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 2, 1977 ~ Singer, songwriter Katie Noonan, full name Katie Anne Noonan, born in Brisbane, Australia ~ Co-founded pop rock outfit George with her brother Tyrone Noonan, the sibling sharing lead vocals. The band is best known for the singles Special Ones, Run, and Breathe In Now, all taken of their 1998 Polyserena debut album. Noonan also founded the jazz trio Elixer, critically acclaimed for their 2011 First Seed Ripening sophomore album. Collaborated with her mother opera singer Maggie Noonan on the 2004 Two Of A Kind album, consisting of jazz and opera duets. Noonan has also recorded as a solo artist, and collaborated with a wide array of artists including Paul Grabowsky, Karin Schaupp, and the Brodsky QuartetMay 2, 1976 ~ Pop rock sibling outfit the Bee Gees record Rest Your Love On Me at Le Studio, Quebec, Canada ~ Written by Barry Gibb, who also sang lead vocals. Produced by the band with Albhy Galuten and Karl Richardson. First released as the B-side to Too Much Heaven in November 1978. Noted folkie Stephen Stills guests on bass guitar. Barry Gibb would later record the song as a duet with Olivia Newton-John for his 1980 After Dark album
May 2, 1975 ~ Soft rock trio Hamilton Joe Frank & Reynolds release Fallin' In Love, lifted off the album of the same name ~ Up until this point the trio were considered a one-hit-wonder, as their debut single Don't Pull Your Love had reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot 100 yet follow-up singles failed to reach top 40. Fallin' In Love, however, would reach the top of the charts, making it their second and final Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit. The song had been written by the band's lead singer Dan Hamilton with his wife Ann Hamilton, the latter later recalling how her husband had trouble coming up with the lyrics for several songs for their upcoming album: “I submitted my ideas for Fallin' In Love, Winners And Losers and Love Is. Danny loved the lyrics and I had my first hit record, Fallin' In Love.” At the time the band had recently signed with Playboy Records, who insisted they keep their original band name even though Tommy Reynolds had been replaced Alan DennisonMay 2, 1973 ~ June Marvel Cowen, commonly known as actress, big band singer June Hutton, passed away in Encino, California, USA ~ Sister of singer Ina Ray Hutton. Married to arranger Axel Stordahl. Joined the Pied Pipers in 1944 replacing Jo Stafford, remaining with the band for six years including on the hit single Dream. Has also worked with the Winston Trio, the Quintones, the Sande Williams Band, the Stardusters, and Gordon Macrae ~ Cowen was born in 1919
May 2, 1972 ~ Alexander Wilke Steinhof, commonly known as experimental electronic musician, DJ Alec Empire, born in Berlin, West Germany ~ Co-founded Atari Teenage Riot with Hanin Elias and Carl Crack, the trio later joined by Nic Endo. The band merged left-wing, anarchist and anti-fascist views with punk lyrics and a techno sound, often succeeding 200 bpm. From their Hetzjagd Auf Nazis (Hunt Down Nazis) onward, the Berlin outfit have regularly caused controversy for their outspoken politics. The band were signed to Phonogram, yet bailed out of their contract and used their advance to found their own Digital Hardcore Recordings label. Atari Teenage Riot has toured with the likes of the Wu-Tang Clan, Rage Against The Machine, Nine Inch Nails, and Ministry, and would become one of the first new-school European techno acts to achieve success in America, their early singles picked up by alternative radio and MTV, followed by the compilation album Burn Berlin Burn in 1997. Following the death of Carl Crack at the turn of the century, the band disbanded with three studio albums under their belt. In addition to his work with Atari Teenage Riot, Empire has recorded as a solo artist, drawing from ambient, ragga-jungle, and twisted lounge music. Empire is also known as an in-demand remixer for the likes of Rammstein, Chris Vrenna, Primal Scream, Björk, Thurston Moore, Mogwai, and Einstürzende Neubauten. Atari Teenage Riot would reform in the 2010s, initially with vocalist CX KiDTRONiK and later with Rowdy Superstar substituting for the late Carl CrackMay 2, 1972 ~ Singer Bruce Springsteen auditions for Columbia Records, the planned 15-minute session for label executive John Hammond Sr running two hours ~ The then-unknown Bruce Springsteen auditioned for Columbia Records, with the planned 15 minutes running well over time. Springsteen would record a 14-track demo the following day, and officially sign with the label some five weeks later. The singer released his Greetings From Asbury Park NJ debut album in 1973 and remained with the same label throughout his career, selling over 150 million records worldwide
