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 15, 1981 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Bob Dylan records Heart Of Mine ~ Penned by Bob Dylan. Produced by Dylan and Chuck Plotkin. Included on the 1981 Shot Of Love album. Musicians include Dylan on piano and vocals, Ronnie Wood guitar, Donald Duck Dunn bass, Ringo Starr drums. Over the years the song would be covered by Norah Jones, Blake Mills, and Maria MuldaurMay 15, 1981 ~ Actress, singer Jamie-Lynn Sigler born in Jericho, New York, USA ~ Actress best known for her role as Meadow Soprano in the HBO series The Sopranos. As a singer released the pop album Here To Heaven, which flopped. Later Sigler would comment she was “embarrassed” by the album and regretted releasing it.
May 15, 1980 ~ Vula Malinga, mononymously known as dance singer, songwriter Vula, born in Texas, USA ~ Started singing in the church choir, becoming co-lead singer of the London Community Gospel Choir. Rose to fame featured on the 2005 Basement Jaxx single Oh My Gosh and has been singing with the group ever since. Has also worked with Dizzee Rascal, Oliver Heldens & Riton (Turn Me On), Pete Tong, and Charlie StaceyMay 15, 1978 ~ The 9th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Geleen, the Netherlands ~ A cold day, some 42,000 visitors show up for this edition's bill which includes Thin Lizzy, Graham Parker, Journey, Mother's Finest, Link Wray, Partner, and Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers
May 15, 1976 ~ Classical flutist David Munrow, full name David John Munrow, passed away in Chesham Bois, UK ~ During an extended stay in South America, Munrow encountered traditional Latin American music and folk instruments. After returning home to the UK, his interest sparked he began to acquire copies of medieval and renaissance instruments, including traditional folk instruments. From the mid 1960s onward, Munrow would perform and record medieval and renaissance music in various ensembles including with the Musica Reservata and notably the Early Music Consort, the latter of which he co-founded. Munrow would also teach early woodwind instruments at the King's College, and host the BBC Radio 3 show Pied Piper. Despite his brief career, Munrow committing suicide at age 33, he was considered one of the most important figures in the early music movement, pivotal to bringing the music to a wider audience ~ Munrow was born in 1942May 15, 1973 ~ Fiddler John McCusker born in Glasgow, UK ~ Best known as member of the Battlefield Band from 1990 through 2001, joining the band as replacement for Brian McNeill. Also worked with folk singer Kate Rusby, recorded several solo albums starting with 1995's eponymous John McCusker, and produced recordings for Cathie Ryan, Roddy Woomble, Kris Drever, and Eddi Reader
May 15, 1971 ~ In its 6th week on the charts, Love Her Madly by the Doors peaks at No.11 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Released as the lead single off LA Woman, the last album to feature lead singer Jim Morrison, around the same time Morrison left for Paris. Morrison would perform the song only twice before his untimely death the following July. Written by guitarist Robby Krieger about the numerous times his girlfriend, go-go dancer Lynn Veres, threatened to leave him. Eventually the couple married in 1972 and stayed togetherMay 15, 1971 ~ Drummer, percussionist Erland Dahlen born in Ulefoss, Norway ~ Worked with Het, Boschamaz, Kiruna, Piston Ltd, Madrugada, Kaada, Odd Nordstoga, Hanne Hukkelberg, Marit Larsen, Xploding Plastix, Bjørn Eidsvåg, Ragnar Sor Olsen, Eivind Sarset, Batagraf, Stian Westerhuis, Nils Petter Molvær, and Anneli Drecker
May 15, 1971 ~ Todd Schofield, commonly known as guitarist Todd Youth born in Rockaway, New Jersey, USA ~ Active since the mid-1980s in predominantly punk and metal bands including notably Warzone, Murphy's Law (Back With A Bang), D-Generation, Chrome Locust, Son Of Sam, Danzig (I Luciferi), the Chelsea Smiles, Cheap Trick (The Latest), and Bloodclot ~ Schofield passed away in 2018
May 15, 1971 ~ Folk singer Tommy Fleming born in Aclare, Ireland ~ Spent much of the 1990s working with Phil Coulter and De Dannan before establishing himself as a solo artist of repute. Has recorded over a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Different Sides To Life in 1996. Known for his forceful bel canto tenor, Fleming is credited with bringing traditional Irish music to pop audiences
