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.
January 1, 1956 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Jim Boyd born ~ One of the most respected Native American singers with over a dozen albums as a solo artist during a career spanning four decades. Member of XIT, one of the first rock groups in Indian country to achieve succes. Has also worked with Greywolf and Winterhawk ~ Boyd passed away in 2016
January 1, 1956 ~ Martin Edward Murphy, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Martin Plaza, born in Sydney, Australia ~ Co-founding member, lead singer, guitarist of new wave outfit Mental As Anything, known for hits such as If You Leave Me Can I Come Too, Too Many Times and Live It Up. As a solo artist scored a mid-1980s hit with his Unit 4+2-cover Concrete And Clay. Has also worked with acts such as the Rock Party, the Stetsons, Beatfish, and Moondog
January 1, 1956 ~ Soul, funk, R&B singer Michael Wycoff born in Torrance, California, USA ~ Sang backup on Stevie Wonder's landmark album Songs In The Key Of Life released in 1976. As a solo artist scored a handful of moderate early 1980s hits on the Billboard R&B charts, his best known being Tell Me Love taken of his third and final album On The Line released in 1983. Also known for the Evelyn Champagne King-duet Can We Be Friends. Although his albums were critically acclaimed sales remained low. Wycoff would struggle with alcohol and drugs addiction, eventually ending up homeless, but found his way back through his faith and ultimately became a Minister of Music working with several Los Angeles area churches ~ Wycoff passed away in 2019
January 1, 1954 ~ Drummer Richard Edson born in New Rochelle, New York, USA ~ Founding member of art rock band the Alterboys. Original drummer of Sonic Youth, present only on the band's 1982 eponymous Sonic Youth debut EP. Member of Konk. Also known as actor, appearing in over 30 films
January 1, 1953 ~ Seydou Koné, commonly known as reggae singer Alpha Blondy, born in Dimbokro, Ivory Coast ~ Debuted in 1982 with the album Jah Glory. Sings in Dioula, French and English. Known for his politcally and socially motivated songs, often with a spiritual or positive feel. Sometimes referred to as “the Bob Marley of Africa”January 1, 1953 ~ Jazz guitarist Greg Carmichael born ~ Best known as member of jazz group Acoustic Alchemy, which he co-founded with steel guitarist Nick Webb. The band has recorded over a dozen albums since their inception in 1987, and is especially acclaimed for the albums Red Dust And Spanish Lace, The New Edge, and Arcanum, the latter recorded with the string section of the London Metropolitan Orchestra
January 1, 1953 ~ Hiram King Williams, commonly known as singer, songwriter Hank Williams, passed away in Oak Hill, West Virginia, USA ~ Despite a relatively short career, ended abruptly by his untimely death, one of the most important and influential singers and songwriters of the 20th century. Known for classics such as Hey Good Looking, Your Cheatin' Heart, and I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. Williams never learned to read music ~ Williams was born in 1923January 1, 1953 ~ Bassist Roscoe Beck, full name Charles Roscoe Beck, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Formed the 1970s R&B fusion outfit Passenger. Has also worked with artists such as Robben Ford as well as with Robben Ford & the Blue Line, with Eric Johnson, Leonard Cohen (Recent Songs), the Dixie Chicks, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Jimmie Vaughan. Produced Jennifer Warnes' 1987 album Famous Blue Raincoat, a collection of Cohen covers
January 1, 1952 ~ Folk singer, songwriter David Rodriguez, full name David Roland Rodriguez, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Influenced by Lightnin' Hopkins, Townes Van Zandt, Lydia Mendoza, Jerry Jeff Walker. Actively recording since the early 1990s. Best known for his 1992 release The True Cross. His composition The Ballad Of The Snow Leopard And The Tanqueray Cowboy would be covered by both Lyle Lovett and Melissa Greener ~ Rodriguez passed away in 2015
