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 17, 2025 ~ Singer, songwriter Stéphane Venne passed away in Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada ~ Recorded some half a dozen albums as a singer, mostly from the mid 1960s through the mid 1970s, as well as composed and performed several soundtracks including notably for the early 1980s Canadian drama film Les Plouffe. Artists who recorded songs written by Venne include Renée Claude, Donald Lautrec (Un Jour Un Jour), Pierre Lalonde, Isabelle Pierre, Emmanuëlle, and Suzanne Stevens. Venne has also served as label executive and producer for Barclay Records and as a radio station executive ~ Venne was born in 1941January 17, 2023 ~ Singer Larry Morris passed away ~ Lead singer for New Zealand garage rock, pop rock outfit Larry's Rebels, present on the band's 1967 A Study In Black debut album. Well known songs include This Empty Place, Long Ago Far Away, and I Feel Good. Morris departed the band in 1969 to pursue a solo career, the remainder of the band continuing under the moniker the Rebels ~ Morris was born in 1947
January 17, 2023 ~ Singer Renée Geyer, full name Renée Rebecca Geyer, passed away in Geelong, Australia ~ Active since the early 1970s. Member of jazz-blues outfit Dry Red. Member of Sun. Member of Mother Earth. Over a dozen albums to her name as a solo singer, starting with the eponymous Renée Geyer released in 1973. Best known for songs such as Say I Love You, Heading In The Right Direction, and States And Whispers. Also an in-demand backing singer, present on albums by Sting, Chaka Khan, Toni Childs, and Joe Cocker ~ Geyer was born in 1953
January 17, 2023 ~ Grunge, psychedelic rock, alternative rock bassist, guitarist Van Conner passed away ~ Co-founded the Explosive Generation with his brother guitarist Gary Lee Conner and friend drummer Mark Pickerel. With the addition of singer Mark Lanegan the band would evolve into Screaming Trees, known best for songs such as Nearly Lost You and All I Know. Drawing from hard rock and psychedelic rock, the band is widely regarded as one of the pioneering acts in grunge. Conner also founded the side projects Solomon Grundy, releasing a sole eponymous Solomon Grundy album in 1990, and Gardener, known for their New Dawning Time album released in 1999 ~ Conner was born in 1967January 17, 2022 ~ Guitar amplifier builder Alexander Dumble, full name Alexander Howard Dumble, passed away ~ Revered boutique guitar amplifier builder, building as little as two or three amps per year. Dumble amps are among the most expensive and sought-after in the market, second-hand amps fetching up to $150,000. Has catered to artists such as Eric Clapton, Sonny Landreth, Robben Ford, Carlos Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, David Lindley, John Mayer, Ben Harper, Kirk Hammett, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jackson Browne and Joe Bonamassa ~ Dumble was born ca.1945
January 17, 2022 ~ Pop singer, pianist, songwriter Armando Gama, full name Armando António Capelo Diniz da Gama, passed away in Lisbon, Portugal ~ Revered in his native Portugal, selling over some 5 million records. Internationally best known for Esta Balada Que Te Dou, Portugal's 1983 Eurovision Songfestival entry reaching thirteenth place ~ Gama was born in 1954
January 17, 2021 ~ Guitarist Joan Eloi Vila, full name Joan Eloi Vila de Paz, passed away ~ In-demand collaborator and backing musician. Member of children's group Els Xipis. Has collaborated with the Barcelona Orchestra on La Salseta Del Poble Sec. Has backed artists such Jimmy Page, Joan Baptista Humet, Joaquin Sabina and Joan Isaac on tours ~ Vila was born in 1959
January 17, 2021 ~ Julian Clifford Mance Jr, commonly known as jazz pianist, composer Junior Mance, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Active since the late 1940s. Sideman and leader. Debuted as a leader in 1959. Played with Gene Ammons, Lester Young, Israel Crosby, Buddy Smith, Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Sonny Stitt, Dinah Washington, Clifford Brown, Clark Terry, Maynard Ferguson, Herb Geller, Harold Land, Richie Powell, Keter Betts, George Morrow, Max Roach, Benny Carter, Dexter Gordon, Al Grey, Johnny Griffin, Joe Gordon, Buddy Guy, Red Holloway, José James, Eddie Jefferson, Etta Jones, Irene Kral, Jay Leonhart, Les McCann, Howard McGhee, James Moody, Sandy Mosse, Ken Peplowski, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, Paul Gonsalves, Wilbur Ware, Ben Webster, Leo Wright, and Cannonball Adderley ~ Mance was born in 1928January 17, 2019 ~ Guitarist Reggie Young passed away in Leiper's Fork, Tennessee, USA ~ Session man for artists including Elvis Presley, BJ Thomas, the Memphis Boys, John Prine, JJ Cale, Willie Nelson, the Box Tops, Jerry Lee Lewis, and George Strait ~ Young was born in 1936
