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 13, 1977 ~ Country pop singer, guitarist Ilse de Lange, full name Ilse Annouska de Lange, born in Almelo, the Netherlands ~ Internationally perhaps best known as half of the Common Linnets, reaching 2nd place in the 2014 Eurovision Songfestival representing the Netherlands with Calm After The Storm. As a solo artist active since the 1990s. Well known songs include I'm Not So Tough, Before You Let Me Go, The Great Escape, So Incredible and Blue Bittersweet
May 13, 1976 ~ Blues, blues rock, soul blues guitarist, singer Ana Popovic born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia ~ Released her Jim Gaines-produced Hush solo debut album in 2001, featuring renowned guitarist Bernard Allison, and has recorded to critical acclaim since. Guests on subsequent recordings would include Joe Bonamassa, Robert Randolph, Cody Dickinson, and Bernard Pretty Purdie
May 13, 1976 ~ Joaquin Garza, commonly known as rock, post punk, hard rock drummer Josh Garza born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Cites Led Zeppelin's John Bonham as influence. Original member of noise pop band Comet. Member of Captain Audio. Co-founded rock outfit Secret Machines, known best for Sad And Lonely of their 2004 Now Here Is Nowhere debut album. Co-founded EFG in 2011 with guitarist, singer Imaad Wasif
May 13, 1975 ~ Bandleader Bob Wills, full name James Robert Wills, passed away in Fort Worth, Texas, USA ~ Founded and led the Texas Playboys. Considered the co-founder of Western Swing, merging country, dance and jazz. Seen as “the King of Western Swing” although Spade Cooley also claimed the moniker. Known for recordings such as Steel Guitar Rag, New San Antonio Rose, Smoke On The Water, Stars And Stripes On Iwo Jima, New Spanish Two Step, Ida Red Likes The Boogie, and Faded Love ~ Wills was born in 1905May 13, 1975 ~ Jazz harmonica player Grégoire Maret born in Geneva, Switzerland ~ Leader and sideman. Has worked with Andy Milne, Romain Collin, Bill Frisell, Jimmy Scott, Jacky Terrasson, David Sanborn, Leon Parker, Jeff Tain-Watts, Meshell Ndegeocello, Cassandra Wilson, Bebel Gilberto, George Benson, Marcus Miller, Pat Metheny, Lionel Loueke, Kurt Elling, and Terri Lyne Carrington
May 13, 1975 ~ Jochen Rückert, commonly known as jazz drummer Jochen Rueckert, born in Cologne, West Germany ~ Brother of pianist Thomas Rückert. Naturalized American citizen residing in New York since 1997. As a leader released his Introduction debut album in 1998, backed by Hayden Chisholm, Ben Monder, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Chris Potter, Matt Penman and Johannes Weidenmüller. In-demand sideman, appearing on over 100 albums by the likes of Marc Copland, Melissa Aldana, John Abercrombie, Ignaz Dinne, Pat Metheny, Kenny Werner, Till Brönner, Joachim Kühn, John McNeil, Seamus Blake, and Guillermo Klein
May 13, 1973 ~ Jazz, crossover jazz, pop pianist Eric Lewis born in Camden, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known for his jazzrock instrumental interpretations of pop and rock songs from artists as diverse as Evanescence, the Rolling Stones (Paint It Black), the Killers, Coldplay, the Knife, Radiohead, Nirvana, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Michael Jackson, the Doors, and the Foo Fighters. Worked with Wynton Marsalis, Cassandra Wilson, Elvin Jones, Jon Hendricks, Roy Hargrove, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Sting, the Roots, Natalie Cole, Esperanza Spalding, and Josh GrobanMay 13, 1971 ~ Omar Credle, commonly known as rapper OC, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Cites Kool G Rap, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, and Slick Rick as main influences. Member of Ditc. Also associated with underground hip hop acts such as Crooklyn Dodgrs, Luv NY, and Perestroika. Has recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Word (Life) released in 1994