May 15, 1970 ~ Pop, soft rock duo the Carpenters release (They Long To Be) Close To You), which would become their breakout hit and their first Billboard Hot 100 No.1 ~ Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, who had Richard Chamberlain record the first version in 1963. Chamberlain's single failed to become a hit. Subsequently, the song was recorded by Dionne Warwick for her 1964 Make Way For Dionne Warwick album, and by Dusty Springfield, who included it on her 1967 Where Am I Going album. Eventually, Bacharach gave the song to trumpeter and A&M Records co-owner Herb Alpert, who recorded the song but was not pleased. Alpert convinced the Carpenters to give the song a try. It became their breakout hit, their first Billboard Hot 100 No.1, and would earn the duo their first Grammy Award. Bacharach would later recall his initial reaction on hearing the Carpenters rendition: “Man, this is just great. I completely blew it with Chamberlain but now someone else has come along and made a record so much better than mine.”May 15, 1970 ~ Attrell Stephen Cordes Jr, commonly known as rapper, producer Prince Be, born in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA ~ Co-founding member and lead singer of hip-hop group PM Dawn, known for blending rap with singing, and incorporating ethereal beats, mysticism and crypto-Christian imagery. Debuted in 1989 with the album Of The Heart Of The Soul And Of The Cross (The Utopian Experience) ~ Cordes passed away in 2016
May 15, 1963 ~ Actress, singer Kristen Vigard born in St Paul, Minnesota, USA ~ First to play the title role in Annie in its pre- Broadway tryout though deemed not “tough enough” by the show's producer for the street-smart character of Annie. Actress for TV and film, notably on the soap operas Guiding Light and One Life To Live. Surfaced in the late 1980s alternative rock scene, singing backup for Fishbone and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, including on the albums Mother's Milk and One Hit Minute. Released her eponymous Kristen Vigard debut album in 1988 to critical acclaim, drawing comparisons to Paul SimonMay 15, 1959 ~ Andrew William Harvey Taylor, commonly known as post-punk, gothic rock, rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, percussionist Andrew Eldritch born in Ely, UK ~ Frontman and sole constant member of Sisters Of Mercy, best known for mid-1980s to mid 1990s songs such as This Corrosion, More and Temple Of Love
May 15, 1956 ~ Saxophonist, pianist, vibraphonist Adrian Rollini, full name Adrian Francis Rollini, passed away in Homestead, Florida, USA ~ Known for 1930s recordings such as Savage Serenade, Got The Jitters, Tap Room Swing, Riverboat Shuffle, and Small Fry. Worked with artists such as Annette Hanshaw, Ukulele Ike, Joe Venuti, Miff Mole, Red Nichols, Roger Wolfe Kahn, Frankie Trumbauer, Red Nichols, Bert Lown, Lee Morse, the Dorsey Brothers, Ben Selvin, Jack Teagarden, Bunny Berigan, and Vaughn Monroe ~ Rollini was born in 1903
May 15, 1955 ~ Singer, guitarist Bo Diddley records Diddley Daddy at Universal Recording Studio, Chicago, Illinois ~ Based on Billy Boy Arnold's I Wish You Would recorded earlier the same month. Chess Records co-owner Leonard Chess wanted Bo Diddley to cover the tune but legal obligations stood in the way. Diddley and Harvey Fuqua rewrote the lyrics and it would become a signature tune for Diddley. Released as his sophomore single the following June. Little Walter plays the blues harp, Jerome Green maracas, Clifton James drums, Fuqua's vocal group the Moonglows backing vocals. The song would be covered by a number of artists, perhaps most notably the Rolling Stones on their first demo tapeMay 15, 1953 ~ Vaudeville singer, comedian Frankie Jaxon, full name Frank Devera Jackson, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Appeared with Duke Ellington in the 1929 film short Black And Tan, and with Bessie Smith in St Louis Blues the same year. Cab Calloway's Minnie The Moocher is said to be based on Jaxon's 1927 song Willie The Weeper. Has worked with Bennie Moten, King Oliver, Freddie Keppard, Cow Cow Davenport, Tampa Red, and the Harlem Hamfats. Retired from music by the early 1940s ~ Jackson was born in 1896
