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 7, 1974 ~ James Dewitt Yancey, commonly known as producer, rapper J Dilla, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Also known under the moniker Jay Dee. Emerged in the 1990s. Remixed for Janet Jackson, Pharcyde, De La Soul, Busta Rhymes and A Tribe Called Quest. One third of rap group Slum Village. Member of producers collective Ummah, which also consisted of Tribe members Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad and later Raphael Saadiq. Founding member of production collective the Soulquarians. Debuted as a solo artist in 2001 with the single F-ck The Police. During his lifetime his solo career never really took off but highly regarded within the industry for his behind the scenes work, remixing and producing, and for his role in various collectives. Seen by some as “the Godfather of lo-fi hip-hop” ~ Yancey passed away in 2006
February 7, 1972 ~ Trip hop, drum and bass, IDM, nu jazz producer, DJ Amon Tobin, full name Amon Adonai Santos de Araujo Tobin, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Noted for his unusual use of audio manipulation techniques, transforming any give source material to produce a new sound often making the original source unrecognisable. Over a dozen albums to his name using various monikers, starting with Bricolage released in 1997. Tobin's music has been used in TV series such as Top Gear and films such as The Italian Job and 21
February 7, 1970 ~ Singer Stevie Wonder releases his Never Had A Dream Come True single, paired with Somebody Knows Somebody Cares My Girl on the flip side ~ Lead single off Stevie Wonder's Signed Sealed & Delivered album. Written by Stevie Wonder, and Motown staff writers Sylvia Moy, and Henry Cosby, the latter also serving as producer. Instrumentation by the Funk Brothers and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. A modest hit in his native America, the single would do well especially in the UK where it reached top 10February 7, 1963 ~ Country singer Patsy Cline records He Called Me Baby ~ Written by Harlan Howard. Produced by Owen Bradley. Recorded shortly before Patsy Cline's untimely death. Released in 1964, paired with Won'tcha Come Home Bill Bailey on the B-sie
February 7, 1962 ~ David Bryan Rashbaum, commonly known as keyboardist David Bryan, born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, USA ~ Longtime member of Bon Jovi, appearing on all of the band's album as well as on some of the bandmates Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora solo albums. Co-wrote songs such as Only Lonely, The Hardest Part Is The Night, To The Fire, In These Arms, and Last Cigarette
February 7, 1962 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Garth Brooks, full name Troyal Garth Brooks, born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Biggest country singer of the 1990s, merging a traditional country and honky-tonk feel with elements of rock, arena rock and pop. Sold over 170 million records. Known for his grand arena shows, reminiscent more of arena acts such as Kiss, Aerosmith and the Rolling Stones than traditional country singers. Debuted in 1989 with the eponymous Garth Brooks album. Well known songs include The Dance, Friends In Low Places, Unanswered Prayers, Shameless, The River, Somewhere Other Than The Night, Ain't Going Down Till The Sun Comes Up and Longneck Bottle
February 7, 1962 ~ Progressive rock, art-rock, alternative rock singer, keyboardist William D Drake, full name William Derek Drake, born in Chelmsford, UK ~ Best known as member of cult band the Cardiacs from 1983 through 1992. Has also worked with the Sea Nymphs, the North Sea Radio Orchestra, Nervous, Lake Of Puppies, Rachel Goswell, Wood, Funki Porcini, the Grown Ups and recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist
February 7, 1960 ~ Steve William Forrest, commonly known as keyboardist, guitarist, percussionist, songwriter Steve Bronski born in Glasgow, UK ~ Formed 1980s pop, synth-pop trio Bronski Beat with Jimmy Somerville and Larry Steinbachek. All members of the band were openly gay and with their songs often reflecting on gay-related issues they would become an icon of the gay community. Songs such as Smalltown Boy, Why and Hit That Perfect Beat would reach the UK top 10 ~ Forrest passed away in 2021
