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 28, 1985 ~ David Garrick, commonly known as hard rock, progressive rock, art rock singer, songwriter David Byron, passed away in Berkshire, UK ~ Known for his operatic voice and flamboyant stage presence. Best known as lead singer of Uriah Heep from 1969 through 1976, present on key albums such as Demons & Wizards, Uriah Heep Live and Sweet Freedom. Released his Take No Prisoners solo debut album in 1975, featuring Heep-bandmates Mick Box, Ken Hensley and Lee Kerslake. Formed the shortly-lived Rough Diamond with Clem Clempson and Geoff Britton, known for their eponymous 1977 Rough Diamond album. ~ Garrick was born in 1947February 28, 1985 ~ Felicia Lily Dobson, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Fefe Dobson, born in Scarborough, Canada ~ Cited John Lennon, Judy Garland, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and NSYNC as main influences. Debuted in 2003 with the eponymous Fefe Dobson, which spawned the singles Bye Bye Boyfriend and Don't Go (Girls & Boys). Also known for songs such as Ghost, Stuttering, and Can't Breathe, the latter featuring Orianthi
February 28, 1985 ~ Rock, heartland rock, roots rock singer, guitarist Tom Petty releases Don't Come Around Here No More, lead single off his Southern Accents album ~ Petty's Southern Accents was first conceived as a concept album, with Tom Petty working closely with Dave Stewart of Eurythmics. The end result, however, turned out differently but three songs co-written by Stewart did make the cut including Don't Come Around Here No More. The song was initially intended for Stevie Nicks, with whom Stewart had a romantic night before she kicked him out the next morning with the words “don't come around here no more”. Nicks did go into the studio to record the song but after she stormed out, the song was given to Petty. It would become one of his most acclaimed and reached No.13 Billboard Hot 100February 28, 1981 ~ Pop, rock singer, songwriter Maren Ord, full name Maren Whitney Ord, born in Edmonton, Canada ~ First gained attention in the late 1990s performing in the Lilith Fair tour, leading to a record deal. Would release her Waiting debut album in 2001. Best known for songs such as Shining Time, Sarah, and Perfect, the latter used for the Crazy-Beautiful soundtrack
February 28, 1977 ~ Singer, songwriter Jason Aldean born in Macon, Georgia, USA ~ Best known for his 2010 My Kinda Party album. Since debuting in 2005 has regularly reached the higher echelons of the country charts with songs such as Why, Big Green Tractor, Don't You Wanna Stay featuring Kelly Clarkson, Dirt Road Anthem, Take A Little Ride, Burnin' It Down, You Make It Easy, Drowns the Whiskey featuring Miranda Lambert and Got What I Got
February 28, 1976 ~ At the 18th Grammy Awards, Still Crazy After All These Years by singer Paul Simon, wins two Grammy Awards including Album of the Year ~ Released the previous October, Still Crazy After All These Years would be a critical and commercial success. The album won Paul Simon two Grammy Awards, one for Best Male Pop Performance and one for Album of the Year. Highlights of the album include 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover which reached No.1 Billboard Hot 100, My Little Town which also featured former partner Art Garfunkel, and the lead single Gone At Last, the latter a duet with singer Phoebe Snow. The album itself would reach top 10 in the UK, and top the Billboard Hot 200 in Simon's native America
February 28, 1974 ~ Songwriter, singer Bobby Bloom passed away in Hollywood, California, USA ~ One-hit wonder known for Montego Bay, co-written with and produced by Jeff Barry. The song would reach top 10 in Canada, the UK and America. Bloom's follow-up to Montego Bay, the single Heavy Makes You Happy, would fail to make much of an impression but would become a hit for the Staple Singers in 1971. Bloom also co-wrote Mony Mony for Tommy James & the Shondells, Sunshine for the Archies and Do It In The Name Of Love for the Monkees as well as several other tracks of the latter's Changes album ~ Bloom was born in 1946
February 28, 1973 ~ Pablo Rodriguez Lozada, commonly known as singer, bandleader Tito Rodriguez, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Lovingly dubbed “El Involvidable” (The Unforgettable One) by his fans, a moniker based on his most popular song. Sang under the tutelage of his brother, Johnny Rodriguez, before embarking on a solo career. In the 1940s the brothers moved to New York where Tito worked as a percussionist and singer for Eric Madriguerea, and later Xavier Cugat. In the 1950s, to great success Tito directed his own groups, recording mambos, cha-cha-cha, boleros, sones, guaraches and pachangas ~ Rodríguez was born in 1923
February 28, 1970 ~ Novelist, children's author, screenwriter, accordionist Daniel Handler born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Best known as an author, writing adult novels under his own name and children's books under the pseudonym Lemony Snicket. As a musician best known for his association with Stephin Merritt, playing accordion with the Gothic Archies and notably on several tracks of the Magnetic Fields's pivotal 69 Love Songs release. Also worked with the Edith Head Trio and with Tzamboni
