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 12, 2024 ~ Singer Ariana Grande releases Yes And, lifted off her Eternal Sunshine album ~ Written and produced by Ariana Grande with regular collaborators Max Martin and Ilya. The Swedish pair had previously worked with Grande on No Tears Left To Cry, God Is A Woman, and Break Up With Your Girlfriend (I'm Bored), all of which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100. In the nu-disco house track Yes And Ariana Grande implores the listener to rely on their resilience and self-confidence to heal from pain, trauma and criticism. Songwriter Ilya would later recall on working with the song with Grande: “I remember we were going through chords and she was like, ‘It needs to be more confident. It has to be more sassy’. When Ariana's describing an emotion she wants to have, I instantly go, ‘What sounds can make that emotion come to life?’ And to me, the 909 drums are what that vibe is.” Yes And would reach top 10 in over three dozen countries, including No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it her eighth American charttopper
January 12, 2024 ~ Bluegrass singer, guitarist, mandolinist Audie Blaylock passed away in Auburn, Indiana, USA ~ Spent most of the 1980s backing Jimmy Martin. Would go on to work with Red Allen, Lynn Morris, Harley Allen, Rhonda Vincent, Michael Cleveland, Patrick McAvinue, Michael Martin Murphey, and Bobby Osborne. Released his Trains Are The Only Way To Fly solo debut album in 2001 and has recorded as solo artist and with his backing unit Redline since ~ Blaylock was born in 1962
January 12, 2024 ~ Actor, singer Bill Hayes, full name William Foster Hayes III, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ To pop audiences known for the single The Ballad Of Davy Crockett which topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1955, and sold over two million copies. Hayes would also star in a Broadway production of the Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II penned musical Me & Juliet, and score several minor hits including The Berry Tree, High Noon, and Wringle Wrangle. Hayes would eventually become best known as an actor, known particularly for his role of Doug Williams in the soap opera Days Of Our Lives ~ Hayes was born in 1925
January 12, 2023 ~ Singer, songwriter Lisa Marie Presley passed away in Calabasas, California, USA ~ Only child of rock & roll icon Elvis Presley. Has recorded a number of albums as a singer, starting with To Whom It May Concern in 2003. Also known for a number of much-publicized romances and marriages to entertainers including Danny Keough, Michael Jackson, John Oszajca, and Michael Lockwood. Joined Scientology in 1977 but left in 2014 and has since voiced discontent with the cult ~ Presley was born in 1968
January 12, 2023 ~ Robin Peter Kendall Bachman, commonly known as drummer, percussionist Robbie Bachman, passed away in Vancouver, Canada ~ Brother of guitarists Randy Bachman and Tim Bachman. Member of Brave Belt. Best known for his tenure with Bachman-Turner Overdrive, along with bassist Fred Turner and brothers Randy and Tim. The band has scored a string of 1970s hits, many radio staples to this day. Well known songs include Let It Ride, Takin' Care Of Business, You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet, and Roll On Down The Highway ~ Bachman was born in 1953
January 12, 2022 ~ Conductor, violinist Everett Lee passed away in Malmö, Sweden ~ Mentored by conductor Artur Rodzinski. First gained attention in 1943, playing violin and oboe in the pit orchestra for the Broadway opera Carmen Jones, an all-black retelling of Georges Bizet's Carmen. Would go on to conduct Leonard Bernstein's production of On The Town, making him the first African-American to regularly conduct a Broadway show. Also noted for guest conducting the Louisville Orchestra, making him the first African-American to conduct a white orchestra in the American South. Founded the interracial orchestra the Cosmopolitan Symphony Orchestra. Also closely associated with the New York City Opera, the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Bogota Philharmonic Orchestra ~ Lee was born in 1916
January 12, 2022 ~ Veronica Yvette Bennett, commonly known as singer Ronnie Spector, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Fronted the pivotal 1960s girl group the Ronettes, which served as a template for future girl groups. The band also included Ronnie's sister Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley and is known for quintessential 1960s songs such as Be My Baby, Walking In The Rain, Born To Be Together, Baby I Love You, and The Best Part Of Breaking Up. Ronnie Spector also notably sang lead on the 1962 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit He's A Rebel, officially issued as a single by the Crystals but actually recorded by producer Phil Spector with the Blossoms of which she was a member. Bennett was married to producer Phil Spector from 1968 through 1974 ~ Bennett was born in 1943
