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 22, 2026 ~ Rock, hard rock, pop rock bassist Francis Buchholz passed away ~ Best known as member of the Scorpions from 1973 through 1992, including on hit singles such as Still Loving You, Wind Of Change and Send Me An Angel. Also worked with Dawn Road, Dreamtide, and Phantom V ~ Bucholz was born in 1954
January 22, 2025 ~ Blues, rock keyboardist, songwriter, producer Barry Goldberg, full name Barry Joseph Goldberg, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Sat in with Muddy Waters, Otis Rush, Howlin' Wolf, while still in his teens. Played keyboards with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band backing Bob Dylan at the 1965 the Newport Folk Festival. Present on Devil With A Blue Dress On, a 1966 Billboard Hot 100 No.4 hit for Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels. Co-founded the Electric Flag in 1967 with Mike Bloomfield. Would go on to record as a solo artist and in-demand collaborator. Has worked with Leonard Cohen, the Ramones, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Stephen Stills, the Rides, Percy Sledge, Charlie Musselwhite, and Carla Olson. As a solo artist perhaps best known for I've Got To Use My Imagination, covered by Gladys Knight & the Pips, Bobby Blue Bland, Martha Reeves, Joe Cocker. Other songs co-penned by Goldberg include Do You Know How It Feels (the International Submarine Band), It Makes Me Feel Good (Cilla Black), It's Not The Spotlight (Gerry Goffin, Rod Stewart, the Manhattan Transfer), and Lookin' For A Lovin' (Ann Peebles) ~ Goldberg was born in 1942
January 22, 2025 ~ Guitarist Johan Slager passed away ~ Best known as co-founding member, guitarist of prog-rock band Kayak, along with Ton Scherpenzeel, Pim Koopman, and Max Werner. Stayed with the band from its inception in 1972 to 1982. Has also worked with Circus Custers, Bolland & Bolland, Earth & Fire, Ekseption, Edward Reekers, and Michel van Dijk ~ Slager was born in 1946
January 22, 2025 ~ Patrick Cole, commonly known as singer, saxophonist, clarinetist Paddy Cole, passed away in Dublin, Ireland ~ Lovingly dubbed “King of the Swingers”, Cole has enjoyed a career spanning seven decades working with showbands from his mid-teens until his death at age 85. First gained serious attention in the early 1960s as a member of the Capitol Showband, playing dancehalls across Ireland. Member of the Big Eight Showband during the 1970s, with whom he played a resident show in Las Vegas. Fronted his own the Paddy Cole Band, later renamed to the Paddy Cole Superstars. Upon hearing of his passing, Michael D Higgins, president of Ireland, commented: “The loss of Paddy Cole is the loss of one of the founding icons of the great period of the Irish showbands. (…) Cole's music was first class, with jazz of international quality, and (my wife) Sabina and I knew and admired him as a friend” ~ Cole was born in 1939
January 22, 2024 ~ Betty Lou Miller, commonly known as Christian, country singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Margo Smith, passed away in Franklin, Tennessee, USA ~ Known for her yodeling, her 1970s country remakes of the pop songs Don't Break The Heart That Loves You and It Only Hurts For A Little While both of which topped the Billboard Country charts, and for a number of 1980s hits after turning to a more risque image with songs such as Still A Woman, The Shuffle Song and Cup Of Tea, the latter a duet with Rex Allen Jr ~ Smith was born in 1939
January 22, 2024 ~ Music journalist Neil Kulkarni passed away in Coventry, UK ~ Following his tenure as a staff writer for Melody Maker from 1993 through 2000, Kulkarni freelanced for publications such as Uncut, Vox, Spin, the Guardian, te Quietus, and DJ Magazine. Kulkarni has also authored several books, starting with Hip Hop Bring The Noise (The Stories Behind The Biggest Songs) published in 2004. Kulkarni focused primarily on hip hop and metal. Upon hearing of his death at age 51, Clash Magazine called him “one of the sharpest pens of his generation” ~ Kulkarni was born in 1972January 22, 2023 ~ Actor, singer Nikos Xanthopoulos passed away in Aigaleo, Greece ~ Best known as an actor, dubbed “the child of folk” for mainly depicting men from the lower working classes. Roles portraying him as a singer and bouzouki player forced him to learn how to sing, eventually singing over 300 songs in 30 movies. As a singer Xanthopoulos has released nine albums and over 50 singles ~ Xanthopoulos was born in 1934
January 22, 2021 ~ R&B, soul singer James Purify, full name James Lee Purify, passed away in Pensacola, Florida, USA ~ Half of James & Bobby Purify, the other half being Robert Lee Dickey, known for the 1966 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit I'm Your Puppet and 1967's Let Love Come Between Us ~ Purify was born in 1944
