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 21, 1978 ~ Tamir Ruffin, commonly known as singer Nokio the N-tity, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Member of Dru Hill. The R&B outfit is known for a string of late 1990s hits including In My Bed, Never Make A Promise and How Deep Is Your Love featuring Redman, all of which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100
January 21, 1978 ~ Singer Phil Stacey, full name Joel Philip Stacey, born in Richmond, Kentucky, USA ~ First gained attention as contestant on the sixth season of talent show American Idol in 2007. Released his eponymous Phil Stacey debut album in 2008, which included his debut single If You Didn't Love Me. Subsequent recordings, notably 2009's You're Not Shaken and 2015's Reach Beyond would reach top 30 in the Christian singles chart
January 21, 1976 ~ Singer Emma Bunton, full name Emma Lee Bunton, born in Finchley, UK ~ Nicknamed Baby Spice. Member of girl group the Spice Girls, known for hits such as Wannabe, 2 Become 1, Spice Up Your Life and Viva Forever. Bunton released her solo album, A Girl Like Me, in 2001 and has recorded as a solo artist since. Known for songs such as What Took You So Long, Free Me and Downtown. Has collaborated with Ronan Keating, Damage, Brian Wilson, and Chicken Shed
January 21, 1975 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Jason Moran born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Considered one of the leading prodiguous talents to emerge from the late 1990s, early 2000s with well over a dozen acclaimed albums as a leader or solo artist to his name including several soundtracks. Influenced especially by Thelonious Monk, yet draws from a wide array of genres including blues, classical music, stride piano, and hip hop. Especially acclaimed for his 2014 album All Rise (A Joyful Elegy For Fats Waller), which notably featured singer Meshell Ndegeocello. Moran is also in-demand as a collaborator and sideman, present on albums by Greg Osby (Banned In New York), Stefon Harris, Steve Coleman, Joe Lovano (Friendly Fire), Lonnie Plaxico, Ralph Alessi, Von Freeman, Angela McCluskey, Don Byron, Bob Belden, Bunky Green, Imani Winds, Jenny Scheinman, Francisco Mela, Otis Taylor, Joe Henry (Blood From Stars), Jack DeJohnette, José James (Yesterday I Had The Blues), and Logan Richardson
January 21, 1975 ~ Singer Olivia Newton-John releases Have You Never Been Mellow, lifted off the album of the same name ~ While touring America with Olivia Newton-John, John Farrar was struck by everybody using the word “mellow”, which inspired him to write Have You Never Been Mellow. Newton-John's single, asking the rhetorical question trying to convince a high-strung person in her life not to take everything so serious, would be her second Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit. Farrar would write several more hits for the Australian singer, most notably her 1978 duet with John Travolta You're The One That I Want, as well as Hopelessly Devoted To You and MagicJanuary 21, 1972 ~ Charlyn Marie Marshall, commonly known as Indie rock, folk rock, alternative rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Cat Power born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Debuted in 1995 with the album Dear Sir and has recorded steadily since. Best known for her 2018 single Woman featuring Lana Del Rey. Artists who guested on her albums include Steve Shelley, Dave Grohl, Eddie Vedder, Mabon Teenie Hodges, and Judah Bauer
January 21, 1972 ~ Jazz guitarist, composer Jesse van Ruller born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with David Hazeltine, Nat Reeves, Joe Farnsworth, Willie Jones III, Seamus Blake, Sam Yahel, Bill Stewart, Benjamin Herman, Clarence Penn, John Swana, Fleurine, Dave Liebman, Florian Ross, and Jasper Blom