January 1, 1951 ~ Double bassist Andy González born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Brother of trumpeter, percussionist Jerry González, with whom he regularly worked including in Conjuncto Libre co-founded by the siblings. An in-demand sideman from the 1970s onward, González has also appeared on albums by Chico O'Farrill, Ray Barretto (Together), George Benson, Eddie Palmieri (Superimposition), Harlem River Drive, Charlie Palmieri, Mongo Santamaria (Ubane), David Amram, Ismael Miranda, Kid Creole & the Coconuts, Patato Valdés, Daniel Ponce, David Byrne (Rei Momo), Kenny Kirkland, Hilton Ruiz, Justo Betancourt, Charlie Sepulveda (Algo Nuestro (Our Thing)), Steve Turre, Conrad Herwig, Tom Harrell, Ronny Jordan (A Brighter Day), Jack Bruce, and Of Montreal ~ Gonzalez passed away in 2020January 1, 1951 ~ Jazz drummer Shuichi Murakami born in Nishinomiya, Japan ~ Leader and sideman. Founded Ponta Box also featuring Masahiro Sayama and Masatoshi Mizuno. Worked extensively as s session musician in the 1970s and 1980s. Has collaborated with a host of jazz artists including Sadao Watanabe, Yosuke Yamashita, Kazumi Watanabe, Akira Sakata, and Takashi Kako
January 1, 1950 ~ Keyboardist Morgan Fisher, full name Stephen Morgan Fisher, born in London, UK ~ Best known as a member of Mott The Hoople from 1973 through 1976. Present on the albums Mott and The Hoople, released respectively in 1973 and 1974. Has also recorded prolifically as a solo artist since the early 1970s and has worked with Love Affair, Morgan, Hybrid Kids, the Third Ear Band, the British Lions, Lol Coxhill, Hans-Joachim Roedelius, Portmanteau, and Tom Guerra
January 1, 1950 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter, producer Steve Ripley born in Boise, Idaho, USA ~ Active since the mid 1970s. Best known as co-founding member and frontman of mid 1990s country outfit the Tractors. Has also worked as a producer, recording engineer and studio musician with artists such as Bob Dylan (Shot Of Love), JJ Cale (Shades, 8, Roll On), Clarence Gatemouth Brown and Roy Clark. Founded Ripley Guitars in 1982, building guitars for Steve Lukather, Ry Cooder, Jimmy Buffett, and Eddie Van Halen ~ Ripley passed away in 2019January 1, 1949 ~ Progressive rock keyboardist Joe Vescovi born in Savona, Italy ~ One of the most valued artists in Italian progressive rock known for his energetic stage presence, eccentric clothing and virtuoso keyboard playing. Active since his mid-teens. Best known for his work with the Trip, replacing Ritchie Blackmore who departed the band to join Deep Purple, and with Dik-Dik, one of the all-time favorite Italian rock bands ~ Vescovi passed away in 2014
January 1, 1948 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Louis Chédid born in Ismailia, Egypt ~ Father of rock singer Matthieu Chedid. Influenced by Django Reinhardt. Best known for songs such as La Belle, T'As Beau Pas être Beau, Ainsi Soit-il, Anne Ma Soeur Anne. As a songwriter also worked on the 2006 fairytale musical Le Soldat Rose, its songs covered by a wide array of artists including Vanessa Paradis, Jeanne Cherhal, Francis Cabrel, Alain Souchon and Bénabar
January 1, 1947 ~ Rocksteady, reggae singer Freddie McKay born in Jamaica ~ Father of singer, bassist Brushy One String. Active since the mid 1960s, working with producers such as Prince Buster, Duke Reid and Coxsone Dodd. About half a dozen albums to his name, starting with Picture On The Wall, released in 1971. Known for songs such as Love Is A Treasure, High School Dance, the Horace Andy duet Talking Love, and Dance This Ya Festival ~ McKay passed away in 1986
January 1, 1947 ~ Singer, keyboardist, songwriter Leon Patillo, full name Leon Norman Patillo, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Best known as solo artist, focusing on Contemporary Christian music, and as frontman of funk outfit Leon's Creation. Has occasionally worked with Funkadelic, Martha & the Vandellas, and with Santana, appearing on the latter's Borboletta and Festival albums
