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 19, 1959 ~ In its 10th week on the charts, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes by the Platters hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ The song actually traces back to 1933 when it was introduced in the Broadway musical Roberta, sung by Tamara Drasin. The same year, bandleader Paul Whiteman would score the first hit version of the song with vocalist Bob Lawrence. In 1958, the Platters revived the song for their Remember When album. Producer Buck Ram has stated that the original lyricist Otto Harbach praised the vocal group for “reviving his song with taste”. The widow of composer Jerome Kern, on the other hand, was so displeased with the recording that she began legal action to prevent its distribution. However, as the Platters single was a huge seller and she was going to receive large royalties, she dropped the lawsuit. Numerous artists have recorded the song, yet the definitive version is the late 1950s version by the Platters, their sole Billboard Hot 100 charttopper. It has endured the test of time and remains popular to this day, finding new audiences again and again through frequent appearances in films and TV seriesJanuary 19, 1957 ~ Singer Elvis Presley records Have I Told You Lately That I Love You at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California ~ Written by Scotty Wiseman. Recorded by Elvis Presley for his Loving You album, backed by Scotty Moore guitar, Bill Black double bass, Dudley Brooks piano, Hoyt Hawkins organ, DJ Fontana drums, the Jordanaires backing vocals
January 19, 1956 ~ Soul singer, keyboardist Booker Newberry III born in Youngstown, Ohio, USA ~ Member of Sweet Thunder, known for Baby I Need Your Love Today. Member of Impact. As a solo artist best known for Love Town, which reached the UK top 10 in 1983 ~ Newberry passed away in 2023
January 19, 1956 ~ Carmen Domenic Licciardello, commonly known as Christian singer, rapper, songwriter Carman, born in Trenton, New Jersey, USA ~ One of the all-time most successful Christian performers with about two dozen albums to his name, selling over an estimated 10 million copies, starting in the early 1980s. Became a born-again Christian after seeing Andráe Crouch in concert. Noted for his operatic, story-driven songs. Especially acclaimed for his 1988 live album Live Radically Saved and Addicted To Jesus. Licciardello is also known as a frequent host on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, notably on its flagship program Praise The Lord ~ Licciardello passed away in 2023January 19, 1956 ~ Richard Willett Miller, commonly known as singer, producer, songwriter Parthenon Huxley, born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known for his association with the Electric Light Orchestra-offshoot the Orchestra. Also recorded under the moniker Rick Rock, notably the 1983 single Buddha Buddha ~ Miller passed away in 2026
January 19, 1955 ~ Conductor Simon Rattle born in Liverpool, UK ~ Rose to prominence as director of the City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra from 1980 through 1998. Principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic from 2002 to 2018. Has also worked with the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra Of The Age Of Enlightenment, the London Symphony Orchestra (notably during the Opening of the 2012 Olympics in London), the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Philadelphia Orchestra
January 19, 1955 ~ Keyboardist, guitarist, singer Tony Mansfield, full name Anthony Charles Mansfield, born in Salford, UK ~ First gained attention as lead singer, primary songwriter of synth-pop band New Musik, best known for their 1980 UK top 20 hit Living By Numbers. Following the band's disbandement after three albums Mansfield would focus on his career as a songwriter and producer, working with acts such as Captain Sensible, Naked Eyes, Aztec Camera, A-ha (Hunting High And Low), the Damned, and Miguel Bosé