January 21, 1972 ~ Charlene Keys, commonly known as R&B, neo soul singer, guitarist, songwriter Tweet, born in Rochester, New York, USA ~ Member of Sugah, which at one time also included a then-unknown Missy Elliott. Sang backing vocals on Elliott's Miss E (So Addictive) and subsequently had Elliott guest on her 2002 solo debut album Southern Hummingbird, which was received to warm reviews and spawned the hit single Oops (Oh My). Tweet has recorded since, both as a solo artist and backing musician. Has collaborated with artists such as Timbaland, Ja Rule, Bubba Sparxxx, Petey Pablo, Magoo, Trina, Madonna, and Cee Lo Green
January 21, 1968 ~ Alexander Barr, commonly known as harcore punk, oi punk, punk rock singer Al Barr, born in Hanover, New Hampshire, USA ~ Lead singer of the Dropkick Murphys joining the band in 1998 as replacement for original lead singer Mick McColgan. The band is best known for their 2012 single The Season's Upon Us. Two earlier singles, Walk Away and Fields Of Athenry both taken of their 2003 album Blackout would be minor hits in the UK. Has previously fronted 5 Balls Of Power and co-founded the BruisersJanuary 21, 1968 ~ Progressive metal, neoclassical metal, hard rock, glam metal drummer John Macaluso born in Commack, New York, USA ~ Closely associated with Ark, TNT, Yngwie Malmsteen. In-demand session and touring drummer. Released his solo debut album, John Macaluso & Union Radio, in 2007. Has worked with James Labrie, Symphony X, Nicko McBrain, Pete Steele, Starbreaker, Dino Jelusick, Dee Snider, Spread Eagle, Lynch Mob, Labyrinth, Powermad, and Riot
January 21, 1967 ~ Hard rock, progressive rock keyboardist, songwriter Darrel Treece-Birch born in Fleetwood, UK ~ Influenced by Jean-Michel Jarre and Vangelis. Best known for his work with melodic hard rock outfit TEN, joining the band in 2011 and first appearing on the Heresy And Creed album. Also worked with Purple On The Storm, and Nth Ascension
January 21, 1966 ~ Pop punk, alternative rock singer, songwriter Wendy James born in London, UK ~ Lead singer of Transvision Vamp, known for late 1980s hits such as I Want Your Love and Baby I Don't Care, both of which reached the UK top 5. Has released a number of solo recordings after the band disbanded, starting with the 1993's Now AIn't The Time For Your Tears album
January 21, 1965 ~ Bassist Cordell Crockett, full name Cordell Miller Crockett, born in Alameda County, California, USA ~ Best known as bassist for Ugly Kid Joe from 1991 until the band's initial disbandement in 1997, rejoining in 2010. The band is best known for Everything About You and Cats In The Cradle, both reaching the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 respectively in 1991 and 1993. Noted for his bass technique, frequently using a bass guitar wah-wah pedal, especially evidenced on songs such as Same Side, Sandwich and Funky Fresh Country Club. Has also worked with Atomship, Abercrombie and with Love/Hate
January 21, 1965 ~ Jason William Mizell, commonly known as DJ, keyboardist, bassist, percussionist, rapper Jam Master Jay, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Member of Run-DMC, credited with bringing hip-hop into the mainstream, known for songs such as It's Like That, King Of Rock, My Adidas, Walk This Way, You Be Illin', and Down With The King featuring Pete Rock & CL Smooth ~ Mizell passed away in 2002
January 21, 1964 ~ Heavy metal, industrial metal singer, bassist, guitarist Tony Dolan born in Newcastle-upon-Thyne, UK ~ Member of Venom from 1989 through 1992, present on the albums Prime Evil, Temples Of Ice, and The Waste Lands. Co-founding member of Atomkraft since the late 1970s, perhaps best known for their 1987 Conductors Of Noize album. Has also worked with Dogmatix, Mantas, Mpire Of Evil, and Joe Matera, and ventured into acting with roles in the films Master And Commander and Dirty War
