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 2, 2025 ~ Singer, actor, director, poet, songwriter Ferdi Tayfur, full name Ferdi Tayfur Turanbayburt, passed away in Antalya, Turkey ~ Active since the late 1960s with over 30 albums and over 30 films to his name. Best known for his 1975 Birak Su Gurbeti album which spawned the Cesme hit ~ Turanbayburt was born in 1945
January 2, 2025 ~ Heavy metal, hard rock, power metal singer Russ North passed away ~ Member of Tredegar, present on the band's eponymous Tredegar album. When bassist Andy Wood joined Cloven Hoof in 1986, North soon followed. North recorded two albums with the band, Dominator and A Sultan's Random before the band folded in 1990. North has since worked with Monza, and notably auditioned for the vacant spot of lead singer in Iron Maiden following the departure of Bruce Dickinson in 1993, but lost out to Blaze Bayley ~ North was born in 1965
January 2, 2024 ~ Guitarist, composer Chris Karrer passed away ~ Co-founding member of Amon Düül and its commercially more successful successor Amon Düül II, the latter especially known for a number of soundtracks most notably Niklashauser Fart and San Domingo. Though primarily active as a guitarist, Karrer also plays oud, saxophone, and violin. Karrer has also recorded as a solo artist, and worked with Embryo, Popol Vuh, Uli Trepte, and Guru Guru ~ Karrer was born in 1947
January 2, 2023 ~ Edward William Taylor, commonly known as rock & roll, beat singer, guitarist Kingsize Taylor, passed away ~ Dubbed “Kingsize” for his stature, standing at 6'5". Fronted Kingsize Taylor & the Dominoes, active from the late 1950s through the early 1960s. Regarded as one of the first beat groups, they enjoyed some regional popularity as well as in Germany with covers of American songs such as Money, Whole Lotta Lovin', Hippy Hippy Shake, and Stupidity. The band is also known for ocassionally featuring a then-unknown Cilla Black at gigs. Drummer Ringo Starr had also been offered a slot in the band but opted for the Beatles instead ~ Taylor was born in 1939January 2, 2022 ~ Christian bassist, singer Jay Weaver passed away ~ Member of Big Daddy Weave, which also included his brother Mike Weaver, known for a number of 2000s, 2010s songs including Fields Of Grace, You're Worthy Of My Praise featuring BarlowGirl, Just The Way I Am, Go Tell It On The Mountain, Every Time I Breathe, Redeemed, Alive, and I Know ~ Weaver was born ca.1979
January 2, 2022 ~ Sultan Banks, commonly known as hip-hop producer, rapper Traxamillion, passed away in San Jose, California, USA ~ First gained attention producing Super Hyphy, a moderate 2005 hit on the hyphy circuit for Keak da Sneak. Banks has released about half a dozen mixtapes and albums, notably The Slapp Addict album in 2006, and has produced tracks for Mistah FAB, Brooke Hogan (About Us), MC Lars, Drew Deezy, and Clyde Carson. Banks passed away at age 42 of cancer, while in hospice care at his aunt's home ~ Banks was born in 1979January 2, 2021 ~ Radio DJ Christopher Moore passed away ~ Co-founder, radio DJ of pirate radio station Radio Caroline established in 1964 and broadcasting from international waters in the North Sea. In 1967, at the peak of its popularity, the radio station would have millions of listeners. The station is credited with revolutionizing radio broadcasting in the UK ~ Moore was born in 1940
January 2, 2021 ~ Rock & roll, rockabilly singer Stan Beaver passed away ~ Known for his sole hit, I Got A Rocket In My Pocket, which hit the charts in 1963 and is currently considered a collector's item. Beaver has also worked as a studio and live recording engineer with artists such as Emmylou Harris, the Righteous Brothers, Carl Perkins, Ray Charles, Hoyt Axton, and perhaps most notably Tom T Hall ~ Beaver was born in 1949
January 2, 2019 ~ Singer, keyboardist Daryl Dragon, full name Daryl Frank Dragon, passed away in Prescott, Arizona, USA ~ Son of conductor, composer Carmen Dragon. Formed Captain & Tennille with his wife Toni Tennille, a duo fondly remembered for some of the most endearing love songs from the 1970s including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Love Will Keep Us Together, Muskrat Love, and Do That To Me One More Time. By 1976 the couple would be so popular that they were invited to play the White House, performing for Queen Elizabeth II and President Gerald Ford during the country's bicentennial celebration, and were given their own TV show, The Captain & Tennille Show aired on ABC. Despite decent ratings the show was cancelled after one season, possibly because the couple tried to get out of their contract to focus on their music. Dragon had previously backed artists such as Charles Wright, the Carpenters, and the Beach Boys. The latter's lead singer, Mike Love, had given Dragon the nickname Captain Keyboard ~ Dragon was born in 1942
