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 4, 2024 ~ Richard David Solberg, commonly known as actor, singer David Soul, passed away in London, UK ~ Best known as an actor, appearing in TV shows such as Here Comes The Bride, Magnum Force, and perhaps most notably Starsky & Hutch, portraying the role of Hutch. Solberg has also recorded as a singer, enjoying popularity during the mid 1970s especially in the UK. Well-known songs include Going In With My Eyes Open, Silver Lady, Let's Have A Quiet Night In, and Don't Give Up On Us, the latter also reaching No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 ~ Solberg was born in 1943
January 4, 2024 ~ Experimental, opera, classical pianist, tubist, composer John White passed away ~ Pioneered British minimalism. Has composed over 150 piano sonatas, over 20 symphonies, some 30 ballets. Closely associated with Cornelius Cardew, Gavin Bryars, and the Promenade Theater Orchestra ~ White was born in 1936January 4, 2022 ~ Rock, hard rock guitarist Andrzej Nowak passed away in Kraków, Poland ~ Founded hard rock, metal band TSA in 1979, known for songs such as Zwierzenia Kontestatora and Marsz Wilkow. The former would be used in the 1984 documentary Behind The Iron Curtain which documents the first visit of Iron Maiden to Poland ~ Nowak was born in 1959
January 4, 2022 ~ R&B singer Jessie Lee Daniels passed away ~ Member of family outfit the Force MD's, known best for their Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Tender Love written and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, lead single of their 1985 Chillin' sophomore album. The band regulary reached the top 10 of the Billboard R&B charts throughout the 1980s, well known songs including Tears, Love Is A House, and Touch & Go ~ Daniels was born in 1963January 4, 2018 ~ Flutist, songwriter Ray Thomas passed away in Surrey, UK ~ Co-founding member of the Moody Blues. Especially remembered for his flute solo on the band's Nights In White Satin. Wrote or co-wrote several of the band's songs including Legend Of A Mind, Procession, Dreamer, For My Lady, and Never Blame The Rainbows For The Rain ~ Thomas was born in 1941
January 4, 2016 ~ Music manager, impresario, producer, film producer Robert Stigwood, full name Robert Colin Stigwood, passed away in London, UK ~ Active since the early 1960. Almost went bankrupt organizing and promoting UK tours for Chuck Berry and PJ Proby. Perhaps best known as manager for seminal 1960s blues, rock band Cream. Would merge his agency with the Beatles-manager Brian Epstein's in 1967, after which Stigwood would manage acts such as the Bee Gees and Andy Gibb, and play key roles in theatrical productions of the musicals Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar and as film producer or co-producer for Saturday Night Fever, Grease. Fame, Staying Alive, and Evita featuring Madonna ~ Stigwood was born in 1934
January 4, 2015 ~ Giuseppe Daniele, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter Pino Daniele, passed away in Rome, Italy ~ Once dubbed his music “tarumbo” indicating a mix of tarantello, blues and rumba. Prolific guitarist known for his wide influences and social commentary. Best known for his debut, 1977 Terra Mia and his 1980 album Nero A Metà, the latter being noted by critics as the rebirth of Neapolitan song. Opened for Bob Marley. Befriended Eric Clapton. Had his songs covered by artists as diverse as Sarah Jane Morris, Randy Crawford (It's Raining (Quanno Chiove)), Patricia Marx, Marisa Monte, and Issac Delgado. Collaborated with James Senese, Enzo Avitabile, Tullio de Piscopo, Tony Esposito, Alphonso Johnson, Wayne Shorter, Richie Havens, Pat Metheny, and Joe Bonamassa ~ Daniele was born in 1955January 4, 2012 ~ Theodor Christian Frolich Bergh, commonly known as saxophonist Totti Bergh, passed away in Oslo, Norway ~ Worked with the Kjell Karlsen Sextet, Rowland Greenberg, Einar Schanke, Per Borthen, his wife Laila Dalseth, Al Cohn, Per Husby, Plas Johnson, Harry Allen, George Masso, and Terje Venaas ~ Bergh was born in 1935