January 22, 2021 ~ Janet Ann Polun, commonly known as jazz singer, educator Janet Lawson, passed away in New Jersey, USA ~ Influenced by Charlie Parker, Lester Young, and Sonny Rollins, critically compared to Sarah Vaughan. Seriously underrated post-bop singer, known for her expressive scat singing. Acclaimed for her early 1980s albums The Janet Lawson Quintet and Dreams Can Be. Her father's long-term illness resulted in her leaving the music industry for much of the second half of the 1980s, but has worked as a jazz educator and performed occasionally since ~ Polun was born in 1940
January 22, 2018 ~ William C Hancock Jr, commonly known as singer, guitarist, bassist Billy Hancock, passed away in La Plata, Maryland, USA ~ Collaborated with Danny Gatton and Dave Elliott in Danny & the Fat Boys. Member of art rock group Fallen Angels. Backed musicians such as Fats Domino, Gene Vincent, Roy Buchanan, Charlie Feathers, the Clovers, Amos Milburn, Dottie West, and Jean Shepard ~ Hancock was born in 1946
January 22, 2018 ~ Trumpeter, composer, arranger Johnny Cowell passed away ~ Played with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra from 1952 to 1991. As a solo artist released ten albums. Wrote or co-wrote over 200 songs. Wrote Walk Hand In Hand recorded by Tony Martin, Andy Williams, Ronnie Carroll, Gerry & the Pacemakers, and by Engelbert Humperdinck. Wrote His Girl recorded by the Guess Who. Co-wrote These Are The Young Years recorded by Floyd Cramer ~ Cowell was born in 1926January 22, 2017 ~ Hans Liebezeit, commonly known as krautrock flutist, percussionist Jaki Liebezeit, passed away in Cologne, Germany ~ Co-founding member of experimental rock outfit Can, notably present on songs such as Halleluhwah. Member of Phantom Band. Has also worked with Jah Wobble, Philip Jeck, Depeche Mode, Brian Eno, Burnt Friedman, and Robert Coyne ~ Liebezeit was born in 1938
January 22, 2017 ~ Bassist Pete Overend Watts passed away ~ Best known as co-founding member and bassist for early 1970s rock band Mott The Hoople, known for their association with David Bowie and songs such as Rock & Roll Queen, All The Young Dudes, and Roll Away The Stone ~ Watts was born in 1947
January 22, 2013 ~ Country, country-pop outfit Lady Antebellum release Downtown, lifted off their Golden album ~ The song was initially intended for Miranda Lambert, yet she was okay with Lady Antebellum recording it for their fifth studio album. Singer Hillary Scott was proud of the female protagonist in the song as she stands up for herself: “Like being so forward and strong, just empowered, I think. I loved it. I love the voice that she has in the son.” Issued as the lead single off Golden, Downtown would reach No.2 Billboard Country
January 22, 2010 ~ Actress, singer Jean Simmons, full name Jean Merilyn Simmons, passed away in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Rose to fame in Britain after being cast in the 1946 Great Expectations. Would work in Hollywood from the 1950s onwards. Played both dramatic roles and in musical comedies such as a 1955 production of Guys And Dolls. Also a stage actress and singer, notably touring the USA and England with a production of Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music during the 1970s ~ Simmons was born in 1929January 22, 2006 ~ Rock, classical keyboardist, songwriter Rick van der Linden passed away in Groningen, the Netherlands ~ Fused rock and classical music. Worked with Ekseption, Trace, Mistral, Session, Brand X, Phil Collins, Deep Purple, Joachim Kühn, Jack Lancaster, Conny Vandenbos, Vangelis, Rein van den Broek, Chris Hinze, Pim Jacobs, Louis van Dijk, Astrid Nijgh, Jan Akkerman, and Kaz Lux ~ Van der Linden was born in 1946
January 22, 2006 ~ Jazz drummer Sherman Ferguson, full name Sherman Eugene Ferguson, passed away in La Crescenta, California, USA ~ Influenced by Max Roach and Roy Haynes. First gained attention in the 1960s backing Charles Earland and subsequently Pat Martino, notably present on the albums Desperado and Consciousness. Ferguson would become best known as co-founding member of pioneering fusion group Catalyst. Drawing from both funk and jazz, the group released a handful of albums through the mid 1970s, starting with their eponymous Catalyst debut album, earning them critical acclaim and a cult following. Ferguson would remain active until his death at age 61, appearing on albums by Kenny Burrell, Red Callender (Night Mist Blues), Bobby Bradford, Bud Shank (Serious Swingers), Warne Marsh, Mike Wofford (Funkallero), Holly Hofmann, Lorez Alexandria (I'll Never Stop Loving You), Pharoah Sanders, Joe Wilder (No Greater Love), Karrin Allyson, Benny Carter, Lou Rawls, Sweet Baby J'ai (Evolution), and Larry Coryell ~ Ferguson was born in 1944