January 2, 2015 ~ James Cecil Dickens, commonly known as singer, songwriter Jimmy Dickens, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Grand Ole Opry member since 1948. Best known for his humorous novelty songs. Formed the Country Boys in 1950, teaming up with Jabbo Smith, Grady Martin, Bob Moore and Thumbs Carllile. Known for songs such as Country Boy, The Violet And The Rose, May The Bird Of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose, and Take An Old Cold Tater And Wait ~ Dickens was born in 1920January 2, 2014 ~ Singer Jay Traynor passed away in Tampa, Florida, USA ~ Member of the Mystics, singing lead on Somewhere Over The Rainbow and Blue Star. Co-founding member, original lead singer of Jay & the Americans, present on the band's 1962 She Cried debut album. Has subsequently recorded as a solo artist, noted for his Up & Over single ~ Traynor was born in 1943
January 2, 2012 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Ian Bargh, full name Ian Martin Bargh, passed away in Toronto, Canada ~ After relocating to Canada in the late 1950s, became a fixture on the Toronto jazz scene especially noted for playing George's Spaghetti House, Toronto Alive, and the Toronto Jazz Festival. Has backed numerous visiting musicians including Zoot Sims, Lee Konitz, Dizzy Reece, Chick Corea, Count Basie, Plas Johnson, and George Masso. As a leader, Bargh recorded a sole album, Only Trust Your Heart, released in 2000 ~ Bargh was born in 1935
January 2, 2010 ~ Singer Ke$ha hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 with her debut single Tik Tok ~ The singer's debut single, lead single of her Animal debut album, would top the Billboard Hot 100 for nine weeks, making it the longest-running charttopper of the year. The album would be Ke$ha's most successful album, reaching multiple platinum status, reach top 10 in several countries including the top spot on the Billboard Hot 200, and spawn three more Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles with Blah Blah Blah, Your Love Is My Drug, and Take It OffJanuary 2, 2004 ~ Jazz pianist Andre Persiany passed away in Paris, France ~ Father of double bassist Stephane Persiany. Worked with the Be-Bop Minstrels, Michel Attenoux, Eddie Benard, Bill Coleman, Buck Clayton, Raymond Fonseque, Lionel Hampton, Guy Lafitte, Mezz Mezzrow, Tony Proteau, Jonah Jones, Cat Anderson, Milt Buckner, Eddie Chamblee, Arnett Cobb, Al Grey, Budd Johnson, and Charlie Shavers ~ Persiany was born in 1927
January 2, 2004 ~ Actress, singer Etta Moten passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for her role as Bess in Porgy & Bess, which George Gershwin had written with Moten in mind. Moten was concerned about trying a role above her natural range of contralto, and Gershwin rewrote her role for the 1942 revival of the opera. Previously, Moten had featured in musical films such as Flying Down To Rio and Gold Diggers Of 1933, notably singing My Forgotten Man with Joan Blondell in the latter. Moten would also perform the song at the White House for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's birthday celebration in 1934. Moten is remembered as an icon for creating new roles for African-American women on stage and screen, and following her retirement from the stage for medical reasons, worked as a civic activist, raising funds for and supporting cultural, social and church institutions ~ Moten was born in 1901January 2, 2003 ~ Vocal pop singer Ed Farran passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Member of the Arbors, which also included his twin brother Fred Farran, known for a number of 1960s recordings including Symphony For Susan, Just Let It Happen, Graduation Day and perhaps their best known The Letter, the latter a Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit in 1969 and originally a charttopper for the Box Tops three years earlier. The vocal pop quartet is also noted for their follow-up album, Featuring I Can't Quit Her The Letter featuring vocal pop interpretations of songs originally by the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Doors, Blood Sweat & Tears, and Simon & Garfunkel ~ Farran was born in 1937
January 2, 2003 ~ Pianist, conductor, arranger, composer Eric Jupp, full name Eric Stanley Jupp, passed away in Launceton, Australia ~ Enjoyed popularity in the 1960s and 1970s in his adopted homeland Australia, best known as cmposer for film and TV and as host of the long-running The Magic Of Music TV show aired by ABC. The show would be syndicated in over two dozen countries and spawn a series of pops albums ~ Jupp was born in 1922
January 2, 2000 ~ Trumpeter Nat Adderley, full name Nathaniel Carlyle Adderley, passed away in Lakeland, Florida, USA ~ Brother of Cannonball Adderley, with whom he also collaborated. Co-wrote Work Song with Oscar Brown Jr, which has since become a jazz standard. Also worked with JJ Johnson, Woody Herman, Kenny Clarke, Wes Montgomery, Walter Booker, Jimmy Cobb, Vincent Herring, Ron Carter, Sonny Fortune, Johnny Griffin, Antonio Hart, Gene Ammons, Kenny Burrell, Charlie Byrd, James Clay, Victor Feldman, Red Garland, Benny Golson, Quincy Jones, Wynton Kelly, Sal Nistico, and King Curtis ~ Adderley was born in 1931January 2, 1999 ~ Punk rock guitarist Michael Weber, full name Michael Peter Weber, passed away ~ Best known as founding member, lead guitarist of punk rockers the Seminal Rats. Also a member of hard rock outfit Hoss for two years before returning to Rats in 1992 playing with the band until his untimely death due to a heroin overdose in 1999. The band would break up after Weber's deaths ~ Weber was born in 1966