January 4, 2011 ~ Gerald Rafferty, commonly known as folk rock, soft rock, pop rock singer, guitarist, bassist, pianist, songwriter Gerry Rafferty, passed away in Stroud, UK ~ Influenced by the Beatles and Bob Dylan. Member of folk-pop outfit the Humblebums, with whom he recorded the albums The New Humblebums and Open Up The Door at the tail end of the 1960s. Rose to fame as a member of Stealers Wheel, co-founded with school friend Joe Egan. The group would score two major hits in the early 1970s with Stuck In The Middle With You, which reached top 10 on both sides of the pond, and the somewhat underrated deliciously gentle Star, which still cracked the top 30 both in America and their native England. Following the band's disbandement in 1975, Rafferty resumed his solo career, and has recorded over half a dozen albums well into the 2000s. As a solo artist, Rafferty is best known for Baker Street, again a top 10 hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Its parent album City To City, released in 1978, topped the American Billboard Hot 200 album charts ~ Rafferty was born in 1947
January 4, 2011 ~ Andonis Michaelides, commonly known as bassist, singer Mick Karn, passed away in London, UK ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of new wave outfit Japan. The band is best known for Ghosts, a UK No.5 hit off Tin Drum, the band's fifth and final album released in 1981. Other well known songs include Quiet Life, Visions Of China, Cantonese Boy, Life In Tokyo, and Nightporter. A decade after the band folded, the original line-up reunited under the monniker Rain Tree Crow to record the eponymous Rain Tree Crow album which cracked the UK top 40. Karn has also recorded as a solo artist, and collaborated with the likes of Gary Numan, playing bass and saxophone on Numan's UK top 10 hit She's Got Claws, Masami Tsuchiya, Akiko Yano, Dali's Car, Midge Ure, Kate Bush, David Torn, and Joan Armatrading ~ Karn was born in 1958
January 4, 2010 ~ Roberto Sánchez-Ocampo, commonly known as singer Sandro de América, passed away in Mendoza, Argentina ~ Considered a pioneer of Argentine rock for being one of the first rock artists to sing in Spanish. Has recorded well over 40 albums since the mid 1940s. Well-known songs include Dame Fuego, Penumbras, Mi Amigo El Puma, Tengo, Una Muchacha Y Una Guitarra, and perhaps his biggest hit Rosa Rosa, the latter selling two million copies. At the height of his popularity, Sánchez-Ocampo would be critically compared to Elvis Presley in his native Argentina ~ Sánchez-Ocampo was born in 1945
January 4, 2010 ~ Bassist, arranger, engineer, producer Tony Clarke, full name Anthony Ralph Clarke, passed away in Brighton, UK ~ Active since the early 1960s, Clarke served as bassist and session musician for a succession of bands, though to little commercial success. Clarke would, however, become well known as a producer, starting with Mirror Mirror, a 1966 UK top 10 hit for Pinkerton's Assorted Colours. Clarke is most closely associated with the Moody Blues, producing over half a dozen of the band's albums starting with Days Of Future Passed in 1967, as well as several of the band members' solo albums including Justin Hayward's Songwriter and John Lodge's Natural Avenue, both released in 1977. Clarke is also noted for engineering Tea For The Tillerman, arguably Cat Stevens's best known album, and has produced albums for Mahogany, Gonzalez, Camel (Nude), Clannad (Pastpresent), and Spiritualized ~ Clarke was born in 1941
