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 8, 2024 ~ Mario Gino Merlino, commonly known as singer, saxophonist, clarinetist Gene Merlino, passed away in Camarillo, California, USA ~ Worked with Frankie Carle, Ray Anthony, Freddy Martin. Best known for numerous appearances from the early 1960s through the late 1970s on TV shows such as the Red Skelton Show, the Judy Garland Show, The Carol Burnett Show and Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour. Member of the Anita Kerr Singers. Provided the singing voice for the 1967 musical film Camelot. In later years also sang for the animated TV series The Simpsons, namely Whacking Day, South Of The Border and Jellyfish ~ Merlino was born in 1928January 8, 2024 ~ Singer, songwriter Guy Bonnet passed away in Montpellier, France ~ Internationally best known for several Eurovision Songfestival entries. Co-wrote La Source for Isabelle Aubret, the French entry for the 1968 edition, which reached 3rd place. As a singer, Bonnet also represented his native France twice, reaching 4th place in 1970 with Marie-Blanche, and participating again in 1983, reaching 8th place with Vivre. Songs written or-co-written by Bonnet have also been recorded by Mireille Mathieu, Sylvia Vartan, Franck Fernandel, and Massilia Sound System ~ Bonnet was born in 1945
January 8, 2022 ~ Marilyn Katz, commonly known as songwriter Marilyn Bergman, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Married to Alan Bergman since 1958. Together the Bergmans wrote lyrics to some of the best known songs of American pop, stage, film and musicals, including Dean Martin's Sleep Warm, Frank Sinatra's Nice And Easy, Ray Charles's In The Heat Of The Night, and Noel Harrison's The Windmills Of Your Mind as featured in The Thomas Crown Affair, the latter earning the pair an Academy Award for Best Song ~ Bergman was born in 1928
January 8, 2022 ~ Concert promoter, organizer Michael Lang passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Best known as co-organizer of the famed Woodstock festival, fully named the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, held over three days in 1969 drawing over 400,000 visitors. The event is considered a pivotal moment in pop, rock history. Lang is also known as executive and owner of Just Sunshine Records, which released albums by Karen Dalton, Betty Davis, and Mississippi Fred McDowell. Lang also served as artist manager for Joe Cocker, Rickie Lee Jones, and Willy DeVille ~ Lang was born in 1944
January 8, 2021 ~ Jazz, new-age cellist, composer David Darling passed away ~ Over a dozen albums to his name, drawing from classical, jazz, Brazilian, African, and Indian music. Darling is also known as a film composer, notably scoring the soundtracks to Child's Play, Heat, and Notre Musique, and as an in-demand collaborator, having worked with artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Paul Winter, Ralph Towner, Spyro Gyra, Ketil Bjørnstad, Terje Rypdal, and Pierre Favre ~ Darling was born in 1941
January 8, 2021 ~ Country, outlaw country, urban country singer, songwriter, actor Ed Bruce, full name William Edwin Bruce Jr, passed away in Clarksville, Tennessee, USA ~ Notably known for penning and first recording See The Big Man Cry, later covered by Charlie Louvin, as well as Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys, later made famous by Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings. As a singer enjoyed his biggest commercial success in the 1980s with Billboard Country top 10 hits such as You're The Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had, Ever Never Lovin' You, After All, You Turn Me On (Like A Radio) and Nights ~ Bruce was born in 1939
January 8, 2021 ~ Rock, blues keyboardist, organist Michael Fonfara passed away in Toronto, Canada ~ Classically trained pianist, known for his association with the short-lived and underrated unit the Electric Flag, including on the acclaimed A Long Time Comin' album, Rhinoceros, with whom he recorded three albums, and as a sideman for Lou Reed for most of the 1970s including on the albums Coney Island Baby and The Bells, generally considered two of Reed's best. A versatile and in-demand sideman throughout his career, Fonfara has also appeared on albums by the likes of David Ackles, Alan Gerber, Foreigner (Records), Amos Garrett, Andrew Odom (Goin' To California), the Downchild Blues Band, Snooky Pryor, Willie Big Eyes Smith, and Fathead ~ Fonfara was born in 1946
