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 18, 1966 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Fred Wise passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for co-writing a number of songs for Elvis Presley, usually in partnership with Ben Weisman. Well known songs include Crawfish, Pocketful Of Rainbows, Summer Kisses Winter Tears, Follow That Dream, and Kissin' Cousins. Others who recorded his songs include Frankie Carle, Nat King Cole, Patti Page, and Sarah Vaughan ~ Wise was born in 1915
January 18, 1965 ~ Blues guitarist Johnny DeFrancesco born ~ Son of John DeFrancesco and brother of Joey DeFrancesco, both noted organists with whom he has also worked. Has also collaborated with Duke Jethro, John Lee Hooker, Luther Tucker, and Johnny Heartsman
January 18, 1964 ~ Bo Stagman, commonly known as hard rock, glam metal singer, guitarist, bassist, drummer Zinny J Zan, born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Influenced by Aerosmith, Kiss, the Sex Pistols, and Thin Lizzy. Lead singer for 1980s glam metal outfit Shotgun Messiah, known for their 1989 eponymous Shotgun Messiah. Also worked with the Zan Clan, Easy Action, Kingpin, and StagmanJanuary 18, 1963 ~ Serge Mayer, commonly known as drummer Jojo Mayer, born in Zurich, Switzerland ~ Bridges jazz, drum and bass, jungle, R&B, and other idioms. Founded electronica trio Nerve. Worked with Screaming Headles Torsos, the Intergalactic Maiden Ballet, John Medeski, Harry Sokal, Leo Tardin, Janek Gwizdala, Depart, and Rebekka Bakken
January 18, 1963 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Phillip Boa born in Dortmund, West Germany ~ Frontman, co-founding member of Voodoocult, with whom he has recorded well over a dozen albums since the mid-1980s. The band has been described as a mix between Captain Beefheart and the B52's and is especially known for their 1989 Hair breakout album which spawned the single Container Love
January 18, 1962 ~ Alternative rock, punk rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Darren Brown, full name Darren Mark Brown, born in London, UK ~ Also known as Wiz. Lead singer, guitarist for indie punk outfit the Mega City Four, enjoying popularity during the late 1980s and 1990s due to their extensive touring and critically acclaimed for their 1994 Magic Bullets album. Following the band's disbandement in 1996 Brown has worked with Serpico, which also included old bandmate Gerry Bryant, and subsequently with Ipanema ~ Brown passed away in 2006
January 18, 1961 ~ Jazz guitarist, songwriter Bobby Broom born in New York, New York, USA ~ Recorded with artists including Tom Browne, Kenny Burrell, Dr John, Charles Earland, David Murray, Sonny Rollins, Pharez Whitted, Dave Grusin, Stanley Turrentine, Sadao Watanabe, Ronnie Cuber, and Red Holloway
January 18, 1959 ~ Producer, songwriter Bob Rosenberg born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for founding the group Will To Power. The group scored an international hit, including reaching the No.1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, with their 1988 single Baby I Love Your Way/Freebird (Medley) mashing up Peter Frampton's Baby I Love Your Way and Lynyrd Skynyrd's Free Bird. Other well known songs include Say It's Gonna Rain, Fading Away and the 10cc-cover I'm Not In Love
January 18, 1957 ~ Jazz, classical trumpeter, hornist, conductor, arranger, composer Bert Joris born in Antwerp, Belgium ~ Leader and sideman. Classically trained. Influenced by Sergei Prokofiev, Igor Stravinsky, Claude Debussy. Acclaimed for his 1998 Le Bal Masqué album. Has worked with the BRT Jazzorkest, Philip Catherine, Dado Moroni, Dré Pallemaerts, Joe Lovano, and the Brussels Jazz OrchestraJanuary 18, 1956 ~ Singer Bing Crosby records Now You Has Jazz ~ Written by Cole Porter for the High Society musical. Bing Crosby is backed by an all-star cast which includes Louis Armstrong, Trummy Young, Edmond Hall, Billy Kyle, Arvell Shaw and Barrett Deems