January 4, 2008 ~ Jazz bassist Earl May, full name Earl Charles Barrington May, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ One of the most prolific jazz bassists of the postwar era, known for his rich, round sound. Active on the New York club circuit since the early 1950s, backing artists such as Lester Young, Billy Taylor, Gloria Lynne, and Charles Mingus, to become one of the busiests bassists by the end of the decade. Notably present on key albums by Chet Baker, John Coltrane (Lush Life), and Buddy Rich (Driver). Ventured into soul-jazz by the 1960s, gracing albums by Stanley Turrentine, Shirley Scott, and Lou Donaldson. May continued to perform well into the 2000s, passing away at age 80 of a heart attack just days after his last performance ~ May was born in 1927
January 4, 2008 ~ Jazz singer Irene Reid passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Tried for an amateur contest at the Apollo Theater and won the competition for five straight weeks. This led a a two-year stint at the the Savoy Ballroom under the direction of Dick Vance, from 1948 to 1950. Sang with the Count Basie Orchestra in the early 1960s. Recorded her solo debut album in 1965, Room For One More, with arrangements and conducting by Oliver Nelson and backed by an all-star cast featuring Charlie Mariano, Jerome Richardson, Phil Woods, Jerry Dodgion, Thad Jones, Joe Newman, Jimmy Cleveland, Urbie Green, JJ Johnson, Kenny Burrell, Bob Cranshaw, Roger Kellaway, and Grady Tate. Reid would continue to perform and record well into the 2000s, ranging from a Broadway production of the musical Broadway Wiz to collaborations with Carmen McRae, Sarah Vaughan, Aretha Franklin, and BB King ~ Reid was born in 1930
January 4, 2008 ~ Rock, indie rock, folk metal drummer Keith Baxter passed away ~ Co-founded thrash metal Aphasia while still in his teens. Perhaps best known as member of folk metal pioneers Skyclad from 1990 through 1995, first appearing on the 1991 The Wayward Sons Of Mother Earth album. Subsequently worked with 3 Colours Red until its disbandement in 1999. Formed Elevation with bandmate Pete Vuckovic. Has also briefly worked with Therapy and with Baby Judas ~ Baxter was born in 1971
January 4, 2008 ~ Jazz, dixieland trumpeter Keith Smith, full name Keith John Smith, passed away in London, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Active since the mid 1950s, mostly in traditional jazz and dixieland revival bands. As a leader perhaps best known for founding and leading Hefty Jazz for over a decade starting in 1975, which at times included George Chisholm, Mick Pyne, Peanuts Hucko, Nat Pierce, Johnny Mince, Barrett Deems. Has also worked with Norrie Cox, the New Teao Brass Band, Pops Foster, Jimmy Archey, and Alvin Alcorn ~ Smith was born in 1940
January 4, 2004 ~ Southern gospel singer Jake Hess, full name William Jake Hess, passed away in Opelika, Alabama, USA ~ Lead singer with the Statesmen Quartet from 1948 through 1963. After his departure from the band founded the Imperials. Major influence on Elvis Presley, who was so impressed with Hess' singing that he tried to emulate the vocal style and phrasing for the remainder of his life. Hess has sung backup on several Elvis albums and performed at Presley's funeral ~ Hess was born in 1927
January 4, 2001 ~ Conductor, cellist Lawrence Leonard passed away ~ Started as cellist with the London Symphony Orchestra at age 16. Would go on to become a renowned conductor, noted for conducting the UK premiere of West Side Story at the request of composer Leonard Bernstein. Has worked with the BBC Northern Orchestra, the Hallé Orchestra, and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. To pop audiences, Leonard is perhaps best known for his collaboration with Procol Harum recording the Procol Harum Live (In Concert With The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra) album released in 1972 ~ Leonard was born in 1923