May 15, 1953 ~ Progressive rock, world, ambient, new-age, pop, experimental, minimalist guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter Mike Oldfield, full name Michael Gordon Oldfield, born in Reading, UK ~ Best known for his 1973 Tubular Bells debut album, propelling him to instant fame. Oldfield played all instruments on the album. The title track Tubular Bells would reach Billboard Hot 100 top 10 after its opening would be used in The Excorcist. Brother of Sally Oldfield, with whom he has worked repeatedly including under the moniker Sallyangle. Has also worked with Kevin Ayers, Robert Wyatt, Pekka Pohjola, Maggie Reilly (Moonlight Shadow), and Bonnie Tyler
May 15, 1952 ~ Power pop, pop singer, drummer, bassist, guitarist, songwriter Phil Seymour born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Revered by power pop aficionados, especially for his solo work. Formed the duo Oister with Dwight Twilley, known for their 1975 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit I'm On Fire. Member of the Textones. Sang backup on Tom Petty's American Girl and Breakdown ~ Seymour passed away in 1993
May 15, 1951 ~ Rock, pop rock, progressive rock singer, songwriter Dennis Frederiksen, full name Dennis Hardy Frederiksen, born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA ~ Briefly lead singer for Toto, appearing on the 1984 Isolation album which spawned the hit Stranger In Town. For the album Frederiksen co-wrote Angel Don't Cry, Isolation, Mr Friendly and Change Of Heart. Has also sung lead for Trillion, Angel, and Leroux. Sang backup on Survivor's Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Eye Of The Tiger and the top 20 follow-up American Heartbeat ~ Frederiksen passed away in 2014
May 15, 1951 ~ Proto-punk, rock, garage rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Jonathan Richman born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known as founder and frontman of pivotal proto-punk outfit the Modern Lovers, acclaimed for their 1976 Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers album which included the hit singles Roadrunner (Once) and Egyptian Reggae. The band was initially active from 1970 through 1974 but the full-length debut album would not be released until 1976
May 15, 1948 ~ Pioneering producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Brian Eno born in Woodbridge, UK ~ Pioneered ambient, electronic and experimental music. Member of Roxy Music from 1971 through 1973 and present on the Roxy Music and Music For Your Pleasure albums. As a solo artist acclaimed for a number of mid 1970s albums, notably 1974's Here Come The Warm Jets. In-demand collaborator and producer including on David Bowie's “Berlin trilogy” albums of Low, Heroes and Lodger. Has also worked with Robert Fripp, John Cale, Talking Heads, Ultravox, Devo, Daniel Lanois, Laurie Anderson, Grace Jones, U2, and Damon Albarn
May 15, 1947 ~ Pop, soft rock singer, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Graham Goble, full name Graeham George Goble, born in Adelaide, Australia ~ Co-founding member of the Little River Band remaining with the band through 1992, for whom he wrote or co-wrote songs such as Reminiscing, Lady, Take It Easy On Me, The Other Guy, and The Night Owls. Produced John Farnham's 1980 Uncovered album. Has recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Broken Voices released in 1990
May 15, 1946 ~ Folk, traditional folk fiddler, violist Aly Bain born in Lerwick, UK ~ Considered a Scottish icon. Best known as co-founding member of Scottish-Irish folk group the Boys Of The Lough, with whom he played for over 30 years. In-demand collaborator, noted especially for a series of Transatlantic Sessions albums, working with a host of artists including Jerry Douglas and Jay Ungar. Has also worked with the likes of Phil Cunningham, Emmylou Harris, Rosanne Cash, James Taylor, Martha Wainwright, John Martyn, Iris DeMent, Dónal Lunny, Joan Osborne, and Allison Moorer
May 15, 1945 ~ Reggae singer Denroy Morgan born in Jamaica ~ First gained attention as member of New York-based 1970s reggae outfit the Black Eagles. Would go on to a successful solo career from the 1980s onwards, perhaps best known for his reggae, dance hit I'll Do Anything For You of his 1981 album of the same name. Would become the first reggae artist to be signed to RCA Records, resulting in the 1984 album Make My Day. Several of Morgan's offspring would also become professional musicians, notably his sons Gramps Morgan and Laza Morgan ~ Morgan passed away in 2022