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 5, 1975 ~ Rock drummer Adam Carson, full name Adam Alexander Carson, born in Ukiah, California, USA ~ Best known as member of alternative rock band AFI, co-founded with singer Davey Havok. The band first gained attention with their 2003 Sing The Sorrow album which spawned the singles Girl's Not Grey and Silver And Cold. Their 2006 single Miss Murder, taken of Decemberunderground, would reach top 30 Billboard Hot 100. Carson also drummed with Tiger Army, appearing on the band's 1999 eponymous Tiger Army debut albumFebruary 5, 1975 ~ Bebop jazz trombonist Ake Persson passed away in Stockholm, 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 was born in 1932
February 5, 1975 ~ Gerrit-Jan Mulder, commonly known as pop-rap, hip-hop rapper, songwriter Brainpower, born in Antwerp, Belgium ~ Helpful in establishing Dutch hip-hop, rap, pop-rap in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Known for songs such as Zoete Inval, Wat Een Jinx Is and perhaps his best known Dansplaat. As a songwriter has written for Candy Dulfer, Edsilia Rombley and the youth choir Kinderen Voor KinderenFebruary 5, 1974 ~ Big bandleader, pianist, accordionist, conductor, composer Eric Winstone passed away in Pagham, UK ~ Best known for entertaining the British troups during World War II. Once ordered by a judge to stop playing the piano each day at 6pm in his home in order not to disturb his wife and young daughter. Four months later his wife filed for judicial separation ~ Winstone was born in 1913
February 5, 1973 ~ Pop, R&B bassist Justin Jeffre, full name Justin Paul Jeffre, born in Mt Clemens, Michigan, USA ~ Member of boy band 98°, known for songs such as Invisible Man, Because Of You, The Hardest Thing and perhaps their best known Thank God I Found You, the latter featuring Mariah Carey and Joe. Ran in the 2005 mayoral elections for the city of Cincinnati, but did not win.
February 5, 1969 ~ Robert Barisford Brown, commonly known as new jack swing singer, rapper, songwriter, dancer, actor Bobby Brown, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ New jack swing pioneer. Married to singer Whitney Houston from 1992 to 2007. Member of boy band New Edition. Debuted as a solo artist with his 1986 King Of Stage album and would rise to stardom with the sophomore Don't Be Cruel in 1988. Known for songs such as My Prerogative, Every Little Step, Rock Wit'cha, Humpin' Around and Good EnoughFebruary 5, 1968 ~ Drummer, percussionist Francisco Mela born in Bayamo, Cuba ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Kenny Barron, Gary Bartz, Joanne Brackeen, Jane Bunnett, Regina Carter, Anat Cohen, Paquito d'Rivera, George Garzone, Larry Grenadier, Stefon Harris, Lionel Loueke, Joe Lovano, Jason Moran, John Patitucci, John Scofield, Esperanza Spalding, Mark Turner, McCoy Tyner, Chucho Valdes, and Kenny Werner
February 5, 1968 ~ Charles Luckyth Roberts, commonly known as jazz, ragtime, blues composer, stride pianist Luckey Roberts, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Toured with James Reese Europe during World War I. Along with James P Johnson, helped develop the stride piano style. Had unusually large reach on the keyboard. Noted compositions include Junk Man Rag, Moonlight Cocktail, Pork & Beans, Railroad Blues, and Moonlight Cocktail, the latter a huge hit for Glenn Miller in 1942. Roberts also co-wrote three Broadway musicals, 1923's Go Go and Sharlee, and 1926's My Magnolia. ~ Roberts was born in 1887
February 5, 1966 ~ In its 7th week on the charts, My Love by Petula Clark hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written and produced by Tony Hatch while he was aboard a transatlantic flight, which gave him the idea of love transcending distance. Petula Clark recorded three songs, including My Love, at Western Studios, Los Angeles. The singer initially didn't particularly like the song, so she tried to persuade Warner Bros A&R executive Joe Smith not to choose it for a single. As Clark would later recall: “He's a very small man physically, about the right height for me. I was able to get hold of his lapels, and I said to him, ‘Joe, I don't care which you put out, but just don't put out My Love. And he said: ‘Trust me, baby’.” It would become her second and final Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit. Songwriter Tony Hatch wrote many of Clark's hits, including Downtown, which was her first American charttopper, I Know A Place, and Don't Sleep In The SubwayFebruary 5, 1965 ~ Noise rock, punk blues, garage rock singer, guitarist Jon Spencer, full name Jonathan Spencer, born in Hanover, New Hampshire, USA ~ Best known for fronting the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. Also known for popularizing RL Burnside, who opened for Spencer, sat in with the band and on whose 1996 A Ass Pocket Of Whiskey album most of Spencer's band would back Burnside. Spencer also worked with Pussy Galore, Boss Hog, and Heavy Trash
