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 5, 1981 ~ Theodore Dudley Saunders, commonly known as jazz, R&B drummer, vibraphonist, bandleader Red Saunders, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with Stomp King, Ira Coffey, Curtis Mosby, Tiny Parham, Albert Ammons, Delbert Bright, Leon Washington, Porter Kilbert, Sonny Cohn, Ike Perkins, Riley Hampton, Joe Williams, Mac Easton, Johnny Pate, Sun Ra, T-Bone Walker, Big Joe Turner, Sugar Chile Robinson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Willie Mabon, Little Brother Montgomery, Lavern Baker, Dolores Hawkins, Guy Warren, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Woody Herman, and Art Hodes ~ Saunders was born in 1912
March 5, 1981 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Yip Harburg, full name Edgar Yipsel Harburg, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Frequent collaborator of composers such as Harold Arlen, Vernon Duke, Jerome Kern, Jule Styne and Burton Lane. Perhaps best known for co-writing all of the songs of The Wizard Of Oz including Over The Rainbow, performed by Judy Garland in the original 1939 film ~ Harburg was born in 1896March 5, 1978 ~ Composer, songwriter Cesare Andrea Bixio passed away in Rome, Italy ~ One of the most popular Italian songwriter of the 1930s through the 1950s. Artists who recorded his songs include Tito Schipa, Beniamino Gigli (Mamma), Carlo Buti, Oscar Carboni (La Mia Canzone Al Vento), Giuseppe di Stefano, Luciano Pavarotti, and Vittorio de Sica (Parlami D'Amore Mariu) ~ Bixio was born in 1896
March 5, 1977 ~ Singer Kate Bush releases Wuthering Heights, lead single off her The Kick Inside debut album ~ Kate Bush's label initially intended to issue James And The Cold Gun as her debut single instead, as they felt Wuthering Heights would not have the appeal needed. The singer insisted though, and they let her have her way, thinking the single would flop and they would prove her wrong. Wuthering Heights would reach top of the charts in her native UK. The song tells the story of the novel of the same name by Emily Bronte, which Bush had never read in its entirity. She knew the story though and wrote Wuthering Heights after leafing through the novel looking for key phrases. Bronte and Bush share a birthday, both were born on July 30, Bronte in 1818, Bush in 1958
March 5, 1972 ~ Rock, britpop, pop singer, guitarist Adam Zindani born in Birmingham, UK ~ Member of the Stereophonics since 2007, for whom he wrote the songs You're My Star and My Own Worst Enemy. Lead singer, rhythm guitarist of Birmingham-based band Casino
March 5, 1971 ~ Edward Lee Knight, commonly known as rapper Big Ed, born in Richmond, California, USA ~ Member of rap group TRU, appearing on the albums Who's Da Killer, Understanding The Criminal Mind and True. Guested on numerous albums throughout the 1990s including Master P's 99 Ways To Die, Silkk The Shocker's The Shocker and Unlady Like. As a solo artist best known for his 1998 The Assassin debut album ~ Knight passed away in 2001
March 5, 1970 ~ Rock, alternative rock, experimental rock guitarist John Frusciante born in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Greg Ginn, Pat Smear, Joe Strummer, Public Image Ltd, the Smiths, Magazine, Siouxsie & the Banshees. Best known as member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, playing with the band since 1988 with a few hiatusses. First appeared on the band's 1989 Mother's Milk replacing the late Hillel Slovak. About a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, starting with Niandra Lades And Usually Just A T-Shirt released in 1994. Has also released a number of acid house albums, going by the moniker Trickfinger. Has collaborated with Ataxia, Josh Klinghoffer, Omar Rodríguez-López, Kimono Kult, and Speed Dealer MomsMarch 5, 1968 ~ Arthur Hazel, commonly known as jazz drummer Monk Hazel, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Active since the late-1910s. Also plays brass, occasionally, especially cornet. Has played with Emmett Hardy, Stalebread Lacombe, Abbie Brunies, Tony Parenti, Johnny Wiggs, Gene Austin, Joe Caprano, Lloyd Danton, Sharkey Bonano, George Girard, Mike Lala, Santo Pecora. Has done some recordings as a leader employing sidemen such as Pete Fountain and Al Hirt ~ Hazel was born in 1903
March 5, 1968 ~ Label executive Syd Nathan passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Founded King Records. Discovered James Brown. Artists signed to King or its subsidiaries would include Bull Moose Jackson, Lucky Millinder, Tiny Bradshaw, Earl Bostic, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Wynonie Harris, the Dominoes, Little Willie John, Bill Doggett, Hank Ballard, the Delmore Brothers, the Stanley Brothers, Moon Mullican, Cowboy Copas, and Grandpa Jones ~ Nathan was born in 1904
