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.
March 19, 1965 ~ James Gordon Shapiro, commonly known as rock, alternative rock guitarist, drummer, bassist, singer Jim Shapiro, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Brother of singer, guitarist Nina Gordon. Original drummer of Veruca Salt, present on the band's first two albums, 1994's American Thighs and 1997's Eight Arms To Hold You, and rejoining in 2013. Founded and fronted Ultraswiss. Also worked with the Hushdrops
March 19, 1964 ~ Singer, guitarist Olli Lindholm born in Pori, Finland ~ Lead singer, co-founding and sole constant member of Yö, with whom he recorded about two dozen albums starting in the early 1980s. The band is known for songs such as Joutsenlaulu, Likaiset Legendat, Ihmisen Poika, Rakkaus O Lumivalkoinen, Sarkynyt Enkeli, and Tia Maria. Lindolm has also recorded a number of albums as a solo artist, starting with Voima, released in 2000 ~ Lindholm passed away in 2019
March 19, 1959 ~ Keyboardist, percussionist, conductor Anthony Marinelli born in Burbank, California, USA ~ Has worked on over an estimated 100 soundtracks for film and TV, notably the 1993 My Forgotten Man feature film. In-demand session musician, present on albums by Michael Jackson (Thriller), Lionel Richie, Supertramp (Brother Where You Bound), Kenny Loggins, Giorgio Moroder, and Dianne Reeves
March 19, 1959 ~ New wave, ska, pop rock singer, songwriter Terry Hall, full name Terrence Edward Hall, born in Coventry, UK ~ Lead singer of the Coventry Automatics, renamed to the Specials in 1979. The band is known for songs such as Message To You Rudy, Too Much Too Young, Do Nothing, Stereotype, Rat Race, and their best known the UK No.1 hit Ghost Town. Subsequently formed the Fun Boy Three with bandmates Lynval Golding and Neville Staple, the trio known for The Lunatics Have Taken Over The Asylum and the Bananarama collaboration It Ain't What You Do (It's The The Way That You Do It). Hall has also worked with Colourfield, Terry Blair & Anouchka, formed the duo Vegas with Dave Stewart, and recorded as a solo artist ~ Hall passed away in 2022
March 19, 1959 ~ Roots reggae singer Wayne Wade born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Known for a number of mid 1970s hits, mostly working with producer Yabby You. Released his Black Is Our Colour in 1976. Well known songs inlude Happy Go Lucky Girl, On The Beach, After You and Natty Contractor. Has also worked with Dillinger, Joe Gibbs, and Linval ThompsonMarch 19, 1958 ~ Jazz singer, conductor Anne Marie Giørtz born in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Married to guitarist Eivind Sarset. Sister of pianist Ole Henrik Giørtz. Leader and sidewoman. Has worked with Ab Und Zu, Bazar, Trio de Janeiro, Claudio Latini, and EIM
March 19, 1957 ~ Classical, jazz, new age pianist, flutist Øystein Sevåg born in Bærum, Norway ~ Released his Close Your Eyes And See debut album in 1989 and has recorded steadily since drawing from classical, jazz, new age and electronica. Has worked with Lakki Patey, the London Philharmonia Orchestra, Benedicte Torget, Peter Wettre, Bendik Hofseth, Paolo Vinaccia, Audun Erlien, and Eivind Sarset
March 19, 1955 ~ Drummer, percussionist Derek Longmuir born in Edinburgh, UK ~ Founding member of the Bay City Rollers, which also included his brother bassist Alan Longmuir, known for 1970s UK top 10 hits such Keep On Dancing, Remember (Sha-la-la}, Shang-a-lang, Summerlove Sensation, All Of Me Loves All Of You, Bye Bye Baby, Give A Little Love, Love Me Like I Love You, Money Honey, and I Only Want To Be With You
March 19, 1955 ~ Giuseppe Daniele, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter Pino Daniele, born in Naples, 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 passed away in 2015
