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 10, 2023 ~ Stuart Leslie James Slater, commonly known as Merseybeat, pop, rock singer Stu James, passed away ~ Lead singer of the Mojo's, known best for their 1963 UK top 10 hit Everything's Al'right. The follow-up singles Why Not Tonight and Seven Daffodils would also reach the top 30. The band would release several other singles and a sole eponymous EP, The Mojo's, before disbanding in 1968 ~ James was born in 1945
May 10, 2020 ~ Bessie Regina Norris, commonly known as soul, R&B singer Betty Wright, passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Member of the Echoes of Joy. Sang background for Latimore, Bill Wyman, Gwen McCrae, Beverly Johnson, Stevie Wonder, Rachel Sweet, and Peter Tosh. Rose to fame in the 1970s as a solo artist known for hits such as Clean Up Woman, Where is The Love, Tonight's The Night and Dance With Me ~ Norris was born in 1953May 10, 2019 ~ Singer, guitarist Malcolm Black, full name Malcolm James Prentice Black, passed away in Auckland, New Zealand ~ Singer, guitarist of Netherworld Dancing Toys. Studied law. Worked as a music consultant representing artists such as Straitjacket Fits, the Chills, and the Verlaines. Went on to head A&R for Sony Music New Zealand where he worked with Che Fu, Dave Dobbyn, and Bic Runga. Left Sony in 2009 to work in artist management including for Crowded House and Neil Finn ~ Black was born in 1961
May 10, 2019 ~ Singer Tones And I releases Dance Monkey, lifted off her The Kids Are Coming debut EP ~ The Australian singer Toni Watson, more commonly known as Tones And I, has said Dance Monkey was inspired by her experiences busking on the streets of Byron Bay. Watson enjoyed the freedom but was put off by drunks and idiots who would ruin the experience, and eventually also came to the realization that street audiences have very short attention spans, which forced her to tighten her act for people to stick around for any length of time. This made her feel like a trained monkey, which inspired the song. Much to the singer's own surprise, Dance Monkey became an international hit and broke several records. The single would top the charts in well over two dozen countries and reached top 10 in several more. In the UK it would spent eleven weeks atop the charts, breaking the record for most weeks at No.1 for a female artist, a record previously jointly held by Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You and Rihanna's Umbrella. In Watson's native Australia, the single would spend twentyfour non-consecutive weeks at No.1, the most by any artist in ARIA history. Dance Monkey would also be the first song by a female artist to reach 3 billion streams on Spotify
May 10, 2018 ~ Body of indie rock, indie folk singer, guitarist Scott Hutchison discovered by police near South Queensferry, UK ~ Founding member, frontman, primary songwriter for Frightened Rabbit, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums. The band, which includes his brother Grant Hutchison on drums, is known for their sparse arrangements and Hutchison's plaintive singing. They are especially acclaimed for their The Midnight Organ Fight album released in 2008. Following a social media post, stating: “Be so good to everyone you love. It's not a given. I'm so annoyed that it's not. I didn't live by that standard and it kills me. Please, hug your loved ones,” and a second post “I'm away now. Thanks”, Hutchinson would go missing. His body would be discovered the next day by police ~ Hutchinson was born in 1981
May 10, 2014 ~ Composer, arranger André Popp, full name André Charles Jean Popp, passed away in Puteaux, France ~ Best known for his association with Juliette Gréco, orchestrating a number of Gréco's 1950s and 1960s albums, and for co-penning a number of Eurovision Songfestival entries, namely Jacqueline Boyer's 1960 winning Tom Pillibi, Rachel's 1964 Le Chant De Mallory and Vicky Leandros's 1967 L'Amour Est Blue (Love Is Blue). The latter would notably be covered in an instrumental version by Paul Mauriat who took it to the top of the Billboard charts the following year ~ Popp was born in 1924
May 10, 2014 ~ Singer Conchita Wurst wins the 59th edition of the Eurovision Songfestival held in Copenhagen, Denmark ~ Representing Austria, Conchita Wurst wins with the song Rise Like A Phoenix written by Charlie Mason, Joey Patulka, Ali Zuckowski and Julian Maas. Runner-ups would be the Common Linnets representing the Netherlands with Calm After The Storm in second place, and Sweden's Sanna Nielsen with Undo in third placeMay 10, 2011 ~ Producer, arranger, label executive John Carter, full name John S Carter Jr, passed away in Palm Springs, California, USA ~ First gained attention in the mid 1960s co-writing That Acapulco Gold for the Rainy Daze and subsequently Incense And Peppermints for Strawberry Alarm Clock, the latter reaching No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967. Would go on to work for Atlantic Records and Capitol Records as an A&R executive. Helpful in advancing the careers of Bob Seger, specifically with the album Night Moves, and the Steve Miller Band. Signed artists such as Sammy Hagar, Bob Welch, and the Motels. Best known for relaunching the career of Tina Turner signing and guiding Turner through the recording of Private Dancer. The album would go on to sell over 20 million copies and bring Turner back to superstar status ~ Carter was born in 1945