May 2, 1972 ~ Jazz, R&B, rock & roll bassist, bandleader, arranger, songwriter Doles Dickens passed away in New Jersey, USA ~ Active from the 1930 through the 1960s. Worked with Eddie Durham, Buster Smith, Eddie South, the Five Red Caps, Piano Red, Wilbert Harrison, Varetta Dillard, Jimmy Witherspoon, Mahalia Jackson, Bill Haley, and Lavern Baker ~ Dickens was born in 1916
May 2, 1969 ~ Folk rock group the Byrds release their Lay Lady Lay single, penned and first recorded by Bob Dylan ~ The band decided to cover the song after Bob Dylan played the band his newly released Nashville Skyline album at Roger McGuinn's house. Without the band's consent producer Bob Johnston overdubbed a female choir on to the recording, and the band only became aware of this after its release. The group was so upset with Johnston for tampering with the song behind their backs, that they never again worked with him. Despite warm reception with critics feeling the choir actually added value to the recording, the single would fail to reach the Billboard Hot 100. Earlier, the Byrds had done much better with another Dylan song, their 1965 Mr Tambourine Man sophomore single, released only shortly after Bob Dylan's original, had reached No.1 Billboard Hot 100May 2, 1967 ~ Alternative rock, electronica singer, guitarist, keyboardist George Vjestica born in Newcastle-under-Lyme, UK ~ Fronts Bandante. Appears on KT Tunstall's Eye To The Telescope debut album. Worked with Groove Armada, present on the albums Soundboy Rock and Black Light. Regularly backed Nick Cave, including on the albums Push The Sky Away and Skeleton Tree
May 2, 1965 ~ Cellist Matthew Barley born near Sheffield, UK ~ Worked with orchestras including the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Netherlands Radio Symphony Orchestra, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and conductors including Marin Alsop, Thomas Dausgaard, Tan Dun, Charles Hazlewood, Markus Stenz, Yan Pascal Tortelier, and Ilan Volkov. Notable collaborations outside the classical world include Avi Avital, Manu Delago, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Jon Lord, Talvin Singh, Sultan Khan, Nitin Sawhney, Django Bates, Julian Joseph, and Nikki Yeoh
May 2, 1963 ~ Indie rock, alternative rock, pop punk singer, guitarist Bill Priddle born ~ Co-founding member, guitarist, co-lead singer for Treble Charger, with whom he recorded five albums before departing the band in 2003. Recorded as a solo artist, releasing his The Priddle Concern album in 2008 under the group moniker the Priddle Concern. Has also worked with Broken Social Scene and with Don VailMay 2, 1963 ~ Jazz saxophonist Eric Person born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Over half a dozen albums to his name as a leader. Closely associated with drummer Chico Hamilton during the 1980s and 1990s. Has also worked with Ronald Shannon Jackson, Chris Joris, John Esposito, the World Saxophone Quartet, Vernon Reid, Ofra Haza, Ben Harper, and Bootsy Collins
May 2, 1963 ~ R&B girl group Martha & the Vandellas record A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knocking Everyday) at Hitsville USA, Detroit, Michigan ~ Written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland Jr, the former two also serving as producers. Included on the 1965 Come & Get These Memories album, subsequently featured as the B-side of their major hit single Heat Wave. Though not a hit on its own, A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knocking Everyday) would become a sixties classic, and be covered by over a dozen artists including Kim Weston, Ike & Tina Turner, Dusty Springfield, and Juice Newton