February 7, 1959 ~ Saxophonist, arranger Brian Travers born in Birmingham, UK ~ Co-founding member of UB40, best known for a string of UK hits, mostly during the 1980s and early 1990s including Red Red Wine, If It Happens Again, the Sonny & Cher-cover I Got You Babe featuring Chrissie Hynde, Rat In The Kitchen and the Elvis Presley-cover I Can't Help Falling In Love ~ Travers passed away in 2021
February 7, 1959 ~ Eddie Jones, commonly known as singer, guitarist Guitar Slim, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ One of the first to experiment with distortion effects on the electric guitar. Cited as an influence by later guitarists including Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Frank Zappa and Jimi Hendrix. Best known for The Things That I Used To Do, a million-seller in 1954 ~ Jones was born in 1926
February 7, 1956 ~ Rock & roll singer, pianist Little Richard records Long Tall Sally at J&M Studios, New Orleans, Louisiana ~ Written by Little Richard, Enotris Johnson and Robert Bumps Blackwell, the latter also serving as producer. It would become one of the singer's best known aand a rock & roll standard covered by hundreds of artists. Released as a single in 1956, b/w Slippin' & Slidin', it would reach No.1 Billboard R&B. Richards on lead vocal and piano is backed by Lee Allen and Alvin Tyler on saxophones, Edgar Blanchard guitar, Frank Fields double bass, and Earl Palmer drumsFebruary 7, 1952 ~ Jazz, traditional pop singer Doris Day records A Guy Is A Guy ~ Written by Oscar Brand based on the traditional song I Went To The Alehouse (A Knave Is A Knave) dating back to 1719. Doris Day released the song as a single, b/w Who Who Who, which would reach top 10 on the pop charts. Singer Ella Fitzgerald would record a cover version the same year
February 7, 1952 ~ Singer, songwriter Vasco Rossi born in Zocca, Italy ~ One of the best-selling Italian artists with over 35 million copies sold. Has written or co-written more than 250 songs, including for other artists. Actively recording since the mid 1970s. Best known for songs such as Albachiara, Siamo Solo Noi and Vita SpericolataFebruary 7, 1951 ~ Singer Mayte Mateos born in Logroño, Spain ~ Formed the duo Baccara with Maria Mendiola, best known for their 1977 debut single Yes Sir I Can Boogie. The single would reach the higher echelons of the charts throughout Europe and eventually sell over 18 million copies. Subsequent hits would include Sorry I'm A Lady and Darling. The duo would also represent Luxembourg at the 1978 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 7th place with Parlez-Vous Francais
February 7, 1949 ~ Bassist Alan Lancaster, full name Alan Charles Lancaster, born in Peckham, UK ~ Co-founding member of Status Quo, remaining with the band through 1985 and rejoining on occasion in later years. Sang lead on songs such as Backwater, Is There A Better Way, Bye Bye Johnny, High Flyer and Roadhouse Blues ~ Lancaster passed away in 2021
February 7, 1948 ~ Arranger, conductor, violist, violinist, pianist, composer David Campbell born in Toronto, Canada ~ Has worked on over 450 gold and platinum albums across a wide range of artists including Michael Jackson, Rush, Muse, Aaliyah, Evanescence, KT Tunstall, Aerosmith, Barbra Streisand, Leonard Cohen, Garth Brooks, Ariana Grande, Adele, and various albums by his son lo-fi singer, guitarist Beck
February 7, 1948 ~ Rock, pop keyboardist, singer, songwriter Jimmy Greenspoon, full name James Boyd Greenspoon, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of surf outfit the New Dimensions prior to rising to fame as co-founding and key member of Three Dog Night. The band scored about a dozen Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits through their initial disbandement in the mid 1970s, of which Mama Told Me (Not To Come), Joy To The World, and Black & White all reached the No.1 spot. Greenspoon has also worked with artists such as Linda Ronstadt, America, the Beach Boys, Nils Lofgren, Stephen Stills, Steve Cropper, Leon Russell, and the East Side Kids ~ Greenspoon passed away in 2015February 7, 1948 ~ William McKenzie, commonly known as singer, songwriter, trombonist Red McKenzie, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founded the Mound City Blowers in 1923 with Jack Bland and Dick Slevin, later joined by guitarist Eddie Lang. The quartet is known for songs such as One Hour and Hello Lola and worked with artists such as Glenn Miller, Pee Wee Russell, Coleman Hawkins, Bunny Berigan, Jimmy Dorsey, and Muggsy Spanier ~ McKenzie was born in 1899
