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 13, 2025 ~ Country, bluegrass, gospel singer Buck White passed away ~ Formed the family outfit the Whites with daughter Sharon White and Cheryl White, known for 1980s Billboard Country top 10 hits such as You Put The Blue In Me, Hangin' Around, Give Me Back That Old Familiar Feeling and Pins And Needles ~ White was born in 1930
January 13, 2025 ~ Conductor, composer, trumpeter Elgar Howarth passed away ~ To pop audiences perhaps best known as one of the trumpeters guesting on the Beatles-track Magical Mystery Tour of the album of the same name released in 1967. Formed New Music Manchester with fellow students Harrison Birtwistle, Alexander Goehr, Peter Maxwell Davies and John Ogdon. Both as a trumpeter and conductor, Howarth has worked with numerous renowned orchestras. As a conductor he is particularly known for premiering György Ligeti's Le Grand Macabre in 1978 with the Royal Swedish Opera ~ Howarth was born in 1935
January 13, 2024 ~ Joel Sonnier, commonly known as Cajun, zydeco, country singer, accordionist, songwriter Jo-El Sonnier, passed away in Llano, Texas, USA ~ Active professionally since the late 1960s, first performing on the radio at age six. Would become a fixture on the Louisiana Cajun scene, earning a devoted following bridging the musical traditions. Well over two dozen albums to his name, especially noted for Come On Joe released in 1987, and for Cajun Young Blood released in 1996. Best known for No More One More Time and the Richard Thompson-cover Tear Stained Letter, both of which reached top 10 Billboard Country. Guested on albums by Emmylou Harris (Elite Hotel), Johnny Cash, George Strait, Elvis Costello (King Of America), Patty Loveless, Dolly Parton, the Indigo Girls, Sammy Kershaw, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, and Mark Knopfler ~ Sonnier was born in 1946
January 13, 2023 ~ Singer Miley Cyrus releases Flowers, lifted off her Endless Summer Vacation album ~ Warmly received by critics, many of whom praised Miley Cyrus for her vocal delivery while the New York Times complimented the singer's apparent growth into “laid-back maturity and convincing self-assurance”, Flowers expresses an ex-lover's acceptance of being independent after no feeling the need to rely on someone else to be complete, or simply put she doesn't need a lover to buy her flowers. Although Cyrus has not publicly commented on the matter, the song is believed to be about actor Liam Hemsworth with whom she had an on-and-off relationship for several years, and was engaged twice, leading up to a marriage that ended in divorce after eight months. Cyrus released Flowers on the 33rd birthday of Hemsworth. The single would top the charts in well over a dozen countries including Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Ireland, the UK, and spent eight consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 in her native America, making it her second American No.1 hit, preceded by Wrecking Ball a decade earlierJanuary 13, 2022 ~ Vincent Edwards, commonly known as hip-hop, gangsta rap rapper CPO Boss Hogg, passed away in Compton, California, USA ~ Influenced by George Clinton, Prince, Barry White, Michael Jackson, Chuck D, KRS One, LL Cool J. Formed Capitol Punishment Organization with DJ Train, known for their sole To Hell And Back album released in 1990. Has since guested on recordings by NWA, Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur (Picture Me Rollin'), E-A-Ski, Warren G, and Tha Chill ~ Edwards was born in 1969
January 13, 2022 ~ R&B singer Sonny Turner passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Mentored by Jackie Wilson. Member of the Metrotones. Lead singer of the Platters from 1960, replacing Tony Williams, through 1970. Present on songs such as I Love You 1,000 Times, With This Ring and Washed Ashore ~ Turner was born in 1939
January 13, 2021 ~ Edward Gernel Fletcher, commonly known as hip-hop producer, rapper Duke Bootee, passed away in Savannah, Georgia, USA ~ Best known for co-writing and appearing on the Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five 1982 hit The Message. The single is considered a landmark hip hop recording as one of the first to take rap music from the house parties of its origins and venture into providing social commentary, its lyrics telling of the stress of inner-city poverty, lack of prospects, and crime ~ Fletcher was born in 1951
