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.
May 1, 1976 ~ In its 14th week on the charts, Let Your Love Flow by sibling duo the Bellamy Brothers hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written by Neil Diamond-roadie Larry E Williams. The song had been pitched to a few people, Diamond and Johnny Rivers had each passed on it, before the Bellamy Brothers recorded it. Although the brothers would go on to regularly reach the higher echelons of the Billboard Country charts, Let Your Love Flow issued as their debut single would remain their biggest hit, reaching top 10 on the pop charts in over a dozen countries, including No.1 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Howard Bellamy would later recall: “It became not only the largest song of that year, it's become somewhere in the area of one of the largest songs ever, as far as being played. And it's become a standard, basically. I wish another one of those would come along”May 1, 1975 ~ Hip-hop, jazz bassist, rapper Aslak Hartberg, full name Aslak Rakli Hartberg, born in Oslo, Norway ~ Co-founded hip-hop band Klovner & Kamp with Sveinung Eide. Also known for his work in jazz, working with artists such as Morten Halle, Jon Eberson, Jørgen Munkeby, and Morten Qvenild
May 1, 1972 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Cory Morrow born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Enjoying popularity especially in his native Texas. Actively recording since the late 1990s. Closely associated with Pat Green, notably on the acclaimed 2001 collaborative Songs We'd Wish We'd Written album. Has also collaborated with Roger Creager, Reckless Kelly, and Stoney Larue
May 1, 1970 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, pianist Bernard Butler, full name Bernard Joseph Butler, born in Stamford Hill, UK ~ Rose to fame as guitarist for Suede, remaining with the band through 1994. Present on the band's eponymous Suede and its follow-up Dog Man Star. Subsequently formed the duo McAlmont & Butler with David McAlmont, known for the singles Yes and You Do. Co-founded Tears in 2004, scoring the UK top 10 hit Refugees. Has also recorded as a solo artist, and collaborated with a wide array of artists including Aimee Mann, Edwyn Collins, Neneh Cherry, the Libertines, Heather Nova, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Duffy
May 1, 1969 ~ Georgina Armour Allan, commonly known as actress, singer Ella Logan, passed away in Burlingame, California, USA ~ Made her recording debut in 1930 at age 17 as featured vocalist with Jack Hylton's orchestra on Moanin' Low and Can't We Be Friends. Would relocate to America by the mid 1930s, landing Broadway roles starting with 1934's Calling All Stars, feature in several Hollywood films, and perform in nightclubs. In the 1950s Logan's career would be hampered by the FBI, suspected of having communist ties. There was never any evidence found of these allegations ~ Allan was born in 1913May 1, 1969 ~ Jorge Antonio Alvarez, commonly known as hip-hop rapper, producer Kurious, born in New York, New York, USA ~ First gained attention in 1993 appearing on Pete Nice & DJ Richie Rich's collaborative album Dust To Dust. The duo would help him land a record deal, Kurious releasing his Walk Like A Duck debut single in 1992. His full-length A Constipated Monkey debut album followed in 1994. Has guested on recordings by Del The Funky Homosapien, KMD, and MF Doom
May 1, 1967 ~ Sunshine pop group the Association release Windy, lifted off their Insight Out album ~ Preceded by Cherish the previous year, Windy would become the second and final Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit for the California sunshine pop group. The song was written by Ruthann Friedman, an East Coast native who relocated to California to pursue a career in music. She became friends with lyricist Van Dyke Parks, who introduced her to the Association. Although the then-struggling Friedmann had penned numerous songs earlier, she hadn't place one with a major artist. When the Association scored a major hit with Windy she finally had both rent money and validation. Friedman would record her own solo album a few years later, but didn't include Windy as she didn't want to be known for that one song. However, Friedmann who continued to perform into the 2010s would actually regularly perform the song in her own concerts. She has been quoted as saying: “It's a very important song. People love it. People love me because I wrote that song”
