peters passed away in 2025February 25, 1958 ~ Singer, actor Kevon Edmonds born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Brother of producer, singer, songwriter Kenneth Babyface Edmonds. Member of R&B group After 7, known for early 1990s hits with Ready Or Not, Can't Stop, Nights Like This and Kickin' It. Edmonds would debut as a solo artist with the album 24/7, which spawned the hits 24/7 and No Love (I'm Not Used To)
February 25, 1957 ~ Jazz drummer, producer Aage Tanggaard born in Denmark ~ Worked with Radiojazzgruppen, Ernie Wilkins, the NDR Big Band, Stan Getz, Roland Hanna, Michal Urbaniak, Horace Parlan, Duke Jordan, Chet Baker, Paul Bley, Lee Konitz, Dexter Gordon, Clark Terry, Doug Raney, Frank Foster, Ernie Wilkins, Svend Asmussen, and Ed Thigpen
February 25, 1954 ~ John Nommensen Duchac, commonly known as singer, guitarist, bassist, songwriter, actor John Doe, born in Decatur, Illinois, USA ~ Draws from rock, punk, country, folk. As a musician perhaps best known for pivotal 1970s Los Angeles punk, punk rock band X. Has also notably worked with the Knitters and the Flesh Eaters. Duchac also ventured into acting with over a dozen credits in film and TV, perhaps most noted for portraying the role of Jeff Parker in the TV series Roswell
February 25, 1950 ~ Singer, drummer, guitarist, pianist, bassist, songwriter Emitt Rhodes, full name Emitt Lynn Rhodes, born in Decatur, Illinois, USA ~ Drummer in Palace Guard. Multi-instrumentalist in the Merry-Go-Round. Critically acclaimed for his 1970 eponymous Emitt Rhodes album. Semi-retired from music in 1973, would no longer perform, would continue to record in the studio but would not release any material. Returned in 2016 with the album Rainbow Ends, featuring contributions from Jason Falkner, Aimee Mann, Jon Brion, Susanna Hoffs, and Nels Cline ~ Rhodes passed away in 2020February 25, 1947 ~ Bassist Doug Yule, full name Douglas Alan Yule, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known for his association with the Velvet Underground, playing with the band from 1968 through 1973. First appeared on the bands 1969 eponymous The Velvet Underground playing bass and organ, taking lead vocals on the track Candy Says. Would go on to work with Velvet-bandmate Lou Reed, and with American Flyer
February 25, 1947 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion guitarist Ryo Kawasaki born in Koenju, Japan ~ Inspired to study jazz after hearing Kenny Burrell's 1963 Midnight Blue album. Kawasaki is one of the first to embrace, and help develop, fusion jazz. Played with various Japanese bands, including as leader, before relocating to New York in the early 1970s. Recorded well over a dozen albums, and is especially acclaimed for Juice, generally considered his masterpiece. An in-demand sideman, Kawasaki has appeared on albums by Gil Evans, Elvin Jones, Masahiko Satoh, Cedar Walton, Ted Curson ('Round About Midnight), Gato Barbieri, Puff Daddy, Miko Kono (Are You Married), and Sam Morrison. Interested in technology since a young age, Kawasaki also helped develop the guitar synthesizer in collaboration with the Roland Corporation and Korg, and wrote music software for computers ~ Kawasaki passed away in 2020
February 25, 1946 ~ Elaine Bookbinder, commonly known as rock, blues-rock, jazz singer Elkie Brooks, born in Salford, UK ~ Sang with Dada and Vinegar Joe before venturing out on her own. Best known for a number of UK hits starting in the late 1970s including Pearl's A Singer, After The Rain, Lilac Wine, Don't Cry Out Loud, Fool If You Think It's Over, and No More The Fool, all of which reached the top 20. Has also worked with Robert Palmer, Humphrey Lyttelton, Wet Willie and Chris Farlowe
February 25, 1946 ~ Progressive rock, Christian rock singer, keyboardist Jan Groth, full name Jan Leonard Groth, born in Sarpsborg, Norway ~ Rose to prominence in the early 1970s as member of progressive rock band Aunt Mary, singing lead and playing keyboards. Would later venture out on his own, focusing on Christian rock. Internationally perhaps best known as member of Just 4 Fun, representing Norway in the 1991 Eurovision Songfestival with the song Mrs Thompson reaching 17th place ~ Groth passed away in 2014February 25, 1946 ~ Jazz, rock drummer, percussionist, singer Tullio de Piscopo born in Naples, Italy ~ Worked with Franco Cerri, Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Stéphane Grappelli, Massimo Urbani, Gil Evans, Slide Hampton, Don Costa, Astor Piazzolla, Aldemaro Romero, Gato Barbieri, Eumir Deodato, Lucio Dalla, Fabrizio de André, Pino Daniele, and Manu Chao
February 25, 1945 ~ Singer Claude Lombard born in Brussels, Belgium ~ Internationally best known for representing her native Belgium in the 1968 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching joint 7th place with Quand Tu Reviendras. Lombard would relocate to France in the 1970s, finding succes as a voice actress for TV and film including Beauty & The Beast and The Prince Of Egypt ~ Lombard passed away in 2021
February 25, 1945 ~ Hubert Lœnhard, commonly known as singer Herbert Léonard, born in Strasbourg, France ~ Broke through in the late 1960s with Quelque Chose Tient Mon Cœur, a French-language version of Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart penned by Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway best known as recorded by Gene Pitney. Has since recorded about two dozen albums well into the 2000s, establishing himself as one of France's most endearing crooners ~ Léonard passed away in 2025
