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 6, 1975 ~ Folk rock singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Matt Alber born in Wichita, Kansas, USA ~ Member of Chanticleer from 1998 through 2003, a vocal ensemble drawing from jazz, gospel and contemporary classical music. Following his departure from the group Alber has recorded as a solo artist, and is best known for End Of The World taken of his 2008 Hide Nothing album. The song would go viral after being picked up by gay-entertainment TV channel Logo TV, and become an anthem of the LGBTQ community. Alber himself is openly gayFebruary 6, 1973 ~ Jazz drummer Nick Stabulas passed away in Great Neck, New York, USA ~ Worked extensively as a sideman starting in the mid 1950s including with Phil Woods, Jon Eardley, Jimmy Raney, Eddie Costa, Friedrich Gulda, George Wallington, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, Gil Evans, Mose Allison, Carmen McRae, Don Elliott, Chet Baker, Kenny Drew, Bill Evans, Lee Konitz, and with Lennie Tristano ~ Stabulas was born in 1929
February 6, 1967 ~ Anita Renee Cockerham, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, songwriter Anita Cochran, born in South Lyon, Michigan, USA ~ Best known for her What If I Said single duetting with Steve Wariner, which would top Billboard's country chart in 1998
February 6, 1966 ~ Jazz bassist Michael Mondesir born in London, UK ~ Brother of drummer Mark Mondesir. Worked with Billy Cobham, Cream, Ginger Baker, Pee Wee Ellis, Courtney Pine, Iain Ballamy, Steve Williamson, John Rebello, John McLaughlin, Django Bates, Jeff Beck, Annette Peacock, Eddie Harris, Jack DeJohnette, Oumou Sangaré, Usher, Whitney Houston, Imogen Heap, George Martin, the State Of Bengal, Hermeto Pascoal, David Garibaldi, Jan Hammer, Zoe Rahman, Jim Mullen, Ronnie Wood, John Serry Jr, Andy Summers, Gary Husband, Chanté Moore, Lulu, Nitin Sawhney, Lenny White, Chad Smith, Jocelyn Brown, Brice Wassey, Neneh Cherry, Nikki Yeoh, Bernard Pretty Purdie, Bill Bruford, Julian Joseph, Leni Stern, Mory Kanté, Keith Moore, Trilok Gurtu, Mike Lindup, Aster Aweke, S Club 7, and Talvin Singh
February 6, 1966 ~ Eurobeat, dance-pop, pop singer Rick Astley born in Warrington, UK ~ Probably the most commercially successful singer out of songwriting, production team Stock-Aitken-Waterman's stable. Best known for his 1987 single Never Gonna Give You Up which would top the charts in over two dozen countries. Astley would continue to regularly reach the higher echelons of the charts, especially in the UK and continental Europe, throughout the early 1990s. Astley has sold an estimated 40 million records over the course of his career
February 6, 1964 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Gord Downie, full name Gordon Edgar Downie, born in Amhersview, Canada ~ Lead singer, lyricist of the Tragically Hip from its inception in 1984 until his death over three decades later. The band would rise from late-80s modern rock heroes to a national treasure in their native Canada, their final concert attended by the Prime Minister and broadcast live to millions. They are best known for songs such as Greasy Jungle, Ahead By A Century, Gift Shop, Poets, Fireworks, and Bobcaygeon. Downie has also recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Coke Machine Glow released in 2001. Downie is also known as a passionate advocate for environmental issues ~ Downie passed away in 2017February 6, 1963 ~ Charles Wright, commonly known as jazz drummer Specs Wright, passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Sideman. has worked with Jimmy Heath, Howard McGhee, Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane, Percy Heath, Milt Jackson, Earl Bostic, Kenny Drew, Cannonball Adderley, Art Blakey, Carmen McRae, Hank Mobley, Billy Root, Curtis Fuller, Ray Bryant, Tommy Bryant, Lee Morgan, Sonny Rollins, Betty Carter, Red Garland, and Coleman Hawkins ~ Wright was born in 1927
February 6, 1962 ~ William Bruce Rose Jr, commonly known as rock, hard rock singer, songwriter Axl Rose born in Lafayette, Indiana, USA ~ Rose to fame in the late 1980s as frontman of Guns 'n Roses, known for songs such as Sweet Child O' Mine, Paradise City, Patience, the Bob Dylan-cover Knocking On Heaven's Door and November Rain. Had previously worked with Hollywood Rose and the LA Guns. Following their two-plus-year Use Your Illusion world tour disappeared from public life for a number of years in the mid 1990s as the band disintegrated to resurface by the turn of the century with a new line-up having retained the sole right to the band name
February 6, 1962 ~ Richard Vance McDonald, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Richie McDonald, born in Lubbock, Texas, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member of Lonestar, sharing lead vocal duties with bassist John Rich until Rich's departure in 1998 and serving as the band's sole lead singer until his own departure in 2007. McDonald released his solo debut album, I Turn To You, in 2008 reaching top 20 on the country charts, top 10 on the Christian charts. Has also guested as backing vocalist or duet partner on recordings by Mindy McCready (Maybe He'll Notice Her Now), Kellie Coffey and Tommy Shane Steiner. Co-wrote songs for Clay Walker (She's Always Right), the Wilkinsons, Billy Dean, Sara Evans and Heartland