January 4, 2001 ~ Jazz, swing, big band, traditional pop bandleader Les Brown, full name Lester Raymond Brown, passed away in Pacific Palisades, California, USA ~ Popular bandleader with a career spanning nearly seven decades from the late 1930s until shortly before his death. Known for bringing Doris Day to prominence with the 1945 recording of Sentimental Journey. Has also worked with Bob Hope, Tony Bennett, Connee Boswell, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nat King Cole ~ Brown was born in 1912January 4, 2000 ~ Jazz trumpeter Lou Mucci, full name Louis Raphael Mucci, passed away in Syracuse, New York, USA ~ Active since his early teens, initially playing baritone horn before switching to trumpet. Has worked with the likes of Mildred Bailey, Red Norvo, Glenn Miller, Helen Merrill, Charles Mingus, Gil Evans, Miles Davis (Miles Ahead), and Kenny Burrell ~ Mucci was born in 1909
January 4, 1998 ~ Actress, singer, songwriter Coco Jones born in Columbia, South Carolina, USA ~ Rose to fame as an actress for several Disney productions, notably the 2012 film Let It Shine. As a singer performed on several soundtracks and has released a number of EPs, starting with the 2010 eponymous Coco Jones EP released shortly after reaching second place in Radio Disney's The Next Big Thing radio singing competition. Cites Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Céline Dion, Etta James, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, CeCe Winans and Mary J Blige as some of her biggest musical influences
January 4, 1992 ~ Stella Gloria Crowson, commonly known as jazz singer Teddy Grace, passed away in La Mirada, California, USA ~ Radio singer working with big bands led by Bob Crosby, Paul Whiteman, Al Katz, Tommy Christian, and Mal Hallett for most of the 1930s. Recorded for Decca Records from 1937 to 1940 working with sidemen such as Bobby Hackett, Jack Teagarden, Charlie Shavers, Buster Bailey, Pee Wee Russell, and Bud Freeman. Joined the Women's Army Corps in 1940, sang at war bond rallies, lost her voice and was unable to speak for years, never again sang ~ Crowson was born in 1905
January 4, 1991 ~ Alto saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist Leo Wright passed away in Vienna, Austria ~ Considered one of the finest jazz flutists, active since the late 1950s backing artists such as Charles Mingus and Dizzy Gillespie early on in his career. Over half a dozen albums as a leader, noted specifically for his 1960 Blues Shout debut album featuring an all-star backing unit consisting of pianist Junior Mance, drummer Charlie Persip, bassist Art Davis, and trumpeter Richard Williams. Wright relocated to Europe by the early 1960s and has spent most of his career based in either Berlin or Vienna working with European musicians and fellow American patriates. Over the course of his career, Wright has appeared on albums by Virgil Gonsalves, Richard Gene Williams (New Horn In Town), Tadd Dameron (The Magic Touch Of Tadd Dameron), Brother Jack McDuff, Dave Pike, Kenny Burrell, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Blue Mitchell (Step Lightly), Bob Brookmeyer, Johnny Coles (Little Johnny C), Luiz Bonfá, Jimmy Witherspoon, Gildo Mahones, Lee Konitz, and Jean-Luc Ponty ~ Wright was born in 1933
January 4, 1989 ~ Timothy Lee McKenzie, commonly known as pop, R&B, hip-hop, electronica singer, rapper, keyboardist, guitarist, percussionist, producer, songwriter Labrinth born in London, UK ~ First gained attention featured on Tinie Tempah's 2010 single Pass Out. Released his full-length solo debut album Electronic Earth in 2012. Known for songs such as Let The Sun Shine, Last Time, Beneath Your Beautiful featuring Emeli Sandé, and Jealous. Member of supergroup LSD with Sia and Diplo. In-demand collaborator and songwriter including with artists such as Beyoncé, Kanye West, the Weeknd, Nicki Minaj, Ed Sheeran, and Noah Cyrus
January 4, 1989 ~ Folk, country singer, guitarist, songwriter Zachary Lucky born in Saskatoon, Canada ~ Prior to releasing Come And Gone debut album in 2010 earned a reputation as one of the hardest working singers to come out of Saskatchewan through relentless touring. Has recorded consistently since, best known for songs such as Coming Back Home, Leaves Are Falling, Sunday Morning At The Drag Strip, and Hang Me Oh Hang Me