January 12, 2019 ~ Bonnie Buckingham, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Bonnie Guitar, passed away in Soap Lake, Washington, USA ~ As a recording artist, Buckingham is best known for her 1957 country-pop hit Dark Moon, one of the first songs by a female country artist to cross over to the pop charts where it reached No.6. However, she is best known for her work behind the scenes, including notably as co-founder of Dolton Records and as such incremental in launching the careers of acts such as the Fleetwoods and the Ventures, and later on as co-owner of Jerden Records ~ Buckingham was born in 1923
January 12, 2019 ~ Sanger D Shafer, commonly known as songwriter, singer Whitey Shafer, passed away ~ Lifelong compadre of Lefty Frizzell, with whom he frequently collaborated. Staff songwriter at famed Acuff/Rose publishers, his songs recorded by George Jones (Tell Me My Lying Eyes Are Wrong), George Strait (Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind, All My Ex's Live In Texas), Johnny Russell (The Baptism Of Jesse Taylor), Moe Bandy (Bandy The Rodeo Clowen), Johnny Rodriguez, Merle Haggard, Keith Whitley (I Wonder Do You Think Of Me), John Michael Montgomery, Lee Ann Womack, and Kenny Chesney. Though best known as a songwriter, Shafer has ocassionally recorded as a singer, his highest charting single You Are A Liar reaching No.48 Billboard Country. Shafer was inducted in the the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1989 ~ Shafer was born in 1934
January 12, 2018 ~ Country singer Carrie Underwood releases The Champion featuring Ludacris, a stand-alone single recorded to serve as the theme to the Super Bowl LII ~ In the sporting event the Philadelphia Eagles would beat the New England Patriots, to win their first Super Bowl. Carrie Underwood stated that “the main focus was to celebrate athletes at the top of their game, but we also wanted the song to resonate with people in their everyday life.” Underwood would later include the song as a bonus track on her Cry Pretty album
January 12, 2018 ~ Actress, novelist, playwright, songwriter Françoise Dorin, full name Françoise Andrée Renée Dorin, passed away in Haute-de-Seine, France ~ Enjoyed her peak popularity in the 1970s. Authored some 30 plays and over two dozen books. To music audiences best known for co-writing Que C'Est Trist Venise with Charles Aznavour, first recorded by Aznavour in 1964 and covered by Simone, Gigliola Cinquetti, Mario Pelchat, and Julien Clerc. Dorin also co-wrote N'Avoue Jamais, performed by Guy Mardel at the 1965 Eurovision Songfestival reaching third place ~ Dorin was born in 1928
January 12, 2015 ~ Trombonist Clifford Adams, full name Clifford Alanza Adams Jr, passed away in Trenton, New Jersey, USA ~ Member of Kool & the Gang, joining the band in 1977. Present on some of the band's best known, notably the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Ladies Night and Too Hot ~ Adams was born in 1952January 12, 2015 ~ Mezzo-soprano singer Elena Obraztsova, full name Elena Vasiliyena Obraztsova, passed away in Leipzig, Germany ~ Has served under renowned conductors including Herbert von Karajan and Claudio Abbado, working with the latter in a 1977 La Scala performance of Don Carlos's Eboli. Also noted for performing the title role in a 1976 TV production of Carmen opposite Plácido Domingo. Has also shared stages with Luciano Pavarotti, Joan Sutherland and Ingvar Wixell ~ Obraztsova was born in 1939
January 12, 2010 ~ Hip hop, EDM act Black Eyed Peas release Imma Be, lifted off their The END album ~ Released to mixed critical reception, Imma Be nevertheless became a hit, after Boom Boom Pow and I Gotta Feeling the third Billboard Hot 100 charttopper of the hip hop act's The END album. When Imma Be hit the top of the American charts, Black Eyed Peas became the first act in close to two decades to score three No.1 hits off the same album, equaling the record set by Wilson Phillips with Hold On, Release Me and You're In Love all lifted off the girl group's eponymous debut album
January 12, 2010 ~ Vivian Neville Jackson, commonly known as reggae singer, producer Yabby You, passed away in Clarendon, Jamaica ~ As a recording artist best known for his 1972 single Conquering Lion off his debut album of the same name, which earned him his nickname “Yabby You” taken from the song's lyrics: “Be-you, yabby-yabby-you”. Although Jackson would continue to release material as a singer, notably the mid 1970s albums Chant Down Babylon Kingdom and Deliver Me From My Enemies, he would become best known as a producer working with both upcoming and established artists including Wayne Wade, Michael Rose, Tommy McCook, Michael Prophet, Big Youth, Trinity, Dillinger, and Tapper Zukie. Jackson's productions would usually feature dominant basslines, aided by organs, horns, and soaring harmonies to create a meditative, spiritual atmosphere. When performing as a singer, Jackson would usually do so with crutches as he had been suffering from severe arthritis and crippled legs since his teens ~ Jackson was born in 1946January 12, 2007 ~ Alice McLeod, commonly known as harpist Alice Coltrane, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Leader and sidewoman. Married to saxophonist John Coltrane, with whom she also worked. Debuted in 1967 with the album Monastic Trio. Worked with Terry Gibbs, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, McCoy Tyner, Joe Henderson, and Charlie Haden ~ Coltrane was born in 1937