February 7, 1943 ~ Country singer, guitarist Tony Booth born in Tampa, Florida, USA ~ Influenced by Ray Price. Initialy recording under the moniker Johnny Booth, debuting in 1967 with the Country '67 album. Founded and fronted the band Modern Country. First gained attention in 1970 with the Merle Haggard-cover Irma Jackson and would continue to record extensively through the mid 1970s, using his own name Tony Booth
February 7, 1943 ~ Walter Simon Notheis, commonly known as rock & roll singer Walter Scott, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Lead singer of Bob Kuban & the In-Men known for Look Out For The Cheater, a Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit in 1966. After the band disbanded Notheis pursued a solo career but would be unable to achieve the same level of success. Notheis disappeared in 1983, his body found by police four years later. His wife and her lover would be found guilty of his murder ~ Notheis passed away in 1983February 7, 1941 ~ Bassist Bill Van Buskirk born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA ~ Member of R&B outfit Checkmates Ltd, known best for their 1969 single Black Pearl taken of the Love Is All We Have To Give album. It would be the band's only Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit, also reaching top 10 Billboard R&B. A follow-up single, Proud Mary, would reach top 30 in the UK. The band is noted for being one of the few to feature both black and white members
February 7, 1936 ~ Classical, contemporary classical, baroque flutist William Bennett, full name Wiliam Ingham Brooker Bennett, born in London, UK ~ Worked with George Malcolm, Osian Ellis, Yehudi Menuhin, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, the Sadler's Wells Opera, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Melos Ensemble, George Malcolm, Clifford Benson, Osian Ellis, the English Chamber Orchestra, Jimi Hendrix, and Wynton Marsalis ~ Bennett passed away in 2022
February 7, 1934 ~ Earl Silas Johnson IV, commonly known as blues, New Orleans R&B singer, guitarist, songwriter Earl King, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Best remembered for penning blues classics such as Big Chief (covered by Professor Longhair), Trick Bag (covered by the Meters, and by Robert Palmer), and for Come On (covered by Jimi Hendrix, Freddie King, Stevie Ray Vaughan). ~ King passed away in 2003
February 7, 1934 ~ Curtis Montgomery, commonly known as saxophonist King Curtis, born in Fort Worth, Texas, USA ~ In-demand collaborator, session musician. Helped shape rock & roll and R&B. As a solo artist best known for the hits Soul Twist and Memphis Soul Stew. Has worked with Buddy Holly, the Coasters (Yakety Yak), Nat Adderley, Aretha Franklin (RESPECT), Ruth Brown, Lionel Hampton, Donny Hathaway, Waylon Jennings, Lavern Baker, and John Lennon ~ Curtis passed away in 1971
February 7, 1927 ~ Singer, actress Juliette Gréco born in Montpellier, France ~ Darling of intellectual circles in post-war France. Romantically involved with both Miles Davis and Quincy Jones. Debuted as a cabaret singer in the 1949 production of Le Boeuf Sur Le Toit. The song Michelle by the Beatles is said to be inspired by Gréco ~ Gréco passed away in 2020
February 7, 1927 ~ Vibraphonist Michel Hausser born in France ~ Played the accordion before switching to vibraphone by his late teens. Sessioned prolifically in the 1950s and 1960s, backing the likes of Eddy Barclay, Christian Chevallier, Henri Crolla, Benny Golson, Stéphane Grappelli, Roger Guérin, Bobby Jaspar, Lucky Thompson, and Sarah Vaughan. Formed his own trio in the mid 1960s with bassist Jacky Samson and a rotating roster of drummers. Hausser relocated to Germany in the 1970s, where he worked as a teacher ~ Hausser passed away in 2024