February 6, 1960 ~ Punk singer, bassist Jeff Pezzati, full name Jeffrey Neal Pezzati, born in Illinois, USA ~ Bassist for Big Black from 1983 through 1985. Best known as lead singer for Naked Raygun from 1980 through 1992, one of the longest-running and by many considered one of the most important bands in the history of Chicago punk rock. They are cited by Dave Grohl of Nirvana and the Foo Fighters-fame as his main inspiration to get into punk music. Pezzati also founded the Bomb in 1999
February 6, 1960 ~ Singer, songwriter Jesse Belvin, full name Jesse Lorenzo Belvin, passed away in Hope, Arkansas, USA ~ Influenced by Nat King Cole and Billy Eckstine. Served as a model for Sam Cooke. Co-wrote Earth Angel, a hit for the Penguins. Member of the Shields. Member of Big Jay McNeely's backing unit Three Dots & A Dash. As a solo artist best known for songs such as Beware, The Girl In My Dreams and Guess Who. Died in car crash at age 27 following a concert date before a integrated audience in Little Rock, Arkansas. To this day rumours persist regarding the accident's circumstances ~ Belvin was born in 1932February 6, 1959 ~ Producer Ken Nelson born in Liverpool, UK ~ Not to be confused with his American namesake Ken Nelson, also a record producer. First gained attention with indie rock outfit Gomez and Coldplay, producing the latter's first three albums Parachutes, A Rush Of Blood To The Head and X&Y. Has also worked with acts such as Badly Drawn Boy, the Howling Bells, the Charlatans, the Kings Of Convenience, Ray LaMontagne, Snow Patrol, Paolo Nutini, and Deadbeat Darling
February 6, 1957 ~ Drummer Jerry Marotta, full name Jerome David Marotta, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Younger brother of drummer Rick Marotta. In-demand collaborator, session and touring musician, worked with Orleans, Peter Gabriel, Hall & Oates, the Indigo Girls, Stackridge, Tony Levin, Stevie Nicks, Joan Armatrading, Lou Ann Barton, Rory Block, Michael Franks, Chris Botti, Sheryl Crow (The Globe Sessions), T-Bone Burnett, Marc Cohn, Cher, Elvis Costello (Spike), Ani DiFranco, Robbie Dupree, Tim Finn, Nanci Griffith, Suzanne Vega, 10,000 Maniacs, Carly Simon, and Rick Springfield
February 6, 1956 ~ Conductor, composer Amaury du Closel, full name Amaury Barbat du Closel, born in France ~ Well known for founding the Forum Voix Etouffées, an organisation dedicated to raising attention to the music of composers persecuted, exiled, or forgotten, especially those persecuted by totalitarian regimes of the 20th century such as Ernst Krenek, Franz Schreker and Viktor Ullmann. Du Closel has also authored Les Voix étouffées du Troisième Reich, a study of voices silenced by the Nazi regime. Du Closel has conducted numerous orchestras over the course of his lengthy career, including perhaps most notably the Berlin Symphoniker and the Orchéstre les Metamorphoses, and served as artistic director of the Opéra Nomade ~ Du Closel passed away in 2024February 6, 1956 ~ Singer, songwriter Jon Walmsley born in Blackburn, UK ~ Worked with Richard Marx, Brian Setzer, David Pack, the Doobie Brothers, Michael McDonald, Gregg Allman, Merle Haggard, Roy Acuff, Laurence Juber, John Mayall, Denny Laine, Spencer Davis, Peter & Gordon, Jackie Lomax, Roger Daltrey, Al Jardine, David Marks, Dean Torrence, and Strawberry Alarm Clock
February 6, 1954 ~ Salsa, Latin jazz violinist Alfredo de la Fé, full name Alfredo Manuel de la Fé, born in Havana, Cuba ~ Child prodigy. First solo violinist in Salsa, helping establish the instrument as a viable option in the genre. Has done some 30 world tours. Worked with Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Cheo Feliciano, the Fania All-Stars, Santana, Larry Harlow, and Yerba Buena
February 6, 1954 ~ Punk rock guitarist Scott Kempner born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member, longtime rhythm guitarist for the Dictators, with whom he recorded four albums including the acclaimed Go Girl Crazy released in 1975. Kempner also co-founded the Del-Lords, played with the Brandos, and released the critically acclaimed Tenement Angels solo album in 1992 ~ Kempner passed away in 2023
February 6, 1953 ~ Rock, progressive rock bassist Andy West born in Newport, Rhode Island, USA ~ Co-founded Dixie Dregs with guitarist Steve Morse. The band is known for their eclectic style, drawing from genres as diverse as rock, classical music, jazz, and bluegrass, and especially acclaimed for their 1978 What If album. Following the band's breakup in 1983 West has worked with Mike Keneally, Henry Kaiser, Paul Barrère, and Vinnie Moore