March 5, 1966 ~ Singer, songwriter Udo Jürgens wins the 11th edition of the Eurovision Songfestival held in Luxembourg, Luxembourg ~ Representing Austria, Udo Jürgens wins with the song Merci Chérie co-written with Thomas Hörbiger. Sweden, represented by Lill Lindfors & Svante Thuresson with Nygammal Vals, reached second place, while Norway's entry, Åse Kleveland singing Intent Er Nytt Under Solen, ended in third place
March 5, 1965 ~ R&B group the Miracles release Oooh Baby Baby, lifted off their Going To A Go-Go album ~ Written by lead singer Smokey Robinson and Warren Pete Moore, the former also serving as producer, the song has the lead singer asking his girl for forgiveness after cheating on her. The song originated from a bit the band used to do in their live performances, when at the end of a medley of love songs the singer used to break into singing “ooh baby baby”. As the band were so in tune, other members started harmonizing, and the crowd would go wild. This little impromptu bit served as the basis for the song. The 1965 single, featuring strings by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, would reach No.4 Billboard Hot 100, and has since become a signature song for the Miracles. Robinson has been quoted as saying: “Wherever we go, it's the one song that everybody asks for”March 5, 1965 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones kick off their British tour at the Regal Theater, London, UK ~ The band plays a little over two dozen shows through mid-March, starting with two shows at the Regal Theater. The set list includes Down The Road Apiece, Time Is On My Side, Little Red Rooster, and Everybody Needs Somebody To Love. Parts of the Liverpool and Manchester shows were used for their 1965 Got Live If You Want It live EP
March 5, 1964 ~ Singer Melissa Bell, full name Melissa Cecelia Ewen Bell, born in London, UK ~ Best known as member of Soul II Soul, notably on Wish. Fronted her own band Soul Explosion. Sang backup for Liza Minnelli, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder. Also worked with Bobby E & the Midi City Crew, the Bingoboys, Potential Bad Boy, and with Dazz. Bell's daughter Alexandra Burke would also become a professional singer ~ Bell passed away in 2017
March 5, 1964 ~ Power pop, punk pop, pop rock guitarist Ruth Morris, full name Ruth Mary Morris, born in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA ~ Through her pop guitar style helped define the sound of Magnapop. Co-wrote the band's Open The Door and the minor hit Slowly Slowly
March 5, 1963 ~ British pop, rock group the Beatles record From Me To You at EMI Studios, London, UK ~ Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Produced by George Martin. Released the following month in the UK, b/w Thank You Girl, it would be the band's official first UK No.1 on what was to become the official OCC charts. The title was inspired by the letters section of the New Musical Express, titled “From you to us”, which McCartney was reading while on tour with the band
March 5, 1963 ~ Singers Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins, and Patsy Cline pass away in a plane crash ~ Returning to Nashville the Piper Comanche piloted by Patsy Cline's manager Randy Hughes flew into severe weather and crashed in a forest near Camden, Tennessee. There were no survivors. Fans around the world mourned the loss. The location of the crash in the still-remote forest is noted by a stone marker ~ Cowboy Copas was born in 1913, Hawkins in 1922, Cline in 1932
March 5, 1962 ~ Twin brothers Charlie Reid and Craig Reid born in Edinburgh, UK ~ Best known as the core duo in 1980s pop-rock band the Proclaimers, drawing from roots rock, alternative rock and folk rock and scoring hits with Letter From America and I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
March 5, 1960 ~ Rock, post-punk producer, engineer Nick Launay born in London, UK ~ In-demand producer. Worked with artists such as Public Image Ltd, Gang Of Four, Killing Joke, the Birthday Party, Blue October, the Slits, Kate Bush, Talking Heads, David Byrne, INXS, Midnight Oil, Lou Reed, Anna Calvi, Supergrass, Silverchair, Nick Cave, IDLES, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Arcade Fire
