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, 1965 ~ Pop, surf outfit the Beach Boys record Help Me Rhonda for their The Beach Boys Today album ~ Written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love, the former also credited as producer. The band would re-record the song the following month with a different arrangement and slightly altered lyrics. The later version would become the band's second Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit, after I Get Around the previous year, and be included on their Summer Days (And Summer Nights) album. According to Wilson, the song was not based on a real person. Of the lyrics, co-writer Love would later joke: “There are a lot of people, a lot of girls named Rhonda out there who have gotten remarks related to that song all their lives.”January 8, 1964 ~ Singer, songwriter Ron Sexsmith, full name Ronald Eldon Sexsmith, born in St Catharines, Canada ~ Released his full-length debut album, Grand Opera Lane, in 1991 and has been recording to critical acclaim since. As a songwriter had his songs recorded by Elvis Costello, Feis, Rod Stewart, Emmylou Harris, Michael Bublé, and kd Lang
January 8, 1960 ~ Pop, rock & roll singer Billy Fury records Colette at Decca Studios, London ~ Written by Billy Fury, produced by Jack Good. Released later the same month, Baby How I Cried featured on the flip side, it would reach UK top 10
January 8, 1960 ~ Drummer Dave Weckl born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Active since the early 1980s. Closely associated with Chick Corea, playing with the Chick Corea Electric Band from 1985 through 1991. Has also worked with Paul Simon, George Benson, Michel Camilo, Robert Plant, Anthony Jackson, Chuck Loeb, the GRP All-Star Big Band. Released his solo debut, Master Plan, in 1990. Recording with the Dave Weckl Band since 1998January 8, 1959 ~ Drummer Paul Hester, full name Paul Newell Hester, born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Briefly a member of Split Enz. Co-founding member of Crowded House, remaining with the band through 1994 and present on the band's best known including Don't Dream It's Over, Better Be Home Soon, Chocolate Cake, Fall At Your Feet, and Weather With You. Has also worked with John Clifforth, Sophie Koh, and the Largest Living Things ~ Hester passed away in 2005
January 8, 1958 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Frank Lee Sprague born in Wichita Falls, Texas, USA ~ Wrote both songs and concert pieces, totalling over a 1,000 works including string quartet, symphonies, chamber music and opera. To pop audiences best known for his 2004 Merseybeat album, an album of rock & roll songs featuring guest appearances from Big Jay McNeely and the Knack's Doug Fieger. Also formed the rock & roll duo the Sprague Brothers with his brother Chris Sprague ~ Sprague passed away in 2018
January 8, 1956 ~ Alternative rock, world music, roots singer, guitarist, songwriter Archie Roach, full name Archibald William Roach, born in Mooroopna, Australia ~ Avid campaigner for the rights of indigenous Australians. Husband and musical partner of singer Ruby Hunter. Released his debut album, Charcoal Lane, in 1990 and has recorded steadily since to a devoted fanbase and admiration from peers. Has opened for international stars such as Joan Armatrading, Bob Dylan, Tracy Chapman, and Suzanne Vega ~ Roach passed away in 2022January 8, 1955 ~ Joseph Michael Rynoski, commonly known as singer Mike Reno, born in New Westminster, Canada ~ Lead singer of Loverboy, known for the arena rock staples Turn Me Loose and Working For The Weekend. Also worked with Moxy, Hammersmith, and Just-If-I. Reno is also particularly known for duetting with Ann Wilson on Almost Paradise from the 1984 Footloose soundtrack
