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, 1987 ~ Art pop, indie folk, indie rock, alternative country singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Angel Olsen born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Released her debut album, Half Way Home, in 2012. Best known for Windows of her sophomore Burn Your Fire For No Witness album, used in the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why in 2017. Has collaborated with Bonnie Prince Billy, Tim Kinsella, Leroy Bach, Cass McCombs, Lawrence Rothman, Jeff Ament, Alex Cameron, and Mark Ronson
January 22, 1986 ~ Singer Billy Ocean releases There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry), lifted off his Love Zone album ~ According to Barry Eastmond, who co-wrote the song with Wayne Brathwaite and Billy Ocean, There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry) was inspired by an incident involving a previous hit of Ocean's. At a party a friend of Eastmond's wife's was reminded of a previous long-term boyfriend when Suddenly, a Billboard Hot 100 No.4 hit for Ocean in 1985, was played, and she broke down in tears. There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry) would reach No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a position it held for one week
January 22, 1983 ~ Ashley Brooke Beauchamps, commonly known as bassist Ashley Dzerigian, born in La Verne, California, USA ~ Member of the Great Northern, present on the band's 2007 Trading Twilight For Daylight debut album. Shortly after leaving the band, Dzerigian joined My Jerusalem, with whom she recorded two albums prior to departing the band in 2012 to join Adam Lambert's backing band. Dzerigian has also toured with Ed Harcourt, Money Mark, and Cee Lo Green, and was a member of Filter, which also includes her husband drummer Chris Reeve
January 22, 1982 ~ Robert Higginbotham, commonly known as R&B singer, pianist Tommy Tucker, passed away in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known as author and original recording artist of the 1964 Herb Abramson-produced hit Hi-heel Sneakers, now widely considered a classic. Over the years, the song would be recorded by over 150 artists including Johnny Rivers, Elvis Presley, José Feliciano, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Boots Randolph, the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, and notably as an instrumental by Jeff Beck & Jed Leiber for the soundtrack to the 1992 Frankie's House Australian TV mini-series. At the time of its release, Tucker's Hi-heel Sneakers barely missed the American top 10, peaking at No.11 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Tucker continued to record and perform for a few more years, but despite quality material and backing from noted musicians including Louisiana Red, Willie Dixon, and a young Donny Hathaway, he would be unable to repeat the earlier success of Hi-heel Sneakers. Tucker retired from music altogether by the late 1960s, and has since worked as a real estate agent and freelance journalist ~ Higginbotham was born in 1933
January 22, 1981 ~ Alternative rock, alternative metal, nu metal singer, guitarist, songwriter Ben Moody born in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead guitarist of Evanescence, remaining with the band from 1995 through 2003 and present on the band's acclaimed Fallen debut album. Following his departure from the band, Moody has recorded as a solo artist, worked with We Are The Fallen and the Halo Method, and ventured into acting. Co-wrote Avril Lavigne's Nobody's Home. Co-wrote several tracks of Kelly Clarkson's sophomore Breakaway album including Because Of You. Other notable collaborations include Anastacia, Hana, Godhead, and Céline Dion
January 22, 1981 ~ Actress, singer Beverley Mitchell born in Arcadia, California, USA ~ Best known as an actress, notably protraying the role of Lucy Camden on the TV series 7th Heaven. Released a sole eponymous album, Beverley Mitchell, in 2007 reaching the top 30 of the country charts
January 22, 1981 ~ Freak folk, psychedelic folk singer, songwriter Raymond Raposa, full name Raymond Byron Magic Raposa, born in Michigan City, Indiana, USA ~ Sole constant member and thriving force of the Castanets, with whom he recorded seven country, folk, rock influenced albums starting with Cathedral released in 2004. Raposa has also been involved in several other projects, notably scoring the soundtrack to the documentary Beyond This Place in 2011 with regular collaborator Sufjan Stevens. Also noted for Little Death Shaker, released in 2012 under the moniker Raymond Byron & the White Freighter ~ Raposa passed away in 2022