February 28, 1969 ~ Singer Elisa Fiorillo born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Won the 1985 talent show Star Search and would subsequently be signed by Chrysalis Records. Featured vocalist on Jellybean's Who Found Who, a top 20 hit across the globe. Released her eponymous Elisa Fiorillo the same year, though to little success. Would go on to sing backup for Prince, including on the soundtracks of Graffiti Bridge and Batman, as well as on Prince's Diamonds And Pearls album. Became an official member of the New Power Generation in 2009 and continued to work with Prince until his death in 2016
February 28, 1963 ~ Cool jazz, hard bop saxophonist, flutist, composer Bobby Jaspar passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Married to singer Blossom Dearie from 1954 to 1957. Leader and sideman. Worked with the Bop Shots, JJ Johnson, Kenny Burrell, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Donald Byrd, René Thomas, Chet Baker, Herbie Mann, George Wallington, Milt Jackson, Hank Jones, and Johnny Rae ~ Jaspar was born in 1926
February 28, 1963 ~ R&B, soul singer Sam Cooke records Another Saturday Night at RCA Studios, Los Angeles, USA ~ Written by Sam Cooke, reportedly while on a UK tour staying in a hotel that allowed no female guests. Produced by Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore. Backing musicians: John Anderson trumpet, Streamline Ewing trombone, Jewell Grant saxophone, Ray Johnson piano, Clifton White and René Hall guitars, Clifford Hills bass. Paired with Love Will Find A Way on the flip side it would be released in April 1963, top the Billboard R&B charts and reach top 10 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100
February 28, 1962 ~ Country singer Patsy Cline records So Wrong at Bradley Film & Recording Studio, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Written by Carl Perkins, Danny Dill and Mel Tillis. Produced by Owen Bradley. Paired with You're Stronger Than Me on the flip side it would be released as a single the following July. During the same session Patsy Cline also recorded the Harlan Howard-penned When I Get Thru With You, released as a single in May 1962
February 28, 1960 ~ Alternative rock, pop rock, electronic singer, songwriter Angela McCluskey born in Glasgow, UK ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of critically acclaimed Los Angeles-based outfit Wild Colonials which also included her husband Paul Cantelon, the folk-tinged band known best for the mid 1990s albums Fruit Of Life and This Can't Be Life. McCluskey has also recorded as a solo artist, specifically acclaimed for her 2004 The Things We Do album, and has notably guested on tracks by the Garden Of Eden, Télépopmusik (Breathe), Deep Forest, Kendrick Lamar (Is It Love), Morgan Page, Delerium, Andy Caldwell, Paul Oakenfold (You Could Be Happy), Parov Stelar, and Big Gigantic. Upon hearing of her death, McCluskey's friend of 25 years Julie Panebianco remarked: “She was a singer's singer. Her versions of Famous Blue Raincoat and My Funny Valentine are the ‘only’ versions. She didn't just cover songs, she stole them” ~ McCluskey passed away in 2024
February 28, 1959 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Jon Dee Graham born in Austin, Texas, USA ~ In 1978, Graham dropped out of college to join the Skunks, replacing original member Eddie Munoz, yet frustrated by having only minimal input in the band's creative direction he departed the band the following year. Stints with blues singer Lou Ann Barton, Five Spot, and the Lift followed until he joined Alejandro Escovedo in the True Believers in 1984. Although the roots-rock outfit quickly became a critics darling and captivated audiences across Texas, they were dropped by their label with their already recorded sophomore album never released. Shortly thereafter, the band disbanded and Graham relocated to Los Angeles to find emply as a sideman for the likes of X frontman John Doe, Michelle Shocked, and Patty Smyth. Following a European tour with blues-rocker Calvin Russell, Graham found his way back to Austin where he accepted a job in construction, disillusioned with the music industry. However, singer Kelly Willis persuaded Graham to return to the stage. Although Graham never became a household name, not outside Texas anyway, in his native Austin he eventually reached legendary status for his membership of two pivotal bands, the Skunks and the True Believers, and for over half a dozen solo albums starting with Escape From Monster Island in 1997, drawing from punk, rock and country, and noted for his distinctive narrative songwriting. Although Graham's stint with the Skunks, considered pioneers of cowpunk, was short, and the True Believers only released the one album, it was his time with the former which gave Graham his punk cred while with the latter Graham developed his skill as a songwriter. As a sideman and collaborator, Graham has appeared on albums by Exene Cervenka, Susan Voelz (13 Ribs), the Silos, Kacy Crowley, the Gourds (Stadium Blitzer), Jim Roll, Toni Price, Jack Ingram, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Eliza Gilkyson, Omar & the Howlers, Robyn Ludwyck, James McMurtry, and Ry Cooder. Graham would be inducted in the Austin Music Hall of Fame thrice, as a solo artist in 2000, as a member of the Skunks in 2008, and finally as a member of roots-rock outfit the True Believers in 2009 ~ Graham passed away in 2026