January 13, 2021 ~ John Voorhis Bogert III, commonly known as bassist, singer Tim Bogert, passed away in San Diego, California, USA ~ One of hard rock's most distinguished and respected bassists. As Willie Kizart, Link Wray, and Dave Davies have been said to pioneer guitar distortion, so is Bogert credited as a pioneer of bass guitar distortion. Closely associated with drummer Carmine Appice, including in celebrated late 1960s, early 1970s outfits Vanilla Fudge, known for their Billboard Hot 100 You Keep Me Hanging On top 10 hit, Cactus, and Beck Bogert & Appice. Has released a handful of solo albums, such as Progressions and Master's Brew in the early 1980s, perhaps somewhat overlooked and underpromoted due to lack of time and effort while working on other projects around the same time. Bogert appears on recordings by Marcus, Jan Akkerman (Tabernakel), Michael Quatro, Boxer, Rod Stewart, Rick Derringer, Buzzy Linhart, Jeff Beck (Beckology), Jon Bare, and Graham Bonnet. While already in his 70s, Bogert reluctantly retired from touring in 2010, following a motorcycle accident, yet he continued to record, churning out a few more decent solo albums until his death about a decade later ~ Bogert was born in 1944
January 13, 2019 ~ Pianist, singer, producer, songwriter Willie Murphy passed away ~ Influenced by Little Richard, Fats Domino, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Ray Charles. Best known for his association with John Koerner, notably on the duo's acclaimed 1969 album Running Jumping Standing Still, and as pianist, singer, frontman of R&B, blues, rock outfit Willie & the Bees. Produced Bonnie Raitt, Bonnie Raitt's 1971 eponymous debut album. Has also worked as a session musician for Greg Brown, Prudence Johnson, and Little Milton ~ Murphy was born in 1943
January 13, 2016 ~ Music manager, producer Giorgio Gomelsky, full name Giorgio Segio Alessando Gomelsky, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Owned the the Crawdaddy Club where the Rolling Stones served as house band and was involved with their early management. Hired the Yardbirds as their replacement, becoming their manager and producer through 1966. Founded the 1960s Marmalade Records label, which signed Brian Auger, Julie Driscoll, the Blossom Toes, Graham Gouldman and Kevin Godley. In the 1970s became involved with progressive jazz rock bands including Gong, Henry Cow and Magma ~ Gomelsky was born in 1934
January 13, 2014 ~ Robert Laurence Albert Simpson, commonly known as guitarist Ronny Jordan, passed away in London, UK ~ Spearheaded 1990s acid jazz movement. Came to prominence after being featured on Guru's Jazzmatazz (Volume 1) released in 1993. Best known for his 1992 rendition of So What, a cover of the old Miles Davis tune ~ Jordan was born in 1962
January 13, 2013 ~ Tabla, sitar player Harihar Rao passed away ~ Close friend and protegé of Ravi Shankar. Fused Indian and Western music. Best known for leading the Hindustani Jazz Sextet, which also included trumpeter Don Ellis. Also noted for the 1966 album Raga Rock, recorded under the moniker the Folkswingers featuring Harihar Rao, containing instrumental renditions of popular rock songs of the day including Norwegian Wood, Eight Miles High and Paint It Black, originally recorded by respectively the Beatles, the Byrds and the Rolling Stones ~ Rao was born in 1927
January 13, 2010 ~ Edmund Leonard Thigpen, commonly known as drummer Ed Thigpen, passed away in Copenhagen, Denmark ~ Son of drummer Ben Thigpen who played with Andy Kirk in the 1930s and 1940s. Ed Thigpen followed in his father's footsteps starting at the the Savoy Ballroom employed by Cootie Williams, playing with and backing artists such as Dinah Washington, Gil Melle, Oscar Pettiford, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Paul Quinichette, Ernie Wilkins, Charlie Rouse, Lennie Tristano, Jutta Hipp, Johnny Hodges, Dorothy Ashby, Bud Powell, and Billy Taylor. Later Thigpen played with Oscar Peterson, Teddy Edwards, Howard McGhee, Phineas Newborn Jr, Ray Brown, Ella Fitzgerald (tour crew from 1967 to 1972}, moved to Copenhagen and worked with Kenny Drew, Ernie Wilkins, Thad Jones, Svend Asmussen, Mads Vinding, Alex Riel, Clark Terry, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Milt Jackson, and Monty Alexander ~ Thigpen was born in 1930
January 13, 2010 ~ Singer Teddy Pendergrass, full name Theodore DeReese Pendergrass, passed away in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Made his name in 1972, at age 21, as singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, particularly with two songs originally intended for other artists. Vocal group the Dells passed on I Miss You, so Kenny Gamble build the song to suit Pendergrass. It's follow-up, If You Don't Know Me By Now was intended for Patti LaBelle's R&B unit Marmalade, but they had to pass due to scheduling conflicts. Stayed with the band through 1975. Pendergrass would release his solo debut album, Teddy Pendergrass, in 1977. It would go platinum on the strength of the disco hit I Don't Love You Anymore. Would continue to regularly reach the top 10 of Billboard's R&B charts throughout the early 1990s with songs such as Close The Door, Love TKO, Hold Me (a 1984 ballad duet with Whitney Houston), Joy, and It Should've Been You ~ Pendergrass was born in 1950