January 17, 2019 ~ Singer, keyboardist, cellist Tara Simmons, full name Tara Emily Simmons, passed away ~ Known for using bedroom, bathroom and kitchen items to sample sounds. Debuted with the EP Pendulum in 2006. A full-length debut album, Spilt Milk, would be released in 2009, and a sophomore album, It's Not Like We're Trying To Move Mountains in 2012 ~ Simmons was born in 1984
January 17, 2018 ~ Composer Augusto Polo Campos passed away in Lima, Peru ~ Self-taught composer. Does not play any instrument. Known among others for his composition Lucha Reyes, an international hit for Lucha Reyes, later also covered by Madre Matilda ~ Campos was born in 1932
January 17, 2018 ~ Drummer, vibraphonist, keyboardist Christian Burchard passed away ~ Co-founded Embryo in 1969, once described as “the most eclectic of krautrock bands.” The band has released over 40 albums in ever-changing line-ups with an estimated over 400 musicians at one time or another in its line-up ~ Burchard was born in 1946
January 17, 2016 ~ Clarence Henry Reid, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer Blowfly passed away in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, USA ~ As a solo artist known for songs such as Nobody But You. Best known for his sexually explicit lyrics, often wordplay on existing phrases or songs. During the 1960s and 1970s Reid also worked as a producer and writer for artists such as Betty Wright, Sam & Dave, Gwen McCrae, Jimmy Bo Horne, Bobby Byrd, and KC & the Sunshine Band ~ Reid was born in 1939
January 17, 2016 ~ Terence Dale Griffin, commonly known as drummer, producer Dale Buffin Griffin, passed away ~ Co-founding member of Mott The Hoople, known best for their 1972 David Bowie-produced All The Young Dudes album. Its All The Young Dudes title track would reach the uK top 10. Griffin is also known as a producer, notably producing many of the John Peel sessions from 1981 through 1994 ~ Griffin was born in 1948
January 17, 2012 ~ Bandleader, producer Johnny Otis passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Singer, pianist, vibraphonist, percussionist, bandleader, composer, arranger, talent scout, radio DJ, TV host of The Johnny Otis Show. Lovingly dubbed “the Godfather of R&B”, pivotal in American R&B and rock & roll. As a talent scout discovered numerous artists early in their career including Esther Phillips, Etta James, Big Mama Thornton, Johnny Ace, Big Jay McNeely, Jackie Wilson, Little Willie John, Hank Ballard, and the Coasters. Wrote the Royals' 1952 hit Every Beat Of My Heart, later also a hit for Gladys Knight & the Pips. As a bandleader and collaborator known for songs such as Double Crossing Blues and Cupid's Boogie (1950), Call Operator 210 and, reportedly the first recorded mambo, Mambo Boogie (1952), and for his signature song Willie & The Hand Jive (1958). Entered into politics in the early 1960, making a run for a California State Assembly, which he did not win, and serving as deputy chief of staff to Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally. Founded and preached at the New Landmark Community Gospel Church, Santa Rosa, Caligornia. ~ Otis was born in 1921
January 17, 2011 ~ Producer, label executive Don Kirshner, full name Donald Clark Kirshner, passed away in Boca Raton, Florida, USA ~ Best known for managing songwriting talent as well as a number of popular pop acts including the Monkees, Kansas, and the Archies. Along with partner Al Nevins co-owner of Aldon Music music publishers, which employed staff songwriters such as Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Neil Sedaka, Neil Diamond, Paul Simon, Phil Spector, Howard Greenfield, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, and Jack Keller ~ Kirshner was born in 1934January 17, 2007 ~ Gary Edmund Philippet, commonly known as keyboardist, guitarist, singer Gary Phillips, passed away ~ Member of the Greg Kihn Band, including on the band's biggest hits The Breakup Song (They Don't Write)and Jeopardy. Has also worked with Freedom Highway, Earth Quake, and with Copperhead alongside John Cipollina ~ Philippet was born in 1947
