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, 1988 ~ Tahliah Debrett Barnett, commonly known as singer, dancer, actress, songwriter FKA Twigs, born in Cheltenham, UK ~ Released her LP1 debut album in 2014 and has recorded to consistent critical acclaim since, described as a genre-bending artist drawing from electronic music, trip-hop, pop and R&B. Well known songs include Two Weeks and Cellophane. Has collaborated with the likes of Ty Dolla $ign, A$AP Rocky, the 1975, and Yung Lean
January 17, 1987 ~ Pop, R&B, dance-pop singer Sian Charlesworth born in Bolton, UK ~ Member of girl group Parade, known for their 2010 debut single Louder which reached the UK top 10. The band has opened for Shakira, Alexandra Burke, and for Shayne Ward in the early-2010s
January 17, 1986 ~ Indie folk, folk rock drummer, keyboardist, mandolinist, songwriter Jeremiah Fraites, full name Jeremiah Caleb Fraites, born in Ramsey, New Jersey, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Lumineers, known for songs such as Ophelia, Cleopatra, Gloria, Life In The City and their best known Ho Hey, the latter a Billboard top 10 hit in 2012
January 17, 1985 ~ Jazz violinist, conductor, musical director, composer Georgie Stoll, full name George Martin Stoll, passed away in Monterey, California, USA ~ Best known for his work during the Golden Age of musicals from the 1940s through the 1960s, joining Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1937. Musical director, conductor for musical films such as Honolulu, Ice Follies Of 1939 and Babes In Arms. Has worked with the likes of Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Gene Kelly, and Frank Sinatra. Also involved in some of the later Elvis Presley films, notably Viva Las Vegas and Spinout ~ Stoll was born in 1905
January 17, 1984 ~ Adam Richard Wiles, commonly known as producer, DJ Calvin Harris born in Dumfries, UK ~ Internationally best known for his collaboration with Rihanna on the 2011 international hit We Found Love. Other well known songs include Acceptable In The 80s, I'm Not Alone, Blame featuring Kelis, Feel So Close, Let's Go featuring Ne-Yo, Sweet Nothing featuring Florence Welch, Summer, Outside featuring Ellie Goulding, My Way, Feels featuring Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry & Big Sean, and Giant
January 17, 1983 ~ Winstead Sheffield Glendenning Dixon Weaver, commonly known as actor, comedian, singer Doodles Weaver, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of Spike Jones's musical comedy troupe the City Slickers from 1946 through 1951, for whom he introduced the character Professor Feetlebaum who spoke in spoonerisms. Weaver was also notably present on William Tell Overture, satirising a well known sports announcer of the day. As a solo artist Weaver recorded a novelty version of Eleanor Rigby, a spoof of the Beatles song. Weaver was also an early contributor to Mad magazine, and has guested acted in numerous TV shows and films ~ Weaver was born in 1911January 17, 1982 ~ Metalcore, post-hardcore singer Alex Varkatzas born in Orange County, California, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of Atreyu, remaining with the band from 1998 through 2020. Collaborated with Brandan Schieppati in the side project I Am War, releasing the Outlive You All in 2012. Founded Dead Icarus in 2021
January 17, 1982 ~ Country singer Amanda Wilkinson born in Belleville, Canada ~ Member of sibling country band the Wilkinsons, known for a string of late 1990s, early 2000s songs such as 26 Cents, Fly (The Angel Song), Boy Oh Boy and Shame On Me, all of which reached the top 10 of the Canadian country charts. Amanda has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing a full-length album, the eponymous Amanda Wilkinson, in 2005. Also founded a new country group, the Small Town Pistols, with her brother Tyler Wilkinson in 2012January 17, 1982 ~ Kristina Beaty, commonly known as roots music singer, violinist, songwriter Kristina Train born in New York, New York, USA ~ Classically trained from an early age. Draws from country, soul, gospel, blues, folk, jazz. Member of soul band the Looters, backing singer Rosa King. Debuted as a solo artist with the Jimmy Hogarth-produced Spilt Milk album in 2009. Has collaborated with Ed Harcourt, Scrapomatic, Herbie Hancock, and Marc Cohn
January 17, 1980 ~ Actress, model, singer, songwriter Zooey Deschanel, full name Zooey Claire Deschanel, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as an TV and film actress, debuting in the the 1999 film Mumford. Performed in the jazz cabaret act If All The Stars Were Pretty Babies alongside actress Samantha Shelton. Formed the duo She & Him with M Ward, releasing their debut album Volume One in 2008