May 13, 1971 ~ Jazz bassist, bandleader, composer Omer Avital born in Givatayim, Israel ~ Worked with Roy Haynes, Jimmy Cobb, Nat Adderley, Walter Bishop Jr, Al Foster, Kenny Garrett, Steve Grossman, Jimmy Lovelace, Rashied Ali, Jason Lindner, Myron Walden, Mark Turner, Gregory Tardy, Joel Frahm, Charles Owens, Grant Stewart, Jay Collins, Jimmy Greene, Ali Jackson, Joe Strasser, Daniel Freedman, Joshua Levitt, Marion Browden, Avishai Cohen, and Claudia Ancuna
May 13, 1969 ~ Emo, alternative rock, indie rock guitarist, bassist, singer Dan Hoerner born in Spokane, Washington, USA ~ Decided to become a musician after visiting a Fugazi concert. Co-founding member, lead guitarist of Sunny Day Real Estate which also included Nate Mendel who would later go on to join the Foo Fighters. Hoerner also guested on Dashboard Confessional's 2001 So Impossible EP
May 13, 1968 ~ Parrish Smith, commonly known as rapper PMD, born in Brentwood, New York, USA ~ Member of EPMD alongside Erick Sermon. Member of the Hit Squad. Released his Shade Business solo debut album in 1994. Has also collaborated with DJ Honda, the Snowgoons, and LL Cool J
May 13, 1967 ~ Charles Michael Schuldiner, commonly known as heavy metal, hard rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Chuck Schuldiner, born in Long Island, New York, USA ~ Sometimes referred to as “the Godfather of Death Metal”. Best known as guitarist, lead singer of metal outfit Death from the band's inception in 1983 until his death in 2001 ~ Schuldiner passed away in 2001
May 13, 1967 ~ Singer Melanie Thornton, full name Melanie Janene Thornton. born in Charleston, South Carolina, USA ~ Germany-based singer best known as lead singer of 1990s Eurodance duo la Bouche, alongside rapper Lane McCray, working with producer Frank Farian who also masterminded bands such as Boney M and Milli Vanilli. Thornton started a solo career in late 2000, starting with the single Love How You Love Me. She released her sole solo album, Ready To Fly, the next year. Thornton died in a plane crash while touring to promote the album and in particular the holiday-themed single Wonderful Dreams (Holidays Are Coming). The single has since repeatedly hit the German charts around the Holiday season, aided by Coca-Cola using the track for its TV commercials ~ Thornton passed away in 2001May 13, 1966 ~ Singer, producer Alison Goldfrapp, full name Alison Margaret Elizabeth Goldfrapp, born in London, UK ~ Guested on Orbital's Snivilisation album. Also worked with Dreadzone and with Tricky before teaming up with Will Gregory to form the duo Goldfrapp, debuting in 2000 with the Felt Mountain album
May 13, 1966 ~ Singer, guitarist Darius Rucker, full name Darius Carlos Rucker, born in Charleston, South Carolina, USA ~ Lead guitarist of Hootie & the Blowfish known for becoming an “overnight success” in 1994 with the release of their Cracked Rear View debut album spawning the Billboard top 10 singles Hold My Hand, Let Her Cry and Only Wanna Be With You. The band had been together and touring excessively since 1986. Rucker is also known as a solo artist, having released both R&B and country recordings, starting with his 2002 Back To Then solo debut album
May 13, 1965 ~ Singer Lari White born in Dunedin, Florida, USA ~ Country singer known for songs such as That's My Baby, That's How You Know When You're In Love, and Now I Know. Had her debut album produced by Rodney Crowell. Duetted with Travis Tritt on Helping Me Get Over You. Produced or co-produced artists such as Billy Dean and Toby Keith. Co-wrote Sarah Buxton's Space ~ White passed away in 2018