January 8, 2021 ~ Alt-pop, power pop singer Olivia Rodrigo releases Driver's License, lifted off her Sour debut album ~ Olivia Rodrigo had risen to fame as a child actress, starring in several Disney TV series including High School Musical (The Musical) for which she had recorded several songs. Her debut single as a solo singer, however, would be the self-penned Driver's License which debuted at No.1 Billboard Hot 100. Rodrigo had written the raw lyrics after breaking up with her boyfriend. The two used to talk about Rodrigo getting her driver's license, and being able to drive to his home whenever she wanted to. Rodrigo did end up getting her license, but as they had broken up, she now rides the streets aimlessly, longing for her ex. Three more singles lifted off the same Sour album would also reach top 10 including Good 4 U, her second number 1. The album also did very well, reaching the top spot in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Ireland, the UK, and the young singer's native America
January 8, 2020 ~ Edward Byrne Breitenberger, commonly known as actor, singer Edd Byrnes, passed away in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Best known as an actor, notably in the late 1950s, early 1960s TV series 77 Sunset Strip and as Vince Fontaine in the 1978 Grease musical film. As a singer best known for his 1959 hit Kookie Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb) which also featured singer Connie Stevens ~ Breitenberger was born in 1932
January 8, 2017 ~ Louis Isidore Bregman, commonly known as arranger, conductor Buddy Bregman, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ First gained attention arranging the Cheers' Bazoom I Need Your Lovin', the first major hit for songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Would go on to become orchestra leader for CBS Radio and by age 25 head Verve's A&R department. Has arranged and conducted for Rosemary Clooney, Anita O'Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Toni Harper, Jane Powell, Ricky Nelson, Fred Astaire, and Gogi Grant ~ Bregman was born in 1930
January 8, 2017 ~ Folk pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Peter Sarstedt, full name Peter Eardley Sarstedt, passed away in Sussex, UK ~ Brother of Eden Kane and Clive Sarstedt, with whom he formed the Sarstedt Brothers. As a solo artist best known for his 1969 self-penned hit Where Do You Go To (My Lovely), a UK No.1 hit and a staple of radio till this day. Sarstedt would continue to record and perform well into the 2000s but was unable to reach the same level of chart succes ~ Sarstedt was born in 1941
January 8, 2016 ~ Gospel, R&B singer Otis Clay passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Sang in a number of gospel groups, including the Golden Jubilaires, the Famous Blue Jay Singers, the Holy Wonders, and the Pilgrim Harmonizers, before turning to secular music. As a solo artist known for songs such as That's How It Is When You're In Love, Lasting Love, She's About A Mover, Hard Working Woman, Is It Over, Trying To Live My Life Without You, If I Could Reach Out, and All Because Of Your Love ~ Clay was born in 1942
January 8, 2016 ~ Joe Cecil Simpson, commonly known as country singer, guitarist, banjoist, fiddler, mandolinist, keyboardist, songwriter Red Simpson, passed away in Bakersfield, California, USA ~ Known for his trucking themed songs, notably Roll Truck Roll, Highway Patrol, and Diesel Smoke (Dangerous Curves) during the 1960s. His I'm A Truck released in 1971 reached Billboard Country top 10. Also known as a songwriter, his songs recorded by Merle Haggard, Bobby Durham, and especially Buck Owens, the latter recording over a dozen songs penned by Simpson including Close Up The Honky Tonks ~ Simpson was born in 1934
January 8, 2015 ~ Singer, arranger, songwriter, conductor Andráe Crouch passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ The father of Modern Gospel Music. Led Andráe Crouch & the Disciples. Worked with artists such as Stevie Wonder, El DeBarge, Philip Bailey, Chaka Khan, Sheila E, Take 6. Especially popular in the 1980s and 1990s as the go-to guy for gospel choirs on R&B and pop songs including Michael Jackson's Man In The Mirror and Madonna's Like A Prayer. As a songwriter Crouch's songs have been covered by Bob Dylan, Barbara Mandrell, Paul Simon, Elvis Presley, and Little Richard ~ Crouch was born in 1942