January 13, 2007 ~ Saxophonist Michael Brecker, full name Michael Leonard Brecker, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Brother of Randy Brecker, with whom he regularly worked including under the moniker the Brecker Brothers. Member of Dreams. In-demand session musician and sideman, appearing on albums by Horace Silver, Billy Cobham, Lou Reed (Berlin), Donald Fagen, Eric Clapton, John Lennon (Mind Games), Aerosmith (Get Your Wings), Dan Fogelberg, Steely Dan (Gaucho), Frank Zappa, Bruce Springsteen (Born To Run), Chaka Khan (Chaka), the Blue Öyster Cult, Patti Austin, Art Garfunkel (Fate For Breakfast), Chick Corea, Billy Joel (An Innocent Man), George Benson, Aretha Franklin (Aretha), Charles Mingus, Max Roach, the Dire Straits (Brothers In Arms), Michael Franks, Carly Simon, and McCoy Tyner ~ Brecker was born in 1949
January 13, 2006 ~ David Roberto Hellman, commonly known as hard rock, glam metal singer, guitarist Dave Lepard, passed away in Uppsala, Sweden ~ Co-founding member, frontman of Crashdiet, present on hit singles such as Riot In Everyone, Breakin' The Chainz, Knokk 'Em Down and It's A Miracle. After his suicide the band continued initially as a trio, later joined by singer H Olliver Twisted ~ Hellman was born in 1980January 13, 2001 ~ Stanley Freeman, commonly known as pianist, conductor, arranger, songwriter Stan Freeman, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Worked with Tex Beneke, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Percy Faith, Mabel Mercer, Charlie Parker, Rosemary Clooney (Come On-a My House), Buddy Hackett, Marlene Dietrich, and Michael Feinstein. Co-wrote the musical Lovely Ladies Kind Gentlemen with Franklin Underwood ~ Freeman was born in 1920
January 13, 1991 ~ Singer, producer, songwriter Julian Perretta, full name Julian Remo Perretta, born in London, UK ~ First gained attention with Wonder Why in 2010. Also known for songs such as If I Ever Feel Better, Wildfire, Miracle and I Cry. Has collaborated with artists such as Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding, Dua Lipa, Rita Ora, Mark Ronson
January 13, 1986 ~ Singer Janet Jackson releases What Have You Done For Me Lately, lead single off her Control album ~ Jackson had recorded all tracks for the Control, but as label executive John McClain wanted one more uptempo song to round out the album Janet Jackson was summoned back to Minneapolis. When she got back to the studio, songwriters Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis were playing a demo version at full blast. What Have You Done For Me Lately would be issued as the album's lead single and became Jackson's breakout track. It reached top 10 in over a dozen countries, including No.4 on the American Billboard Hot 100, and earned the singer two Grammy Award nominations. The next four singles off the same album would also reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100, including When I Think Of You which became her first American No.1 hitJanuary 13, 1984 ~ Electropop, dance-pop, crunkcore singer, rapper, keyboardist, guitarist, drummer, songwriter Nathaniel Motte, full name Nathaniel Warren Seth Motte, born in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA ~ Half of electropop duo 3OH!3, the other half being Sean Foreman, known for songs such as Don't Trust Me and Starstrukk featuring Katy Perry. As a songwriter and producer Motte worked with Jeffree Star, Elen Levon, Maroon 5 (Love Somebody), Ariana Grande, Karmin, Blues Traveler, Kaskade, and Delta Goodrem
January 13, 1984 ~ R&B, soul, pop sibling group the Pointer Sisters release Automatic, lifted off their Break Out album ~ A Billboard Hot 100 No.5 hit, it also earned them a Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, and became a signature song for the band. Eldest sister Ruth Pointer sang lead on this one, her defining deep vocals helping to make the song a hit. She later recalled on selecting the songs for the album: “We all sat up straight when we first heard Automatic and told (producer) Richard Perry we wanted to include it on the album. ‘Okay, ’ he said ‘But who would sing the low part?’ Are you kidding me, I said, I'll do the low part!”
