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 23, 2024 ~ Franz Reuther, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer Frank Farian, passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Prior to his career in music, Farian trained as a cook. Performed and recorded as a singer from the late 1960s through the mid 1970s, before becoming one of the most prolific and successful producers to come out of Germany. Acts founded, managed, produced by Farian have sold over 850 million records and earned some 800 gold and platinum certifications. Best known for founding 1970s disco group Boney M, with whom he enjoyed popularity especially in Europe with disco hits such as Daddy Cool, Ma Baker, Rivers Of Babylon, and Rasputin, and for founding Milli Vanilli, known for the late 1980s Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits Baby Don't Forget My Number, Blame It On The Rain, and Girl I'm Gonna Miss You. Other notable acts he was involved with include Le Click, La Bouche, No Mercy, Eruption, and the Far Corporation ~ Reuther was born in 1941
January 23, 2024 ~ Melanie Anne Safka, mononymously known as folk, pop singer, guitarist Melanie, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Over two dozen albums to her name, enjoying popularity especially during the late 1960s and early 1970s emerging from New York's Greenwich Village folk scene. Best known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Lay Down (Candles In The Rain) and Brand New Key, the latter a No.1 hit in 1971, and the Rolling Stones-cover Ruby Tuesday which reached top 10 in the UK. Along with Janis Joplin and Joan Baez, Safka was one of only three solo women to perform at the Woodstock Music and Art Fair in 1969, of which she later said: “An unbelievably frightening day. I never even felt like I was a hippy, I didn't like the term. If anything, I was the beat generation, people in the Village expressing themselves in so many ways, not being pigeonholed.” ~ Safka was born in 1947January 23, 2023 ~ Anthony Topham, commonly known as blues, blues-rock guitarist Top Topham, passed away ~ Original lead guitarist of the Yardbirds, replaced by Eric Clapton in 1963. Following his departure from the band Topham returned to art school, and has since worked mostly as interior designer and painter. Occasionally Topham has worked in the music industry, including with the likes of John Mayall, Peter Green, and Bill Morrissey ~ Topham was born in 1947
January 23, 2022 ~ Bobbe Gorin Long, commonly known as jazz pianist Beegie Adair, passed away in Franklin, Tennessee, USA ~ Session musician at WSM-TV station, including on the Johnny Cash Show from 1969 through 1971 accompanying artists such as Chet Atkins, Dolly Parton, Dinah Shore and Peggy Lee. Formed the Beegie Adair Trio with bassist Roger Spencer and percussionist Chris Brown recording jazz standards from Richard Rodgers, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin. Cites George Shearing, Oscar Peterson and Chet Baker-pianist Russ Freeman as influences ~ Long was born in 1937January 23, 2021 ~ Jazz trombonist, songwriter Jonas Gwangwa, full name Jonas Mosa Gwangwa, passed away in Johannesburg, South Africa ~ First gained attention as member of the Jazz Epistles. Would go on to become one of the main figures in South-African jazz. Exiled by the Apartheids regime throughout the 1970s. Also known for leading Amandia in the 1980s, the cultural ensemble of the ANC. Wrote the soundtrack of the 1987 Cry Freedom film ~ Gwangwa was born in 1937
January 23, 2021 ~ Roots rock, alternative country singer, bassist, guitarist, songwriter Tom Stevens, full name Thomas Howard Stevens, passed away ~ Member of the Long Ryders, joining the band shortly after the release of their 10-5-60 debut EP replacing original member Des Brewer. Though the band never became a household name they would prove to be influential on later cowpunk, blending a punk attitude with late 1960s country rock. Stevens would also work with Danny & Dusty, the Byrds singer Gene Clark, Junk Yard Love, and record about half a dozen solo albums and EPs ~ Stevens was born in 1956
January 23, 2021 ~ Patricia Ann Ruth Noble, commonly known as singer, actress Trisha Noble, passed away ~ Enjoyed popularity in her native Australia as a teenage pop singer under the moniker Patsy Ann Noble in the early 1960s, scoring several modest hits including Good Looking Boy. Would relocate to UK and later USA, focusing on her work as an actress with guest roles in TV shows such as The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Columbo, The Rockford Files. Following her father's illness Noble returned to Australia in the 1980s, reestablishing herself as a theatrical actress ~ Noble was born in 1944