January 8, 2013 ~ Songwriter, producer Tandyn Almer, full name Tandyn Douglas Almer, passed away in McLean, Virginia, USA ~ Initially aiming to become a jazz pianist, his interest in music sparked by John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Ahmad Jamal, Almer would become best known as a songwriter in the 1960s West Coast pop scene. He is best remembered for writing Along Comes Mary, originally a 1966 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit for the Association, later covered by some two dozen artists including the Manhattan Transfer, the Bloodhound Gang, and Plainsong. Other songs written or co-written by Almer include the Garden Club's Little Girl Lost And Found, the Lownly Crowde's Shadows And Reflections, and the Beach Boys' Sail On Sailor ~ Almer was born in 1942
January 8, 2012 ~ David Alexander Elam, commonly known as blues, jazz pianist, singer Dave Alexander passed away in Marshall, Texas, USA ~ As a solo artist known best for a handful of early 1970s albums, including The Rattler and The Dirt On The Ground. Alexander would re-emerge in the 1990s, by now having changed his moniker to Omar Sharriff, and record several more. The self-taught pianist had actually been active since the late 1950s, and had backed artists such as Big Mama Thornton, Jimmy Witherspoon, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, and Albert Collins. Alexander was also known as an articulate writer, and contributed several articles to Living Blues magazine. Alexander passed away at age 73 of a self-inflicted gunshot wound ~ Elam was born in 1938
January 8, 2011 ~ In its 13th week on the charts, Grenade by Bruno Mars hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Inspired by a similarly-themed unreleased song his friend Benny Blanco had played him, Grenade tells of the singer's unrequited love, willing to do just about anything for the object of his affection, including catching a grenade for her. Bruno Mars would later explain: “It's a heartbreaking, heartbreak song, and I think everyone can relate to that. You're so in love with this woman and you don't understand, ‘What am I doing wrong?’” Issued as the second single off his Doo-wops & Hooligans debut album, it would be a major hit topping the charts in over a dozen countries, including reaching No.1 on the American Billboard Hot 100. Grenade would be nominated for three Grammy Awards, yet lose all to British singer Adele
January 8, 2002 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter David McWilliams, full name David Samuel McWilliams, passed away in Ballycastle, Northern Ireland ~ Best known for his 1967 song The Days Of Pearly Spencer, originally released as the B-side to Harlem Lady. Despite warm critical reception and ample airplay on pirate radio stations, the song failed to become a hit in either Ireland or the UK, yet would do well in several European countries, including reaching top 10 in the Netherlands and the No.1 spot in France. The song is noted for its dreaminess and phoned-in chorus, creating a low-tech effect by McWilliams singing the lines through a telephone line. Over two decades after its release, The Days Of Pearly Spencer would be notably covered by Marc Almond, the Almond cover did actually reach top 10 in both Ireland and the UK, peaking at No.8 and No.4 respectively. In the Netherlands, however, the biggest hit remains the McWilliams original ~ McWilliams was born in 1945January 8, 2000 ~ Singer, actress Noah Cyrus, full name Noah Lindsey Cyrus, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. Her siblings Trace Cyrus, Brandi Cyrus and Miley Cyrus all are also professional singers. Debuted in 2016 with the single Make Me Cry featuring Labrinth. Has also worked with Marshmello, Jake Bugg, Alan Walker, and Lil Skies
January 8, 1999 ~ Rock singer, songwriter Damiano David born in Rome, Italy ~ Frontman of rock band Måneskin. The band is best known for representing Italy at the 2021 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 1st place with Zitti E BuoniJanuary 8, 1998 ~ Composer Michael Tippett, full name Michael Kemp Tippett, passed away in London, UK ~ Along with Benjamin Britten ranked as one of the leading British composers of the early 20th century. Known for works such as Child Of Our Time, Fantasia Concertante On A Theme Of Corelli, and A Midsummer Marriage ~ Tippett was born in 1905
