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 14, 1984 ~ Oliver Stanley Murs, commonly known as pop singer, songwriter Olly Murs born in Witham, UK ~ First gained attention as runner-up in the sixth season of talent show The X-Factor in 2009. Released his Please Don't Let Me Go debut single the following year, reaching the UK No.1 spot. Other well known songs include Thinking Of Me, Heart Skips A Beat featuring Rizzle Kicks, Dance With Me Tonight, Troublemaker featuring Flo Rida, Dear Darlin', Wrapped Up featuring Travie McCoy, and Up featuring Demi Lovato
May 14, 1984 ~ British pop group Wham release Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, lead single off their Make It Big sophomore album ~ The inspiration for the song came when Andrew Ridgeley left his bandmate George Michael a note, intending to say “wake me up before you go”. However, Ridgeley accidentally wrote the word “up” twice, so he thought he'd also write the word “go” twice. Michael got a big kick out of it, and it gave the band a song title. Previously, they had charted only one song on the American Billboard Hot 100, Bad Boys peaking at No.60. The joyful, infectious Wake Me Up Before You Go Go would hit No.1. The duo would score half a dozen more American top 10 hits including the No.1 hits Careless Whisper and Everything She Wants before disbanding a few years later
May 14, 1983 ~ Anahi Giovanni Puente Portilla, mononymously known as pop singer, actress Anahi, born in Mexico City, Mexico ~ Started as a child actress and ocassional singer, appearing in several telenovelas. Would rise to international fame in the early 2000s starring in Rebelde and its spin-off pop group RBD, known for songs such as Solo Quedate En Silencio, Ser O Parecer, and Inalcanzable. Following the band's success Anahi re-released her earlier solo recordings as well as new material. As a singer best known for her 2009 Mi Delirio album
May 14, 1979 ~ New wave, pop rock outfit Blondie release One Way Or Another, lifted off their Parallel Lines album ~ Though at the time, the single charted only moderately, peaking at No.24 Billboard Hot 100, over time it has earned critical acclaim for Debbie Harry's aggresive vocals and the band's energetic performance. The song was inspired by a real-life experience, a persistent former boyfriend stalking Harry to the point she had to move. Harry would later reveal in an interview with Entertainment Weekly: “I was actually stalked by a nutjob so it came out of a not-so-friendly personal event. But I tried to inject a little bit of levity into it to make it more lighthearted. I think in a way that's a normal kind of survival mechanism. You know, just shake it off, say one way or another, and get on with your life. Everyone can relate to that and I think that's the beauty of it”
May 14, 1979 ~ Blues rock, garage rock, indie rock guitarist Dan Auerbach born in Akron, Ohio, USA ~ Guitarist, singer of acclaimed rock outfit the Black Keys, with whom he has recorded about a dozen albums starting with The Big Come Up released in 2002. Has also released a number of solo records, his Keep It Hid solo debut album released in 2009, and has produced for artists such as Cage The Elephant, Dr John, Lana Del Rey, Ray LaMontagne, and Cee Lo Green
May 14, 1977 ~ In its 12th week on the charts, When I Need You by Leo Sayer hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ First recorded by Albert Hammond, who co-wrote the song with Carole Bayer Sager, used as the title track for his 1976 album. The song would become most closely associated with Leo Sayer though, whose single hit top 10 in over a dozen countries, including No.1 in Canada, the Netherlands, Ireland, the UK, and America, making it his second and final American charttopper after You Make Me Feel Like Dancing earlier the same year. Singer Leonard Cohen would sue the songwriters over a piece of the chorus melody that was similar to his Famous Blue Raincoat, the suit eventually settled out of court: “And they did settle, even though they hired a musicologist, who said that particular motif was in the public domain and, in fact, could be traced back as far as Franz Schubert”May 14, 1976 ~ Bassist, guitarist, drummer, keyboardist, saxophonist Hunter Burgan, full name Hunter Lawrence Burgan, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as bassist of AFI, present on the album Shut Your Mouth And Open Your Eyes. Has also worked with the Force, Dan & Hunter, Hunter Revenge, Badical Turbo Radness, the Frisk, Tegan & Sara, and with Matt Skiba & the Sekrets
May 14, 1976 ~ Actress, singer Martine McCutcheon, full name Martine Kimberley Sherrie McCutcheon, born in Hackney, UK ~ Acted from an early age, initially appearing in commercials as a child and making her TV debut in the drama series Bluebirds in 1989. Enjoyed some minor succes as singer in pop group Milan before rising to fame through roles in the soap opera Eastenders and the romantic comedy Love Actually. As a singer released her You Me & Us solo debut album in 1999, spawning the UK top 10 hits Perfect Moment, I've Got You and Talking In Your Sleep/Love MeMay 14, 1974 ~ Singer, pianist, whistler, ukulele player Andrea Corr, full name Andrea Jane Corr, born in Dundalk, Ireland ~ Lead singer of sibling band the Corrs, known for Irish top 10 hits Runaway, Only When I Sleep, Dreams and Breathless. Has also released a number of solo recordings, her best known song being Shame On You of her 2007 Ten Feet High solo debut album
