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 27, 1972 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Eddie Taylor Jr born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Son of guitarist, singer Eddie Taylor and singer Vera Taylor, stepbrother of Larry Taylor, brother of singer Demetria Taylor. Initially tried his hand at rapping but quickly turned to blues. Debuted in 1998 with the album Looking For Trouble, a tribute to his late father, also featuring his mother on backing vocals. Worked with Johnny B Moore, Little Arthur Duncan, Willie Kent, Hubert Sumlin, Buddy Guy, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, and Billy Gibbons ~ Taylor passed away in 2019
March 27, 1970 ~ R&B, pop, hip-hop, soul singer Mariah Carey born in Huntington, New York, USA ~ Debuted in 1990 with the eponymous Mariah Carey and would go on to become one of the best-selling female artists of the 1990s. Carey's first five singles all reached the top of the American charts. Has sold over 200 millions worldwide. Cites influences as diverse as Billie Holiday, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Al Green, Minnie Riperton, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, the Clark Sisters, Shirley Caesar, Edwin Hawkins, Sugarhill Gang, Eric B & Rakim, the Wu-Tang Clan, and Mobb Deep. Known for songs such as Vision Of Love, Hero, Without You, All I Want For Christmas Is You, Fantasy, Always Be My Baby, and Heartbreaker. Praised for her vocal range, managed to stay relevant beyond the 1990s by incorporating elements of hip-hop, pop and rock and by seeking out new producers. Worked with Ric Wake, Narada Michael Walden, Rhett Lawrence, Walter Afanasieff, Luther Vandross (Endless Love), Robert Clivilles, David Cole, Boyz II Men (One Sweet Day), Sean Combs, Q-Tip, Missy Elliott, Jean-Calude Oliver, Whitney Houston (When You Believe), Jay-Z, DJ Clue, the Neptunes, Kanye West, Jermaine Dupri, Johnta Austin, Bryan-Michael Cox, Randy Jackson, Tony Bennett, Justin Bieber, Rick Ross, Meek Mill, R Kelly, David Morales, Loris Holland, Stevie J, James Fauntleroy II, Hit-Boy, The-Dream, Da Brat, and Rodney Jerkins
March 27, 1969 ~ James Campbell, commonly known as rapper, producer Freddie Foxxx, born in Long Island, New York, USA ~ First gained attention in the 1980s as a member of Supreme Force, noted for the 1986 recording You Gotta Come Out Fresh. Missed a meeting with producer Eric B, who was looking for a musical partner. Eric B would end up teaming up with MC Rakim, forming the quintessential hip-hop duo Eric B & Rakim. Foxx would go on to release his solo debut album, Freddie Foxxx Is Here, in 1989 and collaborate with Boogie Down Productions, Gang Starr, Queen Latifah, DJ Premier, Peter Rock, the Alchemist, KRS One, and Statik Selektah
March 27, 1967 ~ Flutist William Kincaid passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Principal flute of the Philadelphia Orchestra for four decades. Respected teacher. Students included Julius Baker, Joseph Mariano, Frances Blaisdell, Ann Cherry, Paul Lusting Dunkel, Doriot Anthony Dwyer, Katherine Hoover, John C Krell, George Ellers Morey, Claire Pollin, Elaine Shaffer, Felix Skowronek, John Solum, and Albert Tipton ~ Kincaid was born in 1895March 27, 1966 ~ Jazz trumpeter Russell Smith, full name Russell Taylor Smith, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known for his association with Fletcher Henderson, backing Henderson intermittently from the mid 1920s through the early 1940s. Also worked with Joe Jordan, Horace Henderson, Benny Carter, Claude Hopkins, Cab Calloway, and Noble Sissle ~ Smith was born in 1890
March 27, 1965 ~ Jazz singer Stacey Kent born in South Orange, New Jersey, USA ~ Sings in English and French. Married to saxophonist Jim Tomlinson. Started her career opening for established acts in Ronnie Scott's famed London jazz club in the mid 1990s. Released her debut album Close Your Eyes in 1995 and has recorded steadily since, enjoying popularity especially in France
March 27, 1964 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, percussionist, songwriter Clark Datchler, full name Clark Wynford Datchler, born in Sutton, UK ~ Lead singer of Johnny Hates Jazz, known for a string of late 1980s British top 20 hits, all of their debut album Turn Back The Clock, including I Don't Want To Be A Hero, Turn Back The Clock, Heart Of Gold and perhaps their best known Shattered Dreams, the latter also reaching the Billboard top 10. Datchler left the band in 1988 to pursue a solo career and would release his solo debut, Raindance, in 1990, backed by renowned musicians bassist Nathan East, drummer John JR Robinson and percussionist Paulinho Da Costa. Datchler would continue to record, often focusing on environmental themes, and rejoined Johnny Hates Jazz in 2009