January 19, 1954 ~ Catherine Louise Sagal, commonly known as actress, singer Katey Sagal, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as an actress, notably portraying the role of Peggy Bundy in the TV sitcom Married With Children. Started her career in show business as a singer, songwriter, active since the early 1970s. Has backed artists such as Bob Dylan, Etta James, Tanya Tucker, Gene Simmons, Molly Hatchet, Olivia Newton-John, and Bette Midler. Has released a handful of solo albums, starting with Well released in 1994January 19, 1953 ~ Rock, hard rock drummer Clive Edwards born in Hounslow, UK ~ Best known as member of UFO from 1989 through 1993, present on the 1992 High Stakes & Dangerous Men album. The album also featured guitarist Laurence Archer, his former bandmate from Wild Horses. Edwards has also worked with acts such as Pat Travers, Electric Sun, Uli Jon Roth, Ashley Slater, and Lionheart
January 19, 1953 ~ Singer Desi Arnaz Jr born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Son of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. At age 12 formed the trio Dino Desi & Billy with Billy Hinsche and Dean Paul Martin, known for mid 1960s songs such as I'm A Fool and Not The Lovin' Kind. After the band disbanded would venture into acting. Ressurected the band in 1998 as Ricci Desi & Billy featuring Ricci Martin, performing the original band's material as well as new songs through 2010January 19, 1953 ~ Keyboardist, film composer Michael Boddicker born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA ~ In-demand session keyboardist active since the mid 1970s. Present on albums by Elkie Brooks, Quincy Jones, Eric Carmen, Randy Newman (Little Criminals), Bread, the Manhattan Transfer, Natalie Cole, Bread, the Jacksons, Melissa Manchester, Narada Michael Walden, Michael Jackson (Off The Wall), Rickie Lee Jones, Barbra Streisand, José Feliciano, the Pointer Sisters, Al Jarreau (Breakin' Away), Patti Austin (Every Home Should Have One), Peter Cetera, Olivia Newton-John (Physical), Donna Summer, Lionel Richie (Can't Slow Down), James Ingram, Don Henley (Building The Perfect Beast), and Joe Cocker
January 19, 1952 ~ Lee Martin Bunnell, commonly known as folk-rock singer, guitarist Dewey Bunnell, born in Harrogate, UK ~ Member of 1970s folk-rock outfit America. Wrote some of the band's best known songs including Ventura Highway, The Tin Man and A Horse With No Name, the latter reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972
January 19, 1949 ~ Pop rock, blue-eyed soul singer Robert Palmer, full name Robert Allen Palmer, born in Batley, UK ~ Enjoyed his biggest successes during the 1980s, both as a solo artist and with supergroup Power Station. Well known songs include Bad Case Of Loving You (Doctor Doctor), Addicted To Love, and I Didn't Mean To Turn You On. Palmer had previously worked with the Alan Bown Set, Dada, and Vinegar Joe ~ Palmer passed away in 2003January 19, 1948 ~ Funk, soul, pop guitarist Harvey Hinsley born in Northampton, UK ~ Member of Hot Chocolate from 1970 through 1986, rejoining in later years. Present on the band's best known including I Believe In Love, Emma, You Sexy Thing, So You Win Again, No Doubt About It, Girl Crazy, and It Started With A Kiss, all of which reached top 10 in the band's native England
January 19, 1947 ~ Progressive rock, pop rock, rock bassist, singer John G Perry born in Auburn, New York, USA ~ Member of Gringo which also included future Sailor drummer Henry Marsh, known for their sole eponymous Gringo album released in 1971. Member of Caravan, present on the 1973 For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night album. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Sunset Wading released in 1976. Has also worked with Quantam Jump, Gordon Giltrap, Anthony Phillips, Kevin Ayers, Curved Air, Aviator, Sally Oldfield, and Adrian Snel
January 19, 1946 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Dolly Parton, full name Dolly Rebecca Parton, born in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, USA ~ One of the most successful female country artists with a global crossover appeal. Trailblazer for independent women in music. Wrote or co-wrote over 3,000 songs during a career spanning seven decades. Best known for songs such as Dumb Blonde, Jolene, Coat Of Many Colors, Here You Come Again, Heartbreaker, 9 To 5, I Will Always Love You. Has collaborated with Porter Wagoner, Kenny Rogers, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Gail Davies, Julio Iglesias, Hal Ketchum, George Jones, Brad Paisley, Martina McBride, Solomon Burke, and Ronnie Milsap
