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 29, 2024 ~ Accordionist, keyboardist, guitarist Tony Cedras passed away in Cape Town, South Africa ~ Perhaps best known for his longtime association with Paul Simon, both as a touring and session musician including on the acclaimed Graceland album. Cedras has also guested on albums by the likes of Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba (Sangoma), Ziggy Marley, Tony Bird, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Cassandra Wilson (Blue Light 'Til Dawn), Henry Threadgill (Carry The Day), Milton Nascimento, Garland Jeffreys, Bakithi Kumalo, and the Indica Project ~ Cedras was born ca.1952
January 29, 2023 ~ Songwriter, singer Barrett Strong passed away in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ The first artist to score a hit for Motown, namely with Money (That's What I Want) in 1959. Best known as a songwriter, usually partnering up with Norman Whitfield. Well known songs co-written by Strong include I Heard It Through The Grapevine (the Miracles, Marvin Gaye), You Don't Love Me No More (Gladys Knight), That's The Way Love Is (the Isley Brothers), Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On (Edwin Starr), Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) (the Temptations), and Papa Was A Rollin' Stone (the Undisputed Truth) ~ Strong was born in 1941January 29, 2023 ~ Classical pianist Gabriel Tacchino passed away ~ Worked with renowned orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra de la Suisse Romande, the English Chamber Orchestra, and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra ~ Tacchino was born in 1934
January 29, 2022 ~ Drummer Sam Lay, full name Samuel Julian Lay, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with Little Walter, Willie Dixon, Howlin' Wolf, Eddie Taylor, John Lee Hooker, Junior Wells, Bo Diddley, Magic Sam, Jimmy Rogers, Earl Hooker, Muddy Waters, Moon Dog Combo, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, the Siegel-Schwall Band, Mike Bloomfield, and Johnnie Marshall ~ Lay was born in 1935
January 29, 2021 ~ Electric blues, Texas blues, jazz blues tenor saxophonist Grady Gaines passed away ~ Brother of guitarist, singer Roy Gaines. Perhaps best known for working with Little Richard in the 1950s including on Keep A Knockin' (But You Can't Come In) and Ooh My Soul. Has also backed Dee Clark, Little Willie John, Sam Cooke, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, Joe Tex. Recorded a handful of solo albums starting with Full Gain released in 1988 ~ Gaines was born in 1934January 29, 2021 ~ Rock, blues rock, folk rock, skiffle guitarist Hilton Valentine, full name Hilton Stewart Paterson Valentine, passed away in Connecticut, USA ~ Original guitarist of the Animals, noted for his electric guitar intro on the band's 1964 signature song The House Of The Rising Sun. After the band disbanded in 1966 Valentine has recorded solo albums, joined in several Animals reunions and collaborated with former bandmates ~ Valentine was born in 1943
January 29, 2021 ~ Pianist, conductor, orchestrator, arranger, composer Jeremy Lubbock, full name Jeremy Michael Lubbock, passed away in Oxfordshire, UK ~ Active since the 1950s, initially as a jazz singer and pianist with a style modeled after Nat King Cole. In-demand collaborator from the mid 1970s, notably present on albums such as Joni Mitchell's Mingus and Minnie Riperton's Minnie. Would go on to work with David Foster (The Best Of Me), Quincy Jones, Chicago (Hard Habit To Break), and Céline Dion ~ Lubbock was born in 1931
January 29, 2019 ~ Singer James Ingram passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known for the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits I Don't Have The Heart and Baby Come To Me, the latter a duet with Patti Austin. Also known for duetting with Linda Ronstadt on Somewhere Out There, with Melissa Manchester on Brightest Star, and with Dolly Parton on The Day I Fall In Love. In-demand collaborator and backing singer, present on albums by Donna Summer, Ray Charles, Anita Baker, Viktor Lazlo, Nancy Wilson, Natalie Cole, Kenny Rogers, and Quincy Jones ~ Ingram was born in 1952January 29, 2019 ~ Sanford Mead Sylvan, commonly known as baritone singer Sanford Sylvan, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Studied under Phyllis Curtin. Performed with leading conductors, opera companies and orchestras including the Houston Grand Opera, the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and with the Concertgebouw Orchestra ~ Sylvan was born in 1953