January 8, 1953 ~ Helen LaRue Lowe, commonly known as soul, R&B, gospel singer Helen Baylor born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ While still in her teens has opened for Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, BB King. Played in the 1970 production of Hair. Sessioned with Captain & Tennille, Les McCann, Rufus. As a solo artist known for R&B songs such as The Richest Girl and What About Me Boy in the 1960s, and for gospel songs such as Oasis and Sold Out in the 1970s. Also a member of Side Effect, notably on Always There
January 8, 1951 ~ Progressive rock singer, songwriter Claudio Rocchi born in Milan, Italy ~ Bassist of Stormy Six from 1968 through 1970, present on the band's debut album Le Idee Di Oggi Par La Musica Di Domani. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Viaggo. Rose to fame with his 1971 sophomore Volo Magico Numero 1 album and has recorded steadily until semi-retiring from music in the 1980s. Resurged in the 1990s ~ Rocchi passed away in 2013January 8, 1948 ~ Guitarist Paul King, full name Paul Malcolm King, born in Dagenham, UK ~ Best known as member of Mungo Jerry from 1970 through 1972. occasionally sang lead vocals. Wrote Black Bubonic Plague. Formed the short-lived the King Earl Boogie Band with keyboardist Colin Earl, known for their Trouble At Mill album. Also worked with Strawbs and with the Skeleton Krew
January 8, 1948 ~ Jazz saxophonist, composer Tomasz Szukalski born in Warsaw, Poland ~ Leader and sideman. As sideman best known for his work with Tomasz Stańko, Edward Vesala, and Zbigniew Namyslowski. Also collaborated with Janusz Muniak, Michal Urbaniak, Arild Andersen, Palle Mikkelborg, Terje Rypdal, Antti Hytti, Janusz Stefanski, Pawel Jarzebeski, Józef Skrzek, Jan Patyn Wróblewski, Artur Dutkiewicz, Alain Brunet, Tadeusz Nalepa, Apostolis Anthimos, Janus Skowron, and Karin Krog ~ Szukalski passed away in 2012
January 8, 1947 ~ Singer, actor, songwriter David Bowie born in Brixton, UK ~ Hugely influential singer, songwriter. Embraced a wide variety of stage personas during his career. Known for songs such as Space Oddity, Starman, Jean Genie, Life On Mars, Rebel Rebel, Wild Is The Wind, Fame, Heroes, Ashes To Ashes, and Let's Dance ~ Bowie passed away in 2016
January 8, 1946 ~ Guitarist Robby Krieger born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Cites Wes Montgomery, Albert King, Larry Carlton as main influences. Guitarist, co-founding member of the Doors. Wrote or co-wrote some of the band's best known including Light My Fire, Love Me Two Times, Touch Me and Love Her Madly. Sang lead on Running Blue. Founded the Butts Band with John Densmore. Recorded a number of solo albums, focusing mostly on jazz fusion, starting with Robby Krieger & Friends in 1977January 8, 1943 ~ Singer Marcus Hutson born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Member of R&B group the Whispers, best known for the late 1970s, early 1980s hits And The Beat Goes On and It's A Love Thing. Hutson remained with the group from its inception in 1963 until 1992, leaving the group for health reasons ~ Hutson passed away in 2000
January 8, 1942 ~ Jazz drummer Bill Goodwin born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Mike Melvoin, Art Pepper, Paul Horn, Frank Rosolino, Phil Woods, Bud Shank, George Shearing, Gábor Szabó, Bill Evans, Dexter Gordon, Jim Hall, Bobby Hutcherson, June Christy, Joe Williams, Tony Bennett, Mose Allison, the Manhattan Transfer, the WC Handy Jazz All-Stars, Mundell Lowe, Tom Wolfe, Johnny O'Neal, Ray Reach, Chuck Redd, Tom Waits, the Jefferson Airplane, Gary Burton, and Paul Horn
January 8, 1942 ~ Soul, R&B singer David Oliver, full name David Lee Oliver, born in Orange County, Florida, USA ~ Recorded four albums, all produced by the Crusaders's Wayne Henderson, starting with Jamerican Man released in 1977. Best known for the songs Ms and Friends & Strangers, the latter later notably covered by Ronnie Laws. Also was the first to record the Cecil Womack and Gip Noble Jr-penned Love TKO in 1980, a Billboard R&B top 10 hit for Teddy Pendergrass later the same year ~ Oliver passed away in 1982
