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 10, 2026 ~ Robert Hall Parber, commonoly known as rock, psychedelic rock, folk guitarist, singer, songwriter Bob Weir, passed away ~ Best known as founding member of the Grateful Dead staying with the band up to its disbandement in 1995. Has also worked with Kingfish, Bobby & the Midnites, the Other Ones, Ratdog, Scaring The Children, Furthur, and Dead & Company ~ Parker was born in 1947
January 10, 2025 ~ Singer Sam Moore, full name Samuel David Moore, passed away in Coral Gables, Florida, USA ~ Half of soul duo Sam & Dave, the other half being Dave Prater, known for songs such as Hold On I'm Coming, Soul Man and I Thank You ~ Moore was born in 1935
January 10, 2023 ~ Jazz, pop, rock guitarist Dennis Budimir, full name Dennis Matthew Budimir, passed away ~ Active since his mid-teens, initially focused on jazz working with artists such as Don Cherry, Ken Hanna, Harry James, Chico Hamilton, Bud Shank, and Peggy Lee through the early 1960s. After a stint in the military toured with Bobby Troup before settling in Los Angeles to become an in-demand session musician. Appeared frequently on albums by the 5th Dimension, Harry Nilsson, Quincy Jones, the Partridge Family, and Sérgio Mendes. Other notable collaborations include Bobby Darin, Milt Jackson, Gene Ammons, Glen Campbell, Neil Diamond, Cass Elliott, Randy Newman (Good Old Boys), Cher, Barbra Streisand, Judy Collins, Rodney Franklin, Melissa Manchester, Barry Manilow, Ringo Starr, Lou Rawls, Bette Midler, Amy Grant, and Lee Ann Womack. Has also recorded about half a dozen albums as a leader or solo artist, starting with The Creeper released in 1965 ~ Budimir was born in 1938
January 10, 2023 ~ Geoffrey Arnold Beck, commonly known as rock guitarist Jeff Beck, passed away in East Sussex, UK ~ Though not the first rock guitarist to experiment with distortion, considered a pioneer helpful in redefining the sound and role of the electric guitar in rock. Member of the Yardbirds in 1965 and 1966, present on the albums For Your Love, Having A Rave Up and Roger The Engineer. Over a dozen albums as a solo artist or with the Jeff Beck Group, starting with the acclaimed Truth released in 1968. Also acclaimed for the albums Beck-Ola, Blow By Blow, and Wired. Member of short-lived supergroup Beck Bogert & Appice, alongside bassist Tim Bogert and drummer Carmine Appice. Has also notably collaborated with Jed Leiber on the 1992 Frankie's House soundtrack, with the Big Town Playboys, and with Johnny Depp ~ Beck was born in 1944
January 10, 2023 ~ Singer SZA releases Kill Bill, lifted off her SOS sophomore album ~ Several songs of the parent album deal with the SZA's rage after a breakup with a toxic boyfriend. Kill Bill, however, named after the Quentin Tarantino films of the same, is perhaps the most aggressive and outspoken, with SZA expressing the desire to kill both her ex and his new girlfriend: “I might kill my ex, not the best idea, his new girlfriend's next, how'd I get here?” Kill Bill would be her biggest hit yet, reaching No.1 Billboard Hot 100 as well as top 10 in Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the UK
January 10, 2022 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal singer, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Burke Shelley, full name John Burke Shelley, passed away in Heath, UK ~ Critically compared to Rush-bassist Geddy Lee. Co-founding member, frontman of Budgie since 1967, one of the earliest heavy metal bands and held in the highest regard by critics. The band has been cited as a major influence by later artists such as Iron Maiden, Metallica, Van Halen, Alice In Chains and Soundgarden and best known for their mid 1970s albums In For The Kill and Bandolier. Their 2010 tour would be cancelled as Shelley was hospitalised with an anyreusm, following surgery the band de facto ceased to exist ~ Shelley was born in 1950January 10, 2022 ~ Organist, music director, composer Francis Jackson, full name Francis Alan Jackson, passed away in York, UK ~ Best known as music director for York Minster for well over three decades starting in 1946. Has also recorded and toured extensively and composed canticles, anthems, hymns, and organ sonatas. Well known pieces include East Acklam, Daniel In Babylon and A Time Of Fire ~ Jackson was born in 1917
January 10, 2022 ~ Producer, songwriter, singer Gerry Granahan passed away in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, USA ~ Best known for his work in the 1950s and 1960s. Demo singer for Elvis Presley. As a solo artist best known for his 1958 hit No Chemise Please. Also co-wrote and recorded Click Clack, released under the pseudonym Dickey Doo & the Dont's for contractual reasons. The single's succes would prompt Granahan to record several more using the same moniker, including Nee Nee Na Na Na Na Nu Nu, Leave Me Alone (Let Me Cry) and Teardrops Will Fall. Granahan would venture into producing by the 1960s, working with artists such as Fireflies, James Ray, Patty Duke, Jay & the Americans and notably produce the original version of the Wild Ones' Wild Thing, the latter song later made famous by the Troggs ~ Granahan was born in 1932