January 12, 2006 ~ Jazz pianist Jack Wilson passed away in London, UK ~ Founded the Versatile Five in 1933, one of the most popular jazz ensembles in pre-war Britain. The band would continue throughout the early 1950s, entertaining the troops during the war and regularly appearing on the BBC thereafter. Composer Billy Mayerl, an idol of Wilson's, dedicated his Nimble-Fingered Gentleman to Wilson, considered one of the top pianists of the era ~ Wilson was born in 1907
January 12, 2003 ~ Singer Maurice Gibb passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Member of the Bee Gees alongside elder brother Barry Gibb and twin brother Robin Gibb. Sang lead on songs such as Lay It On Me, Country Woman, On Time, and Man In The Middle. Maurice has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing his debut single Railroad in 1970. A full-length solo album, The Loner, was recorded around the same time but never released ~ Gibb was born in 1949
January 12, 1996 ~ Singer, songwriter Ella Henderson, full name Gabrielle Michelle Henderson, born in Tetney, UK ~ First gained attention as contestant in the 9th series of talent contest The X-Factor in 2012, reaching only 6th place despite being tapped to win. Released her solo debut album, Chapter One, in 2014. It spawned the UK top 20 hits Glow, Yours and perhaps her best known Ghost. Has subsequently collaborated with Sigma (Glitterball), Kygo (Here For You), Jax Jones (This Is Real), and with Sigala (We Got Love)
January 12, 1994 ~ Goran Ivandic, commonly known as rock, progressive rock, hard rock, folk rock, pop rock drummer Ipe Ivandic, passed away in Belgrade, Yugoslavia ~ Member of Jutro which changed their name to Bijelo Dugme in 1974. Present on the band's two most successful albums, 1974's Kad Bi' Bio Bijelo Dugme and its follow-up Sta Bi Dao Si Na Mom Mjestu the next year, before being conscripted to serve in the Army. After his discharge, Ivandic rejoined the band in 1977 ~ Ivandic was born in 1955
January 12, 1994 ~ Pop rock, soft rock singer Richard Marx releases Now And Forever, lead single off his Paid Vacation album ~ Written by Richard Marx about his wife-at-the-time, actress Cynthia Rhodes, whom he had met on the set of the 1983 film Staying Alive and married in 1989. In 2012, he relayed in an interview: “It's really personal. Even though it became very universal, every line in that song is about me and Cynthia. It's about me and my wife. It's as if I sat down and wrote her a letter and just happened to put it to music.” The marriage didn't last forever though, they divorced two years after the interview. Richard's father, Dick Marx, had arranged the strings on the track. Now And Forever would be his final Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit, peaking at No.7January 12, 1993 ~ Doh Kyung-soo, commonly known as K-pop singer, actor DO, born in Seoul, South Korea ~ Member of boy band EXO, known for a string of 2010 hits in their native South Korea including the No.1 hits December 2014 (The Winter's Tale), Love Me Right, Monster, and Ko Ko Bop. Kyung-soo has also ventured into acting for film and TV and released his Empathy solo debut EP in 2021
January 12, 1993 ~ Zain Javadd Malik, commonly known as singer Zayn Malik, born in Bradford, UK ~ Member of boy band One Direction, which went on to become one of the all-time best selling boy bands known for hits such as What Makes You Beautiful, Live While We're Young, and Best Song Ever. Malik was the first to leave the band, departing in 2015. Both his solo debut album, Mind Of Mine, and debut single, Pillowtalk, would debut at the No.1 spot on both sides of the Atlantic. Malik has recorded to commercial success since, including collaborations with Taylor Swift and SiaJanuary 12, 1991 ~ In its 11th week on the charts Unanswered Prayers by Garth Brooks hits No.1 Billboard Country ~ The song tells of the blessing of unanswered prayers. Those occurences where you think you want something but never get it, only to be grateful later on your prayer wasn't granted when something even better comes along. Another possible similar explanation can be you should be thankful for what you have, rather than sad for what's missing. Pat Alger, who co-wrote the song with Garth Brooks and Larry Bastian, would later reflect: “You're supposed to use that lesson to relate to the rest of your future life. That's the point of it. That's the sermon, I guess you'd say. Over the years, I've talked to a lot of pastors who've used that as a jumping off place for a sermon”
January 12, 1991 ~ Victoria Louise Lott, commonly known as singer, actress, songwriter Pixie Lott, born in London, UK ~ Cites Céline Dion, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston as major influences. Lott's debut single, Mama Do (Uh Oh Uh Oh), and its follow-up, Boys And Girls, would both make it to top of the British charts. A full-length debut album, Turn It Up, would be released in 2009