May 1, 1967 ~ British pop group the Hollies record Carrie Anne at EMI Studios, London, UK ~ Reportedly a shy tribute to singer Marianne Faithfull written by Allan Clarke, Graham Nash, Tony Hicks. Produced by Ron Richards. Recorded in only two takes, the first take a false start later included on the compilation set The Hollies At Abbey Road (1966 To 1970). The single would be released later the same month, featuring Signs That Will Never Change on the flip side, it would reach top 10 in the UK, America, Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands. Canadian actress Carrie-Anne Moss, born three months after the single's release, was named after the song
May 1, 1967 ~ Country singer, guitarist, actor Tim McGraw, full name Samuel Timothy McGraw, born in Delhi, Louisiana, USA ~ Released his eponymous Tim McGraw debut album in 1993 and has recorded consistently to critical acclaim and commercial succes since. Married to singer Faith Hill since 1996, with whom he has also recorded. Known for songs such as Don't Take The Girl, Not A Moment Too Soon, She Never Lets It Go To Her Heart, Just To See You Smile, Where The Green Grass Grows, Something Like That, My Next Thirty Years, Watch The Wind Blow By, Back When, Felt Good On My Lips, and Humble And Kind
May 1, 1966 ~ Charles Brandt, commonly known as southern rock, rock, hard rock, pop rock bassist Johnny Colt, born in Cherry Point, North Carolina, USA ~ Original bassist for the Black Crowes present on the albums Shake Your Money Maker, Southern Harmony & The Musical Companion, Amorica, and Three Snakes And One Charm. Following his disbandement from the band in 1997 formed the Brand New Immortals with David Ryan Harris and Kenny Cresswell. Member of Train from 2003 through 2006. Replaced Jason Newsted in the supergroup Rock Star Supernova. Member of Lynyrd Skynyrd from 2012 through 2017
May 1, 1965 ~ Lindsey Armstrong Jones, commonly known as bandleader Spike Jones, passed away in Beverly Hills, California, USA ~ Known for spoof arrangements of popular songs and classical music, using a variety of odd instruments and sound effects including gunshots, whistles and comedic vocals. Influenced artists such as the Marx Brothers, Stan Freberg, Joe Raposo, Mr Bungle, Frank Zappa, and Weird Al Yankovic. Known for songs such as Der Fuehrer's Face, Cocktails For Two, and All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth ~ Jones was born in 1911
May 1, 1964 ~ Country, folk singer, guitarist, banjoist, dobroist, producer, songwriter Will Kimbrough born in Mobile, Alabama, USA ~ Co-founding member of Will & the Bushmen. Co-founding member of the Bis-Quits. Would go on to become a renowned producer and songwriter. Has worked with Adrienne Young, Rodney Crowell, Todd Snider, Kim Richey, Matthew Ryan, Josh Rouse, Rosanne Cash, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, the Jayhawks, Mark Knopfler, Billy Joe Shaver, and Mavis Staples
May 1, 1960 ~ Andrew Hogg, commonly known as Texas blues, country blues guitarist Smokey Hogg, passed away in McKinney, Texas, USA ~ Influenced by Big Bill Broonzy, Peetie Wheatstraw and by slide guitarist Black Ace, touring and recording the late 1930s one-off Family Trouble Blues with the latter. Best known for a number of late 1940s, early 1950s recording, both originals and Broonzy covers, such as Too Many Drivers, Long Tall Mama, Little School Girl and Penitentiary Blues ~ Hogg was born in 1914May 1, 1954 ~ Songwriter Arthur Johnston passed away in California, USA ~ Frequent collaborator of Irving Berlin, Johnny Burke, Sam Coslow. Well known songs co-written by Johnston include Just One More Chance (Abe Lyman, Ruth Etting, Sammy Fain), Pennies From Heaven (Eddy Duchin, Teddy Wilson, Dinah Washington), The Moon Got In My Eyes (Bing Crosby, Mildred Bailey, Chick Bullock), Mandy Make Up Your Mind (Paul Whiteman, Muggsy Spanier), Cocktails For Two (Johnny Green, Spike Jones, Keely Smith), and Between A Kiss And A Sigh (Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, Kay Kyser) ~ Johnston was born in 1898
