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, 1946 ~ Progressive rock violinist Mauro Pagani born in Chiari, Italy ~ Co-founding member of progressive rock outfit Premiata Forneria Marconi, remaining with the band through 1977. The band is known best for their single Impressioni Di Settembre, the first Italian song to use a synthesizer. Following his departure from the band Pagani has recorded as a solo artist, starting with the eponymous Mauro Pagani album released in 1978, and collaborated with the likes of Roberto Vecchioni, Gianna Nannina, Luciano Ligabue, Ornella Vanoni, Fabrizio de André
February 5, 1944 ~ Multi-instrumentalist, producer, label executive Al Kooper born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Staff writer for Sea Lark Music Publishing, co-writer of This Diamond Ring (Gary Lewis & the Playboys) and I Must Be Seeing Things (Gene Pitney). Founded Blood Sweat & Tears but left after the debut album. Worked with the Blues Project. Hammond organist for Bob Dylan, notably on Highway 61 Revisited and Blonde On Blonde. Member of supergroup Bloomfield Kooper & Stills. Manager and producer of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Has recorded solo albums since the late 1960s and appears on hundred of albums backing artists such as the Rolling Stones (Let It Bleed), BB King (Live & Well), the Who (The Who Sell Out, Who's Next), Jimi Hendrix (Electric Ladyland. Produced artists as diverse as Don Ellis, the Tubes (their eponymous debut LP The Tubes), and Green On Red
February 5, 1944 ~ William Allen Mays, commonly known as jazz pianist Bill Mays, born in Sacramento, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Al Jarreau, Peggy Lee, Anita O'Day, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Dionne Warwick, Don Ellis, Mel Lewis, Shelly Manne, Bob Mintzer, Red Mitchell, Gerry Mulligan, Art Pepper, Bud Shank, Sonny Stitt, Paul Winter, Phil Woods, Frank Zappa, Peter Sprague, Andy Simpkins, Tom Harrell, Jeff Hirshfield, Ray Drummond, Ed Bickert, Lewis Nash, Benny Golson, Lalo Schifrin, Martin Wind, and Curtis FullerFebruary 5, 1944 ~ James Barney Cobb Jr, commonly known as guitarist JR Cobb, born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Member of Classics IV, for whom he co-wrote Spooky, Stormy, and Traces. Member of the Atlanta Rhythm Section, for whom he co-wrote Champagne Jam and Do It Or Die. Others who recorded songs written or co-written by Cobb include Sandy Posey (I Take It Back), the Tams (Be Young Be Foolish Be Happy), and Wynonna Judd (Rock Bottom). Cobb has also toured with country supergroup the Highwaymen, which consisted of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, and Willie Nelson ~ Cobb passed away in 2019
February 5, 1943 ~ Rock, garage rock keyboardist, singer Larry Tamblyn, full name Lawrence Arnold Tamblyn, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Standells, which would serve as inspiration for later punk groups such as the Ramones and the Sex Pistols. The band is known best for their 1966 Billboard Hot 100 No.11 hit Dirty Water. The song, written by the band's producer Ed Cobb, with some additional contributions by several band members, has gone on to become acknowledged as one of the quintessential 1960s garage rock hits and remains a staple of classic rock radio to this day. In later years, the song would also be adopted as an anthem played after every hometown win by Boston baseball team the Boston Red Sox. Dirty Water has been named as one of 500 Songs That Shaped Rock & Roll by the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Although the band would be unable to score another Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit, Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White would also become a classic, later covered by hardcore band Minor Threat as well as by punk outfit the Cramps ~ Tamblyn passed away in 2025
February 5, 1941 ~ Songwriter, singer Barrett Strong born in Westpoint, Mississippi, USA ~ The first artist to score a hit for Motown, namely with Money (That's What I Want) in 1959. Best known as a songwriter, usually partnering up with Norman Whitfield. Well known songs co-written by Strong include I Heard It Through The Grapevine (the Miracles, Marvin Gaye), You Don't Love Me No More (Gladys Knight), That's The Way Love Is (the Isley Brothers), Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On (Edwin Starr), Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) (the Temptations), and Papa Was A Rollin' Stone (the Undisputed Truth) ~ Strong passed away in 2023
February 5, 1941 ~ Bassist Rick Laird, full name Richard Quentin Laird, born in Dublin, Ireland ~ House bassist at Ronnie Scott's famed London jazz club. Best known as member of John McLaughlin's pioneering jazz fusion outfit the Mahavishnu Orchestra, present on the albums The Inner Mounting Flame, Birds Of Fire and Between Nothingness And Eternity. Released one album as a leader, namely 1979's Soft Focus. Has also guested on albums by Prince Lasha, Almanac, Buddy Rich, Eric Kloss, Richie Cole, Atilla Zoller, Bob Mintzer, Charles Earland, and Simon Shaheen ~ Laird passed away in 2021February 5, 1940 ~ Singer Jimmie Davis, backed by Charles Mitchell and his orchestra, records You Are My Sunshine ~ Penned by Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell. Released the following month, b/w Old Timer, it would become a standard covered by over 300 artists in over two dozen languages. Artists who have recorded the song include Bing Crosby, Faron Young, Bobby Vinton, Pete Seeger, Marvin Gaye, Ike & Tina Turner, the Righteous Brothers, Aretha Franklin, Bryan Ferry, Willie Nelson, Delbert McClinton, and the Civil Wars
