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 25, 2024 ~ Jazz, improvisation, world music singer Bruno Amstad passed away ~ Sang soul, funk, and rock in the 1980s before switching to jazz and world music, eventually joining Christy Doran's New Bag. Amstad would remain with Doran for over a decade, recording over half a dozen albums. Establishing himself as one of the leading voice in world music to come out of Switzerland, Amstad would collaborate with a host of artists including Asita Hamidi, Sandro Schneebeli, Fredy Studer, Phil Minton, and John Zorn ~ Amstad was born ca.1964January 25, 2022 ~ Music journalist, label executive Andy Ross, full name Andrew Ian Ross, passed away ~ Journalist for Sounds magazine. Headed Food Records from 1986 onwards. Discovered and signed Blur. Other notable acts Ross has worked with include Idlewild, Jesus Jones, the Supernaturals and Dubstar ~ Ross was born ca.1956
January 25, 2022 ~ Composer Heinz Werner Zimmermann passed away in Oberursel, Germany ~ Focused on composing contemporary sacred music. Director of the Spandauer Kirchemusikschule from 1963 through 1976, subsequently composition teacher at the Frankfurt University Of Music And Performing Arts through 1996. Best known for his Missa Profana, premiered in 1980. Other works include The Bible Of Spirituals, Te Deum, and Symphonia Sacra ~ Zimmermann was born in 1930
January 25, 2018 ~ Pianist, conductor, composer, TV personality, politician Tommy Banks, full name Thomas Benjamin Banks, passed away in Edmonton, Canada ~ TV personality known for a variety of TV shows, perhaps most notably the Tommy Banks Show which aired from 1968 through 1983. Musical director, conductor at several prestigous events including the EXPO '86 and the 1988 Olympic Winter Games held in Calgary. Guest conductor for renowned orchestras including the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. Served as Senator for the Liberal party for over a decade starting in 2000, representing Alberta ~ Banks was born in 1936January 25, 2015 ~ Artemios Ventouris-Roussos, commonly known as singer Demis Roussos, passed away in Athens, Greece ~ Known for songs such as Goodbye My Love Goodbye, From Souvenirs To Souvenirs, Forever And Ever, We Shall Dance, Velvet Mornings, Lovely Lady Of Arcadia, and Someday Somewhere. Member of progressive rock group Aphrodite's Child, alongside Vangelis, Lucas Sideras, and Silver Koulouris. ~ Roussos was born in 1946
January 25, 2014 ~ Saxophonist, flutist, singer Arthur Doyle passed away in Alabama, USA ~ Worked with Gladys Knight, Pharoah Sanders, Sun Ra, Noah Howard, Milford Graves, Alan Silva, the Blue Humans, the Celestial Communication Orchestra, Rudolph Gret, Konx, Sunny Murray, and Hamid Drake ~ Doyle was born in 1944
January 25, 2013 ~ John Wayne Carroll, commonly known as R&B, doo-wop singer, songwriter Gregory Carroll, passed away in Creston, North Carolina, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Four Buddies, known for the 1951 hit I Will Wait. Member of the Orioles, joining the band in 1953 as replacement for George Nelson and present on their biggest hit Crying In The Chapel. Formed the duo Greg & Peg with singer, guitarist Peggy Jones. Co-wrote Doris Troy's Northern soul classic Just One Look ~ Carroll was born in 1929
January 25, 2013 ~ Jazz pianist Rahn Burton passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Worked with Rahsaan Roland Kirk, George Adams, Roland Alexander, Bob Cunningham, Ricky Ford, Hannibal Marvin Peterson, Carlos Garnett, Beaver Harris, Jemeel Moondoc, Charlie Rouse, Leon Thomas, Stanley Turrentine, Nicholas Simon, Walter Booker, Jimmy Cobb, Michael Carvin, Ellen Christi, Dick Griffin, and Massimo Urbani ~ Burton was born in 1934
January 25, 2005 ~ Singer Clarence Bassett passed away in Richmond, Virginia, USA ~ Member of doo-wop outfit Shep & the Limelites, known for their 1961 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Daddy's Home. The songs would become to be seen as one of all-time best doo-wop songs, covered by PJ Proby, Frank Zappa, Jermaine Jackson, Toots & the Maytals, the Carpenters, Junior English, and Cliff Richard. Bassett has also worked with the Five Sharps and the Flamingos ~ Bassett was born in 1936
January 25, 2005 ~ Traditional pop singer Ray Peterson passed away in Smyrna, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for songs such as The Wonder Of You which was later covered by Elvis Presley, the smash hit Tell Laura I Love Her, the Phil Spector produced Corrina Corrina and the Barry Mann & Gerry Goffin-written dramatic ballad I Could've Loved You So Well ~ Peterson was born in 1939
