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 2, 1987 ~ Glam metal, pop metal outfit Bon Jovi release Wanted Dead Or Alive, lifted off their Slippery When Wet album ~ Written by singer Jon Bon Jovi and guitarist Richie Sambora, issued as the third and final single of the New Jersey band's Slippery When Wet breakthrough album. The album's two previous singles, You Give Love A Bad Name and Livin' On A Prayer, had both reached No.1 Billboard Hot 100. Wanted Dead Or Alive peaked at No.7, making it the band's third American top 10 hit. The song was laden with cowboy imagery as a metaphor for a rocker's life on the road, as Jon Bon Jovi later explained: “a young band of thieves, riding into town, stealing the money, the girls, and the booze before the sun came up.” A few years after its release, the producers of the Western action film Young Guns II wanted to use the song for their movie. However, Jon Bon Jovi thought it didn't fit the film, and offered several other songs he had been working on, including Blaze Of Glory which would end up being used in the film and released as his solo debut singleMarch 2, 1983 ~ Aron Erlichmann, commonly known as rapper, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist Deuce, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Founding member of rap rock band the Hollywood Undead, present on the albums Swan Songs and its follow-up Desperate Measures. Erlichman had released several solo EP's while still in the band, and after departing the Hollywood Undead in 2010 released his full-length Nine Lives solo debut album, which spawned the modest hit America
March 2, 1980 ~ Ska singer, trumpeter, guitarist Vincent Walker, full name Vincent Francis Walker, born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Best known as member of ska band the Suburban Legends, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums. Walker started as a trumpeter and guitarist with the band, and took over as lead singer after the departure of Tim Maurer in 2005. Walker has also worked with the side project blues outfit Personal Satisfaction and was a member of the Littlest Man Band
March 2, 1977 ~ Singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter Chris Martin, full name Christopher Anthony John Martin, born in Devon, UK ~ Frontman of Coldplay, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with Parachutes released in 2000. The band has sold over 100 million records worldwide and is known for hits such as Yellow, In My Place, Clocks, Viva La Vida, and Paradise
March 2, 1975 ~ Jaime Meline, commonly known as rapper, songwriter, producer El-P, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Key figure in alternative hip-hop since the early 1990s. Member of Company Flow. Formed the duo Run The Jewels with rapper Killer Mike. Co-founder of Definitive Jux record label. As a solo artist critically acclaimed for a number of underground hip-hop albums, starting with Fantastic Damage released in 2002. Has served as producer for the likes of Aesop Rock, Cage, and Mr Lif
March 2, 1971 ~ Clifford Smith, commonly known as rapper, producer Method Man born in Hempsted, New York, USA ~ Took his stage name after the 1979 martial arts film Method Man. Won a Grammy Award for his 1996 I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need To Get By duet with Mary J Blige which interpolates his own All I Need with the Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell duet You're All I Need To Get By. Best known as co-founding member of quintessential hip-hop collective the Wu-Tang Clan, with whom he recorded well over half a dozen albums starting with the highly acclaimed Enter The Wu-Tang album released in 1993. Smith has also regularly collaborated with bandmate Redman, as well as with D'Angelo, Toni Braxton, and Busta Rhymes, and ventured into acting appearing in several films and TV seriesMarch 2, 1968 ~ Hubert Maxwell Myers, commonly known as jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Bumps Myers, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Coleman Hawkins. Fixture on the Los Angeles jazz scene from the late 1920s onwards. An in-demand sideman, Myers is best known for his associations with Lionel Hampton, Les Hite, Benny Carter, Jimmie Lunceford, Sid Catlett, T-Bone Walker, and Benny Goodman. Notably present on BB King's 1955 Singin' The Blues album. Maxwell retired from music by the early 1960s for health reasons ~ Myers was born in 1912
