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 19, 1993 ~ The erotic thriller Sliver, prominently using the UB40 recording of I Can't Help Falling In Love, premiers in the USA ~ The erotic thriller starring Sharon Stone and William Baldwin premieres in the USA. The film is poorly received but its prominent use of UB40's Can't Help Falling In Love, best known as an Elvis Presley tune, helps the band secure their second Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit. Previously, in 1983 the band had scored an American No.1 hit with Red Red Wine, a cover of the Neil Diamond classic
May 19, 1992 ~ Pop singer, songwriter Sam Smith, full name Samuel Frederick Smith, born in London, UK ~ Cites Adele and Amy Winehouse as primary influences. Released his In The Lonely Hour debut album in 2014, which included the UK top 10 hits Money On My Mind, Stay With Me, I'm Not The Only One and Like I Can. Has continued to record to commercial succes, songs such as The Writing's On The Wall, Too Good At Goodbyes, Promises with DJ Calvin Harris, Unholy with Kim Petras all reaching the No.1 spot in the singer's native UK
May 19, 1986 ~ Girl group Bananarama release Venus, lifted off their True Confessions album ~ Active since the early 1980s, the upbeat girl group had enjoyed popularity in their native UK right from the git go. In America, they charted less. The band's previous American hit, Cruel Summer, made it to No.9 Billboard Hot 100 after it was used in the soundtrack of Karate Kid. Their second American top 10 hit would be Venus, lifted off their third studio album. The song was originally recorded by Dutch rockers Shocking Blue back in the late 1960s, penned by their guitarist Robbie van Leeuwen. Bananarama's typically-1980s rendition was produced by the then-popular Stock-Aitken-Waterman, the same team that brought you acts such as Mel & Kim, Jason Donovan and notably Rick Astley, and would reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100, the same position Shocking Blue's original had reached. Bananarama would score one more major hit in America, I Heard A Rumour peaking at No.4 Billboard Hot 100 in 1987
May 19, 1986 ~ Pop rock outfit Genesis release Invisible Touch, lead single off their album of the same name ~ The band's sole American No.1 hit, and the first of five consecutive Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits off the same album, Invisible Touch originated from a jam session where Mike Rutherford came up with a guitar riff and Phil Collins spontaneously provided the line “she has the invisible touch”. Collins would later state large chunks of the lyrics are about his first wife, to whom he was married from 1975 until 1980. The song would be welcomed by critics, Cashbox calling it “a hook-laden pop workout” while Billboard described the song as “uptempo dance-pop with a Collins signature”. Ironically, the song would be bumped off the Billboard Hot 100 top spot by former Genesis lead singer Peter Gabriel's Sledgehammer. Decades later Collins noted in jest that if they had been aware of this at the time, they would probably have sent Gabriel a telegram saying “Congratulations, bastard”
May 19, 1986 ~ Free jazz, avant-garde jazz saxophonist Jimmy Lyons passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Charlie Parker. Best known for his association with Cecil Taylor, being the only other constant member of the Cecil Taylor Unit from the mid 1960s until his death in 1986 including on acclaimed albums such as Conquistador, Live At the Café Montmartre and Akisakila. Lyons has also recorded over half a dozen albums as leader or co-leader, notably Other Afternoons, Wee Sneezawee and Give It Up, and has appeared on albums by Urbie Green, Dave Brubeck, Eddie Gale (Black Rhythm Happening), and Joel Futterman ~ Lyons was born in 1933May 19, 1986 ~ The 17th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Geleen, the Netherlands ~ A warm summer day, some 50,000 visitors show up for this edition's bil which includes the Cure, the Cult, the Waterboys, Cock Robin, the Fine Young Cannibals, Blue Murder, Claw Boys Claw, Howard Hughes & the Western Approaches, the Blow Monkeys, and Gé Reinders