January 25, 2005 ~ Tyrone Garfield Kersey, commonly known as keyboardist, arranger, producer, songwriter Ron Kersey, passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Member of the Trammps, co-wrote their smash hit Disco Inferno. Also worked with MFSB, the Salsoul Orchestra, Teddy Pendergrass, Lou Rawls, and the O'Jays. Produced Stephanie Mills's I Have Learned To Respect The Power Of Love. Kersey is also specifically noted for co-writing Every Drop Of Your Love for Stacy Lattisaw, and Send For Me for Evelyn Champagne King ~ Kersey was born in 1949
January 25, 1999 ~ Conductor Robert Shaw, full name Robert Lawson Shaw passed away in New Haven, Connecticut, USA ~ Best known for leading his own orchestra, the Robert Shaw Chorale, as well as the Cleveland Orchestra and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Also worked with the Collegiate Chorale, the San Diego Symphony, and George Szell. Firm supporter of racial integration in orchestras. Dubbed “the Dean of American choral conductors,” mentoring younger conductors including Jameson Marvin, Margaret Hills, Maurice Casey, Ken Clinton, Donald Neuen, Ann Howard Jones, and Norman MacKenzie ~ Shaw was born in 1916January 25, 1998 ~ Jazz guitarist Attila Zoller, full name Attila Cornelius Zoller, passed away in Townshend, Vermont, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Fled Soviet-occupied Hungary. Studied under Jim Hall. Roommate of Ornette Coleman. Has worked with Jutta Hipp, Hans Koller, Herbie Mann, Lee Konitz, Albert Mangelsdorff, Benny Goodman, Stan Getz, Red Norvo, Jimmy Raney, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Shirley Scott, Cal Tjader, Jimi Hendrix, Don Friedman, Tommy Flanagan, and George Mraz ~ Zoller was born in 1927
January 25, 1996 ~ Anthony Hayes, commonly known as rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Stevie Plunder, passed away in Wentworth Falls, Australia ~ Co-founding member of the Plunderers, known for songs such as Strange Affection, I Don't Mind, I Didn't Even See Them All, and Christo. Plunder also teamed up with bandmate bassist Andy Lewis in the Whitlams, with whom he recorded the albums Introducing The Whitlams and Undeniably The Whitlams, until his untimely death at age 32 of an apparent suicide ~ Hayes was born in 1963
January 25, 1993 ~ Country singer Garth Brooks releases Learning To Live Again, lifted off his The Chase album ~ The song finds the singer back in the dating game after a long-term relationship has ended. The date isn't going so well, but it turns out the girl is having first-date jitters as well. Garth Brooks was particularly attracted to the song, written by veteran Don Schlitz and Stephanie Davis, because it was true-to-life. As the singer would later comment, reflecting on dating after a long-term relationship: “It's a crazy time in your life if you've ever gone through it. And we all have, in some way. And this song just gets it.” Learning To Live Again peaked at No.2 Billboard Country
January 25, 1993 ~ Reggae DJ, singer Shaggy releases Oh Carolina, lifted off his Pure Pleasure debut album ~ Based on the 1959 song Carolina by the Folkes Brothers, while also sampling Henry Mancini's Peter Gunn Theme, Shaggy's Oh Carolina would be the breakout hit for the Jamaican-born American singer. The single reached top 10 in over a dozen countries, doing especially well in Europe, while only a minor hit in America where it failed to reach the top half of the Billboard Hot 100. Oh Carolina would also be used for the soundtrack of Sliver, which spawned another pop reggae hit, UB40's Can't Help Falling In Love
January 25, 1989 ~ R&B singer, guitarist, songwriter Alvin Robinson passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ As a solo artist known for two 1960s tracks, the minor hit Something You Got, and Down Home Girl which was later notably covered by the Rolling Stones for their 1965 Rolling Stones No.2 album. Robinson recorded through the late 1960s but failed to chart. As a session musician Robinson is best known for his work with Dr John, present on the albums Dr John's Gumbo, Hollywood Be Thy Name, and City Lights. Robinson has also appeared on albums by Maria Muldaur, Ringo Starr Carly Simon, Tom Waits (Blue Valentine), and Chuck E Weiss ~ Robinson was born in 1937