March 27, 1964 ~ Mary McKloskey, commonly known as singer Mary Kiani, born in Glasgow, UK ~ Member of dance outfit the Time Frequency, present on songs such as New Emotion, Ultimate High, and the 1993 UK top 10 hit Real Love. Following her stint with the group has also released a number of recordings as a solo artist, her most successful being her 1995 Long Hard Funky Dreams debut album spawning the UK top 20 hits When I Call Your Name and Let The Music PlayMarch 27, 1963 ~ Singer Bobby Vinton records Blue Velvet at Columbia Recording Studios, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Written by Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris. Produced by Bob Morgan. Originally recorded by Tony Bennett in 1951, subsequently by Bill Farrell, Arthur Prysock, and by the Clovers. Bobby Vinton's single however, released in late 1963 paired with Is There A Place Where I Can Go on the flip side, would top the Billboard Hot 100 and become the best known version
March 27, 1963 ~ Carlos Alberto Ficicchia, commonly known as rock, post-punk, alternative rock drummer, percussionist Charly Alberti, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Son of jazz drummer Tito Alberti. Formed pioneering Latin rock band Soda Stereo with Gustavo Cerati and Zeta Bosio. Influenced by the Beatles, the Police, the Cure, Television, Elvis Costello, Squeeze, Pink Floyd and Queen, the band would become the best-selling rock band in Argentina with some 25 million records sold. Well known songs include Zoom, Cuando Pase El Temblor, En La Ciudad De La Furia, Persiana America and De Musica Ligera
March 27, 1963 ~ Smooth jazz, rock saxophonist Dave Koz, full name David Stephen Koz, born in Tarzana, California, USA ~ Served as rock touring and session musician before turning to smooth jazz. Worked with Bobby Caldwell, Jeff Lorber and Richard Marx during the 1980s. Released his eponymous debut album, Dave Koz, in 1990 and has recorded as a solo artist to critical acclaim sinceMarch 27, 1962 ~ Singer Elvis Presley records Girls Girls Girls at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California ~ Written and produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Recorded by the Coasters the previous year it would be only a modest hit, barely making it to the Billboard Hot 100. Elvis Presley would record it as the title track for his 1962 Girls Girls Girls film and album. Presley recorded Because Of Love during the same session. In 1987, hard rock outfit Mötley Crüe would record a cover of Girls Girls Girls, which reached Billboard Hot 100 top 20
March 27, 1960 ~ Singer Brenda Lee records I Want To Be Wanted ~ Written by Kim Gannon, Pino Spotti, Alberto Testa. Produced by Owen Bradley. Released the following July, paired with Just A Little on the flip side, it would top the Billboard Hot 100 in October. Over time, the song has become one of Brenda Lee's best rememberedMarch 27, 1960 ~ Singer, guitarist Guy Swinnen born in Kaggevinne, Belgium ~ Frontman of the Scabs, considered one of the premier rock acts in Belgium during the 1980s and early 1990s. The band is known for songs such as Hard Times, Don't You Know, Nothing On MY Radio, She's Jivin' and The Party's Over. Has subsequently recorded as a solo artist, noted for his 2005 Swinnen album
March 27, 1960 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, pop bassist Victor Bailey born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Known for his signature scat-bass solos. Member of Steps Ahead, present on the albums Magnetic and Vibe. Member of the Weather Report from 1982 through 1986. As a leader recorded about half a dozen albums, starting with Bottoms Up released in 1989. Has also worked with Dennis Chambers, Omar Hakim, Metro, and Joe Zawinul ~ Bailey passed away in 2016
March 27, 1959 ~ Keyboardist, singer, songwriter Andrew Farris born in Cottesloe, Australia ~ Co-founding member and along with Michael Hutchence main songwriter of INXS, known for hits such as Original Sin, What You Need, Need You Tonight, Devil Inside, New Sensation, Suicide Blonde and Heaven SentMarch 27, 1959 ~ Guitarist Kid Congo Powers born in La Puenta, California, USA ~ Member of the Gun Club, the Cramps and notably Nick Cave's backing unit the Bad Seeds including on the acclaimed 1988 Tender Prey album. Has also recorded as a solo artist and worked with the Divine Horsemen, Angels Of Light, Die Haut, Knoxville Girls, and Congo Norvell