May 10, 2008 ~ Ayse Leyla Ceyrekgil, commonly known as operatic soprano Leyla Gencer, passed away in Milan, Italy ~ Bel canto soprano active mostly in the 1950s through the 1980s in Italy. Especially known for her roles in operas composed by Gaetano Donizetti. Has worked with the Teatro Di San Carlo, La Scala, the Royal Opera House, and the San Francisco Opera ~ Ceyrekgil was born in 1928
May 10, 2006 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, arranger John Hicks passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Started in blues, moved on to jazz. Influenced by pianists Fats Waller and Thelonious Monk. Has backed artists such as Art Blakey, Betty Carter, Woody Herman, Charles Tolliver, Lester Bowie, Arthur Blythe, David Murray, Pharoah Sanders, David Fathead Newman, Della Reese, Joe Farrell, Al Grey, Billy Mitchell, Jimmy Witherspoon, Kenny Dorham, Jimmy Witherspoon, Joe Henderson, Eric Alexander, Paquito d'Rivera, Sonny Fortune, and Chico Freeman ~ Hicks was born in 1941May 10, 2005 ~ David Wayne Carnell, commonly known as hard rock, heavy metal singer, songwriter David Wayne, passed away in Tacoma, Washington, USA ~ Influenced by Judas Priest lead singer Rob Halford. Lead singer for speed metal, thrash metal outfit the Metal Church from 1982 through 1988, best known for their eponymous 1984 Metal Church debut album. Also formed and fronted Reverend, especially acclaimed for their 1991 Play God album ~ Carnell was born in 1958
May 10, 1999 ~ Singer, author, poet, cartoonist, playwright, songwriter Shel Silverstein, full name Sheldon Allan Silverstein, passed away in Key West, Florida, USA ~ To music audiences best known for writing or co-writing a number of quintessential pop, rock, country songs including Dr Hook's The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan and The Cover Of The Rolling Stone, Johnny Cash's 25 Minutes To Go, Loretta Lynn's One's On The Way and Hey Loretta, and Tompall Glaser's Put Another Log On The Fire ~ Silverstein was born in 1930
May 10, 1992 ~ William Kalubi, commonly known as hip-hop, trap, R&B rapper, singer, songwriter Damso, born in Kinshasa, Zaire ~ Belgium-based, enjoys popularity especially in France, singles such as Ipséité, Smog, and Morose all reaching the No.1 spot in France. Drew strong criticism because of misogynist and sexist content of his songs in 2018 when commissioned by the Belgian Football Associotian to record an anthem for the national team in that year's FIFA World Cup, the collaboration eventually ended by “mutual agreement”
May 10, 1989 ~ Trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer, bandleader Woody Shaw passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Influenced by Louis Armstrong and Harry James. Played with Willie Bobo, Chick Corea, Joe Farrell, Eric Dolphy, Bud Powell, Kenny Clarke, Johnny Griffin, Dexter Gordon, Art Taylor, John Bodwin, René Urtreger, Jacques Thollot, Jef Gilson, Larry Young, Billy Brooks, Horace Silver, Jackie McLean, Booker Ervin, Andrew Hill, Herbie Hancock, Bobby Hutcherson, Max Roach, Bennie Maupin, Ron Carter, George Cables, Gary Bartz, Clint Houston, Lenny White, Anthony Braxton, Arthur Blythe, Muhal Richard Abrams, Art Blakey, McCoy Tyner, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Mulgrew Miller, Larry Willis, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Steve Turre ~ Shaw was born in 1944
May 10, 1988 ~ Singer, guitarist Ciarán Bourke passed away in Dublin, Ireland ~ Co-founded folk band the Dubliners in 1962. Sang lead on songs such as Peggy Lettermore and Preab San Ol. Collapsed on stage in 1974 after a brain haemorrhage. A second haemorrhage would leave him paralysed on his left side ~ Bourke was born in 1935May 10, 1985 ~ Singer Ashley Poole born in Blythe, California, USA ~ Original member of teen girl group Dream, alongside Holly Blake-Arnstein, Melissa Schuman and Diana Ortiz, known for the singles He Loves U Not and This Is Me
May 10, 1984 ~ Jazz drummer Jean Louis Viale passed away in Paris, France ~ Worked with Sacha Distel, René Urtreger, Jimmy Gourley, Bobby Jaspar, Henri Renaud, Clifford Brown, Frank Foster, Stan Getz, Stéphane Grappelli, Gigi Gryce, Thelonious Monk, Jimmy Raney, Django Reinhardt, Zoot Sims, Martial Solal, René Thomas, George Wallington, Barney Wilen, Lester Young, Raymond Fol, Johnny Griffin, Roger Guérin, Ivan Jullien, Jim Hall, Barney Kessel, Benny Bailey, Jack Diéval, and Slide Hampton ~ Viale was born in 1933
