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 22, 1985 ~ Lars Falkowsky, commonly known as glam rock, indie rock, alternative rock keyboardist Luminor, born ~ Member of Cinema Bizarre through 2008, leaving the band for health reasons. Present on the band's 2007 Final Attraction debut album. Has also worked with DNR (Dreams Not Reality) and with Roberto Romagnoli ~ Falkowsky passed away in 2020
March 22, 1984 ~ Jazz fusion, R&B drummer Larnell Lewis born in Toronto, Canada ~ Best known for his association with Snarky Puppy, first appearing on the We Like It Here live album released in 2014. Lewis released his In The Moment solo debut album in 2018. Has also worked with the Toronto MAss Choir, Anjulie, Richard Underhill, Colleen Allen, Elizabeth Shepherd, Emilie-Claire Barlow (Clear Day), David Clayton-Thomas, Barbra Lica, Rich Brown, Tia Brazda, Robi Botos, and Laila Biala
March 22, 1984 ~ Singer, keyboardist, cellist Tara Simmons, full name Tara Emily Simmons, born in Australia ~ Known for using bedroom, bathroom and kitchen items to sample sounds. Debuted with the EP Pendulum in 2006. A full-length debut album, Spilt Milk, would be released in 2009, and a sophomore album, It's Not Like We're Trying To Move Mountains in 2012 ~ Simmons passed away in 2019
March 22, 1982 ~ Pop, R&B singer, songwriter Chris Wallace, full name Christopher Alan Wallace, born in Hebron, Indiana, USA ~ Lead singer of the White Tie Affair, critically acclaimed for their energetic live shows. The band is best known for the modest hit Candle (Sick & Tired) of their sole full-length album Walk This Way released in 2008. Wallace released his Push Rewind solo album in 2012. Staff songwriter with Pulse Music Group, artists who recorded his songs include the Vamps, Lost Kings, Dillon Francis, Jukebox The Ghost, UVERworld, and HRVY
March 22, 1977 ~ Herman Shertzer, commonly known as jazz saxophonist Hymie Shertzer, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his association with Benny Goodman including on the pivotal 1937 recording of Sing Sing Sing (With A Swing). Also worked with Tommy Dorsey, Bunny Berigan, Lionel Hampton, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Sy Oliver, Louis Armstrong, and Artie Shaw ~ Shertzer was born in 1909March 22, 1977 ~ Drummer, keyboardist John Otto, full name John Everett Otto, born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Co-founding member of rap rock group Limp Bizkit, remaining with the band through 2006 and rejoining in 2009. Present on the band's pivotal first three albums, Three Dollar Bill Y'All, Significant Other and Chocolate Starfish & The Hot Dog Flavored Water
March 22, 1977 ~ Dale Troy Cooper, commonly known as bluegrass, country fiddler, guitarist Stoney Cooper passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Member of gospel outfit the Leary Family, eventually marrying one of its singers, Wilma Lee Cooper. Starting in the 1940s as a duo they would score several country hits including Big Midnight Special and There's A Big Wheel ~ Cooper was born in 1918
March 22, 1975 ~ Jazz bassist, composer Steinar Raknes born in Midsund, Norway ~ Brother of singer, pianist Eldbjørg Raknes. Considered one of the premier Norwegian jazz bassists of his generation. Leader and sideman. Has worked with Chick Corea, Michael Brecker, Bobby McFerrin, Ola Kvernberg, and Hallgeir Pedersen
March 22, 1975 ~ Pop group Teach-In win the 20th edition of the Eurovision Songfestival held in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Representing the Netherlands, Teach-In win with the song Ding-a-dong written by Dick Bakker, Will Luikinga and Eddy Ouwens. Runner-ups were the Shadows representing the UK with Let Me Be The One in 2nd place, and Wess & Dori Ghezzi representing Italy with Era in 3rd
March 22, 1973 ~ Beverley Anne Smith, commonly known as R&amnp;B, pop singer Beverley Knight, born in Wolverhampton, UK ~ Influenced by Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin. Known for songs such as Greatest Day, Get Up, Come As You Are and perhaps her best known Shoulda Woulda Coulda, the latter a 2002 top 10 hit in the UKMarch 22, 1971 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal singer, guitarist, drummer Leif Sundin, full name Leif Arne Sundin, born in Skarholmen, Sweden ~ Lead singer for the Great King Rat. Worked with the Michael Schenker Group, present on the 1996 Written In The Sand album and rejoining in later years. Guested on Brian Robertson's Diamonds And Dirt album. Has also worked with Treat, John Norum, Chris Norman, Daniel Lindström, Erik Segerstedt, and House Of Leaf
