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 26, 2019 ~ Rock, progressive rock, space rock, gothic rock, post-punk, punk rock drummer Andy Anderson passed away in Chelmsford, UK ~ Best known for his associations with Steve Hillage and the Cure, present on the latter's The Top and Concert albums as well as on the singles The Love Cats and Caterpillar. Briefly played with Hawkwind. Has also worked with the Techno Twins, Mother Gong, the Gun Club, Edwyn Collins, Peter Gabriel, Iggy Pop, Mike Oldfield, Pink Flamingos, and Midge Ure ~ Anderson was born in 1951
February 26, 2008 ~ George Allen Miles Jr, commonly known as drummer Buddy Miles, passed away in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Best known for his association with Jimi Hendrix, playing drums on the tracks Rainy Day Dream Away and Still Raining Still Dreaming of Electric Ladyland, the guitarist's third and final studio album, and on all tracks of Band Of Gypsies, recorded live at Fillmore East, New York, on New Years Day 1970. Miles had previously played with the somewhat overlooked late 1960s rock outfit the Electric Flag, including on their acclaimed A Long Time Comin' album released in 1968. Miles has also formed and fronted the Buddy Miles Express and the Buddy Miles Band, and appeared on albums by the likes of Buffalo Springfield, the Monkees, Steve Cropper, Muddy Waters, John McLaughlin (Devotion), Three Man Army, Gregg Allman (Laid Back), Betty Davis (They Say I'm Different), Funkadelic, Nils Lofgren, Eddie Hazel, and Santana (Viva Santana) ~ Miles was born in 1947
February 26, 2004 ~ Jazz drummer Jack Sperling passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Worked with Bunny Berigan, Henry Mancini, Glenn Miller, Tex Beneke, Les Brown, Bob Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis Jr, Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, the Four Freshmen, Lena Horne, Peggy Lee, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Scatman Crothers, Pete Fountain, Abe Most, Dinah Washington, Teresa Brewer, Harry Belafonte, Chet Atkins, Wynona Carr, James Brown, Carmen McRae, Bob Florence, John Sheridan, and Don Fagerquist ~ Sperling was born in 1922February 26, 2004 ~ Jazz saxophonist Jimmy Coe passed away in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Active since the late 1930s. Has worked with Erroll Groundhog Grandy, Buddy Bryat, Jay McShann, Charlie Parker, Al Hibbler, Tiny Bradshaw, Aretha Franklin, Roy Hamilton, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Slide Hampton, David Baker, Freddie Hubbard, Carl Perkins, Larry Ridley, and Leroy Vinnegar ~ Coe was born in 1921
February 26, 1997 ~ Ben Wingate, commonly known as songwriter, lyricist Ben Raleigh, passed away in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Known for co-writing songs such as Laughing On The Outside (Dinah Shore, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin), Three Handed Woman (Tex Ritter, Louis Prima), Wonderful Wonderful (Johnny Mathis, Bobby Rydell, the Supremes), Tell Laura I Love Her (Ray Peterson, Don Lee Wilson, Sha Na Na), Blue Winter (Connie Francis, Willeke Alberti), Love Is A Hurtin' Thing (Lou Rawls, Big Maybelle, the Temptations), and Midnight Mood (Joe Zawinul, Wes Montgomery, Michael Brecker) ~ Wingate was born in 1913February 26, 1991 ~ Jahméne Aaron Douglas, mononymously known as soul, gospel singer Jahméne, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Runner-up in the 9th series of The X-Factor in 2012, losing out to James Arthur. Would release his Love Never Fails debut album the following year, featuring the Nicole Scherzinger-duet The Greatest Love Of All and Stevie Wonder on harmonica on the track Give Us This Day
February 26, 1991 ~ Bulee Gaillard, commonly known as jazz singer, pianist, guitarist, vibraphonist, saxophonist, songwriter Slim Gaillard passed away in London, UK ~ First gained attention in the 1930s as half of Slim & Slam, the other half being Slam Stewart, known for songs such as Flat Foot Floogie With A Floy Floy and Cement Mixer Put-ti Put-ti. Would go on to work with artists such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Dodo Marmarosa ~ Gaillard was born in 1911
February 26, 1990 ~ R&B singer Cornell Gunter passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Original member of the Platters, leaving the band in 1953 to join the Flairs. Has also toured with Dinah Washington, was a member of the Coasters, and recorded a handful of solo singles in the late 1950s and early 1960s ~ Gunter was born in 1938