January 10, 2020 ~ Jazz, rock pianist Wolfgang Dauner passed away in Stuttgart, Germany ~ Draws from jazz, rock, and electronic music, while incorporating elements of opera and theatre. About two dozen albums as a leader or solo artist, especially acclaimed for 1967's Free Action and 1970's Output. Founding member of jazz rock unit Et Cetera. Co-founding and longtime member of the United Jazz+Rock Ensemble. In-demand sideman, notably appearing on albums by Jean-Luc Ponty (Live At Donte's), Robin Kenyatta, Don Sugarcane Harris, Larry Coryell, Albert Mangelsdorff (Three Originals), Volker Kriegel, Gary Windo (His Master's Bones), and Klaus Doldinger ~ Dauner was born in 1935January 10, 2019 ~ R&B singer Larry Cunningham passed away ~ Member of one-hit wonder the Floaters, known best for Float On of their 1977 eponymous The Floaters debut album. The single would reach top 10 on both the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard R&B charts. The song would later be notably covered by hip-hop group Stetsasonic for their 1988 In Full Gear album ~ Cunningham was born in 1951
January 10, 2018 ~ Edward Allan Clarke, commonly known as heavy metal guitarist Fast Eddie Clarke passed away in London, UK ~ Member of the classic line-up of Motörhead, alongside Lemmy Kilmister and Phil Philty Animal Taylor. Sang lead or co-lead on Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers, I'm Your Witchdoctor, Step Down and Emergency. After his departure from the band in 1982, Clarke teamed up with UFO-bassist Pete Way using the group moniker Fastway ~ Clarke was born in 1950
January 10, 2017 ~ Singer Ariana Grande releases Everyday featuring Future, lifted off her Dangerous Woman album ~ Written by Ariana Grande, Future, and producers Ilya and Max Martin. Although Everyday would only be a minor hit, Grande was pleased with the result of collaborating with Future: “I knew I wanted to work with Future, but I didn't know if we could find the right song to do together because we're so different, but we found a dope vibe and it's very unique and exciting.” The Swedish producer, songwriter duo Max Martin and Ilya would later work with Grande on Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits such as No Tears Left To Cry, God Is A Woman, Break Up With Your Girlfriend (I'm Bored), and Yes And
January 10, 2016 ~ Singer, actor, songwriter David Bowie passed away in New York, USA ~ Hugely influential singer, songwriter. Embraced a wide variety of stage personas during his career. Known for songs such as Space Oddity, Starman, Jean Genie, Life On Mars, Rebel Rebel, Wild Is The Wind, Fame, Heroes, Ashes To Ashes, and Let's Dance ~ Bowie was born in 1947
January 10, 2015 ~ Bassist Tim Drummond, full name Timothy Lee Drummond, passed away in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ In-demand touring and session musician. Closely associated with Jim Keltner, forming the session rhythm duo Tim & Jim. Wrote or co-wrote several songs of the artists he worked with including To Lay Down Beside You (Joe Simon), Sip The Wine (Rick Danko), Saddle Up The Palomino (Neil Young), Down In Hollywood (Ry Cooder), Saved (Bob Dylan), and Satisfy Susie (Lonnie Mack). Other notable credits include Mother Earth, JJ Cale, Ronnie Hawkins, Graham Nash, Michelle Phillips, Bette Midler, David Crosby, Neil Diamond, Eric Clapton, and Jewel ~ Drummond was born in 1940January 10, 2013 ~ Trevor Gordon Grunnill, commonly known as soft rock, baroque pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Trevor Gordon, passed away in London, UK ~ Formed the late 1960s duo the Marbles with Graham Bonnet, scoring a UK top 10 hit with Only One Woman penned by the Bee Gees-siblings Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb ~ Grunnill was born in 1948
January 10, 2011 ~ Singer Margaret Whiting, full name Margaret Eleanor Whiting, passed away in Englewood, New Jersey, USA ~ Popular 1940s, 1950s pop, country singer known for recordings such as That Old Black Magic, It Might As Well Be Spring, All Through The Day, A Tree In The Meadow, and Wheel Of Hurt. Daughter of songwriter, composer Richard Whiting, sister of actress, singer Barbara Whiting. Worked with Freddie Slack, Billy Butterfield, Paul Weston, Jimmy Wakely, Johnny Mercer, Bob Hope, Buddy Bregman, Frank Devol, Russell Garcia, Johnny Mandel, Billy May, Marty Paich, Nelson Riddle, and Pete Rugolo ~ Whiting was born in 1924