January 18, 1956 ~ Rock guitarist Jack Sherman born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Best known as member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, replacing Hillel Slovak in 1983. Present on the band's eponymous the Red Hot Chili Peppers debut album. Co-wrote several tracks of their debut as well as the band's sophomore Freaky Styley album. Also worked with Bob Dylan, George Clinton, Tonio K, and Feargal Sharkey ~ Sherman passed away in 2020
January 18, 1956 ~ Singer, actor, producer, songwriter Mark Collie born in Waynesboro, Tennessee, USA ~ As a solo artist known for songs such as Even The Man In The Moon Is Crying and Born To Love You. Has also written songs for Aaron Tippin, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw and JT Hodges
January 18, 1956 ~ New wave, pop, synth-pop singer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, percussionist, songwriter Tom Bailey, full name Thomas Alexander Bailey, born in Halifax, UK ~ Rose to fame as lead singer for 1980s new wave, pop band Thompson Twins, with whom he recorded eight albums through 1993. The band would reach top 10 in their native UK with the singles Love On Your Side, We Are Detective, Hold Me Now, Doctor Doctor, and You Take Me Up. The band would also include Bailey's girlfriend Alannah Currie, whom he would marry in 1991. Following the band's disbandement the couple would form the electronica-duo Babble, known for the albums The Stone and Ether. Bailey recorded with the dub duo International Observer during the 2000s, and released his sole solo album, Science Fiction, in 2018
January 18, 1955 ~ R&B, soul singer, songwriter, keyboardist, producer Angela Winbush, full name Angela Lisa Winbush, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Rose to fame as half of the duo René & Angela, the other half being René Moore, known for songs such as Save Your Love For No.1, I'll Be Good and Your Smile. Subsequently scored as a solo artist throughout the mid 1990s with songs such as Angel, Run To Me, It's The Real Thing, Treat U Rite, Floatin' On Your Love, the latter a collaborative effort with the Isley BrothersJanuary 18, 1955 ~ Danzónzan pianist, bandleader, composer Antonio María Romeu, full name Antonio María Romeu Marrero, passed away in Havana, Cuba ~ Worked with the Orquesta Cervantes, the Orquesta Romeu, Fernando Collazo, and Barbarito Diez ~ Romeu was born in 1876
January 18, 1955 ~ DJ, producer Frankie Knuckles born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Known as “the Godfather of House Music”, Knuckles was pivotal in development of house music in the 1980s. Closely associated with Larry Levan. Reigned as club DJ in Chicago's the Warehouse through late-1982 when Knuckles opened his own club. As a recording artist and producer he is best known for his collaborations with Jamie Principle, especially Your Love and Baby Wants To Ride. Co-produced the Pet Shop Boys' I Want A Dog from their 1988 Introspective album. Also worked with Chip E, David Morales, Lisa Michaelis, Marshall Jefferson, Loose Ends, Adeva, and Nicki Richards ~ Knuckles passed away in 2014January 18, 1955 ~ Percussionist, pianist, singer, bandleader, composer Marilyn Mazur born in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of Future Song, which included her husband Klavs Hovman. Has also worked with Six Winds, Alex Riel, John Tchicai, Pierre Dørge, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Palle Mikkelborg, Arild Andersen, Eberhard Weber, Peter Kowald, Jeanne Lee, Jan Garbarek, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Gil Evans, Dhafer Youssef, and Makiko Hirabayashi ~ Mazur passed away in 2025