January 13, 1983 ~ Jazz guitarist Barry Galbraith, full name Joseph Barry Galbraith, passed away in Bennington, Vermont, USA ~ Recorded a handful of albums as a leader, notably The Rhythm Section released in 1956. Had worked with the likes of Babe Russin, Art Tatum, and Claude Thornhill prior to a stint in the US Army. Best known as an in-demand session musician, mostly active during the 1950s and 1960s appearing on albums by Joe Puma, Milt Hinton (Basses Loaded), Charlie Shavers, Don Elliott, Clark Terry, Tito Puente, Joe Newman, Dinah Washington (The Swingin' Miss D), Mildred Bailey, George Russell (The Jazz Workshop), Coleman Hawkins (The Hawk Flies High), Carmen McRae, Billie Holiday (Lady In Satin), Creed Taylor, Urbie Green, Jack Teagarden (Think Well Of Me), Sheila Jordan (Portrait Of Sheila), Stanley Turrentine, Sarah Vaughan, Illinois Jacquet, John Lee Hooker, and Manny Albam ~ Galbraith was born in 1919January 13, 1981 ~ Singer, lute player, songwriter Giannis Haroulis born in Crete, Greece ~ Worked with Mikis Theodorakis, Stavros Xarchakos, Thanassis Papakonstantinou, Dionysis Savvopoulos, Alkistis Protopsalti, Sokratis Malames, Chainedes, Loukas Thanoy, Christos Tsiamoulis, Manos Eleutheriou, Christos Thiveos, Miltos Pashalidis, Nikos Portokaloglou, Manos Xydous, Minos Matsas, and Natassa Bofiliou
January 13, 1980 ~ Abram Naumovich Kostelyanetz, commonly known as conductor, arranger Andre Kostelanetz, passed away in Haiti ~ Best known for arranging and recording light classical music, pop tunes, Broadway show tunes for mass audiences, especially on his weekly CBS radio show Andre Kostelanetz Presents starting in the 1930s. Kostelanetz has also notably worked with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra ~ Kostelanetz was born in 1901
January 13, 1979 ~ In its 12th week on the charts, We've Got Tonite by Bob Seger peaks at No.13 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Bob Seger lifted the chords and melody off his own This Old House, originally issued as the B-side off his 1974 UMC (Upper Middle Class) single. The lyrics came to him after watching the film The Sting, inspired in particular by the scene where Robert Redford hits on a waitress who says, “I don't even know you”, after which Redford replies “You know me. I'm the same as you. It's two in the morning and I don't know nobody.” Seger's song would be covered several times, notably in 1983 as a duet by Kenny Rogers and Sheena Easton, which topped the Billboard Country charts and reached No.6 Billboard Hot 100, and in 2002 as a duet by Ronan Keating and Lulu, which reached top 10 across Europe
January 13, 1979 ~ R&B, soul, gospel, jazz singer, keyboardist, songwriter Donny Hathaway, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Iconic soul singer influential on Alicia Keys, Aaliyah, Common, George Benson, Justin Timberlake, and Amy Winehouse. Known for songs such as The Ghetto (Part 1), This Christmas, Someday We'll All Be Free, Little Ghetto Boy, A Song For You and For All We Know. Has duetted with Roberta Flack, notably on Where Is The Love and The Closer I Get To You. Session singer, later producer, worked with the Staple Singers, Jerry Butler, Aretha Franklin, the Impressions, and Curtis Mayfield ~ Hathaway was born in 1945