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 5, 1976 ~ Bassist, keyboardist Matt Wachter, full name Matthew Walter Wachter, born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known as member of alternative rock band Thirty Seconds To Mars from 2001 through 2007, present on the band's A Beautiful Lie album which included the modest hits The Kill and From Yesterday. Subsequently a member of Angels & Airwaves
January 5, 1975 ~ Post-hardcore, emo, alternative rock drummer Riley Breckenridge, full name James Riley Breckenridge, born in Orange County, California, USA ~ Originally aimed to become a porfessional baseball player until football injuries shattered his ambitions. Best known as member of Thrice, brought into the band by his brother bassist Eddie Breckenridge. Has also worked with Puig Destroyer, Less Art, and with Eightyonedays
January 5, 1973 ~ Philip Joel Urry, commonly known as Christian pop singer, guitarist, bassist Phil Joel, born in Auckland, New Zealand ~ Bassist of Christian pop rock band the Newsboys, first appearing on the 1996 Take Me To Your Leader album which spawned the hits Reality, Let It Go, Cup O' Tea, and Breathe. Joel remained with the band through 2006, and rejoined in 2018. Has also worked with Drinkwater, Zealand Worship, and recorded over half a dozen solo albums starting with Watching Over You in 2000
January 5, 1973 ~ Rock band Sweet release the stand-alone single Block Buster, sometimes listed as Blockbuster ~ Written by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, who authored several of Sweet's biggest hits, Block Buster would become the band's fourth UK top 10 hit and their only one to reach No.1, spending five weeks atop the charts. The single would also top the charts in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Ireland, and New Zealand. The Muddy Waters-inspired blues riff showed remarkable similarity to labelmate David Bowie's The Jean Genie, released shortly earlier, yet all parties insisted this was a mere coincidence. Throughout the end of the decade, Sweet would score half a dozen more UK top 10 hits, including The Ballroom Blitz and Fox On The Run. Although the typically British band enjoyed their greatest fame in Europe, they did have some success in America, where they reached the top 10 three times. However, despite their lesser success across the pond, several notable American musicians have later stated they were devout fans of the band, perhaps most notably bassist Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe, and singer Axl Rose of Guns 'n Roses
January 5, 1972 ~ Anastasios Rouvas, commonly known as singer, model, actor Sakis Rouvas, born in Corfu, Greece ~ Professional pole vaulter duing the late 1980s. Started his musical career in the early 1990s, becoming one of the earliest dance-pop singers noted for breaking cultural, social and generational barriers in Greece. Best known for his single Shake It, used as the Greek entry for the 2004 Eurovision Songfestival reaching third place and quickly becoming the all-time best-selling single in Greece. Would regularly top both the Greek and Cypriotic charts during the 1990s and 2000s, well known hits include Parta, Theleis I Den Theleis, Disco Girl, and Na M'AgapasJanuary 5, 1971 ~ Accordionist, guitarist, bandleader Stian Carstensen born in Eidsvoll, Norway ~ Best known as key member of Farmers Market alongside drummer Jarle Vespestad and singer, guitarist Nils-Olav Johansen. Also worked with Trifon Trifonov, Jon Christensen, Bendik Hofseth, Django Bates, Tord Gustavsen, Ernst Reijseger, Frode Alnæs, Arild Andersen, Iain Ballamy, the Kaizers Orchestra, Borre Dalhaug, Jimmy Rosenberg, Eldbjørg Raknes, Mathias Eick, and Alexander Rybak
January 5, 1970 ~ Gianfranco Randone, comonly known as dance, dance-pop singer Jeffrey Jey, born in Lentini, Italy ~ Member of Eiffel 65, known for their 1998 hit Blue (Da-ba-dee) which hit the top 10 across continental Europe, the UK and America. Subsequent releases, such as Too Much Heaven and Move Your Body, would also become hits in Europe but fail to chart in America. Jey is also known as member of Bliss Team from 1992 through 1997 and as member of Bloom 06, which also included Eiffel bandmate Maury Lobina, from 2005 through 2010January 5, 1969 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal bassist Robbie Crane born in Orange County, California, USA ~ Best known for his associations with Black Star Riders, the Fighting Hearts and RATT. Has also worked with Vince Neil, Adler's Appetite, supergroup the Saints Of The Underground, Lynch Mob, and Love/Hate
