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 9, 2026 ~ Soul singer, pianist Garland Green, full name Garfield Green Jr, passed away ~ Known for songs such as Don't Think I'm A Violent Guy, Plain And Simple Girl and Jealous Kind Of Fella, the latter reaching the Billboard top 20 in 1969 ~ Green was born in 1942
February 9, 2024 ~ Kenji Suzuki, commonly known as krautrock, experimental rock singer Damo Suzuki, passed away in Cologne, Germany ~ Though his tenure with Krautrock pioneers Can was brief, it is generally considered the band's most important period. Busking outside a Hamburg cafe, he was spotted by bassist Holger Czukay and drummer Jaki Liebezeit who invited him to join the band. Suzuki gave his first performance with the band that same day, and would sing lead vocals on the albums Tago Mago, Ege Bamyasi, and Future Days. As a solo artist, Suzuki is most acclaimed for his 1998 Seattle live double album. Suzuki has been cited as an influence by Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols, Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, Geoff Barrow of Portishead, and the band Spoon, who took their name from a Can song. Pavement's Stephen Malkmus has been quoted as saying: “I played Can's Ege Bamyasi album every night before I went to sleep for about three years.” ~ Suzuki was born in 1950
February 9, 2024 ~ Rock & roll drummer Jimmy Van Eaton, full name James Mack Van Eaton, passed away in Alabama, USA ~ Initially played Dixieland jazz with the Jivin' Five, which he founded, before switching to rock & roll. Recording a demo at Sun Records with engineer Cowboy Jack Clement impressed Clement, who then recommended Van Eaton to Billy Lee Riley. Van Eaton would tour with Riley, as well as with Conway Twitty, on weekends, and work as a session drummer during the week. From the mid through the late 1950s, Van Eaton drummed on most of the Sun Records recordings by Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, Bill Justis, and Jerry Lee Lewis, including on the latter's 1957 Whole Lot Of Shakin' Goin' On classic. By the 1960s Van Eaton mostly retired from music. In 1998, going by the moniker JM Van Eaton, he released his sole solo album The Beat Goes On, featuring his own songs and vocals ~ Van Eaton was born in 1937
February 9, 2023 ~ Marijke Ouwejan, commonly known as actress, singer Marijke Merckens, passed away in Harfsen, the Netherlands ~ Best known as an actress for stage, TV and film active since the early 1960s, notably known for her role as Rosmarijn in the TV series De Zevensprong. As a singer known for songs such as Happy End, Mammie, Kareltje De Grote, and De Modepop, the latter a Dutch-language version of France Gall's 1965 Eurovision Songfestival-winner Poupée De Cire (Poupée De Son) ~ Ouwejan was born in 1940
February 9, 2022 ~ Betty Mabry, commonly known as funk, R&B, soul, rock singer, songwriter Betty Davis, passed away in Homestead, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Recognised as one of the most influential voices in funk. Raised on BB King, Jimmy Reed, Elmore James. Befriended Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone. Married to Miles Davis from 1967 to 1969. Briefly dated Eric Clapton but refused to collaborate with him because his work was too banal ~ Mabry was born in 1944
February 9, 2022 ~ Rock, progressive rock, hard rock saxophonist, flutist, keyboardist, guitarist Ian McDonald passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of King Crimson, present on the band's acclaimed In The Court Of The Crimson King debut album and its Red follow-up. Co-founding member of Foreigner, present on the band's first three albums, namely Foreigner, Double Vision and Head Games, all of which reached the Billboard Hot 200 top 10. McDonald has also recorded as a solo artist, composed the soundtrack for the 1987 TV series Success Stories With Bruce Jenner, and collaborated with Steve Hackett, John Wetton, 21st Century Schizoid Band, and Honey West ~ McDonald was born in 1946
February 9, 2021 ~ Armando Anthony Corea, commonly known as jazz, jazz fusion pianist, percussionist, bandleader, composer Chick Corea, passed away in Tampa Bay, Florida, USA ~ Regarded as one of the premier jazz pianists of the post- John Coltrane era. Helped birth and define jazz fusion. As a composer best known for Spain, 500 Miles High, and Windows, all considered jazz standards. Especially acclaimed for the early 1970s albums Return To Forever and Light As A Feather, both with his ensemble Return To Forever. Has appeared on albums by Mongo Santamaria, Willie Bobo, Willis Jackson (Soul Night Live), Blue Mitchell (Boss Horn), Miles Davis (Filles de Kilimanjaro), Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin, Joe Farrell (Outback), Stanley Clarke (Children Of Forever), Sadao Watanabe, Ernie Watts, Chaka Khan, David Friesen, Rufus Reid (Seven Minds), and John Patitucci ~ Corea was born in 1941February 9, 2003 ~ Rueben Braff, commonly known as swing, dixieland, jazz trumpeter, cornetist Ruby Braff passed away in Chatham, Massachusetts, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with George Barnes, Ellis Larkins, Buck Clayton, Pee Wee Russell, John Pizzarelli, Larry Adler, Louis Armstrong, Tony Bennett, Scott Hamilton, Woody Herman, Milt Hinton, Dick Hyman, Ralph Sutton, and George Wein ~ Braff was born in 1927