March 19, 1954 ~ Guitarist Jamie West-Oram born in Barnsley, UK ~ Member of the Fixx, joining the band in 1980 as replacement for Tony McGrail. The band is known for songs such as Stand Or Fall, Saved By Zero, One Thing Leads To Another, Are We Ourselves, Secret Separation, and Driven Out. Alongside bandmate Cy Curnin West-Oram also notably guested on Tina Turner's 1984 Private Dancer comeback album, featured on the tracks I Might Have Been Queen and Better Be Good To MeMarch 19, 1954 ~ Conductor, music director Robert Hart Baker born ~ Renowned conductor. Has worked with the St Louis Philharmonic, the Asheville Lyric Opera, the York Symphony Orchestra, the Connecticut Philharmonic Orchestra, the New York Youth Symphony, the Harrisburg Choral Society, the Zurich Symphony Orchestra, and the Regina Symphony Orchestra
March 19, 1953 ~ Bassist Billy Sheehan born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ First gained attention as a member of Talas, earning local popularity in Buffalo spreading into northeast US and Canada, for whom he also wrote Shy Boy and Addicted To That Rush. Sheehan would later re-record the former with David Lee Roth, the latter with Mr Big. Has also worked with Niacin, Greg Howe, Richie Kotzen, Winery Dogs, Michael Kocáb, Sons Of Apollo, and record as a solo artistMarch 19, 1953 ~ Actress, singer Irène Bordoni passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Child actress in silent films. Would go on to a lengthy career on stage and screen, including several Broadway musicals notably The French Doll1 in 1922 introducing the George Gershwin-penned Do It Again and Paris in 1928 which spawned the hit Let\s Do It (Let's Fall In Love), the first big succes for songwriter Cole Porter ~ Bordoni was born in 1885
March 19, 1953 ~ Jazz pianist Michele Rosewoman born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Leader and sidewoman. Worked with Quintessence, Baikida Carroll, Julius Hemphill, Julian Priester, Oliver Lake, Billy Bang, Freddie Waits, Rufus Reid, Billy Hart, Reggie Workman, Celia Cruz, Chocolate Armenteros, Paquito d'Rivera, Greg Osby, and Andy Laster
March 19, 1953 ~ New wave, post-punk guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, singer Ricky Wilson, full name Ricky Helton Wilson, born in Athens, Georgia, USA ~ Co-founding member of the B52's, which also included his sister Cindy Wilson, with whom he recorded four albums until his death at age 32 of AIDS-related complications. Notable songs featuring Wilson include Rock Lobster, Planet Claire, Private Idaho, Whammy Kiss, and Summer Of Love. Wilson had kept his illness private as he did not want anyone to worry about him. Upon his death in 1985, the band had just completed their Bouncing Off The Satellites album. Devastated by Wilson's death, the band did only little promotional work and no touring to promote the album. No substitute was sought for Wilson, with bandmate Keith Strickland replicating Wilson's riffs in live performances of their earlier material. Outside of the B52's, Wilson has only appeared on one album, playing guitar on the track Breakin' In My Heart off Tom Verlaine's eponymous Tom Verlaine solo debut album issued in 1979 ~ Wilson passed away in 1985March 19, 1952 ~ Rock guitarist, bassist Albritton McClain born ~ Best known as a member of power pop unit Donnie Iris & the Cruisers. Present on all of the band's 1980s albums including the acclaimed King Cool, considered a commercial and critical peak for Iris, spawning the modest hits Love Is Like A Rock and My Girl
March 19, 1952 ~ Violinist Jorja Fleezanis, full name Jorja Kay Fleezanis, born ~ Best known as concertmaster of the Minnesota Orchestra from 1989 through 2009. At the time of her appointment only the second female in the USA to hold such a title. Premiered John Adams' Violin Concerto in 1994, with then-music director Edo de Waart leading the orchestra. Married to classical music critic and author Michael Steinberg ~ Fleezanis passed away in 2022
