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 20, 1984 ~ Singer, actress Naturi Naughton, full name Naturi Cora Maria Naughton, born in East Orange, New Jersey, USA ~ Formed R&B group 3LW alongside Adrienne Bailon and Kiely Williams, known for singles such as No More Baby (I'ma Do Right), Playas Gon' Play and I Do (Wanna Get Close To You) featuring P Diddy and Loon. Also known as an actress, notably portraying the role of Lil' Kim in Notorious, a bio-pic about the life of rapper the Notorious BIG
May 20, 1983 ~ New wave, post-punk, pop rock band the Police release Every Breath You Take, lead single off their Synchronicity album ~ The band's fifth UK No.1 hit, and their sole Billboard Hot 100 charttopper. Nominated for three and winning two Grammy Awards including Song of the Year. Following the band's disbandement in the mid-1980s, the song became a staple of Sting's solo concerts. Though generally perceived as a love song, Sting had intended it quite differently, describing a possessive lover watching someone's every move. He would later comment: “I think the song is very, very sinister and ugly and people have actually misinterpreted it as being a gentle little love song, when it's quite the opposite. Hence so”May 20, 1982 ~ William Howard Montgomery, commonly known as jazz bassist, double bassist Monk Montgomery, passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Influenced by Jimmy Blanton, Ray Brown, and Charles Mingus. Pioneered the use of electric bass guitar, taking up the instrument in the early 1950s. As a leader, Montgomery recorded with the Mastersounds, notably The King And I released in 1957, and a few albums under his own name, noted most for Reality released in 1974. As a sideman, Montgomery is present on albums by Lionel Hampton, Art Farmer (The Art Farmer Septet), Jon Hendricks, Hampton Hawes (The Green Leaves Of Summer), Jack Wilson, Eddie Harris (Silver Cycles), the Jazz Crusaders, and Kenny Burrell. Montgomery has also recorded with his younger brothers guitarist Wes Montgomery and vibraphonist Buddy Montgomery, including over half a dozen albums under the common moniker the Montgomery Brothers ~ Montgomery was born in 1921
May 20, 1981 ~ Pop, dance-pop singer Sean Conlon, full name Sean Kieran Conlon, born in Leeds, UK ~ Member of boy band 5ive, known for a string of UK top 10 hits including Slam Dunk Da Funk, When The Lights Go Out, Got The Feelin', Everybody Get Up, Until The Time Is Through and Keep On Movin'. The band was formed by the same management team that was behind the Spice Girls. Conlon would be the first to leave, splitting from the band in 2001 six months before they would disband
May 20, 1977 ~ Blues singer, guitarist, pianist Lafayette Thomas, full name Lafayette Jerl Thomas, passed away in Brisbane, California, USA ~ Rooted in church choir and introduced to blues guitar by his uncle, blues singer Jesse Thomas. Active since the late 1940s, backing artists such as Jimmy McCracklin, Sammy Price, Memphis Slim, Little Brother Montgomery, and recording from time to time as a solo artist. Especially noted for appearing on the 1968 LC Robinson-album Oakland Blues alongside Robinson and Dave Alexander ~ Thomas was born in 1928May 20, 1974 ~ Singer Brenda Lee records Big Four Poster Bed at Bradleys Barn, Mt Juliet, Tennessee ~ Written by Shel Silverstein. Brenda Lee released the song the following June, paired with Castles In The Sand on the flip side. The single would reach top 5 of the country charts in both the USA and Canada
May 20, 1973 ~ Singer, actress Elsa Lunghini born in Paris, France ~ Daughter of actor, photographer, songwriter George Lunghini. Debuted with the 1986 single T'En Va Pas of the La Femme De Ma Vie soundtrack. It would reach the top position on the French charts, making the then-13 year old Lunghini the youngest person to achieve this feat. A full-length debut album, Ela, followed in 1988 and spawned the hits Quelque Chose Dans Mon Coeur, Jour De Neige, Jamais Nous, A La Meme Heure Dans Deux Ans and Un Roman D'Amitié, the latter a duet with Glenn Medeiros and all reaching the top 10 in France. Lunghini has recorded consistenly since and ventured into a parallel acting career in film and TVMay 20, 1972 ~ Europop, nu-disco singer Andreas Lundstedt, full name Björn Helge Andreas Lundstedt, born in Uppsala, Sweden ~ Co-founding member of Alcazar, best known for their 2000 hit Crying At The Discotheque