February 5, 1964 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion guitarist David Gilmore, full name Marvin David Gilmore, born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA ~ Active since the mid-1980s. Member of M-Base Collective. Member of jazz fusion outfit Lost Tribe. Half a dozen albums to his name as a leader, especially acclaimed for his 2001 Ritualism debut album. Has collaborated with the likes of Steve Coleman, Don Byron, Aka Moon, Uri Caine, Wayne Escoffery, Trilok Gurtu, Meshell Ndegeocello, Lonnie Plaxico, Wayne Shorter, Jeff Tain-Watts, and Cassandra Wilson
February 5, 1964 ~ Michael Andrew Kagan, commonly known as bassist Duff McKagan, born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Best known as member of Guns 'n Roses from 1985 through 1997 and rejoining in 2016, present on most of the band's best known including the albums Appetite For Destruction, Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II. McKagan has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with thje 1993 Believe In Me album, and has worked with the Neurotic Outsiders, 10 Minute Warning, Loaded, Velvet Revolver, Alice In Chains, the Hollywood Vampires, Walking Papers, and Jane's AddictionFebruary 5, 1964 ~ Jazz pianist, bandleader Joe Steele, full name Joseph Alexander Ellis Steele, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with the Savoy Bearcats, Henri Saparo, Ward Pinkett, Langston Curl, Bubber Miley, Harry Carney, Wendell Culley, Johnny Hodges, Joe Garland, Jimmy Archey, Charlie Holmes, Manzie Johnson, Pike Davis, and Chick Webb. Also served as an arranger for artists such as Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, Paul Whiteman and for Cab Calloway ~ Steele was born in 1899
February 5, 1963 ~ Country singer Patsy Cline records Always ~ Written by Irving Berlin in 1925 as a wedding gift for his wife whom he married in 1926. Recorded shortly before Patsy Cline's untimely death. Included on the posthumously released 1964 Portrait Of Patsy Cline album
February 5, 1962 ~ Jazz double bassist Doug Watkins passed away near Holbrook, Arizona, USA ~ Known best as accompaniest to hard bop artists such as Donald Byrd and Jackie McLean. Original member of Art Blakey's pivotal unit the Jazz Messengers, notably on the At The Café Bohemia series. Appeared on albums by Hank Mobley, Horace Silver, Gene Ammons (Jammin' With Gene), Sonny Rollins (Saxophone Colossus), Horace Silver, Kenny Burrell, Phil Woods, Lee Morgan (Candy), Herbie Mann, Yusef Lateef (Jazz Mood), Thad Jones, Frank Wess, Art Farmer, Wilbur Harden (Mainstream), Tina Brooks, Benny Golson (Gettin' With It), Big Joe Turner, Coleman Hawkins (In A Mellow Tone), Charles Mingus (Oh Yeah), Red Garland, and Mal Waldron ~ Watkins was born in 1934
February 5, 1961 ~ Jazz drummer, bandleader Clark Tracey born in London, UK ~ Named best drummer in the British Jazz Awards six times. Played piano and vibraphone before switching to drums at age 13. Played in several ensembles with his father Stan Tracey, including Fathers & Sons which also featured father-son duo Johnny Dankworth and Alec Dankworth. Over a dozen albums to his name as a leader, especially acclaimed for his 2001 Stability album. Has worked with sidemen such as Django Bates, Guy Barker, Jamie Talbot, Nigel Hitchcock, Kit Downes, and Zoe Rahman
February 5, 1956 ~ Drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, full name Vincent Peter Colaiuta, born in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Released his sole solo album, the eponymous Vinnie Colaiuta, in 1994. In-demand touring and session drummer active since the late 1960s in a wide variety of genres including jazz, funk, pop, rock, and country. Played extensively with Frank Zappa, including on Joe's Garage Acts I II & III, and extensively with Sting for most of the 1990s. Other notable appearances include albums by Gino Vanelli (Nightwalker), Al Kooper, Juice Newton (Quiet Lies), Joni Mitchell, Michael Sembello (Bossa Nova Hotel), Barbra Streisand, Olivia Newton-John, Billy Joel, Bryan Ferry (Bête Noire), Joyride, Lee Ritenour, Barry Manilow, Brenda Russell, the Rippingtons, Peabo Bryson, Patti Austin (The Real Me), Sadao Watanabe, Paul Young (Other Voices), Everything But The Girl, Nik Kershaw, Toni Childs, Rodney Crowell (Life Is Messy), Leonard Cohen, Duran Duran, Eros Ramazzotti, John Fogerty (Blue Moon Swamp), Céline Dion, SheDaisy, LeAnn Rimes, Steely Dan, and Lee Ann Womack