January 18, 1953 ~ Composer, conductor Arthur Wood passed away in London, UK ~ Best remembered for composing the orchestral piece My Native Heath which included his best known song Barwick Green. The latter would be used as the signature theme for the BBC radio 4 show Radio. As a conductor associated with the Harrogate Municipal Orchestra, the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra and especially a wide array of London theater orchestras for over three decades. Has composed orchestral works and musicals including Yvonne, Petticoat Fair and Fancy Fair ~ Wood was born in 1875
January 18, 1953 ~ Guitarist, film composer, producer Brian Keane born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Nominated for an Academy Award for the score to the 1980 documentary Against Wind And Tide (A Cuban Odyssey). Would go on to become an in-demand composer for documentaries, some critics hailing Keane as “the John Williams of the documentary.” Also known as a producer of world music in the 1980s and 1990s. Has collaborated with Omar Faruk Tekbliek, Linda Ronstadt, Pete Seeger, Joanie Madden, Taj Mahal, Michael Hedges, Buckwheat Zydeco, Yomo Toro, David Darling, Vieux Diop, Arlo Guthrie, and the Clancy Brothers
January 18, 1952 ~ Robert Steven Moore, commonly known as lo-fi, power pop, post-punk, experimental singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer, songwriter R Stevie Moore born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Son of renowned session bassist Bob Moore. Pioneering lo-fi musician often dubbed “the Godfather of Home Recording” having self-released approximately 400 albums with some three dozen albums, mostly compilations, released as “official” albums on a variety of labelsJanuary 18, 1951 ~ Paul James Vigna, commonly known as blues, rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Paul James, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Active since his mid-teens. Member of Lick 'n Stick, first gaining attention in the early 1970s opening for Bo Diddley who would become a close friend and James's mentor. Would go on to front the Paul James Band and work with Willy DeVille, John Hammond Jr, and Bob Dylan
January 18, 1951 ~ Jazz fusion, hard bop saxophonist Steve Grossman born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Miles Davis, Elvin Jones, Don Alias, Gene Perla, Marcio Montarroyos, Jan Hammer, Alessio Urso, Patrice Caratini, Mark Egan, Marcus Miller, Lenny White, Jiuni Boot, Joe Chambers, Hugh Lawson, Cedar Walton, Walter Booker, Masahiro Yoshida, Art Taylor, Tom Harrell, Cecil McBee, Harold Land, Johnny Griffin, Alvin Queen, the Stone Alliance, Elvin Jones, Art Taylor, McCoy Tyner, Willie Pickens, Harold Land, and Johnny Griffin ~ Grossman passed away in 2020January 18, 1950 ~ Engineer, producer Allan Blazek born ~ Mentored by producer Bill Szymczyk. Engineered the Eagles' pivotal Hotel California album. Would go on to produce albums by Glenn Frey, REO Speedwagon, the J Geils Band (Bloodshot), Fandango, Elvin Bishop (Struttin' My Stuff), and the Outlaws ~ Blazek passed away in 2021
January 18, 1945 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter José Luis Perales, full name José Luis Perales Morillas, born in Castelon, Spain ~ Over two dozen albums to his name, starting in the early 1970s. Sold over 50 million copies. Had his songs covered by Vikki Carr, Bertín Osborne, Raphael, Rocío Jurado, Miguel Bosé, Daniela Romo, Isabel Pantoja, Julio Iglesias, Mocedades, La Oreja De Van Gogh, Ricardo Montaner, and Marc Anthony
January 18, 1944 ~ Steel guitarist Al Perkins born in De Kalb, Texas, USA ~ Learned to play Hawaiian steel guitar at age 9. Joined Shiloh in 1970, moved on to a new incarnation of the Flying Burrito Brothers (appearing on The Last Of The Red Hot Burritos), then moved with Chris Hillman to join Manassas. Over the years Perkins has collaborated with James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Tori Amos, Garth Brooks, the Rolling Stones (notably on Torn & Frayed), Dwight Yoakam, Dan Fogelberg, Joe Walsh, Mike Love, Solomon Burke, Patty Loveless, Cher, Rita Coolidge, Iris DeMent, Michael Martin Murphey, Buddy Miller, Yo La Tengo, and Jim Lauderdale