January 17, 2004 ~ Czeslaw Juliusz Wydrzycki, commonly known as rock singer, songwriter Czeslaw Niemen or mononymously as Niemen, passed away in Warsaw, Poland ~ Considered one of the most important Polish singers of the 20th century, noted as one of the main pillars of big beat for his early work. Over time, Niemen would also draw from progressive rock, avant-garde jazz and free improvisation. Has recorded over a dozen albums in Polish, including Enigmatic widely regarded as one of the all-time greatest Polish rock albums, one more in Russian and a few in English. Well known songs include Czy Mnie Jeszsze Pamietasz, adapted by Marlene Dietrich to Mutter Hast Du Mir Vergeben after she heard Niemen perform the song as he opened for her, and Dziwny Jest Ten Swiat which is generally acknowledged to be the most important Polish protest song of the late 1960s. Internationally, Niemen is perhaps best known for performing in the opening show for the 1972 Summer Olympics held in Munich, Germany, alongside the likes of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, John McLaughlin, and Charles Mingus, and for his 1974 English-language album Mourner's Rhapsody featuring guests such as Michal Urbaniak, Don Grolnick, Seldon Powell, John Abercrombie, Steve Khan, Jan Hammer, and Rick Laird. The singer also participated in the 1979 edition of the Intervision Song Contest, the East Bloc's alternative to Eurovision Songfestival, his performance of Nim Przyjdie Wiosna winning the contest for Poland ~ Wydrzycki was born in 1939January 17, 2002 ~ Rapper, singer Samuel, full name Samuel Kim Arredondo, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Half of the short-lived hip-hop duo 1Punch, the other half being ONE. After the duo disbanded Samuel participated in the 2017 reality TV talent contest Produce 101 but would fail to make the cut. Would release his solo debut album, Eye Candy, later the same year which would reach the top 10 of the Korean charts
January 17, 2001 ~ Flutist, saxophonist Norris Turney passed away in Kettering, Ohio, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with the Jeter-Pillars Orchestra, Tiny Bradshaw, Billy Eckstine, Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges, the Savoy Sultans, he Newport All-Stars, Oliver Jackson, Roy Eldridge, Red Richards, Randy Weston, Sam Woodyard, Walter Booker, and Jimmy Cobb ~ Turney was born in 1921
January 17, 2000 ~ Boy band NSYNC release Bye Bye Bye, lead single off their No Strings Attached sophomore album ~ As the band had claimed their manager Lou Pearlman was taking almost all of their profits, and sued to leave him and the RCA Records label, it had been rumored Bye Bye Bye, their first release on Jive, was about the split. The meaning of the song, however, is much simpler as it is about a boy about to leave his girl for treating him bad. Band member JC Chasez later commented the song is a love song, “but it is about kissing somebody off after they burned you”. The band had had some notable hits off their first album, including the Billboard Hot 100 No.8 hit (God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time On You, but it would be their sophomore album that made them superstars. The album would sell nearly 2.5 million copies in America in its first week, a record that remained unbroken for 15 years, while three of its singles reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Its lead single Bye Bye Bye peaked at No.4, It's Gonna Be Me would reach No.1, making it their sole American charttopper, and This I Promise You peaked at No.5. Pearlman, who also defrauded several other 1990s boy bands and was involved in a number of other business ventures, would be convicted in 2008 for conspiracy, money laundering and using false statements in a bankruptcy proceeding, while leaving over $300 million in debtJanuary 17, 2000 ~ Trumpeter, bandleader Philip Jones passed away ~ Led the Philip Jones Ensemble, one of the first brass ensembles founded in 1951. Also worked with the Royal Philharmonic, the BBC Sympony Orchestra, Elgar Howarth, Ifor James, Ray Premru, and John Fletcher ~ Jones was born in 1928
January 17, 1994 ~ Jazz trumpeter, saxophonist Noel Chiboust passed away in Pau, France ~ Worked as violinist with Ray Ventura, as trumpeter with Freddy Johnson, Michel Warlop, Coleman Hawkins, Guy Paquinet, and as saxophonist with Bill Coleman, Joe Keyes, Serge Glykson, Raymond Wraskoff, Fred Adison ~ Chiboust was born in 1909
January 17, 1991 ~ Breagh MacKinnon, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Breagh Isabel, born on Cape Breton Island, Canada ~ Formed Port Cities with Dylan Guthro and Carleton Stone, acclaimed for their eponymous 2017 Port Cities debut album. MacKinnon left the band in 2019 to focus on a solo career and write and produce for other artists. Her songs have been recorded by the likes of Banners, Donovan Woods, Classified, Jocelyn Alice, Ria Mae, and Mint Simon
January 17, 1989 ~ Jazz, soul singer, pianist Kandace Springs born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Daughter of session singer Scat Springs. Released her full-length debut album Soul Eyes in 2016, produced by Larry Klein and with backing from Terence Blanchard, Dean Parks, Jesse Harris and Vinnie Colaiuta. Has also worked with Karriem Riggins, Roy Hargrove, Ghostface Killah, Black Violin, Lang Lang, Ambrose Akinmusire, and with the Kings Of Tomorrow