May 19, 1984 ~ In its 12th week on the charts, the duet To All The Girls I've Loved Before by Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson peaks at No.5 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Country singer Willie Nelson had never heard of Julio Iglesias before but reached out to the Spanish singer at the suggestion of his wife, after they had heard one of his songs on the radio when visiting London. The odd pairing of an American cowboy and a European playboy worked out well, as the resulting To All The Girls I've Loved Before became a global hit. The song was originally written by Albert Hammond and Hal David, and recorded by the former for his 1975 99 Miles From LA album. Hammond would later explain how the song came to be recorded as an Iglesias-Nelson duet: “When Julio asked me to produce his record in 1983, I thought this song would be perfect for him. I sang the song to him with my guitar and told him it was a new song, he fell in love with it. But it was 11 years old by that time”May 19, 1983 ~ Country singer George Strait releases A Fire I Can't Put Out, lifted off his Strait From The Heart sophomore album ~ Preceded by Fool Hearted Memory, lifted off the same album, A Fire I Can't Put Out would become George Strait's second Billboard Country No.1 hit. Written by Darrell Statler, the song tells of a man who knows he should move on but he can't let the fire that burns for a former lover go. As a songwriter, Statler previously had his songs recorded by the likes of the Osborne Brothers (Up This Hill And Down), Loretta Lynn, Bill Rice, and Conway Twitty. Statler also wrote Blame It On Mexico, an album track off Strait's Strait Country debut album
May 19, 1983 ~ Singer Stevie Nicks releases Stand Back, lead single off her The Wild Heart sophomore album ~ Peaking at No.5 Billboard Hot 100, Stand Back would be the Stevie Nicks's third Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit, preceded by Stop Draggin' My Heart Around and Leather And Lace both lifted off her previous album. Prince appears on the track, albeit it uncredited in the album liner notes, though Nicks and Prince would have different recollections of the story. Nicks herself has said hearing Prince's Little Red Corvette on the radio while driving was what inspired her to write the song the very same day. Nicks would invite Prince who came to the studio and played synthesizers on the track. Prince, however, has said that when he got there, Nicks and producer Jimmy Iovine couldn't work out how to work the drum machine, so he stepped in and programmed it for them, “pretty much playing most of the song there in about twenty or thirty minutes”. Either way, though Nicks is the sole credited songwriter, she has later said the song “belongs” to Prince because he wrote and recorded the synth parts that make the song so memorable
May 19, 1981 ~ Mario Sentell Giden Mims, commonly known as rapper Yo Gotti, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Well over half a dozen albums to his name, starting with Youngsta's On A Come Up released in 1996 under the moniker Lil Yo. Best known for his 2017 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 single Rake It Up, a collaborative effort with Mike Will Made It featuring Nicki Minaj. Founded the Collective Music Group record label, whose roster includes artists such as Moneybagg Yo, 42 Dugg, Blac Youngsta, EST Gee, and MozzyMay 19, 1980 ~ Singer Brenda Lee and the Oak Ridge Boys record Broken Trust at Woodland Sound Studios, Nashville, USA ~ Written by Jimbeau Hinson. Produced by Ron Chancey. Released the following September, paired with Right Behind The Rain on the B-side. The one-off Brenda Lee and the Oak Ridge Boys collaboration would reach top 10 of the American country charts, top 20 in Canada
May 19, 1979 ~ Guitarist Eric Clapton and model Patty Boyd finally get their wedding reception ~ As Eric Clapton gets a break in touring the couple finally get a wedding reception, two months after they are married. Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison, formerly of the Beatles, are guests and perform at the wedding reception, it would be the first time in almost 10 years the former bandmates jam together
May 19, 1979 ~ Waylon Albright Jennings, commonly known as singer, guitarist Shooter Jennings, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Son of country singers Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter. Over half a dozen albums to his name since the mid 2000s, especially acclaimed for Family Man and its follow-up The Other Life. Has recorded with both his parents as well as with George Jones, Stargunn, Ted Russel Kamp, Deana Carter, Ike Reilly, Bucky Covington, Patty Griffin, Fifth On The Floor, Lukas Nelson, Wanda Jackson, Asleep At The Wheel, and Billy Ray Cyrus