February 25, 1943 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter George Harrison born in Liverpool, UK ~ Influenced by George Formby, Django Reinhardt, Carl Perkins, Chet Atkins, Chuck Berry. Rose to fame as member of the Beatles. Especially credited with embracing Indian culture and bringing Indian instruments, such as the sitar, into mainstream pop. Wrote several classic tracks for the band including Taxman, Within You Without You, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Here Comes The Sun, and Something. After the band disbanded recorded as a solo artist. Best known for his 1970 All Things Must Pass triple album, which included My Sweet Lord. Organized the all-star Concert For Bangla Desh in 1971, a precursor to later benefit concerts such as Live Aid. Harrison was also a member of late 1980s supergroup the Traveling Wilburys alongside Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty, with whom he recorded two albums ~ Harrison passed away in 2001
February 25, 1938 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer Ed Cobb, full name Edward Cornelius Cobb, born in South Pasadena, California, USA ~ Member of the Four Preps from 1956 to 1966. Post-Preps Cobb has focused mainly on producing and as such has worked with artists such as the Standells, the Lettermen, the Chocolate Watch Band, the Piltdown Men, Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan, Pink Floyd. Cobb is also noted for writing songs for the Standells (Dirty Water), Brenda Holloway (Every Little Bit Hurts) and Gloria Jones (Tainted Love) ~ Cobb passed away in 1999
February 25, 1937 ~ Pop, rock, jazz keyboardist Don Randi born in New York, New York, USA ~ Classically trained. Over a dozen albums as a leader, best known for leading a trio which included bassist Leroy Vinnegar and drummer Mel Lewis. In-demand session keyboardist from the 1960s onwards, including arranging for producer Phil Spector. Played piano on songs such as Nancy Sinatra's These Boots Are Made For Walkin', the Beach Boys' Good Vibrations and God Only Knows, and Buffalo Springfield's Broken Arrow. Present on albums by the Righteous Brothers, the Stone Poneys, Love, Tim Buckley, Elvis Presley (Elvis '68 Comeback Special), David Axelrod, Tommy Roe, Townes Van Zandt, James Brown, Bette Midler (Broken Blossom), and Neil DiamondFebruary 25, 1932 ~ Bebop jazz trombonist Ake Persson born in Hässleholm, Sweden ~ Played with artists such as Simon Brehm, Arne Domnérus, Hacke Björksten, Harry Arnold, Quincy Jones, Lars Gullin, the Rias Berlin Band, Kenny Clarke, George Wallington, Roy Haynes, Benny Bailey, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Dizzy Gillespie ~ Persson passed away in 1975
February 25, 1932 ~ Composer Augusto Polo Campos born in Ayacucho, Peru ~ Self-taught composer. Does not play any instrument. Known among others for his composition Lucha Reyes, an international hit for Lucha Reyes, later also covered by Madre Matilda ~ Campos passed away in 2018
February 25, 1931 ~ Music manager, label executive Clarence Avant, full name Clarence Alexander Avant, born in Climax, North Carolina, USA ~ Dubbed “the Black Godfather” for his influence on music. Served as manager for artists such as Little Willie John, Sarah Vaughan, Luiz Bonfá, Freddie Hubbard, Jimmy Smith, and film composer Lalo Schifrin. Founded Sussex Records, for whom he signed artists such as Bill Withers, Dennis Coffey, and Gallery. Founded Avant Garde Broadcasting, known for operating the first African-American owned FM radio station KAGB-FM airing from Inglewood, California ~ Avant passed away in 2023
February 25, 1931 ~ Joseph Koo Kar-fai, commonly known as composer, songwriter Joseph Koo, born in Guangzhou, China ~ One of the most respected composers to come out of Hong Kong. Helped define Cantopop. Music director for the TV network TVB for about two decades starting in the early 1970s until migrating to Canada. Has written well over 1,000 songs, film and TV themes, notably the theme songs for series such as The Legend Of The Condor Heroes and Five Easy Pieces and the soundtrack to the 1986 film A Better Tomorrow ~ Koo passed away in 2023February 25, 1928 ~ Albert Goldstein, commonly known as jazz saxophonist Al Gay born in UK ~ Worked with the Jive Bombers, Freddy Randall, Bob Wallis, Alex Welsh, Dick Morrisey, Stan Robinson, Paul Carroll, Ian Carr, Kenny Wheeler, Greg Brown, the World's Greatest Jazz Band, Digby Fairweather, Laurie Chescoe, Ron Russell, and the Pizza Express All-Stars ~ Goldstein passed away in 2013
February 25, 1927 ~ Banjo player, singer Ralph Stanley born in McClure, Virginia, USA ~ Member of iconic bluegrass band the Stanley Brothers. Also formed the Clinch Mountain Boys which at times included sidemen such as Curly Ray Cline, Melvin Goin, Larry Sparks, Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, Charlie Sizemore, Ron Thomason, James Alan Shelton, Sammy Adkins, Ernie Thacker, Jimmy Cameron, Ralph Stanley II, Mitchell van Dyke, Jimmie Vaughn, and Alex Hibbits ~ Stanley passed away in 2016