January 17, 1978 ~ Alternative rock singer Ricky Wilson, full name Charles Richard Wilson, born in Keighley, UK ~ Co-founding member, frontman of Kaiser Chiefs, a band originally formed in the mid 1990s as Runston Parva, later shortened to Parva, before settling on the name Kaiser Chiefs in the early 2000s. Primarily inspired by 1970s and 1980s new wave and punk rock, the band has recorded over half a dozen albums, and is especially acclaimed for the mid 2000s albums Employment and its follow-up Yours Truly (Angry Mob), the latter spawning their biggest hit Ruby which topped the charts in their native UK and reached top 10 in several European countries. Other well known songs include Oh My God, I Predict A Riot, Everyday I Love You Less And Less, and Never Miss A Beat
January 17, 1976 ~ In its 10th week on the charts, I Write The Songs by Barry Manilow hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Lifted off Tryin' To Get The Feeling, Barry Manilow's third studio album, I Write The Songs would become his second American No.1 hit. Unlike the title suggests, the song was not an original but actually written by Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys. It would take some persuasion from label executive Clive Davis for Manilow to record the song, as he was initially reluctant to do so. Manilow later noted in his autobiography that “the problem with the song was that if you didn't listen carefully to the lyric, you would think that the singer was singing about himself, it could be misinterpreted as a monumental ego trip”. Previously, I Write The Songs had been recorded by David Cassidy who released it as a single off of The Higher They Climb, and first recorded by Captain & Tennille who included it on their Love Will Keep Us Together album. Manilow's previous No.1 hit had also been a cover, Mandy only slightly changed from the original Brandy by Scott EnglishJanuary 17, 1975 ~ Elzadie Wallace, commonly known as blues singer, songwriter Elzadie Robinson, passed away in Flint, Michigan, USA ~ Known for a number of late 1920s recordings, some of them self-penned, such as Barrelhouse Man, Sawmill Blues, Wicked Man, Cheatin' Daddy and Arkansas Mill Blues ~ Wallace was born ca.1900
January 17, 1973 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Ted Koehler passed away in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Frequent songwriter collaborator of Harold Arlen. Also worked with Rube Bloom, Harry Warren, Sammy Fain. Well known songs co-written by Koehler include Stormy Weather (Ethel Waters, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday), Get Happy (Ruth Etting, Ted Wallace, Frankie Trumbauer), Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea (Aida Ward, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald), When The Sun Comes Out (Jimmy Dorsey, Don Cherry, Mel Tormé), I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues (Lillian Shade, Benny Goodman, Sam Cooke), and Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams (Bing Crosby, Mildred Bailey, Erskine Hawkins) ~ Koehler was born in 1894
January 17, 1972 ~ Matt Hales, commonly known as songwriter, producer Aqualung, born in Southampton, UK ~ Worked with Lianne La Havas, Bat For Lashes, Tom Chaplin, Mika, Daniel Wilson, Kina Grannis, Andreya Triana, the Fray, Jason Mraz, Reignwolf, Sara Bareilles, Jacob Banks, Paloma Faith, Disclosure, Alex Clare, Mansionair, Mikky Ekko, For King & Country, Tiësto, Leona Lewis, Brooke Fraser, Christophe Willem, Boyzone, Amy Meredith, Lucy Schwartz, Diane Birch, Tom Chaplin, Laura Jansen, Katherine McPhee, Birdy, Ginny Blackmore, Matt Nathanson, Ximena Sannana, and Lyonheart
January 17, 1972 ~ R&B, pop singer Ken Hirai born in Osaka, Japan ~ Debuted in 1995 with the album Un-balanced. Broke through in 2000 with the single Lakuen of his The Changing Same and has recorded to commercial success since, scoring numerous No.1 hits in Japan with every album reaching top 5 of the album charts