May 1, 1954 ~ Singer, guitarist Ray Parker Jr born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Studio musician for Holland-Dozier-Holland's 1970s Invictus and Hot Wax labels. Sessioned for Stevie Wonder, both on tour on record (Maybe Your Baby). Sideman in Barry White's the Love Unlimited Orchestra. Founded Raydio in 1977, which also included Vincent Bonham, Jerry Knight and Arnell Carmichael, best known for Jack And Jill, You Can't Change That and perhaps their best known A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do). Over the course of his career Parker has sessioned for, and co-written with artists such as Chaka Khan, Rufus, the Carpenters, Nils Landgren Funk Unit, the Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Deniece Williams, Bill Withers, Michael Henderson, Jean-Luc Ponty, Leon Haywood, the Temptations, Boz Scaggs, David Foster, Rhythm Heritage, Gladys Knight, Honey Cone, Herbie Hancock, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, New Edition, Randy Hall, and Cheryl Lynn
May 1, 1953 ~ Jazz, classical flutist, bandleader, composer James Newton born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced mainly by Eric Dolphy. Leader and sideman. Worked with artists such as David Murray, Bobby Bradford, Arthur Blythe, Anthony Davis, Abdul Wadud, John Carter, the Mingus Dynasty, Jon Jang, Gao Hong, Kadri Gopalnath, Shubhendra Rao, the New York Philharmonic, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Vladimir Spivakov, the New York Music Ensemble, the San Francisco Ballet, Buddy Collette, Chico Freeman, and Leroy Jenkins. In 2000, Newton sued the the Beastie Boys for use of a three-note sample of Choir in their song Pass The Mic. In 2002 the judge ruled in favor of the Beastie Boys as the sample did not exceed 6 seconds
May 1, 1949 ~ R&B singer, songwriter, producer Gavin Christopher born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Member of Lyfe, which also included Chaka Khan. Member of High Voltage. Best known for writing several Rufus tracks, Once You Get Started, Dance With Me, and Fools Paradise. As a solo artist best known for his sole Billboard Hot 100 charter One Step Closer To You. Has produced artists such as Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, and Ritchie Family, as well as mentored a young Mariah Carey ~ Christopher passed away in 2016
May 1, 1948 ~ Jazz bassist Carl Morten Iversen born in Oslo, Norway ~ Son of jazz violinist Arild Iversen. Central figure in the Oslo jazz scene. Actively recording since the mid 1960s, initially as accompaniest for folk singers gravitating towards jazz by the early 1970s. Has worked with Lars Klevstrand, Lillebjørn Nilsen, Jon Balke, Ditlef Eckhoff, Magni Wentzel, Jon Eberson, and Oslo 13 ~ Iversen passed away in 2023
May 1, 1946 ~ Conductor Andrew Massey born in Nottingham, UK ~ Perhaps best known as principal conductor of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra based in Toledo, Ohio, from 1990 through 2001, occasionally serving as guest conductor thereafter. Massey is remembered in the Toledo community for bringing audiences works across eras and styles, ranging from Ludwig van Beethoven, Gustav Mahler, and Edward Elgar to contemporary composers such as John Adams and Toledo native Stanley Cowell, as well as for several firsts with the orchestra including performances of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem and Edward Elgar's choral work The Dream Of Gerontius, and the world premiere of Charles Wuorinen's The Mission Of Virgil with the composer in attendance. Upon hearing of his passing, close friend and longtime board member of the orchestra Richard Anderson would comment: “Every music director brings something special. He definitely brought a British flavor. The orchestra grew and prospered under that.” The British-born Massey would spend the majority of his professional career in America, starting in 1978, and besides his tenure with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra has conducted the Cleveland Orchestra, the Fresno Philharmonic, the New Orleans Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. Reportedly, while living in Ohio, Massey had a personalized license plate which read “MAHLER” ~ Massey passed away in 2018