May 19, 1976 ~ Singer, pianist Billy Joel releases Turnstiles, his fourth studio album ~ Joel's big breakthrough would come with The Stranger, released in 1978, but as most of his early albums Turnstiles did contain that one gem. For his debut album it was She's Got A Way, Piano Man had its title track, and Streetlife Serenade included The Entertainer. Songs that did gain some attention at the time of their release, but took time to grow on audiences and truly become Billy Joel classics. For Turnstiles it was New York State Of Mind, one of three songs the native New Yorker wrote in celebration of his return to the Big Apple. Singer Barbra Streisand covered the song on her 1977 Superman album, much to Joel's delight who thanked her for the exposure, commenting that his New York relatives were impressed to have “the Queen of Brooklyn” cover one of his songsMay 19, 1975 ~ The 6th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Geleen, the Netherlands ~ Chilly but dry, some 32,000 visitors show up for this edition's bill which includes Jack Bruce, Nazareth, Kevin Coyne, Red White & Blue, Sailor, and Alan Stivell
May 19, 1972 ~ Pop singer, pianist Elton John releases Honky Château, the first of half a dozen albums to top the Billboard Hot 200 ~ Titled after the 18th century French chateau, Château d'Hérouville near Paris, where the album was recorded. The album gave Elton John his second UK and USA top 10 hit with the lead single Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Be A Long Long Time), which became a signature song. Critically, Honky Château earned and maintained universal acclaim. At the time of its release Rolling Stone hailed the album as one “that stands head and shoulders above the morass of current releases”, while retrospectively AllMusic characterized it as “the most focused and accomplished set of songs Elton John and Bernie Taupin ever wrote”
May 19, 1972 ~ Pop singer Jenny Berggren, full name Jenny Cecilia Berggren, born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Alongside her older sister Linn Bergren, Jenny Berggren rose to fame as co-lead singer of Ace Of Base. Mixing bubblegum hooks with club beats, the quartet would be one of the most popular Eurodance acts. They are best known for their 1992 Happy Nation debut album, retitled to The Sign on its rerelease. The band's first four studio albums, featuring the classic line-up of the Berggren sisters, their brother Jonas Berggren, and Ulf Ekberg, did well especially across Europe. Their 1993 The Sign album also did well in America, its title track topped the Billboard Hot 100 while All That She Wants and Don't Turn Around also made top 10. Overall, Ace Of Base have sold an estimated 30 million albums, making them the third best-selling Swedish act after ABBA and Roxette. Berggren has released one album as a solo singer, My Story, its 2010 release predated by the lead single Here I Am which reached No.14 in Sweden. Berggren is married to pianist Jakob Petrén, with whom she has two children, and devotes her time to various humanitarian charities, staging Christian music concerts and regularly singing in churches
May 19, 1972 ~ Rock band Sweet release the stand-alone single Little Willy ~ This is about as non-sensical as songs get, as all we learn from the lyrics is that Willy just won't go home. Listeners didn't mind though, and the song became a major hit, reaching top 10 across Europe, and their highest-charting in America where it peaked at No.3 Billboard Hot 100. The song was written by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, with Phil Wainman producing the track. In the band's native UK, it was released as a stand-alone single, b/w Man From Mecca, while in America it was issued the following year as a single of their eponymous compilation album, which served as the band's American debut. For the songwriter duo Chapman and Chinn, who would later write several other hits for Sweet, it would be one of their first major hits. The duo would enjoy success particularly throughout the end of the decade, pennning hits for Mud, Suzi Quatro (Devil Gate Drive), Smokie, and Racey
