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, 1959 ~ Country singer George Jones releases White Lightning, lifted off his White Lightning And Other Favorites album ~ Written and first recorded by JP Richardson, more commonly known by his stage name the Big Bopper, who had previously co-written George Jones' Billboard Country No.6 hit Treasure Of Love. For Jones, White Lightning would become his first Billboard Country No.1 and a signature song. Richardson never got to see the success of the song, as he perished in the same plane crash that also killed singers Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens just days before Jones' release. Jones would later reveal in his 1997 memoir, it took numerous takes to get the song right: “I was drinking heavily throughout the session, and (producer) Buddy Killen later said we did 83 takes before we got one we could use”
February 9, 1958 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion saxophonist Bill Evans born in Clarendon Hills, Illinois, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Plays a wide variety of genres, including bluegrass and funk. Best known as a jazz, jazz fusion saxophonist. Influenced by Michael Brecker, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Stan Getz, Steve Grossman. Has worked with Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, John McLaughlin's the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Michael Franks, Willie Nelson, Mick Jagger, Les McCann, Randy Brecker, Medeski Martin & Wood, Victor Bailey, Béla Fleck, Sam Bush, Bruce Hornsby, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Lee Ritenour
February 9, 1951 ~ Bandleader, pianist Eddy Duchin passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Popular bandleader from the 1930s and 1940s and one of the first pianists to lead a successful big band. Duchin's 1938 rendition of the Louis Armstrong song Old Man Mose caused a scandal with the lyric “bucket’ being mistaken for “fuck it.” The scandalous lyrics cased the record to sell 170,000 copies when sales of 20,000 were considered a blockbuster. The song would be banned in England. ~ Duchin was born in 1909
February 9, 1947 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Joe Ely born in Amarillo, Texas, USA ~ Admired by peers. Draws from honky-tonk, country, tex-mex, and rock & roll. Member of cult outfit the Flatlanders alongside regular collaborators Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock. As a solo artist well over a dozen albums to his name, especially acclaimed for Honky Tonk Masquerade released in 1978. Sang backing vocals on the Clash single Should I Stay Or Should I Go taken of the band's 1981 Combat Rock album. Has also frequently worked with supergroup Los Super Seven, and appeared on recordings by Robert Earl Keen, Kimmie Rhodes, Syd Straw, Uncle Tupelo, the Chieftains, Rosie Flores, and James McMurtry ~ Ely passed away in 2025
February 9, 1947 ~ Singer Major Harris born in Richmond, Virginia, USA ~ Sang with R&B, doo-wop units such as the Charmers, the Teenagers, the Jarmels, and Nat Turner's Rebellion, before joining the Delfonics, taking over from Randy Cain. Harris remained with the group from 1971 through 1974, their most productive period. Following his departure, Harris has recorded four albums as a solo artist, starting with My Way which spawned his biggest hit Love Won't Let Me Wait, a 1975 Billboard R&B charttopper ~ Harris passed away in 2012
February 9, 1947 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter, poet, author Ole Paus, full name Ole Christian Paus, born in Oslo, Norway ~ Actively recording since the early 1970s. Regarded as Norway's premier troubadour, described as the Norwegian counterpart to Bob Dylan and as “the Voice of the Nation”. Best known for songs such as Innerst I Sjelen and Engler I Sneen. Frequent collaborator of Ketil Bjørnstad. Father of classical composer Marcus Paus, with whom he has also worked ~ Paus passed away in 2023
February 9, 1946 ~ Pop singer, songwriter Georg Kajanus, full name George Johan Tjegodiev Kajanus, born in Trondheim, Norway ~ Member of UK folk band Eclection. Best known as co-founding member, lead singer for Sailor, remaining with the band through 1977. During his tenure with the band Kajanus also wrote most of the band's best known including the hits A Glass Of Champagne and Girls Girls Girls. Following his departure from the band Kajanus has worked with DATA, Shigeru Umebayashi, Noir, and composed documentary soundtracks
February 9, 1945 ~ Musical composer Henry Krieger born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for composing the score to the 1981 Broadway musical Dreamgirls, with lyrics by Tom Eyen. It would earn Krieger a Tony Award nomination for Best Score, and the 2006 film adaptation garnered him another three Academy Award nominations for Best Song. The musical is inspired by the show business aspirations of R&B acts such as the Shirelles, James Brown, and Jackie Wilson, and especially the Supremes as the story line tells of a pseudo-fictional young black female singing trio called the Dreams who become superstars. Other notable musicals written or co-written by Krieger include Tap Dance Kid, and Side Show