January 8, 1993 ~ R&B trio SWV release I'm So Into You, lifted off their It's About Time debut album ~ Melody Maker described I'm So Into You as “an irresistibly compulsive phuture-funk mélange of slick soul melody turbo-boosted with hip hop beats”, Music & Media dubbed it a “poignant swingbeat tune”, and Music Week named it Pick of the Week, concluding it “should go a long way towards establishing (SWV) as a tougher alternative to En Vogue”. While their debut single Right Here released the previous August had stalled at No.92 Billboard Hot 100, its followup I'm So Into You did considerably better. It reached No.6 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, giving the trio their first American top 10 hit. The trio would record two more albums until their initial disbandement near the end of the decade. In total, SWV would score nine Billboard R&B top 10 hits, of which four also reached top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100January 8, 1991 ~ Hard rock, glam metal, heavy metal guitarist Steve Clark, full name Stephen Maynard Clark, passed away in London, UK ~ Member of Def Leppard from 1978 until his death of alcohol poisoning in 1991. Present on most of the band's best known including the acclaimed albums Pyromania and Hysteria. Co-wrote songs such as Bringing On The Heartbreak, Photograph, Love Bites, and Pour Some Sugar On Me ~ Clark was born in 1960
January 8, 1990 ~ Country singer Garth Brooks releases Not Counting You, lifted off his eponymous debut album ~ The singer tells an ex-lover he has never had his heart broken, or at least “not counting you”. The single was set to be released as the second single off his eponymous debut album, but was bumped in favor of the ballad If Tomorrow Never Comes, the song that landed him a record deal. In the self-penned Not Counting You, Garth Brooks would show a remarkable vulnerable side of himself, on which he would later comment: “Being the victim in a song was a hard position for me to take. But Not Counting You sets up that character, then it turns. It's all bravado, and then, damn, this guy's a wreck. I look at that lyric now and I can see the classic country style, like it's something from a Jack Greene record, or from the classic '60s stuff that my mom raised me on”
January 8, 1990 ~ Singer Janet Jackson releases Escapade, lifted off her Rhythm Nation 1814 album ~ Janet Jackson intended to record a remake of the 1965 hit Nowhere To Run by Martha & the Vandellas, yet Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis suggested to do an original with the same feel. That became Escapade, which would peak at No.1 Billboard Hot 100, the third consecutive top 10 hit off the album after the No.1 hit Miss You Much and the No.2 hit Rhythm Nation. Jam would later recall how the song came to be: “While (Janet) was sitting in one room coming up with lyrics, I put it on the 24-track. We hooked the drum machine up. On my left hand I played the bass, on the right hand I played the chord. And it was just enough for her to sing to, which we do a lot. Because we like to let her sing to as minimum of a track as we can do, then fill in the track around her so that her part is the main part of the song. With Escapade, she sang it and we kept saying we'll go back and redo the track. We never redid the track”
January 8, 1990 ~ Singer Sinéad O'Connor releases Nothing Compares 2 U, lifted off her I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got album ~ Written by Prince, who would give it to the Family. However, when the Irish Sinéad O'Connor covered the track for her sophomore album it became a global hit, topping the charts in over a dozen countries including the Netherlands, Ireland, the UK, and America, catapulting O'Connor to international stardom. The success and attention had some deleterious effects on the singer, as she hated the fame and struggled with the commercialization of her art. Nothing Compares 2 U earned Sinéad O'Connor a Grammy Award, but she rejected all awards and refused to perform at the ceremony in protest of the music industry's materialism. Although a follow-up single, The Emperor's New Clothes, would be a minor hit in America, O'Connor has since not appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 charts