May 1, 1945 ~ Blues, R&B, country keyboardist, songwriter Carson Whitsett, full name James Carson Whitsett, born in Jackson, Mississippi, USA ~ Co-wrote Why Not Me, a 1980 hit for Fred Knobloch. As a keyboardist especially proficient on the Hammond organ. Worked with artists such as James Stroud, Paul Simon (appearring on the album There Goes Rhymin' Simon), Anita Ward (Ring My Bell), Dorothy Moore, Connie Francis, ZZ Hill, Bobby Blue Bland, Little Milton, Johnnie Taylor, and Kathy Mattea. Revered as songwriter, wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by Etta James, Eddie Floyd, John Anderson (Mississippi Moon), Johnny Adams, James Carr, Ruth Brown, Solomon Burke (Don't Give Up On Me), Wilson Pickett, Conway Twitty, Barbara Mandrell, Albertina Walker, the Staple Singers, BB King, Jerry Butler, Suzy Bogguss, and Irma Thomas ~ Whitsett passed away in 2007
May 1, 1945 ~ Singer Rita Coolidge born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Popular 1970s, 1980s singer known for the Billboard top 10 hits (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher & Higher and We're All Alone of her 1977 Anytime Anywhere album, her 1983 James Bond-theme All Time High for the Octopussy film and numerous duets with Kris Kristofferson with whom she was married from 1973 through 1980. Coolidge has also been romantically involved with various other famous musicians, notably leaving Stephen Stills for Graham Nash which reportedly was a factor in the initial 1970 break-up of Crosby Stills & Nash, with Leon Russell and with Joe Cocker. Has sung backup for Russell, Cocker, Delaney & Bonnie, Harry Chapin, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton
May 1, 1944 ~ Marva Ann Manning, commonly known as singer Marva Whitney born in Kansas City, Kansas, USA ~ Regarded as one of the rawest and brassiest divas in funk. Turned down offers from Little Richard and Bobby Blue Bland to join James Brown backing unit, the latter eventually nicknaming her “Soul Sister No.1”. As a solo artist known for classic funk releases such as Your Love Was Good To Me, Unwind Yourself, It's My Thing (You Can Tell Me Who To Sock It To) and Things Got To Get Better (Get Together) ~ Manning passed away in 2012
May 1, 1941 ~ Lyricist, songwriter Howard Johnson passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Remembered for co-penning songs such as Lindbergh The Eagle Of The USA (Vernon Dalhart, Ernest Hare, Harry Crane), What Do We Do On A Dew-Dewey Day (Charles Kaley, Nathaniel Shilkret, Ruth Etting), When The Moon Comes Over The Mountain (the Radiolites, Leo Reisman, Sam Lanin), Ice Cream I Scream You Scream We All Scream For Ice Cream (Harry Reser, Waring's Pennsylvanians, Chris Barber), and What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For (Sam Ash, Bob Howard, Betty Hutton) ~ Johnson was born in 1887
May 1, 1937 ~ Composer Bo Nilsson born in Skellefteå, Sweden ~ Classified as a serialist composer akin to Pierre Boulez and Karlheinz Stockhausen, though Nilsson himself rejected the label. Self-taught. Best known for compositions such as Zwei Stucke, Audiogramme, Entrée, Quantitäten, and for film and TV scores including Hemsöborna ~ Nilsson passed away in 2018
May 1, 1936 ~ Blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Lacy Gibson born in Salisbury, North Carolina, USA ~ Influenced by Sunnyland Slim, Muddy Waters, Lefty Bates, Matt Guitar Murphy, Wayne Bennett. As a solo artist best known for the songs My Love Is Real and Switchy Titchy. As a session and touring musician has backed Willie Mabon, Billy The Kid Emerson, Buddy Guy, Son Seals (Live & Burning), Billy Boy Arnold, Big Time Sarah ~ Gibson passed away in 2011