January 2, 1998 ~ Nikolas Kostantinos Venetoulis, commonly known as producer, A&R executive Nick Venet, passed away in East Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for signing the Beach Boys to Capitol Records and producing the band's early material such as Surfin' Safari. In one capacity or another has also worked with a wide array of others including Glen Campbell, Jim Croce, Bobby Darin, the Hondells, the Kingston Trio, the Lettermen, Ricky Nelson, Lou Rawls, the Stone Poneys, Linda Ronstadt, the Walker Brothers, and Timi Yuro ~ Venetoulis was born in 1936
January 2, 1997 ~ Randolph Craig Wolfe, commonly known as guitarist Randy California, passed away in Molokai, Hawaii, USA ~ Considered a guitar prodigy. Briefly played with Jimi Hendrix, who gave Wolfe his nickname “California”, in the mid 1960s outfit Jimmy James & the Blue Flames. Best known as founder and frontman of Spirit, with whom he recorded four albums through the early 1970s merging rock, jazz, and folk. The band is especially acclaimed for their first two albums, the eponymous Spirit and its follow-up The Family That Plays Together, both released in 1968. Allegedly, Led Zeppelin lifted California's guitar riff from Taurus, an instrumental from Spirit's debut album, for their rock classic Stairway To Heaven. The case was litigated exhaustively, but eventually the courts dismissed the claim ~ Wolfe was born in 1951
January 2, 1995 ~ Country, country-pop, pop singer Shania Twain releases Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under, lead single off her The Woman In Me sophomore album ~ While Shania Twain's debut album would be a commercial disappointment, her sophomore effort made her a star starting with its lead single Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under. The single would be welcomed by critics, Twain praised for her feisty delivery and smart lyrics, and became the first of six consecutive No.1 hits on the Canadian country charts. Like just about all songs on the album, Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under would be written by Twain and her then-husband Robert John Mutt Lange, with the latter serving as sole producer. Mutte had previously scored hits with the Motors, the Boomtown Rats, AC/DC, Def Leppard, Bryan Adams, and Michael Bolton. Lange would also produce Twain's Come On Over and Up albums, the pair would divorce in 2010January 2, 1993 ~ Singer, rapper, songwriter Bryson Tiller, full name Bryson Djuan Tiller, born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Debuted in 2011 with the mixtape Instinct Vol.1. Best known for his 2015 Don't single, which reached top 20 Billboard Hot 100, which led to a record deal and his Trapsoul full-length debut album released later the same year
January 2, 1993 ~ Singer Whitney Houston releases I'm Every Woman, lifted off her The Bodyguard album ~ Written by husband and wife duo Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, the song was originally recorded by Chaka Khan for her solo debut album and Khan's first hit outside funk outfit Rufus. Whitney Houston had always wanted to cover a Khan song, and persuaded by her assistant recorded her cover for the soundtrack of The Bodyguard, in which Houston portrays the role of a diva actress and singer in her big screen acting debut. While Khan's original was a solid hit back in 1978, peaking at No.21 Billboard Hot 100, the success of the film and soundtrack album helped Houston's cover, produced by Narada Michael Walden with additional production by David Cole and Robert Clivilles of C+C Music Factory, to surpass the original in terms of chart performance as it reached top 10 in well over a dozen countries including No.4 Billboard Hot 100 in America. Early on in her career, Houston was a relatively unknown session vocalist and did appear as a backing singer on some of Chaka Khan's recordings, but contrary to common misconception Houston did not sing backup on Khan's I'm Every Woman. Whitney's mother Cissy Houston, however, did. Cissy Houston as well as Chaka Khan and the song's co-writer Valerie Simpson all made cameos in the accompanying music video of Houston's renditionJanuary 2, 1992 ~ Ray Davon Jacobs, commonly known as R&B, electronic singer, songwriter August 08, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-wrote I'm The One, a Billboard R&B and Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit in 2017 for DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper & Lil Wayne. As a recording artist Jacobs has released three albums, starting with Father in 2018, and is perhaps best known for his Bruises single released in 2023 ~ Jacobs passed away in 2023