February 9, 2002 ~ Trumpeter, bandleader, musical director, arranger Bill McElhiney, full name William Krohmer McElhiney, passed away in Diamondhead, Mississippi, USA ~ One of the most prominent arrangers in Nashville during the 1960s and 1970s. Notable credits include arrangements on Brenda Lee's I'm Sorry, and the signature trumpet parts on Johnny Cash's Ring Of Fire. Has also worked with artists such as Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, Marty Robbins, Dolly Parton, Jim Reeves, Joni James, Connie Francis, Johnny Tillotson, and Tanya Tucker ~ McElhiney was born in 1915
February 9, 1993 ~ British rapper, progressive rapper Monie Love releases Born 2 BREED, lifted off her In A Word Or 2 sophomore album ~ The acronym BREED stands for “Build Relationships where Education and Enlightenment Dominate”. The single would be warmly received by critics on both sides of the Atlantic, Music & Media characterizing the track as “classic '70s Chic sounds with a female rap”, while the Orlando Sentinel hailed the “slinky beat and disco-style strings, (with) funk-dancehall passages enlivening things further”. The single would do well in Monie Love's native UK, where it reached top 20, and on the American Billboard Dance charts but failed to cross over to either Billboard R&B or the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. The song was co-written and produced by PrinceFebruary 9, 1991 ~ Gospel singer, pianist James Cleveland, full name James Edward Cleveland, passed away in Culver City, California, USA ~ Dubbed “the King of Gospel”, incorporating traditional black gospel, soul, pop, and jazz into gospel. Known for songs such as Lord Help Me To Hold Out, Peace Be Still, I Don't Feel No Ways Tired, God Has Smiled On me and You're The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me ~ Cleveland was born in 1931
February 9, 1981 ~ Rock & roll, rockabilly, western swing singer, guitarist Bill Haley, full name William John Clifton Haley, passed away in Harlingen, Texas, USA ~ Rock & roll pioneer. Has sold over 60 million records. Scored numerous hits throughout the 1950s, most with his backing unit the Comets, including Crazy Man Crazy, Dim Dim The Lights (I Want Some Atmosphere), Burn That Candle, and Razzle Dazzle, all considered pivotal in the early development of rock and roll. Haley's best known, See You Later Alligator and Rock Around The Clock, are considered classics and remain popular to this day, in part due to being frequently used in films and TV series ~ Haley was born in 1925
February 9, 1981 ~ James Owen Sullivan, commonly known as drummer, keyboardist, singer the Rev, born in Huntington Beach, California, USA ~ Influenced by Frank Zappa, King Crimson, Vinnie Paul, Mike Portnoy, Dave Lombardo, Lars Ulrich, Terry Bozzio. Best known as drummer, singer, co-founding member of heavy metal outfit Avenged Sevenfold, for whom he wrote or co-wrote songs such as A Little Piece Of Heaven, Afterlife, Unbound (The Wild Ride), and Welcome To The Family. Lead singer for avant-garde metal band Pinkly Smooth. Also briefly played the drums for ska punk group the Suburban Legends during the late 1990s ~ Sullivan passed away in 2009
February 9, 1977 ~ Woodrow Wilson Johnson, commonly known as jump blues, R&B pianist, bandleader, songwriter Buddy Johnson, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for Since I Fell For You, recorded in 1945 with his orchestra and with his sister Ella Johnson singing lead vocals. It has since become a blues, jazz standard. Other well known songs include Let's Beat Out Some Love, Baby Don't You Cry, When My Man Comes Home and They All Say I'm The Biggest Fool ~ Johnson was born in 1915February 9, 1976 ~ Bandleader, conductor, composer Percy Faith passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Popularized easy listening. Rose to fame in the 1950s. Closely associated with Mitch Miller. In-demand arranger for pop singers such as Tony Bennett, Doris Day, Johnny Mathis, Guy Mitchell. As a bandleader best known for Delicado, The Song From Moulin Rouge and Theme From A Summer Place ~ Faith was born in 1908