May 2, 1962 ~ Alain Johannes Mociulski, commonly known as guitarist, bassist, singer, producer Alain Johannes, born in Santiago, Chile ~ Somewhat of an unsung guitar hero of the California rock scene, little known to the general public but an influential and in-demand sideman, collaborator and producer for a wide array of well known acts. Johannes musical intrest began at a young age, influenced by the Beatles and his uncle Peter. In a 2020 interview with Guitar World, Johannes revealed how his uncle introduced him to the guitar: “When he showed up he would bring his instruments, and then when I was around four, I asked him to show me some chords and I started to pick out some tunes by ear.” In his teens, Johannes formed Chain Reaction, later renamed to What Is This, which also included Hillel Slovak and Flea who would later form the Red Hot Chili Peppers. In 1987 Johannes would form Walk The Moon with his wife Natasha Shneider, known for their sole eponymous album, and with the addition of future Pearl Jam drummer Jack Irons the couple formed alternative rock trio Eleven three years later. Johannes is also closely associated with Josh Homme, producing the 2000 Rated R album for Homme's rock group the Queens Of The Stone Age, subsequently guesting on several of the band's albums and briefly serving as a full member in the mid 2000s, including on the acclaimed 2005 Lullabies To Paralyze album. Johannes and Homme would continue to team up, perhaps most notably by the end of the decade with Johannes serving as a touring member for Homme's Them Crooked Vultures. Johannes has produced or co-produced albums by Chris Cornell (Euphoria Morning), Live (V), Steadman, UNKLE, Mark Lanegan, Wires On Fire, Carole Pope, Spinnerette, Natalie Imbruglia (Come To Life), Black Box Revelation, Jimmy Eat World, K's Choice (The Phantom Cowboy), Edith Crash, and Des Rocs, and has guested on albums by Sun 60, Melissa Ferrick, Jason Falkner (Presents Author Unknown), the Eagles Of Death Metal, Jack Irons, Silverchair (Young Modern), Puscifer, Doug Pinnick, Nosfell, Kelly Clarkson (All I Ever Wanted), Brody Dalle, Duke Garwood (Heavy Love), PJ Harvey, and Mondo GeneratorMay 2, 1958 ~ Brenda Shannon Greene, mononymously known as freestyle, dance-pop, post-disco singer Shannon, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Best known for her 1983 Let The Music Play single, an international hit reaching top 20 across the globe including the UK and the Netherlands, top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Subsequent singles including Give Me Tonight, My Heart's Divided and Do You Wanna Get Away would chart well on the American dance charts
May 2, 1956 ~ Rock bassist, singer, songwriter Doug Howard, full name Douglas Joseph Howard, born in Englewood, New Jersey, USA ~ Got his start in music backing girl group the Crystals. Member of Touch, known for the singles Call Me When The Spirit Moves You and Don't You Know What Love Is of their eponymous 1979 Touch. Briefly a member of Todd Rundgren's Utopia. Has also worked with the Edgar Winter Group, replacing the band's original bassist Dan HartmanMay 2, 1955 ~ Punk rock, new wave, post-punk, synth-pop keyboardist, guitarist, singer, songwriter Jo Callis born in Glasgow, UK ~ Member of the Rezillos, for whom he wrote Top Of The Pops. Member of Shake. Member of short-lived Boots For Dancing. Joined Human League in 1981, first appearing on the Dare album released later the same year
May 2, 1955 ~ Rock bassist Ken Sinnaeve, full name Kenneth Sinnaeve, born in Regina, Canada ~ Co-founding member of Streetheart, known best for their 1979 disco-hybrid the Rolling Stones-cover Under My Thumb. Lesser known songs include the Them-cover Here Comes The Night and What Kind Of Love Is This. Following the band's disbandement in the mid-1980s Sinnaeve appeared on Strange Advance's 2WO sophomore album. Member of Loverboy since 2001, replacing the late Scott Smith