January 22, 2005 ~ Pianist, songwriter Consuelo Velázquez, full name Consuelo Velázquez Torres, passed away in Mexico City, Mexico ~ Best known as a songwriter, noted for penning Besame Mucho originally by Emilio Tuero and covered by over 500 artists including Xavier Cugat, Frankie Laine, Trini López, João Gilberto, and José Carreras. Other well known songs written by Velázquez include Amar Y Vivir (Fernando Fernández, Antonio Machín, Daniel Santos), Cachito (Gloria Lasso, Nat King Cole), and Que Seas Feliz (Miguel Aceves Mejía, Pedro Infante, Albert Hammond) ~ Velázquez was born in 1916
January 22, 2004 ~ Bandleader, conductor Billy May, full name Edward William May Jr, passed away in San Juan Capistrano, California, USA ~ Arranger for the likes of Frank Sinatra (including on the albums Come Fly With Me and Come Swing With Me), Nat King Cole, Anita O'Day, Peggy Lee, Vic Damone (The Lively One), Bobby Darin, Johnny Mercer, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Nancy Wilson, Rosemary Clooney, the Andrews Sisters, and for Ella Mae Morse, Composed for film and TV including The Green Hornet, Batman and The Naked City. As a composer best known for works such as Glenn Miller's Long Tall Mama, Charlie Barnet's The Wrong Idea and Mel Blanc's chidren's song I Tawt A Taw A Puddy Tat. Notable recordings with his own orchestra include 1952's Charmaine and 1956's Main Title From The Man With The Golden Arm ~ May was born in 1916January 22, 2004 ~ West Coast jazz trombonist Milt Bernhart passed away in Glendale, California, USA ~ Worked with Stan Kenton, Frank Sinatra (including the solo on I've Got You Under My Skin), Benny Goodman, Chet Baker, Elmer Bernstein, Bing Crosby, Buddy Bregman, Sammy Davis Jr, Maynard Ferguson, Junior Mance, Johnny Mandel, Henri René, Pete Rugolo, Lalo Schifrin, and the Three Sounds ~ Bernhart was born in 1926
January 22, 2002 ~ Songwriter, arranger, producer, saxophonist Henry Cosby passed away in Royal Oaks, Michigan, USA ~ Key collaborator of Stevie Wonder during the 1960s. Co-wrote, co-produced several hits for Wonder (Fingertips (Pt.2), My Cherie Amour, I Was Made To Love Her), Edwin Starr, the Supremes (Love Child), Brenda Holloway, the Miracles (The Tears Of A Clown), Marvin Gaye, and other Motown artists ~ Cosby was born in 1928
January 22, 1998 ~ Richard Lamar Hawk, commonly known as rapper Silentó, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Best known for his 2015 debut single Watch Me (Whip Nae Nae). Also collaborated with Sunny, Dawin, Sophia Grace, Sicko Mobb, Samuel, ELS, Marcus & Martinus, and the Vamps
January 22, 1997 ~ Singer, songwriter Billy Mackenzie, full name William MacArthur MacKenzie, passed away in Auchterhouse, UK ~ Best known as co-founder, lead singer of new wave outfit the Associates. Also worked with Paul Haig, Yello, the British Electric Foundation, Apollo 440, BEF, Stephen Emmer, Annie Lennox, and Barry Adamson ~ Mackenzie was born in 1957
January 22, 1997 ~ Mariachi, norteño singer Cornelio Reyna, full name Cornelia Reyna Cisneros, passed away in Mexico City, Mexico ~ Formed Los Relámpagos Del Norte with Ramón Ayala, known for songs such as Mil Noches, Tu Traicion, Lagrimas De Mi Bario and their best known Ya No Llores. Active as a solo artist since the early 1970s, appearing in over 30 films and recording some 60 albums. Notable hits include Me Sacaron Del Tenampa, Lagrimas De Mi Barrio and Me Caiste Del Cielo ~ Reyna was born in 1940
January 22, 1994 ~ Country singer Tim McGraw releases Indian Outlaw, lead single off his Not A Moment Too Soon sophomore album ~ Tim McGraw's breakout hit was his first to reach top 10 Billboard Country, peaking at No.8, and his first to chart on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, where it reached No.15. Written by Tommy Barnes and Jumpin' Gene Simmons, with an excerpt from the John D Loudermilk-penned Indian Reservation, originally a hit for Marvin Rainwater yet best known as recorded by Paul Revere & the Raiders, at the end of the song. Initially Indian Outlaw sparked controversy, its lyrics sparked with Native American cliches from tomtoms to wigwams to peace pipes, with some critics suggesting that if the song would become a hit “it would set relations back 200 years”. Nevertheless, the song was not intended in a derogatory fashion. The tune's success surprised McGraw, who stated it took him a while to get this novelty, weird-sounding song: “I played that song in clubs forever, and it was just so different. I didn't know how people were going to take it. I didn't know it was going to work”
January 22, 1994 ~ Singer, saxophonist Victor Lombardo passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Original member of family outfit the Royal Canadians alongside Carmen Lombardo, Lebert Lombardo, and the most famous brother Guy Lombardo. Although the group was viewed by some in the jazz and big band community as “boring, mainstream pop”, the group would be immensely popular, especially during the 1940s and 1950s. Trumpeter Louis Armstrong has repeatedly named the group as his favorite orchestra. Victor would take over leadership of the group after his brother Guy's death in 1977 ~ Lombardo was born in 1911