March 2, 1968 ~ Jazz drummer, composer Clarence Penn, full name Clarence Lacquese Penn, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Studied, and subsequently worked with pianist Ellis Marsalis. Backed singer Betty Carter during the early 1990s. Has recorded several albums as a leader, starting with Penn's Landing released in 1997. An in-demand sideman, Penn has also appeared on albums by Joshua Redman, Javon Jackson, Steps Ahead, Cyrus Chestnut, Joey Calderazzo, Roseanna Vitro (Passion Dance), Tim Warfield (Cool Blue), Kevin Mahogany, Loston Harris, Jon Faddis, Nnenna Freelon (Maiden Voyage), Melissa Walker, Ronny Jordan (A Brighter Day), Makoto Ozone, Paquito d'Rivera, Walt Weiskopf, Chris Minh Doky, Gary Burton, Richard Galliano, and Steven SantoroMarch 2, 1967 ~ Soul, R&B, reggae singer, producer Dennis Seaton born in Birmingham, UK ~ Rose to fame as frontman of Musical Youth, best known for their Pass The Dutchie hit single which stormed charts across Europe when Seaton was only 15. Seaton would pursue a solo career by the late 1980s but despite quality material, including songwriting help from Stevie Wonder, his solo career never took off
March 2, 1965 ~ Jazz guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel born in Judenburg, Austria ~ Teams up with Slava Grigoryan and Ralph Towner in the trio the MGT Trio. Has also worked with Don Alias, Larry Grenadier, Tom Harrell, Kenny Wollesen, Patricia Barber, Marc Johnson, Paul Motian, Gary Peacock, Brian Blade, Brad Mehldau, and Ambrose Akinmusire
March 2, 1964 ~ R&B girl group Martha & the Vandellas record Jimmy Mack at Hitsville USA, Detroit, Michigan ~ Written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland Jr, with Brian and Lamont also signing on as producers. Shelved for nearly three years, the single would be released in early 1967, featuring Third Finger Left Hand on the flip side. It would reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100 and top the Billboard R&B chartsMarch 2, 1963 ~ Gregory Edward Hart, commonly known as blues singer, guitarist Alvin Youngblood Hart, born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Drew comparisons to Leadbelly and Spade Cooley. Debuted in 1996 with the album Big Mama's Door. Formed the South Memphis String Band in 2010 with Jimbo Mathus and Luther Dickinson
March 2, 1962 ~ John Francis Bongiovi Jr, commonly known as pop, rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Jon Bon Jovi born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, USA ~ Founder, frontman, and eponym of Bon Jovi. The band would rise to fame in the 1980s, breaking barriers for glam and hair metal with the albums Slippery When Wet and its successor New Jersey named for the band's home state. Three singles off the former would reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100, setting a record for most top 10 hits off a glam metal album and proving glam metal, when made just a little bit more radio-friendly, could find mass appeal. All five singles off the New Jersey follow-up album would also reach top 10, the band breaking their previous record. You Give Love A Bad Name, Livin' On A Prayer, Bad Medicine, and I'll Be There For You had all reached No.1 Billboard Hot 100. The band would continue to regularly score the hits through the mid 1990s. As a solo artist, Jon Bon Jovi is best known for his sole Billboard Hot 100 charttopper Blaze Of Glory, used as the theme song the film off the same name as well as the lead single off his own solo debut album of the same nameMarch 2, 1962 ~ Scott Monroe Sterling, commonly known as Scott La Rock, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Founding member of hip-hop group Boogie Down Productions, known for their 1987 Criminal Minded which is considered a classic in the genre and influential to this day
March 2, 1959 ~ Siblings the Everly Brothers record Take A Message To Mary ~ Written by Boudleaux Bryant and Felice Bryant. Released later the same year, b/w Poor Jenny, it would reach top 20 Billboard Hot 100. Both sides would be notably covered by Nick Lowe & Dave Edmunds on their 1980 collaborative Nick Lowe & Dave Edmunds Sing Everly Brothers EP
March 2, 1959 ~ Singer Larry Stewart born in Paducah, Kentucky, USA ~ Best known as lead singer of Restless Heart, leaving the band in 1993 to pursue a solo career and rejoining in 2002. As a solo artist best known for his country hit Alright Already. Co-wrote Faith Hill's But I Will with Troy Seals