February 9, 1975 ~ Country producer Dave Brainard, full name David Gregory Brainard, born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ As a songwriter had his songs recorded by Neal McCoy, Sammy Kershaw, Kellie Coffey, Ricochet, Tebey Ottoh, Brooks & Dunn. As a producer worked with Jerrod Niemann, Brandy Clark, Ray Scott, Jamey Johnson, Sunny Sweeney, Jamie Kent, and Western Underground
February 9, 1971 ~ Experimental, avant-garde, rock guitarist Xabier Iriondo born in Milan, Italy ~ Best known for his association with alternative rock band Afterhours from the early 1990s through the early 2000s, first appearing on the 1993 album Pop Kills Your Soul. Released his solo Irrintzi debut album in 2012February 9, 1970 ~ Jazz singer Eldbjørg Raknes born in Midsund, Norway ~ Sister of bassist Steinar Raknes. Eldbjørg is known for her a-cappella performances and improvisational skills. She has worked with artists such as Jon Balke, Anders Jormin, Bendik Hofseth, Christian Wallumrød, Arve Henriksen, Ketil Bjørnstad, and Stale Storløkken
February 9, 1967 ~ Dream pop guitarist Graeme Naysmith born ~ Co-founding member of shoegazing, dream pop, indie pop outfit Pale Saints, with whom he recorded three albums through the mid 1990s. The band is best known for their The Comforts Of Madness debut album, which reached top 40 in their native UK. Following the band's break-up in 1996, Naysmith formed Lorimer and the Terminals, both of which included his Saints bandmate drummer Chris Cooper, and has worked with X-Ray Eyes. Upon hearing of his death, 4AD co-founder Ivo Watts Russell issued a statement saying: “Naysmith was one of only a handful of musicians I worked with who wasn't afraid of a good guitar solo. In tribute I simply recommend digging out Henry from Pale Saints' final album Slow Buildings” ~ Naysmith passed away in 2024February 9, 1964 ~ Jazz bandleader, singer Willie Bryant, full name William Stevens Bryant, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Started in 1920s vaudeville as a dancer and trumpeter. Formed his first big band in the mid 1930s working with sidemen such as Teddy Wilson, Cozy Cole, Johnny Russell, Benny Carter, Ben Webster, Eddie Durham, Ram Ramirez, and Taft Jordan ~ Bryant was born in 1909
February 9, 1963 ~ Indie pop, indie rock guitarist David Rotheray born in Hull, UK ~ Best known as lead guitarist for the Beautiful South, known for a string of hits starting in the late 1990s including the UK top 10 hits A Song For Whoever, You Keep It All In, A Little Time, Don't Marry Her, and Perfect 10. Rotheray also formed Homespun, releasing three albums in the 2000s
February 9, 1963 ~ James Travis Tritt, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, banjoist, songwriter Travis Tritt born in Marietta, Georgia, USA ~ Debuted in 1987 with the Proud Of The Country album. Known for hit singles such as Help Me Hold On, Anymore, Can I Trust You With My Heart, Foolish Pride, and Best Of IntentionsFebruary 9, 1962 ~ Keith Daniel Kozacik, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Catfish Keith, born in East Chicago, Indiana, USA ~ Hailed as a master of the resonator guitar. Influenced by Buddy Guy, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Son House. Debuted in 1984 with the Catfish Blues album and has toured and recorded since
February 9, 1962 ~ Alternative rock, post-punk, power pop singer, guitarist, songwriter, film and TV composer Craig Northey born in Port Moody, Canada ~ Member of Odds, known for songs such as It Falls Apart, Eat My Brain and Someone Who's Cool. After the band's disbandement in 199 has released solo work, composed for film and TV and collaborated with Colin James, Rosanne Cash, Glen Phillips, Sharkskin, and Jesse Valenzuela
February 9, 1961 ~ R&B outfit the Coasters record Girls Girls Girls ~ Written and produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Released the following July it would only barely make the Billboard Hot 100, peaking in the low 90s. Singer Elvis Presley would record the song as the title theme to his 1962 Girls Girls Girls film. The song would also be notably covered by hard rock band Mötley Crüe in 1987, which made it to the Billboard Hot 100 top 20
February 9, 1961 ~ Flutist, saxophonist Steve Wilson born in Hampton, Virginia, USA ~ As a teenager accompanied singer Stephanie Mills. Has since recorded as a leader, as sideman, and has held several teaching positions. Member of Out Of The Blue. Performed and recorded with artists such as Lionel Hampton, the Dave Holland Quintet, Chick Corea, Yoko Kanno (on Kanno's 1998 debut LP Song To Fly), Billy Drummond Jr, Joe Henderson, Ronny Jordan, Christian McBride, Neal Smith, and Gerald Wilson. Formed the Steve Wilson Quartet in 1997, which performed for over a decade and recorded two albums. Headed the GenerationsPage 1 ~ Page 2