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 14, 2025 ~ Francis Ossei, commonly known as Afro-pop saxophonist, drummer, singer Teddy Osei, passed away in London, UK ~ Best known as frontman of Afro-pop unit Osibisa, which was formed in the late 1960s in London, the UK. The band, consisting of African and Latin-American musicians, has been credited as one of the earliest and most influential acts in bringing African-based rhythms to Western audiences. They are especially acclaimed for their first two albums, Osibisa and Woyaya, both of which were produced by a then-relatively unknown Tony Visconti. The band counted Stevie Wonder among its fans, while several of their tracks have been covered by the likes of Art Garfunkel and the 5th Dimension. Although line-up changes were common for the band, Osei remained a constant factor ~ Osei was born in [artist-teddy-osei]
January 14, 2023 ~ R&B, soul singer Keith Beaton passed away ~ Member of Philly soul group Blue Magic, known for songs such as Sideshow, Three Ring Circus, and What's Come Over Me featuring Margie Joseph ~ Beaton was born in 1950
January 14, 2022 ~ Guitarist, composer Angelo Gilardino passed away in Vercilli, Italy ~ Actively performing since the late 1950s, noted for premiering Mutations On Dies Irae in 1974 written by John Duarte. As a composer, Gilardino wrote for solo guitar as well as chamber music, concertos and sonatas, and is perhaps best known for his Studi Di Virtuosita Di Transcendenza collection. Gilardino had his compositions recorded by the likes of Cristiano Porqueddu, Ermanno Brignolo, Sanja Plohl, Lorenzo Micheli, and Aniello Desiderio ~ Gilardino was born in 1941
January 14, 2022 ~ Singer, songwriter Dallas Frazier passed away in Gallatin, Tennessee, USA ~ Moderately successful as a late 1950s singer best known for writing and first recording Alley Oop, later a hit for the Hollywood Argyles. Would find his greatest fame as a songwriter, his songs recorded by Ferlin Husky (Timber I'm Falling), OC Smith, George Jones, Jack Greene (There Goes My Everything), Diana Ross, Johnny Duncan (Johnny One Time), Engelbert Humperdinck, Jerry Lee Lewis (Touching Home), Connie Smith (In My Baby's Arms Again), Willie Nelson, Brenda Lee, Charley Pride, Merle Haggard, Charlie Rich (Mohair Sam), Gene Watson (Fourteen Carat Mind), Elvis Presley (True Love Travels On A Gravel Road), Moe Bandy (Don't Anyone Make Love At Home Anymore), Roy Head, Charlie Louvin, Rodney Crowell, Dan McCafferty, Poco, Ronnie Hawkins, Henson Cargill (This Just Ain't No Good Day For Leavin'), Anne Murray, Stoney Edwards (Hank And Lefty Raised My Country Soul), Glen Campbell, George Strait, Randy Travis, and Patty Loveless. In 1988 Frazier left the music industry to become a Christian minister ~ Frazier was born in 1939January 14, 2022 ~ R&B, funk, soul drummer Greg Webster passed away in Dayton, Ohio, USA ~ Although he departed the band slightly before their rise to fame, Webster was a key member of funk outfit the Ohio Players. Webster led the band from its inception in 1964 until 1974, appearing on the albums Observations In Time, Pain, and Pleasure. The latter would spawn the band's first major hit, Funky Worm, which reached No.15 Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Billboard R&B charts. Although Webster did not remain with the band for its most successful run, he is considered pivotal in helping create the band's distinctive sound, and is acknowledged as a pioneer drummer whose drumming style and beats have been emulated by many, including in the hip hop community ~ Webster was born in 1938
January 14, 2021 ~ Gospel singer Duranice Pace, full name Duranice Ann Pace, passed away ~ Member of sibling gospel outfit the Anointed Pace Sisters, started singing in their father's church and recording professionally since the late 1980s. The group is best known for their 1992 U-Know album ~ Pace was born in 1958
January 14, 2021 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter, label executive Larry Willoughby passed away in Sherman, Texas, USA ~ As a recording artist debuted in 1984 with the album Building Bridges and best known for first recording a number of songs later made famous by others such as Building Bridges recorded by Brooks & Dunn and Operator Operator recorded by Eddy Raven, both Billboard Country top 10 hits. Others who have recorded his songs include the Oak Ridge Boys, Waylon Jennings and his cousin Rodney Crowell. Willoughby has also served as vice-president of A&R at Capitol Records ~ Willoughby was born in 1950
