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, 1984 ~ Abraham Olshewitz, commonly known as songwriter, music publisher Abe Olman, passed away in Rancho Mirage, California, USA ~ Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Down Among The Sheltering Palms (the Lyric Quartet, Sammy Kaye, the Chordettes), I'm Waiting For Ships That Never Come In (Nick Lucas, Bing Crosby, Ernest Tubb), Oh Johnny Oh Johnny (the Premier Quartet, the Andrews Sisters, Dottie Dillard), and Noah's Wife (Lived A Wonderful Life) (Eddie Cantor, the Hoosier Hot Shots, Tiny Hill) ~ Olshewitz was born in 1887
January 4, 1983 ~ Pop, synth-pop, new wave duo Eurythmics release their Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) sophomore album ~ The duo had release their In The Garden debut album in 1981, which didn't chart. Their Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) sophomore effort, however, would be their breakout album. After a slow start the album's title track would reach No.1 Billboard Hot 100, and two of the album's singles, Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) and Love Is A Stranger, reached top 10 in their native UK. The album itself reached top 10 across Europe, top 20 in the USA. The duo would go on to become one of the most recognisable and successful British acts of the 1980s, sell over 75 million records globally, and launch the solo careers of singer Annie Lennox and producer, multi-instrumentalist Dave Stewart
January 4, 1982 ~ Christian rock bassist, keyboardist Alyssa Barlow, full name Alyssa Katherine Nicole Barlow, born ~ One third of Christian girl group BarlowGirl, formed with her siblings guitarist Rebecca Barlow and drummer Lauren Barlow. Initially a backing band for their father Vince Barlow, the trio would become a popular festival act, and aided by a tribute song titled Barlow Girls by fellow Christian rockers Superchick, rose to fame prior to releasing their eponymous 2004 BarlowGirl debut album. They are best known for the singles Never Alone and I Need You To Love Me. They recorded about half a dozen albums, most acclaimed for their 2009 Love & War album, before disbanding the band in the early 2000s
January 4, 1981 ~ Jazz pianist, songwriter Ruth Lowe passed away in Toronto, Canada ~ Served as pianist in Ina Ray Hutton's all-female ensemble the Melodears, prior to marrying Chicago music publicist Harold Cohen. Sadly, Cohen would die about a year into the marriage after which Lowe returned to her native Toronto where in grief she penned I'll Never Smile Again. The song would become a jazz standard first recorded by Ray Eberle in 1940 with backing from Glenn Miller's orchestra. Later the same year it would become Frank Sinatra's first major hit. Others who have recorded the song include Sarah Vaughan, Ferlin Husky, the Platters, Billie Holiday, and Eddy Arnold. Other notable songs co-written by Lowe include My First Love, first recorded by Jimmy Dorsey, Put Your Dreams Away, recorded by Sinatra, and Take Your Sins Away, recorded by the Travellers ~ Lowe was born in 1914January 4, 1977 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist, singer Solon Bixler born in Fresno, California, USA ~ Lead guitarist of the Great Northern. Married to Northern bandmate singer, keyboardist Rachel Stolte. Has previously worked with Thirty Seconds To Mars, All Smiles, Earlimart, and Sea Wolf
January 4, 1977 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Tim Wheeler, full name Timothy James Arthur Wheeler, born in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland ~ Best known as member and primary songwriter of Ash, writing a vast amount of the band's material including Oh Yeah, Shining Light, Girl From Mars and Goldfinger. Has also frequently collaborated with Emmy The Great and released his solo debut album, Lost Domain, in 2014
January 4, 1974 ~ Glam rock outfit Mud release Tiger Feet, lifted off their Mud Rock album ~ Written and produced by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn, specifically with Mud in mind. The first time Chapman played the band a rough draft of the song, Mud lead singer Les Gray thought it was a terrible song but by the time they had worked out the arrangements he had come around. The song would become the band's first of three UK No.1 hits, followed by Lonely This Christmas, also written by Chapman and Chinn, and the Buddy Holly-cover Oh Boy. Chapman and Chinn were serial UK hitmakers during the 1970s, considered co-architects of the glam rock sound by some. Other well known songs penned by the duo include The Ballroom Blitz by Sweet, Living Next Door To Alice and If You Think You Know How To Love Me by Smokie, and Devil Gate Drive, Can The Can and If You Can't Give Me Love by Suzi Quatro. The songwriter duo's songs were especially popular in the UK and across continental Europe, yet usually made less of an impact across the pond. To American audiences the duo may be best known for penning Kiss You All Over, a Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit for ExileJanuary 4, 1974 ~ Jazz trumpeter Sjur Miljeteig born in Norway ~ Leader and sideman. Appears on over 50 albums. Worked with Havard Wilk, Ingebrigt Håker Flatan, Peder Kjellsby, Jagga Jazzist, Aslak Hartberg, Solveig Slettahjell, Tord Gustavsen, Morten Qvenild, Friko, Bugge Wesseltoft, Markus Midré, and the Shining