February 26, 1989 ~ Trumpeter Reunald Jones Sr passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Father of trumpeter Reunald Jones Jr. Perhaps best known for his association with Count Basie, playing with the Count Basie Orchestra from 1952 through 1957. Has also worked with the Jones Boys, Speed Webb, Charlie Johnson, the Savoy Bearcats, Fess Williams, Chick Webb, Sam Wooding, Claude Hopkins, Willie Bryant, Teddy Hill, Don Redman, Erskine Hawkins, Duke Ellington, Jimmie Lunceford, Lucky Millinder, Sy Oliver, George Shearing, and Nat King Cole ~ Jones was born in 1910
February 26, 1989 ~ Trumpeter Roy Eldridge, full name David Roy Eldridge, passed away in Valley Stream, New York, USA ~ Noted for his sophisticated use of harmony and his virtuosic solos. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the swing era. Has worked with Gene Krupa, Benny Carter, Teddy Wilson, Ike Quebec, Cecil Payne, Wilbur de Paris, Helen Ward, Zoot Sims, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Jo Jones, Big Joe Turner, Harry Sweets Edison, Count Basie, Coleman Hawkins, Johnny Hodges, Illinois Jacquet, Buddy Tate, Lester Young, and Ben Webster ~ Eldridge was born in 1911
February 26, 1986 ~ Rock, pop-rock, indie rock, folk rock, punk rock singer, songwriter Juliet Simms, full name Juliet Nicole Simms, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Fronted pop punk outfit the Automatic Loveletter, which also included her brother drummer Tommy Simms, known best for their 2010 Truth Or Dare album. As a solo artist known for reaching 2nd place in the 2012 season of The Voice aired on NBC. Has since released a number of EPs and singles. Rebranded herself, choosing the stage name Lilith Czar in 2021. Married the Black Veil Brides frontman Andy Biersack in 2016
February 26, 1986 ~ Jazz violinist Scott Tixier born in Montreuil, France ~ Has worked with Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Roger Waters, Kenny Barron, John Legend, Chris Potter, Christina Aguilera, Common, Anthony Braxton, Joss Stone, Gladys Knight, Natalie Cole, Wayne Brady, Chris Walden, Greg Phillinganes, Ray Chew, the Isley Brothers, Cory Smythe, Maceo Parker, Janet Cardiff, Siegfried Kessler, Tony Middleton, Lonnie Plaxico, Myron Walden, Clifford Adams, Helen Sung, Brice Wassey, Gerald Cleaver, Lew Soloff, Yvonnick Prene, Tigran Hamasyan, James Weldman, Marcus McLauren, Giada Valenti, Tommy Simms, Hans Zimmer, Keiichi Murata, Darius Scheider, Shareef Clayton, Keyon Harrold, and Brian Tyler
February 26, 1984 ~ Pop-rock, folk singer, songwriter Natalia Lafourcade, full name Maria Natalia Lafourcade Silva, born in Mexico City, Mexico ~ Daughter of harpsichordist, organist, pianist Gaston Lafourcade and pianist Maria del Carmen Silva Contreras. Member of short-lived pop group Twist during the late 1990s. Released her eponymous Natalia Lafourcade debut album in 2002 and has gone on to become oe of the most successful singer in Latin America, categorized as a lyric soprano. Well known songs include En El 2000, Hasta La Raiz, Tu Si Sabees Quererme, Danza De Gardenias, and En CantosFebruary 26, 1982 ~ Guitarist Gábor Szabó, full name Gábor István Szabó, passed away in Budapest, Hungary ~ Leader and sideman. Drew from jazz, pop, rock and tradional Hungarian folk. Wrote and first recorded Gypsy Queen, which was notably covered by Santana. Worked with Chico Hamilton, Gary McFarland, Ron Carter, Paul Desmond, Coke Escovedo, and Charles Lloyd ~ Szabó was born in 1936
February 26, 1982 ~ Indie pop, baroque pop singer, songwriter Nate Ruess born in Iowa City, Iowa, USA ~ Member of Format, enjoying local success from 2000 forward, known for the albums Interventions & Lullabies and Dog Problems. Dropped by their label the band would disband in 2008. Subsequently formed .fun, propelling Ruess to fame on the strength of the band's Some Nights sophomore album released in 2012, which would sell three million copies and contain the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits We Are Young featuring Janelle Monáe and Some Nights
February 26, 1981 ~ Art rock, experimental, folk, ambient singer, guitarist, keyboardist, violinist Daniel Patrick Quinn born in Ipswich, UK ~ Over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting in the early 2000s. Founded the short-lived Suilven Recordings label, releasing his own works and that of ambient composers such as DAC Crowell and Kurt Doles. Founded One More Grain, best known for their critically acclaimed Isle Of Grain sophomore album released in 2008. Also notably worked with Gyratory SystemFebruary 26, 1981 ~ Conductor Howard Hanson, full name Howard Harold Hanson, passed away in Rochester, New York, USA ~ Composed for opera, orchestral and choral works and chamber music. Best known as a director of Eastman School Of Music for four decades. As a composer known for California Forest Play, Before The Dawn and the Pullitzer Prize-winning Symphony No.4 ~ Hanson was born in 1896