January 21, 1963 ~ Bassist Kenneth Kinsey born in Gary, Indiana, USA ~ Member of Big Daddy Kinsey & the Kinsey Report, which also included his brothers Donald Kinsey and Ralph Kinsey, led by father Big Daddy Kinsey and aided by family friend Lester Davenport. The group recorded for about a decade starting with their Edge Of The City album released in 1988January 21, 1959 ~ Avant-garde rock guitarist Duane Denison born in Michigan, USA ~ Classically trained. Best known as co-founding member of leading noise rock outfit the Jesus Lizard. Co-founding member of supergroup Tomahawk. Has also worked with Jim Kimball, Cargo Cult, Firewater, USSA, the Legendary Shack Shakers, Pigface, and Hank Williams III
January 21, 1959 ~ Rock singer, bassist, guitarist, saxophonist, keyboardist Paulo Miklos, full name Paulo Roberto de Souza Miklos, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Best known as co-founding member of Titas, one of the most successful rock acts in Brazil. Miklos departed the band in 2016 to focus on his solo career. Has also guested on recordings by Raimundos, Tulio Dek, and Nando Reis
January 21, 1957 ~ Singer, guitarist Chuck Berry records School Days at Universal Recording Studio, Chicago, Illinois ~ Also known as School Day (Ring Ring Goes The Bell). Penned by Chuck Berry. Produced by Leonard Chess and Phil Chess. Contains the lyric “Hail Hail Rock & Roll” later referenced in several songs and used as the title of the 1987 Berry concert documentary. Would become one of Berry's best known and generally regarded as one of the all-time greatest rock & roll anthems. Released as a single the following March, paired with Deep Feeling on the flip side, and included on the album After School Session. Aside from his then-usual backing crew of Johnnie Johnson, Willie Dixon and Fred Below also features guitarist Hubert Sumlin on guitar. Reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100, topped the Billboard R&B charts and would become Berry's first to reach the UK charts, reaching top 30
January 21, 1956 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Julie Christensen born in Iowa City, Iowa, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Divine Horsemen, which also included then-husband Chris Desjardins. Following her departure from the band has sung backup for Leonard Cohen, including on tours, recorded as a solo artist and formed Stone Cupid
January 21, 1956 ~ Percussionist, composer Kevin Norton born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Fronted Bauhaus Quartet. Worked with Anthony Braxton, Paul Dunmall, Milt Hinton, Fred Frith, David Krakauer, Joëlle Léandre, Frode Gjerstad, Wilber Morris, James Emery, John Lindberg's Tripolar, Phillip Johnston's Big Trouble, Joel Forrester, Tony Malaby, Dave Ballou, Scott Robinson, Connie Crothers, JD Parran, Anthony Coleman, Steve Swell, and John Zorn
January 21, 1953 ~ Christian blues singer, guitarist Glenn Kaiser born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA ~ Best known for fronting the Resurrection Band, with whom he recorded over a dozen albums starting with Awaiting Your Reply released in 1978. Following the band's disbandement in 2000 has fronted the Glenn Kaiser Band
January 21, 1950 ~ Leslie Sebastian Charles, commonly known as singer, songwriter Billy Ocean born in Fyzabad, Trinidad & Tobago ~ Best known for a string of 1980s hits including Caribbean Queen (No More Love On The Run), Get Outta My Dreams (Get Into My Car), There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry) and his best known When The Going Gets Tough (The Tough Get Going)January 21, 1949 ~ Percussionist, singer David Moss born in New York, New York, USA ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name, starting in the late 1970s, noted for his innovative style and improvisation. Especially acclaimed for his 1993 Texture Time album. Has also notably collaborated with Direct Sound, Uri Caine, Smak, and with the Golden Palominos, appearing on the latter's eponymous The Golden Palominos debut album released in 1983
January 21, 1949 ~ Jazz trombonist Shigeharu Mukai born in Nagoye, Japan ~ Worked with Yoshio Otomo, Ryo Kawasaki, Hiroshi Fukumura, Terumasa Hino, Akira Sakata, Kazumi Watanabe, Yosuke Yamashita, Spik & Span, João Bosco, Billy Hart, and Elvin Jones