February 28, 1959 ~ Morris Gittier, commonly known as songwriter, composer, lyricist Mack Gordon, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Stage, film songwriter, lyricist. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song nine times. Won once, namely for You'll Never Know from the 1943 film Hello Frisco Hello, sung by Alice Faye ~ Gittier was born in 1904February 28, 1958 ~ Drummer Alan Sandow born in Adelaide, Australia' ~ Best known as member of Sherbet from 1969 through 1984 and present on some of the band's biggest hits including Cassandra, Slipstream, Summer Love, Life, and perhaps their best known Howzat
February 28, 1957 ~ Cynthia Leigh Wilson, commonly known as new wave, alternative rock, pop rock singer, guitarist Cindy Wilson born in Athens, Georgia, USA ~ Co-founding member of new wave outfit the B52's, which also included her brother the late Ricky Wilson. Cindy was present on all the band's albums except for 1992's Good Stuff, taking a hiatus to focus on her family life. Present on songs such as Rock Lobster, Love Shack and RoamFebruary 28, 1957 ~ Keyboardist, songwriter Ian Stanley, full name Ian Christopher Stanley, born ~ Member of Tears For Fears for most of the 1980s, notably present on the band's Songs From The Big Chair album. Has since gone on to work mostly as a producer, collaborating with artists such as Lloyd Cole & the Commotions, A-ha, the Pretenders, Howard Jones, Republica, Naimee Coleman, Natalie Imbruglia, Human League, Tori Amos, and the Beautiful South
February 28, 1957 ~ Drummer, keyboardist, singer Phil Gould, full name Philip Gabriel Gould, born in Hong Kong ~ Co-founded Level 42 with Mike Lindup, Mark King and his brother Boon Gould, remaining with the band through 1987 and present on the band's best-selling albums World Machine and their breakthrough Running In The Family. Gould would return to sessioning, including on occasion with Level 42, after splitting the band. Notably, previously Gould drummed on Pop Muzik, a Billboard No.1 hit for M
February 28, 1956 ~ Singer, guitarist John Fahey born in Takoma Park, Maryland, USA ~ Influential fingerstyle guitarist. Draws from folk, blues, classical, world music. Would fade in and out of poverty and obscurity during the course of his career but was always held in the highest acclaim by peers and resurge in the late 1990s finding a new audience among the alternative crowd with both new listeners and fellow musicians including Sonic Youth and Cul De Sac ~ Fahey passed away in 2001February 28, 1953 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer John Wicks born in Berkshire, UK ~ As a recording artist best known as lead singer and primary songwriter of Records. Solo artist from 1982 onwards. Produced and wrote, often with lyricist partner Will Birch, for others including the Searchers, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Too Much Joy, and Michael Monroe ~ Wicks passed away in 2018
February 28, 1952 ~ Saxophonist Ed Manion born ~ Tenor and baritone saxophonist perhaps best known for his associations with Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, the Miami Horns, Little Steven, the E Street Band, serving as band member, session saxophonist, touring member. Has also worked with Diana Ross, Gary US Bonds, Willy DeVille, Darlene Love, Debbie Davies, Bon Jovi, Kim Wilson, Graham Parker, and the Robert Cray Band. As a solo artist acclaimed for his instrumental album, Nightlife, released in 2015
February 28, 1952 ~ Musical composer, lyricist William Finn, full name William Alan Finn, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known for a trilogy of short musicals consisting of the parts In Trousers, March Of The Falsettos, and Falsettoland. The latter two would be merged into the 1992 Broadway musical Falsettos which earned Finn Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Original Score. Finn is also known for writing the music and lyrics to the 2004 Broadway musical 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, book by Rachel Sheinkin, which would be nominated for six Tony Awards and won the Awards for Best Book and Best Original Score. Finn was a heavily autobiographical writer, drawing from his personal experience as a gay Jewish man in contemporary America addressing subjects such as family, belonging, sickness, healing, and loss. In a 2006 article, the Washington Post dubbed him “the composer laureate of loss” ~ Finn passed away in 2025February 28, 1951 ~ Jazz singer Roseanna Vitro born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA ~ Leader and sidewoman. Especially acclaimed for her Grammy Award-nominated 2011 album The Music Of Randy Newman, receiving 4½ stars in Down Beat rating. Worked with Arnett Cobb, Oscar Peterson, Tommy Flanagan, Keter Betts, Kenny Wheeler, Kenny Barron, Christian McBride, Elvin Jones, Gary Bartz, Kevin Mahogany, and David Fathead Newman