February 26, 1981 ~ Singer, actress Sharon van Etten, full name Sharon Katharine van Ette, born in Belleville, New Jersey, USA ~ Debuted with the album Because I Was In Love in 2009. Has worked with Dave Hartley, Andy Laplant, Cat Martino, Meg Baird, Brian Christinzio, Bryan Devendorf, Bryce Dessner, Julianna Barwick, Peter Silberman, Logan Coals, Ben Lanz, Zach Condon, Jenn Wasner, Heather Woods Broderick, Little Isidor, Jonathan Meiburg, and Jana Hunter
February 26, 1978 ~ Swing saxophonist, clarinetist, bandleader Alix Combelle passed away in Mantes la Jolie, France ~ Son of classical saxophonist François Combelle. Started on drums before taking up wind instruments. Though somewhat overlooked, especially in comparison to contemporaries such as Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli, Combelle nevertheless was a vital figure in the development of European jazz through the 1940s. Combelle has accompanied French musicians such as Guy Paquinet, Philippe Brun, André Ekyan, Jean Sablon, and Charles Trenet, as well as visiting Americans such as Bill Coleman, Buck Clayton, Lionel Hampton, and Jonah Jones. When visiting America, Tommy Dorsey was so impressed with Combelle he offered him a position, yet he opted to return to his native France instead. Combelle continued to lead a series of bands through World War II, camouflaging the titles of jazz standards to evade a ban by the Nazis, who deemed the music inappropriate. Combelle performed throughout the 1950s, before opening a jazz nightclub in a Paris suburb ~ Combelle was born in 1912
February 26, 1977 ~ Booker T Washington White, commonly known as blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Bukka White, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Known for songs such as Shake 'Em On Down, Po' Boy, Parchman Farm Blues and Fixin' To Die. Had his songs covered by Jeff Buckley, Bob Dylan, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. The Led Zeppelin songs Hats Off To Roy Harper and Custard Pie are both based on White's Shake 'Em On Down ~ White was born in 1906February 26, 1973 ~ Twin brothers guitarist Anders Björler and bassist Jonas Fredrik Björler born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Both brothers worked together in metal outfits the Haunted and At The Gates. Anders also worked with Liers In Wait, Jonas also worked with Demolition, Infestation and with Terror
February 26, 1973 ~ André Tanneberger, commonly known as trance DJ, producer ATB, born in Freiburg, West Germany ~ Actively recording since 1990s. First gained attention as a member of early, mid 1990s dance music group Sequential One, enjoying popularity in his native Germany and Europe with songs such as Let Me Hear You, Dance and Angles. After the band disbanded in the late 1990s ventured into a solo career as producer, DJ, remixer and has recorded consistently with well over half a dozen albums to his name. Perhaps best known for his 1998 single 9PM (Til I Come) which would reach top of the UK charts
February 26, 1973 ~ Singer Julio Iglesias Jr, full name Julio José Iglesias Preysler Jr, born in Madrid, Spain ~ Son of renowned singer Julio Iglesias, older brother of singer Enrique Iglesias. Turned down offers for the soap opera All My Children and a leading role in a Broadway production of Grease to focus on his own music career. Debuted in 1999 with the album Under My Eyes which would fail to achieve chart success in America but did land him dates performing One More Chance at the 1999 Miss Universe beauty contest and opening slots on Cher's tour. Would first gain serious attention as a singer winning the CMT reality show Gone Country in 2008, featuring musicians from other genres going country. Would join Latin Lovers in 2014February 26, 1972 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock drummer Jonny Quinn, full name Jonathan Graham Quinn, born in Bangor, Northern Ireland ~ Best known as drummer for alternative rock band Snow Patrol, rising to prominence in the mid 2000s scoring UK top 10 hits with Run, You're All I Have and Chasing Cars, the latter also reaching top 10 on the American Billboard Hot 100. Has previously played with the Mighty Fall, the New Brontes and Disraeli Gears
February 26, 1972 ~ Producer, songwriter Rico Wade, full name Rico Renard Wade, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Helped define the Atlanta sound. Co-founding member of pioneering production and songwriting team Organized Noize, with whom he worked on hit songs such as Waterfalls by TLC, Don't Let Go (Love) by En Vogue, and Saturday (Oooh Ooooh) by Ludacris, the former two both reaching top 10 Billboard Hot 100. The production team is especially known for their work with fellow Atlanta natives OutKast, producing some of their best known including the acclaimed albums Aquemini and Stankonia ~ Wade passed away in 2024