January 5, 1969 ~ Soul, rock singer, guitarist Ty Taylor born in Montclair, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known as lead singer for Los Angeles-based soul rock band Vintage Trouble, releasing their The Bomb Shelter Sessions debut album in 2011. Previously Taylor fronted the early 2000s band Dakota Moon, known for their 2002 A Place To Land album. Taylor has also guested on recordings by Michael Damian, Pablo Cruise, Gov't Mule, and Booker T Jones, and was a contestant on the reality TV show Rock Star INXS where contestants competed to become the lead vocalist for Australian rock band INXS
January 5, 1968 ~ Rock outfit Status Quo release Pictures Of Matchstick Men, lifted off their Picturesque Matchstickable Messages From The Status Quo debut album ~ Later fans of the band might not recognize the band's early sound. Yet their debut album did give the band its first chart success with the UK top 10 hits Pictures Of Matchstick Men and Ice In The Sun. The former, only the second song lead singer Francis Rossi ever wrote, was about a woman who treats him wrong, a theme Rossi would regularly revisit. Pictures Of Matchstick Men became their debut hit in the band's native UK, where it peaked at No.7, and their sole hit in America, where it reached No.12 Billboard Hot 100 and has remained a radio staple ever since. By the early 1970s, the band disbanded their psychedelic pop sound in favor of rollicking straighforward 12 bar boogie rockers, a formula that would work for the band well into the late 1980s. Over the course of their lengthy career, the band would score nearly two dozen UK top 10 hitsJanuary 5, 1967 ~ Heavy metal guitarist, keyboardist, producer Fredrik Nordström, full name Björn Tom Fredrik Nordström, born in Sweden ~ Founder and guitarist of Dream Evil. Considered one of the foremost melodic death metal, power metal producers in Sweden. Worked with At The Gates, Arch Enemy, Nightrage, Dark Tranquility, In Flames, Soilwork, Opeth, and Powerwolf
January 5, 1967 ~ Bubblegum, pop rock group Tommy James & the Shondells release Mirage, lifted off their I Think We're Alone Now album ~ This came about as the result of a studio error. Producer Bo Gentry inadvertently inserted a master tape of I Think We're Alone Now backwards in the reel-to-reel player. The band instantly liked the reverse chord progression. Ritchie Cordell, who had also written I Think We're Alone Now, added lyrics and the song would be recorded as Mirage. The original I Think We're Alone Now would reach No.4 Billboard Hot 100. Its follow-up Mirage peaked at No.10
January 5, 1964 ~ Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, bandleader Cecil Scott passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Brother of drummer Lloyd Scott, with whom he regularly collaborated. Active since the 1920s, Scott has worked with a long list of the top swing bands, backing artists such as Fletcher Henderson and Billie Holiday. Other notable associations include Hot Lips Page, Willie The Lion Smith, Alberta Hunter, Rex Stewart, Red Allen, and Teddy Wilson ~ Scott was born in 1905
January 5, 1964 ~ Christopher Xefos, commonly known as avant-garde accordionist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist, singer Chris Xefos, born ~ Member of art rock group King Missile from 1989 until its disbandement in 1994, known for songs such as Jesus Was Way Cool and Detachable Penis. Has also worked with Phantom Tollbooth, When People Were Shorter And Lived Near The Water, Victor Krummenacher, Greg Lisher, Alison Faith Levy, and the Moth Wranglers
January 5, 1964 ~ Punk rock, post-punk, new wave, alternative rock bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist, singer, producer, songwriter Phil Thornalley born in Suffolk, UK ~ Co-wrote Torn, made famous by Natalie Imbruglia. Wrote Mama Do (Uh Oh Uh Oh) and Boys And Girls for Pixie Lott. Produced the Cure's 1982 Pornography album and served as their bass player for about a year and a half including on the 1983 hit The Love Cats. Lead singer of Johnny Hates Jazz from 1988, replacing Clark Datchler, until the bands disbandement in 1992
January 5, 1963 ~ Pop, surf outfit the Beach Boys record Surfin' USA at United Western Recorders, Hollywood, California ~ Based on Chuck Berry's Sweet Little Sixteen, Berry is eventually given co-writing credit alongside Brian Wilson. Contrary to reported tensions with Berry, Carl Wilson has commented running into Berry once, the latter remarking he loved the song. Produced by Nick Venet. Released as a single of their 1963 Surfin' USA sophomore album. Would become the band's first top 10 hit, peaking at No.3 Billboard Hot 100. The single's B-side, Shut Down, was recorded on the same day