May 19, 1972 ~ José Alberto Iglesias, commonly known as rock singer, guitarist Tanguito, passed away in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Leading Buenos Aires underground countercultural figure by the late 1960s. Helped birth Argentine rock. Reportedly co-wrote Los Gatos' La Balsa hit. Struggled with amphetamine addiction and the law, received electroshock therapy and was declared legally insane and imprisoned by early 1972 before escaping and losing his life under the San Martin train. His sole sole album, Tango, would be released posthumously and is regarded as one of the most important albums in Argentine rock ~ Iglesias was born in 1945
May 19, 1971 ~ House, trance, dance producer, DJ Paul Spencer born in Crewe, UK ~ Member of producer, DJ trio Dario G, which also included Scott Rosser and Stephen Spencer, no relation. The trio are best known for their 1998 Sunmachine debut album, which included the hit singles Sunchyme and Carnaval de Paris. The latter was recorded for the 1998 FIFA World Cup held in France, would reach top 10 across Europe, and has since been used at various sporting events the world over. The trio's follow-up album, In Full Colour, released in 2000, spawned the single Dream To Me, which would become their third and final UK top 10 hit. Spencer passed away at age 53 of cancer ~ Spencer passed away in 2024
May 19, 1971 ~ Producer, songwriter Peter Boström, also known under the moniker Bassflow, born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Internationally best known for co-writing Loreen's Euphoria with Thomas Gustafsson, the 2012 Eurovision Songfestival winner for Denmark. The same year another entry co-written by Boström, Norway's Tooji with Stay, also made the final but would end in last place with only 7 points. Other artists who recorded his songs include Bosson, Basic Element, Petrus, E-Type, Ola Svensson, Martin Stenmarck, Carola, Charlotte Perrelli, Lovestoned, Marie Serneholt, Alcazar, Eric Saade, Danny Saucedo, Camilla Brinck, and DazeMay 19, 1970 ~ Alternative rock, britpop drummer Stuart Cable, full name Stuart James Cable, born in Aberdare, UK ~ Co-founding member of the Stereophonics, remaining with the band through 2003. Present on most of the band's best known including UK top 10 hits such as The Bartender And The Thief, Just Looking, Pick A Part That's New, Handbags And Gladrags, and Maybe Tomorrow ~ Cable passed away in 2010
May 19, 1969 ~ Tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins, full name Coleman Randolph Hawkins, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. The first to tailor his method of improvisation to the saxophone rather than imitate the techniques of the clarinet. Major influence on players such as Chu Berry, Charlie Barnet, Tex Beneke, Ben Webster, Vido Musso, Herschel Evans, Buddy Tate, and Don Byas. Worked with Kenny Burrell, Benny Carter, Buck Clayton, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Tiny Grimes, Fletcher Henderson, Abbey Lincoln, Shelly Manne, Thelonious Monk, Django Reinhardt, Max Roach, Ben Webster, and Randy Weston ~ hawkins was born in 1904
May 19, 1969 ~ Rock band the Who release Tommy, the band's fourth studio album ~ Pete Townshend's attempt at translating the teachings of spiritual leader Meher Baba to music, at the time it would be hailed as a masterpiece and the Who's breakthrough. Over time, critical acclaim has somewhat diminished but Tommy is still considered a landmark in rock, and is especially acknowledged as one of the first rock operas. It would be developed into other media, including numerous stage productions, an orchestral version by Lou Reizner, a 1975 film with all band members and appearances from Elton John, Tina Turner, and Eric Clapton, and a Broadway musical. The original double album would sell over 20 million copies
May 19, 1968 ~ Bassist, film, TV director Jesse Peretz born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA ~ Founding member of alternative rock band the Lemonheads, leaving shortly before the release of their 1992 breakthrough It's A Shame About Ray album. After his amical departure Peretz would go on to direct for TV and film as well as music videos, including several for his former band and artists such as Jack Black, Nada Surf and the Breeders. Won a Grammy Award directing the Learn To Fly music video for the Foo Fighters
May 19, 1968 ~ Electronica, techno singer, guitarist, keyboardist Paul Hartnoll born in Dartford, UK ~ Formed electronic dance duo Orbital with his brother Phil Hartnoll, known for UK top 20 hits such as The Box, Satan Live, The Saint and Style. Hartnoll has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album The Ideal Condition released in 2007, and worked with Haunted House