May 10, 1981 ~ Thomas Timothy Vernon-Kell, commonly known as alternative rock, dance-punk, pop, indietronica Tom Vek, born in Hounslow, UK ~ Has recorded about half a dozen albums, starting with his We Have Sound debut album released in 2005. Perhaps best known for I Ain't Saying Goodbyes, performed by Vek in a guest appearance on the teen drama series The OC
May 10, 1979 ~ Piedmont blues singer, guitarist, violinist, bassist Carl Martin passed away in Pontiac, Michigan, USA ~ Member of early blues, old-time bands the Four Keys, the Tennessee Chocolate Drops, and the Wandering Troubadours. Accompaniest for the likes of Bumble Bee Slim and Tampa Red. As a solo artist known for songs such as Crow Jane and Old Time Blues. Also especially noted for backing Freddie Spruell on the 1935 recording of Let's Go Riding. Honored by singer, songwriter Steve Goodman in the tribute song You Better Get It While You Can (The Ballad Of Carl Martin) ~ Martin was born in 1906May 10, 1978 ~ Myles MacInnes, commonly known as electronic, house, nu-disco, trip hop producer, DJ Mylo, born in Broadford, UK ~ Released his Destroy Rock & Roll debut album in 2004. It would reach top 30 on the album charts in his native UK. Best known for his single Doctor Pressure released the following year, a UK top 10 hit mashing up his own Drop The Pressure and the Miami Sound Machine's 1984 hit Dr Beat
May 10, 1978 ~ British rockers the Rolling Stones release Miss You, lead single off their Some Girls album ~ While most of their songs were driven by the rhythm guitar of Keith Richards, Miss You featured a prominent bass line which along with horns and drums gave the song a disco vibe. It alienated some of their older fans, yet the single would be success and reached top 10 in several countries including the No.1 spot in Canada and America. The bass line came mostly from Billy Preston, who accompanied the band on their 1976 tour. Bassist Bill Wyman would later explain: “We'd cut a rough demo a year or so earlier after a recording session. I'd already gone home, and Billy picked up my old bass when they started running through that song. He started doing that bit because it seemed to be the style of his left hand. So when we finally came to do the tune, the boys said, Why don't you work around Billy's idea? So I listened to it once and heard that basic run and took it from there. It took some changing and polishing, but the basic idea was Billy's”May 10, 1977 ~ Bassist Inge Johansson born in Skellefteå, Sweden ~ Co-founding member of Totalt Jävla Mörker. Co-founding member of the International Noise Conspiracy, remaining with the band from its inception in 1998 through 2009. Has also worked with Knugen Faller, the Most, Alonzo & Fas 3, Cansei de Ser Sexy, and notably with Against Me from 2013 through 2018
May 10, 1977 ~ Bassist Jesse Vest born in Jeffersonville, Indiana, USA ~ Co-founding member of Days Of The New, present on the band's eponymous 1997 Days Of The New debut album. Co-founding member of Tantric, present on the band's Tantric and its After We Go follow-up. Subsequently founded the Louisville Crashers
May 10, 1974 ~ Rock outfit Bad Company release Can't Get Enough, lifted off their eponymous debut album ~ The song was written by Mick Ralphs when he was still with his previous band Mott The Hoople, but the band rejected it. When Ralphs joined Bad Company, a supergroup comprised of along Ralphs former members of Free and King Crimson, they were happy to record it. Issued as the lead single off their eponymous debut album, it would become the highest-charting single of their career, peaking at No.5 Billboard Hot 100 and No.15 in their native UK. The classic line-up of Bad Company would rack up four more American top 20 hits through the end of the decade, namely Movin' On, Feel Like Makin' Love, Young Blood, and Rock 'n Roll Fantasy. The band remains a favorite on classic rock radio to this day
May 10, 1972 ~ Pop singer Bobby Vinton releases Sealed With A Kiss, lifted off the album of the same name ~ Written by Peter Udell and Gary Geld. First recorded by vocal group the Four Voices in 1960, who failed to make the song a hit. The song would become well known after Brian Hyland's rendition became a Billboard Hot 100 No.3 hit in 1962. A 1968 cover by Gary Lewis & the Playboys would reach top 20. Vinton's early 1970s rendition would stand out for its modern sound, arranged by Bobby Vinton, and including a bongo in the track's intro. It would reach No.19 Billboard Hot 100 and rejuvenate Vinton's career. Later Vinton's rendition would be used for the soundtrack of the horror film All The Boys Love Mandy Lane, released in 2007