February 9, 1943 ~ R&B, soul singer, songwriter Barbara Lewis born in Salem, Michigan, USA ~ Active since the early 1960s. First gained attention with My Heart Went Do Dat Da, a regional hit in the Detroit area. Would follow up with her Hello Stranger debut album, which spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Hello Stranger. Subsequent hits included Baby I'm Yours, Make Me Your Baby, and Make Me Belong To YouFebruary 9, 1943 ~ Joseph Frank Pesci, commonly known as actor, singer Joe Pesci, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known as an actor, notably in the 1990 film Goodfellas earning him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Has also released a number of albums as a singer, starting with Little Joe Sure Can Sing in 1968
February 9, 1942 ~ Carole Joan Klein, commonly known as songwriter, singer Carole King, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ As a solo singer has over two dozen albums to her name, breaking through with her 1971 Tapestry album setting the bar for all future female singer-songwriters. Has sold over 75 million albums. As a songwriter rose to fame in the early 1960s co-writing numerous hit songs with her then-husband Gerry Goffin, including for the Drifters (Some Kind Of Wonderful), the Everly Brothers, the Animals, Little Eva (The Loco-motion), Gene Pitney, Aretha Franklin ((You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman), Paul Anka, the Crystals, Bobby Vee, Betty Everett, the Monkees, the Ronettes, and the Shirelles (Will You Love Me Tomorrow)
February 9, 1940 ~ Drummer Brian Bennett born in London, UK ~ Active since the late 1950s. Backed Marty Wilde as a member of the Wildcats. Briefly worked with Tommy Steele. Best known as a member of Cliff Richard's backing unit the Shadows, joining the band in 1961 as the replacement for Tony Meehan. Released his Change Of Direction solo debut album in 1967, consisting of jazz music
February 9, 1939 ~ Barry Imberman, commonly known as songwriter, pianist, singer Barry Mann born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ As a singer best known for the 1961 novelty song Who Put The Bomp (In The Bomp Bomp Bomp) co-written with Gerry Goffin, parodying the nonsensical lyrics of doo-wop genre. Best known as a songwriter, often teaming up with Cynthia Weil, with over 600 songs to his name. Well known songs include I Love How You Love Me (the Paris Sisters), Uptown (the Crystals), On Broadway (the Cookies, Bobby Darin), Saturday Night At The Movies (the Drifters), You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (the Righteous Brothers, Pat Boone, Gladys Knight), Walking In The Rain (the Ronettes), We Gotta Get Outta This Place (the Animals), and Kicks (Paul Revere & the Raiders)February 9, 1939 ~ Jazz, big band, swing saxophonist Herschel Evans, also known as Herschel Tex Evans, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced Illinois Jacquet and Arnett Cobb. Started in territory bands in the 1920s. Best known for his association with Count Basie, a member of the Count Basie Orchestra from the mid 1930s until his death at the end of the decade. Liked to engage in saxophone battles with bandmate Lester Young. Also worked with Troy Floyd, Terrence Holder, Mamie Smith, the Durham Brothers, Lionel Hampton, Buck Clayton, Bennie Moten, Harry James, and Teddy Wilson. Evans collapsed on-stage, was rushed to the hospital and died a few days later at the age of 29 ~ Evans was born in 1909
February 9, 1938 ~ Guitarist, bassist, engineer, producer, studio owner Wayne Moss born in South Charleston, West Virginia, USA ~ Taking up the guitar at age 8, Moss would go on to become one of the most in-demand Nashville session musicians. Moss is also known as co-owner, alongside lifelong compadre Charlie McCoy, of Cinderella Sound, the oldest independent Nashville recording studio. Co-founder of Area Code 615 and Barefoot Jerry, two groups consisting of Nashville studio musicians. Moss is notably present on classic tracks such as Sheila (Tommy Roe), Oh Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison), I Want You and Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 (Bob Dylan), Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line (Waylon Jennings), Stand By Your Man (Tammy Wynette), The Chokin' Kind (Joe Simon), and Coat Of Many Colors, Jolene, and I Will Always Love You (Dolly Parton). Over the course of his lengthy career, Moss has also appeared on albums by Bob Luman, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Everly Brothers, Chet Atkins, Patsy Cline, Eddy Arnold, Loretta Lynn, Peter Paul & Mary, the Monkees, Porter Wagoner (The Cold Hard Facts Of Life), Nancy Sinatra (Country My Way), Buffy Sainte-Marie, Al Kooper (I Stand Alone), Willie Nelson, Charley Pride, Mickey Newbury (Looks Like Rain), Jerry Jeff Walker, Leo Kottke, the Oak Ridge Boys, Kris Kristofferson, and Billy Walker. Upon hearing of his passing, Kyle Young, the chief executive of the Country Music Hall of Fame, stated: “Wayne was a musical torchbearer and a creative pathfinder who left his own resounding stamp on music history.” Moss had been inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009 ~ Moss passed away in 2026February 9, 1937 ~ Leonard Skeat, commonly known as jazz double bassist Len Skeat, born in East London, UK ~ Worked with Mel Tormé, Ben Webster, Billy Eckstine, Lionel Hampton, Scott Hamilton, Helen Merrill, Lou Rawls, Harry Sweets Edison, Denny Wright, Digby Fairweather, Spike Robinson, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Stéphane Grappelli, Dick Morrisey, Bill Watrous, Randy Sandke, Eddie Thompson, and Charly Antolini ~ Skeat passed away in 2021
February 9, 1936 ~ John Leroy Eastman Jr, commonly known as singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter Johnny Heartsman, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for his 1957 R&B hit Johnny's House Party. Also known for songs such as Paint My Mailbox Blue and Heartburn. Has backed artists such as Jimmy McCracklin, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Big Mama Thornton, Roy Agee, Jimmy Wilson, Johnny Fuller, Al King, Tiny Powell, and Joe Simon. As a songwriter wrote for artists such as Jesse James (Are You Gonna Leave Me), Roy Buchanan (Goose Grease), John Hammond Jr (Got To Find My Baby), and Amos Garrett (Move On Down The Line) ~ Eastman passed away in 1996
February 9, 1932 ~ Inventor, composer, educator Herbert Deutsch born in Hempstead, New York, USA ~ Best known for co-inventing the Moog synthesizer with Robert Moog in 1964. The instrument would be adopted by rock and pop acts including the Doors, the Grateful Dead, the Rolling Stones, and the Beatles. It would also become a key instrument in 1970s progressive rock, used by acts such as Yes, Tangerine Dream, and Emerson Lake & Palmer. Deutsch was also a dedicated educator, serving as professor of electronic music and composition at Hofstra University for over 50 years from the early 1970s until his death at age 90 ~ Deutsch passed away in 2022
February 9, 1914 ~ Country, honky tonk singer Ernest Tubb, full name Ernest Dale Tubb, born in Crisp, Texas, USA ~ Quintessential country singer. Worked with Jimmie Rodgers, his backing unit the Texas Troubadours, Owen Bradley, the Andrews Sisters, Red Foley, the Wilburn Brothers, and Loretta Lynn. Known for songs such as Walking The Floor Over You, Try Me One More Time, Rainbow At Midnight, Slippin' Around, Throw Your Love My Way, Fortunes In Memories, Counterfeit Kisses, and Thanks A Lot ~ Tubb passed away in 1984February 9, 1910 ~ Herbert Lee Holland, commonly known as swing trumpeter Peanuts Holland, born in Norfolk, Virginia, USA ~ Worked with Alphonso Trent, Al Sears, the Jeter-Pillars Orchestra, Willie Bryant, Jimmie Lunceford, Coleman Hawkins, Fletcher Henderson, Charlie Barnet, Don Redman, Don Byas, Buck Clayton, Guy Lafitte, Mezz Mezzrow, Don Redman, Stuff Smith, and Kay Starr ~ Holland passed away in 1979
February 9, 1909 ~ Maria Do Carma Miranda Da Cunha, commonly known as samba singer, dancer, actress Carmen Miranda, born in Marco De Canaveses, Portugal ~ Nicknamed “the Brazilian Bombshell”. Rose to stardom with her 1930 recording of Tai (Pra Voce Gostar De Mim). Performed on Broadway and in over a dozen Hollywood films from 1940 through the mid 1950s ~ Miranda passed away in 1955
February 9, 1902 ~ Jazz singer, bandleader, composer Blanche Calloway, full name Blanche Dorothea Jones Calloway, born in Rochester, New York, USA ~ Older sister of Cab Calloway, on whom she had a profound influence. First woman to lead an all-male orchestra. Has worked with Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle in the 1921 Shuffle Along musical. Other collaborations include Louis Armstrong, Cozy Cole, Chick Webb, Andy Kirk, Ben Webster, Bennie Moten, and Zack Whyte ~ Calloway passed away in 1978
February 9, 1900 ~ Bassist Walter Page, full name Walter Sylvester Page, born in Gallatin, Missouri, USA ~ Led the Blue Devils. Also worked with the Count Basie Orchestra, Jimmy Rushing, Buster Smith, Lester Young, Hot Lips Page, Jo Jones, Freddie Green, Jimmy McPartland, Eddie Condon, Ruby Braff, Roy Eldridge, Vic Dickenson, and Buck Clayton ~ Page passed away in 1957
February 9, 1885 ~ Composer Alban Berg, full name Alban Maria Johannes Berg, born in Vienna, Austria ~ Despite a relatively small oeuvre remembered as one of the most important 20th century composers known for merging Romantic lyricism with the twelve-tone technique. Best known for his 1924 opera Wozzeck, his 1926 Lyric Suite for strings and his 1935 Violin Concerto ~ Berg passed away in 1935Page 1 ~ Page 2