March 19, 1950 ~ Trombonist Curtis Fowlkes born in New York, New York, USA ~ Active in jazz and rock, recording prolifically since the early 1990s. Co-founded the Jazz Passengers with saxophonist Roy Nathanson, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with Implement Yourself released in 1990. Fowlkes has also appeared on albums by the Lounge Lizards (Voice Of Chunk), Evan Lurie, Henry Threadgill (Spirit Of Nuff Nuff), Bill Frisell, John Zorn, Thomas Chapin (Insomnia), Kazutoki Umezu, Sheryl Crow (Sheryl Crow), Cibo Matto, Jeb Loy Nichols, Don Byron (Nu Blaxploitation), Marc Ribot (Saints), Elvis Costello (When I Was Cruel), Sandy Weigl, Tony Trischka, Bobby Previte, Charlie Haden, Roy Nathanson, Charlie Hunter, Iron & Wine (Ghost On Ghost), Loudon Wainwright III (Haven't Got The Blues (Yet)), and Glen HansardMarch 19, 1946 ~ Donald Bradford Gerrard, commonly known as pop, R&B singer Donny Gerrard, born in Vancouver, Canada ~ Lead singer of Skylark, best known for their 1972 hit single Wildflower. The song would later be covered by Color Me Badd, Hank Crawford, Creative Source, the O'Jays, and Marlena Shaw. Gerard has also released some solo recordings, notably the singles Greedy For Your Love and Stay A While With Me. Sang backup for artists such as Elton John, Neil Diamond, Bob Seger, Bruce Springsteen, Cher, and Mavis Staples ~ Gerrard passed away in 2022
March 19, 1946 ~ Guitarist, producer Paul Atkinson, full name Paul Ashley Warren Atkinson, born in Cuffley, UK ~ Co-founding member of pop rock band the Zombies, known for the late 1960s hits She's Not There, Tell Her No and Time Of The Season. Following the band's disbandement, Atkinson would go to become an A&R executive and producer working with artists such as Elton John, ABBA, Bruce Hornsby, Mr Mister, and Judas Priest ~ Atkinson passed away in 2004
March 19, 1946 ~ R&B, soul, funk singer Ruth Pointer, full name Ruth Esther Pointer, born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Member of siblin outfit the Pointer Sisters, known for songs such as Yes We Can Can, Fairytale, How Long (Betcha Got A Chick On The Side), Fire, He's So Shy, Slow Hand, Automatic, Jump (For My Love), I'm So Excited, Automatic and Neutron DanceMarch 19, 1945 ~ Jazz pianist, arranger Clyde Hart passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Important figure in the transition from swing to bebop. Worked with Gene Coy, Jap Allen, Blanche Calloway, Lionel Hampton, Chu Berry, John Kirby, Roy Eldridge, Hot Lips Page, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Don Byas, and Ben Webster ~ Hart was born in 1910
March 19, 1944 ~ Keyboardist Tom Constanten born in Long Branch, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known for his stint with the Grateful Dead from 1968 through 1970, appearing on the albums Anthem Of The Sun, Aoxomoxoa, and Live/Dead. Member of Dose Hermanos. Over the years has recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, notably 2002's 88 Keys To Tomorrow, and collaborated with the likes of the Incredible String Band, Henry Kaiser, Robin Petrie, Jorma Kaukonen, and the Zen Tricksters
March 19, 1940 ~ Jazz, dixieland trumpeter Keith Smith, full name Keith John Smith, born in Isleworth, 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 passed away in 2008March 19, 1940 ~ Pop singer, actor Michael Cox, full name Michael James Cox, born in Liverpool, UK ~ As a singer best known for his Joe Meek-produced single Angela Jones, a 1960 UK top 10 hit. Would later venture into acting, eventually settling down in New Zealand using both his full name and the alias Michael James