January 25, 1987 ~ Indie pop, power pop outfit World Party release Ship Of Fools, lifted off their Private Revolution debut album ~ When Karl Wallinger departed the Waterboys after their This Is The Sea album, the multi-instrumentalist started World Party, basically a one-man band employing session musicians and guests where needed. The Private Revolution album would produce no hits in Wallinger's native UK, its highest charting single Ship Of Fools just missing the top 40. The single would, however, do better abroad, reaching top 30 on the American Billboard Hot 100 as well as in New Zealand, and top 10 in Australia. Due to its environmentalist lyrics, over the years Ship Of Fools has gained a wider exposure, including in the UK, for its inclusion on over a dozen themed compilation albumsJanuary 25, 1986 ~ In its 17th week on the charts, Never Be You by Rosanne Cash hits No.1 Billboard Country ~ Written by Tom Petty and Benmont Tench, the song first became known as recorded by Maria McKee for the soundtrack of the 1983 Streets Of Fire action crime film. Initially, Rosanne Cash had recorded the song for the film, but the producers went with McKee instead. A few years later, Cash included the song on her Rhythm & Romance album. Issued as the second single off the album, Never Be You would spend 24 weeks on the Billboard Country chart, including one week at No.1
January 25, 1985 ~ Singer Prince releases Take Me With U, the fifth and final single off his Purple Rain album ~ Originally intended to be performed by Vanity. However, shortly before filming the Purple Rain film she left to accept a contract with Motown, and also ended her romantic relationship with Prince. The song was then intended for the Apollonia 6 album to coincide with the film, but was pulled for the Purple Rain soundtrack. The final version by Prince, sung as a duet with Apollonia Kotero, would reach top 30 Billboard Hot 100, and top 10 in the UKJanuary 25, 1984 ~ Country singer George Strait releases Right Or Wrong, lifted off the album of the same name ~ Right Or Wrong traces back to the early 1920s, when the song was written as a fox-trot ballad by Arthur Sizemore, Paul Biese and Haven Gillespie. The song would be recorded by several jazz orchestras and made into a Western swing standard by Bob Wills in the mid 1930s. The biggest hit version, however, would be George Strait's cover, his fourth Billboard Country No.1 hit, recorded for the album of the same name. The success of Strait's single led to Haven Gillespie posthumously being awarded an ASCAP award for writing the song, over six decades after he co-wrote the song
January 25, 1981 ~ Alicia Augelio Cook, commonly known as R&B, soul, neo soul singer, pianist Alicia Keys, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Married to Swizz Beatz since 2010. Influenced by Igor Stravinsky. Debuted with the critically acclaimed Songs In A Minor in 2001, which sold 16 million copies and spawned the Billboard No.1 hit Fallin'. Her sophomore album, 2003's The Diary Of Alicia Keys, produced the hits You Don't Know My Name, If I Ain't Got You and Diary. Subseqent hits would include My Boo with Usher, No One, and the Jay-Z-collaboration Empire State Of Mind. Keys has also notably collaborated with Bono, Beyoncé, Maxwell, Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Angie Stone, Eve, and Alejandro Sanz
January 25, 1980 ~ Singer, keyboardist, flutist Peter Gabriel releases Games Without Frontiers, lead single off his Peter Gabriel 3 album ~ Its title inspired by the long-running TV show of the same name, in which teams representing a town in one of the participating countries would compete in races and games of skill, Games Without Frontiers compare war and international diplomacy to children's games. Atlantic Records had distributed Peter Gabriel's first two solo albums in America, but dropped the singer when he issued his third, which contained Games Without Frontiers, m as they felt the Brit was committing “commercial suicide”. However, when the single took off in the UK, where it eventually reached No.4, and began to garner airplay in America, the label tried to get back into the action. By this time, however, Gabriel wanted nothing more to do with the label, and let Mercury Records distribute the album in America.January 25, 1976 ~ Pop, rock singer, poet Anabel Bosch, full name Ana Isabel Ramirez Bosch, born in Manila, Philippines ~ First gained attention in the late 1990s singing with Tropical Depression. Would go on to work with with Elektrikoolaid, Spy, and Analog. Also involved with the women's poetry movement Romancing Venus. Bosch passed away at age 32 following a brain aneurysm ~ Bosch passed away in 2009
January 25, 1976 ~ Christophe Kenner, commonly known as R&B singer, songwriter Chris Kenner passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known for the early 1960s hits I Like It Like That and Land Of 1,000 Dances, both of which would become R&B classics covered by numerous artists. Other well known hits include Sick & Tured, Rocket To The Moon, Life's Just A Struggle and Something You Got ~ Kenner was born in 1929
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