January 8, 1942 ~ Soul, deep soul, gospel singer Spencer Wiggins born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Formed the R&B group the Four Stars fresh out of high school, which also included a then-unknown David Porter. Enjoyed regional popularity as a solo artist throughout the early 1970s, known for recordings such as Lovers' Crime, Uptight Good Woman, I Never Loved A Woman (The Way I Love You) which featured Duane Allman on guitar, and Double Lovin'. Since the mid 1970s Wiggins has served as deacon and choir director, releasing gospel recordings throughout the 2000s ~ Wiggins passed away in 2023January 8, 1941 ~ Comedian Graham Chapman born in Leicester, UK ~ Member of comedy troupe Monty Python, known for the TV series and a number of films. The group has also reached the charts with a number of songs from their shows, notably Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life, Sit On My Face and The Lumberjack Song ~ Chapman passed away in 1989
January 8, 1940 ~ Jerome Anthony Gourdine, commonly known as Little Anthony, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member, frontman of Little Anthony & the Imperials, known for songs such as Tears On My Pillow, Two People In The World, Shimmy Shimmy Koko Bop. In 1961 the hit streak ended and Gourdine left to pursue a solo career but returned in 1963. The band would go on to score pop-soul hits until the end of the decade with I'm On The Outside Looking In, Goin' Out Of My Head, Hurt So Bad, Take Me Back, Better Use Your Head and Out Of Sight Out Of Mind
January 8, 1937 ~ Singer Shirley Bassey, full name Shirley Veronica Bassey, born in Tiger Bay, UK ~ Actively recording since the mid 1950s. Known for songs such as The Banana Boat Song, Kiss Me Honey Honey Kiss Me, Love For Sale, As Long As He Needs Me, You'll Never Know, Reach For The Stars, I'l Get By, What Now My Love, I Who Have Nothing, Something, For All We Know and Never Never Never, all of which reached the UK top 10. Internationally best known for singing three James Bond themes, Goldfinger in 1964, Diamonds Are Forever in 1972 and Moonraker in 1979
January 8, 1935 ~ Singer Elvis Presley, full name Elvis Aaron Presley, born in Tupelo, Mississippi, USA ~ One of the most important cultural icons of the 20th century. Discovered by Sam Phillips. Drew from pop, country, R&B, gospel. Known for songs such as Hound Dog, Don't Be Cruel, Love Me Tender, Too Much, All Shook Up, (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear, Jailhouse Rock, Don't, Hard Headed Woman, A Big Hunk O' Love, Stuck On You, It's Now Or Never, and Suspicious Minds ~ Presley passed away in 1977January 8, 1935 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Ian Bargh, full name Ian Martin Bargh, born in Prestwick, UK ~ After relocating to Canada in the late 1950s, became a fixture on the Toronto jazz scene especially noted for playing George's Spaghetti House, Toronto Alive, and the Toronto Jazz Festival. Has backed numerous visiting musicians including Zoot Sims, Lee Konitz, Dizzy Reece, Chick Corea, Count Basie, Plas Johnson, and George Masso. As a leader, Bargh recorded a sole album, Only Trust Your Heart, released in 2000 ~ Bargh passed away in 2012
January 8, 1926 ~ Evelyn Shulman, commonly known as operatic soprano singer, actress Evelyn Lear, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Known for her versatility. Appeared with every major American opera company as well as several in Europe including the Stadtische Oper Berlin, the Theater an der Wien, the Metropolitan Opera, the Houston Grand Opera, and the Munich Nationaltheater ~ Lear passed away in 2012January 8, 1923 ~ George John Tozzi, commonly known as opera singer Giorgio Tozzi, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Closely associated with the Metropolitan Opera. Also performed in Broadway musicals, dubbed singing parts for film, guest starred on several TV shows including The Odd Couple, Kojak and Knight Rider, and wrote the 1997 The Golem Of The Golden West novel ~ Tozzi passed away in 2011