February 5, 1954 ~ Rock, punk rock, funk rock, drummer, film composer Cliff Martinez born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Early drummer with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, staying with the band from 1983 through 1986 appearing on their first two albums the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Freaky Styley. Also worked with Captain Beefheart, the Dickies, Lydia Lunch, and with the Weirdos. Has later focused on film composing, starting with Sex Lies & Videotape, released in 1989
February 5, 1953 ~ Singer, songwriter Valerie Carter born in Winter Haven, Florida, USA ~ Present as a member of Howdy Moon for their eponymous 1974 album Howdy Moon. Went solo with 1977's Just A Stones Throw Away which featured appearances from Maurice White, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, and Deniece Williams. Carter also wrote or co-wrote sngs such as Cook With Honey (Judy Collins), Deceiver (the Brothers Johnson), Turn It Into Something Good (Earth Wind & Fire). In-demand backup singer appearing on albums by Little Feat, James Taylor (Gorilla, In The Pocket), Jorge Calderon, Hoyt Axton, Nicolette Larson, Christopher Cross, Randy Newman, Eric Carmen, Jimmy Webb, Don Henley (The End Of Innocence), Diana Ross, Aaron Neville, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett (The Road To Ensanada), Freebo, Neil Diamond, and Julie Miller ~ Carter passed away in 2017February 5, 1952 ~ Bassist, producer, songwriter Tsugutoshi Goto born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Touring bassist for the likes of the Sadistic Mika Band, Bread & Butter, and Shiro Kishibe. Would go on to become an in-demand songwriter and producer for Miyuki Nakajima, Shizuka Kudo, and Kenji Sawada. Married to singer, actress Midori Kinouchi from 1983 through 1987
February 5, 1951 ~ Pub rock, rock, blues keyboardist, guitarist, percussionist, accordionist Geraint Watkins, full name Geraint Meurig Vaughan Watkins, born in Abertridwr, UK ~ Member of Willie & the Poor Boys. In-demand session, backing musician, collaborator has worked with Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Dr Feelgood, Rory Gallagher, the Stray Cats, Eric Clapton, Bill Wyman, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney, Roy St John, Shakin' Stevens, and Status Quo. Also released a number of solo recordings, starting with Geraint Watkins & The Dominators in 1979, produced by Andy Fairweather Low
February 5, 1948 ~ Guitarist David Denny born in Berkeley, California, USA ~ Founding member of pivotal 1960s psychedelic rock outfit Frumious Bandersnatch, known best for the underground hit Hearts To Cry. Member of the Steve Miller Band, for whom he wrote the hit single The Stake taken of the 1977 Book Of Dreams album. Member of the Bombay Crawlers. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Diesel Harmonics released in 1991
February 5, 1948 ~ Music manager Walter Herbert, full name Walter James Herbert, born in Berkeley, California, USA ~ Started as roadie for Santana. Best known as manager of Journey, which he put together, through the mid 1990s. Also managed Frumious Bandersnatch, the Steve Miller Band, Roxette, Europe, Mr Big, and Enuff Z'nuff ~ Herbert passed away in 2021February 5, 1947 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Art Lande born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Especially noted for his 1973 collaborative Red Lanta album with saxophonist Jan Garbarek. Also worked with Mark Isham, co-founding Rubisa Patrol in 1976. Other collaborators would include Gary Peacock, Paul McCandless, Christina de Souza, Gebhard Ullmann, and Nguyên Lê
February 5, 1947 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist Chris Biscoe born in London, UK ~ Worked with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Harry Beckett, Ken Hyder, Didier Levallet, Chris McGregor, Andy Sheppard, Graham Collier, Danilo Terenzi, Pete Hurt, Tommy Chase, Pete Saberton, Barry Guy, Dave Holdsworth, Pete Jacobsen, Mike Westbrook, Bright As Fire, George Russell, Liam Noble, and ZhivaroFebruary 5, 1947 ~ Gary Edmund Philippet, commonly known as keyboardist, guitarist, singer Gary Phillips, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Member of the Greg Kihn Band, including on the band's biggest hits The Breakup Song (They Don't Write)and Jeopardy. Has also worked with Freedom Highway, Earth Quake, and with Copperhead alongside John Cipollina ~ Philippet passed away in 2007