March 22, 1971 ~ Alternative rock singer, drummer Steve Hewitt, full name Steven James Hewitt, born in Northwich-Cheshire, UK ~ Influenced by the Cure, Depeche Mode, Thin Lizzy, Jimi Hendrix, Radiohead, AC/DC's Phil Rudd and Led Zeppelin's John Bonham. Frontman of Love Amongst Ruin. Perhaps best known as drummer for Placebo from 1996 through 2007, present on most of the band's best known including the UK top 20 hits Nancy Boy, Pure Morning, You Don't Care About Us, Taste In Men, The Bitter End and Because I Want YouMarch 22, 1970 ~ Pop rock singer, songwriter Andreas Johnson, full name Jon Erik Andreas Johnson, born in Bjärred, Sweden ~ Singer for Planet Waves, known for their sole Brutal Awakenings before splitting up due to internal conflicts. Subsequently embarked on a solo career, releasing his Cottonfish Tales debut album in 1997. Perhaps best known for his 1999 Glorious hit single, which has also been used in a number of advertisements campaigns including from Volvo, Nutella, and Vauxhall
March 22, 1970 ~ Jazz singer, violinist, songwriter Live Maria Roggen born in Oslo, Norway ~ Half of Tuba, the other half being Lars Andreas Haug. Co-founded Wibutee. Fronted Come Shine. Also worked with the Trondheim Voices, Helge Lien, the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Trondheimolisten, Bugge Wesseltoft, Tom Steinar Lund, the Trio de Janeiro, the Delillos, Leieboerne, the Young Neils, Arild Andersen, Jon Eberson, Jon Christensen, the Dingobats, and Sverre Gjørvad
March 22, 1969 ~ Rock bassist, guitarist, singer, songwriter Christopher Maloney, full name Christopher Patrick Maloney, born ~ Best known as a member of instrumental hard rock outfit Cosmosquad. Also closely associated with Hardline and Dweezil Zappa. Has recorded as a solo artist, starting with the Control album released in 2002, and has collaborated with the likes of Gilli Moon, Donnie Vie, Debbie Hennesey, and Jack Avalon
March 22, 1969 ~ Pop bassist, songwriter, music manager Craig Logan, full name Craig William Logan, born in Kirkcaldy, UK ~ Member of Bros. Left in 1989 to focus on producing and songwriting, such as Kim Appleby's Don't Worry. Later focused exclusively on managing working with artists such as Robbie Williams, Tina Turner, Garth Brooks, Sade, Joe Cocker, M-People, and Pink
March 22, 1968 ~ Trumpeter Arve Henriksen born in Stranda, Norway ~ Has played with artists such as Bjørn Alterhaug, Tre Små Kinesere, Mikhail Alperin, Jon Balke, Nils Petter Molvær, Audun Kleive, Trygve Seim, Terje Isungset, Christian Wallumrød, Iain Ballamy, Supersilent, David Sylvian, Jan Bang, Trio Mediaeval, and Janne Irene Mark
March 22, 1968 ~ Britpop, rock keyboardist, bassist, guitarist, singer Mickey Dale, full name Michael William Dale, born in Bradford, UK ~ Member of Embrace, officially joining the band as full-time member right after the release of their 1997 Fireworks debut album. Previously played with the Poppy Factory, Kitsch, Lazer Boy, and perhaps most notably Cud, the latter known for singles such as Rich & Strange, Purple Love Balloon, and Neurotica
March 22, 1967 ~ Siblings the Everly Brothers record Bowling Green ~ Written by Terry Slater and Jacqueline Ertel. Produced by Dick Glasser. The single, released later the same year, would stall in the 40s. It would be the last time until 1984 the Everly's charted on the Billboard Hot 100March 22, 1966 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Jan Lundgren born in Olofström, Sweden ~ Broke through in 1997 with the album Swedish Standards featuring bassist Mattias Svenson and drummer Zoltán Csörsz. Has recorded prolifically with over 50 albums to his name as a leader. Has worked with Håkan Hardenberger, Johnny Griffin, Paolo Fresu, Arild Andersen, Billy Drummond, Cæcilie Norby, Lee Konitz, Charlie Mariano, and Morten Lund
March 22, 1966 ~ Industrial, dance, rock singer, songwriter Jim Marcus born ~ Formed Die Warzau with Van Christie, releasing a handful of albums from the late 1980s through the early 2000s. Best known for the modest dance hits Welcome To America, Strike To The Body (Jackhammer), Funkopolis, and Never Again. Nine Inch Nails members Chris Vrenna and James Woolley contributed to the band's 1991 Big Electric Metal Bass Face sophomore album
March 22, 1965 ~ Ian Campbell, commonly known as rapper Ice MC, born in Nottingham, UK ~ Best known for Eurodance hits such as Easy, Take Away The Colour, Think About The Way, and It's A Rainy Day. Noted for being the first to blend raggamuffin rap with female choruses. Worked with Roberto Zanetti, Alexia, and Enrico Zabler
March 22, 1963 ~ Singer Connie Francis records If My Pillow Could Talk ~ Written by Jimmy Steward Jr and Robert Mosely. Connie Francis released the song later the same year, b/w You're The Only One Who Can Hurt Me. It would reach top 30 Billboard Hot 100March 22, 1963 ~ Singer Susan Ann Sulley born in Sheffield, UK ~ Best known as member of Human League, including on the pivotal synth-pop album Dare released in 1981, spawning the hit Don't You Want Me. Victoria Beckham of the Spice Girls has cited Sulley as a major influence, stating it was Sulley who inspired her to pursue a career in music
March 22, 1962 ~ Percussionist Perry Baggs born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Member of alt-country outfit Jason & the Scorchers, appearing on acclaimed albums such as Reckless Country Soul and Lost & Found before retiring from the band in 1990 for health reasons, diagnosed with diabetes ~ Baggs passed away in 2012