January 29, 2018 ~ Jazz, folk accordionist, saxophonist Asmund Bjørken passed away in Leyanger, Norway ~ Self-taught on both accordion and saxophone. Gained notoriety as a member of Harry Waagens orchestra, a quintessential jazz orchestra on the Trondheim scene during the early 1950s. Bjørken would go on to lead a succession of ensembles through the 1990s, regularly working with sidemen such as Bjørn Alterhaug, Oddmund Finnseth, Per Olaf Green, Bengt Hallberg, Benny Bailey, and Mads Vinding. Bjørken is also well known for collaborating with Egil Kapstad and Rowland Greenberg during the 1980s. Bjørken published his autobiography, Spellemann (På Gammel Rutine Og Støgg Mistanke), in 2003 ~ Bjørken was born in 1933
January 29, 2018 ~ Saxophonist Eddie Shaw passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for his association with Howlin' Wolf, leading Wolf's backing unit the Wolf Gang from 1972 onwards. Wrote or co-wrote half the songs on Wolf's 1973 album Back Door Wolf. In his teens worked with Little Milton, Willie Love and an ocassional jam session with Ike Turner at age 14. Joined Muddy Waters backing unit at age 20. Also worked with Hound Dog Taylor, Freddie King, Otis Rush, and Magic Sam. Released nine albums as a solo artist, starting with 1982's Moving & Grooving through 2012's Still Riding High ~ Shaw was born in 1937
January 29, 2016 ~ Singer Zayn Malik releases Pillowtalk, lead single off his Mind Of Mine debut album ~ Following his split from One Direction, one of the all-time best selling boy bands, the year before, Pillowtalk was the first song Zayn Malik wrote. It became a global hit, and reached top 10 in over a dozen countries, including the No.1 spot in Ireland, the UK and America. In the latter, the song debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100, making the singer the first UK artist to debut atop the tally with his debut single. The parent album Mind Of Mine would also debut the Billboard Hot 200 chart, making Malik only the third artist to have both a No.1 debut single and No.1 debut album, something previously only achieved by Lauryn Hill and Clay Aiken. The rather explicit Pillowtalk is far removed from the in comparison innocent hits he had with his former band, however, the song is not just about sex as Malik would explain on The Elvis Duran Morning Show radio show: “The actual intent of the song is even though you have great times in a relationship, you have really bad times as well. But that's what kind of makes it worthwhile, because you learn things and go through experiences that bring you closer together. That's the actual intent of the song”
January 29, 2015 ~ Beat, pop, new wave, electronic, synth-pop singer, keyboardist Maurizio Arcieri passed away in Varese, Italy ~ Member of 1960s beat band the New Dada, known for opening for the Beatles at their Milan concert. Has recorded a number of solo albums throughout the 1970s. Formed the duo Chrisma with wife husband Christina Moser, perhaps best known for collaborating with producer Nico Papathanassiou and Vangelis on the singles U and Amore as well as on their 1978 Chinese Restaurant album ~ Arcieri was born in 1942
January 29, 2015 ~ Singer, poet, songwriter, actor Rod McKuen, full name Rodney Marvin McKuen, passed away in Beverly Hills, California, USA ~ One of the best-selling poets of the late 1960s. Wrote or co-wrote over 1,500 songs, recorded by a wide array of artists including Robert Goulet, Barbra Streisand, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, the Kingston Trio, Nana Mouskouri, Dusty Springfield, Al Hirt, and Frank Sinatra. Renowned film composer, including earning Academy Award-nominations for The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie and A Boy Named Charlie Brown. Known for songs such as Love's Been Good To Me, The World I Used To Know, I've Been To Town, Kaleidoscope, Merci Beaucoup, Doesn't Anybody Know My Name and Soldiers Who Want To Be Heroes ~ McKuen was born in 1933
January 29, 2010 ~ Contemporary Christian pianist, singer, conductor Tom Howard passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, starting in the late 1970s. Also closely associated with Thomas Kinkade. Has collaborated with the likes of Larry Norman, the Salvation Air Force, Dennis Litchfield, Mark Heard, Randy Stonehill, Darrell Mansfield, Wendell Burton, Phil Keaggy, Sixpence None The Richer, Cindy Morgan, Bob Carlisle, Dolly Parton, and Allison Moorer ~ Howard was born in 1950
January 29, 2009 ~ Bennie Ross Crawford Jr, commonly known as saxophonist, arranger, songwriter Hank Crawford, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Member of the CTI All-Stars. Served as saxophonist and musical director for Ray Charles, including on the pivotal albums What'd I Say (1959) and Modern Sounds In Country & Western Music (1962), before embarking on a solo career. As a solo artist known for 1960s songs as Misty, The Peeper, Whispering Grass, and Shake A Plenty, and for working as arranger for artists such as Etta James, Lou Rawls, and Dr John. Has also guested on albums by Eric Clapton, Grant Green, BB King, Johnny Hammond Smith, and Shirley Scott ~ Crawford was born in 1934January 29, 2009 ~ Iain David McGeachy, commonly known as guitarist, songwriter John Martyn passed away in Thomastown, Ireland ~ Important in development of British folk. Drew from rock and jazz. Acclaimed for albums such as 1973's Solid Air and 1977's One World. Collaborated with artists as diverse as drummer Phil Collins, jazz bassist Danny Thompson, and reggae producer Lee Scratch Perry. ~ Martyn was born in 1948