February 6, 1952 ~ Progressive rock, psychedelic rock keyboardist, guitarist, harmonica player, singer Tim Blake, full name Timothy Blake, born in Hammersmith, UK ~ Best known as member of Gong from 1972 through 1975. Appeared on all three albums of the Radio Gnome Invisible trilogy, namely Flyng Teapot, Angel's Egg and You. Having written or co-written songs for each of the three albums Blake is considered one of the most important composers of the band. Following his departure from the band Blake departed on a solo career, noted especially for the albums Crystal Machine and Blake's New Jerusalem released respectively in 1977 and 1978. Blake has also briefly played with Hawkwind in 1979, occasionally teaming up with the space rock band ever sinceFebruary 6, 1951 ~ Reggae, rocksteady singer Errol Dunkley born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Made his recording debut at age 14, duetting with Roy Shirley on the 1965 single Gypsy. Would continue to record into the early 1980s, working with renowned producers such as Prince Buster, Joe Gibbs and Coxsone Dodd. Internationally best known for OK Fred, a UK hit in 1979
February 6, 1951 ~ Richard Hugh Lloyd-Langton, commonly known as hard rock, progressive rock guitarist Huw Lloyd-Langton, born in Harlesden, UK ~ A fragmented career hindered by a frail health. Best known for his association with Hawkwind, enjoying several stints with the band. Present on about a dozen of the band's albums, including the 1970 eponymous Hawkwind album. Member of mid 1970s outfit Widowmaker, present on the albums Widowmaker and Too Late To Cry. Fronted his own Lloyd-Langton Group, recording close to a dozen albums starting in the mid-1980s. Has also worked with Budgie, Leo Sayer and Meads Of Asphodel ~ Lloyd-Langton passed away in 2012February 6, 1951 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, blues, rock, folk, pop guitarist, singer Yann Benoist born in Dinan, France ~ Leader and sideman. Member of Space, alongside Didier Marouani, and present on the band's 1983 USSR tour. In-demand sideman, collaborator, composer for commercials, TV, film, stage, and recorded as a solo artist. Has worked with Renaud, Gilbert Bécaud, Patricia Kaas, Sylvia Vartan, Julien Clerc, Patrick Hernandez, Marie Myriam, Francis Cabrel, and Michel Legrand
February 6, 1950 ~ Pop rock, glam rock guitarist Punky Meadows born in Washington DC, USA ~ Guitarist of Angel from 1975 to 1981, rejoining on occasion. The band was discovered by Kiss guitarist Gene Simmons and known for their androgynous image. Slammed by rock critics and ridiculized by Frank Zappa in the song Punky's Whips, the band never achieved mass commercial succes but enjoyed a cult following. Both Meadows and bandmate Mickie Jones were asked to join the New York Dolls but declined. Meadows also previously played in BUX. Released his solo debut album, Fallen Angel, in 2016
February 6, 1948 ~ William Alexander Anthony Clarke, commonly known as singer, guitarist Bunny Rugs, born in Mandeville, Jamaica ~ Half of the duo Bunny & Ricky. Member of Inner Circle. Best known as member of Third World, joining the band in 1976 replacing Milton Hamilton. Also worked with Lee Scratch Perry, the Wild Bunch, Yabby You, Papa San, Cobra, General Trees, Shabba Ranks, Gregory Isaacs, Tony Rebel, Sean Paul, Joe Frasier, Raw Edge, Wayne Marshall, Bounty Killer, Tappa Zukie, and Marcia Griffiths ~ Clarke passed away in 2014February 6, 1948 ~ Rock keyboardist John Gosling, also known as John the Baptist Gosling, born in Paignton, UK ~ Member of the Kinks from 1970 through 1978, replaced by Gordon Edwards. Gosling recorded over half a dozen albums with the band, including the acclaimed Muswell Hillbillies released in 1971 ~ Gosling passed away in 2023
February 6, 1948 ~ Marilyn Sandra Rovell, commonly known as singer Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known as the first wife of the Beach Boys singer Brian Wilson, secretly dating Wilson at age 15. The couple would be married from 1964 until their divorce in 1979. The couple's early marital problems would we relected in several Beach Boy songs, notably Caroline No and You Still Believe In Me both taken of the 1966 Pet Sounds album. Their daughters Carnie Wilson and Wendy Wilson are both also singers. Marilyn has also performed and recorded as a singer herself, starting in her teens in the sibling outfit the Rovell Sisters, later renamed to the Honeys, and as a member of American Spring. Brian would serve as producer and songwriter for both actsFebruary 6, 1948 ~ Clarinetist Sidney Arodin passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-penning Lazy River with Hoagy Carmichael, first recorded by Carmichael in 1930. The song has become a jazz standard covered by over an estimated 400 artists including Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Gene Vincent, Louis Prima, Bobby Darin, Brenda Lee, and Count Basie. Arodin has been playing professionaly since his mid-teens, working with Johnny Stein, Jimmy Durante, Wingy Manone, Sharkey Bonano, the New Orleans Rhytm Kings, Abbie Brunies, Monk Hazel, and Jones & Collins Astoria Hot Eight ~ Arodin was born in 1901