March 5, 1958 ~ Singer Andy Gibb, full name Andrew Roy Gibb, born in Manchester, UK ~ Younger brother of the Bee Gees' Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, Maurice Gibb. Known for a string of 1970s, 1980s singles including I Just Want To Be Your Everything, (Love Is) Thicker Than Water, Shadow Dancing, Everlasting Love, Our Love (Don't Throw It All Away) and Desire. Had his career cut short due to an untimely death caused by years of substance abuse ~ Gibb passed away in 1988
March 5, 1957 ~ Joey Poole, commonly known as punk rock drummer Joey Image, born in Weehawken, New Jersey, USA ~ Member of the Misfits from 1978 through late 1979, present on singles such as Horror Business and Night Of The Living Dead. Has also worked with the Whorelords, Human Buffett, the Mary Tyler Whores, the Bell Ringers, the Evil Doers, the Hooples, Jersey Trash, the Hollywood 77s, and the Undead ~ Poole passed away in 2020
March 5, 1956 ~ R&B, soul singer, keyboardist, songwriter Bobby DeBarge, full name Robert Louis DeBarge Jr, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Lead singer for Switch, known best for their 1978 eponymous Switch sophomore album which spawned the Billboard R&B top 10 hit There'll Never Be. Other well known songs include Best Beat In Town, I Call Your Name, and Love Over And Over Again. Co-produced DeBarge's 1981 The DeBarges debut album, joining the family outfit as a full member in 1987 for their fifth and final album Bad Boys. In later years DeBarge would struggle with personal problems, including substance abuse, seriously hindering his career. Passed away at age 39 of AIDS-related complications shortly after releasing It's Not Over, his sole solo album ~ DeBarge passed away in 1995
March 5, 1956 ~ Mary Christine Brockert, commonly known as singer Teena Marie, born in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Protégé of Rick James. Impressed Motown boss Berry Gordy Jr but failed to hit the charts until James took her under his wing and produced Teena's debut album, 1979's Wild & Peaceful. Immediately a favorite of black radiostations. Surprised the Soul Train audience upon her first appearance, everyone having assumed she was black, not white. Known for songs such as I'm A Sucker For Your Love, Square Biz, Lovergirl and Ooo La La. Godmother to Nona Gaye, Marvin Gaye's daughter, as well as to Maya Rudolph, daughter of singer Minnie Riperton and songwriter Richard Rudolph ~ Brockert passed away in 2010
March 5, 1953 ~ Percussionist, producer Preston Heyman born in Paterson, New Jersey, USA ~ Known best for his close association with Kate Bush and as a member of the Tom Robinson Band. Has sessioned and/or produced for numerous artists including Terence Trent d'Arby, Tin Tin Out, Massive Attack, Paul McCartney, Tina Turner, Mike Oldfield, Empire, Gonzalez, Jakob Magnusson, Brand X, Atomic Rooster, Bryan Ferry, Rocky Sharpe & the Replays, Ken Lockie, Randy California, Monsoon, Toyah, Bill Nelson, Impulse, Wall Street Crash, Mike Oldfield, Sheila Chandra, Colourfield, Jimmy Page, Heaven 17, When In Rome, Indochine, Tina Turner, Del Amitri, Heidi Berry, Tasmin Archer, Love City Groove, Ian McNabb, Asia, Jai, Emma Bunton, DJ-EZ, Whitney Houston, Sting, the Waterboys, the Pretenders, Anastacia, Faith Hill, Simply Red, King Brillo, the Wolfmen, Aigul Babayeva, Namgyal Lhamo, Sinéad O'Connor, the Parsley Sound, and No Mad Karma
March 5, 1952 ~ Keyboardist Alan Clark born in Durham, UK ~ Best known as member of the Dire Straits from 1980 through 1995, notably present on the band's acclaimed 1982 Love Over Gold album. Guested on Bob Dylan's Infidels and its follow-up Empire Burlesque album. Musical director for Tina Turner, including on the Private Dancer hit single. Has also worked with Jon Anderson, Rory Block, Phil Collins, Geordie, George Harrison, Billy Joel, Elton John, Lindisfarne, Prefab Sprout, Lou Reed, Seal, Rod Stewart, Van Morrison, and Robbie WilliamsMarch 5, 1952 ~ R&B singer, percussionist Howard Huntsberry, full name Howard Stafford Huntsberry, born in Pacoima, California, USA ~ Fronted Klique, known for their 1983 Stop Dogging Me Around Billboard R&B top 10 hit. Huntsberry portrayed the role of Jackie Wilson in the 1987 La Bamba film. Released his With Love solo album in 1988, spawning the single Sleepless Weekend
March 5, 1952 ~ Joseph Eldridge, commonly known as jazz saxophonist Joe Eldridge, passed away ~ Brother of trumpeter Roy Eldridge, with whom he also worked. Has also played with the Elite Serenaders, Speed Webb, Cecil Scott, McKinney's Cotton Pickers, Blanche Calloway, Buddy Johnson, Zutty Singleton, and Hot Lips Page ~ Eldridge was born ca.1908