January 14, 2017 ~ Jazz, soul, R&B drummer John Boudreaux, full name John Mortimer Boudreaux Jr, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ House drummer at the Dew Drop Inn, New Orleans, and a prolific studio drummer, helpful in the development of the city's vibrant music scene. Notable tracks featuring Boudreaux include Irma Thomas' Don't Mess With My Man, Professor Longhair's Go To The Mardi Gras, Ernie K-Doe's Mother-in-law, Chris Kenner's I Like It Like That, and Lee Dorsey's Ya-Ya. Later on in his career, Boudreaux, like many New Orleans artists, has also worked on the California music scene, sessioning for a host of artists including Sam Cooke, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Dexter Gordon, Richard Groove Holmes, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, and Sonny & Cher. Mac Rebennack, better known as Dr John, on whose quintessential Gris Gris album Boudreaux drummed, has stated: “What Boudreaux was doing on drums deserves a special look. Instead of playing the backbeat on the snare drum, he played all four beats on the snare, a little New Orleans funk cha-cha” ~ Boudreaux was born in 1936
January 14, 2012 ~ Drummer, producer, arranger Robbie France passed away in Mazarron, Spain ~ While living in Australia formed the jazz fusion group Carnival, which opened for John McLaughlin. Also worked with the Easybeats lead singer Stevie Wright, Marty Rhone, and Tim Gaze. After returning to his native England joined heavy metal outfit Diamond Head in 1983, appearing on the band's Canterbury album as well as on the hit single Making Music. Toured with UFO, replacing Andy Parker. Has subsequently also worked with Wishbone Ash, Simon Ellis, Skunk Anansie notably present on the band's Sunburnt & Paranoid debut album and co-writing the hit Weak, and Alphaville ~ France was born in 1959January 14, 2011 ~ Singer, model, actress Georgia Carroll passed away in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA ~ Actress since the early 1940s, noted for her appearance in the 1942 musical Yankee Doodle Dandy alongside James Cagney. As a singer known as member of Kay Kyser's band joining in 1943. Carroll and Kyser were married from 1945 until the latter's death in 1985 ~ Carroll was born in 1919
January 14, 2011 ~ Bandleader, pianist, arranger Marty Gold passed away in Agour Hills, California, USA ~ Pianist, arranger for popular 1940s novelty danceband the Korn Kobblers. Perhaps best remembered for penning Tell Me Why, a 1951 hit record for the Four Aces ~ Gold was born in 1915
January 14, 2011 ~ Singer Trish Keenan, full name Patricia Trish Keenan, passed away in Warwick, UK ~ Lead singer, founding member of electronic band the Broadcast, best known for their single Come On Let's Go of their The Noise Made By People debut album. Keenan passed away unexpectedly of pneumonia after contracting the swine flu ~ Keenan was born in 1968
January 14, 2010 ~ Robert Charles Guidry, commonly known as singer, songwriter Bobby Charles, passed away in Abbeville, Louisiana, USA ~ Helped pioneer swamp pop. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Bill Haley's See You Later Alligator, Fats Domino's Walking To New Orleans and It Keeps Raining, and Clarence Frogman Henry's (I Don't Know Why I Love You) But I Do ~ Guidry was born in 1938
January 14, 2002 ~ Country, rockabilly singer, guitarist Eddie Jackson passed away ~ Fronted the Cowboy Swingsters for nearly five decades. The band is noted by rock & roll historians and aficionados for two singles, 1956's Rock & Roll Baby and 1957's Baby Doll ~ Jackson was born ca.1926
January 14, 2002 ~ Boy band NSYNC release Girlfriend featuring Nelly, lifted off their Celebrity album ~ Produced by Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams, the producer duo also known as the Neptunes, Girlfriend off the band's third and final album would reach No.5 Billboard Hot 100. The band had initially recorded the song without Nelly, but at the last minute announced the Neptunes would remix the single version featuring two additional verses by rapper Nelly. The latter initially met resistance from his label, but he persisted to which they eventually conceded. It would be Nelly's first major cross-collaboration. The rapper would later guest on tracks by Brian McKnight, Janet Jackson, Florida Georgia Line, and Jermaine Dupri. For NSYNC, who would go an indefinite hiatus later thbe same year, Girlfriend would be their sixth and final American top 10 hit. Retrospectively, in 2015 Billboard included Girlfriend in a list of 20 Essential Boy Band Songs, stating “straddling the lines of pop, R&B and hip-hop, the song could have been the precursor to the boy band's stylistic shift, but instead proved to be the starting point for Justin Timberlake's solo career”
January 14, 1999 ~ Reggae singer, songwriter Lincoln Thompson passed away in London, UK ~ Got his start in music as a member of the Tartans. After the band disbanded in 1969 taken on by producer Coxsone Dodd recording the singles Daughters Of Zion, True Experience and Live Up To Your Name. Would go on to work with Cedric Myton, Clinton Hall, and front the Rasses. Thompson's hit single Love The Way It Should Be would be notably covered by John Legend in 2010, retitled to Humanity (Love The Way It Should Be), featuring backing by the Roots ~ Thompson was born in 1949January 14, 1996 ~ Ohannes Tuncboyaci, commonly known as pop bassist, keyboardist, guitarist, producer, songwriter Onno Tunç, passed away in Armatlu, Turkey ~ Brother of singer Arto Tuncboyaciyan. Active since the 1960s. Known for songs such as Suc Bende, O Hep Bana, Iki Tas Çorba, Bize Gidelim, and Aya Benzer. Has collaborated with Emin Findikoglu, Özdemir Erdogan, Nilüfer, Bülent Ortaçgil, Ajda Pekkan, Nükhet Duru, Askin Nur Yengi, Zuhal Olcay, and with Sezen Aksu ~ Tunçboyaci was born in 1948