January 29, 2004 ~ Barbara Augustine Nederhorst commonly known as actress, singer Guusje Nederhorst, passed away in The Hague, the Netherlands ~ Best known as actress. As a singer known for Ademnood, released under the moniker Linda Roos & Jessica with her Goede Tijden Slechte Tijden co-stars Babette van Veen and Katja Schuurman. The 1995 single was intended as a gimmick but would reach No.1 on the Dutch charts, featured backing vocals by Trijntje Oosterhuis and was produced by Fluitsma & Van Tijn. Nederhorst was married to singer Dinand Woesthoff from 2003 until her death the following year, the couple have one son ~ Nederhorst was born in 1969
January 29, 2004 ~ Bassist, percussionist Malachi Favors passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Protégé of Wilbur Ware. Especially acclaimed for the 1975 Sightsong album collaborating with Muhal Richard Abrams and his 1978 Natural & Spiritual solo album. Backed Paul Bascomb, Dizzy Gillespie and Freddie Hubbard early on in his career. Best known as a member of the Art Ensemble Of Chicago. Co-founded the Association For The Advancement Of Creative Musicians. Has also worked with Sunny Murray, Archie Shepp, Dewey Redman, Charles Brackeen, Andrew Hill, and Wadada Leo Smith ~ Favors was born in 1927January 29, 2004 ~ Eulis Richardson, commonly known as R&B drummer, percussionist, arranger Soko Richardson, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Most noted for his associations with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, and the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, especially remembered for arrangements on Proud Mary. Has also worked with Ike Turner's the Kings Of Rhythm, Pee Wee Crayton, Bobby Womack, Terry Reid, and Albert Collins ~ Richardson was born in 1939
January 29, 1992 ~ Producer, songwriter, singer, bassist Willie Dixon passed away in Burbank, California, USA ~ Perhaps the most influential musician in post-war Chicago blues. Chess Records stalwarth, producer, songwriter, mentor to many, revered sideman, bassist. Wrote or co-wrote classic blues songs such as Hoochie Coochie Man, Little Red Rooster, My Babe, and You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover. Worked with Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters, and Howlin' Wolf. Many of his songs were covered by late 1960s rockers such as the Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck, Cream, the Doors, and Led Zeppelin ~ Dixon was born in 1915January 29, 1986 ~ Jazz guitarist Everett Barksdale passed away in Inglewood, California, USA ~ Worked with Erskine Tate, Eddie South, Benny Carter, Sidney Bechet, Dean Barlow, Maxine Sullivan, the Blenders, Clover, Mickey & Sylvia, the Ink Spots, Lena Horne, Sammy Davis Jr, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, Art Tatum, Milt Hinton, Buddy Tate, Clark Terry, Louis Armstrong, the Drifters (including on Under The Boardwalk and Saturday Night At The Movies), and Ben E King ~ Barksdale was born in 1910
January 29, 1986 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, drummer, songwriter Michael Paynter born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Contestant on the 2013 edition of talent contest The Voice Australia. Released a sole solo album, Weary Stars, in 2014 which also included his highest charting single Love The Fall. Touring member of Icehouse. Has also worked with Reece Mastin, Marcus Santoro, and Rachel Costanzo
January 29, 1985 ~ Donald MacRae Wilhoite Jr, commonly known as vaudevillian, songwriter Don Raye, passed away in Encino, California, USA ~ Best known for penning or co-penning a number of the Andrews Sisters' songs including Beat Me Daddy Eight To The Bar, The House Of Blue Lights, Just For A Thrill and Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. Other artists who recorded his songs include Will Bradley, Louis Jordan, Jimmie Lunceford, Bing Crosby, Woody Herman, Freddie Slack, Sarah Vaughan, and Gene Krupa ~ Raye was born in 1909January 29, 1985 ~ Rory Charles Graham, commonly known as new blues, blues-rock, R&B, hip-hop, indie pop singer, songwriter Rag'n'bone Man, born in Uckfield, UK ~ Started rapping as a teen in the rap group Rum Committee, opening for artists such as Pharoahe Monch and KRS One. Released his acclaimed Human solo debut album in 2017, its lead single and title track having reached top of the charts across Europe the previous year