January 23, 2018 ~ Trumpeter, singer Hugh Masekela passed away in Johannesburg, South Africa ~ Best known for Up Up & Away, the 1968 US No.1 Grazing In The Grass and for anti-apartheid songs such as Soweto Blues and Bring Him Back Home. Member of the Jazz Epistles, alongside Dollar Brand, Kippie Moeketski, Makaya Ntshoko, and Johnny Gertze. Also worked with Trevor Huddleston, Alfred Herbert, Paul Simon, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Miriam Makeba, Ray Phiri, and Kalahari ~ Masekela was born in 1939
January 23, 2018 ~ Singer Lari White passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Country singer known for songs such as That's My Baby, That's How You Know When You're In Love, and Now I Know. Had her debut album produced by Rodney Crowell. Duetted with Travis Tritt on Helping Me Get Over You. Produced or co-produced artists such as Billy Dean and Toby Keith. Co-wrote Sarah Buxton's Space ~ White was born in 1965
January 23, 2017 ~ R&B singer, songwriter, producer Bobby Freeman, full name Robert Thomas Freeman, passed away in Daly City, California, USA ~ Member of doo-wop outfit the Romancers. As a solo singer best known for two top 10 hits, 1958's Do You Want To Dance and 1964's Come On And Swim. Both songs would reach No.5 on the Billboard Hot 100. The former, Dance, would later be covered by a wide array of artists including Del Shannon, the Beach Boys, Johnny Rivers, Bette Midler, John Lennon, Cliff Richard, T.Rex, the Mamas & the Papas, Bobby Vee, and the Ramones ~ Freeman was born in 1940
January 23, 2017 ~ Keyboardist, producer, arranger Marvell Thomas, full name Ronald Marvell Thomas, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Son of singer Rufus Thomas. Brother of singers Carla Thomas and Vaneese Thomas. Reportedly the first pianist hired by Stax/Volt. Worked with the Triumphs, William Bell, Booker T Jones, Wilson Pickett, Clarence Carter, Eddie Hinton, Denise Lasalle, Johnnie Taylor, the Staple Singers, Little Milton, the Emotions, Albert King, Mavis Staples, Yvonne Elliman, Etta James, the Temptations, and Peabo Bryson. Co-produced and played on Isaac Hayes critically acclaimed Hot Buttered Soul album ~ Thomas was born in 1941January 23, 2016 ~ Bassist, guitarist, keyboardist Jimmy Bain, full name James Stewart Bain, passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Best known as member of Rainbow, present on the 1976 Rising album, and of Dio since 1982, first appearing on the 1983 Holy Diver album. Has also worked with Mike Montgomery, David Kubinec, Thin Lizzy, Phil Lynott, Kate Bush, Wild Horses, Gary Moore, Greedy Bastards, 3 Legged Dogg, and Last In Line ~ Bain was born in 1947
January 23, 2014 ~ Conductor, orchestrator, film composer Riz Ortolani, full name Riziero Ortolani, passed away in Rome, Italy ~ With a career spanning five decades starting in the mid 1950s has scored over 200 films and TV shows. Best known for co-writing Ti Guardero Nel Cuore for the 1962 documentary film Mondo Cane. It would win the 1964 Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Theme. It has become a pop standard recorded either as an instrumental theme or with Italian or English lyrics, retitled More, by well over 300 artists including Kai Winding, Byron Lee, the Ventures, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Ricky Nelson, the Supremes, Roy Orbison, Booker T & the MG's, Tom Jones, and Judy Garland ~ Ortolani was born in 1926
January 23, 2007 ~ Pop singer Céline Dion records Et S'Il N'En Restait Qu'une (Je Serais Celle-là at Studio Piccolo, Montreal, Canada ~ Written by Françoise Dorin and David Gategno, the latter also serving as the track's producer. Recorded for the 2007 D'Elles. The title of the song is taken from Victor Hugo's Ultima Verba. Released as a single in Francophone countries on Valentine's Day 2007, the single would reach top 30 in Céline Dion's native Canada and top the SNEP charts in France
January 23, 2001 ~ Eugene McDuff, commonly known as keyboardist, organist, bassist Jack McDuff, passed away in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Acclaimed for early 1960s albums such as Brother Jack, The Honeydripper and Brother Jack Meets The Boss. Employed a young George Benson early on in the latter's career. Also worked with Joe Farrell, Willis Jackson, Red Holloway, Joe Dukes, Jimmy Witherspoon, Leo Wright, Kenny Burrell, Pat Martino, David Fathead Newman, Cecil Bridgewater, and Houston Person ~ McDuff was born in 1926
January 23, 2001 ~ Jazz pianist Lou Levy, full name Louis A Levy, passed away in Dana Point, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Georgie Auld, Sarah Vaughan, Chubby Jackson, Boyd Raeburn, Woody Herman, Tommy Dorsey, Flip Phillips, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, June Christy, Anita O'Day, Pinky Winters, Dizzy Gillespie, Shorty Rogers, Stan Getz, Terry Gibbs, Benny Goodman, Supersax, Manny Albam, Tony Bennett, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Pete Christlieb, Bob Cooper, Coleman Hawkins, Quincy Jones, Charles McPherson, Lennie Niehaus, Sonny Stitt, Supersax, and Bennie Wallace ~ Levy was born in 1928