January 4, 1974 ~ Christopher Alan Stewart, commonly known as R&B, hip-hop producer, songwriter Tricky Stewart, born in Markham, Illinois, USA ~ Frequent collaborator of The-Dream. Has produced and written for artists such as JT Money, Sole, Tamar Braxton, Beyoncé (Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)), J Holiday, Gym Class Heroes, Rihanna (Umbrella), Jamie Foxx, Fabolous, Rick Ross, Justin Bieber (Baby), Britney Spears, Mary J Blige (Just Fine), Snoop Dogg, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey (Obsessed), Ciara, Céline Dion, Mya (Case Of The Ex), Christina Aguilera, Karina Pasian, Maroon 5, Nicole Scherzinger, Usher, Janet Jackson, Sisqó, and AvantJanuary 4, 1970 ~ Country fiddler Clayton McMichen passed away in Battletown, Kentucky, USA ~ Founded the Home Town Boys. Worked with the Skillet Lickers, which also included Gid Tanner, one of the nation's most successful country acts of the 1920. As a solo artist known for recordings such as Sweet Bunch Of Roses and My Carolina Home. Wrote Peach Pickin' Time, a hit for Jimmie Rodgers ~ McMichen was born in 1900
January 4, 1970 ~ Henry Macgregor Woods, commonly known as songwriter, pianist Harry M Woods, passed away in Glendale, Arizona, USA ~ Best known for contributing to a number of Hollywood musicals including notably The Vagabond Lover, A Lady's Morals, and Road House. Collaborated with songwriters such as Mort Dixon, Al Sherman, Arthur Freed, Rube Bloom, and Gus Kahn. Songs written or co-written by Woods include I'm Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover (Nick Lucas, Ben Bernie, Jean Goldkette), When The Moon Comes Over The Mountain (Kate Smith), What A Little Moonlight Can Do (Violet Loraine, Billie Holiday, Billy Eckstine), and Try A Little Tenderness (Ray Noble, Bing Crosby, Otis Redding) ~ Woods was born in 1896
January 4, 1969 ~ Pop, rock singer Martin Buitenhuis born in Den Helder, the Netherlands ~ Frontman, lead singer of Van Dik Hout, best known for their 1994 hit Stil In Mij. The band has also collaborated with Acda & De Munnik using the moniker de Poema's, resulting in the 2001 hit Zij Maakt Het Verschil
January 4, 1969 ~ Bassist Paul Chambers, full name Paul Laurence Dunbar Chambers Jr, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Charlie Parker, Ray Brown, George Duvivier. One of the most revered bass players of the hard bop era. About a dozen albums as a leader, present on over an estimated 100 more as a sideman. Closely associated with Miles Davis, appearing on albums such as Round About Midnight, Miles Ahead, Kind Of Blue, and Sketches Of Spain. Other notable collaborations include Bennie Green, Johnny Griffin (A Blowin' Session), Jackie McLean, Thelonious Monk (Brilliant Corners), Clifford Jordan, Benny Golson (New York Scene), Art Taylor, Abbey Lincoln, Milt Jackson (Bags' Opus), Wayne Shorter, Gil Evans, John Coltrane (Giant Steps), Freddie Hubbard (Open Sesame), King Curtis, Oliver Nelson (The Blues And The Abstract Truth), Elvin Jones, Hank Mobley, and Ike Quebec (Blue & Sentimental). Chambers is tributed in several songs, notably Five For Paul by Max Roach and Paul Chambers by Barenaked Ladies ~ Chambers was born in 1935
January 4, 1967 ~ Indie rock, country rock singer, guitarist, songwriter David Berman, full name David Craig Berman, born in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA ~ Sole constant member of the indie rock outfit Silver Jews, which he co-founded with Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich. Has also worked with Ectoslavia, with Purple Mountains, and guested on recordings by the Royal Trux, Will Oldham, and the Dexateens ~ Berman passed away in 2019January 4, 1965 ~ Caitlin O'Riordan, commonly known as folk rock, folk punk, Celtic rock bassist, singer Cait O'Riordan born in Lagos, Nigeria ~ Member of the Pogues from 1983 through 1986, present on the band's first two albums Red Roses For Me and Rum Sodomy & The Lash. Also worked with Elvis Costello to whom she was married from 1986 to 2002
January 4, 1963 ~ Singer Roy Orbison records In Dreams ~ Penned by Roy Orbison, produced by Fred Foster. It would be released as a single the next month, paired with Shahdaroba on the flip sideJanuary 4, 1962 ~ Heavy metal, thrash metal guitarist John Marshall born ~ Best known as longtime member of the Metal Church starting in 1986, present on some of the band's best known including the acclaimed 1991 The Human Factor album. Briefly played with progressive thrash metal band Blind Illusion alongside Les Claypool and Larry Lalonde. Served as guitar tech for Metallica's Kirk Hammett and has on two occasions performed with the band, filling in for James Hetfield on rhythm guitar when Hetfield's wrist was broken