May 14, 1973 ~ Jazz, big band, swing singer Clare Teal born in Kildwick, UK ~ Active since the mid 1990s. First gained attention with the critically acclaimed and commercially successful album Don't Talk in 2004. Sings originals, standards and jazz covers of pop songs, notably California Dreaming originally a hit for the Mamas & the PapasMay 14, 1973 ~ Jazz banjoist, guitarist Elmer Snowden, full name Elmer Chester Snowden, passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Worked with the Washingtonians, Bob Fuller, Lou Hooper, Count Basie, Jimmie Lunceford, Bubber Miley, Tricky Sam Nanton, Frankie Newton, Benny Carter, Rex Stewart, Roy Eldridge, Chick Webb, Cliff Jackson, Al Sears, Dicky Wiss, Sid Catlett, Lonnie Johnson, Bud Freeman, Jo Jones, and Tommy Bryant ~ Snowden was born in 1900
May 14, 1970 ~ Anthony Gomes Kay, commonly known as blues, blues-rock guitarist, singer Anthony Gomes, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Has recorded about a dozen albums since the late 1990s, drawing from a wide array of blues and rock idioms infused with a solid dose of R&B. Best known for his 1998 Blues In Technicolor sophomore album
May 14, 1969 ~ Singer Danny Wood, full name Daniel William Wood, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Member of boy band New Kids On The Block, known for a string of hits from the mid-1980s into the early 1990s including the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 I'll Be Loving You (Forever), Hangin' Tough, and Step By Step. Wood would also serve as the band's choreographer. To a lesser succes Wood has recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with D-Fuse (Room Full Of Smoke) released in 1999
May 14, 1969 ~ Keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, percussionist, singer, songwriter, producer Greg Kurstin, full name Gregory Allen Kurstin, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of Geggy Tah, known best for their 2001 single Whoever You Are of their 1996 Sacred Cow sophomore album. In-demand touring and session musician working with Beck, Ben Harper, Jon Hassell, the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Released his solo debut album Action Figure Party under the moniker Action Figure Party. Formed the duo the Bird & the Bee with Inara George, releasing four albums since 2007. Best known as songwriter and producer for the likes of Peaches, All Saints, Pink, the Flaming Lips, Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears, Sia, Paloma Faith, Rita Ora, Ellie Goulding, Lana Del Rey, and Taylor Swift. Notable credits include producing Lily Allen's 2009 It's Not Me It's You album, producing and co-writing Kelly Clarkson's Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You), and working on several of Adele's best known including co-writing Hello of her 2015 25 album and Easy On Me of her 2021 30 album
May 14, 1968 ~ Bandleader, composer Beasley Smith, full name John Beasley Smith, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ As a bandleader worked with singers such as Snooky Lanson, Dottie Dillard, Kitty Kallen and Dinah Shore. As a songwriter perhaps best known for co-writing That Lucky Old Sun with Haven Gillespie, popularized by Frankie Laine and later covered by numerous artists including Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lee Lewis, Grant Green, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash, and Chris Isaak ~ Smith was born in 1901
May 14, 1967 ~ Jazz trumpeter George Treadwell, full name George McKinley Treadwell, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Active as a trumpeter through the late 1940s, working with acts such as Benny Carter, Ace Harris, Cootie Williams, and JC Heard. As a member of Heard's orchestra has accompanied Sarah Vaughan, with whom he was married from 1946 through 1958. Best known as a music manager, including managing Vaughan's career, and A&R executive. Notable acts managed by Treadwell include the Drifters and singer Ruth Brown ~ Treadwell was born in 1918
May 14, 1966 ~ Heavy metal, alternative metal, grunge bassist Mike Inez, full name Michael Allen Inez, born in San Fernando, California, USA ~ Best known as member of Alice In Chains, joining the band in 1993 as replacement for original bassist Mike Starr. First appeared on the 1995 eponymous Alice In Chains album, the band's thrid studio album. Present on songs such as Heaven Beside You, Over Now, Get Born Again, Check My Brain, Your Decision, Hollow, Stone, and Voices. Inez has also worked with Ozzy Osbourne, Slash's Snakepit, Jerry Cantrell, Spys4Darwin, and Black Label SocietyMay 14, 1965 ~ Singer Elvis Presley records Frankie & Johnny at Radio Recorders, California, USA ~ First published editions of this song traditional song appeared around 1904, likely first recorded by singer Gene Greene in 1912. Telling of lovers quarelling, ending in murder, is said to be inspired by a real-live tale though it's unclear which tale. Some historians date the original event back to the 1830s. Nevertheless the song would be recorded by over 250 artists, including Johnny Cash, Sam Cooke, Louis Armstrong and inspire a number of movies, most notably Elvis Presley for his 1966 movie of the same name. Paired with Please Don't Stop Loving Me on the flip side, it would be released as a single in March 1966