March 2, 1959 ~ R&B, soul singer Sam Cooke records Wonderful World at Radio Recorders, Los Angeles, California ~ Written by Lou Adler and Herb Alpert. Some lyrical adjustments and production by Sam Cooke. It is rumored between the time it was recorded and the time it was released Cooke, known to be a ladies man, would sing it to women he met claiming it just came to him, inspired by their beauty. The single, featuring Along The Navajo Trail on the flip side, would reach top 20 Billboard Hot 100, top 10 Billboard R&B. With interest revived through sound-alike versions used in the 1985 film Witness and a Levi's 501 TV commercial, a 1986 re-release would chart well in Europe, including top 10 positions in the UK, Ireland and the NetherlandsMarch 2, 1958 ~ Singer Ellen Christi born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with Jaki Byard, Jeanne Lee, Galli Campi, the New York Artistic Collective, Jemeel Moondoc, Rahn Burton, Tom Bruno, William Parker, Lisa Sokolov, Hans Koch, Carlo Actis Dato, Enrico Fazzio, Guido Mazzori, and Claudio Lodati
March 2, 1957 ~ Reggae singer Rod Taylor born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Member of short-lived group the Aliens with Barry Brown and Johnny Lee. Debuted as a solo artist in 1975 with the single Bad Man Comes And Goes. Also worked with Bertram Brown's the Freedom Sounds collective. Would return as a solo artist at the turn of the 1980s, starting with the album If Jan Should Come Now and has been recording and performing regularly since
March 2, 1956 ~ Singer, drummer, keyboardist John Cowsill born in Newport, Rhode Island, USA ~ Member of family outfit the Cowsills. Plays percussion and sings backup on 867-5309/Jenny, the early 1980s sole hit for Tommy Tutone. Has backed Dwight Twilley. Joined the Beach Boys touring band in 2000. Married the Bangles singer Vicki Peterson in 2003
March 2, 1956 ~ Hard rock bassist, guitarist, singer Mark Evans, full name Mark Whitmore Evans, born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Early member of AC/DC, remaining with the band from 1975 through 1977 and present on the albums TNT, High Voltage, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap and Let There Be Rock. Has also worked with artists such as Finch, Cheetah, Swanee, Heaven, and the Party BoysMarch 2, 1955 ~ R&B, rock & roll, blues singer, guitarist Bo Diddley records Bo Diddley and I'm A Man in Chicago, Chicago, Illinois ~ One of Diddley's earliest recording sessions for Checker Records. Both songs would be bundled on a single released the following April. Both tracks would become signature songs for Bo Diddley and considered pivotal to the development of rock & roll. The B-side, I'm A Man, was inspired by Muddy Waters' Hoochie Coochie Man. Following Diddley's single, Waters in turn replied with Mannish Boy
March 2, 1955 ~ Dale Frances Consalvi, commonly known as rock, new wave, synth-pop singer Dale Bozzio, born in Medford, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known as lead singer of new wave outfit Missing Persons, which she co-founded with Warren Cuccurullo and then-husband Terry Bozzio. Also worked with Frank Zappa, notably on the pivotal albums Joe's Garage Acts I II & III and Thing Fish. Released her Riot In English solo debut album in 1988
March 2, 1955 ~ Songwriter, producer Kathleen Brennan, full name Kathleen Patricia Brennan, born in Cork, Ireland ~ Best known as co-writer and producer of the work of her husband Tom Waits, whom she married in 1980. Regarded as a catalyst for Waits's more expiramental work, especially albums such as Swordfishbones. Waits has described their collaboration as “one person holds the nail and the other one swings the hammer”March 2, 1954 ~ Rock drummer Hunt Sales born ~ Worked with Todd Rundgren, his brother Tony Fox Sales, Runt, Iggy Pop (on the pivotal 1970s album Lust For Life), David Bowie's Tin Machine, Paris, Tender Fury, Bam Bam, Los Super Seven, and Fiery Blue. Has released a solo album, Get Your Shit Together, in 2019
March 2, 1954 ~ Singer, songwriter Robert Haimer, also known as Artie Barnes, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Formed the duo Barnes & Barnes with actor, singer, multi-instrumentalist, childhood friend Bill Mumy. The duo adopted the personae of Art & Artie Barnes, twin brothers existing in alternate dimensions, and is best known for their 1978 novelty recording Fish Heads ~ Haimer passed away in 2023