May 20, 1972 ~ Trevor George Smith Jr, commonly known as rapper, MC Busta Rhymes born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Given his nickname by Public Enemy's Chuck D after NFL wide receiver George Buster Rhymes. Original member of Leaders Of The New School, noted for their guest appearance on A Tribe Called Quest's Scenario. Has recorded close to a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with The Coming released in 1996 which spawned the Billboard Hot 100 No.8 hit Woo-hah (Got You All In Check). Subsequent hits would include Dangerous, Turn It Up (Remix), What's It Gonna Be featuring Janet Jackson, and I Know What You Want featuring Mariah CareyMay 20, 1972 ~ Singer Sibongiseni Shabalala, full name Sibongiseni Lucas Shabalala, born in Ladysmith, South Africa ~ Member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo since 1993, a popular ensemble led by his father Joseph Shabalala. Has also formed the crossover band Shabalala Rhythm in 1998 with his brother Thamsanqa Shabalala and guitarist Maqhinga Radebe, known for the albums Ubuhie Bakho and Vuma
May 20, 1968 ~ Guitarist, singer, the Who-frontman Pete Townshend marries Karen Astley ~ Pete Townshend marries Karen Astley, daughter of composer Edwin Astley. The two had met at Ealing Art College in London and would have three children before separating in the 1990s, finalizing their divorce in 2009
May 20, 1966 ~ Jazz guitarist Sheryl Bailey born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Worked with Vince Loving, George Colligan, Glenn Cashman, Chris Battistone, Dave Ephross, Jon Seligman, Lenny Robinson, Chris Berger, Ashley Turner, Sunny Jain, Gary Versace, Ian Froman, the Three Rivers Jazz Orchesra, Jim Guerra, Eric Defae, Rick Matt, Jim Germann, Steve Hawk, Joe Herndon, Steve McKnight, James Moore, Ralph Guzzi, Reggie Watkins, Clayton Dewalt, Ross Garin, Christopher Carson, Paul Thompson, David Glover, Ron Oswanski, and Harvie S
May 20, 1963 ~ Rock, pop singer, keyboardist, songwriter Darian Sahanaja born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Wondermints, acclaimed for their 1995 eponymous The Wondermints debut album. Also well known for sequencing and arranging the fragments of the unfinished the Beach Boys Smile into a completed work. Served as music consultant on the 2014 Brian Wilson biopic Love & Mercy
May 20, 1962 ~ Jazz drummer Ralph Peterson Jr born in Pleasantville, New Jersey, USA ~ Started drumming at age 3, later also taking up the trumpet inspired by his father's record collection, specifically players such as Dizzy Gillespie and Clifford Brown. Early on in his career, Peterson sat in with Art Blakey and toured with the likes of Jon Faddis, Stanley Turrentine, and Dianne Reeves. Peterson would go on to record some two dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, starting in the late 1980s, and is specifically acclaimed for the albums Ralph Peterson Presents The Fo'tet and Ornettology. As a sideman, Peterson has regularly recorded with David Murray, Uri Caine, Orrin Evans, and Wayne Escoffery ~ Peterson passed away in 2021
May 20, 1961 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, pianist, songwriter Dan Wilson, full name Daniel Dodd Wilson, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Member of Semisonic. Acclaimed solo artist. In-demand songwriter and collaborator. Worked with Pink, Adele, Taylor Swift, Phantogram, John Legend, the Dixie Chicks, Chris Stapleton, and Trip ShakespeareMay 20, 1960 ~ Saxophonist Tore Brunborg born in Trondheim, Norway ~ Has worked with Bugge Wesseltoft, Havard Wilk, Audun Kleive, Anders Jormin, Diederik Wissels, Arild Andersen, Pat Metheny, Per Jorgensen, Geir Lysne, Mikhail Alperin, Bjørn Alterhaug, Jan Gunnar Hoff, Jarle Vespestad, Jon Christensen, Jon Balke, Nils Petter Molvær, Vigleik Storaas, Bo Stief, Billy Cobham, Masqualero, Manu Katché, and Yelena Eckemoff
May 20, 1959 ~ Singer, guitarist, tambourinist, songwriter Susan Cowsill born in Canton, Ohio, USA ~ Youngest member of family outfit the Cowsills from 1967 through 1971, first appearing on the band's 1968 We Can Fly sophomore album. Backing singer for the likes of Dwight Twilley, the Smithereens, Carlene Carter, Mike Zito, Hootie & the Blowfish. Member of the Continental Drifters, with whom she recorded four albums from the early 1990s through 2002. Formed the duo the Psycho Sisters with Drifters bandmate Vicki Peterson. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Just Believe It released in 2005May 20, 1958 ~ Singer, songwriter, pianist, actress Ann Hampton Callaway born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ As a songwriter her songs her have been recorded by artists such as Barbra Streisand (At The Same Time), Karrin Allyson, Liz Callaway, Barbara Carroll, Blossom Dearie, Harvey Fierstien, Carole King, Patti LuPone, Amanda McBroom, Donna McKechnie, Liza Minnelli, Peter Nero, and Lillias White