January 10, 2008 ~ Rodney Bainbridge, commonly known as singer Rod Allen passed away in Coventry, UK ~ Fronted harmony beat group the Fortunes from its inception in 1961 until his death, scoring hits with songs such as You've Got Your Troubles, Here It Comes Again, Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again, and Storm In A Teacup. Following Allen's death the band would employ singer Eddie Mooney, formerly of the Dakotas, as their new lead vocalist ~ Allen was born in 1944
January 10, 2004 ~ Singer Usher releases Yeah featuring Lil' Jon and Ludacris, lifted off his Confessions album ~ This club banger combines the genres of crunk and R&B, a merger dubbed “Crunk&B” by the song's producer Lil' Jon. Issued as the lead single off Usher's fourth studio album, Yeah would top the charts in over a dozen countries, including twelve consecutive weeks at No.1 on the American Billboard Hot 100 charts before being dethroned by Burn, Usher's follow-up single. Yeah was awarded a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
January 10, 2000 ~ R&B, neo soul singer D'Angelo releases Untitled (How Does It Feel), lifted off his Voodoo sophomore album ~ Written and produced by D'Angelo and Raphael Saadiq, Untitled (How Does It Feel) was intended as a tribute to Prince, a major influence of D'Angelo's. The song evokes Prince's earlier work, in particular his balladry, as well as Prince's musical style and vocal technique. Untitled (How Does It Feel) would earn D'Angelo a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and a nomination for Best R&B Song, losing the latter to Destiny's Child's Say My Name. Peaking at No.2, Untitled (How Does It Feel) would be the singer's fourth and final Billboard R&B top 10 hit, preceded by Brown Sugar, Cruisin', and Lady, the latter of which was also written and produced by D'Angelo and Raphael SaadiqJanuary 10, 1999 ~ Frank Ciccio, commonly known as singer Frank Parker, passed away in Titusville, Florida, USA ~ Active since the 1920. Best known as tenor singer in Harry Horlick's orchestra and as a singer for various radio show throughout the 1950s, working with personalities such as Jack Benny, George Burns, and Arthur Godfrey. Hosted his own radio show That Atlantic Family On Tour, syndicated on CBS Radio stations ~ Ciccio was born in 1903
January 10, 1997 ~ Singer, songwriter Kenny Pickett, full name Kenneth Georger Pickett, passed away ~ Lead singer of the Creation, remaining with the band from 1966 through 1968 and rejoining in later reincarnations. Present on early recordings such as Making Time, Painter Man and Cool Jerk ~ Pickett was born in 1940
January 10, 1991 ~ Jazz trumpeter Bob Wallis passed away ~ Influenced by Red Allen. Enjoyed popularity in his native UK during the traditional jazz boom of the early 1960s. Member of Hugh Rainey's Hugh Rainey's All-Stars, which briefly also included future Cream-drummer Ginger Baker. The band would be renamed to the Storyville Jazz Band by the late 1950s, with Wallis taking over leadership. Over the next few years they recorded a handful of albums, notably Everybody Loves Saturday Night, and issued several reasonably successful singles including I'm Shy Mary Ellen (I'm Shy) and Come Along Please ~ Wallis was born in 1934
January 10, 1990 ~ Jump blues guitarist, singer Gene Phillips, full name Eugene Floyd Phillips, passed away in Lakewood, California, USA ~ Known for songs such as Big Fat Mama, Big Legs, Fatso, and Punking Head Woman. Worked with Dewey Jackson, Jimmy Powell, Floyd Smith, Lorenzo Flennoy, the Ink Spots, the Mills Brothers, Lucky Thompson, Marshal Royal, Charles Mingus, Jake Porter, Al Wichard, Maxwell Davis, Jack McVea, Bumps Myers, Willard McDaniel, Lloyd Glenn, Bill Street, and Art Edwards ~ Phillips was born in 1915January 10, 1989 ~ Composer, conductor Donald Voorhees passed away in Cape May Court House, New Jersey, USA ~ Known for his early work for radio and TV, earning an Emmy Award-nomination for his work on the TV series the Bell Telephone Hour. Musical director of the radio and TV show Cavalcade Of America. Conductor and director of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra from 1951 through 1983 ~ Voorhees was born in 1903
January 10, 1986 ~ Joseph Carl Firrantello, commonly known as jazz, jazz funk, fusion, hard bop saxophonist, oboist, flutist, hornist Joe Farrell, passed away in Duarte, California, USA ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name as a leader, including the highly acclaimed Outback released in 1972. Member of Chick Corea's pioneering jazz-fusion outfit Return To Forever. To pop and rock audiences perhaps best known for guesting on tracks such as Aretha Franklin's Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do), and Santana's When I Look Into Your Eyes. Other notable credits include work with Stan Getz, Dizzy Reece (Asia Minor), Willie Bobo, Jaki Byard, Stanley Turrentine, Pearls Before Swine, Andrew Hill, Elvin Jones, Janis Ian (Who Really Cares), Hermeto Pascoal, Roberta Flack (Quiet Fire), James Brown, Hall & Oates, the Bee Gees, George Benson (Good King Bad), and Maynard Ferguson ~ Firrantello was born in 1937