March 27, 1957 ~ Singer, songwriter Billy Mackenzie, full name William MacArthur MacKenzie, born in Dundee, UK ~ Best known as co-founder, lead singer of new wave outfit the Associates. Also worked with Paul Haig, Yello, the British Electric Foundation, Apollo 440, BEF, Stephen Emmer, Annie Lennox, and Barry Adamson ~ Mackenzie passed away in 1997
March 27, 1957 ~ The song Que Sera Sera (Whatever Will Be Will Be), sung by Doris Day, from the Alfred Hitchcock movie The Man Who Knew Too Much wins the Academy Award for Best Original Song ~ Written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. First introduced by Doris Day in the 1956 The Man Who Knew Too Much mystery thriller, in which Day also played the female lead role opposite James Stewart. Contrary to popular perception, the phrase “que sera sera” is not Spanish in origin and is ungrammatical in that language. Composer Livingston had seen the Italian phrase “che sarà sarà” on a headstone in the 1954 film The Barefoot Contessa and remembered it as he though it would make a good song title. Livingston and Evans would give it a Spanish spelling, albeit incorrect grammar, because there are so many Spanish-speaking people in the world. Sung by Day, it would become her signature song, a No.2 hit on the American charts, and a No.1 in the UK. Over the years, the song would be covered by over an estimated 250 artists
March 27, 1956 ~ Paul Wickens, commonly known as singer, keyboardist, guitarist, producer Wix Wickens, born in Brentwood, UK ~ Closely associated with Paul McCartney, serving as musical director and keyboardist for numerous McCartney tours since the late 1980s. Produced Tasmin Archer's UK No.1 hit Sleeping Satellite taken of her 1992 Great Expectations debut album. In-demand session musician, appearing on albums by Kevin Coyne, John Foxx, The The, Nik Kershaw (The Riddle), Tim Finn, the Pretenders (Get Close), Boy George, Prefab Sprout, Paul Carrack (One Good Reason), and Jim DiamondMarch 27, 1955 ~ Neil Joseph Stephen Fraser, commonly known as dub producer, remixer, engineer the Mad Professor, born in Georgetown, Guyana ~ Leading producer in dub music revival, helpful in transitioning the genre into the digital age. Has worked with Lee Scratch Perry, Sly & Robbie, Pato Banton, Jah Shaka, Horace Andy. Has transgressed outside the traditional reggae circles working with the likes of Sade, Massive Attack, the Orb, and Grace Jones
March 27, 1954 ~ Jazz drummer Paolo Vinaccia born in Camerino, Italy ~ Leader and sideman. Contributed to over 100 albums. Worked with Terje Rypdal, Bendik Hofseth, Jan Eggum, Knut Reiersrud, Gisle Torvik, Ole Amund Gjersvik, Jonas Fjeld, Palle Mikkelborg, Mike Mainieri, Jon Christensen, David Darling, Arild Andersen, Maj Britt Andersen, Anne Grete Preus, Øystein Sevåg, Bugge Wesseltoft, Alf Craner, Haakon Graf, Helge Iberg, David Lindley, Nils Petter Molvær, and Lynni Treekrem ~ Vinaccia passed away in 2019
March 27, 1953 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, rock guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Influential in the city pop genre of the 1970s and 1980s. Active since the early 1970s. Member of progressive rock outfit Flied Egg, and subsequently of rock band the Sadistic Mika Band. Released his Seychelles solo debut album in 1976 and has recorded extensively since. Well known for songs such as Bu Blue Lagoon and Penguin Dancer, the latter notably sampled by Grimes on her 2015 Butterfly song
March 27, 1953 ~ Guitarist Wally Stocker, full name Walter Frederick Stocker, born in London, UK ~ Best known as lead guitarist of the Babys, known for their US top 20 hits Isn't It Time and Everytime I Think Of You. Has also worked with Rod Stewart, Air Supply, Humble Pie, Jimmy Barnes, and Zoomer
March 27, 1950 ~ Operatic mezzo-soprano, soprano singer Maria Ewing, full name Maria Louise Ewing, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Well known for her role as Rosina in The Barber Of Seville, a role she reprised several times including with the Houston Grand Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. Also noted for playing Mercedes in Carmen with the San Francisco Opera. Has also worked with the Geneva Opera, the Houston Opera, and the Los Angeles Opera ~ Ewing passed away in 2022March 27, 1950 ~ Keyboardist Tony Banks born in East Heathley, UK ~ Co-founding member of Genesis remaining with the band through 2000. Has released several solo albums starting with 1979's A Curious Feeling, in both rock and classical music inspired by composers such as Gustav Mahler, Dmitri Shostakovich and Erik Satie. Also known for composing a number of soundtracks