May 2, 1954 ~ R&B, soul, jazz, dance-pop singer, songwriter Angela Bofill, full name Angela Tomasa Bofill, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ One of the first Latina singers to achieve success in the R&B and jazz markets. Over the course of her career Bofill released about a dozen albums, starting with Angie in 1978, spawning the modest hit This Time I'll Be Sweeter. Bofill's rendition, the song previously recorded by Martha Reeves, Linda Lewis, Marlena Shaw, and Roberta Flack, would become the definitive version, and a signature song for Bofill. Over the next decade, Bofill scored about half a dozen Billboard R&B top 20 singles. Bofill has also sung backing vocals for the likes of Dave Valentin, David Amram, Stacy Lattisaw, Patti Austin, and Narada Michael Walden. The latter has also produced Bofill's two most mainstream albums, Teaser and Too Tough. Although never a household name in her native America, Bofill amassed a large following in Asia, and remained an in-demand live performer through the 2000s often billed alongside jazz artists untill a series of medical misfortunates forced her to slow down ~ Bofill passed away in 2024
May 2, 1953 ~ Jazz guitarist James Chirillo, full name James Louis Chirillo, born in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Marilyn Maye, Vic Damone, Joey Heatherton, Lorna Luft, Roger Williams, the Jazz Knights, Tiny Grimes, Benny Goodman, Buck Clayton, Claude Williams, Bob Wilber, Benny Carter, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis, Gunther Schuller, the One O'Clock Lab Band, Kenny Davern, Keith Ingham, Houston Person, Doug Lawrence, Barbara Lea, Joe Lovano, Marcus Roberts, Joe Ascione, Dick Sudhalter, Scott Robinson, Bob Mintzer, Joe Wilder, John Cocuzzi, and Pablo Villegas
May 2, 1951 ~ Rock, blues rock, progressive rock, progressive folk bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer John Glascock born in Islington, UK ~ Member of Carmen from 1972 through 1975, including on the acclaimed Fandangos In Space album. Member of Jethro Tull from 1976 until his death in 1979. Praised as “the best bass player in rock” by Ritchie Blackmore. Has also worked with the Gods, Head Machine, Toe Fat, Chicken Shack, Maddy Prior, and Richard Digance ~ Glascock passed away in 1979
May 2, 1950 ~ Louis Andrew Grammatico, commonly known as rock singer, songwriter Lou Gramm born in Rochester, New York, USA ~ Best known as lead singer of Foreigner from 1977 through 1990, including on hits such as Feels Like The First Time, Cold As Ice and I Want To Know What Love Is. As a solo artist scored Billboard top 10 hits with 1987's Midnight Blue and Just Between You And Me two years later. Has also worked with Black Sheep, Shadow King, and with Liberty & JusticeMay 2, 1949 ~ Gerald Thomas Moores, commonly known as singer, guitarist, keyboardist GT Moore, born in Reading, UK ~ Active since the early 1970s as a solo artist, frontman and as a collaborator. Co-founded Heron with Roy Apps and Tony Pook. Has had his compositions covered by Joan Baez and by Airto Moreira. Has collaborated with Jimmy Cliff, Lee Scratch Perry, Malcolm Mortimore, Thin Lizzy, and Johnny Nash
May 2, 1948 ~ Drummer Bill Ward, full name William Thomas Ward, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Influenced by Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, as well as R&B, pop and rock drummers such as Bernard Pretty Purdie, Led Zeppelin's John Bonham, Ringo Starr, and Jim Capaldi. Best known as co-founding member of Black Sabbath. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Ward One (Along The Way) released in 1990May 2, 1946 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Joel Forrester born in Pennsylvania, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Perhaps best known for writing and performing Fresh Air Theme with the Microscopic Septet, used as the theme song to the NPR radio show of the same name. In addition to leading the Septet, at times a sextet, Forrester has guested on albums by Michael Callen, Michael Hearst, and Phillip Johnston
May 2, 1946 ~ Lesley Sue Goldstein, commonly known as singer, songwriter Lesley Gore, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Discovered by Quincy Jones. Broke through with It's My Party at age 16. Also known for songs such as Judy's Turn To Cry, She's A Fool, You Don't Own Me, Maybe I Know, and California Night ~ Goldstein passed away in 2015