January 14, 1994 ~ Kim Jong-in, commonly known as K-pop, hip hop, R&B singer, dancer, actor Kai, born in Suncheon, South Korea ~ Considered one of the best dancers of South Korea and K-pop, and among the most influential Korean fashion icons. 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. Member of supergroup SuperM. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with his Kai EP released in 2020
January 14, 1992 ~ Gerard Nolan, commonly known as rock, punk rock drummer Jerry Nolan, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Joined the New York Dolls in 1972, replacing the late Billy Murcia. Nolan would remain with the band through 1975, leaving with Johnny Thunders to co-found the Heartbreakers. The band is considered pivotal to the development of punk rock and known especially for their sole LAMF studio album released in 1977. Nolan has also worked with the Idols, Sid Vicious, the London Cowboys, and recorded as a solo artist ~ Nolan was born in 1946
January 14, 1992 ~ Singer Vanessa Williams releases Save The Best For Last, lifted off her The Comfort Zone sophomore album ~ Critically well-received, this sophisticated ballad tells of an unrequited love that comes together in the end. Written by Jon Lind, Phil Galdston, and Wendy Waldman, Lind and Galdston initially writing the song with a bitter undertone, which Waldman changed to make it uplifting. The songwriting team had shopped the song to several others, who all turned it down. Yet when Vanessa Williams heard the song, she told her record label this was the song she'd been waiting for, the song was her story. It would become Williams' biggest hit, her sole Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit, spending five consecutive weeks atop the charts. The song would also hit top 10 in over half a dozen more countries, including the No.1 spot in Australia and CanadaJanuary 14, 1991 ~ Antti Yrjo Hammarberg, commonly known as rock, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Irwin Goodman, passed away in Hamina, Finland ~ Protest singer popular from the 1960s forward with some two dozen albums to his name. Frequent collaborator of lyricist Vexi Salmi. Well known songs include Tyomiehen Lauantai, En Kerro Kuinka Jouduin Maimisiin, El Tippa Tapa, Poing Poing Poing, Haistakaa Pasja Koko Valtiovalta and Rentun Ruusu ~ Hammarberg was born in 1943
January 14, 1989 ~ Francesca Sanford, commonly known as pop, R&B, dance-pop singer Frankie Bridge, born in Upminster, UK ~ Best known as a member of girl group the Saturdays, scoring a number of UK top 10 hits starting in the late 2000s including Just Can't Get Enough, Forever Is Over, Missing You, All Fired Up, and What About Us featuring Sean Paul. Bridge also became a style icon, her signature short hair starting a trend around the UK
January 14, 1987 ~ Dixieland, jazz pianist Alton Purnell passed away in Inglewood, California, USA ~ Best known for his work with George Lewis from the mid 1940s through the 1950s, including on the hit recording of The Saints. Previously, Purnell had worked mainly in New Orleans, collaborating with the likes of Isaiah Morgan, Alphonse Picou, Sidney Desvigne, Cousin Joe, and Bunk Johnson. Following his tenure with Lewis, Purnell would relocate to Los Angeles, where he backed artists such as Teddy Buckner, Joe Darensbourg, Kid Ory, Barney Bigard, and Ben Pollack. Purnell has also recorded as a leader through the 1970s, perhaps most notably With John Defferary's Quartet & Quintet released in 1971 ~ Purnell was born in 1911January 14, 1983 ~ Country singer George Strait releases Amarillo By Morning, lifted off his Strait From The Heart sophomore album ~ The song tells of the hardships a rodeo cowboy has endured, but he is happy with the life he has chosen. Amarillo By Morning was originally recorded by Terry Stafford, who co-wrote the song with Paul Fraser, based on an idea he got while driving home to Amarillo after performing at a rodeo. Stafford's original rodeo-themed song would be a moderate hit, peaking just outside the top 30 on the Billboard Country charts, but became popular in Texas, where rodeo is a big thing. Several artists would cover the song, however, the definitive version is George Strait's who made it one of his earliest hits, peaking at No.4 Billboard Country, and a signature song
January 14, 1982 ~ Soul, rock, pop, swamp pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Marc Broussard born in Carencro, Louisiana, USA ~ Son of guitarist Ted Broussard. Member of Christian outfit Y. Active as a solo artist since the early 2000s, merging funk, blues, R&B, rock and pop and acclaimed for his 2014 A Life Worth Living album. Well known songs include Where You Are, Home, Gavin's Song and Must Be The Water, the latter used as the theme song for the 2008 NBA All-Star Game