February 5, 1937 ~ Trombonist, drummer, producer Big Bill Bissonnette born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA ~ Formed the Easy Riders Jazz Band. Founded his own Jazz Crusade label. Over the course of his career Bissonnette worked with artists such as Alvin Alcorn, Red Allen, Jimmy Archey, Polo Barnes, Albert Burbank, Alex Bigard, Don Ewell, Pops Foster, George Guesnon, Edmond Hall, Bob Helm, Tuba Fats Lacen, George Lewis, Fred Lonzo, Alcide Pavageau, George Probert, Kid Sheik, Zutty Singleton, Victoria Spivey, Greg Stafford, Michael White, and Kid Thomas Valentine ~ Bissonnette passed away in 2018February 5, 1935 ~ Guitarist, bassist, percussionist Anouman Brou Félix born in Adzope, French West Africa ~ Pioneer of Attie music. Founded the Ivoiry Band. Started the Wamy dance while in France ~ Félix passed away in 2021
February 5, 1930 ~ Donald Elliott Goldfild, commonly known as jazz trumpeter Don Goldie, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Son of trumpeter Harry Goldfield and pianist Claire St Claire. Active since the late 1940s. Worked with Art Hodes, Willie The Lion Smith, Louis Armstrong, Tony Parenti, Joe Mooney, Jack Teagarden, the Sir Douglas Quintet, Ralph Burns, Neal Hefti, Gene Krupa, Earl Hines, and Buddy Rich. Recorded half a dozen albums as a leader starting in the the early 1960s, some of which under the moniker Billy Franklin ~ Goldfield passed away in 1995
February 5, 1929 ~ Harold Simon Belsky, commonly known as drummer Hal Blaine, born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA ~ One of the most recorded drummers in history, appearing on over an estimated 35,000 recordings and well over 150 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits including He's A Rebel (the Crystals), I Get Around (the Beach Boys), Mr Tambourine Man (the Byrds), I Got You Babe (Sonny & Cher), These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (Nancy Sinatra), Strangers In The Night (Frank Sinatra), Mrs Robinson (Simon & Garfunkel), (They Long To Be) Close To You) (the Carpenters), Cracklin' Rosie (Neil Diamond), Annie's Song (John Denver), Love Will Keep Us Together (Captain & Tennille), and Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To) (Diana Ross) ~ Blaine passed away in 2019February 5, 1926 ~ Jazz pianist Art Simmons, full name Arthur Eugene Simmons, born in Glen White, West Virginia, USA ~ Worked with Charlie Parker, Kenny Clarke, Aaron Bridgers, Don Byas, Robert Mavounzy, Nelson Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Bertice Reading, Michel Gaudry, Pierre Cullaz, Elek Bacsik, Carmen McRae, Billie Holiday, and Art Taylor ~ Simmons passed away in 2018
February 5, 1923 ~ Samuel Evans, commonly known as drummer, arranger Sticks Evans, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Milt Buckner, the Griffin Brothers, Teddy Wilson, Milt Hinton, Leonard Gaskin, Curtis Jones, Sunnyland Slim, Sonny Terry, Big John Greer, Lavern Baker, King Curtis, Bill Evans, Eric Dolphy, Ornette Coleman, Ray Bryant, Aretha Franklin, Mickey Baker, Al Casey, Roosevelt Sykes, Lightnin' Hopkins, Charles Mingus, Sam Cooke, and Bud Johnson ~ Evans passed away in 1994
February 5, 1923 ~ Jazz double bassist Wyatt Ruther, full name Wyatt Robert Ruther, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ A working musician throughout his entire life, Ruther's career spanned well over four decades from the early 1950s, backing the likes of Dave Brubeck and Lena Horne, until his death at age 76 of a heart attack. Although Ruther sporadically recorded as a leader, he is best known as a session and touring musician, noted among others for an early 1960s tour backing drummer Buddy Rich. He has appeared on key albums by the likes of Erroll Garner (Gems), Milt Hinton, Zoot Sims, Eric Dolphy, Chico Hamilton (Gong's East), Bennie Green, Count Basie, Mavis Rivers, Anita O'Day, and Fraser MacPherson. Ruther, known as “Bull” by family and friends, was a seasoned player, or as pianist Frank Jackson, who frequently shared a stage with Ruther, once remarked: “He could play a tune perfectly without even knowing the tune. He just needed to hear the first chorus, then he knew the whole tune” ~ Ruther passed away in 1999February 5, 1890 ~ Jazz trumpeter Russell Smith, full name Russell Taylor Smith, born in Ripley, Ohio, USA ~ Best known for his association with Fletcher Henderson, backing Henderson intermittently from the mid 1920s through the early 1940s. Also worked with Joe Jordan, Horace Henderson, Benny Carter, Claude Hopkins, Cab Calloway, and Noble Sissle ~ Smith passed away in 1966