January 22, 1980 ~ Jazz double bassist Ed Garland, full name Edward Bertram Garland, passed away in London, UK ~ Started out on drums but best known as a string bassist. Worked with Frankie Duson, the Excelsior Brass Band, Manuel Perez, Lawrence Duhé, King Oliver, Freddie Keppard, the One-Eleven Jazz Band, Mutt Carey, Jimmie Noone, Kid Ory, Bud Scott, Zutty Singleton, and Buster Wilson ~ Garland was born in 1895January 22, 1980 ~ Jazz, gospel singer Lizz Wright, full name Elizabeth LaCharla Wright, born in Hahira, Georgia, USA ~ Member of vocal quartet In The Spirit. Debuted as a solo artist in 2003 with the album Salt and has recorded steadily since. Draws from folk, gospel, jazz, pop, drawing comparisons to Norah Jones. Has guested on recordings by Joe Sample, Danilo Pérez, David Sanborn, Toots Thielemans, Jakob Dylan, Massiomo Biolcato, and Meshell Ndegeocello
January 22, 1979 ~ Samba, MPB, acid jazz singer Luciana Mello, full name Luciana Mello Rodrigues de Oliveira, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Daughter of singer Jair Rodrigues, sister of singer, producer Jair Oliveira. Over half a dozen to her name, starting with the eponymous Luciana Mello released in 1995. Best known for the album Na Luz Do Samba released in 2017
January 22, 1977 ~ Mario Alberta Dominguez Zarzar, commonly known as Latin pop, soul singer, pianist, guitarist, bassist, drummer, songwriter Mario Domm, born in Torreón, Mexico ~ Founding member of Camila. Also an accomplished solo artist and has collaborated with Alejandro Sanz, Wisin, Kenny G, Julio Iglesias, Ricky Martin, Fito Paez, Colbie Caillat, Pepe Aguilar, Thalia, and Carlos Rivera
January 22, 1977 ~ In its 8th week on the charts, I Wish by Stevie Wonder hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Issued as the lead single off of Songs In The Key Of Life, widely considered one of the greatest albums of all time, I Wish reminisces of Stevie Wonder's childhood and how he wished he could go back and relive it. The singer would later recollect how the music came to him: “The day I wrote it was a Saturday, the day of a Motown picnic in the summer of '76. God, I remember that because I was having this really bad toothache. It was ridiculous. I had such a good time at the picnic that I went to (the studio) right afterward and the vibe came right to my mind.” I Wish would be Wonder's fifth Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit, and won the singer a Grammy AwardJanuary 22, 1976 ~ Indie rock, emo, sadcore singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter David Bazan born in Phoenix, Arizona, USA ~ Thriving force behind Pedro the Lion. Also fronted the Headphones. As a solo artist released his Fewer Moving Parts debut EP in 2006. Has also worked with Seldom, Starflyer '59, the Undertow Orchestra, and Overseas
January 22, 1976 ~ Lyricist Edgar Leslie passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Founding member of ASCAP. Has co-written songs such as Among My Souvenirs (the Kit-Cat Band, Jack Hylton, Paul Whiteman, Louis Armstrong), Getting Some Fun Out Of Life (Billie Holiday, Maxine Sullivan), For Me & My Gal (MJ O'Connell, Abe Lyman, Vera Lynn), By The River St Marie (Guy Lombardo, Jimmie Lunceford, the Platters), Moon Over Miami (Roy Smeck, Eddy Duchin, Connee Boswell), and A Little Bit Independent (Jimmy Carr, Fats Waller, Nat King Cole) ~ Leslie was born in 1885
January 22, 1965 ~ Singer Connie Francis records Forget Domani ~ Written by Riz Ortolani and Norman Newell for the musical The Yellow Rolls Royce, in which it was introduced by Katyna Ranieri. Connie Francis' version would be released the following May, b/w No One Ever Sends Me Roses. Crooner Frank Sinatra also recorded a version around the same time, both renditions peaking in the low 70s on the Billboard Hot 100January 22, 1965 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones kick off their 1965 Far East Tour at the Manufacturer's Auditorium, Sydney, Australia ~ The band visits Australia and New Zealand for the first time, playing about 3 dozen shows through mid-February. Included on the set list are songs such as Not Fade Away, Under The Boardwalk, Time Is On My Side, and It's All Over Now
January 22, 1965 ~ Pop outfit Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders release Game Of Love, lifted off the album of the same name ~ Singer Glyn Ellis was given a recording contract on the condition that he change his stage name to that of the label, Fontana Records, thus the group became Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders. In America, the British Invasion group would score one major hit, the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Game Of Love written by American songwriter Clint Ballard Jr, with its follow-up It's Just A Little Bit Too Late stalling at No.46 Billboard Hot 100. Fontana would depart the band, and venture out on his own. The band would initially continue as the Mindbenders, then evolve into Hot Legs, known for Neanderthal Man, and later still become the art-pop group 10cc
January 22, 1962 ~ Singer, songwriter Andrew Cash born in Toronto, Canada ~ Founded punk band L'Étranger with Charlie Angus, best known for their anti-apartheid song One People. After the band disbanded in 1986 Cash released a number of successful solo recording, notably Time And Place, Boomtown and Smile Me Down, has worked with the shortlived band Ursula, with his brother Peter Cash recording under the moniker the Cash Brothers, and has composed soundtracks for several Canadian TV shows. Cash also served as Member of Parliament for the NDP party from 2011 to 2015 but lost a bid for reelection