May 14, 1964 ~ Bagpiper, whistler, songwriter Gordon Duncan born in Turriff, UK ~ Son of bothy singer Jock Duncan. Influential piper best known for his associations with the Tannahill Weavers, Wolfstone, Ceolbeg, and Dougie MacLean. Recorded three solo albums, starting with Just For Seumas released in 1994, and composed over a 100 songs, including Andy Renwick's Ferret ~ Duncan passed away in 2005
May 14, 1963 ~ John Thomas Cooper Jr, commonly known as saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist, composer, arranger Jack Cooper, born in Whittier, California, USA ~ Worked with pop, jazz and classical artists including Aaron Neville, Marc Secara, Jiggs Whigham, the Berlin Jazz Orchestra, Lenny Pickett, Joyce Cobb, Bernie Dresel, Donald Brown, the Young Voices Brandenburg, Jimi Tunnell, the Shirelles, the Temptations, Christian McBride, the Westchester Jazz Orchestra, Dallas Winds, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Bob Curnow, Jennifer Holliday, Lady Rizzo, the O'Jays, the Spinners, Kenny Rogers, Macy Gray, the Manhattan Transfer, Glen Campbell, the Four Tops, Mitch Ryder, Jason Alexander, Brian McKnight, Larry Elgart, Mulgrew Miller, James Moody, Benny Powell, Rufus Reid, Molly Ringwald, Smokey Robinson, David Sánchez, and Roseanna Vitro
May 14, 1962 ~ Hard rock, alternative rock, post-punk, rock singer Ian Astbury, full name Ian Robert Astbury, born in Heswall, UK ~ Co-founding member, lead vocalist of rock band the Cult, known for quintessential 1980s songs such She Sells Sanctuary, Lil' Devil and Fire Woman. Has also worked with the Holy Barbarians, Debbie Harry, Circus Of Power, Tony Iommi, Slash, Nine Inch Nails, and ZilchMay 14, 1960 ~ Jazz bassist, composer Alec Dankworth, full name Alexander William Tamba Dankworth, born in London, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Tommy Chase, the BBC Big Band, Clark Tracey, Nigel Kennedy, Dick Morrisey, Spike Robinson, Jean Toussaint, Michael Garrick, Tommy Smith, Julian Joseph, Andy Hamilton, Dave Brubeck, Abdullah Ibrahim, Mose Allison, Clark Terry, Mel Tormé, Anita O'Day, Peter John King, Alan Barnes, David Jean Baptiste, Van Morrison, Martin Taylor, Ginger Baker, and Pee Wee Ellis
May 14, 1960 ~ Singer Shelley Preston born in Hillingdon, UK ~ Member of Bucks Fizz from 1985, replacing Jay Aston, through 1990. Present on the UK top 10 single New Beginning (Mamba Seyra). Would go on to sing backup for artists such as Jason Donovan, INXS, Brian May, Michael Bolton, Alexander O'Neal, Luther Vandross, Westlife, Alison Moyet, Tom Jones, and Belinda Carlisle
May 14, 1959 ~ Clarinetist, saxophonist Sidney Bechet, full name Sidney Joseph Bechet, passed away in Garches, France ~ One of the first major soloists in jazz, active since the mid 1920s and enjoying popularity by the 1940s. Worked with Freddie Keppard, the Olympia Orchestra, Bunk Johnson, King Oliver, Will Marion Cook, Tommy Ladnier, and Willie The Lion Smith ~ Bechet was born in 1897
May 14, 1959 ~ Saxophonist, bandleader, composer Virginia Mayhew born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Started on clarinet at age 10 to later switch to alto saxophone to join her high school jazz band. Member of all-female big band Diva, known best for their 1995 Something's Coming album. Mayhew herself has recorded over half a dozen albums as a leader, and is especially acclaimed for Sandan Shuffle issued in 2005, its title track a reference to her earning her third-degree black belt, or ‘sandan’, in karate, and A Simple Thank You released in 2008. Over the course of her career Mayhew has guested on albums by Al Grey (Fab), Lodi Carr, the Jazz Nativity, Lou Caputo, and Giorgio Serci, has served as saxophonist and musical director of the Duke Ellington Legacy, an ensemble founded by two of Duke Ellington's grandchildren, and has toured across Eastern Europe and Asia. Mayhew credits her maternal grandparents, her grandfather a classical pianist and her grandmother a singer, as having the most overall musical influence on her. Mayhew has consistently received wide critical acclaim, praised for her technique, improvising skills, and spontaneity. In a 2003 interview, Mayhew has compared her music to practicing karate: “They’re both so intense, and they require so much work on timing and also technique. Karate is a lot more physical, of course. But with playing saxophone or practicing martial arts, once you’ve got the technique down, all that hard work gives you the freedom to express and try new things”