January 4, 1962 ~ Petrus Thomas Ratajczyk, commonly known as gothic metal singer, bassist, songwriter Peter Steele, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Influenced by the Beatles and Black Sabbath. Best known as frontman of gothic metal outfit Type-O Negative. Previously worked with metal band Fallout and thrash band Carnivore ~ Ratajczyk passed away in 2010
January 4, 1962 ~ Punk bassist Pierre Kezdy born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Brother of the Effigies-frontman John Kezdy. Pierre is best known for co-founding 1980s punk outfit Strike Under, which evolved into Trial By Fire after the departure of lead singer Steve Bjorklund. Has also worked with Naked Raygun, Pegboy, the Rainbow Girls, the Interceptors, and the Arsenal ~ Kezdy passed away in 2020
January 4, 1962 ~ Peter Yellow, commonly known as dancehall DJ Purpleman, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Deejayed with King Jammy. Debuted as a solo artist in 1982 with the album Purpleman. Has worked with U-Roy, Cornell Campbell, Fathead, Sister Nancy, and Papa Tollo ~ Yellow passed away in 2020
January 4, 1962 ~ Guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer Robin Guthrie, full name Robin Andrew Guthrie born in Grangemouth, UK ~ Co-founded the Cocteau Twins, a band drawing from synth-pop, gothic rock and dream pop and known for 1980s, 1990s singles such as Pearly Dewdrops' Drops, Evangeline and Bluebeard. The band would be critically acclaimed for their 1990 Heaven Or Las Vegas album. Following the band's disbandement in 1998 Guthrie has recorded as a solo artist, starting with 2003's Imperial, and collaborated with Harold Budd, Violet Indiana, Mark Gardener, John Foxx, and Eraldo Bernocchi. Guthrie has also served as producer for Felt, the Gun Club, and Lush
January 4, 1961 ~ Heavy metal singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist David DeFeis born in Long Island, New York, USA ~ Classically trained pianist. Influenced by Jimmy Page, Freddie Mercury, Robert Plant, David Coverdale, Ronnie James Dio, Ian Gillan. Best known as frontman, primary songwriter of Virgin Steele. Also known for writing or co-writing a number of metal operas, starting with Klytaimnestra based on Greek mythology and premiered in 1999January 4, 1960 ~ Rock, glam rock, pop rock guitarist, singer Gerry Laffy born in Hoxton, UK ~ Co-founding member of short-lived yet influential rock outfit Girl, known for their 1980 Sheer Greed album and its follow-up Wasted Youth. Has also worked with the London Cowboys, Sheer Greed, Ultravox, and Chris Chesney
January 4, 1960 ~ Alternative rock singer, songwriter Michael Stipe, full name John Michael Stipe, born in Decatur, Georgia, USA ~ Influenced Kurt Cobain, Thom Yorke, Bono. Lead singer, lyricist of REM, known for songs such as The One I Love, Stand, Losing My Religion, Shiny Happy People, Man On The Moon, Everybody Hurts, and What's The Frequency Kenneth. Has also worked with Natalie Merchant, the Golden Palominos, the Indigo Girls, the Blue Aeroplanes, Robyn Hitchcock, Billy Bragg, Neneh Cherry, Kristin Hersh, Patti Smith, Grant Lee Buffalo, and Big Red MachineJanuary 4, 1959 ~ Joseph Alia Incagnoli Jr, commonly known as producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Joe Harvard, born in East Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ As a producer helped lay the foundation for bands such as the Pixies, the Lemonheads, Dinosaur Jr, Buffalo Tom, and Throwing Muses ~ Incagnoli passed away in 2019
January 4, 1959 ~ R&B, soul singer Sam Cooke records Only Sixteen at Rex Productions, Los Angeles, California ~ Originally intended for singer, actor Steve Rowland who asked Sam Cooke to write him a song. Inspired by the sixteenth birthday of Lou Rawls' stepsister, Eunice, Cooke came up with Only Sixteen. When Rowlands rejected it, on account of his manager disliking the song, Cooke kept it, releasing it as a single, paired with Let's Go Steady Again on the flip side in May 1959. It would reach top 30 Billboard Hot 100, top 20 Billboard R&B. The song would be covered by a number of artists, most notably the Supremes on their 1965 commemmorative We Remember Sam Cooke album and Dr Hook as a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 single of the 1975 Bankrupt album
January 4, 1959 ~ Denise Katrina Matthews, commonly known as singer Vanity, born in Niagara Falls, Canada ~ Lead singer of Vanity 6, best known for their 1982 hit Nasty Girl. Released two solo albums, 1984's Wild Animal and 1986's Skin On Skin. Scored modest hits such as Pretty Mess, Mechanical Emotion, Undress, and Under The Influence ~ Matthews passed away in 2016