January 17, 1971 ~ Hard rock, nu metal, post-grunge drummer Jon Wysocki born in Northampton, Massachusetts, USA ~ Co-founding member of Staind, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums since the mid 1990s. Present on most of the band's best known, including the Billboard Hot 200 No.1 albums Break The Cycle, 14 Shades Of Grey, and Chapter V. Wysocki departed the band in 2011 over artistic differences, at the time stating he was frustrated with the direction of the band and how this “was not the Staind we started out being”, to be succeeded by Sal Giancarelli. Following Wysocki's death, the band issued a statement saying: “The 17 years (with Jon) were some of the best memories of our times together. From practice in Ludlow, Massachusetts, to touring around the world, Jon was integral to who we were as a band” ~ Wysocki passed away in [artist-jon-wysocki]January 17, 1971 ~ Robert James Ritchie, commonly known as singer, rapper, songwriter Kid Rock, born in Romeo, Michigan, USA ~ Debuted in 1990 with the Grits Sandwiches For Breakfast album. Merges elements of hip-hop, country, rock and heavy metal. Broke through with the album Devil Without A Cause in 1998 spawning the hit single Cowboy, considered a pioneering song in the country rap genre. Also known for songs such as Picture and All Summer Long
January 17, 1971 ~ Jonathan Smith, commonly known as singer, songwriter, rapperr Lil' Jon, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Influenced by 2 Live Crew, 8Ball & MJG, Three 6 Mafia, OutKast, Geto Boys, UGK, NWA, Dr Dre, and Sir Mix-a-lot. Fronted rap group East Side Boyz. Instrumental in development of the hip-hop subgenre crunk. In-demand collaborator and producer, known for hits such as his own Get Low, Ciara's Goodies, Baby Bash's Cyclone, Petey Pablo's Freek-a-leek, and Usher's YeahJanuary 17, 1970 ~ Dejuan Walker, commonly known as rapper Suga Free, born in Pomona, California, USA ~ Pimp and rapper. Debuted in 1997 with the DJ Quik-produced Street Gospel album. Has collaborated with Xzibit, Snoop Dogg, Pimpin' Young, Mac Dre, Dru Down, E-40, B-Legit, Lil' Jon, Kurupt, Schoolboy Q, and Daz Dillinger
January 17, 1965 ~ Jazz pianist Joe Robichaux passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Worked with Tig Chambers, Papa Celestin, Earl Humphrey, Lee Collins, the Black Eagles, Jones & Collins Astoria Hot Eight, Christina Gray, Eugene Ware, Alfred Guichard, Gene Porter, Ward Crosby, Chick Bullock, and George Lewis ~ Robichaux was born in 1900
January 17, 1964 ~ Alternative rock bassist Andy Rourke, full name Andrew Michael Rourke, born in Manchester, UK ~ Member of the Smiths, joining the band shortly after its first gig. The band is considered one of the most important to emerge from 1980's Britain indie scene and recorded four albums including the acclaimed The Smiths debut album released in 1984 and The Queen Is Dead two years later. Well-known songs include Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now, Sheila Take A Bow, and This Charming Man. Rourke has also appeared on Sinéad O'Connor's 1990 I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got album, backed former bandmate singer Morrissey on several of his solo outings, worked with the Pretenders, and formed Freebass ~ Rourke passed away in 2023
January 17, 1963 ~ Jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Revered pianist, drawing from a wide range of influences ranging from hard bop to gospel. Once described by TIME as the best jazz pianist of his generation for his “willingness to abandon notes and play space.” Recording prolifically since the early 1990s, Chestnut has well over two dozen albums to his name as a leader, often aided by regular collaborators bassist Michael Hawkins and drummer Neal Smith, including the highly acclaimed Earth Stories released in 1996. As an in-demand sideman and collaborator, he has appeared on albums by Michael Carvin, Betty Carter, Donald Harrison (Indian Blues), Elvis Costello (The Juliet Letters), Denise Jannah, Roy Hargrove, Christian McBride (Gettin' To It), Freddy Cole, Dave Young, Carl Allen, Vincent Herring (Don't Let It Go), Tim Warfield (Cool Blue), Ann Hampton Callaway, Rodney Whitaker, Gary Bartz, Courtney Pine (Underground), George Mraz, Mark Ledford, Bette Midler, Wynton Marsalis, Sadao Watanabe (Remembrance), Carla Cook, Billy Taylor, Michael Dease, Jimmy Greene (Beautiful Life), Charnett Moffett, and Quiana Lynell
January 17, 1963 ~ Jazz singer Kate McGarry born in Hyannis, Massachusetts, USA ~ Known among others for jazz interpretations of pop songs originally by Peter Gabriel, Björk and Joni Mitchell. Member of Moss. Has worked with Kurt Elling, Fred Hersch, John Hollenbeck, Maria Schneider, Brian Byrne, Mike Holober, and Kenny LogginsJanuary 17, 1962 ~ Ariane Danielle Forster, commonly known as singer, keyboardist Ari Up, born in Munich, West Germany ~ Best known as member of the Slits, co-founded with drummer Palmolive. Brought the reggae and dub influences to the band. Member of the New Age Steppers. Has collaborated with Lee Scratch Perry, Mark Stewart, and Vic Ruggiero ~ Forster passed away in 2010