January 1, 1945 ~ Georgette Adjoavi Bellow, commonly known as singer Bella Bellow, born in Tsévié, Togo ~ Released her sole album, Rockya, in 1969 consisting of a live set recorded in Paris. Has also worked with Manu Dibango, Angélique Kidjo, and Afia Mala. Bellow passed away at age 28 in a car crash ~ Bellow passed away in 1973
January 1, 1945 ~ Robert Nathan Sheff, commonly known as avant-garde pianist, composer Gene Tyranny or Blue Gene Tyranny, born in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name, especially acclaimed for Country Boy Country Dog (How To Discover Music In The Sounds Of Your Daily Life album. Closely associated with Robert Ashley, appearing on over half a dozen of Ashley's albums. Toured with Carla Bley and with Iggy Pop. Has also guested on albums by Peter Laurence Gordon (Star Jaws), David van Tieghem, Laurie Anderson, and Philip Krumm (Formations) ~ Sheff passed away in 2020January 1, 1943 ~ Blues, blues-rock singer Chris Youlden, full name Christopher Thomas Youlden, born in Dagenham, UK ~ Best known as a member of Savoy Brown from 1967 through 1970. Has since released a number of solo albums, starting with Nowhere Road released in 1973 ~ Youlden passed away in 2025
January 1, 1943 ~ Singer, guitarist Soledad Bravo born in Logroño, Spain ~ Considered one of the finest voices in Latin America, enjoying popularity especially in her adopted homeland Venezuela. Released her Soledad Bravo Canta debut album in 1968. Best known for her rendition of Hasta Siempre. Has collaborated with Atahualpa Yupanqui, Gilberto Gil, ad others
January 1, 1942 ~ Joseph Allen McDonald, commonly known as rock singer Country Joe McDonald born in El Monte, California, USA ~ Lead singer, frontman of psychedelic rock band Country Joe & the Fish, known best for songs such as I Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag, The Fish Cheer and Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine, and especially for the 1967 Electric Music For The Mind And Body album which stands as one of the most enduring works of the counterculture era ~ McDonald passed away in 2026
January 1, 1941 ~ Amar Ait Zal, commonly known as singer, mandole player Amar Ezzahi, born in Ain-el-Hammam, Algeria ~ Despite shunning the media and having given only one concert during his entire career, preferring to perform in open spaces like cafes and terraces, Ezzahi would become a figurehead of Chaabi, the traditional music of Algiers. His stature was such that upon his death Azzedine Mihoubi, then-Minister of Culture, would visit the family house to console the next of kin and pay hommage to Ezzahi. Ezzahi is known for songs such as Zinouba, Yal Adra, Aadrouni Yahli, and Ghada Kasek ~ Ezzahi passed away in 2016January 1, 1941 ~ Marshall Eugene Jones, commonly known as R&B, funk bassist Marshall Rock Jones, born in Dayton, Ohio, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Ohio Untouchables, initially an R&B band which mainly served as backing unit for several artists including the Falcons and Wilson Pickett. The band would eventually be renamed to the Ohio Players and record about a dozen albums through the mid 1980s including the acclaimed Skin Tight, Fire, and Honey, their slinky, horn-augmented grooves and animated vocals making them one of the most distinctive funk outfits of the 1970s. Jones departed the band in 1984, and is present on nearly all the band's hits including Funky Worm, Skin Tight, and the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits Fire and Love Rollercoaster ~ Jones passed away in 2016
January 1, 1933 ~ Drummer, bandleader Hideo Shiraki born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Famed for his hard bop beginnings in the 1950s venturing into fusing world music with jazz. Employed sidemen such as Hidehiko Matsumoto, Terumasa Hino, Yuzura Sera. Especially acclaimed for his 1961 album In Fiesta and his 1965 album Sakura Sakura. Has guested on Toshiko Akiyoshi's 1961 album Toshiko Meets Her Old Pals and accompanied John Coltrane on his 1996 Japanese tour ~ Shiraki passed away in 1972