May 20, 1958 ~ Punk rock, new wave guitarist, singer, songwriter, actress Jane Wiedlin, full name Jane Marie Genevieve Wiedlin, born in Oconomowoc, Michigan, USA ~ Member of all-female punk rock, punk-pop band the Go-Go's, known for Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hits such as We Got The Beat, Vacation and Head Over Heels. Co-wrote the band's Our Lips Are Sealed with the Fun Boy Three's Terry Hall, with whom she had what she described as a “short but dramatic romance.” Wiedlin is also known as an animal rights activist and actress with roles in the 1985 black comedy film Clue, 1986's Star Trek IV (The Voyage Home), 1987's Sleeping Beauty and perhaps most notably portraying Joan Of Arc in 1989's Bill & Ted's Excellent AdventureMay 20, 1956 ~ Reggae keyboardist Tyrone Downie born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Best known for his association with Bob Marley, joining the Wailers in the mid 1970s and first appearing on the 1976 Rastaman Vibration album. Has also worked with the Impact All-Stars, the Abyssinians, Beenie Man, Black Uhuru, Buju Banton, Peter Tosh, Tom Tom Club, Burning Spear, Steel Pulse, and Alpha Blondy ~ Downie passed away in 2022
May 20, 1955 ~ Keyboardist, singer, songwriter Steve George, full name Steven Park George, born in Phoenix, Arizona, USA ~ Formed the nucleus of Pages with childhood friend Richard Page, with whom he recorded three albums. Though the band had little commercial success, several of their songs have been covered, including notably by Kenny Loggins who recorded Who's Right Who's Wrong, featuring backing vocals from Page and Michael Jackson, America who recorded I Do Believe In You, and Herb Alpert who recorded I Get It From You. Following the band's disbandement, Page and George sessioned for the likes of Al Jarreau, Donna Summer, REO Speedwagon, and the Pointer Sisters, before forming Mr Mister. With the latter band, they would score the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits Broken Wings and Kyrie, both lifted off their 1985 Welcome To The Real World sophomore album
May 20, 1950 ~ Rock, acid rock, psychedelic rock drummer Steve Broughton born in Warwick, UK ~ Best known as drummer in the Edgar Broughton Band, fronted by his brother singer, guitarist, bassist Edgar Broughton. The band has been active on-and-off from the late 1960s through the 2000s, releasing their Wasa Wasa debut album in 1969. The band's next two albums, 1970's Sing Brother Sing and 1971's eponymous Edgar Broughton Band, would both reach top 30 in their native UK. Edgar Broughton has also drummed on Mike Oldfield's quintessential Tubular Bells album and performed as a solo artist since 2010 ~ Broughton passed away in 2022
May 20, 1950 ~ Jazz, bop, hard-bop, post-bop drummer Victor Lewis born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Studied cello and piano, including classical training, before taking up drums. Raised in a musical family, Lewis has been playing professionally since his mid-teens, establishing himself as an in-demand hard swinging bop-oriented drummer by the 1980s. Recorded as leader or co-leader since the mid-1980s, noted most perhaps for his 1992 album Know It Today Know It Tomorrow. Closely associated with Stan Getz, Carla Bley, and George Cables, recording over half a dozen albums with each. Also particularly known for co-leading Horizon with Bobby Watson, best known for the 1990 Post-Motown Bop album. An in-demand sideman and collaborator, Lewis has also appeared on albums by David Sanborn, Webster Lewis, Eddie Harris, Kip Hanrahan (Coup De Tête), Harvie Swartz (Urban Earth), Tom Varner (Jazz French Horn), Carmen Lundy, Gordon Brisker, Kenny Barron (What If), Jimmy Gourley, John Stubblefield (Bushman Song), Mark Helias, Janis Siegel, JJ Johnson (Quintergy), John Hicks, Bobby Hutcherson (Cruisin' The Bird), Art Farmer, PJ Perry, Lew Tabackin, Terumasa Hino (Bluestruck), Ralph Moore, Charles Mingus, Gary Bartz, David Murray (MX), Bud Shank, Dave Stryker, Steve Hobbs, JJ Johnson, Antonio Hart (For Cannonball & Woody), Earl Klugh, Barry Finnerty, Charnett Moffett (Planet Home), Larry Willis, Charles McPherson, and Klaus Doldinger
May 20, 1946 ~ Cherilyn Sarkisian, commonly known as singer, actress Cher, born in El Centro, California, USA ~ Rose to fame as half of Sonny & Cher, the other half being singer and then-husband Sonny Bono, known for 1960s hits such as The Beat Goes On and I Got You Babe. Went on to become a solo singer with hits such as Gypsies Tramps & Thieves, Half-Breed and Dark Lady in the 1970s through I Found Someone, If I Could Turn Back Time and Love And Understanding in the 1990sMay 20, 1945 ~ Sertanejo, folk rock singer, guitarist Renato Teixeira, full name Renato Teixeira de Oliveira, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name, starting with Maranhão e Renato Teixeira released in 1969. Frequent collaborator of Sergio Reis, notably the 2015 Amizade Sincera II collaborative album, and Almir Sater. Wrote Romaria, a hit song for Elis Regina of her 1977 eponymous Elis Regina debut album and covered by numerous artists