January 5, 1961 ~ Singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist Iris DeMent, full name Iris Luella DeMent, born in Paragould, Arkansas, USA ~ Folk, country and gospel-infused. Debuted in 1992 with the Infamous Angel album and has recorded to a devoted fanbase and critical acclaim since. Had her songs recorded by the Caravans, Grace Griffith, Aselin Debison, John Wright, Doug Cox, Megan Reilly, Will Oldham. In-demand collaborator, worked with Jann Browne, Emmylou Harris (Wheels Of Love), Nanci Griffith, Tom Paxton, the Beautiful South, Tom Russell, Randy Scruggs, Jeff Black, John Prine, Steve Earle, Delbert McClinton (Birmingham Tonight), Keith Sykes, Ralph Stanley, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Teddy Thompson, Josh Turner (Palbearer), the Pines, and Ana Egge
January 5, 1957 ~ Gertrude Mary Astbury, commonly known as music hall singer, dancer Gertie Gitana, passed away in Hampstead, UK ~ Enjoyed popularity from the early-1900s, while still only in her mid-teens, until retiring from performing by the late 1930s. Well known as the Forces sweetheart during World War I, entertaining the wounded in hospitals. Best known for her signature song Nellie Dean, written by Harry Armstrong and Richard H Gerard ~ Astbury was born in 1887
January 5, 1957 ~ Folk, folk rock guitarist, keyboardist, violinist, bassist, pipe player Maartin Allcock born in Middleton, UK ~ Best known as lead guitarist of Fairport Convention from 1985 through 1996 and concurrently keyboardist of progressive rock outfit Jethro Tull from 1988 through 1991. Has recorded a handful of solo albums, starting with MAART released in 1990. In-demand session musician reportedly appearing on over 200 albums, has worked with Robert Plant, Blue Tapestry, Beverley Craven, Judith Durham, Dan Ar Braz, Ralph McTell, Dave Swarbrick, Cat Stevens, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Ashley Hutchings, the Reel And Soul Association, the Bad Shepherds, and Bully Wee Band ~ Allcock passed away in 2018
January 5, 1956 ~ Music manager Janis Hunter born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Married to singer Marvin Gaye from 1977 until 1981, with whom she has two children including singer, actress Nona Gaye. After first meeting Gaye in 1973 Hunter became the inspiration for several of the R&B singer's songs, most notably the track Jan included on his 1974 Marvin Gaye Live live album. Gaye's entire 1976 I Want You studio album is also considered a romantic tribute to Hunter ~ Hunter passed away in 2022
January 5, 1953 ~ Drummer Paul Wertico born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Rose to fame as member of the Pat Metheny Group, backing Pat Metheny for nearly two decades starting in 1983. Would go on to work with John Moulder, Erich Hochberg, Larry Coryell, Kurt Elling, Jeff Berlin, SBB, Marbin, David Cain, Larry Gray, Frank Catalano, Lee Konitz, Sam Rivers, Bob Mintzer, Roscoe Mitchell, Jay McShann, Herbie Mann, Randy Brecker, Ramsey Lewis, Paul Winter, and Kurt EllingJanuary 5, 1953 ~ Singer, songwriter Steve Archer born in Mojave, California, USA ~ Pioneered contemporary Christian music. Best known as lead singer of the Archers, scoring hits with songs such as Jesus Is The Answer, Little Flowers, It Wouldn't Be Enough, Stand Up and Heaven In Your Eyes
January 5, 1950 ~ New wave, punk rock, pop rock guitarist, bassist, songwriter Chris Stein born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member of new wave outfit Blondie, writing or co-writing songs such as Rip Her To Shreds, Heart Of Glass, Sunday Girl, Dreaming, Rapture, and Island Of Lost Souls. Romantically involved with the band's frontwoman Debbie Harry through the late 1980s
January 5, 1949 ~ George Melvin Brown, commonly known as drummer, guitarist, keyboardist George Funky Brown, born in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA ~ Co-founding, longtime member of R&B, funk, disco outfit Kool & the Gang, with whom he recorded well over two dozen albums. The band is best known for Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits such as Jungle Boogie, Ladies Night, and Celebration, all co-written by Brown. Brown retired from performing in 2023, diagnosed with lung cancer. Looking back on his lengthy career, Brown commented: “When you do music that's happy music, that's what it does. It brings people to the clubs to have a good time. And that's what we do. We say our prayer before we leave, and we say, let's go make some people happy.” ~ Brown passed away in 2023January 5, 1949 ~ Singer Rudy Salas born ~ Brother of Steve Salas. The pair would be discovered by Mario Paniagua of the Percussions. Rudy sang on the Jaguars' Where Lovers Go while still in his early teens. Soon the brothers would record several singles under the moniker the Salas Brothers. The pair would join El Chicano in 1972 and form their own band Tierra the following year, best known for Together of their 1980 City Nights album ~ Salas passed away in 2020