January 22, 1961 ~ Singer, keyboardist, guitarist, percussionist, songwriter Daniel Johnston, full name Daniel Dale Johnston, born in Sacramento, California, USA ~ Lo-fi, outsider, avant-pop singer, songwriter propelled to cult status when Nirvana's Kurt Cobain was seen wearing a T-shirt featuring artwork from Johnston's 1983 Hi How Are You album. Has recorded extensively since the early 1980s, mostly self-released on cassettes ~ Johnston passed away in 2019
January 22, 1960 ~ Rock singer, actor Michael Hutchence, full name Michael Keiland John Hutchence, born in Sydney, Australia ~ Made his singing debut at age eight, singing in a toy commercial. Best known for fronting INXS. The band first gained attention with their third album, Shabooh Shoobah released in 1983, and shot to international fame a few years later with the 1987 Kick album. The latter spawned four American hits, the album's lead single Need You Tonight topping the Billboard Hot 100, while follow-up singles Devil Inside, New Sensation, and Tear Us Apart all reached top 10. Hutchence has been dubbed “the wild man of rock” for his public brawls, onetime open drug use, and several highly publicized romantic involvements including with singers Kylie Minogue and Belinda Carlisle ~ Hutchence passed away in 1997
January 22, 1957 ~ Singer Elvis Presley records (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California ~ Written by Kal Mann and Bernie Lowe. Produced by Walter Scharf. Recorded for Elvis Presley's second motion picture, Loving You. Personnel included Scotty Moore, Bill Black, DJ Fontana and backing choir the Jordanaires. Released the next June, featuring Loving You on the B-side, the single would reach No.1 on the R&B, country, and pop charts, holding the top position on the latter for seven weeks
January 22, 1954 ~ R&B singer, keyboardist Cavin Yarbrough, full name Cavin Leon Yarbrough, born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Closely associated with Alisa Peoples, a childhood friend who shared a piano teacher and sang in the same church choir. The two would regularly team up as backing singers including with the Gap Band on the albums The Gap Band II and The Gap Band III, formed Grand Theft in which both sang and played keyboards, and recorded four well-received albums as Yarbrough & Peoples. Through the mid 1980s, the duo would score about half a dozen top 20 hits on the Billboard R&B charts. They are best known for their debut single Don't Stop The Music which became their first of two to top the Billboard R&B charts, crossed over to the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 where it peaked at No.19, and reached top 10 in both the Netherlands and the UK. Subsequent hits would include Heartbeats, Feels So Good, their second and final Billboard R&B No.1 Don't Waste Your Time, Guilty, and I Wouldn't Lie. After marrying in 1987 the couple returned to their native Dallas and started the music production company Yarbrough And Peoples Productions. Upon his passing of complications from heart disease, Alisa Peoples stated: “He was the love of my life, my protector. Now he's my guardian angel” ~ Yarbrough passed away in 2025
January 22, 1953 ~ Classical violinist, concertmaster, conductor Jan Stanienda born in Bytom, Poland ~ Joined the Polish Chamber Orchestra in 1975, becoming its concertmaster and soloist two years later. Would go on to work with numerous renowned conductors, soloists and orchestras including Yehudi Menuhin, Maurice André, Guy Touvron, and Grzegorz Nowak. Concertmaster of the Sinfonia Varsovia in the mid to late 1980s. Artistic director of the Leopoldinum Chamber Orchestra in the early 1990s. Artist director of the Wratislavia Chamber Orchestra since 1996 ~ Stanienda passed away in 2021January 22, 1953 ~ Pianist, conductor Myung-whun Chung born in Seoul, South Korea ~ Brother of violinist Kyung-wha Chung and cellist Myung-wha Chung with whom he also performed as the Chung Trio. As a conductor associated with the Inbal Orchestra, the Rundfunk Sinfonieorchester Saarbrücken, the Teatro Comunale Florence, the Metropolitan Opera, the Paris Opera, the Opera Bastille, the Staatskapelle Dresden, and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra
January 22, 1952 ~ Drummer, singer Carel Copier born in Mill, the Netherlands ~ Co-founding member of Doe Maar, appearing on the band's eponymous Doe Maar debut album and its follow-up Skunk. Copier sang lead on Verdomme Ik Doe Het Wel Alleen, Nix Voor Jou, and Te Laat, the latter two of which Copier co-wrote. In 1981, shortly before their rise to fame, Copier departed the band, to be succeeded by René van Collem. The band would go on to become one of the most successful in Dutch pop history. Following his departure from the band, Copier would focus on his career as a painter ~ Copier passed away in 2024