January 23, 1998 ~ Jahsen Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy, commonly known as rapper XXXTentacion, born in Plantation, Florida, USA ~ Best known for songs such as Falling Down, Look At Me, Changes, Arms Around You, Jovelyn Flores, and Sad. Had his debut album, 2017's 17, enter the Billboard Hot 200 chart at No.2 and his sophomore album, 2018's Question Mark enter at No.1. Collaborated with artists such as Cracka Paul, Kodak Black, Noah Cyrus, Sizzla, and Skye Edwards. Onfroy was shot to death as victim in a robbery at age 20 ~ Onfroy passed away in 2018January 23, 1997 ~ Avantgarde metal bassist Audie Pitre, full name Audie Thomas Pitre, passed away in Louisiana, USA ~ Co-founded Acid Bath in 1991. The band is known for a bass-heavy sound merging influenes from hardcore punk, death metal, gothic rock and blues. Following Pitre's death at age 26 in a traffic collision, also killing both his parents, the band disbanded in 1997 ~ Pitre was born in 1970
January 23, 1997 ~ Singer, songwriter Richard Berry passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of a number of 1950s doo-wop groups including the Flairs, the Robins, the Penguins, the Cadets, the Chimes, the Crowns, the Five Hunters, the Rams, the Whips, and the Dreamers. Best known as author and original performer of Louie Louie, made famous by Kingsmen and covered by a host of artists including Paul Revere & the Raiders, Frank Zappa, the Beach Boys, the Kinks, the Sonics, Motörhead, Toots & the Maytals, Blondie, Nick Cave, and Lou Reed. Also wrote the often covered Have Love Will Travel ~ Berry was born in 1935
January 23, 1995 ~ R&B, doo-wop singer Bill Horton passed away ~ Lead singer for doo-wop outfit the Silhouettes, known best for their 1957 hit Get A Job. Originally issued as the B-side to I Am Lonely, the A-side re-release would go on to sell a million copies and be the group's only hit ~ Horton was born in 1929January 23, 1994 ~ Classical pianist Adolph Baller passed away in Palo Alto, California, USA ~ Closely associated with violinist Yehudi Menuhin, including as a member of the Alma Trio with whom he toured internationally from the early 1940s through the 1980s. Baller had debuted as a soloist at age 13 with the Vienna Philharmonic, to become a renowned pianist, well versed in the classical and romantic repertoire. Of Jewish descent, Baller had been arrested and molested by the Nazis in 1938 before fleeing to Budapest and eventually relocating to America later the same year. Baller is also known as a longtime faculty member at the Stanford University, Stanford, California, notable pianists such as Jerome Rose, William Corbett-Jones, Xenia Boodberg-Lee, and Nohema Fernández among his students ~ Baller was born in 1909
January 23, 1993 ~ Jazz trombonist, songwriter Charles Greenlee passed away in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known as sideman. Recorded one album, 1977's I Know About The Life, as a leader. Wrote Miss Toni, recorded by Eric Dolphy. Worked with Lucky Millinder, Benny Carter, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Foster, Tommy Flanagan, Gene Ammons, Yusef Lateef, Maynard Ferguson, Alden Griggs, Charles Sullivan, Suliman Hakim, Archie Shepp, James Ware, Buster Williams, Charlie Persip, Neil Clarke, Jean Carn, and Joe Lee Wilson ~ Greenlee was born ca.1927
January 23, 1993 ~ Singer, pianist, songwriter Reverend Thomas A Dorsey passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Dubbed “the Father of Gospel” for his influence on the genre and for penning numerous classics including Take My Hand Precious Lord and Peace In The Valley. Dorsey's songs have been recorded by Mahalia Jackson, Albertina Walker, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin, BB King, Clara Ward, Dorothy Norwood, Jim Reeves, and Tennessee Ernie Ford ~ Dorsey was born in 1899
January 23, 1993 ~ Country singer, harmonica player Wayne Raney passed away in Arkansas, USA ~ Worked with the Delmore Brothers. As a solo artist best known for songs such as Lost John Boogie, The Jack & Jill Boogie, the 1949 hit Why Don't You Haul Off And Love Me, and for the 1959 Christian revival song We Need A Whole Lot More Jesus And A Lot Less Rock & Roll ~ Raney was born in 1921January 23, 1992 ~ Conductor, cornetist, composer Harry Mortimer passed away in London, UK ~ Son of conductor Fred Mortimer. Considered one of the premier cornetists of his day. Has worked with the Luton Brass Band, the Morris Concert Band. the Hallé Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Northern Orchestra, the Coventry Band, and the Men O'Brass ~ Mortimer was born in 1902