January 19, 1945 ~ Jump blues, R&B singer, saxophonist, bandleader Louis Jordan records Caldonia ~ Credited to Fleecie Moore, Jordan's wife at the time, but believed to be written by Louis Jordan. Released later the same year, b/w Somebody Done Changed The Lock On My Door. Rooted in jazz but with its infectious rhythm considered a precursor to rock & roll. Cited by Little Richard as a major influence, Caldonia being the first non-gospel song he heard. Historians have noted that Richard's characteristic shrieks seem to be inspired by Jordan's style
January 19, 1945 ~ Roderic Evans, commonly known as singer Rod Evans, born in Edinburgh, UK ~ Original singer of Deep Purple, present on the band's first three albums namely Shades Of Deep Purple (which included Hush), The Book Of Taliesyn and Deep Purple. Voted out by the other members in 1970 as the band would pursue a tougher sound, less suitable for Evans's pop voice. Evans would subsequently join Captain Beyond, and appear on their first two albums, Captain Beyond and Sufficiently Breathless. Evans disappeared from public life by the early 1980s, fatigued after legal battles with Deep PurpleJanuary 19, 1945 ~ Bassist, singer, songwriter Trevor Williams, full name Trevor Leslie Williams, born in Hereford, UK ~ Best known as co-founding member of art rock band Audience during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The band would reunite in 2004. Has also worked with Vince Taylor, Bert Weedon, the Nashville Teens, and Jonathan Kelly
January 19, 1944 ~ Michele Ann Marie Fabares, commonly known as singer, actress Shelley Fabares, born in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Best known as an actress, notably on the TV series The Donna Reed Show in the 1950s and 1960s and Coach in the 1990s. As a singer known for her rendition of Johnny Angel, a Billboard No.1 hit in 1958. Has also released other recordings throughout the 1960s, including dueting with Elvis Presley on a version of Spring Fever, but would be unable to repeat the success of Johnny Angel
January 19, 1943 ~ Singer Janis Joplin, full name Janis Lyn Joplin, born in Port Arthur, Texas, USA ~ One of the most successful rock stars of her day, noted for her powerful bluesy mezzo-soprano vocals. Rose to fame as lead singer of psychedelic blues band Big Brother & the Holding Company, known for songs such as Bye Bye Baby, Down On Me and Piece Of My Heart. As a solo artist known for Kozmic Blues, Me And Bobby McGee, Cry Baby and Mercedes Benz. Passed away aged 27 of a heroin overdose ~ Joplin passed away in 1970January 19, 1942 ~ Singer Frank Sinatra records Lamplighter's Serenade ~ Written by Hoagy Carmichael and Paul Francis Webster. Recorded by Frank Sinatra during his first session as a solo artist. Orchestra led by Axel Stordahl. Recorded the same year by Bing Crosby, Woody Herman, Horace Heidt, Glenn Miller, Gertrude Niesen, and by Leo Reisman
January 19, 1942 ~ Michael Patrick Smith, commonly known as actor, comedian, singer Michael Crawford, born in Sheerness, UK ~ Best known as an actor, portraying the role of Frank Spencer in the Briotish comedy series Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. Also worked in musicals, notably a late 1980s production of The Phantom Of The Opera, earning him a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical
January 19, 1942 ~ Bossa nova, pop singer, actress Nara Leão, full name Nara Lofego Leão, born in Vitória, Brazil ~ Known as “the Muse of Bossa Nova”. Befriended artists such as Roberto Menescal, João Gilberto and Vinicius de Moraes by the late 1950s. Toured with Sérgio Mendes by 1963. Debuted as a solo artist in 1964 with the Nara album. Would turn to more politically themed lyrics under the pressure of military dictatorship, eventually leaving Brazil for Paris ~ Leão passed away in 1989
January 19, 1941 ~ Patrick Verne Smith, commonly known as jazz, cool jazz, bebop bassist Putter Smith, born in Bell, California, USA ~ Worked with Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, Duke Ellington, Billy Eckstine, Diane Schuur, Lee Konitz, Bruce Forman, Carmen McRae, Gary Foster, Art Farmer, Blue Mitchell, Erroll Garner, Gerry Mulligan, Art Pepper, Alan Broadbent, Bob Brookmeyer, Diane Schuur, Warne Marsh, Ray Charles, Patrice Rushen, Michael Kanon, Jorge Rossi, Jimmy Wormworth, Mason Williams, Percy Faith, Burt Bacharach, the Manhattan Transfer, Johnny Mathis, Beck, Smokey Hormel, Sonny & Cher, the Beach Boys, and the Righteous Brothers