May 13, 1965 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Peter Zak born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Influenced by McCoy Tyner and Cedar Walton. Worked with Eric Alexander, Peter Bernstein, Joe Farnsworth, Ryan Kisor, Al Foster, Willie Jones III, Quincy Davis, Walt Weiskopf, Peter Washington, Jay Anderson, and Billy Drummond
May 13, 1964 ~ Singer, percussionist Lorraine McIntosh born in Glasgow, UK ~ Founding and longtime member of Deacon Blue, known for the UK top 10 hits such as Real Gone Kid and I'll Never Fall In Love Again. Married to bandmate, lead singer Ricky Ross. McIntosh is also known as an actress, with roles in the soap opera River City and a number of filmsMay 13, 1962 ~ Electronica, rock keyboardist, singer Yngve Sætre, full name Yngve Leiduiv Sætre, born in Ørsta, Norway ~ Lead singer of Barbie Bones, known for the acclaimed yet commercially unsuccessful early 1990s albums Brake For Nobody and Death In The Rocking Horse Factory. Sætre would ggo on to become an in-demand producer, working with acts such as the DumDum Boys, the Kaizers Orchestra, Ephemera, Vidar Vang, and Christine Sandtorv
May 13, 1960 ~ Andrea Cosima Carle, commonly known as pop singer Maggie Mae, born in Karlsruhe, West Germany ~ Debuted in 1974 with the single Ich Hab' Spass Am Leben. Also well known for her cover of Millie Small's My Boy Lollypop released the following year. Dubbed “the Mad Hen” for her young age and funky appearance. Retired from music by the 1980s ~ Carle passed away in 2021
May 13, 1958 ~ Gospel singer Duranice Pace, full name Duranice Ann Pace, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Member of sibling gospel outfit the Anointed Pace Sisters, started singing in their father's church and recording professionally since the late 1980s. The group is best known for their 1992 U-Know album ~ Pace passed away in 2021
May 13, 1958 ~ Soukous, rumba, mutuashi singer, dancer Tshala Muana, full name Elisabeth Tshala Muana Muidikay, born in Elisabethville, Belgian Congo ~ Started her career as a dancer in the band Tsheke Tsheke Love before turning to singing. Dubbed “the Queen of Mutuashi” with well over a dozen albums to her name. Known for songs such as Karibu Yangu and Ingratitude. The latter song would lead to her arrest in November 2020, the song interpreted as veiled criticism of the behavior of President Felix Tshisekedi toward his former mentor and predecessor Joseph Kabila ~ Muidikay passed away in 2022
May 13, 1957 ~ Singer, producer, songwriter Martin Brammer born in Seaham, UK ~ Lead singer of pop-rock trio Kane Gang. As a songwriter had his work recorded by artists such as Tina Turner (Open Arms), James Morrison (The Pieces Don't Fit Anymore, I Won't Let You Go), Marco Mengoni, Josh Kumra, James Bay, Olly Murs, Nolwenn Leroy, Julian Velard, Melanie C, Urszula, Mr Hudson, Jack McManus (Bang On The Piano), Beverley Knight (Trade It Up), Rachel Stevens, Nick Carter, the Lighthouse Family (Raincloud), Roland Gift, Sheena Easton, Mark Owen, Reigan Derry, Foxes, James Bay (Clocks Go Forward), Stevie McCrorie, Opus III, Rachel Stevens, Ronan Keating, Bobby Bazini, and the ShiresMay 13, 1956 ~ Rock guitarist David Hollestelle born in Hilversum, the Netherlands ~ Son of baritone singer David Hollestelle, brother of bassist Jan Hollestelle and guitarist Hans Hollestelle. Best known for his association with Herman Brood, serving as a member of the Wild Romance from 1981 through 2001. Has also worked with Scratch, Bruno Basta, Manuela Kemp, the Tendermen, and Circus
May 13, 1956 ~ Jazz pianist Don Kirkpatrick passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Sideman, arranger. Worked with Chick Webb, Don Redman, Harry White, Elmer Snowden, Zutty Singleton, Mezz Mezzrow, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Cootie Williams, Bunk Johnson, Sidney Bechet, Wilbur de Paris, and Doc Cheatham ~ Kirkpatrick was born in 1905